HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 625 Perry County, Ohio, and attended the local schools and the Thornville High School, from which he graduated in 1884. He then taught in the schools of Arkansas and Perry County for four years, and in 1887 entered the Columbus Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated with the class of 1889. He immediately embarked in the practice of medicine at Arlington, Ohio, where he has since been continuously and successfully engaged in his profession. Dr. Trovinger is fraternally a member of the Maccabees, No. 179, of Arlington, of which he is past commander, and was for six years surgeon, and also affiliates with the I. O. O. F., No. 184, of Thornville, of which lie is past grand commander ; also of the Sons of Veterans, of which he was elected junior vice commander at Xefiia, Ohio, on June 14, 1910. He was United States Pension Examiner under Presidents Cleveland and McKinley, and also served one term as Mayor of Arlington. Dr. Trovinger was united in marriage with Hettie Solt, who was born and reared in Eagle Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and they have always resided at Arlington. EDMUND C. TAYLOR, president of the Commercial Banking & Savings Company, at Findlay, and also president of the Findlay Foundry & Machine Company, has been identified with the various interests of this city for more than twenty years. He is a native of Ohio, born September 2, 1851. He was liberally educated and after completing his course in Oberlin College, became intensely interested in the development of oil in the Pennsylvania oil fields, which was then attracting the attention of the world. During the first eighteen months of his practical interest in this great industry, Mr. Taylor was located at Oil City and then went to the Butler County fields and for the six succeeding years took part in the activities of that section, learning during this time the stoicism necessary to bear the alternations of fortune arising from speculation. He acquired capital and in 1878 opened a nitro-glycerine factory at Bradford, using this explosive in the shooting of wells for prospectors. He was engaged in this work for seven years, when he became an oil producer, in 1881 locating at Richburg, N. Y., where he continued until 1886, and then came to Findlay. Mr. Taylor was connected with the first well drilled for oil in this section and is practically one of the pioneers in the industry here. He has never entirely given up his oil interests, having with them laid the foundation for his ample fortune, but his active participation in the industry has long since been abandoned, other important enterprises claiming his time and close attention. Since January, 1901, he has been at the head of the Commercial Banking & Savings Company, a leading financial institution of this section of Ohio. He owns a finely improved farm of 117 acres. Without being a politician, Mr. Taylor is an earnest Republican and a vigorous supporter of all measures looking to good government. He is charitable to a large degree and a willing promoter of public spirited enterprises whether for a special benevolent purpose or for the general welfare. Mr. Taylor was married in 1889 to Mrs. Thirza (Ostermeyer) Moore, of Findlay, and their handsome residence stands at No. 222 Center Street, Findlay. Mr. Taylor is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. Personally 626 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY he is genial and frank and counts his friends by the score. OLIVER POWELL,* a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Findlay, Ohio, residing in a very pleasant and attractive residence situated at No. 608 Center Street, came here from his farm in 1900 and has continued to live here for the past ten years. He is a valued member of the G. A. R. Post at Findlay, having served in this organization as chaplain and commander and gained admission to this body on account of his loyal service in the Civil War. Mr. Powell was born November 21, 1834, on a farm stuated in Liberty Township, Hancock County, Ohio, three miles southwest of Findlay, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Fellers) Powell. Henry Powell was born in Pennsylvania and lived there until after his marriage when he came to Fairfield County, Ohio, and in 1830 to Hancock County, where he entered land in Liberty Township. He developed an excellent farm and lived there until his death in 1876. He was married first to Catherine Fellers, who died in 1838, and secondly to Rebecca Myers. Oliver Powell was reared on the farm in Liberty Township and attended the old log school that was not far distant from his home. He engaged in farming and in 1858 built a saw-mill and operated it until October 15, 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He became a member of Company H, 10th O. Vol. Cav., and remained in the army until the close of the War of the Rebellion, a period of two years and eight months. With his comrades, Mr. Powell passed all through the Tennessee campaign, mainly doing scout duty, and afterward was under Sherman in the great march to the sea ; he was present at the fall of Atlanta and participated in many of the most stirring events of that section. He did not escape all the dangers of war. When near Raleigh, North Carolina, his commander was surprised by a larger force and Corporal Powell, together with about 200 of his comrades, was taken prisoner. The whole party was marched to Richmond and for two days Corporal Powell had a realization of what Libby Prison was like. This was in the spring of 1865 when the Confederates were no longer anxious to keep their prisoners and within two days he was paroled and was given a furlough home by his commander for thirty days. At its end he reported at Columbus but just then an order came from the Government that all paroled prisoners should be mustered out and with this welcome news he was soon on his way home. Mr. Powell was married on Christmas Day, 1868, to Miss Rachel Comer, who was born in Liberty Township, and died in 1900, at Findlay. Mr. and Mrs. Powell had six children : Blanche, who is a teacher in the McKee school at Findlay ; Grace, who died aged one year ; James Powell, who is an engineer on the Lake Shore Railroad and lives at Dunkirk, New York ; Gertrude, who is the wife of Roy Flucke, of Findlay ; Otto, who died aged two years ; and Herbert, who died when seventeen years of age. Mr. Powell continued to live in Liberty Township until 1882 and then moved to his farm of eighty acres near Mt. Cory, which he sold prior to coming to Findlay in 1900. He has been identified with the Republican party almost since its organization but he has never been willing to accept public office. From his youth he has been a member of the Evangelical church. For years he has HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 627 been prominent in the Grand Army and is very well known in the organization. BENJAMIN REDICK, whose valuable farm of 200 acres, lies in Eagle Township, Hancock County, twelve miles southwest of Findlay, Ohio, on what is known as the Redick road, has lived here for the past seventeen years. He was born in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, February 16, 1873, and is a son of Adam and Christina Redick. Adam Redick and wife were both born in Germany. He was brought to America by his parents in boyhood and spent his subsequent life in Van Buren Township, Hancock County, Ohio, as a farmer, dying there in 1883. His wife was five years old when her parents brought her to the United States and she survives and resides with her son, Henry Redick, on the homestead in Van Buren. Township. Benjamin Redick remained at home and helped his father until he married, in 1893, when he settled on his present farm, the old Arras homestead. He carries on general farming and raises considerable stock, none of it thoroughbred but all profitably marketable. He has given much attention to improving the place, putting down a large amount of tile and building a modern and exceedingly comfortable farm residence, together with barns and other structures made necessary as his farm industries have been developed. Mr. Redick was married September 21, 1893, to Miss Maggie Arras, who was born on the farm which has been her home all her life, December 27, 1875. Like her husband she was educated in the township shools. She is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Arras, who many years ago settled in Eagle Township where they became leading and respected people. Peter Arras died in 1897 but his widow survives and lives at Jenera, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Redick have had five children, namely : Esther, Harley, Lulu Estella, Clarissa and William. Three times has the dread Angel of Death invaded this household. Lulu Estella died October 22, 1897, aged one month-and two days. Clarissa died July 26, 1903 ; William died March 23, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Redick are members of the German Lutheran church at Jenera. M. C. SHAFER,* a prominent member of the Hancock County bar and a representative of one of the old pioneer German families of Ohio, was born at Findlay, Ohio, December 4, 1866, and is a son of Morgan D. and Mary L. (Bentz) Shafer. The late Morgan D. Shafer was born in 1838, at Mt. Blanchard, Hancock County, Ohio, and was one of a family of twelve children born to his parents, Michael and Nancy (Ireland) Shafer, and a grandson of Michael Shafer, who, with a brother, came to America from Germany, and settled in Washington County, Pa. This first Michael Shafer married there and remained until his son Michael was about thirteen years of age, when he moved to Knox County, Ohio. The second Michael Shafer, who was the grandfather of M. C. Shafer of Findlay, was the pioneer of the family in Hancock County, where he acquired property and reared a large family. Throughout life he maintained his old ideas of German thrift and when his children grew old enough to desire more extended educational advantages than the local schools offered, they were required to provide themselves with the means, although at that time he was amply able to give them assistance. Thus, when Mor- 628 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY gan D. Shafer found the environments of the farm too narrow for his ambitions, he left home and taught school until he had earned enough to take a law course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, being admitted to the bar in 1860. In the following year, however, when the Civil War broke out, he put aside his personal plans and responded to the first call for troops, entering the Federal Army as first lieutenant of Company E, 21St O. Vol. Inf. After the end of his term of enlistment he came to Findlay and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he adorned for many years, his death occurring in 1899. He married Mary L. Buntz, who was born at Ellsworth, Mahoning County, Ohio, where her family was exceedingly prominent. She survives and resides with a daughter, Mrs. Dr. Jones, at Cleveland, Ohio. M. C. Shafer was reared at Findlay and was graduated from the Findlay High School in the class of 1885. His father owned 600 acres of land in Hancock County and Mr. Shafer became interested for a time in farming and during one winter he taught a school in Marion Township. He then spent one year at Findlay College, after which he entered the University of Michigan, where he devoted two years to literary studies in general and two more to the special department of law, being graduated in 1893. Immediately after his return to Ohio and admission to the bar he established himself in his present convenient offices at No. 407 1/2 Main Street, Findlay. Mr. Shafer's practice is general, requiring much knowledge along many lines, and he has earned a foremost place among a notable body of professional men. Mr. Shafer was married at Findlay, in 1893, to Miss Florence Hamlin, a daughter of John M. Hamlin, and they have three children : Richard H., Mary C. and Douglas M. Mr. Shafer has club connections and fraternal affiliations and is particularly active in the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. GEORGE W. NORRIS, a representative citizen of Cass Township, who, together with his wife, owns 250 acres of very valuable land, was born on his father's farm in Fairfield County, O., July 27, 1846, and is a son of Alexander and Maria (Stone) Norris. Alexander Norris was born in Maryland, a son of English parents, and came to Fairfield County, O., when a young man of twenty-seven years, where he established himself as a shoemaker. He was married to his first wife there and after her death he married Maria Stone, who was born in Virginia. She died in 1892, aged eighty-one years and he survived until 1898, dying at the age of ninety years. To the first marriage four children were born, namely : William, deceased; Mary Frances, wife of Samuel Mosier, of Findlay; and Elizabeth Ann and Sara J., both deceased. Three children were born to the second marriage : George Whitfield, David L., and Anna, wife of H. Borroughf, of Pleasant Township. In 1852, Alexander Norris and family came to Hancock County, where he bought twenty acres in Marion Township, then added forty acres and then a second forty acres and still later, 120 acres, and devoted his later years to farming. George W. Norris was a child when the family came to Hancock County and he grew to manhood on the home farm, which he helped to clear. He occasionally found a chance to attend school but not as frequently as he de- HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 629 sired, as his services were required at home. On December 21, 1870, he was married to Miss Amanda Baker, a daughter of Alexander and Catherine (Eckert) Baker, old residents of Cass Township. John H. Eckert came to Hancock County from Fairfield County and was the original owner of the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Norris, having made the entry. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have three children : John, who assists his father on the farm of ninety acres, lying in Section 34, on the township line ; Belle, who is the wife of D. A. Thomas, who operats Mr. Norris' second farm, and they have three children—Gail, Bernard and Raymond ; and George Dallas, who resides at Findlay, married Laura Belle Gibson, and they have one daughter, Pearl. Mr. Norris has made farming his occupation and has prospered. Oil has been produced on one of his farms. He came to his present one on February 7, 1871 and has made many of the excellent improvements, including the erection of the brick residence which is commodious and attractive. Mr. Norris has an admirable Civil War record. He enlisted on October 7, 1864, in Co. 17, 47th O. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Brachman, and was mustered out in August, 1865. He saw hard service, being under Gen. Sherman in the memorable march to the sea and took part in many serious engagements including Fort McAllister and Bentonville. He was fortunate enough to escape injury and after his honorable discharge returned to Hancock County. He is a member of Stoker Post, No. 54, G. A. R., Findlay, and is also identified with the Odd Fellows there. In politics he is a Republican and for the past twelve years he has been township treasurer. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. JOHN H. HILTY,* one of Orange Township's representative business men, the senior partner in the firm of J. H. Hilty & Company, manufacturers of brick and tile, has his plant located on his farm in Section 36, where he owns sixty acres of excellent land. He was born in Richland Township, Allen County, O., March 2, 1848, and is a son of Christian and Madelina (Eicher) Hilty. Christian Hilty was born at Berne, Switzerland. When he was four years old the family started for America but the mother died on the ocean and was buried at sea. His father continued his journey until he reached Wayne County, O., where Christian Kilty was reared. At the age of twenty-four years he married Madelina Eicher, who was born in Alsace, now a part of Germany, and came to America when eighteen years old. Six children were born to Christian Hilty and his wife, as follows : an infant that died unnamed ; Benjamin, who is deceased ; John H. ; David, who lives in Orange Township; Katherine, now deceased, who was the wife of a Mr. Lugenbihl, of Allen County ; and Christian. All the children were born in Richland Township, Allen County, where they settled after marriage, on a farm of eighty acres. There Christian Hilty died in 1872, his burial being in Allen County, three miles northwest of Bluffton. Both he and wife were members of the Swiss Mennonite church. John H. Hilty was reared and attended school in Richland Township and remained on a farm near Bluffton, in Allen County, for three years following his marriage, when he came to Orange Township, Hancock County. At that time his present farm was practically uncleared. He was enterprising and industrious and soon recognized the fact that this section would prove an admirable location for 630 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY the brick and tile business. He started into the same at first in partnership with a brother-in-law, one and one-half miles west of his present location. Later he purchased the other interests and took his son into partnership under the firm name of J. H. Hilty & Son, which continued until 1908, when it became J. H. Hilty & 'Company and its members are : John H. Hilty, Christian Hilty and John Baumgardner. The business has prospered. Formerly about thirty kilns a year were burned but in the present season, up to date, the company has put out about one kiln a week. The product is building brick and tile, in size from three to fifteen inches. The quality of brick and tile compares favorably with that of older and better known plants and its future prospects are very bright. Mr. Hilty was married in Allen County to Miss Mary Ann Thutt, a daughter of John Thutt, of Richland Township, and six children have been born to them, namely : Christian, who is a member of the above firm, married Minerva Gilbert Rhoda ; Reuben, who resides at Toledo, is a veterinary surgeon; Elmer, a resident of Hancock County, is a civil engineer; Clara, who is the wife of Edward Hansinger, of Martinsburg, Pa., and Elnora, who resides at home. Mr. Hilty and family are members of the Mennonite church. In politics he is a Democrat. JOHN P. MOSIER, owner of ‘330 acres of valuable land comprising the old Mosier home farm in Sections 3 and 4, Marion Township, Hancock County, O., and 112 acres lying in Section 23, Cass Township, is numbered with the substantial men of this part of Hancock County. He was born March 24, 1843, in the old log house which his father erected on the farm after lie had cleared a space for it, and is a son of Henry M. and Catherine (Davis) Mosier. Henry M. Mosier was born in Virginia and remained there until reaching manhood when he went to Fairfield County, O., where he soon married Catherine Davis. They had three children : Samuel ; Mary, wife of George Wolfe ; and John P. After his first wife died he married Catherine Swab, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in February, 1883, at the age of sixty-nine years. They had one child, Cory E., who resides in Marion Township. Henry M. Mosier died in March, 1881, aged seventy-one years. When he came to Hancock County and secured land in Marion Township, it was heavily timbered and it required years of industry to cleat' and prepare the ground for cultivation. All this work he accomplished, with the assistance of his son, John P., when the latter grew old enough. By trade Henry M. Mosier was a carpenter and builder and numerous structures still standing in Fairfield County, attest his skill. Later he devoted his entire attention to his farm interests and stock raising became an important feature. He was known all over the county, enjoyed a large degree of confidence and frequently served in township offices although he was in no sense a politician. John P. Mosier had such school advantages as the place and time afforded and he well remembers the old log schoolhouse with its slab seats. He began to help his father when quite young and continued closely associated with him and this interest made the elder desire that this son should remain on the farm. An amicable agreement was reached with the other heirs and Mr. Mosier has continued here. To the homestead he has added his other land as HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 631 it suited his convenience and he has three sets of buildings, all in good condition. In 1890 he erected his handsome frame residence, giving it a beautiful setting and showing taste in the laying out of the lawn and the placing of shade trees and ornamental shrubbery. In the month of roses one of the bushes in his yard is worth traveling miles to view and enjoy. Mr. Mosier was married June 13, 1869, to Miss Maria F. Myers, a daughter of S. S. and Ann Myers, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Mosier was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., May 17, 1845, and her death occurred in 1904. They had six children: Ida May, who died in 1902 ; Etta Virginia, who married William E. Huffman; William D., who died June 10, 1898; John H., who died June 10, 1897; Cletus L., who died April 26, 1900; and Mertie Blanche, who died September 19, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman reside with Mr. Mosier and Mr. Huffman operates the farm. He is a son of Norman Huffman. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have four children : Frances E., Helen M., Donald J. and Pearl M. Mr. Mosier is a Republican and he served on the school board for many years. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1866. EDWARD BATTLES*, a representative and substantial citizen of Orange Township, Hancock County, O., where he owns 230 acres of land, was born April 7, 1850, in the old log house that was then standing on his father's home farm, which adjoins his on the south. He is a son of Asa and Catherine (Raimers) Battles, and a grandson of Brier Battles. Asa Battles .vas born in Pennsylvania, in 1815, and accompanied his father to Trumbull County, O. There he grew to manhood and when he possessed sufficient means, started out as a pioneer himself, purchasing 200 acres of virgin forest in the center of Orange Township, Hancock County. There he built his first log cabin and began the clearing and developing of this land to which lie subsequently added until he owned 680 acres, enough to give each of his surviving sons a farm. He was a man of considerable local importance, recognizing his duties in the way of religion and good citizenship and during a long and worthy life retaining the respect of his fellow citizens. He married Catherine Raimers, who was born in Germany but who then lived with her parents in Allen County, O. To them the following children were born : John, Alfred, William, George, Edward, Eliza Jane, Asa, Jesse, Freeman, Robert and Harry. But few of these survive. The two eldest sons died in the army while serving as soldiers in the Civil War. Asa Battles, the father, died in November, 1904, and the mother followed in February, 1909. Their burial was in the Thompson cemetery. Both were valued members of the German Lutheran church. Edward Battles obtained a district school education and then settled down to farming on the homestead. After his marriage he came to the present farm, next to the one on which he was born. It had not been improved but Mr. Battles erected the present residence, barns and outbuildings, tiled the land and in this way has added largely to its value. He carries on a general line of agriculture and is one of the township's prosperous and independent farmers. In 1875 Mr. Battles was married to Miss Matilda Pipple, a daughter of William Pipple, of Orange Township, and they have five children : John F., who married Goldie Burns, and has two children—D. and Neva Catherine; 632 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Fairy, who is the wife of Fred Beihl, and resides in Orange Township; Bertha, who married J. C. Wetheral and has one son, Robert ; Lewis, who married Ida Kidd, who, at death, left one daughter, Helen; and Harley J.. B., who assists his father. Mr. Battles is identified with the Democratic party. WILLIAM F. SMITH, whose finely improved farm of 130 acres lies in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, Ohio, was born in Hancock County and is a son of Henry William and Albertina (Tagler) Smith. Henry William Smith and wife were both born in Germany and when they came to America they located first in Hancock County, Ohio, near Fostoria, in Washington Township, where he purchased forty acres of land. This he subsequently sold and moved into Pleasant Township and then to Blanchard Township. During the Civil War he served as a soldier under the call for 100-day men. He died when aged seventy-four years and his wife at the age of sixty-seven years and their burial was at McComb. They were charter members of the Lutheran church at that place. He followed farming through his active years. To Henry William Smith and wife the following children were born : Sarah, who is the wife of George Bach, and resides at Belmore, Ohio; William F.; Louisa, who is the wife of M. C. Warren, of Blanchard Township; George H., who received the home farm and married Della Fry; John W., who married Nancy Fundum ; Della, who is the wife of James Warren, of McComb; and Mary, who died in infancy. After his school days were over, William F. Smith appplied himself to farming. On March 4, 1880, he was married to Miss Theodosia Fundum, a daughter of Henry J. and Kather ine (Stone) Fundum, and they have had the following children: Anna Mary, Henry William, Frank Alford, Lulu Alverta, William Jay, and Clarence Ora. The last named died in infancy and was interred at McComb. Henry J. Fundum, who was a well known resident of Blanchard Township for many years and one of its best citizens, was born in Germany. When he came first to America he settled in Pennsylvania and from there came to Seneca County, Ohio, where he married Katherine Stone, a native of his own birthplace. They settled near Fostoria and remained there until after the birth of two of their children, when they moved to the farm on which William F. Smith and family now live. With the assistance of his brothers, Henry J. Fundum bought this property and later, through purchase, became sole owner and cleared the larger part of it. Subsequently he purchased adjoining land until he owned 400 acres all in one block. This land he divided among his three daughters and their husbands and all of it is improved and well cultivated. Henry J. Fundum lived to be seventy-seven years of age and his wife to be sixty-seven. They were charter members of the Lutheran church at McComb. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the local grange. Three daughters were born to Henry J. Fundum and wife, namely : Theodosia, who is the wife of William F. Smith ; Amanda, who is the wife of Lewis Brickman, a county commissioner of Hancock County; and Nancy A., who is the wife of John W. Smith. It is the pleasant privilege of all three sisters to live clear together and thus to unite with each other in their joys and support each other in their sorrows. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Smith HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 633 went to housekeeping on the present farm and here their children were all born. They are members of the Evangelical church in which he is an elder. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as township trustee for two years. He erected all the buildings on his farm, cleared a portion of it and did the draining. CHARLES DENNIS,* who owns 242 acres of valuable land situated in Blanchard Township, Hancock County, O., was born in Eagle Township, Hancock County, February 2, 1865, and is a son of Samuel and Matilda (Alspath) Dennis. Samuel Dennis was born in Pennsylvania and died at Rawson, O., at the age of eighty-two years, being buried in Benton-Ridge cemetery. In early manhood he came to Fairfield County, O., where he married Matilda Alspath and engaged in farming there. Three sons were born to them in the same house in which Mrs. Dennis was born. They moved then to Hancock County and five more sons were born in Eagle Township, and one more in Blanchard Township. Samuel Dennis traded farms with John Smith and after he took possession of the Blanchard Township farm he built the present farm residence, which has needed but a small amount of repairing since. Samuel Dennis lived at McComb for two years and then moved to Rawson. He was a Democrat. After his death his widow came to make her home with her son Charles. She is a member of the Church of God, but her husband belonged to the Methodist denomination. Charles Dennis went to school in Blanchard Township and then worked for his father until he was about twenty-two years of age, when he married and since then has operated the farm for himself. He is very successful in his undertakings and is one of the most enterprising and hard working farmers of this neighborhood. Mr. Dennis married Miss Emma Ritter, a daughter of W. C. Ritter, and they have three children, Ethel, Leo and Herman. In politics he is nominally a Democrat but has independent leanings and very often exercises his own judgment only in casting his vote. For seven years he has served as a member of the township school board. He belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias, attending the lodge at Findlay. HARVEY H. WELLS,* who, for fifty years has been a resident of Hancock County, O., owns a valuable farm of 120 acres which lies in Pleasant Township, which he devotes to general farming and. stock raising. He was born in Licking County, O., and is a son of Noah and Edith (Warner) Wells. Noah Wells was born in Arundel County, Md., a son of Richard Wells who came to Licking County, O., at an early date and died there. Noah Wells grew to manhood and married in Licking County and came from there to Hancock County during the War of the Rebellion and settled in Pleasant Township, on the Ridge road, one mile west of Deweyville. He purchased and improved forty acres of land. In later years he removed to Paulding County, O., where both he and wife died. Six sons and six daughters were born to Noah and Edith Wells, namely : Calvin, who served in the Civil War, enlisting at Newark, O., and died in the service from typhoid fever; Ann, who married Joseph Simmons in Licking County, moved first west of Deweyville and later to Missouri, where both died ; David, who died of typhoid fever while serving as a soldier in the Civil 634 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY War; Mary, who married Rutherford Adams, and resides at Croton, Licking County ; Millie, who married Bazil Sparling, of Hancock County, survives him and resides at Toledo; James, who resides at Benton Ridge; Amanda, who is the wife of Myron Moore, and resides in Henry County ; Nelson, who resides in Putnam County; Harvey H.; Emma, who lives in Putnam County, is the widow of R. C. Dillon, who died in May, 1910; and two that died in infancy. Harvey H. Wells attended the township schools as opportunity offered in his boyhood and then worked on the home farm until he married. For sixteen years afterward he worked as a farmer for Lewis Dukes, of Blanchard Township. He had no capital to begin with and every dollar he has invested he has earned by his own persevering industry. His first purchase of land was forty acres in Putnam County and later he bought 106 acres of Amelia Austin but sold over twenty-six of them and then continued to cultivate about eighty acres until in March, 1907, when he sold this land to advantage. He then purchased what was locally known as the Francis Hull farm, his present property. This land was originally entered by James Ewing in the early days of the county and it later passed into the hands of a Mr. Orrick who subsequently sold it to Francis Hull. Mr. Wells lost his house by fire in 1909 which necessitated the building of a new one. His fine barn is one of the best structures of its kind in the township. In the spring of 1880, Mr. Wells was married to Miss Sidney Ellen Riggle, a daughter of John and Mary (Goodwin) Riggle, and they have three sons and one daughter, namely: Claud, who resides in Liberty Township and is a worker in the oil fields, married Pearl Smith and they have four children—Ralph, Orville, Evelyn and an infant ; Lettie May, who is the wife of Roy Rader, of McComb, has two children—Dorothy and Catherine; and Clarence and Orie, both of whom give their father assistance on the farm. Mr. Wells and family are members of the Church of Christ at McComb. In politics he is a Republican but is no seeker after political rewards. He is one of the representative and worthy citizens of this section of Hancock County. ELI ALEXANDER,* vice president of the Buckeye Ice and Coal Company, and foreman of the block department of the Findlay Clay Pot Company, has been a resident of Findlay, Ohio, since 1887. He was born December 15, 1862, on a farm in Richland County, Ohio, a son of George and Sarah (Hersch) Alexander. The father of our subject died in the fall of 1890 in Dickinson County, Kansas, where he located with his family in 1880. The mother is still living in Kansas. Eli Alexander was reared on the home farm and in 1880 went with his parents to Kansas, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1887 he returned to Findlay, Ohio, where he worked for a time at his trade and in 1889 became a mold maker in the Findlay Clay Pot Company, with which he has since been identified. He is now one of the directors of that concern, and is foreman of the block department of same. For the past 14 years he has been identified with the Buckeye Ice and Coal Company, of which he is now vice president. Mr. Alexander is politically a Democrat, has served two years on the City Council, and was a member of the Board of Water Works at the time the new water system was installed. He is fraternally a member of the Masonic order. HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 637 Mr. Alexander was united in marriage with Elizabeth J. Stoker, a daughter of T. A. Stoker, who is a prominent farmer of Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander : Jennie, Eve, George, Ruth, Isabelle, Harold and Dora. The family reside at No. 2512 North Main Street. CYRUS L. CASTERLINE,* vice president of the American National Bank at Findlay, Ohio, proprietor of the Bradford Oil Company and secretary and treasurer of the Genesee Oil Company, has been one of Findlay's enterprising and successful business men for a number of years. He was born in 1851, at Angelica, Alleghany County, New York. Mr. Casterline was educated in his native place and first became identified with the oil industry when he went to the Bradford oil fields, in 1876. He became a partner of the late C. S. Carthell in the Bradford Oil Company and after Mr. Carthell's death purchased the business and has continued as its sole proprietor. As secretary and treasurer of the Genesee Oil Company, of Findlay, he occupies a prominent position in the commercial life of the city, while other business enterprises in which he is officially interested, have still further increased his influence. His worth as a progressive and public-spirited citizen has been recognized in many ways and he has served with efficiency in civic offices, especially as a member of the city board of improvements. In politics, Mr. Casterline is a Republican, but his business interests have always been so large that he has found little time to entertain political aspirations. He has a very beautiful home on South Main Street, although a bachelor, and in his elegantly fitted apartments may be found many articles of more than usual interest, notably a collection of horns which is probably the most complete in the state and one pair, elaborately carved, would grace any museum. He is a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner and belongs also to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of generous impulses and his donations to charity are large although very quietly made. ALPHEUS HOFMASTER,* who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 100 acres in Section 24, Washington Township, Hancock County, Ohio, has been a life long resident of the county. He was born December 28, 1856, on the old Jacobs farm in Washington Township, and is a son of Jonas and Mary ( Jacobs) Hofmaster. John and Rachel (Eadler) Hofmaster, paternal grandparents of our subject, were natives of Germany and were among the early settlers of Mahoning County, Ohio. They subsequently came to Hancock County and located on what is now known as the William Earnest farm in Washington Township. Here they spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring at the age of 91 years; his wife died at the age of 86 years. They were the parents of the following children : Paul, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Anna, deceased; Jonas, deceased ; Rachel, deceased ; Mary, who is the wife of Isaac Hooper; Ellen, deceased; Lydia; Jacob, deceased; Hannah; and three who died in infancy. Jonas Hofmaster was born August 13, 1829, in Mahoning County, hio, and when a young man came to Hancock County with his parents, who settled on a tract of timberland in Washington Township. He was married to Mary Jacobs, who was born in Hancock County, 638 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY Ohio, and was a daughter of John and Margaret Jacobs, natives of Germany, who came, to Hancock County in 1833 and entered land one mile north of our subject's place in Washington Township. After his marriage Jonas Hofmaster spent ten years on the old Jacobs farm, then bought 80 acres of land from Nick Jacobs, to which he later added 20 acres, the farm now being owned by our subject, Alpheus Hofmaster. The land was partly cleared and there was an old log house on the place, but it was later replaced by the house which is now on the farm. Jonas died on this farm January 2, 1904, and was survived by his widow until February 22, 1907, who was 73 years old at the time of her death. They were parents of the following children: Alpheus ; Alice Elizabeth, deceased wife of Clarence Stewart of Michigan; Celestia, who married Dr. N. C. Miller of Fostoria, Ohio ; Margaret, the wife of Miron Smith, of Fostoria; Ella, who died young; and two who died in infancy. Alpheus Hofmaster was reared on his present farm, having been just a boy when his parents removed from the old Jacobs farm, where he was born. He attended the district schools of the township, but being the eldest child was obliged to devote considerable time to the farm work, and after his marriage, continued to live here, buying the farm from the Hofmaster heirs. He has remodeled the barn, erected milk-houses and otherwise made many improvements, and in connection with general farming is extensively engaged in shipping cream to Indiana. Mr. Hofmaster was married November 22, 1887, to Jennie Brown, who is a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Pughe) Brown, the latter of whom is deceased, and they have two children : Harry, and Mary. Mr. Hofmaster is one of the public spirited and enterprising citizens of the township and in politics is identified with the Democratic party. A. C. DICUS,* manager of the Farmers' Elevator and Exchange Company, at Mt. Cory, Hancock County, O., an enterprising and progressive business man, was born June 10, 1850, at Wabash, Ind., and is a son of Burgess and Hannah (Connell) Dicus. The father was born in Maryland, later moved to a farm in Fairfield County, O., and died at Defiance, in 1869, aged fifty-seven years. The mother was born and reared in Pennsylvania and died at Defiance, O., in 1884, aged seventy-two years. A. C. Dicus was six years old when his parents moved to Illinois, where the family remained on a farm for ten years and then returned to Ohio and located at Defiance. In that city Mr. Dicus obtained a public school education. Following his marriage he established his home at Mt. Blanchard and five years since came to Rawson, where he has invested in property. The Farmers' Elevator and Exchange Company at Mt. Cory has become an enterprise of large importance to the farmers of this section. It was incorporated in 1907. The company deals in grain of all kinds, wool, coal, tile and flour. Mr. Dicus has the entire management of the business. In 1883 Mr. Dicus was married to Miss L. A. Switzer, of Findlay, who was born and reared in Hancock County. They have four children : Glenn, who married Maud Huntward, of Benton Ridge ; Anna, who married Grover Fox, of Rawson; S. E., and Harold. HOMER L. TAYLOR,* who is engaged in general farming on a tract of 160 acres, located about one and a quarter miles east of Van HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 639 Buren in Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio, was born October 24, 1861, on his farm on which he now lives, and is a son of Charles and Caroline (Fairchilds) Taylor. Charles Taylor was born in Bedford County, Pa., and in early manhood came to Ohio, and worked at cabinet making in various places. After his marriage with Caroline Fairchilds, he resided several years in Van Buren, Hancock County, Ohio, but later settled on the farm in Allen Township, which our subject now owns. This he partly cleared and placed in a state of cultivation, and spent the remainder of his life here engaged in agricultural pursuits. The parents of our subject were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are still living, our subject being the youngest of seven sons. Homer L. Taylor was reared on his present farm, attended the local schools, and in early manhood learned carpentering, which he followed some years. In 1894 he purchased the home farm from the heirs, and has since carried on general farming and stock raising, and is one of the most prosperous farmers of Allen Township. Mr. Taylor was married to Madge Showman, who was born and reared in Allen Township, and is a daughter of Pembroke B. and Caroline (Heller) Showman. Pembroke B. Showman was a native of Maryland, and in 1849, during the gold excitement, spent some time in California, but subsequently came to Hancock County, Ohio, where he had a brother living. Here he married Caroline Heller, who was born and reared in Hancock County, and spent the remainder of his life on a farm in Allen Township, where his death occurred in 1901. He is still survived by his widow. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, 'namely : Charles Pembroke ; Clyde LeRoy; Sarah Caroline, Edmund Showman ; Donald William; and James M. The family holds membership with the Van Buren Presbyterian Church. Mr. Taylor is a director of the schools of District 6 of Allen Township. CHARLES A. KELLEY,* owner of a valuable farm of eighty acres, situated in Section 3, Portage Township, Hancock County, O., eleven miles northwest of Findlay, was born in Gratiot County, Mich., August 17, 1869, and is a son of Alvin C. and Sarah A. (Patten) Kelley. When he was about three months old the family moved to Washington Township, Hancock County, O., where the father bought a farm. Later he retired to Bloomdale, in Wood County, where he still resides, his wife having died there in 1900. Charles A. Kelley was the third in his parents' family of four children, the others being as follows : Edwin H., who died in Washington Township—was a farmer and a teacher and later engaged in the practice of law in the city of Cleveland ; Lettie, who is the wife of A. E. Hale, of Findlay; and Louie, who is the wife of James F. Ernest. Mr. Kelley has been engaged in general farming ever since his school days. He came to his present place in 1898 and has made many improvements along sensible, practical lines and these have materially added to the value of his property. Mr. Kelley married Miss Emma M. Hale, a daughter of Taylor and Zeruah Hale, of Wood County, O., and they have four children: Lynn H., Curtis E., Claire and Charles. They are being given many advantages and give promise of growing into admirable maturity. Mr. Kelley and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of North Baltimore, of which he is 640 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY a trustee. He is an enterprising and interested citizen of his township and has served on its school board. H. J. RUTLEDGE,* manager of the Buckeye Ice and Coal Company, at Findlay, O., and a representative business man of this city, was born in Fairfield County, O., February io, 1855, and is a son of Abraham and Nancy Ann (Hughes) Rutledge. Abraham Rutledge was born in West Virginia and remained there until he reached manhood, when he came to Fairfield County and some years later to Putnam County, where he lived from 1858 until 1861. He then came to Hancock County and located on a farm in Union Township, where his death occurred, in 1873, at the age of sixty years. His burial was in the Clymer Cemetery, in that township. His widow survived until 1889, dying at and educated was born, reared and educated in Fairfield County. Both were members of the United Brethren church and were worthy Christian people in every sense of the word. H. J. Rutledge was four years old when his parents moved to Putnam County but he obtained the greater part of his schooling in Union Township, Hancock County. He was married first in 1885, to Miss Philena Altman, who died at Mt. Cory, in 1892, aged thirty-two years. Her parents were Jacob and Ellen Altman, and her father was a farmer in Union Township. Mr. Rutledge was married secondly to Miss Louise M. Storel, a daughter of Gotleib and Mary Storel, who were farming people in Hardin County, O. In 1892 Mr. Rutledge moved from Mt. Cory to Findlay, where he and his wife enjoy one of the finest homes in the Centercated at No. 315 East Center Street. They are members of the First Methodist at Findlay. Mr. Rutledge has been manager of the Buckeye Ice and Coal Company since its incorporation in 1909. DAVID EDSON PEPPLE,* whose valuable farm of 16o acres is situated in Section 23, Cass Township, Hancock County, O., is one of the representative business men of this section. He was born on his present farm, May 13, 1861, and is a son of John and Mary (Groner) Pepple and a grandson of Simon Pepple. John Pepple grew to manhood in Columbiana County, O., a son of Simon Pepple, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In Columbiana County, John Pepple was married to Mary Groner, whose people had also come from Pennsylvania, and after the birth of their first child, John Pepple and wife moved to Hancock County, settling in the woods, their tract being now included in the present farm. The wife had inherited sixty-six acres from her father and later John Pepple added the remainder until the aggregate was 173 acres. Their first house was the usual pioneer affair, made of logs, but as the land became cleared and cultivated and grew profitable, a better one was erected and their last years were spent in great comfort. Her death occurred in 1891, at the age of sixty-six years, while his followed, in 1897, when he was aged seventy-eight years. They had the following children : Samuel, who lives in Minnesota; Reuben G., who lives in Michigan; Elias W., who lives in Cass Town ship ; Lucinda E., deceased, who was the wife of E. Powell, of Hancock County; Simon, who is deceased; John W., who is also deceased; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of C. Sherman, of Hancock County; and David Edson. David Edson Pepple may be said to have HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 643 spent his whole life in Cass Township, the only time excepted being his twenty-first summer which he passed with a brother in the West. He attended the district schools and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and later came into possession of the home farm through purchase. He carries on general farming- and raises stock for his own use. He is a stockholder in and was one of the organizers of the Arcadia Bank and Savings Company, at Arcadia, O. On September 1, 1887, Mr. Pepple was married to Miss Ella M. Burman, a daughter of Henry and Susan Burman, of Van Buren, O., and they have one son, Clyde E.. This young man, who is a member of the class of 1911 at Delaware College, has made a fine record both for punctuality and scholarship ever since he began attending school. Mr. Pepple and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Arcadia. He is identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the D. O. K. K., belonging to organizations at Findlay, Toledo and Arcadia. CHARLES E. JORDAN, president of The Findlay Courier Company of Findlay, Ohio, and vice president of the City Banking Company, is a representative member of the Findlay bar. He was born in Washington Township, Hancock County, .Ohio, December 27, 1870, and is a son of John M. and Isabel (Redman) Jordan. John M. Jordan was born on the old home farm in Washington Township, where he died in May, 1881. His father, Charles E. Jordan, an early settler, had come to this place from Belmont County, Ohio. John M. Jordan served as a soldier in the Civil War but survived its dangers and died many years afterward after years of peaceful pursuits. He married Isabel Redman, who was also born in Washington Township and died in August, 1881, on the home farm. Charles E. Jordan, bearing his grandfather's name, was reared on the old family estate and from the country schools entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal University at Ada and after completing the literary course entered upon the study of law. He was graduated from the law department of the Cincinnati College, and was but twenty-two years of age when he was admitted to the bar, in 1893. For six years Mr. Jordan acceptably filled the difficult office of prosecuting attorney for Hancock County, being elected on the Democratic ticket in 1896, and since then has devoted himself to a private practice that is more or less absorbing. Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Gail Dukes, a member of one of the old and prominent county families. They have one son, Richard D. The father of Mrs. Jordan was Eli Dukes, a prominent resident of Blanchard Township. Mr. Jordan served as clerk of the police court under Mayor Meehan's administration. He is a member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. JAMES O. LINE,* whose fine farm of 160 acres is situated in Eagle Township, Hancock County, Ohio, about seven miles south of Findlay and three-fourths of a mile west of the Bellefontaine road, in Section 24, has always resided on this place and was born here June 28, 1875. His parents were Elijah C. and Julia A. (Elsea) Line. Elijah C. Line came with his wife to Eagle Township in their early married life and he was engaged in farming on this land through 644 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY all his active years. His death occurred here in 1887, his widow surviving until 1891. James O. Line grew to manhood on the present farm and obtained his education in the local schools. From early youth he assisted his father and since coming into possession of the property he has made many substantial improvements. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and makes the growing of sheep a specialty. In the fall of 1897 he started to housekeeping on the present place, following his marriage, and his five children have been born here, their names being respectively : Everett, Leroy, Mervin, Thelma and Gerald. In the spring of 1908 Mr. Line began to enjoy the postal free delivery system. He is a well informed man and is particularly well posted along agricultural lines and as he makes a practical application of his knowledge he is very successful. MARTIN L. WISELY,* secretary of the Buckeye Ice & Coal Company, successors to the Peoples' Ice & Coal Company of Findlay, Ohio, was born December 24, 1871, on a farm six miles east of Findlay, Ohio, and is a son of William P. and Catherine L. Wisely. William P. Wisely, deceased, was formerly known throughout Hancock County as one of its most successful agriculturists, and was a son of Allen and Amelia (Bright) Wisely. His father was one of the first five settlers of the county, coming here in 1831 with a party of five pioneers and helping to survey the county when it was still in a state of primeval wilderness. Seeing that this region had a promising future, Allen Wisely invested in a large tract of land, and spent the remainder of his life in placing it in a state of cultivation. At the time of his death in 1888 he left a fine estate of three thousand acres, most of which had been improved by his long and arduous labors. He was the father of eight children, those surviving being as follows : Mrs. Sarah Davis, Mrs. America Glick, Loraine, and Daniel S. Wisely. William P. Wisely, father of our subject, was trained to agricultural pursuits, and like his father became a. successful farmer, leaving at the time of his death, in middle life, one of the finest landed estates in Hancock County. He was a member of the United Brethren church. Martin L. Wisely was less than four years of age when his parents died and he was reared by his grandmother, who lived near Jackson, Mich. At the age of 16 he returned to Findlay, Ohio, where he entered college, but shortly after went to California for his health. He spent one year on a ranch there, sleeping out of doors every night and returned to Findlay greatly improved in health. He followed farming on the home place five years and in 1901, with his brother William P. Wisely, embarked in the ice and coal business at Findlay, the firm being known as the Peoples' Ice & Coal Company. October 1, 1909, the Buckeye Ice & Coal Company was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000, and the following officers elected, W. S. Parker, president, Eli Alexander, vice president, H. J. Rutledge, manager, M. L. Wisely, secretary and Charles E. Jordan, treasurer. The Buckeye Ice & Coal Company, whose offices are located at No. 329 North Cory Street, carry on a retail and wholesale business and employ from twelve to fifteen men. They also own at Riverside Park an ice-house which has a capacity of 10,000 tons. Martin L. Wisely was joined in marriage witb Clara L. Adams, a daughter of Philip HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 645 Adams, and to them have been born two children : Charles M., and Bernice M. Mr. Wisely is politically a Republican and served four years—beginning in 1897—as trustee of Marion Township. William P. Wisely, brother of our subject, was born September 5, 1873, and graduated with the class of 1891 from the Findlay College. He is one of the prominent and substantial business men of Findlay, and is fraternally identified with the Elks and the Masons, in the latter of which order he has attained the 32nd degree. He married Bessie B. McLeod, a daughter of the late Dr. Joseph R. McLeod, who was one of the oldest and best known physicians of Findlay. ROBERT I. MACKEY,* a leading citizen of Pleasant Township, Hancock County, O., who carries on general farming on over 200 acres of land, including his own and other properties, is a member of one of the old and honorable county families. He was born in 1850, three miles west and one-half mile south of McComb, Hancock County, and is a son of William and Lavina (McVay) Mackey. William Mackey was born in Jefferson County, O., where his father had settled when he came from Ireland. For many years he carried on farming in Hancock County, having moved to Pleasant Township in 1845. He was married in Pennsylvania to Lavina McVay, who was born in Highland County, O. Both died on the home farm many years later, the mother in 1902 and the father in 1909, the latter being in his eighty-fourth year. Their children were : Robert I. ; Maggie, who is the widow of Frank Van Dyke ; Maroa, who is the wife of Harland Stoker, of McComb; Frank, who is part owner of and lives on the home farm; Eliza, who resides at Buffalo ; and Wallace, who lives at McComb, O. The parents of the above family were members of the Presbyterian church at McComb, the father being an elder in the same. He was a Republican in his political views. Robert I. Mackey was reared on the home farm and obtained his early education in what was known as the Bail's schoolhouse, in Pleasant Township. His interests have been mainly agricultural and since 1872 he has resided on his present farm of fifty acres, near Deweyville, land which was formerly owned by his father but was purchased by Mr. Mackey in the above year. It is in a fine state of cultivation and with the exception of ten acres, was all cleared and ditched by Mr. Mackey since coming here. In addition to cultivating this property, he also operates a part of the Goudy farm, and also tracts for E. E. and Charles Ewing, aggregating more than 200 acres. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer and all this land is made to return generously for the care and attention bestowed on it. Mr. Mackey was married in 1872, to Miss Elizabeth Mowery, of an old Pleasant Township family, and they have one daughter, Mary, who is the wife of Sumner Downing. Mr. Downing is a successful business man of Benton Ridge. They have one son, Marcus. Mr. Mackey is a Republican but has never sought any political preferment. He has always taken an active interest in the public schools, partly on account of his father's long connection with them, he having taught for thirty-three successive terms. Mr. Mackey is one of the oldest continuous residents of this part of Pleasant Township. 646 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY WILLIAM F. DUNCAN, judge of the court of common pleas of this district, was born at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, February 13, 1864, the eldest of seven children of Hon. Thomas E. and Rachel (Frew) Duncan. He was educated in the public schools of the county, graduating from the Mt. Gilead High School in 1883. As a school boy he spent his vacations working on the farm and upon leaving school took a place in his father's flouring- mill for about eighteen months as the "all around" man where he learned the first ethics of business and something about machinery. He afterwards supplemented his education by a year each in Dennison and Ohio Wesleyan universities. In 1886 he began the study of law with his father, Judge Thomas E. Duncan, at Mt. Gilead, and the next year entered the senior class of the Cincinnati Law School where he graduated in May, 1888, and was admitted to the bar, from which time he practiced with his father at Mt. Gilead to the first day of January, 1889, when he came to Findlay, his present home. Here he acquired some little reputation as a lawyer and a good clientage. In 1890 he was elected city solicitor of his city and in 1892 reelected. In this office he proved himself capable and worthy and laid the foundation for future honors. In September, 1902, he was appointed by Governor Nash to fill out the unexpired term of about eight months on the common pleas bench of this district, caused by the resignation of Hon. J. W. Schaufelberger of Tiffin, which he did faithfully and well and returned to his law practice. In November, 1903, he was elected to another vacancy on this bench, caused by the death of Hon. Charles M. Melhorn of Kenton. The next year he was elected to a full term, which he is now serving. On the bench he has also "made good" and his administration of the office has given general satisfaction. At this writing he has been nominated and is a candidate for another term. Judge Duncan in public as well as in private life, has proven honest, able and faithful and has treated all with courtesy and respect, and he, in turn, enjoys the confidence and respect of the bench and bar of his district and the people generally. On May 5, 1891, Judge Duncan was married to Miss Elba Nile Ireland, daughter of Alexander and Mary Ireland, prosperous farmers of Morrow County, of Scotch-Irish descent, like the Duncans. They reside at 506 West Sanduskey street. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is active in its benevolent work. Judge Duncan is a Republican in politics and is identified with several leading fraternal societies. COL. JAMES FINDLAY was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1770. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Smith) Findlay, who reared a family of six sons—John, William, James, Jonathan, Thomas and Nathan—all of whom became prominent and distinguished men. In politics they were Democrats, and held office of distinction under that party, but in after years James became a Whig. He married Miss Jane Irwin, and about 1795 moved to Ohio, traveling on horseback by way of Virginia and Kentucky, and settling in Cincinnati, then a small village. Here for a number of years he filled the position of receiver of public moneys in the land office. In 1805-6 he served as mayor of Cincinnati, and again in 1810-11. When the War of 1812 broke out he was commissioned as HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 647 colonel of a regiment, which was the advance guard of General William Hull's army on its march from the Scioto River to the Maumee. On this march he began the erection of Fort Findlay, named in his honor, and from which the city of Findlay derives its name. For meritorious conduct in the War of 1812 Colonel Findlay was afterwards promoted to the rank of brigadier-general of the state militia, in which capacity he served for a considerable period. Colonel Findlay was the member of congress from Hamilton County from 1825 to 1833. In 1834 he was the Whig and Anti-Masonic candidate for governor of Ohio, but was defeated by Robert Lucas, and died in the following year. Naturally reserved in his manner, he presented to strangers an air of austerity; but to those who knew him he was the soul of kindness and geniality. Colonel Findlay possessed great decision of character, was just in all his dealings, and maintained through life an unsullied reputation. JACOB H. BOGER, D. D. S., who is a leading practitioner of dentistry and a prominent citizen of Findlay, Ohio, having served as postmaster, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., June 27, 1859, a son of John A. and Mary A. (Kuhnle) Boger. His parents were both of German stock, though John A. Boger, the father, was born in Pennsylvania and now resides in the city of Philadelphia, where he is well known as one of the local leaders of the Republican party and holds a responsible position in the comptroller's office. He has been a resident of that city since about 1869. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, of whom there are now six survivors. His wife's grandfather on the maternal side, Samuel Skeen, was a lieutenant in the Philadelphia County (Penn.) militia in the early days. The subject of this sketch, Jacob Henry Boger, began his literary education in the schools of his native city, and afterward continued it in those of Philadelphia, to which place he accompanied his parents at the age of ten years. In 1877 he began the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. J. F. Fryer, of Pottstown, Penn., a very skilful practitioner. Under Dr. Fryer's direction he familiarized himself with all the various methods of dental science, in both the operative and laboratory departments, after which, in order to obtain the most thorough preparation for the practice of his chosen profession, he matriculated at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1880 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery and with class honors. Beginning the practice of dentistry in Findlay in March of the same year, he has since continued his professional labors in this city, having gained a high reputation for skilful and conscientious work. His office in the Adams Building, Main Street, is equipped with the most approved mechanical appliances made use of in his profession and he enjoys a large and select patronage. Dr. Boger has also been quite active in promoting the growth and development of his adopted city, dealing extensively in real estate, which he has found a profitable source of income. The Doctor is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and for a number of years has been quite active in county politics, having rendered valuable services to his party. He was formerly for seven consecutive years a member of the Board of Election Supervisors of Han- 648 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY cock County, rendering ,very efficient service in that capacity. In 1884 he was elected to the office of city clerk of Findlay, which he filled capably for four years. In 1887 he assisted in the formation of the National League of Republican Clubs at New York City. Four years he was a delegate to the State Convention when Major William McKinley was nominated by acclamation and he afterwards strongly supported that distinguished statesman for the presidency. In 1898 he was chairman of the Congressional Committee of the Eighth District, having previously served as a member of the Executive Committee of Ohio from Hancock County. Dr. Boger's exertions on behalf of his party were acknowledged by his appointment, June 22, 1898, by Pres. McKinley, to the office of postmaster of Findlay, which met with the general approval of the citizens. He subsequently justified the selection by the able manner in which he administered the affairs of the office. His administration was continued through two terms, as he was reappointed by President Roosevelt, June 27, 1902. Dr. Boger is a prominent Free Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and being also a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is past eminent commander of Findlay Commandery, No. 49, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Pythias. His professional associations include membership in the Ohio State Dental Association, the Dentists' Protective Association, and President Hancock County Dental., Society. Dr. Boger was married, on December 6, 1882, to Miss Jennie Mungen, a daughter of Hon. William Mungen, who was the only Democratic representative ever sent from Han cock County to Congress, and who was one of the most esteemed residents of Findlay. Dr. and Mrs. Boger are the parents of one child, Corinne. The family residence is at No. 1131 S. Main Street. It will be seen, even from this brief sketch, that its subject is one who may well be classed among the leading and representative citizens of Hancock County—representative of Twentieth Century progress and initiative. Most professional men are content to attain a respectable standing in their profession and remain simple doctors or lawyers throughout their entire individual careers, but Dr. Boger, in seeking an outlet for his superfluous energy, has demonstrated that it is possible to render high service and gather honors on more than one field of activity, and that without losing ground in any direction or neglecting any personal duties. As the Doctor has hardly yet passed the meridian of life, it is but fair to assume that the future has in store for him still greater successes than those he has already achieved, for he is not one of those who can rest on their oars and carelessly drift down life's stream to the great ocean of Futurity, but one, rather, who seizing the oars in vigorous grasp propels his stout craft firmly and swiftly towards a definite goal—the harbor of Worthy Ambitions Honorably Attained. ELIJAH P. JONES, formerly president of the First National Bank at Findlay, O., of which he was one of the incorporators, for many years was prominently identified with Findlay enterprises, having settled in this town after years of business success in other places. He was born at Rochester, N. Y., in the year 1820, and died in his beautiful home at Findlay, July 19, 1894, being laid to rest HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 649 in the peaceful quiet of Maple Grove Cemetery. Mr. Jones came of New England ancestry and was of Revolutionary stock. His father, Elijah Jones, was a native of Connecticut, who removed to Pennsylvania for a time and was there interested in the lumber business. Later, however, the elder Jones located at Rochester, N. Y., where he was engaged in mercantile and other lines of business activity. In 1820—the year of the birth of our subject —he removed to Lake County, Ohio, and there in all probability his busy life closed. Elijah P. Jones was evidently a youth of quick intelligence, for he was teaching a district school when only sixteen years of age. At the age of eighteen he accepted a position as clerk in the Cleveland post office, where he remained for three years, after which he at- tended Norwalk Academy, completing the course. For one year thereafter he served as agent of what was then the Sandusky and Mansfield Railroad (now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system), and later he was agent for the Mad River & Lake Erie Line, now .the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. The discovery of gold in California at this .time greatly stimulated railroad construction, and when the Carey & Findlay Railroad was completed, Mr. Jones leased the same for two and a half years, renewing the lease on its expiration, and operating the line for about eight years. In 1852, with his brother, George Jones, and E. N. Cook, he went to Salem, Oregon—a move evincing characteristic business foresight —and for four years the partners did a large and prosperous business in general merchandising. In the end, however, the scheme failed, but from no want of judgment in its originators. The Indians suddenly became hostile in the west and the troops quickly gathered to subdue them, not being provided with stores, seized whatever necessary supplies they could lay hold of, this entailing a loss upon Mr. Jones and his firm of some $60,000. Dissolving partnership in 1857, Mr. Jones returned east, and became first a broker and then a banker, conducting business in New York City and later at Findlay, to which city he came in 1859, When the First National Bank of Findlay was organized, in 1863, he became its president and subsequently continued in that office until his death. He became a man of very large estate, acquiring property in various localities and ably managing his many affairs to the end of his active life. Of varied experience and possessing an enlightened mind, he was well qualified for the political arena, had his ambition led him in that direction. His vote was cast with the Republican party, after its formation. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian. His charities were many, and the results of his benevolence have done much to relieve human suffering in Findlay to which city he was very loyal after making it his home. Mr. Jones was married January 15, 1861, to Miss Mellie E. Johnston, a daughter of John S., and a granddaughter of William Johnston, her family being an old and prominent one of Piqua, Ohio. She was graduated from the Wesleyan Seminary at Delaware, Ohio, in 1860. Three children were born of this marriage, namely : Cornelia Frances, Mary Gertrude, and George Pelton. Both daughters are now deceased, Cornelia Frances passing away in 1903 and Mary Gertrude in 1891. The latter was the wife of William T. Ward. Both were ladies of high social standing in Findlay 650 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY and both were graduates of Vassar College. Mrs. Jones still occupies her beautiful home, which is situated at No. 313 So. Sandusky Street. WILLIS M. METZLER, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Vanlue, Hancock County, O., for the past fourteen years and is professionally valued all through this section, was born in Liberty Township, Hancock County, September 21, 1866, and is a son of Henry H. and Caroline (Reed) Metzler. Henry H. Metzler was born in Columbiana County, O., a son of Jacob Metzler, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1850, Henry H. Metzler moved to Hancock County. His father Jacob bought a farm in Liberty Township on which he resided until 1865. Henry H. Metzler died in 1892, at the age of fifty-one years. He married Caroline Reed, a native of Hancock County, who died in 1899, aged fifty-seven years. To them were born the following children : Willis M., J. Reed, Harriet, Samuel, Blanche, Mary and Bessie. Willis M. Metzler attended the township schools in boyhood and later the Findlay schools and graduated from the Findlay High School before entering upon the study of medicine, with a Findlay physician. He also of ficiated for a time as a clerk in the Findlay post office. After a year of preparation he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1895, and in the following year opened his office at Vanlue and enjoys a large and substantial practice. He is identified with the leading medical organizations, including the Hancock County, the Ohio State and the American Medical Associations. In 1902 Dr. Metzler was married to Miss Lola Cross, of Amanda Township, Hancock County. They are members of the United Brethren church. Dr. Metzler has been a very active and useful citizen. He served one term as township treasurer, one term as town treasurer, and is village treasurer and treasurer of the school board at present. In his political views he is a Republican and fraternally he is a Mason and K. P. DARIUS W. YATES, who is a general farmer in Jackson Township, Hancock County, Ohio, where he owns sixty-eight acres of fine land, was born in Jackson Township, May 1886, and is a son of Newton and Samantha (Cooper) Yates. Newton Yates was born in Hancock County, to which his father came at an early day, and for many years he has resided in Jackson Township and carried on farming and stock raising. His wife was also born in this county, her people being pioneers here. Darius W. Yates was educated in the public schools of Jackson Township and had some excellent teachers. He was brought up to farm pursuits and in 1909 purchased his present property from John S. Bishop. He has a clear title and the owners can be traced backward from Mr. Bishop to Melvin Duke, to Adam Fulhart, to James Thomas and to Thomas Williamson, who entered the land. Although Mr. Yates is still a young man he has demonstrated his ability as a farmer and has the good health, energy and progressive ideas that will contribute much to his future success. He has three sisters, all older than himself, namely : Daisy May, who married Hally Treece and they live in Jackson Township.; Gale, who married James Elsea, lives at Findlay; and Edith, who married William HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 651 Snyder, and has her home in Jackson Township. On September 29, 1907, Mr. Yates was married to Miss Carrie A. Bishop, who was born August 26, 1883, and is a daughter of John and Angeline (Woodruff) Bishop. The father of Mrs. Yates died January 23, 1909, in Eagle Township, but the mother still resides on the homestead there. Mrs. Yates was one of a family of three children: Charles, who died at the age of two years; Sadie, who married Henry Hartman of Eagle Township; and Carrie A., who is Mrs. Yates. Mr. Yates belongs to the Republican party. JOSEPH R. McLEOD, M. D.,* who has been successfully engaged in general practice at Findlay, Ohio, for a period covering twenty useful years, was born in 1833, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of John and a grandson of Capt. John McLeod. The grandfather of Dr. McLeod was of Scotch parentage but his birth took place in England, in 1780. He came to America and settled in the city of Philadelphia, and during the War of 1812, he served as an officer, thereby gaining his military title. His home remained in Philadelphia and there his son, John McLeod, was born in 1809. Prior to the birth of his son, Joseph R., the second John McLeod settled in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1865 removing to Missouri, where he died in 1898. The parents of Dr. McLeod moved from Delaware to Hancock County, in his infancy, and there he completed his earlier school attendance, later enjoying some advantages at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. That he was a youth of more than ordinary mental equipment is proved by his success in three professions, teaching, the law and medicine. When a boy of seventeen years, managing his first school, he began to read medicine and also to study the principles of law, and in 1863 he was admitted to the bar, after graduating from the law department of the Cincinnati College. It was with the intention" of making law his life profession that he then settled at Findlay and opened an office. In the following year he enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a corporal in Company I, 161st O. Vol. Inf., and serving four months. After his honorable discharge he went to Missouri, where his parents had located, and engaged in the practice of law at Shelbyville, until 1876, when failing health made him turn his attention to another professional field. In 1877 he was graduated in medicine from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, and settled first at Mt. Cory, in Hancock County, Ohio. He remained in active practice there for three years and later practiced at Benton Ridge for eight more years, coming then to Findlay, where his skill and medical knowledge have been abundantly recognized. In every section in which Dr. McLeod made his home he has impressed his personality upon the people. During six years of his residence at Shelbyville, Missouri, he filled the office of presiding judge of the county court and had many other substantial proofs of the appreciation of his fellow citizens. In 1862 Dr. McLeod was married to Miss Mary E. Howard, who is a member of an old Findlay family, and three of their children survive : Charles D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Chatfield, Ohio; Samuel Howard, who is a resident of Findlay; and Bessie B., who married William P. Wisely. Dr. McLeod's place of residence is at No. 1112 652 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY North Main Street, Findlay. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. RALPH W. MOORE, cashier of the Buckeye National Bank, of Findlay, and a prominent and successful business man of that city, Was born in Big Lick Township, Hancock County, Ohio, May 12, 1863, on the farm then owned by his father, Ross W. Moore, in Section 17, where the old log cabin is still standing. Mr. Moore spent his early days with his father, mother and brother on the farm until he began teaching school in his home district, where he taught seven terms in succession. While thus engaged at home during the winters he served as deputy county auditor under W. T. Platt during the summer time and afterwards under Auditor C. B. Metcalf, serving nearly eleven years in this office. At tax paying time he assisted in the county treasurer's office at times. In the spring of 1897 Wilson J. Edwards resigned his position as assistant cashier of the Farmers National Bank of Findlay, Ohio, and Mr. Moore was elected to fill the vacancy, which position he filled until the resignation of Mr. J. G. Hull as cashier, when he was elected to fill this new vacancy, holding the position until the reorganization of the bank, January 28, 1904. The old Farmers National Bank was then merged into the Buckeye National Bank and Mr. Moore elected its cashier and is still filling this position. Besides being interested in the banking business, he is a director and stockholder in the Buckeye Traction Ditcher Company, the Buckeye Ice & Coal Company and the Buckeye Hardware Company of Findlay, Ohio ; The Buckeye Land & Development Company of Ft. Collins, Colorado, and the Roanoke Land & Development Company of Roanoke, Louisiana. Mr. Moore is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church known as Webster Chapel in Big Lick Township, having united with it in early manhood and retaining his membership there. On Christmas Day, 1893, he was united in marriage with Aura M. Ulsh, one of the public school teachers of Findlay at that time, and formerly a resident of Mr. Moore's home township. From this union five children have been born : Ralph W. Moore, Jr., Ethel L. Moore, Helen G. Moore, one that died in infancy, and Alice Loreen Moore. Mr. Moore's mother resides with him at the present time in their new home on South Main Street, where he is always glad to meet his neighbors and friends. JOHN A. NUSSER,* a much esteemed general farmer and breeder of fancy poultry, is a member of the Hancock County Fair Board, and resides on a farm of eighty acres located about one and three-quarter miles east of Van Buren, Ohio. He was born November 14, 1873, on a farm in Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary (Taylor) Nusser. The family is of German extraction, the paternal grandfather having been a native of that country. The father of our subject was born in Findlay, Ohio, where he was reared and still lives, and the mother, who died in 1893, was a daughter of Charles Taylor, and was born and reared in Allen Township, Hancock County, Ohio. John A. Nusser was reared on what is now known as the H. L. Taylor farm, which adjoins our subject's farm on the north, and during his boyhood worked for a time in a store at Van Buren, Ohio. He has always followed farming and has resided on his present farm since 1903. Here he carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising Hereford HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY - 655 cattle, and is a breeder of about thirty kinds of fancy poultry. His poultry has won many prizes at various fairs and poultry exhibits of this locality, and Mr. Nusser has been a member of the Hancock County Fair board since 1905. He was elected a member .of the Allen Township school board in 1909. Mr. Nusser was married to Blanche Swab, who is a daughter of Samuel Swab, a prominent farmer of Cass Township, Hancock County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Dorothy E. Nusser. H. J. POWELL, M. D.,* who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Rawson, Ohio, is a native of Hancock County, born in Eagle Township, August 9, 187O. His parents are Irvin and Lucinda (Evans) Powell, the former of whom was born in Fairfield County and the latter in Hancock County. They reside on their farm in Eagle Township. H. J. Powell was reared in Eagle Township and attended school there in boyhood and later was a student in the Findlay schools. He afterwards engaged in teaching, for fifteen years following this profession at North Baltimore, in Wood County, and during nine years being principal of the public schools there. For his educational work he was well prepared, having previously graduated from Angola College, at Angola, Ind., and in 1904, from Findlay College, at Findlay, Ohio. From North Baltimore he entered the Western Reserve College and was graduated with his medical degree in 1908 and took a post-graduate course and received the degree of A. M., in 1909. He located for practice at Rawson, in 1908, and has identified himself thoroughly with the interests of this town. He is serving as a mem ber of the city council, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. In 1894 Dr. Powell was married to Miss Lena Roberts, a daughter of Henry Roberts, of North Baltimore, Ohio, and they have three children : Rose, Doris and Maxine. Dr. Powell and family are members of the United Brethren Church at Rawson. For twenty years he has been a member of the order of Maccabees and is medical examiner for the Rawson lodge, and since 1908 he has also been identified with the Odd Fellows. ANDREW G. FULLER, a leading lawyer of the Hancock County bar, and a prominent citizen of Findlay, Ohio, was born in Barry County, Michigan, March 5, 1858. His parents were Geo. S. and Mercy A. (Hill) Fuller. Both were pioneers in Michigan when ox-teams were the generally recognized mode of travel. His father was of New England lineage, but a native of New York ; his mother of English and German descent and Canadian birth. During Mr. Fuller's infancy his parents moved to Allegan, Michigan, and later, when he was about six years old, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, at which place he was reared through childhood and youth. Mr. Fuller received a common school education in the public schools of Kalamazoo, and at that place attended and graduated from Kalamazoo College, completing his collegiate course in 1883, receiving the degree Ph.B., and having later the degree of Ph.M. conferred for post-graduate work. Immediately following his graduation in 1883 he received the appointment of assistant city engineer in the city of Kalamazoo, which position after about two years he resigned to take up the study of law as a profession. He was ad- 656 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY mitted to practice as a member of the bar of Michigan in September, 1885, by the Circuit Court of Kalamazoo County, with the distinction of having covered the then ordinary two-year course of reading required by the university curriculum in seven months. Following his admission to the bar, Mr. Fuller engaged in active practice of his profession at Cadillac, Mich., where he held for one year the office of city attorney, and for one year that of county superintendent of schools in Wexford County. In August of 1889, drawn by the then growing fame of Findlay as the center of the oil and gas belt of Ohio, he removed to that city, becoming at the time a member of the law firm of Barber and Fuller, which continued until 1896, since which time Mr. Fuller has continued his professional work as the successor of this firm, Mr. Barber having removed to Toledo. Since taking up his residence in Findlay, Mr. Fuller has been thoroughly identified with the interests of the city as a property owner and citizen, taking part in its movements for civic advancement, and serving it as a member of its Board of Health for many years, and holding the office of local registrar of vital statistics. Professionally he has been interested in and taken part in very many of the cases of large importance that have passed throught the courts in his own and adjoining counties. He has been for many years prominent as an Odd Fellow, both among local lodge circles, and in the State, having been representative in the Grand Lodge of Ohio I. O. O. F. Mr. Fuller was married, October 12, 1887, to Miss Mary A. Peck, of West Bloomfield, N. Y., to which union have been born eight children, of whom seven are living, being in the order of their birth, Henry C., Raymond M., Margaret A., Robert E., Edith N., Frances F. and Ruth E. All were born at Findlay except the oldest son, whose birthplace was at Cadillac.