EAGLE TOWNSHIP - 711

EAGLE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN ARRAS, SR., farmer, P. O. Jenera, was born November 19, 1821, in Brandau, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America with his father. Peter Arras, in 1831, and to Eagle Township, this county, in 1839. He married, October 19, 1848, Miss Margaretha Essinger, of Amanda Township, this county, and they located in Eagle Township; March 11, 1848. The place was new, and they at once began to make a home for themselves. Mr. Arras has here a fine and fertile farm of 201 acres of land, and has built thereon a fine brick residence, besides making other valuable improvements. Mr. and Mrs. John Arras are parents of six children: Harriet, Peter, John, Philip, Mrs. Margaret Glick and Nicholas. Mr. Arras and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the successful farmers of Eagle Township, a good citizen, highly respected by the community in which he lives.

712 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

PETER ARRAS, farmer, P. O. Jenera, was born May 19, 1825, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. He came to America, and to Union County, Ohio, with his parents, Peter and Margaret Arias, in 1831, and to Eagle Township, this county, in 1839. They settled in the woods and young Peter worked for his father until twenty-seven years of age. Our subject married, October, 1849, Miss Barbara Essinger, and his father gave him a start in life with 120 acres of new land, on which the ,young couple settled in 1851. This land Mr. Arias has cleared up and converted into a fertile farm and a pleasant home, and has built thereon a fine brick residence, and has made other valuable improvements. He and his wife were parents of the following named children: Philip, Anna Barbara (deceased), John, Peter (deceased) and Eva Maria Redick. ' The mother of these children died November 22, 1858, and Mr. Arias afterward married, in March, 1859, Miss Maria Heldman, who died November 9, 1862, leaving one daughter-Mrs. Eva Wilson. Mr. Arias was next united in marriage, August 15, 1865, with Miss Eva Elizabeth Reddick, who was born in Germany and came to Erie County, Ohio, with her parents. By this union there are three daughters living: Christina, Matilda and Maggie Katy, and one son deceased, named Benjamin. Mr. Arras has added to his farm until he now owns 300 acres of land, after haying given each of his sons a good start in life. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Arias is a successful farmer and a good citizen, highly respected by all.

PHILIP ARRAS, farmer, P. O. Jenera, was born April 8, 1832, in Union County, Ohio. His parents, Peter and Margaret Arras, of Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, came to America in 1831, and after living a few years in Union and Marion Counties, Ohio, finally settled, in 1839, in Eagle Township, this county, where they bought a new farm and began making a home for themselves. Philip, their youngest son, remained at home and undertook the care of his father and mother. Peter Arias died in 1860, his widow August 25, 1883. May 21, 1861, Philip Arias was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Heldman, daughter of Henry Heldman. Mr. Arias now owns the old homestead farm of 240 acres of land, whereon he has built a fine brick residence and made other valuable improvements. To Mr. and Mrs. Arias have been born five children: Henry, Carl, Mena, Lucy and Jacob (latter deceased); those living are all at home, a bright and interesting family, and Mr. Arias is giving them good educational advantages, both literary and musical. The entire family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Arras is an enterprising and successful farmer, a good citizen, highly respected by all who know him.

GODFREY CRATES, farmer, P. O. Arlington, was born July 20, 1831, in Washington County, Penn. His parents, Christian and Magdalena (Miron) Crates, of Wurtemburg, Germany, came to America with three young children in 1829. They lived in Washington County, Penn., until 1842, when they came to this county and located in the wilderness, in Van Buren Township, settling on a tract of eighty acres of land, .which Christian Crates had entered from the Government about ten years previous. Of the eight children of Christian and Magdalena Crates four are now living: Mrs. Caroline Rhinehart, John, Godfrey and Mrs. Rosa Ann Harris. Christian Crates died May 13, 1870, in his seventy-sixth year; his widow, the mother of our subject, now resides with her son and is eighty-nine years of age. Godfrey Crates was reared as a pioneer's son in Van Buren Town-

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ship, this county. He was united in marriage March 30, 1858, with Miss Lydia Wahl, who was born in Canton Basel, Switzerland, and came in 1844 to this county with her parents, Frederick and Anna Maria Wahl, who settled in Van Buren Township. Her parents now reside in Orange Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Crates resided in Van Buren Township, this county, until April, 1880, when they sold their farm and purchased the old J. C. Ricketts farm of 200 acres of land in Eagle Township, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Crates have been born ten children: Mrs. Louisa Jane Bame, Christian F., William E., John W.. Marion E., Margaret E.,, Daniel G., Mary Magdalena, Henry A. and D. William, a twin, who was accidentally scalded in infancy. Our subject united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of seventeen years; subsequently, in 1859, he withdrew from that church, connected himself with the Methodist Protestant Church, and was licensed to preach by the Ohio Conference in 1877. Mrs. Crates and son. Christian, are also members of the church. Godfrey Crates is one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of Eagle Township.

WILLIAM CROSLEY, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 16, 1820, son of George and Maria Crosley, who were residents of this county from 1849 to the time of their death, dying at the age of seventy-four and eighty-one years, respectively. George Crosley was a soldier in the war of 1812, and passed through Fort Findlay long before a town was thought of there. William Crosley married, March 1, 1841, Miss Sarah Runkle, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and they came, in February, 1849, to Eagle Township, this county, where they bought a tract of land partly cleared; this they have improved and built upon until their farm now comprises 115 acres of well improved land. Mrs. Crosley died October 16, 1881, leaving six children: Mrs. Catherine Bish, Mrs. Polly Hoch, Mrs. Lydia Smith, Jacob, Mrs. Betsey Kramer and Joshua. June 4, 1882, William Crosley married, for his second wife, Mrs. Meena Brookman, a native of Magdeburg, Germany, and who came to America in 1871. Her first husband, Frederick Brookman, died May 28, 1878, leaving three children: William, Theodore and Minna L. William Crosley is an industrious and honest citizen, respected by all who know him.

DANIEL FELLER, farmer, P. O. Rawson, Hancock Co., Ohio, was born January 17, 1811, in Fairfield County, Ohio. His parents, Henry and Catherine (Robinult) Feller, natives of Lehigh County, Penn., spent their active lives in Fairfield County, Ohio, where the former died in about 1831; the latter afterward came to this county on a visit and died in Rawson in September, 1868, aged seventy-nine years. Daniel Feller, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Donaldson, while in Fairfield County, Ohio, and they settled near the center of Eagle Township, this county, in April, 1834. Mrs. Feller dying in the spring of the following year, Mr. Feller then sold his farm and returned to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was again married (this time, September 4, 1836, to Miss Mary Donaldson), and came again to Eagle Township November 13, 1839, entering the farm on which he-now resides. Mr. Feller at once began clearing up the farm and developing it, erecting thereon a fine brick residence in 1852, the third brick house built in the township, and has also made many other valuable improvements. He is now the owner of a fine and valuable farm of 160 acres of land. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Feller were born twelve

714 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

children. They had the misfortune to lose five of them within two weeks, in November, 1869, from diphtheria; the eldest of these was seventeen years and the youngest four years of age. They also lost one child; two years of age October 24, 1842, and May 11, 1884, a daughter, Mrs. Catherine Sterling, of Wood County, Ohio, died in the thirty-ninth year of her age. Their children now living are Oliver H., of Wood County, Ohio; Mrs. Lucy Ann Fahl and Mrs. Mary Watkins, of Hancock County, Ohio; John D., of Wood County, Ohio, and Mr's. Melissa Emeline Crowley, of Wood County, Ohio. Mrs. Feller died February 13, 1886, in the sixty-ninth year of her age, after twelve weeks of lingering illness. She was a member of the Evangelical Association, as is also Mr. Feller, who ranks among the most honored pioneers of Eagle Township.

JOSEPH FOREMAN, farmer, P. O. Rawson, was born August 30, 1830, in Franklin County, Penn. His parents, William and Eleanor (McNeal) Foreman, came to Eagle Township, thin county, with a family of eight children in 1845. The country being then new, they made the entire journey by wagon train, the older children, including Joseph, walking the whole distance. They settled on a farm in the northern part of Eagle Township, of which about twenty-five acres were cleared, and at once began improving and developing the place. They resided on this farm until their death; the mother died in 1850 and the father in 1863. Manifesting a spirit of patriotism, the boys, Joseph, John and George, gave their services to the Government during the war of the Rebellion. Joseph Foreman, the subject of this sketch, united in marriage, March 21, 1852, with Miss Christine Alspach, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 2, 1832, and came to this county in April, 1849. Her parents, Jacob and Polly (Miller) Alspach, lived in Fairfield County, Ohio, until the letter's death, after which Mr. Alspach moved to Indiana, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs Foreman settled in 1860 on an entirely new place, where they now reside. In May, 1864, Mr. Foreman enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and served in the campaign in Virginia. He left an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier, and on returning home he again devoted himself to the work of clearing up and developing his farm, upon which he has erected a handsome residence and made many, other valuable improvements, owning 175 acres of good land. To Mr. and Mrs. Foreman have been born ten children: Ellen (deceased), John Milton, Jacob M., Charles Ellsworth, James Gideon, Frederick (deceased), Edmund; Ada Belle, Cora Dell and Tena. Mr. Foreman has given his children excellent educational advantages, both literary and musical. He is a man of firm principles, highly respected by all who know him. He was chosen, for nine years, trustee of Eagle Township.

PETER LINE, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born October 11, 1832, in Eagle Township, this county. Coonrad Line, the father of our subject, a native of Pennsylvania, was united in marriage, in Fairfield County, Ohio, with Miss Catharine Case, a native of Maryland. Peter Line, the subject of this sketch, acquired his education partly in the primitive schools of the pioneer days, but mostly by private study by the light of the old-fashioned chip-fire. When twenty-one years of age he went to Missouri, where he remained seven years. He married, October 7, 1860, Miss Mary B: Jewett, and returned to Eagle Township, this county, in 1861, settling on the farm which he had purchased and where they now reside, consisting of 170 acres

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of well improved land. On this place Mr. Line has a the factory, the first ever established in this county, which he has operated for fourteen years. He manufactures exclusively for the home market. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Line have been born ten children: Kate E., Fannie S., Amanda Jane, Coonrad D., Jacob, Edson, Henry D. (deceased), Mary E., Bessie and Edith.Mr. Line is a life-long Democrat. He has served his township in various official capacities, including clerk and trustee. He and his worthy wife are consistent members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church. Mr. Line is a man of strict integrity, respected by the entire community.

JOSEPH MARKEL, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Schuylkill Township, Berks Co. , Penn., July 14, 1830. His parents, George and Catherine Markel, moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, the year after Joseph was born, and there resided until their death. Joseph Markel was reared in Pickaway County, Ohio, and there acquired his early education. He united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ann Everet, of Ross County, Ohio, July 6, 1857, and three weeks thereafter they moved to Eagle Township, this county, where Mr. Markel rented a farm on which he resided eight years. He then returned to Pickaway County, Ohio, and took care of his father until the death of the latter March 3, 1875, he dying at the age of eighty-three years, one month and three days. After the death of his father our subject returned to Eagle Township, this county, and purchased the farm he had formerly rented. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land with good buildings thereon. Mr. Markel takes a lively interest in fine stock, and has owned some of the finest thorough-bred cattle in this county; he has also given-considerable attention to fine horses. To Mr. and Mrs. Markel have been born three children: Mrs. Anna Walters, Mrs. Rachel Alspach and George S. Our subject and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a life-long Democrat; has been a delegate to the Democratic convention nearly every year since his residence in this County. He is an upright and worthy citizen, and is highly respected by the entire community:

WILLIAM F. NOWLAN, farmer, P. O. Rawson, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, March 2, 1825, son of Thomas D. and Margaret Nowlan, natives of England, who emigrated to Nova Scotia, and from there moved to Ohio. Thomas D. Nowlan settled in Union Township. this county, in 1840. He was a carpenter by trade, and worked on canal work in the eastern part of this State; also put up many buildings in this county. His wife died in Rawson in May, 1878, and he in December following, in his eighty-third year. William F. Nowlan, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until his marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Troxing, November 11, 1849. She died June 8, 1850, leaving one child, Sarah, now deceased. August 21, 1851, Mr. Nowlan was again united in marriage, this time with Mary Lanning, and to this union were born the following named children: David, La Fayette (deceased), Thomas, Malinda, Andrew and Mary. Mr. Nolan located where he now re sides in 1864. He served from October, 1864, to July, 1865, as a soldier in the Sixty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in the Army of the James, and took part in the-closing campaigns of the war in Virginia, earning a record as a brave and faithful soldier, always ready for the discharge of duty. Mr. Nowlan has a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land. He is one of the pioneers of this county, and a highly respected citizen of Eagle Township.

716 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

JOHN OMAN, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Columbia County, Penn., February 14, 1804. His parents, Henry and Ellen Oman, came to Eagle Township, this county, in 1840, and settled on a new farm, where they resided until then death. Of their twelve children, six are now living: John, Joseph, Mrs. Elizabeth Foreman, Mrs. Rachel Hosler, Hanna Jane and Mrs. Sarah Ann Keller. John Oman left Columbia County, Penn., when he was a young man, and came to Portage County, Ohio. He was united in marriage with Miss Faithful Ellet, and they located in Eagle Township, this county, in 1840, here settling on a new farm, which they cleared up and developed. The children born of their union were Josiah, Ephraim L, Mrs. Hannah Jane Crouse, Mrs. Rebecca Ellen Crouse (deceased), and Margaret (deceased). Ephraim I. was a soldier in the Twenty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served from September, 1864, to June, 1865. He went through with Sherman to the sea, taking part in many of the historic engagements of the Georgia campaign, and left an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier. Returning home Ephraim I. Oman married Miss Minerva Newell, daughter of Joseph Newell, of Jack son Township, this county. The result of this marriage is one daughter, Emma Sedora. Mrs. Oman died May 28, 1875. John Oman, the subject of this sketch, was a famous and skillful hunter in the early days of this county. During the winter of 1843-44 he shot forty deer, most of them within one or two miles of his house. He was one of the best marksmen at long range ever known in this county, shooting accurately at a distance of from 150 to 200 yards. Mr. Oman is a life-long Whig and Republican. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church from early life. He is one of the honored pioneers of Eagle Township, highly respected by all who know him.

JOSEPH OMAN, farmer, P. O. Arlington, was born in Columbia County, Penn., October 17, 1807. He moved to Portage County, Ohio, in 1833, and came from there, in 1837, to Eagle Township, this county, where he had been and purchased land the yeas, before, paying for it in Canton bank notes, which money became worthless a few days after he made the purchase, by the failure of the bank. Joseph Oman was united in marriage, February 6, 1837, with Miss Eliza Ann Frees, of Seneca County, Ohio, a native of Columbia County, Penn. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Oman moved to their new place, and began the pioneer work of clearing it up and making a home. There being no mill near, they had to grate corn to make bread. He succeeded in developing a fine farm of 320 acres. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Oman are Jacob F., now living in Schuyler, Colfax County, Neb. (He was a soldier in Company B, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was taken prisoner at Chickamauga, and held in various prisons in the South until the close of the war. He earned an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier.) The next son, Henry, now at home, was a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards; Wesley B. F. was also a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. (He united in marriage, March 15, 1883, with Miss Amy D. Mahon; they have one son, John Wesley. ) John H. is at home; Rachel Ellen died at the age of ten months. The mother of these children died of paralysis, June 19, 1884. The entire family are earnest Republicans. Joseph Oman is very firm in his temperance principles, having signed the pledge during his pioneer days in Portage County, Ohio. He would

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never join in the general custom of treating, and his sons have followed in his footsteps in this regard. Mr. and Mrs. Oman were two of the. first seven to form the Keller Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1879 they united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Oman is one the leading and honored pioneers of Eagle Township.

PETER H. POWELL, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Findlay, was born in Eagle Township, this county, July 17, 1838. His father, Phillip Powell, of Mifflin County, Penn., came to Fairfield County, Ohio, when nine years of age, and remained there until 1833, when he moved to this county and settled on a farm of 160 acres of land which. his father had en tered for him 'in Eagle Township. Here Phillip married, February 22, 1836, Miss Elizabeth Fellers, who died March 6, 1841, leaving three children: Joshua, of Liberty Township, this county; Peter H., the subject of this sketch, and Simon W., in California (he married, May 26, 1876, Miss Volarian Dolora Lovisa Cheenecoff, of St. Petersburg, Russia). Phillip Powell's second wife was Miss Susanna Tussing, to whom he was married April 15, 1842; she died October 25, 1857; she had one child-Moses-born February 19, 1851, and died March 2, 1851. Mr. Powell afterward married, in October, 1861, Mrs. Magdalene Meisel. Phillip Powell died August 29, 1866, leaving an honorable record as a faithful man and worthy pioneer citizen. The subject of this sketch married, March 24, 1861, Miss Catherine E. Cogley, daughter of Jacob Cogley, and they settled where they now reside, in August, 1867. Here they purchased the interest of the heirs, and now own the homestead place of 160 acres of well improved land. Their children are Jacob S., Alice Altona, Simon Joshua, Emma Virginia, Mary Elmina and Clemens Laurence. Mr. Powell is a life-long Democrat. He was called upon to serve his township as trustee, and soon after, in the fall of 1872, was elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected in 1875, 1878, 1881 and 1884. He also holds the position of treasurer of Eagle Township, this county. Judge Powell discharges all his duties faithfully and honestly, and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; he is a member of the. I. O. O. F. He is a man of strict integrity, progressive, public-spirited, a valuable citizen, highly respected by the entire community.

CONRAD SCHMIDT (deceased) was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born in 1791. He married Miss Magdalena Otterbach, and they came to America with a family of seven children, in 1834, landing in Baltimore, Md. They hired a team to take them to Pittsburgh, and there hired another team to bring them out to Holmes County, Ohio. After living in that county four years they settled permanently in Eagle Township, this county, September 16 (Sunday), 1838, on land which our subject had entered in 1834. Mr. Schmidt had to open out the Lima road about one mile, to extend it to his residence. After living a long and useful life, Mr. Schmidt died in 1864, aged seventy-three years. Mrs. Schmidt died in 1865, aged seventy-five years. Their children were Mrs. Louisa Bauer, who died in Philadelphia, Penn. ; John; Mrs. Catherine Doll, of Stockton, Cal. ; Mrs. Rose Ann Cogley; Christian; Michael and Mrs. Magdalena Fellers.

HENRY SHANK, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Findlay, was born in Fayette County, Penn., September 11, 1807, son of Jacob and Nancy (Stauffer) Shank, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1834 Henry Shank moved West, and after spending eighteen years in Allen

718 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

and Putnam Counties, Ohio, he came to this county, where he has since been successfully connected with his present industry. Mr. Shank was united in marriage, October 10, 1828, with Emily Fleming, who died in Allen County, Ohio, leaving nine children. Mr. Shank's second marriage was February 1, 1849, with Maria Coughenour, who bore him eleven children, the result of both unions being nine sons and eleven daughters, of whom one son and two daughters died in infancy, and three daughters died after reaching maturity. Mr. Shank is a worthy member of the Disciples Church. In politics he is a Republican.

REV. LYMAN SHARP, minister of the United Brethren Church, P. O. Findlay, was born in Eagle Township, this county, February 7, 1836. His father, Jacob Sharp, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, of Welsh descent, came with John D. Bishop to this county, about 1832, and entered 160 acres of land in Section 23, Eagle Township; he was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on a shop in that line on his farm for many yeas; in 1835 he married Miss Julia Ann Whitman, a native of Orleans County, N. Y., an only child. When Mrs. Sharp was an infant her mother died, and, her father being killed by the explosion of a cannon at Albion, N. Y. , she was reared by her uncle, Benjamin O. Whitman, with whom she came to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sharp lived on their farm in Eagle Township, this county, until her death from cholera, in 1854. Jacob Sharp afterward married again, and after living abort seven years in Hardin County, Ohio, he moved to Whitley County, Ind., and in 1867 to Clinton County, Mich., where he died July 5, 1871, in his sixty-third year. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, in Eagle Township, this county, and attended the schools of the home district, also one term in the Findlay school. He joined the United Brethren Church May 20, 1855. During his youth he was engaged in teaching; he taught for three terms in Eagle Township, this county, and two terms in Allen County, Ind. Mr. Sharp was united in marriage, October 16, 1859, with Miss Polly A. Line, who was born June 6, 1837, in Eagle Township, this county, daughter of the pioneer, Coonrad Line. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sharp settled where they now reside, in Eagle Township, this county, where they have a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have been born five children: Mrs. Catharine E. Reider, of Bowling Green, Ohio; J. C. Fremont; Matilda Jane; William Milton and Florence Luella. Mr. Sharp has been a devoted member of the church of his choice (United Brethren), and in 1859 he was licensed as an exhorter. In 1870 the quarterly conference gave him a license to preach, and in 1875 he was licensed by the annual conference, since which time he has been regularly engaged in the work of the ministry. He has filled the following circuits: Bellmore, two years; Bluffton, two years; Vanlue, one year; Blanchard, one year; Eden two years, and is now completing his second year on the West Independence Circuit. Mr. Sharp is very earnest in the cause of the gospel, devoting to it the best energies of his life. His wife and all pie children, except the youngest, are members of the church. Our subject is a life-long Republican; has held the office of clerk of Eagle Township for one term, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. From May 2 to September 2, 1884, he served as a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards.

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ISAAC SMITH (deceased) was born February 14, 1813, in Franklin County, Ohio, son of William and Christine (Tussing) Smith, of Pennsylvania. He married, November 19, 1832, Miss Mary B. Bishop, who was born May 22, 1816, in Franklin County, Ohio; a daughter of George and Catherine Bishop, and a sister of John D. and Henry Bishop, of Eagle Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith moved to Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1833, where our subject carried on a tan-yard for thirteen years. They then located in March, 1848, in Eagle Township, this county, where Mr. Smith cleared up and developed a fine farm of 240 acres of land, through which Eagle Creek flows. This farm was originally entered by John Woodruff, in 1829. He built a saw-mill on this farm in 1852, which he continued to operate until 1876. The children born to the union of our subject and wife were Mrs. Catherine Himrod; Eve, who died in infancy; George, who died at the age of seventeen years; Mrs. Julia Ann Lanning; Jacob B. ; John, who died June 6, 1885, in his forty-second year; Henry (see under); Mrs. Mary Fellars, now in Wood County, Ohio; Sydney Ann, who died in infancy, and Emma. Isaac Smith died August 10, 1869. He was a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church for about thirty years, with which denomination he and his wife united the same day. In politics Mr. Smith was a Democrat. He took an earnest interest in public affairs. His widow and her son, Henry, and daughter, Emma, now reside on the family homestead.

HENRY SMITH, farmer, P. O. Findlay, son of Isaac and Mary B., (Bishop) Smith, was born November 3, 1845. He married, October 11, 1874. Miss Eliza Adelia Bibler, daughter of John Bibler. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith have been born four children: Charles H., John C. Mary H. and Arnott L. Mr. Smith is an earnest Democrat. He is one of the enterprising and representative farmers of Eagle Township.

REV. JACOB B. SMITH, farmer, and minister of the Baptist Church, P. O. Findlay, was born October 21, 1841, in Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. His father, Isaac Smith, a native of Franklin County. Ohio, married Miss Mary Bishop, and moved in a very early day to Seneca County, Ohio, where he carried on a tanning establishment, which he operated until 1848, when he moved to Eagle Township, this county. Here he purchased a new farm of 240 acres of land and began clearing and developing it. He and his worthy wife were members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church from early life. Isaac Smith was a consistent supporter of the Democratic party. He rendered valuable services in the settlement of this portion of Hancock County. He was prostrated by heat in 1863, which resulted in heart disease, causing his death in 1869. His widow still resides on the homestead farm. Rev. Jacob B. Smith, the subject of this sketch, spent his early life on his father's farm. Beginning in 1863 he taught school five winter terms, with uniform and undoubted success. August 10, 1864, he became united in marriage with Miss Eliza Helms, of Madison Township, this county, who died July 9, 1873, leaving three children: Edson B., Laura I. and Nellie I. ; the latter died April 10, 1881, aged seven years and nine months. December 13, 1874, Mr. Smith was again married, this time to Miss Evalina Barnd, and they have two daughters living, Orpha and Elva, and have buried three infants. Mr. Smith united with the Predestinarian Baptist Church in 1869, and was ordained a minister thereof in 1874. He has devoted his services unselfishly to the cause of his church most of the time

720 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

since his ordination. Mr. Smith is one of the leading and most able ministers of the Sandusky Association. Being a life-long Democrat he has taken an active interest in public affairs: He has served his township five years as clerk, and six years as assessor. He was chosen justice of the peace in 1879 and has held the position ever since. He discharges his duties faithfully and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He carried on a mercantile establishment in Findlay, Ohio, with Charles Elms as partner, from 1871 to 1874, when he moved back to the farm, which he owns, com prising 140 acres of well improved land in Eagle Township. He is a man of extensive and varied abilities, having carried on, successfully, a blacksmith shop on his place since 1804, doing work for an extensive community. He has also been very successful in the carpenter business; he built his own very large and commodious house, also several residences and harp buildings in this township and in Findlay, also in Dunkirk, Hardin Co., Ohio. He is a man of wonderful energy and excellent judgment, and is called upon to transact business for his neighbors for miles around. He is bringing up a bright young family who are taking a high position in society and business.

DAVID ZOLL, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Bloom Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, September 11, 1812. His parents, Jacob and Mary Ann (Alspach) Zoll, were natives of Schuylkill County, Penn. , and among the earliest settlers of Fairfield County, Ohio. They started with teams for this county, April 15, 1834, and landed April 22, in Eagle Township, where they settled on a tract of 240 acres of land which Jacob Zoll had entered the year before, and at once began to clear up and improve their land. Jacob Zoll departed this life in July, 1861, and his widow in August, 1880, aged eighty-three years. They were parents of nine children: David, Mrs. Ellen Oman, Mrs. Elizabeth Alspach, John, William, Mrs. Mary Ann Fellers (deceased), Joshua, Josiah and Eli. Our subject came to this county with his parents, and married, March 14, 1839, Sarah Crist. He and his wife settled where they now reside, and here they have a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land. Their union has been blessed with nine children, four of whom are now living: Mrs. Mary Jane Hartman, Rufus R. of Bluffton, Ohio; Jacob W. and William H. They lost three of their children in one week by diphtheria, in October, 1862. Mr. Zoll is a life-long Democrat; has served as township treasurer for ten years. He and his worthy wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the honored pioneers of Eagle Township, a valuable citizen, highly respected by the community.