(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 350 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Mr. Tilton was honorably discharged from the service, in November, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. From his return to Hopewell township until the present, Mr. Tilton has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, following farming, threshing and stock-raising. He owns a complete threshing outfit. He is counted as one of the township's best farmers and is one of its substantial citizens. Mr. Tilton was united in marriage to Sidney Crane, born in Hocking County, Ohio, who accompanied her parents to Mercer County in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton have had eight children, namely : Edward S., of Jefferson township; Lydia E., wife of William Downey, of Jefferson township, Minnie, wife of Leroy De Hays, of Ashland County, Ohio; Catherine A., widow of Edward Good, of Liberty township ; Ruth A., wife of Ellsworth Borell, of Washington township; Charlotte, wife of Earl Schleucher, of Hopewell township; William H. and Martha Syvilla, deceased. Politically, Mr. Tilton is a Republican and for three successive years he was elected assessor of Hopewell township. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at St. Marys. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Church of God, in which he has been an elder, trustee and deacon, and of which he is at present treasurer. He is a man whose estimable character is recognized by his fellow-citizens, by whom he is respected and esteemed. ANDY BAUER ANDY BAUER, township clerk, and the owner of a well-improved farm of 40 acres, situated in Liberty township, was born in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, August 4, 1868, and is a son of John and Susan (Koch Bauer. John Bauer was born in Prussia, Germany, February 8, 1834. His parents were Michael and Mary (Distler) Bauer, both of Prussian birth. Prior to coming to America, John Bauer attended school in his native land, where he had better advantages than he could have obtained at that time in Liberty township. He reached Ohio in 1852, a well educated young German, and located first in Van Wert County. In 1854 he came to Liberty township, Mercer County, where he was one of the earliest teachers. The pioneers here were mostly Germans and, had he so desired, he could have continued to teach their children for years. His aim, however, was t0 become a farmer and to own a goodly number of the fertile acres which he saw being developed all around him, and to agricultural pursuits he has devoted a large portion of his life. He has lived on his valuable farm of 160 acres, in section 15, Liberty township, for almost half a century. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 353 On January 25, 1858, John Bauer was married to Susanna Koch, a daughter of John and Mary Koch, natives of Germany and old Liberty township settlers. Mrs. Bauer's brother, Anton Koch; is a prominent resident of Chattanooga, Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer had eight children, and of this number the following six survive : John, residing in the State of Washington; Mary E.,, wife of Louis Bollenbacher, residing in Liberty township; Catherine, wife of Charles W. Baker, residing in Black Creek township; and Andy, Frederick, and William, all of Liberty township. John Bauer and wife belong to the Evangelical Association and were among the early active members of the church in Liberty township. In politics he is a Democrat. Andy Bauer was reared by his estimable parents in a home where thrift was taught and precepts of morality were instilled. He assisted on the home farm all through his youth and obtained his education in the schools of his native township. His business has always been along agricultural lines. He has been active in politics and has consistently supported the Democratic party. Mr. Bauer is a well-informed man and a pleasant, genial official. On November 28, 1868, Mr. Bauer was married to Mary Brehm, who was born at Dayton, Ohio, and is a daughter of John Brehm, of Liberty township. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer have had 11 children, as follows : John J., Elizabeth A., Bertha L., Carl, Lawrence P., Valentine, Lovina, Rudolph, Eda H. and two deceased. The family belong to the Evangelical Association. DAVID H. RICHARDSON, M. D. DAVID H. RICHARDSON, M. D., physician and surgeon; at Celina, an eminent member of his profession, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, in 1848. His parents were Dr. John C. and Mary (Gray) Richardson. For many years the father of Dr. Richardson was a prominent citizen and valued physician in Mercer County. His last years were spent at Fort Recovery, where he died in 1891. His wife, Mary Gray, died in .188i. They had two children. David H. Richardson was reared Mercer County and after completing the common-school course he entered upon the study of medicine, subsequently entering Starling Medical College, at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1869. Later he took a course at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1879. Dr. Richardson first located at Celina but removed to Fort Recovery in 1870, where he remained until 1882, when he came back to Celina, where he has been settled ever since. He has long enjoyed a large and satisfactory practice and stands very high among the medical men of Northwestern Ohio. 354 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY He is a member of the Mercer County Medical Society, of which he has served as president; is a member of the district medical society; and belongs also to the Ohio State Medical Society and the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association. Dr. Richardson was united in marriage with Mary L. Lehmkuhl, who is a daughter of Henry Lehmkuhl, of Mercer County, and they have one daughter, Minnie A. Portraits of Mr. end Mrs. Richardson accompany this sketch. Dr. Richardson is a Democrat in his political views. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a Knight of Pythias. With his family he belongs to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, of Celina. He has long been one of the solid, reliable citizens of Celina, is a member of the Board of Health and stands deservedly high in public esteem. HON. CHARLES S. YOUNGER HON. CHARLES S. YOUNGER was born and reared on a farm one mile northeast of Celina, in Jefferson township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is the eldest son of B. L. and Victoria Younger. He worked on the farm until the age of 19, when he began public life as a country school-teacher, in which avocati0n he continued for six years in the public schools of Mercer County. During his vacation he attended the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, four terms, paying his way therein from the money earned while teaching. After reading law for some time he entered the law department of the Ohio Normal University. Later he entered the senior class of the Cincinnati Law School, from which institution he was graduated with credit in May, 1895, with the degree of LL. B. He was immediately admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and in October, 1895, he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at Celina, and pursued the practice of the law with success, enjoying the merited reputation of a conscientious, paintaking and successful lawyer. At the spring election of 1897 he was elected a justice of the peace of Jefferson township, and in 1899 was appointed referee in bankruptcy by the judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, which office he resigned at the time of entering upon the duties of probate judge. At the fall election of 1905, he was elecfed to the office of probate judge of Mercer County, and is serving with dignity, justice and integrity. Judge Younger was united in marriage on July 29, 1896, with Emma A. Andrews, youngest daughter of Charles W. Andrews, a pioneer farmer of Butler township, Mercer County. They have three sons : Raymond An- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 355 drews, Charles Russell and Clyde Norval. The family home is situated on East Market street, Celina. Judge Younger's fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World and Masons. He enjoys the honor of representing the 29th District in the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ohio. With his family he belongs to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, of Celina.   JAMES MALICK JAMES MALICK, one of the substantial and representative farmers of Center township, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, September 1, 1834, and is a son of Uriah and Chloe (Powell) Malick. He is a grandson of John and Mary (Todd) Malick, who were residents of Hampshire County, Virginia, and a great-grandson of Philip Malick, who was born October 9, 1736, and died May 5, 1797. Uriah Malick came to Clinton County, Ohio, from Hampshire County, Virginia, and in the spring of 1846 moved to Hardin County, Ohio, where he remained for one year. In September, 1847, he moved to Union township, Mercer County, and located in section 26, removing in 1853 to Van Wien! County, where he resided until 1866, when he settled in Nebraska. Subsequently he traded his Western land for a farm in Arkansas, on which he passed the rest of his life. Uriah Malick married Chloe Powell, a native of Hampshire County, Virginia, who was a daughter of Henry Powell, who died at Norfolk, Virginia, in the War of 1812. Seven children were born to Uriah Malick and his wife, namely : James; Mrs. Cynthia Upton, who died in Illinois; Mrs. Lucinda Thomas, who died at Wiltshire, Van Wert County, Ohio; John, who lives in Wisconsin; Isma, who resides in Van Wert ; Uriah, who lives in Bloomington, Nabraska; and Mrs. Almira Bowker, who lived in Nebraska until her death. James Malick spent his early boyhood days in Clinton County, Ohio, and when 13 years old accompanied his parents to Union township, Mercer County, and later to Tully township, Van Wert County. In 1855 he returned to Union township, where he lived until April, 1857, when he located in section to, Center township, where he now has 84 acres, and has lived here continuously since, with the exception of two years when he was in the army. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Company K, 88th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was discharged July 4, 1865, during the greater part of the time having been on guard duty. When Mr. Malick left his farm and gave his service to his country, he had but 12 acres of his land cleared and lived in a log cabin. The latter has given way to a comfortable new house, and other improvements have been made in the way of barns and other necessary out-buildings. 356 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Mr. Malick was married in March, 1857, to Matilda Patterson, who died in February, 1892, aged 55 years. Four children were born to this union, namely : Mary Alice, widow of Frank Spicer; Isma, residing on the Mendon pike in Center township, who married Nettie Copeland, and has six children; Annie, who married Rev. W. H. Poole, who is now located at Alma Illinois; Maggie C., who married Charles Halfhill, and lives near Mercer, and Addie L., who is a graduate of .the University of Michigan and also took a course in hospital work in Chicago, is a practicing physician at Piqua. Mr. Malick is a Republican politically, and has served in various township offices. In 1856 he joined an Odd Fellow lodge which permitted its charter to lapse during the war, and he never became affiliated with any other body of the order. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. FREDERICK MILLER FREDERICK MILLER, veterinary surgeon at Fort Recovery, was born Fe ruary 19, 1869, in Jay County, Indiana, and is a son of Henry and Margar (Stoltz) Miller. Henry Miller was born, reared and educated in Alsace, Germany, and was there engaged in farming. until 26 years of age, when he came to this country, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana, where he remained for a number of years, subsequently moving to Jay County, Indiana. Mr. Miller was married to Margaret Stoltz, a native of Germany, who came to America with her father, Nicholas Stoltz, a well-known farmer of Jay County, Indiana. Mr. Miller and his wife became the parents of five children, as follows: Frederick, George, Adam, Charles and William, all of whom are married and live in Jay County, with the exception of Frederick, the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are also residents of Jay County, Indiana, residing on a farm. Frederick Miller was reared and educated in Jay County, attending the district schools during the winter months and assisting on the farm during the summer. When 18 years of age, in 1888, he spent one year at the experimental station at Purdue University, Indiana. He returned home for a time and in the fall of 1890 entered the Chicago Veterinary College, from which he was graduated March 24, 1891, when he was just 21 years old. He opened an office in Fort Recovery in May, 1891, and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1903 he erected the Miller veterinary hospital in Fort Recovery. Mr. Miller also owns a fine stock farm of 30 acres in Recovery township, where he raises blooded horses; he takes great pride in his stallions. Mr. Miller was married May 3, 1891, to Mary Loretta Huey, a daughter AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 357 of Isaac Huey. They live in a fine, large residence which Mr. Miller purchased some years ago and on which he has made many improvements. He is /member of the Ohio State Veterinary Association. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Knights of the Golden Eagle.   W. T. PALMER W. T. PALMER, one of the well-known business men of Celina, who has been in the grain business in Mercer County for the past i i years, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1869, and is a son of B. H. Palmer, who is en-' gaged in the grain business at Ashland, Ashland County. W. T. Palmer was reared in Wayne County and was educated in the schools there. He has been literally brought up in the grain business, as his father has been identified with it for some 40 years and his business experience lies largely in this direction. In 1894 he opened up a grain business at Rockford, Mercer County, where he remained for six years, since when he has been operating at Celina. As a business man he stands very high and is connected with many of the important and successful business enterprises of this section. He is a stockholder and a director in the Citizens' Banking Company, of Celina; a stockholder and director in the Berne Grain & Hay Corn-patty, of Berne, Indiana; a stockholder and director in the Exline Lithographic Company, of Cleveland, Ohio; and a stockholder in the Rockford telephone and Electric light companies. In 1896 Mr. Palmer was married to Mary Exline, of Van Wert, Ohio, and they have two children—Vellone Exline Palmer and Eugene H. Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Celina, and he is superintendent of the Sunday-school. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.   WILSON SELBY WILSON SELBY, a representative farmer and highly respected citizen of Franklin township, resides on his very valuable farm in section 27, consisting of 16o acres of well-cultivated land. Mr. Selby was born in Franklin township, Mercer County, Ohio, May 29, 1855, and is a son of Jacob and Mary A. (Winters) Selby. Jacob Selby was born near Germantown, Ohio, and was a son of Charles and Brittannia (Buxton) Selby, the former of whom was born and reared in the vicinity of Cincinnati. When his eldest son was 16 years old, Charles Selby moved to Mercer County, where he entered 320 acres of land, paying 358 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY $1.25 per acre, and on that farm he and his wife died. Their children were as follows: Jacob; Sarah, who married Joseph Frank; Elizabeth, who married John Sayers; and Isaac, who married (first) Cordelia Beauchamp, and (second) Martha Emerson. Jacob Selby married Mary A. Winter, a daughter of Bradley and Elizabeth Winter, who were pioneers in Franklin township, Mercer County, coming from Pennsylvania. They owned a farm on Chickasaw Creek, on which our subject's parents lived fora short time after their marriage. After the birth of two children, Jacob Selby and wife moved to the Selby home farm, which had come into Jacob's possession, and there the rest of the children were born, the family being as follows: Elizabeth, who married Charles Smith of St. Marys; Wilson; Janet, who died aged four years; Emma, who married Edward McGee and lives on the home farm; Sarah A., who married I. W. Rush, and resides at Toledo; and Cynthia, who died aged eight years. The father died in 1893, the mother having passed away in 1889. Wilson Selby was reared in Franklin township and attended the country schools. He continued to live on the home farm fora number of years after his marriage, but later settled on his present farm. In the division of the property, his father gave him 160 acres of the old home farm; 80 of which he still owns, and later he purchased an additional 20-acre tract. Mr. Selby is considered a very successful farmer, raising wheat, oats, bay, hogs and horses, in fact, carrying on general agricultural and stock-raising operations. In November, 1881, Mr. Selby was married to Sarah Jane Miller, a daughter of Calvin and Cynthia (Preston) Miller, and they have five children, as follows: Russell, who married Lillian Monroe, lives at Bradford, Ohio, and has one son, Cleo Donley, born January 31, 1904; Floyd, who married Blanche Ester and is an oil driller in the Indian Territory; Virdie, who married George Preston, resides at Bradford, Ohio, and has two children, Grace; born in October, 1903, and Wilma, born July 18, 1904; Mearle, born July 20, 1887, who married Della Gilliland; and Oma, born November 18, 1889, who is attending school. Mr. Selby and family are well known throughout their neighborhood, the families on both sides having been established here for so long a period. Their hospitable home sees many visitors and the passing stranger is made welcome in the friendly manner which marks the sterling character of one of Franklin township's representative households. HENRY STANLEY STANBERY HENRY STANLEY STANBERY, who is engaged in general farming stock-raising in Center township, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, Feb AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 359 2, 1850, and is a son of Stanley and Minerva (Bowen) Stanbery, and a grandson of Amos Stanbery. Amos Stanbery was born on Long Hill, Morris County, New Jersey, October 4, 1787, and was a son of Samuel Stanbery, who was born on the Scotch Plains of New Jersey, June 26, 1754. Amos Stanbery was a resident of Greene County, Pennsylvania, for some time, but in 1840 moved to Mercer County, Ohio, locating near St. Marys,, where he remained the rest of his life. Stanley Stanbery, the father of our subject, was born in Whiting township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, February.28, 1818. He came to Mercer County about 1840 and located near Neptune, where he was justice of the peace for a period of 18 years. He also served in several other local offices. The country was new and uncultivated, which necessitated clearing of timber lands, and hunting was fine—deer, wild turkey and other game being plentiful. Many immigrants traveled the Fort Wayne road, and as there were few houses between St. Marys and Fore Wayne many families stopped at the home of Mr. Stanbery for accommodations, and beds were made on the floor for them. Stanley Stanbery was married (first) to Minerva Bowen, who died in 1855, leaving five children, namely : Mrs. Mary Davis, who lives in Oregon; Mrs. Sarah Davis, also residing in Oregon; Anne, who died at an early age; Henry Stanley; and Mrs. Jane Kisner, who died in Iowa. Mr. Stanbery was married (second) to Mary Harrison, of Zanesville, Ohio, and the)? had five children, namely : Inez, who died in childhood; Charles, who lives in Oklahoma; William; Lizzie, who died shortly after her marriage with Calvin Staeger; and John, who resides in Kansas. Henry S. Stanbery was reared on his father's farm in Mercer County, attending the district schools of Center township, and the Neptune schools for one year. He has always lived in this township, with the exception of two years which were spent in Jefferson township. He farmed the home farm for one year after his marriage, but in 1880 he moved to his present farm, which is located in section 24, a part of which he. rents. The buildings on the place when he took possession consisted of a log cabin and a log barn, which have since been replaced by a fine h0me, barn and other buildings. He has cleared all of the 60 acres, of which only a small strip was cleared when he acquired it. Mr. Stanbery was married in 1872 to Irene Copeland, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Susan (Flemming) Copeland. Mrs. Stanbery has just recently made a visit home attending a family reunion, both of her parents being still living. Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery are the parents of 10 children, namely : Walter, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, who married Myrtle Keyser, and has one child, Kenneth; Minerva Florence, who married 'William Black, and lives in Illinois; Emma and Edith, who live at home; William, who married Ida Newcomb and resides in Center 360 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY township; Laura, Inez, and Salome, who live at home; Virgil, deceased; and Robert, who lives at home. Mr. Stanbery is a Democrat politically and has served his township in various offices. He was township trustee for two terms, township assessor, two terms, school director for 13 years and county supervisor for some years. He refused the office of justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery are members of the United Brethren Church. G. J. C. WINTERMUTE G. J. C. WINTERMUTE, M. D., who .stands in the .front rank among the medical men of Mercer County, has been a resident of Celina since 1880. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 22, 1841, and is a son of Arason and Virenda (Wayland) Wintermute. Arason Wintermute was born January i0, 1809, in the State of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents, who were among the early pioneers of Muskingum County. Arason grew to manhood in that county and in 1828 was married to Virenda Wayland, who was born March 22, 1807, in Madison County, Virginia, her parents being early settlers of Muskingum County, Ohio. 'Four years after his marriage, Arason Wintermute and family moved to Licking County, where they became respected and useful members of society. The mother died September 1883, and the father, October 17, 1889. A strange coincidence about their last days was that each, after a visit at Celina, fell ill on the way home, at Columbus, and each died at the home of a daughter in Licking County. Of their 12 children, seven still survive. The subject of this sketch grew up on his father's farm and had the usual country-school education. In 1860 he: entered Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, having earned the money to take this course by teaching school, but he remained only until the spring of 1862, when, with other students. Ile enlisted in the Union Army, entering Company C, 86th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He served from May 25 until September 27, 1862, during this period performing faithfully the duties demanded .of a soldier. On April 15, 1863, he was given a position in the commissary department, connected with the railroad service, with headquarters at Nashville, and remained in the South until October, 1865. After a period spent at home, he decided to try farming and in the spring of 1866 went to Howard County, Missouri, to try the experiment, remaining there until the fall of 1870, when he became a partner and business manager in a mercantile enterprise in the vicinity. During the two years in which he managed the store, he had access to the medical library of his partner, who was a physician, and thus he first became interested in medicine. Fortunately AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 363 is partner and preceptor was a man of thorough knowledge and by 1874 the young man was ready to take his first course of lectures, which he did in the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis. In 1875 he was graduated in medicine Ind surgery at the Cincinnati Medical College. In 1892 he took a post-graduate course at the New York Post-Graduate College. After becoming a physician, Dr. Wintermute lost interest in his agricultural pursuits and, after selling his farm in 1876, went East, visiting the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, on this trip, and finally located for practice it Lewis Center, Delaware County, Ohio, in August of that year. He continued to practice there until 1880 and then settled at London, Madison County, but soon recognized the superior advantages offered at Celina, and on November 10, 1880, established himself here. Dr. Wintermute made n0 mistake in doing so, for his ability and skill were soon recognized and he now s in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice and possesses the confidence and esteem of the community. From 1894 to 1901 he was in partnership with Dr. J. E. Hattery under the firm name of Wintermute & Hattery. Dr. Wintermute is now serving as coroner of Mercer County. On October 5, 1880, Dr. Wintermute was married at Covington, Kentucky, to Mary Ella Darrah, who was born September 4, 1862, near Hannibal, Mlissouri. Dr. and Mrs. Wintermute have four children, namely : Georgia Ray, born July 20, 1883, who took a special course in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and is the wife of Dr. F. M. Hellwarth, of Van Wert, Ohio; Leta Virenda, born October 18, 1885, who also took a special course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; Kathryn Lawson, born February 8, 1888, who is a graduate of the Celina High School ; and Anielka Louise, born June 10, 1897. Mrs. Hellwarth has a decided talent for painting, and has some beautiful pieces of hand-painted china that she has exhibited at fairs. Dr. Wintermute and family have a beautiful home on the corner 0f Main and Anthony streets, Celina. Dr. Wintermute is interested in all bodies of a scientific nature and belongs to the Mercer County Medical Society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and the American Medical Association. His fraternal relation; include the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In the Masonic order he ha: taken advanced degrees, being a 32nd degree Mason in the Scottish rite, ark a Knight Templar, in the York rite. He belongs to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church of Celina. HON. C. G. O. MILLER HON. C. G. O. MILLER, mayor of Celina and formerly probate judge of Mercer County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has been a prominent 364 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY citizen for many years and closely identified with many of the most important interests of this section. He was born March 19, 1847, in Saxony, Germany, and accompanied his parents to America in 1852. Mr. Miller was but five years old when the family .located at Somerset, Ohio, and eight years old when settlement was made at New Lisbon. The family remained there for three years and then removed to Upper Sandusky. In 1859 Mr. Miller became a resident of Celina, where he attended school until he was 17 years old and then enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Company D, 193rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. Alexander Gable. Mr. Miller served through 1864-65 and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio. After the close of his army service, Mr. Miller returned to Celina and to the school-room and subsequently taught. school. In 1870 he entered the mercantile establishment of August Fanger in the capacity of clerk, and remained there for five years and then again taught school. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace for Jefferson township and served efficiently, having commenced the study of the law in the previous year. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar and his promotion was rapid, in 1884 being elected prosecuting attorney of Mercer County: His administration was such as to bring him into great prominence and his reelection followed in 1887. Mr. Miller has been a life-long Democrat and in 1893 he was chosen by his party as a member of the election board, on which he served two terms. In the meantime he managed a large Practice. In 1896 he was elected city solicitor of Celina and in November of the following year he was elected probate judge of Mercer County. He entered upon the duties of his office as mayor of Celina, on January 1, 1906. It will thus be seen that his name has been linked with military, judicial and civic services in his adopted country, and he stands, to-day, as one of the representative men of Northwestern Ohio. In 1880 Mr. Miller was married to Edna D. Bradley, of St. Marys, Ohio, daughter of Dr. Joseph Bradley, a prominent physician there. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Celina Lodge, No. 199; he is also a member of Celina Lodge, No. 399, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. GEORGE FELVER GEORGE FELVER, justice of the peace and one of the best known citizens of Liberty township, resides on his well-improved farm of T00 acres, situated in section 22. He was born December 18, 1858, in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Hines) Felver. Isaac Felver accompanied his. parents in childh0od from New Jersey to AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 365 Mercer County, and was reared in Black Creek township. When the Civil War broke out he entered the service and remained through four years, during which period he participated in many battles and endured great hardship. After his return he located in Liberty township for a time and then removed to Dublin township, where he died. In politics he was a Democrat. The surviving members of his family are as follows: 'Theodore, residing in Nebraska; Mary A., wife of M. Potts, residing in Ohio City, Ohio; George; Amos, residing in Rockford; Della, wife of Henry Hole, residing in Liberty township; Harriet, wife of Joseph Hinkle, residing at Rockford; Silas, residing in Liberty township; Ida, wife of Samuel Fass, of Ohio City; and Maud, residing at Celina. In George Felver is found. one of Liberty township's most enterprising men and public-spirited citizens. Reared and educated here, the main interest of his life have always been associated with this part of Mercer County. He settled on his present farm in 1888, and, ih addition to being one of the representative agriculturists, he has taken an' active and intelligent interest in all public affairs and on numerous occasions has been advanced by his fellow-citizens to Important local offices. For six years he served as a trustee of Liberty township, is a member of, the School Board, and is serving his first term as justice of the peace, his decisions in this office giving universal satisfaction. Mr. Felver was married to Caroline Bauk, a native of Mercer County, and they have had eight children, namely : Charles, Anderson, Dorothea, Floyd, Gladys, Ralph, Florence and Lucile. Politically Mr. Felver is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ABRAHAM JONES ABRAHAM JONES, a well-known citizen arid successful farmer of Gibson township, lives on his farm of40o acres, situated in section 24, which is a part of the old homestead farm of100o acres, on which his venerable father stilt lives. Mr. Jones was born May10,, 1854, in Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Minerva (Keltner) Jones. James Jones was born in Butler County, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Mercer County whent0o years of age, his father, Abraham Jones, being a pioneer. James Jones was married July 4, 1849, to Minerva Keltner, who was a daughter of Abraham and Betsey (Wirtz) Keltner. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, and was reared near Rose Hill. Almost immediately after their marriage, the young couple moved to Gibson township and established the present home. Here 15 children were born to them, as follows : 366 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Hiram; who is a farmer in Miami County, Ohio; Nancy, wife of Jackson Pearson, living in Darke County; Abraham; Susan, wife of Amos Robbins, George, a resident of Weston, Ohio; Mary, wife of George Parant, residing in Oklahoma; Martha, wife of George White, living near Wellsburg, Indiana; Frank; Abigail, wife of George Garretson, living at Ansonia, Darke County; James, who resides in Recovery township; Albert and William, residents of Gibson township; Jacob, wh0 is married, and. lives at home; Cora, wife of Washington Stump; and Sarah, who died aged one year. The 14 survivors of this large family are mainly scattered in different homes, but all are near enough to have pleasant family gatherings very frequently. The old house gave way to the present one in 1892. Abraham Jones has always lived in Gibson township and still remains under the old home roof. In 1883 he was married to Alice Emmons, who died in the following year, leaving one child,. Alva. CHRISTOPHER SCHUNCK CHRISTOPHER SCHUNCK, a retired banker, who for 30 years was president of the Citizens' Bank at Celina, owns a valuable farm of 440 acres situated in Jefferson township. He was born March 30, 1830, in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Peter and Eva (Meckel). Schunck. Peter Schunck was also born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, whence h came in 1860 to the United States. He engaged in farming in Mercer County Ohio, until his death in 1865. He had four children. Christopher Schunck was reared in Germany and received a good educational training. He came to the United States in 1848, accompanying an uncle, settling first in Mercer County, but shortly afterward going to Missouri. He lived at St. Louis until he completed an apprenticeship to the cooper's trade, when he returned to Mercer County and worked for several years at his trade and then bought a farm of 80 acres in Granville township and moved upon it. That Mr. Schunck was a man of sterling qualities was definitely shown when, in 1858, he was elected to the responsible office of county commissioner and served so capably for two terms that he was elected county treasurer an served two full terms in that position. In 1873 he was nominated on th Democratic ticket as a member of the Board of Public Works, but with the balance of the ticket, with the exception of Governor William Allen, was defeated. He then retired from public life and embarked in a grain business for four years and subsequently built a stave factory, which he operated several years very successfully. In 1874 he was elected president of the Citizens’ AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 367 Bank of Celina, and for 30 years stood at the head of that sound financial institution. Although retired from the presidency, he still has an interest in this bank, since incorporated as the Citizens' Banking Company. Mr. Schunck has been twice married. By his first marriage, to Margaret Schunck, he has four daughters, all of whom are Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Mr. Schunck's second marriage was to Bernadine Gottemoller, daughter of Henry Gottemoller, and they have one son, John B., who is practicing dentistry at New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr: Schunck is a member of the Catholic Church. DAVID OVERLY DAVID OVERLY,, a retired capitalist and a respected and esteemed citizen of Celina, was born December 24, 1831, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Ann Amelia (Bixler) Overly. The Overly family originated in Germany, where the grandfather of our subject, Martin Overly,, was born. In young manhood he emigrated to America and settled in Ross County, Ohio, where he married. Later he removed to Darke County, and at last to Mercer County. He became the father of these children: William, Martin, Daniel, Zachariah, Thomas, Polly, Nancy, Katie and Susan. William Overly, the eldest son, was born in Ross County, Ohio. His occupation through. life was farming. William Overly moved to Darke County, Ohio, with his father and was there married. He was the father of 11 children : Margaret, Mary, Martha, Elizabeth Ann, Jane, James, David, John, Wilson, Kelsey and Henry. The family came to Mercer County in 1832. David Overly was reared in Mercer County and was educated in the district schools. In 1849 he went to St. Marys, Auglaize County, where he remained for six years, during thisperi0dd learning the blacksmithing trade and becoming an expert workman. In 1857 he located in Celina, opened a shop of his own and for many years continued to work at his trade, meeting with deserved success. He gradually 'acquired property and owns the home and shop which he built on the corner of Fayette and Sugar streets. He is looked upon as one of the city's substantial men. He has made his own way in the world and attributes the independence that he now enjoys to the careful, industrious and temperate life he has led. On August 3, 1854 Mr. Overly was married to Sarah J. Seaman, who was born in Morgan County, Virginia, and died in Celina, Ohio, August 7, 1895. They had no children of their own, but an adopted son, Franklin (Trotwine) Overly, filled a large place in their hearts until his death in 1888. Mr. Overly also reared a daughter of his.wife's sister—Belle (Hinkle) Overly, 368 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY who married Orrin Miller and with her husband resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Overly was married the second time, in August, 1897, to Mrs. Isabelle McClain, daughter of Moses Ferguson, both of whom were born in Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. Ferguson emigrated to America when his daughter (Mrs. Overly) was two years of age. He died of cholera at St. Marys, Ohio, shortly after his arrival there. Mrs. Overly was reared and educated at St. Marys. By her first husband (Jacob Pohlman) Mrs. Overly has one son, Arthur Pohlman, who resides in Denver, Colorado, where he is the manager of a large mercantile establishment. Mr. and Mrs. Overly are members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Celina, of which the former has been a member for over 40 years. Mr. Overly has been permanently identified with the politics of Mercer County and for six years was a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors. He has also served as a member of the Village Council of Celina—for several terms. He is a member of the Masonic order.   JOHN REGEDANZ JOHN REGEDANZ, a well-known and successful agriculturist, residing on his excellent farm of 99 acres, which is situated in section 21, was born on this farm in Hopewell township, Mercer County, Ohio, July 10, , 1861, and is a son of William M. and Dorothea Regedanz. The parents of Mr. Regedanz were born in Germany. The mother died in Hopewell township, in 1886, but the father still survives and lives at Celina. He was one of the early settlers in this section, coming when the whole country, in this vicinity was still one great forest, with here and there a small clearing where some other pioneer had erected a rude log cabin. For many years he industriously worked to clear his farm and put it under cultivation and it is now a valuable property. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran Church at Celina. John Regedanz was reared in Hopewell township and since completing his schooling has devoted himself to general farming. He has long been accounted one of the township's most progressive and successful agriculturist On February 26, 1891, Mr. Regedanz was married to Alma Muthert, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late William Muthert. Mr. and Mrs. Regedanz have the following children: Hazel R., Freda C., Lena C., Mabel, Florence and Albert W. Mr. Regedanz is a Democrat. Since boyhood he has been a member of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 369 the Lutheran Church. His reputation is that of an honorable upright man, who in every way is a first-class citizen.   CLARENCE E. MARSH CLARENCE E. MARSH, prosecuting attorney of Mercer County, and one of the leading members of the bar at Celina, was born January 13, 1877, and is a son of the late Hon. Archelaus D. and Mary J. (Thompson) Marsh. The father of Mr. Marsh was one of the leading men of his day in Mercer County. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 19, 1843, and was the only son of James P. and Ellen J. Marsh. He was reared in Highland County until the age of 25 years; when he removed to Brown County, where he prepared for the bar and was admitted to practice in 1872. Two years later he located at Celina and entered into partnership with John W. Loree, with whom he continued for 22 years. At the time of his death, in 1904, he was a law partner of his son, the subject of this sketch. An extended record of his life, including his political career, will be found in another part of this work. Clarence E. Marsh was reared at Celina and here obtained his literary training. He entered upon the study of the law under his able father and was a student in the office of Marsh & Loree for three years prior to entering the law department of the University of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the class of 1900. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and very soon made his way to the front in his profession. In the fall of 1902 he was elected prosecuting attorney-of Mercer County and entered upon the duties of his office on January I, 1903; he was reelected in the fall of 1905 and began his second term January 1, 1906. In this position he has proven himself fearless in his stand for what he considers right and has administered the office with rare judgment and efficiency. He enjoys the warm friendship and hearty esteem of members of both political parties. He is a stanch Democrat. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. WILLIAM M. MILLER WILLIAM M. MILLER, who carries on an extensive furniture and undertaking business in Mendon, is one of the most successful and enterprising citizens of the village. He was born December 17, 1873, in Center township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Harrison P. and Amanda (Moore) Miller. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Michael Miller, was one of the 370 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY pioneers of Mercer County, settling in Center township when the country was as a wilderness. He entered over 400 acres of land in the county. He died in 1899 when nearly 80 years of age. His wife survived him until 1901, her death occurring when a little over 80 years old. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter : George, deceased; Silas, who resides in Ceuseter township, where he owns and operates a fine farm; Mary, a resident of Union township, whose deceased husband, William Hamilton was a stock-buyer: and Harrison P., the father of our subject. Harrison P. Miller and his wife were both natives of Mercer County. He was born in January, 1845, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is at present a resident of Mendon. William M. Miller was reared in Center township and attended school in District No. 8. He remained on the farm until he had finished school and then entered the employ of Mr. Yocum, who was in the undertaking business at Mendon. He remained there for about three years and then took a three-years' course at Zanesville. In 1896 he bought out his former employer, Mr. Yocum, and one year also engaged in the furniture business, in which undertaking he met with great success. In 1901 he erected his present large building, which is a fine, two-story structure with a pressed brick, stone-trimmed trimmed front. The wall on the South side of .the building is 17 inches thick, being so constructed for protection in the event of fire, as all the buildings on that side are frame. The second floor of the building is occupied by the Odd Fellows' lodge. Mr. Miller has the foundation for another building laid, which is a duplicate in every .way of his present building, except in length. Mr. Miller has net with much success as an undertaker and averages one funeral a week. He conducts his furniture business on a systematic basis, keepiuseg a record of all goods sold'. He has perhaps the largest furniture store in the county. He even encroaches on the business of other towns, selling goods in all the surrounding towns, such as Rockford, Lima, Spencerville, St. Marys, and numerous other places. In the past five years only two sales of furniture have been made in the town of Mendon by outside parties. Mr. Miller owns one of the prettiest and most attractive homes in Mendon, which he erected in 1905. He has installed in the basement a water-works system designed on his own plans. He is of ail inventive turn of mind. Mr. Miller was married to Mary E. , Norris, a daughter of William Norris. She was born in the eastern part of Ohio and came to Mercer Couusety with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three sons: Elra N., Lowell II.. and Hubert. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, but reserves the right to vote for the best man. He is a member. of Mendon Lodge, No. 750, I. O. O. F., and Mendon Lodge, No. 416, K. of P. . He and his family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mendon. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 373 HENRY F. WILLMANN HENRY F. WILLMANN, a representative citizen of Recovery township, owning 469 acres of valuable land in Recovery and Washington townships, was born July 16, 1839, in Germany, and is a son of Claus Henry and Mary Ann (Evers) Willmann. Claus Henry Willmann, father of our subject, was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany. When Napoleon invaded Hanover, on his triumphal way to Russia, he impressed all the young Germans and Prussians who came within his reach, and Mr. Willmann happened to be one of these. Thus, although unwillingly, he accompanied Napoleon to Moscow. On several occasions he endeavored to escape and once, when seemingly successful, was recaptured and with others was confined in a church under sentence of execution. Fortunately, on the night before the sentence was to be carried out, he, with his companions, escaped. Shortly before the battle of Waterloo, he joined the Prussian forces and on that memorable field he fought against Napoleon. For his loyalty he received a medal from the Kingdom of Han, over, which he displayed with justifiable pride until the day of his death, which occurred in Germany. The mother of Mr. Willmann also died in Germany, but her father crossed the Atlantic Ocean when he was 90 years of age, in 1844, and died at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1846. The parents of our subject had three sons and four daughters, viz. : Mary, who lived and died in Germany; William, who came to America in 1840 and was never more heard from; Angelina, who resided in Baltimore at the time of her death; Frederick, who resides at Dillsburg, Indiana; Henry F.; and Louisa and Eliza, who died in Germany. Henry F. Willmann came to America when he was 17 years old and the story of his many adventures, trials, hardships and final defeat of misfortune, reads as an interesting romance. He had been given the good, common-school education which Germany accords every one of her sons, but the labor field in his native land did not seem so large or promising as in America, and before he reached the age of necessary military service, in 1856, Mr. Willmann crossed the ocean to the United States, coming to this country with many companions of his own land, . as a passenger on the sailing vessel "Roland," which required six weeks and two days to complete the voyage, landing the passengers safely, however, at the port of Baltimore, Maryland. The young German youth landed in the strange city without understanding the language of the country to which he had come, on October 2. 1856, but he was fortunate enough to have a sister living in Baltimore, and through her he was bound out to a cabinet-maker to learn a trade, to receive $20 the first year; $25, the second year ; $30, the third year; and $35, the 20 374 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY fourth year. He worked there six weeks and then seeing nothing promising in the job he left, after having a few words with his sister who wished him to remain. As a brother was established at Cincinnati, he then decided to join him; and the fact that he also had an uncle hiring in that city made it still more likely that he could find remunerative work there. When he left Baltimore, he had in his pocket money amounting to about 6 1/4 cents. Walking was the only means of transportation possible with him, and he started out with his clothes done up in a handerchief. At every likely place on the way toward Cincinnati, he asked for work and when he was about three miles out from Baltimore he obtained a job with a farmer; who offered him for his services $4 a month and board. Mr. Willmann remained here three weeks and then went to work for the brother of this man, in an ore mine. The pay was the same but the work was very hard. Mr. Willmann was patient and persevering and continued to work in the mine all winter, but in the spring he went back to Baltimore and secured work there in a shipyard, handling iron ore, railroad rails, etc., doing extraordinarily laborious work, for which he was paid $1.25 per day ;.as he worked over time, he secured about $9 or $10 per week. Probably he overtaxed himself, for in the latter part of July he was taken seriously sick and he learned from his physician that he could never again work in the same manner. As soon as he had sufficiently recuperated, he started again for Cincinnati, having previously saved his money; when he reached there he still had $14. He at once went to work for his uncle, Mr. Evers, who was a gardener, receiving $8 per month. After two months with his uncle, he entered a cooper shop in order to learn the cooper's trade. This entailed his working for one year for his board and washing. When the year was up he left for Indianapolis and reached that city practically in a penniless condition. As he could not work at the trade he had learned without tools, he was obliged to borrow St̊ to purchase tools, and these same tools he still has in his possession. Mr. Willmann worked in Indianapolis until the spring of 1860, although in the previous year he had had another setback, being attacked with typhoid fever and having to spend all his money in paying doctor's fees. From August, 1859, until the spring of 1860, he was able to work only enough to about pay his board, and thus at this time he returned t0 Cincinnati just about as poor as when he had reached Indianapolis, a year and a half before. He soon found employment at his trade but was again taken ill, so ill indeed that he had to have two doctors attend him and came very near to death, but by the middle of March was back at work again and worked from March, 1860, to April, 1861, when he enlisted for the three-months' service, in the First Regiment, Ohio Vol. Cav. His company remained at Cincinnati about six weeks, the members boarding themselves; then, as the time of enlistment was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 375 so short, the company disbanded and our subject went to work on a farm in Indiana, about 30 miles from Cincinnati. Mr. Willmann was working on this farm when the news of the battle of Bull Run reached him and he immediately determined to re-enlist; for this purpose he made his way to Rising Sun, Indiana, where, on July 23, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Indiana Battery and was attached to the Army of the Frontier, in which he faithfully served from the above date until September 4, 1864, when he was mustered out at Fort Smith, Arkansas, being finally discharged and paid at Indianapolis in the succeeding month. During this long period of service, Mr. Willmann had participated in 28 different battles and engagements and was never disabled except for about six weeks which he spent in the hospital at St. Louis, when he first went out, suffering from malarial fever. Upon his return from the war he tried work again at his trade, but army rheumatism had attacked him and he found himself unable to keep on in this line. It required trial of about 10 different jobs before he found the one that suited him as to work and also as to pay. In 1865 he engaged at $12 a week as porter with a wholesale liquor house, with the agreement that in three months, if mutually satisfied, he was to be paid more. His first raise was to $15 a week and then to $100 per month, in 1866; for the next two years his salary was $2,100 per year. He filled both the positions of salesman and of foreman. In 1868 he left this store and embarked in the wholesale liquor business for himself at Cincinnati, entering into partnership with Mr. Krenning and George H. Branshire. In 1872 he sold out his interest and within 10 days was in business for himself, but two weeks later took in John H. Gen-trip as partner, and they continued together until 1879, when Mr. Willmann retired to his farm in Mercer County, which he had purchased in 1877. It consists of 335 acres in Recovery township and 134 acres in sections 30 and 31, Washington township. Although he continued in business at Cincinnati until 1879, he made his home on the farm in 1878, and since the following year has remained continuously on it. It is fine land, richly cultivated and well-improved. On December 21, 1865, Mr. Willmann was married to Louisa Margaret Muthart, and they have had six children, namely : William H., living at home, who has two children—Lorena Anna Louisa and Clifford H.; Edward Frank, who died in infancy; Ella, who married George Geyer, of Cincinnati, and died of consumption February I, 1904; Harry E., who married Ida C. Rabe, lives on the home farm and has four children—Edward, Helen, Henry and Hazel Louise; and Amelia Matilda, born March 2, 1879, who married John Heiby, and died March 29, ,I897, leaving at infant daughter, 376 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Florence Ida, who was born February 12, 1897, and died August 6th of the same year. Mr. Willmann has served as township trustee and as school director in Recovery township. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Protestant Protective Association, of Cincinnati. In 1903 Mr. Willmann took a trip to his old home in Germany. He says he found the same straw roof, but the building was more dilapidated. He made extended visits to different parts of Germany and was there about two months. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Willmann accompany this sketch. E. E. JACKSON E. E. JACKSON, village solicitor and prominent citizen of Rockford, where he is practicing law, was born February 6, 1869, in Moon township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of G. W. and Mary Jane (Harper) Jackson. On the maternal side our subject's grandfather, David Harper, was a Pennsylvanian, a respected old resident of Allegheny County. On the paternal side, Grandfather Jonathan Jackson was born in North Carolina and always took pride in being of the same family as was President Andrew Jackson. He died in 1868, leaving a widow who still survives, at the age of 93 years. She is of French Huguenot extraction and was born in Virginia ; her family name of Massey can be easily traced to the nobility of France. The parents of our subject were both born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where they still reside, the father in January, 1842, and the mother in February, 1849. Their family consists of seven sons and two daughters, as follows : E. E.; William S., of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Luther A.; Lena, wife of G. L. McCartney; Hayes H.; Calvin A.; Charles C.; Vinnie B. and Raymond. The father of our subject served in the Army of the Potomac, during the Civil War, from August, 1862, until the close of hostilities. He was a member of Company K, 139th Reg. Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., Sixth Army Corps, and participated in all the principal engagements in the Virginia campaign, being wounded in the right shoulder, in .front of Fort Stephens, and returning to his home with a record of which his children are proud. E. E. Jackson was primarily educated in the schools of his native township. In 1887 he entered Bridgewater Academy and attended almost every term until 1890. In 1891, 1892 and 1893 he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in the fall of 1894 began to teach sch0ol, continuing until March, 1896, when he spent one term in the West Pennsylvania Medical College at Pitts- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 377 burg. On October 15, 1896, he entered the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, where he remained until March I, 1900, from 1898 until 1900 being in the law department. After his admission to the bar, he located at Rockford, where he formed a partnership with C. S. Mauck, and has continued in active practice ever since. Mr. Jackson has met with hearty approval and stands today as a leading member of his profession in his locality. On July 21, 1899, Mr. Jackson was married to Minnie A. Wolf, a daughter of J. B. and Sarah Wolf, of Ada, Ohio. They have three children, two daughters and one son, namely : Dee, Dorothy and Calvin F. Politically Mr. Jackson is a stanch Republican and his party has ch0sen him as a leader on numerous occasions. He 'served one term as mayor of Rockford and is at present serving as village solicitor. He has been solicitor for the building and loan association ever since locating here and formerly was secretary of the Rockford Telephone Exchange. He is prominently identified with fraternal life, being a member of Shane's Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., at Rockford; Celina Chapter, No. 120, R. A: M., at Celina; Order of the Eastern Star; Independent Order 0f Odd Fellows and the Eagles. J. E. HATTERY J. E. HATTERY, M. D., vice-president of the First Nati0nal Bank of Celina, and an eminent physician and surgeon of this section of the State, was born July 25, 1857, at Van Wert, Ohio, and is a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Ritter) Hattery. Until he was 17 years of age, Dr. Hattery assisted on the home farm and made due preparations, in the local schools, for a collegiate course in the Northern Indiana Normal College, at Valparaiso. Upon his return from college, he began to teach school and for some years continued in the profession, at the same time devoting his leisure to the reading of medicine, under the supervision and direction of Dr. G. W. McGavren, of Van Wert. In 1880 he entered Starling' Medical College, at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1884. Shortly after he received his medical degree, Dr. Hattery began the practice of his profession, locating at Elgin, Van Wert County, where he remained until 1893, when he located is Celina. In January, 1894, he entered into a medical partnership with Dr. G. J. C. Wintermute, under the firm style of Wintermute & Hattery, which continued for seven years; since 1901 he has practiced alone. While professional duties claim the larger part of his time and attention, Dr. Hattery has other interests of an important character, 378 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY and since 1900 he has been vice-president of the First National Bank of Celina. In 1886 Dr. Hattery was married to Mary A. Nichols, who was born in Union township, Mercer County, and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Nichols. Dr. and Mrs. Hattery have five children, namely : John S., a teacher in Van Wert County, Ohio; Florence A., Lenora, Russell R. and Sidney Dillon. The pleasant family home is situated on the corner of Market and Ash streets. Dr. Hattery belongs to the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and is one of its most scholarly and experienced members, and has contributed to its literature. He is also a member of the Mercer County Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and in his fraternal connections is a Mason. In politics he is a Republican.   JOHN GRAEBER JOHN GRAEBER, a successful agriculturist of Franklin township, residing on his farm of 80 acres, in section 32, was born November 19, 1858, in Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a son of Augustus and Sophia (Seymor) Graeber. Augustus Graeber was born in Germany and came to America with his parents when quite young. He married Sophia Seymor, also a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents during childhood. She had two sisters, Anna and Hannah, and one brother, Henry. Augustus Graeber and his first wife had four children : Mary, Hannah, John and Henry. The mother of these children died in 1872. By a second marriage, to Mary Niemeyer, five more children were born to Augustus Graeber, namely: Anna, Minnie, Charles, Edith and Ida. Both Mr. and Graeber died in Auglaize County. John Graeber was reared on his father's farm in Auglaize County, where he remained until his marriage, when he moved to St. Marys, later to New Bremen, and then to Knoxville, Ohio, working at each place for about one year. Then he turned his attention to farming, renting in Auglaize County for five years. In 1893 he bought his present farm, from John Niekamp, where he has since been engaged in general farming. He was married to Catherine Ritter and they have one daughter, Jennie. They are members of the Lutheran Church. GRANVILLE FREEMAN GRANVILLE FREEMAN, who resides on his well-cultivated farm of 20 acres, in Liberty township, is one of the old settlers of this locality and one 379 - AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS of the representative and highly respected citizens. He was born in Randolph County, Indiana, March 25, 1827, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Wells) Freeman. The parents of Mr. Freeman were natives of North Carolina and were early settlers in Randolph County, Indiana. When Granville was three months old, his parents removed to Mercer County, and for a short time resided in what is now Fort Recovery, which at that time consisted of three houses. They then settled in the southeastern part of Liberty township, with the early development of which locality the family had much to do. Granville Freeman enjoyed only the meager educational opportunities afforded by the early pioneer schools, mainly subscription ones, and he has always been in sympathy with the great public school movement, which affords such abounding opportunities to the youth of the present day.. His father was In educated man and was a pioneer school-teacher, so that he had more encouragement than fell to the lot of many of his boyhood companions. The only opening in a business way in his section, was in the line of agriculture, did Mr. Freeman became a practical farmer and has given his attention to agricultural interests all his life. He erected his comfortable residence in 1885. On February 8, 1854, Mr. Freeman was married to Elizabeth Robison, born in Highland County, Ohio, May 25, 1827, a daughter of Henry and Lydia (Stafford) Robison, tile former of whom was born in Delaware. The Robisons were among the early settlers of Highland County, whence they novel to Mercer County in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have had eight children, the four survivors being he following: Jacob N., of Miami County, Indiana, who has six children; Milton J., of Washington township, who has five children; Mary, wife of ;Award Herron, of Liberty township, who has three children, and Dora, vife of George Helmer, who has five children. Mr. Freeman has 16 great-grandchildren. 44 In political sentiment, Mr. Freeman is .a Republican and he has frequently been elected to responsible offices. He has served for several years as township trustee and has been president of the board, and he has als0 served as a member of the Board of Education. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Rockford, having given service in the Civil War and he draws $22 per month pension. Mr. Freeman has been a great hunter in his time and estimates that more than 1,000 deer have fallen before his unerring rifle. He has never encountered bear in Mercer County, but killed several in Paulding County. In one season he remembers trapping 95 mink, selling each pelt for 95 cents apiece, and in another season he caught 187 raccoons. On one hunting expedi- 380 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY tion, in company with his neighbor, Amos Heins, Mr. Freeman captured 22 foxes in two days. Both Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are members of the Society of Friends. They are well known throughout Liberty township and are both esteemed by a wide circle of friends. In 1904 they celebrated their half-century anniversary of wedded life. The story of their lives as pioneers, if faithfully written, would record varying experiences and no small number of early hardships and dangers. They still remain active members of society, interested in all that concerns the community or the health and happiness of friends, and in their still busy lives, kindly considerate of others and consistent in daily walk and conversation, they exert an influence which will remain long after they have passed away. JOHN M. SCHLOSSER JOHN M. SCHLOSSER, attorney-at-law, at Celina, and a representative citizen, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1859, and is a son of the late John Schlosser. Frantz A. Schlosser, the grandfather of J. M. Schlosser, was the fourth earliest settler in Marion township. He was a soldier under Napoleon in the Napoleonic wars, also served in the War of 1812, and later settled in this section of Ohio. The late John Schlosser was a merchant at Carthagena, Ohio, for a long period and also postmaster. He was born and reared in Mercer County and was one of its prominent men. John M. Schlosser was reared in Marion township and was educated first in the local schools, later at St. Charles Seminary and spent two years ati Carthagena. For some eight years he taught school throughout the county, then went to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he became a student of law and in 1890 was graduated from the law department of the University of Indiana. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana in the same year, but came immediately to Ohio and in 1891 was admitted to the Ohio bar and located at Celina. Here Mr. Schlosser has been actively engaged in practice ever since, gaining and maintaining a foremost position in his profession. He is serving in the office of justice of the peace. On November 26, 190 1, Mr. Schlosser was married to Theresa C. Schaefferling, of Piqua, Ohio. A daughter, Juanita Maria, was born to then) on the loth of November, 1906. Mr. Schlosser has business interests at Celina, outside of his profes and is a stockholder in the First National Bank. He is serving as deputy supervisor of elections. Mr. Schlosser was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church. H AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 383 long been very active in its various social and benevolent organizations and is a member of the Knights of St. John and of St. Joseph's Aid Society. CALVIN E. RILEY CALVIN E. RILEY, president of the Commercial Bank Company of Celina, and a member of a distinguished family of Mercer County, was born at St. Marys, Ohio, October 9, 1830, and is a son of James Watson and Susan (Ellis) Riley. James Watson Riley was identified with Mercer County for many years. A sketch of the father of our subject will be found in this volume, with the leading events of the life of his father, Capt. James Riley; extended mention of James Watson Riley will also be found in the historical part of the work. Calvin E. Riley, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, spent the early years of his boyhood in St. Marys. When he was nine years of age, his father's family moved to Celina and later to Lima, subsequently returning to St. Marys from which place the family moved to Columbus. In early manhood Mr. Riley returned to Celina and first engaged in farming and milling, later being interested in milling and also in a mercantile business. Later he moved on a farm and was engaged in farming until he once more took up his residence in Celina, where he has continued to live ever since, giving a good deal of attention to the developing of oil properties in Auglaize and Mercer counties. In 1888 he became a partner in the private banking business of Godfrey & Milligan. In 1893 the business was incorporated and on January 1, 1901, it was merged into the Commercial Bank Company of Celina. This financial institution has a capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $10,000. Its officers are: Calvin E. Riley, president; C. D. Hierholzer, vice-president; J. B. Pulskamp, cashier; Ashley M. Riley, assistant cashier; and E. J. Hierholzer, teller. The board of directors is made up of the officers of the company. On April 11, 1854; Mr. Riley was married (first) to Gabrilla Brandon, of Celina, who died in 1885. In 1886 Mr. Riley was married (second) t0 Mrs. Susan A. Harris, a daughter of Guy Shaw, of Alexander, New York, a member of a distinguished military family of that State. Mrs. Riley died at Celina, July 31, 1904, at the age of 70 years. She was a lady of beautiful Christian character and a devoted member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Riley had seven children by his first marriage, viz : Wiltshire and Fannie, deceased; Calvin Wiltshire, a farmer of Jefferson township; Robert Ellsworth, physician and a druggist of Celina ; James Zura, a hardware merchant of Celina; Ashley Melville, assistant cashier of the Commercial Bank 384 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Company ; and Grace Lucinda, wife of Byron Griffith, a partner with hi brother-in,law, James Zura Riley. Politically Mr. Riley is a Republican, but has never consented to hold office. Socially he is a Mason and belongs to Celina Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M., and to the Royal Arch Chapter. JOHN SCHNARRE JOHN SCHNARRE, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a well-improved farm located in section 23, Center township, was born on the home farm in this township, which lies just north of his present location, October 7, 1859, and is a son of Casper and Mary (Rodard) Schnarre. Casper Schnarre was born in Germany and came to America when a young man, locating in Mercer County, being the first of his family to settle here and was one of the earliest pioneers of Center township, where he purchased a farm. He made a clearing and erected a log cabin, afterwards adding a frame addition to it, in which John Schnarre, our subject was born. Casper Schnarre married Mary Rodard, also a native of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the same ship with him. Mr. and Mrs. Schnarre be came the parents of io children, namely: Henry, deceased; Mrs. Mary Garwick, deceased; Caroline, who married Fred Fisher and resides in Auglaize County ; Amelia, who married Charles Paglow and lives a St. Marys; John; Julia, who died in childhood ; Sarah, who married Frank Fisher, of St. Marys; Casper, who resideS in St. Marys; George, who lives on the old home place, in Center township; and Jennie, whip married Charles Aschbacher. Casper Schnarre, the father of this family, died May 10, 1898, at the age of 80 years. John Schnarre was reared to manhood can the home farm in Center township, which he and his brothers assisted in clearing. After his marriage he lived for one year at Neptune, at the same time continuing to farm the home place. He then went to Franklin township, where he rented a farm for six years, after which he moved to the farm of Charles Paglow, in Auglaize County, where he remained for four years. He then purchased a farm of 53 acres on the old Fort Wayne road, where he still resides. In 1892 he bought 18 acres of the home place. There were but three rooms to the house when he bought the farm, to which he has added four rooms, making a very comfortable home. He has made other improvements to his property in the way of erecting outbuildings, there being no buildings of this nature on the place when he acquired it, but an old buggy shed and a granary. Mr. Schnarre was married March 5, 1'882, to Sarah Baker, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Levi and Susan (Pratt) Baker, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 385 now residents of Neptune. Mr. and Mrs. Schnarre have had three children, namely: Josephine, born in 1882 a child that died unnamed in 1885, and Ralph Odean, who was born in Politically, Mr. Schnarre is a Democrat. WILLIAM E. WILSON WILLIAM E. WILSON, one of the leading business men at Fort Recovery, proprietor of the Fort Recovery lumber yards, was born March 28, 1856, in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and is a son of William and Rosanna (Mills) Wilson. After the death of our subject's mother, in 1858, the father removed from Michigan to Fulton County, Ohio, where he subsequently was married to Mrs. Ann (Latham) Creghlo, and they continued to reside there until the death of the father in 1891. He was a wheelwright by trade. His widow still lives in Fulton County. When our subject was about 15 years of age, he went to Clayton, Michigan, where he was in the employ of the general mercantile firm of G. V. Hawkins & Company, for two years. He then entered a commercial college at Adrian, Michigan, where he completed a six-months' course in bookkeeping and business methods, but in the following year, 1874, he embarked in farming, operating a rented farm of 120 acres in Eaton County, Michigan, until 1877, following which he worked for some two years on a farm, by the day'. In 1879 Mr. Wilson went to Lake County, Michigan, and embarked in a general mercantile business in a lumber town in that section, which he conducted until 1881, when he sold out to Wall & Sipley, a large lumber concern there, and then became bookkeeper for this firm. The failure of the firm in 1883; which was precipitated by the failure of the Cadillac Bank, threw him out of employment, and he then moved to Cadillac and there accepted the superintendency of Cummer & Son's planing-milll, and remained with that firm for two years. He subsequently served in the same capacity for Dunham, Peters & Company at Chase, Lake County, Michigan, a large manufacturing firm, for which he later went out on the road and was their traveling representative until the spring of 1889, when he came to Fort Recovery. Mr. Wilson is one of the progressive, enterprising business men of this town. After locating here, he established the lumber business, in partnership with George A. Reuter, and has been sole owner since November 5, 1904. He gives employment to from seven to00 men and does a general planing-mill business and sells lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors and blinds, cement, coal and building blocks. His partnership with George A. Reuter continued from 1889 until 1904. 386 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY In the fall of 1881, Mr. Wilson was married to Ella E. Williams, in Lake County, Michigan. Mrs. Wilson is a dat ghter of Charles I. Williams and was born in Allen County, Ohio. They I ave two adopted children, twin sisters, Minnie D. and Maude D. Mr. Wilson has taken an active part n public affairs for a number oil years and while a resident of Lake County, Michigan, was treasurer of Yates township for some two years. For nine years he has served as treasurer of the Board of Education of Fort Recovery and has been a member of the Board of Public Affairs. For a long period he has been prominent in Masonry an is serving as master of Fort Recovery Lodge, No. 539, F. & A. M. Mr. W. son is a valued member of Pisgah Congregational Church at Fort Recove He stands very high in public esteem, not only as a man of business capacity but also of business integrity.   WILLIAM HAIR WILLIAM HAIR, a trustee of Hopewell township, and one of its promin ent citizen, resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres, situated in section 21. He was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, November A 1832, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth F. (Fenicle) Hair. The parents of Mr. Hair belonged to old 'established families of Pennsylvania. In 1837 they came to Ohio, settling in Wayne County, where they remained until 1844, when they removed to Richland County. William Hair was five years old when his parents settled in Wayne County, and about 12 when they removed to Richland County. His education and training through boyhood was such as pioneer youths usually received. For a number of years he operated a saw-mill, although his main business in life has been farming. In 1860, accompanied by his family, Mr. Hair came from Richland to Mercer County, and in the following year settled on the farm where he still resides, having developed it from the forest. He has long been one of the leading citizens of this section, for a number of years h served as township trustee, for eight years was township treasurer, and f three years a justice of the peace. In Richland County, Ohio, Mr. Hair was united in marriage to Margar Pitcher, who was born in that county, and they have had six children, namely: Mary A., wife of Charles Stevenson, residing in Michigan; Sarah E., wife of Charles Smith, residing in Hopewell township; Jacob, residing in Hopewell township ; Ida, wife of Frank Lacey, residing in Hopewell township' and two deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hair are members of the Church of God, it? which Mr. Hair is an elder. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 387 GIDEON LE BLOND GIDEON LE BLOND, deceased, was in life one of Celina's most enterprising and successful business men and prominent-citizens. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, and was a son of Evera C. Le Blond, who was born in Paris, France, May 22, 1789, and came to the United States in early manhood. Gideon Le Blond was six years old when his parents moved from Knox to Richland County, where he was eduvad and where he entered into a mercantile business with his father. They c tinued in business at Belleville until 1847, when our subject removed to St..Marys, Ohio, where he carried on his mercantile concerns until 1856. He then settled on a farm adjoining Celina, where his family resided up to 1864, during his absence as a soldier in the Civil War. In 1861 he went out as captain of Company H, 71st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and continued in command until December, 1862, when impaired health compelled him to resign and return to the peaceful pursuits he had left in order to assist in the preservation' of his country. During his years of arduous service, Captain Le Blond participated in many serious battles, notably those of Shiloh, Clarksville and Fort Donelson. In 1864 Mr. Le Blond re-entered business, embarking as a dry goods merchant at Celina, but five years later he sold out and entered into partnership, in 1869, with .the late Abner Davis, in the hardware and grain business, under the firm name of Le Blond, Davis & Company. This firm was in active business life for 22 years. Thus Mr. Le Blond's career as a business man proved his ability and likewise his integrity. The concerns with which his name was associated were successful on. account of their honorable dealings and enterprising spirit. In 1841 Mr. Le Blond was married to Jane Patterson, who died in 1868. She was born at Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio. Their children were : John P., Elizabeth, Francis C. (deceased), James W. (deceased), Ida (deceased), and Charles G. In 1871 Mr. Le Blond was married to Mrs. Emily P. Ayers. JOHN P. LE BLOND, the eldest son of the late Gideon and Jane (Patterson) Le Blond, has been in business at Celina since 1864, formerly as a merchant, but since 1901 as assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Celina. He belongs to a family whose business achievements and good citizenship have made it a notable one in this section of Ohio. SAMUEL DIXON SAMUEL DIXON, proprietor of the "Oak Grove Stock Farm," which consists of go acres situated in Liberty township, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, January 25, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Amroy ,(Price), Dixon. 388 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Henry Dixon was born in Jackson County, Ohio. For a number of years he resided at Rockford, Mercer County, following the occupation of an auctioneer. He served with credit during the Civil War. At one time he was elected t0 the office of constable. His death occurred in January, 1892. He married Amroy Price, daughter of Isaac Price, who entered government land in Liberty township at a very early day, and is reputed t0 have been the first justice of the peace appointed in Mercer County. Mrs. Dixon accompanied her father from New Jersey to Ohio. Samuel Dixon has spent the larger part of his life in Liberty township, and obtained his education in the schools of Mercer County. From boyhood he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has always been a lover of horses. He has paid particular attention to this branch of farming and has done much to develop it into an important industry of this section. At present he owns seven stallions of note. The horses raised on this farm are of the strains known as: Belgian Shires, Hackneys, French Coach and Hambletonian trotting horses. Mr. Dixon was united in marriage with. Christina Herman, who was born in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Jacob Herman. They have tw0 children, Mary M. and Virgie. Politically, Mr. Dixon is affiliated with the Republican party. He is one of the township's progressive, public spirited men, one who is a hearty supporter of all movements calculated to be of general advantage to his fellow-citizens. EDWARD H. MERSMAN EDWARD H. MERSMAN, a leading business man of Celina, president of The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company, which is exclusively engaged in the manufacture of furniture, was born in 1872 at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is a son of J. B. and Mary (Maag) Mersman. J. B. Mersman was born in Putnam County, later resided in Indiana and subsequently returned to Putnam County, where he was engaged in the planing and sawmil business for some 12 years, finally removing in 1900 to Celina, where he established a factory for the manufacture of extension dining tables, both medium and high grade. In 1901 he sold his business to his sons, Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman,, and Henry Lennartz. They continued the business under the firm name of Lennartz & Mersman Brothers until May, 1906, when the firm name became Mersman Brothers & Brandts. The following September the business was incorporated under laws of Ohio with a paid-up capital stock of $150,000, under the present style of The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company. Henry Lennartz disposed of 0ne-half his interest in 1904 to Edmund Brandts AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 389 and in May, 1906, the remainder of his business was purchased by Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman and Edmund Brandts. At the present time the company manufactures dining tables exclusively, an annual business of over $200,00o being done. Employment is given t0 125 men in the factory and Jo traveling salesmen represent the company on the road. Shipments are made to nearly every State in the Union and to Canada. At the present stage of growth, it will only be a few months until the company will have the largest dining table factory in the United States. Edward H. Mersman is president; Walter J. Mersman, vice-president and superintendent ; and Edmund Brandts, secretary and treasurer. Edward H. Mersman was reared at Kendallville and LaGrange, Indiana, securing his education mainly in the latter place and becoming an employee at the bed factory at LaGrange as soon as he left school. Later he was employed in a planing-mill and a sawmill, removing later to Ottoville, Putnam County, where he continued in the same line until he came to Celina. Here in conjunction with his brother, Walter J. Mersman, and Henry Lennartz, he purchased his father's business and has continued the same successfully ever since. In 1895 Mr. Mersman was married to Rosa Grewe, a daughter of Henry Grewe, a retired resident of Delphos, Ohio. They have one child, Marcella. Mr. Mersman is a member of the Catholic Church and belongs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio. In politics he is a Democrat. EDWARD A. DIBBLE EDWARD A. DIBBLE, a representative citizen of Center township, was born December 1, 1831, in Essex County, New York, and is a son of Lyman and Eliza Jane (Smart) Dibble. Lyman Dibble was born March 2, 1804, and was a son of Levi Dibble, a native of Vermont, whose parents had immigrated from France in the 18th century and settled in New England. Lyman Dibble was reared and educated in New York, but in 1837 he moved to Champaign County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming for eight years. He then came to Mercer County and lived for several years in Jefferson township, and then moved to Center township, where he purchased 80 acres of farm land from his brother Luman, who had made the original entry. To this he added 40 acres and built a log cabin on the place, which was later replaced by another, which was built by his son Charles, in 1850, who still resides there. Lyman Dibble remained on this farm until his death, which occurred July 24, 1869, at the age of 65 years. On February 17, 1831, he married Eliza Jane Smart, who was a native of Vermont, born February 7, 1813, and died August 6, 1898, at the age of 85 390 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY years. They were the parents of the following children : Edward A.; Charles F.; Rebecca, who married James F. Moore of Mendon; and Frances Ann. Mr. Dibble Was a life-long Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Edward A. Dibble grew to manhood on the home farm in Center township, he being about 15 years old when his parents moved to Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 56th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., at Celina, Ohio, and served until August 4, 1863. He participated in the battles at Port Gibson, Champion Hills and the siege of Vicksburg, receiving no injuries in battle, but contracting rheumatism and scurvy, from which diseases he has suffered more or less ever since. His monthly pension of $8 was increased three years since to $12. Mr. Dibble was married November 30, 1854, to Mary Kumpf, a daughter of George and Catherine Kumpf. The former was of German and the latter of French ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Dibble have had the following children : Alton, who lives at home; Annie, who resides at home; Susan Jane, who died while her father was in the army; Levi, deceased; George S., residing at St. Marys, who married Jane Springer, and has four children—Hazel V., Flossie B., Artie Belle and Harold; Ida Belle, who lives in Lima, Ohio; William Henry, residing at Celina, who married Ida Belle Steele, and has three children—Donald Steele, Glendale and Opal; an infant, deceased, unnamed; LeRoy S., an employe in the L. E. & W. R. R. offices, at Lima, who married Ida Matilda Hays; and Catherine, who died aged about eight years, Mr. Dibble has always been an active Democrat. He was a member of the Board of Infirmary Directors for six years, served also as township trustee, supervisor, and school director, and was a member of the Board of Education. As an infirmary director, his record shows the faithfulness of his services and the economical manner in ,which he guarded the interests of the county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was class leader for several years. Formerly he was ,a member of the Neptune Post, G. A. R., in which he filled all the offices but quartermaster and chaplain; and when that post passed out of existence, he joined Kiesler Post, No. 83, at St. Marys. GEORGE BOLLENBACHER GEORGE BOLLENBACHER, JR., a representative farmer and stockman o Liberty township, where he owns a well-cultivated farm of 120 acres, was born September 19, 1864; in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, and i a son of Adam and Christina (Koch) Bollenbacher, who were natives o Germany. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 393 Adam Bollenbacher came to Mercer County with his parents when about 12 years of age, his father, George Bollenbacher, being one of the pioneer settlers. Both the grandfather and the father of our subject were men of sterling worth and led busy agricultural lives in Liberty township as long as they lived. They were Democrats in politics and the family has always been identified religiously with the Evangelical Association. The mother of our subject owns a 60-acre farm in Liberty township, but resides with her son, Frederick Joseph Bollenbacher, on the home farm. Of the large family born to the parents of George Bollenbacher, nine survive and he is the second in order of birth. George Bollenbacher, Jr., was reared on his father's farm in Liberty township, and was educated in the schools of District No. 3. He has always given his attention to agriculture and has the reputation of being one of the most successful farmers of his locality. In 1889 he settled on his present farm, which shows the effects of careful cultivation.. He engages in general farming and raises a great deal of first-class stock. On April 22, 1888, Mr. Bollenbacher was married to Caroline Miller, a daughter of Philip Miller, of Van Wert County, and they have five children, namely: Walter, Tona B., Clarence W., George E. and Nora R. The members of the family belong to the Evangelical Association. Mr. Bollenbacher has always been a Democrat but has accepted no office other than that of school director of District No. 1, and has been a useful; member of this School Board for some time. He stands well with his neighbors and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him, making no great show of public spirit, but being always ready to help along public improvements when they are needed. The children of George Bollenbacher are all anxious to secure good educations. The oldest, Walter, who finished the common-school course, has been a student at the Rockford. High School for two years past. The other children are attending school in District No. 1. AARON JONES AARON JONES, who is a large manufacturer of drain tile, at Burkettsville, belongs to an' old and numerous family which has been established in Ohio since the grandfather's time. He was born January i8, 1855, in Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, on the old home farm, and is a son of Edward and Mary Ann (Rood) Jones. Abraham Jones, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer in New Jersey ; before he was married and had a family, he moved to Butler County, Ohio; 394 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY where he engaged in farming and manufacturing brick. At a later date he removed to Darke County and settled in what is now Gibson township, Mercer County, being among the first settlers. At that time this whole country was yet covered with a heavy growth of timber. He died on this farm when about 65 years old. His wife, Rebecca Pierson, a native of Butler County, Ohio, survived him many years, dying at the age of 92. Of their large family these names have been preserved : Sallie Ann, who was the wife of Isaac Foster; Edward, father of our subject ; Washington and Francis (twin); Margaret, who was the wife of Amos Keller; Abbie, who was the wife of Jacob Replogle; Betsey, who was the wife of Benjamin Misner; and James, the only survivor, who married Minerva Keltner and now lives on the homestead farm in Gibson township. Edward Jones, father of our subject, was born on the farm in Butler County, Ohio, and was a boy when he accompanied his father to the farm in Darke (now Mercer) County, but was old enough to give' assistance in the erection of the round-log house which constituted the first home, and in the clearing of the land. At the age of 21 he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Rood, a daughter of Aaron and Phebe (Carter) Rood. She was born November 30, 1821, on a farm in Connecticut and lived in the house in which she was born until she was 18 years of age, when she accompanied her parents to Darke (now Mercer) County, Oblio. Her mother lived to be 94 years of age. She was the only daughter in her patents' family, her three brothers being : Alpha, Lauren B. and William Henry. The Rood brothers well known residents of this county, are large farmers and successful brick manufacturers. To them is credited the making of the first brick in this county. After the marriage of Edward Jones and Mary Ann Rood, in 1840, they resided for a short time at the Jones home and then moved to Fort Recovery, where Mr. Jones went into the manufacture of brick. This was a new industry as nothing but logs had previously been used in this locality for construction purposes. The present thriving town of Fort Recovery was then a cluster of 10 log houses, built around the old log inn, and it was long the custom of the young people to gather in it and enjoy dancing on its rough floor. The greater number of meetings of all kinds were held there on account of the old building given a larger audience room than was afforded by any of the private cabins. Whether brick cost too much or whether the early settlers of Fort Recovery were well enough satisfied with their picturesque log huts, the writer is not informed; at any rate Mr. Jones seems to have given up his brick-making enterprise there after a short trial and moved on a farm of 4o acres which he bought, which was located southeast of the hamlet. In a short time he sold this farm, however, and bought zoo acres from his uncle, Walter Decamp. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 395 After moving to the new farm, Mr. Jones put up a commodious, hewn-log house and set to work making brick for the new house, which in the course of time replaced the log one and which still stands sound and strong. On this farm Edward Jones passed the rest of 'his life and died in August, 1900, when over 80 years of age. His widow still survives, bearing her weight of years remarkably well. In 1906 when she attended a farmers' jubilee celebration, held at Fort Recovery, the first prize, a bonnet, was awarded her, she being the eldest woman in attendance. Edward Jones and wife were the parents of 12 children, as follows: Harvey, who married Mary Arnold and dives not far from Fort Recovery, in Indiana; David P., who married Elizabeth N. Williams and lives in Mercer County, near Fort Recovery; Abbie, a resident of Indiana, who is the widow of Abraham Rantz; Lauren B., who married Sadie Winn and lives near his brother, Aaron; William T., who married Amanda Winters and lives in Chicago; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of George Fremeyer; Aaron and George (twins), the latter deceased at the age of six months; Henry, who married Lucy Howe and lives at Lightsville, Darke County, Ohio; Phebe, who married 0. A. Penny and lives in Paulding County, Ohio; Mary Ann, who married E. T. Firth and lives at Greenville, Ohio; and William Henry, who died in infancy. Edward Jones was a prominent man in his township; he served in the offices of trustee and supervisor and was als0 a member of the Board of Education. Aaron Jones attended the schools of his native township until old- enough to be of use to his father at the farm work and at brick-making, in which occupations he became well, trained. On August 30, 1883, he was married (first) to Irene Whitesell, a daughter of 'David Whitesell. They moved to Burkettsville, where Mrs. Jones died on October 23rd of the following year. Mr. Jones was married (second) on October 14, 1888, to Emma Arnold, who was born December 23, 1868, on her father's farm in Darke County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had 'seven; children, as follows : Edward L.; Nellie, who died aged II years; Harley, who died aged 14 days; Orley, who died aged 11 months; and Nora, Jesse and Ora. Henry Arnold, Mrs. Jones' father, was twice married; first, to Catherine Holsapple, to which union were born eight children, namely : Mary, Isaac, Samuel, Sarah, Susan, Joseph, Sophia and Elizabeth, deceased. Mr. Arnold was married (second) to Sophia Ulery, and they had six children, as follows : Eliza, Anna, Henry, Emma, John and William. Both parents of Mrs. Jones died in Darke County. They were worthy members of the Dunkard Church. Mr. Jones has been a resident 0f Burkettsville since 1884. He owns an excellent farm of 64 acres in section 34, Granville township, and 20 acres in the home place, where he grows farm products and tobacco. He has large 396 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY business interests at Burkettsville and in his 22 years of residence here has firmly established himself in the confidence of his fellow-citizens. Politically he is identified with the Republican party and takes a deep interest in all that concerns good government both in local and national affairs, but is not an aspirant for office. Mr. Jones and family belong to the Disciples' Church at Burkettsville, to which he gives a liberal support. ,A view of the family group accompanies this mention. He is connected fraternally with the Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics. He is one of the representative men of the town. AUGUST HAMBURGER AUGUST HAMBURGER, who resides on his well-developed farm of 74 acres located in section 31, Jefferson township, was born in Baden, Germany, February 3, 1851, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret Hamburger, natives of Germany. August Hamburger came to America with his mother when 13 years old, his father having died in Germany previous to their emigration to this country. They first settled in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1864. Here August was reared and educated. In the fall of 1896 Mr. Hamburger moved from Marion township to his present home in Jefferson township. In 1898 he sold 45 acres of farm land in Granville township that lie owned and then bought his present farm. Mr. Hainburger was married April 13, 1875, to Philomena Lange, Four of their eight children are living, namely: Charlie, Annie, John and Valentine. Mrs. Hamburger died January 3o, 1890. Mr. Hamburger's second marriage was with Mrs. Frances (Gerlach) Greiwe, widow of Barney Greiwe. She was the mother of six children by her first marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hamburger are members of the Catholic Church. He is also a member of the German Independent Aid Society of Celina. ANTHONY RATHWEG ANTHONY RATHWEG, one of Coldwater's well-known business men, who is engaged in the manufacture of brooms, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, November 16, 1859, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Streaker) Rathweg. Mr. Rathweg was eight years old when his parents moved to Mercer County and settled on a farm at Carthagena. Here he was reared and attended the district schools. His father died in i880. Two years later, with AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 397 his mother, our subject moved to Celina, where he worked at carpentering. He then learned the harness-maker's trade and in 1884 took up his residence at Coldwater, where he opened a harness shop which he conducted successfully for nine years. After disposing of hit- harness shop, he embarked in the hardware business, also carrying a large line of farming implements. In the fall of 1905 he sold the hardware business. Mr. Rathweg at the present time operates a large broom factory, in which business he engaged on April 3o, 1906. He employs eight men, who turn out about 15 dozen brooms per day. Mr. Rathweg also has other business interests, being agent for the Canada Life Assurance Company, the Ohio Farmers, Continental and other fire insurance companies. He is one of the large' stockholders in the People's Bank of Coldwater, and was vice-president of this bank for a period of three years. On February 9, 1886, our subject was. married to Anna May Romer, of St. Henry, daughter of J. B. Romer. They have had 0 children, eight of whom are still living. The record is as follows : Henry J.; Joseph H.; Elizabeth Gabriella; Julius Clemmens; Agnes Henrietta Florentina; Clarence Frederick; Leona Alvina Henrietta; Joseph Walter, who died at the age of five years and two. months; Mary Ruth; Florentina, who died aged 11 months; and Margaret Antoinette. Mr. Rathweg is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Coldwater, of which he has been treasurer since 1894. He is a member of St. Joseph's Society; Knights of St. John, of which he is captain; and Knights of Columbus. ISAAC BRANDON ISAAC BRANDON, county commissioner of Mercer County, is the owner of 337 acres of farm land in Franklin and Butler townships. His residence is on his Franklin township property in section 22, known as the "Lake Mercer Stock Farm," where he is engaged in raising pacing horses. He was born March 3, 1851, in Shelby County, Ohio, and is a son of Xurg Brandon. Xurg Brandon was born in Darke County, Ohio. He was married to Delila Baker, a daughter of Lewis Baker, who came from Virginia and settled in Darke County. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon had t0 children, of whom three died during infancy. The other seven were as follows : Xurg, who died when a boy; Gabrilla (pow deceased), who married Calvin E. Riley, and had seven children ; Eliza, who married George Breo; Lydia (Ryan) ; Lucinda, who married John Hight ; John, who married Jennie Knox; and Isaac, who was the youngest of the children. Mr. Brandon died at Berlin, Shelby County, where he was the proprietor of a hotel, passing away when our subject was 10 months old. After the death of Mr. Brandon, his wife sold the hotel and 398 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY moved to Celina. In 1856 she was married to John Haneline and moved to a farm in Center township, Mercer County. One child was born of this union, Nathan, who died at the age of four year. Mrs. Haneline, mother of our subject, died in 1903, at the age of 89 yeas. Isaac Brandon lived with his step-father until about 12 years old, after. which he learned the blacksmith's trade and worked on a canal boat for two years, driving the mules on the tow-path a portion of the time. He then worked on a farm for Calvin E. Riley. On January 2, 1872, he was united in marriage to Caroline L. Emerson, daughter of John and Ellen Emerson. In 1873 he moved to his present farm in Franklin township, which he purchased four years later from the State. Here Mr. Brandon is engaged in general farming and breeding pacers. One of his best known horses is "Red Hall," whose record is 2:13 1/4. Mr. Brandon is the father of four children: Electra, born November 4, 1872, in Jefferson township, who married Allen Palmer and lives at St. Marys; Delila Ellen, deceased in infancy.; and Fannie, born in 1876, and Park T., born in 1879, both of whom live at home. The two last named attended th Ohio Normal University at Ada, Park T. Brandon also taking a course at Valparaiso College and at Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Brandon was elected county commissioner in 19o3 and still serves in that capacity. He is a member of the United Brethren Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. ANTHONY B. GROTHJAN ANTHONY B. GROTHJAN, sheriff of Mercer County, is one of the leading business men of Celina, the proprietor of an extensive carriage and b A manufacturing concern, which stands as one of the old and reliable hou of this city. Mr. Grothjan Was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, September 12, 1859, and is a son of John and Agnes (Vogelpole) Grothjan. Anthony B. Grothjan was reared in his native county and obtained c0mmon-school education. His father was a farmer but his own inclination led him to learn blacksmithing and he completed his apprenticeship to that trade and to the carriage-making trade, in 1875. In 1878 he settled in Merrcer County and entered the employ of William Cron, with which manufacturer of wagons and carriages he remained seven years, at the expiration of which time Mr. Grothjan formed a partnership with John Hein, under the firm name of Grothjan & Hein, for the carrying on of a general blacksmithing and carriage-building business. This firm did an extensive business in the line above mentioned for a period covering 17 years, at the close of which AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 399 period Mr. Grothjan bought Mr. Hein's interest and has continued alone until the present. He gives employment to six competent workmen. Mr. Grothjan was married to Rose Leifeld, who is a daughter of William Leifeld, of Celina, and they have a family of six children : Agnes, Jerome, Eulalia, Lucile, Harold and Cletus. Mr. Grothjan is a consistant member of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Grothjan has always been a sound Democrat, and has been highly regarded by his party. He is well known all over the county as a man of business integrity and personal honor, and his election in November, 1906, to his present office was a public recognition of the same. THEODORE HEMMELGARN THEODORE HEMMELGARN, a pioneer settler of Granville township, and one of its best known residents, now residing with his son Anton, to whom he sold his i60-acre farm, was born in Germany, September 4, 1829, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Derkas) Hemmelgarn. The parents of Mr. Hemmelgarn were born and married in Germany. In 1835 they came to America, accompanied by an uncle and aunt of Theodore, the former of whom, William, died at Cincinnati, and the latter, Mary, married Henry Brockman, and died at Cranberry Prairie, Mercer County. The Hemmelgarns were poor when they came to this country and they struggled through several years before they reached Mercer County. The father then bought 40 acres of land from the State which he subsequently cleared, and built firsta round-log cabin, later, a hewed-log cabin, in which the parents died. This was at a time when pioneer conditions prevailed, the country being but sparsely settled. Herds of deer, numbering as many as 20 individuals, would invade the farm and wild turkeys provided a greater part of the family sustenance. The children born to Henry and Mary Hemmelgarn were: Mary, who married Bernard Drahman—both now deceased; Elizabeth, a nun in a religious institution, who died in Massachusetts; Theodore; Henry, who married Catherine Smith; Joseph, who married Gertrude Smith; and Catherine, who died in childhood. Theodore Hemmelgarn was six years old when he came with his parents to America and he remained with them until his marriage, in 1853, to Mary Hulsman. After a happy married life of 37 years, she died June 21, 1890. She was a daughter of Herman and Margaret Hulsman, who came to America about the same time as did the Hemmelgarns, she being a babe at that time. The other members of her family were: Bernard, Henry and Joseph, of whom Henry is the only survivor.