1700 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO oped land with only a log house on it. The only source of support for this numerous family was what could be produced from the soil of a small and unimproved farm. The widowed mother bent herself to the task unflinchingly. Her very courage was an inspiration, and while the little household lived most frugally and with only the bare items of existence, they looked forward to better times and better things, and their desires as well as their labors helped to bring about fulfillment. In a few years the widowed mother was called upon to mourn the loss of her older son. He had already begun to bear some of the burdens of farm management, and his death left her with her four daughters and with such assistance as could be rendered by John, who was then a very small boy. As she was unable to spare him from his work except in the winter season, his early education consisted of the crude instruction received in a country school during the few winters he was privileged to attend. Quick to learn, even in this short time he acquired the rudiments of an education that, added to and rounded out by a lifetime of close observation and keen perception, made him a man of general information and broad intelligence. From childhood he was trained to depend upon himself and to battle with the world. He learned to labor for those whom he loved, and grew up capable, self-reliant and generous, winning and retaining the affection of those who knew him. His mother, in telling of his capability and self-reliance, used to say that she trusted him at the early age of ten to take the surplus products of the farm to market, and he sold it with rare judgment for one of his years. At fifteen he was as good a horse trader as David Harum himself. His mother said she never knew what horse John would bring home. He would recall with a laugh the fact that he got beaten in a horse trade only once, and that was when he traded a horse for a cow—and the cow died. Having the commercial instinct so highly developed, his mother realized that his efforts were being misdirected on the farm. When he was seventeen she readily entrusted him with the $50 which represented all her careful savings, and that was the capital which he used to open his first general store. Going to Cincinnati, he so won the confidence of wholesale dealers by his frank and manly bearing, that they sold him on credit enough goods to open a country store at Ashley in Delaware County, Ohio. With the native ability and the energy which he brought to bear upon his business, he was only a short time in repaying his creditors and he thus laid the foundation of his success and fortune. At Ashley, Ohio, on May 26, 1852, John S. Brumback married Ellen Perlena Purmort. She was born at Jay, New York, August 10, 1832, and was of English-French descent. Her lineage includes the eminent jurist Chancellor Walworth. When eight years of age she went with her parents to Kempville, Canada, where they lived until she was fifteen. In the summer of 1847 the family moved to Berlin, Delaware County, Ohio. There she taught a term or two of school, and gained the reputation of being the little teacher who was able to manage the rude rough boys, some of whom were older than herself. From the time of her marriage she proved an unfailing inspiration as well as a helpmate to Mr. Brumback. Upon the death of her mother in 1850 the care and responsibility of a large family had fallen upon her young shoulders, and thus like her husband she had to assume tasks and duties beyond her years. As the oldest of the children she shared the trials and sorrows of her parents in many losses and removals, yet always retained the courage of her heart and an unfailing cheerfulness against all the trials of the world. Soon after her marriage she and Mr. Brumback, with the spirit of love and self-sacrifice which then and later and always prompted them to deeds of benevolence, took into their home Mrs. Brumback's five young brothers and sisters, who had just been left fatherless. Two of these were reared as their own children to lives of usefulness. What this meant in the early days can hardly be appreciated in this time of labor saving appliances and small families. Mr. and Mrs. Brumback with all the difficulties of their lot enjoyed the greatest of happiness in the early years of their married life, and the world helped them because they helped themselves by living sober, prudent and industrious lives. Soon after their marriage, owing to the impaired health of Mr. Brumback, they moved to a farm on the old State Road north of Worthington, Ohio. That was their home two years. In 1858 they went to Casey, Clark County, Illinois, in which village Mr. Brumback engaged in mercantile business, and was so well prospered that when in the spring of 1862 he came with his family to Van Wert, Ohio, he brought with him $5,000 in gold. Van Wert County fifty-four years ago was a HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1701 comparatively new and thinly settled district. Its population at the previous census was only 10,238. In the Village of Van Wert he established a dry goods store, but soon became interested in the stave business. That was a leading industry in Van Wert County as well as in other. sections of Northwest Ohio at that time, because thousands of acres were covered with some of the finest hardwood timber. In 1884 Mr. Brumback sold his dry goods business and purchased a controlling interest in the Van Wert National Bank, of which he became the president. His associates for many years felt that he exemplified almost a perfect balance between the conservatism and progressive qualities which are the ideal virtue of a successful financier. During his thirty-five years of residence at Yan Wert, whether as a banker or as an individual, Mr. Brumback helped to promote and finance many enterprises of great value to the people. One of these was the Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railroad, now the Cincinnati Northern, a part of the New York Central System. He gave his financial assistance to this road when its failure was imminent. Other of his interests were : The Central Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company of Van Wert, of which he was president to the time of his death ; the Farmers Bank of Rockford, Ohio ; the Union Savings Bank of Toledo ; and The Monroe Street Railway of Toledo, which he put on a basis of financial security when its future was uncertain. Mr. Brumback was a liberal supporter of the First Methodist Church of Van Wert, for a number of years was a trustee, and he was also a charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Van Wert. In his later years he planned, with the counsel of his devoted wife and his children, an effective disposition of his surplus means in such a manner as to benefit permanently the locality with which he had so long been identified. His purpose culminated in a plan to build a public library for his home town and county. That was before Mr. Carnegie began his extensive library giving and there were not many precedents for the establishment of a public library from private means. After consulting the members of his family and receiving encouragement from them, he ordered plans prepared for a building to be located in a park in Van Wert City. About the time the plans were perfected he was taken seriously ill, and he then called his son Vol. III-2 4 Orville, a prominent lawyer of Toledo, to the home in Van Wert and discussed the project thoroughly with all the members of the family, Orville being entrusted with the duty of drawing up the will providing for the library. A clause in the will made it possible for any of the heirs to defeat the project if unwilling to join in the expense. However, not only were they willing to carry out the wishes of their father, but they constructed an even better building than he had planned. Concerning the Brumback Library, its founding and its career of usefulness, an appropriate sketch will be found on other pages. At his death Mr. Brumback was survived by Mrs. Brumback, two sons, Orville S. and D. L. Brumback, and two daughters, Mrs. J. P. Reed, Jr., and Mrs. E. I. Antrim of Van Wert. LEWIS P. JACKSON, M. D. The family represented by this well known physician of Van Wert has been closely identified with every phase of history in the county since pioneer times. Fully eighty years have passed since the first of the name arrived in this portion of the wilderness, and since then the family has distinguished itself as hard workers, energetic citizens and as useful and honorable men and women. The founder of the family was Doctor Jackson's grandfather Ferdinand Jackson. He was probably born in Madison County, Ohio. From that county in 1836 he removed to Van Wert County. His was one of the first settlements planted in York Township. He entered government land, put up a log cabin in the wilderness, and lived there until the close of his useful life. Besides the work of farming, which occupied so many of his years, he also followed his trade as a chair-maker. He was probably the first chair-maker in Van Wert County. Every winter season he would manufacture a number of chairs and in the spring or early summer would load them on a raft and convey them to Fort Wayne, where they found a ready sale. Ferdinand Jackson married Charity Mortimer. She was born in North Carolina and survived her husband many years. Her brothers Robert and Shadrach Mortimer were also among the first settlers in York Township of Van Wert County. Her brother-in-law, Rev. Jesse Tomlinson, was one of the first if not the first Methodist Episcopal minister to hold services in this section of Ohio, 1702 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO and he organized the first church of that denomination in York Township. John Jackson, father of Doctor Jackson, was born in Madison County, Ohio, and was one year old whet brought to Van Wert County. Here he grew up amid pioneer scenes. For many years such wild game as deer and turkey were abunand in the surrounding woods and. the commonest meat on the table of the early settlers was game. His mother also cooked the meals by the open fireplace and all the family were dressed in homespun. After reaching manhood John Jackson built a log house across the road from his mother's place. While the main part of the structure was of log; the top was of frame, and a kitchen was added boxed in with boards. John Jackson went steadily ahead with his work as a farmer, cleared up 100 acres, and from time to time put up buildings which made his one of the most valuable farms in the county. He lived there until his death at the age of sixty-six. When twenty-one years of age he married Jemima Prime of Licking County, Ohio. She survived her husband, spending her last days in Lima, and died in 1915 at the age of eighty-two. She reared six children named Elizabeth, Rachel, Ellen, Frances, Lewis P. and Jennie. Doctor Jackson was born on the old farm in York Township of Van Wert County and he had the wholesome associations and experiences which are part of the experience of a farmer boy. Besides the district schools he attended the Middle Point. Normal School and at the age of nineteen began teaching in Liberty township. Later he taught in Jennings Township and put in about six years as a teacher. Having made up his mind to study medicine, he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, where he was graduated Doctor of Medicine with the class of 1898. He first located for practice at Elgin in York Township, then in 1901 removed to Delphos and in 1915 came to Van Wert, where he now enjoys a large practice and an excellent, repu- tatioes a physician and surgeon. HIfe is a member of the Van Wert County and the Ohio State Medical societies, and is also a member of the United States Board of Pension Examiners. He cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison in 1892, and has steadily supported the republican nominee on the national ticket ever since. In 1902-03 he served as coroner of Van Wert County and has also been a deputy state inspector of elections. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 251 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Delphos Lodge of Knights of Pythias. In 1898, the year he graduated in medicine, Doctor Jackson married Miss Grace M. Morris. She was born in Middle Point, Ohio, daughter of Frank P. and Alice (Bechtel) Morris. Doctor and Mrs. Jackson have three children : Lewis Paul, John Franklin and Mary Alice. JACOB STEEL ZOOK, who is now living retired at Van Wert, was for many years one of the foremost building contractors in that section of Ohio. It is said that when he completed his- apprenticeship as a carpenter and did his first year of journeyman labor he was paid only $22 a month. Mr. Zook was one of the resourceful and energetic men of the last generation who proved themselves capable and equal to any emergency which arose and on the basis of a trade built up a splendid business and became highly successful men. He has done much for others as well as himself and many will recall his recent donation of $30,000 to the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware for the purpose of founding a chair in physics. His birth occurred on a, farm five miles from Wooster in Wayne County, Ohio, April 5, 1838.. Back in colonial times his ancestors came from Switzerland and made settlement in Pennsylvania. His Grandfather John Zook was a native of Pennsylvania, married there, and in 1832 set out with wagon and team and made the long and tedious journey to Ohio, locating in Wayne County. His first purchase of land was four miles east of Wooster. In 1844 he removed to Crawford County, Ohio, buying land six miles west of Bucyrus, and there he and his wife spent their last years. His wife before her marriage was Miss Evans. Daniel Zook, father of Jacob S., was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and was eighteen years old when he came to Ohio. Two years later, in 1834, he was married in Wayne County and then started his career as a farmer. He was prosperous according to the standards of the time and in 1844 he removed to Crawford County and soon afterward bought a tract of land one mile south of Nevada in Wyandotte County. This was heavily timbered land, and after making his first clearing he erected a log house and barn. For nearly ten years he was busied with the improvement of his farm. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1703 In 1854 he made a trip to Upper Sandusky for the purpose of paying his taxes. A short time before the first railroad had, been built through that town and Daniel Zook was accidentally killed-on the railroad, his being one of. the first accidental - deaths resulting from this improved form of transportation in that section of Ohio. Daniel Zook had married Nancy Steel. She was born in Pennsylvania, and her father, Jacob Steel, a native of the same state, moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in very early times and bought timbered land six miles east of Wooster. It was a wild and sparsely settled district, but Jacob Steel found it very much to his liking, since he was a noted hunter, and he achieved a great reputation by his prowess in that direction. He cleared and improved his farm and lived there until his death. Mrs. Daniel Zook, after being widowed by the death of her husband at Upper Sandusky, married Goodwin Hall, and continued to live in Wyandotte County until her death. Her children by Daniel Zook were Mary Adaline, Jacob Steel, Amanda Ellen, John Walker, William Newell and Dennis C. Jacob S. Zook was about sixteen years of age when his father died. His education was largely a product of the old fashioned log cabin schoolhouse. With such industry did he apply himself to the limited curriculum of that time that he came to manhood with a better than ordinary education. At the age of eighteen he had begun to learn the trade of carpenter with John Done at Osceola, and spent three years in his apprenticeship. After that he worked as a journeyman for Mr. Done a year at the wages already mentioned, and then formed a partnership. Their business was chiefly done in the country districts, in the erection of farm homes and barns. A year later they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Zook then continued as a contractor in Crawford County until 1862. In that year he removed to Nevada in Wyandotte County and in 1873 he transferred his business headquarters to Van Wert. Van , Wert was then a small town, and his enterprise as a builder has added to its architectural features as a city. He continued actively in the business of contracting until 1912, when he retired. Some of the best known and most valuable buildings in Van Wert attest his skill. Among these are the Methodist Episcopal Church, Brumbach Public Library, the Marsh Hotel, the handsome Home Guard Office Building, and many business and private structures. He had a profitable business and has likewise proved wise in his investments, and besides city property he owns a large amount of farm lands. Mr. Zook is still a director in the Van Wert National Bank. On January 12, 1862, he married Miss Amanda Barrack, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio, daughter of John Barrack, and she died in 1902. In 1903 Mr. Zook married Mrs. Rosa (Gamble) DeMoss, a daughter of William Wilson and Mary (Thomas) Gamble, who were among the early settlers of Van Wert County. Mr. and Mrs. Zook are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served as a trustee for upwards of forty years, and has also been active as class leader. He is one of the prominent Methodist laymen of Ohio and his contribution to the Ohio Wesleyan University was in the nature of a gift to the church as well as to higher education. In a public way he .has served as a member of the city council of Van Wert, and while living Nevada he was town treasurer. Mr. Zook has for years taken much interest in Masonry, and is affiliated with Van Wert Lodge, No. 218, Free and Accepted Masons, Van Wert Chapter, No. 71 Royal Arch Masons, Van Wert Council, No. 73, Royal and Select Masons, Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 54, Knights Templar, and Toledo Consistory of the Scottish Rite. LAWRENCE H. WISE is a veteran lumberman of Northwestern Ohio. He began sawing up some of the trees of the forest when the greater part of Van Wert and adjoining counties were covered with dense timber, and he has continued the industry long after the forests have practically disappeared. He represents a family that settled in an early day in Van Wert and practically all branches of his family connections at one time lived in Southwestern Pennsylvania in old Washington. County. Mr. Wise was born in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, February 27, 1847. The Wise ancestry goes back to Germany. His Grandfather Andrew Wise was born in Pennsylvania, and for a number of years lived in the locality known as Ten Mile in Washington County, one of the very historic localities of that state. From there he removed to Stark County, Ohio, and later to Adams County. Indiana. Andrew Wise was one of the pioneers of Northeastern Indiana and bought 640 acres of Government land. At that time 1704 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO and for years afterwards there was not a single railroad through the state. There were no large cities nor convenient markets. He took his grain to mill at Piqua, Ohio. His hard working days were devoted to the clearing and subsequently the cultivation of his the and he lived there until his death at the age of sixty-seven. He married a Miss Leatherman and they reared six sons and three daughters named Uriah, Hamilton J., Parker, Reuben, Andrew, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Jane and Melinda. Hamilton Jefferson Wise, father of Lawrence H., was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1818. In 1838 he also went to Indiana and settled in the wilds of Allen County, twelve miles southeast of the City of Fort Wayne, which was then only a village. He lived there a few years, and on removing to Steubenville, Ohio, in 1842 kept a hotel and entertained many of the travelers who passed up and down the Ohio River on the steamboats of that period. Returning to Indiana in -1851, he located in Adams County and there became operator of a grist and saw mill located on the banks of St. Mary's River. This mill was a decided advance in the way of milling machinery since it was operated by steam power. It was in 1855 that Hamilton J. Wise removed to Van Wert, which was then a small village. Here he resumed his business as a landlord and kept hotel in a building on the site of the present Marsh Hotel for one year. After that he was in the butcher business and later became a grocer, removed in 1869 to Cincinnati and spent a year in that city, and after returning to Van Wert continued the grocery business until late in life. He died at Pentwater, Michigan, at the venerable age of eighty-six. His wife was Catherine Van Winkle Sheppard. She was born in Bergen, New Jersey, and after the death of her father her mother removed to Washington County, Pennsylvania. Catherine Wise was a remarkable woman in character and in physical vitality. She lived to be ninety-two and was mentally sound until the last. Her children were named Uriah, Lawrence H., Emma, George, Charles, Elizabeth, William, Hamilton and Mary H. Mr. Lawrence H. Wise was about eight years of age when his parents removed to Van Wert. He grew up in this city, attended the public schools there, and though a small boy at the time his patriotism rose to fever heat early in the war and finally he could not be restrained from enlisting: On October 10, 1864, he entered the service of the United States and was assigned to special duty. At the close of the war he was attached to the Thirty-second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was given his honorable discharge on May 23, 1865. After the war for a short time he was in the provision business at Van Wert and then took up the grocery trade which he followed until 1869. It was in that year, upwards of half a century ago, that Mr. Wise turned his attention to the lumber business. As very little land had been cleared in Northwest Ohio, timber was abundant, lumber was plentiful and cheap and there was a great field for the operation of the practical lumberman. Mr. Wise formed a partnership with James Webster, and in a few years they were doing a very extensive business. They got out great quantities of railroad ties, staves and other material, and operated a heading factory at Richey. They were in business before the railroads quit using wood for fuel, and they furnished many thousand's of cords to the locomotives. This firm also has the distinction of having built ten miles of railroad lines connecting with the Pennsylvania System at Richey. Though the big woods are now gone and many changes have come about in the lumber business, Mr. Wise still continues to operate a mill, and now uses electric power to drive the machinery. His mill is located in the City of Van Wert. On October 19, 1869, he married Miss Frances A. Jolley. She was born at Lima in Allen County, Ohio, and her father Elijah Jolley was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, moving from there to Marion, Ohio, where he followed his trade as a tailor, and from Marion he went to Lima, where he was one of the first tailors in the town. He lived at Lima until his death at the age of sixty-seven. Elijah Jolley married Achsah Davis, who was born in New Jersey and died at the .age of sixty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Jolley had children named Minerva, James, Cassius, Sarah, Frances, Josephine and William. Mr. and Mrs. Wise have reared three children : Charles R., Josephine E. and Frederick Lawrence. Charles R. married Minnie Haines of Taylorville, Illinois, and their five children are Lawrence, Josephine, Ray, Irene and Charles. The daughter Josephine is the wife of Roy C. Gasser, and she is the mother of three children, Frances, James and HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1705 Josephine. Fred married Ada Doe, and has a daughter named Harriet. Mr. Wise cast his first presidential vote for General Grant soon after the close of the war and has steadily supported republican principles and candidates for upwards of half a century. He has served as county commissioner and has well earned a reputation as a public spirited and useful citizen. He is affiliated with Van Wert Lodge, No. 1197 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. THOMAS FRANKLIN PRIDDY. The pioneer history of Van Wert County might properly be related in its entirety to describe the environment of the Priddy family. The Priddys were among the very first settlers of the county. It is more than eighty years since they came and located the first log cabin homes, and they not only participated in the hardships and labors of the time, but also did their part toward introducing schools and churches and elevating the moral character of the neighborhood. While the men of the household swung the axe in the forest and kept their ox teams working to break tip the heavy soil, the women were at home cooking by the open fireplaces, carding and spinning wool and flax and making the homespun garments which were worn both by the children and adult members of the household. The wild game of the forest supplied the meat for their tables, and they endured all their limitations and discomforts with a brave and courageous spirit. The founder of the family here was Rev. William Priddy, who was born either in Fayette County, Ohio, or in the State of Virginia. He lived from an early age in Fayette County, and from there, in 1833, removed to Allen County, Ohio, spent the following winter and in the spring of 1834 arrived in Van Wert County. The date of his arrival is all that is needed to confirm the claim that he was one of the first permanent settlers. He secured a tract of government land on the Ridge Road six miles east from the courthouse. But there was no courthouse at the time and not a single dwelling or other building stood on the site of the present thriving City of Van Wert. When this village was finally platted and became the county seat, Mr. Priddy took the contract to put up the first house on the site. It was built of hewed logs and the partitions between the two rooms were also of hewn timber. William Priddy was not only a home maker, farmer, builder, and well versed in all other pioneer activities, but was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church and if not the first was one of the first preachers to permanently locate in the county. As a result of his strenuous endeavors carried on over a considerable period of years he cleared up a large tract of land and lived on the farm until his death at the age of fifty-two. He married a Miss Butler, and they reared five sons named Sofosterus W., Archelus T., Thomas D., John N. and William B., and three daughters named Mary Ann, Martha and Elizabeth. Archelus Tucker Priddy was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1818, and was sixteen years old when he came with his parents to Van Wert County. Until he reached mature age he never knew anything except the pioneer surroundings in which he had been reared. He had a home and family of his own before the first railroad was built through Ohio, and he had to gain his education as best he could in the very primitive subscription schools that existed when he was a boy. On February 14, 1837, he was married in Van Wert County to Miss Sarah Brown. She was also a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and had come to Van Wert County with the William Hill family. Soon after marriage Archelus T. Priddy bought eighty acres of government land four miles southeast of Van Wert on the Mendon Road. There he erected a log cabin and undertook the task of clearing. Later he bought eighty acres adjoining his first purchase, and with the exception of one year spent in the City of Van Wert his home was on the farm until his death in November, 1880. His wife died in 1870. He was a man of considerable prominence in his locality, filled the township offices of treasurer, trustee and assessor, and for one term was county treasurer. He and his wife reared six children : Sofosterus A., Smith H., Liberty W., Eliza, Jane and Thomas F. Thus two generations of the Priddy family precede the career of Thomas Franklin Priddy, who has lived in the county for more than seventy years and has himself made a record which is a contribution to the history of the family and has constituted a worthy service to his community. He was born on the old farm along the Ridge Road six miles east of Van Wert, March 20, 1845. His early life was spent in the scenes of a rural com- 1706 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO munity, and work on the farm alternated with attendance at the district schools. For many years he lived with his father while the latter was grogrowingd, cared for him, and subsequently succeeded to the ownership of forty acres of the old home place. Mr. Priddy also has a record as a soldier, though he was only a small boy when the war broke out. February 11, 1865, he enlisted in Company B of the One Hundred and Ninety-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with his command to Virginia and was in service until after the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge September 7, 1865. On returning home he took up farming in earnest and lived on the old place until 1882 when he sold out and removed to Berrien County, Michigan. After one year there he returned to Van Wert County and then bought forty acres a mile south of the courthouse and continued to farm it with his characteristic energy until 1907. Since then he has lived retired in the City of Van Wert. On February 8, 1873, Mr. Priddy married Miss Caroline Price. She was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Amos and Sarah (Burgy) Price, both natives of Pennsylvania, from which state they came to Ohio, lived in Montgomery County some years, and then removed to Van Wert County, buying land a mile south of the courthouse. Mr. Price was at one time engaged in railroad construction work and later was a manufacturer of brick and tile. He died in 1881 and his wife in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Priddy have reared five children, Oscar 'W., Thomas K., Wilber H., Henry H. and Jennie. Oscar W. married Roxanna Smith and has a son Richard R. Thomas X. married Olive Beck and their two children are Joseph and Elizabeth. Wilber married Minta Brown and has two Children, Mary C. and Jennie E. Henry took as his wife Blanche Osborn, and they also have two children, John C. and Truman Franklin. Mr. Priddy is a member of Scott Post, No 100, Grand Army of the Republic at Van Wert. He is a republican and is at the present time ditch supervisor of Pleasant Township and a school director. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. ROBERT J. WALKER, M. D. During the long period he practiced in Toledo Doctor Walker became prominent in his profession, and hardly less so in civic affairs and as a leader in various movements which had his enthusiastic support. His death came when he was still in the prime of his usefulness, and his life was one that Toledo or any community could ill afford to lose. Doctor Walker was born July 4, 1861, in Crawford County, Ohio. He was the only son and child of Andrew and Imus (Campbell) Walker. Both were natives of Pennsylvania. Grandfather Robert Walker came to Crawford County, Ohio, in pioneer times. He secured a tract of government land, and the deed to that homestead was signed by John Quincy Adams, then President of the United States. This deed is still in the possession of his descendants. Grandfather Robert Walker lived there until his death in 1876. He was a farmer, a successful and capable one, and bore an influential part in the early settlement and civic affairs of Crawford County. For many years he served as deacon in the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Walker was influenced by his father, who was very pious and intent upon his religious duties, to prepare himself for a career as minister of the gospel. His early educational advantages were directed with that object in view. He attended the public schools at Bucyrus, Ohio, afterwards attended a preparatory college of the Presbyterian Church at Ionia, Ohio, and then spent six years in Wooster University. While in college Doctor Walker experienced a change of inclination as to his career and definitely determined to take up medicine as a means of opportunity of service more congenial to his talents. He entered the Ohio Medical College at Columbus, where he was graduated in 1884 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Doctor Walker began practice at Bucyrus, remained there three years, and then gave up practice temporarily and fr several years was in a wholesale and retail, business handling physicians' supplies. After that he located in Toledo and resumed practice and remained a member of the medical profession in that city for twenty-eight years until his death. He was one of the early physicians to practice in what is known as the East Side of Toledo. His home was at 637 Main Street, where his widow and children still reside. Doctor Walker built up a large practice, and his repreputations well established. For many years he served as city physician of Toledo and was also assistant health commissioner. Interested in military affairs, he served as surgeon with Company A of the Eighth Ohio National Guard. He had charge HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1707 of the ambulance department for a period of eight years. Doctor Walker was a faithful attendant at the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was an ardent republican. In January, 1887, Doctor Walker married Miss Hattie Deal. Mrs. Walker was a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University. Her parents were Martin and Sarah (Lilly) Deal. Martin Deal was a very prominent man and at one time he was candidate for governor of Ohio on the prohibition ticket. Doctor and Mrs. Walker had two children : Robert, born July 8, 1893, was thoroughly educated in school and college and still lives in Toledo. Harry Martin, born. March 10, 1894, is now serving as a. sergeant with the Ohio Ambulance Corps, and is on duty on the Mexican border at El Paso, Texas. OTIS W. KERNS. Since his admission to the bar of Ohio, in 1900, Otis W. Kerns has lent dignity and stability to professional affairs at Yan Wert, and has steadily advanced to a position of prestige among the members of the legal fraternity. He is a broad-minded and progressive practitioner, a careful observer of the courtesies and amenities of his profession, and at all times seeking its most intelligent and praiseworthy compensations. Mr. Kerns was born May 2, 1874, in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Martin Jacob and Philena (Kiger) Kerns. The great-grandfather of Otis W. Kerns on the paternal side was a pioneer of Hocking County, Ohio, and kept a public house there until his death. He married a Miss Rockie, and among their children was the grandfather of Otis W. Kerns, Henry Kerns, who it is believed was 'born in Hocking County. He removed from that county to Fairfield County and settled on land in Amanda Township which had been given him by his father, and on which he continued to carry on agricultural operations until his death at the age of eighty-eight years. Mr. Kerns married Miss Louisa Miller, who was it is thought born in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, she being a daughter of Martin and Anna (Baker) Miller. Martin Miller was born in Germany and when a young man came to America and improved a farm in Clear Creek Township, where he and his wife lived to advanced years. Louisa (Miller) Kerns died at the age of sixty-two years, having been the mother of six children : Martin Jacob, Clara, Anna, George, Ella and Susie. Martin Jacob Kerns was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, June 22, 1850, and was reared on the home farm, commencing his independent career as a renter. Through industrious work and good management he was able to accumulate the means with which to purchase a property of his own, a tract of land lying in Amanda Township on which there were located a four-room house and a small barn. He completed the clearing of this land, put it under a high state of cultivation, improved it with -good buildings, and for a number of years was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. At the end of eight years he sold this land and moved to Greenfield Township, where he made his .home until 1883. When he disposed of this latter farm he came to Van Wert County and bought land on the line of Ridge and Washington townships, the buildings being located in the latter. Mr. Kerns continued to carry on farming until 1902, when he retired from active pursuits and took up his residence at Van Wert, where his death occurred June 19, 1912. He was married in 1869, while a resident of Amanda Township, to Philena Kiger, who was born in that township, a daughter of John Kiger, a native of Ohio, and a granddaughter of Henry Kiger, who it is thought was born in Virginia, of colonial ancestry. Henry Kiger Came to Ohio in the early settlement of the state and lived for two years, then returning to the Old Dominion State. After several years he once more came to Ohio, and here the remainder of his life was spent in the vicinity of Lancaster, where his death occurred when he was one hundred years of age, his wife living to be one hundred and five years old. In her young womanhood Mrs. Kiger had learned the tailor trade and it was her delight to tell in her later years how on one occasion General Washington had stopped at the shop where she was employed to have a button sewed upon his coat, and she was called upon to perform the operation, which she did with all despatch. John Kiger was the only member of the family to be born in Ohio. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when a young man rented land and later purchased a tract in Amanda Township, where he was engaged in farming until. his death, at the age of eighty years. He married Elizabeth Bollenbaugh, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. Her father, Jacob Bollenbaugh, was a native of 1708 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Pennsylvania, where he was reared and married, and moved with his bride to Ohio, being a pioneer of Fairfield County, where he spent the remaining years of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Rebecca Grand, and she was one of the sturdy, brave and courageous pioneer women who assisted their husbands in the conquering of the wilderness, doing her own carding, spinning and weaving, and preparing the family meals at an open fire. She died in middle life, while her husband lived to be upwards of seventy years of age. Mrs. Elizabeth (Bollenbaugh) Kiger died when seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Philena (Kiger) Kerns still survives her husband and makes her home at Van Wert. She has been the mother of seven children : Arthur Elias, George Elmer, Otis W., Ercie Elizabeth, Emma Pearl, James Martin and Anna Edith. Martin Jacob Kerns, the father of these children, was a stanch republican in his political views and was somewhat prominent in the public life of the community, which he served for two terms in the capacity of county commissioner. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which Mrs. Kerns became a member after her marriage, although she had been reared as a Methodist. Otis W. Kerns received his education in the district schools of Ridge and Washington townships and the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, and with this preparation entered upon his independent career as an educator. During the four years that he taught in the schools of Hoaglin and Pleasant townships, he became interested in the study. of law, and finally, in 1897, entered the law department of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, from which he was duly graduated with his degree in 1900. Admitted to practice, he at once entered upon his professional duties at Van Wert, where he shortly entered into a partnership with O. W. Priddy, under the firm style of Priddy & Kerns. Four years later Henry W. Blachley was admitted to the firm, which then became Blachley, Priddy. & Kerns, and continued as such for two years, when Mr. Priddy withdrew. Since then the association has been known as Blachley & 'Kerns, considered one of the strong legal combinations of Van Wert.. The business of the firm is general in its character, and in its scope carries the members in all the courts. Mr. Kerns has been connected with many cases involving important litigation, in the handling of which he has shown himself a thorough, skilled and versatile legist, a good pleader, a fine orator, and a master of precedents and principles. His standing among his professional brethren is high. On December 28, 1897, Mr. Kerns was united in marriage with Miss Della Tumbleson, who was born in Pleasant Township, daughter of Joseph Tumbleson. Mr. Kerns cast his first presidential vote for William McKinley, and since then has been a stanch supporter of the principles and candidates' of the • republican party. He was elected city solicitor in 1901 and served in that capacity until 1906, and in 1909 was elected prosecuting attorney of Van Wert County, his excellent record in that office gaining him the re-election in 1911., He is at this time a member of the republican state central committee, representing the Fifth District, and has a voice in the most important councils and proceedings of his party. Mr. Kerns was reared a Lutheran and has been a member of that church for twelve years, having filled numerous lay offices therein. Fraternally, he is well and popularly known, being a member of Van Wert Chapter No. 130, Knights of Pythias; Van Wert Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; the Modern Brotherhood of America ; and other orders. He is also identified with the local, state and national bar associations. It is a curious and interesting fact, worthy of note, that Mr. Kerns has had the experience of seeing eight of his grandparents, these being his maternal and paternal grandparents, his great-grandfathers Martin Miller and Henry Kiger, and his great-grandmothers Annie Miller and Polly Kiger. THE FOSTNAUGHT FAMILY. One Of the most prominent and highly esteemed families of Van Wert County is that bearing the name of Fostnaught, the members of which have been leaders in the professional and business life of the City of Van Wert for some years. The family is now represented by the father, James Fostnaught, and the five sons, Perry, Timothy, Peter, James and William Fostnaught, all of whom have honorable standing as substantial, reliable citizens of their community and as men who have assisted in the growth and development of Van Wert along professional and business lines. James Fostnaught was born in a log cabin in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 2, 1835, a son of Wendell Fostnaught, a native of the same county, a grandson of John Fostnaught, who was born in HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1709 Pennsylvania, and a great-grandson .of Adam Fostnaught, of early German ancestry. John. Fostnaught migrated as a pioneer from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Fairfield County, where he hewed a farm from the wilderness and continued to reside during the remaining years of his life. Wendell Fostnaught was reared and married in his native county and engaged in farming in Clear Creek Township, but in later years removed to Circleville, where his death occurred. He married Sarah Wright, who was born in Clear Creek Township, a daughter of James Wright, a native of Pennsylvania, and a granddaughter of David Wright, also born in the Keystone State, of English ancestry. David Wright was an officer in the Revolutionary war and his sword, is still proudly preserved by his descendants. He removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he was one of the earliest settlers of Fairfield County, acquired a large tract of Government land, and spent his .last years in Franklin County, being buried in Kalb Cemetery, about two miles south of the Town of Brice. James Wright, who also adopted the vocation of agriculture, improved two farms in Fairfield County, but passed his last years in Franklin County, where he died in 1849, and was also buried in Kalb Cemetery. The mother of James Fostnaught was married a second time, in 1838, to William Ward, and moved to Allen County, Ohio, a journey which consumed several days and was made by team. At that time the greater part of all Northwest Ohio was a wilderness, and deer, bear, wild turkey, wolf, and all other kinds of game native to the section, were to be found in great numbers and roamed at will. Mr. Ward settled on land which his father had purchased, and the family resided in a log cabin for nine years, at the end of which time they returned to Fairfield County, where both Mr. and Mrs. Ward passed away. James Fostnaught attended the pioneer schools of Allen County. These primitive schoolhouses consisted of log cabins, the roof covered by boards which had been hewed by hand and the floor made of puncheons, the room being heated by an open fireplace. The seats were constructed from small logs, split, with wooden pins for legs, and there were no desks, but a board, supported by wooden pins, placed along the wall, served as a desk at which the larger pupils would stand. Mr. Fostnaught's first teacher was James Wolfe, and Wells Hughes taught the second and third terms. As soon as he was large enough Mr. Fostnaught began helping his father in clearing the land and tilling the soil, and continued to make his home with his mother and stepfather until. he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he entered upon his independent career. His first employment was on farms in the neighborhood, receiving $15 per. month for his labor, and when he had accumulated sufficient means he rented a farm of his own in Fairfield County. In 1862 he removed to Seneca County, where he invested his hard-earned means in a partly-improved farm near Bascom, on which he made his home until 1868. In that year he came to Van Wert County and bought land in Willshire Township, where he carried on operations as a farmer until 1881. Mr. Fostnaught then sold his farm and removed to the City of Van Wert, where he has since resided, his home now being located on the Lincoln Highway, nine-tenths of a mile west of the courthouse. Mr. Fostnaught is one of the representative men of his community, an old and honored resident who has watched and participated in the great development that the years have brought to this region. He has always been hard-working and industrious, and has been noted for his absolute integrity in, the affairs of life. While a resident of Willshire Township he served capably for several years in the capacity of justice of the peace. In 1859 Mr. Fostnaught was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Ruse, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1837, a daughter of Emanuel and Mary (Marks) Ruse. Emanuel Ruse was a native of Virginia, of German ancestry, and as a young man migrated to Ohio and settled in Franklin County, where he and Mrs. Ruse spent their last days. Christian Marks, the father of Mrs. Mary (Marks) Ruse, was a native of Alsace, and served under Napoleon in many important campaigns, including the Battle of Austerlitz, the invasion of Russia, and the disastrous retreat from Moscow. After the exile of Napoleon Mr. Marks came to the United States and settled at Lithopolis, Ohio, where he followed his trade, but later in life removed to the Ruse farm in Franklin County. Mrs. James Fostnaught reared a family of six children : Perry, Timothy, Peter, Mary, James, and William. Perry Fostnaught was born on the Fairfield County farm and first attended school at Bascom, later the district school in Willshire Township, received instruction under a private tutor, then went to the Van Wert school, 1710 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO and finally pursued a course at the National Normal School at Lebanon. At the age of twenty years he commenced teaching school in Willshire Township, subsequently teaching in the high school at Convoy, and for six years was a member of the county board of school examiners, for a part of that time being president. Since 1906 he has been associated with his ,brothers, Timothy and James, in the real estate business. He is one of the well known realty men of Van Wert County and a member of Convoy Lodge No. 641, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Timothy Fostnaught first attended the district school and later received private tutoring, finally attending the National Normal School. Like his brother, he began his career as an educator, commencing when twenty-one years of age in the Union Township schools and continuing as an instructor in the district and graded schools until 1908, when he gave up teaching to enter business affairs, as a partner of his brothers Perry and James. He is a student of nature and has written interesting articles in both prose and poetry. Peter Fostnaught attended school at Bascom, was given private instruction, and after completing his education in the Van Wert High School commenced teaching in the district school. Later he was in charge of schools at Latty and Grover Hill, in Paulding and for nine years was stationed at Wren, in Union County, and in 1916 was made district superintendent of schools. Mr. Fostnaught is a. member of Van Wert Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He married Miss Matilda Feiock. Mary married H. G. Wilson, of Van Wert, and has one son, Eugene. James Fostnaught was, like his brothers, given good educational advantages, which included attendance at. the district schools and the Van Wert High School, and by private tutors. After teaching school for a few years, he commenced the study of law with C. V. Hoke, and was admitted to the bar in 1906, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. In addition to his law practice he is engaged in business associated with his brothers, Perry and Timothy. Mr. Fostnaught married Miss Anna Buchanan, and they have one daughter, Lillian L William Fostnaught graduated from the Van Wert High School. in the class of 1895, and commenced teaching school in 1895 in Pleasant Township, following which he taught in other districts and in the Union School at Van Wert. During this time he studied law in the office of Winfield Scott Johnson, and in 1906 was admitted to the bar and now has a large and representative practice, and also engages to some extent in the real estate business. He is a member of Van Wert Lodge No. 130, Knights of Pythias. ALBERT A. SUBER. The annals of the little city of Deshler and those of Albert A. Suber run side by side and are almost parallel in many ways. The city in a little more than forty years has lifted itself out of a mud hole and has become a thriving center of commerce, industry and of thrifty people. Like the town itself Mr. Suber. has lifted himself from the slough of despond not once but many times, and through hardship and struggle, with exceedingly limited means and often times with only his rigid determination as an asset, he has pressed forward until he is now one of the recognized business leaders of the place. It was in 1873 that he located in the village and is now the oldest business man in point of continuous service at Deshler. Deshler in 1873 had just been laid out. A more unpromising site for a town could not be imagined. It had two advantages, or rather prospects, for the future: The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway had been constructed across this dreary stretch of the great black swamp for some time, and then came along the Baltimore & Ohio and at the point of junction or crossing the village of Deshler was laid out. The railway tracks were the only portions of real solid ground in all that locality. For months at a time there stretched around the crossing an expanse of mud and water. A road or street or two had been laid out, and had been improved by spreading over the surface the barks of trees and poles and rails making what was known in those days as a "corduroy" road. In one sense of the word it was exceedingly easy to "stick" in Deshler, but the sticking done by Mr. Suber was due to a certain persistence and resolution of character and as so often happens persistence in his case won its sure and just reward. The business Mr. Suber has followed has been that of foundryman and machinist. His first shop was a small wooden structure, without doors, and with an exceedingly limited equipment. The stray pigs of the town when roaming about often came in to sleep by the warmth of the hot molding furnace. Mr. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1711 Suber at that time was literally poor as a church mouse. When there was no work demanding his attention in the shop he would walk to Hamler seven miles away in order to get employment at low wages in a stave factory. He did that for weeks at a time, frequently slept with his clothes on for three weeks at a stretch. He had to do this since he had only a few hours to sleep. In the matter of adversity in earlier years as in success in the later, his experience gives additional proof to the old saying that it never rains but it pours. In 1879 his shop was burned down, making an entire loss. He continued to struggle on and with borrowed money built a second shop and then as he reached substantial footing erected his present large brick building, 170 by 40 feet, with boiler room 30 by 40 feet, and a garage and repair shop 65 by 40 feet and two stories high. All the buildings are substantial brick and it is an industry of which a much larger town might well be proud. Mr. Suber has seen Deshler in the meantime grow like Jonah's gourd out of its forest and swamp condition, and his own business has flourished and prospered apace with the city. A number of years ago Mr. Suber turned his attention to the construction. of laundry machinery. He also builds feed mills and other machine parts. His laundry machines are sold, through various distributing agencies in every state of the Union and even in foreign countries. Some of his best customers in this line are Chinese laundrymen. He has found these people as a class to be thoroughly. trustworthy and financially responsible. He admires these traits in the Orientals, and they in turn repose the utmost confidence in Mr. Suber. Many of his customers deal personally with him, and while he has traveled a long road to success he finds his present condition sweetened by adversity, and with many satisfactions to repay for all he has gone through. Mr. Silber is truly a man of brain as well as brawn. He came to Deshler from Findlay, Ohio, where he had been reared from boyhood until he was . eighteen years of age. His foster father was Mr. E. P. Jones, president of the First National Bank of Findlay. At the age of eighteen he began learning the machinist's trade in the plant of Coons, Adams & Company, and mastered thoroughly every detail of the trade and brought this knowledge with him to the town of Deshler, though otherwise he was practically without capital. The advice given him by his foster father, to be honest and to keep his finances ahead of his work, as always been strictly adhered to. Mr. Suber was born on a little sixty acre farm. in Wyandot County, Ohio, December 16, 1852. His father, John Suber, was a middlingly prosperous farmer in that community, but at the outbreak of the Civil war, when Albert was about nine years of age, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment of Ohio Infantry. About the close of his service he was taken prisoner, thrown into Libby prison, and as a result of semi-starvation and exposure died. there some months later when 'in the prime of life. His wife, Elizabeth Suber, was also a Wyandot County girl, and after his death she went out to Iowa and married James Knowles, and both of them died in that state when quite old. Mr. Suber first married in Findlay, Ohio, Clara Marvin, and four children were born: William, Mary, John and Earl. For his second wife Mr. Sober was married in Deshler to Mary Kable. Mrs. Suber was born in Wood County, Ohio, and was reared and educated there. She is the mother of two daughters, Geraldine and Lorene, both of whom are bright and interesting young people and students in the local high school. Mr. Suber is affiliated with the Lodge of Knights of Pythias, is an active republican, and has been called upon by his fellow citizens to serve as township treasurer and in other local positions of trust. His wife and daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church. JAMES B. SMITH. Van Wert County has profited by the stable citizenship and faithful industry of James B. Smith since 1883, when he came to this locality to identify himself with business interests. While he is now retired from active affairs, he is still a factor in the development of the community, and takes a keen and lively interest in the advancement of Van Wert. Mr. Smith was born at Saint Catharines, County Lincoln, Province of Ontario, Canada, July 15, 1837, and is a son of John and Ellen (McDermott) Smith. John Smith was born in County Cavan, Ireland, about the year 1808, a son of George Smith, who, as far as it was known, was born in Ireland. He reared a large family .of children, but only three of his sons came to the United States. Stephen settled in Toronto, Canada, where he lived for some years and then moved to a tract of land eighteen miles out of that city on the Toronto and Montreal 1712 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Road, where he improved a farm and spent the balance of his life, his wife also passing away there. A son and daughter now own and occupy the homestead. George Smith, a younger brother, improved a farm in White County, Indiana, where his descendants now live. John Smith served an apprenticeship to learn the trade of cooper in his native land, and was a young man when, in 1832, he came to the United States on a sailing vessel, landing at Quebec. He then made his way to Buffalo, where he secured work at his trade, but later went to Saint Catharines, Canada, where he continued to work at his vocation until 1838. In that year he returned to the State of New York and was employed by a Lockport concern until 1852, when he removed. to Jackson, Michigan, then a small but promising town. Mr. Smith was engaged in coopering there until 1860 when his death occurred. He was an industrious workman, skilled at his trade, and faithful to the interests of those who employed him, and won and held the respect of those with whom he was associated. Mr. Smith married Miss Ellen McDermott, also a native of Ireland, but born in County Meath, a daughter of Luke and Margaret McDermott, natives and lifelong residents of Ireland. Mrs. Smith came to America in company with a cousin, Thomas McDermott, and later a sister, who had married a Mr. Sheridan, came to this country and settled in Vermont. Mrs. Smith, who survived her husband, went after his death to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she purchased a home and spent the balance of her life, her death occurring in 1889. She reared four sons, namely : James B., George C., Stephen D. and John. George C. Smith enlisted in the Union army at the first call for troops in 1861, entering the ninety-day service in the Civil war as a private soldier of the First Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Going immediately to the front, he was a participant in the famous first battle of Bull Run, and when his time had expired he re-enlisted for three years, and continued to serve with his regiment in all its campaigns until the end of the great war between the states. He had a good war record and returned to his home proud of his service and with his honorable discharge. In his youth he had learned the trade of cooper, and when . he again resumed the duties of peace opened an establishment for the prosecution of his business at Kalamazoo, where he continued to make his home until his death. Stephen Smith, who also learned the trade of cooper in his young manhood, enlisted in the Union army in 1862, and went to the front with his regiment, but did not return to his home, as he died while wearing his country's uniform. John Smith died at the age of twenty years. James B. Smith made the best of his opportunities for schooling in his youth, and as a result gained a good education, which has since been supplemented by observation and much reading. In 1850, when a lad of thirteen years he was given his first chance of glimpsing the outside world, when he accompanied a Mr. Kingsley, a neighbor, to Jackson, Michigan.. At that time there were but two railroad lines in the State of Michigan, and a great deal of land could still be secured very cheaply from the United States Government. Jackson was a small place, with one railroad, and a stage line connected it with Lansing, the new capital. He had been reared to habits of industry and had learned the cooper's trade, and followed this in Jackson until 1859, when he turned his attention, for a time, to school-teaching. This experience was gained in the Bay Window District, two miles south from Eaton Rapids. Not long thereafter, however, the father died and the family made removal to Kalamazoo, where Mr. Smith resumed his trade, and in 1865 opened a cooper shop, twelve miles from Kalamazoo, at Plainville. This business he conducted until 1871, in the winter of which he went to Chicago, then just beginning to build after the disastrous fire which had swept the Illinois metropolis. Not long after his arrival in that city he entered the employ of Jaynes & Company, and within a week his abilities had been recognized by his promotion to the position of floor manager, with 100 workmen under his charge. He was later still further promoted to the position of purchasing agent and remained with that firm until 1883, when the concern went out of business. In the meantime Mr. Smith had formed a wide acquaintance among men engaged in the cooperage business, and had been informed *hat Van Wert offered a promising field for an energetic and able man. Accordingly, he came to this city and entered the employ of the Eagle Stave Company, of which 'Guy H. Marsh was at that time the sole proprietor. Mr. Smith remained with Mr. Marsh four years as an employe, and then in company with him purchased an interest in a plant located at Scott, and owned by John Leeson. A corporation was duly formed, under the style of the Leeson Cooperage Company, and HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1713 Mr. Smith was made secretary and manager of the new business, with which he continued to be identified for eight years, when all the available timber of the locality had been used. Mr. Smith then purchased Mr. Leeson's interest in the 1,200 acres of land which had been owned jointly by Messrs. Marsh, Smith and Leeson, and for some time superintended the improvement and cultivation of the land, but is now living retired, after many years of faithful and unremitting exertion. While he is still in full bodily vigor .and strength of intellect, he feels that he has done his share in life, and that his closing years should be spent in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. On September 21, 1861, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Eunice Whitcomb, who was born in a log house in Eaton County, Michigan, daughter of Luther and Louise (Pierson) Whitcomb, natives of New England and pioneers of Eaton County, Michigan. Mr. Whitcomb purchased a tract of heavily-timbered Government land and settled down with his family in the wilderness. His first home was a log cabin, to which he was subsequently able to add to other rooms, and finally erected a full set of farm buildings and developed a handsome and valuable farm. There both the parents of Mrs. Smith spent the remaining years of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two sons and one daughter : Byron J. married Dora Davis, and has three children, Harold, Grace and James B., Jr. Burton L. married Josephine Seigel. Ella Louise, who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio, was the first librarian for the Brumbach Court Library, at Van Wert, and for four years was state organizer of libraries. At the present writing she is librarian of the Paulding Carnegie Library. Mr. Smith has always been a democrat and is an influential factor in the ranks of his party. He served for one term as mayor of Yan Wert, but refused a second nomination, although this was tendered to him. He has been a promoter of movements which have contributed to the welfare of his community and his record is that of a public-spirited citizen and an honorable business man. Fraternally, he is a member of Van Wert Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is also prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Van Wert Lodge No. 218, Free and Accepted Masons ; Van Wert Chapter No. 71, Royal Arch Masons ; Van Wert Council No. 73, Royal and Select Masters ; and Ivanhoe Commandery No. 54, Knights Templar, and took the Scottish Rite thirty-second degree at St. Louis. STEPHEN S. DIX. Seventy-one years is a long lifetime. Solomon has declared there is a time and season for all things. Such a long life affords opportunity for the experiences and activities so aptly enumerated and described by the wise king of old. It was seventy-one years ago when Stephen S. Dix began his model career in Pleasant Township of Van Wert County, September 26, 1845. His first conscious recollections are of a community in Western Ohio where there were no railroads, when little of the land was improved, when deer and wild turkeys were still found in the woods, when his mother carded and spun the cloth used in making the clothes of the family, cooked by the fireplace, and it was Mr. Dix' lot to witness the transformation of a wilderness into a well settled and wealthy county and the growth of the county seat from a village into a thriving city. His family were among the pioneer makers and builders of Ohio. His grandfather came from Vermont and as a pioneer in Delaware County, Ohio, bought a tract of timbered land in Troy Township, bordering Whetstone River, and lived there until his death in 1833. By his marriage to a Miss Main he reared five sons and three daughters. Peres Dix, father of Stephen S., was born in Delaware County, Ohio, February 25, 1820, and was thirteen years old when his father died. More than ordinary responsibilities were thrown upon his young shoulders. Not long after the death of his father the Pike Highway was built between Columbus and Portland and close to his old home. Young Peres Dix at that time owned a pair of steers. He employed them in the transportation service which grew up and flourished on the old pike. The wages for himself and his steers were 75 cents a day. Out of this he managed to save some and at the age of sixteen had $100. This small capital he employed to enter eighty acres of land in Pleasant Township of Van Wert County. That was more than three-quarters of a century age, and Van Wert and all other counties of Northwestern Ohio were a virtual wilderness. There was no money in circulation, and the inhabitants resorted to the old principles of barter and exchange. Peres Dix having built a log cabin moved into it in the fall of 1840 and in 1846 he was able to buy another eighty 1714 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO acres adjoining his first eighty. This purchase had on it a hewed log house, but he afterward built three different houses on the farm. There he steadily devoted his time and energies to clearing up and cultivating his farm and remained there until late in life, when he removed to Van Wert and had a comfortable home in that little city until his death at the age of seventy-six. In 1840 Peres Dix married Lavinia Wise, who was born near Marietta, Ohio, daughter of Samuel Wise, a pioneer in Southern Ohio who removed about 1827 to Delaware County and spent the rest of his years there. Mrs. Peres Dix died at eighty-five, having become the mother of eight children, but two died in infancy. Stephen S. Dix spent the first eighteen years of his life amid the pioneer scenes of his native township. Much of his education was acquired in a school held in a log cabin, with slab benches, without desks, and with a restricted curriculum of the three R's as the basis of instruction. In such a school there was no need for manual training or athletics, since that part of his education was well cared for at home in assisting to clear up the land and in handling the tools and. implements of pioneer husbandry. He made wise use of his literary advantages and during the winter of 1863-64 taught a term of school. The spring of 1864 found him an applicant for service in the Union army. He was then eighteen years old. He enlisted in Company K of the Forty-sixth Regiment of Ohio Veteran Infantry, and joined Sherman's command at Chattanooga in time to participate in the great Atlanta movement, comprising a hundred days of continuous fighting until the city was besieged and captured. While at Atlanta he was taken ill, sent north to hospital, and did not recover and rejoin his command until December, 1864. He returned to the regiment at Raleigh, North Carolina, and from there marched north, the last remnants of the Confederate troops having surrendered in the meantime, and by way of Richmond arrived in Washington, where he participated in the grand review, the greatest military spectacle ever witnessed in America. Following the discharge of his regiment he returned home and soon afterwards was again engaged in teaching and farming. His father about that time gave him eighty acres of land in Pleasant Township, and with that as a nucleus he has acquired prosperity in generous measure as a farmer and stockraiser. His activities in this line of business continued until 1906, when he removed to Van Wert and has since lived retired. On March 26, 1868, a few years after he came home from the army, Mr. Dix married Sarah High. She was born in Morrow County, daughter of John and Sophia (Clark) High, and a granddaughter of George High. John High, her father, was an early settler in Tully Township of Van Wert County. After nearly forty years of happy married life in which she had given her time generously to her family and her community, Mrs. Dix died in 1906. She reared six children named Lewis, Clinton, Millie, William, Mary and Viola. Lewis, who married Frances Shaffer. died leaving six children. Millie married Delmere Davis and has eight children. William married Nellie Maidment and has one son. Mary is the wife of George Maidment and the mother of eight children. Viola is the wife of Gus King and has five children. Besides his own children Mr. Dix has as the solace of his later years twenty-eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. ADAM C. SHEETS has been an active business man at Van Wert nearly thirty years. His career has been an unusual one, both for the circumstances that surrounded his early life and for what he has accomplished as an individual. From tender years he has had a close fellowship with toil and hard labor, and he knows as well as any man what a day of hard work means. As a business man his record is one of absolute integrity and he has been a safe and judicious counselor to others in their business affairs. His ancestors for several generations lived in the State of Maryland. The Sheets family was established in this country by John Johan Sheets, who came from Germany in 1682, and secured a grant of land including 640 acres in the Penn Grant. A son of this American pioneer was' Frederick Sheets Sr., who was born in Maryland and from the best information available spent all his life in that state.. The next generation was represented by Frederick Sheets, Jr., who was born in Maryland and was one of the first settlers in Ohio, coming about 1803. In Columbiana County he acquired a section of land, hewed a farm from the wilderness, and lived on it until his death. This farm is now owned by his descendants. John Sheets, son of Frederick, Jr., and grandfather of Adam Sheets of Van Wert, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and con- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1715 tinued to live there until 1850, when he came to Van Wert County, Ohio, and bought land in Wiltshire Township. That was his home ,until his death on May 1, 18.62. John Sheets married Catherine Cress, who died November 17, 1878. They had a large household of chil- dren, fourteen in number, named Margaret,. Samuel, Jehu, Solomon, Anna, Barbara, William, Mary, Adam, John, Benjamin, Frederick, Josiah and Elias. Of this large family William Sheets was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 24, 1817. His early years were spent in his native county and in 1845 he came to Van Wert County and was a pioneer in Wiltshire Township. Van Wert was then but a village. In fact nearly all of Northwest Ohio was a wilderness. In the dense forest clearings had been made here and there by pioneers, but few settlers had advanced to that point of comfort where they had anything better than log cabins for their homes. All life was on the plane of utmost simplicity. There was little money in circulation. William Sheets himself put up a log cabin on his land in Wiltshire Township, and after making a number of improvements he sold out in 1851 and bought another place in Harrison Township of Van Wert County. The improvements consisted of two acres of clearing and a hewed log house. He had hardly become settled and taken up work on his new farm when death intervened and called him away September 2, 1851. About two weeks before his death Adam C. Sheets had been born in this old hewed log cabin in Harrison Township. He was one of the six small children who were left to the care and management of his widowed mother. Her maiden name was Mary Myers, and she was born in Columbiana; County, a daughter of Michael Myers, a blacksmith by trade and one of the early settlers of Columbiana County. Mrs. Mary Sheets was a remarkable woman even in a time which produced remarkable women. She was skilled in all the old time housewifely arts. She carded and spun wool and flax, dressed her family in homespun, and was an expert in the old fashioned cookery. From the point of view of the modern woman she had more than she could attend to within the house, but her energy was apparently unlimited. Besides feeding and clothing her children, attending to all the work indoors, she also actively superintended the clearing and management of the farm. A woman of such admirable virtues deserves the grateful memory of mankind. She lived to see her six children all grown, and death came to her in her eighty-second year in 1889. Her children were Elza, Susannah, Lydia, John, Solomon, and Adam. The son John soon after the outbreak of the Civil war went away to fight the battles of the Union in an Ohio regiment and lost his life while in the army. The conditions and circumstances above noted indicate why Adam Sheets was accustomed to responsibilities from an early age. He grew -up in what was then a pioneer community of Van Wert County. The first school he attended was held in a log house. The seats were made of poplar logs, split with the smooth side up and supported by wooden pins. There were no desks, and a smooth plank was pinned at an incline to the sidewall and served as a writing desk for the largest scholars. As soon as his age and strength permitted he was given his share of duties on the home farm. He wielded the ax and the plow, cleared and cultivated, and at the age of twenty took full charge and management of the farm. After leaving the farm, Mr. Sheets opened a shoe shop at Middlebury, operated it two years, and then erected a building and put. in a. stock of general merchandise. He was in active business at Middlebury until 1886, when he went to Wren, Ohio, and continued in business there until '88. In that year he came to Van Wert. His first two years here were spent in the carpenter trade, and he then opened a custom shoe shop. Two years later he established a retail boot and shoe store and continued in that line of business until July 15, 1899. He then traded his stock of goods and good will for a farm in Tully ToWnship of Van Wert County. Since September, 1899, Mr. Sheets has been engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business at Van Wert, and his expert judgment and square dealings have brought him a large clientage. In 1910 Mr. Sheets bought a patent right to a mausoleum, and later he invented a type of mausoleum on which he secured a patent. He has erected several mausoleums in cemeteries, one at Van Wert, one at Minden, and one at Rockford, and now has a contract to build one at Grover Hill in Paulding County. In 1881 Mr. Sheets married Miss Minnie V. Young, whose family record is an important  part of the early history of Northwest Ohio. Her early forefathers were Pennsylvania people. Her great-grandfather, who was probably born in Pennsylvania, spent his boyhood days when Pennsylvania was still on the frontier and exposed to the attack of hos- 1716 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO tile savages. One time he was captured by the Indians, and was kept a prisoner in their tents and on their nomadic excursions for several years, finally being taken to Montreal and sold to a wealthy French Canadian for three bottles of brandy. The French Canadian took the boy into his own family and treated him very well. However, he was overcome with a desire to visit his old home and find out something about his family. There he found all changed, his parents dead, and yet he concluded to remain and he married and reared a family in Pennsylvania. A son of this man who had endured such a remarkable series of frontier experiences was Jacob Young, great-grandfather of Mrs. Sheets. Jacob moved from his native state to Northwest Territory, and settled in what is now Columbiana County. He lived there until 1814, and then went to Richland County and entered Government land on the East Branch of the Black Fork. Richland County was then on the verge of civilization. Indians were numerous and the woods were filled with wild game. Jacob Young was distinguished as one of the most expert nimrods of his time. It is said that he killed more deer than any other white man in that section of Ohio. His home was in Richland County until his death in 1852. Jacob Young married Mary Mason, who was born it is thought in Columbiana County, and she died in Richland County. They were the parents of two sons and ten daughters. John Young, grandfather of Mrs. Sheets, was born in 'Columbiana County in 1799, three years before Ohio became a state. He was fifteen when the family moved to Richland County and was old enough to take a part in clearing up the land. Later his father gave him eighty acres of timberland in that part of Richland County which is now Ashland County. He built a log cabin, cleared thirty acres, then sold and bought another tract of eighty acres, for $700 four miles east of the Town of Ashland, and after living there four years sold it for $1,500'. He then removed to Liberty Township in Crawford County, and during the eleven years spent there he improved a large part of his land and erected a substantial log house and barn. Selling his interests in Crawford County, he then came to Van Wert County in 1851, and secured a small tract six miles east of the Town of Van Wert, later invested in eighty acres west of the county seat, and 160 acres south of the city. His death occurred a short time after he came to this county. John Young married Elizabeth. Bishop, who was born in Maryland. Her father came from Maryland to Muskingum County, Ohio, where le was an early settler and where he died in 1825. Elizabeth Young survived her husband, afterwards moved out to Illinois with a son and daughter, and spent her last days in Warren County, where she died at the age of ninety-four. Her seven children were Hannah, John Lemuel, Jacob, George, Abraham Newton, Joseph Luther and Elizabeth. Mrs. Sheets is a daughter of John Lemuel Young, who was born 21/2 miles from Ashland in what is. now Ashland County March 16. 1827. He became a carpenter, and that was his regular trade and occupation throughout his active years. After his marriage he settled at Delphos, followed his trade a year, and then removed to eighty acres which his father had given him. On that land he built a log cabin and cleared five acres, but selling out in 1854 he removed to Van Wert. With the exception of two years spent at Piqua he has lived at Van Wert ever since, for more than sixty years. John L. Young was married in 1852 to Helen Brown. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Eleanor (Smith) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Wayne County. Samuel Brown is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Van Wert County, having located on land two miles east of the county seat in 1839. There he hewed a farm from the wilderness and lived until his death in 1860. His wife survived him until 1887, and they reared seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mrs. Sheets' father is now nearly ninety years of age, and he comes of vigorous and long lived stock. At one time he had four living brothers, the youngest of whom is seventy-six years old. The mother of Mrs. Sheets died in 1874, having reared four children, Edgar S., Minnie, James and Harry B. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sheets comprise two daughters, Nellie and Bertha. Nellie is the wife of Fletcher McCleary, and her two children are Eleanor and Robert Wayne. Bertha is the wife of Harvey M. Gwynn. Mr. Sheets is a democrat and he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. HARRY BURT resides in one of the oldest homes of Van Wert, a substantial brick residence on West Main Street. which was erected fully sixty years ago by his father and was HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1717 the second brick building put up in the then small town of Van Wert. It has always been an interesting landmark and is interesting for its associations with one of the best known families of this staid and substantial little city. The Burt family has been identified with Yan Wert County now for almost seventy years. It is a family with an old and honorable lineage in American history. The line goes back to the time of the establishment of the first colonies in Massachusetts and New England. This line begins with Henry Burt, who was born in England, and on coming to America first settled at Roxbury, Massachussetts, and from there moved into the wilderness along the Connecticut River. He was one of the early settlers of Springfield, Massachusetts, and the records show that he became prominent in public affairs. The record of the family and of its many prominent individuals can of course be only briefly referred to here, and there is an entire volume entitled " Genealogical Records of Henry and Eulalia Burt" which was published by Roderick H. Burnham of Hartford, Connecticut. The lineage from Henry and Eulalia to the Van Wert branch of the family is as follows : David Burt, who was born in Northampton, Massachusetts ; Benjamin Burt, who was born in Deerfield, Massachusetts, or in Ridgefield, Connecticut, on November 17, 1680 ; Daniel Burt, who was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, July 8, 1715 ; Daniel Burt, born at Ridgefield, Connecticut, October 20, 1740 ; Daniel W. Burt, born at Warwick, Orange County, New York, September 7, 1776, and died September 7, 1846 ; Daniel .W. Burt, born at Warwick, Orange County, New York, December 11, 1316; and Harry Burt, born in Van Wert, Ohio, August 5, 1864. Thus it will be seen that the Burts were pioneers in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and also in the eastern and western sections of New York as well as in Ohio. Daniel W. Burt, father of Harry, was reared and educated in New York State, and when a young man made the journey into Ohio and was a pioneer in Tuscarawas County. He bought land bordering on the Tuscarawas River, cleared up some of it, and raised several crops before he left that section of the state and in 1848 came to Van Wert County. He was a man of considerable means and made investments in lands in Pleasant and Tully townships, and also in Paulding County. In 1856 he removed to Danville, Vol. III-23 Illinois, but after two years there he returned. to Van Wert. At that time, sixty years ago, Van Wert was just a village, and much of the land now covered by that prosperous little city was then in the midst of the 'timber. Purchasing a tract on what is now West Main Street, Daniel W. Burt at that time put up the fine old brick residence which has 'been standing for sixty years and which was the second structure of brick erected in the town. After sixty years of use this home seems just as good as new. At that time and for years afterwards the railroads used wood for the locomotives. That opened a special line of business for Daniel Burt. He furnished all the wood taken on by the locomotives at Van Wert. In those early days he was able to buy for $5 an acre any quantity of timbered land and the same land now commands a price of $200 an acre. After having such land cleared up and the timber removed, Mr. Burt expended large amounts of money in the development of it for agricultural purposes and throughout his career carried on very extensive farming operations. Daniel W. Burt was in his time and generation one of the leading citizens of Van Wert. He died at the old home February 3, 1892. While living in Tuscarawas County he was married in January, 1842, to Catherine Creter. She was born in that county, a daughter of Andrew Creter,. a native of New York State. Andrew Creter was a pioneer of Tuscarawas County, improved a farm there, and it remained his' home until his death. He married a Miss Neighbor. Mrs. Daniel W. Burt died March 21, 1890. She was the mother of seven children : Andrew, Emeline, Augusta, Edgar, Daniel, Catherine and Harry. Mr. Harry Burt was reared and educated at Van Wert, and he has had all his associations in that city. He attended the public schools and continued to make his home with his parents as long as they lived. Since they died his time and energies have been taken up in the care and management of the large estate left by his father. December 29, 1892, Harry Burt married Addie Showalter, who was born in Baltimore, Ohio, a daughter, of Abraham Showalter. Mr. and Mrs. Burt are members of the Presbyterian Church and fraternally he is affiliated with the' Royal Arcanum. J. F. WINGATE, clerk of the municipal court of Lima, is one of the oldest men in connection with the municipal service of that city, having 1718 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO been employed in various capacities through a a period of twenty-five years. Mr. Wingate was born on a farm in Jackson Township, Allen County, Ohio, March 8, 1862, a son of Lemuel and Margaret (Millikin) Wingate. He is a son of an honored soldier of the Union who gave up his life during that struggle. Lemuel Wingate was member of Company B in the Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry and died in a military hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, February 10, 1863, at the age of twenty-two years eight months. He was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in December, 1840, a son of John C. and Lucinda (Alford) Wingate, natives of the same county. Grandfather Wingate moved to Allen County during the '50s, and bought a farm of eighty acres from a man named Merchant. Here in the wilderness he built a log hut, cleared up the land, and kept his home there until his death in 1898. Grandfather Wingate before locating in Allen County made a tour of investigation, crossing Indiana by wagon into Illinois, but found no place to his satisfaction, and then returned to Allen County. His widow continued to live on the old homestead until her death in February, 1916. She was then at the venerable age of ninety-four. Lemuel Wingate was married in Allen County to Margaret Millikin who was born in this county and is now living at the age of seventy-two. Her father Thomas Millikin was born in Richland County, Ohio, and was an early settler in Allen County, where he bought a farm and spent the rest of his active career. J. F. Wingate grew up in a home without a father 's care and had to shift for himself at an early age. He attended the common schools and also put in two terms in the Northern Ohio' University at Ada. He worked on farms for a number of years, but at Christmas in 1889 came to Lima and spent a year as a worker in the sawmill. After that he became a fireman on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, but in June, 1892, entered the employ of the city. He was for many years on the police force, at first as patrolman and for thirteen years was captain. He has filled nearly all the positions in the city's service and is now giving careful and systematic attention to the duties of the office of clerk of municipal court. When he came to Lima he was absolutely without capital, and in spite of his early limitations has made a success in life. On October 31, 1880, Mr. Wingate married Mary Ardella Young. She was born in Beaver Dam, Ohio, was brought up in Butler, Indiana, where her father, William Young, was for many years a general merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Wingate have nine children, six of whom are still living. Ola is the wife of Clark Hitchcock, a salesman in a clothing store at Lima ; they have two children, Robert and Roy; Edwin, employed in the office of a wholesale concern at Lima, married Verda Wheeler and has two children; Richard and Margaret. Margaret is the wife of Ed Stapleton, connected with the Garford Manufacturing Company at Lima. W. Roy, employed by the Wells Fargo & Company Express at Lima, married Rdith Dotson and have a son W. Roy, Jr. Mildred and Harry are still at home, the latter working in a grocery store. Mr. and Mrs. Wingate are both active members of the Central Church of Christ and Mrs. Wingate is especially active in the Aid and Missionary societies. . He is affiliated with Lodge No. 54 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a republican in politics. Besides the nice home he has provided for his family at 443 South Central Avenue, Mr. Wingate has other property including an eighty-acre farm. JOHN C. MACK. The City of Lima regards as one of its finest individual assets John C. Mack, chief of the fire department. Mr. Mack is a veteran in the fire service, has been identified with it for over twenty-five years, and his work and his character mean much to the security of property as well as to the efficiency of the organization over which he presides. He was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, September 7, 1861, a son of Charles C. and helmina (Wetzel) Mack. Both parents were natives of Germany. Grandfather Mack brought his family to America in the early days, and died in Marion County, Ohio, at the age of sixty-five. The maternal grandfather Wetzel spent all his life in Germany and was ninety-six years of age when he passed away. Charles C. Mack was six years old when he came to Ohio, and about 1851 he removed to Auglaize County. He was there in time to secure a tract of land direct from the Government, and he developed it as a farm. His: first improvement was a log house, and he kept clearing and otherwise adding to the value and usefulness of the place and lived there until his death at the age of seventy-seven. He and his family were members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church and HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1719 in politics he was a democrat. There were five children in the family : Samuel, a farmer near Spencerville, Ohio ; John C. ; Carolina, wife of Fred Brodbeck, a farmer near Cridersville, Ohio; George, a blacksmith in Lima; and Amelia, wife of Walter Toy, county engineer of Allen County. Since he was sixteen years of age John C. Mack has been in the toil and stress of life for his own advancement and has been making his own way in the world. He grew up on the farm, attended the district schools of Auglaize County, and his achievements in life are a result of hard and persistent work. Mr. Mack came to Lima in 1887. He was connected with the Lima Machine Works for a period of thirteen years, helped build many of the locomotives and other machinery sent out by that large industry, and when he left the firm he was foreman of the smith department. In the meantime he joined the Lima fire department in the fall of 1889. For a number of years he performed the duties of fireman as well as his regular work in the locomotive shops, but finally gave the fire department his full time. No one knows the city's needs and requirements for fire protection better than Chief Mack, and no one is in a position to direct with greater efficiency its fire equipment and organization. He has held the position of chief since 1911.. He is well known all over the state as a fireman, has attended all the national conventions of the fire chiefs except one, and has attended all the state conventions, and has served on state committees. In 1887 Mr. Mack married Luthinda Wellman, who was born near New Knoxville, Ohio. They have three children : Pearl, wife of H. K. Heiniger, owner of the Lima Auto Sales Company ; Earl C., who is employed with the Auto Sales Company ; and Ella C. at home. The family are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Lima. Chief Mack is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Tribe of Ben Hur, his wife being identified with the Rebekahs. Politically he is a republican. Among other interests Chief Mack has acquired considerable real estate in Lima. ARTHUR L. JONES, M. D., whose work as a physician has brought him high standing and reputation at Lima, has been in practice in that city for many years and for the past fourteen years has filled the position of health officer. Doctor Jones was born in Manchester, England, August 20, 1871, a son of Lloyd and Mary (Birbeck) Jones. His father was native of Wales and his mother of England. The father is still living and is now a retired merchant at Fort Wayne, Indiana. The family came to America in 1879 and located at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lloyd Jones is a member of the Sons of St. George and is a republican in politics. He and his family are Methodists. Of the ten children, five are, still living : Arthur L. ; Lillian, a resident of Chicago ; William, a rancher in the West ; and Mary and Belle, both at Fort Wayne. Doctor Jones grew up in Fort Wayne from the age of eight years, attended the public schools, also had private instruction, and finally entered the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, where he completed the medical course in 1897. Soon afterwards he moved to Lima and has been in successful practice in that city for nearly twenty years. While his practice is general he is a recognized specialist in diseases of women and children. Some of his patrons come from adjoining counties in Ohio. He is a member of the County and State and Northwest Ohio Medical societies and the American Medical Association. Doctor Jones was married in 1898 to Miss Harriet A. Wilson of Fort Wayne. They have three children : Mildred, Harriet and Margaret Eleanor. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Doctor Jones is a Royal Arch Mason, is affiliated with Lodge No. 54 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has social relations with the Lima Club and the Shawnee Country Club. J. R. PARRY, M. D., is one of the younger members of the medical fraternity at Lima, where he has been located since 1914. Doctor Parry had splendid advantages as well as natural qualifications for the profession and has shown special proficiency in the surgical branches and is giving more and more of his time and attention to surgery. He was born in Woodsfield, Ohio, December 11, 1889, son of J. R. and Elizabeth (Gatchell) Parry. His grandfather Louis Parry was a native of Wales, and after coming to America lived in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather John G. Gatchell was born in Ohio, was a farmer, saw active service as a Union soldier during the Civil war, and at the battle 1720 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO of Chickamauga was shot in the eye. After that he was blind until his death. Doctor Parry's. parents still reside at Woodsfield, Ohio. His father was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and his mother in Monroe County, Ohio. His father is also a physician and has been looking after the needs of his patients at Woodsfield and in that district for thirty years. He came to Ohio in 1880 and completed his medical education in the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. He has been very successful in the profession. He is a republican, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church while his wife is a Methodist. They were the parents of four children : George Parry, an instructor in German in the Normal School of Middle-bourne, West Virginia ; Dr. J. R. Parry, Jr. ; Ward H., who is located at Akron ; and Thayer L., at home and attending high school. Dr. J. R. Parry was graduated from the Woodsfield High School in 1907. His mind had already been made up as to the profession he would follow, and soon afterwards he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, where he completed his course in 1911. In order that he might begin practice with all the experience possible he remained three years in Philadelphia, working as interne and in other capacities in local hospitals. With this preparation Doctor Parry came to Lima in 1914. He is a member of the. Allen County Medical Society. He belongs to the Masonic Order, is a member of the Methodist Church, while his wife is an Episcopalian. He was married June 26, 1916, to Dorothy Moitz of Philadelphia. WILLIAM ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL has been a resident of Lima for forty years, all the time actively identified with journalism, and he also served as postmaster in the city. His Scotch ancestors left Scotland during the seventeenth century to escape religious persecution, and settled in Coleraine, County Derry, Ireland. From Ireland three brothers, Dougald, Robert and John Campbell came to America between 1730 and 1740, settling in Pennsylvania. From that state descendants of Dougald removed to Rockbridge County, Virginia ; of John to Washington County, Virginia; while three sons of Robert settled in Augusta, Virginia. Mr. W. A. Campbell of Lima is descended from the Dougald Campbell branch. Samuel L. Campbell, grandson of Dougald Campbell, and grandfather of William A., became a distinguished physician in Rock-bridge County, Virginia, where he died in 1840. He was also a leading educator, was connected with Washington College and Washington and Lee University, was member of its board of trustees, treasurer of the college and from 1796 to 1799 served as president of the faculty. 'Two of his sons were graduates of the institution. Doctor Campbell was married September 19, 1794, to Sarah Alexander, sister of Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D., who afterwards was president of Princeton College. Charles Fenelon Campbell, son of Dr. Samuel Campbell and father of William A., was born at Lexington, Virginia, September 13, 1803, and died at Georgetown, Ohio, September 2, 1864. He graduated from Washington College in his twentieth year and had also received a military education in the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington. He was admitted to the bar as attorney and solicitor in chancery in the State of Virginia, but in 1.824 came to Brown County, Ohio. .He practiced his profession and became widely known as a lawyer and jurist and one of the prominent men of the state in the first half of the twentieth century. He was also a publisher, being proprietor of the Whig and later of the Bee at Ripley, Ohio. When the war came on he was commissioned by the governor of Ohio to organize the militia of his part of the state. He gave himself to the cause with all the enthusiasm and strength of his nature, and his labors were so strenuous as to bring on disease that proved the immediate cause of his death. On September 12, 1833, he married Harriet E. Kephart of Ripley, Ohio. Their children were : Angus K., Francis T., John Quincy Adams, Mary Antoinette, William A., and Charles Delevan. William Archibald Campbell was born at Ripley in Brown County, Ohio. He grew up and received his education in that old town, and had not yet attained manhood when his father died. As a youth he became interested in newspaper work, and has had more than half a century's active experience in that profession. Mr. Campbell came to Lima in July, 1877, and with his brother Charles D. established the Allen County Republican. Later this was consolidated with the Lima Gazette under the name Lima Republican Gazette, and for years it has been one of the influential papers of Northwest Ohio and a HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1721 strong and constructive influence in politics and civic affairs generally. On March 24, 1904, Mr. Campbell was appointed postmaster of Lima. He gave a thorough and painstaking administration of the office, and since retiring from that post has again given all his time to the Republican Gazette. Mr. Campbell fought in the Civil war as a member of the Second Independent Battery of Light Artillery. Mr: Campbell's mother died in 1913 and at the time was one of the oldest women in Ohio. She lacked only two months of attaining the century mark. Mr. Campbell married Sallie S. Shaw, daughter of Rev. Joseph Shaw of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Five children were born to their union, Florence, Lillian, Donald D., Beatrice and Dudley A. LEROY S. GALVIN. Since leaving the activities and experiences of high school LeRoy S. Galvin has been steadily identified with the newspaper profession, has been in newspaper work at Lima since 1899, and is now vice president and general manager of the Lima News Company. He was born at Jamestown, Greene County, Ohio, June 2, 1875, a son of William S. and Hulda Ann (Fichthorne) Galvin. Both parents are now living at Jamestown, and they were born, the father in Cincinnati and the mother in Jamestown. William S. Galvin is also a newspaper man, and is proprietor of the Jamestown Journal. He is also an old soldier, having fought four years in the Civil war with Company F of the One. Hundred Fifty-first Ohio Infantry. For twenty years he held the office of postmaster at Jamestown. He is a republican, a member of the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and other organizations, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife have six children : Mrs. Elmer E. Stinson, wife of a florist at Montpelier, Indiana ; Mrs. Mary G. Page, whose husband is connected with the Ohio Oil Company at Marshall, Illinois ; LeRoy S. ; Mrs. Fred D. Zeigler, wife of an oil producer at Tulsa, Oklahoma ; Wayne J., business manager of the Wilmington, Ohio, Journal ; and Marjorie, still at home with her parents. LeRoy S. Galvin attended the public schools of Jamestown, graduating from high school in 1894. He also was a student in Miami University. He served his apprenticeship in the newspaper business at home, and in 1897 came to Lima to accept the post of city editor of the Republican-Gazette. In 1909 he became identified with the Lima News and has since been vice president and general manager of the company publishing that paper, the News being one of the strongest journals in this section of Ohio. It has a circulation of 10,000 and is distributed all over Allen and adjoining counties. The company also maintains a large plant for general newspaper work and does an extensive business in commercial and job printing. In 1901 Mr. Galvin married Miss Nellie Richie, who was born in Lima, daughter of Walter B. Richie, a well known attorney. They have one child, Catherine. Mr. and Mrs. Galvin are members of the Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with the Elks, and in politics is a republican. REV. DAVID LYTLE has filled a niche of remarkable usefulness and service in the world. Until recently he was active in business affairs at Deshler. He began his career as a carpenter and finally built up a business which was able to supply a building service on a large scale. He gave to Deshler its most important enterprise in that line, and represented in lumber yard, mills, and headquarters for every type of building appliance and supplies and with the mechanical service that goes with it. Mr. Lytle established himself in business at Deshler in September, 1897. He started with modest capital and with such a stock as the community seemed to require. In a few months he and his associates bought several tracts of ground and from that time forward the business has been constantly spreading and growing. In 1908 the firm erected a three-story concrete and brick building 44 by 100 feet, and in 1911 another building was added in the rear 50 by 50 feet of the same type of construction. There are also extensive storage sheds in addition to the mills. This concern now is able to furnish millwork and all the equipment and supplies necessary for the construction of a building from basement to roof, including the paint. The firm has also furnished service in the contracting and building line and has put up many of the private homes and business structures in Henry, Wood and Putnam counties. Rev. David Lytle was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1841, and has long since passed the age of three score and ten but until quite recently kept his hold on business affairs. He was reared and educated near Muffin in Miflin County, 1722 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Pennsylvania, and there learned, the carpenter's trade. He was liberally educated and qualified as a teacher, but gave up that occupation in favor of a mechanical pursuit. When a young man he moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, where for many years he followed his work as a carpenter, contractor and builder. In 1883 Mr. Lytle moved to Logan County, where he followed farming for a time and in 1885 went to Putnam County. He owned a large farm in that county and gave up its active supervision in 1896 when he moved to Deshler. Mr. Lytle comes of Pennsylvania parentage and ancestry, most of his ancestors having been of Irish stock. His parents were William and Barbara (Zook) Lytle, who were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a teacher and lived and died in Pennsylvania. The widow subsequently married Joseph Algyer and they removed to Ohio, where they died when quite old. Mr. Lytle was the only son of his parents' marriage. He himself married for his first wife, in Wayne County, Ohio, Mary Seacrist of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. She died six months after her marriage when still a very young woman. For his second wife Mr. Lytle was married in Wayne County to Sarah H. Pinkerton. She was born in East Union in that county in 1846, grew up there, and since her marriage has loyally abetted and aided her husband and they have worked together at home and .in church and have reared a worthy family of children. Since his marriage Mr. Lytle has been a prominent leader in the Church of the Brethren. He conducted active church work for many years and filled many pastorates and also did much evangelical work. As a preacher his services have been in the three states of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Since. he came to Deshler he has been looked upon as a help in time of need, and has done much to solace and comfort, not to speak of more material benefactions, in many a home of affliction. Mrs. Lytle and her children have always been in close harmony with him in church affairs. Mr. Lytle is a prohibitionist but has never mingled in practical or personal politics. He has a fine farm situated near Deshler and has ample provision against the future. His oldest child is Dr. Joseph A. Lytle, who was graduated from Crawford College at Leipsic, Ohio, and later from the Homeopathic College of Medicine at Cleveland. He is now in active practice at Cleveland, his home being at 6718 Carnegie avenue, with offices in the Rose Building. By his marriage to Mona Price he has two children, Robert Price and William Price. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Lytle was named John and died in boyhood. Anna P. is the wife of D. J. Bromley, who is an engineer of valuation in the employ of the Illinois Central Railway and lives at Flossmoor, Illinois he and his wife have one son, David J. Ephraim R. Lytle has since January 1, 1917, the date of his father's retirement, been manager and proprietor of the large lumber and mill business established by his father at Deshler. Ephraim married Nellie Sherman, formerly a successful teacher. William F. was accidentally drowned in the town reservoir at Deshler. Arthur D. is owner of the Hoytville Lumber & Supply Company, formerly the Lytle Lumber Company. He married Lillian Evinger of Wood County and has a daughter Sarah. SAMUEL COLLINS. Sixty-five years ago Samuel Collins came to Lima and entered business as a merchant. He is still living in the city, and though more than ninety years of age is still capable of handling his business affairs. He is the oldest resident of the city and in his lifetime has seen enacted a remarkable series of events and developments. He knew Lima when it was little more than a country village, and before railroads transformed the commercial aspect of Northwest Ohio. Mr. Collins was born at Bridgeport, Ohio, March 6, 1824. James Monroe was still President of the United States when he was born. His parents were John and Rachel (Cunningham) Collins, his father a native of Scotland, and his mother of England. Grandfather John Collins was born in England, was married there, and in 1798 he brought his family to Pennsylvania. He lived the life o4 a farmer there, and died near Bridgeport, Ohio. The maternal grandparents both died in Scotland. John Collins, father of Samuel, grew up in Pennsylvania, and went with the family to the vicinity of Bridgeport, Ohio, in early days. Later he took up a farm in Logan County, Ohio, and there spent the rest of his life. For a number of years he enjoyed prosperity, but finally lost most of his money by going on security debts and through the dishonesty of his business partner. He and his good wife HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 1723 died at their old home in Logan County and are buried in the cemetery near Bellefontaine. Of their nine children the only one now living is Samuel Collins of Lima. The mother was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. John Collins, while not formally identified with any church organization, was considered the best Bible student in his locality. In character he was a man of strictest integrity, honest, generous to a fault, was a stanch democrat, and though often urged by his neighbors and friends to run for office he steadfastly refused. Mr. Samuel Collins spent most of his boyhood on a farm in Logan County, Ohio. His youth was spent in a time when public schools did not exist in Ohio. He attended some of the old subscription schools, and the longest term he was ever in school at one time was two months. He made himself useful as a worker on the home farm in Logan County until 1851, in which year he came to Lima. At Lima he started out as a merchant with a small stock of groceries. He had only a few dollars of surplus capital after getting his store stocked, and he had to depend on the excellence of his wares and his ability as a merchant to build up a successful enterprise. His store became popular, his stock was increased, and he did a good business for a number of years. He also rode about over the country for miles around Lima, especially during the winter seasons, and bought furs. In 1852 he moved his family to Lima, and his home has been in that city ever since. In 1860 Mr. Collins was elected sheriff of Allen County and re-elected in 1862. Most of his service was during the critical days of the Civil war. In the meantime he had bought two farms near Lima, and after leaving office he gave an active supervision to their cultivation, and also became an extensive trader. He went about over the country and bought cattle, wheat and other produce from the farmers, and in few of these ventures did he fail to make a profit. At one time Mr. Collins had fifteen producing oil wells on his lands and he still has one that is producing. He and his son have just completed a large residence on the farm, and plan to spend their summers in this country home, living during the winter in Lima. In 1858 Mr. Collins bought a large lot on the northwest quarter of the public square in Lima, and in 1874 put up what was then the largest and finest business block in the city. This block has been used for business and resi dence purposes for over forty years and Mr. Collins and his son's family now live in the second story, while the ground floor is used for banks and other business houses. On March 16, 1848, Mr. Collins married Mary Brenzer. She was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Logan County, Ohio, about 1843. Mrs. Collins died at Lima in 1892. Of the three children of their union only one is now living, Perry C. Perry was educated in the public schools of Lima, spent some years in the harness business there, and finally removed to Cleveland, where he owned and operated a transfer business for sixteen years. He returned to Lima on the death of his mother and has since assisted in the management of the various business interests of his father. Perry Collins married Eva Leland of Cleveland. They have two children : Leland, aged sixteen, and Flora May, who was born in 1916. Mrs. Samuel Collins was a devout member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Collins has never had church membership, but has always supported church movements. Since he attained his majority he has been steadily identified with the democratic party and he was old enough to cast his first vote for Lewis Cass of Michigan. He voted for James Buchanan in 1856. He has taken considerable part in political affairs. Mr. Collins as a business man whose success is well known and of recognized personal integrity has been called upon to act as guardian for a number of children and estates, and every position of trust has been filled by him with the greatest credit. At one time he was also assignee for a bank at Lima. Though now almost ninety-three years of age, Mr. Collins has all the appearance of a man twenty years younger. He has lived a sane and wholesome life, has been busy, has been cheerful, and the years have come upon him gently. He started life as a poor boy, but has long been considered one of the wealthy men of Lima. THOMAS K. JACOBS. This is a name that belongs prominently in the history of Lima both of pioneer days and of the present. Thomas K. Jacobs, Sr., was one of the early settlers of Lima, and a man of prominence in many ways. Thomas K. Jacobs, Jr., is a physician by profession but' for the past quarter of a century has lived at Lima and has looked after the large property interests of the family and has done much for the development of the city. 1724 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO The old Jacobs home where Doctor Jacobs resides, is at 930 East Elm Street. It is one of the most interesting landmarks of the city. The old house was built in 1856. At the time it was a country home, being outside the village of Lima, and among other improvements a large barn stood on the lot. About twenty years ago when Doctor Jacobs returned to Lima he undertook a rather complete remodeling and re-equipment of the home to make it modern. He put in a furnace and other conveniences, and while these add much to the desirability of the place as a residence, the atmosphere and the substantial character of the old architecture have not been materially changed. It is a compliment rather than a term of derogation to call the house old fashioned. One feature especially notable is its large windows. Each frame contains twenty-four lights or panes. This fine old mansion stands on a corner that is well back from the street on an elevated lot. Thomas K. Jacobs, Sr., was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1812. He was the second son in the family of William and Sarah (Williams) Jacobs, who represented old families of Pennsylvania. Thomas K. Jacobs was educated in Juniata County, and in early life learned the tailor's trade. Altogether he followed it for about ten years. He began his career at Mifflin, Pennsylvania, but in 1832 moved to Ashland, Ohio. After two years there he came to Lima, and while he followed tailoring to some extent he was almost from the first engaged actively in real estate business and in developing different sections of the city and adjacent property. He laid out and platted much of the land now included within the corporation limits. He continued to look after his varied interests until his death. He was also the owner of much farm land and at times gave active supervision to his farms. He was married .September 25, 1834, to Anna Elder, daughter of David Elder of Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs reared a family of four children, from the nine born to them. E. C. Jacobs became a practicing physician at Akron, Ohio. Editha married H. A. Moore and Clara became the wife of J. F. Brotherton. The mother of these children died January 6, 1880. In May, 1881, Thomas K. Jacobs, Sr., married Mrs. Mary C. Jacobs. To describe all the various interests and activities of this Lima pioneer would be im- possible in a brief space. In October, 1841, he was elected treasurer of Allen County. He filled that office many years almost continuously except for a short time when the office was filled by Alexander Beatty, upon whose death Mr. Jacobs was appointed to the unexpired term. He interested himself in public affairs almost equally with the management of his own interests until he finally retired a few years before his death. When Fort Sumter was fired upon he was a member of the state legislature from Allen County. He was one of the first to vote that Ohio should be placed on a war footing. This measure was carried after considerable delay and a hard fight. After two years in the Legislature he returned to Lima and was appointed quartermaster of the Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry. He served with that organization, though past military age, until discharged in March, 1865, on account of disability. He was a Knight Templar Mason. Success in business was only one fruit of his large and beneficent character. He was public spirited and his influence was always on the right side. In his death on. November 12, 1884, Allen County lost one of its ablest and most worthy to be remembered citizens. Dr. Thomas K. Jacobs, his son, was born in Lima, attended the public schools there, also the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and in 1880 graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. For a short time he practiced at Akron, but then removed to Chicago, and was a member of the medical fraternity of that city for eleven years. In 1891 it became necessary for Dr. Jacobs to return to Lima to look after the large property interests left by his father. Since that time business has absorbed his time to the complete exclusion of his profession. For the past twenty-five years he has done much toward the laying out and platting of additions in the southeastern section of Lima. In 1887 Dr. Jacobs married Miss Helen Fisher, daughter of Joseph Fisher of Akron, Ohio. Two children were born to their marriage, Paul and Margaret. Paul is a graduate of the Lima High School and of Amhurst College at Amhurst, Massachusetts. For several years he has been actively associated with his father in an extensive real estate business. Their operations are almost entirely confined to their own properties. The daughter Margaret is a graduate of the high school of Lima and of Oxford College for