600 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. also interested in the Johnston & Croton and the Patalaska & Hebron Telephone Companies, being one of the promoters of each and he has been a director in these companies from their organization. He is also the vice-president of the Centerburg Gas Company, president of the Little Sandy Oil and Gas Company, operating in Licking county, and vice-president of the Farmers Fertilizer Company, of Columbus, Ohio. He is president of the Capitol Limestone Company of Columbus. All the above named corporations are at present in a prosperous condition. He is also interested in the Louisa Coal Company, of Louisa, Kentucky, and. is a stockholder in various other corporations. and is thus a very busy man of affairs. He also has valuable farming interests in Knox and Licking counties. He is by nature an organizer and promoter, a man of keen discernment, sound judgment and rare business acumen, possessing the foresight to see with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of a present transaction. Few business men of the county are more widely or favorably known in business circles of this part of the state, and none are more deserving of their success. Mr. Coe was married on December 25. 1880, to Belle L. Riley, a lady of culture and refinement. and the daughter of John and Susan (Curtis) Riley, a prominent and highly esteemed family of Hilliar township, both parents being now deceased. Fraternally. Mr. Coe belongs to the Masonic order, the chapter and commandery, at Mt. Vernon and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, he being a trustee of the same. Mr. and Mrs. Coe have spent considerable time in travel, visiting Florida, Cuba and the Isle of Pines, where he has business interests. Politically, he is a Republican and is a local leader in the party, always active in its affairs, though he has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his large business interests. He has been a frequent delegate to various conventions of his party, in all of which he has made his influence felt for the good of the same and his community. Personally, Mr. Coe is a refined, genteel, broad-minded gentleman, progressive in all that the term implies, obliging and straightforward in his dealings with his fellow men, a man whose word is as good as the bond of most men and whose life has been so exemplary and praiseworthy that he has always enjoyed the good will and confidence of those with whom he has come into contact. Public-spirited, charitable and unassuming, he merits the high esteem in which he is universally held. KNOX COUNTY. OHIO - 601 GEORGE P. LAPORTE. Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the high standing of George P. LaPorte, the popular publisher of the Danville Herald, and one of the public-spirited and representative men of Knox county, whose interests he has at heart and which he seeks to promote, advocating such measures as have for their object the material, civic and moral good of the locality, and as a result of his many commendable characteristics he is held in high esteem by all classes, irrespective of party alignment. Mr. LaPorte was born on September 19, 1875, in Coshocton county, Ohio. He is the son of Wallace B. and Amy B. (Ganson) LaPorte, both natives of Ohio. The father devoted his life to carpentering and many of the best buildings in various sections of Coshocton and Knox counties stand as monuments to his skill. He went to Riverside, California, in 1904, where he has since resided. engaged in carpentering and contracting. The mother has been long deceased, having passed away in October. 1879. George P. LaPorte. of this review, spent his early life in Kansas where he was taken when one year old by his parents. The family returned to Ohio in 1883 and settled in Ashland county, where the father resumed his trade, and there the subject received his education in the public schools. Later the family moved to Richland county where they remained four or five years, and in the fall of 1889 they moved to Danville, Knox county, and here the subject has since resided. George P. LaPorte earned his first dollar by working for his uncle. J. W. Kirk, of Richland county, and after coming to Danville he worked at whatever he could get to do and finished his education in the Danville high school, after which he entered the office of the Danzille Herald to learn the printer's trade. He went to Akron. Ohio, in 1900 and worked for the Werner Printing Company for a period of seven years and in February, 1908, he returned to Danville and worked for the Danville Herald again, this time as foreman. It was then owned by Paul Welker. In February, 1911, Mr. LaPorte purchased the paper and has since been editor, proprietor and publisher. He has increased the circulation of the same, improved its mechanical appearance and rendered it a valuable advertising medium and an influential factor in shaping and molding local public opinion, its prestige being gradually on the increase. The Herald is independent in politics and it stands for the development of Danville and vicinity along all lines. Its columns teem with the 602 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. best, latest and most important news, succinctly and crisply set forth, and its editorials carry weight, whatever the topic under consideration. Mr. LaPorte also conducts a job printing department which is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and appliances such as insure prompt and high-grade work. On March 18, 1900, Mr. LaPorte was united in marriage with Genie Van Horn, daughter of R. and Mary (Hess) Van Horn, an influential family of Danville, early settlers of this vicinity. Two sons and two daughters have been born to the subject and wife, namely : Bernard R.. Ralph T., M. Arline and Frances E. Politically, Mr. LaPorte is a Republican, but he has never been very active in public affairs and never an office holder. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, in which he is a trustee and they are active in church and Sunday school work. Mr. LaPorte has other business interests aside from his newspaper and job office, and is a very busy man and one of the leaders of eastern Knox county. Personally, the subject is obliging, a good mixer and is always ready to do his full share in furthering the interests of his town and community. CHARLES C. LOGSDON. When the evening shadows of old age lie about us, it is quite the usual thing for a person to look back over his life to find out whether the world is any better for his having lived. It must be a gloomy retrospect indeed when no good can be found upon such an examination. On the other hand, what a delightful satisfaction it must be to any one to know that his life has been an example of excellence for the guidance of youth and for the congratulation of age. How many old persons who read these lines can truthfully hold up their heads and declare that the world is better for their having lived. It is a pleasure to chronicle the events in a career of a man who has the highest respect of all his acquaintances, such as Charles C. Logsdon, long a well-known business man of Danville, Union township, and one of the worthy pioneer sons of Knox county, which he has lived to see advance from the wilderness to one of the foremost communities in the great Buckeye commonwealth, and none has been happier in its phenomenal progress than he. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 603 Mr. Logsdon was born in Union township. this county, on May 31, 1839. He is the son of David and Rebecca (Uhl) Logsdon, both born in Maryland. The Logsdons were Scotch and emigrated to America with Lord Baltimore and settled in Maryland and Kentucky. The Uhls were of German blood and they, too, came to the United States in an early period. The parents of the subject were married in Maryland and came to Knox county, Ohio, about 1825 when the country was sparsely settled and practically a vast forest. They first settled in Danville and later moved to a farm in Union township and began to clear the land for farming. They underwent the usual hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and in due course of time they became very comfortably fixed through their industry and frugal habits. The elder Logsdon was a man of fine intelligence and upright character and he was influential in the affairs of his community. He was born in 18c9 and his death occurred in 1876. His wife was born in 1808 and her death occurred in 1885. Charles C. Logsdon was reared on the farm and when of proper age he assisted his father in the fields and he received such education as the early country schools afforded. He remained under his parental roof-tree until he was twenty-one years of age, then worked at farming for his neighbors for some time. He was slow in learning the English alphabet. but learned spelling phonetically and got to be the champion speller in school of all ages, although he did not know a letter in the alphabet. Later he learned the millers' trade and operated the mill at Gambier for six years and then moved to a farm which he purchased. near Monroe Mills, in Monroe township, and there he remained fifteen years. In 1883 he moved to independence. Kansas, and engaged in the shorthorn cattle business and farmed extensively, prospering through close application and good management and becoming an extensive land owner and one of the substantial men of that locality. Mr. Logsdon was first married in September, 1867, to Amelia Haves, (laughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hayes, of Harrison township, Knox county, Ohio, and to this union two sons have been born, Carey L., now in the railway mail service. but recently admitted to the bar, and expects to follow the law, and Clemen j., of Osborn, Greene county. Ohio. The wife and mother passed to her rest in July, 1887. while living in Kansas, and she was brought back to her old home in Union Grove, Knox county, Ohio, for interment. In September. 1890. Mr. Logsdon was again married to Alice G. Critchfield, daughter of Hiram and Harriet Critchfield, of Knox county. an early pioneer family. This union has been without issue. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Logsdon returned to Buckeye 604 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. City, Knox county, Ohio, and lived a retired life for several years, then moved to Columbus for the purpose of educating his sons in the Ohio State University, and that city was his home for a period of eight years, while his sons were attending school. Then he returned to Buckeye City and engaged in the cement business, manufacturing cement building blocks, ornamental work and monuments and he met with a large measure of success in this field. He has a fine modern residence of cement block, delightfully located, commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country, in fact, his is the finest residence in Danville and Buckeye City. Mr. Logsdon is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his former years of endeavor. He has been very successful in a business way and has large interests and a competency. Politically Mr. Logsdon has always been a Democrat, but has never been active or held anything but township offices, such as trustee and assessor. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and are devout people, standing high in all circles of the community. CLINTON M. RICE. An enumeration of the enterprising men of Knox county. Ohio, who have won recognition and success for themselves and at the same time have conferred honor upon the community, would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the popular gentleman whose name initiates this review. Clinton M. Rice, of Danville, holds worthy prestige in business circles and has always been distinctively a man of affairs and wields a wide influence among those with whom his lot has been cast, having won definite success and shown what a man of lofty principles, honesty of purpose and determination can win if properly controlled, as his have evidently been, and because of his industry, integrity and courtesy he has always stood high in the estimation of the people and merits in every way their esteem. Mr. Rice was born on November 6, 1857, on a farm in Brown township, this county. He is the son of Ephraim and Mary M. (Porter) Rice. The father was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Knox county, Ohio. The father came to Knox county with his parents, Isaac and Cordelia (Longsworth) Rice, in 1826 and settled on a farm in Union township where they remained two years, and in 1828 they moved to Jefferson township in which they spent the remainder of their lives engaged in agricul- KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 605 tural pursuits. The father was a progressive, public-spirited man of affairs and he became a large land owner in Brown township. In connection with general farming he raised horses of excellent breeds. Politically, he was a Democrat and active in public affairs, and he filled various offices in his township. He was a member of the Methodist church. His death occurred in April, 1888; his widow, a woman of many estimable attributes, still survives, being now advanced in years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Rice, namely : Clinton M., of this sketch; Tamzen J. married Solomon Ross, of Jelloway, this county ; Emma F. married Peter Wise, of Brown township; Harriet E. married Eugene Loney, of Brown township; Sol B. lives in Danville; William B. lives on the home farm in Brown township; Jay J. C. died in May, 1908. Clinton M. Rice was reared on the home farm and he was educated in the country district schools, and the Central Normal School at Danville, also spent part of one year at Kenyon College. Thus well equipped for life's work, he began teaching, which he followed with marked success for a period of ten Years in the district schools of Knox county. In 1886 he engaged in the banking business with Albert I. Wolfe as the Danville Bank for ten years, Mr. Rice being cashier, from which position he retired in 1895, but still retained a financial interest. While teaching. Mr. Rice read law with Judge J. B. Waight. of Mt. Vernon. and after giving up teaching he went to Fayettsville, Arkansas, for the practice of law, but his health failing there. he remained less than a year. He was admitted to the bar in that state. Upon his return to Danville, Ohio, he opened a law and real estate office in 1898, which he still maintains in Danville, and he has built up a large business in each. In recent years he has been actively engaged in the gas development of this section of Ohio. being identified with the Mohegan Oil & Gas Company. He has settled a large number of estates, having a large business in the probate court, and is a very active and busy man. He has various business interests, owning several farms in this county, also owns land elsewhere. He is a man of sound judgment, keen discernment and wise foresight. and his integrity is unquestioned so that he has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of the people with whom he has dealings. Mr. Rice was married on November 4, 1886. to Ocena M. Gilmore, a lady of culture and refinement, the daughter of Francis and Mary (Loney) Gilmore, a prominent family of Pike township. this county. This union has been graced by the birth of one daughter, Mary C., who lives at home. Politically, Mr. Rice is a Democrat and he has been active and influential 606 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. in public affairs. He was a member of the Danville board of education for seventeen years consecutively. He was a member of the board when the high school, one of the best in the county. was established. He is a member of the Democratic county central committee. and has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state conventions, and he has made his influence felt for the good of his community and the party. As a public servant he has been most diligent and conscientious and won the approval of all, irrespective of party alignment. He is a member of the Methodist church and has been active in church and Sunday school work and is a class leader and liberal supporter of the church. He is a man of liberal ideas, broad-minded, progressive in all that the term implies, obliging, genial and ever vigilant of the best interests of his town and county. HERSCHEL J. CHAPPELEAR. Action is the keynote of the character of all who achieve success on this planet of ours—action subtly planned and carefully carried out. The successful life story of the energetic young man whose name forms the caption of this biography is a case in point. being one of a determined struggle for a definite purpose. Mr. Chappelear was born on June 15. 1876, in Brazil, Indiana, and he is the son of William and Margaret (McMullen) Chappelear. The father was an undertaker and in 1877 he moved with his family to Gratiot. Licking county, Ohio, where he engaged in the undertaking business and became well established, and under him the son. Herschel J., learned this line of endeavor. He grew up and attended the public schools at Gratiot and later attended the high school at Mt. Perry, Perry county, Ohio. He began assisting his father at his business at a very early age and when thirteen years old he conducted a funeral himself. He took a course in the Massachusetts College of Embalming, at Boston, receiving his degree in due course of time and making an exceptionally fine record there. Later he took a post-graduate course at the Echels Embalming College at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and thus unusually well equipped for his life work, he began business for himself when twenty-one years of age, establishing himself at his old home, Gratiot, Ohio, succeeding his father, who retired from active work. He continued at Gratiot until 1902. when he came to Mt. Vernon, 'here he has since continued in the undertaking business. He is universally KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 607 regarded as an expert in all that pertains to his line and is equipped with everything necessary for the embalming and proper care of bodies. His ambulance and funeral cars are all thoroughly in keeping with a modern and thoroughly equipped funeral outfit. He handles caskets of every description. from the plainest to the most elaborate, and of all designs. Mr. Chappelear was married in March, 1897. to Mattie Morrison. and this union has been blessed by the birth of four children, namely : Raymond, now fourteen years old ; Ralph, whose age is eleven years; Margaret is nine years old and Paul has reached his sixth birthday. Mr. Chappelear is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of the Maccabees, and he also belongs to the Sons of Veterans. his father having served through the Civil war in the Union army. He is held in high favor in all these lodges. He and his family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. His parents are still living, residents of Mt. Vernon. The family home is at No. 527 East Gambier street in a very popular residence district. FRENCH W. SEVERNS. One of the leading business men and public-spirited citizens of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is French W. Severns. a man who has figured more or less conspicuously in the material and civic affairs of his locality for over a quarter of a century. As a citizen, his reputation is unimpeachable and as a neighbor and friend he is widely respected. none in the county standing higher in public esteem. Mr. Severns was born on December 5, 1862, on a farm near Newcastle. Coshocton county, Ohio. He is the son of Isaac D. and Elizabeth (Mills) Severns. In 1871 the family moved to Pleasant township, Knox county. where the father engaged in farming, becoming one of the substantial farmers of his community. Politically, he was a Democrat and was active in public affairs. He was trustee of the township for several years. also filled other public offices. His death occurred in May, 1906: his widow survives, still making her home on the farm in Pleasant township. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Severns, named as 608 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. follows: Melissa, now Mrs. Hagaman, of Huron county, Ohio; Sarah married C. A. Hagerty, of California ; French W., of this sketch; Edgar C., of Chicago; Clementine, the oldest child, died at the age of twenty-three years. French W. Severns, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools of his home community, later attending the Baptist College at Hillsdale, Michigan, after which he returned home and remained on the farm until his marriage, on November 30, 1891, to Olive E. Hagaman, daughter of John and Julia (Walls) Hagaman, a well-known family of Mt. Vernon. To Mr. and Mrs. Severns five children have been born, named as follows: Edna M., Robert D., John E., Elizabeth J. and Josephine, all at home at this writing. For several years following his marriage, Mr. Severns farmed in Pleasant township, and in 1900 he left the farm and moved to Mt. Vernon, where he has since resided, having been active in business affairs and where he has a modern and attractive home. Politically, Mr. Severns is a Democrat and he has taken much more than a passing interest in public affairs since reaching maturity. He was clerk of Pleasant township for a number of years, also a member of the board of education. As a public servant he has always performed his duties faithfully and acceptably. In November, 1899, he was elected treasurer of Knox county, and his record was so eminently satisfactory that he was re-elected in 1901, serving for a period of four years. He has served almost continuously for fifteen years as a member of the Democratic county executive committee and he has always- been prominent in the councils of his party. He has also been a frequent delegate to district, county and state conventions. After leaving the treasurer's office he was cashier of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Mt. Vernon for two years, giving the utmost satisfaction to patrons and stockholders. Since severing his connection with the bank he has devoted his attention to his farm and and other business interests. His place in Pleasant township consists of one hundred and eighty acres which is well improved and under a good state of cultivation. He keeps his farm well stocked with good grades of live stock of various kinds. Mr. Severns is a member of the Mt. Vernon board of review which is operated by the state tax commissioner, for a period of five years. He belongs to the Masonic order and all the Masonic bodies, including the cornmandery. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his family are members of the Methodist KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 609 Episcopal church, he being one of the board of trustees and an active member in the church, also the Sunday school. His home is at No. 301 North Gay street and is prominent in the local social life, the family having been popular in all circles in which they move since coming to Mt. Vernon. ROLLIN C. MITCHELL. One of the well-known citizens of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, is Rollin C. Mitchell, who enjoys distinctive prestige among the enterprising men of this locality, having fought his way onward and upward in industrial circles, and in every relation of life his voice and influence have been on the side of right as he sees and understands the right. Like his worthy father before him, he has always been interested in every enterprise for the general welfare of the conimunity and liberally supports every movement calculated to benefit his fellow men, and therefore enjoys the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Mitchell was born on April 7, 1847, in Chesterville, Knox county, now a part of Morrow county, Ohio. He was the son of William and Lucy (Brown) Mitchell, the father born near Fredericktown, July 15, 1811. William Mitchell, grandfather of the subject, came to this country from Pennsylvania about 1805; one of the earliest pioneers, he having been commissioned by the government as agent for government lands of this section of the Northwestern Territory, and here he spent the remainder of his life, dying at his home near Fredericktown. Knox county, in 1848. He is described as a brave man of strong characteristics. Thus the Mitchells have been well known in this locality for more than a .century. William Mitchell, father of the subject, was reared in the pioneer forest home here and obtained a meager education in the old log school houses of his day. As a young man he learned the trade of ax maker, winning thereby the sobriquet of "the ax maker," by which he was widely known, and it is said of him that he made a most excellent ax and that his axes felled more trees of Knox county than any other make. Most of his life was spent in this county, but the machine-made axes supplanting his business, he. turned his attention to tool making and dressing, and for a number of years he sold machinery for the Cooper Company Of Mt. Vernon, though he was known all his life as "the ax man.- Soon after his marriage he moved to Illinois and was a resident in the same district in which Abraham Lincoln resided, and at one 610 - KNOX COUNTY. OHIO. time Lincoln won a lawsuit for Mr. Mitchell. The latter returned to Ohio in 1846 and located at Chesterville, where the subject was born, later moved to Centerburg, this county, where the family lived for about ten years, and in the spring of 1864 moved to Mt. Vernon. where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on December 9, 1909. at the advanced age of ninety-eight years and five months, his wife having preceded him to the silent land in 1878. William Mitchell was active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been a class leader and exhorter, a devout churchman, and he was an acquaintance and on friendly terms with many of the church dignitaries of his time. He \vas a man of exemplary character. charitable and hospitable. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Mitchell. three of whom died in infancy, the other five growing to maturity, namely : Naomi, deceased, was the wife of Henry A. Hyatt; Emma L., also deceased, was the wife of Captain Harrison: Stephen Lewis Y. was a captain in the Union army during the Civil war and breveted major at the close of the war: Rollin C., of this sketch: Sarah is deceased: Luella lives in Mt. Vernon. Rollin C. Mitchell was educated in the schools of Centerburg and Mt. Vernon. and when a young man he learned the jewel-maker's trade with Levi Stone, of Mt. Vernon, for whom he worked for some time, later working in Mt. Gilead and Coshocton. being very skilled in this line of endeavor. Mr. Mitchell was married on November 22, 1871, to Perliette 0. Stauffer, (laughter of Joseph and Deborah (Brown) Stauffer, her father having been a merchant in Mt. Vernon for many years. building up an excellent business, which is still continued by his son. Almon F. Stauffer. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, namely : Clifton A. lives in Columbus. Ohio: Florence D; married Halbert M. Eggleston, of Mt. Vernon : LuNylla married John Whit ford, of Mt. Vernon ; Harry 0. lives in Mt. Vernon: Lena A. married Vincent Welker, of Gambier, Ohio; Lucy M. married Phillip J. Brereton, of Mt. Vernon. In March, 1872, Mr. Mitchell engaged with Mr. Stauffer. his father-in-law, as a clerk, with whom he remained for a period of twenty-three years, assisting very materially in building up a lucrative business. Then he went into business for himself, men's and women's furnishings, under the firm name of R. C. Mitchell, Son & Company. This continued successfully for six years, during which time he enjoyed an excellent trade with the town and surrounding country. He then traveled for two and one-half years for the Patric Furnace Company of Springfield, Ohio. During the five years following this he kept books for B. E. Salesbury. Since 1908 he has been in charge of the third ward school building. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 611 Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a Republican and he has always been active in public matters. For four years he served as city treasurer. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in church work. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights and Ladies of Honor, his wife being a member of the latter also. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters and the Ben Hur lodge. The pleasant home of the family is located at No. 113 East Lamartine street, Mt. Vernon. DR. JOSEPH WENGER. The science of osteopathy has gained so rapidly in universal favor during the past few years that it is safe to say that it is only in very remote sections of the Union that it is not known, and as it is better understood and its praiseworthy results more apparent it has come rapidly into favor, the plausableness of its theory appealing to the contemplative mind readily, and so those who have set themselves the task of practicing it are now finding a fertile soil, as it were, and their offices are, as a rule, crowded with patients, even in the smaller cities. This science has a very able exponent in the person of Dr. Joseph Wenger, of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, who has within a comparatively short time built up a very satisfactory practice. Doctor Wenger was born August 17, 1854, in Adair county, Missouri, and he is the son of John and Elizabeth (Hoofer) Wenger. The father was born in Germany and was brought to the United States when three years of age, the family locating in Pennsylvania, later coming to Ohio. thence to Missouri in 1850. The Doctor's mother came from Switzerland, when she was ten years of age. with her parents, who settled first in Missouri, where she grew to womanhood, met and married John Wenger. They are both deceased. The son. Joseph Wenger, spent his youth on the home farm which he worked during the summer months and attended the district schools in the winter time, and he remained under his parental roof-tree until his marriage. November 26, 1874. to Eliza A. Bragg, daughter of William E. and Martha (Murphy) Bragg. This family came from the state of Virginia to Kentucky in an early day. Mrs. Wenger's father being born in the latter state. Later the family moved to Illinois, thence to Missouri. The maternal ancestry of Mrs. Wenger, the Murphys, came from Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Bragg were married in Missouri and there spent their lives on a farm in Adair county. 612 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Eleven children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. 'Wenger, five of whom are deceased. Those living are Alta M., Alfred 0., Everett L.. Clinton P., Ona M., Stella A., all of whom are at home. The deceased children were William Henry, Clarence. Lawrence Norman, Aaron Austin, Tilda Ethel. After his marriage, Doctor Wenger followed farming in Adair county, Missouri. for several years, and in 1899 he gave up agricultural pursuits, although he had a good start, and turned his attention to the study of osteopathy at the college at Kirkville, Missouri, where he made a splendid record and from which institution he was graduated in 1901. He located for the practice of his profession soon afterward at Warrensburg. Missouri. and remained there one year. In January, 1902, he located in Mt. Vernon. Ohio, and he has been successfully engaged in the practice of osteopathy here ever since. having built up a large and lucrative practice. which is steadily growing. He keeps thoroughly up to date in everything pertaining to his profession and he has a neat, well arranged and modernly-equipped office in the Republican-News building at No. 19 East Vine street. Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat in national affairs, but he votes the local ticket independently. He has never held or been a seeker of office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his profession. Fraternally. he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees. He and his entire family are members of the Christian church and they are active in church and Sunday school work. They have a very pleasant home at No. 110 North McKinzie street, Mt. Vernon. The Doctor is an intelligent, agreeable and progressive gentleman, interested in the improvement of his city and community and he has won a wide circle of friends since locating here. GEORGE S. HARTER. Among the successful self-made men of Mt. Vernon, Knox county. whose efforts and influence have contributed to the material upbuilding and general good of the respective communities which they have honored by their citizenship, the gentleman of whom the biographer writes in this connection occupies a conspicuous place. For many years he was one of the leading educators of this section of Ohio, later won a prominent place in the field of journalism and at present he is one of our valued public officials. He is a veteran of the great war between the states, in which he proved his loyalty to the government. Being ambitious from the first, but surrounded KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 613 by none too favorable environment, his early youth was not any too promising, but he accepted the discouraging situation without a murmur and resolutely facing the future, gradually surmounted the difficulties in his way and in due time rose to a prominent position in the body politic, besides winning the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been brought into contact, and today he stands as one of the representative citizens of this favored section of the Buckeye state. Mr. Harter was born on November 18. 1845, in New Madison, Darke county, Ohio, and is the son of Elias and Gertrude (Biddle) Harter. The father's people came from Rockingham county, Virginia, moving from there to Berks county, Pennsylvania. Grandfather David Harter came to Darke county. Ohio. with the pioneers about 1818, bringing his family into the wilderness. He was a Dunkard minister and a man of great prominence among the early settlers. Elias Harter was a blacksmith by trade, a landowner and a man of affairs. During the Civil war he went to the front and rose to the rank of captain in the Union army, serving with distinction. He is remembered as a man of remarkable memory and a close student of nature. He was well informed on general topics. Politically, he was a Republican and an abolitionist in the early days, and, while he was always greatly interested in public affairs, he was never an office seeker. His death occurred in 1898 at his home on the farm near New Madison. Ohio, his widow surviving until 1899. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are yet living. George S. Harter, of this sketch. grew up in the village of New Madison and he received his education in the public schools there, working on the home farm during the summer months. Although young in years at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in defense of the government on August 8, 1862. in Company H, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. in which he gallantly served until the close of the war, almost three years. For meritorious conduct he was advanced to the rank of corporal. His regiment saw much hard service. At the battle of the Wilderness Mr. Harter was taken prisoner, May 6. 1864. and was confined in various Confederate prisons, landing in Andersonville on May 24th of that year, and he experienced all the horrors of that terrible place. Later he was taken to Florence, South Carolina, and was exchanged on December 6, 1864, and passed out of Charleston Harbor. by old Fort Sumter, to a government transport and again joined his company and regiment just a short time prior to Lee's surrender. He was mustered out of service on June 27, 1865. while in camp near Washington City, and reached home on July 3, 1865. 614 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. After leaving the army Mr. Harter entered the Heidelberg Preparatory School at Tiffin, Ohio. where he spent three years; while there he taught school at different periods and prosecuted his studies. Later he entered Adelbert College at Cleveland in the fall of 1871 and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1875, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and later he was given the degree of Master of Arts. Thus exceptionally well equipped for life's duties, he turned his attention to teaching. He became principal of the Greenville high school, successfully filling this position for five years. then he was senior high school teacher at Dayton for one year, then went to the Sidney (Ohio) high school, where he remained five years. The next seven years he spent at Celina, Ohio. as superintendent of public schools. Although he has established a state-wide reputation as an educator, giving eminent satisfaction wherever he worked, he finally tired of the school room and turned his attention to journalism and became editor and publisher of the Celina Observer, continuing in that work for three years. In 1895 he came to Mt. Vernon and here he has continued to reside. He continued in the newspaper business one year after coming to Knox county. Mr. Harter is a stalwart Republican and he has always been active in party affairs and while in newspaper work he did much for the success of the party in his community. In 1900 he was elected mayor of Mt. Vernon, serving one term of two years, during which time he did much for the permanent good of this city and won the admiration of all classes by his commendable course. In 1905 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term of justice of the peace. serving thus two years. In 1907, having made a most satisfactory record in this office, he was elected to the same for a full term of four years and he is still incumbent of this office, the duties of which he has discharged with an ability and fidelity that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. His decisions have been characterized by fairness and they have net with few reverses at the hands of higher tribunals. While living in Shelby county, Ohio, he served as county school examiner for four years. He holds a high school life teacher's certificate, to teach all branches. Mr. Harter was married on October 18, 1877, to Flora Meeker, daughter of James and ____ (Hetzler) Meeker, of Greenville, a prominent family in the public life of that city. To the subject and wife five children have been born, namely : Lowell M. is married and is engaged in the newspaper business at Canton; Marian married L. V. Armentrout, of .Louisville, Kentucky ; James lives at Three Rivers, Michigan; George A. lives in Mt. Vernon ; one child died in infancy. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 615 Mr. Harter belongs to the Masonic order and Joe Hooker Post No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic. He served as adjutant of the post for several years and he is the present commander. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in church and Sunday school work. The pleasant family home is at No. 111 East Lamartine street, Mt. Vernon. It is modernly furnished and in it may be seen an excellent library where the subject is wont to spend a great deal of time, "losing himself in other men's minds" and keeping acquainted with current topics and the world's best literature. He has always been a student and is therefore a scholarly and cultured gentleman. genial, obliging and hospitable, a man whom it is a pleasure to meet. JOSEPH McCORMICK. It is not only pleasant, but profitable as well, to study the life history of such a worthy gentleman as he whose name forms the heading of this biographical memoir, the late Joseph McCormick, of Mt. Vernon, Knox county, for in it we find evidence of traits of character that cannot help but make for success in the life of any one who directs his efforts, as he did, along proper paths with persistency and untiring zeal, toward a worthy goal, having had as his guide through life, upright principles. The ancestors of the McCormick family are of ancient Scotch lineage, traced in an unbroken line through the progenitor of this branch of the American family, James McCormick, whose name is signed to an address to William and Mary, dated July 29, 1689, and their coat of arms denotes Crusader ancestry and military fortitude. The McCormick name has become closely identified with many important enterprises and much that made for material, civic and moral progress in this country as well as in Scotland and Ireland. Joseph McCormick was born December 21. 1828, in Perry county, Ohio, the son of Samuel McCormick and Malvina (Pence-Albright) McCormick. The subject's father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Virginia, and they came to Ohio with the early pioneers and the family moved to Seneca county, this state, in 1829, where the father became a large land owner and interested in manufacturing; however, he gave his attention principally to his extensive land interests in the vicinity of Tiffin. Joseph McCormick, of this review, spent his boyhood amid pioneer conditions. He studied designing and learned the cabinet-maker's trade at (40) 616 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. Tiffin, becoming a designer of much ability and his products were eagerly sought for by eastern manufacturers. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1849 and was married on January 12, 1854. to Elizabeth McDowell, daughter of Daniel and Patience (Eaton-Elliott) McDowell, of Mt. Vernon, both early pioneer families of the Buckeye state: in 1848 Daniel McDowell was postmaster at Mt. Vernon and a prominent citizen in the early clays. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McCormick, six of whom are now living. Up to the time of his death, January 26, 1911. Mr. McCormick was actively engaged in mercantile business, covering a period of sixty-two years of continuous business in Mt. Vernon, a record not attained by any other resident of this city, and he was successful, for he was an honest and obliging gentleman whom everybody trusted and respected. Mr. McCormick was always a loyal Republican, and while he was never active in party affairs, he was interested and well informed on all public matters. He belonged to the First Congregational church, which he joined in March, 1867, and vas a devout churchman. Being of a conservative disposition, he performed his duties as a broad-minded citizen in a quiet, unobtrusive way. The business he conducted so long is now continued by his son, William Edwin McCormick. The family home has long been known as one of wholesome social atmosphere and good cheer, and no family in the county has stood higher than the McCormicks. JOHN COOPER. It is both gratifying and profitable to enter record concerning such a man as he whose name appears at the head of this life record, and in the following outline sufficient will be said to indicate the forceful individuality, initiative power and sterling character which have had such a decided influence in making their possessor a leader in enterprises requiring the highest order of business talent, and to gain for him wide publicity among those who shape and direct policies of more than ordinary consequence in Knox county and who ranks among the most representative of her citizens. John Cooper, well known real estate and business man of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. was born three miles northwest of this city, on May 3o, 1824, and his long, useful and industrious life has been spent in this vicinity, whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promote, and which he has witnessed develop from the pioneer stage to one of the foremost sections of the great KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 617 Buckeye state. His youth was spent on the farm of his parents, Cary and Elizabeth (Ruple) Cooper, sterling early settlers of this vicinity, they having come from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled in the woods in Morris township. Knox county, in 1811. There they erected a rude log cabin, began clearing a farm, and, by hard work and economy, became very comfortably established in due course of time. This country was then wild and sparsely settled, still being the abode of Indians and many varieties of wild game. These parents had a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, namely : James, born February 26. 1804, died in 1834 ; Phoebe. born February 1, 1806, died April 15. 1854; Ann, born July 13. 1808, died September 14, 1832 ; Charles. born February 2, 181r, died February 7. 1901; Elias, born February 26, 1813. died August 16, 183o; Lewis, born May 20, 1818, died August 18. 1845; John, of this review ; Nancy, born August 1, 1827, died April 17, 1911, the immediate subject of this sketch being the only surviving member of the family. The father of these children was born on July 29. 1781. and died April 20, 1831 his wife was born March II, 1784, and died on December 25, 1868; both are buried in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. They were devout Presbyterians and they reared their children in that faith. John Cooper, of this review, had little opportunity to obtain an education, but got what he could in the log cabin schools of his district during the winter months, until he was fourteen years of age. when he was bound to a coppersmith and as an apprentice he thus mastered the trade in three years. buying his unexpired term when he was seventeen years of age and he engaged in business for himself on the west side of the public square in Mt. Vernon. Two years later he engaged in the stove and sheet iron business in what was known as the old market house on the square. He was married on March 17, 1844. to Eliza Murphy. daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hanna) Murphy, an early pioneer family who came from Washington county, Pennsylvania. This union resulted in the birth of three children : John E.. deceased ; Hugh N., deceased ; and Ella, who resides with her father. The wife and mother passed away on January 26, 1883. Mr. Cooper continued in business in the old market house, which he had purchased, for several years. In 1848 he erected a building on the east side of the square where the Banner newspaper is now 'located, and there he continued the stove and tin business. In 1854 he engaged in the foundry business with his brother Charles and he began the manufacture of stoves, which grew to include the manufacture of plows, farm machinery, portable engines, grist mill machinery, this really being Mt. Vernon's first manufacturing industry and it did much to advertise the town abroad, the plant grow- 618 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO ing to large proportions and employing many men, the products finding a wide and ready market. The partnership with his brother Charles continued until 1869, when John Cooper withdrew and' purchased the General C. P. Buckingham Foundry at the foot of Main street, and he continued that business along the same lines as when with his brother, enjoying a very liberal patronage. Mr. Cooper managed the sales department and spent considerable time on the road, selling goods direct to the purchaser. and he built up a very satisfactory business, which was continued by him until 1893, when the Buckingham plant was destroyed by fire, all except the foundry. A portion of the plant was rebuilt and business continued until 1895, when Mr. Cooper sold his interest, since which time he has been engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business and has built up a very satisfactory patronage. He maintains his office in his own building, the substantial Cooper block, on the east side of the square. In politics Mr. Cooper was originally an abolitionist and from the formation of the Republican party he has been a loyal supporter of the same, but has never been an office seeker. He was a warm personal friend of President Lincoln, and it is a well known fact of inside history that Mr. Lincoln named May 3o, Mr. Cooper's birthday, as Decoration day. He was also a friend of Hayes, Garfield, McKinley and many other prominent men of the party. He was long an intimate friend of John Sherman. During the latter half of his life he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is the oldest member and the oldest past grand master of the same in Knox county. Religiously he is a member of the Congregational church, in fact is the oldest member of the local church; he has long been active in church work. He has always been a busy man of affairs and yet in his old age he maintains a keen interest in and a close touch with all business and public matters. He has been a great influence for progress and general good in the community where he has for so many years been a prominent factor and where he is so universally esteemed. In his active days as a manufacturer, Mr. Cooper had considerable of a national reputation and did a great deal of work for the United States government, having put in. among other things. the first steel and glass patent model cases in the patent office building at Washington. The cast iron lighthouse at Hell Gate was built by him, as were many other lighthouses in the country. The government also bought of him a number of saw mill outfits for use in clearing their Indian reservations. Mr. Cooper was instrumental in securing the State Sanatorium for Tuberculosis just outside of Mt. Vernon, as the site he labored for so successfully was finally selected as being the finest in the state. KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 619 JOHN WADHAMS RUSSELL, M. D. No history of the medical profession in Knox county would be complete without a biographical notice of the physician whose name heads this article. The following was written of this distinguished physician for the Journal of the American Medical Association in August, 1887, by Dr. F. C. Larimore, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, who is in a position to give an unbiased view concerning Dr. Russell. His estimate of him is as follows: John Wadhams Russell. of Mt. Vernon. Ohio, was born in Canaan. Litchfield county, Connecticut,. on January 28, 1804. His father, Hon. Stephen Russell, was repeatedly elected a member of the Connecticut Legislature. and his grandfather, Jonathan Russell, commanded a brig under General Lafayette's letters of marque in 1778. Doctor Russell's mother was Sarah Wadhams, of Goshen. Connecticut. His education until his thirteenth year was received at the common schools of Litchfield, whither his father removed in 1808. Then he was sent to Morris Academy, and under Rev. Truman Marsh pursued his studies and was prepared for and admitted to Hamilton College in 1821. He pursued his classical studies with the Rev. Mr. Langdon, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, one year, as his impaired health would permit. and in the fall of 1823 went South. He took charge of an academy at Red Bank, Colleton district. South Carolina, six months and then commenced his professional studies with Doctor Sheridan, a scientific and noble-hearted Quaker. -Returning to Connecticut, he attended the medical lectures at Yale College one course. and then going to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, there attended the lectures in Berkshire Medical College. Subsequently, going to Philadelphia. he was a private pupil of Dr. George McClellan, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1827. Returning to Litchfield, he there began the practice of his profession, and remained there one year, during which time he delivered a course of lectures on anatomy and physiology to a private class of young men. In 1828 he removed to Ohio and began practice at Sandusky City, where he remained but a few months. when he moved to Mount Vernon. Knox county. He was a delegate to and member of the Centennial International Medical Congress which met in Philadelphia in 1876. At this meeting of the International Medical Congress Dr. S. D. Gross said : "It gives me much pleasure to introduce to my medical brethren my esteemed friend and classmate, Doctor Russell, whose extreme modesty alone prevented him from being the leading surgeon of the land." In 1828 Doctor Russell married Eliza, daughter of the Hon. William Beebe. of Litchfield. Connecticut. She died in 1871. having been the mother 620 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. of five children. In 1872 Doctor Russell married, in San Francisco, Ellen M. Brown, daughter of Joseph Brown, Esq. She died October 14, 1879. Doctor Russell was a man of indefatigable industry. During his life he probably performed more physical and mental labor than the majority of his contemporaries, in and out of the profession. His work did not begin with the rising or close with the setting sun, and the day usually allotted to rest found him actively engaged. In his early practice he visited his patients on horseback. While on a professional trip near Gambier in 1836 his horse fell on the ice and injured his knee joint, which resulted in false anchylosis and compelled him to use a crutch afterwards. For a like disability many would have abandoned an active practice, but with him it had no effect, only to intensify his zeal and change the mode of his travel. Mules were called into requisition, and with two of these animals and a carriage he scaled the hills of Knox and adjoining counties for half a century. During the sixty years of his professional life, his instruction was sought by not less than three hundred young men preparing to enter the medical profession. He was a most capable and thorough office preceptor. He imparted instruction to his pupils by recitations, dissections. demonstrations and oral instructions, and by his own exemplary conduct taught them medical ethics. He elicited the profound admiration and respect of his pupils, and inspired them with enthusiasm in their studies. In his journeys to his patients he would take a student and his text-book, conduct the recitation en route, and when darkness or other cause intervened no time would be lost, for now came the memorable quiz over past work, and for which he was truly famous. That his office was an uncomfortable place for a lazy student, and that the Doctor had no patience with a man who would not work his brain is shown by an extract from a letter to the late Dr. William Morrow Beach, of London. Ohio: "For fifty-nine years it has been my happy lot to serve the afflicted conscientiously. faithfully, and I wish I might add judiciously. This I cannot always say. I have prayed for wisdom, and would advise the same to my juniors. The great sin in our profession is indolence. A man is responsible not only to do as well as he knows, but to use his faculties to know what to do." It was in general surgery that he took most interest and found most pleasure. He regarded anatomical knowledge as the true basis of all success and skill in surgery. Living in a country where it is necessary to be a general practitioner in medicine and surgery, he performed most of the so-called capital operations, such as lithotomy, herniotomy, and all the most important amputations, except that of the hip-joint, and many of the more delicate operations, as that for cataract, etc., and with almost uniform success. He was KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 621 careful to keep pace with the advances in medicine. In all matters he faithfully followed his convictions of duty regardless of the sacrifice of self which such a course might require. He was tendered the professorship of surgery in several medical colleges, but declined them all, preferring to remain in private practice. He was an active Christian, ever ready to perform those duties which the love of Christ devolved upon him. He had an hypertrophied prostate for eighteen years, the pain and other resulting inconveniences of which he bore with fortitude and without a murmur. Retention of urine and uraemia caused his death on March 22, 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He died as many had predicted, "in the harness," having prescribed for patients up to within forty-eight hours of his death. F. C. LARIMORE. SOLON B. ACKLEY. One of the progressive young agriculturists of southeastern Knox county is Solon B. Ackley. Without much outside assistance, the success he has achieved is due largely to his own efforts. Strong determination, persistence in the pursuit of an honorable purpose, unflagging energy and keen discrimination—these are the salient features in his career and his life stands in unmistakable evidence that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the outcome of earnest and well directed effort. Mr. Ackley was born on August 30, 1873, on a farm in Clay township, Knox county. He is the son of John and Martha (Woodruff) Ackley. The father was born on a farm in Licking county and the mother in Knox county. Grandfather Philetus Ackley came to Knox county from Licking county in an early day and settled in Clay township in 1840 and here he developed a good farm. The father of the subject also spent his life engaged in agricultural pursuits and he became a large landowner and one of the influential men of his community. Politically, he was a Democrat, but he was not a man who sought the emoluments of public positions, preferring to lead a home life. His death occurred on April 3, 1902, his wife having preceded him to the silent land on September 19, 1891. Both are buried in the Presbyterian cemetery at Martinsburg. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Ackley, namely : Eva, deceased: Olive married Frank Penn. of Clay township; Lucilla, deceased: Solon B., of this review Cora is single and is living with the subject. Solon B. Ackley was reared on the home farm, where he worked during 622 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. his boyhood days, and he received his education in the country district schools and the schools of Martinsburg. He has remained unmarried and has always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and on which he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. Nature has signally favored him in that there are six producing gas wells on his land, which are sources of no small part of his annual income. Mr. Ackley is not a member of any church, though he is a supporter of the local congregations and, in fact, lends his aid to all movements having as their object the betterment of the locality in any way. Mr. Ackley was one of the promoters of the Knox-Licking Telephone Company, and was president of the company for some time. its large success being due in no small measure to his able management and judicious council. He has been active in its affairs from the first. He is a public-spirited citizen, as already indicated, and is an especial advocate of good roads. He finds recreation in his automobile and other outdoor diversions. He is a good mixer and is well liked by all who know him. CURTIS ELMER McMANNIS. Among the citizens of Knox county who have forged their way to the front by sheer force of will and individual merit rather than by the influence and material assistance of others, no better or worthier example than that of Curtis Elmer McMannis, the able and popular superintendent of the Knox county infirmary, could be found. He is a man of excellent judgment, progressive ideas, high character and straightforward business principles, which account for his uniform success. Being thus careful in his calculations, resourceful in his dealings and eminently honorable in his relations with others, people have always reposed confidence in his word and his integrity has ever been above criticism. Mr. McMannis was born on January 6, 1869, on a farm three miles east of Mt. Vernon, in Monroe township. He is the son of Lenhart and Rebecca Jane (Laffarrie) McMannis, the father a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Monroe township, Knox county, Ohio. The father was about seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county, and here he grew up and devoted his life to farming, becoming a man of KNOX COUNTY, OHIO - 623 influence in his community, and here he and his wife still reside, engaged in farming in Monroe township. The son, Curtis E., spent his young manhood days with his father on a rented farm, where he assisted with the general work, and he received his education in the common schools of his vicinity. He is the eldest of a family of eight children. His parents needing his help in raising the family, he was compelled to go to work as soon as old enough, consequently his early schooling was somewhat neglected. He remained under his parental roof tree until he was twenty years of age, when he engaged with C. A. Young just east of Mt. Vernon for farm work, remaining with Mr. Young and his son for a period of twenty years. working by the month. When he was first employed there he missed only three clays during eleven years and three months from his regular work on the farm and that was the occasion of his wedding, and during all this time he slept away from the farm but three nights. This is indeed a most remarkable record and would he hard to beat. Mr. McMannis was married on December 31. 1891, to Angie Houck, daughter of William and Rachael (Dial) Houck, of College township, this county. This union has resulted in the birth of one daughter, Orpha B., who is at home with her parents. After his marriage Mr. McMannis continued to work for Mr. Young by the month, living on his farm until January, 1909, when he was appointed superintendent of the Knox county infirmary and infirmary farm and he is still serving in that capacity, his wife being matron of the institution. He has charge of the farm of three hundred and twenty-seven acres for the county besides the infirmary institution with its sixty inmates. He engages in general farming and stock raising of all kinds and has met with great success. Most of the products of the farm go toward the maintenance of the infirmary. Mr. McMannis has placed the farm under a high state of cultivation and improvement and his services in this connection have reflected much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned, proving the wise judgment of those who placed him in charge here. He is recognized as one of the most progressive, thorough and painstaking farmers in the county. and his management of the inmates is in every way commendable. Politically, Mr. McMannis is a Democrat and he has always been interested in public matters and has been active in local affairs. He was trustee of Monroe township for eight years, filling the office very worthily indeed. He has been a frequent delegate to party conventions. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Knights of the Maccabees. His wife is a very competent associate in the management of the infirmary and a woman 624 - KNOX COUNTY, OHIO. of fine qualities and tact and her advice and encouragement have been of great help to the subject, and they are both held in high esteem by all who know them. BURCHARD BLAINE FERENBAUGH. The life of the subject of this review has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which has been maintained by his father, one of the sterling pioneer residents of Knox county and whose life was singularly noble, upright and useful, one over which falls no shadow of wrong in thought, word or deed. Such was the type of men who laid the foundation and aided in the development of this favored section of the great Buckeye commonwealth, and to their memories will ever he paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those who have profited by their well directed endeavors and appreciated the lessons of their lives. Burchard Blaine Ferenbaugh, one of the most successful of the younger generations of agriculturists of Union township. is in every respect a worthy son of a worthy- sire, having proved to be signally true to every trust reposed in him and keeping untarnished the bright escutcheon of the honored family name. Mr. Ferenbaugh was born on September 13, 1878, in Harrison township, Knox county. He is the son of Leo and Amanda (Doup) Ferenbaugh. the father born on the farm in Union township, Knox county, Ohio, where the son resides; the mother was also a native of this county. Here they grew to maturity, received their educational training in the common schools and were married. The father devoted his life principally to the farm implement business, with headquarters in Buckeye City, and was an extensive and successful business man, having enjoyed a large trade with a wide territory. He was active in public matters, and a Prohibitionist in politics, taking much more than a passing interest in his party. He served as a member of the township school board for a number of years. Leo Ferenbaugh was born on October 20, 1843, and his death occurred on March 25, 1904. He was the son of Fidela and Eliza (Draper) Ferenbaugh. His father emigrated to America from Germany in 183o, and was engaged for a time in the manufacture and sale of brass clocks. Later he was an extensive farmer and fruit grower. The father of the subject had two brothers, Joseph and Frank, and a sister, Mary, all of whom are living in Union township, this county. The father was among the first to sell reapers and mowers in Knox county. He was married to Amanda Doup, of Jelloway, whose death occurred on July 19, 1882. This