OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 325 the subject of this sketch, and Elzie, wife of John Marshall, in the wholesale and retail cigar and tobacco business at Chicago, Ill. About the year 1854 John Loub died in Hancock county, and in 1855 Mrs. Sarah Loub came to Putnam county and located, in Kalida, where she died the same year. In consequence of this bereavement Lerotus Loub, our subject, was cared for by Dr. R. W. Shrift for three years, and his sister, Elzie, was reared by N. McCracken. At the end of three years Lerotus Loub went to live on the farm of Samuel Dunavin, with whom he lived until he had attained the age of fifteen and a half years, when he enlisted at Kalida, in January, 1863, in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio vol-. unteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. He fought at Resaca, Dallas, and with Sherman in all his engagements in his famous march to the sea, was several times wounded slightly, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in August, 1865. He then returned to Mr. Dunavin, with whom he remained until he was united in marriage, October 29, 1868, to Emeline Campnell, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, July 19, 1853, a daughter of Josiah and Lavina (Essex) Campnell, this union resulting in the birth of five children, as follows: Nora Alice, wife .of Charles Hash, a farmer of Putnam county,' Etta Julia, wife of Logan Harris, also of Putnam county, and a student at Starling Medical college, of Columbus, Ohio; John, a farmer of Jackson township, and married to Ivy Harris; Martin, a school-boy, and Walter, deceased. After his marriage Mr. Loub located on a farm near the one he now occupies, which latter, an uncleared tract, he bought in 1876. This farm he has now cleared and improved with a dwelling and substantial out-buildings, and converted into a productive and comfortable homestead. In politics Mr. Loub is a republican, is quite popular with his party, and served as a school director for several years; for two years he had been township trustee, and still holds that office. He and wife are members of the Christian church, while his children are members of. the United Brethren church. It will be seen that Mr: Loub is a self-made man, and too much credit cannot be awarded him for his life-long energy and his success in raising himself to his present respectable and honored . position in society. WILLIAM H. LOY, superintendent and member of .the Buckeye stave factory at Kalida, Ohio, was born in Miami county, June, 1851, a son of John W. and Cynthia A. (Buckles) Loy. The father, John W. Loy, was born in Preble county, Ohio, January I, 1820, and was a son of Peter Loy, a native of Maryland, of German descent, who early settled on a farm in Preble county, Ohio, and reared seven children, viz: Michael, Samuel, Mary, wife of Joe Long, Margaret, wife of W. Denis, farmer of Portland, Ind.; Jacob, farmer of Darke county, Ohio; Henry, farmer of Elkhart county, Ind., and John W., a farmer of Miami county, Ohio, and father of our subject. Peter, the father of this family, was a soldier in the war of 1812, was a democrat in politics, and died some time in the 'fifties. John W. Loy, father of our subject, was reared a farmer and lived in Preble county until twenty years of age, when he went to Miami county, where he learned the trade of carpenter, and where he married Miss Cynthia A. Buckles, daughter of James and Margaret (Northcutt) Buckles, the union resulting in the birth of the following children: William H., our subject; Horace G., deceased at twenty-eight years of age; James W., implement dealer in Columbus Grove; Luella Irwin, 326 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY deceased at twenty-seven; Clara, wife of D. Peuterbaugh, farmer of Elkhart, In'd.; Nellie, teacher in the high school of Piqua, Miami county, Ohio; and Ed, a teacher in the same county and a student of medicine at Cincinnati Medical college. After this marriage, John W. Loy settled in Miami county, there followed his trade forty years, and then retired. He served as captain in the mo-day service in the late war, is a republican in politics, and in Miami county has held the offices of township trustee, township treasurer, and member of the school board; he is a member of the Piqua lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Baptist church, as well as trustee in the latter. His wife was born in 1829, in Miami county; her father, James Buckles, was a native of Connecticut, of English descent, born in i8o1; he came to Ohio in his youth, was reared in Miami county, was a republican in politics, and died at the age of eighty-two years, a member of the Baptist church, his wife dying at eighty-four, in the same faith. Their living children are Robert, who served in the Civil war and is now a resident of Nebraska; Willis; George, also a soldier of the late war and now a farmer of Miami county, Ohio; Ellen,, deceased; Cynthia A., mother of our subject; William, also an ex-soldier, and farmer of Miami county, and Mary, unmarried. William H. Loy was reared a farmer until eighteen years of age, then learned building and contracting, which business he followed about ten years, or until . 1879, when he engaged in manufacturing in Columbus Grove, Putnam county, until 1884, he went to Greensburg, Kiowa county, Kans., embarked in the real estate business, continued in this until 1887 and then returned to Putnam county, Ohio. He first married Miss Zelia Deweese, December 19, 1872, who died April 10, 1877, leaving two children—Bertha, born December 17, 1873, and Carrie, born January 28, 1875— who reside at home. June 15, 1887, he married Miss Evaline Godfrey, daughter of Dr. Godfrey, of Ottawa, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child—John Godfrey, in August, 1891. After his second marriage, Mr. Loy located- in Ottawa, where he was engaged in the hardware business until 189o, when he sold out and entered into the manufacture of staves at Kalida and Avis, Ohio, at which he has been quite successful. He retained his residence, however, at Ottawa, where he again had the great misfortune of losing his wife, in 1894. Mr. Loy is a republican in politics, and for two years was a member of the city council at Columbus Grove; he was also elected a member of the school board, but did not serve, as at this time he had gone west. He`-is a member of Ottawa lodge, No. 325, F. & A. M., chapter, No. 115, and council, No. 69, and order of the Eastern Star, No. 28, of which latter his daughters, Bertha and Carrie, are also members. He is a trustee in the Presbyterian church, of which he has also been elected elder, but has declined to serve. Mr. Loy has led a most exemplary life and is highly esteemed as a citizen and neighbor. C. C. LUGIBILL, of Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of the county and was born March 16, 1846, a son of Christ and Barbara (Hilty) Lugibill, natives of Alsace, France, and who were brought,when young, to America by their parents, who first located in Wayne county, where Christ and Barbara were married, but later came to Putnam county, where they were among the early, settlers. Christ Lugibill here entered a tract of land and cleared up a farm, and also practiced as a veterinary surgeon to some extent. He lost his wife in 1853, and his own death took place in OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 329 1855. The children born to Christ Lugibill and wife were nine in number and were named in order of birth as follows: John, who died young; Melaney, who married C. Steiner, a farmer; Catherine, wife of C. D. Amstutz also a farmer; David, who died, leaving a wife and seven children; Elizabeth, married to P. P. Steiner; C. C., our subject; Adam, of Bluffton, Ohio, in the hardware trade; Barbara, yet single, doing missionary work for the Mennonite church in Oklahoma, and Mary, married to P. D. Burkholder, of Indiana. At the death of the parents of these children a guardian was placed in charge of the estate and the children were scattered and reared by different relatives. One year only was passed under such conditions, by our subject, who, at the age of ten years, began working in a brickyard, then handling brick in the erection of buildings for a year or two, and in 1864 began carpentering, which he followed a short period, and then for three years farmed on the old homestead; he next bought eighty acres of the old place, and in 1866 settled down to permanent farming. To this farm he has since added eighty acres, has cleared all but twenty acres, has erected a substantial dwelling and commodious out-buildings, and has planted a fine orchard. In the earlier part of his farm life he gave some attention to live stock, but now devotes his entire attention to his agricultural interests. In 1866, Mr. Lugibill was united in marriage with Miss Mary Schumacher, a daughter of Peter Schumacher, a native of Switzerland, who was brought to America at an early age by his parents. He became a preacher in the Mennonite church, and was also a farmer. He died sudnenly, May 28, 1881, at the age of sixty-two years; his widow is now seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of sixteen children, all of whom grew to maturity and were married, as fo'llows: Barbara, who was first married to C. Armstead, and, after his death, to D. Basinger; Melancy, wife of A. Bixler; Fanny, married to P. T. Steiner; Mary, wife of our subject, Elizabeth, wife of B. Hilty; Christian and John, farmers of Putnam county; Catherine, who was married to J. Steiner, and died the mother of thirteen children; P. P., a farmer; David, farmer and quarryman; Adam, a Wayne county farmer; Daniel and Benjamin, farmers of Putnam county; Susan and Sarah, twins--the former married to Ulrich Steiner and the latter married to M. Coley; Lydia married to N. Moser. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lugibill has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, of whom two died young, the survivors being named Peter P., a farmer; B. F., Martha, Elizabeth, Gideon, Mary, Alva, Daniel and Ora. Mr. Lugibill and all his family are members of the Mennonite church, and in national politics he is a democrat. 111•111111111•111111 CHARLES MOORE GODFREY, of Pennsylvania and Virginia parentage, was one of a family of eleven children and was born in Lattimore township, Adams county, Pa., June 17, 1816. His immediate ancestors were of some consequence in their communities, and in a minor way were given slight official recognition by the English government. They were members of the Church of England, and during the Revolutionary period were considered loyalists, taking no part, however, in the war. William Godfrey, grandfather of our subject, was an ensign in the colonial militia, his commissiorr being dated 1754, and signed by the English lieutenant-governor. He at one time owned the historic Valley Forge farm, but sold it to Benjamin Potts, a Quaker, when our subject's father was five or six years old, and purchased Boo acres of land in York and 330 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Adams counties. His son, Thomas, father of our subject, started well in life, being owner of a saw-mill, distillery and atoo-acre farm. He was a miller by trade, but never a proprietor. He learned the trade in Philadelphia, and soon afterward went to Virginia and rented the well known Darby grist-mill, then owned by a Mr. Beverly. There he made the acquaintance of and married Miss Mary Settle, daughter of Francis Settle, who lived in either Culpeper or Fauquier county. The only civil honor he ever bore was . that of justice of peace, the appointment coming from the goVernment. He later acquired 2,000 acres of mountain land in Pennsylvania, improved the tract and built a stone house thereon. His ninth child and second son, Charles Moore Godfrey, was named for an uncle, Charles Godfrey, and his paternal grandmother, Hannah Moore. In the summer of 1837, his twenty-first year, he left home for the west, without any definite purpose other than to make a living, traveling with his brother-in-law, David Cox, who had gone from Ottawa, Ohio, to Pennsylvania, on business. He stopped, en route, at Leesville, Ohio, with a married sister, Lucy Ann Allen, visited about three months and then proceeded to Ottawa. Desirous of doing something for himself and aspiring to a more learned plane, he embraced the only opportunity that was offered for learning a profession, viz, the study of medicine. This was followed for two years under the tutelage of Dr. C. T. Pomeroy, then the only physician in the vicinity. During this time a post-office was established at Ottawa, and after considerable contention among various candidates a compromise was arrived at and he made postmaster. However, he acted as such but a short time, as the compensation was quite meager and the duties interfered with his medical studies. The citizens desired to have the village and post-office names coincide, but as the post-office name of Oak Harbor, Ohio, was Ottawa, they chose the name Buckeye. He attended lectures at the Ohio Medical college of Cincinnati during the winter of 1839-40, but was only able to do so by most rigid economy. Straightened circumstances prevented completion of the course. However, in 1856 he was made an honorary alumnus of the Cleveland - Medical college. Upon returning from Cincinnati he was elected colonel in the militia. Not being able to buy a uniform, and the duties interfering with his medical practice, he soon resigned. He entered into a partnership with Dr. Pomeroy, which lasted two yearS, until he removed to Gilboa. After one year's residence there he was made the democratic nominee for county treasurer, and later was elected, his opponent being George W. Skinner, of Kalida. Then he removed to Kalida, the county seat, and served four years as treasurer, being re-elected in 1845. While living in Gilboa he married Miss Mary Chambers, daughter of Matthew and Mary Chambers, on December 8, 1842. To this union were born two children—Edward S., who is yet living, and Bartholomew C., who died in infancy. His wife died in Kalida. on January 24, 1845. On June 4, 1846, he was again married, this time to Mrs. Jane Braucher, née Goble, who, with her daughter Elizabeth, who died October 21, '855, was residing at Bluffton, Ohio. A few days after marriage they attended a big rally at Ottawa that was devised to secure volunteers for the Mexican war. Dr. Godfrey, with sixty-six others, enlisted, but saw no service, as word was received that day from the adjutant-general that the requisition was full and three companies over. A few years after this, Dr. Godfrey was again elected colonel of the militia, which position he filled for about one year, when the la.w under which the state militia was organized was repealed. In 1848 OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 331 he was one of the democratic presidential electors, Cass and Butler being the candidates.. In 1853 or 1854 Governor Medill appointed him to a vacancy on the board that was superintending the construction of the Cleveland and Dayton insane asylums. This board consisted of six members, three mostly looking after the requirements of the Cleveland, and the other three looking after those of the Dayton asylum. Dr. Godfrey was one of the latter most of the time. The compensation was $3 per day for work actually performed, but he received nothing until several years after the completion of the institutions, and then through the efforts of Hon. H. G. Boehmer, representative from Putnam county. In 1854 he was solicited to come out for a congressional nomination, but would not allow his name to be used. In 1856, being dissatisfied with the policy of the democratic party regarding. the slavery question, he left it, and joined the republican party, and ever remained one of its strongest disciples and stanchest supporters. Upon conclusion of his service as county treasurer he resumed the practice of medicine in Kalida, a portion of the time being in partnership with Dr. R. W. Thrift. While there he also superintended the first ditch road improvement that was made between Kalida and Ottawa. In 1857, after a residence there of fourteen years, he again located at Ottawa, where he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, a portion of the time having as a partner Dr. C. E. Tupper. He started the first drug store in Ottawa. In 1859 he presided over the republican convention at Defiance, Ohio, that first nominated James M. Ashley for congress. In 1861 he was selected by his neighbors as one of a committee to secure the incorporation of .the village of Ottawa. In that year he was nominated and elected as state senator from the Thirty-third district. He took great interest and was quite active in promoting the legislation of that period, and was honored by the intimate acquaintance of the governor and other high officials, both civil and military. A renomination was declined because he was financially unable to neglect his medical practice. In 1863 he was mainly instrumental in doing away with the frequent and inconvenient delays that resulted from the identity of the post-office names of Oak Harbor and Ottawa. A unanimous petition for a change was secured at home, and a big Fourth of July celebration Was advertised for the former place, so that all the people could be present when the petition was circulated there. It was generally signed, and upon both papers being received at Washington the change was made, so that for each place its village and post-office names thereafter coincided. About this time he was appointed pension examiner and acted as such for many years, with a brief interruption when he lived in Bluffton, and until the county board system was established. In 1864 he removed to Bluffton, Ohio, selling his Ottawa property to H. F. Knowles, where he purchased the Goble farm of 300 acres. The practice of medicine was continued there, and for one year he owned an interest in a general merchandise store, being assciated therein with Miles Vance and A. G. Kibler. When there he also engaged quite extensively in sheep raising. In 1867 he disposed of his Bluffton interests and returned to Ottawa, where he resided the remainder of his life. For a number of years he was a member of the Ottawa school board, being president of the same from 1875 to 1881. In 1874 he embraced the Christian faith and united with the Presbyterian church, in which he was trustee and ruling elder for many years. In 1875 he was appointed by Governor Hayes as one of the board of trustees of the Dayton Insane asylum. Being re-appointed several times, he 332 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY continued as a member of the board for fourteen years. On February 6, 1877, his second wife died, leaving three children, Evaline, Zoe and Calvin P., only the two latter of whom are living, the first having died on June 26, 1893. He early affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and left a long and bright record in the annals of that order. He was made a master Mason in Tu-en-da-wie lodge, No. 195, at Defiance, Ohio, in 1850, while that lodge was under dispensation. He was the first person in Putnam county to become a Mason. He was a charter member and first elected master of Kalida lodge, No. 285, serving as such one year; was a charter member and first elected master of Ottawa lodge, No. 325, serving as such at different periods seventeen years; was made a royal arch Mason in Lima chapter, No. 49, and was a charter member of Ottawa chapter, No. ii5; was made a royal and select Mason in Lima council, No. 20, and was a charter member of Putnam council, No. 69, at Ottawa; was made a Knight of the Red Cross, Knight Templar and Knight of Malta in Shawnee commandery at Lima, Ohio; received Scottish rite. grades to the eighteenth degree under the jurisdiction of the Valley of the Mi-a-mi, at Toledo, and .grades to the 32nd degree in Ohio consistory Ancient & Accepted Scottish rite for the northern jurisdiction of the United States at Cincinnati; was a life member of the grand lodge of Ohio, being connected with it for thirty years; was a member of the Ohio Masonic Veterans' association, being vice-president for a number of years; was successively grand junior warden, grand senior warded and deputy grand master of the grand lodge, declining the office of grand master on account of age. In the grand chapter he held the office of grand master of the Third vail. By appointment from the grand master of Pennsylvania he was grand representative of the grand lodge of Pennsylvania, near the grand lodge of Ohio, and by appointment of the grand high priest of Pennsylvania he was the grand representative of the Holy grand royal arch chapter of Pennsylvalnia, near the grand chapter of Ohio. He was also grand representative of the grand lodge of Delaware, near the grand lodge of Ohio, and was made an honorary member of Leipsic lodge, No. 548. He died on May 8, 1895, after an illness of over four months, and was laid to his final rest on the third day following. The obsequies, which drew together a great many friends and acquaintances, were conducted under the forms of *the Masonic order, many ̊prominent members of which, from various parts of the state, were in attendance. Thus departed one of the most prominent pioneer citizens of northwestern Ohio. Splendidly endowed in physical and mental make-up, he possessed and exercised those traits of intelligence, energy, industry and economy that are so essential to success in life. As a man he was genial and entertaining, of positive information and firm conviction, whose confidence once shaken was hard to regain; tender and sympathetic, yet apparently stern; a lover of the beautiful and admirer of the meritorious; of wide and solid reading, clear and accurate judgment, he had a constitutional and deep detestation of all duplicity and unworthy pretension. Of integrity unblemished, mentality unquestioned, always actuated by laudable motives and high aims, he well deserved, as he modestly bore, the honors that fell to him. ABRAHAM LUGABILL was born in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, on the farm he still resides upon and owns, the date of his birth being November 11, 1838. He is the sixth of ten children born to John C. and Mary (Diller) Luga- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 333 bill, natives of Switzerland, who came to America in May, 1824, making a sojourn in Holmes county, Ohio, until 1837, when they came to Riley township, Putnam county, where John C. bought the tract of land on which our subject now lives. Christian Lugabill, grandfather of our subject, who came to America with his family, also entered a tract of land, in the same locality, in his own name. As may be inferred, these lands were then all in the forest, and fever and ague, as well as the umbrageous forest giants, had to be overcome before a comfortable home could be established or a profitable farm created. The grandfather eventually turned over his property to his children, and with them made his home until his death, September 187 1847, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife had died in 1832, leaving behind eight children,. who were named, in order of birth, John C. (father of our subject), Barbara, Christian, Elizabeth, Peter, Catherine, David and Mary, the last named being the only one of the family born in this country. John C. Lugabill, while a resident of Holmes county, devoted all his attention to farming. He there found game in plenty, as well as beasts of prey, but grist-mills were rare, and he carried his first bushel of corn' on his back for miles in order to get it ground into meal. He also underwent all the fatigue and deprivation incident to frontier life in Putnam county, but eventually succeeded in developing the fine farm now occupied by our subject. May 26, 1853, he lost his wife, and on October 6, 1873, was himself called to join the "innumerable caravan." The children born to John C. Lugabill and wife were ten in number, and were named as follows: Christian, deceased; Peter, deceased father of four children; Catherine, deceased; David, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of A. M. Sutter; Abraham, our subject; Mary, who married Ulrick Musser, and died in Indiana, the mother of five children; Barbara, wife of Christian Layman, of Indiana; Fanny, who married C. Locher, died and left nine children, and Benjamin, who died while yet young. A. Lugabill, the subject proper of this sketch, was educated in both the German and English languages, assisted his father on the home farm until 1863, then rented a part of the land, and married Miss Anna Locher. On the death of his father he bought the interest of the other heirs to this property, then consisting of 138 acres, and improved with substantial buildings, and being under a fair state of cultivation. He was himself born on this farm, as intimated above, and in his early manhood assisted in clearing it up, and since he has become its owner has continued • improving it—ditching, tiling, fencing, and doing all things necessary to bring it to it to its present splendid condition. He has handled considerable live stock, giving much attention to Hereford cattle and Belgium horses, but he has never neglected his farm and has never failed in making a crop. Mrs. Anna (Locher) Lugabill was born in Switzerland in 1844, a daughter of John Locher, the family coming to America in 1848, locating in Wayne county, Ohio, then coming to Putnam county, and some years later removing to Tennessee, where the father died. The mother and her children then returned to Putnam county, where they still reside. To our subject and wife have been born nine children, named as follows: Sarah, widow of Jonathan Amstutz and mother of four children; Peter; Mary, wife of Jonas. Amstutz, a dry-goods merchant of Bluffton, Ohio; Lena, married to Adam Amstutz, a farmer of Putnam county; Joshua, a dry-goods merchant of Bluffton; Levi, Lacey, Susan and William, at home on the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lugabill, with their family, following the footsteps 334 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY of their ancestors, are close adherents of the Swiss Mennonite church. Mr. Lugabill has a very pleasant hOme, and his agricultural training has enabled him to so cultivate it that he has made it unequaled in productiveness and profitable results by any other in the county. The integrity of Mr. Lugabill has never for a moment been doubted, and as a consequence he is always a welcome visitor to the homes of the best society in his native township. W. F. McCLANE, one of the oldest farmers of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 24, 1828, a son of George and Margaret A. (Flemming) McClane, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Kentucky, but who were married in Franklin county, Ohio. George McClane, who was a highly respectable farmer, after residing in Franklin county, Ohio, for a number of years, came to Putnam county, settled on the farm now occupied by our subject, and here passed the remaining days of his life, dying in the year of 1853, and followed to the grave by his widow in 1875. Of their six children, Ellen, the first born, married Benjamin Morse, now of Illinois; Zachariah, the second, died in the army during the late Civil war; Elizabeth was married to Isaac Guffy, who moved to Kansas, where both died, leaving four children; W. F., the subject; Jacob, the fifth child lives in Kansas; and Margaret A., who has been twice married and is the mother of two children, is also a resident of Kansas. W. F. McClane, the subject of this sketch, came to Putnam county in 185o, while yet a single man, and for a year worked out by the month; he then rented land and farmed as a tenant for three or four years; next bought forty acres of unimproved land, and in 1855 married Miss Elizabeth Guffy, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, February 2o, 183o, a daughter of John and Nancy A. (Penington) Guffy, the former a native of Kentucky, in which state his father was killed by Indians. After his father's death John Guffy came to Ohio, was married in Franklin county, and in 1831 came to Putnam county, entered a large tract of land, cleared up a farm from the wilderness and reared a family. In i 86o he lost his wife, and from that time on lived at the home of our subject until his own death, which took place about the year 1874. To Mr. and Mrs. McClane have been born four children, viz: George, who is yet single; John J., engaged in lumbering and farming, and who married Emma Dinsmore, who died in September, 1893; Margaret A., wife of George Safford, a farmer; and Ella J., who was first married to Jonn Clevenger, and after his death, to John Hunt. Mr. McClane still lives on a farm of seventy-one acres, which he purchased in 1858, of which but fifteen acres were then cleared, but which is now all under cultivation, with the exception of a few acres, and is well tiled and ditched and improved with a fine residence, barns and commodious out-buildings. He has, however, had several other tracts of improved land in the meantime, which he has given to his children, although, when he came to the county, he had no capital excepting his willing heart and hands. He is now a prominent farmer, takes much interest in public affairs, has served as township trustee and in some of the minor offices. In politics he is a republican, and he and wife are members of the Christian church, moving in the best circles of the society of the township. As to his political faith, Mr. McClane is as conscientious as he is in his religious belief, holding steadfastly to both, with equal zeal. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 335 DAVID U. McCULLOUGH, deceased farmer of Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Jefferson county, in the same state, in 1816, a son of James McCullough, an early settler. After reaching manhood . David U. went to Zanesville and other points and was employed by an uncle, John McCullough, who was engaged in the hotel business. Subsequently David U. located in Hancock county, where he purchased a farm and also entered eighty acres, and there made his home until 1856, when he came to Putnam county and settled on 120 acres, in section No. 21, in Blanchard township, later adding to this tract, by purchase, a tract of 120 acres, and still later adding three tracts of eighty, forty and eighty each, in the order named, and in section No. 22 purchasing a tract of ninety acres, and in section No. 27 a tract of 200 acres. On the original 120 acres he made his permanent home, and transformed it into one of the finest farms in the township, on which he erected a handsome dwelling and all the necessary out-buildings. Besides being a thorough farmer, he was an expert veterinary surgeon and did a large and lucrative professional business throughout the surrounding country. In politics Mr. McCullough was first a whig, but on the disintegration of that party fell into the republican ranks; he filled the office of justice of the peace for many years, and township trustee, and also filled several other offices of less importance. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he had been a class leader for over twenty-four years, was trustee and Sabbath-school superintendent; he was most liberal in his contributions to this religious denomination, was one of the founders of the Gilboa congregation, and donated the munificent sum of $1,200 toward the erection of its church edifice. His death was a sad event and a tragic one, and was caused by the giving way of the stonework of a bridge on the Mahoning railroad, on his own farm, he at the time standing on the bridge and being precipitated with the wreck. His loss was deeply deplored by the community, as he was ever foremost in aiding every enterprise of public benefit and was progressive in every sense of the word. Mr. McCullough was twice married —first to a Miss Rutledge, to which union were born Fannie, wife of Joshua Powell, and Elizabeth, wife of Albert Simpson. The second marriage. was with Matilda, daughter of Elisha Brooks, of Hancock county, Ohio, and to this union were born Andrew S. ; Margaret, wife of Wellington Conine; Catherine was married to David Frantz—both now deceased; David T., of Blanchard township; Frank; Alexander; Jennie, wife of Otho Hall, and two that died in infancy. David T. McCullough, son of David U. and Matilda (Brooks) McCullough, whose biographical memoir appears above, was born May 7, 1855, in Hancock county, Ohio, but was reared on the home farm, where he passed his years until he reached the age of twenty, when he settled on his present place, in section No. 22, which then comprised ninety acres; he has added to this another tract of sixty-six acres, situated in section No. 21; but the ninety acre tract is his homestead, and this he had made convenient with every modern improvement and made productive by aid of the most recent devices in agricultural implements, being fully recognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists of Blanchard township. In his politics Mr. McCullough wielded quite an influence for the republican party for many years, but of late has become quite independent in his views, believing that the interests of the people are best served by voting for competent and honest men rather than for 336 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY strictly party nominees. While not an office seeker for the sake of emolument, or for the vain purpose of being a figure-head, he has done his duty as a citizen by serving as constable, and has filled the position conscientiously and efficiently. In his religious convictions he is a Methodist, and is a member of the congregation at Gilboa, in which he has, for thirteen years, served as superintendent, and has also been one of the trustees for thirteen years, and for twenty years a class-leader. Mr. McCullough married Miss Maggie, daughter of John Norton, of Columbus Grove, and this felicitous union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, viz: Bessie M., David U., Pearl, Harry, Mabel, John, Roy, Eddie, and Lena and Leona (twins). The family enjoy a high degree of the respect and esteem of the citizens of Blanchard township, and well deserve the good opinion in which they are held. JOHN CALVIN McCLUNG, M. D., one of the most successful physicians of Putnam county, Ohio, with his residence at Leipsie, is a native of the Buckeye state, was born in Eden township, Seneca county, January 26, 1843, and is of sterling Scotch-Irish extract ion, having descended from James McClung, who, with his wife and children, about the year 172o, came to America from one of the counties of the province of Ulster, in the north of Ireland, landed in Philadelphia, Pa., and later settled in Cumberland county, in the same state. The ancestors of James McClung, this American colonial immigrant, were Scotch Covenanters, who fled from their native land to the north of Ireland, to escape religious persecution, probably about the close of the seventeenth century. Of the children of James McClung little is positively known, but there is a family tradition to the effect that several of the sons settted in one of the Scotch-Irish psalm singing communities of either Virginia or one of the Carolinas. It is known, however, that John McClung, one of the sons of James, remained in Pennsylvania and settled in Northumberland county, in the Susquahanna valley, and that to his marriage were born five sons and five daughters, in the following order: Sarah, in 174o; John, 1742; James, 1744; William, 1746; Sara, 1748; Rebekah, 175o ; Esther, 175 2 ; Elizabeth, 1755; Matthew, 1757, and Charles, 1761. Of these, all, with the exception of Sara, married and had children of their own, although William was killed during the Revolutionary war, by Indians and tories, in the massacre of Wyoming, in 1773. Charles McClung, youngest son of John and the progenitor of the McClungs of Ohio, first settled in Westmoreland county, Pa., between 1782 and 1785; he married Margaret Martin, March io, 1785, and in 1799 they came to Ohio, being among the earliest settlers of Fairfield county. To their union were born the following-named children: Elizabeth, born in 1785—died in 1798; Sarah, born in 1787— died in 1798; John, born in 1790—died in 1879; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, was married, was a pioneer of Iowa, afterward a pioneer of Oregon, and died in the latter state, where his descendants still make their homes; William, born in 1793—died in 1856; he, also, was a soldier of the war of I8I 2, and died in Fairfield county, Ohio, where his descendants still abide; David, born in 1795— died in 1867, in Leipsic, Ohio, a stanch republican, although at first a whig; Charles, born in 1798—died in 188o; he married, but has no living descendants; James, born in 1800—died in 1831 ; he was a physician, but never married. Mrs. Margaret McClung, the mother of this family, died in 1842. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 339 David McClung, one of the children enumerated above as born to Charles and Margaret (Martin) McClung, married, 1824, Elizabeth Brown, who was born in .1804, a daughter of David and Margaret (McLyre) Brown, sometime of Juniata county, Pa., and afterward of Fairfield county, Ohio. In 1826, David McClung and wife settled in Seneca county, where Mr. McClung purchased a tract of land, which he cleared and converted into a fine farm, on which he passed twenty-seven years of his life, and then, in 1863, came to Putnam county and purchased a tract of land which now forms a .part of the western section of the town of Leipsic. To David and Elizabeth (Brown) McClung were born twelve children; viz: Phoebe, born in 1824, widow of A. Leonard, of Loveland, Colo. ; William Clark, born in 1826—died near Warrensburg, Mo., in 1881; Robert Brown, born in 1828—died in 1888 at Pawnee City, Nebr. ; James D., born in 183o —died in 1873 or 1874, near Warrensburg, Mo.; David Waddle, born in 1831—a prominent politician and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio; Charles, born in 1834—died in 1845; Margaret, born in 1836—died in 1878; Sarah, born in 1838—died in 1842; Harvey, born in 1840— died in 1842; John Calvin, subject; Martha, born in 1846—died in 1875; one, a daughter, died in infancy. Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) McClung, mother of this family, was called to her final rest in 1876—dying in Leipsic, Ohio. Dr. John Calvin McClung, the subject proper of this biographical memoir, was reared on his father's farm and educated in the common and high schools, and for several years was a teacher in public schools of Hancock and Putnam counties. In 1866 he began the study of medicine, but, owing to the death of his father the year following, he was obliged to relinquish for a time his medical course of reading to take charge of the paternal estate; in 187o, however, he resumed his studies, under the preceptorship of Dr. C. E. Tupper, of Ottawa, Ohio, and in 1873 was graduated from the medical department of Western Reserve university at Cleveland, Ohio; he at once began practice at Leipsic, Ohio; and here he has since remained with abundant success: In politics the doctor has always been a republican, and in 1878 was elected a member of the village council of Leipsic and served until 1884; since 1878, also, with the exception of three years, he has been a member of the board of education and is now president of the school board; in 1885 he was elected mayor and filled the office until 1889, was re-elected at a subsequent period, and is the present mayor of Leipsic. Ile was postmaster at Leipsic from May 1, 1884, to September, 1885, and from April, 189o, to May, 1894, and no more obliging or competent official ever filled the position. The doctor, in the societies of his profession, is a member of the American Medical association, the Ohio State Medical society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical society, and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. Like his ancestors, the doctor has adhered to the Covenanter faith, and has been a lifelong member of, and a ruling elder for more than a quarter of a century in, the United Presbyterian church of North America. The marriage of Dr. McClung was solemnized, in 1868, with Miss Sarah Margaret Newlin, who was born, in 1845, in Westmoreland county. Pa., a daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Funk) Newlin, of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio. To this felicitous union have been born the following children: David Albert, January 27, 1869; Anna, October 17, 187o; John Brown, January 23, 1872, died March 24, 1895; Nathan Boyd, born February 28, 1874; Robert Clark, born September 23, 1876, died October 5, 1877; William Hartley 340 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY and Sarah (twins), born March 19, 1878; Elizabeth, born February 12, 1880; James D., born March 10, 1882; Charles Harvey, born July i o, 1885; and a son and daughter, who died in infancy. Whatever the doctor has done, either in private or for the benefit of the town in which he has spent the best years of his life, is done without any ostentation. When public or private enterprises are discussed or organized he is one who is always counted upon to bear his part in carrying them out. He is a representative, now, of a class to whom more than any other is due the growth and prosperity of many of the thriving cities of the west. Contemporary biography exercises its highest most consistent function when it enters record touching the career of any who, animated by noble ambition and maintaining lofty ideals, essay the task of making a place in the world. In such a life there is both lesson and incentive, and innate modesty should not deprive such men of the benefits to be derived from such lessons. The subject whose name initiates this review is, as may be well inferred, a man of distinguished professional attainments and unswerving honors, and probably no one in Leipsic deserves a more honorable' place in this history than does Dr. John C. McClung. CAPT. GEORGE D. McCLURE, a faithful soldier, an enterprising citizen, an excellent and progressive farmer, of Jackson township, Putnam county, was born in Kalida, Putnam county, Ohio, July 23, 1843. He is the son of Thomas R. and Faithful (Ditter) McClure (see sketch of Nathaniel McClure). He lived on his father's farm and attended school until he was fifteen years old, and then learned the printer's trade, at which he worked for two years, when the war broke out; he then dropped all work, and though little more than sixteen years of age, he responded to the first call for troops, and enlisted in company E, Twenty-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, for three months. On September 2, 1861, he enlisted in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and was elected second lieutenant when the company was organized, though he was but eighteen years of age. February 8, 1862, he was promoted to the first lieutenancy, and to the captaincy, July 23, 1863. He fought in the battles of the Morning Sun, Wolf's Creek bridge, Chickasaw Bayou, and in all the engagements in which his brother Nathaniel took part, except those of Corinth and Shiloh, Miss. Typhoid fever kept him from participating in these two momentous battles, but he followed Sherman in his triumphant march to the sea. He was ever in the thickest of the fight, knew no fear, never shirked any duties, and was a good disciplinarian. When the war was over, he, on being mustered out on August 14, 1865, was honored with. the commission of lieutenant-colonel. When peace again reigned, over this land he returned to peaceful pursuits at home, where he had, while on a furlough in 1864, on November 2, married Susan, the estimable daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Hardin) Myers. This lady was born in Perry township,. September 2, 1845, and had been educated in the public schools of Kalida, and afterward taught for six terms in the same school. After marriage, the young couple located in Kalida, where he . worked at his trade (printer's) at times, and was in business for seven years. In 1871 he moved to Perry township and farmed for four years; he then sold his farm and bought the farm in Jackson township, on which he now lives. This farm at that time was still in its wild state, no trees having been cut. He set to work, as bravely felling the trees as he had fought in battle; soon a OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 341 large space was cleared, the log heaps burned, and he could call it a farm. But he did not stop here; he has continued to improve it and keep it in a high state of cultivation. Eight children have come to bless their union: Sherman, a teacher for seven years in Nebraska, and now a resident of the Cherokee strip; George M., of Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio; Faithful, who taught school for five years, and is now the wife of John E. Shirley, of Perry township; Dottie, the wife of C. R. Corner (see his sketch); Adeline, a teacher, at home; Thomas, who is a farmer at home; Julia and Charles, who still live at home. In politics, Capt. McClure is a democrat and has been intrusted with numerous offices. In 1872, he was assessor, and appraiser in 1880. He has been justice of the peace since 1885, and at the present time also holds the office of township clerk, and is a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Union church. He is known to all as a genial, public spirited man, looking well to the interest of the neighborhood and that of his family. NATHANIEL C. McCLURE, the prominent real estate dealer of Kalida, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of Thomas R. and Faithful (Ditter) McClure, and was born September 5, 1845, in Kalida, where he has been reared and has risen to eminence as a business man. Thomas R. McClure, the father, was born in Maryland in 1805, a son of John McClure, a native of Ireland, who was but fourteen years of age when he reached America, and made his home near Baltimore, Md., where he grew to manhood and was married, becoming the father of five sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased. Thomas R. McClure was reared a farmer, was educated in his native state, and was still a young man when he came to Ohio and located in Licking county, where, about 1831, he was married to Miss Faithful Ditter. This lady was a native of Ohio, born, in 1816, in Pennsylvania, of German parents, and was reared and educated in Licking county, Ohio. From the age of thirteen years she was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a steady and faithful worker in its cause. She became the mother of eleven children, viz: John, an attorney at Little Rock and formerly chief justice of Arkansas; Callender, Jane and Thomas, all of whom died in childhood, within the space of ten days; Milton E., of Kalida, who represented this district two terms in the state legislature, and is now an official in the pension office at Columbus, Ohio; George D., justice of the peace and farmer of Jackson township, Putnam county; Nathaniel C., the subject of this sketch; Andrew J., an attorney at Continental; Thomas R., a deceased physician of Paulding county; Charles G., a schoolteacher of Hedges, Paulding county, and William D., a teacher of Kalida, Putnam county. It will thus be perceived that all the children of this family that grew to maturity attained positions of great respectability, if not prominence. The heroic devotion to the Union of the above children who were capable of bearing arms in defense of their nation's flag during the late Rebellion must also be here recorded as a necessary tribute to their worth. John McClure enlisted, September 27, 1861, in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until December 21, 1864, holding the rank of lieutenant, quartermaster, captain and major, to which positions he rose from that of private through meritorious conduct. He took part in the battles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg and Jackson (Miss.), Snake Creek Gap, Reseca, Dallas, Kenesaw 342 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. Milton E. enlisted in company E, Twenty-first Ohio infantry, April 6, 1861, at the first call for volunteers, and served three months. George D. enlisted, first, in company E, Twenty-first regiment, served three months, his full term, and also one month longer, and then enlisted, September 2, 1861, in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and when the company was organized was elected second lieutenant; February 8, 1862, was promoted to be first lieutenant, and July 23, 1863, was advanced to a captaincy, and with this rank was mustered out August 14, 1865. He fought at Shiloh, Morning Sun, Wolf's Creek Bridge, Chickasaw Bayou, and in all the engagements in which his regiment took part, and in which his elder brother was also engaged. The military career of Nathaniel C. will be related below. Thomas R. McClure, the father of these worthy children, after his marriage, settled, about 1834, on government land he had entered near Gilboa, Putnam county, cleared from the woods an admirable farm and became a prosperous farmer and a very popular and influential citizen. About 1842 he was elected sheriff, which necessitated his removal to Kalida. He performed the duties of that office in a most satisfactory manner for four years, and for a number of years thereafter was engaged in mercantile trade and in the hotel business. In 1854 he was elected county treasurer, which office he held with his characteristic ability for four years. About this time his health began to fail, and he retired from active business, resting in peace until the day came for him to join the "universal caravan," March 8, 1864, when he died in the faith of the Methodist church, of which he had been an active and prominent member. Politically he was a war democrat. Fraternally he was a charter member of Kalida lodge, No. 28o, F. & A. M., and socially no man m Putnam county stood higher than he. Nathaniel C. McClure, the subject proper of this sketch, received an excellent education in his native city of Kalida, doing little else but study until his enlistment, September 28, 1863, in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry. He participated in the battles of Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Statesboro and Fort McAllister, and March 11, 1865, was taken prisoner at Fayetteville, N. C. For twenty days he was .immured within the walls of Libby prison at Richmond, Va., was then paroled, and was mustered out of the service at Camp Chase, Ohio, June 27, 1865. On his return to Putnam county Mr. McClure taught school in the country districts of Union township until 1874, 'during which year he was appointed deputy sheriff, an office he most faithfully filled for six years. In 1888 he married Miss Gertrude Laubenthal, daughter of Adam and Mary Laubenthal, natives of Germany, who early settled in Lorain county, Ohio, where Mrs. McClure was born in 1853, but about twenty-five years ago became residents of Putnam county. Notwithstanding the fact that her parents are devout Catholics, Mrs. McClure is a strict Presbyterian. After his marriage Mr. McClure resumed his vocation of pedagogue, and continued to teach until 1890, ending his useful occupation in Continental. This year (1890) he returned to Kalida, and since then has been engaged most successively in the real estate business. In 1892 he was elected mayor, an office he held until the expiration of his term with much credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is at present a notary public and city solicitor, and is one of the substantial and truly public-spirited men of the town. He is a member of Masonic lodge, No. 325, of Ottawa, and, although not an adher- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 343 ent of any church, is recognized as a gentleman of the strictest integrity. Politically he is a democrat. ANDREW J. McCLURE, who is one of the representative attorneys of Continental, Putnam county, Ohio, and whose ancestors have been men prominent in the affairs of this portion of the Union, has practically passed his entire life in Putnam county, where he has grown from boyhood to attain a position of prominence and usefulness in the line of his profession and as a man among men. Nathaniel McClure, his paternal grandfather, was born in Scotland, but when a mere youth he removed to Dublin, Ireland. At the adventurous age of twenty years he embarked on an English man-of-war, but when the American colonies, in 1776, declared their independence from the yoke of Great Britain, such was was his innate love of liberty and his sympathy for the embryonic republic that he at once proffered his services in the cause of freedom. He joined the colonial army and for eight years fought valiantly in the noble cause. After the war he settled in Baltimore, Md., and united his life destiMes with those of Miss Jane Donin. In after years they removed to Peachbottom, York county, Pa., where they remained until his death. He was in politics an old-line whig, and in religious affiliations the family were identified with the Methodist denomination. After the death of the head of the family, the mother and her children removed to Muskingum county, Ohio. Thomas R. McClure, our subject's father, was born in Baltimore, Md., September 9, 1804. He was united in marriage to Miss Faithful E. Ditter, who was born at Peach-bottom, Pa., the date of her birth being Oc.tober 17, 1814. Thomas R. McClure and his family lived in Muskingum county, Ohio, until 184o, when they removed to Putnam county, and entered eighty acres of land in Blanchard township. Here Mr. McClure became prominently identified with the early history of the county, and was several times given political preferment by being elected to various high offices in the gift of the people. He was one of the early sheriffs of Putnam county, and as Kalida was the county seat, he removed to that place, where he continued his residence until his death. Later he was elected treasurer of the county, a position whicn he filled for four years to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents and the general public. He was a prominent pillar in the Methodist church, to which he contributed liberally, and ,was a charter member and the first jnnior warden of the first Masonic lodge (No. i 8o) formed in Putnam county. His death occurred March 28, 1864, and he was buried with high Masonic honors. His estimable wife survived him many years, her death taking place January 17, 1893. Thomas and Faithful McClure were the parents of eight sons, whose names, in order of birth, are as follows: John, Milton E. ,George D. , Nathaniel C. , Andrew J. , Thomas R. (deceased), Charles G. and William D. Andrew J. McClure, our subject, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, September 6, 1847. He received excellent educational discipline, and for eleven years taught school with an eminent degree of success, a vocation which was also followed to a greater or less extent by all seven of his brothers. After pursuing a course of technical reading in the law he was admitted to the bar, March, 7, 1882, and commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Kalida, Putnam county. At the beginning of the year 1886 he received the appointment as claim agent of the Cotton Belt Railroad company, with headquarters at Texarkana, Ark., at a salary of $1,800 per annum. 344 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY He filled the position most acceptably for two years and then resigned, notwithstanding the fact that the company proffered him a salary of $2, 50o a year if he would consent to remain with them. He returned to Kalida, Ohio, but soon afterward removed to Continental, from which point he has since practiced his profession. His technical ability, facility in debate and his judicial acumen in counsel have gained him a representative clientele, and he has achieved an enviable reputation throughout the county, being recognized as one of the representative members of the Putnam county bar. Mr. McClure was united in marriage, September 24, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Foley, who was a native of Putnam county, being the daughter of James and Rhoda Foley, who were among the highly respected pioneers of Union township. The married life of our subject was of brief duration, for he was called upon to mourn the death of his beloved wife September 22, 1875, only a short time after the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth M., who was born on the 3d day of that month. The daughter died October 12, 1885. Our subject is a stanch democrat and has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, his voice often being heard in the councils of the leaders of his party. Fraternally he is a prominent and active member of the Masonic order, being a charter member and first senior deacon in the lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Continental, and a royal arch Mason of chapter No. 125, of Ottawa. PHILIP R. McDONNEL, the popular hardware merchant of Latty, Paulding township, Paulding county, Ohio, has been in business here since 1888, with the exception of one year, from December, 1894, to December, 1895, when he was engaged in the same business at Continental, Putnam county. Mr. McDonnel was born June 23, 1860, in Fayette county, Ohio, and lived on his father's farm until sixteen years of age, and then for three a half years worked at shoemaking, but on account of ill health was compelled to relinquish the bench and seek the open air and an agricultural life for seven years in the fields of Van Wert and Mercer counties. James W. McDonnel, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in August, 1828, but, although a native of a southern state, was loyal to the flag of the Union and served for three years in its defense, going into the volunteer service from Fayette county, Ohio. He married Miss Annie Jones, and to this union were born the following children: George W., Martha, John, Alonzo, James, Philip R. and Jacob E. The mother of these children died in Fayette county in 1862, and the father next married Martha J. Kilgore, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, and to this marriage have been born Jasper and Augusta McDonnel. The marriage of our subject, Philip R McDonnel, was with Miss Almira E. Shepherd, who was born in Mercer county, Ohio, February 8, 1858, a daughter of James and Polly A. (Hamilton) Shepherd, who are among the most respectable and substantial residents of Union township, Mercer county. To this felicitous union have been born Nora B., Ora B. (who died November 15, 1892,) and Homer L. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. McDonnel located at Middlepoint, Van Wert county, Ohio, and engaged in the millinery business for a year or more; then moved to Mendon, Mercer coounty, where they lived for two years, and thence moved to Latty, Paulding county, where Mrs. McDonnel continued to follow the millinery business, in which she was quite an artist, and Mr. McDonnel embarked in the hardware trade, in which he has OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 345 since been so successful. While in business at Continental Mrs. McDonnel has met with phenomenal success as a milliner, and occupied a show-room in a building separate from that in Which her husband carried on his trade, and was the leader of style in the township, drawing her patronage from all the country roundabout, owing to her exquisite taste as displayed in the production of ladies' head-wear. In the hardware trade Mr. McDonnel has been equally successful, and succeeded in establishing almost a monopoly, carrying, as he did, a full line of heavy, shelf and builders' ware, and everything pertaining to the trade. On August 12, 1894, Mr. McDonnel was burned out, losing two buildings, one having two business-rooms. The loss from this fire was nearly total, Mr. McDonnel receiving only $500 insurance on the buildings and $250 as damages to the millineiy and hardware stocks. In politics Mr. McDonnel is a republican, and in religion he and wife are members of the Society of Friends. Mr. McDonnel is also a member of K. of P. lodge, No. 650, of Latty, Ohio. He is the owner of a neat farm of eighty acres in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, all well improved, and also a farm of 500 acres in Scott county, Tenn., two miles from Helenwood, the county seat. All this property he has made through his own exertions,. and it is evident that he is equally successful in his mercantile trade, as he is possessed of the valuable qualities—urbanity and a disposition to please—which are the factors of success .in any and all of life's ventures. HUGH L. McDOWELL, postmaster of Ottawa, and ex-treasurer of Putnam county, is a native of Ohio, and son of James and Agnes (Bacon) McDowell. James McDowell was born in Licking county, Ohio, where he spent the greater part of his life, moving thence, in 1845, to the county of Putnam, where he died two years later. By occupation he was a farmer and made his first purchase in Putnam county in 1844, his place consisting of eighty acres of wild land, upon which he erected a small cabin, for the reception of his family, the year following. He died in 1847, leaving a widow and four children, two sons and two daughters, viz: Isaac, deceased; Hugh L., Jane, and Sarah, wife of Joseph Bartoon. The mother subsequently married William Sackett; she died at Gilboa, Putnam county, at the age of seventy-four years. Hugh L. McDowell was born in the county of Licking, Ohio, August i 2, 1841, and in his fourth year was brought by his parents to Putnam county, of which he has since been an honored resident. He attended, at intervals, the country schools, but was early obliged to rely on his own resources for a livelihood. At the age of fifteen he began working by the month as a farm laborer during the summer seasons, and in the winter worked for his board, while he attended school. On attaining his majority he took charge of the home place, which he operated for several years, and after it was sold he purchased sixty acres of timber land in Riley township, which he cleared and upon which he resided until 1873, moving in that year to Ottawa. During the stay in Riley township he was engaged in general farming and in buying and selling stock, the latter proving very remunerative. He was also assessor of the aforesaid township for a period of eight years, and in 1879 was elected county treasurer, the duties of which position he discharged in a manner creditable to himself and highly satisfactory to the public for four years. At the expiration of his official term Mr. McDowell returned to his home place, and for five years thereafter was engaged in agricultural pursuits and the stock business, 346 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY giving the greater part of his attention to the latter, while his sons managed the farm. He bought extensively throughout northwestern Ohio, and for a number of years was considered one of the heaviest shippers in this part of the state. He was associated for some time with Matthew Ewing, and after that gentleman's death continued the business alone until 1893. In March, 1894, he was appointed postmaster of Ottawa, receiving his commission the same month. In the management of the office Mr. McDowell has displayed executive ability of a high order, and has proved a most capable and popular official. His sons, Harvey and Isaac, assist him as deputies, and it is conceded by all that the office has never been in more efficient and trustworthy hands. Mr. McDowell moved to Ottawa in 1891, since which time he has practically retired from all business, except that pertaining to the post-office. He is a democrat of the old school, and has contributed not a little to the success of his party in Putnam county. He belongs to the F. & A. M., Ottawa lodge,' No. .325, and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. McDowell was married June 23, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Ridge, daughter of William Ridge, a union blessed with the birth of eight children, viz: Orvill, druggist; James W., street commissioner of Ottawa; Harvey H., deputy postmaster; David, barber of Ottawa; Isaac Newton, clerk in post-office; Earnest; Nelson H.; and Cortis E. Mr. McDowell is essentially a self-made man, and as such ranks with the foremost citizens of the county of Putnam. He has done his full share in the development of the county, and seconds every movement having for its object the advancement of the community. He serv.ed in the late war, in company D, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and participated in a number of battles, the most noted of which was the engagement at Stone river. He was honorably discharged at De-card Station; Tenn., August 7, 1863. WILLIAM McELDERRY, a prominent and self-made farmer-citizen of Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Carroll county May 14, 1840. At the age of nine years he was taken to Delaware county by his parents, who remained there six years, and then moved to Union county, where they lived until 1865. They then came to Putnam county and located in Pleasant township, our subject all this time following the pursuit of farming and remaining with his parents until his marriage, January 5, 1868, with Miss Louisa Bogart, a native of Putnam county, born February 23, 1851, and daughter of William and Eliza (Critten) Bogart, of Pennsylvania-German descent. He had purchased forty acres of the land on which he now lives, and he has since added to his possessions until he is now the owner of 233 acres, of which 208 are under cultivation. He received from his father twenty-six acres of land, which he sold for $1,000. This money he invested, together with other money subsequently acquired, in adding to the original forty acres he had previously purchased, in section No. 19, as follows: Twenty acres adjoining in the north ; eleven acres north of this last purchase; twenty acres adjoining the northwest corner of his farm; then seventy acres in section No. 20, adjoining the forty on the east; then ten acres in section No. 19, and then thirty-three acres adjoining the last purchase, and subsequently twenty-nine acres adjoining the original forty on the north, the entire tract being now in one piece. In his purchase he secured several domiciles, and still owns two well improved places. His homestead he hewed bodily from the wilder- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 347 ness, assisted by his willing wife, and this is well ditched and tiled, and his dwelling commodious and substantial, modern and convenient, is situated about two and one-half miles from Columbus Grove. William McElderry's parents, Richard and Eliza (Galley) McElderry, were natives of Beaver county, Pa., and were married in that state. The father of Richard, John McElderry, was born in Ireland, married a Miss McCabe, and on coming to America first located in Pennsylvania, later came to Ohio and settled in Carroll county, and there. ended his days. Richard McElderry was a brick-layer and stone-cutter, became a resident of Putnam county, Ohio, engaged in farming on a tract of 190 acres of land which he had bought in the wild state, and which he had cleared up and put in a first-class state of cultivation, and here passed the remainder of his life, dying in January, 1867, a leading member of the. Presbyterian church and a democrat in politics. His widow survived until May, 1879, when she, too, was called away. The children born to Richard and • Eliza McElderry were eleven in number, born in the following order: Margaret J., deceased wife of J. H. Noble, left two children; Mary is the wife of E. L. D. Tracy; Jonathan died in the army during the late Civil war; James and Samuel died young; William is the subject of this sketch; Joseph died a.soldier while fighting for the preservation of the Union; John served through the late war and is now a resident of Columbus Grove; Andrew died young; Sarah married George Arnold, a farmer and carpenter; James S. was in the regular army of the United States and died in Wyoming. William Bogart, the father of Mrs. McElderry, had born to him by his first .wife, Louisa Critten, six children, viz: Mary E., Louisa (Mrs. McElderry), Amanda, James, Daniel L. and William W. In 1863 the mother of this family passed from earth, the children became scattered, and Mr. Bogart re-married and went to live in Arkansas. To his second marriage have been born eight children, who are scattered from Massachusetts to Oklahoma. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McElderry have been born eight children, of whom two died young, the survivors being named Gertrude, who is the wife of Charles Michael, a farmer; Louisa J., married to Chester H. Jones, also a farmer; Francis M., Virgil, Everett L. and Len, at home. The parents are both members of the United Brethren church, and in politics Mr. McElderry has been entirely independent, voting as his judgment dictated for either of the old parties until within the past two years, since when he has exercised his franchise in favor of the populists. Mr. McElderry, in arranging his lands and getting his farm into good shape, has made eight different purchases. For his first forty acres he paid $12 per acre; since then the plats have varied in price, his last tract costing him $94.40 per acre, and he now has his farm nicely squared up, with a very tasteful dwelling thereon, barns, orchards, and every improvement tending to make a model farm. His property is the result of his own and his wife's joint industry and hard labor, and no names are better deserving a place in this volume than those of Mr. and Mrs. McElderry. He has paid a good deal of attention to cattle, in which he has dealt extensively for a good many years, meeting with great success. He has served upon the school board and filled the office of district clerk. He and his wife visited the World's Fair, and from a clear apprehension of the innumerable and wonderful exhibits of agricultural products and implements, as well as live stock, came back a wiser man. Mr. McElderry points, with pride, to the fact, with all his extensive dealings in cattle and other businesses, that he has never been sued, nor has he sued any one. 348 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY H. N. KELLEY, a thriving and highly respected farmer of Pleasant township, Putnam county, is a native of Shelby county, Ohio, born November 30, 1845, and is a son of Isaac Kelley, also a native of the Buckeye state and a tailor by trade, and Phebe A. (Livingston) Kelley—Isaac, after his marriage, also becoming a farmer. Isaac Kelley was of Scotch-Irish descent and his wife of Pennsylvania-German extraction. The latter was the widow of Thomas Kelley when she was married to Isaac, and the mother of three children—Elizabeth, Mary and Martha; by her marriage with Isaac Kelley she became the mother of five children, viz: Larinda, married to Andy Cotterman; Rhoda, wife of Jacob Cotterman; Thomas, a resident of Van Wert county; H. N., the subject of this sketch, and Sarah E., wife of Wesley Wade. Isaac Kelley died about 1848, and Mrs. Kelley next married William McManly; to this union were born two children—William, who resides at Rimer, Ohio, and George, at Dashler. The mother of these children died in the fall of 1875, a life-long member of the Baptist church, our subject having done her farming and with filial care attended to her wants in her latter days. H. N. Kelley was reared a farmer. He was but three years of age when his father died and was under the care of his mother until he was old enough to do something for himself; but when that period was reached he did much toward keeping the family together and in aiding his mother during her widowhood. After her marriage with Mr. McManly he still continued with the family for some time, but worked out by the month until about 1865, when he went to Warren county, where he passed five years. In 187o he came to Putnam county, and leased a farm for six years, but in the meantime bought a tract of sixty acres. In the fall of 1876 he married Miss Anna E. Beard, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, May 3, 1859, a daughter of Josiah and Henrietta (Corwin) Beard, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio, and in the latter state were married. A year after his marriage Mr. Kelley rented his father-in-law's farm, and since then has bought out the heirs, the property comprising 104 acres, of which fifty acres were cleared. Mr. Kelley has the place all now cleared up, with the exception of eight acres; has it ditched ,and tiled and under cultivation; has remodeled the dwelling aid made many other important improvements. The farm is delightfully situated a mile and a half from Columbus Grove, and Mr. Kelley has converted it into a most desirable home. Here he and his family continue to reside in the enjoyment of the respect of the entire neighborhood. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly three children, of whom one, a son, died in infancy; Eva was born March 26, 1879, and Blanch Marie, February 4, 1881, and both are living at home. Josiah Beard, the father of Mrs. Kelley, when a young man, was in the railroad business, but afterward bought a farm in Pleasant Valley, Ohio. The mother of Mrs. Kelley was of Scotch-Irish descent and a second cousin of Tom Corwin, the celebrated statesman. Mr. Beard came to Putnam county in 1856, bought a small farm, with a few acres cleared, then lived in Columbus Grove until his farmhouse was built, and here he resided a few years, when he sold and moved to Kenton; a short time afterward he came to Pleasant township and bought the farm on which Mr. Kelley now lives; in 1878 he retired to Columbus Grove and there died in 1881, an honored and highly respected citizen. His widow, at the age of fifty-six years, is a resident of Columbus Grove, a devout member of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Beard was also a member. By a former marriage Mr. Beard was the OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 349 father of one son, William, a railroad conductor and a resident of Columbus, Ohio; by his second marriage there was one child also born—Mrs. Kelley. Mr. Kelley is a self-made man and is a credit to the community in which he lives, and whose respect he enjoys to the full. In politics he is independent, using his own sound judgment as to how he shall exercise his franchise. H. D. MACK, an enterprising and prosperous young farmers of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of the Buckeye state and was born in Fairfield couhty April 5, 1851. His parents, Christian and Mary (Stiger) Mack, were born respectively in Fairfield county February 15, 1825, and in Switzerland in January, 1824. The parents of Christian Mack came from Germany at a very early date and settled in Fairfield county, where the father cleared up a farm and built and ran a gristmill until called away by death. Christian Mack learned wagon-making, which trade he followed in his younger days and then engaged in farming in his native county until the fall of 1858, when he came to Putnam county and bought a tract of eighty acres, on which was a small improvement, and this tract he soon remodeled and converted into an excellent farm. Being possessed of considerable means he afterward became a large land-owner. After coming here, however, he still followed his trade to some extent in conjunction with farming, but in a short time relinquished wagon-making entirely. Of his homestead he cleared and placed under cultivation 15o acres and otherwise improved to the utmost. He was a Lutheran in religion and very active in church work, giving especial attention to Sunday-school affairs. In politics he was a democrat, and, although he was never an aspirant for public office, was greatly interested in political matters. His death took place February 16, 1894—an honored and highly respected citizen. His widow, at the ripe age of seventy-two years, is still a resident on the homestead and is also a devout member of the Lutheran church. Of the family of twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Christian Mack, eight were reared to maturity and named as follows: Edward, a farmer of Liberty township; H. D., our subject; George C., a farmer; Maggie, wife of George Kratzer, farmer; W. F. and B. F., both on parts of the homestead; Catherine, married to John Kratzer, farmer, and Sarah, wife of T. F. Hummon, a hardware clerk at Leipsic. H. D. Mack, the subject of this biographical sketch, was eight years of age when brought to Liberty township by his parents. Here he was trained to farming, grew to manhood, and remained at home until his marriage, in 1876, to Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, a widow, who had borne the maiden name of Fordner. She lost her parents when she was quite young and was reared to womanhood by Daniel Marshall and wife, whose kindness she will always cherish and whom she regards with a filial affection. She was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, April 3, 1855, and was first married to Phillip Miller, by whom she was the mother of two children, viz: William C., now farming on his own account, and Eva R., the wife of Peter Ballmer, a carpenter. It should here be remarked that these two children were reared to maturity by our subject, Mr. Mack, who spared no pains to bring them up to lives of usefulness. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mack has been blessed by the birth of seven children, viz: Florence, Mary, Clyde, Charlie, Clarence, Myrtle and Melvin, all still at home. At his marriage Mr. Mack settled on a tract of forty acres presented to him by his father, of which tract fifteen acres had been