OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 75 here in 1835, at a time when there were but few settlers in Pleasant township, and Columbus Grove had not yet been started. At that time the country was nearly all in woods, and the ground was under water in almost all seasons. He was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1802, being the son of Enoch and Alice B. Buck. When a boy he left his home in Pennsylvania and came to Medina county, Ohio, where he was married, March 2, 1825, to Almeda Conant, who was born February 23, 1808-she being the daughter of Timothy and Rhoda Conant, both natives of New York state, who came to Medina county, Ohio, in 1816, when their daughter was eight years of age. Both parents died in Medina county. Benjamin D. Buck removed from Medina county to Putnam county in 1835, and settled where his son now lives, upon 300 acres of land he purchased from the government at $1.25 per acre. At that time his land was all in timber, and he had to make the first clearing on it to build his log cabin. Here he lived and farmed all his life. His death occurred on September 16, 1865. His widow survived him, dying on March 23, 1892. To the parents seven children were born, four in Medina ,county and three in Putnam county, as follows: William, born December 17, 1825, and died on February 16, 1841; Seth, born September 5, 1827, died November 22, 1875; Benjamin, born March 16, 1830, now living in Liberty township, Putnam county; Lavina, born December 29, 1833, married Allen Edmonds, and died May 5, 1857; Orson, born July 18, 1836, and died January 26, 1882; Henry, our subject; Lewis D., born October 13, 1841, and now living in Allen county, Kansas Henry Buck was born and reared on the farm where he now lives. He secured his education by attending the district schools while a boy during the winter months, working on the farm in summer time. He was first married on August 20, 1863, to Susan Wagoner, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, April 13, 1837, and was the daughter of George and Elizabeth Wagoner, who removed from Athens county to Putnam county about 1850. She was o member of the United Brethren church. Her death occurred January 1, 1879, leaving the following four children: Ella F., who was born in 1864, and was married June 24, 1885, to William Trask, who is now living in Pleasant township; Laura B., born October 4, 1865, and married William Redd on July 11, 1883, now living in Columbus Grove; Henry E., born May 22, 1867, and married January 4, 1890, to Della B. Kidd, now living at McComb, Ohio, where he is engaged in the photograph business; Albert E., born June 3, 1872, married Stella Higgenbothen, and is now residing at Ceredo, West Va., where he is a telegraph operator on the C. & O. R. R. Mr. Buck was next married, on May 8, 1881, to Mrs. Mary J. Leonard, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, on July 13, 1841, and is the daughter of Charles and Dorothy Wolverton, the father being a native of Miami county and the mother of Montgomery county, Ohio. The parents make their home with Mr. Buck and wife, the father being in his seventy-fourth year. Mrs. Buck has been three times married, the first time December 10, 1859, to Joseph Shepherd, who was a member of company K., Seventy-seventh Indiana volunteers, and never returned from the war. To this union two children were born as follows: Ella M., born in Clinton county, Ind., January 8, 1861, and married Oliver Ewry, of Dayton, Ohio, and Sarah B., born in Clinton county, Ind., on March 4, 1863, and married to James Marks of Columbus Grove. Mrs. Buck's second marriage was 76 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY November 9, 1871, when she married Martin Leonard, who died September 11, 1877. Mr. Buck has been a member of the republican party all his life, and has always taken an interest in public affairs and public questions. He has filled various offices of honor and trust in his township, and in the spring of 1889 was elected trustee of Pleasant township, to which offrce he was re-elected in 1893 and again in 1895, his last term expiring in 1898. He owns his farm of sixty-seven and one-half acres, which is under fine cultivation. The corporate limits of Columbus Grove reaches the land. Mrs. Buck is a member of the Methodist church. BOSTWICK F. BURGESS, the popular sheriff of Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Mercer county, Pa., February 18, 1846, the son of Archibald and Agnes Burgess. Archibald Burgess is supposed to have been born in Pennsylvania in 1803, and met a violent death near .Columbus Grove, Ohio, June 1869, having been crushed by a train of cars. His wife, whose maiden name was Agnes C. Brownlee, was born in Scotland, in 1811, and died in November, 1848. The following are the names of their children: James W., a farmer of Missouri; Alexander, manufacturer and dealer in lumber, in Oregon; Elizabeth, wife of John A. Nicholas, a prominent farmer of Putnam county, Ohio; Robert, resides at Ottawa; Andrew J., resides in Arkansas; Bostwick F., subject of this biography; William C., of Richland county, Ohio ; Charley, a resident of Ottawa; Mary, widow 0f Robert Spalt ; Letitia, wife of John Cummins, a farmer of Marion county; John and Agnes—the last two deceased. Archibald Burgess was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Martha Davis, by whom he had two children, Dora, wife of Charley Muntz, and Ellen, who died in childhood. By occupation Archibald Burgess was a farmer. In an early day he purchased from the government 200 acres of land in Pleasant township, Putnam county, the greater part of which he cleared and to which he made additi0ns at different times, until he became one of the largest owners of real estate in his part of the county. He was a man of great industry, gave much attention to agriculture and was noted as a breeder of fine stock, especially sheep. Bostwick F. Burgess was reared a farmer, received his education in the public schools, and remained under the parental roof until 1864, in February of which year he enlisted in company D, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he served until mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in July of the year following. During his period of service, Mr. Burgess, participated in a number of the bloodiest battles of the war, among which may be noted Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Jonesboro, and other engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and he was with Sherman in the celebrated march to the sea. On December 16, 1864, while on a foraging expedition, about four miles from Savannah, he was captured by the enemy and held a prisoner at Florence, S. C.., until his release on the 26th of February, 1865. At the time of his capture Mr. Burgess weighed 196 pounds, but such was th treatment he received, while in prison, that his weight at the time of his release had diminished to ninety pounds, which included a heavy over-coat. Immediately after his discharge, Mr. Burgess returned to his home in Putnam county, and remained with his father until his marriage, which was solemized September 6, 1866, with Miss Rebecca Norton, a well-known teacher of the county of Putnam. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Burgess, with no capital but a stout heart and willing hands, began the battle 0f life as a farmer, and in due time suc- OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 77 ceeded in securing a good home in Pleasant township, where he remained for a period of twenty-six years. His place at this time consists of 1 7o acres of finely improved land, lying in sections 13 and 22, and in addition to agriculture he pays considerable attention to stock raising, in which he has met with well deserved success. For a number of years past Mr. Burgess has been active in political work, and in 1893 was elected, by the democratic party, to which he has belonged since his twenty-first year. to the office of sheriff, the duties of which he has discharged in a most satisfactory manner to the present time. He is now candidate for re-election. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters and for a period of seventeen years was a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the F. & A. M., K. of P. and G. A. R. To Mr. and Mrs. Burgess have been born six children, viz: Eva A., wife of George Gettman, a farmer; Cora, wife of O. L. Smith, deputy sheriff of Putnam county; Maggie A., died when eight years of age; Francis N., his only son; Zella L., deceased, and Zora. The two eldest daughters were among the successful teachers of the county, Eva having taught five years and Cora eight years. Zora, the youngest daughter, is unusually well accomplished, particularly in music. She is an excellent performer on the piano, and has a splendid voice, finely cultivated. She has been well educated in both public and private schools, and is a great favorite with all classes of people, young and old. The parents of Mrs. Burgess were John and Elizabeth (McDowl) Norton, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The Nortons were an old New England family, and the grandfather of Mrs. Burgess came to Putnam county as early as 1832, and entered a tract of government land in section No. 13, Pleasant township. This was the family home for many years, and here Joel Norton, the grandfather, died, and it was on the same place that John Norton departed his life in May, 1866. Mrs. Norton's parents were natives of Ireland, and came to this country at a very early date. She died at her home in Putnam county, about the year of 185o, aged thirty-eight. The names of the children of John and Elizabeth Norton are as follows: Melissa J., wife of J. W. Fuller; Elizabeth, deceased; Rebecca A., wife of our subject; Rosetta and Violette, twins, the former the wife of George I. Best, of Allen county, Ohio, the latter, wife of John Core, of the county of Putnam; Margaret, the youngest child, is the wife of David T. McCullough, of Gilboa. By a second marriage Mr. Norton had a family of five children, Sarah, Joel, John W., Hiram and an infant daughter, all dead except Hiram, who lives near the town of Kalida. The maiden name of the mother of these children was Elizabeth Frost. ROBERT CAMPBELL, the oldest farmer of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., May 1, 1805, a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Curry) Campbell, of whom the former was born in Pennsylvania about the time of the Revolutionary war, a son of James Campbell, of Scotch-Irish descent, who came from Ireland to America when a young married man and settled in Pennsylvania, where he entered eighty acres for each of his seven sons, and with their aid cleared up a home, on which he lived the remainder of his days, dying in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which he had been a life-long member. Matthew Campbell, although reared a farmer, was taught the blacksmith's trade. 78 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY About the year 1800 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of George and Elizabeth Curry, natives of Scotland. The children born to this union were: Elizabeth, wife of David Beatty; Sarah, wife of Robert Getemey; Mary, wife of Robert Johnson; Robert, the subject of this sketch; Jane, wife of David Smiley; James, George, John and Ellen —but of this family the subject, Robert, is the only living representative. Matthew, the father, was an old-line whig, was a member of the state militia, and died in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1836, a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Robert Campbell, now venerable in years and an honored citizen of Putnam county, Ohio, was reared to manhood in Mannsville, Pa., and learned blacksmithing under his father, which trade he followed as a journeyman in his early manhood, making three trips from Philadelphia to Ohio. In 1837 he was united in marriage with Miss Winifred Guy, daughter of Jesse and Jane (Shirtz) Guy, the union resulting in the birth of thirteen children, viz: Matthew, postmaster of Wisterman, Ohio; Sarah J., wife of Henry Kirkendall, of Greensburg township; Jesse G., who died in childhood; Richard, who fills a soldier's grave at Shiloh; John and George, farmers of Greensburg township; ames, who died in childhood, and Henry (twin brother of James), living on the home farm; Elizabeth E., deceased wife of Henry Dangler; Rachael M., wife of George Smith; Mary, deceased; Almira, wife of David Henry, and Minerva, deceased. Mrs. Winifred Campbell was born, in 1816, in Columbiana county, Ohio. Her father, Jesse Guy, was born in Virginia in 1792, a son of Hezekiah Guy, a Quaker, and when a boy was taken by his parents to western Pennsylvania, of which section of the country they were among the earliest settlers. After reaching manhood he came to Ohio and located in Columbiana county, where, in 1815, he married Jane Shirtz, daughter of Matthias Shirtz, a hero of the American Revolution. To the union of Mr. Guy and wife were born eight children, as follows: Winifred (Mrs. Campbell); Hezekiah and Matthias, of Michigan; Susan, wife of Jacob Dangler, of Greensburg township; Jesse, of Indiana; William, of Greensburg township, and Mary J. and Elizabeth, both deceased. In 1838 Robert Campbell, our subject, came to Putnam county from Clarkson, Columbiana county, Ohio, where he had worked some months at his trade after his marriage. From Columbiana county to Putnam county he made the trip in a covered wagon through an almost unbroken wilderness, and, being well pleased with the country, spent all of fourteen months among the pioneers, when he returned to Columbiana county, whence he sent the necessary funds to pay for a farm in Putnam county, but the messenger to whom the money was intrusted claimed to have been robbed by a bear. Not discouraged, however, by this act of palpable fraud, Mr. Campbell's Scotch heredity manifested itself, and by 1843 he was again prepared to come to the land of his choice, and by the same means—a wagon, Here he purchased a piece of wild woodland on which he built himself a log cabin, cleared off a farm, undergoing, of course, all the hard ships and excessive privations of the frontiers man; but coming out triumphantly as one o the successful and most respected agriculturis of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are both old-tim members of the Disciples' church, hay united with that religious body as far back 1842, over half a century agone, and the up right life they have since led has given amp proof of the sincerity of their religious prof sion. Mr. Campbell is also a' member of t lodge of Freemasons at Kalida, and his go standing in that order is another evidence OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 79 the strict morality of his life, as will readily be understood by all acquainted with the discipline of that ancient and honorable sodality. In politics he is a republican, having joined this party on the disintegration of the old whig organization, but le has steadfastly refused proffers of nomination to office. Being now, in point of years, probably the oldest inhabitant of Greensburg township, he is a revered and honored gentleman, whose long and useful life may well be emulated by the rising generation of the township and county. STEPHEN CAREY, a farmer, who is among the well known and prosperous residents of Jackson township, the son of Stephen and Eliza (Dicus) Carey, was born in Putnam county, October 8, 1846. The father was born in 1814 and married, in 1848, to Eliza Dicus. His death occurred ten months after the marriage, and Stephen, the subject of this sketch, was born a month later. He had located in Jackson township and his wife continued to live here after his death. In the year 185o Mrs. Carey was united in marriage to L. H. Wells, a blacksmith, and in 1853 emigrated to Iowa, where they remained until 1861, at which time they returned to Ohio. Mr. Wells became a soldier in the Union army, enlisting, in 1861, in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and served nearly two years, and after the war lived in Jackson township on a farm until 1883, when he again went west, where he died in 1884; the wife and mother, surviving him, is now living in Iowa. Stephen Carey was reared on the farm until after thirteen years of age, and educated in the Putnam county schools, where he made good use of his advantages. February 13, 187o, he was united in marriage to Mary Beard, and to this union was born one child, Alonzo, August 25, 1871, who is now living at home engaged in farming. The mother of Mrs. Carey, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Beard, was born April 3, 1818, in Franklin county, Ohio, her parents both being natives of Ohio; her father was born in April, 1830, and died in 1877; and his wife lived until November 18, 1895. She was the mother of the following children, viz: Alonzo, of this township ; Mary, wife of Stephen Carey of this sketch; Phebe, wife of William Seigle, a farmer of Dupont; Sarah, wife of Lewis Jeffrey, of Kalida; Jane, wife of H. Hicks, of Monroe township, and Jacob, of Shelby county. The Beard family were early settlers of Putnam county, having come here in the year 1852, Mr. Beard, the father, purchasing large tracts of land, which he cleared and farmed. In politics he was a republican and lived in the faith of his conviction and choice. He was a prominent and very highly respected man in this county and at the time of his decease was filling the office of township treasurer. He was an active member of the United Brethren church--the church where he attended having been named for him—and led an exemplary and christian life, full of charitable works and good deeds to the poor and needy. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Carey they located in Jackson township, where they lived four years, and in 1887 purchased their present place and improved it in the way, of clearing and draining, and here they have since made their home. In 1894 a very handsome and commodious residence was erected, and in every respect the Carey homestead is among the most pleasant and desirable in the vicinity. Mr. Carey is an all-around domestic man, and has never sought nor cared for public offices or popular favor, but his best interests are centered in his family and his church, having been a member of the United Brethren society since the early age of 80 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY nineteen years, and in this church he has been trustee, class leader and Sunday-school superintendent. In politics he is a republican. The only son, Alonzo, is a member of the same religious society as his parents, having united with it in 1888. He is a prominent church worker and is one of the best and most reliable young men of the township. " Like father, like son," was never truer, and it is in such men that our country finds its great and peculiar wealth in good citizenship. He was married December 24, 1895, to Miss Mary E. Windle, daughter of John Windle, of Jackson township. A bright and interesting little girl thirteen years of age, Ida May Shirey, an adopted daughter, has made this pleasant household of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Carey her home for the past three years, adding the life of young years to the general enjoyment and receiving care and safety in return. ANDREW CASTEEL, one of the most experienced agriculturists of Liberty township, Putnam county, was born in Licking county, Ohio, April 22, 1834, and is a son of Thomas and Salome (Livingston) Casteel, the former a native of the Keystone and the latter of the Buckeye state, and who were married in Licking county. The father came to Ohio at a very early day with his parents, who were of German descent. He was a farmer, and after marrying settled on a farm he had already purchased, and on which his children were born. In 1858 he sold out and came to Putnam county, and bought eighty acres of wild land in Liberty township. He soon put up a cabin and in a very short time had fifty acres cleared and under cultivation. Later he erected a modern dwelling and made many other substantial improvements, and on this farm he died September 25, 1888, being survived by his widow until August 1892. Their family consisted of eleven children, as follows: Andrew, th eldest, is our subject; Jeremiah is a farmer of Liberty township; Ebenezer is a merchant a Continental; Eleanor, deceased wife of David Dillon, a farmer, died, the mother of thre children; Lorenzo is a farmer and a trustee o Van Buren township; Judy A. has been twi married, first to Rudy Winkel (who died the father of four children), and second, to Davr Dillon, a farmer; Amanda married Jam Crosser, a farmer; Thomas is a blacksmith a Belmore; John is a farmer; Almira, decease wife. of Fred Mila, of Miller City, died th mother of two children, and Adeline is rnarrie to Fred Mila, of the.same place. Andrew Casteel, our subject, was reared farmer and received a common-school education. He remained on the home place unt 1861, when he enlisted in company D, First Ohio cavalry, at Utica, for three years, an and was assigned to the army of the Cumber land, in which he experienced some row, service. His first charge was at Stone River and he took part in all the skirmishes and en gagements in which his regiment was engage down to September, 1865, and during all th long service was neither captured nor wounded and received but two short furloughs. A the time of Lee's surrender he was at Macon, Ga., on the raid with Gen. Wilson. He was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, and received an honorable discharge at Camp Chase. On his return home Mr. Casteel married the same year, and soon afterward came Liberty township, Putnam county, and bough forty acres 0f land and began the struggle life with the aid of his young wife, who genealogy will shortly be given. There we twenty-five acres of his tract already and cultivation, and there was a cabin on the plac which he utilized as a home. He soon cleare up the remainder of the place and began add OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 83 ing to his acreage, until now he owns four different farms, comprising in all about 30o acres, of which over 200 are cleared, he himself having done most of the work, as well as the ditching and draining all the cleared land being under a good state of cultivation. On his home place he has now a fine dwelling, roomy barns, and substantial out-buildings, while the other three farms are improved with comfortable residences, barns and other necessary structures. Mr. Casteel follows the usual line of farming common to the county, raising sufficient live stock for home consumption, and is in very comfortable circumstances. When he left the army he had but little or nothing, financially speaking, and all he now possesses has been gained through his own hard work and shrewd financiering. He is, indeed, " the architect of his own fortune. " The lady whom Mr. Casteel was so fortunate as to secure for a life partner bore the maiden name of Miss Margaret Sterrett. She is the daughter of Robert and Nancy (McLaulin) Sterrett. The father was of Irish descent, was a farmer and died in Licking county. His widow, who was of Pennsylvania birth, then came with a son to Putnam county, and here died in 1891. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sterrett consisted of eight children, named as follows: Catherine, Robert, Thomas, Charles, Margaret (Mrs. Casteel), Barbara (married to Jeremiah Casteel), Sarah and John (who brought his mother to Putnam county in 877). The felicitous union of subject and wife has also been blessed with eight children, as follows: Della, at home; Nancy, married to Joseph Bishop, farmer, of Henry county; Virginia, married Henry Wood; 'Wesley, farming in the same county; Smith, at home; Laura, Leroy and Elizabeth, also at home. In politics Mr. Casteel is a democrat, but has never aspired to political position. Certainly no man in Putnam county deserves greater credit than Mr. Casteel for the persevering industry that has characterized his life, his integrity, usefulness and public spirit as a citizen and his gallantry as a soldier. JOHN CLEVENGER, one of the most respectable agriculturists of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Franklin county, in the same state, July 12, 1815, and is a son of Benjamin and Susan Clevenger, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1803, locating in Franklin county on rented land, where Mrs. Susan Clevenger died. There Benjamin remarried and remained until 1833, when he came to Putnam county, having been preceded hither by his elder children. Here he entered large tracts of land and cleared up a farm, on which he resided until the death of his second wife, when he went to live with one of his sons. He was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and in 1834, built on Sugar. Creek the first mill that was erected in Putnam county. He ever had in view the bettering of the condition of the county and of his neighbors and as a whig served as county commissioner one or two terms. He also served as supervisor of his township and filled several minor offices, and died at the ripe age of seventy-eight years. He reared a family of nine sons and three daughter, as follows: William, with whom our subject, John, made his home on first coming here, and who, at his death, left three children; Jacob, who died the father of fourteen children ; Joseph, who left four children; George who left five children; Samuel, who died June 11, 1895, and left a wife and three children; Mary, who married Daniel Andrick, both of whom are deceased, leaving a family ; Anna died single; John is our subject; Isaac died, leaving ten children; James died, and left four children; Eli died, the 84 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY father of two children; Nancy was first married to a Mr. White and secondly to a Mr. Buckingham and also died, leaving a family. It will thus be seen that of the family of twelve born to Benjamin and Susan Clevenger, John, our subject, is the sole survivor. John Clevenger, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the old-fashioned log schoolhouse in Franklin county, and at the age of fifteen years came to Putnam c0unty with his eldest brother, William, who entered land in the then wilderness, and proceeded to clear up a farm, in which task our subject greatly assisted. In 1833, as related, the father came, and among his other generous and praiseworthy acts, presented our subject with a tract of land. In 1837 he married—of which event further details will be given in another paragraph. He now built a cabin and went to house-keeping, undergoing all the hardships incidental to clearing up a home from the wildwood, and this land is still his home, but a home of very different character from what it was then. In that early day but little improvement had been made in the neighborhood. The woods were filled with beasts of prey as well as with game, and as Mr. Clevenger was an expert huntsman his larder was always well supplied, and no small revenue resulted from the sale of the pelts of animals which he killed, including beer, wolves, etc. Malarial fever, ague, etc., were for a long time serious drawbacks, but as the country was cleared and drained, these disappeared to a great extent. Mills were difficult to be reached, but occasionaly a load of grain was hauled to Defiance, where the surplus wheat was disposed of at sixty-two cents a bushel, but a great many new comers were also glad to relieve the settlers of their surplus grain. Numbers of Indian stragglers, of the Wyandot and Seneca tribes, were also prowling around, hunting and sugar making, but were not hos tile 0r unnecessarily tr0ublesome. Eventually the canal was run tnrough, Delphos was built, and new markets were opened, and gradually all hardships were forgotten. After Mr. Clevenger had nicely opened his farm and the surrounding country had been ditched and drained and had approximated to the beautiful land it now is, and in the transformation of which Mr. Clevenger was one of the prime factors, his primitive log house disappeared with the other rude structures of the early day, and in their stead were erected his present fine tw0-story, modern brick residence, his commodious and substantial barns, and his numerous other out-buildings, which are a decoration to the surrounding landscape, in which any farmer might take an honest pride. While he has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock of the better grades, Mr. Clevenger has been chiefly engaged in the production of cereals indigenous to the climate and soil, and that he has been skillful and intelligent in their culture is evidenced by his present prosperous c0ndition. To revert to the marriage of Mr. Clevenger, alluded to as having taken place in 1837, it is necessary here to state that his bride was Miss Nancy G. Gander, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kendall) Gander, natives of Virginia. These parents were married in the Old Dominion, and after coming to Ohio resided in Franklin county for several .years, and .then, in 1837, settled in Putnam county, where Mr. Gander bought an improved farm for his own purposes and entered other lands for the use of his children. This land the latter subsequently developed into first-class farms, thus adding to the wealth and civilization of their adopted state. Mr. Gander died in September, 1858, his widow surviving until 1865, and of their progeny of twelve, nine grew to maturity as follows: Samuel, who died in 1885, and left six sons and one daughter; Mary \vas OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 85 married to Daniel Gray, the first clerk of the Putnam county court; Elizabeth was married to Samuel Clevenger; the fourth child, Nancy G., became the wife of our subject; David died in 188o and left eight children; Maria died single; John died in 1893 and left seven children; Jacob has a wife and four children; George, a prosperous farmer, has a wife and four children. The marriage of John Clevenger and wife has resulted in the birth of six children, all of whom, it is sad to relate, died in infancy, one. only living to be nine years old. Mr. Clevenger and wife are both devoted members of the Primitive Baptist church, to which they contribute liberally and show by their daily walk through life the sincerity of their belief in its teachings. In his political affiliations Mr. Clevenger is a democrat, and although as a matter of duty he has felt it incumbent upon himself to fill such offices as township supervisor, he has never sought public office for the sake of emolument, self-aggrandizement or for the empty honor attached to such positions. He has been content in the aiding and building up of the township and county in which he lives; and the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors is an assurance that his more than ordinary labor, and the successful result thereof, are duly appreciated. Of such men as Mr. Clevenger a county is made to be what it should be. SAMUEL CLEVENGER, the subject of this sketch, can look back with pride at the trials and hardships which he, as a pioneer, was obliged to pass through, and which, at the time, seemed almost unsurmountable, but with a set purpose and perservance he was able to overcome, and later to enjoy, the harvest which must come when one's labor is faithfully done. Men who could brave such hardships came from -a sturdy stock, and this we see well in the ancestry of Samuel Clevenger, whose grandparents come from the land of Bruce and Wallace and of Burns and Scott. In 1777, during the stormy and troublesome times of the Revolutionary war, there was born, in Shenendoah county, situated in the beautiful Shenendoah valley of Virginia, Benjamin Clevenger, whose father, William, and mother were, natives of Scotland. Dur- ing these troublesome times the opportunities for obtaining an education were few, but Benjamin was given as good an education as limited means could procure while he was bound out to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, his father having died when h was but five years old. He followed, faithfully, the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trade until he reached his majority, when, in 1798, he married Susanne Croopenhaver. This union was blessed by nine children: William; Jacob; Joseph; George; Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Andrick; Susanne; John, of Sugar Creek township (see sketch), and Isaac, all of whom are now deceased but John. In 1805 Benjamin moved to Franklin county, Ohio, where he had leased a farm for fifteen years. He remained on this farm until 1815, when his wife died and he sold his lease. In 1821 he married Mrs. Sarah Flemming, to whom was born three children—James, Eli, and Benjamin, all of whom are dead. Between 1827 and 1833 he made several trips to Putnam county, where lie finally entered. over 1,44.0 acres of government land at $1.25 per acre. In 1831 he located in Sugar Creek township, where he passed the remainder of his life. His second wife died in 1838, and about 1840 he married the third, who lived but a year. He was an old-line whig, and sservedas county commissioner one term, and held many other offices. To him belongs the 86 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY credit of building the first grist-mill in the county in 1832, where Vaughnsville now stands. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church and died in 1853 at the good age of seventy-six years. Samuel Clevenger, the fifth son of the above Benjamin and Susanne, was educated in the common schools of Franklin county. His mother had died when he was but seven years old and he was sent away from home to live with a family with whom he worked for his board and a few clothes, and by whom he was not allowed to go to school until he was fourteen years old. With this family he remained until his father married again, when he returned home and remained until 1830, when, on August 30, he married Elizabeth Gander, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in March, 1812, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Gander, her parents being natives of Virginia, of German ancestry. Soon after marriage he, with his four elder brothers and their families, migrated, in a large wagon, to the land in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, which his father had recently purchased from the government. The land was virgin forest never trodden before, except by the Indians on their hunting expeditions; no house or cabins were there to receive or protect them from the storms; they lived in tents until they could build a log cabin for shelter. Here he worked hard felling the mammoth trees of the forest, rolling them into heaps to be burned, in order to clear a space where they could raise a few things for their rmmedrate needs. He worked here for two years, when he located in Union township, where he renewed the many hardships and privations of a frontiersman. While living here his wife, on August 7, 1845, departed for the long home, and he was left alone in his life struggle, with five children.„ named as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Funk, deceased; Mary, wife of Samuel Seitz (see his sketch); Mrs. Sarah Seitz; Mrs. Susan Deffenbaugh, who died in 1860; and Benjamin F. The motherless children were again blessed with the kindly care of a mother, when, on August 30, 1846, their father married Catherine Krouse, who was born October 30, 1825, in Germany, and had come to America in 1830 with her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Roeder) Krouse, and had spent her childhood days in Richland county, Ohio, where her parents •resided until 1840, when they removed to Putnam county and settled in Sugar Creek township. This marriage was blessed with two children, Lucinda and James, both of whom are dead. By hard work and economy he obtained enough to warrant him in retiring from an active life and to enjoy the fruits of a well-earned reward, and at the time this sketch was written he enjoyed the distinction of being the second oldest man in Union township. In early life he was known as an old-line whig, but later as a democrat. He enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, who elected him to the offices of township trustee and land appraiser, and he also served in other offices. He was known as a liberal, public-spirited citizen, and could pride himself on having done his part in making the township what it is. He was not selfish, but was thoughtful of others and willing to give a helping hand to those needing it. After rounding out a well spent life, he, on June 11, 1895, died, leaving a wife and four children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. JOSEPH CLEVENGER, is among the influential farmers of Union township and of the native sons of Putnam, county, there are none more prosperous and enterprising than the subject of the OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 87 mention. Mr. Clevenger is the son of Jacob and Eliza (Rimer) Clevenger, who were among the early settlers of Sugar Creek township, where our subject was born December 1, 1830. For further notes of Jacob Clevenger and wife see sketch of Daniel Clevenger. Joseph Clevenger was reared upon the farm, was early taught industry, and from childhood took an active part in the cutting away of the forest and assisting his father in clearing up the farm. His education was received in one of the pioneer log school-houses, which was furnished with puncheon seats as well as floor, and the roof was made of clapboards, held down by weight-poles, and for window glass greased paper was used. The house was warmed by the old-fashioned fireplace, and many a time the larger and older boys were asked to assist in placing the back logs in same. Mr. Clevenger remained under the parental roof until arriving at his majority, at which time he began farming on his own responsibilities, and which vocation he has followed all his life. Mr. Clevenger was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Krouse March 27, 18.5o and this happy union was blessed by the birth of eight children, namely: Lucy, wife of Peter Roose, a farmer of Jennings township; Emeline, deceased, aged three years; George W., deceased infant; Malissa, wife of Albert Shindler, a farmer of Jackson township ; Isaiah, farmer of Paulding county, Ohio; Martha J., wife of Samuel Harris, a farmer of Van Wert county; Joseph Henry, who operates the homestead farm; Hulda, the widow of Edison Rower, at home. Mr. Clevenger, soon after marriage, located upon a farm in Union township, on the line between Union and Sugar Creek townships, where he resided fourteen years, at which time he sold out and purchased his present place, where he has ever since lived. The farm had few if any improvements upon it when Mr. Clevenger purchased it, but since, by his own handiwork, energy and perseverance, he has caused it to rank second to none in Union township. Mr. Clevenger and wife take great interest in educational matters, as they realize the advantages that the children 0f to-day have over those 0f sixty years ago and have made an effort to have each of their children receive the benefit of the free school system. Mr. Clevenger in early life was identified with the old Whig party, but of late years has affiliated with the democratic party, and by said. party has been elected to many of the minor offices of his township; he is liberal in contributing to all public and benevolent enterprises, and is highly esteemed wherever known. He has been a worthy member of the Baptist church for more than twenty years and his wife is a leading member of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Clevenger is the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Roller) Krouse, whose family history will be found in the sketch of Samuel Clevenger. Mrs. Clevenger came to America with her parents when but four years old, and immediately afterward her people settled in Putnam county, where she was educated and reared to womanhood and has resided within its confines ever since. DANIEL CLEVENGER, the subject of this sketch, and one of the most prominent farmers of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born December 30, 1836, in Sugar Creek township. His father, Jacob Clevenger, was born in Virginia, in the famous Shenendoah valley, on June 9, 1803 (see sketch of Samuel Clevenger). While quite young Jacob's mother died, and he was bound out to learn the blacksmith's trade for three years. When grown to man- 88 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY hood, he, on January 23, 1829, married Eliza Rimer, the daughter of Daniel and Mrs. Catherine (Vandemark) (Carey) Rimer, and to them were born fourteen children: Elizabeth, born September 3, 1829—died August 21, 1830; Joseph, a farmer residing in Union township; Mrs. Catherine Krouse, now living in Sugar Creek township (see sketch); Susanne, the wife of William Donnel, also of this township; Benjamin, born March 5, 1835—died in the fall of 1891; Daniel, the subject of this sketch; William, a carpenter residing in Elida, Allen county; Mrs. Permelia Siford, who died in April, 1891; Mary Jane, the wife of Joseph Deffenbaugh, who lives in Union township; Martha, married to Saul Guffey, a carpenter residing in Kansas; Henry, of Cavette, Van Wert county, Ohio; Hannah E. ; wife of M. W. Good, a farmer and carpenter of Union township, Putnam county; Lydia,E., wife of J. F. Ruhlen, a farmer and teacher of Kansas; Jacob, born July 8, 1853--died on September 19, 1883. After marriage the father .of the subject of this sketch moved to Ohio and settled on a farm in Franklin county, where he lived two years and then moved with four other brothers to the land which their father had bought from the government; here he cleared out of the woods a farm and made a home for his family. He remained on this farm until death came to him on January 21, 1880. In politics he was known as a whig, until the republican party was orgnnized, when he entered its ranks. In early childhood he had been baptized into the Baptist church, but was never a member. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born July 29, 1811, in Pennsylvania, her ancestry being Pennsylvania-Dutch on her father's side and Holland-Dutch on her mother's side, both having been old settlers of Fairfield county. She was a member of the Christian church, and after living a good life she died on May 29, 1892, at the home of her daughte Mrs. Joseph Deffenbaugh. Daniel Clevenger lived on a farm until grown to manhood and received his education in Putnam county. At his country's call for soldiers to save it from dismemberment he enlisted in August, 1862, in company D, On Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer in fantry, and served faithfully three years; an participated in many battles, among the being Moss Creek, Tenn., Buzzard's Roos Ga., Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Ga., Duck River, Franklin and Nashville Tenn., and Fort Anderson, N. C He was fortunate in never being wounded although always in the thickest of the figh He was nevertheless sun-struck and was the field hospital for a short time. In June 1865 he was honorably discharged, uncle Capt. Doty, at Salisbury, N. C. He imm diately returned home and engaged in farmin and on September 6, 1866, he married Lucinda the daughter of Abraham and Malinda (Askens) Good. She was born March 1, 1848, in Fairfield county, Ohio, where her father had been born. In 1854 they moved to Putnam county, where her father still resides at th age of seventy-five years. He is a republic in politics and a member of the Christian church. Her mother died in February, 186 Three children were born to Daniel and Lucinda Clevenger—Eliza Catherine, wife Albert Smeltzer, a farmer living in Union township; she is a member of the Christi church; Andrew Quincy, a farmer living a home—also a member of the same church Villa Pearl, who is still at home attendin school. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clevemger located on the land where they now live which was then a forest; he cleared the land and built the house in which they now live. He has prospered, and is a substantial citizen OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 89 and is an active worker in the interest of the republican party, is a member of the Christian church and a member of Gribben post, No. 192, G. A. R. GEORGE W. CLEVENGER, deceased farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Sarber) Clevenger, and was born April i6, 1838, in the county 0f Putnam. His father, Joseph Clevenger, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, was born in 1806, and was one of four brothers who came to Putnam county in the early thirties and settled on land in the woods which was entered by grandfather Benjamin Clevenger (the father of Joseph). The first and earliest settlement of the Clevengers in Putnam county was made in Sugar Creek township, even before there were any roads save those traced by the blazes on trees as their only guide, and at the time of their settlement this section of the state was thickly populated by the noble red men. Game of all kinds was in abundance, yet none that gave any trouble save the squirrel and the raccoon. Many were the hardships of those pioneer days, yet 'tis true that the county of Putnam never had a class of people residing therein that enjoyed life better than those early pioneers. It was as only one large family, with perfect harmony pervading the whole settlement, and many of the most pleasurable. treats were attending the log-rolling, the house-building, and occasionally a husking-bee. Upon, locating in this wild country Mr. Clevenger soon erected his round log cabin, and began cutting away the forest, and in course of time redeemed a valuable farm. It was necessary in those days that they assist each other in log-rolling and house-raising, thus Mr. Clevenger would be gone thirty and forty days at a time, assisting others, even at eight or twelve miles distance. Mr. Clevenger was one of the strong, hardy and robust pioneers, and as much was due to the vigor of himself and his brothers in redeeming Putnam county as any other of the pioneers ever locating therein. He was reared upon the farm from childhood, thus early in life inured to hard labor, and when but a boy in his teens was bound out to learn the carpenter's trade, which served to a good purpose as one of the earlier settlers of Putnam county. He was educated in the pioneer schools of his native county, where he resided until after his marriage, which event dates back to 1830. His life companion was Miss Sarah Sarber, the daughter of Adam and Catherine (Enslen) Sarber (see sketch of Hiram Sarber for family history). To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger were born five children, viz: Harriet, wife of George Gambler, of Sugar Creek township, whose sketch appears on another page of this work; Robert, deceased March 3, 1879; George W., deceased March 11, 1879; Sarah, wife of William Rambaugh, of Union township, .Putnam county; and George W., our subject. Sarah Sarber, the wife and mother, was born in Luzerne county, Pa., January 19, 1805, was there educated, and in early womanhood removed with her parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, where she was married, as before stated, and s0on after this event occurred she and her husband started on an overland route to the new home in northwestern Ohio, where they lived among the pioneers and reared their family; in 1847 they retired from the farm and located in Delphos, Ohio, where Mr. Clevenger died in the year 1847, and mother Clevenger in March, 1879, a worthy member of the Baptist church. Mr. Clevenger was a democrat in politics, and one of the benevolent and leading men in his community, and highly respected wherever known. George W. Clevenger, our subject, was 90 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY reared upon the farm and educated in the common schools of Putnam county, remaining under the parental roof until after arriving at his majority. October 10, 1867, occurred his marriage with Miss Sarah A. Stauffer, the daughter of Matthias and Maria (Beam) Stauffer, and the reader is respectfully invited to see sketch of Amos Beam, which contains further particulars regarding Mrs. Clevenger. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger was blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Charles J., born February 25, 187o, and Clinton M., born October 2, 1873. Mr. Clevenger, soon after marriage, located upon the farm, upon which he made many valuable improvements, and was recognized as one of the representative farmers of his township. In 1871 he built the present commodious dwelling, which sheltered him until his death, March II, 1879, and where his widow now resides. He was a democrat in politics, and in religion held to the Baptist faith, but never identified himself with any church. Mrs. Clevenger, the Mother and widow, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., March 15, 1848, where she resided until 1853, when she came westward to Hancock county, and later, in 186o, to Putnam county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools of Union township, and here she has lived from that time on, and is surrounded by a large circle of stanch friends. Matthias Stauffer, the father of Mrs. Clevenger, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., January 10, 1820, he being the son of George Stauffer, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, and grandfather Stauffer a native of Germany. Mr. Stauffer wedded Miss Maria Beam, December 24, 1846, which union was blessed with the birth of seven children, as follows: Sarah, of this mention; Susannah, wife of Stephen Clevenger; John, merchant of Lancaster, Ohio; Jacob B., farmer of Uni0n township, Putnam county; Isaac F., a carpenter of Kalida; George W., a farmer of Jackson township, and Elizabeth, wife of William Budd, of Union township. Matthias Stauffer was a tailor by trade, which he followed for fourteen years, and remained in his native state and county until 1853, when he moved westward, locating in Hancock county, Ohio, until 1860, when he removed to Putnam county, locating in Union township upon a farm, where he followed agriculture until 1893, when he removed to the town of Kalida, where he is living a retired life and enjoying the fruits of his earlier toil. He is a democrat in politics, and has served as assessor two terms. He and wife are both members of the Presbyterian church. BENJAMIN F. CLEVENGER, prominent and prosperous farm of Union township, Putnam count Ohio, was born on the section of land on which he still lives June 11, 1839, and is son of Samuel and Elizabeth Clevenger, me bers of a pioneer family whose biographies w be found in various parts of this volume a can be readily traced by reference to the index. Benjamin F. Clevenger was reared among the pioneers of the county and early inured the hardships of the frontier farmer's life. was educated in the common schools of the county, and February 6, 1862, married Cath rine A. Dutenhaver, daughter of John a Magdalen (Sipes) Dutenhaver, of whom mention will be made further on. To the m riage of Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger six childr have been born: Mary A., March 24, 1863 died February 18, 1865; Samuel B., February 19, 1865—died December 29, 1876; Ada L., October 9, 1867; John F., April 7, 187 Sarah L., November 6, 1873, and William April 7, 1878. Mrs. Catherine A. Clevenger, OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 93 mother of the above family, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, February 20, 1841, and in 186o came to Putnam county and made her home with Samuel Clevenger, the father of our subject, until her marriage. Her parents were natives of Germany, who, in their youth, while still single, came to America and for a short time resided in Pennsylvania and then came to Ohio. They settled in Carroll county and there were married, the union resulting in the birth of nine children, viz: Mrs. Elizabeth Best, deceased; Mary, wife of Jere-. miah Booth, a farmer of Carr0ll county; Catherine, the wife of the subject; John, farmer of Carroll county, and an ex-soldier of the Civil war; Maggie, of Carroll county; Martha, married to Robert Weimers, a farmer of Columbiana county; William, farmer of Carroll county; Joseph, farmer of Huntington county, Ind„ and George, who died in childhood. John Dutenhaver, the father, was a farmer, a democrat in politics, and died in 1878, a member of the Lutheran church, of which his wife was also a member. After his marriage, Mr. Clevenger continued to live on his father's farm for two years, and in 1863 built a rude house on his present farm, into which he moved in the spring of 1864, and diligently set to work to develop his land for all it was worth, in which effort he made a splendid success. In 1873 he was elected by the democratic party township trustee, and in 188o elected land appraiser, and later still reelected township trustee, serving three years. He and wife are both prominent members of the Baptist church, and their daily conduct proves that they are sincere believers in its doctrines and teachings. In 1876, Mr. Clevenger erected his present handsome brick residence, which is one of the most beautiful homes in the county. He is a thoroughly progressive agriculturist, and has one of the best improved and best equipped farms in the township, of which he is one of the most public-spirited citizens, as well as one of the most liberal. MRS. CATHERINE CLEVENGER, of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, is the highly respected widow of Isaac Clevenger, a son of Benjamin Clevenger, one of the early pioneers of Putnam county, who settled in Sugar Creek township about 1830, on Sugar creek, near where Vaughnsville now stands, and built the first mill in the county. Here the late Isaac Clevenger was reared to manhood and passed his entire life. He was reared as all the children of pioneers were reared—to clearing away the forests in subduing the stubborn soil to the demands of the plow, and in wresting fr0m the gloomy woods the smiling fields that now adorn the land. On reaching maturity he first married Miss Alvira Vandemark, to which union were born three daughters, viz: Sarah, who was married t0 Albert Rimer a farmer; Lucinda, married to Cyrus Evan, also a farmer, and Nancy A., the wife of T. R. Mayberry. The mother of these children was called to her eternal home about the year 1853, and about two years later Mr. Clevenger married the subject of this sketch, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Askins. Miss Catherine Askins was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 17, 1830, of highly respectable parentage—Jacob and Charlotte (Smith) Askins, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mr. Askins was a stone-cutter by trade, and after settling in Allen county conducted the tomb-stone business at Elida until his death, which occurred about the year 1883. He was a deacon in the Lutheran church for over forty years and in politics was a democrat, but 94 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY never aspired to public offrce. He reared a family of eight children, as follows: Catherine; the subject of this sketch ; John, who was a soldier in the late war and died after his return home from the effects of exposure in the service; Mary, who married the Rev. James Bartholomew; Peter, who served in the late war and also died from exposure; Sarah A., married to N. Strayer; Jacob, who served through the 100—day service of the Civil war ;William, a merchant of Middlepoint, Van Wert county, Ohio, and Joseph, who resides in Lima, Allen county. The mother of this family died in 1888, deeply and sincerely mourned by the surviving members of the family and a large circle of friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Clevenger were born a family of nine children: Mary, married to Albert Rimer; William, who died at the age of eighteen years; Charlotte, wife of William Cartwright; Christiana, at home; John Quincy, who died at the age of four years; James W., Thomas J., Joseph E., and Samuel A., all four live at home with their mother. Mr. Clevenger was a member of the Christian church and politically was a republican. He cut the first stick of timber ever cut on the present homestead and brought the place to its now fertile condition, and here ended his days May 16, 1893, an honored and respected member of an honored and respected family, sketches of many of whom are contained on other pages of this volume, with their names and the numbers of the pages on which they are to be found properly arranged in the index, to which the attention of the reader is respectfully invited. MATTHEW A. CHAMBERS, a distinguished citizen of Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born March 24, 1827, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and was reared in Gilboa, Putnam county. His grandfather, Jo C. Chambers, was of Scotch-Irish desce was a native of Ireland and a weaver by trad He came to America prior to the Revolution war and located in Maryland on the banks the Potomac river, but later came to 0 and about 1800 purchased land in Muskingu county, and engaged in farming and weav until his death. He had married, in Mary land, Nancy Markmandluff, who bore the fol lowing children: Matthew, Mandluff, Absa lom, Violet (Mrs. Stephen Lee), Margar (Mrs. John Holmes), and John, of Iowa, now deceased. Matthew Chambers, the eldest of the ahoy named children, was born in Maryland in 178 was brought to Ohio by his father and rear to farming, and in early manhood purchased farm in the neighborhood of his father's pla In 1837, however, he came to Putnam e and purchased a section of land in Blanch township, on a part of which his son, Matthe A., now resides. In the same year he e gaged in mercantile business in Gilboa, and 1840 erected a brick hotel; this he conduct in connection with his store, until 1851, wh he retired from the hotel business and w succeeded by his sons, Matthew A. and B tholomew. Mr. Chambers was an exten land-owner in his township, and divided m than a section of land among his child He had served in the war of 181,2. Matth Chambers married, in 1808, Miss Mary R baugh, daughter of Martin Radabaugh. lady was born in Virginia, was of Pennsylvania nian descent, and became the mother of following children: Elizabeth, wife of Mil Ewing; Barbara, wife of Newton Thra Nancy A., first married to Lilburn Thrapp next to Henry Crofus; Bartholomew, who in Gilboa in 1852, leaving a wife and two dren, the widow afterward marrying St Miles and dying in Licking county, Ohio; OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 95 Mary, deceased wife of Dr. C. M. Godfrey, Ottawa; Violet, who first married Adolphus Wilson, and secondly, A. J. Powell, of Iowa. In politics Mr. Chambers was a democrat until the late Civil war came on, when he became a republican, and although he took a deep interest in public affairs, would never accept of public office. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant church, aided liberally toward the erection of that denomination's church edifice at Gilboa, was one of the original members, helped form the first class, and was an adherent of that belief until his death, as was also his wife. Matthew A. Chambers began his business career as a clerk for his father, attending the Store through the summer and buying furs from the Indians in the winter. In 1850-51-52 he was in the hotel business with his brother at Gilboa. In 1854, he purchased from his father a farm in section No. 8, Blanchard township, which he cleared and improved, and on which he lived until 1870, when he purchased the old home place of 160 acres, on which he still resides. In 1861 he enlisted in company D, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, served four months, and took part in the battle of Cherry Creek, Va., and several lesser engagements. The marriage of Mr. Chambers took place March 6, 1855, to Miss Margaret Krutch, of Perry county, Ohio, and to this union were born the following children: Mary; John, who married Clara Conley; Banner, who married Lula Dukes. The mother was called away March 3, 1891, leaving a void in the household never to be filled. In his politics Mr. Chambers was a democrat until 1891, when he became an independent. He has also filled the offrce of township trustee two terms, and several minor offices; he has served on the school board for years, and takes a deep and lively interest in all educational enterprises. Fraternally he is a member of Roxsin lodge, F. & A. M., of Hancock county, of Lindsay post, No. 75, G. A. R., and Putnam grange, No. 141, P. of H. Mr. Chambers is an intelligent and progressive farmer and is a gentleman of energy, enterprise and progress, and one whose candor and veracity have given him a standing of respect among his fellow-citizens that few men enjoy. WILLIAM HENRY CHANDLER, an old soldier of the Civil war, and a prosperous farmer of Jennings township, Putnam county, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 17, 1840, and is a son of Truman A. and Ruth M. (Gillet) Chandler. His paternal garndfather, Absalom Chandler, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was in the battle of Buffalo, N. Y. He was a farmer of Pennsylvania and married a Miss Wood, who bore him seven children, of whom the names of six are remembered as follows: Truman, Nathan, William, James, Lo-visa and Amanda. Absalom Chandler was a lumberman and raftsman and passed a great deal of his time in Canada, but spent his latter days in Buffalo, N. Y., where he died at the age of seventy-six years. Truman Chandler, father of William Henry, was born in Erie county, N. Y., May 18, 1808, where he was reared to manhood and where he married Ruth M. Gillett, daughter of Philemon Gillett. From Erie county, N. Y., Truman Chandler removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he farmed until 1857, when he came to Putnam county, and bought eighty acres of land in the woods two miles north of the farm on which his son, William H., now lives. He here wrought out a good farm from the wilderness and lived upon it until his retirement to the home of his son, James E., in Allen county, where he passed from earth at the advanced 96 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY age of eighty-five years. His five children were born and named in the following order: James E. ,William H., Oscar E., Frank P. and Mary E. William H. Chandler, our subject, was about sixteen years of age when he came to Putnam county with his father, and here worked on the old farm until he enlisted at Kalida, under Capt. A. V. Rice, in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three years. With his regiment he took part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, but on account of disability was furloughed home from April to July, On his return to his regiment he took part in the Yazoo bottom campaign, the expedition to Arkansas Post, worked at digging the canal opposite Vicksburg, was at the siege of Vicksburg, in the fight at Champion's Hill, in the battle of Jackson, Miss., on the Atlanta campaign from Dalton to Jonesboro, was at Dallas, Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Smoky Creek Gap, Kenesaw Mountain and at the fall of Atlanta, when his term of service expired, and he was mustered out at East Point, Ga., September 11, 1864, receiving an honorable discharge. On his return home Mr. Chandler engaged in farming on the old place until January 28, 1869, when he married Miss Lydia Brenneman, who was born April 14, 1850, in Perry county, Ohio, a daughter of David and Leah (Stemen) Brenneman. The father, David Brenneman, was a native of Pennsylvania, who came with his father, John Brenneman, to Ohio; he was married in Perry county to Miss Stemen, and soon afterward, about 1852 or 1853, came to Allen county; he here became a prominent farmer, and at his death, February 11, 1868, was able to leave $4,000 to each of his four children, who were named Lydia, Elizabeth, Catherine and Samuel. After his marriage, Mr. Chandler lived on the old David Brenneman farm for four years, and then, in 1873, moved to his present farm of 120 acres, which was then all in the woods. This woodland he has transformed into a fruitful field of cereals, and here has laid the foundation on which, being still a young man, he is raising the structure that is destined to culminate in a handsome fortune. To Mr, and Mrs. Chandler have been born three children—Lucinda, Leah and Orpha Ruth. Of these, Lucinda is married to Joseph Wilson, who is farming forty miles north of Denver Colo. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler hold member ship with the United Brethren church, i which Mr. Chandler is a trustee, and socially they, mingle with the most respectable peop of the neighborhood. FRANK CHANDLER, a thrifty fame of Jackson township, Putnam count Ohio, is a son of Truman and Ruth (Gillett) Chandler, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 30, 1849. Truman Chandler was a native of New York, born May 18, 1808, and a son of Absalom Chandler, also a native of New York and of Scote Irish descent. Absalom Chandler, who has been a patriot of the Revolutionary war, a also a soldier in the war of 1812, married Polly Woods, and became the father of seven children. Truman Chandler was reared on farm in New York and in 1838 married Ruth Gillett, a daughter of Russell Gillett; to this union were born six children, as follows: James Edwin, a farmer of Allen county, Ohio William Henry, farmer of Jennings towns Putnam county; Oscar Edson, of Nebraska, Frank, our subject; a deceased son and Mary Elizabeth (twins)—the latter the wife of George Schindler, a farmer of Nebraska. Mrs. Chandler was a native of Vermont, born Novem 28, 1818, and died April 30, 1885, a member of the Christian church. In 1842 Truman Chandler came to Ohio, resided in Knox OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 97 county until 1851, then went to Delaware county, where he was engaged in the manufacture of saleratus until October, 1857, when he came to Putnam county and entered eighty acres of land and bought forty additional acres, making a good farm, on which our subject now lives. In 1880 he retired from active life, and, enjoying the respect of all who knew him, died April 27, 1894. Frank Chandler, whose name opens this sketch, was reared and educated in Putnam county, and October 2, 1873, married Mary Schindler, daughter of Andrew and Susanne (Thompson) Schindler, the union resulting in the birth of six children, as follows: Francis Truman, born September 30, 1882 ; Lillie E., December 10, 1884; Hiram Leroy, May 9, 1886; William Artie, August To, 1888; Annie Elnora, January 20, 1890, and Albert Andrew, March 21, 1892. Mrs. Mary Chandler is a native of Allen county, Ohio, born September 29, 1853, her father being a native of Baden, Germany, and her mother of Carroll county, Ohio. Mrs. Chandler is a member of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Chandler is a democrat; he has been a school director for nine years, and is one of the most highly respected residents of the township. His brother Henry served three years in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, thus giving evidence that the family is patriotic as well as progressive, and well deserving of the high esteem in which they are held. GEORGE COLLERT, one of the best agriculturists of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Bavaria May 25, 1834, a son of Christopher Collert, a native of the same country and father of eight children, viz: John, who lied in Germany; Charles, who died in Colum bus, Ohio, about 186o; Margaret, deceased ; Conrad, also deceased; Dorothy, deceased ; Effie, and George, the last named being the subject of this sketch. The father of this family died in 1859. George Collert, at the age of fourteen years, began working out at farm labor in Germany and followed the calling for six years, when, in 1854, he came to America, and located near Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed as a farm hand for two years, and in other parts of the country for about six years. December 13, 1862, he married Emma Gott, daughter of Charles and Ellen Gott, both natives of England. To this marriage nine children were born, viz: Lucy, wife of I. Harter, of Fostoria, Ohio; Ellen, married to John Havelain, of the same place; Sarah J., who died in 1894, at the age of twenty-five years; Lizzie, wife of George Watterson, of Jackson township, Putnam county; Katherine, now Mrs. Michael Klose, of Union township; May, Cora, George and Charles, all four at home. The mother of these children was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 6, 1842, came to America in 1852 with her parents (who settled in Franklin county,' Ohio) and died in Union township July 27, 1892. Her father came to Putnam county in 1862, bought a farm, and followed the pursuit of agriculture until his death, which took place April 13, 1895. Mr. Collert, after his marriage, located in Franklin county, Ohio, where he farmed for nearly seven years, and in that space of time accumulated $1,300. In 1867 he came to Putnam county and bought his present farm, part of which he has cleared from the woods and made into a comfortable home. He is a member of the Lutheran church, in politics a democrat, and has held several minor offices. He is a good, solid citizen and is greatly respected as a self-made man. His daughter, 98 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Sarah J. (deceased), was also a great favorite with the community and was especially beloved by the bereaved father. CHARLES R. COMER, an enterprising and rising young farmer of his native township of Jackson, Putnam county, Ohio, was born April 26, 1872, and is a son of John and Mary Louisa (Holden) Comer. The father, John Corner, was born in Pennsylvania in 1819, and was a son of John Comer of old Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. John Corner, the grandfather of Charles R., our subject, came from the Keystone state, in 1830, to Putnam county, Ohio, and entered a large tract of wild land from the government, on which he erected a log house, established his family, and from that time was identified with the pioneer industries of the township until his death—an honored and truly venerated frontiersman. John Corner, father of Charles R., was but a boy when he accompanied his father to Putnam county, and with him endured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. In 1856 he married Mary L. Holden, who was born in Union township, Putnam county, March 20, 1837, a daughter of Pearson B. and Samantha (Neisley) Holden, natives of the Buckeye state. To this marriage were born the following children: Priscilla, wife of Benjamin Andrews, of Perry township; John, of Michigan; Pearson, of Dupont, Ohio; and Charles R., our subject. Pearson B. Holden, father of Mrs. Corner, was a well-known minister of the Christian Union church, and died March 24, 1867; Mrs. Corner was always a prominent member of the same church, and her death occurred November 7, 1891. After marriage John Corner settled on a farm in Jackson township, where he devoted the remainder of his life to agriculture, dying August 16, 1884, in the faith of the Christian chuch, to which he contributed liberally. In politics he was a democrat, and as a farmer he was very successful—clearing up his land and bringing it under an excellent state of cultivation. He belonged to the class of pioneers who have done so much to bring the county out of its primitive condition and convert it into its present enviable state of civilization, and his death was universally lamented by th community. Charles R. Comer, youngest son of John, last mentioned, was educated in the common schools of his native township, and was reared on the old homestead. March 20, 1894, he married Dottie McClure, daughter of George McClure, and still lives on the old home place, highly respected, and recognized as one of the most enterprising and skillful young farmers of the township. His integrity has never bee impugned, and he has the credit among neighbors of being as honest as he is industrious. Pearson Comer, an elder brother of Charles R., was born June 19, 1864, was reared on the old home farm and educated in the common schools. August 18, 1888, he married Miss Cornelia Alexander, who was born in Dupont, Ohio, in 1867, a daughter of William and Jane (Worline) Alexander. This union has been blessed by the birth of tw children—Hazel and Jason. Mrs. Comer was educated in Dupont, and learned the milliner trade in Ottawa, and achieved a high repute for her skill and taste in that vocation. Aft marriage Mr. Corner engaged in teaming Hedges, Paulding county, but soon returned the home farm in Jackson township, Putna county, where he resided until 1892, when h moved to his present home in Dupont. I politics he is a stanch democrat, and, like brother Charles, enjoys the respect of all wh know him. OF PUTNAM COUNTY - 99 WILLIAM CONN, a most respectable farmer of Blanchard township, Putnam county, was born June 4, 1821, in Muskingum county, Ohio. His grandfather, also named William, was of Scotch-Irish extraction and came from Fayette county, Pa., to Ohio, about the year 1800, entered and cleared up a farm in Muskingum county; he had married Sarah Pierce, and with her passed the remainder of life on this homestead. They were the parents of six children, named Thomas, Lydia, George, Peggy, Betsey and Sarah. Thomas Conn, the eldest son of William and Sarah Conn, was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1773 and came to Ohio with his parents. In November, 1812, he settled on the farm his father had entered in Muskingum county, which he cultivated. until his removal to Putnam county. In September, 1845, he purchased 160 acres in Blanchard township in section 13, and also entered 160 acres in section 12. Half of this tract he gave to his son William, our subject, and the other half he sold; on the first tract he built a dwelling, and cleared up a fine farm, on which he lived until 1859, when he retired from active business and passed his declining years in Gilboa, where he died in 1868, a highly honored citizen. He married Annie Coe, and to their union were born ten children, viz: Harriet, wife of James Patrick; John, deceased; Eliza, now Mrs. William Baxter; William, our subject; Isaac; Rebecca, wife of John P. Conley; Benoni; Mary, now Mrs. V. B. Johnson; Thomas B., of Ottawa, Ohio, and Melvina, wife of William Cook. William Conn, the third child of Thomas and Annie Conn, was reared a farmer and was educated in the primitive log school house on the frontier of Muskingum county. In 1845 he came to Putnam county and worked for his brother John, in Blanchard township, until 1850, when his father presented him with a forty-acre tract of land. This land our subject cleared, improved, cultivated and converted into a blooming farm, on which he resided until 1879, when he relinquished agricultural pursuits for a season and retired to Gilboa, where he passed his years in peaceful rest until 1885, when he purchased his present farm of forty acres, partly cleared, the farming instinct being still strong within him. Mr. Conn was and still is a patriot to the core, and in 1864 enlisted in one of the lately raised regiments, Ohio volunteer infantry, and served 1 oo days, and still votes as he shot, although, before the formation of the republican party, he had been a whig. He married Amanda Haskins, who died in 1887, leaving no offspring. Mr. Conn is a representative citizen, being always foremost among those engaged in the promotion of projects designed for the public good, and is universally esteemed and honored throughout his township and county. WILLIAM MITCHELL COOK, trustee of Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, and one of the leading citizens of the township, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Monroe township, Allen township, September 2, 1849. Mr. Cook's father was Stephen Cook, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 3, 1819, and was a son of William Cook, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the early settlers of Richland county, Ohio. In his old age he removed to Columbus Grove, where he died. Stephen Cook came to Monroe township, Allen county, in 1842, settled on land which had been entered by his father, and given to him and his brother. He followed farming and also dealt in stock, buying and shipping cattle and hogs. He was married in Richland