(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 600 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY on the farm since he came here, one being the building of a 10-room house, in 1904. Mr. Pax was Denied in 1887 to Louise Wilhelm and they have reared a family of 10 children, namely : Jacob, Anthony, Cecilia, Elma, Leo, Lena, Emma, Oscar and Walter (twins) and Albert. Mr. Pax and his family are members of the Catholic Church. FRANK PUTHOFF FRANK PUTHOFF, a representative agriculturist of Jefferson township, resides upon his farm of 120 acres, favorably situated in section 3, township 6 south, range 2 east, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, February 26, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Long) Puthoff. Henry Puthoff was born in Germany and spent his earlier life there. After the death of his father, he came to Mercer County, Ohio, with two brothers, and later sent for his mother who had remained in Germany. She lived many years after joining her children and died at the age of 84 years. Henry Puthoff died in .1873. Frank Puthoff was reared in Marion township and attended the neighboring schools. On- October 4, 1864, he was married to Catherine Brandywine, a native of Auglaize County, Ohio, who is a daughter of Herman Henry and Caroline (Johns) Brandywine, the former of whom was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Puthoff have had 10 children, namely: John, who married Mary Knapke, and has four children; Elizabeth, who married Michael Reusch and died June 5, 1897; Katie, who married George Ineichen, lives. in Indiana and has five children; Benjamin, who married Coletta Wourms, in October, 1905; Mary, who married Thomas Durbin and has three children; Henry, who married Mary McGill, October to, 1905, and lives in Colorado; Jacob, who married Magdalena Buehler, in February, 1906; and Andrew, Joseph and Caroline, all living at home. After his marriage, Mr. Puthoff lived for nine years in Auglaize County with his father-in-law, and then bought 80 acres of his present farm. The family continued to live in a log cabin until 1881, although Mr. Puthoff kept continually improving his land. The cabin still stands on the place. In 1881 he erected the present commodious and comfortable frame residence. Mr. Puthoff served his school district for 15 years as director and took a great deal of interest in advancing the usefulness of the schools. He is a worthy member of the Catholic Church at Celina. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 601 ADAM BETTINGER ADAM BETTINGER, a successful farmer of Butler township, who owns 80 acres of excellent land, situated in section 28, was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 8, 1834, and is a son of John and Barbara (Swartz) Bettinger. The parents of Mr. Bettinger were both born in Germany, where the father owned a small farm. Desiring more land, he decided to emigrate to America, and with his family took passage in 1846 on a sailing vessel, which landed them at the port of New York after a long voyage. John Bettinger settled on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio, four years later removing to Lucas County, where he died in 1856. His widow died in Lucas County in 1871. - Adam Bettinger continued to live in Lucas County until 1866 and then returned to Seneca County, where he rented a farm for a few years. In 1869, after investigating the farming land in Mercer County, Mr. Bettinger bought his present farm in Butler township, 40 acres of which were improved. He erected the house and barn himself and made all the other improvements, which have converted this into one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Bettinger has always been a hard worker and through his enterprise and industry has accumulated a fine property. In 1861 Mr. Bettinger was married to Mary Omlor, daughter of Theodore Omlor. She was born in Germany and was two years old when her parents brought her with them t0 this country. Mr. and Mrs. Bettinger have had 13 children, namely : John, who married Lizzie Rhein, lives at Coldwater and has six children; Frank, who married Josephine Albers, lives on his farm of 110 acres in Butler township, and has six children; William, who married Carrie Rahe, .deceased, has one child; Charles, who married Kate Hoenning and has two children; Jacob, unmarried, who lives on the home farm; Catherine, who married John Wentzel, lives at Dayton and has one child; Mary, who married Ora Rhoades and lives at Dayton; Rose, who married Frank Fullenkamp and lives at Celina; Stephen, who lives at home; and Joseph, Joseph (2), Anthony and Margaret, who are deceased. Mr. Bettinger is a member of the Catholic Church. He has always been an active citizen of the township and for 2I years he served as a member of the School Board. JOHN BREHM JOHN BREHM, one of the old and respected residents of Liberty township, who has resided on his present farm of 100 acres, situated in section 602 - HISTIORY OF MERCER COUNTY 10, for the past 34 years, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 10, 1828, and is a son of Fettus Brehm. The parents of Mr. Brehm were intelligent German people who afforded their son good educational advantages. He learned the trade of baker in his own land, but he came to America when 20 years of age and since then has been entirely engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived in Montgomery County, Ohio, until 1872, when he brought his family to Mercer County and settled on his present farm in Liberty township. He still retains 100 acres but has given farms to his children and has been liberal to the church. In Montgomery County, Ohio, John Brehm was married to Mary Lower, and they had eight children, five of whom are still living, as follows: John C., Caroline (wife of John Deitsch), John Peter, Valentine W. And Henry C. Henry C. Brehm, the youngest son of our subject, is a prominent citizen of Liberty township and one of the leading Democrats. He has served four years on the township School Board and in 1900 served on the board of election. On June 27, 1889, he married Phebe Leininger, a daughter of Jacob Leininger, of Liberty township, and they have four children namely : Margaret C., Walter E., George J. and William H., all grandchildren of whom our venerable subject may well be proud. John Brehm's second marriage also took place in Montgomery County, to Margaret Bollenbacher. They had three children, the two survivors of this marriage being: Mary, wife of Andy Bauer; and Elizabeth, widow of Jacob Bauer. All through the years of citizenship, Mr. Brehm has consistently supported the candidates of the Democratic party. He is one of the leading members of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church. JOHN H. YANEY JOHN H. YANEY, whose fine farm of 85 acres of excellent land is situated in section 23, Butler township, is one of the representative agriculturists of this part of the county and a very highly respected citizen. He was born in Butler township, Mercer County, Ohio, September 16, 1859, and is a son of Benjamin and Martha Ann (Monroe) Yaney. Benjamin Yaney was born in Pennsylvania. In boyhood, his father having died, he accompanied his mother to Mercer County, Ohio, among the early settlers. His whole mature life was spent in this county; he died whey our subject was only three years old. His widow survived but seven y dying when John H. was 10 years and 15 days old. From then until marriage, our subject resided with his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Jane Mon- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 603 roe. He worked on her farm and attended the district schools and grew into a well-trained young manhood. On April 6, 1880, Mr. Yaney was united in marriage with Abigail Lucretia Johnson, a daughter of Gratz M. Johnson. She was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1856, and died on Sunday, June 24, 1906, the birthday of her daughter, Lucretia Velma, and was buried on the birthday of her son Floyd. Her age was 49 years, 9 months and 13 days. She was 13 years old when she accompanied her parents to Mercer County and resided with them near Montezuma until her marriage. She was a lady of beautiful christian character, a faithful member of the United Brethren Church from the age of 20 years, a devoted wife and mother and a kind and sympathetic neighbor. Mr. and Mrs. Yaney had three sons and six daughters born to them, all of whom survive except Clifton Earl. The others are: Nevada, who married John E. Bright, lives near Dayton and has one child; Orla, who lives at home; Hester Estella, who married John Plummer, lives in Washington township and has twin children; and Floyd Monroe, Martha Ann, Lucretia Velma, Mildred Cleo and Stanley Gladstone, all residing at home. Mr. Yaney inherited 4o acres of land from his mother and in 1885 he purchased 45 acres more. He has improved this property, which is considered one of the best in Butler township. In 1884 he built a commodious frame house and added other substantial buildings. The great barn was completed in 1904. The farm bears the pleasant name of the "Clover Leaf Farm," and here Mr. Yaney carries on general farming, does some dairying and produces fine live-stock. For a number of years Mr. Yaney has been one of the leading members of the Radical United Brethren Church, in which he is a class leader and a trustee. He is a man, who on account of the uprightness of his character stands very high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. JOHN F. FRAHM JOHN F. FRAHM, clerk of the Board of Education of Hopewell township, is one of the representative men of this section of Mercer County. He resides on his well-improved farm of 8o acres in section 15. Mr. Frahm belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the township, in which he was born October 7, 1860, and is a son of John H. and Sophia (Smith) Frahm, natives of Germany. The parents of our subject emigrated to America and settled in Hopewell township, Mercer County, about 1852. John H. Frahm was a man 604 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY of more than usual good judgment and in the course of time he became a very useful and prominent citizen of Mercer County. He served as trustee of Hopewell township and for six years was a member of the Board of County Commissioners. His political views made him a Democrat and he was an active party worker. His death occurred in April, 1899. He was a worthy member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran Church. His seven surviving children are: Minnie, wife of John Hoenie, of Hopewell township; August, of Hopewell township; John F., of this sketch; Elizabeth wife of Henry Brasch, of Tipton, Indiana ; Frederica, widow of Frederick Rahn, now residing at Celina; Charles, of Hopewell township; and Anna wife of John Luth, of Dublin township. John F. Frahm was reared in Hopewell township and was thoroughly trained in agricultural pursuits. He was educated in the public schools, in which he has always taken a great interest and, as noted above, is now serving as clerk of the Board of Education. The schools of Hopewell township have an enviable reputation for their efficiency. Previous to taking this position, he served four years as township clerk. Mr. Frahm carries on general farming and is considered one of the leading agriculturists of his locality. Mr. Frahm was united in marriage with Louisa Sielschott, who was born in Hopewell township, Mercer County, and is a daughter of G. W. Sielschott. Mr. and Mrs. Frahm have six children, namely : Clarence W., Otto B., Hilda B., Edgar J., Harold and an infant son. Politically Mr. Frahm is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and is serving as one of the deacons the church in Hopewell township. JACOB BECHER JACOB BECHER, who is engaged in farming in Black Creek township has resided here since 1882 on his present valuable farm of 80 acres, near Chattanooga. He was born in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, May 8. 1859, and is a son of John and Anna Maria (Baker) Becher. The parents of Mr. Becher had a large family, of whom the eight survivors are as follows : Sophia, wife of Jacob B. German, of Van Wert County, Ohio; Mary, wife of Frederick Dasher, of Van Wert, Ohio; Jacob of this sketch; Louisa, wife of Philip W. Deitsch, of Celina; John F. and George W., both of Liberty township; Matilda B., wife of John Gribler, of Van Wert ; and William of Liberty township. Catherine and Henry are deceased. The father of our subject was born in Germany and the mother in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 607 Pennsylvania. The former died jUjuly5, 1883, but the latter still survives and resides with her affectionate children in, Liberty township. John Becher was a boy when he came to America with his parents. His father, Frederick Becher, settled in what was then a wilderness in Black Creek township, Mercer County. The grandfather and father of Jacob Becher were pioneer settlers who proved their worth by clearing their lands, cultivating them thoroughly. and assisting in all the civilizing movements of their day. The township lost men of high character when Frederick and John Becher passed away, They were Lutherans in religion and Democrats in politics. Jacob Becher was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools. His training was all along agricultural lines and he has been familiar with farming in all its details since boyhood. He has resided on his present farm since 1882, as noted above, and in the quarter century which has elapsed has become identified with all the educational and public interests of this neighborhood. He is numbered with the' good farmers of this township. On October 12, 1882, Mr. Becher was married to Mary Kettering, who was born, in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, and they have nine children, as follows : John Henry Frederick, Caroline Alminnie Anna, George. Jacob Edward, Ida Fredericka Catherine and Iva Mary Margaret (twins), Sarah Ella Jane, James William Theobald, Clarence Oliver Raymond and Samuel Oscar Leroy. Mr. Becher and family belong to the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat. HENRY FRED DAMMEYER HENRY FRED DAMMEYER, who owns a fine farm of 121 acres situated in section 25, Franklin township, was born September 17, 1840, at New Bremen, Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Meyer) Dammeyer. Henry Dammeyer and his wife, both of whom were natives of Germany, came to this country and settled in Auglaize County, Ohio, where they purchased a farm of 4o acres near New Bremen. Mr. Dammeyer's brother Christopher came to America with him and died shortly afterwards. Henry Dammeyer was the father of two children : Sophia, who married Fred Frey and lives in Hillsboro, Illinois; and Henry Fred, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Dammeyer died near New Bremen at the age of 62 years. After his death his Wife sold the farm and with the family moved to Franklin township, settling on a farm which her son, Henry Fred Dammeyer, bought from Morris 608 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Kelly, where Gustav Dammeyer, our subject's son, now lives. Mrs. Dammeyer died on the farm in 1888 at the age of 82 years. Henry Fred Dammeyer was reared on his father's farm and has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he continued to live .on the farm purchased from Morris Kelly. Finally he sold this farm to his son Gustav, and in 1892 bought his present farm, which was the Myles Lane farm. Mr. Dammeyer has one of the most highly developed farms in Franklin township; the beautiful hedge fence, on each side of the driveway leading to the house, adds much to the attractiveness of the place. Mr. Dammeyer was married January 24, 1867, to Auguste Thieman, a daughter of Harmon H. and Margaret (Stapelberg) Thieman, natives of Germany. Upon coming to this country,. Mr. and Mrs. Thieman located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained for two years, and then moved to New Bremen. They were the parents of four children : Frank; Christopher; Gustav ; and Auguste. Mrs. Dammeyer was born in Germany, November 16, 1850, and was two years old when the family came to the United States. She was reared and educated at New Bremen, Ohio. Her father died in 1855, and her mother, August 31, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Dammeyer have had 11 children, namely: Julius, who married Rosina Tontrup, and has three children; Gustav, who married Christina Rump and has five children; Theodore, who married Lora Huenke and has three children; Edward, who died at the age of 23 years; William, who married Ida Kammon, and has one child; Amanda, who married Leo Huenke and has one child; Levi; Otto; Adelia ; Oscar and Frieda. Mr. Dammeyer and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at New Bremen. Portraits of Julius, Gustav and Theodore Dammeyer and views of the residence and barn of Henry Fred Dammeyer accompany this sketch. JOHN F. ROECKNER JOHN F. ROECKNER, one of the substantial farmers of Marion to township, who resides on his 100-acre farm in section 13, was born February 29, 1860, and is a son of William and Bernardino (Clune) Roeckner. William Roeckner was born in Hanover, Germany, one of a large family of children, but he and one brother were the only ones to come to this country, the latter probably locating in Illinois. William Roeckner first settled at Cincinnati, where he worked for a time, subsequently moving to Berlin, Ohio, where he and a Mr. Dreesman contracted to complete a part of the canal. A few years later he moved to Mercer County and was married to Bernardina Clune, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Arnold Clune. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 609 Arnold Clune came from Hanover. Germany, to this country and settled in Mercer County, where he bought land from the government about 8o years ago. He was one of the first settlers of Mercer County, when his family was one of the six or eight families in this section. He purchased the land now owned by John F. Roeckner about 1828, and five years later his three children followed him to America, their mother having died some years previously. The children were cs follows : Gerhard, Maximilian and Bernardina. After his marriage, William Roeckner bought from his father-in-law the farm which the latter had secured from the Government, and later bought 120 acres More in the same township. A family of m children were born to William and Bernardina (Clune) Roeckner : Mary, who married Casper Desch—both now deceased; Joseph, who lives at Coldwater; Catherine, who died aged 18 years; John; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Knapke and lives at Sidney, Ohio; Frances, who married John Buehler and lives at McCartyville, Ohio; Margaret, deceased in infancy ; William, who married (first) Philomena Desch and (second) Catherine Gerlach and died in 1901; and Fred and a babe, both deceased in infancy. William Roeckner died in March, 1876, and his wife, in April, 1901. John Roeckner was born and reared on his present farm. His father died when he was 16 years old and he was obliged to assist his mother in supporting the family. He was married in 1890 to Elizabeth Hinders, a daughter of Gerhard and Maria (Haggerman) Hinders, and a sister of Joseph Hinders, who was recently sheriff of Mercer County. Seven children were born to this marriage : Leona, Odilia, Agatha, William, Werner, Otto and Rose Mary, all of whom are living at home. Mr. Roeckner was one of the petitioners for the Roeckner pike, which was named after him and of which he is now superintendent. His brother William was township treasurer and when he died the position was offered to Mr. Roeckner, which, however, he refused. Mr. Roeckner and family are members of the Catholic Church. JOHN J. KNAPKE JOHN J. KNAPKE, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Jefferson township, owns a fine farm of 80 acres, 70 of which is in section 35, and It) in section 34, township 5 south, range 2 east. He was born in Hopewell township,. Mercer County, Ohio, one mile north of his present home, February 26, 1877. He is a son of Henry and Mary (Bertke) Knapke. The parents of Henry Knapke were born in Germany and both died in Mercer County. Henry was born at Maria Stein, this county, and grew up 610 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY in the vicinity of that place, an orphan and a poor boy who had to make his own way in the world. That he succeeded was shown when he owned enough land to give his three sons farms of 8o acres each, and still retain 112 acres.. He married Mary Bertke and their children were: Hehry, died in infancy;. Kate, who married Joseph Ineichen and resides in Jefferson township; Mary, who married John Puthoff and lives in Jefferson township; Annie, who married Basil Halsma and lives in Oklahoma; John J. and Benjamin (twins), the latter dying in infancy; and Joseph, Agnes, Augustus and Carrie, who live on the home farm. Henry Knapke died September 23, 1906, aged 59 years. John J. Knapke was reared in Hopewell township and was educated in the district schools. On March 2, 1900, he married Lizzie Bruns, a daughter of Augustus Bruns, of Mercer County. They have had two children, Edith and Irvin, the latter of whom died September 17, 1906. After his marriage, Mr. Knapke settled on the 80-acre farm which had been given him by his father, but in May, 1906, he sold that property and moved to the present farm, which he bought from his brother-in-law. He carries on general farming operations, raises some stock and has a fine dairy. Mr. Knapke is a member of the Catholic Church. For many years he has been a member of the German Independent Aid Society. In his neighborhood he is counted among the reliable, honorable men of the community. JOHN BRACKMAN JOHN BRACKMAN, who has lived all of his life on his present farm of 139 acres, situated in section 2, Marion township, was born March, 1845, and is ason of John and Elizabeth (Tiesem) Brackman. John Brackman and his wife, who were both of German birth, came to this country from Hanover, Germany, locating for a short time in the South. They also lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a short time, after which they came to Mercer County, Ohio, among the early settlers, and purchased 60 acres of land from the government at $1.50 an acre. At that time the United States. Land Office was at Lima and the deed was signed by President Martin Van Buren. Afterwards 79 acres more were purchased from the government at $2.00 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Brackman only had one child, John, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Brackman died about 1851 and her husband died six years later. John Brackman, the subject of this sketch, lived until 12 years of age with his parents. At that time his father died, leaving him the farm of 139 acres. Mr. Sherman was appointed guardian, but died shortly after. Our subject worked around on different farms for a time and also spent some time AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 611 in Cincinnati. When 21 years of age he came into possession of his property. The country at that time was still chiefly timberland. The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, Railway runs through his property now. Mr. Brackman was married in 1866 to Caroline Overman, a daughter of Henry and Agnes (Bockman) Overman. Henry Overman and his wife came from Germany to this country, and were married at Cincinnati, Ohio. They had io children : Mary, who married Henry Reichert; Henry, deceased; Barney; Fred, deceased; Anthony; Agnes, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Miller; Elizabeth, who married Henry Gottemoller; John; Joseph, deceased; and Caroline, the wife of our subject, who was born May .5, 1847, in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio. Mr. Overman died March 8; 1876. His wife died May 5, 1904. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brackman, as follows: Agnes, who married August Rutchilling, and after his death Joseph Winners and lives in Berlin, Shelby County—she had one child by her first marriage, Henry, and has two children by her second marriage, Leona and Alexander; Henry, who married Anna Lubke, lives near his father and has one child, William; Elizabeth, Who married Henry Bruns, lives in Marion township and has four children—Caroline, Anna, Laura and Clara ; John; Clara; Catherine; Frank; Vincent ; Amy; and Anthony, who died when an infant. Mr. Brackman and his family are members of St. John's Catholic Church. He served two terms as township trustee. MICHAEL REUSCH MICHAEL REUSCH, a well-known citizen and excellent farmer of Jefferson township, residing on a farm of 8o acres located in section 33, township 5 south, range 2 east, was born in Germany, September 6, 1860, and is a son of Gottfried and Maria (Saltzer) Reusch. Michael Reusch was reared and educated in Germany and worked at farming and wine making until 21 years of age, when he came to America and located at Celina, Ohio, where his brother Christopher had located three years previously. He secured employment on a dairy farm and remained there the following 22 months. On September 1, 1888, he was appoined superintendent of the County Infirmary, where he had previously been working. He continued to fill that office for the next 15 years, and during that time made many needed changes, which benefited the inmates. In the spring of 1893 Mr. Reusch purchased his present home, where he has made many decided improvements. ms On September 6, 1888, Michael Reusch was married (first) to Elizabeth Puthoff, a daughter of Frank Puthoff. She died June 5, 1897, leaving three 612 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY children : Harry, Lizzie and Bertha. Mr. Reusch was married (second) August 24, 1898, to Paulina Dosten, a daughter of August Dosten and by his marriage has two children, Pauline and Freda. Mr. Reusch is a member of the German Independent Aid Society. BERNARD HUELSKAMP BERNARD HUELSKAMP, who resides on his farm of 120 acres, located in section 25, Marion township, was born June 24, 187o, and is a son of Deitrich and Elizabeth (Tangeman) Huelskamp and a grandson of Henry Huelskamp. Henry Huelskamp, who was a native of Germany, came to this county in 1835 and settled in Mercer County, Ohio, dying after three years' residence in this country. He was the father of four children, all born in Germany as follows: Henry (deceased) Deitrich, Joseph and Bernardina. Deitrich Huelskamp was born June 24, 1822, and came to America with his father when 13 years old. When about 16 years old, his father died and being the oldest child, he was obliged to support the family. He was married to Elizabeth Tangeman, who was born in Germany and came to America with her parents when about six years old. Her parents, Henry and Anna (Moeller) Tangeman, came to this country from Germany and settled in Marion township on a farm near Maria Stein. Mr. and Mrs. Tangeman had the following children most of whom were born in Germany: Elizabeth, Anthony, Joseph, Fred, Barney, Henry, Catherine and Mary. After his marriage, Mr. Huelskamp continued to live on the home farm near Maria Stein. and there nine children were born, namely : Henry, who died aged four years; Mary, who married Henry Fullenkamp; Frank, deceased; John, who married Mary Heitkamp; Catherine, deceased, who married Peter Brown; Frances, who married Frank Dabelt ; Anna, who lives with her father at Maria Stein; Bernard ; and Rosa, who died in infancy. Bernard Huelskamp was born and reared on the farm where he now lives which property he purchased from his father. He was married in 1894 to Rosa Thobe, who was born December 10, 1876, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wormen) Thobe. Joseph Thobe was born and raised in Germany and came to America when a young man, settling in Marion township ship, Mercer County, Ohio. He married Elizabeth Wormen, a daughter of Henry Wormen, also a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country and died in Auglaize County, Ohio, having lived to be almost 100 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Thobe had 14 children as follows : Mary, who married S. Kemper; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Osterfeld; Anna, who married Joseph AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 613 Westgerdes; Catherine, who married Anton Kemper; John, who married Rosa Vehorn; Rosa; Frances, who married Joseph Menke; Josephine, who married John Westgerdes; Anna, who married Barney Geyle; and Henry, Mary, Henry, Joseph and Maggie, who are deceased. Mr. Thobe died June 14,. 1906. His wife is living in Auglaize County with her son John. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Huelskamp, namely: John, Joseph, Edward, Elizabeth, Loretta, Hilda and Leona. Mr. Huelskamp and family are all members of St. "John's Catholic Church. JOHN GEORGE KUHN JOHN GEORGE KUHN, a highly esteemed citizen of Coldwater, who is almost entirely retired from active business, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 27, 1843, and is a son of John G. and Juliana (Schneider) Kuhn. The Kuhn family emigrated to America in 1847 and the father of our subject started farming on 120 acres of land near Wapakoneta, Ohio. As he was an invalid, the actual labor of the farm was performed by his two sons, with hired help. He died May 8, 1866, but his wife survived until July .12, 1894. Our subject grew up here, assisted in the farming and also learned the wagenmaker's trade. Mr. Kuhn was not quite 18 years old when President Lincoln's first call went out over the country for troops and he enlisted in Company K, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He was mustered into the service on April 26, 1861, served through the three months of his enlistment and was discharged on August 27, 1861. In 1862 he reenlisted for three years, entering Company D, io6th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. On March 1, 1863, he was made corporal; on May 27, 1864, he was advanced to sergeant and was mustered out with his company on June 29, 1865, being finally discharged and paid on July 12th following. Mr. Kuhn served first under General Buell, near Covington, Kentucky, and later marched zoo miles through that State and Tennessee, his command being much engaged in this vicinity during the early part of the war. On April 7, 1-862, the whole brigade was captured by the enemy, at Hartsville, Tennessee, but soon escaped. During his service of three years he received two wounds in his left leg. During his last year of service, Sergeant Kuhn was a scout. After his Turn from the war, Mr. Kuhn settled in Auglaize County and went to work at wagon-making, soon entering the employ of Jacob Koch in this line at St. Marys. In December, 1865, he formed a partnership with Mr. Koch and the business was continued until February, 1867, when he sold out and moved to Chattanooga, Mercer County, where he conducted wagon works 614 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY until January 1, 1869. During his stay there he bought a farm of 80 acres in Black Creek township, and after closing his business he moved upon the farm and operated it until the fall of 1875, when he sold out. He then moved to Decatur, Indiana, and in that vicinity he bought a farm of 8o acres, on which he resided until March 16, 1883. He then disposed of that property and removed to Butler township, Mercer County, buying another 80 acres. He moved on this farm and continued to reside on it until April 8, 1904, when he bought his home at Coldwater. The farm was sold in November, 1905. On February 6, 1866, Mr. Kuhn was married (first) to Barbara Nuss, who died November 27, 1871, leaving three children, viz : William H., of Elyria, Ohio; Emma L., wife of Lasius Walters, of Coldwater; and Edward, On October 28, 1873, Mr. Kuhn was married (second) to Anna Mary Straubinger, and they had seven children, namely : Frederick, of the State of Washington ; Jacob, who died aged two weeks ; Frank T., of Dayton; Anthony, of Middletown, Ohio; Michael, of Covington, Ohio; and Julia and Mary, living at home. Frederick and Anthony served in the Spanish-American War; after its conclusion, Frederick then entered the United States regular army and served in the artillery in the Philippines, receiving his discharge in 1902. Mr. Kuhn has served the township in many responsible positions and has always been an official in whom his fellow-citizens placed every confidence. For 20 years he was a justice of the peace in Butler township, finally resigning the office; for 12 years and five months he was township clerk of Butler township and served also as trustee of Liberty township, Mercer County. Mr. .Kuhn is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic organization. He is a member of the Catholic Church. With the exception of performing the duties of a notary public, Mr. Kuhn takes upon himself no business cares. He has a wide circle of friends by whom he is highly considered. FREDERICK KUHN FREDERICK KUHN, a highly esteemed resident of Celina, occupying a comfortable home on West Livingston near Mill street, has been a resident of Mercer County since 1847 and for over a half century was identified with the agricultural interests of Liberty township. Mr. Kuhn is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 28, 1829, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Bollenbacher) Kuhn. In 1847 the Kuhn family left Germany and came directly to Mercer County, Ohio, settling in section 7, Liberty township. At that time pion conditions prevailed all through this locality, the native forest growth sti stood where now are cultivated fields and thriving towns, and the family AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 615 was obliged to endure many hardships and privations to which it had not been accustomed in the old country. The parents of our subject died on the home farm in Liberty township, the mother not many weeks after the settlement was made. They were quiet, industrious, home-building, worthy German people and were respected by all who knew them. Frederick Kuhn was a hardy youth of 18 years when his parents settled on the pioneer farm in Liberty township and upon him fell a great deal of the hard .work which was necessary in the clearing and cultivation of the land. His education was more liberal than was afforded many of his companions, as he had been thoroughly trained in the schools of his native land. From the peaceful pursuits of the farm, Mr. Kuhn went into the army in the second year of the Civil War, enlisting on August 12, 1862, in Company F, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He was honorably discharged from the service, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, July 1, 1865. During nine months of army life, he served as a provost guard, under Colonel Mathews. He participated in many of the great battles of the war, which included Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and in innumerable skirmishes in which many of his comrades were either wounded or captured by the enemy. Mr. Kuhn was fortunate enough to escape all dangers, although always at the post of duty, and returned to Mercer County, practically unharmed. Upon his return home he resumed farming in Liberty township, where he continued to reside until August, 1906, when he turned over the active work on the farm to. younger hands and, with his estimable wife, retired to the quiet and comfort of a home he had purchased in Celina. Mr. Kuhn still retains his well-improved farm of 14o acres in Liberty township and also owns an excellent farm of 8o acres in Jefferson township, Adams County, Indiana. On February 8, 1866. Mr. Kuhn was married to Wilhelmina Wellemeyer, who was born February 25, 1842, in Prussia, Germany. In 1852 she accompanied her parents, Frederick and Mary (Brune) Wellemeyer, to America, and was reared in Auglaize County, Ohio, where they were early settlers. To our subject and wife were born seven children, the five survivors being: Mary W., who is the wife of G. P. Hoeper, of Hopewell township; Frederick T.. living on the home place in Liberty township, who married Mary D. Linn and, has three children—Clarence R., Bertha C. and Hugo W.; Philip W., living on his father's farm in Adams County, Indiana, who married Fanny B. Sielschott and has one child, Florence S.' W. ; and Elizabeth M. and Rebecca, both living in Celina. Mr. Kuhn and his family belong to the Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, in which at various times he has held office. Politically he is a Democrat. During his long residence in Liberty township he 616 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY assisted in all public improvements and furthered the cause of education, serving a long time as school director. HENRY BRACKMAN HENRY BRACKMAN, whose fine farm of 110 acres is situated in section 15, Recovery township, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, April 18, 1837, and is a son of John and Agnes (Dorgeloh) Brackman. The parents of Mr. Brackman were both natives of Germany. At the age of 15 years, John Brackman became an ocean sailor and followed the sea until he was 22 years of age. In order to escape service in the German Army, he came to America and settled at Baltimore, where he worked on the railroad then being constructed between Baltimore and Washington. From there he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, later going to Alabama where he worked through the winter, returning in the spring to Cincinnati, making the trip on a steamboat running between New Orleans and Cincinnati. In the latter city he married and there he continued to make his home. In the summer time he worked on the steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, while in the winter time, he was employed in railroad and canal construction work. In the spring of 1836 he came to Marion township, Mercer County, where he entered 80 acres of wild land for himself and 8o acres for his friend, Frank Evers, paying $100 for his 80 acres. The land had been entered two years before, in 1834. Mr. Brackman built a round-log cabin on his land, which, as prosperity came to him through hard work, was replaced by a hewed-log house. On this farm his children, six in number, were reared. He died in 1873. John Brackman was married (first) to Agnes Dorgeloh, who died in 1838, leaving one child, Henry, the subject of this sketch, who was then one year and seven months old. A cousin, Catherine Dorgeloh, came to take care of the infant and she subsequently became Mr. Brackman's second wife. Five children were born to this union, of whom the survivors are: Theodore and Catherine, who live on the old farm in Marion township. Henry Brackman attended school in Marion township and remained at home until his marriage. His first farm was one of 45 acres, located in Marion township, to which he added until he owned 125 acres, which he sold in 1882, when he bought his farm in Recovery township, which then consisted of 16o acres. Later he sold 50 acres of the farm to his son. He has always carried on general farming and is considered one of the successful agriculturists of his neighborhood. On June 14, 1864, Mr. Brackman was married to Agnes Dahlinghaus, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 617 daughter of Bernard Dahlinghaus, and they have had nine children, as follows : John, residing on a farm of 5o acres which he purchased from his father, who has six children ; Frank, deceased at the age of 25 years and 6 months, at Belleville, Illinois, who was one of the professors at St. Peter's Institute and also organist in the Catholic Church; Mary, who married Aloys Guggenviller, resides at Wendelin and has five children; Annie, who is the wife of August C. Eifert, a county school examiner, and the mother of four children; Joseph, who married Rosa Bruns, has one son, Raymond, and resides with his father; Minnie, who lives in Fort Recovery; and Henry, also single, who is a teacher in the school of St. Joseph's Church and is also church organist. The whole family belong to St. Joseph's Catholic Church. For many years Mr. Brackman served on the Board of Education. He has also been supervisor and trustee of the township, and is a very highly valued citizen. BERNARD JOHNSMAN BERNARD JOHNSMAN, a representative agriculturist of Jefferson township, who owns a. fine farm of 8o acres, situated in section 34, township 5 south, range 2 east, was born April 14, 1834, in Prussia, and is a son of Christopher and Christina (Borgman) Johnsman. Bernard Johnsman was 26 years of age when he came to America. He had obtained a fair education in the public schools of his own land and had performed his military duty by serving three years in the Prussian Army. As his parents were dead, nothing prevented his seeking a home and friends in another country. The first place in which he settled after reaching the United States was Lockland, near Cincinnati, where he remained three years, but after marriage he removed to Minster, Auglaize County. There he worked three years on a farm, and then came to his present place, buying these 8o acres' in 1867. Here Mr. Johnsman has developed a valuable farm and carries on general farming and stock-raising. At Lockland, Ohio, in 1863, Mr. Johnsman was married (first) to Clara Lutz, who died in 1868, leaving two children, Clara and Henry, both now deceased. The latter lived to be 22 years old and the former reached her 29th year. Mr. Johnsman was married (second) to Katie Huelsman, and they have had To children, namely : John, a farmer in Jefferson township, who married Della McKinsey and has two children, both deceased,- Bernard and Walter Bernard; Clemmens, a cavalryman in the United States Army, now stationed in Oregon; Andrew, Frank and George, who assist on the home farm; Mrs. Caroline Hill, residing at Fairmont, Indiana, who has one daughter, ThelMa ; Mary, who married William Harlet and lives in Celina; 618 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Elizabeth and Christina, who are at home; and Catherine, who died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Johnsman is a stanch Democrat. He belongs to German social organizations at Celina. He is a worthy member of the Catholic Church and devotes a part of his income to religious purposes and is a reliable and upright citizen. HENRY KUHN HENRY KUHN, a representative citizen of Liberty township, for 13 consecutive years its efficient treasurer, and for a long period a successful agriculturist in this part of Mercer County, resides on an excellent farm of 80 acres, which was a tract of woodland when he first came to it. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 3, 1831, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Bollenbacher) Kuhn. The parents of Mr. Kuhn came to America with their children when Henry was between 15 and 16 years old. They wished to establish a home in Ohio and settled on an uncultivated, uncleared tract of land in Liberty township, Mercer County. Probably the long journey and unaccustomed hardship undermined the health of the mother, for she died six weeks after reaching the pioneer home in Liberty township. The father, assisted by his sons, cleared the land and developed an excellent farm, although it required years of industry to accomplish it. The father died also on the home farm in Liberty township. Of his children, four survive, as follows : Frederick, formerly of Liberty township, now a resident of Celina; Henry, of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of John Herzog, of Hartford City, Indiana; and Caro- line, wife of John Duer, living near Decatur, Indiana. Henry Kuhn grew to man's estate in Liberty township, attending the district schools and assisting his father on the farm. He married Maria Duer, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and they have had six children, as follows : William, of Black Creek township; Rebecca K., wife of Ephraim Camp, of Kalamazoo County, Michigan; Emma J., wife of Fr. Landfair, of Black Creek township; Adam, of Liberty township; and two deceased. Mr. Kuhn is a representative member of the Democratic party and on account of his sterling character and good citizenship has frequently been called upon to accept important and responsible township offices. He has served as trustee and was then elected treasurer and was reelected for 13 consecutive years, a very unusual occurence. He is one of the leading members of the German Reformed Church. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 619 JACOB LEININGER JACOB LEININGER, a most highly esteemed resident of Liberty township and one of the old settlers of this locality, resides on his valuable farm of 160 acres, on which he located more than 50 years ago. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 11, 1832, and is a son of John and Margaret Leininger. The parents of our subject were born in Alsace, now a part of the German Empire, and came to America about 1826, locating in Stark County, Ohio, where -they lived until 1833, when they removed to Mercer County. They were early settlers in Washington township and there they spent the rest of their lives. Jacob Leininger was reared in Washington township and his school opportunities were only those afforded by the pioneer schools of the time. When he tame to Liberty township the native timber still stood on his present farm and years of hard work ensued before the land was entirely cleared. It is now a fine property, valuable from every point of view. Mr. Leininger was married in young manhood to Catherine Kettenring, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Henry Kettenring, who brought his family to America when Mrs. Leininger was a child and settled in Holmes County, Ohio. At a later date the family moved to Washington township, Mercer County, where Mrs. Leininger was married. To this union io children were born and eight of these are still living, as follows : Margaret, widow of Frederick Betzel, residing at Fort Wayne, Indiana; Theobald, of Black Creek township; Christina, wife of Andrew Harb, of Black Creek township; William H., also of Black Creek township; Mary, wife of Frederick Schaadt, of Van Wert County; John, residing on his father's farm; Phebe, wife of Henry Brehm, of Liberty township; and George S., of Black Creek township. Mr. Leininger is one of the substantial members of the Democratic party in Liberty township. The only office he has ever accepted has been that of township trustee. For many years he has been a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church. He is one of the township's representative men. WILLIAM H. BRYAN WILLIAM H. BRYAN, a representative agriculturist of Washington township, residing on his well-improved farm of 124 acres situated in section 3, was born May 2, 1852, in Ridge township, Van Wert County, Ohio, and is a son of William Patterson and Rebecca (Leathers) Bryan. 620 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY William P. Bryan was born in Pennsylvania and removed to Van Wert County just after attaining young manhood. In December, 1866, he moved to Mercer County, and resided with his eldest son, Daniel Bryan, until his death in January, 1867. He was married in Allen County, Ohio, to Rebecca Leathers, who died in 1863, when our subject was 11 years old. William H. Bryan was about 14 years of age when he accompanied his brother to Mercer County, with whom he remained for one year and then entered the employ of the Spriggs family, with whom he remained for six years and seven months continuously. During this time he was well trained in all kinds of farm work and was prepared to farm on his own account which he did for two years on rented land. On February 27, 1873, he bought the old Hiram Shaw farm of 16o acres, which he still owns. Gradually he accumulated land until he owned 244 acres. In 1903 he advantageously sold 40 acres and has given 40 acres each to his two oldest sons. In association with his eldest son, Mr. Bryan also owns 80 acres of good land in Michigan. In addition to carrying on extensive operations in general farming and stock-raising, Mr. Bryan spent 13 years in the contracting business, mainly in the line of building turnpike roads. He has constructed many miles of these excellent highways in Mercer and Auglaize counties. He has always been a man of enterprise, through sound sense and excellent business judgment has made his business ventures successful. In April, 1877, Mr. Bryan was married to Mary E. Fennig, who is a daughter of John Fennig, and they have five children, as follows: John Garrel, who married Sadie Culp and lives on a farm of 40 acres given him by his father; Charles A., who resides at home, also owning a farm of 40 acres given him by his father ; Daisy B., who married Earl Dumbauld, lives in Jefferson township and has had two children, Marie and Guy, the latter of whom died aged 6 months and 17 days; Ethel, who married Henry Bobenmoyer and resides with her father in Washington township; and James, who lives at home. Although, as noted above, Mr. Bryan has always been a successful business ness man, he has met with some misfortunes. On May 14, 1886, a terribly destructive cyclone swept through Washington township, which leveled all his farm buildings, his fine orchard and destroyed 4o acres of timber. JOHN ROETHER JOHN ROETHER, whose death occurred in 1885, was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Union township. He was born April 17, 1835, and was a son of William Roether. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 621 William Roether, the father of our subject, came to Mercer County from Mansfield, Ohio, about 1852, locating on the farm which is now occupied by the widow of our subject. He was the father of nine Children, namely: Isaac, deceased, who resided in Richland County, Ohio; Abram, who lies near McComb in Hancock County; Levi, who was killed by a train; Daniel, deceased, who; was a physician at Bluffton, Indiana; Henry, a physician, who is a resident of Adrian, Michigan; Mrs. Hannah Zern, of Auburn, Indiana ; Elizabeth, widow of Daniel Lemunyon, residing at Mendon; John, the subject of this sketch; and a (laughter, deceased. John Roether came with his parents to Mercer County when about 17 years old. He attended school and assisted his father in clearing and improving the farm until the time of his marriage. He was married in October, 1859, to Almira Hamilton, a daughter of Hon. Justin Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Roether became the parents of five children: Alice, who married W. A. Bedell, resides near Mendon and has five children—Della, Ada, Norma, Buell and:Emory; Oerilla, who married William Parrott and died in 1892, leaving two children—Lawrence and Lee, the latter deceased in 190o; Etta, who married George Ballinger, resides east of Montezuma, and has one child, Glenn; William, who married Cora Krugh, a daughter of John Krugh, of Union township, resides. on the John Bedell farm in Union township, and has a daughter, unnamed; and Floyd, who is unmarried and lives with his mother. Lawrence Parrott, a grandson, has made his home with Mrs. Roether for the past five years. Hon. Justin Hamilton, the father of Mrs. Roether, was born September 11, 1796, and died February 19, 1863. He was a son of Hugh and Isabelle (Knox) Hamilton, the former born October 31, 1770, and the latter, December 25, 1772. Hugh Hamilton lived and died in New York State. He was the father of six children : Justin, father of Mrs. Roether, and Justus, his twin; William, who was justice of the peace for several years in Union township; Leonard; Lucinda and Isabelle. Hon. Justin Hamilton. came to Mercer County in 1822 and was among the county's very earliest settlers, the country still being in a very wild state, and was inhabited by friendly Indians, who were very often of great assistance to the pioneers. He was for many years a teacher and was one of the best educated men of the day. Ile was a surveyor and laid out the town site of Mendon, part of which was on his land. He served as an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas and was twice elected to the Legislature (in 1831 and 1832) from the district composed of the counties of Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams. He was selected to read the bills in the Legislature, owing to his special ability as a reader. He was a very prominent man and his advice was often sought by others, being fre- 622 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY quently called upon to aid and assist others in various ways. He was married in Kentucky and came to this country in a covered wagon drawn by a span of oxen. He built one of the first corn-mills in the county, which was about 1835, which mill is still standing. Mr. Hamilton was married May 14, 1820, to Eliza Rhodes, who was born February 28, 1798, and died November 24, 1887, in her 90th year. Justin and Eliza (Rhodes) Hamilton were the parents of eight children, namely: Isabelle, born October 19, 1821, who first married a Mr. Noble, and after his death married Lewis Brewer—both she and Mr. Brewer are now deceased; Justus, February 19, 1823, who married, Mary Jane Panabaker—both now deceased; Lucius, born April 2, 1825, and died on a part of the old home place, who married Mary Miller, who now resides in Celina; Charlotta, born August 16, 1829; Justin, deceased, who was born October 27, 1831, married Eliza Snavely, who resides in Mendon; Eliza Lucinda, who married Austin Barber and is now deceased, as is her husband also; Emily, born April 8, 1838, who is the widow of Andrew Snavely—she resides in Center township, aged 68 years; and Almira, born August 28, 1841, who is the widow of John Roether. SEBASTIAN LEISTNER SEBASTIAN LEISTNER, a representative citizen of Rockford, was born in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, March I, 1844, and is a son of John Andrew and Barbara (Leistner) Leistner. John A. Leistner and wife, who were natives of Bavaria, Germany, came to this country when young and settled in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio. They were married in 1836 at Trenton and in 1853 moved to Mercer County, locating in Black Creek township, where Mr. Leistner entered 240 acres of land north of Chattanooga and placed the same under cultivation, making this his place of residence until his death, which occurred in August, 1894. Three sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner: John, a resident of Chattanooga, who is engaged in farming; Barbara, who married William Adams and died October 22, 1892; Andrew, residing in Chattanooga where he owns a farm; and Sebastian, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Leistner died November 11, 1892. Sebastian Leistner spent his early childhood days in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, and when he was nine years old his parents moved to Mercer County, where he was reared and educated. Mr. Leistner offered his service to the government at the outbreak of the Civil War, but was rejected on account of his youth and his inability to pass the physical examination. Mr. Leistner owns two farms in Black Creek township. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 625 Mr. Leistner was married January 13, 1867, to Mary Ann Knight, a daughter of Peter Knight. Her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, when she was quite small. Later they entered and settled upon land in Black Creek township, Mercer County, Ohio. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner : Augusta, wife of John L. Davidson, of Van Wert, who is engaged in railroading; Annie E., who married Harry Rutledge and resides on a farm in Black Creek township; and William Andrew, who married Bell Cook and resides in Rockford. Mrs. Leistner died August 21, 1897. In 1899 our subject retired from farm life, taking up his residence in Rockford, where he purchased the house in which he now resides. Recently he built a house on the lot adjoining. Mr. Leistner's second marriage was with Mrs. Mary Williams, a daughter of Joab and Sevilla Borton. She had two children by her first marriage: John Williams, who married Grace Stober and resides in Black Creek township; Ada, who 'married Clarence Skinner and resides in Lima, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Leistner are both members of the United Brethren Church at Rockford. Politically, he is a Republican. CLEMENT VALLANDIGHAM HOOD CLEMENT VALLANDIGHAM HOOD, a prosperous farmer of Union township, was born June 29, 1863, near Spencerville, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Elmira (Rider) Hood. George Hood was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 18, 1831, and is still living at the age of 75 years. His parents moved to Lima, Ohio, when there were only a few houses in the place and from there they moved to Spencerville and in 1867 became residents of Van Wert County. His father Robert Hood, grandfather of our subject, died soon after locating in Lima, and his wife died in Spencerville. Robert Hood was the father of seven children : Milton, deceased; Mary L., deceased, who was the wife of George Hutton; Minerva, who married George Lane; Emma, who married August Gilmore; Josephine, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Heaster ; Rose, wife of Isaac Fogel; and George, the father of our subject. George Hood married Elmira Rider, who died in 1873. She was a daughter of Isaac Rider, a native of New York State, who was one of the very earliest settlers of Allen County, residing it Spencerville. George Hood is now residing at Middlepoint, Ohio. Clement V. Hood received his education in the township schools of Van Wert County, attending school during the winter months and working on his father's farm in the summer. He remained on the farm until he was 21 years of age and then worked on the railroad as a machinist for about eight years. After his marriage, he located in Union township, Mercer County, 626 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY where he has since resided on his 100-acre farm. He is classed among Mercer County's best citizens. Mr. Hood was married November 28, 1891, to Ida Griffin, a daughter of Claudius Griffin, of Union township, a full sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hood is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge at Spencerville. Views of Mr. Hood's residence and farm buildings accompany this sketch. JAMES PEARSON JAMES PEARSON, one of Washington township's prosperous agriculturists, owns 56 acres of highly cultivated farm land, 221/2 acres being located in section 4, and 32/ acres in section 9, Washington township. He was born in East Bradford township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 184 and is a son of James and Sarah (Wagonseller) Pearson. James Pearson, father of our subject, was of Welsh descent and was blacksmith by trade, having learned the trade from his father, William Pea son, who was a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania. James Pearson; as well as his father, died in Chester County. James Pearson, our subject, was reared in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 20 years of age, when he went to Philadelphia and worked at his trade, being a shoemaker. In 1865 he went to Illinois where he worked at his trade for about three years, after which he removed to Wabash County, Indiana, and followed his trade. During his residence in Wabash County, he made a trip to Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, leaving on September 21, 1869, and while in Washington township was married to Lavina Bastian, a daughter of George Bastian. He moved to Mercer County in 1876, locating in Washington township, where he has since lived, engaged in general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have had eight children, as follows : Minnie, who married Elmer Day and has three children; Maggie, wife of W. J. Boley; Homer, who married Daisy Edmiston; Lee C.; Lizzie, who teaches school in Liberty township; Luella; Edith and Ivy. Mr. Pearson is at present clerk of the School Board of Washington township. In 1894 he retired from the office of justice of the peace, after having served 15 years. E. H. DAVIS E. H. DAVIS, a representative agriculturist of Liberty township, where he owns a farm of 65 acres in section 7, on which he located in the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 627 1900, was born in Blackford County, Indiana, October 21, 1866, and is a son of Hugh and Charlotte (Robbins) Davis. Our subject was reared on his. father's farm in Blackford County. His parents were old residents there and their remains rest in that county. His education was obtained in the schools of Jackson township, Blackford County, where he engaged in farming until 1900, when he came to his present farm in Liberty township, Mercer County. His farm consists of 95 acres, as he owns a 30-acre tract in Adams County, Indiana, adjoining his 65 acres in Liberty township. Mr. Davis was married (first) to Clara Fuqua, who was born in Blackford County, Indiana. She was survived by three children, namely : Cecil and Esta, the latter of whom is the wife of Frederick Kessler of Blackford County ; and Clarence M., who died aged two months. Mr. Davis was married (second), December 19, 1900, to Mrs. Laura Gothrup, also of Blackford County, Indiana. In 1903 the Darby Oil Company began operating for oil and gas on the farm of our subject, and both oil and gas have been found and further development will probably bring Mr. Davis very satisfying returns. Politically Mr. Davis is a Democrat. GEORGE A. REUTER GEORGE A. REUTER, sole owner and manager of the George A. Reuter sawmill and dealer in hardwood lumber at Fort Recovery, was born in Barry County, Michigan, February 18, 1861, and is a son of John G. and Magdalene (Schmelcher) Reuter, both of whom are still living on a farm in Barry County, Michigan. George Reuter was reared on his father's farm in Barry County and attended the district schools, later attending a select school for several winters. He took a practical business course in the Grand Rapids Business College, his studies including banking, bookkeeping, steamboating, railroading and general commercial business, graduating in October, 1883. He taught school in Michigan for six years, beginning at the age of 16. His last school was taught during the winter of 1883-84 at Bowne Center, near Grand Rapids, Michigan. In May, 1884, he went to White Cloud, Michigan, and engaged with the Frederick Ramsey Lumber Company, remaining there until the fall of 1885. The last six months of this time he was employed by the successors of Mr. Ramsey, who had died. He then went to Chase, Michigan, and was employed by Dunham, Peters & Company. The first six months with this company he was foreman; he then became bookkeeper and the last year and a half was chief bookkeeper and general superintendent. 628 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY In 1889 Mr. Reuter formed a partnership with William E. Wilson and engaged in the sawmill and pine lumber business at Fort Recovery, Ohio This business was established on May 1st, but as Mr. Reuter was um obligations to his employers he stayed with the firm in Chase, Michigan until they were able to secure a man to fill his position. In 1903 Messrs,. Reuter and Wilson traded their circular sawmill, which stood where the Fort Recovery Lutheran Church now stands to Henry Wuerderman, for the band-mill which stood upon the site now occupied by Mr. Reuter's new mill. This band-mill burned down on June 12, 1906, and Mr. Reuter immediately erected a larger sawmill on the same site and installed new machinery, having been sole owner and manager of the business since 1904, when he and Mr. Wilson dissolved partnership. Mr. Reuter also has other business interests, being one of the largest stockholders and a director of the Fort Recovery Telephone Company, which is owned by local capital. He owns 120 acres of farm land in Recovery township, about four and a half miles east of Fort Recovery. He owns the home farm of 160 acres in Irving township, Barry County, Michigan, where his parents now reside. Mr. Reuter was married in March, 1888, to Rose Wilson, a sister of his former business partner. They have had three children: Donnel, who is attending the Fort Recovery High School and will graduate in 1907— he attended the summer term at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in 1906 and thereby gained one year in the High School; Mildred M. and Marguerite Mr. Reuter has been secretary of the Fort Recovery Building and Loan Company for the past 16 years. He is, a member and for the past three years has been chief of the Board of Deputy State Supervisors of Elections. He is a member and a trustee of Pisgah Congregational Church, of Fort Recovery. Mr. Reuter has been an active worker in the Masonic order. He is a member of Fort Recovery Lodge, No. 539, F. & A. M.; Celina Chapter, No. 120, R. A. M. ; Lima Council, No. 20, R. & S. M.; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 30, K. T., of Van Wert ; and has attained to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite, belonging to the Consistory at Toledo. From 1894 to 1905, inclusive (12 years), he served as the worshipful master of Fort Recovery Lodge, declining reelection at the conclusion of his 12th term. GEORGE W. KRENNING GEORGE W. KRENNING, senior member of the firm of Krenning & Son dealers in dry goods, boots, shoes and general merchandise, at Fort Recovery, is a well known citizen of Mercer County, and one of the leading business AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 629 men at Fort Recovery. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 8, 1854, and is a son of J. H. W. and Anna M. (Kruse) Krenning. The father of our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America in young manhood, settling at Cincinnati. There he married Anna M. Kruse and they had six- children, namely: B. H. W., of Wytheville, Virginia; Louise, wife of Henry Bosse, of Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati; Henry R., of Cincinnati; George W., of this sketch; Amelia, wife of Henry Sunderman, of Fort Recovery; and Frederick, who died in infancy. In 1860 the parents of our subject moved to a farm near Fort Recovery, but five years later returned to Cincinnati, coming back to Mercer County in 1869. For one year the family lived on a farm in Gibson township and then moved to Fort Recovery. There J. H. W. Krenning and his son, B. H. W. Krenning, started a store and woolen mill and this they continued to operate together until 1883, when the stock of store and mill was divided and the mill business wass removed to Wytheville, Virginia. Our subject's father died in the fall of 1901. George W. Krenning was six years old when the family moved first to Fort Recovery and was 15 when the permanent home was established here. His whole business life has been connected with this place. In 1875 George W. Krenning was married to Harriet T. Campbell, a daughter of Isaac M. and Lydia A. (Hoar) Campbell, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Krenning have three children, viz.: Edna, Alice and George C. The older daughter, Edna, is a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School and Western Oxford College at Oxford, Ohio. For three years she has been a successful teacher at ̊Elyria, Ohio, and is at present a student at Columbia University, New York City. Alice, the second daughter, is the wife of Rev. C. A. Mohr, pastor of the Congregational Church at Silverton, Colorado. George C. is in business with his father, but at present is a student at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. Mr. Krenning has always performed the duties of a citizen, but has been too deeply immersed in business to take any very active part in politics. He has served efficiently, however, as a member of the School Board and has been town treasurer. Mr. Krenning and family are all members of the Pisgah Congregational Church at Fort Recovery. WILLIAM JUSTIN ROETHER WILLIAM JUSTIN ROETHER, a successful and well-known young agriculturist of Union township, was born in this township on the farm where his mother now lives, the old Roether farm, now known as the Be- 630 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY dell farm. Be is a son of John and Almira (Hamilton) Roether. A sketch of John Roether, who is now deceased, appears elsewhere in this book. William Roether attended the township schools and also assisted with the farm, work until he was 18 years old. He lived for several years in Center township and in the fall of 1899 moved upon the old Roether farm. Mr. Roether and his brother farmed this place in partnership until the fall of 1905. He now lives on the John Bedell farm in Union township. The farm consists of 8o acres and Mr. Roether has 32 acres of the same in corn, 15 acres in wheat, and 17 acres in oat's. He has 93 head of hogs, and never sells his corn but keeps it for feed, considering it a better practice to use it for feed than to sell it. He also has three head of horses and is quite successful as a general farmer, having made what he has by his own energy and industry. Mr. Roether married Cora Krugh, a daughter of John and Sallie Ann ( Johnson) Krugh, of Union township. They have one daughter, who was born August 21, 1906. Politically, Mr. Roether is a Republican. ANDREW BUEHLER ANDREW BUEHLER, whose valuable farm of 120 acres is located in two counties, 80 acres in Darke and 40 acres, on which he makes his home in Granville township, Mercer County, just across the road from the larger portion, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, near Chickasaw, and is a son of Raymond and Veronica (Cook) Buehler. Raymond Buehler was born in Germany and came to America when he was about 11 years of age, accompanying his parents, August and Catherine Buehler. The family settled first at Greenville, Ohio, but later moved to a farm purchased by our subject's father, in Marion township. Subsequently they sold this farm to their son Raymond, and moved to Carthagena, where they died. They had eight children, namely: Raymond, Bernard, John, Joseph, Patrick, Agnes (wife of John Esser), Theresa (wife of John Blotur) and Sophia (wife of Christian Voesey). All have died except Joseph. Raymond Buehler remained with his parents until his marriage, assisting his father. Then he settled with his wife on the old home place, where Deitrich Buehler, our subject's brother, now lives. At that time little clearing had been done in his neighborhood and game was very abundant in the woods. Deer were plentiful and wild turkeys were to be had for the shooting. Raymond Buehler remained on this farm, clearing it up and developing it, until his death, which occurred January 6, 1880. He was survived by his wife until September 19, 1901. Raymond Buehler married Veronica Cook, who had come to America AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 631 with her parents from Germany. To this marriage 13 children were born, as follows : Theresa, who died aged five years; Elizabeth, who also died aged five years; Wendel and Joseph, both deceased in infancy; Mary, who married Joseph Hess; Caroline; Henry, who married Victoria Miller; Andrew, of this sketch; August, who married Theresa Brunswick ; John, who married Frances Rockner Deitrich, who married Mary Ausman; Veronica, who married Henry Wiel ; and Catherine, deceased in 1905, who was the wife of Herman Box. Andrew Buehler attended the district schools and remained at home assisting his father on the home farm. When his father died, he inherited 80 acres of land in Darke County and when he married he started in to live on his property. He built a log house there, in which he lived for about 20 years. On January 1, 1901, he purchased from his brother-in-law, Frank Rammel, the 4o acres on which is situated his home. As a house was on the place, the family moved into it immediately. Mr. Buehler has greatly improved the property and has remodeled and added to the house, which is a comfortable frame one of six rooms. He carries on general farming and has made a success of it. On April 20, 1880, Mr. Buehler was married to Mary Rammel, a daughter of Joseph and Anna Mary (Ehrenbeck) Rammel, both of whom were bort in Germany and became highly respected residents and substantial farming people of Mercer County. Mr. Rammel died on his farm in Granville township, May 2, 1892, but Mrs. Rammel survives and lives with her son George. Mr. and Mrs. Buehler have three children, namely : Joseph, born July 2, 1882 ; William, born October 27, 1883; and Elizabeth, born May 22, 1888. All reside at home and, with their parents, belong to St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg. ORVILLE S. ASHCRAFT ORVILLE S. ASHCRAFT, a trustee of Washington township and one of the township's progressive citizens, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a well-developed farm situated in section 23, was born in Jay County, Indiana, December 25, 1870, and is a son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Adney) Ashcraft. Joseph Ashcraft was born on a farm in Jay County, Indiana, and is a son of Daniel Ashcraft, who was born and reared in Coshocton County, Ohio, whence he removed to Jay County, Indiana, when a young man. Joseph Ashcraft, who is now living in retirement, is the father of seven children: William, who is married and resides at Eaton, Indiana ; John, who 632 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY lives near Lansing, Michigan; Orville S., the subject of this sketch; Stella, who married Isaac Hassen and lives in North Dakota; Olive, wife of Henry Borrell, living in Chesterton, Indiana; Jennie, wife of Arthur Stout, living in Portland, Indiana; and Zelina, unmarried, who lives at home in Jay County, Indiana. Orville S. Ashcraft was reared on his father's farm in Jay County, and has been engaged in farming all his life with the exception of four years, when he was a rig builder in the oil fields. The summer previous to his marriage, he worked in a large peach orchard on Catawba Island, Lake Erie. Since his marriage he has lived in Washington township, Mercer County, in 190o moving upon his present farm, which is owned by his father-in-law, J. C. Snyder. Mr. Ashcraft was married August 19, 1896, to Florence Snyder, a daughter of J. C. Snyder, a full sketch of whom will be found in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft are the parents of three children : Forrest Merle; Tereva Eulali ; and Elsia Winona. In politics Mr. Ashcraft is identified with the Democratic party and in the spring of 1902 was elected township trustee on the Democratic ticket. He is still serving in this office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Murphysburg, of which he is also a steward. AUGUST ONTROP AUGUST ONTROP, a prosperous farmer of Washington township residing on his well-improved and highly cultivated farm of 216 acres, located in section 34, was born May 25, 1849, in Walstedde, Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, and is a son of Matthias and Christina (Kappenberg) Ontrop, both of whom died in Germany. August Ontrop was the youngest of a family of eight children, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Germany. At the age of 20 years he enlisted in the German Army and served two years and eight months in the Franco-Prussian War under General Werder, participating in the battles of Strasburg, Schledstadt and New Breisag, passing through all these engagements without receiving an injury. After the war he returned to his father's home, where he remained for about eight months, after which he emigrated to America, leaving his home April 16, 1873, and landed in New York City in the latter part of the same month. He immediately came to Mercer County, where he worked for two years on the farm which he now owns. His brother Anthony came to this country in 1874 and also came to Mercer County and located in Washington township with our subject. Anthony Ontrop married Theresia Tiggeman, who died in 1892; they had AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 633 six children: August, deceased; Aloys, deceased; Henry; Stephen; Katie; and August M. In 1875 August Ontrop and his brother Anthony bought the farm where they had been working and engaged extensively in agricultural operations, carrying on mixed farming. Anthony Ontrop died September 17, 1905, and since his death our subject has been living on the farm with his niece and nephew. Mr. Ontrop has made the greater part of the improvements on the farm, erecting a large frame house and all the other buildings with the exception ofthe old barn, which was erected by the former owner and still stands. Mr. Ontrop is a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Recovery township, four miles north of Fort Recovery. JOHN H. LAUDAHN JOHN H. LAUDAHN, general merchant and prominent citizen at Hinton, and the owner of a good farm of 40 acres in Liberty township, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, April 28, 1867, and is a son. of John and Sophia (Bader) Laudahn. Our subject was 15 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. They resided in Auglaize County from 1872 until 1882, when they came to Mercer County and settled in Liberty township. The father died in 1893, but the Mother still survives and resides with her son. Prior to entering into his mercantile business at Hinton, Mr. Laudahn followed farming. This industry he still carries on in addition to his other business. For some years he was postmaster at this point. He conducts a general store and carries a sufficient stock to fill the demands of local trade. In 1881, Mr. Laudahn was married to Salena Preshun, and they have five children, namely : Cora Sophia, Fred William, Frank H., Lesetta S. and John P. Politically Mr. Laudahn is a Republican. He belongs to the Lutheran Church.   JOSEPH WIRTZ JOSEPH WIRTZ, who is engaged in general farming on a fine farm of 119 acres located in section 3o, Granville township, was born April to, 1856, in a log cabin on his father's farm, which he now owns, and is a son of John P. Wirtz, a native of Germany. John P. Wirtz was reared to manhood in his native land and came to America when 21 years of age in company with Balser Obringer. He first 634 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY locates in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later went to Covington, Kentucky, where he was engaged for in years as a teamster. From there he proceeded to Chickasaw, Mercer County, where he bought land and was later married. About two years later he moved to Granville township and bought 55 acres of farm land from Henry Franklin. He afterwards bought the old Walker place from Henry Romer. He was one the pioneers of Granville township; He built that time there were no sawmills near and wild game was plentiful. He bolt a log cabin with a split puncheon floor, and it was here that Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was born. John P. Wirtz became the father of three children, as follows: John, who died aged 14 years; Catherine, who died aged 18 years; and Joseph. Mrs. Wirtz, who was Clara Esser in maiden life, died April 12, 1876, and Mr. Wirtz died July 4, 1904. Joseph Wirtz was reared on his father's farm in Granville township, has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has always lived on the farm where he now lives and where he was born; he continued to live on the farm after his marriage and being the only living child fell heir to the farm on the death of his father. He has built a fine, seven-room, frame house on the farm as well as a large barn and other buildings. Mr. Wirtz was married on June 11, 1880, to Magdalene Bower, a daughter of Jacob and Magdalene (Horning) Bower. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wirtz, namely: Clara, born in October, 1880, who .died in childhood; Victoria, born January 27, 1882; Edward, born November 19 1883; Catherine, born December 23, 1885; Elizabeth, born December 3, 1887; Anna, born March 31, 1890; Jacob, born June 23. 1892; Wilhelm, born May 11, 1895; Rose, born March 8, 1898; and Albert, born October 7, 1901, who died in infancy. Mr. Wirtz at one time had nine oil-wells in operation on his place. He was road supervisor for one term, and served on the. School Board for a number of years. He is a member of St. Wendelin's Catholic Church at Wendelin. Jacob Bower, the father of Mrs. Wirtz, was born in Germany, where he was reared to manhood, after which he engaged in farming. He was married to Magdalene Horning and they had eight children, three of whom were born in Germany: Magdalene (Mrs. Wirtz), born February 22, 1859; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Hoening and lives at Chattanooga; Matilda, who died aged 18 years; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Fred, who died in childhood; Mrs. Louise Schwirking, who lives at Cranberry Prairie; Philip, who married Anna Schultz and resides at St. Marys, Ohio; and August, living at St. Marys, who married Blanch Fable. Mrs. Wirtz was eight years old when her parents came to this country and settled at Cranberry Prairie. She well remembers when her uncle was obliged to carry her about two miles through the swamp up to his boot-tops. They lived for AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 635 five years at Canberry Prairie, then moved to St. Henry, remaining there for three years They also resided at Wendelin for eight years, after which they returned Cranberry Prairie, where her father retired, and where he is still living. Mrs. Bowers died December 7, 1904. WILLIAM ADDISON HAMILTON WILLIAM ADDISON HAMILTON, a prosperous citizen of Union township, was born November 23, 1857, half a mile east of his present well-improved farm of 78 acres, and is a son of Hugh and Angeline (Dobson) Hamilton. The Hamilton family came originally from Ireland to New England, although the earliest records made it of Scotch extraction. The name is found among the early men of affairs in the colonies and was borne by both privates and officers in the Revolutionary and in the Civil War. The great-grandfather of William A. Hamilton lived and died near Rochester, New York. William Hamilton, the paternal grandfather, was one of the very early settlers of Union township, Mercer County, coining in 1826. He returned to New York and married Charlotta Elmira Abbey, who was born in 1804 in Canandaigua, New York, and in 1828 they came to Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, settling in section 26, on Eight-Mile Creek. Mr. Hamilton cleared up a farm on which he resided for some years and then moved to Mendon, embarking in the mercantile business. Subsequently he returned to the farm and there the remaining years of his life were spent. At one time he owned 400 acres of land; he gave his children farms averaging from 40 to 80 acres when they married. The children of William and Charlotta Elmira Hamilton were : Polly Ann, who married James Shepherd, of Union township ; Lois, who married Cyrus Hussey and resides in Auglaize County ; Hugh, the father of our subject ; Sallie, who married Warren Barber, an old resident of Unibn township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Isabelle, who married John A. Murlin, of Mendon ; Susan, who died aged 16 years, in 1864 ; William, who died in 1896 in Union township, being survived by his widow, who lives in this township; and several children that died in infancy. Hugh Hamilton, father of our subject, was born in Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1832, half a mile north of where William A. Hamilton lives. There he died in 1900 at the age of 68 years. In January, 1857, he married Angeline Dobson, who was born in 1836 and still survives. She is a daughter of Joseph A. and Eliza (Ribkey) Dobson, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania. His father, William Dobson, 636 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY came from, England. He had one son and two daughters, the latter of whom were born in England. His son, Joseph A., married Eliza Ribkey, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Allegheny County, thence to Meigs County, Ohio, from there to Athens County, then to Auglaize County, and in 1882 to Mercer County, where both he and his wife died; the former, born in November, 1812, died in 189o, aged 78 years, and the latter, born in 1816, died in 1884. The children born to Joseph A. and Eliza Dobson were: Mary Etta, who married Thomas Hays and moved to Wisconsin, where both died; Angeline. the mother of our subject; Joseph, who died aged 20 years; Louise, who married John Brewer, lived at Paulding, Ohio, and died in 1902; Catherine, who married Hamilton Noble and lives in Oklahoma; Annie, who married N. T. Griffin, resided in Mercer County and died in 1905; F. P., who is engaged in a real estate business at Denver, Colorado; William H., also a resident of Denver; Elias, who died aged 24 years; and a babe deceased in infancy. The children of Hugh and Angeline (Dobson) Hamilton were: William Addison, of this sketch; Mary Etta, who married Thomas E. Upton, and died in 1892, leaving four children; and Joseph, who, prior to his marriage was a boot and shoe dealer at Mendon. Joseph Hamilton now resides with his venerable mother. He married Elizabeth Bevan, a daughter of John Bevan, of Union township. They have three children, one of whom, Hugh, makes his home with his uncle, William Addison, the subject of this sketch. William Addison Hamilton attended the township schools and also the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and then taught school for several years in Union township. He was reared a practical farmer and has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. He has resided on his present farm since 1888. In 1888 he was married to Julia A. Nottingham, a daughter of William and Ann (Nickel) Nottingham, both residents of Center township. William Nottingham was born in the eastern part of West Virginia and is a son of George Nottingham, who came to Ohio when William was eight years of age and settled near St. Marys, in Auglaize County. The latter recently visited his old home in West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Nottingham had seven children, namely : William M., who is engaged in the marble business at Cleveland, Ohio; Julia A., wife of our subject; Nettie, wife of James Staeger, living near Celina; Louella, living at home; Frank, a driller and horseman, residing at Mendon; Leroy, who lives on the farm in Center township; and George, unmarried, who farms for his father in Center township. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 637 Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have had five children, namely : Irene, Gail, Louis Julia Etta and Mary Letha, all at home. In his political preference he is Republican, but occasions arise when he casts his vote for the man rather than for the party. He is a good citizen himself and desires to see men in office who will be sure to carry out the laws of the land without fear or favor. MOSES SILAS HAMILTON MOSES SILAS HAMILTON, a successful farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Center township, residing on his farm of 40 acres in section 4, was born October 21, 1859, and is a son of Justus and Mary Jane (Panabaker) Hamilton and a grandson of Justin and Eliza (Rhodes) Hamilton. Justin Hamilton, who was one of the pioneers of this section of Ohio, located in Union township, Mercer County, as early as 1822. Justus Hamilton, the father of our subject, was born February 19, 1820, and was reared in Mercer County, where his father was one of the very earliest settlers. He married Mary Jane Panabaker, and they became the parents of eight children : Almira; Isabelle; Hugh L.; William A.; Jennie; Hattie; Charles J.; and Moses Silas, the subject of this sketch. Moses S. Hamilton was born on the farm in Center township where he now resides and received most of his education in the schools of Celina, attending until 19 years of age. After leaving school, he moved back to the old home farm in Center township and engaged in farming. Mr. Hamilton has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits except for a period of 10 years when he lived in Mendon, where he purchased a home and was engaged in contracting and building, working throughout Mercer County. He erected buildings in St. Marys, Auglaize County, and in Celina, Mendon and other places in Mercer County. Mr. Hamilton began life almost wholly upon his own resources, having originally a small farm of 20 acres, which he spent in caring for himself and son after the death of his first wife. He was first married in 1879 to Frona Belle Dutton, a daughter of James and Sarah Dutton. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1892. One son was born to this union, Lee Ivan, in 1880. Lee Ivan resides ix Celina and is employed as a mail carrier on Rural Route No. 3; he married Ada Hall, a daughter of Curtis Hall of Neptune, and has two children : Juanita and Mildred. Mr. Hamilton was married in 1894 to Mary Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Elihu and Ellen Jane (Harner) Davis. Three children were born to the second union : Garret Trevor, Vera Ada and Anna Jane, all of whom are living. The parents of Mrs. Hamilton reside on a farm in section 16, Center township, the father being in his 76th year and the mother in her 638 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY 78th year. Mrs. Davis and the father of our subject were children together and grew up in the same neighborhood. Michael Harner, the maternal' grandfather of Mrs. Hamilton, located in Union township, Mercer County,. soon after Justin Hamilton, the grandfather of Mr. Hamilton, came here both were among the pioneers of the county. Mr. Hamilton now owns a fine farm and in 1903 built a very attractive home on the place. Politically he is a Republican. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit and is recognized as one of the county's best citizens. WILLIAM HENRY LOWRY WILLIAM HENRY LOWRY, a well-known business man of Fort Recovery, was born in Clark County, Ohio, near Springfield, April 1, 1856, and is a son of Aaron Morton and Elizabeth (Byrely) Lowry. Aaron Morton Lowry, who was a native of New York State, came to Clark County, Ohio, with his father, Benjamin Lowry, when a boy. Benjamin Lowry moved to Mercer County with his family in 1860 and settled on a farm in Gibson township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Morton Lowry became the parents of three children, namely : William Henry, the subject of this sketch ; Leslie, who lives in Gibson township, and Elmaretta, who married Charles Hastings and lives in Merritt, Washington. William Henry Lowry came to Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, with his parents when five years old. Here he was reared, obtaining his eh-. cation in the district schools. In 1884 Mr. Lowry moved to Fort Recovery, where he has been engaged in the live-stock business, buying, selling and shipping stock. He is also a contractor, building gravel roads and is now ,engaged in building 24 miles of road in Wells County, Indiana. Mr. Lowry owns a great deal of land, having 330 acres of farm land in three different counties-:—Mercer and Darke counties, Ohio, and Jay County, Indiana. Mr. Lowry resides in a large brick house in Fort Recovery, which he erected in 1896, and where he has since made his home. He has been married twice; first, in 188o, to Anna Hunter, a daughter of Robert Hunter; they had one child, Harry. Mrs. Lowry died in 1883. His second marriage took place in November, 1890, to Katherine Flaherty, a daughter of Thomas Flaherty. They have had two children : Donna and Victor. In 1893 Mr. Lowry was elected county commissioner on the Independent ticket. He was nominated against his wishes and made no fight to win the office, but was elected and served three years. He is a Mason and is a member of Portland (Indiana) Lodge, B. P. 0. E. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 639 JACOB J. BAKER JACOB J. BAKER, deceased, was one of the leading citizens and honorable and respected men of Liberty township, where his death occurred on June .6, 1889. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, April 17, 1840, and was a son of John and Barbara (Whiteman) Baker. The parents of Mr. Baker, who were natives of Germany, came to America and lived in Shelby County, Ohio, until 185o, when they removed to Mercer County, where they became settlers in Black Creek township. In the latter, Jacob J. Baker completed his education in the district schools. He remained in the same vicinity until 1865, when he removed to Liberty township, where he engaged in farming, having an estate of 153 acres. In addition to farming he went into the sawmill business, in partnership with the late Adam Bollenbacher and the late William Gehm. For many years he was deeply interested' in the lumber business and was a practical worker in his mill. It was while engaged in duties pertaining to this work that he met a tragic death, accidentally falling in the way of the circular saw, injuries being inflicted before he could be rescued that caused his death. It was a time of mourning all over the township, for Mr. Baker was a man who was honored and respected by everybody. The deepest sympathy was felt for his bereaved family to whom he had been a loving and beloved husband and father.. On June 13, 1863, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Caroline Bollenbacher, who was born June I, 1842, and is a daughter of George and Henrietta (Alt) Bollenbacher. The father of Mrs. Baker was a man of family in Germany when he decided to emigrate to America, Mrs. Baker being then Io years old. They were early settlers in Liberty township and Mrs. Baker recalls many interesting events of pioneer life. Both parents died in Liberty township, but three brothers and one sister of Mrs. Baker still survive, as follows : George, Jacob and Charles, all of Liberty township; and Catherine, wife of Ferdinand Kable, of Liberty township. The children born to our subject and wife were as follows : Charles W., of Black Creek township; Annie H., wife of William Rothhaar, of Dayton, Ohio; Lewis, of Black Creek township; Caroline C., wife of Christian Stuckey, of Adams County, Indiana; Mary C., wife of Frederick Stuckey, of Black Creek township; Lydia P., wife of George Rothhaar, of Liberty township; Jacob A., Henry C. and Theobald A., all of Liberty township; Hulda L.. wife of Albert German, of Van Wert County; Thedona D., wife of William German, of Van Wert County; and Amelia M., wife of Michael Linn, of Liberty township. Mrs. Baker has 26 grandchildren. Mr. Baker was a consistent member of St. Paul's German Evangelical 640 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Church, in which he took a prominent part. Mrs. Baker is also a member of this church and belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society. SEBASTIAN LAUBER SEBASTIAN LAUBER, a representative farmer and most worthy citizen of Granville township, owns a fine farm of 98 acres situated in section 19. Mr. Lauber was born April 20, 1839, in Germany, and is a son of John and Catherine Lauber. The parents of Mr. Lauber emigrated from Germany in 1847, landing at New York City. Their objective point wag Mercer County, Ohio, and they came here by way of Buffalo and Toledo, taking passage on the new canal to Minster. There they secured the assistance of Liebolt Stelzer, whose brother was one of the three first settlers at St. Johns. The Laubers reached their destination safely, in the farm wagon of Mr. Stelzer, and the father soon built a little log hut in the midst of the woods, three-fourths of a mile east of Cassella, which served as a shelter at night. While not clearing his land, John Lauber and sons secured game for the family larder, deer and squirrel being eery plentiful. Our subject recalls catching a young deer and taming it so that it became a household pet. At a later date the father built a larger and more comfortable log house. This is still standing and is the oldest log structure left in the county. For a long time pioneer conditions prevailed. There were no roads, no bridges and no mills within a reasonable distance. The corn which, with game, made up the principal food of the family, was ground in a mortar formed of a hollow stump. For a long time there was no variety in their fare and often the amount was scanty, but Mr. Lauber can look back to a happy childhood, which certainly was a healthy one. The father died on this farm in 1874, aged 66 years, and the mother in 1884, aged 73 years. They had eight children, four of whom were born in Germany and four in America, all surviving and being as follows : Liebolt, living in Missouri, who married Julia Keble; Sebastian; Sophronia, who married Killian Cushman and lives at Piqua, Ohio ; Catherine, who married August Lechner and lives in Missouri; Sophia, widow of Nicholas Jacobs, living in Cincinnati; Jacob, unmarried; Christina, unmarried; and Valentine, who married Lettie Garver and lives at Celina. Sebastian Lauber was eight years old when his parents came to America and he has lived in Mercer County ever since 1847. While agriculture has been his main business in life, Mr. Lauber has been engaged in various enterprises which have proven generally successful. In 1869 he decided to AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 643 open a general store at Wendelin and, on credit, bought $3,000 worth of goods at Dayton, hauling them himself all the distance as there was no railroad. He settled up with his creditors according to contract, but on January 2, 1870, his store was, set on fire by a rough gang of the locality and he lost his whole stock. His credit was so good that offers were made to back him with another stock. He once ran 'a blacksmith shop at Piqua and does all his own work in that line. From 1873 until 1877, Mr. Lauber operated a sawmill at Wendelin and made his shingles arid flooring. In 1877 he traded a third interest in his saw-mill for a lot and building in Fort Recovery and another third for his present farm, then owned by Joseph Robbins. He was also in the oil business an now owns a string of tools and has two wells on his place. Mr. Lauber settled on this farm, which was the old Robbins place, in 1883. The large brick residence of eight rooms had been built in 1871 ; the house stands on the Lauber turnpike and is beautifully sheltered from the highway by an immense willow tree. In addition to farming, Mr. Lauber owns and runs a threshing machine. In September, 1871, Mr. Lauber married Mary Poepner, and they have 10 children, namely : Catherine; Peter ; August, who married and settled in Indiana; Frank; Rose, who married Henry Gardner, the ceremony taking place at St. Wendelin's Catholic Church, on August 3o, 1906; and Lena, John, Anna, Joseph and Pherona. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Lauber has always taken a good citizen's interest in township matters and has cast his vote for men who in his opinion have been qualified to carry out the laws. He has served as treasurer of the School Board and was turnpike commissioner when the Lauber turnpike was built in 1887. THOMAS J. CARMICHAEL THOMAS J. CARMICHAEL, whose well-improved, valuable farm of 120 acres is situated in section 12, Washington township, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, May 22, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and Barbara (Smith) Carmichael. Thomas Carmichael, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio as a .young man, settling first in Licking County, where he engaged in farming. Later he moved to Muskingum County, but subsequently returned to Licking County. He married Barbara Smith, who died in 1868. Thomas. J. Carmichael was reared on his father's farm in Licking County. In 1862, when 20 years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil 'War, entering Company F, 95th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served until Janu- 644 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY ary, 1864. His regiment was with the army in Middle Tennessee, under Gen. U. S. Grant, and he participated in a number of serious battles and severe skirmishes. At the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, he was not only severely injured in the back, but was captured by Gen. Kirby Smith's soldiers and was imprisoned at Richmond, Kentucky. His wounds were such that he was soon paroled and he entered the hospital at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, where he was confined from September, 1862, until January 12, 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability received in the line of duty a most honorable distinction. He was the musician of the company, playing the drum. Upon his return to Licking County, Mr. Carmichael engaged in farming, and after his marriage, in 1867, moved to Delaware County, Ohio, leasing a farm. In the spring of 1868 he bought his present farm but did not move on it until 1874. This land was covered with timber, which Mr. Carmichael has cleared off. His first residence was burned in 1895, the present comfortable one taking its place. In 1895 he bought 60 acres adjoining his place, but this property he sold to advantage in 1902. In 1867 Mr. Carmichael was married to Sarah J. Drumm, a daughter of Peter Drumm, a prominent farmer who owned an adjoining farm to that of Thomas Carmichael, in Licking County. Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael have six children, namely : Araminta B., who married John D. Cheney, a grocer of Hartford City, Indiana, and has four children; Annie A., who married Frank F. Hone, conducting a transfer business at Hartford City, Indiana, and has three children; Rosa M., who married Charles Martin, a blacksmith of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has four children; John Judson, living at home, who married Nancy Smith; Bessie A., who married Claude Pichon, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has two children; and Virgil A., working in a glass factory at Hartford City, Indiana. Mr. Carmichael is a member of the Christian Church. For 40 years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs also to the Grand Army of the Republic. A group picture of the Carmichael family accompanies this sketch. DAVID SCHROYER DAVID SCHROYER, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington township, owns 135 acres of fine land situated as follows: 80 acres in section 4, Washington township, upon which he lives and 35 acres in section 3, while the 20-acre farm in section 9 is owned by his wife. He was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 645 born July 26, 1855, in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a on of George and Mahala (Harrod) Schroyer. George Schroyer was born in Butler County, Ohio, and was between 19 and 20 years of age when he moved to Mercer County with his father, Nicholas Schroyer. He has since lived on the land which his father bought upon locating in the county. He married Mahala Harrod, a daughter of David Harrod, of Washington township, and they had eight children, of whom David was the third child. David Schroyer was reared on his father's farm in Washington township and received his education in the district schools. He has always been engaged in farming, and with the exception of the first two years following his marriage has always resided in Washington township, having lived on this farm since 1879. His father gave him his first 4o acres, all timberland, and he later bought the land in section 3, and in the spring of 1905 bought 4o acres adjoining his land in section 4. In the spring of 1879 he erected a large frame house, arid in 1888 built a substantial barn. Mr. Schroyer was married in 1877 to Mary Powell, a daughter of Samuel Powell, and they have had five children : Myrtle Louella, who married Frank Stillbarger, resides three miles west of Celina in Jefferson township and has two children—William, and Carrie Evaline; Albert Clayton, who married Rhoda Halterman and lives on a part of his father's farm; Lucy Mahala, who married Mark C. Gray, of Washington township; Alice May and Cora Dell. Mr. Schroyer is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. DANIEL EVI BOLEY DANIEL EVI BOLEY, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a farm of 120 acres located in section 14, Washington township, was born October 13, 1873, and is a son of John and Catherine (Ammon) Boley. John Boley was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Boley, who moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, with his father, when about 17 years old. The latter bought a farm in Mahoning County on which he lived until his death. In 1837, John Boley, Jr., moved from Mahoning to Mercer County and located on a farm of 320 acres, which he had entered three years before. The land was entirely covered with timber and in 1835, before moving to the county, he hired men to clear 10 acres of the land and to erect a log cabin. In 1836 he was married (first) in Mahoning County. His wife died in Mercer County about 1857, leaving one son, Michael, who died three months after the death of his mother, aged 19 years. In 1866 Mr. Boley was married (second) to Catherine Ammon, who was a daughter of William 646 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Ammon, one of the early settlers of Mercer County, who moved from Mahoning County in 1840. Mr. Boley had three children by his second marriage: William John, of Washington township; Catherine, wife of Thomas Scott, of Washington township; and Daniel Evi. At the time of his death in August, 1896, Mr. Boley was one of the wealthiest farmers of Washington township. Mrs. Boley died March 16, 1906, at the age of 68 years. Daniel Evi Boley was reared and educated in Washington township and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The farm on which he resides is part of the home farm, which was originally entered by his father. Since 1901 Mr. Boley has been interested in raising Poland-China hogs; he also raises a great many sheep. Mr. Boley was married August 29, 1897, to Mazzie Portz, who is a daughter of Peter and Katie (Gibson) Portz. Peter Portz was born in Prussia, September 11, 1847, and located in Washington township, Mercer County, in the spring of 1875. During the War of the Rebellion he was ai soldier in the Union Army, having run away from home at the age of 15 years, in order to enlist. His father brought him home again, but he ran away the second time and served until 1864, when he was honorably discharged. In May, 1876, he married (first) Catherine Gibson, of Fort Recovery, and they had three children : Ottie, a resident of Charleston, West Virgina; Mazzie; and James, of Charleston, West Virginia. Mrs. Portz died January 29, 1884, when Mrs. . Boley was a small child. Mr. Portz was married (second) to Amanda Arbaugh, and they had five children. He formerly operated a general store at Macedon, Washington township, but lately sold out and is now a resident of Portland, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Boley have three children: Clyde, Carl and Alice. JOHN A. HUNTER JOHN A. HUNTER, attorney-at-law at Fort Recovery, is serving his second term as mayor of the village, of which he is one of the best known citizens. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 19, 1844, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Alexander) Hunter. Robert Hunter, father of Mayor Hunter, removed from Fairfield to Mercer County, Ohio, in 1846, settling on a farm in Gibson township, this portion of the county then being included in Darke County. John A. Hunter's boyhood and youth were spent in Gibson township, where he attended the public schools. Later he attended Liber College, in Jay County, Indiana, and subsequently taught school for three years in Gibson township, and two years in Jay County, Indiana. In 1870 Mr. Hunter moved to Bradford, Miami County, Ohio, where he embarked in a grocery business AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 647 and later carried on a grain business. For four years he also conducted a boot and shoe store and became one of the leading men of the town serving for two years as its mayor. He studied law while living at Bradford, under Ahijah Jones, a well-known practitioner there, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1887. He served for 11 years as justice of the peace of Adams township, Darke County, Ohio. In 1889 he located at Fort Recovery and immediately became' a man of prominence and usefulness here. In 1902 he was elected mayor and in 1905 he was again so honored by his fellow citizens. Mr Hunter has always been a loyal, public-spirited citizen. During the Civil War, in 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 152nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., as a private and served until the close of the war. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post at Fort Recovery. On May 19, 1869, Mr. Hunter was married to Martha A. Bailey, a daughter of Hiram Bailey, and they have three children, namely : Ella, who is the wife of K. I. Perkey, of Boise City, Idaho; and they have one child, Esther L.; Austin, who married Lula Coover, of Napoleon, Ohio, resides at Indianapolis, Indiana,. and has one child, Frances; and Esther, who married Joseph E, Newcomer and has one child, Mary Lucile. Mr. Hunter is a member of the Fort Recovery Presbyterian Church and is the church treasurer. He is a citizen who performs with credit to himself and with satisfaction to others, the duties and obligations imposed upon him and his administration of office has been entirely along the lines of temperance and morality. CHARLES JUSTUS HAMILTON CHARLES JUSTUS HAMILTON, a prominent farmer of Center township, who owns a well-improved farm of 8o acres located in section 4, was born December 21, 1857, in this township on the farm where he now resides, and is a son of Justus and Mary Jane (Panabaker) Hamilton. The paternal, grandfather of our subject, Hon. Justin Hamilton, was born in New York State and located in Union township, Mercer County, in 1822. Previous to this he had lived for a time in Kentucky. When he came to Mercer County, the Indians camped on his land and many times aided him in various ways. Be was one of the first surveyors in Mercer County. He owned a large body of land here, located on Twelve-Mile Creek, one mile and a half southwest of Mendon. He owned the greater part of the land around Mendon, and surveyed the site of that town and platted it. He was a member for two terms of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the counties of Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams. Owing to his special ability as a reader, he was selected to read many bills before the 648 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Legislature. He was one of the foremost citizens of the county in that early day and was a leader among men, his advice pften being sought by his fellow-citizens. He married Eliza Rhodes, of Kentucky, and they had eight children : Isabelle, who married (first) a Mr. Noble and after his death Lewis Brewer; of Auglaize County, in which county she died; Justus, father of our subject; Lucius, who married Mary Miller and settled on part of the old home place, where he died; Charlotta ; Justin, who married Eliza Snavely, and lived and died on that part of the home place where the father first settled; Emily, a resident of Center township, who is the widow of Andrew Snavely; Eliza Lucinda, who married Austin. Barber and resided in Auglaize County—both now deceased ; and Almira, a resident of Union township, who is the widow of the late John Roether. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Adam Panabaker, a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, where he was engaged for several years in the milling business. From there he moved to Merger County, locating in Union township, where he remained until the time of his death, which occurred during the progress of the Civil War at the age of 75 years. He was the father of two daughters and one son : William, who served through the Mexican War, after which he returned to Illinois, where he lived until his death; Rebecca Panabaker, wife of Dr. Cyrenius Elliott, who located in Perry County and engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred at an advanced age; and Mary Jane, the mother of our subject. Justus Hamilton was born in Kentucky, February 19, 1820, and came to Mercer County with his parents, in an ox-cart when nine months old. He served one year during the Civil War in the 46th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and participated in a number of severe engagements. He married Mary Jane Panabaker, who was a native of Virginia, and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters : Almira, died when about 23 years of age; Isabelle, who married George Wells, a resident of Auglaize County, and died in April, 1905, at St. Marys, where they were then residing; Hugh L., one of the wealthiest farmers of Union township, who married Lydia Patterson, and after her death married Martha Brown—he was a soldier in the Civil War; William A., who married Almeda Rittenhouse, of Michigan, and is now a resident of Big Rapids, Michigan; Jennie, who married P. M. Harris and lives at Rockford; Hattie, who married Adolph Gilberg, editor of the Celina Observer; Charles Justus, the subject of this sketch; and Moses Silas, residing on his farm in Center township, who first married Frona Belle Dutton, a daughter of James Dutton, and after her death married Lizzie Davis. Charles Justus Hamilton was reared on his father's farm in Center township, but later attended school in Celina whither his father removed in order AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 649 to educate his children, and where he owned and operated a tannery for a time. He attended school with Stephen A. Armstrong, C. G. 0. and Henry A. Miller, Charles M. LeBlond and others of Celina, prominent in the professional and business worlds. He has lived continuously in Center township since his marriage, with the exception of four years spent in Mendon and one year in Celina. Mr. Hamilton was married, November 12, 1876, to Laura Anderson, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Tarnell) Anderson and a native of Indiana, havfflig been born near St. Joseph. The mother of Mrs. Hamilton has been dead for some years; her father, who is a native of Pennsylvania, is still living at the age of 77 years, residing at Mendon—after the death of his first wife, Mrs. Hamilton's mother, Mr. Anderson married Nettie Blake, of Celina. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others are as follows : Ray, deceased at the age of eight months; Oral, who married John Severns, resides at Casey, Illinois, where Mr. Severns is engaged in the oil business, and has three children, two boys and one daughter—Beryl, Vaughn and Leo; Ethel, who married Oscar Carter, a farmer of Davidson, Canada, who raises as much as 6,000 bushels of wheat per year; Georgia, who married Perry Miller, resides at Westfield, Illinois, where Mr. Miller is in the oil business, and has one child, Orval; and Ford, who lives at home and assists in the work on the farm. Mr. Hamilton is a member of Mendon Lodge, No. 750, I. 0. 0. F., and Mendon Lodge, No. 586, F. & A. M. Politically, he is a Republican. EDWARD VOKE EDWARD VOKE, one of the representative and successful business men of Mendon, cashier of the Mendon Bank, IN as born October 31, 1869, at Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio, and is a son of Edward Lewis and Theresa (Farwell) Voke. Edward Voke, the paternal great-grandfather, came to America soon after his son Edward, with whom he made his home until his death in 1873. This branch of the Voke family can be traced as far back as the year 1720. Edward Voke, the paternal grandfather, was born in Portsmouth, England, in 181o, and came to the United States in 1831. He first located at Rochester, New York, where he clerked in a general store for a time and then moved to Niagara County, where he purchased a farm and engaged in general farming for 30 years. When he retired from farm life, he moved to Spencerport, New York, where he remained until the time of his death in 1900, at the advanced age of 90 years. He was the father of three children : Edward L.;