100 - HISTORY OF FULTON, COUNTY O., married Hazel Wilson. The Carpenters are democrats, and R. P. Carpenter has served the community as a member of the City Council and as a director of the Board of Education. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic and Independent Order Odd Fellows lodges in Lyons, and the Knights of the Maccabees in Wauseon. HARRY T. WILLEMAN. It is a compliment worthily bestowed to say that Fulton county is honored by the citizenship of Harry T. Willeman, of Clinton township, for he has achieved definite success through his own efforts and is thoroughly deserving of the proud American title of self-made man, the term being one that, in its better sense, cannot but appeal to the loyal admiration of all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the privileges afforded for individual accomplishment. It is a privilege, ever gratifying in this day and age, to meet a man who has the courage to face the battles of life with a strong heart and steady hand and to win in the stern conflict by bringing to bear only those forces with which nature has equipped him, industry, self-reliance and integrity. Harry T. Willeman is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Richland township, Defiance county, in 1876, and he is the son of Henry F. and Caroline Amanda (Overly) Willeman. These parents, whose entire lives have been devoted to farming pursuits, are descended from sturdy old Pennsylvania German stock, though the family has been established in America for many generations. The subject secured his education in the common schools which he attended during the winter months; his summers from the time he was large enough being devoted to work on the home farm. He assisted his father until twenty-two years of age, when he under- took to operate the home farm on his own account, continuing this until his marriage in 1899. He remained on the home farm a year longer, and then bought forty acres of land in Defiance county, to the operation of which he gave his attention during the following nine years, at the end of which period he sold that place and bought his present farm of forty-one acres, located in Clinton township, Fulton county, where he has resided continuously since 1907, and to which he has devoted himself indefatigably. His industry and good management have brought to him a well-deserved prosperity and today he is numbered among the enterprising and up-to-date agriculturists of his section of the county. His place is well improved in every respect, the farm buildings being of a substantial and attractive character, while the general appearance of the place is a credit to the owner. Mr. Willeman devotes himself to general farming, and also raises some livestock. In 1899 Mr. Willeman was married to Mary Peter, the daughter of William and Eva (Yorges) Peter, of Henry county, Ohio, and they are the parents of three children, Alta May, Mabel Irene and Julia Elizabeth. Politically Mr. Willeman is an independent democrat, reserving to himself the right, especially at local elections, to vote for whom he considers the best men regardless of strict party lines. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Wauseon. Personally he is a man of kindly and generous impulses, and deserves the respect which is accorded him because of his accomplishments and his high personal character. GEORGE B. HARTMAN. Having undertaken the operation of sixty acres of fine farm land in Fulton county, George B. Hartman, of Clinton township, feels that he is making his work pay him a good HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 101 return on his efforts, and is satisfied with what he has accomplished so far, but has plans for advancement and the accuisition of more land in the future, as is but natural, for he is still a young man, having been born in Clinton township on October 10, 1887. His grandfather, John Hartman, was brought to the United States by his parents when he was only six months old, they coming from Wurtemberg, Germany, and after their arrival in this country settlement was made near Wauseon, in Fulton county, and members of the Hartman family have been farmers ever since. The parents of George B. Hartman are Ira and Cannie (Bayes) Hartman, also farming people of Fulton county. Alter acquiring a common school education George B. Hartman attended the Wauseon High School for a year, and then began farming. In 191.3 he was married to Nora Gaiman, a daughter of William H. and Minerva (Turney) Gaiman, of Clinton township. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have no children. A fter his marriage Mr. Hartman spent two years on his father,s farm and then took over the operation of the Gaiman homestead. Since coming to it Mr. Hartman has benefitted by its substantial improvements and takes a deep pride in its excellent condition. The neat buildings, all well adapted for their several purposes, well fenced fields, the many appliances and machinery for increasing the efficiency of the farming plant, all show that it is a place for a practical farmer and an industrious man and one who is carrying on this work as a regular business and not as a vocation until something better "turns up." This tendency on the part of some of the farmers to use their calling as but a make-shift, instead of bending every energy to making it a life work, is what has prejudiced some against an agricultural life. Naturally a man cannot expect to succeed if his heart is not in what he is doing. Farming is like any other kind of business, it must be carried on capably and by one who puts his interest in it along with his work, and then the results are readily amazing, gratifying and intensely interesting. Mr. Hartman is the latter kind of farmer, and that is the reason he is making such a success of his undertaking. Ever since casting his first vote he has been a republican, and sees no reason to change his political views. REUBEN E. CHASE, who for many years has been identified in responsible capacity with the Gottshall Manufacturing Company, and latterly has been a stockholder and director of that corporation and general manager of their Archbold plant, is a man of good business ability, and one who since he has been in Archbold has manifested a helpful public-spiritedness. He was born at the family homestead in Defiance county, Ohio, in 1859, the son of Charles. and Charlotte (Felton) Chase. The Chase family, which originally was of English antecedents, is one of the noted colonial New England families. Its scions are numerously spread throughout the New England states, and many have had honorable and some quite a prominent place in American church, state or professional history. The branch to which Reuben E. Chase of Archbold belongs appears to have retained its ancestral sturdiness, and it was manifest in Charles Chase, father of Reuben. The early records shows the family as having originally settled at Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, and there Charles Chase was born. Prior to his marriage he followed the adventurous life of a whaler, but after he had married Charlotte Felton he settled in Buffalo, and for some years found occupation of maritime character on the great lakes. 102 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY Eventually his family crossed the lake to Ohio, and Charles Chase settled them in Adams township, Defiance county, where for the rest of his life he lived, following agriculture upon a farming property of forty acres lie had purchased. There Reuben E. was born, and there he grew to manhood. He received elementary education in the country schools at West Ridge, attending school until he was in his nineteenth year, although he had for many years prior to that done much work on the home farm. By 'the time his schooling closed he was conversant with most of the operations of farming life, and was also a young man of strong purpose and steady mind. He and his brother Frederick farmed one hundred and twenty acres situated near to his father,s property, and for five years they worked it jointly, after which Reuben went to Stryker, Williams county, where for the next two years he worked as a carpenter. He was twenty-five years old when he married, which event had its effect upon his plans, for soon after he had married he and his wife returned, to Defiance county, and Reuben took a farm of eighty acres in Adams township. That property he worked for two seasons, at the end of which time he became connected with a sawmill and tile manufacturing enterprise at Bettsford, Williams county. He had acquired a one-half interest in that plant, and for the next five years he and his partner traded as Chase & Betts at Bettsford, which brought him to the time when he became associated with Mr. L. D. Gottshall, an extensive dealer in lumber. The partnership at Bettsford seems to have been dissolved by a division of interests, Mr. Chase taking the sawmill and his partner the tile plant. Next Mr. Chase with his sawmill was busily employed sawing lumber near Tedrow, Ohio, for Mr. Gottshall. And he had similar connection with Mr. Gottshall for twelve years at Farmers Center, Ohio. In 1901 he 'came to Archbold, where he has ever since lived. He is one of the principal stockholders of the Gottshall Manufacturing Company, and is a director and also general manager for all the interests of that company, which does an extensive lumber business. He has proved himself to be a business man of reliability, is enterprising and energetic, and is a good employer. He has not shown a very evident interest in political movements, and has never sought political office, but in the affairs of Archbold he has manifested a helpful interest, co-operating in most of the public movements of the place. He was mayor of Archbold for one term. By religious conviction he is a member of the Church of Christ. He has for many years been placed among the business leaders of Archbold, and during the war proved himself to be a whole-heartedly loyal citizen. He was very directly interested in the struggle, for one of his sons was in almost constant danger, crossing and recrossing the terrible submarine zone on one of the United States transports. Mr. Chase married in 1885 Amelia Florence, daughter of Louis and Louise (Bourquin) Grim, whose home was near Archbold. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chase, but only two still survive. The surviving children are: Ray V., who is now twenty-six years old, lives in Archbold, and has married. He is an accomplished musician and during the time of war enlisted in the United. States Marine Corps. He was assigned to the liner "Finland," then a transport, and as a member of the Marine Band of that ship he made eight trips across the Atlantic ocean, through the waters infested by the submarines. Fortunately the ship escaped and eventually young Chase received honorable discharge from the service. The other surviving child of Reuben E. and Amelia F. (Grim) Chase is the HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 103 daughter, Marjorie Louise, now thirteen years old. Their deceased child, Muriel Joy, died in 1908, at the age of twenty-one years. She had many friends and was of a bright, generous nature, and her death was a sad blow not only to her parents but to her many girl friends also. She had been well educated and seemed to be entering into a worthy womanhood when death took her. Mrs. Chase died September 3, 1913. HARVEY KING, who has an appreciable automobile supply business in Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, and is the owner of the King Garage of that place, is an energetic business man of good practical inclination, and in his automobile enterprises has given good service, in which way he has made very satisfactory connections. He was born near Stutgard, Arkansas, in 1884, the son of Abraham and Fanny (Stutzman) King. In the paternal line his origin is British, but his maternal lineage connects with a German family. His father owned a farming property in Arkansas, later moving to Johnson county, Missouri, and after about eleven years of residence in that state came north and settled on an agricultural property near Archbold. Harvey was about seven years old when his parents moved from Arkansas to Missouri, and in the public schools of Johnson county of that state he received practically all his academic education. He was sixteen years old when he closed his schooling and gave his time to his father and to the work of the parental farm. About one year later the family came into Ohio and settled near Archbold. There for the next four years father and son worked together. Soon after that, however, Harvey married and took upon himself the responsibilities of independent farming. He rented a property of one hundred and twenty acres for five years, and another farm of sixty-nine acres for a further five years, during which time he appears to have had moderate success, and to have accumulated some capital. He was then able to follow his natural inclination toward mechanics. He came into Archbold and bought a machine shop, and met with some success in enterprisingly turning it into a garage. For somewhat more than two years he was established in that location, and then saw an advantage in renting the Ford repair room, which business he conducted for nine months. Then he bought his present garage, and has not had reason to regret the purchase. His business is a substantial and expanding one, and is known to automobile owners throughout that section of the county. His service is all that could be desired, and his intention is to maintain it at a high and up-to-date standard. Mr. King has shown commendable enterprise since he has been in Archbold, and an equally commendable industriousness, and so has good place among the responsible optimistic residents of the town. In 1905 he married Carrie, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Short) Rupp, of Archbold, and to them have been born five children: Ilva, thirteen years old ; Ella, age eleven ; Mildred, nine years old; Beulah, age seven, and Ralph, two years old. GARNETT QUEDO MORGAN. One of the leading business men and best known citizens of the western part of Fulton county is Garnett Q. Morgan, proprietor of the Red Cross Drug Store at Archbold. He has succeeded in his life work because he has been persistent and energetic and honorable in his dealings with the -public, and he has therefore enjoyed the confidence and good will of all, which are in- 104 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY dispensable factors if one succeeds in any line where the public has to be depended upon. Garnett Q. Morgan was born at Hicksville, Defiance county, Ohio, on September 26, 1869, and is the son of Edison G. and Nancy (Whitlock) Morgan, who were of Scotch and Irish antecedents respectively, though both families have been represented in America for many years. The subject was reared on his father’s farm and secured his educational training in the common and high schools of Hicksville. When nineteen years of age he went to work for E. M. Pettit & Company, druggists at Hicksville, with whom he remained until thirty years of age. In 1899 Mr. Morgan entered the Ada School of Pharmacy, where he received his pharmacist certificate. Two years later he returned to Hicksville, where. he remained until 1908, when he came to Archbold and took charge of C. W. Waldvogel's drug store. He continued in that position until 1913 when he purchased the business and has since operated it under the name of the Red Cross Drug Store. He carries a large and complete line of drugs and proprietary remedies, as well as several accessory lines, including wall paper, kodak supplies, etc. He enjoys a large and representative patronage covering a wide radius of surrounding country and is deservedly popular with all his customers. Mr. Morgan was married to Lodema B. Hoffman, the daughter of Peter and Caroline (Tracht) Hoffman, of near Hicksville, and to them have been born two daughters, Opal Marie and Eula Grace, the latter dying at the age of one year. Politically Mr. Morgan is an ardent supporter of the republican party and has taken a commendable interest in local public affairs. He has served one term as a member of the City. Council, and was re-elected in 1919. Fraternally he is a member of Hicksville Lodge No. 478, Free and Accepted Masons, belonging also to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. His religious affiliation is with the Christian Church. In all life,s relations he has been true to every duty and the trusts reposed in him, and thereby has earned the enviable position which he enjoys in the community. CHARLES A. HUMPHREYS, who for fifty years has lived in Fulton county, Ohio, and since early manhood has been connected, and for the greater part of the time responsibly connected with milling enterprises in Wauseon and Archbold, has since 1906 been one of the two partners of the Archbold Milling and Elevator Company, which firm does a substantial business in flour, grain, feed and coal. He also has other business interests, being president and a stockholder in the E. F. Hansen Company, millers of Wauseon, Ohio, and director of the Winner Glove Manufacturing Company of the same city. As a business man of enterprise and honorable characteristics he is esteemed in Archbold and Wauseon, and has very many friends throughout Fulton county. He is of British birth, born in the ancient city of Bath, Somersetshire, England, March 14, 1869, the son of Charles A. and Marion (Wheeler) Humphreys. The family had for many previous generations lived in the vicinity of that city, and had generally followed the milling industry. Charles A. Humphreys was a miller in England, and when he came to the United States he followed that occupation in this country. Soon after emigration he settled in Wauseon, Fulton County, Ohio, and throughout his American residence of forty-two years was connected with the milling business of Lyon, Clement & Greenleaf, of Wauseon. Charles A. Humphreys was HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 105 a man of estimable characteristics, loyal and reliable. That trait was well demonstrated by his long association with the Wauseon Milling Company. He was a man of good education, was always a responsible resident from his first coming to Wauseon, and during his life he took an intelligent and interested part in public movements. He died in 1912, in Wauseon, his wife living for a further six years, her death not coming until 1918. She also was interred in Wauseon Cemetery. Charles A., son of Charles A. and Marion (Wheeler) Humphreys, was only eighteen months old when his parents came to the United States and settled in Wauseon, Fulton county, Ohio. In that city he spent most of his life, attending local schools in his boyhood, and eventually entering the Wauseon High School. He was seventeen years old when he began his business career, taking employment under his father in the mill of Lyon, Clement & Greenleaf, of Wauseon. He passed through a thorough milling apprenticeship, and in course of time became head miller of the Wauseon plant. In 1906 he and a fellow-worker, John Munroe, joined resources in business partnership, and together purchased the business and plant of the Archbold Milling Company of Archbold. They have since that time been the principal and joint owners of that business, which they have considerably developed during the years from 1906 to the present. Today the trading of the company in flour, grain, feed and coal is extensive and has brought appreciable substance to the partners, both of whom have taken leading parts in the general activities of Archbold. The firm is widely known for its special brands of flour, the Golden Eagle and Imperial, both partners being expert millers and able to carefully select their grain. And in feed and coal, the partners have an extensive town and country business. Both partners are closely identified with the management of another Fulton county milling firm, the K F. Hansen Company, of Wauseon, of which company Mr. Humphreys is president. He is also director of the Winner Glove Manufacturing Company of Wauseon. Politically Mr. Humphreys is a republican. His business interests, however, have been such as to demand most of his time during recent years, and he has been unable to devote to community affairs as much time as he would have liked. He has, however, been a willing supporter of worthy local instittuions, and is placed among the leading men of affairs in that section of Fulton county: During the recent war Mr. Humphreys upon more than one occasion manifested a whole-hearted patriotism, taking good part in the local activities relating to the various drives for funds with which the national government might properly pursue the national purpose. Generally Mr. Humphreys has a worthy place in the county, being known widely as a man of undoubted moral and material integrity. In 1891, at Wauseon, Ohio, he married Verna C., daughter of G. 'W. and Rebecca (Neikirk) Hulls, of Wauseon. They have two children, Gail and Margery. HORACE R. GRIFFIN, an enterprising and steady young business man of Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, partner in the firm of Wyse and Griffin, grocers and butchers of Archbold, is a veteran of the World war, and one with a good overseas record. And since he has returned to civilian occupations he has manifested an initiative and enterprise such as indicate a good future for him. He is a native of Fulton county, Ohio, born in the village of Fayette, February 14, 1898, the son of Otis and Edith May (West- 106 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY fall) Griffin. The Griffin family came originally from England, but Otis U. Griffin, father of Horace R., was for a while a farmer in Fulton county. Horace was born on the parental farm at Fayette, but when he was three years old the family moved into the city of Wauseon, Fulton county, and there he passed his boyhood. He attended the Wauseon public schools, graduating from the elementary to the high school, and graduating creditably from the latter with the class of 1917, at the age of nineteen years, the year of the commencement of the great war, or rather of America's participation in it. Young Griffin enlisted in the first month of the war, before ever there was thought of the selective draft. Soon after President Wilson had declared the nation to be in a state of war with Germany, Griffin went to Toledo and enlisted in the First Ohio Ambulance Corps. He was sent to Camp Sheridan, where for nine months he remained, pursuing the requisite course of training, but inwardly chafing, for he had hoped to have been early sent to France. Eventually he became a private, first-class, and was sent to the port of embarkation, New York, from which port he sailed on June 28, 1918, on the transport "Plassy," which after an exciting voyage eventually arrived at Glasgow, Scotland. Then followed a railway journey to Winchester, in the south of England. The time, however, was a momentous one and movements of troops had to be accelerated. After three days at Winchester, undergoing necessary organization, his unit was dispatched to Southampton, England, and sailed without delay, crossing the channel to Cherbourg, France, on the 10th of July. Ten days later he was at the front, only four days after the beginning of the most terrific fighting of the war, the allied offensive which was destined to throw the Teutonic forces into confusion, and eventually drive them. from France in utter defeat. During the next four months Griffin saw much service; his unit had been reclassified, and in France was known as the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ambulance Company, of the One Hundred and Twelfth Sanitary Train, Thirty-Seventh Division, which division was in the major battles of the Vosges, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne. And he was also in the Lys sector of Belgium, where the resistance was very stubborn. Griffin pawed through that exciting period without hurt, save for a slight gasing, and eventually, on March 24, 1919, sailed for the United States on the United States transport "Montana." He was mustered out with a certificate of honorable discharge at Cramp Sherman on April 12, 1919. Soon afterward he returned to Wauseon, and in a short while settled down to civil life with commendable resolution and initiative. He formed a business partnership with Mr. R. P. Wyse, the two opening business as grocers and butchers at Archbold in that year. The partners are both young and energetic, and although the business is of such recent establishment, there are indications that the partners are developing a substantial measure of trading. They have a good town and country trade, have shown alertness in their operations, and an assuring reliability in their trading. Horace R. Griffin is unmarried. Politically he is a republican; religiously he is a Methodist, and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen orders, holding membership in Wauseon lodges. ROMEO P. WYSE, a native of Archbold, and now, notwithstanding his youth, a merchant with a promising future in his native place, is entering early and encouragingly into the full responsibilities of HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 107 independent business. He and another young Fulton county man are developing a substantial grocery and meat business in Archbold, and although the firm of Wyse and Griffin has not been established for a year, the aggressive methods and optimistic alertness these young men are exhibiting augur well for the future stability of the firm. Romeo P. Wyse was born in Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, in 1897, the son of D. F. and Caroline (Mockler) Wyse, who had long been a resident in Archbold. The Wyse family is of French-German origin, having originally come from Alsace, France. The grandparents were the first to immigrate and take up residence in Fulton county, Ohio, the paternal grandfather of Romeo P. Wyse doing much pioneering work in the county, and for the greater part of his life following agriculture. D. F. Wyse, father of Romeo P., was for the years of his early manhood a farmer, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. Eventually, however, he became a jeweler in Archbold. He is still in business and widely known throughout that section of the county. Romeo P., son of D. F. and Caroline (Mockler) Wyse, received his education in the public schools of Waterville 'and Wauseon, Ohio. He attended the Wauseon High School for three years. His years of schooling, especially the period of high schooling, reveal note- worthy traits in the boy. From the age of eleven years until he was sixteen years old he managed to earn much toward his maintenance by enterprising work before and after school and during vacations. At one time he sold newspapers on the streets of Wauseon, and for three years he found partial employment in the grocery department of Brigham & Guilford, department store owners of Wauseon. After leaving high school young Wyse went to Detroit and for a while was employed at the Hup Motor Club, of the Hup Motor Company, as second cook. So employed he passed two years in Detroit, then returning to Wauseon and entering into independent grocery business, for eighteen months trading as the Wabash grocery. Then he disposed of the business so that he might be free to take national service, the World war having begun. He enlisted in the United States Army at Wauseon as a chauffeur, but for some reason was not called into service. Eventually he was drafted by his local board, but the influenza epidemic of that time, the autumn of 1918, and the subsequent armistice on November 11, 1918, were factors which held young Wyse from actually entering upon military duties. While waiting, he for a short time worked in the local plant of the Van Camp Company, and he continued in such employment, in the capacity of weighmaster, for the seven months from the Armistice to the establishment of the firm of Wyse & Griffin, in July, 1919. The business is proceeding satisfactorily, both partners being apt, alert young men, eager to give good service and quite capable of it. Mr. Wyse has not entered much into politics, and his nature would lead one to suppose that in local affairs, if not in national, he would be more disposed to weigh the qualities and qualifications of the candidate for his vote than to place reliance upon the general platform of the party with which the candidate might be affiliated. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Wauseon lodge, and his church is the Congregational. He is unmarried. GLENN JACOB VERNIER. The firm of Vernier, McLaughlin-Probeck Company at Archbold is one of the best known business firms in Fulton county, and for many years has stood for progress and 108 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY fair dealing. Among the active members of this firm is its secretary and treasurer, Glenn J. Vernier, to whom a large part of the prosperity of the firm is due and who has, because of his splendid business qualities and excellent personal traits, won the esteem of the entire community. Glenn J. Vernier has been a life-long resident of Archbold, his birth having occurred here in 1889, and he is the son of A. J. and Hattie (Downer) Vernier. He is descended from sterling French ancestry on the paternal side, his great-grandfather Vernier having come from France to the United States, settling in the vicinity of Archbold. The subject of this sketch was reared here and received his elementary education in the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1906. He then took a commercial course in the Quincy Business College at Quincy, Illinois, where he was graduated in 1.908. Immediately thereafter he went to work in his father's store, with which he has been identified ever since, and is now a member of the firm of Vernier, McLaughlin-Probeck Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. The company has a capital stock of $50,000 and they carry one of the largest and most complete stocks of hardware of every description, implements, building material, etc., to be found in Fulton county, commanding a trade covering a wide radius of surrounding country. In 1909 Mr. Vernier was married to Eva Fagley, the daughter of Conrad and Anna Fagley, of Archbold, and they have become the parents of two children, Pauline Catherine and Jacob Robert. Mr. Vernier has been an earnest supporter of the republican party, and in 1915 was elected to the office of city clerk, in which position he served four years. In 1917 he was elected to* the City Council and is still a member of that body. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of Zenobia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Toledo, Ohio. He possesses to a marked degree those sterling traits which ever command uniform confidence and regard, and he is numbered today among the enterprising business men of his community. GEORGE H. PROBECK, who for twenty-six years has been responsibly connected with the Vernier, McLaughlin-Probeck Company, of Archbold, hardware and lumber merchants, and since the incorporation has been vice president of that firm, is a business man of proved ability and reliability of estimable private life, and of helpful public spirit. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, August 15, 1875, the son of Henry and Margaret (Schweiger) Probeck. He received his elementary education in the public schools of Toledo, and from the high school went to the Davis Business College, where he took the courses in commerce and stenography. Entering upon his business career, he for a while was employed in a. Toledo grocery as a clerk, but was early in Wauseon, where for three years he was a salesman in the store of Eager, Green & Company, becoming generally conversant with the dry goods business during that period. In 1.894 he came to Archbold and entered the employ of Vernier & McLaughlin. He passed eleven years as an employe of that firm, having charge of the bookkeeping of the establishment, and the eleven years were usefully spent, for at the end of that time he was in a position to acquire an interest in the company. He was admitted as a junior partner in HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 109 1905, and when the business had expanded to such extent that with a view to further development the partners felt that their trading could be more effectually administered under corporate powers, he became vice president of the company then incorporated. He is still vice president of the Vernier, McLaughlin-Probeck Company, and is still actively engaged in its management, and it would hardly be incorrect to state that much of the prosperity that has come to the company during the last generation has been due to the careful work and business acumen of Mr. Probeck, to whom the success of the firm has been one of his main purposes during the last twenty years or so. Mr. Probeck is a republican in political allegiance, but has not been able to devote much of his time to national political movements. During the recent war he was of course intensely interested in national affairs, and in that trying time demonstrated a wholehearted loyalty and helpful patriotism in his generous co-operation with the efforts of leaders in the county to insure the proper subscription in the district toward the various bond issues and other funds needed for the proper prosecution of the war. In local poli; tics, however, he has always taken a close interest, although he has never sought public office.. His co-operation in public work has been of the unselfish constructive kind, without thought of personal gain; and he has always been ready to support worthy projects that promised some useful good to the community. As a churchman he has been consistent. He is a member of the local Lutheran Church, and at all times has seen it to be his duty to share in its responsibilities. In 1902, at Archbold, he married Blanche, daughter of John F. and Ellen (Kope) Yeager, of a well-known pioneer family of Fulton county. They have two children: Margaret Ella, who was born in 1905; and Helen Blanche, born in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Probeck have many sincere friends of long standing in Archbold, and are generally well-regarded in the community. DAVID J. MOCKLER, who is now senior partner of a consequential manufacturing concern, the Peerless Glove Manufacturing Company of Archbold, and who for many years has been one of the responsible, enterprising business men of that place, has had a wide and varied business experience. He has for long been known as a man of marked energy and sound business acumen, and his years of energetic application to business have yielded him good return, so that today he is classed among the substantial business leaders of Fulton county. The factory with which he is identified finds constant employment for twenty-four people, and its product is shipped to all parts of the United States, and is therefore an industry of some importance to Archbold. David J. Mockler was born in Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio, November 27, 1869, the son of J. George and Wilhelmina (Grueninger) Mockler. Originally the family came from Germany, but some generations have now been resident in the United States, and the family is entirely American in spirit. David lived for the greater part of his boyhood in Burlington, Fulton county, Ohio, attending the public schools at that place until he had reached the age of fourteen years, when he began 'to work. For the next nine years he followed agricultural occupations industriously, but not as an independent farmer. He was twenty-three years old when he married, and that responsibility brought a change in his occupa- 110 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY tion. Soon after he had married he entered the employ of the Archbold Creamery Company, remaining connected with that creamery for three years as a butter-maker, then followed an equal period, in like capacity, at the Jewel Elgin Creamery, Jewel, Ohio, and. a similar connection in the creamery of Trubey Brothers, Sherwood, Defiance county, Ohio, where he remained for two years, these periods of steady, responsible and well-paid employment adding appreciably to his material means. After two years as an employe at Sherwood David J. Mockler returned to Archbold, and in partnership with John Waldvogel, of that place, ventured into independent business, the two then establishing the Archbold Creamery, which they conducted for five years, the partnership then being dissolved by mutual consent. For the succeeding fifteen years Mr. Mockler traveled extensively, representing oil refiners for the greater part of the time, and must have been a good salesman, otherwise he would not have held to such occupations for so long. After fifteen years of constant travel, however, Mr. Mockler sought other business interests which would enable him to be oftener at home. An opportunity presented itself, and in partnership with Joel and Emanuel Rupp he acquired an interest in the business of the Peerless Glove Manufacturing Company. Mr. Mockler has a one-third interest in the business, and is foreman at the factory ; and since he has been connected with it he has had the satisfaction of seeing its volume of business expand very considerably, until in recent years its product has found a good market throughout the United States. The factory at present finds employment for twenty-four people, and its business is continually expanding. Mr. Mockler has always been a hard worker, and he still holds steadily to business. He is a. republican of independent affiliation, but has not very actively followed political matters. He has shown a close interest in the affairs of Archbold, and in .more than one way has been aiding in its development, but he has not concerned himself very keenly in national politics. He is a citizen of good public spirit, but has never been disposed to accept public office. Like so many other energetic men of business, he has held closely to his business affairs, and has held himself in good personal responsibility and useful citizenshipin that way. Mr. Mockler has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married in 1892, was Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Spiess) Mandley, of Henry county, Ohio. She died in 1910, on June 18, and in the following year Mr. Mockler married again, his second wife being Emaline Nye, daughter of William Nye, of Liberty Centre, Henry county, Ohio. Mr. Mockler is the father of five children, four of whom were born to the first marriage, and one to his second wife. Mr. and. Mrs. Mockler are members of the Missionary Church. AUGUST FRAAS. The name of August Fraas, of Archbold, Fulton county, does not need to be introduced to the readers of this chronicle, for it has been intertwined with the history of this locality for nearly half a century. The splendid success which has come to him is directly traceable to the salient points in.his character, his energy, discrimination and perseverance placing him among the substantial citizens of this section of the county. August Fraas, senior member of the firm of August Fraas & Son, sheet metal workers and plumbers at Archbold, was born in the town of Weisdrorf, Bavaria, on March 25, 1851. He is the son of HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 111 Lawrence and Kunigunda (Horn) Fraas, being the youngest of their children. He remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he came to the United States alone, being thirty-seven days on board a sailing vessel, which landed him in New York harbor. He immediately went to Chicago, Illinois, where he had a half-sister living, and there he learned the trade of a tinner. At the end of a year he went to Defiance, Ohio, where he was employed at his trade for about a year, going then to Napoleon, Ohio, where he was similarly employed for three years. In 1871 he came to Archbold and entered the employ of Jacob Vanier, with whom he remained as an employe for sixteen years. In 1886 he purchased of his employer the sheet metal department and has successfully conducted it ever since. His son, Henry Lawrence Fraas, is also now interested with him in the business, which has steadily grown i until it is now one of the leading establishments in its line in this part of the county. In 1870 Mr. Fraas was married to Sophie Schorner, the daughter of Lawrence and Katherine Schorner, and to them have been born the following children: John W., of Napoleon ; August C.; Henry Lawrence, who is referred to above as his father's business associate, is married and the father of two children ; Lawrence William, of Archbold; Clara is the wife of B. Baker, of Archbold, and they have five children; Sophie, the wife of Clarence Bucher; Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Mahler, of Archbold. Mr. Fraas is an independent democrat in his political attitude and served as a member of the city council for nine years, and his son Henry L. is now a member of that body. His religious affiliation is with the Lutheran Church. He has for years taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. He was one of the organizers of the Archbold fire department and has been a volunteer member of it for thirty-eight years. He has acted well his part in life, and because of his success in business, his public spirit and his fine personal character he is deservedly popular throughout the community. ALBERT EMANUEL THEOBALD. In compiling this volume of representative citizens of Fulton county occasion has been afforded to give the records of men in many walks of life; here will be found appropriate mention of worthy citizens in all vocations, and at this juncture we are permitted to offer a resume of the career of one of the enterprising merchants of Archbold, Albert E. Theobald, where he has attained a high degree of success and is now numbered among the leaders in mercantile circles of his community. Albert E. Theobald was born in Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, on December 26, 1872, and is the first in order of birth of the six children born to John, Sr., and Christina (Gype) Theobald. The family is originally of German stock, the subject's grandfather, Michael Theobald, having immigrated from the Fatherland to the United States in an early day with his wife and three children. He settled on a. tract of wooded land in Seneca county, Ohio, of which locality he was a pioneer, and there he cleared the land, established a home and developed a good farm. Subsequently he came to Fulton county and settled in German township, where he spent the remainder of his years on his farm of eighty acres. His son, the subject's father, continued to live on this homestead until he came to Archbold and engaged in the hardware business, with which he still continues, though eighty-two years old at this time. 112 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY Albert E. Theobald attended the public schools until fifteen years of age, when he was employed by an uncle as a farm hand at the wage of five dollars a month. He was employed at farm work for twelve years, at the end of which time he returned to Archbold and went to work for the Archbold Milling Company as a flour packer, being so employed for three years. Then for two years he was employed as a shipping clerk in a wholesale grocery house in San Francisco, California. In 1912 he returned to Archbold and entered into a partnership with his brother, J. B. Theobald, and opened a dry goods store on Main street, under the firm name of Theobald Brothers. In 1915 J. B. retired from the firm and the subject has since continued the business alone, under the name of the Star Dry Goods Store. He carries a large and complete stock of dry goods, trimmings, accessories, etc., and enjoys one of the largest trades of any store of the kind in this part of the country. In 1899 Mr. Theobald was married to Sadie May Feather, the daughter of Francis and Leah (Barley) Feather, of Archbold. Politically a republican, Mr. Theobald has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs, especially as relating to the community in which he lives. He served two terms as city treasurer and two terms as a member of the city council, being at the present time a member of the latter body. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church and consistently gives his support to every worthy object. Because, of his success and his genial disposition, he has won and retains the good will and respect of all who know him. PETER EICHER, an enterprising and energetic business man of Archbold, owner of a substantial produce business, and also a coal merchant, is well-known throughout- Fulton county, and has of late years been shipping produce in carload lots to widely separated parts of the country. He is a native of Fulton county, Ohio, the son of Christian and Catherine (Schad) Eicher. The Eicher family is of French origin, but has been resident in America for some generations. Christian Eicher, father of Peter, was a farmer and early resident in Fulton county, and Peter was reared in the environment of country life. He attended the country school during boyhood, and as he grew took increasing' part in the work of the home farm. His summer vacations were generally spent happily but usefully in industrious work connected with the hay and general harvests. He attended school until he was sixteen years old. From that time until he was twenty-two years old he remained with his parents, taking. good part 'in farm work. Then he married, which circumstances influenced him in setting up a separate establishment and farming independently. He rented a property of eighty acres near Burlington, Ohio, and there for seven years he and his wife lived. He was more than moderately successful in his farming, and during the period had been able to accumulate some capital. With it he returned to Fulton county and established himself in business in Archbold as a grocer. His store was on Main street, but after conducting it for two years, he decided that there were greater possibilities of success in developing a business in produce. So thinking, he sold his grocery business and energetically applied himself to the new enterprise. He has not regretted the change, for during the time from that year to the present he has done considerable business each year in produce, and during the busy season has been accustomed to HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 113 ship in carload lots to markets in various parts of the United States. He has also developed a consequential and lucrative business in the retailing of coal. And he also handles feed so that altogether he has prospered well by his enterprise and well-directed aggressiveness. As a produce dealer his business establishment was at first situated on Depot street, but after about twelve months in that location he moved his headquarters to Strycher street, where he remained for about a year, eventually taking up the quarters where he has since done business, near the New York Central tracks. The extent of his railroad shipments compelled him to locate near the railroad, which gave shim ready access to the middlewest and the eastern states. He has reached a satisfactory state of material possessions, but he nevertheless continues actively to pursue commercial affairs. He also owns a farming property of seventy-three acres, and is well-known to most of the farmers in that section of the county. In Archbold he is generally well-regarded, and has proved himself to be a helpful, responsible resident, generous in his support of church and community work. Politically he is a republican of independent inclination. In 1892 he married Emma Nofsinger, daughter of Jacob J. and Barbara (Wyse) Nofsinger. They are the parents of five children, as follows: Arthur C., twenty-two years old; Wilmer J., twenty years old; Viola G., age seventeen ; Chester E., age twelve; Lucile E., age four years. The family are members of the Amish Mennonite Church, and have many friends of long standing in Archbold. JOHN MUNROE, one of the leading citizens of Archbold, Fulton county, Ohio, is partner in the firm of Humphreys and Munroe, the Archbold Milling and Elevator Company, and has been one of the enterprising public workers and business leaders in Archbold for many years. He is connected with the management of many financial and industrial corporations of Fulton county, including the Peoples State Bank of Archbold, of which he is a director, the E. F. Hansen (Elevator) Company, of Wauseon, and the Winner Glove Company of same city, of both of which he is a large stockholder and director. And his general standing in his own community may be gauged by his public service. He has been a school director for many. years, has served several terms as councilman and for four years, 191448, he was mayor of Archbold, offices in the execution of the duties of which he manifested not only a loyal recognition that he was a guardian of the people's interest, but a marked ability as administrator and organizer. He was born near Woodstock, Canada, the son of Hugh and Susan (Sisson) Munroe. His parents were of Scottish ancestry, his father having been born in Inverness, Scotland. The latter, Hugh Munroe, was twenty-two years old when he left his native land and crossed the sea to Canada. He settled near Woodstock, Canada, and there applied himself steadily to farming occupations. At the outset he worked for wages, which were not of high rate. Still, he was able to save some money, sufficient to enable him to acquire a farm holding of his own eventually. His farm was of 100 acres, and situated near Woodstock, and the property is still in the possession of a member of the next generation of the Munroe family. Hugh Munroe lived on that property for the remainder of his life, which ended in 1893. He was a man of strong personality and good life, and was esteemed by his neighbors. Susan Sisson, who became his wife and the mother of John Munroe of Archbold, was born in 114 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY Woodstock, Canada, there married, and there raised their five children, of whom John was the third born. John remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. He attended the country schools of his native place, and when about fifteen years old left school altogether. The next six years were spent in energetic work on the home farm, and by the time he had reached manhood he was of good physique and knew most of the general operations of agricultural life. He left home soon after having attained majority, and came into the United States, in the same year coming to Fulton county, Ohio, and finding employment in the flour mill of Lyon, Clement and Greenleaf at Archbold. He was a steady workman, reliable and energetic, and in course of time became foreman of the plant and as such was in receipt of good salary. For fifteen years he was a salaried employe of that company, and at the end of that time was so circumstanced financially that he could take the opportunity that then arose, to purchase, with another, the plant and business of the Archbold Milling Company of Archbold. He and his partner, Mr. C. A. Humphreys, a well-known and substantial Archbold business man, have since that time, 1906, successfully conducted the business, trading under the original name. The trading of the company has expanded appreciably since he and his partner came into possession of it, and the conduct of its affairs takes most of Mr. Munroe's time. He has, nevertheless, several other business connections, being a director of the E. F. Hansen Company and the Winner Glove Manufacturing Company, both of Wauseon. He is also a stockholder and director of the Peoples State Bank of Archbold. Mr. Munroe is a man of commendable public spirit, and a very effective public worker. He has given much time to educational affairs in Archbold as a member of the Archibold School Board. And has also taken consequential part in the civic administration of the place. For several years he was councilman, and has held the highest executive office, that of mayor, the community's appreciation of his administration being evidenced by his re-election to the mayor's office. He was the chief magistrate of Archbold for four years, and his record is a notable one. Politically he is a republican, and for many years has taken an active and effective interest in national politics. In his home district he has been a factor of influence, and his broad and sensible views upon much debated subjects have enhanced his reputation as a man of sound logical opinions. Fraternally Mr. Munroe is a Mason and, an Elk. He is a member of the Wauseon, Ohio, Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Napoleon Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1890 he married at Woodstock. Canada, Marie, daughter of Charles and Eliza (Day) Hallock, of that place. To kr. and Mrs. Munroe have 'been. born three children : Violet Estella, who married C. F. Grime, of Bryan, Ohio, and is the mother of one child, a son, John Russell, now three years old; Gladys Fern, who married Ray V. Chase, of Archbold; Harold John, who was born in 1901, received his elementary education in the public schools of Archbold, Ohio, and for four years was at the St. John's Military Academy, of Delafield, Wisconsin. He graduated from that school, and had the distinction of being a lieutenant of the school cadet corps, being a boy of alert responsible characteristics. He is now associated with his father in business. HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 115 CLARENCE L. WYSE, a native of Fulton county, and latterly a responsible business man of Archbold of that county of Ohio, is partner in a promising enterprise in that town, the Archbold Ladder Company, which company does a considerable business in ladders and silos, its product being shipped into many states, including Illinois and Pennsylvania. Clarence L. Wyse is the son of M. and Mary (Baer) Wyse, and was born on the parental farm near Archbold. The Wyse family is among those early resident in the county, and had some part in the pioneer work of the section. Whether they bought undeveloped land direct from the government or acquired partly-cleared land from the original settler does not appear in the data presently available, but the name is encountered in the early records of the county. Clarence L. was reared in the wholesome environment of the home farm near Archbold, and, like other farmers' sons, attended the country school during the winter, and gave most of his time to the execution of farming tasks upon the family homestead during the long summer vacations. He attended school until he was sixteen years old, and for another year stayed with his parents, giving good assistance to his father in the operation of the farm. Then a double misfortune, in the death of both of his parents, caused him to leave home and for two years thereafter he worked for neighboring farmers. At the end of that time, however, he decided to learn carpentry. For two years he followed that trade, and then for three years was associated with his brother in the operation of the home farm. The brothers had moderate success in their joint farming, and the two in 1915 put their resources together and purchased the business and plant of the Gegax Ladder Works of Archbold, which has since been known as the Archbold Ladder Company. The brothers have developed the business appreciably since it passed into their possession, and today they have trading connections through many states. They ship 'their ladders in appreciable and growing quantities to Pennsylvania and Illinois, and have done a lucrative business in silo construction. Altogether their endeavors have been marked by commendable enterprise and aggressive, well-directed industriousness. Both brothers are well-regarded in Archbold. Clarence has not shown much inclination toward political activities, and in his voting has been more concerned in the merit of the candidate than in the platform of the party. He has attended almost strictly to business, but Archbold might almost be considered his native place and he has been always interested in its affairs, and has been ready to help in any way possible in measures that were intended to bring benefit to the community. Generally he is a man with a proper recognition of the responsibilities of citizenship, and during the, recent war proved himself to be whole-heartedly loyal. In 1916 he married Ella, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Merilatt) Roth, of near Wauseon. They have one child, Blanche Marie, who was born in 1917. The family is well-regarded in Archbold. CLAIR D. MILEY, who is among the representative residents of Clinton township, and is a successful farmer of that neighborhood, is. proving himself to be a young man of much steadiness and good enterprise. He has been independently established and farming a good acreage since 1915. He was born in Clinton township in 1891, the son of John C. and Eva (Quackenbush) Miley, well-known for the greater part of 116 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY their lives in Clinton township, and grandson of Thomas Miley. The Miley family was early in Fulton county, Ohio, although in origin the family is German. How many generations back it is to that of the first scion of the family to have had residence does not appear in data now available, but the family did much pioneer work in Fulton county in the early days. Clair D. Miley has spent his whole life in the county. In his boyhood he attended the Centre District School, Clinton township, attending school until he was seventeen years old. From that time until the present he has spent the years steadily farming, working for his father until 1914, when he married, following which for about twelve months he found occupation in the City of Wauseon, Fulton county, in 1915, however, returning to the Miley homestead in Clinton township, his father having retired a year earlier, and assuming full direction of that farm. There he has lived to the present, and has had good success. He is an enterprising, energetic farmer, and has been apt in adopting many of the modern developments of farming. The farm is of seventy acres, well improved, with many modern residential comforts and adequate outbuildings. Mr. Miley is still in the early years of his business endeavor, but his steadiness and energetic, intelligent enterprise promise him a satisfactory place among the prosperous agriculturists of the county. Politically he is a republican. By religious conviction he is affiliated with the Christian Church, and is a good supporter of and an active worker for the local church of that denomination. He is a man of good patriotism, and although his marital responsibilities forbade him taking personal part in military capacity in the World war of 1917-18, he applied himself during that period to the uttermost to matters of production upon his farm and the part taken by the patriotic American farmer in the world struggle was by no means unimportant or without appreciable effect upon the continuance of the allies in vigorous prosecution of the war until victory finally came. In 1914 Clair D. Miley married Lula Belle Hay, daughter of Edward and Lillie (Shambarger) Hay, of Clinton township. They have two children : Phoebe Elaine, who was born in 1916; and Donald Curtis, born in 1918. GEORGE K. RUSSELL. Fully impressed with the importance of his calling of a farmer, George K. Russell, owner of a fine farm of 158 acres in Franklin township, is contentedly operating it and giving to the affairs of his community an intelligent interest as a good citizen should. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1861, a son of William J. and Harriet (Anderson) Russell, who came to Fulton county, Ohio, when George K. Russell was four years of age, and bought a farm in Franklin township. Growing up on the parental farm, George K. Russell attended the country schools and the Normal School of Fayette until he was twenty-one years old, although during a number of these years he assisted his father during the summer seasons, and remained on the farm until 1881. Mr. Russell then moved to the William Dune-burger's farm and then to his present farm, where he is carrying on general agriculture. His farm is one of the highly cultivated ones of the township, and he has made many substantial improvements upon it, taking a pride in his premises and doing all he can to keep everything up-to-date in every particular. In 1882, when he was twenty-one years old, Mr. Russell was HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 117 united in marriage with Angeline Duneburger, a daughter of William Duneburger, and they became the parents of three children, namely : Hattie May, who is now Mrs. Charles Shipman, lives in Gorman township; William Grover, who is thirty-four years old; and Mahlon John, who is thirty-two years old. Mr. Russell is a democrat and was elected constable of Franklin township for one term, township trustee for three years and was appointed township assessor for two years by Governor Cox, and is now township clerk. He is a stockholder of the Northwestern Mutual Telephone Company, of which he is now secretary, and he has held all of the offices in it except that of treasurer, is a director of the Farmers State Bank of Fayette, and of the Farmers Elevator Company of Fayette, and is president of the Franklin Cemetery Association, which office he has held for ten years. His fraternal affiliations are with the Maccabees of Fayette. A man of more than ordinary ability, he has been able to give expression to his ideas in several lines, and has made good in everything he has undertaken, for he is a man who, once he starts in to accomplish anything, does not stop until he has completed it, and in a manner satisfactory to him. G. SCOTT ROOS. The founder of the American branch of the House of Roos of which G. Scott Roos of Wauseon is a representative was Dr. John Philip Burchard Roos, and his entry into colonial affairs was the year of the Declaration of American Independence. The annals of the family show that he was born November 28, 1754, in Palatine, Germany. He was one of the Hessian soldiers transported to the New World by the British government to assist in suppressing the colonists engaged in the popular uprising—the American Revolution. It is understood that Dr. John Philip Burchard Roos, who had qualified himself for professional life, came as a steerage passenger, and slept in the straw that is the reputed agency that introduced the Hessian fly in the American colonies. In the course of time this educated young Hessian was taken prisoner by the Continental army, and he soon transferred his allegiance to the country struggling to rid itself from the bondage of England. It is related in history that the Hessian army came the year the colonists declared their independence from the yoke of England, and this young soldier at once gave six years and seven months of his life to the cause of freedom in America—certainly it Americanized him. This young Hessian soldier wiped out the record of the past, and thus the Roos family history begins with the birth of the republic, the British subject having become an American citizen. Soon after the end of the struggle this Americanized citizen, Dr. John Philip Burchard Roos, married Catharine Becker. Their children were: Anna, Margaret, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Jenny, Charlotte and John Burchard, and through the birth of this son the name Roos is perpetuated in the United States. It is understood that Dr. John Philip Burchard Roos engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, and that he died in Red Hook, New York, January 22, 1814, sand through his direct lineage members of the Roos family have already established their membership in the American Revolutionary patriotic societies. It was August 4, 1791, that the seventh child and only, son of this revolutionary soldier, John Burchard Roos, was born in Red Hook, New York, and there he married Elizabeth Benner, and thus the name Roos was perpetuated through the children born to 118 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY them. John Burchard Roos was a blacksmith while living at Red Hook, and in 1836 he removed from New York to Ohio, locating in Lucas county, the territory later organized as Fulton county, and here follows the direct history of G. Scott Roos, born October 18, 1875, in Chesterfield. His residence in Wauseon is a recent thing, and the family history all reverts at once to Chesterfield. An uncle of G. Scott Roos, William Scott, had bought a farm one forenoon in York State, and in the afternoon he sold it at an advance of $1,000, and this profit was invested in Ohio land—four eighties, and Mr. Roos now owns one of them. It is included in the family homestead in Chesterfield. In the second generation of Roos there were again seven children, this time six sons and one daughter. They were : John Philip, Richard, Ann Eliza, James William, Richard (the first Richard having died at the age of one month), George Washington and Edward Robert. G. Scott Roos, who chronicles the above family data, is a son of George Washington Roos, born July 4, 1831, at Red Hook, and he was five years old when the family removed to Ohio. George W. Roos was twice married, the first wife being Catharine Bennett. There were three daughters: Cora; Mina and Edith. His second marriage was with Elizabeth Tunison, August 19, 1868, and there is one son, G. Scott Roos. Mrs. Roos, who lives in the home of her son, is the youngest in a family of six: John, Peter, Abram, Philip, Lydia and Elizabeth, born to James and Eliza (Miller) Tunison. As a young woman Mrs. Roos came from her home in western New York to visit friends in Ohio, and she became a permanent resident of Fulton county. On December 19, 1894, G. Scott Roos married Ora Belle Stutesman, an only daughter born to Charles and Anna E. (Roberts) Stutesman. The Stutesman family homestead is in Chesterfield, and the daughter went to the home of her husband and they lived in Chesterfield until the spring of 1915, when they removed to Wauseon. Charles Stutesman was born in Chesterfield September 19, 1849, and he is still a resident of the community. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Waite) Stutesman, the father having come from Maryland and the mother from England. The Stutesman family history began in the Chesterfield community in 1832, when Samuel Stutesman secured eighty acres of land in the dense forest there. Since 1835 the name Stutesman has always been heard there. Anna E. (Roberts) Stutesman was a daughter of John and Chloe (Clevenger) Roberts, the father a Welshman while the mother was born near Lima, and relatives still live in Allen county. She was born December 20, 1855, and died May 30, 1889, survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ora B. Roos. While the Stutesman-Roberts families are large, there is not much record extant—the generations of the past not having discharged their whole duty to posterity. On June 25, 1890, Charles Stutesman married Nettie Roos who bears the relation of cousin to G. Scott Roos, and their children are E. Alleine, Glade Roos and Marian Agnes. Mrs. Roos is a half sister to them. The Roos-Stutesman family history is inseparably identified with the history of Chesterfield, and the Roos cemetery has been their God's Acre through all the years of the history of Fulton county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. G. Scott Roos are: Charles Gerald, George Scott, Elizabeth Norine, Harold Stutesman, Anna Eloise and Evelyn May. They are in the fifth generation from their Revolutionary ancestor, but the three older ones are sleeping the HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 119 sleep of the ages, the immediate family burial plot now being the Wauseon cemetery—one of the beauty spots in Fulton county. From the beginning the Roos family vote has been cast with the republican party, and for many years G. W. Roos was a justice of the peace in Chesterfield. G. Scott Roos has served as township trustee in Chesterfield and as a member of the board of education both there and in Wauseon: In November, 1914, he was elected treasurer of Fulton county, and that explains his removal to Wauseon. The family are members of Chesterfield Grange and of Chesterfield Arbor of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. Mr. Roos is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge in Lyons, and of the Knights of Pythias in Wauseon. The Roos family were members of East Chesterfield Christian Church, but have been transferred to Wauseon. In the rural church Mr. Roos was an elder and the Sunday school superintendent, and he is a deacon in the Wauseon Church. Since 1888 the Roos family in Fulton county, of which there are several branches, have met in annual reunions. For many years they met at the different homesteads, but recently the meetings have been held on the Fulton county fair grounds. While some branches of the family have changed the spelling of the name from Roos to Rose, the Fulton county branch adheres to the original form of the word—the name given them by Dr. John Philip Burchard Roos in the beginning of American history. There are more than one hundred relatives who assemble in these annual reunions, and from the beginning Miss Olive Roos of Wauseon, although formerly a resident of Chesterfield, has been the family historian. The specific data concerning the beginning of the Roos family history in America is obtained from an age old document in possession of G. Scott Roos being a copy from the records of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rhinebeck, New York, and dated April 28, 1819—written in legible hand and in good conditon. Mr. Roos also treasures an apple tree wood razor hone brought from Germany in 1776 by his Revolutionary ancestor—Dr. John Philip .Burchard Roos. LAWRENCE ALBERT STEVENS, a well-regarded and prosperous farmer of Franklin township, Fulton county, Ohio, comes of a family which for many generations has had worthy part in pioneer development in the states of New York, Connecticut and Ohio, and also to some extent in Michigan. Particularly of historic note in this history of Fulton county leaders is the association of the Stevens family with pioneer efforts in the county. The great-grandfather in the paternal line of Lawrence Albert Stevens came over the blazed trail from New York into Ohio, settling at first in Huron county, and finally coming to Fulton county in 1857, where he took up a tract of land about three miles southeast of Wauseon. There he lived for the remainder of his life, and there his son, grandfather of Lawrence A., lived for the greater part of his life, eventually, however, removing to Toledo. Everall Stevens, father of Lawrence A., was born in Huron county, Ohio, but eventually settled in Riga township, Lenawee county, Michigan in 1883, where he still lives. His wife, Magdalena (Lorntz) died in 1907. They were the parents of eleven children, among them being Lawrence Albert, who was one of twins and was born on October 19, 1884, in the family homestead at Riga township, Lenawee county, Michigan. Lawrence was educated in the country school of his native township, attending that 120 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY school until he had reached the age of sixteen years, when he entered the Blissfield, Michigan, High School. He had resolved to qualify for professional life, and with that object took the course at the Fayette Normal School, which gained him admission to the teaching profession. As an educator he spent the next five years in the public schools of his native county in the State of Michigan, and about the end of that time married, this bringing material change in his plans. Thereafter for the next three years he farmed a property he had purchased in Riga township, Lenawee county, Michigan. He sold that property to advantage after occupying it for three years, and then came into Fulton county, having rented a farm situated at Fayette. There for two years he made his home, farming, and during the period teaching also in the local school. At the end of that time he moved to the farm in Franklin township, Fulton county, upon which he has since lived, that is, for the last seven years, he having acquired it in 1913. It is a good property of eighty acres, and well fitted for the purpose to which he puts it, general farming and the raising of hogs. Tie has shown much enterprise and marked energy in farming matters, and is one of the substantial, responsible men of the community, well-regarded by his neighbors, and active in church work. By religious conviction he is a Methodist, is a trustee of the local church, and served as a member of the building committee. He belongs to the Franklin Grange, and politically is affiliated with the democratic party. He is also one of the Stockholders of the Fayette Elevator Company, with the affairs of which he is closely identified. Generally throughout his life he has manifested commendable characteristics, a self-reliant steadiness of purpose and an aptness in business management such as has brought him to a comfortable state of material wealth. His wife, whom he married in 1909, was Verna C. Ely, daughter of John M. and Priscilla (Borton) Ely, of Gorham township, Fulton county. She comes of a family of Colonial and of distinguished Revolutionary record. The Ely family is of English origin, but has been resident in the United States since 1680, and was among the Colonial families of New Jersey, the family home being in the vicinity of Trenton in that state. Colonel George Ely, great-great-grandfather of Verna C. Ely, had a worthy part in the Revolutionary struggle. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have two children, sons: Ray Allen, born in 1910, and John Everall, now five years old. GEORGE M. ZIEGLER. One of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Fulton county is George M. Ziegler, who is demonstrating in his everyday work a comprehension of the dignity and importance of his calling, and proving conclusively that there is money in farming, provided a man knows how to make his efforts pay. He owns a fine farm of 126 acres in Franklin township, and it is regarded as one of the best rural properties in this section. George M. Ziegler was born in Lucas county, Ohio, on April 5, 1884, a son of John A. and Mary. (Bechtol) Ziegler, and grandson of Jacob Ziegler, born in Switzerland, who at the age of fourteen years was brought to the United States by his parents, who acquired a farm in Lucas county, Ohio. When George M. Ziegler was two years old his parents came to Franklin township and bought the farm on which they are still living. Until he was sixteen years of age George M. Ziegler attended the rural schools of Lucas and Fulton counties, and from then on has been engaged in farming. At the time of his marriage he located HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 121 on his present farm, and is carrying on a general line of farming and raising Holstein cattle, being very successful in both lines of agricultural activity. In 1914 Mr. Ziegler was united in marriage with Helen E. Stemen, a daughter of Rev. Andrew J. Stemen, then of Van Wert, Ohio, but now in charge of the United Bretheren Church at Warren, Ohio. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Ziegler was Tillie Baxter. Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler have three children, namely : Elinor Frances, who was born in 1915 ; Clarence Stemen, who was born in 1917 ; and Jean Catherine, who was born in 1919.In his political convictions Mr. Ziegler is a republican, and was elected a member of the school board of his district for a term of six years in 1920. He belongs to the United Bretheren Church. A man of untiring indus- try, Mr. Ziegler keeps things moving on his farm, and everything is in the best of order. Having devoted his life to farming, he understands every detail of his business, and is interested in any movement which has for its object the improvement of his neighborhood or the raising of the standard of living for the farmer. However, he is too practical to advocate any extravagant expenditure of public funds, knowing that it is better to have things done right and economically, and his advice is recognized as being sound and to the point both on matters agricultural and political. CHARLES E. SCHUCH, a respected and prosperous farmer of Franklin township, Fulton county, Ohio, is of German origin, but the family has had generations of American residence, mostly in the State of Pennsylvania. Charles E. .was born in the family homestead in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1865, the son of Jacob and Regina (Stoltz) Schuch. He was edu- cated in public schools near his native place, and after leaving school took to farming occupations with good will and energy. He married in 1886, in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He only stayed there a short while, however, and from the farm there he came direct to one in Franklin township, Fulton county, upon which he remained for about a year, then moving to Hillsdale, where he worked a farm for two seasons, then returning to Franklin township and taking a property near the farm he had formerly occupied. On that farm he remained for seven years and prospered, so that at the end of that time he was able to purchase the farm of eighty-five acres upon which the family has since lived. Mr. Schuch has shown alertness and enterprise in his farming, and has much improved his property, which is well adapted to the use to which he puts it, being a rich dairy farm. He has not shirked the hard labor necessary to bring the farm into complete bearing, and from time to time has employed much help. Neither has he shirked his share in the public responsibilities of the community. He has generously supported community movements of merit. and has upon more than one occasion shown a commendable public spirit. During the progress of the recent war he manifested a genuine loyalty, supporting the local committees to the limit of his resources in their war work requirements. In national politics he is a democrat, of independent leanings. As a matter of fact, he follows no party blindly, giving his vote to the candidate who measures up to his standard, and whose platform he can conscientiously indorse. Fraternally he is a member of the local branch of the Knights of Pythias Order. For many years he has been an active member of the local grange. In 1886 he married Nettie Case, daughter of Jabez and Mary 122 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY Jane Case. She was born in Troy, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuch have been born two children. Emerson Herdic, who is now thirty-one years old, is unmarried and lives with his parents, ably assisting his father in the operation of the farm. Mabel Louise was a school teacher for four years and is now bookkeeper with the Firestone Tire Company at Toledo. JUDSON MARTIN VANDERVEER, deceased, but remembered and revered by many of the responsible agriculturists of Fulton county, Ohio, in which he spent his whole life, was a man of estimable character, manifesting in his agricultural endeavors much of the worthy, manly 'characteristics of his pioneer. forebears. The Vanderveer family is one of the old Dutch families of colonial New York. The name is encountered in many of the old records of that settlement, and at one time the family owned landed estate in what is now part of New York City. How the title to the land was lost to the family is not known to the present chronicler, and is not of particular significance to this record of Fulton county. Evidently Peter Vanderveer, who braved the rigors of frontier life, and in consequence brought the family into Ohio record, was not well circumstanced in material wealth. It appears that he was by trade a carpenter and mechanic, and came through the wilderness from New York state, driving an ox cart, seeking to win for himself and his family a homestead out of the privations and dangers of pioneer life. He settled on a tract of 100 acres in the district now known as Brady township, Williams county, Ohio. He removed to a farming property he had acquired near West Unity, Williams county, where he died in February, 1852. He had six children, four sons and two daughters, among his sons being Judson Martin, who was ultimately destined to spend so useful a part of his life in Fulton county. Judson Martin Vanderveer, son of Peter and Sarah (Van Ortwick) Vanderveer, was born at the family homestead near West Unity, Williams county, Ohio, on April 27, 1850. He was not yet two years old when his father died. It appears, however, that the family continued to live on the West Unity property, and in the country schools of that place Judson was educated, this education resolving itself into the winter months spent in study, and the summer months spent in farm work, the country schools being closed for a long summer vacation during the growing months. In that way the boy received a public school education, and concur- rently was of assistance to his brothers and his mother in the operation of the home farm. Eventually the farm became his own property, and he steadily worked it until he was thirty-four years old. until 1884. In that year he sold the farm to advantage, and removed with his wife and family to the farm in Fulton county upon which he lived for the remainder of his life, and upon which his widow still resides. Judson M. Vanderveer died on April 18, 1912, after a worthy life of sixty-two years, spent mostly in energetic application to production, and in intelligent public-spirited co-operation in the responsibilities of community life. He had very many sincere friends in Fulton county, and was esteemed as an earnest Christian and a good neighbor. He was an independent in politics, and had he wished he might have been elected to some of the offices in the local administration. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the. Fayette Lodge. In 1875, in Franklin township, Fulton county, Ohio, Judson HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 123 Martin Vanderveer was married to Laura, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Beaty) McLaughlin, the former a well-known and successful farmer of Franklin township. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderveer lived a long and happy wedded life, thirty-seven years passing before the demise of Mr. Vanderveer in 1912 ended the union in this life. To them were born three children, who, in the order of birth, are: Columbus Theodore, now forty-two years old, husband of Jessie Strawsbaugh, of Franklin township. They have . three children: Lura Ethel, Nina May and Opal Grace. Phoebe, who married Per-ley Wallace, of Fayette, became the mother of six children: Martin Evan, who died in November, 1916, aged twelve years ; Olin Cassius, now thirteen years old; Hubert Edward, now eleven years old; Edna Leona; Leo Donald; and Vivian Velehr; John Henry married Lydia Ruger on December 25, 1907, and to this marriage two children have been born : Ralph J., now eleven years old, and Robert Orville, six years old. Mrs. Laura McLaughlin Vanderveer is thus fortunate in her children and grandchildren. She has also very many sincere friends in the community in which she has lived for so long. VERNIE E. HUMPHREY. One of the oldest active business men of Fayette is Vernie E. Humphrey, who does a day's work every working day at his store. Mr: Humphrey's father was one of the founders and builders of Fayette, and the useful career of the son has been in keeping with the honorable traditions of the family here. Mr. Humphrey was born in Fayette December 10, 1868, son of Rensselaer and Cornelia (Emerick) Humphrey. His father, who was born in Seneca county, New York, came to Fulton county and bought a tract of land, covered with a heavy growth of timber, and cleared away the space where part of the town of Fayette now stands. His land embraced all the south side of Fayette. He was a carpenter by trade, and among other services rendered by him in early times was the building of the first frame schoolhouse in Gorham township. He and his wife are long since deceased. Their children were: Hannah, widow of N. Shipman, at Fayette; Mina, deceased wife of Lewis Ackley; Anna, Mrs. A. L. Ford, of Fayette; Elva, widow of James Kellogg, of Wichita, Kansas; Elmer, deceased; Charles, of Jackson county, Michigan ; Elery, of Clinton, Oklahoma; Vernie E.; Millie, wife of H. C. Williams, of Toledo; Lelia, Mrs. Aaron Klopfenstein, of Clinton, Oklahoma. During his boyhood at Fayette Vernie E. Humphrey attended the local schools and the Fayette Normal, and when he was sixteen years of age he left home and went west to Sedgwick county, Kansas, near Wichita, which was then a boom town on the western frontier. He worked on farms in that vicinity about two years after which he returned to Fayette and for six years busied himself with his duties as clerk in the general store of A. J. Howard. About 1892 Mr. Humphrey, again went west and participated in the race for land at the opening of the Cherokee strip in Oklahoma. He secured 160 acres, and occupied it six months before he returned home. He then engaged with W. L. Millnor in the drug business, and that partnership continued about six years. President McKinley. appointed Mr. Humphrey postmaster at Fayette, and by reappointment he held office more than fourteen years. After retiring he moved to a farm in Lenawee county, but six years later sold his farm and then bought an interest with Mr. Fish in a clothing, men's 124 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY furnishing goods and shoe store at Fayette, the business to which he is now giving his chief attention. Mr. Humphrey and family attend the Methodist Church. In politics he has been a staunch republican and a leader in his party. In 1889 Mr. Humphrey married Sadie Borton, a native of Fulton county and daughter of William and Regina (Oliver) Borton. Her father was a native of New Jersey. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey are : Beulah, at home, and Lanah, wife of Robert R. Towne, of Newark, New Jersey. RICHARD SAMUEL KESTER, M. D. The noble aims that seem to inspire some men's entire activities necessarily and compensatingly lead to far-reaching results. A life of unselfish effort devoted to his fellow men in even more than one line may not bring the plaudits of the unthinking multitude, even when the recipients of the cheer and encouragement that helps them on their way. The gift is not given to all men to minister acceptably to both mind and body, to be able to point the way to heavenly things and to also minister to earthly ills, but such a privileged life is led by Dr. Richard Samuel Kester of Wauseon, a physician well known over the country, and a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of sturdy stock, reaching back many generations to Scotch, Irish and German ancestry, Doctor Kester counts both agriculturists and professional men among his. ancestors. His birth took place in De Kalb county, Indiana, May 5, 1847. His parents were Peter S. and Annabelle (Widney) Kester, and his father at that time was a substantial farmer in Washington township, De Kalb county. There the youth attended the country schools, and later completed the public school course at Auburn. He assisted his father on the home farm until he became a soldier, enlisting for service in the Civil war in November, 1863, at Kendallville, Indiana. As a member of Company C, Thirty-fifth Indiana. Volunteer Infantry, he was ,sent first to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Pulaski, Tennessee, and later participated in the battles at Franklin and Nashville, the engagement at Franklin being deemed one of the most severely contested battles of the whole war. He assisted in the building of the pontoon bridges over the river, the yellow waters of the Cumberland making the work one of great danger. With his regiment Mr. Kester camped at many points in Tennessee for a more or less length of time on the way to Texas, where the regiment was stationed from July to October, 1865, then returned to Indianapolis, and there he was honorably discharged. He has reason to refer with some pride to his military career, for it reflects honor upon him. After the close of the war and his return home Mr. Kester taught school for a time and also worked at the carpenter trade in Auburn, during all this time cherishing hopes of becoming a physician. Finally he went to Waterloo, Indiana, and there spent a year in the study of medicine in the office of Doctor Shepherd, and with this preparation in 1880 entered Hahnemann College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1883. He was an indefatigable student during these years, not only keeping up with his classes in the college, but taking post graduate work at the Chicago Medical Institute, from which he was also graduated in 1883. Doctor Kester entered upon the practice of his .profession at Avilla, Indiana. where he remained for eight years, during four years of this period also operating a drug store. He then disposed of his