OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 175 ity continued to follow the same important line of industry. He was educated in the common schools of his native state, and his patriotism and loyalty are shown in the fact that he bore arms in defense of the Union during the war of 1812. During a portion of his service he was engaged in transferring ammunition and arms from Circleville, Ohio, to Detroit, Mich., for the use of troops stationed there and in the vicinity. At the close of the war he was united in marriage to Susan Burman, daughter of Henry and Eve Burman, and of this union nine children were born, seven of whom grew to maturity, viz: Mrs. Ellen Keller, deceased; Aaron; James, subject of this sketch; John, who was among the first settlers of Portland, Ore., where he still resides; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Garrett, of Franklin County, Ohio; Chloe, deceased ; and Robert, of Kalida. After his marriage William Foley settled on a farm in Franklin county, Ohio, and during the residue of his life he continued to be conspicuously identified with agricultural interests. Like his father he was allied with the whig party, and he was a loyal soldier, a useful citizen, and a man who was honored and respected. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Foley entered into eternal rest in March 1834, and her husband in October, 1837. James Foley, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 29, 1820, and received his education in the public schools. When only twelve years of age, Mr. Foley assisted on the work of the National turnpike road, extending between Washington, Baltimore and St. Louis, being engaged on that section which traversed Franklin county. In his early youth he was apprenticed to learn the gunsmith's trade, which he followed for two or three years. At the age of twenty years he bade adieu to the parental home and for about five years traveled over the United States, after which he returned to Franklin county, and was here employed at the mason's trade for a number of years,. In March, 1846, occurred his marriage to Reoda Grooms, a native of Franklin county, and a daughter of Harmon and Rhoda Grooms. The offspring of this union was six children, viz: John Taylor, a farmer at Kalida; Louis, farming in Michigan; William, a farmer of Dupont; Lavona, deceased ; Mrs. Elizabeth McClure, deceased; and James W., a painter a Kalida. After his marriage our subject retained his residence in Putnam county until 1853, after which he came to Kalida, where he effected the purchase of over 300 acres of land, the greater part of which tract was practically uncleared. By well directed labor he has cleared and improved the farm, which is now considered to be one of the finest in this section of the state, the family residence being one of attractive character. His first wife died in 1862, and in January, 1864, Mr. Foley consummated his second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Lavina (Coit) Bedine, daughter of Edwin and Hulda (Woodruff) Coit. She was born near the line of Franklin and Fairfield counties, was educated in the public schools of the former county, and on the 22d of February, 1848, was united in marriage to John Bedine. They became the parents of two children, of whom one survives, Jennie, wife of Morris Ayers, a resident of Detroit, Mich. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Bedine located near Columbus, this state, where they resided until 1856, when they came to Kalida, where the husband's death occurred in 1861. After his second marriage our subject continued his residence at Kalida. In his political adherency Mr. Foley has ever been a stanch supporter of the republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and also having had the satisfaction of voting for the illustrious 176 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY grandson of that famous hero. Our subject has served for a number of years as township trustee, while he was also one of the incorporators of the town of Kalida. Mr. Foley was present at the laying of the corner-stone of the magnificent new state capitol, and was one of the sub-contractors in its erection, and was identified with the work for a period of some fifteen years, furnishing material, supplies, etc. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has always been known as an upright, progressive and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Foley has been signally alive to the interests of this state, and has assisted in the raising of money for the carrying through of four different railroad lines, being ever ready to lend both influence and tangible assistance to any worthy cause. In 1855 Mr. Foley engaged in the mercantile business, with which he was connected for five years, after which he consecutively devoted his attention to farming until 1861, when he became prominently identified with the handling of live stock, at the same time conducting a profitable business in the manufacture of brick and lime. His retirement from active business life occurred about six years ago. He has lived at his present home for the past forty-one years, and is one of the honored pioneers of this section of the state. JOHN W. FOX, a popular and thriving merchant of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of the place, and was born October 31, 1855, a son of Anthony and Catherine (Halker) Fox, of whom both are deceased the father having died September, 1893, preceded by the mother in September, 1868. The father was a native of Alsace, France, and came to the United States when about thirteen years of age; for some years he lived in Canton, Ohio, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and then came to Glandorf, where he married Miss Halker and continued to follow his trade until death called him away. Mrs. Catherine Fox was a native of Germany and came to America when a young girl. She bore her husband six children, as follows: Henry Anthony, deceased; John W., our subject; Anthony, a merchant tailor of Ottawa; Lena, wife of Joseph Halker, of Glandorf; Anna, married to F. Kuhlman, also of Glandorf, and Mary, still single. John W. Fox, our subject, at the age of twelve years, went to Toledo, Ohio, where he was employed as office boy, clerk, etc., until nineteen years old, when he began learning book-binding with B. F. Wade & Co., with whom he remained six years; he then went to Pittsburg, Pa., worked at his trade a year then visited Colorado, New Mexico and other parts of the west, spending a year, and then went to Washington, D. C., where he was employed in the government printing office for nine years in the binding department, and then came to Putnam county, Ohio, where he has since made his home. For two years he sold agricultural implements through the county, and was then appointed postmaster of Gandorf, an office he filled to the satisfaction of all concerned; he embarked in the grocery trade, also, a business he still profitably follows, carrying a full line of staple and fancy groceries, confectionery, fruits, cigars, tobacco, etc. The marriage of Mr. Fox took place at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 13, 1881, to Miss Bernardina Halker, and to this union were born two children—Luella and Marguerite. The mother of these children was called away November 3, 1894, at the age of thirty-two years, deeply mourned by her husband, who has since remained single. Politically Mr. Fox is a stanch republican, and in religion is a Catholic, being a member of Saint John’s OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 177 church at Glandorf. He has made hosts of friends in the community in which he has passed so many years of his life, and as a busiman his reputation is without a blemish. HENRY FRIEND.—On February 9, 1800, there was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Jacob Friend, who was given the usual education of youths of Germany and then he learned the weaver's trade. This he followed until he reached the age at which his fatherland called him to enter the army. He served his country faithfully for three years, and after being honorably discharged he, in 1832, emigrated and came to America, and located in Pennsylvania, where he followed for two years the trade he had learned in his native land. In 1833 he married Catherine Hettrick, who was born in Germany, 1802, and had came to Pennsylvania in 1832, This young married couple dared to brave wilds of the west, crossed the Alleghany Mountains, and in 1834 settled on a farm in Putnam county, Ohio, near Fort Jennings, where they lived for two years, when they purchased the place on which Henry Friend, the subject, now lives. Their labor prospered, and they were soon able to purchased and clear more land. This he farmed until 1869, when he retired from the active cares of farming and moved to Fort Jennings, where he lived sixteen years, and was respected by all. Death called him in 1885, but his good wife had preceded him fourteen years. He was a democrat in politics, and served one term as justice of the peace. He also held the office of school director, and served in other like capacities. He and his wife were faithful members of the Lutheran church. Their union was blessed with five children: Refenie, the faithful wife of Ferdinand Lininger, who lives on a farm in Jackson township (see sketch); Savilla, the wife of Christian Wagner, of Fort Jennings; Henry and Mary were twins (the latter is the widow of M. Redman, of Delphos); John, who is a farmer in Jackson township. Henry Friend, the elder son, was born March 25, 1840, in Fort Jennings, and was reared on his father's farm and given a good education, and February .28, 1865, he married Catherine Allemeier, who was born in Germany May 8, 1839, and in 1844 had come to this country with her parents, Henry and Mary (Fordegle) Allemeier, who settled in Putnam county. Her father was born in 1810, and served three years in the German army, and died in 1893. Her mother was also born in Hanover, Germany, December 22, 1800, and still lives with her daughter and son, and has the distinction of being the oldest settler in the county, and enjoys life at the advanced age of ninety-five years. She has one brother, William, yet living in Jackson township. After marriage Henry Friend and his young wife located on the farm where they now live, but they only remained here one year, when they were drawn back to the farm they had commenced life together on. He now bought the place and continued to clear it, and in 1888 built their present dwelling, and has since built a fine barn and added many other improvements. He is a democrat in politics, and has been a school director, and is a member of the Fort Jennings Lutheran church. He is noted for being progressive and prosperous. His family consists of six children, namely: Annie, who lives at home; Mary, the wife of Joseph Mauch, the cigar manufacturer of Delphos; Julia, wife of A. Kortier, barber in Fort Jennings (see sketch); Jacob, Mena and Frank, who are still at home, the latter being a youth of fifteen years. These children have all been well educated, and have been taught to become useful members of society. 178 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY REV. LEWIS GANDER, a native of Putnam county, Ohio, and a substantial farmer-citizen, was born August 1, 1835, and has always lived within two miles of his present home in Sugar Creek township, with the exception of two years during his infancy, when his father sold the home farm, went to Franklin county, but at the end of the period mentioned returned and bought back his old home. The parents of our subject were Samuel and Lydia (Gray) Gander, the former a native of Virginia, but a resident of Ohio from three years of age, and the mother a native of this, our Buckeye state. The parents of Samuel, on coming to Ohio, settled in Franklin county, where the latter grew to manhood, was married, and in 1833 came to Putnam county, started some improvements o the land he had entered, then sold his interests and returned to Franklin county, where he passed two years. Then, like the wise man that he was, he came back to Putnam county; here made an exchange of farms in 1846, residing on his last place until 1863, when, having been worn out with laborious efforts to sustain his reputation as one of the best farmers in the county, he retired to a point near Vaughnsville, where his death took place in 1885, an honored and greatly respected gentleman. He had always held the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens, and as a democrat faithfully served them as township treasurer and justice of the peace for a few years. Lewis Gander was reared on the home farm until of age, after which he worked at carpentering for a few years, marrying in 1856, and in 1858 moving to Vaughnsville, where he carried on a general mercantile business for six years. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, for 100 days, served his full term on the fortifications around Washington, D. C., and was honorably discharged, in September, at Columbus, Ohio, but in November of the same year (1864) was drafted and hired a substitute. In 1865 he settled on sixty acres of his farm, which was then all raw land, but which he has reclaimed, placed in a good of state cultivation and improved with a handsome dwelling and commodious out-buildings. In this task he has been largely assisted by his eldest son, Enoch, who still carries on the farm, the health of Mr. Gander never having been very good. January 14, 1860, Mr. Gander joined the Christian church, for a number of years was a bible student and Sunday-school teacher, and in 1869 began preaching; in the fall of 1873 he was ordained a minister, and with the exception of a very few years has since had charge of some congregation, his present charge being in Paulding county. The marriage of Mr. Gander took place in 1856, as stated, to Miss Anna Jones, who was born in Wales, October 29, 1833, a daughter of Enoch and Margaret (Michael) Jones, who came to this country in 1849, and bought a farm in Sugar Creek township, where the father died in February, 1874, and the mother in 1878. They were the parents of four children, viz: Elizabeth, Sarah (deceased), Ann (deceased), and John M. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gander were born five children, as follows: Lydia A., who died at the age of twelve years; Enoch E., in charge of the home farm; Margaret, wife of John Evans, a farmer; Anna, twin of Margaret, still at home, and Lewis J., of Lima, Ohio. The mother of these children died January 19, 1894, a consistent member of the Congregational church and greatly mourned by her many relatives and friends. Mr. Gander was reared a democrat, has filled the office of township clerk and several other minor positions, but after the breaking out of the late war he withdrew his allegiance to the democracy and bestow it upon the prohibition party. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 181 John Gander, grandfather of our subject, reared a family of eight children. Samuel Gander, father of our subject, had born to him by his marriage with Lydia Gray eight children, viz: Thomas, John S., Lewis, David W., George S., Samuel W., William F. and Mary. Of these, five of the sons served in late war. The mother died in July, 1859, and the next marriage of Samuel Gander was with Nancy Sneary, and to this union were born four children, namely: Amos J. (deceased), Maggie, Jacob and James. Mrs. Nancy Gander is still living. Lewis Gander has lived along and useful life and has won for himself the love and respect of the entire community, while his children share to a great extent the esteem in which the father is held. Associated with Robert W. Roberts, Mr. Gander was one of the originators of the popular annual picnic which is held at Robert's Grove and other places. GEORGE S. GANDER, the leading lumber manufacturer of Ottawa, Putnam county, of which he is a native, was born near the village of Vaughnsville, January 23, 1847. The Gander family were among the pioneers of Putnam county, moving to the same in the early thirties and moving a short distance south of Kalida, where yhe subject's grandfather, John Gander, a well-to-do farmer and capitalist, entered several :racts of government land. John Gander had large family, all of whom became residents of the county and did much towards its development. He died in 1858, aged seventy-eight years, and his wife followed him to the grave in 1865, at the age of seventy-eight. The following are the names of their children: Samuel, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Lucinda, David, Mrs. Nancy Clevenger, Ariah, John, Jacob and George. Samuel Gander, father of the subject, was born in the year 1809, in Rockingham county, Va., and grew to maturity in Franklin county, Ohio, in which part of the state his parents settled in an early date. He came to the county of Putnam in 1833, and settled in Sugar Creek township, on a tract of 160 acres of land which his father had purchased from the government. Later he erected a water-mill on Sugar creek, which he operated until about 1863, from which time until his death he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He served as justice of the peace in an early day, but resigned the office by reason of the unpleasant duties connected therewith, but subsequently filled various other local offices of his township. He was a very popular man, had many friends in the community where he resided, and is remembered as one of the substantial pioneers of Putnam county. By his. marriage with Lydia, Gray, daughter of Thomas. and Mary Gray, Mr. Gander had the following children, besides our subject: John, deceased; Lewis, farmer of Sugar Creek township, also a well known minister of the Christian church; David died in 1863, while in the service of his country; Mary, widow of Jacob Sneary; Elizabeth, deceased, Samuel W. and William. The mother died July, 1859, at the age of forty-six years; Mr. Gander afterward married Nancy J. Sneary, who bore him four children and who is still living; the following are the names of the children born to the second marriage: Margaret, wife of Clint Fruchey; Thomas J., deceas A, Jacob B. and James. The father died April 11, 1885. The mother of Mr. Gander, Lydia (Gray) Gander, was born September 18, 181 2 . She was a woman of many excellent traits, a sincere Christian, and her name appears among the charter members of the Christian church at Vaughnsville, organized in 1850. She was the second of a family of eleven, whose names are as follows: Daniel W., Lydia, Lewis W.,, 182 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Jackson, Elizabeth A. ,Benjamin, Phebe, Sarah, Mary J., Thomas and Catherine. George S. Gander, the immediate subject of this biography, was born January 23, 1847, grew to manhood on a farm and at intervals attended the district schools of his neighborhood. He remained under the parental roof until his enlistment, in November, 1864, in company K, Sixty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he served until mustered out at Richmond, Va., November of the following year, participating in the meantime in the campaigns in the vicinity or Petersburg and Richmond. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Gander returned home, and for some time thereafter was engaged in various kinds of manual labor, and later acted as agent for the sale of farm machinery, books and other articles. In 1871 he accepted a clerkship in a general store at Columbus Grove for two years, and at the end of that time became agent for the sale of sewing machines, in.which capacity he spent one year in traveling throughout different parts of northwestern Ohio. Mr. Gander next turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber, at which he was engaged continuously until 1882, from which date until 1885 he was not identified with any particular business. In the year last mentioned he again began the manufacture of lumber at Columbus Grove, where he operated a mill very successfully until his removal to Ottawa, five years later. In 1887, the firm of Crawford & Co. was organized at Columbus Grove, Mr. Gander being a member of the same, and it did business at that place until 1890, when the plant was sold, and the mills at Ottawa purchased. In 1892 a mill at Avis was purchased, also one in the county of Allen, all of which were operated until 1894, when Mr. Crawford withdrew from the firm, which was then reorganized under the name of Gander & Co. Gander & Co. are the largest manufacturers of lumber in Putnam county, and do a very extensive business throughout northwestern Ohio. Mr. Gander superintending the entire business of the firm. In addition to the manufacture of lumber they buy and sell all kinds of lumber and timber, handling yearly over a million and a half feet. The mill at Ottawa has a daily capacity of 10,000 feet, the greater part of which is shipped to outside markets. In the management of the large and extensive business with which he is connected, Mr. Gandy displays ability of a high order, and the success of the firm is almost entirely due to his well-developed judgment and business sagacity. He understands, thoroughly, every detail of the lumber trade, and it is a compliment well merited to class him with the most enterprising and progressive men of the county of Putnam. Politically Mr. Gander is a supporter of the prohibition party, and in religion a Presbyterian, holding, at this time, the position of ruling elder in the church at Ottawa. He was first married, in 1867, to Miss Nancy Bennett, who died June 26, 187o, leaving one child - Edward J. His second marriage was solemnized April 23, 1873, with Miss Lydia Sims, who bore him three children, viz:. Oritta, Georgia and Jessie. Mr. Gander married his present and third wife, Mrs. Ruff, whose maiden name was Emma Husson, in 1891. WILLIAM S. GARRETT, mine host of the Dupont Hotel, of Dupont, Perry township, has the distinction of being the oldest citizen of place. He was born on the banks of the Susquehanna river in Lancaster county, Pa., October 14, 1814, and is the son of Dr. William S. and Mary (Berentz) Garrett. Dr. Garrett was born in Albany, N. Y., and his father OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 183 whose name was also William, was by trade a shoemaker, and was of English descent. Two sons were born to him: Isaac, who died at the age of seven years, and Dr. William S. The latter was educated in the common schools of Albany, N. Y., studied medicine and became a physician of more than ordinary standing, and also served as surveyor during the war of 1812, under the command of Gen. Harrison in the army of the northwest. At the close of the war he eloped with Miss Mary Berentz, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and to this marriage were born William S. Garrett, of this biography, and Caroline L., deceased wife of Allen Walters, of Mercer County, Ohio. The wife and mother was a native Lancaster county, and was a member of the German Reform Church, in which faith she lived and died in Indiana in 1887. After his romantic marriage Dr. Garrett resumed the practice of medicine at Marietta, Pa., where he was very successful, continuing in his profession until his death. He was a Presbyterian in religious belief and affiliated with the republican party in politics. He was a master Mason in good standing and a highly esteemed member of the order. After the death of Dr. Garrett the widow married Robert Manley, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this marriage the following-named children were born : Robert and Mary, deceased; Hannah, wife of Henry Shnepp, of Decatur, Ind. ; Harriet; Rebecca, deceased; Henry, of Lansing, Mich., and Benjamin, who died at Warsaw, Ind. W. S. Garrett, of this sketch, laid the foundation for his education in the excellent common schools of Pennsylvania, but in early life was apprenticed to John Smith for nine years to learn the shoemaker's trade, but after serving five years and mastering his trade, he purchased material and started business on his own responsibility, setting up business in Harrison county, Ohio, going from house to house soliciting work, and making shoes for the family at each stop. In the year of 1836 he married Mary E. Wilder, the daughter of Chauncey and Elizabeth (Davis) Wilder, and to this union ten children were born: Dwight, deceased; Sarah, wife of Daniel Conkle, of Anglaize county; Caroline, deceased wife of John Gordon, of St. Mary's; Valentine H. ; Mary, deceased; Alvin; John W., of Van Wert, Ohio; Henrietta, deceased wife of 'William Boltz; Laura A., wife of Martin Griner, of Auglaize, and Edward W., of Dupont. The wife and mother of these children was born in Vermont, March 10, 1814, and died in 1875. In addition to his occupation of shoemaking Mr. Garrett engaged in farming and also assisted in building the locks in the Erie canal. From Harrison county, Ohio, Mr. Garrett returned to Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss Wilder, and remained there until 1844, when he came to Van Wert county, Ohio, and a few years later to Mercer county, where he cleared a farm from an unbroken forest and engaged in farming. In 1865 he moved to Auglaize county, where he purchased a farm of 108 acres in the corporate limits of Saint Mary's, on which he lived until 1882, when he disposed of his farm and purchased the Dupont House, where he has since been successfully engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Garrett's second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Hurless, of whom mention is made in the biography of the late Leroy H. Hurless. Mr. Garrett is a member of the Christian Union, a democrat politically, and a thoroughgoing, successful business man, respected by all who know him. Elizabeth Garrett, wife of William S. Garrett, of Dupont, Putnam county, is a native of Fayette county, Ohio, born July 22, 1833, and is the eldest child of Armstrong and Jane ( McHenry) Allen. The father was a native of Fayette county, also, born in the year of 1808, while his father, Adam Allen, was a 184 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY relative of Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame, and of English ancestry. He was a pioneer of Fayette county, where he was a much honored resident and a very successful farmer. In politics he was an old-line whig and lived to be more than 100 years of age, dying in Fayette county, mourned by his admiring associates. Armstrong Allen was the fifth son of above, received the education of a pioneer woodsman, and for many years was a teamster, visiting the eastern markets for provisions for the new settlers of Fayette county. In about the year 1831 he was happily united in wedlock with Miss Jane McHenry, daughter of Isaac McHenry, of Madison county, Ohio, and this union was crowned by the birth of nine children, viz: Elizabeth Garrett (whose name opens this paragraph); Rachael, deceased wife of Solomon Hurless; John C., ex-soldier, holding a captain's commission, and now a resiident of Missouri; Mary, wife of William Rankin, also a resident of Missouri; William C.; who died in 1892; Josephine and David, of Joplin, Mo. ; Isaac M., living near Dupont, and Frank, of Washington C. H., Ohio. All these sons demonstrated their patriotism by serving the Union during the late Civil war. The wife and mother was a native of Madison county, Ohio, born in 1809, of stanch Irish parentage, her parents being among the very early and most prominent pioneers of Madison county. She was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in this faith she passed to her eternal home in 1895, at the age of eighty-seven years, spending the last thirty years of her life in total blindness. After his marriage, Armstrong Allen engaged in farming, teaming and stock-driving, being quite successful. He was a member of the Ohio state militia, an earnest supporter of the old-line whig party, and fraternally he was a Mason. He was a man much respected and honored, and died about 1846. December 25, 1849, Elizabeth Allen was united in marriage to William Hurless, and to them where born the following children: Marion Scott Hurless, born March 12, 1852; Leroy H., born January 22, 1854, and Alice J., deceased wife of M. McClure, born June 10, 1862. Mr. Hurless died in 1864, and three years later Mrs. Hurless moved to Kalida, Putnam county where she successfully engaged in the hotel business. January 7, 1876, she was married to William S. Garrett, with whom she now lives at Dupont. BENJAMIN F. GARRISON.—In the subject at hand we have the descendant of a family which has had representatives in every one of the wars in the history of the United States, he himself being a veteran of the Civil war. Althought the Garrisons have for over a hundred years been known as an American family, nevertheless they came originally from Germany, while our subject's maternal ancestry is from France. The record which they leave behind, however, shows them to have.been possessed of natures which were loyal to the country of their adoption, and that they were ever ready to go forth in defense of its flag. John Garrison, our subject's great-grandfather, was a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country when a young and single man. He was known as a famous hunter in his day, and many are the thrilling tales of his prowess in this direction which have been handed down from generation to generation of the family. He participated in the Revolutionary war, afterward marrying and founding the family which was well-known in the early colonial days, and which has sent so many brave sons to the defense of country. Benjamin J. Garrison, our subject's grand- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 185 father, was born in New Jersey in 1790. He was still a young man at the time of the war of 1812, but participated in this war, and was present at the surrender of Gen. Hull. Believing that further west than New Jersey there lay opportunity for greater advancement in life, he undertook the journey, on foot, to Clinton county, Ohio, where he decided to locate. Here he was united in marriage to a Miss Garrison, a distant relative. He was among the very earliest settlers of Ohio, and when he first entered the northwestern territory penniless, but by indefatigable industerious lived to become the wealthiest man in Marion township, Clinton county, being the possessor of fine farms comprising hundreds of acres. He was a self-made man in every sense if the term, and the head of a family whose influence was widely felt throughout that section. Politically he was a Jacksonian democrat, and in religious belief he found his ideal in the Society of Friends. His death occurred December 7, 1859. Benjamin J. Garrison, son of Benjamin J. and father of our subject, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, August 9, 1820. He was reared upon the home farm, and followed agricultural pursuits through life, achieving the reputation of being one of the most successful farmers of the place and period. His education was not an elaborate one, as far as books go, but he possessed a large fund of practical common sense, and was known as a leading and influential citizen. He experienced military service in the Mexican war, and received an honorable discharge. He was twice married—his first wife being Miss Mary Bozart, a native of New Jersey, whose parents, William and Mary (Petitt) Bozart, came from France to this country. Three children were born to Benjamin and Mary Garrison: Carlotta, who married James Finley, now deceased; Benjamin F. Nancy M. The mother was a lady of lovely character, and belonged to the Society of Friends, in which faith she died. The second marriage of our subject's father was to Miss Margaret Layman, (laughter of Benjamin and Mary (Sloan) Layman, and to them were born five children, in order of birth as follows: Esther (deceased), Rebecca, Jo Marion, Amanda and Alice. The father was a member of the Christian Union church. Politically he was a democrat, being an active local worker. His death occurred December 12, 1871. Benjamin F. Garrison, our subject, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, November 10, 1846. He was reared upon his father's farm, and made agriculture his occupation until he was twenty-eight years of age. When less than eighteen years old, April 27, 1864, he enlisted in company H, First Illinois light artillery, and faithfully served until the close of the war. He was in the campaigns through Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, and from May 5 to September 8, 1864, took part in the memorable campaign through northern Georgia, from Chattanooga to Atlanta; was present at the capture of Fort McAllister, December 13, 1864, and bears the memorable record of never having lost a day's duty during the period of his enlistment. He received at Jonesboro, Ga., a slight wound. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, having fully sustained the reputation of the Garrison family. Benjamin F. Garrison was united in marriage September 8, 1866, to Miss Demaris Smead, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 24, 1849, a daughter of John F. and Eliza (Snead) Smead. Six children have been born to them: Annie, James M., Benjamin F., Maude, Arthur and Ralph. Only the last two named are now living. Mr. Garrison was a charter member of W. T. Sherman post, No. 186 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 13, G. A. R., organized at Athens, Ala., and was first sergeant of the post. He is identified with the Masonic order, being a master Mason, but now non-affiliating. At Hamler, Ohio, he 0rganized Tekopa lodge, No. 715, I. 0. 0. F. , and has filled every chair in the two lodges with which he has been identified. Our subject was, so to speak, reared in the democratic cradle, and it was but natural that he should become a firm adherent of that political faith. He has always been an active local worker, and, although not a seeker after political preferment, has nevertheless been honored with public office. At present he is serving his second term as township clerk, to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents. He is the possessor of a farm of eighty acres, located near Athens, Ala., beside a small tract of land near Continental, Ohio. Although a resident of Continental only since February, 1892, he is well and favorably known in this vicinity, and is counted as one of the live business men of the place. WILLIAM GASSER is a prominent business man of the thriving village of Ottoville, Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, and a member of the firm of Gmeiner & Gasser, proprietors of a planing-mill and manfacturers of all kinds of dressed lumber. He was born in Bregeny, Austria, December 23, 1859, a son of Ferdinand and Rose (Flatz) Gasser, the former of whom was born August 18, 1828, at the same place., and was a farmer and hotel keeper. The farm comprised nineteen acres and the hotel was of brick, two and a half stories high, and Mr. Gasser was a man it good circumstances. His marriage took place with Rosa Flatz in 1854. This lady was born September 4, 180, a daughter of Gebhardt Flatz, and this union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, nine of whom are still living, viz.: Mary A., Catherine, Annie M., Johanna, Gebhardt, Anna S., William, Rosa and Martina. In 1883, in the month of February. Ferdinand Gasser came to America and located in Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, buying a farm of 167 acres, on which he passed the remainder of his days, dying August 18, 1885, a member of the Catholic church. William Gasser, our subject, received an excellent education in the old country, learned the carpenter's trade, and at the age of twenty-two years came to this country, leaving Rotterdam, Holland, September 10, 1881, on the steamer W. A. Scholten, and landing in New York, September 24, 1881. Some ten days later he came to Putnam county, Ohio, and engaged in the cultivation of fifty acres of land three miles north of Ottoville. A year or so later he sold this land and bought eighty acres four and a half miles north, of which sixty acres had been cleared. Mr. Gasser married, October 25, 1887, Theresia Gruber, who was born May 25, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Jacklin) Gruber, the former a substantial farmer of Jackson township, Van Wert county, Ohio. This union has resulted in the birth of six children, named Joseph F., Theresia E., Rose, Mary, William, and Victoria. In 1889 Mr. Gasser sold his farm, moved in to Ottoville, and bought an interest in the planing-mill with Frank Gmeiner, since which time they have been doing a most successful business. He has built for himself a neat and tasteful residence in Ottoville, and is a ver pleasantly situated. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church, to which he is a liberal contributor, and he is also secretary of the order of Catholic Knights of Ohio. He is a democrat in his politics, a member of the town council of Ottoville, and is township treasurer OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 187 of Monterey; he is also first, assistant foreman of the fire department, and is a useful citizen generally. He is popular in the community and with his party, and as a business man stands high in the esteem of his customers and all others with whom he has any dealings, whether as buyer or seller. FRANK HENRY GIESKEN, a substantial farmer of Monterey township. Putnam county, and at present school director of his district, was born in Glandorf, Ohio, February 21, 1849. His father, John Giesken. was born in Hanover, Germany, October 11, 1805, and at thirty-three years of age became a pioneer of Glandorf, Putnam county, settling on eighty acres of land, which he bought in the woods. His wife, Clementine Reaman, whom he married in 1834, was born March 19, 1820, in Oldenbur, Germany, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Schau) Reaman, also pioneers of Glanand the parents of three children—John, Mary, and Clementine. John Giesken, the father of our subject, increased his eighty-acre farm to 160 acres, cleared up a first-class farm, and died June 29, 1893, in the faith of the church of Rome, and the father of ten children, viz: John, Elizabeth, Clara, Mary (who died an infant), Henry, Katie (who died a married woman), Clementine (who died at the age of thirty-three years), Joseph (who died when thirty-one years old), Frank H. (our subject) and Bernard. Frank Henry Giesken was educated in both the German and English languages, and was reared to farm life. At the age of twenty-three years he was married, at Glandorf, to Miss Wilhelmina Schmidt, who was born in that village, Noyember 30, 1855, a daughter of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Harb) Schmidt. Jacob Schmidt (or, as the name is now spelled, Smith) was born in Rhine Biron, Germany, in 1821, and came to America with his father (also named Jacob) and family, about 1838, and settled near Sandusky city; Erie county, Ohio. May 15, 1848, he married, in that city, Miss Harb, who was born in Baden, Germany, about 1828 or 1829, a daughter of Hubbard and Cecilia (Anselm) Harb, who settled on forty acres of land near Sandusky city about 1842, and there Hubbard died at the age of eighty-three years, the father of the following children: Louis, Wilhelmina, Antone, Appolonia, Cecilia, Amelia and Hubbard. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Smith, Jr., after their marriage, settled at Glandorf, on 00 acres of woodland, but Mr. Smith was here taken sick and died, June 19, 1866, the father of the following family: Jacob, Hubbard, Cecilia, Wilhelmina, John, Antone (died in infancy), Mary and Theresa. After a widowhood of ten years, Mrs. Jacob Smith, Jr.., married, November 14, 1876, at Glandorf, William Rampe, a shoemaker by trade, who died November 30, 1893. Mrs. Rampe is now a resident of Glandorf and is much respected for her many virtues. After his marriage Frank Henry Giesken went to housekeeping in a hewn log cabin on a tract of eighty acres, ten of which had been cleared. Through his industry he has increased this farm to 120 acres, and through the exercise of the same commendable quality he has now ninety acres cleared. To Mr. and Ars. Giesken have been born five children, named as follows: Harmon J., William, Louis, Katie and. Cecilia—the family being all members of the Catholic church, and the father having been a liberal contributor to the building of the present magnificent Catholic edifice at Ottoville. In politics Mr. Giesken is a democrat, and has the full confidence of his party. For the past four years he has been a member of the school board. He is a gentleman of unwonted energy and industry, 188 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and, aided by his faithful wife, has, through persistent labor and thrift, gained the property that now places him and his family beyond the reach of pecuniary suffering. He stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, and his homestead gives evidence that brains and good management have brought it to its present excellent condition. JOHN H. GEORGE, a very enterprising farmer and business man of Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Kreis-Dill, Germany, March 13, 1834. He learned wagon-making in his native land, and in 1852 came to America, landing in New York, soon making his way to Ohio, and for two years working at his trade in Crawford county. In the spring of 1854 he went to Hancock county, where he worked at his trade until 1862, in the meanwhile, in 1855, being married to Miss Mary N. French, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, January 22, 1834. She was a daughter of Grover French, a farmer of Irish descent, who died in Hancock county in 1857, his widow surviving until March, 1884, when she died at the home of our subject at the age of ninety years. Mr. and Mrs. French were the parents of seven children, viz: John, a United Brethren minister; Elizabeth, deceased; Lucinda (Mrs. Wiekham), a resident of Belmore, Ohio; George, a United Brethren minister at Bentonville, Ohio; Reuben; Mary N., wife of our subject, and Sarah, deceased. John and Mary (Kemper) George, parents of our subject, had born to them four children, named as follows: John H., Elizabeth (wife of August Hessy, a farmer), Johannes and Wilhelm, also farmers. John George, the father, was a cooper and farmer, and died at the age of thirty-five years, of small-pox, in his native land, and his widow died at the age of thirty-seven. To our subject and wife have been born seven children, named as follows: Genevre, wife of Peter Zeller, a carpenter; Sarah A., who was married to L. Swaninger, became the mother of two children, and is now deceased; Reuben, in the hardware business in Belmore; Elizabeth, wife of William Cook, farmer; Grover, who died at the age of seventeen years; William, postmaster at Belmore and keeper of a grocery and meat market, Ida, who died when seventeen years of After his marriage Mr. George continued work at his trade in Hancock county, as abo stated, until the spring of 1862, when he ca to Putnam county and bought a tract of eigh acres of land in the woods, on which he a cabin and had cleared about twenty and placed them under cultivation, whe entered the Fifty-fifth Ohio volunteer infan in 1864, as a substitute,' and was assigne the army of Tennessee. He was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea, in a number of severe skirmishes, and fo in the last two battles in which his regi took part at the close of the war. He mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and at C land, Ohio, received an honorable disch when he returned home and resumed his ing and farming, and of the 400 acres he owns all but thirty-five acres are de ditched and tiled. His 400 acres comprised five tracts of eighty acres each, four of w tracts he rents out, reserving the fifth trac a homestead, which he has placed in a admirable condition. Mr. George has been engaged in nume business enterprises, but has never ceased ing his attention to his farming interests. has met with some reverses, especially in way of paying off securities. Running a b ery at Ottawa was also an enterprise in w he met with a disastrous loss by fire. In in partnership with Capt. Matthias, he opened OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 189 a hardware store in Belmore, each father, or principal, placing a son in charge. Mr. George also owns considerable residence property in Belmore, but devotes his attention chiefly to his farm. He raises all kinds of live stock, grading up his beef cattle for the home market, and owns a full-blooded Norman Clyde stallion. In politics Mr. George has always been a democrat, and has served two terms as justice of the peace, six years as county commissioner and in 1880 was land appraiser. He has, beside, filled a number of minor offices. In religion he is a member of the United Presbyterian church, while his wife is a devout member of the Evangelical church. After a residence of forty years or more in America Mr. George visited his native land, and found two brothers and a sister still living, but in circumstances such as he thought he could improve. The brothers and sister had large families, and to rear children in the old country is an expensive task, so Mr. George brought them all to this country, gave the elders a start, and they now have good homes in Henry county, within two miles of the homestead of their generous brother, in whose behalf they can rise up and say, "Blessed be brother John.” ADAM GETTMAN, a prominent farmer of Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born December 13, 1831, and is a son of Peter and Dorothea (Hays) Gettman, the former of whom was a famous school-teacher, a profession he followed until his dying day-teaching in one place for thirty-seven years. There were born to him ten children, of whom our subject is the only one to come to America, and two died young. The names of the survivors are Elizabeth, Henry (who has succeeded to his father's school), Clara, Adolph, Adam (our subject), Katherine, Louis and Alford. Adam Gettman received a good German education under his father and was early apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, but at the early age of sixteen years volunteered in the Revolutionary army of 1848-49, his commander being Franz Sigel, who was afterward a general of distinction in the Union army during our late Civil war. Mr. Gettman was taken prisoner at the surrender of Fort Restal by the German forces, and with 17,000 others was confined 143 days in the above-named fort, but succeeded in making his escape and in reaching New york city July 16, 1850, with no money. The captain of his ship, however, succeeded in procuring employment for him at his trade, and after working in New York eleven months he traversed the states as far west as Iowa, but finally located in Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, and followed his trade until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Ninetieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. His first battle was at Richmond, Ky., then at Chickamauga, and so on through all the important engagements up to the battle of Nashville, where he helped to exterminate Hood's hordes. His only injury was sustained by being thrown over the bank of the Chattahoochee river, the mishap still causing him to suffer in one of his legs. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge at Nashville, Tenn., when he returned to Somerset, Ohio, where he had some property and where he had left his family. The marriage of Mr. Gettman took place in Somerset, Ohio, about 1857, to Mrs. Agnes Stevens, a widow with one son, whom Mr. Gettman reared to manhood, and who is now a farmer near Lima, Ohio. Mrs. Gettman was a daughter of Galus Smith, a native of France, where Mrs. Gettman was also born, 190 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and the family came to America when the latter was about four years of age, and settled in Perry county, Ohio, where Mr. and Mrs. Smith ended their days, leaving five children, viz: Lena, Anthony, Frank, John and Agnes. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gettman were born eight children, viz: Mary, married to James Kidd, a farmer; William, a 'farmer of Putnam county; Lizzie, who was married to George Pope, to whom she bore three children, and after his death became the wife of William Jones; George, a farmer; Agnes Rosecrans, wife of A. Jerry, also a farmer; Clara, wife of John Emmons, of Putnam county; Samuel, still at home, and Louie, married to Edward Carr, of Putnam county. The mother of this family died a member of the Catholic church, March 20, 1888, since which sad event Mr. Gettman has remained single. Upon his return from the army, Mr. Gettman sold his property in Somerset and moved to Fairfield county, where he resided nine years on a farm, then sold out, and in March, 1875, came to Putnam county, and bought the 120-acre farm on which he now lives, of Which fifty acres had been cleared and partially put in cultivation. The tract, however, looked more like a swamp than a farm, but Mr. Gettman undertook the task of draining with wooden tile, in which he made a perfect success, and was, indeed, among the first in the township to resort to this system of drainage; however, as soon as baked tile made its appearance, he discarded the old and adopted the new system, and has now fully 05 acres drained and under a highly arable condition. His dwelling is a fine two-story modern frame; and his barn and other out-buildings are of the most substantial and approved construction. His farm is on the pike between Ottawa and Columbus Grove, three miles north of the latter place, being pleasantly and desirably located. Mr. Gettman has gained his property through his own industry, skill and good m agement, assisted by his faithful wife, and such sturdy and honest toilers the citizens of any community might well feel proud. In his politics Mr. Gettman has always been a republican, and has affiliated with that party ever since the Fremont campaign, and a1though he has served two terms as township trustee, he has never sought public office. He is honored by his neighbors for his own merits, and he deserves all the honor that is bestowe upon him. RUFUS E. GILBERT.—The ale mentality and the sturdy, pract ability of the Irish race, as transfus into the make-up of our compos nation, have had notable influence in furthe ing our progress and in establishing a stab prosperity, and to this element do we owe much. The subject of this review is o whose ancestral history traces back to stanch old Irish stock, which is of prominent identification with the history of the Union from the early colonial days, and of valiant service rendered not only in time of war but also the more prosaic endeavors of the times of peace, our subject himself having shown his loyalty and inherent patriotism by unstinted service accorded in the late war of the Rebellion. The name Gilbert is of Irish origin, already stated, and James Gilbert, the grandfather of our subject, maintained his residence on North Hero island, in Lake Champlain, N. Y. He married Ruth Conkey, who wise was of Irish extraction, and subsequen during the war of 1812, removed to Shazeetown, located on the shores of the same beautiful lake, and there James Gilbert remained until the time of his death. He was a Jack- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 191 sonian democrat, and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist church. Jacob C. Gilbert, the father of our subject, was born on North Hero island, in October, 1807, and was reared to farm life, receiving a good practical education and putting the same to test by engaging in teaching, in which vocation he was employed at various points in the state of New York, and later in Ohio. In his native state he was united in marriage to Mandana Stoughton, the date of this ceremony being 1832. She died on the 3d of July in the succeeding year, and on January 1, 1838, Mr. Gilbert consummated his second marriage, in Atwater, Portage county, Ohio, where he was united to Martha A. Butler, who was born in New Haven county, Conn., December 16, 1820, the daughter of David and Betsey (Foot) Butler; the former of whom was born in New Haven county, Conn., October 2, 1772, and the mother in the same county, August 9, 178 1 , their marriage having been consummated in the same county. There they remained until 1829, when the family emigrated to Portage county, Ohio,. where the parents passed the residue of their lives, being among the most honored pioneers of that county. David Butler died March 29, 1856, his wife having passed away August 3, 1854. In their religious affiliations they were Congregationalists, and in politics he was an old-line whig. Mrs. Gilbert's grandfather, Matthew Butler, was a native of England, and emigrated to New Haven county, Conn., in the early colonial days. He was an active participant in the war of the Revolution, serving in the continental army for a period of seven years. The maiden name of his wife was Ruth Lindley, and by occupation he was a wheelwright. His son David also served in the war of the Revolution and stood as a minute-man in the battle of Long Island. The children of Jacob C. and Martha A. Gilbert were in order of birth as follows: Lucian and Lucius, deceased; Rufus E., the immediate subject of this review; Martha, deceased ; Mary wife of Henry Wing; Adelaid, deceased; Ida M., wife of David Owens, and Prosper L. After coining to Ohio, Jacob C. Gilbert was for six years engaged in mercantile business at Cuyahoga Falls, and after this located in Cleveland, where he was employed as a traveling salesman for a period of three years as a representative of a wholesale paper house. In 1858 he removed to Monroe township, Putnam county, and here purchased a farm, and was prominently identified with the interests of his county until the time of his death, which occurred December 16, 1864. He was a stanch republican in his political proclivities, and was called upon to fill the office of township clerk. He was a zealous adherent of the Methodist church, in which he held for a number of years the position of steward. His venerable widow still retains her residence on a part of the old farm, in close proximity to the home of our subject, who accords her a true filial solicitude. Rufus E. Gilbert, who holds distinctive prestige as one of the most intellectual and honored farmers of the township, was born in Summit connty, Ohio, on the 21st of February, 1844. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Cleveland and there remained for three years, during his youth, securing the exceptional advantages afforded by the public schools of the Forest City. In his early youth he accompanied his parents to Putnam county and assisted in the work of the pioneer farm, so that his memory reverts to the stirring incidents and manifold vicissitudes of that epoch in the history of the state. July 19, 1866, he lead to the hymeneal altar Miss Mary A. Pope, a native of Putnam county and a daughter of George W. and Fanny (Weaver) Pope. Since their marriage our subject and his wife have retained their residence on the beautiful farm- 192 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY stead, to the cultivation of which Mr. Gilbert has devoted his attention with much intelligence and success for so many years. His farm comprises seventy-six acres, is equipped with a good residence and other buildings essential to the successful carrying on of operations. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are members of the Christian church, in whose work they take an active interest. In politics our subject is a democrat and has served as township clerk, and for six years as director of the county infirmary. The military record of Mr. Gilbert is one which stands to his credit and honor. He enlisted, August 22, 1862, in company H, the One Hundred and Eighteenth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and served in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina and Virginia, participating in all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. He received an honorable discharge May 25, 1865, and returned to his home an honored veteran, and re-entered the peaceful pursuits of the " piping times of peace.” FRANK GMEINER, a leading business man of the thriving little city of Ottoville, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Tyrol, Austria, December 3, 1853, a son of George Gmeiner, one of the pioneers of Monterey township, and an ex-soldier of our late Civil war, and of whom more may be learned from the sketch of Leonard Gmeiner, published below. Frank Gmeiner had attended school in his native land but two months, and had but little more than learned his letters, when his father decided to leave for America, and accordingly embarked at Havre, France, with his family, in 1859, and after a voyage of thirty-two days landed in the port of New York, whence they came directly to Ohio, and here the father purchased forty acres of land nine miles from Fremont, but all in the wilderness. He had barely succeeded, by hard work and indomitable industry, in clearing up a farm, when he enlisted, under Capt. Antony Young, for nine months, in the Seventy-second Ohio volunteer infantry. His service, however, lasted ten months, during which he took part in the engagements at Memphis, Tenn., and Vicksburg, Miss., and received an honorable discharge at the latter place at the expiration of the time mentioned. His active service was interrupted only by a short detention in hospital by chronic-diarrhea—otherwise he was constantly on duty: On his return to Fremont he sold his farm to a comrade, and in April, 1864, came to Putnam county and bought a tract of eighty acres in the woods in the northwest part of Monterey township. Here he first rented an old school-house as a shelter for his family, while he cleared away a space in the woods for a log cabin, which, through the kindly assistance of his neighbors, was soon erected. Frank Gmeiner, our subject, was but eleven years of age when the family settled in Putnam county, and was the sole assistant of his father, he being the eldest son, and the next son but five years old. Frank was, therefore, early inured to the hard work of clearing land and pioneer farming, and was thus employed on the home place until fourteen years of age, when he went to Sandusky county and began working out as a farm hand for strangers. The father now bought forty acres adjoining the homestead, upon which Frank, from his earnings of $8 per month, made the first payment of $50, and later met the whole cost, amounting to about $200, through the same source. Frank continued on working out and sending his earnings to his father, who saved them carefully. Mrs. Gmeiner, the mother of our subject, departed this life OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 193 sixteen days before the death of her husband, after a short illness of three days, and the demise of the latter took place from quick consumption, October 16, 1875, aged about fifty years; both were devoted members of the Catholic church. The father had so much confidence in the ability, stamina and integrity of Frank, that he appointed the latter executor of his will and administrator of his estate, and placed in his care the education of the younger children—and surely made no mistake in his selection. The literary education of our subject was comprehended within the scope of three months by attendance at the common school of his district when circumstances permitted; his training in the habits of industry and self-reliance was imparted by his father; and probably the latter was the most effiective, as Frank’s natural sound sense would lead him to improve by self-application and to look for the acquirement of that knowledge which actual experiencc in the world might fail to bring. Frank on the death of his father, in accordance with the latter's wishes, at once assumed the management of the homestead and the control of the family, and for five years services in the performance of this duty he was awarded, by bequest, forty acres of land, and that he performed his duty well is evidenced by the fact that he became the owner of the forty acres aforesaid. At the end of six years Frank relinquished his charge and placed it in the hands of his youngest brother, Leonard, who was quite well educated and fully qualified for the task—the estate in the meanwhile having been duly administered by Frank and divided properly among the heirs. In politics Frank Gmeiner is a democrat, the early age of twenty-two years was elected justice of the peace, which position he filled two terms; he was also appointed administrator of several estates—among them, that of Joseph Dotson—and the guardian of seven children, whose interests were conscientiously cared for. He has beside served on the school board and as supervisor. After leaving the home farm, Mr. Gmeiner ran a threshing machine two years, and then engaged in the tile business with Andrew Kehres and John J. Miller, and did a successful business for six years; next he went into the planing-mill business with William Gasser and has since done a large business in all kinds of lumber and finishing supplies. The marriage of Mr. Gmeiner took place at Ottoville January 7, 1893, to Miss Mary Mallifsky, who was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, in November, 1855, a daughter of Martin and Mary Mallifsky, who were born near Pilsen, Bohemia. Martin Mallifsky came to this country in 1855 and first located on a farm in Huron county, Ohio, whence he removed to Wyandot county, thence coming to Putnam cyunty. His family of children, six in number, were named Daniel, Mary, Charles, Kate, Elizabeth and Eva. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gmeiner are strict members of the Catholic church, and to the erection of the splendid edifice, St. Mary's at Ottoville, Mr. Gmeiner contributed at least $200 in cash. The life of Mr. Gmeiner has beer one of practical industry; which, backed by a strict adherence to the principles of morality that have governed his acts since infancy, has resulted in a reward that might be envied by any man—that of the sincere esteem of all who know him. LEONARD GMEINER, the leading brick manufacturer of Ottoville, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of the state. His father, George Gmeiner, was born in Tyrol, Austria, in 1821, was a carpenter by trade, and married Mary Ann Flatz, also a native of Austria, and born in 1825, the 194 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY result of their union being six children, viz: Frank and Gebhart, who were born in Austria, and Mary, Leonard, Katie and George, who were born in America. In 1859 George Gmeiner, with his wife and Austrian-born children, came to the United States, and lived in Fremont, Ohio, until 1864, when he came to Putnam county and bought eighty acres of wild land four and a half miles northwest of Ottoville, worked hard, and, with the assistance of his tw0 Austrian-born children, made a most pleasant home and increased the farm, by the purchase of forty acres, to 10 acres. He was devoted to his adopted country and was extremely public-spirited, doing everything in his power to aid the prosperity of his township and county, and gallantly volunteering to protect the integrity of the national flag during the Civil war, in which he served ten months. He died on his farm at the age 0f about fifty-four years, and no man could have passed away more deeply mourned with heartfelt sorrow by family and neighbors than he. Leonard Gmeiner, the gentleman with whom this memoir has chiefly to deal, was born at Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio, January 2, 1863, and was an infant when brought to Ottoville, Putnam. county, by his parents. His education was that usually acquired in the district school, but he was an apt scholar and soon gained the knowledge necessary to carry him along successfully in business life. At the age of eighteen years he began earning his own living by working as a farmhand in his own neighborhood, and at twenty years of age went to Grundy county, Ill., and followed the same pursuit for five years. He thus earned sufficient funds to enable him to return, in the later part of 1888, to Ottoville, Ohio, and buy an interest in the tile works of John J. Miller (see sketch as given on another page), with whom for three years he carried on a prosperous business under the firm-name of Gmeiner & Miller; some change interven for two years Mr. Gmeiner carried on the business on his sole account. Mr. Gmeiner then sold out, and in 1891 engaged in the brick making business with George Miller, brother of John J. Miller, under the firm-name of Mill & Gmeiner, but two years later Mr. Miller sold his interest to Mr. Gmeiner, and now our subject is doing a most prosperous business for his own benefit alone. He gives constant employment to six or eight men, and burns about 500,000 building brick per year. In addition to his kiln Mr. Gmeiner owns a tract of land comprising forty acres, on which is a neat and substantial dwelling. The marriage of Mr. Gmeiner took place at Ottoville February 5, 1891, to Miss Mary Miller, born January 1, 1867, a daughter of John and Mary Miller, and a nice of the Rev. Father Mueller, of whom mention has so often been made within these pages. Of course, it will be readily understood that the German name Mueller, or Muller, has been Anglicized, in correspondence with the pronunciation of the name, to Miller. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gmeiner have been born four children, as follows: Amelia M., November 8, 1891; Ida Kate, December 7, 1892; Gertrude, April 15, 1894 (died August 30, 1894), and Olivia E., born July 6, 1895. As may well be supposed Mr. and Mrs. Gmeiner are members of the Saint Mary's Catholic church of Ottbville. In politics Mr. Gmeiner is a democrat, and was the marshal of Pttpville the first year of its incorporation. Je os truly a self-made man, without a flaw in his record, and has won the respect of his fellow men through his straightforward walk in life and unwavering integrity. It will have been seen from the foregoing, that Mr. Gmeiner, although still a young man, has done toward advancing the material prosperity of his township. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 195 NICHOLAS GOETSCHIUS, deceased, a former well-known citizen of Ottawa, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, May 9, 1836, a son of James and Pamelia (Smith) Goetschius, natives respectively of Columbus, Ohio, and Hagerstown, Md. The family is of German descent, and by occupation James Goetschius was a farmer. Nicholas Goetschius was reared and educated in Tiffin, Ohio, and early developed remarkable genius as a mechanic. In 1859 he came to Ottawa and opened a machine shop and foundry, with which he was connected for a number of years, and which eventually grew into the Ottawa Wheel works, one of the best enterprises ever started in the city. Mr. Goetschius was identified with the manufacturing interests of Ottawa until 1890, at which time he sold out and became one of the promoters of the Ottawa Electric Light company, continuing with the latter enterprise until his death. Mr. Goetschius was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Louisa Morrow, daughter of Charles and Ann (Searls) Morrow, who were among the old and respected families of said city. three children resulted from this marriage, Morris P., Charles (deceased), and Ida, wife of C. H. Rice. Mrs. Goetschius died May 20, 1871; her husband departed this life June 17, 1894. Mr. Goetschius was a prominent factor in the public affairs of Ottawa, having served for a period of about nineteen years as a member of the city council, beside holding other positions of trust, and it was largely through his efforts that Ottawa secured her present efficient fire department. He was a democrat in politics, a member of the F. & A. M. and a broad-minded, intelligent and progressive man of affairs. Morris P. Goetschius, son of the aforementioned Nicholas Goetschius, was born in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, November 16, 1862. His boyhood was spent with his grandparents on a farm near the city of Tiffin, where he remained until his sixteenth year. He graduated from the public schools May 18, 1882, and at once accepted a position with the banking firm of A. V. Rice & Co., which he filled two and a half years, and was then placed in charge of the Ottawa Gate Manufacturing company's plant at Ottawa as general manager. After serving in that capacity most acceptably for two years he went to Omaha, Nebr., where he remained for a limited period as book-keeper for a firm in that city, when he became associated as secretary and treasurer of the F. E. Sandern company, with which he remained identified until 1890. In the latter year he disposed of his interests in the above enterprise, and, returning to Ottawa, secured the franchise and located the electric light plant of the city, of which he has since had full control. In 1893 the company was incorporated as a joint stock company, with a capital of $30,000, Mr. Goetschius being elected secretary, treasurer and general manager. In 1895 he purchased the transfer and coal business of Mr. Cartwright, which he now controls, and in various other ways is identified with the business interests of the city. Mr. Goetschius is a young man in the prime of vigorous manhood, and, judging by the past, there is still a sphere of enlarged usefulness for him in the future. Politically he is a democrat. He stands high in Masonry, belonging to Ottawa lodge, No. 325, Ottawa chapter, No. 115, and Putnam council, No. 69. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. ABRAHAM GOOD, a retired farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of David and Barbara (Nieswauer) Good, and was born in Fairfield county, February 28, 1821. The parents were born in Rockingham county, Va., 196 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY of German descent, and in 1813 came to Ohio and were married the same year, and passed the remainder of their lives in Fairfield county, the father dying in 1836. The mother is also deceased. Their marriage was blessed with six children, of whom three are still living, viz: Christian, in Darke county, Ohio, at the age of eighty years; Abraham, our subject, and Mrs. Mary Berry, of Fairfield county; the deceased were named Jacob, Mrs. Fannie Berry and Mrs. Annie Kinney. Abraham Good, subject of this sketch, was reared to farming in Fairfield county, and in 1844 married Miss Malinda Askens, daughter of Posy and Nancy (Branes) Askens, and to this union were born six children, as follows: Jane, wife of Enoch Chandler, a carpenter residing near Bluffton, Ohio; Henry and Absalom, of Union township; Lucinda, wife of Daniel Clevenger; Mary Ann, wife of Frank Ford, and Sarah, married to Roger Reynolds, also of Union township. Mrs. Malinda Good was born in Virginia in 1807, and came with her parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, and died in Putnam county in 1865, a highly honored lady. Mr. Good, after his marriage, resided in Fairfield county until 1851, when he came to Putnam county, entered a farm from the government, and then later bought his present place, which by his own hard labor he redeemed from the forest and brought to its present state of excellence and fertility. In his politics Mr. Good is a republican, and has held the office of school director, as well as some of the minor township offices. He has been a member of the Christian church for over twenty-five years, and has shown by his daily demeanor and, peaceful conduct the fervor and sincerity of his belief in the faith. His children, also, are all members of the same denomination. Mr. Good, it will be seen, is one of the old residents of the township, and has assisted materially in converting it from a wilderness into a blooming garden of fertility and plenty, and he fully deserves the respect in which he is held by the citizens, near and far. WILLIAM H. GOOD, a prosperous and very intelligent farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Fairfield county, July 16, 1845, and is a son of Abraham and Malinda (Askens) Good, of whom a brief sketch, is given above, and at the age of six or seven years was brought to Putnam county by his parents, and here he has ever since made his home. He was trained to agricultural pursuits and became an extraordinarily good husbandman. November 3, 1867, he married Miss Hannah Clevenger, daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Rimer) Clevenger, one of the pioneer families of the township. To this union have been born three children, viz: Benjamin, a farmer of Union township, born May 27, 1869; William, born November 14,1872; and Perry Albert, born January 20, 1874. Mrs. Hannah Good's birth occurred in Putnam county, November 26, 1847. Before marriage Mr. Good had, for two or more years, followed carpentering, a trade he had mastered in addition to the vocation of farming, but after his marriage he at once settled down to farming in Sugar Creek township, where he lived eight years; and then came to Union township and for five years resided on the Clevenger homestead. At odd times for thirteen years he has farmed and attended this calling while working at his trade of carpentering, and also passed, during this interval, a second occupancy of the Clevenger homestead, lasting seven years. About 1891 he settled on his present farm, and in 1893 erected the handsome dwelling he now occupies. In politics he is a republican, and has OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 197 filled several minor offices, including that of school director, but has never manifested any particular desire for political distinction or office holding. As a member of the Christian church he has always been prominent, ardent, and active, and of this religious denomination his wife and children are also consistent and devoted members. Mr. Good was appointed the guardian of Laura Rager, an orphan, who has since made her home with his family, and is being reared with all the tender care that would or could have been bestowed upon her by her own parents, Mr. Good having fulfilled his sacred trust with conscientious fidelity. He is one of the most substantial citizens of the township and a highly esteemed and honored gentleman. HON. JOHN H. GORDON, deceased, was a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he spent his early life. He was a self-educated man, came to Ohio a number of years ago and settled in Butler County, where he married Mrs. Jane C. Perry, whom he had a family of five children: all daughters, viz: Ruth, deceased, wife of Edward Dunn, of Indianapolis, Ind., Rebecca J., wife of W. C. G. Krauss, of Ottawa, Ohio; Zella, wife of George D. Kinder; Clyde, wife of Dr. Warren F. Reed; Mrs. Minerva Hornaday, matron of the soldiers’ home, Xenia, Ohio. Mrs. Gordon, by a previous marriage, had one child, Mary P., wife of James Johnson, of Indianapolis, Ind. For some time after coming to Ohio, Mr. Gordon taught school and is remembered as a very efficient instructor, particularly in mathematics, of which branch he made a specialty. He served three terms as recorder of Butler county, Ohio, and also operated a farm and was in he livery business in Hamilton, Ohio. In 1866, he moved his family to Putnam county and for some years thereafter was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, but later turned his attention to contracting and building and also to the making of stone roads. He was elected to the office of probate judge two terms, was twice mayor of Ottawa, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. In this latter office Mr. Gordon always used every reasonable effort to effect an amicable adjustment of difficulties without bringing them to trial, as he had a profound dislike for litigation, on account of the bad feeling it usually engendered. He was a man of the strictest morality and integrity, enjoyed the confidence of the community to the fullest extent, and would rather suffer a wrong than commit one. While on the bench, Judge Gordon frequently refused to collect his fees, feeling that the people were too poor to be taxed for his services. Liberal to a fault, his charities were widely dispensed, in consequence of which he never succeeded in accumulating much wealth, but his good name and almost blameless character were, to him, of far greater value than earthly riches. Politically he was a stanch democrat, and during the war an ardent Union man, doing much to. induce young men of his county to volunteer. By reason of an accident in which he lost an arm while a young man, he was not eligible Or military service, else he would, no doubt, have distinguished himself as a soldier. His was, indeed, a useful life of high aims, and in his death the county of Putnam lost one of its most prominent and highly valued citizens. JOHN GRANT, of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, is the oldest living pioneer and farmer of the township, and was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, July 11, 1822, of evidently Scotch descent. 198 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY His grandfather, also named John Grant, was a native of New Jersey, and plainly came from an ante-Revolutionary family. From New Jersey he moved to Washington county, Pa., and thence came to Ohio and settled in Stark county. There he underwent all the vicissitudes of frontier life, but eventually developed a farm of 160 acres from the forest, on which he passed the remainder of his life. He had married, in Washington county, Pa., a Miss Cosner, who, with him, died in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Grant was a man of splendid physical development, and, like most powerfully built men, possessed a kindly and admirable disposition. In politics he was a Jacksonian democrat. David Grant, father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pa., was reared a farmer, and there married Rebecca Rape, this union resulting in the birth of the following children, in the order here named: Mary A., John, Joseph, Harriet, David, Lytia, George, Eunice, Rebecca, Runie and Jeremiah. Coming to Ohio from Pennsylvania, David with his family resided in Jefferson county about four years on a farm, and then went to Sandusky county, and there bought a farm of 160 acres near Fremont, and took possession of it ere there had been built a cabin, but from the wilds of this tract he eventually brought forth a farm that was both productive and profitable. In the beginning there were a few cabins scattered about the neighborhood and a few white settlers, but there were plenty of wigwams and Indians, and wild animals. Mr. Grant became one of the most prominent residents of Sandusky county, was a leader in the local politics of the democratic party, and a pillar in the Methodist Episcopal church. Financially he was well conditioned and consequently greatly respected. John Grant, the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was reared to agriculture, and received as good a literary education could be obtained at the pioneer log school. house of his early boyhood. His first start life was as a stock dealer. He married Ma Rebecca Sanford, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and daughter of John and Rebecca (Cassidy) Sanford, this happy union resulting .1 the birth of the following children: David Frank, Joseph, Lecta, Alice and Lewis. lr 1850 Mr. Grant settled on his present fart there being at that time but two spots in the whole township that were cleared. Bear, deer and other game abounded, as well as wolves and panthers. He wrought out from the forest a home of which he may well feel proud and after undergoing all the privations and hardships of the frontier life in this count!, has been rewarded by a competence, consisting of his well improved homestead of 160 acres and an additional farm of forty acres.. Defiance county. He has been able, beside, to generously assist his children in their life start, and also to place some of his surplus capital at interest, thus providing for his declining years. His faithful life-partner survived until July 25, 1893, when she expired in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church of which she had been a life-long member. Mr. Grant, before the war, was a republican and was always a patriotic unionist, and when the Rebellion broke out volunteer in defense of the national flag, but his services were declined on account of disability, evidenced by the oncoming of age. He still adheres to his political proclivities, and as a republican he served as township treasurer nearly thirty years, and has also filled the office of trustee and supervisor of his township. As a Methodist he has fully lived up to the teachings of his church, the meeting-house of which denomination in his township he largely aided through his contributions to build. He is OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 199 largely known throughout the country, and his venerable but still comparatively upright form is reverenced and honored wherever seen. FRANK GRANT, a young and enterprising farmer of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of the venerable John Grant, the pioneer, whose biography may be found above. Our subject born in Putnam county February 25, 1860, and was reared on his father's farm. The owner of his own farm, he has not only cultivated it and brought it under a thorough state of tillage, but he has added materially to his income by operating a threshing machine since 1883, with the exception, only, of three seasons. He received a very good common-school education near his early home, and was fully qualified with the book learning necessary for the practical affairs of a business life, as far as it pertains to the prosecution of farming and the transactions connected therewith. December 26, 1880, Mr. Grant married JeannetteThornton, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, May 22, 1862, a daughter of David and Sarah (Fifer) Thornton (now residents of Ottawa), and a young lady suited in years, intellectual qualities and amiable disposition to become his life-companion. To this happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Grant have been born the following children : Orpha V., Loyd, Elmer E., Iris, Mabel, Edwin H., Otto E. and Chloe B. After his marriage Mr. Grant made his residence in Defiance county until 1884, when he returned to Putnam county and settled on his present farm of eighty acres, on which he has erected a fine dwelling, built a good, substantial barn and suitable out-buildings, and otherwise improved it with thorough tiling and judicious cultivation, having now one of the best moderate-sized farms in the township. Rocked in the cradle of Republicanism, Mr. Grant has grown up imbued with the principles of that party. In religion both he and wife are earnest Methodists, and both are also members of grange No. 777, P. of H., in which he is the present master. Mr. Grant has reached a prominence among his fellow-citizens seldom enjoyed by a man of his age, and a brighter future seems for him to be inevitable. ELIJAH W. GREENE, one of the most successful farmers and prominent citizens of Pleasant township, Putnam county, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Licking county, August 13, 1826. He is a son of Henry and Charlotta (Gorbin) Greene, both of whom were natives of Huntingdon county, Pa. The parents were married in Pennsylvania, and with their four children came to Ohio in 1825, locating in Licking county. In the spring of 1833 they removed to Hardin county, and in 1834 to Hancock county, where the mother died in 1836, in about her fortieth year, he dying in Columbus Grove, having spent the fourteen years preceding his death with his son, Elijah W. Both parents were members of the Methodist church. To them ten children were born, only two of whom are now living. The children were as follows: Sarah, who married Coleman Woodward, and died in Hancock county, Ohio, leaving two children; Ellenor married Thomas Bates, and died on the Osage river, in Missouri, leaving two children; Allison, now a farmer, residing about three miles east of Columbus Grove, in Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio; Elijah W., our subject; James, Davis, Allen, Iontha and Charlotte, who died in childhood, and Margaret, who married Cooper McComb, of Pleasant township, and died, leaving four children.