450 - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. county, Ohio, taking up his abode upon the farm which three years later was purchased by' his parents, Jacob and Catherine (Kloepfer) Staib. The government still owned the greater part of the land and he entered a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built a log cabin with but one room. In that he kept bachelor's hall for two years, and in 1846 he was married, his wife coming with him from Germany, where he visited after being twelve years in America. For almost twenty years he continued residing upon his first farm, but in 1855 removed to the farm upon which his remaining days were passed and on which his death occurred September 20, 1901, when he had reached the age of eighty-six years, seven months and seven days. His was a busy, useful life, in consistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a Democrat, always endorsing the principles of that party but never seeking office. His wife died in 1883. His father died at eighty-seven, while his mother survived to the age of ninety-seven years. Jacob Staib, Jr., was a little lad of only six years when his parents removed to the farm upon which he is now living. The common schools afforded him his educational privileges, and as he was the only son he always remained at home in order to assist his father in the cultivation of the land. After he had attained to man's estate he took charge of the farm, erecting a second brick house. The farm now contains ninety-seven acres, upon which he resides, with twenty acres of the old homestead which his father secured in its wild state more than two-thirds of a century ago. On the 23d of October, 1879, Mr. Staib was united in marriage to Miss Alice Arbogast, who died May 16, 1885, and unto them were born four children. These are Nettie I., Lorenzo M., Victor J. and Alverda J. They hold membership in the Evangelical Association and are earnest Christian people whose well-spent lives commend them to the esteem of their fellow men. Mr. Staib exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party and has been honored with some local offices, serving as school director for many years, while for three years he was a township trustee, just now being re-elected. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        451 No word of blame could ever be attached to him in relation to the discharge of his official duties, for he was ever prompt, reliable and capable. His work in private life is equally well known and in his history there are many lessons well worthy of emulation. SAMUEL EAKIN. Throughout life this gentleman has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Seneca county, Ohio, and is to-day one of the leading farmers of Seneca township. He is one of the county's native sons and a representative of one of her honored old families, whose identification with her history dates from an early period in the development of the county. Mr. Eakin was born on the farm where he now resides, and is a son of James Eakin, a native of Washington county, Virginia. His paternal grandfather, James Eakin, aided the colonies in their struggle for independence, serving for six years in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution. At an early clay the father of our subject went to Illinois, making the entire journey on horseback, then returned to Virginia, but soon after located in Delaware county, Ohio, whence he came to Seneca county in 1822. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of government land in Seneca township, and in the midst of the wilderness opened up the farm on which our subject now lives. His land, being the choicest of this region, was covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally poplars and walnuts, and the forests had to be cleared away before the land could be cultivated. Mr. Eakin's first home in this county was a rude cabin of one room, built of round logs and furnished in. the most primitive style. With the early development and progress of this section of the state he was prominently identified, and on the roll of Seneca county's honored pioneers his name should be among the foremost. At one time he bought two hundred and eighty acres 'of land in Wyandot county, at an Indian land sale. In early manhood he was united in mar- 43 2     CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. riage with Miss Susan Anderson, and to them were born fourteen children, of whom eleven grew to manhood or womanhood, and nine are still living. The father died on his farm in Seneca county in 1879, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife passed away in 1886. They were people of prominence in the community where they had so long made their home, and were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them. • Samuel Eakin was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, aiding in the arduous task of improving a new farm, and pursuing his literary studies in a log school-house. He obtained a good common-school education, which has well fitted him for the practical duties of life. With the exception of six years he has spent his entire life ,on the farm where he was born, and is now the owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres of the old homestead bordering the Sandusky river. He carries on farming and stock-raising successfully, and in all his undertakings has displayed marked ability as a business man. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democracy, but has never sought office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. He is widely and favorably known and is recognized as one of representative men of his community. REV. AARON YAMBERT. Among the old and honored residents of Seneca county, Ohio, who will long be recalled with feelings of true respect and affection, was one who for a period of twenty-seven consecutive years followed the example of his holy Master, "going about doing good." This was Rev. Aaron Yambert, who passed out of life on July 4, 1888. The birth of Rev. Mr. Yambert was February 14, 1809, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and he was a son of John H. and Sybilla (Glick) Yambert. In 1831 he accompanied his parents' when they removed to Seneca county, Ohio. At the age of eighteen he learned the carpenter's CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        453. trade and at this age also became converted to the truths of religion. He lived a life of morality and exerted a good influence on his fellow workmen during his young manhood, but he did not begin his ministerial labors until 1832. He was ordained in the Evangelical church and started out to his first pastorate in Pickaway county, Ohio. This was but the entrance into a ministerial life which continued with his years. He became a vigorous preacher, thoroughly persuaded to the truths he taught, and he easily led others, and on all occasions, without fear or favor, was ready- to uphold his belief. In 1845 he settled with his family on what is known as the old Yambert homestead, where he became the owner of one hundred and. sixty-two acres. As his family increased he felt it his duty to provide for their welfare, and this farm was carried on with care and made productive and valuable. The marriage of Mr. Yambert was on February 10, 1839, to Miss Sarah Huffer, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1813. She was a most estimable woman, a devoted wife and ten-tier mother, and for fifty-four years was a worthy example of Christian goodness. She (lied on February 27, 1887, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Yambert had a family of thirteen children, namely : Caroline, who married George Rosier, of Seneca township ; Mary, who married Chauncy Boucher, of 'Williams county, Ohio; Lovina, who married Joseph Conklin, of Seneca township ; Joshua J., who lives in Woodford county, Illinois : Aaron H., who lives at Rising Sun, Ohio; Sarah C., who is the widow of George Ingman, of Mexico, Ohio ; Susanna, who married J. 'W. Boucher, of Williams county, Ohio; Sybilla, who resides on the old homestead ; and Julia, deceased, who was the wife of Daniel Ellenberger. Four children died in infancy. Mr. Yambert, when he first started out in his ministerial work, made his visits from one part of the country to the other on horseback, and many were the stories he could relate of the lonely districts into which he brought spiritual comfort. This great state, which now teems with every industry and overflows with population, was at the time of the beginning of his work sparsely settled in many localities, Seneca county 454      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. being still traversed by old Indian trails. He was one of the pioneer preachers and was well fitted by nature for his work. Although he enjoyed the fruitful rewards of agricultural industry, he turned his back on the comforts of home and braved storm and flood, in many instances, 'to comfort the dying or to help the living. Mr. Yambert was sadly missed when advancing years kept him more closely at home. He was known as the friend of the poor, and probably the most characteristic qualities belonging- to him were usefulness and industry. He was devoted to his work and was permitted to see many fruits of his faithful service. The old home, consisting of residence and sixty-two acres of valuable land, is owned by his daughter, Miss Sybilla Yambert. CHRISTIAN TROTT. Christian Trott is well known as an enterprising and progressive citizen of Seneca township, where he is engaged in agricultural pursuits. his well-directed efforts bringing to him gratifying success in his undertakings. Switzerland has sent her proportion of citizens to the new world and they have become valued' residents of the communities in which their lots have been cast. They have ever been a valiant people, strong of purpose, fearless in defense of what they believe to be right, industrious, persevering and reliable, and the characteristics of his race are found in Christian Trott. He was born in the land of the Alps, April 25, 1848, and is a son of Frederick and Magdaline (Myers) Trott, in whose family were twelve children,—six sons and six daughters. The grandfather, Henry Trott, was a French soldier with Napoleon's army when they crossed the Alps. When on the return trip he was taken ill and the army moved on, leaving him, but eventually he recovered, was married and settled in the village where he had been left by the military forces. He was a blacksmith by trade and carried on business in that line throughout hiS life. The father was a tinsmith by trade and in May, 1848, he sailed with his family for CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        455 America. There were no steamers at that time and the sailing craft was upon the bosom of the Atlantic for forty-seven days before it reached the harbor of New -York. The Trott family did not continue long in the east, coming at once to Ohio. They stopped first at Sandusky city and in a. short time Mr. Trott had his family comfortably located on a small farm near that place. In 1865 he came to Seneca county and purchased one hundred and forty acres of land in Seneca township, constituting the farm upon which our subject now resides. He continued its cultivation until his death, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his life's labors were ended in 1869. His widow still survives him, at the old home, and is now in her ninety-first year, being well preserved in her faculties. Three of the brothers of our subject were soldiers of the civil war, responding to the country's call for aid in suppressing the rebellion of the south. Of these Henry is now deceased, while Frederick is in the west and Jacob resides in Adams township. Christian Trott accompanied his parents to Seneca county at the age of seventeen years. He is almost entirely self-educated and has earned the proud American title of a self-made man. He did not have the opportunity to attend school, for when eight years of age he began earning his own living, working on a berry farm for fifteen cents per day. When his father. died he took charge of the home farm and has since resided thereon, devoting his energies to its further cultivation and improvement. He has cared for his mother, returning in his filial affection the love and care which she bestowed upon him in his early youth. On the 9th of March, 1875, he was united in marriage to Mass Tabitha Eakin, and unto them have been born eight children, as follows : Emma, wife of George Wagner ; George, a resident of Idaho; Ida, the wife of Andrew Wagner; Mary, who is teaching school and resides with her parents; Frank, engaged with the Pennsylvania Railroad; Ella, who married William Wal ton; Clara and Cora, both at home. The family have a. very pleasant home on the old farm and the members of the household enjoy the warm, regard of many friend's in the community. Mr. Trott owns one hundred and ninety acres of valuable land bordering the Sandusky river, the tract being rich and arable and returning to him excellent harvests as a reward 456      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. for his labor. The Trott residence stands on an eminence about one hundred feet above low water of the principal river in northern Ohio, commanding a delightful view of several miles of as fine a section of country as the state affords. Mr. Trott's methods are progressive and a glance will indicate to the passer-by that the owner is a man of industry, careful management and practical ideas. He votes with the Republican party, having endorsed its principles since becoming an American citizen. In 1896 he was appointed commissioner of Seneca county, serving for eight months. In 1890 he took the United States census for his township. He belongs to Wyandot Lodge, F. & A. M., of McCutchenville, and enjoys the high esteem of his brethren of the fraternity, being- treasurer of his lodge for thirteen years. Mr. Trott certainly deserves great credit for what he has achieved in life. Without any pecuniary advantages or influential friends to aid him at the outset of his career, he has advanced steadily to an honorable position of affluence, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties by determined purpose, his trials seeming to come as an impetus to renewed effort. He is now classed among the representative agriculturists of Seneca county and his career is in many respects well worthy of emulation. A man of independent and earnest thought, his line of action has come from a line of reasoning based upon his own observation and familiarity with passing events, not being governed by the ideas of others unless they seem to him based on sound principle and reason. MINRAD BORK. Minrad Bork is a representative of an honored pioneer family of Seneca county, and throughout his entire life he has resided within the borders of this county, his birth having occurred in Bloom township on the 3d of. October, 1856. He is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Young) Bork. The former was born in Germany and was a son of Philip Bork, with whom he came to the United States, taking passage on a sailing vessel which reached the harbor of Baltimore after forty days.. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        457 The family at once continued their westward journey, and on arriving in Seneca county made a location in Bloom township. Here the grandfather was connected with the development of a tract of wild land and. with agricultural pursuits until his death, which was occasioned by an accident on the railroad. The first possession of the Bork family in this county was a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land which they secured from the government, and their pioneer home was a little log. cabin built in the usual pioneer style save that it contained two rooms-instead of the usual number—one. With the work of clearing and developing this farm Frederick was actively associated, and throughout the years of his residence here he carried on agricultural pursuits. Here he reared his family of ten children, as follows : Philip, a farmer of Seneca township; Eva; Frank, a farmer of Eden township; Magdaline, the wife of G. Fred Buchman; Mary, who has passed away; Lewis, a resident of Benton county, Indiana; John P., who is living in Eden township; Minrad, the subject of this review ; and Philomenia and Elizabeth, both living in Tiffin. The subject of this review was only four years of age when his father removed to the farm upon which he now makes his home. Here he was reared to manhood and early became familiar with the work of the farm in all its departments, laboring in the fields and meadows. He also attended the district schools, pursuing his studies through the winter months when the work of the farm was practically over for the year.. He assisted his father throughout the period of his minority and when thirty years of age he took charge of the old homestead and has since devoted his energies to its cultivation. In 1884 he purchased this property and he now owns two hundred and forty-two acres, all in one tract. in Seneca township. His fields are well tilled and surround good farm buildings. In his pasture lands are seen high grades of stock, and all modern equipment and accessories are found upon his place. He makes a specialty of raising Durham cattle and has some fine specimens of that breed. One hundred and fifty-five acres of his land is under cultivation and annually he harvests rich crops. On the 4th of March, .1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. 29 458      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Bork and Miss Annie Reinhart, by whom he has three children, Edward, Clara and Joseph. The parents are well known in the community, having always resided in Seneca county, and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the locality is extended freely to them. In his political affiliations Mr. Bork is a Democrat, and while he always casts his ballot for the men and measures of the party and loyally advocates its interests, he has never sought or desired public office. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. PHILIP H. BORK. It is a notable fact that Ohio's sons always have a deep attachment for their native state, and indeed Ohio's, history has been a wonderful one in many respects. Her sons have become prominent in every walk of life, and several of them have become the nation's leaders, occupying the chair of chief executive of this great republic. One man alone, or even a few men, do not constitute the strength of the commonwealth. It is the aggregate endeavor of loyal citizenship of the vast majority, and in this respect Ohio has been fortunate, for her representatives have been enterprising, resolute men, who have striven with natural conditions until they have made the country bloom and blossom as the rose, and have carried forward the work of progress and improvement until Ohio occupies a leading position in the great galaxy of the Union. Mr. Bork, of this review, is numbered among the wide-awake, alert men of Seneca county, and to-day is successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Seneca township. He was born in Bloom township, January 19, 1841, and is a son of Frederick Bork, whose birth occurred in Germany, whence he crossed the Atlantic to America in 1834 in a sailing vessel, which after a voyage of forty days dropped anchor in the harbor of Baltimore. With horses he proceeded westward until he reached Seneca county and took up his abode in Bloom township. Mr. Bork entered one hundred and sixty acres 3t CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        459 land from the government, constituting the farm upon which Peter Stuckey now resides. As this district was heavily timbered, logs were the best available material for building houses, and he erected a little log cabin containing two rooms, the structure being formed of round logs. With determined purpose he undertook the task of clearing his land, which was covered with walnut and hard-wood timber. Many trials and difficulties. were to be endured by the pioneers, but they met these with resolute hearts and continued their labors until success crowned their efforts. Frederick Bork was accompanied to Ohio by his father, Philip, and family, and the former was accidentally killed on the railroad at Monroe, Michigan. It was in August, 1838, that Frederick Bork was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Young, a native of Germany, who came to America two years after the emigration of her husband. Ten children were born of this union: Philip, our subject ; Eva ; Frank, a farmer of Eden township; Magdaline, the wife of G. Fred Buchman; Mary, who has passed away ; Lewis, a resident of Benton county, Indiana; John P., who is living in Eden township; Minard, of Seneca township; and Philomenia and Elizabeth, both living in Tiffin. When the family arrived in Seneca county their cash capital con-, sisted of but two hundred dollars, but in a frontier region determination, hard work and perseverance count for more than money. At the time of his marriage Frederick Bork brought his bride to the old' homestead farm in Bloom township and there he remained until 1861, when he removed to Seneca township, taking up his abode on the place where his son Minrad now lives. It continued to be his residence until 1885 when he removed to Tiffin, there to enjoy, a well earned rest, living in retirement until the 31st of January, 1899., when he was called to the home beyond in his ninety-first year. He was a consistent member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, to which his wife also belonged. Her death occurred June 13, 1891. At one time he was the owner of nearly three hundred acres of lands in Eden and Seneca townships, and his property was all acquired through his own untiring efforts, his life record proving conclusively what a potent force are diligence and resolution in the active efforts of business life. 460      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Philip H. Bork was born and reared in Bloom township, where he spent the first twenty years of his life. He attended the public schools and assisted in the labors of the home farm, going with his father's family to Seneca township in 1861. He was married on the 22d of October, 1872, to Miss Mary Fisher of Fremont, and unto them have been born two children,—Mary M. and Frank O.,—both at home. The son has been a student in Heidelberg College. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bork settled upon the farm which has since been their home. The same fall he sowed some seed for fruit trees and gradually increased his nursery business until he now has an excellent nursery of three acres and enjoys a very liberal patronage in that direction. His farm comprises one hundred,and three acres and is divided into fields of convenient size, where each year he harvests good crops of wheat, oats, corn and other cereals adapted to this climate. He has made a close study of the best methods of farming and his broad experience has enabled him to so direct his efforts as to win success in his undertakings. He and his family are communicants of St. Joseph's Catholic church and in politics he is a Democrat, though in local matters he supports the best men,—those whose honesty is above question. ABRAHAM H. DELAPLANE. One of the well-known, representative farmer-citizens of Seneca county, Ohio, is Abraham H. Delaplane, who has been identified with the progress and agricultural development of this county for a number of years. He has lived in various sections of it. his farm in Seneca township being his present home. Mr. Delaplane is a native of Maryland, a state which has contributed to Ohio many of the latter's best and most progressive and successful citizens. The birth of our subject was in Frederick county April 14, 1831, and he was a son of Frederick and Fanny (Huff) Delaplane, who removed from Maryland to Ohio in 1846, locating in Seneca county, in CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        461 the vicinity of Tiffin. Later they occupied a farm near American, Ohio, and there our subject continued to reside with his parents until 1852. His education was acquired in the common schools of this locality, and was such as was afforded the farmer youths at that time, consisting principally of irregular attendance during a few winter sessions. Mr. Delaplane has supplemented his early education with reading, travel and association with men, and is now, notwithstanding former advantages, a well informed citizen. When the whole country was aroused over the finding of gold in California Mr. Delaplane joined a party going to the west and made the trip by water in 1852. He visited the various mining camps and remained engaged in prospecting and mining for a period of two years, with varying success. He then came back to Mexico, Ohio, bought a threshing machine and outfit and for several years followed' the threshing business, this proving very lucrative. After his marriage, in 1859, Mr. Delaplane settled down to farming, locating first on a tract of good land in Venice township, which he cultivated for three years. Then he took charge of a farm in Eden township, on which he carried on farming with success for two years, finally permanently locating, in 1863, on his present well cultivated and highly productive farm in Seneca township, which has been his home ever since. Mr. Delaplane is a practical and experienced farmer and stock-raiser, takes a deep interest in his vocation and devotes close attention to it. The marriage of Mr. Delaplane was in 1859, to Miss Mary A. Pennington, who was born in Eden township, Seneca county, a daughter of Adam and Cynthia Ann (Wagner) Pennington, and five children were born to this union. Three members of this family are now deceased, namely : Nellie, Lena and Ettie, all of whom died of consumption in young womanhood, the survivors being as follows : Jennie, who married Barn Burton and resides in Gratiot county, Michigan; and John F., who is a farmer in Wyandot county, Ohio. In political sentiment Mr. Delaplane has always been in affiliation with the Republican party, but he is a man of quiet, domestic tastes and has never sought political recognition. During his residence in the far 462      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. west he saw life in many phases and under many conditions, and it only gave him a more sure conviction that in the long run the fruits of the soil are more satisfactory than the products of the mines. He is a man who is highly regarded as trustworthy and honorable in all business transactions and worthily represents Seneca township as intelligent and progressive. Both Mr. and Mrs. Delaplane are consistent members of the McCutchenville Methodist church, where they are valued for their many estimable traits of character. Their home is one of hospitality and they enjoy the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends. JAMES M. BARE. James M. Bare is a representative of the farming interests of Seneca township. He was born near Mexico, Wyandot county, Ohio, June 29, 1832, and is a son of Abraham Bare, who was born in Virginia, and 'who, as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, chose Polly Miller. They became the parents of eight children : Ephraim, a resident of Wyandot county ; John, who has passed away ; James M., the subject of this review ; Mary, the wife of Lewis Palmer and resides in Henry county; Elizabeth, the widow of Hosea Palmer and resides in Iowa ; Eliza, who married John Istone, a resident of Iowa; Abraham, who makes his home in Wyandot county; and Emma, who became the wife of Lewis Lundy, of Wyandot county. The father of these children removed from Virginia to Fairfield county, Ohio, and it was there that his marriage took place. He remained in that county until 1827, when he went to Wyandot county and entered eighty acres of land from the government. Upon this claim he built a log cabin of one room. It had a puncheon floor and a chimney built of mud and sticks, through which the smoke had its egress from a broad fireplace. The land was covered with a dense growth of timber, the trees growing so thick that the sunlight could hardly penetrate to the ground beneath, but in the course CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        463 of time this was cleared away and the fields brought forth good harvests. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade, and in addition to his other work he engaged in making coffins for the early settlers. He afterward operated a carding machine and continued to make his home upon the farm which he developed in Wyandot county, it being his place of residence until his death, which occurred in 1869. when he was sixty-nine years of age. His wife died in 1866. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and all who knew them respected them for their genuine worth and many acts of kindness. Mr. Bare was particularly prominent in church work and was a man of strong temperament whose influence for good was widely felt. He was also known on account of his temperance principles and by reason of the work which he accomplished in behalf of the county in laying out roads and otherwise assisting in its pioneer development. It was upon the old farm homestead described above that James M. Bare first opened his eyes to the light of day. There he spent his childhood and youth, enjoying the sports common to boys of that period and assisting in the cultivation of the fields. He remained under the parental roof until January I, 1855, at which time he was married. Miss Eliza Pennington becoming his wife. They are now the parents of five children, who are yet living: Ada C., who married Charles Mangus ; John, who is the proprietor of a hotel in Buffalo, Illinois Elva, a brick and tile manufacturer of Tiffin; Alma, the wife of Rev. John T. Miller, a minister of the Church of God; and James L., a merchant at McCutchen_ ville. Seymour, the eldest, became a farmer of Eden township and is now deceased. After his marriage Mr. Bare rented a part of his father's farm and continued to make his home thereon for fourteen years, on the expiration of which period, in 1868, he came to Seneca county and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He owns here one hundred and ten acres of land, and the soil is productive and returns to him golden harvests in rewards for his labors. He also engages in the raising of stock and has excellent equipment upon his place, all of which indicate that the owner is a progressive and practical agriculturist. In 1876 Mr. 464      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Bare was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, and in 1878 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Ellen Bercaw. They have a pleasant home in Seneca township and have made many warm friends during their residence in this county. Mr. Bare exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He can relate many interesting incidents concerning pioneer life in Ohio and his knowledge comes from practical experience. He attended school in the little building which was erected of logs and in which the seats were made of slabs. The other furnishings were as primitive and the methods of teaching were totally unlike those of the present day. Great changes have occurred, not only in educational lines, but in all departments of life, and no one has been more in favor of progress and improvement in beneficial lines than James M. Bare, who is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. WILLIAM ASH. It is now our privilege to touch briefly upon the life history of one of the representative and successful citizens of Seneca county,—one who has passed practically his entire life within its borders, being a member of one of its pioneer families and a man who has commanded at every stage of his career the unqualified confidence and esteem of the community, as is evident when we revert to the fact that he has been a long time incumbent of offices of distinctive trust and responsibility. He has achieved a high measure of success through his indefatigable and well-directed efforts and is one of the substantial and honored citizens of Jackson township, where he has a finely improved landed estate of six hundred acres. Mr. Ash claims the old Keystone state of the Union as the place of his nativity, having been born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of April, 183o, a son of George and Letitia (Reed) Ash, of whose six children three are living at the present time, namely: Upton, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        465 a successful farmer of Liberty township; William, the immediate subject of this review ; and Sarah, the wife of George Sour, of Jackson township. The father of our subject was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1799, and removed thence with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, as one of its pioneers in 1833, our subject being at that time a child of about three years. George Ash entered a claim to one hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land in Liberty township, reclaimed and otherwise improved the place and here continued to make his home until his death, at the patriarcial age of ninety years, his wife having passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. In the primitive log school-house of the pioneer epoch William Ash received his early educational training, and he well recalls the meager equipments of the little institution of learning, with its puncheon floor, slab benches and wide fireplace. He contributed his quota to the work of the homestead farm until the time of his marriage, in 1852, when he inaugurated his independent career by purchasing eighty acres of his present fine estate, much of which has been cleared and improved under his personal direction. As success crowned his efforts he continued to purchase additional land, until he now has upward of twelve hundred acres, all within three miles of the home farm of four hundred acres. The same is one of the most attractive rural homes in this favored section of the state, having a commodious residence of pleasing architectural design, together with excellent barns. and other farm buildings of the most approved type. He now keeps all his eight farms rented. He has himself converted five hundred acres of wild land into valuable farms. His lands are now valued at from eighty to one hundred dollars per acre. He was about the first to begin the use of tile for underground drainage—a feature of improvement that he has continued, laying tile every year for twenty-five years, till all his farms are in most excellent condition. He has spent thousands of dollars in tiling, but this has converted flat land covered with water much of the year into the most productive farms of the state. About the year 1870 Mr. Ash began buying and shipping live stock, his operations extending over a wide area. For about a decade and a. half 'he was extensively engaged in stock- 466      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. raising, doing much to promote the interests of this important industry in this section of the state, and incidentally, through his discriminaion and marked business acumen, attaining a success of a distinctive order„ In politics Mr. Ash has ever given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party, and as one of the able and honored citizens of his community he has naturally been called upon to serve in local offices of important nature. He was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace for the long period of twenty-seven years, within which he did much to bring about an amicable adjustment of minor difficulties among his neighbors; he served three terms as trustee of Jackson township, and in 1890 was elected land appraiser of his township. He is one of the leading stockholders in the First National Bank of Fostoria, in which he has held the office of vice-president for the past fourteen years. On the 1st of January, 1852, Mr. Ash was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Trumbo, who was born in this county, the daughter of. Enoch Trumbo, one of the pioneers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Ash became the parents of three children, of whom two survive, namely : Ellen, the wife of Alfred Mowrey, of Jackson township; and Charles, who is engaged in farming and grain dealing at Amsden and was elected in 1901 to the office of treasurer of Seneca county, being a well-known Republican worker, chosen in a strong Democratic county, the first instance of the kind in the county. The youngest, Jessie Fremont, died when seven years old. No man is more highly esteemed in the community than is Mr. Ash, and it is a pleasure to incorporate this brief tribute to one of the 'county's sterling citizens. WILLIAM H. ZEIS. Among the leading and successful farmer citizens of Seneca county, Ohio, William H. Zeis has long been one of the representative men. Since 1883 he has been a resident of Seneca township and has been all his life identified with the interests of Seneca county. The birth of Mr. Zeis was in Liberty township, in Seneca county, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        467 December 24, 1838, and he was a son of Jacob and a grandson of Martin Zeis, the latter of whom was one of the pioneer settlers of Seneca county and one who was notable in its early enterprises. As early as 1816 Martin Zeis left Germany on a sailing vessel, bound for the United States. Three long months were spent on the Atlantic ocean, and the tired voyagers then made their way to Frederick county, Maryland, where they lived for eleven years, Mr. Zeis having brought his family with him. It was just at this date that the agricultural advantages which settlement in Ohio promised began to attract sturdy pioneers from other states, who saw in this opportunity a future provision for the large families which at that time were not unusual. Hither came grandfather Zeis and his ten children, the trip consuming a long time, on account of the poor roads, many of them almost impassable. Mr. Zeis located in Liberty township, Seneca county, entering here one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, and here the remainder of his life was spent. By trade he was a shoemaker and he carried this on in connection with farming and became one of the leading citizens of his township. He was a man of great industry and was earnest in his desire to promote the advancement of his township. It was his personal effort which cut the first road through the forest from Shiloh church to Cromer Station, his land covering a part of the present site of the village of Cromer. With the assistance of his many sons he soon built a comfortable log cabin and established here a family which has ever since been one of respectability in the county. Jacob Zeis, who was the father of our subject, was born in Baden, Germany, and he accompanied his parents to America and was his father's helper in his early settlement in Seneca 'county. He married Abbie Craun for his first wife, and they had three children, the survivor being Martha, the wife of Thomas Guinn, a resident of Iowa ; John M. and Jacob being deceased. The second marriage of Jacob Zeis was to Elizabeth Lauer, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany. She came to America at eighteen years of age and died in her sixty-second year. Fourteen children were born to this union, of which our subject was the oldest. The others were as follows : Lewis, deceased; Jacob, of Clinton 468      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. township; Christiana, deceased ; Daniel, a private in the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, who died during the war ; Rebecca, the widow of David Fought, of Seneca township; Lucinda. deceased; Theodore, deceased; .Matilda, deceased ; Charles, a resident of Indiana ; Truman, a resident of .Hopewell township; Benjamin, a farmer of Liberty township ; James, the -farmer on the old homestead in Liberty township ; and Leander, a resident of this township. After his first marriage Jacob Leis bought eighty acres of land in Liberty township and there he made his home during the continuance of his life. This farm is now the property of his son, James F. Zeis. The early life of William H. Zeis, of this biography, was spent on the old home farm in Liberty township. He embraced every educational ,opportunity within his reach, his advantages being limited. He recalls very distinctly the old log schoolhouse with its uncomfortable slab benches whereon the children of his day sat with aching backs, on account of no supports being provided, while a scarcity of books was felt by almost all •of the pupils. The teacher was usually partly paid by subscription and was expected to board around among the families. Many romances have been written of those days, but Mr. Zeis needs none of these, as he easily recalls them and is able to compare the chances which the children of to-day enjoy beyond those offered to their forefathers. There was plenty of work to be done on the home farm and Mr. .Zeis remained assisting his father until he was twenty-seven years of age. Then he married and bought sixty acres of land and for two years operated both that and his father's farm, moving then into Seneca township and operating a farm there for the two 'following years. Mr. Zeis then removed to his former home in Liberty township, where he made many substantial improvements and remained from 1870 to 1883, coming then to his present most desirable farm in Seneca township. Here Mr. Zeis owns one hundred and fifty-five acres in section 27, and has given his attention to general farming and stock-raising. He is well known in agricultural circles and his methods of farming and. management of stock commend themselves to his neighbors as wise and productive of excellent results. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        46g• Although the greater part of his life has been given to cultivating the soil, Mr. Zeis has had other interests, and has always arrayed himself on the side of law and order. In 1862 he became a member of the Home Guards and was with Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment, when it went, in 1864, to serve in the defense of the nation's capital. It is a well-known fact in his locality that he is an uncompromising Republican. The first marriage of Mr. Zeis was to Miss Ellen Cromer, who was a (laughter of Ezra Cromer, and the children of this union were as follows.: Ira N., who is a practicing physician in Carey, Ohio; Daniel W., who is attending a dental college of Columbus, Ohio; and Elizabeth, who died in infancy. Mrs. Zeis died in 1872. The second marriage of Mr. Zeis was to Miss Sarah Cromer, who was a. sister of his first wife, and the children of this marriage are as follows : Ezra E., Jesse W., and Lula L., all residing at home. Mr. Zeis is highly esteemed in his township as an honorable man and is known to be interested in matters of public moment, having always clone his part to advance every worthy enterprise, looking to the agricultural development of this part of Seneca county. Ezra Cromer was born in. Maryland, of German origin, and married, in Liberty township, Seneca county, Sarah Craun, a sister to Abbie Craun, the first wife of Jacob Zeis. His home adjoined the Zeis farm at Cromer station, which was located on his farm and named in his honor. He died there at sixty-eight years of age. His widow now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Zeis, aged eighty-six, well preserved. Mr. Cromer and wife were active in the Methodist Protestant church, in which he was a class-leader, and his life very much devoted to the growth and advancement of the church and of the moral upbuilding of the community. PHILIP DEWALD. During the pioneer epoch in the history of Seneca county the De-Wald family was founded within its borders by John and Elizabeth (Reisick) DeWald, who, leaving their little German home across the- 470      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. sea, took up their abode in Hopewell township, Seneca county, Ohio, in 1833. The members of the family took an active and prominent part in the development of this section of the state, aided in transforming its wild lands into rich farms and in other ways promoted the progress and advancement which made a once wild region the home of a contented, prosperous people. On first arriving in the county John DeWald took up his abode north of Bascom, but owing to the swampy condition of the land he remained there but a short time and then located one mile south of that city, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing to his final rest in 185o. On one occasion during the early pioneer days he and his wife were returning to their wilderness home from a journey to Tiffin, when the wife suddenly called her husband's attention to what she called a "large black dog." After a glance the husband immediately handed the reins to his companion, and, grasping a small hickory stick which he had cut for a cane, sprang from the wagon in pursuit of the animal. The latter proved to be a large black bear, which, rearing on its hind feet, prepared for battle; but Mr. DeWald by rapid and repeated blows killed the animal after a fierce struggle! Unto Mr. and Mrs. DeWald were born ten children, three of whom still survive: Maria, the wife of Jacob Starber, of Tiffin; Peter, a prosperous armer of Loudon township, Seneca county; and Philip, the subject of this review. The latter was but two years of age when he was brought by his parents from Bavaria, Germany, where he was born in 1831, to the United States, the family locating in Hopewell township, Seneca county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and after his father's death his time was occupied in looking after the homestead farm. After his marriage he continued to make his home on the old place until about 1881, when he purchased eighty-two acres of the farm which he. now owns, in Loudon township. As the years have passed by and prosperity has rewarded his well directed efforts he has been enabled to add to his boundaries a tract of forty acres just across the road in Hopewell township. From his early youth. he has been obliged to make his own way in the world, and all that he now owns stands as a monument to his untiring energy and his excellent business ability. He can recall vividly to mind the time CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        471 when Tiffin was no larger than the village of Bascom at the present day, when the now rich and populous county of Seneca was a vast wilderness and when wild animals roamed at will. In the wonderful transformation which has since taken place he has nobly borne his part, and he is now numbered among the honored pioneers of this portion of the Buckeye state. Mr. DeWald was united in marriage to Miss Mary Merganthaler, a native of Loudon township, and they have six children,—John, Anna, Henry, Ellen, Cora and William. The daughter Cora is the wife of Vernon Slosser, a prominent farmer of Hopewell township. Mr. De-Wald gives his political support to the Democracy and is a member of the German Reformed church. GEORGE W. ROSIER. One of the well-known and substantial citizens of Seneca county, Ohio, is George W. Rosier, who is now retired from agricultural activity, but who owns some of the most valuable farming land in Seneca township. The birth of Mr. Rosier took place in Baltimore county, Maryland, April 3, 1841, and he was a son of Abijah and Dorcas Rosier, farming people of that county. His earliest recollections are connected with rural life and agricultural activity, and the life of the fanner has been the one of his choice ever since. He was sent to the common schools of his locality and acquired a fair knowledge of the elementary branches but he early found it a necessity to begin an independent career for himself. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Rosier became an inmate of his uncle's home, and remained on the latter's farm until 1861. At that time public feeling was at fever heat, and with other young men of his locality Mr. Rosier became a member of a company of home guards, the branch of the service being known as Pennell's Legion, and it was composed of various regiments of cavalry, infantry and artillery. This company of 472      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. which our subject was a member, continued in the service for a peric of thirteen months, being occupied mainly in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, at points in Maryland, and also in West Virginia. After the close of his army service, in the winter of 1862, Mr. Rosier went north with the object in view of obtaining a satisfactory situation on. some farm, and before spring opened he had secured an excellent position on a farm in Wood county, near Fostoria. Here his industry and knowledge of farming made him a valued assistant, and he remained on this place for one and one-half years. Desiring to see more of the farming section, he then went to Seneca county and worked on a farm in Thompson township for two years, later coming into Seneca township, where he worked for a time for others, but, noting the richness of the soil and the excellent advantages of location enjoyed in this township, he later purchased forty acres. Here Mr. Rosier carried on farming successfully, gradually accumulating means and experience. and here he made his home until 189o. At that time he moved to the farm which he now occupies, which is an estate comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres, one hundred and forty of which he has under a fine state of cultivation. He has engaged in a general line of farming, and has been one of the excellent stock-raisers of this section of the county, his methods of carrying on all agricultural operations having a thoroughness about them which has resulted in a prosperous condition. In 1901 Mr. Rosier retired from active labor, turning the great farm over to his son and his son-in-law, who 'are capable and efficient farmers. This farm is well improved, three comfortable residences and two commodious barns- being among the substantial improvements. The first marriage of Mr. Rosier was to Miss Amelia Fought, who died in less than two years thereafter. His second marriage was November 27, 1867, to Miss Caroline Yambert, who was a daughter of Rev. Aaron Yambert, a well-known and most highly esteemed clergyman of the Evangelical Association. Four children were born to this marriage, viz. : Laura, who, is the wife of A. P. Gremlich ; Annie, deceased, who was the wife of I. B. Crumrine ; Ida, who is the wife of Ira Montrose ; and Frank H., who operates the home farm. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        473 Mr. Rosier has always been a member of the Democratic party. Both he and wife belong to the Evangelical Association, in which they are highly valued. Although Mr. Rosier is now one of the solid, substantial men of his township, he is entirely self-made, having had scarcely any assistance in establishing himself. Early in his career he realized that the foundation stones of success were industry, honesty and perseverance, and all through life he has possessed the requisites, the result being that he is able to spend the evening of his days in comfort, enjoying the knowledge that he has won the confidence and esteem of friends, and neighbors. GEORGE E. SMITH. Among the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Tiffin, Ohio,. is George E. Smith, who has resided in this city since 1894, and is now filling the responsible position of private secretary to Congressman James A. Norton, a position for which the practical knowledge, the college edu cation and the versatile gifts he .possesses, particularly fit him. The native state of Mr. Smith was Michigan, where he was born on September. 6, 1854, in Kalamazoo county. His parents were Rev. M. I. and Mary (Edwards) Smith, the former of whom was born in Con-. necticut but reared in Auburn, New York, where he remained until his. marriage, going then to Michigan, where he was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for a period of twenty-five years. During' the civil war he entered the Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and: served as chaplain of that regiment. He was a man of parts and learning, always ready to promote by tongue and pen the cause of education.,, and his sixty years of life showed fruits of piety and usefulness. He was a nephew of Lieutenant Governor Ingersoll, of Connecticut. The mother of our subject, Mary (Edwards) Smith, was born, reared and educated near Syracuse, New York, and survived her husband for some years, dying January 2, 1901, at the age of seventy-eight years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church, a devoted wife and 30 474      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a tender mother. She had seven children, our subject being the fourth in the order of birth. George E. Smith passed his early life with his parents and in his youthful days attended the schools in the locality in which his father was stationed as a clergyman of the Methodist church. Later he pursued a higher education in the colleges both at Albion and at Lansing, Michigan, preparing then to take up the study of law. His reading was with the well known Judge Buck, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and in 1875, Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar. For about ten years he practiced law in that city, but an accident which happened to him, in 1884, bringing on peritonitis, made it necessary for him to lay aside business care for several years. A sojourn in Florida enabled him to regain a measure of health, but when he returned to active life he decided to entirely change his business, and accepted the management, in. 1886, of a large factory, in Sandusky, Ohio. In 1889, when Mr. Norton was appointed commissioner of railways and telegraphs, by Governor Campbell, he made Mr. Smith his chief clerk, and in this office he served for several years, finally resigning during the administration of Governor McKinley. Mr. Smith then became the traveling representative of the Safety Lighting & Heating Company, through western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, making contracts with the railroads in the interests of this company, which is a New York corporation. In 1894 Mr. Smith came to Tiffin and became associated with the Tiffin Bent Wood & Lumber Company, continuing with that concern until he accepted his present congenial position with Hon. James Norton. As secretary to this statesman he is brought into touch with public affairs and he is known as a very judicious, diplomatic and most efficient official. Mr. Smith has been actively identified with the Democratic party ever since his youthful days, and has been prominent in all local conventions, including those of city, county and state, ever since he has been a resident of Ohio. His ability as a worker is highly rated. He has shown his interest in educational matters by giving his time as a member of the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        475 board of education. Fraternally he is connected with Tiffin Lodge, No. 77, F. & A. M. Mr. Smith was married, in 188o, to Miss Susan Booth, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Reared in the Methodist church, under the loving care of worthy Methodist parents, Mr. Smith early imbibed the principles of that religious body, and they have ever been an influence in his life. He has served the church in many capacities, has been a delegate many times and represented his church in the annual conferences of that denomination. His literary work has excited considerable favorable comment. In 1893 he published a book of poems which ranks high in literary merit, and is now engaged on a historical work, intended to cover a recent epoch in the nation's history. He has a ready pen, but much of his work in the newspapers, although of great value, is not traced directly to him. Socially Mr. Smith is a favorite, his pleasing manner, quick intelligence and courteous demeanor making him many friends. JOHN MARTIN. In the best development of Seneca county John Martin bore an important part. He was identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state from pioneer days, and while promoting the material welfare of the community also gave an active and liberal support to those measures which tended to advance its intellectual and moral status. His life was filled with good deeds and kindly thoughts, and all who knew him entertained' for him the highest regard, by reason of his upright, honorable life. Over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicions of evil, and his example is well worthy of emulation by his many friends. Mr. Martin was born on the farm on which his widow now resides, in August, 1845, the only child of Michael and Mary (Shafferly) Martin. The father was a native of the Emerald Isle, and in the land 'of his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. birth he spent the first thirty-eight years of his life, coming thence to the-United States. Some time later, in the '30s, he made his way to Ohio, where he secured employment on the Maumee canal, but while thus engaged he had the misfortune to break his leg, which rendered him a cripple for life. He then entered a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,. the birthplace of our subject, and he and Michael Martin, David Lahey and John Whalen were the first to locate in this section of the state. There Mr. Martin lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, and his wife reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years. She was a native of the fatherland, and when about forty years of age came with her parents to America. Her people were in very limited circumstances, and she was therefore obliged to earn her own livelihood. Mr. Martin was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church, and a few years before her death his wife also united with that faith. John Martin, the immediate subject of this review, was early taught the value of industry, and when a youth the arduous task of clearing new land and placing it under cultivation fell to his lot, for his father was a cripple and unable to perform hard labor. For about twelve years, in addition to his work on the farm., he also sold fruit trees through thiS section, and thus he became well known to many. of the residents of the • county. His life furnishes a striking example of the boys who secure their own start in life,—determined, self-reliant boys, willing to work for advantages which many others secure through inheritance, destined by sheer force of character to succeed in the face of all opposition and to -push to the front in one important branch of enterprise or another. As a man his business ability was constantly manifest, showing unlimited possibilities, nothing too great to grasp and master, and he arose to a foremost position among the business men of Seneca county. The marriage of Mr. Martin was celebrated in January, 1866, when Miss Otilla Huth became his wife. She was born in Hopewell township, Seneca county, a daughter of Nicholas and Eva (Swing) Huth, both natives of Germany. The mother was brought to America when a child, but the father remained in his native country until about forty years of age, when he, too, crossed the ocean to the new world, settling CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        477 in Hopewell township, two miles south of Bascom. Twelve children blessed the union of our subject and wife, but only eleven are now living, namely : Mary E., the widow of Henry Eschenbrenner and a resident of Tiffin; Mathilda, the wife of Charley Kimmet, of Liberty township; Margaret E., the wife of Nicholas Brickner, of Jackson township; Ellen L., the wife of J. H. Seewald, of Toledo, Ohio; Sarah, Alice and lsa.- belle, at home; Susan, of Norwalk, Ohio; Mary J., the wife of Joseph Kimmet, of Liberty township; and John E. and Michael S., at home. Mr. Martin gave his political support to the Democracy, and the family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church. He was a man of firm convictions, honest purpose, kindly nature and upright life, and the world is better for his having lived. He departed from the scenes of earth's activities June II, 1897, but his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of his many friends. LEVI BOYD. Within the confines of Seneca county will be found many successful and honored business men who are of the second generation of their families to have become prominently identified with the industrial activities of this favored section of the Buckeye commonwealth, and such is true in the case of Levi Boyd, who is a native son of the county and who has here passed his entire life, being now numbered among the influential and prosperous farmers of Jackson township and a citizen who commands the confidence and esteem of the community where he has lived Sand labored to goodly ends. Mr. Boyd was born on the homestead farm in Jackson township, on the 12th of November, 1846, being one of the ten children of William. and Eliza (Dick) Boyd, and one of the five sons who still survive, namely: Sarah E., the wife of David Wirick, of Jerry City, Wood county; Eli W., of Jackson township, *Seneca county; and Edwin D., Ellis, and our subject, also residents of this township. William Boyd was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1816, and as a 478      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. young man he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Seneca county, where for a number of years he devoted his attention to making shingles, cross-ties, etc., all the work being accomplished by hand. Later he purchased forty acres of heavily timbered land in Jackson township, reclaiming the same to cultivation and eventually adding to his possessions until he had a good. farm of one hundred and eighty acres, the greater portion of which was cleared under his personal direction. Here he continued to maintain his home until his death, in 1891, when he passed away in the fullness of years and well earned honors. His original political affiliations were with the Whig party, but he joined the Republican party at the time of its organization and ever continued to give it his support. He was a devoted and active member of the Reformed church, as is also his wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, about 1822, and who still maintains her home on the old farm. Levi Boyd early became inured to the various duties of the farm, and his educational privileges were such as were afforded in the public schools of the locality. Upon attaining his legal majority he assumed charge of the homestead, which he worked on shares, and thus continued until one year after his marriage, in 1868, when he removed to his present fine farm, which was then the property of his father-in-law. After operating the place for two years he purchased forty acres adjoining it on the south, and there maintained his abode until 1890, when he purchased eighty-four acres of his father-in-law, simultaneously removing to the same and also purchasing forty acres lying contiguous on the east. In recent years he has made some changes, and his farm now comprises one hundred and twenty-six acres, well improved and under most effective cultivation. He has given his attention to diversified farming and has been very successful in his operations. In politics Mr. Boyd has given an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, and he served six years as trustee of his native township, where he is held in the highest regard by all who know him. He is a member of the Canaan United Brethren church and is serving on its board of trustees, being treasurer of the same and. also holding the office of steward in the church, in whose CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        479 work, as in all that concerns the general welfare, he maintains a deep interest. August 19, 1868, Mr. Boyd was united in marriage to Miss Melissa J. Long, who was born on. the farm which is now his home, the daughter of Benjamin L. Long, one of the representative pioneers of this township. Mrs. Boyd was summoned into eternal rest in the year 1890, leaving three children,—Elsie R., now the wife of Charles Nichols, of this township ; Benjamin F., who remains at the paternal home; and Margaret M., the wife of J. B. Stein, of Morgantown, West Virginia. February 28, 1893, Mr. Boyd was married to Mrs. Mary (Bloom) Sprout, who was likewise born in this county, being the daughter of William Bloom, one of the well-known business men of Fostoria, and widow of Daniel Sprout. JOSEPH RODEGEB. The family of which the subject of this memoir is a most honored representative is a pioneer one of Seneca county, and its members have borne their part nobly in the work of progress and improvement. He was born in Bloom township, Seneca county, November 4, 1847, a son of Jacob and Magdalena (Neiswander) Rodegeb. The father traced his nativity to the Old Dominion, where he was born on the 31st of January, 1795. When a young man he came to Seneca county, Ohio, where he entered two hundred and forty acres of land in Bloom township, a part of which is now owned by John Newcome, there erecting a log cabin in the forest. He was one of the early pioneers of the township, and his life's labors were ended in death on the 9th of August, 1850. His wife was called to her final rest in 1877. This worthy couple became the parents of ten children, four of whom still survive, namely : Henry, a resident of Michigan; Magdalena, the wife of William Ringle, of Attica, Ohio; Daniel, who makes his home in the state of Washington; and Joseph, the subject of this review. Joseph Rodegeb was reared to manhood at the old family home in Seneca county, and the educational privileges which he received in his 480      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. youth were extremely limited. When he was but sixteen years of age he was left in charge of the homestead, three of his brothers being in the Union service and the other in Michigan, and with the exception of eighteen months spent in the lumber regions of Michigan he remained on the old place until his mother's death. He then exchanged his interest in the homestead for an eighty-acre tract in: Bloom township, to which he removed, and there he made his home for the following nine years. Selling that property in 1888, he then purchased his present home farm in Venice township, two miles east of Attica, which consists of one hundred and one acres of rich and productive land. He has made many improvements on his place, has placed his fields under a. fine state of cultivation, and in many ways has added to its value and productiveness and attractive appearance. In 1871 Mr. Rodegeb was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Summers, and afterward, April 5, 1894, Miss Emma Long became his wife. She is a native of Venice township, Seneca county, and a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Swartz) Long, now deceased. This union has been blessed with two children,—Lorena May and Joseph Fred. Mr. Rodegeb gives his political support to the Republican party, and he is an active worker in its ranks. During the war five of the Rodegeb brothers served in the army, two losing their lives as the result of the exposure. They were Jacob, who was in the Fifty-fifth Ohio and died at Fredericksburg, Virginia ; and Isaac was in the Forty-ninth and died also in hospital ; Henry enlisted from Michigan in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, and served three years; and Daniel and Joseph both were in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment, and after a short service his mother secured Joseph's release on account of his minority. PHILIP KISSABERTH. In the history of the agricultural interests of Seneca county the name of Philip Kissaberth occupies a leading place, for through many years he has been one of the representative farmers of the county, pro- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        481 gressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities always win success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Kissaberth they have brought a handsome competence as the reward of his well directed efforts. A native of Tiffin, Ohio, he was born September 5, 1845, a son of George and Catherine Kissaberth. The father was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where he was reared and married, and some time in the '30s, in company with three brothers and a sister, came to the United States, locating in Tiffin, where for several years he was employed in a warehouse. He then removed to a farm in Hopewell township, and later purchased the tract of fifty acres on which our subject now resides, and there he passed away in death in 1864, in his fifty-first year. By his marriage to Catherine Osman he became the father of eight children, six now living, namely : Gabriel, a resident of Fostoria; William, a prominent farmer of Putnam county, Ohio; Jacob, an agriculturist of Loudon township; Philip, the subject of this review ; George, of Gilboa, Putnam county; and Sophia, the wife of George Cramer, of Bucyrus. Philip Kissaberth, of this review, was reared from a child on the farm on which he now resides, and the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. After his father's death he took charge of the home farm and continued to care for his aged mother until she, too, was summoned to the home beyond, at the age of eighty years, after which he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead and thus became its sole owner. He is now the possessor of one hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertle land. From his early years he has been industrious and persevering in whatever enterprise he has undertaken, and by diligence and economy has accumulated a competence for his de-dining years. He has been a life-long supporter of the Democracy, and has been called upon to fill many positions of honor and trust within the gift of the people of his township. He has served with efficiency as supervisor of Loudon township, and was long a member of the school board, of which he was made a clerk and director. May 8, 1866, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kissaberth and Miss Susan Smith. She is a native daughter of Seneca county, where 482      .CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. her father, Jacob Smith, was one of the early pioneers, settling upon a tract of wild land near the present Kissaberth house, and there Susan was born. Her parents both died there, he at eighty and her mother, whose maiden name was Susannah Deppler, at seventy-six. He came to the 'United States from Switzerland, his native land, and settled in Buffalo, and later moved to Wayne. Four children have been born unto this union, as follows : George, who farms his father's land, living on the old Smith homestead; Jonah, a resident of Seneca township; Rosa, the wife of Andy Frankert, of Loudon township; and Jesse, deceased. The family are members of the Zion German Reformed church at Bascom, in which Mr. Kissaberth has long served as a deacon. JOHN G. DROLL. One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful agriculturists of Seneca county is John G. Droll. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his locality, and for many years he has been numbered among its most valued and honored citizens. A native son of the county, Mr. Droll's birth occurred in Seneca township, March 21, 1859, a son of George and Catherine (Brownstetter) Droll. The father was born in a little German home across the sea in 1829, but in 1846 he came with his parents to America, locating in Seneca township, Seneca county, Ohio. After the death of his father he became the owner of eighty acres of land in that locality, and' there he made his home until 1874, when he sold his possessions there and bought the farm on which our subject now resides. That property continued to be his home until 1892, and in that year, leaving his son John on the place, he located on a small farm of eight acres near New Rigel, where he has since lived in quiet retirement, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Droll was blessed with twelve children, eleven of whom still survive, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        483 namely : Mary, John G., Catherine, Rosa, Mathilda, Frank, William, Killian, Edward, Anna and Margaret. John G. Droll, whose name introduces this review, has spent his entire life in Seneca county, and to its public-school system he is in-• debted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth and early manhood. As a life occupation he chose that to which he had been reared, and throughout his entire business career he has been engaged in the tilling of the soil, his efforts in this direction having been crowned with a high and well-merited degree of success.. His political tendencies connect him with the Democratic party, and religiously he is. a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church. The marriage of Mr. Droll was celebrated on the 17th of November, 1885, when Miss Elizabeth Hug became his wife. To this union were born six children,—Josephine, Charlie, George, Barbara, Leo and Sophia,—all at home. Death entered this happy family circle on the 12th of September, 1898, when the wife and mother was called to the home beyond. Her life was beautiful in its purity and Christian virtues,. and her memory will long remain as a blessed benediction to her immediate family and friends. COMMODORE P. MEEKER. This sterling representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio is a native son of Seneca county, where he was reared to maturity upon a farm, early beginning to assume the practical responsibilities of life and lending his aid in connection with the reclamation and improvement of the old pioneer homestead. That he has lived and labored to goodly ends is clearly indicated in the position which he holds in the confidence and high regard of his fellow men and in the success which has crowned his efforts as an exponent of the great basic art of agriculture, which has been his vocation throughout his entire business career. His fine farm is located in Jackson township, and no resident of the community commands a fuller measure of respect and esteem. This epitome of his 484      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. life history will be read with interest by his many friends and will serve as a permanent memorial to his sterling character and worthy life. Named in honor of the distinguished hero of the battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Perry Meeker was born in Eden township, Seneca county, Ohio, on the 4th of September, 1833, the son of Charles and Rachel (Clark) Meeker, of whose eleven children eight survive at the present time, namely: Jacob, Angeline, Charles, Jane, Charity E., Thomas, Commodore Perry and Hannah. The father of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and when he was twelve years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, and they first located in Fairfield county, but later came to Seneca county, where the grandfather of our subject took up eighty acres of government land in Eden township, being one of the first settlers in that locality and there reclaiming his farm from the forest. Here he passed the residue of his life, having been successful in his operation and having acquired about three hundred acres of land. Charles Meeker was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm in this county, and shortly after his marriage he began his independent operations as a farmer, eventually becoming the owner of a large landed estate and standing as one of the influential men of Eden township, where he lived to attain the patriarchal age of ninety-two years. Commodore P. Meeker, the immediate subject of this review, remained on the old homestead' during his youthful days, and as his .services were early in requisition in connection with the farm work, his educational advantages were reduced to a minimum, but by personal .application and association with practical affairs in later years he has become a man of broad general information and strong mentality. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Meeker went to Wood county, where he was employed at farm work until his marriage; at the age of twenty-one, when he located on a tract of eighty acres owned by his father in that coUnty. There he. continued to reside until 1863, when he located in Eden township, Seneca county, and there remained) one year, at the expiration of which he settled on his present homestead farm, in Jackson township, where he has since maintained his home. The farm corn- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORy,         48S prises eighty acres, and was covered with a heavy growth of timber when he located on the place. He cleared all but fifteen acres of the. land and placed it under most effective cultivation, making the best of improvements as opportunity permitted and developing the place into, one of the most attractive and valuable in this section. The value of the farm, is greatly enhanced by the fact that there are nine productive oil wells on the same, this being a source of no inconsiderable revenue. Though he has ever taken a proper interest in public affairs of a local nature, Mr. Meeker has never sought office and has maintained an independent attitude in politics. Mr. Meeker was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bassett, who-was born in Wood county, Ohio, and of this union seven children have. been born, of whom five survive, namely : Charles, a resident of Hatton,. Wood county ; Nelson, who is a farmer near Rising Sun; Percy, who resides in the same locality; William, a resident of Findlay ; and Minnie,. the wife of Daniel Baker, who has charge of our subject's farm. MARTIN LICHTLE. Among the honored and venerable citizens of Seneca county is the. subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for a period of half a century, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he devoted his attention during the long years of an active business:life. He is now retired and is enjoying that repose and. rest which are due to him now that the shadows of his life begin to lengthen in the golden west. His career has been without shadow of-wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men, his more than four-score years-resting lightly upon him and being crowned with honor. Mr. Lichtle is a native of the province of Alsace, Germany, which-at the time of his birth, on the 1st of November, 1817, was still a part of France. There he was reared to years of maturity and there he learned 486      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the trade of weaver, to which he devoted his attention until 1852, when he emigrated to the United States, making the voyage on a sailing vessel, Maria Teresa, and arriving in the port of New York city forty-two days after embarking. From New York he came to Tiffin, Ohio, and for three months after his arrival he was employed in connection with the construction of the Big Four Railroad, after which he purchased thirty acres of land in Loudon township and here settled and began his career as a farmer. Success crowned his energetic and well-directed efforts and he was enabled to add to his original tract until he had accumulated a finely improved landed estate of two hundred and sixty acres. He continued in agricultural pursuits in an active way until his advanced age led him to lay aside the cares involved, and he recently sold his farm property to his sons John and Andrew and his son-in-law, Joseph Brickner, and he now makes his home with the son first mentioned. In politics he has ever given his allegiance to the Democratic party, and' his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which he has been a communicant from his youth. At the age of twenty-seven Mr. Lichtle was united in marriage to Miss Therese Murey, who likewise was born in Alsace, France, and who accompanied him on his removal to America. She died twenty-two years since, and his second .wife, who is still living, was Mrs. Christina Roth. Of their nine children six survive, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Peter Caser, of Indiana; Rosa, the wife of Joseph Brickner, of Loudon township; John, also of this township; Andrew, who likewise operates a portion of the old homestead; and Michael and Joseph, who reside in the city of Cleveland. John Lichtle, son of the subject of this sketch, still resides on the old homestead farm where he was reared, having purchased one hundred acres of the same of his father, and he is known as one of the energetic and progressive farmers and stock-growers of this section, while his course has ever been such as to retain to him uniform respect and esteem. Like his honored father, he is Democratic in politics and a communicant of St. Patrick's Catholic church. He was born on the 3d of July, 1857. John Lichtle has been twice married,—first to Miss CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        487 Sophia Sigman, who died in August, 1897, leaving seven children, namely : Anna, Mary, Emma, Dora, Frederick, Isabel and Henry. On the 25th of January, 1899, Mr. Lichtle wedded Miss Catherine Myers, who was born in this township, the daughter of Joseph Myers. and of this union one child has been born,—Florence. HENRY RINEBOLD. Throughout his entire life Henry Rineboid has been numbered amoung the residents of Jackson township, Seneca county. His birth occurred on the farm on which he now resides, on the 18th of August, 1856. His father, Jacob, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1821, but when a boy he was brought by his parents, John and Catherine (Wuninger) Rinebold, to Seneca county, the family locating in Loudon township, where the son Jacob grew to years of maturity. He was here married to Mary A. Lambright, and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom still survive: Noah, Elizabeth, Henry, Ann, Mahala, Rachel and Jacob. The two who have passed away are John and Margaret. After his marriage Mr. Rinebold purchased eighty acres of school land in Jackson township, to which he afterwards added another eighty-acre tract and still later another tract of eighty acres, and in addition he also had forty acres in Wood county. His remaining days were spent in his home in Jackson township, and his eyes were closed in death on the 4th of March, 1894. During his entire life he was a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and: was a worthy and acceptable member of Zion German Lutheran church. His wife passed to her final reward on the 16th of August, 1887. In coming to Jackson township he located on the present farm, which had been leased to another man, who had made some slight improvements, including a log house, and this was his home until erecting the present brick residence in 1861. He cleared out the greater part of one hundred and sixty acres and his life was devoted to the cultivation of his farm. 488      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Henry Rinebold, whose name forms the caption of this review, received a common-school education in his youth, and from an early age he has been identified with the work of the farm. After his marriage he assumed the management of the homestead farm, and here he has spent his entire life. After his father's death he became its owner, and the place now consists of one hundred and twenty acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation. This farm also contains eleven oil wells, all of which are excellent producers, and are yielding to their owner a handsome financial return. Although his business interests are such that they claim nearly his entire time and attention, he is at all times a public-spirited and progressive citizen, actively concerned in all that pertains to the welfare of his fellow men, and his political support is given to the Democracy. He is generally found in the party conventions and has often been called upon to be a party representative in various campaigns, generally polling a handsome vote. Mr. Rinebold was married May 27, 1877, to Miss Lodema Sheffler, a native of Wood county, Ohio, and a daughter of Conrad and Presida (Buchtle) Sheffler. Three children have blessed this union, namely Ora Z., the wife of W. R. Mazey, of Delphos, Ohio; and Harvey D. and Wilbert Henry, at home. The family is one of prominence in Seneca county, and their pleasant home is the center of a cultured society circle. JACOB ECKER. In a recent editorial touching the German element in our complex social fabric a leading Chicago daily spoke as follows: "The German is thoughtful, deliberate; the nation is fortunate in which he is numerous.. His mind, profound, thorough, painstaking and free from sudden emotion, acts as a balance wheel for its environment. Germany has supplied to the United States splendid elements of citizenship." None can doubt the truth of these statements, and in nearly every section of the United States the German-American figures as a valued and potent CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        489 factor. The subject of this review is a worthy representative of this type, and his life has been one of signal usefulness and honor, while he has commanded uniform confidence and esteem by reason of his sterling character. He has passed the greater portion of his life in Seneca county, and here he has attained success through his own efforts, being numbered among the substantial farmers of Jackson township. He has depended on his own resources from his boyhood, and through his well-directed efforts and determinate purpose has achieved independence and a high degree of prosperity. Mr. Ecker was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and in the fatherland lie was reared to the age of sixteen years, having secured his educational training in the excellent schools of Bavaria. As a lad of sixteen lie emigrated to America, making the trip in a sailing vessel and being on the water for seventy-six days. Shortly after his arrival he came to. Seneca county, making Fostoria his destination, and for the ensuing six years he was employed on various farms in this locality. At the expiration of this period he rented land and engaged in farming on his own responsibility, continuing operation under these conditions for twelve years, within which time he accumulated sufficient money to justify him in the purchase of his present farm, which comprises ninety acres. When he located here the improvements made were of primitive order, a log house and a log barn having been erected on the place, which now has a fine residence and other buildings of the best type,. while the land has been brought under a high state of cultivation. In addition to the homestead Mr. Ecker also. cultivates the farm of one hundred and sixteen acres owned by his wife, the same being also located in this township. In political matters Mr. Ecker gives a stalwart support to the Democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Reformed church, while his wife holds membership in the Lutheran church. He takes a lively interest in all that concerns the well-being of the community and he served for fifteen years as school director of his district. On October 21, 1863, Mr. Ecker was united in marriage to Miss Lucetta Stahl, who was born in Seneca county, Cie daughter of Henry 31 490      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Elizabeth (Rinebold) Stahl, and of this union three children have been born, namely: Amelia, the wife of John Heughberger, of Leipsic, Ohio; Ephraim, who is associated with his father in his farming operations; and Annie, the wife of Elmer Ash, of Gratiot county, Michigan. Mrs. Ecker's parents have both died since the above sketch was written,—the mother on the 6th of March and the father on the 3d of May, 1902. JEREMIAH PANKHURST. This gentleman was one of the honored pioneers who aided in laying the foundation on which to erect the superstructure of Seneca county's present prosperity and progress. Through the period of early development he was an important factor in the improvement and advancement of this section of the state, and was also concerned with the broader interests which had to do with the welfare of the commonwealth. Jeremiah Pankhurst was born in Kent county, England, on the 9th of January, 1809, and when twenty years of age he left the land of his birth for Canada, where he remained but a short time and then went to New York. He subsequently made his way to the Buckeye state, where for a number of years he was engaged in work on the canal. The year 1834 witnessed his arrival in Seneca county, where he entered forty acres of land in Loudon township, to which he afterward added until he became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, but in 1847 he disposed of that property and purchased the one hundred and twenty acres where Mrs. Pankhurst now resides. He was very successful in his Chosen line of occupation, and at one time he owned as high as seven hundred acres of land, but he afterward divided his property among his children, assisting each in turn as it came time for them to start on the journey of life on their own account, till his estate became reduced to three hundred acres at his death. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY         - 491 Mr. Pankhurst was married in 1836, when Miss Mary Williams became his wife, and one child, Moses, came to bless their home, but he was called upon to lay down his life on the altar of his country at the battle of Stone River, at the age of twenty-two. The loving wife and mother was also called to the home beyond, and in 1841 Mr. Pankhurst wedded Miss Lucy A. McDougle, a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, and a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Updyke) McDougle, who came to Seneca county as early as 1834. By his second marriage Mr. Pankhurst became the father of thirteen children, but only seven of the number are now living, namely: Daniel, John, Peter, Wesley, Amanda A., the wife of Robert Bingham, of Jackson township; Celinda, the wife of Joseph E. Chilcote, also of Jackson township, and Lucinda A., at home. Mr. Pankhurst gave his political support to the Republican party, and he was honored with many of the public offices of his township. He was called. from this earth on the 17th of October, 1884, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was long a faithful and consistent member. His was a long, active and honorable life, and his name is indelibly inscribed on the pages of Seneca county's history. ANSON A. ANDERSON. The first half of the nineteenth century was characterized by the immigration of that pioneer element which made the great state of Ohio what it is. These immigrants were sturdy, heroic, upright, sincere people, such as constitute the intrinsic strength of a commonwealth. It scarcely appears probable that in the future history of the world another such period can occur, or indeed any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men. and heroic, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. Too careful Or too frequent reference cannot be made in the pages of history concerning those who have figured as the founders and builders of a great commonwealth, and in connection 492      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. with this brief review of the personal history of Mr. Anderson it is our privilege to touch incidentally and specifically upon interesting data in regard to the sterling pioneer family of which he is -a member and which has been identified with the annals of the Buckeye state since an early period in the last century. Our subject is known as one of the influential and worthy citizens and successful agriculturists of Seneca county, where he has passed practically his entire life, since his parents here located in the year of his birth. Anson A. Anderson is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Franklin county, Ohio, on the 18th of March, 1833, the son of John and Candacy (Chaney) Anderson, who became the parents of seven children, of whom only our subject and his sister Nancy survive, she being the wife of Joseph Hoover, a prominent farmer of Hopewell township. John Anderson was born in Pennsylvania, about the year 1804, and from that state his .parents emigrated to Ohio while he was a boy, locating in Franklin county, where his father took up a tract of wild land and where he was residing at the outbreak of the war of 1812, for which he enlisted, his death occurring at Fort Findlay while he was still in the service. His widow subsequently became the wife of a Mr. Jacob Eisenhart, and of their three children two survive,—Jacob, a resident 'of Michigan; and Harriet, of Williams county, Ohio. The father of our subject was reared on the pioneer homestead in Franklin county, receiving his educational discipline in the primitive schools of the place and period and early beginning to share in the arduous work of the farm. In that county occurred his marriage to Miss Chaney, and then he came to Seneca county in 1833, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1876, while to him was accorded unequivocal esteem in this section of the state, where he was a pioneer settler. Upon coming to the county he entered claim to seventy acres of government land, in Hopewell township, the same being heavily timbered and practically untouched by the hand of man. He made a clearing and erected a little log house, and then set himself vigorously to the task of reclaiming the farm, eventually making good improvements and bringing it into effective cultivation. This farm is now owned by his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        493 son-in-law, Joseph Hoover, previously mentioned. Mr. Anderson continued to reside on this homestead until his death, prior to which he had added to his landed estate in the county until he was the owner of more than two hundred acres. His wife had died two years previously. Anson A. Anderson, the immediate subject of this review, was indebted to the pioneer schools of Seneca county for the educational advantages which were his in his youth, and he continued to assist in the improvement and cultivation of the old homestead until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, when he inaugurated his independent career by securing employment at farm work. Two years later his marriage occurred, and shortly afterward he rented a farm in Liberty township, where he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, in the same township, subsequently adding to the same by the purchase of contiguous tracts until the home farm now has an area of two hundred and forty acres. That he has been successful in his farming, which has been diversified from the start, is shown in the acquisitions he has thus made and in the fine improvements which are to be noted on the place, while he has further augmented his landed estate, being the owner of forty acres in Jackson township, sixty acres in Loudon township and eighty in Hopewell township, this entire property being well improved and under effective cultivation, the aggregate area of the estate being four hundred and twenty acres, so that our subject is to be designated as one of the extensive landholders of the county, as he is also known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen and as a man of irreproachable character. He has exerted a timely and valuable influence in public affairs of a local nature, maintaining an independent attitude in politics, and the popular confidence in which he is held has been signalized by his election to offices of trust and responsibility, since he served six years as justice of the peace and two terms as trustee of Liberty township. He is a communicant of St. Andrew's Catholic church, of which he is a trustee. His family also hold membership in the same church and are prominent in the social life of the community. On the 1st of January, 1858, Mr. Anderson was united in mar- 494      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. riage to Miss Catherine Corrigan, who was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Peter and Catherine (Nolan) Corrigan, who were among the honored pioneer farmers of Seneca county, Ohio, where he died at sixty-four years of age. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson all are living except Addie, who died at the age of seven years. The others are here named in the order of their birth: John, Jessie, Nettie, William V., James, Frank, Lawrence, Charles and Louis. HENRY BYERS. As one reviews the history of the county and looks into the past to see who were prominent in its early development he will find that through a long period the name of Byers has been closely connected with the progress and advancement of this section of the state. For many years Henry Byers, of this review, has been a resident of Seneca county. Wild was the region into which he came when a boy of fourteen years, and from that early period he has been prominently identified with the history of the community. A native son of the Buckeye state, his birth occurred in Stark county, February 20, 1838, a son of Jacob and Nancy (McLoughlinj Byers. The father was born in Frederick county, Maryland, but when a boy he came with his father, John Byers, to Stark county, Ohio, where the latter entered land from the government. Wild was the region at that early day. Its forests stood in their primeval strength, the prairie land was still unbroken, and the Indians roamed through the dense woods, seeking the game which could be had in abundance. There the son Jacob grew to years of maturity, and after his marriage lie settled down to the quiet and peaceful life of a farmer. About 1852 he removed to Seneca county, purchasing eighty acres of land, which now forms a part of our subject's present farm, and there he spent his remaining days on earth, passing away at the age of eighty-three years. In early life he gave his political support to the Democracy, but later he CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        495 became identified with the Republican party, and his religious preference was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. Of his eight children only three now survive,—Jeremiah S., a prominent farmer of Jackson township, Seneca county; Eliza, the wife of Isaac Cook, of Grattan, Michigan; and Henry, the subject of this review. The latter grew to years of maturity on his father's farms in Stark and Seneca counties, and to their public schools he is indebted for the educational advantages which he received in his youth. When the trouble between the north and the south threw the country into civil war he nobly put aside all personal considerations, and in 1862 became a member of Company K, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. With his regiment he took part in the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro, but at the latter engagement he was wounded and taken prisoner. After a confinement of three weeks in Libby prison he was paroled and sent to the hospital at Annapolis, thence to the parole camp and later to Camp Chase, where he was ordered, after being exchanged, to join his regiment at Bridgeport, Alabama. Mr. Byers participated in all the battles in which his regiment took part excepting that of Chickamauga., and' at the close of hostilities he was mustered out of service, receiving an honorable discharge in June, 1865, after which he returned to his home and again assumed the management of the homestead farm, which had been his task since his sixteenth year. Two years after returning from the war he was married, bringing his bride to the old family homestead, and after his father's death, in the early '80s, he purchased the place. Prior to this time he had also become the owner of a forty-acre tract adjoining, and thus his landed' possessions were increased to one hundred and twenty acres, where he is now extensively engaged in general farming. He is a business man of much more than ordinary ability, and his unremitting toil and close attention to business throughout his active career have been the means of winning for him the handsome competence which is to-day his. The marriage of Mr. Byers was celebrated in 1867, when Miss Susanna Stainbrook became his wife. She, too, claimed Ohio as the 496      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. state of her nativity, her birth having occurred in Muskingum county. They became the parents of four children, but two of the number, Fannie J. and Margaret E., have passed away in death, at eighteen and thirteen respectively, and the two surviving ones are Sarah E. and Arthur E., both at home. The loving wife and mother has joined her children in the spirit world, having closed her eyes in death in 1888. Mr. Byers gives his political support to the Republican party, but, although he is a public-spirited and progressive citizen to a marked degree, has never been a seeker after political preferment. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but that congregation afterward disbanded, and he has never since allied his interests with any denomination, although he is a constant attendant at divine worship. His social relations connect him with Ash Post, G. A. R., at Kansas, this county, in which he holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades of the "blue." ISAAC KAGY, M. D. Dr. Isaac Kagy, who was born on the farm on which he now resides, February 2, 1828, is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Seneca county. His father, John Kagy, was a native of the Old Dominion, having been born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, on the 17th of January, 1797, a son of Rudolph and 'Hannah (Siple) Kagy, who became the parents of the following named children: John, Jacob, Christian, Abraham, Catherine, Barbara, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, Rudolph, Henry and Martin. In the year 1819 this family left their home in the Old Dominion state and came to Ohio taking up their abode on a pioneer farm near Rushville, Fairfield county, where the grandfather of our subject died at the age of fifty-five years, his widow long surviving him and passing away at the venerable age of ninety-one • years. Both were prominent and devoted members of the Baptist church and were known as persons of sterling character. Deacon John Kagy, the father of the Doctor, was twenty-two CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        497 years of age when he accompanied the family on their removal to Fairfield county, and after his arrival there he engaged in farming and teaching school. In 1822, at a public land sale, he purchased the farm on which our subject now resides, in Eden township, but this did not become his permanent place of residence until 1827. His first home here was a log cabin of one room, the domicile being twenty feet square and being constructed of round logs. This continued to be the family home for ten years, at the expiration of which period the present substantial brick residence was erected on the same site, in 1837. It is finished in walnut and butternut timber taken from the farm, and the brick utilized was also manufactured on the homestead, this having been one of the first brick houses to be erected in the county. Mr. Kagy secured his original homestead, of one hundred and sixty acres, from the government, and at that time it was covered with a. dense growth of native timber, principally walnut, but as the years passed he succeeded in effectively reclaiming the land and soon the fields were under an excellent state of cultivation. Here he continued to make his home until the 4th of April, 1865, when he removed to an adjoining farm, and from that time until his death he lived in quiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of his former toil and endeavor. He was a. worthy member and active worker in the Baptist church, in which he long held the office of deacon, and in all the relations of life he was signally true, faithful and honorable, commanding the high regard of all who knew him. In Fairfield county, on the 3d of December, 1820, Deacon John Kagy was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hite, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on the 25th of July, 1801, and they became the parents of ten children, concerning whom we here incorporate a brief record. Andrew, who was a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, was long engaged in the practice of his profession at Union Mills, Iowa, where his death occurred in the year 1871 ; Hannah became the wife of Henry Boroff, and her death occurred in 1853; Rudolph, who was born May 13, 1826, became a successful farmer in Marion county, Illinois, where he located in the year 1861 and where his death occurred on the 29th of June, 1901 ; Isaac, the next in order of birth, is 498      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the immediate subject of this review; John B., who is a prominent attorney-at-law of Salem, Illinois, and ex-judge of the county court, was for many years a professional partner of Judge Silas L. Bryan, the father of William Jennings Bryan; David, who was born May 23, 1832, died in Illinois, on the 8th of February, 1887, having been there engaged in farming, while he was also a successful teacher for a number of years ; Rachel, who was born May 3, 1834, is the wife of Benjamin Huddle, of Marion county, Illinois; Catherine, who was born on the 25th of January, 1837, became the wife of Hiram J. Cummings, and she died at their home, in Pierce City, Missouri, on the 19th of March, 1885 ; Levi, who was born October 29, 1838, is a resident of Fostoria and was formerly incumbent of the office of auditor of Seneca county; and Amos H., who was born January 16, 1841, is a prominent attorney of Kansas City, Missouri. The father of these children lived to attain the venerable age of eighty-eight years, his death occurring at the home of his daughter Rachel, in Illinois, whence his remains were brought to the old home in Seneca county and -interred in the Kagy cemetery. cherished and devoted wife passed away at the age of eighty-five years. Dr. Isaac Kagy, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm where he now maintains his home, and his. preliminary educational discipline was received in a subscription school one mile distant from the homestead residence. At the age of eighteen years he was matriculated in the Physio-Medical College in Cincinnati, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1849, and immediately after leaving that institution he located in Bloom township, in his native county, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for eight months. During the winter of 1849-50 the Doctor was engaged in teaching in one of the district schools of the county, and thereafter he resumed the active practice of his profession, locating at Green Spring, where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that period he was compelled to abandon the work of his profession, his health having become much impaired, and from that time until 1861 he served as postmaster at Green Spring and was also the local station agent for the M. R. & L. E. Railroad. In the year mentioned he resigned these po- i CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        499 sitions and became auditor of Seneca county, retaining this. incumbency for a period of four years, having been elected to this office in 1860. In 1863, having prosecuted a careful course of technical reading, the Doctor was admitted to the bar of the state, though he has never given much attention to work in the line of this profession. He has long been an active factor in political and governmental affairs in the county and has gained distinctive recognition as. one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section of the state, ever laboring earnestly and effectively to advance the party cause. In 1865 the Doctor was elected to represent his district in the Ohio legislature, in which he served for a term of two years, proving an able and valuable working member of the legislative body. For three years he was incumbent of the office of justice of the peace, and while serving as county auditor he was simultaneously a member of the city council and the board of education of Tiffin. In 1872 Dr. Kagy was appointed by the county commissioners to fill a vacancy in the office of county auditor, and in 1885, when occurred the death of the county treasurer, John Heabler, the Doctor was chosen to fill the vacancy and served in that capacity for sixteen months. Dr. Kagy's name is a familiar one in political circles in this section of the state, and, by reason of his marked intellectuality and superior ability, he is well fitted to aid in molding the policies of the state, to control general interests and direct public opinion, and he has been a potent factor in the councils of his party, serving as delegate to its various conventions in the county and state and doing specially effective work in advocating its cause during the different campaigns and through timely and able contributions to the public press. From 1890 until 1900 Dr. Kagy served consecutively as a member of the state board of equalization, the number of whose members is the same as that of the state senate, and whose duties are in the equalization of the real-estate assessments in the state. From 1873 to 1875 he was one of the proprietors and editors of the Toledo Democrat, devoting the major portion of his time to editorial work in this connection, while from early years he had been a frequent and valued contributor to the local papers. When Major Armstrong was elected to the office of secretary of state he insisted 500      - CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. upon the Doctor's taking up a line of editorial work on the Seneca Advertiser, and he did very efficient service in this capacity. He is a felicitous public speaker and his services have long been in requisition in this capacity, both in connection with political work and on various other occasions. The Doctor was one of the organizers of the Seneca County Agricultural Society, with which he continued to be identified until the organization became defunct. In 1857 he became a member of Green Spring Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being later dimitted to Tiffin Lodge, of which he has been a prominent member for a score of years. While Dr. Kagy has a deep respect for spiritual verities, he has advanced and pronounced views and is in thorough sympathy with the doctrines advanced by the late Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll. He was reared under the rigid .discipline of the Baptist church, and such is the constituency of his vigorous mentality that he early began to be somewhat skeptical as to the consistency of orthodox religious tenets, and his reading and investigation eventually led him to become an avowed agnostic. His mind is intrinsically logical and he demands reasons, not dogmatic statements, and thus he secured little satisfaction in attempting to reconcile religious doctrines with scientific truths. He has been an extensive and careful reader, has marked powers of assimilation, and his analytical and logical mind has brought to him definite convictions, which he is ever able to effectively defend. In 1867 the Doctor retired to the old Kagy homestead, in Eden township, and to this he has since added until he now has a fine landed estate of two hundred and twenty-five acres. He has made this his home for many years, and save for intervals when official or business duties demanded his residence elsewhere, has continuously given his personal supervision to the cultivation of the farm and to the raising of a high-grade of live stock, having been very successful in both departments of his farming enterprise. The Doctor is one of the county's most progressive and public-spirited citizens, and he has so ordered his life as to command unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county where he has passed practically his entire life. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        501 On the 29th of March, 1849, Dr. Kagy was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Taylor Martin, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, being the daughter of Samuel S. and Mary (McCormick) Martin. Three children have been born of this union, namely : Samuel T., who died in infancy; Mary C., who is the wife of Thomas J. Frazier, of Zanesville; and 'Hannah S., who is the wife of Dr. James S. Haly, of Napoleon, Ohio. JOHN W. SPRAGGINS. John W. Spraggins, general superintendent of the National Machinery Company, of Tiffin, Ohio, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, January 30, 1861. When eight years old he accompanied his parents, Isaac and Mary Ann (Granger) Spraggins, to America. In England the elder Mr. Spra.ggins was employed as a gamekeeper, but after locating in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868, he became connected with the firm of Scofield & -Wilson, which firm were the pioneers in the business which has developed into the gigantic corporation now known as the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Spraggins was a faithful employe and a hard-working man until his death, which took place at the age of forty-nine years. The mother of Mr. Spraggins, of this sketch, died at the age of fifty years, as the result of a street-car accident. The children who sun vived infancy were as follows : Anna, who died early; John W., who is the subject of this biography; Alice, who married William Farrel, of Shelby, Ohio; Isaac, who is a. boiler-maker for the Standard Oil Company in Cleveland; Nellie, living' at Camden, New Jersey ; and Anna, who is the wife of John Little, a resident of Cleveland, who has an interest in the Shelby Tube Works. The school life of our subject closed at the age of nine years, when he had mastered the mysteries of the Third Reader. Although but a lad his growing needs had to be supplied by his own labor, and he accepted a position in a brick-yard in Cleveland, remaining there until he was made a messenger boy in the service of the Standard Oil Company. His 502      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. father was long an employe, and was the inventor of the steam still now in use by this company. The youth continued in this situation for several years and then became a clerk in a shoe store in Cleveland, all the time gaining a firmer hold on. the respect and in the esteem of those with whom he was associated. In 1878 he entered upon an apprenticeship in Cleveland in the trade of machinist, and remained three years, becoming a skilled workman, his capacity and general character causing his engagement with the National Machinery Company when it removed its plant from Cleveland to Tiffin. This was on January 12, 1883, the business then being one of small proportions, but before the roof was on the new factory the confidence of his employers was shown to Mr. Spraggins by his selection by them as foreman, which position he most efficiently filled for the succeeding six years. In 1895 he was made general superintendent, and has filled this responsible position ever since. The National Machinery Company is a large industrial plant, its capitalization being three' hundred thousand dollars, and its force of workmen reaching some two hundred and sixty skilled mechanics, its output being shipped all over the United States and Europe. This business is the manufacturing of machinery for the making of wire nails, nuts and bolts and special machinery, the volume of trade having increased since its location in Tiffin to a wonderful extent. Mr. Spraggins has followed the fortunes of this company from the bottom and much of its success must be regarded as, a result of his efficient superintendence. In marked degree he possesses just the qualities required in such a position, and he enjoys not only the confidence and esteem of his employers but also the respect and obedience of those; under his supervision. On January 19, 1882, Mr. Spraggins was united in marriage to Miss Isabella McCoy, of Cleveland, and a family of three children has been born to them, namely: Charles A., who learned the machinist trade, and who has just finished a business course in Heidelberg Uni- versity; and Linnie and William H., Jr., both of whom are at home. In his political sympathies Mr. Spraggins has long been an active CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        503 member of the Republican party and has many friends in its ranks, although he has not consented to hold office. Fraternally his connection is with the B. P. 0. E., Lodge No. 94, of Tiffin; Pickwick Lodge., No. 175, Knights of Pythias; Uniform Rank, No. 50; the Knights of the Maccabees, and the United Workmen. His family are attendants of the Presbyterian church of this city, where they are held in esteem. It can not be otherwise than inspiring to consider a career like that of Mr. Spraggins and to note its results and rewards. His early environment was shorn of almost every worldly advantage, but through sheer force of character 'he has surmounted the innumerable obstacles in his path and has won prominence and competency and the respect and affection of a large circle of friends. FREDERICK L. SMELTZ. As a representative of one of the pioneer families of Seneca county and as one who has here passed his entire life, it is certainly consistent that we enter in this work a review of the career of Mr. Smeltz, who has long. been identified with the agricultural and stock-growing interests of the county, having a fine estate in Venice township and being honored as one of its representative men. He is a native of the township in which he now maintains his home, having been born on the old pioneer homestead on the 17th of July, 1852, the son of Martin and Christianna (Lebold) Smeltz, who became the parents of ten children, of whom five survive, namely: Conrad, a resident of Venice township; Franklin, whose home is in Caldwell county, Missouri; Frederick L., the subject of this sketch; Maria, the wife of John West, of Bloomville; and Sophia, the wife of Levi Hillis, of the old homestead. Martin Smeltz was a native of Darmstadt, Germany, and was a son of Peter Smeltz, who emigrated thence to Pennsylvania when Martin was a lad of seven years. Peter Smeltz afterward removed to Carroll county, Ohio, where he became a pioneer farmer and where he 504      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. passed the remainder of his life. Martin Smeltz, father of our subject, came to Seneca county while still a single man and here entered claim to a tract of three hundred and sixty acres of heavily timbered land in Venice township. Here he erected a log cabin and made ready to bring his family to the new home. Before starting on his return journey to Carroll county he placed his cooking utensils beneath the split-plank floor of his little cabin, and while on his way he encountered a family named Delaney, to whom he gave information as to the point where he had erected his house, and the family were given permission to occupy the same during the winter. Mr. Smeltz returned with his wife, whom he had married in Tuscarawas county in the meantime, and here he developed a good farm, becoming one of the honored and successful farmers of this section. His wife died about the year 1855, and he subsequently married a Miss Mary Lenhardt, there being no issue of this union. Martin Smeltz lived to attain the venerable age of seventy-two years, his death occurring, in Caroline in the year 1880. Frederick L. Smeltz, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was reared on the parental homestead and received such educational advantages as were afforded in the public schools maintained in this locality in the clays of his youth, while he early began to lend. his assistance in the work of the farm.. At the age of eighteen years he assumed charge of the home place and there continued to make his home for several years farther. He was married in the fall of 1878 and about a year later he removed to his present home farm at Caroline, which was then owned by his father-in-law and which he purchased in 1884. In 1880 he purchased a tract of eighty acres adjoining this farm, opposite his present home. In 1897 Mr. Smeltz purchased fifty-three acres contiguous on the south, and in addition to this his wife owns about eighty acres additional in the township, so that the aggregate area of the landed estate is two hundred and forty acres. For the last few years our subject has been to a large degree retired from the active work of the farm, having his land cultivated by others on shares. He has one of the finest and most modern farm residences iii the county, erected in 1880-1, and the family home is a center of generous hospitality. He is held in the highest CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        505 esteem in his native county and is known as an able business man and as one whose probity is above question. Mr. Smeltz fully appreciates the charms and broadening influence of travel, and has visited nearly all the states of the Union. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, taking a lively interest in all that concerns the general welfare of the community and lending his aid and influence for all worthy objects. His religious faith is that of the Protestant Methodist church, of which his wife and children are devoted adherents. On the 1st of October, 1878, Mr. Smeltz was united in marriage to Miss Christianna M. Lebold, who was born in Venice township, the daughter of 'Frederick and Rachel (McKibben) Lebold, one of the influential pioneer citizens of this locality, where he was engaged' in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, at sixty-eight. Frederick Lebold was born in Wittemberg, Germany, a son of Conrad and Christianna (Eichenhofer) Lebold, and when one year old was brought to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and at thirteen to Venice township, Seneca county. He was married at twenty-seven to Rachel McKibben, who was born in Pennsylvania and brought to Seneca county when four years old, and who is still living at the old home at Caroline, aged seventy-three. Mrs. Smeltz was the only child to reach maturity and she was born and reared in this vicinity. Our subject and his wife 'have two children,—Lawson F. and Inez A.,—both being popular young people and taking an active part in the social affairs of the community where they have been reared and educated. WILLIAM CRAMER. Honored and respected by all, William Cramer was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Seneca county, Ohio, but he is now living retired at his pleasant home in Fostoria. He was born in York county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1831, a son of John and Catherine (Sloat) Cramer. His father, also a native of that county, was 32 506.     CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. born on the 25th of September, 1794. He was there married, and all of his children were born in the Keystone state. About 1836. he came with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, locating in Loudon township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the present site of the Cramer sawmill. There he also erected a sawmill, which was conducted by water power until about 1840, but it was in operation only about three months during the year. In this locality Mr. Cramer passed to his final reward on the 29th of June, 1859. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, eight of whom still survive, namely : Daniel, who now makes his home with our subject ; Henry, a resident of Fostoria ; John, of Van Wert, Ohio; Emanuel, a resident of Ionia county, Michigan ; Adam, also of Fostoria ; William, of this review ; Sophia, the widow of Peter Wickerham and a resident of Big Spring township, Seneca county; and Sarah, the wife of Augustus Elliott, of Ionia. county. Michigan. Three of the children have now reached the eightieth milestone on the journey of life, and the youngest has passed the age of sixty-five years. William Cramer, our subject, was reared amid the refining influences of a cultured home, and the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth were those afforded by the common schools. At the age of twenty-four years and in company with his brother Daniel, he erected a steam sawmill on the site of his father's old mill, the latter having fallen into decay, but this property was destroyed by fire in 1860, and in the same year, in company with his brother-in-law, Morgan Snyder, Mr. Cramer erected the fine mill property which is still standing. After his father's death he acquired eighty acres of the old homestead, which he conducted in connection with his milling business, and for Many years he also operated a threshing machine. In 1894, however, he sold his possessions to his son Daniel H., and removed to the village of Fostoria, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. On the 19th of October, 1856, Mr. Cramer was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Snyder, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, and the daughter of Abraham and Susannah (Smith) Snyder. The latter died of typhoid fever at Nashville, Tennessee, July 23, 1864, while nobly serv- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        507 ing his country in the Civil war. This union has been blessed with ten children, nine of whom are still living: Daniel H.; William A., a traveling salesman of Fostoria; Jennie, the wife of Isaac Stultz, of Jackson township, Seneca county; Morgan E., a member of the Fostoria fire department; John J., an electrician of Fostoria; Nettie A., the wife of John Hazen, also of Fostoria; Anna S., the wife of Edward Seeman, of Dunkirk, Indiana; Allie A., a saleslady; and Fred V., also an electrician, at home. The Republican party receives Mr. Cramer's hearty support and co-operation, and for one term he has served as a justice of the peace. His religious preference is indicated by his connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an honored and esteemed member and for many years has served as its class-leader. Throughout his business career he was emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of the county which has so long been Ins- home. 0          • 0 DANIEL WILLIAMS. How rapidly time is. thinning the ranks of the brave boys in blue who went forth in defense of the nation's integrity during the dark and stormy epoch of the Civil war is, evident to even the superficial observer, and the silvered heads of those who appear in the ranks of the veterans at the various encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic show whither the line of march is tending. The younger generation may well look in admiration and honor upon these valiant sons of the republic who saved to the world a grand and united country, and though time has thrown its beneficent influence over the story of the great conflict and the animosities of the past have been softened and chastened, yet never can there be aught but appreciation of the services of the men who followed the stars and stripes on the sanguinary battle fields of the south. One of the honored veterans of the war of the Rebellion is the subject of this 508      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. brief tribute, whose home has been in Seneca county during the entire period of his life and who is to-day numbered among the successful farmers of this section of the state. Mr. Williams was born on a farm in Jackson township, this county, on the 1st of May, 1842, being one of the eight children of John and Barbara Williams and one of the five who are living at the present time. Three of the sons went forth in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, and one of the number sacrificed his life on the altar of his country. John Williams, who is now a resident of Michigan, was in the one hundred days' service, and David, who was a member of Company E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisted at the age of eighteen years and was so seriously wounded in the battle of Stone River that lie died from his injuries, passing away at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old homestead, securing his early educational training in the district schools, and he was but twenty years of age when he took up arms in defense of an imperiled Union, enlisting on the 13th of September, 1862, as a private in Company E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which his brother David was a member, as has been noted. The first engagement of importance in which our subject took part was that at Stone River, and thereafter he was an active participant in many of the most memorable conflicts incidental to the great struggle for the perpetuation of the Union, including the battles of Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign in its entireity, the battle of Nashville and the engagement at Pickett's Mills, where it is evident that he was in the thick of the fray, since sixteen bullets passed through his clothes. M. Williams rendered valiant service and remained in the ranks until victory crowned the Union arms, being honorably discharged in June, 1865, and being mustered. out at Nashville. General Rosecrans established a roll of honor of those soldiers who had become distinguished, and Private Daniel Williams was one of two named from Company E, and was distinguished by wearing a special ribbon. After the demoralization of the forces during the battle of Stone River but six privates of his corn- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        509 pang stacked arms that night. His action led his superiors to select him for this special honor. After his discharge Mr. Williams returned to Jackson township and resumed his identification with agriculture. He has made this township his home during his entire life and he took up his residence on his present well improved farm in 1893, having .ninety acres and devoting his attention to general farming. He is highly honored in the community, is a Republican in his political proclivities and keeps in touch with his old comrades in arms by retaining membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, being affiliated with Norris Post, at Fostoria, of which he is a popular member. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which both he and his wife are devoted adherents. On the 24th of January, 1867, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Stark county, the daughter of Philip Smith, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Martha E., the widow of Ernest M. Solomon and now residing with her parents ; she has one son, Hubert L. ; Myrtie A. became the wife of Daniel Fell and died in this county at the age of twenty-six years ; Ella is the wife of Frank Harrison, of Jackson township, and has two sons.—Roy W. and Ralph ; and John, the youngest of our subject's children, is associated with his father in the operation of the farm. CHARLES R. LONG. Charles R. Long, the leading liveryman of Fostoria, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, February 14, 1872, a son of John W. and Margaret ( Ricketts) Long. The father also was born in that county, in 1831. His mother died when he was a child and he was afterward reared in the home of John Ricketts. When twenty years of age he was united in marriage to Margaret Ricketts, the niece of John Ricketts, also a native of the same county, and after their marriage they purchased a forty-acre tract and engaged in farming. In 1876 he removed to Dun- 510      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. kirk, Hardin county, Ohio, where he embarked in the livery business and also engaged in the sale of buggies, thus continuing until 1895, and during that time he was very successful, having sold over fifteen hundred buggies in that village alone. In the latter year he engaged in the same line of trade in Findlay, but in 1901 he sold his livery business and has since given his attention to the supervision of his farm of four hundred and twenty-eight acres in Hardin county, though residing in Findlay. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and in his social relations is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Long was blessed with nine children, six now living, namely : Charles R., the subject of this review ; James, engaged in the livery business in Findlay ; Harvey, in the same line of trade in Napoleon, this state; Raleigh, who is engaged in business with his brother James in Findlay; Robert, who is in the employ with our subject; and Hazel, at home. Charles R. Long is indebted to the common schools of his native locality for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his early youth, and. afterward he became a student in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. From 1895 until 1896 he was engaged in the livery business with his father, but in that year the latter sold his interest to George Rummel, which relationship was maintained through the succeeding year, Mr. Long then selling his interest in order to remove to Rising Sun and engage in the same line of trade. For two years he was actively identified with the business interests of that city, but desiring a broader field for his operations he then, in 1899, took up his abode in Carey, conducting a successful livery business in that city until September, 1901. That month witnessed his arrival in Fostoria, where he soon afterward purchased the interests of Russell E. Smith, one of the oldest and best known liverymen in this locality. He has a thoroughly equipped livery establishment, keeping twenty-five of the best roadsters; with a full complement of buggies, surreys, coaches, etc. Mr. Long has attained prominence in the business circles of Seneca county, while in private life no man in the community has more friends than lie, which have been won and are being retained by his honorable methods and his CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        511 outspoken devotion to the best interests of the community and his mental ability. The marriage of our subject was celebrated on the 25th of August, 1897, when Miss Nellie Babcock, a native of Akron, Ohio, became his wife. They have two children,—Joe and Franklin. Mr. Long gives his political support to the Republican party, and his social connection is with Carey Lodge, No. 393, K. of P. MELCHIOR STARCK. This well known farmer of Seneca county, Ohio, whose home is in Liberty township, was born in Germany in 1827, and is a son of Melchior and Margaret Starck. Reared and educated in his native land, he at length determined to try his fortune in the new world, and in 1848 sailed for America. After a long and tedious voyage of fifty-seven clays he landed in Quebec, and proceeded at once to Seneca county, Ohio. He located in Liberty township, on the farm where he has since lived with the exception of five years. On coming to this country he was accompanied by his parents, but the father died about five months after his arrival here. In his family were six children, of whom our subject is the oldest. In the midst of the forest Mr. Starck cleared and improved a farm, and built thereon a log cabin with a huge fireplace at one end. In this primitive home several years were pleasantly passed, but it has long since been replaced by a more commodious and pretentious brick dwelling. In his home farm he now has one hundred and sixty acres, and also owns another tract of eighty acres, making in all two hundred and forty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is a thorough and skillful farmer and in his labors has met with most excellent success During the dark days of the Civil war Mr. Starck entered the service of his adopted country, enlisting in June, 1864, as a private in Company 512      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. C, One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained at the front until hostilities ceased, repeatedly taking part in skirmishes and battles, including Winchester, Cedar Creek and Petersburg, where he was wounded, receiving a bullet through his leg. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles, and religiously is a communicant of Liberty Catholic church. He is widely and favorably known in the community where he has so long made his home, and well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.   HON. AMOS DECKER. Amos Decker was born in Thompson township, Seneca county, on the old Decker homestead which he now owns, his natal day being the 11th of November, 1839. His father, Jacob Decker, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and was a son of John Decker, who emigrated with his family to Wayne county, Ohio, taking up his abode there in 1816. He entered a tract of land from the government and in 1830 came to Seneca county, establishing his home in Thompson township, where he again secured government land. This is now the property of Henry Luce. He married Julia A. Royer and in the pioneer style of the times they began their domestic life. As the years passed. Mr. Decker accumulated considerable land and he also entered from the government the quarter-section upon which our subject was born. He died in his sixty-fourth year and the community mourned the loss of one of its representative and valuable citizens, for he had taken an active and helpful part in many measures for the general good. He aided in organizing the schools of Thompson township, was an active worker in the Reformed church and co-operated earnestly in every movement which he believed would advance the general welfare and progress of his county. Under the paternal roof Jacob Decker, the father of our subject, spent his boyhood days. His educational privileges were quite meager, CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        513 both because his services were needed in clearing and developing his father's farm and because of the primitive condition of the schools at that time. He was only seven years of age when with his parents he came to Ohio, and thus amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared. In 1828 he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three years, and was then married, in 1831, after which he lived for one year on the old homestead. He then removed to the farm upon which the birth of Amos Decker occurred, and made that place his home until 1868, when he took up his abode upon an adjoining farm, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Bellevue, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring on the 7th of November, 1896, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He married Miss Susan Billman, and they became the parents of six children, namely : Barbara, the wife of Joseph Sherck, of Bellevue; John, who is living near Brinkley, Arkansas. where he owns and operates a ranch; David, who is a farmer and veterinary surgeon of Oklahoma; Amos, of this review; Milton, of Bellevue: and Jefferson, who died in infancy. In public affairs Hon. Jacob Decker waS quite prominent. He Served for two terms as county commissioner and in 1849 was elected a representative of his district in the state legislature. Again he was called to that position, defeating William H. Gibson, one of the most prominent and influential residents of Seneca county. He was an active member of the general assembly of Ohio and to each question which came up for consideration he gave earnest thought and attention, fearlessly supporting the measures which he believed to be right, and with equal ardor opposing those which he believed would work to the detriment of his county and state. He voted with the Democracy and it was on the ticket of that party that lie was elected to office. Amos Decker, who was born and reared on the old family homestead. entered the district schools at the usual age and afterward became a student in the Republic Academy under Professor Aaron Schuyler, the noted mathematician. When twenty-one years of age he took charge of the old home farm and throughout his entire life has been engaged 514      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. in agricultural pursuits. As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Lucy Paine, a daughter of Hon. John W. Paine and a granddaughter of John Paine, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Adams township, Seneca county. It was in that township that Mr. and Mrs. Paine married, and in 1865 they removed to Thompson township to the farm upon which Christian Woleslagle now resides. Mr. Paine served as notary public and also held the office of justice of the peace in Adams township. He was an attorney at law and his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence enabled him to discharge his duties as justice with excellent ability. He was called to represent his district in the state legislature, serving during the sessions of 1856-7 and succeeding Jacob Decker. For a second term he was elected and held the office in 1860-61. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during those periods and widely was he recognized as one of the most prominent and honored residents of his community. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Decker was celebrated October 20, 1864, and afterward he took charge of the old home farm. In 1866 he purchased a part of this, becoming owner of one hundred and eighty acres. He made his home thereon for nine years and then came to the farm; upon which he now resides. Many excellent improvements has he placed upon his property. He has here sixty-seven acres, but his landed possessions aggregate three hundred and twenty-seven acres, in Thompson township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, having for many years purchased and sold stock in connection with his farm operations. In 1887 he became connected with the grain trade in Bellevue, where he remained for three years, associated with Mr. Gardner for two years of that time and afterward with his father, Jacob Decker. He next formed a partnership with Mr. Sherck, to whom he subsequently sold his interest. In all his business undertakings his effores have been characterized by enterprise, sound judgment and executive ability. He carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and his labors have been crowned with a high degree of success. CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        515 Unto Mr. and Mrs. Decker have been born fourteen children: Emma, the wife of J. D. Royer, of Thompson township; Clara, the wife . of S. F. Royer, a brother of Judge J. C. Royer, of Tiffin; Susie, the wife of E. E. Elliott, of York township, Sandusky county; Mary, who was engaged in teaching for several years and is living with her parents; Charles A., who makes his home in Thompson township; Mattie V., who for three years has been engaged in teaching; Myra, Harry W., Ralph and Ross, all of whom are now under the parental roof ; Irvin J. and Sarah, who passed away in infancy, as well as an infant not named; and Nelson, who died at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Decker has for many years been recognized as a leader of public thought and opinion in his locality. In 1880 he was chosen to represent his district in the legislature, and by re-election served for two consecutive terms. He was an active and honored member of that body, served on a number of important committees, and to the best of his ability—and that ability is of no inferior order—he labored for the interest of his constituents and for the welfare of the commonwealth. He has also served in a number of local offices, for many years being a member of the school board, part of that time as its president. For four years he was township clerk and in 1890 was chosen justice of the peace, in which capacity he served until 1900. On two different occasions he was land appraiser. He has been a member of the central committee of the Democratic party and is generally found as a delegate to the principal party conventions. He is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of Seneca county, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit. Mr. Decker is widely and favorably known throughout the state, his abilities well fitting him for leadership in political, business and social life. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered' the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of busines or public interest with which he has been associated, and at all times has been actuated by a fidelity to his country and her welfare. 516      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ANTON SCHERGER. Though no land is richer in opportunities or offers greater advantages to its citizens than America, success is not to be obtained through desire, but must be persistently sought. In America "labor is king," and the man who resolutely sets to work to accomplish a given purpose is certain of success if lie has but the qualities. of perseverance, untiring energy and practical common sense. Anton Scherger is one whose career excites the admiration and gains the respect of all, for through his diligence and persistent purpose he has won a leading place in agricultural circles in Seneca county, where he has made his home since the age of eight years. Mr. Scherger was born in Germany April 15, 1837, a son of Anthony and Josephine Scherger, in whose family were three sons, our subject being the eldest. Constantine is now engaged in the marble business in Delphos, Ohio, and John Dolphus is a blacksmith at the same place. It was about 1844 that the father determined to seek a home in the new world, for, having heard favorable reports of the opportunities here offered, he believed that he might improve his financial condition in America. Accompanied by his wife and children, he took passage on a sailing vessel and on reaching the western shore of the Atlantic proceeded across the country to Cincinnati, where he remained for about a year. He then came to Seneca county and purchased forty acres of land in Liberty township, for which he paid two hundred dollars. There was a log cabin containing one room upon the place and the trees had been cut down on a five-acre tract, but the brush had not been cleared. Mr. Scherger at once began the further development of the place and soon the monarchs of the forest fell before his sturdy strokes. As acre after acre) was cleared he cultivated his fields, and in course of time golden harvests rewarded his labors. He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife survived him only a short period and then she, too, passed away. They were members of the Catholic church and were numbered among the worthy German citizens of Seneca county who have CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        517 contributed in a large measure to the substantial improvement of this portion of the state. Anton Scherger spent the first seven years of his life in the fatherland and then accompanied his parents on the long voyage across the Atlantic. He was a youth of eight when the family arrived in Liberty township and he contributed his full share to the arduous task of developing the home farm. The public schools afforded him his educational opportunities and through the winter months he pursued his studies, working in field and meadow in the summer seasons. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account, taking charge of the old home place, which he has improved and operated until the present time. Here he has five hundred acres of valuable land, and he has elsewhere three other farms, so that his realty holdings aggregate eight hundred and sixty acres, constituting a very valuable and desirable property. His attention is given to general farming and stock-raising and in both branches of his business he is meeting with creditable success. All of the splendid improvements upon his place are monuments to his enterprise, industry and economy, and to-day his is one of the best equipped farms in this portion of Ohio. In 1889 he erected his beautiful nine-room residence, which is built of brick and has a slate roof. He has also built commodious and substantial barns and outbuildings and has a model country seat. Mr. Scherger was united in marriage April 25, 1857, to Miss Dorothy Albert, and unto them have been born ten children : Lawrence; Annie; John, deceased at thirty-six; Michael; Theresa; Henry; Andrew ; Joseph, Mary and Frank. Annie is the wife of Martin Hammer, of Jackson township; Therese is the wife of Joseph Burns, of Loudon township: and Mary is the widow of Stephen Hartenstine and resides with her parents. She has one child, Frank Alfred. The parents and their children are communicants of St. Andrew's Catholic church, and in his political affiliations Mr. Scherger is a Democrat, who warmly endorses the principles of the party which he believes most conducive to good government. During all the years of his residence in Seneca county he has given his support to measures for the 518      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. general welfare and has always been accounted one of the most progressive and practical farmers since he became identified with agricultural interests. Careful management, good business ability and honesty in trade transactions have brought to him the high degree of success which he now enjoys. JACOB COOK. Jacob Cook is numbered among Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in Richland county on the 6th of November, 1826. He was born and reared upon a farm and continued there to reside until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Sandusky county and was employed as a farm hand for ten dollars and a half per month. He spent a year there and on the expiration of that period came to Seneca county, where he was employed in the same capacity until 1852, When, attracted by the discovery of gold in California and hoping to acquire a competence more rapidly than was possible to do by engaging in farm work, he started for the Pacific coast by way of the overland route. He traveled by team, riding over eighteen hundred miles upon a mule. It was upon the 15th of March when he started and it was not until the last of July that he reached his destination. The journey was long and wearisome, leading over the hot stretches of sand and other deserts, through the mountain passes and through regions inhabited by Indians, but at length Mr. Cook safely reached California and entered the mining regions on the middle fork of the American river. He afterward went to Hang-town, making that journey in order to get provisions, and he carried forty dollars' worth of flour upon his shoulder back to the camp. In the succeeding spring he went to Frenchtown, where he and a partner purchased a wagon and blacksmith shop, this being located at Shingle Springs. The first day the work which they did brought them in an income of one 'hundred and twenty-five dollars. Mr. Cook continued in that business for three years, meeting with excellent success, his services being in c0nstant demand. He then sold his shop and returned CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY -       519 home. He had saved three thousand dollars, but this he intrusted to the keeping of friends and lost all except sixty dollars. Having to begin business life anew, he then purchased a team and followed freighting over the mountains, driving eight and sometimes ten teams. of mules to Virginia City, Silver City and other mining camps. He was one of the first teamsters to drive eight and ten-mule teams and the trips which he made covered from forty to one hundred and eighty miles. He received excellent prices for his services, hauling one load for which he was given nine hundred and sixty-five dollars. It took him about a month to make a trip, for the roads were often very poor, as little travel had been done in the far west up to that time. For ten years Mr. Cook engaged in teaming. At one time he could have sold his eight-mule team for five thousand dollars, but he refused the offer. On the last trip which he made he had two wagons coupled together and carried twenty-five thousand pounds of freight. On selling out his business in that line he purchased a livery stable in Sacramento, California, and continued in that business for one year. He often received from forty to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per day as rental for his teams, but when a year had elapsed he sold out, clearing about one thousand dollars on his stable. Wishing to return to Ohio, Mr. Cook disposed of his business interests in the far west and once more took up his abode in Thompson township, Seneca county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres cf land, making his home thereon for three years. He afterward lived for seven years in Flatrock village, and when that period had elapsed he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land where he now resides in Thompson township. To-day his landed possessions comprise one hundred and ten acres, constituting a rich and valuable farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and supplied with all modern equipments and improvements. Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tomey, and they have four children living,—John, Otto, Ina and Lee. The daughter is the wife of George Bowersocks, and the sons are still at home. From his boyhood days Mr. Cook has held membership in the Evangelical 'church, with which he is still identified, and his Christian principles have 52o      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. guided his life. His history, if written in detail, would form many an exciting as well as interesting story, for he lived in California at the time when there was no effective government organization, when the miners were largely a law unto themselves, and then the desperadoes often took matters into their own hands until the law-abiding citizens were aroused and established the vigilance committees. Mr. Cook knows what it is to endure all the hardships of life in a mining community far from civilization. He has enjoyed, too, the pleasures of a quiet home life in his native state, and in Seneca county he has many friends who esteem him highly for his sterling worth. OTHO A. BUNN. Otho A. Bunn was born upon the farm where he now lives on the 30th of July, 1866, and is a son of John R. Bunn. The family is well known in Seneca county, having been established here at an early day. The father of our subject was united in marriage to Amanda Bower and they became the parents of four children : Samuel, who died in infancy ; Ida, the wife of G. H. Park, a farmer of Liberty township; Otho 'A., whose name introduces this review; and Martha, who died at the age of six. The father was at one time a resident of Wyandot county, Ohio, and on leaving that locality came to Seneca county, settling in Liberty township on land which had been entered from the government by his father, David Bunn. On coming to this county he had secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and it has since been a possession of the family, being now the home of our subject. David began the making of the farm and died here. John R. Bunn continued to carry on agricultural pursuits on this farm up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1888, when he was seventy-two years of age. His widow still survives him and is yet living on the old homestead at the age of seventy-three years. The Bunn farm is dear to our subject, not only because it is the CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        52 residence of his later years but also on account of childhood associations. He pursued his education in the common schools, mastering the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions. During the summer months, when school was not in session, he assisted in the work of the farm, and when twenty-two years of age he took charge of the old home place and has since worked it. He now owns ninety-seven acres of the land and is carrying on general farming. Everything about the place is indicative of the supervision of a practical and progressive owner who keeps in touch with modern improvement. On the 21st of February, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bunn and Miss Ellen Stuckey, a daughter of Philip and Mary Ann (Rosenberger) Stuckey. They now have two interesting children,— Russell and Dora. Mr. and Mrs. Bunn are widely and favorably known in the county and enjoy the warm regard of many friends. He is a Republican in his political views, but has never taken an active interest in political work, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business, whereby he is winning a comfortable competence. As many of his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him, from boyhood days it is an indication that his career has been straightforward and honorable. ELI KERN. Among the native sons of Seneca county is numbered Eli Kern, who for more than sixty years has lived in this portion of the state. He was born upon the farm which is yet his home, in Thompson town. ship, his natal day being August 21, 1839. His parents were Anthony and Sophia (Eberhardt) Kern, who resided in Union county, Pennsylvania. They became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom eight are now living. It was in the year I830 that Anthony Kern left the Keystone state and emigrated westward to what was then the frontier of Ohio, taking up his abode upon the farm in Seneca county which is now the home of his son Eli. His father, Peter 33 522      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Kern, had entered land from the government. It was covered with .a heavy growth of timber through which the sunlight could hardly 'penetrate to the ground beneath, but Mr. Kern was a man of resolute spirit and strong determination and at once began the task of clearing the land and transforming it into richly cultivated fields. It was arduous work, but in course of time it was accomplished and his labors were rewarded with rich and abundant harvests which enabled him to enjoy many of the comforts of life. He continued to reside here throughout his remaining days, passing away at the advanced a.ge of seventy-seven years. His wife had been called to her final rest four years before. It was upon the old family homestead here that Eli Kern was born and reared. At the usual age he entered school, walking to a little log school-house in which instruction was given after the primitive manner of the times. Like most farmer boys, his summer months were spent in the fields, where he assisted in the plowing, planting and harvesting, gaining a practical. training which enabled him to carry on farm work on his own account successfully at a later day. In 1876 Mr. Kern was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bruner, and unto them were horn three children, Elsie, Elva and Elma. The second daughter is the wife of John Drohen. After his. marriage Mr. Kern removed to the village of Lodi, where he conducted a sawmill for a year, but finding that farm work was more congenial he returned to the old homestead. After three years he purchased and conducted a threshing machine, making that his business through a long period. When his father died he returned to the old home place, which is now his property. It comprises eighty acres of land and in addition he owns and -cultivates another farm of one hundred acres in Thompson township. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he is also engaged in stock-raising, and upon his place are high grades of horses, cattle and hogs. In his business undertakings he is industrious, indefatigable and straightforward, and his efforts have been crowned with a creditable measure of success. His political support is given the Democracy, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church in which he has long held membership. From pioneer days down CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        523 to the present he has been an honorable and honored citizen of Seneca county, and though his life has been quietly passed it has ever been characterized by the faithful performance of duty and is therefore well worthy of emulation. GEORGE H. PARK. George H. Park is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Seneca county. When the greater part of this ccunty was in its primitive condition, when its lands were wild and unclaimed, when its streams were unbridged, its forests uncut and when the work of progress and improvement was a thing of the future, they Park family was founded here by George Park, the grandfather of our subject, and since that time different members of the family have contributed in' large measure to the general improvement and substantial advancement which have brought about the present prosperity. The grandfather conducted a hotel in. Tiffin—the first one there—and entertained the pioneer settlers who traveled to this region. His son, Peter D. Park, the 'father of our subject, was the first white male child born in the city of Tiffin, and amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared. When, he had reached adult age he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life and wedded Sarah Heming. They became the parents of three children : George H.; Sarah M., who died in childhood; and Charles L., a resident of Liberty township. The mother died when her eldest child was only eight years of age. George H. Park and his brother, thus deprived of a mother's care, went to live with Jacob Fleck, by whom they were reared, our subject remaining in his family until he had attained the age of twenty-two years, at which time he was married and went to a home; of his own. At the age of eighteen he had begun working at the carpenter's trade and followed that pursuit for nine years, becoming a proficient builder. On the 6th of January, 1881, Mr. Park was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Bunn, and unto them have been born three children,—Alverda 522      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Kern, had entered land from the government. It was covered with -a heavy growth of timber through which the sunlight could hardly 'penetrate to the ground beneath, but Mr. Kern was a man of resolute spirit and strong determination and at once began the task of clearing the land and transforming it into richly cultivated fields. It was arduous work, but in course of time it was accomplished and his labors were rewarded with rich and abundant harvests which enabled him to enjoy many of the comforts of life. He continued to reside here throughout his remaining days, passing away at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. His wife had been called to her final rest four years before. It was upon the old family homestead here that Eli Kern was born and reared. At the usual age he entered school, walking to a little log school-house in which instruction was given after the primitive manner of the times. Like most farmer boys, his summer months were spent in the fields, where he assisted in the plowing, planting and harvesting, gaining a practical. training which enabled him to carry on farm work on his own account successfully at a later day. In .1876 Mr. Kern was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bruner, and unto them were born three children, Elsie, Elva and Elma. The second daughter is the wife of John Drohen. After his. marriage Mr. Kern removed to the village of Lodi, where he conducted a sawmill for a year, but finding, that farm work vas more congenial he returned to the old homestead. After three years he purchased and conducted a threshing machine, making that his business through a long period. When his father died he returned to the old home place, which is now his property. It comprises eighty acres of land and in addition he owns and cultivates another farm of one hundred acres in Thompson township. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to the soil and 'climate he is also engaged in stock-raising, and upon his place are high grades of horses, cattle and hogs. In his business undertakings he is industrious, indefatigable and straightforward, and his efforts have been crowned with a creditable measure of success. His political support is given the Democracy, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, in which he has long held membership. From pioneer days down CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        523 to the present he has been an honorable and honored citizen of Seneca county, and though his life has been quietly passed it has ever been characterized by the faithful performance of duty and is therefore well worthy of emulation. GEORGE H. PARK. George H. Park is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Seneca county. When the greater part of this ccunty was in its primitive condition, when its lands were wild and unclaimed, when its streams were unbridged, its forests uncut and when the work of progress and improvement was a thing of the future, the Park family was founded here by George Park, the grandfather of our subject, and since that time different members of the family have contributed in large measure to the general improvement and substantial advancement which have brought about the present prosperity. The grandfather conducted a hotel in Tiffin—the first one there—and entertained the pioneer settlers who traveled to this region. His son, Peter D. Park, the 'father of our subject, was the first white male child born in the city of Tiffin, and amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared. When he had reached adult age he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life and wedded Sarah Heming. They became the parents of three children : George H.; Sarah M., who died in childhood; and Charles L., a resident of Liberty township. The mother died when her eldest child was only eight years of age. George H. Park and his brother, thus deprived of a mother's care, went to live with Jacob Fleck, by whom they were reared, our subject remaining in his family until he had attained the age of twenty-two years, at which time he was married and went to a home; of his own. At the age of eighteen he had begun working at the carpenter's trade and followed that pursuit for nine years, becoming a proficient builder. On the 6th of January, 1881, Mr. Park was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Bunn, and unto them have been born three children,—Alverda CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. A., Lawrence C. and Minnie M.,—all yet at home. In 1886 Mr. Park removed to the farm upon which he now resides and which has since been continuously his home. Here he owns eighty acres and he also has another tract of eighty acres, all in Liberty township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and has made most of the improvements upon his place. There are good buildings, well tilled fields, fine grades of stock and all modern accessories and equipments, and the farm is a very attractive and desirable country seat. While he has led a busy life, devoting the greater part of his attention to the operation of his land, Mr. Park has yet found time to faithfully perform all duties of citizenship. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, which he has supported since age gave to him the right of franchise. He never falters in his allegiance to its principles and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. He has served as a trustee of Liberty township for six years, and his long continuance in the position. indicates his faithfulness to the duties devolving upon him. His religious faith is shown by his membership in, and work in behalf of, the Evangelical church, in which he has served as steward for twenty years. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed, and. his loyalty to truth and the right is among his strongest characteristics. He has spent his entire life in this county, and the fact that many of his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is proof that his entire life has been straightforward and honorable. ISAAC ROYER. Isaac Royer is a representative of one of the pioneer families. of Seneca county, and is now actively identified with agricultural pursuits, being accounted a practical and progressive farmer of Thompson township. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of January. 1820, and is a son of John and Mary M. (Romig) Royer, in whose f were twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Of this num- CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.        525 ber eleven reached mature years and those still living are Isaac, of this review; Kate, the widow of James Fisher, of Michigan; John, a resident of Sterling, Kansas; Neriah, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Lydia, who married John Matz, of Thompson township, who has passed away; Marion, of Thompson township; and ,Jared, also of this township. Those who have passed away were Sarah, Annie, Samuel, Betsey and Margaret. Deciding to establish his home in the Buckeye state, John Royer, the father of our subject, severed the business ties which bound him to Pennsylvania and with his family moved to Summit county, Ohio, where he remained for three years. He afterward spent a similar period in Wayne county, and in the year 1828 came with his family to Seneca county, taking up his abode in Thompson township, where he entered four hundred and eighty acres of land, constituting the farm upon which his son Jared now resides. He was the third man from Pennsylvania to settle in Thompson township, the forerunner of many others. The Seneca Indians were still here at the time of the arrival of the family, and the chief of the tribe and his squaw had been sheltered for the night in the cabin home which belonged to the Royer family. The father of our subject erected a log house after the primitive manner of the times. It contained but one room, was covered with a slab roof and had a puncheon floor. When a number of years had passed, however, this pioneer dwelling was replaced by a more commodious and modern home. John Royer gave his time and attention to clearing, developing and improving his land and there carried on farming until his death, 'which cccurred in the eighty-eighth year of his age. It was through his efforts that the Royer ditch in Thompson township was made, thus reclaiming land which now constitutes some of the finest farms in this section of the state. Mr. Royer also aided in building the first log church for the Reformed denomination in Thompson township, and for many years he served as a trustee and elder in his church. He was an important factor in all movements which led to the substantial development and improvement of the county in an early date, and his name should be placed on the roll of honored pioneers of Seneca county. 526      CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 1 Isaac Royer was but an infant when his parents left the Keystone state, and was a lad of only eight summers when they came to Seneca county. Here he was reared upon the old family homestead, remaining there until 1843. During that time he attended the public schools, but his training at farm work was not nearly as meager as the mental instruction which he received. He early became familiar with the work of the fields and his practical experience in that direction enabled him to carry on farming on his own account with excellent success. In the year 1843 Mr. Royer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Stitler, a daughter of Henry Stitler, and unto them were born three children,—Elizabeth, John and Mary,—but all are now deceased, the mother having passed away in 1847. In 1849 Mr. Royer was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia A. Fridley, who was born in Seneca county, New York, in 1826, a daughter of Louis Fridley, who came to Venice township in 1838. Ten children. have graced this marriage, of whom four are yet living : Mary, the wife of Edward Fobel, of Thompson township ; Amanda R., the wife of Thomas Wolfe, also of this township; Sarah, who married Thomas Higgins and is living in Bellevue, Ohio ; and Malinda, the wife of William Sears, of Bellevue. Those who have passed away are Benjamin F., Neriah, John J. and Josephine, twins, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Royer now have eight grandchildren. In 1849 this worthy couple removed to the farm upon which they now reside, and Mr. Royer here owns two hundred acres of valuable land, while in another tract he has eighty acres. He cleared most of his land himself and all of the improvements upon the place are an indication of his enterprise and business ability, while the substantial buildings stand as monuments to his labor and resolute purpose. His attention has always been given to agricultural pursuits, and as the years have passed the well tilled fields have returned to him golden harvests. from the sale of which he has realized a handsome income. During the greater part of his life Mr. Royer has held membership in the Reformed church, to which his wife also belongs, and for many years he has been a deacon and elder in the church. He contributes CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY - 527 liberally to its support and has used his aid and influence for the upbuilding and advancement of the cause of Christianity, while in his life he has exemplified his Christin faith. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the Democracy, but he has never had the time nor desire to seek office. He has the honor of being a resident of Thompson township the longest of all, seventy-four years having passed since he arrived here. Great changes has he witnessed through this period. He has seen the passing of the Indians and has watched the forest give way to rich and fertile fields, while the work of progress and improvement has been carried on in all lines which lead to business prosperity and substantial development. He has taken great pride in what has been accomplished in the county and has ever borne his part in the work of improvement. He relates many interesting incidents of these pioneer times, when people lived in log cabins and followed a path through the forest in order to visit neighbors. But true hospitality existed in those days and many pleasant hours were spent in the homes of neighbors, who perchance lived many miles away. There was much hard work to be done in clearing and improving farms, but as the years passed the labors were requited by abundant returns, and like others Mr. Royer has secured a comfortable competence through his enterprising efforts. DAVID HOLMES. It is but in justice due that in this volume should be accorded a tribute to the memory of one who was identified with the civic and industrial life of Seneca county in so prominent a way as was Mr. Holmes, whose abilities and unswerving integrity in all the relations of life gained to him unlimited esteem from all with whom he came in contact. Super-added to this, the memoir is the more consistent from the fact that he was a native son of the county and here passed his entire life, attaining marked success and becoming one of the representative and influential men of this section of the state.