HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 125 Conkle with the saber which he still retained, when Conkle fired at him, the charge entering near the left temple, causing instant death. Conkle gave himself up, and after a coroner's inquest was held on the body of Winnell, had a preliminary hearing before E. T. Dunn, Esq., who held him to answer to the Grand Jury, in a bond of $1,500. The said jury, in October, 1868, returned a true bill of indictment for murder in the second degree. The trial was held in November, 1868, with Judge James Pillars on the bench. The prosecution was conducted by William Anderson, who was then prosecuting attorney, assisted by A. B. Shaffer. The defence was conducted by Henry Brown and A. Blackford, of Findlay, and W. V. Layton, of Wapakonetta. A great number of witnesses were examined, and the case was closely tried. The defence was that the prisoner, at the time of killing, was acting in self-defence, having been attacked by Winnell with a deadly weapon. Verdict of the jury, not guilty. The verdict was generally regarded as a just one. Conkle left the county at once, and was lost sight of from that day. The woman in the case also left before the day of trial, and has never returned. On the morning of February 3, 1873, Jacob Gartee, a young man about twenty years of age, and whose parents resided in the town, deliberately murdered Nicolas Bensing, residing on the farm of M. D. Shaffer, Esq., just east of town, on the Tiffin road. Sheriff James L. Henry, Coroner Karst and Marshal John Ruhl had already, during the night, been informed of the murder, it having occurred early in the evening of the 2nd of February, and were on the ground, and before daylight of the 3rd had the murderer under arrest. The facts, as they afterwards developed, were substantially as follows : Gartee had been in the employ of Bensing for some time, chopping wood, and he boarded in the family. On the night of the murder, having armed himself with a single barreled pistol, he gave notice at the supper table that he was going into town. Mrs. Bensing, the wife of the murdered man, gave him a letter to mail, and he started, but instead of going directly to town, he concealed himself in the log barn in which the chickens were kept, and by causing an alarm among the chickens, he induced Bensing to approach to ascertain the cause. When the latter was within a few feet of him he placed the pistol between the logs and fired, striking Bensing in the breast, who retreated a few steps, fell and expired just as his wife, who had been alarmed by the report, arrived on the scene. Gartee then ran down the lane to the Tiffin road near the residence of William Snyder and thence proceeded to town. After remaining in town a short time, he started to return to Bensing's, but was met on the road by a messenger, who informed him of Bensing's death, and a request that he return to town and inform the friends of the murdered man. Gartee returned with the friends and the officers, having become convinced that Gartee was the murderer, John Ruhl boldly charged him with the crime, which he admitted, and pointed out the place where the pistol was secreted. He was immediately arrested and lodged in jail. There were some ugly rumors 126 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY afloat to the effect that the wife of the murdered man was perhaps a party to the crime; and the fact that the prisoner and the murdered man were good friends and had had no quarrel, and the further fact that there was no apparent cause for the commission of such a cold blooded murder, gave some color to the truth of these rumors. At the preliminary examination held before D. B. Beardsley, J. P., which was a most rigid one, so far as Mrs. Bensing was concerned, no evidence sustaining the theory of her guilt was found. Gartee was committed without bail for the crime of murder, and on May 28, 1873, the Grand Jury returned an indictment of murder in the first degree. The case came up for trial, on a plea of not guilty, before Judge Pillars, and a carefully selected jury. The trial began on the 29th day of July and lasted about ten days. The plea for the defence was insanity. The pr0secution was c0nducted by Prosecuting Attorney George F. Pendleton and W. H. Anderson, and the prisoner defended by Henry Brown and M. D. Shaffer. The verdict of the jury was "murder in the second degree." The prisoner was sentenced to the penitentiary for life, at which place he died in less than a year from the time of his sentence. The death by poison, of Mrs. Malissa Charles, wife of John Charles, on the 6th day of June, 1876, threw Orange Township and all that part of the county into a state of wild excitement, which was intensified when it was known that Isaac B. Charles, a brother of the husband of the deceased, had been arrested, charged with the crime of murder. At the preliminary examination, before William M. McKinley, Esq., as well as on the final trial, the circumstances connected with the case were developed about as follows : Mrs. Charles had made bread from flour purchased shortly before at Ada, O., and the family partaking of it, became suddenly sick, eleven of them in all, and Mrs. Charles died from its effects. The prosecution had two theories' regarding the matter. One was, that the flour, after being purchased at Ada, had remained in the wagon standing in an alley, while the family were at dinner, and that whilst there, the sack had been opened by the prisoner and poison introduced, which showed its presence in the bread. The other theory was that the poison—arsenic—had been placed in the yeast crock at the house 0f the murdered woman, by Isaac B. Charles while on a visit to the family, and that the poison had been obtained from a quantity purchased by John Charles, husband of the woman, for the purpose of killing rats, and left in the room where the yeast crock stood, which was a kind of up-ground cellar. The cause for the poisoning—for there seemed no apparent one—was said to be found in the fact that Isaac B. Charles, having been formerly treasurer of the village 0f Ada, and about to become a defaulter, made use of a large sum of money belonging to the estate of his father, of which estate he was administrator, and now that a settlement was to be made, formed a plan of murdering, by poison or otherwise, all who stood between himself and the balance of his father's fortune, and that the poisoning 0f this family was but the first step in the plan. An indictment for "Murder by Poison" was found on the 21st of October, 1876. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 127 After much delay and the interpositions of a number of motions, the case was finally tried in January, 1877, before Judge Pillars and a jury on a general plea of "N0t guilty." The verdict rendered was "Guilty of Murder in Second Degree." The prosecution was ably conducted by Henry Brown, prosecuting attorney, assisted by Frank H. Dougherty, of Kenton, and W. H. Whiteley, of Findlay, and the defense was stubbornly made by A. Blackford, J. F. Burkett and J. H. Smick, of Ada. Charles was sentenced to the penitentiary for life, but after serving about twenty-five years was paroled upon the condition that he was never to return to Hancock County. Professional jealousy gave rise to one serious crime in the history of our county. In 1877 there lived in the village of Benton Ridge, this county, Henry K. Nott and Frank H. Knapp, both practicing physicians. Unfortunately there had sprung up bad feelings between the two, the result, no doubt, of professional jealousy and the over-officious meddling by the friends of both parties, and alth0ugh mutual threats had been made, no one could believe that much else than a war of words, or at the farthest, a little bout at fisticuffs would be the result. Imagine the consternation when the news spread over the village that Dr. Knapp had in broad daylight shot Dr. Nott to death, on one of the streets of the town. Dr. Knapp was at once arrested, taken before John Bergman, Esq., who at once remanded him to the jail of the county to await the action of the Grand Jury. Intense excitement prevailed; the friends of the two unfortunate men took sides, and for a time society was so torn up that almost everybody in the village, or who came t0 it, was regarded with suspicion by one side or the other. The killing was done on the 15th day of November, 1877, and the court being then in session, a special Grand Jury was duly impanelled on the 5th day of December, which returned a verdict of "Murder in the First Degree." On this indictment the defendant was tried on a plea of "Not Guilty," the defense being that the shooting was done in self-defense, it being claimed that the murdered man had made an assault on the defendant just previous to the shooting, and that he had fired two shots at the defendant intending to kill him, and that to save his own life the defendant did the shooting which killed Dr. Nott. This the prosecution denied, and alleged and sought to prove that at the time of the shooting and just previously thereto, there had been no quarrel, no meeting in fact between the parties, but that the defendant had gone to the lower end of the village, procured a gun, came back, sought out his victim, whom he found on a side street, approached him unperceived, and without notice deliberately shot him, from the effects of which Dr. Nott immediately expired. Upon these declarations the case was tried before a jury, impanelled after all the motions and objections known in criminal practice had been made and overruled, Judge Pillars presiding. After a trial which lasted twelve days, and arguments covering three days more, the jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty." Prosecuting Attorney Henry Brown and E. T. Dunn c0nducted the prosecution, and A. Blackford and M. D. Shaffer managed the defense. 128 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY William Trankner was indicted for murder in the first degree, having stabbed one Frank Ricksecker, September 7, 1889, from the effects of which wound the said Ricksecker died the next day. Upon trial, Trankner was found guilty of manslaughter, and was sentenced to serve a term of seven years in the Ohio Penitentiary. Jas. A. Bope, prosecutor. Dunn, Meehan & Doty, attorneys for defendant. Joseph Donovan was indicted for murder in the second degree, having killed one John McManness, November 3, 1889; was tried and found guilty. He was sentenced by judge A. B. Johnson, to five years in the Ohio Penitentiary. Harlan F. Burket, prosecutor, assisted by Jas. A. Bope. E. T. Dunn, attorney for defendant. James Lawson was indicted for first degree murder and was found guilty of manslaughter, at the October term of court, 1892. He was sentenced to three years in the Ohio Penitentiary. George Karg for the killing of one Abraham Wise was indicted by the Grand Jury, at the September term of court, 1895, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for a period of ten years. Theo. Totten, prosecutor. E. T. Dunn and C. W. Bente, attorneys for defendant. On the 3d day of August, 1896, Amos Decker shot and killed one George Miles. He was indicted by the Grand Jury for first degree murder. At the close of the evidence offered by the State. Decker tendered a plea of guilty of manslaughter, which was accepted and he was sentenced to serve a term of twenty years at hard labor in the Ohio penitentiary. Theo. Totten, prosecutor. E. T. Dunn and John Poe, attorneys for defendant. On the loth day of February, 1898, while attempting to capture and arrest Frank Carmen and Edward Pratt, who were burglarizing a storehouse of the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Company, Police Officer William Holly was shot and killed. The two men were taken and indicted jointly for murder in the first degree. Separate trials were had for these men which resulted in the acquittal of Pratt and the conviction of Carmen of manslaughter. Carmen was sentenced by Judge Charles M. Melhorn, to the Ohio penitentiary for a term of twenty years. Charles E. Jordan, prosecutor. John Poe, attorney for defendants. As the result of a drunken brawl, John Sherman met his death at the hands of his brother-in-law William Teal, May 9, 1907. Teal was indicted by the Grand Jury, June 3d, 1907, for murder in the second degree. His trial began on the 7th day of October, that year, and the jury returned its verdict of guilty of manslaughter, on the 11th day of the same month. Ten days later he was sentenced by Judge William F. Duncan, to serve a term of ten years in the Ohio penitentiary. Prosecutor, William L. David. Attorney for defendant, E. T. Dunn. As the result of a quarrel over a game of craps, Arthur White, a colored man, met his death at the hands of one Richard Drake, also colored. White died July 12, 1904, just seven days after having been stabbed by his assailant, who was later indicted by the Grand Jury upon a charge of murder in the second degree, was tried at the September, 1904, term of court, found guilty as charged, and sentenced to five years in the Ohio penitentiary. Drake's attorney, Charles V. Bish, prosecuted error to the Circuit Court and succeeded in reversing the judgment of the Common Pleas Court, secur- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 129 ing a new trial for his client. Upon the second trial, February 4, 1905, Drake was acquitted of the charge. Prosecuting attorney, William L. David. Counsel for defendant, C. V. Bish. There were a few other indictments found for felonies of the kind treated of in this chapter, but the parties were never put on trial under the indictments. In 1854, Philemon P. Pool was indicted for an assault with intent to kill. Samuel Ramsey was indicted for stabbing Nicolas Oram with intent to kill. Dr. R. J. Haggerty was indicted for the killing of Dr. Mansfield at Mt. Blanchard, and Levi Chain was indicted for the killing of his son at Findlay, by stabbing him with his pocket knife. All these cases were disposed of on pleas for lesser offenses. FIRST JAIL AND COURTHOUSE. In July, 1830, the county commissioners determined to build a jail, and it was ordered that said jail should be "sixteen feet wide, and twenty-four feet long, with a partition in the center. The timber to be white oak, twelve inches square, with two doors and three windows." The jail was built on the Public Square, its site being about midway between the present Court House and "old white corner store"—now the Buckeye National Bank Corner. With this location it seems that some of the citizens of the county were not well pleased, for in December of the same year, it is recorded that a petition was presented by sundry citizens praying for the removal of the jail from the Public Square in the town of Findlay. But the commissioners rejected the petition, thinking no doubt that the sight of such an institution would have a restraining effect upon the somewhat wild community. It was not, however, a formidable looking structure, and that it had neither beauty nor strength to recommend it. The prisoners used to amuse themselves by burning down the door, or removing the iron bars from the windows, and after escaping, report themselves to the sheriff, who would conduct them back to the place whence they came. But the old log jail was finally superseded by a structure more in keeping with the wants of the county, and providing for the better security of the prisoners. (The first building south of the Post Office, now owned by B. Webber), and this in its turn has since been replaced by a structure magnificent in its proportions, and of ample security. Previous to the year 1831 the courts had been held in the old log schoolhouse, but now increased facilities had become necessary. The minds of the people had been prepared for a building such as was needed, and the financial condition of the county was such as to permit its erection. Whereupon the county commissioners at their December session in 1831, ordered as follows : "That advertisements be posted up in three public places, for constructing, putting up and furnishing a frame in the village of Findlay, the building to be 24 feet by 36 feet, two stories high. Lower story to be nine feet in the clear, and the upper story eight and a half feet in the clear. Lower story to have a hall or entry eight feet in the clear. Lower story to have a hall or entry eight feet wide, through the center, with good partitions on either side of planed boards. The one end to be divided by a partition through the center, dividing it into equal parts. A good substantial flight of stairs to be put up in the entry. One front door, one back door to said entry, both to be of paneled doors, the front one to have four lights over it. Four twenty-light windows in front, and two back of twenty lights each in lower story, and five twenty-light windows in front in upper story and three same size back. 130 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Glass to be eight by ten, and well puttied in. The upper story to be ceiled with three-quarter boards, planed, tongued and grooved. A good joint shingle roof to be put on. The building to be underpinned with a good, rough stone wall, laid in lime and sand mortar, raised eighteen inches above the surface. With plain door into each room, all the doors to be hung with three-inch cast-iron butts, the lower floor to be laid out of white ash boards, not to exceed six inches in width. The upper floor to be of white or blue ash boards of the same width ; both floors to be tongued and grooved, and joints broken, and well nailed. The sills, posts and sleepers of the frame to be of white oak, the studding not to exceed two feet from center to center, joists same distance apart. Good sufficient locks on all the doors, and plain latches and handles. Plain eave-troughs and cornice. The front to be weather-boarded with poplar, planed, and the remainder with black walnut, rough. A washboard and chair-board upstairs and down, a plain bannistering to the stairs, together with substantial bannistering at the top of the stairs." The commissioners met on the 16th day of January, 1832, the time appointed for opening the bids for the above work. Two proposals were handed in, one from Mathew Reighley for $750.00 and one from William Taylor, Frederick Henderson and Jonathan Parker for $700.00, which last bid was accepted. In June, 1833, the commissioners met and received proposals for plastering the court house, when the bid of Parlee Carlin was accepted, the price, however, was not named. Whereupon, Parlee Carlin entered Into a bond to lath and plaster the several rooms in the Court House in a durable and workmanlike manner, and complete the same by the first of the following November. The building was erected on the southwest corner of Main and Crawford streets, the site now occupied by the Jones Building (First National Bank), and was used as a court house, school house and church until the completion of a brick structure court house in 1841. The old court house has since been removed to the south part of Main Street, just north of the First Presbyterian Church, (now the Donnel Block), and was occupied by Jacob Carr and family as a residence. After having served as a court house it was for many years used as a hotel. The county commissioners were very solicitous about the good usage and the authorized occupancy of this new structure, and passed not a few orders touching the matter, and prescribing the terms on which it could be occupied. The Court House was examined and accepted by the commissioners in March, 1833. At their December session, 1834, it was "ordered that the auditor do cause to be erected in the Court House a suitable seat for the Court. Also that he do procure two sets of chairs for the Court room." At a session of December, 1836, "Ordered that all religoius societies be prohibited from holding meetings in the Court House after the 1st day of January, 1837." But the authorities soon relented, if indeed they ever attempted to enforce the order, for at their very next session, that of March, 1837, the records show this action: "Ordered that the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the town of Findlay, each pay into the treasury of Hancock County, the sum of seventy-five cents per month for the time they occupy the same, for the use of the Court House for religious purposes, to commence from this date." At the same session it was "Ordered that the Directors of School District No. 1, in Findlay Township, pay into the county treasury at the rate of eleven dollars for six months, for the use of the Court room for a district school." But everything in time outlives its useful- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 131 ness, and in March, 184o, it was ordered by the commissioners "that the auditor of the county of Hancock offer the lot that the old Court House stands on, including said building, at public sale, one third of the purchase money in hand, the balance in two equal annual payments, on the third Saturday of May next, advertising the same thirty days previous to the day of sale." The property was sold to one Jacob Barnel. CHAPTER X. THE PRESS. Early News Condition—Presses in Use—The Old Time Compositor—Leading Newspapers of the County—Their Proprietors and Editors—Value of the Daily Press. In the early history of our county mail facilities were poor, the mails being carried on horseback, and by the time the few newspapers taken by the people reached their destination, the news was stale. It took a month at least to get the latest news from Europe, and in the very early days of journalism in this section, local items were almost unknown. The papers were filled chiefly with the doings of Congress, the quarrels of the political parties, and foreign affairs. The daily then was not dreamed of, and such papers as there were contained few original communications. The first newspapers were printed on the old hand press, the fam0us "Washington," which is still found in some country offices, especially in the South. Working this press required the strength of a giant, and of course but one page of the paper could be printed at a time. There were few editorials in those days; the editor relied chiefly upon scissors and paste-pot, and never troubled himself about "leaders" and the like. It ,required half the week to print the meager editi0n on the miserable presses then in vogue, and not infrequently the editor took a turn at the press himself. In those days also the enterprising reporter was unknown. There was no county correspondence, no recording of neighborhood doings, no localizing at all. The old newspapers just plodded along. The publishers took nearly everything in exchange for subscriptions—wood, flour, garden produce, and even whiskey. There was no "display" in the few advertisements that f0und their way into the first newspapers of the county, and the knack of writing advertisements had not then been discovered. There were advertisements of musters, strayed animals, runaway apprentices, and little more, I believe that the newspapers of the past were as much read by their patrons as are those of the present day, because they had nothing else to read, if we except the few dry volumes that looked lonely on the bookshelf of the home. The papers were then read aloud at night to the househ0ld by the head of it, including the month-old news that filled the narrow c0lumns. News not over a month old was considered fresh, and if a paper printed anything with not more - 132 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 133 than a week's age upon it, it was looked upon as a marvel of enterprise. The old-time compositor was usually a character. He tramped the country afoot, and when the editor was out of town he "set up" the paper, worked the press himself, collected subscriptions, and, in short, was the "whole thing." Some of these geniuses did not belong to the temperance societies, and now and then the non-appearance of the paper was owing to the chronic "indisposition"—to use no harsher term. The tramp printer has almost disappeared, though now and then one puts in an appearance, works a few days, and again becomes the "Wandering Jew" of the profession. On the l0th of November, 1836, the first issue of the paper now called the Hancock Courier was given to the few citizens of the small hamlet of Findlay. The Courier is older than the city, as Findlay was not incorporated until two years later. It was the first newspaper in Northwestern Ohio and for a time it had a precarious existence. At that time it was an 18x26 inch sheet. The nearest paper mill was at Delaware, with no means of transportation save by wagon over muddy, and at times, almost impassable roads; it might perhaps be said that there were no roads at all. The paper was first called the. Findlay Courier, but at the beginning of the second volume the name was lengthened to "The Findlay Courier and Hancock and Putnam Democratic Shield." In 1851 the name was changed to The Hancock Courier, and this name has been retained ever since, except that the superfluous "The" was dropped in 1862. The Findlay Courier was established November 10, 1826, by Jacob Rosenberg and edited and published by him until January 17, 1839. Mr. Rosenberg was born in Bedford, Bedford County, Pa., October 13, 1811. He came to Findlay on the 29th of September, 1836, and started the paper shortly after, as stated above. On the 24th of January, 1839, Mr. Henry Bishop purchased the Courier and edited and published it until July 1, 1845. Mr. Bishop was born and raised in Franklin County, Ohio. In 1851 he was elected to the Ohio legislature and filled the office with ability for two terms. After selling out the office in 1845 he removed to his farm in Eagle Township. He was drowned in Eagle Creek in June, 1855. On July 1, 1845, Mr. William Mungen purchased the Courier and conducted it until some time in November, 1849. In November, 1849, Mr. William Case rented the office for one year. He was an easygoing, careless fellow and never appeared to care whether or not the paper came out on time. During this year Mr. Mungen did most of the editorial work. At the close of Mr. Case's lease the office was rented to Mr. B. F. Rosenberg for a short time. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Henry Brown purchased a half interest in the Courier. (See his sketch in the chapter 0n Bench and Bar.) Some time in the spring of 1851 Mr. Aaron Blackford purchased the interest of Mr. Mungen in the Courier and continued in partnership with Mr. Brown until the close of 1856. Mr. Blackford's biography also may be found in the chapter on Bench and Bar. In January 1857 Mr. Benjamin F. Rosen- 134 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY berg purchased the Courier and conducted it for six months. Mr. Rosenberg was the son of the founder of this paper. On the 25th of July, 1857, the Courier passed into the hands of Mr. A. M. Hollabaugh, who published and edited it until March 1, 1861. On the eighth of March, 1862, Messrs. L. Glessner and son assumed the charge of editing and publishing the Courier and c0ntinued until January 1, 1865. On the 1st of January, 1865, Mr. William L. Glessner assumed control of the Courier and edited and published the same until May 1, 1866. Mr. Lewis Glessner assumed charge of the Courier from May 1, 1866, until his death, which occurred March 13, 1879. The Daily Courier was established March, 1887, by G. and Fred Glessner, from which time Fred Glessner assumed contr0l and served as general manager and editor until February 24, 1898, when Arnold and Mr. Henry took possession for one year. Afterwards J. L. Patterson, T. A. Dean and others formed a stock company and purchased and assumed control of the Courier and under their management the paper made rapid progress. October 29, 1902, Mr. Patterson released his holdings to other parties and the paper immediately passed under the management of T. A. Dean. In 1889 a company was incorporated with capital stock of $25,000.00 and on July 20, 1903, it was combined with the Findlay Union. On June 17th, 1904, control passed to H. W. Brown and his associates, Mr. Brown assumed control, which he had held to present date. The present officers are : C. E. Jordan, president ; M. G. Foster, vice-president ; W. F. Hosler, sec. and treas.; and H. W. Brown, editor and general manager. This paper dates back to the days when Hancock County was just emerging from its primitive condition and Findlay was a straggling hamlet of cabins. It has published the obituaries of several opposition papers during the period of sixty-seven years, and has ever battled for Democracy and the rights and liberties of the people. The Hancock Republican, the first Whig paper published in the county, was established by Arnold F. Merriam in January, 1838. It had a brief existence of about one year and, probably owing to lack of patronage, died a natural death in its infancy. The Hancock Farmer was started by Jacob Rosenberg in 1842 as a Democratic paper in favor of nominating candidates by the delegate system instead of by popular vote, the latter system being advocated by Mr. Bishop of the Courier. The Farmer was published by Mr. Rosenberg until his death in October, 1844, and afterwards by the administrator Jacob Barnd. Early in 1845 William Mungen took possession of the office and issued his first number February 19th of that year. Toward the close of June Mr. Mungen purchased the Courier and consolidated the papers as the Democratic Courier. The Western Herald was established by John T. Ford in January, 1845, in the second story of the old frame building on the corner of Main and Sandusky Streets now the Niles block. It was the second Whig paper started in Findlay. October 5, 1845, Mr. James M. Coffinberry assumed full control and edited and published the paper as The Findlay Herald until January, 1848, when he sold the office to Dr. David Patton and the paper soon after was suspended. In September, 1848, Robert Coulter came HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 137 to Findlay, purchased the Herald office and began the publication of a six-column folio paper called The Hancock Whig. He conducted the Whig until February, 185o, when he sold out to William P. Resznor, who published the paper about seven months, then disposed of it to George C. Lyon in September, 1850. Mr. Lyon was a man of great energy and with the hope of benefiting the paper changed its name to The Hancock Journal. In July, 1851, Mr. Coulter, who on selling out to Mr. Resznor had removed to Springfield, Ohio, returned to Findlay and again became the editor and publisher of the paper. Mr. Coulter published the paper until July, 1852, when the Journal suspended publication. The first number of the Home Companion, a paper established by Samuel A. Spear, was issued June 8, 1854. It was a seven-column folio printed on a sheet 25 x 27 inches in size. The paper started as a non-political and more as an advocate of reform in the liquor law, and the advancement of education by the elevation and improvement of the public schools. In the spring of 1856 Mr. High L. McKee obtained an interest in the paper and was one of its principal promoters until April 24, 1857, when Mr. Spear became entire owner. On June 19, 1857, the name of the paper was changed to The Hancock Jeffersonian and it remained under the control of Mr. Spear until November 22, 1861, when it suspended business. After a few weeks Mr. D. R. Locke of Bucyrus, Ohio, came to Findlay and resuscitated the Jeffersonian. Under the new management the paper rapidly increased owing to the publication of the "Nasby Papers" which won for Mr. Locke a national reputation and the title of Petroleum V. Nasby. In September, 1864, Irvin S. Chamberlin purchased an interest in the Jeffersonian and in February, 1865, Mr. Locke sold his remaining interest to Otis F. Locke. In April the name of C. N. Locke appears in the editorial heading. On November 17, 1865, Mr. Chamberlin and C. N. Locke retired and Messrs. L. G. Thrall and Otis T. Locke became sole proprietors. In July, 1866, Mr. Thrall disposed of his interest to his partner and C. N. Locke again became one of the editors W. G. Blymer bought an interest in the Jeffersonian in December, 1866, and the firm was then Locke and Blymer. In February, 1868, C. N. Locke again purchased an interest and Locke & Blymer were editors and proprietors until September 4, 1868, when E. G. DeWolfe and Dr. A. P. Miller purchased the office. On April 1, 1870, the paper came out in a ten-column folio as The Findlay Jeffersonian. In January, 1873, 0. J. DeWolfe, a brother of E. G. DeWolfe bought Dr. Miller's interest and the paper continued under the management of the DeWolfe brothers until March, 1876, when E. G. DeWolfe became sole owner. The latter continued to edit and publish the Jeffersonian until April 28, 1876, when he sold it to his old partner, Dr. 0. P. Miller, who before issuing a single number sold the office to A. H. Balsey, who published the first number under the new management May 5, 1876. He continued at the helm until January 6, 1902, when Mr. John M. Hoffa, of Bowling Green, purchased the office, and under the new management the paper is becoming one of the largest in circulation. On June 5, 1881, this paper was changed to the Findlay Weekly Jeffersonian, because the daily which was started November 15, 188o, was called the Findlay Daily Jeffersonian. The Reporter was started June 18, 1872, by 138 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY C. G. and J. K. Barnd and originally was a literary paper. In October, 1872 J. K. Barnd sold his interest to C. G. Barnd and the paper attained a very respectable circulation until early in its second year, it drifted into the grange movement, hoping to become a great organ among the farming community But the change proved a mistake and the paper's patronage began decreasing. The name was finally changed to the American Patron and when the grange movement subsided it became the Property Journal. It was published about five years and then ceased to exist. Das Ohio Volksblatt, a German Democratic weekly paper, was started in 1877 by Adolph G. Zwanzig. After publishing the paper about one year he removed the office to Lima, where it was subsequently sold by his creditors. The Findlay Weekly Republican was established by J. M. Beelman and James E. Griswold and the first number issued February 6, 1879. It was started in opposition to the Jeffersonian, many Republicans not regarding that paper as sufficiently "stalwart" to satisfy their ideas of a party organ. In July, 1879, Mr. Griswold sold his interest to his partner who enlarged the paper to an eight-column folio. On the 3rd of January, 1881, E. G. De-Wolfe. then postmaster of Findlay, and Jason Blackford, a member of the Findlay bar, purchased an interest in the Republican. The following October Mr. Blackford sold out to Mr. DeWolfe and the paper was subsequently enlarged to a nine-column folio. Capt. H. H. Alban bought Mr. Beelman's interest July 28, 1882, and the firm of DeWolfe & Alban edited and published the paper until the death of Mr. DeWolfe, which occurred August 8, 1888, when H. P. Crouse became editor and S. P. DeWolfe business manager. On April 1, 1900, Mr. Crouse sold his interest to Jesse Huber, and I. N. Heminger and Mr. Huber became editor. On December 7, 1901, Mr. DeWolfe purchased more stock in the paper and became editor while Mr. I. N. Heminger became business manager. Mr. Alban about 1890 sold his interest to other stockholders and thus severed his connection with the paper. In November, 1903, the Findlay Publishing Company was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of $75,000.00, and purchased the Morning Republican and Evening Jeffersonian and continued the publication of both editions and at present they have a combined circulation exceeding 6,000 copies daily. The officers of the Findlay Publishing Company at this writing are as follows : President, Dr. U. L. MacLaughlan ; vice-president, E. C. Taylor; secretary, J. D. Snyder; business manager and treasurer, I. N. Heminger. Mr. DeWolfe disposed of his interest in the Republican upon the organization of the Findlay Publishing Company in 19o9. These papers moved into their new and commodious building at 3o8 Broadway, where they now have one of the finest newspaper plants in Ohio. The Findlay Star was established by W. S. Hammaker and first issued August 21, 1882. It was a live progressive little daily, thoroughly Democratic in politics and during its career of less than two years was a welcome friend in 55o homes and business places. On April 21, 1884, Mr. A. H. Balsey, of the Jeffersonian, purchased the Star and consolidated it with the business of that office. In 1903 the Jeffersonian was purchased by the Findlay Publishing Company and is now published by that company. The Findlay Wochenblatt, a German weekly newspaper, was established October 28, 1886, HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 139 by A. Weixelbaum. The paper had a successful growth, and on April 1, 1888, Mr. Christian Heyn purchased the Wochenblatt and is now the owner. The Wochenblatt is regarded as a first-class German newspaper. The Findlay Union was established in November, 1890, by H. Wilts Brown and Rufus M. Hern and was published under this firm name until March, 1892, when on account of ill health Mr. Horn sold his interest. August I, 1903, the Courier Company purchased and consolidated the Union with the Hancock Courier, Mr. Brown, former publisher of the Union, becoming editor of the Courier. Of papers published elsewhere in this county the following are worthy of special mention : The McComb Record was started July 4, 1894, by E. L. Sutton and L. G. Herbert, and a few months later was sold to the H. H. Moore Printing Company. The McComb Herald was organized in 1881, by J. F. Hickerson and others. S. B. Davis, R. M. Horn, H. M. Pomeroy and Daniel Dyer have at different times been editors and managers of this paper. Mr. C. W. Griswold is the present editor and manager The McComb Herald has the largest circulation of any paper in the county, excepting the two Findlay dailies. It reaches at least twenty-seven per cent of all the people residing in McComb and the vicinity, giving all local and general news that would be of interest to the people. The circulation in round numbers has reached 1,200. Arlington can boast of a paper second to none for towns of its size. This paper is published by Mr. Frank Bitler, a very able writer. There were other papers in various localities of this county, some are still living, while others have lapsed into oblivion. "But," in the words of a former historian, "whatever their length of life was or may be, the newspapers are one of the best educational .mediums we today possess. The farmer, the laborer, the merchant, the banker, the mechanic, the professional man; the business man in all stages of physical, mental or moral duties have each an equal opportunity to instill in their minds the current history as it swiftly glides across the stage of time." CHAPTER XI. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. Hancock County Medical Men of the Past and of the Present. The first permanent physician in Hancock County, was Dr. Bass Rawson, who was born April 17, 1799, in the town of Orange, Franklin County, Mass. He was one of five brothers, who removed from Massachusetts at an early day and settled in Ohio, four being physicians. In his boyhood he worked on a farm and attended a country school. From the farm he went to learn the trade 0f hatter, which he worked at until he was about twenty years of age, but, his health somewhat failing him, he determined to relinquish it and engaged in the study of medicine. -With this end in view he entered an academy at New Salem, Mass., which he attended several terms. In the meanwhile he taught school for the purpose of earning money to defray the necessary expense of his educati0n. At the age of twenty-five he married and immigrated to Ravenna, Ohio, where he remained a few months. He then removed to Otsego County, New York, locating at Richfield. Here he again taught school. Previous to his leaving Massachusetts he had studied medicine for a few months, but on his return to the east he took up the study seriously, with the intention of qualifying himself as a physician, Dr. Thomas, of Richfield, becoming his preceptor. In the winter of 1826-27 he attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and at the close of the collegiate term returned to his father's house at New Salem and continued the reading of medicine with Dr. Brooks of Orange. In June, 1828, he rem0ved to Ohio and practiced a little more than a year with his brother, Dr. Secretary Rawson, who resided in Medina County, Ohio. In September, 1829, he removed to Findlay, where he settled permanently in the practice of his profession. The place had been but recently settled and only twelve white families resided within its limits, the Indians being more numerous than the whites. Here the doctor practiced without cessation, for over sixty years. He was a member and earnest supporter of the Presbyterian church. In politics he was a Republican. His death occurred December 28, 1891. The writer remembers a little incident that happened to the Doctor, and which he used to tell. When making the trip from Medina County, to Hancock C0unty, they stopped along the roadway to rest and prepare a - 140 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 141 meal. While thus engaged, a man rode up and asked if this was the new doctor that was coming to live in the neighborhood, the Doctor replying that he was, the man then said that he had a very sick wife, and would the Doctor please come right away and see her. And so, eating a hurried meal, the Doctor went away with the man. Thus his practice was started, even before he had reached the end of his journey into the new country that he had picked out for his future home. Charles Oesterlin, M. D., was born in Weinsburg, Kingdom of Wurttemberg, October 5, 1807. When quite young he attended school at Laufen on the Necker. At fourteen he entered the gymnasium at Stuttgart, from which he graduated at the age of eighteen in a thorough literary, scientific and classical course. He then went to Tubingen, where he engaged in medical studies under an able professor. In 1832 he came to America and after spending some considerable time in traveling through the country located in Ashland, Ohio, in 1834. September 30, 1836, he came to Findlay, where he was engaged in his profession until his death, which occurred January 18, 1889. In 1846 he embarked in merchandising here for two years, at the end of which time he retired. From 1848 to 1862 he served in the councils of the city ; in 1871 he was elected to the legislature and filled that office for one term. In 1863 Dr. Oesterlin visited his native land and again in 1876, when he was recalled by the loss of several thousand dollars through the breaking of the Findlay Savings Rank Company. In June, 1885, along with his estimable wife, who had always accompanied him, he again started for his old home in the Fatherland but got sick in New York and did not cross the ocean, but returned home. Mr. Oesterlin was an ardent supporter of all measures tending to advance public interest. He was probably the first to advocate boring for natural gas at this place and was one of the stockholders of the Findlay Natural Gas Company. William H. Baldwin, M. D., was born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 16, 1810, and settled in Findlay, Ohio, in the fall of 1832. Having studied and attended lectures at Cincinnati, he entered the medical profession in early life and rose to a very respectable rank as a physician. His high reputation and success gained him a very large practice, which extended into adjoining counties, as well as all over the one in which he lived. His extensive practice necessitated long and frequent rides, and those who enjoy the advantage and improvements of the present day know but little of what those rides involved. There were but few well beaten roads and scarcely any bridges, streams had to be forded, swamps and marshes had to be crossed and large tracts of country often under water had to be traveled ; but distance, difficulties and ceaseless labors, neither discouraged nor checked this faithful physician in his untiring efforts to release the afflicted, honor his profession, and supply the wants of those dependent upon him for support. Dr. Baldwin was married April 18, 1835, to Mary J. Patterson, who was born July 13, 1817, in Harrison County, Ohio, daughter of John Patterson, who came to Findlay in 1834. In all the relations of life Dr. Baldwin was considerate, respectful, just and honorable 142 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY and enjoyed the highest esteem of all the people, but hard and indefatigable labors at last produced their effects ; the vigorous constitution was impaired, and he who had been the embodiment of health, and had so successfully practiced the healing art upon others, became prematurely old and feeble, and so continued during the few years before his death, which occurred December 14, 1868. William D. Carlin, M. D., was born at Maumee City, April 27, 1822. His parents had settled here previous to the War of 1812. Dr. Carlin was the son of Squire Carlin, a pioneer of Hancok County of the year 1826. He was but four years of age when his parents settled in Findlay, where he grew to manhood, obtaining such education as the limited facilities of a frontier village could furnish. Before he was twenty years old he began the study of medicine with Dr. Bass Rawson, the pioneer physician of the county. In March, 1843, one month before he was twenty-one years of age, he graduated with honors from the Cincinnati Medical College. After his graduation Dr. Carlin began the practice of his profession in Findlay and continued actively engaged until 1846, when he was made surgeon of the Fifteenth United States Regular Infantry and went with his command to Mexico as that country and the United States were at war. He was the youngest surgeon in the American army. He served with distinction during the struggle and achieved a high reputation both as a soldier and surgeon. After his return from the war Dr. Carlin resumed the practice of his profession in Findlay. March 6, 1845, he was married to Harriet E. H. Rawson, daughter of Dr. Base Rawson, his medical preceptor. Three children were the fruit of this union—Dr. Cass R. Carlin, ex-Senator William L. Carlin and Mrs. Sarah A. Dondore. Of the three, only one—William L.—is now living. In 1849, on the discovery of gold in California, Dr. Carlin made a trip to the new gold fields in company with his father, brother and others. The party crossed the great plains and the Rocky Mountains. On his return to Ohio he made a second trip to the gold region, going and returning by the sea and the Isthmus of Panama. In the spring of 1862 he was appointed chief surgeon of the Fifty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service in the civil war. His experience in the Mexican war had given him a reputation as an army surgeon, and this fact was recognized by the government in making the appointment. Dr. Carlin did splendid service in his regiment and was the means of preventing much suffering and many hardships. He died in the service for his country at Milli-ken's Bend, Tenn., December 26, 1862, four months before reaching his forty-first year. He had led an active and useful life. Dr. Carlin was a man of kind and generous impulses and was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens. He was enterprising and public spirited and ever ready to do what he could to advance the interests of the town and county. He was held in great respect by the members of the medical profession, who depended largely upon him for advice and counsel. At the time he entered for service in the Civil War he had a large and lucrative practice in the town and county. He was the grandfather of Rawson K. Carlin, present police judge of Findlay. Anson Hurd, M. D., was born in Twinsburg, Summit County, Ohio, December 27, 1824. His parents Robert and Mary (Brainerd) Hurd hailed from Connecticut and came from families whose names were connected HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 143 with the early settlement of that State. In 1839 Robert removed from Twinsburg, Ohio, to this county and for many years was a prominent leader in the development of Hancock County, laying out and platting the town of Arlington in 1844. He died in 1860, at the age of seventy-six, leaving a large family, who at present is scattered considerably over the country. Our subject came with his brother Jared, to this county, and at Arlington cleared the land and built the cabin occupied by their father on his arrival. At the age of twenty he returned to Twinsburg where he remained for three years tinder the instruction of the Rev. Samuel Bissell, D. D., president of Twinsburg Institute. He then taught school in Pike County, where, becoming acquainted with the Hon. J. L. Van Meter, of that county, he obtained a scholarship in Delaware College. After spending three years in that institution he engaged in the study of medicine with Dr. William Blackstone of Athens, and after a year, repaired to Columbus and read in the office of Prof. Samuel M. Smith, graduating from Starling Medical College in March, 1852. He then located in Oxford, Ind., where he practiced his profession for many years. In 1861 he represented the counties of White and Benton in the legislature of that State. Soon after the attack on Fort Sumter he was invited by Governor Morton, of Indiana, to accept the Post of Assistant Surgeon of the Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which he accepted, serving through the first campaign to Hatteras. Returning to Fortress Monroe, he resigned his commission in the Twentieth and accepted that of surgeon of the Fourteenth, and served in all the battles of the Campaign of 1862. In January, 1863, he resigned his commission, and in April moved to Findlay, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Hurd contributed to various medical journals in the way of some very fine articles and held offices of trust in the medical world. He was a liberal supporter of measures tending toward the growth of the community. Lorenzo Firmin, M. D., was born March 31, 1809, in South Wilbraham, Mass., son of John Firmin. When quite young he learned the trade of shoemaking with his father, with whom he was connected in the east till 1834, when he came west to Richfield, Summit County, Ohio, and entered into partnership with Dr. Secretary Rawson, in a tannery, which he continued in until 1841, when he sold out to O. M. Oviatt, of Richfield. In 1841 he came to Findlay, Ohio, read medicine with Dr. Bass Rawson and graduated in the profession. He practiced at Benton, this county, till 1847, when he returned to Findlay, where he thought an opening existed, owing to the fact that several physicians from Findlay were holding positions in the army during the Mexican war. He was married June 28, 1838, to Clara H., daughter of Dr. Secretary Rawson. They had no children. Dr. Firmin continued his profession in this place until his retirement in 1877, after which he gave his attention to his private business matters, which were many and important. His first wife having died in 1891, he was again married in 1894, his second wife being Miss Mary B. Humphrey, a native of Findlay. His death, which occurred on October 12, 1901, was received with profound grief by the community where he so long had been a resident and a very efficient promoter of the interests of the city and county. William D. Detwiler, M. D., was born in Mifflin County, Penn., August 23, 1832. He learned the trade of plastering with his father, 144 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY and in 1851 came west and located in Findlay where he carried on his trade for some time. He subsequently moved to Illinois, and, on returning from there in 1859 entered the office of Dr. Oesterlin, where he prosecuted the study of medicine. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, our subject left his worthy preceptor's office and enlisted his service in defense of the Union. Three years of his time, however, were devoted to service as hospital steward, and upon the close of the war he returned to his medical studies, graduating from the Homeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1867. Dr. Detwiler located in Findlay and for ten years was prominently identified with the profession of medicine in this portion of the State. His death occurred April 30, 1877. He was at that time president of the Ohio State Homeopathic Medical Society, and also president of the Alumni Association of Cleveland College. The Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias societies, the Findlay Guards, and ex-soldiers all took part in the funeral ceremonies in his memory. Dr. Detwiler was an ardent Sabbath scho0l and church worker, and was an acknowledged leader in all interests he sought to serve. Tobias G. Barnhill, M. D., of Findlay, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 5, 1851, son of Joseph and Sarah (Frankhauser) Barnhill, the former a native of that county and of Pennsylvania pioneer ancestry, the latter born in Pickway County, Ohio. In 1853 they moved to this county and settled in Liberty Township, where they reared four sons and three daughters. Our subject who is the third child, received a good common school education and at seventeen engaged in teaching. At eighteen he began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Oesterlin & Detwiler and in his twenty-second year graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College, class of 1873. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Findlay and has been successfully connected with it since introducing in 188o his valuable medical baths. He married in 1874, Mary J., daughter of Conrad and Christiana Renninger, pioneers of Liberty Township, this county, and they have one son Joseph C. The doctor is a public spirited citizen and contributes liberally to the advancement of Hancock County's interests. He is a worthy Odd Fellow, a member of the Legion of Honor, has served as coroner of the county three terms and had been an active member of the board of education of Findlay. He owns and operates a large sanitarium where patients can go and receive the best care and treatment on very liberal terms. Franklin Wayne Entrikin, M. D., was born in Chester County, Pa., July 27, 1830. He was the son of Emmor and Susannah Bennett Entrikin, of pi0neer English Quaker ancestry in that state. In 1832 Emmor Entrikin moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he reared a family of five sons and one daughter in the Quaker faith. Franklin W. received a good literary training and at seventeen entered the Quaker academy at Salem. After completing a thorough literary and scientific course there he engaged in the study 0f dentistry, in which profession he spent a few years. He, however, continued to read medicine and graduated fr0m the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. In 1855 he came to Findlay, where he spent m0st of his time since in professional practice until his death. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 145 He, however, had spent some considerable time in public lecturing on his profession, and for three years held the chair of gynecolgy in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Medical College. He has also contributed writings to many leading medical journals. He was a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and Cleveland Microscopical Society. He has had charge of the sanitariums in Cleveland and Green Springs. He served in the capacity of professor of gynecology in the Toledo Medical college in 1885 and delivered a full course of lectures in that institution in 1885 and 1886. The doctor married in October, 1851, Sarah Ann, daughter of Thomas Lyon of Deerfield, Portage County, Ohio, and by her he had three sons : Emmor L., a leading jeweler in this city ; Leonidas A., also a jeweler ; and Franklin B., a prominent young physician who is rapidly following in his father's foot-steps in his chosen profession. Our subject was a hard working painstaking physican and was as much a student in his later days as he was when young. Francis W. Firmin, M. D., was born in Richfield, Summit County, Ohio, July 15, 1842, and is a descendant of pioneers of that name in Massachusetts who came to our shores in 1630 in the fleet with Governor Winthrop. Our subject is a son of Francis B. and Mary (Chapin) Firmin. He received a good education in Wilbraham, Mass., and at Oberlin, Ohio. In 1862 he came to Ohio and engaged in the study of Medicine with his uncle, Lorenzo Firmin, and in 1867 graduated from the Cleveland Medical College. He located in Findlay, this county, and has been a very creditable professional worker here ever since. He married here 1869 Mary L. D., daughter of John A. Meeks, a pioneer minister of the Presbyterian Church. The doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association. July 15, 1863, he enlisted in Company E One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and after serving his country for eight months was honorably discharged. He holds high rank in his profession as a liberal contributor to all measures tending to the development of the social and industrial life of this locality. Joseph Parker Baker, M. D., was born in Perry T0wnship, Wood C0unty, Ohio, on the 9th of June, 1864. He was graduated at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1890; attended a course in the Polyclinic, New York, in 1894, and also a course at the Post Graduate, New York, in 1897. He is at present president of the Board of Health of Findlay, Ohio. Don B. Biggs, M. D., was born at Arcada, Hancock County, Ohio, June 16, 1873. He was graduated from the High School at De Graff, Ohio; was three years at Delaware College, one year at the Ada Pharmacal Sch0ol, three years at Somisville Medical College and graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio. He is an ex-coroner of Hancock County and a member of the Northwestern Ohio State and National Medical Societies. John Charles Fremont Martin, M. D., was born at Covington, Miami County, Ohio, on November loth, 1856, and was graduated at the C0vington High School. He attended and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, March 18th, 146 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY 1881. He was an interne at the St. Mary's Hospital for two years. During 1883 and 1884 he was contract surgeon in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Keogh. During the Spanish-American war he served as Brigade Surgeon With the rank of Major. He is a graduate of the postgraduate course of London, England, and has practiced in Findlay since 1886. Herbert Vinton Beardsley, M. D., was born in Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, August 30, 1859. He received his literary education in the city schools and at the Oberlin College. He was graduated from the Cleveland Academy of Medicine in 1883 and practiced his profession for sixteen months at Ada, Ohio. He then removed to Findlay, where he has been in continued practice ever since. While an active politician, as every American citizen should be, he has never aspired for office, but served as member of the board of education for six years and is at the present time a member of the city council. He is identified with many fraternal s0cieties and is the medical examiner of many insurance c0mpanies. William M. Yost, M. D., was born in Thornville, Perry County, Ohio, April 14, 1835. He moved with his parents to Licking County, Ohio, April 1st, 1846, where he worked on the farm and attended the district school. He taught school from 1853 in winter and attended the Somerset Collegiate Institute in summer till 186o when he was hired to superintend and teach the schools of Hebora, Licking County, Ohio, and then remained until July, 1862. He then enlisted as a private in Company "B,", 113th Reg. 0. V. I., was promoted to the post of hospital steward and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was mustered out July 15, 1865. After the war, in September, 1865, he entered Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated March 15, 1868. He married Miss Rebecca A. Stewart of Jacksontown, Licking County, Ohio, May 26, 1868. Five children were born to them: Minnie L., Margaret J., Gertrude, Charles C., and Clarence C. Dr. Yost first practiced his profession in Houcktown, where he remained until May, 1876. He then moved to Mt. Blanchard, where he continued to practice until November, 1892, when he moved to Findlay, Ohio. He served on the school board continuously during his residence in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio. Dr. Yost served on the U. S. Pension Board of Examining Surgeons from 1884 to 1889 and from 1892 to 1897. He is still in practice at Findlay, Ohio. A. W. Balsley, M. D., ex-coroner of Hancock County, was born November 14, 1872, and is a graduate of the Findlay High School, class of 1892, and of the University of Michigan (1899) and has practiced in Findlay for the last ten years. He is a member of the Hancock County, Ohio, State and American Medical Associations. John M. Firmin, M. D., was born in Findlay, Ohio, October 31, 1872. He is a graduate of Findlay High School and Oberlin College (1894) and Master of Arts, 1897. He graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Cleveland, Ohio, March 17, 1897; took the Post Graduate course at Bellevue Hospital in 1900. He has practiced in Findlay since his graduation. Franklin B. Entrikin, M. D., was born in Findlay, Ohio, August 21, 1871. He attended the Findlay High School and Ohio State University, and was graduated from Ohio Medical HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 147 College at Cincinnati, in 1894, and subsequently practiced his profession in Findlay until his death, which occurred in Cincinnati, March 17, 1910. He was a member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the U. S. A., with a rank of Major of Medical Corps, Ohio National Guard; also a member of the Hancock County, Northwestern Ohio State, and National Association. W. S. Van Horn, M. D., was born in Hancock County, Ohio, June 13, 1853. He attended the public school and was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, in 1883. He commenced the practice of medicine in Mt. Blanchard, where he remained for five years when he removed to Findlay, where he has remained until the present time. He is a. member of the Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical as well as the State and National Association. Allison M. Van Horn, M. D., was born in York County, Pa., July 31, 1882. He is a graduate of Findlay High School (May, 1900) and of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati (1905). He has been engaged in the practice of medicine for over four years. He is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Eclectic and State Eclectic societies. J. M. Guise, M. D., born in Findlay. Ohio, September 2, 1853. He was educated in the common and high schools and graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati in 1887; has held the position of county physician, and has practiced in Findlay from the time of his graduation to the present writing. Albert H. Linaweaver, M. D., was born in Springfield, Ohio, January T, 1856. He attended the common and select schools and studied three years at Whittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. He was graduated in medi cine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, Ill., April 21, 1896, and took a post graduate course in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College in Chicago in 1899. He has practiced in Findlay since graduating. R. B. Keeran, M. D., was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, on February loth, 1853. Took the Common School education of the day and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati in 1876. Practiced in Marshall, Ill., for ten years and since 1886 to the present time in Findlay, Ohio. He is a member of the district and State Eclectic Medical societies. P. 0. Guise, M. D., was born in Findlay, Ohio, August 18, 1851. Educated in the common and high schools of Findlay and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1882 and has practiced continuously in Findlay ever since his graduation. He has held the office of township clerk for four years and of township treasurer for two terms. J. E. Powell, M. D., was born in Eagle Township, Hancock County, Ohio, on April 15, .1861. The day the first gun of the Civil War was fired at Fort Sumter. He was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, class of 1890 ; has practiced in Findlay since his graduation and has served Hancock County as coroner. Mrs. Cornelius B. Kennedy, M. D., was born in Van Wert, Ohio, June 20, 1862. She was educated in the common school and high school of Warsaw, Indiana, and graduated in medicine from the Toledo Medical College, March 31, T896. She served three terms as secretary of the Hancock County Medical Society of which she is an active member, as well as a member of the Northwestern, Ohio and Ohio State societies. 148 - HISTORY OS HANCOCK COUNTY Earl J. Thomas, M. D., was born in Biglick Township, Hancock County, Ohio, October 7, 1882. He is a graduate of the Findlay High School and attended one year at the Ohio State University of Columbus. He is a medical graduate of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, class of 1905. After serving a year as interne in the Ann Arbor Hospital he located in Findlay, Ohio, for the practice of his profession. O. H. Saunders, M. D., was born in Benton Ridge, Hancock County, Ohio, March 22, 1864. He was graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1891. He is a member fo the Hancok County, State, and National Medical Association, and is clerk of the Board of Education. M. M. Crothers, M. D., was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on February 8, 1845. He attended the common and high schools and read medicine in the office of A. E. Jenner, a descendant of the famous Dr. Jenner, the discover of vaccination. Dr. Crothers graduated from the Medical Department of Wooster at Cleveland, Ohio, February 28, 1872, and practiced at Sulphur Springs, the succeeding sixteen years, when he removed to Findlay, Ohio. He has been a member and president of the city council and an ex-member of the State Legislature. Milton S. Williamson, M. D., was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on December 19, 1850. and was educated in the common and high schools oT Findlay, Ohio, after which he attended Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio. He attended and is a graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Wooster .at Cleveland, Ohio, in the class of 1874; also took a post graduate course at Rush Medical College of Chicago, Ill., in 1882 ; was a member of U. S. Examining Board of Pensions for eight years, twice president of the Hancock County Medical Society and member of the Hancock County State and National Associations and Physician to the Infirmary. He has practiced at West Independence, Arcadia, Fostori, Alvada and Findlay, Ohio. Huron S. Wilson, M. D., was born at Vanlue, Ohio, December 6, 1856. He was educated in the common schools, attended Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, and graduated at the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville, Ky., in the class of 1885. He practiced his profession at Vanlue, Alvada, McKutchensville and Findlay, Ohio. Ex-coroner of Hancock County, member of Hancock County, Northwestern, Ohio and State Medical societies. J. W. Zophi, M. D., was born in Jeffersonville, Sullivan County, New York, April 12, 1859. He attended the common and high schools and was a student at and graduate of the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, N. Y., in the class of 1889, after which he served a term as interne in the Buffalo Hospital. N. R. McLachlin, M. D., was born November 26, 1859, in Middlesex County, Ontario. He attended the common schools and was graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; in 1878. He practiced in Cass City, Tuscola County, Mich., for eleven years, moving to Findlay, Ohio, in 1889. Dr. McLachlin is a member of the Board of U. S. Pension Examiners and of the Hancock County, Northwestern Ohio, State and National Medical societies. He is also an ex-coroner of Tuscola County, Mich. John Charles Tritch, M. D., was born in Findlay, Ohio, September 25th, 1857. He at- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 149 tended the city schools and was graduated from the Findlay High School in the class of 1874; entered the office of Doctor Wm. M. Detwiler, his uncle, and studied medicine there attended the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland and graduated in the class of 1877. He took post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic in 1888, 1890, 1896 and 1903.; also the New York Post Graduate in 1893 ; received the degree of A. M. from the Findlay College in 1896. Dr. Tritch is gynecologist to the Findlay Home and Hospital. He was a member of the City Board of Education for six years, and coroner of Hancock County from 188o to 1884.