HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 725 people of Wapakoneta, found for him an important place in all the business affairs of the community. He held a number of positions of trust and importance, coming in close contact with men and their affairs, and leaving with them an impression but for their good. To every one he gave a hearty welcome and an enthusiastic interest in their welfare. Mr. Wilson served as president of the Union Association of Lumber Dealers for a number of years. At that time it was aptly said: 'It is alright for the office to seek the man, but it's a good idea for a man to stay around where he can be found.' That was a very apt characterization of the aggressive enterprising man who seemed naturally to gravitate into positions of honor and preferment. It was said of him at the time he took upon his shouders this office that : If the office is looking for another type of man, however, it will not find him standing around in the way, but can always discover him quietly and faithfully performing the duties that already belong. to him. There is no one who has any acquaintance with James Wilson Jr. of Wapakoneta but will recognize at once that most capable, most enterprising, yet most modest individual should be classified most emphatically in the latter category. "In Wapakoneta Mr. Wilson was clerk of the village from 1874 to 1880, was a member of the board of education from 1881 to 1887, and 1892 to 1895. He was an original member of the board of waterworks trustees. He was prominently identified with the Wapakoneta Building and Savings Company for a period of twenty-nine years as its secretary. He was a member of the board of directors of the old Wheel Company for a number of years, and for twenty years was a stock holder and director of the First National Bank, at the time of his death being one of the oldest directors of this institution in point of service. He was also identified as treasurer of the Auglaize County Agricultural Society for several years. "At the time of his death Mr. Wilson was holding the offices of secretary of the Royal Arcanum; secretary of the Wapakoneta Building and Savings Company; treasurer of Wapakoneta Chapter R. A. M. ; secretary of the Soldiers Relief Commission; treasurer and trustee of the Presbyterian church, in which lie was a prominent and earnest member, and secretary of the Green Lawn Cemetery Association. " Even in the midst of his busy life Mr. Vol. II-5 Wilson enjoyed his lodges and was prominently identified with a number of them. Particularly was he strongly identified with the Masons. He was a member of Hamer Lodge No. 167 F. & A. M., of which he was a past master ; Wapakoneta Chapter No. 183, R. A. M.; St. Marys Council No. 81 R. & S. M.; Antioch Shrine, Dayton; Toledo Consistory, Valley of Toledo; Shawnee Commandery Knights Templar of. Lima; Wapakoneta Lodge No. 1170, B. P. O. E.; Duchouquet Lodge No. 165 Knights of Pythias ; Wapakoneta Council No. 301 Royal Arcanum; Kyle Post No. 41 G. A. R.; and Hoo-Hoo Order of Lumbermen and the Osyrian Cloister, two important organizations among the lumbermen of the country." On September 14, 1869, Mr. Wilson married Miss Sarah Trimble. She was born at St. Marys, daughter of Judge A. H. and Charlotte (Granger) Trimble. Judge Trimble was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1817, and died September 19, 1864. His wife was born near Rochester, New York, August 21, 1820, and died August 16, 1880. They were married at Fredericksburg, Ohio, March 30, 1841, lived in Fredericksburg and Wooster and afterwards moved to St. Marys. Judge Trimble was a very prominent man in Auglaize County. He had a dry goods store at St. Marys until he was elected county auditor. He was the second man elected to that office in the county and served two terms, until he was elected probate judge and filled that office two terms. On retiring from the office he, engaged in the boot and shoe business at Wapakoneta until his death. Judge Trimble was not only possessed of exceptional business ability but both he and his wife were people of the highest culture. Mrs. Trimble is credited with the distinction of having brought to Auglaize County the first sewing machine. All the family were very active and prominent in the Presbyterian Church, and Judge and Mrs. Trimble were charter members. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson, only one of whom now survive, and she and her widowed mother make their home at Wapakoneta. Jennie, the oldest, died in 1.903, the wife of R. B. Anderson, an attorney at Wapakoneta, and she is survived by three sons, the only grandchildren of Mrs. Wilson. These grandchildren are : James, now attending college in Philadelphia ; Walter, who is employed in New York City ; and Robert, a senior in. the Wapakoneta schools. 726 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Alice McKee Wilson, the second daughter, is a .graduate of the Wapakoneta High School and of Oxford College for Women, and for eleven years was bookkeeper for her father, had a very close knowledge of his business affairs and was entrusted with the task of settling his estate. The next three children, James Van Horn, Walter Wade and Frank Trimble all died of diphtheria within a period of ten months at the respective ages of eleven, nine and eight years. The sixth and youngest child, Clara Louise, was the first of the children to die. GEORGE E. GASCOYNE. It was a chance opportunity that brought George E. Gascoyne to Put-in-Bay, and here for upwards of half a century he has worked and planned and administered his affairs not only to his own advantage but to the growth and upbuilding of the entire locality. He is one of the men whom the community of Put-in-Bay most highly honor and respect. His business for Many years was as a building contractor, and during that time he erected some of the best and most substantial structures of the town. Mr. Gascoyne was born in New Providence, Essex County, New Jersey, May 21, 1844, a son of George and Fanny (Castledean) Gascoyne. Both parents were natives of England, where they were married, and immediately after that event they set sail for America, locating in New Jersey, where they lived and died. George E. Gascoyne is an honored veteran ,of the Civil war. He was reared and received his early education in his native state, and at the outbreak of the war, being then seventeen years of age, he found means of enlisting by giving his age as eighteen. He went out with Company H of the Twenty-sixth New Jersey Infantry, and was attached to the Army of the Potomac in. the Sixth Army Corps. He was with that corps in all its battles and campaigns until the expiration of his time of enlistment. He was barely at his majority when the war closed. Leaving the army Mr. Gascoyne learned and followed for several years the trade of carpenter in Brooklyn, New York. From there he transferred his scene of operations to Cincinnati, where he remained two or three years. He then went back to New Jersey. In the meantime he had worked with Mr. Montgomery as a partner in Cincinnati, and while he was in New Jersey Montgomery wrote to him saying that he was going to Put-in-Bay on a job and requesting that Mr. Gascoyne join him. Accepting the invitation, Mr. Gascoyne arrived at Put-in-Bay August 9, 1869. During the following winter he and his partner worked on the Beebe House. The following year he and his friend from Cincinnati formed a partnership under the style of Montgomery & Gascoyne, and their first important contract was for the erection of a large addition to the old Put-in-Bay House. They also had the contract for the building of the plant of the Silicon Steel Rolling Mill at Sandusky. They completed this and also put up a rolling mill at Chicago, and were quite prosperous until the hard times of 1873 compelled them practically to suspend business and they lost heavily on unpaid contracts. In the meantime Mr. Montgomery remained in Chicago, but Mr. Gascoyne returned to Put-in-Bay, and has been closely identified with that community ever since. As a contractor he was active in the business until about 1909. During that time he erected all the principal structures in the town, including the Park House, the fish hatchery, the town hall, the new Put-in-Bay House, and many business and private structures. His attention for a number of years has also been given to other interests. He is nosy half owner of the Perry Cave property, from which a substantial income is derived. He is also cultivating a splendid vineyard of thirty acres. The hundreds of tourists who go to Put-in-Bay associate Mr. Gascoyne's name with the chief transfer business in the town, and his wagons and equipment perform practically all that kind of work. He is also an undertaker, and directs practically all the funerals on the island. Mr. Gascoyne married Maria Brown, who came from Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. In politics Mr. Gascoyne is a democrat. He ca his first presidential vote in 1864 while h was serving in the Union army. He was a that time under age, but under the rules prevailing all soldiers were allowed to vote at th presidential election, and he showed hi preference and indicated the party stand which he has ever since retained by voting for Gen. George B. McClelland. During h. long residence at Put-in-Bay Mr. Gascoyne has served as a city councilman and also mayor. GEORGE R. CAMPBELL is one of the prof vent young bankers of Northwest Ohio, a is now identified as the cashier of the Liberty HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 727 State Savings Bank at Liberty Center in Henry County. Mr. Campbell undertook the organization of this bank under state supervision in July, 1914, and since its establishment, under the same management, it has enjoyed a very prosperous career. It has a capital of $25,000 and in less than two years its deposits have aggregated nearly $200,000. The directors are local Henry County men with Dr. Daniel E. Haag president. The bank occupies excellent quarters in its own building and it is perfectly fitted and appointed for a thorough banking service. Mr. Campbell is secretary and treasurer of Group No. 3, Ohio Bankers Association. Mr. Campbell was formerly for nine years cashier of the Whitehouse State Savings Bank of Whitehouse, Ohio, and prior to that was connected with the establishment of the Waterville State Savings Bank at Waterville, Ohio. Both these institutions are still enjoying a prosperous existence. Altogether he has devoted fourteen years of his life to banking, in fact since he was nineteen years of age, his hard work in the one line is undoubtedly the explanation of his success. The first two years were spent with various banks in Toledo, where he gained a knowledge of city banking, and at the age of twenty-one he helped organize and manage the bank at Waterville. He was born at Bucyrus, Ohio, in 1882, and was reared in that city and received his education there. His father was Capt. George R. Campbell, who was born in Boston and as a young man located in Fremont, Ohio. He was there when the war broke out, and enlisting he became captain in a regiment of light artillery, and not only served through three years of the terrible conflict between the North and South but spent three years more in the South protecting the negroes from the Ku Klux Klan. After returning home he located at Bucyrus, and there began the real work of his life as a railroad contractor, inventor and manufacturer. He patented seventeen mechanical devices of various kinds, and was quite successful in the manufacture of them. He died in 1892 at the age of fifty-six, when in the prime of his career. His successor in business was Patrick Carroll, who on the basis of the Campbell patents developed a very extensive business. His widow survived him a number of years and died in Toledo in 1900. Her maiden name was Amanda E. Ritsman, who was born at Tiffin, Ohio, but was reared and educated at Bucyrus. In Lucas County George R. Campbell married Miss Harriet B. Lautzenheizer. She was born in Maumee, Ohio, and received her education in the Toledo schools. Her parents were German and English people and her father was one of the pioneers in the woolen mills at Napoleon and Maumee. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have one daughter, Mary Gertrude, now eight years of age. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Campbell is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, his Knights of Pythias affiliation being at Whitehouse, Ohio. He is an active republican, and was a delegate from his district .to the national convention at Chicago in 1916. For twelve years he has been a member of the Toledo Club, and is well known in that city and throughout Northwestern Ohio. CARSON L. KISSELL. A business establishment at Napoleon well and favorably known among the farmers and truck growers in Henry County is the produce and packing house plant owned by Carson L. Kissell at 502 East Clinton Street. Mr. Kissell is an expert in the produce business, has been at it constantly since he was a boy and has not only handled a profitable business but has done much to stimulate production in his section of Henry County and has gathered and distributed to the world's markets many carloads every year. His present plant was erected in 1907, and comprises a large warehouse' and .storage and packing building 90 feet long by 30 feet wide, with all the equipment necessary for the handling of produce and poultry. He started in business at Napoleon in 1903 on Washington Street and was in that location until 1907. Mr. Kissell came to Napoleon from Columbus Grove, where he gained his first experience in the produce business with his father at the age of twelve years, and afterwards operated independently. He was born at Columbus Grove, Ohio, October 22, 1882, was reared and educated there and in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, but both during his schooling and since has been a practical produce man for a period of twenty years. His parents were Jacob and Rachel (Van Meter) Kissell, both natives of Ohio and of Pennsylvania stock. The maternal grandparents were Jerry and Anna Kissell, who were. natives of Pennsylvania, where they married, and were early settlers in Putnam 728 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO County, Ohio, where they improved a good farm and spent their active lives. Jerry Kissell died when about eighty years old and his wife about the same age. He was in many ways a remarkable man, and at the age of seventy could lay out a corn furrow as straight as an arrow. Jerry Kissell and wife in Pennsylvania were members of the Lutheran Church, but affiliated with the Christian denomination in Ohio. He was a democrat. Jacob Kissell was one of a family of four sons and one daughter, all of whom grew up and married and three of the sons are still living in Ohio. Jacob Kissell spent his early life on a farm in Putnam. County and was married in Allen County, Ohio, to Rachel Van Meter, who was of Pennsylvania parents and early settlers in Allen County, where they located near Rockport, and there James Van Meter and wife lived out the rest of their days on a farm. They were active members of the Christian Church and in politics James Van Meter was a republican. After their marriage Jacob Kissell and wife spent many years on a farm in Putnam County, but afterwards he established a produce business at Columbus Grove, and is still living there and active in business at the age of fifty-eight. His wife died on the old farm in 1902 aged fifty-six. Both were members of. the Christian Church, and James Kissell is a democrat and has served two terms in the city council. He is also a member of the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of the children, Laura died after her marriage to Commodore Gwynn, who 'now lives at Ottawa, Ohio, with two children. The second in age is. Carson L. James J. is a produce dealer at Columbus Grove and has a family of four sons and three daughters. Heurtle T. is a pharmacist and druggist at Birmingham, Alabama, and is married but has no children. Lizzie E. is the widow of Fielin Taylor, who for a number of years was a commercial traveler and afterwards lived at Birmingham, Alabama, and Mrs. Taylor now lives at Columbus Grove with her son and daughter. Carson L. Kissell in 1912 erected a beautiful eleven room brick house at the corner of Clinton and Castle streets, in Napoleon, and in that attractive home enjoys all the, comforts and pleasures of family life with his wife and four children. He was married at Gomer, in Allen County, to Miss Isadore Clevenger. She was born in Allen County in June, 1871, was married June 2; 1896, and died at her home in Napoleon April 13, 1904. Her grandparents were early settlers from Pennsylvania in Allen County, and spent their lives there, and her parents now reside on a farm at Gomer. Mrs. Kissell was a member of the Christian Church. Her two children Helen, aged seventeen; and Ralph, aged thirteen, now reside with their grandparents in Gomer, Ohio, and attend school there. For his second wife Mr. Kissell married Catherine Kalbe, who was born in Napoleon, where her parents, Henry and Johanna Kalbe, are still living. Her .parents were both natives of Germany and her father at one time served as county surveyor of Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Kissell have the following children : Annetta, Juanita, Donald L. and Dorothy D. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kissell is a democrat and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Napoleon Lodge No. 929 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. WILLIAM BITLER. The Bitler family has been one of many prominent associations with Auglaize County since pioneer times. The different members of the family have been pioneer agriculturists and successful farmers, have been business men, public officials, and in many ways the community has been benefited by their presence and their influence. William Bitler, who is himself a native of Auglaize County and represents the third generation of the family, has spent upwards of forty years in the grain and elevator business at Wapakoneta and is one of the oldest business men in that city. He was born on a farm six miles east of Wapakoneta April 7, 1858, a son of Arthur and Margaret (Baughman) Bider. His grandfather, William Bitler, a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, came from Pennsylvania in the early days; first locating in Columbus, Ohio, and in 1833 removing to Auglaize County, which was then almost entirely a wilderness. He took up land direct from the Government and made his home on his claim until his death. For over twenty-five years he was a mail carrier. Mr. Bitler's maternal grandfather, Jesse Baughman, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was an early coiner to Auglaize County, where he spent the rest of his life. Arthur Bitler was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1832 and died in December, 1914. He was married in Auglaize County to Margaret Baughman, 'who was born in this county in HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 729 1835 and died in 1863. Arthur Bitler was an infant when brought to Auglaize County, lived on a farm until 1865, and in that year was elected county treasurer, serving two terms. On .retiring from office he entered the elevator business, which he continued until 1881, and afterwards was engaged in contract work until he retired in 1906. He was a very well known and highly respected citizen of Auglaize County. Besides his service as county treasurer he was a member of the school board, the town council, and at two different times was land appraiser. He did much for the upbuilding and improvement of Wapakoneta. In politics he followed the fortunes of the democratic party until 1896, and after that voted with the republicans. He was charter member of the Royal Arcanum, was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his first marriage he had four children, the two now living being William Bitler and Delilah. The latter is the wife of A. W. Klipple, a retired grocer. For his second wife Arthur Bitler married Elizabeth Davis, and there are four children of their six still living. Ira is a gardener in Florida. Bertha is the wife of Jule Wehrner, who is connected with a wholesale hardware store at St. Joseph, Missouri. Harry is employed by the Buckeye Pipe Line Company at Lima. Catherine is the wife of Mr. Burk, a banker at Champaign, Illinois. William Bitler attended the public schools of Auglaize County, graduating from the Wapakoneta High School in 1875. He soon afterward engaged in the grain business and his success is due to the fact that he has concentrated his efforts along one particular line. He is now a member of the firm of The Hauss & Bitler Company. They not only conduct a large grain business and elevator at Wapakoneta but also have extensive salesrooms for the handling of automobiles and agricultural implements. Mr. Bitler began his business career with little or no capital, and has found success by hard work and persistently keeping his mind and energies directed along one channel. In 1877 he married Miss Minnie L. Mott. She is a native of Auglaize County, daughter of Oscar Mott, who is a cooper by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Bitler have twelve children, but only five are now living. Morris is a railroad man living at St. Louis, Missouri. George is foreman of a munition factory at Dayton, Ohio. Milo is associated in business with his father. Susie is the wife of A. J. Miller, a rural mail carrier out of Wapakoneta. Arthur is employed by the Delco Light Company at Dayton. Mrs. Bitler is an active member and worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bitler is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and in politics is a republican. For three years he served as a member of the Wapakoneta School Board. FRANK P. BLACKFORD. For sixty consecutive years the name Blackford has had a high standing in the bar of Hancock County. One of the most prominent lawyers of the county in the early .days was the late Aaron Blackford, and two of his sons now practice at Findlay under the firm name of Blackford & Blackford. Aaron Blackford was born in 1827 and died December 9, 1904. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and acquired a liberal education for his time, and was always noted for his learning and scholarship as well as for his ability in meeting all the emergencies of his profession., He was educated in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and in the Cincinnati Law College, where he graduated in 1856. In the following year, 1857, he came to Findlay from Columbiana County. He concentrated the best of his time and energies upon his profession, and was too successful in the real work of the law to ever concern himself with politics or office seeking. He was a democrat. Aaron Blackford married Margaret Ricketts, and they were the parents of the following Children : Frank P.; Charles A.; Rollin, who died in 1909 ; George A., a lawyer at Wheeling, West Virginia ; and Margaret Gale, who is a journalist connected with the Findlay Republican. Frank P. Blackford, of the firm of Blackford & Blackford at Findlay, was born August 1, 1863, and is now associated in the law with his brother Charles. While this firm carried on a general practice Mr. Blackford makes a specialty of real estate law and has handled numerous estates. He is a democrat and a member of the FirSt Lutheran Church. He married Clara Yay, daughter of Fred B. and Mary (Grible) Yay of Findlay. They have three children, Mary, Aaron and Frances. ALBERT J. EGGLESTON has been in the real estate and insurance business at Toledo for the past ten years and is a member of the firm of Conger & Eggleston, with offices in the 730 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Commercial Bank Building at 202 Main Street. His career has been successful, he has become well known in business and civic affairs of this city, and his position now and for the future is well assured. Mr. Eggleston was barn in Ross Township of Wood County, Ohio, May 13, 1872. His parents were Hiram and Mary E. (Coy) Eggleston. His father, who was born in Dutchess County, New York, was in early life a school teacher and later a dairyman. He came to Lucas County; Ohio, in 1858, taught school several years, but in 1865 entered the dairy business which he continued until his death in 1891. At the time of his death• he owned a fine farm of 150 acres in Wood County. All his four children are still living. Third in order of birth, Albert J. Eggleston spent his early life on his father's farm. He attended the district schools of Wood County and the public schools of Lucas County. He had something more than a theoretical knowledge of farming and dairying before he left school, and when his education was complete he succeeded his father in dairying and conducted it successfully until 1906. In the latter year Mr. Eggleston entered real estate and insurance, and conducted business under his own name until 1908, when he became associated with D. W. Conger under the name Conger & Eggleston. They have handled a large volume of business, buy and sell on commission, have also done a great deal of home building, and their operations are largely concentrated in East End property. They are also representatives of several fire and casualty companies and handle a general insurance agency. Mr. Eggleston' is a Knight Templar Mason and Odd Fellow, and among other business interests is a director in the Ohio Savings Association. Under the present city administration he was appointed a member of the City Planning Commission of Toledo on January 1, 1916. On June 1, 1904, at Toledo, Mr. Eggleston married Miss Cora B. Chollett. They have three children : George H., Mary B. and Alice R. WILLIAM E. CRATES, of Findlay, Ohio, merchant and business man, was born on a farm in Hancock County, Ohio, February 27, 1863, a son of Godfrey and Lydia (Wahl) Crates. Coming to Findlay at the age of sixteen he 'began his business career as clerk in a dry goods store. At the age of twenty-four he engaged in the grocery business for himself, and has been in that line continuously for almost thirty years, being head of the Arm of W. E. Crates & Company. In 1906 Mr. Crates originated a chemical preparation used to clarify black rain water and muddy hydrant water. He called it "The Old Settler." It is the only successful ,preparation of its kind. He organized a stock company, called The Old Settler Company, and put his article on the market with the grocery trade, and has a ready sale for it in several states. It has become a household necessity in thousands of homes. In 1902 Mr. Crates was elected a member of the City Council and served in that body nine consecutive years. Four years of that time he was president of the council. He has always been a Methodist, has served on the official board twenty-five years and was a member of the building committee during the erection of the beautiful edifice on West Sandusky Street. April 4, 1886, he married Miss Eva Kelsey, daughter of Charles and Catharine Kelsey. The five children born to this union, all now living, are : Elizabeth, Edith, Nellie, William and Dorothy. HON. THEODORE DAMAN. A member of the Northwest Ohio bar for the past twenty years, Judge Daman has been distinguished by his former service as probate judge of Henry County and more recently by his fine records as chief executor officer of the Napoleon State Bank. Banking has proved as worthy a field for his talents and energy as the law, and he has brought the Napoleon State Bank into a position hardly second to any among the financial institutions of Henry County. He was one of the founders and incorporators of the bank on December 31, 1908, and the bank opened its doors for business April 4, 1909. An interesting part of its record is the fact that in six years it has earned a surplus of $20,000. The first executive officers were : David Meekerson, now deceased, who was the 'first president and was succeeded by Mr. Daman ; Henry Rhors, vice president; and H. L. Vey, cashier. In 1913 Judge Daman succeeded Mr. Meekerson as president. The capital is $50,000, and at the beginning of 1916 the resources aggregated $600,000. The bank has its home on Washington Street, near the postoffice, and its quarters are excellently furnished and equipped for all branches of general banking business. Judge Daman served as probate judge of HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 731 Henry County. from 1906 to 1913. He acquired his legal education under the late Judge Donnelly, and was admitted to the bar in 1895. He carried on a general practice until elected probate judge, an office which he filled with credit to himself and with an admirable service to the litigants before his court and the various important interests entrusted to his charge. Judge Daman was born in Shelby County, Ohio, October 25, 1872, and has lived in Napoleon since 1881. He graduated after leaving the public schools from the Ohio Northern University at Ada and later from the Capital University at Columbus. He is of German stock, and his parents were Louis and Ann (Schnoor) Daman, both natives of Germany. His father was from Hanover and his mother from Holstein. They came to America when young people, making the journey by sailing vessels, and were married in Shelby County, Ohio. Louis Daman entered the Lutheran ministry and is now the oldest pastor in continuous service at Napoleon, being past seventy-five years of age and having preached at Napoleon since 1881. Both. parents are still living, and hale and hearty. Judge Daman was married at Napoleon, to Miss Nellie Brown, who was born, reared and educated in that city.. For some time before her marriage she served as court stenographer. Both her parents are now deceased. Judge and Mrs. Daman have one daughter, Clara E., born July 18, 1908, and now in the public schools. Judge Daman is a member of the Lutheran Church while his wife is a Catholic. In politics he is a democrat and for a number of years has wielded a considerable influence in local politics and business- affairs generally, and has served as a delegate to various conventions and has been a member of several committees. JOHN NOBLE BAILEY, who died January 20, 1915, was a lawyer and banker at Spencerville, and for a great many years wielded an influence and power in proportion to his giant physical and mental strength. He was in every sense a big man. He was of Quaker ancestry, and he possessed that quiet energy and great strength of body and mind which one likes to associate with those people. It was only late in life that he took up the study and practice of law, and for many years he was a carpenter and contractor, but wherever duty called him he was master of himself and his circumstances and a true leader among men. John Noble Bailey was in his seventy-sixth year when death came to him. He was born on a farm in Auglaize County, Ohio, September 3, 1839, a son of Christopher and Nancy (Noble) Bailey. The Bailey ancestors came to Pennsylvania under the leadership of William Penn, and for 100 years they had their home in Pennsylvania. His grandfather was married in Virginia, and Christopher Bailey was born in that state. Thomas Noble moved to Highland County, Ohio, in 1808, and thus the Bailey family has been identified with the Buckeye state for more than a century. John N. Bailey was the oldest of five children, and was survived by one brother only, Green, whose home is in Auglaize County. With a farm training, with a practical common school education, John N. Bailey early marked out for himself a career of strenuous endeavor. He settled at Spencerville very early in the growth of that community, and his career helped to make the community what it is. For many years he followed bridge contracting and carpentry, and among other products of his skill he constructed the Christian and Catholic churches of Spencerville, the Christie Chapel and the Amanda Baptist Church near Conant. He became paymaster of the Narrow Gauge Railroad when it was completed to Spencerville. At the age of forty Mr. Bailey decided to become a lawyer, applied himself with great industry and concentration to his studies at the Cincinnati Law College, was admitted to the bar and from that time until his death practiced at Spencerville, for more than thirty-five years. He was made the first president of the Farmers Bank of Spencerville, and he was head of that institution until his death. What he meant to the community is partly disclosed in a quotation from a local paper : "His honesty, untiring efforts and the wonderful amount of work that he was capable of doing made him an ideal force in the banking world. To this master man with his master mind Spencerville owes a debt that we can never repay. What he has accomplished in the way of good cannot be fathomed ; and only time itself will reveal what he has given to the world ; and better the world is that this man lived. For years Mr. Bailey was a member and a pillar of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church at Spencerville, and was one of the oldest Masons in the local order. His great strength of character made 732 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO him a leader, but kindness was his ruling power." On February 11, 1861, Mr. Bailey married Minerva Baber. Of the nine children of their union five survived their father : Mrs. 0. P. Kephart, Mrs. Emma J. Brittan, Charles F. Bailey, Mrs. B. H. Colt and Arthur N. Bailey. The mother of these children died February 20, 1877. On November 20, 1879, Mr. Bailey married Hannah Snorf Caldwell, who died January 16, 1914, just about a year before the death of her husband. CHARLES FRANCIS BAILEY. A son of the late John Noble Bailey, Charles F. Bailey has for a number of years been active in business affairs at Spencerville, and since 1905 has been connected with the real estate and tax department of the Standard Oil Company. He was born in Allen County, October 2, 1871, received a high school education, and for a number of years was associated with his father. Mr. Bailey is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and with the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On October 7, 1892, he was married at Spencerville to Minnie Hint. They have one child, Veronika Minnie. ARTHUR NOBLE BAILEY, son of the late John Noble Bailey, was born at Spencerville on September 8, 1875, and has spent his life in that community, gaining his education in the local schools. Quite early he became associated with his father in the Farmers Bank at the time of its organization, was employed as bookkeeper and assistant cashier, and was made cashier in January, 1915. He belongs to the Masonic order and is a member of Lima Lodge No. 54, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On December 25, 1898, Mr. Bailey married Bertha Eysenbach, daughter of Theodore Eysenbach. They have an adopted child, Anna Bailey. The Farmers Bank of Spencerville was organized in 1891 by the late J. N. Bailey and it is an institution which will always reflect his splendid integrity and ability as a financier. It has a capital stock of $10,000, surplus of $12,000, and its average deposits are $190,000. The present officers are : A. D. Akin, president; John Lauer, vice president ; Arthur N. Bailey, cashier; and John W. Berry, assistant cashier. EMMA JOSEPHINE BAILEY BRITTON, a daughter of the late John Noble Bailey of Spencer-vile, was born in that village and on November 20, 1884, married Austin Britton, a native of Fayette County, Ohio. Mr. Britton was formerly actively identified with banking affairs in Spencerville. Mrs. Britton has one daughter, Zoa, who is now Mrs. Edward W. Eysenbach of Lima. H. F. MADDEN is president of the Madden Realty Company, builders' brokers, with offices in the Spitzer Building at Toledo. It is a firm of young men, possessed of great energy and business and technical experience, and they have already established themselves securely in real estate circles. They handle a general brokerage business, rentals and insurance. The president of the company was born in Elyria, Ohio, March 20, 1893. He is a son of Dr. J. F. Madden, one of Toledo's well known physicians and surgeons. Doctor Madden is a member of the family of Madden of Berlesecaion, Ireland. Doctor Madden of Dublin and Sir Admiral Madden of the English Navy are members of the same family. Dr. J. F. Madden was educated in Dublin, later took up medicine at New York University and for many years had practiced in Ohio. His wife, Mrs. M. G. Madden, was born in Stowe, Vermont, and is a direct descendant of the Waibridges and Guyers who come over with the Pilgrim fathers. Her grandmother was a niece of General Warren, who was one of the first conspicuous leaders in the American army to die during the Revolution. Mrs. Madden is a graduate of the Iowa Medical University. H. F. Madden attended the public schools of Toledo, in 1908 entered St. John's College and for three years was a student in the engineering department of Notre Dame University at South Bend, Indiana. Illness prevented his graduation, and after recovering he went to work as timekeeper with J. C. Car-land & Co., railroad contractors. He. continued as assistant superintendent until November, 1916. Earlier in the same year he had become a member in the firm Baer-Madden Realty Company, and in 1917 this business was reorganized under the name Madden Realty Company. The secretary of this company is J. Arthur Madden, brother of H. F. Madden. J. Arthur Madden, the second in his father's family, was born at Elyria, Ohio, August 9, 1896. He had a. public school edu- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 733 cation, spent two years in St. John's College and three years in the University of Notre Dame, and for six months studied medicine in Niagara University. Giving up his idea of becoming a doctor, he found work in the advertising department of the Toledo News Bee where he silent a year, and then entered with his brother in the Madden Realty Company as secretary. MILES H. TUTTLE, who now lives retired at Van Wert, has performed ably and well his duties and responsibilities in the world. He was a good teacher; one of the pioneers in that line of labor in Van Wert County, and for many years faithfully performed his duties in the banking business at Van Wert. He has no conscious recollection of either his father or mother. Both parents died a few months after he was born. His birth occurred in a log cabin in the wilderness of Auburn Township in Crawford County, Ohio, June 6, 1836. As an orphan he was cared for in the family of Levi DeVoe of Auburn Township, and he has always bcen grateful to his foster parents for the careful training they gave him as a youth. He attended the public schools and worked to the limit of his strength on the farm. Making the best use of his opportunities, he acquired an education that made him competent for teaching at the age of sixteen. During his first term of school he was paid $16 a month. Later he attended school at Plymouth, Ohio, spent one year in the Academy at Republic in Seneca County, and in 1855 was a student in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1856 Mr. Tuttle came to Van Wert and was employed as a teacher in the old frame schoolhouse that then stood at the corner of Linn and Woodland Avenue. His service in educational work kept him in Van Wert until 1866, after which he taught two years at Convoy in the same county. Giving up his school labors, Mr. Tuttle became bookkeeper with the First National Bank of Van Wert and for thirty years was identified with that institution, since which time he has lived retired. A Mr. George Tuttle of Rutland, Vermont, has compiled a history of the Tuttle family in America, showing all the important branches and ramifications of the name in this country and also introducing the relationship of the Tuttles with such other distinguished families as the Burrs, Woolseys, Frelinghuysens, Eng lishes, Graces, Greenwoods, Franklins, Edwards, etc. The direct ancestor of Miles H. Tuttle was William Tuttle, who was born in England and came to America on the ship Planter in 1639, locating in the colony of Connecticut. From him the descent goes through the following heads of generations : Jonathan, who married Rebecca Bell, daughter of Lieutenant Francis Bell of Stamford, Connecticut ; Nathaniel Tuttle,. who married Mary Todd, daughter of Josiah and Abigail (Fredericks) Todd ; Uri Tuttle, who married Thankful Ives ; Chauncey Tuttle, who married Elizabeth Peck, and they were the parents of Miles Tuttle, Sr., father of the Van Wert citizen. Miles Tuttle, Sr., was born in Connecticut, where his father spent all his life. He was reared and married in his native state, and about 1830 he came West to Ohio, making the journey by stage coach, canal boat and lake boat. His first location was in Huron County, but in 1834 he penetrated the woods and the wilderness trails into Auburn Township of Crawford County. His was one of the early settlements made in that section of Northwest Ohio. Acquiring a tract of timber land, he erected the log cabin in which Miles A. Tuttle first saw the light of day. Some considerable clearing of the farm had been effected before death stayed his hand in August, 1836. His wife, whose maiden name was Esther Bunnell, died one month after her husband. She was born in Fairfield County, Connecticut, a daughter of Stephen Bunnell. In 1857 Miles H. Tuttle married Miss Mary J. Murphy, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Jane Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle reared four daughters and one son : Esther B., who married S. C. Niman ; Lulu, who married E. M. Alford ; Edmonia Eugenia, wife of E. J. Germann ; Jane A., who lives at home with her father ; and Schuyler S., who is a successful physician. Mrs. Tuttle, the mother of these children, died June 20, 1910, after a long and happy married life of fifty-three years. WILLIAM IRVIN KIEFER is the old and reliable man in the general insurance, real estate and loan business at Findlay, where he has been in active business for the past thirty-one years. He has probably written as large an aggregate of general insurance as any other man in the county and he is also an expert authority on real estate matters both in 734 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO the city and country districts. His offices are in the Rawson Block. Mr. Kiefer was born on a farm in Milton Township of Wayne County, Ohio, in 1857, a son of John M. and Caroline (Houser) Kiefer. He is of German and Scotch ancestry. He was reared on a farm, attended country schools, and his early ambition was the primary factor which gave him a liberal education as a young man and subsequently promoted him to success in business affairs. He attended the Smithville Academy at Smithville in Wayne County, and for two terms was a student in the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. When only sixteen years of age Mr. Kiefer taught his first term of school. In the intervals of his advanced studies in college he continued as a teacher for nine years.. He has the real ability of the natural salesman and early realized that school work was not his .real forte. For two years he had a district agency for a publishing house, and sold books successfully. These early efforts were only means to an end, and having been careful and thrifty of his earnings he was able to engage his capital in a mercantile business at Smithville, Ohio, under the firm name of Eberly & Kiefer. This firm did a large business for a year, and at the end of that time Mr. Kiefer sold out and removed to Sterling, in Wayne County, where he continued in the same line of business for three years. In 1885 he came to Findlay and purchased the established business of L. C. Fullerton, who had the agency for the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company. The office of the business was at 330 South Main Street, where Mr. Kiefer continued business for eight years. In 1894 he moved to his present location in the Rawson Block, and his office is now one of the oldest from the point of continuous location. He still retains his original agency for the Ohio. Farmers Insurance Company, and is also representing the Insurance Company of North America, Philadelphia Underwriters, Phoenix of London and Providence-Washington. For the last twenty years he has been the medium for the farm loans made by the Union Central Life Insurance Company over this territory. Mr. Kiefer also loans much other money on farm property, and is individually the owner of considerable Findlay real estate. Another property of his is an eighty acre farm just in the outskirts of the city. His prominence in insurance circles is indicated by the fact that he is now ex-president of the Ohio Association. of Fire Insurance Agents, also ex-presi. dent of the Ohio Farmers Agents' Association. Mr. Kiefer is a republican in politics, is trustee and chairman of the House and Ground Committee of the First Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has been married since 1882 and has a family of which he is proud.: His wife before her marriage was Gertrude Beardsley, daughter of D. B. and Jane A. Beardsley of Findlay. D. B. Beardsley was the author of the most complete and authentic, history of Hancock County, Ohio, ever published. Lena R., the oldest of Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer's children, is a successful educator, and is now principal of the branch of the Findlay High School maintained in the Lincoln Schoolhouse. Gail, the second daughter, was a student in the domestic science department of the Carnegie Institute at Pittsburg, and was a very wholesome and talented young woman and her death in 1911 at the age of twenty-two was widely lamented. Lawrence W. is now connected with Schenks-Sons Company at Wheeling, West Virginia, and he married Marie Campbell of Findlay. Joseph B. aged twenty-one, is a graduate A. B. from Western Reserve University at Cleveland and is now taking the regular law course in that institution, a member of the class of 1918. He is a young man of great promise, has taken many of the student honors in the university and is editor of his college annual. GEORGE W. RICHEY. About the beginning of the last century there lived in the province of Ulster, Ireland, George Richey, whose early ancestors, however, had come from Scotland. He was born, reared and was married in Ulster, his wife, Catherine Porter, being also a native of that province. Not long after his marriage he brought his wife to America, spent some time in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and then advanced through the woods and over the trails to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he was among the early settlers. He acquired some land, improved it as a farm, and remained there until his death, being survived by his widow several years. The three children who grew up in their home were named Andrew, Charles and Ellen. Of these, Charles Richey was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1819. He was about twenty-five years of age when in 1844 he determined to make a home in a comparatively new dis- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 735 trict, and accordingly arrived in Van Wert County. The first year he spent in Ridge Township, and then moved to Pleasant Township, where he bought 120 acres of heavily timbered land in section 4. Following the example of practically all the early settlers he erected a log cabin home, and in that humble abode there was born on December 18, 1847, George W. Richey, who now occupies a part of the old homestead. Charles Richey was a man of mark in Van Wert County, was successful as a farmer, but was best known for his public service. In 1860 he was elected sheriff of the county and in that year removed to the City of Van Wert, where he remained a resident until his death in 1906. He was elected sheriff three times and for a quarter of a century filled the office of justice of the peace. Charles Richey married Martha T. Maddux, who was also a native of Pickaway County, a daughter of Severn' and Elizabeth (Hill) Maddux, and a granddaughter of William Hill, who was one of the earliest settlers in Ridge Township of Van Wert County. Mrs. Charles Richey died in 1866, survived by five children : Nancy E. Margaret J., Elizabeth C., George W. and E., J. While the public schools of Van Wert County did not offer the extended courses of instruction that the modern schools do, George Richey wisely improved such advantages as were offered, and he gained an education which was a fair equipment for the earnest work of life. On leaving school he spent two years as clerk for W. A. Clark in a book store at Van Wert, and also as postmaster and express agent. He followed that with similar experience in a hardware store, and then engaged in the boot and shoe business at Van Wert with Clark & Richey. Mr. Richey had a successful career as one of the leading merchants of Van Wert, but some years ago he sold out his business and removed to the farm which he now owns and occupies. It is a part of the old homestead, as already stated. There Mr. Richey continues his pleasant labors as a general farmer. In July, 1869, he married Miss Frances M. Kennedy, who was born in Union County, Ohio, a daughter of Rev. 0. and Elizabeth (Cherry) Kennedy, also natives of Union County. Mr. and Mrs. Richey have reared a large family of eleven children, whose names are Libbie T., Charles 0., Myrtle M. Leola E., Clyde P., Frank E., Hugh. C., William A., George F., Laura M. and Lawrence K. Mr. Richey arrived at manhood and cast his first presidential vote for General Grant, and has been consistently supporting the republican party for almost half a century. A. E. SCHAFFER is a business man of widely extended experience, and for many years has been closely identified with the commercial and civic life of Wapakoneta and Auglaize County. He is of German ancestry. His paternal grandparents spent all their lives in Germany, and his maternal grandfather was Adam. Len-hart. His father, George Schaffer, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1837, and came to Auglaize County, Ohio, when eighteen years of age. For many years he followed the trade of cooper, and afterward was in the grocery business until he retired ten years before his death, which occurred in June, 1910. He was prosperous in his business affairs, was active in the democratic party and in the Catholic Church, but never sought any official honors. George Schaffer married Mary Lenhart, who was born in Shelby County, Ohio, June 5, 1845, and is still living and has passed her seventieth birthday. The parents were married in Shelby County. Of their seven children the four now living are : A. E. Schaffer ; George S., who is a tie contractor at Fort Smith, Arkansas ; W. T., a grocer at Wapakoneta; and Frank, who is deputy sealer of weights and measures. With an education in the parochial and public schools, A. E. Schaffer found his first business experience in the grocery store of his father, for whom he worked until he was twenty-two. He was then in the grocery business for himself, and altogether had sixteen years of experience in that line. Selling out his interests he became representative in Ohio for a New York City commission house, and during the four years spent in that business he made Wapakoneta his headquarters. For a number of years now Mr. Schaffer has been one of the men controlling and directing the affairs of the Democratic Printing Company of Wapakoneta. This company published the Daily News and the Auglaize County Democrat. From his duties in that company Mr. Schaffer was called by election in 1909 to the office of county auditor, which he filled with credit and efficiency for four years. Since leaving office he has continued the management of the Democratic Printing Company at Wapakoneta. In 1891 he married Miss Maggie Culleton, of St. Marys. He and his wife are members 738 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO editorially upon this promptness in the following words : "It is growing more apparent day by day that Toledo has made no mistake in electing Charles M. Milroy to the mayoralty. Evidently he isn't afraid of the cars. In tackling the tough traction problem on the very first day after his election he has displayed a courage and a determination to do the best he can for the town. His action in inviting a tentative committee to get to work on the preliminaries of a traction settlement was the fulfilling of a duty which he might easily have evaded. He will not be mayor until January and he could easily have avoided the criticism which is certain to follow his effort toward peace by letting the city struggle with the problem unaided until he legally assumed the direction of municipal affairs. But he didn't do it that way. He realized the vital need for speedy traction peace and he went at the job without any kid gloves or apologies. And Toledo will, without question, accept his proffered aid with gratitude and understanding." This committee has worked out a plan for community ownership which promises good results and is entirely novel in its inception. It is also noticeable that he did not forget or neglect his pre-election promises, since in his first public statement after the election he said : "I shall take office with a full acceptance of the spirit of the home rule charter and shall do all within my power, and within the power of the highest class of men with whom I can surround my administration, to meet the serious responsibilities imposed on the next administration and to manage the new governmental functions conferred upon the city with the single view of obtaining the best results for the city and all of its people. Without waiting to take office I shall at once invite the voluntary aid of some of Toledo's financiers and leaders in order that a definite policy of finance and city management may be devised in anticipation of the day I take office. "Now that no declaration of mine may be construed as a campaign promise, I take the opportunity to assure the people again that in no sense do I owe my election to any boss or faction. To no such agent am I under any obligation. I am free to serve the city whole heartedly, as I insisted I should be from the beginning. I announce once more that no boss or faction shall control my appointments or any of my administration activities." Within three days after his election as mayor, Mr. Milroy appointed also a committee of financial experts to investigate the city 's financial condition, the cause of its financial distress and the remedy. Mayor Milroy began the practice of law at Toledo in 1897. For several years he was a member of the firm, the head of which was Hon. Brand Whitlock, now United States minister to Belgium. Charles M. Milroy was born in Northwood, Logan CoUnty, Ohio, and is of sturdy Scotch ancestry. His parents were Rev. William and Isabella (McCracken) Milroy. The father a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian or Scotch Covenanter Church, died November 15, 1876, at Northwood, leaving the mother with a family of seven sons and four daughters to look after. She resided at Northwood until they grew to manhood and womanhood, after which she moved to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where, after a long life filled with usefulness, she passed to her reward April 7, 1914. The sons and daughters are all living. Mr. Milroy grew up in this state, received a public school education, and afterwards graduated from the Ohio Northern University at Ada, with the class of 1892, receiving the degree of B. S. He worked hard to prepare himself for his career, being superintendent of the schools at McComb for a number of years, and from his own earnings paid his way through the University of Michigan, of which he is also a graduate in the class of 1897, receiving the degree of LL. B. Mr. Milroy has been known as an industrious worker at his profession since locating in Toledo, and showed distinctive ability in his profession long before he became a factor in politics. From 1903 to 1906 he served as assistant city solicitor. But the official experience which best fitted him for the present office was prosecuting attorney of Lucas County, an office to which he was elected in the fall of 1912, and which he filled during 1913-14. Mr. Milroy's course in public life has been marked by strong independence. He has always surrounded himself with able assistants and advisers. During his campaign for mayor he emphasized the fact that he did not believe in party government of municipalities and declared that, if elected, there should be no invisible government during his administration. In the few months since he became mayor he has shown that vigilance for the city's welfare, that square-jawed independence, as well as understanding of municipal problems and the ability to act promptly HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 739 and decisively, which are the best qualifications for such an office as mayor of a great city. His complete history cannot yet be written, for he is still helping to make history in one of the largest cities of the great State of Ohio. For a number of years he served as a trustee of Toledo University, and to the efforts of himself and his colleagues during the years of struggle this institution owes the high position it occupies today as a strictly municipal university. In 1904 Mr. Milroy married Miss Mary Hallaran, of Toledo, a daughter of a prominent family and a graduate of Vassar College in the class of 1899. They have one son, Richard, now a student in the public schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. Milroy are members of the First Congregational Church. LEANDER BURDICK. Distinguished in the field of finance and in Ohio Masonry, the late Leander Burdick was for years a notable figure in the life of Toledo. That city was a struggling town when he became one of its citizens sixty years ago. At the time of his death on January 1, 1913, he was still filling a responsible post in one of Toledo's old and substantial banks, of which he was the founder, and in that financial acumen which comes from wide experience his counsel was regarded as second to none. He was born at Rockdale, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1835, and his life was prolonged to his seventy-eighth year. He had only the advantages of the common schools of his native village for a few years. When he was fourteen his parents moved .west and settled in Hillsdale, Michigan. When he came to Toledo in 1855 that city was just recovering from its long scourge of cholera. He had youth, enthusiasm, energy, all of which were embarked in the cause of business and the community. His first important place was as financial manager of the Buckeye Tobacco Company, a concern that did a thriving business for years, especially during the period of the Civil war. In a few years his place as an energetic, resourceful. business man and citizen was well assured. About the time the tobacco company was dissolved Mr. Burdick accepted a place on the board of directors of the Northern National. Bank. In 1888, with the organization of The Union Savings Bank Company, besides being one of the heavy stockholders, he accepted the responsibilities of cashier, a post he filled with widening influence until his death. Doubtless the best appreciation of his long career as a business man is found in the resolutions drawn up and adopted by the directors of this bank at their meeting of January 3, 1913. "In the passing away of Leander Burdick," to quote this memorial, " The Union Savings Bank loses the mind that has guided its business since its commencement twenty-five years ago. The success of the bank has been due in the largest measure to the confidence of the public in his integrity, ability and wide experience. Leander Burdick has been connected very closely and intimately with the business and social life of Toledo for more than half a century. He has occupied many positions, both public and private, of trust and responsibility, and always with satisfaction to those he served and with credit to himself. His advice has been sought freely, and he has been a helpful friend and adviser to thousands. He was supremely devoted to his family, being a tender husband and an indulgent parent. No sacrifice was too great, if made for them,. and their happiness was the greatest desire of his life. They have our most profound sympathy. Although he had long since passed the allotted three score and ten, his death strikes us all as too sudden and too soon. In his passing the city he loved loses a loyal and distinguished citizen ; business circles will miss his counsel; this bank loses a successful officer ; and many scores of people will mourn the loss of a good friend." Mr. Burdick had also been a stockholder in several other Toledo corporations and was very closely in touch with the entire commercial and civic activities of the city. Aside from business and his home, his supreme affection was for the Masonic fraternity, in which he gained renown beyond the limits of his home state. At the time of his death he was called the oldest Ohio Mason, and in recognition of hiS services and interest had been honored with practically every office within the jurisdiction of the Ohio lodges. Immediately after his arrival in Toledo, in 1855 he entered the order. The following year he took the entered apprentice degree in Rubicon Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 144. He rose to the highest office of the order in Ohio, that of grand master of the grand lodge. At different times he held the offices of junior deacon, junior warden and worshipful master of Rubicon Lodge. In Fort Meigs Chapter of the Royal Arch he was senior grand deacon, junior grand warden, senior grand 740 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO warden and most worshipful master. In the Grand Commandery of Ohio he was grand warden, grand standard bearer and grand junior warden. He was representative of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, representative of the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia, secretary of the Toledo Masonic Temple Association, president of the Ohio Masonic Veterans' Association and president board of trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home. His death occurred from bronchial pneumonia after an illness of only five days. As had been their custom for several winters, he and his wife were making preparations to go south to Miami, Florida. After a private service at his home on Madison avenue, his funeral was in charge of the Masons of high degree in Ohio and was held in the Masonic Temple. , He was laid to rest in Forest cemetery. Though always much interested in political matters, Mr. Burdick never sought an elective office. He was appointed a member of the decennial board of appraisers in 1880, and later appointed a member of the board of tax review, now the board of review. He attended the First Congregational Church. He was twice married. The only child of his first wife is Hon. Charles W. Burdick, a prominent attorney at Cheyenne, Wyoming, and at one time secretary of state of Wyoming. His second wife. survived him, and by that union there were three sons and two daughters. L. Fred Burdick is a resident of California. Mrs. Charles A. Peckham and Mrs. Henry C. Truesdall reside in Toledo. Arthur W. and Frank H. are both deceased. LOFNIS EARL GLEASON. The lumber interests of the flourishing city of Van Wert are capably represented by Lofnis Earl Gleason, who, with associates, is conducting a large and thriving business. This industry, one of the leading commercial enterprises of the city, has for many' years been a contributing factor in building up and developing Van Wert and the surrounding country, and has enlisted the best interests of a number of members of. the Gleason family, men bearing this name having long been prominent in various avenues of activity in this part of Northwest Ohio. Lofnis Earl Gleason was born December 29, 1863, in the Township of Pleasant, Van Wert County, Ohio, a son of Abram Brown Gleason. The Gleason family, a history of which was compiled by Joseph Gleason, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and published by J. B. White, of Kansas City, traces its ancestry back to Thomas Gleason, who emigrated from Newcastle, England, to America, and was living at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1657. Bezaleel Gleason, the great-great-grandfather of Lofnis E. Gleason, is said to have taken part with General Stark's Green Mountain Boys in the battle of Bennington during the Revolutionary war. He married Phebe Newberry, and among their children was Bezaleel Gleason, Jr., who was born near Brattleboro, Vermont, and was the great-grandfather of Lofnis E. Gleason. He removed from Vermont to New York State, where he was one of the pioneers of Ontario County-, and died June 21, 1832. He married Abigail Howland, a Mayflower descendant, and they had three sons and five daughters, namely : Stephen, 'Joseph, Sarah, Phoebe, Clarissa, Mary, Eliza and Benjamin. In 1837 the mother, accompanied by her children, with the exception of Sarah and Phoebe, who had married, removed to the wilds of Van Wert County, Ohio, and there the remainder of her life was spent, her death occurring in Pleasant Township, January 29, 1851. Joseph Gleason, the grandfather of Lofnis E. Gleason, was born near Manchester, Ontario County, New York, September 3, 1803. He acquired a good education and as a young man engaged in teaching school during a part of' the year, while the remainder he devoted to farming and the lumber business. Thus he continued until the year 1837, when, with his wife and three children, he joined a colony and made an overland journey with teams to Van Wert County, there entering a tract of Government land in Pleasant Township, which was organized that year. At that time a great part of Northwest Ohio was a wilderness and much of the 'land was owned by the Government and for sale at $1.25 per acre. There were, however, no railroads or canals in this section, the streams had not been dredged or placed under control, and water covered what is now some of the best farming country in the United States. In the midst of this wilderness the family lived in the covered wagon in which the trip had been Made until the father could erect a log cabin, and the following two years he spent in clearing his land. Having been elected county recorder, Mr. Gleason then moved to Van Wert, and in the fall of 1839 he built the log tavern which was located at what would now be about the northeast corner of Main and HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 741 Jefferson streets. Later on that site he erected a two-story frame building, which was known for many years as the American House, and which he conducted as a hotel, largely patronized by travelers of the day. At one time Mr. Gleason held the offices of county recorder, associate judge and justice of the peace. Later he formed a partnership with Thomas R. Kear and they erected the first steam sawmill in Van Wert County, located at the corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets. One year following Mr. Gleason sold out to his partner, taking a lease of the mill for three years as a part of the consideration, and at the expiration of the lease lie, with his brother, Stephen, built what is now the Gleason Lumber Company 's mill, of which he subsequently became the sole owner. He operated with but little help, save that of his four sons, for a number of years, and the products of this industry did much toward the improvement of the surrounding country. In the meantime, having sold the hotel building and become possessed of several farms in the vicinity of Van Wert, he gradually withdrew from the lumber business to devote his time to the improvement of his farms. In this latter line he continued to be principally engaged until his death, which occurred February 2, 1883. Mr. Gleason married Harriet Brown, who was born February 26, 1811, at East Windsor, Connecticut, a daughter of John and Elsie (Fish) Brown. Her parents removed from Connecticut to Ontario County, New York, and thence to Lorain County, Ohio, where they remained until their death. Mrs. Gleason died July 26, 1888, the mother of four sons and three daughters : Alonzo, Mariette, Andrew J., Abram Brown, Julia, Frank J. and Ella. Abram Brown Gleason was born at Van Wert, Ohio, April 10, 1840, and was given the best education that the schools of the community afforded. When but a youth he commenced work in his father's mill, and later he and his brother, Frank J., succeeded to the ownership of the business, in which Mr. Gleason was active until his death, February 7, 1911. He was married February 6, 1862, to Lucretia J. Fox, who died April 1, 1867, leaving two children : Lofnis Earl, and Mittie E., who is the wife of Dr. W. T. Chambers. Abram B. Gleason was connected with various industries and enterprises. He became a stockholder in the Van Wert County Bank in 1869, and in 1883 was made president of the Van Wert National Bank, was interested in the Ohio Land and Livestock Com- Vol. II-6 pany, the Eagle Stave Company and Van Wert 's first building and loan association, and was an extensive owner of farming lands. In politics he was a democrat, but gave little attention to public affairs, being too busy with personal interests, although he served two terms, 1869 to 1873, as sheriff of Van Wert County. Lofnis Earl Gleason attended the public schools of Van Wert and a commercial school at Dayton. He was reared to habits of industry and upon completing his commercial course commenced work at the lumber yards and thoroughly mastered every detail of the business, working his way upwards from the bottom. He has continued to be connected with this concern to the present time, and he and his sister, with F. H. and G. L. Capper, are the present proprietors. Mr. Gleason is a director in the First National Bank and is extensively interested in agriculture, being at this time the manager of five farms. He has taken an active part in promoting the cnterprises which have contributed to the development of Van Wert, and is known as an honorable man of business and a public-spirited citizen. Mr. Gleason married Miss Hettie Noble, who was born at Saint Paris, Ohio, daughter of Thomas and Clementine Noble, and to this union there has been born one daughter : Hazel. Mr. Gleason is a member of 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, Knights Templar. JOSEPH L. SHELDON is one of Toledo's most successful engineers. He learned engineering both on the business and technical sides, was an employe of several large firms for many years, and is now president and was the organizer of The Joseph L. Skeldon Engineering Company. The general offices of this company are at No. 931 Nicholas Building, at Toledo. Mr. D. F. Skeldon is vice president and Mr. T. J. 0 'Connor is secretary. Besides general machine work and steam fitting the company specializes in power plant equipment, and it has installed equipment of this nature all over the Middle West. It represents the output of a number of the best-known manufacturing houses, and maintains an organization of skilled and expert men to supply a prompt and reliable service covering a large field. Mr. Skeldon is a native of Toledo, born in that city November 6, 1878, a son of John E. 742 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO Skeldon. His father, who is now retired at the age of seventy-six, was born in Buffalo, New York. As a young man he enlisted in Company B of the One-Hundredth New York Infantry, and was. a Union soldier for three years. At the close of the war in 1865 he came to Toledo, and the Government employed him as operator and superintendent of the harbor lights. He then became a captain on the Great Lakes, was also associated in the dredging business and did considerable dredge work on the Strait Channel in the Toledo harbor. He finally retired from this government position and had the management of the Masonic Temple in Toledo for a period of twenty-three years. Of his seven children, five are still living, Joseph L. being the third in age. The mother, Delana Williams, was a direct descendant of the noted Roger Williams, who dissented from the established practices of the Puritan Church in Massachusetts and founded Rhode . Island and Providence 'plantations. Her mother was a McLouth, of one of the noble families of Ireland. At the age of fourteen, due to illness, Joseph L. Skeldon left school and took a position as cook on the Great Lakes, which calling he followed for two years. He then took a course in Melchior 's Business College in stenography. He accepted a position as stenographer with Shaw-Kendall Engineering Company of Toledo, and was connected with that firm for fourteen years, part of that time as salesman, with which concern he learned the engineering business. After leaving them he was employed for three years as sales manager in the Ohio territory by the Atlas Engineering Works, at Indianapolis, Indiana. He then engaged in business for himself, and from 1909 to 1912 operated under the name of Joseph L. Skeldon, Manufacturers' Agent, with offices in Chamber of Commerce Building. In 1912 Mr. Skeldon organized The Joseph L. Skeldon Engineering Company, and it is one of the largest engineering concerns in Northwestern Ohio. Mr. Skeldon is doing extensive work in Louisiana at the present time in the Bogalusa Paper Mills. Mr. Skeldon is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight of Pythias and Elk, belongs to the Jovian Club, made of men of the electrical industry, is a member of the Toledo Commerce Club and president of the Ohio Society of Mechanical Engineers. Politically he is a republican and his church is the Methodist. On November 6, 1899, he married Miss Caddie Elizabeth Popp. JOHN STOLLBERG. The visible evidence of the achievement of John Stollberg as a commercial builder is before the people of Toledo in the splendid establishment in the wholesale district of the Stollberg Hardware & Paint Company. He has won an enviable place among the merchants of Northwest Ohio, but comparatively few people know the steps by which he worked up from comparative obscurity to his present success. He is a native of Toledo, born January 5, 1856. His parents were William and Anna (Haller) Stollberg. His father, born in Germany, came to America in 1848, the year in which so many prominent Germans left the Fatherland and allied their fortunes with America. He located in Toledo and spent the rest of his life in this city. He died there in 1885, and his wife passed away in 1866. Of their family of five children, three are still living. John Stollberg as a boy attended the pub. lic schools of Toledo, and he also had the advantages of some instruction in the Wallace-Baldwin University at Berea. He early determined upon a business career and doubtless he felt that the road to success was open and plain before him when he was offered a position as clerk with the firm of Fordyce & Wheeler. A better opportunity was subsequently given him when he entered the employ of J. C. Weeber, a well-known Toledo hardware merchant. Five years were spent in the Weeber establishment, and while he did not receive big wages, it was an impor tant experience, as he learned the busine from the ground up. With the fruits of this experience and such modest capital as he was able to get together, Mr. Stollberg in 1880 opened a stock of hardware of his own on Cherry street. He was in business alone a year and the next three years was associated with H. E. Kuhlman in the same line of trade. In 1888 the Stollberg Hardware Company began business on a small scale as wholesalers and jobbers of general hardware. The start was modest, but the credit of the firm was good and its prospects even better, and by hard work Mr. Stollberg pushed the enterprise until by 1890 his trade connections had become sufficient to justify incorporation. The company was incorporated in that year with capital stock of $300,000. The Stollberg Hardware Company in 1913 moved to the present location at 416-418 and 420 Huron street. They handle general hardware and all kinds of builders' supplies, HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 743 and the company keeps a force of traveling salesmen on the road the entire year. On May 29, 1879, Mr. Stollberg married Miss May E. Weber, daughter of Jacob Weber. They have three daughters, all of whom were born in Toledo and are graduates of the Toledo public schools. Their names are : Iola May, Mrs. Dr. H. L. Green ; Luella E., Mrs. Oscar Leach, and Stella Irene, Mrs Harry Isenberg. While the development of his business would be an achievement sufficient to tax the energies and absorb all the time of the average man, Mr. Stollberg has never neglected the demands of the social and civic community in which he lives. He has helped organize and prosecute to success a number of enterprises besides the hardware business. Outside of businesS and home perhaps his chief interest for many years has been the German Emanuel Methodist Episcopal Church. For a long time he has been treasurer of the church, has served as superintendent of its Sunday school, has identified himself with the various church activities and for thirty-eight years has been director of the church choir. For a number of years Mr. Stollberg served as president of the Toledo Maennerchor. He is a stanch republican, is affiliated with all the bodies of Masonry, including the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite, belongs to Council No. 41 of the National Union and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. CLARENCE DAVEY SELBY, M. D. A resident of Toledo since 1905, Dr. Selby is undoubtedly one of the best known physicians and surgeons in the State of Ohio. Besides his private practice, his professional connections with various institutions, he is managing editor of the Ohio State Medical Journal. Doctor Selby was born in Des Moines, Iowa, July 21, 1878, but when he was .a child his parents Sanford Perry and Lizzie Foster (Davey) Selby, removed to Southern Ohio, and Dr. Selby attended the common and high schools of Portsmouth. He graduated from high school in 1898, and then entered the medical department of Western Reserve University where he took his degree in 1902. Even while in university Doctor Selby's attainments attracted notice. In 1901 he served as demonstrator of histology in the medical department of Western Reserve, in 1902 became assistant to the city bacteriologist of Cleveland, and in 1902-03 was an interne at Lakeside Hospital at Cleveland. During 1903-04 he was resident pathologist of St. Alexis Hospital, and from 1904 to 1905 was assistant to Dr. George Crile at Cleveland. On coming to Toledo in 1905 Doctor Selby entered upon a general practice and has his offices in the Spitzer Building. In. March, 1916, he was appointed health commissioner of the City of Toledo, and since taking the office has inaugurated many changes to the benefit of the city. From 1906 to 1915 he was visiting surgeon to St. Vincent's Hospital and since 1911 has been visiting surgeon at the Flower Hospital. He now gives much of his time to his duties as managing editor of the Ohio State Medical Journal. Doctor Selby is secretary-treasurer of the Ohio State Medical Society, is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Toledo Academy of .Medicine and served as trustee of the Lucas County Society, and is a member of the Cleveland Academy of Medicine. He belongs to the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity, is a Methodist, a republican, and is a trustee of the Toledo Commerce Club. He served as fleet surgeon of the Toledo Yacht Club. In' Masonry he has attained all the degrees up to and including the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and York Rite Knight Templars, and is also a member of Zenobia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Toledo. Doctor Selby was married October 18, 1905, to Olivia Roberts of Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Their home is at 412 Potter Street. E. B. HALE chose the line of business which he preferred early in life, and before reaching the age of thirty has established himself independently and is the leading druggist at Mendon in Mercer County. He is a registered pharmacist and, besides drugs he keeps in his store wall paper, stationery, and a shop for watch and jewelry repairing. He was born in Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, May 6, 1888, a son of F. H. and Ida M. (Haines) Hale. The old family seat of the Hale family is at Bellebrook, Greene County, Ohio, where from generation to generation the name has been well known and esteemed for fully a century. The founder of the family there was John Hale, who came from New Jersey and made his home in the wilderness of Green County. A son of this pioneer was Silas, Sr., who was born in Green County and married Mariam Opdyke. J. C. Hale, a grandson of the original settler in Green County, and grandfather of the 744 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO druggist at Mendon, was born and reared in Green County and married Rachael Jane Brackney. She was also a native of Green County and they were married there. In 1870 Mrs. Jane Hale died, and in 1875 J. C. Hale and his son F. H. moved to Adams County, Indiana, where J. C. Hale was engaged in the grocery business for a number of years until the '90s, when he sold out. In 1900 he removed to Celina, Ohio, and -lived retired there until his death in 1909. F. H. Hale was born at Bellebrook, Green County, Ohio, March 26,1.863, and was twelve years of age when he went to Adams County, Indiana. After his schooling he learned telegraphy, worked in that line for several years, and then for five years was associated with his father in business. In 1890 he removed with his family to 'Dayton, Ohio, where he became a telegrapher for eight years, and in 1897, came to Mendon, where he was a' railroad station agent for seven years and is now a mail carrier. F. H. Hale married Ida M. Haines. She was born December 22, 1864, near Portland in Jay County, Indiana. Her parents, William and Aveline (Sherwood-Thompson) Haines were tanners. It is a matter of interest to note that one member of this branch of the Haines family was Elwood Haynes, distinguished as the first successful automobile inventor in America and now owner and operator of the automobile works at Kokomo, Indiana. F. H. and Ida Hale were the parents of two children. The daughter, Laura Jeanette, married Ches., ter R. Scott and lives in Mendon, Ohio. Mr. Scott is a professional musician and is engaged in Chautauqua and lyceum bureau work. E. B. Hale, the only son of . his parents, received his education in the public schools of Dayton and Mendon, graduating from the high school at Mendon in 1907. After leaving high school he taught for two years, and he also worked in a drug store, an experience that started him on his career as a pharmacist. In order to equip himself properly for this profession he entered the College of Pharmacy in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he was graduated in 1911. In 1914 Mr. Hale opened a business of his own, and has built up a very successful trade in and around Mendon. On October 20, 1912, he married Miss Lela M. Hesser, a daughter of Joseph W. and Alice Hesser of Mendon. They are the parents of one daughter, Laura Ruth, born July 25, 1913. Mr. Hale is a member of Mendon Lodge No. 586 Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife belong to Mendon Chapter of the Eastern Star. They are workers in the local Methodist Church and politically he is affiliated with the republican party. HENRY W. BLACHLY, as a result of the general election of November 7, 1916, is now judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Van Wert County. Judge Blachly represents a pioneer Ohio family, and his own career has been one. of steady progress against early difficulties. He was born in Richland County, Ohio. His father was Dr. Henry Wickham Blachly, Jr., and his grandfather was Dr. Henry Wickham Blachly, Sr. The grandfather was a native of New Jersey, where he was reared and educated. Trained in the medical profession, he started out in the early days to ,seek a favorable location, and traveled on horseback all the way to Kentucky, and then retraced his steps through Ohio to Washington, Pennsylvania. While at that place he learned that a Dr. William Blachly was practicing medicine to the south of that city, near Prosperity in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He then made his way to Prosperity, and on making the acquaintance of the local doctor discovered that they were related. They soon formed a partnership, and continued to be associated in practice until Dr. William Blachly moved to the West. Dr. H. W. Blachly, Sr., bought a farm near Prosperity, Pennsylvania, occupied it and continued as a doctor and farmer in that locality until his death. Dr. Henry Wickham Blachly, Jr., was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1831. He was also educated in medicine, and moved to Ohio to practice in Richland County. A few years afterward he moved to Van Wert County, buying a farm a few miles from the City of Van Wert. In that locality he remained as a medical practitioner until his death on May 6, 1889. He married Amelia Cracraft, who was born in Green County, Pennsylvania. Her family history is one of great interest. -Some' of the Cracraft family are still living in Southwestern Pennsylvania and across the line of West Virginia, and many of them have attained prominence in different vocations and activities. The mother of Judge Blachly was a lineal descend- HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 745 ant of Maj. Charles Cracraft, who was born at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1748. His parents had immigrated shortly before from Devonshire, England. In '1768, when twenty years of age, Mr. Cracraft went to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and located what was known as the " Tomahawk" claim of 400 acres. In 1775 he married Eleanor Atkinson, daughter of William Atkinson. Major Cracraft was a physician by profession and soon built up a large practice in the rugged district of Southwestern. Pennsylvania. He was especially well known in those early days as a skillful surgeon. Prior to the Revolutionary war he had considerable experience in fighting Indians along the frontier, and with the outbreak of the war between Great Britain and the Colonies he enlisted for service and attained the rank of major. During the summer of 1781 he accompanied Gen. George Roger. Clark on the latter's western campaign. Major Cracraft was put in charge of a squad of men who were to transport a large number of horses by boat down the Ohio River. They were soon afterward captured by a superior force of British and Indian allies under Simon Girty. The captives were taken to Detroit, were held prisoners there about a year, and the Revolution having closed in the meantime Major Cracraft was released and returned home to learn that he had been mourned as dead. In recognition of his services the Government offered him 1,000 acres of land in Central Ohio. He refused this offer in the following words : "I have done no more than my duty for my country, and am still able to provide for my family." An interesting account of Major Cracraft's useful life and varied experiences as a frontier soldier and physician is found in Crumrine's History of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Major Cracraft died in 1824. His son, Charles Cracraft, maternal grandfather of Judge Blachly, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1791, learned the trade of millwright and spcnt the better part of his active career following that trade in Green County, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Whitman. Judge Blachly's mother died in 1904. She was the mother of only two children. The daughter, Mary E., was a student in the Van Wert High School, taught in Van Wert County and also in Iowa, and remained in Iowa until her marriage. She is now deceased, and is survived by one son, Glen Vail. Judge Blachly grew up in Van Wert County, attended the district schools and later the Van Wert High School, and when still a youth began teaching. The first term was in the Lemen District, where the Village of Scott now is. He boarded at home, and every day drove to his school. That experience as a teacher was interesting because the schoolhouse was built of logs, and by that he forms a link of association with pioneer days. As a teacher he was paid a salary of $20 a month. Besides the advantages of the local Schools Judge Blachly through his earnings as a teacher attended the Valparaiso College in Indiana. He taught several winters, and the remainder of each year he was employed as a surveyor. He finally fixed his ambition on the law as a profession and took up its study with A. L. Sweet. In 1886 Judge Blachly was admitted to practice, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Sweet, which lasted until 1893. He then had another partner for three years, and after that was alone until 1899, when he became associated with E. S. Mathias, a relationship which continued until Mr. Mathias was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court. Judge Blachly then became a partner with 0. W. Kerns and 0. W. Priddy, but Mr. Priddy withdrew after two years. Since then the firm has been Blachly & Kerns, and it was one of the strong aggregations of legal talent in this section of Northwest Ohio. Judge Blachly married Hattie Saltzgaber. She is a native of Canada and a daughter of Henry and Harriet Saltzgaber. Judge and Mrs. Blachly have reared two children : Hazel M. and Irma Kathleen. Judge Blachly 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 Masters, Ivanhoe Commandery No. 52, Knights Templar, and with Van Wert Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. MINER HARROD of Lima has lived a long life. To have attained the age of eighty-three is of itself an achievement. In the case of Mr. Harrod experience has gone hand in hand with advancing time, and he has made his years count for a great deal for himself and others. He is one of the few men now living in Northwest Ohio who saw the California gold fields in the early '50s. His birth occurred near Mount Vernon in. Knox County, Ohio, April 30, 1834. He 746 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO came of hardy old pioneer stock. An uncle of his great-grandfather was the noted Kentuckian James Harrod, who in 1774 put up the cabin which began the settlement now known as Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The Harrod family had many prominent relations with early Kentucky affairs and acquired a vast estate of land there. Mr. Harrod's grandfather Levi Harrod was one of the early settlers of Ohio, became a well to do farmer, and gave property to each of his children. John Harrod, father of Miner Harrod, was born in Ohio, and followed farming all his life. He was a democrat in politics. His death occurred in 1865. His wife was Colitha Pritchard, who was born in Virginia and died in 1870. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Her father, John Pritchard, was a Baptist minister and is said to have baptized Alexander Campbell, famous as the founder of the Christian or Campbellite Church. John Harrod and wife had nine sons and two daughters. The three now living are : Miner, the oldest and the second in order of birth; Felix, a farmer in Auglaize County, Ohio ; and Ferdinand, a farmer in Allen County. Miner Harrod attended school only six months when he was a boy. Properly speaking there .were no public schools in Ohio at that time. The schoolhouse he went to was built of logs, had a puncheon floor, had split logs for seats, and both the equipment and instruction were of the barest fundamentals. His acquaintance with hard work began just as soon as he had learned his letters. His father owned 300 acres of land in the woods, and his boyish energies expressed themselves in the work of clearing, chopping trees, uprooting stumps, and also ditching for drainage. Two years of his early youth, 1854-55, he spent in the State of Iowa. Returning to Ohio in the fall of 1855, his zest for travel and adventure was not satisfied, and the spring of 1856 found him aboard a ship bound from New York to California. He spent four years in the Far West, and had rather more than the average success as a miner. In California he owned an interest in the Brass Wire mine, one of the biggest mines ever discovered in Siskiyou County, California. With a considerable share of his wealth gained in the gold fields of the West he returned to Ohio and bought a farm near West Newton in Allen County. After two years he sold that place, then bought a farm in Union Township of Auglaize County, on which he remained ten years. His next purchase was two miles south of Lima, and while there he developed the land from a raw state and put up a fine large home. This land he subsequently sold to the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Harrod then bought 200 acres north of Lima, lived on it three years, then turned it over to his son and bought another place in the same county. Mr. Harrod bought the lot and in 1893 put up the Harrod House at Lima at 119-21 East Market Street. This hotel became one of the most popular eating places in the city. This property was owned by him until recently. In 1861 he married Phoebe Ann Faulkner. Mrs. Harrod was born in Allen County, daughter of Sol Faulkner, one of the early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Harrod had a married companionship that endured for forty-seven years, until her death on April 17, 1908. They became the parents of seven children, and six of them are still living. Mary Tabitha is the wife of William Stiles, a farmer in Auglaize County. John C. is also a farmer in Auglaize County. Morgan Lee lives at Portland, Oregon, and has built up a business in the spraying of fruit trees. Emory Alvin lives on his father's farm in Allen County. Leslie is in the carpet cleaning business in Chicago. Callie Belle is the wife of Edwin Blank, a well known Lima attorney. Mr. Harrod is one of the oldest Masons at Lima, having' joined the Masonic lodge when a young man. He is a democrat in politics. While he still owns extensive property Mr. Harrod is now practically retired from business and is able to look back with satisfaction to his long and well spent career. CHARLES P. McKEE is one of the venerable residents of Auglaize County and has spent the greater part of his lifetime of eighty-three years in this section. He was born in Athens County, Ohio, September 17, 1833, a son of Thomas and Anna (Reynolds) McKee. The McKees were Scotch people, lived in the north of Ireland, and from there three brothers came to Pennsylvania, one of them being John McKee, grandfather of Charles P. McKee. Thomas McKee was born in Pennsylvania in March, 1801, and was one of the pioneers of Northwest Ohio. He arrived in Auglaize County as early as 1824, but afterwards returned to HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 747 Athens County and lived a few years. He finally came back to Auglaize County, bought land and was busied with its cultivation until his death in December, 1874. He was an active member and elder in the Presbyterian Church many years, .and as a democrat he filled the office of township assessor. Though he started life a poor man, he was very successful, and his integrity of character and splendid business judgment caused him to be selected as administrator of numerous estates. It is said that he settled up more estates than any other man of his generation in Auglaize County. He was exceedingly liberal and kind hearted in all his dealings. His first wife, Anna Reynolds, was born in one of the New England states and died in 1840. Her father Justice Reynolds was an early settler in Ohio. She was the mother of seven children, and the two now living are Charles P. and his sister Mrs. Eunice Zimmerman, a widow living in Colorado. Thomas McKee married for his second wife Sarah Armstrong, and there were five children of that marriage, the two now living being Thomas McKee and Mrs. Ruth Gibson, a widow, both living near Louisville, Kentucky. Charles P. McKee was reared on a farm, secured a good education, and for a number of years taught school. His work 'as a teacher covered twenty winter terms. Farming has been his permanent vocation for many years, and he still owns 252 acres of well improved and valuable land. Some years ago he built a beautiful home just' south of St. Marys, where he now resides. Mr. McKee has always voted the democratic ticket, and for several terms was a trustee of his home township. He was formerly affiliated with the Grange and he and his good wife have been very prominent members of the local Presbyterian Church. More than half a century ago, on March 31, 1864, Charles P. McKee married Matilda Jane Smith, whose family were among the earliest settlers of Northwest Ohio. Her parents were Aaron A. and Rachel L. (Smith) Smith, both of whom were born in Auglaize County. These venerable people celebrated a very unusual event, the seventieth anniversary of their marriage. They were married in 1845. Aaron Smith died September 6, 1916, at the age of ninety-two, but his widow is still living, aged eighty-nine. Aaron Smith followed fanning and was a son of Henry Smith, who come from the State of Delaware to Auglaize County at a time when hardly a single clearing had been made in the wilderness here. Mrs. Rachel Smith is a daughter of Charles Smith, who was of Scotch descent and was likewise a pioneer of Auglaize County. Mr. and Mrs. McKee have six children. William 0. who was born January 1, 1866, died in July, 1916, and his loss was greatly regretted in his home county. At the time of his death he was candidate for state representative and had been conceded the election. He was liberally educated, having attended school at Wapakoneta, Ada, Ohio, and Valparaiso, Indiana, and though he had fitted himself for a teacher he followed that profession only a short time on account of ill health. Edwin McKee, the second son, is an active farmer in Auglaize County. Ada died a number of years ago. Charles is a successful physician at St. Marys. Elza F. is an attorney practicing law at Springfield, Ohio. Jennie R. still lives at home with her aged parents. C. P. McKEE, JR., M. D. In 1905 Doctor McKee graduated from the Starling Medical College at Columbus, and at once returned to his native city of St. Marys to take up the active practice of medicine and surgery. In the past ten years he has developed a large business and clientele, and is one of the leading members of the profession in Auglaize County. For three years he served as health physician at St. Marys, and is a member of the Auglaize County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was born at St. Marys June 20, 1880, and spent much of his early life on his father's farm. While there he attended country school and in 1898 graduated from high school. Before entering upon his medical studies he spent two years in a drug store, and that experience has been worth a great deal to him since he took up the practice of medicine. His parents are Charles P. and Matilda Jane (Smith) McKee. His grandfather, Thomas McKee, was born at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and belongs to a prominent family represented originally by seven brothers, who came to the United States partly from Ireland and partly from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. Doctor McKee's maternal grandfather was Aaron A. Smith, who was born in the country south of St. Marys of a very early family that settled here from Pennsylvania, and his death 748 - HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO occurred September 6, 1916, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Doctor McKee's father was born at Athens, Ohio, in 1833, and. is now living at the age of eighty-three. He has been a farmer all his life, though for twenty-five years he was engaged in work as a country school teacher. He was only three months of age when his parents moved to Auglaize County, and he was educated both in the district schools and in the high school at St. Marys. He is a democrat in politics, a member of the Presbyterian Church, has served as township trustee and a member of the school board, and as the result of his many years of industry and good management has a fine farm of 250 acres in Auglaize County, improved up to the best standards of Ohio agriculture. His wife, Matilda Jane Smith, was born in St. Marys in 1848, and they were married in this county in 1863. Of their six children the four now living are : Edwin, who is a farmer two miles south of St. Marys ; Elza F., now city solicitor at Springfield, Ohio ; Dr. C. P. McKee ; and Jennie, living at home. Doctor McKee was married September 3, 1913, to Pearl Losher, who was born at Wapakoneta, Ohio. They have one son, Charles, now two years of age. Doctor McKee and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and in fraternal affairs he is affiliated with the Lodge, Chapter and Council of Masonry, with the Woodmen of the World, the Woodmen's Circle and with the Maccabees. CALE FRYSINGER is one of the largest land holders and farm managers of Mercer County. He represents a very prominent old family of this section of Ohio. His ancestors came here in the early days, and many of their qualities of thrift and enterprise are included in his own stock of modern ideas and practices, and it is not strange that a young man of the name should occupy a prominent place in affairs. Mr. Frysinger lives at Rockford in Mercer County and his holdings of land amounting to between 650 and 700 acres are in Dublin Township of that county. He was born in Mercer County September 9, 1875, a son of Augustus and Sarah Ellen (Hays) Frysinger. Augustus Frysinger was born in Mercer County in 1851. The founder of the family here was Peter Frysinger, who came to Mercer County from Champaign County when he was a boy of seven years. Peter Frysinger lived in Mercer County eighty years. Starting out at the bottom of the ladder finan cially, he managed by thrift and industry to accumulate a fortune represented in farm lands. Though ever so successful, his character was that of the quiet unassuming gentleman, and he was practically unknown so far as public offices were concerned. Peter Frysinger married Sarah Ann Shindledecker, who was born November 25, 1819, in Greene County, Ohio, nine miles from Dayton. Her grandfathers on both sides were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Peter Frysinger died. June 3, 1914, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. She was married November 23, 1846, and this worthy couple lived together for more than sixty years until the death of Peter Frysinger on June 30, 1907. In 1847 Mrs. Peter Frysinger joined the. United Brethren Church at Mount Olive, and later transferred her membership to the Presbyterian Church at Rockford. Peter Frysinger and wife lived on their farm in Mercer County until 1882, and then moved to Rockford, in which village they had their home the rest of their lives. Peter Frysinger and wife were the parents of five children, all of them now deceased. James K. Polk died at the age of thirty-five. Augustus was the father of Cale Frysinger. Rebecca Frances died, as did also Rachel Ellen and Syntha Ann. ' Augustus Frysinger began life with a substantial education. Most of his early training was received in a school at what .was then known as Shane's Crossing, now Rockford. In the fall of 1874 he married Sarah Ellen Hays. Augustus Frysinger died October 12, 1889, and his wife in 1892. Cale Frysinger, the only child of his par ents, was still a boy when he lost his father and mother, and after that he grew up in the home of his grandparents and gave them his filial affection and care during their declining years. For his education he attended the Rockford schools and then assumed charge of the large Frysinger estate. Mr. Frysinger by his first marriage is the father of three children : Mabel MI, a graduate of the Rockford High School and living at home ; Carl A., still in school; and Maude Ellen, also in school. On March 25, 1915, Mr. Frysinger married Grace Wagers, who was born and reared in Mercer County, a. daughter of Robert and Mollie (Baxter) Wagers. Mr. Frysinger is affiliated with Shanes Lodge No. 377, Free and Accepted Masons, Celina Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, Van Wert Council Royal and Select Masters,. HISTORY OF NORTHWEST OHIO - 749 Van Wert Council Commandery of the Knights Templar, and he is also a member of Rockford Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has held all the chairs and has attended the Grand Lodge at Lima. He belongs to the Elks Ledge at Van Wert. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Rockford and in politics he is a democrat. GEORGE W. HOLL. For a man who has not yet turned forty, George. W. Holl has done a great deal to attract the admiration and esteem of his fellow men. He is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Auglaize County, and has connected himself successfully with a number of enterprises at New Knoxville and is also a prominent figure in public affairs. Born at New Knoxville March 19, 1877, he attended the common schools and spent three years in the Si . Marys High School until his funds gave out and the need of his services at home, especially the care of his mother, caused him to become a wage earner. Later he managed to attend the Ohio Northern University at Ada for two years, and for nine years he taught school in the winter time and was employed in a brick yard during the summer. As the oldest in his father's family he had to bear many of the responsibilities for the upkeep of the household. His father was an invalid for five years, and spent all his accumulations during that time. George W. Holl was soon in business of a more important nature. He helped organize the New Knoxville Hoop Company and became the first secretary of the company. This has since become one of the largest plants of its kind in his town, but Mr. Holl sold his interests several years ago. He took a part in organizing the local telephone company, the Electric Light Company and the Auglaize Tile Company, and is a stockholder in all three of these concerns. The Telephone Company and Tile Company have made a particular record of success and prosperity. Mr. Holl is president and largest stockholder .of the Tile Company. As one of the democratic leaders of Auglaize County he has served on the County Democratic Committee, represented his county in the State Legislature four years and is now serving as state senator from the Thirty-second Senatorial District, is serving as justice of the peace, and was elected without opposition. In the Ohio Senate he was a member of the Finance Committee and chairman of the Committee on Banks and Savings Societies and has been personally commended by Governor James M. Cox and complimented by the governor by having introduced several administration measures at his request. Mr. Hall is an active member with his family in the German Reformed Church and has been chorister of his church for some years. In a business way he gives most of his time and attention to the tile factory and the contracting business. He also buys and sells considerable real estate, owns his fine home and a fine farm in Auglaize County, and an entire section of land in North Dakota near the City of Fargo, a splendid farm and well improved. On June 17, 1903, he married Miss Emily M. Holtkamp, who was born on a farm in Shelby County, near New Knoxville, daughter of William Holtkamp, who arrived in Auglaize County in 1839 and was a pioneer settler. Mr. and Mrs. Holl have three children : Olga, aged eleven ; Carl, aged nine ; and Margaret, aged five. Mr. George W. Holl is a son of George and Elizabeth (Wierville) Holl. His father was born in Schwarzenhasel, Hessen, Germany, in 1837, and died in 1891. The grandfather Christoph Holl came to the United States at the advanced age of seventy-nine and died in New Knoxville two years later. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Holl was William Wierwille, who came to the United States in 1842 and was an early settler in Auglaize County, where he followed his trade as a stone mason. George Holl, Sr., was a shoemaker by trade, and after coming to the United States he located at New Knoxville in 1866, arriving with only 20 cents in his pocket. He made part of the journey from New York to Ohio on foot. He was a bard worker, a skillful mechanic as a shoemaker, and was quite successful until the ill health of his later years swept away all his earnings. He was a democrat and at one time served as a member of the board of education. He and his wife were both active in the. German Reformed Church. He was married at New Knoxville to Elizabeth Wierwille, who was then a widow. She was born at New Knoxville in 1842 and died in 1911. She was three times married, and was the mother of eleven children. Of those still living there are Mrs. S. H. Sibert, wife of a physician and the present coroner of Auglaize County ; Mrs. Amelia Schroer, a widow living north of New Knoxville on the farm where her husband