OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 151 tled on the farm they now occupy, where they have prospered. Four children have been born to them: Alfred, Loretta, Herbert and Irene, who have been reared in the Catholic church, to which both their parents belong. In politics Patrick Ducey is a democrat. Frank Ducey received the foundation for his education in the common schools in his native country, and at the age of seventeen years he came to this country alone, and followed railroad work until his mother came, when they settled on a farm, on which he commenced to work industriously to gain the name successful farmer. In 1881 he married Mary, the daughter of Patrick and Bridget Kelly, who had come from county Clare, Ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania, where, in January, 1856, Mary was born. This marrrige has been blessed with five children; Thomas, Annie, John, Ella and Edward. These two brothers, starting at the foot of the ladder, have, by industry and thrift, climbed high up and are known as prosperous, progressive and substantial men, not afraid of work. JOHN H. DRERUP, one of the most extensive farmers of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Prussia, Germany, August 25, 1834, and is a son of John B. and Annie L. (Wesning) Drerup. The Drerup family came to Putnam county in 1835; here the father purchased 160 acres in section No. 29, Ottawa township, and erected a round-log cabin in the woods, in which the family lived about fifteen years while the farm was being cleared up, when a hewed log house was put up and used until the present fine residence was erected in 1852 or 1854. This residence, now occupied by our subject, is 25x36 feet in size, with kitchen attached, and is situated one-half mile south of Glandorf and one mile west of Ottawa. Here Mrs. Annie L. Drerup died August 9, 1852, at the age of forty-seven years, and Mr. Drerup continued farming until he, also, was called, at the age of sixty-five years, October 15, 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Drerup was born twelve children, of whom eight died in infancy; Joseph died at thirteen years, and Caroline died after her marriage to Frank Rothman.. The two still living are John H., our subject, and Elizabeth, wife of J. H. Uphaus, of Glandorf. In politics the father was a democrat, and in religion all the family were and are Catholics. John H. Drerup, our subject, was reared reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools, both in German and English, as far as their scope extended, and supplemented this education by home study. At the death of his father he came into possession of the homestead, and he has also purchased considerable additional land, including seventy acres in sections 20 and 21, in Ottawa township, and 200 acres in section 4; also eighty acres in section 9—all of which he still owns; he had also owned a tract of 10 acres, which he gave to his son, John B., who is married and resides on this farm, which is located in section 5. Mr. Drerup has likewise owned several other tracts, which he has sold. The marriage of Mr. Drerup took place, in 1862, to Miss Annie M. Shirloh, a native of Glandorf and a daughter of William and Clara (Inkrot) Shirloh. This lady died in 1864, and in 1865 Mr. Drerup married Miss Thirsa M. Mersman, who was born in 1848 on a farm adjoining that of our subject. This union has been blessed with eight children, viz: John B., farmer; Henry, Frank H., August, Addie, Freddie, Annie M. and Lucy P., all at home. The two daughters are being prepared for music teachers, the elder being already quite proficient. The other children are also being well educated, and the whole family are com- 152 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY municants of Saint John's Catholic church at Glandorf. Mr. Drerup has done much for the improvement of the agricultural interests of the township, and is always prompt in responding to calls for aid in advancing the public prosperity. He has devoted considerable attention to improving the live stock of the county, and handles, himself, only the higher grades, such as short-horn cattle, Poland-China hogs, etc., and now has a fine herd of the former. In politics he is a democrat and has filled many of the township offices from a sense of public duty, but has invariably rejected all solicitations to become a candidate for county or other higher positions. He is, however, a truly public-spirited citizen and enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. SAMUEL DUNAVIN, a prominent farmer of Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Essex county, Del., August I, 1831, a son of John Littleton and Levina (Essex) Dunavin. John L., the father, was also a native of Delaware, of Irish descent, and about 1826 married Miss Essex, who was born in 1804, and to this union were born three children, viz: John Littleton, of West Virginia; Caleb, a retired farmer and money broker, of Columbus, Ohio, and Samuel, subject of this sketch. In 1832 John L. Dunavin brought his small family to Ohio, and after a residence of three months in Franklin county, was called to his final rest. His widow was next married to Josiah Campbell, this union resulting in the birth of seven children, as follows: Mrs. Roxina Spencer, deceased; John, a farmer, near Kalida; Elizabeth, wife of Elias Medley, of Paulding; Emma, wife of Lerota Loup, of Jackson township, Putnam county; Mrs. Julia Dicus, of Findlay, Ohio; Joe, living near Kalida, Putnam county, and Mary, wife of Winfield Scott Dicus, whose biography may be found on another page. The mother of this family was called away in 1875. Samuel Dunavin, the subject of this sketch at the age of one year was adopted by Mr. Thomas Wilcox and his wife Mary, of Franklin county, Ohio, and was by them educated and reared to farming. November 11, 1852, he married Eliza J. Freeman, who was born near Lancaster, Ohio, July 1 I, 1835, a daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Kemper) Freeman, Her death occurred September 16, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Dunavin were born the following children: Nancy Aurilla, wife of Samuel D, Shank, a farmer and blacksmith, of Greensburg township, Putnam county; Samuel Franklin, farmer, on the home place; Ida Alberta, widow of Jacob Charles Boxwell, who was killed by tilt fall of a tree, May 13, 1892, the father of one child, Alberta, born September no, 1890: William W., clerk at Kalida, and Caleb Leroy, farming at home. Jonathan Freeman, father of Mrs. Dunavin, was a inative of Virginia, was a farmer, came to Ohio in 1825, and located near Lancaster, Fairfield coun where he farmed until 1856, when he came Putnam county and bought a tract of land Jackson township, which he cleared and resided upon until the death of his wife, in 1861 This lady was also a native of Virginia and daughter of Joshua and Ellen Kemper, bore her husband the following children: Ellen, wife of Benjamin Veach, of Illinois, William and John, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Veach (see sketch of Martin Veach, of Jackson township) ; James, deceased; Mrs. Cynthia Lane, deceased; Mrs. Lydia Rogers, of Franklin county; Eliza J., wife of our subject; Jonathan, who lost his life in the army at Vicksburg; Mrs. Aurilla Doherty, residing near Columbus, Ohio; Jarrett, who was a member of the Forty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and died in Libby prison, and Louisa, wife of OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 153 Joshua Doherty, of Hardin county, Ohio. The father of this family, after the death of his wife, made his home with his daughter, Mrs. William Veach, until his death, which occurred in 1877. He had served in the war of 1812, was an active democrat and a very prominent citizen. Samuel Dunavin, our subject, remained in Franklin county nearly one year after his marriage, continuing to make his home with his adopted father. In December, 1853, he came to Putnam county and bought the tract of land on which he still lives, but which was then in the wilderness. Here he put up his log cabin, which he occupied until 1875, when he erected his present beautiful mansion, which is an adornment to the neighborhood. In politics Mr. Dunavin is a republican and has held a number of local offices. For many years he has been a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church and for a long time has been a class leader. He at present carries on general farming, but for years bought and sold cattle to a large extent; his place, wrested from the wilderness by his own hands, is one of the most productive and best cultivated in the township, and Mr. Dunavin is acknowledged to be a model farmer. He is self-made as far as his fortune is concerned, is liberal and public-spirited, and enjoys the esteem of the entire community. JOSEPH DUNLAP, one of the old setsettlers of Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Washington county, Pa., March 26, 181 5. His grandfather, Robert Dunlap, who came from Ireland, was the progenitor of the family in Washington county, and was the father of three children—James, Joseph, and Polly. He was the owner of a farm of 120 acres, which he cleared up from the woods, and on which he died at an advanced age, a member of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a member. Joseph Dunlap, second son of Robert, was the father of our subject,. was also a native of Washington county, Pa., was a carpenter, and married Nancy Gory, daughter of Robert and Margaret Gory, in Pennsylvania. In 1817 he came to Ohio and located in the woods of Guernsey county, where he farmed and followed his trade of carpenter and millwright until 1851, when he came to Putnam county. He and wife were parents of eight children, viz: Mary, Martha, Robert, Hester, Joseph, Thomas, William and Nancy. The father died at the home of his son, Robert, in Jennings township, at the age of eighty-eight years. Joseph Dunlap, whose name opens this sketch, was a child of two years when brought to Guernsey county, Ohio, by his father. He grew to manhood among the pioneers, devoting his chief attention to farming. He attended school, in all, about six weeks, and that attendance was after he had reached his twenty-first year of age; but he afterward acquired a good education by self-teaching. July 15, 1842, he was married, in Muskingum county, Ohio, to Miss Jane Jenkings, who was born September 9, 1826, a daughter of Presley Jenkings, and to this union were born ten children, seven of whom lived to reach the years of maturity, viz: Joseph Presley, John W., Samuel, Thomas, James, Alfred, and Nancy J. After marriage Mr. Dunlap lived on his eighty-acre farm in the woods until November, 1851, when he came to Putnam county and bought eighty acres in the woods, now near Rushmore. This land he cleared and lived on until 1877, when he settled on his present farm of 102 acres, which was partially improved, but which Mr. Dunlap further cleared up and transformed into one of the most productive farms in the township. 154 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Mrs. Jane (Jenkings) Dunlap, having died at Rushmore, Mr. Dunlap married, September 28, 1862, Mary Chamberlain, who was born May 30, 1834, daughter of Godfrey and Margaret Chamberlain, and to this union were born three children— Godfrey C., Mary A., and Margaret M. The second Mrs. Dunlap was also called away, and the third marriage 'of Mr. Dunlap took place February 28, 1870, to Elizabeth Catherine Chamberland, who was born iMay 4,. 1835, in Putnam county, and the .children born to this union were named Alexander, Wesley, Martha, and Edward. Godfrey Chamberlain, the father-in-law of Mr. Dunlap, and his wife, Margaret (Weller) Chamberlain, were born in New Jersey. They became the parents of nine children who were named, respectively, William, Margaret, Peter, John, Henry, Elizabeth C., Nancy J., and James D., of whom all reached maturity (excepting Peter, who died young), and married -and reared families. Mr. Chamberlain is a pioneer of Jennings township, having settled on his farm of eighty acres in the year 1838. In religion he is a Presbyterian and in politics is a republican. LESTER DUNLAP, a substantial farmer of Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Union county May 16, 1842, a son of Robert and Louisa (Spain) Dunlap, of Irish ancestry. He was reared to farming, and in 1861 came to Putnam county with his father, who located in Sugar Creek township, and assisted in the clearing up of the farm until 1864, when he enlisted, May 2, at Gomer, under Capt. I. W. Patrick, in company F, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio infantry, 100-day service, and served until he was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, August 27, 1864, having been on guard and patrol duty in Maryland and the District of Columbia. On his return home he resumed farming, and in December, 1864, he married Mary Young, who was born in July, 1842, a daughter of David and Susan (Beery) Young, the union resulting in the birth of three children—William E., Emma J. and Rachel J. April 20, 1871, Mrs. Mary Dunlap passed from earth, and Mr. Dunlap chose for his second helpmate Rebecca Huffer, who was born April 8, 1852, a daughter of George and Keziah (Neihizer) Huffer, and to this marriage have been born eight children, namely: Eliza A., Robert W. George E., Mary, Louis, Marion C., Chad and Hulda. Mr. Dunlap has always been a hard-working, industrious man, and by his thrift h been able to add to his farm until he no owns 100 acres, all well improved and cul vated. In politics he is a republican and the present township trustee. He is pub spirited and popular, liberal and charitable, and one whose integrity has never been questioned. He is a skillful farmer, and has won the respect of all with whom he has ever come in contact. He is a friend of education, and gives an earnest support to both schools and churches. Mrs. Robert (Spain) Dunlap, mother of the gentleman whose name opens this article, was born in Virginia, March 18, 1815, a daughter of William and Mary (Cole) Spain, who were the parents of fourteen children, of whom five were born in Virginia and the remainder in Ohio, the parents having come to this state about the year 1821, settling in Champaign county, where they resided twenty years, after which the father made one or two removes, and died in Union county, Ohio, at the age of ninety-two years. He and wife were both members of the Methodist church. Their fourteen children were named: Edward, Almede, Louisa, Stephen A., William J., Fer- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 155, nando, Eliza A., Matthew, Hamilton, Enoch, Elijah, John, Moses and Aaron. The father of this family was a true patriot and served in the war of 1812; he had, beside, eight sons in late Civil war, viz: Almede, William J., Fernando; Hamilton, Elijah, Moses, John and Enoch, of whom Hamilton and Moses died in service. Robert Dunlap, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania October 29, 1811, was reared a farmer and came to Ohio with his father, who settled in Guernsey county. He married in his twenty-ninth year, August 8, 1840, Miss Louisa Spain, who was about twenty-five years of age, and to this union were born three children, viz: Sibyl, Lester and Amelia J. After marriage, Mr. Dunlap settled in Allen township, Union county, Ohio, on forty-three acres of land that he reclaimed from the woods, and in 1861 removed to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county. In 1864, he bought forty acres of land that he reclaimed from the woods in Jennings township, Putnam county; in 1864 he bought forty acres of the farm on which his son Lester now resides, and with the assistance of the latter converted it into a fertile and beautiful farm. His death occurred in 1884 at the age of about seventy-five years. His aged widow is now living with our subject at the age of eighty-one years, venerated as a typical pioneer. EPHRAIM R. EASTMAN, attorney at law, of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and a member of the law firm of Krauss & Eastman, is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and a son of Richard and Christian (Groves) Eastman. Mr. Eastman’s maternal ancestors came to America from Holland in the time of the colonies and settled in Pennsylvania, where many of their descendants still reside. The subject's grandparents, on the mother's side, were Adam and Catherine (Zeller) Groves, who located in Delaware county, Ohio, with their family, during the thirties, and remained there until their emigration, in 1860, to Clinton county, Iowa. Adam and Catharine Groves had a family of.. seven daughters and two sons who grew to maturity, and whose names are as follows: Martin V. ; Joseph; Sarah, wife of Fowler. Long; Mary, wife of Henry Wise; Christiana, mother of the subject of this sketch; Alvira, married a Mr. Grover; Melissa, wife of Z. Drake; Martha, wife of David Kincade, and Maria, who married a Mr. Black. Reverting to the subject's paternal ancestors, it is learned that he is a direct descendant of Joseph Eastman, one of the pilgrims who came to America in the historic May Flower. The subject's great-grandfather, Jacob Eastman, a native of Connecticut, emigrated to Ohio in an early day and located on 'the Maumee river, about the year 1812, in what is now Wood county, and became one of the first settlers in that part of the state. He passed the remainder of his days near where he settled, and reared a family, among whom was Appollos, the grandfather of our subject. Appollos Eastman was reared amid pioneer surroundings, married Barbara Seger, daughter of German parents, after which he moved to. Madison county, thence, later, to the county of Union, which was his home until 1861; in that year he emigrated to Iowa, in which state his death occurred in 1879. The wife of Appollos Eastman died in 1887 at the advanced age of ninety-four years; her father, Abraham Seger, a native of Europe, came to the United States in early childhood, and lived to the phenomenal age of 104 years. The following are the names of the childr.en born to Appollos and Barbara Eastman: Jacob, deceased; Richard, father of Ephraim R. ; Malintha, wife of Thomas M.. Osborn; Oliver; Ephraim. 156 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and Adolierus. By a previous marriage with a Mr. Peasley, Mrs. Eastman had three children—John A., Orri and Maria, widow of John Parish. Richard K. Eastman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born January 7, 1832, in Madison county, Ohio, where he was reared a farmer.. He followed the pursuit of agriculture as long as his health would permit, and then turned his attention to various kinds of lighter employment. He has spent his life in the counties of Madison, Union and Van Wert, and is now living in Ottawa. In 1861 he enlisted in company F, Thirty-first Ohio infantry"; afterward veteranized, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865: He took part in twenty-three heavy engagements, aside from numerous skirmishes, was in the front during the bloody battles of the Atlanta campaign, marched with Sherman to the sea and participated in the grand review at Washington . at the close of the war. On leaving the army he returned to Union county, where he lived until 1874, at which time he became a citizen of Van Wert county, and later made his home with his son, E. R. Eastman, at Ottawa. Mr. Eastman was a democrat until the Blaine campaign in 1884, since which time he has supported the republican party; he belongs to the G. A. R., I. 0. 0. F., I. 0. R. M. and other fraternal organizations. Mr. Eastman was married in Champaign county, Ohio, in 1852, to Christiana Groves, the union resulting in seven children: Ephraim R., whose name introduces this biography; Malintha E., wife of Alphonso Marks; John M., Anna T., wife of Frank P. Stewart; Martin K., Clara, wife of Owen Donaldson, and Howard E. The mother of these children died in Union county, Ohio, August 8, 1868, aged thirty-seven years. Ephraim R. Eastman was born May 6, 1854, grew to manhood in Union county, and attended the public schools there until his seventeenth year, when he began receiving private instruction. So well did he advance in his studies, that at the age of seventeen he entered the profession of school-teacher, and continued in educational work for a number of years thereafter, teaching in all about twenty-three terms, mostly ini the county of Putnam, to which he removed in 1872. He also gave private instruction in the meantime, and kept up his own studies, taking a full course in history, literature and the sciences, beside pursuing other studies included in the regular college courses. He completed the Chautauqua literary courses, and is still a student, taking a course in English literature, at this time, under Prof. W. D. McClintock, of the university of Chicago. From 1879 to 1882, Mr. Eastman read law in the offices of Wm. M. Randall and Henry Hardy, of Defiance, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He began the practice of his profession at Dupont, Ohio, where he remained until 1886, when he came to Ottawa, and became associated with David I. Brown, Sr., the firm thus constituted lasting until 1887, at which time he effected a co-partnership with Mr. Wm. C. G. Krauss, under the firm name of Krauss & Eastman Mr. Eastman has been successful in his pro. fession and has won a commendable standing among the attorneys of the Putnam county bar. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., F. & A. M., and belongs to the State Bar sociation. Mr. Eastman was married October 18,1874 to Miss Elizabeth E. Parrett, daughter of John S. Parrett. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman an the parents of ten children; viz: Lillie A., w graduated from the Ottawa public schools, af tended the Ohio State university one tear, spent two years at Findlay college, and was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan university Delaware; Ora M., a graduate of the Otta public schools, class of 1895; Maude E., a OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 157 student of the high school; Ivan L., Ethel I., Leroy E., Marie A. and Herbert P., living, and Alphonso M. and Dorothea G. who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs Eastman and children are members of the M. E. church of Ottawa. Mrs. Eastman is a lady of many acccomplishments, is a member of the Ladies' Centennial Book club and the National Confederation of Women's clubs. Mr. Eastman is a republican in politics, and an active worker in his party; he was one of the organizers and principal promoter of tha Ottawa Home & Savings association, was elected its first secretary and still fills the position. He was also one of the organizers of and is still a director in the Putnam county abstract company. From the time of his first experience in teaching, he has been an earnest advocate of a compulsory school law and a system of county superintendence of schools. He also advocates such reform in the state school system as to make every grade of school a step toward the university; and that the government ought of right to control all great highways and all natural monopolies, and that such highways monopolies should be managed by the nation, state or municipality, as the nature of each case may require, in such manner as to give the great mass of the people all benefits accruing therefrom at cost. JOHN M. EASTMAN, a worthy representative of a pioneer family, and one the wide-awake young farmers of Monroe township, is well known in this portion of Putnam county, Ohio, where his live has thus far been passed. Several generations of his ancestors have been pioneers in the Buckeye state, where they have aided materially the task of converting the wilderness into the beautiful and fertile country which the section now represents. Aplas Eastman, our subject's paternal grandfather, was a native of Vermont, but in early life he came, in company with his parents, to Ohio, settling in Champaign county. Here he grew to manhood, and was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Sager. They made their home, for many years, in Union county, Ohio, and afterward removed to Iowa, where he died. He was in politics a Jacksonian democrat, and in Union county, Ohio, he was a man of wealth and influence. Richard K. Eastman, father of subject, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 8, 1830. He was reared upon the paternal farmstead, but after attaining maturity he became a mechanic and has found occupation in this line of endeavor, proving successful in his efforts. At the breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted as a member of company K, Thirty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in the western division of the Union army, under Gen. Sherman, where he saw four years of active service. He participated in the entire campaign which led up to the taking of the city of Atlanta; was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea, and saw much active service. He was twice married, his first hymeneal partner being Miss Christine Groves, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1829, her father being Adam Groves. The children of Richard K. and wife, in the order of birth, were: Ephraim R., Malintha C., wife of Alfonso Marks; John M., Nannie C., wife of F. Stewart; Martin K.; Clara, wife of Owen Donaldson; and Howard R. The mother was a devoted member of the Baptist church, and was a loving wife and mother. Her death, which occurred August 22, 1869, was a sad blow to the family. The father later consummated a second marriage, being united to Mrs. Mary Riley, and to them have been born two children, Retta and Lulu, the former 0f whom is 158 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY deceased, and the latter still living at home with her parents. John M. Eastman, subject of this memoir, was born in Union county, Ohio, January 8, 1858. His early life was passed upon the farm, where, in addition to a careful home training, he pbtained a good common-school education. This has been supplemented by a practical training for the affairs of life which one of his observant nature could not fail to acquire. In January, 1879, he led to the altar Miss Annie Brower, a native of Putnam county, Ohio, where she was born August 17, 1857, being the daughter of H. M. and Lydia (Crow) Brower, respected citizens of that section. Our subject and his wife became the parents of seven children, of whom one, Susan, is deceased. The 0thers are Daisy C., Essie, Collie, Alona, Effie, and Russell. It was soon after his marriage that our subject located upon the the farm now owned by him. The tract was practically unreclaimed, there having been only twelve acres cleared, and the surroundings were of a very primitive nature. To-day the land is all cleared, well tiled and provided with good buildings, all the result of personal endeavor on the part of Mr. Eastman. In the effort to make a comfortable home he has found a worthy helpmate in the person of his estimable wife. Mr. Eastman is a republican in politics, and while in no sense a seeker after office, he has still been called upon by his fellow-citizens to perform duties of a public nature. At present he is filling his second term- as township trustee, a position which he occupies with signal satisfaction to his constitutents. He is not identified with any religious body, but he lends his financial aid in church work, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Monroe township. As an agriculturist Mr. Eastman has few superiors in his township, and as a neighbor his friendship is never lacking in the exercise of kindly acts. ANDREW EDELBROCK, one of the leading and substantial farmers of Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, was the son of Peter and Anna M. Edelbrock and was born near Uilda, Prussia, January 6, 1827. The father was a native of Prussia and was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and, marrying in 1823, nine children blessed his union viz: William, deceased; Henry, a prosperous and well-to-do farmer of Greensburg township, Putnam county Ohio; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Louise, deceased; Mrs. Mary C. Harlager, deceased; Edward, deceased; Theodore, an infant buried at sea on the parents passage to America; Charles, living in Greensburg township, and Frank. William and Frank were volunteers in the Thirty-seventh Ohio infantry, of whom Frank died while valiantly serving his country in its late war. Mr. Edelbrock followed his occupation of farming in Prussia until 1834, when he came to United States, landing in Baltimore, Md.; thence he made his way to Putnam county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm three miles from Glandorf, on which he spent the remainder of his years and died honored and respected by all who knew him in 1840. He was a member of the Catholic church and had ever lived a consistent and upright life. The death of his aged wife occurred about 1864. Andrew Edelbrock, whom this sketch largely concerns, lived through his early boyhood years on the farm and adopted farming as his life occupation. At the age of fifteen years he went to Shiloh, Ohio, and was employed in a tavern for a year and a half, after which he clerked in a store, having received what education he had in the schools of Greensburg township, but his education was mostly obtamed by self teaching. After leaving Shiloh he went to Auglaize county, where for three years he was employed as a teamster. On OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 161 November 14, 1856, he returned to his old home, and in 1860 was united in marriage to Miss Katie Harlager; this union was blessed with a number of children, whose names are: William, Mrs. Mary Ellerbrock, Frank, Anna (wife of George Northaus, of Glandorf), Ignatius, Barney, Lena, John, Mollie, Peter, Albert and Emma—all living at this writing and prominent and active members of the Catholic church at Kalida. The mother of this family of children was born in Prussia, May 12, 1840, and was a year old when her parents came to America, stopping in Putnam County, Ohio, where she received a good. education. In her religious faith she was a consistent Catholic from her birth. Her death occurred August 20, 1892, which came instantly and tragically, having been killed in a runaway. She was a woman of great and unforce of character, and her influence for was felt wherever she was known. Faithful as a wife and tenderly loving as a mother, her loss was keenly felt and her place can never be filled in the hearts of those who had so deeply and truly loved her. Mr. Edelbrock had settled on an unimpoved farm in Greensburg township; which he cleared and improved, and in 1870 moved to his present home in Jackson township, where he owns a handsome and highly, cultivated farm, which ranks among the best in the county. He has been peculiarly successful in life, which he has found to be more than ordinarily worth living. Genial and social in his habits, honorable and upright in his dealings, he is esteemed as a friend and neighbor and is one of the highly valued citizens of the county. Politically he votes with the democratic party and has received at its hands a number of distinctions in the way of township offices. He is a stanch supporter of the Catholic church, and is a liberal and willing contributor to all good and worthy causes. It is of such men as Mr. Edelbrock that it is said, " their deeds live after them," as they surely follow them through life as blessings by the wayside.. FRANK N. ELLIS is a member of the firm of F. N. Ellis & Co., of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, manufacturers of bent work and hard-wood lumber and dealers in pine and poplar, and sash, doors and blinds. The firm was formed May .16, 1889, ..and succeeded S. A. Ellis & Co., who founded the plant November 20, 1872. It is one of the largest concerns of the kind in the country, and also does a large contracting and building business. Smith A. Ellis was born in Hunter, Greene county, N. Y., August 24, 1808, a son of Gideon and Hannah (Scofield) Ellis, of Welsh descent. He came to Ohio in 1840, and located in Huron county. In 1852 he established a bent wood factory at Townsend station, which he operated until 1872, when he came to Putnam: county. Prior to 1840, however, he had been a railroad contractor in the days of scrap' iron rails, and he ,also erected a number of -railroad bridges in the south that were destroyed during the late. war. He was a well-informed gentleman and well read on general topics; and altogether domestic in his habits. He carried on the Glandorf bent wood works until 1889, when he was succeeded by his son, F. N. Ellis, and V. Fries, of Milan, Ohio. He died February 7, 1890, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, the father of eight children, viz: Nelson, born January 13, 1832, and now living in retirement at Glandorf; Maryetta, born October 8, 1834, deceased wife of L. D. Vining; Henry C., born June 27, 1841, . a contractor of isterville, W. Va. ; Charles F., born September 3, 1846, died at the age of twelve years; Theodore G., born May 26, 1849, deceased; Albert P., born July 28, 1852, also 162 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY deceased; Frank N., born March 31, 1855, the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Pennybecker. She was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Fox) Pennybecker, of Schuylkill county, Pa., was born August 24, 1814, and was married August 13, 1830. Her death took place January 8, 1895. Frank N. Ellis, the subject proper of this sketch, was born in Huron county, Ohio, was educated in the common schools of that county, and also attended a course of business studies at Sandusky city. He came to Putnam county with his father in 1873, and entered the bent wood works, beginning at the bottom and working for eight years as a hired man, and advancing step by step through every branch of the business until he reached the top of the ladder, metaphorically speaking. He kept the books of the concern at night, and in 1882, owing to his father's advanced age, he assumed the management, and in 1829 became the owner. He is a thorough master of every detail of the business, can operate any and every piece of machinery in the factory, and under his supervision the concern has greatly enlarged the volume per annum of its transactions, the business having increased from $20,000 to $60,000. Mr. Ellis is also a half owner of the tile manufactory at Glandorf, the plant having been conducted for the past twelve years under the firm name of Winkelman & Ellis in the manufacture of all sizes and qualities of drain tile. The marriage of Mr. Ellis took place September 7, 1882, to Miss Catherine M. Hornung, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 5, 1859, a daughter of Eberhart and Mary (Schierloh) Hornung, and this union has been blessed with one child, Cornelius H. In 1891 Mr. Ellis erected at Glandorf one of the finest modern dwellings in Putnam county. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the Roman Catholic church at Glandorf, and in politics Mr. Ellis is a republican. As a business man he enjoys a reputation unexcelled by any other man in the county. JOHN W. EDWARDS, a native young farmer of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born January 5, 1871, and is still a resident of the old homestead on which he was reared and educated. He married Miss Zoe Gardner, daughter of Henry Gardner, a merchant of Vaughnsville, Ohio. Henry Gardner is the sixth of the seven children born to Samuel and Catherine Gardner, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, the former of whom was born in 1802, and died in Bluffton, Allen county, Ohio, in 1863 , and the latter, born June 19, 1809, died at Columbus Grove, Ohio, April 16, 1887. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and was a militia captain at an early day. In religion he was a Presbyterian, while his wife was an adherent of the Lutheran faith. Henry G ner was born in Richland county, Ohio, June 18, 1840, and from the age of eighteen years until 1890 followed the trade of blacksmith and then became a merchant. In 1850 the father of Henry, Samuel Gardner, moved with his family to Mercer county, Ohio, bought an improved farm, remained there eight years then passed two years in Wayne county, and finally settled at Bluffton. Here Henry Gardner enlisted, in 1861, in the Fourth Ohio cavalry, served three years in the army of the Cumberland, and was honorably discharged at Cincinnati, Ohio. He was married in 1855, engaged in hotel keeping at Columbus Gro Ohio, about a year, and then settled Vaughnsville. He has served as township trustee, as treasurer of the school district, and in 1880 as census taker; he is now serving his OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 163 second year as commander of G. A. R. post, No. 192. He married Miss Angelina Calhoun, wjp was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 24, 1845, a daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Calhoun, and to this union were born five daughters, viz: Minnie, Carrie, Zoe (Mrs. Edwards), Maud and Blanche. J. Edwards, the father of our subject, was an early settler and a prominent farmer of Sugar Creek township, but is now retired from active business. He was born in the northern part of Wales May 30, 1824, a son of Josiah and Margaret (Jones) Edwards. He sailed for America in 1861, landed at New York, passed six months at Utica, that state, and the same year reached Allen county, Ohio, where he farmed on rented land for eight years; in 1869 he came to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, and bought the eighty-acre tract of raw land where he still lives, but has developed into a first-class farm. In the beginning there were but two acres cleared, on which there was a rough log house, but now the whole tract is under fence, is tilled throughout, and the old log cabin is replaced by a substantial modern two-story frame dwelling, and the commodious barn and out-buildings, supplemented with a fine orchard, all combine to make the place a most desirable home. His wife, Susan, is a daughter of John and Mary (Edwards) Breese, and was born in Wales in 1826; there their marriage took place in 1850, and their first child was born January 24, 1851, but died in this country November 8, 1853; their second child, Margaret, born in America, April 24, 1856, and died January 20, 1881, who married to B. F. Thomas, bore one child (Josiah Thomas, who has been reared by his grandfather since five years of age); the third child, Joseph B., was born November 27, 1859, and is now a prominent farmer and trustee of Sugar Creek township; the fourth child, Mary J., was born August 23, 1865, and is the wife of T. S. Williams, a farmer, and the fifth child is John W., whose name opens this sketch. The father of this family has proven loyal to his adopted country, as he enlisted, in 1864, in the 100-day service of the Ohio volunteer infantry, and filled out his term in Maryland and in Washington, D. C. ; he received an honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, and for rheumatism contracted in the service he now receives a small pension. Mr. Edwards has always been a republican in politics, but never an office-seeker, yet, as a matter of public duty, he has filled the office of township trustee and other minor positions. He and his family are devoted members of the Congregational church, and few people in the township enjoy a higher degree of respect than they. It is related of Mr. Edwards that when he left Wales he borrowed money to pay passage from his minister, and that all his wealth has been made since coming to America, these facts proving two important points, viz: that Mr. Edwards stood in good repute in his native land, and that he is a worthy citizen of his adopted country. FERDINAND ELLERBROCK. In the little village of Glandorf, Germany, in September, 1826, was born Bernard Ellerbrock, who; when twelve years of age, was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, where his mother, now at the advanced age of ninety-eight years, still lives. She is comforted in her old age by four sons and two daughters: Bernard; Theodore, a farmer near Leipsic; Ferdinand, our subject; William, a farmer in Ottawa township; Lizzie, the wife of Herman Minnick, of the same township, and Rate, the wife of Fred Franke, of Glandorf. Bernard received 164 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY a part of his education in the fatherland. He was reared on a farm and learned the brick-maker's trade. About 1855 he married Kate Schinpke, and located in Greensburg township, where he farmed and ran a saw-mill. Here he remained four years and then moved to Ottawa township, where he still lives. Their marriage was blessed with ten children: William, now living in Jackson township; Kate and Barney, both deceased; Mary, the wife of Joe Oppenheim, wh0 is a teacher in Indiana; Ferdinand, a farmer of Ottawa, Ohio; William, also a farmer in the same township; Lizzie, married to Henry Clerman, of Greensburg township; Theodore, Thersa and Emma, all deceased. His wife died in 1872, and he married Mary Stackshult in 1874. He is a member of the Glandorf Catholic church, a democrat in politics, and held the office of township trustee several terms. Ferdinand Ellerbrock was reared on his father's farm and received a common-school education in Greensburg township. In 1879 he moved to the present place with his brother William, where they lived alone and farmed until May 4, 1886, when he married Lena Smeltzer, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in October, 1860, the daughter of Otto and Katherine (Runser) Smeltzer, who afterward moved to Allen county. To this happy marriage were born six children: Frank, who died an infant; Daniel, who died at the age of four months and twenty-one days; Barney, born January 16, 1890; George, born May 26, 1891; Charley, born April 15, 1893; Otto, born November 23, 1894, and died September 11, 1895. After their marriage they moved to the place where they now reside, where he has prospered, and is respected by his neighbors. He is industrious and enterprising; he and his wife are members of the Kalida Catholic church, and in politics he is a stanch democrat.H HENRY ERHART.—In 1891, in Baden, Germany, in the beautiful valley the Rhine, there was born Barney Erhart, who was reared on a farm there and given an education such as his parents were able to give, and when a young m he came to America and worked as a d laborer in Detroit and Toledo. In the la city he married Harmonica Harcourt, who born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1813, and had come to America alone when a young woman. After their marriage they settled on a farm in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, which he had bought and improved. Here eight children were born to them, viz; Andrew, a prosperous farmer of Ottawa township; Henry, the subject of our biographical sketch; Mary, deceased wife of Joseph Frey, Joseph, of Union township; Rosa, married to H. Kalf of Glandorf; Lizzie, the deceased wife of T. Miller; Annie, deceased, and John, of Jackson township. On this admirable farm where their family was born, the parents continued to live and prosper until death called them away the father in 1883 and the mother in 1873. Both were faithful members of the Catholic church and were respected and esteemed by all. In politics Mr. Erhart was a democrat. Henry Erhart, second son of Barney and Harmonica, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, on December 3, 1843, and was reared on his father's farm and given a good education in the German schools of Ottawa township. In 186.5 he married Bernardine, the daughter of Barney and Marie (Hagaleman) Barlager. Berna Barlager was born in the township in 1845, and as she grew up was given a good education in the schools of the neighborhood. For two years after their marriage the young couple remained on his father's farm, and then moved to the place where they now live; this he had OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 165 purchased, and he now set to work clearing off the heavy timber and removing the stumps. After ,any long hard days' work he could see his labor being rewarded. He now has a fine farm which he has improved and keeps in a fine state of cultivation, on which he has built good buildings, the signs of a prosperous and careful farmer. In politics he is a democrat, and has held the office of township trustee and other local offices. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church and have been blessed with eight children, viz: Frank, born March 18, 1866; Caroline December 3, 1867; William, December 12, 1871; Mollie, November 8, 1873; Lizzie, February 19, 1877; Mamie, March 1, 1880; Cornelia, January 1, 1884 ; Francis, August 21, 1887. Mr. Erhart is a progressive and industrious farmer and is highly esteemed and honored by his neighbors, attends carefully to affairs at home and is willing to assist in all worthy enterprises. JOHN W. ERNST, the accommodating roprietor of the leading livery barn at Continental, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Monroe township, Allen county, October 1, 1864. His grandfather, Henry Ernst. was a native of Germany, and an early pioneer of Carroll county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming all the later years of his life, dying in the faith of the Methodist church, an din politics a democrat. David Ernst, son of Henry and father of John W., our subject, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1831, was reared on his father's farm, and agriculture was his life-long pursuit. He married Mary Jane Seibert in Carroll county. This lady was born in the last-named county in 1836, was a daughter of Samuel Seibert, and bore her husband the following children: Samuel , B., Sarah, Oliver A., Saloma, John W. , Daniel C., Simon A., Burton H., William and Mary B. After marriage David Ernst settled in Allen county, and from that county enlisted in defense of the flag in the late Civil war. After filling out his term of service he returned to Allen county and resumed farming and land trading, and also engaged in stock-raising as a vocation he followed to the end of his days. He accumulated a comfortable competence through his own exertions, and being very domestic in his habits, devoted all his time to his family and home, and died in July, 1892, a consistent member of the Methodist church, which he invariably assisted with his means; in politics he was a stalwart democrat. His widow is still residing on the old home farm, respected by all who know her, and devoted in her adherence to her deceased husband's religious faith. John W. Ernst was reared on his father's farm, and was an able assistant to his parents until he reached his majority. He received a very good common-school education, and about 1887 engaged in the livery business at his present stand. Through his affability and obliging disposition he has made his establishment very popular, especially with the commercial public, and this popularity is sustained by his always being prepared to meet the demands usually expected at a first-class establishment of this character. The marriage of Mr. Ernst took place September 11, 1892, to Miss Mary E. Varner, who was born in Putnam county, Ohio, a daughter of Isaiah Varner, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child—George F. Mr. Ernst is a democrat in his politics, has served as a member of the town council, and is at present a member of the school board. Beside his business place, which he has made so popular, Mr. Ernst owns a neat modern village residence and a productive farm of forty acres in Putnam county, for the purchase of which every dollar has been made through his own industry. Mr. 166 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Ernst is well and favorably known throughout the county and has a wide circle of sincere friends. He has always been public spirited, and has never hesitated to aid with his means any project designed to benefit the general community. CYRUS EYER, a substantial farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, and a son of John and Abigail (Wellover) Eyer, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 7, 1837. By a former marriage John Eyer was the father of four children, viz: Mrs. Adesta Hamilton, of Kalida; Mrs. Jane Piercy, .of Van Wert county; Mrs. Lavina Dicus, wife of William Dicus, of Union township, Putnam county; and a boy that died in infancy. To the second marriage of John Eyer, which occurred about 1833, three children were born, viz: Charity, wife of John Parcels, of Kalida; .Cyrus, whose name opens this sketch, and Jacob, also of Kalida. Cyrus Eyer was chiefly reared on his father's farm in Franklin county, Ohio, whither his father had removed from Fairfield county, and in Putnam county, where. the family settled in October, 1853. He was married, October 7, 1866, to Mary E. Jeffrey, a daughter of James and Sidney Jeffrey, of Kalida, to which union were born seven children, viz: John, George, Charles, Katie, Albert, Russell, and Paul. Mrs. Eyer was born in. Warren county, Ohio, May 23, 1851. After his marriage Mr. Eyer settled on his 'present farm, where he is still actively engaged in his vocation. In politics he was formerly a democrat, but is now a stanch prohibitionist. For over thirty years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a devoted member, and both are held in the highest estimation, not only by their fellow-members, but by the community at large. Jacob Eyer, brother of Cyrus, was a gallant soldier of the late war, having served three years in company I, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry. Cyrus Eyer, although earnest in the advocacy of his political principles, has never sought to promote them through the means of office holding on his own part, preferring to leave the drudgery and honors of office to others. PHILLIP FEICK (or Fike, as the name has been Anglicized) is a prominent and enterprising young farmer of Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, and was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, December 0, 1835. At the age of thirteen years he came with his mother to America, remaining for a short time only in Sandusky, Ohio, and then moving to Crawford county, Ohio, where the mother bought a small tract of land, on which she and her family lived until 1852, when she sold out and brought her family to Putnam county, where she purchased a tract of 140 acres of wood. land, built a cabin and improved a farm. In 1854 Phillip Fike began to learn the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1879, made his home with his mother, and in the latter year married Miss Martha J. Wynekoop, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 23, 1839, a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Snyder) Wynekoop, natives of Pennsylvania, who located in Stark county at a very early period, and about 1846 moved to Gilboa, Putnam county, where Mr. Wynekoop followed his trade of carpenter up to old age, and then engaged in farming until his death in 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Wynekoop were born eleven children, as follows: Martha J., now Mrs. Phillip Fike; William F., of Missouri; Arlissa OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 167 V., wife of Jacob Fike; Sarah E., married to Nathan Wallace; John W., real estate agent in Seneca a county, Ohio; Mary, wife of Ira L. Harmon, of California; Isaac M., merchant at Kieferville, Putnam county, Ohio; Viola A., wife of A. Phillips, of Gilboa, Ohio; Charles, at Kieferville, Ohio, and two infants that died unnamed. The mother of this family out lived her husband about fifteen years, dying in 1891. Jacob and Margaret ( Varnauf ) Feick were the parents of our subject, Phillip Fike. Jacob was tailor by trade, also owned a small piece of land in Germany and hired it farmed. He died in his native province in 1847, at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving a widow and eight children, all of whom came to America together. These children were named as follows: Margaret, who married John Ross, both of whom died, leaving eleven children; Catherine, wife of Jacob Wright; Fred, who served through the late Civil war; Phillip, our subject, Andrew, also a soldier of the late war; Jacob, Peter, who was killed in the Civil war, and George. The mother of these children, who was born in 1806, after undergoing all hardships of a pioneer life in this country, lived to see her children grow to maturity, and all, excepting the deceased soldier, well settled in life - her death occurring in 1886. To our subject and wife have been born three children, as follows: Cora L., wife of J. E. Campbell, a mechanic of Toledo, Ohio; George A., a farmer of Putnam county, and William A., now in San Antonio, Texas. After his marriage Mr. Fike, in 1859, moved to Gilboa, where he followed his trade until 1868, when he bought eighty acres of his present farm, all in timber, built a cabin, and continued to work at his trade, hiring his clearing done. He bought his first horse in 1873, had some farmnig done as a starter, and eventually settled down td the calling himself, with most satisfactory results. He has increased his possessions to 160 acres, of which 10 are all cleared, ditched, tiled and under a good state of cultivation; he has a commodious two-story modern frame dwelling, a fine substantial barn and suitable out-buildings—all of his own construction—and a good wind-pump; he also has a good tenement on his premises, which are but two and a half miles from Leipsic. His home is one of the most pleasant and comfortable in the township and is the result of his own industry and good management. He also owns a lot in Leipsic, and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Van Buren township. EDWARD G. FISHER of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in the year 1832. His father, Thomas Fisher, was a native of Lincolnshire, England, and was born in 1811; the father of Thomas, named Thomas F., was also a native of Lincolnshire, and all were substantial farmers and stock raisers. Thomas F. Fisher the grandfather, married Matilda Wilson, and to them were born Edward, Mary and Thomas. Both parents were members of the Episcopal church and died in that faith in their native home. Thomas, their youngest child, was educated in the common schools and was reared on a farm and adopted farming as a life occupation. In the year 1839 Thomas married Ellen Booby, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Booby, and Edward G., whose name heads this sketch, Mary, deceased wife of John Watkins, Thomas and George, deceased, were the children born to them. The mother was an English woman, was born in Cambridgeshire about the year 1812, and her parents were natives of that county. The father, Thomas Fisher, was a well-to-do and highly 168 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY respected farmer and a communicant of the established church. He was a member of Ancient Shepherds and held in high esteem by his brethren. His death occurred in 1851. Edward G. Fisher spent his early years on a farm and also learned the trade of tile and brickmaking. Mrs. Fisher, his wife, was Elizabeth Beagle, a daughter of Charles and Priscilla (Raisin) Beagle, and was born in Cambridgeshire, England; four children blessed this' union, as follows: Mary, wife of James Shannon, of Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio; Charles, living on the homestead in Greensburg township; Edward, also on the home farm; and Rebecca, wife 0f Frank Shirey, of Greensburg township. The mother, Elizabeth (Beagle) Fisher, was born September 26, 1834; her parents were both of Cambridgeshire, England, the father's birth occurring March 17, 1811, and the mother's April 2, 1 812. Mr. Beagle was a butcher by occupation and a man of sterling qualities. He died November 15, 1851, and the mother in 1874, both members of the established church of England. Four years after his marriage Mr. Fisher, with his family, sailed for America, with a view of regaining his health, which was seriously impaired. Arriving ,in New York city, they came to Lorain county, Ohio, where for ten years he followed the business of stone-mason, and then, in 1870, came to Putnam county and purchased a tract of unimproved land, on which his present comfortable home now stands. They cheerfully endured the many privations of pioneer life, built their house of logs, cleared the land, and in the course of time, by industry and excellent management, found themselves pleasantly situated in the new world. Mrs. Fisher is a member of the United Brethren church and Mr. Fisher is a liberal contributor to any good and worthy cause. He is a devoted member of the I. 0. 0. F., a democrat in politics, a good neighbor, a worthy citizen, and withal a man of fine, sterling, commendable qualities—is generous and public spirited, and no good or worthy cause suffers from his neglect. It is such men that shave made Greensburg township pre-eminently good. DANIEL M. FOLTZ, one of the well known citizens of Columbus Ohio, and a leading hardware was born in Stark county, January 3, 1844. His parents were Jacob and Sarah (Liverode) Foltz, the father having been a native of Pennsylvania and the mother Ohio. From Stark county they removed to Cuyahoga county in 1846, and settled on a farm in Independence.township, and there the mother died in 1858. After the death of his wife, Jacob Foltz followed various callings in different parts of the country for a number of years and died at Burning Springs, West Va., about 1885. To the parents eight children were born, only four of whom are now living. Our subject was reared on the farm in Independence township in Cuyahoga and attended the common district schools. After his mother's death he began life for himself by entering his uncle's dry-goods store at Independence. He was next with an uncle who was a coal dealer a Massillon, Ohio, with whom he remained up to the time of the late war. In 1860 he came to Putnam county and joined his father, who was engaged in the milling business close to Leipsic. In August 1861, at Ottawa, he enlisted in company I, Forty-ninth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry and served until December, 1865, being charged from the service as regimental quartermaster. He was made corporal upon entering the service and soon afterward was promoted 171 - OF PUTNAM COUNTY. sergeant, then orderly sergeant, then second lieutenant, and then first lieutenant and finally regimental quartermaster. He held a captain's commission but was never mustered in as such. After leaving the service he returned to Ottowa and engaged in the milling business at that place with his father. For over twelve years he continued in the milling business at different points in Putnam county, spending nine of these years in Leipsic. He then went on a farm near Columbus Grove, where he remained seven years. In February, 1881, he came to Columbus Grove and engaged in the hardware business with J. M. Crawford, under the firm name of Crawford & Foltz. This partnership continued for about nine years, since which Mr. Foltz time Mr. Foltz has been in the same business by himself. Mr. Foltz was married near Gilboa, Putnam county, 1868, to Isadore Kline, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio. To their union four children have been born, as follows: Emma Belle, who died at the age of five months; Della, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Mae and Dora. Miss Mae is a graduate of the Columbus Grove schools. She was also for a time, a student at Ada, Ohio. She has taught school in Columbus Grove and neighborhood for a number of years. Miss Dora graduated from the Columbus Grove school, after which she attended college at Wooster, Ohio. She graduated from the Western university at Evaston, Ill, in 1894, is biw a student at Oxford, and during vacation classes in elocution. Mr. Foltz and family are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the G. A. R. and National Union. He served one year as trustee of Sugar Creek township, and in 1895 was elected treasurer of Pleasant township. Mr. Foltz is in politics a republican and he and family enjoy the respect of the entire community in which they reside. ELDER JONATHAN GILLIS FORD, of Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of Joseph and Phebe (Kibbey) Ford, was born in Warren county, Ohio, April 28, 1823, and was brought by his parents to Putnam county in September, 1834, the year after the county was organized. Here he grew to manhood among the pioneers and shared with them all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. His education was acquired in the frontier log school-house, as a supplement to that which had been given him in Warren county, and he was thus tutored during the winters until he reached his eighteenth year. He labored manfully on the home place, doing much to redeem it from the wilderness, until his marriage, February 12, 1846, at the residence of her father in Kalida, with Miss Marinda Hicks, who was born, October 2 I, 1825, in Warren county, Ohio, a daughter of Ezra and Julia L. (Lincoln) Hicks, who came to Putnam county in the spring of 1835, and settled on 160 acres in the woods of Union township. After his marriage, Mr. Ford, with his wife, lived with his mother for a year, and then rented land near Gomer, and in March, 1848, settled on forty acres he had purchased the previous year in the wildwoods. Here he erected his cabin, cleared off the land and developed a splendid farm, increased, in after years, through his own labor and that of his children, to 200 acres, now the pride of the surrounding country. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ford, Ezra, the second in order of birth, died at the age of forty-five years, and the youngest, John. James, died in infancy. Sarah Ann Roher, the second wife of Mr. Ford, was born February 27, 1846, near Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Muma) Rohrer. Daniel Rohrer was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and when a young man came to Ohio 172 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and located in Clarke county, where he followed his trade, that of a blacksmith, many years. He and wife were parents of thirteen children, viz: Mary E., Sarah A., Jacob C., John H., David W„ William J., Frank P., Samuel, Susan C., Charles, Emma J., and two that died in infancy, Mr. Rohrer came to Jennings township, Putnam county, in 1858, and bought 120 acres of land in the forest, of which he succeeded in making a beautiful home. Mr. Rohrer was instantly killed by a falling tree, November 19, 1866, when but forty-eight years of age. Mr. Ford has been a preacher in the Predestinarian Baptist church for many years, and is now pastor of two charges-Sugar Creek and Darby Run, and during the last eleven years has traveled over 18,000 miles in the exercise of his clerical duties. In politics he is a democrat, and has served several terms as township trustee. He is naturally a promoter of all educational enterprises. He is the father of sixteen living children and of two that have passed away, and it may be well surmised that the living ones have been reared ." in the way they should go." To nine of them he has given $600 each on starting in life. At the risk of some slight repetition, we present here, in full, the genealogy of the Ford family, as prepared some years since by the reverend and venerable subject himself. GENEALOGY OF THE FORD FAMILY.-About the year of 1774 or 1775 three brothers (young men), by the name of Ford, the christian names of only one of whom is now remembered, namely, Richard, came from England to America and settled in Virginia or Maryland. One of them married, and soon after all three brothers enlisted in the Revolutionary cause, joining the same company and enduring the hardships and privations of a long and tedious war together. At the close of the war Richard settled in Delaware, married Mary Gillis, and had five children born to him by her, viz: Henry, November 15, 1780; Elijah, August 6, 1782; Jonathan, June 12, 1784; Amelia, June 16, 1786, and Joseph, March 2, 1797. Mary, wife of Richard Ford, died January 18, 1808. About a year after her death Richard started with his family to Ohio, and was killed on the road by being run over by a wagon. Henry was married to Susanna Armstrong in 1805, and had seven children. He died July 7, 1839, and his wife died January 12, 1859. Their children were as follows: Elizabeth, born June 8, 1806, and married to Adam Simington; Mary, born March 11, 1808, and married Isaac Cochran; Susanna, , born August 7, 1810, and married John E. Bell; Richard, born October 28, 1812, and married Cintha Ann Ludlum; Amelia A., born March 1, 1815, and married Nathan Snook; Henry born May 2, 1817, and married Dorcas Coburn, and James A., born July 11, 1819, and married Mary Jane Simington. Elijah Ford was married to Jerusha Kibbey, August 8, 1811, and had twelve children, six boys and six girls. Elijah died January 19, 1831, and Jerusha died February 26, 1843. The children of Elijah and Jerusha Ford come in rotation as follows: Phebe, born August 13, 1813, and married John Ferman; Richard, born April 2, 1815, and married Elizabeth Ann McFerren; Julia Ann was born February 24, 1817, and married William Penquite; Jemima, born March 16, 1818, and married James McFerren ; Ephriam, born December 1, 1820, and married Sophia Cline; Sarah A., born May 13, 1821; Samuel D., born May 31, 1823, and married . Margaret E. Wells; Harriet P., born October 11, 1824; Claudius W., born March 1, 1826, and married Elizabeth Hale for his first wife, second not known John P., born October 11, 1827, and married OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 173 Emmaa Hewitt; Mary E., born May 17, 1829, and married Preston Bishop, and Elijah G., January 27, 1831, and married Sarah Moon. Amelia was married to Daniel O'Donnell, and whether they had children is not known. Jonathan was married and had two daughters. The father of our subject, Joseph, was married to Phebe, youngest daughter of Capt. Ephraim Kibbey and also sister to Jerusha Kibbey, mentioned above. He and his wife had ten children, as follows: Jerusha Ann K., born June 2, 1821; Jonathan G., subject of this sketch, born April 28, 1823; Alexander B., born September 11, 1825, and died in August, 1845; Julia Ann Lucinda, born October 16, 1827, died February 1, 1894; John M., November 26, 1829, Elijah C., May 6, 1832; Joseph R., born February 17, 1835, and died March 18, 1838; Ephraim K., born October 13, 1837, and died in Kansas; Joseph H., born September 20, 1840, and Benjamin F., December 25, 1843. Joseph Ford, Sr., died September 25, 1845, and Phebe, his died April 21, 1856. Jerusha A. K. Ford was married to Aquila Guffy, November 1, 1838, and leaves five children living at this time, as follows: Joseph, Nancy, Jane, Phebe A., Sarah Lucinda and Mary Marinda. Joseph Guffy was married to Elizabeth Sheets, July 4, 1869, and has three children, viz: Alpha, Ada E., and Ida M. Nancy Jane was married to Jesse Sheets, June 7, 1860, and has seven children, as follows: Lillie, (deceased) Eva Ann, Scott C., Olive D., Loretta, Mena M., and Myrtle. Phebe A. Guffy was born July 23, 1842, and was married to Andrew A. Burk, April 16, 1866. They have three children living as follows: Almira, Annie, and Clyde. Aquilla Guffy, died April 4, 1862. Jerusha A. K., his wife, moved with her family from Putnam county, Ohio, to Nemaha county, Kan., in the fall of the year 1864. Her family still remain there but she came back and married Michael Weaver of Van Wert county, Ohio, in the year 1874. Sarah Lucinda was married to David Funk, August 28, 1863, and has three sons, names forgotten. Mary M. was married to W. A. Shaffer, February 22, 1872, and has three children as follows: Laura J., Joy and Ira. Jonathan G. Ford. (See sketch preceding). Following are the names of his children: Joseph, eldest son of Jonathan G. Ford, was married to Sarah Elizabeth Hunt, August 16, 1868. and went to Kansas the same fall. They have five children, as follows: Benjamin F., born November 29, 1869; Clara E., October 9, 1874; Amanda Edith, September 4, 1877; Lula and Jonathan Mason. Ezra wasi married to Margaret E. Evans, July 24, 1873 and had no children. Julia Ann Elizabeth was married to Jonathan W. Poast, August 30, 1868, and has three children; as follows: Willie, born December 27, 1871, Myrtle, January 13, 1874, and Mary A. William Ford was married to Mar garet A. Evans, December 14, 1876; they have five children, viz: Joseph W., Mabel, Russell, Bessie, Clifford. Julia Ann Lucinda Ford was married to Isaac H. Clevenger March 14, 1874. They have seven living children, as follows: Benjamin L. , born February 16, 1848; Elizabeth, August 29, 1850; William H., December 22, 1853; Joseph. F., April 13, 1856; Richard E., May 2, 1858;. Mary J., March 2, 1860, and Amanda M., January 1, 1862. Benjamin L. Clevenger was married to-Mary Rimer, and they have four children, one son and three daughters, names and ages not known. Elizabeth Clevenger was married to Abraham Funk December 15, 1869, and they have 174 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY two children living, viz: Edna V., born October 7, 1870, and Lowell, October 4, 1877. William Clevenger was married to Ellen Griffith, and has one boy, named Carl. Joseph Clevenger was married to Clara Sarber, and has one boy. John M. Ford was married to Margaret Huffman April 14, 1849; they have three children, as follows: Arminda, married to John Coler, and living in Iowa; John A., and Joseph F. Margaret, wife of John M. Ford, died in December, 1859. John M. was married to Eliza Shaffer May 6, 1860, and has one daughter, Jennie, born February 22, 1861. He moved his family from Putnam county, Ohio, to Nemaha county, Kan., in the year of 1860, and remains there. John A., son of John M., was married to Lizzie F. Gravatt December 16, 1873, and they have two daughters, as follows: Blanch, born July 31, 1875, and Edna, March 1, 1877. Elijah C. Ford was married to Elizabeth Pyers, December 27, 1857, and has children as follows: W. W., born October 27, 1860; Julia Alvin, January 1, 1862; Joseph G., December 21, 1863; Franklin W., October T8, 1865; Lewis M., October 21, 1867; Mary E., March 3, 1870, and Phebe Dora, September 18, 1872. Joseph H. H. Ford went to Kansas, and was married to Mary J. Shaffer December 30, 1866, and has four children living, viz: Edwin Van Loo, born January 19, 1869; Myrtle May, April 17, 1871; Roy, March 30, 1874, and Maud Edith, December 28, 1875. Benjamin F. Ford was married to Mary A. 'Good February 3, 1867, and has five children, as follows: Emma J., born November 19, 1867; Ulysses C., April 26, 1870; Alfred R., April 27, 1872; Lulie B., September 25, 1874, and Sarah, January 15, 1878. Lewis A. Ford married Martha Knowsburg, and lives in Nemaha county, Kan. Benjamin married Olive Deffenbaugh, lives in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, and has four children. Amanda married Lew Lee, a farmer of Allen county, and has two children. Phebe married Albert Mohler, a school-teacher at Middlepoint, Van Wert county, and Marinda married William Clawson, and has one child. JAMES FOLEY.-The Foley family has long been identified with American hitory, the original ancestor, John Foley, grandfather of James and Robert Foley, of Kalida, having been born in Ireland and having come to the United States shortly after the war of the Revolution, taking up his abode in Virginia. There he espoused, in marriage, Chloe Whitley, a native of the Old Dominion, and a daughter of James and Chloe Whitley. The mother of Mrs. John Foley lived to attain a remarkable longevity, her death occurring at the age of 112 years. John Foley became one of the elderly pioneers of Franklin county, Ohio, having emigrated from Virginia, in 1808, and having conveyed his family and effects to the Buckeye state through the medium of the primitive mode of conveyance then in use-making the long journey by the means of wagons. He was engaged in farming in Franklin county four years, and in 1812 he embarked in the tannery business in the village of Franklin, continuing in this line of enterprise for a number of years after which he resumed agricultural pursuit in Norwich township, in which he passed the remainder of his life. In his political adherence he was an old-line whig, was a man of influence in his party and held many important offices of local trust, he was an active member of the Baptist church, while his wife held to the Presbyterian faith. William Foley, son of the above, was reared to farm life, and upon attaining matur-