OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 425 was married December 31, 1850, to Catherine Ferrell, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, February 23, 1833, a daughter of Edmund and Nancy (Eaton) Ferrell. To this union have been born the following children: Hiram, who died in infancy; Minerva, who died an infant; Nancy M., deceased; Fisher D., Edmund F., Ben T., and Santford A.—the last named also deceased. To this family may be added the names of Ural L. and Vinton 0., two grandchildren, whom Mr. Quaintance is rearing, their mother being dead. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson Quaintance lived for four years in Crawford county after marriage and then moved to Iowa, where they remained eight years; then returned to Ohio and lived in Crawford county four years; then to Allen county, and finally settled in Palmer township, Putnam county, on their present farm, in 1876. This tract was little better than a huge frog pond when Mr. Quaintance took possession, but by industry and the application of the improved draining , system and the use of proper agricultural implements, he has converted it into as fine a sixty-acre farm as there is in the county. Mr. Quaintance is a devout member of the church of Christ, of which he has been a deacon and trustee for many years, and in politics he has for the past two years affiliated with the populist party. Edmund F. Quaintance, the subject proper of the sketch, has been always engaged in farming since his early youth, and few of his age are better advanced in the calling. January 6, 1884, he married Miss Delilah Rigg, a native of Palmer township Putnam county, born January 7, 1861, daughter of Mahlon and Mary A. (Cox) Rigg, of Palmer township, the father being a substantial farmer. Immediately on his marriage Mr. Quaintance settled on his present forty acres, and by constant attention and indomitable industry has placed it on a favorable comparison with any farm of considerable proportions in the township. In politics Mr. Quaintance is a populist. But the subject in which Mr. Quaintance is most absorbed is the church of Christ, of which he is now an elder, and also a trustee, clerk, superintendent of Sunday-school and teacher; he is also treasurer of the township Sunday-school association and a member of the committee on program, as well as a member of the building committee of his church, and in the last-named capacity has displayed great zeal 'and activity in collecting funds for church use. He is successful in his good work, for the reason that his heart is in it. JOHN RAABE was born in the village of Lander, Germany, October io, 1828, a son of Conrad and Eva Elizabeth (Stemmler) Raabe, a full record of whom is given in the biography of Henry C. Raabe, following. John Raabe was not quite four years of age when brought to America, with his father Conrad, who, with John Discher, was the first German to settle in Putnam county, Ohio. The family landed in New York, October 7, 1832, and reached Fort Jennings February 11, 1833, John Raabe, our subject, who had been baptized in the German Reform church two days after birth, bringing his certificate of baptism with him—a document he still has in his possession. Our subject was of course too young to remember the voyage across the ocean, but he does remember that his father and John Discher at first lived, on arrival, in the cabin of Jim Thatcher, an American pioneer, a half-mile south of Fort Jennings, where they remained for two months, or until they could put up their own cabins. Raabe and Discher were married to sisters, and both settled on the same tract in the woods, bui lived in separate cabins. There was but 426 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY one log house at Fort Jennings, and that was occupied, Mr. Raabe thinks, by Edward Ladd; the Harris family lived a half mile north of the fort, and the widow Walton family, American, one mile northeast; Henry Boda, a Virginia Dutchman, lived about three and a half miles north of Fort Jennings at Hedrick's ford. An American family by the name of Stuck lived about one mile south of the fort, and about a half mile further south lived Norman Washburn; another settler, either a Mr. Miller or a Mr. Harter, lived near Washburn, and south of him the Cochrans had been settled since 1821. John Raabe had but slight educational advantages in the wilderness of Jennings township and thinks that he attended the first school taught at Fort Jennings. He had to learn to clear land, to farm, to turn his hand to carpentry, to mill building, to butchering, and other pioneer pursuits in order to live in comfort. Deer were plentiful, and he has seen as many as sixteen in a drove on the Little Auglaize river, coming from the Sulphur springs. At the age fourteen years he killed his first deer, but many subsequently fell before his deadly aim--he at times killing as many as three in a day—and also killing wild turkeys innumerable. In fact, the pioneeers lived largely on game and fish, with which latter Auglaize river was bountifully supplied and which were easily captured. The marriage of Mr. Raabe took place November 22, 1853, with Martha E. Discher, who was born February 3, 1835, at Fort Jennings, a daughter of John and Maria (Hedrick) Discher, of whom more may be read in the biography of Sigmond Rekart, on another page. John Hedrick was a German, who, when single, came to America with John Discher and located at Fort Jennings. He married a widow, Mrs. Catherine Wellman, a German lady, with one child—Charles. To the union of John and Catherine (Wellman) Hedrick were born six children, viz: William John, George, Louis, Phoeny and Malinda John Hedrick, after living with his father-in law for a short time, settled at Hedrick's ford four miles north of Fort Jennings, on th Auglaize river, where he cleared up a goo farm from the woods. He was an upright industrious pioneer and a member of the Luth eran church, while his wife was a devout Gatti olic. He lived on his farm until his death i 1884, dying an honored and venerated man a the age of seventy-nine years, ten months any eight days. After his marriage John Raabe settled a his present farm of ninety acres in the will woods, seventy acres of which farm he bough from Joseph Rekart, and twenty acres from Frederick Schuerman—the latter cleared—bu all now converted into as fine a farm as any of its size in the township. He lived in a hews log house for twenty-four years, but in 187, built a modern frame dwelling, which for comfort, convenience and appearance will compar favorably with the homes of his neighbors To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Raabe have been born eleven children, named as follows John W., Annie, Louisa, Harmon, Lena, Al bert (died at nine years), Arnolds, Emma A (who died at the age of five years), Mary Julia and Lizzie—all born on the homestead Mr. and Mrs. Raabe are Lutheran in religion and assisted with their means to build the firs Lutheran church at Fort Jennings, in which he has held the office of trustee. In politic Mr. Raabe is a democrat, and has been hon ored by his party with a number of offices, in cluding that of township treasurer eleven years, township trustee several years, constable ten years, and supervisor for several terms. Mr. Raabe is a typical pioneer, is thoroughly hon. est, and it is an honor to his descendants to have sprung from so worthy a sire as this, one of the first German settlers of Putnam county,] OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 427 HENRY C. RAABE, of Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of Henry Raabe, who was a son of one of the two original German settlers of Putnam county—Conrad Raabe, the father of Henry, being one, and John Discher the other. Conrad Raabe was born March 18, 1783, in the village of Lenderscheit, Germany, and was the eldest of a family of five children born to Henry and Catherine Elizabeth (Miller) Raabe, viz: Conrad, Christian, Henry, Henry (second) and Catherine E. The parents were farmers and owned fifty-three acres of land in their own right, which was quite an estate, as things existed in the old country. Henry and his family were members of the German Reform church, in the faith of which he died, at the age of seventy-three years, in 1833. Conrad Raabe, the father of Henry, was married at the age of twenty-eight, in his native village, to Miss Eva Elizabeth Stemmler, by whom he had seven children, viz: Catherine E., who died at two and one-half years; Henry C., Henry (second), Annie E., Annie C., John and Christian. On the 9th of July, 1832, Conrad Raabe left the old country, with his wife and small family, in company with John Discher, a sketch of whose family will be found in connection with that of Mr. Boehmer on another page, sailing from Bremen in the good ship Germany, and landing, after a passage of seventy-three days, in the port of New York, October 7, 1832. From New York they went by steamer to Philadelphia, and thence by a six-horse freight wagon to Pittsburg, Pa., thence to Dayton, Ohio, thence to Pickaway county, and eventually reached Fort Jennings February II, 1883. They found a deserted log house and a log stable on a clearing of about ten acres that had partly grown to brush —the log house then standing on the site of the present residence of Charles A. King, and the log stable occupying the present site of Amos Boehmer's barn. The old cemetery was east of the old log house and south of the present farm of Charles A. King, and on the east side of the present road, and in this old cemetery the grave of Col. Jennings was marked by two upright posts connected with two rails, and there was a cluster, beside, often or twelve graves. Conrad Raabe settled one-half a mile south of Fort Jennings on the farm now occupied by Mr. Dickman, and there resided until 1834, and then lived on the land of Henry Joseph Boehmer, one-quarter of a mile southeast of Fort Jennings. Both the places were in the woods, and a patch on each had to be cleared before any crop could be raised. The first year Mr. Raabe and his two sons, Henry and Henry (second), assisted by the mother, cleared up three acres of the last-named place, and in June of 1833 put in a crop of corn, with good results, and for some time the family lived on corn bread and game. There were some few settlers on the Auglaize river, and Thaddeus Harris and his son Henry, Americans, lived three-quarters of a mile north of Fort Jennings, owning fifteen or twenty acres cleared, and had been there several years. Jim Thatcher lived one-half a mile south of the fort, and had about thirty acres cleared, and an old Revolutionary soldier, who had settled two miles south, had ten acres cleared, and had a son named Aaron living in the vicinity. These were about all the settlers in the neighborhood of Fort Jennings at that time, and there were no settlers at all in Delphos. A man named Henry Boda lived at Hedrick's ford, three and a half miles north, and the Cochrans were settled four miles or so to the south, on the Auglaize river, and had been there since 1821. The Raabe family did not suffer for want of food, and were quite comfortable in their log cabin. Conrad Raabe I and his family were members of the German 428 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Reform church, but there was no preaching of that faith in the neighborhood for several years. About eight years later a Catholic priest came from Minster and held services at Fort Jennings—about 1838— and about 1843 the Rev. William Fuhrman came from New Bremen in the interest of the Reform church. Mr. Raabe died in this faith August 23, 1854, at the age of seventy-two years. In January, 1845, Conrad Raabe had purchased ninety-four acres of the farm on which our subject, Henry C. Raabe, now lives. He settled on this place in 1842, built a log cabin, cleared up fifteen acres, and in 1851 sold the place to his son Henry and went to live with his daughter, Annie C., wife of William Rasner, living in Peru, Ind., where his death took place on the day named above. Henry Raabe, father of our subject, was born November 16, 1815, on the old homestead in Germany, received a good education in his native land, and through his own efforts and by aid of a spelling-book learned English after reaching this country. He was about seventeen years of age on his arrival here, and still remembers the incidents that occurred on the voyage and the settlement in the wilderness of Ohio. He, being the eldest son, set at work to aid in clearing up the land and in making a farm. At the age of twenty-two, November 5, 1837, at Fort Jennings, he married Miss Ann Catherine Peters, who was born September 29, 1818, in the same village with himself in Germany, a daughter of Andrew and Ann Elizabeth (Idia) Peters—old acquaintances. Andrew Peters and his family came to America in 1837, and settled on Jennings creek, purchasing a tract of forty acres, which he subsequently converted into a good farm. He here died at the age of seventy-two years, the father of eight children, viz.: Conrad, Ann C., Eckhart, Catherine E., Charles, Mary A., Frederick and Louis. After his marriage Mr. Raabe settled on forty acres in the woods one mile north of Fort Jennings. This land he had purchased previously and afterward added to it until he owned eighty-five acres, of which he cleared thirty-five acres. He then sold and bought a portion of his father's place, consisting of ninety-four acres, to which he added thirteen, making a total of 107 acres, all of which he cleared and improved, and by thrift and industry earned sufficient to purchase an additional tract of eighty acres in Monterey township. To Henry Raabe and wife were born ten children, of whom eight grew to manhood and womanhood, as follows: John C., Elizabeth, Eckhart, Mary A., Christian, Philomena, Henry C, and Charles. In politics Henry Raabe is a democrat and has held all the offices in his township except that of constable. He and all his family are members of the German Reform church, of which he was one of the organizers in Jennings township; he also assisted in the erection of the church at Delphos, as well as in building the first hewn-log house in the town in 1843. He has probably lived in Putnam couuty longer than any other person within its bounderies, and has always been known and honored for his public spirit and sterling honesty. He possesses one of the most tenacious memories that man was ever endowed with and can without a moment's hesitation give the date of any public event within his cognizance or any occurrence in his own life. He is esteemed by all who know him and is passing his declining years in blissful peace. His estimable wife was called to rest November 5, 1890, after a married life of fifty-three years to a day. Henry C. Raabe, son of above, was born on the homestead in Jennings township January 5, 1858, received a good common-school education and was reared a practical farmer. September 12, 1888, at the residence of the bride's parents at Delphos, he was married to OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 431 Miss Anna Loeffel, daughter of Frederick and Barbara Loeffel, natives of Germany and the parents of three daughters—Lizzie, Anna and Amelia. This family are all members of the German Reform church and are of the highest respectability. After marriage Mr. Raabe settled on the old place, where he still lives, his marriage having been blessed with three children—Lena, Lucille and Jennie. He and wife are members of the German Reform church; in politics he is a democrat, and has served as supervisor of his township. Fraternally be is a member of Delphos tribe, No. 138, I. 0. R. M. He is the owner of a fine farm of ninety-six acres, and is one of the most skillful agriculturists in Putnam county, where he is widely known and highly respected. WILLIAM PATRICK, deceased, was born in Ireland, April 27, 1792, and on first coming to America located in Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Indiana, in which state he lived fourteen years, and then came to Ohio, locating in Knox county--following his trade of blacksmithing in all these places. March 11, 1834, he came to Putnam county and entered 123 acres of land on the river, two miles above Gilboa, in Blanchard township, and here established a blacksmith shop, and cleared up and improved his land. He had married Nellie Smith, born in Pennsylvania December 8, 1796, and to their union were born eleven children, as follows: Louisa, who was first married to William Coakley, and, after his death, to a Mr. Hope; James; Joseph, deceased; Mary, who was married to a Mr. Rutledge; Catherine, now Mrs. Wesley Ebins; Martha, deceased wife of Simon Frantz; Ellen, wife of John Conn; Sarah, wife of Richard Wood; Wilson, of Michigan; Lucinda, who died in infancy, and Betsey, now Mrs. Simpson. Both parents 23 died on the homestead in Putnam county, the father, May 23, 1862, and the mother, September 12, 1888, both deeply mourned by their sorrowing children and an extensive circle of true friends. James Patrick, the eldest son in the above family, was born September 8, 1817, in Allegheny county, Pa., and in 1834 came with his parents to Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio. He lived on the homestead till 1847, then he bought eighty acres in sections 4 and 5, in the same township. This land was in the deep forest and in its primitive condition, but under the usual penalty of hard labor and deprivation, Mr. Patrick succeeded in converting it into as fine a farm as there is in the county. Later, Mr. Patrick purchased the old homestead in its entirety, but later sold this to George Winernan, and added forty acres to his own farm, thus extending it to Van Buren township. The marriage of Mr. Patrick took place August 21, 1842, to Harriet Conn, who was. born in 1816, a daughter of Thomas Conn, the union resulting in the birth of seven children,. as follows: William, who was a soldier in. company I, Ninety-ninth Ohio volnnteer in fantry, and died in New Albany, Ind., January, 1863, from the effects of exposure during his service. Thomas, the second child, also died in 1863; Amanda was first married to Lewis Carter, and after his death to Lewis Woodruff; Mary A., wife of James Carnahan; Lucinda, who became the wife of Andrew Criss, but, with her husband, is deceased; Harriet P. is the wife of Jacob Bright, and Martha, who is the wife of John Farrentine. Mr. Patrick has been very prominent in the affairs of Blanchard township ever since settling here. In the earlier days he was one of the most famous hunters and trappers of his section of the country, and has always been popular as a democrat, has filled the office of township trus- 432 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY tee, and has been an able worker for his party. As an agriculturist he has few equals, and as a citizen he is liberal, enterprising and progressive. BENJAMIN P. RADABAUGH, one of the substantial and progressive farmers of Ottawa township, Putnam county. Ohio, was born in Hancock county, July 20, 1833. His father, John M. Radabaugh, the son of Martin Radabaugh, was born in Virginia, in i800, and when but three years old his parents brought him to Ohio and settled in Licking county, where they were among the very earliest pioneers of that county, and underwent the many hardships and privations incident to opening up a new country. He received his education in a little school-house in the neighborhood and then learned the cooper's trade. About 1823 he married Sophia Fairbanks, a daughter of Samuel Fairbanks. She was born in 1803 in Vermont, her parents, who were also natives of that state, having, in 1814, joined the throng of those crossing the mountains, and settling in Muskingum county, Ohio, where they lived the rest of their lives. After his marriage Mr. Radabaugh followed the cooper's trade in Licking county, Ohio, until 1833, when he moved to Hancock county, where he held the office of justice of the peace for three years. Nine years later he moved to Gilboa, Putnam county, where he remained until 1844, when he moved to Ottawa township, where he spent the remainder of his years, and died in Ottawa, October 13, 1857, in the faith of the Catholic church, though in early life he and his wife had been members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He held the office of justice of the peace six years in Ottawa township, Putnam county, and was a democrat in politics. The wife died in June, 1881, also in the faith of the Catholic church. Their children were four in number: William, who was born March 1 , 1829, and was killed in defense of his country in September, 1864; Benjamin P., the subject of our sketch; Mary E., the wife of John Ward, of Ottawa, and Horace, who was born September 5, 1839, and died December 24, 1882. Benjamin P. Radabaugh, the son of John M. and Sophia Radabaugh, received his education in the common schools of Ottawa, where he had passed his boyhood. On the 6th of May, 1861, he married Lydia, the daughter of Isaac and Adeline (Palmer) Allen; this lady was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 13, 1838, her father being a native of that county and her mother of Virginia. They have five other children, only three of whom are living: The wife of the subject of our sketch; Caroline Reidenour, and Mrs. Lucy Troyer, of Grant county, Ind. In 1853 the parents had moved with their children from Columbiana county to this county, where the parents purchased a farm and lived there until their respective deaths, the mother dying a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. About ten days after his marriage Mr. Radabaugh responded to his country's call for faithful men, by enlisting under Capt. Allen, in company D, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, for three months' service. The company was sent by way of Toledo, Columbus and Gallipolis to West Virginia, when he participated in the battle of Scarry Creek, where his captain and lieutenant were killed. He remained one month beyond the term of enlistment and then returned home and took up the peaceful pursuit of farming, he being rather a man of peace than of war. He has continued farming ever since, except two years, which he spent in the town of Ottawa. He is not a member of any church, though he contributes liberally to all good causes. He is a member of the Thomas Allen post, No. 578, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 433 G. A. R., of Ottawa. Politically he supports the democratic party in national affairs, but in local affairs he believes that principles and men are superior to any party. For fifteen years he has been a member of the school board of the township. His family consists of eight children, viz: Elmer E., of Miller City; Florence May, the wife of Henry Agner, of Ottawa; Allen, now living in Indiana; Cora; John, of Grant county, Ind. ; William; Mary C., and Isaac, who died when a small child. SOLOMON RAGER, a deceased farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Franklin county June 23, 1850, a son of John Rager, of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. Solomon was reared to farming in his native county, and January 18, 1872, married Miss Helena Coon, the union being blessed with seven children, born in the following order: Mrs. Olive Good, who died December 3I, i 893 ; AlOnzo, a farmer; Luke, carrying on the home farm; Elmer, also a farmer; Lewis, aged fourteen years; Chester, aged eleven, and Verda, aged nine years, the latter three residing with their mother. After his marriage, Solomon Rager farmed in Franklin county, Ohio, until August, 1884, and on the 23d of that month settled in Putnam county, where he continued to farm until his death, which occurred January 17, 1885. He was a republican in politics, and fraternally was a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge at Winchester. Mrs. Helena Rager was born in Franklin county, Ohio, October 14, 1852. Her father, Luke Coon, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 8, 1826, and was of Dutch-Irish parentage. He was reared to manhood on the farm of his parents, and at the proper age married Miss Susan Arnett, a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch parentage. To the union of Luke and Susan Coon were born six children, viz: Mrs. Sarah McKee, of Illinois; John, a farmer of the same state; Helena, widow of Solomon Rager; George, a farmer of Indiana; Mrs. Emilie Pugh, deceased, and Jennie, wife Eli Adams, also a farmer of Illinois. After his marriage, Coon continued farming until 1856, when he removed to Illinois, where he lost his wife in 1859; he remarried, however, and maintained his residence in Illinois until about 1882, when he returned to Ohio and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Rager, until his death, which took place about the year 1887. He was a democrat in politics and in religion was a Universalist. His daughter, Mrs. Rager, was carefully educated in her earily girlhood at Macon, Ill., and in that state her marriage took place. She is a member of the Christian church, and the elder three of her children belong to the same denomination. In 1888 she erected her present handsome dwelling, where she is surrounded with sincere friends and a large circle of admiring acquaintances. HENRY D. REAM, proprietor of the saw and planing-mills of Ottawa and leading lumber dealer of that city, is a son of Abraham Ream, of Stark county, Ohio, and Anna (Miller) Ream, who was also born in the same county and state. Abraham Ream was born of German parentage, spent his boyhood years in the county of Stark, and by occupation was a farmer, though for some years he was engaged in school work as a teacher. Later in life he embarked in in the mercantile business at Canton, where he opened a general store, continuing the same until 1856, at which time he removed to Hancock county, and engaged in the dry-goods business at the little town of Newstark, having been proprietor of that village. In I 86o, he 434 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY started a branch store at the town of Ada, Ohio, disposed of his interests at Newstark four years later, and from 1864 to 1873 was prominently identified in the mercantile interests of Ada. In the latter year, in partnership with his son, P. W. Ream, he started the business which is now successfully carried on by Henry D. Ream, the subject of this sketch, and continued the same until his retirement from active life in 1876. His birth occurred near Canton, DeCember 10, 1821. His marriage was solemnized October 6, 1846, and he died April 25, 1895. Mrs. Ream died in 1884 at the age of fifty-four years. Abraham and Anria Ream had a family of seven children, viz: Philip W., farmer and fruit grower of Casey county, Ky. ; Henry D. ; Mary C., wife of R. S. Shanks; Isaac N., during life an employee of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, killed in a railroad accident in 1888; Jacob B., furniture dealer at Ada; Levi O., also a resident of Ada, and Anderson W., teacher of telegraphy in the Findlay Business college. Abraham Ream was a man of strong convictions, and for many years took a decided stand as an abolitionist against the institution of slavery. He did much for the advancement of Hancock county, was a leader in many reform movements, and took an active interest in political matters until the time of his death. Henry D. Ream, the subject of this sketch, was born in Canton January 1, 1850, grew to manhood in Hardin county, and received his education in the Normal college at Ada. He remained with his parents until fifteen years of age, at which time he began working at the trade of masonry, and it is a fact worthy of note that before his sixteenth year he entered into a contract to erect a brick building. He molded and burnt the brick for the house, superintended its construction, and turned it over to the owner, to the entire satisfaction of the latter. Since that time he has been con stantly engaged in contracting, and has done a great deal of building in various parts of Ohio, some of his contracts representing over $40, 000. From the beginning Mr. Ream has been actuated by a desire to succeed, and his life is a striking example of what can be accomplished in the face of discouraging circumstances. He, indeed, began at the bottom of the ladder, but gradually overcame every obstacle in the way of his advancement, and has met with success such as few in much longer life have attained. Mr. Ream became a resident of the county of Putnam in 1877, and has since made his home in Ottawa. In addition to his planing-mill and lumber yard he owns other valuable property, among which is a beautiful city residence and a fine farm consisting of 2 10 acres in Monroe township. His farm is a model in many respects, being highly cultivated, fenced with the Paige wire fencing, and contains over twenty miles of tile drainage. The greater part of the land he cleared himself, and his buildings are among the best in the county. His place is well stocked with superior breeds of cattle, hogs, etc., and aside from his real estate in Putnam county he possesses valuable property in Indiana and other states. Politically Mr. Ream is a stanch prohibitionist. He was married May 16, 1871, to Miss Myrapda Gilbert, who was born in Hardin county January 14, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Ream have four children, viz: Harry C., Alfred A., Lillian L. and an infant daughter. JOHN HENRY RECKER, one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Union township, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, August 1, 1846. His father, Henry Recker, was born in Hanover, March 17, 1800, there received his education, and was reared on a OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 435 farm. He was three times married—the last time to Mary K. Kluppenburger, who was the mother of his only child, John Henry, the subject of this biographical sketch. Some time in the early thirties the father left the fatherland and came to America and entered forty acres of government land in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on which he built a log cabin and went earnestly to work clearing a farm; soon the g;ant trees were laid low and rolled into heaps and burned, and a fine farm was redeemed from the forest. He underwent many privations and hardships during this early life on the farm, but as time passed by he bought other tracts of land and improved them, until at one time he owned zoo acres of fine farm land. He was very successful, and an upright, honest citizen, much respected by all. In politics he was a democrat and he and his wife both members of the Glandorf Catholic church. He died on September 21, 1866, his wife having preceded him forty-three days. John Henry Becker, an only child, was given a good education in both the English and German languages in Glandorf. He lived on his father's farm until 1867, and on May 21, of that year, he married Paulina Kahle, who was born in Greensburg township, March 16, 1846. (See the family history of I. H. Kahle, which will be found in this volume.) After marriage the young couple settled on a farm which Mr. Becker had purchased in Ottawa township, where they lived until 1877, when they moved to the farm where they now live. Mr. Becker is a progressive and successful farmer and a breeder of fine stock, and one of the best-known citizens of Union township. In politics he is a democrat, and he and wife are members of the Kalida Catholic church. At present he is interested in the developing of the Putnam county oil field. He is held in high esteem by his neighbors and respected by all who come in contact with him. His chil dren are ten in number—Frank, Mena, Paulina, August, Barney, Amelia, Joseph, Ferronia, Amos and Louie. WARREN F. REED, M. D., physician and surgeon, ex-county official and prominent business man of Ot- . tawa, is an Ohioan, born and reared in the county of Allen. The doctor's father, Manuel Reed, was a native of Trumbull county, but became a resident of the county of Allen as early as 1834, purchasing a tract of 160 acres of government land that year, within a short distance of the city of Lima. He married Elizabeth O'Harr,, daughter of Arthur O'Harr, one of the pioneers of Franklin county, and to whom was born a family of ten children, all of whom, with but one exception, grew to maturity. The oldest son, Arthur, a gallant soldier of the late war, died at Lima in f 865, leaving two children; the second in order of birth was Warren F., whose name introduces this paragraph; then follow Lorinda, wife of J. L. Smith, of Lima; John W., ex-soldier, at this time a fruit grower in California; Irvin, who resides on the old home farm near Lima; Uretta, wife of Andrew McClintock, of Allen county; Sarah, married Samuel -Schappell, of Auglaize county; Anna, wife of Jeremiah Bowsher; Aldulia, wife of William Mc-Beth, and Jenetta, who departed this life in early childhood. The father of these children was a farmer and carpenter and is remembered as a man of quiet and unostentatious manners, and strict integrity. The mother was descended from an old English family, a number of representatives of which settled many years ago in Pennsylvania. The doctor's paternal ancestors were also pioneers of the Keystone state. Dr. Warren F. Reed received his literary education in the district schools and high school 436 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY of Lima, and when a young man began the study of medicine with Dr. Harper of the aforesaid city, under whose instructions he continued for some time, making substantial progress in the interim. Subsequently he entered the medical department of the university of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1866, and later, in order to better prepare himself for his life work, took a course in the college of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York city. In the spring of 1867, Dr. Reed began the practice of his profession at the town of Kalida, where he remained until the fall of 1890, his business in the meantime extended over the central and western parts of Putnam county. In the latter year he was elected, on the republican ticket, county auditor, and at once removed to Ottawa, in order to enter upon the discharge of his official functions. The doctor's election was certainly a flattering compliment to a worthy man, as he succeeded in overcoming a standard majority of nearly 2,000 and led his ticket by an overwhelming. vote. The confidence reposed in him by his constituents was by no means misplaced, as he discharged the duties of the office with capability and dispatch and proved a most popular guardian of the trust awarded him. He served as auditor one term, and in January, 1894, was appointed one of the assignees of the Exchange bank of Ottawa; in July following, in partnership with I. H. Kahle of Glandorf and W. H. Harper, Jr., he organized the Bank of Ottawa, with which he is still identified, being president of the institution at this time. This bank does an extensive business and is one of the solid institutions of the kind in northwestern Ohio. In the midst of his business and official duties, Dr. Reed did not neglect his professional practice, and it is doubtful if there was ever a business man more attentive to the wants of the public, or a professional man more attentive to the wants of his patients than was he for several years after his removal to the county seat. By close attention to his profession and by hard study he became, while at Kalida, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the county and he still enjoys a large and lucrative practice, much more than local. He is a respected and useful citizen and is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Ottawa and Putnam county. The doctor is a member of the American Medical association, Ohio State Medical society and the Northwestern Medical association, and takes an active interest in the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the chapter, council and commandery degrees. In addition to his professional business and official career, the doctor has a record as a military man, having served in the late war as a member of company G, Thirty-fifth Indiana volunteer infantry, with which he took part in a number of battles and skirmishes, the most noted of which were Pea-Ridge and the siege of Corinth. Dr. Reed and Miss Clyde Gordon, daughter of Judge John H. Gordon, deceased, entered into the marriage relation in 1873, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Gordon, Mary and Nellie. THOMAS REES, a thriving farmer of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Wales, February 7, 1830, and was reared to coal mining under his father, for whom he worked until he reached his majority. In 1851 he came to America, landing in New York, whence he came direct to Ohio, having in his pocket one sovereign only, and for nine years he followed coal mining at Youngstown. Having saved some money, he bought eighty acres of land in Putnam county, and in 186o moved upon it, built a cabin and started to clearing, but in OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 437 1863 disposed of this land and purchased the eighty acres on which he still resides in Sugar Creek township, to which he has added forty acres. He has also increased the original clearance of fifteen acres to nearly 100 acres, and has replaced the rude log cabin with a modern two-story frame dwelling; he has, beside; erected a commodious barn, built all requisite out-houses, set out an orchard, ditched and tiled his fields and placed all his cleared land under a fine state of cultivation; he has also given considerable attention to graded live stock—horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. In 1864 Mr. Rees enlisted in the 100-day service, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, serving under Capt. Patrick on guard duty at Washington, D. C., and after the expiration of his term was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio. He had, however, suffered much from exposure to the sun while in the service, and was thus rendered somewhat incapacitated for farm labor; but he worked on, nevertheless, until 1884, when he made a trip to Wales for the improvement of his health and also to visit a brother; but the climate of the old country was too damp for his constitution, and he soon returned to his farm and resumed his agricultural labors. The marriage of Mr. Rees took place in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, who was born in Wales, April 19,1835, a daughter of Richard and May (Williams) Hughes, and who, in 1838, was brought by her parents to America. The Hughes family, on reaching the United States, first located in Portage county, Ohio, where they resided about six years and then removed to Youngstown, where Mr. Hughes acted as foreman about the coal mines until 1855, when he came to Putnam county, bought an improved farm, and here died July 28, 1894, having lost his wife about i 877. Mr. Hughes was a well educated and intelligent gentleman, who had never been used to labor in the old country, and was credited with a remarkable judgment as to live stock, of which he was very fond. He and wife were members of the Welsh Congregational church, and the parents of nine children,. viz: Elizabeth (Mrs. Rees), David R., Winifred, Gomer R. (died in the army), John (who served in the late war and died a year later),. James F., Thomas W., Mary J. and Martha. A. To Mr. and Mrs. Rees have also been born, nine children, of whom one died young, the living ones being Mary, wife of Timothy Evans;: Philip, a farmer; Janet, a dress-maker; Margaret, married to John J. Jones, a commercial traveler; Winnie, A., wife of John G. Jones, a. farmer; Richard, a farmer; Mattie E., and Thomas J., both at home. Mr. Rees is highly respected by his neighbors as an industrious and intelligent husbandman, and is an upright and useful citizen, who is never behindhand when called on to assist in the promotion of any project designed for the good of the public. ANDREW REMLINGER, the son of Sebastian and Mary (Hoover) Remlinger, was born on November 20, 1836, in Lorraine, then a part of France—Lorraine! which has so often caused ill feelings and not unfrequently wars between France and Germany for its possession. Though born where wars and strife were frequent, yet Mr. Remlinger is distinctively a man of peace, preferring rather the quiet of the farm to the noisy struggles of the city. His father and mother were both born in Lorraine, on. January 20, 18̊6, and January 16, 1812, respectively. Sebastian Remlinger, the father, received his education during odd times when he was not learning the wagon-maker's trade. He served eight years in the French army and in 1832 married Mary, the daughter of Anthony 438 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Hoover, who was a soldier of the first class in the French army. For fifteen years after their marriage the young couple lived in France, where the husband followed his trade. In 1847 they came to America and located in Milan, Erie county, Ohio, where he followed the trade of ship-building until 1859, when he moved to Wyandot county, where he bought a farm, on which he resided until April, 1865, when he came to Putnam county and purchased the farm where his son, the subject of our sketch, now lives. After 1879 he lived with his son until November 28, 1890, when death called him to follow his wife, who had died on February 14, 1877. They both were members of the Fort Jennings Catholic church. In politics he was a democrat. Their family consisted of twelve children: Thomas, deceased; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Philip, of Huron county, Ohio, who served in the late war; Peter, living ifi Norwalk township, Huron county; Margaret, wife of Martin Swartzmiller, of Saginaw county, Mich. ; Christine, wife of William Hedricks, a butcher of Delphos, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Burton, the foreman of the stave factory at Spencerville, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Anderson, of Norwalk, Ohio, and four deceased infants. While yet in France, Andrew Remlinger was able to attend school but three months, but realizing his misfortune he has always sought every opportunity to improve himself in every way possible, so that he is now a well-read man. While yet a youth he learned the trade of ship-builder, and followed this trade from 1852 to 1865, and within this time he was employed by the United States as shipbuilder at Nashville, Tenn., and Bridgeport, Ala. On November 25, 1862, Andrew Remlinger married Lena, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Bruce, but she did not live long, dying August 22, 1864. In February, 1863, the husband went to Alabama, where he was employed in the Federal service in the Tennessee river until the close of the war, in May, 1865. He then returned to Toledo, Ohio, where he worked until the fall of that year (1865), and then went to Fremont, Ohio, where he worked for two months, then worked two weeks in Milan, Ohio, and then quit his trade and moved to Norwalk, Ohio, where he worked for five years, till 1871, in the railroad shops located there. He then lived a year on a farm in Erie county, Ohio. June 19, 1866, he married Mary P., the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Beyer) Haffel, the bride having been born in Peru township, Huron county, Ohio, March 21, 1843, her parents being Germans. In 1872 he bought a place in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, and farmed it three years, and then bought the place where he now lives. His family consists of five children, viz: Lewis Peter, born April 28, 1867, an excellent young man, but in poor health, who farms at home; Charles P., born November 9, 1869, a farmer in Jennings township; William T., born March 23, 1873, a druggist at Ottoville; Cornelia Augusta, born February 12, 1876, and Henry, E., born September 17, 1880. In 1892 Mr. Remlinger built a fine large barn and otherwise improved his farm. His political affiliations are with the democratic party, and he has held the office of township trustee for twelve years and that of a school director three years. He and his entire family are devout and faithful members of the Catholic church. Among his neighbors he is popular and honored, and he is progressive, liberal and public spirited. THOMAS W. PRENTISS, a prominent attorney at law of Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, is a native of this county, and was born in Liberty township, December 23, 1843, a son of Alonzo T. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 441 and Ruth A. (McConnell) Prentiss. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Prentiss, a native of either Maine or Vermont, married Edna Lyman, by whom he had one son, Alonzo T., who was later lost at sea, and who was the father of our subject. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Nicholas McConnell, was a descendant of the McConnells of Connecticut, was a captain in the war of 1812, and in 1834 came from Portage county, Ohio, to Putnam county, and entered land in section 36, Liberty township, on which he made his homestead, and also entered the east half of section 35, as well as lands in Ottawa and Greensburg townships, owning over 1,200 acres, and clearing up his homestead and two other farms. He married Edna Alford, a native of Connecticut, whose parents were early settlers of Portage county, Ohio. To this union were born the following children: John E., formerly of West Leipsic, but now deceased; Olive J., wife of R. J. Lowery; Ruth A., mother of our subject; Sarah J., married to S. N. Alford. Nicholas McConnell was the first justice of the peace to hold office in Liberty township, and served for many years; he was also trustee and treasurer of the township, and in politics was first a whig and later a republican. He was the founder of the United Presbyterian church of Liberty township, and the church edifice was erected on land of his donation. He was a ruling elder, and was a delegate to the synod at Pittsburg, whose deliberations resulted in the establishment of the United Presbyterian church of Leipsic, in the faith of which this venerable pioneer passed away in 1864. Alonzo T. Prentiss, father of T. W. Prentiss, our subject, was born April 7, 1819, in Portage county, Ohio, and after the loss of his father at sea, as noticed above, his mother married Anson Messinger. Alonzo T. was reared, until seventeen years of age, in Portage county, Ohio, when he came to Putnam and bought from his step-father a tract of eighty acres of land in section No. 35, Liberty township, which he cleared and placed in a thorough state of cultivation. April 4, 1842, Mr. Prentiss was married, and became the father of the following children: Thomas W., our subject; Nicholas A., deceased; Rev. Lyman E., pastor of the Draper Methodist Episcopal church of Dayton; Ruth E., wife of David C. Williamson; Osmond A., deceased, and two infants, deceased. Alonzo T. Prentiss was imbued strongly with a martial ardor, as will be seen from the fact that, but few years after his marriage, he was elected, in 1848, orderly sergeant of the Black Hawk guards, of Putnam county, who tendered their services to the government as volunteers in the Mexican war, but, as the state quota was already filled, their services were declined. Relinquishing farming in 1852, he engaged in mercantile business in Ottawa and West Leipsic until 1858, and then, September 3, 1861, was mustered in as first lieutenant of company I, Forty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until March 1o, 1862, when he engaged as sutler to the Third brigade of the Third division, army of the Cumberland, Fourteenth and Twentieth corps. After the close of hostilities he went to Chicago, Ill., and engaged in contracting and building until 1876, when he went to California and followed the same line of business for some years, but is now carrying on a fruit farm in Alameda county, that state. Thomas W. Prentiss, the subject of this biographical memoir, was born on the McConnell homestead in Liberty township and was reared on his father's farm. His elementary education was imparted in the common schools, and in 1860 he was admitted to the Urbana Collegiate institution, a United Presbyterian institute of learning, but on August 23, 1861, he left school, and, inspired by the patriotism 442 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY that filled the hearts of the youth at that day and the military ardor inherent in his nature, enlisted in company I, Forty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, serving with his regiment in all its marches, skirmishes and engagements until March 27, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability arising from a wound received in the battle of Stone river, December 31, 1862. Among other battles in which he took part were Shiloh, Perryville and Bald Knob. After he had recovered he was appointed to the secret service under Col. Trusdall, with whom he remained until November, 1863, when he was commissioned second lieutenant, and in April, 1864, was assigned to the Twelfth Tennessee cavalry, detailed as quartermaster of the Second brigade of the Third division of the cavalry corps under Gen. Alonzo C. Gilham, and in August, 1864, returned to his regiment. September 7, 1864, he was again detached and sent to Gen. Sherman's headquarters, where he was assigned to duty as a military railroad conductor, remaining at the headquarters of Sherman and Thomas, with the rank of second lieutenant, until July, 1865, when he was promoted to a captaincy and made assistant chief of military conductors, which position he held until commissioned major. November 27, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and for a time made his residence in Nashville, Tenn. In January, 1867, he was selected by the governor of the state to lead a squad of twenty-four men into Dyer county, to suppress a lawless band of the K. K. K., and returned in March after successfully accomplishing his mission. In April of the same year he moved to Chicago, Ill., and engaged in contracting and building until 1869, when he turned to Putnam county, Ohio, taught school, and read law with C. Barr, of Leipsic. After finishing his studies under that gentleman, Mr. Prentiss went to Elkhorn, Wis., completed his legal training under Col. Elder of that place, was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin in 1876, and practiced the profession at Elkhorn until 1879. In this year he returned to Leipsic, Ohio, where he soon established a fine reputation as a practitioner, and on December 3, 1891, was admitted to the bar of the state of Ohio. His practice is now overwhelming and lucrative, and his fame as a lawyer extends far beyond the limits of his county, and, indeed, his state. In politics a democrat, Maj. Prentiss is active and popular. He served as a member of the school board of Leipsic for three years and was its president for two years; he has been a member of the democratic central committee twelve years and is at present a member of the democratic senatorial committee (1895), and for many years has represented his party as delegate to its state, congressional and senatorial conventions. Fraternally he has held high rank in the G. A. R., having served for six years as commander of David Miller post, of which he is the present chaplain; he is also past junior vice-department commander of the department of Ohio, and is likewise a member of the I. 0. 0. F. ; religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Maj. Prentiss has been three times wedded. His first wife, whom he married September 15, 1863, bore the maiden name of Susannah Humphreys, and died August 22, 1864, the mother of one child, also deceased. His second marriage took place December 5, 1865, with Miss Ellexena A. Pacand, of Clarksville, Tenn., who died March 22, 1881, also the mother of one child, likewise deceased. The third marriage of the major, September 3, 1882, was with Miss Olive, daughter of Philip Stambaugh, and this happy union has been blessed by the birth of two children, viz: Blanch O., who was born November 10 1883, and died September 30, 1892, the surviving OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 443 child being Ray A., who was born November 22, 1885. That Maj. Prentiss is a gentleman of great energy and perseverance has been made manifest by his whole career, and that he is a man of erudition, talent and intelligence has equally been made evident by the enviable reputation he has achieved as a member of the bar. His social standing is with the most exalted personages of the county and state, and his popularity as a politician indicates a future that will make his fellow-citizens still more proud of his acquaintanceship and friendship. JOSEPH W. REKART, a substantial farmer of Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of the German Catholic pioneer, William Rekart, who did so much to build up the county in the early days, and of whom so much may be read in the biography of Sigmund Rekart on another page. William Rekart was born in the village of Kinsingen, kingdom of Baden, Germany, the eldest child of Joseph and Magdalena (Geakle) Rekart, 1819. In 1828 Joseph Rekart came to America with his parents, who sailed from Havre de Grace, France, and after a passage of fifty days arrived in New York, losing one boy, Otto, on the way. July 1, 1839, the family came to Putnam county and settled on what is now known as the Frederick Smit farm in Jennings township, and there Joseph, the father of our subject, grew to manhood. He worked on the canal with his brother Sigmund from its incipiency to its completion, and later kept lock No. 13, also keeping a grocery store and a butcher shop. In an early day Joseph moved to Ottoville and opened a general store: He was first married in 1848, in Putnam county, to Mary Nierman, the union resulting in the birth of three children: Annie M., Joseph W. and Leo. The mother of these died, and for his second wife Mr. Rekart married Louisa Stackley, to which union were born four children, viz: Henry, John, Sabina and George. About the year 1851, Joseph Rekart moved to his farm, a part of which he had entered years before, and which was entirely covered with timber, and contained 240 acres. With the assistance of his sons he cleared off this land, and also bought and cleared off 120 acres on the creek, and also other lands in the neighborhood, which he sold. At his death he owned his homestead of 16o acres and 121 acres in Van Wert county, besides considerable town property. He was a devout Catholic and assisted in building the first Catholic church in Ottoville, and was also a member of the building committee who superintended the erection of the present magnificent Catholic structure. He was a democrat in politics, held the office of township trustee, and was a member of the school board, and was likewise township clerk. He died December 14, 1887, aged sixty-eight years, eight months and eleven days—a man of most unimpeachable character and honored wherever his name was known. Joseph W. Rekart, our subject, was born at lock No. 16, on the Ohio & Erie canal, now known as Ottoville, November 19, 1851. He was but about two years of age when he lost the loving care of his mother, who, at her death, left also an infant son, Leo, aged but seven days. Joseph W. was educated in the pioneer schools and was also early instructed in the details of clearing lands, the whole country being at that time an almost unbroken wilderness, and he greatly assisted his father in denuding the homestead, as well as several other farms, of the forest growth—becoming at the same time a practical farmer. He was married at Ottoville, October 6, 1874, to Miss Josephine Sallet, who was born in the province of Alsace, France (now Germany), September 444 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY 14, 1850, a daughter of Morand and Kate (Wolf) Sallet—the former a shoemaker by trade. (See sketches of Benedict Wannemacher and M. Schulien.) After his marriage Mr. Rekart lived for two years and a half on the homestead of William Rekart. (William Rekart, by the way, was the first to introduce horses on his farm—a sorrel mare and a pair of grays, oxen having previously been used.) Joseph W. then settled on eighty acres of his present farm, which by good management he has increased to 150 acres, owning, besides, eighty acres one-quarter of a mile to the north, and eighty acres in Van Wert county, making his total possessions 310 acres all fine farming land. To Mr. and Mrs. Rekart have been born ten children, viz: Charles, William, Annie, Mary, Edward, Kate, Rosie, Frank, Matilda and Olive. The family are true Catholics, and in politics Mr. Rekart is a democrat. Mr. Rekart aided in clearing the land on which Father Mueller's house now stands and has otherwise greatly assisted the church with his labor and means; including his aid in the construction of the present grand church edifice, at Ottoville. He possesses the full confidence of the people and has served as township trustee for nine consecutive years. He is a good business man, and was a director of, as well as collector for, the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance company. He is a man of unsullied reputation and " his word is as good as his bond." SIGMUND REKART, one of the oldest and most substantial farmers of Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born October 15, 1820, in the village of Kenzingen, Baden, Germany, and is one of the earliest settlers of Putnam county. His father, Joseph Rekhart, was born in the village named above in 1788, was a copper-smith by trade and married Magdalena Geakle, a native of the same village, she becoming the mother of seven children, viz.: William, Sigmund, Joseph, Barbara, Otto, Mary and Jacob, all born in Baden, except Mary and Jacob, born in Pennsylvania. Joseph Rekart, the father of our subject, had been a prosperous artisan in his native country, and was the owner of his own shop and other property. In the fall of 1828, Mr. Rekart, with his family, embarked in a sailing vessel at Havre de Grace, France, and after a voyage of sixty days landed in New York, the boy Otto, however, dying on the voyage and being buried in mid-ocean. Mr. Rekart, with the remainder of his family, journeyed by steamboat and stage from New York to Philadelphia and for a few months worked in the latter city at any thing he could find to do, and then moved to a place in Montgomery county, Pa., about twenty-five miles from Philadelphia. In the year 1835 he started with his family and his own horse and wagon for the west, crossing the Alleghany mountains and coming via Harrisburg and Pittsburg to Ohio, and crossing the state Via Wooster, Mansfield, Bucyrus and Finlay to Putnam county—Mr. and Mrs. Rekart and the family, with the exception of the youngest two of the children, walking all this distance and taking six weeks for the trip—reaching Ottawa in October, when there was but one house in that town. Mr. Rekart first rented a house four miles northwest of this then embryo city, in which the family lived four years. In 1839, on January 1, they came to Jennings township and settled on what is now the Frederick J. Smit farm, Mr. Rekart having purchased fifty acres of land in the woods of Henry Boehmer. Of this land he cleared about thirty acres, built a log cabin, lived on flip place about fourteen years, and then sold out to Mr. Smit, above mentioned, retired from active labor and made his home with his son Sigmund until OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 445 his death, which occurred in 1861, at the age of seventy-five years. Mr. Rekart was a pious member of the Catholic church and liberally contributed to the erection of the first Catholic church building in Fort Jennings. He was first a member of the congregation at Glandorf, ho worshiped in a cabin built of round logs the woods and listened to the pioneer priest & colonizer, Prof. Horstman, and stopped t the house of John Discher while locating is land. Mr. Rekart was a man of sterling `integrity and was one of the most 'honored pioneers of Putnam county, and his widow, ho survived him until 1871, died also full of ears and respected by all the people for miles And about her. Sigmund Rekart was seven or eight years age only, when he came with his father to America, but can well remember his native village and the voyage across the Atlantic. He received a good common-school education in Pennsylvania, and was about fifteen years old when he accompanied the family on foot from le Keystone state to Putnam county, Ohio. On the way hither the three boys would sleep in the wagon at night, while the father and mother and the smaller children sought shelter in the pioneer towns, and at other times they all camped by the wayside. They always cooked their own provisions, which they brought with them or bought on the road, and hich were of a simple but hearty nature—such as bread, meat, potatoes, coffee, etc.; but these nearly gave out just west of Bucyrus id the family shifted as best they could on tort rations until they reached their destination. They at first occupied a rude log cabin which a former settler had just vacated for a more convenient hewn-log house, and for the first two years had a hard struggle, after which, through unceasing industry, affairs were made to asssume a more comfortable shape. When he family settled on what is now known as the Smith farm, our subject was about nineteen years old, and this place he assisted in clearing up from the wilderness and in making of it a comfortable home. February 4, 1847, at the age of twenty-seven years, Mr. Rekart was married, at Fort Jennings, to Miss Mary Discher, who was born June 20, 1826, in the village of Verno, Germany, one mile from the birthplace of Henry Raabe, the aged pioneer, who came with his family to Fort Jennings at the same time that John Discher and his family came, February 11, 1833—John Discher and his wife (who bore the maiden name of Catherine Stemler) being the parents of Mrs. Rekart. John Discher was a magistrate in his native country and was a man educated above the average, having graduated from a high-school. He was three times married; to his first union was born one child that died in infancy—the mother soon following to the grave. His second wife, Catherine Stemler, bore him four children, as follows: Margaret E., Mary, Catherine and John—all still living and all born in Germany with the exception of John, who was born on the ocean. Mr. Discher, on reaching Putnam county, Ohio, settled on the same farm with Conrad Raabe, their wives being sisters. The farm was a half mile south of Fort Jennings, and of this, known as the Dickson place, Mr. Discher bought fifty-six acres, all in the woods, and a place had to be cleared before a cabin could be built. Mrs. Mary Rekart was six years of age in June of the same year of the arrival of the family at Fort Jennings, and still well remembers the event of their wagon breaking down and their inability to proceed further. The first night at Fort Jennings (February 11, 1833) both families stopped at the cabin of Jim Thatcher, an American, who had settled a half mile south of Fort Jennings, on the place now occupied by Harmon Schinmoeller. She 446 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. also well remembers the old fort, with the pickets still standing and extending some distance down the stream, and of the two log cabins at the fort, beside those occupied by the soldiers, she thinks that a family lived in one —that of Edward Ladd, an American. John Discher finally located where Mr. Dickman now lives, entering sixty acres of land in the land office, then in Piqua, to which he subsequently added sixty-six acres. Here the death of his second wife took place, and for his third helpmate he married Mary A. Hedrick, who bore him seven children, named Elizabeth, William, Lena, Rosa, Barbara, Henry and Jacob. In his old age Mr. Discher retired from active work and went to live with his daughter Elizabeth, who had married John Raabe, and at her house he died September 6, 1875, in the eighty-third year of his age, and a member of the Lutheran church. After his marriage Sigmund Rekart settled on his present farm, having entered ninety acres in the woods, on which he put up a log cabin 16x16 feet, and still had plenty of room for the accommodation of the pioneer traveler and land-seeker. He was industrious and worked hard, and accumulated from time to time until he owned 132 acres, of which he has given his son Jacob forty acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Rekart have been born the following children: Mary J., Otto (died at six years of age), Caroline, Adam, Jacob, Catherine, Rosa, Elizabeth, Amelia and Sigmund 0. The father and the children belong to the Catholic church, while Mrs. Rekart adheres to the faith of her parents—the Lutheran. In politics Mr. Rekart is a democrat, was land appraiser in an early day and was township treasurer ten years and township trustee a number of years. He and his faithful wife are among the few remaining pioneers who settled in the woods about Fort Jennings and transformed the wilderness into a fertile and blooming field, and both are hon ored as being among the sturdy, upright, helpful, generous and hospitable pioneers of Putnam county. WIILLIAM J. REKART, of Monterey township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a son of one of the sturdy pioneers —Joseph Rekart—who was the first settler on the farm now occupied by our subject, cut the first tree from the forest, and wrested from the wilderness the 16o acres that afterward became so favorably known as the Rekart farm, and of which, at his death, he gave his son-in-law, Henry Beckman, forty-, eight acres. To Joseph Rekart and wife (of whom further may be read in the biography of Sigmund Rekart) were born eight children, viz: Sigmund, Charles, Louisa, Edward, William J., Emma, Matilda and Mary. The death of Joseph Rekart took place April 28, 1886, a member of the Catholic church, and one who freely aided the fund with which the present stately Catholic church edifice was built at Ottoville. He was one of the foremost farmers of Monterey township, a man of the most honorable character, and reared a highly respected family of children. William J. Rekart was born August 6, 1858, on the homestead, on which he still resides. He received a very good common-school education, and, being thoroughly trained to farming, fell into his father's place as manager of the homestead. He was married to Nora Kromer, who was born February 3,1869, at Fremont, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Emma (Walker) Kromer, all of German stock —the father having been born in Germany, April 14, 1842, a son of Andrew Kromer, a farmer, who came with his family to America in 1843 or 1844, and settled about six miles from Sandusky, Ohio. Andrew Kromer, Jr., father of Mrs. Rekart, also a farmer, located, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 447 at years of maturity, four miles from Fremont, Ohio, and in 1883 came to Putnam county and settled on 16o acres in Monterey township, rearing a family of six children, named as follows: Nora, Mary, William, Frank, Katie and Leah. Mr. Kromer died April 14, 1895, at the age of fifty-three years; with his wife and family he was a true Catholic, and in politics a zealous democrat—holding the position of school director, and his name and that of the family were highly honored wherever known. Mr. W. J. Rekart and wife settled, immediately after their marriage, on the old homestead, where have been born their four children, viz: Ida, Millie, Josie and Fannie. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Rekart are dutiful members of the Catholic church, to the support of which they contribute most liberally. In politics Mr. Rekart is a democrat, but has never been an office seeker. He is a practical farmer and a good business man, and is public spirited to an extreme degree. He has taken great interest in educational matters and is at present a member of the school board, on which he serves from a feeling of public duty, and not from any mercenary motive. His farm of 16o acres is a model in every respect, and no flame stands higher in the regard of the people of Monterey township than that of William J. Rekart, where he maintains the good name of his ancestors. ROGER S. REYNOLDS is one of the thrifty farmers of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, a son of Roger and Elizabeth (Bowen) Reynolds, and is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Columbus, February 11, 1847. The father, Roger, was born in the north part of Wales, January 14, 1801, was a son of Samuel Reynolds and was reared a farmer. In 1844, Roger came to America and for seven years resided in Columbus, Ohio, marrying, however, shortly after his arrival, Elizabeth Bowen, whose sketch, as that of Elizabeth Reynolds, widow, will be found on another page of this volume, and in which will also be found the names of the brothers and sisters of Roger S. Reynolds, our subject. Roger S. Reynolds was educated in Franklin and Putnam counties, and also throughly trained to farming pursuits. October 29, 1869, he married Miss Sarah E. Good, daughter of Abram and Malinda (Askens) Good, whose biography may be also found on another page. This lady was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, May 20. 1851, and was brought to Putnam county by her parents in 1854. She has borne her husband eight children in the order following: Lillie, born December 24, 1871, at home; Frances, who died when fifteen months old; Elizabeth, born June 3, 1875; George Wesley, who died at the age of two years; Nellie M., born June 15, 1880; Sarah M., born April 1, 1883; Mary, May 23, 1886, and an infant daughter, deceased. After his marriage, Roger S. Reynolds lived in Sugar Creek township for four years, and in 1873 bought his present farm in Union township, at the time all in a dense forest. He cleared away the forest with infinite labor and lived in a log cabin until 1887, when he erected the handsome brick dwelling he now occupies, and to-day his farm has no superior in the township as to productiveness or beauty. In politics Mr. Reynolds is a republican and served as a school director, and is a member of the school board of Kalida. With his wife and two of his daughters he is a member of the Christian church, in which he has been a communicant for over twenty years. He is a progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen, and is respected by all as a man of integrity and as a christian gentleman. 448 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY MRS. ELIZABETH REYNOLDS, one of the most highly respected lady residents of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, and widow of the lamented and prominent pioneer farmer, Roger Reynolds, was born in northern Wales, July 16, 1826, and came with a small colony to America in 1844, finding her first home, in this country, in Columbus, Ohio, where, for a short time, she worked as a domestic, but, before the year had passed, was married to Roger Reynolds, who had come to this country in the same colony with herself. Roger Reynolds was born in Wales, January 14, 1801, and was reared to. the pursuit of farming. He had one brother, who accompanied him to America in the colony named above, but neither of the two was possessed of any means, and day labor was their only resource for a livelihood. Roger made his start in Columbus, where he and his wife remained seven years, each performing such work as fell to his or her lot, he being chiefly employed as a plasterer's attendant. The saved money, however, and in 1851 went to Brown township, Franklin county, where a small farm was purchased, on which they lived fifteen years. In 1867 they sold this property and came to Putnam county, where Mr. Reynolds bought the 416-acre farm on which his widow still resides. This farm was improved with a good house, and about forty acres were cleared off; now there are left only about forty acres that have not been cleared. Mr. Reynolds took but little interest in politics, preferring to devote his time to the duties of his farm and the providing for his large family, and in this commendable effort he succeeded admirably. He was, however, considerably interested in church affairs and an active member of the Calvinistic Methodist church, and in this faith he died June 24, 1881. By a former marriage Mr. Reynolds was the father of one child—William Reynolds, who is now a farmer in Kansas. To the marriage of . Roger and Elizabeth Reynolds were born fourteen 'children, of whom twelve grew to maturity, viz. : Roger, a prominent farmer of Union township, Putnam county; Richard, farmer of Jennings township; Evan, unmarried and living on the homestead; Elizabeth, married to J. M. Guffy, who resides on part of the old place; George, of Jennings township; David, on part of the home place; Thomas, of Paulding county; Charles and B. F., occupying parts of the home farm; Emma, married to A. Sims, a farmer of Sugar Creek township; Maggie, wife of 'William Hunt, who also has his residence on part of the old homestead, and Mary, still with her mother. All these children have been provided with homes through the considerate foresight of their parents—Mr. Reynolds having been one of the largest real estate owners in the county. This land Roger Reynolds through his owns exertions, aided by his faithful and industrious helpmate, who is now passing her declining years in comfort, surrounded by her loving children and a large circle of truly devoted friends. PROF. HENRY FRANCIS RAUH, superintendent of public schools at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Washington township, Mercer county, same state, October 4, 1860, and is a son of Ignatius and Mary Ann (Weigelt) Rauh, natives of Germany. Ignatius Rauh was a wheelwright, came to America when twenty-five years of age, and here followed his trade for ten years, first locating in Hamilton, Ohio, and then in Mercer county, in Washington.township. His wife was but four years old when brought to the United States. With her parents she lived for a number of years in