650 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY partment of a sailing vessel which was leaving port for the United States. The poor lad endured many hardships before he finally landed, but way time afterward managed to make his way to Lorain, County, Ohio. There he secured employment with a horse dealer, at North Ridgeville, with whom he remained for several years. He learned a great deal from this employer and became an excellent judge of horseflesh. He also had some experience as a sailor on the lakes. Finally he came to Sandusky County and helped to clear the land on which Bellevue now stands, and it was while working there that he entered the employ of Barney Kline, who was one of the early pioneers and one of the few men of capital in this section at that time. Mr. Spriggs was made foreman for Mr. Kline and remained with him for many years. When the Lake Shore Railroad was being constructed he was foreman of the gravel pit at Bellevue, and while in that capacity he made a record for loading cars that is still remembered. About that time he bought a farm in York Township and conducted it until he retired to Clyde in 1902, where he yet lives. He married Catherine Feese, who died in 1895. They had four children, namely : William ; Edward, who died April 21, 1908; Susan, wife of Adam Jordan ; and Ellen, wife of Isaac Matz. William Spriggs spent his boyhood on Mr. Kline's farm, his father being manager at that time, and attended the district schools and made himself generally useful. In 1885 he bought a forty-acre tract in York Township, Sandusky County, a .wild, uncleared piece of land, He worked until he had cleared it up and ditched it until it was well drained and continued to live there until 1895, when he sold to advantage and came to Clyde. He engaged first in a meat and later in the implement business and then went out on the road as traveling salesman and spent eight years as a commercial traveler. Having become an expert salesman in the implement line, he was engaged by the Johnston Harvester Company, of Batavia, New York, as a special salesman, at advanced salary, and continued with that firm for three years, after which he was in the employ of the Akron Cultivator Company, of Akron, Ohio, for five years, meeting with continual recognition of his gifts as a salesman. In 1907 Mr. Spriggs purchased his present business and then retired from the road. This store was established in 1873, by W. C. Terry, who conducted it for thirty-two years. In 1905 he sold out to M. E. Mowery, and two years later Mr. Spriggs became sole proprietor. Mr. Spriggs has added largely to the general stock, carrying a full line of furniture, carpets and house furnishings, and is prepared to furnish either a cottage or a mansion from one end to the other. Not being a licensed embalmer, he has engaged a competent and qualified man for this work and his undertaking establishment is equipped with everything in that line to ensure funeral directing being conducted with economy and propriety. On October 10, 1884, Mr. Spriggs was married to Miss Isabella Bauer, a daughter of William Bauer, a well known citizen of Bellevue, and they have two daughters, Eulilia and Delcie. The former is Mrs. Sates, and she, with her son William, who is named for his grandfather, assist Mr. Spriggs in his business. The second daughter is the wife of Lloyd Beard, and they have one son, Savoy. In politics Mr. Spriggs is a Republican in National affairs, but occasionally in local matters casts his vote for his own personal choice. He retains his membership in the United Travelers' Association at Fremont, and he is also identified with the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias at Clyde. Mr. Spriggs has a handsome residence on State Street, while his place of business is on the east side of Main Street. FRANK BRUBAKER, general farmer, who resides on the old homestead farm in Jackson Township, which was secured by his grandfather from the Government in 1833, was born in the house in which he has always lived, in Sandusky County, Ohio, March 20, 1870. His parents were John and Delilah (Garn) Brubaker. John Brubaker, the grandfather, was born March 2, 1790, and died December 24, 1848. He married Esther Miller, who was born November 6, 1793, and died March 23, 1870. After the death of John Brubaker she married AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 651 George Overmyer; she was the mother of ten children. John Brubaker secured eighty acres of land situated on the Greenburg Turnpike, about six miles from Fremont. The old certificate which is in the possession of the family fully describes the situation of this land and was issued with the signature of Andrew Jackson, then President of the United States, April 15, 1833. John Brubaker (2), father of Frank, was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1827, and accompanied his parents to Sandusky County, which remained his home and where he died February 6, 1896. On March 8, 1855, he married Delilah Garn, who was born September 29, 1836, in Jackson Township, a daughter of John Garn. She still survives and has a wide acquaintance. She still retains a farm of twenty acres, which is managed by her son Frank, together with his own 131 acres, which was a part of the old homestead. Seven children were born to John and Delilah Brubaker, namely : Leroy, born January 10, 1856, married Emma Beckman, resides in Jackson Township, of which he is township clerk, and has one son, Elmer. Nora, born May I, 1857, married John Posey, of Jackson Township, and they have had nine children : Orval, Elvin, Vira, Elzina, John and Lester, living, and Allie, Bertha and Charles, deceased. Esther, born November 7, 1858, married Martin Hufford, they live in Sandusky County, and have two children, Herman and Verna Elta, born January 30, 1865, married William Klein, they live in Michigan, and have the following children : Ralph, Pearl. Blanche, Harry, Arthur, Mabel, Dorothy, Liola and Harlow. Cora, born December I, 1866, married James Hearn, they live in Michigan, and have had the following children : Grace, Lottie, Ethel, May, Gladys, and Lloyd and James (deceased). Inez, born May 3, 1868, married Frank Gephart, of Jack-. son Township, and they have one child, Fannie R. Frank, the remaining child, is the subject of this sketch. Frank Brubaker was educated in the public schools. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is one of the progressive and successful young farmers of this section. On January 31, 1899, he married Miss Emma Smaltz, a daughter of John and Margaret (Mandrell) Smaltz. Both parents of Mrs. Brubaker were born in Germany, the father on September 5, 1832, and the mother on March 2, 1835. They still survive and are among the highly esteemed residents of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Smaltz had the following children : Mary, married John Tebbe, lives at Gibsonburg, Ohio, and they have six children ; Kate, married Christian Snyder and they live in Sandusky County and have three children; Lewis, married Rosie Smith and they live in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and have six children; Lizzie, married Charles Beckman and they live in Sandusky County and have two children; Henry resides at home; Emma married Frank Brubaker; and several died young. S. BURTON RATHBUN, an honored veteran of the Civil War and a member of Rawson Post, No. 32, Grand Army of the Republic, at Fremont, for many years has been engaged in peaceful agricultural pursuits on his well improved farm of forty acres, situated in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County. He was born February 26, 1842, on his father's farm in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and was the second child born 'to his parents, Saxton S. and Barbara (Huss) Rathbun. The great-grandfather, Jonathan Rathbun, came to America from England and settled in Vermont. moved from there to New York and later to Sandusky County, Ohio. He secured Government land west of Clyde, on which he resided until his death. Chaplin Rathbun, grandfather of S. Burton Rathbun, was born while his parents lived in Vermont. While living in New York he married, and in 1826 he moved with his family to Sandusky County, making the trip by way of the lake, and located in Green Creek Township, where he entered the forty-acre farm which is now the property of his son. He was a man of considerable enterprise and after erecting his log buildings in the woods and starting to clear up his land then also rented an old sawmill, which was formerly owned by the Indians. Some of the lumber manufactured in this old mill is yet in use, having been utilized in the 652 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY construction of a barn which still stands on the old farm. He married Lucinda Sutliff, a native of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. They had eight children, all now deceased : Saxton S. Bruce, Jonathan, Jeanetta, Catherine, Sarah, Lucinda and Eliza. Saxton S. Rathbun, father of S. Burton, was born in 1813, in the state of New York and was thirteen years old when his parents came to Sandusky County. He played with Indian boys at this time, finding them campanionable, and at one time was employed to hoe corn for old Chief Hickory, a very friendly Indian. Until his marriage he continued to live at home, after which he moved to a farm of eighty acres, situated north of the homestead, which he entered from the Government. This land he cleared and improved and resided on for forty-one years. Then he purchased the old home place and moved to it, where his wife died when aged seventy-seven years. She was a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Noah Huss. To this marriage of Saxton S. Rathbun and Barbara Huss, were born thirteen children, namely : Clark, Edwin, Norton G., James, S. Burton, Thaddeus, Chaplin L., Lucinda, Norman, Brace, Orvilla, Jacob and John. Three of the sons served as soldiers in the Civil War. The father of the above family died at the age of eighty-one years. S. Burton Rathbun grew to manhood on his father's farm and obtained a district school education, attending whenever the work on the 'farm permitted his absence from it. 'When civil war was declared he was one of the first in his neighborhood to respond to the call for soldiers. He enlisted November 15, 1861, in Company F, 72d 0. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Leroy Moore, and he remained in the same company and regiment until he received his honorable discharge, September 11, 1865. Although Mr. Rathbun had the great good fortune to escape serious injury, it was not because he had not taken part in the fighting on many a noted battle-field, and the bullet holes in his uniform testified how closely his mortal career frequently was in danger of being ended. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Memphis, Siege of Vicksburg, two battles at Jackson, Nashville, the pursuit of Hood, Vicksburg, Brandon, Russell House and Spanish Fort. The whole period of service was one of more or less hardship but at all times Mr. Rathbun displayed the cheerful courage that won for the private soldier of that memorable war, the gratitude and admiration of the North. When his term of military service was completed, he returned to his father's farm and continued to work on it until April, 1870, when he purchased the farm on which he has resided ever since. He carries on a general farming line, many years of practical experience ensuring him success in his undertakings. On February 25, 1869, Mr. Rathbun was married to Miss Margaret Brunthaver, daughter of Adam and Mary (Smith) Brunthaver. Mrs. Rathbun's father was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at an early day. finding Indians still living in Green Creek Township at that time. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun have had two children : Leonard and Owen Leroy, the latter of whom died in infancy. The former resides with his father and assists in the management of the farm. He married Nellie Slatter and they have one son, Robert. In politics Mr. Rathbun and son are Republicans. He has served in various township offices and is well-known all through this section. JAMES. W. WILSON. M. D.. deceased. formerly president of the First National Bank of Fremont, and president of the Fremont Sayings Bank Company. was not only one of the leading financiers and capitalists of Sandusky County. but was recognized for almost twenty years as an eminent physician. serving as president of the Sandusky County Medical Society and having membership in the Ohio State Medical Society. Dr. Wilson was born at New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania. February 1, 1816, and died July. 21, 1904. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Mauck) Wilson, and his grandfather was James Wilson. who moved from Connecticut to Pennsylvania. in 1791. From boyhood the late Dr. Wilson cherished the hope of becoming a great physician. and his HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 655 studies were directed with this object in view. In March, 1837, he was graduated from old Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, and in the following fall he entered upon his initial practice, in Center County, Pennsylvania, hut, when his friend and brother practitioner, Dr. Thomas Stillwell, started for Ohio, in June, 1839, Dr. Wilson accompanied him, and in July of that year established himself in the growing town of Lower Sandusky. The story of the pioneer physician has often been told and probably not one half of its real hardships have ever been disclosed, but the young man entered heartily and bravely upon the strenuous life, and soon became one of the best known, best beloved and busiest men in Sandusky County. His successful medical career, however, was necessarily closed by his own failing health, brought on by exposure and devotion to the hard demands of his profession, and in 1858 he reluctantly gave up practice. In August, 1862, Dr. Wilson was appointed by Governor Todd surgeon for Sandusky County, to examine applicants for exemption from draft. His retirement from medical practice gave Dr. Wilson more time to devote to his growing business interests. In 1857 he had become a partner in the private banking firm of Birchard, Miller & Company, and in September, 1863, when the bank was merged into the First National Bank of Fremont, he became first vice-president, and later, upon the death of Sardis Birchard, president of this old, sound, conservative financial institution. In 1882 he was one of the organizers of the Fremont Savings Bank Company, and for years was a director and president of that corporation. Few men, through so long a period, filled positions of such great responsibility more satisfactorily than did Dr. Wilson, and his former co-workers readily concede that much of the uninterrupted prosperity which has marked those business enterprises in which he was a controlling factor, was adue to his foresight and judgment. On May 25, 1841, Dr. Wilson was married to Miss Nancy E. Justice, who was a daughter of Judge James Justice, of an old family of Sandusky County. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson had four children, namely : Sarah W., who is the widow of Dr, J. B. Rice; Mary C., who is the widow of Charles F. Rice, who was one of Fremont's leading business men, residing at No. 324 High Street ; Charles G., a prominent attorney at Toledo, Ohio, who married Miss Cornelia L. Amsden; and James W., now deceased, who was associated with his father in the First National Bank of Fremont. Dr. Wilson was a broad-minded man, with judgment and tolerance meeting every crisis that came to him throughout a very long life. He was a particularly useful citizen and was deeply interested in many worthy organizations which are too often neglected by men of his standing and ability. He was president of the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Society, and after the death of the lamented Hon. Rutherford B. Hayes, he succeeded that distinguished statesman as president of the Birchard Library Association. In 1858 he was elected treasurer of the Sandusky County Bible Society, and in 1868 its president, an office he continued to hold as long as he lived. He was a humanitarian and a sincere Christian both by example and profession, being a consistent member of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, and for a half century its senior warden. JAMES FRED KROUSS, who owns eighty acres of excellent land in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, his comfortable home being situated about four and one-half miles southwest of Fremont, was born in Germany, June 7, 1854, and is a son of Fred and Christina (Bear) Krouss. The parents of Mr. Krouss came to America in 1856 and settled in Huron County, Ohio, where they lived until 1879, when they moved to Sandusky County. They were farming people and were worthy members of the Lutheran Church. The father died in 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother in 1894, at the age of seventy-four years. They had two sons and two daughters : James Fred and George.; Christina, who married P. Bach, and Lizzie, who married William Zeller. James Fred Krouss was two years old when he was brought to the United States and he 656 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY has spent all his subsequent life in Ohio. He carries on general farming and is numbered with the substantial and reliable men of Ballville Township. On January 23, 1890, Mr. Krouss was married at Norwalk, Ohio, to Miss Barbara Linder, a daughter of Lawrence and Catherine Linder. Her father died March 22, 1896, aged eighty-two years, six months and twenty-seven days. Her mother's death occurred December 20, 1885, when she was aged fifty-six years, six months and one day. Mrs. Krouss was born May 1, 1858, and died October 22, 1892. She was a most estimable woman, a devoted wife and mother, a good neighbor and consistent church member. Seven children survive her, namely : Herman, Clara, Estella, Elmer, Harry. Virginia and Alivia. Mr. Krouss is a member of the German Lutheran Church of Fremont. GEORGE HAWK, general farmer and well known resident of Green Creek Township, living on a small part of the old Baker farm, about three Miles east of Fremont, on the north side of the. Maumee Turnpike and the electric railroad, owns sixty acres of excellent farming land. Mr. Hawk is an honored survivor Of the great Civil War, to which he gave three years of his early manhood. He was born in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, January 31, 1841, and is a son of David and Eleanor (Huss) Hawk. David Hawk was probably a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Sandusky County and settled among the early pioneers in Green Creek Township, on what is now the Sommers farm. The remainder of his life was spent in this township, where he died in 1852, aged fifty years. His widow survived him for some years. They had fourteen children, namely : David, John, Mary, Lewis, Charles, Noah, George, Elizabeth, James, Eliza, Cyrus, Clementine and Clarissa, twins, and Alice. George Hawk grew to manhood on his father's farm and had seen few real hardships before he went into the army, but after that brave sacrifice, they came thick and fast. He enlisted in the first year of the war, entering Company F, 72d 0. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Leroy Moore, and for three long years was in that same regiment. With the brave 72d he participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg and shared all the other hard fortunes of war with his comrades until, in 1864, at Brice's Cross Roads, he was taken prisoner by the Confederates. He soon found out that his destination was the greatly feared prison pen at Andersonville, to which he was taken by way of Mobile, Alabama. After being there for two months he managed to escape, but only to be recaptured and was then sent to Florence, South Carolina, where conditions were not much better. From that prison Mr. Hawk also got away within three days, evidently having much more ingenuity than many of his comrades, but the country was an unknown one to him after he escaped and within nine days he was recaptured, although in that time he had managed to cover ninety miles in the direction of the Union lines. Mr. Hawk, with 140 other captured prisoners, was then put into a jail from which they could not escape, where they were kept for two months and then sent to Florence for two months more, when they were finally paroled. The Government recognizes Mr. Hawk's claim on its generosity and he receives a pension of $24.00 per month. His military record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. After the close of his army service, Mr. Hawk returned home and as soon as able, resumed farming which he has continued ever since. On February 26. 187o, he married Miss Rebecca Baker, a daughter of John B. Baker, and they have had seven children born to them, as follows : Neva ; Ethel, who is the wife of Leroy Deamer ; Chauncy, who is married and has a family of his own; and Charles, William, John and Nettie. In politics, Mr. Hawk is a Democrat. He has served as school director in his township at different times. GEORGE W. SMITH, who has devoted the larger part of his life to agricultural pursuits and is numbered with the successful farmers and representative citizens of Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, where his fine farm of seventy-seven acres is located, was born in Pleasant Township, Seneca County, Ohio, September 4, 1856. His parents were AND REPRESENTATIVE. CITIZENS - 657 Andrew Jackson and Ann (Cummons) Smith. Andrew Jackson Smith was born in Seneca County, New York, in 1828, and came to Ohio with his parents, Stephen and Susan Smith. They settled in the deep woods of Seneca County about 1833 and entered a farm in Pleasanta Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their remains lie in the old Salem churchyard, in Ballville Township, Sandusky County. They had the following children : Martin, Andrew J. and Albert, all deceased :Stephen Marion, residing in Michigan; Susan, Fannie and Ellen, all deceased, and Jonas and Ann, both of whom were children of a prior marriage. Jonas Smith was a prominent man in the county serving both as county commissioner and sheriff, previous to the Civil War. Andrew Jackson Smith married Ann Cummons, who was born in Mercer County, and they had the following children born to them : Ellen, who is now deceased, was the wife of John Stephen ; Stephen, who lives in Indiana; George William ; 1 Tiles, who lives in Michigan; Susan, who lives at Jackson, Michigan ;Fannie, who married a Mr. Stephens, lives at Flint,- Michigan ; Rachel, who is the wife of James Webber, of Michigan ; Jessie, who is now deceased, was the wife of John King; Leaffy, who is the wife of Amos Turner; and Blanche E.., who is the wife of 'William Hildebridle, of Lansing, Michigan. Andrew J. Smith engaged in farming for about four years following his marriage, in Seneca County, and then moved to Clinton. County, Michigan, and there he died in 1891, when aged sixty-three years. His widow survived until 1908, her death occurring at the age of seventy-six years. George W. Smith was three years old when the family moved to Michigan and when seven, he returned to Ohio and went to live with his uncle, Jonas Smith, who resided in Ballville Township. He was made a member of his uncle's family and received kind treatment and was afforded educational advantages. For fifteen years before he bought his present farm, in 1893, he had operated his uncle's farm. He was married in April, 1877, to Miss Martha Sachs, a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Favor) Sachs, old settlers in Ballville Township, to which section they came from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, Ollie, who is the wife of Herman Kowalk, residing in Sandusky Township. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Trinity Evangelical Church, at Fremont, where he has taught the Old Ladies' Bible Class for twenty-two years. In politics he is a Democrat. EDWIN REED, residing on and operating the old Reed homestead farm, situated six and one-half miles west of Fremont, in Washington Township, was born August 22, 1851, at Hessville, Sandusky County, Ohio. His parents were John and Barbara (Orandorf) Reed. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Reed came to Washington Township from Perry County, Ohio, and the grandfather, Joseph Reed, built the house in which his grandson lives, in 1843. John Reed, father of Edwin, was born in Perry County and accompanied his parents to Sandusky County, and his death occurred on this farm April 25, 1890. His son Edwin succeeded in the property, in which his widow still has her dower right. She still survives, being now in her seventy-ninth year, and resides at Hessville. Edwin Reed took advantage of all the educational opportunities that were presented in his youth in the section in which he lived, but they were not abundant. His summers up to the age of nineteen years were given to farm work and three months of school in the winter was about all he could claim. He then learned the carpenter trade and did work in that line until he was called to take charge of the farm, when his father died. He has done considerable improving and has a very comfortable home and good farm. On August 25, 1881, Mr. Reed was married (first) to Miss Emma Jane Van Ness, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Grundy) Van Ness. At death she left one son, John Franklin Reagna. Mr. Reed was married (second) May 31, 1903, to Miss Martha Young, a daughter of Godfrey and Mary (Sprang) Young, and they have one daughter, Edwina Mildred Frances. Mr. Reed and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat in politics and for six years he served acceptably 658 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY as constable in Washington Township. Both he and son belong to the order of Knights of Maccabees. GEORGE M. BENFER, proprietor of the Union Elevator at, Clyde, Ohio, is one of the most progressive and successful business men of this village, where he has been a resident since 1868. He was born in New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Harriet (Bowersock) Benfer. Samuel Benfer was a native of Union County, Pennsylvania, and there followed the business of carpenter and contractor. In his younger days, he was for a time located at Bellevue, Ohio, but again returned to his native county, where he died in the prime of life. He was married to Harriet Bowersock and they became parents of four children : Charles, deceased ; Belle, who died at the age of 13 years ; Emma, wife of Eli Miller, of Clyde, Ohio.; and George Michael, whose name heads this record. George Michael Benfer was but 14 months old at his father's death, and at the time when he should have been in school, it was necessary for him to work and aid in support of the family. His mother formed a second marital union with Reuben Bennihoff, and George continued to reside with her until her death. He farmed on her small place in Pennsylvania, and was 13 years old when he accompanied her to Ohio. He was unusually large and sturdy for his years, and hired out for a boy of 18 years. He worked about on farms for a number of years and about the year 1871 began clerking in the grocery store of L. D. Starks at Clyde. He continued with him for nine years, and was then successively employed by Wales & Reed, one year, Henry Crippen, one year, Colonel Chapman, one year, and Bruce Lyons, three years. At the end of that time he entered the produce business for himself, and for a few years dealt extensively in apples. He was next in the employ of Higbee, Miller & Company for one year, operating the Vickery elevator, in which he took the first wheat bought at that plant. He moved from Clyde to Portland, Indiana, where he had charge of an elevator for a short time, and then returned to Clyde and went into the grain business for himself. He had no building at first, shoveling the grain direct from the wagon into the cars. He later purchased his present plant, which is located on Railroad Street, on the Big Four Railroad, from Judge Lemmon, and has since conducted what is known as the Union Elevator. He deals in grain, seeds and wool and has built up a large and well established business. He is a self-made man in every sense tha't term implies, having worked his way without means from a lowly position to one of high standing among the business men of the community. Politically, he is a Republican and during the past nine years has served as a member of the village council. Mr. Benfer was united in marriage with Mrs. Mamie (McKinley) Kintz, widow of Peter Kintz, and they have a daughter, Bessie, who is the widow of Charles Dennis. They have a comfortable home on Maple Street in Clyde. Fraternally, Mr. Benfer is a member of the Royal Arcanum ; the order of Odd Fellows; Earl Encampment, I. O. O. F. ; and the auxiliary order of Rebekahs. CHARLES R. RICHARDS, who does a large business in York Township in the line of tile and brick manufacturing, owns an excellent farm of forty-five acres and is numbered with the representative men of this section. Mr. Richards was born in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, December 13, 1868, and is a son of William L. and Sarah F. (Rife) Richards. William L. Richards was born and reared in York Township, where he resided through life, dying in April, 1896, at the age of sixty-seven years. He married Sarah F. Rife, who survives him and resides at Clyde, Ohio. Her father was Michael Rife, of York Township. To this marriage seven children were born, one of whom died in infancy, the others being, Charles R., residing on the homestead ; William H.. residing in York Township ; Emily, wife of George L. Bemis ; Carrie, who died at the age of twenty-two years ; Bertha, wife of James Lewis ; and Mary, wife of • Charles Weeks. The late William L. Richards served 10o clays in the Federal Army during the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 661 Civil War. He was an honest, progressive citizen and for five terms served his township efficiently as a trustee. He was a farmer and for many years also a brick and tile manufacturer. Charles R. Richards grew to manhood on the home farm and attended the country schools, subsequently taking a commercial course at the Normal School at Ada, Ohio. He then spent a year and a half at Cleveland, in the employ of the Broadway & Newburg electric lines, in 1891 returning to York Township, where he took charge of the brick and tile business that had been previously conducted by his father, and he has been successfully engaged in it, together with farming. ever since. From 1896 to 1904 he was interested with his brother-in-law, A. J. Guile, in the brick and tile business at Curtice, in Lucas County. The company purchased eighty acres of land at that point and established a tile yard and factory, the land subsequently becoming valuable as oil territory. He is also associated with George L. Bemis in the Clyde tile yards, at Clyde. The Richards Brick and Tile yards were started in 1857 by George Carleton and George Taylor and thus is one of the pioneer industries of York Township. After the retirement of Mr. Taylor, the late William L. Richards became the partner of Mr. Carleton. and in 1885 he became sole proprietor, and continued until his son. Charles R. Richards, took charge. The plant furnishes employment to seven men the year round and is one of the most prosperous enterprises of this section of the county, In May, 1893, Mr. Richards was married to Miss Edith H. Guile, of New London. Huron County, Ohio, and they have two sons, Karl R. and Fred A. Mr. Richards and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at North Ridge. In politics he is a zealous Republican. For eight years he has held the office of township trustee and for seven years has been a member of the board of education. In 1908 he was his party's candidate for county commissioner. In 1909, he was at the primary chosen as candidate for the office of land appraiser on the Republican ticket, by a vote of ninety-nine to eleven, and the opposition placed no candidate on their ticket to oppose him. For a number of years he has been identified with the Royal Arcanum. JAMES B. KING, a sculptor and a member of the firm doing business at Clyde, Ohio, under the name of the Hughes Granite and Marble Company, has been a resident of Sandusky County for the past nine years. Mr. King was born March 12, 1866, at Aberdeen, Scotland, and is a son of Alexander and Jessie (Brown) King, both natives of Scotland. James B. King's people were farmers and he grew to the age of 17 as an assistant to his father, but by that time he had discovered that his inclination and talents lay in an entirely different direction. He had acquired a grammar school education and had made the most of his opportunities. After leaving the farm he became an apprentice in the great granite shops of the McDonald Company, and there worked four years to learn every detail of the trade, including the polishing of granite, and (luring this time he also attended a technical school at night. Later he became a student in the Gray's Art School and under the instruction there became a sculptor. Mr. King was about twenty-five years of age when he came to America and after a short period of residence in New York, he went to Quincy, Massachusetts, where he remained for seven years. From there he went to Milford, New Hampshire, entering there into partnership with John Robinson, under the firm name of King & Robinson, in the granite statuary business. Later Mr. King sold his interest to Mr. Robinson and returned to New York, coming from 'there to Clyde, Ohio, in 1900. The Hughes Granite and Marble Company had the contract for the monumental work for the Ohio Monument commemorating the Battle of Shiloh and Mr. King was chosen to make the models for this beautiful memorial. He shortly afterward became a partner and in 1907 the firm name was adopted as it is at present. The plant is located on East Buckeye Street, Clyde, on the L. S, and M. S. Railroad, gives employment to fifty-five men and is the largest establishment of its kind in the Middle West. To the firm Mr. King brought not only the skill of a practical workman, but also the technical knowledge of the 662 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY schools and the beautiful fancies of the artist. In 1902, Mr. King was married to Miss Alice Campbell, who is also a native of Scotland, and they have two children: James and Alice. Their pleasant home is located on West Buckeye Street. In his political views he is a Republican, He became identified with the Masonic fraternity in his native land and belongs also to the Odd Fellows. LEO RIESTERER, one of the successful farmers and respected citizens of Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, owns seventy-four acres of well cultivated land, ten of which was secured by his father when he came first to America. Mr. Riesterer was born near Baden, Germany, February 24, 1851, and is a son of Trupert and Flora (Reisterer) Riesterer. Trupert Riesterer was born and reared in Germany and owned a small farm near Baden. He married there, a distant cousin, and to them were born five children, namely : Terrance, who is deceased ; Mary, who. lives in Germany, married Lawrence Bayhouse ; Leo ; Ferdinand, who is deceased ; and William, who lives with his brother Leo. In 1873, when already an old man, Trupert Riesterer came to America with his family, the long journey consuming three weeks. He had a brother, Florian Riesterer, then living in Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, hence he came also to Sandusky County. Shortly afterward he bought ten acres of the present farm, on which stood a log house. In this little home the father settled, His wife had died in Germany and he continued to make his home with his son, Leo, who took care of his parent until his death, on December 5, 1905, when aged 95 years. Leo Riesterer attended school in his native village of Baden, Germany, and when he was twenty years of age, entered the German army and served out his legal term of two years, being a member of the Third Company of the Fifth Regiment. Having performed his whole duty to his country, Mr. Riesterer was then ready to seek a home where conditions were afforded that made possible the acquiring of property such as was not the case in that part of Germany. To the first purchase of land in Green Creek Township he added gradually un til now he has a fine farm as the result of his labor. It is well cared for and gives himself and wife a good home. He was married February 14, 1899, to Appolonia Steinley, who was born in Sandusky County and is a daughter of Joseph Steinley, who came to Ohio from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Riesterer are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Fremont. In politics he is a Democrat. WILLIAM M. STONE, superintendent of the Ohio & Western Lime Company, has been a resident of Gibsonburg since June, 1907, when he came here to assume his present duties. He was born April 5, 1875, in Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Francis M. and Hannah M. (Miller) Stone. William M. Stone is a self-made man. Left fatherless when 7 years old and an orphan when but 9, he was practically left to face, unaided, the problems of life. His schooling, therefore, was necessarily interrupted and limited, although all deficiency has long since been supplied. He drifted about through early youth, an innate consciousness of right keeping him out of trouble, and making him acceptable as an employee, when he applied for work with the Norris & Christian Stone Company, part owners of the Ohio & Western Lime Company. He remained in the employ of that company for three years, or until he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War. He became a member of Company G, Fourth Ohio Vol. Inf., and left the shores of his native land in May, 1898. He participated in the campaign in Porto Rico, spending six months on the island, and returned home in November, 1898, and was mustered out of the service in January, 1899. Mr. Stone returned to his former employers and became a clerk in the shipping department at Marion. After his marriage in the fall of 1899, he spent three years working, in forty-five acres of timber, operating a sawmill and putting lumber on the market, at La-rue, Ohio, and bought a farm near Larne, containing fifty acres, which he sold in the fall of 1908. When the Norris & Christian Stone Company was sold out to the Ohio & Western Lime Company, Mr. Stone was chosen as superintendent of the business at Gibsonburg. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 663 It is well, sometimes, to recall the disadvantages which successful men in every walk in life have overcome, as it gives a larger measure of encouragement to others Who may yet be struggling with adverse circumstances. On November 22, 1899, Mr. Stone was married to Miss Alta Clark, and they have had three children, namely: Cleston, Bernard and Twila A., the last named being deceased. With his family, Mr. Stone is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagles. DAVID FRANKLIN MESNARD, whose excellent farm of sixty-four acres, on which he lives, is situated in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, owns also a smaller farm lying in the vicinity of Clyde. Mr. Mesnard was born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 9, 1868, and is a son of Lewis and Nancy ( Allbaugh) Mesnard. The parents of Mr. Mesnard were born in Crawford County, Ohio, where the paternal grandfather. Jacob Mesnard, had settled at an early day. In 1887, Lewis Mesnard and wife moved with their children to Sandusky County and now reside near Clyde. They had the following children : David Franklin, Elmer, Charles, Corman, George, Earl and Bertha. The latter is the wife of William Sargeant. David Franklin Mesnard, familiarly known as Frank by his friends and acquaintances, went to school in the country until he was about twelve years old and then began to Ivor!: '1 the farm of his uncle. William Smith, in Seneca County, with whom he remained for ten years. He came then to Sandusky County and continued to work as a farmer until he married and then moved to Toledo and for two years worked at gardening in that city. Upon his return to Sandusky County, he was in the employ of ex.- Judge Lemmon for one year as a farmer, and about 'this time bought eight acres of land. Later he traded that as part payment on his farm in Green Creek Township, which he purchased from Fred Hawk. Mr. Mesnard makes a specialty of truck gardening, operates his own wagon and ships his produce. He devotes four acres to berries and grows choice cabbages, celery, lettuce and other vegetables constantly in demand. He has recently completed a fine celery house fitted with a gasoline engine. Devoting himself personally to the production of these vegetables and fruits, Mr. Mesnard has developed very fine specimens and has built up a paying business. He is a self-made man. Fourteen years ago he started out with a capital of $75.00, and now owns his land with comfortable surroundings and is entirely out of debt. This certainly is a creditable record, showing great industry coupled with excellent management. On November 27, 1889, Mr. Mesnard was married to Miss Margaret Stevenson, a daughter of William Stevenson, of Green Creek Township. They have had two children : Nellie, who died when aged 18 months and William Lewis. In politics Mr. Mesnard is a Republican. He has been a useful citizen of his township and has served 'two terms as trustee. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and to the Encampment and also to the Rebekahs, all at Clyde. HON. WINFIELD ADARE, mayor of Clyde and a member of the board of health, is a prosperous merchant of that village. His entire business career has been spent there and he is proprietor of a large clothing and gentlemen's furnishing store. Mr. Adare was born on the farm of his grandfather in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County. Ohio, September 23, 1856, and is a son of Jonathan and Sarah Ann (Hughes) Adare. Jonathan Adare was born in the state of Pennsylvania, of French parents, and there learned the trade of a carpenter. When a young man he came to Ohio, locating in Fremont in 1854, when it was a small place, and lived there until after his marriage. He then moved to Clyde, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying there in 1007, at the age of 83 years. He was married to Sarah Ann Hughes, a daughter of William Hughes, who was an early settler in Sandusky County. They had four children : Winfield : Myron. who died in 1909: and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Adare died about the year 1870, when the subject of this sketch was 14 years old, 664 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Winfield Adare was a baby when his parents moved to Fremont and there he lived until he was 6 years old. They then came to Clyde, where he was reared to maturity and received a good public school education. He early learned the trade of a baker, which he followed for four years, after which he began clerking fora Herrick & Heiteshu, clothiers at Clyde, He continued in the employ of that firm for a period of ten years, and in 1896 established a store of his own in the Economy Block. He remained at that location for three years, then Moved to more commodious quarters in the Richards Block on Main Street. He carries a complete stock of clothing, including the line of David Adler & Sons, and the J. Capp's All Wool Clothing, these makes having a prestige throughout the country. He also carries a complete line of gentlemen's furnishing goods and has a large and well established trade. Mr. Adare has always taken a deep interest in the affairs of the community and frequently has been called upon to serve in official capacity. He served three years as water works trustee, three terms as village treasurer, and in 1907 was elected mayor of Clyde, the duties of which office he has performed in an efficient and business like manner. He is a Democrat in politics. On April 28, 1880, Mr. Adare was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Ickes, a daughter of Henry and Susan Ickes, of Clyde, and they have a daughter named Ina. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Maccabees, and Knights and Ladies of Security. HON. HORACE. STEPHEN BUCKLAND, one of Fremont's representative citizens, was born in Fremont, April 21, 1851, son of Gen. R. P. and Charlotte (Boughton) Buckland. Judge Buckland's ancestors were among the early settlers in this country. His great-grandfather, Major Stephen Buckland, born in Connecticut, was a prominent officer of the Continental army in the Revolutionary War, being at one time in command at Fort Arnold, West Point, and as well the captain of a privateer as authorized by the government, which was the nucleus of our present navy. He was finally captured by the English and died on the "Old Jersey" prison ship, May 7, 1782. His grandfather, Ralph Buckland, son of Stephen, came from Massachusetts to Ohio in 1811 as land agent and surveyor. He was second sergeant in Capt. John Campbell's company, passing through this section of the country to report to Col. Lewis Cass at Detroit. The company were at the present site of Fremont, Ohio, from July 14, 1812, to August 5, 1812, and aided in the construction of the stockade at Fort Stephenson, afterwards joining the regiment at the River Raisin, where he was surrendered by Hull, returning to his home a prisoner on parole. He died shortly afterwards, presumably from poisoned deer meat furnished by Indians to the company at Fort Stephenson. His father, Gen. Ralph Pomeroy Buckland, son of Ralph Buckland, was at the time of his death, in 1892, the oldest member of the Sandusky County' bar, both in years and in period of practice. He was in fact the pioneer lawyer of the place, practicing here since 1837. During his latter years he was associated with his son, Horace Stephen Buckland, and to the close of his life retained the strong mentality and acute reasoning powers which had distinguished him in his prime. On his mother's side his ancestry is traced to Gov. William Bradford. Horace Stephen Buckland, the direct subject of this article, enjoyed liberal educational advantages in his youth. From the public schools of Fremont he went to Gambier, Ohio, later to East Hampton, Massachusetts, and from there to Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York. Upon his return to Fremont he prepared for entering the law department of Harvard College, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, by some months of law study in the office of Buck-land a(S7.- Everett, and after returning from Harvard he continued special reading for a time with the firm of Everett & Fowler. In September, 1875, he was admitted to the Ohio bar and immediately entered into partnership with his father, and was afterwards associated with his brother George, Wilber G. Zeigler and David B. Love at different times in the practice of law. In 1895 he was elected Common HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 667 Pleas judge, and was re-elected to that office in 1900. Since his retirement from the bench he has turned his attention mostly to his outside interests, among them the Fremont Crescent Metal & Manufacturing Company. Judge Buckland was prominently connected with the Sons of Veterans for many years, being the first colonel of the First Regiment Ohio Sons of Veterans' Guards and commandant of the Sons of Veterans' Guards of the United States. This regiment was among the first volunteers to offer their services in the Spanish American War, and had the Spanish-American War not ended so quickly this regiment would undoubtedly have been mustered into service, as Governor Bishop wrote June Jo, 1908: "Dear Judge : Should we have another call, it is my intention to recognize the Sons of Veterans, by giving them a regiment, with yourself at the head of it, if you desire to go." The regiment was also recognized by the Legislature of the State of Ohio by and with the consent of the Ohio National Guard, as a Reserve Militia Infantry of Ohio. Although too young to enlist he was with his father in the South during the Civil War of 1861-5, camping and taking part with the soldiers. To his efforts was largely clue the acquisition by the county of the land adjoining the Court House and in the building of the present sheriff's residence and jail, being employed by the county commissioners and appointed by the court for that purpose. He succeeded the late General Hayes as a trustee of the Birchard Library and is senior warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. On June 10, 1878, Mr. Buckland was married to Miss Eliza C. Bauman. They have a tasteful and commodious residence at No. 519 Ewing Street, Fremont, and are prominent members of the best society of this place. JOSEPH AND OSWALD STEINLE, who for many years were associated together under 'the name of Steinle Bros., contractors and builders, and later as partners in the firm of Steinle Bros & Company, but who are now retired, are natives of Germany and sons of Joseph and Anna Steinle. Joseph, who is the elder brother, was born in Germany, February 2, 1845, and was 8 years old when his parents decided to seek their fortunes in the United States. Acting upon this decision, they set sail for America and after landing safely, proceeded as far west as Mansfield, Ohio, their intention being to locate at Sandusky City. Finding, however, that the latter place was being visited by the scourge of cholera, they remained for three months in Mansfield, and during this time Mrs. Anna Steinle died. The bereaved lather and children then removed to Galion and from there came to Fremont, Joseph Steinle, the father, securing farm land near this city. He resided thereon for many years, finally retiring to Fremont to live; his death took place here a few years later. Joseph Steinle, the younger, remained on the home farm until he was about nineteen years of age, being occupied with agricultural pur- suits and in attending the district school. He then came to Fremont. where he learned the carpenter's trade. He took naturally to the business and before long was competent to engage in contracting, which he did with much success. In a comparatively short time he found it necessary to secure a partner, and he therefore took as such his brother Oswald, the style of the firm being Steinle Bros. For many years thereafter this firm did the largest business in their line in the city of Fremont, some of the most substantial and ornamental structures which now adorn the city being of their construction. They thus continued until 1899, at which time Carl F. Steinle, a on of Joseph, was taken into the firm, its style being then changed to Steinle Bros. & Company. Mr. Joseph Steinle remained active in the firm until 1907, when he retired, with a well earned reputation for business reliability. About the same time or soon after his brother Oswald also retired and the business has since been conducted by Carl F. Steinle, who is now one of Fremont's leading contractors. Joseph Steinle was married in 1874, to Miss Caroline Gretz, a daughter of Peter and Magdalene Gretz. Her parents died in Germany and she came to America and to Fremont at the age of 15 years. Besides the son, Carl F., 668 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Steinle have a daughter, Charlotte. Carl F. Steinle, in addition to being a successful contractor, is also a competent architect and a young man with a promising future, He was graduated from the Fremont High School at the age of 17 years, having the honor of being the youngest graduate of that institution, and he then spent three terms in the Ohio State University at Columbus. He married Elizabeth Kramb and has three children : Miriam, Robert and Freda Elizabeth. Oswald Steinle was born in Germany, April 23, 1854, and was educated in the schools of Fremont and then, like his brother, learned the carpenter's trade. He subse- quently entered into partnership with his brother Joseph, as above narrated, and the two brothers continued to be associateda together as successful contractorsa and builders until their retirement. The younger brother contributed his full share to the success and reputation of the firm, and their work, in the construction of many of Fremont's most Fubstantial buildings, has been of a character to leave its impress on the city for many years to come. Mr. Oswald Steinle married Miss Theresa Wasmer, a daughter of Joseph and Theresa Wasmer, of Monroeville, Ohio, and they have had five children, two of whom now survive, Stella and Lucile. The former became the wife of A. L. Munch. ARTHUR GALLAGHER, who cultivates the Seman Clapp farm of 214 acres in Green Creek Township, owns a tract of fifty-six acres in this township, which he rents out, and is one of the representative agriculturists of Green Creek Township. He was born April 3, 1863, on his present farm and is a son of Thomas M. and Jane (Burgan) Gallagher, and a grandson of Thomas Gallagher, who was one of the early settlers of Sandusky County, having come here when there was an average of twenty-five Indians to every white man. The grandfather died on a farm in Riley Township and was the father of four children : John, Wallace, Augustus and Thomas M., the father of our subject. Thomas M. Gallagher was born in 1825, in Fremont, Ohio, near the present site of the Court House, the village then being called Lower Sandusky. He was reared on a farm in Riley Township, to which his father later moved, and subsequently was a sailor on the lakes for a few years, after which he rented a farm prior to purchasing the land now owned by our subject. This he cleared and cultivated the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of 72 years. He married Jane Burgan, who wasa born in 1828, in Wayne County, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel Burgan, who was also one of the pioneers of Sandusky County. She came here when 6 years of age. Of their union were born five children : John ; Nancy, who is the wife of Eli Dice ; Alice, who married Charles Houghten ; George, and Arthur, the subject of this sketch. Arthur Gallagher was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of the district. since which time he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits, now farming the Clapp farm of 214 acres, and residing on same. In September, 1888, Mr. Gallagher was united in marriage with Elizabeth Schatzman, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Schatzman, and to them have been born the following children : Helen, Ross, Thomas and John. Mr. Gallagher is identified with and takes an active interest in the Republican party. LEWIS S. HIRT, treasurer of Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. is a farmer by occupation and the owner of a fine farm of 128 acres located in Section 33. He was born in Riley Township. October 26, 1871, and is a son of Casper and Verena (Vogt) Flirt, his parents being natives of Switzerland. Casper Hirt first came to the United States in 1848, and for two years was located at Fremont, Ohio. He then spent some years in gold mining in California and Australia, and from the latter country returned to Switzerland. After a short stay in his native land he again set sail for the United States, and at Philadelphia was married to Verena Vogt. In 1854. he located on a farm in Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, on which he lived until his death in 1881. He was a man of ability, a hard worker and of frugal habits, and at the time of his death was classed with the most AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 669 substantial men of the township. He served two terms as township trustee. Lewis S. Hirt received an elementary educational training in the district schools, supplemented by three terms in Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. He has for years followed general farming and .stock raising, meeting with a high degree of success. He is a Democrat in politics and served two terms as school director of District No. 7, was formerly clerk of the Election Board, and in November, 1907. was elected treasurer of Riley Township, an office he is now filling with marked ability. On October 24, 1894, Mr. Hirt was united in marriage with Miss Clara H. C. Werth, who was born in Riley Township and is a daughter of Lewis Werth. The following children have blessed their union : Freda V., Lawrence L., Helen E.. Julius A., Alfred C and Jesse. W. Religiously Mr. Hirt is a member of the First Reformed Church of Fremont, Ohio. In fraternal affiliation, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Vickery, Ohio. HENRY M. PARKER, manager of the Clyde Produce Company, manufacturers of the Pride of Clyde Kraut, has been a resident of Sandusky County all his life and was born on his father's farm in Green Creek Township, December 17, 1866. His parents are Sylvanes P. and Elizabeth (Redhout) Parker. The father of Henry M. Parker, now one of the most venerable residents of Clyde, was born in 1818, at Strasburg, France, and was two years old when his parents brought him to America. He lived with them in New York into young manhood and then came to Ohio. He Worked as a farmer in Sandusky County for ..a short time and then settled permanently at Clyde, where he followed the mason trade until he retired from all active employment,. He married Elizabeth Redhout, who was born and died in Sandusky County, and he later married Lucinda Langsdale. To the first union four children were born, namely: Andrew J., Henry M., Leroy C and one deceased. The two children born to the second marriage are both deceased. Henry M. Parker was educated in the common and High Schools of Clyde and then entered the cider business, operating a mill for three years. This mill he subsequently sold to the Clyde Kraut Company, in which he became a partner and for six years was superintendent of the plant for that concern. He then sold his interest and bought out 0. M. Mallernee, of the Clyde Produce Company, and after conducting the business alone for one year, in 1907 formed a stock company and continues to manage the business. The factory of the Clyde Produce Company is situated on East Buckeye Street and the capacity of the plant is 15o cars a year. Employment is given thirty-five men and the special brand is the "Pride of Clyde" kraut. The business is in a most prosperous condition and it is numbered with one of the town's most prosperous and important enterprises. Its feeder is the agricultural region in the vicinity of Clyde. In February, 1892, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Nettie N. Stout, a daughter of David Stout, and they have one son, Morris P. The pleasant family home is situated on East Buckeye Street. Mr. Parker is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party and fraternally is an Odd Fellow, having membership in the Clyde Lodge. WILLIAM FULLER, deceased, for many years was one of Townsend Township's sub-a stantial citizens and successful agriculturists. He was born January 23, 1799•, at Hawley, Massachusetts, and died in Sandusky County, Ohio, February 7, 1884. His parents were Jason and Philanda (Taylor) Fuller. As far back as the family record reaches, the Fullers belonged to Connecticut and the Taylors to Massachusetts, and doubtless a Mayflower strain might be discovered through persistent research. These names have yet many representatives in New England. Jason Fuller, probably about 1787, in early manhood, went to Massachusetts, married in that state and lived there until 1816, when he moved to Livingston County, New York, where his wife died in 1818. They had eight children, as follows : Cynthia, who married Silas Pratt, 670 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY came to Sandusky County in 1824, and died here; Rachel, who married Amos Hammond, died in Michigan; Philanda, who married James Morrill, died in Massachusetts; Electa, who was the second wife of James Morrill, died in Kansas; William; John, who died in Nebraska; Betsey, who married Ichabod Munger, died in Michigan; and Thomas, who also died in Michigan. The family all married and many left descendants and although they became widely separated, they never lost interest in each other, recognizing the ties of kindred until the close of life. Jason Fuller died in 1819, at the home of his son William, in Milan Township, Huron County, Ohio. The first of the Fuller family to come to Ohio was William. The father had selected a tract of land situated in Huron County and proposed to move to it and make that section the family's future home. Young William started out on foot to locate the land, being about nineteen years of age at 'that time. It was something of an undertaking, to make his way through an unknown, wild section, and safely reach the property which his father had thought of purchasing. As the land was wild and uncleared it is not likely that he was able to make much preparation for the advent of his father and sister and brother, who joined him two weeks later, but they had not much more than reached the place than the father sickened and within eight months of settlement, had died. His wife had died in the preceding July, in New York. In the meanwhile, William Fuller had investigated and had found better and more desirable land in Sandusky County, and in 1824 he left Huron County and settled in Green Creek Township, in the former county. One of the disadvantages that the pioneers had to meet was probably sickness from malaria, and Mr. Fuller, in the new location, was taken ill with fever and chills which incapacitated him for more than a year, and still further misfortune fell upon him. In 1819 he had married Mehetable Botsford, and in August, 1826, she died, with their youngest child, and an accident caused the death of the eldest one. Mr. Fuller then went back to New York, where he remained for three years and there, in May, 1831, he married Cynthia Havens. They then returned to Green Creek Township, where he still owned forty acres. In 1834 he moved to Townsend Township and established himself in the section where the whole of his subsequent life, was passed. He became a man of local prominence and substance, acquiring land to the extent of being able to assist all his five sons to farms of their own, when 'they reached maturity. Prior to 1856, William Fuller was identified with the Democratic party, but the public issues of that time caused him to change his views and thenceforth he was a Republican. He was a large hearted, generous, charitable man. He was a Christian in the true sense of the word and in faith was a Universalist. William Fuller was married four times. His two wives have been already mentioned. On July 6, 1835, he was married (third) to Marcia M. George, who died in 1836. His last union was with Emma M. Levisee, who survived him. Four children were born to his first union, two 'to his second, one to his third and three to his fourth. Of his six children, two still survive. David died in May, 1879; William died in April, 1902 ; and John died in April, 1905. He was called upon to bear many misfortunes. but he still held his courage and left as a heritage to his children, the record of a brave and blameless life. As one of Sandusky County's early settlers and worthy citizens, his name should be perpetuated in her annals. CHRISTIAN HINTZ, a representative citizen of Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, is the owner of 320 acres of farm land in that township, and in addition to general farming has attained wonderful success as a breeder and dealer in live stock, making a specialty of pure bred Shorthorn cattle and Chester white hogs. His farm is located about four miles east of Fremont. He was born in Germany, November 23, 1839, and is a son of Christian Hintz, Sr., and a grandson of John Joseph Hintz, who was the owner of a farm in Mechlenburg, Germany, and always lived in that country. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 671 Christian Hintz, Sr., was born and reared in Germany, where he was married and where all his childrenwere born. April 1, 1852,a with his family he set sail for America, and .it was not until May loth, of that year, he reached his destination. He came at once to Ohio, by way of Quebec and Hamilton, Canada, and Niagara Falls, making the journey between the two last points named in a wagon. They then took 'the railroad to Buffalo, thence a boat to Sandusky, Ohio. A couple of days after his arrival there, Christian Hintz, Sr,, moved upon a farm in Erie County, Ohio, and began working in a brick yard, He was not to be permitted to enjoy life in this country for long, however, as he fell victim to an epidemic of cholera the same summer, as did a son and daughter, John and Sophia. He had been married in Germany 'to Miss Dora Harbreck, and they had four children : Christian ; William, who lives at Fremont, Ohio; John, deceased; and Sophia, deceased. By a former union, he had a daughter, Dora, who became the wife of Godfrey Gotstetter. Mrs. Hintz later moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, and died in Green Creek Township, at the age of 63 years. Christian Hintz, Jr., subject of this sketch, attended the common schools in Germany and there during his youth performed odd jobs to make money. After the death of his father he worked for his board and clothing for Jacob Hickman two years, and then for eighteen months for John Hull, receiving from 'the latter $3.00 per month for the first year, and $4.00 per month thereafter. He then returned to live with his family, who began renting farms, and with $4o.00 which he had saved purchased a horse, wagon and harness. They were located in Erie County, Ohio, twelve years, continuing there until March 10, 1864, when our subject moved with his mother and his brother, William, to Sandusky County. The three of them purchased of a Mr. Van Dorn a farm of 114 acres in Green Creek Township, for a consideration of $4,300, $15.00 of which they paid down. The principal improvements on the place were a log house and a frame barn; no ditches had been dug and stumps covered the fields,. the former owner having plowed around them. Christian and William Hintz farmed the place together for two years, and during that time purchased an additional sixteen acres. In 1866, the former was married and they decided to make a division of their property, Christian receiving seventy acres and William the remaining sixty acres. Our subject then started out for himself and by hard work, perseverance and good management has. accumulated a competency. He added to his. farm as he felt he could afford it without incurring too great an indebtedness, and now has 320 acres of valuable and well improved land. In 1869, he erected the barn which now standsa on the place, and two years later the house in which he lives. In 1875, he began breeding. and raising short horned cattle and Chester. white hogs, at which he has been so successful. He has had stock exhibits at the county fairs in this vicinity for thirty years, at the Ohio State Fair at Columbus for eight years, and at the Chicago Fat Stock Show, eight years, and has an established reputation throughout the. country. He sent a Shorthorn cow as an exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893, and had a full exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, where he won a number of prizes. His sons also are good stockmen and have been associated in the business with him, contributing toward his success. Those of his sons who have married, he has given a good start in a business way. On March 27, 1866, Mr. Hintz was married. to Miss Pouls, who passed from this life March 25, 1907, at the age of 63 years. They became parents of the following children : Christian, who has a farm near Spencer, Ohio; William, who assists his father on the home place ; Anna, who married August Topbel, of Fremont, and has four children—Christian, Clarence, Lucy and Archie: Dora, who is at home Henry, who assists his father; August, of Seneca County, who Married Stella Shriber and has a son, Raymond ; Jacob, who 'married Esther Strother and lives on the home place; and Martin, who also is ata home. Politically, Mr. Hintz is a Democrat and in earlier life was for a number of years on the School Board. He was formerly a member of St. John's Lutheran, 672 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Church, of which he was an officer for thirteen years. He is now a member of Grace Lutheran Church at Fremont. C. E. LEWIS, who is financially interested in the Ames Publishing Company, at Clyde, Ohio, and a member of the city council, is an enterprising and progressive business man who is known all over the country as a successful publisher of theatrical literature. He was born July 18, 1854, at Watertown, New York. After completing his education, Mr. Lewis became a traveling salesman representing large wholesale paper houses and in the line of business came first to Clyde. Business and social attractions caused his return and on June 4, 1894, he was married here to Mrs. Maude (Holegate) Ames, widow of Albert Ames, who was the founder of the Ames Publishing Company. Mrs. Lewis was born in Shelby County, Ohio, and died at Clyde, November 5, 1905, aged fifty-five years. She is survived by one son, Wynne Holegate Ames, who is manger of the Ames Publishing Company. Mr. Lewis also has one son by a former marriage, Seth Lewis, who is in the newspaper business in New York. The late Albert Ames was born at Clyde, Ohio, and was once a clerk in the Clyde post-office. Later he learned the printer's trade and was the proprietor of one of the early newspapers here. The Clyde Sentinel, which he sold to The Clyde Enterprise, in order to devote his entire attention to publishing plays and other theatrical literature. In 1870 he established the Ames Publishing Company and directed it until the time of his death, October 21, 1887, when he was thirty-eight years of age. The Ames Publishing Company confine their efforts to theatrical book-selling and publishing and there are only six other houses of this kind doing business in the United States. Mr. Lewis is a Republican in his political sentiments and represents a Republican ward in the city council. He is identified with both the Masons and Knights of Pythias, belonging to lodges at Clyde. HENRY KOLKEMEYER, whose excellent farm of eighty acres is situated in Section 26, Madison Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, is one of the most highly respected German-American citizens of this section. He was born in Hanover, Germany, February I I, 1839, and he came to America in 1854. Although Mr. Kolkemeyer had learned the tailor trade in his own country, when he reached Toledo, Ohio, he found no satisfactory work in that line and he cheerfully accepted employment for which there was a demand. He worked as a chore boy and caretaker of the horses of a Toledo family, and through his industry and honesty made friends and gained the confidence and respect of those with whom he came in contact. For five year after his marriage he worked as a teamster for a Toledo manufacturing company, delivered for a feed store for three years, later worked three years as a carpenter and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He rented a farm of A. Garns for two years and the Widow Taylor's farm for four years, both being in Madison Township. and then came to his present place. He found little improving had been done and the land was not productive because it needed draining. Mr. Kolkemeyer went right to work and put up all the buildings except the residence and by the time he had his land in the condition that he desired, he had put down 14,000 feet tile. He has one orchard which was on the place and the trees are still bearing. Since settling here he has gives, all his attention to his land, but in later years is not quite as active as formerly, his son Henry taking a large part of the responsibility, At Toledo. Ohio, in March, 1866, Mr. Kolkemeyer was married to Miss Mary Sampson. a daughter of Henry Sampson, and they have one son, Henry C. The latter obtained his education in the Madison Township schools has remained with his parents. He married Anna Baden, a daughter of Henrv and Mary (Krause) Baden. and thev have two children : William C. and Helen M. Mr. Kolkemeyer and son are Republicans in their political views and the family belongs to the Lutheran Church. CHAPLIN R. HUSS, a representative of one of the earliest families of Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, has never AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 673 lived out of Section 19 of that township, and is the owner of sixty-six and one-half acres located near the township line, on the Finefrock road. He was born February 11, 1838, and is a son of Christian and Catherine (Rathbun) Huss, and a grandson of Noah Huss, who was born in Germany. Noah Huss, grandfather of the subject of this record, was but a boy when his father, who also bore the name of Noah, brought him to the United States. He lived at Little York, Pennsylvania, for some years after his marriage and about the year 1825 moved west to Sandusky County, Ohio. He located upon what is now the Kirnehan farm in Green Creek Township, in the midst of a wild and sparsely settled country. He had to make a clearing before he could erect a cabin and they lived amid the most primitive conditions. They made a home in the wilderness, subsisting largely upon wild game which at first at that time abounded in this locality. He died upon that place, as did his wife, who in maiden life was Mary Burkholder. They were parents of the following children : Christian; John; Jacob; Elijah ; Noah ; Ellen, who became the wife of David Hawk ; Barbara, who married S, S. Rathbun ; Mary Jane, who was the wife of Oliver McIntyre; Ann, who was the wife of George Hutchens; and Martha, who married Preston Corslow. All are now deceased with the exception of Jacob, who lives in Green Creek Township with Chaplin Rathbun. Christian Huss was born at Little York, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1815, and was about ten years of age when he came with his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he was reared on the home place. He helped to clear the place and in his youth often played with the Indians, who had not yet departed from this region. After his marriage he located on a farm of 240 acres on the west side of Green Creek, and there lived until his deatha in 1864. His wife died on the same farm in 1893. Her maiden name was Catherine Rathbun and she was a daughter of Chaplin Rathbun. They became parents of the following children : Chaplin R. ; Eliza M., wife of John Morrison ; Noah B. ; Wilson, who died in 1842; Francis, who died in 1844; Burr, who lives on the old home farm ; Maurice L., of Clyde ; Mary Jane (Gleason), deceased; Oliver P. ; Barbara E (Young) ; Saxton P. ; and Earl C. Chaplin R. Huss was born in the old log house on his father's farm and being the eldest of the family much of the work of clearing the place fell upon him. About three months of each year he attended the old district school in his home community. In 1864, he went out with Company H, 169th O. Vol. Inf., his daughter being at the time but nine days old. He served 100 days and did garrison duty at Arlington Heights, near Washington, D. C. At the close of the war, he returned to his farm in Green Creek Township, where he has always lived. In 1876, he built the house in which he lives, and all the improvements on the place have been made by him. On September 4, 1859, Mr. Huss was married to Miss Ellen Morrison, who was born in Ballville Township March 18, 1838, and was a daughter of William Morrison, She died September 19, 1894, leaving three children : Etta, wife of Daniel M. Potter ; Eva Ruth, who married a Mr. Hess ; and Burt, who married Jessie Crawford and has a daughter, Helen. The last named lives with his father, and owns twenty-five acres on the opposite side of the road. r The subject of this sketch cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, the second for Abraham Lincoln. and ever since has been consistent in his support of the Republican party. He has been a member of the Odd Fellows at Green Springs since 1871, and is a member of the Encampment, I. O. 0. F., at Clyde. LOUIS H. STEIN, whose fine farm of 100 acres is located three miles north of Woodville, was born on this place, in Sandusky County, Ohio, March 7, 1866, and is a son of Harmon A. and Mary E. (Tuhlmann) Stein. Harmon A. Stein was born in Germany and was an old settler in Woodville Township, Sandusky County. He came to America in 1838 and for eleven years lived on a farm southwest of Woodville and in 1865 came to the farm now occupied by his son. He erected all the present buildings and acquired other farms, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 674 owning 270 acres at the time of his death, which ocurred in 1901, when he was 75 years old. His widow survived until 1907, They had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are still living. Louis H. Stein obtained his education in the township schools and before settling down to .an agricultural life, spent several years in Toledo. He took possession of the farm when his father died and has successfully managed it ever since. He is one of the leading Democrats of his township and is serving as a central committeeman. Some eight years since he was elected a member of the School Board and has served ever since, for two years being clerk and at present is the president of that body. He -served also as road supervisor, making an extremely good impression in that office. Mr. Stein married Miss Carrie Barkhaw, of Ottawa County, Ohio, and they have three children : Clarence, Walter and Alton, all bright school boys. Mr. and Mrs. Stein attend the Lutheran Church. He is one of the township's representative and responsible citizens. REV. JOHN B. WENDLING, pastor of St. Michael's Church at Gibsonburg, Ohio, has been a resident of this place since 1901, when he came to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Rev. L. L. Broens. His pastorate has been a most successful one in every way and has witnessed the erection of a magnificent church in the parish, one not excelled in a town of equal size in the State of Ohio. Reverend Wendling was born in Rhine Province, Germany, March 1, 1875, and is a son of Joseph A. and Margaret Annie (Lay) Wendling. His father served in the German Army during the German-Austrian War of 186o and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. He was injured during the latter war, and was afterwards awarded a medal by the government for gallant service. He died in 1886 and was buried in the Moersdorf Cemetery. He and his wife became parents of four children : Salomea, Helen, Pauline Mary (deceased), Anna Mary and John B. John B. Wendling was reared in his native province and was afforded a good classical training in the schools of Coblenz. In 1895, he came to the United States and entered the seminary at Cleveland, Ohio, which he attended six years, receiving a thorough philosophical. and theological education. After completing his studies there, he came to Gibsonburg, in July, 19o1, as pastor of St. Michael's' Church. The high character of his work here and the good he has accomplished are well known to the people of the community, among whom he is popular. WENDELL SPRANG, one of Green Creek Township's most substantial citizens, is the owner of 210 acres of land in that township, located about five miles east of Fremont. His career presents an interesting record of what may be accomplished by hard work and close application to business, frugal living and intelligent investment. He was born in Baden, Germany, September 19, 1833, and is a son of Thomas and Eupheme (Myers) Sprang. Thomas Sprang was born and reared in Germany and was the owner of a small farm in Baden. In 1852, he brought his family to the United States, the voyage in a sail boat consuming twenty-eight days. He at once located in Sandusky, Ohio, where he lived some years, and then located in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, where he died at the age of years. His wife survived him many years and died at the age of 82. They were parents of seven children, all of whom were born in Germany and three of them died in that country. The four who grew to maturity were: Philip, deceased; Wendell ; William, deceased; and Mary Eva, widow of Godfrey Young. William Sprang was a soldier in the Union Army and carried the flag in the thickest of the fights without injury, only to meet his death years afterward in a railroad accident. Wendell Sprang was reared on the home farm in Baden and attended the common schools. When a small boy he did much of the cooking at home and looked after the smaller children, while his mother worked in the field. His elder brother; who had gone to America, wrote for our subject to join him, and as a result his father sold the farm and the entire family set sail for the new country. After locating at Sandusky, Ohio, Wendell HISTORY OF SAN DUSKY COUNTY - 677 worked at odd jobs for a time and then went to work on the Lakes, for which he received $16.00 per month. He continued at that work for two years and sent his money to his parents, with which to build a home in Sandusky. The year before his marriage, he saved $250. When times on the Lakes got bad he gave up that work and in 1859 moved to Sandusky County. He bought twenty-five acres of land in Green Creek Township, for $19.00 per acre, and made a first payment of $200 upon it. He put up a log house and a stable, and worked out by the day to make a living, putting in his spare time in clearing the farm. He soon turned his attention exclusively to farming, and as he prospered added from time to time small tracts to his original purchase until he now has 210 acres in his farm. This farm represents seven distinct purchases, it being his desire not to incur too large an indebtedness. He also owns a farm of eighty acres in Fulton County, Ohio. In 1902, he erected the large brick home in which he lives, and later built the brick house in which his son lives. In 1857, Mr. Sprang was united in marriage with Mary Yeager, who three years before had come to this country from Germany. They had one son, John, who lives on a part of his father's farm and is himself the owner of forty acres. He married Elizabeth Phronizer and they have three children : Henry, William and Lester. The wife of our subject died in 1905, at the age of 70 years. In May, 1906, he formed a second union with Mrs. Matilda Boose, who has three children by her first husband, namely : Lewis, Abraham and Clara. Politically, Mr. Sprang is a Democrat. In religious faith, he is a member of the German Catholic Church at Fremont. JOHN M. SHERMAN. cashier of the First National Bank of Fremont, and treasurer of the Fremont Home Telephone Company, came to this city on February 1, 1891, and has been identified with the First National Bank ever since. He was born on his father's farm in Wakeman Township, Huron County, Ohio, July 29. 1860, and is a son of John G. and Elizabeth D. (Miller) Sherman, and a grandson of Justin Sherman. Justin Sherman came to Huron County from Connecticut, in 1823, and erected the first frame house in Wakeman Township, building after the old New England style. He lived happily in that house, which reminded him continually of his early days, and died there in 1865. In the old colonial house his son, John G. Sherman, was born in 1830. He made it his home through life and died there in 1893. His widow survived until 1907. John M. Sherman was born in his grandfather's old mansion and was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools and the village schools of Wakeman, after which he entered the preparatory school at Oberlin, Ohio, where he remained until June, 1880. On January 1, 1881, he entered the First National Bank of New London, Ohio, beginning as collector and janitor, advancing to be bookkeeper and three years later was made cashier, a position he acceptably filled for seven years and only resigned it in order to become general bookkeeper for the First National Bank at Fremont. In January, 1892, he was appointed assistant cashier and in 1903 became cashier. He has been one of the directors of this bank ever since he became connected with the institution. Mr. Sherman has many additional interests of large importance. He is treasurer of the Price Lumber and Manufacturing Company ; is a director of 'the Simple Account Sales Book Company; owns oil property and valuable real estate, much of the latter being in Fremont, where he owns, with other tracts, the Sherman block, which is situated on the corner of West State and Front streets. His beautiful home is situated at No. 613 Birchard Avenue. In 1886 Mr. Sherman was married to Miss Jennie Middlewarth, a daughter of John Middlewarth, and they have two children : Helen L. and John Homer. Mr. Sherman is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree, and he is associated with Brainard Lodge, No. 336, Fremont Chapter No. 64, Fremont Council No. 56, Toledo Consistory and the Mystic Shrine. 678 - HISTORY OF SAN DUSKY COUNTY R. D. REYNOLDS, M. D., proprietor of the Bath House, at Green Springs, Ohio, has been a resident of this place since October, 1899. Dr. Reynolds was born at Mentor, Ohio, December 25, 1866, and is a son of Charles G. and Catherine M. (Wright) Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds can Claim an American ancestry of many generations, his forefathers having come to the shores of what is now the United States from England, as early as 1635. Charles C. Reynolds, the father of Dr. Reynolds, was born in the State of New York and was two years old when his father, Gurdeon Reynolds, brought him to Lake County, settling on a farm. There Charles C. Reynolds grew to manhood. For a number of years he engaged in business as a miller, at Cleveland, and later conducted a grocery store at Chicago. Subsequently he returned to Mentor and bought the old homestead and there he died when aged 70 years, in 1899. His widow still survives. She is a native of Zanesville, Ohio. The boyhood of Dr. Reynolds was spent mainly on the home farm. He was given excellent educational advantages and after graduating from the Painesville High School, entered Adelbert College, from which he was graduated in 1890. For three years he then engaged in teaching at the Green Spring Academy, in the meanwhile beginning the study of medicine, and in 1897 he graduated from the Medical Department of the Western Reserve University. For one year afterward he served as house physician and surgeon at the Charity Hospital and then located for practice on Kelley's Island. Dr. Reynolds continued there until October, 1899, when he came to Green Spring. In 1902 he purchased the Spring Wood, in which he drilled several artesian wells and in 1904 and 1905 erected and opened the Bath House, which attracts a considerable patronage. He has also erected a number of cottages and is at present constructing a dining hall. Dr. Reynolds is a member of the Sandusky County Medical Society. He is fraternally associated with the Masons, Elks, K. of P., etc. WILLIAM KEIL, president of the Woodville Savings Bank Company and a prominent hardware merchant, has been engaged in business at Woodville, Ohio, longer than any other resident of the place, his career there extending over a period of more than half a century. Mr. Keil was born in Germany in 1838, and is a son of Nicholas Keil, who was a brewer and cooper. William Keil came to the United States in 1852 and for some time was located at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1857 he started a tinshop at Woodville, Sandusky County, Ohio, and was conducting that shop at the time the Civil War broke out. He enlisted October 14, 1861, as a member of Company D, 72d Ohio Vol. Inf., and was in the service a little less than one year. He participated in a number of engagements, including the Battle of Shiloh, in which he was wounded so badly as to incapacitate him for further service. He was honorably discharged on September 15, 1862, and returned to his home in Woodville. He started the hardware business in 1865 and in 1894 erected the building, the ground floor of which is occupied by his store. He carries a full line of hardware, building materials and farming implements, and enjoys a liberal patronage from the public. He was one of the organizers of the Woodville Savings Bank Company, capitalized at $25,000, and has served as its president since its organization. The other officers. are B. S. Often, vice president, and Henry Ran-camp, cashier. The substantial brick building occupied by the bank was erected at the time the institution was organized. On January 23, 1862, Mr. Keil was united in marriage with Miss Mary Lowe, and they have four children : Edward, who is associated in business with his father, conducting a branch store at Pemberville; Gussie, whose death resulted in 1900 from a gas explosion; George, who also is in business with his father; and Hattie, who lives at home. Edward Keil a married Julia Carman, of Bradner, and they have two children, Ruth and Rhea. Politically, William Keil is a Republican, and fraternally is a Mason.. WILLIAM W. WILDER is secretary and treasurer of the Clyde Kraut Company, one of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 679 the foremost business enterprises of Clyde, Ohio. He is a son of A. J: Wilder, a representative citizen of that place. W. W. Wilder was born in Clyde, August 28, 1872, and there received a good educational training in the grade and high schools. At the age of 18 years he went west to Portland, Oregon, where he completed a course in Holmes Business College, from which institution he was graduated in 1891. He then spent several years in the employ of a wholesale hardware firm in that city, and in 1895 returned to Clyde, Ohio. He at that time entered the firm of Wilder, Estill & Company, grocers and successors to Wilder Brothers. He continued in that business until 1900, when he disposed of his interests to Mr. Estill and became identified with the Clyde Kraut Company as secretary and treasurer. This company was established in 189a1 and the plant covers about an acre of ground along the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway tracks. Thev have a capacity of 200 cars and give employment to some ninety men. The company also operates a plant at Jackson, Michigan, where a specialty is made of pickles. The Silver Fleece trade mark of this firm is one familiar to the people and represents careful preparation and quality. September 25, 1895, Mr. Wilder was married to Miss Hallie McCleary, a daughter of Capt. Charles H. and Clarissa (Brown) McCleary, and they have one son, H. Triston. Politically, he is a Republican. He resides with his family in a comfortable home at No. 207 George Street, in Clyde. FRED TRAPP, Jr., who is engaged in general farming in Section 21, Madison Township, where he owns forty acres of valuable land, was born in Germany, March 20, 1864, and is a son of Fred and Sophia (Asmus) Trapp. Fred Trapp, Sr., was born in Bremen, Germany, in December, 1843. He was there married to Sophia, daughter of Fred and Mary Asmus, and they have had twelve children, namely : Rickie, Fred, Charles, Mary, John, Christian, Theodore, Caroline, George, Emma, Genia and Annie. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Trapp continued to live in Germany until after the birth of three children, when they came to America, and to Sandusky County. He lived on rented farms for some years and then bought his present one of 120 acres, to which was added twenty more by inheritance. At that time land was so densely wooded that a place had to be cleared in the forest before a house could be built. The present buildings on the farm are the second set erected, the first ones having burned down. For a number of years Mr. Trapp has been agent for the German Insurance Company. In politics he is a Democrat and in religious faith he is a Lutheran. Fred Trapp, Jr., was permitted to go to school until he was 14 years of age, attending both at Gibsonburg, where there was a German school, and in Madison Township. He grew up strong and sturdy and when 14 years old was as able to swing a cradle in the grain field as successfully as his father. He became very helpful to his parents and remained at home until his marriage, when he settled on a nearby farm of eighty acres. Later he moved to another eighty-acre farm which he rented in Scott Township, and from there moved to Gibsonburg and during the two years he lived there he worked as thresher and also in a stone quarry. He followed threshing for ten seasons all told, and for two years worked in oil fields. From there he moved on his present farm, buying forty acres and building house, barn and sheds. He has his entire property cleared and about one-half well tilled. He also cultivates an additional ten acres, which he has rented for several years. There may be oil underlying his land, but Mr. Trapp has never made any tests. On September 15, 1887, Mr. Trapp was married to Miss Mary Shutt, who is a daughter of John and Rickie Shutt, and they have had the following children : George, John, Fred, Minnie, Sophia, Luther, Caroline, and Augusta. Mr. and Mrs. Trapp have been sorely afflicted in the loss of all but two of their children, the survivors being the two last named. They adopted a son, Chester, who was six years old at the time. Mr. Trapp is one of the liberal supporters of the German Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat 680 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY and is so highly valued in his neighborhood that he has been frequently elected to township offices, serving several years as supervisor, six years as constable and for ten years as school director. HARRY CLARK HEFFNER, assistant cashier of the People's Banking Company and a member of the well known insurance firm of Fuller & Heffner, is also treasurer of Green Creek Township. He is one of the most successful of the younger generation of business men of Clyde, and certainly has bright prospects for the future. He was born in Clyde, September 9, 1880, and is a son of B. F. and Lou L. Heffner. He is one of three children born to his parents, having two Sisters, Miss Nellie and Miss Edith Heffner. Harry C. Heffner was graduated from Clyde High School in 1899., and in March of the following year accepted a position as bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Clyde, He was with that institution for one and a half years, resigning in 1901 to enter the People's Banking Company in a similar capacity. He was shortly advanced to the position of assistant cashier, which he has since filled with ability. He is engaged in the insurance business in partnership with Mr. D. E. Fuller, cashier of the bank with which he is identified, and the firm of Fuller & Heffner carry a full line of fire, life and accident insurance, representing some of the best companies operating in this country. The subject of this record is a Republican in politics, and is now serving his second term as treasurer of Green Creek Township. October 14, 1907, Mr. Heffner was united in marriage with Miss Alice Stillman, daughter of the late R. L. Stillman of Painesville, Ohio, and they have one son, Will S. The family home is on Buckeye Street. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Heffner serves as superintendent of the Sunday School. Fraternally he is affiliated with Clyde Lodge, No. 244, F. & A. M. WILLIAM O. MUCHMORE. who conducts the Glenn Hill Nursery in Ballville Township, Sandusky Countv, owns the two acres of valuable land on which he lives and in association with his mother, owns twenty acres more. He was born August 6, 1855, in Spring Creek Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa, and is a son of Joseph D. and Elizabeth H. (Rideout) Muchmore. Joseph D. Muchmore was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, June 5, 1825. and died in Ballville Township, October 4, 1906. He was married April 25, 1850, to Elizabeth H. Ride-out, who was born in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, November 4. 1830. She still survives. Her parents were John S. and Sarah (Randall) Rideout, the former of whom was born in Maine and the latter in Connecticut. He served in the War of 1812, being very young at the time, and when he came to Ballville Township, bought the land on which he and wife died. Of the nine children born to Joseph D. Muchmore and wife, only two survived infancy : John S. and William 0., the latter being the only one living, his brother's death occurring on March 27, 1896, when aged forty-five years. When he was about ten months old, the parents of Mr. Muchmore moved from Iowa to Nebraska, where the father followed farming. eight years and then came to Ballville Township, Sandusky County, and in 1864 started into the nursery business, which he conducted until his death. To this large enterprise William 0. Muchmore succeeded, during- his father's lifetime having learned all the details of the business. He carries a large amount of first class nursery stock. such as will flourish in this climate, and his business is in a prosperous condition. On May 22, 1877, Mr. Muchmore was married to Miss Abbie L. Plantz, a daughter of Peter and Alice (Entsminger) Plantz, and they have had the following children : Delila M., James G., Clarence B., Bessie A., William H., Grace E. and Irene. Delila M. who died at Battle Creek, Michigan, February 13, 1909, was the wife of C. E. Baldwin, and left two sons. James G. resides at Fremont, Ohio, married Oliva De Mars. William H. resides in Ballville Township, married Emma Creagar and thev have one child. The other members of the familv still reside at home. The family belongs to the Evangelical Church. Mr. Much- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 683 more has always been an active and useful citizen in his township and at various times has been elected to local office. He served for sixteen years as a school director. He was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. WILLIAM H. ROLF, wagon manufacturer and proprietor of a general blacksmithing establishment, also carries a full line of wagons and buggies and does repair work of all kinds, has the largest business of the kind in the vicinity of Woodville, and is liberally patronized by the people of the community. He was born across the line in Wood County, Ohio, October 28, 1849, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Hiller) Rolf. Frank Rolf was one of the early farmers of -Wood County, Ohio, where he located when he was 18 years old. He followed farming all his life and died in that county at the age of 78 years. He was married to Mary Hilker and they became parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest living. The second son enlisted for service in the Union Army when 18 years old and died at the front. William H. Rolf received a public school education in his native countv, and after leaving school started in his present business at Woodville. He formed a partnership with a brother and they continued together until the latter's death, when he purchased the outstanding interest and has since carried on the business alone. He also owns one-half of the property which the enterprise occupies, the other half being owned by the widow of his brother. Mr. Rolf was joined in marriage with Miss Juliana Tape, of Wood County, whose death occurred in 1901. They reared one daughter, Mary, who was the wife of W. F. Meinert, the well known merchant of Woodville. She died in 1905, and is survived by her husband and one daughter, Esther. Two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Meinert are deceased, Marcus and Nelda. Mr. Rolf is a Democrat in politics and was formerly a member of the village council. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran Church. GEORGE DWIGHT TIFFANY, cashier of the Clyde Savings Bank Company, has been engaged in 'the banking business throughout his active career. He is thoroughly familiar with it in all its many details and is recognized as an able and conservative business man, one well qualified for the important position he fills. He was born at Medina, Ohio, April 10, 1869, and is a son of Henry B. and Elizabeth (Nickerson) Tiffany. Henry B. Tiffany was born in a log cabin on his father's farm in Medina County, Ohio, December 12, 1833, and is a son of Dr. Henry Tiffany, who came from Connecticut to Medina County, Ohio, in 1831. The latter was born at a place known as Barkhamsted, in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and was a young man when he moved to Medina County. There he purchased a heavily timbered farm for $5.00 per acre, and while living there studied medicine and later was Graduated from medical college at Cleveland. He then sold his farm and engaged in practice at Medina for many years, also conducting a drug store for a time in partnership with his son, Henry B. He died there at the age of 57 years and was survived some years by his widow, who died at the age of 72. She was in maiden life, Lydia Bradford, and was descended in the ninth generation from old Governor Bradford. They had two children, Henry Bradford, father of the subject of this sketch, and Dwight, who died at the age of nineteen while in attendance at Oberlin College. Henry B. Tiffany, when a young man, worked at the trade of a carpenter and thus earned enough money to enable him to attend Oberlin College for two years. He then read law at Medina under the direction of Hill & Prentiss for two years, and in June, 1861, was Graduated from Cleveland Union Law School. He immediately thereafter began practice at Lima, Ohio, but after a short time returned to Medina and formed a partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Hills. He practiced successfully until an accident to his left ear affected his hearing, then gave up his profession to embark in the drug business in partnership with his father. He continued in the drug trade at Medina until his store was destroyed 684 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNT Y. by fire in 1870, and on October 21st of the same year moved with his family to Clyde, Ohio, where they have since lived, having a residence on West Buckeye Street. He has a drug store at this place and is one of the foremost business citizens. On December 1, 1865, Mr. Tiffany was married to Elizabeth Nickerson, and they have a family of six children : Henry A., a druggist of Toledo ; George Dwight ; Charles J. postmaster of Clyde; Dr. Willard B., of Clyde; Fannie; and Florence. George D. Tiffany was about a year and a half old when brought to Clyde, where he grew to maturity and received an educational training in the public schools. During his junior year in high school, he left on June 29, 1886, to enter the Farmers and Traders Bank at Clyde, as bookkeeper. In a short time he was advanced to the position of assistant cashier, and after the name of the institution was changed on January 8, 1890, to the First National Bank, he continued in the same capacity until February 7, 1895, when he was made cashier. On July 2, 1906, the institution was again changed, at that time to the Clyde Savings Bank Company. He still serves as cashier of this institution, of which he also is a stockholder. He is a Republican in politics, and served two terms as treasurer of Green Creek Township, and in 1907 was elected treasurer of Clyde. He is a member of the insurance firm of Tiffany & Clapp, and is also one of the directors of the National Ticket Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. On November 24, 1892, Mr. Tiffany was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Estella Robinson, a daughter of Dr. W. S. Robinson, of Bellevue, Ohio. They have two children, Thomas G. and Russell B. Their residence is on West Buckeye Street, in Clyde. Mr. Tiffany is a prominent lodge man and is affiliated with Monticello Lodge, No. 244, F. & A. M. ; Clyde Chapter, R. A. Ma. ; Clyde Council, No. 1503, R. A. ; Clyde Lodge, No. 126, Knights of Pythias ; Clyde Council, No. 637, Knights and Ladies of Security ; and Clyde Tent, No. 3o, Knights of the Maccabees. SCOTT S. WOLF, who has been engaged in the insurance business at Fremont, Ohio, since July 2, 1896, having an office in the Birchard Block, is a native of this city, his birth having occurred here on January 16, 1877. He is a grandson of Gervas Wolf, who was born in Germany, and who, having lost his wife, came to the United States with his remaining family about 1863. They had an unfortunate passage, as they were twice shipwrecked. The vessel in which they embarked was destroyed by fire, but the crew and passengers were rescued and transferred to another ship, which in turn was wrecked, going ashore on the Cape Verde Islands. On the next night they were picked up by a British man-of-war, Mr. Wolf having clung to a rock from 9 o'clock at night until 9 the next night. Being landed at Liverpool by the war vessel, they made their way from that port to New York, and so arrived in the Land of Promise after a most adventurous and circuitous journey. Stephen Wolf, son of Gervas, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Guenelingen, Baden, Germany, November 22, 1851, and accompanied his father on his eventful voyage to America, being about years of age at the time. He remained a short time in New York after their arrival here, but subsequently went to Philadelphia, and thence successively to Cincinnati, Cleveland, Sanduskv and Fremont, Ohio, the year of his advent of the last mentioned town being 1868. He was then a young man of 17. His first employment in this country was as driver of a bakery wagon in New York City. but soon after coming- to Fremont he became interested in the real estate business, in which he has since continued. having been very active and successful in the building up and development of the city. He has erected in all about eight hundred houses, more than any other three men, and Wolf Avenue was named in his honor. He was married in Fremont and has two sons, Jerome Garfield and Scott Stephen. He resides on West State Street in a very beautiful home. In his building operations he employs from twenty-five to thirty people, his son Jerome G. acting as foreman. The latter married Cecelia Ronsky and they AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 685 have three children, Stephen, Angela and Mildred. Scott S. Wolf received his educational training in the public schools of Fremont and in the Sandusky City Business College. Upon leaving that institution he engaged in the grocery business in Cleveland and continued in that business for a time and then entered into the insurance field in that city and was thus engaged there for three years. He then returned to Fremont, where he has since taken high rank in business circles, having continued in the same line of industry. He handles plate glass, fire, life, accident, liability, tornado and burglar insurance, and his business has grown to large proportions. He is a member of the Ohio State and National Fire Insurance Associations and is now serving his third term as a member of the executive committee of the State Association. He has served as delegate to three national insurance conventions—at St. Paul, Minnesota, Richmond, Virginia, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and he is president of the Sandusky County Fire Insurance Association. He is an active member also of Croghan Lodge, No. 77, I. O. O. F., and of Dickinson Tent, No. 21 , K. O. T. M. Scott S. Wolf married Miss Adelaide M. Busold, of Fremont, and they have two sons, Carl Stephen George and Clarence Gervas. In politics he is a Staunch Republican and cast .first vote for President McKinley, and served as central committeman for six years, and as secretary of city central committee at one time. Ex.-Gov. Myron T. Herrick, Atty.-Gen. U. G. Dennison, and State Treasurer D. S. Creamer he holds as his personal friends, while Congressman C. C. Anderson, of this district, is an old schoolmate and they played together as boys. NORTON G. RATHBUN, formerly commissioner of Sandusky County, Ohio, is a prominent farmer of Green Creek Township, where he is the owner of 145 acres of valuable farm land. He has forty acres in his home farm, located on the Green Springs road. Mr. Rathbun comes of one of the pioneer families of the county. He was born in the township in which he now lives, September 19a, 1838, and is a son of Saxton S. and Barbara (Huss) Rathbun. The paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Jonathan, who came from England to the United States and located in Vermont. He moved to New York State, thence to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he died. Amongv his children was Chaplin Rathbun, who was born in Vermont. After his marriage to Lucinda Sutliff and the birth of a number of their children, in 1826 they moved from New York to Ohio, entering Government land in the woods of Green Creek Township, Sandusky County. They wrought a home out of the wilderness and lived here until their respective deaths. They had eight children, as follows : Saxton S., Brace, Jonathan, Jeanetta, Catherine, Sarah, Lucinda, and Eliza. Saxton S. Rathbun was born in New York State in 1813, and was thirteen years of age when his parents moved west. The Indians had not yet departed from Sandusky County at the time of their arrival, and he frequently played and danced with 'the young Indians. He followed farming throughout his active career and lived to reach the age of eighty-one years. His wife died the year previously, at the age of seventy-seven years. They were parents of thirteen children, as follows : Clark, deceased ; Edwin, deceased ; Norton G.; James, Burton; Thadeus, deceased; Chaplain L. ; Lucinda, wife of Charles Storer ; Norman; Brace; Orvilla, wife of Horace Sackrider; Jacob, deceased; and John. N. G. Rathbun was born in a log cabin which his father had built about the time of his marriage, and grew up on the home place, which he helped to clear. When he was nineteen years of age he went to Kansas for a year, then returned home and remained for one and a half years. At the end of that time he went to the Pacific Coast and for four years worked in the mines in California. Returning to Sandusky County, Ohio, he again took up farming, which he has since followed except for the time spent in public office. He is a Democrat in politics and was elected on that ticket as infirmary director. After serving six months he resigned and was made superintendent of 686 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY the County Infirmary. He filled that position four years, and was then elected county commissioner. His six years in the commissioner's office were marked by conscientious service to the county, and his record found approval in the eye of the public. On December 25, 1868, Mr. Rathbun was married to Miss Elizabeth Huffard, of Sandusky County, and they have three children, namely: Edwin, who married Fanny Noah and has two children, Irving and Allen ; Arthur, who married Edith Huber ; and Herman, who married Irene Bimer. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order at Fremont. WILLIAM E. PROCTOR, a man of large business interests, ample fortune and civic importance, has been vice-president of the Croghan Bank, at Fremont, since the second year of its operation. He was born July 20, 1842, at Bloomfield, Ohio, the only child of William E. and Lucy F. (Morgan) Proctor. William E. Proctor enjoyed excellent educational advantages and completed his studies at Oberlin College. At the beginning of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Federal Army and served in an artillery regiment for some months. He then decided to embark in the mercantile business, locating at Geneva, Ohio, for this purpose, and there carried on a general store until 1877, when he removed to Cleveland and went into the wholesale trade. In 1885 he opened up a large retail store at Fremont, which he conducted prosperously for almost twenty years. He then disposed of his mercantile interests and retired from that line of activity. In the meanwhile he had other important business concerns, as early as 1873 having engaged in manufacturing at Geneva, and still continues to be vice president of one of the two skewer companies doing business in the United States. The main office of this company is at Muncie, Indiana, and it has a capital stock of $400,000, Mr. Proctor being a very large stockholder. He also is one of the proprietors and stockholders of the Fremont Kraut Company. While his business interests have not all been centered at Fremont, Mr. Proctor has made this city his chosen home for many years and has always taken a deep interest in everything designed to promote its well being. Mr. Proctor married Miss Martha Turner, a daughter of Asaph Turner, formerly of Geneva, Ohio, and five children were born to them. The beautiful family home is located at No. 812 Garrison Avenue, Fremont. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party. He has membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity. ALONZO J. WILDER president of the Clyde Kraut Company, an important business enterprise at Clyde, Ohio, was born January 14, 1841, on his father's farm in Granger Township, Medina County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Elsie T. (Hatch) Wilder. William Wilder was born at Barkhamstead, Connecticut, in 1789, and died in Medina County, Ohio, in 1876. In young manhood he started out to make a home in what was then the wilderness of Ohio, hearing his ax on his shoulder and walked the whole distance, finally locating in 1818, in Medina County. In 1819, he was married to Elsie T. Hatch, who had come to Medina County in 1817, walking a part of the way from Onondaga County. New York, where her father had one time been the owner of the whole of. North Bristol Township. William Wilder and wife established and maintained a happy home in the forests of Medina County and there reared a large family. Indians were numerous, but as far as the records go, they never seriously disturbed the Wilder family. The old homestead of sixty acres in Granger Township became a fertile and valuable property and the productive orchards came from the seed that William Wilder carried in his pockets, from Connecticut. The following children were born to 'William Wilder and wife : Lucy A., who is now deceased ; William H., who went overland to California in 1849, died there in 1858; Calvin H.; Annis, who is deceased ; Charlotte E.; Martin J., who is deceased, taught music for thirty years in New York ; Sophronia A., who is the widow of D. H. Beeman ; and Alonzo James, Nathan Thomas, and Janette, the last named being deceased. The mother of the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 689 above children lived to be ninety-two years of age, dying at Clyde in 1892. Alonzo James Wilder spent his boyhood and youth on the home farm in Granger Township, securing his education in the country schools and the Granger Academy. Like other members of his family, he is musical and he taught music when about twenty-six years of age, In 1868 he came to Clyde and bought the Metcalf grocery business, but, having had no experience in this line, in. 1870 he took C. A. Miner into partnership. For six years the firm of Miner & Wilder continued, and then Mr, Wilder bought Mr. Miner's interest. In 1882 his brother, Nathan T. Wilder, entered The business as a partner and the firm style became Wilder Bros., and in 1889, the firm sold one-third interest to W. G. Estell, a former clerk, and the firm style became Wilder Bros. and Estell. To their already large stock of crockery and groceries they now added produce and builta a cold storage plant for their consignments of butter, eggs and apples. In 1890, Mr. Wilder established the kraut business, one which has been of great importance to the farmers in this section from whom supplies are obtained. The name given the new enterprise was the Clyde Kraut Company and it soon grew to such proportions that in order to handle it advantageously, the old grocery business had to be given up by the Wilders and in 1896 they sold out to W. F. Estell and to W. W. Wilder, the latter a son of Alonzo J. Wilder. From this time until 1900, the kraut enterprise was conducted and managed as the Clyde Kraut Company by the two brothers, It was then incorporated and at that time W. W. Wilder, son of Alonzo J., and C. N. Wilder, son of Nathan T., with B. E. Babcock, son-in-law of N. T. Wilder, came into the firm. The officers are A. J. Wilder, president ; Nathan T, Wilder, vice president; and W. W. Wilder, secretary and treasurer. A branch house has been established at Jackson, Michigan, for the manufacture of kraut and pickles. The registered trade mark of these delicacies is "Silver Fleece." The excellence of the goods has carried their use all over the world. On November 27, 1866, Mr. Wilder was married (first) to Miss Mary A. Hough, a daughter of William Hough, of Wayne County, Ohio. She died in 1874. He was married (second) to Mrs. Nealie Watterson, a daughter of Rev. George R. Brown. Mrs. Wilder died in January, 1895. Mr. Wilder was married (third) in March, 1898, to Mrs. Rosaline Bemiss, a daughter of Daniel White. Mr. Wilder has two children and three grandchildren, namely : William W., who married Hallie McClary, a daughter of Captain Charles McClary, has one son, H. Triston ; and Helen M,, who is the wife of Karl S. Breckinridge, who is the Chicago manager of the American Can Company. They have two children: Lois and Florence. In his political views, Mr. Wilder is a Republican, but business claims more of his attention than politics. JOHN C. KANNEY, proprietor of a grocery store at Green Spring, Ohio, and owner of a farm of eighty acres in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, has been a resident of this village since 1869. He was born February 12, 1855, on his father's farm in Reed Township, Seneca County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Reamer) Kanney, both of whom were natives of Germany. His father came to this country at the age of thirteen years and subsequently located on a farm in Seneca County, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. There were eleven children born to the parents of our subject, all of whom are deceased but the following : Albert, Anthony, Frances, and John C., the subject of this record. John C. Kanney was about thirteen years old when he went to Lodi, Ohio, where he worked as a clerk in a grocery store for some time, later going to Republic, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Mr. Ogden, in whose service he continued many years, having been a clerk in Mr. Ogden's store in Green Spring for a period of ten years after locating in this village. He then established his present place of business, where he has since continued and carries on an extensive and lucrative business. Mr. Kanney was one of the organizers of the Kraut Company of Green Spring, of which he is one of the directors. He is president of the Green Spring Telephone and Electric Com- 690 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY pany and is a stockholder in the bank of that village. In politics he is identified with the Republican party and is, fraternally a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 427, at Green Spring. In October, 1874, Mr. Kanney was united in marriage with Ella E. Burton, a daughter of C. S. Burton, also a resident of Green Spring. FRED H, HARTMAN, president of the School Board of Woodville and identified with large business interests in this section of Sandusky County, is a member of the firm of Hartman Brothers, owners of much property and active in the oil industry in Ohio. Mr, Hartman was born in 1861, and is a son of Rudolph Hartman, who came to Sandusky from Wood County, Ohio, about 1869. He was a man of capital and for many years carried on large agricultural operations on his farm adjacent to Woodville. At the time of his death he was aged seventy-one years. Fred H. Hartman was educated in the schools of Woodville and then engaged in agricultural pursuits with his father, later entering into the oil business with his two brothers, Hon. L. H., who is the mayor of Woodville, and George H., under the style of Hartman Brothers. The firm owns 50o acres of land in Sandusky County. having disposed of large holdings in Wood County. Mr. Hartman married Miss Elizabeth M. Brand, a daughter of Henry Brand, and they have three children : Oscar, who is attending the Ohio State University at Columbus ; Lydia. who is a graduate of the Woodville High School; and Reta, residing at home. In 1900, Mr. Hartman built a very fine modern residence, equipping it with the latest conveniences. In politics, he is identified with the Democratic party and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of Woodville. He has served in numerous local offices and at present is president of the School Board and chairman of 'the Committee on Public Affairs. He is one of the directors in the Woodville Savings Bank and is a stockholder in other concerns. With his family, Mr. Hartman belongs to the Lutheran Church. JOSEPH A. WALDE, one of the foremost business men of Clyde, Ohio, is manager co: the Clyde Cooperage Company and vice-president of the Clyde Produce Company. He is a son of Julius Walde, of Fremont, who, with his partners, J. W. Worst and Jacob Sherrer, organized the former company at Clyde in 1901. Julius Walde was born and reared in Germany, where he learned and followed the trade of a cooper. Upon coming to America he located at Fremont, Ohio, where he followed his trade and later engaged in the brewing business. He was married to Mary Commer, of Fremont, where they now reside on Birchard Street. They became parents of four children : Mamie, wife of F. C. Schmidt ; Joseph A.; Maude, wife of Dr. H. C. Scharple; and Irene. Joseph A. Walde was born at Fremont, Ohio, August 1, 1877, and after completing a preliminary education in the grade and high schools of that city, attended Notre Dame University. Since 1902, he has had full charge of the plant of the Clyde Cooperage Company, succeeding 'in that capacity a son of Jacob Sherrer, one of the founders. This industry covers three acres of land along the Wheeling and Lake Erie and the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railways and gives employment to about fifty men. They manufacture about 60o barrels per day, getting the timber from their own forests in West Virginia, and make a specialty of oil, whisky and lard barrels. They also furnish barrels for the different kraut industries, for which Clyde is so well known. Mr. Walde has been vice-president of the Clyde Produce Company continuously since its organization. On April 18, 1901, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Arlin, a daughter of W. H. Arlin, of Clyde, and they have one daughter, Edwina. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Clyde. In politics. he is a Democrat. Mr. Walde resides with his family in a handsome residence on Duane Street in Clyde. REV. FLAVEL S. WHITE-1818-1890, The life of Flavel S. White began in Williamstown, in the State of Vermont, on the 3d day AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 691 of October, 1818. At the. age of twenty years he removed to Malone, New York, and four years later became a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of twenty-seven he had completed a course of theological study at the Western Reserve College, located then at Hudson, Ohio. In September of the year following, being 1845, he was married to Miss Harriet H. Fuller, of Malone, N. Y., who in all the years since has been his faithful companion, and still survives to mourn his loss. For a short time he preached at Clarendon, N. Y. In May, 1846, he came to this city, then a village of one thousand inhabitants, and assumed charge of the Presbyterian church. He was ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Fremont, Ohio. As a minister he is remembered by only a few, but those few remember him as a tireless worker on behalf of his people. His conception of the gospel ministry was entirely worthy of a man of such breadth of thought, and he honestly endeavored to realize it in his ministerial service. His own words, tittered on the occasion of its semi-centennial, give not only some characteristics that belonged to him in those days, but his conception of the ministerial calling as well. Speaking, of his pastorate here he said "I was a worker, as I must needs be in whatever calling. I knew the people and could call the children by name. I was credited also with one excellent gift, viz. : brevity. But experience proved to myself at least, that I was deficient in one great ministerial gift. If I may be allowed to define that gift I would say it is a lofty and sustained enthusiasm, wrought by faith and indwelling Spirit in a nature. responsive to all divine truth. By this enthusiastic faith the true minister is lifted up despite all weights and by it he lifts up other souls also to the things unseen, to the truth and life universal and eternal, the heights of God: by this faith he walks on those heights, and in the light as seeing him who is light and in whom is no darkness at all. I know indeed that every soul seeking after God and goodness possesses some measure of this gift. for by it the soul enters the kingdom of God. and becomes a citizen of the divine commonwealth. But the man who would speak to others the words which are spirit and life, even the words of the Great Teacher, with freedom, fullness and power, must possess this gift in no common measure." These words,. through which, "he being dead yet speaketh," reveal a lofty conception of ministerial qualification and a spiritual insight only gained by much study and meditation. And these words came from his lips, not as a minister but as a man of multiplied business cares. The very language, so nicely accurate and choice, shows the trained thinker and the class student. His literary appreciation and judgment challenged our admiration. If, indeed, he lacked in the one qualification of "a lofty and sustained enthusiasm," he possessed in an eminent degree many other gifts which qualified him for the ministry. But causes were at work which led him finally to abandon 1852,hosen profession. In June, 1852. on account of a throat disease which rendered public sneaking no longer possible, he resigned the pastorate of this church and was granted the relation of an honorably retired minister by the Presbytery of Huron. His resignation as pastor was not an abandonment of church relations. To the day of his death he was a church member in the same sense that every other minister in the Presbyterian Church is a church member. His name is still on the roll of the Presbytery of Huron. With the resignation of the pastorate his active business life, began. To use his own words, it was with a feeling of surprise that he learned after a brief experience, that he possessed in an unusual degree the elements of a successful business man. Unconsciously to himself many of these elements had been in process of training and development during the years of his ministry. His habits of economy and of careful observation and analysis—his Mental training and discipline, gave him a great advantage in the world of business. These, together with his tremendous will power and tireless energy were large elements in his financial success, which was mostly in large real estate transactions. Of his large measure of success it is needless here to speak, except to say that it was not 692 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY gained through methods unworthy of a Christiana man. For over thirty-eight years he was identified with the business interests of this city, and in all these years he maintained a character of rigid honesty and integrity. As he left the pastorate with no stain upon his ministerial character and with the confidence and respect of his parishioners, so he left the business world, with no stain upon his uprightness, and with the profound respect of his fellows. This is high praise, and especially when we remember the vast power which he held in his hands and the 'temptation which ever comes to use power unlawfully and selfishly. But the principles of practical life which he had preached with such directness and power, were the principles which he endeavored to embody in his life. They gave him that stability of character which enabled men to know always and unerringly where he could be found on all questions involving right and justice. His sternness for the right made him a terror to the dishonest and untrue. He was kind and generous and helpful to the true and worthy and his generosities were manifold and multiplied. But falsehood and deceit he hated with a burning hatred. Mr. White was a scholar of broad education. He loved literature, and often regretted that his active business life left so little time for 'this pursuit. He was an entertaining conversationalist, a concise and pointed writer. He was an ardent Republican, though he never took an active part in politics or sought political preferment. He was a man of the strictest integrity. In later years he was more and more a benefactor. His study was how to benefit and advance the interests of the city, and out of that study and practical help has grown the encouraging prosperity which we have enjoyed. None among those who were identified with him in business enterprises will chicle me for saying that he carried the great hulk of the burden and responsibility and without him our present prosperity could not have been realized. His principle, often repeated, that "every man is bound to contribute to the public good," is true and worthy of all acceptation. The other principle that "individual selfishness is public suicide" is also true. In seeking the material prosperity of the city he was seeking the good of all. Those who knew him the most intimately believe that self interest was not the ruling motive in his business career. His greatest enterprises were conceiveda with a wise reference to the highest advancement, moral and material, of the whole community. While he was "diligent in business" as by temperament and conviction he must needs be, he was not in bondage to sordid motives. His strong and masterful religious convictions controlled him in all relations. Most have lived long enough to know that there are various types of true Christian faith. but that there are certain fundamental things that belong to all. The type of piety which was witnessed in the life of Mr. White was not emotional, it was not philosophical. His ligion was not a sentiment, nor a matter of forms, but always and intensely it was practical. In certain realms of generally accepted religious teaching, he had his doubts and his misgivings. They were partly due to temperament and hereditary tendencies. But they did not affect the great fundamental principles of Christian faith upon which his life was built. The things that he believed be believed with all his heart and mind and soul and strength. No man among us had stronger convictions of the existence of a personal God—and of human responsibility to that God. To him, God was not an abstraction, not an influence, but a living person ruling in the affairs of men. No man among us believed more profoundly in the teachings of the Old and New Testaments, and felt a deeper obligation 'to observe and obey these teachings. No man believed more firmly in the doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ. No man conceived more clearly of 'the necessity and nature of personal faith, and no man believed more fullv on the guidance of the divine Spirit. In all his wide reading and study and in all his experience of life, he never diverged from these high and essential things of the Christian faith. He felt that whatever theories men might hold, certainties could only be found in that faith. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 693 CHAPLIN L. RATHBUN, a veteran of the Civil War and a lifelong resident of Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, is the owner of a farm of ninety-five acres located west of Clyde on North Ridge. He was born on a farm in this township June 5, 1845, and is a son of Saxton S. and Barbara (Huss) Rathbun. Jonathan Rathbun, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to this country from England and located in Vermont, He later located in New York State, and from there made his way west to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he entered Government land located west of Clyde. There he lived until his death. Chaplin Rathbun, grandfather of Chaplin L., was born in Vermont and from there moved to New York State, where he was married. He moved from there to Black River, Ohio, and in 1826 he moved west to Sandusky County, Ohio, making the journey by way of the lake, and entered forty acres where our subject now lives in Green Creek Township. He put up a log cabin in the woods and then struggled along clearing the land and managed to eke out an existence out of practically a wilderness. He rented the old saw-mill owned by the Indians and some of the lumber is still in use in the barn which stands upon his old farm. He lived there until his death at the age of 71 years. He married Lucinda Sutliff, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German descent, and they had the f0llowing children : Saxton S., Brace, Jonathan, Jeanette, Catherine, Sarah, Lucinda and Eliza. All are now deceased. Saxton S. Rathbun was born in New York State in 1813, and was 13 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Sandusky County. He was a playmate of the Indians in his youthful days, and was at one time employed to hoe corn for Chief Old Hickory, with whom he was very friendly. He lived with his parents until his marriage, then moved onto an eighty acre farm north of the home place, which he entered from the Government, and on which he made a clearing and erected a cabin, He cleared the farm and resided upon it for forty-one years, at the end of which time he purchased the old home place, which he bought from the other heirs. His wife died on this place at the age of 77 years, and he survived her one year, dying at the age of 81. He was married to Barbara Huss, who was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Sandusky County with her father, Noah Huss, and the rest of his family. They were parents of thirteen children, as follows: Clark, deceased; Edwin, deceased; Norton G.; James, who served in the 21st Ill. Vol. Inf. during the Civil War ; Burton, who also was in the Civil War and was a member of Company F, 72d O. Vol. Inf.; Thadeus, deceased; Chaplin L.; Lucinda, wife of Charles Storer; Norman, Brace ; Orvilla, wife of Horace Sackrider; Jacob, deceased, and John. Chaplin L. Rathbun was born in the cabin built by his father on his original farm, and spent his boyhood attending the district school and working in the woods. He lived at home until he went to the war, enlisting in 1864 as a member of the 169th O. Vol. Inf. He served in Company F, under Capt. Charles Thompson, and was out 100 days. At the end of the war he returned home first, and then moved west, running on a steamboat from St. Louis to Port Benton for one summer. Returning to Sandusky County in 1869, he again took up farming operations, which he has since followed successfully. He bought his farm partly from Christian Hintz, who had bought it of the Rathbun heirs. He has a good comfortable home on the north side of the road, and on the south side has a large new barn. On November 25, 1869, Mr. Rathbun was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Grover, a daughter of Asa Grover, who was an early settler of Bellevue-, Ohio, and they have had the following children : Harry, who married Mary Bradf0rd and is farming the home place; Edith, wife of Carl Voss; Fanny, wife of Burt Huber; James, who married Lida Bensley; Nina, wife of David Shell ; Lucy ; Olive, wife of Frank Mc- 694 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Laughlin; and Mabel. Fraternally, Mr. Rathbun is a Mason and an Odd Fell0w. He is a Republican in politics. PROF. E. F. WARNER is the able superintendent of the public schools of Bellevue, Ohio, coming to this point in 1886 from Doylestown, where he had an honorable record of four years behind him, in the same capacity. He was born west of Massillon, in Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Mary (Selders) Warner. George Warner was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, a son of George and a grandson of George \Verner, the latter of whom was a Revolutionary soldier. The Warner or Werner family, originated in Hanover, Germany, and its American founders came to Pennsylvania in 1765 and settled in Lancaster County. George Werner, the paternal great-grandfather of Prof. Warner, was a member of Captain Abraham Forey's Company, Third Battallion, of Lancaster County Militia. In the same company served George Hauenstein, also an ancestor, of German birth. Still another ancestor, Christopher Ackerman, came from Germany in 1750, while the maternal great-grandfather, George Selders, came to the colonies in 1760. The original spelling of the family name was Werner, but it was changed to Warner by the father of Prof. \Varner, who desired to make it thoroughly American. Prof. E. F. Warner spent his early life on his father's farm and from the country schools entered the Wilmot Academy at Wilmot, Ohio. He was also a student at Smithville Academy. He was little more than a boy when he began to teach school. Later he entered Mt. Union College at Alliance, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1877. He has pursued special studies at the Ohio State University at Columbus, and at Wooster, Ohio. From 1882 until 1886, he served as school examiner in Wayne County, Ohio, and since 1903 has filled the same office in Sandusky County. He has long been recognized as a leading factor in the educational field in Ohio and has been called to many different counties for institute work and addresses on education. He was principal of the high school at Dalton, Ohio, for five years and also was school superintendent, in 1882 becoming superintendent at Doylestown and four years later coming to Bellevue. Since 1883 he has been a member of the Ohio State Teachers' Association, since 1886 has been a member of the Northwestern Ohio Teachers' Association, and has served as president of the latter and as first vice president of the former organization. His name is well known in educational centers in different parts of the State and his work is appreciated by the large body of educators with whom he has been associated so long. He was granted a high school life certificate in 1883. Prof. Warner married Miss Rebecca Cupples, of Stark County, Ohio, and they have had three children, Gertrude Ethel, who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; Winifred Marion, who is a student at Oberlin College ; and Guy, who died when aged nine years. Prof. \Varner and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is superintendent of the Sunday school at Bellevue. He is identified with the order of Odd Fellows. He takes a lively interest in public affairs, and gives hearty support to all measures that make for good and efficient government. HON. JOHN H. RHODES, residing at Clyde, is a prominent member of the Sandusky County bar and in 1866 and 1867 served in the General Assembly of the state of Ohio. He is a veteran officer of the great Civil War. Colonel Rhodes was born in Westfield Township, which was then situated in Delaware, but is now Morrow County, Ohio, on February 8, 1836. After one year in the university at Delaware, Ohio, under the late Dr. Thompson, he entered upon the study of law, in 1860, which was interrupted by his enlistment in the Federal Army, in 1861. He served through the entire period of the war as a member of the 43rd O. Vol. Inf. and was honorably discharged and was mustered out with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Rhodes resumed his law studies after his military service was over, completing his course with Attorney Homer Everett, at Fremont, and in April, 1870, he was admitted to practice and has maintained his office at Clyde ever since. From 1871 to 1876 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 697 he practiced in connection with Basil Meek, now of Fremont, He is recognized for his legal ability as one of the county's prominent professional men and his citizenship has always been of such character as to bring about the confidence and respect of his associates. Colonel Rhodes was married December 28, 1867, at Brooklyn, New York, to Miss May Antoinette Brown, who died December 15, 1901, and they had three children. Colonel Rhodes married (second) Mrs. Ida Keating, on September 16, 1903. JOHN CLEMENTS, who is living in practical retirement at Woodville, Sandusky County, Ohio, was formerly an oil producer and contractor and was identified with all of the important oil fields of the country at one time or another until recent years. He was born in New York City, August 26, 1849, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Barkley) Clements. Thomas Clements was one of the pioneer oil men of the country, moving from one oil field to another from 1861 until he died at the age of 76 years. He was born in 1814 and was married in New York to Miss Jane Barkley, who was a native of that State and was of Scotch-Irish descent. They had nine children, of whom three are now living. John Clements spent his early boyhood in New York City and in Pennsylvania, in which State he received a public school education. He became identified with the oil industry as a boy, and has continued in it from the time he was about 12 years of age down to the time of his withdrawal from business affairs. His family moved from one oil field to another, wherever the territory gave the greatest promise, and about the year of 1888 John Clements moved to Findlay, Ohio. Shortly afterward he moved to Portage, Ohio, and about the year 1892 located at Woodville, where he has since resided. He has met with good success and has productions in Wood and Sandusky Counties at the present time. He has been assisting the United States Government in a history of the oil business, being recognized as an authority on the subject. He is a Democrat in politics and has been on the council for eight years. He was president of the Board of Public Service for six years. Mr, Clements was united in marriage with Miss Anna Gibson, of Venango County, Pennsylvania, and they became parents of seven children: W. H. Clements, of Toledo; Robert J., who died in infancy; Lillie Rose, who died at the age of 10 years; John T. Clements, who is in the oil business and lives at Nowater, Oklahoma; Minnie May, wife of George Schumaker, of Woodville ; DeWitt, who lives at home; and Pearl, wife of W. W. Rogers, who is superintendent of the Ohio Oil Company, operating in Illinois. The family belongs to the United Brethren Church. Mr. Clements is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Order of Foresters. JOHN F. GOTTRON, one of Fremont's leading business men, a member of the firm of Gottron Brothers, dealers in building stone, builders' supplies, lime and coal and operating a grain elevator, is at the head or identified with many other of the important business enterprises of this section. He is vice-president of the Sandusky County Building and Loan Company; vice-president of the Simple Account and Sales Book Company; president of the Safe Storm Shield Company and also of the Metal Reversible Window Device Company, all of Fremont, and is a director of the Fremont Mitten and Glove Company. Mr. Gottron was born at Fremont, Sandusky County, . Ohio, July 21, 1855, and is a son of Philip and Clara (Fertig) Gottron. The parents of Mr. Gottron were natives of Mumbach, Germany. The father was born September 13, 1812, and there became not only a successful man of business but also one of prominence in public affairs. He served his native city in many offices, including that of mayor. In 1854 he crossed the Atlantic and settled at Fremont, Ohio. investing in a hotel property and starting a brick yard. He had been engaged in the lime business in Germany and after purchasing the large quarries at Fremont, which 698 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY his sons still operate, he engaged in the lime business and made this his main inter.. est as long as he continued active in business. He had married before coming to America and his wife lived until April 26, 1871; he surviving ten years longer. They were devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church. They had the following children: Mrs. Margaret Engler, of Fremont; Mrs. Clara Setzler; Herman, wh0 died when aged thirty-four years; Frank; Mrs. Anna Hodes; Anthony N.; Mrs. Rosa Geier; Mrs. Barbara Andrews; and Adam, John F. and Philip. John F. Gottron attended school until he was thirteen years of age and then went to work in his father's lime quarry. He continued thus engaged until 1875, when he accepted a position under a brother-in-law at Cleveland, but in 1877 he returned to Fremont and this city has been his field of business ever since. In association with his brother, Adam Gottron, he started into the lime business, at that time with a limited capital. The young men prospered and by 1890 they were able to :assume the leading place in their line of business ; in addition to lime they are now very large dealers in many commodities. As business men they enjoy the confidence of the public, while as citizens they stand in the front rank. Their dealings include the shipment of lime to states both east and west, and the furnishing of building stone for any kind of construction work, and they also handle a complete line of building material, and have a grain elevator located on the L. E. & W. R. R. which has a capacity of 20,000 bushels. Employment is given a large force all the year round and they pay out a considerable amount of money in wages. Mr. Gottron was married October 3. 1882, to Miss Bertha Andrews, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Fertig) Andrews, both of whom resided in America from childhood, but were born in Germany. Mrs. Gottron has two brothers and one sister, namely: William, T. M., and Catherine, who is the wife of A. N. Gottron, of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Gottron have three children: Mrs. R. E. Bowlus, John F. and R0bert E. They reside in a beautiful home at No. 1100 Birchard Avenue, the construction of which Mr. Gottron completed in 1894. Mr. Gottron served as president of the Fremont City Council from 1885 to 1889 and through his energy, enterprise and public spirit many of the permanent public improvements of the city were carried to completion. He has served in other city offices, evincing a hearty interest in all that concerns the welfare of the city, entirely aside from personal considerations. With his family he belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. He is connected fraternally with the Elks and the Catholic Knights. JOHN D. FINCH, a prominent member of the bar of Sandusky County, Ohio, is engaged in practice at Clyde, where he has resided continuously since 1871. He was born in Green Spring, Sandusky County, Ohio, November 17, 1845, and is a son of Dr. Stephen T. and Lois A. (Finch) Finch. Dr. Stephen T. Finch was born and reared in Genesee County, New York, the datea of his birth ,being April 1, 1813. He lived on his father's farm until the death of his mother, and was thereafter reared by his grandmother. Shortly after arriving at his majority he moved west to Bellevue. Ohio. making the trip on horseback; it was not his first visit there, as he had previously been over the route while engaged in selling. clocks. The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad was being constructed at that time, making the hotel business good, and on account of these prospects he became proprietor of the Bellevue House. The officials of the new road stopped with him, and he and his wife accepted their invitation to ride on the first train run over the road. About the year of 1838 he moved to Clyde and for tw0 years conducted an old blockhouse tavern on the Maumee Pike. which was then being built. In 184.0 he entered upon the study of medicine in the office of Dr. L. O. Rawson at Fremont, and after-a ward was graduated from medical college AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 699 at Willoughby, Ohio. He opened an office for practice at Green Spring, where he continued until 1869, in the winter of which year he moved to Clyde. Here he practiced until his death, 'October 20, 1871, being killed in a railroad accident. He was a man of wide prominence in this vicinity, and led ,a very useful life. He was married to Lois A. Finch, a distant relative, who was born in February, 1816, and died December 12, 1907, at the remarkable age of almost ninety-two years. They were parents of the following: Stephen T., Jr., deceased; L. Josephine, wife of E. F, Graham; John D.; Clara A., wife of L. C, Sprague; Alfarata M., deceased wife of F. S. Foote; Emmogene, deceased wife of F. Rader, and Rosa Belle, wife of W. F. Pardee. John D. Finch attended the district schools and in his early career was employed as clerk in various stores. He took a course in pharmacy at Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio, after which he engaged in the drug trade at Green Spring as junior member of the firm of S. T. Finch & Son. He continued in that business from 1866 until 1871, in the latter year moving to Clyde, Ohio. Here he engaged in the lumber business for three years, and in the meantime prosecuted the study of law in the office and under the direction of "John M. Lemon. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and formed a partnership with his preceptor under the name and style of Lemon, Finch & Lemon. This firm continued until 1883, when Mr. Finch formed a partnership with Thomas P. Dewey, under the firm name of Finch & Dewey. This partnership was dissolved in 1906, since which time Mr. Finch has practiced alone, maintaining an office at his residence on East Forest Street. On November 9, 1890, Mr. Finch was married to Miss Lillian Lord, a daughter of Dr. A. R. Lord, of Clyde. Politically, he is a Republican. JOHN H. KRUSE, a representative citizen of Woodville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, was born March 26, 1865, on his present farm, containing 100 acres of fine land situated three miles north of Woodville. His parents were Harmon and Julia M. (Myers) Kruse. Harmon Kruse was twelve years old when he came from Germany to America. He was born in 1832, the son of poor parents who could help him very little in making his way in the world. He came to Sandusky County, Ohio, with no capital but his health and courage and lived until he was one of the substantial men of Woodville Township, as the result of his own industry. His first purchase was of forty acres, to which he subsequently added. All the comfortable farm buildings he put on the place, erecting the barn in 1866. He died, respected and esteemed, in 1907. He married Julia M. Meyers and they had four children born to them, namely : Henry H., John H., George and Emanuel. Mrs. Kruse died at the Asylum in Toledo, August 21, 1894, aged fifty-one years. John H. Kruse obtained his education in the schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm and he then worked at home until he was twenty-four years old. For a short time he lived at Genoa and then embarked in a hardware and implement business at Woodville, which he conducted for four years, when he transferred his stock and business back to Genoa, where he continued until 1894, when he settled on his present farm. He carries on a general farming line and grows some fruit and raises enough stock for his own use, Mr. Kruse married Miss Louisa Meinert, a daughter of Louis and Eliza (Myers) Meinert, of Woodville, and they had two children born to them : Walter, who is learning telegraphing in the Pennsylvania Railroad offices; and Marcus, who died when aged one year and eight months. Mr. Kruse and family are members of the Luth- eran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1904 he was elected township assessor and is serving also in the office of constable.