(RETURN TO THE HENRY & FULTON COUNTY INDEX) 600 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. College, in West Virginia. Here he remained two and one- half years, when his health failed and compelled him to return home. It should be mentioned that the father of this young man was very generous toward his children, and encouraged them in every industrious effort ; he gave them land to cultivate, and a share in the profits of the tannery, and it was from the sale of his share that David acquired means with which to pay for his education. In 1853 he went to California, induced to make the journey in the hope of restoring health and strength, and, in part, to acquire a fortune. The first, and perhaps the most important, of these desires was realized, for his physical strength was recovered, but in the acquisition of a fortune his efforts were not so fully rewarded. He worked a claim on the Yuba River for one fall season, and at its close was just $500 out of pocket. He then engaged in shingle making at $9 per thousand, but this price soon declined. Still later he worked on a farm until the year 1856, when he returned to Fulton county to reside. Two years later, on the 18th of March, 1858, our subject was married to Elizabeth Anna Bayes, daughter of William W. Bayes, of Clinton township. Of this marriage three children have been born, all of whom are still living. From the time of his return home from the far west to the present day, David Ayers has been a respected resident of Dover township ; but from this time must be excepted the four years of his incumbency of the office of county treasurer, during which he lived at Wauseon. His farm is one of the best in Dover, and it was here that his parents settled fifty years ago. Mr. Ayers is a man of modest, quiet disposition and temperament, yet possessed of firm convictions in political and civil affairs. He has been, in no sense, a seeker after office, still there are but few, if any, of the offices of the township that he has not filled at the request of his fellow-townsmen ; and, in each and every capacity in which he has been elected to serve, the people have had the assurance of the selection of a faithful official, one in whom they had confidence, and one by whom no trust was ever violated. Such a reputation does David Ayers bear among his townspeople, and throughout the county. In the year 1871 he was the nominee of the Republican party for the offrce of county treasurer, and at the polls was elected by a good majority. His administration of the affairs of this office showed that the honor was worthily bestowed, and upon its incumbent there was no breath of suspicion. He proved a faithful public servant, and discharged his duty to the entire satisfaction, not only of his party, but of tbe people of the whole county. Upon the expiration of his second term, for he was re-elected in 1873, Mr. Ayers returned to his comfortable farm home where he now resides. In matters pertaining to religion Mr. Ayers is connected with the Christian Church, of which he and his family are members. He has been frequently chosen for various church offices, and of his means has contributed liberally toward defraying the expenses of building the church edifice, and maintaining the good work of the society. BIOGRAPHICAL - 601 HAGAR, WILLIAM D., was born in Galway, Saratoga county, N. Y., on November 22, 1847, and in that quiet and peaceful village he received his early education, under the careful guidance of a mother who possessed unusual intelligence and moral firmness of character. His opportunities for a literary education were limited, but at an early age he displayed an aptness for acquiring and retaining knowledge, which, in the eventful years of his life, has enabled him to secure a fund of information upon literary, scientific and useful subjects, and especially in the intricacies of his profession, which is possessed by but few men. Possessed of a fixed determination to occupy a prominent position in life’s busy arena, he early commenced the fight and at the age of fourteen launched his hopeful craft on the adverse sea of life, which, guided by his own hand and kept afloat by his own energy and perseverance, was to eventually land him in the ranks of the progressive men of the times. Experience teaches its own lessons and the succeeding years were devoted to that very exacting preceptor. Several occupations were tried and dropped, and several schemes succeeded each other, but all failing to meet his youthful expectations. The great armies of the Union were fighting the desperate battles of the rebellion, and young Hagar responded with youthful patriotism to the call for reinforcements and enlisted in Company I, Tenth New York Cavalry and went to the front. Bravery on the battlefield, a patriotic devotion to his country's cause, and prompt performance of every duty won for the boy soldier the love of comrades and high regards of all who knew of his valor and deeds of heroism. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Manassas Gap and confined in the rebel prison at Richmond six months, after which he was paroled and subsequently honorably discharged from the army, having served two years. Young Hagar returned home, laid aside the blue and donned the citizen's dress, but not satisfied with opportunities offered, started for Michigan and engaged in various pursuits at Morenci, but afterwards went to the "pineries" and engaged in the manufacture of shingles, but soon drifted to Chicago. The heavy firm of C. W. & E, Partridge of that flourishing city was the first to offer flattering inducements, and he passed the ensuing three years in their employ, making a specialty of the dry goods trade, during which time he gained the esteem and respect of his employers as well as of the mercantile- firms of note in the west. Miss Jennie Neff, professionally known as " Miss Jennie Morgan," was at that time at the height of her fame as a public singer, and while filling an engagement at Chicago made the acquaintance of Mr. Hagar, which resulted in the solemnization of the marriage rites between the busy man of commerce and the charming songstress. Mrs. Hagar was an accomplished vocalist of pure merit, who was celebrated for her high talents throughout the Union, which no doubt was the cause of the turning point toward a fortune for the 602 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. subject of our sketch, as it attracted his attention to the public demand for amusement, for the supplying of which he was particularly qualified. It is not inappropriate to add that the fame of Mrs. Hagar never abated during her professional career, but she voluntarily retired from the stage, and in her private life is equally fascinating to her friends, and a loving and devoted wife to her husband. Mr. Hagar decided to embark in the amusement profession and secured what are known in circus parlance as the " privileges" with the late John Murray’s circus and menagerie. These Mr. Hagar operated with rare ability for four years. Mr. Coup, then owning one of the most noted circuses of the day, rented Mr. Hagar the " privileges " of his enterprise, which were controlled with success for a similar period of four years ; but adversity overcame Mr. Coup in 1882, and his immense concern was sold by the sheriff at Detroit to satisfy the demands of his creditors. Coup was then owing Mr. Hagar about $14,000 borrowed money. He was on the alert and took timely steps to save his money, but every dollar was lost through technical errors, for which his attorneys were purely responsible. In 1883 the museum fever demanding the attention of some of the ablest showmen of the day, caused Mr. Hagar to become the senior partner of Hagar, Campbell & Co., in the proprietorship of the Dime Museum of Philadelphia, which was undoubtedly the largest, most prosperous and best managed institution of its kind on the American continent. In 1883 Mr. Hagar, still holding his interest in the Dime Museum, secured the management of the concert, side show, annex, and other " privileges" of the world-renowned "Barnum and London Combined Shows," Mr. W. T. Campbell was also a partner in the Barnum enterprise. They having an offer of what was supposed to be a fabulous price for the museum, it was sold in 1885, and Messrs. Hagar & Campbell turned their entire attention to the man. agement of the " privileges " of Barnum's " Greatest Show on Earth." In the spring of 1887 Mr. Campbell retired from the show business and settled upon his large fancy stock farm at Rushville, Ind., Mr. Hagar taking his entire interest. Mr. Hagar has long been identified with the agricultural interest of Fulton county, having frequently invested a portion of his surplus earnings in real estate here and now owning one of the largest and best farms in York township, which is heavily stocked with blooded horses. He has an elegantly furnished home in Wauseon, where he takes a winter's rest after the arduous labors of the show season, enjoying the rich reward of a life well improved. He is the soul of honor, a genial companion, a fast and never failing friend, a lavish giver to deserving charity, and a liberal supporter of every public enterprise. BIOGRAPHICAL - 603 RORICK, HON. JOHN C. There is not, perhaps, a single resident of Fulton county that has had an experience in life so varied as that of the subject of this sketch ; still, from a business point of view, notwithstanding his years of travel and the many enterprises in which he has been engaged, the life of our subject may be said to have been entirely successful and satisfactory, and he now stands among the leading business men of the county. Mr. Rorick has profited by his experiences, and the many places that he has visited, the pursuits in which he has engaged, and the people he has met, have educated and given him an understanding of men and affairs that has proved of great value. This much of comment will be pardonable when we narrate the partial events of a lifetime. John Conklin Rorick was born near Elmira, in New York State, on the 13th day of February, 1834, and of the five children born to William and Phoebe Ann Rorick, he was the second. When John was but two years old the family moved to Lenawee county, Mich. Here our subject was reared, and, when old enough, was put at work on his father's farm. He attended school about two months each winter, acquiring, at the age of sixteen, a very limited education, confined to reading, writing and simple rules of arithmetic. By the encouragement of a teacher, named Ed. Hopper, he, at that time, made a radical change, and by incessant application to his studies during the hours when other boys slept, and every moment that could be spared from his daily labors, aided by eighteen weeks' attendance at the Medina Seminary, he passed a successful examination in the common and some of the higher branches, and commenced teaching at the age of eighteen. Graduating in book-keeping and commercial law at Gregory's College, in Detroit, at the age of twenty, he went to the Lake Superior copper regions, to take charge of the books of the Ridge Mine, but his arrival having been delayed by lake storms several days, he found the place already filled, and accepted the position of " boss " of a gang of men connected with the mines. Disliking the position, in company with three companions, he made the trip from Ontonagon to Stephen's Point, a distance of two hundred and thirty miles, on foot through an unbroken wilderness, being guided by the use of chart and compass. From this place Mr. Rorick went to Madison, Wis., where he opened a school for writing and drawing. It may be stated here that in the art of penmanship and drawing Mr. Rorick became wholly proficient, and, in fact, in the latter of these attainments, he has but few equals. But our subject did not remain long in Madison, for in the year 1855 we find him associated with a celebrated penman, Dan Howard, in establishing a commercial college at Milwaukee, Mr. Rorick having charge of the departments devoted to book-keeping and commercial law. The institution was successful and profitable from the commencement, but Mr. Rorick's close application to teaching, both day and evening classes, was followed by failing health, and, upon the advice of Professor Douglass, he sold out his interest, and loaned 604 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. his surplus earnings to a successor, taking therefor a note which was never paid, *Mr. Rorick then resumed his former occupation of teaching night schools in Northern Illinois, and from that time to 1860, he engaged in teaching, working farms on shares, and small speculations ; but at that time he became the owner of a good farm near Aurora, with a large personal property, but was quite heavily in debt. The reverses of 1860 caused by the Illinois " stub-tail " currency, followed by the depressions of war prospects and other misfortunes, wiped out his margins ; but instead of keeping his cash and forsaking his creditors, he sold all his property at great sacrifices, and paid every dollar of debt before it became due. After closing his affairs in Illinois Mr. Rorick returned to Lenawee county, and in 1862 leased his father's farm in company with his brother, J. M. Rorick, giving his note for his share of the investment, which was very successfully run for two years in connection with speculations in stock and other property. His next venture was the purchase of the Sherman House, in Wauseon, the conduct of which he assumed in January, 1864, but in August following he sold out at a large profit, and bought a farm in Chesterfield township to which he then moved. This farm was sold, also at a large profit, and, in 1866, with J. M. Rorick, he purchased the Exchange Hotel at Morenci, Mich., which they managed for a short time and, being offered a large advance, sold out. John C. Rorick then moved to Canandaigua, and purchased a spoke factory and a large amount of town property, which was greatly enhanced in value by his energy and other causes. Having sold out his entire interest he moved again to Wauseon in 1872, at which place he has since resided, taking an active interest in its industries and prosperity. He has owned several farms in Fulton county, which have been greatly improved under his management ; he has been prominently connected with the National Butter, Cheese and Egg Association, which has a reputation as wide as civilization ; he was many times elected one of its vice-presidents, and once its first vice-president, and his speeches at Chicago, Indianapolis and other cities are prominent features of its reports during his membership. He was the inventor and patentee of the " Rorick system of reworking butter," which went into general use, and no doubt added millions of dollars to the value of the "store butter" of the United States. He invented and patented the Ohio Rug Machine, which has found sale all over the United States ; he was one of the founders of the Safety Loan and Abstract Company, and is, at the present time, its president. To enumerate each of the interests with which Mr. Rorick has been identified since his residence in Wauseon would be a long and useless task ; but it will be seen from the foregoing sketch that the life of our subject has been, from early manhood, an exceedingly busy one, and one that would ordinarily require the whole attention of the person interested ; but, notwithstanding this, Mr. Rorick has found time to -give much attention to public affairs, and has BIOGRAPHICAL - 605 taken a prominent interest in politics from the time of Stephen A. Douglas to the present. He was a Democrat up to the repeal of the Missouri compromise, casting his first vote for Fremont, and has been a Republican ever since. He commenced his career as a newspaper writer by reporting Douglas's Illinois speeches for the Chicago Democrat. He was justice of the peace in Michigan several terms, and held other offices there. Since residing in Wauseon he has been township trustee once, and a member of the city council four years. He was a member of the State Board of Equalization in 1881, representing the Thirty-third Senatorial district comprising the counties of Lucas, Fulton, Henry, Hancock, Putnam, and Wood. His duties on that board were necessarily very laborious, but were performed to the utmost satisfaction of his district. He at the commencement secured the confidence of his associates, and by rare good judgment, never taking a position which he did not have the figures and arguments to maintain, kept it to the last, and the records show that he never made a motion which was not carried. It is conceded that no part of the State secured so favorable a consideration as did the " northwest," through the management of Mr. Rorick. The temperance legislation of the Republicans turned the Thirty-third District over to the Democrats, and the Senatorial Convention at Toledo, in 1883, believing that he was the most available candidate, gave him the nomination, which he reluctantly accepted several days after, and made a creditable campaign against Hon. 0. B. Ramey, of Ottawa, running nearly one thousand ahead of the ticket, but, nevertheless, was defeated. In justice it must be said that Mr. Rorick never solicited an office or accepted a nomination except with reluctance. He is an independent thinker, a close student, and has acquired a local reputation as a newspaper writer on political, theological, and scientific subjects, and has always taken a deep interest in popular education, now holding the position of president of the Wauseon board of education. The life of John C. Rorick needs no comment beyond a narration of its events ; it needs no eulogy, no praise. The facts stand out clear, and the people know the record. His sterling worth and integrity, his progressiveness, his generosity, and public-spiritedness are well known throughout the county, and even beyond its borders. If his business life has been successful that success has been earned and deserved ; and if he has accumulated a comfortable fortune that condition is the result of his own personal effort, industry, and perseverance. Not wholly alone does our subject enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was married on the 15th of December, 1862, to Emma J. Whiting, the daughter of Seth F. Whiting, of Elmira, N. Y. Dr. F. H. Rorick, a young physician, who has acquired considerable prominence as a specialist, an inventor of surgical instruments, and medical writer, is the only son of the subject of our sketch. 606 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. SCOTT, HON. ROBERT K. These pages do not contain the space requisite for a detailed narrative of the events of the life of this man, nor is it in accord with his desire that such detail should be given, but rather, as a necessary part of the history of Henry county, for his life during the last thirty-five years has been almost inseparably connected with it, that there should be made some reference to a career of business activity, and one closely associated with the civil, social, political and military history of the county, more closely, perhaps, than that of any other person. Again, there lives not within the county's borders a single person that has risen by his own or another's effort to occupy the honorable and distinguished positions that have been assigned, by those in authority, to Robert K. Scott. Governor Scott's residence in Henry county was the result of an incident rather than of intent, as, at that time, he was journeying westward over the Miami and Erie Canal toward the Mississippi River, and thence-intending by water to reach California, where he had previously, though for a short time, resided ; but, on reaching the town of Florida, he met a party of former acquaintances, by whom his baggage was taken ashore and he, vi et arm is, compelled to accompany them ; still, this whole proceeding was altogether friendly and with the desire that young Dr. Scott should remain with them. Robert Kingston Scott was a native of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, born in Armstrong county on the 8th day of July, in the year 1826. His parents were John and Jane (Hamilton) Scott. The father had been a civil engineer, but at the time of Robert's youth was a farmer, and on the farm our subject passed the early years of life, at work and in attending the district school. Early in life Robert determined to enter some profession and had a strong inclination for the law, but subsequent events changed his course and he became a member of the medical profession. At the age of fifteen he left home and came to Stark county, in this State, where he had a sister residing and with whom he lived and attended school, the facilities for an education being much better here than then could be found in Armstrong county. Later young Scott began teaching school and, at the same time, boarded with the family of Dr, Graves, of Navarre, in Stark county. Here he gradually drifted into the study of medicine and afterward supplemented his course by lectures and further study at the Starling Medical College at Columbus. He went to California just at the time when the "gold fever" was at its height. This was in 1850, one year too late to entitle our subject to the distinction of having been a "Forty-niner." Dr. Scott spent one year in the Golden State ; he first went to digging, or rather making preparations for digging ; he succeeded in turning the Middle Fork of the American River, but just as this great task was completed and a very rich deposit of mineral discovered, the Doctor awoke one morning to find no less than forty feet of water over his claim ; but his work was not wholly lost as he had already secured some valuable dust, and he was the only person BIOGRAPHICAL - 607 engaged in this work that gained anything except disappointment. After this, in company with eight men, our subject started on a prospecting trip to the locality known as the " Secret Diggings," where they worked successfully for a time, but Scott soon left the mines and commenced practice, which he continued for some months with marked success ; but, following his inclination, he started for a return journey to his home. On the way he visited several places of interest along the coast of Mexico and South America. After what seemed to him a visit of sufficient length among friends and relatives, Dr. Scott again set his face westward, intending to return to California, and it was while carrying out this determination that he journeyed across Henry county, where " circumstances " changed his purpose, as has been heretofore narrated. Having decided to remain in Florida, Dr. Scott resumed his professional work and soon acquired a remunerative practice. He had a thorough understanding of medicine, and his reputation as a physician soon became established throughout the county, and even beyond its borders. For five years he was actively engaged here, but after that became interested in a successful mercantile business, which he continued for something like one and one-half years, when he disposed of it and came to reside at the county seat. This was in the year 1860. Here he formed a business partnership with Samuel M. Heller, but, at the breaking out of the war, sold his interest to that gentleman and devoted his own time, attention and means, unselfishly and without hope of reward, to recruiting and sending companies to the front. In the organization of the Fourteenth and Thirty-eighth Regiments he bore an active part, traveling throughout the county and vicinity, raising men and perfecting these military organizations ; this being done he commenced recruiting the Sixty-eighth Infantry, which regiment has ever been known as the pride of Henry county, it being composed largely of young men from the several townships of that county. In this work Dr. Scott was acting under orders from Governor Dennison, and upon the full organization of the command, he was entitled to, and offered the commission of colonel, but declined and accepted that of lieutenant-colonel, while Harry Steedman was made regimental commander, Soon after, however, Scott succeeded to the command, and so continued until the fall of Vicksburg, where by every military consideration, coolness in action, bravery, and above all, meritorious services, he honestly earned, and received a commission as brigadier-general of United States Volunteer Infantry, the instrument conferring this rank bearing the date of December 12, 1863. Again, in March, 1865, General Scott was brevetted major-general, which rank he did not resign nor was he mustered out of service, but, on the 15th of December following, he was ordered by the secretary of war to report to General 0. 0. Howard at Washington ; which order being complied with, he was sent to relieve General Saxton, at Charleston, S. C., as commissioner of freedmen, refugees and abandoned lands. 608 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. In this capacity General Scott entered upon the discharge of his duties soon after the first of January, 1866 ; he satisfactorily adjusted the difficulties existing between the whites and blacks ; protected the interests of the loyal white residents and controlled the disposition of the abandoned lands in the State, He was vested with wide discretionary powers and much latitude in the transaction of the business of his office ; many abuses were ,corrected and the affairs of the State were placed on a firm basis. Notwithstanding the scope of his duty and the many opportunities that were presented for self advancement and gain, General Scott was never charged either with malfeasance or misfeasance in office, and in this regard he was almost the only officer so invested with power against whom no charge of corrupt practice was made, or against whom no word of suspicion was uttered. While in the performance of his duties here, at the request of many citizens of Charleston and of the State generally, the muster out of General Scott from the service of the United States was suspended, but in July, 1868, his resignation was accepted. In the same year, having gained a residence in the State, General Scott was placed in nomination by the Republican State Convention for the office of governor, and at the polls was elected by a majority of 45,000. Two years later he was reelected to the same office, although by a less majority of votes. This was a period of reorganization. During his first official term Governor Scott was ably assisted by the most capable of the financiers and statesmen of the Commonwealth ; and there was but little political opposition to his administration ; but during his latter term of service his administration was constantly hampered and embarrassed by the designs of unscrupulous money- getters, carpet baggers and other obstructing elements against whom he had to contend. Still further, the Democracy of the State again became organized and sought, by all schemes and measures, to overrun the Repubhcan organization, which was eventually accomplished. It would be a useless task to attempt to set forth the every act that marked the official life in the South of Governor Scott, nor is it considered an important feature of this sketch. Suffice it, therefore, to say that his administration was a success ; his duty lay plainly before him and faithfully and fearlessly did he fulfill it; and notwithstanding the clamor of certain of the chivalric opposition, the governor's efforts toward building up a safe governmental structure for the State were materially assisted by a large contingent of the honest and conscientious residents of the city of Charleston and elsewhere. For a period of some six years after his retirement from official life Governer Scott continued to reside in Columbia, where he was engaged in business, mainly in dealing in stocks and bonds, besides giving some attention to farming, but in Jam, 1878, he, with his family., returned to Napoleon, and `his Long neglected real estate interests in this locality. From that =atilt Ares. ent, time he has born one of the most extensive and successful dealers inland, BIOGRAPHICAL - 609 of Northwestern Ohio, and even beyond the State, for his investments in the west are known to be large. Within a few years past he has purchased a tract of over two hundred acres of land lying, nearly all, within the limits of the city of Toledo, but after the purchase was completed he took partners in the enterprise. The development and sale of this in lots is now occupying, in the main, the attention of our subject, but his other vast interests, ramifying as they do throughout this whole section, demand some portion of his time and care. Such, then, is a brief resume of some of the principal business and other operations of Robert K. Scott. If it indicates anything it is that he is a remarkable man in his capacity to grasp and successfully direct large enterprises. In such undertakings, the detail of which would distract and paralyze the powers of men less favorably constituted for such operations, General Scott has seemed to see the end from the beginning. He looks over his ground, forms his own judgment with rapidity and almost unerring accuracy, and after that proceeds to the execution of his plans with the serene confidence that the result will be in accord with his expectation. He has been, and is as must be seen, a very busy man ; but his manifold interests never worry him ; in all these his power has proved sufficient for any emergency and his time adequate for all requirements. And he has found time, too, for other duties than those confined to his business operations ; indeed, to every improvement that has promised to add to the welfare or beauty of his village and county he has been a generous contributor. During his years of residence in Henry county he has been an active worker in the political field, on the Republican side, though never for his own advancement ; he has not sought or accepted office, but his time and means are always ready for the good of the party, and when the government was threatened by internecine foes, none was more active and liberal in its support than he. Though not personally connected with the church all religious organizations receive of his sympathy and material aid. In short, General Scott has not only succeeded in erecting a business and financial fabric of large proportions, but has been, in all respects a useful citizen, to whom the confidence and respect of his townsmen are not the least appreciated of his rewards. It was during his residence at Florida, in this county, that Robert K. Scott was united in marriage with Rebecca J., the daughter of John Lowry, a pioneer and prominent resident of the county. Two children, a son and a daughter, were the fruits of this union. The daughter died during the parents' residence in the South. A curious fact is that ever since the Revolutionary War one male member of every generation of the Scott family has held some military title. The son (R. K., jr.) of the subject of our sketch holds the title of captain, and according to the Adjutant-General's report is the youngest captain in the United States. 610 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES, BROWN, HON. L. W. When Levi W. Brown entered upon the discharge of his duties as probate judge of Fulton county, it is said, and with much truth, that he brought into that office as thorough a knowledge of its legal points as any incumbent that has occupied the position since the county's erection. Judge Brown is not a member of the legal profession, save ex-officio, but before he was called to fill the office referred to, he had studied the law, and had an excellent understanding of its maxims, principles and application, and these are the elements upon which those "learned in the law" most largely depend for success; therefore it can be no exaggerated statement on the part of the members of the profession in giving utterance to these thoughts. Judge Brown was a native of Fulton county, a son of one of its early settlers, and one of its highly respected citizens, Benjamin Brown, a former resident of Addison county, Vt., from which place he came to Ohio in the year 1837, and took up his abode in the wild and sparsely settled region of country that was subsequently erected into this county. Levi Walter Brown, the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin township on the 2 I st of December, in the year 1841. Of the four children born to Benjamin and Ruth (Reynolds) Brown, he was the youngest. The father was a farmer, and Levi was brought up on the farm, where he worked during the spring and summer, and in attending school in the winter, until he became eighteen years old. He then commenced teaching in season, and was thus engaged, alternating between the farm and the school-room, for a period of about four years. At the age of twenty-five years, having accumulated a small sum of money, the result of his industry, Mr. Brown embarked in the mercantile business at Elmira, this county, having a small stock at the outset, but gradually enlarging it as his means permitted and the increasing trade required, until he became known as one of the most successful and reliable country merchants of the county. For about seven years Mr. Brown was engaged in the mercantile business, when a partnership was formed only to continue for a brief time, when Mr. Brown again became sole proprietor, and so continued until about 1872, when he sold out and moved to his parents' farm, they then being in impaired health and strength on account of their advanced years, Upon their death Mr. Brown became owner of the farm, he paying legacies to the other heirs to abundantly compensate them for interests in the property. He continued his residence on the farm until February, 1879, when he moved to Wauseon to assume the office of probate judge. As a farmer Mr. Brown was as successful as in mercantile life, and in connection with agriculture he engaged extensively in stock growing, both cattle and sheep, and in this department he was among the largest stock growers of Northwestern Ohio, and from this branch of industry Judge Brown has not retired, as he is now the owner of a large and well-appointed stock farm, situate south of and near Wauseon, and has thousands of dollars invested in fine stock, BIOGRAPHICAL - 611   and in which he takes great delight. While our subject has for many years taken an active interest in the political welfare of the country, he did not become engaged therein to any considerable extent prior to his advancement to the judgship of the Probate Court ; he had, however, held the office of clerk of the township in which he lived. As has already been stated, he took his seat as probate judge in February, 1879, and was twice thereafter re-elected. Since his residence at the county seat Judge Brown has been one of the acknowledged leaders of the Republican party in the county, and his ability as such, and as an organizer as well, has made him a prominent figure in the politics of the State. In 1886 he was a candidate for nomination for the office of representative in Congress, but was defeated in the nominating convention, Hon. M. M. Boothman being the successful aspirant. He was subsequently elected, and his success was largely due to the efforts of Judge Brown, who so throughly organized the district as to make his election possible, there being in the district a standing Democratic majority of not less than one thousand. In the year 1887 Judge Brown was made chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, a position that called forth his greatest effort as an organizer; but that this trust was well-placed is shown by the result of the recent election and needs no comment in this place. The gallant Governor Foraker and his friends fully appreciate the work of the campaign, a campaign almost national in the interest taken by both parties throughout the country and the results likely to follow therefrom. A recognized factor in the politics of Ohio, the judge naturally takes a deep interest in national politics, and took an active part in the organization of the National Republican League, being a delegate in attendance and member of the executive committee, representing Ohio in the first national convention held in New York city December is, 1887. While Judge Brown has always been a pronounced Republican, active in the councils and work of party organization, and his fighting qualities recognized and felt by his political opponents, yet each time he has been a candidate before the people, he has secured a large number of Democratic votes, and no personal warfare has ever been made against him. It would seem, under ordinary circumstances that a man whose time was so fully occupied with the cares and duties that have been allotted to him would give but little heed to matters pertaining to the church, but in this instance, such is not the case. Judge Brown was born of parents who were humble and devoted worshipers and members in the M. E, Church, and in the teachings and faith of that denomination has our subject been educated. For the last twenty-five years he has been a member of the church. He has, moreover, been a member of each lay conference that has assembled since that feature of the church's government was adopted, and was a delegate to the last General Conference held at Philadelphia during the month of May, 1884. In other so- 612 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. cieties and orders he has also been prominent ; in the Masonic fraternity he has risen to the degree of a knight templar. His membership in the order is of twenty years' standing. He is also prominently connected with the society known as Knights of Pythias. Levi W. Brown has been thrice married. His first wife, Nancy A. Ames, he married June 14, 1863. Four children were born of this marriage. His wife died in 1874. On the 14th of September, 1875, Mr. Brown married Elizabeth Gigax, of which marriage one child was born. The second wife died February 14, 1881. On the 16th of January, 1882, he married Esther Stone, of Cayuga county, N. Y. Of this marriage one child has been born. Mrs. Brown is a lady of fine cniture and an able second in all her husband's public enterprises, both church and State. CANFIELD, HEMAN A. On an island of several hundred acres area, in the Tiffin River, or, as it is more generally known, Bean Creek, stands the comfortable residence and excellent farm of Heman A. Canfield. In Gorham township, which has been his residence for the last twenty-five and more years, this man is well known and highly respected for his moral integrity and sterling worth ; a man, who, by thrift and untiring energy, has built for himself and his family a comfortable fortune. But the time of residence on this island by no means represents the duration of his residence in the county, for in this regard he antedates the county's existence by a dozen or more years. He first came to the territory embraced by the present township of Chesterfield while its lands formed a part of Lucas county. Heman Arza Canfield was a native of New York State, born in the town of West Bloomfield, Ontario county, on the 25th day of January, in the year 1816. His parents were Titus and Orpha Canfield, and they lived on a farm in Ontario county, and there brought up a family of five children, of which our subject was the second. Soon after arriving at the age of twenty-one years Heman came to Ohio and took up a tract of land, two hundred and forty acres in extent, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. This land is located in Chesterfield township, and was a part of what has been styled the "Oak Openings." Here Mr. Canfield built a log cabin, but, being unmarried, boarded one summer with the family of Azariah Shapley, a pioneer of the region. After ten acres were cleared, in the spring of the year 1838, corn and potatoes were planted and cared for until fall, when Mr. Canfield returned to Ontario county and was married to Amanda G. Brown, a most excellent young woman, a resident at that time of West Bloomfield. This devoted husband and wife have lived in the most agreeable companionship for a period of nearly a half century. They have raised to maturity a family of six children, three BIOGRAPHICAL - 613 sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living and well situated in life. They are as follows : Delia S., who married John Smith, now living in Massachusetts ; Henry T., now engaged in the agricultural implement business in Texas ; Ellen L., who became the wife of Daniel A. Bennett, and now lives at San Jose, Cal.; Clara G., who married Henry T. Kurtz, of Allentown, Pa.; Edward T., a progressive farmer of Dover township, and Arthur B., who resides near the parental home on the island. As a farmer of Chesterfield township Mr. Canfield was thrifty, thorough and practical ; his farm, when first purchased, was of such land as abounded in the region, forest lands and oak openings, but, through his persevering efforts it was made one of the best and most productive of the locality. In connection with his agricultural pursuits he is remembered as having been an extensive cattle dealer and drover at an early day, taking live stock as far east as Syracuse, in New York State, and to other markets in that State. At a later period, being found capable and worthy of confidence, he has been entrusted with the management of several estates, and in each and every trust reposed in him he has answered fully and faithfully its requirements. In the matter of the drainage of the Carroll swamp Mr. Canfield was a prime mover, and although a long and tedious litigation followed, he held firmly to the project and became, eventually, successful, In this and every measure looking to the advantage of his locality he has been among the foremost advocates, and has cheerfully contributed of his means and personal endeavor to their accomplishment. In the political history of the county, and of his township, too, Mr. Canfield has been an influential though not conspicuous person. He never asked for or sought an office, but has held nearly every position within the gift of his townspeople. From 1871 to 1874 he filled the position of county commissioner, and performed his part with exceedingly good judgment and to good purpose. For a period of twenty-two years Mr. Canfield was a resident of Chesterfield township, but in 1860 he sold his lands there situate and moved to Gorham township, on the island in the river, as mentioned heretofore in this sketch. Our subject is now beyond the three score and ten years allotted to man, but still is he in the enjoyment of health and strength, conscious of having performed well his part in the battle of life, and content now to remain in comfort and domestic peace and happiness, awaiting the Master's call. DEYO, HON ALBERT. In the northern part of Chesterfield township, about two and one-half miles east from Morenci, stands a large and elegant brick residence, and within a few rods from it are standing as commodious and well-appointed farm buildings as can be found in northwestern Ohio. The owner and occupant of this comfortable home is known as one of the most 614 - HISTORY OF HENRY ANI) FULTON COUNTIES. stirring, progressive, and capable business farmers of Fulton county—one whose name has been, perhaps, as prominently before the people of this county as can be found within its borders. Albert Deyo is remembered as the recently retiring member of the State Legislature, having served therein with honor to himself and to his county two terms. He was first elected in 1883, and again in 1885, and his majority at the polls was, to say the least, very flattering. Still earlier he is remembered as having held, for six years, or two terms, the office of clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being first elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1875. As early as 1863 he was elected township clerk of Chesterfield, and was the incumbent of that office for nine consecutive years. Again, Albert Deyo is remembered as a man closely identified with the growth, development, and improvement of Fulton county. Especially has his efforts been directed toward the graveling of the roads of the county, which efforts, although not yet accomplished, certainly show commendable enterprise on his part. In this he has met with much opposition from certain quarters, but he is still confident that the improvements advocated and publicly urged by him upon all proper occasions will be finally adopted and fully carried out. His fine farm and its improvements shows his thrift, enterprise, and determination. From a very early day he has taken a deep interest in the educational advancement of the township, has insisted upon establishing a uniformity of text books, and the erection of better school-houses. Albert Deyo was not born in Ohio. He is a native of New York State, born in the town of Windham, in Greene county, on the 21st day of August, 1828 ; but the ravages of time and almost ceaseless toil scarcely show upon him, and he might readily be taken as a man of fully fifteen years less than he in fact bears. In the family of his parents, Aaron and Anna (Ford) Deyo, were five children that grew to maturity, and of these Albert was the youngest. When he was but six years of age his father's family left New York and came to Seneca county, in this State, where he worked a farm for four years, after which he moved to Huron county and resided there until his death, in the year 1842. Aaron Deyo was an honest, hard-working farmer, who, by his toil had acquired some means, but by circumstances beyond his control, he was stripped of his property, and that, too, at an age in life when further labor could not repair the loss. After his death the mother, with Albert and two other of her sons, kept the family together for three years. About this time, or when he became eighteen years of age, Albert commenced teaching school in the winter, and did carpenter work during the working season, and so continued most of the time until his marriage, in 1854, and even later, for we find that during the winter succeeding his marriage, he taught school in Huron county. It was on the 18th of October, 1854, that Albert Deyo was married to BIOGRAPHICAL - 615 Margaret Kishpaugh, the daughter of Henry Kishpaugh, of Huron county. The succeeding spring with his wife and a hired conveyance, Mr. Deyo came to Fulton county and took up his residence in the then wild region of Chesterfield township, on a tract of land situate within a half-mile from where he now resides. He had here purchased a tract of unimproved land of one hundred and sixty acres, making a payment of about eight hundred dollars, money that he had previously earned, and encumbering the property for the balance. He built a log house in the woods and commenced an improvement. The clearing, however, was not wholly done by him, as he worked at his trade as a carpenter during the summer, hiring the necessary work of the farm to be done. On this farm our subject lived until 1863, when it was sold, and he purchased the two hundred and twenty-six acre tract now occupied and so greatly improved by his labor and industry. This occurred during the time of the late war, in the events of which Mr. Deyo took more than a civilian's interest. He was the captain of a militia company, receiving a commission from Governor Todd ; but desiring a more active service than that of home guard, he enlisted for the hundred-day service as a private of Company D. He was afterward promoted to orderly sergeant. The command was attached to the One Hundred and Thirtieth regiment, and served therewith until the expiration of the term of enhstment. Subsequently the company was reorganized and he was unanimously elected its captain. The interest taken by our subjeot in the civil, social, and political affairs of the county are well evidenced by the early part of this narrative, and need no further comment in this sketch. The record made by him in the Legislature of the State was wholly satisfactory, both to the man and his constituents. During the first term of his service there, the Democratic party was in the majority, and not being a member thereof Mr. Deyo expected no favors ; he received none, he asked none ; yet he did his duty fearlessly and well. The next term found his own—the Republican party—in the ascendency, and with that came work and responsibility, for he was made chairman of the Fees and Salary Committee, second on Agriculture, second on the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, besides performing important service on special committees selected on various occasions. Now having reached the sixtieth year of his life, Albert Deyo is content to yield the active participation in the arena of politics to younger aspirants, and to retire to the quiet and comforts of his home, where, surrounded by family and friends, he enjoys the fruits of early toil and labor. Still, not infrequently, does he enjoy the pleasures of travel, learning more and seeing more of this broad and progressive country. Mr. Deyo's family, besides himself and wife, consists of three children—one daughter, the wife of a promising young physician, of Wauseon, and two sons, the elder in business in Nebraska, the younger possessing the same habits of industry and energy that characterized his father, 616 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. resides at home and has charge of the farm, stock, etc., thus relieving his father of the entire charge of the same. FLY, LA FAYETTE G., In the western part of Franklin township, near the Williams county line, is the excellent farm and elegant home of La Fayette G. Ely, a man well known throughout this county as a successful farmer, a thorough-going business man, a trusted public servant, and a man of strict integrity and moral worth. All this is said of him by persons whose acquaintance with Mr. Ely is of long standing. The father of our subject, and the mother as well, were natives of the Keystone State, Pennsylvania, but at the time of their marriage, were residents of Knox (now Morrow) county, 0., and our subject was born in Knox county, a part of which afterward became Morrow county. In his father's family were eleven children, and of these La Fayette Gilbert Ely was the oldest, he being born on the 3d day in April, 1834, Of these children but seven grew to manhood and womanhood, the others having died during childhood. George Ely was the youngest of those that reached man's estate. He is well and favorably remembered in the western part of Fulton county ; he was a member of Company C of the One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, and was killed at Atlanta, Ga., during Sherman's memorable campaign. George Ely, the father of our subject, was the son of Asher Ely, and of the fifth generation from Joshua Ely, one of the Puritans of New Jersey, and who died at an advanced age in the year 1704. Asher Ely was born in New Jersey in 1788, and moved with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1795. He was a soldier and engaged in the War of 1812-15. In 1826 he moved to Knox county (now Morrow), where George Ely was married and where our subject was born. In the year 1835, the father, George Ely, his wife, Elizabeth (Folck) Ely, and their child, La Fayette G., then about one year old, became residents of Williams county ; and among the pioneers of that locality, none was more prominent in every measure looking to the improvement and development of the county than George Ely. He assisted largely in the organization of the township, and to him belongs much of the credit of its early improvement and having laid the foundation for its subsequent growth. George Ely still lives in the enjoyment of good health for a man of his years, being now aged seventy-five, and his wife, too, aged two and a half years less than her husband. The life of La Fayette G. Ely, up to the age of about twenty-three, was spent on his father's farm, and in attending school, but on attaining his majority he rented the farm of his father, which he worked in season, and taught school during the winter. The early education of the children of George Ely was by no means neglected, and while their father could not provide each with a home BIOGRAPHICAL - 617 when at man's estate, he, nevertheless, saw that the means of earning that home was furnished in teaching them industry, frugality and economy. How well this instruction was received is shown in the life of our subject, On the 12th of November, 1857, La Fayette G. Ely was united in marriage with Sarah S. Masters, the daughter of Hon. Ezekiel Masters, of Franklin township, and in this same year the young couple came to reside in that township. From that time Mr. Ely became a resident of Fulton county, and his association with its civil and political growth is so well known as to require but a brief mention in these pages ; and in the township of his residence there lives no man but that enjoys his acquaintance. His beginning here was necessarily small, for his means were limited, but the visitor at his present home is at once struck not only with the attractiveness of its surroundings, the large and comfortable dwelling and out-buildings, but with the evidence of thrift and prosperity that everywhere prevail. His farm is known as one of the best and most productive, not alone of the township, but of the county, and in area it extends over some two hundred and ten acres. From here can be seen the residence of his parents in Williams county, to the west. The devoted wife of Mr. Ely shared with her husband in the toil and economy that made this comfortable home ; she bore him four children, all of whom are yet living. For their son and daughter that have married an abundant provision was made upon the happening of that event. After a pleasant married life of nearly thirty years, Mrs. Sarah Ely answered the Master's call on the 16th day of May, 1885. She was a loving and devoted mother, a kind and affectionate wife, an excellent neighbor, a faithful worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she had long been a member, and in the teachings of which she had reared her children. For more than a year Mr. Ely lived a widower, and, on the 30th of December, 1886, was married to Mrs. Mary H. Wood, a most worthy woman, and a prominent teacher in the Fremont schools. La Fayette G. Ely has been a successful farmer of Franklin township for upwards of thirty years, and while his time has, in the main, been devoted to the care of his farm, he has found time to participate in the events of the political world, although he has by no means been an office seeker or politician. There are but few of the offices of the township that the people thereof have not asked and elected him to fill. In 1859 he was elected justice of the peace and subsequently re- elected, holding in all twelve years. For six years he was auditor of the county, first taking the position in 1871, but was twice re-elected, having been renominated in convention by acclamation, and, upon his third candidacy his majority at the polls was greater than upon either prior occasion. This indicates that Mr. Ely's strength did not lie wholly within the Republican party, and that the administration of the affairs of the auditor's office, together with the popularity of its incumbent, were sufficient to call to his support his 618 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES, party's full vote, added to which was a large complimentary following from the opposition party. And it is proper to remark that Mr. Ely was re-elected at a time when, over the whole land there was a great outcry against all third term candidates. During the six years in which Mr. Ely was the fiscal officer of the county he maintained, temporarily, a domicile at the county seat, but other than this, he has been a constant resident of Franklin township. The farm and the political station which he has been chosen to fill, have not wholly engaged the time and attention of our subject, for, in his own, his family's, and his people's spiritual welfare, he has made an earnest, honest endeavor. From boyhood he was instructed in the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to that faith has ever since strongly inclined, although he is no strict sectarian, as his contributions to many worthy causes outside his own society will fully attest. All share of his bounty, and all enjoy the benefits of his liberality and generosity. No worthy charity has ever appealed to him in vain. Again, Mr. Ely has always taken a great interest in the agricultural advancement of his county, and has, for the last thirty years, and from its first organization, been an active member of the County Agricultural Society ; he has been on the board of directors for a number of years, and the president of the society for the past three years, which latter office he now holds. Among those who have labored to elevate the standard of agriculture, and sought to instill into the minds of the farmers and their families, a true and commendable pride in and love for their occupation and calling, Mr. Ely has always been in the front rank ; and to his earnest and conscientious endeavor in this direction must be ascribed a no small share of the credit for the high standard to which agricultural education and development have attained in Fulton county. He has, likewise, always been a friend of education, and shown a deep interest in the welfare of the young people around him ; his library, one of the largest and most complete in the county, has always been open to the free access of his numerous warm friends among the young. FINNEY, DR. S. B. It may be seen a somewhat remarkable assertion to say, that any physician possesses the power of analyzing disease by intuition, yet such cases are not wholly unknown, although they may be infrequent. However this may be, it is a well-known fact that Dr. Finney possesses a rare gift in diagnosing and successfully treating physical disease, whether or not he has had an opportunity of a personal interview with the subject for treatment ; and the throngs that constantly visit his laboratory, and the still greater amount of communications by letter, that call for his professional skill, attest the wonderful success of his method of treatment. And it is not alone the rich people of this world that receive substantial cures at his hands, but the poor, as well; BIOGRAPHICAL - 619 for it is a fact, that Dr. Finney dispenses and distributes among all classes, many thousands of dollars worth of his medicines, each year. At home and abroad, among all nations, are his wonderful healing remedies sent, carrying joy and comfort into tens of thousands of homes, and bringing to this kind benefactor the gratitude of as many hearts. But it will be asked : Who is this man ; and whence comes he ? S. B. Finney was born in Holmes county, O., in the year 1834, and passed the years of boyhood and youth on his father's farm, in that county, and in attending the common district schools of the neighborhood. From early youth he had a natural love for botanical studies, and applied himself diligently therein until he attained a thorough knowledge of this science, as well as a complete understanding of the healing and curative properties of the plant creation. But for a time he gave up this pleasant pursuit in response to his country's call for help. Young Finney enlisted as a private in Company K, of the 152d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he went to the front in August, 1862, and thenceforth shared the viscissitudes, privations, hardships and successes of the army, until at the battle of Chariton Bridge, where he fell. He was honorably discharged from the service in September, 1864, and returned home to family and friends. Early in the month of April, 1865, our subject came to Fulton county, and took up his abode in the then unsettled and uncultivated region of Dover township, that has ever been known to the people as the " Oak Openings." Here, assisted by his devoted wife, he built a log cabin, and at once commenced the cultivation of the naturally fertile soil, and was compelled to live frugally, as he had but little means. Here he had an opportunity of again pursuing his favorite study of botanical specimens, with which the region was abundantly supplied, until, at last, having watched carefully their effects and results, and combined those elements that proved productive of the greatest good, this soldier physician announced to the world his healing remedies, that have, from that day, been of inestimable value to mankind ; a panacea for the many ills that flesh is heir to, and he has used them with such skill and judgment that his crowded rooms are no longer wondered at by the good people of the vicinity. It is now more than twenty years since Dr. Finney became a resident of Fulton county, and during that time he has achieved unbounded success ; and who is there to say that he has not deserved success ? His home, laboratory and offices are at Winameg, a small hamlet about three miles north from the old county seat, Ottokee, and about ten miles from Wauseon. JORDON, AMOS H. But few comparatively, of the old settlers of this region were of New England birth, but there is found occasionally a substantial progressive resident who, among people unacquainted with the New Englanders, are called " regular downeasters." However this may be, it is no less a fact that among the few families of "Yankees" of Fulton county, there is. 620 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. found as much enterprise, thrift and determination as exists in any class of her residents. The person whose name entitles this brief sketch is a fair representative of the class just mentioned, although a majority of his years have been passed in this country of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan. Amos Hosmer Jordon was born near Bellows' Falls, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 9th day of September, in the year 1813, therefore at this time he is in the seventy-fifth year of his life. In the year 1830, when our subject was seventeen years of age, his father's family left the Green Mountain State and came to Michigan, locating at a point near the present city of Adrian, where Amos lived until he attained his majority. He then came over to the " disputed territory " and commenced the improvement of a quarter section of land, on section twenty-three near Phillips Corners. After much hard work in this wild and sparsely settled country, Mr. Jordon succeeded in making a fine farm, and about time, 1836, he married Rebecca Livesay, the daughter of Gershom Live- say, of Chesterfield township. This faithful and devoted wife shared the trials, hardships and subsequent success of her husband for sixteen years ; she bore him seven children, five of whom are now living. She died on the 4th day of December, 1852. For about two years Mr. Jordon remained a widower, when in 1854 he married Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Lewis and Rachel Miller, of Williams county. One child was the fruit of this union, but his wife, Elizabeth, died in a very few days after its birth. From that time Mr. Jordon has been a widower. Amos H. Jordon is well known throughout the county as a man of sterling worth and integrity ; a man whose thrift and energy have made his life successful, and whose social relations have always been pleasant and agreeable. He is not, however, a man whose name has been frequently before the people asking for political preferment, as he has never been an aspirant for these honors, save once, and upon that occasion he became a candidate, at his party's request, and not his own desire. The party to which he has pinned his faith for many years past, has not been the dominant power of the county, and its candidates have learned, generally, to expect defeat at the polls ; and, although this resulted when Mr. Jordon was the Democratic nominee for the office of sheriff he, nevertheless, held the full strength of his own party in the county, and received a good support from his friends in the opposition party. Prior to the defeat of General Scott as a presidential candidate, Mr. Jordon affiliated with the Whig party, but after that event occurred he found a home in the Democratic camp. Mr. Jordon became well known and acquainted with the county's people in the year 1857, at which time he was the contracting builder of the first court house at Ottokee. This was during the infant days of Fulton county, and any person then in any manner connected with the events of the time, was an exceedingly important personage. This work Mr. Jordon performed faithfully BIOGRAPHICAL - 621 and well. At another time he held the position of district land appraiser for the townships of Pike, Dover and Franklin. For a period of nearly forty years Mr. Jordon has been a member of the order of Free Masons, his membership thereof dating back to about the year 1850. Since that time he has been at least an honorary member of each lodge or chapter organized in the county. He is also a member of Toledo Commandery. Amos H. Jordon, of whom this sketch is written, was the son of Samuel and Sivel (Hosmer) Jordon. In their family was seven children, six boys and one girl, and of these children Amos H. was the oldest but one. MILLER, JOSEPH H. Nearly a half century has passed since Mr. Miller located upon the land now covered by the village of Swanton, and during that time the most surprising changes have been made in the vicinity, and it may be said truthfully that no one man has been more instrumental in bringing about these changes, these improvements, and evidences of prosperity and growth than he whose name entitles this sketch. Joseph Henry Miller was born at Cherry Valley, Otsego county, N. Y., on the 21st of November, 1812. He was the second of six children, sons and daughters of Lewis and Sally (Tennent) Miller, the latter of whom died at the age of thirty-two years. Of these children, but two—Joseph H. and Mary (Miller) Harriott—are now living. Lewis Miller was a shoemaker, and at the bench he labored hard for his family's support, but misfortune came upon him and took away his greatest helper—his wife—leaving to their father the additional burden of the care of several small children. Joseph was one of the older of these, and, upon his mother's death, he was "bound out " to learn the shoemaker's trade ; but it seems that the lad had no hking for such work, as he soon ran away, only to be captured, returned, and " bound out " for a second time ; but a second opportunity for escape (for to him it seemed like esoape from captivity) was offered, which he at once accepted and took his departure from that region and went to Ohio, and subsequently to Illinois. To attempt to follow the fortunes of Mr. Miller for the ten or more years that passed after he went to Illinois, would be absolutely impossible for the biographer, and would seriously tax the memory of the subject himself; suffice it to say then, that for a number of years he traveled over the country, west and south, working at various employments—now on the Mississippi River boats, again on the rail, then crossing and recrossing the mountains, earning and spending money, and gaining nothing of lasting value beyond experience and a knowledge of men and States. While in Illinois he suffered from an attack of small-pox, but recovering, a later time found him in New Orleans, where he was " pressed" into service in a small-pox hospital in that city and remained there six months. 622 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. At last, becoming tired of the vicissitudes of a roaming life, and possessing an earnest desire to settle down to some established vocation or business, Mr. Miller returned to Ohio in the year 1840, where he found employment on the Miami and Erie Canal, which was then being constructed. He drove team, towing boats loaded with stone, up the Maumee for a time, but finally settled at the point whereon was afterward built the pretty and flourishing village of Swanton. After having lived here three years, Mr. Miller married on April 4, 1843, Lydia Cass, a most estimable young woman, a native of Canada, but then residing in Ohio. She bore him four children, viz. : Julia Ann, born May 24, 1844, .married James White and now lives in Swanton ; Lydia Ann, born May 12, 1847, married Wood Hamlin, died August 22, 1868 ; Sylvia L., born March 25, 1851, married Cyrenus Sanderson, and now living at Swanton; and Olive L., born July 10, 1854, died May 19, 1886. Lydia (Cass) Miller, the devoted wife and mother, shared the hardships and successes of her husband for upwards of forty years, and died on the 23d of July, 1884. Two years later, July 27, 1886, Mr. Miller was married to Ann Cass, a sister of his former wife. To the building of the Air Line division of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad Mr. Miller undoubtedly owes much of his success in business life, although, to his excellent judgment and foresight, is also due a no small portion of that success, for, by his effort and his donation of lands to the railroad company, they were induced to locate a station upon his land, at the point where it is now situated. When the building of the road in this locality was commenced, Mr. Miller was engaged on the work, receiving the modest compensation of seventy-five cents per day. A little later we find him dealing, in a small way, in butter and eggs, but although seemingly small, he saved S00 in a single year. With this he started a store in Swanton, and to his credit be it said that no matter how short of ready cash he may have been, he was never denied credit for any amount of goods he desired to purchase, These principles have characterized his every transaction in life—straightforward honesty, and integrity. Mr. Miller continued merchandising from 1856 to about 1872 or 1873. On the completion of the railroad he was made station agent, and, with the exception of about six months, held that position for sixteen years. In connection with his other business interests, he has bought and sold much land; and whereon now stands the village of Swanton, nearly all of the tract has, at some time, been owned by him. He has given not only land but large cash contributions for various enterprises. The land given the railroad company cost him three hundred dollars. To the company that built the grist-mill he offered a tract of land or four hundred dollars in cash ; they took the land. He donated two hundred dollars worth of land for school purposes, and to the BIOGRAPHICAL - 623 society of each of the churches — Methodist, Baptist, and Christian—he donated lands worth two hundred dollars each ; for the saw, planing, and lath-mill he leased land at three dollars per acre, annual rent, to run at the pleasure of the occupants. Added to these gifts may be mentioned the bountiful provision made by Mr. Miller for the various members of his family, retaining to himself only a small portion of his extensive estates, and the rental of a part of his buildings. Still retaining his full mental vigor and strength, although his physical structure has been somewhat impaired by the ravages of time, Mr. Miller continues to reside at his fine hotel in Swanton, and has now passed the seventy-fifth year of his life. MURBACH, M. D., ANDREW J. At Gachlingen, Switzerland, on the 15th day of December, in the year 1838, the subject of this sketch was born, and in that country his life, up to age of sixteen, was passed. In the spring of 1855 his parents, Jacob and Catharine Murbach, with their children, came to this country and settled in Lucas county. The father was a farmer and came to Lucas county when its lands were in a comparatively undeveloped state. He and his wife still live there, highly respected people, and both well advanced in years. At the age of eighteen years Andrew came to board in the family of Dr. Marcus H. Schnetzler, who was then a practicing physician at Burlington, in this county, and with whom he read medicine, his course of study covering a perid of some six years. During the later years of his study young Murbach became sufficiently well informed that his instructor permitted him to practice in the locality, and, with the means thus acquired he determined to take a medical course at some thorough institution. To this end he entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, where he attended lectures during the terms of 1862-3, and 1863-4, and was regularly graduated in the spring of the year last named. In the year 1862, about the time of the completion of his medical studies with Dr. Schnetzler, Andrew J. Murbach was married to Ann Janette, the daughter of Jonathan Barnes, of German township. One child that died in infancy was the only fruit of this marriage. Having been graduated from Starling, and received that highly cherished prize, a diploma, more commonly known as "sheepskin," Dr. Murbach located for practice at Archbold, in the fall of the year 1864. Here he has resided to the present day. During these years he has built up a practice second to none in the county; in fact, his ride comprehends a greater territory than is confined by the county's limits, and while his practice has been, and still is, very large, it has also brought to its possessor a handsome return, as his elegant home, his store building and its stock fully shows. No man is jealous of Dr. Murbach's success in practice ; he has earned it, and he has deserved it. More- 624 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES, over, there is not in Archblod, a citizen more public spirited or more liberal in all that tends to the welfare of the community, than he. In 1871, in connection with his practice, Dr. Murbach established a drugstore at Archbold, which is now conducted under the firm name of Murbach & Schnetzler, the partner therein being the present capable treasurer of the county, and a brother of Dr. M. H. Schnetzler, the former instructor of our subject, In his professional occupation, in September, 1885, in order to somewhat lessen its cares and responsibilities, a medical partnership was formed between Dr. Murbach and Dr. George W, Hartman, a graduate from the department of medicine of the University of Michigan. In this sketch reference has been made to the marriage of Dr. Murbach to Ann Janette Barnes. She died in August, 1866, after a pleasant married life of about four years. On the 1st of December, 1869, Dr. Murbach was married to Lizzie Tanner, daughter of Martin Tanner, of Sandusky. Of this marriage three children have been born, all of whom are now living. In the affairs of the municipality of Archbold, and of German township, Dr. Murbach has been a somewhat prominent figure, although he has never aspired to the honors of any county office. Like a majority of the county's people he leans toward the Republican party. In the village he has held the offices of councilman and treasurer, and was also treasurer of the township. His interest in politics is well known as he is perfectly frank in the expression of his opinions, but his time is too much occupied by professional duties to devote any considerable attention to politics in general, or beyond the limits of his township. BASSETT, DR. L. A. Lyman Augustus Bassett was born in Lyme town- ` Huron county, 0., on the 25th of October, 1825. He was the oldest of eleven children of Smith and Huldah (Lee) Bassett. His father was a farmer of Huron county, and on the farm our subject was brought up, attending school, summer and winter, until old enough to do farm work, when his school days were confined to the winter months. At the age of eighteen years young Bassett was apprenticed to learn the trade of harness making, -which, at that time, meant more than simply the making of a harness, as he also learned to make saddles, trunks, bags, and trim carriages. At this occupation he worked three years and eight months, but, owing to ill health, was compelled to give up the trade, and, in or about the year 1846, commenced to study medicine under the instruction of Dr. John R. Osborn, of Wood county, to which county Mr. Bassett had gone, and located a tract of land. He continued reading and studying medicine, but not continuously, for some four or five years, not, however, with the intention of becoming a physician, but rather that he might have a knowledge of homeopathy; but gradually he found himself drifting into its practice, in the neighborhood in BIOGRAPHICAL - 625 which he lived. He, in order to perfect himself, then attended lectures, and the year 1857 found him actively engaged in a successful and growing practice. About this time, or soon after, Dr. Bassett established himself in Fulton county, at a point south of and near the village of Swanton, where he continued his professional labors, and engaged in other branches of business. He started a general store at Swanton, and managed it about six years, but prior to that he was in the drug business, which could be conveniently carried on in connection with his professional work. At Swanton his stock comprised groceries, staple dry goods and drugs, and, as his mercantile interests increased, he gradually went out of his medical practice. The store, except the drug stock, was sold about the year 1872, but the latter he continued nearly five years longer. In his business and professional life Dr. Bassett was quite successful, and accumulated considerable property. He has also engaged in handling real estate in his vicinity, and this has been a source of profit in a rapidly growing town, as Swanton has proved to be. In the affairs of this village, its improvement and development, the doctor has been a prominent figure. Upon its incorporation he was elected mayor, and subsequently re-elected to the same office, serving in all, four years. For the last twelve years he has filled the office of justice of the peace. In 1887 he was a candidate for nomination in the county convention, for the office of probate judge, and in that convention he developed considerable strength. He was defeated, however, a compromise candidate being chosen. As is a well known fact, Dr. Bassett has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and prior to that was an ardent Whig. Lyman A. Bassett has been twice married. His first wife was Cornelia Elizabeth Farrand, of Sandusky county, whom he married January 1, 1850. Three children were born of this union, only one of whom is now living. From his wife Dr. Bassett was divorced by a decree of date October 23, 1867. In 1870, on the 9th day of December, he married Laura A. Grover, daughter of Girden Grover, and step-daughter of George H. Hollis, of Swan Creek township. GROSCHNER, HON. H. C. Herman Christian Groschner, the subject of this sketch, was born in Baddelaben, Prussia, on the 4th day of February, in the year 1844. He was one of the younger children of Jacob C. and Dorothy Groschner, who will be remembered among the highly respected German famihes of Napoleon. The family emigrated from Prussia when Herman was but seven years of age, and took up their residence at Buffalo, N. Y., where the father found employment at his trade, that of a blacksmith and carriage maker. They lived in that city but one year, when they moved to Defiance county, O., only to remain there six months ; thence to Florida, in this county, and, a little later, to the county seat of Henry county, at which place 626 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. he lived up to the time of his death. Herman C. was employed in assisting his father in the shop. He proved an apt helper, and soon became conversant with the English language. At the age of fifteen years he became clerk in a hardware store at Defiance, and remained there four years, during which time he learned the detail of the business, and, being able to speak both German and Enghsh, soon became a valuable employee. When about twenty-one he accepted a managing position in the hardware store of Henry Kahlo, a pioneer merchant of Napoleon, with whom young Groschner remained until the proprietor sold to Imber & Gillis, when the young man was given the management of the business. Soon afterward Mr. Groschner became an actual partner, being for two or three years associated with the junior member of the former firm ; and from that until the present time he has held an interest, either as part or sole owner. He was connected with the business under the several firms of Gillis & Groschner, Groschner & Hellers, and Groschner & Redderson, but in May, 1887, he purchased his partner's interest in the stock and became sole proprietor. It must be remembered that when our subject commenced his business life he was wholly without means, and whatever of success has attended his efforts has been the result of his own personal energy and industry. His position, for some years, was that of a clerk, but by the interest he showed in the welfare of his employer's business, he gradually became entitled to more than a clerk's position. Of course, with advancement, there came increased salary and greater responsibility on his part ; step by step has he advanced, until now he is sole proprietor of a large and well-stocked hardware establishment, added to which are special branches, and all requiring close and careful attention. Mr. Groschner's store on Perry street, in Napoleon, is in the business center of the town, and his trade is large and constantly increasing. It would seem that a man whose business cares are so great would find but little opportunity to indulge in the worry and labor of politics ; nevertheless, he is not wanting in political zeal and ambition, both in local and State affairs. In Napoleon he has served in several capacities : first, he was treasurer, and later a member of the board of education, holding in the last named office for nine years, and being on the most important committees of that body. He was the successful candidate for the office of representative in the Legislature of Ohio, and took his seat in 1879. At the expiration of his first term he was renominated in convention, and again became a member of that body, serving in all, four years. Again, at the earnest solicitation of friends, he became a candidate for senatorial honors, but was twice defeated in convention ; but in 1885, he was the nominee of the Democracy of the 33d Senatorial District, comprising the counties of Lucas, Hancock, Putnam, Henry, Fulton and Wood, and was elected by a good majority. As a member of each branch of the Ohio Legislature, Mr. Groschner BIOGRAPHICAL - 627 served with credit to himself and with satisfaction to his people ; he originated no special measures, but identified himself with such acts as seemed for the general welfare. It was his policy to acquaint himself with the duties of his position, and then act understandingly. During his two years in the Senate he was a member of the following important committees : Finance, board of public works, labor, roads and highways (chairman), ditches and drainage, fish culture and game, board of public survey. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Groschner was renominated by the District Senatorial Convention, but owing, in a measure, to the extraordinary efforts of the opposition party in behalf of their candidate, he was defeated at the polls. At the age of twenty. three years, in 1867, soon after having become a resident of Napoleon, Herman C. Groschner was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Darrah, of Toledo. Of this marriage there has been born seven children, six of whom are still living—two girls and four boys. HORNUNG, CHARLES. Of all the classes or nationalities of people that have settled in and developed the county of Henry, none have been more prominent, more active, more thrifty, or more enterprising than the Bavarian Germans; and of this class in the south western part of the county the family name of Hornung is, perhaps, the most conspicuous. The pioneer of Pleasant township was John Peter Hornung, who, with his family, came to this locality and settled among the Indians, in the year 1837. Here he had a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild, uncultivated land, the improvement of which he commenced and completed, except such further development as was made after his death ; he built up a fine farm with buildings suitable for the times. Both John Peter Hornung and his wife, Elizabeth, died within the township, but, at the time of their coming to the place, Pleasant, as a township, was unknown. Charles Hornung, one of the younger children of this family, seems to have been the person upon whom fell the duty of making the subsequent improvements in this locahty ; he built up the little hamlet of New Bavaria ; he has, at various times, established manufacturing industries here, cleared large tracts of land, had a post office established, engaged in mercantile business, and done and performed all the acts needful to entitle him to the honor of being the founder of the town, which he, in fact, was. Mr. Hornung was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 16th of May, 1823, and at the time of his parents coming to this country, in 1837, he was fourteen years old. He was brought up on the farm, and in 1844 he commenced work for himself. On the 14th of July, in this same year, he was married to Catharine Desgranges of Pleasant township. Of this marriage there have been born eleven children, of which number but six are now living. For the ten years succeeding his marriage Mr. Hornung was devoted to 628 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. farm work, clearing and cultivating, but at the end of that time he commenced selling goods, in a small way at first, but gradually enlarging his store and stock, keeping step with the growth of the township, until his business has assumed large proportions. In 1855 he commenced the manufacture of pearlash and continued it with fair success until about 1870. It was in 1844 that he laid out and started the little town of New Bavaria, naming it in honor of his native country. Here about this time, through his efforts, a post-office was established. His mercantile business had so grown, that in 1882 he built the large and commodious brick store building that he now occupies, and about the same time or soon afterward, he started the extensive hoop and stave factory which is now in successful operation. These, then, are the enterprises that have, in the main, occupied the time of Mr. Hornung during the last forty and more years of his residence in Henry county ; and they have been, through his untiring industry, energy, thrift, and last, but by no means least, his straightforward honesty in every transaction, the source of goodly fortune to him. But he has found time also for matters outside of strict business, which show his interest in the affairs of the county in general, and, furthermore, attest his business capacity, and the appreciation of his efforts by his fellowmen. During his early residence in the county he was elected to the office of county surveyor. In 1854 he was elected county commissioner, serving one term, and then re-elected for the succeeding term. The same office was held by him at still later period, from 1874 to 1880, making in all twelve years of service in this important position. He has been postmaster since 1844, with exception of one year (1860). He has been justice of the peace forty-two years. From these several political holdings it will be seen that our subject has been a somewhat prominent figure in the affairs of the county, and while he has been thus favored he has, during these years, been elected upon choice of each of the great political parties of the day. His political career dates from the time of Mr. Buchanan. Twice upon the candidacy of Mr. Lincoln he voted for his electors, and upon General Grant's first canvass he was his warm supporter ; but when Mr. Greeley became the nominee of the Democracy and the Liberal Republicans, Mr. Hornung was found among his admirers. From that time he has been identified with the Democratic party of the county, and one of its strongest men. KILPATRICK, MRS. MARY I. The subject of this sketch, whose maiden name was Mary Isabelle Patrick, is a daughter of one of the pioneers of the Maumee Valley, John Patrick, who made a settlement in this county in 1825. John Patrick was a native of Canaan, Mass., and his wife Esther (Tilt) Patrick, was born in Providence, in the State of Rhode Island. They were married in Oneida county, New York State, whither their parents had removed BIOGRAPHICAL. - 629 before the happening of that event. Soon after the young couple left for the then western country, intending to locate in Indiana, near Vincennes, to which place the wife's parents had emigrated. John Patrick and his wife lived here some three or four years, after which they went to Michigan, but on account of the severity of the winter months, they returned to Ohio, and on the 17th of October, 1825, settled upon a tract of land in the Maumee Valley, in what is now Liberty township, this county, the same land now owned by George E. Patrick. On this farm Mary Isabelle Patrick was born, on the 4th day of November, in the year 1827. She lived with her parents until October 28, 1852, when she was united in marriage to David Kilpatrick, a native of Ireland, but who came to Ohio in or about 1840. After their marriage they moved to the farm the first below that now occupied by our subject in Harrison township, and opposite to the place first settled by her father. Of this marriage one child, Ralph, was born, but died in infancy. David Kilpatrick was a soldier in the army, and served early in the war, but died on the 19th of October, 1863, from diseases contracted in the South. The struggles, hardships and privations of early life in the valley are so fully recorded through various portions of this work, that it is not important to recite all of those endured by the Patrick family. John, the pioneer, died on the 15th day of December, 1868, aged seventy-three years ; his wife, Esther, died on the 1st day of January, 1879, aged seventy-nine years. In their family was a number of children, viz.: Sarah, who died in infancy ; Kennath, who died in infancy ; Ralph, who died in November, 1848 ; Mary Isabelle, the subject of this sketch, now a widow, and living in Harrison township ; Asenath, who died May 15, 1851 ; Jane, who married George W. Hoskinson, and who died at Napoleon, July 20, 1887 ; George E., now residing on the old home farm in Liberty township ; Hester Ann, who married Samuel C. Hanna, and lives in Indianapolis, Ind.; Almira, who died in infancy ; Mahala, who died in infancy ; and Augusta, who died in infancy. It will be seen from this record that of a family of eleven children, but three are now living, and one of these is a resident of Indiana. RORICK, HON. E. H. At the growing village of Fayette, in the northwestern part of Fulton county, is the residence of Dr. Rorick, of which place he has been a citizen for something like fifteen years. Here he enjoys the reputation of being a leading physician and surgeon, and this is shown not only in his extensive and lucrative practice, but also by the fact that his leisure time is largely devoted to study with a view of further improving his mind in his most honorable calling. In many respects the life of Dr. Rorick disproves the frequent remark that self-made men do not exist in these times, as every one of his acquaintances knows that for many years the early life of Dr. 630 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. Rorick was one of hardships, struggles and misfortunes, but they also know that his energy, perseverance and strong determination overcame every misfortune and surmounted every obstacle, and has made his later life one of the most gratifying success. This much of comment on the part of the biographer will certainly be pardonable, as it is demonstrated by the events of Dr. Rorick's life, and is, furthermore, thoroughly understood by his most intimate friends ; nor is it the purpose of this sketch to dwell upon, or even to narrate the various accidents, incidents or misfortunes that have happened to our subject, but rather to present, in a general way, a brief outline of his life, together with some of the important events that have made him so prominent among the people of the county, and further to present an example in life, notwithstanding its drawbacks, that is worthy of emulation. Estell H, Rorick was born near Morenci, Lenawee county, Mich., on the first day of September, in the year 1842. His father was a farmer, and on the farm young Rorick was brought up, rendering such assistance as a boy could, and attending school in the vicinity. He afterward attended school at the Medina Academy, and a school of higher grade at Kalamazoo, but his expenses here were paid with money that he himself had earned. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced teaching and so continued for about two years, after which he commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Weeds, a prominent physician of Medina, Mich. During the last year of the war he accompanied Dr. Weeds to Nashville, Tenn., where he acted as his assistant in the army hospital in that city, and here he acquired valuable knowledge and experience in surgery. After the close of the war Mr. Rorick returned home and worked on the farm for about two years, after which he attended the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1869. Then not seeing a favorable opening for practice, he found employment on a brick yard in Lenawee county, where he worked for some months, and in the fall of 1869 he established himself for practice at Spring Hill, Dover township, in this county. At this place Dr. Rorick practiced with a fair degree of success for a period of about three years, when, in the spring of 1872, he left that place and came to Fayette. Of his success in his professional labors at this place the people are well aware, and of his interest in the welfare of the village, and of the valuable services rendered by him in his lectures at the Fayette Normal School there is abundant evidence which needs no setting forth in this place. But with his graduation from the university at Ann Arbor the studies of our subject by no means ceased ; his life thus far has been one of constant study and constant advancement in his profession. After locating at Fayette, Dr. Rorick attended a course of medical lectures at Detroit ; he was there for a BIOGRAPHICAL - 631 term of six months and graduated March 2, 1875. Still later he visited Scotland, and for a period of six months attended lectures at the University of Edinburgh. Again, while spending a winter in the South, he took a course of lectures and graduated from the Alabama Medical College at Mobile, March 15, 1883. It is quite apparent from this narrative that Dr. Rorick's time has been devoted almost wholly to matters pertaining to his profession, but notwithstanding this fact, he has found opportunity to show a commendable zeal and patriotism in the political welfare of his county. In 1885 he, at the solicitation of friends, became, or rather allowed his name to go before the people as a candidate, in the Republican convention for nomination for the office of representative in the State Legislature, but he was defeated in convention. In the year 1887 he again became a candidate for the same preferment, this time with success, for he was nominated and at the polls, on November 8th, was elected by a good round majority. From one of the newspapers of Fulton county some extracts are made showing the position our subject occupies among his own people. In commenting upon his professional career it says: "From the start he never claimed to know more than his superiors, and frequently called in council such well- known physicians as Doctors Hollister and Bennett, and securing the confidence of the public, his practice has been from that time to the present, very successful." And further, in speaking of the interest he has taken in educational and other matters, the paper continues : "Dr. Rorick has always been identified with educational interests and has spared neither time nor money to make the Normal School of Fayette a success. He has furnished a room in that institute and fitted it up with manikins, models, charts and suitable apparatus, entirely at his own expense, and delivers regular courses of lectures in anatomy, physiology and hygiene, free of charge. He is practically acquainted with every feature of agricultural enterprise and runs a good farm himself, which is said to be one of the best managed in his section of country. Being, therefore, a man of broad views and wide experience, whose integrity has never been questioned, he can safely be trusted with every legitimate interest of his constituency and no jobs or class legislation will ever secure his support." The domestic and home life of our subject has been as fully pleasant and agreeable as his association with people outside these sacred precincts. In the year 1868, while a resident of Lenawee county, Estell H. Rorick united in marriage with Mary Acker, the daughter of Georgc Acker, of Morenci, Mich. Of this marriage there have been born three bright children, and of these two are now hving. 632 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. SCOFIELD, JAMES E. In the latter part of the year 1833, a number of pioneers and their families ascended the Maumee River in rudely constructed boats. Among these was the family of Jared Scofield, a former resident of Delaware county, N. Y., who settled on lands in that part of Henry county that was known as Flat Rock township. Here he had a tract of forest land, ninety acres in extent, that required the attention of himself and sons for some months before it was fit for tillage. After a residence at this place of only three years Jared Scofield died. His first wife died two years before this, but he had remarried. In the family were nine children, of whom James Edwin Scofield, the subject of this sketch, was the third. He was born near Unadilla, Delaware county, N. Y., on the 13th day of May, 1821, therefore at the time of his father's settlement in this county he was but twelve years old. He lived at home until his father died, after which a guardian was appointed for him, and he was put to work on farms, at which he continued faithfully until about nineteen years of age, when he went to Lancaster, Fairfield county, and took up his residence with an uncle, where he remained one summer attending school. He then returned to this county and resumed general work on the farm and the canal, which was then in course of construction, and so continued until the fall of 1846 when he was elected surveyor of Henry county. In this office he served two terms of three years each. During these years Mr. Scofield, with his earnings, started a general merchandise business at Florida, in Flat Rock township. Mr. Scofield, on the 16th day of September, 1849, took to himself a wife in the person of Catharine Elizabeth Loesch, daughter of George A. Loesch, of Flat Rock township. Of this marriage seven children have been born, six of whom are still living. In 1850 Mr. Scofield was appointed postmaster at Florida, and continued in office until 1856, at which time he was officially decapitated for not supporting Mr. Buchanan as a presidential candidate ; he was, however, reappointed in 1861 and held the position until 1864, when he resigned and moved to Okolola, where he again engaged in trade, and when a post-offrce station was established at that place, in 1865, Mr. Scofield was made postmaster, and so held until 1869, at which time he ceased the mercantile business, resigned the office and returned to his farm; he, however, continued to hold his commission as postmaster until 1872, as his resignation was not accepted prior to that time. From that to the present time Mr. Scofield has been numbered among the thrifty, persevering and successful farmers of Flat Rock. In the affairs of the township and county he has always taken an active interest, and has frequently been chosen by his townsmen to fill some of the important offices in their gift ; in 1846 he was elected county surveyor, as the nominee of the Democracy, and affiliated with that party until 1856, when he supported John C. Fremont, but since that campaign he has been an active, earnest Republican. Since about 1852 Mr. Scofield has BIOGRAPHICAL - 633 held some office within the township of Flat Rock, and rarely has he been defeated, although at no time in all these years has there been a Republican majoriry therein ; first he was elected township clerk and justice of the peace, and held the last named office for three terms ; he has been township treasurer one term ; assessor two or three terms ; road supervisor, school director, and, at the present time is school director, township trustee and justice of the peace. These several and long-continued political holdings in a Democratic township attest the honesty, integrity and faithfulness in the discharge of duty, of James E. Scofield, and place him in the enviable position of possessing the confidence of his fellowmen. SCRIBNER, A. B. In the year 1818 there came to the Maumee Valley the family of Elisha Scribner, a native and former resident of Onondaga county, N. Y. The family did not, however, come directly to this locality upon leaving the Empire State, but went to Cincinnati, thence to Greeneville,. Darke county, and from the last named place came to that part of the Maumee Valley that was, two years later, erected into the county of Henry, and at the point then known as Prairie du Masque. Elisha Scribner was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The pioneer lived only ten or twelve years in this county when he was taken away by the hand of death. Edwin Scribner, the father of our subject, was one of the younger children of Elisha, and was some ten or twelve years old at the time of the family's settlement in this valley. At about the age of twenty-one Edwin Scribner married Lucinda Bucklin, of which marriage seven children were born, and of these children, Allen Bawher Scribner, the subject of this sketch, was next to• the oldest. That Edwin Scribner was one of the most enterprising men of the county is fully shown by the following narrative of the events of the life of his son during the days of young manhood. He was, moreover, deeply interested in all that pertained to the welfare and education of his own family and the people of the county as well. For many terms he was a teacher of the schools of his vicinity, and among those who were his pupils can be named some of the most prosperous business men and farmers of the county. Allen B. Scribner was born on the 25th day of March, in the year 1835, in what was then Damascus township, but is now included within the boundaries of Washington township. He was brought up on the farm, performing such work as could be done by a boy, and on every occasion possible attending school, with the desire of acquiring an education more extended than was given in the schools of the locality; but it seems that much of his time was required by his father in the work on the farm and at the saw-mill, where he was chief assistant, not only at the work, but in keeping the books and attending generally to the business. When about twenty-three years of age young 634 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. Scribner obtained his father's consent for a course of collegiate study, and although the son had devised a plan whereby the necessary expense could be defrayed without parental assistance, nevertheless the father insisted upon paying the same, and made that the only condition of his son's action. In the year 1859 Mr. Scribner entered Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, 0., where he remained but a single year, and then, in the fall of 1860, entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, taking a classical course. From this institution he did not graduate, but left during his senior year to accept a traveling situation with a large publishing house of New York city. This action was in part induced by one of the college faculty, by whom young Scribner had been highly recommended to the firm as a young man of superior qualifications. In the same year in which he left college Mr. Scribner was married to Mary Catharine Potter, daughter of John Potter, of Delaware county, 0. Of this marriage five children have been born, three of whom are still living. For a period of four years Mr. Scribner was connected with the publishing house, performing satisfactorily every duty to which he was assigned, and the experience acquired by him during these years was of benefit equal to his salary, as he was brought constantly into association with men of understanding and recognized ability, by which he was enabled to readily judge of men and men's natures, which has proved of great value to him in business life. After having severed his connection with this firm Mr. Scribner returned home, and for five years thereafter managed his father's farm. This, too, was a successful venture, and a source of profit. In 1871 he left the farm and moved to Napoleon, and engaged in manufacture connected with a foundry and machine shop, under the firm style of Scribner & Badeau, and was so continued for about one year when the firm became Scribner & James; but, still later, was entirely owned and managed by our subject until it was finally closed. In 1875 he started a fire insurance business at Napoleon, and continued it about two years, when he retired, and, in 1877, established an agricultural implement business, which he has since successfully managed. To this, in 1880, was added a general and extensive hardware stock, the combined interests requiring Mr. Scribner's whole time and attention. In all his business relations and associations with men Mr. Scribner has been governed and actuated by principles of entire fairness, honesty and perseverance, and in his multitude of transactions no word is spoken against his integrity, and no man can well say to the contrary. These qualities have not only made him a leading business man of the county, but one who possesses the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow-men. BIOGRAPHICAL - 635 TROWBRIDGE, LYMAN. In the town of Pike, Wyoming county, State of New York, on the 3d day of December, 1822, the subject of this sketch was born. His parents were Asahel and Betsey (Murray) Trowbridge. He is descended from a highly respected family named Trowbridge, that have for more than a century past lived in Connecticut, where the name is more common than in the west. The father of our subject was a farmer, and on the farm Lyman lived, attending school in season, and working during other months until he was about fifteen years old when the family moved to Niagara county. From this time until he was twenty-two years old Lyman worked out by the month, except for a period of about three years, during which time he was too sick to perform ordinary farm work. But notwithstanding his early sickness he managed to save some money while working, most of which was sent to his parents, they being in modest circumstances. In 1845 on the 30th day of January, Lyman Trowbridge married Olive Cushing, a daughter of Charles Cushing, of Niagara county. This devoted wife and most estimable woman shared the trials and successes of her husband for nearly forty years, and died surrounded with all of the comforts of life on the 29th day of May, 1884. Two children were born of this marriage, one of whom died in infancy, the other, Cora, became the wife of Maximus Eugene Loose, a business man now residing at Napoleon. In the year next succeeding his marriage Mr. Trowbridge became superintendent of the Niagara county poor house and farm, which property is known in Ohio as the Infirmary. After a year on the county farm he moved to Lockport and engaged with his brother in the manufacture of shingles by machinery, using horse power. This they continued some three or four years, when they changed to the manufacture of barrel staves, which was successfully continued for twelve years, and then, in 1864, moved to Toledo, O. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Trowbridge came to Napoleon and erected a stave-mill, but did not make that point his residence until 1867. The business relations with his brother were continued until the latter part of 1870, when Lyman became sole proprietor of the Napoleon factory, the brother taking that at Toledo. The manufacture of staves and heading has been the recognized business that has engaged the attention of Trowbridge for many years, and in it he has been remarkably successful. Incidental to the business, and connected with it, he has handled large tracts of land, clearing off the timber and making fine farming lands. During his twenty years of residence in Henry county he has here paid out for material and labor the gross sum of eight hundred thousand dollars. In addition to his business interests at Napoleon, in the year 1878, Mr. Trowbridge established a stave factory at North Baltimore, and another at Defiance, which were run by him for several years, but subsequently sold. After the sale of the North Baltimore factory, he purchased a large tract of wood- 636 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. land at Jewell, Defiance county, where lie built extensive works and erected thirteen dwellings for employees. Again, in 1882, in company with his brother, he bought the stave works at Freeland, Mich., but after about two years became sole proprietor and still conducts it. In 1886 the Napoleon factory was removed to Henry township, Wood county, and its management given over into the hands of Mr. Loose. It will be seen from these facts that Lyman Trowbridge has not been, in any sense, a public man ; he has had neither the disposition nor the time to indulge in the worry of political life ; he has sought no office nor station other than that to which he was clearly entitled—that of a leading business man of the community ; nevertheless, any enterprise, any public project that has seemed likely to promote the general welfare, has found in him a generous and efficient helper. For the erection and support of the Presbyterian church at Napoleon, he appears as one of the most liberal cash contributors, but his donations for charitable and church purposes have been by no means limited to these gifts alone, as many other similar institutions have been the recipients of his bounty and his generosity. While not a man claiming a finished education or exceptional brilliance, his fund of general knowledge is shown to be comprehensive and useful, and is underlaid by sound common sense and excellent judgment of men and affairs. Behind all of this a character noted wherever his name is known for sterling integrity and worth. TYLER, HON. J. H. Justin Howard Tyler, the fourth child and third son of Peter and Eunice (Hebard). Tyler, was a native of Massachusetts, born at Leyden, in Franklin county, on the 15th day of November, in the year 1815. When Justin was but one year old the family moved to Oswego county, N, Y. Here our subject passed the days of boyhood and youth, attending the common district schools and the academy, laying the foundation for an education that stood him in good stead in later years. After passing his eighteenth year, Justin found employment on the farm during the summer months, and in teaching during the winter. In the year 1839, then being arrived at the age of twenty-four years, young Tyler left Oswego county, and came to Circleville, Pickaway county, 0., where an elder brother was engaged in teaching, and by whom he was induced to come to that locality. For a period of about three years he was enployed in teaching school, devoting his leisure time, however, to the study of the law under the instruction of Daniel Lord Smith, a leading lawyer of the place, and in the fall of 1841, at Mt. Vernon, 0., he was regularly admitted to the bar, but he continued teaching, and was so engaged more or less of the time until the year 1845. Although Mr. Tyler had formed a determination to, and did prepare himself for and enter the legal profession, he was, however, prevented, for a time at least, from engaging in active practice ; his means were limited, and the pro- BIOGRAPHICAL - 637 fession at that time gave but little promise of abundant remuneration. In 1843 he was called back to the home of his parents in Oswego county, by a serious accident to his father. Here he remained for about one year, when the property was sold, after which, accompanied by his father and mother, he returned to Ohio, and made for them a home at Huron, where he established his father in a business which proved quite successful, and enabled them to live comfortably during the remainder of their lives. In 1844 Justin moved to Huron, Erie county, and continued to reside there until 1852, engaged in the practice of law. In 1847 Mr. Tyler returned to Oswego county, and, on the 9th day of June, of that year, was married to Miss Alice Olmsted. Of that marriage seven children were born, five of whom died during infancy. Romaine Tyler, one of the children that survived, was well and popularly known in this locality. He served four months in the army, and died at Napoleon, in the year 1879. Justin Arthur Tyler, the other son, is now engaged in a successful business at Fort Wayne. Mr. Tyler's first visit to Napoleon was made in the year 1844, but was of only a few days' duration, and while on his way to Indiana, where he intended to locate, and where he had some property. He remained there but about two months, when in deference to his wife's wishes, he returned to Huron, and resumed his practice. Here he continued with moderate success until the latter part of the year 1852, when he determined to locate at the county seat of Henry county, to which place, with his family, he immediately moved, and took his place among the members of the Henry county bar. Then being a young man, in the enjoyment of excellent health, possessing a good understanding of the law, and being, withal, an able advocate before the court and jury, Mr. Tyler at once took a front rank among the leading lawyers of Northwestern Ohio ; a position to which he was justly entitled by every professional consideration, and on e that he maintained so long as he was engaged in active practice. As a lawyer he is cautious and methodical. It has always been his policy to discountenance rather than to promote litigation, and in his intercourse with his clients mature deliberation always precedes counsel. In presenting a case to the jury he addresses himself to the understanding of his hearers, rather than appealing to their passions, and approaches the subject in hand with dignity, self-possession, and in the light of principle and common sense, A noticeable feature in his professional life has been the interest he has taken in fitting young men to become lawyers, and it is a conceded faot that more attorneys have obtained their early legal education in his, than in the office of any other practitioner in the county ; and among the many who may be said to have been graduates from the office of Justin H. Tyler, there may be named some of the brightest legal minds in Henry county. Naturally enough being possessed of much personal and professional popularity, Mr. Tyler could not well avoid being drawn somewhat into the arena of politics, but he has by no means been an office-seeker, as his nature is directly the opposite of whatever 638 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. constitutes that character. In 1854, after a residence of but two years in the county, he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, and re-elected at the expiration of his first term. In 1881 he was chosen to represent the county in the State Legislature, being nominated and elected by the Republican party, and receiving a majority of six hundred and sixty-five, while the standing majority of the opposition party in the county reached about twelve hundred. On all the political questions of the times Mr. Tyler entertains clear and well settled convictions, and is perfectly frank and open in the expression of them; still he is inclined to adhere to the established order of things, and not easily led by any of the isms of the day. As the county's prosecutor he was elected upon the Democratic ticket, but, with the general disintegration of parties, about the time of the organization of the Republican party, and the dissolution of the old Whig party, he found an acceptable candidate in Mr. Lincoln, and has since been identified with the Republican party, and was elected representative as the nominee of that party in 1881, being the only Republican ever elected to that office from Henry county. Prior to that organization's coming into existence he was a liberal Whig. In every measure looking to the advancement and progress of the village of Napoleon, and the county as well, Mr. Tyler has taken an active interest, and contributed of his means to every worthy cause. In the proceedings that resulted in the incorporation of Napoleon he engaged actively, and was elected the first mayor of the village, and was subsequently re-elected to the same office. For some years he was president of the local board of education, and did his full share in advancing the schools of the village to their present high standing. In matters pertaining to the church, and to the erection of church edifices generally throughout the entire county, he has contributed liberally of his means, without regard to denomination. The lot on which stands the Presbyterian Church edifice at Napoleon, was his free gift to the society, and added thereto was a goodly cash donation. In connection with his extensive law practice he has made many investments in real estate, and profited by the gradual increase in values, until now, having passed the seventieth year of •his life, he has given his law practice into the charge of his son, and devotes himself to the care of his other business interests, still retaining, however, an advisory position among his old clients. While the professional and business life of our subject have been entirely successful, his home and fireside have been invaded by the destroyer, death. Of the seven children born of his first marriage, one only now survives. His wife, Alice (Olmsted) Tyler, died on the 2d day of January, 1860, leaving to the father the care of two children. After living a widower for more than a year, Mr. Tyler in February, 1861, married Hattie M. Peck, of Franklin county, Mass. Of this marriage four children have been born, viz.: Julian Howard, a young and active attorney of Napoleon; Willie Peck, now a law student in his brother's. BIOGRAPHICAL - 639 office; Nathaniel Pickens, now living at home, and George Hebard, now in Boston, Mass. VAUGHAN, JAMES C. There are but few, if any, of the residents of Fulton county that have a more extended and favorable acquaintance therein than the present member of the board of county commissioners, whose name appears in the heading of this sketch. Mr. Vaughan was born at Ai, in Fulton township of this county, on the 30th day of August, 1835. His father, Alexander Vaughan, was one of the pioneers of that locality, having settled here in April, 1835 , on lands then in the State of Michigan, or, as will be more clearly understood, on the " disputed strip." Alexander Vaughan was a Pennsylvanian by birth, being a native of Westmoreland county, but, at the age of eighteen years, came to Holmes county, this State, and from thence to Fulton in 1835. In his family were nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth, in the order of seniority. In the year 1847, when James was but twelve years old, his father died, but about one year later his mother married again. James continued to live at home until he attained his fifteenth year, at which age he started out to make his own way in life. He worked on a farm during the summer, and attended the district school in the winter until about twenty years old, when he went to Toledo and filled the position of turnkey, and one year thereafter that of deputy sheriff, at the county jail. After three years he returned to Ai and began improvements on the land that came to him through his father's death, and also cleared and improved other lands that he had purchased here. About this time, and on the l0th day of March, 1860, Mr. Vaughan was married to Harriet A., daughter of William Taylor, of Lucas county. Of this marriage eight children were born, and six of them are still living. After a pleasant married life of over seventeen years, Harriet A. Vaughan was taken away by the hand of death. Some two years later, and on the 15th day of January, 1879, Mr. Vaughan married Julia Turney, of Lucas county. Two children, both of whom are living, were the fruit of this marriage. In 1862 Mr. Vaughan established a mercantile business at Ai, in partnership with Ozias Merrill, and continued for about two and one-half years, when Mr, Merrill succeeded to the proprietorship thereof, and our subject moved to a farm, or tract of wild land in Fulton township, which he cleared and made valuable for agricultural purposes. Here he resided until the fall of 1884, when he was elected to the office of county commissioner, and in March following moved to the village of Swanton, where he has since resided. Having held this important county office for three years, and performed its duties with entire satisfaction to the people, and with credit to himself, Mr. Vaughan was renominated for a second term, and in November, 1887, was again re-elected by a good majority. 640 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES, In the political affairs of the county Mr. Vaughan has taken an active part in the interest of an honest and faithful administration of public trusts. In his preferences he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, although not radical in his views, or loud in his advocacy of party theories. As a resident of Fulton township he has been equally interested in its affairs, and frequently held township offices; from 1858 to 1860 he was postmaster at Ai. It is no flattery to say in concluding this sketch, that among the people of Fulton county James C. Vaughan is a man highly respected for straightforward honesty and integrity ; and one whose every transaction in life, both public and private, will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. VERITY, HON. O. B., was descended from parental stock who emigrated to Long Island, N. Y., in the reign of Oliver Cromwell, of England, James Verity, on the paternal side, was a Frenchman born in the north of France, and belonged to the French army on the confines of Turkey, in the reign of Louis XIV of France. He was a prisoner upon Turkish soil. While a prisoner he had formed an attachment with a Turkish woman, and by some means got away from the Turks, and with this woman came back to France, where they were married, and soon afterward came to Long Island, as above stated, The grandfather of our subject, James Verity, was born in 1760, in Queens county, L. I., and, in 1781, was married to one Hannah Gritman, of German descent, and born in the same county. James G. Verity, father of O. B, Verity, was the third child of this union, and was born in Queens county January 21, 1786. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to a Quaker, a weaver by trade, living at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, N, Y., at which trade he worked until the age of twenty-one years, when he went to Rensselaer county, N. Y., and worked in the cotton factories then running at Schaghticoke Valley, on the Hoosick River, in said county, for several years. In the year 1811 he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eunice Banker, of Pittstown, Rensselaer county, and was married to her February 12, 1812. The mother of our subject was the youngest child of Adolphus and Ruth Banker, whose maiden name was Ruth Oakley, of the city of New York, but of English parentage, Oliver B. Verity, the subject of this sketch, was the first child of this union, and was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, January 8, 1815. He may be called a St. Jackson man, having been born on the day and in the year that Andrew Jackson fought and whipped the British at New Orleans. In 183o his parents moved from Lansingburgh, and lived for a short time in the town of Sempronius, Cayuga county, between Skaneateles and Owasco Lakes, and, in 1831, again moved to the town of Lysander, Onondaga county, N. Y., where his mother, Eunice Verity, died in 1834, and his father, James G., in 1840. Both were buried in the cemetery at Plainville, in the town of Lysander. BIOGRAPHICAL - 641 Oliver B. Verity was married to Celome Scofield, at Plainville, town of Lysander, Onondaga county, February 28, 1838. In 1843 they came to Gorham township, Lucas, afterwards Fulton county, 0., and first settled on section nine, but later upon section sixteen. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Verity was elected to the office of probate judge, and moved to Ottokee, then the county seat of Fulton county, on February 17, 1858, where he now resides. There were six children born of their marriage, only two of whom are living : Amasa B. Verity, at Bay City, Mich,, and Ohver A. Verity, at Toledo, 0. Celome, the wife of Judge Verity, was the daughter of Amasa B. and Polly (Lee) Scofield, both from Connecticut, who were married in 1817, at Marcellus, Onondaga county, N. Y., and who, in 1819, moved to Plainville, town of Lysander, in that county. Oliver B. Verity was elected school examiner for the town of Lysander, in April, 1838, and served one year. He held the office of township clerk in Gorham nine years in succession ; in 1855 he was elected justice of the peace, but resigned the office to accept the position of probate judge. In the fall of 1357 he was elected probate judge of the county. taking his seat February 9, 1858 ; he was three times re-elected and served the people of the county twelve years ending February 9, 1870. In the fall of 1852 he was elected land appraiser for the district composed of the townships of Gorham, Chesterfield, and Royalton, and made the tour of said townships in 1853, and reported to the auditor of the county. In 1846, under the old constitution, and when it was Lucas county, he was appointed a sub-school examiner to examine applicants for teaching in Gorham township alone, which he held until Fulton county was organized, April 1, I850. Under the new constitution of 185 I he was appointed by Samuel Gillis to the office of county school examiner, which he held until he took his seat as probate judge. The same year, after leaving the probate office, he was chosen as assistant marshal for the purpose of taking the census for the year of 1870, of Dover, Chesterfield, Royalton, and Amboy, which was completed in August of that year. In April, 1874, he was chosen superintendent of the newly erected county infirmary, and held that position until March 1, 1880. He has held the office of justice of the peace from April, 1870, to the present time, except six years in the county infirmary ; has been two years township clerk, and one year as trustee of Dover township. Since 1870 he has been a juror in the United States District Court for the northern district of Ohio six times. On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States, April 9, 1861, he was chosen as postmaster at Ottokee, and held the same until May, 1885, a trifle over twenty-four years. BRIEF PERSONALS. ABBS, SQUIRE WILLIAM, Ridgeville, Ridgeville Corners, p. o., was born in Cambridge- shire, England, in 1837, and was a son of Adna and Elizabeth (Wilson) Abbs, who emi- grated to, and settled in Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1851, where Adna died in 1871 leaving a widow and eight children. William enlisted in the 13th New York Marine Artillery, Company F, January 4, 1864 ; was mustered out of the 6th New York Heavy Artillery, Company H, August 26, 1865, at Washington. He settled in Ridgeville in 1866 and became engaged in the lumber business and in 1873 he turned his attention toward farming. He was married December 20,1866, to Mrs. Polly (Welder) Thompson. They had one child, Lizzie Ann. Mrs. Pollyls first husband was Mr. Isaac Thompson, who was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1832 and died in 1865, leaving four children : R. A., M. J., L. C. and Ida E. Isaac enlisted in the 12th Ohio Cavalry in 1863, was taken prisoner at Richmond, wounded, and died April 14, 1865. Polly was a daughter of George and Catharine Welder, of Ashland county, who settled in Ridgeville in 1852, where they died leaving five children. William has been constable, supervisor, treasurer from 1872-79, school director and justice of the peace. Ackley, Calvin, Gorham, Fayette p. o., a retired pioneer farmer, was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1815, and was a son of Sterling and Lydia (Bronson) Ackley, of Connecticut. Lydia died in Fairfield county, O., in 1837. They had a family of nine children, but two of whom are now living, Nancy and Calvin. Calvin was married in 1837 to Gertrude Walker, who was born in New Jersey. She died in 1854, leaving a family of five children : Leman, Ellen, Winfield, Edward and Josephine. He married for his present wife, Ellen Van Arsdalen, in 1868. She was born in Fairfield county, O. Mr. Ackley settled in Fairfield county in 1836, and in 1837 he purchased a farm of one hundred acres for which he paid two and one- half dollars per acre. In 1840 he settled with his family in Mill Creek township, which was then Williams county, but now Gorham, Fulton county, where he now resides. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres for three hundred dollars in 1842, which he has now cleared and under cultivation. He was the first postmaster of the town and held that office for several years; was also a justice of the peace and a member of the school board for many years. He was agent for the Greenland Company of several thousand acres and was one of the active, influential men of the town. His father resided with him until 1855 when died. Ellen Ackley married William Acker and Josephine Ackley C. A. Snow. Aldrich, Anson Mason, Gorham, Ritters p. o., was a son of David and Freelove (Mason) Aldrich who were born and married in Farmington, Ontario county, N. Y. They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, four of whom are now living : George, Anson M. (born August 5, 1820), Harriet and Eliza. One son, William, enlisted from Illinois, served during the war and died at the close; Angeline (Mrs. James Baker), Laura (Mrs. Phillip Clapp) and Homer are deceased. David, the father, died in 1859, and his wife in Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1861. Anson Mason Aldrich was married in 1847, to Mary Holbrook, who was born in Wayne county, N. Y. They have had a family of three children : Huldah S., William B., Frank G. Mrs. Aldrich was a daughter of Samuel and Martha Holbrook, who died when Mary was an infant. She was brought up by Samuel Paul, of Sodus, N. Y. Mr. Aldrich settled in Gorham, coining there from Ontario county, N. Y., in 1854, and became engaged in manufacturing lumber. He erected a steam saw-mill in company with James Baker, and in 1856 purchased his present homestead of eighty acres for which he paid $1,600, and which is now finely improved and well tilled. Allen, Arthur, Gorham, Fayette p. o., a member of the firm of J. O. Allen & Co., proprietors of the Fayette Roller Mills which were erected in 1858, and now have all the modern improvements and improved mill machinery, was born in Clarkson, Monroe county, N. Y., in 1842, and 644 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. was a son of Isaac and Mary (Terry) Allen, who were born in Enfield, Conn., married in 1818, and settled in Monroe county, N. Y., where they died, she, in 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years and her husband, Isaac, in 1884, at the age of ninety years. They had a family of ten children: Chauncy, Isaac, Mrs. Harriet Little, Mrs. Mary Hobbie, Mrs. Julia Aldridge, Mrs. Emily Phillips, Henry, Charles L. and Arthur. Arthur Allen spent a portion of the year 1862 in Fulton county, 0., but returned to assist his parents in Monroe county, N. Y. In 1865 he joined his brother, Charles L., in the mercantile business at Fayette. The year 1866 he spent in Bloomington, Ill., and in 1867 returned to Fayette where he purchased an interest in the flour- mills. He was married in 1869, to Frances Dubois. They have had four sons: George, born 1872 ; Harry, born 1875: Edwin, born 1877; Terry, born in 1884, and one daughter, Belle Marie, who died in infancy. Frances was a daughter of George F. and Amelia (Deming) Dubois. George was horn in Cayuga county, N. Y., and Amelia in Litchfield, Conn. They settled in Gorham, in 1847. Mr. Allen has held most of the township offices. He has been justice of the peace, township clerk for a number of terms and a member of the school board and council. He is also a member of the firm of Perry & Allen, now engaged in the general hardware business, Amsbaugh, Relmon D., Gorham, Fayette, p. o., was born in Richland county, in 1855 and was a son of George I. and Lavina (Hopp) Amsbaugh, who were born in Richland county. Their parents were natives of Pennsylvania. George settled in Gorham in 1855, as a farmer. He had a family of five children: Rissa, Relmon D., Frances L., Cassius 0., Jannie D. George and Lavina were married May 3, 1851. George was born October 15, 1825, and was a son of Adam and Tenia Amsbaugh, who were from Indiana county, Penn. Relmon D. was married March 16, 1881, to Estella E. Gay, who was born in Gorham township, in 1858. They have two children : Willard Mace and George L. Estella was a daughter of Willard E. and Adelia (Mace) Gay. Adelia was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1823, and her husband in Herkimer county, N. Y., March 27, 1815. They were married in 1842. Mr. Gay settled in Ohio, in 1841 and purchased his farm and was married in Gorham township. They had two children: Theodore L. and Estella E. Mr. Gay died December 2, 1880, and his wife, June 16, 1883. Mr. Gay was an influential citizen. His parents settled in Gorham township in 1839. His father was born in 1778 and died in 1840, and his mother was born in 1785 and died in 1867. Andre, Adam, Franklin, Tedrow p. o., one of the pioneers of Franklin, Fulton county, was born in Luzerne county, Penn., in 1815, and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Bridinger) Andre, of Pennsylvania. They were of German parentage and settled in Seneca county, 0., in 1834, with a family of ten children, where the parents died. Six of the children are now living : Adam, Jacob, Elizabeth, Edward, Susan, and Rebecca. Those deceased are Catharine, Peter, John and Mary. Adam settled in Franklin township in 1845 and purchased a farm of eighty acres, for which he paid four hundred and fifty dollars. He now owns two hundred mires of the best farm land, and one hundred and forty acres of well improved. He was married in 1848 to Sarah Jane Provines, who died in 1850, leaving one son, Thomas J. He was married the second time, August 12, 1852, to Laura E. Rogers, of Elmira. They have had one son, Valorous P. Mr. Andre has held all of the township offices; was justice of the peace for six years, treasurer, trustee, supervisor, etc. His brother, Edwin, served in the late war as a first lieutenant. Mr. Andre is a grower of graded stock and makes a specialty of registered hogs. He was an early carpenter and builder but has now retired. Atkinson, Stephen S., Dover, Ottokee p. o., superintendent of the county infirmary, was born in Piscataquis county, Me., in 1824, and was a son of Amos and Dorcas Ann Atkinson, who settled in Medina county, 0., in 1841, where they died, Amos in 1884, at the age of ninety- six years. They had a family of nine children, five of whom are now living: Stephen S., Amos G., Celra A., Sarah J. and Olive C. Stephen S. was married in 1853 to Nancy Bachelor, of Milan, Erie county. They had a family of four children, two of whom are now living : Mary Jane and Fred Nathaniel. Mr. Atkinson settled in Fulton county in 1860, came to Swan Creek and served as justice of the peace for one term, and settled in Dover in 1886. Ayers, David, Dover, Tedrow p. o., one of the pioneers of Dover township, was born in Wayne county, 0., in 1828 and settled in Dover in 1836 with his parents, Moses and Elizabeth (Chrisman) Ayers. Elizabeth was born in Maryland and her husband, Moses, in Pennsylvania. They were married in Wayne county, 0., in 1826, and had a family of seven children : Solomon C., David, Saphrona, Isabel, Gideon, Isaac and James P. David and Gideon are the only ones now living. Solomon C. was a physician and died January 18, 1885, leaving a widow and two children. Gideon enlisted and served through the war, was wounded in an Indian engagement. The mother, Elizabeth, died in 1855, and Moses died in Lenawee county, Mich., in 1884, at the age of seventy-nine years. Moses was a justice of the peace for many years and also held other town offices. His second wife was Aitha Southworth. David Ayres was married in 1858 to Elizabeth Ann Bayes, who was born in Holmes county, in 1835. They have had three children : Aylett W., Nettie 0. and Merritt. Elizabeth was a daughter of William and BRIEF PERSONALS - 645 Mary (Tedrow) Bayes. Mr. Ayers has been county treasurer four years, justice of the peace for seventeen years, town clerk, town treasurer and also held other minor offices. He is engaged in general farming and now has a farm of two hundred and twenty acres purchased on settlement in 1838, at one dollar twenty-five per acre. Back, William, Flat Rock, Napoleon p. o.. was born in Canajoharie, Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1820, and was a son of William and Lucy Back. William was married in 1851, to Mrs. Eunice Lucretia (Back) Gunn, widow of L. Back. They have a family of five children living, Lucy, Francis H., Maria, Jennie L , Joseph K, and one son, Lyman, died leaving a widow and two children; and one son, William E., died at the age of twenty-seven, single. Mr. Back settled in Flat Rock, Henry county, in 1861 and settled on his present homestead. Eunice L. was a daughter of the old pioneer, Ehjah and Eleanor (Grant) Gunn, who came to Henry county from Lucas county in 1827. They had a family of five children, four of whom are now living: Catharine, Lucretia, William and Juhan. The grandfather, Elijah, was a Revolutionary soldier who was born in Scotland, and served in Washingtonls army. Eljiah was a soldier in the War of 1812. Ballard, Doctor Philip, Harrison, Grelton p. o., a physician, and surgeon, of Harrison township, was born in Franklin county, Mass., in 1817. He read medicine with his brothers, Doctors Thomas and Horace Ballard. He settled in Wood county, 0., in 1856, and there began the practice of medicine and surgery. He was married in 1841 to Esther Fuller, who was born in Connecticut and married in Portage county, 0. They have had a family of seven children : Maria J., Albert W., P. U., J. C., L. E., S. F. and Cora D. Doctor Philip enlisted in Company I, Sixty-eighth Regiment, December 24, 1863, was detailed as field hospital surgeon and was discharged at the close of the war. Doctor Philip was a son of Oren and Margaret Ballard who settled in Trumble county, in 1820 coming there from Massachusetts. Baringer, John W., Pleasant, Holgate, p. o., was born in Mahoning county, 0., in 1843, and was a son of Absalom and Sarah (Rakestraw) Baringer. She was born in New Jersey and her husband was a native of Germany. They were married in Mahoning county. Absalom died in Defiance county in 1866. They had twelve children, seven of whom are now living. Two sons enlisted, Levy R. and John W. John W. lost his right arm in an engagement at Atlanta, while serving in Company D. 100th Ohio Volunteers. He enlisted August 4, 1862, and was discharged May 17, 1865, from the Cleveland hospital. He now receives a pension of thirty- six dollars per month. Levy served in the I I 1 th to the close of the war. The other children were Benjamin R., Esther J., Lydia, Sophia and Caroline. John W. was married in 1868 to Charity Povenmire, of Defiance county, in 1868. They have seven children ; Mary E., Olive R., Luther B., Ernest E., Harriet E., Charles F. and Sarah V. John W. settled in Holgate and was appointed postmaster in July, 1874, and served until 1885. He was made ticket, express and freight agent of the railroad and resigned in 1880. He was justice for two terms and is now assessor. Barnes, Francis M., Clinton, Wauseon p. o., a veteran soldier, was born in Holmes county, in 1843, and enlisted in Company F, 68th Ohio, in 1861, under Colonel Steadman, served for three years and one month. He was wounded and discharged and receives a pension for injuries received. He was married in 1863 to Nancy F. Ditto. They have had a family of six children: Clara Etta, Jennie 0., Minnie M., Mary C. F., Carrie E. and Emma Gertrude. Nancy F. was a daughter of Solomon and Mary Jane (Dever) Ditto, who settled in Fulton county in 1847. They had a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living. Francis M. Barnes was a son of Leonard P. and Mary Ann (Day) Barnes who were born in Harrisburgh, Penn., and settled in Clinton township, Fulton county, 0., in 1849. Leonard P. died in 1880. They had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are now living. Three of the sons enlisted and served in the late war of the Rebellion. They were W. C., Oliver P. and Frances M. Barnes, W. C., Clinton, Wauseon p. o., was born in Holmes county in 1838, and settled in Fulton county with his parents, Leonard and Mary Ann (Day) Barnes, who were born and married in Harrisburgh, Penn., and settled in Holmes county in 1846. They had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are now living. Leonard died in 1880. Three of his sons enlisted and served in the War of the Rebellion. W. C. Enlisted in the 14th Ohio Regiment, in 1861 and served for five months. At the end of that time he was discharged and enrolled in the home guards, furnished a substitute for the one hundred day call. He was married in 1862 to Mary Jane Scott. They had a family of three children : Henry A., Anna B. and Jennie D. Mary Jane was a daughter of Henry and Amy (Graham) Scott, who were early settlers in Clinton, Fulton county, 0. Leonard Barnes purchased his ,first homestead of eighty acres, for four hundred dollars. His son, W. C., now resides on this old homestead. Barr, John H., Flat Rock, Florida p. o., a veteran soldier of the War of the Rebellion and owner and proprietor of the Florida steam saw and planing-mill, was born in Fairfield county, in 1840 and enlisted September 5, 1861, in Company H, 15th Ohio Regiment, under Colonel 646 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. Moses Dickey; re-enlisted and served until November 21, 1865, at which time he was discharged at San Antonio, Texas. He was promoted to sergeant. He was married in December, 1869, to Frances L. Hurd, of Lorain county, who was born in 1851; They have had seven children: Gertrude, Sherman. Luella. Arthur, Bessie, Mable and George W.who died at the age of nine y ears. John H. was a son of John and Barbara (Lamott) Barr, of 'Pennsylvania. They were married in Fairfield county. 0., and settled in Defiance county in 1846. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living: J. AI., J, H., W. J., L. M., Nancy, Sarah J. and Mary. John was born in 1804 and died July 6, 1883. His wife Barbara, died in 1850. John H. became engaged in the manufacture of lumber in 1870, and settled in Flat Rock township in 1875, where he built his present steam saw-mill in 1876. He is now engaged in the manufacture of, and dealing in pine lumber, lath, shingles etc. Barr, Wilham J., Flat Rock,a veteran soldier, who lost the use of his Iimbs through palsy, which was contracted during service, on July 3, 1865, just before the discharge of his regiment which occurred July 18, 1865. He enlisted October 5, 1861, under Captain L. Y. Richards, in Company A, Sixty-eighth Ohio, under Colonel McCoy. He now receives a pension of seventy-two dollars per month. He is an active, ambitious man and bears his affliction without a murmur. He was married September 10, 1867, to Catharine I. Miller. They have had two children : William Logan (born May 10, 1869) and Mary Beatrice (born July 6, 1874). William J. was a son of John and Barbara (Lamott) Barr. Catharine was a daughter of William and Mary (Toggle) Miller, who were early settlers. They had one daughter, Catharine I. Mary had by her third husband, Washington Lowry, a family of five children : Robecca J., who married Charles G. Shull; George 0. ; Susan C. married Isaac Hersberger ; Theresa A. married William H. Gunn, and Ellen. Mr. Lowry died in 1843. She married her third husband, John Barr, in 1858. He died July 6, 1883, in the eightieth year of his age. Bartlow, Cornelius, Barltow, Deshler p. o., was the first settler in Bartlow township, and from him received its name. He was born in Lycoming county, Penn., Oct. 5, 1811, and has been married twice. His first wife was Sarah McMahan. They had four children. Only one is now living, Mary A. His second wife was Elizabeth Medley. They have had one child, John T. Mr. Bartlow has held the office of justice of the peace for nine years, and township treasurer for twelve years. Bayes. Elliott. Chnton, Wauseon p. o., a pioneer, was born in Clinton township in 1840 and was a son of William AV. and Mary (Tedrow) Bayes, who were born in Somerset county. Penn., and married in Holmes county, 0., and settled m Clinton, Fulton county, in 1837 with one daughter. Ehzabeth. They had a family of eight children, seven of whom are now living: Ehzabeth A., Jane, Elliott, Isaac F., Meek, Mary and Melissa. Two of the sons, Elliott and Isaac F., enlisted. Mary died in 1869 aged fifty-four years and William W. died in 1885 aged seventy-six years. William IV. purchased farms from the government, one of 160 acres, he paid $1.50 per acre. He owned 240 acres in all. William W.'s father was Thomas, who settled in Clinton and was a justice of the peace and also held other minor offices. William was a prominent and inflnential man, very active in all church affairs, services being held in his house until they could find larger quarters. The town elections were also held at his log house for several years, such was the pubhc spirit of the man. Elliott Bayes was married in 1871 to Frances M. Fraker, a daughter of Squire William and Nancy A. (Krutzer) Fraker, of Clinton township. They have had a family of four children : Nelhe Inez, Harry M., Blaine G. and Mamie. Mr. Bayes has a farm of 85 acres and owns a part of the old homestead farm. He enlisted in the 130th Ohio Regiment on the one hundred days call and served for five months, at the end of which time his regiment was discharged. Bayes, Stephen, Clinton, Wauseon p. o., an early settler in Clinton township, was born in Holmes county, in 1829, and was a son of James Wright and Elizabeth (Zeigler) Bayes. Elizabeth was born in Cumberland county and her husband in Somerset county, Penn. They were married in Holmes county in 1828, and with a family of five children settled in Clinton in 1844. They had eight children in all, six of whom are now living: Stephen, Harriet, Sarah S., Parker, Margaret and Philip. James died in 1886 at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife, Elizabeth, died the same year aged seventy-one years. James was township treasurer and also held other minor offices. He purchased his farm of 160 acres on settlement for $1.25 per acre, and Stephen now occupies 110 acres of the same, and which is one of the best farms in the county. Stephen was married in 1858 to Margaret Pocock who died in 1868 leaving a family of three children : James A., Cora and Carrie. He married his second wife, Mrs. Phebe (Cornell) Teadrow in 1867. They have had two children, Elizabeth M. and Eliza lane. Phebe had by her first husband, Mr. Teadrow, two sons, Myron B. and Reasin I. The grandfather, John Bayes, died in Holmes county ; he was born in Somerset county, Penn. Bear, Clinton E., Ridgeville p. o., was horn in Ridgeville, Henry county, in 1863, and was married in 1884, to Mary Graphius, who was born in Findley, Hancock county. They have had BRIEF PERSONALS - 647 one daughter, Estella. Clinton E. Bear, was a son of Joseph and Barbara (Barstow) Bear. Barbara was born in Germany, in 1824, and her husband, Joseph, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1815, and was a son of Henry and Susan Bear, of Pa. Joseph settled in Ohio, Stark county, in 1839, and came to Henry bounty, in 1844. They were married in 1845, and had a family of eight children : Henry, Susanna, Vary, Vianna, Eliza, John,' Clinton E., and Edward. Joseph was a carpenter, builder, and farmer, but has now retired. Clinton E., is engaged in the manufacture of lumber, and erected a steam saw-mill in connection with George Harmon, in 1884. He also owns and runs an improved steam thresher. Beard, Charles F., Napoleon, was born in Manchester, Eng., in 1837, and was married in 1863, to Hannah Edwards. They settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1864. His wife died in 1870, leaving two sons, Joseph H. and William A. Charles F. married his second wife, Hannah Walker, in 1873. She was a native of England. They had three sons and two daughters; two children are now living: George W. and -Walter James. Mr. Beard is a machinist and inventor, and manufacturer of engines and boilers from three to ten horse power, circular and wood sawing machines, emery grinders, vises, steam heating fixtures, and does a general custom work. He purchased his business interest in 1878, and has been constantly increasing the business until now he has a splendid trade. Beaverson, Frederick, Pleasant, Holgate p. o., a pioneer resident of Holgate, was born in Stark county, in 1844, and was a son of Samuel and Maria (Weyber) Beaverson. Maria was born in France, and her husband, Samuel, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1814. They were married in Stark county. and settled in Fulton county, in 1850. They have twelve children: John, Frederick, Samuel, jr., Andrew, Jacob, Henry, Rosanna, Rebecca, Maria, Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah. Fred enlisted in 1863, in Company G, 85th Ohio, served for three months, re-enlisted in the 86th Regiment in 1863, under Colonel Lemert, and was discharged at Cleveland, in 1864, being at that time third corporal. Fred settled in Holgate. in 1874, and became engaged in the grocery and saloon business. He was married in November, 1874, to Mary E. Sapp, a daughter of Emanuel Sapp, of Flat Rock. They have had four children, three are now living: Walter, Samuel, and Raiph. Mr. Beaverson built his present residence in 1882. Beilharz, John H., Gorham, Fayette p. o., was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1835, and was a son of Tobias and Agatha (Smith) Bielharz, who emigrated to America in 1846, and settled in Fulton county, which was then Williams. They had a family of seven children, six of whom are now living: Barbara, Margaret, Christina, John H., Eva and John H., was born in Fulton county. They buried two sons at sea. They were seventy-five days making the voyage over on a sailing vessel, and nine deaths occurred on board. John H. was married in 1863, to Amanda Kingery, who was born in Indiana, in 1843. They have had a family of three children: James I., Ninia Eva, and William T. Amanda was a daughter of John H. Kingery. James I. graduated from the commercial college, and Ninia E. is a student at the Normal School. Tobias died in 1881, and his wife, Agatha, in 1882. John H. now resides on the old homestead farm of sixty acres, which was purchased in 1856, at which time they paid $5 per acre for it. Belding, Eugene A., Gorham, Fayette p. o., was born in Gorham township, in 1854, and was a son of William B. and Althea W. (Cottrell) Belding. She was born in Hampshire county, Mass., and settled with her parents in Gorham township, in 1835. She was a daughter of Gorham and Althea (Whitmarsh) Cottrell, who were married in 1810. They had a family of eight children. William B. was born in Massachusetts, and was a son of Amos and Marion (Fuller) Belding, who were early settlers in Gorham, where Amos and his wife died. They had a family of eleven children, five of whom are now living: Charlotte, Arthur W. Decatur, Mortimer, Benjamin F. William B. was married in 1853 to Miss Cottrell, who died in 1857, leaving two children, Eugene A. and Florence I., now Mrs. Miller. William B. settled in Gorham, in 1846, and died in 1878, leaving a widow by a second marriage. Eugene A. was married in 1874, to Melissa M. Sweatland, who was born in 1854. They have had four children: Althea M., Leola E., Rial B., and Arlo V. Eugene A. now owns and occupies a part of the old homestead of 40 acres, which was purchased in 1864. They purchased a farm of thirty acres in 1846. Melissa was a daughter of Rial and Harriet Sweatland, early settlers. Biddle, Benjamin, Wauseon, Wauseon p. o., a general hardware merchant and dealer in farm tools and machrnery ; was born in Wayne county, O., in 1840, and was a son of George and Nancy (Biddle) Lawrence, who were born in Pennsylvania, and married in Wayne county, O. They settled in Fulton county, in 1861, and in 1865 went to Clinton township, where George died in 1877, leaving a widow and eight children : Henry, Benjamin, Jacob, John, George W., Nancy, Rachel and Mary E. Benjamrn was married in 1863 to Hester A. Trobridge, of Delta. They had a family of three children, two of whom are now living: Cora and Harry. Mr. Biddle served two terms as councilman. He settled in Wauseon in 1879, and became engaged in the hardware business in 1881, He was engaged in the mercantile business in Cleveland, in 1867 and 1868, and in farming from 1869 to 1880. 648 - HISTORY OF HENRY AND FULTON COUNTIES. Bish, C., Bartlow, Deshler p. o., was born in Fairfield county, O., in 1849, and when six years of age moved to Hancock county, where he remained until the winter of 1876, when he settled in Bartlow township. He was married in 1879 to Mary A. Lansing. They had a family of four children, three of whom are now living: William M. (deceased), Ida M., David S., and Grover S. Mr. dish is now engaged in farming, and owns a finely cultivated farm of 120 acres. Benien, John H., Okolona p. o., a general merchant, grain dealer and shipper and engaged in farming at Okolona, was born in Hanover, Germany in 1842. He emigrated to America in 1860, and settled in Henry county, where lie became engaged in teaching, having graduated in Germany. In 1869 he took charge of the Okolona post-office, also was appointed agent of the Wabash Railroad and the U. S. Express Company at the same place, in connection with a gene. ral store business. Complying with the demands of the citizens, he also built a steam elevator of 12,000 bushels capacity, which is as yet in full blast under his management. Bishop, Fletcher J., Chesterfield, Morenci, Mich. p. o., was born in Northumberland county Pa., in 1837, and was a son of Cornelius and Catharine (Jones) Bishop. They had a family of ten children, four of whom are now living: William, Jeanette (now Mrs. Mansfield), Fletcher J., Cordelia (Mrs. Baldwin). Catharine died January 3, 1851. Fletcher enlisted in Co. H, 3d Ohio Cavalry, in 1861, under Colonel Zan, and served three years and six months. He was married August 22, 1865, to Julia A. Smith, who was born in Suffolk county, N. Y., in 1842, They have had a family of seven children : Arthur C., William H. Charles F., Birton J., Blanch S., Ralph C., Ernest E. Julia A. was a daughter of Henry L. and Eunice W. Smith, of New Jersey. Henry L. died in 1865, leaving a widow and nine children. Mr. Bishop purchased his present homestead farm of 164 acres for which he paid $40 per acre, and has erected a fine residence and farm buildings thereon. Blackman, Frank G., Clinton, Wauseon p. o., was born in Adrian, Mich., in 1847, and was a son of Demmon and Jane (Shepard) Blackman, of Connecticut, who settled in Michigan, where they died, leaving a family of six children : Luther, Marv, Electa, Wilbur, Emma and Frank G. Frank G. Blackman was married in 1881 to Mary Woodward, who was born in Liberty township. They have had two children, Wave and June. Mr. Blackman acquired the photographer's art and became engaged in the business, settling in Wauseon in 1879, where he op hied his art gallery. Blair. Alfred H., Washington. Texas p. o., was him in Portage county, O., in 1825, and settled in Henry county. in 1863. He was engaged in the stock business in 1845, frequently passing through Henry county on his way to Indiana. he became familiar with the county at an earl date. He was a son of Alfred and Julia (Miller) Blair. Julia was born in Vermont and her husband in Massachusetts. They were married in Portage county, in 1824, and had a family of six children, four of whom are now living: Alfred H., Elston, Henry M., and Samantha. The father died in 1835. and the mother in February, 1882, at the age of eighty-three years. Alfred H. Blair, was married in 1853, to Clarissa Vaughn, of Vermont She died in 1854, and he then married Jane Silvernail, in 1863. She was born in Greene county, N Y. They have had a family of three children, Mary, Carlos and John. Alfred H. Blair has been township trustee, assessor, and now resides on a homestead of 80 acres. Blake, Angelo W., Clinton, Wauseon p. o., was born in Portage county, O., in 1836, and was a son of Orrin and Caroline (Thomas) Blake, who were married in Connecticut, and settled in Portage county, in 1826. Orrin was born in 1802. and Caroline was born in 18—, and died in 1846, leaving a family of six children. Orrin on settlement here purchased a farm of 160 acres, and in 1859 Angelo W. Blake settled in Clinton township on 80 acres of the tract, and which is now one of the pleasant home farms in the county, being well improved and having fine farm buildings. He was married in 1861 to Esther Goodrich, who was born in Lenawee county, in 1840. They have had four children : Adah, Hudson, Alice and Ella. Bockelman, Lewis, Freedom, Napoleon p. o., was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1831, and was a son of Henry and Catharine Bockelman, who had a family of eight children, six of whom emigrated to America: they were Lewis, Mary, Fred, Frederick, Henry and August. August enlisted and died at the Fairfax Court-House, Catharine and William remained in Germany. Lewis emigrated to America in 1860, and settled in Adams, Defiance county, O. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. K, 107th Ohio Regiment, under Colonel Meyers, and served to the close of the war, after which he was discharged at Cleveland. He returned to Adams, and became engaged in the carpenter and builder trade. He was married in 1867 to Anna Eggers, who was born in 1849. She was a daughter of John H. and Mary (Shuette) Eggers. They have had a family of eight children, four of whom are now living: Emma, Anna, Mary and Charles. He purchased hrs first farm in 1866, and in 1876 came to Napoleon to reside, where he became engaged in the mercantile business. In 1880 he purchased and removed to his present fine farm of 120 acres, all of which he has improved, and on which he has erected some model farm buildings. He has been trustee for four terms, and is secretary of the Farmers Insurance Company, *inch became a fully reliable institution under his able management. BRIEF PERSONALS - 649 Borton, Arthur W., Franklin, Tedrow p. o., a farmer and brick and tile manufacturer, of Franklin, was born in Stark county in 1842 and was a son of Asa and Elizabeth (Hazen) Borton. Asa was born in New Jersey in 1802 and settled with his parents, Samuel and Mary (Owen) Barton in Fulton county. Elizabeth was born in 1803. They were married in 1826 and had a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living: Debora, Ahimaz L., Lucinda, Mary A., Sarah, Ruth, Mercy, Roland, Arthur and Asa, jr. Mr. Horton settled, with his family, in 1848. Arthur W. was married in 1869 to Catharine Freldmeyer. who was born in Germany. in 1846. They have had a family of five children : Edward H., Allen, Herma, Cora, Frank. 'Arthur W. enlisted in Company A, 67th Ohio Volunteers, and served to the close of the war, being discharged in June, 1865, at Richmond. His brother, Asa jr., served in the 60th Ohio, to the close of the war. Mr. Borton erected his factory in 1880 and became engaged in the manufacture of the and brick and now gives employment to six men. His homestead of eighty-five acres, he has under fine cultivation. Borton, Nathan, Franklin, Fayette p. o., was born in Burlington county, N. J., in 1810. and was a son of Bethuel and Rebecca (Clifton) Borton. He died in New Jersey in 1831, leaving a widow and nine children. Nathan IV. with his mother and four of the children settled in German township, Ohio, in 1836 where his mother died. Of her nine children, five are now living. Nathan Borton was married November 22, 1839, to Mary T. Ayres, who was born in Richland county. She died April 17, 1850, leaving two children, Rebecca and Emily A. He married his second wife, Mary G. Butcher Borton, widow of Bethuel Borton, jr., December 21, 1850. She was born in 1816. They have had a family of three children : Hattie P., Mary L. and Priscilla. Hattie married David Stoner in 1869. He died in 1885 leaving son, Clarence E. Mary L. married N. Leonard and Priscilla married John Ely in 1881 ; Rebecca married L. Connaway and Emily A. married James Town. Mrs. Mary had by her first husband a family of four children: Charity, Samuel, Ruth and Rulon. Nathan Barton was the first justice of the peace in German township and settled in Franklin at an early day. He has been township treasurer and also held other township offices. He was the first justice of the peace. He settled in Franklin in 1845 and purchased his present homestead of 100 acres, for which he paid $300. He now owns 200 acres. Samuel Borton was married to Sarah J. McLaughlin ; Charity married Ely Stoner ; Ruth married David Carpenter ; and Rulon married Esther A. McFaul. Bowers, Samuel H., Liberty, Liberty Center p. o., was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1837 and was a son of George and Catharine (Gantz) Bowers, who were married in Licking county in 1822. Catharine was born in Gettysburgh Pa., in March, 1805, and George, her husband, was born in Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., in 1795. They settled in Liberty, Henry county, 0., in 1837 with a family of six children. After settling here five more children were born to them, they having in all a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living: Titan H., George jr., David, Samuel H., Sarah, Margaret, Orpha and H. Jane. George died February 9, 1880, and his wife now resides with her son, Samuel H. Samuel H. Bowers was married in 1864 to Catharine Metzger, who was born in Seneca county, 0., in 1840. They had a family of four children, three of whom are now living: Homer L., Dallas D., Bertha May and Gracie. who died at an early age. Catharine was a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Whitman) Metzger. Samuel now owns and occupies the old homestead of eighty acres, which was purchased on settlement, in 1837. Bowers, T. H., Liberty, Liberty p. o., a pioneer of Henry county, was born in Licking county, April 26, 1822, and was a son of George and Catharine (Gantz) Bowers. Catharine was born at Gettysburgh, Pa., in 1805 and her husband, George, in Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., in 1795. They were married in Licking county, 0., in 1822, and settled in Liberty, in 1837. They had a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living: Titan H., George, jr., David, Samuel, Sarah, Margaret, Orpha and Jane. George, sr., died February 9, 1880. T. H. Bowers was married September 15, 1849, to Mary Stokesbery. who was born in Ohio, January 28, 1827. They have six children living: George W., born in 1852; Lozetta, born in 1854; Hattie, born in 1857; Artimelia, born in 1861; Delia, born in 1861, flitted for teaching and is now engaged in that occupation ; and Walter, born in 1869. T. H. Bowers has been supervisor for several terms and is a general farmer by occupation. He was engaged in teaching in early life, and purchased his homestead of 160 acres, in 1865. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Stokesbury, of Virginia, who settled in Licking county, 0., at an early day. Bowers, William B. Harrison, Napoleon p. o., was born in Liberty, Henry county, in 1830 and was married rn 1860, to Eunice H. Barnes, who was born in Licking county, 0., in 1835: They have had a family of eight children : Milo R., Lizzie J., Allen, John, Frank, Willis, Jacob and Ada. William R. has held the following township offices: justice of the peace, supervisor, trustee and school director. His wife, Eunice, was a daughter of George A. and Rachael (Boudnot) Barnes, who were early settlers in Henry county. William R. Bowers was a son