there located in Essex County, subsequently removing to Licking County, Ohio, where he bought a farm in St. Albans township. He was married to Rhoda Hayes and they had the following children : Luther, who died in 1843; Alanson, who died in youth; Miletus Madison, who died July 9, 1903, at Celina; Samantha, who died in childhood ; Joseph B.; Mila Ann, who died at the age of 14 years; and Rosetta, deceased in infancy. Mr. Newcomb was captain ot a local militia company. His death occurred September 14, 1837, in St. Albans township, Licking County, Ohio. His widow lived until September 30, 1848.

Joseph B. Newcomb was less than two years old when he accompanied his parents to Licking County, Ohio, where they first located in an unoccupied log cabin on a farm owned by a cousin of Mr. Newcomb's mother, who had located there some time before. Although less than two years old, Mria Newcomb remembers some of the incidents of that trip, which were indelibly imprinted on his mind. His father died when Joseph B. Newcomb was young. When he was 11 years 0ld, he accompanied his mother to Mercer County, where she located on a farm in section 20, Center township. There were no roads at that time and things had to be packed on horseback. The land was not cleared, and it was necessary to erect a cabin. After his marriage he moved into a cabin on the site of his present home. Some years later he built a hewed-log addition, which he lathed and plastered. About five years later it burned down and in 1870 he built his present comfortable homeia He has followed farming and stock-raising all his life. The farm consists of one hundred acres.

Mr. Newcomb was married April 17, 1849, to Jane E. Piper, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah A. Piper. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, June 5, 1832, and died September 21, 1883. Nine children were born, to this union, namely : James Madison, living on a part of the home place, who married Anna Brookhart and has two children—Leota and Belle; Mary America, who married Samuel Brookhart, and at her death left three children—Leroy, Lloyd and Bonnie; Joseph Luther, now deceased, who married Bessie Ridenour and had three children—Rollo E., Beulah and Floy; John Franklin, a Methodist minister residing at York, Ohio, who married Mamie Cater and has two children—Cecil and Ruth; Sarah Jane, who died in infancy. Cynthia Ann, who lives at home ; Nancy Ellen, deceased at the age of six years; Alice, who lives atia home and teaches school; and Rhoda Marvilla, also at home.

Mr. Newcomb is a Republican in politics and has served in many township offices. He belongs to the Celina lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Methodist Church and for many years was class leader and superintendent of the Sunday School.

One of the prominent and subLstantSialEfamilies of Franklin township, is that of Klostermann, a number of residents of this name and of the same ancestry being settled not far apart. A well-known member of this honorable old family is Henry Klostermann, who owns 100 acres of fine land situated in sections 28 and 33. Mr. Klostermann was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22, 1852, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Hullman) Klostermann.

Henry Klostermann, Sr., was born in Oldenburg, Germany, and has three brothers and one sister, namely : John, Joseph, Rudolph and Mary, the latter of whom married a Mr. Wegman, all of whom came to America—all are now deceased. In young manhood Henry Klostermann came to America and worked as a day laborer in Cincinnati. As soon as he found himself well enough established, he returned to Germany, where he married Mary Hull-man, also a native of Oldenburg, and then returned with her to America, settling at Cincinnati. For a time he drove an express wagon and later conducted a grocery business. He had induced his brothers and sister and his wife's brothers, Henry and Theodore Hullman, to come with him to America and they all lived for a time in Cincinnati.

The older members of both families remained in Oldenburg. Both grandfathers of our subject were men of note there, having been soldiers under Napoleon and were participants in the battle of Waterloo. In this connection the aged warriors would often tell of the military glory of the once great leader and repeat an ominous saying of his that preceded his downfall. On one occasion, elated by a famous victory, Napoleon uttered the boastful words : "God is ruler of Heaven, and I am ruler on earth." The old soldiers declared that' from that time his power declined. They also told of suspicions entertained in their day, that on various occasions the great Napoleon traveled over the country concealed in a load of hay, acting as a spy.

The children born to Henry and Mary (Hullman) Klostermann were : Mary, who died in childhood; John, who died aged 19 years; Joseph, who married Mary Ann Cramer, and is now deceased; Rudolf, who married Mary Niekamp, and lives in Franklin township; Henry; Frances, who died young; George, born on a farm 17 miles from Cincinnati, who married Mary A. Schwietermann and lives in Franklin township; and a babe that died in infancy.

After selling his store in Cincinnati, Mr. Klostermann cleared up a farm of 80 acres some 17 miles west of Cincinnati and it was while living on this farm that the father and sons made charcoal and sold it for 20 cents a bushel and also sold cord wood and even became expert in making staves. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Klostermann decided to make a new home for the family and

to provide, so far as was possible, for his growing sons. He bought a farm of 172 acres in Franklin township, Mercer County, from Christopher Johnson, this being the Klostermann home farm, which is now occupied by his son George. In the fall of the year, after they had garnered the crops from the farm near Cincinnati, a start was made by the family for the new home, .which was in an unsettled part of Mercer County. No railroads had constructed through this locality and after the family had come as far as Bremen, Auglaize County, by canal, they took wagons and thus made rest of the journey. When Henry Klostermann, Sr., died April 3, 1875, it was found that he had willed all he owned to his wife, who died in February, 1889. The farm was bought by the son George.

Henry Klostermann, our subject was 12 years old when he came to Mercer County, and a part of his education was secured in the schools of Franklin township. He remained at home until his marriage, when 21 years of age, to Mary Mestemaker, who at death left these children : Elizabeth, who married Frank Niekamp, of Marion township, and has four children; Joseph, who resides with his father on- the home farm; Frances, who married Frank Watercutter, of Shelby County, Ohio, and has five children; Emma, who married Charles Dorston, of Mercer County; and Rudolph, who works at Dayton for the "Big Four" Railroad Company.

Mr. Klostermann was married (second) to Catherine Backs, a daughter of Bennett and Mary Backs, a native of Germany. The children of this second marriage are: Harman, Augustus, Gregor, Rose, Richard, Albert and Alvina. All the children were born on this farm which Mr. Klostermann purchased when it was but indifferently improved, the residence, however, having been built. He has carried on general farming all these years and for 28 years he ran a threshing machine, a business now conducted by his sons. Mr. Klostermann has a fortune in the gas-wells on his farm, two being in operation and from these wells Celina received its first gas.

Mr. Klostermann is a worthy member of the Catholic Church. He is one of the board of directors of the Marion Mutual Insurance Company. In local politics he takes a good citizen's interest and he has served on the School Board and was assessor for three years.

JOHN W. MYERS, a well-to-do agriculturist of Gibson township, whose 8o-acre farm is located in section 23, was born November 21, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Rachel (Brown) Myers, and a grandson of John Myers, who was a native of Pennsylvania.

Jacob Myers was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was reared, educated and married. His father, who had seven sons, had entered seven quarter sections of land in the State of Ohio, one quarter being for each son. There were three of these quarters in Darke County and four in Mercer County. In 1845 Jacob Myers and his wife moved to Mercer County and located on the section just across the road from the farm now owned by our subject. Jacob Myers had a family of nine children, of whom five are living, namely: Mrs. May Miller, of Darke County; John W.; Mrs. Dorcas Conklin; Robert; and Adam, lives on the home place. The deceased are: Almaretta, Anna and two infants that died unnamed. Jacob Myers died December 17, 1904. His wife died in 1881.

John W. Myers was reared and educated in Gibson township. He bought his present farm in 1876 and has made all the improvements on the place, having erected a fine large frame house and barn, and other necessary buildings. When .25 years of age, he married Rachel Ainsworth, who lived only six weeks after marriage. He was married in 188o to Christina B. Rantz, a daughter of Abraham Rantz. They have had four children : James Earl, deceased at the age of 17 years and 5 months, who would have graduated from High School the spring following his death had he lived; Mary Eleanor, who is a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School; Berle A., a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School, who has taught school for three years, one year at Chattanooga, and two years at the College Corner school in Gibson township it is his intention to attend college this coming year, and Jacob Oral, also a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School, wh0 is now teaching school. Mr. Myers has served as a school director in Gibson township for a number of years.

JOHN E. HAMBURGER, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Celina, is one of the prominent men of Mercer County, and served as county recorder for quite an extended period. Mr. Hamburger was born at Engen, Baden, Germany, September 5, 1854, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret Hamburger.

The mother of Mria Hamburger came to America in 1864, accompanied by her sons. She soon purchased town property in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, where she resided until her death, which took place February 1, 1896. She was a woman of great business capacity and a faithful, devoted mother.

Prior to coming to America, our subject had attended school in his native land and as soon as practicable resumed study in the schools of Marion town-

ship. When 19 years of age he went to Dayton, Ohio, and spent one year Nazareth College. After his return home, he taught school in Marion township and continued to assist on the farm until 1879, when he removed to Celina. 'Here he engaged in the manufacture of cigars for the next nine years, making a success of the business, and then went into general contracting. This line he carried on from 1888 until 1891, when he accepted the nomination for recorder of Mercer County. He was elected to this office, was re-elected in 1894 and served with the greatest efficiency for six years and eight months. Probably the county never had a more popular incumbent in the office of county recorder than was Mr. Hamburger. His faithfulness, his care and accuracy saved the county a large amount of needless litigation and brought satisfaction to those who had dealings with the office during his administration. Upon his retirement from public office, he engaged in the manufacture of brick for the new Catholic Church at Celina. In June, 19o3, he engaged in his present business. His office is located on Main street.

On January 8, 1879, Mr. Hamburger was married to Catherine P. Kreusch, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio. To this union nine children were born, of whom the survivors are: Margaret, August, Mary and Victor Edward. Mr. Hamburger and family, a group picture of whom accompanies this sketch, belong to the Catholic Church.

Mr. Hamburger owns considerable property in Celina and the vicinity, 'including his comfortable home on the corner of Anthony and Walnut streets.

CLAUDIUS GRIFFIN, one of the most venerable as well as highly esteemed residents of Union township, was born 93. years ago, November 28, 1813, in a little, old log cabin, in Clermont County, Ohio. He is a son of Benjamin and Experience (Mitchell) Griffin.

Mr. Griffin comes of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather having served under General Washington in 1776 and also having participated in various' campaigns against the Indians and French which made courageous soldiers out of peaceful farmers. Mr. Griffin's father was a soldier in the War of 1812. When the Civil War fell upon the land, our venerable subject, then too old to be accepted as a defender of his country, sent his son, who gave up his young' life on the altar of patriotism.

Benjamin Griffin, father of our subject, was born near Utica, New York, later resided for a short period in Pennsylvania, but subsequently came Ohio, erecting a mill in Clermont County. Three years later a freshet in river carried his mill with its grain and flour off its foundations and throe:

only a fortunate accident were his home and family saved from like destruction. With his property thus destroyed, Mr. Griffin found it necessary to seek other means of subsistence and he decided to take up government land in Champaign County, where he finally located in a favorable spot. During the 15 years of his residence there, he cleared 120 acres of land, in the meantime enduring many pioneer hardships. When his son Claudius was about 18 years of age, Mr. Griffin was offered $5 an acre for his cleared land, which he accepted, and then purchased another . farm in Van Wert County. Our subject remembers very vividly the five months he spent alone on the new farm, clearing five acres of it by himself during the first winter. Indians frequently visited him in his rude cabin and the surrounding woods were full of wild animals. In the spring, after a long and wearying journey, the rest of the family came to Van Wert County, and here they lived united for the next eight years. Claudius Griffin's descriptions of the hardships that were necessarily faced and of the various expedients made use of both on the farm and in the household to ensure agricultural success and family comfort, impress the hearer with the conviction that our pioneer fathers and mothers were possessed of qualities of which we, of a younger generation, may well feel envious.

Benjamin Griffin married Experience Mitchell, who died in 1867, aged 82 years, surviving her husband for seven years, who was 76 years old when he passed away. They were the parents of m children, as follows : Nathaniel, Foster, Benjamin, Levi, Lucy, Amy, Eunice, Claudius, George and Chandler.

In 1839 Mr. Griffin was married and with his bride moved to Mercer County, locating on entered land in the vicinity of Mendon, where he again began the making of a home in the wilderness. Assisted and encouraged by his capable wife, he soon had enough land cleared to start his agricultural operations. Together he and his wife sowed the seed by hand; the grain when grown was cut with a sickle and the threshing was done with a flail. Even then, in order to make use of the grain, it had to be hauled for from 20 td 3o miles, through the woods and over bridgeless streams, to reach a mill. On numerous occasions Mr. Griffin met with adventures and accidents which would have discouraged any but a brave and resourceful man.

For five years after moving to Mercer County, Mr. Griffin was not called upon to pay tax on the land he had entered from the government, but at the end of this period he was assessed, and to obtain the $15 necessary he sold a bunch of 60 two-year old hogs for 25 cents apiece. He walked to St. Marys, to the asessment office, paid the tax with all the money he had, and, as he was not acquainted in the village, walked the whole distance home again, fasting. For 10 years after he settled in Mercer County, he received no mail, the

ties then not being an encouragement to correspondence. He recalls the first newspaper that ever came into his hand—a sheet of four pages about the size of an ordinary book.

As may be inferred, Mr. Griffin's educational opportunities were limited but this fact only made him the more anxious to secure better chances for h children. When sufficient families had settled in his neighborhood to make it possible to gather children together for a school, he made it his business to go from house to house and so represent matters that contributions were secured and a schoolhouse built. In the same way he was instrumental in the erection of the first church in his locality. Having united with a religious body at the age of 13 years, he realized the need of a place of worship where all, might gather, although from the first his home had been the home also of the pioneer preachers who made their periodical visits through the country. In all his efforts he was most ably seconded by his estimable wife, who become a professor of religion at the age of 16 years.

Mr. Griffin recalls when the site of Mendon was an Indian village and when the aborigines had only just left Van Wert, Lima, and many other points for the far West. All his relations with the Indians were in the main friendly, perhaps because he invariably treated them well, as he did all who were poor or unfortunate. His heart has ever responded to the call of distress, charity being quickly dispensed to those who required help.

In 1839 Mr. Griffin was Married to Elizabeth Arnold, a daughter of John and Rachel Arnold, who were natives of Kentucky but were then residents of Venedocia, Van Wert County, Ohio. To our subject and wife were born 13 children, as follows : Eunice, deceased, who was the wife of Caleb Kelley ; Mrs. Hannah Fryer, of Union township; John, deceased; Lucinda, deceased. who was the. wife of William Lumunyon; Benjamin, who died young; Nathaniel, who married Ann Dobson, and resides at Celina; George F., who married Lydia Partner and is a farmer in Union township; Martha Jane, who is the wife of Joseph G. Severns, of Union township; Rachel, deceased, who was the wife of William Partner; William, who died young. Priscilla, who is the wife of Calvin Krugh, and lives in Union township; Isabella, who is the wife of Elroy Hussey, a prominent merchant and the postmaster at Mendon; and Ida, who is the wife of Clement Vallandigham H of Union township.

A great grief came into the life of Mr. Griffin when his son John died in the army, during the Civil War. He was a valued member of the 18th Regiment. Ohio Vol. Inf. His death was caused from exposure after an attach of measles and his remains lie in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tennessee. ,Mrs. Griffin died July 26, 1906, aged 85 years, 6 months an 4 days. Her married life had extended over a period of nearly 67 years.

In political sentiment Mr. Griffin is in accord with the Republican party although, at the age of 21 years, he cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He visited the polls for the last time to cast his ballot for his great fellow-citizen, the late President William McKinley.

Since 1881 Mr. Griffin has resided' on his present farm, which is about half a mile from the old homestead. He is surrounded by. a large and interesting family of descendants numbering at present: Seven living children, 47 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. Every comfort that ample means can supply or loving thoughtfulness suggest is his. In a remarkable degree he retains the strength and clear faculties of years ago, having never used glasses to assist his vision and having at the age of 90 years performed the feat of reading the "Holy Scripture" through in the space of two weeks. This book is a very familiar one to him and its precepts he has faithfully followed through many, many years. He is a consistent member of the Church of God. His life has bridged a wonderful period of the world's history and in his locality he has ably performed his part in the mighty whole.

HARMAN GERHARD SCHWIETERMANN, one of the prominent agriculturists of Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, who resides on his valuable farm of 120 acres, situated in section 17, was born near Sebastian, in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, on April 13, 1868, and is a son of Gerhard and Josephine (Munning) Schwietermann.

The Schwietermann family is a numerous one in Mercer County, where it is noted for its thrift and good citizenship. It was founded here by the grandparents of our subject, Harman Arnold and Maria (Broaman) Schwietermann, who were born in Germany and came to America, when their oldest son, Gerhard, was three months old. The family home in Mercer County was established in 1836 on the farm now occupied by Frank Schwietermann. There were nine others in the family to which Gerhard belonged, namely : John Henry, Harman Henry, J. Bernard, Mary, Elizabeth, John and William (twins), and Anna and Joseph (twins). The parents died on the farm on which they had settled when all this land was little less than a wilderness.

Gerhard Schwietermann was reared a farmer and when he arrived at manhood worked for Anton Munning, whose daughter, Josephine, he married at a later date. Subsequently he purchased' his father-in-law's farm. Josephine Munning was born in France and was seven years of age when she accompanied her parents to America. They settled near Sebastian, in Mercer

County, where she was later married to Gerhard Schwietermann. She two brothers, and three sisters-Catherine, Victora and Mary.

Gerhard Schwietermann and wife had 10 children, as follows: Henry, who married Catherine Grieshop; Mary; who married George Klosterman; Anna, who married John Flick; Harman Gerhard,. the subject of this sketch; Frank, who married Agnes Stammen; Josephine, who married John Schmidt; Elizabeth, who died aged 18 years; and Philomena, Louis and George, who live at home. The mother of this family died March 19, 1895, and the death of the father followed five years later, June 5, 1900.

Harman Gerhard Schwietermann was reared and educated in Marion township and has been a farmer ever since he has been old enough to handle agricultural implements. He purchased his present farm from his father, in 1890, and has resided here ever since, continually improving his property an adding both to its value and to its attractiveness. When he settled here t residence was a six-room brick house, quite comfortable as it was, but in n way equaling the fine home into which Mr. Schwietermann transformed it in 1906. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and stands in the fro rank of good farmers of Marion township.

On February 12, 1890, Mr. Schwietermann was married to Catherine Homan, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, June 11, 1872, and is a daughter of Barney and Mary (Evers) Homan. Mr. Homan came from Germany in young manhood and in Mercer County was married to Mary Evers, a native of this county. He was born in 1828 and she in 1841. They had the following children : Frank, who married Mary Polman; Clemmens, who married Catherine Kellar:, Catherine:, Anna, who is the wile of Barney Bills; Joseph, who married Anna Kellar; and Barney, who married Margaret Kellar. Mr. and Mrs. Homan reside on their farm of 170 acres in Marion township.

Mr. and Mrs. Schwietermann have four children, namely: Rosa, Stephen, Constant and Clemmens. The family belong to St. Sebastian Catholic Church at Sebastian. Mr. Schwietermann is a valued and act member of St. Joseph's Society.

JOHN HENRY LANGE, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Granville township, who owns a fine farm of 350 acres of land in section 29, in tracts, separated by the Lauber turnpike, 240 acres being in one and the other, was born on the Lange homestead, in Granville, township,

County, Ohio, January. 6, 1855. He is a son of John Henry and Elizabeth (Overman) Lange.

John Henry Lange, Sr., was born in Germany and at the age of 19 years came to America. His parents, Henry and Mary Lange, were willing that their son should try his fortune in the land across the ocean, but they were poor and it took a large amount of money to pay his passage. They went to every extreme in order to secure the amount, even to selling the family cow. Later he assisted them to join him in America. When he landed in the great American metropolis of New York, he had just 5o cents in his pocket! It did not take him long, however, to find employment, but the work was the carrying of iron and after laboring for three days his shoulder became so sore that, in spite of what he considered fabulous pay, he was obliged to give it up. In Germany he had received $19 a year for his work, while the great iron company paid him $2 a day. He then went to Cincinnati and became acquainted with a contractor, who employed him during the summer in excavating. During the winter he went into the woods and cut cord wood, with his two partners camping out and doing their own cooking. Later he went into the excavating business as a contractor and filled out a railroad contract between Minster and Cincinnati. After this he bought 8o acres of land in Granville township, Mercer. County, on which he built a log house which provided shelter until he could erect a better one, which latter one is still standing. A man of his energy and perseverance could not help being successful. He acquired and sold large tracts of land, handling over 1,000 acres in his time. He died on his farm on April 23, 1879.

During his residence in Cincinnati, he married Elizabeth Overman, who was born in Germany and came to America with her parents when she was six years of age. She died in Granville township, February 12, 1894. They had eight children, namely : Bernardina, who married J. H. Hulsman and lives at St. Henry; Anna, who married Anton Lammers, and lives at St. Henry; Mary, who married G. H. Moeller, and lives at St. Henry ; Elizabeth, deceased in infancy; John Henry ; John Herman, living on the home place, who married (first)' Mary Morman, and (second) Elizabeth Dabbelt; Elizabeth (2), deceased, who was the wife of Bernard Borger ; and Frank, who married Mary Steinlage, and lives near our subject.

John Henry Lange bears his father's name. He continued to work on the home farm, after finishing his schooling in the district schools, until he was married and ready to establish his own home. He had already secured 80 acres from his father and this he cleared, living on it, and later bought 30 acres from Paul Henry Hemmelgarn, and, still later, 120 acres from the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, and subsequently 4o acres more from the same organization. Later he purchased 80 acres from Fred Beimel and

still later purchased 107 acres in Darke County, Ohio, making his total possessions amount to 457 acres.

In 1881 Mr. Lange built his comfortable, nine-room, frame residence and continued to add improvements of various kinds to the homestead. In 1893 gas was found on his farm and later 'oil was also discovered.

Mr. Lange has often heard his father tell of the wild condition of the country when he first settled here. On many occasions he had to drive deer out of his wheat field. He raised flax and kept sheep for the wool, which the women of the household spun and then wove into fabrics, with which they made the clothing for the tamily. They were accustomed to go to church in wooden shoes. At first they went 40 miles with their grist to secure flour for bread.

On May 24, 1881, Mr. Lange was married to Frances Drahman, a daughter of Bernard and Mary (Hemmelgarn) Drahman, who were born in Germany and died at St. Henry. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Drahman were: Henry ; Bernardina, deceased, who was the wife of William Grave; Anna, who was a nun in a convent at Brooklyn, New York, where she died iy 1892; Theresa, wife of Joseph Macke; John; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Martin Schoeneberger; Joseph; Frances; Bernard, who 'died aged 14 years; and Mary, who died aged seven years.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lange were : Rosalia, who is the wife of Andrew Evers and a resident of Butler township; Joseph; Theresa; Amelia; Ludwig; Bernard ; Henry ; Albert ; Ferdinand and Otilia, both deceased; and Ludvina. Mr. Lange and family belong to St. Henry's Catholic Church at St. Henry. In politics he is a Democrat.

FRANK LUDWIG DABBELT, a prosperous farmer and well-known citizen of Franklin township, who owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres, which has been in the family since the grandfather's time, was born here on April i8, i867. He is a son of Hubert and Rosina (Lindhaus) Dabbelt.

The grandfather of Mr. Dabbelt, Barney Dabbelt, was born in Germany, where he was twice married. He settled in Franklin township, Mercer County, on the farm above mentioned, and upon it passed the rest of his lifeia The children of his first marriage were: Gerhard, Hubert and Anna, the latter of whom married John Beauchamp, and all are now deceased. The children of the second marriage were: Ignatz, August and Mollie, the latter of whom is Mrs. Henry Dorston.

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father to Mercer County, and he remained all his life on the home farm, where he died January 5, 1906. At St. Sebastian's Catholic Church, at Sebastian, Mercer County, he was married to Rosina Lindhaus, who was born in Ohio, but is of German extraction. Of her three brothers, Henry, Barney and Joseph, the first named is dead. Of her sisters, Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, Catherine and Lena, Catherine' is deceased. Mrs. Dabbelt still survives and resides at the home of the subject of this sketch.

The children of Hubert Dabbelt and wife were: Barney John, who married Mary Hanfelder and resides on a farm near Montezuma; Henry, who married Christina Heyne, and lives at Dayton; Catherine, who married Casper Clune and is now deceased ; Frank Ludwig, of this sketch; John and Caroline, who died young; Old Aloys, who married Agnes Schwietermann and lives on a Franklin township farm.

Frank Ludwig Dabbelt has always followed farming. In 1898 he purchased his present farm, which included a comfortable, 10-room frame house and good barn. Mr. Dabbelt has made many improvements here and has a. very valuable property. In 1892 he had experiments made to determine whether gas existed and the conclusions were so favorable that he had a well drilled from which gas still issues, which is utilized for heating and lighting.

On October 20, 1898, Mr. Dabbelt was united in marriage with Mary Schwietermann, a daughter of Joseph Schwietermann, a prominent citizen of Franklin township, and they have three children, namely: Hubert, born July 26, i9o1; Alfred, born August 30, 1903; and Ferdinand, born April 24, 1905. Both Mr. Dabbelt and wife are members of St. Sebastian's Catholic Church at Sebastian.

LEONARD GURLEY BROCK

LEONARD GURLEY BROCK, residing on his well-improved farm of 160 acres, which is situated in section 9, Jefferson township, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, July 30, 1837, and is a son of Rev. Wesley and Zerilda (Hopkins) Brock.

Rev. Wesley Brock was born in Jackson County, Indiana, and was a son of David Brock, who was born in England. Wesley Brock was married first in Indiana and one son, David, was born to that marriage, who died at the age of 25 years. After coming to Ohio, Mr. Brock was married td Zerilda Hopkins, a daughter of Hazzard Hopkins, a substantial farmer of Logan County, Ohio, and they had eight children, seven of whom still survive. The record is as follows : Leonard G.; Sylvester; John Wesley; Francis; Orlando Hopkins; Elonidas Gardner; Emma Alice, deceased at the age of four years; and Wilbur Hazzard.

468 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY

For many years Rev. Wesley Brock was a. minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and our subject's boyhood was spent in many different parts of Ohio, just as his father would be moved from station to station. In later years Rev. Wesley Brock bought a large body of farming land, some 480 acres, in Jefferson township, Mercer County, and he entered 160 acres in his own name and 120 acres in our subject's name, when the latter was 14 years of age. He was a man of excellent business faculty as well as piouc zeal and he is remembered in the old church annals as a faithful worker and effective preacher. He died on November 19, 1857 and is resting in what is called the Swamp Cemetery in Jefferson township. The mother of our subject survived him many years, dying on August 21, 1898, aged 82 years.

Leonard G. Brock was about 15 years old when he came first to Jefferson township and he assisted his father in clearing the land. On many occasions in those early days he killed deer on the very fields he has since cultivated.

On April 29, 1864, Mr. Brock was married to Elizabeth Langle, daughter of Adam Langle, of Butler township, and they had seven children born to them, viz : Lawrence Emerson, an officer in the internal revenue service, living at Troy, Ohio, who married Jennie Steele and has one daughter; Otho, residing on the home farm, who married Effie Richeson and has two children—Lela and Meredith Leonard; Carrie Irena, who married Rev. James Francis Olive, a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, who is in charge of a church at Carey, Wyandot County, Ohio—they have two children, Millie Marie and James Francis ; and four children that died in infancy. Mrs. Brock died November 12, 1901.

Mr. Brock has lived to see 'many changes take place in this part of Mercer County and he has borne his part of the burden in the general progressive movement. He has a fine farm and carries on general farming and stock-raisingia He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1880. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for President Lincoln in 1860. Portraits ot Mr. and Mrs. Brock accompany this sketchia

BARNEY ROHLER

BARNEY ROHLER, a well-known citizen and general merchant of Moptezuma, was born in Germany in 1865 and is a son of John and Mary Rohler.

John Rohler was born in Germany, and spent the greater part of his life in his native land, coming to America with, his wife and daughters in 1887. He was married in Germany and all of his children were born in that country. He was the father of six children : Harman, who died in child-

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hood; Cecilia (Stacy), who lives in Chicago ; Gertrude, who married Henry Albers and lives in Shelby County, Ohio; Anna, deceased, who was the Wife of Gerhard Brunick ; Maggie, a resident of Shelby County, Ohio, who is the widow ot A. Benanza ; and Barney.

Barney Rohler was reared in Germany on a farm and at the age of 20 years came to this country, this being about two and a half years before the rest of the family came. He lived at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for about three months. In 1885 he came to Mercer County and worked on a farm for Henry Luctifelt for about two years. He then rented a farm for his father near McCartyville, Shelby County, Ohio, where he remained assisting his father for three years; after which he rented a farm of 80 acres from Anthony Albers in Shelby County, Ohio, which he operated for the next three years. His next move was to Frank Hullman's farm of 80 acres on which he lived for four years. Subsequently he bought a farm of 10 acres in Franklin township, Mercer County, where he lived for six years. He sold this farm to Harlow W. Burdge and in 1905 opened up a general store in Montezuma, which he is still conducting.

Mr. Rohler was married in the fall of 1892 to Elizabeth Watercutter and they have had six children, namely : John, Frank, Margaret, Heinrich, Regina and Gregor. Mr. Rohler is a member of the Catholic Church at Montezuma.

JESSE W. MYERS

JESSE W. MYERS, a representative agriculturist and well-known citizen of Butler township, who lives on his valuable, well-cultivated farm of 100 acres, 50 acres of which are in section 22 and 50 in section 27, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January i8, 1847, and is a son of John and Orilla (Philipps) Myers.

James Myers, the grandfather of our subject, came trom Pennsylvania as a pioneer to Shelby County, Ohio, and in the pioneer home there John Myers, father of our subject, was born. When Jesse W. Myers was eight years old the family removed to Miami 'County, remaining there three years and then returning to Shelby County, finally removing to Greenville, Ohio, where the father passed the rest of his life.

Jesse W. Myers came to Mercer County in i866, when 21 years of age, having visited several of the Western States prior to this. He worked as a farmer and later purchased land which was then all covered with standing timber. This he cleared, and effected many other improvements here during the ensuing years. Finally he owned 164 acres of excellent land. Subsequently he gave his son 64 acres, retaining t00 acres, which he has placed under

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excellent cultivation. Mr: Myers carries on general farming and raises some stock.

In 1870 Mr. Myers was married in Mercer County to Mary C. Wyett, a daughter of John T. D. Wyett. Mrs. Myers died in January, 1893, leaving tone son, John A., who resides on the home farm, unmarried. On January 1, 1894, Mr. Myers was married (second) to Mrs. Jane (Frick) Andrews, widow of James Andrews. She had three children by the first marriage, namely : Chloe, who. married Earl Poor and has one child, James Lowell; Clyde, who is employed in Judge Charles S. Younger's office; and Pearly, who died in infancy.

For the past 33 years Mr. Myers has been a member of the United Brethren Church, for a long time has been class leader and is now one of the stewards. He does not belong to any fraternal organization, but his son is a popular member of the Eagles. Mr. Myers is very highly respected in his neighborhood, bearing the reputation of a man of integrity and uprightness, one whose influence is always cast in the direction of temperance and morality.

WILLIAM ELLIS NEWCOMB

WILLIAM ELLIS NEWCOMB, who has been a lifelong resident of Mercer County, is a well-known agriculturist of Center township, where he owns valuable farm of 170 acres. He was born March 11, 1851, and is the son of Miletus Madison and Margaret Catherine (Ellis) Newcomb, and a grandson' of Miletus Newcomb.

Miletus Newcomb, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Vermont. He moved to New York at an early age and located in Essex County, subsequently removing to Licking County, Ohio, where he bought a farm in St. Albans township, where he lived until his death, September 14, 1837. His widow, who was Rhoda Hayes, in maiden life, lived until September 3o, 1848.

Miletus Madison Newcomb, father of our subject, came to Mercer County at an early age and assisted in supporting his mother after the death, of his father. He inherited 40 acres of the home place, afterwards acquired, more land and at one time had 275 acres. He owned 100 acres of what is now our subject's place, but which was not a part of the old homestead. For some years he was engaged in the hay business, in partnership with his son,: William Ellis Newcomb, being among the first to engage in the hay business in Celina, where he lived for four or five years prior to his death, which occurred July 9, 1903. He married Margaret Catherine Ellis, a native of Shelby County, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Sarah Hannah (Fer

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rell) Ellis, who later became residents of Celina. Mrs. Newcomb is still living, being now 78 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb were the parents of to children : Miletus, who resides in Celina; William Ellis, subject of this sketch; Isaac, deceased; Sarah Hannah, deceased; Mrs. Melissa Raudabaugh, who lives in Celina; John Francis, who died in early manhood; A. B., who lives in Celina; Mrs. Minnie Steman, who lives on the home place; Oran, who lives on the home place; and Margaret May (Mrs. D. M. Miesse), who lives on a corner of the home place. Mr. Newcomb enlisted in the 100-day service during the Civil War and took part in several early skirmishes. He was a Republican in politics and served in several township offices.

William Ellis Newcomb was reared on the home farm in Center township, where he remained until 33 years of age, when he moved to his present place, living for five years in an old log cabin. He cleared about 125 of his 170-acre property. In 1887, after selling his personal property, he moved to Celina and in partnership with his brother, A. B Newcomb, engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued for a period of 12 years. He sold out to his brother in 1899 and returned to his farm in Center township, where he has since resided, and where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. During the period of his residence in Celina, he was also engaged in the implement and wind-pump business for about six or eight years, and was also a large dealer in hay, buying and selling in great quantities.

Mr. Newcomb was married in 1883 to Melinda Carpenter, who died in 1887, leaving two children, as follows : Melissa, wife of J. B. Collins; and Ida Belle, who married W. S. Stanbery. His second marriage occurred in 1898 to Mary Harmon. Mr. Newcomb is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FRANK NIEKAMP, JR.

FRANK NIEKAMP, JR., whose fine farm of 8o acres is located in section 10, Marion township, was born August 6, 1875, in Franklin township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Clemmens and Catherine (Lindhaus) Niekamp.

Frederick Niekamp and wife, the grandparents of our subject, emigrated to America from Germany and settled at Tippecanoe, Ohio, where they lived for seven years. Mr. Niekamp then removed to Mercer County, where he traded an old surrey for a tract of land in Marion township. He was a man of more than usual intelligence and at that time was about the only man in the
township who could speak English. On this account he frequently represented the people in the courts of Celina. He was twice married. By his first wife, Catherine Newhouse, he had four children, namely : John, who married Anna Dabbelt for his first wife and Catherine Borget for his second—both now deceased; Clemmens, our subject's father; Joseph, who died unmarried

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at Cincinnati; and Mary, who married Rudolf Klostermann. By his second marriage, to Catherine Stammen, he had 10 children, viz : Henry, who married Catherine Koch; Elizabeth, deceased; Philomena, who married John Ronnebaum; Gerhard, who married Elizabeth Mestemaker ; Peter, who married. Frances Bertke; Catherine, who died young; Frank, who married Eliza- beth Klistermann; Julia and. Theodore, both deceased; and a babe that died r in infancy.

Clemmens Niekamp was born at Tippecanoe, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Mercer County. Here he married Catherine Lindhaus, who was born in Mercer County, aria is a daughter of Bernard Lindhaus, a native of Germany. They had two children : Frank; and Anna, the latter of whom married George Grapperhaus, and lives in Marion township. The father of our subject bought a farm in Franklin township and on that farm both he and his wife died, within three days of each other, this double bereavement coming to their son when he was but four years old, and to his sister when still younger.' Their grandfather, Frederick, Niekamp, took charge of the children and they were reared on his farm in Marion township.

Frank Niekamp, Jr., was reared and educated in Marion township and has devoted his whole life to farming. In 1898 he purchased his 80-acre farm from Anthony Weber, who was administrator for Henry Kaiser. It is a good property and is well managed by its present owner. Its improvements consist of the usual farm buildings, all of a substantial character, and a pleasant, roomy, frame residence, which is kept in fine order by Mr. Niekamp's estimable wife.

In the year the bought his farm, Mr. Niekamp was married to Catherine Wabler, who was born on the Wabler home farm in Franklin township, Mercer County, December 11, 1876. She is a daughter of Henry and Theresa (Koch) Wabler, who now live retired at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wabler had 10 children, as follows : John, Catherine, Anthony, Rosa, Anna, Frances, Elizabeth, Henry, Leo, deceased at the age of three months; and Regina.

Mr. and Mrs. Niekamp have had six children, namely : Leon and Hilda, both deceased; Amanda; John and Mary (twins), both deceased; and Rosa. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Niekamp is a member of St. Joseph's Society.

JOHN HENRY SCHWIETERMANN

JOHN HENRY SCHWIETERMANN, a well-known citizen and representative farmer of Franklin township, owning and operating a farm of 185 acres situated in sections 33 and 32, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 29,

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1840, and is a son of Harman Arnold and Mary (Broaman) Schwietermann.

The parents of Mr. Schwietermann were born in Hanover, Germany. Harmon K Schwietermann lived on his father's farm in the old country until he came to the United States; his brother-in-law being a large contractor and dyke builder, he frequently worked for him in Holland and other countries at dyke building. Harman A. Schwietermann had three brothers, Gerhard, Bernard and Henry, an sister, but none came to America except himself. He married in Germany and with wife and one son, Gerhard, landed at New York, on SS. Peter and Paul's Day, in 1836, and immediately left for Buffalo, New York, where they remained for a short time and then pushed on into Ohio. The father bought a farm Of 8o acres in Marion township, Mercer County, only, about an acre of which was cleared, and later, as his children grew up, continued to add to his possessions until he owned, at the time of his death, some 300 acres. He carried on general farming and raised stock. His children born in America were : John Henry, Harman Henry, J. Bernard, Mary, Elizabeth, John and William (twins), and Anna and Joseph (twins).

John Henry Schwietermann, like his father and' brothers, stands very high in public esteem in. his neighborhood. He is an honest, industrious farmer and stock-raiser and his well-cultivated farm and fine home give testimony to his, capacity as a farmer and his pride in his surroundings. His house is heated and lighted by a system of gas piping from a gas-well, of which well he is part owner; he also has telephone connection.

Mr. Schwietermann was married on June 12, 1866, to Mary Meinerding and they 'have four children, viz.: John, who married Martha Shell, and has five children—he was formerly a teacher in a high school in Missouri, but now conducts a general store; Charles, who married Caroline Will, lives on the old home place and has five children; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Folke and resides at Coldwater; and Frank, single, who lives at home.

Mr. Schwietermann has always been a good citizen and has taken some interest in local politics, assisting in electing good men to office and in working for public improvements. He has not often accepted office for himself, but did serve for a time as township trustee. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

PAUL HENRY HEMMELGARN

PAUL HENRY HEMMELGARN, whose well-developed and highly cultivated farm of 130 acres is located in section, 29, Granville township, was born June 10, 1853, at Minster, Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry Hemmelgarn, a native of Germany.

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Henry Hemmelgarn came to this country with his parents when two and a half years of age. His parents first located at Springfield, Ohio, and in a few years moved to Mercer County, where his father bought a farm of 80 acres in Cranberry Prairie for a very small sum. The land was cleared and a round-log cabin was erected, and here his parents passed the remainder of their days. They had a family of six children, namely : Mary, deceased; Elizabeth; Catherine; Theodore, a resident of Granville township, who married Mary Hulsman, now deceased; Joseph, deceased; and Henry, father of our subject

Henry Hemmelgarn learned the carpenter's trade when a boy at Minster, where he lived for a few years after his marriage. In 1855 he moved to Granville township, Mercer County, where he bought a farm. of 40 acres on the township line near Cassella. He subsequently sold this farm and took an interest in a sawmill at Cassella, in which business he remained for two years.
He then bought 120 acres of land in Granville township and lived on this farm for about 22 years, when he sold it and bought 190 acres in Marion township, where he is still living with his son John, who has since bought the farm. He married Catherine Smith, who came from Germany with her parents when six years of age. They became the parents of these children: Paul Henry, subject of this sketch; Theodore, deceased in infancy; Catherine, who married Joe Hagerdorn, of St. Rosa; Bernard, who married Josephina Hesselfelt and lives at Cincinnati; John, who married Bernardina Albers and resides on the old home place in Marion township; Charles, who married Philomena .Gottemoller and lives in Marion township; William, deceased in infancy; and Elizabeth, who married Herman Brandewie, of Auglaize County. Mrs. Hemmelgarn died at Cranberry Prairie in December, 1872.

Paul Henry Hemmelgarn has always lived in Mercer County and been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He purchased a farm in 1877 from Mr. Fraser. This land was the old Landon Bennett place, which was entered in 1835 in the United States Land Office at Lima, and Mr. Hemmelgarn has the deed which is signed by President Van Buren. The Wabash River at one time run through this land, but now nothing remains but the river bed, as the course of the river has changed. The house, which is a large, six-room, frame building, sets back about a quarter of a mile from the road, and was erected by our subject in 1894. A large barn and other improvements have been added by him. Mr. Hemmelgarn has a well-kept vineyard.

Mr. Hemmelgarn was married November 9, 1875, at Cranberry Prairie, to Elizabeth Lemm, a daughter of William H. Lemm. They have had io children, namely : Catherine, who married Fred Gottemoller, lives in Marion township and has three children—Mark, Urban and Mary Elizabeth; Cecilia Anna, deceased in infancy; Elizabeth; Joseph; Mary; Charles; Henry; Leo;

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Theresa; and Maggie, who is deceased. Mrs. Hemmelgarn died February 8, 1900. Mr. Hemmelgarn has served several terms on the School Board, and he and his family are members of St. Wendelin's Catholic Church at Wendelin.

JACOB ALEXANDER TINGLEY

JACOB ALEXANDER TINGLEY, a prosperous farmer and leading citizen of Mercer County, owns 241 acres of finely improved land, which is situated in one of the best sections of Union township. He belongs to good old Ohio stock, and was born May 4, 1861, in Dublin township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of John B. and Martha J. (Baltzell) Tingley.

Our subject is of English and Scotch extraction. The Tingley family originated in England. Two brothers of the name came together to America very many years ago, one being a sea captain and the other a merchant. The latter married a Scotch lady and became the progenitor of the Tingley family that is under consideration.

William B. Tingley, grandfather of Jacob A., was born and reared in Clermont County, Ohio. His children were: John B., father of our subject; Jonathan, who lived and died in Cincinnati; Benton, who resides in Madisonville, near Cincinnati; Albert, who resides near Cincinnati; Mrs. Elizabeth Black, who died in Ohio; and Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Akins.

John B. Tingley, the eldest son of William B., was born April 15, 1825, in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1859 he moved to Dublin township, Mercer County, settling on the farm on which he lived until his death, which is now owned and occupied by two of his sons, Nathan Andrew and Walter B. His death occurred January 7, 1903, in his 78th year. He married Martha J. Baltzell, who died in June, 19oo, in her 64th year. She was a -daughter of Jacob A. and Priscilla (Stewart) Baltzell, who moved from Hamilton County to Van Wert County, and settled in Liberty township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Baltzell were: Martha J.; Philip, who died in Hamilton County, Ohio; Nathan, who died in February, 1906, in Liberty township, Van Wert County; Samuel, who lives at Ohio City, Ohio; Harriet, who is the wife of A. T. Sutton, a prominent farmer of Dublin township; Alexander, who died in Van Wert County, some years since; and Lloyd, who died young.

The children of John B. Tingley and wife were: Jacob A., of this sketch; Harriet Priscilla, who married S. A. Clay, a native of Union township, and resides at Rockford; William Benton, a large farmer of Dublin township, owning and operating 16o acres of fine land, now serving his second term as

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township trustee, who married Anna Wert, of Liberty township, Van Wert County; Nathan Andrew, who married Mary Foster, of Middlepoint, Ohio, and lives on his valuable farm of 110 acres, located on the line of Union and Dublin townships ; Walter B., who married Bessie Bevington, of York township, Van Wert County, Ohio, who resides on the old homestead of 103 acres in Dublin township, that he owns; Mary Etta, who married Thomas Tester, of Dublin township, and resides two miles east of Rockford, where they own a farm of 5o acres; Arthur, who died in infancy. in Hamilton County, Ohio; and Samuel and, Alwilda, both of whom died as infants, in Mercer County.

Jacob A. Tingley attended what was known as the Frisinger school, in Dublin township, during his boyhood. From youth he has been practically associated with agricultural life and is a thorough farmer. When he started out for himself, he bought 3o acres of land in Dublin township, which he later sold and bought 116 acres, to which he added 8o acres and finally a little over 45 acres. This was formerly the old Archer homestead and he purchased 116 acres from the heirs, his next purchases being from a Mr. Boroff, and the Miller heirs. In 1900 he built his fine residence and substantial barn. His premises are equipped with every appliance for the modern style of farming, which he carries on in a scientific manner and prospers accordingly. In addition to fertility, his farm is valuable on account of the discovery here of oil and there are several producing wells on his land. This portion he has owned but two years, when he bought the royalty. The five wells promise good returns.

On November 8, 1881, Mr. Tingley was married to Amanda J. Archer, who was born in Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of J. M. and Mary (Tomlinson) Archer, who settled on the present farm of our .subject prior to the. Civil War; here Mr. Archer died in 1887 and Mrs. Archer in 1874.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Archer were: Lucinda, who married William Shelley, and resides in Union township; Amanda J., wife of Mr. Tingley ; Scott, a resident of Michigan; Henry, a resident of North Baltimore, Ohio; John, a resident of Berrien County, Michigan; Alonzo, deceased; Myrtle, who married Lewis Shindledecker and resides at Benton Harbor, Michigan,; and a child that died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Tingley Have two children, Edith and Joseph. The former married C. L. Ross, and they live on Mr. Tingley's place in Union township. Joseph was born April 16, 1883, and is engaged with his father on the home farm.

Politically, Mr. Tingley is a Democrat. In the fall of 1894 he was elected a member of the township Board of Education. He is a member of the

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Methodist Episcopal Church known as Wesley Chapel. Views of Mr. Tingley's residence and barn accompany this sketch.

JOHN PETER WRIGHT

JOHN PETER WRIGHT, a successful farmer of Washington township, residing on a farm of 80 acres situated in section 11, was born July 2, 186o, in Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Catherine (Sheets) Wright.

David Wright was born in Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. After reaching manhood he moved to Miami County and located on a farm. He married Catherine Sheets and had two children: James Buchanan, who died at the age of seven years; and John Peter. About 1865 he moved to Mercer County and located on a farm about two miles south of the farm on which his son now lives. He was a tanner by trade, and always run a tannery in connection with his farming operations until his death, which occurred in 1872. Mrs. Wright died in 1886.

John P. Wright, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Washington township and was educated in the district schools of the township. He is now engaged in farming, but has also done some carpentering in connection with his farm work. Mr. Wright bought his present farm in 1885 and has made most of the improvements which have been made on the place.

Mr. Wright was first married in 1885 to Maggie Kettering, and they had one child, Ida. Mabel, who married B. F. Powell and has two children - Delila and Margaret Mabel. Mrs. Wright died October 13, 1891. Mr. Wright's second marriage occurred on February 11, 1896, to Mary Ellen Carmack, a daughter of Charles and Sarah Jane Carmack; Charles Carmack died in 1872 and his wife is still living in Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of two children : Ralph Eugene and Charles David. The large frame house which the family occupy was erected in 1894 and in 1905 the barn was built.

Mr. Wright served his township in various offices, having served two terms as assessor of Washington township, is one of the school directors and is also pike superintendent. He is a member and a deacon of the Wabash Christian Church. He is a member and, is at present master of Wabash Grange, No. 236; P. of H.

ALOYS DABBELT

ALOYS DABBELT, whose fine 80-acre farm is located in section 34, Franklin township, was born on the Dabbelt home farm, near Sebastian, May 26, 1884, and is a son of Hubert and Rosina (Lindhaus) Dabbelt.

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Hubert Dabbelt was born in Germany and was 15 years old when he accompanied his father, Barney Dabbelt, to America. Barney Dabbelt was twice married; the children of his first union were: Gerhard, Anna a Hubert, and of the second marriage, Mollie, Ignatz and August. Hubert Dabbelt was reared on the farm on which his father settled and remained there until the death of the parents. He married Rosina Lindhaus, who w born in Ohio, but had German parents; her mother resides in this count aged about 85 years. The children born to Hubert Dabbelt and wife were. Barney John, who married Mary Hanfelder and lives on a farm near Mont zuma ; Henry, who married Christina Heyne and lives at Dayton; Catherine, who married Casper Clune and is now deceased; Frank Ludwig, who marri Mary Schwietermann, lives on the home farm at Sebastian, Ohio: John and Caroline. who died young; and Aloys. The father died January 5, 1906, but the mother still survivesandd resides with her son Frank Ludwig on the home place. She is a lady of remarkable memory and can tell of the early days in this section in a very entertaining way.

Aloys Dabbelt remained with his parents until he was married, attending the neighboring schools and assisting in the operating of the farm. Mr. Dabbelt enjoys the distinction of being one ofthe youngestt farmers, to own his own farm, in Franklin township. This property he purchased in June, 1905, from his father, and he has demonstrated his capacity as a farmer in his excellent management of it since it came into his possession. When he took charge, a comfortable six-room frame house stood here and the commodious barn had also been built, but Mr. Dabbelt has continued to make improvements of various kinds.

On June 13, 1905, Mr. Dabbelt was married to Agnes Schwietermann, a daughter of Joseph Schwietermann,aa sketch of whom will be found else where in this work. They have an infant son, Edwin Joseph, who was born May 3o, 1906. Both Mr. Dabbelt and wife belong to the. Catholic Church.

MILTON O. KRUGH

MILTON O. KRUGH, mayor of Mendon and principal of the Mendon High School, was born in York township, Van Wert County, Ohio, October 25, 1868, and is a son of William and Malissa (Hays) Krugh, and a grandson of John and Mary (Miller) Krugh.

William Krugh was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1840, and was reared on his father's iarm, working through eight months of the year and attending school about three. He was 21 years old when he

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left home and came to Ohio, locating with William Heath, in October, 1861. His father came to Ohio in the following spring.

In August, 1862, William Krugh enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company A, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained in the service for three years. He was mustered in at Camp Lima, Lima, Ohio, and was mustered out in 1865 at Salisbury, North Carolina. Mr. Krugh took part in many of the great battles of that war and witnessed the death and disabling of many of his comrades. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Mission Ridge, Orchard Knob, Chickamauga, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Big Sandy, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, the siege and capture of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Nashville and then Franklin, where was fought one of the severest battles of the Rebellion. Mr. Krugh receives a service pension but he was fortunate enough to never experience wounds or serious sickness.

The brave 99th Ohio became decimated from severe fighting and hence was merged with the 50th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. The first officers of Mr. Krugh's company were: Capt. James Scott; 1st Lieutenant King, of Delphos, Ohio; and 2nd Lieut. William T. Exline of Liberty township, Van Wert County. The last named became captain at a later date, Captain Scott having been killed at Stone River. Captain Exline now resides on a farm in Liberty township, Van Wert County, near Ohio City.

After his honorable discharge from the army, Mr. Krugh bought a farm in Van Wert County, Ohio, on which he lived for Jo years and then came to Mercer County, where he rented land for two years. Then Mr. Krugh bought the farm on which he has lived for the past 25 years, which contains a fraction over 113 acres and is situated in section 19, Union township.

On February 9, 1868, Mr. Krugh married Malissa J. Hays, a daughter of Jackson and Eliza B. Hay., and to this union were born the following named children : Milton 0., the immediate subject of this sketch; Orum H., a farmer in Union township, who married Winnie Snyder, daughter of George Snyder and has three children, Ernest, Mary and Bruce; Homer J., employed in a grocery store at Mendon, who married Stella Rhodes, daughter of Benjamin Rhodes, and has one child; William E., operating the Yocum farm in Union township, who married Nellie Kinkley, daughter of Christopher Kinkley, and has two children, Chloe and Ellen; Mary E., born August 24, 1875, deceased December 4, 1878; and Ella F., born April 15, 1885, deceased April 10, 1890. The mother of the above family died August 12, 1894. Mr. Krugh was married (second) to Mrs. Lydia Shady, widow of Isaac Shady and daughter of Samuel and Mary (Swift) Brookhart, the latter of whom died August 25, 1894. Mr. Brookhart still survives and lives on a farm in Hopewell township.

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Milton O. Krugh accompanied his parents when they located, in 1876, on the farm one mile southeast of Marion, where they lived for two years, then removing to the homestead three miles west of Mendon. On that farm he grew to maturity. His primary education was obtained in the district 14 schools and then he attended school at Mendon for three years and later the normal school at Middlepoint, Van Wert County. He continued to study at home and rounded out a liberal education by a course at Oxford, Ohio, in 1906.

Mr. Krugh has been a teacher since 1892, when he began to teach dis- trict school, to which he devoted five years. In 1897 he was invited to Mendon and become principal of the Mendon High School, a position for which I he is amply qualified. He enjoys the use of a fine, modern school building-- there being six teachers in the school. There are 225 pupils in the school, 50
of these being in the High School, this being the joint High School of the village and township. As an educator he stands very high in Mercer County 4 and is a member of a number of educational organizations.

Mr. Krugh was married to Minnie Johnson, a daughter of William H. and Margaret (Perdy) Johnson. They have five children, as follows: Hazel, Lucile, Lawrence, Josephine and an infant.
Mr. Krugh has been a resident of Mendon for the past 14 years and during this time he has been identified with its educational development to a large degree. In politics he is a Republican, and for the past six years has heel justice of the peace of Union township. He was elected to the Village Council and as its leader is serving out the unexpired term of the late mayor L. A. Barber. He is a prominent, useful and representative citizen.

HENRY HAGEMAN

HENRY HAGEMAN, one of the leading citizens and most prospero farmers of Butler township, owning a magnificent farm of 494 acres situat in sections 27 and 34, and also operating a farm of 99 acres belonging to wife, which is situated in Granville township, was born January 26, 1837, in Germany. His parents were Joseph and Anna Maria Elizabeth (Hamesauth) Hageman.

The Hageman family crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1837, making the long voyage of seven and a half weeks in a sailing vessel. They landed at Baltimore and then came on to Cincinnati, and from there by wagon, till Minster, Auglaize County, where, they lived for two years. In 1840 they. removed to Marion township and settled on a farm near St. Johns, the father

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buying 40 acres of wild land on which he built a log cabin, subsequently developing a good farm.

On the above farm Henry Hageman grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the district schools. He was trained to be a practical farmer and has devoted his life to farming and stock-raising, meeting with unusual success. In 186o Mr. Hageman was married (first) to Caroline Boeckman, who was a daughter of Henry Boeckman, an old pioneer of Marion township, who died in the fall of 1903, aged 92 years. To this marriage 12 children were born, namely : Joseph, who died when one month old; Henry, living in Oklahoma, who has one son, William; John, also a resident of Oklahoma, who has six children; Mary, who married Bennett Froning and died one year later; Elizabeth, who married Bennett Geer, lives in Texas and has seven children; Joseph (2)., residing at Dayton, who has three children; Rosa, who died aged one month; Benjamin, who lives at Botkins, Shelby County, unmarried; Kate, who married George Moessinger, lives at Cincinnati and has one child; Frank, who died aged 19 years; Annie, who married Bennett Enneking, lives at Cincinnati and has one child; and Caroline, who died aged about one month. The mother of this family died February 15, 1881.

Mr. Hageman was married (second) in August, 1883, to Josephine Rose, and they have eight children, namely : Herman, residing at Dayton, who has one child, Geneva; and Louis, Urban, Etta, Dinah, Aloysius, Lena and Clara. All survive expect Clara, who died at the age of six years.

In 1871, Mr. Hageman removed from St. Johns to his present home farm, on which he first erected a frame house, but later replaced it with the handsome brick one which was completed in 1895. It is one of the finest as well as most comfortable homes in the township. He carries on general farming in a way that insures abundant crops and his methods are often adopted by his neighbors. Mr. Hageman is a worthy member of the Catholic Church.

GEORGE W. BROWN

GEORGE W. BROWN, a substantial citizen of Butler township, who resides upon his well-improved farm of 160 acres in section 14, and owns also 11 additional acres in Jefferson township, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February 13, 1831, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Riggs) Brown.

William Brown was born in Clermont County, Ohio, where he was educated, married and passed a long life. His wife died when George W. was a child of two years. An older brother, William, who was killed in the front

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of the regiment at the battle of Lookout Mountain, was fifer in the 148th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.

George W. Brown was 21 years of age when he came to Mercer County, purchasing his present home farm at that time, which was then in its natural condition. He located on his property on March 8, 1862, finding it already inhabited by deer, wild hogs, pheasants, squirrels and snakes, neighbors he very soon disposed of as he began the rapid clearing of the land. This work was interrupted, for in 1863 he enlisted in Company I, 156th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for the 100-day service. After it was completed, he reenlisted, entering Company D, 193rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. Good fortune attended him and he passed harmlessly through the battles of Harper's Ferry and Cumberland City, Maryland; Cynthiana, .Kentucky; and many skirmishes. After the Rebellion had been subdued he returned to his farm and resumed his agricultural operations. He has made many substantial improvements here and has adequate and comfortable buildings of all kinds. In contrast to the new structures is the old barn still standing, which was built in 1866, probably the oldest in the township. Mr. Brown carries on general farming and raised at one time large numbers of hogs and cattle.

George W. Brown was married to Rachel Arthur, a daughter of James Arthur, and they have had eight children, namely: Roland, who lives at home although he owns a farm of 8o acres given by his father; George B., who lives at home, also owning a farm of 8o acres given by his father; Ella, who lives at home; Emma, who married Irvin Hole and has two daughters; Rosa, who married William Coate of Celina, and has one child, Elva; Minnie, who lives at home; Clemmie, who married Harlow Burdge; and one child died in infancy.

Mr. Brown has always taken a prominent part in township affairs as becomes a good citizen, and he has frequently been elected to offices of responsibility. He has served on the School Board, has been township clerk, land appraiser, viewer and supervisor.

JOHN GIESEKE

JOHN GIESEKE, one of Franklin township's substantial citizens, who resides on a fine farm of 120 acres located in section 2, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, March 10, 1860, and is a son of William and Margaret (Schierholt) Gieseke.

William Gieseke was born in Germany, came to America with his father, Henry Gieseke, when about II years old, and with his parents settled at New Bremen, Ohio. Henry Gieseke was the father of six children, namely; Flora,

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Minnie, Frederick, Henry, William and Lenora. William Gieseke in young manhood drove a team for some time .on a canal boat, before settling down to farming, but when 22 years old he purchased a farm of 4o acres east of New Bremen, which he subsequently sold, and in 1864 bought the farm of 120 acres now occupied by his son John.

At New Bremen he married Margaret Schierholt, and they had five children, namely : Christian, who married Amelia Backhaus and lives in Hopewell township ; John ; William, who lives with his brother John; Amelia, deceased at the age of three years; and Emma, who is the widow of William Hartwick. 'William Gieseke and his wife live with their daughter, Mrs. Hart-wick, at New Bremen.

John Gieseke was four years old when his parents moved to Mercer County and located on the farm, on which he has since remained. He is now manager of this farm, which is one of the finest in its section of the county, and is improved with substantial buildings. A beautiful hedge bordering the driveway adds much to the attractiveness of the place.

Mr. Gieseke was married November 1886, to Josephine Dicke, a daughter of William and Dora (Wrisenback) Dicke, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dicke came to America before their marriage, which was celebrated at. New Bremen. They have had nine children, as follows : William, Henry, Julius, Anna, Josephine, Florentina, Alvinea, Emma and Louise, the last named deceased in infancy. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gieseke, namely : Seraphine, deceased at the age of two years; Dora, Melinda, Lawrence, Arnold, Benjamin and Milton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gieseke are members of the Lutheran Church.

ANDREW X. WALTER

ANDREW X. WALTER, a well-known, substantial citizen of Coldwater, who has been engaged in the manufacture of brick at this place for some 14 years, was born December 21, 1858, in Germany, and is a son of Andrew and Catherine Walter.

The Walter family came to America when Andrew X. was seven years old and settled first in Seneca County, Ohio, the father renting a farm not far from Tiffin. On this the family lived from 1865 until 1873, when they came to Mercer County, at which time the father bought a farm of 8o acres in Butler township. The mother died in 189o, but the father still survives and resides at Coldwater. They had nine children and seven of these are still living.

Andrew X. Walter was educated in the district schools of Seneca County and was 15 years of age when his father settled in Butler township. He

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continued to carry on farming until 1892 when he engaged in manufacturing brick. His plant covers eight acres and is a large and important industry ' of the place, its capacity being 20,000 brick per day. In addition to his brick plant, Mr. Walter owns the handsome brick building on Main street, where he resides, and also the frame building which is occupied by the People's Bank.

In 1882 Mr. Walter was married to Mary Gast, a daughter of Ferdinand Gast, and they have had six children, namely : Catherine, a successful teacher in the Coldwater schools, who graduated from the Coldwater High School and has been a teacher for some years both in Seneca and Mercer counties, spending her vacations at Oxford College, Oxford, Ohio; Edward and Julian, who died young; Albert, residing at home; Ferdinand, a student in the Coldwater High School ; and Alvena, who is attending the village schools.

Mr. Walter has never been a very active politician but he was elected township treasurer while living in the country and served in that office for four years. He is a member of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio.

F. A. FRANKS

F. A. FRANKS, mayor of Coldwater, who is the owner of a successful tailoring business, was born at Cairo, Illinois, October 8, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Vandelft) Franks.

In his childhood, his parents moved to Minster, Ohio, where his father died, leaving him and a brother, Joseph, now residing in Cincinnati. The mother married (second) Henry Bowman, and at her death, in 1871 left a son, Charles, also residing in Cincinnati.

In 1870 F. A. Franks accompanied his mother to Cincinnati where he was placed in the Orphans' Home. There he was educated and taught the tailor's trade. When 16 years of age he came to Mercer County and worked on a farm in Butler township until he was 21 years old, and then established himself as a tailor at Montpelier, Indiana. After six years in Montpelier, in 1895, he came to Coldwater and embarked in a general tailoring business.

Mr. Franks has always taken an interest in politics and has been identified with the Democratic party ever since his majority, and has been very active in public affairs since coming to Coldwater. His firm position on some local questions of importance resulted in his being chosen the standard-bearer of the Democrats and his election to the mayoralty in 1898. He gave the village so excellent an administration that, although against his wish, he was elected a second time in 1905.

In 1890 Mr. Franks was married in Butler township, to Pauline Will, a

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daughter of George and Barbara Will, and they have had seven children, namely: Stella, George, Charles, Mary, Martha (deceased at the age of two weeks), William and Robert. Mr. -Franks is a member of the Catholic Church and carefully rears his family in that faith. Fraternally he is an Eagle.

Mayor Franks is an example of a self-made man. Left an orphan in childhood, he had no home surroundings in early youth and from the age of 16 years has made his own way in the world with a manly independence which commands respect. He has not only secured a prominent place in the business world, but has so gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens that they have twice given him the highest position in the village's gift.

REV. ANTHONY C. TABKE

REV. ANTHONY C. TABKE, pastor of the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, at Chickasaw, was born February 24, 1873, in Bakum, Oldenburg, Germany, and is a son of Clemens and Bernardina (Westendorf) Tabke.

The parents of ,Father Tabke were of German birth and ancestry. The father died in 1883, but the mother still survives and, with one son, George, who is a teacher, lives in Germany. There were five children in the family, but three died in infancy.

Father Tabke was the eldest born in his father's family. Until he was 16 years of age, the most of his time was spent at school. He then came to America and entered upon his training for the priesthood, first at Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, then at St. Meinrad, in Indiana, and then at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, at Cincinnati. He was ordained in 1899 and his first charge was at Holy Trinity, Dayton, Ohio, and then he was sent to St. Augustine, at Cincinnati, where he remained for three and a half years. In October, 1903, he became the first pastor of the Church of the Most Precious Blood, at Chickasaw.

Father Tabke found here a comfortable church edifice which had been remodeled in 1903, but which he has found many ways to improve. In 1904 he built a parsonage at a cost of about $4,000. His congregation consists of 70 German families and he ministers to their spiritual needs with the zeal and faithfulness of a true priest. In his own congregation he is honored and beloved and outside it he is held in high esteem. Where there is need of charity and benevolence, he may be found taking an active interest, making himself a valued citizen of the place where duty has stationed him.

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HENRY HOYNG

HENRY HOYNG, a highly-esteemed resident of Coldwater, who owns a fine farm of 80 acres in section 34, Butler township, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 28, 1842, and is a son of Frederick and Mary (Stervolt) Hoyng.

Henry Hoyng was reared in Shelby County and farmed for his father until 1868, when he came to Mercer County, purchasing a farm of 80 acres adjoining the one he now owns. Some 20 acres had been cleared and a good, two-story frame dwelling had been built, but all the subsequent clearing and improving were done by Mr. Hoyng himself, after which he sold and bought the old home place of his father-in-law, consisting of 80 acres. He carried -on general farming and stock-raising until 1899, enjoying the independent life of a successful agriculturist. He then bought a house and an acre of land, at Coldwater, and removed with his wife to the village.

Mr. Hoyng was married in 1868 to Catherine Kallmeyer, who is a daughter of Henry Kallmeyer, a native of Germany. Mrs. Hoyng was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was brought to Mercer County when she was six years of age; Mr. and Mrs. Hoyng have had 10 children, namely: Henry, who married Anna Lukens and is operating his 80-acre farm in Butler township; Frederick, who married Rosa Kirsch and is a painter and paperhanger at Coldwater; John, who married Matilda Walter and lives on his farm of 4o acres in Butler township; Louis, who married Mary Steggemann, and lives on his father's farm; Joseph, who married Lizzie Pleiman and conducts a tinshop and implement store at Coldwater; Frank, a painter and paperhanger, who resides at home; Roman, who works with his brother in the tinshop; Herman, who died aged 16 years; Frances, who died aged two years; and Edward, who died aged one year. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyng have reared a fine, capable family of sons, all of whom are prosperous. They have been brought up in the faith of the Catholic Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Hoyng are consistent members.

WILLIAM CURRY

WILLIAM CURRY, a well-known citizen of Coldwater, formerly a prominent farmer and stockraiser in Washington township, still owns a fine farm in section 35, consisting of 137Y, acres. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 9, 1844, and is a son of Alexander and Sarah (Boyd) Curry.

Although Mr. Curry is of Scotch birth, the family is of Irish extraction, both parents having been born in Ireland, where they lived until after their marriage. The father then removed to Scotland, where he was employed on

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a railroad for nine years. In 1848, when William Curry was four years old, the parents emigrated to America, and they were accompanied by their four children, namely: Sarah, who is the wife of Thomas McIntire, a farmer in Randolph County, Illinois; Samuel, who died in St. Clair County, Illinois, in 1890; Mary, who married George Jameson and died in 1900, in Washington township; and William.

After coming to America the Curry family settled at Utica, Ohio, where the father was employed in railroad construction, helping to build what is now the Baltimote & Ohio Railroad, which was then known as the Newark & Sandusky Railroad. They remained, at Utica until 1867, when William Curry came to Mercer County in order to look the land over with an idea of investment, his father having contracted, about 1866, to buy 20 acres of land in Washington township. As he was not ready to make payment at the appointed time, William took the obligation and purchased the land. The father, mother, Mary and William came to the new home, making the journey in a covered wagon. They found some 10 acres cleared and a log h0use standing, with but few other improvements. -William subsequently purchased another 20 acres and this has always been retained as the home place, and here the mother passed away, her death taking place on the 24th of October, 1880. The father survived until the 23d of February, 1890, dying when he was 85 years of age.

William Curry attended school at Utica in his boyhood and is a well-informed man. Since coming to Mercer County he has given his whole attention to farming and stock-raising, making a special feature of raising thoroughbred cattle and sheep. He continued to add to his land until in 1904 he had 217 1/4 acres. He has always been a man of great industry and his efforts have been crowned with success. He is ever seeking the best methods in the care of his land and stock, and as an agriculturist he stands among the f0remost.

On November 18, 1873, Mr. Curry was united in marriage with Florinda Kantzer, a daughter of Theobald Kantzer, and they have had two daughters, Sarah Elizabeth and Mary Letitia. The former died November 17, 1895, aged 20 years. She was a beautiful, amiable young woman and her death was a severe blow to the family. The younger daughter resides at home. Until March, 1901, Mr. Curry remained on the farm; since then the family has occupied a comfortable home at Coldwater, where they are highly respected residents. For many years in the country, Mr. Curry served as school director, and he was always ready to help along in developing and improving his neighborhood. Formerly, before the United Presbyterian Church in Washington township became disorganized; he was one of its leading members.

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ENOS NICHOLAS DRAKE

ENOS NICHOLAS DRAKE, a representative citizen of Union township, residing on a well-developed farm in section 8, was born on the Enos Allen farm in Dublin township, where his mother was visiting her parents at the time of his birth; the home of his parents at the time was located in section 8, Union township. He is a son of Joseph and Phoebe (Allen) Drake.

Joseph Drake was born in England, near Liverpool, and resided for many years near Liverpool and also in the vicinity of London. He later moved with his parents to Canada, where his father died. Mr. Drake is about 83 years of age; the date of his birth is not known exactly, as the home of his parents, with the record of births, was destroyed by fire. He was married to Phoebe Allen while still a resident of Canada, and later moved to Mercer County, Ohio, settling in 1856, in Union township, on an unimproved and uncleared farm of 45 acres adjoining the farm I of 35 acres where he now resides; as he is still the owner of the first mentioned property, his present farm consists of 80 acres. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Drake, namely: Jane, who married Murray Heath and resides on a farm in Union township; Enos Nicholas; Sarah, who resides at home with her father; Hannah, deceased; Alex. ander, a blacksmith by trade, living at Mendon, who married Alice Protzman ; and Edward J., a dealer in agricultural implements at Mendon, who married Lizzie Martin. Mrs. Drake's death occurred in 1899 in her 63rd year.

Enos N. Drake was reared in Union township and attended the district schools. In 1879 he took a trip overland to Kansas, driving through in a covered wagon and being accompanied by his father and family. They settled in Osborne County, near the county seat, Osborne. On account of hot winds and failure of crops, they only remained one year. While there the oldest child, Osborne Kansas, was born. Mr. Drake has lived on his present 80-acre farm since 1881. He also owns a 60-acre farm one mile and a half west of where he resides. In 1901 he built a fine modern barn on his present farm and one year later erected one on the other farm. His fine new residence which was erected in 1905 is one of the most modern and up-to-date homes in the township, supplied with all the modern conveniences.

Mr. Drake was married June 30, 1878, to Elizabeth Youngblutt, daughter of Charles and Lydia (Young) Youngblutt, of Van Wert County, Ohio. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Drake, namely: Osborne Kansas, who married Irene Wharton, a daughter of Jesse Wharton, of Mendon; Otto, Gertrude, Elmer, Cora, Ray, Earl, Ora Belle (deceased), and Elry. Mr. Drake is a Republican in politics. He has served on the

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School Board of Union township for 12 years. He is a member of Mendon ge, No. 750, I. O. O. F.

HENRY C. FOX

HENRY C. FOX, general merchant and member of the milling and elevator firm of Fox & Hess, is one of the leading business men of Coldwater. He was born in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, April 26, 1860, and is a son of Mathias and Barbara (Weigel) Fox.

Mathias Fox was born in Prussia, Germany, and when a boy of 17 years accompanied his parents to America. They settled on a farm in Seneca County, neat Tiffin, where Mathias Fox married. About 1850 he removed to Mercer County, locating in Washington township. In 1868 he removed to Jay County, Indiana, where he died in 1876, and his wife in 1878. Of their 11 children, six still survive, namely : John, residing in Butler township; Henry C.; Joseph, residing at Cincinnati ; Benjamin, residing at Dayton; Charles, residing at Indianapolis; and Sophia, wife of Charles Hess, residing at Coldwater. Those who died were: Mary, at the age of 47 years; Elizabeth; Margaret, who was known as Sister Blanche, in a convent at Quincy, Illinois, at the age of 52 years; George, at the age of 49 years; and Mathias, at the age of 18 years. Mary, who was the first born of the family, was married (first) to Max Stark, and (second) to Mathias Renn.

When Henry C. Fox was eight years old, his parents removed to Jay County, Indiana, and there he resided until 19 years of age. After completing his district school education, he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, remaining three terms, and for one term was a student at Lebanon, Ohio. Upon his return to Coldwater, he taught school for some nine years, becoming one of the most popular of the public school teachers in the county. In 1889 he started the general mercantile establishment known as the H. C. Fox store, in a building in the west part of the town, but in the fall of 1889, after six months in the old structure, he moved into a building he had purchased and improved until it was adapted to his purposes. He continued to become interested in the town's important enterprises, was made president of the People's Bank, and entered into partnership with Charles Hess in a mill and elevator business at Coldwater and St. Henry, under the firm name of Fox & Hess. He has demonstrated high qualities commercially and enjoys the confidence of the business community.

In 1885 Mr. Fox was married to Rosa Schockman, and they have eight children, viz.: Norah, a graduate of the Coldwater High School and of the Ursaline Convent at Tiffin, Ohio, who is now engaged in teaching in Butler township; Urban, a graduate of the Coldwater High School, who is now a

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pupil at St. Joseph's College, at Collegeville, Indiana; Leo, who is a student in the Coldwater High School; Frances, Anna and Agnes, who are attending school; and Henry Paul and Raymond. The family belong to the Catholic Church.

Mr. Fox occupies a seat in the Village Council of Coldwater, and his advice as a man of business perception concerning village government is highly valued. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of St. John, of Coldwater, and to the Lima Council, Knights of Columbus.

CHRISTOPHER F. BOLMAN, M. D.

CHRISTOPHER F. BOLMAN, M. D. physician and surgeon at Coldwater, where he has been established since 1881, was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 26, 1847, and is a son of Christopher and Charlotte (Bloom) Bolman.

Christopher Bolman was one of the pioneer merchants of Fort Wayne and a leading citizen, and there Dr. Bolman, as a youth, was educated, first in the public and later in private schools. Having a natural leaning toward mechanics, he then learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked for nearly. 13 years and during this period he assisted in building the old town clock at the Fort Wayne Court-House. He read medicine with a local practitioner and thus prepared to enter the medical college at Fort Wayne, where he was graduated in 1881. After a short period of medical work at Fort Wayne, he came to Coldwater, where he had been ever since and where he now commands a large practice, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

In 1874, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Dr. Bolman was married to Susan E. Lewis, a daughter of Washington Lewis, of Bluffton, Indiana. They have had four children, namely : Elsie, wife of Theodore Campbell, of Mansfield, Ohio; Lydia F., widow of Edward Taylor, a captain in the United States Army during the Spanish-American War, formerly a lawyer at Evansville, Indiana, who died of fever while in the service; Ralph Martin; and Susan, who married Joseph Burkmeyer of Coldwater. Ralph Martin is now a practicing surgeon of considerable repute, at Fort Wayne, Indiana; he was educated in the Coldwater public schools, the Ohio Normal University at Ada, later at the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and completed his medical course at the Fort Wayne Medical College.

Dr. Bolman served in 1902-03 as president of the Mercer County Medical Society and is well and favorably known in various medical organizations in the State. For 18 years he has been a member of the School Board at Coldwater, and is a member of the present Village Council.

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HARMAN HENRY SCHWIETERMANN

HARMAN HENRY, SCHWIETERMANN, whose fine farm of 128 acres is situated in sections 22 apd 23, Franklin township, was born September 14, 1842, in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Harman Arnold and Maria (Broaman) Schwietermann.

The parents of Mr. Schwietermann were both born in Germany. They both died in Ohio, the father in 1860, and the mother in 1869. They had these children: Gerhard, who was born in Germany, and married Josephine Munning; John. Henry, the first child of the family born in America, married Mary Meinerding, and they now live on a farm adjoining that of our subject; Harman Henry, wh0 was the third in order of birth; J. Bernard, who married Catherine Depweg, and came into possession of the home farm, which he later sold and moved t0 Carthagena; Mary, wh0 married Henry Gast and died at Chickasaw ; Elizabeth, deceased; John, who married Mary Froningboth now deceased; William, who married Anna Fiely and lives at Cranberry Prairie; Anna, wh0 married J0hn Dorston and died in Franklin township; and Joseph, who married Elizabeth Ronnebaum and lives on a farm near that of our subject.

Our subject lost his father when he was 18 years of age, and he remained with his mother until her death, nine years later. All the sons worked on the home farm, and all accumulated enough to purchase farms of their own. Harman Henry bought his farm in 1864, while his brother J. Bernard took the homestead on which his parents had settled when they came from Germany, in 1837. This was a farm of 80 acres in Marion township, for which the father paid the sum of $500. On this farm nine of the children were born, and the father worked it for 23 years ; making it a valuable property. He assisted also in the building of, the banks of the Grand Reservoir, this being one of the largest artificial bodies of water in the world.

Harman Henry Schwietermann was married in 1871, to Anna Bertke, a daughter of Barney. Bertke, who was a resident of Mercer County f0r many years.' Mr. Bertke was born in Germany, married in America and had these children : John, who married Josephine Clune; Anna, wife of our subject; Mary, who married Barney Knapke and lives near Maria Stein; Mathias, who married Mary Puthoff, and lives on the Bertke home farm near Maria Stein; Barney, who-married Catherine Knapke and lives at Cranberry Prairie; Frances, who married Peter Niekamp, and lives near Chickasaw; and Elizabeth, who married Barney Fehorn and lives on a farm near Maria Stein.

Mr. and Mrs. Schwietermann have had children, namely : Elizabeth, who, died when 10 months old ; Barney, who is married and lives in Ohio ; Xavier, a resident of Mercer County, wh0 is married and has one child

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Frances, who married Charles Fleck, of Celina, lives at Covington, Kentucky, and has one son and one daughter—Lawrence and Edith ; Mathias, who is studying for the Catholic priesthood at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena; and Rose, Eleanora, Maria and Romey, all of whom are at home. This family is one to reflect great credit upon its parents, growing up industrious and intelligent and taking respected places in society. They have all enjoyed good school advantages.

Mr. Schwietermann's farm is crossed by the Schwietermann turnpike, his name having been given it on account of the hard fight he made to get this public improvement. His land has been found rich in gas and he secured $1,000 for one well that was drilled on his farm. With four other families, he has put in a system by which all have the use of gas in their homes and the same parties have installed a telephone system. These modern improvements make country life very enjoyable and very different from what it was when Mr. Schwietermann was young. His handsome brick residence is shaded and surrounded by an orchard of cherry and apple trees, while a beautiful hedge fence surrounds the whole.

Mr. Schwietermann has long been considered one of the representative men of his neighborhood, and he has frequently been elected to offices of trust and responsibility in the township. He has served as school director and as supervisor, for eight years was trustee of Franklin township, for over six years was one of the commissioners of Mercer County, during which period many public improvements were made, and in 1904 he was elected treasurer of the School Board, an office he still fills. As a business man and honest and capable public official, Mr. Schwietermann stands out prominently in Franklin township. He is a consistent member of the Catholic Church. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

REV. FRANK P. CORDIER

REV. FRANK P. CORDIER, residing on his well-cultivated farm of 118Y4 acres, in sections 9 and 10, Jefferson township, with 383/4 acres in Butler township, is one of the successful agriculturists of this part of Mercer County. He was born in Granville township, Mercer County, Ohio, July 16, 1855, and is a son of John Adam and Hannah (Golder) Cordier.

John Adam Cordier was born in Germany and was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. They settled at New Bremen, Auglaize County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. After his marriage he moved to Mercer County and died at the age of 42 years. His wife still survives. They had six children, the survivors being : Elizabeth, wife of Roberf Hart ; Frank P., of this sketch ; Mrs. Annie Davis and Mrs. Kate

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Coate. Mrs. Ellen Patton and Martha Jane are the deceased members of the family.

Frank P. Cordier Was reared and educated in Granville township, where he lived until he reached his majority, when he removed to Butler township, where shortly afterward he was married to Mary E. Coate, daughter of Benjamin Coate, and settled on the farm which is still their home. They have had io children and all survive with the exception of the eldest, Mary, who died when eight years of age. The others are : Martha, who married Ralph Monroe and has one child, Helen; Kate, wife of David Baker, living in Montgomery County, Ohio; and George A., Joseph Benjamin, Harriet, Jenett, Ruth, Sarah and Fannie, all living at home.

Mr. Cordier has made many improvements on his farm since settling here and has everything snug and comfortable around him. In addition to looking after his farming interests in a very capable manner he also serves the German Baptist Brethren Church in the northern part of Butler township, as a minister. He is very much esteemed by a large congregation.

HENRY GAUS

HENRY GAUS, one of the highly respected German-American citizens of Butler township, residing on his fine farm of 325 acres situated in sections 17 and 18, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 31, 1849, and is a son of Ludwig and Dorothea Gaus.

When Henry Gaus was seven years old, his parents decided to come to America and locate in Ohio, where relatives were already doing well. On Christmas Eve, 1856, the family landed in the city of New York, in the midst of a snowstorm that made further transportation almost impossible for a short time. The travelers found difficulty in making their way to Shelby County, but finally reached Sidney and secured sleds to New Bremen. The distance to the home of their relatives was still four and a half miles, and this they walked, through the biting cold of the New Year, finding a hearty, old-country welcome, however, at its end.

Ludwig Gaus bought 20 acres of land from his brother-in-law, as a beginning, and later, 40 acres, of Mr. Beezil, the banker, and subsequently 50 acres more, of Jacob Powell. A log house was built and the family made itself very comfortable while clearing the land. By 188o Mr. Gaus had placed his farm of 90 acres in such fine condition that he received the sum of $4,500 for it, and he then removed to Butler township, Mercer County. Here he purchased 205 acres, borrowing a portion of the money from his daughters, but placing the land in the name of Henry Gaus, a transaction that was

498 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY

approved many years since. These two sisters still survive and are: Mrs. Dorothea Horret, of Celina; and Mrs. Caroline Hammel, of Plymouth, Indiana. In 1892 Henry Gaus erected the handsome large brick residence.

On October 21, 1874, Henry Gaus was married to Wilhelmina Keck and they have a family of eight children, as follows : Henry, living on a farm of 60 acres owned by his father, who married Maud Smith and has three children—Orville, Beulah and Mildred; Lewis, who married Mary Brandon and has one child—Mabel Marie; George, who lives at .home; Louisa, who married Henry Hammel and has one daughter, Ethel; Clara, who married Henry Steele and has one child, Walter; and John, Arthur and Cora, all at home.

Mr. Gaus and family belong to the Lutheran Church in which he has served for four years as an elder. He is one of the leading citizens of Butler township and is a member of the School Board.

J. H. WINKELJOHAN

J. H. WINKELJOHAN, lumber dealer at Celina, is one of the prospering men of this city where he has been established since 1894. He was born in Germany in 1863, was educated there and learned the carpenter's trade before coming to America in 1882. He is a son of Mathias and Katherine (Tebbe) Winkeljohan, natives of Hanover, Prussia, the father born September 26, 1835, and the mother, December 24, 1838. They came to the United States in 1892 and reside in Celina. They are the parents of 12 children, of whom 11 survive; all reside in the United States.

Shortly after reaching the United States, Mr. Winkeljohan located at St. Henry, Mercer County, and worked there as a carpenter and contractor for about seven years and then became connected with the St. Henry flouring mills. After working in the mills for a time, he purchased a half interest, and later was engaged for some two years in buying and shipping timber. In 1894 Mr. Winklejohan came to Celina and became associated with the Kuntz & Herr Lumber Company, and in the following year he became a member of the firm, the business later being incorporated as The P. Kuntz & Herr Lumber Company, with a capital stock of $5,000. The officers were: Peter Kuntz, president; C. E. Wright, vice-president; Charles J. Herr, secretary and treasurer; B. Romer, director; and J. H. Winkeljohan, manager. The present officers are: Peter Kuntz, president; B. Romer, vice-president; and J. H. Winkeljohan, treasurer and manager. Mr. Winkeljohan is the only resident member of the firm. The company also operates a branch yard at

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 499

St. Henry, dealing in hard and soft lumber and all kinds of building materials.

In addition to this large business, Mr. Winkeljohan is interested in the Mendon Lumber Company, in farm lands in Mercer County and owns valuable property in Celina.

In 1891 Mr. Winkeljohan was married (first) to Anna M. Meinerding, who died the following year, and in 1894 he was married (second) to Rebecca A. Romer, a daughter of B: Romer, of St. Henry, a member of one of the oldest families in Mercer County. They have five children, viz. : Agnes, Lucile, Ferdinand, Lillie and Hilda. Our subject is one of the leading members of the Catholic Church at Celina, and belongs to the Knights of St. John, the Catholic Knights of Ohio and to St. Joseph's Society.

REV. ABITHER DAVID COATE

REV. ABITHER DAVID COATE, an extensive farmer and representative citizen of Mercer County, resides on a finely-cultivated farm of 120 acres, in section 15, Butler township, on which he has made many improvements. He also owns a farm of 80 acres in section 1o, Jefferson township. Mr. Coate was born in Butler township, Mercer County, Ohio, March 10, 1851, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Yaney) Coate.

Benjamin Coate was born at Ludlow Falls, Miami County, Ohio, and was a son of Joseph Coate, an old resident of Miami County. Benjamin Coate was about 10 years of age when his father entered land in Mercer County, and Benjamin did the same when he reached his majority. Seven children were born to Benjamin Coate and wife, and four of these still survive, namely: Abither. David;.Noah, of Butler township; Mary E., wife of Rev. F. P. Cordier, of Jefferson township; and William, of Celina.

Abither David Coate was reared and attended school in Butler township and his occupation in life has always been farming. For a number of years he has been pastor of the German Baptist Brethren Church, in the northern part of Butler township, and is very highly esteemed by his congregation.

On March 10, 1879, Mr. Coate was married to Harriet Barker, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Strait) Barker. They have had five children, viz.: Maggie P., who is the wife of Riley T. Waggoner, of Butler township, and the mother of one child, Irma Fern; Ida, who resides at home; Otto J., who died at the age of two years; Homer; and a babe that died in infancy. The family have resided in the residence in which they live, ever since Mr. and Mrs. Coate started to housekeeping, and naturally they are much attached t6 it. Here the children have been born and here some have died, and