450 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY cock County and both died on their farm in Allen Township. They were worthy people who were respected by all who knew them. Jacob T. Crites was reared in Allen Township and in boyhood attended the country schools and later spent three years at Findlay College. Farming has been Mr. Crites' main occupation although he taught school very acceptably for thirteen winters in early manhood. In 1894 he moved on his present farm, which then belonged to his father-in-law, and rented the land until 1902, when he bought fifty acres of it and purchased the other fifty in 1908. The barn was on the place when he took possession and in 1906 Mr. Crites erected the attractive modern residence which is now the family home. He has made many other improvements and has been successful in his farm and stock operations. In 1891, Mr. Crites was married to Miss Blanche Cusac, a daughter of James Cusac, a prominent farmer of Liberty Township, and they have five children: Stella, Violet, Margaret, Alice and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Crites are members of the Blanchard Presbyterian church, of which he is treasurer and in which he has led the choir for twenty years. Mr. Crites has taken an active interest in public matters in his township and is more or less of a leader in all of importance. He is a member of the Republican County Committee from Portage Township and since January I, 1908, he has been township clerk. OSCAR KIRSTEN, who, in association with his brother, Otto Kirsten, owns and controls the American Mask Manufacturing Company, at Findlay, O., has been so identified since 1884. This concern enjoys the distinction of being the first one of its kind in the United States and in fact there is but one other mask factory in the whole country. Oscar Kirsten and brother were born in Saxony, Germany, the former in 1859, and they are sons of Henry Kirsten. Oscar Kirsten spent his youth in Germany. In 1880 he came to America, stopping in Cincinnati until 1884, when he came to Findlay, his brother Otto reaching this city one year later. In 1884 the present business was started, its location being on South Main Street in the Headquarters Block, but subsequently removal was made to their present three-story factory, which is situated at the junction of the L. E. & W. Railroad and West Sandusky Street. The business of the firm is the manufacturing of masks of all descriptions and of novelties, such as the imitation joints of meat made use of by butchers for display purposes. This is a very important enterprise, requiring the work of more than forty hands, these being mainly girls, and their trade field is all over the United States and also Canada. The business is a constantly growing one and considerable capital is invested. CHARLES W. DEEDS, a representative business man of Rawson, O., where he is engaged in a general mercantile business, owns a farm of eighty acres, situated in Union Township, one and one-half miles northeast of this place, which is generally acknowledged to be one of the best managed properties in this part of Hancock County. Mr. Deeds was born on his father's farm in Eagle Township, three miles from Rawson, May 13, 1879, and is a son of Samuel and Martha Deeds. Both parents were born in Hancock County, the father in Union Township, in 1844, and the latter in HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 451 Eagle Township, and they live retired at Rawson. Charles W. Deeds attended the schools of Eagle Township and Rawson and for the past thirteen years has been in business in this town, for seven years conducting his large general store. He carries a very heavy stock of up-to-date goods, including dry goods, groceries, hats, caps and all kinds of floor coverings, and owns his business quarters, a building with dimensions of 15o by 23 feet, located on Main Street. He enjoys the best patronage of the town and of the adjacent country. Mr. Deeds was married February 28, 1904, to Miss Rosanna Foltz, a daughter of Abraham and Mary Foltz, who were well known people in Union Township. The mother of Mrs. Deeds died at Rawson in 1895, but the father survives. Mr. and Mrs. Deeds have two children : Dortha Louise and Martha Beatrice. Mr. Deeds and family belong to the United Brethren church at Rawson. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, for the past four years having been a member of Rawson Lodge No. 559, and of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 410, in which he has filled every official position and at present is grand past chancellor. JOHN HELDMAN, a retired farmer and much esteemed citizen of Jenera, O., is the owner of the old Heldman farm, which is located just north of Jenera in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, and was born there December 6, 1849, a son of Michael and Margaret (Arras) Heldman. Michael Heldman was a native of Germany and at the age of twenty-five years came to the United States and first located in Marion County, O. He was married while there to Margaret Arras, the eldest daughter of Peter Arras, and in 1835, with his wife and child, came to Hancock County, bringing one horse and wagon. He settled on a tract of eighty acres of timber land in Van Buren Township, which now forms part of the present site of Jenera, and there erected a log cabin, which is still standing. This land he cleared, placed in a state of cultivation, and later bought another tract of 120 acres, which is now owned by our subject. He died here at the age of eighty-four years and six months, and his wife died at the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of seven children, all but the eldest being born in Van Buren Township. They were members of the Lutheran church. John Heldman was born in the old log house on his father's farm, and there grew to maturity. After his marriage he engaged in farming on the home place, which he greatly improved, and was at one time the owner of 200 acres of fine farm land in Van Buren Township. That section of Jenera which is just north of the railroad, was formerly owned by our subject, who laid out his land in town lots and sold about seventy lots in all. He still manages his farm, although a resident of Jenera, where he built a fine residence about 1889. In 1888, Mr. Heldman was joined in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Rettig, a daughter of John Rettig, who resides south of Arlington, and of their union have been born the following children : Henry, Emma, Elizabeth, Carl, Katie and Wilhelmine, the last three having all died with diphtheria. Mr. Heldman is a charter member and 452 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY stockholder of the Farmers' Bank Company of Jenera, is politically a Republican, and although not a politician in any sense of the word, has served some years as town treasurer. He is a member and deacon of the Lutheran church. HENRY B. RADER, ex-county commissioner of Hancock County, O., and a prominent farmer of Pleasant Township, where he owns eighty acres of well improved land, was born in this township, one-fourth mile distant from his present farm, April 24, 1844, a son of John and Elizabeth (Wall) Rader. The Rader family was established in Hancock County by the grandfather, Henry Rader, who came in 1835 and settled near Van Buren. He was born in Pennsylvania and moved from there to Virginia and later came to Ohio and died in Allen Township, Hancock County, at the age of eighty-two years. He married Catherine Bops, in Virginia, and they had eight children : James, John, David, Adam, Isaac, Henry, Annie Stephenson and Elizabeth Murray, all of whom died in Hancock County except Isaac, Annie and Elizabeth, who died in Henry County. John Rader was a well known farmer in Pleasant Township. He married Elizabeth Wall, a daughter of Richard Wall, who came from Pennsylvania and settled in Portage Township, Hancock County, two miles east of Mr. Rader's present farm. Richard Wall died at the home of John Rader and wife. He had four children : H. B., Alice, Elizabeth and Millie, the last named being the wife of Adam Rader. All are now deceased. The following children were born to John and Elizabeth Rader : Henry B.; Richard W., who is a farmer in Portage Township, married Lucy Sebring; William, who resides at Hoystville, married Fannie Rider ; A. J., who lives in Hillsdale County, Mich., married a Miss Metz ; John M., who is a resident of Toledo, married Ida Leonard ; Millie, who married Andrew J. Rider, who is a farmer in Pleasant Township ; Alice, who is deceased, was the wife of Rev. Leonard ; and two that died young. Henry B. Rader was reared on the farm on which he was born and obtained a common school education. On November 4, 1861, he enlisted in the army, he became a member of Co. K, 65th O. Vol. Inf., enlisting at Findlay and being mustered in at Mansfield. His regiment was attached to Sherman's army and was sent from Mansfield to Louisville, Ky. His first battle was at Shiloh and from there the depleted regiment went to Corinth and after fighting there went on through Alabama back to Louisville, fighting at Crab Orchard and other points. It was at Stone River that Mr. Rader was so seriously injured that he lost his left arm and a recital of the circumstances excite in the reader of the present day sentiments of sympathy and admiration. He was wounded on the field, far from any adequate surgical attention. With the courage and self control that a man might have shown who had already learned these attributes through suffering, this boy of eighteen years walked twenty miles to reach the hospital at Nashville. There his arm was first amputated, January 5, 1862, but it had been so long neglected that a second amputation became necessary and HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 455 it was repeated ten days later. When it is remembered that surgeons operated at that time with few of the merciful anaesthetics of the present day and practically no disin-fectants, it is a subject of wonderment that Mr. Rader had the power of will to watch the operation as would a bystander, as he did. It was some time before he recovered sufficiently to leave the hospital, when he returned home and subsequently attended and later taught school, and has long been numbered with the best informed and broad minded men of this section. He is one of the oldest native born citizens of Pleasant Township and has resided on this farm which he bought in 1867. He had a large acreage to clear and as time has passed has made many excellent improvements, having substantial buildings and comfortable sur-roundings. On September 6, 1866, Mr. Rader was first married, the lady being Miss Elizabeth George, a daughter of Joseph George, a prominent farmer of this section, and the living children born to this marriage are: Franklin, who married Mary Conner, has two children, Howard and Nellie ; Nevada, who married Isaiah Metzger, of Toledo, and they have two children, Alda and Kenneth ; Ida, who married Charles Ewing, of Deweyville, O., and they have four children, Ruth, Helen, Dorothy and Teddy ; Ross, who resides at Findlay, married Grace Slaughterback and they have one child, Gerald. The mother of the above family died in 1882. Mr. Rader subsequently married his sister-in-law, Miss Sarah George, and three children were born to them : Dallas, who married Alta Barger, has one son, Elmo, and they reside in Pleasant Township; Theresa, who is the wife of Walter Otto, of Pleasant Township ; and Lena, who resides with her parents. Mr. Rader is a member and a trustee and also treasurer of the Church of God, at Deweyville. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as township assessor and as trustee and also as a county commissioner. He is identified with the John Howard Post, G. A. R., at McComb, O. J. J. SINK, who operates a farm of 160 acres located on the Houcktown Road in Jackson Township, Hancock County, O., was born August 27, 1847, in Jackson Township, this county, and is a son of John W. and Susan R. Sink, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and blacksmith and after his mar-riage came to Hancock County, O., where he and his wife both died. J. J. Sink grew to maturity in Jackson Township and received his education in the district schools. He was reared a farmer and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits, and purchased his present farm of 160 acres from the Struble heirs about five years ago. Mr. Sink is politically a Democrat and has served his township as trustee. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past forty years. In 1873 Mr. Sink married Miss Lucy A. Struble, who is a daughter of Peter and Mary (Corwin) Struble, who owned and resided on the farm now owned by our subject. Peter Struble was born in New Jersey and his wife in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sink have reared the following children : Maud M., who taught five years in the district schools of Jackson, Eagle and Liberty Townships, married Andrew Altman, a mechanic of Findlay, 456 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY O., and is the mother of two children—Blanche and Everett ; Harley, who is a graduate of the Homeopathic Medical College of Cleveland, O., and has been practicing medicine for the past six years at Columbus Grove, married Sarah Stewart and they have two children—La Verne and Beda Alta ; Ethel, who was educated at Mt. Blanchard, taught three years in Delaware and Jackson Townships, married Charles Hauman, who is at present operating a farm of 200 acres, and is the owner of a tract of eighty acres in Jackson Township, where they reside, and they have five children —Mary, Nellie, Margaret, Helen and Leonard ; and Oscar O., who has been practicing medicine at Smithfield, O., for one year, is a graduate of the Cleveland Medical College, and married Lillian Sampson, who, previous to her marriage, was a teacher. HARRY A. GLATHART, city engineer of Findlay, O., with previous experience as assistant city engineer and also as county engineer, is a man well qualified for this responsible position. He belongs to a well known family of Hancock County, of Swiss extraction. He was born at Lawrence, Kans., May 28, 1870, and is a son of Aaron J. and Amanda J. (Strothers) Glathart. The grandfather of Mr. Glathart came from Switzerland and established the family in Hancock County in 1828. Aaron J. Glathart was born in Hancock County and spent many years here and also resided in Kansas. He was an honored veteran of the Civil War. His death occurred at Findlay in 1909. His widow survives. Harry A. Glathart was reared and educated at Findlay through a part of his boyhood. He was five years old when his parents came from Lawrence, Kans., back to Ohio and until he was eleven years old the family lived at Findlay and then moved to a farm in Marion Township, six miles east of this city. He attended the country schools until he was twenty-one and then entered the Ohio State University at Columbus, and later he made a special study of civil engineering as well as electrical engineering in the Ohio Normal University at Ada. After leaving that institution he went into railroading, both steam and electric, having his headquarters at different points— Cleveland, Ohio ; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada ; Kansas City and in Old Mexico. In 1905 he returned from Canada to Findlay and on the Republican ticket ran for county engineer and was elected to that office. He served as assistant city engineer and on January I, 1910, was appointed city engineer by Mayor Graves. Mr. Glathart was married to Miss Clara A. Landon, of Wyandot County, O., and they have four children : Theron, Justin, Grace and Clifford. Mr. Glathart is affiliated fraternally with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and he belongs also to the Sons of Veterans. NICHOLAS FOX, one of Washington Township's best known citizens and most substantial men, owning farms in Sections 16, 17 and 9, aggregating 540 acres of some of the best land in Hancock County, O., was born in his father's old log house that stood on the home farm in Washington To ship, south of Fostoria, July 10, 1848. His parents were William and Catherine (Mails) Fox. William Fox was a well known pioneer of this section. He was born in Pennsylvania. It is said that he and John Hooper and James Wiseman were the three white men who rep- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 457 resented the race in this section of Ohio, coming before Hancock County was organized and long before Findlay had been laid out. They all took up land from the Government, William Fox selecting that lying along the creek in Washington Township, and each cleared his own property, doing the first clearing in all this section. They no doubt faced and overcame many hardships and all have long since passed away. William Fox left many descendants, having been married four times and he became the father of twenty-five children. His first wife died in Pennsylvania and his second marriage might have been in Fairfield County, O., where the Pennsylvania pioneers stopped for a time. Her name was Whaley and she died in Washington Township. He then married Elizabeth Jacobs and after her death, Catherine Mails. Of the children born to the last union there are two survivors : Nicholas and Milton. Nicholas Fox recalls the school house of his boyhood as a small log building with split log seats and wide fireplace. In those days farmer boys were not given a great deal of time for their books, the clearing and tilling of the soil being duties that could not be put off or avoided and Mr. Fox had a thorough training along these lines. He remained at home until he was married and then started out for himself, going into debt for his first 120 acres which was all in woods. He not only cleared that but the larger part of the rest of his land which he bought from time to time as he was able and as he saw the property was valuable. In 1871 he bought his residence farm in Section 16, from Emanuel Kimmell, and put up all the substantial buildings here and has good buildings on all his other farms, all of which are otherwise well improved. All of his land is under cultivation and all is operated by his own children. On December 30, 1868, Mr. Fox was married to Miss Mary Gilmer, a (laughter of John and Susan (Caster) Gilmer, who were Pennsylvania people, coming from Allegheny County and settling in Delaware Township, Hancock County, where Mrs. Fox was born. To this marriage twelve children were born, six of whom died young. The family record is as follows, including the surviving children and grandchildren : Edward married Bertha Crawford and they live in Washington Township and have seven children : Ralph, Elmer, Mary, Emma, Rose and Bessie, twins, and Edward. John E. married Nannie Wells, now deceased, and they had one child, Lela, who lives with her grandfather.. Mollie is the wife of S. E. Noel, of Washington Township, and they have four children : Carle, Wilbur, Mildred and Crystal. William married Etta Nusser and they live in Washington Township and have three children : Waldo, Fayma and Kenneth. Nicholas and Coral reside at home, Nicholas being the farmer of the home place. JOHN D. BARND, one of the leading agriculturists of Allen Township, Hancock County, O., resides on a farm of 135 1/2 acres near Van Buren, and was born December 11, 1844, on a farm which is part of the farm on which he now lives. He is a son of John and Sarah (Gerlinger) Barnd. John Barnd came from Perry County, O., in 1832, and settled for a short time on land in Allen Township, but subsequently located on the farm on which our subject was born. He married Sarah Gerlinger, who was born March 31, 1811, in Shenandoah County, Va., a daughter of John and Elizabeth Gerlinger. 458 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY At the age of eight years she came to Perry County, O., with her parents and was there reared and married. She was the mother of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, and died on the farm in Allen Township March 29, 1884. John and Sarah Barnd were members of the Primitive Baptist church, of which their son-in-law, Rev. J. B. Smith, was pastor. John Barnd served over thirty consecutive years as justice of the peace of Allen Township. John D. Barnd was reared in Allen Township, and has made farming his life occupation. He has resided on his present farm since 1869, having purchased in 1867 thirty-eight acres, to which he has from time to time added small tracts, and is now the owner of 135 1/2 acres of highly cultivated land, all in one tract. Mr. Barnd has made all of the improvements on his place, and is recognized as one of the substantial and successful farmers of Allen Township. Mr. Barnd was married in 1868 to Emily S. Bushong, a native of Portage Township, Hancock County, and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bowhard) Bushong, pioneers of this county, who settled here in 1833. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnd: Sarah Elizabeth, who is the wife of Franklin Daniles of Allen Township; Cloyse M., who is a resident of Allen Township; William H. ; Bertie; Arby D., who is now serving as assessor of Allen Township; George A.; Blanche B.; and John Jacob and Nellie, both of whom died in infancy. MARTIN INSLEY, one of Portage Township's most respected citizens, resides on his valuable farm of 159 acres, which lies in Section 18 and is devoted to general farming and stock raising. He was born on a farm in Seneca County, O., September 18, 1841, and is a son. of Zacharias and Esther (Sowards) Insley. The father died at McComb, in 1891, and the mother in 1897. Mr. Insley accompanied his father and family to Hancock County in 1870, the father purchasing ioo acres of the farm which now belongs to his son and continued to cultivate the land until he retired. For forty years Martin Insley has resided in Portage Township with the exception of two years which he spent in Wood County. He has always been engaged in farming and stock raising but has more or less turned his heavy responsibilities over to his son, Charles Insley, who capably continues his father's industries. In 1873, Mr. Insley was married to Miss Jane Montgomery, a daughter of George W. Montgomery, formerly a well known resident of the township and once postmaster at Portage Center. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Insley, as follows : Ferdinand, who resides with his family in Portage Township ; Charles, whose family includes twin sons, Blaine M. and Wayne A.; Nellie, who married Wesley Clark, of Portage Township, and they have three children, Ralph, Glen and Esther Mary; Lettie, who is the wife of Homer Brandebury; Bert, who married Freda Langhorst ; Wilbur, who married Carrie Gorrell ; Ola and Nola, twins; and Esther. Mr. Insley and family are members of the Portage Chapel Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a trustee. In politics he is a Republican. .At times he has served as a school director, the Archer school in District No. 3 being situated on HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 459 his farm. He has resided on this place since 1896, coming here from another farm in Portage Township, situated two miles southeast of his present property. WILLIAM G. HIRSCHER, proprietor of the Hirscher Cement Blocks Company, manufacturers of cement blocks and of ornamental cement work of all kinds. is one of Findlay's progressive business men and has been a resident of Findlay, O., all his life, born here September 18, 1874. His parents were Martin and Elizabeth (Enz) Hirscher. Martin Hirscher and wife were both born in Germany. They were married at Bellefontaine, O., and in 1856 came to Findlay. He was a potter by trade and operated a pottery here and later acquired a stone quarry and while in the stone business began the manufacturing of cement blocks. He continued in this line until his death, which occurred in October, 1893. His widow continued the business until 1894, when William G. Hirscher took charge. He has been established in his present quarters since January, 1909. There is no doubt but that Mr. Hirscher is engaged in a business that seems to have a great future and there are those who predict that cement blocks will sometime supersede all other kinds of material for building purposes. At present he finds it necessary to have the help of three first class workmen, and he has completed a number of important contracts. Mr. Hirscher married Miss Louisa Wagner, who was born at Findlay and is a daughter of Ludwig Wagner, and they have two children : Catherine and Helen. Mr. Hirscher is a member of the order of Odd Fellows. J. H. VARNUM, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon in Hancock County, O., who has a well established practice at Benton Ridge, was born at Butler, Butler County, .Pa., March Jo, 1869, and is a son of E. L. and Elvina (McJunkin) Varnum, both of whom are deceased. Dr. Varnum attended the public schools and later an academy at Prospect, Pa., after which he read medicine with a local practitioner and then entered the Medical Department of the Western Reserve University, Cleveland, O. He located first at Belmore, in Putnam County, but two years later came to Benton Ridge and has remained here ever since, identifying himself with the various interests of the place and yearly adding both personal and professional friends to his circle of acquaintance. In 1893, Dr. Varnum was married to Miss Lulu M. Cherry, a daughter of Robert N. Cherry, of Benton Ridge, and they have one son, Robert O. Dr. and Mrs. Varnum attend the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican but his interest in public matters is merely that of good citizenship. He belongs to the Hancock County, the Ohio State and the American Medical Associations. P. J. GRESSLY, whose finely improved farm of 280 acres lies in Sections 5 and 6, Union Township, Hancock County, O., is a native of Union Township, born in 1879, and is a son of Jacob and Martha I. (West) Gressly. Jacob Gressly was born in Pickaway County, 460 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY O., and was only four years old when he accompanied his parents to Hancock County and they were pioneers in Union Township, settling on a farm just south of the one above mentioned. Grandfather Henry Gressly died in Hancock County. Jacob Gressly followed farming all his active life, becoming one of the largest land owners in Hancock County. His standing as a citizen was high and he served as trustee of Union Township. He died at Findlay, O., August 25, 1909, at the age of sixty-five years. He married Martha I. \Vest, who was born in Hancock County in 1845, a daughter of John and Catherine West. She resides in Union Township. P. J. Gressly attended the country schools through boyhood and ever since has been interested in farm pursuits and is numbered with the most progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Union Township. His crops and cattle, together with his buildings and general surroundings indicate thrift, care and prosperity. In 1908 he erected a barn which is fitted up with all modern improvements, one of the best in the township. Mr. Gressly was married October 21, 1903, to Miss Grace Baldwin, who was born, reared and educated in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, and is a daughter of Allen and Mary Ann Baldwin, the former of whom died May 9, 1893. Mrs. Baldwin survives and resides at Benton Ridge, O. Mr. and Mrs. Gressly are members of the Church of God, in Union Township, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-school. DANIEL SHOOP, one of the representative citizens of Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., owns 104 acres of valuable land, on which he carries on general farming. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., November 12, 1840, and is a son of Jonas and Nancy (Goss) Shoop. The parents of Mr. Shoop moved to Hancock County in 1842 and settled in Portage Township where the father purchased a farm of forty acres. There both parents died, the father being aged seventy-three years and the mother seventy-one years. There were five children, Daniel being the youngest born. The others Were: Joseph, who went to California during the gold excitement and died there; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Deitzman, lived in Michigan where both died; Annie, who married Henry Miller, is deceased, as is also her husband; and Jonas, who died in 1865, while serving in the Civil War. He went out from Portage Township and never married. Daniel Shoop grew to manhood in Portage Township and worked for his father on the farm until he was master of his own time. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at the same for eighteen years. His instructor was Jacob Slupe, a well known citizen of this county. Mr. Shoop assisted in the building of houses and barns all through this section and worked when the lumber was all dressed by hand. There are a number of residences standing in McComb that Mr. Shoop helped to lay out, build and superintend and their stability proves his skill and honest work. As he acquired capital, for Mr. Shoop is a self made man and has earned every dollar he owns by his individual effort, he invested in land, his first purchase being forty acres in Portage Township which he sold when he moved to his present farm in Pleasant Township, in 1901. He has all but six acres under cultivation. When he first came here he began to drain his HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 463 land as had the older settlers, with pole and timber drains, but was one of the first to put down tile in the county. He can remember when the landscape presented a very different appearance than at present and when he was a boy heavy timber covered the greater part of the county and so much of it was under water that the name of the Black Swamp was given to miles and miles of what is now the most fertile land in this whole section. He has lived in Hancock County for sixty-eight years and enjoys the reputation of being one of its best and most reliable citizens. In all his business dealings he has been honest and straightforward and on any question there is never any doubt where he stands. This sincerity has brought him the confidence of his fellow citizens. In 1868, Mr. Shoop was married to Miss Emma Miller, of Portage Township and two children were born to them : Joseph Edwin and Martha. Joseph Edwin resides in Portage Township. He married Millie Shanninghouse and they have five children : William, Dorothy, Harry, Lois and Clara. Martha is the wife of Aaron Collingwood, of Liberty Township, and they have one living child, Harry Collingwood. Mr. Shoop's first wife died April 29, 1887. In 1898 he was married to Miss Phebe Insley, a daughter of Zacharias Insley. They attend the Lutheran church. CHARLES H. SHULER, a representative business man of McComb, O., where he has resided for the past twelve years, has large grain and elevator interests in Pleasant Township and as a business man is known all over Hancock County. He was born on West Crawford Street, Findlay, O., August 17, 1866, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Shuler. Henry Shuler was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., August Do, 1823, and died September 13, 1900. He came first to Hancock County in 1853. He was a miller by trade and for some years lived at different points beside Findlay, but later moved on the Judge Cary farm, near Findlay and in 1883 purchased eighty acres of it, then forty, and later another forty, making 160 acres in all, and resided continuously on it from 1884. The work of clearing, ditching and improving has been done by his sons, the land at the time of purchase being practically entirely unimproved, there being no fences on the land and no buildings with the exception of a small saw mill. Henry Shuler was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Funck, a daughter of Abraham Funck, and the following children were born to them : Josiah, who lives at Swanton, O. ; Mary, who is the wife of Pulaski Harmon, lives in Putnam County; Sylvanus Webb, who lives at Findlay; Tillman Abraham, who is a miller, lives at Norwich, Kan. ; Emeline, who is deceased, was the wife of Jasper Walters; and William Wood, who is an attorney at law and is also a successful business man, resides at Oklahoma City, Okla. The second marriage of Henry Shuler was to Elizabeth Cunningham, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of William Cunningham. She is also deceased. The children of this marriage were as follows : Isaac T., who resides on the farm in Pleasant Township ; Alice M., who is the wife of Benjamin Dice, of Pleasant Township; Charles Henry ; John F., who is a farmer; Daniel C., who is in the grain business; Susan, who is the wife of Paul Vance, now of East Chicago, Ill., formerly of Toledo, O. ; and Freddie, deceased, who was a twin brother of 464 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Susan. The parents were members of the Church of God. Charles H. Shuler attended the public schools of Findlay and started his business life as a worker in the oil fields. For the past eighteen years he has been in the grain business and has made a success of it. In the spring of 1903, he built his elevator on the Shuler farm and there handles about 125,000 bushels of grain annually. He is considered an exceptional business man. On December 30, 1891, Mr. Shuler was married to Miss Delphia Strouse, a daughter of Peter Strouse, of Pleasant Township, and they have had six children: Harvey Earl, who is deceased ; Ina Pearl, an attractive school girl of fifteen years ; Arthur Dales, who is a bright youth of thirteen years ; Nellie Ruth, who is aged eleven; Charles Ernest, who is eight years old ; and Ralph Eugene, who has passed his sixth birthday. Educational and social advantages await them and they give promise of becoming worthy successors of their parents. In politics Mr. Shuler is a Republican as was his father. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian church. ALFRED W. BALSLEY, M. D., physician and surgeon, with offices in the Rawson Block on South Main Street, Findlay, O., has been established in practice here since 1899 and has been a resident of Hancock County since he was four years old. He was born at Fremont, O., November 14, 1872, and is a son of Alfred and Lucy (Wickham) Balsley. For many years the father of Dr. Balsley was prominent in journalistic circles in Ohio and at one time conducted a number of newspapers in the smaller towns of this section of the state and was also identified with the Journal at Fremont as editor and proprietor. In 1880 he founded the Jeffersonian, which was the pioneer daily paper of Findlay. He was also a factor in Republican politics and under the administration of President Grant, served as postmaster at Plymouth, O. He located at Findlay in 1876 and his death occurred here in 1904. His widow survives. Alfred W. Balsley was reared at Findlay and in 1892 he was graduated from the Findlay High School. His father owned a tract of twenty acres, one-half of which lay within the city limits and the other half outside, and during his youth he spent some of his time on the farm and also became well acquainted with the work in the printing office. In the meanwhile he was making preparations to enter medical college and in the fall of 1894 he became a student in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated with the class of 1899, immediately afterward locating at Findlay. His early preceptor at Findlay was Dr. J. C. Tritch. Dr. Balsley enjoys a generous amount of practice among people who have known him almost all his life and not only have confidence in him professionally but also esteem him personally. He resides on Balsley Avenue, the beautiful avenue having been named in honor of his father. He is a Knight of Pythias and a Mason, belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur and also to the American Insurance Union and is examiner and cashier of the last named body. In politics he is a Republican and in 1902, under Governor Nash, he was elected county coroner of Hancok County and was elected to a second term. He keeps in close touch with all developments in medical science and is a member of the Hancock County, the Ohio State and the National Medical Societies. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 465 On June 8, 1910, Dr. Balsley married Miss Gertrude E. Alge, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Alge, residents of Findlay. LEMUEL C. ILER, a well known citizen of Marion Township, Hancock County, O., owning a valuable farm of 120 acres, situated in Section 28, devotes it largely to dairy purposes. Mr. Iler was born on this farm, September 19, 1872, and has practically spent all his life here. His parents were Jackson and Abigail T. (Hallowell) Iler. Jackson Iler was also born on this farm, a son of Jacob and Mary (McClain) Iler, the former of whom was born in Pickaway County. Jacob Iler, father of Jacob, was the one who entered the land and it has never been out of the family name. Both Jacob Iler and his son Jacob died in the log cabin that was first built when the forest covered all this land. To Grandfather Jacob Iler the following children were born : Jackson, Jacob, Mary Ann, Susan, Catherine, Louisa and Lewis. Jackson Iler was also born in the old log house and his life was spent in the cultivation and improvement of this farm. He married Abigail T. Hallowell, a (laughter of Charles and Mary Hallowell. His death occurred of paralysis when aged sixty-two years. They had two children : Lemuel Conrad and an infant. Lemuel C. Iler was educated in the district schools and at Findlay College and then taught school for twelve years very successfully and during that time made many friends who have continued such to the present day. At the death of his father he came into possession of the farm which is now known as Brookdale, and since 1908 he has been in the dairy business, on a moderate scale and operates a milk route to Findlay. On June 17, 1896, Mr. Iler was married to Miss Frances H. Roth, a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Rowe) Roth, and they have four children : Homer, Fred, Harry and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Iler are members of the United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee and for seven years he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Republican and for four years has been township clerk. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Foresters, both at Findlay. ELMER HILTY, county surveyor of Hancock County, O., and a graduated engineer, was elected to this important public office on the Democratic ticket and assumed the duties of the same on September 6, 1909. He was born in Orange Township, Hancock County, O., March 16, 1880, and is a son of John and Mary (Thut) Hilty, who still reside in Orange Township. Elmer Hilty was reared on the home place and attended the country schools. Finding himself ambitious for another career than that of farmer, he set about preparing for securing a technical education. After teaching school for six years he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and was graduated in the class of 1904, having given his attention to the scientific and engineering courses. In the same year he was appointed deputy county surveyor and served as such until 1906, under County Surveyor Bolton, and from then until 1909 he was engaged in railroad work. His ability is recognized and seemingly his future professional success is assured. Mr. Hilty married Miss Gertrude Linn, a daughter of Henry Linn and they have one child, Mary Catherine. 466 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY WESLEY CLARK, who resides upon his valuable farm of eighty-seven and one-half acres of land situated in Section 19 and 30, Portage Township, Hancock County, O., was born on a farm in Liberty Township, November 27, 1873, and is a son of Charles and Rosa (Hart) Clark. Charles Clark was brought to Liberty Township, Hancock County, in boyhood. His father was Daniel Clark, one of the early settlers. Charles Clark and wife reside in Liberty Township, where he owns two valuable farms, and owns also a farm in Pleasant Township and another large farm which is situated in Putnam County. He married a sister of John and Isaac Hart, both of whom are leading men of this section. Wesley Clark was reared in Liberty Township and, with the exception of three years during which Ile worked in the oil fields, he has always been a farmer. He came to his present farm in April, 1898, and immediately began to make improvements which include the building- of a barn and other structures and the rebuilding of the farm-house. He carries on a general farm-ing line and is one of the representative agriculturists of the township. Mr. Clark was married March 17, 1898, to Miss Nellie Insley, a daughter of Martin Insley, and they have three children: Ralph, Glen and Esther May. Mr. Clark is a member of the order of Maccabees at McComb. SAMUEL S. PLETCHER, who is engaged in agticultural pursuits on a farm of eighty acres, located in Section 5, Allen Township, has been a resident of this neighborhood since the fall of 1900, and was born January 26, 1855, on a farm in Bloom Township, Wood County, O., and is a son of Christopher and Margaret (Hunsicker) Pletcher. Christopher Pletcher and wife were both born and reared in Pennsylvania, but were married in Wood County, O. He followed farming until the latter part of his life, and at the time of his death was engaged in run-ning- an ashery at Van Buren, O. His widow subsequently married John Fox, who for many years was janitor of the college at Findlay, O. She purchased a farm near North Baltimore. In 1905, when returning from the church at North Baltimore she was killed by a B. & O. train. Samuel S. Pletcher was about twelve years old at the time of his father's death, after which he went to work for old Johnny Ho, who lived near the Ten Mile church in Pleasant Township. Three years later he went to work for Mrs. Hannah Kagy, with whom he remained about three years and then worked out by the month until the time of his marriage. He began house-keeping. on the John Hudson farm in Allen Township and about eighteen months later purchased a house and lot in Van Buren, O., where he resided one year. He then sold his property and for two years rented and farmed the Trout farm, in Allen Township, after which he rented his mother's farm of ninety-six acres, which was located one mile south of McComb. Eighteen months later his mother sold the farm, and he rented his brother's farm, which was three miles east of Belmore, for two years. He bought a house and several acres of land at Republic, Seneca County, O., and after HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 467 farming that one year or more, removed to Bairdstown, Wood County, where he ran a meat market for two years, when he disposed of it, and for eight years rented the Adams farm of 240 acres in Bloom Township, Wood County. In 1900 he located on his present farm, which he had bought the year before, and has since carried on general farming here. He has greatly improved the place, remodeled the house, done considerable tiling, and otherwise made his property more valuable. In 1877, Mr. Pletcher was united in marriage with Emma J. Drew, a daughter of Horace Drew, who is a veteran of the Civil War, and resides with our subject. Four children were reared by Mr. and Mrs. Pletcher : Horace Franklin, who died in June, 1906, left a widow, Sadie (Barnd) Pletcher, and two children, May and Samuel, the latter of whom has been adopted by our subject and wife ; Henry Irwin, a barber, of Van Buren, O., married Edith Hedge and has two children, Horessa and Emmeline Irvina ; Callie, and Horessa. They belong to the United Brethren church of Van Buren. COLLIN D. HAYWARD, dealer in lumber and coal, with business quarters on Crystal Street, Findlay, O., is a thoroughly representative citizen and is serving in his second term on the city council. He was born at Kellysville, Ashtabula County. O., in 1859, and is a son of Samuel Hayward. The father of Mr. Hayward was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1826. In manhood he located at Conneaut, Ashtabula County, O., where he engaged in the banking business and became a prominent figure in politics, serving in the state legislature. He died in 1885, at the age of fifty-nine years. Collin D. Hayward was reared and educated at Conneaut. When twenty years of age he went to Chicago and for two years was with the great mercantile house of Marshall Field & Co. In 1885 he came to Findlay and has resided here ever since and has identified himself with the leading interests of this section. In addition to his lumber and coal enterprise he is vice president of the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company, which is the largest independent manufacturing concern at Findlay, makers of the famous Buckeye Traction Ditcher, the demand for which is world-wide. At present his company gives employment to about 200 men and when contemplated additions to the plant are finished, there will be 400 men employed. It is in a very prosperous condition, its business outlook being favorable in every way. Mr. Hayward was married in 1907 to Miss Clara M. Coburn, who was born at Bradford, Pa., but has been a resident of Findlay since 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Hayward have one child, Rachel. In politics he is a Republican and on that ticket was elected councilman-at-large and has been a useful and effective official. He is identified with the Elks. REV. T. R. STEINER, one of Union Township's most esteemed citizens, is a minister in the Church of God and has been a member in the same since he was fourteen years of age. He resides on his valuable farm of 100 acres, which is situated in Section 7, Union Township, Hancock 468 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY County, O. He was born in Riley Township, Putnam County, O., December 1, 1858, and is a son of Rev. I. and Mary P. (Rothen) Steiner. The father was born in Wayne County, O., and was a preacher and farmer. T. R. Steiner obtained his early education in the schools of Riley Township and later, between 1876 and 1882, attended at irregular intervals as his other duties permitted, the sessions of the Ada Normal School. He taught six winter terms of school in Riley Township and in Richland Township, in Allen County, and proved his ability as an instructor. He has always been interested in educational matters and in 1909 was elected president of the school board of Union Township. In 1907 he was ordained a minister in the Church of God, in which he had been an elder for many years, and he has charge of a congregation near Convoy, O. Following his marriage he settled on his present farm which lies three and one-half miles north and two and one-half miles west of Mt. Cory. This is a very valuable property, being improved in every way, excellent fencing, perfect tiling and modern attractive buildings. General farming is carried on and the place is well stocked. Mr. Steiner was married December 18, 1884, to Miss Mary S. Green, whose parents were well known people in this section. Five children make up the family, namely : Raymond W., who attended Findlay College for six years ; Otto B., who attended the same institution for three years ; and Lloyd G., Ralph and Herold, all living at home. Mr. Steiner has never taken an active part in politics but he is a good- citizen and served very acceptably as township trustee from 1903 to 1905. A. H. GOOD, general manager and half owner of the Risser & Good grain elevator, at Jenera, O., is also cashier of the Farmers' Bank Company and is one of the most enterprising business men of this thriving little city. He was born July 14, 1864, in Putnam County, O., and is a son of Ashford and Catherine (Dicus) Good, the former a native of Franklin County, O., and the latter of Champaign County. The father died when our subject was less than one. year old and the mother resides on the old home farm in Putnam County, O. She is the mother of five children, all of whom are still living. A. H. Good was reared and educated in Putnam County, and remained on the home farm until thirty years of age, then located ten miles west of Columbus Grove. In 1900 he came to. Jenera, where he formed a partnership with Mr. Risser and purchased the present Risser & Good grain elevator, which they have operated continuously and successfully since that time. On November I 1, 1902, he organized the Farmers' Bank, a private bank of Jenera, with four stockholders, and the following officers were elected : 'John Von Stein, president ; John Heldman, first vice president ; A. J. Grossman, second vice president, and A. H.. Good, our subject, cashier. They erected the present bank building in 1905, and in January, 1909, incorporated as the Farmers' Bank Company with a capital stock of $25,000 with eleven stockholders, which have since been decreased to ten. Mr. Good, with three others, is also interested HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 471 in a Texas ranch and rice field of 1,240 acres. Mr. Good is a man of public spirit and enterprise and is recognized as one of the most progressive and substantial business men of Jenera, O. Mr. Good was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Brenner, who is a daughter of ex-Senator Simon Brenner, of Dayton, O. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Good. J. W. H. BEACH, M. D., who has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Arlington, O., since April, 1898, was born in Crawford County, O., December 6, 1872, and is a son of Frederick and Martha (Feick) Beach. Reinhart Beach, grandfather of Dr. Beach, was a native of Germany, and came to Crawford County, O., at an early period where he entered a tract of 160 acres of farm land from the Government in Vernon Township. There he spent the remainder of his life and died in 1885. Frederick Beach, father of subject, was born November 7, 1837, in Crawford County, O., where he has always lived and where he follows farming. J. W. H. Beach was reared in Vernon Township, Crawford County, O., and after completing the elementary course in the common schools, attended the High School of Crestline, O., for three years. In 1891 and 1892 he took a general course of study in the Normal School at Crestline, and in 1895 entered the Medical College at Fort Wayne, Ind., now known as the Purdue University, and on March 14, 1898, received a diploma for the practice of medicine. Dr. Beach came to Arlington, O., on April 27, 1898, and has since been located here in the practice of his profession. On April 25, 1900, Dr. Beach was joined in marriage with Miss Florence N. Reigle, who was born September 11, 1876, at Arlington, where she was reared, and is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Reigle. Her father was one of the best known stock buyers in Northwestern Ohio and died at his home near Arlington at the age of seventy years, three months and twenty-three days. One child, who died at the age of ten days, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Beach. Dr. Beach is a member of the German Reform church, and Mrs. Beach holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church of Arlington. EPHRAIM M. WARFEL, proprietor of the jewelry store located at No. 208 South Main Street, Findlay, O., has been established in business in this city since 1894 and enjoys a liberal amount of patronage on account of the reliable goods he carries and his honorable methods of disposing of them. He was born in one of the small villages of Lancaster County, Pa., January 30, 1843, and is a son of Abraham M. and Fannie (Maynard) Warfel. When six years old, the mother of Mr. Warfel died and he was reared under the care of a step-mother. She saw that he attended school during some years of boyhood and he continued to work on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he learned the flour mill business. For three years he worked in a flour-mill in his native county and then was employed at Knoxville, Ill., working in a mill at first in which he later bought a half interest, this being called the City Mill. After a residence of eleven years at Knoxville he sold his interests and moved to Galesburg, Ill., 472 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY and was employed three years in a mill at that point and then leased a mill at Rush-ville and worked there as a mechanical en-gineer, and came from there to Findlay and embarked in his present line of business. Mr. Warfel was married (first) in Lancaster County, Pa., to Miss Eliza Dritch, who died in 1893. They had three children : Elmer E., who lives at Pasadena, Calif.; Lizzie, who is deceased, was the wife of Frank Black ; and Harvey Clyde, who learned the watchmaking trade at Rushville and is associated with his father. Mr. Warfel was married (second) to Mrs. Elizabeth M. Knapp, a native of Vermont. She was the widow of Dr. Frank Knapp, formerly of Findlay. They are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Warfel is a class leader and is also president of its board of trustees. SAMUEL M. BIBLER, whose well im-proved farm of forty acres is situated in Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., is a rep-resentative agriculturist of this section in which he has made his home for many years. He was born in Fairfield County, O. The parents of Mr. Bibler were also natives of Fairfield County and the father died there. The mother died at the home of her son Samuel B., in June, 1908, aged eighty-four years. They had five children to die in infancy and those who survive are: William, who lives in Pleasant Township, northwest of McComb; Frank, who is a farmer in Jackson Township; Clinton, who is a resident of Findlay; Etta, who is the wife of John Wright, of Fairfield County; and Samuel M. Samuel M. Bibler came to Hancock County in 1875 and his first employer was Charles Thomas, whose farm was situated one and one-half miles east of Findlay, and with him he re-mained for eight months, then worked for the same period for Alfred Wilkes and for eighteen months for W. B. Miller. In 1884 he was married and for two years afterward lived on Mr. Miller's farm and operated it. In April, 1889, together with his father-in-law he purchased the John King farm and since April, 1890, has been located on his present farm in Pleasant Township. Here he replaced both the house and barn and has made many other im-provements. General farming and moderate stock raising have been the industries which have claimed his attention for the past twenty-one years. Mr. Bibler was married on November 13, 1884, to Miss Louie Baker, a daughter of Aaron Baker, of Findlay Township, Hancock County, and they have three daughters : Maud; Hazel, who is the wife of Cecil King, a resident of Pleasant Township and they have had two children—Dorothy Caroline and Lucile, the latter deceased; and Ethel, who is a school girl of twelve years. Mr. Bibler and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church at McComb. In politics he is nominally a Democrat but usually exercises his own good judgment in casting his vote, demanding that candidates shall be well qualified for the offices they seek and able to show an honorable past record. JOHN HART, who is one of the three members making up that civic body, the Board of Review, of Findlay-, O., came to this city from his farm, in the fall of 1894. He was born on a farm in Portage Township, Hancock County, O., in an old pioneer log house, March 7, 1843, and is a son of Abraham and Christina (Lynn) Hart. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 473 Abraham Hart was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Maryland. They were married in Ashland County, O., and in 1841 came to Hancock County and settled on a wilderness farm in Portage Township. He had to chop a clearing on which to erect his cabin but he lived to not only see his whole 160 acres cleared but also cultivated and improved. Abraham Hart was born June 8, 1815, and he died September 29, 1885, surviving his wife, who was born in 1809, for two years. They had a large family, six of whom reached maturity and four are yet living. Elizabeth became the wife of Abraham Bayles. She was born January 28, 1840, and died November 4, 1869. John was the second of the family. Isaac, who was born June 13, 1845, survives. Lucinda, who was born December 31, 1847, became the wife of Benjamin Huntwork, and after his death married John Dishong, who is also deceased. She died November 7, 1895. Rosanna, who was born December 15, 1850, became the wife of Charles Clark. Sarah Ann, who was a twin sister of Rosanna, became the wife of William Moorehead. John Hart grew to manhood on the home farm and attended the country schools. The opening of the Civil War found him ready to offer his services but .he was not able to arrange to go before August, 1862, being not quite nineteen years of age, when he enlisted in Co. F, 21st O. Vol. Inf., his first period covering one year. In April, 1864, he enlisted again, entering Co. G, 133rd O. Vol. Inf., and served 100 days. Mr. Hart was fortunate enough to escape all injuries, although often in danger, and returned home safely. On October 1, 1868, Mr. Hart was married to Miss Eliza J. Taylor, a daughter of Washington Taylor, of Hancock County, and they have three children: Charles Austin, who is married and lives at Findlay; and Violet Olive and Eva Belle. Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hart moved to his farm in Liberty Township and went to housekeeping in a log house, which, in the course of time gave way to a commodious brick residence, two stories in height, the building of which cost Mr. Hart $4,000. He made many other fine improvements, put the entire eighty-four acres under a fine state of cultivation and there carried on farming and sheep raising. He still owns the farm and has fourteen light-producing oil wells on the property. With his wife he owns the handsome family residence at No. 506 North Main Street, Findlay, together with a house and lot on North Cory Street. Both in Liberty Township and in Findlay he has been an active and useful citizen. In the former he served twenty-one years as township trustee and resigned the office when he came to this city, where he has been a member of the city council and is serving in his second term on the Board of Review, his associates being P. B. Arnold and David L. Grable. He is one of the representative men of Hancock County. E. W. BURKET, who is owner and proprietor of the largest grocery store at Rawson, O., where he is one of the leading and representative citizens, was born in Union Township, Hancock County, O., October 27, 1867, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Walter) Burket. Jacob Burket was also born in Union Township and now lives retired at Rawson. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the entire period of active life. He married Elizabeth Walter, who was born in Blanchard 474 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Township and has spent her whole life in Hancock County. E. W. Burket was mainly educated in the Rawson schools and from being a pupil he became a teacher and a very acceptable one. He taught four terms at Seton, Ill., and one term in District No. 1, in Union Township, Hancock County. In the fall of 1891 he started into business at Rawson, invested largely in property and became an active and enterprising citizen. He is a Democrat in politics and in 1906 was elected mayor of the town and was reelected in 1908. In 1898 he was elected a justice of the peace and for the past ten years has been a notary public. Mr. Burket has carried on his business at Rawson for the past nineteen years. He owns one of the largest business blocks in the town, the property which he occupies himself and also seventeen acres of land lying on the corporation lines of Rawson. In addition to dealing in groceries, he handles hardware. On January 21, 1891, Mr. Burket was married to Miss Alpha M. Werts, of Sunbeam, Ill., a daughter of George W. and Mary (Decker) Werts, natives of Zanesville, O. The mother of Mrs. Burket died at Aledo, Ill., in February, 1906, and the father still resides at Aledo. Mr. and Mrs. Burket have three children : Firm C., Ruth M., and Leslie V. Mr. Burket and family belong to the United Brethren church at Rawson, with which he has been identified for ten years. For twenty years he has belonged to Lodge No. 410, Knights of Pythias at Rawson, in which he has filled every office. CHARLES KILGOUR, chief engineer of the Toledo, Bowling Green & Southern Traction Company, who also operate the street railway system of Findlay and the Findlay- Mortimer Line, has been identified with this concern since 1905 and has been a resident of Findlay since that date. Charles Kilgour was born in Cincinnati, O., and obtained his education in the schools of that city and in eastern institutions. Mr. Kilgour is a practical electrician and has been associated with various traction and electric light concerns since 1889, commencing his career in that line of business with the old Thompson-Houston Company of Lynn, Mass. This company later consolidated with the Edison Company, the consolidated firm being known as the General Electric Company of Schenectady, N. Y., with whom our subject was later employed on the road, installing machines in various parts of the country. Mr. Kilgour came to Findlay in 1905 and since that time has had charge of the engineering department of the Toledo, Bowling Green and Southern Traction Company, whose main offices are located in Cincinnati, O. Besides their other railway interests the company also operate the electric light plant and hot water heating systems of Findlay. Mr. Kilgour was united in marriage with Miss Lucile Dolly. He is fraternally a Mason and a member of the B. P. O. E. JOHN WORTMAN, one of the best known and most respected citizens of Blanchard Township, Hancock County, O., who, in association with his son, E. C. Wortman, is equal owner of a farm of 160 acres, was born September 10, 1825, in Lawrence County, Pa. Mr. Wortman came to Hancock County, O., in 1857 and settled in Blanchard Township on the farm on which he now lives. When he purchased his land it was almost a wilderness and it required many years of diligent attention and hard work to clear and improve it.