(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 700 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Tennessee, on January 13, 1865. He remained in the service until his honorable discharge at Camp Dennison, June 13, 1865. Mr. Platt will always carry the marks of his loyal devotion to his adopted country. At the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, on December 16, 1864, he lost the use of his right eye and was otherwise seriously injured, so that he was confined in Brown's Hospital, at Nashville, and later at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati. After regaining his health, Mr. Platt resumed work at his trade and then settled down to farming. Before the war he had bought 40 acres and completed paying for it while he was in the army; he purchased the other 4o acres in 1865, just after the close of the war. This beautiful property has all been cleared and improved by Mr. Platt himself. He has substantial buildings of all kinds here, has excellent, modern machinery and owns considerable stock, all of this property having been accumulated by his own honest toil. In the meantime he has reared a family in comfort and has given his children superior educational advantages. On December 5, 1867, Mr. Platt was united in marriage with Brittana Frank, a daughter of Joseph Frank, and they have had 10 children, as follows : Fidella, born August 17, 1868, wh0 married John Koons, and died May 9, 1894, leaving one child, Floyd Edward, who lives with his grandfather; Mary Elizabeth, who lives at home; Sarah Lena, also living at home, who is a graduate of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and of schools at Hartsville and Huntington, Indiana, has been a popular teacher in Mercer County and is now studying for the ministry of the Radical United Brethren Church at Huntington, Indiana, class of 1907; Zerilda, born November 21, 1873, who died October 24, 1895; Pearly, who married Rev. William Kindel, of the United Brethren Church, at Delphos, Ohio, and had one child that died in infancy; Eva, who died in infancy; Melissa, who resides at home; George A.; and Carrie and Belle, both of whom are at home. Mr. Platt's only son, George A. Platt, was born August 17, 1881, and from boyhood, as a student in the district schools, showed unusual aptness in his studies. After completing the ordinary course he taught school for three years, beginning when 18 years old, and then entered Oberlin College, where he was most creditably graduated, May 3, 1904. He next went to Columbus and took a special course in penmanship at the Zanerian College and then for a period of nine months, in 1905, he taught penmanship and bookkeeping in the Elwood (Indiana) High School. He is now in the clothing business at South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Platt is one of the leading members of the Radical United Brethren Church and is one of the trustees. He is a man of sterling character and enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Platt accompany this sketch. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 701 CHARLES SEVERNS CHARLES SEVERNS, a prosperous farmer of Center township, where he owns three farms of 80 acres each, was born in Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, April 14, 1860, and is a son of Franklin and Amanda (Boroff) Severns. Franklin Severns was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1832, and his death occurred in 1900. He moved to Mercer County, in the early '40's and settled on the farm where his brother Joseph now resides. There he lived until his death, which occurred in 'g00. Mr. Severns was a son of Joseph and Catherine (Duffy) Severns. Joseph Severns was born in 1800 and died in 1879, the death of his wife occurring later. Joseph and Catherine Severns had eight children, as follows: Franklin, the father of the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married J. M. Hussey and resides in Union township; John, who died unmarried; Margaret, wh0 first married Joseph McNicol and is now the wife of Milton Denison, living at Spencerville, Ohio; Francis, who died in the army in 1862, unmarried; Richard, who married, Mary Gross and resides in Union township; Joseph, residing on the old homestead, who married Martha Jane Griffin; and William R., who resides in Union township near Mendon. Mrs. Severns, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of William Harrison and Rebecca (Ross) Boroff. William Harrison Boroff was born in Dublin township, Mercer County, in 1812. Rebecca (Ross) Boroff was born February 26, 1821, in Franklin County, Ohio. The following children were born to William Harrison Boroff and his wife: Amanda, the mother of our subject, b0rn December 24, 1838; Alfred, who resides in the South; Mary Melissa, who died in childhood; John R.; Nancy Ann, who married Charles Hardesty and resides at Spencerville, Ohio; Elizabeth, who married Reuben Haynes and resides east of Van Wert, Ohio; Sylvia, who died in childhood; Henry M., who lives in Hardin County, Ohio; William H. and Lewis R., who died in childhood; Jacob Alexander, who resides northeast of Elgin, Ohio; Jennie and Richard (twins), the former the wife of Lewis Edward Fox of Union township—the latter married Elizabeth Goodwin and lives in Union township; Benjamin, who resides in Union township; and Robert L., a resident of Muncie, Indiana. Eight children were born to Franklin Severns and his wife: Belle, who married George Washington Willcutt, of Union township; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Emma, who married John Kelly, of Union township, and resides on the Claudius Griffin place; Alice, who married R. H. Smith and lives in Colorado; Ruth, who married Harry Robbins and lives at Mendon; Joseph, residing in Union township on the Custer farm, who married a daughter of George Custer, of Union township; Florence, who married Richard 702 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Crays and lives in Illinois; John, who married a daughter of Charles Hamilton, of Center township, and resides in the oil fields of Illinois. Charles Severns, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Union township. In 1879, when 19 years of age, he started out in life for himself, locating on a farm half a mile from his present place. In 1898 he m0ved to his present farm, where he has since continued to reside, engaged in general farming. He now has three farms of 80 acres each. Mr. Severns raises principally clover, wheat and corn. He feeds his corn to his cattle, of which he always has a large number on hand, fattening them for market. Mr. Severns built his present comfortable home in 1896. He has one of the finest barns in the county, it being 40 by 90 feet in dimensions; with a cement floor; it is about 45 feet in height. Besides being naturally fertile, his land is also valuable because of the discovery of oil, there being at present four fair producing wells; a fifth well has just been drilled. Mr. Severns was married (first) to Maria Upton, a daughter of Thomas and Mehitable Upton, t0 which union two children were born—Clayton and Thomas, both of whom are single. Mr. Severns died December 24, 1893. The second marriage was with Edith Hebble, a daughter of Elam and Lorena Hebble, residents of Union township. Three children were born to this union, as follows : Cecil, Frank and Richard. Mr. Severns is a Democrat in politics, but in local affairs votes for the man rather than the party. ABRAHAM G. FAST ABRAHAM G. FAST, an old settler and well-known citizen of Mercer County, who is also a survivor of the great Civil War, resides on his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres, which is situated in section 1, Hopewell township. Mr. Fast was born in Fairfield C0unty, Ohio, April 9, 1843, and is a son of Abraham and Mary J. (McGinter) Fast. The parents of Mr. Fast were als0 natives of Fairfield County, where their parents had been among the earliest pioneers. Jacob Fast, the great-grandfather of our subject, came to Fairfield County from New Jersey at an extremely early date. In 1852 Abraham G. Fast accompanied his parents from Fairfield to Mercer County, and they settled in Center township, where they were among the early settlers. Abraham G. Fast was reared in Center township, and enjoyed only the educational advantages offered by the pioneer schools. From his youth up he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. On February 22, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering C0mpany D, 71st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained in the service alm0st tw0 years. During this time served AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 703 under Generals Sherman and Thomas, and participated in a number of the great marches and battles which occurred in the closing years of the great struggle. He was present at the siege and taking of Atlanta, and after his regiment was attached to the Fourth Army Corps he was engaged in the battle of Franklin. the siege and battle of Nashville, and later was sent to Texas, where this army corps became a. part of the Army of Observation. He was hon0rably discharged in November, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, having been mustered out in Texas. He immediately returned to Mercer County, of which he has been a resident ever since. Although he was subjected to many dangers, he escaped them all and has the record of a brave, cheerful, faithful soldier. On January 17, 1867, Mr. Fast was married to Loverda Doty, who was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, June 3, 1850, and is a daughter of Thomas and Rhoda (Hinkle) Doty. The Doty family settled in Auglaize County in early times and when the mother of Mrs. Fast first came there the present busy t0wn of St. Marys had but a few log houses. Mr. and Mrs. Fast have had 13 children, the seven survivors being: Ethan H., of Hopewell township; Thomas Sherman, also of Hopewell township; Mary A., wife of Charles Rickets, 0f Hopewell township; Rhoda R., wife of Michael Wilson of Union township; and Dee W., Myrtle B. and Icy Sciota, all at home. All the members of this family, including children and grandchildren, are members 0f the Church of God. Mr. Fast has been very prominent in the development of this section, encouraging educational progress, moral movements and material improvements. He has served at various times 0n the School Board of Hopewell "township. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at St. Marys. Few men of this section are better or more favorably known.   ELMORE GREEN UPTON ELMORE GREEN UPTON, who is engaged in operating his 80-acre farm in Union township, was born on the old Upton farm, just 60 rods from where he now resides, March 11, 1856. He is a son of John and Martha A. (Hussey) Uptop, grandson of Edward Upton and great-grandson of Edward Upton, Sr. Edward Upt0n, Sr., lived and died in Hardin County, Kentucky, where many 0f the Uptons still reside and where is a town named after the family. Edward Upton, the grandfather of 0ur subject, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1800, and came to Mercer County in 1834. In the early '50's he moved to Richland County, Illinois, and settled 0n the line of Jasper 704 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY County, where he died in the period of the Civil War. He married Annie Murlin, a sister of Daniel Murlin, and 10 children were born to them, eight of whom grew to maturity and moved West, with the exception of John Upton, the father of our subject. These eight were as follows : Margaret, who married Thomas Perry and lived in Richland County, Illinois; John; Isaac, who married Cynthia Malick, a daughter of Uriah Malick; Mary, who married Ebert Trainor and lived and died in Illinois; Sarah, who married John Pope and died in Illinois; Jane, who married William Redmond; Thomas. who married Maria Trainor ; and George Washington, who is married and resides in Brookhaven, Mississippi, being the only surviving member of the family. Daniel died at the age of 17 years. John Upton was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, May 17, 1824, and in 1834 came with his parents to Mercer County, where they settled on a farm now occupied by Hugh L. Hamilton, and where they subsequently bought 160 acres of land. He was married to- Martha A. Hussey, a daughter of William and Jane Hussey. She was born July 25, 1829, in Highland County, Ohio, near New Vienna, and when 10 years old came to Union township, Mercer County, with her parents, who settled on what is now known as the Gallman farm, where they passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Hussey dying in 1865 and his wife, in 1890, in her 82nd year. Martha A. Hussey (Mrs. John Upton) was one of a large family of children, as follows: Mary and Sarah, who died in infancy; John M. and Martha A. (twins), both of whom are living at the age of 77 years; Eunice, who died in young womanhood; Lydia, who married Simon Miller, of St. Marys, Ohio, and has been deceased for 20 years past; Henry, who married Sarah Shepherd and was killed by a team in 1882; Alfred, deceased in 1904, who married Mrs. Riblet, a daughter of Abram Miller; Rachel, who married George G. Parrott—both deceased for many years; William H., who married Marjorie Nelson—he was a lieutenant in the Union Army in the Civil War; Etta, who married Philo Nottingham and after his death in the Civil War, when a member of the Union Army, married his half-brother, Matthew Nottingham, and subsequently died in Michigan; and Jennie, residing at Boulder, Colorado, who is the widow of Isam Brewer Robbins, a captain in the Union Army in the Civil War, deceased in the spring of 1890. Ten children were born to the parents of our subject, namely : Viola J., who married George Groce and resides at South Park, Indiana, near Indianapolis; Athelia, who died aged two years; Elmore Green; Ida M., who married J. S. Smith and resides at South Lima, Ohio; Etta L., who married Joint N. Jones and resides in Willshire township, Van Wert County; Minnie, deceased in 1890; Emma E., who married George Monroe, a resident of Spencerville, Ohio; William E., a resident of Van Wert County, who married AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 705 Mrs. Mina Robinson, whose maiden name was Williams; Thomas E., who married Gladys Donart and resides at Mendon; and Winnie Lee, who married John Sidney Winney and resides in Ohio City, Van Wert County, Ohio. Our subject's mother is living with her daughter, Mrs. John Sidney Winney, at Ohio City. Elmore Green Upton was reared and educated in Union township, attending the district schools during the winter months and assisting with the work on the farm. He has always been engaged in farming and is recognized as one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers of his township. He was married January 18, 1882, to Lettie A. Green, a daughter of William and Louisa (McEvoy) Green, the former of whom, a soldier in the Civil War, lost his life while serving on the "Sultana," which was blown up on the Mississippi River. A daughter, Daisy L., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Upton, December 12, 1882. Mrs. Upton died 11 months from the date of her marriage. Mr. Upton's second marriage occurred in February, 1885, to Mrs. Amelia McLaurin, a daughter of Jesse and Calista A. (Hurd) Beale, the latter a native of Maryland. Mrs. Upton had one daughter by her first marriage, Edith McLaurin, who married Z. M. Watts, of Mendon, Ohio, and has two children, Walter Wiley and Stanley. Both the daughters are graduates of the Mendon High School, graduating with the class of 1901. Mr. Upton is a Democrat in politics and has served his party in various capacities. He is centeral committeeman from Union township, served as delegate from Mercer County to the recent State convention at Columbus and supported the local option plank at the convention. He has frequently served as delegate to county conventions. He was a member of the School Board for a number of years, being a member of the board when the joint High School was organized. He is now president of the School Board. He is a. member of Mendon Lodge, No. 586, F. & A. M., and is a liberal supporter and member of the Baptist Church. JOHN D. KREMER JOHN D. KREMER, whose fine farm of 120 acres is situated in section 36, Marion township, was born on his father's farm in Marion township, and is a son of Frank John and Mary (Seitz) Kremer. The Kremer family has been established in Marion township since about 1836, when the grandparents of our subject, accompanied by the great-grandfather, emigrated from Germany and settled as pioneers here. Frank John. Kremer, who was the youngest son of Dietrich Kremer, came into possession of the homestead farm of 160 acres, to which he subsequently added until he 706 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY is now one of the largest landowners in Marion township. He married Mary Seitz, who died in 1886. The parents of our subject had 11 children, three of whom are deceased. The survivors are: John D., of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married John Kleinhenz and lives at St. Rosa; Catherine, who married Frank Evers and lives in Granville township; Anton, who married Mary Evers and lives in Granville township; Joseph, who is preparing for the priesthood at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena; and August, Anna and Frank, all at home. John D. Kremer was reared on the home farm and went to school in his native township. On November 6, 1895, he was married to Elizabeth Menker, who was born at Maria Stein, Mercer County, November 2, 1874, and was a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Thaman) Menker. Henry Menker was born in Germany and came in young manhood to Mercer County; here he later married Catherine Thaman, who was born in America. They had these children : Elizabeth; Joseph, who married Frances Tobe and lives at Maria Stein; and Mary, who resides at home with her father, her mother having died November 21, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Kremer had eight children, namely : Roman, Edward, Lawrence, Cornelius, Sylvester, Clara, Herbert and Werner, all of whom survive except Sylvester, who died October 25, 1904. Mrs. Kremer died September 14, 1906, aged almost 32 years. Mr. Kremer belongs to a family of good farmers. He purchased his property from his father in 1900, since which time he has been successfully carrying on a general line of farming. His improvements are excellent and his home is a comfortable frame residence of 11 rooms. With his family he belongs to the Catholic Church and he, like his brothers, is a member of St. Joseph's Society. FRANK JOHN KREMER FRANK JOHN KREMER, a representative citizen and large landholder of Mercer County, resides on his well-improved farm of 220 acres, situated in section 13, Marion township, and owns also another farm of 40 acres which is located across the Roeckner turnpike, and 15 acres more, at St. Johns. Mr. Kremer was born on the farm he now occupies, March 10, 1849, and is a son of Dietrich and Elizabeth (Bieter) Kremer. The parents of Mr. Kremer, accompanied by the grandfather, Henry Kremer, and their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, came to America and stopped at Cincinnati, Ohio, where the second child, Mary, was soon after born. Elizabeth was two years old at this time. She subsequently married Gerhard Stammen, and Mary married Henry Fonderher. The rest of the children, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 707 as follows, were born in the first old log house that was built on the present farm : Caroline, who married Henry Will ; Anna, who married John Reichert; Philomena, who married Joseph Kramer; Catherine, who married John Biehler ; Frank John, of this sketch; and Agnes, who married Joseph Roeckner. The father died in March, 1886; the mother in 1880. Prior to this marriage, Dietrich Kremer had served three years in the German Army. He then followed farming in a small way before coming to America. A short time was passed at Cincinnati, to enable the mother and baby Mary to gain strength for travel, when the family came on to Minster, Auglaize County, where they lived until the father selected a farm in Mercer40ounty. His first purchase was 4o acres of the present farm on which he put up a rough log house, which he later replaced with a better one and still later with a comfortable frame one. To his first purchase he later added 120 acres and060n he died left an estate of 1i6o acres. Frank John Kremer still resides on the farm settled by his father when he came to Mercer County in 1836. At his father’s death, in 1886, he received 160 acres, and to this he has added until now he is one of the largest landowners in the township. He has made many improvements in the way of erecting substantial barns and other farm buildings, and in remodeling his nine-room residence. He is considered a very successful agriculturist. Mr. Kremer married Mary Seitz, who died in 1886. She was born in America and was a daughter of Max and Anna (Fecher) Seitz, who were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kremer had 11 children, three of whom are deceased, namely : Henry, Joseph and Mary. Those living are: John D., who married Elizabeth Menker and resides in Marion township; Elizabeth, who married John Kleinhenz anwh0ives at St. Rosa; Catherine, who married Frank Evers and lives in Granville township; Anton, who married Mary Evers and lives in Granville township; Joseph, who is preparing for the priesthood, having spent five and a half years in a college in Indiana and being now in his fifth year at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena; and August, Anna and Frank, who are at home. The sons all belong to St. Joseph's Society. Mr. Kremer, with all his children, belongs to the Catholic Church, and his 16 grandchildren are being brought up in the same faith. He has never taken any very active part in politics, but has served as school director in his district. As a good citizen and honorable, upright man, he is held i high esteem in his community. DANIEL FENNIG DANIEL FENNIG, a representative farmer of Washington township, resides upon his well-cultivated farm of 80 acres in section 1o. He was born 708 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY in the house in which he lives, March 27, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Holtser) Fennig. Jacob Fennig was born in Germany but the greater part of his life was spent in America, as he came here in young manhood. He settled first at Mansfield, Ohio, but later moved to Mercer County. He married Catherine Holtser, who was born in Switzerland, and came to the United States at the age of seven years. She died November 1, 1905, having survived her husband since 1877. They had nine children. Daniel Fennig is the y0ungest but one of his parents' children. He obtained his education in the local schools, was reared to be a practical farmer and has remained on the homestead farm. Mr. Fennig was married on May 22, 1895, to Susan Betz, who died March 15, 1906. She was a most estimable lady and was a daughter of John and Mary (Walters) Betz, who were pioneers of Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Fenning had three children, namely : Raymond, Foster Andrew and Forrest Lowell. Politically Mr. Fennig is a strong Democrat. He is a prominent man in his township and has served as township trustee since 1900. He has also served as supervisor. Mr. Fennig belongs to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Washington township. HARRY A. JEWETT HARRY A. JEWETT, township trustee, leading citizen and substantial farmer of Jefferson township, residing just east of Celina, was born two miles east of his present home, the old Jewett homestead, now the Samuel A. Nickerson farm, December 22, 1872, and is a son of Adams and Augusta (Baker) Jewett. The Jewett family was one of the early and prominent ones in the settlement of New England. The Jewetts who apparantly founded the family in America were sons of Edward Jewett, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1580, and became a clothier and also a manufacturer of woolen goods. At Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, he was married on October 1, 1604, to Mary Taylor, daughter of William Taylor. Joseph and Maximilian Jewett, sons of Edward Jewett, landed at Boston, Massachusetts, December I, 1638. They spent the rest of the winter at Salem, Massachusetts, and in 1639 helped to found Rowley, Massachusetts. Our subject is descended from Joseph Jewett, the older of these brothers. Joseph Jewett was married at Bradford, England, to his first wife, Mary Wallinson, on December 1, 1634. They came to the Colonies with a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 709 large body of Puritans and settled as above stated. This wife died April 12, 1652. On May 13, 1653, he married Mrs. Ann Allen, widow of Bayzaam Allen, of Boston, who died February 8, 1661; his death followed on the 26th of the same month. J0seph Jewett had six children born to his first marriage and three to his second. His fourth child, Nehemiah, became the father of Benjamin Jewett, who was born October 4, 1691, and who was accidentally killed when his son Benjamin was 00 days old. Benjamin Jewett (2), son of Benjamin and grandson of Nehemiah Jewett, was born January 12, 1716, and became a well-known citizen. He worked as a blacksmith at Manchester, Massachusetts, and later at Berkeley, Connecticut, where he died in 1800. He married Hannah Butler and they had 13 children. Daniel Jewett, the third son of Benjamin Jewett (2), was born at Manchester, Massachusetts, February 24, 1744, and learned the blacksmith's trade under his father. In 1769, when 25 years of age, he married Zilpah Hibbard, a daughter of Capt. Zebulon and Hannah (Bass) Hibbard, of Windham, Connecticut. In 1774 they moved to Putney, Vermont, where they lived all the rest of their lives on a farm. Mrs. Jewett died March 19, 1829, aged 83 years. He was then 85 years of age but he insisted on following his wife to the graveyard, and as the weather was inclement he contracted pneumonia, of which he died 11 days later. All through the Revolution he was a very active "Liberty Man" and raised a company of militia, of which he was lieutenant. At the battle of Bennington he was taken captive by the British, who kept him a prisoner for six weeks and then carried him to Ticondergo, where he was recaptured by the patriots. After the end of the war he was still a prominent figure and was chosen a member of the Vermont Legislature for 17 terms. He had 10 children. Luther Jewett, the second child of Daniel Jewett, was born December 24, 1772, and became a physician, commencing his practice at Putney, Vermont, in 1797. He married Betsey Adams, a daughter of Ephraim Adams. Later he removed to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where he opened a drug store and continued in medical practice. He received his degree of M. D., from the medical department of Dartmouth College, in 1810. In 1814 he was elected a Member of Congress by the Federal party and served from December 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817. In 1816 the first wife of Dr. Jewett died, leaving eight children. In the following year he married Nancy Chamberlain, who was born in 1777, at London, New Hampshire, and died January 21, 1856. Two children were born to his second union. After his return from Congress, Dr. Jewett was ordained a minister by the Congregational Church, and on February 28, 1821, he was installed 710 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY pastor of the church at Newbury, Vermont, where he lived from 1828 to 1832, in the meantime editing and publishing the Farmers' Herald. For a large part of the time, some 15 years prior to his death, he was a member of the State Legislature. He was a man of great power of mind and was eminent as a physician, a preacher and a statesman. His death took place at St. Johnsburg, Vermont, March 8, 1860. Hibbard Jewett, the eldest son 0f Dr. Luther Jewett, and the grandfather of our subject, was born in Putney, Vermont, November 9, 1799. He studied medicine under his father and then attended Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in 1820. He settled at Dayton, Ohio, in 1827 for the practice of Medicine, which he continued until his death, October 26, 1870. He was very prominent in the community, not only as a physician but also as a citizen of high ideals. In the disturbed period preceding the Civil, War, he was a pronounced abolitionist. His house was mobbed the night of January 23, 1841, because he had held an abolition meeting there. He was president of the Central Ohio Insane Asylum for 17 years, and after his death his library of seven hundred volumes was presented to this institution. On May 20, 1828, Dr. Jewett was married to Sophronia Adams at Keene, New Hampshire. They had nine children. Adams Jewett, son of Dr. Hibbard Jewett, was born at Dayton, Ohio, February 9, 1840, and was baptized by Rev. Ethan Allen, on July 3rd following. He attended the public schools at Dayton until he was 16 years of age, when he entered Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he remained a student from 1856 until 1859. The year 1860 he spent at the New York Agricultural College, Ovid, New York. In 1861 he settled on the Jewett farm, on the north bank of the Grand Reservoir, in Mercer County, about three miles east of Celina. Adams Jewett was married November 7, 1867, in Auglaize County, Ohio, to Augusta Baker, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Wade) Baker, born March 31, 1846, at Hardin, Shelby County, Ohio. The seven children born to this marriage are: Sophronia Adams, wife 0f C. K. Hight; Hibbard J., who is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, now stationed at Gibsonburg, Ohio; Harry A., the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Edward Mack ; Ethel, wife of Shelby Stearns, of Bluffton, Ohio; Lou Edna and Howard Herman, students at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. The father of this family died from an attack of "la grippe," at his home near Celina, January 19, 1899, aged 59 years. He was a thoroughly educated man and was also a practical farmer. Harry A. Jewett has spent his life in the neighborhood in which he was born and was educated in Jefferson township. In 1897 he was married to AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 711 Luella Piper, a daughter of George Piper, and they have two children—LaVoone and Eugene F. Mr. Jewett has been a lifelong Democrat. In 1903 he was elected township trustee on the Democratic ticket, and has given efficient and satisfactory service ever since. He is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in his locality and a liberal contributor to its needs. His only fraternal connection is with the Woodmen of the World. There are few citizens of this locality who can trace more clearly a long and honorable ancestry than can Mr. Jewett. The name may be found on many a page of history of which loyal Americans are proud, and it has always stood for temperance, education and religion. JOSEPH WARREN ROEBUCK JOSEPH WARREN ROEBUCK, one of Union township's progressive citizens, who is engaged in general farming on a farm of 140 acres located in section 2, was born four miles west of Mendon, Ohio, February 15, 1867, and is a son of Warren and Harriet (Lytle) Roebuck. Warren Roebuck was born in Dublin township, Mercer County, Ohio, near Rockford, and died in 1870 at the age of 31 years. His wife was a daughter of Brooks Lytle, who came from Pennsylvania and was among the pioneers of this section of Ohio, locating in Union township, Mercer County. Mrs. Roebuck died in 1883. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck : William, who married Sarah Hill and lives on a farm in section 2, Union township; Vena, who married Hick Guin and lives at Van Wert, Ohio; Amanda, who married Ralph Grandstaff and lives at Van Wert, Ohio; Curtis; Harriet; and a child that died in infancy. Joseph W. Roebuck was reared in Union township and attended the township schools. His first purchase of land was one of 20 acres; later he bought 40 acres more and in 1906 added another 80 acres. Mr. Roebuck first came to this farm in 1886 as a hired hand, receiving $13 per month until 1890, when he received $15 per month. In the spring of 1890 he put out a spring crop on his uncle's place and was able to marry in the fall. After his marriage he lived two years on his father-in-law's farm. He then returned to the Benjamin Goodwin farm, his present place, where he has since lived, engaged in general farming and also raising some stock. He has 40 acres of land in corn, 20 acres in wheat and the remainder in oats and grass. Mr. Roebuck was married in 1890 to Phebe Ann Daring, a daughter of Joseph and Julia Ann (Keller) Daring. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck, namely : Rolly, Curtis and Edith, deceased; and Dora, 712 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Lottie and Marie, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Roebuck are members of the Church of God. He is a Democrat. ADAM SCHNEIDER ADAM SCHNEIDER, a highly esteemed citizen of Fort Recovery, was born in Germany, April 15, 1858, and is a son of Fred and Catherine (Fenter) Schneider. Adam Schneider was reared and educated in Germany and worked on a farm until about 23 years of age, when he came to America and located in Fort Recovery, in 1881, where three brothers of Mr. Schneider had located in 1872. The eldest brother Fred, who had served in the Franco-Prussian War, came to America in 1871 and died in Georgia in 1884, where he had gone for his health. Charles, another brother, runs the Wayne Hotel at Fort Recovery. Peter, the third brother, is now a resident of Colorado. After Mr. Schneider located at Fort Recovery he worked for a few months in a gravel pit and then assisted his brother Charles, who was proprietor of a saloon and pool-room in Celina. He also worked some time for his brother, Peter. In 1884 he opened a saloon at Fort Recovery and continued in that business until the fall of 1905. In 1888 he erected the large brick block on Wayne street, which bears his name. His brothers have also erected some fine buildings, Peter Schneider and Dr. Adams having built the Opera House in 1888; and Peter also built the Wayne Hotel and a fine brick residence on South Wayne street. Charles Schneider erected two fine business blocks. In 1895-96, Mr. Schneider erected his large brick residence, containing 10 rooms and a bath, which is located on a tract of 23 acres just outside of the corporation of Fort Recovery. It is considered one of the finest country homes in Mercer County and stands on an elevation, about 100 yards back from the road; the lawn is beautifully and artistically laid out in flower beds and presents a very attractive appearance. The house is beautifully finished and furnished and has all the modern improvements and conveniences. In 1893 Mr. Schneider took a trip to his old home in Germany to visit his mother, two sisters and a brother. His mother died since this visit. He remained Europe four months, in which period he also took a trip through France. Mr. Schneider was married April 15, 1890, to Christina Heintz, a daughter of George and Mary (Augenstein) Heintz. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have had three children : Eda, Herbert and Otmar. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider are members of the Lutheran Church at Fort Recovery, of which he was treasurer for many years. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 713 George Heintz, the father of Mrs. Schneider, was born in Elsass, Germany, came to America when a young man and located in New York State, where he worked for some time, finally settling in Marion, Ohio. He was married to Mary Augenstein and had three children : Mrs. Mary Heiby; Emma, who died in infancy, and Christina, the wife of our subject. Mr. Heintz has one son, David, of Recovery township, by his first marriage. Mr. Heintz was agent for 40 years of the West Bote, a German newspaper of Columbus, Ohio. He died in May, 1901, and his wife died in August, 1902. BARNEY GRIESHOP, JR. BARNEY GRIESHOP, JR., a well-known agriculturist of Marion township, residing on his farm of 80 acres in section 14, was born on the home farm in this township, August 28, 1872, and is a son of Henry and Mary Anna (Hinders) Grieshop. The grandparents of our subject came from Germany to America in 1847 and in the following year settled in Marion township, where the grandfather died in 1888. He had two sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in Germany but the younger son, Barney, an uncle of our subject. Henry Grieshop married Mary Anna Hinders and they have had 12 children, as follows : Catherine, who married Henry Schwietermann; John, who married Anna Luthman; Lena, widow of Joseph Windt; Barney, who is the subject of this sketch; Rosa, who married Joseph Meinerding; Louis, who married Mary Link; Frank, who married (first) Rose Steinke and (second) Kate Roeckner; August, who is in the hardware business at Chickasaw; William, Clara and Adaline, all at home; and Benjamin, who died in infancy. The parents still reside in Marion township in the enjoyment of good health, respected and esteemed for their many sterling traits. The father is the oldest continuous resident of Marion township. He can recall the days when deer and other wild animals were plentiful all over his present fine farm. The subject of this sketch was reared a farmer and purchased his present property at a sale in 1896. It was formerly known as the Jacob Desch farm. Under Mr. Grieshop's excellent methods, a fine, productive farm has been developed. The residence, a commodious one of 12 rooms, was standing on the place when the purchase was made. Mr. Grieshop grows corn, wheat and hay and raises stock. On October 28, 1896, Mr. Grieshop was married to Mary Meinerding, a daughter of Charles and Bernardina (Meierring) Meinerding, residents of Maria Stein, who have seven children, namely : Joseph, Mary, Henry, Catherine, John, Charles and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Grieshop have three chil- 714 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY dren, namely : Rufena, born November 9, 1900; Anna, born August 4, 1904; and Olefa, born August 9, 1906. Mr. Grieshop and wife both belong to the Catholic Church. BERNARD OVERMAN BERNARD OVERMAN, one of the leading citizens and successful agriculturists of Marion township, residing on his excellent farm of 80 acres located in section 3, has been identified with the affairs of this locality all his life, as he was born on this farm on March 8, 1843. His parents were Henry and Agnes (Bockman) Overman. Both parents of Mr. Overman were born in Germany, but they met and were married at Cincinnati, Ohio, which city remained their home for some five years. During the summers of this period. Henry Overman found work in Cincinnati and during the winters he was employed in the South. In 1837 the family came to Mercer County, where the father bought 80 acres of government land, paying $1.25 per acre for the same; the land office was situated at that time at Lima, where he had to make his entry. Later he bought of John Linder the 80 acres in Marion township, which now constitutes our subject's farm, and built a rough log cabin in a little clearing. This land he practically cleared by himself. Our subject can remember when the country was still so wild that packs of wolves, some 40 or 50 in number, with other wild animals roamed through the surrounding forest. So rapidly, however, did the country become settled that by the time he was old enough to hunt, there were 0 hunters to one wolf. One child was born to the parents of our subject in Cincinnati—Mary, who is the widow of Henry Reichert. Eight more were born on the homestead farm in Marion township, as follows : Henry, who died aged 21 years; Bernard, the subject of this sketch; Caroline, who married John Brachman, one of the pioneer settlers of Mercer County; Anton, who married (first) Mary Barnard and (second) Catherine Mader; Elizabeth, who married Henry Gottemoller, of St. Henry; John, who married Elizabeth Mescher; Agnes, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Miller; and Frederick Joseph, who died aged 21 years. The father of this family died on the home farm on March 8, 1876, and the mother on May 6, 1904. They were honest, worthy, upright people who were respected and esteemed by all who knew them. Their early lives were full of toil but they lived to be able to enjoy some of the fruits of their labor. Bernard Overman was reared on the home farm, where he remained until his marriage in 1867, when he worked as a carpenter both at Cincinnati and Dayton. In June, 1867, he purchased his farm from his father and he AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 717 has made all the excellent improvements here, including the building of his large frame residence, his substantial barns and other farm buildings. His place is kept in excellent repair and presents the appearance of a comfortable rural home. Mr. Overman carries 0n general farming and raises some stock. On May 14, 1867, Mr. Overman was married to Anna Goke, a daughter of George Goke, who was a native 0f Germany. Mrs. Overman died January 2, 1881, having had six children, as follows: Agnes, who married (first) Henry Lauger, who died leaving five children, and married (second) George Buning—they live in Auglaize County; Antony, who married Mollie Underbrink and lives at Ottawa, Ohio; Mary and Elizabeth, who died on the same day; Joseph, who died in young manhood, and John, who died at the age of 22 years. Mr. Overman was married (second) on September 26, 1882, to Bernardina Brinckman, who was born in Germany, being a daughter of Arnold and Elizabeth (Vessels) Brinckman, now deceased, who never came. to America. There were five children in the Brinckman family, namely: Maria,. who married Herman Vorman and died in Germany; Bernardina; Margaret,. who married Fred Shultz and lives in New York; Caroline, who married Dick Budde and lives at St. Marys; and Elizabeth, who married Fred Felt-house and lives in Germany. Mrs. Overman is a very intelligent lady and is well educated in the German language. She came to America in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Overman have had five children, namely: Elizabeth, who married Joseph Gahle; Anna, who died aged six years; Leo, born August 7, 1891; and Josephine and Aloys, who died in infancy. Mr. Overman and family belong to St. John's Catholic Church. He is one of the prominent members of the church and was a trustee during the years of its construction. He has taken an active interest in township affairs and was elected township trustee during two terms, has also been school director and clerk of District No. 5. Mr. Overman is a man of high standing in his community and is looked upon as one of its representative men. JOSEPH W. ARCHER JOSEPH W. ARCHER, who is engaged in general farming on a well-improved and highly cultivated farm of 140 acres located in section 17, Union township, was born August 6, 1849, in Hancock County, Ohio. He came with his parents to Mercer County when nine months of age. His father was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and the mother of -Wayne County. His father, when he came to Mercer County, located in Union township on the Van Wert County line. The following children were born to the parents of our subject: James Marion, deceased; Ruth, who married Benton Thomas 718 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY and resides in Hancock County, Ohio; Nancy, who married Daniel Kuhl and resides near Ohio City in Van Wert County; Louisa, deceased, who was the wife of George Frysinger; Minerva, who married David Krugh and recently moved to Michigan; William Americus, who resides in Union township; Joseph W., subject of this sketch; John, who resides in Union township near the Van Wert County line; Alonzo, who resides on the home place in Union township; and David, a carpenter by trade, who resides at Rockford. Mr. Archer's father was 79 years old at the time of his death, which occurred over 20 years ago, and was the first death in the family. Our subject's mother survived her husband until 1905, being past 84 years of age at her death. Joseph W. Archer was reared and educated in Union township. In 1880 he purchased his farm of 140 acres, where he has resided since 1881 and been engaged in general farming. He rebuilt the house, built a new barn and made many other important changes, so that the farm is now very well improved. Mr. Archer was married February 08, 1880, to Eliza Caldwell, a daughter of Rev. John and Ann Caldwell, both of whom are now deceased; the former was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Archer have never had any children of their own, but reared and educated a boy, Harry Stevens, who is now married and resides in Michigan, where he owns a farm of 300 acres. A portrait of Mr. Stevens accompanies this sketch; also views of the residence and farm buildings of Mr. Archer. Our subject is a Republican in politics. H. A. BECKMAN H. A. BECKMAN, postmaster at St. Henry, where he also deals in hardware, stoves and tinware, was born June 20, 1871, in Granville township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Frank H. and Margaret (Herman) Beckman. Frank H. Beckman was born at St. Henry, Ohio, August 15, 1849, and is a son of Henry A. Beckman, who came to America from Germany when a young man and was one of the early settlers of St. Henry. Upon locating in Mercer County, he worked upon the construction of the canal and the Grand Reservoir. He remained here until his death. Frank Beckman, the father of our subject, was reared in Granville township. After living near Burkettsville for a number of years, he returned to St. Henry, where he and his wife are still living. H. A. Beckman was reared on his father's farm near Burkettsville, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. He came to St. Henry in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 719 1889 and for six years from 1889 to 1895, inclusive, was proprietor of a drugstore, after which he engaged in his present business, in 1903 building his large storeroom. In 1893 he was elected clerk of Granville township, to fill the unexpired term of Henry Romer, and was reelected in the spring of 1900 on the Democratic ticket to the same office, which he continues to hold. On October 9, 1895, Mr. Beckman was united in marriage with Clara Gottemoller, a daughter of Henry Gottemoller, and they have three children: Leona, Luke and Albert. Mr. Beckman is vice-president of the St. Henry Building and Loan Association, a member of the Mercer County Fair Board and is secretary and treasurer of St. Henry's Catholic Church, of which he is also a member. Mr. Beckman was appointed postmaster of St. Henry on October 19, 1906. WILLIAM B. HEATH WILLIAM B. HEATH, a representative citizen and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Union township, where he owns a fine farm of 100 acres, was born some 80 rods east of his present home, May 3, 1857, and is a son of Maj. Joshua W. and Mary Ann (Lytle) Heath. Maj. Joshua W. Heath, American born and bred, testified to the patriotic impulses of his nature by entering the service of his country, when her liberties were in danger, in 1861. He entered the service as captain of Company A, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., was promoted to be major on account of gallantry and gave up his life in the line of duty, before Atlanta, Georgia, on July 22, 1864. His honored remains lie in the beautiful National Cemetery at Marietta, Georgia. His service had been one of exceptional brilliancy, he having participated in the memorable battles of Mission Ridge, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Orchard Knob, Dalton and Resaca. After his marriage, he located in Union township, Mercer County, where the family has been located ever since. The mother of our subject still survives at the age of 71 years. She is a daughter of Robert B. Lytle, formerly a resident of Wayne County, Ohio, where she was born, who later became a pioneer of Mercer County. Four children were born to Major Heath and wife, as follows : Martha Elizabeth, who married Willis Hays—both now deceased; William B.; Rachel Emma, who married Milton Tullis, now of Oklahoma; and Ellsworth, who died aged two years. After the death of Major Heath, his widow married George Snyder and she became the mother of four more children. William B. Heath was educated in the schools of Union township. The absence of his father in the army threw many responsibilities upon his shoulders and, in every essential, Mr. Heath is a strictly self made man. His prop- 720 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY erty has all been acquired through personal effort and his standing in the community has been won by an upright, honorable life. In 1878 he purchased 40 acres of his present farm, to which he subsequently added 60 acres, and he devotes his land to mixed farming and also raises some stock. Although he taught school for one term in young manhood, his main business in life has been farming, and his reputation is established as a very competent agriculturist. In 1877 Mr. Heath was married (first) to Lavina Protzman, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and died in 1878, leaving one son, Ansel O., who is now employed in the vicinity of Dayton. Mr. Heath was married (second) to Emma Downey, and they have had two children—Caryden James, aged three years, and Naomi, aged two years. Fraternally, Mr. Heath is a member of Shane's Lodge, No. 377, F. & A. M., at Rockford; Lodge No. 416, Knights of Pythias, at Mendon, and Lodge No. 750, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also at Men-don. In his political sentiments, Mr. Heath is independent. He recognizes good and honest principles in all parties, but as a whole he does not feel inclined to identify himself with any and believes he does best when he votes for the man whose life has previously shown the patriotism and integrity a candidate ought to have. J. A. SWARTS J. A. SWARTS, a substantial and well-known farmer of Recovery township, owns 376 acres of land in Mercer County, located as follows-153 acres in Recovery township (constituting the home place), 160 acres in Washington township (which is now occupied by his son, William H.) and 63 1-3 acres in Butler township (on which his son-in-law lives). Mr. Swarts was born January 24, 1843, in Falls township, Muskingum County, Ohio, about six miles west of Zanesville, and is a son of Asbury and Sarah (Elder) Swarts. Asbury Swarts, who was a native of Pennsylvania, became a resident of Muskingum County when a boy, in which county he later worked as a plasterer. Subsequently he moved with his family to Mercer County. He was married in Muskingum County to Sarah Elder and they had eight children, all of whom are deceased but J. A. Swarts, the subject of this sketch, who was the oldest, and LeRoy Swarts, the youngest child, who resides in Darke County, Ohio. J. A. Swarts was six years old when his parents moved to Mercer County. the trip being made in a one-horse wagon that contained all the furniture, besides carrying the family, consisting of the father and mother and three children ; the father was often compelled to cut his way through the woods. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 721 Before removing from Muskingum County, Asbury Swarts sold his 5-acre tract of land; after settling in Mercer County, he bought 40 acres of land in Washington township from the government, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. He built a log cabin and after living on this land, for several years he entered 80 acres more and sold the original 40 acres. He built a new cabin on this land and as there were no roads at that time he was obliged to follow blazed trails when going any distance from home. The deer were almost as plentiful as sparrows are now, and there were many wild hogs, wolves and other wild animals, as well as wild turkeys. The family experienced many of the hardships incidental to pioneer life. The subject of this sketch had received some schooling while in Muskingum County, the schoolhouse adjoining his father's farm; but after settling in Mercer County it was several years before he again attended school, there being no schools in the neighborhood, and when he again returned he found he had forgotten all that had been previously learned. His father kept increasing his land and at the time of his death owned 240 acres. Mr. Swarts assisted his father in clearing land and remained on the home farm until after his marriage. Mr. Swarts enlisted in the 193rd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in January, 1865, and served until the close of the war. His father and one brother were also soldiers in the Civil War, his father being fife major, but was discharged on account of disability. The brother died of lung fever at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. After the war Mr. Swarts returned to his home in Recovery township, and engaged in farming, in which occupation he has continued to the present time. He was married in the spring of 1864 to Mary Noland, a daughter of Thomas Noland, who was one of the pioneers of Mercer County. To Mr. and Mrs. Swarts were born six children : Catherine, who married Joseph Showalter, of Hardin County, and has four children; Ellen, who married James Frank, lives on her father's farm in Butler township and has six children; William H., who married Lida Patton and resides in Washington township; Rachel; Myrtle, who married Theodore Huber, has one child and lives in Marion, Indiana; and Clarence, who is a street-car conductor in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Swarts is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Fort Recovery. ANTON OVERMAN ANTON OVERMAN, who resides on the farm adjoining the one on which he was born May 6, 1849, owns 80 acres in section 34, Marion township, and is a son of Henry and Agnes (Bockman) Overman. 722 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY The parents of Mr. Overman, who were natives of Germany, were married at Cincinnati, Ohio. They resided for some years in that city and then removed, in 1837, to Marion township, Mercer County, where the father bought 80 acres of land from the government, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. Later he purchased another tract of 80 acres from Henry Hoosman, which is the property now owned by our subject and on which he resides. Both parents died on this farm, old and respected residents of the community. They had one child born during their stay at Cincinnati, Mary, who is the widow of Henry Reichert. The others were born on the farm, as follows: Henry, deceased; Bernard; Caroline; Anton, of this sketch; Elizabeth; John; Agnes, deceased; and Frederick Joseph, deceased. Anton Overman was reared on the home farm, attending the district schools in his youth and following the life of a farmer from choice. In 1870 he bought his present fine property from his father and has put it into fine shape; here he carries on a general line of agriculture and is recognized as one of the representative farmers of the township. He has been a member of th Mutual Fire Insurance Company for several years, of which period he has been director two years; he has been an agent for the past 10 years. Mr. Overman was married (first) in June, 1874, to Mary Barnard, a daughter of Leon Barnard, who was a native of Germany but who had settled in Mercer County before the birth of Mrs. Overman. She died March 25, 1881, the mother of two children, John and Frederick, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Overman was married (second) to Catherine Mader, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Bauman) Mader, both of whom were born in Germany and were married at Liverpool, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Mader had eight children, namely : Robert, Joseph, Anton, John, Frank, Josephine (wife of B. Beckmeyer), Mary (wife of David Roesher) and Catherine (Mrs. Overman). Mr. and Mrs. Overman have had seven children, namely: Emma (deceased), Clara, Anna, Louis, Elnora, Frank and Agnes. Mr. Overman and family belong to St. John's Catholic Church. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Society. Mr. Overman has not taken any active part in politics, contenting himself mainly with voting for the candidate who, in his opinion, will best work for good government. SETH SPRIGGS SETH SPRIGGS, a well-known turnpike contractor and prosperous farmer of Washington township, who resides on a finely developed and well-improved farm of 185 acres, of which the home farm of 65 acres is situated in sections AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 723 3 and 4, and the remaining 120 acres in section 33, Liberty township, was born May 23, 1861, on the farm in section 3 and is a son 0f Thornton and Jane (Wilson) Spriggs. Thornton Spriggs was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1837, and in 1841 came to Mercer County with his father, William Spriggs, who settled on the farm in Washington township, which our subject now owns. William Spriggs was re of the early pioneers of Mercer County and entered a section 0f land in Washington township, which lay along the Wabash River. The hewed-log house and barn which he built are still standing on our subject's place. Thornton Spriggs was reared in Washington township, and with the exception of four years spent in Celina, when he was sheriff of the county, has always lived in Washington township. He was one of the largest landowners in the township, and for a period of 12 years operated a general store at Wabash, under the firm name of T. Spriggs & Sons. His death occurred January 19, 1903, at the age of 67 years. His wife is still living in Wabash with her son, James Spriggs. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs : William; Seth; Daniel; John; James; Charles; Lucretia, wife of John Wills, deceased in 1897; and Henrietta, who died aged one year. Seth Spriggs was reared on his father's farm in Washington township, For over 20 years past he has been engaged as a turnpike contractor, having been interested in the construction of most of the turnpikes of Mercer County, as well as many in Paulding County, Ohio, and Adams and Jay counties, Indiana. In this business, he is associated with his brothers, under the firm style of Spriggs Brothers. In addition to this, he has also been interested in agricultural work. At one time the family was in rather reduced circumstances owing to some poor investments which the father made; now, however, all the sons of Thornton Spriggs own large farms. Mr. Spriggs was united in marriage, April 12, 1885, to Mary Wilson, a daughter of Dr. S. R. Wilson, of West Virginia, who is now a resident of Celina. Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs have seven children, namely: Clyde, who was graduated with the highest class honors at the Celina High School in the spring of 1906 and is now teaching in the Prospect school, District No. 2, Washington township; Maud; Frank; Nellie J.; Hazel; William; Carl and Opal, all at home. Frank is attending the Celina High School. HENRY GAST HENRY GAST, a leading business man of Chickasaw, owner of the substantial brick block which is a credit to the town and proprietor of one of the oldest mercantile establishments here, has been a resident of this county for the past 40 years. Mr. Gast was born on his father's farm in Auglaize Coun- 724 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY ty, Ohio, March 14, 1842, and is a son of Peter and Gertrude (Eilerman) Gast. The Gast family is of French extraction. The grandparents of Henry Gast were Andrew and Theresa Gast. Both were born in France and were reared and married there, and when they emigrated to America they brought their four children with them—two sons and two daughters. They landed at the port of Baltimore, but shortly afterward removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and subsequently the father bought a farm near Minster, in Auglaize County. The eldest son, Mathias, became a merchant and was the founder of the business which our subject is conducting. The second son, Peter, the father of our subject, remained a farmer. He became a very well-known citizen and was concerned in many of the early enterprises, which served to open up this section to peaceful and rapid settlement. He assisted in the building of the darn at the Grand Reservoir at Celina and also helped in the construction of the canal. In the developing of his property he was an industrious and judicious man, and as time went on he acquired a large amount of valuable farming land. He had made his home in so dense a forest, that when he or members of his family wished to go from Minster to Celina they had to follow a blazed path in order to keep from being lost. Shortly after reaching Minster, Peter Gast was united in marriage with his first wife, Gertrude Eilerman, who died when her sixth child was .born. The children of this marriage were the following: Joseph, Henry, Dena, Clara, Mary and Anna. Later, Peter Gast married the widow of Joseph Inecanke, and they had four children, namely : Barney, Catherine, Clemmens (deceased) and Ferdinand. The last named now conducts a grocery business at Chickasaw. Peter Gast died in 1895 at Celina. His second wife is also deceased. Henry Gast was reared on his father's farm, removing from Auglaize to Mercer County,, in 1866. He had been identified with all the important public movements in this section and has been the enterprising promoter of many of Chickasaw's leading business activities. When a very young man, he helped to repair the old plank road that then ran through Chickasaw, which was then but a village, and later, when the old road was transformed into a turnpike, he helped in constructing that also. Later he acquired, a half interest in the grain elevator at Chickasaw, which he subsequently disposed of. He also owned and operated both a sawmill and brickyard and it was in these plants that he made the lumber and the bricks with which he has done a. great deal of building. He owns the only brick block in Chickasaw, in which he conducts his business. As mentioned, the founder of the present general mercantile business conducted by our subject was his uncle Mathias. His successor was Joseph AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 725 Gast, the elder brother of our subject, who later admitted Henry to partnership and when Joseph finally withdrew Henry became sole proprietor. Up to this time the business had been carried on in the old quarters, but such expansion soon took place that Mr. Gast found it necessary to enlarge his accommodations to meet his increasing trade. He then erected his present two-story, brick block, a handsome structure, with cement sidewalk in front. Mr. Gast enjoys abundant patronage from the town and surrounding country, as he carries a large and carefully selected stock of high grade shoes, dry goods, notions, men's furnishings, and a large line of queensware. Mr. Gast is a painstaking and courteous merchant and commands the confidence of the community as to the quality of his goods. Mr. Gast was married (first) to Mary Schwietermann, who was a member of one of the very prominent families of this section, and was a sister of Harman Henry Schwietermann, of Franklin township, formerly county commissioner of Mercer County. Mrs. Gast died May 16, 1888. Seven children were born to this marriage, as follows : Louis, deceased; Regenia, deceased; Rose, who is a saleslady in a large mercantile establishment at Dayton, Ohio; Frank, owning a large barber shop in San Francisco, who safely passed through the earthquake 0f April 18, 1906; Julius, who is in business at Chickasaw ; Henry, who has charge of his father's livery business at Chickasaw ; and Maria, a very competent and intellectual young lady, who very ably assists her father in the management of a part of his business. Mr. Gast married (second) Mrs. Elizabeth Stelzer, and they have one son, Leo. Mrs. Gast takes a great deal 0f interest in the management of the business and Mr. Gast attributes much of his prosperity to her excellent judgment. She thoroughly understands the business and manages very efficiently when Mr. Gast's many other interests claim his attention. Mr. Gast and family belong to the Catholic Church and he is a member of St. Joseph's Society. He has always been a liberal contributor to church finances as well as to the upbuilding of the town along educational lines. Mr. Gast stands as one 0f the representative men 0f the southeastern section of Mercer County. ETHAN H. FAST ETHAN H. FAST, a well-known agriculturist of Hopewell township, now serving his second term as a member of the township Board of Education, belongs to an old family of this county. He was born in Mercer County, Ohio, January 5, 1867, and is a son of Abraham G. Fast. Abraham G. Fast was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a lad of nine years when his parents came to Mercer County and settled in Center 726 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY township. His home for many years has been in Hopewell township, section 1. Ethan H. Fast was educated in the schools of Hopewell township and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and now owns a well-cultivated farm of 60 acres. He has always taken considerable interest in public questions in his locality and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens in large degree. He is serving his second term as a member of the Board of Education and gives a large amount of time to the proper performance of the duties of this office. Mr. Fast was married to Allie Crane, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late E. S. Crane. They have had six children, namely : Herbert E., Hazel, Laird G., Myrtle V., Earnest Fidelis, who died aged 17 months; and Irvin A. Mr. Fast is a member of the Church of God and holds the office of deacon. JEREMIAH ALLEN JEREMIAH ALLEN, a representative citizen and successful farmer, residing on his well-improved farm of 80 acres, which is situated in section 20, Union township, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War, in which he spent over three years. Mr. Allen bears a distinguished name and comes from the same stock as did Gen. Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. He was born in the Dominion of Canada, just opposite Oswego, New York, and is a son of Enos and Eliza (Van Meere) Allen. Nicholas Allen, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Vermont. He married Annie Gear and they reared a family of children. After her death, Nicholas, with tw0 0f his sons, Hiram and Simon, went West and these sons participated in the battle of Lake Champlain, in the War of 1812. Two sons and a daughter of Nicholas Allen remained in Vermont. The latter became the wife of Nathan Harvey. One of the sons was Enos, the father of our subject. Enos Allen was born July 5, 1805, and died May 26, 1893, aged 87 years, 11 months and 10 days. He lived in the vicinity of Middlebury, Vermont, until manhood, when he moved to the northern part of New York and settled on the shore of Lake Champlain. Subsequently he crossed over to Canada and resided there for almost 20 years. He then moved to Ohio and settled in Dublin township, Mercer County, near where the present Perry homestead is located. He married Eliza Van Meere, who was born in Canada, March 19, 181 I, and died December 22, 1875, aged 64 years, 9 months and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 727 3 days. She was a daughter of John and Hannah (Harrington) Van Meere. The former was a native Of Pennsylvania, 0f Dutch descent. The latter was a native of New York. Eight children were born to Enos Allen and wife, as follows : Jeremiah, our subject, who was the eldest; Justin S., born January 27, 1835, who married Almira Moore and resided two and one-fourth miles from his older brother, in Union township, where he died July 17, 1896, aged 61 years and 18 days; Diana, born January 25, 1837, deceased March 24, 1876, aged 38 years and 2 months, who was the wife of John M. Drake, of Union township; Phoebe, born June 11, 1839, deceased August 3, 1899, who was the wife of Joseph B. Drake, of Union township, who still survives; Eliza Jane, born September 6, 1841, deceased November 1, 1879, aged 38 years, 1 month and 25 days, who married Elias Pritchard, of Union township; Deborah, born April 5, 1844, who is the widow of James Vance and lives on the old home place; and Samantha, born November 1, 1864, and Harriet, born September 19, 1868, wh0 died unmarried. Jeremiah Allen obtained his education in Canadian schools and grew to man's estate a practical farmer. In 1855 he moved to Mercer County, Ohio, followed by his father in the following year. He settled where he now lives, when the whole surrounding country was covered with timber. A cabin of logs had been commenced, which Mr. Allen was obliged to finish before it was habitable and when it was completed it had a loose board floor, one window and one door, which the greater part of the time stood hospitably open. He immediately began clearing his land with a view to cultivating it, but had made only reasonable headway when the Civil War broke out. Although born in Canada, he was a true and loyal American at heart, the blood of brave military ancestors coursing through his veins, and he soon resolved t0 enter the army and defend the liberties for which his family had fought in times past. After making arrangements for the comfort of his family during his absence, Mr. Allen enlisted 0n September i0, 1861, in Company A, 46th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. W. Heath and Col. Thomas Worthington, and was mustered in at Camp Lincoln, near Columbus, by John R. Eady, mustering officer. In February, 1862, the regiment took the train for Cincinnati, went from there to Paducah, Kentucky, thence to Savannah and on March 20, 1862, reached Pittsburg Landing. On the following day the regiment moved to Shiloh, pitched tents and was then drilled until it went into battle on April 6th and 7th, both Company A and the regiment giving good account of themselves and losing heavily. The regiment reached Corinth on April 30, 1862, where Mr. Allen fell sick and was furloughed home on May 3rd. As soon as he was able to get about, he returned to his regiment, reaching it on June 19th at Lagrange, Tennessee. The next move of the 728 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY regiment was to Lafayette, in the same State, where Mr. Allen was in a skirmish on June 3oth, on the picket line, in which John Harper, of Mercer County, was wounded and subsequently died from its effects, and Captain Heath and a number of others were taken prisoners, Mr. Allen and Eli Heath being the only ones of the detachment to escape. The 46th Ohio fought and won laurels at Vicksburg, Black River, Jackson, and Lookout Mountain and the severe battling at Mission Ridge decimated the ranks. The survivors went on to Knoxville, raising the siege there, then marched back to Scottsboro, Alabama, where the weary and footsore soldiers went into winter quarters. On May 1, 1864, the 46th Ohio, in marching trim, started on the Atlanta campaign, which included participation in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek. Mr. Allen took part in the battle 0f Atlanta on July 22nd, when Captain Heath was killed as was also General McPherson. John Hicknell, of Union township, also fell in this battle. History tells of the fierce second battle of Atlanta on the 28th of July, of the repelled charge on August 3rd and of the second charge when the 46th Ohio, with other invincible regiments, made a successful capture and held the works for 20 days. From Atlanta, Mr. Allen's regiment was sent to Jonesboro, where an attack was made on the enemy in the rear, subsequently falling back from Lovejoy Station to East Point, where final preparations were made for the great "March to the Sea." After a faithful service of three years and 10 days, Mr. Allen received his honorable discharge on September 20, 1864, and reached his Ohio home on the last day of that month. Mr. Allen resumed the clearing of his land, which he speedily accomplished, and soon proved himself 'as good a farmer as he had been a courageous soldier. He now has a very valuable property and all the excellent improvements have been placed here by himself. He is no longer very actively engaged in the operation 0f his farm, but still overlooks and advises those wh0 do the actual work. Mr. Allen was married (first) to Alma Bloomer, whose father had died and whose mother was married (second) to Smith Allen, who was an uncle of our subject. Mrs. Allen was born August 4, 1839, and died December 10, 1876, aged 37 years, 4 months and 6 days. Seven children were born to his marriage, as follows : Jehiel, born May 21, 1858, residing at Spencerville, Ohio, wh0 married Laura Stettler—two of their three children survive; Lucy, wife of Thomas Miller, residing near Mendon; Norma, wife of Milo Miller, residing at Cary, Ohio; Lydia Ann, born September 25, 1865, who died October 25, 1882, aged 17 years and 1 month; Alla, born August 30, 1868, who married C. M. Tomlinson and resides in Mendon—their one child is deceased; Ella, born October 23, 1870, who died April 3, 1890, aged 19 AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 729 years, 5 months and i0 days; and Eliza R., born August 1, 1874, who died April 21, 1876, aged 1 year, 8 months and 21 days. Mr. Allen was married (second) to Mrs. Cynthia Heath, who died February 12, 1889, aged 50 years, 3 months and 24 days. Mr. Allen was married. (third), on May 3, 1898, to Annie Magoogan, who was born January, 28, 1848, and is a daughter of Aquilla Magoogan, of Marion County, Ohio. The Magoogan family is of Irish extraction. Mr. Allen is a stanch Republican. He is a valued member of McKendree-Murlin Post, No. 319, G. A. R., at Mendon. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. JOHN STUKENBORG JOHN STUKENBORG, an enterprising and successful farmer of Butler township, who resides on his farm of 80 acres in section 32, was born at Egypt, Auglaize County, Ohio, May 1, 1852, being a son of Henry and Agnes Stukenborg. The parents of Mr. Stukenborg were both born in Germany and when about 21 years of age both came to America. They were passengers on the same vessel crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and were married shortly after getting settled. Eight children were born to this marriage, the two survivors being our subject and his sister, Mrs. Caroline Rahe, of Minster, Ohio. The father married a second time and had seven more children. His death occurred in 1882. John Stukenborg was reared in the village of Egypt and obtained his education there. When he was 21 years of age, he started to learn the blacksmith's trade but could not continue on account of a weakness of the eyes. He then hired out as a farm hand, going to St. Johns when about 22 years old, and farming has been his main occupation ever since. Immediately after his marriage, he moved upon his present farm, a property he had purchased in 1877. At this time it was covered with timber and Mr. Stukenborg put in some years of very hard work clearing it and making the many improvements, which mark it now as one of the best farms in the township. In addition to carrying on a general line of agriculture, Mr. Stukenborg raises sugar cane and has installed a modern cane presser which enables him to turn 0ut excellent molasses. In all things he is one of the progressive men of his locality and one of the most prosperous. Mr. Stukenborg was married at St. Johns, Marion township, in 1878, to Maggie Elking, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Elking, natives of Germany. Eight children were born to this marriage, as follows : Henry, a 730 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY resident of Indian Territory; Frank, who operates a threshing machine owned by his father; Caroline, who is the wife 0f Charles Cumbarg, of Jefferson township; Charles, wh0 died aged 14 months; and Benjamin, Charles, Edward and John, living at home. Mr. Stukenborg is one 0f the leading members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Coldwater and was a member of the building committee when the church edifice was erected. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Society. He is a man of sterling character and is very highly esteemed throughout Butler township. ALOIS JOHN WILLKE ALOIS JOHN WILLKE, M. D., who is practicing medicine at Maria Stein, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 8, 1865, and is a son of Gerhard and Theresa (Schaper) Willke; both natives of Germany. Upon coming to this country, Gerhard Willke and wife settled at Cincinnati, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are still living, as follows: Anna, who married Thomas Unger and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio; Caroline and Alois John. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in Cincinnati, attending the schools of that city. After some study under private teachers, at the age of 23 he entered the Medical College of Ohio, now known as the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, and was graduated after three years 0f study. After his graduation, he was appointed interne physician of the Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, after a competitive examination. On October t, 1893, he came to Maria Stein and engaged in the practice of medicine. Dr. Willke was united in marriage on May 8, 1894, to Caroline Vanderhorst, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kroger) Vanderhorst. Five children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Willke: Ada; George; Marie; Lucille; and Edgar. Dr. Willke built his residence shortly after locating in Maria Stein. He and his family are members of St. John's Catholic Church. He is a member of several medical societies. AUGUST RENTZ AUGUST RENTZ, whose valuable farm of 138 acres is situated in section 11, Marion township, was born on his present farm, May 29, 1873, and is a son of Xavier and Barbara (Fecher) Rentz. Xavier Rentz was born in Germany, December 2, 1830, and is a son of Anthony and Agnes (Baumgartner) Rentz. When he was nearly two years AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 731 of age, his parents embarked on a sailing vessel for America, but the ship was wrecked and the passengers lost all their possessions and barely escaped with their lives. Finally they were landed at Charleston, South Carolina. The grandfather of our subject finally brought his family to Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, and in 1847 removed to Mercer C0unty, settling on the farm now owned by our subject. The brick house first built is still standing. A family of 12 children were born to Xavier and Barbara Rentz, of whom six are now living, namely : John, an instructor in a large Catholic school at St. Paul, Minnesota, who married Mary Rosenberger; Theresa, who is the widow of Barney Mestemaker; Anthony, residing in Marion township, who married Mary Heyne; Anna, who married Andrew Stammen and lives at New Weston, Darke County; August (2), who is our subject; and Henry W., who married Elizabeth Pleiman. The following are deceased : Joseph, at the age of six months; Mary, aged 33 years; Joseph (2), a very promising young man, whose death occurred at Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 26 years; Frank; August, aged three and a half years; and Xavier, aged tw0 months. August Rentz was educated in the local schools and has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He bought his farm from his father, who had received it from his father. The first purchase was of 106 acres just one year after he was married, and the second purchase, of 32 acres, was made in 1905. He is accounted one of Marion township's best farmers and has made many substantial improvements here. On April 26. 1893, Mr. Rentz was married to Anna Rose, a daughter of Henry and Bernardina (Knoeber) Rose. Mr. Rose was born in Germany, came to America when 26 years of age, and worked first on a railroad in New York. Later he lived a few years at Cincinnati and then came to St. Johns, Mercer County, where he married Bernardina Knoeber, a native of that place. They then purchased and moved to a farm of 20 acres at Sebastian, where Mr. Rose now owns 230 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have eight children, namely: Bernard, who married Regina Schuckman; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Bernard Froning; Herman, who married Elizabeth Weber; Henry, deceased, who prepared for teaching; Anna and Cecilia (twins), born April 14, 1872; John, who married Mary Unrost; and Elizabeth, wh0 resides at Chickasaw with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Rentz have six children, as follows: Alfred Xavier, Roman Henry, Narbet Harman, Florentina Elizabeth, Bernard Ferdinand and Richard John. Mr. Rentz and family belong to the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw. He is a prominent member of St. Joseph's Society. 732 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Mr. Rentz is one of the representative men of Marion township and is a member of the School Board. EDGAR E. STEPHENSON EDGAR E. STEPHENSON, of the firm of Estry & Stephenson, dealers in hard and soft lumber, planing-mill supplies and building materials of all kinds, at Celina, is one of the representatives business men of the village. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1855. After completing his education, Mr. Stephenson taught school for a short time and then went into the sewing machine business at Bluffton, Indiana, where he remained for two years and then became interested there in the stave and heading business. He continued to be concerned in business of this kind at Bluffton and Montpelier, Indiana, for six years. In 1880 he located at Celina, and was at the head 0f the Nimmons heading plant for 12 years. In 1892 he bought out Mr. Timmonds' interest in the lumber firm of Estry & Timmonds, becoming the junior partner, and the business has continued, expanded and prospered under the management of the present firm of Estry & Stephenson. Mr. Stephenson is a careful, able business man and enjoys the confidence of the public. In 1877 Mr. Stephenson was married to Sarah J. McCleery of Bluffton, Indiana, and they have two children, viz. : Mary, wife of N. W. Monroe, of Celina; and Hugh, living at home. Mr. Stephenson is a prominent member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Celina and is a member of the board of trustees. REUBEN BUCK REUBEN BUCK, whose valuable and well-improved farm of 200 acres is situated in section 31, Jefferson township, is one of the oldest men in Jefferson township and one of the most highly esteemed and best known men in Mercer County. He was born August 18, 1825, in Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth Buck. When he was a boy, Mr. Buck's parents moved to Richland County, Ohio, and it was there he spent his early life. In 1839, when he was about 15 years old, his parents moved to Mercer County and settled in an 80-acre timber tract in Hopewell township, which his father had purchased, and which had to be cleared before crops could be raised. At that time the country was nothing but a forest wilderness and the family were compelled to endure many AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 733 trials and hardships incidental to pioneer life. Mr. Buck assisted his father in erecting a round-log cabin for the family to occupy, in clearing the farm and in making many other necessary improvements on the place. About two years after his marriage, he moved to Jefferson township, where he has since made his residence. Mr. Buck married Jane Lincoln and they are the parents of nine children, of whom but four are now living, namely : William, a farmer of Jefferson township, who married Margaret Rohr and has seven children; Mrs. Henrietta Whelan, who lives in Idaho; Emanuel, who married Maggie Anselman, has one child, Carrie, and lives on the home farm; and Mina, who married John Yaney and lives in Butler township. Mr. Buck has always taken a great interest in the politics of his community, and has served as township supervisor and also as a member of the School Board. HENRY GEORGE RAWERS HENRY GEORGE RAWERS, M. D., who for the past 13 years has been a resident of Chickasaw, where he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, was born in Ahaus, Germany, February 11, 1867, and is a son of Barney and Gertrude Rawers. Barney Rawers and his wife were both natives of Germany; the former was engaged as a weaver in Ahaus, Germany, at the time of the birth of our subject. Barney Rawers with his wife and four children came to America in the early '70's and settled at Coldwater, Mercer County, Ohio, where they purchased a farm and where they still reside. They were the parents of the following children: Henry George, the subject of this sketch; John, who married Elizabeth Longenhauf and resides at Coldwater; Gertrude, wh0 married Theodore Tekamp of Chickasaw; and Bernard, who married Minnie Shierholt. Theodore Tekamp and Bernard Rawers conduct a general store at Chickasaw. Henry G. Rawers received his early education in Germany. Upon coming to this country with his parents at the age of 12 years, he first attended the academy at Coldwater, Ohio, for about three years. He then went to the Ohio Normal University at Ada, for two years, after which he taught school for a number of years at Burkettsville. He next studied medicine with Dr. Arlington Stephenson, of Fort Recovery, for three years, and then entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. One year later he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. After graduating, he practiced medicine at Malinta, Ohio, for three years 734 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY and in 1893 located at Chickasaw, where he purchased a home and engaged in the practice of medicine in which he has met with much success. Dr. Rawers was married May 27, 1891, to Anna Desch, a daughter of Casper and Maria Desch, and seven children were born to them, namely : Arthur, Salome, Leander, Arlington, Clarence, Georgia and Evangeline (deceased in infancy). Dr. Rawers and his family are members of the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw. The Doctor enjoys the distinction of being the first citizen of Chickasaw to own an automobile. Casper Desch, father of Mrs. Rawers, was born at Maria Stein, Mercer County. His father, who was one 0f .the very earliest settlers of the southeastern section of Mercer County, worked on the construction of the canal and the Grand Reservoir. At that time the country was entirely a wilderness and it was necessary to block the doors to keep out the wolves and other wild animals. The nearest mill was at Piqua. Casper Desch was married to Maria Roeckner, and they had eight children : Catherine, who married Clem. Birkmeyer; Maria, who married Max Stippich, now deceased; Anna, wife of Dr. Rawers; Joseph; Stephen; Anthony; Margaret, who married Charles Homer; and Edward. WILLIAM SPRIGGS WILLIAM SPRIGGS, a prosperous farmer and a leading citizen of Washington township, whose well-developed farm of 83 acres is situated both in Washington and Liberty townships, 23 acres being in section 3, Washington township, and 60 acres in section 34, Liberty township, is also a turnpike contractor. He was born on the old Spriggs homestead, which was entered by his grandfather, William Spriggs, in 1840, and is a son of Thornton and Jane (Wilson) Spriggs, both of whom were born in Jackson County, Ohio. The family history may be found in the sketch of Seth Spriggs, appearing elsewhere in this work. William Spriggs is the oldest of a family of eight children, and was reared and educated in Washington township. After leaving school, he engaged in farming and stock-raising,' and was also associated with his father a in the grocery business at Wabash for many years. He also operated sawmill at Wabash for some years. In 1884 he formed a partnership with his father, Thornton Spriggs, and his brothers, under the firm name of Spriggs & Sons; after the father's death, the firm became Spriggs Brothers. The firm was formed to contract for turnpike and street work. They have built a large share of the turnpikes of Mercer County, and many in Jay and Adams AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 735 counties, Indiana, and Paulding County, Ohio. The firm also built the track in the Fair Grounds at Celina. William Spriggs was married April 14, 1900, to Martha Karr, a daughter of Lorenzo Karr.   CALVIN MARION JORDAN CALVIN MARION JORDAN, one of Butler township's well-known agriculturists, residing on his well-developed farm of 40 acres located in section 17, was born September 21, 1866, in Portland, Jay County, Indiana, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah (Spade) Jordan, and a grandson of Garret Jordan. Garret Jordan, who was a native of Ireland, emigrated to America about 1830, settling in Meigs County, Ohio. He died in 1876, near Portland, Indiana, leaving to his family a farm of 16o acres. Abraham Jordan was born at Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, and is now residing in Jay County, Indiana, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres. He married Sarah Spade and they have four children : William, who married Sarah Logan and lives at Portland, Indiana ; Bertha, who married William Wilson and lives in Jay County, Indiana; Calvin Marion; and Grant, who married Ora Hughey and lives in Washington township. Calvin M. Jordan was reared in Jay County, Indiana, and attended the district schools of Portland. In 1890 he came to Mercer County and engaged in farm work. In the spring following his marriage he moved to his mother-in-law's farm in Washington township, which he managed until 1903, when he came to his present property, which he had purchased in 1898._ Here he has made many improvements, including the erecting of a large frame house and barn. Mr. Jordan was candidate for nomination on the Democratic ticket as infirmary director, but was defeated, through it being a four-cornered fight; he carried his own township by a handsome majority. Mr. Jordan was married September 21, 1889, to Olive Loughridge, who is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Loughridge. They have one son, Ralph, who is attending the Coldwater High School.   JOSEPH WALLISCHECK JOSEPH WALLISCHECK, a prosperous farmer of Recovery township, whose fine farm of 90 acres is located in section 7, was born in Baden, Germany, July 19, 1846, a son of Philo and Varona (Theobald) Wallischeck. Mr. and Mrs. Philo Wallischeck came to America in 1853, first locating for a short time in Cincinnati. From there they moved to Galion, Ohio, thence to Marion County, and in 1855 finally located on a farm in Recovery 736 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY township, Mercer County, which is now owned by their son Joseph. They had five children : Joseph, our subject, who is the eldest of the family; Charles; Frank, who is a well-known farmer of Recovery township; and Mrs. Susanna Barth and Catherine, who live in Illinois. Charles Wallischeck named above, studied for the Catholic priesthood at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, and at other schools and is a very well educated man. He became a priest in the Catholic Church and is known as Father Peter. For the past 12 years he has been a resident of California, where he is a professor in a college. Recently he made a visit to his old home in Mercer County, the first visit in 28 years. Joseph Wallischeck was just seven years old when his parents came to this country and located in Cincinnati. In 1855, when he was nine years old, his parents settled in Recovery township on the farm which he now owns. Here he was reared and educated, and since reaching manhood he has continued to reside on the home farm, his parents moving in 1880 to Illinois, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Wallischeck lives in a fine brick house, which was built by his father. The family first lived in as log house and it was necessary to clear the land of the forest growth before any crops could be grown. Mr. Wallischeck was married on the 26th of October, 1880, to Theresa Esser, a daughter of John Esser. They have had seven children : Philo Peter, John, Christina Catherine, Elizabeth, Godfrey, Mary and Dora. Mr. Wallischeck and family are all members of the Catholic Church of Mary, Help of Christians, at Fort Recovery. JAMES SANFORD WATKINS JAMES SANFORD WATKINS, justice of the peace of Gibson township and one of the leading farmers of the township, owns and operates a fine farm of 80 acres, located in section 27. He was born June 28, 1851, in that part of Darke County that is now included in Mercer County, and is a son of James and Laura (Scranton) Watkins. James Watkins was born in Gallia County, Ohio, and when a boy was brought by his parents to Darke County, where he was reared and educated. He was married to Laura Scranton and they became the parents of six children, namely : Abram, deceased in infancy; Peniah, deceased in 1876, who was the wife of Bentley Masslich; Clementina, who married Ephraim Hall and resides at Fort Recovery; Louisa, who married Frank Hall, of Fort Recovery; James Sanford; and John, who lived at Fort Recovery at the time of his death, August 8, 1906. James S. Watkins was reared on a farm and has spent all his life on one. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 737 Mr. Watkins moved to his present farm in 1876, at which time it belonged to his father-in-law, John Sutherland. After the death of Mr. Sutherland, Mr. Watkins bought out the other heirs, and has made many improvements on the place, having built a large frame house and barn. He was a teacher in Mercer and Darke counties for 21 years. Mr. Watkins was married January 6, 1875, to Minerva E. Sutherland, and they had five children.: Charles N., married, who is practicing medicine at Chattanooga, Mercer County, being a graduate of the Ohio Medical University at Columbus; Minnie Annetta, who married Amos Ulmer and has three children; James S., a resident of Fort Recovery, who is married and has two children; William, who died in infancy; and an unnamed son that died in infancy. Mrs. Watkins died May 4, 1887. Mr. Watkins married Martha Alice Pearson on January 12, 1889, and one child was born to this union: Elsie L., who died an infant. After the death of his second wife he was married, March 14, 1896, to Mrs. Margaret A. (Gilbert) Richardson, widow of John S. Richardson. Mr. Watkins is now serving his second term as justice of the peace of Gibson township. He was for some time a member of the School Board. He is a member and trustee of the Evangelical Church. MICHAEL SCHOTT MICHAEL SCHOTT, a prominent citizen of Liberty township, a well-known agriculturist and a man who is a leader in oil development, owns a farm of 76 acres in section 7, which has been shown rich in both oil and gas. Mr. Schott was born in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, October 28, 1855, and is a son of Michael and Catherine (Breckhisen) Schott. The parents of Mr. Schott were born in Germany. In 1850 they emigrated to America and came directly to Mercer County, and were settlers at an early date in Washington township. Of the children of the parents of our subject, three survive, namely : Mary, wife of Adam Martin, of New Corydon, Indiana; Barbara, wife of Ferdinand Huffman, Jr., of Liberty township; and Michael, of this sketch. Of the deceased, Jacob left a widow and five children, who live in Washington township. Michael Schott was reared in Washington township until the age of eight years, and then came to Liberty township with his mother and stepfather, Nicholas Martin. His own father had died when he was two years of age. He attended school in Liberty township and assisted Mr. Martin on the farm for some years, but he-is practically a self-made man, acquiring his possessions through his own industry. 738 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY On November 12, 1874, Mr. Schott was married to Margaret Kuehm, who was born in Germany and came to America when 18 years of age, in company with her parents, w ho settled in Jefferson township, Adams County, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Schott have had nine children, the survivors being: August M., Elizabeth, Frederick W., Mary C., Lorena B., Walter A. and Margaret O. Mr. Schott is identified with the Democratic party. He has served two terms as assessor of Liberty township. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schott is a practical oil operator and is well-known in the various fields. He is in the employ of the State Line Oil Company, of Newark, New York, with which organization he has been connected for a considerable period. He is known to be a man of business ability and personal integrity and enjoys the respect of his fellow-citizens. JACOB HILDBOLD JACOB HILDBOLD, a substantial farmer of Gibson township, whose fine farm of 160 acres is located in section 23, was born in Switzerland, March 25, 1830, and is a son 0f Nicholas and Mary (Senn) Hildbold, the former a miller by trade, who owned a mill in Switzerland. Jacob Hildbold was reared in Switzerland, where he worked in his father's mill until he was 18 years of age, after which he worked in a factory until he was 24 years old. He then came to America and first located at Galion, Ohio, where he engaged as a blacksmith in a railroad shop for about 16 years. After leaving Galion, Mr. Hildbold bought a farm of 50 acres in Morrow County, Ohio, where he was engaged in general farming for about five years. After selling his farm, he moved to Crawford County, where he purchased a 70-acre tract in that county. After five years' residence on this farm, he sold and moved to Mercer County, and in January, 1882, bought his present farm in Gibson township, where he has since continued to reside. Mr. Hildbold was married in 1856 to Anna Mathias, a daughter of George Mathias, who is a farmer living near Crestline, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hildbold have had nine children, as follows: Charles, living in Gibson township, who is married and has three children—Harry, Florence and Walter; John, a resident of Gibson township, who is married and has two children—Leo and Helen; Herman, living on the home farm, who married Mary Hall, a daughter of Frank Hall, and has four children—Ralph, Grace, Nellie and Donald; Mary, who married Henry Weil, of Jay County, Indiana, and has three children—Cora, Ora and Ethel ; Henry, living in Recovery township, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 739 who is married and has one child, Gerald; Samuel, who is single and lives at home; and Amelia, Abraham and Ida, deceased. Mrs. Hildbold died in September, 1896. Mr. Hildbold was raised a Presbyterian, but is now a member of the Lutheran Church, there being no Presbyterian Church near. WILLIAM S. HANSEL WILLIAM S. HANSEL, who for more than 41 years was a successful agriculturist of Hopewell township, where he still owns an excellent farm of 120 acres, has been a retired resident of Celina since October, 1901. Mr. Hansel was born in Hocking County, Ohio, November 26, 1835, and is a son of George and Mary (Pontius) Hansel. The father of Mr. Hansel was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he married. He and his wife became early settlers of Hocking County, where they lived quiet, agricultural lives for many succeeding years. William S. Hansel was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools. On August 13, 1857, he was united in marriage with Sarah A. Hanby, who was born in Hocking County, Ohio, March 27, 1839, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cloud) Hanby. Mr. and Mrs. Hanby, who were natives of Pennsylvania, were pioneers in Hocking County and thus Mrs. Hansel was well trained in the pioneer life and the hard conditions to which she was subjected when she accompanied her husband to Hopewell township. Mr. Hansel remained in Hocking County until after the birth of two children and then decided to remove to Mercer County. The family effects were packed in a two-horse wagon and the journey consumed four and a half days before the new home in section 11, Hopewell township, was reached. At that time the forest still covered what is now one of the finest farms in the township, and to the development of this Mr. Hansel devoted many years of his life. He was amply repaid for his industry and remained on the farm until advancing years caused him to seek a retired life. He was one of the township's leading citizens and was ever ready to do his duty in advancing the educational interests of his neighborhood and in assisting in public improvements. The eight surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Hansel are: John N., of Hopewell township; Mary E., wife of Jasper Wilson, of Greene County, Ohio; Lucinda, wife of Frank Warthman, of Dublin township; and George, Joseph, Henry, Ida (wife of Jacob Beougher) and August, all of Hopewell township. Mr. and Mrs. Hansel have been consistent members of the Church of 740 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY God for very many years and Mr. Hansel has been a trustee, an elder and a deacon in the same. They are well known and are beloved by a wide circle of friends. The half-century anniversary of their marriage is approaching and it is the earnest wish of kindred and friends that many more years of happy life together may be vouchsafed them. Their pleasant home on Wayne street and Nickerson avenue, Celina, is one of great hospitality.   ADAM BEACH ADAM BEACH, who is at the head of the only boot and shoe store in Fort Recovery, was born in Germany, January 3, 1859, and is a son of Andreas Beach, who is still a resident of Germany. Adam Beach was reared and educated in Germany and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1882, when 22 years old, he came to America, landing at New York. Be first located in Crestline, Ohio, where he worked for about four years as a shoemaker, in 1885 removing to Fort Recovery, where he opened a repair shop. Two years later he put in a line of shoes, expending about $200. He kept increasing this stock and at present has the only shoe store in Fort Recovery, having bought out E. T. Hastings' stock of shoes in the fall of 1905 and combined it with his own. Mr. Beach owns his residence property and also owns a storeroom, which is at present occupied by a poultry store. Mr. Beach has been married twice, his first marriage occurring in 1885 to Margaret Mathias, a daughter of John Mathias. They had one child, Leonora Anna. Mrs. Beach died in 1887. He was again married, in 1888, to Elizabeth Mathias, a sister of his first wife, and they have had three children, namely : Aurelia Marguerite, Arden and Ruth. Mr. Beach served as trustee of Gibson township for six years. He has served as treasurer of the Recovery corporation for the past five years. He has also been a member of the Fort Recovery Village Council. Religiously, he is a member and trustee of Trinity Lutheran Church at Fort Recovery. PETER J. SCHMITZ PETER J. SCHMITZ, whose excellent farm of 103 1/2 acres of well-cultivated land is situated in Gibson township, was born in Lorain County, Ohio, May 21, 1862. He is a son of John and Mary Ann (Pfiefer) Schmitz. John Schmitz, father of our subject, was born in Germany, April 3, 1817, and still survives, being probably the most venerable resident of Sharpsburg, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 741 Gibson township. He came to America in 1844 and settled in Lorain County on a property that his father had purchased. After his marriage, he bought a farm in that county on which he lived for some 20 years, leaving it to remove to Mercer County, in 1864. After selling the old farm, he bought 80 acres in Gibson township, this being the farm now 0wned by our subject. On this he erected a log house which is still inhabited and later bought 80 acres adjoining. Still later he added 50 acres more, situated in Darke County. He was considered a very judicious business man during his active life. John Schmitz married Mary Ann Pfiefer, and they had eight children, namely: Maggie, who died aged 11 years; John, a wagon-maker, whose home is in Oregon; Joseph, a resident of Gibson township; Jacob, who lives in Minnesota; Gertrude, the wife of Joseph Remanklus, of Jay County, Indiana; Emma, wife of David Schlamp, of Gibson township; Peter J., of this sketch; and an infant that died unnamed. Peter J. Schmitz was two years old when his parents brought him to Mercer County and he was reared in Gibson township. He learned the carpenter's trade and has followed that in connection with farming. He has many improvements about the place and in 1905 he built a large, convenient barn for his use. He carries on general farming. On August 17, 1886, Mr. Schmitz was married to Elizabeth Leiser, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Agler) Leiser. Frederick Leiser came with his parents to America from Germany, when seven years of age, his parents settling in Tuscarawas County, where he married when grown to manhood. He had 13 children, namely : Valentine, who died in infancy; Philip, who died aged five years; Katie, wife of Patrick Reedy, of Darke County, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Bright, of Dayton, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of our subject; Charles, of Canal Dover, Ohio; Martha, wife of Englebert Schmitz, of Dayton; Anna, wife of William Camper, of Dayton; Maggie, wife of Peter Rummel, of Granville township; John, a teacher in Gibson township; Carrie, wife of Benjamin Hulsman, of Gibson township ; William, a teacher in Gibson township; and Lawrence, who died aged four years. Mrs. Schmitz was 12 years old when she accompanied her parents to Mercer County. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Schmitz moved to Oregon, where Mr. Schmitz bought 40 acres of land, on which they lived for seven years and then came back to Mercer County. They have nine children : Frederick William, Mary Anna, Ursula, Emma, George, Henry, Lawrence, Charles and Gertrude. Mr. Schmitz and family are members of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg, of which he is one of the directors. 742 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY ANDREW J. SMITH ANDREW j. SMITH,* a highly respected citizen and representative agriculturist of Hopewell township, residing on his well-cultivated farm in section 29, was born February 13, [862, in Liberty township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Karch) Smith. The parents of Mr. Smith were natives of Germany. His father was an early settler in Liberty township. When the Civil War broke out, he went into the service and died, from hardships endured, shortly after its close. The survivors of his family are : Andrew J., of this sketch; George, of Jefferson township; Matilda J., wife of John J. Hole, of Paulding County, Ohio; and Mary, wife of Levi Lincoln, of Lima. A half-sister of our subject is Sophia, wife of Stephen Garman, of Hopewell township. Andrew J. Smith has lived in Hopewell township since his youth and has been on his present farm since 1879. His education was obtained in the district schools where his children are now receiving instruction, but under much more advantageous conditions. In early manhood he was married to Mary Kanorr, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Richard Kanorr, who gave up his life for his country, as a soldier in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children, namely; Leroy (deceased), Myra, Stephen, Edith, Cleteth, Alonzo and Sevilla. Mr. Smith has always been identified with the Democratic party but he has not desired political office, the affairs of his business requiring his time and attention. HUGH KINCAID HUGH KINCAID,* who has been a resident of Liberty township for over a quarter of a century, living on a valuable farm of 77 acres, is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War. Mr. Kincaid was born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 7, 1839, and is a son of James and Susan (Gilliland) Kincaid, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. Hugh Kincaid was reared in Jackson County and received his education in the district schools near his father's farm. Until the second year of the Civil War, he continued to till his father's fields, but in the summer of 1862 he decided that his duty lay in becoming a defender of his country's flag and he enlisted in Company F, 117th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served one year in that regiment. It then became a part of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, and he still remained a member of the 117th, participating in all its dangers and victories until he was honorably discharged and was mustered out of the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 743 service in the spring of 1865. The most serious battles in which he participated were those at Strawberry Plains and Jonesboro. He left the service of his country with a record of which his kindred may always feed proud, faithful to every call of duty and cheerful and obedient in the face of almost certain death on many memorable occasions. After his return from the army, Mr. Kincaid resumed farming, for three years at Missouri, Putnam County, Ohio, from there going to Jay County, Indiana, later removing to Washington township, Mercer County, and in 1878 locating on his present farm in Liberty township. He carries 0n gen- eral agriculture, having the larger part of phis farm under an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Kincaid was married (first) to Micha Wilson, who was born in Scioto County, Ohio, and they had nine children, six of whom survive, as follows: Alexander, of Liberty township; Susan, wife of P. Bodkin, of Auglaize County; William, of Jefferson township; John, of Jay County, Indiana; Leo, of Washington township; and Altha, wife of Frederick Hess, of Mercer County. Mr. Kincaid's second marriage was to Emma Linch, wh0 was born in Indiana, and they have the following children: Grace, Cora, Opal, Bessie, Frank and an infant. Mr. Kincaid enjoys the friendship of his neighbors and the respect of his fellow-citizens throughout the township. He takes an active interest in its affairs and is considered one of its representative men. TOBIAS EICHENAUER TOBIAS EICHENAUER,* a well-known agriculturist of Hopewell township, who resides upon a fine farm of 130 acres, situated in section 20, has lived here some 32 years. He was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, December 30, 1850, and is a son of Frederick and Anna C. (Rodiger) Eichenauer. Mr. Eichenauer was 17 years of age when he came to America, leaving his parents in the old country. He lived for a time in Lorain County, Ohio, but in 1874 he came to Mercer County and has become one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of this locality. His land is well cultivated and the improvements he has put on it have cost considerable money. On February 24, 1874, Mr. Eichenauer was married to Elizabeth Schmidt, a daughter of the late. John E. Schmidt, who was born in Germany and was an early settler in Hopewell township, having established his home here in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Eichenauer have had 10 children and seven of these still survive, as follows: Frank W. and William H., both of Hopewell township, the latter being a popular teacher; Daniel W., a farmer in 744 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Hopewell township; and Roy T., Benjamin H., Nora M. and Richard R., all at home. Mr. Eichenauer has given his children every advantage in his power and has seen them develop into bright, intelligent and respected young people. In politics, Mr. Eichenauer is a Republican, but he has never been willing to accept any office except that of school director of District No. 4, which he has faithfully served in this capacity. He is a valued member of the Evangelical Association and takes a very active part in church and Sunday-school work. He is a very highly respected citizen, 0ne who has prospered through his own industry and one who can number many friends among his neighbors. WILLIAM WEIR WILLIAM WEIR,* a representative farmer and well-known citizen of Hopewell township, who owns a superior farm of 80 acres, situated in section 30, was born here, December 9, 1855, and is the only son of Christian and Minnie (Vogel) Weir. The parents of Mr. Weir were both born in Germany and came to Mercer County as settlers when the greater part of this township was awaiting development. Christian Weir purchased 40 acres of land, right in the green woods, obtaining it from the government. He was a hard-working, thrifty man and cleared his land and reaped ample returns from it. He was twice married, the mother of our subject dying in 1871. Politically he was a Democrat. Religiously he was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Christian Weir lived to advanced age, dying May 17, 1902, in his 90th year. William Weir remained at home assisting his father and securing a fair common-school education in the vicinity of his home. He has always devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits and, with the exception of a residence of nine years in Shelby County, has always lived in Mercer County. Mr. Weir was married (first) to Mary A. Wenker, of Shelby County, who became the mother of four children : Clara M., wife of Charles Haney, of Hopewell township; Henry C., of Hopewell township; Minnie, who resides at New Bremen; and John William Edward, who lives at home. Mr. Weir married (second) Elizabeth Eichenauer, and the two children of the second marriage are: Ada L. and Orville E. Mr. Weir is a good citizen and an intelligent student of public affairs. He has not identified himself with any political party, but casts his vote as his judgment dictates., In local matters his fellow-citizens know that they can depend upon his support in promoting all objects looking to the development of the agricultural resources and the betterment of the public schools. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 745 FOSTER JACKSON FOSTER JACKSON,* a prosperous farmer of Union township, residing on a farm of 80 acres owned by him and his brother, located in section 7, wag born in York township, Van Wert County, Ohio, August 27, 1880, and is a son of Simeon and Rebecca (Hays) Jackson. Simeon Jackson was born in Van Wert County in 1851 and died in 1902. He was a son of Federal Jackson, who was one of the pioneers of Van Wert County, and who died when his son was a small child. Simeon Jackson enlisted in Company A, 49th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served four years and three months. He participated in a number of severe engagements, including the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. He was at Atlanta, also at Jonesboro and at Lovejoy. Mr. Jackson was mustered in at Lima, Ohio. He was wounded in the jaw during the war, which caused a cancer and resulted in his death in 1902. Mrs. Jackson was born in 1851 and is still living at the age of 55 years. They became the parents of sons and daughters, namely : Otis, who is traveling through the West ; Elzy, who married Etta Couch, of Spencerville and resides on the farm that he and his brother Foster own; Oscar, who lives on the home farm with his mother in York township, Van Wert County; Minnie, widow of George Lamb, residing with her mother in Van Wert County, wh0 has tw0 children—Leah and Leslie; Sallie, who married Charles W. Brown and died in 1897, leaving five children—Louis, Cole, Rea, Jessie and Florence (deceased) ; Willis, who married Ella Rickets, of Baltimore, Ohio, where he now resides—he has five children. Foster Jackson was reared in York township, Van Wert County, until 15 years of age, attending school in District No. 3, and then went South to Birmingham, Alabama, being also at Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a time. After returning home, he went to Illinois and Indiana for one year, after which he returned to Ohio again and engaged in the moving business, moving houses and buildings. He met with much success and continued in this business until 1904, when he located on the Branson Roebuck farm. Two years later he bought the Doc. Cole farm of 80 acres, on which he now resides, where he has since been engaged in general farming. Mr. Jackson also owns an 80-acre farm in Idaho, which is under irrigation; on this land in 1906 he raised 1,500 bushels of wheat from 72 acres. The farm in Union township is owned in partnership with his brother, who is now engaged in the moving business. Mr. Jackson was married in 1901 to Maud Dull, a daughter of Delbert and Melissa (Roebuck) Dull, of Union township. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson: Ralph, aged three years, and Roy, who is one year old. 746 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY WILLIAM CRON WILLIAM CRON,* one of the leading business men at Celina, who conducts the largest carriage factory in Mercer County, is a native of Ohio and was born at Marysville, in December, 1848. He is a son of John and Theresa (Meyer) Cron. John Cron, the father of our subject, was born in Germany and remained in his native land until he was 23 years of age. He then came to America, later to Ohio, and worked for a time at blacksmithing at Canton, and then settled permanently at Marysville (Cassella), where his death took place. He married Theresa Meyer and they had five children : John, Jacob, Mary, William and Adam. William Cron was reared at Marysville and was educated in the district schools. He worked as a farmer until after the death of his father, when he went to Cincinnati, then to Indianapolis and in the latter city he served four years learning the blacksmith and carriage building trade. In 1869 he settled at Celina and for many years he has been a very prominent business man here. He established a carriage and wagon factory in connection with blacksmithing and now controls a large part of the trade of the county in this line of industry. Constant employment is given a large force of expert workmen. In January, 1871, Mr. Cron was married to Lizzie Hierholzer. They have seven children living, namely : John, who is engaged in carriage manufacturing at Wauseon, Ohio; Flora, wife of B. H. Schele, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Fred, foreman trimmer in his father's carriage works; Ada, living at home; Harman, bookkeeper and salesman in his father's establishment; Carl, who is in charge of the distributing office of the Standard Oil Company, at Lima, Ohio; and Hildgard, who lives at home. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Catholic Church and, fraternally, of the Knights of Columbus. He is a Democrat in politics and has held several city offices, at the present time being a member of the Village Council. Mr. Cron is one of the self-made men of Celina and has become one of its capitalists, owning a large amount of real estate. HERMAN PULSKAMP HERMAN PULSKAMP,* a prosperous business man of Celina, a leader in the furniture line, has been established here since 1889. He was born in 1859, at Cincinnati, and is a son of the late Hon. H. H. Pulskamp. Hon. H. H. Pulskamp was long a prominent citizen of Mercer County. He Was born in Germany, emigrated to the United States and worked for a number of years as a wagonmaker at Cincinnati and at St. Johns, Mercer AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 747 County. He served through two terms as county treasurer and two terms as probate judge of Mercer County. He died in 1892. His wife, Mary Schafer, who was also of German extraction, died in 1886. Their surviving children are: Catherine, wife of Henry Goecke, of St. Johns; Herman, of this sketch; Henry, a hardware merchant at Celina; John, cashier of the Commercial Bank of Celina; Bernard, a physician; George, editor of the Bote, a German newspaper at Celina; and Edward, who lives at St. Bernards, a suburb of Cincinnati. Four children died in infancy. Herman Pulskamp learned the carriage-making trade at Celina, after completing his education, and worked at his trade for about 13 years and then engaged in the furniture business. To this he has added undertaking and the business is carried on under the firm name of H. & J. Pulskamp. In September, 1881, Mr. Pulskamp was married to Catherine Hein, a daughter of Henry Hein, and they have four children, viz. : Fred, Clara, Nora and Ada. With his family, Mr. Pulskamp belongs to the Catholic Church. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Society and the Catholic Knights of Ohio. Among his fellow-citizens he stands as an honorable business man, who for the past is years has carried on business with methods which have won him the respect and confidence of all and the esteem and friendship of a large number. PETER NIEKAMP PETER NIEKAMP,* a representative farmer of Marion township, who owns an excellent farm of 160 acres in section pp, was born on this farm, February I0, 1859, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Stammen) Niekamp. The father of our subject was born in Germany in 1811 and came to America in young manhood. For a short time-after reaching America, he worked at Cincinnati, as a laborer and then went to Tippecanoe, Ohio, where he lived for 16 years. He hauled the logs that were used in building the{ first house in this, place. Here he married a lady who was born at Dayton, Ohio, and they had four children, viz.: John, Clemmens, Joseph and Mary, who married Rudolf Klostermann. In 1850 Mr. Niekamp moved to Mercer County and later traded an old surrey buggy for the land which is now a part of our subject's farm. About seven acres had been cleared. He was one of the earliest settlers in this region. He built first a log cabin which he replaced in 1872 by a large six-room brick residence which our subject now occupies. About two years after settling here, his first wife died and he married Catherine Stammen, who came from Germany. To this union were born these children : Henry, who 748 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY married Catherine Koch; Minnie, who married John Ronnebaum; Gerhard, who married Elizabeth Mestemaker; Peter; Frank, who married Elizabeth Klostermann; and Elizabeth and Catherine, both deceased. Mr. Niekamp soon acquired fluency in speaking the English language and in the early days, with Joseph Siefken and a Mr. Loocterfelt, frequently accompanied German neighbors when they went to Celina to settle legal difficulties and business, matters. He died August 18, 1894, aged 83 years, his wife having passed away in the month of May previous. They were most worthy people, widely known and highly esteemed. Peter Niekamp was reared in Marion township and worked for his father into manhood. On September 25, 1884, he was married to Frances Bertke, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Bertke, who was born in Germany and emigrated to America before the birth of Mrs. Niekamp. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bertke were: Elizabeth, who married Barney Vahorn; Ann, who became the wife of Harman H. Schwietermann; Mary, who married Barney Knopke; John, who married Dinah me; Mathias, who married Mary Hostelinger ; and Barney, who married Catherine Knopke. The father assisted in the construction of the canal, from Cincinnati to. the reservoir. He died in 1905, at St. Marys, where his wife had died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Niekamp have had nine children, namely : Clemmens, Catherine, Fred, Matilda, Leboretta, Leo, Tocilla (deceased), Regina and Richard. Mr. Niekamp and family belong to the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church at Chickasaw. In 1888 our subject bought this farm from his father. He is interested also in the Chickasaw Grain & Milling Company, having become a partner in 1906. This premises to be one of the leading business enterprises of the place.   JAMES K. HEAP JAMES K. HEAP,* one of the prominent citizens of Fort Recovery, now retired from active business life, was born at Dayton, Ohio, September 19, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Olivia (Reed) Heap. The father of Mr. Heap was born in England, where he remained until he was 20 years of age and then came to America, finding employment at Philadelphia, as a 'cotton spinner. In that city he married Olivia Reed, a daughter of William Reed, who was a prominent public official of Philadelphia. During the War of 1812 Mr. Reed was powder inspector at Philadelphia. After his marriage, Henry Heap removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he went into business with a Mr. Wise, as a woolen manufacturer, and later became foreman for the Gibson woolen-mill, a position he filled for a number of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 749 years. Both parents of our subject died at St. Marys, Ohio, the father in 1898 and the mother in 1895. Their children were as follows : Edward, Wh0 died when his parents were crossing the mountains, on their way to Ohio from Pennsylvania; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Hoffman, also deceased ; Ellen, who married (first) Noah Bretz, and (second) Howard Levery ; Henry, a resident of St. Marys ; Ann, wife of John Binkler, of St. Marys ; and James K. When our subject was about five years old, his parents removed to St. Marys, making the trip on a canal-boat. He was reared at St. Marys and attended the public schools and subsequently learned the grist-mill business, which he followed for some years. He then engaged in farming until 1881. He still owns 30 acres of fine laid in Auglaize County. After leaving the farm he removed to St. Marys and was in the hardware business there until 1885, when he came to Fort Recovery and bought a grain elevator, which busi less he conducted until he sold it in November, 1905. Mr. Heap owns considerable valuable property in addition to his farm mentioned. In 1890 he purchased his fine residence at Fort Recovery, located on a five-acre tract of land, and he has a number of improved lots in St. Marys. He has served on the village Council of Fort Recovery with efficiency and to the advantage of the public. In 1872 Mr. Heap was married to Elizabeth Ferguson, a daughter of Archibald and Margaret Ferguson, and they have had four children, namely : Harry, who died aged nine years; Roy, who is in the clothing and men's furnishings business at Montpelier, Indiana; Maude and James Edward. Mr. Heap's daughter is a very highly accomplished young lady. She graduated from the Fort Recovery High School and then became a student in the Lake Erie Seminary, at Painesville, Ohio. Since 1896 she has been a successful teacher in the primary schools at Fort Recovery. Every summer she enjoys a vacation course at Oxford, Ohio. The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Heap is a practicing physician at St. Marys. He also graduated from the Fort Recovery High School, later from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati and spent one year at the Good Samaritan Hospital and one at the German Deaconess' Hospital, Cincinnati. Mr. Heap is prominent in Masonry, being a member of the chapter and commandery at Celina, and has been identified with the fraternity since he was 24 years of age. LANNEY LEE SHEELEY LANNEY LEE SHEELEY,* one of the prominent farmers and first-class citizens of Franklin township, resides on his 240-acre farm, located in section 750 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY 28, and also owns 43 acres in section 16 and 59 acres more in section 21, making his total holdings 342 acres of some of the best farming land in the southeastern section of the county. Mr. Sheeley was born June 27, 1870, on the old Sheeley home place in Greene County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and Susan F. (Richardson) Sheeley. Rev. Philip Gatch, our subject's great-great-grandfather on the maternal side, was the first Methodist preacher in Ohio; he settled at Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, as early as 1772. The first member of the Sheeley family to settle in Ohio was our subject's great-grandfather, wh0 was born in Ireland, emigrated to America and settled at Jamestown, Greene County, where his son William was subsequently born. William Sheeley married Elizabeth Ausborn and they had seven children, namely : Presocia, Sarah Mary, ,David 0., Isaac, Lydia, Alice and Harriet, all of whom survive except Presocia and Alice. Isaac Sheeley was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 14, 1849, and lived at home until his marriage, after which he purchased a farm in Fayette County, on which he resided for a time and then removed with his family to Mercer County, in the fall of 1881 settling at Montezuma. In Greene County he married Susan F. Richardson, who died in the spring of 1887. She was a daughter of Wilson Richardson, who came to Ohio from Virginia. Before the parents moved from Greene County, our subject and his sister Lou were born. Lou subsequently married H. F. Littlefield; they live in California. Lanney L. Sheeley remained at home until the death of his mother, when he went to work for John Beauchamp, who was a farmer in Franklin township, and made his home with him for two years. When he was about 19 years of age, he embarked in the fish business on his own account and conducted it at Montezuma before and after his marriage. He made considerable money in this venture, enough to enable him, in 1890, to purchase his first farm of W. F. Short. In 1898 he removed to his present farm, which he had bought of Hon. Stephen A. Armstrong and which is a very valuable property. All of his land is well located, his 43-acre tract in section 16 bordering on Lake Mercer and being also bounded by the Bennett turnpike and Prairie Creek. He carries on general farming and is very successful in his agricultural operations. On November 23, 1892, Mr. Sheeley was married to Laura Belle Watkins, a daughter of Ezra Watkins, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Mrs. Sheeley has the following brothers and sisters : Mollie, who married Harry Sholley and lives at Lebanon, Pennsylvania ; Almeda, who married John Miller and lives at Anderson, Indiana ; Eri, who married Jane Downs and lives at Zanesville, Ohio; Charles, who married Nellie Peele and resides at Pickrelltown, Ohio; Jennie, who married Addison C. arridge and lives in Logan County near her AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 751 brother Charles; Effie, who lives on the Watkins home place in Logan County; and Howard, who married Alice Loughridge and lives at Lewisburg, Ohio—both he and his wife are preachers in the Society of Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Sheeley have two children, namely : Beulah Elizabeth, born October 18, 1895; and Lysle Lee, born April 7, 1899. Mr. Sheeley and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch has given efficient service on the township School Board, but has held no other office, devoting his time to his business. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.