HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 475 He has been satisfied to devote it to general farming and stock raising and has never made any tests for oil or gas. He still has thirty acres in timber. Mr. Wortman was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Julia Dilworth, a daughter of Robert and Katherine Dilworth, of Lawrence County, Pa. She died in 1896 and her burial was at McComb, O. She was a most estimable lady, a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, a good neighbor and a faithful and tender wife and mother. She has one surviving sister, Miss Angie E. Dilworth, who taught twenty-five terms of school in Hancock County and is very highly thought of. To Mr. and Mrs. Wortman three children were born : Mary Ellen, E. C., and Florence E. Mary Ellen died at the age of sixteen years. E. C., who is half owner of the home farm, is a prominent citizen of the township of which he has served as supervisor. He devotes himself to farm pursuits and taught school for four winters in Blanchard Township. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company of McComb. He is unmarried. Florence E. married M. J. Fenstermaker and they live in Putnam County, and have one child, Hazel Glenn. John Wortman has been identified with the Republican party since its formation and in earlier years took an active part in public affairs. In 1880 he was elected land appraiser of the township, served several terms as township trustee and also as justice of the peace. He has contributed liberally to the support of the Presbyterian church at McComb, in which he is an elder. GEORGE J. HORN, architect and builder, who has been engaged in business at Findlay, O., since 1885, has been a resident of Hancock County during his entire life. He was born on a farm in Cass Township, March 4, 1859, and is a son of John B. Horn. John B. Horn was born in Germany, a son of Dr. John Jacob Horn, who was a very prominent physician at Findlay. John B. Horn was seven years old when his parents came to America and to Findlay in 1848. He was a farmer in Cass Township until 1860, when he moved to Findlay, where he was a carpenter and contractor. George J. Horn attended the old Union school on Sandusky Street, Findlay, and, as a boy, showed remarkable talent for drawing and took more interest in designing than in any other study. He made his own drawing board, triangle and T-square and during the time he worked as a carpenter, displayed unusual exactitude in his measurements, these details coming to him naturally and easily. It has always been a matter of personal regret with Mr. Horn that at the beginning of his work as an architect he could not see his way clear to attend any technical school, but there are many in the profession at Findlay who did enjoy such advantages, who gladly avail themselves of Mr. Horn's natural talents when they have a difficult piece of work. He started out as an architect, with his self-acquired knowledge, in 1885, just in time to take advantage of the business "boom" that visited Findlay and continued through 1887, 1888, 1889 and 189o. During 1887 he designed and built over twenty business blocks in the city of Findlay alone. Subsequent years have also been busy ones and want of space makes it impossible to call attention to all of the fine work done by Mr. Horn, but these notable examples may be given : T. B. G. & S. T. Co. Power Station, General Offices and Car Barns; D. Kirk & Sons Co., 476 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY wholesale grocery house; Rawson Block, in which Mr. Horn has his offices; Gray & Patterson Block; First National Bank (rebuilt) ; Fair Company Grand Stand and Training Stables; Buckeye National Bank (rebuilt) ; Electric Construction & Motor Co. Garage; and the rebuilding of the handsome residences of J. C. Donnell and William M. Tait. Mr. Horn combines architectural beauty with solid and practical construction in a way that is admirable from every standpoint. Mr. Horn was married to Miss Etta B. Dickson, of Kenton, O., who died May 25, 1909, leaving one daughter, Georgetta, who resides with her father. Mr. Horn has always been an active and interested citizen. In 1908 he was made a member of the oard of Public Service at Findlay and served two years. During this time, in a public spirited way, he endeavored to interest his fellow citizens in the project of appropriating a certain sum of money to be used for the erection of a memorial building to mark the site of old Fort Findlay, around which so much of the early history of the city centers. With this idea in view, he prepared a beautiful design, which, if eventually accepted, will be not only creditable to the city but will be but another proof of Mr. Horn's artistic skill. Mr. Horn is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. EDWIN RUTHVEN HAY, who owns a valuable farm of 159 acres, situated in Section 30, Marion Township, Hancock County, O., is one of the leading and substantial citizens of this county and one of the largest tax payers of the township. He was born in the old log house then standing on his father's farm in Fairfield County, O., March 13, 1831, and is a son of Peter and Christina (Platter) Hay. Peter Hay was born in Berks County, Pa., the youngest son of Adam and Mary Hay, who were natives of Germany, and died in Fairfield County. There Peter grew to manhood and died on the old home farm October 28, 1852, having purchased the interests of all the other heirs. He followed farming and stock raising. He married Christiana Platter, who was born at Maysville, Ky., a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Crabbs) Platter, who came from Germany. She survived her husband several years, dying in June, 1858, aged sixty-one years. Ten children were born to Peter Hay and his wife, namely : Joseph and Jonathan, both of whom are deceased; Margaret, who was the wife of N. Schley, both now deceased; Peter, who is deceased; Edwin Ruthven; Edward, who is deceased; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Schley; Zelda Ann, who died young; Meander, who resides in Fairfield County; and one that died in infancy. Edwin R. Hay attended the district schools and also an academy at South Salem, in Ross County, after which he taught school for two winters in Fairfield County and proved very acceptable as a teacher. He followed farming in the summers up to 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War then in progress, entering Co. C, 61st O. Vol. Inf., of which he was first sergeant-major and later second lieutenant, and held that rank in his company during the memorable second battle of Bull Run. After his military service was over he returned to Fairfield County and HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 479 resumed farming and came from there to Hancock County in 1869. On December 2, 1869, Mr. Hay was married to Miss Angelicie Frisbie, a daughter of Amos Frisbie. She died June 12, 1879, leaving two children, Abigail and Charles. Abigail married Dr. F. B. Entrikin, now deceased, a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College and formerly a practitioner at Findlay. Two children survive him : Edwin Wayne and Lorain, both of whom live with Mr. Hay. Charles Hay lives also on the homestead and is his father's farmer. This place is the old Frisbie farm and the improvements which Mr. Hay has put here have made it one of the most valuable in the township. The residence is a handsome ten-room structure and it is surrounded by beautiful grounds which make it attractive. Mr. Hay has never cared for political office but he has always been an interested citizen and casts his vote with the Democratic party. ERNEST E. URBAN, owner of 322 acres of rich farm land, situated in Union Township, Hancock County, O., has resided for twenty years on his farm of 122 acres located in Section 35, 160 acres being in Section 26, while in Section 34 lie the other forty acres. He was born in Findlay Township, Hancock County, October 10, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Barbara (Haines) Urban. The parents of Mr. Urban were born in Saxony, Germany, and they came to America and settled in Findlay Township, Hancock County, O., in 1838, where the mother died in 1883 and the father in 1887. He was a successful farmer and a respected citizen. Ernest E. Urban was reared in Marion Township and obtained his schooling there. After he married he and his wife resided in Union Township for five years, then one year in Eagle Township, coming from there to the farm on which he lives, which lies four miles south of Rawson, on the Ridge road. He has made notable improvements here in the way of clearing, tiling and fencing, and has remodeled both house and barn. Everything is substantially built and thrift and good management are shown in all directions. He does general farming and raises cattle, sheep and hogs and in addition he has twenty-eight producing oil wells. Mr. Urban is a man of independent means and he is also one of the representative citizens in all that pertains to the advancement of his township along practical lines. On January I, 1884, Mr. Urban was married to Miss Polena Schondlemyer, who was born in Marion Township and reared in Cass Township, Hancock County. Her parents were natives of Germany. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Urban: Cleveland C., Lawrence, Oran J., Ray G., Zoa M., Era E. and Andrew O. Lawrence married Miss Elsie Solt, of Eagle Township. Mr. Urban and family are members of the Evangelical church at Canonsburg, in which he has been a steward for sixteen years and a trustee of the township cemetery from 1907 to 1910. LAWRENCE J. CRAWFORD, a well known building contractor of Van Buren, Hancock County, O., and the owner of 160 acres of farm land in Allen Township, has been engaged in the contracting business since seventeen years of age. He was born September 9, 1858, on a farm in Eagle Township and is a son of George W. and 480 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Eliza (Smith) Crawford. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, who, after their marriage located in Richland County, O. The maternal grandfather was a man of prominence and wealth and spent his entire life in Pennsylvania. He gave a farm to each of his children, and upon the parents of our subject locating in Hancock County, gave them a tract' of eighty acres in Eagle Township. This they sold in 1869 and purchased a tract of eighty acres in Allen Township about one mile west of Mortimer. Mrs. Crawford died in 1865, while the family still lived in Eagle Township, and in 1870, Mr. Crawford married Parmelia Sipes. In 1879 Mr. Crawford removed from the farm to Mortimer, O., where he died December 19, 1907. Lawrence J. Crawford obtained his educational training in the district schools of Eagle and Allen Townships, and early in life began learning the carpenter's trade with George Mellott, in whose employ he continued four years. In 1876 he established a business for himself, and has been engaged continuously and successfully in general contracting since that time. He has erected many of the barns, residences and public buildings of Allen and surrounding townships, and also built many of the finest buildings of Van Buren, O. Some of the buildings erected by Mr. Crawford are : the Presbyterian church of Liberty Township, the Hagerty School of Liberty Township, the school of District No. 9 of Allen Township, and others too numerous to mention. Mr. Crawford also retains an interest in the old home farm in Allen Township, and in 1886 bought eighty acres of land two miles west of Van Buren, and ten years later bought an adjoining eighty acres. Mr. Crawford served one term as township trustee of Allen Township, and was a candidate for county commissioner on the Democratic ticket in the fall of 1907, but was defeated. He is a member and elder of the Presbyterian church, of which he is clerk of the session. Mr. Crawford was married to Anna Kuhlemeier, who was born in Toledo, O., and is a daughter of Frederick and Matilda Kuhlemeier, both natives of Denmark. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford : Howard, who is taking a course in music at the University of Wooster ; Harold D.; L. Everett ; Donald, and two who died in infancy. JENS J. WAALAND, florist, with greenhouses and office at No. 123 East Front Street, Findlay, O., has been established in business in this city since October, 1905 was born at Stavenger, Norway, April 27, 1866, and is a son of Lars L. and Helen (Deland) Waaland. The father still follows farming and conducts a dairy, in his native land. Jens J. Waaland was twenty-four years of age when he came to America, in 1890. He found his first greenhouse work at Toledo, O., and from there went to New York State and from there to Boston, Mass., working as a florist at each place he stopped, and then returned to Toledo sand from there went to Fostoria, where he bought out two separate firms and continued in business for ten years, when he came to Findlay. He has first class quarters and all modern equipments including a fine hot HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 481 water system. He has six different glass covered rooms affording him 10,000 square feet of glass. Mr. Waaland does a very large retail business, deals in cut flowers suitable for every occasion and makes a specialty of funeral designs. He started into this business in Norway, in 1881, and has devoted himself to it ever since, succeeding not only on account of his knowledge and skill but because of his natural liking for it. At Toledo, O., Mr. Waaland was married (first) to Miss Grace Mabel Errett, of Boston, Mass., who died at Findlay, Dec. 1, 1908. They had five children born to them : Harold, Norman, Erven, Robert and Walter. Mr. Waaland was married (second) to a widow, Mrs. Frederica (Gjesdal) Strand. Mr. Waaland is a member of a number of fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Pythias, the' Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Turners. He is a highly respected citizen and prosperous business man. JOSEPH EDWARD SHOOP, who resides on his valuable farm of 160 acres situated in Section 29, Portage Township, Hancock County, O., is one of the leading men of his neighborhood and is active in its public affairs. He was born on the William Brickman farm, in this township, January 1, 1871, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah E. (Miller) Shoop. Daniel Shoop was born in Philadelphia and was a son of Joseph Shoop, who came to Portage Township in 1841, Daniel then being two years of age. Joseph Shoop entered, cleared and later improved the farm on which his grandson, Joseph E. Shoop, later was born, and continued to live there until his death. Daniel Shoop still lives and resides in Pleasant Township. He married Sarah E. Miller, who died in 1885. Her father was John S. Miller, of Hancock County. Joseph Edward Shoop was reared in Portage Township and attended school during the usual boyhood term and then learned the carpenter trade. He has always been a busy, hard working man, working for three years as a carpenter and then laboring for seven years in the oil fields. Since then he has given his whole attention to farm work and has lived on different properties in the township, renting the McEnnally farm for seven years before he bought a farm of ninety-eight acres directly across from his present one, selling that place when he bought the 16o acres on which he lives, which was formerly known as the old Crumrine place. Here he carries on general farming and raises some excellent stock and is considered one of the representative successful agriculturists of this section. Mr. Shoop married Miss Amelia Jane Sharninghouse, a daughter of William Sharninghouse, and they have five children : William Ray, Dorothy E., Clarence D., Trois May and Joseph Edward, Jr. Mr. Shoop and family are members of the German Lutheran church at McComb. He belongs to the fraternal order of Modern Woodmen of America. He is an intelligent, reliable and honest man and his fellow citizens make no msitake when they elect him to public office. At present he is serving in the office of land appraiser and 482 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY for four consecutive years he was personal tax assessor. W. S. VAN HORN, M. D., physician and surgeon, with well appointed office at No. 51072 South Main street, Findlay, O., has been established in this city since 1888 and commands a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Van Horn was born on a farm in Amanda Township, Hancock County, O., three miles west of Vanlue, June 13, 1853, and is a son of James Moore and Mary Magdalene (Morehart) Van Horn. James Moore Van Horn was a native of Bucks County, Pa., a representative of an old Dutch family that came to America from Holland in the 16th century. The founder of the family in Hancock County was the grandfather of Dr. Van Horn, Charles Van Horn, who came in 1832, when his son, James Moore, was six years old. He settled in Amanda Township and subsequently gave his name to the Van Horn church and cemetery, old landmarks there. James Moore Van Horn married a daughter of David Morehart, a native of Fairfield County, O., who was brought to Hancock County in her girlhood. Ten children were born to them, five sons and five daughters. The mother of this family died in 1901 and the father in 1903. W. S. Van Horn remained on the home farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, in the meantime farming and teaching school alternately for six years. There were other sons, however, to carry on the farm and as his tastes lay in another direction, he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. A. Grove, at Mt. Blanchard and later attended the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, O., where he was graduated in 1883. For five years he engaged in practice at Mt. Blanchard and then came to Findlay where he has continued to be actively engaged for the past twenty-two years. He is a member of the National, Ohio State and Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Associations. Dr. Van Horn married Miss Agnes Allison, of York County, Pa., and they have had four children : Nellie G., who is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, is the wife of Dr. Bradstreet, a physician of Rochester, N. Y.; Allison Moore, who is a practicing physician at Findlay, occupying the same suite of offices as his father, is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, married Gail Swartz and has two sons, Winfield S. and Bert ; and Edna and Edith, twins, the latter of whom died when aged five years. JOHN M. CRIST, who resides on a farm of 160 acres, which is owned by his father, situated in Eagle Township, seven miles south of Findlay, O., on the Washington road, and four miles east of Rawson, on the Rawson road, has lived here all his life, his birth having taken place December 3, 187i. His parents are E. E. and Rebecca (Friend) Crist. E. E. Crist, who lives retired at Rawson, O., was born in 1842 on the farm in Eagle Township on which his son lives and on which his father, Simon Crist, settled about 1837 as a pioneer in this section. J. M. Crist, father of Simon, entered the land from the Government, securing it for $1.25 per acre, and he followed an agricultural life. E. E. Crist paid more attention to HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 483 stock buying and as he was successful in that line found it to his advantage to hire workers on the farm. In 1890 he retired to his present home at Rawson. He married Rebecca Friend, who was born in Indiana and died at Rawson, December 28, 1904. John M. Grist obtained his education in the country schools. In the fall of 1895 he was married and started to housekeeping at Rawson but moved from there to the homestead soon afterward and since 1897 has rented the farm from his father and has carried on farming and stock raising very successfully, having many increases yearly to his herds and flocks. Since taking possession, Mr. Grist has put his heart into the work of improvement and has built a fine residence and substantial barn and has done a great deal of tiling. He has proved himself a capable, intelligent, wide awake, modern farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Grist six children have been born, namely: Nemo E., Waldo M., Harry E., Rema F., Leora M. and Howard Leroy. Mr. and Mrs. Grist are members of the Lutheran church in which both were reared by Christian parents. AUGUSTUS M. SMITH, proprietor of the A. M. Smith Marble and Granite Works, at No. 132 West Crawford Street, Findlay, O., has been numbered with the representative business men of this city for over a quarter of a century. He was born at Cincinnati, O., July 19, 1854, and is a son of John and Sarah J. (Hopkins) Smith. John Smith was born in Pennsylvania, in 1832, and died at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1855, having moved there from Dayton, O. He was a tailor by trade. He married Sarah J. Hopkins, who survived him, and they had two children: Augustus M. and Mrs. Fannie Price, the latter of whom died in 1895. Augustus M. Smith was an infant when his parents moved to Dayton, O., and when about seven years of age he accompanied his widowed mother to Indianapolis, Ind., where they lived until 1869, when they moved to Cleveland, O. Before leaving Indianapolis, Mr. Smith had started to learn the stone cutter's trade and he completed his apprenticeship in Cleveland. In 1875 he came to Findlay and from July 1, 1875, until January 1, 1881, he had charge of the large marble works of Louthan & Son, leaving their employ to begin business for himself. Mr. Smith is one of the few practical marble and granite men who understand the business from one end to the other. He not only has learned all its mechanical details but thoroughly understands stone cutting, monument work, designing and mechanical drawing for monuments, mausoleums and every description of ornamental stone work. There are very few marble workers who are able to do their own designing or draw their own plans. He conducts the only stone yard at Findlay and gives steady employment all the year round to ten men. In addition to his stone work in regard to monuments, he does all kinds of stone contracting and a number of the leading buildings at Findlay have been erected with Mr. Smith as sub stone-contractor, and in this department he hires as many as forty men. Among the many buildings for which he has done the stone work may be mentioned : the Phoenix Inn; the stone block south of the Phoenix Inn; the Hyatt Block; the stone fronts on the Commercial Bank and Savings Company; the Buckeye National Bank and the City Banking Company. He has also done all the 484 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY stone work on the Findlay Post Office; the Patterson and Gray Block and on innumerable private residences. He ships monuments to all parts of the country. Mr. Smith married Miss Julia A. Myer, of Wapakoneta, O. The three children of the family are named : Frank E., Harry A. and Chester P. Mr. Smith is affiliated fraternally with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Wood-men of the World. W. H. WITTENMYER, a representative business man of Benton Ridge, O., dealing in lumber, coal, cement blocks and building sup-plies of all kinds, being a contractor also in the same, is also sole owner of a valuable saw mill at this place. Mr. Wittenmyer was born in Seneca County, O., May 26, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Charlotte Wittenmyer. When he was six years old, the parents of Mr. Wittenmyer moved to Clearfield County, Pa., and there he attended school and remained until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1876 he returned to Seneca County and for one year worked for his uncle, near Flat Rock, and then came to Benton Ridge where he worked for one year as a farmer and carpenter. He then moved to Wood County, O., where he had charge of a shingle mill for three years and then traded for a saw mill at Hoytsville, which he operated for six years and then rented it to his father and moved to his father-in-law's farm and operated it for eighteen years. When the latter died he moved to Benton Ridge and since 1908 has been identified with his present line of business. The mill was first started by the firm of George & Son and when Mr. George's son retired, Mr. Wittenmyer bought his interest and on November 15, 1909, he bought out the other interests and has cot-firmed sole owner. Together with the mill he bought an acre of land. He has equipments in the mill for custom sawing of all descriptions and can turn out fine planing mill work. Mr. Wittenmyer is not only an active and enterprising business man but he is also a pro-gressive and reliable citizen and his value as such to his community is fully acknowledged. From January, 1908, until January, 1910, he served as mayor of the town and is now clerk of the school board. He is very active in Democratic circles and is a member of the township Democratic Central Committee. He has addi-tional business interests, being president of the Benton Ridge Mutual Telephone Company. Mr. Wittenmyer was married to Miss Clarinda Sager, a daughter of the late Rev. Jonathan Sager, a minister of the Evangelical Association, and they have seven children: B. C., Bessie P., George O., James Merle, Ethel E., Wm. L., and Mary L. Mr. and Mrs. Wittenmyer are members of the Evangelical church, in which he is chorister and of which he is a trustee. He is identified with the Maccabees and the Junior Order of United American Workmen. Mr. Wittenmyer resides on Main Street, in. what is considered the finest residence in the town. WILLIAM C. NUSSER, superintendent of one of Findlay's most important public utilities, the city water works, has been identified with the water works department since July, 1889, and for nine years has been superintendent. Mr. Nusser was born at Findlay, Ohio, No-vember 7, 1866, and is a son of Godfrey and Rebecca (Burns) Nusser. The father of Mr. Nusser, now deceased, was formerly a well HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 487 known contractor. The mother is still living. William C. Nusser was reared at Findlay and attended the public schools. He then went to work in the gas works in his native city and remained an employe for four years, coming then to the water works department, by which he was engaged as a lineman. He continued in that position until he was appointed superintendent in 1901. The old office was in the Jones Block, near the First National Bank but as soon as the new city building was completed, which was in 1903, the water works offices were installed there. Mr. Nusser has had additional public duties, having been street commissioner since February 1, 1908, to April 1, 1910. In whatever position he is found there will be seen an efficient man, one whose value to his native city has been thoroughly tested and proved. Mr. Nusser was married to Miss Charlotte J. Jacobs, of Findlay, who is deceased. His second marriage was to Miss Bessie E. Roberts, a daughter of David J. Roberts, of Findlay. Mr. Nusser has five children: Roy C., a bookbinder, who married Gertrude Buckingham, and resides at Marion, Ohio; and Alfred G., Earl, Wilbur and Miles. Mr. Nusser is a member of the order of Ben Hur, of the Odd Fellows, Encampment branch of the Masons, and of the B. P. O. E. JOHN D. THOMAS, funeral director, who is engaged in business at McComb, O., was born in Indiana, May 24, 1855, and is a son of Benjamin and Marilla (Westbrook) Thomas. Benjamin Thomas and his Wife were both born in Morrow County, O., where the Thomas family was established by the grandparents of John D. Thomas, many years ago. They were John D. and Lena Thomas and were natives of Wales. When they came to Morrow County the land was yet so much of a wilderness that they could only safely make their way through the forests by blazing the trees as they pushed through. Benjamin Thomas assisted his father in clearing the farm. He resides with his son, John D. Thomas, being now aged eighty-five years. His wife died over fifty years ago. Four sons were born to them: Wilbur, who is a farmer in Morrow County; Martin, who was a resident of Detroit, Mich., for a number of years; Elmer, who lives in Morrow County ; and John D., of McComb. John D. Thomas was born while his parents were making a short sojourn in Indiana, but he was reared and educated in Morrow County. In August, 1878, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Alice Needles, who died in November, 1900. Her father was Levi Needles, of Morrow County. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had two daughters: Cora and Elise, both of whom reside with their father. Mr. Thomas came to McComb from Fredericktown, in April, 1908. He took his examination as an embalmer at Zanesville, O., and received his license in 1902. He has a finely equipped establishment and has so gained the confidence of the public that calls come for his services from all this section. Mr. Thomas is identified with a number of fraternal bodies, including the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Maccabees. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican. J. N. LANNING, an enterprising farmer of Hancock County, residing on a farm of forty-eight acres located in Section 22, Marion Township, has been a life-long resident of this 488 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY county and was born October 24, 1844, a son of Gershom and Sarah (Swab) Lanning. This branch of the Lanning family was established in Hancock County, O., at an early period by Isaac Lanning, who came from New Jersey and settled on a small farm in Eagle Township. He was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed, while his sons operated the farm. He was the father of five children, all of whom are deceased, namely : David, Gershom, Hiram, James and Margaret. Gershom Lanning was born in Fairfield County, O., in 1813, and during early manhood came to Hancock County with his parents and here followed his trade as a blacksmith and worked out by the day. He served in the Civil War, enlisting in Co. G., 57th O. Vol. Inf., and died in 1863, while in service. He was four times married, his first wife and mother of our subject, was Sarah Swab, who died in 1849 aged thirty-two years. Of their union were born four children : James W., who served in the 57th Ohio Vol. Inf., and died in the army; John Nelson, our subject ; Sarah S., who is the widow of Andrew Shafer; and William. His second union was with Mary Bercaugh, by whom he had one son, William T. His third union was with Mrs. Mary Fellers, which resulted in the birth of one son, Jacob H. He later married a Mrs. Harris. John Nelson Lanning at an early age started out in life for himself. At the age of eleven years he went to live with John Croft of Eagle Township and made his home there until twenty-two years of age. He attended the district schools of the township, the Findlay High School, and later took a course at the Ohio State Normal at Ada. He then engaged in farming during the summer months and taught school in Hancock County for twelve winters. In 1882, two years after his marriage, he abandoned teaching and purchased his present farm from U. H. Grable, and has since devoted his entire time to general farming. On April 11, 1880, Mr. Lanning was joined in marriage with Julia A. Smith, a daughter of Isaac and Mary B. Smith, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Lanning is a man of public spirit and always takes an active interest in affairs pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he lives. He is a Democrat. HON. S. E. LOWE, mayor of Mt. Blanchard, O., and the owner of a valuable farm of 160 acres in Jackson Township, Hancock County, O., was born and reared in Jackson Township, his birth taking place on October 18, 1851. His parents were William and Sarah (Hendrick) Lowe. William Lowe was born in York County, Pa., and from there came to Hancock County and settled on a farm in Jackson Township in 1840. He was a man of local importance for a number of years, being enterprising and useful in his neighborhood. He followed farming. S. E. Lowe was reared on the home farm and obtained a country school training in boyhood, after which he followed agricultural pursuits until 1900, when he moved to Mt. Blanchard. He has been an active and interested citizen and served two years on the town council before he was first elected mayor, in 1907. His administration of this office received public endorsement by his reelection. In politics he is a Democrat but in the governing of the city, Mayor Lowe has shown favor only to those office-holders who have demonstrated their efficiency in public matters, irrespective of party. Mr. Lowe was married the first time to Miss HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 489 Susan Foster, who was born and reared in Jackson Township, and died at Mt. Blanchard in 1904, at the age of fifty-two years. Three children were born to that marriage, namely : Wesley M., who died at the age of five months; Lelia L., who died aged five months and twenty-six days; and Grover, who died aged two months. Mr. Lowe was married the second time to Miss Alice Sockrider and they have one daughter, Frances N. Mayor and Mrs. Lowe are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with Lodge No. 481, Knights of Pythias, and with Lodge No. 344 Odd Fellows, both at Mt. Blanchard, and is chaplain of the latter organization. ULYSSES GRANT GEISEY, a well known hardware merchant and highly esteemed citizen of Van Buren, has been constable of Allen Township for about twelve years and a resident of Hancock County since 1893. He was born April 4, 1869, in Westmoreland County, Pa., and is a son of John and Lydia (Garvin) Geisey, the former of whom was a bridge builder by trade and a veteran of the Civil War. John Geisey died December 21, 1907, at the age of seventy-two years, the cause of death being heart failure. His wife died August 4, 1907, of paralysis. They were married in 1858 and had twelve children, namely : "Bub," who is deceased; George Hamilton, Mrs. Ellen Lewis, Mrs. Harriet M. Wilson, Ulysses Grant, Harry, Luther H., Mrs. Molly M. Knox, Mrs. Martha J. Glasser, Mrs. Nellie V. Drum, Emma V. and A. Katherine. John Geisey had an enviable war record. He participated in thirty-two battles but was never wounded and never in the hospital, though his period of service covered three and a half years. He was a member of Co. C, 84th Pa. Vol. Inf., which was organized in Harrisburg, Pa. Company C was organized by J. J. Wirsing and William Logan and was named the Foster Guards, after Hon. H. D. Foster. Among the battles referred to in which Mr. Geisey participated were the following: Fredericksburg, Winchester, Fort Royal, Fort Republic, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom and Poplar Spring Church. The 84th was consolidated with the 57th Pa. Vols., both regiments being nearly annihilated before the close of the struggle. Ulysses Grant Geisey spent his early boyhood days in Westmoreland County, Pa., and at the age of fourteen began learning the harness making trade at Greensburg, Pa., in which line of business he has been since engaged. In 1893 he came to Van Buren, O., and opened a harness shop, and since 1901 he has also dealt extensively in hardware, farming implements, drain tiles, etc., and commands a very large patronage throughout this section of the county. Mr. Geisey was united in marriage with Nancy Lyon, a daughter of Lewis S. Lyon, and they have been the parents of four children —Lydia, Lewis, Marjory and John. In politics Mr. Geisey is a Democrat. He is affiliated fraternally with the Sons of Veterans at New Florence, Pa., also with the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America at Van Buren. CHARLES RIECK, interior decorator and contract painter, who is located at No. 522 South Main Street, Findlay, O., also deals in painters' supplies, wall paper, picture frames, etc., and is one of the foremost 490 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY business men of the city. He was born November 7, 1864, in Germany, and is a son of Carl and Elesie Rieck, the latter of whom died in Germany, her native country. The father died in America, where he located some years after our subject came to this country. Charles Rieck was reared and educated in his native country, where he learned painting and decorating. He came to America in 1881 and located at Chicago, Ill., where Ile worked at his trade until 1889, then came to Findlay, O., where he established his present business. Mr. Rieck began on a small scale, but now employs from three to twelve men all the year, and carries on an extensive and profitable business, and is one of the substantial men of Findlay. He is a member of the board of directors Of the Majestic Theatre of Findlay. He belongs to the fraternal orders of I. O. O. F. and the B. P. O. E. Mr. Rieck was united in marriage with Flora M. Watt, a daughter of John Watt, of Findlay, and to them have been born three children: Edna, Anna, and Carl. HENRY L. LYON, township trustee of Portage Township, Hancock County, O., and also a member of the school board, is one of the representative farmers of this section, operating from 100 to 125 acres of land in this township. He was born on a farm in Allen Township, Hancock County, November 28, 1869, and is a son of E. S. Lyon, an old resident of Allen Township. Henry L. Lyon was reared in his native township and was afforded excellent school advantages and completed his High School course at Van Buren. Farming and stock raising have been the industries to which he has devoted himself. He owns the tract of twenty-three acres on which he lives, which lies in Section 3, near the Ten Mile church, and he also has a farm of 115 acres in Oklahoma. Mr. Lyon was married to Miss Isabel Perry, a daughter of Frederick Perry. She was born in Pennsylvania and came to Hancock County when thirteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have two children: Raymond and Grace. Mr. Lyon and family attend the Ten Mile church and he is as-sistant superintendent of the Union Sunday school connected with it. In politics he is a Democrat and in the fall of 1909 he was elected township trustee and is serving in his third term on the school board, on ac-count of his deep interest in educational matters, willingly accepting the duties and responsibilities of this position. He is iden-tified with the order of Maccabees at North Baltimore, O. DEWITT C. WESTFALL, D. O., with offices in the Niles Building, Findlay, O., has been established in practice in this city since 1901, coming directly from the American School of Osteopathy following his graduation. Dr. Westfall was born at Grayville, Ill., March 19, 1868, and is a son of Milton and Elizabeth Westfall. While he was young, Dr. Westfall lived on his father's farm, but the latter moved to Grayville and there conducted a shoe store, later moving to Browns, Ill., where he operated the Westfall Hotel fifteen years and the son assisted in the capacity of clerk. Later, the latter taught school and then, with his two brothers, operated HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 491 the Southern Illinois cannery, at Browns, Edwards County, Ill., for two years. After selling the cannery, he became a student in Westfield College, at Westfield, Clark County, Ill., after which he entered the ministry of the United Brethren in Christ church, and served as pastor for two years at Seaton, Ill., and the three following years at Alexis, Ill. Loss of health led him to first become interested in osteopathy and later to his attending college at the fountain head, Kirksville, Mo., his subsequent graduation and his successful practice of this method of healing. Dr. Westfall married Miss Anna E. Johnson and they have two children : Eugene R. and Kenneth Milton. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Osteopathy, the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor and retains membership in his college fraternities, Colomentian and the Iota Tau Sigma. Dr. and Mrs. West-fall are valued members of Findlay's pleasant social circles. MRS. MARY WOLF, widow of the late Levi Wolf and a daughter of William Davis, who was an early settler here, is well known all over Hancock County not only for her womanly qualities but also for her remarkable business capacity. She has resided on her present home farm of fifty-nine acres, which is situated in Section 10, Marion Township, since her marriage. She owns a second farm, situated in Sections and 2, Marion Township, which contains 120 acres. Mary Davis was reared among almost pioneer surroundings and she had fewer educational opportunities than had those who grew up where settlements were nearer together. She recalls the days when she attended church at Findlay, riding to and from on horseback, the road leading entirely through the woods. She was married August 14, 1851, to Levi Wolf, who was born in Fairfield County, O., August 20, 1825. His parents were David and Lydia (Swartz) Wolf, who came to Hancock County and settled near the Davis homestead. Levi was then a young man and had learned the blacksmith trade and subsequently ran a shop on the farm on which Mrs. Wolf now lives. He purchased a part of this land but before he had time or opportunity to get it cleared, he entered the army during the Civil War. He enlisted in February, 1861, in the 57th O. Vol. Inf., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and was incarcerated in Macon, Ga., where he was confined until April 7, 1862. When released he was in such a condition that on his way home he was obliged to go to a hospital and his death followed on July 3, at Cincinnati, from his injuries. Mrs. Wolf found herself with four children to rear and educate, these being : Margaret Jane, who resides with her mother ; Lydia, who is the wife of Dr. J. C. Tritch, of Findlay, and they have two children, Gail and Martha ; Fannie, who died at the age of three years ; and John, who died when aged thirty-one years. Mrs. Wolf's training in all things practical now stood her in fine stead, enabling her to complete payments on her home farm, acquire more land and make excellent improvements of all kinds. In the course of years she has remodeled the farm house three times and has erected four substantial barns. On her 492 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY second farm handsome buildings have been erected and eighty acres have been cleared and put under cultivation. On that farm the first oil in Marion Township was discovered, the successful operators being her son, John Wolf, David Davis, her brother, and a Mr. Righter. The drilling was being done for gas but oil was struck, the first well being a 250-barrel well. She has realized $40,000 from oil and there is still some production going on. Mrs. Wolf has always managed her business herself even when her interests have been numerous. She keeps about seventy-five sheep and enough cows to provide for the selling of a large amount of cream. She has always been a hard worker and her mind has been as strong as her body. Her husband was a leading man in public affairs in his township and was elected township treasurer on the Republican ticket. JOHN POE, deceased, formerly a member pf the law firm of Poe & Poe, at Findlay, O., was one of the Nestors of the bar in Hancock County, his practice covering a period of thirty-one years. He was born on a farm in Liberty Township, Hancock County, O., November 22, 1849, and died at Findlay, September 22, 1909. Robert Poe, father of the late John Poe, accompanied his father, Jacob Poe, from Chillicothe, O., to Hancock County, in childhood, and one of his brothers was the first white child born in the county. John Poe was reared on his father's farm and first attended the country schools, and was sent from there to Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa., where he graduated with class honors. For some time afterward he engaged in teaching school and for one year following his graduation from college he was principal of the Findlay High school and for one year more was superintendent of the schools of Carey, O. He then entered upon the study of law with Attorney Aaron Blackford, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1878 and immediately located at Findlay. For many years he commanded a large practice and remained alone until his son, Merle N. Poe, had completed his literary and law education, when he was admitted to partnership. The firm of Poe & Poe continued the legal success which had attended the senior member's practice and a large amount of important litigation in the courts of the county was entrusted to them. John Poe was honored and trusted by hundreds of clients and he was known to his associates and to his fellow citizens in general as an able lawyer, a scholar and a gentleman. John Poe was married to Miss Sarah C. Trout, who was born on a farm in Allen Township, Hancock County, and is a daughter of George Trout. Three children were born to them : Merle N., Caroline, wife of W. B. Newton ; and Janet. Merle N. Poe was born at Findlay, O., March 30, 1875. He attended the schools in his native city and was graduated from the Findlay High School in 1893, and then entered Princeton University, where he was graduated in 1898. Later he read law under his father's supervision and completed his studies in the New York Law School, and subsequently became a member of the law firm of Poe & Poe. He is affiliated with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen and for some time has taken a HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 495 large amount of interest in military matters and is captain of Co. A, 2nd Ohio National Guard. LORENZO FIRMIN, M. D., deceased, for almost forty years was a citizen of Findlay and his name is identified with much that has brought this city into deserved prominence and which contributed to its advance in substantial and material lines, as well as on the higher levels of professional and social effort. Dr. Firmin was born March 31, 1808, at Wilbraham, Mass., and was a son of John and Lovina (Green) Firmin, his parents coming of old established New England families. Dr. Firman remained under his father's roof until he was twenty-two years of age, during that time obtaining educational training in the village schools and under his father a knowledge of shoemaking. In 1834 he came to Ohio, and at Richland, in Summit County, embarked in a tanning business with Dr. Rawson. In 1838 he was married to Miss Clara Harriet Rawson, a daughter of his partner, and he then came to Findlay and established himself in the shoemaking business. Shortly afterward, however, he began the study of medicine, under the supervision of Dr. Bass Rawson, completing the course as then required and entering into practice. With the exception of one year, during which he followed his profession at Benton Ridge, Dr. Firmin's whole period of professional activity was spent at Findlay, where he continued in active practice until his retirement, in 1877. During three years of this time he was associated with Dr. F. W. Firmin. In the meanwhile he had become interested in business enterprises to which he later gave closer attention with corresponding advantage. Many of them grew to important proportions, and through them he derived the fortune with which he was so ready and willing, at all times, to help the unfortunate or to aid public-spirited, philanthropic and benevolent movements. As one of the organizers of the First Congregational Church at Findlay, he was ever generous in contributing to its support, and he was equally liberal in his contributions to the Y. M. C. A. of this city; on many occasions also Oberlin College benefited through his generosity. Dr. Firmin was widely known and was held in high esteem, for he possessed many endearing personal qualities. In early manhood he was a Democrat but later he identified himself with the Republican party, though from disinterested motives, as he invariably declined political honors. He attained a venerable old age, retaining his faculties to a remarkable degree, passing quietly out of life on October 12, 1901. Dr. Firmin was twice married. His first wife died in 1891. In 1894 he was united to Miss Mary B. Humphrey, who was born at Findlay, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jarvis and Julia (Barber) Humphrey. Mrs. Firmin was the youngest of her parents' family of six children and the only one born in Ohio. She was educated at Findlay and for some years prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. She resides in her beautiful home at No. 914 North Main Street, Findlay. JARVIS HUMPHREY, deceased, was one of Hancock County's well known residents and here he spent the greater part of a long and exemplary life. He was of English ancestry but of New England parentage. His father, Dudley Humphrey was born at Simsbury, Conn., and at the same place, Jarvis Humphrey was born in 1809. The latter was 496 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY among the agriculturists who sought homes on the rich lands of Hancock County, in 1851, bringing his wife and five children from Connecticut. He was a man of some substance and the family resided at Findlay during the months in which he was selecting a farm for purchase, to which they subsequently moved. At Simsbury, Conn., he had married Julia Barber, who survived her seventy-seventh birthday. The children of this marriage were the following : Chauncey D. ; Marion, Mrs. George E. Cook ; Ellen A., Mrs. B. O. Robinson; Justine, Mrs. John H. King; Jarvis S.; and Mary B., who is the widow of the late Dr. Lorenzo Firmin of Findlay. Jarvis Humphrey continued his agricultural pursuits until far beyond middle life and then retired to a comfortable home at Findlay where his death occurred April 21, 1897, when he had rounded out eighty-four years. In his religious connection he was an earnest member of the Congregational church. Although never an office-holder, he was actively interested in public matters and cast his vote with the Republican party. REV. JOHN J. NONNAMAKER, one of Mt. Cory's highly esteemed retired citizens, is the owner of valuable real estate here and owns also a valuable farm of 180 acres, which is situated in Section 33, Union Township, and Sections 3 and 4 Orange Township, Hancock County, O. He was born on a farm in Eagle Township, two miles east of Canonsburg, O., January 7, 1842, and is a son of Ami Lucinda (Houdeshell) Nonnamaker. Ami Nonnamaker was born in Germany and was six years old when he accompanied his parents to America, in 1815. His parents settled in what is now Fairfield County, O., and there they died. Ami Nonnamaker later moved to near Canonsburg, where he entered 160 acres of Government land and there John J. grew to manhood and his father engaged in farming until advanced in years when he moved to Mt. Cory, where he died in October, 1884. For years he was a prominent man in Eagle Township, a leader in Democratic politics, and several times served as township trustee. He married Lucinda Houdeshell, who was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Fairfield County by her parents, in childhood. She died at Canonsburg, July 5, 1855. John J. Nonnamaker was reared and educated in Eagle Township. He was nineteen years of age when he enlisted, on November 1, 1861, for service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Co. G, 57th O. Vol. Inf., under command of Captain Wilson. He remained in the army until he was honorably discharged on August 14, 1865, at Columbus, O., having been mustered out at Little Rock, Ark. Although he was ever at the post of duty and participated in such notable battles as Pittsburg Landing and Champion Hill and marched many times through the enemy's country, he was never either wounded or captured. He returned then to peaceful pursuits, settling in Orange Township, Hancock County, after his marriage in 1866. A few years later he became a minister in the Evangelical church. His first charge was at Mt. Cory, in Hancock County and after that he was stationed as follows : two years in Logan County ; two years in Putnam County ; three years at Wilmot, Stark County ; seven years in Coshocton County ; Melmore, Seneca County ; then to HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 497 Pickaway County and from there to Bowling Green. At present he accepts calls in this locality. Mr. Nonnamaker was married in 1866, to Miss E. M. Spangler, who was born and reared in Hancock County. For some years prior to her marriage she taught school in Union Township. Seven children were born to this marriage : Dora, Marion E., Lois, Mary, Clara, Minnie and William A. Marion E. married Anna Gulick, of Seneca County, and they have one daughter, Anna. He is a professor of a college in Illinois. Lois died at Mt. Cory, May 1, 19̊6, aged thirty-four years. She was a highly educated lady and for twelve years taught school in Wayne, Ashland, and Hancock Counties. Mary mar-ried William O. Smith of Richland County, O., after teaching three terms of school in Ashland County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children : Fay, Vinton, Noel and Marion. Clara died at the age of three years, and Minnie died at the age of ten months. William A. is a teacher and for five years has been identified with a school at Duluth, Minn. He married Augusta Goetz, of St. Louis County, Minn. ROSS J. WETHERALD, attorney at law, with offices at No. 239 South Main Street, Findlay, O., in the Headquarters Block, is an able member of the Hancock County bar and has been established here since 1895 and has built up a large and substantial practice. He was born at Bellaire, Belmont County, O., March 18, 1873, and is a son of Sylvester R. and Mary R. (Jennings) Wetherald. The late Sylvester R. Wetherald was a prominent manufacturer at Findlay. In 1888 he brought his family to Findlay and the Wetherald firm, of which he was a member, built the works of the Wire Nail Company here and he was engaged in business until the time of his death, in 1892. His widow survives. Ross J. Wetherald entered the High School when the family came to Findlay, where he was graduated in 1891, after which he attended Findlay College for one year and then began the study of law first under the direction of Hon. A. E. Kerns, formerly probate judge, and later at the Ohio State University, where he was graduated in 1895. Mr. Wetherald retains membership in his college fraternities, the Phi Delta Phi and the Phi Gamma Delta, and is past chancelor of the order of Knights of Pythias and a member of the order of the Knights of Khorrassan. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church at Findlay. S. G. ROBINSON, whose farm of 160 acres is situated in Sections 3 and 4, Blanchard Township, Hancock County, O., was born in Erie County, N. Y., May 29, 1831, and is a son of Benjamin E. and Sarah (Gail) Robinson. Benjamin E. Robinson carried on the tanning business in Erie County, N. Y., before he came with his family to Ohio, in 1838, and settled in Franklin County, on the National Turnpike road, eleven miles east of Columbus. Of the seven children born to Benjamin E. and Sarah Robinson, five survive. Mr. Robinson also has two half-brothers living and one half-sister. S. G. Robinson was seven years old when his parents moved to Ohio and he attended the district schools in Franklin County. He was twenty years of age when he came to Blan- 498 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY chard Township, Hancock County, and he has seen many wonderful changes. He carried the chain in the surveys made for many of the roads through this section and at times has followed an Indian trail which was not more than ten inches wide and in some parts not more than four or five inches, as far as the Maumee River. Mr. Robinson cleared up the greater part of his farm by himself and has devoted the land to general agriculture. He has been one of the leading men of his section and for twenty-four years has been a justice of the peace. Being of a peaceful disposition himself, he has been able to settle many cases out of court and thus has saved much trouble and expense to those who found it necessary to have their differences adjusted by some one with the right sense of justice. In politics, Mr. Robinson is a Republican. Mr. Robinson was married in February, 1859, to Miss Mary Ann Haddox, a daughter of Enoch Haddox, of Blanchard Township, and five children were born to them : Edward, Stella, Ida, Samuel and Alexander. After the death of his first wife he married Emma (McKain) Day, a daughter of James McKain, of Pittsburg, and later of Toledo, O. Mr. Robinson has long been one of the representative men of Blanchard Township. W. C. BUNN, whose valuable farm of 160 acres is situated in Section 1, Union Township, Hancock County, O., was born in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, March 1, 1863, and is a son of John and Catherine Bunn. John Bunn was born in Muskingum County, O., and was ten years old when he accompanied his parents, Reed Bunn and wife, to Putnam County, where the father entered eighty acres of Government land. John Bunn still survives and has worked at the carpenter trade ever since early manhood and is also a farmer. His wife was born in Stark County and accompanied her parents to Hancock County where she was reared and married. Her death occurred March I, 1902, at the age of sixty-four years. W. C. Bunn was reared in Hancock County and obtained a common school education. In 1884 he married Miss Ellen Perkins, of Putnam County, O., a daughter of one of the prominent old pioneers. In that county, Mr. and Mrs. Bunn started housekeeping. In 1909 they came to the present farm which is situated one and one-half miles north of Rawson, on the Findlay road. Mr. Bunn carries on general farming and stock raising, keeping hogs, sheep, horses and cattle. Mr. Bunn and wife have five children : David, Ethel, Carl, Catherine and Erwin. He is not very much interested in politics but keeps well posted on current events and in every respect is a good citizen. For a number of years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity at Findlay. GEORGE F. TROUT, of the firm of Trout Brothers, proprietors of a furniture store at No. 311 South Main Street, Findlay, O., and president of the Ohio Paint and Stain Company, also of Findlay, has been a resident of this city since 1898. He was born at Van Buren, Hancock County, O., January 19, 1873, and is a son of Judson B. Trout, who resides on his farm near North Baltimore, O. In 1884, when George F. Trout was about eleven years old, the family moved to North Baltimore, in Wood County, and there he was educated, graduating from the North Balti- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 499 more High School in 1893. He married Miss Carrie Crites, a daughter of Samuel Crites, and they have one daughter, Irene. Mr. Trout is a member of a number of fraternal organizations including the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. The firm of Trout Brothers is composed of George F. and Len L. Trout and S. J. Chesbro and in addition to carrying on their large store at Findlay, they operate a furniture store at North Baltimore which is under the immediate supervision of Len L. Trout. The works of the Ohio Paint and Stain Company are situated on the corner of Taylor and Walnut Streets, Findlay. This company was organized January 1, 1910, from the old Ohio Paint and Varnish Company, of which Mr. Trout was president as he is of the present company. Other officers are : Hiram Van Campen, secretary, and John H. Williamson, manager of the works. When the Trout Brothers came first to Findlay they established their store in the Marvin Theater Block, on North Main Street, moving from there to their present location in February, 1909. During his first two years of residence at Findlay, Mr. Trout ran an oil lease but since then has given his main attention to merchandising. He is numbered with the city's progressive, wide awake and enterprising citizens. D. L. NORRIS, one of the substantial and representative citizens of Marion Township, Hancock County, O., who is serving in his fourth term as township treasurer, owns 220 acres of fine farm land in this township, separated into three tracts, the home farm in Section 3, containing eighty acres. He was born in Fairfield County, O., May 13, 1848, and is a son of Alexander M. and Maria (Stone) Norris. Alexander M. Norris was born in Maryland, in 1808, and came to Ohio in 1835. His father was Alexander Norris, who was of English ancestry. Alexander M. Norris was one of a family of fourteen children and he and his brother William were the only ones to come to what was then the West, and William died in Fairfield County, but Alexander M. came to Hancock County when his son, David Lewis, was but a child. For some years he followed the shoemaking trade and then bought a small place. He died in 1898, at the age of ninety years. He was twice married, by his first wife having four children: William H., Mary F., Elizabeth and Sarah J. Mary F. is the only survivor and is the wife of Samuel Mosier. His second marriage was to Maria Stone, who was born in Virginia, and three children were born to that union: George W., David Lewis and Anna, who is the wife of Henry Borough. The mother of these children died in 1893, at the age of eighty-two years. David Lewis Norris was four years old when his parents moved from Fairfield to Hancock County and settled on the farm on which he lives. His father bought his first twenty acres from R. Foltz and subsequently added until he became possessed of a large estate. David Lewis grew to manhood here and his education was secured in the district schools. When he reached man's estate he took charge of the farm and later purchased it and has carried on farming and stock raising here. His sisters lived with him until their death and since then Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Hartman have resided here, Mr. Hartman at present being the practical farmer. The farm house was built by the father of Mr. Norris and at times the present