HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 525 CHRISTOPHER STOUGH, owner of 160 acres of productive and highly cultivated farm land in Allen Township, Hancock County, O., was born August 1, 1846, on a farm about three miles northeast of Ashland, Ashland County, O., and is a son of George and Catherine (Geirhart) Stough. In 1853 Christopher Stough came to Han-cock County with his parents, who settled on land in the extreme southeastern part of Allen Township, where the father died June 9, 1898. The mother died in 1893. Here Mr. Stough was reared and educated, attending the local schools, and has always followed farming and stock raising. The first two years of his married life were spent on the Eckert farm in Cass Township, which was originally owned by his wife's grandfather Eckert, and the three following years were spent on his father's farm in Allen Township. Since 1873, Mr. Stough has been living on his present farm, eighty acres being located in Section 32, and eighty acres, which corner to the southwest, being located in Section 31. Mr. Stough was united in marriage with Miss Maria Eckert, a daughter of Sullivan Eckert, of Marion Township, and they have had three children: George, who is president of the Allen Township School Board, lives on a farm adjoining that of his father ; Charlie J., who resides on the old Eckert farm in Cass Township; and Guy, who figures prominently in the oil industry, resides on Center Street, Findlay, O. Mr. Stough is an adherent of the Democratic party, politcally, and served eight years as trustee of Allen Township, his term expiring in 1907. O. H. SAUNDERS, M. D., physician and surgeon at Findlay, O., and a representative member of his profession, was born at Benton Ridge, Hancock County, O, March 22, 1864, and is a son of Thomas J. and Hannah L. (Ballard) Saunders. Thomas J. Saunders was born in Fairfield County, O., and came to Hancock County when twelve years old, with his father, Jacob G. Saunders, who established himself in the shoemaking trade at Benton Ridge. Thomas J. Saunders learned his father's trade and he also taught school and after coming to Findlay, where he died in 1901, he conducted the Saunders Hotel for a number of years. His widow survives. O. H. Saunders was reared at Benton Ridge and attended the public schools there, subsequently becoming a teacher and for nine years prior to 1887, when he accompanied his parents to Findlay, he taught school in Hancock County. About that time he entered the Ohio Medical College, now the University of Cincinnati, and was graduated there in the class of 1891, when he returned to Findlay and engaged in medical practice here for one year, moving then to West Independence, where he continued to practice for eight years. In 1900 he returned to Findlay and established his office at No. 315 1/2 South Main Street. Dr. Saunders is a member of the Hancock County, the Ohio State and the National Medical Societies and keeps thoroughly abreast with the times in the advancement' of medical science. He is an active citizen and in 1901 was elected a member of the Findlay School Board and since 1907 has been clerk of this body. Dr. Saunders was married to Miss Anna E. Winbigler, a daughter of William Winbigler, of Maryland, and they have two children: Ralph Thomas and Marie L. He is fraternally 526 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY affiliated with the order of Ben Hur and the Maccabees. EDWARD GEORGE, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Van Buren, O., since 1876, was born March 18, 1850, in Mercer County, Pa., and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Harlow) George. The father of our subject was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade and about 1855 came to Hancock County, O., and followed his trade at Benton Ridge during the remainder of his active life. He died in Findlay, O., in 1901, and his wife died in 1900. Edward George was reared at Benton Ridge, O., where he obtained his early education in the common schools and also taught one year. He then began reading medicine with Dr. T. C. Ballard, formerly of Benton Ridge, but later of Findlay, and after studying with him one year and six months, entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he spent one year. He then entered the Medical College at Indianapolis, Ind., and graduated from same with the class of 1876, and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Van Buren, Allen Township, Hancock County, O. Dr. George owns a fine tract of farming land in Allen Township. He is a member of the American, Ohio State, Hancock County, and the Northwestern Ohio Medical Societies, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church of Van Buren. Dr. George was united in marriage in 1875 with Miss Esther Whistler, a daughter of Samuel Whistler, a miller and farmer of Benton Ridge, O. NORMAN HUFFMAN, a prominent farmer and stockman, owning 160 acres of valuable land situated in Section 26, Cass Township, Hancock County, O., has oil and financial interests in this section and is a representative business man. He now enjoys one of the fine residences of the township, but he was born June 3, 1845, in a round log house that stood on his father's farm in Washington Township, Hancock County. He is a son of William and Margaret (Ruff) Huffman. William Huffman came to Hancock County in 1844 from Portage County, O., and located first on a tract of eighty acres, situated in Section 7, which he later sold and bought sixty-one acres in the same township. He died on that place a comparatively young man although he had a family of ten children. He married Margaret Ruff, who died in 1904, being then more than eighty years of age. Hiram, the eldest son, was a member of Co. A, 49th O. Vol. Inf., and died during the Civil War. Joseph, who was a member of the same regiment, survived the entire period of strife and now resides in Michigan. Christina is the widow of David Caldwell. Alvira is the wife of Reason Crozer. Mary is the widow of John Wineland. The others survive : Jefferson and Addison, twins ; George, Jeremiah and Norman, the last named being the fourth in order of birth. Norman Huffman grew to manhood in Washington Township. His father died while his older brothers were in the army and for this reason his own school period was shortened as he had to take charge of the farm under these conditions. He remained with his mother until his own marriage and by that time some of the younger sons were capable of managing her interests. He purchased his present farm from V. E. Baker and while the brick HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 529 residence was standing, he found plenty of improving to do in other ways and a large amount of buildings and sheds to erect for his cattle, as he makes a great specialty of all kinds of stock. He gives attention only to the best strains, breeding and handling Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. He has ten producing oil wells which are a steady source of income. He is interested also as a stockholder in the Arcadia Bank at Arcadia, O. Mr. Huffman was married the first time to Mary Anderson, who died after the birth of seven children, namely : Morris, who is deceased, married Lola McCracken, also deceased ; William E., who married Etta Mosier, has four children—Frances, Helen, Donald and Pearl ; Laura, who is the wife of Ballard Nelson; Ephraim and Arthur, twins, the former of whom married Lucy Taylor and they have one child, Lloyd ; Bertha; who is the wife of Reily Canfield, and they have two children —Orpha and Fay; and Della, who is the wife of Edward Walters and they have one child, Florence. Mr. Huffman's second marriage was to Mary A. Taylor, a daughter of George Taylor, formerly an old resident of Hancock County, now of Indiana. In politics, Mr. Huffman is a Democrat and he has served as school director, township trustee and in other offices. He is identified with Lodge No. 421, Knights of Pythias, Arcadia, O. EDWARD G. HERSH, M. D., who commands a large medical practice at McComb, O., where he is a leading citizen and has property investments, was born at Grand Rapids, Wood County, O., January 29, 1865, and is a son of Henry and Hannah (Bell) Hersh. Henry Hersh was born in Holmes County, O., in 1830 and died in Wood County, in 1890. Prior to 1860 he moved to Wood County and there engaged in farming. He served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War and was identified with a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married Hannah Bell, who was also born in Holmes County and still survives, being now in her seventy-eighth year. Two of their family of children are deceased, but the following are living : Maggie J., who is the wife of J. B. Gunday, of Toledo ; John A., who resides in Cleveland ; George E., who is a lumber merchant at Grand Rapids, O. ; W. H., who is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, where he is engaged in medical practice; Arthur B., who is engaged in farming near Grand Rapids ; and Edward G. In politics, Henry Hersh was a Republican and both he and wife were members of the United Brethren church. Edward G. Hersh obtained his education in the common schools and the High School at Grand Rapids and then took a scientific course in the Middlepoint Normal School. After teaching school for four terms he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine ,and Surgery, which is now known as the University of Cincinnati, and was graduated in the class of 1890. In the same year he came to McComb and has identified himself with the people and interests here, in 1900 completing the erection of his beautiful modern residence. He is a member of the leading medical organizations of the country, including the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, the Hancock County Medical Association, and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He 530 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY is special surgeon for the C. H. & D. Railroad and the Nickel Plate Railroad. On October 6, 1890, Dr. Hersh was married to Miss Cora Kimberlin, who was born and reared at Grand Rapids, a daughter of Jacob and Sabina Kimberlin. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Hersh is a 32nd degree Mason, a Knight of Pythias, and belongs also to the Elks. In his political views he is a Republican. JOHN C. FIRMIN, proprietor of Firmin's Drug Store, at Findlay, O., has been owner of his present business since the fall of 1890. He was born at Wilbraham, Mass., October 5, 1857, and is a son of F. B. and Mary (Chapin) Firmin. F. B. Firmin died in Massachusetts, in 1881, after which his widow came to Findlay, where her death occurred in 1903. The name of Fir-min has been a prominent one in medical and drug circles of Findlay. The late Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, an uncle of John C. Firmin, in his day was one of the eminent physicians of this city. Dr. F. W. Firmin, a brother of John C., is as-sociated with his son, Dr. John M. Firmin, in medical and surgical practice at Findlay. Dr. Lorenzo and Dr. F. W. Firmin were already established at Findlay when John C. Firmin came here in 1877. John C. Firmin was twenty years old when he came to Findlay and started to learn the drug business with John Decker, who was then the proprietor of what is now known as the Central Drug Company. After serving the required apprenticeship, Mr. Firmin entered Washington College, at Washington, D. C., where he was graduated in 1883, with the degree of Phar. D. He then returned to his native state and was engaged there in connection with the drug business for seven years, during the larger part of the time in the city of Worcester. In 1890 he returned to Findlay and bought the old Huber & Burns store and has continued in business here ever since. He carries a full line of drugs, sundries, candies and cigars, together with all the specialties found in a modern drug store and has probably the most complete establishment in this line in Hancock County. Mr. Firmin has long been recognized as one of the representative and public spirited citizens of Findlay. He served continuously as city treasurer from 1903 until January 1, 1910, being elected to that office on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Masonic frater-nity. Mr. Firmin has never married. LUKE EDWARDS, a citizen of Mt. Cory, O., to which pleasant town he came in 1907, for ten years previously resided on a farm of eighty acres near the town, and is well known all through this section. He was born at Liverpool, England, May 7, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Anna (King) Edwards. The parents of Mr. Edwards were born in Monmouthshire, England. They came to America and settled first at Richmond, Va., and later in Medina County, O., and lived also at St. Louis, Mo., the father in all these places working as a heater in a rolling mill. He and wife both died at Peru, Ind., the father in 1907 and the mother in 1908. Luke Edwards was mainly educated in the schools of St. Louis. During a large portion of his business life he has been in-terested in the oil industry, for some years being in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, near Findlay. At present he HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 531 owns a lease of 1,000 acres of oil land at Fort Recovery, O., and has thirty producing wells. In 1873, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Sarah Evans, a daughter of John and Martha (Smith) Evans, the former of whom was a roller in a tin plate mill in England, where he died in 1870. Mrs. Edwards came to America in 1870, with her brother, Anthony Evans. Their grandmother, Sarah Anthony, was the daughter of a very prominent and wealthy man in England. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards went to housekeeping at first in St. Louis. They have three children : John, who is a train repairer, married a Mrs. Metzler, of Chicago, and they have two children—Preston and Wallace ; Gordon, who married O11ie Shine, of Mt. Cory, has two children—Treva and Waneta ; and Lottie Doris, who is the wife of Fred Fisher and they have one daughter, Beatrice. ADAM BOWER, general farmer and highly respected citizen of Orange Township, Hancock County, O., where he owns a farm of forty acres, situated in Section 12, was born in Franklin County, O., May 17, 1854. His parents were Jacob and Catherine (Fendrick) Bower. Jacob Bower was born in Germany and was twenty-seven years of age when he came to Franklin County, O., where he soon after was married to Catherine Flendrick, also a native of Germany. They continued to live in Franklin County until after the birth of three children—Mary, Elizabeth, and Adam—and then moved to Van Buren Township, Hancock County, taking up forty acres of land on the western township line. Later Jacob Bower sold that land and bought eighty acres south of Jenera, also in Van Buren Township, and there the rest of the children were born — Catherine, Henry, Maggie and Barbara. Jacob Bower lived there into old age, his death occurring October 31, 1909, when he was ninety-one years old. His burial was in the cemetery attached to the Lutheran church of Eagle Creek of which he was a member. His widow still survives and lives on the homestead. Adam Bower had attended school for one term when the family moved from Franklin County although he was only five years old at the time. He continued at school, during the winter seasons, until he was eighteen years of age, devoting his summers from boyhood to farm work. After he married he settled on his present property and he has made all the excellent improvements, erecting the substantial buildings and attending to the draining of the land. He also had a large part of the farm to clear and still has five acres in valuable timber. As far as he knows, his land has neither oil nor gas as he has never thought it advisable to make tests. Mr. Bower was married in Van Buren Township to Miss Catherine Essinger, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Essinger, and they have had five children : Andy, Elizabeth, George, Lucinda and Henry Edward, the last named having died when five months old. Mr. Bower and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Eagle Creek. He votes the Democratic ticket. JACKSON H. CRAWFORD, chief of the Findlay police force, has been a member 532 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY of the organization since April 20, 1902, and has occupied his present responsible position since August 1, 1909. He was born in Warren County, Pa., May 27, 1865, and is a son of Patrick Henry and Margaret (Downs) Crawford. Henry Crawford was a railroad man for some years but now is engaged in farming in Shelby County, O., where both he and wife reside. In 1868 they moved to Wadsworth and later to Mansfield, O., and still later to their farm. Jackson H. Crawford was reared at Mansfield and attended school there and then went into the oil fields and for thirteen years was in the employ of E. Wanamaker, the large oil producer. He was twenty-three years old when he came to Findlay, March 1, 1888, and was in the oil industry until he became a member of the police force as indicated above. Faithful and efficient service brought about promotion and in the summer of 1909 he was appointed chief of the department by Hon. J. B. Walker, mayor of Findlay. His administration has been an effective one and he commands the confidence of the city. Chief Crawford was married at Shelby, O., to Miss Laura E. Barga, and they have two children : Verl D. and Myrtle. WILLIAM H. FALK, postmaster at Mt. Cory, O., and proprietor of a general store, was born in Adams County, Ind., and is a son of Sylvanus and Margaret Falk. The parents of Mr. Falk were born in Pennsylvania. When the father was small his parents came to Hancock County when the present site of Mt. Cory was covered with a dense forest growth. The grandfather secured eighty acres of Government land, which Sylvanus Falk assisted him to clear. He continued to live on the farm until he went for a time to Indiana, where he worked in a tannery. He then came back to Hancock County and now resides retired at Mt. Cory. He married a member of an old Pennsylvania family that came to Fairfield County, O. She died at Mt. Cory in 1906. William H. Falk was reared in Union Township, Hancock County, where he attended school. After his marriage he moved to Mt. Cory and has become one of the substantial business men of the place. He owns the largest business block in the town, which he has completed within the past six years and his general store leads all other enterprises of its kind in volume and quality of stock. He handles groceries, shoes, hats, caps and dry goods, and since April 1, 1906, he has been postmaster. In 1892, Mr. Falk was married to Miss Sophia Fox, whose parents were farming people residing one and one-half miles north of Rawson, O. The mother still resides on the homestead but the father died in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Falk have six children :: Marguerite Levon, Dorothy, Winona, Donald and Elizabeth. In politics, Mr. Falk is a Republican. EDWARD BOUTWELL, who carries on general farming and stock raising on his valuable farm of 100 acres, which is situated in Section 14, Orange Township, Hancock County, O., was born in this township, March 19, 1866, and is a son of Edwin and Rebecca (Elder) Boutwell. Edwin Boutwell was born in the State of New York and in boyhood accompanied his HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 533 parents to Coshocton County, O., where he was educated in the schools of that day, mostly of the pioneer type. He then came into Hancock County and soon married Rebecca Elder, of Mt. Blanchard, a daughter of Robert Elder. They settled in Orange Township and there eleven children were born to them, three of whom are living. Edwin Boutwell was one of the early settlers and did the most of the clearing of his land. Later in life he moved to the State of Washington in search of health and lived there until his death, in his seventy-fifth year. His wife died when aged seventy-two years and was buried in the Hassam Cemetery, Orange Township. They were members of the Riley Creek Baptist church. Edward Boutwell has almost always lived on his present farm and as soon as his school days were over began to give his father much assistance. He spent the first year after his marriage in Van Wert County and then returned to Orange Township and secured the southeast quarter of the homestead. This part of the estate he has greatly improved, having erected all the substantial buildings now standing and having done all the underdraining and ditching. The first wild-cat well drilled in Orange Township was on his farm and some oil and gas were developed. He has six acres in very valuable timber. Mr. Boutwell was married in 1885. to Miss Eliza Zarabaugh, a daughter of Peter Zarabaugh, of Orange Township, and they have had eleven children : Charles H., Burley, 'William, Arthur, George, Luella, Ward, Etta, Mabel Cloyce and Ruth. The family attend the Baptist church. In poli tics Mr. Boutwell is a Democrat as was his father before him. FRED E. ANDERSON, V. S., with office at No. 130 East Crawford Street, Findlay, O., entered into the practice of his profession in this city in 1887, and has built up a large business in this section. He was born at Carey, Wyandot County, O., April 1, 1864, and is a son of Isaiah J. and Elizabeth (Stauffer) Anderson. Isaiah J. Anderson was born and reared at Fostoria, O., and was a son of James Anderson, a pioneer there, who once owned several hundred acres of land and conducted one of the early stores of that place. From Fostoria, Isaiah J. Anderson moved to Carey, in Wyandot County, where he conducted a store until 1869, when he moved onto his farm. He died in July, 1905, having survived his wife since 1882. Fred E. Anderson was five years old when his parents moved on the farm and he remained there until he was nineteen years of age. While he was never particularly interested in the tilling of the soil, from boyhood he liked animals and was able to control them and when the time came for him to choose a pursuit and profession, he decided to be a veterinary surgeon and to this end became a student in the veterinary college at Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated in 1886. He practiced at Carey from April 1, 1886, until January 1, 1887, when he came to Findlay. He stands at the head of his profession in Hancock County. Dr. Anderson married Miss Laura E. Moses, of Sandusky County, and they have two children : Harry T. and Gertrude O. He recently purchased a beautiful residence 534 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY at No. 219 East Sandusky Street. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity. HERBERT S. SOLT, general farmer and owner of eighty acres of well improved land which is situated in Section 21, Eagle Township, Hancock County, O., seven and one-half miles southwest of Findlay, on the Rawson road, was born on this place, March 9, 1868. His parents were Peter and Henrietta (Cloud) Solt. Peter Solt was born in Fairfield County, O., as was also his wife, and they came to Eagle Township in the fall of 1855 and settled here when for miles and miles around there was nothing but forest. Peter Solt engaged in stock buying for many years and made many trips to New York to find a market, driving his stock himself. He lived to see many changes of all kinds, his death occurring June 20, 1908. His wife was a daughter of Mordecai Cloud, who was a prosperous farmer in Fairfield County. Mrs. Solt survives and lives with her son, D. B. Solt, at Rawson, Ohio. Herbert S. Solt obtained his education in the township schools and from boyhood has been busy on the farm on which he was born. He carries on a general farming line and raises considerable stock, each year having hogs, sheep, horses and cattle to sell. Since coming into possession of the farm he has done quite a large amount of improving, building a commodious and comfortable farm house and also a substantial barn and he has also put down enough tile to ensure proper drainage. Mr. Solt is a progressive farmer and carries on his various operations according to modern ideas. On May 18, 1909, Mr. Solt was married to Miss Glenn Treece, a daughter of Isaac and Amy Treece, and they have one child, Rena Lucile. Mrs. Solt was a teacher prior to her marriage and taught in Van Buren Township from 1907 until 1908 and later taught one term in Eagle Township, and was very highly esteemed in both neighborhoods. Mr. Solt takes no very active interest in politics but he is a fair-minded man and his neighbors know that -he may be depended upon to support all measures which promise to be beneficial to his section. GEORGE FRANKLIN VAN EMAN, who has been postmaster of Van Buren, O., since February 6, 1908, when he succeeded G. S. Brushwood, was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cass Township, Hancock County, O. He was born August 30, 1863, on a farm in Cass Township, and is a son of Joseph Cooper and Mary E. (Hollingshead) Van Eman. Joseph Cooper Van Eman was born in Greene County, Pa., and at the age of thirteen years came to Hancock County, O., with his parents, who located on a farm six miles west of Findlay in Blanchard Township. Here he was reared to maturity and during his early manhood taught school a few terms, and engaged in the mercantile business, but spent his later years on a farm of 150 acres in Cass Township, where his death occurred in 1891. He was one of the substantial farmers and prominent citizens of the county, and is still survived by his widow, who is a resident of Bloomdale, Wood County, O. George F. Van Eman was reared on the home farm in Cass Township and for years was engaged in farming in that township, removing to Van Buren, O., in 1903, in which HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 535 year he erected a modern residence, which is one of the finest homes in Van Buren, having all of the latest conveniences and luxuries, in-cluding steam heating, and a hot and cold water system. He also owns an interest in the old home farm of 15o acres in Cass Township, which is very valuable oil property. In 1886, Mr. Van Eman was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born and reared in Cass Township, and is a daughter of Aaron and Margaret (Gross) Smith, who were prominent farmers of this township. The father died in the spring of 1906, and the mother died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Van Eman have one son, Charles Ross, who, after graduating from the Van Buren High School attended Wooster College for two years, after which he taught two terms in Cass Township. Mr. Van Eman is a man of public spirit and enterprise, and has served in various township offices, having been constable of Cass Township for six years, road super-visor for two years, and truant officer of Van Buren one year. JOHN T. MONTGOMERY, who stands at the head of many of the financial institutions and important industries of Hancock County, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Findlay. He is vice-president of the Com-mercial Bank and Savings Company and also president of the Independent Torpedo Company, both of Findlay ; is president of the Eastlake Milling and Mining Company of Edwards County, Colo., and also president of the Arkansas Land and Developing Company and of other smaller business combinations. Additionally he owns farm and oil lands in Hancock and Mercer Counties and properties of value in other parts of the country, and is one of the very successful developers, producers, dealers and contractors in oil. John T. Montgomery was born at Renfrew, near Ottawa, Dominion of Canada, in 1853, and is a son of William Montgomery, who was born in Ireland in 1820 and emigrated to Can-ada, where he died in 1894. Mr. Montgomery is a true type of self-made man. He had few advantages of any kind in his youth and was vet a boy when he learned the blacksmith trade and spent his early manhood working at the forge. When twenty-four years old, in 1877, he went to the Pennsylvania oil fields and worked for a time as a blacksmith in Clarion County, in the meanwhile carefully investigat-ing and subsequently acquiring a small lease in Allegany County, N. Y., which was a part of the Bradford oil fields, lying just across the state line from McKean County, Pa. Just ten years later, in 1887, Mr. Montgomery trans-ferred the scene of his operations to Findlay, O., entering then upon what has proved a re-markably successful career as a producer and contractor in oil. He became senior member of the firm of Montgomery & Stitt, at the beginning of his operations, one of the most widely known firms in all this section, one that owned wells in Hancock, Wood, Mercer, Sandusky and Lucas Counties, O. He also became interested in lumber and at one time, in association with two other capitalists, was the owner of the Findlay Lumber Company, which acquired large tracts of timber land in Mis-souri. Gradually his business interests broad-ened and, as mentioned above, he is identified with numerous enterprises of recognized worth and importance in different sections. Mr. Montgomery in many ways has been a decided factor in the development and progress made at Findlay, for in the advancement of the city 536 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY he chose as his home, he has taken pride and in numerous ways he has contributed to its welfare, not ostentatiously, for such is not Mr. Montgomery's nature, but along the quiet lines that make for permanency. He is notably charitable and the support he gives to benevolent bodies has been willingly and cheerfully bestowed. In September, 1893, Mr. Montgomery was married (first) to Miss Anna M. George, who, at death, was survived by one daughter, Hortensia. In 1897, Mr. Montgomery was married (second) to Miss Lida M. Shultz, a daughter of Rev. J. M. Shultz, then pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Findlay. Two children were born to this marriage : John William, and Irene. The family home is a beautiful residence situated at No. 510 W. Sandusky Street, Findlay. Both Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they occupy a leading positon in the city's pleasant social circles. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Masonic fraternity. GEORGE S. STOUGH, president of the school board in Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is a general farmer and stock dealer, and resides on a tract of eighty acres located in Section 32, Allen Township, and is one of the leading citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born September 1, 1868, on a farm in Cass Township, Hancock County, O., and is a son of Christopher Stough. George S. Stough was three years of age when his parents settled in Allen Township, where he has lived continuously since that time. His education was obtained in the schools of the district, and he has always made farming and stock dealing his occupation. He has made many important improvements on the farm, including the erection of his fine frame residence, to take the place of the old dwelling which was destroyed by fire on January 2, 1905. Mr. Stough was joined in marriage with Annie Hudson, who was born and reared in Allen Township, a daughter of John W. Hudson, and of their union have been born the following children : Chloe, Collins F., Gail, Glen, Ralph, Merle, Bessie, Gladys, and Clarke. The three last named are deceased, Clarke dying in the fall of 1909, aged three years. Mr. Stough holds membership with the I. O. O. F., and order of Ben Hur. He has been a member of the school board of Allen Township for the past four years, and was elected president of that body in 1909. DANIEL F. LIGHTFOOT, a leading citizen of Portage Township, Hancock County, O., and township road superintendent, resides upon his valuable farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Section 9, three and one-half miles northeast of the farm on which he was born, December 3, 1851. His parents were Henry and Margaret (Russell) Lightfoot. Henry Lightfoot was born in Indiana and was a son of Henry H. Lightfoot. The former came to Portage Township when a young man and the latter followed at a later date and died here during the Civil War. Henry Lightfoot served three years as a soldier in that great struggle, being a member of Co. K, 21st O. Vol. Inf. He was married to Margaret Russell, who was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Portage Township in girlhood, by her parents, Thomas and Susan Russell. In 1858, Henry Lightfoot and family moved to HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 537 Findlay and he died there in 1900 and his wife in 1895. Daniel F. Lightfoot was seven years old when he was brought to Findlay where he was reared and educated. He had a natural leaning in youth toward mechanics and learned the business of stationary engineer and for twenty-one years made that his main line of work, for seven years of this period being employed at the electric light station at Findlay. He has owned his present farm since 1887 but did not locate on it until the spring of 1905. He carries on a general farming line and has demonstrated that a man may be competent in more than one line of activity if he exercises good judgment. Mr. Lightfoot was married to Miss Louisa Pendleton, a daughter of Joel and Amy (Sherman) Pendleton, the former of whom died in 1893 and the latter in 1905. Joel Pendleton was a leading citizen of Hancock County for years and was county surveyor. Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot have had six children: Frank, who is an electrician, lives at Los Angeles, Calif.; Carrie M., who resides at home; Bessie B., who died aged nine years; Amy E., who is the wife of Wallace A. Archer; and Willie J. and Myrtle O. In politics Mr. Lightfoot is a Republican and he has served in a number of responsible public positions. From 1889 until 1895 he was superintendent of the Hancock County Infirmary, and from 1886 until 1889, he was superintendent of Maple Grove Cemetery. He has been interested in military affairs for a number of years and helped to organize the old organization known as Co. B, 11th O. N. G., which now forms Co. A, and O. N. G., of which he was captain for several years. For eleven years he was identified with the National Guard, entering as a private and advancing through merit to a captaincy. During the Spanish-American War he served as captain of an organization of the Sons of Veterans and he is generally known as Captain Lightfoot. CLARENCE JOSEPH OLLER, cashier of The Commercial Bank & Savings Company, at Findlay, O., of which he was one of the organizers, has been identified with the banking business for more than twenty years. He was born on a farm in Delaware County, O., August 23, 1863, and is a son of John and Mary Oiler, the latter of whom is deceased, but the former continues to live in Delaware County. Clarence J. Oiler remained on the farm until he was seventeen years old, and then attended school at Delaware, O., securing a complete Normal and business trainng in the Ohio Business College and the National Pen Art Hall and Business College of Delaware, O., and the Iron City Commercial College of Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Oiler, after having graduated from the above named schools, purchased an interest in the National Pen Art Hall and Business College and was associated with Professor George W. Michael for one and one-half years, severing his connection with this institution in 1883. He came to Findlay and organized the Findlay Business College, which he successfully conducted for about seven years, after which his connection began with the banking business. He began with The Farmers National Bank, now The Buckeye National Bank, where he remained eight years, and then went to Greenspring, O., where he organized The Commercial Bank Company and remained 538 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY three and one-half years, and then returned to Findlay. The Commercial Bank & Savings Company, of Findlay, was organized in the latter part of 1900 and began business on February 20, 1901. Mr. E. C. Taylor was the first president, and continued until the spring of 1910, and Mr. Oiler has been cashier from the beginning. The other officers are : John B. Heimhofer, of Findlay, president ; John T. Montgomery, vice-president ; and Charles H. Bigelow, secretary-treasurer. The officers are directors, together with Dr. N. L. MacLachlan and W. J. Frey, treasurer of Hancock County, O., and N. W. Cunningham, of Bluffton, O. These are all men of capital and high personal standing. Mr. Oiler was married to Miss Nellie J. Ballard, of Hancock County, a daughter of Dr. H. D. Ballard. They have one daughter, Mary Imogene. Mr. Oiler is additionally interested in successful business enterprises, being director and treasurer of The Findlay Sucker Rod Company, a director in The United States Electric Porcelain Company, treasurer of The Buckeye Steam Laundry Company, vice-president of The Commercial Bank Company, of Greenspring, O., and cashier of The Vanlue Banking Company, Vanlue, O. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the First M. E. church of Findlay, O. MNASON A. ADAMS, a well known farmer and much esteemed citizen of Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is the owner of 164 acres of highly cultivated farm land, eighty-four acres of which lie in Section 20, and eighty acres in Section 29, and has practically been a lifelong resident of this community. He was born July 7, 1833, near Danville, Columbia County, Pa., which is now known as Montour County, and is a son of Paul and Margaret (Diehl) Adams. Paul Adams came from Montour County, Pa., to Ohio in 1835, bringing his family in covered wagons, and settled in Richland County. Being a man of education and culture, and unaccustomed to manual labor, he taught school there until 1841. He then came to Hancock County, where in 1833, he had entered a tract of eighty acres in section 29, Allen Township, for himself, and eighty acres in Section 20 for his brother-in-law, Jacob Foust, who came to the county in 1838 and spent the remainder of his life here. On the evening of March 28, 1841, Paul Adams and family arrived at Van Buren, O., and soon after began preparations toward making a clearing on his land large enough to erect a cabin. The news became circulated in this section of the township of Mr. Adams' intention to build a cabin of hewn logs cut from standing timber, and when the appointed day arrived, there were enough neighborhood men on hand to cut and hew the timber, and they erected before sundown a cabin which was 18 by 22 feet. Mr. Adams taught school here during the winter months for eight years, and in the summer devoted his time to clearing the land, which was wet and in need of draining, and placing it in a state of cultivation. Here his death occurred January 28, 1850, of typhoid fever. His widow subsequently married David Dorsey, now deceased, and her death occurred in Decem- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 539 ber, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Mnason A. Adams was reared on his present farm and attended the district school of the township about four months each year, attending five terms while his father was the instructor. He was sixteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and being the eldest of the seven children living, a great many responsibilities fell to his lot. At that time there was considerable illness in the neighborhood, and often the whole family was down and scarcely able to wait upon one another. Mr. Adams, like his father, was a teacher for a number of years and continued to teach during the winter seasons until he was twenty-nine years of age. In 1852 he taught school in a small round log house, in which the seats were made by splitting small trees and smoothing off one side, putting in wooden pegs for supports. The desks were arranged along the sides of the building and were made of two-inch boards with holes bored in and wooden pins driven through for foundations. He taught a month of twenty-six days and received fifty cents a day for his services and boarded himself. With a part of the first money so earned he purchased his first cook stove. When he moved on the place on which he lives it was one and one-half miles distant from any other house east or south. One family lived one and one-half miles west and there was one mile between him and the nearest house on the north. The land all around was forest and was owned by speculators. Mr. Adams finished clearing the land, which he has thoroughly tiled and placed in a high state of cultivation, and has made all of the improvements on the farm, erecting a fine brick residence in 1884. He also purchased the tract of forty acres which his father had sold previous to his death, and also bought in small portions, the eightyfour-acre tract which his father had entered for Mr. Foust. Mr. Adams has always followed farming in a general way in connection with stock raising and is recognized as one of the most substantial and progressive farmers of the township. He is politically a Republican and served twenty-six years on the school board of the township, and as justice of the peace some time, although the township is strongly Democratic. He is a member, trustee, and steward of the Salem M. E. church in Cass Township. In October, 1863, Mr. Adams married Cordelia Dorsey, his step-sister and a daughter of David Dorsey, and to them have been born nine children : Margaret, who is the wife of Jos. Wineland, who operates the home farm ; Clara Arabella, who died in July, 1893, was the wife of George Gaylord ; Sarah Anna ; Viola Cordelia, who died aged six months ; Samuel Mnason, who is a machinist, is employed by the Buckeye Traction Co. of Findlay ; Paul David, who died in infancy ; one son who was born dead ; Nellie, who married Nelson Hiestand of Michigan, and May Adeline. NICHOLAS ARRAS, who resides on his valuable farm of 203 acres, which lies in Section 31, Eagle Township, Hancock County, O., twelve miles southwest of Findlay, along the Redick road, was born on this farm, May 27, 1861, and is a son of John and Margaret (Essinger) Arras. John Arras was born in Germany and was 540 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY brought to America by his parents when he was ten years old. His father, Peter Arras, was one of the early settlers of Marion County, O., locating- about 1831 and later removing from there into Hancock County and acquiring land in Eagle Town-ship on which he lived until his death. John Arras engaged in farming in Eagle Town-ship and became a man of excellent standing in his neighborhood. He died in 1899. He married Margaret Essinger, who was also born in Germany, a daughter of Nicholas Essinger whom she accompanied to America in girlhood. Her father settled in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, O., and was engaged in farming and stock raising. Mrs. Arras died in 1894. Nicholas Arras grew to manhood on the home farm and attended the district schools of Eagle Township. Since the farm came into his possession he has made many improvements, erecting a commodious and comfortable farm residence and substantial barns and granaries, much of the improving having been done within the last five years. This farm is said to be the best tiled one in the township. Mr. Arras is a progressive farmer and a very successful one, a partial explanation of this being that he uses only high grade seed. He raises considerable stock and makes a specialty of hogs, each year having many head ready for market. Mr. Arras was married on September 10, 1885, to Miss Margaret Rauch, a daughter of Christian and Maria Rauch, the former of whom was born in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, and the latter in Germany. Mrs. Rauch was brought to America and Ohio when yet a girl and married in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, where she and Mr. Rauch still reside on their farm. Mr. and- Mrs. Arras have had four children : John C.; Adam W., who graduated from the Findlay Business College, with class honors, in 1908; Amanda L., who died in 1892, when one year old; and Eva Katie. Mr. Arras and his family are members of the German Lutheran church at Jenera, O. Mr. Arras is one of Eagle Township's representative men and has served three years as a member of the township school board. ALVIN C. EWING, county recorder of Hancock County, O.,. now residing at Findlay, is a prominent citizen of this county and an influential member of the Democratic party. He was born in Liberty Township, Hancock County, O., November 26, 1854, and is a son of Cornelius S. and Elizabeth (Ensley) Ewing. Alvin C. Ewing was reared on his father's farm and obtained his education in the country schools. At the age of twenty-one he came first to Findlay, where, for seven years he was a clerk in a general store, after which he returned to the farm and shortly afterward was appointed superintendent of the county infirmary, which office he re-tained for two years and then resumed farming. Later he embarked in the mercantile business at Mt. Cory and for six years served as mayor of that town. For ten years previous to assuming the duties of county recorder, on September 1, 1909. he resided on his farm in Union Township, where he also, at different times, filled. the offices of township clerk and trustee. Mr. Ewing married Miss Malissa A. King, who was born and reared in Hancock HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 543 County and is a daughter of John King, Sr. They have one child, Maud May, who is the wife of George F. Guin. Mr. and Mrs. Guin have a daughter, Josephine. Mr. Ewing belongs to the fraternal orders of Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees, also is an associated member of the Grand Army of the Republic. ELIPHES WANAMAKER, deceased, formerly president of the Independent Torpedo Company, an important business enterprise of Findlay, O., was numbered with the city's able business men and substantial citizens. He was born in 1849, in Westmoreland County, Pa., and died at Findlay, May 5, 1910. He was a son of Lewis and a grandson of Peter Wanamaker. The name of Wanamaker is one that has long been held in very high esteem in the United States, invariably representing, as it does, high standards of citizenship and business capacity above the ordinary. The original branch probably came from Holland but for generations it has grown and prospered in Pennsylvania and from there has scattered over the Union. Eliphes Wanamaker grew to sixteen years on his father's farm and then learned the carpenter trade. He was more ambitious than some other members of the family, and was not afraid to venture out from. home surroundings into the oil fields and try his fortune contesting with others gathered from every part of the country. He went to work as a tool dresser and from that became an oil well driller and in this capacity became a judge of property and subsequently a shrewd investor, going into the oil contracting business. Prior to 1885 he worked mainly in the Venango oil fields but in that year came to Hancock County, establishing his home at Findlay, where he resided for twenty-four years. During this time he became interested in numerous successful business enterprises, one of these being the Independent Torpedo Company. In politics he was a Democrat but never consented to hold political office, although he possessed many of the qualities so needful in a public official—judgment, foresight, courage and personal integrity. He belonged to both branches of the order of Odd Fellows, and also to the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Wanamaker was married to Miss Vina C. Mainhart, of Johnstown, Pa., and they had one daughter, Verna, who married E. C. Edwards, of Leipsic. With his family he belonged to the Lutheran church. The comfortable family home is located at No. 903 South Main Street, Findlay. ISAAC HART, who served as a member of the board of county commissioners of Hancock County, O., from 1901 until 1907, resides on his farm of 160 acres, situated in Section 27, Portage Township, and owns a second farm, of eighty acres, which lies in Section 16 in the same township. He was born on his father's farm located in the southwest corner of Section 27, Portage Township, June 13, 1845, and is a son of Abraham and Christianna (Linn) Hart. Abraham Hart was born in Pennsylvania, followed farming all his life and died on the old Hart homestead in advanced age. He was married in Ashland County, O., to Christianna Linn, who was born in Maryland and died also on the old homestead in Portage Township. Isaac Hart was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools and later spent several years alternating teaching in the 544 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY winter seasons and cultivating the farm in the summers. After marriage he located on this farm but subsequently removed to Findlay, where he resided for seven years, attending to other business interests, but moved back to the farm in March, 1909. For a number of years Mr. Hart has been selling a patent farm gate which has attracted much favorable notice through the agricultural districts wherever shown. Mr. Hart has exhibited the Chain Hinge Gate all over the state, making use of tests to prove its strength under strain and its general utility. He makes use of thirty-two of these gates on his own 240 acres and has disposed of 160 in Hancock County and a large number in Van Wert, Lucas, Wood and Logan Counties, farmers recognizing that it has superior points to anything of the kind ever before called to their attention. Mr. Hart does not personally cultivate his land, having a capable farmer in charge. Mr. Hart was married to Miss Miriam Moorhead, who was born and reared the present farm and died here in September, 1897. She was a daughter of John Moorhead, Sr. They had seven children, namely : William L., who is a farmer residing in Kansas ; Laura, who is at home ; Edgar J., who resides in Allen Township west of Van Buren ; Mary Belle, who is the widow of Jacob Burman ; Albert Marion, who died aged thirteen years ; Dora C., who is the wife of William Poole, of Arkansas ; and Harriet Blanche, who died aged four years. Mr. Hart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Firidlay and is one of its board of trustees. He is a Republican in his political views and has been more or less interested in public affairs ever since reaching manhood. During his long period of service as a county commissioner, he proved faithful to the interests involved and contributed to the efficiency of the board by his advice and good business judgment. RICHARD M. FOREMAN, who resides on a well improved and highly cultivated farm of eighty acres, which is located in Section 9, Eagle Township, Hancock County, O., was born on his present farm August 15, 1866, and is a son of John F. and Mary (Yates) Foreman. John F. Foreman was a native of Pennsylvania and engaged in agricultural pursuits on the farm now owned by our subject, his death occurring there January 14, 1908. His wife was born and reared in Eagle Township, Hancock County, O., her parents having been prominent farmers of the county. She also died on this farm, January 11, 1898. Richard M. Foreman was reared and has always lived on the farm where lie now resides, and his educational training was obtained in the local schools. Mr. Foreman has always followed farming, and his land is well tiled and ditched, has good substantial buildings, and is up-to-date in every respect. On January 26, 1909, Mr. Foreman was married to Alta Fenestmaker, a daughter of William and Sarah Ann Fenestmaker, who were prominent farmers of Eagle Township, Hancock County. Mr. Fenestmaker died on his farm in this township, in 1885, and was survived by his widow until 1898. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Foreman : Ethel, Ralph, Lena, Gertrude and Ray. WILLIAM D. McCAUGHEY, secretary and treasurer of the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company, which is the largest independent HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 545 concern at Findlay, O., is a native of Hancock County and was born in a log cabin on a farm, in Allen Township, June 26, 1846, and is a son of John W. and Eliza (Alban) McCaughey. John W. McCaughey was born in Stark County, O., amid pioneer surroundings, and was a son of John McCaughey who was born in Londonderry, Ireland. He married Eliza Alban, who was also born in Stark County and was a daughter of Capt. William Alban, who served in the War of 1812, under General Hull. John W. McCaughey and wife moved to Hancock County in 1842. William McCaughey was reared on what was then a backwoods farm and his educational advantages were limited. He remained a farmer until he was thirty-two years of age and then came to Findlay, where, for a number of years he was entrusted with interests connected with the administration of estates and receivership duties. During 1887 he served as a member of the school board ; from 1890 until 1900 he was a member of the board of equalization, in the latter year being president of this body, and from May, 1904, until January I, 1907, he was a member of the board of public service, elected to the same on the Republican ticket. In 1891 he was appointed gas trustee of Findlay. Thus Mr. McCaughey was well known to the business men, financiers and public officials of Findlay before he identified himself with his present enterprise and it must be acknowledged that his name added great stability to it. The Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company came to Findlay under the name of Van Buren, Heck & Marvin, in February, 1903, and Mr. McCaughey took charge on January 1, 1905. At that time the business was in what is termed bad shape and already a petition of the creditors of the company had been filed asking that a receiver be appointed, but when it was learned that Mr. McCaughey had been placed in charge, this petition was recalled. The panic of 1907 affected this concern as it did so many others, but there came no suspension either of work or the payment of wages, Mr. McCaughey and the president of the company, Dr. N. M. McLachlin, attending to these matters personally. The present board of officers is as follows : Dr. N. M. McLachlin, president ; Collin D. Hayward, vice-president ; William D. McCaughey, secretary and treasurer ; and C. S. Brown, superintendent of manufacture. Employment is afforded 165 men which will shortly be increased to more than 300 when contemplated improvements are completed. In 1870, Mr. McCaughey was married to Miss Harriet Miller, a daughter of William Miller, of Hancock County. Mrs. McCaughey was born at Lockport, N. Y., but came to Seneca County when three years of age, and to Hancock County when fifteen years old. GEORGE F. HAMMOND, a progressive and successful farmer and stock raiser of Union Township, owning 118 acres of valuable land situated in Section 6, has been a resident of Hancock County for fifty-eight years. He was born in Carroll County, O., September 19, 1838, and is a son of George and Anna Hammond. George Hammond was born in Virginia and was taken to Carroll County, O., by his parents and later was married there to Anna Kinney, who died in 1863. She was a native of Maryland. The death of George Hammond occurred in Adams County, Ind., where he had 546 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY spent the closing years of his life. He was a cooper by trade. George F. Hammond was reared in Carroll County and obtained his education in the country schools. When Civil War was declared, he was one of the first to enlist for service in the 'Ilion army, at Findlay, O., on August 25, 1861, becoming a member of the 21 st O. Vol. Inf. He took part in a number of the most important battles of the war, including Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Atlanta, was with Sherman in his great march to the sea and saw hardship of every kind but survived it all and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and received his honorable discharge at Columbus, O., July 25, 1865. He then returned to peaceful pursuits and settled in Union Township, Hancock County. He has a valuable property which is well improved and well tiled. While he raises no registered stock he has an abundance of the ordinary variety and finds stock raising one of his most profita-ble industries. On October 28, 1858, Mr. Hammond was married to Miss Elizabeth Seitz, who died July 31, 1892, at the age of sixty years. She was born and reared in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, where her parents, Samuel and Martha Seitz were farming people. Six children were born to this union : Jane, Sherman, Alfred, Emma, Amanda and George. Jane married Samuel Peterson, of Union Township and they have the following children : William, Dora, Pearl, Everett, Molly, Mary, Hazel, Bessie, Glenn and Roy. Sherman married Adelia Burkholter of Putnam County, and they have two children: Martin and Wilbur. Alfred married a Miss Perkins, of Union Township and they have seven children : Francis, Velma, John, Leona, Harry, Howard and Bertha. Emma married a Mr. Zucker, of Columbus Grove, and they have two children: Merl and Delmar. George married Lucy Cyrus, of Putnam County, and they have two children: Ray and Oliver. Amanda died in August, 1903, at the age of twenty-nine years. Mr. Hammond has twenty-three grandchildren and he has rea-son to be proud of his descendants and they often gather at the old farm to gladden him with their tokens of respect and affection. JOHN S. BEAGLE, township trustee of Orange Township, Hancock County, O., and a leading farmer of this section, owns 192 acres of valuable land which lies in Section 1. He was born in Jackson Township, Hancock County, January 31, 1853, and is a son of Alva and Martha (Fox) Beagle. Alva Beagle was born in Muskingum County, O., and came to Hancock County in 1852, and in the same year was married to Martha Fox, a daughter of Samuel Fox, who was a native of Pennsylvania. Five children were born to this marriage, namely : John S., Anna, William Edwin, Martin and Sadie I. Alva Beagle and wife had settled in Jackson Township where he secured eighty acres of land and cleared the larger part of it himself. All the children were born there. He and wife were members of the German Baptist church in which he took much interest and con-tributed to building the present edifice. John S. Beagle attended school in Jackson Township and helped his father on the farm where he lived until his own marriage, when he came to his present place in Orange Township. This land had all been cleared, but few improvements had been made and Mr. Beagle erected the fine buildings now standing. He has shown much enterprise in carrying on his HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 547 agricultural work and is numbered with the substantial and successful men of this section. In 1880, Mr. Beagle was married to Miss Lyda D. Marshall, a daughter of William Marshall, of Orange Township, and they have nine children, all of whom are at home except the eldest son; William, who married Luella Crowell, of Union Township, and they have a daughter, Catherine D. The other members of the family are : H. C., Mattie, Nellie, Myrtle, Marshall, Rhoda, Samuel and Helen. Mr. Beagle and family attend the Evangelical church. He is a Republican in politics, and is serving in his second term as township trustee. JOHN E. BETTS, a representative citizen of Findlay, O., a member of the city council, representing the First Ward, is the junior member of the law firm of Axline & Betts, one which is entrusted with a large amount of the important litigation of city and county. Mr. Betts was born on a farm in Wood County, O., November 3, 1863, and is a son of Edward C. and Elizabeth (Walters) Betts. Mr. Betts is of pioneer ancestry and Revolutionary stock. His great-grandfather was Capt. Hezekiah Betts, who entered the Continental army when a mere boy and gained promotion under Major Willis and General Webb and was captain of his company, although not yet quite twenty-one years of age, at the surrender of General Cornwallis, and the subject of this sketch has in his possession the commission issued by Oliver Wolcott, then governor of Connecticut. He was born in Connecticut, July 31, 1760, and died May 31, 1837, at Norwalk, Conn. Dr. Alfred Hanford Betts, son of Captain Hezekiah and grandfather of John E. Betts, was born at Norwalk, Conn., September 2, 1786, and came to the Western Reserve about 1815-16. He was a scholarly man and was one of the founders of the Western Reserve University which was established first at Hudson, O., but is now one of the great educational centers at Cleveland, and assisted in establishing Oberlin College. He was one of the early medical practitioners and appears to have been a man of more than ordinary capacity in many ways. Edward C. Betts, father of John E. Betts, was about three years old when his father came to the Western Reserve. In 1836 he engaged in teaching school in Defiance County, O., but later acquired land in Wood County, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years. After his son, John E. Betts, had become well established at Findlay, with his wife he came to this city and here his death occurred on October 6, 1908, being then in his ninety-sixth year. His venerable widow yet survives and is still a resident of Findlay. John E. Betts was reared on his father's farm in Wood County and attended the country schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he accepted a position in a village general store, with the understanding that he should receive a yearly salary of $50, with board and washing. After nine months, however, Mr. Betts had changed his mind about being a merchant and withdrew from the contract and on being paid what was owing to him, made other plans for the future. These included a better educational training and after a short period in a school in Michigan, he entered the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, O. In 1889, Mr. Betts came to Findlay and entered the law office of his uncle, the late Judge Jacob F. Burkett, who was formerly Supreme Justice of Ohio. Mr. Betts was admitted to the Ohio bar 548 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY in 1890 and in 1900 became associated in the practice of law, with J. Frank Axline, under the firm style of Axline & Betts. The business of the firm covers all branches of general practice and their suite of four well appointed offices are at No. 65-66, in the Adams Block, Findlay. Mr. Betts was married in 1902, to Miss Elizabeth F. Fisher, a daughter of A. J. and Martha E. (Hart) Fisher, of Findlay, O. The father of Mrs. Betts was born in Cass Township, Hancock County, O., February 19, 1849, a son of John and Katherine A. (Dunlop) Fisher, both natives of Lancaster County, Pa. They came to Hancock County in 1835 and settled on a partly cleared farm in Cass Township. A. J. Fisher was educated in the schools at Findlay and for fifteen winters taught school while engaging in farming during the summers. His first school was in Washington Township. He became a man of consequence in Hancock County, on many occasions served with efficiency in township offices. In 1872 he married Martha E. Hart, a daughter of Cyrus and Elizabeth Hart, who were pioneers in Hancock County. Mrs. Fisher died November 1, 1902. Mr. Fisher was early interested in the oil industry in this section and was president of the oil company that opened the first field north of Findlay. Mr. and Mrs. Betts have one son, Jackson E. Betts. With his family Mr. Betts belongs to the Episcopal church. He has been an active and interested citizen ever since making Findlay his home. He has been interested in many business and manufacturing concerns, and his name appears in the directorate of many of Findlay's important enterprises. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and with the Sons of the American Revolution. CHESTER L. GREEN, general farmer and stock raiser, residing on his well kept farm of eighty-five acres, situated in Section 7, Union Township, Hancock County, O., lying on the Ridge road, five and one-half miles northwest of Mt. Cory, O., was born in this township, July 10, 1858. He is a son of William and Rachel (Weiinger) Green. William Green was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of William Green who was one of the pioneers in Hancock County and died in Union Township. His son, William Green, was then a young man and he still lives on the old home farm. His wife died in 1866. Chester L. Green was eight years old when he lost his mother. He grew up at home and attended school and later taught school for fourteen terms in Putnam County. Mr. Green has made farming and stock raising, however, his main business and has prospered far beyond the average. His well kept buildings and carefully cultivated fields indicate that he takes pride and pleasure in his work and that success should reward him is not merely a matter of chance. Within the past seven years he has greatly improved his place, rebuilding his house and barn and tiling the land. These improvements have been costly but they have made his property much more valuable. On October 25, 1883, Mr. Green was married to Miss Emma Crow, of Putnam County, O., a daughter of William R. and Bersheba (Brower) Crow, the former of whom was a substantial farmer. He died in Putnam County in 1892, aged seventy-one years and was survived but two years by his widow, who was aged seventy-four years. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 549 Mrs. Green was educated in Putnam County and taught one term of school there. To Mr. and Mrs. Green seven children were born : Atlee C., Clare R., William Everett, Joycie G., Leslie C., Milford V. and Jessie, all of whom survive except Jessie, who died when nine days old. Atlee C., the eldest, attended the High School at Mt. Cory, O., where he was graduated in 1903 and taught two terms in the district schools of Hancock County. Clare R. was graduated from the Pandora High School in 1907, following which he taught school in District No. 5, Liberty Township, Putnam County, and in 1909 the grammar school at Benton Ridge, O., and in the summer of 1910 was superintendent of the High School at Depont, O., also attending Otterbein College at Westerville. He is a very close student and seemingly has a bright future ahead of him in the educational field. The third son, William Everett, graduated from the Pandora High School in 1910 and is employed to teach in Putnam County. Mr. and Mrs. Green are giving their children every advantage in their power. They are members of the United Brethren church at Pleasant View where Mr. Green has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for nine years. PETER RAUSCH, who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 100 acres in Orange Township, Hancock County, O., was born June 13, 1846, in Germany, and is a son of John and Barbara Rausch, both of whom always lived in Germany. The mother died when our subject was but eleven years of age. Peter Rausch was reared and obtained his education in his native country, and at the age of twenty-two years came to America, landing in New York City after a voyage of thirteen days. He then came to Findlay, O., and soon purchased a tract of sixty acres in Eagle Township. This land had originally been entered from the Government by. the former owner, and about thirty acres of it had been cleared when Mr. Rausch made his purchase. He subsequently sold this farm, and purchased his present farm of 100 acres in Section 1, Orange Township, and here carries on farming in a general way. About five acres of the farm are yet in timber, but Mr. Rausch has done considerable draining and otherwise improved the land, including the building of nearly all of the fences on the place. Mr. Rausch was married about one week after landing in America, his wife, who was Susanna Krichbaum, having come to this country on the same vessel. Of their union were born the following children : Peter, Philip, Katie, William, John, George, Jacob, and Charles. John died at the age of seven years. Mr. Rausch has been a resident of Hancock County for thirty years, and is one of the representative and public spirited citizens of Orange Township. Politically he is an Independent Democrat, but has never sought office for himself. He is a charter member of the German Lutheran church of which he is secretary. J. E. BICKNELL, who is engaged in the production of oil in Hancock County, O., has been a resident of Findlay since 1889, and was born September 10, 1863, in Morrisville, Madison County, N. Y., a son of J. Bennett and Hannah W. (Wagner) Bick-