350 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY ordered life and was a consistent member of the Lutheran church. In 1851, at Findlay, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Mary Ann Devine, and they had four children, and the eldest son, W. S. Clark, continues the undertaking business, his location being at No. 119 East Crawford Street, while his residence is at No. 206 West Sandusky Street, Findlay. For more than a half century James R. Clark was an Odd Fellow, but that was his only fraternal connection. JOHN W. TAYLOR, who carries on general farming on a tract of 101 acres in Section 25, Allen Township, Hancock County, 0., is also engaged in the production of oil and is one of the representative citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born December 19, 1840, in Van Buren, 0., and is a son of Washington and Martha (Moorehead) Taylor. Washington Taylor was born July 4, 1818, in Bedford County, Pa., but spent part of his boyhood days in Richland County, 0., and in 1836 came to Hancock County, and for several years worked at his trade as a cabinetmaker at Van Buren. After locating on the farm, he gave up cabinetmaking and became noted as one of the most energetic and hard working farmers of the township, and had little patience with those who shirked their duties. He was married to Martha Moorehead, who was born October 30, 1818, in Stark County, 0., and died in Allen Township in 1887. She came to Hancock County with her parents during her girlhood days, and was a daughter 0f John Moorehead, who was born in 1791 in Westmoreland County, Pa., and died in 1876 on his farm in Portage Township, Hancock County, 0. John W. Taylor was about two years old when his parents came to Allen Township and settled on a farm just north of his present one. Here he was reared and as soon as old enough assisted with the work on the farm. He has ever since engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 1864 came to his present farm of 101 acres, which is located on the Taylor road about half a mile west of the Perrysburg turnpike road. Since the discovery of oil in this locality, Mr. Taylor has also been extensively interested in the production of oil. In 1890 Mr. Taylor erected a large frame residence, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful country homes in Allen Township. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Eliza E. Moyer, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., who has been a resident of Hancock County, 0., since her girlhood days, and is a daughter of Elias Moyer, wh0 was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of the following "children : Etta, who is the wife of Charles Larkin, of Findlay, 0.; Milton, wh0 is a resident of Eagle Township, Hancock County, is an oil pumper by trade ; Martha E., who is the wife of Samuel Draper ; Elmer E., who is now in the gold fields of Alaska ; Josiah Vernon, who lives in Illinois ; Carl D., who resides at home ; Viola, deceased, who was the wife of Edward Douglas ; and two children deceased, one at the age of ten years and one in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Van Buren Presbyterian Church, of which he is also an elder. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 353 HON. E. LINCOLN GROVES, mayor of Findlay, 0., and for many years a prominent citizen of Hancock County, was born in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, February 6, 1861, and is a son of Savadra and Lucinda (Fisher) Groves. Savadra Groves was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1826, a son of Thomas Groves, who was born in Pennsylvania. In 1828 Thomas Groves came to Hancock County and bought a farm in Blanchard Township where he died at the age of eighty-four years. On that farm Savadra Groves grew to manhood and spent his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1878. He married Lucinda Fisher, a native of Crawford County, 0., who still survives. E. Lincoln Groves is an only child and he was reared on the old home farm and attended the country schools. He then engaged in the butcher business for a time at McComb, in Hancock County, but shortly after his marriage returned to the farm and continued to live there until he was elected sheriff of the county, January I, 1905, and his acceptance of the office made removal to Findlay desirable. He served as sheriff through two terms, making an admirable official and retired on January 1, 1909. In the fall of the same year, his Republican friends again called him to public office, electing him mayor of Findlay and he assumed the municipal reins 0n January I, 1910. He has always been an active and earnest citizen and many times has been elected to positions of responsibility. For twelve years he served on the Blanchard Township School Board, of which he was president for two years, and in other offices, and was also one of the most highly valued members of the Agricultural Society. Mayor Groves was married at McComb, 0., to Miss Mary Alice McKinnis, a daughter of Thomas McKinnis. She was born and reared in Blanchard Township. Her family is an old one in the county, her grandfather, Charles McKinnis, having settled in Liberty Township in 1827. Mayor and Mrs. Groves have five children, Fern, Carl, Ruth, Albert and Leland. Mayor Groves is a member of Hancock Lodge No. 75, Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, No. 400, and also the Elks and Maccabees. He is giving the people of Findlay a fine business administration and in his efforts he is receiving the full support and commendation of the best class of citizens. FRANCIS W. FIRMIN, M. D., senior member of the firm of Francis Wilber and John M. Firmin, physicians and surgeons, at Findlay, 0., enjoys the honorable distinction of being the oldest practicing physician in this city. Dr. Firmin was born July 15, 1842, at Richfield, Summit County, 0., and is a son of F. B. and Mary C. Firmin. Dr. Firmin is able to trace his ancestry very far back, reaching even to William the Conqueror, but he takes greater pride in the courageous forefather who came from Ipswich, England, to the inhospitable shores of Massachusetts, in the winter of 1630, founding on American soil a family that now has honorable representatives all over the land. From Summit County, 0., the parents of Dr. Firmin moved to Springfield, Mass., in 1844, and from there to South Hadley Falls, and later to South Wilbraham, where Francis Wilber attended school. In May, 1862, he came to Findlay and shortly afterward entered Oberlin Col- 354 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY lege, with the intention of completing the regular course of that institution. The agitation incident to the continuance of the Civil War was the cause of many a young man changing the whole current of his life, and young Firmin, with a number of his classmates, determined to leave their books and enter the army to assist in putting down rebellion. His service, which terminated with his honorable discharge on March io, 1864, was in Co. E, 129th 0. Vol. Inf. The young soldier on his return did not reenter college, on the other hand he made the initial step on the path which subsequently led to a foremost place in the field of medicine at Findlay. He became a medical student in the office of his uncle, Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, under whose direction he prepared for the medical department of the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, where he was graduated February 18, 1867. He immediately entered upon professional work in this city, establishing his own office and continuing alone until he subsequently admitted his son, John M., to partnership. The latter is a graduate of the Cleveland College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the class of 1897. The Firmin name has been one of strength in the medical profession in this part of Ohio for many years, representing at all times, skill, ability, education and close adherence to professional ethics. The present firm is located in the Adams Building. Both physicians are valued members of the leading medical organizations of the country, including the American Medical Association, and the older physician was instrumental in founding the Medical Society of Hancock County. As a citizen, Dr. Firmin has been zealous in his support of all measures promising to be of permanent benefit to Findlay, giving liberally of his time, means, and professional services on many occasions. He served four years as a member of the city council, seven years as a member of the Board of Education, and innumerable times on committees for.the betterment of civic conditions. Since 1872 he has served continuously as examining surgeon for pensions, in Hancock County, with the exception of eight years, during a Democratic administration, and for a large part of that period has been president of the examining board. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic and has taken an active interest in the post at Findlay. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, in the latter organization being particularly prominent, being a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite 32nd degree and a member of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Firmin was married on May 6, 1869, to Miss Mary L. D. Meeks, a daughter of Rev. John A. Meeks, and they have had six sons and one daughter born to them : Otis, deceased ; Scott, John M., George, deceased ; Clara, deceased ; Frank Bope and Carl Giles. Dr. Firmin's residence is located at No. 1009 South Main Street, Findlay. JOHN W. SWAB, who is extensively engaged in general farming and stock raising on a tract of 312 acres in Marion Township, adjoining his residence property, which is located in Section 22, is one of the leading citizens of HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 355 Hancock County, Ohio, and was born June 29, 1853, in Washington County, Pa., a son of Solomon and Catherine (Gallaway) Swab. Solomon Swab was born in Washington County, Pa., where his parents, who were natives of Germany, settled at an early period. He was reared to manhood on the banks of the Monongahela River, and became a ship builder by trade. He later purchased a farm in Washington County and about 1863 brought his family to Wood County, Ohio, and settled on a farm, which now forms the northeast portion of North Baltimore. He operated this farm about seven years, then traded the land for our subject's present farm, which was then owned by John Franks. He married Catherine Gallaway, who was also a native of Washington County, Pa., and they had the following children : Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of James Weaver; Sarah Ann, who died young; Jane, who is the widow of John Weisel ; John William; Nancy, who died young; Salina, who is the wife of Frank Bibler ; and Alice, who is the wife of James Swartz. The mother of this family died at Findlay, 0., and the father's death occurred on the farm. John William Swab was ten years old 'when his parents came to the State of Ohio and his educational training was obtained in the district schools of Wood County. About 1873 the family came to Hancock County and settled on our subject's present farm in Marion Township, where he carries on farm pursuits on an extensive scale. He raises and deals largely in stock, keeping about a car load of steers and 100 head of hogs on hand. He has had three gas wells in operation on the place, ran a dairy wagon to Findlay for about eighteen years, and has made extensive improvements on the farm, including the erection of a fine residence. In November, 1878, Mr. Swab was joined in marriage with Emma Walters, who was born and reared in Hancock County, and is a daughter of David and Amanda (Bear) Walters, who were early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Swab have reared three children : Nettie, who married G. W. Kistler of Marion Township, and they have three children, Grace, Dorothy, and Lester; Frank, who is a resident of Marion Township, was elected trustee of the township on the Republican ticket, married Bessie George, and has one daughter, Helen Frances; and Julia, who lives at home. Mr. Swab is a Republican. D. M. DREISBACH, a highly respected citizen of Benton Ridge, Hancock County, 0., a retired farmer, for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Blanchard Township, where he still retains his valuable farm of 162 acres. He was born in Pickaway County, 0., September 28, 1845, and is a son of Abraham E. and Mary Ann (Miesie) Dreisbach. Abraham E. Dreisbach was born in Bucks County, Pa., February 21, 1818, a son of Rev. John and Fanny (Eyer) Dreisbach. Rev. John Dreisbach was born in Buffalo Valley, Pa., in 1789, and in 1807 he entered the ministry under the leadership of the Methodist reformer, Rev. Jacob Albright, who had founded the Evangelical Association in 1800. John Dreisbach was married first to Fanny Eyer, who died in 1815, leaving two children : Salome and Elizabeth. In 1817 he married her sister, Katherine Eyer, who was born September 22, 1791, and became the mother of his eleven children, named as follows : Abraham E., Isaac E., Catherine E., Sophia E., Jacob E., Leah E., Martin E., Susanna E., John E., Fannie E. and Martha E. In 1831, Rev. John 356 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Dreisbach came to Pickaway County, 0., where he invested in much land. He gave all his children a farm and so arranged them that his own farm should be in the center of the settlement. His time was entirely taken up with his ministerial duties. He was a man well fitted for pioneering evangelical work, having the courage and enterprise together with the true zealous religious faith. He purchased the first printing press in- Pickaway County and published the first Evangelical hymn book and was the first elder of this religious body in Ohio. In large measure Abraham E. Dreisbach worthily followed in his father's footsteps. In early manhood he too became a minister and filled various pulpits and during the closing years of his life he traveled as an evangelist. His death occurred at Tiffin, in Seneca County, 0. He was married (first) in 1840, to Mary Ann Miesie, a native of Bucks County, Pa., who accompanied him to Pickaway County, 0., in the same year. She died February 9, 1857. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Stroll, who died in September, 1871, and in 1873 he was married to a sister of his second wife, who survived him, his death taking place August 28, 1876. His burial and those of his wives took place at Tiffin. All his children were born- to his first marriage. The Dreisbach family originated in Germany, the name coming from a German word combined with the numeral three, the family having long been established at a point in Germany where three rivers, unite. Prior to the breaking out of civil strife, in 1861, D. M. Dreisbach helped with farm work and, as opportunity offered, attended the district schools in Seneca County. When the call came for troops he enlisted in Co. B, 195th 0. Vol. Inf., and remained in the service until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge on December 22, 1865. He was a brave and faithful soldier at all times but was one of the fortunate ones who returned to their peaceful homes without having been seriously injured by the dangers which they had daily faced. He is a member and for three years was commander of Engler Post No. 109, G. A. R., at Benton Ridge, 0. Mr. Dreisbach resumed farming and continued until he retired to Benton Ridge, March I, 1908. Of his farm in Blanchard Township, he has all but four acres under the plow and all of it is well drained. He cleared about one-third of the land after locating on it, and through careful cultivation developed its fertility. Mr. Dreisbach was married October 15, 1867, to Miss Caroline Wagner, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Brant) Wagner, and seven children were born to them, namely : Lillie W., who lives at home ; Silas W., who married Iowa Green, of Hancock County, lives in Blanchard Township ; Helena W., who married L. B. Ray, of Benton Ridge; William H., who married Eva Hickman, of Blanchard Township; Aaron W., who is unmarried; David W., who married Edna George; and Arthur W., who married Zella Watkins, resides in Blanchard Township. Mr. Dreisbach has been a lifelong Republican, casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. He has creditably filled a number of township offices. Formerly he was identified with the local lodge of Odd Fellows and belongs to Mt. Blanchard Lodge No. 519, F. & A. M. JOSEPH P. BAKER, M. D., of Findlay, who takes high rank among the medical men HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 357 of Hancock County, was born at Fostoria, Seneca County, 0., June 9, 1864. His parents were Joshua C. and Clarissa A. (Moorhead) Baker, the former of whom, a native of Columbiana County, this state, followed the combined occupations of farming and teaching. They were married in 1863 and their family in due time numbered six children. When their son Joseph was an infant they removed to Hancock County, where they have since resided. In his boyhood days Joseph P. Baker attended school at Portage, and later at Findlay, continuing his studies until he had reached his sixteenth year. From receiving instruction he then took to imparting it, becoming a teacher in the schools of Wood County, 0., in which occupation he was engaged for seven consecutive years. He then began the study of medicine, under the guidance of Dr. Anson Hurd of Findlay, an old and well known physician. He subsequently continued his professional studies at Starling Medical College, at Columbus, 0., which he entered in 1888 and from which he was graduated in the class of 1890, his marked ability as a student and his personal popularity having won for him the honor of being made president of the class. On leaving college he began the practice of his profession at Findlay and thus continued for several years. To increase his store of medical knowledge he attended in 1894, the New York Polyclinic, and three years later took a post-graduate course in New York, being determined to keep himself abreast with the progress of his profession. His conscientious efforts in this direction have borne their natural fruit in a large and increasing practice and a high professional reputation. Joining the Northwestern Medical Association soon after his location in this city, he served as its secretary from 1895 to 1902, in which latter year the honor was conferred on him of being elected president of this association—an honor that sufficiently indicates the regard in which he was held by his medical brethren, and which was the more remarkable because of his youth. From 1890 until 1893 he served on the Pension Board of Hancock County. He is the leading examination surgeon at Findlay for several of the more prominent life and accident insurance companies, and holds the chair of obstetrics and diseases of children, in the Findlay City Hospital. Besides his membership in the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, as already mentioned, he belongs to the Hancock County Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Order of Railway Surgeons. As an evidence that he was still held in affectionate remembrance by his class-mates, he was elected, in 1901, president of the Alumni Association of his college, being also appointed one of the censors. Dr. Baker is a Free Mason of high standing, in 1891 being made a Master Mason in Findlay Lodge, No. 227, and being also a member of Findlay Chapter, No. 58, Council, No. 59, and Findlay Commandery, No. 49. He was also made a Scottish Rite Mason in 1898, at Cleveland, 0., and is a member of Zenobia Temple at Toledo. His other fraternal connections are with Findlay Lodge, No. 85, Knights of Pythias; Findlay Lodge, No. 75, of the Elks, and Hancock Lodge, No. 73, I. O. O. F. Dr. Baker was united in marriage May 25, 1892, to Miss Harriet Schwartz, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schwartz, and they have a pleasant home at No. 228 W. Lincoln Street, Findlay. In politics, Dr. Baker is a 358 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Republican, although his political activity has been confined hitherto to casting his vote. CHARLES PHILIP ROTH, a much esteemed farmer and enterprising citizen of Hancock County, 0., resides on a fine farm of ninety-three acres located in Section 21, Marion Township, and was born December i 1, 1876, in Marion Township, this county, a son of George and Eva (Rouch) Roth. George Roth was born in Darmstadt, Germany, and in 1844, with his brother Adam, came to America. They immediately went to California in search of gold, Adam working in the gold fields, and George operating a clothing store and tailoring establishment. They subsequently returned to Germany, and some time later came to America again in company with a number of other young people, among them being Eva Rouch, whom the father of our subject shortly afterward married. They came to Hancock County, 0., and located at Findlay, where they owned two pieces of property, upon which site the Republican building is now located. This was later disposed of and a farm of sixty acres in Marion Township purchased, and in the course of a few years Mr. Roth returned to Findlay, where he resided two years. He then purchased the Lewis Thomas farm in Marion Township, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred January 13, 1897, at the age of sixty-seven years. He is survived by his widow, who is now seventy-two years of age, and makes her home with our subject. Five children were born to George and Eva Roth, namely : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Harvey Johnson ; Mary, who married William Busch; Maggie, who is the wife of Henry Springston; William, who died aged nine years; and Charles Philip, the subject of this record. Charles Philip Roth grew to manhood on his father's farm in Marion Township and as soon as old enough began assisting with the work at home. He purchased his present farm of ninety-three acres from the Tussing heirs, and carries on farming in a general way. On October 4, 1900, he was joined in marriage with Mary Smith, who is a daughter of Michael and Barbara Smith, both living in Eagle Township. Mr. and Mrs. Roth have three children : Harriet, Edna, and George. The religious connection of the family is with the English Lutheran Church of Findlay. Mr. Roth is a Democrat. WILLIAM BENSINGER, one of the representative and substantial citizens of McComb, a retired farmer and an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born in Wayne County, 0., January 14, 1840, and is a son of Reuben and Hannah (Feazel) Bensinger. Reuben Bensinger was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., in 1818, and died in Ohio in 1884, aged sixty-five years. He. came to Medina County with his parents, John and Mary (Alspaugh) Bensinger, the former of whom died in Wayne and the latter in Medina County. The grandfather of William Bensinger was a shoemaker but the father was a farmer and when the latter bought the farm on which he died, all but eight acres was covered with timber. Reuben Bensinger was married to Hannah Feazel, in Wayne County, where she was born, in 1839. She was a daughter of Pleasant and Mary Feazel. Her death occurred in 1902, at the age of eighty-four years. In 1841, Reuben Bensinger, wife and son, moved to Medina County and in 1858, to Hancock HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 359 County, settling in Pleasant Township four miles from McComb. William Bensinger was the only child born to his parents. He attended school until he was sixteen years of age, as opportunity presented, and worked on the home farm until 1861, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He was mustered in at Findlay, 0., as a member of Co. G, 21st 0. Vol. Inf. During the campaign through Kentucky and Tennessee that followed, he was with his regiment continuously and took part in the battle of Ivy Mountain. Subsequently, with twenty-one comrades, he was detailed to capture certain trains and destroy certain bridges and at Big Shanty, while in the line of duty, captured a train on the West Va. Railroad and ran it for ninety miles, but then suffered capture himself. He was imprisoned at Chattanooga and with his companions was court martialed and eight of his comrades were executed. He was held a prisoner for eleven and one-half months when he succeeded in escaping but was recaptured and was then in prison at Atlanta from October until December, 1862, when he was sent to Richmond and was exchanged on March 17, 1863. He reported to his regiment, then at Murfreesboro, and took part in the succeeding campaign which included the battle of Chickamauga. In the meanwhile he had applied to the Secretary of War for a commission as captain of a colored regiment and this was given him and was signed by President Lincoln. In September, 1863, he organized Co. C, 13th Col. Inf., and continued in command until January, 1866. The bravery and efficiency of the troops under his command was shown at the battle of Nashville, when twenty-eight of his men were killed and twenty wounded in twenty minutes. Captain Bensinger was also wounded but he never left the field. After his honorable discharge, Captain Bensinger returned to the home farm and operated it for two years and then went to railroading, becoming a brakeman on the C. H. & D. Railroad, with which company he remained for twelve years, as brakeman, baggage master, fireman and engineer. He was also with the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne and the L. E. & Western, as an engineer. In 1880 he retired from the railroad and then engaged in farming in Pleasant Township where he continued until 1900, when he sold his farm and came to McComb. Since locating here, Mr. Bensinger has kept himself busy in the agency line, selling fertilizers and fruit trees. Mr. Bensinger was married February 11, 1864, to Miss Sarah Harris, a daughter of Wesley and Mary (Smith) Harris, of Char: lotte, Tenn. She was born in North Carolina and accompanied her parents to Clarksville, Tenn. where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Bensinger have one son, Charles Harry, who was born at Waverly, Tenn. He is connected with the U. S. Mail service. He married Mary Barger, a daughter of Fred Barger, of Pleasant Township, Hancock County, and they have one son, William. Frederick. Mr. Bensinger and son are Republicans. Infrequently he has served in township offices, being constable for one term and in 1890 was census enumerator. He is a member of John Howard Post No. 154, G. A. R., at McComb. JAMES S. JOHNS, sheriff of Hancock County, 0., and one of its most popular officials, was born in Marion County, 0., January 21, 1864, and is one of a family of ten children born to his parents, who were Samuel 360 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY R. and Isabel (Bruce) Johns, the former of whom was a native of Allen County, but died in Pulaski County, Ind., in 1883. James S. Johns was reared on his father's farm in Allen County where the family went in his boyhood. In November, 1892, he came to Hancock County and found work in the rolling mills and then went into the oil fields. In the meanwhile he had made many friends in the county and had impressed them with his courage and good judgment and in January, 1905, he was made deputy sheriff under Sheriff E. L. Groves, and in November, 1908, was elected sheriff, on the Republican ticket. Sheriff Johns has proven himself an admirable officer and during his administration many breakers of the law have had reason to fear his stern and unrelenting adherence to the path of duty. Sheriff Johns was married to Miss Ella M. John, a daughter of Abiah John. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is prominent in Odd Fellowship, being a member of all its branches, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Rebeccas. FRANK BROWN, who resides on his valuable farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Section To, Portage Township, Hancock County, 0., about eight miles northwest of Findlay, came to this place in the spring of 1861. He was born in the State of New York, October 10, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Susan (Severly) Brown. The parents of Mr. Brown were born in Germany and when they came to America had four children. For some years they lived in Tonawanda, N. Y., and then moved to Crawford County, 0., where they remained for thirteen years and then went to Sandusky County, where the father acquired twenty acres of land and by shrewd trading exchanged it for eighty acres. Joseph Brown, with the help of his sons, cleared, ditched and cultivated this land. When Frank Brown was twenty-five years. old he came to Hancock County and located on the place on which he has ever since lived. No clearing or improving had yet been done on this land and he found the task a long and hard one to put the land under its present state of fine cultivation. He cleared up the greater part of his farm by himself. His first house was the usual pioneer log cabin, which he pulled down in 1882 and in its place built the fine large brick house in which he now lives in great comfort. He carried on general farming for many years but has been retired from active labor for some time, renting out his fields to reliable tenants. Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mary Reed. the estimable daughter of Matthew and Clarissa (Nesbitt) Reed, of Richland County, 0. She is a lady possessed of many accomplishments, not the least of these being a complete knowledge of all housewifely arts. By a former marriage, Mr. Brown had nine children born to him, the six survivors being : Mrs. Amanda Jane Milligan, Samuel, Homer, Wilbur, Mrs. Vesta Hutchison and Albert. The three children deceased were : Emma, Moses V. and Lewis, the sons being accidentally drowned. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are valued members of the United Brethren church at Van Buren, 0. J. N. WYER, whose farm of 275 acres is situated in Section 15, Union Township, Hancock County, 0., but who resides in Rawson, this county, was born at Lancaster, Fairfield HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 363 County, 0., September 21, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Ann E. (Ashbaugh) Wyer. Henry Wyer was born in New Jersey, in 1828, and died in June, 1906. He was young when his parents moved to Fairfield County, 0., where he grew to manhood and subsequently became a prominent farmer. He married Ann E. Ashbaugh, who was born in Fairfield County, 0., and still resides on the old homestead in Marion Township, Hancock County. J. N. Wyer obtained his education in Fairfield County and in schools near Findlay, to which place he came when thirteen years old. His business has always been farming and stock raising and he settled on his present place after his marriage. This took place on January 24, 1885, to Miss Laura 0. Wonder, who was born and reared in Wyandot County, 0. Her parents were Mathias and Katherine Wonder, old residents of that county. Mrs. Wyer died August 15, 1909, at Rawson, 0. She was a most estimable lady in every relation of life and was a consistent member and earnest worker in the Evangelical church. Mr. and Mrs. Wyer had two children born to them: Oran 0. and Mabel. The former is an expert telegrapher and is in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad. Mabel graduated from the Bluffton High School on May 27, 1910, having taken also a special course in Latin. Mr. Wyer takes no very active part in politics. JOHN S. ROSE, a well known general farmer and highly respected citizen of Hancock County, 0., resides on a farm of 106 acres, located in Section 23, Marion Township, and was born October 6, 1852, at Bellpoint, Delaware County, 0., and is a son of Rev. Alvan and Elizabeth (Morey) Rose. Rev. Alvan Rose was of Scotch-Irish descent and a native of Delaware County, 0. His mother died at the time of his birth, and his father subsequently married and moved to Illinois. He was reared by relatives in Delaware County and for seventeen years taught the district school during the winter months and a select school during the summers. He also practiced medicine a short time, but later entered the ministry, and after serving one year in the Mexican War, preached one year in Delaware County and three years in Seneca County. During this time he was sent among the Freedmen of Mississippi on the old Joseph and Jefferson Davis plantation, and while there had the small pox, and was nursed back to health by the old negro mammy who had nursed Jefferson Davis. Upon his return from the south Rev. Rose came to Findlay, 0., where he traveled a circuit for many years and was for some years presiding elder of this district. Rev. Alvan Rose married Elizabeth Morey, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Delaware County, 0., at the age of seven years, and died at Findlay in February, 1900. Of their union were born ten children : Amelia, deceased; William, deceased ; John S., our subject, and his twin, Anna, the deceased wife of Elias Hoot ; Harvey and Horace, twins, both deceased ; Alvan, deceased ; Lillian, wife of Ernest Jacqua, of Medford, Ore. ; Mary, wife of John Hoover, of Portland, Ore. ; and Francis. Rev. Rose died in September, 1881, at Findlay, 0., aged fifty-three years and eight months. John S. Rose was a small child when his parents moved to Indiana for a year, from whence they moved to Seneca County, 0., and in the fall of 1864 came to Hancock County. Here he was reared and educated and during 364 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY his early manhood taught school for a time, as did the other children of the family. He was also a clerk for a time in Connell's Book Store at Findlay, but since his marriage has followed general farming on his present farm, which was inherited by his wife, whose grandfather, Major Bright, entered the land from the government. Mr. Rose was married April 23, 1878, to Minerva Bright, who was born in Marion Township, Hancock County, 0., and is a daughter of Levi and Mary (Gear) Bright. Of their union were born the following children : Lulu, died in infancy. Samuel, who resides on part of the home farm, is a graduate of the Tri-State College of Angola, Ind., and taught three years. He is politically a Republican, and in the fall of 1907 was elected clerk of the township and a member of the school board. He is a candidate for county clerk of Hancock County, in the fall elections of 190. He was married September 15, 1902, to Wilma Smiley, and they have three children, Alvan, Lela, and Ana. May, who is the wife of Roy Bear of Jackson Township, is the mother of two children, Olive Elizabeth and Bernerdine. Mr. Rose is politically a Republican and has served six years as township trustee. He and his family are members of the United Brethren church, in which he has held all the local offices ; and has been secretary of the Circuit since 1885, and has served as a delegate to the Central Conference and in various other offices. JACOB E. POWELL, M. D., physician and surgeon at Findlay, has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in this city since June, 1890, and through his professional knowledge and skill, has built up a large and lucrative practice. He was born April 15, 1861, in Eagle Township, Hancock County, 0., and is a son of Daniel L. Powell, one of the older residents of Eagle Township. Dr. Powell was one of a large family of children and during his boyhood and early youth his help on the pioneer farm was needed by his father, the latter having secured his land from the Government in 1836. Agricultural life, however, did not appeal to the youth in any way and he eagerly took advantage of every chance to advance himself in a knowledge of books, and at a surprisingly early age secured a certificate to teach school. He continued to teach and while so engaged continued his own studies and thus prepared himself for entrance to Findlay College, of which he is a charter member, and while there followed the same course and prepared for the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md. From that institution he was graduated in March, 1890. With his diploma in his possession, which had been earned through perseverance and self denial, Dr. Powell confidently entered into practice and the immediate and continued success which has crowned his work, has given the best testimony to the thoroughness of his knowledge as well as to his natural aptitude in this greatest of professions. In 1892 he was elected coroner of Hancock County and served two years but otherwise has accepted no political position. Dr. Powell was married November 6, 1887, to Miss Eva J. Oman, of Bluffton, Ind. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow. His convenient and well equipped office is located at No. 414 1/2 S. Main Street, Findlay. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 365 CLYDE WHELAND, proprietor of the Arcadia Elevator and dealer in grain, seeds, flour, meal, feed, lime, salt, coal, etc., makes a specialty of custom grinding, and is one of the representative business men of Arcadia, Hancock County, 0. He was born November 26, 1882, in Arcadia, and is a son of John Henry and Barbara Ellen (Warner) Wheland. John Henry Wheland was born September I, 1845, on the old Ebersole farm near Arcadia, 0., and is a son of William and Hannah (Kohlmeyer) Wheland, pioneer settlers of Washington Township, Hancock County, 0. William \\Theland, grandfather of our subject, was born in Center County, Pa., in 1817, a son of Michael \\Theland, who was one of the early settlers of that section of Pennsylvania. In 1844, William Wheland, with his wife and child, came to Hancock County, 0., and settled near what is now Arcadia, but which at that time was principally timberland, the town not being laid out until some time later. William Wheland married Hannah Kohlmeyer, who was born June 2, 1824, in Butler County, Pa., and their union resulted in the following issue : George W., who served in the Civil War; John Henry, father of subject ; Sarah C., deceased, who was the wife of Mosheim Hoffman, deceased; and Mary Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Richard Anderson. William Wheland and his wife both died on the farm near Arcadia, his death occurring at the age of sixty-nine years, and hers at the age of fifty-six years. John Henry Wheland was reared on the home farm, and in early manhood bought seventy-four acres of the home place, of which he cleared about thirty-five acres and placed it under cultivation. About the time of the oil boom in Hancock County, he sold eleven acres at $300 an acre, for town lots, and on November 3, 1889, bought a general store at Arcadia from Fred Farley. This he operated until 1910, when he sold the business to his son, Floyd Wheland, and has since been residing on his farm near Arcadia. During his early life he also operated a drug store for a time, and was one of the organizers and is a director of the Arcadia Bank and Savings Company. John H. Wheland was married January 24, 1867, to Barbara Ellen Warner, who is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Warner, and their union resulted in the following issue : Amanda, who is the wife of F. H. Conaway; Parley A., who is manager and proprietor of the Arcadia Electric Light Company; William, who died in infancy ; Floyd, who is engaged in the grocery business; and Clyde and Clare, twins, the latter of whom died in infancy. Clyde Wheland was reared and has always lived in Arcadia, and was educated in the public schools of the town. During his early manhood he engaged in farming on his father's farm near Arcadia, and in 1905 purchased his present business from H. L. Lyons. The building, which is located along both the L. E. & W. R. R. and the Nickel Plate R. R., was purchased from E. P. Huss. Fraternally Mr. Wheland is a member of the Masonic order at Fostoria, 0., and is politically identified with the Democratic party. In June, 1904, Mr. Wheland married Miss Ethel Parker, who is a daughter of J. H. Parker, of Findlay, 0., and they have one daughter, Dorothy. GEORGE W. MOWERY, one of Pleasant Township's best known citizens and a member of one of the pioneer families, resides on his finely improved farm of twenty 366 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY acres situated not far from McComb, Hancock County, 0. He was born November 6, 1850, in Pleasant Township two miles southwest of McComb, in the log cabin his father had built with care and pride after coming into the wilderness as this section then was. He is the only surviving son of George and Eliza (Asire) Mowery. George Mowery was born in Virginia and his father was a large slaveholder, having many bondsmen and owning 1,000 acres of land on the James River, forty miles from Richmond, to which city he sent flour from his mills and the products of his distillery. Circumstances led the son George to seek a home in early manhood in a free state and he went to Westmoreland County, Pa., where he married Eliza Asire, a daughter of Henry Asire. She spent her last days with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Growel, at McComb, 0., where she died in September, 1907, in her eighty-eighth year. Her family came to Ohio and her parents died in Medina County. A sister and brother, Jeremiah and Mrs. Maria Moore, live in Indiana, and after a brother, David Asire, died at Fostoria, his son, Judson Asire, assumed his father's business interests and is in the undertaking business there. When George Mowery and family came to Hancock County, in 1846, they made the long journey in the usual 'pioneer wagon and many weeks passed before they were able to establish their little home. The father was a far-seeing man and he knew that his eighty acres of ridge and swamp land would sometime be of great value although at that time the ridge was covered with a heavy growth and the swamp acres were under water. In fact the whole region between McComb and Toledo was then known as the Black Swamp. George Mowery came first and all alone built the cabin which the family subsequently lived in comfortably and happily for many years. No nails were used in its simple construction. The mud chimney, however, was wide and deep and the subject of this sketch recalls many a happy evening when he and his brother David sat in its glow and warmth and roasted apples and potatoes. In retrospection those days seem to have been full of enjoyment. The death of George Mowery occurred in May, 1867, in his fifty-first year. To George and Eliza Mowery the following children were born : Margaret, who is the widow of James Morrison, of Findlay ; Henry, who died at the age of seven years ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Robert I. Mackey, of Pleasant Township ; Susan, who died, aged thirteen years ; George W.; David, who is now deceased, was in the employ of the B. & 0. Railroad, lived at Defiance and is survived by his widow, Mrs. Rosa (Simcox) Mowery ; Ada, who married Turner Mackey, resides with her husband on the old Mackey farm southwest of McComb ; Belle, who is the wife of Jacob Growel, of McComb ; William, who died aged three years ; Jane, who died at the age of five years ; and John, who died in infancy. George Washington Mowery enjoyed district school advantages, but he had to walk four miles along a blazed path through the woods in order to reach the little log school house. As soon as old enough to be useful on the farm his attendance was confined to the winter seasons. He easily re- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 367 calls when miles intervened between the homes of settlers. When he was but a small lad he could help his father in his harvesting by riding the horses when they trampled the wheat and he could carry the bags of grain on horseback five miles to a fanning mill in order to have the wheat separated from the chaff. Only one who can remember these old and arduous days of farming can fully appreciate the value of modern machinery and the new methods. Mr. Mowery remained on the home farm until he married. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at the same all through this section for twenty-five years but has devoted himself to the cultivation of his little farm for the past few years. In 1907 he started the erection of his handsome ten-room house in which he has introduced many comforts and attractive features. Mr. Mowery was married in 1873, to Miss Theresa Brown, a daughter of James and Mary Brown, who came to Hancock County from Ashland County, in 1865 and settled in Pleasant Township where Mr. and Mrs. Mowery now live. Mrs. Mowery's mother died on this farm at the age of sixty-three years and her father when aged sixty-six years. They had the following children : Theresa, Mrs. Mowery ; Sarah, who is the wife of Ames Barger, of McComb ; Thomas, who is a resident of Bellefontaine, married Lillie Longfellow ; Maggie, who lives at North Baltimore, 0.; and Benton, who lives at McComb, married Daisy Van Stronder, of Van Wert, 0. Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have eight living children, one daughter and seven sons and one son is deceased. Charles B. married Daisy Joyce, of Hamilton, 0., and they reside at Lima and they have one daughter, Mabel. Earl resides at home and assists his father. Wallace married Flossie Poe and they have one son, Robert Doldin. Pearl is the wife of George Sharninghaus, a successful farmer of Portage Township, and they have four children. Orie is unmarried and lives at home. Bert is a painter by trade and is now an employe of the Nickel Plate Railroad in Pennsylvania. Ray and Jay are both at home. Mr. Mowery takes no interest in politics beyond the demands of good citizenship. He votes the Republican ticket. HON. HOMER O. DORSEY, who was elected judge of the Probate Court, in Hancock County, 0., in the fall of 1908, has proved his judicial qualities in the most satisfactory way and is numbered with the leading jurists of the county. He was born in Allen Township, Hancock County, 0., January 27, 1879, and is a son of Wallace and Lois (Nelson) Dorsey. Judge Dorsey was reared on the home place and attended the public schools and later the Ohio Northern University at Ada, after which he devoted seven years to teaching and during this time was superintendent of the schools of Arlington, 0. For five years he served as deputy clerk under Judge Banker, in the office of the probate judge of Hancock County, and in the performance of the duties of this position not only became well acquainted all over the county but inspired the confidence that resulted in his election with a very large majority, to the office of the probate judge of 368 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY this county. In politics he is a Democrat and a prominent factor in party affairs. Judge Dorsey married Miss Hattie E. Dunlap, a daughter of George Dunlap, on February 11, 1900, and they have two children : Loel Dorothy and Anna Lucille. Judge and Mrs. Dorsey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their pleasant home is situated at No. 416 Cherry Street, Findlay. He is identified with the I. 0. 0. F., the B. P. 0. E., the M. W. of A. and the Knights of Pythias, also with various political organizations, and frequently serves on benevolent and public spirited boards PETER INEBNIT is a well known resident of Blanchard Township, who lives in Section 11, on a valuable farm of ninety-four acres. He was born in the old log house built on this place by his father, February 24, 1849. His parents were Uhlrich and Madalena (Wise) Inebnit. Uhlrich Inebnit was born and reared in Switzerland and was there married. In 1844, when he was thirty-eight years of age, he came to America and after reaching Hancock County, 0., bought forty acres of wild land in Blanchard Township, this being the original homestead. He cleared his farm, but subsequently worked at his trade of tailor whenever he had the opportunity. With the Inebnits the Wises came also to Hancock County, settling in Blanchard Township on an adjoining farm, Uhlrich Inebnit died in 1866, his widow surviving him until 1890. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom were born in Switzerland. The family record is as follows : Elizabeth, now deceased, was the wife of Frederick Wise ; Magdalene, who is the widow of James H. McClintock ; Uhlrich ; Anna, who is the widow of Samuel Behular ; John, who is now deceased ; Peter ; Mary J., who is the wife of William Madouse ; Christian D. ; and one other that died in infancy. Peter Inebnit had but meagre educational advantages, as he was obliged to begin the battle of life when but a boy. Brought up on the farm, he acquired a store of practical knowledge pertaining to agricultural affairs, of which he has since made good use. By purchase from the other heirs of his father's property he acquired their interests therein, becoming the sole owner, and he has devoted his land to general farming. He has been quite successful and is numbered among the prosperous residents of his township. Mr. Inebnit was married April 25, 1872, to Miss Sophia Madouse, a daughter of Frederick and Sophia (Hennings) Madouse. Her parents were married in Germany and on first coming to Ohio located at Fostoria. Mr. Madouse remembered working many a day at splitting rails for fifty cents per hundred. Later he bought the farm in Hancock County, 0., on which his son William now lives. The other surviving member of his family is Sophia, the wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Inebnit have had six children, namely: Mary E., who is the wife of W. B. Conine and resides in Portage Township, this county ; John A., who married Maude Doty and resides in Findlay ; George F. ; Charles H., who died at the age of twenty-one years ; Harvey V., who manages the farm for his father ; and Jessie 0., who lives at HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 369 home. Mr. and Mrs. Inebnit are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have three grandchildren—Clarence, Mabel, and Rachel Conine. Mr. Inebnit and his sons are Republicans. He has served as township supervisor and also on the school board. He is one of the township's reliable and respected citizens. ALFRED L. RUSSELL, who owns eighty acres of farm land, situated in Section 6, Big Lick Township, Hancock County, 0., six and one-half miles east of Findlay, on the Tiffin turnpike road, was born on this farm, December 17, 1861, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Russell. William Russell was born in Jefferson County, 0., April 14, 1826, a son of William Russell, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, and came to America in 1812. The father of Alfred L. Russell was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years. He came as a farm hand to Big Lick Township where he worked until he purchased the farm which he continued to reside on until his death, on July 20, 1902. In 1852 he was married to Elizabeth Taylor, who was born in Washington Township, Hancock County, and died April 8, 1895. To this union nine children were born, as follows : George, Martha J., Wesley J., Emily, William T., Sarah C., Alfred, Robert B., and Charles. Alfred L. Russell has spent the greater part of his life in his native township, where he obtained his education, and has been engaged in farming and stock raising ever since leaving school. The favorable location of his farm gives him one of the finest watering places for his stock, in the township. He has two gas wells in operation on the farm that he uses for his own purposes. He purchased this place in 189o, it being a part of the old homestead. In 1887, Mr. Russell was married to Miss Zettie Snyder, and they have had five children, namely : Floyd, Ethel, Arnot, Ruth, and Kent, who died in infancy. Mr. Rusell and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and attend services at Arcadia. He is a Republican in politics but has never been willing to be a candidate for office. He is one of the reliable and representative citizens and practical business men of this section. CHARLES F. SMITH, general manager at Findlay for the Toledo, Bowling Green & Southern Traction Company, and a man of enterprise and achievement in various related lines of industry, was born in Cincinnati, November 6, 1863. He is of German extraction, his father, John C. Smith, having come to America in infancy. with his parents, who located in Cincinnati where they passed the remainder of their lives. John C. Smith, who was a mechanic by trade, took part in the defence of the Union during the Civil War, serving as a member of an Ohio Infantry regiment. He died in Cincinnati in 1893 at the age of fifty-three years. The literary education of the subject of this sketch was secured in the schools of his native city, which however he left at the age of fourteen years to accept a position as office boy with the Mt. Adams and Eden Park Inclined Plane Railway Company. After ten years' faithful service with the 370 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY company, during which time he made the best use of his opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of railway matters, he was made assistant superintendent, and held that position until he came to Findlay, in September, 1887. Here he seized upon an opportunity presented to him, and purchasing. the material, superintended the building of the Findlay Street Railway. This line had at first a single trackage of eight miles, which, however, has since been more than doubled. On the absorption of the street railway by the Toledo, Bowling Green and Southern Traction Company, which subsequently occurred, Mr. Smith was made manager of the latter and he has since retained that position. This he is preeminently qualified to fill, as he has served in every department and has a thorough practical knowledge of every department in the business. But Mr. Smith has also been active in other fields of industrial effort. In 1892 he assisted in organizing the Hancock Light & Power Company and became its president, which office he held for three years. From the reorganization of the company in 1895 he served as vice president until it was absorbed by the Findlay Street Railway Company, four years later. In June, 1901, Mr. Smith took another progressive step, securing the franchise for heating houses by the hot water system, which business is conducted by the traction company, under his management. In all these varied enterprises, each having an important and preeminently useful as well as general application, Mr. Smith has proved himself to be a man of ability and force, such as is needed in every community that aspires to be up- to-date in this Twentieth Century. His success is more noteworthy, as it is not due to the initial advantages of a liberal education, but rather to his own native energy and his ability to see and seize the opportunities presented to him, which many others would have passed by unnoticed. Some of the most successful lives in the history of our country have been made up of just this kind of material, and to record them is to furnish an inspiration to the youth of today that, if heeded, will bear good and plenteous fruit. Mr. Smith was married at Cincinnati, in 1885, to Miss Lizzie J. Farland, daughter of John M. Farland, and has one son, Harry C. The hospitable home of the family is at No. 718 S. Main Street. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican. He has fraternal connections with the Masons (being a member of the Mystic Shrine), the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Elks. CLARK L. SHEPPARD, president and general manager of the Sanitorium and Remedy Company, at Nos. 2217-2219 North Main Street, Findlay, 0., bears a name that has been identified with the healing art for several generations, both his father and grandfather possessing a knowledge and medical skill that enabled them to eradicate that terrible scourge of the human flesh, cancer. For the relief and cure of this dread disease, together with other persistent blood troubles, the Sanitorium and Remedy Company opened its quarters in this city, in April, 19o8. Those interested in the enterprise are all men of high personal and financial standing, the officers being: Clark L. Sheppard, president and general manager; James M. Steen, vice president; and John C. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 373 Firmin, secretary and treasurer. The Sanitorium is a commodious three-story brick building which was formerly a hotel. It has been fitted up with every comfort and pleasant surroundings assured patients, many of whom come long distances for treatment. Clark L. Sheppard was born in Lapeer County, Mich., July 3, 1860, and is a son of Gustavus C. and Hannah M. (Thornton) Sheppard. Gustavus C. Sheppard was born in New York and in early manhood accompanied his father, William Sheppard, to Canada. The latter was a native of England, who had come to America as a missionary and while among the Indians learned of the remedy which his descendants have preserved and so successfully made use of as a healing agent. Gustavus C. Sheppard was married in Canada and moved from there to Michigan, where his daily work was coopering but he was widely known also as a healer through the remedy above mentioned. Clark L. Sheppard was reared in the pine woods of Michigan. His mother died when he was twelve years old but he remained in Michigan and first made use of this famous cancer remedy while living in Cass County. In 1888 he came to Findlay and began the manufacture of his medicines in 1891 over what is now the Buckeye Bank. For twenty-eight years Mr. Sheppard has been interested along the lines indicated and he doubtless has brought relief, cure and happiness to hundreds of his afflicted fellow creatures. He has grateful letters telling of the same and also has a large collection of valuable relics of various kinds presented to him by those who have been under his care at different times and they make a very interesting exhibit. Mr. Sheppard was married (first) to Miss Ellen McClury, and (second) to Miss Clara E. Scott. He has four children: Roy, Fisk, Ethel and Glenn. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Maccabees. ABRAHAM M. KYSER, M. D., a prominent and experienced medical practitioner of Hancock County, 0., who has been located at McComb for the past thirteen years, was born in Holmes County,. 0. three and one-half miles east of Loudonville, May 21, 1833. His parents were Cornelius and Susan (Melott) Kyser. Cornelius Kyser was born April 1, 1800, in Herkimer County, N. Y. His father was Stacy Kyser, a native of Holland and a man of superior education, having a speaking knowledge of three languages and being able to write in two of these. He settled first in New York but later moved to Bradford County, Pa., where his death occurred. Cornelius Kyser was twenty-four years of age when he went from New York to Pennsylvania and was thirty-two years old when he located, in 1832, in Holmes County, 0. He was married in Center County, Pa., to Susan Melott, a daughter of John and Catherine (Bitner) Melott. John Melott was born in the city of Cologne, Germany, and his earlier educational training was for the priesthood. Later he spent seven years at Cologne engaged in the study of medicine and surgery. He escaped from his native land at the time of Bonaparte's invasion, shipped on an out-going vessel and was landed at Philadelphia. There he soon afterward was married to Catherine Bitner, who had been born near Cologne. John Melott died in Center County, Pa., where they were in affluent circumstances, owning 374 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY 400 acres of land, including the site of the town of Melottville. His widow subsequently married Daniel Boon and after his death she removed to Holmes County, 0., where she died and her burial was in the Nashville Cemetery. Cornelius Kyser moved from Holmes County to Richland County, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow survived to be eighty-nine years of age, her death occurring at Crestline, in Crawford County. Both parents of Dr. Kyser, with two brothers and a sister, lie buried in the Nashville Cemetery. The mother was a highly educated woman, a fine German scholar and was gifted in music. Of the children of Cornelius Kyser and wife, the following reached maturity : Almira, Catherine, Elsie, Julia Ann, Abraham, Ammon, Hester, Martin L. and James U. Almira was married first to Rev. Percell, a minister in the Disciples church in Illinois. He died soon after marriage from smallpox and their child also died of this disease. Her second marriage was to Samuel Borden. She still survives and is about eighty-nine years of age. Catherine died at Antwerp, in Paulding County, 0. She married Isaac W. Young and all the family except two sons died at Antwerp. Elsie, now deceased, was left a widow a few years after her marriage to T. W. Rodgers, a hardware merchant of Cleveland. Julia Ann, now deceased, was the wife of Harrison Quail, who was an artist and musician and was a brother of Senator Quail, of Iowa. Abraham M., was the fifth member of the family. Ammon died of typhoid fever at the age of twenty-three years. Hester resides on the home place at Nashville and is the wife of James McClarren. Martin L. died in early manhood. James U. resides at Mt. Cory, in Hancock County, a farmer. He was married the first time to Ellen Smith, of Mercer County, 0., and his second wife was Elizabeth Faulk, of Mt. Cory. Abraham M. Kyser attended the Nashville schools in his youth and in his desire for a higher education he was encouraged by his mother. Very early he began to teach school and thus in great measure, provided for his own educational advancement, attending the Normal School at Haysville, in Ashland County, and Spring Mountain, in Coshocton County. He taught acceptably in Ashland, Holmes and Coshocton Counties, continuing up to the time he entered the old Buffalo Medical College, after which he practiced medicine for five years and then attended the eclectic schools at Cincinnati and later at Milwaukee, Wis. He has been in harness, as it were, for fifty-two years, beginning at Nashville, going then to Mohickenville, and from there to Mt. Blanchard, in Hancock County and there was associated for a short time with Dr. Clark. From there he went to Vanlue and from there to Mercer County, where he was physician for a convent for over three years. For some eight years he practiced at Monroeville, Ind., and for twenty-two years was at Bluffton, 0., coming then to McComb. He stands at the head of his profession here, both as to skill and experience. He is a member of the Northwestern Quarterly Eclectic Medical Association and also of the Ohio State and the National Eclectic Medical organizations. He is the