550 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY practice of medicine at Findlay, where his skill and ability soon became recognized and he now enjoys a large and lucrative practice. In 1895 he established the Barnhill Sanitarium, which is now as thoroughly equipped as any institution of its kind in the world. For the past eighteen years Dr. Barnhill has thoroughly studied the various uses of electricity, and the elec- trical appliances in his large sanitarium are now .complete in all respects. The institution also contains two large parlors, -where patients can visit their friends, is steam heated and electric lighted, and has all the modern conveniences for the comfort of the patients. Devotional exercises are held in the sanitarium parlors every morning at eight o'clock, to which friends of the institution are invited. Dr. Barnhill is a member of the Ohio State Homeopathic Medical Society, the Northwestern Homeopathical Medical Association and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He has twice served as president of the state society and has also held the position of censor therein. For three terms he has served as coroner of Hancock county, and for eleven years he held the position of county physician. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Tribe of Ben Hur. The Doctor's long professional career has been attended with marked success. His promptness, his sympathetic nature and his generosity are well known factors in his make-up, and those who have known him longest esteem him most highly. CYRUS L. CASTERLINE. As a member of the Bradford Oil Company of Findlay, Cyrus L. Casterline has been connected with the development of what has become one of the leading industries and a great source of wealth to this part of the state. His position in business circles is a creditable one. A native of the Empire state, he was born in Angelica, in 1851, and was there reared and educated, attending the public schools and acquiring thereby knowledge that well fitted him for the responsible duties of his subsequent career. At the age of twenty-five he left his native town and in 1876 went to the oil fields in the vicinity of Bradford, Pennsylvania, where he remained until he came to Findlay, since which time he has made his home in this place. He is interested in the development of the oil belt here and is an active working member of the Bradford Oil Company, which owns some good producing and valuable wells. In 1900 Mr. Casterline was appointed by Charles E. Watson, mayor of Findlay, a member of the city board of improvements and is now serving CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 551 in that capacity. He takes deep interest in the progress and welfare of the city and is using his official position to further every measure which he believes will contribute to the general good. In his political views he is a Republican, always voting -for the candidate of the party and never faltering in his allegiance to the party principles. Fraternally he is associated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a progressive, wide awake, enterprising business man, a valued addition to the community, and in Findlay he has gained many friends who recognize his business and social worth. HENRY F. WINDERS. In the business circles of Findlay Henry F. Winders has become an important factor. Reliability in all trade transactions, loyalty to all the duties of citizenship, fidelity in the discharge of every trust reposed in him have been his chief characteristics, and through the passing years they have gained for him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen. He is also public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of Findlay, and for many years he has been numbered among its honored citizens. The birth of Mr. Winders occurred in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 2d of May, 1831, and he is a son of John and Elizabeth (Paden) Winders. The former was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, where he was a member of an old and prominent family; The mother was a daughter of John and Sidney Paden, who were natives of Ireland, but came to this country in 1815 and settled in Fairfield county, Ohio: When but a lad Henry F. Winders was apprenticed to his uncle, T. B. C. Paden, who conducted a mercantile store in New Salem, Ohio, and when twenty-one years of, age he embarked in the dry goods business on his own account in that city, which occupation he continued until 1859 and then took up agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he came to Findlay and for the succeeding four years sold goods for Patterson & Taylor, after which he again embarked in business for himself. His efforts in the mercantile world have been crowned with success, and he is now recognized as one of the leading business men of Findlay. June 22, 1854, in Fairfield county, Ohio, occurred the marriage of Mr. Winders and Miss Araminta S., daughter of Judge Wiseman, of Perry County, Ohio, and into this union have been born two children, a daughter and a son, the former, Susie, being the wife of Thomas Frazer, a druggist of Findlay. The son, John, who is associated with his father in business, married 552 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Miss Ella Crooks, of Massillon, this state, and they have one son, Henry. Mr. Winders has held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church since his fifteenth year, has long served as one of its officials, and for over twenty-three years has been Sunday-school superintendent. For a period of over thirty years he has also been a member of the old and honored order of Masons. Though he has always avoided public office, he has served with credit in the city council and as a member of the school board of Findlay. In addition to his extensive mercantile connections he has also been identified with many of the industries of this city and has contributed toward the development of many of its important manufacturing and other interests. His political sympathies are with the Republican party. PARLEE MITCHELL. Hancock county oil fields have attracted a great many men from other occupations and other parts of the state. This has been the means of building up Findlay as much as the farms for which the surrounding country is also famous. Mr. Mitchell is of Ohio pioneer stock, his grandfather George Mitchell having been born in Belmont county in 18o1; he was a farmer all his life, and died at the ripe age of ninety-one years. His father is Jacob Mitchell, a farmer of Hancock county, who was born in 1839. In 1862, Jacob Mitchell enlisted in Company F, Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and served three years. He is now one of the county infirmary directors. Parlee Mitchell was born on a farm in Portage township, this county, February 1o, 1872, in which township he lived and received his education until he was twenty-four years of age, when he moved to Findley, and went immediately into the oil fields. He began where so many who have succeeded have begun, as a pumper, and rose through all the grades of the industry, until he became a producer on his own account. He purchased the old livery stable on the corner of Main and Larkins streets, together with its contents, then the largest livery on this side of the bridge. Mr. Mitchell put new stock into his stable, so that now it is first-class in every respect. Mr. Mitchell was married in 1899 to Jennie, daughter of R. W. Boyd. The Democratic party claims his allegiance, and he has served his city as a representative of that party, holding the office of city councilman. That he is popular is evidenced by the fact that he was elected from the first ward by a majority of eighty-three, which ward is a Republican stronghold, having had as high as one 'hundred and twenty-three majority. Mr. Mitchell was first elected in 1901, and is still serving. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 553 HENRY WILTS BROWN. The family of this name, so long conspicuous at Findlay, originated in New York, but has been identified with Ohio for over half a century. Oliver Brown, one of the ancestors, took part in the Revolutionary war as a soldier in one of the New York regiments, and it was his son and namesake who became the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He lived and ended his days in New York, and reared a family which included a son named Henry. The latter -was born in Albion, New York, in 1825, and came to Findlay, Ohio, in 1848. Two years after arriving he was admitted to the bar at Findlay, and practiced law there until his death in 1893. He was an able criminal lawyer and rose to prominence in the profession, besides becoming a leader in politics. He was elected to the offices of auditor and prosecuting attorney of Hancock county, and at one time represented it as a member of the state legislature. His son, Henry Wilts Brown, was born at Findlay, Ohio, February 14, 1863, and remained at home attending school until the age of seventeen. In 188o he went to the west and spent several years traveling through Colorado, New Mexico and other sections, during which time he acquired a knowledge of the "art preservative," more vulgarly known as the printer's trade. While on his western tour Mr. Brown got hold of a paper at Meade, Kansas, which he conducted from 1884 until 1889, and then concluded to abandon the west for more inviting fields. In 1890 he returned to Findlay and started the Union, a weekly Democratic paper, whose publication and management have since occupied his time and attention. He is both editor and proprietor of the paper and makes it a strong and conservative exponent of Democratic principles, also paying considerable attention to the industrial interests and whatever adds to the life and development of the community. RALPH D. COLE. This gentleman, at present a practicing attorney at Findlay, is one of the most prominent men of his age in the county. Though less than thirty, he has held the position of clerk of the courts and represented Hancock county in the legislature: the latter honor being achieved in the twenty-sixth year of his age. The family originated in Delaware, but sent representatives among the. first pioneers of Ohio and thus became identified with the state at a very early period. Harry Cole, grandfather of Ralph D., came from Delaware early in the nineteenth century and settled in Ashland 35 554 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY county. There, in 1821, his son, John W. Cole, was born and there he grew up and cultivated a farm until about 186o, when he came to Hancock county. Ralph D. Cole, son of the last mentioned, was born on his father's farm in Big Lick township, Hancock county, Ohio, November 3o, 1873. He was reared on the farm, attended the country schools and later entered Findlay College, where he was graduated in the class of 1896. After leaving college he taught in the Hancock county schools for two years, meantime studying law in his leisure moments, and in September, 1897, he received the appointment as clerk of the courts of Hancock county. He held this position until July, 1899, and in September following was nominated on the Republican ticket as a candidate for representative in the legislature from Hancock county. At the ensuing election in November he was successful at the polls, and served out his term satisfactorily. In December, 190o, Mr. Cole was admitted to the bar, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession at Findlay. ELI W. PEPPLE. The above named representative agriculturist resides in Cass township on a well cultivated farm which lies in the oil belt of Hancock county, and therefore adds that element of material worth to its general value. He is the son of John and Mary (Groner) Pepple, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Hancock "county in 1847, after previously residing for some time in Columbiana county. The father of Mrs. Pepple had entered two hundred acres of unimproved land, and of this he gave his daughter sixty-six and two-thirds acres. Afterward John Pepple bought the same amount of land adjoining that of his Ale on the east, which was also a part of her father's entry. Improvements were made on these farms, and in 1865 John Pepple bought forty acres additional,' on which there were also some improvements. These forty acres lie along the public highway, north of Mrs. Pepple's land, and to this place the family moved in the spring of 1865, where Mr. and Mrs. Pepple continued to reside until their deaths. John Pepple was a practical and industrious farmer. He had considerable influence in the township among his fellow citizens, who by a popular vote elected him to the office of township trustee. .He also served fourteen terms as township treasurer and a number of years as school director. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as a class leader and steward'. He stood well in the church, in society and in the political field, always true to. his faith and to his convictions. He had eight children, seven CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 555 of whom grew to maturity, and six of the number still survive. He was born March 18, 1819, and died March 1, 1897. His wife was born May 17, 1825, and died May 7, 1891 Eli W. Pepple was born in Morrow, formerly Delaware county, Ohio, April 26, 1847.. He was an infant when brought to this county by his par. ents. He passed the days of his boyhood and youth in the pleasures and pastimes peculiar to his day, doing his share of the farm labor, and there laying the foundation of that excellent health which has attended him through life. Besides the ordinary branches taught in the district school, he further added to his literary education by a course in the Findlay high school, where he fitted himself for teaching. Mr. Pepple followed this profession with much success for fifteen years, teaching in the winter and helping to conduct the farm in the summer. In 1872 he concluded that "the best part of valor is discretion," so to speak, and he surrendered to the graces of Miss Sarah A. Draper, the Marriage occurring December 17, 1872. Mrs. Pepple was a daughter of W. L. and Louisa (Supply) Draper, and she died January 28, 1888, after becoming the mother of three children : Mary L.; Carl, deceased; and Dodie W. December 25, 1889, Mr. Pepple was married to Miss Sarah J., daughter of Robert and Eliza A. McKee. Mrs. Pepple's family are natives of the Keystone state, she having been born in Allegheny county in October, 184.2. She is an accomplished lady who in former years was a successful and popular school teacher in Hancock county, and has a half interest in a nice farm property of eighty acres in her own right in the northeastern part of Cass township. Mr. Pepple moved to his present farm in 1879, where he has since resided. He is as popular with the people as was his father before him, and is fully as stanch in upholding Republican principles. He has held the office S of township clerk for a continuous period of twenty years, and was re-elected in 1902 for two years more, besides holding the office of supervisor and school director. He and his good wife are honored members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are leaders of thought and movement in their part of Hancock county. SORELY LARKINS. Sorely Larkins, a resident farmer of Allen township, owning and operating a farm of •eighty acres of valuable land, was born in Findlay in 1861. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Meyers). J Larkins, the former a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the latter of Switzerland. John Larkins came to this county in .1843, located in Findlay and pursued his trade 556 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY as a stone cutter in partnership with his brother Samuel, under the firm name. of Larkins Brothers. John was a veteran of the Civil war and proved himself equal to the emergency as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being honorably discharged at the close of hostilities. He served as trustee of Findlay township and was a member of the Knights of Honor. In 1894 he purchased forty acres of the farm upon which. Sorely, his son, now lives, and to which the latter added forty more acres. His family numbered five, children, of whom Sorely is the only survivor. John Larkins died October 26, 1900, and his wife's death occurred October 18, 1886. Our subject was reared and educated in Findlay, and in early life began the career of a farmer, which vocation he has followed with success up to the present time. August 2 T, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella, daughter of Ganett and Mary Harkness, who was born in Allen township, Hancock county, Ohio, October 13, 186o. No children have. been born to this union. In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Larkins removed to their present home, where he enjoys the full confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a young man full of promise, and his future looks remarkably bright. JACOB BOWERS. A prominent family which has had connection with Hancock county for seven decades is represented by the above named gentleman, who resides in Big Lick township on a farm of seventy-seven acres. His parents removed to Ohio, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of which they were both natives. His father's name was Samuel Bowers, his mother's maiden name being Mary Rangler. Their respective families had removed to Ohio and located in Stark county, where they were married and in 1836 settled in Hancock county on one hundred and twenty acres of land which Jacob Bowers, the father, had previously entered. This original farm was improved, and in 186o the farm which is now the property of his son Jacob was purchased. Samuel Bowers was one of those easy-going men of large heart, whose word could be relied upon at all times. He and his wife were consistent members of the Dunkard church to the time of their deaths, that of the father occurring in 1895 and of the mother two years later. They reared a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living. Jacob Bowers, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Big Lick township, Hancock county, Ohio, in 1841. He passed through the uneventful experience of a country boy, while laying the foundation of a CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 557 character which has been revered among his associates for its many excellencies during his lifetime. He chose agriculture as his occupation, and has been engaged in it during the whole of his adult life, owning his present farm since 1876. Mr. Bowers has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Sara Shubert and occurred in 1866. She was born in Seneca county, Ohio, and died in 1884, after becoming the mother of three children : Augusta M.; J. W., deceased; and Alma S. The following year Mr. Bowers married Miss Lydia Stecker, "a union which was followed by no issue. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are consistent members of the United Brethren church. John W. Bowers, the second child by the first marriage, was a young man of great promise, having been educated for the life of a teacher, and at the time of his death was regarded as a very successful member of that profession in Hancock county. He was exceedingly active in the work of the church, of which he was a most worthy member, and his death cast a gloom over a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Hancock county. Mr. Bowers has a large circle of friends, having many qualities which commend him to the good will and high regard of those with whom he is associated. For more than seventy years his family has been identified with Hancock county, and its members have ever been active in supporting measures which prom-. aed to contribute to the substantial upbuilding and material development of the county or state. E. W. HALE. The descendants of. pioneers in Ohio are among the leading citizens of to-day in every walk of life, and this is especially true of the sons of farmers, themselves pioneers in all but actual proprietorship of the land, who helped to clear primitive farms and put them under cultivation, and who, coming to the state in boyhood, or every younger, have witnessed the whole process of development from the day of small but significant things to the fruition of efforts which characterizes the state as one of the foremost in the Union at this time. Such a citizen is Mr. E. W. Hale, some account of whose interesting antecedents and worthy achievements will now be attempted. The grandfather of our subject was Randal Hale, one of the pioneers of Hancock county. He was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and there he married Ann Taylor, also a native of that city, and a full cousin to President Zachary Taylor. The Taylors were wealthy planters of Maryland and owned a number of slaves, some of which were inherited by our sub- 558 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ject's grandmother, who, when she reached her majority, gave them their freedom, an event which in that day created very great interest and brought down upon her the criticism of the slave-holding element. Randal Hale -and his wife were married in Baltimore, and removed to Jefferson county, Ohio, about 1796, where they reared a family of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. In that county Randal Hale owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, but, foreseeing the need of provision for his large' family while there was plenty of new land in the state, he in 1832 removed to Seneca county, locating for a short time in what is now Fostoria. He remained there, however, but a short period, when he removed to Hancock county, where he entered eight quarter sections of land, one for each of his children, .and of these four were in Washington township and two across the line in Wood county. Randal Hale was a blacksmith by trade, and an excellent mechanic in his day. He was a man of temperate habits, and opposed to the use of intoxicating drink. He was a kind husband, a loyal citizen and loving father. During his life he was a member with his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they were instrumental in that early day in grafting Methodism well into the institutions and society of the county. In political affiliations he was a supporter of the Whig party. His death occurred in 1849, that of the wife five years later. The sons succeeded the father and became useful citizens of Hancock county. One of these sons was Isaac T., father of the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 182o. He followed agricultural pursuits and was counted a man well versed in the farming industry. He was a man of truth and uprightness, and left his impress on the social life of the community for good. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Miss Alpha, daughter of Elijah McRill, in 1841, and to them were born a family of eight children, four of whom still survive : W., R. B., M. E. and Eliza. The mother of the family died May 27, 1884, and Isaac T. departed this life June 10, 1901. E. W. Hale was born in Washington township, on the farm which he now operates, the date being April 8, 1853. He was reared and educated in his native township, receiving an excellent elementary education. After he left school he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and with the exception of seven years spent in the manufacture of tile he has confined himself to farming. He is now operating the old homestead of one hundred and fifty-five acres of choice land. Upon this farm his father caused to be built a large and commodious brick house in 1875. The other buildings were erected by him also, all of them constituting very handsome improvements. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 559 The marriage of Mr. E. W. Hale occurred in 1882, the lady being Miss Laura Boyles, a native of West Virginia. Two children were born, Allie and J. Hale. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are held in the highest esteem by the citizens of the county among whom they reside. Russell B. Hale, a deceased son of Isaac T. Hale, had a notable war record. On the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Potomac. He was chosen. color bearer on account of his great height, six feet six inches. In this position he gallantly bore Old Glory until his health broke down in 1862, and he was sent to the hospital for treatment. Here he was very properly cared for, and was in danger of losing. his life, when he was finally discharged and returned home, where he was nursed back to health by his family. He re-enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1863, in which command he served eleven months, when he was. honorably discharged. Again taking up the cause of the old flag, he re-enlisted, this time in his old regiment, in which organization he served until the close of the war, again being honorably discharged. His decease occurred in 1868. A. H. CLYMER, SR. A. H. Clymer, Sr., is a representative of honored pioneers of this great commonwealth, and he has won for himself a prominent place among the leading horticulturists of Hancock county. He is a native son of 'Union township, this county, where his birth occurred on the 1st of January,. 1866. His paternal grandparents, Francis and Susan Clymer, removed from Fairfield county, Ohio, to Union township in 1834, where the father entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, and this he cleared and improved and subsequently added to until his landed possessions were quite extensive. He afterward, however, divided his property among his children. C. F. Clymer, a son of this worthy old pioneer couple, and the father of our subject, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, and he, too, followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation. By his marriage to Mary M. Sigefuss, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, he became the father of five children, three of whom are now living, but our subject is the only representative of. the family in Hancock county. C. F. Clymer was called to his final rest in 1878, but he is still survived by his widow. A. H. Clymer, Sr., of this review, was reared in the township. of his nativity, and in its public schools received his early mental training, there 560 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY fitting himself for his future life' of usefulness. He remained on the old parental homestead until he was married the following year, 1886, purchased of the remaining heirs the home farm, where he is now extensively engaged in horticultural pursuits. His farm consists of fifty acres, on which he has planted one thousand six hundred peach trees, which have been selected with great care from the best stock and consist of different varieties. He also cultivates one hundred plum trees, the fruit being of rare beauty and flavor, he has one hundred cherry trees, while his fifty pear trees, of the finest and choicest varieties, are in bearing from the early summer until late in the autumn. All his fruit highest marketale and commands the highest.market price. In addition to the larger fruits Mr. Clymer also raises all kinds of berries, with the exception of strawberries, the soil of this locality not being adapted to the production of that commodity. In 1885 Mr. Clymer was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Reese, who was born in Liberty township, Hancock county, Ohio, on the 5th of April, 1867, and she is a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Reese. Three children have come to brighten and bless this home: Mamie, who was born January 9, 1888; Bernice, born March 30, 1890; and Lester, born April 25, 1895. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clymer are members of the Evangelical church of Benton Ridge; and they are also connected with the Daughters of America. Mr. Clymer affiliates with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the community. JOHN H. CROSS. John H. Cross is one of the prominent retired farmers of Hancock county, and after a life of active industry he has earned a competence which enables him to rest and enjoy the comforts of the world unalloyed by the disturbing cares of business. His parents were George and Mary M. (Smaltz) Cross, the former born in Maryland and the latter a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. They came to Hancock county in 1839 and located on Limestone Ridge, where they entered eighty acres of government land and bought two other eighties at second hand. George Cross was a practical farmer and a man of influence and ability; he served as trustee of the township for several years. His death occurred in October, 1865, but his wife survived until August, 1898. They had a family of seven children, of whom four are now living. John H. was born in Fairfield county on the 17th of December, 1832, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 561 and was, therefore, but seven years of age when he was brought by his parents to this county. He received his education in the common schools and remained at home until his majority, learning all that goes to make up the pursuit of a farmer. He confined himself to this calling until his retirement a few years ago, and he now resides in Vanlue, in which town he has served in the responsible position of mayor for two years. He has also been councilman and was constable of the township for twelve years. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and has been one of its trustees for twenty-one years. He has always given the strength of his. influence to the side of right and progress and is to-day one of the worthy citizens of his community. In 1853 Mr. Cross became the husband of Miss Catherine Shoop, and four children were born to them, two of whom are living, Thomas. M. and Clement L. Cross. Catherine Cross died in 1894. In November, 1899, Mr. Cross was again married, to Miss Lucinda M. Piper, who was born in Canada June 19, .1859, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth J. Piper. Thomas Piper was a man of large business abilities and was a resident of Hamilton, Canada, for fifty years; he was the owner of several vessels which plied between the port of Ontario and ports of the United States. He was also a large property owner in the States and in Canada, and owned and lived on a large fruit plantation in Knoxville, Virginia, for a few years. The Pipers are one of the first families of Canada and Rev. F. C. Piper, the brother of Mrs. Cross, is ,the Episcopal minister at Hamilton. H. D. SWANK. It is well that not all the old settlers have been called to their final reward, if for no other reason than that we may understand the true caliber of those hardy veterans of toil who made the middle west the center of the commercial empire of the world. They are a truly remarkable class of men, inured to hardship and experienced in a mode of life which will never have its like in• this country agaifi, for while the twentieth century will be brilliant with all the glory of modern. invention. and wonderful scientific achievement and . progress, the nineteenth was the real age of development of the material resources of the country, and prepared for that which was to come. For over seventy years H. D. Swank has been living witness of this advance, and he is certainly worthy of some recognition. in the historical annals of the men of Hancock county, Ohio. Grandfather Swank, who founded the family in America, was born in 562 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Germany, so that on one side of the house there is good German blood. His son was Christian Swank,. and was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and .learned the trade of blacksmith. When he was in young manhood he came to Richland county, Ohio, and was the village blacksmith of the community for some years, but he later came to Knox county and entered some land in Pike township; he cleared and improved this land and at the same time attended to the needs of his neighbors by setting up a shop on his land, in which he shod horses and did all the blacksmithing for the country. He lived on this place until his death, the span of his life having covered the long period from 1791 to 1869; during this time he had been a firm adherent of the Democratic party. His wife, who was of Irish descent, was Susanna Downing, who was born in 1800 and died in 1856. They had three daughters and two sons: Eliza is deceased; George and Henry D. are. the sons; Mary is deceased; while the remaining daughter is Susanna. Henry was born on his father's place in Pike township, Knox county, on April 9, 1827, and remained in this county until he had reached years of manhood. He has a vivid recollection of the old log schoolhouse in which his early education was obtained, the days of schooling being frequently punctured by the hard labor of the farm. On becoming of age he found for himself a wife, and on January 13, 1849, he took up his residence in Orange township, Hancock county. The place was in the midst of the woods, and the first house which he built for the shelter of his family was made of round, unhewn logs, not a place for the physical comfort he would have desired, but it was the scene of some of the happiest hours of his life. He lived in this for some years and devoted himself to clearing the farm and raising general farm products. He still owns the farm of one hundred and eight acres, and has so improved it that one would hardly recog- nize it as the former place. As one of the old settlers Mr. Swank has borne his part in the affairs. of the township, having served as one of the trustees. He has always voted for the candidates of the Republican party, and he and his wife have been members of the Disciples church, in which he was deacon. Mr. Swank and Miss Nancy Dilts were married May 11, 1848. She was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1823, and her father, William, was a native of the same state; he was a farmer and in 1826 came to Knox county, Ohio, but he later removed to Iowa, where he died in his eighty-second year. Her mother, Margaret Killerman, was a native .of Pennsylvania and died in Richland county, Ohio, in 1844. Nancy was the second of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and she was CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 563 reared in Richland county. The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swank all came to the light of day in the log house in Orange township and most of them have some recollection of that first scene. of life. Only four of these children are now living : William, a farmer of Knox county; Christian R., of Hancock county; Casper E., living in Kansas; and Hamilton R., who lives at home. Of the deceased, Susan was married and left two sons,. William and Charlie. Three children survived the daughter Nancy Jane,—Bert, Vim and Floyd. Albert is the name of the deceased son. PHILIP FLAMION. This gentleman is one of the popular farmers of Marion township; who by thrift and industry has established himself in: a comfortable home and now ranks among the enterprising citizens of his community. His parents, John and Martha Flamion, were natives of Belgium, where they spent their entire lives in the enjoyment. of general respect among their neighbors. Philip Flamion was born on the homestead in Belgium, August 2, 1848,. and was trained in the economical farm methods of that country, remaining there until about twenty-five years of age. In 1873 he emigrated to America, made his way to Ohio and located in Clinton county. After spending two years in Clinton and Henry counties he changed his locality to Hancock county in 1875. After his arrival he followed various callings for five or six years, turning his hand to whatever he found to do and not fearing hard work if it gave promise of future advancement. By saving his earnings and avoiding all extravagant expenditures, Mr. Flamion was able by 1881 to purchase the sixty-eight acres of land which has since constituted his home. When the discovery of oil was made in Hancock county Mr. Flamion was fortunate enough to be found in the belt, and in time six producing oil wells were developed on his farm. These add materially to his revenue, and with what he obtains by judicious husbanding make him a very comfortable income and place him among the happy class of independent farmers. During his occupancy his farm has been greatly improved as the result of much hard work, and considerable money expended upon it by its enterprising owner. Notable among the improvements are some fine buildings erected by Mr. Flamion, which are of modern style, commodious and altogether a credit not only to the owner but to the neighborhood. In 1873, shortly before his departure for the new world, Mr. Flamion was married in Paris, France, to Miss Mary Perry, a native and worthy daughter of the famous French capital. This union, which has proved con- 564 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY genial in all respects and brought much happiness to both participants, has been fruitful as well as blissful; Mr. and Mrs. Flamion have had eleven children, two of whom were taken away by death, those living being named as follows : Nicholas, August, Louisa, Charles, Oliver, Emily, Joseph:, William and Martha. All of the family are devoted members of the Roman Catholic church, and the Flamion family comes near to being an ideal one, so great is the mutual affection for each other displayed by every member of the household. WILLIAM SHANINGHAUSE. Those persons who are always they   of lack of opportunity, talking of "hard times," insisting that they have had "no chance" and declaring their inability to "get along" on the ordinary wages paid to ordinary men, may learn. a valuable lesson by reading. the following brief biographical sketch. About the middle of the last century there lived in Hanover, Germany, a worthy couple named Henry and Mary Sharninghause. They were extremely poor, but being industrious and honest they were respected by those .who knew them best. After lives of weary struggle against the hard conditions then prevailing in the old .World, these honest people ended their days in their .native. Alsace with little more of this world's goods than they possessed in. the beginning. Unto this couple was born on. December 12, 1849, a child whom they christened William. As they had nothing to give him but their. blessing, and as circumstances at home were very straitened, this little boy was compelled to earn his living at the tender age of seven. He was set to herding cows by a gentleman in the neighborhood, who was kind enough to give him employment; the latter was glad enough to obtain the pittance which this work brought to himself and his poor old parents. Little William contracted, or "bound himself," for five. years, the remuneration beginning with nine dollars for the first twelve months, twelve for the second, fifteen for the third, forty for the fourth and fifty for the fifth and last. Added up, William found his pay amounted to one hundred and twenty-six dollars, which, though it may seem small to many, looked like a princely fortune to this friendless German boy. Right here is where the lesson we spoke of comes in most forcibly. Every dollar of this money was put to the best possible use by William, in purchasing passage to America. He landed in 1869, when about twenty years old, but before he could secure work his little store had dwindled to six dollars. In the same year, however, he man- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 565 aged to reach Hancock county, Ohio; took up his abode in Allen township and went to work at whatever he could get to do. This he continued four and a half years, and one year before the expiration of that time he had saved five hundred dollars. That means much in the hands of a thrifty and economical German, and William Sharninghause. knew what to do with his hard-earned gains. During the seven years which followed his period of "Working out" he rented farms, worked hard, saved in every possible way and in 1881 was able to purchase seventy acres of land for himself. By 1896 he succeeded in adding enough more to make his present holdings, of one hundred and fifty acres. Those who now visit Mr. Sharninghause's hospitable home will find that he has erected a fine and substantial barn, sides remodeling the house and putting on other finishing touches, which make his place decidedly cosy and attractive and one of the most comfortable 'residences in Portage township. Such is the story of a truly self-made man who shows us how much can come from little and how nerve and pluck will overcome the direst poverty and the most adverse circumstances. Like all wise men, Mr. Sharninghause decided at an early age to select a partner to share his joys as well as his sorrows, and to assist and comfort. him in the struggles of life. His choice fell upon Miss Dora Kuhlman, to whom he was wedded in 1872, and who made him the happy father of four bright and promising children, named respectively, James M., George F., Henry W. and Ora. Parents and children are members of the German Lutheran church, in which .Mr. Sharninghause has held the offices of deacon and trustee for, twelve years. But though attentive to his church duties and a respecter of religion, Mr. Sharninghause considers that the whole duty of man is summed up in the simple creed "Do unto others as you would wish others to do unto you," and it is his aim to carry this out in his every day life, well assured that the observance of this golden rule includes all the moral code. A fter saying this much, it is hardly necessary to add that with his thrift, his honest methods and his genial disposition William Sharninghause deserves and enjoys general respect among his neighbors and acquaintances. And this good will and esteem his worthy wife and amiable children also enjoy with their estimable father. ROBERT A. COOPER. Among those fortunate persons who "struck oil" as the result of the discoveries in the Findlay section of Ohio, none were more deserving of their good luck than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native 565 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY of Hancock county, being descended from early settlers, and the family has always stood well in the community. Robert A. Cooper was born. January 6, 1853, on the farm in Portage township where he now resides, his parents being Amos and Elizabeth A. (Poe) Cooper. He was brought up and educated in his native township and has always followed farthing as a means of livelihood from the time he was able to work. It was July 22, 1884, that Mr. Cooper first made an investment in land, his purchase consisting of forty acres situated in Portage township, which was later increased by an inheritance of forty acres more. The acquisition of these eighty acres of land proved timely and profitable, as the discovery of oil in Hancock county resulted in the development of ten wells on Mr. Cooper's place, which are now in operation and yielding a good revenue. On October 22, 1874, Mr. cooper was married to Miss Mary J., daughter of' Andrew and Elizabeth Knoka, a native of Allen township, where she was born August 9, 1854. Edwin H. Cooper, the eldest of the two sons resulting from this union, was born January 12, 1878, graduated at the Angola (Indiana) Normal School and is now attending the Homeopathic Medical College of Chicago. Clarence M. Cooper,- the youngest son, was born December 13, 1881, and is at present a student at the Angola Normal. Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Cooper are worthy members of the Blanchard Presbyterian church and much esteemed by the wide Circle of acquaintances who. have known them for years and found them true to all duties and requirements of good citizenship. Mr. Cooper is not an aspirant for office, wastes no time on the intrigues of politics, but attends strictly to his business and aims to vote intelligently for what he regards as the best interests of county, state and .nation. In the sketch of Isaac W. Cooper, on another page of this volume, will be found additional and interesting particulars of the family history. PHILIP WEIROUGH. It is a common remark throughout the United States that no country of the world has contributed to the great republic a more desirable class of emigrants than Germany. Wherever one goes, he will assuredly hear it said: "These Germans make mighty fine citizens." They are always law abiding, well educated, genial in disposition, quick to "catch on" and trained in those habits of economy and thrift which are so valuable in early life. They seem to succeed at everything they undertake, whether it be running a butcher shop, a bakery, a store, a candy stand or a farm. The central west- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 567 em states have been especially fortunate in obtaining this fine stream of emigration, and no other state received a finer selection than Ohio. Of the many thousands of Germans who have settled in the great and prosperous Buckeye state during the last half century were Nicholas and Mary Weirough. They came over in 1859 and located at Findlay, where the husband first obtained employment as engineer for the Adams foundry. Mr. Weirough, however, had aspirations to become a farmer and in 1870 bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Portage township. To this he removed with his family, and the next few years were devoted to the hard work incident to clearing land and getting it into shape to compete with modern methods of agriculture. In due time, the rough place was Cleared and cultivated, fenced and smoothed and improved until the original owner would not have recognized it. All the necessary buildings, combining both utility and ornament, and all those little adjuncts of shrubbery, nice walks and green sward, which go so far to beautify a country seat, were in due time added by the tasteful occupants. The worthy owners still enjoy life at the home their industry made, the father being ninety-one and the mother sixty-five years of age, and both much loved and respected by hosts of friends and acquaintances. Of their nine children, seven are living and all these are residents of Hancock county. Among the number is Philip Weirough, who was born in Findlay, Ohio, June 23, 1861. He was reared and educated partly in. Findlay and part in Portage township, to which his parents removed in his youth. After reaching maturity Mr. Weirough worked in the oil fields for a number of years, but eventually abandoned this occupation in order to take up farming. In 1899 he purchased eighty acres of fertile land in Portage township, to which he removed a year ago and which he is now engaged in cultivating. As he has inherited from his father those good qualities for which he was noted and is a man of intelligence and progressive ideas, there can be little doubt that Mr. Weirough will in time rank with the best of Hancock's agriculturists. In 1884 occurred the happy nuptials of Philip Weirough and Miss Rachel, daughter of Jacob and Mary A. Rinehold, the bride being a native of Seneca county, Ohio, where she was born April 22, 1866. As the result of their union, Mr. and Mrs. Weirough have three bright and interesting children : John A., born June 8, 1885 Maud M., born September 15, 1886 and Clarence J., whose birth Occurred September 16, 1888. No people in the county are more esteemed or have more friends than the Weirough family, both of the elder and younger generations.   568 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY RADO KEMPHER. The subject of this sketch, whose name is given above, is one of many worthy representatives of a family of Dutch origin which settled in Hancock county many years ago and became a part of its stanchest citizenship. The original emigrants located in Pennsylvania, where they reared a family of four sons and four daughters, all of whom at a later day located in Hancock county. They arrived in 1837, and each of the sons purchased a half section of land, which they retained and cultivated during the remainder of their lives. The Kemphers proved to be a valuable acquisition to what was then a sparsely settled section of Ohio, as they were model farmers, people of upright lives, law-abiding and loyal as citizens. As they increased and multiplied by marriage, the family connection grew to be one of influence, and none of the early settlers commanded more esteem than this contribution from the land of steady habits beside the German Ocean. Abraham Kempher, one of the four sons above alluded to, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1805 and grew to manhood in the place of his nativity. In 1834, three years before his emigration to Ohio, he was married to Susan Buzzard, also born in Northampton county, in 1816, and this union proved both fruitful and congenial. The names of their children in order of birth are thus recorded in the family Bible : Ann L., born April 8, 1836; Jacob, born December 8, 1837; Rebecca. deceased, born November 9, 1840; Mary, born February 16, 1842; John, born April 13, 1844; Frances L., born July 3, 1846; Rachel S., born June 9, 1849; Eli, born August 8, 1852; and Rado, born May 4, 1855. Abraham Kempher, the father of this family, was a quiet, peaceable man, who pursued the even tenor of his way throughout an unadventurous life and gained the good will of all with whom he came in contact. His farming operations were carried on with the thrift and industry characteristic of Hollanders, and his farm became one of the neatest and best cultivated in his township. The one hundred and sixty acres of land formerly owned by him were greatly increased in value by the discovery of oil,. and at the present time contain ten productive wells. The old pioneer, however, did not live long enough to get the benefit of this, as he passed peacefully away from earth's struggles on the first day of April, 1877. He had survived his good wife many years, her death having occurred in 186o. The whole family, including parents as well as children., were lifelong members of the Disciples church at McComb. Rado Kempher, whose birth occurred in Hancock county, Ohio, in 1855, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 569 was the youngest of the children, and as he grew hp displayed all the sturdy qualities of his ancestry. Like all of these, he adhered to the soil as an occu- pation and means of livelihood and is at present one of the best known farmers in Portage township. He has proved a worthy descendant of worthy sires, and ranks among the best of his neighborhood as an agriculturist and citizen.. All of the Kemphers who came to Hancock county in 1837 have passed away,. inculding his grandfather and father, as well as his uncles and aunts, but the ,rising .generation contains many worthy representatives to perpetuate the honored name, and among, these none is more deserving of notice than Rado Kempher. He is a man in whom all his neighbors have confidence, and as a farmer he occupies front rank among the many skillful agriculturists of the county. Mr. Kempher is unmarried, and like others of his name, almost without exception, is allied in politics with the Republican party. JOSEPH J. HERMAN. Besides industry and good judgment there are many other qualities which add to the success of the business man,. especially the merchant, and among these are a genial and cordial manner and .that courtesy which never fails to win and retain customers. One of these popular and prosperous merchants, located in the thriving town of Vanlue, Hancock county, Ohio, is Joseph J. Herman, who is the proprietor of a general store there. In the year 1899 he purchased this store from George Alspach and opened it with a fine display of goods in the same year. From the start he had a large patronage, and his numerous customers are increasing daily. His business is centrally located, his building is of commodious and convenient proportions and his stock is of the finest quality and always fresh from the manufacturers. Mr. Herman is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Leitzel) Herman, natives of Pennsylvania, and in Union county of that state he was ushered into the world on the 13th of November, 1871; in the county of his nativity he was reared and in the district schools he received the elementary education which was to fit him for the duties of after life. He has been an extensive farmer and in connection with this occupation has dealt in hay, which latter branch he still carries on in conjunction with his mercantile interests. Mr. Herman is not only a first-class business than but also stands high in social circles and has performed his part of the duties devolving upon American citizenship; he has held the office of councilman of his town with much. credit, is a worthy member of the Knights. of Pythias and belongs to 36 570 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY the United Brethren church, of which he is the efficient Sunday-school superintendent and one of the board of trustees. In the fall of 1897 Mr. Herman became the husband of Miss Laura E. Shuck, the accomplished daughter of Aaron and Matilda (Bright) Shuck; she was born on her father's farm in Big Lick township, July 19, 1874. Of this union one son was born, August 14, 1901, whom they have named Russell. ISAAC L. SHULL. The family of this name became established in Hancock county as early as 1833, in which year Solomon Shull took possession of two hundred and forty acres of land in Amanda township, part of which tract is now included in Wyandot county. This original settler left three sons, Isaac, Benjamin and Joseph, who inherited all the property at the time of his death and divided it into three equal parts. Benjamin, the second of these sons, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, September 15, 1815, and in early manhood was married to Christina Kitsmiller, a native of Fairfield county and about two years his junior. In 1846 they removed to Hancock county and settled on the inherited land above mentioned, which was their home during all the subsequent years of their lives. When Benjamin took possession of his third of the estate, amounting to eighty acres, it was practically in its raw state, as scarcely 'a beginning of improvements had been made. His first act was to build a log cabin in which to house his wife and little ones until something better could be substituted, and in this rude structure they lived until 1859. During- his occupancy this farm was so greatly improved that its first owner would not have known it, and by clearing, fencing, rotation of crops, thorough cultivation and addition of all necessary outbuildings it was converted into a productive and valuable estate. Benjamin Shull became a noted character in the neighborhood on account of his cleverness with the ax, that indispensable weapon of the Ohio pioneer. Whenever there was to be a house-raising Ben was sure to be one of the invited guests And usually was awarded the honor of "holding up the corner." He had great skill in erecting those rude log structures which housed the first comers, as well as their descendants for one or two generations, and in his own affairs was a man of untiring industry. His marriage, which occurred in 1840, was productive of six children : John H., Mary A., William C., Harmon T., Sylvanus and Isaac L. The parents, who were life-long members of the United Brethren church, have both passed away, the death of CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 571 Mrs. Christina Shull having occurred March 23, 1892, and that of the husband September 15, 1902. Isaac L. Shull, youngest of the children, was born on his father's farm in Hancock county, Ohio, January 24, 1855, and grew to manhood in his native township. His education was obtained partly in the district schools and partly in the high schools at Vanlue and Findlay. With the exception of six years in the latter place his whole life has been spent in Amanda township in the prosecution of agricultural pursuits, to which he had been trained from boyhood. For twenty-four years he and his brother Sylvanus operated a.threshing machine in partnership, and this firm became known far and wide for the amount as well as excellence of the work they did for grain growers over a wide area of Ohio territory. In 1893; Mr. Shull .took possession of his possession of his present homestead, consisting of one hundred and forty-six acres, of which fifty-six acres lie in Wyandot county. He devotes this plate to general farming and stock-raising, and is regarded in the neighborhood as one of the most progressive and successful of the township's farmers, while also being considered an authority on various agricultural subjects. On November 23, 1876, Mr. Shull was married to Eleanor, daughter of John and Nancy A. Crawford, from which union have resulted two children : Truman W., born November 27, 1881, and Anna M., born March 28, 1883. The family are members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Shull has been a class leader and steward, and he was for some time president of the board of education. JOHN Z. SAMPSON. This gentleman, one of the prosperous farmers of Amanda township, is descended on the side of both mother and father from early settlers of Hancock county. The family originated from Eli and Ann Sampson, who emigrated from Maryland in the early part of the nineteenth century and took part in developing Hancock county. Among their children was a son named David, who was born in Jackson township and became a prosperous farmer, accumulated considerable wealth and rose to a position of prominence in his community. He was influentially connected with township affairs and served both as superintendent and trustee. David Sampson married Melinda Hoy, a member of the old pioneer family of that name, and of their ten children seven are living. The. father lost his life in 1899, as the result of being struck by a falling tree, but his widow still survives in a good old age. John Z. Sampson, son of the last mentioned couple, was born in Amanda 572 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY township, March 3o, 1864, and has spent all his life in the locality of his nativity. He attended the township schools and finished his education at Mount Blanchard. After leaving school he "buckled down" to hard work and has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has prospered, and at present owns a neat place of seventy-five acres in Amanda township, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He is of industrious habits, a good manager and altogether one of the representative men of the generation of farmers who have come up in Hancock county since the Civil war. On September 4, 1894, Mr. Sampson was :united in marriage to Miss Maggie Dragoo, of Indiana, but has no children. They are members of the Methodist Protestant church and are good citizens of the: community in every sense of the word. D. W. FITCH. The purpose of this brief sketch will be to give the life history of one of Hancock county's live and progressive agriculturists, who has also made a success in other lines of business. The parents of the subject of this sketch were William and Martha Fitch, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father from Beaver county of that state. In 1837 they came to Ohio and located. on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Wyandot county, which they entered from the government. William Fitch was a good farmer, .a worthy citizen and a true Christian in every sense of the word, for many years being prominently connected with the Presbyterian church and for several years. serving as elder. His wife was a godly woman, whose kind and beneficent training is still remembered by her loving children. The husband passed away in 1857, and the wife in 1890. Their son, D. W. Fitch, was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, on the 4th day of May, 1845; the old homestead was the scene of his boyish pleasures and sorrows, and in the familiar schoolhouse he learned the lessons and received the discipline in common with the other boys of. the neighborhood. His principal vocation in life has been farming, but he has also tried other pursuits; for five years he conducted a grocery store in Hardin county,. Ohio, to which county he removed in 1883 ; in 1890 he went to Findlay,. Hancock county, and became the agent of a publishing house. He finally turned his attention to farming and at first rented land, moving about from place to place, as is the custom,.in this and Wood counties; in 1894 he sustained a great loss, when his house and all its contents were destroyed by the flames. In 1900 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and twelve CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 573 acres of valuable land and is now devoting it to general farming, in which he has been very successful. In 1867 Mr. Fitch was married to Sarah Andrews, who was born in London, England, and came to America when she was seven years of age. They have four children : Florence, Ivy, Frank and Hazel. Mr. Fitch has filled with credit several township offices, and has a good record in every department of life. DAVID U. CHAMBERS. The family of Chambers, though identified with Ohio from an early period, is of Virginia origin. Elias Chambers, founder of the name in the Buckeye state, married Catherine Stockman, of Pennsylvania, and settled in Crawford county, Ohio, as far back as 1825, entered one hundred and twenty acres of timbered land and made the first use of his trees to build a cabin. This pioneer couple had seven children : Susan, the first born, afterward Mrs. Steen, was an infant at the time of the settlement; William, deceased; Catherine, who married J. Steen ; Peter, deceased; David; Daniel; and Aaron. David Chambers, fifth of these children, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, December 24, 1833, and grew to manhood at the place of his nativity. Shortly after reaching his majority he came to Hancock county, where he worked by the day for various persons and eventually was employed to do farm work for his uncle, William Chambers, on the place which he now owns. He has made it one of the desirable farms of Big Lick township, the land being highly improved and cultivated by up-to-date methods. He has gained standing, not only as a good farmer, but as a model citizen, and has filled acceptably the office of constable, trustee and other township offices. April 26, 1859, David Chambers was married to Sarah A., daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Smith) Sargent, natives of Hampshire county, West Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1825. The children of this union are Nora C., David V., Greely, Della, Clinton, Cora and Wesley. David U. Chambers, second of the above enumerated children, was born on his father's farm in Big Lick township, Hancock county, Ohio, September 4, 1866, and grew to maturity in the usual manner of boys of his class. He attended the neighborhood schools in term time and at other periods assisted with the farm work, learning those details of the business which were to be useful to him in after life. In 1890 he became the owner of eighty acres of valuable land in Big Lick township, which he has since cultivated and made his place of residence. He devotes his place to general farming and stock- 574 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY raising, not attempting any fancy farming, and is regarded as one of. the most promising of the younger generation of, agriculturists in his part of the county. He is industrious and ambitious, as all the surroundings will show, his farm being kept in good order, and equipped with all the modern conveniences. Mr. Chambers has neither sought nor cared for office in a general way, but at the urgency of his neighbors accepted the position of township trustee, and served efficiently for three years. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Chambers was united in marriage with Miss. Isadore, daughter of John and Sarah Bright, the bride being .a native of Big Lick township and born there December 7, 1867. The five children resulting .from this union are: Lillian M., born November 7, 1890; Edna C., born November 15, 1891; Garnet R., born May 17, 1894; Audrey C., born March 22, 1898; and Mabel D. born July 31, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are both consistent members of the Evangelical church, in which the former holds the position of. trustee. SAMUEL B. THOMAS. This gentleman deserves to be ranked among the, early pioneers, as he is a native of Ohio and has lived in the state for eighty years. He is a son of James and Mary A. (Campbell) Thomas, both natives of Ireland, where the former was born in 1784 and the latter in 1786. They emigrated to America in 1818, first locating at Norfolk, Virginia, where they made. a short stay and then moved to Pennsylvania, from which plate they subsequently migrated to Wayne county, Ohio, In 1835 they came to Hancock county, where Mr. Thomas purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he erected a log hut, eighteen by twenty feet, and there resided for several years. By much hard work these worthy immigrants succeeded in improving this land, until it became a valuable farm. Mr. Thomas was a hard working man, possessed that geniality for which his countrymen are so well noted, and by his upright life gained a multitude of friends. Both himself and wife were members of th Presbyterian church, and they followed out the precepts of their religion in their daily intercourse with their fellow men. Mr. Thomas died in Hancock county, August 10, 1870, and his wife passed away January 6, 1868. Of their family of twelve children five are still living, including Samuel B. .Thomas; the subject of this sketch, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, July 9, 1822. At the age of twelve years he moved with his parents to Hancock county, where he was .brought up to do all kinds of farm work and remained at home until 1847: In that year he was married to Miss Elizabeth CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 575 Struble, by whom he had three children : Mary A., Bradford and Alma, the latter deceased. In 1845 Mr. Thomas purchased the farm on which he now resides, consisting of eighty acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and devotes to general farming. He has greatly improved the place in every respect, especially by the erection of substantial buildings, constructed on the most modern plan and especially adapted to the duties for which they are designed. Everybody speaks of Samuel B. Thomas as a successful citizen who can be relied upon to meet every contract, whether it be. in writing or not, and he conscientiously performs every duty to his fellow man both in public and in private life. CHARLES S. JOHNSTON. This gentleman is conspicuous in Marion township as the owner of a valuable dairy farm cansisting of one hundred and twenty acres, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He keeps thirty cows of a superior Jersey breed, mostly registered, besides a lot of young stock. He deals extensively in cream and sells .twenty gallons of this product per day. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Griggs) Johnston, the former born in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 19, 1819, and the latter in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1823. They were married in Fairfield county, and in 1853 removed to Hancock county, where they located' on the farm now owned by their son, H. H. Johnston, who also conducts an extensive dairy. The eighty acres originally purchased contained but few improvements,. but in the course of years. this land was cleared and made valuable. Commodious buildings were erected and other changes made, which have brought the farm up to the highest standard characteristic of that. section of Ohio. Mr. Johnston, both in his private and business life, enjoys the reputation of being a good, honest and trustworthy man, who not only Preaches but practices the golden rule: He was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, in which he held the position of class-leader and also other offices of importance. His house had the reputation of being the "preachers' home, owing to the fact that Mr. Johnston so often and so hospitably entertained the gentlemen of the cloth. This worthy man died in 1883, but his widow still survives and is enjoying the evening of life surrounded by hosts of friends and children, who regard her with the utmost affection. The latter, four in number, are named as follows : Samuel, born in October, 1844; Mary A.,. born July 15, 1846, and is now deceased; Charles S., .born May 30, 1848; and H. H. The great-great-grand- 576 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY mother of Mrs. Elizabeth Johnston was a Miss Huffman, of royal blood and an English princess, who during the uprising in Ireland fell in love with an Irish nobleman, but he being outside the royal family his wife was disinherited and afterward fled with her husband to America, where their descendants became valiant soldiers in defense of American independence during the Revolutionary struggle. Charles S. Johnston,, the third of the children in order of birth and the subject of this sketch, grew up on the farm and became thoroughly familiar with all the details connected with agricultural pursuits. He has held a position of prominence and influence both in business and political circles, serving as justice of the peace and a member of the county executive Republican committee for a number of years. He is rather fond of politics and always takes an active interest in the political contests, both local and general. On October 20, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Miller) Connor, and the result of this union, which has been an ideally happy one, has been the birth of eight children : Winifred M., the eldest of these, is now a practicing physician in Findlay; Effie and Jennie are dead; Edward and Fred are twins; D. M.; William M.; and Frank, deceased. Mr. Johnston purchased the farm which he is now conducting in 1887, and has greatly improved it by the erection of the commodious residence and other valuable buildings especially adapted to the dairy business. In addition to being regarded as an up-to-date farmer and successful stock-raiser Mr. Johnston ranks as one of the most popular citizens of his township. CHARLES BEAMER. A mention of the prominent farmers of Washington township would hardly be complete without noting the name of this representative of the agricultural interests, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and ninety acres. The family of which he is an honored representative. is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. He is the son of George and Elizabeth (Study) Beamer. George Beamer was born in the state of Maryland in 1791, and Elizabeth Study was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. They married in Pennsylvania, where they lived for a number of years, and in 1848 located in Hancock county, Ohio. Mr. George Beamer had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and in compensation he received, besides his regular pay, a grant of land from the government: He located on a farm of eighty acres of virgin soil, upon which he built the ,usual log cabin, and endured all the hardships CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 577 which were the lot of the hardy band of pioneers of that early day. George Beamer, like most of his neighbors, was a poor man, but he was not to be kept poor, for he was hard working, honest and trustworthy, qualities which coupled with a keen business judgment and foresight, made him successful in the securing of a competence. He was not a man who sought office, but delighted in the support of the principles of the Democratic party. His family consisted of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity but two, and seven of this number survive at the present writing, whose names are as follows : Eve, Mary A., Barbara, George, William, Charles and Addison. The father of this family died in 1868, his wife having lived a period of six years longer. Charles Beamer was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 10, 1838, and as he was ten years old when his parents came to Hancock county, most of his education was received in Big Lick township. He has fitted himself by years of toil and varied experience for his vocation in life, that of a farmer, and has proved himself pre-eminently successful. When he became of age he went out in the world with a full determination to reach the climax before the evening of life overtook him. The evidences of forethought, energy and push are seen in his well kept farm, and in his handsome and convenient buildings. As he remarked to the writer himself "the whole state of Ohio was bequeathed to me at my majority that I might make a living in it." In 1862 when his country needed men true and loyal to defend the integrity of the Union and prevent its disruption, he patriotically responded to his country's call. As a member of Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he battled for three years for the supremacy of "old glory." During that time he participated in the following battles : Mossy Creek, Nashville, Buzzards Roost, Franklin, Fort Fisher, and many minor engagements and skirmishes. During all that period he was faithful to his trust and was honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, with a knowledge that he had done his duty to the country he so much loved. For four years following the war he resided at home, but in 1869 he purchased his *father's property in Big Lick township, buying out the heirs. This property he has so remodeled and improved as to make it appear almost as another place. The property, it might be noted here, was formerly the home of Michael. Roller. Mr. Beamer is popular in the political arena, having served honorably and successfully as a trustee of his township, has been a member of the school board for long years, and is ever ready to take part in any enterprise that looks to the improvement of the citizens of his community. He was mar- 578 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ried in November of 1866, to Miss Lucinda, the daughter of Moses and Mary McAnelly. His children are as follows : Perry, Lewis, Corlin, Irene and Mary E. Mrs. Beamer is a native of the township in which she resides, having been there born in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Beamer stand high in the community where they have so long made their home, and no citizens of Big Lick township are more highly honored or respected. ISAAC TEATSORTH. Isaac Teatsorth is the descendant of James and Margaret Thompson Teatsorth, who were natives of Pennsylvania, the former having .been born September 4, 1802, the latter November 6, 1804. They married September 14, 1826, and removed in early life to Harrison county, Ohio, where they remained a number of years, and where some of their children were born. In 1833 they removed to Findlay, Ohio, where they located, and James being an experienced miller, erected and operated a mill for the manufacture of various kinds of bread stuffs. In this business he prospered, his mill having been located where now stands the building in which the people belonging to the Church of God worship. In 1849, when the California fever was at its height, he made the journey to that country, where in a few years he amassed wealth enough to answer as a competence for the remainder of his days. He returned to Findlay and purchased a substantial home, where he lived out the remainder of his clays, dying November 3, 1880. His 'wife lived until 1886, when on the 27th of September, she also died. In politics James Teatsorth was a Democrat, and while he made no pretensions as a professor of religion, he was an upright man in his private life. His family numbered nine children, four of whom are living : Ganett, who was born in 1828; Isaac, the subject of this sketch, who was born on May I, 183o; Abraham, born in 1832 ; and the youngest son, James, born in 1846. Isaac, whose name heads this biography, is one of the Well known and substantial men of his township, where for twenty-five years he has successfully carried on milling. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and removed with his -father to Findlay when only three years of age. He does not remember when he did not know something about a grist mill, being so intimately connected with his father from a very early period in his boyhood, and the latter, indeed, left him to attend to the running of the establishment much of the time. His education was received at Findlay in the common schools. He was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Henry and Maria Folk, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 579 on May 30, 1856. To the union were born Elida, April 3, 1857; Charles, deceased, born August 30, 1858; Emma E., August 21, 186o; Sophia W., deceased, born November 9, 1862, Henry L., deceased, born July 4, 1865; George W., August 27, 1873; Clyde R., deceased, born February 19, 1875. Our subject removed from Findlay in 1874, and located in Hardin county, Ohio, where for the next two years he engaged in milling. On June 25, 1876, he purchased his present home and mill property. He manufactures all kinds of flour and feed, the mill having a. capacity of one hundred barrels per day. In 1901 the city of Findlay purchased his dam privileges, since which time he has retired from active business. Mr. Teatsorth has four oil wells on his place, and his own home is lighted and warmed from his own wells. Mrs. Teatsorth is a lady of many gentle traits of character, and was born in Perry county, Ohio, April 3, 1833. Her father, Henry Folk, died July 28, 1878, having- lived to the advanced age of seventy-five years. Her mother, Maria Folk, died June 17, 1842, at a very early age. Her grandfather, Nicholas Folk, was one of the early settlers of his section of the state, having entered his one hundred and sixty acres in 1831. ISAAC M. GREENE. Isaac M. Greene is the son of a veteran in more ways than one. His father was one of the first settlers of Hancock county and one of those who sacrificed time, prospects and life for their country upon the field of battle. On the maternal side Isaac is descended from the Hollenbacks of Fairfield county, where both his parents were born. John Greene, the father, was a farmer and sawyer who spent the best years of his manhood in leveling the forest and making the wilderness a fit place for civilization. When the struggle between the north and the south was on, he entered the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Regiment of Volunteer Infantry for three years of active service. He lost his right arm in battle, and though small attention was paid to it at the time, he never fully recovered from the shock and in 1877 died from the effects of his wound. His wife Catherine is still alive. Seven of his nine children are living, four in Hancock county. Isaac M. Greene has always lived in this county. He was born August 10, 1852, and got his education at home and in the district school. He very early went to farming, and has always been a hard worker and an honest man. He is thoroughly progressive and is now busily engaged in improving a new farm of eighty acres bought in 1902. On February 18, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Percy Handshy, a daughter of 580 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Sebastian and Sarah Handshy, early settlers of this county. She was one of nine children, of whom five are living. Mrs. Greene was born in this county in 1850. She has made for her husband a very happy home. Once has a shadow come into their wedded life. On February 19, 1900, the angel of death hovered near and bore away the nineteen year old son Ira. Two sons only remain to them; they are: Hiram L., born February 5, 1876; and Marion O., born May 29, 1883. Ira A. was born on January 26, 1881, Mr. Greene belongs to the "Christian Union." GEORGE M. GOODMAN. This gentleman is one of the younger agriculturists of Hancock county, but has by his superior ability in the farming line and by consistent and earnest effort established for himself a reputation in that class not surpassed by many of the older farmers of the county. He resides in Marion township, and conducts an estate of six hundred acres of very valuable farming land. He was born in the township and on the present farm on the 24th of November, 1872. He is a man of superior education and intelligence, having had the advantages of both the lower and the higher grades of the Findlay public schools, and to this was added a course in the best business college in this section. He selected the vocation of a farmer from choice rather than. from necessity. He is a young man of very great promise, and a bright future greets his progressive steps. In matters of religious faith Mr. Goodman is an active supporter of the Methodist church, and is found ready at all times to give his support and influence to any enterprise that promises to advance the educational and religious life of the community. To preside over his home he selected Miss Bertha Hayes, the date of the marriage being. October 19, 1900. She is a young lady of many graces of character, accomplished in manner, and of the very best breeding. She is the daughter of John C. and Calixta Hayes, and was born and reared in Hancock county. Mr. Goodman is the son of Lawrence and Barbara (Mack) Goodman. The Goodmans are of German descent, the father having been a native of the .fatherland, while the mother was born in Fairfield county, Ohio. Lawrence Goodman was a child. of eight years when he crossed the ocean with his parents. They located in Marion township, where his father Joseph purchased, one hundred and twenty acres of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. The Goodmans have always been supporters of the Lutheran church. The father of our subject was reared with CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 578 such advantages of education as could be procured in that early day. He was a first class business man and a practical and successful farmer. When he arrived at maturity, he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Marion township, and at intervals added to this original farm, until he became the owner of nine, hundred acres. This was accomplished by hard personal labor on the farm rather than by any of the arts known to business. He combined with a cool head and fine judgment as to the future development of the country a splendid physical constitution. In connection with the accumulation of real estate in the country he early saw the advantage of investing in city real estate, and thus accumulated considerable property in Findlay. He died at the comparatively early age of fifty-six years in May, 1901. He had married twice, two children having come to him during his first marriage, and four by his second. The mother of our subject was his first wife. A. H. SMITH Well known in Hancock county, Mr. Smith is a worthy representative of its farming interests, and is a man whose sterling traits of character have made him popular with his business. or social connections. He resides in Cass township on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he devotes to general produce. He was born in Big Lick township October 1, 1852, and is the son of George W. and Mary (Hoyt) Smith, both of whom are natives of New York state. His father is of Scotch parentage. This couple came to Hancock county, in 1844, and located in Big Lick township, purchasing a farm of two hundred acres, most of which was in its primitive wild state. During his residence in the county George W. Smith made a reputation for honest dealing, and filled in his time several of the township offices with credit. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was an active worker, having been for many years a member of the governing board of that organization. Politically he favored the policies of the Republican party. His birth occurred in 1821, and he died in Hancock county in 1893; his wife, Mary, was born in 1819 and survived him, dying at the age of seventy-five. Their family numbered : Mary A., Aurilla, Amelia, A. H., M. C., Elmer J., Arabelle, and Myrtie. A. H. Smith, who forms the subject of this review, received his early training and education in the township schools of Big Lick township, and with the exception of eight years spent in Findlay in handling agricultural. implements his life has been devoted entirely to agricultural pursuits. He purchased his present farm in 1886, on which he has since resided. He 582 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY farms largely on the intensive plan, using a rotation of crops to enrich his fields, and is a lover of good stock, of which he has a large number on his farm. On December 1, 1873, he was united in marriage to Maggie A., daughter of Eli and Susanna Mead, and born on the farm where she now resides. To this union there was no issue. The circle of friends of which Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the center is extensive, and the regard in which they are held in their community is uniform. GEORGE W. ELSEA. One of the leading farmers and influential citizens of Marion township, Hancock county, for a long period of years, was this gentleman, George W. Elsea, now deceased. He resided on a farm in Marion township containing one hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land, and during his life time devoted his entire attention to its cultivation. The date of his birth was May 17, 1842, the place being Eagle township in this county. Here he was reared and educated, and here he also began active life as a farmer. His parents were Moses and Mary A. Elsea, both of whom were natives of Pickaway county, Ohio, and subsequently removed to Hancock county. They in their time were among the substantial and practical people of the country, and reared a family of useful and respected children, who continue to honor the name. When George W. came to maturity he adopted the calling of his people before him, and removed to the farm on which his widow now resides, in 1868. During the time of his residence there, he. made vast improvements, erecting many modern buildings, and in other respects improved the farm, making it one of the most desirable rural homes in the county. He was a most practical farmer, and in his public relations was a loyal citizen and in his private relations a true and loving husband and father. He was greatly devoted to the church, having very early in life connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. During his life it was his delight to devote his talents to the cause of the Master in his lay position. He served for a long period of years as Sunday-school superintendent, and for much of his life was the main stay of the local church. In 1863 he married Miss Mary A., the daughter of Jacob and Susannah Altman. This lady was born on the 5th of October, 1842, and belonged to one of the old and most respected families of Hancock county, Whose history will be read elsewhere in this volume. She bore our subject five children, as follows : William S., born December 13, 1868, married Carry Essex, and to CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 583 this union have been born, Clarence, Edith, Philip and Leonard; Lemuel G., April 2, 1871, married Jennie Shuck, and they have one child, Eva; Mary N., May 27, 1874; Amanda J., April 12, 1878, married Mr. R. B. Hempy ; and Lawrence A., August 6, 1880. Mrs. Elsea resides upon the old home farm, and continues to merit the love and esteem, of her children and neighbors. JOHN W. ZELLER. Twenty-five years continuous service as superintendent of schools of the city of Findlay is evidence quite sufficient to mark Professor Zeller as a prominent figure in the educational interests of the great state of Ohio. During all of that period he has been prominently connected with every movement that had for its object the forwarding of educational interests, not only in his own state, but in the country at large. He is now and has been, for years in close touch with the master minds in the educational fields of our country, and is a man who has done a very large amount of personal work in securing the excellent and unsurpassed school system with which the citizens of Findlay are favored. We do not desire to present the life history of Professor Zeller here as presenting any points which are particularly remarkable. It, however,. will not be without its value, as it may teach some youth the fact that only persistent effort is necessary to advance himself in the educational field. Professor Zeller was born in Union township, Hancock county, January 22, 1849. The period of boyhood was passed on the farm, on which he engaged in its activities, there building the physical frame and laying the foundation of that health which has always attended him subsequently. He attended the country school of his district during the. winter time until he was seventeen years of age. At that period he felt qualified to enter the active duties of the school room as a teacher, and for the next six years he was found in the school room in the winter and during the summer in the activities of the farm, and in further enriching his mind for the profession of teaching. He later entered .the Ohio State Normal University, at Ada, and in 1874 completed the course, being a member of the first graduating class of that institution. His first work in the profession after graduation was undertaken in Grant, Logan county, Ohio, where he organized the public schools of the village and was superintendent for two years. Not satisfied with his equipment, Professor Zeller, entered Mount Union College, where he completed the philosophical course, and was given the degree of Ph. B. In 584 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY passing it is worthy of note to remark here that this college in 1885 conferred on him the degree of Ph: M. ; in 1891 he began a political science course at Ann Arbor for the degree of Ph. D., but not being able to complete that course since their rules required a year's residence at the school, Professor Zeller finished the course at Findlay College, and received from this institution in 1892 the degree of Ph. D. After receiving his degree from Mount Union College in 1876, Professor Zeller prosecuted his studies still further at the Ohio Normal University, where he took up the study of languages, also acting as a tutor in the university. It was in the summer of 1877 that the first election of Professor Zeller as superintendent of the public schools of Findlay occurred. He entered upon the work with enthusiasm, and it was but a very brief period until the public schools of Findlay began to be noted over the state as being peculiarly excellent, and this reputation has since clung to the school. When Professor Zeller took charge of the Findlay schools, the population of Findlay was only a little over four thousand inhabitants, and there was a corps of sixteen teachers, with fifteen schools, all contained in three buildings. To-day there are eighty-two teachers connected with the schools, fourteen buildings and seventy-four rooms exclusive of the magnificent high school building, which has a faculty .of eight teachers. All of these buildings are of the most substantial nature, being built of brick, and furnished with every kind of apparatus that is necessary for the conduct of a modern up-to-date school. The value of the three buildings when Professor Zeller took charge was but $45,000. The figures which cover the valuation to-day are $300,000. All this advance has been made under the efficient administration of. Professor Zeller. During these years the city has grown from a village of four thousand inhabitants to a city of twenty thousand, and the number of school children has increased from eight hundred to about four thousand. The one thing, however, which among others is probably the greatest monument to the labor and zeal of Professor Zeller is the superb high school building finished in 1901, at a cost of about $65,000. This building is one of the best in. the United States, being equipped with every convenience and necessity from a sanitary standpoint, and stands as a monument to the public spirit of the citizens. of Findlay. It contains besides all the modern conveniences for the health and comfort of the three hundred and fifty high school pupils a handsome auditorium with a seating capacity of one thousand, which is not only used by the pupils for assembly purposes, but brings an annual income of $600 a year as a place for the holding of public entertainments. This money is set aside for replenishing the high school library and for the decoration of the rooms. The heating CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 585 and the ventilation plant is of the most perfect construction, maintaining the temperature of the rooms and halls automatically. In political belief Professor Zeller adheres to the party of Lincoln and Garfield, and has never been backward about taking part in its public work. He has acted as a delegate from Hancock county to three of the state conventions, and was at the last election the nominee on the Republican ticket as a member of the state school commission. As stated in the first Dart of this review, Professor Zeller is exceedingly active in matters pertaining to his profession. He is ever alert to the organization of associations for the improvement of teachers. He was instrumental in the organization years ago of the Ohio Teachers' Association, of which organization he has several times served on the executive committee, and has twice been elected president. For the past ten years he has been a member of the legislative committee of the Ohio State Teachers Association, and has also served on the executive committee of this association, and has been president of the section devoted to superintendency. In institute work Professor Zeller is well known all over the state, having conducted institutes in thirty-four different counties. In 1881 he was granted a state life certificate to teach in the schools of Ohio. The fact that our subject began his school work in the country schools of the county and at the early age of seventeen, and then advanced step by step from the rural schools to the village and town schools, rising to the superintendency in the schools of one of the best cities in the state, puts him in touch with every phase of the school system of the Buckeye state. This knowledge he has gained by continuous experience of thirty years, which experience makes him familiar with the needs and wants of our public schools. Not only in the school room and school matters does Professor Zeller interest himself, but in any line which is meant for the advancement of the interests of young people. He has for long years been prominently identified with the Young Men's Christian Association movement and is at the present time a member of the board of directors for the city of Findlay. He is an active worker of the Methodist Episcopal church, being at the present time a member of the board of stewards, upon which board he has served for twenty years. He was one of the organizers of the branch. of the Methodist denomination on the north side of the city known as the Howard Methodist church, and for years was a member of the board of trustees. He was also active in the erection of what, is known as the Heck Methodist church in Findlay. In connection with his duties as superintendent of schools, Professor Zeller has interested himself in the public institutions of the city, giving aid and comfort to every enterprise that meant the advancement of Findlay. He was a mem- 37 586 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ber of the Findlay Natural Gas Company, the pioneer company of the northern Ohio oil fields, which drilled the first well for gas not only in Ohio but in the whole northwest. This well was drilled in 1886 at Findlay, and the development which has followed that first enterprise is well known to all. The family life of Professor Zeller has been a happy one; he was joined in marriage in 1874, in Warren county, Ohio, to Julia, daughter of Thomas M. Abell. GEORGE S. STOUGH. Among the young and enterprising agriculturists of Hancock county we take pleasure in presenting this name, a gentleman who, in the brief time he has been engaged in that line, has given evidence of superior ability. Mr, George S. Stough resides at the present time in Allen township, where he owns eighty acres of valuable land, which he devotes to general produce. He was born in Cass township in 1867, and is the son. of Christian and Maria (Eckert), Stough. He received the ordinary education given by the district school, and that other education which is only acquired by hard knocks in the service of Dame Nature on the farm. The thoroughness of this. latter training is responsible for the success he is making. The event which rounded out the life of Mr. Stough to its fulness occurred March 8, 1888. On that day he was joined in marriage to Miss Annie, daughter of John. W. and Adaline Hudson, of Allen township. The birth of seven children followed this marriage: Chlove; Collin F,; Gail; Glen; Bessie, deceased; Gladys, deceased; and Ralph. Mrs. Stough was born in Allen township in 1869. Christian Stough, the father of our immediate subject, was born in Ashland county,. Ohio, in 1846, and was a lad of seven years when he, with his parents, George and Ann Stough, removed from Ashland county to Hancock, where they bought a quarter section of land in Allen township, This land was entirely primitive except a small tract of six acres, and the family thus had the hard labor of clearing the farm for cultivation. Young farmers, like our immediate subject, can hardly appreciate 'the labor by which they have come into their inheritance. Mr, George Stough was an excellent citizen, a member of the Evangelical church, and a man in whom his neighbors placed implicit confidence. He reared a family of ten children, four of whom are living: Daniel, Louise, Henry and Christian. The father died on June 13, 1898, his wife having preceded him five years before. Christian, the son of George, and the father of our subject, is at the present time CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 587 one of the substantial farmers in Allen township. His farm contains one hundred and sixty acres, and there is one gas well which produces gas for several homes. His family numbered three sons : George S., Charles J:, and Guy. There is no family in Hancock county that stands higher socially or in a business connection than that of the Stoughs. They are honest, upright in their dealings, and are held in high repute by their fellow citizens. JAMES L. PATTERSON. The Daily Courier is now one of the institutions of Findlay and a quantity to be reckoned with in the world of politics, business, industrial and social advancement. Its growth in a few years has been phenomenal, as from a feeble and insignificant sheet it has been advanced to a position of influence, due to a large circulation and able management. The gentleman whose name is above given and who has been the chief agent in effecting this, received before entering the newspaper field precisely the training which seems to best fit a man for editorial work. In the first place he received a good general education ; secondly he had large experience as a. teacher and superintendent of schools, but better than all a thorough course in law at a first-class institution. With this equipment, aided of course by the practical knowledge acquired by actual contact with the world, Mr. Patterson took hold of the newspaper business and showed himself from the first to be well qualified for this exacting vocation. James L. Patterson, now editor and principal owner of the Daily and Weekly Courier, was born on a farm in Noble county, Ohio, October 23, 1855. He had unusually good educational opportunities, included in which was attendance in the National Normal School at Lebanon, where he was graduated in the class of 1878, and a subsequent course at the Ohio University, in Athens. In 1892 he entered as a student in the famous law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was given his degree of Bachelor of Laws with the class that graduated in 1892. At the age of nineteen Mr. Patterson began teaching school in Noble county, Ohio, and continued in this occupation for three years. His next move was to Stockport, Ohio, where he was made superintendent of schools and retained this position two years. From there he went to McConnelsville, county seat of Morgan county, where he again joined the educational corps as principal of the high school, followed later by election as superintendent. He remained in this responsible position during the seven subsequent years, and then began the study of law, which terminated with his graduation at Ann Arbor. He was admitted to the bar in 1891, 588 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY previous to his graduation, but shortly after the latter event he made a move which diverted him from the field of law to that of journalism. Mr. Patter-son's first venture in that direction was the purchase of the Akron (Ohio) Times, which he effected shortly after leaving Ann Arbor. It was a Democratic weekly paper, which, after retaining about one year, he disposed of to seek a better opening. Going to Portsmouth, Ohio, he bought the controlling interest in the Times, a weekly Democratic paper published at that place, and in the spring of 1894 added a daily edition, which he continued to manage during the following four years. In 1898 he sold this plant and came to Findlay, where soon afterward he organized the Courier Company, which purchased the material and name of a weekly and daily that had been running for some time, but does not seem to have prospered. This paper at the time of the purchase of the plant had about one hundred and fifty subscribers to the daily edition, which has been increased by the new management to a handsome list of about two thousand five hundred. Mr. Patterson, who owns the principal interest, was made manager and editor by the new company, and it is chiefly to his skill and energy that the flattering success of the enterprise has been brought about. In 1888 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage with Miss Nettie B., daughter of George Benjaling, of McConnelsville. Aside from business cares he finds some time for fraternal association and holds membership in the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. ABRAHAM ROETHER. One of the able and successful agriculturists of Pleasant township, who resides on his own farm and tills it to the best interests of himself and the soil, is Abraham Roether. Mr. Roether was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on October 15, 1822, and is the son of William and Elizabeth Roether, who were both natives of Pennsylvania and there lived and died, numbered among the highly respected citizens. When Abraham was but six years of age, his parents removed to Lancaster county of the same state, and there the son grew to manhood, educated in the public schools of the neighborhood. At the age of nineteen our subject came to Wayne county, Ohio, and after making several removals in that state finally settled in Richland county, where his marriage to Mary Steck occurred on March 13, 1851 ; she was a native of Switzerland and was born on March 7, 1828. To Mr. and Mrs. Roether were born eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and six CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 589 of the number are still living : William H. ; Milinda A.; Rebecca J.; Mary E.; Samuel W.; and Reuben, who is postmaster at McComb. For nineteen years of his life Mr. Roether was a shoemaker, having learned the trade when a boy. In 1858 the family removed to Hancock county, where they located on the present farm in Pleasant township, of which at that time only a few acres were cleared. He first built a log house and in the course of time was enabled to build his present convenient residence. His farm is now in a fine state of cultivation and yields good returns, a sure proof of Mr. Roether's progressive methods. The family are members of the Evangelical Association, in which Mr. Roether is class-leader and steward. Politically he is a Republican and has always cast his vote in the best interests of his county and state. Now in his old age he has reason to be proud of his long and useful career and he well deserves the esteem of all his acquaintances. GEORGE McLELLAN REYNOLDS. The man who works his way to the top in any business is always the man who is best posted and who knows when things are wrong just where to place his finger and what to advise. Certain kinds of work attract certain men, and if the opportunity does not present itself, the man seeks the opportunity. Mr. George M. Reynolds has all his business life been connected with oil wells, and probably knows more about them than any one connected with him in his work. He was born on a farm in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1863, where he lived and was educated until he was seventeen years of age. He then went to the Bradford, Pennsylvania, oil fields and started in the oil business, his first position being as a pumper; he then rose to be a driller, and soon began contracting to put down wells on his own account in other fields in his native state. He continued to work in the Pennsylvania fields up to 1888, when he went to the gas fields near Brandenburg, Kentucky, where he was engaged in sinking gas wells for four years. In 1892 he came to Findley, Ohio, and has been contracting for oil well drilling ever since, having been connected with some of the largest oil enterprises in that vicinity, his judgment being considered sound, owing to his wide experience. Besides his work as contractor he is also a producer on his own account in the Findlay region. Mr. Reynold's father was George Reynolds, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and died in 1886. He was a farmer and owned 590 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and worked a large stone quarry. He married Arminta Wooley, of which union there were born eleven children, of whom six are now living. Two of Mr. Reynold's brothers served in the Civil war : Benjamin F., who was a private in a Pennsylvania regiment of infantry, and who served four years; he died in 1901. The other brother was Clark, who was also a private in a Pennsylvania regiment, and was killed in .his first' battle, at Fredericksburg. Mr. Reynold's grandfather was Anson Reynolds, a native of Pennsylvania. He was a. farmer, and the Reynolds family is of old Eniglish stock. In 1889 Mr. Reynolds married Rose E. Dooley, and they have two dren, William D. and Alton McLellan. Mr. Reynolds is a Republican in political faith; he is a chapter Mason and belongs to the order of the Maccabees; he has never affiliated with any religious body. WILLIAM BRENNER. The name of William Brenner at the present time is synonymous in the city of Findlay, Ohio, with sound financial standing and executive ability, and in a consideration of his career we find that he has a most admirable record and is certainly deserving of the success he has won. He is Russian born, and his ancestry have been prominent in social and industrial circles in that country for many generations. His father, Alexander Brenner, was a wholesale dealer in linen, flax and grain in the state of Kovina, Russia Poland; he had fifty thousand acres of land and employed one hundred and fifty men to cultivate it. He lived to be nearly one hundred years old, and was prominent in many ways,, having the distinction of being a friend of Czar Nicholas I of Russia. His wife was Freda Brenner, the daughter of a distinguished rabbi in Poland, who had been a member of the priesthood for forty-eight years. William Brenner Was born of such worthy parents in the state of Kavina, Russia, on February 11, 1863. He had the advantages of education Which European countries usually afford young men of means, and after an extended course in which he studied Hebrew,. German., Russian, Polish and Latin, he was graduated in 1882. Shortly after his graduation his father died, and his first experience in a business capacity was as secretary for the mayor of a city of forty thousand inhabitants. At an early age he became confirmed in his dislike for cards and drinking, and the character thus early strengthened has been his mainstay throughout life. A few years later he determined to leave the country to avoid the rigorous CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 591 military service which is the bane of the youth of continental countries, and in 1888 he arrived in Castle Garden, New York, having seventeen cents in his pocket. He made his way to Michigan, and for one year was engaged in the scrap iron business. His arrival in Findlay was in 1889, and he made the beginning of his ultimate success by carrying on the scrap iron trade on a small scale, but he was one of the workers who have no conception of failure or cessation of toil, and by 1893 he had earned by his industry and careful business methods fifteen thousand dollars. In 1900 he felt able to enlarge his enterprise and found a rolling mill. He formed a corporation and became its president and general manager, and he is practically owner of the concern. Four hundred men are employed in this large enterprise, and although at the time of this writing the mill is not in operation, owing to same labor difficulties, in a short time work will be resumed. With such an excellent record to his credit in the business world, it is pleasant to mention that Mr. Brenner was happily married in Toledo, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Sugarman, a daughter of a prominent clothing merchant of that city, and they now have three bright children in their home, Rose,. Dora and Alice. Mr. Brenner is a stanch Republican, and about twelve years ago became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; he is also a Maccabee. He has had a varied experience with bankers and business men, and he is known and esteemed as one of the most progressive and honorable citizens of Findlay. HERBERT V. BEARDSLEY, M. D. The true measure of success is determined by what one has accomplished, and as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of the place in which he has passed his active life, and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representative citizens in Findlay. He is actively connected with a profession which has close bearing upon the welfare of the community, and which is one of the most important callings to which man can devote his energies—the alleviation of human suffering, and in the line of his profession he has won notable and enviable distinction. The Doctor was born in Findlay in the year 1859, being a son of the late Daniel Baily Beardsley, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, May 12, 1832, and died in Findlay, Ohio, September 29, 1894. He was a son of 'Barney and 592 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Anna Beardsley, and was one of the oldest residents of Hancock county, having- moved here with his parents in 1834, where he made his home until his death. In his early youth he lived on a farm and worked as a. millwright with his father. Always a great student and reader, he obtained the best common school education possible in those early days, and for a number of years taught in this city, but finally began the study of law under the direction of Walker & West, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, being admitted to the bar in 1856. For twenty-five years he served as a justice of the peace of Findlay, and also held a number of other offices. During the war of the Rebellion he was a deputy revenue collector, and was a man in whom the whole community had the most implicit confidence, being known throughout the county as " Honest Dan Beardsley." On the 22d of May, 1856, Mr. Beardsley was married to Jane Hoisington Summers, of Wayne county, Ohio, and they had one son, Dr. H. V. Beardsley, and four daughters, three of whom are living: Mrs. G. W. Ross; Mrs. W. I. Keefir and Mrs. S. T. Tyler. Mr. Beardsley wrote and had published a history of Hancock county, which contained many valuable statistics, and more than two thousand volumes were sold to the old residents of this locality. He was a. member of many fraternal orders and was a Master Mason, having always taken great pride in attending the meetings of that order. Dr. Beardsley, of this review, was reared in the city of Findlay, and after attending the common schools until he had acquired his elementary education he entered Oberlin College, which he attended until the junior year. He also pursued a course in Cornell College, at Ithaca, New York, and then, determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, was graduated in medicine in 1883, in the Cleveland Homeopathic College. He located for the practice of his profession in Ada, Ohio, where he remained for sixteen months, and then came to Findlay, where he opened an office and has since remained, devoting his energies to the constantly increasing- demands of his profession, his partonage steadily growing in volume and importance. In 1886 Dr. Beardsley was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Farrell, a daughter of John Farrell, and she died in 1896, leaving four children, as follows : John D., Frances E., Ruth A. and Geraldine. In 1898 the Doctor was again married, his second union being with Laura B., daughter of William M. Morehead. They have two children, Edith N. and Girard G. Dr. Bear dsley is a prominent and popular member of various fraternal orders. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he was grand medical examiner of Ohio; the Tribe of Ben Hur, of which he is now past supreme chief ; the Protective Home Circle; CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 593 the Knights of the Maccabees ; the Woodmen of the World; the American Legion of Honor ; and the Home Guards of America. In city affairs he is also prominent, and takes a deep and helpful interest in many measures for its good. For five years he was clerk of the city school board of Findlay, during which time school buildings were erected at a cost of three hundred thousand dollars. He is now the president of the city election board, serving his second term of four years ; has four times been a delegate to the Republican state convention, twice to the congressional conventions and twice to the judicial conventions ; and is very active in politics, his labors being effective in promoting the growth and insuring the success of his party. In the field of political life and professional activity he has won distinction, and to. day is numbered among the leading, influential and honored residents of his native city. ADAM GLECKNER. The Teutonic race is very generously represented in Hancock county. They are almost without exception good and honorable citizens, hard workers and possessed of the spirit of work. The above worthy representative of the common interests of the county is a native born German, where he first saw "the light in the kingdom of Bavaria, June 6, 1846. He resides now in Big Lick township, where he cultivates a holding of one hundred and seventy-seven acres. At the age of eight years the parents of Mr. Gleckner, Peter and Susanna, crossed to this country, the great republic of which they had heard so much. Here they located in Seneca county, Ohio, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1864, when they came to Hancock county. Here Peter Gleckner purchased a small farm which he cultivated to the time of his death, April 28, 1902. The date of the wife's death was May 29, 1897. They had but two children, one being deceased. Adam Gleckner received his early education in Seneca county, and removed here with his parents at the date above stated. Upon coming to maurity he purchased a small portion of land and at various times has added to this first purchase, reaching the acreage stated in the first part of this paragraph. November 17, 1868, he was joined in marriage to Amanda V. Little, born May 7, 1847, in Big Lick township. This lady died December 28, 1898, having proved an excellent wife to Mr. Gleckner and a loyal mother to her children, of whom she had two, Nora E., now the wife of Edwin L. Shoolroy, and John H. Mr. Gleckner gives his influence to every good work in the community, and does not stint his time in administering the unpaid 594 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY offices of the township. He served a. period of seven years as trustee, and has been frequently on the school board and as census enumerator. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which body he is trustee. The chief pride of Mr. Gleckner is that he has unaided and alone carved out a place for himself in the society of the county, and that he stands. now as one of the leading and most wealthy agriculturists in Hancock county. He is an honored and highly respected citizen and his sterling worth and high moral character attract to him a host of friends. NELSON H. MORRISON. Nelson H. Morrison, who is well known as one of the prominent agriculturists of Marion township, Hancock county, is a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where in 1847 he was born, and where he received his training and education. He is the son of Alexander and Leah (Lowery) Morrison, also natives of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, who were united in marriage in 1846. Their family numbered two children : Nelson H. and Catherine. Alexander was born in 1823 and was a manufacturer of woolen goods in Mifflin county, sylvaniania,nia, but removed to Hancock county, Ohio, in 1876, where he purchased one hundred acres of land and turned his attention to farming the remainder of his life.. His son, Nelson H., was engaged for a number of years in the woolen business also, but is by trade a harness maker. He now devotes himself to farming and carries on business where his father left off. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mary, daughter of Robert McDowell, and to them were born Emery, Charles, Clarence, Harry and Delia. FRANK R. CROWELL. Frank R. Crowell is now identified with commercial interests in Findlay as proprietor of a grocery store. He was born in Sandusky, New York, in 1854, and is a son of Spencer Crowell, whose birth occurred in the Empire state and who died in 1877 at the age of sixty years. Joseph R. Crowell, a brother of our subject, joined the Union army during the Civil war, becoming a private of the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New York Infantry, in which he served throughout the struggle. He was shot through the lungs at Lookout Mountain, but recovered his injury and died in the year 1891. To the district school system of his native state, Frank R. Crowell is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He was reared CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 595 upon a farm in Cattaraugus county, New York, remaining there until he was twenty-six years of age, during which time he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He then left home, going to Allegany, New York, and was employed in the oil fields of that locality for seven years, also spending a part of the time in a grocery store. In 1887 he came to Findlay, Ohio, and here began the manufacture of wooden oil tanks, which business he carried on profitably until 1901, when he established his grocery store, in which he has already secured a good patronage, and his trade is constantly increasing. In 1881 Mr. Crowell was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Sparks, and to them have been two children : Josephine M. and Frank M. In his political affiliation Mr. Crowell is a Democrat. In manner he is pleasant and genial, and has won many friends among his patrons as well as among his social acquaintances.