HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 575 of log houses surrounding the court house. He led a busy life from boyhood and for four years chopped down trees and cleared the farm of brush before he started to cultivate it. Later lie introduced many improvements and kept the farm of 160 acres left him by his father intact for his own children and died on it at the age of sixty-five years. He married Elizabeth Swindler, who lived to be seventy-eight years of age. She was born in Jefferson County, O., and was a capable housewife and good mother. In the early days before her husband's means could provide other ways of transportation, she did not hesitate to carry produce to market on horseback and thus do her part in adding to the family income. Eight children were born to Michael and Elizabeth Roller, namely : William, who lives in Wood County, O.; Sarah, who is the widow of Allen Spahr; Mary; Philena, who is the wife of Jefferson Huffman; George; Ida, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Taylor ; Henry S. ; and Lorena, who is the wife of Edward Vickers. Henry S. Roller grew to manhood in Big Lick Township and attended the country schools as opportunity offered, although he began hard work on the farm when comparatively young. There was always a job of clearing or wood cutting awaiting him when farm work was not pressing and before the days of the oil boom he hauled and sold wood through Findlay. He remained at home for ten years after his marriage and continued to farm and raise stock there until the spring of 1895, when he bought a part of his present farm in Washington Township and later bought forty more acres, the remaining portion. He has remodeled the buildings and put everything in fine condition here and is num bered with the successful general farmers of this neighborhood. Mr. Roller was married October 1, 1885, to Miss Margaret Ellen Vickers, a daughter of George and Malissa ( Jolley) Vickers, the former of whom was born in Cass Township, Hancock County, a son of James Vickers, of England, who came here as a pioneer. George Vickers died October 27, 1866, aged thirty years. His widow, who survives him, was born in Columbiana County, O., and lost her parents when she was only nine years old, they dying within two weeks of each other. She was reared by a cousin and came to Hancock County when aged eighteen years and was married to George Vickers in 1859. Three children were born to that union: Mary E., who is deceased ; Sarah Jane, who is the wife of George Roller ; and Margaret Ellen, who is the wife of Henry S. Roller. Mrs. Roller was born on the old Vickers homestead in Cass Township. Mrs. Vickers was married a second time, to the late Mark Taylor, who died in April, 1906, leaving one daughter, Cora Dell, who is the wife of Roy Cook, of Findlay. Mr. and Mrs. Roller are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat. JEREMIAH FERGUSON*, senior member of the firm of Ferguson & Son, architects and builders, with offices in the Niles Block, Findlay, has been actively engaged in business here for the past twenty years. He was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1860, his birthplace being within the present limits of the city of Columbus. His parents were Samuel and Catherine (Nazworthy) Ferguson. Samuel Ferguson was a mechanic. Before coming to Findlay, in 1864, he, together with his brother, John Ferguson, had served as sol- 576 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY diers in the Civil War. It happened that both a Franklin County and a Hancock County reg-iment was short of men and the two companies were combined in one regiment, the men be-coming well acquainted. The Fergusons were men of sterling character and made friends from Hancock County who urged them to come to Findlay after the expiration of their terms of service. There was still another brother, Joseph Ferguson, in the service at this time, but he did not live to return, being killed at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. Samuel and John Ferguson acted upon the suggestion of their Hancock County friends and comrades and thus Findlay acquired several more excellent citizens. Samuel Ferguson was a woodworker and John Ferguson was a blacksmith and both were carriage workers and they purchased what is now Reimund Brothers carriage shop and conducted it together for some years. Their father, James Ferguson, accompanied his sons to Findlay, where the remainder of his life was passed. Samuel Ferguson is still a resident of Findlay but his wife died in 1900. From the age of four years Mr. Ferguson has been a resident of Findlay. After his period of school attendance was over he served an apprenticeship in his father's carriage shop, after which he learned the carpenter's trade and went into building and designing. Few names in this line are better known in Han-cock County than that of Jeremiah Ferguson and when a particularly imposing or pleasing structure is being erected at Findlay, the admirer can be pretty sure to find that the firm of Ferguson & Son are the designers if not also the builders. To Mr. Ferguson is credited : the Kirkbride Block; the S. L. McKelvy Block : the First Church of God; the United Presbyterian and the Central Church of Christ, all at Findlay; all the buildings at Riverside Park; the Country Club House, together with prob-ably 500 fine private residences. He drew the architectural plans for many of the buildings and blocks, and designed all the three churches mentioned. Mr. Ferguson was married at Findlay, Ohio, to Miss Mary J. Bryan, a daughter of Joseph Bryan, and they have had five children: Roy, who is in partnership with his father ; Ruth ; Hazel, who is the wife of John Alesch, of Findlay; Clark, who died when aged eleven months; and Harold. Mr. Ferguson was bereaved of his estimable wife, July 3, 1909. He has never been active in politics but is numbered with the earnest and useful men of the city, one who may be depended upon to ever give support to law and order. DR. WILLIAM F. LEHR, who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Ar-lington, Ohio, since the fall of 1899, was born June 13, 1870, in Hardin County, Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Susan P. (Rentzer) Lehr. His father was born near Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa., and came to Delaware, Ohio, to attend the Ohio Wesleyan University. It was here he met the mother of the subject of this sketch and they were married in 1855, and continued living in Delaware, where Mr. Lehr worked at his trade of saddler till about 1868, when they moved to Hardin County, Ohio. Here Mr. Lehr engaged in farming till his death, which was accidental, in 1875. Dr. William F. Lehr was reared to manhood in Wyandot County, Ohio, where he attended the district schools. At the age of seventeen he began a course of study at the Ohio Normal school at Ada and after com- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 577 pleting a four years' course, taught in the country schools of Wyandot County for five terms. He then entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated with the class of 1899. That same fall he embarked in the practice of medicine at Arlington, Ohio, where he has established an extensive practice and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. Dr. Lehr was married August 5, 1896, to Miss Salena J. Carey, of Marseilles, Ohio, a daughter of Archabald and Ellen (Gorden) Carey. She was also a teacher, having taught in the town and country schools six years. She was born in Demorestville, Canada, and came with her parents to Marseilles, Ohio, in 1882. Dr. and Mrs. Lehr are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Arlington, Ohio, of which he is at present one of the trustees. GEORGE C. MONTGOMERY, general farmer, resides on his well cultivated farm of eighty acres which is situated in Section 21, Portage Township, Hancock County, O. He was born in Portage Township, October 10, 1861, and is a son of George W. and Mary (Chase) Montgomery. George W. Montgomery was well known all over Hancock County as an auctioneer. His first wife, the mother of George C., died when her son was but six weeks old. Mr. Montgomery married for his second wife, Dorothy Culp, who proved a good mother to his children. George C. Montgomery was reared in Portage Township on his father's farm and attended the country schools. For one year after marriage he made his home in McComb but continued to carry on farm operations on the homestead, his father's other duties demanding his attention in other directions. For the following five years Mr. Montgomery operated his father-in-law's farm and then bought and moved onto the present place in the spring of 1901 and immediately started to make improvements. He has remodeled the house and erected other necessary structures, rebuilt fencing, attended to the orchards—in fact turned it into a model farm. Mr. Montgomery was married December 25, 1894, to Miss Jennie Wagoner and they have had four children : Wellington ; a babe that died unnamed; Pearl ; and Howard, who lived but five months. EVERETT H. COATES*, plumber and steam fitter, engaged in business at No. 521 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio, is a thoroughly experienced man in his line of business, with which he has been more or less connected since he was sixteen years of age. He was born on a farm in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, Ohio, June 25, 1878, and is a son of Norman G. and Mary E. (Callison) Coates. Norman G. Coates was born in Pennsylvania and came to Hancock County, Ohio, with his father, Hiram G. Coates, when a boy. Until he was twenty-five years old, Norman G. Coates remained on the farm and then went to St. Louis, Michigan, where lie was engaged in a hardware business for fifteen years and then came to Findlay. In 1883 he started the present plumbing business, in 1894 admitting his young son to a partnership, and the firm of Coates & Son continued until 1907, when 578 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Mr. Coates sold out his interests to his partner and moved to Texas, where he still resides. He married Mary E. Callison, who was born in Indiana and died in October, 1908. Everett H. Coates was one year old when his parents moved to St. Louis, Michigan, where he attended the public schools and after coming to Findlay, he attended Findlay College for four years. Although college bred, Mr. Coates has had no desire to adopt a professional career, preferring to engage in a business where skill and mechanical effort is necessary to success. A natural aptness for this line of work has been of assistance to him and he probably is considered one of the most reliable plumbers, gas fitters and installers of modern heating systems in the city and controls a large portion of the public's important work. Mr. Coates married Miss Lillian Campfield, a daughter of the late William H. Campfield, who was a prominent cement contractor and builder at Findlay. The mother of Mrs. Coates was Henrietta Watts. Mr. and Mrs. Campfield had four children, Mrs. Coates being the third born. Mr. Coates is a member of the Knights of Pythias and also of the Elks. OSCAR WISE, who conducts a hardware business at Mt. Blanchard, O., and is general manager of The People's Telephone Company, having lines in Hancock, Hardin and Wyandot Counties, is one of the representative men of the place. He was born in Knox County, O. His father, who was a native of Ashland County, died in Richland County in 1905. His mother was born in Richland County and still resides there. Oscar Wise was reared at Butler, O., and attended school there. When he was only eleven years old he started to learn the tinner's trade, probably having inherited mechanical skill from his father, who was a carriage maker. Mr. Wise continued to work at his trade until he was thirty-six years of age, eighteen years of that time having charge of the tin shop and hardware store, and in 1892 began to be interested in the telephone business. By 1895 he had completed telephone lines over ten counties and had connected 154 towns. In 1900 he started a telephone system at Arlington, where he remained for three months and then came to Mt. Blanchard and organized a company in 1902 and up to this time there was no telephone system in Hancock County south of the corporation lines of Findlay. He has the management of the telephones at Forest, Kirby, Wharton, Arlington, Jenera, New Stark, Mt. Cory and Rawson, his company having over 1,900 telephones in operation. The service is entirely satisfactory. Mr. Wise is recognized as a very useful citizen and has been a member of the city council since 1909. He is identified with Lodge No. 519, F. & A. M., at Mt. Blanchard, in which he holds the office of senior warden. WILLIAM BATTLES, a member of a well known family of Orange Township, Hancock County, O., and the owner of a valuable farm of 120 acres, situated in Section 20, was born in the center of Orange Township, February 13, 1848, in the old log house his father had erected there. His HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 579 parents were Asa and Catherine (Rainier) Battles. Asa Battles was born in 1815, in Mercer County, Pa., and came to Ohio with his father, Brier Battles, who settled and died in Trumbull County. When Asa Battles left Trumbull County he had a horse and wagon, a few tools and $200 in money. He came to Hancock County and bought 200 acres of land in the center of Orange Township. It was a wild region at that time, forests stretching in every direction and in order to find space on which to build his first primitive home, Mr. Battles had to fell forest trees. This first 200 acres was purchased from Alexander Ewing. Later he added other tracts until he was one of the large land owners of this section, having 680 acres, enough to give each of his living children a farm. He practically cleared and fenced all of this land during his life time. He was a man of considerable importance and in those early days, as his house was centrally located, it was often used for the transaction of township business and as a voting place. In 1867 he replaced the log cabin with the house that still stands on the farm which is occupied by one of his sons. He married Catherine Raimer, who was then a resident of Allen County, O., although born in Germany. She accompanied her parents, Thebault and Sophia Raimer, and they reached America after a voyage of forty days, subsequently settling in Allen County, O. To Asa Battles and wife the following children were born : John, Alfred, William, George, Edward, Eliza Jane, Asa, Jesse, Freeman, Robert and Harry. The two eldest sons died in the army during the Civil War. Edward lives on the old homestead and William resides in Orange Township not far distant. The father of this family died in November, 1904, and the mother in February, 1909. They were worthy and active members of the German Lutheran church and their burial was in the Thompson cemetery. William Battles, the third member of the above family, attended the district schools in Orange Township, mainly in the winter time, until he was twenty years of age, and then assisted his father until he went to Iowa. Mr. Battles spent four years in that state and during this time he was married and one year later he returned to Hancock County and purchased his present farm in Orange Township, from the Thompson heirs. A large amount of improving had to be done before Mr. Battles was satisfied with the appearance of his home and all the buildings now standing are of his own erecting. He has thoroughly drained his land and has all of it under cultivation with the exception of four acres still in valuable timber. He carries on the usual pursuits of a general farmer, raises grain and hay, fruit and vegetables and enough stock for his own use. Mr. Battles was married in Iowa, on January 14, 1867, to Miss Cordelia McConnell, a daughter of Alexander and Caroline (Raimer) McConnell. A family of seven children has been born to them, as follows : Jennie, who married Howard Schold and they have one son, Leonard; Jesse, who married Hattie Custer, and has one son, Walter; Maude, who married E. K. Chapman, and they have one daughter, Jennie C.; Minnie, who married Jacob Armstutz, 580 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY and they have three children, Robert, Helen and Wilbur; and Bertie, Grover and Edith, all at home. The family is well known in this section in all its connections and is held in high regard. Mrs. Battles is a member of the Evangelical church, to which Mr. Battles liberally contributes and also attends. In politics he is a Democrat but at present holds no political office. Formerly he served as school director. JOHN V. HARTMAN, M. D.,* physician and surgeon at Findlay, Ohio, where he has been established since 1904, was born on his father's farm in Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio, March 1877, and is a son of jasper N. and Mary Ellen (Skinner) Hartman. Dr. Hartman had the undeniable advantage of a childhood and boyhood on a farm and the family continued to live there until the death of the mother, in 1885, when removal was made to Findlay, where John V. was soon enrolled a student in the grammar schools. For seven years after leaving school he engaged in teaching and in the meanwhile did his preparatory medical reading, subsequently entering the Cleveland Homeopathic College, where he was graduated in the class of 1904. During his last half year he filled the position of resident physician at the Cleveland Maternity Hospital, and from his period of graduation until he embarked in practice, he served as an interne in the Cleveland City Hospital. Dr. Hartman not only possesses the knowledge to make him successful in professional work, but also the enthusiasm and the peculiar gifts and personality which belong to every man of medicine who has reached any degree of eminence. He probably has the largest and most substantial practice of any physician in Hancock County. Every emergency finds him ready and through his knowledge and skill he has effected some remarkable victories over disease. He keeps thoroughly abreast with the times and belongs to the Hancock County and the Northwestern Ohio Medical Societies. Dr. Hartman was married to Miss Zoe Codding, who was formerly a teacher in the Findlay High School. They have one daughter, Mary Ellen. The father of Dr. Hartman died at Findlay in 1906. His offices are in the Niles Building, where He occupies an elegantly appointed suite of rooms. He is identified with the fraternal order of Knights of Pythias. WILLIAM E. SNYDER, one of the most prominent and best known men in Hancock County,. a retired dry goods merchant and a large stockholder in the Glass Block Department Store of Findlay, Ohio, resides in a beautiful home at No. 321 West Sandusky Street. Mr. Snyder was in the dry goods business in Findlay from 1865 until 1890, conducting a store at the old White Corner, where the Buck-eye Bank building now stands, and until a recent date held large interests in the Snyder Brothers Dry Goods Company of Richmond, Indiana, and in the D. D. Snyder Company of Minneapolis, Kansas. He was born at Greenville, Mercer County, Pa., January 4, 1836, a son of Simon A. and Elizabeth (Couldron) Snyder, who settled in Hancock County in 1848, coming overland in wagons from Pennsylvania, as there was but one railroad in the State of Ohio at that time. Simon A. Snyder was a carpenter, cabinetmaker and bridge- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 581 builder and lived for many years on a farm in Union Township, but late in life moved to Findlay, where his death occurred. William E. Snyder was twelve years of age when the family came from Pennsylvania and he well remembers many thrilling incidents of the overland journey, and at that time saw his first railroad train. He resided on the home farm for about two years, and when fourteen years of age came to Findlay to become a clerk for the Henderson-Patterson Dry Goods Company, of which the J. S. Patterson Dry Goods Company is the successor. Incidentally it may be remarked that Mr. J. S. Patterson, who is still in the dry goods business in Findlay was the only "boss" Mr. Snyder ever had, as, after working for the Henderson-Patterson Company for about six years, and when but twenty years of age, Mr. Snyder formed a partnership with B. B. Barney in a general store at McComb, Hancock County, under the firm name of Barney-Snyder Company. This store was one of the pioneer department stores, selling almost everything imaginable. In 1865 Mr. Barney and Mr. Snyder opened up the old White Corner dry goods store in Findlay, and later on, with Charles Foster, who was then governor of Ohio, and a brother, D. D. Snyder, he conducted a store at Fostoria, Ohio, and for several years continued to be interested in all three establishments. In 1870 Mr. Snyder bought out the interests of Mr. Barney, and continued to conduct the store at Findlay under the firm name of W. E. Snyder Company. Mr. Snyder was married to Sarah H. Duduit, a native of Hancock County, whose father, Frederick Duduit, was born in Southern Ohio, near the Ohio River, and was a member of the well known Duduit family, natives of France who are prominently mentioned in all histories of this State. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have had two children; Reginald C., who married Miss Alice Mack, daughter of the well known Sandusky editor, has one child, Alice, and lives in Coshocton, Ohio, being proprietor of the Coshocton Age; and Bernice Fredericka, living at home. Mr. Snyder was the owner of the hotel building known as the Joy House, formerly the property of ex-Senator Joy, at the corner of Main and West Sandusky Streets, which has been remodeled and converted into the Glass Block Department Store, and it was mainly through Mr. Snyder's efforts that this establishment was located in Findlay. He is the owner of a great deal of real estate, among which may be mentioned the Tavern Hotel building. He is prominent in Masonry, having attained to the 32nd degree, and now holds the office of Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M. of Findlay. Personally, Mr. Snyder is a very congenial gentleman, numbering his friends by the hundreds, and, although retired from active business affairs, is still regarded as one of Findlay's most prominent and public-spirited citizens. SAMUEL EDWIN MOORHEAD, one of Portage Township's best known citizens, resides in his comfortable farm home which stands in Section 31, three miles southeast of McComb, O. In partnership with his. two sons, Fred and Thaddeus E. Moorhead, he owns 172 acres of valuable and well improved land, situated in Sections 30. and 31, Portage Township. He was born on this farm, September 25, 1850, and is a son of Andrew and Letitia (Bell) Moorhead. 582 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Andrew Moorhead was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and died in Hancock County in 1884. He was brought to Stark County, Ohio, by his parents and his father, John Moorhead, died there. Andrew Moorhead came to Hancock County in 1836, one of six brothers who settled here between 1834 and 1836. Andrew Moorhead entered the land on which his descendants live and in order to reach it and take possession, he had to break his way through the forest and blaze a path for future return journeys to civilized regions. This path ran four miles through a dense wilderness. This land has never since been out of the Moorhead name. Both parents of Samuel E. Moorhead spent the remainder of their lives here, the mother dying when her son was but thirteen years of age. Samuel Edwin Moorhead was reared on the farm that has caused his father so much toil and hardship to secure and as he grew to manhood he assisted largely in its development and with the exception of seven years, during which he lived in Liberty Township, has always resided here. Mr. Moorhead married Miss Agnes Marshall, who was born at Slatington, Pa., and died here in 1884. She was a daughter of James Marshall, a native of Scotland, who came to Portage Township in 1868 and became a substantial farmer. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moorhead, namely : Mabel M., who survives her husband, W. P. Jacobs: Grace, who is the wife of Charles Ream, of Fort Wayne ; Andrew Clyde, who is engaged as a pumper in the oil fields, and lives in Portage Township ; Frederick F., who resides on the homestead; Bert NI., who is a farmer, with a fam ily, and lives in Indiana; Adrian O., who lives with his family at Toledo, O.; Samuel C., who resides with his family in Indiana; and Thaddeus E., who remains on the homestead and with his brother, Fred F., operates the farm. He is married and has a family. Mr. Moorhead is a Republican in politics and for sixteen years served as a member of the county election board. At the time of writing he is his party's candidate for county commissioner. Being a man of property, intelligence, good judgment and high personal standing, it would appear that he is particularly well qualified for an office of so much importance. O. E. NEELEY*, junior member of the firm of W. E. Crater & Co., grocers, with business quarters in the Crater Block, occupying Nos. 630-632 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio, has been a resident of this city since 1890. He was born on a farm in Big Lick Township, Hancock County, Ohio, May 24, 1879, and is a son of David E. and Caroline (Conner) Neeley. David E. Neeley was born in Hardin County, Ohio, but he became a resident of Findlay, where lie died April 24, 1909. He married Caroline Conner, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, and died in 1886. O. E. Neeley was reared on the farm and gained his book education in the country schools. After coming to Findlay he became a clerk in the grocery house of Barnett & Boyd, then engaged in business on the same corner that is the site of the Crater Block, and for three years before entering into the present firm, conducted a grocery business under the firm style of HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 583 Harris & Neeley. Mr. Neeley has been identified with the present firm as junior partner since January 1, 1908. This firm has a high commercial rating, dealing only in standard goods and handling exclusively the products of the best manufacturers. The firm enjoys liberal patronage, which it entirely deserves. Mr. Neeley was married to Miss Blanche Shaffer, a daughter of A. J. Shaffer, of Findlay, and they have had two children, Milton Edward, who died in infancy, and Martha Heloise. Mr. Neeley is affiliated fraternally with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He takes only the interest of a good citizen in politics, desiring no offices for himself and casting his vote for the candidates he feels assured will best carry out the laws and thus ensure the general welfare. J. L. STEINER, superintendent of the Rawson public schools, has been a resident of this pleasant town since 1907 and has made both professional and personal friends since assuming the duties of his present important office. He was born near Grand Rapids, in Kent County, Mich., April 29, 1874, and is a son of P. D. and Anna Steiner, of near Bluffton. P. D. Steiner was born in Wayne County, O., and is a son of Peter Steiner, who was a native of Germany. P. D. Steiner has always followed agricultural pursuits and resides on his farm in Orange Township, Hancock County O. He married Anna Leatherman, who was born in Bucks County, Pa. She died May 13, 1882, in Kent County, Mich. J. L. Steiner was eight years old when his father moved from Michigan to Medina County, O., then to Wayne County and then to Richland Township, Allen County, then to Orange Township, Hancock County, where he attended the country schools for a time and later the public school known as the Center School, near Bluffton, and from there he entered the Bluffton High School, where he continued for two years. After teaching four years in Orange Township, Hancock County, and Monroe Township, Allen County; he spent three years in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he graduated in 1900. He also graduated at Elkhart Institute, which is now Goshen College, Goshen, Ind., in three courses. Since then he has been engaged in teaching and superintending schools in Indiana and Beaverdam, O. He has devoted his life to educational work and has gained recognition as a thoroughly qualified teacher. Under his management the Rawson schools have made very noticeable progress and his plans for the future include still further advancement of educational standards. Mr. Steiner was married in 1900, to Miss Lydia Metzler, who was born in Mahoning County, O., and died at her mother's home near Orville, O., August 10, 1910, aged thirty-one years and two months, leaving three children : Loren Franklin, Mary Evelyn, and Harold Metzler. Mr. Steiner is a member of the American Mennonite church, attending services near Bluffton. He also is active in church and Sunday school services at his place of residence. He is the active leader in educational progress in the schools and town. 584 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY JACOB L. METZLER, who conducts a high class grocery and queensware store, is one of the most prominent business men and highly esteemed citizens of Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, and has been identified with the business interests of this city since 1887. He was born May 16, 1850, on a farm about five miles west of Findlay, Ohio, in Liberty Township, and is a son of Jacob and Harriet (Lenhart) Metzler. The parents of our subject were both natives of Mahoning County, Pa., and were there reared, educated and married. In 1849 they came to Hancock County, Ohio, and located on a farm in Liberty Township, where the father died in 1864. His widow subsequently removed to Johnston County, Mo., where she resided until the time of her death. Jacob L. Metzler was about fourteen years old when he accompanied his wid-owed mother to Johnston County, Mo., where he resided until after her death, When he went to Colorado, where He was for two years interested in mining. He then engaged in the lumber and mercantile business. which he carried on successfully for six years, and in 1887 came to Findlay, Ohio., where he entered the employ of his brother, H. H. Metzler, who for ten years operated the business now owned by our subject. The business was established in 1877 by H. H. Metzler and Mr. Hyatt (deceased), who was the owner of the Hyatt Block, in which the store is located. In 1890 Mr. Metzler bought the business from his brother, and has since continued to operate it with a high degree of success, commanding an extensive patronage from the residents of Findlay and its surrounding community. Mr. Metzler stands very high in the business circles of Findlay and has been president of the Findlay Retail Grocers' and Butchers' Association since 1900, and president of the Central Delivery System of Findlay since its organization. He has held the position of trustee of The Toledo Biscuit Co. since its organization and is also one of its directors. Mr. Metzler's home is located at No. 219 Defiance Avenue, where he has about one acre of ground, and devotes his spare time to breeding fancy poultry, making a specialty of the noted French Houdan chicken. He is an acknowledged judge of fine chickens, and has a pair of the Houdan breed, which won the first prizes at the last show of the Cleveland Poultry Association, the hen taking first prize and the rooster second. This same hen won the trophy cup as the highest scoring bird in the Findlay Poultry show, and his poultry has often won prizes at the Hancock and Wood County Fairs. Mr. Metzler was married in Hamilton County, Iowa, to Adella Moulton, and they have five children: Mabel, Ethel, Clifford, Cuvier, and Fauntine. Mr. Metzler is a prominent member of the Elks and the Maccabees. CONRAD HENRY HOGREFE, who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 80 acres located in Section 13, Cass Township, Hancock County, Ohio, was born October 4, 1840, in Hanover, Germany. His parents were both natives of Germany. The father died before our subject was born and the mother—Mary Hogrefe—also died in her native coun-try. They were the parents of the following HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 585 children : William, who died in Iowa; Fred, who died in the southern army; Sophia, wife of Amid Garber of Chicago, Ill. ; Christopher, residing in Illinois ; John, deceased ; and Conrad H., the subject of this sketch. Conrad H. Hogrefe was reared in Hanover, Germany, and there attended the common schools, after which he worked out by the day. In 1872 he came to America, and located in Findlay, Ohio, on August 26th. The following day he went out to the Henry Kuhlman farm in Portage Township, and there spent the following winter. He worked for two months in a stone quarry at $1,25 per day and in the spring located in Portage Township on the John Cooper farm, which he rented for nine years. The house on this farm was an old log building, to which a frame addition had been added and had formerly been a school, and in this home Mr. Hogrefe began his career in this country. He later rented the Charles Tailor farm, which is located east of Van Buren in Allen Township, for three years; then for seven years he rented the Jasper Franks farm in Cass Township, and in 1890 bought his present farm of 80 acres at $40 an acre. During the first year, the place was farmed by his children, and he and his wife located here the following year. There was a little four-room house and barn on the place, and in 1893 Mr. Hogrefe built a seven-room frame house, remodeled the barn, dug a cellar and in various other ways made improvements on the place. Mr. Hogrefe has continued to follow general farming here with much success, and what he has attained in worldly goods has been entirely due to his own efforts, and those of his estimable wife. She spent many days working with him in the fields, and the first year on the place, bound the grain, while he cradled it. Mr. Hogrefe was married October 1, 1870, in Hanover, Germany, to Mary Kuhlman, who was born February 15, 1843, in Hanover, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Frehking) Kuhlman. Her parents both came to this country, the father's death occurring the year after locating here. They were the parents of the following children : Mary, wife of our subject ; William, of Allen Township; Fred, deceased ; Dora, deceased, wife of William Sharninghouse; Herman, a resident of Blanchard Township; George, deceased; Sophia, the wife of Detrich Scheele, of Blanchard Township; and Anna, who is the wife of Henry Hector, of Putnam County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hogrefe are parents of the following children: Henry, Emma, Jane, and Lena. Henry, who was born in Germany, was nine months old when his parents came to this country. He married Elizabeth Doke and they have four children, Esther, Gladys, Clara, and Otto. He resides on a farm of 80 acres in Cass. Township. Jane, deceased, was the wife of William Fisher and the mother of one daugh ter, Mary. Lena married John Vogelsong and has two children, Lester and Emma. They live in Cass Township. The family holds membership with the Lutheran church. Mr. Hogrefe is politically a Democrat and has. served on the school board of Cass Township. CHARLES ALGE,* a member of the well known firm of Alge Brothers, who are general stone, concrete and brick contractors of Findlay, Ohio, was born September 14, 1862 in Martinstowns, Hancock County, Ohio, and is. a son of Joseph and Theresa (Beck) Alge. Joseph Alge was born in 1839 in Baden, Germany, where he spent the first eighteen-years of his life. He then came to America,. 586 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY located in Martinstown, Hancock County, Ohio, where he first purchased 40 acres of land. In 1871 he located in Findlay Township where he resided two years, and then removed to Eagle Township. In 1888 he came to Findlay, where he was living at the time of his death, February 16, 1910. He was one of the prominent pioneer contractors of Findlay, and was engaged in that business in Hancock County previous to the war. He erected many of the dwellings and business blocks of Findlay, the last one on which he and our subject contracted having been the Karst Block of Findlay. Shortly after locating in the county Mr. Alge invested his money in farm lands, and at the time of his death was the owner of two tracts of land, consisting of 268 acres. The mother of our subject is still living. Charles Alge was nine years old when his parents removed from Martinstown to Findlay, where he was reared and attended the common schools. He learned brick and stone masonry with his father, who was one of the leading contractors of the county, and since 1884 has been engaged in general stone, concrete and brick contracting in partnership with his brother Joseph, operating under the firm name of Alge Brothers. Mr. Alge was first united in marriage with Lena Savage, who died leaving three children : Gertrude, Charles, and Lester. He subsequently married Elizabeth Goodman and of their union were born, Annie, Agnes, Albert. Lawrence, Richard, and Bernard. The religious connection of the family is with the Roman Catholic church. HENRY C. BRINKMAN, an enterprising citizen and well known general farmer of Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio, is the owner of a farm of 75 acres located about one and a quarter miles east of Van Buren on the Ridge Road. He was born in Germany, February 1, 1871, and is a son of Henry W. and Margaret Brinkman, the latter of whom died when the son Henry was quite young. In 1881 Henry Brinkman came to the United States with his father, who first resided at Findlay, Ohio, for a short time. They subsequently removed to Van Buren, where the father worked two years on the Mnason Adams farm in Allen Township. In 1883 he rented a farm in Allen Township, and they continued their residence on that farm until 1893, in which year Mr. Brinkman removed to a farm of 65 acres, which he had purchased in Cass Township. He married for his second wife, Minnie Nique, and they now reside on the farm in Cass Township. Henry Brinkman was reared from his tenth year in Allen Township, and obtained his education in the district schools of that vicinity and at Van Buren. He follows general farming and is one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of Allen Township. He is fraternally a member of the Knights of Pythias, No. 473, and of the Knights of the Maccabees. He has served as a member of the Allen Township school board, and is a member and trustee of the United Brethren church of Van Buren, Ohio. In 1894 Mr. Brinkman was united in marriage with Emma J. Lyon, a daughter of E. S. Lyon. Mrs. Brinkman taught school for twenty-one months, three months in Hancock County and eighteen months in North Baltimore. Of their union have been born the following children—Floyd E., Bertha M. and Ruth Anlize, the last named being just one HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 587 month old when the agent was canvassing for the history. W. E. HOUCK, who is prominently identified with the manufacturing interests of Hancock County, is manager of the Findlay branch of the Boss Manufacturing Company, which, in the line of its specialties, is the largest plant in the country and commands a larger output than any other in the world. Mr. Houck was born at Houcktown, Hancock County, Ohio, April 6, 1873, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Smaltz) Houck. William Houck is one of Hancock County's venerable and revered citizens. He was born March 4, 1827, and is a son of Jacob F. Houck, who gave his name to the tOwn of Houcktown and was prominent in the early affairs of the county. W. E. Houck grew up a farmer boy, but an intelligent and ambitious one. After leaving school he taught the country schools for seven years and then came to Findlay, and since 1901 has been in business here and has been with the Boss Manufacturing Company since 1893, when the plant was established in Findlay. The home plant of this company is at Kewanee, Illinois, and .branch factories are located at Findlay, Ohio; Galesburg, Monmouth and Peoria, Illinois; New York City ; Fort Wayne and Bluffton, Indiana; and Van Wert, Ohio. The Findlay plant is devoted exclusively to the manufacture of cloth gloves and mittens. The output of the factories include cloth gloves and mittens and corn husker gloves. Additions are being made at the present writing (1910) to the Findlay plant which will greatly increase production and facilitate business. A brick addition 50 by 140 feet, three stories in height, will soon be completed, in which will be installed an automatic sprinkling system as a fire protection. From 100 to 150 more employes will be required by this plant under the new conditions, 460 now being employed, these being mainly girls, 360 machines being operated. Mr. Houck is also president of the Hollerback Piano Company, manufacturers of pianos, the factory. being located on Western Avenue, Findlay. Mr. Houck married Miss Lorena Gail Prindle, of Hancock County, and they have two children, Hugh and Mary. Mr. Houck is an active and public-spirited citizen and during 1908 and 1909 was a member of the board of public service at Findlay. He is identified with the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. JACOB SLUPE, one of the old and prominent citizens of Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., where he owns 200 acres of very fine land, was born in Columbiana County, O., February 21, 1830, and is a son of Solomon and Anna (Shatter) Slupe. Solomon Slupe was born in Pennsylvania, where his father died when he was seven years of age and when brought to COlumbiana County by neighbors, he was an orphan. He grew to manhood there and finally bought a tract of thirteen acres of land. He married Anna Shatter there, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1844 they moved to Seneca County, O., where he died in 1866. He first purchased forty acres of land fourteen miles southeast of Tiffin and later added forty 588 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY acres, owning eighty acres when he died, the greater part of it being timber land. His widow moved from Seneca to Hancock County and later to Putnam, where she died at the home of a daughter, in 1875. Of their nine children, Jacob was the eldest, the others being as follows: Elizabeth, who was the wife of David Metzler and both died in Indiana ; Samuel, who lived and died on a farm adjoining that of Jacob Slupe, and married Sarah Ewing, who is also deceased; Martha, who was the wife of John Huffman, and died in Cleveland, O.; Mary, who was the wife of David Van Sickle, and died in Putnam County, as did her husband, they expiring within thirty-six hours of each other; Nancy, who is the widow of Adam Cosner, and resides in Putnam County; Hannah, who died in Elkhart County, Ind., was the wife of John Felthouse ; and Solomon and Noah, twins, both of whom survive. Solomon is a farmer in Putnam County and married Lillie Edging-ton. Noah has never married and for twenty-nine years has lived at Kansas City, where he is a carpenter and contractor. Jacob Slupe's first instruction at school was confined to the German alphabet but later he was taught English and gained a fair district school education in Seneca County. In the fall of 1856 he was married and then bought forty acres of land situ-ated eighty rods from the Portage Town-ship line in Pleasant Township, which he later sold and subsequently repurchased. Four acres had been cleared and a cabin was on the place. Mr. Slupe has been a shrewd handler of farm property and sev-eral of his purchases have changed hands profitably several times. He bought eighty acres of William Bennett and sold the same two years later and bought John Wesley Smith's farm, one and three-quarter miles west, which he sold in 1864. In 1865 he purchased 120 acres and after he finished paying for this, purchased eighty more acres, of Jona Robinson, and 120 acres of William Hilkert. A small structure was on this land but in 1872 Mr. Slupe built his fine brick residence and a substantial barn but the latter was destroyed by fire and the present barn took its place. In all his operations Mr. Slupe showed patience and good judgment. When he acquired this land a large part of it was under water, scarcely any attempt having been made to drain it. He first put in lumber drains but later put down tile and converted all the waste land into rich soil and has now one of the most productive farms in Pleasant Township. Mr. Slupe is a self made man and all he owns he has earned through his own efforts. He is a carpenter by trade and when he first came to this section did a large amount of building and many of the houses and barns standing in Pleasant Township were put up by him. He witnessed many changes in the fifty-three years he has been a resident of Pleasant Township and has done his full share in bringing about improvements. In the fall of 1856, Mr. Slupe was married to Miss Catherine Bechtel, who died in 1859. She was a daughter of Andrew K. Bechtel. One daughter was born to that marriage, Emma Jane, who died when four years old. Mr. Slupe was married a second time to a widow, Mrs. Eliza Shilling, who was a daughter of Joseph Kinsey, of Seneca County. She was a most estimable woman and was beloved by all who knew her. Her HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 589 death occurred January 3, 1909, when she was aged seventy-three years, seven months and five days. Three daughters and one son were born to the second union, namely : Laura E., who is the wife of E. M. Orwig, and they have two children, Charles and Esta; Ida, who is the wife of Willard G. Haley, of near McComb, and they have children : Maud, Kale, Alice, George and Ruth ; Simon Sylvester, who died at the age of ten years ; and Ella, who is the wife of George C. Robinson, who assists Mr. Slupe in farming, and they have one son, Ralph J. Nominally Mr. Slupe is a Democrat but in local elections he usually uses his own good judgment and supports the man he considers best qualified for the office sought. For himself, Mr. Slupe desires no political prominence. KARG BROS.,* a representative business firm of Findlay, Ohio, made up of three brothers, Fred J., Charles A. and Albert E. Karg, own and operate two meat markets and thus control a large part of the meat trade of the city, and also own a valuable farm of 160 acres in Marion Township, Hancock County. The meat business was established by their father, the late August Karg, who was the pioneer in this line at Findlay. August Karg was born in Germany and after his school attendance was over he learned the butchering trade and worked at it in his own land for several years afterward. He then came to America and remained in the city of New York until 1850, when he came to Findlay, his sole capital at that time being $26, and the clothing he wore, having had the misfortune to be robbed of all his belongings while on a Lake Erie boat, at some point between Dunkirk, New York, and Sandusky, Ohio. Although he returned to Dunkirk and made inquiries, he was never able to regain possession of his effects. The loss was a more or less serious one to him at the time but it did not cause him to change his plans about going into business at Findlay, and in the same year he opened his shop and the present business is a continuance of the one he then founded. He became well known all over Hancock County and in early days it was his custom to do his own buying from farmers and they soon learned that while he was a shrewd business man he was always an honest one. He was thus held in universal respect. He remained at the head of the business until 1880, when he retired and turned his interests over to his four sons. His death occurred in September, 1904, and all of his seven children still survive, namely : Mrs. Elizabeth Klentsche, Fred J., August, Jr., Charles A., Mrs. Minnie Hull, Albert E. and William D. Fred J. Karg was born at Findlay, September 4, 1854, and was educated in the public schools. When fifteen years old he entered his father's shop and learned the business. He married Miss Eliza A. Mills and they have one child, Eva. Mr. Karg is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Charles A. Karg was born at Findlay, Ohio, January 13, 1860, and he gained his education in the Findlay schools. When fifteen years of age he went into his father's shop and learned the business with which he has been identified ever since. He married Miss Mary Best and they have three children, Carl, Fred and Esther. He is a 590 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY member of the Knights of Pythias and the order of Ben Hur. Albert E. Karg, the third member of the firm of Karg Bros., was born at Findlay, August 18, 1865, and after he was through with school he also entered his father's shop and learned the meat business. He married Miss Mollie Reimund and they have two children, Inez and Earl A. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The present owners of the Karg Bros.' meat markets took charge in 1880, the fourth brother at that time having an interest which he sold in 1888. In 1887 the firm bought a farm of 160 acres in Marion Township and their slaughter-house it situated there, as they kill and dress all the meats they handle. They operate one store at No. 233 South Main Street and another at No. 229 North Main Street, their refrigerating and cooling plant being attached to the former store. They are all practical butchers and men of business capacity of a high order, men well qualified to handle an important and necessary part of a city's food suppry. DOUGLAS SPITLER, a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of Allen Township, Hancock County, O., is the owner, with his wife, of 560 acres of productive farm land in Allen and Portage Townships, and resides on a tract of 162 acres just west of Van Buren, O. He was born January 15, 1858, on his present farm, which is the old Spitler homestead, and is a son of Samuel and Anna (Bretz) Spitler, both of whom were natives of Fairfield County, O. His parents were married in Fairfield County, and later moved to Crawford County, O., and in 1842 located on our subject's present farm, where they resided until the time of their death, his occurring September 26, 1886, and hers January 2, 1888. Douglas Spitler has spent his entire life on his present farm and attended the schools of this district. He has always followed farming in a general way, and is one of the leading and influential agriculturists of the township. Mr. Spitler was united in marriage with Lucy Rader, who was born in Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., a daughter of Adam and Amelia Rader, prominent farmers of Allen Township, who resided on an adjoining farm. The father died in October, 1907, and the mother died December 31, 1902. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spitler: Sylvia, who is the wife of Perry Dove, and the mother of two children—Virgil and Elsie; Anna, who married L. W. Baker, and they have one child, Burdette; Virgie; Troy; Florence, who married Clifford Davis and they have one son, Paul; and Clyde, and Harold. Mr. Spitler is a member and a trustee of the United Brethren church of Van Buren, O. His fraternal affiliation is with the Maccabees. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has served two terms as township clerk, two terms as township assessor, and the same length of time as trustee of Allen Township. Mr. Spitler and family reside in a fine frame dwelling which was erected in 1908, and he has also built three fine barns on the home place. Mr. Spitler's land is divided into six separate farms, four of which are located in Allen Township and two in Portage Township. A. L. WORDEN, who owns 400 acres of fine farming land which is situated in Section 7, Liberty Township, Hancock County, HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 591 Ohio, was born on this farm which has always been in the Worden name since it was secured from the Government. He is a son of A. C. and Rachel (Hall) Worden. A. C. Worden was born at Albany, New York, and was the only child of Robert D. and Sally Worden, the former of whom died in 1819, when his son was but one year old. His widow returned to her own people in Champaign County, Ohio, where she continued to reside until her death in 1879. A. C. Worden obtained his education in the Findlay schools and then engaged in farm-ing in Liberty Township, securing wild land which he cleared himself and at one time owned 353 acres. He improved his property and all the buildings now standing were erected during his lifetime. His death occurred March 19, 1891, and his burial was in the Worden Cemetery. He married Rachel Hall, who died January 17, 1892. Her father was Absolom Hall, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and sixteen chil-dren were born to this marriage, four of whom still survive: Sally, who is the wife of C. G. Moore, and lives in Liberty Township ; Robert B., who makes his home with his brother, A. L.; Sylvia S., who is the wife of J. A. Green, of Montana; and A. L. The father and mother of the above family were members of the Presbyterian church. A. L. Worden was reared in Liberty Township and obtained his education here and has always lived on the homestead. He carries on farming and stock raising and is one of the representative agriculturists Of this section. On account of his many farm interests he finds little time to devote to politics but he keeps thoroughly posted on all public questions and casts his vote carefully and intelligently. He is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Worden was married (first) to Miss Sophia Teasworth, a daughter of Isaac and Mary Teasworth, of Liberty Township, and she left one child, Claude L., who married Effie Hickeson, a daughter of Frank and Esther Hickeson. Mr. Worden was married second to Mrs. Daisy (Taylor) Roys, who is a daughter of Ellis C. and Katherine (Harris) Taylor. She has one son, Edwin O. Roys, who resides at Toledo, Ohio. He married Jessie St. Claire. The Taylors were early settlers in Champaign County, Ohio. The grandparents of Mrs. Worden were Levi and Sally (Chamberlain) Taylor, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in New York. They had nine children. Ellis C. Taylor, father of Mrs. Worden, was born in Champaign, County, Ohio, December 9, 1832, and died at New Carlisle, Indiana, September 4, 1903. He attended school at Findlay and was married at the age of twenty-four years to Miss Katherine Harris, a daughter of Dr. and Charlotte (Cumpton) Harris. Six children were born to this marriage: Charles L., who is now deceased; Emma C.; Annabel; Edward W.; Daisy, who is the wife of A. L. Worden; and Harris C., of New Carlisle. The mother of the above family died at New Carlisle, Indiana, October 20, 1894. She was active in the Disciple church. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor continued to reside for a time in Champaign County, where he was a merchant. They then moved to Michigan and from there to New Carlisle, Indiana, where he continued merchandising during the remainder of his 592 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY life. He became a man of high standing there and was considered a very able business man as well, being active in the Masonic lodge and also in the Disciples church. He was a Republican in politics and was city treasurer for thirty-four years. JACOB LINE, attorney at law and in the enjoyment of an excellent practice, at Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, was born in Eagle Township, Hancock County, Ohio, February 27, 1870, and is the fifth of a family of ten children. His parents, Peter and Mary B. (Jewett) Line, both of whom are deceased, were pioneers of Eagle Township where his father was a well known school teacher, farmer and tile manufacturer. Jacob Line spent his early life at home working for his father on the farm and in the tile factory, attending the rural school during the winter months. In 1890 he became a student in Findlay College and for several years he taught school, attended college and read law. In 1895 he entered the law department of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, where he completed the course of law and took his Bachelor of Law Degree. October 15, 1896, he was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Ohio. He now practices before the State and Federal Courts. August 26, 1902, Mr. Line was married to Miss Clare Hammond, daughter of M. G. and Ruth G. Hammond, of Mt. Blanchard, and they have one daughter, Mary Ruth. In politics Mr. Line is a Democrat. He has held the office of city solicitor for eight years and served the village in other offices. He is interested in fraternal organizations, being identified as Past Grand in Comet Lodge No. 344, I. O. O. F., Past Chancellor of Mt. Blanchard Lodge No. 481, Knights of Pythias, and Past Master of Mt. Blanchard Lodge No. 519, Free and Accepted Masons. He, also, is a member of the ladies' auxiliary lodges. He is considered one of the town's representative citizens. He was one of the promoters and is interested in the Citizens' Bank of Mt. Blanchard. CHARLES DAVIS*, senior member of the well known grocery firm of Charles Davis & Company, who are located at No. 212 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio, was born October 31, 1864, at Findlay, Ohio, and is a son of William L. and Mary (Thompson) Davis. William L. Davis was born on a farm in Marion Township, Hancock County, Ohio, a son of Squire William Davis, who was a native of Cumberland, Maryland, and one of the pioneers of Hancock County. His father entered land from the government, blazed the trail from Findlay to Tiffin, Ohio, and subsequently bought more land, owning at the time of his death 320 acres. William L. Davis was reared on the farm, and when a young man went to Celina, Mercer County, Ohio, where he engaged in buying and selling furs with his uncle Abner Davis. In 1859 he married Miss Mary Thompson of Celina and two years later returned to Findlay, where in October of 1861 he established the grocery store now operated by our subject. The firm was known as William Davis & Company, he having taken in as partners, his brothers John W. and David T. and Martin L. Detwiler, and he continued in that business until the time of his death in 1877. In 1870 he erected a store room and in HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 593 1876 he enlarged the block, building around and above the store room, building what was known as the Davis Opera House, which was the first opera house or theatre in Findlay, although there had been several halls where small entertainments could be given. The first attraction to appear at the Davis Opera House was the well known play, East Lynne. The mother of our subject died in 1875. Charles Davis was reared to manhood in Findlay and in 1884 went to Fostoria, where his guardian, Charles W. Davis, had entered the wholesale grocery business with Charles Foster, who was Governor of Ohio. After finishing in the grammar schools of Fostoria he attended a military Academy in the east, then attended Cornell University until some time during his senior year, when he returned to become a member of the wholesale grocery firm at Fostoria. This firm subsequently failed and Mr. Davis went to Toledo, Ohio, where he entered the commission and brokerage business, and since May, 1906, he has been engaged in his present business at Findlay. Mr. Davis was married to Emma V. Blecker of Findlay and they have one child, William Henry Davis. The family reside at No. 868 South Main Street. Mr. Davis is well known in military circles of Northwestern Ohio, having served for ten years as Captain of Co. A, Second Ohio National Guards. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E. and Ben Hur orders. ELISHA TODD, now living retired at McComb, O., is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Pleasant Township, where about seventy-seven years of his long and .useful life have been passed. He was born in Franklin County, O., eight miles east of Columbus, November 15, 1824. His parents were Benjamin and Catherine (Kalb) Todd. Benjamin Todd was born at Baltimore County, Md., in 1792, and died in McComb, Hancock County, O., March 1, 1882. Between 1800 and 1810 he accompanied his parents, John and Mary Todd, to Ohio, they being pioneers in Franklin County. John Todd was a wagonmaker, and it is recorded that he followed his trade until the close of his life, evidently being a man of skill to have successfully constructed vehicles that could be satisfactorily used in the rough forest roads that then were the only transportation lines in the wild region. He was twice married, his first wife bearing the name of Mary Jarmin, and his second being Catherine Huff. To his first union were born: Benjamin, Joseph, Jesse, John, William, Thomas W., Mary, Elizabeth, Susan and an infant. To the second marriage three children were born : Sarah Ann, Samuel Wesley and Hannah. In Franklin County, O., Benjamin Todd was married in 1814, to Catherine Kalb, who was born in Maryland August 3, 1795, and died in McComb, Hancock County, O., April 8, 1854. Her parents were George and Mary Kalb, who came early to Franklin County and acquired land there. They had children named as follows : Catherine, John, George, Jeremiah, Isaac, Elizabeth, Annie and Susan. Benjamin Todd followed farming in Franklin County until 1833. In the meanwhile a family was growing up about him and being desirous of properly providing for them, he decided to do as his parents had done before him—push into a yet unsettled region, favorable reports of Hancock County having reached him. In this resolve he was associated with two other old Franklin county residents, and from the same 594 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY motives, and in August, 1833, Benjamin Todd, John Needles and Edward Stephenson came to Pleasant Township, they being its first settlers. All entered land, Mr. Todd securing eighty acres, his property being on the site of the present flourishing town of McComb. The whole country at that time was heavily timbered and the three sturdy home seekers had no difficulty in securing logs with which to erect cabins on their selected farms. With this provision made for the comfort of their families in the approaching winter, they returned to Franklin County and prepared to make the journey to the new home. This was so momentous an event that it impressed itself on the mind of the nine-year old son, Elisha, so clearly that he can recall all its details after the passage of seventy-seven years. The family started from Franklin County on November 12, 1833, their belongings carefully packed for the long journey—probably in a wagon made by the grandfather—and five days later reached the pioneer home in Pleasant Township. Mr. Todd also recalls that he was suffering at that time from a not unusual malady, the every-other-day ague, a distressing complaint that more or less prevailed among all pioneer settlers and which no doubt was the result of miasmatic conditions. Mr. Todd remembers the remarkable display of meteors which took place on the night of November 13, 1833, the nature of which was not then as scientifically explained as at the present day. As quickly as possible enough land was cleared before the ground froze, to get in a small crop but it took many years before the timber was all cleared off and the farm made profitable for tillage. To Benjamin and Catherine Todd the following children were born : Mary, John, George, Margaret, Elisha, Benjamin Asbury, Susan Jane, William H., Delilah and Sarah Catherine. Mary married Philip Shumaker, who is deceased. She was born in Franklin County, as were seven others. John Todd married Christiana Shumaker and they lived near McComb until 1854, when he started for Iowa, but was prostrated with typhoid fever on the way and died at Joliet, Ill., his family continuing to Iowa in the following spring. George Todd married Rachel Needles and spent all but the last ten years of his life at McComb, dying in Iowa. Margaret married Alexander Harkness and they lived in Ohio until 1854, when they moved to Iowa, where both died. Benjamin A. Todd for the. past thirty-seven years has been a resident of Lawrence, Kans. He is a retired minister, teacher and farmer. He married Sarah Edgar. William H. Todd spent his life in Pleasant Township and died at McComb. He married Eliza Gault. Delilah Ann married John W. Todd and soon after marriage they moved to Iowa and died there. Sarah Catherine married Joseph Bixby and they moved to Nebraska and died there. Elisha Todd had but meager educational opportunities after coming to Hancock County and he was fourteen years old before the township had a district school. He worked on the farm and took part in the social festivities that testified to neighborhood good will, married and became a quiet, industrious, law abiding citizen. Conditions changed as the country became settled and by 1847 the first lots for the building of McComb were laid out on his father's farm. As the site of a town, this land became exceedingly valuable; much of the farm was subsequently absorbed and where once stood giants of the forest, as Mr. Todd recalls, there are now streets busy with traffic HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 595 or structures devoted to the housing of hundreds of people and to their schools and churches. He has watched all these changes with the keenest interest and for some years after his return from the army, he assisted practically in this development, following carpentering and building. Mr. Todd was thirty-seven years of age when the Civil War broke out, and in August, 1862, at Findlay, he enlisted as a soldier in the Union army, becoming a member of Co. D, 99th O. Vol. Inf., under Capt. A. J. Pope. The first battle in which he took part was that of Stone River and the last one was the battle of Nashville. His division went as far as Atlanta and returned from there with Gen. Thomas and following the battle of Nashville, his regiment was sent to North Carolina. He took part in the battle of Chickamauga and in many others and he remained in the service until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, O., July 17, 1865. He was twice wounded but not seriously. He is a member of John Howard Post, No. 154, at McComb, O. In 1847 Mr. Todd was married to Miss Edith Harkness, who died without issue in 1851. In 1853 he was married to Miss Mary Gault, a daughter of Moses and Rachel Gault, and to this marriage the following children were born, Martha, Sylvester B., Sanford, Rachel Catherine, Benjamin M., Ulysses, Terry T., Mary and Rufus S. Martha married E. C. Kelly and they live three and one-half miles southwest of McComb. They have six children : Earle, A. C., Clyde, May, Eunice and Carl. Sylvester B. Todd is a farmer residing in Sandusky County. He married Tilda Broy and they have four children, Annie, Mina, Ira Glenn and Estella. Sanford Todd died after reaching manhood. Rachel Catherine is now deceased. She was the wife of Doc Montgomery of Portage Township. Benjamin M. Todd has spent the larger part of his life at McComb, where he follows the plastering trade. Ulysses is a carpenter by trade and resides at Toledo. He married Della McCreary. Terry T. Todd is a carpenter and architect and has resided as Los Angeles, Cal., since February, 1905. He is married and they have one (laughter, Margaret Pauline. Mary is the wife of Raleigh Lano, a brick mason and contractor, and they live at Port Clinton, O., and have two children, Terry and Herbin. Rufus S. Todd is a carpenter and in business at Findlay, O. He married Lucinda Gibson. The mother of the above family died in 1902. Mr. Todd no longer takes any active part in town matters but formerly was a leading public citizen. In politics he is a Democrat. He has been mayor of McComb, a member of the town council, a justice of the peace, township supervisor and served five years as assessor in Pleasant Township. Among his early recollections are the following, which will be of interest to many readers : "The first schoolhouse in Pleasant Township was built in 1838; the first teacher, Samuel Bowman. Only three months' winter terms were taught during my school age. The first mill for manufacturing flour or meal was a horse-mill. The first religious society in the township was organized in 1834 in my father's cabin house by the M. E. church. The first church house in McComb was built in 1850 by the M. E. church. At the first election when the township of Pleasant was organized there were only twelve voters." 596 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY JOSHUA NEISWANDER, member of the Van Buren Township School Board and a 'well known farmer and carpenter, owns seventy acres of well tilled land situated in Section 29, Van Buren Township, Hancock County, O. He was born January 4, 1857, in Richland Township, Allen County, O., and is a son of Michael and Fannie (Geiger) Neiswander. Michael Neiswander was born in 1822, on the Atlantic Ocean, during the voyage of his parents from Germany to America. His parents settled in Wayne County, O., where they lived until 1832, when they removed to Richland Township, Allen County and there Michael Neiswander grew to manhood and married Fannie Geiger. He acquired 240 acres of land and devoted his lifelong efforts to its cultivation and improvement. This farm is still in the family. Michael Neiswander was a Democrat in politics but for the last fifteen years of his life, took little interest in outside affairs. Both he and wife were members of the Mennonite church. His death occurred when he was over seventy years of age and that of his wife when she was seventy-six, and both were interred on the home farm west of Bluff-ton, O. They were good people who were long held in respectful memory by those who knew them. Joshua Neiswander attended a German school in Richland Township until he was about fifteen years of age, when he learned English. After his school days were over he helped his father and gradually became a well balanced and intelligent farmer himself and after his marriage he came to his present farm, which he bought from John Freed, clearing twenty-five acres of it, draining a large part of it and still having six acres in wood land. Being a carpenter as well as a farmer. he began to put up first class buildings on his place and all those now standing he erected. In the fall of 1880, Mr. Neiswander was married to Miss Susan Blosser, whose father died of smallpox when she was small. Mr. and Mrs. Neiswander have nine children, namely- : Harry A., who is a medical student at Cleveland, married Rosella Spacht, of Van Buren Township; Lois, who is the wife of J. M. Bushong, of Van Buren Township; Leo, who attends the Ohio Normal School at Ada, O.; Estella, who is a popular public school teacher at Jenera, O.; Claude, who is in his third term in the Ada High School; and Edgar, Byron, Ralph, and Una, all at home. In politics, Mr. Neiswander has always been a Democrat. He has frequently been elected to township offices and for two terms was township trustee and is now serving in his second year as president of the township school board. He is a representative citizen of Van Buren Township. HON. JAMES B. WALKER,* who served two terms as mayor of the city of Findlay, O., is a leading citizen of Hancock County, and is also an honored veteran of the great Civil War. Mr. Walker was born in Pennsylvania, November 3, 1840, and is a son of James B. and Maria (Adams) Walker, the former of whom was a native of Vermont, but died in Pennsylvania. James B. Walker obtained his education in his native state and probably would have become a millwright, as was his father, had not the Civil War been precipitated about the time he should have chosen a trade or profession, and perhaps that was all the more fortunate for the people of Findlay, as it was the pursuit of the business he subsequently engaged in, HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 597 that brought him to Ohio. In April, 1861, in answer to the first call, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company D, 1st Pa. Vol. Inf., the famous "Bucktails," and continued in the service for three years, after being three times wounded being transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, May 21, 1864. He is a valued member of the G. A. R. Post at Findlay, where often his old comrades recall with him the sharp engagement at New Market Cross Roads, where his first wound was received; the second battle of Bull Run, when he was again unfortunate, and at South Mountain, where his third wound was received and many of his regiment fell by his side. Mr. Walker returned to his home in Pennsylvania and soon afterward became interested in the oil business and continued this interest after coming to Hancock County in 1888. He has taken an active part in politics in city and county and his leadership was recognized first when he was elected on the Democratic ticket, in 1906, to Findlay's highest municipal office, and his administration was approved as was evinced by his re-election by a majority of 600 votes. Mr. 'Walker has a pleasant home and handsome residence at No. 217 East Main Cross Street, Findlay. He married Miss Elizabeth McGill, a daughter of James McGill, and they have three sons. Mr. Walker is a Mason. HENRY BENTON THOMAS, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest born native white child in Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., a member of one of the oldest township families and an honored survivor of the great Civil War, has lived a busy and useful life and is a man of very interesting personality. He was born on the old Thomas farm on which lie lives, September 1, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Edginton) Thomas. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Thomas were Charles and Mary (Ripley) Thomas. Charles Thomas was born in Virginia and his father was a native of Pennsylvania. Grandfather Thomas and wife settled in Marion Township, Hancok County, when they came to Ohio from Virginia, they died there, and their burial was on the old farm. They had seven children and of these the father of Henry B. Thomas was the eldest. A number of the others have descendants in this section. Nancy married Robert Hamilton and both died at Findlay. Eliza was the wife of David Henline. John married Nancy Ankrom and he and wife lived and died near the Thomas Church. Daniel married Lucy Ann George and they lived east of Findlay, where he died. George first married Catherine Paden, then Mary Paden and they lived and died on their farm three miles east of Findlay. William married Sidna Paden, a sister of Catherine and Mary Paden, and lived the greater part of his life on the home farm which he later sold and moved to Findlay, where he died. Narcissa married a Mr. Bennett and they lived and died at Bryan, in Williams County. Jacob Thomas, father of Henry Benton, was born in 180, in Tyler County, Va., and died in Pleasant Township, April 2nd, 1878. He accompanied his parents to Ohio in 1832 and with them settled in Section 16, Marion Township, Hancock County, and remained two years longer with his father. In 1837 he came to the farm now owned by his son, Henry B., which has never since been out of the Thomas family. At the time of his death he owned 240 acres. Pioneer conditions prevailed when Jacob Thomas came to Pleasant Township. The land 598 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY was heavily timbered and not a stick had ever been cut. There was not much chance for sociability as the other nearest settler was several miles away. The first log cabin had dimensions of 12 x 14 feet but a second house was built in the same fall, 16 x 18 feet, of hewed logs and with a clap-board roof. Jacob Thomas was twice married. His first wife was Rebecca Edginton, and his second was Elizabeth Gorrell. Four children were born to the first union : Mary Jane, May 28, 1835; Henry Benton, September 1, 1837; Levi Marion, October 13, 1839 ; and Julia Ann, July 27, 1843. Mary Jane married Peter Deter (died January I I, 1900) whom she survives and lives in Portage Township. Levi Marion married Mary C. Wilson. He lived near North Baltimore, where he followed farming. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Co. G, 2 1st O. Vol. Inf., and was captured with his comrades, at Chickamauga. He died May 11, 1906. Julia Ann married John W. Butler, formerly of Pleasant Township, but a resident of Findlay before his death. She resides on Center Street in that city. The children born to the second marriage of Jacob Thomas were : William C., February 12, 1848; Caroline, September 4, 1846; David H., January 6, 1852 ; Cyrene, January 13, 1850; and Amanda April 30, 1859 (died July 22, 1899). William C. Thomas holds the positon of captain in the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, O. He served in the Civil War in the 178th O. Vol. Inf. He has been twice married, first to Barbara E. Nye and second to Belle Lathonce, of Columbus, O. Caroline married Hon. Eb. Poe, late of Columbus, and formerly state auditor of Ohio. David H. Thomas formerly resided in Pleasant Township but is now engaged in mining in the West. Tie married Columbia J. Bowman. Cyrene married J. F. Dillinger and they own a farm near Hoytsville, O., but reside in Dayton. Amanda, who is now deceased, was the wife of Corwin Wilson, who survives her and lives near North Baltimore, O. Henry Benton Thomas grew up on the home farm and obtained a district school education. He worked on his father's and his uncle's farms, the latter living then east of Findlay. He was a member of an independent military company which had been organized in 1861, at McComb. They went to Findlay and there he formally enlisted for service in the Civil War, on September 19, 1861. His regiment was sent first to Camp Dennison, at Columbus, and from there to Piketown, Ky., and from there to Louisville and he was on guard duty at Lexington, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and other points and then went to Nashville, Tenn. Later he was a participant in the battle of Stone River and was at Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga, Graysville, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. He celebrated his birthday in September, 1863, by fighting in the battle at Jonesboro, Ga. He belonged also to the victorious army that marched with Sherman to the sea. Other engagements in which he bore a brave soldier's part were Raleigh, Goldsboro and Martha's Vineyard, on New River, N. C., and then came Richmond and later the grand review at Washington, D. C., and he was finally mustered out at Columbus, O. Mr. Thomas saw very hard service and the word soldier recalls to him the sternest kind of discipline and scenes of carnage and suffering that he hopes his country will never again witness. Mr. Thomas returned to Hancock County practically unharmed after his military service was over. His father had given him eighty acres of land in Pleasant Township and to this HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 599 he added eighty more. In 1878 he sold this land and moved to Saline County, Kas., where he spent one year in agricultural efforts, but his success was not up to his expectations and his crops were entirely destroyed by the hot winds. In the meanwhile his father had died and so he returned to Pleasant Township and here he has continued to live ever since. The house in which Mr. Thomas and family had lived since their return to the old homestead, was destroyed by fire and the present handsome residence was erected in 1901. Mr. Thomas has 116 acres under cultivation, this farm being one of the best in the township. October 4, 1866, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Ruthanna Archer, a daughter of Henry and Lucinda (Osenbaugh) Archer, of Mercer County, O. Six children were born to them; namely : Mary Orlida, born July 9, 1867; married Willis Mygrants, April 9, 1898; they live in Jackson, Mich. They have three children—Warren, born March 11, 1899; Russell, born September 12, 1900; Clifton, born October 30, 1905. Minnie L., born October 4, 1868; married Chester Ewing of McComb, December 6, 1899. They have three children—Lois, born May 30, 1901; Webster, born March 5, 1903; and Arthur, born April 21, 1906. Delos Archer was born December 13, 1869: was married to Belle Norris of Cass Township (where they have since resided), September 5, 1894. They have three children—Gayle, born September 4, 1895; Bernard, born January 25, 1900, and Raymond, born September 8, 1903. Estella J., was born October 31, 1871 ; was married to Fred King, January 23, 1896, and they have two children—Ralph, born February 10, 1897, and Iloe, born September 21, 1900. Sarah Elizabeth and Laura Leota, who reside with their parents. Mr. Thomas and family were members of the Thomas Methodist Episcopal church, in which he formerly was an official. For the past twenty-five years he has maintained opinions that identify him with the Prohibiton party, but formerly he was a Democrat. He served a number of times as township trustee and was active generally in public affairs. He is a member of John Howard Post, No. 154, G. A. R. at McComb. WILLIAM H. ADELSPERGER, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising on Elm Wood farm, is the owner of 390 acres of fine farming land, located in Sections 10 and 13, Big Lick Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and is one of the representative agriculturists of the county. He was born June 22, 1842, in Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Cinderella (Ricketts) Adelsperger, and a grandson of Jacob Adelsperger, who was a native of Hagerstown, Md. John Adelsperger, father of our subject, was born in Hagerstown, Md., and during his boyhood came to Tiffin, Seneca County, O. He was first married to Cinderella Ricketts, and to them were born three children : William H. ; John F., deceased ; and Joseph A., deceased. His second union was with Mary Albert, and resulted in the following issue : Mary Jane; Katherine; Amanda ; Flora ; Nora ; Charles; James; Albert ; Frank; John, deceased ; and Henry. William H. Adelsperger was reared in Tiffin, Ohio, and there obtained his education in the public schools. In 1861 he enlisted for