COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 275 for six months. An ounce ball struck him just in front of the left ear, passing directly through the head and coming out about an inch below the right ear. This was his last battle,. for when he had recovered the war was over, and, receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to his home. Mr. Zimmerman then removed to Scott township, Sandusky county, and on March 6, 1866, was united in marriage with Miss Elsie A. Brion, who was born May 26, 1850, in Scott township, where her father was a farmer. She was the daughter of John and Lucinda (Gerold) Brion, the former of whom, born October 8, 1813, died July 2, 1895, the latter passing away May 16, 1887. Of their six children all are yet living, namely: Norman, who served for three years in the Seventy-second O. V. I. during the Civil war; Mary Jane, wife of Samuel Martin, of Michigan; Ann, wife of Charles Woodruff; Elsie A., wife of our subject; Charles, and Theodore. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Zimmerman, Thomas Brion, also made farming his life occupation. He was born in Ohio in 1789, and married Betsy Walkup, who was a few years his junior, and who passed from earth a few years before him. Their four children were Betsy, John, Joseph, and one who died in infancy. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Zimmerman, Theodore and Elsie (Decker) Gerold, were natives of New York, born in 1770 and 1774 respectively. Their seven children—James, Lucinda, John, Thomas, George, Jackson, and Isaac—are all deceased. The first named served in the Mexican war, and John, Thomas and Jackson were soldiers of the Civil war. For two years Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman resided in Scott township, Sandusky county; but on account of his health Mr. Zimmerman was obliged to abandon farming, and for two years carried on a grocery. The succeeding three years he spent in a sawmill as head sawyer, after which he purchased the mill and has since continued its operation. In addition to his mill property he also owns eighty acres of land, well-fenced, and under a high state of cultivation, and he is now doing a successful business. He has accumulated his property entirely through his own efforts. To Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman have come four children—Charles F., born February I I, 1869, who was married December 3, 1891, to Rachel Shupe, and their children are Melvin and Cloal (he is connected with his father in the mill); Hattie M., born June 18, 1871, and Ervin A., born March 12, 1878, are still with their parents; and Flavilia, born August 28, 1887, died September 27, of the same year. HENRY DORR, a prosperous farmer and honored citizen of Riley township, Sandusky county, was born October 11, 1850. His parents, John and Catherine (Yager) Dorr, were born in Germany, in 1816 and 1831, respectively. After coming to the United States John Dorr settled in New York State, and there conducted a milk depot for several years. He then came to Ohio, settling in Riley township, Sandusky county, where he engaged in work by the day, saved his money, and bought forty acres of valuable land, which cost him $3,200. Three children came to Mr. and Mrs. John Dorr, as follows: Mary, born in 1844, who married Jacob Hilt, and they have had two children—Edward and Laura; they live in Fremont, Sandusky county; Mr. Hilt is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church. Henry is the subject of these lines. John died young. Mr. Dorr is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife died June 13, 1892. Henry Dorr was reared at home, was early taught valuable lessons of upright- 276 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ness, persevering industry and economy, and worked for his father until his twenty-fifth year. Then, on December 5, 1876, he was united in marriage with Catherine Martin, and their union has been blessed with six children, as follows: Ella B., born April 15, 1881; William E., born July 4, 1882; Albert L., born August 19, 1883; Hattie M., born September 21, 1884; Anna C., born May 28, 1887; and Chester F., born .May 26, 1890. Mr. Dorr bought land from his father, and now carries on general farming. He is a Democrat in political affiliation, and he attends the Grace Lutheran Church. JONATHAN SPOHN is a well-known farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, where no citizen enjoys greater esteem among his fellow citizens. He is a native of Perry county, Ohio, born January 10, 1822, son of Jacob and Barbara (Anspach) Spohn. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Spohn were born in Hagerstown, Md., and Lancaster county, Penn., respectively, and they were married in Reading township, Perry Co., Ohio, where their parents had located. There was a settlement of pioneer families from Pennsylvania at that place when Mrs. Spohn was about thirteen years old, and Jacob Spohn's people also settled there about that time, in the wilderness among the Indians. The paternal grandfather, Philip Spohn, was an American soldier all through the Revolutionary war, and was pensioned by the U. S. Government; he served as one of Gen. Washington's bodyguard during the war. In after years he often related how the English general, Lord Howe, had Washington's army surrounded in the bend of a river when night came on, and seemed sure of his capture the following morning, but that during the night Washington marshaled his little army out from under the bank of the river, and before the next morning, while Lord Howe was preparing for his capture, he had made his escape, and was miles away surprising and defeating another body of English forces. Philip Spohn .lived to be ninety-four years old, and his wife also lived to an advanced age. They were both of Holland-Dutch descent. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Adam Anspach, who died when Jonathan was eight years old. He was the father of eleven children, of whom we have mention of Benjamin, Adam, David, John, Mrs. Adam Binkley, Mrs. Philip Dupler, Mrs. Emanuel Binkley, Mrs. Ludwig Ridenaur, and Barbara (the mother of our subject): Barbara Anspach first married Jonathan Zartman, by whom she had four children, all now deceased, viz. : Kate, who married D. Binkley; Mollie, who married Benjamin Humberger, and lived in Perry county, Ohio; Barbara, who was married in Sandusky county to Christopher Spohn, who now lives in Perry county; and Elizabeth, who married John King, and lived in Fairfield county, Ohio. Jacob Spohn was one of eleven children: Henry, Daniel, John, Adam, Samuel, Jacob, Mrs. Jacob Anspach, Polly Stomp, Mrs. Lawrence, Christena (who married John Horner) and Mrs. Henry Ridenaur. Jacob and Barbara Spohn had seven children, of whom Margaret died when seventeen years old; Solomon died at the age of fifty-nine years; Jonathan is our subject; Anthony died at the age of twenty-one; Joel now resides on the old homestead; Leo is deceased; Isabella married George Swinehart. Jonathan Spohn grew to manhood in Perry county, and when twenty-one years old came to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he ranks among the old pioneers. He was a blacksmith by trade, and worked first in Ballville township two years, after which he put up a shop for himself on the line of the Western Reserve and Maumee Pike, east of Lower Sandusky, across the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 277 road from his present residence, and in this he worked for farmers and teamsters about twenty-two years. This was before the days of railroads, when the pike was the great highway of commerce in that section, and when the constant stream of settlers was moving westward. So impassable were the roads that he often saw people stop two and three days at one hotel, the trip being so slow on account of the mud that they would walk from their teams to the hotel. There was then an average of one hotel to each mile of the pike. In 1844 Jonathan Spohn married Miss Elizabeth Brunthaver, who was born in 1825 in Fairfield county, Ohio, and they had four children: Francis, who died in the army, at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., while serving as a member of the Seventy-second Regiment, O. V. I. , and whose remains were brought home by our subject for burial; Adam F., who married Samantha Strohl, and has ten childrenLottie, Hadie, Franklin, Alvin, Mabel, Thurman, Waneta, Lizzie, Willis, and one who died in infancy; Allen, living at home, who married Miss Annie Ridenhour and has three children—Walter, Harry and Enid; and Mary, wife of 0. Grover, of Wood county, Ohio, whose children are Howard, Ethel C., Nelson and George. Our subject is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. In religious connection he is a member of the Reformed Church at Fremont, as is also Mrs. Spohn. During the Mexican war he served as a soldier under Gen. Scott, and was also a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war. Socially he is a member of Croghan Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M., Fremont. Mr. Spohn has held various civic offices in Green Creek township; in the fall of 1879 he was elected to the office of infirmary director, serving two terms, six years in all, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Our subject owns seventy-six acres of valuable land, and the prosperity he now enjoys is due entirely to his own good management, thrift and economy. WILBERT PHILLIPS, son of John and Mariam (Baker) Phillips, was born in Montgomery township, Wood Co., Ohio, June 14, 1861. He lived at home until his marriage, October 23, 1884, to Ellen Bowe, daughter of George and Mary (Bordner) Bowe. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have come two children—Durbin, born April 25, 1886, and Floyd, born October 27, 1887. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, they settled in Wood county, on a farm, where they lived two years. They moved to the David Phillips' farm, in Scott township, where they have lived for the past nine years, during which time Mr. Phillips has worked his grandfather's farm of 160 acres, and done teaming for the oil companies. On October 13, 1894, he purchased eighty acres of wild land in Scott township. This land is within the oil belt, and he expects to lease it to the oil company. The father of our subject was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, March 18, 1834. When he was six years old his parents. came to Scott township, and purchased eighty acres of land in Section 31, for which they gave a horse, and $250 in money; later they purchased another eighty acres. On this farm the father of our subject grew to manhood. Wilbert Phillips, our subject, is the eldest of a family of eleven children, the others being: Wilby, Zerusha, Ettie, Delbert, John, Retta Jane, David, George, Charles, and Daisy. Mr. Phillips' mother was born in 1840, near Findlay, Ohio, died in 1878, and was buried in Trinity Cemetery, Scott township, Ohio. Our subject's paternal grandfather, David Phillips, was born September 6, 1804, in the State of New York; his.- 278 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. wife, Mary Ann (Bates), was horn April is, 1811, in Pennsylvania. They were married December 27, 1827, in Stark county, Ohio, and reared a family of children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Mary Ann, Octobor 26, 1828; Lucinda, April 22, 1830; Henry, December 23, 1831; David, December 3, 1833; Sylvester, May 17, 1836; John, March 18, 1838; Hiram, January 15, 1841; Eliza Jane, February 7, 1843; Mariar, November 19, 1844; and George, February 26, 1847. Grandfather and Grandmother Phillips are now living on the farm which is being worked by our subject. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject, Vespasian Phillips, was born in Pennsylvania about 1756. When about seventy-five years of age he left home, and was never heard of afterward. The date of his wife's birth is not known; she died in 1813 the mother of ten children. Our subject's maternal great-grandfather, Andrew Bates, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1765; he was a cooper and farmer. His wife, Ann (Homan), was born about 1772. They had a family of ten children, six of whom are living. JOHN L. DONNELS, a leading, progressive and influential citizen and present mayor of Gibsonburg, Sandusky county, is a native of Ohio, born in Scott township, Sandusky county, March 30 1852. James Donnels, his grandfather, a native of Ireland, emigrated in an early day. For a time he lived in what is now West Virginia, later moving to Ohio and settling in Scott township, Sandusky county, as one of the pioneers, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. He was married in Scotland, and his children were: John, who died in Scott township, Sandusky county; Gilbreth S., father of our subject; Margaret, wife of Nicholas Bowlus, of Madison township, Sandusky county; Becky Ann, wife of Henry Fausey, also of Madison township; James, a resident of Helena, Sandusky county; Ellen (Mrs. Hess), who died in Virginia; and Amos, living in Scott township, Sandusky county. Gilbreth S. Donnels, father of John L., was born in 1820, in what is now West Virginia, and was a boy when his parents removed to Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio. There he was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed in both Scott and Madison townships all his life, owning over I 37 acres of land at the time of his death. In Madison township, Sandusky county, he married Nancy Wolcott, who was born in 1817, in Chautauqua county, N. Y., whence when a young woman she accompanied her parents to Ohio. To this union children as follows were born: The eldest died in infancy unnamed; Louisa died at the age of seven years; John L. is the subject of this sketch; William is a farmer of Madison township, Sandusky county; one died two weeks old, unnamed; Lindon is a merchant and farmer of Helena, Ohio; Franklin lives in Woodville township, Sandusky county; Stanley and James A. are both in Madison township, Sandusky county; Jessie died at the age of seventeen years. The father of these was called from earth in 1855. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a stanch Republican. John L. Donnels, the subject proper of these lines, received a liberal education at the common schools of Madison township, and ever since the age of thirteen years has been engaged more or less in the sawmilling business in Sandusky county. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment, 0. N. G., and served one hundred days at Fort Ethan Allen, after which he returned home and established a sawmill in Madison township, buying land in the county, the timber on which he lumbered himself. He thus continued till 1872, when he entered the employ, in a similar line, of Daniel Smith, for several years COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 279 working for him and other parties. While in the employ of G. F. Aldridge, of Scott township, he had two of his fingers accidentally cut off by the saw, but nevertheless lost only five days' work, immediately recommencing with another employer, with whom he remained until, in 1885, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the position of Justice of the Peace of Madison township. This office he filled with characteristic ability and fidelitynine years, or until his election to the mayoralty of Gibsonburg, in the spring of 1894. He is the owner of 120 acres of land in Madison township, on which there is a good oil field. In 1871 John L. Donnels was married to Miss Catherine Bowser, who was born in Bedford county, Penn., July 8, 1858, and died September 30, 1884, the mother of five children, of whom the following is a brief record: Emma is the wife of John Vantine, of Gibsonburg, and has one child, Winnie ; Minnie is the wife of David Blausey, also of Gibsonburg, and has one child, Willie; Louis, on his father's farm in Madison township, is married to Susie Lattimore, and has two children—Clarence and Alta; Alma is the wife of David Biddle; Mattie is married to Henry Blausey, and has two children. For his second wife Mr. Donnels wedded Mrs. Jennie (Henry) Ridley, who was born in Jackson township, Sandusky county,• in 1848, and by her first husband had two children —Arthur and Carrie. Mr. Donnels is the only Democrat in the family; in fraternal membership he is an Odd Fellow, and in religious faith he is identified with the Disciples of Christ. JACOB KLINK, a well-known and popular citizen of Woodville township, Sandusky county, was born December 9, 1839, and is a son of Caleb and Mary (Brunthaver) Klink, who were born, respectively, May 7, 1811, in 18 Wittenberg, Germany, and January 12, 1813, in Columbus, Ohio. Caleb Klink came to America at the tender age of six years. His parents were very poor, and he was bound out until his eighteenth year to pay for their passage across the ocean. After this he went to his parents, at that time living at Mansfield, Ohio, remained there but a short time, then walked to New Orleans, and worked on a boat one season. He was there during the yellow fever epidemic in 1832 (when six thousand died in seventeen days), contracted the fever, and was sick for two months. After his recovery he went to Philadelphia, and attended a Centennial celebration in that city, and later worked on the Erie canal and helped to build the first railroad in the United States. The year of that Centennial he walked 3, 300 miles, and was in every State in the Union. Mr. Klink cut the lumber to build a flouring-mill at Green Spring, Sandusky Co., Ohio, which they were six weeks in raising. Afterward he worked in a sawmill for seven years, and lost only two days during that time. On September 27, 1836, Caleb Clink was united in marriage with Mary Brunt-haver, and four sons and four daughters were born to them, as follows : Louisa, born August 11, 1837, at Green Spring, Sandusky county, now deceased, married Henry Peters, a farmer, by whom she.had six children, and he resides in 'Woodville township, Sandusky county ; Jacob is the subject of this sketch; Charles, born December 23, 1841, married Caroline Pember, by whom he has had three children, and they live in Woodville township; Leah, born March I, 1844, married Elexix Nolan, by whom she had four children, and both she and her husband are now deceased; Ellen, born June 15, 1846, and died at the age of eighteen; Adam, born September 15, 1848, was united in marriage on May 28, 1878, with Sarah Caris, daughter of Adam and Julia Caris, of Wood county, Ohio, born January 280 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 3, 1860, and by her has one child—Lester, born December 13, 1880 (he lived at home the greater part of his life, and has worked for the pipe line company, there being fourteen oil wells on the Klink estate, all in good flow); Catherine, born February 12, 1853, married John Foster, by whom she had two children, and they live in Elmore, Ottawa Co., Ohio; and Reuben, born January I I, 1853, now a farmer in Woodville township, married Addie Tucker, by whom he has had four children. Two years after his marriage Caleb Clink moved to Woodville township, Sandusky county, where at that time he had eighty acres, on which there was no clearing. He put up a house, moved in and began clearing the land. There was a great deal of fever and ague in those days, and all of his family were sick with it. Mr. Clink at one time owned over twelve hundred acres of valuable land, and when he died left six hundred acres in Woodville township, and forty acres in Michigan. He raised many valuable horses and cattle, giving considerable attention to stock-raising. Mr. Clink was a Democrat in politics. After a long busy and useful life, beloved by a large circle of friends and neighbors, he passed away at the old homestead November 26, 1894, at the age of eighty-three years, six months and nineteen days, and Was buried in Woodville township, Sandusky county, November 28, 1894. On October 12, 1866, Jacob Klink was united in marriage with Miss M. J. McCrary, who was born December 12, 1846, and three children have been born to them, as follows: Rosa, Frank and Henry. At the age of twenty-six Mr. Klink went to Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, entered into partnership with Henry Rancamp, and they conducted a general store there for six months, then removed to Pemberville, Wood Co., Ohio, where they conducted a store for two years. In 1865 and 1866 Mr. Klink was the postmaster there. He bought out his partner and carried on the store alone for a short time; then sold it and moved back to Woodville township, Sandusky county, on the farm where he now lives. He has always bought and sold cattle and horses, and at times has very large herds. Socially, Mr. Klink is a Free Mason, in politics a Democrat, was supervisor and school director for several years, and is highly spoken of. Mrs. Klink was one of eight children. Her father was born July 4, 1812, and now lives in Toledo, Ohio, with a daughter. Her mother died in 1850. HENRY KLINE, one of the prominent representative citizens of Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in Union county, Penn., February 20, 1849, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Swartz) Kline, who were also natives of the Keystone State, of German descent. They were farming people. The Kline family migrated to Ohio, and finally settled in St. Joseph county, Mich., where Mr. Kline still lives at the age of eighty years, and where Mrs. Kline died at the age of sixty-six. They had fourteen children, all of whom became heads of families, namely: Barbara M., Jesse, Susan, Catharine, Leo, Lydia Ann, Jacob, Joseph, Henry and John (twins), Mary Ann, Libbie, George, and Frank E. (who died at the age of twenty-eight). Henry Kline was reared on a farm about six miles north of Bellevue, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where his educational advantages were very limited. At the age of seventeen he went to Michigan and remained there with his parents about four years, engaged in farm work, returning to Bellevue, Ohio. Here, after working on a farm one year, and clerking in a store two and a half years, he married Miss Kate Gearhart, and moved on COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 281 the N. P. Birdseye farm, living there for one summer. He next moved to Fremont, and located in the Baumann Block, on Croghan street, where he remained five years, keeping a saloon and restaurant. In 1880 he removed to East Fremont, where he bought property, and for twelve years carried on a thriving grocery business in a wooden building opposite the Clauss Shear Works. He then rebuilt his brick residence, removed his wooden building, and erected in its place a fine, three-story brick block, consisting of four flats, one large hall and three business rooms, with a cellar for each department. Mr. Kline has made all his money by his own efforts, being a wide-awake, energetic hustler. He formerly kept a grocery and feed store, was a contractor, a pork packer, dealt in real estate, and sold river sand. He now keeps a saloon and restaurant in his back room. To Mr. and Mrs. Kline were born two children: Hattie E. and Jesse Hermon. MRS. JOSEPH CLEMONS,whose maiden name was Caroline Lewis, is a wide-awake and progressive resident of Townsend township, Sandusky county, having charge not only of a well-ordered household, but of a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres as well. Joseph Clemons (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania, February 23, 1832. His father had served in the war of 1812, and Mr. Clemons would have enlisted in defense of the Union in the war of the Rebellion had he not been incapacitated by an accident which befell him in 1857. That year he severely cut his left leg, which caused a stiffness sufficient to exclude him from the list of able-bodied men. On April 1, 1855, Mr. Clemons was united in marriage with Caroline Lewis, who was born March 24, 1837, in Seneca county, Ohio, and they lived in Adams township, Seneca county, for seven years. They had eleven children, as follows: Levi H., born February i6, 1856, a resident of Pullman, Ill.; Mary Jane, born November 19, 1857, and died in December, 1858; Harriet F., born February 16, 1859, now Mrs. Ira Metcalf, of Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio; Albert M., born May 18, 1860, and died in November, 1862; Mahala I., born August 3, 1861, now Mrs. Charles Combs, of Bloomingville, Erie Co., Ohio; Aldora M., born September 23, 1863, and married to A. J. Beaghler, of Townsend township, November 24, 1881; Henry E., born June 28, 1865, now at home; Andrew S., born December 17, 1866, now of Erie county; infants who were born July 12, 1868, and March 1, 1872, and died on September 10, 1868, and March 14, 1872, respectively; and Ami J., born August 17, 1873, living at home. In 1862 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Clemons moved to Thompson township, Seneca county, whence, in 1871, they came to their present home, which Mr. Clemons purchased that year. In 1875 he bought one hundred acres of prairie land in Erie county, on which property his son Andrew now lives. Mr. Clemons was an infant of but four weeks old when his parents moved to Ohio, and he lived here the remainder of his life. He died May 1, 1889. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Clemons in her girlhood received a common-school education. Her parents, Isaac and Susanna Lewis, were both born in Lancaster county, Penn. Mr. Lewis taught school in Pennsylvania before his marriage, and, being a scholar, accumulated quite a library. Among his books was a Bible, now highly prized by Mrs. Clemons; it is in German type, and the date of its publication is 1771. Mr. Lewis came with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, in 1832. They lived 282 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. there for many years. Then, retiring from active work, Mr. Lewis and his wife moved to Bellevue, Huron Co., Ohio, where both passed away. A. P. JOHNSON, one of the reliable, solid citizens of Madison township, Sandusky county, is a native of Ohio, born December 11, 1848, in Holmes county, son of Prelate and Phoebe (Cutler) Johnson. Prelate Johnson was born in 1808 in Connecticut, where he was married, and whence in an early day he came to Ohio, settling in Holmes county, where he followed his trade, that of carpenter and joiner. He died in that county at the age of fifty-five years. Afterward his widow returned east with her children to live with her father, Jonathan Cutler, in Massachusetts, and there died at the age of fifty-four years. The father of our subject was a Baptist in religious faith, an old Henry Clay Whig in his political leanings, and in later life a strong supporter of Lincoln. The maternal grandfather Cutler, who was born in 1786, was a silversmith, following his trade up to his death, which occurred at Brimfield, Mass., when he was eighty-five years old. A. P. Johnson, the subject proper of these lines, is one of a family of eight children—three sons and five daughters—as follows: Alonzo, who died in hospital at Gettysburg, Penn., at the age of twenty-four years; Charlotte, wife of John Wilson, of Holmes county, Ohio, who died at the age of twenty-nine years; Horatio, who died when twenty-two years old; Helen, when fifteen years old; A. P., our subject; Phoebe, deceased at the age of twelve years; Fidelia, who died when sixteen years old; and Martha J., the wife of J. B. Tice, residing in Eaton county, Michigan. Our subject was fifteen years old when he went to Massachusetts to live with his widowed mother, but after a residence there of eighteen months he returned to Ohio, and for three months worked on a farm in Madison township, later taking up the saw-milling business, which he has since successfully followed; he is also superintendent of Zorn, Hornung & Co.'s stave and heading factory at Gibsonburg. He now owns twenty acres of arable land within the corporation limits of that village, and is well known and highly respected throughout the county for his sterling qualities as a citizen. On April 17, 1870, Mr. Johnson was married in Madison township to Miss Elizabeth Tice, who was born in Pennsylvania April 24, 1853, and children as follows have blessed their union: Effie, born April 15, 1871, wife of James Williams, of Rising Sun, Wood Co., Ohio (they have one child, Lester); Horatio, born June 21, 1873, who is employed in the oil fields; Delbert, born October 21, 1876, who works in the stave factory of Zorn, Hornung & Co. ; and Verna, born June 12, r,,888. In his political preferments Mr. Johnson has always been a stanch Democrat, and in 1893 he was the regular nominee on the Democratic ticket for county commissioner, but was defeated with the rest of the party in the fall of that year. In 1887 he was elected a justice of the peace, which incumbency he held six consecutive years. Socially he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and K. of P. Mrs. Johnson's father, A. H. Tice, was born in 1821 in Pennsylvania. In 1844 he was married to Catherine Noggle, who was born in 1822. They came to Ohio in 1853, settling in Sandusky county. Here he lived until 1884, when he removed to Michigan, and, his wife dying there in 1888, he returned to Gibson-burg, where he died in 1890, leaving nine children, twenty-three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He served eighteen years as a justice of the peace. Socially, he was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 283 CHARLES LIVINGSTINE, a successful farmer and prominent and public-spirited citizen of Riley township, Sandusky county, was born September 12, 1828, in Stark county, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Weimer) Livingstine, who were born respectively in June, 1794, and on February 8, 1792, in Germany. Jacob Livingstine was united in marriage with Elizabeth Weimer, in 1815; they then came to America, settling in Stark county, Ohio, where he entered 160 acres of land. He sold out in 1833, settled in Sandusky township, Sandusky county, and bought 120 acres, and, later, 05 in Riley township. He lived in Sandusky township until his death, which occurred October 9, 1866; his wife died January 7, 1856. They had seven children, as follows: Saloma, born in 1816, married George Hilt, by whom she had ten children, and they lived in Ballville township, Sandusky county, Mrs. Holt dying there in 1884, Mr. Holt in 1887; Barbara, born 1819, was married in 1840 to Henry Hoffman, who lives in Jackson township, Sandusky county, and died March 7, 1890, the mother of nine children: Maggie, born in August, 1822, married John Newman, in 1841, in Sandusky township, and they live in Fremont, Sandusky county, with their family of five children; Elizabeth, born in February, 1825, married George Hendricks in 1847, and they had two children (she died in 1874, Mr. Hendricks in 1878, and both were buried in Green Creek township, Sandusky county); Charles is the subject proper of this sketch; Annie died young, and one child died in infancy. Charles Livingstine worked for his father until his twenty-fourth year, and then, on April 1, 1852, married Mary Shoch, settling in Riley township, where he bought 280 acres of land, which cost him $10,600. They have had twelve children, viz. : Alvina, born in 1853, and Jacob, born in 1855, deceased when young; Charles H., born November 9, 1857, who in 1878 married Miss Jennettie Halbeisen, and they had one child, the mother dying in 1887, after which, in 1891, he married Mary Ulch, and they live in Sandusky township; Edward, born in 1858, deceased in 1866; Mary C., born in 1860, who married William Vogt, and lives in Riley township; Lydia, born in 1862, deceased when young; Harriet, born in 1864, married to David Russell, and they have had five children; William L., born in 1866, deceased when young; John, born in 1870, and now a farmer in Sandusky township, married Carrie Johnson in 1892, and they have one child; Frank, born in April, 1866, and Levi, born in 1872, both deceased when young, and Robert, born in 1873. Mr. Livingstine cleared the greater part of the farm on which he lives, and carries on general farming. He, is much esteemed in the community, and has been repeatedly honored with election to public office, having been justice of the peace thirteen years, trustee nineteen years, school director six years, township treasurer nineteen years and infirmary director seven years, of the county. He votes the Democratic ticket, and attends the Lutheran Church, of which he has been an elder for ten years, and is trustee at the present time. JOHN BARTSON, farmer, Ballville township, Sandusky county, a native of Luxemburg, Germany, was born January I, 1834, a son of John Bartson, Sr., who was born in 1779 at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, served as a soldier under the First Napoleon in the twenty-five-years' war, and came to America in 1842. After landing in New York he proceeded to Stark county, Ohio, where he remained a year; then, with a yoke of cattle, a horse and a cow, and a large covered wagon, he moved through the forests to Ballville township, Sandusky 284 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. county, where he settled upon forty acres of partly-improved land, for which he paid $180. He built a log cabin, and cleared up land for farming purposes; but after four years of hard work he succumbed to a severe attack of bilious fever, the early scourge of the Black Swamp, died in 1847 at the age of sixty-eight, and was buried at Tiffin, Ohio. The children of John Bartson, Sr., were: John, Jr. ; Catharine, born March 4, 1836, married to Anthony Fullmer, their children being: John, Catharine, George, Mary, and four that died in childhood. After the death of John Bartson, Sr., his widow married John May, a farmer of Ballville township. Our subject, John Bartson, remained at home two years with his widowed mother, and after her marriage to Mr. May he lived with them three years, and then went to work on the U. S. mail steamer " Lady Pike," plying between Louisville and Cincinnati; he stayed there one season, came home, and the following season worked on the " War Eagle " up and down the Mississippi. Returning, he chopped in the woods during the winter, the next summer was on a farm in Illinois, and the following winter assisted in chopping and logging at Chippewa Falls, Wis. He made several trips on rafts down the Mississippi to New Orleans, and was on the steamer " City Belle " one season; later, he returned to Wisconsin, where, at Chippewa Falls, he was sick with bilious fever six months. After his recovery he returned to Ohio, married, rented eighty acres of land of Thomas Easterwood for two years, then bought eighty acres of timber land in Ballville township for $800, gave forty acres of it to his father-in-law, built a cabin, and sold the balance at an advance. He then bought forty acres in Sandusky township for $1,400, and lived there until 1864, when he was drafted into the army. He served in Company A, Sixty-fourth Regiment, O. V. I., Third Brigade, Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, and endured all the trials and privations incident to his regiment in active service. He started at Johnson's Island, Ohio, was reexamined at Columbus, and mustered in with about 4,000 others, taken successively to Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Alpine, Pulaski, Columbus and Spring Hill. At the last place he stood on picket all night during a battle, being in the rear guard while forces went to Franklin. When they marched in front of Franklin he was in the skirmish line in front of Hood's army, where, after holding the Rebels at bay for a time, he retreated behind the second line of works; held that place till 12 o'clock at night, and then went along to Nashville and helped fortify the town. Many other instances of doing duty in times of danger might be mentioned. Our subject fought under Gen. Thomas, at Nashville, for forty-eight hours, when the regiment had about 400 men, and Company A only 25 men left out of 100 which were fit for duty. They marched back to Franklin, Spring Hill, Cumberland, Pulaski, Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Silver Creek, fixed up a block-house, and fought Forrest's and Rowdey's cavalry for three weeks, until they were relieved by a Wisconsin regiment. They returned to Huntsville, and by train to Chattanooga, Selma, Knoxville, Strawberry Plains, Blue Spring, and Bull's Gap, when they heard that Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered. Then marched back to Knoxville, thence to Nashville, where, in Camp Harker, they were mustered out. Mr. Bartson was wounded at Nashville, and otherwise disabled. He returned to Fremont, Ohio, and resumed farming. On April 13, 1857, John Bartson was married to Miss Mary Romer, born April 12, 1839, a daughter of Ignatius and Eleanora (Kries) Romer, natives of Baden, Germany, who came to America in 1854, and settled in Ballville township, Sandusky Co. , Ohio. The mother died in 1870, the father in 1877, both at an advanced COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 285 age. Their children were: Mary, wife of our subject; Olive, wife of John Ginder; Agnes, deceased in childhood; Johanna, wife of Mr. Baumgardner, proprietor of a hotel in Fulton county, a Democrat, whose children are, Eddie and Nora; Paul, who died in childhood; Agnes, wife of James Hues, of Seneca county, Ohio, whose children are, Nora, Matthew, Kate, Maggie, Emma, Agnes, Anna, Irving, Joseph, Nellie and Bernard; Anna, wife of Fred Steiber, a moulder by trade, whose first child was George. The children of John and Mary Bartson are: (1) Ignatius, born March i 0, 1858, who married Catharine Hughes, whose children are, Mary and Johanna; (2) Mary 0., born December 8, 1860, wife of Charles Fish, of Chicago, Ill. (she died in Michigan); (3) Bernard, a farmer and contractor, born February 19, 1862, and now lives in Ballville township; (4) Julia M., born January 31, 1864, wife of Sidney Champion, a painter, of Toledo, whose children are, Estelle, George, Hermon and Mary; (5) Elizabeth, born June 9, 1866, wife of Hermon Hesshel, whose child, Lizzie, died September 19, 1888; (6) Johanna, born September 1, 1868, wife of George Heffner, street-car conductor, Chicago, Ill., whose children are, Thomas, Alonzo and Louis; (7) Nora, born May 5, 1870, wife of James Castello, a merchant of Chicago; (8) John C., born March 17, 1872, contractor, Ballville township, who married M. House; (9) Ida, born April 8, 1874, wife of Louis Mierkie, a barber, of Fremont, Ohio; (0) Clara H., born March 18, 1876, unmarried; (11) Rosa, born September 10, 1878; (12) Mary F., born March i 0, 1880; and (13) Joseph, born May 11, 1882. HENRY KILGUS is one of the most prominent and progressive farmers of Washington township, Sandusky county, a true Western man, possessed of the enterprising spirit which has resulted in placing this Western region on a par with the older States of the East. Mr. Kilgus was born in the Empire State, July 16, 1854, and is a son of Fred and Magdalena (Kesler) Kilgus. The father was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1843, taking up his residence in Seneca county, Ohio. He worked as a farm hand, until by industry and frugality he had saved a sum sufficient to purchase a farm. He then became owner of forty acres of choice land near Hessville, in Washington township, Sandusky county, and subsequently he purchased fifty acres, paying $50 per acre for same. That farm was subsequently sold, and purchase made of another tract of 120 acres in Washington township, on which he resided until his death. He passed away on October 22, 1890, leaving a family of ten children, namely: Lewis, Albert, Frank, Charles, Noah, Mary, Minnie, Henry and two whose names are not given. Our subject lived at home until he was twenty-seven years of age, and then began to earn his livelihood by working out by the day, in which way he got a start. He was industrious and energetic, desirous of pleasing his employers, and as a consequence it was not difficult for him to secure a situation. He continued his service as a farm hand until he had managed to save from his earnings enough to purchase a farm of sixty acres. This he still owns, but his lands have been doubled in extent, and to-day within the boundaries of his farm are comprised 120 acres of valuable land which yield to the owner a golden tribute. Upon the place he has several fine oil wells, and derives from that source a good income. His land is now valued at $100 per acre, and it is one of the best improved places in the county. His residence and barns are the finest in this section of Washington township, and every corner of the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the careful supervision of a painstaking owner. 286 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. On September 22, 1882, Mr. Kilgus married Miss Sophia Driftmeyer, who was born December 30, 1857. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been honored with several local offices, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. A self-made man in the truest sense of that term, he has worked his way upward from a humble position to one of affluence, achieving prosperity through perseverance, industry, good management and well-directed efforts. His example is one well-worthy of emulation, and he is deserving of honored mention in the history of his adopted country. JOHN C. FISHER, son of George W. and Clarissa (Black) Fisher, was born May 1, 1848, in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, of which locality he is now a prominent resident. When he was a mere child his parents moved to Washington township, in the same county, whence after a residence of two years they went to South Bend, Ind., living there one year. On their return to Ohio they lived in Washington township eight months, then came again to Scott township, residing there two years, and subsequently went to Jackson township, where they lived about eight years. During this time our subject was attending school in different townships, and while the family were in Jackson township he went to college at Oberlin, Ohio, for one term. In 1869 Mr. Fisher went to Ballville and commenced business for himself, being engaged in teaming and farming. He continued in this work about four years, and then went to Newaygo county, Mich., there working in a feed store, where he remained until the latter part of June, 1873, at which time he went to Ft. Scott, Kans. Here, July 3, [873, he was married to Miss Celia Moore, and they returned east, coming to Ballville. For six months Mr. Fisher was engaged in a gristmill, after which he resumed his old occupation of teaming and farming, working his father-in-law's place near Ballville. In 1877 Mr. Fisher purchased a farm of 130 acres of land in Ballville township; but as there were no buildings on this tract, he sold thirty acres, and purchased forty acres containing buildings. Here he lived one year, when he sold out and came to Scott township. In 1881 he purchased 160 acres in Section 8, and in 1890 eighty acres in Section 17, making in all a farm of 240 acres, nearly all of which is under cultivation. Since 1890 Mr. Fisher has been engaged in raising stock, including horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, and lit has ready for market yearly about five horses, eighty hogs and from 300 to 500 sheep, which he ships directly to Buffalo and New York. In 1880 Mr. Fisher leased 160 acres to the Sun Oil Company, receiving $1,121 bonus, and one-seventh of the production of oil from the wells; he also leased eighty acres to the Ohio Oil Co., receiving from them $1,600 bonus, and one-eighth of the oil. This lease was cancelled, but he held the bonus, and in 1895 the whole farm was re-leased, Mr. Fisher receiving one-sixth of the oil. There are eight wells on the farm, each averaging eight barrels per day, which gives him an income of about $6.00 per day. Mrs. Celia (Moore) Fisher was born November 7, 1848, near Ballville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and here received her early education, later in life attending the high school at Fremont, Ohio, and completing her literary education at Delaware, Ohio. She remained at home with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Fisher, July 3, 1873. They settled near Ballville, remaining in the township until 1880, in which year they sold out and came to Scott township, where they now have one of the most delightful homes in Sandusky county. To their union have come chil- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 287 dren, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Claud, April 11, 1874; Guy, October 12, 1875; Webb, July 27,1877; Jim, February 1, 1879; Maud, December 23, 1881; Blanch, December 3, 1883; Clara, August 20, 1884; Bruce and Brice, November 22, 1886; Lester, February 5, 1888; and George, February 9, 1890, who died March 10, 1890. The rest of the children are at home with their parents, and have attended the home school. Mrs. Fisher's father, James Moore, was born about 1805, and died December 5, 1873, being buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Sandusky county; his occupation was milling and farming. Her mother, Harriet. (Patterson) was born May 17, 1810. This worthy couple reared a family of children, as follows: Orven, Juliette, Celliette, LeRoy, Manville, Charles, Celia and Oriette. Of these four are living: Juliette, now Mrs. William Rice, of Sandusky county; Charles, living in Sandusky county; Celia, now Mrs. Fisher; and Oriette, Mrs. John Speller, of Sandusky county. Mr. Fisher was a cousin of the wife of Wid Inman, son of James Inman. He was an adherent of the Republican party, and served as treasurer of Scott township. FREDERICK G. BASKEY, a prosperous farmer of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, was born in Prussia, Germany, May 30, 1833, a son of Charles Baskey, by his first wife, whose children were: John, Charles, Jr., and August, all three dying in Germany; Frederick G., our subject; Augustina; and Minnie. For his second wife Charles Baskey married Miss Louisa Linstead, and their children were: Amelia, Caroline, Emma, and Robert. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a blacksmith by trade. Our subject worked at blacksmithing in Germany nine years, and at the age of twenty-four came to America, landing at New York City, whence he came to Sandusky City, Ohio, near which place he found work on a farm, and there remained three years. He married Miss Henrietta Marzke, who was born March 17, 1836, daughter of Charles and Christena (Mugahn) Marzke, farmers, the former of whom died in Germany at the age of sixty-four, the latter passing away in Sandusky, Ohio, at the same age. They had six children: Charles; Henry, who died; Hannah; Henrietta, Mrs. Baskey; Christena, who lives in Sandusky township; and Theodore, in Riley township. Our subject's wife was nineteen years of age when she came to America. Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Baskey have had children, as follows: William H., born February 14, 1863, married to Emma Louesa Zeigler, and is a farmer in Green Creek township; Albert F., born April 17, 1865, now at home, operating a threshing machine; Rosa, born September 30, 1868, died April 8, 1878; Bertha E., born September 15, 1870, died August 25, 1887; Charles F., born January 7, 1873, now at home, working on the farm; and Theresa M., born October 1, 1875, living at home. Our subject and his wife first settled in Erie county, near Castalia, where they farmed one year, then came to Sandusky county, and here rented a farm four years.. They then bought twenty acres of land, and lived on the same three years, when they sold it, and bought forty acres where they now reside, to which more was added, making 130 acres. They carry on mixed farming, and they have made val uable improvements on their property, having built a substantial brick house and a good-sized barn. They have given land to their sons. Mr. Baskey is a Democrat in politics, and in religious connection he attends the Lutheran Church at Fremont. He came to this country with nothing in the way of earthly possessions, but has secured a fair competence, by hard work and close economy. His wife formerly 288 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. worked in families, doing housework, at $1 per week, in Sandusky City, and he worked on farms at the rate of $10 per month. WILLIAM BUMGARDNER, a prosperous agriculturist of Ballville township, Sandusky county, a native of Baden, Germany, was born August 5, 1845, a son of John and Rosa (Harter) Bumgardner, both of whom died in the Fatherland. Their children were as follows: (1) Mary, wife of Jacob Naus, a farmer of Sandusky county, whose children are William, who married a Miss Bowlus, and lives in Edwards county, Kans., and George, who married Miss Sarah Jams, and lives in Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio. (2) Louisa, wife of Jacob Frentzel, whose children are William, Fred, Louisa, Minnie, Hattie; Mr. Frentzel died in 1892, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery; and (3) William, our subject. John Bumgardner set out for America with his family in 1847, and after a voyage of forty days landed in New York, whence, after a brief sojourn, he came to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he visited friends. He then located at Fremont, where he worked at his trade of shoemaking about two years, and then moved to Washington township, where he bought a piece of land on which he remained a year, after which he went farther west. Our subject, William Bumgardner, at the age of thirteen went out to work among farmers, and after working thirteen years he married, September 22, 1882, Miss Anna Ott, who was born September 29, 1850. He then rented a piece of ground from Emanuel Wingert, which he worked on shares some fifteen years. He next bought eighty acres of land from Hiram Pool, for $6,000, where he has since resided. His mother lived with his family some years previous to her death, which occurred February 3, 1883, when she was aged eighty years. Mr. Bumgardner's wife's brothers and sisters were: (1) William Ott, who was a soldier and was killed in the civil war; (2) Sarah, born August 22, 1844, wife of Elias Babione, a farmer; Charles Ott, born April 26, 1847, married to Sarah Jackman, and their children are-Clara, Frank, Eva and Virgie. The children of William and Ann Bumgardner are: Minnie, born September 12, 1872, married March 14, 1894, to King Hiett; Rosa, born April 26, 1874; William, born December 18, 1878; Wesley, born August 8, 1883, and Mabel, born November 16, 1888. JOHN W. MELLISH, a well-known resident of Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in Port Clinton, Ottawa Co., Ohio, October 8, 1861, a son of John and Martha (Granger) Mellish. Our subject's father was born in Toronto, Canada, January 7, 1825, and came with his parents, in 1833, to Ottawa county, where they located on a farm in Bay township on which he spent the rest of his life. He was for many years a Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church. Our subject's paternal grandfather, a native of Lancashire, England, emigrated to Canada, and thence moved to Ohio. Our subject's mother was born in Columbiana county, Penn., September I, 1833. After the death of her parents she came with friends to Ottawa county, where she was married February 10, 1853; her death occurred April 22, 1881; she was a member of the M. E. Church. The children of John and Martha Mellish were: James, born September 5, 1854, died December 3, 1857; Harriet, born September 22, 1857, died March 12, 1859; William A., born June 1, 1859, now a grocer at Port Clinton, Ohio; John W., our subject; Clare J., born January 26, 1864, wife of Peter Bradshaw, of Chicago, Ill. ; Martha E., born August 11, 1871, died May 6, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 289 1872 ; and Newton A., born February 4, 1874, now clerk in a store at Fremont, Ohio. J. W. Mellish grew up in Port Clinton, Ohio, where he graduated from the high school. He then left home to become a sailor before the mast for about two years on the lakes, after which he went to railroading as brakeman on the L. S. & M. S. railroad for one year. He next worked as butcher at Port Clinton for some time, and then kept a restaurant. Having sold out his stand, he went to learn the molder's trade, and worked in the Wm. M. Whitley shops, Springfield, Ohio, one year. In 1889 he came to Fremont, and opened up a saloon and restaurant on Front street, which he still keeps, with a liberal patronage. He is an excellent specimen of physical manhood, being over six feet tall, and weighing 225 pounds. He inherits the true doggedness of character and stubborn persistence of the old Anglo-Saxon people. In 1885, Mr. Mellish married Miss Lydia Hodge, who was born in Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1865, a daughter of George and Rachel (Skelenger) Hodge. She died April 12, 1894, at Fremont, Ohio. Her father, who was a farmer, was born in Columbiana county, and her mother in Hardin county, Ohio, where she died at the age of forty-one years. They had a family of nine children, five of whom are now living. GEORGE O. HARLAN, veterinary surgeon, Fremont, Sandusky county, is a native of Cumberland county, Penn., born November 11, 1836. His paternal ancestors came from England to North America in Colonial days. In 1687 two brothers, George and Michael Harlan, located in what is now Chester county, Penn. In later years that branch of the family to which our subject belongs removed to Baltimore, Md., where his grandfather, Samuel Harlan, was born, and whose children were: Hannah, born February 27, 1794; Samuel, born December 7, 1795 ; Sallie, born October 3, 1797; Elizabeth, born August 1, 1800; George, born December 8, 1802; Mary, born December 22, 1804; and John, (subject's father), born July 14, 1808—all born in Baltimore, Maryland. John Harlan early earned the trade of hatter, and going to Adams county, Penn. , engaged in business as a commission merchant. He subsequently located in Cumberland county, Penn., and followed the commission business there for many years. This was in the early days when large merchants owned their own cars, and the railroad companies furnished engines to haul the cars. In later years he was not fortunate in business, and finally retired from it altogether. During the past nine years he has had his home with his son, George 0., at Fremont, Ohio. Our subject's mother was a Miss Jane McElwee, born in Cumberland county, Penn., June 16, 1847, and died in 1876. Before her marriage to John Harlan she had been married to a Mr. Marshall, by whom she had two children: Francis, who lives in Chambersburg, Penn. ; and James A., of Philadelphia. By her marriage to John Harlan, subject's father, there were three children: George 0. ; Henry Addison, born January J0, 1841, a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war; and Emma, born June 10, 1845, died June 23, 1884. Dr. George O. Harlan grew to manhood in Cumberland county, Penn., where he learned the trade of coppersmith. Later on he took up the study of veterinary surgery, under a preceptor, attended a veterinary college at Philadelphia, Penn., graduating from same in 1860. He soon after took a trip westward and the breaking out of the Civil war found him at Rochester, Ind. In 1862 he joined the Fourth Cavalry, Seventy-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volun- 290 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. teers, and at Perryville, Ky., he was injured by the falling of his horse. As soon as he was again fit for service he was appointed veterinary surgeon by the United States Government, and served in the horse hospitals in Pennsylvania. At the close of the war he was appointed to assist in selling the useless supplies which the government had accumulated, consisting of horses, saddles, blankets, etc. One of his shipments brought him to Ohio. He remained in Toledo a short period, then came to Fremont, where he opened work in his profession, and decided to make his home. After locating at Fremont, Dr. Harlan traveled during the most part of the succeeding ten years and delivered lectures on the Comparative Anatomy of the Horse. He doubled Indiana and Michigan a couple of times, making nearly every town in each State, and also nearly all the towns and cities in Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and the State of New York. Early in his work he wrote and published a book, entitled " Harlan's Illustrated Horseman's Guide, " which was afterward re-written, and enlarged to a book of more than 200 pages. More than 50,000 of these books have been sold, and they are still in great demand, being considered among the best works on the horse ever published. Many years ago he opened a horse hospital in Fremont, and his efforts to build up an interest in horses have been quite successful: He has of late years been called repeatedly to nearly every great horse center in the country, on special missions, being a specialist in horse surgery. On March 6, 1856, Dr. George 0. Harlan was married to Miss Adline McGuire, of Cumberland county, Penn., who died January 7, 1865, leaving two children—Alice (now Mrs. 0. E. Jones), and Serelda (now Mrs. H. Hale). On May 4, 1866, Dr. Harlan married Miss Harriet Hollis, of Monroeville, Ohio, and three children have been born to them, viz. : Hulda (now Mrs. J. H. Comstock, of New York City), Nora (now Mrs. A. S. Close, of Toledo), and John M. (at home with his parents). Dr. Harlan is a member of the G. A. R., F. & A. M. and I. 0. 0. F. JOHN WENDLER. Among the prominent and substantial citizens of Madison township, Sandusky county, is found the gentleman whose name here appears, and who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, July 13, 1827. His parents, John and Catherine (Snyder) Wendler, had two children—Barbara and John. John Wendler, Sr., who was a blacksmith by trade, died when his son was a boy, after which his widow married Casper Freman, in Switzerland, and they had two daughters. John Wendler, Jr., was two years of age when his mother married Mr. Freman. He then went to Switzerland to live, remaining there until 1854, when, at the age of twenty-seven, he set out for the United States. Coming to Ohio, he located in Ballville township, Sandusky county, and was employed in a woolen-factory from 1854 till 1857, after which he worked on a farm by the month for four years. In 1861 he bought forty acres in Woodville township, Sandusky county, and commenced clearing. In 1872 he traded this forty-acre tract for eighty acres in Madison township, and in the same year bought eighty acres more, northwest of Gibsonburg, on which he lived until 1890, when he purchased the twenty-five acres whereon he now lives. On November 27, 1854, John Wendler was united in marriage with Mary Brooker, who was born March 26, 1832, in Switzerland, and they had six children, of whom Albert, born April 8, 1856, married Mary Walter, and has had five children; Mary, born July 29, 1858, married Fred Driftmeyer, and has had two children (they live in Washington township, Sandusky county); Amelia, born October 11, 1864, married John Callahan, and died July 18, 1890, at the age of twenty-five years; John W., COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 291 born November 28, 1866, lives at home; Emma L., born October 8, 1869, died September 15, 1891; Caroline Sophia, born July 0, 1875, died November 25, 1878. Mrs. Wendler's parents, Henry and Susan (Meddler) Brooker, were born in Switzerland. Mr. Wendler is a Republican in politics, has several times been honored with public office, and at present is serving his second term as township trustee. He is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and is much respected. PETER KENAN, a well - known farmer of Jackson township, Sandusky county, was born November 2, 1829, in Perry county, Ohio, a son of Silas and Barbara (Overmyer) Kenan. Silas Kenan was born February 3, 1801, near Wheeling, W. Va. His father was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and came to America when a small boy, settling in Virginia. James married Catherine Yost, by whom he had children -sixteen in number as follows: Silas, Margaret, Phoebe, Samuel, John, Peter, Robert, Nancy, Emeline, James, Rebecca, Juliann, Sarah Ann, Melissa, Henry and Catherine. After marriage James Kenan moved to Perry county, Ohio, and thence to Tymochtee township, Wyandot county, later removing to Illinois, finally, however, settling in Bettsville, Ohio, where he died in 1856. His wife died a year later at the home of a daughter in Missouri. The parents of Mrs. Silas Kenan were natives of Harrisburg, Penn., and their children were: Hugh, Margaret, Barbara, Polly, Eva, Lewis, Catherine, Elizabeth and Peter. Peter Kenan in his youth came from Perry county to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he engaged in the arduous labors of pioneer farming, and where, in Jackson township, he owns 120 acres of land in a good state of cultivation. He is a Republican in politics, and has held various civic offices. In the Civil war he was a volunteer in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment O. V. I., and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia, in the summer of 1864. On May 4, 1856, he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Hodgson, born in Herkimer county, N. Y., November 19, 1835, daughter of Rev. William Hodgson, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. To this union was born, March I I, 1857, one son-William Manville-who on October 1, 1878, married Miss Sylvia Ann, a daughter of Rey. John W. Powell, of Fostoria, Ohio, and they have a son, John Peter Kenan, born February 24, 1887. CHARLES DELBERT KENAN, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Posey) Kenan, was born in Jackson township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, January 15, 1858, and is of German and Irish lineage, his great-grandfather being a native of the Emerald Isle. His father was born July 31, 1824, in Perry county, Ohio. His mother was born August 20, 1832, in Hartley township, Wayne Co., Penn., and came with her parents to Ohio during her early girlhood. His father and mother are now living a retired life. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Barbara, who was born December 10, 1852, and died in infancy; Oran, who was born December 7, 1853, and lives in the city of Fremont, Ohio; Lodema, who was born November I, 1856, and is the wife of Michael Maurer, a resident farmer of Jackson township, Sandusky county, by whom she has three children-Charles, Louis and Webb; Charles Delbert, subject of sketch; Marshall A., a farmer of Jackson township, born May 17, 1860; Lorina, born October 27, 1862, now the wife of Elijah Voorhees; George, born on the old homestead, July 1o, 1864, and yet living there. 292 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Charles Delbert Kenan was reared to manhood under the parental roof, spending the days of his boyhood in a manner not unlike that of other farmer lads of that locality. After arriving at years of maturity, he was married, in 1880, to Miss Mary M. Cookson, a teacher in the common schools, having taught seven terms, daughter of William and Rose (Metzger) Cookson, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in its pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Kenan have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter—Frances Fleeta Kenan—whom they are tenderly rearing. Upon his marriage our subject removed with his bride to Scott township, Sandusky county, where he rented his father's farm, and remained for about two months. He then came to Washington township, and purchased sixty acres, carrying on agricultural pursuits there for nine years, when he sold his property, and purchased seventy-four acres of land, constituting his present farm. Upon this place are four good oil wells, with a fair flow, and these net him considerable profit, adding not a little to his income. His carefully managed business interests have brought him success, and his fair and honorable dealing have gained for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. In politics he is a Democrat, discharging all his duties of citizenship with promptness and fidelity. ENOS J. GROVER, a well-known farmer of Sandusky county, was born in Green Creek township, that county, October 23, 1841, a son of Truman and Caroline (Swart) Grover. Truman Grover was born in Genesee county, N. Y., March 13, 1810, a son of Silas and Sallie (Williams) Grover, the former of whom was born in 1782, in Cayuga county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood. His father died in 1843, and his mother—who was of Welch descent, and who in her younger days lived on the banks of the Susquehanna river, in New York State—lived to be eighty-one years old. Silas Grover married at the age of twenty-five, built a log house, cleared up a farm, and reared a family of children. In 1826 he came by steamer with his family from Buffalo, N. Y., to Sandusky City, and thence overland through the woods to Sandusky county, where he settled on a farm of eighty acres, for which he had traded sixty acres in York State, and received $100 to boot, which paid his moving expenses. Here he followed farming twelve years, and then moved to another farm farther from Hamer's Corners (now Clyde). He was a member of the Universalist Church, and in politics a Democrat. The children of Silas and Sallie Grover were as follows: Messa, who died at Fremont February 28, 1894, at the age of ninety-four; Truman, father of our subject; John, who lives in Branch county, Mich., aged eighty-two; Orson, living at Hillsdale, Mich., aged seventy-seven; Samuel, living at the same place, aged seventy-three; Harriet, who died leaving several children; and Lydia, wife of Clark Cleveland. Truman Grover came to Sandusky county at the age of sixteen. His oppor tunities for getting even a common-school education were very meager. On March 12, 1835, he married Miss Caroline Swart, who was born in Herkimer county, N. .Y., October 3, 1818, and to their union came eight children: Eunice, born December 10, 1835, who became the wife of W. T. Perrin, and their children are Perry, William, Frank, Fannie and Burt; of these, Perry married Minerva Youngs, and has four children-Leo, Lestia, LeRoy and another; William married, and has four children; Frank married, and has two children. Milo married Lucy Perrin, and has seven children—Addie, Ralph, Pearl (who is married and has two chil- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 293 dren), Grace, Chrisence, Myrtle and another; Frank married Jane Duesler, and has two children, Minnie and Charlie; he lives in Chicago, Ill. Enos J. is the subject proper of these lines. Margaret is the wife of D. Clapp, of Fremont, Ohio, and has three children—Emmitt, Gertrude and Horace. Melvina is the wife of M. Hart, of Green Spring, Ohio, and has three children—Victory, Milo and another; Ella is the wife of James Raymond, and their children are Winfred and Jay. Ransom died when twenty years of age. Enos J. Grover was reared on a farm, and during his youth attended the country and village schools. He lives in one of the garden spots of northern Ohio. He is a Democrat in politics, and socially is a member of the Royal Arcanum, at Clyde, Ohio. In 1860 he married Miss Angeline Adams, and five children have been born to them: Nora (wife of LeRoy Lee, whose children are Margaret and Davis), Ransom, Claude, Byron and Truman. Truman Grover, father of our subject, was an enthusiastic member of the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Society, and on October I I, 1890, at its annual meeting, held in Fremont, gave an interesting account of his pioneer experiences, a report of which was published in the Fremont Journal, from which we here give a few items. Mr. Grover, among other things, said: I moved from the State of New York with my father, in 1826, at the age of sixteen. Our farming at first went very slow. We cut most of our grain with sickles, as we thought the cradles wasted too much. We preferred to cut and lay it down by handfuls. The second year my father fixed a cradle to a grass scythe that worked pretty well. We threshed our grain by tramping it out with oxen, or beating it out with flails or cudgels; we kept at it all winter and fed the straw to our live stock. We hauled the grain to town and exchanged it for goods, and the merchants sent the grain east by boat in exchange for goods. One of our first merchants was Mr. Olmstead, who carried on a large business with very little money, by his system of exchange. We could not get any money at that time. After a while things changed, and we got money, and threshing machines and railroads, so that we did not need to wait for the lake to open up in the spring to market our grain. I feel pretty well to-day, for a man who is eighty years old, and has done an awful sight of hard work. We seemed to have more leisure time for hunting and fishing and sporting in the early days than we have now. We could shoot wild ducks, geese and turkeys, and wild hogs in abundance. We got $3 per hundred for wild pork in Lower Sandusky. I was not much of a deer hunter. The deer had such sharp eyes that I could not see them before they saw me. When the Twelve-mile Reservation was sold by the Indians and they moved away, the white people came in and bought homes, and then we got money and all business brightened up. Those Indians are now in the Indian Territory on No Man's Land. Our people here are now away ahead of the early times. I don't suppose that there is a depot between Cleveland and Toledo that ships as much of different kinds of fruit as Clyde. The pioneer price of corn used to be 18 cents, rye 20 cents, wheat 50 cents. In 1833-34 we got $2.10 for wheat. ORION VAN DOREN, a progressive young farmer of York township, Sandusky county, is a son of Edwin and Zeruiah Van Doren, and was born in Green Creek township, Sandusky county, September 3, 1858. He is of Dutch extraction on his father's. side, his ancestors having come from Holland more than one hundred and fifty years ago. His mother is of Scotch descent. Abraham Van Doren, grandfather of the subject of these lines, was born about 1805, in a town in New Jersey, which then contained but few houses. Coming to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), Sandusky Co., Ohio, he followed his vocation of shoemaker for many years, and then removed to a farm in Green Creek township, where he passed the remainder of his life. Edwin Van Doren, who was a son of Abraham Van Doren, was born in Fremont, August 14, 1829, and in 1854 (1851) was united in marriage with Zeruiah Gray, who was born in Oswego, N. Y., August 13, 1832. They have had seven children, as follows: Allen, who is on a farm in Green Creek township; Orion, the subject of this sketch; Ida, now Mrs. 294 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. John Hyatt, living west of Fremont ; Sidney, in Green Creek township; Jennie, now Mrs. John Langton; Clara, now Mrs. William Pack, living at Centreville, Mich. ; and Lucy, now Mrs. H. G. Huffman, living at Clyde, Green Creek township, Sandusky, Co. ,Ohio. Mr. Van Doren has always been an active Republican since the founding of the party. He was in the hundred-day service in the war of the Rebellion, upon his discharge re-enlisting in the Fifty-fifth O. V. I., and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He was mustered out at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Van Doren are now living at Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio. Orion Van Doren attended the Fremont school one term after leaving the district school, then went to the high school at Clyde one year, and the following year took a short course at Ada; but his father had need of his services, so he left school and remained at home until his marriage. On April 14, 1884, he wedded Miss Emma White, who was born March 8,1868, and they have had two children, namely: Zeruiah, who was born March 25, 1886, and is at present attending the Clyde schools, and Mary Ruth, born December 16, 1893. Mrs. Van Doren's father, William White, a son of Lyton White, was born in New York State in 1827, and in 1855 married Mary Kettle, who was born in Townsend township in 1832. They had the following named children: Samuel; George, now deceased; Sarah, wife of Morris McGraw, of Albany, N. Y. ; Lillian, wife •of A. J. Smith, of Clyde; Marguerite, deceased; Mary, wife of Sidney Van-Doren; Emma, now Mrs. Orion Van-Doren; Lucinda, deceased; and Anna, wife of George Mason. In 1862 the family moved from Erie county, Ohio, where they had made their home for many years, to Townsend township, and from there to York township, where Mrs. White died August 26, 1872. Mr. White continued to manage his farm of 600 acres until March 26, 1887, when he, too, passed away. Mr. Van Doren votes the Republican ticket. For the past five years he has made an annual hunting excursion to northern Michigan, and his home is nicely decorated with antlers and other trophies that attest to his skill as a marksman. HON. GEORGE F. ALDRICH. Foremost among Sandusky county's representative men of to-day stands Hon. George F. Aldrich, a truly self-made man. He is the son of Hiram H. and Ellen (Donnell) Aldrich, and was born on a farm in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, February 26, 1857. Like many a farmer's boy he was obliged to work in the summer time, while during the winter seasons he was permitted to attend the district school. Determined to obtain an education, he diligently persevered, and finally attended for some time the Normal School at Fostoria, Ohio, afterward attending a Normal in Mansfield, Ohio. At an early age he was among the most successful teachers in Sandusky county, and has followed that profession for twenty years. The township of Scott, recognizing his ability, elected him justice of the peace, which position he held for nine years; he was also census enumerator of the township in 188o, and served on the board of county examiners for four years. Having successfully filled every position to which he had been called, his fellow-citizens, being desirous of conferring still further honors upon him, in 1891 sent him as a representative of Sandusky county at the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, his opponent being Mr. J. L. Hart. This incumbency he also filled with his well-known ability and customary success. On his return from the legislature he devoted COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 295 the greater part of his time to teaching. During the summer months he conducted a normal school at Tinney, having some forty pupils, many of whom are teachers. In addition to his profession he also directed the work on the farm at Tinney. In the fall of 1893 Mr. Aldrich was again nominated for the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, his opponent being George F. Keefer, and by whom he was defeated in 1893. In the 1895 campaign Mr. Aldrich carried the county, defeating Mr. Keefer, his opponent of 1893, notwithstanding the fact that the political aspect of the county has materially changed since the 1891 election. On March 7, 1878, Mr. Aldrich was married to Miss Eulalie Adelaide Tinney, of Tinney, Ohio, and to them have come three children: May Bordelle and Mabel, born December 10, 1878 (Mabel died in infancy); and Rufus Haven Scott, born December 22, 1886. Of these May received a teacher's certificate in Sandusky county when only fourteen years old, but poor health has prevented her from teaching; she has given the study of music considerable attention. Mrs. Aldrich, the estimable wife of our subject, was born at Tinney, Ohio, November 21, 1857, and received her education in the public schools of that place. Her mother died when she was young, which deprived her of the advantages that she otherwise might have obtained. The father of our subject was born in Rhode Island, in 1836, and when he was six years old his parents came to Ohio, where, with the exception of six years spent in Kansas, he has since resided. On February 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, Third O. V. C., and was mustered out of the service at the close of the war. In his family were five children: John, Mary (now Mrs. J. W. Hudson, of Tinney), George F. (our subject), Charles A., and Jackson. Our subject's mother was a native of Scott township, Sandusky county, where she spent her entire life ex- - 19 - cept a few years in Kansas, in which State she died, October 9, 1887, at the age of fifty-seven. Mr. Aldrich's paternal grandfather, Nero Aldrich, was born in Rhode Island, and spent the greater part of his life in Scott township, where he died. He was twice married, the grandmother of our subject being his second wife. The maternal grandmother was born in Noble county, Ohio, and died in Kansas in 1895. She was three times married, her last husband being Nero Aldrich. Among the pioneers of Scott township is the father of Mrs. Aldrich, Darwin Scott Tinney. He was born September 18, 1826, in New York State, where he lived until eight years of age, and then with his parents came to Lenawee county, Mich., thence to Ohio, where he afterward lived. He died at Tinney, Ohio, November 16, 1893. He was one of Sandusky county's most prosperous farmers, a vocation he gave his entire attention to during a greater part of his life. For three years he was county commisioner of Sandusky county. About 1850 he was married to Sarah Wiggins, of Scott township, who was born in Massachusetts in 1829, and to them were born three children: Almeda Ann; Frank J. Tinney, of Fostoria, principal of the public schools; and Eulalie Adelaide (now Mrs. Aldrich). He was the son of Stephen Tinney, who was born in December, 1799, in Massachusetts, and died February 10, 1848. When about sixteen years old he went to New York and there lived some fourteen years; thence moved. to Michigan where he lived six years, and from there to Scott township, where he passed the rest of his days, dying on January 9, 1836. He was married to Julia Scott, of Niagara county, N. Y., born July 24, 1797, and died February 7, 1869. To them were born four children: Darwin S., Edwin C., Jackson and Julia Ann, Edwin C. being the only one now living. Stephen Tinney's mother, Sally Jonier, was born in Massachusetts, about the 296 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. year 1770, and her husband, Stephen Tinney, Sr., was born about the same time. To them were born three children. DAVID SMITH is a substantial farmer of York township, Sandusky county. In his early years he lived the life of a stalwart pioneer, and he has succeeded in gaining a competency which will suffice him for the remainder of his days. He is a son of Fred and Dorothea Smith, and was born in Lehigh county, Penn., August 7, 1820. Fred and Dorothea Smith were united in marriage in Germany in 1813, and in 1818 came to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith worked at the forge in that State, and also after coming to Ohio, whither he removed in 1837, settling first in Bellevue, Huron county, or rather Amsden's Corners, and the following year coming to York township, where he resided the remainder of his life. He bought a farm, which he managed in connection with his blacksmith shop. Of their children Marie (the eldest, who lived in Bellevue), Anna (of York township), and Fred (a farmer of York township, who was the oldest son), died in 1889, within six months of each other; David is the subject of this sketch; Catherine is living in Tennessee; Sallie died in California; John F. is a large landowner of York township. David Smith was the first of his parents' children born in America, his older brother and sister having been born before the family left Germany. Opportunities for obtaining a good education, which are now so numerous and easy of access, were open to but few during his childhood, and his father's children were not numbered with the few. He came with his parents to York township at the age of ten, and later he learned the trade of carpenter and millwright, working in Bellevue and Toledo before marriage, and a short time after. On October 22, 1846, David Smith was united in marriage with Julia Ann Knauss, who was born in Union county, Penn., April 3, 1825, and they have had six children, a brief record of whom is as follows: George, born March 9, 1848, is now a carpenter, residing in Bellevue; he married Anna Derr, and has two children—Julia Maude and Frank Elliston. Charles, born August 1, 1854, is a carpenter and lives in Michigan; he married Hattie Ent, and they have one child—Earl. Samuel, born November 24, 1859, is at borne. Sarah Maria, born July 16, 1864, married David Barnard, of Groton township, Erie county, and they have three children—George, Ralph, and Charles. Mary Elizabeth, the youngest, born November 15, 1866, is at home. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Solomon and Sarah Knauss. Although suffering from a stroke of paralysis, Mr. Smith still superintends the farm, and tribute may well be offered to his perseverance and courage. He is. prudent in his undertakings and never attempts to make large gains by correspondingly large risks. When he engages. in an enterprise little doubt as to its stability and character need be felt. Mr. Smith believes in the doctrines of protection and sound money. GEORGE MARTIN, a farmer of Ballville township, Sandusky county, was born near Buffalo, N. Y., March 21, 1832, a son of Michael and Catherine (Flory) Martin. Michael Martin was born in Baden, Germany, and married there. On immigrating to America he settled seven miles. from Buffalo, N. Y., where he died at the age of thirty years, leaving a son Michael, Jr., by his first wife, and the following children by his second wife, a Miss. Stuller: Joseph, Jacob, Abraham, Mary, Kate, and George, the subject of this. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 297 sketch. The mother of George Martin was born in Alsace, Germany. George Martin grew to manhood in this country, but his education was entirely neglected, as he never learned to read or write. He worked on his father's farm in Sandusky county, Ohio, until December, 1858, when he married Miss Mary M. Slaughter, who was born April 8, 1837, and settled on his present farm. A brief record of their children is as follows: Charles L., born October 18, 1859, is a farmer, living on an adjoining farm; he married Miss Caroline Bloom, and their children are Blanche, Vinnie, Ralph, Mabel and Iva. Frank S., born September 16, 1861, is living with his parents; Albert, born September 29, 1863, is living with his parents; Clara C., born September 27, 1865, married William Sachs, and their children are Fern, Carl and Lulu; Edwin, born July 5, 1868, is living with his parents; George T., born May 28, 1874, is living at home; Estella M. was born February 18, 1877. Mr. Martin is a Democrat in politics, and in religious connection is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is an enterprising and well-to-do farmer, and an obliging neighbor. His half-brother Michael finds a comfortable home with him. His wife Mary was born April 8, 1837. GEORGE W. KING, farmer and merchant of Rice township, Sandusky county, and postmaster at Kingsway, Ohio, was born September 25, 1840, in Fairfield county, Ohio, son of Peter and Mary (Shoemaker) King. Peter King and his father, George King, were both born in Perry county, Ohio, where the great-grandfather, John King, who was a native of Virginia, had located shortly after marriage, passing the remainder of his days there. George King moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, where he died. Peter King was reared on a farm up to the age of nineteen, and also learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed about twenty years in Fairfield county. He was married in Pick-away county, removed thence to Fairfield county, and thence, in 18 5 2, to Washington township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he bought 240 acres of land. Here he accumulated wealth, and he built a handsome house and barn, the house having the finest staircase in the county. He was a Democrat, and a member of the German Reformed Church. He died August 2, 1880, and his widow, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1819, is still living on the old homestead. They had nine children: Samuel, a farmer, George W. ; Levi, a farmer, who is county commissioner of Henry county, Ohio; Henry, a farmer in Henry county; Peter, also a farmer in Henry county; J. M., living on the old homestead; Rebecca, born in 1843, who died in 1894, wife of I. J. Shoemaker, of Henry county; Melinda, who first married J. D. Overmyer, and after his death wedded Solomon Shoemaker (she is now living near Muncie, Ind.); and Mary Ann, wife of Noah Garrett, of Sandusky township. George W. King came with his father's family to Washington township, Sandusky county, attended the common schools, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Fremont. In 1862 he married Miss Elizabeth L. Wagner, who was born in Sandusky county, October 6, 1842, and eleven children have blessed their union, viz. : Mary Marthella, wife of M. E. Boggs, of Elmore, Ohio, who has one child, George Nolan; Clara Ellen, widow of Daniel Packett (she has one child); Louisa Emily, wife of Fred Cappus, of Hessville, Sandusky county (they have one child, Carl); Samuel, living at Mt. Vernon, Ind., who is married and has three children--George, Henry and John; Selesta Almeda, wife of Irvin Fetterman, of Rice township; Catherine Minerva, wife of H. F. Hetrick, of Washington 298 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. township (they have one child, Lester Willis), and John Jacob, Ida Isabelle, Pearl Annetta, Cara Stella, and Daisy Modelia, the last five living at home. Mr. King purchased his present farm in 1864, following his trade until 1867, since when he has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, now owning 155 acres in Rice township and twenty-seven in Washington township. The. Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad runs through his farm, on which has been erected a depot and post office, named, after him, Kingsway. He is the second postmaster of the place, having received his commission from President Arthur, and has held the office twelve years. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religious affiliations a member of the German Reformed Church. The first office Mr. King held in the township was that of constable, in which he continued for two years, after which he was elected justice of the peace for three consecutive terms. Mr. King's residence and home are among the finest farm improvements in the county. He is a recognized business and social leader in his community, of gentlemanly disposition, and is essentially a self-made man. JAMES D. HENSEL, an energetic agriculturist of Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born February 19, 1849, on the farm now owned by his uncle, Daniel Hensel, and is the eldest son of Adam and Mary J. Hensel. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Hensel were natives of Northumberland county, Penn., and of German descent. They moved to Perry county, Ohio, .in 1819, where their eldest son, Adam, was born in 1825. Their attention was then attracted by the fertility of the Black Swamp, and in 1827 they located on the banks of Little Mud creek, four miles west of Fremont. At that time there were but three families living between Muscalonge and Perrysburg, north of the Perrysburg road. Adam Hensel was married to Mary J. Benner in 1847; to them were born six children: James D. Ellen M., wife of John Fangboner; she died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving two children—Irvin and Mertella, who live with their father in Fremont. Sarah E. and Harriet S. both reside in Chicago, Ill. ; Harriet is married and has two children, Mary and Allen. Alice C. and husband, A. J. Walters, with their daughters, Jessie and Madge A., live in Montpelier, Ohio; and Emma C. married W. S. Diggs, and they with their two children, Ethel E. and Ione, reside in Winchester, Indiana. Mr. Hensel grew to manhood on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and remained at home until' his marriage to Miss Savilla Wolfe, February 6, 1873. She was born January 25, 185o, in Sandusky county. They have two daughters: Nora 0., born December 4, 1873, was educated in Fremont school and Ohio Normal University, and is now a teacher in the schools of Sandusky county, and Mabel M., born December 9, 1877. Mr. Hensel settled on the old homestead, which he purchased after the death of his father in 1887. He belongs to the younger element of progressive farmers in Sandusky township, and owns seventy-seven acres of good land. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious connection he is a member of the Reformed Church. Fraternally, he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. PHILIPP MIARER, a well-to-do farmer of Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born in the southern part of Russia, August 15, 1828, a son of John and Barbara (Krather) Miarer. John Miarer, a farmer by occupation, was also born in South Russia, and died COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 299 there at the age of forty-six years. Barbara Miarer, his widow, came to America with her family and settled in Sandusky, Ohio, where she died at the age of sixty-seven. Four children were born to them: John Miarer, a retired farmer, now living in Seneca county, Ohio, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Magdalena, who married Henry Henning, in Germany, where she still resides; Susan, who was married in Germany to Louis Bowers; and Philipp, subject of this sketch. Philipp attended school in Germany up to his thirteenth year, and then came to America in 1850, landing in New York City. Coming to Cleveland, Ohio, he remained there one year, after which he removed to Jackson township, Sandusky county, where he sought and found such employment as the times afforded. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Catharine Mahr, who was born in Jackson township August 29, 1839, and nine children were born to this union, six of whom are living: David, born September 5, 1861, who married Miss Lavina Lang; Sarah, born September 15, 1862, married to Augustus Buehler; John, born in 1868, who married Ellen Bender (he attended the common schools, and has taught five terms in Sandusky county); Mary, born March 28, 1870, living in Fremont; Henry, born March 28, 1874; and Amelia, born September 24, 1877. After his marriage Mr. Miarer bought forty acres of land in Jackson township, and lived there fourteen years, removing thence to Riley township, and in the spring of 1876 settling at his present home. Here he owns 157 acres of land, eighty acres in Seneca county. His brick residence, erected a few years ago, has few equals in his vicinity. During his early days he did much hard pioneer work; he cleared sixty acres of heavily-timbered land with his own hands, using oxen to do the logging; and it will readily be seen that there is a great contrast between his early surroundings in the county and that which he enjoys now. He is recognized as one of the most substantial men in his township, of which he has served as trustee four years, and supervisor two years. Mr. Miarer and his wife are members of the Reformed Church. Politically he is a Democrat. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a farmer, and his maternal grandfather was a man of more than ordinary wealth. WILLIAM L. RICHARDS, who for many years has ranked as one of the most energetic and respected citizens of York township, Sandusky county, was born August 17, 1828, on the farm he now occupies. He is the son of Lester and Mary (Baker) Richards, both natives of Connecticut, who in the fall of 1826 migrated from that State, and in York township pur: chased land, which had been entered in 1822 by Edmund Fuller, the original patent for the land being signed by Pres. James Monroe. The parents remained on the farm through life. Lester Richards died in 1845, aged forty-five years. His wife survived until 1872, when she passed away at the age of seventy-two years. In politics Lester Richards was a Whig. His grandfather was an emigrant from England. William L. Richards is one of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: William L. ; Elizabeth, who died unmarried at the age of seventeen years; Celinda, who was born in 1832, married John B. Colvin, and died in 1894; Edward, born in 1835, now a resident of Ottawa county; Melissa, who died when a young woman; and Almarema, afterward Mrs. McClanahan, who died in Ohio. William L., the eldest child, grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the neighboring schools. He was married January 1, 1861, to Miss Sarah Rife. She was born on an adjoining farm September 7, 1843, daughter of Michael and Mary (Longwell) Rife, the