CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 275 seventh New York Infantry, at Hamilton. He joined the army for three years, and with his regiment proceeded to the front. The first engagement of importance in which he participated was at Chancellorsville, and there he was wounded by a mink ball, which passed clear through the left thigh and lodged against the bone in the right leg. He was then in the field hospital for three days, after which he was sent to a hospital in Washington, where he remained for seventeen days, during which time the ball was. extracted. He was then sent to David's Island, where he remained until the 1st of September, at which time he was transferred to Fort Schuyler. Later he was at Bedloe's Nand and at Alexandria, Virginia, when he was .put on detached service, being thus engaged until his discharge, at the close of his term of three years. He was mustered out on the 14th of July, 1865, as first sergeant, having been promoted to the rank of corporal before leaving New York. On account of his wounds he was at one time granted a furlough of one month. He did his duty faithfully and well and was always found with his command until his injuries necessitated his remaining in the hospital. After the close of his military service Mr. Heath took up his abode in Homer, New York, where he followed his trade for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Tioga county, New York. At Candor, that .county,. he was engaged in the hardware business until 1874, when he came to Republic, Ohio, on a visit, hoping that his wife's health might be improved. She was so much benefited by the change that he decided to remain here and soon afterward began buying and selling walnut timber. Later he engaged in the tinware and hardware business in Republic and is now connected with the oil industry, owning six oil wells at Rollersville, Ohio, the enterprise being successful. On the 1st of December, 1869, Mr. Heath was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. Shaw. She was born in Scipio township, Seneca county, a daughter of Joseph Shaw, whose hiStory appears elsewhere in this work. In his political views Mr. Heath is a Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He holds membership in Captain Horace Robinson Post, G. A. R., of Republic, of which he was formerly commander, and his wife belongs to the Women's Relief Corps, of which 276 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. she is treasurer. He is a past noble grand of Republic Lodge, No. 40, I. 0. 0. F., and his wife is a past noble grand of the Daughters of Rebekah. She has been, quite prominent in the work of this organization and was a delegate to the state meeting of the order, representing the twenty-first district. In public affairs Mr. Heath has taken a deep, active and helpful interest. He was a member of the town council and served on the fire and water committee. He does everything in his power to promote the welfare and progress of his community, and for twenty years he has been correspondent of the Tiffin Tribune. In his business interests he has met with creditable success, owing to his enterprise and keen discernment in financial- matters. THOMAS C. KNIGHT. This venerable pioneer of Seneca county is a native son of the Buckeye state and a representative of one of the families who came to this commonwealth in an early epoch, dignifying the same by their services and worthy lives, even as he has done during the more than four score years which have elapsed since he was here ushered into the world. Honored by all, there is no citizen of the county more worthy of consideration in this compilation, and we find satisfaction in noting here the more salient features in his career. Mr. Knight, after years of active and earnest endeavor, is now living retired in the attractive little city of Tiffin, honored as one of the patriarchs of this locality. Mr. Knight comes of stanch English lineage in the agnatic line and is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, having been born on the old homestead farm on the 28th of February, 1821, the son of John and Mary (Glaze) Knight, who became the parents of seven children, of whom only two survive,—Elizabeth, the wife of Barney Brinker, and the owner of the old homestead, where she still lives ; and Thomas C., the venerable subject of this review. John Knight was born in the city of London, England, and when' he was a lad of nine years CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 277 his parents came to the United States, locating on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, four miles distant from Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, where John Henry Knight, the grandfather of our subject, passed the remainder of his life, as did also his wife. He cleared and improved his farm, which ultimately became the property of his son and namesake, who finally sold the place and purchased a tract of wild land in Sandusky county, to which he removed when our subject was but three years of age. Some years later he returned to Pickaway county and there purchased another farm, which continued to be his home for the residue of his life, the old homestead being now owned by his daughter, as has been noted. He died in 1834, at the age of fifty-two years, having been a man of ability and utmost probity. In politics he gave his support to the Democratic party, ever manifesting a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of the community. His wife was born. in Hampshire county, Virginia, her parents being of Prussian lineage, while the family was established on American soil in the colonial epoch, as is evident from the fact that one of her uncles in the paternal line served with distinction in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution. He was captured by the British and was held in duress until he nearly died of starvation, but finally succeeded in making his escape and rejoining the colonial forces. George Knight, an uncle of our subject, also rendered effective service in the second conflict with Great Britain, having served as a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother of Mr. Knight lived to attain the exceptionally venerable age of ninety-seven years, her death occurring in Pickaway county. Thomas C. Knight remained with his parents, assisting in the work of the farm and receiving his early educational discipline in the somewhat primitive schools maintained in Ohio in the pioneer days. He was but thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and he thereafter continued to assist his mother on the home place until his marriage, in 1848, when he came to Seneca county and located on a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Hopewell township, reclaiming the place and placing it under a high state of cultivation, while, as the years passed and prosperity attended his efforts, he made excellent improve- 278 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ments of a permanent nature, the place now being equipped with substantial buildings and all other requisite accessories and facilities. This fine farm property is still owned by Mr. Knight, and there he continued to reside until 1885, when he sought surcease from the active labors of a busy and useful career and removed to the city of Tiffin, where he has a pleasant home, in which he is passing the sunset years of his life in peace and happiness. In politics Mr. Knight has maintained an independent attitude and has invariably refused to accept official preferment, though he has ever been ready to lend his aid and influence in support of all legitimate objects for the public good. On the 9th of February, 1848, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Knight to Miss Mary Powell, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, the daughter of Philip Powell, a prominent and influential pioneer farmer of Fairfield county, and this union was blessed with nine children, of whom seven are living at the present time, namely : William, a successful wholesale business man of the city of Cleveland; Marion, who is a grain merchant of Tiffin ; Amos, a prominent and successful physician of Attica, Ohio; John; Laura, the wife of William Reid, of Pickaway county; Thomas E., who has a farm adjoining the old homestead ; and Sherman, who is identified with the glass-manufacturing industry at Dunkirk, Indiana. Mrs. Knight died in July, 1891, aged sixty-seven years, and her demise was a source of bereavement to a large circle of friends outside the sacred family precincts. WILLIAM H. ANWAY. William H. Anway represents one of the honored pioneer families of Seneca county, and his birth occurred on the old family homestead, in Scipio township, June 22, 1835. There he was reared, and in the common schools he acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in the Republic Academy. To his father he gave the benefit of hi. services until his marriage, which important event in his life occurred on CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 279 the 3d of September, 1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Lucinda Tremaine, who was born in Fulton county, Ohio, a daughter of Warren and Nancy (White) Tremaine, who came to Seneca county about 1828, establishing their home in Scipio township. Her father purchased eighty acres of land, upon a part of which the town of Republic now stands. About 1835 he removed to Fulton county, Ohio, and there entered land from the government. He became one of the prominent and influential pioneer settlers there and took an active part in promoting public progress. He aided in organizing the township in which he lived and was its first justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1841 and his wife passed away in January, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. He left to the care of his widow two daughters, Mrs. Anway and Clotilda. The latter became the wife of A. H. Smith, and died at Delta, Ohio, in February, 1902. Their mother then conducted the farm of three hundred and twenty acres for eight years after her husband's death. On the expiration of that period she married Elijah Smith, the father of A. H. Smith. She survived her second husband and died at the home of Mrs. Anway at the venerable age of eighty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Anway began their domestic life upon. a farm which continued to be their place of abode until 1872, in which year they came to Republic. After two years, however, Mr. Anway resumed farming upon the old homestead, but when two more years had passed he sold that property and again came to Republic, where he continued until 1880. In that year he began farming upon a tract of land near the town, and there continued agricultural pursuits until 1901, when he retired from active business life and one more took up his abode in Republic. .He is still the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, and of this eighty acres were entered from the government by his paternal grandfather, William Anway, and has since been owned by some representative of the name of Anway. Industry has characterized his business career and his sound judgment and careful management have been the means of bringing to him creditable and desirable success. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Anway was blessed with four children, but Emma, the oldest, died in 1872 at the age of fourteen years; Kate 280 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. became the wife of A. I. Stickney, station agent at Republic, and died in 1884; William W. is a farmer of Scipio township; and Laura is the wife of C. E. Karshner, of Barberton, Ohio. In his political views Mr. Anway is a Republican, and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is enabled to support his position by intelligent argument. He has served as a member of the town council of Republic and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his community. For more than a quarter. of a century he has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Republic and is most true and loyal to the teachings of this fraternity, which is based upon brotherly kindness and helpfulness. Throughout his entire life Mr. Anway has resided in Seneca county, and through sixty-seven years has witnessed its growth, development and progress, taking just pride in what has here been accomplished and bearing his part in the work of public improvement. The qualities of upright manhood have won for him high regard, and his worth is widely recognized. JOSIAH KISTLER. As a native son of Seneca county and a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families in this section of the Buckeye state, Mr. Kistler is eminently entitled to representation in a compilation which has to do with those who have been the founders and builders of this commonwealth, while such is his personal honor and integrity of character and such his standing as one of the successful and progressive farmers of the county that this consideration is all the more compatible. Mr. Kistler was born in Adams township, Seneca county, on the 13th of April, 1838, being the son of Joseph Kistler, who was born in Pennsylvania, of sturdy German ancestry. Joseph Kistler was born in the year 1815, and in his youth accompanied his parents on their removal to Seneca county, Ohio, where he grew to maturity on the pioneer farm, which was reclaimed from the sylvan wilds of this section CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 281 of the state. Here his marriage occurred and here he reared his children. Josiah was reared on the old homestead, early beginning to lend his aid in the work of improving and cultivating the same and securing such educational advantages as were afforded in the common schools of the place and period. After attaining his legal majority he continued to work for his father, receiving one hundred dollars per year and the privileges of the family home. He was thus engaged until the year succeeding his marriage, which was solemnized when he was twenty-four years of age. Mr. Kistler was united in marriage to Miss Susan Bookholdt, who was born in Seneca county, and to them eight children were born, of whom four are living. namely : Joseph, a successful farmer of Adams township; Sarah, the wife of William Burger, of Clinton township; Herbert, who is engaged in farming in Adams township; and Webster, who remains at the parental home, assisting his father in his farming operations. He married Miss Lizzie Eberhardt, and they have one child, Leroy. The year subsequent to his marriage Mr. Kistler leased a farm in his native township, giving his attention to its cultivation for a period of five years, after which he purchased sixty acres of land in Adams township, disposing of this property a year later and returning to the parental homestead, where he successfully engaged in farming for ten years. He then purchased eighty-five acres of land in Adams township and there made his home for seven years, at the expiration of which time he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres. This place he has improved in the most effective way, making it one of the most desirable farm properties in the county, and here he has given his attention to diversified farming and to the raising of high-grade live stock, success having attended his efforts in all departments of his enterprise. He has never failed to avail himself of new methods which commended themselves to his judgment, and has been wide-awake and progressive, avoiding the ruts along which so many agriculturists continue to travel, thereby handicapping their success. In his political allegiance Mr. Kistler has given his unqualified support to the Demo- - 18 - 282 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. cratic party, taking an active interest in its cause and in those affairs which have to do with the general prosperity of his home community. He has served as road supervisor for the long period of eighteen years, making a most capable official, and was a director of the school board of his district for twelve years. His religious faith is that of. the Lutheran church, of which he has been a deacon for the past six years. His wife, whose death occurred April 4, 1901, had been a devoted member of St. Joseph's Reformed church. A man of highest integrity and of unvarying courtesy and kindliness, he is honored by all who know him and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his native township. ANDREW EMERINE. In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competence and solid career on the part of the average business man fighting the every-day battle of life, there is but little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter ; but for a mind fully awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man who, without other means than a clear mind, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers fortune and gains not only the temporal rewards of his toil, but also that which is greater and higher, the respect and confidence of those with whom his years of active life have placed him in contact. America is distinctively a cosmopolitan nation; she has drawn from the four quarters of the world and rapidly assimilated the heterogeneous elements. To no country, however, does she owe more than to Germany, from whose provinces have come men of sturdy integrity, determined purpose and marked intellectual vigor,—men who have proved both builder and conservators. The German-American is in the average case imbued most thoroughly with the spirit of our national institutions, and brings to bear his strength of manhood in perpetuating and advancing the higher interests of the republic. The subject of this review is known and honored as one of the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 283 representative and public-spirited citizens of Fostoria, Seneca county, Ohio, where he has maintained his home for more than half a century, having been one of the pioneer business men of the little village of the early days and having contributed a due quota to its advancement to its present status as an attractive and thriving little city of the Buckeye commonwealth. He has had an abiding and practical interest in all that has touched the prosperity and substantial upbuilding of the town, and here he has risen, through his own well directed and honorable efforts, from the position of a harnessmaker plying his trade in a diminutive shop, which he shared with two other young tradesmen in different lines of enterprise, to that of president of the First National Bank and the owner of extensive real-estate and capitalistic interests. Such a life record can not fail of lesson and incentive, and it is gratifying indulgence to here trace the career of the German lad who came with his industrious and honored father to the United States, where he early assumed the practical responsibilities of life and where he has attained notable success during the long years which have developed his powers and made him a valuable factor in the community. Andrew Emerine was born in Wittenberg, kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on the 3d of December, 1829, the original orthography of the name having been Amhrine. His parents, George and Anna (Heine) Emerine, were of stanch old German lineage and their marriage was solemnized in Wittenberg, where the mother died when our subject was about two years of age. His father soon afterward emigrated to America and in 1836 he located on a farm in Liberty township, Seneca county, Ohio, where he remained several years, clearing and improving a farm in the forest. He then removed to Sandusky county, where he Made his home until 1861, when he located in Hancock county, where he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his death, at the patriarchal age of ninety years. He was a man of sterling integrity and indefatigable industry, devoting his life to honest toil and endeavor and commanding unqualified confidence and esteem. His son Andrew remained at home, assisting his father in the work of the farm, until he had attained the age of eleven years, when he faced the battle of 284 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. life on his own responsibility, finding employment as a chore boy on a neighboring farm and thereafter continuing to be identified with farm work until he had reached the age of seventeen. It is scarcely necessary to state that the early scholastic advantages afforded to Mr. Emerine were exceedingly limited in scope, but to one of so alert mentality the lack of early educational advantages can not prove a bar to the acquirement of definite and comprehensive knowledge, as is evident when we but stop to consider the intellectual strength of the man of to-day, his broad mental grasp and mature judgment. For about three years Mr. Emerine had lived in the home of a Mr. Spielman, a few miles south of Tiffin, Seneca county, and he gave up his work there at the age of seventeen for the purpose of learning the trade of harness-making, in which connection he came to Fostoria, which was then a small hamlet, known by the name of Rome. Here he served an apprenticeship of three years under the direction of Jacob Fritcher, receiving his board and clothing during the interval and becoming a competent artisan in the line. Of the buildings in the little village of Rome at the time he took up his residence here not more than fifteen remain to-day in the flourishing city of Fostoria, the name of the town having been changed in honor of the father of ex-Governor Foster, who has here maintained his home from childhood. After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Emerine worked as a journeyman at his trade until he had accumulated a surplus of about fifty dollars, and with this as a basis he engaged in business on his own responsibility, opening a harness shop in a little building, sixteen feet square, in which were provided accommodations also for the tailor shop of Charles Kelley, who was also postmaster, and for David' Stackhouse, a shoemaker, the three enterprises flourishing in their respective lines. Our subject secured the necessary tools and equipments on credit and invested his entire fifty dollars in stock. There was at the time but one other harness shop in this immediate locality, Joseph Lewis conducting a similar enterprise at a little settlement called Risdon, located about one-half mile north of Rome, from which it was separated by a strip of woods. Mr. Emerine continued to conduct his harness-making business until 1872, securing larger quarters as the exigencies of his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 285 increasing business demanded. The county was rapidly settling up and developing, he secured good prices for his products and work and his business was signally prospered, his sales running as high as twelve thousand dollars a year and orders for work coming so rapidly as to test the capacity of the establishment. He gave credit to every one who asked for same, and the sterling character of the people of the community is indicated when we revert to the fact that he never lost to exceed fifty dollars through thus placing his confidence in those who secured work on credit. For many years our subject manufactured all the horse collars sold in his place, giving his personal attention to the cutting of nearly all his leather stock and working assiduously night and day to meet the demands placed upon him. -What more consistent and well merited' than that such earnest application should meet with definite reward? He employed several workmen in his shop and its products had the highest reputation for superior excellence, while his business methods were ever above criticism, as they have been in the later years during which he has had to do with affairs of wide scope and importance. At the expiration of twelve years Mr. Emerine found that he had a modest fortune of about ten thousand dollars, and upon this was based the wider success which was to come to him through enterprise and far-sighted business policy. He purchased at that time a tract land, for which he paid four thousand dollars, and within a year he disposed of the same at a profit of twenty-four hundred dollars, this operation signifying the turning- point in his business career and leading to his withdrawing from that line of enterprise which had served as the nucleus of his success. He continued to handle real estate, and from 1860 to 1875 large profits could be realized from the handling of Ohio realty, both improved and unimproved. Mr. Emerine had the prescience and sagacity to take advantage of the opportunities thus afforded during the war of the Rebellion and the years immediately following. and he has ever since continued to be largely interested in real estate in this section of the state. He retired from the harness business in the year 1874, in order to devote his attention the more closely to his other interests. He purchased tracts of wild land at nominal prices 286 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and by improving the same through clearing off the forest, constructing drains and erecting substantial buildings was enabled to dispose of many of the properties at a good profit, while others he retained in his possession, as a good permanent investment. At the present time he is the owner of twenty-one farms, with an aggregate area of fully seven thousand acres and situated in Wyandot, Hancock, Logan, Seneca and Wood counties. His general plan has been in this connection to lease the farms for a grain rental, though in several instances he has entered into partnership relations with lessees of his farms, devoted principally to grain and in a few cases involving the raising of high-grade live stock, having had as many as one hundred head of cattle on a fine stock and grain farm located about one and one-half miles distant from Fostoria. In connection with his real-estate operations Mr. Emerine incidentally developed a large brokerage and loaning business and this eventually led to the establishment of the First National Bank of Fostoria, of which he has been president from the time of its organization. The institution filed articles of incorporation in December, 1882, under the national banking laws and with the following named. stockholders : Andrew Emerine, of Fostoria ; George W. Hull, of Bucyrus: G. J. Hull, of Findlay ; Lovell Harris, of Upper Sandusky ; T. D. Adams, of Fostoria ; Ross Crocker, of the same city ; and Hon. John McCauley, of Tiffin. The bank is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and its history has been one of substantial growth, wise and conservative management and marked prosperity, our subject having remained, by successive elections, its chief executive officer and giving to it the benefit of his high business abilities, discriminating judgment and fine administrative powers. The original cashier was Truman Hull, who was succeeded after two years by Alonzo Emerine, son of our subject, who has ever since been the capable incumbent of this responsible position. The list of stockholders contains the names of men prominent in business and financial circles and standing as. voucher for reliability and solidity in the institution, the deposits of the bank now aggregating about fifty thousand dollars, while its business in all departments has been most satisfactory from the start. Deeply interested in all that conserves the well being and material CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 287 advancement of the city and county of his home, Mr. Emerine has ever been known for his genuine public spirit and has given his aid and influence to many enterprises through which he hoped to foster the industrial prestige of Fostoria. A glass manufactory and a brick factory with which he identified himself proved unable to be successfully operated, but he is one of those prominently concerned in the Seneca White Lime Company, which operates eight kilns, affording employment to forty married men and having a capacity for the daily. output of six hundred barrels of lime, the product being specially adapted for use in manufacturing glass and as a fertilizer, in which latter function it is extensively used in Pennsylvania. Mr. Emerine is also president of the First National Bank of North Baltimore, Ohio, the same having been organized in 1892 and being capitalized for sixty thousand dollars. This is likewise one of the solid financial institutions of the state, and its cashier is Levi Wooster, a son-in-law of our subject. Mr. Emerine has still other important capitalistic interests, being concerned in the oil industry as a member of two different operating companies, one of which had its inception about fifteen years ago, and since that time it has paid in dividends to each of its fifteen stockholders about sixty thousand dollars. Our subject erected in his home city the Emerine block, one of the finest structures in the business district, and in this the bank is located. His fine modern stone residence is one of the most attractive homes in Fostoria and one of the handsomest and most substantial in this section of the state. In politics our subject gave his allegiance to the Democratic party for many years, but finally became convinced that it had deviated materially from its original principles and he has consequently maintained an independent attitude in politics for some time, exercising his franchise in support of policies and measures rather than holding to distinct partisan lines. He is a member of no fraternal organization, having ever found that his home and his business had full claims upon his time and attention without recourse to extraneous associations. Though not a member of any religious organization he has a deep reverence for spiritual verities, and has been a liberal con- 288 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. tributor to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was a member and which he attends. In 1850 Mr. Emerine was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Bair, of this county, and she entered into eternal rest in 1860, leaving two children,—Alonzo, who is cashier of the First National Bank of Fostoria, and Amanda, who became the wife of Levi Wooster, cashier of the First National Bank of North Baltimore, and who died at the age of thirty years, leaving two children,—Lula and Trude. In December. 1863, was solemnized the marriage of our subject to Miss Amy Noble, who was born in Brant county, Canada, and who died at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving five children, namely : Sarah, who is the wife of John Faulhaber, of Fostoria; Lucy, who remains at the paternal home : Cora, who is the wife of J. C. Crisswell, of Mount Gilead, Morrow county ; Andrew, who is teller in the First National Bank of Fostoria; and Amy, who remains at the paternal home. WILBUR C, BROWN. In no other land on the face of the globe is there accorded so perfect and consistent a recognition of individuality as in America, and here only has it been possible to overcome the prejudicial animus against admitting the ability and capacity of youth and to afford to the individual a full province in which to exercise the most potent functions of which he is capable, regardless of the fact that over his head may not have passed as many years as represent the age of these with whom he comes in competition in any of the fields of human endeavor. An exemplification of the potentialities of youth is given in the h0norable and peculiarly successful career of the subject of this review, and though he now maintains his residence in the national metropolis, he calls Ohio his home and is still intimately identified with both political and business affairs in his native state, while such has been his prominence in Seneca county, where he was reared to maturity and where his honored CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 289 father still resides, that it is signally consistent that a review of his career be incorporated in this publication. Among Ohio men in New York city none has more quickly achieved a high position in the business and financial world than 'Col. Wilbur C. Brown. He is a son of Owen T', Brown, one of the representative citizens of this county, and as specific mention of him is made on other pages of this work it will not be necessary to recapitulate at this juncture. Wilbur Charles Brown was born in Newark, Licking county, Ohio, on the l0th of November, 1863, and he received his preliminary education in the public schools of that place and the city of Fostoria, Seneca county, to which his parents removed in his early youth. He was graduated in the Fostoria high school in 188o, with the highest honors of his class. He early manifested a predilection for literary work, his taste in this direction being exact and appreciative and his creative talents definite and critical. It may be appropriately stated that when only fourteen years of age he edited and printed an amateur newspaper, and his initial step after leaving school was to accept the position of city editor of the Daily Jeffersonian, at Findlay, Ohio. In April, 1882, Colonel Brown resigned his editorial position for the purpose of entering the banking house of the Hon. Charles Foster, in Fostoria, Mr. Foster having at that time been governor of the state. This incumbency Colonel Brown retained until January 1, 1888, when he tendered his resignation and became treasurer and general financial manager of a very extensive flouring-mill company which was organized in Fostoria by the late Hon. M, D. Harter, this corporation operating the largest winter-wheat milling plant in the Union. Colonel Brown's business career has been one of brilliant order, and yet has been the natural sequel of the determined application of his distinctive abilities and to his extraordinary grasp of manifold details and his indefatigable energy. As a young man he has risen to a position of unmistakable prominence in the financial and industrial world, and' while it is scarcely within the province of this article to enter into details, a brief reference to the more salient points in his career can not prove malapropos. In 1896 excessive work and responsibility thrown upon him by the tragic death of 290 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Mr. Harter resulted in Colonel Brown's enduring a most severe attack of congestion of the brain, which barely escaped a fatal termination. After partially recuperating he resigned his position, having carried the great industry through a most critical period in its history, practically, as• was said of Lord Brougham, "doing the work of seven men," and showing a wonderful capacity for the handling of affairs of the widest scope and touching both the working and financial phases involved in the great enterprise, In November, 1896, Colonel Brown became associated with Hon. Abner McKinley, brother of the late martyred president, and thereupon removed to New York city, where his rise has been rapid and continuous, bringing him in touch with large financial interests. He has gained a reputation as a man well equipped equally with the solid and the brilliant qualities essential to financial success. He was one of the syndicate of capitalists that built the Detroit & Lima Northern Railroad, of which he was treasurer, and of another syndicate that organized the International Fire Engine Company, a nine-million-dollar corporation, and is one of the largest stockholders in the American Mutoscope Company, of whose directorate he is a member, At Fostoria he organized the Fostoria Shade & Lamp Company, representing the largest industry of the sort in the Union, and he is a director and one of the largest stockholders in the White Mountain Paper Company, with twenty-five million d0llars capital, while he has vari0us other financial and industrial interests of wide scope and importance. Colonel Brown served on the military staff of President McKinley during the four years of the latter's administration as governor of Ohio, in which connection he held the rank of colonel. With clearly defined and ably fortified political opinions, he early gave evidence of his interest in the work of the Republican party in Ohio, ,and he soon became recognized as one of the most efficient and valuable workers in the ranks of the party in his native state. He was elected delegate to the national convention of his party in 1892 and had the distinction of being the youngest delegate in the convention, and he was elected secretary of the Ohio delegation representing the thirteenth congressional CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 291 district of the state, and was one of the four alternate delegates at large from Ohio to the Republican national convention at Philadelphia in 1900. For ten years he was chairman of the city Republican committee of Fostoria, being at the head of the city organization and a prominent member of the Fostoria Republican. Club, He has invariably declined to accept political preferment of any order, though he has often been importuned to become a candidate for important offices. His political connections and influences have been notable and he has been in close touch with the leaders of his. party in both his native state and the nation at large. Colonel Brown is an effective political speaker, and during the presidential campaign of 1900 he devoted much of his time to the canvass, making addresses in New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Ohio. In his speeches he especially gave attention to the financial issues of the contest, and gained a reputation for singularly thorough information and great ability and effectiveness in the discussion of those complicated questions. The Colonel was a most intimate personal friend of President McKinley, of whom he was a stanch admirer, and it was his sad privilege to have stood at the bedside of the lamented president when he answered the inexorable summons of death and closed a life of exalted usefulness, beauty and honor. Colonel Brown is identified with the Republican Club of New York, the Transportation Club, the Lawyers' Club and the Ohio Society of New York, while he is also a member of various social organizations in the old Buckeye state, to which he is ever loyal as one of its native sons. In the midst of the thronging demands of a busy life he is always approachable, being gracious in his association with his fellow men and enjoying a personal popularity Which is a natural result of his characteristics. ANTHONY McCANDLISH MARTIN, M. D. Among the honored representatives of the medical profession in Seneca county stands Dr. Martin, who is located in the attractive village of Bloomville and who is known as one of the native sons of the county 292 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the old Buckeye state. His ability in his profession has gained him marked prestige, while his personality is such as to have gained to him a host of warm friends in the community where his ministrations are Given. Dr. Martin was born in Bloom township on the farm now owned by his brother George, in section 10, the date of his nativity being April 15, 1831. His father, John C. Martin, was born near Mifflin, Pennsylvania, the son of William Martin, a native also of that state. John C. removed with his widowed mother and the other members of the family to Fairfield county prior to 1812, in which year the records show that he went to Hamilton county. where he remained two years. He then returned to Fairfield county, where was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary A, McCandlish, and of their children we enter brief record, as follows : William is a resident of Iowa ; Robert is deceased; Anthony McCandlish is the subject of this sketch ; Wilson and John are deceased; George, a retired farmer, is a resident of Bloomville; Albert resides in King City, Missouri ; and Jane is deceased. The father of the Doctor came to Seneca county in 1827, making the trip with team and wagon and transporting his family and household effects to the forest wilds of Bloom township, where he entered claim to eighty acres of government land, upon which he erected a log cabin. He was a wheelwright and chairmaker by trade, and he thus was led to build a shop on his farm, and there he gave a portion of his time to the work of his trade, including the manufacturing of chairs and spinning wheels for both wool and flax, and the necessary reels, and for his products he found a ready demand in the pioneer community. He remained on his original place for two years and then removed to the farm where his son, the Doctor, was born, and there he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of eighty-one years, his wife having preceded him into eternal rest, dying at the age of sixty-six years. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian church and were people of sterling character and marked mentality. Dr. Martin was reared under the invigorating discipline of the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 293 pioneer farm, and his first scholastic training was secured in a primitive subscription school held in the house of John Davis, Bushnell Austin acting as instructor. Later he continued his studies in the old academy at Republic, and when nineteen years of age he put his acquirements to practical test by engaging in pedagogic work, becoming one of the popular and successful teachers of the county. When twenty-0ne years of age he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. George R. Weeks, one of the early physicians of Bloomville, continuing to teach school during the winter months and thus defraying his expenses. After three years he entered the Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleveland, where he continued his technical studies for one year, after which, in 1854, he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Reedtown, Seneca county. Later he was matriculated in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1859, receiving the degree of M, D. He was thereafter engaged in practice at Republic for one year, and then removed to a farm in Reed township, where he continued his professional work in connection with agricultural pursuits for a period of eleven years. The following two years were passed in Venice township and the Doctor then, in 1872, came to Bloomville, where he has ever since been established in the practice of his profession, retaining a large and representative supporting patronage and being recognized as an able member of the medical profession and as a citizen of the highest character. His political support is given to the Republican party, and though he has ever shown a consistent interest in public affairs of a local nature he has never sought political preferment of any order. The Doctor is specially fond of travel, and he and his wife have been able to indulge themselves freely in this interesting and profitable diversion, having crossed the Rocky mountains nine times and having also visited other sections of the Union. On the 22d of Tune, 1854, Dr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Hossler, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob Hossler, one of the pioneers of this county, where he located in 1834. Of this union two children have been born, namely: Anna M,, the wife of E. F. Hanna, a wh0lesale commission merchant 294 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Franz Sigel, who is a graduate of the Columbus Medical College, and who is engaged in the practice of his profession at Napoleon, Ohio, Mrs. Martin is a member of the Presbyterian church and is prominent in the church and social life of the community. For nearly fifty years the Doctor has devoted himself to the practice of the most noble of all professions, and it should be noted that there are but two other men in Seneca county now actively engaged in practice who were in the practice when he began. His success in his chosen field of work has redounded to his greater professional precedence. With a careful diagnosis he has endeavored to understand his patient, and with careful and sympathetic nursing has worked to assist nature in her healing processes, FREDERICK ZARGES. Stuttgart, the picturesque old capital city of Wurtemberg, Germany, figures as the birthplace of the venerable subject of this review, who is one of the honored citizens of Seneca county, where he has maintained his home for almost half a century and where he has attained prosperity through his own well directed efforts. Though advanced in years he retains remarkable mental and physical vigor, and he is esteemed as one of the sterling pioneer citizens of the county where he has lived and labored to goodly ends. Mr. Zarges was born in Stuttgart on the 8th of April, 1818, and is now the only survivor of the seven children of Frederick and Catherine (Kideisch) Zarges, both of whom, passed their entire lives in Wurtemberg, the former having been a cabinetmaker and joiner by trade and vocation, The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native city, and in preparing for the active responsibilities of life he learned the trade of florist and gardener, to which he devoted his attention in Germany until he had reached the age of thirty years, when, in 1847, he severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and set forth to seek his fortunes in America, where he believed superior oppor- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 295 tunities were afforded for individual. accomplishment. His financial reinforcement at the time of his arrival in New York city was represented in the sum of eighty dollars, but he had the excellent equipment implied in a sturdy physique, energy, integrity and a thorough knowledge of horticulture and floriculture, so that he had little to fear in the way of making his services of value, even though a stranger in a strange land, He passed one week in the national metropolis and then proceeded to Rochester, New York, where he entered the employ of the well known nursery firm of Ellwanger & Barry, the senior member of which had been a coworker with him in Germany. After a few months had elapsed Mr, Zarges went to Kingston, Canada, to accept a position, but not being satisfied with the conditions and outlook in that connection, he soon returned to Rochester and thence, somewhat later, went to Groveland Center, New York, where he was engaged in gardening for one year, at the expiration of which time he went to Duanesburg, Schenectady county, where he was engaged in gardening for two summers, passing the winters in Rochester. He then passed a year in Elmira, after which, in the spring of 1853, he was sent to Kentucky to lay out a nursery for a man named Hobbs, having in the meantime become the owner of eight acres of land within the city limits of Rochester. He established the nursery for Mr, Hobbs, at a point ten miles east of the city of Louisville, remaining in that locality until the fall of 1854, when he returned to Rochester, where he purchased a stock of trees and other requisite supplies, with which he came to Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, where he engaged in the handling of nursery stock, continuing to have his stock shipped in from Rochester and from Sandusky, Ohio. In 1856 he purchased six acres of land in Hopewell township, two miles south of Tiffin, and here set out a nursery for himself, continuing to handle stock shipped in from the east until his own place should become available as a source of supply. Before the close of the war of the Rebellion he had secured a good start, so far as the condition of his own nursery was concerned, but such were the local conditions that he was unable to do a profitable business and much of his stock was dug up and destroyed in a bonfire. Mr. Zarges then abandoned the nursery business and turned his attention 296 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. to market gardening on his place, and shortly afterward he purchased an additional sixteen acres, across the road from his original tract. In 1876 he erected on the new place a substantial brick house, taking up his residence there in the fall of that year and here he has ever since maintained his home, continuing to follow the line of enterprise which he inaugurated so many years ago and which he has conducted with so marked ability and discrimination as to attain a high degree of success and a position of independence. For the past thirteen years he has given over much of the practical and managerial work to his son, but, though venerable in years he has not resigned the active duties of life, having vitality far greater than the average man of sixty and finding pleasure in maintaining an active supervision of the interests to which he has so long given his time and attention. In 1885 Mr. Zarges purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres in Seneca township, and this property which is well improved, he still owns. At the time of the crucial epoch of the civil war Mr. Zarges gave his unqualified support to Abraham Lincoln as candidate for the presidency, but in later years has been identified with the Democratic party, of which his son also is a supporter, while both are zealous members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Zarges has ever retained the unequivocal confidence and esteem of his fellow men and is to-day one of the popular men of his community, the years resting lightly upon him as the shadows of life begin to lengthen, while he stands as a worthy example of what is possible of accomplishment on the part of one who will apply his best energies and abilities in facing the problems of life. On the 5th of July, 1864, Mr. Zarges was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Staib, who was born in Seneca county, the daughter of Lewis Staib, who emigrated from Wurtemberg, Germany, and took up his residence here about 1835, thus becoming one of the pioneers of the county. Mrs, Zarges has been a true companion and helpmeet to her husband during the long years of their married life, and their union has been blessed with one son, Frederick Lewis, who resides at home and has charge of the gardening business established so many years ago by his father. He was born in this county on the 8th of August, 1865, and was CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 297 here reared and educated. On the 23d of May, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie De Bussman, who was born in this county, the daughter of Frederick and Rosa (Snyder) De Bussman, and of this union three children have been born, two of whom survive,—Frederick and Leila. Myra died in early childhood. CHARLES H. SEIGER. That independent spirit, enterprise, industry and determination so essential to a successful career in connection with any vocation are possessed in an eminent degree by the subject of this review, who is engaged in the blacksmithing and wagon-making business in the village of Kansas, Seneca county, Ohio, and who is honored as one of the sterling citizens and representative business men of the place. Mr. Seiger was born in the county of Sandusky, Ohio, on the 8th of August, 1868, being a son of Ellis and Christina (Shoemaker) Seiger, whose six children all survive, namely : Lucy, the wife of Phineas Gamertsfelter, of Sandusky county ; Charles H., the subject of this review ; Emma, the wife of W. O. Riehm, of Liberty township, Seneca county; Joseph and Jacob, who reside in the village of Kansas; and Minnie, the wife of Edward Lewman, of Liberty township. The father of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, whence he removed with his parents to Sandusky county, Ohio, when a boy, being there reared and educated and being for many years identified with sawmilling, grist-milling and farming in that section of the Buckeye commonwealth. In 1884 he came to the town of Kansas, where he operated a gristmill for a number of years, being now engaged in the oil business, operating several wells in this locality. Charles H. Seiger remained at the parental home during his early youth and received his educational training in the public schools. After the removal of the family to Kansas he was here employed in his father's mill and at various other occupations until he had attained the age of - 19 - 298 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. nineteen, when he began serving an apprenticeship at the trade of blacksmith, in which: he became an expert artisan, He was employed by others for an interval of five years and then, in 1892, opened a shop 0f his own. He has built up a large and profitable enterprise, doing wagon-making and operating a planing mill in connection with his general blacksmithing, and being frequently referred to as the "busiest man in the town," this being praise to which he is clearly entitled, for he is indefatigable in his industry and his business methods are such as to retain to him unqualified confidence and esteem in the community, In his political proclivities Mr. Seiger is a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with Kansas Lodge, No. 183, Knights of Pythias, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a prominent member of Kansas Lodge, No. 405, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is treasurer at the time of this writing, November 24, 1894, was .solemnized the marriage of Mr. Seiger to Miss Mabel Grove, who was born in Erie county, Ohio, the daughter of the late William Grove, a successful merchant of Castalia, and of this union three daughters have been born, namely : Bernice, Vera and Lela. HARRISON THORNBURG. Seneca county contributed to the federal army many a brave and valiant soldier during the war of the Rebellion, and among those surviving at the present time,—when the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic are rapidly being decimated by the one invincible foe, death,—stands the subject of this sketch, who was loyal to his country in her hour of peril and who has ever since been her stanch supporter in the "piping times of ,peace." In the connection it is also interesting to revert to the fact that our subject's father, Eli Thornburg, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and that his maternal grandfather, Henry Meyers, bore arms in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 299 showing that loyalty and patriotism have been ever characteristic of the family and also, incidentally, revealing the fact that it was established on American soil in the colonial epoch. Mr. Thornburg is one of the representative farmers of Seneca county, where he has passed the major portion of his life, his parents having been numbered among its pioneer settlers. Mr. Thornburg is a native of the state of Maryland, having been born in Washington county on the 12th of May, 1828, the .son of Eli and Sarah (Meyers) Thornburg, who became the parents of six children, of whom Wesley, the eldest, met his death while serving in the war of the Rebellion. The others are: Harrison, Martha S., Mary, Margaret E., and. Captain Thomas H., who is the only survivor besides our subject. Captain Thornburg was a lieutenant in the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he started as a private. Eli Thornburg removed with his family to Seneca county in 1832, locating in Tiffin, where he followed his trade, that of mason, until his death, in 1854, at the age of sixty-five years, his wife passing away in 1869, aged about seventy years. Our subject was about five years of age at the time of the family's removal to this county, and here he was reared to maturity, securing such scholastic advantages as were afforded by the public schools and learning the mason's trade under the effective direction of his father. He continued to follow his trade in this locality until 1852, when the gold excitement in California led him to make the long, perilous and weary trip across the continent to the new Eldorado, the journey being made with a mule team and not being completed until the expiration of three months. He went to the mining camp at Hangtown (now known as Placerville) and there joined the eager throng of gold-seekers, working in the placer beds for two years and being quite successful in his efforts. He then returned to Ohio, on this occasion making the trip by boat and by way of the isthmus of Panama. He now engaged in farming in Eden township and was thus employing his time at the outbreak of the Rebellion, In 1863 he enlisted as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered into the service•in the city of Cleveland, for a term of