OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 125 JOSEPH DEFFENBAUGH, a substantial farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born here October 22, 1837, a son of John and Annie (Parshall) Deffenbaugh, pioneers of Putnam county, who settled here in 1835. John Deffenbaugh, father of our subject, was born in Fayette county, Pa., October 26, 1806. Jacob, the father of John, was also a native of the Keystone state, of German parentage, was a farmer and blacksmith, and in religion, a Presbyterian. John also learned to be a blacksmith, although he was reared on a farm. June 28,1829, he married Annie Parshall, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1811, a daughter of Elias Parshall, who was a native of New York—his wife of Pennsylvania. The latter died when her daughter Annie was a child. Annie was reared by a step-mother, was married in Pennsylvania, and died in Putnam county, Ohio, March 17, 1875, a member of the Baptist church. To the marriage of John and Annie Deffenbaugh were born nine children in the following order: Mrs. Nancy Evans, deceased; Jacob, a farmer of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio; William, who died at one year of age; Joseph, the subject of this sketch; Albert G., farmer; Amanda, wife of John McKinley; Lewis M., farmer; Emily J., wife of Samuel H. Carnes—all four residents of Sugar Creek township—and John H., of Jennings township. After marriage John Deffenbaugh remained in his native state about three years, in 1833 came to Ohio and for two years lived in Fairfield county; in 1835 came to Putnam county and entered 200 acres of land in sugar Creek township, a part of which Joseph, our subject, still owns. Here John unloaded household goods in a deep wildwood and sheltered his family as best he could until a primitive log cabin was built with its proverbal puncheon floor, etc., for the better shelter of them all. He succeeded in clearing up a fine farm, however, and occupied it for about thirty-four years without interruption. In 1868 Mr. Deffenbaugh was elected county auditor by the democratic party, and in 1869 moved to Ottawa. He held this position for two terms; with an overplus of six months, and then returned to his farm, and for seventeen years longer continued his calling as farmer. He was faithful to his party and served six years as county commissioner under its - auspices; as justice of the peace twenty-seven years, nine terms, and as township trustee for several terms--his party being equally faithful to him. He was a devout Baptist in religion, and for many years was clerk of the congregation to which he belonged. He died January 14, 1886, a truly beloved and honored man. His loss was deeply deplored by the community and no better man could have been taken from its midst. Joseph Deffenbaugh lived on the home farm until his enlistment, August 13, 1862, in company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry. He served faithfully and gallantly until Juue 24, 1865, and was honorably discharged at Salisbury, N. C., and returned home July loth of the same year. Among his other services he took part in Burnside's campaign in east Tennessee, in the siege of Knoxville, in the Atlanta campaign, in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, in the march with Sherman to the sea, and in the fight near Bentonville, N. C. On his return home, Mr. Deffenbaugh taught school two years in Sugar Creek township, beginning in the fall of 1865. In this interval he married, March 29, 1866, Miss Mary J. Clevenger, who was born in Union township, March 11, 1842, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Rimer) Clevenger, a family frequently spoken of in this volume. To this happy union have been born four children, in the following order: 126 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Francis M., January 31, 1867; Annie May, September 21, 1868, wife of Edward Goodwin, of Jackson township; Martha E., November 1, 1871, and Effie E., July 26, 1876. After his marriage Mr. Deffenbaugh lived in Sugar Creek township until 1873, when he bought his present farm 'in Union township, which will now compare favorably with any in the county. Politically Mr. Deffenbaugh is a democrat, has served as justice of the peace nine years, and filled several minor offices. With his wife and two young daughters, he is a member of the Christian church, and lives a life in harmony with its teachings. One brother and one sister of his father are still living, viz: Conrad, of Fayette county, Pa., aged eighty-seven, and Polly, in the same county. Jacob and Albert, two brothers of subject, were also soldiers in the late war, and his maternal uncle, Nathaniel Parker Parshall, was in the war of 181 2. L. M. DEFFENBAUGH, a prosperous farmer of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, was born on the farm he still occupies, November 27, 1844. He received the usual common-school education, and at the age of twenty-one years left the home farm to make his way through the world, for a time as a hired hand, and this was his experience until 1872, when he was able to buy eighty acres of land, improved with a small house, and here, having married, he settled down, cleared up and improved the land, developed a productive farm and made a comfortable home. In 1882 he sold this property and bought 06 acres of his father's homestead, where he was born and on which he still resides. Of this farm he has ditched, tiled, and brought under cultivation too acres; has built a fine two-story frame dwelling, a substantial barn and out-buildings, has renewed the orchard, and has made it altogether a most desirable hoMe. The parents of our subject, John and Annie (Parshall) Deffenbaugh, were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married in 1829 and shortly afterward came to Ohio; they here made their home near Lancaster, Fairfield county, until 1835, when they came to Putnam county, entered land and cleared up a farm from the wilderness. Mr. Deffenbaugh soon became most popular as a demo. crat and citizen, and was elected justice of the peace, a position he held twenty-seven years; he also served as county commissioner for six years, as county auditor four years, and for many years was assessor; he was a member of the old-school Baptist church, having become a communicant in 1831. He lost his first wife March 17, 1875, and in May, 1879, he married Mrs. Mary Alspaugh. To his first marriage were born nine children--Nancy, Jacob, William, Joseph, Albert, Amanda, L. M. (our subject), Emily and John. To the second marriage no children were born. The respected father died January 14, 1886. L. M. Deffenbaugh was united in marriage October 15, 1872, to Miss Lucinda Stover, who was born in Putnam county, Ohio, July 23, 1850, a daughter of Louis and Mary J. (Vanderrnark) Stover, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Stoner was a small boy when brought to Ohio by his parents, who settled in Putnam county, where the son grew to manhood, was married November 4, 1847, and lived happily with his wife over forty-one years, she dying February 19, 1889. They had born to their marriage eleven children, all of whom, with but one ex ception, grew to manhood and womanhood, married and settled in the vicinity of the home of their childhood. They were named, in order of birth, as follows: Sarah, Lucinda OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 127 (Mrs. Deffenbaugh), Annie, Samuel (deceased), Mary, Levi, William, John, Daniel, Charles, and Martha E. The exception alluded to was Samuel, who died at the age of seventeen years. In 1860 Mr. Stover moved to Allen , where he farmed until his death, November 26, 1894, having been a member of the Christian church since his thirty-fifth year. To the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Deffembaugh have been born three children, viz: Mary wife of Edward Myers, a farmer; and James and Iva, yet at home with their parents, who are consistent members of the Christian church, and who, with their children, are among the most highly respected of the residents of Sugar Creek township. In politics Mr. Deffenbaugh affiliates with the democratic party, and has filled some minor offiees, but is no aspirant for political honors. PROF. SAMUEL F. DEFORD, a representative citizen of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of John and Matilda (Littell) DeFord, and was born in Carroll county, Ohio, May 2, 1836. He was reared on the home farm, and attended district schools until seventeen years of age, when, in 1853, he entered Mount Union college at Aliance, from which he graduated in the scientific course in 1858, and in the classical course in 1859, and in 1861 received the degree of A. M. His summers, during his student days, were devoted to teaching, the remuneration for which he devoted toward defraying his college expenses. In 1856, prior to his graduation, he accepted the superintendency of the Monongahela public schools, of which he had charge for seven months. Completing all of his most successful years in school work, and after graduation, he entered in earnest upon his educational work. He had erected a large school edifice at Lordstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1858; during the time of the erection of this edifice he was superintendent of the public schools of Newton Falls, Trumbull county. Mrs. Garfield, now widow of ex-President Garfield, but then a young lady—Miss Lucretia Rudolph—was one of his assistant teachers. He then conducted an academy until 1861, when he assumed charge of the public schools of Saint Mary's, Ohio, of which he was superintendent until 1863, and was then superintendent of the schools of Celina, Ohio, until 1869, and next had charge of the Maumee (Ohio) seminary for one year, when he came to Ottawa, and filled the position of superintendent of the, public schools for fifteen consecutive years, or, until 1886. Owing to declining health, he now relinquished school work, and in 1'886, in com- pany with Samuel Slawson, established, owned and operated the Exchange Bank of Ottawa, but withdrew in the spring of 1888, and devoted his attention to his farming interests, which are concentrated in the care of over 500 acres of land, scattered through the county and used and utilized chiefly in the production of grain and raising of stock. In 1890 he erected a fine two-story brick building, 25x103 feet, at the corner of Maincross and Hickory streets, Ottawa, for office and business rooms generally, and he has also built some eight or ten dwellings, in Ottowa, for rental. Aside from these, he has erected a number of buildings in Hector, Continental and Miller City, in Putnam county. He is now also engaged in the real estate and loan business, and, with his usual astuteness, has made a perfect success. Politically, Prof. DeFord has always affrliated with the democratic party, and under its auspices served one term of three years as county school examiner of Mercer county and for seventeen years as examiner for Putnam county; he was also coroner of Putnam county two terms and is the present incumbent of the 128 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY office of president of the school board of Ottawa; he has also filled the offices of justice of the peace and member of the city council, and, in fact, almost every office to which the voters of Ottawa could possibly elect him—so great was their trust in his ability and integrity. Fraternally, Prof. DeFord is a member of lodge, No. 325, F. & A. M., of Ottawa chapter, No. 115, and of Ottawa council, No. 69; he has also been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. since 1857, having joined the order at Newton Falls, Ohio, and having, since then, entered the encampment; he has also a, membership in the Royal Arc anum. Prof. DeFord has been a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church since he was sixteen years of age, and in 1864 was ordained a minister of that denomination. He .probably has done as much as, if not more than, any other person, as minister and school-teacher, in the formation and up-building of the moral and educational intellectuality of Putnam county, for which he can never receive sufficient credit. Prof. DeFord has been an eminently successful man in all his undertakings, laying his own foundations and building thereon. Financially he ranks as one of the foremost in this county, all of which has been brought about through his untiring energy and keen business ability. The marriage of Prof. DeFord took place, November 5, 1859, to Miss Mary V. Duncan, who was born in Lordstown, Ohio, August 28, 1837, a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Leach) Duncan, and to this happy union have been born five children, viz: Clara, who died at the age of three years and eight months; Matilda E., who was born November 17, 1867, and became the wife of W. F. Stevens, of New York city, librarian of R. R. Y. M. C. A. since 1890, sustained by Cornelius Vanderbilt; Mary Ann, born July 18, 1869, and wife of George W. Meffley, dry goods merchant of Ottawa; John T., born June 30, 1874, and a student of Mount Union college; Susan F., born in 1881, and now at home with her father. To recur to the genealogy of Prof. Deford, it may be stated that the family is of French Huguenot origin. The great-grandfather of our subject was John DeFord, who fled from France under the persecution of his sect, and found refuge in the state of Maryland, where he passed the remainder of his life as a farmer; the next in line of descent, also named John, was born in Maryland, but passed the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio, in 1799, and entered about I,000 acres of land in Carroll county, being at the time about forty years of age, and his death taking place at the extreme age of 103 years, His wife was Lydia Hopwood, of Pennylvania, and they became the parents of seven children, viz: Harriet, widow of John H. DeFord, aged ninety-one years, and a resident of Ottawa, Kans.; Hannah, deceased Elizabeth, wife of John Stull, of Augusta, Ohio; John, the father of our subject, died at the age of eighty-seven; William, aged eighty-eight; a farmer prominent in the politics of Carroll county, Ohio, and a member of the state legislature for several terms; Daniel; who died at the age of fifty-six years, and Nathan B., a farmer of Kansas. John DeFord, the father of our subject, passed his life as a farmer in Carroll county, Ohio, and was twenty-one years a justice of the peace. His wife Matilda Littell, was a French lady, who died in 1894 at the age of eighty-one years, and was the mother of eleven children, as follows: Alonzo, a farmer of Charlotteville, Va.; William, deceased; Lydia, wife of William Mosier, of Uniontown, Pa. ; Louisa, wife of James Daniel farmer and mason of Carrollton, Ohio; Samuel F., our. subject; John W., of Celina, Ohio, Matilda C., wife of Mr. Sweet, a fruit farmer of Baltimore county, Md.; Harriet M., wife of Rev. John N. Cummings, D. D., of the Pres- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 129 byterian church at Nankin, Ashland county, Ohio, where he has been pastor since his graduation in Union Theological college; Mary L., wife of John Moreland, farmer, of Newark, Ind.; Thomas B., of Carroll county, Ohio, and Hannah, wife of John Jackman, of Missouri—and it may be added that no more worthy set of people than the above eleven ever saw the light of day in the state of Ohio. DANIEL D. DICKEY, one of the prosperous farmers of Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio, is the son of John and Mary (Deitz) Dickey, the former of whom was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, about 1796, and the wife in 1799, July 9th. His father was of Irish extraction, but was reared in Pennsylvania, where but one of his sons, Jacob Dickey, is still living. John Dickey was reared on his father's farm in Pennsylvania and there attended school in his early boyhood days. He then learned the carpenter's and shoemaker's trade, and at times worked at the cooper's and blacksmith's trade. While yet a boy he came with his parnts to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1807, where the family owned a large tract of land. He married Mary Deitz, who was born in merset county, Pa., about 1799, and died it the faith of the Dunkard church in 1874. After their marriage they lived for a while on a rented farm in Tuscarawas county. In 1839 he moved his family to Allen county, where lived for three years and then moved to Putnam county; where they purchased a farm on which the subject of our sketch now lives. It was then all a woodland, but he set resolutely to work and soon had a home with a small farm around it; thus he continued to improve and enlarge it until it has become a fine farm. Here he spent the remainder of his life, and here his family of nine children were born: Susan, the wife of John Schafer, of Paulding county, whose sketch may be found on another page; Mary, the widow of Eli Zigler of Perry township; Jonas, deceased; Jacob, a farmer living in Perry township; John, who died in infancy; Moses, of Defiance county; Lydia, the wife of L. Corkwell, of Jackson township; Daniel D., the subject of this sketch, and Eliza, the wife of Levi Troyer. In 1844 Mr. Dickey decided. to make a visit to Tuscarawas county; there being no other mode of traveling at that time, he set out on foot, and walked there and back. On his return journey he purchased a few matches and brought them with him; they were the first matches seen about his home in this township. In politics he was a democrat; religiously he was an active worker in the Dunkard church, in which he was a deacon. At one time he taught school both in the English and German languages. He was an energetic, hard-working man, and charitable to all, but death called him away in 1851. Daniel D. Dickey, his son, was born December 3, 1837, and was given a fair education in the common schools, and when not attending school he worked on his father's farm, and while still a youth he worked at the Carpenter's trade. On September 2 5, 1861, at his country's call for faithful men, he enlisted in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and went to the front, where he participated in the battles of Shiloh and Pea Ridge. At the latter place, on April 8, 1862, while on the retreat, he was twice wounded, and still carries one of the balls in his right shoulder. On account of disability from these wounds, on August 31, 1862, he was discharged at Columbus, Ohio. On returning from the war he taught school for several terms and was very successful. On January 1, 1871, he married Mahala, the daughter of Hugh and Catherine (Jeffreys) 130 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Stores, who was born in Paulding county on February 1, 1848. Her father was a native of Ireland and had come to America at the age of twenty-two with his father, who was John Stores, a dairyman, and located in Paulding county in 1837. Mrs. Dickey's mother was a native of Seneca county and was born February 5, 1829, her parents being Gilbert and Mahala Jeffrey. After his marriage Mr. Dickey settled on the old homestead with his mother, where he has since lived, and has been closely identified with the agricultural interests of Perry township. Ten children have been born to them, viz: A child that died in infancy, unnamed; John J. ; Mary C. ; Wilhelmina, deceased; Emmanuel; Lillie M. ; Eli A. ; Minnie M. ; Charles E., and Daniel D. In politics he is a democrat and has been elected to local offices, among them that of township clerk and assessor. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen and a very successful farmer. Among his many treasures he holds none higher than that of a book published July 31, 1659, which is probably one of the oldest books in northwestern Ohio. WILLIAM C. DICUS, a native-born and prominent farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Carey) Dicus, and was born December 27, 1828. Jacob, the father, was born in Baltimore, Md., March 20, 1802, and was a son of Philip, a native of Scotland, an early settler of Maryland, and a prominent planter, who married Ruth Browne and died in 1806, his wife having died when Jacob was quite small. Jacob Dicus, father of our subject, at the age of thirteen years, was brought to Ohio by his sister, Mrs. McBride, who located in Muskingum county, where Jacob learned the carpenter's trade and resided until 1821, when he came to Putnam county, lived here one year, then returned to the home of his sister, who who had removed to Champaign county, and two years later, in 1825, he came back to Putnam county, to make a permanent home, In November, 1827, he married Hannah Carey, daughter of Rufus and Keziah Carey, to which union were born nine children, as follows: William C., whose name opens this sketch; James, a farmer of Union township; Mrs: Eliza Rimer, deceased; America, wife of James Findlay, of Paulding county; Harrison,, Mrs Rebecca Coit, and Milton, all three deceased. Keziah, wife of George Rimer, a farmer() Jackson township, Putnam county, and Winfield Scott, of Union township. The mother of this family was born in Shelby county Ohio, June 8, 1807, of Virginia parentage, came to Putnam county, about 1817, with her parents, and died in August, 1853, a prominent member of the Baptist church. Mr. Dicus subsequently married her sister, Mrs. Rebecca (Carey) White. After his first marriage Jacob Dicus located on a farm in Putnam county, on the Auglaize river, and was, for a number of years, identified with the agricultural interests of the county. In 1835 he moved to Kalida, where he resided for two years, then returned to his farm, resuming his vocation of farmer and following his trade of carpenter, also milling until 1868, when he engaged in the grocery business at Delphos for several years, and then sold out his grocery and followed his trade at Delphos until 1875, when he re-engaged in farming in Union township until his second wife's death, about 1881. He then sold his farm and resided with his son James until own death, which occurred April 20, 1885, in the faith of the Baptist church. Politically he was first a Whig and then a republican, and for several terms served as township trustee, and OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 131 also filled the offrce of constable and some minor positions. He was a gentleman highly esteemed and honored by his fellow-citizens, was public spirited and patriotic, and furnished three sons to his country in her hour of need, of whom James, next to the eldest, served in comany I, Eighty-eighth Ohio infantry, and Winfield Scott, of whom mention is made in sketches following this record. William Dicus, whose name opens this biography, was reared a farmer, and March 19, 1849, married Miss Eva Schenk, daughter of Michael and Lydia Schenk, ten children being the result of the union, viz: Jacob, a farmer of Washington; Mrs. Hester Myers, deceased; Mary A., who died at the age of sixteen years; John, a merchant of Kalida; Mrs. Fannie Myers, deceased; William, who at two, and Clara at three years of age; two infant daughters that died unnamed; and Lewis also a merchant of Kalida. After his marriage Mr. Dicus first located in Perry township, but made several removals before settling on his present place, yet never moved outside of Putnam county. He lost his wife in October, 1874, and for his second helpmate, married December 17, 1880, Mrs. Lavina (Meyer) Allgire, widow of Joshua Allgire and the mother of the following children: John, a farmer of Union township; Verella, wife of Jesse Talley, Union township; Emily wife of George Grofe, of Jackson township; Charity, wife of James Meyers, of Dupont; Frank, a teacher of Auglaize county and a medical student at New Bremen; Amanda, wife of O. Earnest, of Columbus Grove, Putnam county; and Julia, wife of Albert Folay, of Kalida. Mrs. Lavina Dicus was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 10, 1830; is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Dicus is also a prominent member. One year after his second marriage Mr. Dicus settled on his present farm, where he is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens. The late Joshua Allgire served as a soldier in the late war, in the Ninety-ninth Ohio infantry. JAMES DICUS, a well known and substantial farmer of Union township, Putnam county, is the second of nine children born to Jacob and Hannah (Carey) Dicus, of whom fuller detail will be found in the sketch of William C. Dicus, given above. James, our subject, was born near Fort Jennings, Putnam county, Ohio, February 14, 1831, was reared a farmer and was educated at Kalida and in the common country schools; he also learned the carpenter's trade, but never found it necessary to follow it as a vocation. February 24, 1853, James Dicus was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda Hicks, daughter of Ezra and Julia (Lincoln) Hicks--the mother being an own cousin of the martyr-president, Abraham Lincoln. Miss Rhoda Hicks was born in Warren county, Ohio, June 8, 1829, and died March 17, 1877, the mother of eight children, of whom the youngest only is living—Elizabeth, wife of Philip Leatherman, of Paulding county. After his marriage, Mr. Dicus located in Union township, lived on a rented farm one year, then moved to a place of his own, on which he remained until 1856; he then sold out and bought another farm in 1857, on which he lived until 1861, again sold and again bought, having by this time cleared enough money, over expenses, to purchase his last-named place, on which he resided until 1874, then sold and bought his present place, on which he made a permanent settlement in 1876, All of these farms were in the wild woods when Mr. Dicus purchased them, and by him they were cleared off and improved. 132 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY at the expenditure of no little amount of hard work and skillful exercise of woodman-like knowledge. February 1, 1880, Mr. Dicus married his second wife, Miss Mary Fridley, who was born in Iowa, September 13, 1861, a daughter of James H. and Minnie (Schuman) Fridley, and to this marriage have been born seven children, as follows: Minnie Elnora, January 3, 1881; Katie E., May 30, 1882; Willie E., April 7, 1884—died May 24, 1891; Harry E., January 30, 1886; Milton Reed, February 27, 1888; Mary Opal, March 24, 1890, and Charlie Raymond, April. 8, 1893. James H. Fridley, father of Mrs. Dicus, was a native of Fayette county, Iowa, and his wife of Germany. The latter died when her daughter (Mrs. Dicus) was nine years of age, and the latter lived with an aunt until her father married four years later, Mrs. America (Dicus) Harris, a sister of our subject. In 1875 she came with her father to Ohio, and was here married. In 1883 Mr. Dicus moved to Kalida, and for two years was engaged in the hotel business, but he found farming to be a more congenial pursuit, and consequently returned to his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Dicus are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Dicus has been a trustee. In politics he is a republican, and has filled the office of township clerk several terms. He is a patriot, and on the 4th day of July, 1863, enlisted in company I, Eighty-eighth, Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 3, 1865. 'He is a member of Gribbon post, No. 193, G. A. R., and at one time was a member of the National Union league and of the P. of H. He is a good citizen in every respect, is the winner of his wealth, having made his business start in life by dealing in real estate, and is now living in comfort, honored by all who know him. WINFIELD SCOTT DICUS, a prosperous agriculturist of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, is the youngest son of Jacob and Hannah (Carey) Dicus, and was born in Perry township, September 2, 1847. He was reared on a farm, was educated in Jackson township, and worked out as a farm hand until his enlistment at Ottawa, July 3, 1863, being then but sixteen years of age, in company I, Eighty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, in which he served faithfully until the close of hostilities, when he was mustered out of the service at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 4, 1865. He then returned to Putnam county, remained until 1870, passed the following year in Indiana, returned to Putnam county, and January 25, 1872, married Miss Mary Campbell, daughter of Josiah and Roxana Campbell, the union being blessed with three children, born in the following order: Lillian, January 23, 1873 married to Leroy Miller, of Union township; Ola, February 2, 1876, and Russell Garfield July 5, 1888--both at home with their parents. Mrs. Mary Dicus was born in Franklin county, Ohio, January 17, 1853; her father was a native of Massachusetts, was reared on a farm near Boston, was a democrat in politics, an early settler of Franklin county, Ohio, and a gentleman of some considerable consequence in his community. After marriage Mr. Dicus remained four years in Putnam county and then, in 1876, went to Allen county, where he passed three years; in 1879 he returned to Putnam county and purchased the farm on which he lives, and which he cleared from the wilderness and has improved in the best possible manner. In 1892, he erected his present handsome dwelling, where he finds all the happiness usually allotted to man, and which is always attendant upon a man of industry and morality. In politics he is a republican, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 133 and has filled several of the offices of his township; he is a member of Kalida lodge, No. 280, F. & A. M., and of Gribbon post, No. 193, G. A. R. He has been very successful in his farming operations, is a useful and public-spirited citizen, and is held in high esteem by all his neighbors and the community at large, being, as he is, a most worthy represestative of a worthy family. REV. BENJAMIN DILLER was born in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, June 24, 1845, on the farm he still occupies. His parents, Peter and Barbara (Sutter) Diller, were natives of Alsace, France; were born respectively in 1813 and 1818, and came to America in 1824, but not in the same vessel. The Diller family first located Holmes County, Ohio, while the Sutter family found a home in Virginia, for the time being, and later moved to Wayne county, Ohio. Both families came to Putnam County in 1834 and here Peter and Barbara were married Peer Diller then set to work by the day to earn money to pay for entering his farm. Through industry and economy he succeeded in saving sufficient with which to enter 240 acres in the woods, 100 of which he had cleared at the time of his death in 1866, and had improved with good and substantial buildings. In religion was a Mennonite. His wife, Barbara Sutter, was a daughter of Christian Sutter, who came to Putnam county about the year 1824, and entered 320 acres in the wilderness, wrought out a farm, and died there on December 1, 1874. After coming her Mr. Sutter was chosen a minister in the Mennonite church, preached about thirty years and rose to the position of bishop. He was the father of seven children, named as follows: John, deceased; Barbara, mother of our subject; Elizabeth, married to P. Shoemaker; Christian; Magdalena, the wife of Peter Sutter; Fannie, married to Peter Bber 1xel; and Mary, who died unmarried. Peter and Barbara Diller had born to their marriage eight children, viz: Christian, who died in 1852; Adam, a farmer of Allen county; John, who lives on the old homestead; Magdalena, who was married to Peter Steiner, but died in 1866, leaving one child; Benjamin, our subject; Peter, a hardware merchant of Bluffton, Ohio; Mary, wife of Benjamin Geiger, a farmer of Hancock county, Ohio, and David, a farmer of Allen county, Ohio. The mother of this .family died about 1860, a devout believer in the Mennonite faith—or original Swiss church. Rev. Benjamin Diller, our subject, lived with his father until the latter's death, when he inherited his portion of the estate, this portion comprising eighty acres of well improved land. Benjamin was first married, in 1870, to Miss Magdalena Steiner, daughter of J. F. Steiner, an old settler and prosperous farmer, whose father organized the first Mennonite church in the county. Benjamin and Magdalena had born to them one child, Susan, who is living with her father. Magdalena Steiner was born December 18, 1848, and died December 31, 1871, a devoted member of the Mennonite congregation. The second marriage of Mr. Diller took place, in 1876, to Miss Barbara Steiner, born March 19, 1855, daughter of John Steiner, a prosperous farmer of Allen county, Ohio, and to this union have been born twelve children, viz: Menno, Franklin P., Peter, John (died young), Calvin, Edwin, Christian, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Melinda and Elvina. Rev. Benjamin Diller received a collegiate education and was instructed in both the English and German languages. He taught two terms of school in Putnam county, and, in 1885, was ordained a minister in the Mennonite church, which was. 134 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY organized in his locality about 1836: its membership now reaches about r,000, and they have two houses of worship—one in Riley township, Putnam county, and one in Richland, Allen county. Under the wise direction of Mr. Diller, who is devoted to his creed and his congregation, the church is in a thriving condition and is progressing in a most gratifying and satisfactory manner. Down to 1893 this church stood alone, but in the year named it was admitted to the general conference of the Mennonite church of North America. JOHN M. DONALDSON.—Among the progressive and successful farmers of Putnam county the Donaldson brothers occupy .a: position of marked precedence, and of these the one to whom we now direct attention is recognized for his ability and as one who has gained success through well directed efforts. Mr. Donaldson was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the l0th of August, 1850. He was reared on a farm and throughout his entire life he has been identified with the noble art of husbandry and has brought to bear not a drudge-like persistency, but an intelligent system, which has contributed in a large measure to the success which is his. He was able to secure a good common-school education and also learned the trade of a carpenter, though he has never devoted any great amount of attention to work in this line. His ancestral history is duly traced in the biographies of his brothers, appearing elsewhere in this volume. On the 27th of October, 1872,. in Putnam county, John M. Donaldson was. united in marriage to Mary A. Wood, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, July 1, 1850, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Yarger) Wood. Mrs. Donaldson's parents were married in Perry county, and there her father was engaged in farming for some time at an early period in the pioneer history of that county. Mr. Wood removed with his family to Putnam county as early as 1862, and became one of the prominent farmers of this section, being devoted to his home and family. In politics he was a Jacksonian democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson's children, in order of birth, are as follows: Chester H., Cora M., Alma L., Harvey C., Lillie B., Mary A. and Lester A.—all of whom are yet living. Chester H., is now engaged in teaching in Defiance county, having secured a license in Putnam county as well, and being an efficient and popular instructor. Our subject is thoroughly appreciative of the value of an education and is endeavoring to give his children the best of advantage possible. Mr. Donaldson has been identifmoned with the interests of Monroe township, and has lent effective assistance in the promotion of substantial improvement and the advancing of the higher moral interests of the community. Ever since his marriage he has resided on the farm which he now occupies, the same being one of the best in the township and one which has been brought to its present excellent state of cultivation by our subject. The buildings on the place have been erected by him and are of most attractive and convenient order. The farm comprises seventy-six acre's, and our subject has accumulated much of this by his own efforts, though he received from his father a tract of forty acres, which was still in woodland and entirely unreclaimed. Upon his farm he has erected a handsome and commodious residence. In politics Mr. Donaldson is democrat of the Jacksonian type, and has taken an active interest in the local political affairs although not a partisan in the sense of office seeking. He contributes liberally to the Christian church, of which his wife is a member. Our subject and wife are both members OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 135 of Monroe grange, No. 634, and they maintain a lively interest in the work of the order, Mr. Donaldson having served as steward and being at present the incumbent as gatekeeper. He is numbered among the substantial and infliuential farmers of the county and is esteemed for his sterling worth of character. IRA DONALDSON, a successful young farmer of Putnam county, Ohio,. was born in Union township May 30, 1861. He is a son of Aaron Donaldson, who was a son of John Donaldson, whose biography is here briefly Presented. John Donaldson, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland in 1784. With his father, Aaron Donaldson, the great-grandfather of our subject, he came to Ohio about 1805, and entered land in. Violet township, Fairfield county. John Donaldson married Mary Grubb in 1809, and settled on eighty acres of the land thus entered. He was a captain in the war of 1812-15, was a democrat in politics, and served his township twenty-one years as justice of the peace. He died at the age of sixty-four years, and his who was born in 1790, died at the age of eighty-two. They were the parents of the following: children : Aaron, Elizabeth, Letta, Sarah, Mary, Serena, John, Thirza, Cantha, Malinda, Lavina, Jacob, William, and Henry. The following are still living: Sarah, at the age of eighty; Serena, at seventy-seven; John, seventy-five, and Henry, sixty-two. Donaldson, the eldest of the above named children, and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1810; he received a good education in his youth, was brought up on a farm, and followed farming all his life. He removed to Putnam county about 1850, settling in Union township on eighty acres of land, living thereon until 1862. He then removed to Monroe township and bought 160 acres--the farm upon which his son, Asa, now lives; but he added other acres until he at length had 400 acres. Fifty acres of this was cleared, and there he lived until his death, which occurred September 24, 1880. He married Miss Sarah A. Swayze, who, like himself, was a native of Fairfield county, was born December 20, 1827, a member of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of that part of the state, and is still living. To Aaron Donaldson and his wife there were born nine children, as follows: Owen, born June 22, 1849; John M., born August 20, 1850; Rosalie, born October 4, 1852; Aaron, born December 13, 1854; Jacob S., born January 31, 1857;. Hester Ann, born June 17, 1859; Ira, born May 30, 1861; Asa, born September 26, 1863, and William, born March 14, 1866. Ira Donaldson, the subject of this sketch, has a beautiful little farm of forty acres of land in Monroe township. It is under a high state of cultivation and will compare favorably with any other farm of its size in the township. Mr. Donaldson is a democrat in politics, has served two terms as township clerk and is very popular with his party, as well as with the general public. He was. married May 9, 1886, to Miss Amanda Alkire, who, was born May 8, 1865. She is a daughter of Richard and Rachel ( Jamison) Alkire,. members of an ancient and honorable pioneer family of Putnam county. Mr. and Mrs. Ira Donaldson have had four children born to- them, viz: Ernest, born March 21, 1887,. died April 2, 1887; Ada F., born May 23, 1.889;. Bernice V., born April 16, 1891, and Virgil R..„ born October 6, 1893. Mrs. Ira Donaldson's maternal grandfather was Francis Jamison.. He was born in Pennsylvania October 7, 1794, and died December 25, 1856. His wife,. Rachel Wroten, was born in Maryland, March 4 1800,. and died June 18, 136 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 1875, They were married December 7, 1820, in Ross county, Ohio, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Rachel, their daughter, was born November 15, 1835. William Alkire, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Donaldson, was born in Laurel county, Ky., in March, 1798, and died January 17, 1886. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-15 , Hannah Ausburn, his wife, was born in Virginia, and died March 23, 1842. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Richard Alkire, the father 0f Mrs. Donaldson, was born in Madison county, Ohio, August 4, 1832. He moved to Riley township, Putnam county, and was married July 8, 1856. His children were as follows: Loretta L., born July 15, 1857; George B. M . , born March 11, 1863; Amanda J., born May 8, 1865; Frances S., born March 22, 1868; Mary C., born August 6, 1871; Josephine R., born December 29, 1873; Robert W., born July 1, 1876, and Essie H., born November 7, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are, therefore, as it may be seen from the genealogy above presented, descended from families that have long been known as thoroughly honorable—American families—and are themselves in every way worthy of their ancestry, ASA DONALDSON, the subject of this sketch, is one of the substantial and enterprising young farmers and a native of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, and during his entire life has been identified with its interests, the date of his birth having been September 26, 1863. He comes from a large family who were born to Aaron and Sarah A. Donaldson, the former of whom was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and of whom further mention is made in the sketch of Ira Donaldson, an elder brother. Asa was reared to the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm and received a good common-school education. His marriage was celebrated on the 6th of December, 1888, when he was united to Mary A. Taylor, who was born in Montcalm county, Mich., on the 8th of February, 1870, she being a woman of education and genteel refinement. Their children in order of birth are as follows: Sarah M., born April 1, 1890; Ida C., born September 25, 1891, and Dorotha C., born November 10, 1894, all of whom are living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are members of Monroe grange, No. 634, of which our subject is chaplain, while Mrs. Donaldson holds the office of Ceres in the ladies' auxiliary. Both are active and zealous workers in the grange, and maintain a lively interest in the topics which have an influence upon the success and prosperity of the agricultural class. They are members of the Christian church, to which our subject extends financial assistance as well as personal influence. Mr. Donaldson owns an excellent farm of eighty acres, the same having been purchased from the estate of his father, and the appear. ance of the place, with its substantial permanent improvements, its well tilled fields and its general air of thrift and prosperity, gives evidence that he utilizes not only brawn bu brain in its cultivation, and he is know n as on of the successful farmers of the locality. In his political faith he is a stanch democrat, and has an intelligent comprehension of the qu tions of the day. AARON DONALDSON, who has been associated with the great basic industry of agriculture from the time of his childhood, and who is now one of the prosperous and influential farmers of Monroe township, is well deserving of consideration in this connection. He was born in OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 137 Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, December 13, 1864, and was reared on the parental homestead, receiving a good practical education in the old school-house of the pioneer days. He had a natural mechanical ability, even in his boyhood took charge of most of the carpenter work on the farm. He has traveled quite extensively throughout the in Union, having made an extended trip through Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and the Indian territory, and having gained a discriminating knowledge in regard to the southwest. On the 18th of January, 1880, Mr. Donaldson was united in marriage, in Monroe township, to Catherine E. Taylor, the widow of William T. Taylor, whose demise occurred on the 23d of January, 1828. By her first marriage Mrs. Donaldson became the mother of the following-named children: Francis Mc. ; Loretta J., wife of Newton Spencer; Mary A., wife of Asa Donaldson, and Alonzo Joseph. Mrs. Donaldson is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Yarger) Wood, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter in Perry county, Ohio. Their marriage was consummated in Perry county, and there they resided some few years, later removing to Fairfield county, where they remained until 1861, when they took up their abode in Putnam county. Here the father passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring March 23, 1878. In politics he was a stalwart democrat. The mother still resides on the old farm, having consummated a second marriage by uniting her destinies with those of John L. King. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood we record their names in order of birth as follows: Catherine E., Mary A.,, Lucretia J. (deceased), Nancy M. (deceased), and John A. (deceased). Bennett A. Wood, grandfather of Mrs. Donaldson, was a native of Maryland, being a slave holder and the owner of an extensive plantation. After his marriage he emigrated from his native state to Fairfield county, Ohio, and eventually took up his abode in Perry county, becoming; one of the prominent and influential pioneers of the state. He was a Jacksonian democrat and lived a useful and worthy life. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Donaldson are the parents of three children, viz: Leroy, David S., and Asa C. Soon after their marriage our subject and his wife settled in Monroe township, with the material interests of which he has been long identified, having devoted his attention most capably to the cultivation of his farm, and being signally devoted to his family. In politics our subject is stanchly in line as a supporter of the democratic party, but he has no aspirations for public office. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he is a trustee, while she has served most efficiently as teacher in the Sunday-school. Our subject's possessions comprise in all 118 acres—eighty being included in one farm and thirty-eight in the second, much of which property he has acquired through his own efforts. His farm is well stocked, has excellent improvements, and its cultivation is directed according to the most approved methods. Mr. Donaldson is thoroughly alive to the interests of the farmers and gives evidence of this by his active identification with Monroe grange, No. 634, while he is a man of influence in the community. JOHN R. DOENGES, who is known as one of the successful and representative pioneer farmers of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a German by birth, but he has passed nearly the whole of his life in Defiance and Putnam counties, so that he may literally be said to have grown up with the country. John Doenges, father of subject, was born in Corse-Hesse, Germany, in January, 1823, 138 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY his mother being a native of the same place and born in the same year. They were married in Germany, where their first four children were born. They emigrated to America in 1858, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, which was seven weeks on the trip. They first settled in Pennsylvania, but after a few years removed to Defiance county, Ohio, and settled in Highland township, upon a tract of new land, 120 acres in extent. They had very little capital to start on, and the land was a primitive wilderness, but with the true pioneer spirit they faced the hardships of the day and country and made for themselves a home. They are upright people, and in Germany had been adherents of the Lutheran faith, but after coming to this country became identified with the Methodist church. They have been blessed with seven children, their names in order of birth being Conrad, Catherine (deceased), Elizabeth, John R., Michael (deceased), Amanda, and Charlotte. The parents are both still living, and are known as honest, hard-working- people, who possess the esteem of all who know them. John R. Doenges was born in Corse-Hesse, Germany, April 3, 1855, and was only two and one-half years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. When he was four years of age his parents settled in Defiance county, Ohio, and his whole life has been passed in the counties of Defiance and Putnam. He was reared upon his father's farm, and thus became acquainted with all the phases of agricultural life in a pioneer country. Very few improvements had then been made upon the face of Dame Nature, and the forests abounded with all varieties of wild game natural to this section. Our subject managed to secure a good common-school education, which has been of use to him through life. Beside this, he gained a large fund of practical knowledge as to the proper development of a new country. In fact he has witnessed the transformation of Defiance and Putnam counties from an almost unbroken wilderness into the beautiful and prosperous section that it now is. In Defiance county, September, 10, 1879, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Fullmer, who was born in that county July 5, 1855, she being the daughter of Ansel and Margaret (Gunner) Fullmer. Her parents were both natives of Germany, but were wedded in Crawford county, Ohio, and lived there until 1845, when they moved to Defiance county, being among the earliest settlers. They entered 16o acres of new land and made for themselves a permanent home. They were religious people, being connected with the United Brethren church, in which the father was for many years a steward and lead. ing member. In politics he was a republican, and as such took considerable interest in public affairs. His death occurred March 17, 1885, while the mother still lives upon the old farm. Their children were nine in number: Jane, Jacob, Isaac, David, Mary (deceased), Margaret, Sarah (deceased), Caroline, and Annie. Mrs. Doenges also had two half. brothers, John and Abraham, both now de. ceased, the former being killed in a railroad accident and the latter meeting his death in the late war. Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Doenges, they settled upon the farm at present owned by them in Monroe township, Putnam county. It consisted of 120 acres of new land, rather uninviting in appearance, but they set resolutely at work to effect a transformation. It has taken years of hard work to do this, but surely it has been worth the labor, for they possess a fine and fertile domain, every rod of which has become endeared to them by association. They have devoted their time to the home and family, and are people who are held in the highest re- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 141 gard by all. Six children have been born to them, the order of their birth being as follows: Lewis, Ada B., Willbur J., Viola F., Mira, and Jesse—the two last named being deceased. In politics Mr. Doenges is a republican, while in religious affiliations he is identified with the Methodist church, which denomination he aids in a moral as well as a financial way. CURRY F. DOUGLASS, M. D., of Kalida, Putnam county, Ohio, and one of the most prominent practitioners of the county, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, July 14, 1859, a son of Jeremiah and Mary A. (Sherwood) Douglass. The father, Jeremiah Douglass, was also a native of Franklin county, was born in 1834, and was a son of Eri Douglass, who was born near Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1804. Eri Douglass was a son of John Douglass, a native of Scotland who, on coming to America, settled in Plattsburg, N. Y., served in the war of 1812, and also had a son, John, Jr., who served in the same war, and who died in Illinois in 1880, and likewise a son, Samuel, who is a farmer of Nebraska, and is still living. Douglass was reared on his father's farm near Plattsburg, N. V., and was educated in that city; about the year 1830 he married Elizbeth Dominey, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabath (Norton) Dominey, natives of Rhode Island and of German descent, and whose three living children are .Henry, a farmer of Franklin county, Ohio; John, a farmer of Nebraska, and Nancy, wife of Dr. W. Twiford, of Minnesota. Jeremiah Dominey, the great-grandfather of the doctor, our subject, was a patriot of the American Revolution, and also a hero of the war of 1812, became a settler of Madison county, Ohio, in 1813, and died about 1852, a member of the Universalist church, and in politics a whig. Elizabeth Dominey, daughter of above, was born in Madison county, Ohio, November, 5, 1815, and to Eri Douglass bore nine children, all of whom, with the exception of three, died in infancy, those reaching maturity being Mrs. Cloy Sherwood, who died in 1868; Jeremiah, father of our subject, and Hester, wife of Zelora Amlin, a farmer, living on the Franklin county homestead, purchased by the grandfather of our subject in 1834. The mother of these children died in 1868. After his first marriage Eri Douglass bought 100 acres of wild land in Franklin county (alluded to in foregoing paragraph), which he converted into a good farm and on which he lived until his second marriage, in 1874, to Mrs. Louisa (Wolcott) Roberts. He then moved to Plain City, Madison county, Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his life in retirement, dying February 15, 1879, a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, an honored citizen, and in politics a republican, which party he had served as justice of the peace for four years. Jeremiah Douglass was also reared a farmer and was educated in Franklin county. March 4, 1858, he married Mary A., daughter of Andrew and Irene (Beach) Sherwood, and this union was blessed by the birth of two children: Curry F., the subject of this sketch, and Rosa, wife of William Hainer, a prominent grain dealer of Plain City, Ohio. Mrs. Mary A. Douglass was born in Madison county, Ohio, in 1840. Her father, Andrew Sherwood, was a native of Vermont, born in 1809, of German parentage, and when twelve years of age made his way alone to Madison county, Ohio. March 2, 1832, he married Miss Irene Beach, daughter of the pioneer, Amos Beach, who founded the trading post and village in Union county, known as Beachtown. To this marriage were born the following children: Judith Kilgore and Elizabeth Jolly, deceased; Daniel, a farmer of Darby Plains, Ohio; Samuel, farmer of 142 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Union county; Mrs. Mary Ann Andrews Douglass; Mrs. Sarah Conoverse, Plain City; Mrs. Laura Dry, Plain City; Amos, of the Sherwood House, Plain City; Kilburn, farmer, West Canaan, and Charles, liveryman, Plain City. In 1867 Jeremiah Douglass sold his farm in Madison county and came to Putnam county and bought a tract of land near Kalida, which he cleared and cultivated until the fall of 1894, when he retired to Kalida, where he still lives in peace under the protection of the flag he fought to save from pollution as a soldier in company I, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, during the late Rebellion. Dr. Curry F. Douglass, like many of his ancestors, passed his earlier days on a farm. He was educated in Kalida, his present place of residence, and there began reading medicine under Dr. Reed at the age of seventeen years—reading in all four years—two straight and two during holidays. In 1878 he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve university, from which he graduated with honors in March, 1881. The same year he went into the drug business in Catawba, Clarke county. Ohio, in which he continued until the fall of 1882. November 2 of the same year (1882), he married Miss Kate W. Melvin, who was born in Clarke county, Ohio, June 6, 1862, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Jones) Melvin, and this union has been blessed by the birth of three children, viz: Zella Dawn, born March 10, 1886; Fred Melvin, June 26, 189o; and Leon J., November 3, 1891. Samuel Melvin, father of Mrs. Douglass, is one of a family of five children, all living, the remaining four being James, a retired merchant; Silas, a farmer; Susan, wife of James Wright; and Mrs. Anna Allison, all of Clarke county. His wife, Lydia, is a member of a family of three living children, the two besides herself being George and Zeblin A. Jones, both living on the home farm in Clarke county. To the marriage of Samuel and Lydia Melvin have been born the following children: Melissa, wife of Charles Runion, and Bruce, both farmers of Clarke county; Kate, wife of Dr. Douglass; George, druggist of Chicago; and May, at home. The parents were both pioneers of Clarke county, where the mother died in 1893. After his marriage Dr. Douglass settled in Kalida, and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession; and also entered into th drug business, but in 1886 disposed of the lat. ter on account of his increasing medical practice, he having attained a success and promnence in the profession that precluded all thought of extraneous business affairs, collateral or even correlative as they might be. In politics the doctor is a republican; fraternally he is a member of the Kalida Masonic lodge No. 280; and socially he is a leader among people and ever forward in every good work. His standing as a physician, as a gentleman and as a citizen, is both desirable and enviable and few, at his age, have attained a position so prominent. DR. ELI DIMOCK, one of the of citizens and the oldest practicing physician of Dupont, Ohio, was born in Burlington, Otsego county, N. Y., May 4, 1822, a son of Eli and Phebe (Sill) Dimock. His father was born in Windham county, Conn., May 24, 1775, and his grandfather, Timothy, was a native of the same county. He was descended from Jehial Dimock a native, of Spain, who, with his brother. Moores, was implicated in one of the Spanish revolutions, which was overthrown, and they were forced to flee from their native country to escape cruel imprisonment and certain death, which they knew would be sure to fol- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 143 low if they were captured-for Spairt knows no forgiveness, and all who question her right to rule are shot. The brothers came to this country in the early part of the seventeenth century and settled in Connecticut, where Jehial married a Scotch lady and there established the branch of the family from which the doctor descends. Jehial became a farmer in Connecticut and spent the remainder of his life there. Timothy was the only descendant of the above and was born about 1729. He was a farmer in that state and married Sallie Ballard, who was a native of Connecticut, of Puritan ancestry, and died in 1842 in her ninety-second year. After marriage Timothy Dimock moved from Connecticut to Otsego county, N. Y., and settled in what is known as Dimock Hollow, a small valley which takes its name from the first man who settled in it. Mr. Dimock there took up a grant of land and built himself a log cabin and set to work clearing a farm from out the woods. On this farm five children were born to them: Jehial, Timothy, Eli, Fannie, who married William Downing, and Chloe, who died unmarried. The father continued to farm here until old age compelled him to give up active pursuits, when he went to live with his youngest son, Eli Dimock, and died at Burlington, N. Y., in 1818. In the Revolutionary war he served his country faithfully and courageously. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a whig. He was an honorable and upright man, and a useful citizen, and possessed with the respect of all who knew him. Eli Dimock, youngest son of Timothy Dimock, was reared on his father's farm and was educated in a primitive log school-house. In early life he embarked in mercantile business in the town of Butternuts, N. Y., but afterward removed his business to Burlington, where he was very prosperous. October 26, 1802, he married Phebe, who was born in Lime, Saybrook county, Conn., on March 26, 1780, a daughter of Andrew and Helen (Door) Sill, of Scotch ancestry. After marriage he lived on his father-in-law's farm, and spent the remainder of his life there, where nine children were born to them, viz: Helen T., born February 17, 1804, the wife of Ebenezer Sheldon, of Utica, N. Y. ; Seneca,. a physician, who was born October 5, 1805, and died August 11, 1860; Door S., born November 19, 1809, and died June 24, 1838; Elizabeth, born April 30, 1812, was the wife of Harmon Windsor, of Bainbridge, N. Y„ and died January 21, 1888; Richard B., a merchant of New Berlin, N. Y., who was born October 8, 1813, and died March 4, 1892; Cornelia, born May 19, 1815, and died unmarried August 1 1, 1841; Amanda, born December 19, 1819, and died August II, 182 1 ; Phebe S., born February 18, 180, and died unmarried November 19, 1855, and Dr. Eli, the' subject of our sketch. The mother was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, and died on June 12, 1868. All her brothers and sisters and mother died of typhoid fever in 1823. The father held a commission as captain of a company of minute-men cavalry in the war of 1812. He was a successful farmer and business man, and in religious matters was a strict Presbyterian. In politics he was prominently identified with the old-line whig party, by which he was elected to several local offices. He was a strict moralist and an upright man, and a progressive, public-spirited citizen, and died June 12, 1848, respected and honored by all who knew him. Jehial Dimock commanded a privateer vessel on Lake Ontario in the war of 1812, and captured many valuable prizes. He was an expert gunsman and a brave and patriotic man. Dr. Eli Dimock, the only living representative of this family, laid the foundation for his education in the common schools of Burlington, 144 - BIOGRAPHICAL. HISTORY N. Y., and in 1842 began the study of medicine in the office f Dr. R. F. Stellman, a practitioner of his native town. In 1845 he entered the medical department of the university of New York, New York city, from which he graduated with honor in April, 1847. For one year he practiced with his former preceptor and then moved to Bridgewater, Oneida county, N. Y., where he practiced until 1849 and then came to Dupont, Ohio, where he practiced successfully his profession until 1853, when, on account of ill health, he returned to his old home at BridgeWater, where he remained until 1860, and then returned to Dupont and again took up the practice of medicine, in which he has been eminently successful and has always been prominently identified with the best interests of Putnam county, being well known all over the county, his practice at times extending to its remotest corners. February 14, 1847, the doctor married Mary E., the daughter of Amassa and Mary (Johnston) Caswell, who was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., on April 23, 1825. Her father was born in Warren, N. Y., July 23, 1796, was a successful farmer, and died October 4, 1847, at Belvidere, Ills., to which place he had moved his family in 1850. The mother was born in Vermont, February .26, 1800, and died in their Illinois home on April 6, 1879. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. Five children blessed their union, three of whom are still living: Mrs. Dimock, Susan and Mary L. ; neither of the latter two is married. Doctor and Mrs. Dimock were blessed with but one child—Jennie, the deceased wife of S. Woolam. Both are leading members of the Presbyterian church, and are held in the highest esteem, by its members and by all who know them. The doctor is a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party, having in his youth imbibed well of the doctrines of the old whig party. He takes great interest in all the successes and achievements of this party, and by them, while yet in New York, was elected to the office of justice of the peace and held it for five years, and has held the office of township treasurer of Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio, for three years, and is now justice of the peace, Fraternally he is a Mason, having joined in 1853 the Western Star lodge, No. 15, of Bridgewater, N. Y. This lodge was chartered in 1797. He is also a member of the Good Templars' organization and the American Pro tective association. He has passed his thre score and ten years, is in the full enjoyment of all his faculties, and possesses the confidence and esteem of all those with whom he has been associated in any way. In his pr fession he deservedly stands high among tho of the same calling and is a man of wide and ripe experiences and varied attainments. He is a student of archaeology and his collectio of curiosities and relics, the best in the coun he has donated to the Ottawa high schoo He can now look back on a well-spent life full of many vicissitudes and experiences especially the experiences he passed through in the early days after he came to Dupont, when ague was so prevalent; and many were the long rides and sleepless nights he had; no call went unresponded to when it was possible for him to go, no matter how bad the roads were or how stormy the weather, or dark the night. He is always kind to the poor and freely gives to all good work. WILLIAM S. DINSMORE, senior partner of the firm of Dinsmor & Davis, was born in Sugar Creek to township, of the same county, March 6, 1857, and is a son of William and Jane (Neeve) Dinsmore. His paternal grandfather, also named William, was a native of Ireland, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 145 on coming to America, with his wife and four children, lived for a short time in Cincinnati, and then came to Putnam county, and cleared up a farm of ninety acres in Sugar Creek township. William Dinsmore, Jr., father of our subject, was one of the children brought from Ireland by William, Sr., was reared on the Sugar Creek farm, on which he lived until 1893, when he retired from active farming, and has since made his home with his son, our subject. To William and Jane Dinsmore were born twelve children, of whom eight lived to maturity, viz: William S., our subject, Andrew J., Laura, Roselle, Emma and Lizzie, all five deceased; Charles, of Columhus Grove, and Ella, deceased. The mother of this family died in August, 1886. William S. Dinsmore was educated in the district school of Sugar Creek township and was reared on the home farm, where he remained until 1889, when he joined Mr. Davis and established the present prosperous livery business in Columbus Grove. Mr. Dinsmore has been twice married—first to Miss Lissey Roberts, who died in 1892, leaving one child, Clarence. The second choice of Mr. Dinsmore was the accomplished Miss May Smith, daughter of the late Andrew Smith, and his marriage with this lady occurred in June, 1894. In politics Mr. Dinsmore is a democrat, and is quite popular with his party, as well as with the public in general, but he has never been an office seeker, being content to care for a business which yields him, under his superior management, an income greater than any ordinary office could bring. Dinsmore & Davis, of Columbus Grove, Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, are proprietors of one of the most popular and best equipped livery establishments in the county, and are always prepared to accommodate the public with whatever may be required in their line and on the best terms. JOHN E. DAVIS, junior partner in the prominent and prosperous livery firm of Dinsmore & Davis, of Columbus Grove, Ohio, was born July 9, 1863. He is a son of Richard and Sarah (Jones) Davis. The father of Mr. Davis was born in northern Wales in 1826. In 1853, he emigrated to America, locating at Utica, N. Y., where he remained until 1859. He then settled at Columbus, Ohio, and one year later removed to Putnam county and purchased, in Sugar Creek township, 10 acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and followed farming until 1893, when he retired and settled in Columbus Grove, where he now resides. Mrs. Davis was a daughter of Enoch and Sarah Jones, who were residents of Sugar Creek township, but natives of southern Wales, where Mrs. Davis was born. Her death occurred in 1894, leaving six children, viz: John E., our subject; Sarah A. ; Leah M. ; Lizzie (deceased), 1890; Enoch, and Mattie. Our subject was reared upon the homestead in Sugar Creek township, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. In 1888 Mr. Davis and William S. Dinsmore formed the present firm of Dinsmore & Davis, in the livery business, which they have conducted successfully up to the present time, it being the leading livery business of Columbus Grove, and in this connection the attention of the reader is called to the sketch of Mr. Dinsmore, given above. Mr. Davis has been twice married; his first wife, Miss Lizzie, was a daughter of William Dinsmore. She died July 29, 1890, leaving two children, viz: Walter Russell, and Gertrude, deceased. Mr. Davis's second marriage was with Miss Carrie, daughter of Hugh Baker, and two children are the result of this union, as follows: Marie and Mildred. Politically Mr. Davis is a republican, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. 146 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY WILLIAM DONNELL, a well-known farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, and was born September 24, 1823, a son of Samuel and Mary (Calhoun) Donnell, the former 0f whom died about 1840, a member of the Episcopal church, and the latter about 1845, in her fiftieth year —the parents of three children, viz: William, our subject; Thomas, born in Ireland in 1828, died in 1848, in Philadelphia, Pa., nine months after coming to America, and Sarah Jane, still living and married to a Mr. Barnes, of Kensington, Philadelphia. William Donnell was reared on a farm and was fairly well educated in his native country. He came to America in 1846, landing in Philadelphia. For five years he worked in Huntingdon county, Pa., saved his earnings, and applied them to the bringing over of his brother and sister. In 1852 he came to Ohio and entered a quarter section of land in Paulding county, cleared up a good home from the woods, and for fourteen years resided upon his property, making a comfortable living. In 1857 he married Sarah J. Stillwell, the union resulting in the birth of two children, viz: Mary E., wife of Isaiah Clevenger, of Paulding county, Ohio, and an infant son that died unnamed. Mrs. Donnell died in 1861, and in the same year, in August, Mr. Donnell enlisted in defense of the flag of his adopted country, in company F, Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, and at the sanguinary battle of Mill Springs was so badly wounded, January 19, 1862, that he was discharged at Mud Creek, Tenn., in July, 1864. Having fully recuperated, patriotism again took possession of his soul, and he re-enlisted, this time, in company H, Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until the end of the war. He took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, marching with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea and receiving a grape-shot wound Bentonville, N. C. At the conclusion of hostilities Mr. Donnell returned to his home in Paulding county and continued farming until 1869, whin he came to Union township, Putnam county, and purchased his present farm, situated on Ottawa river, and this farm he has brought under a fine state of cultivation and made equal to any of its dimensions in the township, both as to productiveness and appearance, and in 1883 built the modern dwelling he and family no occupy. The second marriage of Mr. Donnell took place in January, 1864, to Miss Mary Leidy who bore him two children, to-wit: Rebecca J., born June 20, 1865, now the wife of Stephen Vaughn, a farmer of Jennings township, and Matilda E., born July 7, 1868, the wife of David Bogart, a farmer of Allen county. The mother of these two children died in May 1871, and the third marriage of Mr. Donnell took place November 17, 1871, to Miss Susan Clevenger, who was born in Putnam county July 5, 1833, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Rimer) Clevenger, of the renowned pioneer family mentioned so often in these pages, and who in the infancy of Mrs. Donnell utilized a sugar trough for a cradle in which to rock her to sleep. Mr. and Mrs. Donnell are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Donnell is an advanced Mason, being a member of Blue lodge, No. 280, of the Ottawa chapter, No. 115, R. A. M., and Putnam council, No. 69, R. & S. M. In politics he is an independent, and in Paulding county served as township clerk of Jackson township for years, and was school director for numberless terms, he being a highly educated gentleman and an excellent conversationalist. As a citizen he is among the most desirable, and sustains a high reputation for usefulness and public spirit. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 147 FRANCIS MARION DOTSON, one of the thrifty and thoroughly practical farmers of Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, descends from in an old Revolutionary family of Maryland. His grandfather, Michael Dottson (as he spelled the surname), was a native of the state (or colony) named, and was a son of William Dottson, a native of England, who as a sailor in the merchant marine service, married a Welsh lady and early settled in Maryland. Tradition relates that he was a man of remarkable physical strength, and could handle a burden that required the strength of four ordinary men to cope with. His son, Michael Dottson, enlisted in Maryland in the army of Washington when but seventeen years of age, fought at Brandywine and Germantown (now part of Philadelphia, Pa.), and served through the entire war. After his return from the heroic struggle he married and became the father of five children: John, Joseph, Thomas, Samuel and Annie, all of whom, however, were born in Blair county, Pa., whither Michael moved immediately after his marriage and cleared up a farm of 200 acres; he was a captain in the state militia. Some years later ':e came to Ohio and lived in Muskingum :ounty with his son Joseph, the father of our Abject, and died either in Muskingum or Moran county. Joseph Dottson, son of above, was born in Blair county, Pa., April 2, 1794, was reared a farmer, and there married Margaret Justice, a :aughter of Jesse Justice. Some years after marriage the family came to Ohio and settled .n Muskingum county, purchasing eighty acres :n Morgan county adjoining, but, through ending his money, or by going security, Mr. Dottson lost this land and all else he possessed. :le then moved to Athens county, and in October, 1853, came to Putnam county and bought ,tract of eighty acres of government land in Monterey township—making the purchase at the land office at Defiance, and President Franklin Pierce signing the deed. Mr. Dottson, with the assistance of his sons, Francis and Joseph, cleared up this tract, with the exception of twelve acres, and here Mr. Dottson died July 24, 1883, at the advanced age of ninety years. Originally Mr. Dottson was a member of the Methodist church, but after coming to Ohio joined with the United Brethren church, in which be became a class leader. In politics he was first a whig, but later became a democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dottson were born nine children, all of whom reached the years of maturity and were named in the order of birth as follows: Michael, Thomas, Annie, Susan, Isaiah, Keziah, Joseph, Mary A., and Francis M. Of these Isaiah was a soldier in the Thirty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, having enlisted in Paulding county for three months. He was in several skirmishes and in the noted Cheat Mountain campaign, in which he suffered a great deal from exposure to the cold, and died of mountain fever at Beverly, Va. Joseph was also a soldier in an Ohio regiment and served two years. The eldest three of. this family of children were born in Pennsylvania and the remainder in Ohio. The father was a truly honorable man and was universally respected by his neighbors and the general public. Francis Marion Dotson (as the name is now spelled) was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, February 6, 1840, received a good common-school education and was reared to farming. He was a studious young man and added greatly to his stock of knowledge by reading well selected books at home, particularly works of history, studying chiefly at night by the light of a hickory torch. He has not missed a harvest since he was nine years of age and is now over fifty-five. He came to Putnam 148 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY county in October, 1853, with his father, being then but thirteen years old, and has done most of the clearing off of the homestead with his own hands. He was married September 5, 1861, in Washington township, Paulding county, Ohio, at the home of the bride's mother, to Miss Matilda Thatcher, David Millinger, J. P., tying the matrimonial knot. After his marriage he lived on his father's farm as tenant, but his father soon afterward deeded him twenty acres in the woods, adjoining twenty acres he had already deeded to Joseph, an elder son. Francis cleared up his place, made money and added to his possessions until he now owns 247 acres, He has one of the finest farms in the country, the greater part by far being' the result of its own industry and economy. To Mr. and Mrs. Dotson have been born seven children, viz: Donald, William, Francis M., Isaac B., Barbara E., Mary L. and Samuel. He has deeded to Donald, William and Isaac forty acres each, and is arranging to deed all his children equal portions, reserving for himself at present 122 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Dotson are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. Dotson is a democrat. He is a strictly honorable man and lives for his family, in whose prosperity all his interests are centered. He is recognized as one of the best agriculturists in the township and is greatly honored for his public spirit and liberal disposition. PATRICK and FRANK DUCEY, brothers, were born in Waterford county, Ireland, in 1852 and 1847, respectively. Their father, Michael, was. born in 1808 and educated in the common schools, was reared a farmer, and was a faithful Catholic. When arrived at the age of manhood he married. Ann Tobin, who was born in 1822 and was also reared a faithful Catholic. After their marriage they settled on a farm which the father had rented, and while living here, seven children were born to them, named as follows: Morris, now a blacksmith in Lima, Ohio; Margaret, deceased; Frank, a farmer monn Ottawa township, and Patrick, whose names open this paragraph; John, deceased; Bartholomew, of Deshler, Ohio; Annie, now th widow of John Sheehy. Here the happy famonn. ily lived and prospered until 1868, when death called away the husband and father. A yea after his death, the mother, 'with four children,. emigrated from this beautiful Emerald Isle, and came to America and rented a farm monn Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on which they resided until able to purchase a farm from the proceeds of the hard work and economy of Mother Ducey and her sons. It was here that Frank and Patrick played prominent part in working on the farm, and here, in Ottawa township, they were reared from childhood, upon the farm, under the guidance of their kind mother, becoming dot ful sons as well as loyal and progressive citizens of this great commonwealth. Patrick Ducey laid the foundation for his education in the common schools of his native land. His father taught him farming and decided to follow that calling in his adopted country. He was happily married to Della Ford, who was likewise a native of Ireland, a daughter of Michael and Ann (Ginnane) Fo Mrs. Patrick Ducey's father died in Ireland, May 17, 1895; her mother still resides in that country. In July, 1885, Mrs. Patrick Duce came to America in company with a sister and located in Toledo, Ohio, where she lived until her marriage. She was one of a family of five daughters and one son, four daughters now living in America—Della, Maria, Jennie and Lizzie--the last named, the wife of Patrick Welsh, of Toledo, Ohio. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ducey set