COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 425 H. Davis, of Cleveland; Lizzie is Mrs. Smith; Perry, unmarried, is employed by Mr. Smith in the oil fields; Harry is at home. The paternal grandfather of this family, Jonathan Lusher, was born in Pennsylvania March 17, 1812, and died December I, 1884; he married Eliza Smith, born about 1815, and they had a family of fourteen children. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Jacobs, also had a family of fourteen children. Mr. Smith owns a pleasant home in Gibsonburg, and, financially, he has prospered far beyond his years. He is recognized as one of the ablest and most successful young business men of Sandusky county. C. A. MINER, a prosperous and highly successful business man of Clyde, Sandusky county, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., January 5, 1825, son of Avery and Emma (Eddy) Miner. Avery Miner, a large-hearted and enterprising man of affairs, was born of English ancestry March Jo, 1774. He accumulated considerable wealth at Lansing, N. Y., but at this point his generosity was his ruin. Becoming surety for some acquaintances who proved unequal to the task of meeting their obligations, the property of Avery Miner was taken in satisfaction. Thus bereft of fortune, he went Ithaca in 1835 at the age of sixty-one years; then came west, where capital seemed less essential to success, locating at Huron, Ohio, where he paid $3 for a broken-down stage horse, and in a wagon that corresponded with the steed began to keep a meat market. He prospered as a butcher, and followed that business until his death, which resulted from blood-poisoning, May 13, 1854. A neighbor had requested Mr. Miner to conduct the autopsy of a fine cow that had died of some unknown ailment, and in the dissection Mr. Miner accidentally cut his left hand. A Dr. Burdick, who was present, predicted serious results, and the prediction slowly came true. Gradually he lost the power of his hand, but he survived six or seven years before death ensued. Nearly thirty years later the son, C. A. Miner, met Dr. Burdick, and the latter at once inquired as to the result of the accident, so deeply had it impressed him. Avery Miner was a powerful man, physically. In politics he was a Whig. Emma (Eddy), his wife, was born March 23, 1797, at Great Bend, Penn. They were married February 1, 1816. After her husband's death she resided in Huron, Toledo, and finally in Clyde until her death, which occurred December 8, 1874. Avery and Emma Miner had three children, as follows: G. F., born July 16, 1817, for many years a resident of Huron and Milan, and who died at Monroeville; William H., born August 29, 1828, unmarried, who resided for years in Clyde, and died July 16, 1895, at Toledo. C. A. Miner, the subject of this sketch, attended the schools of Ithaca, Huron and Milan, Ohio, and his youth was closely associated with the stock business. He was reared to business in his father's meat market, and early in life commenced shipping cattle to New York and other Eastern cities by boat, afterward by rail, lifting the steers into the boats by means of tackle fastened to their horns. For nearly twenty-five years Mr. Miner followed the cattle business at Huron very successfully. He bought a farm which he used as a pasture and shipped hogs, cattle and horses extensively. In 1859 he moved to Clyde, purchasing a half section of land, a portion of which is now within the corporation limits. He was married, November 22, 1855, to Mary E. Miller, who was born at Ballston, N. Y., May 9, 1821. She died January 4, 186o, a devoted Christian woman, enthusiastic and faithful in Sunday-school and all Christian work. Both she and her busband were active teachers in the Presbyterian 426 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Sunday-school at Huron, and Mr. Miner now has an elegant Bible which was presented to him by the school at Huron. He remained on the farm only one year after his wife's death. He then sold his Clyde farm and purchased an interest in a foundry and machine shop at Sandusky. Gas from the foundry proved injurious to his health, and two years later he sold out and removed to Toledo, Ohio; for one year he traveled through the West. He then took care of his mother's farm at the Junction at Toledo for two years. Returning to Clyde he bought a warehouse, and for some years was engaged in the grain business, and a grocery, afterward handling general produce. For some years Mr. Miner has led a retired life, which he has well merited after his active and prosperous business career. The second and present wife of Mr. Miner was Miss Maria Veletta Stark, who was born in Fremont February 6, 1842, and whom he married May 17, 1877. To this marriage have come two children: Charles L., born November 25, 188o, and Helen, born September 8, 1883. CHARLES T. MOORE. The great ancestor of the Moore families with which our subject is connected was Samuel Moore, who emigrated from Dalkeith, Scotland, about the year 1760, and settled in New Jersey. His son, David Moore, grandfather of our subject, moved from Huntington county, Pennsylvania, to Ross county, Ohio, in 1814, and from Ross to Sandusky county in 1818. He built and occupied a double log cabin on the west bank of the Sandusky river, about half a mile southwest of the present village cf Ballville. A short distance below that he built a gristmill and a sawmill which were patronized by the early pioneers for many miles around. His death occurred December 24, 1829, and was caused by an accident in falling at night from the attic in the mill to a lower story. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Davis, remained on a farm in Ross county, where she died July 1, 1826. Their children were: Eliza (Justice), Sarah (Fields), George, James and John Moore, all of whom came to reside in Sandusky county. George Moore returned to Ross county in 1830, and settled near Chillicothe, where he died in 1850. John Moore was for many years a miller at Ballville, and died there in 1876. James Moore, father of our subject, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, came to Ross county in his boyhood and to Sandusky county at the age of sixteen, where he assisted his father on the farm and in the mill. After his father's death he became his successor in the mill, and carried on a flourishing business at wool carding. He was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and contributed largely toward the building of the Fremont & Fostoria plank road, and the Lake Erie and Louisville (now the L. E. & W.) railroad. During the Civil war he was untiring in his efforts to aid the government in putting down the Rebellion, and perhaps no other man in the county did more to encourage the enlistment of soldiers, assist the families of absent soldiers, or relieve the wants of the widows and orphans of those who lost their lives in the service. James Moore was married, in 1832, to Miss Harriet Patterson, who was born May 17, 1810, in Syracuse, N. Y., daughter of Reuben and Eunice (Danforth) Patterson, who came to Ohio in 1816, to Lower Sandusky in 1818, passed their first winter here in the old block house of Fort Stephenson, and settled on the Whittaker Reserve. James Moore died December 6, 1873, from an accident that happened to him in his mill. He was buried in Oak Wood Cemetery. His widow resides on a part of the old homestead. Their children were: Orvin COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 427 Moore, who was drowned in Sandusky river when eight years old; Juliette Moore, who married William Rice, a merchant of Fremont, whose sketch is given elsewhere; LeRoy Moore, a sketch of whom follows; Celiette Moore, who died at the age of fifteen years; Manville Moore, sketch of whom follows; Charles T., the subject proper of this sketch; Celia Moore, wife of John C. Fisher, now living near Rollersville, Ohio, whose children are—Claud, Guy, Webb, James, Clara, Maud, Blanche, Lester, Bruce and Brice; Oriette Moore, wife of John G. Speller, whose children are—James M. and Alice, living at home in Ballville township. Charles T. Moore was born in Ball-vine township, and spent his youth on a farm and in his father's mill. He attended the Ball ville village and the Fremont city schools, and the State University at Ann Arbor, Mich. His vacations were spent in assisting his father in the mill until he was twenty-four years of age. He is at present living on the old Moore homestead, carries on dairy farming and runs a milk wagon to Fremont. He married Miss Jennie H. Huber, daughter of Lewis and Mary Jane Huber, farmers, near Springfield, Ill., and the children born to this union were: Mabel, who died, aged one year, and Julia and Huber, at home. CAPTAIN LE ROY MOORE, late of Clyde, Ohio, was born in Ballville township, Sandusky county, Ohio, December 28, 1836, a son of James and Harriet (Patterson) Moore. From the time when he was out of the district school until near the outbreak of the Civil war he assisted his father in a flouring-mill near the village of Ballville, attended the Fremont city schools, and at Oberlin College two years. In the fall of 186o he went to school at Ann Arbor, Mich., and remained until the spring of 1861, when he came home intending to return to school and complete a full course of study. Touched with patriotic ardor to serve his country, he responded to Abraham Lincoln's call for troops, and on October 8, 1861, enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, as a recruiting officer, with the rank of second lieutenant, and speedily raised the requisite number of men to form Company F, Seventy-second Regiment, O. V. I., of which he became captain on the 4th of January, 1862. Two years later he veteranized at Memphis, Tenn., and took an active part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, the battle of Jackson and the siege of Vicksburg. After various other encounters with the enemy, the regiment was sent to Guntown, Miss. , on what is known as the Sturgis raid, where he shared the fate of many other brave men in being taken prisoner. He was held by the Confederates at Macon, Ga., at Charleston and Columbia, S. C., and at Raleigh and Goldsboro, N. C. He was paroled for exchange and entered the Union lines at Wilmington, N. C., March 1, 1865. At one time he was detailed to run a mill for the purpose of grinding corn to supply Gen. Grant's army, cut off by Van Dorn, at Holly Springs. During three years and five months he served his country with distinction, and was honorably discharged at Annapolis, Md., March 5, 1865. On his return home his health was much impaired, but as soon as he was able to work he resumed his place in his father's mill, and afterward became one of the proprietors of the same. Capt. Le Roy Moore married, November 9, 1869, Miss Mary J. Dawley, daughter of Elisha and Sarah N. (Brush) Dawley, of Green Creek township, Sandusky county. In 1876 they moved to Pemberville, Wood county, where he went into milling on his own account. Being much afflicted with rheumatism, resulting from exposures during army life, and having been granted a soldier's pension, he gave 428 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. up milling and retired to Clyde, Ohio, where he established his permanent residence. His death occurred June 29, 1888. He was buried with military honors in McPherson Cemetery. His family continued to reside in Clyde until 1894, when they removed to Fremont. The children of Capt. Le Roy and Mary J. Moore were, Blanche A., born September 20, 1870, now official stenographer of the court of common pleas, of Sandusky county, and James K., born February 22, 1878, now at home in Fremont, Ohio. MANVILLE MOORE. Among the patriotic young men of Sandusky county, who sacrificed their lives on the altar of their country during the Civil war, the subject of this sketch deserves honorable mention. Born and reared on the historic banks of the Sandusky river, made famous by deeds of heroism on the part of the early settlers in repelling foreign invaders and their Indian allies, he early learned those lessons of patriotism and devotion to the cause of human liberty which inspired him in manhood to make the sacrifice which has rendered his name immortal. His youth was spent at home in performing his every-day duties faithfully and well, on the farm and in the mill, and in attendance at the village school; yet he was ambitious to rise above the dull routine of daily toil. Leaving home he attended several terms at Oberlin College, where he intended to complete a course of study. When Abraham Lincoln called for troops to put down the Rebellion, he left school, and in April, 1861, responded to the first call, by enlisting as corporal, in Company G, Eighth Ohio Regiment. After a three-month's service he re-enlisted and served with his comrades, chiefly in Western Virginia. He was at the battles of Winchester, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the last named engagement he was mortally wounded, July 3, 1863; he was taken to a hospital in Baltimore, Md., and died soon after. His remains were taken home by his father, and with fitting services were laid to rest in Oak Wood Cemetery. His age was twenty-five years. On June 22, 1885, Post No. 525, Department of Ohio, G. A. R., was organized at Fremont, and on the 30th day of the same month the name of Manville Moore was unanimously adopted as the name of the Post. On November 30, following, a life-sized portrait of Manville Moore, drawn by his cousin, Milton J. Justice, was presented by his relatives to the Post, in their new hall over the First National Bank, on which occasion appropriate and touching remarks were made by Dr. J. B. Rice, T. F. Heffner and Col. Frank Sawyer, each testifying to the noble character and faithful services of comrade Manville Moore. LOUIS MYROSE (deceased) was born in Hanover, Germany, December 18, 1822, and was a son of Fred and Mary (Taulker) Myrose, farming people, who came to America in 1836, settling on a thirty-seven-acre tract of timberland. In the days when the parents of Louis Myrose were pioneers, extensive farming in that section was out of the question, as the settlers could clear but enough to raise the necessaries of life, and scarcely that, having no very effective tools, with which to till the land. McCormick self-binders, sulky plows, and other similar aids to agriculture were slow to come. Mr. Myrose lived with his parents until their death, after which, on November 21, 1847, he was united in marriage with Angeline Freyer, and they became the parents of five children, as follows: Julia (now deceased) married Fred Sielscott, and had seven children—Louisa, Mary, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 429 Caroline, John, Louis, Emma and Dora; Louisa married Andrew Radeloff, and had eleven children—Mary, Emma, Harman n, Fredrick (deceased), Julia, Augusta, Andrew, Louis, William, Carl and Clarence; Frank, born October 6, 1853, and now living on a farm near Lemoyne, in Wood county, married Mary A. Harmeyer, November 7, 1888, and three children have been born to them—Carrie, Henry and William; John Henry, born February 24, 1856, died April 17, 1856; and Anna Mary, born December 22, 1864, married May 3, 1888, to William Harmeyer, and they have three children—Edward, Emma and Dora. The parents of Mrs. Louis Myrose, Frank and Glasia (Hartman) Freyer, came from Hanover, Germany, to America in 1835, and located in Wood county, Ohio, where the father died March 2, 1883, having lived to the ripe old age of eighty-one years. The mother died February 22, 1895, at the age of ninety-three years and twenty days. Mrs. Myrose is one of eight children, three of whom are still living—one son and two daughters. In 1891 Mr. Myrose and his wife moved to Woodville, Sandusky county, and bought a home, where, as a result of the hardships he had encountered, he died on November 1, 1894; he had always been a very active and industrious man. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, and in religious faith he was an ardent worker in behalf of the Lutheran Church. His faithful wife still survives, in the enjoyment of fairly good health, and lives to see five great-grandchildren. PAUL KROHN, general merchant, Woodville, Sandusky county, was born in Prussia, Germany, July 16, 1860, a son of Gustave and Carolina (Pfalkenthal) Krohn. His father was born in the same place March 14, 1832. He is an officer in the employ of the German Government, now acting in the capacity of inspector of prisons. He served twelve years in the German army, and received the commission of lieutenant. He has been connected with the government in an official capacity all his life. Our subject's mother died at the age of forty-eight. Both parents were members of the Reformed Church. They had three children: Max and Oscar, both of whom died young, and Paul, of whom this sketch is written, who is their only living child. Our subject grew up in Germany until about twenty-one years old, attending the common schools, and subsequently the college at Frankfort. He has a certificate for one year's service in the German army. He entered the mercantile business as a clerk in Berlin, Prussia, and was there four years, after which, in 1881, he started for America. He landed in New York City, thence proceeded directly to Chicago, having only about $50 in money when he reached that city: He found sufficient employment to sustain himself there, and remained about two months, after which he came to Fremont, Ohio, and was employed in the Light Guard Band as musician. He has had a good musical education, but only studied it for pleasure, never having intended to follow it as a profession. He remained in Fremont one year, when he went to Genoa, Ottawa county, working there in the stave factory and gristmill about a year and seven months, and playing in the band. He then came to Woodville, and was engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store for two years, when he quit that and went to Toledo. He sold goods on the road about eight months, and played in the Toledo City Band, which line he followed some eight months when he returned to Woodville to work for his former employer as clerk. With him he remained about a year and a half, and then bought out the business and January 1, 1889, became successor to H. Rancamp, who is now in business in Toledo. Mr. Krohn 430 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. has made the mercantile business a great success, and operates not only his house in Woodville, but also a second store at Dunbridge, Wood Co., Ohio, which he opened in May, 1894, and is conducted through a clerk, but supervised by himself. In October, 1891, Mr. Krohn married Carrie Frank, of Mansfield, Ohio, who was born September 21, 1868, and they have one child, Helen Esther. Our subject is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. GEORGE ELLITHORPE, one of the most prosperous, progressive and extensive fruit growers and shippers, of Catawba Island township, Ottawa county, is the senior member of the firm of George Ellithorpe & Son. He is a native of Ottawa county, born November 21, 183o, at Marble Head, Danbury township, which at that time was a part of Huron county. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Neal) Ellithorpe, the former born in New York, August 6, 1800, and the latter in Vermont,. July 6, 1805. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Samuel and _____ (Owens) Ellithorpe, were of English and Scotch lineage. He is the eldest in a family of five children, four still living, and now residing in Catawba township, where they are honored and highly esteemed citizens. The others are Cyrus, born October 15, 1832; Russell, September 22, 1834; and Emiy, July 8, 1839, now the wife of Clark Neal, a prominent fruit grower of Catawba Island. George Ellithorpe was reared amidst the surroundings of a comfortable home, and received such a limited education as the youths of that day were able to obtain at intervals during the winter months when they could be spared from the duties pertaining to farm life. A portion of his time has always been devoted to agricultural pursuits, but during the spring and autumn seasons, for thirty-two years, he also engaged in fishing on Lake Erie. During the seasons from 1869 to 1872 inclusive, he was master and part owner of the steamers " Clinton " and " B. F. Ferris," which then plied between Sandusky City, Put-in-Bay and Catawba Island. In 1872 he retired from the steamboat business, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to fruit growing and shipping his products, mostly to Eastern markets, where they find a ready sale at remunerative prices. At Sandusky City, Erie county, Ohio, November 21, 1860, Mr. Ellithorpe married Miss Ann Eliza Moore, who was born in Portage township, Ottawa county, October 16, 1835, and is a daughter of Nathaniel B. and Fidelia (Dewelle) Moore, who were among the earliest settlers of that township. A family of children were born of this union, of whom Frank, the eldest son, born February 2, 1863, was killed by a runaway team while at work on his farm, May 28, 1895, and left a widow; socially, he was a member of O. H. Perry Lodge, F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias and the National Union. The other members of the family are Ora V., born February 14, 1866, and died October 5, 1871; George Henry, born June 8, 1869; Walter James, born April 13, 1872; Addison Kelly, born May 4, 1874; Elsie R., born December 28, 1876; and Ira V., born August 21, 1879. In his political views Mr. Ellithorpe is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but in no sense an office seeker. At different intervals during his most useful and well-spent life, he has efficiently filled almost every township office at the disposal of his constituents, and for a period extending over twenty-one years, has continuously been a member of the board of education, 'of which body he at present holds the honorable position of president. He is past master and a charter member of 0. H. Perry Lodge, No. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 431 341, F. & A. M., of Port Clinton; belongs to Sandusky City Chapter, No. 72, R. A. M. ; Port Clinton Lodge, No. 341, Knights of Pythias; and Catawba Island Lodge, No. 2783, Knights of Honor. He is one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his family are also members, and contributed liberally to the construction and maintenance of the house of worship. The character of Mr. Ellithorpe is too well known among the citizens of Ottawa county to need eulogy from our pen, which at the best would fail to do him justice and award that credit which is due to such an active progressive citizen and promoter of the welfare of his county. He uses every means within his power to promote the comfort of his home and the happiness of his family. In business life he is honored for his unswerving integrity and faithfulness to detail, and throughout the county and State his character stands above reproach. JOHN F. BAUMAN, retired farmer, with residence in Fremont, Sandusky county, was born March 23, 1827, in Wayne county, Ohio, a son of John W. and Mary (Fry) Bauman, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1794, where his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bauman, lived and died. John W. Bauman afterward removed to York county, Penn., thence to Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained about ten years, and in 1844 moved to Jackson township, Sandusky county, and there remained a year, after which he located permanently in Loudon township, Seneca county. After the death of his wife he broke up housekeeping and lived with his children, his death occurring at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Tucker, in Bellevue, Ohio, and his interment taking place in Bellevue cemetery. The children of John W. and Mary Bauman were: Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Sloan, a farmer of near Warsaw, Ind. (she died August 2, 1895, leaving a family of eleven children); John F. Bauman, our subject; Anna, wife of Joseph Arnold, a farmer of Barry county, Mich. ; Mary, wife of George Stebbins, a blacksmith, of Peru, Huron county, Ohio (she died in 1883); Sarah, wife of John Tucker, a blacksmith, formerly of Bellevue, Ohio (they now reside at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.); Jacob Bauman, unmarried, was a soldier in the regular army before the Civil war, and served, later, as a volunteer in the Third Ohio Cavalry, until his death, which occurred in Georgia; Susan, wife of Solomon Good, a farmer of Coldwater, Mich. (she died leaving two children); Solomon Bauman, unmarried, a farmer and ex-soldier, who died in Greene county, Ind. ; Lucinda, wife of John Turner, a blacksmith, of Barry county, Mich., where they both died; David, who died in childhood; twins that died in infancy; Delilah, wife of William Durn, a farmer of Wood county, Ohio; and twins that died in infancy, February 18, 1847, the mother dying at the same time. John F. Bauman grew to manhood in Wayne county, Ohio, where he worked as a farm laborer, and attended common schools in the winter seasons. In his youth he learned the business of gelder, which he has followed about fifty years with good success both professionally and financially. His father followed the same occupation forty years, and his grand- father forty-five years. Our subject came to Jackson township at the age of twenty-one years. On May 30, 1850, he married Miss Harriet E. Winters, daughter of Jacob Winters, of Jackson township. In 1832 he went to California with a Bettsville company of fifteen men, the party taking the overland route, with oxen, mules, horses and prairie-schooner wagons. They started from Independence, Mo., May 2, 1852, arriving in Portland, 432 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Oregon, August 14, of the same year, and soon after entered the gold mines. Mr. Bauman's first mining claim was at Long Gulch, on a mountain side, and his next was in a valley. He had good success as a miner, and remained at the business two years, then returning to Sandusky county and following farming. He next bought a farm of 160 acres in Seneca county, north of Fostoria, and lived there two years; then sold it and bought several tracts in Washington township, Sandusky county, amounting in all to 340 acres, most of which he has sold to his children, reserving one hundred acres for himself in Section thirty-five, as a residence. He is extensively and favorably known, and has held the office of justice of the peace. The children of John F. and Harriet E. Bauman were: Alice, wife of Charles Burgett, liveryman (they have one son—Clarence); Emma, wife of A. J. Doll, son of Samuel Doll, a farmer (they have two sons—John and A. J.); Sarah, wife of Calvin Biddle, superintendent of the S. Doll & Co. Gas Company, Fremont, Ohio (they have one daughter—Hattie); Jerome J., a liveryman, whose place of business is opposite " Ball House, " Fremont (he married Florence Lease, and they have one daughter, Lulu). JOSEPH FONCANNON, who resides in Green Springs, Sandusky county, is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Ohio, that have been identified with the history of the State since it was on the frontier. He was born in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, November 22, 1833, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Poorman) Foncannon. The father was born in Mifflin county, Penn., in 1793, and having arrived at years of maturity wedded Miss Poorman, a native of the same State. Removing to Perry county, Ohio, they settled on Honey creek, a mile and a half south of Tiffin; but when they took up their residence there no other white settler lived in the locality, their nearest neighbor being at Upper Sandusky, twenty-one miles distant. They experienced all the hardships and trials of frontier life, and were actively identified with the development and upbuilding of the county. The father secured this land from the government and transformed it into a good farm upon which he made his home until within four years of his death, when he went to live with his daughter in Henry county, Ohio. In politics he was a Democrat. He held membership with the Reformed Church, and erected a fine house of worship in Tiffin, making the brick himself. When a young man he had learned the cooper's trade, but during the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits. During the war of 1812 he was drafted for service in Perry's fleet, but as he could not go sent a substitute; his death occurred in 1875; his wife died in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, when past the age of seventy-five years. The family were as follows: John, who was a farmer in Henry county, Ohio, and died at the age of seventy-five years; Michael, who is living in Tiffin, Seneca county; Mary, wife of Joseph Coon, a resident of Henry county; Doward, a farmer, who died at the age of fifty-two; H. Jackson, who makes his home in Tiffin, Seneca county; Jefferson, who died at the age of thirty-three years; and Oliver, who is living in Fort Wayne, Ind. Upon the old home farm Joseph Foncannon spent his boyhood and youth, and the educational privileges which he received were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. He aided in the arduous task of developing wild land, and experience has made him familiar with the history of pioneer life. At the age of twenty-five he was united in marriage with Miss Eugenia R. Marshall, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio. They have three children: Minnie, now the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 433 wife of Walter Huber, a resident of Green Creek township, Sandusky county, by whom she has three children, Fred, Hazel and Bernice; and Robert and Belle, at home. Upon his marriage Mr. Foncannon located in Tiffin, Ohio, but after six months came to Green Springs and engaged with the Green Springs Sawmilling Company, with which he was identified for about fifteen years. He then became interested in a sash, door and blind factory, carrying on business along that line for twelve years, when, in 1879, he purchased his farm, and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He has led a busy and useful life, and belongs to that class of American citizens with their progressive ideas, who promote the public welfare, while advancing individual prosperity. He has ever been deeply interested in the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he resides, and has been an important factor in its advancement. JOHN HETER, an enterprising farmer of York township, Sandusky county, was born December 13, 1825, in Wayne county, Ohio, a son of John and Salome (Freese) Heter. John Heter (1), the great ancestor from whom the Heter families in this country are descended, emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, to America, about the year 1735, landing at Philadelphia; he had seven sons, five of whom are named Sebastian, Jacob, Isaac, Daniel and John (2). Isaac was killed by the Indians near Huntingdon, Penn. After their arrival the sons were bound out for a term of service to a man who paid their passage money, a debt which had been incurred by the long and tedious sea voyage. John Heter (2), who was a farmer, settled in Berks county, Penn. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, with the rank of captain. He had three sons, John (3), Adam and Jacob. John Heter (3) was, like his father, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He moved to Center county, Penn., when his son John (4) was only two years old. He removed, later, to Berks county, same State, where he died. He had seven children: Adam, Jacob, Catharine (Ritter), Barbara (Ish), Rebecca (Ulsh), Maria (Romig), and John (5). All of these except the last named lived and died in Pennsylvania. John Heter (5) was born in Berks county, Penn. , in 1794, being the seventh child in his father's family. By trade he was a hatter, working in the towns of Snyder and adjoining counties. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 under Capt. Narr Middlesworth and Gen. Smythe, of Virginia, and served at Black Rock, on the Niagara river, receiving a pension, and a patent for forty acres of government land, for his services. He married in Union (now Snyder) county, Penn., Miss Salome Freese, who was of German descent. In August, 1825, he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he engaged in clearing land. and farming, and in March, 1829, he removed to Oak Openings, of Thompson township, Seneca Co., Ohio, in which region, at that time, there were more wolves than sheep. and more Indians than white people. An Indian trail crossed his farm near his residence. He entered land at $1.25 per acre, and bought at second hand, at different times, eighteen eighty-acre lots of wild land, some of which he cleared and improved, some of which he gave to his children, and some of which he sold. He was a peaceable, quiet unassuming man, a kind neighbor and a good citizen. He brought up his sons to habits of industry, economy and thrift. He was quite fond of music, and took delight in listening to the martial tunes of two ingeniously constructed musical clocks which he had bought of a Frenchman. Military pa- 434 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. rades of State militia where held on his farm about the years 1835-1840, when Jacob Bunn was captain and Jacob Wales first lieutenant. He and his wife and some of the children were members of the Lutheran Church, and he donated an acre of land to the joint societies of the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches for the erection of a church building and for cemetery purposes. About the year 1862 he removed to Bellevue, where his wife died in 1864, and he followed her to the grave in 1881. Both were buried in the Reformed cemetery at Bellevue, Ohio. A brief record of the children born to John and Salome (Freese) Heter is as follows: (1) George Heter, a farmer, married Miss Hannah Kern, and lived near Flat Rock, Ohio, until 1878, when he retired to Bellevue, Ohio, where he died in 1892. (2) William Heter, a farmer, married Elizabeth Decker, lived in Thompson township until the spring of 1865, and then removed to Blue Springs, Neb., where he died in 1891. (3) Maria Heter married Elias Weiker, a farmer of Thompson township, where she died in 1859. (4) Jacob Heter, a farmer, married Miss Lucetta Gamby, and until the spring of 1878 lived in Seneca county, thence removing to near Sterling, Rice Co., Kans. (5) Elizabeth Heter died when two years old. (6) Sarah Heter married William Shock, a farmer of York township, Sandusky county, where they lived until 1875, in that year removing to Fall City, Neb., where she died in 1893. (7) John Heter (6) is the subject of this biography. (8) Magdalena Heter married Henry Shock, a farmer of Thompson township, where she died in 1856. (9) Levi Heter, now a retired farmer, living at Bellevue, Ohio, married Mary Shock. (I o) Eli Heter, a farmer of Thompson township, married Miss Susan Sherck, and, after her death, Miss Margaret Cerman. (1 1) Adam Heter, a farmer, married Miss Selina Korner, and in 1870 removed to Highland, Kans. (12) Eliza Heter married Philip Cupp, who for a number of years was a farmer in Thompson township, and is now engaged in the coal business, at Bellevue, Ohio. John Heter (6) spent his early life in the wilds of Thompson township, Seneca Co., Ohio. Some of his playmates were Indians. His school privileges were very limited for there were then no summer schools, and as soon as he was old enough to work he had to help his father and brothers in clearing land, chopping wood, making rails, building fences, husking corn, threshing grain with the flail, or, in the winter seasons, by the tramping of horses, and in other work connected with pioneer farming. He attended winter school only when hindered from work by inclement weather, but he has given his children opportunities for a liberal education. He has followed farming all his life, but he has learned to combine with it what is called " head work," and he has lived upon and improved twenty-two different farms, most all of which he sold at a profit. He has also dealt in real estate. He has lived in Seneca, Sandusky, Erie and Wyandot counties, Ohio, and in Michigan, and he now has his home two and one-half miles west of Bellevue. In politics he was first a Whig, then a Republican, but he is not a partisan; he has held various township offices. Mr. Heter belongs to the Farmers' Alliance. He is a man of few words, sound judgment and strict integrity, qualities which have assisted him greatly on the road to success. On April 15, 1847, John Heter married Miss Lovina Harpster, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 24, 1829, daughter of John and Eva (Hartman) Harpster. They became the parents of ten children: (1) Sarah Heter, who married George W. Hoch, of Bellevue, Ohio, and whose children are—Addie Hoch (who married Ammon Kern), Olga Hoch, Delton Hoch (bookkeeper in the Ohio Cultivator Works, at Bellevue), Willis Hoch and Gladys Hoch; (2) Eva Heter, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 435 who lives at home; (3) Eliza Heter, who married George Setzler, and removed to Blackstone, Sumner Co. , Kans. ; (4) Charles F. Heter, a farmer, who married Malinda Mook, and whose children are—Edith, Duwane, Merlon and Lawrence; (5) George W. Heter, a farmer, living in Peabody, Kans., who married Clara Acker, and has one son--Harry John; (6) Edith Heter, who is a teacher, and lives at home; (7) Amanda S. Heter, who lives at home; (8) Adelaide E. Heter, married to Worrallo W. Whitney, of Montville, Geauga Co., Ohio, who is a teacher in the Chicago city schools (their children are—Adell and Lois); (9) Irvin John (7), a farmer of York township, who married Mayme Scanlan; and (t(t0)anette B. Heter, a teacher in the Chicago city schools. CHARLES HASELBACH, of Kingsway, Rice township, Sandusky county, is one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers in the township. He was born December 18, 1847, and is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Bingle) Haselbach, who were born in Germany, in 1820 and in 1819 respectively. Philip Haselbach, who is a farmer and weaver by trade, came with his family to America when his son Charles was a child, landing in New York. Going thence to Sandusky city, Erie county, he remained six months, then located in Washington township, Sandusky county, and remained seven years in the woods. It was a wild country, not ditched and full of swamps and marshes; but they cleared the land, brought it into a good state of cultivation, sold it at a profit, then removed to Rice township, and bought a farm of 120 acres, where he still resides. In politics he is a Democrat. In religious affiliation he is a Lutheran, as was his wife, who died in 1890, in Rice township. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. The following named grew to maturity: Charles is the subject of this sketch; Katie, now Mrs. Truckemiller, resides in Ottawa county, Ohio; Caroline married Peter Garner, and they reside in Sandusky township; Philip lives on the old homestead in Rice township; Sophia married Adam Garn, and they reside in Ottawa county, Ohio; and Peter is a farmer in Ottawa county. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church. Charles Haselbach came to Ohio with his parents in his boyhood. He received only a limited education, his knowledge of the English language being imperfect and school facilities poor. He cleared land and chopped and hauled cordwood for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railway in the days when wood was used for fuel by the railroads, and thus learned the lessons of industry and the value of it early in life. He remained with his parents until after the age of twenty-one, and after a time was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Locher, who was born in Germany in 1852, and came to America with her parents when a child. After his marriage Mr. Haselbach and his wife settled in Ottawa county, Ohio, where he bought forty acres of land heavily timbered. Instead of locating upon this land, he rented a farm in Sandusky county, had his forty acres cleared, bought another forty, then sold and traded that property, and came to Rice township, where he purchased sixty acres. Selling this land, he bought his present fine farm of 121 4-5 acres, at the rate of one hundred dollars an acre. He and his wife are the parents of five children, as follows: Ida, born in January, 1872, married John Overmeyer, a school teacher, in Lindsey, Sandusky county; Edward, born November 5, 1874, and Katie, November 7, 1876, are now at home; William, who was born in 1878, was killed, when quite a lad, by a fall from a tree; and Lizzie was born September 16, 1881. Mr. Haselbach is a Democrat in politics. 436 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. He is engaged in general farming, has done a great amount of fencing and clearing land since he bought his present home, is out of debt and very successful. Realizing fully how limited were his own early educational advantages, he has given his children the benefit of the best schools in the vicinity. NELSON T. BALDWIN, a popular pioneer of Woodville township, Sandusky county, and one who by his honest hard work in the past years won his way to the hearts of his countrymen, was born in Cortland county, N. Y., July 15, 1820, son of Ebenezer and Rachel (Chaffa) Baldwin, and the grandson of Ebenezer Baldwin, Sr. The grandfather was born in Vermont August 7, 1772, and there married Susannah Rollins, a native of the same State, who was born July 19, 1771. In 1809 he migrated with his wife, daughter and two sons, to Cortland county, New York. One of these sons, Ebenezer Baldwin, Jr., was born in Vermont April 13, 1792. He was married in New York State, April 12, 1811, to Rachel Chaffa, who was also a native of Vermont. In 1822 Ebenezer Baldwin came with his family to Ohio. For three years he lived in Salem, Columbiana county, then in 1825 he moved to Geauga county. Here the wife of Ebenezer Baldwin, Sr., died July 5, 1825. Six years later, in October, 1831, the Baldwin and Chaffa families came together to Sandusky county, and settled in the " Black Swamp," as it was then known, in Woodville township. There were then only five families in the township. Here Ebenezer died of cholera in 1834, aged forty-three years; here too his father died, in December, 1839, aged sixty-seven years. To Ebenezer and Rachel Baldwin were born ten children-seven sons and three daughters; one daughter still lives in Woodville township. Nelson T. Baldwin in his infancy seemed to have only a small chance for life and success, for at the age of five weeks he weighed only five pounds, two ounces, but in time he developed brawn and strength, and now tips the scales at 238 pounds. His youth was spent in the pioneer home of Woodville, and at the age of nineteen, December 25, 1839, he married Catherine E. Boose. She was born in Ohio, June 27, 1821, and moved with her parents to the " Black Swamp " in 1830. Her mother died August 25, 1846, and her father February 14, 1847. At the age of twenty Mr. Baldwin learned the carpenter and blacksmith trades, and he put up the first frame shop in Woodville township. For about eight years he followed his trade, then bought land, and with his own hands cleared sixty acres. His property now consists of 130 acres of valuable land, situated in the heart of the oil fields of Ohio. To the marriage of Nelson T. and Catherine E. Baldwin six children have come, as follows: (1) Lemuel, born November 9, 1840, died July 30, 1841. (2) Philinda, born May 14, 1842, married Oscar Billings, of Ottawa county, and has nine children. (3) Warren, of Ashland, Saunders Co., Neb., born March 6, 1844, married Matilda Widner, and has one child, Seymore B. (4) Sarah, born June I, 1846, married Fred Voekle, of Ottawa county, and has one child. (5) William B., a farmer of Woodville township, born July 1, 1852, married Etta Feddersen, who was born May 16, 1852, and eight children have blessed their union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Henry, September 13, 1877; Bertha, March 26, 1882; Ferdinand, November 20, 1883; William, September 30, 1885; Orville, January 8, 1888; Grover, June 6, 1890; Philinda, December 25, 18-, died January 19, 1892; Leo, April 1, 1894. (6) Cecil, born July 26, 1855, died September 5, 1866. After the death of his wife Nelson T. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Christina Schnakenberg, who is COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 437 one of five children, and whose brothers and sisters are as follows: Alice, who died in 1888, wife of William York, and mother of one child; Maggie, wife of George Meyers, of Ottawa county, and mother of one child; Tillie, born December 13, 1874; and John, born October 23, 1878. In 1891 Mr. Baldwin retired from active life. He leased some of his land in 1892 for oil privileges, and several wells have been put down, most of them proving valuable producers. His son, William B., now operates the farm. WILLIAM E. LAMBERT, who is engaged in carrying on a successful merchant-tailoring business in Clyde, Sandusky county, was born in Oberlin, Ohio, November 11, 1862, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Brice) Lambert. The paternal grandfather, John Lambert, was born in Somersetshire, England, and by occupation was a farmer. He came to America about 1852, and after residing for a time in Henrietta, Lorain county, Ohio, removed to Oberlin, where his last days were passed. In religious faith he was a Baptist. Born in 1800, he died in 1882, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife, who was also a native of England, departed this life in Oberlin at the age of ninety-three. James Lambert was born in Somersetshire, England, May 1, 1830, and in his native land learned the trade of a merchant tailor. At the age of nineteen he crossed the Atlantic to America and followed his trade at various places, after which he went west to Pike's Peak, during the gold excitement at that place. A year's residence in the West sufficed him, and he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, where he had previously carried on the tailoring business, and where he soon built up a good trade. During his residence there he was united in marriage with Miss Brice, daughter of John Brice, also a na tive of England, who came to America when his daughter was a maiden of thirteen summers. He died in Oberlin, Ohio, in 1890, at the very advanced age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Lambert was one of a family of thirteen children, and was seventeen years of age at the time of her marriage. The young couple began their domestic life in Oberlin, where they resided until 1865, when they came to Clyde, but removing to other places subsequently, did not make a permanent location here until 1869. Mr. Lambert established business as a merchant tailor and dealer in ready-made clothing. In his political views he was always a Republican; socially, he was connected with the F. & A. M., Blue Lodge; in his religious belief he was a Methodist. He was a man of the strictest integrity and sterling worth, an honorable, upright citizen, one that any community might be glad to number among its members. Mrs. Lambert was born in Lincolnshire, England, in September, 1840, and still survives her husband, her home being in Clyde. In their family were three children, Byron Lambert, who was born in 1860, and died in 1864; Carrie, who was born in 1863, and died in 1866; and William E. The subject proper of this sketch was reared in Clyde, and completing the prescribed course was graduated from the high school in the class of 1881. He then learned the trade of merchant tailoring with his father and entered into partnership with him, this business connection continuing until the latter's death. He now enjoys a good trade, for he turns out an excellent class of work, and his earnest desire to please his patrons has gained him their confidence, good will and patronage. He was united in marriage with Miss Ona Fish, who was born December 8, 1867, and throughout the community the young couple have many friends who hold them in high esteem. Mr. Lambert is a stanch supporter of the Republican party; 438 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. socially he is a member the F. & A. M., Blue Lodge, and Chapter, R. A. M. Religiously he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is looked upon as one of the rising young business men of Clyde, is progressive, enterprising and industrious, and will no doubt make a success of life. CAPTAIN WILSON S. MILLER is one of the native sons of Ottawa county, and a citizen of whom the community may well be proud. He was born in Portage township May 9, 1839, son of Henry J. and Susan (Wonnell) Miller, the former of whom was born in Zanesville, Ohio, May 18, 1812, and died November 12, 1874; the latter was born July 25, 1817, and is still living. Capt. Miller's paternal grandfather, William Miller, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., of Irish parentage.. He removed to Ohio, about the time it came into the Union as a State, settling in. Zanesville; he married a Miss Barnes, a lady of Scotch ancestry. The maternal grandparents were natives of Maryland, and coming to Ohio about 1828 settled in Portage township, Ottawa county, where they passed their remaining days. The old home farm was our subject's place of abode during his childhood and youth. He obtained his early education in the district schools, and then entered Berea (Ohio) College, where he studied during the fall and spring terms, and taught in the winter for three years. His labors in that direction, however, were interrupted in 1861 by his response to President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers. At the expiration of two years' service he re-enlisted as a veteran for three years more, and served with Company I, Forty-first O. V. I., faithfully performing the duties which fell to him, and valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. His meritorious service won him promotion from the ranks to the place of second sergeant, then orderly sergeant, after which he was made first lieutenant and subsequently commissioned captain of his company, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He was also placed on the roll of honor established by Gen. Rosecrans. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Franklin and Nashville, the Atlanta campaign and others, and during his four years of service made a military record of which he may justly be proud. After his muster-out from the army on November 27, 1865, Capt. Miller returned to his home farm, and on December 18, 1866, was married to Miss Mary E. Boggs, of Elmore. Her father, Moses Boggs, was born in Nova Scotia, January 18, 1807, and became one of the pioneers of Harris township, Ottawa county. His wife, Mary, was born in Clark county, Ohio, April 28, 1814, and was a daughter of Joseph and Letha Hall. They were married April 6, 1834, and to them were born two children--Mary E. (Mrs. Miller) and George W. Moses Boggs was a son of James Boggs and Mary O'Brien, who moved with their family from Nova Scotia to Hamilton county, Ohio, thence in 1824 to Ottawa county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller purchased a farm one mile west of Elmore, living there until 1870, when he sold that place and purchased the farm on which he now resides, one mile east of Elmore. It is one of the finest farming properties in the county, comprising 175 acres of highly-cultivated land, supplied with good buildings, and all modern improvements which indicate the progressive farmer of the nineteenth century. Four children came to bless the home: Bert F., born February 8, 1868; Walter B. and Jessie L. (twins), born December 21, 1870; and Mary B., born October 26, 1874. The eldest was educated at Hiram College and Butler University, and is now COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 439 a lawyer of San Francisco, Cal. ; he was married March 17, 1894, to Estella Thomas, of that city. Walter was educated in the Elmore schools, and at Hiram College, and is now aiding his father in the labors of the farm. Jessie was educated in the Elmore schools and in Hiram and Berea Colleges. The youngest daughter, Mary B., was graduated from the schools of Elmore in 1893, and finished her education in Hiram and Bethany Colleges. The mother of this family died April 27, 1878. On November 17, 1881, Mr. Miller married Miss Victoria N. Paddock, of Ashton, Ill., who was born in Ogle county, Ill., December 19, 1840. Her father, Riley Paddock, was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1810, and died in 1887. He married Eliza Snoddy, who was born in Kentucky August 31, 1810, and they had four children, all yet living. Their daughter, Mrs. Miller, was educated in Rock River Seminary, in Illinois, taking a three-years' course there in literature and music. When twenty-five years of age she removed to Ashton, Ill., where her marriage was celebrated. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and shares the high regard in which her husband is held. In addition to his large farming interests Mr. Miller is extensively engaged in fruit raising, and has on his farm twenty-five hundred fine peach trees, twelve hundred plum trees, twelve hundred pear trees, and considerable smaller fruit. This branch of his business yields him a good income. He keeps on hand fine grades of stock, making a specialty of the breeding of polled Shorthorn cattle, has shipped cattle to nearly every State in the Union, and has done much to raise the grade of stock in Ohio. His stock is registered in both the American Shorthorn and Polled Durham Herd Books, and he is vice president of the Polled Durham Breeders Association of America. He is one of the enterprising, wide-awake farmers and stock raisers, and is recog- - 28 - nized as a leader in his line of business. He is a contributor to various agricultural journals, especially on subjects pertaining to stock. In politics he is a Republican, and an enthusiastic worker in the interest of his party. His entire life has been passed in Ottawa county, and he is known as a straightforward, honorable business man, systematic in his methods, and possessed of excellent executive ability. He has won success through his own efforts, and to-day is numbered among the substantial as well as leading agriculturists of the community. As a citizen he is true to every duty, and all who know him respect him. JOHN H. WIGLAND, a prominent citizen of Riley township, Sandusky county, was born December 2, 1839, and is a son of John B. and Catherine Wigland. John B. Wigland was born in Germany June 3, 1810, came to America in 1837, and settled in New York, where he carried on a livery stable. In the same year, 1837, in New York, he was united in marriage with Catherine Harkin, and they had four children, namely: Lizzie, born July 31, 1840, married Lewis Webber, and died in 1862, the mother of two children; John H., of whom we write; and Catherine and Joseph, who died young and were buried in Riley township. After a time Mr. Wigland sold out his livery stable and went to Michigan. Later he settled in Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, worked on the railroad for one year, saved his money and bought forty acres of land, all heavily timbered, which cost him $250. All this he cleared himself. Deer were plentiful in those times, and could daily be seen feeding around the cabin. Here he lived until his death, which occurred July 8,- 1890, and he was buried in Riley township. John H. Wigland is a carpenter, and worked at his trade for several years, until 440 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. the time of his marriage, after which he bought a farm of forty acres in Riley township, and built himself a house, which cost him $1,800. He was united in marriage with Catherine Mannor, and they have had nine children, named as follows: William, Lizzie, Mary, John, Rose, Annie, Nora, Frank and Catherine. Mr. Wigland was drafted for the army in 1864, but sent a substitute. He is a natural mechanic, and still works at his trade, and carries on general farming, giving special attention to wheat, oats and corn. In religion he is a Catholic, in politics a Democrat, and has held the office of supervisor for ten years. WILLIAM SCHOCH, retired farmer, now a resident of Fremont, Sandusky county, was born in Snyder county, Penn., October 18, 1832, a son of Daniel and Mary (Romich) Schoch, who were both of German descent. Daniel Schoch was born in Pennsylvania, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade. In 1835 he moved to Seneca county, and two years later came to Riley township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he followed farming, and died at the age of sixty-two years. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and departed this life in Sandusky county, at the age of eighty-one. The father was a member of the Lutheran Church, the mother of the Reformed Church. They had eleven children, as follows: Michael (a farmer), Daniel (who operated a sawmill), Henry (a farmer), Samuel (a farmer), and Edward, are all five now deceased; William, our subject, comes next; then Frederick; after them, Lydia, wife of H. Swarm ; Elizabeth, wife of A. Stein; Catharine, wife of J. Parker; and Mary Ann, wife of C. Livingston. William Schoch, the subject proper of these lines, attended the country schools, and was reared to manhood in Riley township, on his father's farm. On April 22, 1860, he married Miss Lena Shoemaker, who was born in Germany, July 12, 1837, and their children are: (1) Lydia Ann, born September 7, 1861, was married to Charles Hirt, which union was blessed with one son—Willie. Mr. Hirt dying after the birth of his son, his widow was married to E. S. P. Bingman, by whom she had two children—Vergie and Warren. (2) Emma J., born December 28, 1862, who married Francis Earl, and they have three children—Ada, Lena and Myrtie. (3) William, born March 21, 1864, and died at the age of sixteen. (4) George Samuel, born November 9, 1868, married Clara Martin, and they have one child—Maud M. (5) Charles Frederick, born March 6, 1870, married Ella Thurn, and they have three children—Lester, Ray, and Mable. Mr. Schoch, our subject, was for many years one of the substantial farmers of Riley township, where he still owns land. He recently retired to Fremont, where he bought town lots, and where he now resides. JOSEPH A. STOUT. Our national prosperity is largely upheld by the integrity, frugality and virtue of large numbers of the citizens of the Republic. Among those who by their praiseworthy example have been an encouragement and a help to others, and whose work has contributed its mite to bring forth the rich inheritance locked up within a fertile soil, and to conserve the forces of the nation, is the worthy subject of the brief sketch here given. He was born August 11, 1847, and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Stout. Jonathan Stout was born September 18, 1820, and early trained in those correct principles so well exemplified in his own life and in that of his son. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Gilbert who was born in 1826. Working by the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 441 day, he saved his money with an eye to larger results in the future, and finally bought land, for a home in Riley township, Sandusky county, where other resolute and persevering men have also laid the foundations of a competence. Joseph A. Stout worked by the month on the farm, saved his money, as had his father before him, and bought forty-six acres of valuable land in Riley township, to establish a home upon it, and by its cultivation gain a livelihood, and more. On October 10, 1871, he was united in marriage with Clara Daniels, and they have five children, as follows: Maria, born August 4, 1873, married Frank McCleary on November 18, 1891, and they have had one child (they live in Riley township); Bertha was born March 13, 1880; Isaac, December 19, 1881; Emma, July 5, 1886; and Jessie, July IS, 1888. Mr. Stout carries on general farming, not depending upon the success of one crop, or one line of agriculture or stock raising, alone. He is a Democrat, in politics, and has been repeatedly honored by his fellow citizens with public office, having served as trustee three years, as constable two years, as school director three years, and as supervisor five years. He is well and favorably known in the community, is much liked and very popular. The family attend the United Brethren Church. CASPER FOOS, retired farmer and a resident of Millersville, Jackson township, Sandusky county, was born February 20, 1826, in Alsace, France (now Germany), a son of Casper and Mary (Toeppe) Foos. The parents of our subject came to America in 1842, and settled near Rochester, N.Y. , where the father's death occurred in 1882, when he was aged seventy-eight years; the mother died seven years later at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Foos was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics he was a Democrat. Casper Foos, the subject proper of these lines, who was one of a family of nine children, remained at home until his nineteenth birthday, when he started out for himself. He worked at different places, and at various employments for two years, and then secured a paying position in a distillery, where he was employed seven years, saving his earnings. In 1855 he moved to Jackson township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and there bought forty acres of land, and engaged in farming pursuits. Five years later he bought one hundred acres more, where he now resides. On April 25, 1849, Mr. Foos married Miss Adeline Horchelar, of Rochester, N. Y., daughter of John H. Horchelar, now deceased, as is also her mother. The children of Casper and Adeline Foos were as follows: Martin (1), Mary, Anthony, John, Louis and Martin (2). In politics Mr. Foos is a Democrat, and has held several offices, being popular and well-liked in the community. In religious faith he is a member of the Catholic Church. CLARENCE L. BOWLUS. The use of steam and electricity as motive powers for the conveyance of passengers in masses, and the use of bicycles for individual transit, have made vast inroads upon the domain of liverymen, yet the busy public can not yet afford to do wholly without the services of the noble horse in connection with an easy carriage, especially on country roads, and those who cater to the public in this line of business deserve their share of liberal patronage and recognition. As a rising young man of enterprise and push, prepared with latest livery outfits. to acommodate the traveling public, in Fremont and vicinity, we present the subject of this sketch. Clarence L. Bowlus, liveryman, whose place of business is opposite the " Ball 442 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. House," Fremont, was born in Sandusky township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, January 13, 1875, a son of Warren A. and Caroline R. (Engelman) Bowlus. Warren A. Bowlus was born in the same locality, August 25, 1850, a son of Henry Bowlus, who was born September 27, 180, and in :1828 came with his father, Henry Bowlus, 'Sen., from Middletown Valley, Frederick Co., Md., to Sandusky county, Ohio, where the latter entered 320 acres on the borders of Muskallonge creek, in Sandusky township, which he made his permanent residence. The father of Henry Bowlus, Sen., and the great ancestor of the many Bowlus families in Sandusky county, was Nicholas Bowlus, who, in 1735, at the age of five years, came to America, and lived and died in Frederick county, Md., where many of his descendants still reside. Our subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools and in the Fremont High School. He brings to his chosen vocation the freshness and vigor of early manhood, which betoken a successful business career. MORITZ A. GESSNER, a prosperous farmer of Riley township, Sandusky county, was born July 24, 1863, a son of Dr. Louis and Elizabeth Gessner, old residents of northern Ohio. Dr. Louis Gessner was born in Germany April 6, 1804, studied medicine, graduated in Switzerland, and practiced in Germany. Coming to this country, he first engaged in the practice of his profession in Buffalo, N. Y., coming to Fremont, Ohio, in 1838. On July 8, 1858, Dr. Gessner was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lhair, who was born in Germany March 17, 1825, and they had four children, as follows: Ida, born October 8, 1859, married William Nichols, and they live in Sandusky county; Laura, born February 24, 1861, married Louis Balsixer, and they had seven children (she died March 9, 1890, and was buried in Ballville township); Moritz A. is the subject of this sketch; and Minnie, born September 10, 1867, married Charles Marks (they have had three children, and live in Riley township). In 1861 Dr. Gessner discontinued the practice of medicine, and moved to Riley township, where in 1838 he had bought 160 acres of land, giving five dollars an acre for it. Here he made his home the remainder of his life. Moritz N. Gessner received a common-school education, and worked for his father until the death of the latter, who left him eighty acres of land. On January 13, 1886, in his twenty-third year, our subject was united in marriage with Christina Baker, who was born November 2, 1866, and they have had two children-Louis F., born March 24, 1887, and Gertie S., born October 16, 1888. Mr. Gessner is a member of Fort Stephenson Lodge No. 225, A. F. & A. M. In religious connection he is a member of the Lutheran Church; in politics he is a stanch Democrat, and on April 1, 1895, was elected trustee of Riley township. JOACHIM MEYER. Among those of foreign birth who have become prominent in agricultural circles in Sandusky county, is numbered this gentleman, a native of Germany, who was born on the 29th and baptized on the 30th of July, 1836. He is a son of John Meyer, who died two months before his son's birth, and in consequence our subject knows but little concerning his ancestral history. The father was a sheep raiser and farmer, and the family was not in very affluent circumstances, so that Joachim was early forced to earn his own living. As soon as he had attained a sufficient age he began work as a farm hand, and was thus employed for a number of years in Germany, there continu- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 443 ing his labors until 1867, when, with his wife and mother, he came to America, sailing from Hamburg on the 14th of October. His brother had come to the United States the year previous, and located in Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio. After three months' sailing on the ocean, Joachim Meyer and family landed at New York City, and after a few days there passed, came to Sandusky county, where he has since made his home, covering a period of about twenty-eight years. He had no capital, at that time, but determined to succeed he eagerly worked at anything that he could find to do which would yield him an honest living. By industry and frugality he at length acquired some capital, and with it purchased the farm on which he now resides. He began its cultivation, placed acre after acre under the plow, and has now one of the best farm properties in that section, the rich and fertile fields yielding to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. In November, 1866, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Dora Wittenburg, who was born on the 28th and baptized on the 30th of July, 1838. She was a most estimable lady, also a native of Germany, in which country her parents died. Mr. Meyer has a family of five children—one son and four daughters: Mary, who was born on the ocean, is the wife of Mr. Banard, of Fremont, and they have two children; Albert is at home; Sophia is married to Ed. Smitke, and resides in Fremont; Louisa makes her home in the same place, and Emma completes the family, which is well and favorably known in the locality where they live. Mr. Meyer was a member of the German army, in Mecklenburg Schwerin, serving as a dragoon from the year 1857 to 1863. The first three years were spent in the garrison at Ludwigslust, one of the chief cities of Mecklenburg, the remaining three years were spent at his home, but subject to be called into military ranks and do military service at any time; hence not until the year 1863 did he receive a discharge from military duty, and such honorable discharge was granted on the 24th of October, 1863. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and by his ballot supports the Democracy. He leads a busy and useful life, and with his family shares the high regard of their friends. JOSEPH E. BOOP, a well-to-do farmer of Sandusky township, Sandusky county, was born in New Berlin, Union Co., Penn., January 6, 1851, a son of Samuel and Hannah (Spetler) Boop. They had a family of thirteen children, Joseph being the youngest one now living. When he was six years old his parents sent him to school, and at the age of eight years his uncle, William Watson, wished to have the lad with him on the farm, in the capacity of chore boy, to do work such as driving cows to the fields, feeding chickens, and riding the drill to plant corn, which was Joseph's first experience of farm life. In the fall of that year he became anxious to go home and see his parents, and his uncle thought it would be better on account of the boy being thereby enabled to attend school. In the fall of 1859 his father and mother made a trip west, visiting relatives in that part of Ohio, then known as the " Black Swamp," and returned home after being satisfied with their visit. They were so well pleased with the country that they concluded at once to make their home in Ohio, so, on March 20, 1860, Joseph and his parents, and the other members of the family, landed in Fremont (known in earlier days as Lower Sandusky), settling on, eighty acres of land lying four miles west of Fremont, known as the " Baldwin farm." The parents lived on that farm five years, then sold it, and located on a farm of 111 acres nearer to Fremont, along the Maumee 444 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. pike. After Joseph landed in Ohio his school days were but few, as his father needed his help very much. During the Civil war of 1861-65, Joseph and his brother would be out in the fields plowing, and when they would hear of a train of soldiers coming through from Indiana or Michigan, they would tie the horses to the fence and run to Fremont to see the " boys in blue," and hear them shoot " old Betsy Croghan." Joseph well remembers his early boyhood days, of how he would help to log, burn brush, and get the land ready for the plow. In the year 1861 Joseph was working for Charles Reorick at four dollars per month, and after having served the required time—ten months —he went home, and in 1869 he worked for Edward Deemer on a farm, receiving $17 per month. Returning home, he in the year 1872 hired out again on a farm to Henry Bowlus, for nine months at $23 per month, if satisfaction was given. After nine months had expired he returned home again to assist his aged mother, his father having died in the fall of 1872. In 1874 he again hired to Warren Bowlus, and on October 20, 1874, he set out on a trip to California, in company with his mother, to visit a brother who had gone there in 1851. There they remained three months, at the end of which time his mother desired to return, and on the way back they visited relatives in San Francisco, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. They settled in Sandusky township. On the 16th day of November, 1876, Mr. Boop married Miss Elizabeth Faust, who was born in Washington township, Sandusky county, Ohio, October 16, 1857. She died September 15, 1891, the mother of five children: Emma G., Irvin T., Ada P., Vernie May and Edith V. For his second wife, our subject married February 16, 1892, Miss Mary Mehle, also a native of Sandusky township, born May 19, 1862, a daughter of Frederick and Sophia (Smith) Mehle, who both lived in Sandusky township. Mr. Boop is one of the prosperous men among the younger element in his township, owns a well-improved farm, and he and his wife are genial and sociable. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith is a member of the Reformed Church. SOLOMON EMCH, a successful farmer, was born in Woodville township, Sandusky county, January 19, 1854. He remained at home until his twenty-first birthday, then worked out by the day, being employed at different places for about six years, until the time of his marriage. On March 18, 1880, Solomon Emch married Caroline Schreiner, who was born in Troy township, Wood county, September 24, 1859, and they have become the parents of three bright children —Bertha, born December 5, 1880; Eddie, born December 15, 1882, and Charles, born March 27, 1889. After his marriage Mr. Emch rented a farm from his cousin, which he worked for about eleven years. He then bought forty-five acres which cost him $4, 200. In 1894 he leased his land to an oil firm, and they put down three wells, which are in operation daily. Mr. Emch is very popular, is an honest, npright man, has always worked hard and saved his money, is a good manager and provides well for his family. EDWARD SCHWARTZ, funeral director and embalmer, Fremont, Sandusky county, was born at Williamsville, Erie Co., N. Y., January 26, 185i. His father, Joseph Schwartz, was born in Alsace, France, in 1816, came to America in his youth, located in western New York, married Miss Theresa Batt, and worked at shoemaking and farming. About the year 1853, he removed to Ballville township, Sandusky COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 445 Co., Ohio, where he bought a farm, whereon he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1859. Our subject's mother, who was also a native of Alsace, born in 1831, came with her father, Joseph Batt, in her childhood, to the New World. In crossing the Atlantic Ocean they were one hundred days at sea, their ship having been driven about by adverse winds and disabled by storms, so that they were obliged to put into the harbor of Cork, Ireland, for repairs. The family settled on a farm in western New York, where the parents lived to celebrate their golden wedding, surrounded by a numerous posterity, and died a few years later at an advanced age. The children of Joseph and Theresa Schwartz were: (1) John, who died in childhood; (2) Joseph Schwartz, Jr., born February 29, 1844, in Lancaster, Erie Co., N. Y., who came with his parents to Ballville township, Sandusky county, when nine years of age, grew up to farm work, attended country schools, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, O. V. I., in the spring of 1862, served during the war, and was honorably discharged, February 0, 1865; on May 12, 1868, he married Miss Veronica Schmittuz, of Fremont, and they have six children; Mr. Schwartz is a leading member of various social orders in Fremont, and has held positions of honor and trust; he is secretary of the Fremont Water Works, and of the German Aid Society; •he is an official member of Eugene Rawson Post, No. 34, Department of Ohio, G. A. R., and of S. A. J. Snyder Command, U. V. U. (3) Magdalena M. Schwartz became the wife of John Snyder, a farmer and carpenter, now living at Charlotte,. Mich. (4) John Schwartz, a blacksmith, married Miss Magdalen Feuerstein, and resides at Williamsville, N. Y. (5) Mary A. Schwartz died in childhood. (6) Edward Schwartz is the subject proper of this sketch. (7) Frank X. Schwartz, an engineer, married Miss Veronica Brunier, of Fremont, and resides at Lima, Ohio. (8) Louis Schwartz, a blacksmith, married Miss Elizabeth Epp, and resides at Fort Wayne, Ind. (9) William H. Schwartz died in childhood. (0) Mary C. Schwartz, wife of Joseph Neinhaus, a laborer at Buffalo, N. Y., died in 1886. Our subject, Edward Schwartz, made his home. with his parents until the death of his father, in 1859, when he went to live with his uncle, John Daul, proprietor of a brewery at Williamsville, N. Y., where he attended school. Three years later he returned to Ohio, and lived with his mother about four years. About the year 1866 he came to Fremont, and began to work at cabinet-making. In 1869 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained about four years, thoroughly learning his trade. In 1873 he returned to Fremont, and soon after went into partnership with his brother in the furniture business, on State street. In 1878 he sold out, and has since that time confined himself exclusively to undertaking and embalming, in which particular line he excels. He was one of the first men in the State of Ohio to take up this art as a profession, having graduated from the Embalmers' School at Cincinnati in 1883. He was elected third vice-president of the Ohio State Undertakers' Association, in 1893, and now holds the position of first vice-president of the same. He is also a member of various social organizations, in some of which he holds official positions. He is exalted ruler of Fremont Lodge, No. 169, B. P. O. Elks; president of Edna Council, No. 64, N. U. ; treasurer of Dickinson Tent, No. 21, K. O. T. M. ; and treasurer of Onoka Tribe, No. 140, I. O. R. M. Edward Schwartz was married May 18, 1874, to Miss Mary Eichel, of Fremont, who was born in Ottawa county, Ohio, July 2, 1854, daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Eichel, natives of Germany, 446 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. and their children are: Edward L., stenographer at the " Boody House," Toledo, Ohio; Frances M. E., assistant bookkeeper at the Christy Knife Works, Fremont, Ohio; Hilda C., and William H., at home attending school. SAMUEL T. WOOD, the popular and efficient sheriff of Ottawa county, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, February 28, 1841, and is a son of David and Patience (Rolfe) Wood, both natives of Greene county, N. Y., the father born May 25, 1803, the mother born March 7, 1806, and died in Seneca county, Ohio, March 8, 1848. The father passed away in Clay township, Ottawa county, August 10, 1888. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom still survive, namely: Dorcas, wife of T. P. Taylor, who is living in Genoa, Ohio; Mercy, wife of John Tiplady, who is living in Clay township, Ottawa county; Samuel T. ; Louisa, wife of William Armstrong, of Genoa, Ohio; Felinda, wife of Albert Sponable, a resident of Hastings, Mich. ; and Francis V., who is located in Fremont, Ohio. The second in the family of ten children was Mary J., who married Michael Tompkins (now deceased), and died in Genoa, Ottawa Co., Ohio, November 13, 1876; Elizabeth A., the third one of the children, died at Genoa, October 24, 1854; and George, the eighth child, born in September, 1846, died in infancy. Our subject was educated in the district schools of his native county, and his boyhood was passed upon the old farm amidst the surroundings of a comfortable home and the care of kind indulgent parents. When about thirteen years of age he removed to Clay township, Ottawa county, with the family, and continued to aid in the farm work until after he had attained to manhood, when he began farming in his own interest. For over forty years he was an honored and re spected resident of Clay township, where his agricultural pursuits by their success proved his energy and perseverance, while the high estimation in which he was held by the people of the county bore its tribute to . his sterling qualities and upright, honorable principles. On November 6, 1894, he was elected sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket, and, abandoning the pursuit he had so long followed, he on January 7, 1895, took possession of the office, removing his family to Port Clinton. In Fremont, Ohio, September 28, 1865, Mr. Wood married Maria E. Jones, a native of Ohio, who was born in Pick-away county, January 29, 1842, a daughter of Noah and Ruth Jones. Her mother still survives at the advanced age of ninety-one years, and resides with our subject in Port Clinton, being probably the oldest living resident in Ottawa county, and undoubtedly one of the most intelligent and interesting old ladies, having a most remarkable memory for dates and events. She was born in Pendleton county, Va., June 20, 1804, and is a daughter of Uriah and Catherine (Loother) who were also natives of Virginia. In 1805 the mother and children removed to Pickaway county, Ohio, and six months later was joined by the husband, who at the time of the first removal was serving as sheriff of Pendleton county. Here he passed away in 1812. His widow continued to reside in Pickaway county, Ohio, until 1850, when she removed to Fairfield county, this State, where her death occurred in 1858. In 1826 the mother of Mrs. Wood was married to Noah Jones, and to their union came nine children, as follows: Benjamin F., born July 14, 1827, now living in Findlay, Ohio; Uriah, born August 28, 1829, now residing in Columbus, Ohio; Rebecca, born March 28, 1832, now the wife of William Adams, of Lithopolis, Ohio; John W., born August 10, 1834, is living at Burnips Corners, Mich. ; Daniel W., COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 447 born May 3, 1837, is living in Genoa, Ohio; Samuel, born June 27, 1839, died August 3, 1846; Maria E. is the wife of our subject; Noah, born May 14, 1844, is located in Toledo; and Nelson A., born August 17, 1846, died June 19, 1880. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wood has been blessed with six children, as follows: Alonzo, born July 6, 1866, died in infancy; Mary and Martha (twins), born August To, 1871, and died in infancy; Charles, born July 7, 1875; Lizzie, born December 27, 1872, died March 6, 1876; and Nelson J., born March 18, 1879. Mr. Wood manifested his loyalty to the government during the Civil war by joining Company A, Fourteenth O. V. I., September 5, 1861. He served for three years, participating with his regiment in numerous skirmishes, and some of the most important battles of the war. At the battle of Chickamauga, he was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and for forty-three days was held as a captive in the Smith tobacco-house prison, opposite the renowned Libby Prison, in Richmond, Va. At the expiration of that time with a number of others he was removed to a prison in Danville, Va., where he was held until February 21, 1864, when he succeeded in making his escape, and reaching the lines of the Union army at Brownstown. For twenty-one days he was traveling toward the Northern army, and enduring untold hardships before he reached his destination. He was then granted a thirty-days' furlough, which he spent in visiting his family, rejoining his regiment at Ringgold, Ga., and with his command participating in the Atlanta campaign. At the capture of Jonesboro, five days after the expiration of his term of service, he was seriously wounded, and when hostilities ceased was sent to the hospital. Fourteen days later he was honorably discharged, returning to his home in Clay township, Ottawa county. He had been a faithful soldier, always true to his duties and the cause of the Union arms. Mr. Wood is a member of Clay Lodge, No. 584, I. O. O. F., and Elliott Wyman Post, G. A. R. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and in the discharge of his official duties has won the commendation of all concerned. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and his estimable wife are consistent members. HENRY GERMAN, the efficient manager and superintendent of the Gypsum Plaster Mills and Carielea Farm, Portage township, Ottawa county, was born in the town of Tyrone, Steuben Co., N. Y., April 3, 1832, and is a son of Andrew and Hannah (Force) German, the former a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., the latter of Steuben county. Both were of German lineage, and the mother was also of French descent. The paternal grandmother of our subject was a granddaughter of Governor Winthrop, the first governor of the Colony of Massachusetts. Andrew German was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Steuben county, N. Y., and there spent the greater part of his life, passing away in 1851. His widow with seven of her children removed to Ohio in 1857, locating in Margaretta township, Erie county, whence, in 1880, they went to Sandusky county, where the mother departed this life in 1882. Henry German acquired his education in the district schools of his native county, and his boyhood days were spent at farm work, while during his early manhood he was engaged in milling and engineering. After locating in Erie county, he followed agricultural pursuits in the township, where the family took up their abode until 1880, when he removed to Townsend township, Sandusky county. There, in association with his son-in-law, Henry Brown, he purchased a sawmill, which he operated in connection with his agricultural pursuits until 1884, when he en- 448 - COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. tered upon his present position as manager and superintendent of the Gypsum Plaster Mills and Carielea Farm. He still makes his home in Sandusky county, where he is also extensively engaged in fruit farming. He is now manager of one of the largest limestone quarries and mills, and also one of the most extensive fruit farms in his section of the State, and his duties are performed with faithfulness that is well indicated by his long continuance in office, covering a period of more than eleven consecutive years. On January 10, 1852, in Steuben county, N. Y., Mr. German was joined in wedlock with Miss Lydia A. Howe, daughter of Joseph Howe, and to their union two children were born—Eva, wife of H. E. Brown, who is living in Townsend township, Sandusky county; and Lyman, who died in infancy. The family attend the Universalist Church, and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in social circles, while their home is noted for its hospitality. Mr. German is a Republican in politics, and is a man of broad views, keen and quick perceptions, sterling integrity and a spotless reputation—qualities which have secured him the unlimited confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. While still making his home in Sandusky county, he also takes an active interest in the welfare of Ottawa county, and well deserves representation among the leading men of his locality.— [Since the above was written, Mr. German has resigned his position in Ottawa county, and gone back to Sandusky county. —Ed. RICHARD B. SONOCRANT, a leading and representative citizen of Ottawa county, ex-superintendent of the Ottawa County Infirmary, was born in Lucas county, Ohio, July 27, 1845, son of John and Matilda (Mommoney) Sonocrant, the former a native of Monroe, Mich., of French ancestry, the latter a native of Port Clinton, Ohio, of French and Scotch ancestry. They were highly-respected residents of Carroll township, Ottawa county, for forty-three years, but in 1893 moved to Lucas county, where they now reside. Their family consists of six children, viz.: Peter, residing in Canada; John N., of Toledo, Ohio; Richard B. ; Elizabeth, wife of A. G. Renner, of Locust Point, Ohio; Jennie, wife of Gabriel Dubrie, also of Locust Point; and Samuel E., a resident of Lucas county. Our subject is one of the wide-awake, pushing men of his day, and has filled several important positions in life. His primary education was received in the public schools of Carroll township, Ottawa county, his early boyhood being spent in assisting in the care of the farm. At the age of seventeen years he left the parental abode, and started out in life as a sailor, sailing on Lakes Erie and Michigan for upward of six years, experiencing many of the hardships and dangers incident to a sailor's life. In 1870, having left his vessel, he engaged in the fishing industry for one year; then purchased a farm, which he cultivated for about seven years, after which he sold it, and in 1878 embarked in mercantile pursuits at Locust Point, Ohio, shortly afterward opening a branch at Trowbridge, Ottawa county. In 1883 our subject transferred the business to Clarksfield, Huron county, but returned to Locust Point one year later. In 1885, having disposed of his mercantile business, and being recognized as a man of sound judgment and excellent business qualifications, Mr. Sonocrant was appointed to the position he so efficiently filled for some ten years, and in this incumbency, as in all his business enterprises, he proved a success. On June 26, 1895, he leased the " Lake House " at Port Clinton, which he has re-modeled and re-fitted. He is a genial landlord, well calculated to merit and hold a good patronage, and is enjoying a fair trade. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 449 Mr. Sonocrant was united in marriage at Locust Point, July 16, 1871, with Miss Hetta Pierson, a daughter of Alfred and Mary (Lindley) Pierson, natives of New Jersey, and for many years prominent residents of Carroll township, Ottawa county, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter is still residing in that township. To this union have come seven children, as follows: Ora M. and Cora M. (twins), born August 5, 1872, the latter dying October 6, 1876; Alfred Byron, born July 20, 1874; Elsie L., born April 2, 1876; Burgert H., born September 18, 1879, died June 15, 1884; Eber R., born August 20, 1881; and Vida A., born April 13, 1884. Politically Mr. Sonocrant uses his right of franchise in the support of the Democratic party. Socially he is a member of Oak Harbor Lodge No. 735, I. O. O. F., and of the K. of P. EDWARD A. POWERS, county auditor of Ottawa county, is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Woodville, Sandusky county, April 7, 1861. His father, Charles A. Powers, was born in New York in 1819, and was of Irish descent. He married Lydia A. Banks, who was born in Ontario, Canada, August 24, 1829, and was descended from English ancestry who settled in New York at an early day in the history of this country. Coming to Ohio, Charles A. Powers engaged in merchandising for many years, carrying on the business in Woodville and in Elmore. In 1869 he removed to Perrysburg, where he retired from active business life and passed away in July, 1871. He was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Sandusky county of 1837; was one of its enterprising and successful business men for over thirty years, and did much toward promoting its growth and prosperity. He represented that county in the Legislature in 1859, and honorably filled various positions of trust. His widow now resides in Pawtucket, R. I., with her younger son. Her mother, Mrs. Warriner, nee Banks, is also yet living at the advanced age of eighty-six years. To Charles and Lydia Powers were born eight children, seven of whom are living, one having died in infancy: Helen A., wife of Gustavus Jaeger, a resident of Elmore; George P., who is residing in Marshalltown, Iowa; Charles A., living at Ardmore, Ind. Ter. ; James F., of California; Edward A., subject of this sketch; John L., of Carroll, Iowa; and William H., who is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. When Edward A. Powers was eight years of age he removed with the family to Perrysburg, where he acquired his education in the public schools. Subsequently, in 1876, he entered the hardware store of Gustavus Jaeger, at Elmore, as a salesman, and remained in his employ for two years, when, on the expiration of that period, he began teaching school. He was employed for two winter terms in Harris township, Ottawa county, and in the summer continued to work in the hardware store. In 1880 he bought out a mercantile establishment at Webb, Wood Co., Ohio, and successfully conducted that business until the spring of 1883, when he removed to Genoa, where he followed the same pursuit. He has also erected a spacious elevator there, and is engaged in the grain business and in stock buying, still retaining an interest in the store. On November 6, 1893, Mr. Powers was elected auditor of Ottawa county, and took possession of the office on September 10, 1894. He is discharging his duties with a promptness and fidelity that wins him high commendation. He has also efficiently served as township clerk for two years, and was a member of the school board some five years. In his political views he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and takes a deep