OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 225 ents seven children were born, five of whom are living, as follows: Christina, now the widow of Dr. Francis Herrmann, of Bluffton, Ohio; John G., deceased, for many years of Pandora, from which place he removed to Trenton, Mo., where his family now resides; he was a fine harness maker and a member of the Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry for three years; Amelia, widow of Jacob Risser, of Toledo; Mary, deceased, was the wife of L. Gibson, of Newville, Ind. ; Ellen, now the wife ,of Philip Keil, of Lima; G. A., now of Chicago, was a member of the Twelfth Ohio cavalry over two years and until the end of the war, going into the service at the age of fourteen years. Daniel A. Hemley was reared in Pandora and attended the public schools of that place. He afterward attended the Newville academy of Newville, Ind., for two terms. In 1866 he came to Columbus Grove and went to work for his brother-in-law, Jacob Risser, who was engaged in the grocery and shipping business, and remained until the latter's death, which occurred on August 21, 1871, by being crushed between two freight cars. The administrator, Henry Risser, then took charge of the business of his late brother-in-law, with Mr. Hem-ley as manager, and. he thus conducted the business for three months, when the partnernership of A. Risser & Co. was formed, Mr. Hemley becoming a member of the same. This firm was continued for about two years, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Hemley and E. Beese formed the firm of Hemley & Beese; this firm continued about six years, when it was dissolved by their selling out to N. W. Ogan, and Mr. Hemley managed the business for Mr. Ogan until he sold out to Isaac Bushong and Wilson Martin, in 1878, and following that Mr. Hemley engaged in the agricultural implement business in Columbus Grove, in which business he has since continued. Mr. Hemley began on a very small scale, but increased from year to year until he soon had a large business. He conducted business by himself until 1890, when he sold out to J. F. Naas, but eight months later purchased the business again; in the fall of 1891 the firm of D. A. Hemley & Co. was organized, which was dissolved in the fall of 1892, and the firm of Hemley, Sarber & Dye was formed. In the fall of 1894 that firm was dissolved, and Mr. Hemley sold out to Mr. Sarber. Mr. Hemley, in the meantime, operated branch houses at different points in Ohio, and for the past seven years has been engaged in the same business at Delphos, Ohio, where he has a large and prosperous business in connection with W. V. LaRue, as his partner and manager. Mr. Hemley also owns and operates a large sawmill at Kalida, Ohio. He has also been a large shipper of apples and produce, and manufacturer of cider and pure cider vinegar, during his time. Mr. Hemley was married, October 21, 1875, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Capt. N. W. Ogan, one of the pioneers of Columbus Grove, whose sketch and portrait appear on other pages of this volume. To this happy union two children have been born, viz: Dudley C. and Pauline, the former of whom was born March 18, 1877, and is to-day one of the coming young men of his town. He is a graduate of the Columbus Grove high school, also the Tri-State Commercial college, of Toledo, Ohio, and September 24, 1895, entered a five years' literary course at Oberlin college. Pauline, the pride of the family and one of the promising young ladies of the town, was born June 24, 1882. Fraternally Mr. Hemley is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while Mrs. Hemley is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hemley are leaders in the social world and active workers in the church, as well as deeply interested in school work, 226 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY fully realizing that the foundation of all good citizenship is simply the out-put of a good education. In 1870 Mr. Hemley erected a fine residence on Broadway, which he sold without occupying. In 1884 he erected a beautiful Queen Ann style residence, on Broadway, where he has since resided, surrounded by all comforts. In 1875 Hemley & Co. built the brick business block on High street now occupied by D. Foltz, the hardware dealer; in 1879 he bought two lots on the west side of High street, and on one of these he erected a large business house and his agricultural store, which is 100 feet deep. In 1883 he built, on an adjoining lot, his buggy and carriage depository, which is 115 feet deep, in which he has his office and headquarters. In 1890 he built a large and substantial brick business house on the east side of High street, two stories high and seventy feet deep, with metal front, now occupied by a first-class clothing house. From the foregoing facts it is plain to be seen that Mr. Hemley is one of the enterprising and leading business men of his town, and county as well, and one who is always ready to aid any worthy enterprise, and one who liberally contributes to all benevolent or charitable enterprises. LEVI HENRY, a sagacious and experienced agriculturist of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Crawford county, Pa., March 20, 1837, and is •a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Letwiler) Henry, of German descent. These parents were married in Crawford county, Pa., and in 1844 came to Ohio, located on leased land in Wyandot county, and there made their home for twelve years, when they came to Putnam county and bought a tract of wild land in Liberty township, which the father cleared up and converted into a comfortable home, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1870, a member of the Evangelical church, of which his wife was also a member. They had a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, but of whom only three are now living. The order of birth of the twelve was as follows: Jacob, who died the father of one child; John died the father of three children; Cephas served through the Civil war and died in the rebel prison at Salisbury, N. C. ; Daniel served in the 100-day service, and at his death left five children; Abraham served in the Forty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, was taken ill and brought home to die; Maria is married to Michael Dumm, and resides in Wyandot county, Ohio; Nathan died single; Levi is the subject of this sketch; Lydia, Judia, and Magdalene died unmarried; and Mary A. is the wife of H. Hudson, deceased. The father of this family was in politics a democrat, and while residing in Pennsylvania was a justice of the peace and a gentleman of considerable local prominence. Levi Henry, the subject proper of this memoir, was but seven years of age when brought to Ohio by his parents. He was reared to farming and educated in the common schools of his district in Wyandot county. On coming to Liberty township, Putnam county, in 1856, he lived with his parents until August, 1861, when he enlisted in the Forty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, under Col. Wm. H. Gibson, was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, and saw some very hard service. He was in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, and in the severe engagement at Murfreesboro— at the last-named place receiving a bullet wound through the foot, from which he suffered in hospital at Madison, Ind., an entire year. After partial recovery he was here retained as nurse and given charge of a OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 227 ward, was thus employed when his three-year term of service expired, and here received an honorable discharge. On his return home he married, in March, 1866, Miss Martha A. Woodell, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in March, 1846, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Welker) Woodell, who came to Putnam county in 1848, their daughter, Martha A., being then two years old. Here. Mr. Woodell entered a tract of land and cleared up a farm, and later purchased an improved place, to which he moved his family, and on which he ended his days in 1893. He was a prominent and enterprising gentleman, and very popular as a republican, under the auspices of which party he filled several of the minor offices of the township, Here, also, his widow passed away in January, 1895. Their children were four in number and named as follows: William E., who twice enlisted in the Civil war, received two honorable discharges, became a practicing physician at Leipsic, Putnam county, and died in 1884; Martha A., the wife of Mr. Henry; John W., a‘ farmer of Auglaize county, Ohio, and Mary J., who died, unmarried, about 1869. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Henry has been blessed with five children, viz: Nora, still at home with her parents; Stella B., wife of Thomas Miller, a resident of Sidney, Ohio; Mae E., Maud P., and William (born October 25, 1884), at home. On marrying, Mr. Henry, our subject, first rented land from his father, on which he resided until 1872, when he bought and moved upon the farm he still occupies, and which was then considerably improved, leaving him but a small number of acres to clear off and drain. He has fifty acres under an excellent state of tillage, does the usual farming and raises the necessary live stock for home use—his farm presenting, altogether, as neat an appearance as any in the township. In politics Mr. Henry is a republican, and takes considerable interest in public affairs, but has never been an office seeker; yet, through a sense of duty as a good citizen, he has served as township assessor, and is now serving as township trustee. Mr. Henry is a steady-going, industrious farmer, and has won the esteem of his neighbors, who respect him for unselfish principles, liberal disposition, and his many other good qualities of mind and heart. CHARLES FREDERICK HENRY, a rising farmer of Jackson township, Putnam county, was born in Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, April 10, 1851, a son of Conrad and Mary (Peters) Henry. The father, Conrad Henry, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1819, and at the age of twenty-one came to America from Germany and located at New Orleans, La., in 1840, remaining there three years. He then came to Delphos, Ohio, where he was employed as a clerk in the store of a firm that had a contract for digging the canal at that point. He there married Mary Peters, who was born in Germany in 1826, and came to America at the age of seven years, and to this marriage were born the following children: An infant, who died unnamed; Ann Catherine Louisa, wife of William B. Roof, of Michigan; Charles F., our subject; Wilhelmina, widow of John F. Hammonds, of Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio; Lewis P., farmer of Jackson township; Ida Eliza, who died an infant; Mary Matilda, wife of George Keller, farmer of Jennings township, and Adam Edward, a farmer of Monterey township. After marriage Conrad Henry settled on a farm in Monterey township, on the canal. This farm he had previously purchased in the wild woods, on taking possession of which he immediately proceeded to clear away the forest and to cultivate the 228 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY land, eventually succeeding in securing a fertile and productive farm and a comfortable home, where his death tooihplace August 23, 1867, in the faith of the German Reform church. In politics he was a democrat, and for a number of years served as township trustee, and was serving his second term as county commissioner at the time of his death. Mrs. Mary Henry, his wife, was also a member of the German Reform church, and died February 7, 1871, a truly devout Christian. Charles F. Henry, our subject, was reared on the home farm and was educated in 14,s native township. May 14 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Ann Swihart, who was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., September 4, 1856, a daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (Gobel) Swihart. Eli Swihart was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, born February 25, 1820, and died August 23, 1863, having servte a soldier in the lal6.te Civil war. His wife, Elizabeth, was born July 3, 1829, and died November 12, 1878. To the union of Charles F. Henry and Lydia A. Swihart have been born seven children in the following order, Lewis born September 10, 1875, died November 28, 1876; William, who died at the age of fourteen months; Cora Elizabeth, born January 1878; Catherine Matilde, June 15, 1881; Maggie Washtella, May 9, 1886; Clarence Frederick, December 13, 1889; George Washington, July 23, 1892, and Beuhla Violet, June 24, 1895. After marriage Mr. Henry made his home on the old homestead in Monterey township until 1883, when he bought his present place in Jackson township, which at that time was a wilderness. By hard work and the exercise of that skill for which he is still well known, he has cleared up his tract, improved it in all particulars, and has made it a farm of which any man might well feel proud. Mr. Henry and wife are members of the German Reform church at Delphos, and in politics Mr. Henry is a democrat. He is very popular with his party, and under its auspices'has filled the ̊lice of school director three terms, and has also served as supervisor. He is prominent in the affairs of the township, is public-spirited and always ready to lend a helping hand and' subscribe from his means in aid of the advancement of the township's welfare, and enjoykhowe respect of all who know him. JOSEPH HERMILLER, JR., of the firm of Hermiller Bros., dealers in grain, flour, feed and stock, is one of the successful business men of Ottawa, Ohio, and a representative citizen of his native county, Putnam. He was born December 30, 1854, in Ottawa township, and is a son of Joseph and Clara (Recker) Hermiller—the latter deceased, but the former still living. The subject was reared to manhood on the home farm one mile south of Ottawa, and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, attending in the meantime the public schools, where he acquired a good English education. After working for a short time with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad company, he accepted a position with a Mr. Ewing, proprietor of the grain elevator at Ottawa. After Mr. Ewing's retirement from the business in 1881, Mr. Hermiller entered the employ of the successor, J. F. Reed, with whom he remained until the latter's death, in December, 1882, the elevator athe handsome passing into the hands of Dr. Paul. Mr. Hermiller continued as manager of the establishment until 1884, when, in partnership with his father, he purchased the business, which was conducted under the firm name of Hermiller & Son until 1893, the father retiring that year, and Frank Hermiller, a brother of our subject, taking his interest. After one year Frank Hermiller died and his brother John became a OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 229 partner with Joseph, and together they have since conducted the business in a most successful manner. The firm handle from 80,000 to 100,000 bushels of grain per annum, and since 1893 have given considorable attention to live stock, being the heaviest purchasers and shippers in Putnam county. They buy for the eastern market, and also deal extensively in flour and feed, keeping in stock the celebrated Minneapolis brands. As a business man, Mr. Hermiller is zealous and ambitious, and successful in the fullest sense in which that term is usually accepted. During his career no act inconsistent with the strictest honor and integrity has ever been imputed to him, and he stands high, not only in business circles, but among all classes of people as well. A democrat in politics, he has not been a partisan, and with the exception of serving as councilman of Ottawa has never held Official position. Mr. Hermiller was married May 27, 1884, to Miss Anna A. Bentler, daughter of John N. and Susan Bentler. Mrs. Hermiller was born October 23, 1858, in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and is the mother of four children—. Clara, Joseph N., Mary and Oscar W. Mr. Hermiller and family are members of the Catholic church of Ottawa and are held in very high esteem by the community at large. SUSAN E. HERSHEY, the widow of Abraham Hershey, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, March 7, 1841 . Her father, David Murphey, was born in Kentucky April 3, 1793, and was the son of a Baptist minister, a native of Ireland. David Murphey was reared an a farm, and at the age of seventeen years he ran away from home and went into the army, serving in the war of 1812 for five years, and was badly wounded. He spent one year as a prisoner amoug the Indians, having been taken captive by them near Niagara. He married and was blessed with three children: David, deceased, formerly of Jackson township; Mrs. Sarah Harris, who lives in Indiana, and Mrs. Nancy Groves, deceased, also of Indiana. His wife died in 1839, and he married Lucy, the daughter of Christopher and Sarah (Lancaster) Sroufe. After marriage he lived in Paulding county, Ohio, where his two children were born: Christopher, deceased, who served in the late war, was five years in company I, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, entering the service when fifteen years old, and Susan E, the subject of this review. In 1852 he moved his family to Putnam county, to the farm where Mrs. Hershey now lives. This farm had descended to her mother from her brother, Sebastian, who lost his life in the Mexican war. On this farm her father lived until his death on October 1, 1865. In politics he was a democrat. The mother passed her last days with her devoted daughter until October 19, 1891, when death called her away. She was a devoted Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty-nine years. Mrs. Hershey was married February 23, 1861, to Abraham Hershey, who was born in Ohio April 17, 1835. His parents were Benjamin Hershey, of good old Pennsylvania–Dutch stock,. and Frances (Stiner) Hershey. Having been reared on a farm, he continued that calling, and after. marriage settled on a farm in Putnam county, Ohio, where seven children were born to. him, viz: Sarah Cora, formerly a teacher, but now the wife of Joseph Stemen, a farmer and veterinary surgeon of Jennings township; Flora Estella, wife of J. H. Kelkner, a railroad man of Delphos; Frances May, deceased; William D.; a farmer of Jackson township; George. M. ; James Clinton and Harlon B., all three of whom still live 'at home. The father was a democrat in politics, and was intrusted with numerous offices, being 230 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY township trustee and assessor for a number of years, also supervisor and school director. For twenty-four years he was a member of the the United Brethren church, and during that time did not miss a dozen services. He was class leader for Many years, and served' as trustee from the time of his uniting with the church until July 11, 1885, when death called him to be a member of the great church above. At the time of his death he was also superintendent of the Sunday-school; among the neighbors he was known as a prominent and influential man. One brother, Henry, living in Dakota, and one sister, of Dupont, Ohio, still survive him. After his death, his wife, the subject of this sketch, with the aid of her children, took up the farm work on the old homestead, and has been very prosperous. Mrs. Hershey's foster brother, Robert Foster, was reared by her mother from his early babyhood until grown to full manhood. At the outbreak of the war he entered in his country's service and served valiantly until captured and taken to Libby prison, where he was starved to death. Her grandfather served in the Revolutionary war and one uncle in the Mexican war. She has been a member of the United Brethren church since she was fourteen years old, and was the first member of the Auglaize class. When a youg lady she taught school and was very successful. She is a woman of considerable business tact, and has been signally successful in managing the farm. ISAAC HILTY, a prosperous farmer of Riley township, Putnam county, was born in Allen county, Ohio, May 19, 1843, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (IN euenschwander) Hilty, was reared to farming, and also learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed four years. In December, 1866, he married and settled on the. farm upon which he now resides, first renting and then buying. This farm comprises 175 acres, of which he has 135 acres in cultivation, is conveniently located within a half-mile of Pandora, ann is improved with substantial and commodious buildings, and is stocked with graded cattle and other choice animals. Mr. Hilty has been engaged, in addition to farming, in the threshing business for a number of years, and in 1881, in partnership with others, started a saw-mill, in which he has done a most extensive business, buying logs, making lumber, etc. The marriage of Mr. Hilty took place December 6, 1866, a year before he came to this country, to Miss Anna Blosser, who was born in Putnam county, June 2, 1843, and who is a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Basinger) Blosser. Her father, Henry Blosser, was born in Virginia and came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1837. By trade he was a blacksmith and remarkably versatile in this and in the mechanical arts generally, being able to make or repair any implement or machine, whether made of wood or metal, be it never so delicate. He was also a surveyor, served the county in that capacity a number of years, and. also did about all the private surveying of his locality. He made all his instruments, including his compass, the needle of which he charged with a lode-stone found by his father in the Blue Ridge mountains. Eventually relinquishing blacksmithing, Mr. Blosser settled down to farming, a vocation he followed until his death, which occurred in 1863. He had long been a member of the Mennonite church and was honored by all for his upright life and gentle disposition. His wife was a native of Alsace, France, born February 20, 1811; she came to America in 1824, accompanied by her parents, who landed in Alexandria, Va., and there she remained until OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 231 1837, when she came to Ohio, where she now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Hilty, at the age of eighty-four years. The eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blosser were named as follows: Christian, Magdalene, Fannie, Elizabeth, Anna (Mrs. Hilty), Abraham, Henry and Sarah. Peter Hilty, father of our subject, was a life-long farmer and was among the earliest settlers of Putnam county, which he greatly assisted in clearing from the wilderness. He was born .September .28, 1821, and died in Allen county, April 8, 1892. His wife, who was born February 11. 1819. came from the old county to Ohio. in 1824 and located in. Wayne county, Ohio, but later moved to Allen county, where she died, December 5, 1894. These parents were consistent members of the Mennonite church, and their union was blessed with the birth of ten children, viz: Isaac (our subject), John S., Barbara, Catherine, Benjamin, Noah, Mary (who died the mother of five children), Peter B., Samuel, Susan and Elizabeth. The union of Isaac and Anna (Blosser) Hilty has also been crowned by the birth of ten children, viz: Henry, who is married and settled; Elizabeth, Catherine, Peter, Jessie, Sarah, Mary, Minnie, Aldine and Abraham. Mr. Hilty and family are members of the Defendless Mennonite church and have so lived as to win the regard and esteem of all who know them. Mr. Hilty was at one time a democrat in his political affiliations, but of late years has withdrawn his attention from public matters and given it to his private affairs, leaving to other young men the offices and their perplexities and emoluments. PETER B. HILTY , an enterprising young business man and farmer of Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Richland township, Allen county, March 22, 1858, the ninth of eleven children born to Peter and Elizabeth (Neuenschwander) Hilty, who were born in Basel, Switzer-land, but who, when young, were brought by their parents to America. Peter's parents first settled in Holmes county, Ohio, but later moved to Allen county, where Peter married, bought land, improved a farm, reared a family, and there died April 8, 1892, his wife surviving until December, 1894. Both were members of the Mennonite church. Peter and Elizabeth were the parents of eleven children, named as follows: Isaac, farmer and sawmill proprietor, of .Riley township; John S., of Allen county; Benjamin .B., farmer; Noah; Peter B., our subject; Samuel, of Allen county; Barbara, wife of Christian A. Lugabill; Catherine,- married to A. M. Amstutz; Mary, who was married to David D. Geiger, became the mother of six children, and is now deceased; Susan, who died young, and Elizabeth, the wife of Peter A. Suter. Peter B. Hilty was reared to farming and was educated in both the English and German languages in the common schools, and later attended the normal school for several terms, thus preparing himself for school-teaching. At the age of seventeen he took charge of his first school, and taught his last term in 1886-87, teaching in both languages. In 1880, Mr. Hilty was married to Miss Barbara Moses, who was born December 20, 1856, and is a daughter of Rev. John Moses, of Wayne county, Ohio. Mr. Moses came to Putnam county in 1851 as a minister of the Swiss. Mennonite church. He has been a farmer, but entered the ministry and rose to the position of bishop. He married Miss Anna Lehman, to which union were born ten children, named as follows: Daniel, Elizabeth, Sarah, Barbara, Fanny, Noah, Jacob, John J., Anna and Samuel; of these Sarah alone has been called away—dying in Colburn, Ind., and leaving 1 five children. Rev. Mr. Moses lost his faith- 232 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ful companion in 1878, but tie is still spared for good work for the Master, and is in his sixty-eighth year. To P. B. Hilty and wife have been born eight children, of whom two died young, the surviving six being named Elizabeth, Lilla, Alvin B., Aldo C., Estella and Martha. In 1881 Mr. Hilty purchased 120 acres of the farm on which he still lives, in Riley township, Putnam county, which farm at the time contained some indifferent improvements, but Mr. Hilty has since erected good and substantial farm buildings, cleared up and tilled seventy acres, and has as productive a piece of land as any of its size in the township. He has set out an orchard of choice fruit trees, does the usual general farming, and raises all the live stock necessary for home use. In 1894 Mr. Hilty commenced the undertaking business at Pandora, and within this short time has established a first-class reputation as a funeral director. Mr. Hilty was reared a democrat, but in local elections he sustains the nominee he thinks to be most competent to fill the office sought, irrespective of politics. Mr. Hilty is -a young man of enterprise and ability, and has won for himself many friends throughout Riley and adjacent .townships, who are sincere in their regard and esteem for himself and family. FERDINAND HOFFMANN, one of the most enterprising and prominent farmers of Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Glandorf, Germany, September 8, 1832, and at the age of three years came with his parents to America, landing at Baltimore, Md., after passing eight weeks on the ocean. From Baltimore the family went to Wheeling, Va., on a freight wagon, then down the river to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence by wagon to Wapakoneta, where they found their funds ex haunted, but were assisted by the priest, and arrived at Glandorf, Putnam county, in January, 1836. Here, through the aid of Father Horstman, they settled and leased sonic land, which the father, aided by his elder children, at once set to work to clear up. He also worked.. on the canal, which was then in the course of construction. Further mention of the parents and the other members of the family will be reserved for a place further on, while the fortunes of the subject will here he followed. Ferdinand Hoffmann attended school at Glandorf until twelve years of age, then went to Cincinnati in the fall of 1844, where he witnessed the famous tailors' strike, and where he worked in a match factory and a spice-mill for a time, and then for three months attended school; then entered a job printing office, whence he graduated to the composition room of a free-soil paper (which was in constant danger of being mobbed by Kentuckians), where he worked two years, and then passed two years at home. Returning again to Cincinnati, he entered the office of the Herald, an abolition sheet, where he remained until the failure of that journal a year later. After working on other papers he passed another year at home; returned to Cincinnati, was sick three months, but worked a year in a commission house, and then returned home permanently. In 1852 he married a widow, and cared for her farm until 1865, when he bought the farm on which he now lives, but which then contained 120 acres, and was improved with a dwelling. To this tract he has added eighty acres, and has also bought other tracts, to be distributed among his children and some to be kept for himself. His home farm has 110 acres cleared, but he owns a total of 150 acres of cleared land, ditched, tiled and under cultivation. He has remodeled his dwelling, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 235 built good barns, etc., set out a fine orchard, and has everything in good shape and in a thriving condition. Mr. Hoffmann married Mrs. Katherine Kuhlman, whose first husband, Bernard Kuhlman, was killed by a horse. She was then the mother of one child. The father of Mrs. Hoffmann, Henry Feltman, a native of Germany, came to America in 1835, when his daughter (Mrs. Hoffmann) was but one year of age. He also settled down to farming near Glandorf, and there died September 5, 1892, a member of the Catholic church and the father of six children; all well-to-do residents of Putnam county, and named as follows: Katherine, wife of the subject; Agnes, Elizabeth, Mary, William and Barney. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann have been born eleven children, of whom four died young, the living being named as follows: John H., born March II, 1857; William F., May 18, 1861; Katherine, October 21, 1863, wife of Frank Steeschulte; Mary, June 6, 1866, wife of John Biskar; Annie, October 20, 1868, yet at home; Henry B., December 8, 1870, teacher at Leipsic and also a music salesman, and Frank J., March 3, 1873, still at home. The parents of our subject, John Henry and Katherine (Papenbrock) Hoffmann, were both natives of Germany and came to America with a small colony, among whom were the Lehmkules, the Gurdings, the Snipkels and others, all of whom settled at or near Glandorf, being acquainted with the priest at that place, who had been reared near them in Germany and was of great assistance in getting the colonists settled after their arrival. These all prospered and reared families. The mother of our subject died about 1858, and the father November 8, 1892, the latter at the age of eighty-six years. To John Henry and Katherine Hoffmann were born two children: Ferdinand, our subject, and W. F., now representative for this county and a farmer and carpenter. John Henry's second wife, who was a Mrs. Klemann before she became Mrs. Hoffmann, bore him one child—Thersa—who is married to Frank Kracht, a farmer and thresher. Our subject is a very active democrat, has filled some of the minor offices from a sense of public duty, as he is no aspirant for political honors, and has been a member of the school board for nine years. He has been very successful as an agriculturist, and is recognized as a useful and progressive citizen, whose good name stands untarnished in the community in which he has so long lived and whose respect and esteem for him are made manifest in many ways and with unaffected sincerity. To LEWIS E. HOLTZ, as the name indicates, is of German descent. Mr. Holtz traces his family history back to his great-grandfather George Holtz, who, it appears, left Germany about the middle of the last century, immigrating to the United States and settling in Maryland, a short distance from Fredericktown. Jacob Holtz, son of the aforesaid George, and grandfather of Lewis E., was born in Frederick county, Maryland, was a farmer by occupation, and served five years in the war of the Revolution, as lieutenant of a company recruited in Fredericktown and vicinity. He became a large land-owner, a successful farmer, and for a number of years was one of the solid men of Frederick county. He married in his native state and became the head of a family of six children—Barbara, married to John Wolf; Elizabeth, married to William Crager; Catherine, wife of Jacob Cramer; Jacob, John and Nicholas Holtz. Jacob Holtz, the father of the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in Mary: 236 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY land, and there married Susan N. Fiega, a native of the same state. He moved to Ohio in 1834 and located in the neighborhood of Tiffin, Seneca county, where he purchased a tract of 830 acres of wild land, a large portion of which he cleared, improving a farm of over 200 acres, which, with other valuable real estate, he subsequently divided among his children, of whom there were five sons and two daughters. Jacob Holtz was an extensive farmer and successful business man. He was an active member of the German Reform church, to which he contributed liberally, and he also made large donations to Heidelberg college, in the main building of which there is a memorial window to his memory. He was a man of intelligence far above the average, and he exerted great influence in the community where he lived. The wife of Jacob Holtz died in May, 1870, at the age of eighty-two; her mother lived to be 102 years old. The following are the names of the children of Susan and Jacob Holtz: William, a successful farmer and stock raiser, died in the prime of life, aged forty-eight; Jacob P., deceased., Mary E., widow of Dennis F. Cramer; George, deceased; Lewis E., ,subject of this sketch; Charlotte, deceased wife of Frederick A. Baker; Susan, died in early childhood, and Dennis resides on the home farm in Seneca county. Lewis E. Holtz was born in Frederick county, Md., seven miles north of Frederick-town, on the 4th day of June, 1821. His youth was spent on a farm and his education was received in the district and select schools, his progress in his studies having been very satisfactory, especially in mathematics, for which he early manifested a decided preference. When a mere lad, he began the study of civil engineering with his brother-in-law, Dennis, F. Cramer, and completed a course in the same at a se- lect school, at Tiffin, Ohio, taught by Prof. James Evers. Until twenty-six years of age, Mr. Holtz made his home with his parents, but was engaged in his profession in various parts of the country in the meantime. He followed civil engineering until 1858, at which time he was appointed treasurer of Seneca county, to complete an unexpired term, and during 1855 he served as deputy county surveyor, under Marcus Schuyler. In 1863, Mr. Holtz removed to Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and engaged in the hard-ware trade, establishing a small foundry at the same time, and was thus engaged for six years, at the end of which time he resumed surveying, to which he had since given the greater part of his attention. He served as county surveyor of Putnam from 1869 to 1875, and during that period did a vast amount of professional work, not only in his own, but in adjacent counties as well. Owing to some litigation growing o.ut of a difficulty with Putnam county, relative to the surveying of a ditch for which he was refused payment for services, Mr. Holtz began examining the ditch laws of the state and succeeded in securing the passage of a special act by the legislature compelling payment for the same; while looking up this matter he became interested in the study of law and it led him finally to be admitted to the bar. He began the practice of the legal profession, but continued thereat for only a short time, having been compelled, by reason of defective hearing, to abandon the same and turn his attention to his original profession. Mr. Holtz was one of the chief promoters in securing the removal of the county seat from Kalida to Ottawa, and it was he who established the grades for the first public ditches of Putnam county. He also was untiring in his efforts to secure a system of turnpikes for the county, and he superintended the construction of the first road of the kind through Putnam. He also introduced tile OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 237 drainage in various sections of the country, and has always taken a very great interest in all improvements. Mr. Holtz has been successful financially, having accumulated a comfortable competency, including 300 acres of valuable land, besides other real estate and good personal property. For some time he has been largely interested in the propagation of small fruits and is an authority on matters pertaining to horticulture. Mr. Holtz was married March 7, 1849, to Miss Anna E. Umstead, daughter of Eli and Catherine (Kinzer) Umstead. Mrs. Holtz was born in Fredericktown, Md., December 21, 1826, and in 1830 was taken by her parents to Seneca county, Ohio, where her mother's death occurred in 1850, at the age of forty-seven. The father afterward moved to Putnam county, where he died May 25, 1881, aged eighty-one years. Eli and Catherine Umstead had a family of three children—Ann E., Margaret, deceased wife of John H. Nighswanger, and John E., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Holtz are the parents of four children —Hannah C., born January 6, 1850, died August 21, 1855; Amity A., widow of John C. Allen; Mary E., wife of Edwin D. Cox, superintendent of public schools of Xenia, Ohio, and Laura E., wife of Walter S. Day, of Indianapolis, Ind. Mr. Holtz has had five grandchildren, only two of whom are now living. Mrs. Allen had one child, Zella A., who was born May 12, 1867, and died November 19, 1869. Mrs. Cox has had four children—Mary Edna, died at the age of eleven months; Lewis Clark, born September 24, 1882; Miriam, born October 11, 1886, and died January 26, 1887, and Zella, whose birth occurred February 1, 1889. From the foregoing it will at once appear that the life of Mr. Holtz has been one of great activity and usefulness. He served as member of the city council for a number of years, and was instrumental, while a member of that body, in promoting much important municipal legislation. He also served for some time as a member of the city school board. He is well and favorably known throughout northwestern Ohio and enjoys in a marked degree, the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. HON. WILLIAM F. HOFFMAN, of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of Glandorf, Kingdom of Hanover, in the German Empire, born February 2, 1835, a son of John Henry and Anna Katherine (Papenbrock) Hoffman, natives of the same place. August 8, 1835, John Henry Hoffman, with his wife and two only children sailed for America, landed in Baltimore, Md., and thence came by wagon and afoot to Putnam county and located on thirty acres of land in section No. 20, Ottawa township, hewed out a farm from the woods, and purchased forty additional acres in Greensburg township. Mr. Hoffman served as a soldier for six years in the old country, and during our war with Mexico, in 1846-47, enlisted in an American volunteer regiment, but did not see active service. His wife died in 1851, at the age of fifty-two years, and he himself passed away November 8, 1892, at the age of eighty-six years. They were the parents of two children only—Ferdinand, a farmer of Pleasant township, Putnam county, and our subject, William. William Hoffman was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools and at the Teachers' institution, Cincinnati, attending the latter after he had worked at the carpenter's trade a few years. At the age of twenty-nine he began teaching, a vocation he followed thirty years, fourteen of which 238 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY were passed in one school, retiring from the profession in 1892. During this period he was elected county school examiner and served ten years, was a justice of the peace nine years, filled several other local offices, and for ten years was also in mercantile business in Glandorf. In politics Mr. Hoffman is a democrat, and in 1893 was elected to the Seventy-first Ohio general assembly, which office he filled with consummate ability and was re-elected in November, 1895. He served on the committee on printing and insurance. He is active in his support of his party and has served it as delegate to several conventions, county and state. He owns and cultivates a farm of ninety acres, and has also purchased farms of eighty acres each for two of his sons. The marriage of Mr. Hoffman was solemnized November 8, 1853, with Miss Clara Schroeder, who was born in Hanover in 1.1834a daughter of Nicholas and Anna Maria (Trame) Shroeder, who settled in Glandorf, Ohio, in 1834. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman has been blessed with the following children; Mary, born August 29, 1856, wife of Xavier Wurth, of Monterey township and married in May, 1875; Wilhelm, born June 20, 1858, and married August 11, 1880, to Veronica Haelker, a fine scholar and musician, a graduate of St. FiFrancisollege, Milwaukee, Wis., and a teacher of Glandorf, Ohio; Theresa,. born November 8, 1862, and married August 27, 1885, to Henry Kemper, a compositor, of Glandorf; Frank, born March 12, 1865 a farmer of Union Township, and married November 1891, to Annie Reckfelder; Henry, born December 8, 1868 a farmer of Jackson township, and married June 12, 1895, to Lizzie Hertzog; Anna, born April, 12, 1870, and married August 19, 1890, to Joseph Thome, a hardware merchant, of Glandorf; and Charles, born October 12, 1872, and now at home. The family are commuicans at St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf, and are members of the best society adorning Ottawa and the surrounding townships. JACOB F. HOLLABAUGH is a man well known in Putnam county. Several generations of the family have lived in this county, and the subject of this sketch ranks as one of the most successful and enterprising young farmers of Monroe township. He is of German descent, and inherits many of the characteristics of that sturdy and thrifty race of people. George Hollabaugh, father of Jacob F., was born in Perry county, Pa., August 22, 1826, and in his early youth received a good common-school education. In 1855, he removed, with his family, to Putnam county, Ohio, he having previously married, in Seneca county, Miss Charlotte Hoffer, a native of Perry county, and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hoffer. Charlotte Hoffer was born October 30, 1828, and when five years of age removed, with her parents, to Seneca county. To George and Charlotte Hollabaugh there were born the following children: Mary A., wife of Daniel Swihart; Amanda E., wife of Samuel Buttermore; Jacob F., the subject of this sketch; Louisa, wife of William McConnell; Matilda; Emma, wife of John Faber, and George. Soon after their marriage George and Charlotte Hollabaugh removed to Putnam county and purchased forty acres of land in Liberty township, which was then entirely covered with the primeval forest, the country being comparatively new and undeveloped. With the true pioneer spirit they set to work to make for themselves and their children a comfortable home. In their efforts they were successful, and they lived upon this farm until the father's death. Both were highly respected citizens and earnest christian people, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 239 the father being a member of the United Brethren church, and the mother of the Lutheran. The father enlisted in-the army of the Union in 1862, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn., November 6, 1862. Mrs. Hollabaugh afterward Joseph Faber, and is now living at Leipsic, Putnam county. Jacob Hoffer, father of Charlotte Hoffer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1790, came to the United States about 1830, marrying, in the same year Elizabeth Brubaker. Joseph Faber, second husband of Charlotte Hoffer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 31, 1830, came to the United States June 6, 1853, to Putnam county in 1855, and married Charlotte Hollabaugh, July 11, 1872. Jacob F. Hollabaugh, subject of this biography, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, August 30, 1854, and received his education in the country schools. His vocation in life has been that of farming, with the exception of four years, during which he owned and operated a tile factory. March 26, 1876, he married Miss Alvira Pendleton, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, February 24, 1857, and who is a daughter of John B. and Mary (Kring) Pendleton. John B. Pendleton was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 19, 1832, was a blacksmith by trade, and served in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and ,died in hospital at Knoxville, Tenn., during the term of his service. Mary Pendleton, née Kring, was born July is, 1837. The children born to John B. and Mary Pendleton as follows: Alvira, wife of the subject of this sketch; Henrietta, born February 19, 1859, deceased; Eva, born February 25, 1861, wife of Charles Myers; Lydia, born February 13, 1863, wife of M. Kellum. After the death of Mr. Pendleton, Mrs. Pendleton married Thomas Sigler, who was born in Mifflin county, Pa., December 2, 1829. James G. Pendleton, grandfather of John B. Pendleton, was a navigator by occupation, and immigrated to Ohio, with seven children, in 1820. Of these seven children, James was the eldest, born in Maine in 1802. Henry Kring, born in Germany: married Rachel Markley, a native of Somerset county, Pa. She was a daughter of Peter and Polly (Licta) Markley. Henry Kring and his wife, .Rachel, were the grandparents of Alvira Hollabaugh, wife of the subject. Her great-grandparents, on her father's side, were John Henry Kring and Mary Kring, née Kurtz, both of Germany. Jacob F. Hollabaugh and his family lived at Leipsic, Ohio, until 1889, when they removed to Monroe township, Putnam county, and settled on a farm of eighty acres, upon which they still reside. Mr. Hollabaugh also owns seven acres of land within the corporate limits of Leipsic. Their children, in order of birth, are as follows: Marietta, Maud R., Jacob Guy, May C., George, Ernest A., Marchey E., Margery A., and Hazel. Throughout the county, in which the subject and his wife have lived so long, they are well known and highly honored for their many sterling qualities of mind and heart. In politics Mr. Hollabaugh is a republican, and in religious belief he affiliates with the Lutheran church, to which denomination he lends both moral and financial aid. SAMUEL HOLT, an experienced and prominent farmer of Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Boyer) Holt, and was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 31, 1828. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania and had born to them six children, as follows: John Emanuel, of Indiana; Leah, deceased wife of John Good, of the same state; 240 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Louisa, deceased wife of William Bovard; Samuel, our subject; Andrew, deceased, and Hiram, a lawyer of Indianapolis. Samuel Holt, Sr„ the father of these children, died while our subject was still a boy, and the latter was taken by his mother to Perry county, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in Ohio until fifteen years of age, when he went to Indiana, where he remained until 1852, when he came to Putnam county, Ohio, July 15, 1854. He married Miss Hannah McClish, who was born in Putnam county, Ohio, February 2, 1837, a daughter of Silas and Nancy (Mellinger) McCush, and this union has been blessed with three children, viz: John, of this township; Rinaldo, on the home place, and David, also at home. Silas McClish, father of Mrs. Holt, came to Putnam county with his father, who came as an Indian agent when his nearest neighbors lived forty miles away—Mrs. Holt being now the only living representative of the McClish family. After the death of Silas McClish his widow married a Mr. Chapman, and has been three times married since his death. After his marriage Mr. Holt settled on his present farm, which was then deep in the woods, but which has since, by a great expenditure of hard labor on the part of Mr. Holt, been all cleared up, improved in the most substantial manner, and placed in an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Holt's uncle, Andrew, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and two of Mrs. Holt's brothers served in the late Civil war—John, in either the Twenty-eighth or Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, and David, in company A, Fifty-seventh regiment. As fir back as 1852, Mr. Holt took command of a canal boat and ran it over four years, doing a profitable trade. In politics Mr. Holt is a republican, served as township trustee several terms, and has been supervisor and school director. He was formerly a member of the Methodist church, but no longer affiliates with 'that religious body; yet' he freely contributes to the support of all churches and to all public enterprises of merit. He is thoroughly upright and honorable in his dealings, has been very successful in all his undertakings, and is highly respected by his fellow-citizens. CYRUS HOLT, the well-known farmer and manufacturer of Union township,. Putnam county, is a son of Cyrus and Hannah (Webb) Holt, and was born in Harrison county, Ohio, July 31, 1836. The father, Cyrus Holt, Sr., was born near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1802, and was a son of Charles Holt, a native of England, who for some years resided in the Keystone state, and in 1807 came to Ohio and bought a farm in Harrison county, on which he made his home until his death in the Quaker faith. Cyrus Holt, Sr., was educated and reared to farming in Harrison county and was there married to Hannah Webb, a native of the county, born in September, 1800, and a daughter of Jacob and Hannah Webb, natives of Virginia and of Irish descent, and early settlers of Harrison county, Ohio. To Cyrus, Sr., and Hannah Holt were born four children: Elizabeth, of Delaware county, Ohio; Charles, a farmer of the same county; Jacob (twin brother of Charles), who died at the age of twenty-two years, and Cyrus whose name opens this biography. The father, after marriage, moved to Franklin county, in 1850, and there died in 1870, the mother surviving until January, 1890 —the father having first been a Quaker but later a member of the Methodist church, of which he was a trustee for a number of years and in the faith of which he died. Cyrus Holt, our subject, was reared in Franklin county, Ohio, to farming, and in October, 1861, came to Putnam county, here OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 241 marrying, March 15, 1865, Miss Martha Nichols, who was born in Union township, this county, June T0, 1845, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (Erwin) Nichols, the union resulting in the birth of five children, viz: Edward S., farmer of Union township; Annie E., wife of John Sampsal, Minnie B., a teacher of Putnam county, Charles F., and Lula M., at home. The father of Mrs. Holt, Edward Nichols, was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1823, and was a son of Joseph Nichols, a native of Virginia and of Irish descent, who settled in Licking county, Ohio, about 1836 and entered 240 acres of land. Joseph began life for himself the possessor of a simple ax, and with this erected a tent of poles and bark, which answered his purpose until he built a house of logs; he then cleared his farm, became quite wealthy, and left a good farm to each of his children. Edward Nichols was reared in Putnam county, married Margaret Erwin, daughter of Josiah and Rebecca Erwin, and to this marriage were born the following children: Martha, the eldest and wife of our subject; Lucinda, wife of James Rimer, carpenter of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Joseph, of Paulding county, Ohio; Sarah Ann, wife of J. C. Best, of Union township, Putnam county; Amos, also of Union township; Hettie, wife of Edward Martin, of the same township; Jane, wife of James Anderson, of Paulding county, and Hannah wife of William Sprat, of the same county. The father lived on the same farm on which our subject now resides, and died at the early age of thirty-nine years, his widow surviving him until October 2, 1893. Cyrus Holt, our subject, bought his present place in February, 1872, and has made it one of the finest farms in the township, and since 1882 has made the manufacture of tiles an accompaniment of his farming operations. In politics he is a republican and for many years has been a member of the Presbyterian church, of which his children are also members. Charles Holt, the brother 0f our subject, served for three months in the late war, and his wife's grandfather, Nichols, was a patriot of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Holt is one of the best business men in the township and is held in high esteem for his integrity as well as for his liberality, as he never suffers any project designed for the benefit of the public at large to pass by without his material aid. VALENTINE HUFFMAN, JR., a retired farmer of Perry township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of Valentine and Mary (Wallett) Huffman, and was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, July 15, 1826. Valentine, the father, was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Enoch and Barbara Huffman; Enoch was a Lutheran preacher, an early settler of Ohio, a democrat in politics, and died about 1836. Valentine Huffman, Sr., was reared on a farm, and about 1824 married Mary Wallett, a daughter of Philip and Mary (Henry) Wallett, the union resulting in the birth of Valentine, Jr., the subject of this sketch. Valentine, Sr., died in Hancock county, Ohio, in 1862, and his widow, who was born April 2, 1800, died at the home of our subject, April 24, 1887, having lived under his filial care for twenty-five years. Valentine Huffman, Jr., was reared on the home farm until eleven years of age, when he began working for himself. For five years he was employed by a railroad company, and thus became self-dependent, as well as independent, as he saved some money. August 3, 1854, he married Margaret McClure, who was born in Allen county, Ohio, May 21, 1836, a daughter of Moses and Mary (Watt) McClure, of Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Huffman farmed in Allen county, where he had first 242 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY located in 1846, remaining there ten years, then went to Van Wert county, and there remained until 1871, when he came to Putnam county and settled on his present farm, which he had bought and paid for in 1870. This farm he has cleared and thoroughly improved, and built his present handsome dwelling in 1888. He has reared two children—Lydia Wallett, a niece, who is now married to John Holt, of Perry township, and William Alonzo Schaffer, since the latter was fifteen months old, and of whom he is still taking care. Mrs. Margaret (McClure) Huffman had seven brothers, of whom six served in the late Civil war, and one remained a civilian, and her sisters were two in number, the names of all being here given: John, of Paulding county, served in the Fourth Ohio cavalry.; Samuel and Thomas, now deceased, served in the same regiment; William, of Iowa, remained at home; James responded to the first call to arms; Moses, also of the First cavalry, was wounded three times and is now in the Soldiers' Home, at Dayton; Nathaniel, also of the Fourth cavalry, resides at Lima, Ohio. Of the sisters; Sarah died in infancy and Mary is the widow of Theodore Thatcher, of Van Wert. Mr. Huffman is a democrat in politics and has held several local offices; he is a prominent member of the United Brethren church, has held the office of trustee for years, and has filled other responsible positions in the church. His health for several years past has been indifferent, and, as he can well afford it, he has relinquished the active duties of the farm and is now living in quiet retirement. He is a broad-minded, liberal and public-spirited citizen, and is highly respected in consequence. Mrs. Huffman has been a member of the United Brethren church since her fifteenth year, and shares with her husband the esteem of all her neighbors. THOMAS W. HUGHES, a practical young farmer of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Mahoning county, December 9, 1861. His parents, Richard and Mary (Williams) Hughes, were natives of the southern part of Wales, in 1838 came to the United States with two children, and located in Mahoning county, where the father followed mining for David Tod until 1855, when he came to Putnam county and bought the farm of 160 acres, now occupied by our subject, of which about twenty-five acres were cleared and improved with a comfortable log house. Mr. Hughes was the third owner of the land, which had been originally deed by the United States government in 1837, and the deed signed by President Martin Van Buren. He was greatly given to the rearing of horses and sheep, at the same time being an excellent agriculturist, and gradually increased his possessions to about 560 acres, of which 350 acres he had under cultivation. The birth of Richard Hughes took place April 15, 1813, and his death occurred July 27, 1894. His wife, who died September 24, 1876, was the mother of twelve children, as follows: Daniel, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who was born April 19, 1835, and was married to Thomas Reese; David R., who was a soldier in the late war; Winnifred, who is married to William Watkins; Jane, who died at the age of four years; Gomer R., who died in the army, May 20, 1864 ; John W., also a soldier, and died February 8, 1866; James, of Sugar Greek township; Thomas W., the subject of this sketch; Mary J., who is married to Joseph Williams and lives at Youngstown; David, who died young, and Martha A., married to Charles McClure, a school-teacher. Thomas W. Hughes, who owns 160 acres of the old homestead, has given his exclusive attention to agriculture, with the exception of OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 245 that devoted to the rearing of the necessary stock for home use, has become quite well-to-do, and, it may be said, independent. March 16, 1883, he married Miss Jane M. Pugh, a daughter of Rev. Hugh Pugh, a native of Wales and a minister of the Calvinistic Methodist church, who came to America with his two children in 1850, located first in Mahoning county, Ohio, then moved to Van Wert county, and finally settled in Putnam county, where he died in 1879, the father of six children, viz: Owen O., of Van Wert county; David E., who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Hugh, who died in infancy; Margaret C., who died at the age of seven years; Jane M., now Mrs. Hughes, and John E., farming on the old homestead, where the mother still lives at the age of seventy-seven years. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes has been blessed with two children, named Mary C., who was born October 24, 1884, and Martha A., born March 4, 1887. The parents are devout members of the Presbyterian church, and are among the most respected residents of Sugar Creek township. ADAM HUMMON, . one of the most practical and sagacious farmers of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Riley township, same county, July 31, 1839, a son of John and Mary (Wyninger) Hummon, natives of Pennsylvania, who were married in Wyandot county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county in 1837. Here, John Hummon, the father, entered land in Riley township, developed from the wilderness a model farm, and on this homestead passed the remainder of his life, dying March 6, 1878, his widow surviving him until 1882. Mr. Hummon was in religion a devout Lutheran, while his wife was a member of the Episcopal church. In politics he was always a democrat, and from a sense of duty as a good citizen consented to fill some of the minor township offices. He was the owner of extensive tracts of land—his homestead alone comprising 320 acres—and, in other parts of the county he owned several large farms, improved 'and unimproved. He made a speciality of handling stock, bought and fattened cattle and hogs for market, and was very successful. He was a prominent personage in his community and very liberal in assisting new corners, buying for cash all their surplus stock and loaning them money at no higher rate than six per cent. per annum. At times, in the early days, settlers who ran short of provisions would raid his smokehouse; on such occasions he would trace out the pilferers, go to them and inform them that when they ran short of food to come to him and they should have it, but he never prosecuted one of the culprits. Peter Hummon, the father of John, and the grandfather of our subject, came from Germany and first settled in Pennsylvania, where he was a tory during the wax of 1812 ; he later came to Ohio and located in Wyandot county, where he ran a distillery and farmed for many years, and there lost his wife; a few years later he came to Putnam county and passed his declining years with his son John. To John Hummon and wife were born the following children: Levi, a prominent farmer of Van Buren township; Adam, our subject; Minerva A., wife of J. Miller of Findlay, Ohio; George a farmer of Hancock county; David, farmer of. Riley township, Putnam county, occupying a portion of the old homestead; Clara, wife of James France, of Hancock county; Simon P., farmer and stock man of Riley township, and Ada V., deceased wife of William P. Harris. Adam Hummon, the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, was reared to the hard pioneer labor of clearing land and farming. The foundation of his education was laid 246 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY in the common schools and this was supplemented by attendance at a union school in Findlay. At the age of eighteen years he taught a term of school in Indiana and afterward taught several terms in Putnam county, Ohio. Before he had reached his majority he began his business career by fattening cattle, and followed this calling for a number of years. He made his .father's house his home until twenty-six years old, and in the fall of 1865 married Miss Narcissa Guthrie, who was reared in Delaware county, Ohio, a daughter of Benham Guthrie, who died when his daughter was still small. To this union were born three children, viz: Truman F., born in August, 1872, and now in the hardware business at Leipsic; Howard C., born in 1874,, a farmer in Liberty township, and John E., born in 1877, and now attending school at Springfield, Ohio. After marrying, Mr. Hummon came to Liberty township, Putnam county, in 1866, and bought forty acres of his present farm, mostly in the forest, and began clearing and increasing his possessions until„ after presenting his son with eighty acres, he has an estate of 320 acres, of which 120 acres are cleared, ditched and tiled, the labor having chiefly been done by himself. All of this tract is now under a superb state of cultivation and is unsurpassed by any other farm of its size in the county. He continues the business of cattle feeding and has also handled sheep; having been very successful in all his operations in this line. General farming has never been neglected, but this is done more for the supply of home wants than for marketing purposes. Having lost his first wife in May, 1881, Mr. Hummon selected for his second helpmate Miss Alice L. Myers, whom he married March 23, 1882. This lady was born in Seneca county, Ohio, December i8, 1859, a daughter of J. C. and Nancy (Hufford) Myers, who are of Pennsylvania—German descent, and at present reside in Wood county, Ohio. Mr. Myers was for merly a carpenter, but is now a prominent farmer and the father of eight children, viz: Charles W., Jacob M., Alice L., Emma E., Laura D., Mina M. and two who died young. To this second union of Mr. Hummon have been born four children in the following order: Simon P., December II, 1882; Sarah E., December 6, 1886; Mary E., December 28, 1890, and Clarence A., April 12, 1892. Both Mr. and Mrs.. Hummon are consistent members of the English Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Hummon has always been a democrat, and has been elected by his party to fill many township offices, including that of township treasurer for two terms, and also that of township trustee, and on one occasion his name was placed before the county convention as a candidate for county treasurer, but he failed in receiving the nomination. Mr. Hummon, however, is very prominent in the affairs of his township, is popular with all classes, and is much esteemed for his straightforward conduct and public spirit. He is imbued with sound with sound business principles, which is made manifest in all his transactions, both public and private. He is a gentleman whose good intentions have never been impugned and is regarded as one of the most substantial and reliable citizens of Liberty. township. DAVID HUMMON, one of the most enterprising farmers of Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born on the farm he still occupies, July 1, 1849, and is a son of John and Mary. A.  (Wyninger) Hummon. John Hummon was born in Wyandot county, Ohlo, in 1815, was married in 1837, and a short time after this last event came to Putnam county and entered a farm of 160 acres, became prosperous in all respects, and at his death was the owner of OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 247 fully 1,100 acres. He was a devoted and zealous democrat, but refused every proffer of office and was loyal to the Union, doing much towards raising soldiers for the Federal army. He was a son Simon Peter Hurnmon, a native of Holland, who, on corning to America, first located in Pennsylvania, married Mary Kerns, came to Wyandot county, Ohio, where the wife died. Simon Peter then came to Putnam county, where he made his home with his son John the remainder of his days. To John and Mary A. Hummon were born ten children, two of whom died young, and the eight who grew to maturity were born and named as follows: Levi, December 31, 1837; Adam, July 31, 1839; George, January 24, 1845; Minerva, July 7, 1847; David, our subject; Simon P., June 8, 1851; Clara E., February 15, 1855; Ada, August 14, 1859, died in 1888. The father of this family was called to his grave March 6, 1878, dying in the faith of the Lutheran church; his wife was called to rest September 29, 1881, and died a member of the Methodist Protestant church. David Hummon, subject of this sketch, assisted in clearing from the forest the farm on which he was born, and this has ever been his home. In February, 1875, married Miss Mary E. Wilkins, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 26, 1851, a daughter of Albert and Harriet (Allison) Wilkins, natives of the Buckeye state, who settled in Putnam county in 1856; here the father died in 1890, at the age of seventy years, his widow following him to the grave in December, 1893, also at the age of seventy, both zealous members of the Protestant Episcopal church. To the happy union of Mr. Hummon and wife have been born ten children, of whom three are deceased; the survivors were born as follows: Evert J., March 19, 1876; Bertha,. November 27, 1879; Charles A., August 21, 1881; Maud V., March 11, 1883 ; Maroa, Feb- ruary 14, 1889; Glenn L., February 14, 1891; and Grover C., May 8, 1893. Mrs. Hummon is a devoted member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. Hummon is a Knight of Pythias. In politics Mr. Hummon is a warm advocate of democracy; he also takes a lively interest in public affairs, and although he has served as township trustee for five years and filled several minor offices, he has by no means been an office seeker. Mr. Hummon is recognized as one of 'the most skillful agriculturists of the township as well as one of the most prominent. He has increased his acreage from his original eighty, iuherited from his father, to 201, forty of which belong to Mrs. Hummon, and most of which he has helped to clear, and 150 of which he has under cultivation. The land is well drained and fenced, and he has a good substantial dwelling, commodious barn and a fine orchard. His standing in the township is with the best society it affords, and he and family are alike honored by the entire community. SIMON P. HUMMON, a prominent farmer and stockman of Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in this township June 8, 1851, and is the youngest son of the ten children born to John and Mary A. (Wyninger) Hummon, both of German descent, who came from Wyandot county, Ohio, to Putnam county in 1846. Here the father entered and cleared up a farm from the wilderness, on which he died in 1878, his wife surviving until September 29, 1881, when she, two, was called away, dying a member of the Protestant Methodist church. John Hummon was a progressive farmer and left a handsome estate to each his children. Simon P. Hummon was reared on his father's farm, and received a good education in the common schools. He remained with his. 248 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY parents until twenty-five years of age, and then settled on his farm of eighty acres, inherited from his father, and to which he has since added, until now he is the owner of 199 acres, of which 165 acres are under a fine state of cultivation, it having been cleared to the extent of sixty-five acres when Mr. Hummon took possession. He has, however, made all the improvements—having erected a comfortable modern dwelling and substantial barn, with suitable out-buildings, and having ditched and tile-drained his fields, making the place one of the .model farms of the township. Agri-'culture has been his chief pursuit, but for ten years he has been raising and shipping stock. He has been very industrious, and with the exception of the eighty acres inherited ,from his father, and sixty which belong to his wife, he has realized all his property through his own exertions. The marriage of Mr. Hummon took place December 24, 1876, with Miss Sarah J. Harris, daughter of John W. and Mary E. (Doherty) Harris, of Fairfield county, Ohio, but who, in 1848, removed to Hancock county, adjacent to the Putnam county line, their children being -four in number, viz: Barrett, a farmer; Augusta, who died at the age of ten; Sarah J., wife of subject, and George. Mrs. Hummon was born August 25, 1856, and to her marriage with our subject have been born six children, named in order of birth as follows: Silva, born September 30, 1877; Lloyd, October 19, 1879; Wilber, January 26, 1882; Jesse, November 10, 1885; Mistel, March 12, 1887, and Lizzie, August 13, 1890. Mrs. Hummon is a devoted member of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. Hum mon is a democrat, as was his father .before him, and has filled the office of township assessor two terms as a matter of public duty, and not as a matter of ambition, and not for the sake of emolument. In social relations Mr. and Mrs. Hummon move in the best circles of Riley township and enjoy the esteem of all with whom they come in contact. WALTER HUYSMAN, deceased, was one of the most substantial farmers and respected citizens of Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio. He was a son of Henry and Nettie (Kortier) Huysman, was born in Holland July 26, 1840, and was about eight years of age when brought to America by his parents. Here he grew to manhood, was educated in the common schools, was trained to farming, and shortly after reaching his majority patriotically volunteered in defense of the flag under which he had passed the years of his adolescence, being enrolled August 21, 1862, in Capt. Fink's company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years, serving gallantly and experiencing all the hardships of war until his discharge, with an honorable certificate of duty well performed, at Salisbury, N. C. After his return from the sanguinary struggle he. married, October 4, 1868, Miss Henrietta Blochberger; who was born in Saxony, Germany, January 21, 1849, a daughter of Christian and Dena (Bookman) Blochberger. Christian Blochberger was a native of Saxony and was born in October, 1818. In 1852 he came to the United States and settled in Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, buying forty acres of land in the primitive forest, which he increased by arduous industry to 235 acres. He reared a respectable family of seven children, who were named as follows: Bernard, Augusta, Henrietta, Caroline, Susannah, Henry and Richie, of whom the four older were born in Germany and the younger three in Ohio. The mother of this family died in the faith of the Lutheran church at the age of about sixty-two years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walter OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 249 Huysman settled on a farm of eighty acres in Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, and here they had born to them an interesting family of eight children, named Dena, Nellie, Caroline, Henry, Ida, Walter, William and Nora. Miss Callie (Caroline) Huysman, third born of this family, is a very bright and intellectual young lady and a graduate of the high school of Delphos, Ohio. She has taught a year in Van Wert county, one year in the district schools of Allen and Putnam counties, and two years in the graded schools of Lima, in every instance showing a superior ability. In religion the family are members of the German Reform faith, and in politics Mr. Huysman was a republican, under the auspices of which party he served as a member of the election board of Ottoville. He was a man of undoubted integrity, and died, in the prime of life, January 21, 1892, leaving an untarnished name. His widow, with most excellent judgment and ability, has acted as administratrix. Henry Huysman, the founder of the family in America, was born in Holland October 11, 1811, and was reared a miller in one of the old-fashioned wind-mills for which his native land is so famous. He married Peternella Kortier, the union resulting in the birth of nine children, viz: Wilhelmina, who died at the age of twenty years; Mary, who died at the age of fifty-four; Aaron; Walter, our subject; Henry, who died on the ocean at the age of two years. These five were born in Holland, and the remaining four were brought to life in America and were named as follows: Peternella, Henrich, Cornelius and Henry K. The father lived to be eighty-two years old. and died on his farm. Aaron Huysman became a farmer and was a soldier in the late Civil war, serving with his elder brother, Walter, in company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry. Aaron was born in Holland, December 15, 1839, and was nine years of age when brought to America. He was twenty-one years old when he assisted in the erection of the first log school-house ever put up in Monterey township, and in this he afterward acquired his limited education—attending one month. In this old school-house he enlisted for three years under Capt. Rend,. and was discharged at Salisbury, N. C., June 24,. 1865, on account of the closing of the war, having served in the engineer corps from July 4, 1863, working on fortifications, building pontoon bridges and taking part in the famous. Atlanta campaign. In the course of duty he assisted in the erection of the fortifications. at Knoxville, Tenn., and was in the siege of that city twenty-one days. He was ruptured,. while driving a team of six mules, by being thrown down an embankment sixty-five feet high, and was confined for five weeks in the Presbyterian church hospital, which he left of his. own accord and rejoined his corps, in which he thenceforward served until his discharge, being sick, alto-together, nine months, and- having a horse furnished him to ride on. On his return home he at once resumed farming, cutting wheat the afternoon of his arrival, while his brother Walter, who had returned with him, bound the grain. October 31, 1867, Aaron Huysman was first united in matrimony,. in Monterey township, with Miss Grietge Osenga. The father of this lady, William Osenga, was of Holland birth, was a carpenter and sailor, and settled in Fort Jennings in 1847.. He was the father of four children—Frockie„ Francis, Lu and Grietge. He died at the residence of Aaron Huysman at the age of eighty-four years, a member of the German Reform church. To this first marriage of. Mr. Huysman were born two children—Nellie and William—the latter dying at the age of one year. Mrs. Huysman died April 17, 1872,. and the second marriage