PAGE - 575 - BLANK
PAGE - 576 - PICTURE OF GEORGE MENTGES
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respect by those with whom he was so long associated. He married Hannah Dorn, who was born in Butler county, O., and was brought to Shelby county when five years old. Mrs. Johnston still survives, being now in her eighty- sixth year. To Joseph Johnston and wife a family of ten children was born, seven daughters and three sons : Jane, William T., Ella, Edward, Callie, Anna, 0llie, Grant, Nettie, and a babe that died. There are six survivors : William T., Callie, Anna, 0llie, Grant and Nettie.
William T. Johnston as the oldest son of the family, was early called to his father's assistance in clearing and cultivating the home farm, attending the local schools, in the meanwhile, as opportunity offered. Since the property came into his possession he has erected different farm structures along the line of improvement, not having, however, to build a new residence as his father had already provided a comfortable one. Mr. Johnston has devoted his attention to diversified farming and has raised much good stock. Always having taken care of his land it has never worn out but is in a better condition at present than ever before. In his political views, Mr. Johnston is a republican and at times has served as a member of the township school board, belonging to that public body when the substantial high school building in this section was erected. For over forty years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity and is a charter member of the local body of Elks. Mr. Johnston is unmarried.
GEORGE MENTGES, proprietor of the Mentges Folder Company, manufacturers, at Sidney, O., is one of the leading citizens and representative business men of Shelby county. He was born at Sidney, March 24, 1866, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Haas) Mentges.
The parents of Mr. Mentges were born in Germany and from there came to Ohio and were united in marriage at Cincinnati. Jacob Mentges was a - cabinetmaker by trade and established himself in business at Sidney in 1863, for many years afterward conducting a furniture store and undertaking business. His death occurred at Sidney, July 4, 1897, his two sons, Jacob and George succeeding him as undertakers.
George Mentges attended school at Sidney and afterward assisted his father whom he succeeded but as early as 1897 had become also interested in starting his present manufacturing business to which he has devoted a large part of his time since disposing of his interest in the undertaking business in 1909. As the name indicates, The Mentges Folder Company manufactures newspaper folders, and the enterprise was started in a small way in a building on South Main avenue, Sidney, about 1897, development following to such an extent that enlargement became necessary and in 1906 the company erected a fine modern building on the corner of Oak and Poplar streets, Securing what was supposed to be adequate accommodations, but since then the amount of floor space has been doubled. While Mr. Mentges personally superintends his large manufacturing plant at Sidney, where fifteen skilled mechanics are constantly employed, he still finds time to manage his
578 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
valuable farm in Orange township, on which the summer home of the family is maintained.
Mr. Mentges married Miss Hattie Bull, who is a daughter of Francis Bull, formerly a pr0minent man in Orange township, where his death occurred in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Mentges have two children : Leona and Gertrude, aged eight and two years respectively. As a citizen Mr. Mentges holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He is a man of social tastes and is identified with both the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
ALMON BALDWIN CARRINGTON HITCHCOCK says in his reminiscences that he was born from necessity, not having voluntary control of that important event, in the obscure town of West Haven, Vermont, October 13, 1838, and can not discard the idea that there is something unlucky in the number thirteen, and the superstition grows with his passing years. Townships are called towns in New England and this town was bounded nine miles on the west by Lake Champlain. The obscurity and comparative unimportance of West Haven prevented its being dignified with a place even on the map of the geographies, and no steamer on the charming lake paused for a moment to take on or let off passengers at West Haven, but plowed its way from Whitehall for fifteen miles to Benson without stopping.
He was the middle living child of Almon and Emily Barber Hitchcock, having one sister younger and one older than himself. He went to a district school until fourteen years of age, and being large for his years, and above the average pupil in most of his studies, was solicited at that tender period to teach a four months' term in an adjoining district at ten dollars a month and board around. When he came to settle for his four months' work the treasurer said there were only thirty-six dollars on hand, so he took that without a murmur. With his money he bought a broadcloth coat, a double- breasted satin vest, a pair of doeskin trousers, a green neckerchief as big as a stand cover, and thus was gorgeously equipped and had a few dollars left. The envy of his boy companions from which he suffered was more than compensated for by the increased favor the girls bestowed on account of his stunning toggery. As he was now elevated above going to a district school any longer his career as a common pupil closed and Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vermont, was the place selected to continue his education. It might be of interest to the youth of the present day to state that his father deposited the sum of forty dollars with which to pay his tuition, board, lodging and washing for twelve weeks' schooling. True, his room, which waS a back one in the fourth story, was not inviting, with its uncomfortable bed, two modern chairs, and a warped table, nor was the board a Delmonico spread, but their intellects were especially lively, as the blood, not being called upon for much digestive work, went to the brain. Being rather an expert at base ball, foot ball and quoit pitching, favorable acquaintances were soon formed, for a long drive with a bat, accurate throwing and a sensational catch of a fly is quickly noised abroad and puts one in the front rank among students.
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After two terms at Pultney he went a term at Castleton Seminary and three terms at Fort Edward Institute, in New York. In the latter part of the fifties he made a visit to Illinois and taught school two winters near Chicago.
Among his most treasured recollections are his visit to Lincoln at Springfield, Illinois, after his nomination in 1860. He was with him alone in his unpretentious home and says that the mien of that sad-eyed man seemed to prefigure a martyr's end. He heard him speak in the afternoon at their fair grounds and returning to Chicago heard Stephen A. Douglas make his last speech as candidate for the presidency on the northern ticket of the Democracy.
Mr. Hitchcock came to Sidney in 1861, which has been his home ever since. He enlisted in the army but was rejected on account of a bad knee gotten in a wrestling match and paid a substitute $100 a year in addition to the army pay to take his place. On settling in Sidney his father bought the place now owned by W. B. McCabe on the Hardin hill where they lived for many years. To show the advance in real estate in the city the old Honnell farm, one mile northeast of Sidney, of one hundred acres his father bought for $20 an acre and the Carey farm of 170 acres, comprising the Orbison hill, now a delightful suburb of Sidney, for $45 an acre.
Mr. Hitchcock was identified with the schools of Sidney two different times as principal of the high school, many years county and local examiner of teachers, and for more than thirty years a writer for the Sidney Journal, the Gazette and Sidney Journal Gazette.
He has been too credulous, thinking that men are better than they are, has sung at more funerals than any man in the county, written more obituaries and filled more sporting columns with base ball accounts than any other writer in these parts. He is a great lover of poetry and the best of literature, a mind rich with the masterpieces of the ages and an author of a book of poems called "Waifs," which contains some rare bits of philosophy.
In politics he has always been a republican, though the political complexion of the county has not been nor is not of the hue to inspire nor foster republican aspirations. A member of the Presbyterian church and a leader of its choir for thirty years.
He was married October 20, 1864, to Margaret Jane Edgar and had three children, Jane, now Mrs. Harry Van De Gri ft ; Wade, deceased, and Ruth.
As Thanksgiving time is approaching and trees are bare it is not deemed inappropriate to insert a poem on autumn from his booklet :
The autumn leaves are falling
Because it's time to fall;
That must be the reason
For there's scarce been frost at all,
Just lost their hold and grip it seems
Obeyed the parting call.
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Have they got tired swinging,
On branches to and fro ?
The sport of wanton breezes
That had a mind to blow,
And so come reeling downward
To find a rest below ?
Or do they grieve to see their hue
Fading every day ?
Their green turning to yellow
Brown or ashen gray ?
The tints which say you're growing old
And hastening to decay.
The happy birds all summer
Have caroled sweetest songs
Among the leaves upon the trees ;
But to the south they've gone,
And now the only music,
Is a rustle of their own.
The rosy smile of morning
The hushed air's restful calm ;
Refreshing dews, reviving rains
Were welcomed as a balm,
The moon's pale beams, and starlight gleams,
They caught in eager palm.
But now the summersis over,
The leaves have had their day ;
Their shade's no longer needed,
Thus has it been alway,
That they must fall and be the sport
Of vagrant winds at play.
Baldwin Hitchcock, as he was more familiarly known, closed his eyes forever December 26, 1912, a little past seventy-four years of life. The infirmities of age did not invade the realm of his intellect nor befog his memory, so he was never old.
The following article on the death of Mr. Hitchcock was written by Judge H. T. Mathers, of Sidney, and was read at the funeral services :
"Notwithstanding the sorrow I feel over the decease of my friend, it affords me a deep satisfaction publicly to attest, as I have often done privately, the loyal friendship and lovable characteristics of him whom we have lost awhile. The unconscious influences of life are more constant and more potent than we realize. As teacher and newspaper writer Mr. Hitchcock
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served his day and generation well. Again and again have I met his old scholars, who, when they learned I lived in Sidney, asked me about him and gratefully acknowledged their obligation for the instruction and inspiration he had given them. There are many successful business men today whose commercial education began under his tutelage, which gave the first and correct impulse to their subsequent training. No man connected with the press of this country, no matter how small the town or humble the publication, who appreciates its capacity for patriotic service, can fail to render that service, in some degree at least, if his literary activities are appreciable and rightly directed. And Mr. Hitchcock's were both large and rightly directed. His editorial and literary work was never malicious, usually helpful and always wholesome. His was a gentle spirit, which was imbued with the philosophy of the Master, whether he realized it or not, and which would rather return good for evil and when reviled reviled not a again in Nathaniel-like it was without guile, and was simple and lovable. His was a sunny spirit, whose coming was always a joy and whose going a regret, whose presence made some of life's disappointments less keen and its darker outlooks brighter. His magnificent voice, for so many years employed in the church services, lent an impressiveness to the lines of our majestic hymns that, I have no doubt, carried their meaning to many minds not influenced by the spoken word ; and that same voice in reading or recitation, expressing, as it always did, the selections of excellent taste, was a delight and a benediction to those fortunate enough to hear him and helped one to realize the true, the beautiful and the good in literature. Can any doubt that that gentle, sunny spirit, that magnificent voice, that exquisite taste, that lovable and loving comradeship he was always willing to indulge with his friends and with those who needed it, was needed elsewhere in God's universe, and so God took him there ?"
F. M. DEAM, whose fine farm of 147 acres lies in Green township, the Deam turnpike which passes his door having been so named in honor of his father, was born in Orange township, Shelby county, O., three and one-half miles south of Sidney in 1855, and is a son of Harmon and Angeline (Reynolds) Deam.
Harmon Deam was born in Montgomery County, O., and came to Shelby county in 1848 and afterward followed farming in Orange township until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. He married Angeline Reynolds and six children were born to them : Henry, Ella, John L., Frank M., Andrew H. and Kate.
Frank M. Deam left home to see the world soon after his school days were over, went West and for some time found employment on cattle ranges in different states and brought cattle over the trail from Texas. He met with many adventures while taking part in the rough life incident to freighting and railroad building, and by 1895 was ready to settle permanently and follow the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Consequently he returned to his native section and in 1901 purchased his present valuable farm, which lies five miles
582 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
southeast of Sidney. To the improvement of his place, Mr. Deam has devoted time and .money and probably no farm in this part of the county has more comfortable, convenient or more attractive buildings and surroundings.
Mr. Deam married Miss Kate E. McGrane, who was born in Nebraska. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is a democrat in his political opinions and is a member of the Shelby County Fair Board. Mr. Deam is identified with no fraternal organizations except the Knights of Columbus.
L. C. WILSON, who carries on general farming and stock raising in Green township, has spent almost all his life on the homestead, which he is operating for his mother, who is a highly esteemed resident of Fletcher, 0. Mr. Wilson was born at Covington, Miami county, 0., and was two years old when his parents, Joshua and Lydia (Brown) Wilson, came to this property. The father was a native of Montgomery county, 0., and after coming to Green township placed all the improvements on this farm, on which he continued to live as long as active, moving then to Fletcher, where his death occurred at the age of seventy years. Both his sons, L. C. and Stanley, are farmers in Green township.
L. C. Wilson and brother attended the district schools in Green township and assisted on the home farm of 126 acres, after which he operated the same for six years and since his father's death has continued its management in his mother's interest. He owns 137 acres just north of this farm but he has rented it to a good tenant and continues to live on the old homestead. Mr. Wilson married Miss Anna Bennett and they have four children : Foster, Ethel, Lowell and Edith. Being an independent thinker, Mr. Wilson has not identified himself with any political faction and casts his vote as a free American citizen, entirely according to his own judgment after intelligent consideration of public issues. All local matters of public concern receive his attention and the public schools and their advancement particularly interest him.
WILLIAM M. CAVEN, whose finely improved farm of seventy-nine acres, is situated in Green township, twelve miles southeast of Sidney, 0., came from one of the old and representative families of Miami county, where he was born August 1, 1871, a son of James M. Caven, who subsequently became a well-known resident of Orange township, Shelby county.
William M. Caven was educated in the public schools and grew to manhood on his father's farm and remained there until 1894, when he settled on his present place. Mr. Caven has so improved his property that it arouses favorable comment and he undoubtedly has the finest set of farm buildings in Green township. He carries on a general farming line, raising grain and stock, and a pleasant prosperity seems very apparent and evidently has been brought about by Mr. Caven's excellent management.
Mr. Caven married Miss Maggie Covault, a daughter of Erastus Covault, who was a farmer in Miami county. Mr. and Mrs. Caven have three children : Foster I., Franklin C., and William Garner. The family belongs to the
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Christian church. Mr. Caven has served with efficiency in the office of township trustee, elected to the same on the democratic ticket.
A. STACKHOUSE, a well-known general farmer in Green township, residing on a fine tract of sixty-five acres, lying ten miles southeast of Sidney, was born in Clinton County, O., August 28, 1852, and is a son of Elisha and Sarah J. (Hyatt) Stackhouse.
Elisha Stackhouse was born also in Clinton county and was of English extraction, the family in early times possessing a coat of arms. He married Sarah J. Hyatt, who was of Scotch extraction and was born in Fayette county, Pa. They came to Shelby county when their son was fourteen years old but later lived in Van Wert county for nine years, and then settled on the present home tract. This land Elisha Stackhouse improved and resided on until his death, at the age of sixty-four years. His widow survives and lives on the homestead, being now in her eighty-third year. They had two children : A. and Myra Ann, and the family all remain on the old place. General farming and moderate stock raising are carried on, the soil being kept in good condition and proving very productive.
Mr. Stackhouse married Miss Anna Wiley and they have three children : Jennie, Kenneth and Sarah. In politics Mr. Stackhouse is affiliated with the republican party and for four years he has been a member of the township school board. When a young man he became interested in the aims of the fraternal order of Odd Fellows and has been identified with the same for twenty years, belonging to Osceola Encampment at Sidney, O.
PETER J. EILERMAN, who is a general farmer residing in section 26, Cynthian township, Shelby county, O., was born on this farm of eighty acres, September 13, 1888, and is a son of Henry and Anna (Bauer) Eilerman.
Henry Eilerman was born in McLean township, Shelby county, and was a farmer all his life. After his marriage he settled first on a farm one mile east of Fort Loramie, in McLean township, but afterward sold and bought sixty acres one mile north of Newport, which he also sold and then purchased the farm of eighty acres in Cynthian township on which the remainder of his life was spent. He was a well-known and highly respected man, a devout and faithful member of the Catholic church at Newport, O., and a useful citizen. He served one term as township trustee, being elected on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Eilerman's death occurred on June 0, 1912, his age being fifty- seven years, five months and twenty-eight days and his burial was in the Catholic cemetery at Newport. He married Anna Bauer, who survives, and eight children were born to them, three of whom, Frances, Laurence and Bertha, are now deceased. Those living are : George, who was born April 15, 1872 ; Frances, who is the wife of Henry Sherman, of McLean township; Peter ; and Gertrude and Agnes, both of whom live at home.
An interesting event in the life of Henry Eilerman was his visit to the World's Fair at St. Louis, Mo., in 1904. Leaving Ohio by wagon, June 1. 1904, he made the trip in twenty-one days, camping by the roadside on the way.
584 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
He stayed at St. Louis three weeks and then drove back to Shelby county, Ohio, making the return trip in seventeen days. On March 7, 1908, Henry Eilerman with his family went to California, staying there seven months and then returning to Ohio. On January 21, 1912, he with his wife and son George, went to Florida to spend the winter there, returning to Ohio March
20, 1912.
Peter J. Eilerman with his brother (and sister) attended the township schools, and the sons then assisted their father and since his death have been associated in carrying on the farm industries, crop and stock raising. The land is all cleared but is not yet all drained but tinder their good management it will no doubt become one of the finest farms of this section. The brothers like other members of the family are faithful Catholics and belong to the church at Newport. In politics Mr. Eilerman is a democrat and is now serving as clerk of the board of education of the Turner Special School District, elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Sherman, and in this position is giving entire satisfaction.
FRANK ERNST, who is one of the representatives and substantial men of McLean township, was born in this township February 13, 1864, and resides on his farm of 160 acres, which lies in section 10, and owns a second farm of 100 acres, in section 11, both being situated in the Sherman Special School District, in which he secured his education.
After his school days were over, Mr. Ernst applied himself entirely to agricultural pursuits and at the time of marriage settled on his present home farm which he operates himself while his second farm, above mentioned, he has placed in charge of a tenant. His surroundings indicate thrift, good management and comfort and with the exception of the residence, which he remodeled, all the buildings have been erected since he took possession. He raises grain and stock but uses about all he produces of the former to put the latter in good condition. In politics a strong democrat he takes an interest in the success of his party but desires no offices for himself.
Mr. Ernst was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sherman, a daughter of John Sherman, of one of the old county families, and eight children have been born to them, namely : Katie, Frank, Jr., John, Sophia, Ida, Bertha, Agnes and Albert. Mr. Ernst and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church.
T. M. BEAMER, M. D., an experienced medical practitioner now somewhat retired from professional activity, resides on his well-kept farm of sixty acres, situated six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, 0. He was born at Fletcher, 0., in 1854, and is a son of Dr. Thomas M. and Jane (Runkle) Beamer.
Dr. Thomas M. Beamer was born in Virginia and for twenty-five years was a valued physician and surgeon at Fletcher, 0., and was prevented from becoming a soldier in the Civil war on account of being the only medical practitioner in the above town at that time. His death occurred at the age of
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forty-five years, while living in California. He married Jane Runkle, who was born in Mad River township, Clark county, 0., and eight children were born to them.
T. M. Beamer was seven years old when he was sent to the home of his grandparents in Illinois, where he remained for three years, attending school in the meanwhile, then returned to his father and afterward went to Iowa with his brother, and again returned to Fletcher. While with his brother he learned the principles of medical science and about this time had one term of lectures in the Cincinnati Medical College. During the next year he practiced medicine in Missouri, after which he returned to Ohio and completed his medical course and entered into practice at Fletcher. On March 27, 1879, he located at Plattsville, in Shelby county, and continued until 1902, when he accepted a position as manager of a sanitarium at Springfield, 0., for the cure of alcohol and drug addictions, conducted by the Willowbark Company, removing later with the same company, to St. Paris, and after two years, to Piqua, but shortly afterward decided to engage in agricultural pursuits and moved to the Sarver farm in Green township, Shelby county. After his many years of professional work and during a number of years meeting with many distressing cases, Dr. Reamer found the quiet country life most beneficial, and in 1910 purchased the farm on which he now resides and where agricultural industries greatly interest him. He still continues to practice to a certain extent, in his neighborhood, but no longer makes his profession his main occupation.
Dr. Beamer was married in 1879 to Miss Anna Elizabeth Williams of Plattsburg, and they had one son, born October 13, 1880, who is deceased. In politics Dr. Beamer is a republican and ever since he came to Green township has been township treasurer and also is a member of the school board. For many years he has been identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows.
JOHN SCHWARTZ, whose fine farm of 109 acres lies in section 19, Cynthian township, was born at Fort Loramie, 0., December 16, 1876, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth Schwartz. The mother of Mr. Schwartz is deceased but the father survives and resides with his son on the above mentioned farm.
John Schwartz attended school in the Berlin special district and afterward, for one year, worked at the butcher trade but later turned his attention to carpentering and afterward settled down to farming as his main occupation, locating on his personal place following his marriage. He has made many substantial improvements here and has drained and placed under cultivation all of his land except fifteen acres of woodland pasture. The wheat and oats he grows generally is conveyed to market but his corn is mainly fed to his stock of which he raises quite an amount each year.
Mr. Schwartz was married to Miss Mayme Ecabert, a daughter of Julius and Elizabeth Ecabert, of Newport, 0., and they have a family of four children : Omer, Loretta, Persell and Ruth. Mr. Schwartz and family are members of Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic church at Newport, 0. In politics
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forty-five years, while living in California. He married Jane Runkle, who was born in Mad River township, Clark county, 0., and eight children were born to them.
T. M. Beamer was seven years old when he was sent to the home of his grandparents in Illinois, where he remained for three years, attending school in the meanwhile, then returned to his father and afterward went to Iowa with his brother, and again returned to Fletcher. While with his brother he learned the principles of medical science and about this time had one term of lectures in the Cincinnati Medical College. During the next year he practiced medicine in Missouri, after which he returned to Ohio and completed his medical course and entered into practice at Fletcher. On March 27, 1879, he located at Plattsville, in Shelby county, and continued until 1902, when he accepted a position as manager of a sanitarium at Springfield, O., for the cure of alcohol and drug addictions, conducted by the Willowbark Company, removing later with the same company, to St. Paris, and after two years, to Piqua, but shortly afterward 'decided to engage in agricultural pursuits and moved to the Sarver farm in Green township, Shelby county. After his many years of professional work and during a number of years meeting with many distressing cases, Dr. Reamer found the quiet country life most beneficial, and in 1910 purchased the farm on which he now resides and where agricultural industries greatly interest him. He still continues to practice to a certain extent, in his neighborhood, but no longer makes his profession his main occupation.
Dr. Beamer was married in 1879 to Miss Anna Elizabeth Williams of Plattsburg, and they had one son, born October 13, 1880, who is deceased. In politics Dr. Beamer is a republican and ever since he came to Green township has been township treasurer and also is a member of the school board. For many years he has been identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows.
JOHN SCHWARTZ, whose fine farm of 109 acres lies in section 19, Cynthian township, was born at Fort Loramie, O., December 16, 1876, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth Schwartz. The mother of Mr. Schwartz is deceased but the father survives and resides with his son on the above mentioned farm.
John Schwartz attended school in the Berlin special district and afterward, for one year, worked at the butcher trade but later turned his attention to carpentering and afterward settled down to farming as his main occupation, locating on his personal place following his marriage. He has made many substantial improvements here and has drained and placed under cultivation all of his land except fifteen acres of woodland pasture. The wheat and oats he grows generally is conveyed to market but his corn is mainly fed to his stock of which he raises quite an amount each year.
Mr. Schwartz was married to Miss Mayme Ecabert, a daughter of Julius and Elizabeth Ecabert, of Newport, O., and they have a family of four children : Omer, Loretta, Persell and Ruth. Mr. Schwartz and family are members of Sts. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic church at Newport, O. In politics
586 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
a democrat, Mr. Schwartz always consistently gives democratic candidates his political support. He has never accepted any offices for himself except those connected with educational matters in his own community and for some six years prior to January, 1912, was president of the board of education of the Basinburg Special School District. He is a highly respected and valuable citizen of Cynthian township.
AUGUST CARITEY, whose fine productive farm of 114 acres is situated in Cynthian township, one-quarter mile west of the St. Mary turnpike road, two miles south of Fort Loramie and two miles north of Newport, O., was born in France, May 4, 1840, a son of August and Louisa (Ducette) Caritey.
The parents of Mr. Caritey were born in France and there the mother died when aged twenty-five years, leaving but the one child. The father married (second) Josephine Velyon, and they came to America in 1850. For the first five years after reaching the United States, Mr. Caritey and family lived at Ironton, O., moving then to Shelby county and living first in Cynthian and later in McLean township. Mr. Caritey and wife then moved to a western state, where she died and he then returned to Shelby county, locating first in Loramie township but afterward moving into Cynthian township, where he died in his sixty-sixth year. His burial was in the cemetery at Newport, connected with St. Peter and Paul's Catholic church of which he had been a member. Three of his sons survive : Julius, August and Joseph, while two, Ezebiah and Amiel, are deceased.
August Caritey was ten years old when his father brought the family to America and his early schooling was secured at Portsmouth and Ironton, O. Afterward he was variously employed and being willing and industrious had no difficulty in securing work by the day. After his marriage he located for a time at Fort Loramie and then bought a farm of sixty acres in the Sherman Special School District and operated it until he had a chance to sell to advantage, when he came to his present place. Here he has made many improvements, putting up all the substantial buildings now standing, has done considerable draining and has kept his soil in fine condition through his experienced methods of cultivation. With the exception of twenty-three acres he has all his land under cultivation and carries on a general farming line.
Mr. Caritey married Miss Gertrude Brucken, who was born in Germany, and they have had the following children : Christina, who is the wife of Albert Berry, residing in Turtle Creek township ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Varno and they live in McLean township ; Mary, who is the wife of Frank Mosey, living at Sidney; Jane, who is the wife of Albert Snyder, of Dayton, O.; Catherine, who is the wife of Joseph Brady, of Dayton ; Sophia, who married Oliver Davis, lives at Sidney ; and Clara, Josephine, Joseph and Emeline, all of whom live at home. Mr. Caritey and family belong to St. Peter and Paul's Catholic church at Newport, O. This is a very well-known family and collectively and individually they have many friends. Mr. Caritey
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is a democrat in politics and for three years served as road supervisor in McLean township, reside in section 8, on his valuable farm of 148 acres, District Board.
PATRICK DUNDON, one of the enterprising and successful farmers of McLean township, resides in section 8, on his valuable farm of 148 acres, situated three and one-half miles east of Fort Loramie. He was born in Turtle Creek township, Shelby county, O., March 4, 1874, and is a son of John and Margaret (McEvoy) Dundon.
John Dundon was of Irish extraction and was a young man when he came to Shelby from Licking county, 0. After marriage to Margaret McEvoy, who was born in Shelby county, he settled on the present home site but the 148 acres of productive land was then but a wilderness. It was through his industry and perseverance that the place was cleared and put under cultivation. The buildings yet standing he placed here and lived to enjoy some years of rest after his long period of hard labor, passing away in his fiftieth year. His widow survived into her sixty-sixth year. They were devoted members of the Catholic church and belonged to St. Patrick's congregation. They had eight children born to them, namely : James and Emma, both of whom are deceased ; and Patrick, Elizabeth, Annie, Mary Ellen and William, and an infant that died.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dundon attended school in St. Patrick's Special School District and after the father's death they took charge of the home farm and carried on all its industries, Patrick and William being particularly interested at the present time. They all are democratic in their political opinions and as a united family belong to St. Patrick's Catholic church.
JOHN SIEGEL, one of the representative men of McLean township, president of the Sherman special school district board of education, is a successful general farmer and resides in section 10, where he owns 128 acres of valuable land. He was born in Cynthian township, Shelby county, June 21, 1867.
Mr. Siegel secured his education in the schools of his native township and in the Sherman school district, after which he learned practical farming and has made farming in all its branches his business. Since his marriage he has lived on his present farm, which he purchased of the Sherman estate, and many of the improvements have been placed here since taking possession. The farmhouse was in good repair but Mr. Siegel found it necessary to build a new barn and other structures. He has cleared about 100 acres and has drained the same and put down tiling, the other twenty-eight acres being yet in valuable timber. His property is favorably situated as he has a market at Fort Loramie, which is only three miles west and the Sherman turnpike road gives him fine transportation facilities:
Mr. Siegel married Miss Mary Barhorst, a daughter of Henry Barhorst of McLean township, and all their seven children were born on this farm, namely : Elizabeth, Caroline, Frank, Henry, Raymond, Josephine and Rhine-
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hart. The family belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church. In politics a strong democrat, Mr. Siegel has frequently been elected on his party ticket to important township offices and for four terms was turnpike superintendent and for about five years has been president of the school board. He has associated with him other leading men of the township, as follows: Adolph Sherman, Clemens Wolke, Henry Ernstes, Barney Ernst and Benjamin Barhorst, William J. Meyers succeeding Mr. Barhorst at the last election.
HARRISON M. POTTS, proprietor of a saw mill at Sidney, O., and also owner of a fine farm of 160 acres, lying in Washington township, two and one-half miles southwest of Sidney, is a leading citizen of Shelby county and a justly honored veteran of the great Civil war. He was born in Miami county, near Fletcher, O., February 27, 1846, and is a son of Jackson and Cynthia Ann (Lusena) Potts. Jackson Potts was born in Warren county, O., and his wife at Maysville, Ky. He engaged in farming in Miami county but died early, his widow surviving until after their son's return from the Civil war, when she became the 0bject of his filial care.
Harrison M. Potts remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, in the meanwhile attending the district schools, afterward doing general farm work in the neighborhood until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, on August 15, 1862, in Company E, i T0th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was then only a lad of seventeen years and practically had never previously known any hardships. At the battle of Winchester, Va., shortly after his enlistment, he was captured by the Confederates and was confined in Libby prison for two days and two nights, afterward being sent to Belle Isle, where he was kept from June 14, 1863, until July 27, 1863, when he, with other prisoners, was sent to Annapolis, Md., to await formal exchange, which, not taking place in three weeks, brought about such a state of weariness and homesickness that the young soldiers, only boys in years, determined to take matters into their own hands and await exchange and parole in their own homes. While this was against military law it was natural and forgivable, for the three lads who slipped out of camp when the .guards were not looking, had no idea of deserting. They practically walked the entire distance from Annapolis to Fletcher, with the exception of seventy-five miles, keeping to the National turnpike unless they had reason to fear capture, when they made detours, as they were aware that the provost guard, for the sake of discipline, would return them to camp before permitting them to make the longed for visit to their homes. When about seventy-five miles east of Columbus they fell in with a farmer, who, after learning the facts, took them home with him and not only fed and sheltered them but gave them railroad fare to within ten miles of Columbus. Unfortunately for the boys' hope of quiet escape, there was a company of sol-
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PAGE - 590 - PICTURE OF HARRISON M. POTTS, RESIDENCE
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diers on board the train and the captain of the company, thinking the youths were deserters, promptly put them under guard, and on reaching Columbus they were taken to the State House and given the marble floor for a bed. From the surrounding but sleepy guards the youths managed to escape in the early morning and continued on their way to Fletcher. For several weeks they remained in their homes and then their own colonel, Colonel Foster of Piqua, who was then visiting his home, sent for them and advised them to return to the prisoner's camp, which they did and were officially exchanged with their company and with his regiment. At the time of the New York riot, afterward, Mr. Potts was with his regiment when it was sent to that city and he continued until the close of the war, participating in many battles and serious engagements.
After his honorable discharge, Mr. Potts returned to his mother at Fletcher, and with the money he had saved in the army he purchased a team and went to farming. Later he moved on a farm in Turtle Creek township, paying a fair rental for the same and it was while there that he entered into the timber and saw mill business. After selling the interests he had acquired there he came to Sidney and entered the spoke and bending business and since then he has been in the same business at Ogden, Ind., at Greensburg, Ind., and a second time at Sidney. Mr. Potts is one of the best known timber and lumber men in Shelby county and is listed with the leading and representative men. In addition to his lumber business he successfully operates his farm and also finds time to investigate into public matters pertaining to his own locality and to serve frequently in responsible positions where his business capacity is of great value to his fellow citizens. At times he has filled the office of treasurer of Turtle Creek township, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Sidney Water Works.
Mr. Potts was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Wakeman, a daughter of the late Henry Wakeman, of Turtle Creek township, and two sons were born to them : Elmer and William, the last named dying May 7, 1912. Mr. Potts is identified with the Knights of Pythias.
JOSEPH C. ROYON has been among the most active and influential of the citizens of Shelby county for more than thirty years; as a lawyer, agriculturist and manufacturer. In 1878 he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan and practiced his profession for a time at Greenville and later at Sidney, in association with the late Judge Jacob S. Conklin and during four years he was solicitor for the city of Sidney. His large interest in other things, especially manufacturing, requiring his attention he withdrew from active practice in 1891 and removed from Sidney to his farm near Houston.
In 1879 he married Mollie A. Flinn, daughter of David Flinn, of Loramie township and together they spent ten months in a tour of Europe, visiting among other places, the ancestral home of the Royon family in France.
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His career has been distinguished by its constructive qualities and by an appreciation of the worth of probity of character in affairs of business. He has been active in support of education in its broader lines and in its local development. All of his children, on reaching the suitable ages, have been graduated from or are now attending advanced schools of learning; his daughter, Josephine. having graduated from the Maryland College for Women at Lutherville, Md., near Baltimore, while his son Joseph C. Royon. Jr., a graduate of the law department of the Ohio State University, has for some time past been a member of the firm of Carr, Stearns, Chamberlian & Royon of Cleveland, and his son Edward, a graduate of the College of Mechanical Engineering of Ohio State University, is following his profession in the same city.
Mr: Royon has been president of The R. Givens & Son Company since its organization with a capital stock of $300,000 and with an annual business of approximately a half million dollars. He has been the president of the board of education of the Houston school district, in which there has been erected a new and model school building and at which the first centralization of schools in the county has taken place. He is also interested in other manufacturing corporations in Sidney. He has at all times been an influential factor in the republican politics of the county and state and it may be well said that he has been active in all lines calling for the higher ideals of citizenship.
C. F. HICKOK, a prominent citizen of Sidney, Ohio, and one of her substantial and representative business men, is a manufacturer and wholesale dealer in confectionery, and has been a resident of this city for the past thirty years. He was born at Jefferson, Ashtabula county, Ohio, April 10, 1856, and is the only surviving child of his parents, Henry F. and Harriet M. Hickok, both now deceased. Henry F. Hickok operated a grist and sawmill in Ashtabula county, where he died at the early age of twenty-eight years.
C. F. Hickok attended school until he was about fourteen years of age and then began work as a clerk in a grocery store at Ashtabula, where he remained four years, when he became a traveling salesman for a Cleveland firm, with which house he continued five years, after which he was employed two years as a cigar salesman for a Detroit firm. In 1882 he came to Sidney and embarked in a retail cigar and confectionery business and for a number of years continued as a retail merchant but since 1901 he has given all his attention to his manufacturing and his wholesale trade, having been in these lines for twelve years. His business has had a rapid but healthy growth. In 1900 he erected his fine factory, his first building having dimensions of 40x70 feet, to which an addition of 125x20 feet, four stories high, was added, and in 1908 another addition was made of 125x20 feet, also four stories high, the location being on the corner of Poplar and Franklin streets. His normal number of employes is 150 people, twelve salesmen also being kept on the road. He makes a specialty of manufacturing a high grade of chocolates, and one brand, Maple Chews, has a sale that covers the territory from coast to coast
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in the United States. Considering the fact that Mr. Hickok started into business with a small capital, one that he earned for himself, his progress has been unusual and demonstrates that he is a business man of ability. Sidney takes especial pride in such citizens, their reliability being assured and their influence being beneficial in every direction.
Mr. Hickok was married October 15, 1880, to Miss Ella Hessin. She was born at Lisbon, Ohio, October 23, 1854, and died at her home on South Ohio avenue, Sidney, after an illness of about four weeks. She was a daughter of the late Horace P. Hessin and was the last of her family, her father, mother and two brothers having previously passed away. She was widely known and much beloved in this city both inside her family and intimate social circle and outside, her warm heart and sympathetic nature having caused her to interest herself in many avenues of beneficence. She was a member Of the executive committee of the Business Girls' Association and was devoted as a member of the Presbyterian church. She is survived by two daughters, Harriet Marr and Willa Hessin, the former of whom is the wife of John E. Lamaster, and the latter, of Harry L. Rice, of Sidney.
In politics a stanch republican, at different times Mr. Hickok has accepted public office, has served four years as a member of the city council and also of the board of education, and for many years has been a member of the Sidney Commercial Club and its president in 1911. He belongs to Temperance Lodge, F. & A. M., and to chapter and commandery, all at Sidney.
D. G. POLHAMUS, township trustee of Washington township, and one of the substantial citizens of this section, resides .eight miles southwest of Sidney, 0., where he owns 125 acres of excellent land. Mr. Polhamus was born on the old family homestead here fifty-eight years ago, and is a son of Stephen and Mary (Booher) Polhamus.
Stephen Polhamus came to Ohio from New Jersey. He settled first in Montgomery county and came then to Washington township, Shelby county, where he died at the early age of thirty-five years. His widow survived him and they had five children : D. G., George, Alonzo, Kate and John, all surviving except George and John.
D. G. Polhamus attended the school near his father's farm and then spent two years assisting on the farm of his uncle, George Booher, and after this a part of the old homestead came into his possession on which he made many substantial improvements. He carries on general farming and raises some good stock. He married Miss Ella Carpenter, and the following children have been born to them : Ida, who is now deceased, was the wife of Lewis Snow ; Frank, who married Floyd Gabriel; John; Daisy, who married Emory Pottorf ; and Clarence. Mr. Polhamus and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican and is serving as a member of the township board of trustees and was formerly township clerk.
EMORY FRANKLIN MARRS, well known as a representative and substantial citizen of Shelby county, resides on his farm of 100 acres, situated in
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Perry township and owns two additional farms in the same township. He also is a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company. He has spent the greater part of his life in Ohio, but his birth took place in Illinois in October, 1855. His parents, William and Margaret (Robison) Marrs, were natives of Ohio and they both died here and their burial was in Graceland cemetery, at Sidney.
They were members of the United Brethren church. The following children made up their family: Mitchell; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Dorn; Emory Franklin; Ella and Nettie, both of whom are deceased; and Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Jonas Valentine.
After his period of school attendance was over, Emory F. Marrs assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age. After starting out for himself he lived one year on the Maxwell farm, then rented land in Perry township on his present farm for fifteen years and has lived here since. Subsequently, with his wife, bought the two other farms in Perry township, one of eighty-one acres and the other of eighty-two acres, all valuable property.
On September 11, 1879, Mr. Marrs was married to Miss Jennie Key, a daughter of John and Anna (Rinehart) Key. Mr. and Mrs. Marrs have the following children : Myrtle; Emory B.; Anna, who is the wife of Clarence Shroyer ; and Fatima R., who is the wife of Harry Johnston. Mr. Marrs and family are active in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a member of the school board of Perry township and has served also, by appointment, as a trustee. The family and all its connections are highly respected members of society in their various communities
GEORGE D. ANDERSON, who resides on his well-improved farm of seventy-nine acres, situated near Ballou, Shelby county, O., owns another farm of seventy acres, which lies in Miami county one mile south of where he lives. He was born in Green township, Shelby county, in 1859, and is a son of William B. and Elizabeth (Dorsey) Anderson.
Both parents of Mr. Anderson were natives of Shelby county and their lives were spent here, the father dying when his son, George D., was two years old, and the mother in 1883. The father was a farmer. Eight children were born to them, namely : John, who is deceased; Mrs. Elvira Hume, who lives in Green township; T. J., who lives in Champaign county; Clara, who is deceased ; W. H., who lives in Green township; Mary and Charles, both of whom are deceased ; and George D., the youngest born.
After his school days were over, George D. Anderson decided to become a farmer and remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age and then went to Kansas and for seventeen years was a resident of that state, with varying fortunes, and then returned to Shelby county and ever since has been interested in improving his properties and in carrying on his agricultural industries. He erected a new residence on his Miami county farm and placed everything in excellent repair on his place near Ballou, and it is probable that Ohio will continue his permanent home notwithstanding the advantages that
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other sections may offer. During a part of his term of residence in Kansas, Mr. Anderson served in the office of justice of the peace.
Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Hannah A. Wert, who was born in Green township, Shelby county, and they have the following children : W. 0., Mrs. Florence Hagerman, Ray, Leroy and Earl. In politics Mr. Anderson is a democrat. He gives liberal support to the Christian church to which he and family belong, and he is identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows at Plattsville.
HENRY A. EILERMAN, who is one of the reliable and substantial citizens of Cynthian township, where, for seven years he has been president of the board of education of the Short Special School District, resides on his excellent farm of 118 acres, situated two and one-half miles southeast of Fort Loramie, 0., was born in McLean township, Shelby county, May 19, 1875. His parents, Frank J. and Catherine Eilerman, were of German extraction and for many years well known and respected residents of McLean township.
Henry A. Eilerman went to school in the Sherman Special School District and afterward worked on the home farm. Since his marriage he has lived on his present farm which he has improved in many ways. He built a new residence and remodeled the barn, put up much fencing and attended to the draining of the land wherever he found it desirable, and now has not only a profitable property but an exceedingly comfortable and attractive home. His business is mixed farming.
Mr. Eilerman married Miss Mary Dreses, who was born in McLean township, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Dreses, and they have six children : Ada, August, Clara, Mary, and Jennie. Mr. Eilerman has been one of the leading advocates of school advancement in his neighborhood and has devoted much time and thought to making the schools of this district what they now are. He and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.
DANIEL TOY, one of the prominent citizens of Sidney, 0., representing the second ward in the city council and an influential factor in democratic politics in Shelby county, is a native of Sidney, born November 14, 1876. He is a son of W. M. and Mary (Haslup) Toy.
Daniel Toy was reared at Sidney and attended school here, afterward learning the printer's trade, entering the office of the Sidney Daily News on the day of its first issue. For four years Mr. Toy worked as a printer and afterward, for a couple of years, was in the employ of the Sidney Steel
Scraper Company, finally entering the shops of the Philip Smith Company, where he learned the machinist's trade and is now foreman of these same shops.
Mr. Toy married Miss Emma Louise Pfefferle, a daughter of Carl Pferfferle, and they have one son, Harold. Mr. Toy comes naturally by his mechanical skill, his father and his grandfather having been identified with mechanics and manufacturing during the greater part of their lives. He has always been interested in public matters, a strong democrat in his political belief, and has
596 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
served as a member of the Shelby County Democratic Central Committee and also has been a member of the Sidney Democratic Executive Committee. When D. H. Warner resigned as alderman of the Second ward, in order to become the director of public service, in January, 1912, Mr. Toy was immediately selected to fill out Mr. Warner's unexpired term and has proved a useful member of the city council.
JOSEPH DRESES, who lives retired on his valuable farm of sixty acres, situated in Cynthian township, two and one-half miles south of Fort Loramie, was born in Germany, February 10, 1836, and is a son of Theodore and Elizabeth Dreses, both of whom died in Germany, the mother when he was but two years old.
Joseph Dreses went to school and helped his father on the little home farm until he was old enough for military service after which he was in the army for eight years and during that time took part in the wars in which his country was engaged. He was thirty-six years of age when he left Germany and came to the United States. As a farm hand he worked for two years and eight months in Kansas, and from there came to Ohio and became a farmer in Shelby county, near Fort Loramie, where he soon married and for five years afterward lived in McLean township, west of the village. From there he moved on the Johnston Ginn farm and then operated the Schlater farm for one year and the Holthaus farm for four years, after which he bought his present farm of the Barlage heirs, of Fort Loramie, and cleared a part of it. At present he has all of it under cultivation except nine acres of woodland
it and the larger part of the land is well drained and tiled. The present comfortable farm house he built after taking possession and he remodeled the barn and other farm buildings. A general line of farming is carried on, some stock and the usual grains of this section being produced. Mr. Dreses is a democrat in his political views and is a good and law abiding citizen.
Mr. Dreses was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Merkentrop, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth Merkentrop, and came to America when twenty-six years old. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dreses, namely : Katie, who died at the age of ten months ; Mary, who is the wife of H. A. Eilerman ; Lena, who is the wife of Clay Eilerman, of McLean township; Anton, who died in his tenth year ; and Elizabeth, who died when aged seven years. Mr. Dreses' daughters were educated in the Short Special School District. The family belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.
EARL A. YATES, M. D., who has been established at Sidney, 0., in the practice of medicine and surgery since 1906, enjoys the confidence of the public here in marked degree. He was born on a farm in Miami county, 0., near the town of Conover, March II, 1874, and is a son of Samuel and Phebe (Shanks) Yates.
Samuel Yates and wife were both born in Miami county, he on April 0, 180, and she on October 4, of the same year. Her death occurred in Septem-
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ber 1, 1904, and his less than two years later, on April 18, 1906. They were farming people whose interests were centered in their home and family and they lived long and worthy lives.
Earl A. Yates attended school at Conover, and was graduated in 1893 from the Lena and Conover high school, and during the winter of 1893-94 attended the Ohio State University at Columbus, his studies from 1894 until 1897 being directed along the line of medicine, and his graduation with first honors took place in the last named year. On September first following he opened an office at Kirkwood, Shelby county, where he remained in practice until 1906, when he came to Sidney, taking his place among the skillful medical men of this city, the profession being well represented here.
On August 19, 1897, Dr. Yates was married at Lena, O., to Miss Martha Denman, a daughter of Dr. H. B. and Rose (Brecount) Denman. Mrs. Yates was born July 9, 1875, and was graduated from the Lena and Conover high school in the same class with Dr. Yates. He is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical Society. Politically he is a democrat and fraternally a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. W. JOHNSTON, whose large acreage of farming land lies in both Laramie and Cynthian townships, was born on his home farm which lies on the Washington and Dayton road in Loramie township, near Houston, O., November 22, 1872, and is a son of Thomas and a grandson of William Johnston.
William Johnston was born in Ireland and was one of the early settlers in Loramie township where his family was reared. Thomas Johnston grew to manhood here, followed farming all his life and died at the age of fifty- eight years and his burial was in the Houston cemetery. He was a member of the Christian church at Houston. He married Mary Jane Black, a daughter of William Black, and two children were born to them : Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Klase ; and J. W. The mother, now in her seventy-eighth year, still resides on her homestead. She is a very highly esteemed lady in the neighborhood and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
J. W. Johnston was reared in Loramie township and was educated in Loramie township, which was then known as the West Jefferson School District. He was fifteen years old when his father died and as he was the only son he had to go right to work, at farming, and, with his mother, successfully carried on the farm industries. He is progressive and enterprising in this direction and is numbered with the judicious and successful farmers of this section. The improvements on the place were made by Mrs. Johnston.
Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Oda Flinn, who was born at Houston, O., a daughter of W. N. and Mary Ann Flinn, who now lives in Loramie township. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston :
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Josephine, Leontine and Oda, the eldest of whom is a student in the Houston Special District. Mr. Johnston and his family are members of the Christian church. He is a republican but has never been active in political life.
HENRY A. APPLE, a highly respected citizen of Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., a retired farmer living on one of his two farms lying in Loramie township, was born one mile east, February 15, 1849, and is a son of Henry S. and Katie (Gephart) Apple.
Henry S. Apple was born in Jackson township, Montgomery county, 0., a son of John Apple and a grandson of Henry Apple, whose father, John Apple, came to America from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Henry S. Apple married Katie Gephart, a daughter of George Gephart, who was a pioneer in Jackson township, Montgomery county, and they came as pioneers to Laramie township, Shelby county. Here Henry S. Apple developed a farm from the wilderness and became a well-known and respected man, spending forty subsequent years in this section and dying at the age of sixty-six years. His widow survived to the age of seventy-two years and their burial was in the cemetery at Covington, 0. They had seven children born to them, Henry A. being the fourth in order of birth.
Henry A. Apple was reared in an excellent home and attended the Beech Grove school in the winter time, until he was seventeen years of age, after which he gave his father valued assistance in the heavy task of clearing his large acreage of land. After marriage he settled on the farm of 140 acres on which he yet lives and still owns another farm in this township, while he has also given each of his children a farm. When he first came here he and wife went to housekeeping in a log cabin of one room and during the next two years he was so busy that he could do little more in the way of building than to keep the cabin warm and comfortable and the barn equally so in order to shelter his few cattle. He then built his present substantial barn and after twelve years put up his present handsome brick house which he has made into a comfortable modern home. At first he had seventy-seven and one-half acres in his farm and to that he kept on adding until he owned a large amount of property and extensively engaged in farming and raised stock and cattle. His home farm is all under cultivation except nine acres of timber, and it is situated two miles east of the Darke county line.
On October 21, 1869, Mr. Apple was married to Miss Mary C. Mader, who was born in Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., August 27, 1848, and is a daughter of Frederick Christopher and Margaret (Crospy) Mader, both of whom died in Loramie township. On April 5, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Apple took up their residence on this place and here all their children have been born, namely : William E.; Louisa C., who is the wife of Henry C. Kelch and they live in Loramie township ; and Hulda J., who is the wife of J. Walter Brown and they live in the Greenwood Special School District. Mr. Apple and wife belong to the Lutheran church in which he was an official for twenty-one years. In national affairs Mr. Apple has always been a democrat but in local matters in recent years has been disposed to vote independently. At the time
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this brief sketch of this representative citizen of the county of Shelby was written, he is filling no public office, but, like all the members of this old and solid family, his influence is considerable and his judgment on all matters is valued by his fellow citizens.
J. J. APPLE, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Loramie township, Shelby county, O., who owns two farms in the Beech Grove Special School District, one of seventy-seven acres and the other of 100 acres, was born in this township August 29, 1846, and is a son of Henry S. Apple and a grandson of John Apple and a great-grandson of Henry Apple.
Henry Apple was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of John Apple, who was born in Germany. The second John Apple, grandfather of J. J. Apple, was born after his father had settled in Montgomery county, O., and was one of a family of thirteen children. John Apple (2) married Diana Saylor, who was born in Montgomery county and they passed their lives there, where he had 160 acres of land. His death occurred on that farm and that of his wife soon afterward, both being aged sixty-six years, they being separated but two weeks. This farm lies one mile north of Farmersville, Montgomery county, O., and probably yet belongs to the family. Mr. Apple was a man of local prominence and at one time or another filled about all the local offices. To him and wife six children were born, namely : Henry S. ; William, who died at Versailles, O., was a farmer in Darke county and married Clovina Miller; Katie, who married Jacob Gephart and they lived in Loramie township for twenty-five years and then settled on the grandfather's farm in Montgomery county ; Jacob S., who died in Loramie township; Ullery, who lived first in Shelby county and then moved to Bunker Hill, Ind., and from there to Oregon, where he subsequently died and was buried there, in early manhood having married Martha Davis, of Montgomery county, O.; and Sarah„ who is the wife of Jonathan Esler and they live at Peru, Ind.
Henry S. Apple, father of J. J. Apple, was born in Jackson township, Montgomery county, O., where he was reared and attended the early schools. He was married there to Katie Gephart, whose father owned a farm three miles from the Apple farm, George Gephart being one of the pioneers of the township. After their marriage Henry S. Apple and his wife came to Loramie township and settled on eighty acres of land, the same farm on which their son, J. J. Apple, now lives. He had already put up a hewed log house on the place and thus had made suitable provision for family comfort. To Henry S. and Katie Apple the following children were born : Peggy, who married William Routson, and both died in Miami county ; J. J. and G. H., twins, the latter of whom is deceased ; Henry A., who is a retired farmer in Loramie township; Louisa, who is the wife of David Kaiser, of Loramie township; Lavina, who is deceased, was the wife of David Fessler, of Miami county; and Elias, who died when three years old. Henry S. Apple cut down the first tree ever felled on the 160 acres which lie south of the present home farm, on the county line, and on that place he died at the age of sixty-six years, six months and sixteen days, and his burial was on the fortieth anniversary of his
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coming to Loramie township. His widow survived him and died in her seventy-second year, and both now rest in the Covington cemetery. They were members and liberal supporters of the Lutheran church. Henry S. Apple was, for his clay, an extensive raiser of horses and cattle together with sheep and hogs, being exceedingly successful in his management of stock.
J. J. Apple was reared in Loramie township and obtained his education in the Beech Grove School District and from boyhood had his tasks assigned him on the farm and as he grew older assisted in doing some of the clearing. During many years of active agricultural life he pursued farming and stock raising and success in these lines rewarded his industry. He has lived on his present place ever since his marriage, on October 1, 1868, to Miss Lavina Apple. She was born in Wayne township, Darke county, 0., October 1851, and is a daughter of George and Katie (Rocher) Apple, natives of Montgomery county, who moved to Darke county after marriage and there their nine children were born, six of whom survive.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Apple : George Henry, who lives at West Alexander, 0., married Amanda Loxley and they have one son, John; Isaiah, who lives at Sidney, married Ida Routson and they have the following children : Agnes, Eden, Ivan, Chalmer, Delmer, Lavina, Reuben and Lulu; Mary Catherine, who is the wife of Louis Brown, residing in Darke county and they have three children : Silva, and Inez and Ivan, twins; a twin sister of Mary, who is deceased; and Perry, who lives on and operates his father's 100-acre farm, married Christina Reed and they have two children—Bertha and Treva. Mr. Apple and wife are members of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a democrat and on numerous occasions has been elected to township offices, serving six years as township trustee and several years as school director and as road supervisor.
H. H. APPLE, who is one of Loramie township's most respected citizens and able men, for a number of years serving most acceptably as township clerk and also on the board of education, belongs to an old and substantial family that was established in Shelby county, 0., by his grandfather, John Apple. He was born on his present farm in Loramie township, where he has ninety-five acres, November 2, 1861, and is a son of Jacob S. and. Sarah E. (Creager) Apple,
Jacob S. Apple was born in Montgomery county, 0., and was fifteen years old when he came to Loramie township, Shelby county. Here he subsequently secured 160 acres of land for $500, and on this he cut the first tree and erected a pioneer cabin for a home. He cleared his land and as it required draining he at first used oak timbers for pipes but later put down tile and his soil became mellow and productive. He became a man of ample means and his fellow citizens recognized his sterling character, electing him to offices of trust and responsibility. He served as township trustee and township treasurer and also was a member of the school board and was universally esteemed for his honesty and consulted in important matters as a tribute to his good judgment. He became an extensive farmer and also was a successful dealer in
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horses. At the time of death, in 1902, when aged sixty-seven years, he owned three farms, aggregating 320 acres and had previously sold two eighty-acre tracts of land in this township and bought 160 in Kansas and later another 160 there. He was a stanch democrat and the success of his party was always a matter of pleasure to him as long as he lived. He married Sarah E. Creager, who was born also in Montgomery county, 0., where her father, William Creager, died before she came to Shelby county. Three sons were born to this marriage : John W., who lives in Missouri; H. H.; and G. E., who lives in the old home in Loramie township.
H. H. Apple and his brothers all attended the Beech Grove school in boyhood and later he and his brother, G. E. were students in the Ohio Normal School at Ada, 0., following which H. H. Apple taught two terms of school in his native township. After his first marriage he settled on the east ninety- five acres of the homestead and has made all the improvements here with the exception of building the residence, his father having completed that. All his land is in excellent condition and all under cultivation with the exception of twenty-five acres which is valuable as a wood lot.
H. H. Apple married Miss Carrie Allgire, who was born in Franklin county, 0., and died in Loramie township, Shelby county, June 23, 1891, aged twenty-six years. She was a member of the Christian church at Houston, where her burial took place. Her parents were Henry H. Allgire and wife, formerly of Franklin county and later of Loramie township. One daughter was born to this marriage, Bertha, who is the wife of W. E. Baumgardner, a business man of Russia, 0. In 1893, Mr. Apple was married (second) to Miss Florence Cook, who was born in Montgomery county, 0., a daughter of Ezra Cook, and five children have been born, two of whom, Ada and Roy, the oldest and the youngest, are now deceased. Edgar "W., Arthur F. and Clifford L. all survive. Mr. Apple and family belong to the Lutheran church at Bloomer.
The Apple family in Shelby county has been notably devoted to the Lutheran church and no less so to the democratic party and H. H. Apple has upheld family tradition and custom. On the democratic ticket he was first elected township clerk of Loramie township, in 1887 and served until 1891, when he was appointed clerk for J. H. Cruse in June, 1906, served that term, and in January, 1907, was elected clerk and served in the office until January, 1912. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Versailles, 0., and is a member of the D. H. T. Association, of which he is also secretary.
WILLIAM A. RUSSELL for many years has been a representative man in Shelby county, 0., teacher, farmer, stock raiser and public official and is well known, particularly in Clinton and Turtle Creek townships, and in the former of which he owns twenty-seven acres of good land and in the latter has 297 acres. He was born here March 0, 1837, and is a son of Joshua and Jane (McClure) Russell.
Joshua Russell and wife were born in Virginia and after coming to Ohio he engaged during all his active life in farming and stock raising.
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He was one of the leading members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian church. His children were as follows : William A.; Moses James; Cyrus H. ; John A.; Mary J., who married Adam Russell; Margaret E., who is deceased; and Martha E., who married William E. Russell.
William A. Russell attended the district schools and afterward taught school very acceptably for six years and many of his old pupils have lived to reflect credit on him. He then turned his attention to farming and stock raising and these industries he successfully followed for many years. In his political views he is a Republican and at different times he has been chosen for important political offices in the township and has served as land appraiser of Turtle Creek township and through two terms was treasurer of that township.
Mr. Russell was married in September, 1865, to Miss Laura A. Beck, who is a daughter of Edward Beck of Turtle Creek township. Her one sister, Martha E., is the wife of James Russell, brother of William A. Russell. To William A. Russell and wife the following children were born, all of whom are prominent socially and otherwise. Edward J., who formerly represented this district in the state senate; Jennie; Cora, who is now deceased, was the wife of Edison Richards; Nathan A., who is in the leather business at Sidney, O.; Chester B., who is connected with a western business house; Nettie, who is a trained nurse, now at Minneapolis, Minn. ; and Maude, who is an educator connected with the schools of Cincinnati, O. The family attends the Presbyterian church.
H. W. APPLE, who is one of the representative citizens of Loramie township, Shelby county, O., interested in all important matters in his community and especially concerned in educational advancement, resides on the old family homestead of 175 acres, all improved with the exception of about twenty acres yet in valuable timber. He was born on this farm on August 16, 1868, and is a son of George Hiram and Elizabeth (Apple) Apple.
George Hiram Apple was born one mile west of the above farm, also in Loramie township, August 29, 1846, a son of Henry S. and Catherine (Gebhart) Apple. Henry S. Apple was born in Montgomery county, O., and was reared there and married into a neighboring family, Miss Catherine Gebhart becoming his wife and subsequently the mother of their six children, namely : Peggy (Elizabeth), who became the wife of William Routson, residing near Rangeville, in Miami county; Hiram S.; Jacob J., who was a twin of Hiram S.; Henry A., who married Kate Mader and lived in Loramie township; Louisa, who became the wife of David Kaiser, residing in Loramie township; and Lavina, who is deceased, was the wife of David Fessler, of Miami county. After marriage, Henry S. Apple and wife moved to what was then a wild region, Loramie township, in Shelby county and settled in the woods, securing 160 acres of virgin land. Here he cleared off enough for a home site and afterward replaced the first log structure with what was probably the first brick house ever built in this township, the bricks for the same being made on his farm. Here his death occurred at the age of sixty-five years, five
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months and six days, and his burial was at Covington. His wife lived to the age of seventy-two years. They were early members and liberal supporters of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Bloomer, 0. George Hiram Apple became a farmer and thresher as his father had been and developed into a man of like sterling character. He continued the clearing of the land which his father had commenced and made many improvements on the place and spent his life here, his death occurring at the age of fifty-five years. He was a most worthy member of the Lutheran church and his resting place is in the church cemetery at Covington. He married Elizabeth Apple, a daughter of Enoch Apple, of Montgomery county, 0., and she survives, being now in her sixtieth year, a resident of Indiana. Two of the family of six children are deceased, twin sons, the youngest born, the survivors being: H. W.; Catherine, who is the wife of John Ortman, of Loramie township; Alice, who is the wife of William Shock, of North Manchester, Ind.; and J. V., who is a resident of Dayton, 0.
H. W. Apple has spent his life in this section of Shelby county and hence is well known and, like all the Apple family, he is held in respect and esteem. He attended school in the Beech Grove Special School District of which, in mature life, he became a valued official and at present is in his fifth year as a member of its board of education and has already served both as president and as vice president of this important body. When he came into possession of the homestead it had already been cleared and while he has never ceased making improvements of some kind, he had no great burden of this nature placed on him when he started out for himself. Immediately after marriage he lived on land situated directly across from the homestead which he sold prior to purchasing this farm, which is situated five and one-half miles north of Covington. In addition to engaging in a general farming line, Mr. Apple raises and deals in cattle and draft horses. His business interests are largely agricultural and he is numbered with the judicious and prosperous business men of this section.
Mr. Apple married Miss Corda Grise, who was born in Darke county, O., a daughter of Peter and Margaret Grise. The father of Mrs. Apple, who is now deceased, at one time was the largest landowner in Darke county. When he died, at the age of eighty-three years, he left the sum of ninety thousand dollars to his family, together with eleven highly improved farms. All this wealth he accumulated himself, being a shrewd financier and a man of unceasing industry during all his active life. His burial was at Gettysburg, 0. He was a native of Montgomery county but his first wife, Matilda Wyison, was a native of Darke county, as was also his second wife, Margaret Mann. The latter survives and resides at Gettysburg, 0., where Mr. Grise, in his later years, owned the First National Bank. Both wives were the mothers of twelve children and of the two families there are seventeen children still living, Mrs. Apple being one of the heirs to her father's very large estate.
Mr. and Mrs. Apple have had four children : Clarence, Ralph, Martha and Orville, the last named being now deceased, having been accidentally
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drowned when aged six years. Mr. Apple and family belong to the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Apple has been a lifelong democrat and at times has consented to serve in township offices, especially on the school board, and has also been turnpike superintendent.
H. W. CAVEN, one of the best known citizens of Orange township, Shelby county, 0., now serving in his second term as township trustee, resides on his mother's farm of 100 acres, which lies six miles southeast of Sidney, and here he was born in 1877.
James M. Caven, father of H. W. Caven, was born in Miami county, 0., three miles south of the present farm of the family, and after reaching manhood engaged there in farming until 1874, when he came to Orange township, purchasing Too acres of land and cultivating and improving it until 1904, when he retired and then moved to Fletcher, 0., where his death occurred in 1908, when he was aged seventy-three years. He had put the farm in fine condition, erecting all the buildings which now stand except the residence, which he remodeled. He married Annetta S. Sayers, who was born in Miami county and is now a highly esteemed resident of Fletcher. They had four children, namely : William M., who lives in Green township; James S., who is a resident of Miami county ; H. W.; and Mrs. Bertha M. Wyatt, who lives at Detroit, Mich.
H. W. Caven attended the public schools of Orange township and afterward a business college at Piqua, 0., being thus well prepared for other lines of activity than agriculture, but farming and stock raising perfectly satisfies him and he makes a success of the business, taking care of the home farm for his mother. Grain, hay, fruits and other products are raised and Mr. Caven usually has some as excellent stock as is found in the township.
On March 11, 1903, Mr. Caven married Miss Lottie E. Fergus, who was born in 1878, on a farm west of Kirkwood, in Shelby county, 0. She is a daughter of T. H. and Mary (Valentine) Fergus, one of a family of four children, the others being : Frank P., Leonard C. and Mrs. Olive Knox, the latter of Dayton, 0. Mr. and Mrs. Caven have three children : Frances S., who was born April 20, 1905; Vertus V., who was born August 20, 1908; and Kathryn Lois, who was born September 15, 1911.
In his views on public questions, Mr. Caven has always been a democrat, and his party standing and the place he occupies in the regard of his fellow citizens, may be indicated by the fact that since he was elected township trustee in 1909, he has been continued in office.
PETER PAULUS, who is one of the leading men of Loramie township, a successful farmer and for eight years a member of the school board of the Huffman Special School District, lives on the north side of the east and west road, where he owns eighty-two and one-half acres of excellent land. He was born one and one-half miles north of Frenchtown in Wayne township, Darke county, 0., February 29, 1872, and is a son of John and Lena Paulus.
Peter Paulus attended the public schools of Wayne township and after-
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ward learned the carpenter trade and then went into the threshing business which he followed for eleven years in Shelby county after having successfully followed the business for five years in Darke county. He then purchased his present farm, all of which with the exception of ten acres of woodland, he has drained and tiled, fenced and otherwise improved, and here carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Paulus married Miss Elizabeth Francis, who was born in Loramie township, a daughter of Stephen and Catherine (Pepiot) Francis, who reside in the Francis Special School District. Mr. and Mrs. Paulus have had children as follows : Catherine, Lawrence, Thomas, Stephen John, deceased, Stephen, Martha and Christine. The children have enjoyed excellent school advantages as their father has always believed in general education. They give great promise as to future usefulness. Mr. Paulus has been a lifelong democrat and several times has been elected to important township offices by his party and has served most acceptably as supervisor and road superintendent. With his family he belongs to the Roman Catholic church at Russia, O.
HENRY F. SHERMAN, president of the board of education of the Turner Special School District in Cynthian township, is a prominent farmer, owning 100 acres of fine land situated in section 27, all of which, with the exception of ten acres of woodland, he has under cultivation. Mr. Sherman was born in McLean township, Shelby county, March 30, 1868; and is a son o f Joseph and Mary (Rottinghaus) Sherman.
Joseph Sherman was born in Germany October 22, 1816, and was sixteen years old when his parents came to the United States and settled in Shelby county, O., locating in McLean township. There he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Gehr, of Minster, O., and of the ten children born to that marriage there is but one survivor, a resident of Troy, O. His second marriage was to Mary Rottinghaus and of the ten children born to this union there are five survivors, namely : Elizabeth, wife of John Zimmerman ; John, residing in Cynthian township; Henry F. ; Frank, residing in Cynthian township; and Annie, wife of Frank Turner of Cynthian township. Mr. Sherman owned a farm of 150 acres and there passed the larger part of his life, his death occurring in his seventy-seventh year. His second wife lived to be thirty-eight years of age. They were faithful members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie. During many years he was elected to township offices on the democratic ticket and was known to be an upright, honorable man.
Henry F. Sherman continued on the home farm for three years after his father's death and then sold his interest and since his marriage has lived on his present farm in Cynthian township. Through his own efforts this place has been brought to its fine condition as to productiveness and improvements, including a complete system of drainage and tiling. He raises both grain and stock, using his corn for feeding purposes but selling wheat and oats, his land producing more than the average in grain.
Mr. Sherman married Miss Lucy Gaier, who was born in McLean town-
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ship, and they have the following children : William, Emma, Edward, Leo, August and Ida. Mr. Sherman and family are members of St. Peter and St. Paul's church, at Newport, 0., of which he was warden for four years. In politics Mr. Sherman is a democrat. For four years he was one of the trustees of Cynthian township and during two years of that period was president of the board, while he has been president of the board of education of the Turner Special School District for about six years.
T. C. SKILLEN, who is a representative citizen of Loramie township and for three years treasurer of the board of education of the Houston Special School District, resides on his valuable farm of 140 acres, eighty of which lies in the Oran Special School District, and an additional thirty-seven acres of fine woodland. He was born in Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., December 19, 1850, and is a son of Thomas Skillen and a grandson of William Skillen.
Thomas Skillen was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., and he accompanied his parents and several other families to Ohio, a part of the journey being made on rafts on the Ohio river. They all finally settled in Loramie township and here William Skillen reared a large family of children, one of whom subsequently became a probate judge. Thomas Skillen was married three times, his second wife, Amanda Griffis, being the mother of but two children : T. C. and Oran, who died in infancy. The mother died when aged thirty-seven years, T. C. being then aged eighteen months. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian church. Thomas Skillen was born in 1815 and died in 1900, his burial being at Houston, 0.
T. C. Skillen was reared in Loramie township and attended the public schools, which have always been better conducted and supported here than in many sections, and afterward found farm duties awaiting him. He has followed agricultural pursuits all his life and since his marriage has lived continuously at Dawson.
Mr. Skillen married Miss California M. Cox, who was born in San Joaquin county, California, a daughter of I. S. and Catherine Cox, both of whom died in Loramie township. Mr. and Mrs. Skillen have but one surviving child, Theodore Benson, who is a bright pupil in the public school. Others died in childhood, Thomas, Forest S. and Pearl LeRoy. Mr. and Mrs. Skillen are members of the Presbyterian church at Dawson, in which he is an elder and also a member of the board of trustees. In his later years the father of Mr. Skillen was a republican and the latter belongs to the progressive wing of the party. He served eleven years as a notary public, and, as indicated above, has taken a deep interest in educational matters. Mr. Skillen as a citizen is held in high esteem and commands the respect of his fellow citizens by those evidences of a sterling character which Americans are proud to claim as a national characteristic.
LEVI D. FESSLER, who is one of the leading citizens of Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., for many years has been especially interested in the
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public schools and their advancement, and is a general farmer, his forty acres of well-improved land lying one mile north of the Miami and Shelby county line and nine miles from the city of Piqua, O. Mr. Fessler was born on this farm, August 28, 1862, and is a son of John J. and Catherine (Ganger) Fessler.
John J. Fessler was born in Baden, Germany, February 21, 1825, and was twenty-one years old when he accompanied his widowed mother, Salome Fessler, to America. His father died in Germany leaving ten children, the eldest of whom, George Fessler, was the first of the family to cross the Atlantic ocean and begin life in the United States. When the mother and nine children followed they all lived at Cincinnati, O., for a time, while they sought a desirable section in which to settle permanently, finally selecting eighty acres in Loramie township, Shelby county, forty acres of which Levi D. Fessler now owns. They were among the pioneers when they came here, very little clearing having been done in the township and neighbors were few. They went through all the hardships of pioneer life but never parted with their land and each year made it more valuable.
John J. Fessler married Catherine Ganger, who was born in Montgomery county, O., April 1, 1831, and her death occurred January J0, 1895, and her burial was in the Bloomer cemetery in Miami county, and by her side her husband was laid five years later, his death taking place in March, 1900, his age being seventy-five years, one month and seven days. They were members and conscientious supporters of the Lutheran church. Politically he was a democrat and on two occasions was elected a trustee of Loramie township and served with fairness and honesty. They settled in Loramie township and here their children were reared as follows : Margaret, Mary, Barbara and Catherine, all of whom are now deceased; Louisa, who lives in Cynthian township; John, who is a resident of Elkhart, Ind.; Jacob, who is in business at Piqua; Levi D.; William, who also lives at Piqua ; and Minnie, who is the wife of J. H. Fritz, of Loramie township.
Levi D. Fessler attended the district schools and remained on the home farm and took care of his parents until they passed away and then purchased the south forty acres of the homestead. Since then he has greatly improved his property and all the substantial buildings here were erected by him and all other improvements made. Like his father he has always been a democrat and has taken a good citizen's interest in township affairs and has felt especially responsible concerning the permanence and efficiency of the public schools, serving for seven years as clerk of the board of education of the Beech Grove Special School District. He served three terms as assessor of Loramie township and for four years as a trustee, during the second two years being president of the board.
On June 5, 1892, Mr. Fessler was married to Miss Barbara Elizabeth Wehneman, who was born in Loramie township, April 2, 1864, a daughter of John H. and Ann Elizabeth Wehneman, and they have five children : Clarence Ferdinand, Mabel Ruth, Alice Pearl, Ruby Leona and Clissie Marie. These children are all bright students in the same school their father attended. The family belongs to the Lutheran church.
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GEORGE N. FRANCIS, one of the enterprising young agriculturists of Loramie township, where he works eighty acres of well improved land, owned by his father, has spent* life in his native county and belongs to a well known family here. He was born at Russia, Shelby county, January 13, 1883, and is a son of Celestine and Rosalie (Cordonnier) Francis, who are residents of Russia, O.
After his school days were over, George N. Francis learned the carpenter trade at which he worked throughout Shelby county, living at Russia from 1908 until 1911, when he put aside his tools with which he had proved himself very skillful, and since then has been engaged in general farming and has all this land under cultivation with the exception of twelve acres still in timber. Mr. Francis is a democrat in politics and is one of the leading and active citizens of his township. Since January, 1912, he has been clerk of Loramie township and also a notary public, and for two years has been clerk of the Russia Special School District.
On June 2, 1908, Mr. Francis was married to Miss Leontine Monnin, a daughter of Justin and Emelia (Millet) Monnin, and they have three children : Lyndon, Yvonne and Linus. Mr. Francis and wife are members of the Catholic church at Russia. Until the order of Knights of St. John was discontinued at Russia, Mr. Francis was secretary of the organization.
CHARLES A. WOLAVER, president of the board of trustees of Loramie township, is a well known resident of Houston, 0., where he follows the carpenter trade, his pleasant home and comfortable residence being situated on the east side of the Piqua and St. Mary's turnpike road. He was born two miles west of Newport, 0., in Cynthian township, Shelby county, February 9, 1863, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Dunn) Wolaver.
Henry Wolaver died on his farm in Loramie township, when in his fifty- fifth year and was laid to rest in the cemetery of the Christian church, being a member of that religious body. He married Elizabeth Dunn, who was born in Loramie township and still resides on her farm there, her son, John R., carrying on the farm industries. To Henry and Elizabeth Wolaver four children were born : Charles A., John R., William H. and Laura A., who is the wife of Henry Wick.
Charles A. Wolaver was educated in the schools of Cynthian and Loramie townships, and since 1882 has been a permanent resident of the latter township, where he has farm interests. Since February, 1912, he has occupied his present home. For the past two years he has been president of the Farmers Elevator Company, of Houston, of which he is a director and was one of the founders, and for the past three years he has been agent for one of the latest improved cream separators, an indispensable article for dairymen.
On December 27, 1890, Mr. Wolaver was married to Miss Annie E. Cromes, who was born in Miami county, 0., June 0, 1869, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Cromes, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolaver three children were born : Forrest Raymond, a resident of Houston, who married Florence E. Flavert; Arthur Emerson, who is in the
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Houston high school as a student ; and Walter Elwood, who attends the public schools. Mr. Wolaver has been a lifelong democrat, as was his father, and is now serving in his second year as a member of the township board of trustees, having been president of this body since January, 1912. He is recognized as one of the reliable men of Loramie township, ever ready to perform any public duty and honest and efficient in whatver he attempts, whether in business or as a public official.
B. S. CECIL, who is a well known citizen of Dawson, where he is engaged in the blacksmith business, is a native of Shelby county, born at Oran, O., a son of E. R. and Sarah (Whitney) Cecil. The father died in Cynthian township at the age of forty-four years and the mother died when aged thirty years. They had five children, three of whom are deceased, the two survivors living in Shelby county. The father was a veteran of the Civil war and his record was that of a brave man.
B. S. Cecil celebrated his forty-fifth birthday on October 5, 1912. He was reared on the home farm and obtained his education in Cynthian township and at Oran and in early manhood engaged in farming but later learned the blacksmiith trade and has been established in his own shop at Dawson for the past sixteen years. He. is known as an excellent workman and there is never a time when he is not busy. He not only does blacksmith work but all kinds of repairing.
Mr. Cecil married Mrs. Florence Louella (Cornell) Mills, widow of Charles Mills, and they have had the following children : Goldie May, deceased; Albert E., Lester C., Clifford L., and Murrey Leo, deceased. Mr. Cecil belongs to the independent wing of the republican party but has never been willing to accept any office other than membership on the school board, for the past four years having been president of the Houston Special School District of Loramie township. He is one of the town's sturdy and reliable citizens and is held in general esteem.
GEORGE W. FOSTER, a prosperous agriculturist and representative citizen of Loramie township, resides one and one-quarter mile south of Houston, O., on the Piqua and St. Mary's turnpike road, where he owns 120 acres of fine land, was born February 28, 1860, at Canton, O., and is a son of John H. and Augusta Foster.
John H. Foster and wife were born in Germany and when they first reached the United States, settled at Wheeling, W. Va., and in a short time came to Canton, O., and in 1863 to Piqua, from which city, in 1870, they came to Loramie township, where they passed the rest of their lives. They were members of the Brethren church at Piqua. John H. Foster died when aged fifty-nine years and his wife when ten years older and their burial was at Houston. They were parents of five sons and one daughter and four of the sons survive.
George W. Foster attended the public schools of Piqua and in the Beech Grove District in Loramie township. Afterward he became a farmer and
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lived five years in Washington township prior to his marriage, and twelve years afterward, and then came to his present farm in Loramie township. When he settled here his land was covered with brush and thickets and it required much hard toil and a considerable expenditure of money to clear, cultivate and drain, and to place the many substantial improvements here. Farming and stock raising employ Mr. Foster's attention, his two youngest sons now assuming many of the heaviest responsibilities.
Mr. Foster married Miss Anna Snaveley, who was born in Washington township, a daughter of the late Washington Snaveley, and they have three children : Theda B., who married E. H. Billing, of Swanders, 0.; and Guy E. and Marion 0. Mr. Foster and family are members of the Presbyterian church at Mt. Jefferson, in which he is an elder and is also church treasurer and a trustee. He is a republican in politics.
HENRY ACHBACH, whose well cultivated farm of forty acres lies in section 22, Cynthian township, Shelby county, 0., was born on this farm, November 5, 1865, and is a son of George and Louisa (Seing) Achbach.
The parents of Mr. Achbach were born in Germany, were reared and educated there and were married two years before coming to America. When they reached the United States they located on land in Kentucky, it being the intention of George Achbach to follow farming, but conditions did not satisfy them where they first settled and they then moved to Patterson township in Darke county, 0. Afterward they came on into Shelby county and here Mr. Achbach secured the present home farm, three acres of which had been cleared and a log cabin erected. Very soon afterward he erected a better log house and with the help of his sons as they grew old enough, succeeded in entirely clearing the land, keeping four acres as a wood lot. This land has been put into fine condition through proper draining and tiling and would command a high price if put on the market. On this farm George Achbach died at the age of fifty-eight years, having led a very laborious life. His widow survived to the age of eighty-four years and both were interred in the Lutheran cemetery. During the Civil war he was a brave soldier, serving for three years and three months, and, although ever at the post of duty, escaped all injury. George Achbach and wife had seven children, namely : Charles, who was born in Germany; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of John Stifel ; and Julius, Caroline, Annie, Henry and Amanda.
Henry Achbach attended school in the Grisey Special School District and afterward engaged in farming, working the home place and also renting an adjoining farm. For the past six years he has lived continuously on this farm, carrying on a general agricultural line, but for nine years previously he worked in the spoke factory at St. Mary's. He married Miss Mary Hecht, who was born in Patterson township, Darke county, 0., a daughter of Henry and Pauline Hecht, the former of whom is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Achbach have six children : William, who was born in Cynthian township ; Clara, Anna and Clarence, all of whom Were born at St. Mary's ; Elizabeth and Ethel. who were born on the present home farm. Mr. Achbach and fam-
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ily belong to the Lutheran church. He is a democrat in politics and is happy to have his neighbors agree with him on public questions but he has never been willing to serve in any office except as a member of the board of education, to which he was elected in January, 1911.
P. 0. STOCKSTILL, one of the progressive agriculturists of Orange township, Shelby county, 0., whose valuable and well improved farm of eighty acres is situated two miles southeast of Sidney, was born where he now lives, in 1867, and is a son of Thomas and a grandson of Elias Stock- still, who was one of the pioneers in Shelby county, coming at a very early day from near Midway, in Miami county, where possibly he was born. He settled near Maplewood, in Shelby county, and he and wife died here. They were solid, reliable people and their descendants have reflected credit on them 'to the present day.
Thomas Stockstill was born on his father's farm near Maplewood in Shelby county, and in manhood moved to Orange township, where he carried on general farming for many years and then retired to Sidney, but still owns two valuable tracts of land, one of eighty acres and a second one of thirty acres. He married Martha Mitchell, who passed away about 1906, the mother of eleven children, nine of whom are yet living.
P. 0. Stockstill was reared and educated in Orange township. When prepared to go into business on his own account he purchased a part of the old homestead from his father, paying $10,000 for this eighty-acre tract. He has improved the same since it came into his possession, having rented it for ten years previously, and here carries on farming and stock raising according to scientific methods and has one of the most productive farms in this section of the county.
Mr. Stockstill married Miss Estella Fergus, who was born in Shelby county, and a family of seven children has been born to them, namely: Ethel, Martha, Clem, Joseph, Blanche, Robert and Roger. The eldest daughter married Earl Applegate, who is a well known educator in this county, and they have one son, Ralph. Mr. Stockstill and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Sidney, of which he is a trustee. Not only is Mr. Stockstill a progressive farmer but he is also a progressive citizen, wide awake to public questions and having sensible and convincing opinions of his own. For fourteen years he has been a member of the township school board and at present is serving most acceptably in the office of justice of the peace. For the past twenty-two years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows and belongs also to the Red Men.
LOUIS P. RATERMANN, who carries on general farming and stock- raising on the old Ratermann homestead, consisting of seventy-three acres situated in section 8, St, Patrick Special School District, in McLean township, Shelby county, 0., was born on this farm, April 5, 1880, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Wehinger) Ratermann.
The Ratermann family originated in Germany and the first of those to
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come from Hanover was John Henry Bernard Ratermann, who was accompanied by his wife, Anna Maria Ratermann, and their one son, Ferdinand. They settled in McLean township, Shelby county, O., southeast of Fort Loramie, and there the other children were born, namely : Henry ; Philip, who formerly was county surveyor of Shelby county ; Bernard; a schoolteacher who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Joseph, who is a resident of Sidney, each son receiving the gift of a farm from his father. The latter was one of the pioneers of St. Michael's Catholic church and in early days baptisms and other church offices were frequently performed in his dwelling. He died at the age of sixty-seven, his wife surviving him by nine months.
Henry Ratermann was reared on the old farm and has heard his father say that when he settled there but one house had been built in what is now the busy and important town of Fort Loramie. He attended the Berlin district school and afterward continued his studies alone, purchasing books so that he could advance farther in general knowledge. After his marriage Henry Ratermann settled on the farm now occupied by his youngest son, clearing the land and making improvements and on that place his death occurred in 1881, at the age of forty-six years. Like his father before him he was a democrat and all his life he was a worthy member of St. Michael's church. On June 4, 1867, Mr. Ratermann was married to Miss Sophia Wehinger, who was born in Wuertenberg, Germany, April 14, 1849, and was five years old when her parents, August and Frances (Rupprecht) Wehinger brought her to America. They lived for some time at Fort Loramie, O., and then moved to a small farm west of the town, and there the mother of Mrs. Ratermann died when aged forty-five and her father when aged forty-nine years. They were parents of five children, all reared in the Catholic church; Rosa, who is deceased; Hilda, who is a resident of St. Patrick; Madeline, who is deceased ; Sophia ; and Anton, who lives at Mansfield, O.
To Henry Ratermann and wife the following children were born : William, who died at the age of twenty-seven years, married Elizabeth Gerling and left one daughter, Wilhelmina, who lives with her grandmother ; John Bernard, who lives at Sidney, married Catherine Zimmerman and they have six children—Henrietta, Jerome, Catherine, Hilda, William and Francis; Alolph, who is in the banking business at Fort Loramie; Anna, who is a competent stenographer employed at San Francisco ; Frank, who is a physician at Fort Loramie; and Louis P. After the death of her husband Mrs. Ratermann remained on the farm as her sons were able to carry on its industries while she became a school teacher. For eleven years she continued to teach the St. Patrick public school, retiring from educational work and resuming domestic duties in 1895. In 1906 she took charge of her son Adolph's home at Fort Loramie. She was much beloved as a teacher, being of pleasing manner and of intellectual strength, perfectly capable in the line of work she followed for more than a decade. It is worthy of mention that she was teaching at the same time that three of her sons were also so engaged, these being Frank, Bernard and Adolph. Mrs. Ratermann has a wide and pleasant social
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circle at Ft. Loramie, and is an earnest member of St. Michael's Catholic church.
Louis P. Ratermann received his education at St. Patrick's district school and afterward took charge of the home farm and has continued to successfully conduct it, keeping up the improvements and raising satisfactory crops and cattle. He married Miss Anna Hoying, who is a daughter of Anthony Hoying, a farmer in Turtle Creek township. They have three children : Mary, Henry and Ludowicka. With his family Mr. Ratermann belongs to St. Patrick's Catholic church. He is a democrat in politics and takes a hearty interest in public matters but is filling no office, finding his business important enough to take up all his time.
GEORGE M. BAKER, who owns and operates the old Baker homestead of eighty-eight acres, situated in Washington township, Shelby county, O., was born on this farm in 1875 and is a son of Ephraim and Nancy (Cain) Baker.
Ephraim Baker was born also in Shelby county and spent forty-four years of his life on the above mentioned farm, doing the larger part of the clearing. In addition to farming and stock raising, he also worked at the ice business for a time. His death occurred here in his seventy-fourth year. He married Nancy Cain, who came from West Virginia and they had the following children : Junie, Mrs. Flora Saunders, Albert, Leo, Franklin, George M., Mrs. Peter Higgins and M. L., the last named being a resident of North Dakota. The four survivors of the family include George M. and M. L. and Mrs. Saunders and Mrs. Higgins.
After his school days were over Mr. Baker was engaged in a grocery business for some ten years. In 1908 he decided to turn his attention to farming and with this end in view bought the interests of the other heirs in the homestead and since then has been successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising, cultivating his own land and an adjoining eighty acres.
Mr. Baker married Miss Adelle Filler and they have two children : William and Alfred. Mr. Baker and family are members of the United Brethren church at Lockington, O. Politically he is a republican and fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows at Kirkwood and belongs to the Encampment at Sidney.
JOHN BORGER, a retired farmer of McLean township, also president of the board of Berlin school district, was born in McLean township, this county, May 15, 1858. His father Cristopher Borger, came to America from Germany when a single man and after arriving here found employment on various public works. He married in Cincinnati and from that town moved with his wife by horse and wagon to Shelby county, stopping at a farm north of the present family homestead. He then purchased eighty acres of land at $2.50 per acre, which he registered at the land office at Chillicothe, O., walking there and back. This land is now owned by his son, J. Bernard Borger. His entire subsequent holdings included tracts of 120, 160, 80, 107 and 80
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acres, which are now divided among his children. He died at the age of sixty-four years. He was a member of St. Michaells Catholic church. Though not active in politics, he always took an intelligent and useful interest in local affairs. His wife died at the age of seventy-five years. She was a native of the same town in Germany as himself. They had five children, namely : Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Tepe of Cincinnati; Henry, now deceased, who was twice married, his second wife being Rosa Sherman ; J. Bernard, who is a farmer in McLean township, married Johanna, daughter of W. J. Scherman; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of John Branlage ; and John, who resides at Ft. Loramie, this county, and who married Maria Sherman, daughter of W. J. Sherman.
John Borger received his schooling in McLean township, Shelby county, 0. From the age of seventeen he resided at Fort Loramie with his mother, working on a farm, but about six years later began the business of buying and selling live stock, and continued until the year 1900, when he retired from that occupation and was later occupied with agricultural matters, and farming during this time residing at Fort Loramie. He married Mary Sherman, a daughter of William J. Sherman of Fort Loramie, 0., and their children have been as follows : Gertrude and Amelia, both unmarried ; John, who died at the age of sixten years ; Peter, who died when two months old ; Paul, who is unmarried ; Teresa, Mary and Carl.
Mr. Borger owns 200 acres in McLean township and has cleared all of one of the farms into which this land is divided, except twenty acres, on this farm being now engaged in draining and tiling. On the other farm, eighty acres have been drained and tiled, ten acres being left in woodland. On each farm is a good set of buildings. Both farms are located on the turnpike about one and a half or two miles east of Fort Loramie, in McLean t0wnship. Mr. Borger is a member of St. Michael's Catholic church. In politics he has been a life long democrat. He has served as president of the board of education for twenty years and has also served a number of years as member of the town council. His residence is on South Main street, on the east side of the canal, at Fort Loramie, and in this neighborhood he has numerous warm friends and agreeable acquaintances.
PERCY R. TAYLOR, attorney at law and a representative citizen of Sidney, 0., was born in the great city of Birmingham, England, January 8, 1872, and is a son of F. D. and Catherine (Campbell) Taylor.
F. D. Taylor was born in England and became a mining and civil engineer and in a professional capacity came to Canada and while there was married. Afterward he went back to England but subsequently returned to Canada. where his wife died in March, 1888, he surviving until 1895. They had four children : Percy Radcliffe ; Nora, who is the wife of Charles Price Green, of Toronto, Canada ; Claud, who is manager of a branch of the Union Bank 0f New Liskeard, Canada ; and Naomi, who is the wife of Gordon McCullough, of Toronto.
Percy Radcliffe Taylor was the second born in the above family and dur-
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ing two years of early life, lived in Switzerland. He was ten years old when the family came from England to Toronto and up to the age of thirteen years he was instructed by a governess in his home. He then spent one year in the public schools of Ontario and for two years was a student at Bishop's College, at Lenoxville, province of Quebec, completing his high course there. His first business experience was as a bookkeeper for a contracting firm for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. On July 4, 1892, he came to Sidney, O., where he accepted a position as reporter on the old Sidney Journal and remained with that publication until June, 1898, in August of the following year becoming editor of the Piqua Dispatch, at Piqua, O., and additionally, until April, 1900, was interested in the publishing of law books with the Lanning Publishing Company. Mr. Taylor then became proofreader for the Western Publishing Company at St. Paul, Minn., and continued until March, 1901, when he accepted a position as traveling salesman, his territory being Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, and afterwards Ohio, and continued on the road until the fall of 1905. In the meanwhile he had utilized all his spare moments in the study of law and in 1903 he took the bar examination at Columbus, having been encouraged in this ambition by his wife, and passed very creditably and on September I, 1905, opened his law office at Sidney, where he had already a wide circle of friends. On October 1, 1905, he reentered the employ of the Western Publishing Company and in one month organized a department for them and then returned to his professional work at Sidney, where he has resided ever since and has rapidly built up a practice. He is a member of the Shelby County Bar Association and has been active and energetic in furthering the interests of the Commercial Club at Sidney and served as its president from 1910 until 1911.
Mr. Taylor was married February 27, 1897, to Miss Dorothy Cary, of Sidney, and they have one daughter, Claribel, who was born October 12, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor attend the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the D. O. K. K. In politics he is a republican, and he stands high both as a citizen and as a member of the bar.
D. A. McKINSTRY, one of the successful farmers of Cynthian township, resides on the old McKinstry farm in section 26, which comprises eighty acres of well tiled, productive land situated seven miles from Sidney, O. He was born in Mifflin county, Pa., February 22, 1872, and is a son of David and Sarah (Hoover) McKinstry.
The parents of Mr. McKinstry were born in Pennsylvania and resided in Mifflin county until 1886, when they came to Shelby county, O., and purchased the present home farm in Cynthian township, on which they still reside, living somewhat retired. Their four children were all born in Pennsylvania, namely : Allen, Elizabeth, D. A. and Addie, D. A. being the only survivor. David McKinstry is a democrat in politics. He and wife are members of the Brethren church.
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D. A. McKinstry was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Shelby county, and he completed his education here by attending school for one year afterward in Turtle Creek township. His time has been largely given to attending to the various farm industries. He is a stanch democrat and is willing to work for the success of his party but has never consented to fill any political office other than one connected with the public schools and for seven years he has been treasurer of the Forest special school district board of education. He and parents are widely known and all are held in esteem by their neighbors.
J. F. EMERT, justice of the peace and a prominent citizen of Cynthian township, is one of the best known insurance agents in Shelby county, is a large landowner and is also an honored veteran of the great Civil war. Mr. Emert was born in Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., May 13, 1844, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Methard) Emert, both of whom passed away on the old home farm in Loramie township.
On both paternal and maternal sides, J. F. Emert can trace his ancestry to the original home in Germany. On the maternal side, the great-greatgrandparents emigrated from Germany early in the seventeenth century and settled at Frederick, Md. There Bartholemew Booher and his wife Margaret, reared a family of fourteen children, the names of thirteen being preserved : Catherine, Daniel, Peter, Margaret, Bartholemew, Leah, Mathias, Rachel, Barbara, Elizabeth, Mary, Solomon and John. Frederick Fox, a great-grandfather, was born at Frederick, Md., May 10, 1751, married Catherine Booher, and they reared a family of seven children : Christeena, Rosine, Mary M., George, Daniel B., Joseph and Elizabeth. The maternal grandfather, George Methard, was born at Two Bricken, Germany, December 6, 1760 and emigrated to the United States and settled at Frederick, Md. He married Christeena Fox and they reared a family of six children : Jacob, George, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary M. and Jonathan.
The paternal grandfather, Martin Emert, emigrated from Germany and settled in Berks county, Pa. He was a jeweler by trade. He married Catherine Knoop and they reared a family of four children : Benjamin, John, Catherine and Andrew. Benjamin Emert was born June 23, 1795 and was married January 25, 1831 to Mary M. Methard, and they were the parents of four children : Catherine, George, Benjamin and J. F. Emert. Among, the ancestors of Mr. Emert were men who served with honor in the War of the Revolution.
J. F. Emert was reared and attended the district schools in his native township and afterward assisted his father on the home farm prior to enlisting for service in the Civil war, He was a member of Company F, Benton Cadets, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and during this first enlistment was a member of General Fremont's body guards. His second enlistment was in Company B, 50th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served two years and eleven months and participated in all its engagements, taking part in the great battle at Franklin, Tenn., and continued until he was honorably discharged
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(serving three years in all) and escaping without injury although fifty per cent of the regiment was killed.
In 1875 Mr. Emert came to Cynthian township and here he married Miss Almira Blanchard, who was born and reared on an adjoining farm, a daughter of Eliphalet and Mary Jane (Penrod) Blanchard. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Emert : George I., Eliphalet, Martin, John, and Julian. Martin and Julian are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Emert are members 0f the Presbyterian church.
When Mr. Emert purchased the farm on which he lives, which is situated in section 33, Orange Special School District, Cynthian township, tw0 and one-half miles southeast of Newport, O., it was wild land and he not only cleared it but has placed here all the present improvements, including substantial buildings. A fire destroyed his first barn but he quickly rebuilt it. Mr. Emert owns three separate farms aggregating 300 acres, and these lie in three townships, Cynthian, Loramie and Orange, all of this property being well improved. Mr. Emert no longer attends personally to the cultivation of his land, having all of it rented to good tenants. He is well kn0wn in insurance circles and has covered Shelby county in the interests of the Miami Mutual Fire Association and the Ohio State Tornado and Wind Storm Company. Politically he is a republican and for the past two years he has been a justice of the peace and for three years he served Cynthian township on its board of trustees.
S. J. BOOHER, a leading citizen of Washington t0wnship, Shelby county, O., a prominent republican and a substantial farmer, lives ten miles southwest of Sidney, O., where he owns a valuable farm containing seventy-one and one-half acres. He was born in 1859, in Washington township and is a son of George B. and Naomi (Pohlamus) Booher.
George B. Booher was identified with Shelby county from an early day, followed farming activities all his life and became the owner of 600 acres of valuable land, his death occurring on his homestead in Washington township, his age being sixty-five years. He married Naomi Pohlamus, who died three years before her husband. Ten children were born to them, namely : Mrs. Emma Carpenter, Mrs. Lizzie Jones, S. J., George E., Mrs. Laura A. Everley, Mary K., William F., Charles E., Arthur B. and Floy J.
S. J. Booher has been engaged in farming ever since his school days ended, passing his first ten years on one of his father's farms. During three years he resided at Lockington, and then bought the Wilkinson place, afterward was interested in an elevator business at Lockington and in 1898 settled on his present farm in Washington township. He carries on general farming and raises stock and horses and specializes in poultry. In the poultry industry he has been well satisfied, his fancy fowls bringing him thirty premiums in the last Shelby county fair and sixteen prizes at the Troy fair.
Mr. Booher married Miss Helen Hoopes, who was born in Chester county, Pa., and they have one son, Dwight, who gives his father assistance. Mr. Booher and family attend the United Brethren church. He has been a leading
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political factor for a number of years in this section and served several terms as township assessor and in 1890 was land appraiser. At present he is the candidate of the republican party for county commissioner, an office for which Mr. Booher is seemingly particularly well qualified.
JOSHUA FRANKLIN COLE, whose 160 acres of fine farming land lies in Turtle Creek township, belongs to one' of the old pioneer families of Shelby county. He was born on this farm, which has been in the possession of the family since 1822, on March 24, 1865, and is a son of Broad and Rebecca (Stanley) Cole, and a grandson of Joshua Cole.
Joshua Cole was born near Baltimore, Md., July 3, 1789, a son of Broad Cole. While yet young his father settled in Kentucky, where he remained until 1798, then moved to Ohio, locating first in Fairfield county but later removing to Pickaway county and there Joshua grew to manhood. On February 7, 1811, he married Susannah, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Ranier, then residing in Pickaway county but a native of New Jersey, where she was born January 9, 1792. On August 22, 1812, he enlisted in the command of Captain Reed and served six months in the War of 1812. In 1819 or 1820 he came to Shelby county and entered the southeast quarter of section 6, Turtle Creek township, and then returned to his home in Pickaway county. In 1821 he came back to his land and with the help of two men who accompanied him, cleared about nine acres, when he again returned to Pickaway county. In March, 1822 he brought his family to Shelby county and stopped at Ebenezer Stephens' place, near Hardin, until he could erect a cabin, into which when completed he moved his family in the following month. For some time after he settled here he had no neighbors to the north nearer than eleven miles. He remained on this farm, clearing and improving until 1845, when he rented it and moved with his family to Sidney, where they lived until 1851. In that year he returned to Turtle Creek township and settled with his family on a farm joining his old home farm on the west, on which he passed the rest of his days. His wife died September 15, 1876, and his death occurred on October 20 following. They reared a family of seven children : Cynthia, Nancy, Rachel, Broad, Nathan W., Susannah and Joshua R. The last mentioned died of cholera August 3, 1854.
Broad Cole, son of Joshua and father of Joshua Franklin Cole, was born in Pickaway county, 0., April 11, 1820, and was brought by his parents to Shelby county in 1822. On March 1, 1842, he married Miss Rebecca Stanley, then of Shelby county but a native of Ross county, 0., where she was born June 28, 1823. After the death of her father she accompanied her mother to Shelby county in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Cole settled on his fatherls home farm and remained until 1845, when they moved to Sidney, where he engaged in a mercantile business until 1849, when they returned to the home farm in Turtle Creek township and during the remainder of his life he gave his attention to farming. In his political views he was a republican and for several years served as a trustee of Turtle Creek township. Broad Cole and wife had children as follows : Orlando Isaac, who was a soldier in the Civil war and
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died in service, at Pittsburg Landing, from typhoid fever ; Augusta, who married John McDonald; Eva, who married George B. Toland; Gertrude, who married Robert McClelland ; Clara, who married T. L. Ginn ; Margaret and Joshua F.
Joshua Franklin Cole attended the public schools in Turtle Creek township and later the Sidney schools and then gave his father assistance on the home farm and before his father's death purchased eighty acres of the same and afterward bought the interests of the other heirs in the property and has continued general farming and stock raising here ever since. This is one of the fine old farms of the county and its owners have always been representative men and sterling citizens.
In 1886 Mr. Cole was married to Miss Olive Burns, who was born in Gentry county, Mo., a daughter of David and Rebecca (Carroll) Burns. The father was a railroad engineer. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Burns were : Roland; Agnes, wife of Oscar Kennard ; Olive, wife of Mr. Cole; Mary, deceased, wife of Charles Marr ; Ellen, wife of William Preston ; and Othello. Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a church trustee. Politically he is a republican and has served two terms as township trustee. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Sidney, O.
EDWARD C. MADER, a general farmer in Loramie township, Shelby county, O., where he owns forty acres of excellent land, lying in Beech Grove Special School District, three and one-half miles southeast of Russia, O., was born in Loramie township, July 20, 1865, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth B. (Brehm) Mader.
Andrew Mader was born and grew to manhood in Germany and was twenty-one years of age when he came to the United States. He worked on the construction of the Miami & Erie Canal and thus came to Ohio. He married Elizabeth B. Brehm, who was also born in Germany and was three years old when brought to America by her parents, John E. and Margaret (Schautchner) Brehm, who mine to Shelby county, O., and settled on the farm which is now the property of Edward C. Mader, he buying it from his grandfather Brehm. Andrew Mader died here in his seventieth year and his burial was at Black's cemetery, in Loramie township. His widow survives, being now in her seventieth year, and she still lives on the homestead.
Edward C. Mader has spent his life on the home farm, all of which is under cultivation except ten acres in valuable timber. Both grandfather and father did some clearing and Mr. Mader completed it and also attended to draining the land and has a very productive farm. He makes no specialty but raises enough stock for himself and the usual grains, hay and potatoes, crops that do well in this section.
On March 18, 1894, Mr. Mader was married to Miss Ida E. Cook, who was born in Montgomery county, O., April 12, 1869, a daughter of Ezra and Sarah (Stiver) Cook. Mrs. Mader was fourteen years old when she accompanied her parents to Loramie township, where they still live. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mader all survive, namely : Clarence A., Goldie E.,
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Emerson G., and Bertha J. and Walter H., twins. Mr. Mader and family belong to the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Mader has been a lifelong democrat, as was his father, and at times he has consented to hold township offices when his party has wished to honor him. At the present time he is a member of the board of trustees of Loramie township, and is also treasurer of the Beech Grove Special School District.
JACOB MUNK, who is clerk of the board of education of the Huffman Special School District, in Loramie township, owns a valuable tract of sixteen acres of land, situated in section 13, which he devotes to the growing of berries and broom corn, utilizing the product himself as he is a maker of brooms. He was born May 9, 1854, in Bethel township, Miami county, 0., and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wurtz) Munk.
John Munk was one of the loyal and patriotic men who entered the service of their country only to later lose their lives. He enlisted in a Springfield, O.; company, in the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was recruited there for service in the Civil war, and he fell on the field of battle at Winchester, Va., when aged forty-seven years. He left a widow and an only son. The widow moved into Shelby county when her son was about eleven years old and here her death occurred February 27, 1895, and her burial was in the cemetery at Houston, her age being eighty-four years. She was a member of the Reformed church.
Jacob Munk was reared in Shelby county and attended school until old enough to engage in farm work and has lived in Loramie township since he was eleven years of age. After marriage he settled on his present place, which he has comfortably improved, and has been engaged in broom manufacture for about one year. For many years he has served on the local school board and it was partly through his efforts that the Huffman was made a special school district, this arrangement carrying with it many benefits for the community. Since 1905 he has been clerk of the hoard of education.
Mr. Munk married Miss Elizabeth Voisard, who was born in Loramie township, Shelby county, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Jane Voisard, and the following children were born to them : Clara, who is the wife 0f Alonzo Fritz, of Tippecanoe City, 0. ; Charles, who lives at Piqua, married Myrtle McConnell ; James, who is a resident of Piqua; an infant daughter, deceased; William, who lives at Hamilton, 0., married Josephine Wrigley ; Nellie, who died when aged six years ; and Roy, Lottie, Ruth and Thadedorra. The family belongs to the Reformed church. In politics Mr. Munk is a republican.
ANTHONY HIEGEL, who is one of the prominent and substantial men of Shelby county, 0., where he owns four separate farms, aggregating 320 acres, three of which lie in Loramie and one in Cynthian township, resides in section 5, in the former township, on the St. Mary and Piqua turnpike road, north of Houston, 0. He was born July 27, 1857, in Alsace, Germany, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Schuster) Hiegel, whose family consisted of five sons and two daughters. The parents passed away in Germany and but two
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of the children are yet living: Anthony and Charles, the latter being a resident of Springfield, O.
Anthony Hiegel was fifteen years of age when he and his brother, Joseph Hiegel, left Germany and came to the United States, and soon after came to Loramie township, Shelby county, where Anthony decided to locate permanently. Here he worked with farmers until he learned the business and after he married, settled on his present home farm. Afterward he moved to the range line and lived there for four years and then came back to his old farm. All his land is well improved and he erected the substantial buildings which stand on the home place, all of which is under cultivation except ten acres yet in valuable timber.
Mr. Hiegel married Miss Sarah A. Ortman, who was born in Loramie township, a sister of John A. Ortman and a daughter of Henry Ortman, a well known family in this locality. Mrs. Hiegel died August 27, 1911, and her burial was in the cemetery at Houston. She was a most estimable lady, respected and beloved by all who knew her, and a member of the Lutheran church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hiegel : Joseph, who lives in Cynthian township, married Isabella Doren; Charles, who lives with his family in Loramie township; William, who is a resident of Dark county, O., married Tracy Leymen; and John, Mary and Lawrence, all of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Hiegel has been a democrat since reaching mature years and once served as township trustee of Loramie township and for some years has belonged to the Mills special school district board of education for both Loramie and Cynthian townships and is assistant treasurer of the same.
AUGUST WISE, one of the well known business men of Shelby county, who operates a saw mill and deals in hardwood lumber, at Fort Loramie, was born and reared in this section and is a son of August and Thresia Wise, the former of whom was born in Holland and the latter in Germany.
August Wise attended school at Fort Loramie and early began to be self supporting, for two years driving a pair of mules in the lumber regions, when not more than fifteen years of age. In 1881 the father of Mr. Wise started a saw mill business one mile north of Fort Loramie and the son went to work in the mill which his father in 1892 removed and rebuilt at Fort Loramie and conducted until his death, in 1902. Since that time August Wise has continued the business alone, and to some degree has expanded the same, giving employment to seven men at the present time. The mill has the following dimensions : 36 x 116 feet, and 22 x 80 feet, with engine room of 40 x 44 feet. All kinds of custom sawing is done, and handles are manufactured, as many as 8o,000 of the handles being turned out annually. Mr. Wise is ready to purchase timber in any amount when he can secure suitable tracts and hires teams when the hauling is more than his own two road and log teams can handle. He is a wide awake business man and one who, through business integrity, has won the confidence of all with whom he is associated in this way
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Mr. Wise married Miss Catherine Rice, who was born at Fort Loramie in 1871, a daughter of Joseph and Madeline Rice, and they have a family of five children, namely: Esther and Tracy, twins, who are eight years old; Hilda, who has celebrated her fifth birthday; Edward, whose four years prevents him from yet going to school; and Veronica, who is the one-year-old baby. Mr. Wise and family belong to St. Michaells Catholic church. In politics he is nominally a Democrat but as an intelligent and thinking man, often shows that he is somewhat independen of party. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John and has a creditable record in both organizations. Mr. Wise is interested to some extent in the Loramie & Minster Railway Company.
ORA A. MARTIN, one of the substantial and well informed men of Loramie township, resides on his valuable farm of 101 acres, a fine property which lies not far distant from Versailles, 0. He was horn in Adams township, Darke county, 0., October 22, 1874, and is a son of John B. and Catherine Martin, the former of whom is now deceased.
Ora A. Martin obtained his education in the public schools and since then has continuously followed an agricultural life. Since February 22, 1910, he has resided on his present place, which was improved by the former owner, the late George Rhoades, his father-in-law, and here he successfully carries on diversified farming and grows stock for his own use.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda T. Rhoades, who is the youngest daughter of the late George and Matilda Rhoades, who were well known people of Shelby county, 0. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Lutheran church and they have a wide acquaintance in this section and many friends. Mr. Martin like his late father is a democrat but has never beer willing to accept any political recognition except membership on the school board, and as such, in September, 1911, was elected treasurer of the Greenwood special school district and continues to serve.
JOHN W. LORTON, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in Loramie township, owns i0o acres of productive land, situated in section 18, two miles from Russia, 0. He was born in Clinton township, Shelby county, 0., December 15, 1860, and is a son of George Allison and Catherine (Glasford) Lorton.
George Allison Lorton was born in Shelby county and died at the age of sixty years, his burial being at Sidney. All his life he w0rked hard as a day laborer, never having had any educational opportunities in his youth, but was universally respected for his many excellent traits of character. He married Catherine Glasford, who was born in Germany and was brought to Montgomery county, Ohio, when seven years old. She now lives in Turtle Creek township. They became the parents of thirteen children, and of this large family three sons and two daughters are living. They were members of the Lutheran church.
John W. Lorton was reared in Clinton township and secured his school-
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ing there, and as soon as old enough began to be self supporting, working on farms or in any way that was honorable, for six years being a railroad employe. After marriage he settled at Houston and as soon as he had accumulated enough money bought eighty-five acres in Loramie township. He later sold that property and in 1w0 purchased his present farm.
Mr. Lorton was married to Miss Louisa Wintringham, who was born at Houston, a daughter of Ge0rge and Christiana (Ervin) Wintringham, both of whom died in Loramie township. Mr. and Mrs. Lorton have f0ur children : Freeborn F., who married Ina Hoover, who died leaving a daughter, Evelyn; Blanche, who is the wife of Jesse Wilbaum, of near Anna Station, by whom she has two children, Ellen and Laurence; John E., who first married Minerva Langston, deceased, and later Tracey Stout of Noble county; and Walter, who lives at home. They are also rearing a youth named Roy Grimes. Mr. Lorton has been a lifelong republican but has never been very active in politics. He takes an interest in all local matters as becomes a good citizen and cheerfully assists in supporting the schools of Huffman special school district. The family belongs to the Christian church at Houston.
HERBERT E. SHEETS, of the Sheets Manufacturing Company, of Botkins, O., one of the large and important industrial enterprises of the place, was born here, October 5, 1884, and is a son of Philip and Catherine (Thu- man) Sheets.
Philip Sheets, who founded the Sheets Manufacturing Company, died September 6, 1905, Herbert E. Sheets succeeding as head of the concern. This company manufactures wood wheel material for wagons, carriages and automobiles and employment is given eighty men, the plant covering five acres of ground. Mr. Sheets has been identified with the business ever since he completed his education. He has other important interests, being president of the Shelby County Bank at Botkins, vice president of the Sidney Manufacturing Company, and, in association with his brother, E. S. Sheets, owns the Sheets Grain Company of Botkins. He is an energetic, wide awake business man and commands the respect of all with whom he is associated.
Mr. Sheets married Miss Helen Baughman, of Jackson Center, O., in 1911, and they have a very attractive home at Botkin. He is pr0minent in the Masonic fraternity, Knight Templar and Shriner, and has attained the Thirty-second degree. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows.
J. H. M. SCHURR, undertaker and furniture dealer, at Botkins, O., continuing a business established by his father twenty-four years ago, was born on a farm in Auglaize county, O., four miles northwest of Botkins, August 7, 1877, and is a son of Christian and Margaret (Bimel) Schurr.
Christian Schurr and family moved to Botkins in 1888, at which time he established the business above referred to and carried it on until 1899 when he was succeeded by his son, J. H. M. He still survives, being now in his seventy-fifth year, and is one of Botkins' most highly esteemed citizens. He was twice married and of his ten children born to his first union eight survive,
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0ne son, J. H. M. and seven daughters. Three sons were born to his second marriage.
J. H. M. Schurr attended the public schools of Botkins and then entered his father's employ in the undertaking business, to which he finally succeeded, later became a qualified embalmer and has a complete outfit for this branch of the business. He has proper vehicles and equipments of all kinds including a handsome funeral car and his services are sought from all 0ver Shelby and Auglaize counties. On August 20, 1899, he embarked in the furniture line, and as demand arose, from time to time added wall papers, linoleums and rugs to his other stock and now does the largest business in this line that is done in three townships.
Mr. Schurr was married to Miss Emma Amelia Moothart, who is a daughter of John Moothart, president of the Botkin school board, and they have three children : Edison Luther, Helen Naomi and Ruth Mildred. Mr. Schurr and family are members of the Lutheran church.
JOHN MOOTHART, a highly respected citizen and retired farmer living in his comfortable home at Botkins, 0., is serving as president of the Botkins special district school board, giving to the duties of this office the beneficial experience gained through many years of interest in the public schools. He was born on a farm in Franklin township, Shelby county, 0., one mile south of Anna, December 31, 1849, and is a son of Peter and Sarah (F0stnight) Moothart.
Peter Moothart was born in Pennsylvania and was young when he came to Shelby county where he spent his life as a farmer. His widow, who survives and is now in her eighty-eighth year, was reared in Shelby county, 0., but was born in Pennsylvania. They were of German extraction, and Mrs. Moothart attends the Lutheran church, probably being the oldest member at Anna, 0.
John Moothart was reared on the home farm in Franklin township and during his entire active life followed farm pursuits. After his marriage he settled on the old Balser Hagelberger farm in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, two miles south of Botkins, where he successfully carried on general farming and stock raising. In 1906 he turned the farm industries over to his s0ns and retired to Botkins. For eighteen years he served as a member of the school board in Dinsmore township and has served 0n the Botkins board for five years, being president of this body for the past year.
Mr. Moothart was married November 19, 1874, to Miss Julia Ann Hagelberger and they have nine children living, namely: William Edward, Louis Albert, Emma Amelia, Milton, Jennie May, Oliver Milard, Harvey, Alfred and Clara L0uella. Emma Amelia is the wife of J. H. M. Schurr, and Jennie May is the wife of James R. Cox. Mr. Moothart and family are members of the Lutheran church and he belongs to the board of deacons in the same. He has never been very active politically but has always aimed t0 be a useful member of his community and has always enjoyed the trust and respect of friends and neighbors.
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CHARLES L. WINDLE, a valued and experienced member of the board of county commissioners of Shelby county, O., has been a representative citizen of Orange township for the past nineteen years. He was born in Clinton township, this county, November 16, 1870, and is a son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Buirley) Windle.
Mr. Windle was but one year old when he lost his father by death and during the following five years he lived with his maternal grandfather in Clinton township. He was six years old when his mother married H. H. Wilson, and they moved to Green township, and he continued with his mother and step-father until he was .twenty-three years of age, in the meanwhile securing a good common school education. He was reared to be a practical farmer and has followed agricultural pursuits ever since, in 1892 purchasing his present farm of forty acres, which lies in a favorable section of Orange township.
In 1894 Mr. Windle was married to Miss Daisy Arbogast, of Green township, Shelby county, a daughter of Lewis and Henrietta (Maderris) Arbogast, the former of whom is now deceased, the latter still living. Mr. and Mrs. Windle have one son, Lewis, who attends to the farm when his father is engaged with his official duties. This farm is a part of the tract which Mr. Windle's maternal great-grandfather, William K. Buirley entered from the government, and, except for eight years preceding its purchase by Mr. Windle from a Mr. Watkins, has never been out of the family.
It is usually from the solid, thinking men of a township that the members of the board of county commissioners are selected, the office being one of considerable responsibility and great importance. Mr. Windle has long been active politically and has served on many political committees in the democratic party, and in the fall of two was first elected to his present office and in the spring of 1912 was reelected. For seven years prior to this he had served as a trustee of Orange township.
GEORGE HAGELBERGER, president of the Shelby County Fair Board, is one of the solid, reliable men that have earned for this section the respect and confidence of other parts of Ohio. Since 1903 he has been a resident of Anna, O., but he was born on a farm in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, three miles north of this village, May 28, 1855, of French and German parentage. His father, Balser Hagelberger, was born in Alsace, when that much coveted territory belonged yet to France, while his mother, Frederika (Fogt) Hagelberger, was born in Baden, Germany.
On both sides the grandparents were the pioneers of these families in America and Balser Hagelberger was six years old when his parents brought him to the United States, and his wife was a child of ten years when she and her parents crossed the Atlantic ocean. They were reared in Ohio and settled early after marriage in Shelby county, where Mr. Hagelberger carried on farming until he retired, his death occurring in 1903, being then a resident 0f Anna, O. His widow survives and is now in her seventy-eighth year.
George Hagelberger grew up on the home farm and the larger part of his
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life has been spent in carrying on his agricultural industries. He lived for twenty-eight years on his farm of 160 acres, lying on the corporation edge of Anna, and owns another farm of 160 acres, in partnership with a brother-in-law, Charles C. Toland, situated in Jackson township. His many years of experience and his interest in all that promises to be of advantage to the agricultural community, particularly qualifies him for the honorable office he holds as president of the Shelby c0unty fair board, to which he was elected in 1906. He occupies other positions of trust and responsibility, being a member of the board of directors of the Children's Home in Shelby county and also of the Orphans' Home at Richmond, Ind. He has long been an important factor in democratic politics and is a member of the democratic county committee, has served as a member of the town council at Anna and for at least fifteen years has been a valued member of the school board.
Mr. Hagelberger was married to Miss Lydia Moothart, of Shelby county, a daughter of Peter and Sarah M0othart, formerly of Franklin township, the latter of whom survives, being now aged eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Hagelberger have one son, Harry, who is in the clothing business at Anna, 0. He married Miss Rosa Landwhere and they have one child, Anna Lois. Mr. Hagelberger and family belong to the Lutheran church. He was one of its organizers at Anna and was an active member of the building committee of the present church edifice.
HENRY JONES, who resides on his well-improved farm of ninety acres, situated in Washington township, has spent almost all his life in this state but his birth took place in Dauphin county, Pa., March 20, 1854, a son of John and Louisa (Wagner) Jones.
John Jones was born in 1830, in Pennsylvania, and came from there to Miami county, 0., where he was engaged in farming and dairying for fifty- two years, and died there July 31, 1912, aged eighty-two years. He married Louisa Wagner, who passed away many years ago, the mother of ten children, as follows : Mrs. Wilkinson, of Piqua ; Henry; Josiah and John, both deceased; Mrs. Thompson; William; Laura, who lives on the old homestead, and three who died as infants.
Henry Jones had the usual country boy's opportunities of schooling in his youth and afterward assisted his father until he was twenty-four years old and then came to Shelby county and settled on the farm on which he now lives and here spent fourteen years, moving then back to Miami county, where he passed the next ttn years. In 1902 he returned to his Washington township farm and here has made many improvements, including since that time, the erection of a fine barn. He owns a second farm, containing eighty acres, which is situated in Spring Creek township. While he has been a busy farmer and a very successful one, he has found time to take a go0d citizen’s
interest in public matters, and on the republican ticket has been elected to important township offices, formerly serving as a trustee and now is treasurer.
Mr. Jones married Miss Belle McKinney and they have three children :
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May, who married J. Moore, of Indianapolis, Ind.; Roy, wh0 married Ethel Higgins; and Harley, who assists his father. Mr. Jones and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Lockington, O.
JOHN B. SHERMAN, a prosperous general farmer and a well-kn0wn and respected citizen of Cynthian township, Shelby county, O., wh0 resides on his excellent farm of eighty acres, situated in section 27, belongs to one of the old settled families of Shelby county. He was born January 25, 1865, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Rottinghaus) Sherman.
Joseph Sherman emigrated to this county in 1835 and was a son of John W. and Elizabeth Sherman. He was born October 22, 1816, and brought up as a farmer. His first wife was Elizabeth Geehr, his second wife was Mary, daughter of John B. Rottinghaus. Their children are Joseph H., Catherine, Mary E., John B., Mary C., John H., Mary J., Mary M., Henry F., Mathilda, Annie and Louise. He has been supervisor for four years and township trustee six years. He died October 22, 1893, aged seventy-seven years.
John B. Sherman was reared on his father's farm in McLean township and attended school in the Sherman school in the Sherman special school district. His interests have always been of an agricultural nature, first on the homestead and after marriage he carried on farming for himself on a tract of eighty acres, situated on the Hale turnpike road and during his eight years of occupancy made many improvements there. He then sold and moved on the farm he now occupies all of which he cultivates with the exception of eight acres. His land is well drained and tiled and under his methods of farming is very productive and he raises grain, cattle and hogs.
Mr. Sherman was married October 29, 1895, to Miss Frances Mueller, a daughter of Carl and Amelia (Heilich) Mueller, of Darke county, and they have had the following children : Mary, Joseph, John, Clara, Louis, Anna, Magdalene, Francis, Theresia and Margaret, all surviving except Mary and Joseph. Mr. Sherman and family are members 0f SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church at Newport, O. In politics he is a democrat but has never been willing to accept any other public office than one connected with general education. For eight years he served as clerk and as a member of the board of education of the Turner special school district. To serious minded and responsible men like Mr. Sherman much credit is due for the general excellence of the public schools through Shelby c0unty.
J. P. LALLEMAND, who is treasurer of the Grisez special school district in Cynthian township, and formerly president of its board of education, resides on his excellent farm of eighty acres, situated in section 23, two. and one-half miles northwest of Newport, O. He was born in Darke county, O., April 27, 1866, and is a son of Peter Lallemand and his wife Mary (Poiret) Lallemand.
The parents of Mr. Lallemand were born in France. The father came to the United States when aged twenty-five years and after marriage settled in Darke county, O., where three sons and one daughter were born. The
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mother died at the age of thirty-nine years and the one daughter is also deceased. The father lives retired at Newport, 0., having moved to Shelby county with his family about 1867.
J. P. Lallemand was about one year old when his parents came to this county and he attended school in the Turner district and assisted his father to clear and cultivate the farm he now occupies. He has lived here for twenty-three years and has devoted himself to farming and stock raising, having all his land under tillage with the exception of fourteen acres in valuable timber.
Mr. Lallemand married Miss Elizabeth Meyer, a daughter of Henry Meyer and they have had the following children : Lawrence, Beatrice, Mary, Marion and Margaret, twins, Margaret (2) and Francis. The first Margaret died in infancy. Mr. Lallemand and family are members of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic church at Newport, 0. In politics he is a democrat. He served for two years as president of the b0ard of education and since January, 1912, has been treasurer of this body, as mentioned above. He is a highly respected and trustworthy citizen.
JESSE E. BORDER, whose high standing as a citizen of Cynthian township, Shelby county, may be judged by the honorable office he fills, that of president of the board of education of the Grisez special school district, resides on his valuable farm of forty acres, the old homestead, on which he was born on September 13, 1874. He came near the end of a family of eleven children, the tenth, one of twins, born to his parents who were Amos and Martha C. Border, the former of whom died at the age of sixty-eight years. The latter survives and is a resident of Willow Dell, Darke county, 0.
Jesse E. Border attended school near his father's farm and also at Willow Dell, and afterward turned his attention to farm life. For five years after his marriage he lived at Blo0mer, 0., and for two years engaged in farming in Wabash tOWnship, Darke county, and then returned to the homestead where he has remained. Originally this farm contained thirty-two more acres, but forty acres carefully tilled and well managed, is a large enough tract to keep the ordinary man well supplied with occupation. This land is naturally productive and under Mr. Border's intelligent cultivation yields abundant crops.
Mr. Border married Miss Amanda Achbach, who is a daughter 0f Julius and Emma Achbach, of Cynthian township, and they have three children: Ralph, Lawson and Lowell, all satisfactory pupils at school. Mr. and Mrs. Border are members of the Lutheran church at Willow Dell. In his political preferences Mr. Border is a democrat. He has never been willing t0 accept public office outside membership on the school board, his interest in educational matters leading him to serve on this body, election to the same being considered a signal honor in Cynthian township. Mr. Border waS elected a member and made the president in January, 1912, of the board of education of the Grisez special school district.
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PAGE - 636 - D. N. PRINCE. SR.
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D. N. PRINCE, Sr., who resides on his valuable farm of eighty acres, situated in Green township, eleven miles southeast of Sidney, is one of the township's most esteemed citizens and is deservedly honored as a surviving veteran of the great Civil war. He was born in Champaign county, 0., in 1831, a son of William and Sarah (Nauman) Prince.
The father of Mr. Prince was born in Kentucky, not far from the city of Lexington, and from there, in early manhood, made his way to Champaign county, 0. He engaged there in farming until his accidental death, at the age of forty-one years. His widow survived for a time but als0 died in Champaign county. Of their family of eight children but two survive : D. N. and Benjamin F., the latter being a resident of Springfield, 0.
D. N. Prince attended the country schools and later the more advanced schools at Springfield, after which, for ten years, he followed sch0ol- teaching. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company I, Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as a brave soldier for three years and three months. He participated in many hard fought battles including: Prestonsburg, Stone Gap, Chickasaw Bluff, Thompson's Hill, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills and Vicksburg. Although ever at the post of duty, which often was in the thickest of the fighting, Mr. Prince escaped all serious injury and returned to Champaign county unharmed. In the following winter he came to his old homestead farm of 160 acres, lying just east of his present one, the same having been divided with his children.
Mr. Prince married Miss Mary Jones, of Champaign county, who died in March, 1900, aged sixty-one years. They had six children : W. H., who is a farmer in Green township; Charles, who lives in Orange township; Mrs. Sarah R. Cain, who keeps house for her father ; D. N., Jr,, who lives in Miami county ; and two who are deceased. Mr. Prince is a member of the English Lutheran church. Since manhood he has voted with the Republican party and on many occasions was chosen for responsible offices by his fellow citizens, serving for twenty-five years on the school board, one term as township treasurer and was twice elected justice of the peace.
HERMAN KLOEKER, whose well-improved farm of 120 acres lies in section 7, McLean township, one-half mile south of Fort Loramie, is one of the well-known and highly respected residents of this section. He was born May 1, 1850, at Covington, Ky., and is a son of Herman Henry and Anna Mary Gertrude (Krutzman) Kloeker.
The parents of Mr. Kloeker were natives of Germany and in 1848 set sail for America. They had a family of seven children. Two of these died at sea and later two more died at Covington, where the family lived f0r a time. Henry Kloeker died two years ago. Two sons still live : Herman and Ferdinand. Herman Henry Kloeker settled on a farm of fifty acres in Jackson township, Auglaize county, when he came first to Ohio, purchasing the same and living on it for twelve years, in 1863 moving to McLean township, Shelby county. At that time the present homestead was almost
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all timberland and it required much hard labor to place it under cultivation and reap profitably for the effort expended. He served creditably as a Union soldier during the Civil war. He lived to the age of sixty-two years and his widow to the age of sixty-nine years. They were laid to rest in St. Michael's church cemetery, both having been devoted members of that church. While living in Auglaize county he served as school director but never accepted any office in Shelby county.
Herman Kloeker obtained his education in the Egypt schools in Auglaize county and then helped his father, and when the latter died, took charge of the farm which is now his property. He is considered a first-class farmer and has everything very comfortable about him, his many improvements including the erection of the buildings now standing. He has always been a democratic voter and for six years was township trustee.
Mr. Kloeker married Miss Mary Elizabeth Rottinghaus, who was born in McLean township, Shelby county, and is a daughter of J. B. and Mary Elizabeth (Unterbrink) Rottinghaus, the father being deceased and the mother living, being aged ninety-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Kloekersis children have all been born on this farm, namely : Annie, who is the wife of Anton P. Raterman of McLean township ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Frank Lindhaus; J. H., who represented the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, married Cilley Myers and lives at Cleveland, O.; William, wh0 lives in Cynthian township, married Mary Eilerman; J0hn B., who assists his father on the home farm ; Regina, who is the wife of Clyde H. Peffley, a resident of Dayton; and Joseph A., who is a school-teacher, lives at home. Mr. Kloeker and his entire family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church.
HENRY F. HOELSCHER, one of the leading men of Cynthian township, Shelby county, O., who has been clerk of the board of education of the Short special school district for six years and is interested in all matters of public moment in this section, was born September 23, 1876, in Cynthian township, and is the second eldest son of Henry and Mary (Ernst) Hoelscher, and a grandson of Joseph Hoelscher, who was a native 0f Germany and came from there in 1835. The parents of Mr. Hoelscher reside in Cynthian township on the old family homestead, the same adjoining his own farm, which lies in section 16, tw0 and one-half miles southeast of Fort Loramie, on the north side of the Farmers turnpike road.
Henry F. Hoelscher was educated in the public schools of Cynthian township and until his marriage he continued to assist his father on the home farm. Afterward he settled and has resided on his present place, where he has a fine property which he purchased from George Short, Sr. He has made all necessary repairs and has done a large amount of improving, including building and remodeling of the different farm structures, has also drained and tiled his land, and here carries on general farming along modern lines.
Mr. Hoelscher was married to Miss Elizabeth Fleckenstein, who was
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born in McLean township, Shelby county, a daughter of George and Tracy (Bower) Fleckenstein, and they have three children : Agnes, Helen and Martha. Mr. Hoelscher, like his father and grandfather, is a stanch democrat but has never accepted any political office except one relating to the public schools. The family belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.
PHILIP W. YOUNG, who has been continuously in the general hardware and farm implement business at Anna, O., for forty-three years, is one of the best known business men of Shelby county and a prominent republican politician of Franklin township, of which he has been clerk, and also has served for twelve years as a justice of the peace. Mr. Young was born on a farm in Mercer county, O., December 1o, 1842, a son of Adam and Mary (Noland) Young.
Adam Young was born in Pickaway county, O., a son of Philip Young, who settled at an early day on Plum Creek, in Franklin township, Shelby county. Philip W. Young was a boy when his father, Adam Young, came to his father's place on Plum Creek, and here in the woods, Adam and his brother Philip, built a log house. Philip W. Young can remember the fearsome howling 0f the wolves in the near-by forest, when he was a boy. Here he grew up and when he could be spared from work on the farm, attended the district schools until he was eighteen years of age, when the outbreak of the Civil war determined the course of his life for the three succeeding years. On September 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and soon acc0mpanied his comrades to the front, and during his long service participated in twenty-two battles and other engagements, escaping all injury until July 22, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, he was shot in the right breast, the bullet passed through the upper lobe of the lung and coming out through his shoulder blade. After this serious accident he was incapacitated for the first time and was honorably discharged and mustered out on September 27, 1864.
Mr. Young even then was only a boy in years although he had bravely borne the responsibilities of a man. He returned to Anna and afterward taught school for four years and then embarked in his present business and for forty years has occupied the same store site. Here he carries hardware including stoves and farm implements and washing machines and through' forty-three years of business dealing has enjoyed the reputation 0f being honest and upright in all transactions. He is a leading member of the Grand Army of the Republic in this section.
Mr. Young was married in 1869 to Miss Libbie I. Cole, of Anna, who died in 1887, survived by two children : Mary Eva, who is the wife of W. E. Shearer ; and Don C., who is associated with his father. Mr. Young's second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah J. Elliott, widow of Joseph D. Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott had two children : a daughter who died in childhood, and Charles B. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members 0f the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Young is secretary and treasurer.
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HENRY F. HARROD, one of the leading citizens of Cynthian t0wnship, treasurer of the Basinburg special school district, resides on his well-improved farm of ninety-two acres, located one and one-half miles northwest of Newport, 0. He was born November 13, 1861, in Miami county, 0., and is a son of John and Elizabeth Harrod, both of whom died in Miami county.
Henry F. Harrod was reared and received school and farm training in his native county. When he came to Shelby county he worked on farms prior to his marriage and for one year afterward lived in Cynthian township and then m0ved to Darke county. After two years there he returned to Shelby county and located on his present farm, upon which he lived as a tenant for twenty-one years and then purchased and now owns ninety-two acres in one tract and twenty-three in another. In addition to cultivating all his land with the exception of fourteen acres, which is one of the finest timber tracts in the county, he rents 10o acres lying directly acr0ss the road from his own property, for the past six years having also utilized this land in carrying on his agricultural industries. For twenty years he has been interested in handling stock, buying in Darke and Mercer as well as in Shelby county. Mr. Harrod also operates profitably a large gravel pit on his land. He has comfortable surroundings and substantial buildings and well represents in his practical management of his large affairs, that class of Ohio farmers who succeed through industry and thorough knowledge of farming as a business.
Mr. Harrod married Miss Rachel Short, a daughter of I. N. Short, now deceased, formerly of Cynthian township, and they have the foll0wing children : May, Elizabeth, Harry, Webster, Viola, and Cora and Dora, twins. All the children have been given educational advantages, the Basin- burg special school district offering excellent opportunities, Mr. Harrod being one of its officials for the past three years and taking much interest in advancing its efficiency. He has always voted the democratic ticket and on many occasions has been called to public office, serving six years as assessor of Cynthian township, and elected in 1909 treasurer of this school district. Mr. Harrod and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newport, 0.
FRANK J. ALTENBACH, who is a leading contractor and builder at Sidney, 0., may almost be said to have been born in the business as his father was so engaged and he has been continuously associated with it since he was fourteen years of age. His birth took place at Sidney April 23, 1867, a son of Joseph Altenbach, for many years very prominent here in the building trades.
Frank J. Altenbach attended the public and parochial schools at Sidney until his father deemed him old enough to begin to be self-supporting, after which he continued his studies for some time in the night schools. Beginning early he acquired a thorough knowledge of the building business and later could enter into contracting as a man of experience and for a number
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of years has carried on an extensive business as general contractor. He keeps a large force of men employed including ten skilled carpenters. Mr. Altenbach has erected many handsome buildings here, including his beautiful modern home at No. 240 South Miami street.
Mr. Altenbach was married at Sidney to Miss Mary Fares, who is a daughter of the late J. S. Fares, who was formerly well known in the lumber industry in Shelby county. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Altenbach whose name is Fares J. Mr. and Mrs. Altenbach and son are members of the Roman Catholic church. He is identified with that patriotic organization known as the Catholic Knights of America.
HENRY HOELSCHER, Sr., who is one of the well-known residents of Cynthian township, lives on his valuable farm of eighty acres, which lies three miles southeast of Fort Loramie, on the south side of the township line road. He was born in McLean t0wnship, Shelby county, O., on the site of the present Loramie reservoir, September II, 1843, and is a son of Joseph Hoelscher, a native of Germany.
Joseph Hoelscher came to the United States and to Ohio in 1835 and bought a tract of eighty acres of uncleared land in McLean township and the deed for this land his son, Henry Hoelscher, still preserves. He married and with his family lived on that place until the time of the overflow that sent the back waters of the Miami and Erie canal into what is now the Loramie reservoir, on which occasion his children had their lives endangered and had to be rescued by means of boats. When Joseph Hoelscher first settled on the farm owned by his son in Cynthian township, it was covered with heavy woodland but with the help 0f his sons he cleared it and developed a productive farm during his life time. He married Clara Eilerman, who was also a native of Germany, and they had four children : Henry ; Mary, wife of Henry Schlater, of Fort Loramie ; John, residing in McLean township ; and Joseph, living in Cynthian township. The family was one of the early ones that helped to found the Catholic church in this section. Joseph Hoelscher died when aged about fifty-four years and was survived many years by his wife, her death occurring in her seventy-fifth year, and they both were interred in the Catholic cemetery at Fort Loramie.
Henry Hoelscher attended the district schools in both McLean and Cynthian townships when he could be spared from home, for, as his fatherls eldest son, many responsibilities fell on him in youth. He has spent his life in Cynthian township, on the present farm, and has carried on farming and stock raising with very satisfactory results. All the substantial farm buildings now standing, Mr. Hoelscher placed here and he has taken considerable pride in keeping his property in a fine state .of repair.
Mr. Hoelscher was married in early manhood, to Miss Mary Ernstes, who was born in McLean township, Shelby county, O., a daughter of Joseph Ernestes, one of the early German settlers there, and eight children were born to them, as follows : Frank, who resides at Carthagena, Mercer county, O., married Mary Barhorst ; Henry F., who is a farmer in Cynthian
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township; Katie, who is the wife of C0nrad Fleckenstein, deceased ; John, who lives at Dayton 0., married Mary Ulerman ; Joseph A., wh0 lives in Cynthian township, married Rosa Fleckenstein ; Rosa, wh0 is the wife of Casper Hess, and they live in Carthagena, Mercer county, 0., and Maggie and Lena, twins, who live at home. Mr. Hoelscher and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort L0ramie. He has been a lifel0ng democrat, always giving his party active support but never asking for political honors for himself. The Hoelscher family is one of the old and most respected ones of this section.
PERRY MOYER, who resides three miles west of Houston, 0., where he carries on general farming on 240 acres of rented land, situated in Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., was born on this farm July 3, 1883, and is a son of George W. and a grandson of George Moyer.
George W. Moyer was born in Cynthian township, Shelby county, 0., March 5, 1834, a son of George and Sarah (Zemer) Moyer. His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, the father coming to Cynthian township in 1816, prior to marriage. Afterward they settled on a tract of eighty acres and spent their lives there, the father dying when over sixty-tw0 yearS of age and the mother surviving to be eighty-f0ur years old. They had ten children and of these George W. was the youngest. Early in the Civil war he enlisted in Company K, First Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery and remained in the service until the war closed, although deafness resulted from his special line of duty. After he returned to Cynthian township he married Orella Day, a daughter of Jonathan Day, a native of Virginia, who later became a farmer in Loramie township. They had six children : Eleanor and Edward G., both of whom are deceased ; Sarah ; Emma, who is the wife of Edward Moracra ; Anna, who is the wife of Edward Guier ; and Perry. Two years after marriage George W. Moyer and family came t0 the farm in Loramie township on which he has lived retired for some fifteen years. In politics he is a democrat but has never accepted any office except that of school director in the Huffman special school district. He is a widely- known and respected citizen. He belongs to the G. A. R. at Houston.
Perry Moyer attended the local schools until ready to assume the management of the home farm for his father and has been so engaged ever since, finding very little improving to do as his father had already made all that was necessary. Mr. Moyer married Miss Cora Charpie, a daughter of Peter Charpie, and they have three children : Ray and Ralph, both of whom are bright students in the Huffman special school district ; and Norval. Mr. and Mrs. Moyer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Moyer is a democrat.
FRED A. CLAWSON, one of the representative citizens of Loramie township, residing in section 6, carries 0n general farming and owns a valuable tract of eighty acres, lying in the Mills special school district. He was born January 19, 1872, in Cynthian township, Shelby county, and is
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a son of William and Rachel Ann Clawson. William Clawson was born also in Cynthian township and for many years was a farmer there but now lives retired at Oran, O. His wife is deceased. Of the eight children two sons died, one in infancy, and the other at the age of nineteen years.
Fred A. Clawson attended school near Newport, in Cynthian township, and afterward assisted his father until his marriage, when he came t0 his present home farm, which is situated three miles northwest of Houston. This property was formerly known as the Houser farm and f0r seven years he rented it and then purchased. On his farm he has made many improvements, it being tiled and the buildings put in order, and as his land is well adapted to dairying he keeps many cows and makes this quite a feature of his operations. He is one of the busy and prosperous men of this section, is widely known and has both business and personal friends among his fellOW citizens.
Mr. Clawson was married in 1894 to Miss Clara May Charpiat, who was born in Cynthian township, a daughter of Peter and Emma Charpiat, residents of Newport, O., and they have had five children, namely : Elfa Mercella, Pearl Marie, Charles Edward, William Peter and Waldo, the eldest born being deceased. Mrs. Claws0n is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which Mr. Clawson attends and to which he gives a liberal support. He has always been identified with the democratic party and formerly served in the office of constable while living in Cynthian township, and in 1910-1911 was township assessor and for several years was a member of the hoard of education and its clerk, of the Mills special school district. He was a candidate for county commissioner in 1912, on the democratic ticket, and was defeated at the primary by so small a majority that he believes that when he again becomes a candidate the democrats of Shelby county will nominate him for this office.
L. E. BLAKELEY, postmaster at Botkins, O., successor of his father, the late A. E. Blakeley, in this office, and also succeeding him as editor and owner of The Botkins Herald, one of the leading weekly newspaperS of Shelby county, was born at Botkins, March 10, 1882, a son of A. E. and Emma (Cochlin) Blakeley.
A. E. Blakeley was born at Botkins when it was little more than a village, June 25, 1856 and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Elliott) Blakeley, the former of whom was from Pennsylvania and 0ne of the pioneer settlers in this part of Shelby county. John Blakeley followed farming but later retired and lives at Botkins, one of its oldest residents, being now in his ninetieth year. A. E. Blakeley was reared on a farm, later taught school, and then went into the newspaper business, first at Sidney, in 1898 coming to Botkins, where he established The Botkins Herald and had made it a leading organ of his party before his death, which occurred in January, 1912.
L. E. Blakeley was reared and educated at Botkins and after completing the high-school course entered his father's newspaper office and continued in this connection, succeeding to his father's interests and responsibilities
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as above mentioned. In April, 1912, he became postmaster, having received the highest grade at the civil service examination, thereby gaining the office. Mr. Blakely married Miss 011ie Giams, daughter of A. P. Giams, of Botkins, and they. have one child, Geraldine. Mr. Blakeley is a member of the Botkins school board, and fraternally is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.
O L. KERR, who has held the office of- postmaster at Houston, 0., since June, 1902, and is also ticket agent of the Big Four railroad at that place, was born in Northwood, Logan county, 0., July 29, 1868, a son of D. P. and Charlotte E. (Carter) Kerr. Both his parents were natives of Logan county, the mother's family residing at Huntsville, 0., and in that county they were married. Mrs. D. P. Kerr was a daughter of K. G. and Nancy A. (Cooper) Carter; her father, K. G. Carter, who came from Virginia, died at Cherokee, Logan county, this state. Her mother, Nancy A. (Cooper) Carter, the maternal grandmother of 0. L. Kerr, died at Huntsville, Logan county.
Mr. Kerr's parents resided for a short time at Bellefontaine, in Logan county, from which place they removed to Northwo0d in the same county, and then to Harper, also in that county, where D. P. Kerr was engaged for some time in mercantile business. Afterwards he carried on the same business at Big Springs, Logan county, 0., and was postmaster there for a number 0f years. He next moved to Alvada, 0., and after a short stay came back to Logan county, settling at Wharton, where he conducted a store. This he subsequently sold and taking up his residence again in Bellefontaine, spent the rest of his dlays in that place, where he died August 3, 1910, at the age of seventy-three years and one month. He was buried in the old Harrod cemetery, near Huntsville, 0. He was married to Charlotte E. Carter September 15, 1864. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and at one time he studied for the ministry but was obliged to relinquish his studies on account 0f poor health. He was a republican in politics and while a resident of Bellefontaine, served as assessor of his ward. He and his wife were the parents of tw0 children : Minnie, who died in infancy, and 0. L., the subject of this sketch.
O. L. Kerr in his boyhood attended school at Harper and Big Springs, 0., and then attended the Agosta Normal School at Agosta, Marion county, 0. He then began business life as clerk in his father's store. He later began the study of telegraphy in the employ of the 0ld "Bee line" and a year later was taken on as extra agent. In April, 1890, he was made station agent at Houston for the Big Four, formerly the old "Bee Line," which position he has since held, having performed his duties in a manner satisfactory to the company. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Piqua. Lodge, No. 8, of the 0. R. T. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds the office of deacon and clerk. In politics he is a republican, as was his father.
O. L. Kerr was married August 22, 1893, to Mary P. Ginn, who was
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PAGE - 646 - MR. AND MRS. GRANT E. RUSSELL
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born west of Fort Loramie, O., March 9, 1875, a daughter of John and Ella A. (Wilson) Ginn, of McLean township, who are now residents of Houston, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have had children as follows : Paul Ginn, born August 9, 1895, who died July 24, 1896, and is buried in Houston cemetery; Dean Burwell, born September 18, 1898, who is now a pupil in the eighth grade of the Houston school; Dale Wilson, b0rn August 2, 1902, who is in the fifth .grade of the same school ; and Vesta Agnes, born October 27, 1905, who is in the second grade, Houst0n special school district. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have resided in Houston since their marriage, where they have many friends. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an active member of the W. C. T. U., being president of the local branch.
EDWARD J. SHAFER, member of the firm of Paul & Shafer, operating a grain elevator at Botkins, O., is an enterprising and representative business man of this section and is well known in this and adjacent c0unties. He was born on his father's farm near Lock No. 2, in Auglaize county, O., December 18, 1869, and is a son of Jacob and Susan (Keister) Shafer.
Edward J. Shafer was reared on the home farm in Washington township and engaged in agricultural purusuits until March, 1906, when he came first to Botkins and for six months afterward drove a team for the Paul & Sheets elevator. Afterward, for several years, he was connected with the Wapakoneta Grain Company at Wapakoneta, O., coming again to Botkins and purchasing his present business from its former owners, Taylor & Marx. Later he became a partner and half owner with Mr. Paul, under the present firm name of Paul & Shafer. In July, 1912, the old elevator was burned but was immediately replaced and business was interrupted for 0nly a short time. The firm enjoys the confidence of the community and they do a large business.
Mr. Shafer married Miss Nora Weisley, of Washington township, and they have one daughter, Evaline. Mr. Shafer is not very active p0litically although he is ever ready to give support t0 movements that seem to him beneficial for the country. He has been identified with the Odd Fellows for a number of years.
GRANT E. RUSSELL, who is one of the representative citizens and well informed and successful agriculturists of Clinton township, Shelby county, 0., where he owns and operates 160 acres of excellent land, was born in this township, March 2, 1860, and is a son of Moses James and Martha (Beck) Russell, the family being a leading one in this section.
Moses James and Martha (Beck) Russell were the parents of the following children : Harry W., wh0 is a well known attorney at law, at Dayton, O.; Fred J., who is in the mill business at Sidney; Jessie, who is the wife of John Blake; Daisy E., who is the wife of Frank M. Sayer, who is secretary and treasurer of the Farmers Grain and Milling Company at Sidney; Bertha E., who is the wife of Elmer Sturn ; Dana G., and Grant E.
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Since his school days Grant E. Russell has been engaged continuously in agricultural pursuits. When lie reached manhood he was married to Miss Ida M. Blake, who was born at Sidney, a daughter of Oliver B. and Mary A. (EnSey) Blake. Mrs. Russell died in September, 1894, leaving two children : Howard Blake and Homer Clifford. Mr. Russell's second marriage was to Florence Green and they have one child, Bonnie Ensey. The father of Mrs. Russell was formerly a butcher and later a farmer, and now lives retired at Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Presbyterian church, taking a conscientious interest in all its work. Politically he is a Republican but has never accepted any office exxcept that of school director, and fraternally he is identified with the Masons.
SOLOMON SPRINGER, whose sixty acres of fine land are situated in Clinton township, is one of the successful farmers and respected citizens of this section. He was born in Berks county, Pa., September 12, 1861, and is a son of Solomon and Lena (Wise) Springer.
The parents of Mr. Springer were also natives of Pennsylvania and there spent their lives. The father was an industrious man and in his neighborhood was well kn0wn and respected. He cast his vote with the republican party and in his religious sentiments was a Lutheran as were his parents. To Solomon and Lena Springer the following children were born : Mary, who is the wife of Richard Link ; Elizabeth, who is the wife 0f Solomon Knabler ; Ellen, who married John Dolman and after his death, Daniel Specht ; Hettie, who is the wife of Albert Merkle; and Solomon and Emma, twins, the last named becoming the wife of George Weinert.
Solomon Springer attended the public schools and afterward worked at different tasks for some time, by the day, and was eighteen years of age when he came to Shelby county, 0., where an uncle lived, with whom he made his home for some time. He became a farm hand and continued to work by the day. After marriage Mr. Springer and his young wife went to housekeeping in a log cabin and he kept on working by the day, always being busy, and then bought twenty-five acres of land from David Oldham. This first purchase he sold to advantage and in 1896 bought his present farm of Alvina Fulton and here has engaged in general farming and moderate stock raising ever since. He is a practical, common-sense farmer and the results of his industry are very satisfactory.
On February 28, 1882, Mr. Springer was married to Miss Catherine Amanda Willauer, who died July 5, 1912, and her burial was in Graceland cemetery at Sidney. This estimable lady was born in Clinton township, a daughter of Andrew and Amanda (King) Willauer, the eldest of their family, the others being: Lavina, wife of I. B. Bussard ; Margaret, deceased; Callie, deceased, formerly Mrs. Williams; and George.
Mr. and Mrs. Springer had the following children : Mayette, who resides at home and looks after her father's comfort ; Pearl, who is deceased ; Lena, who is the wife of Sylvester Rauhouse; Charles A.; George Albert ; Clarence Willauer; Raymond E.; Theron Harold; Clement Theodore; and Adele
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Rucile, Robert Andrew and Catherine Isabel. Mr. Springer and his children are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he has always been a democrat but has never accepted any public office except that of school director. He is identified with the order of the Modern Brotherhood of America.
FREDERICK R. McVAY, physican and surgeon, at Botkins, O., has built up a satisfactory practice here and has established himself in the confidence of the people both personally and professionally . He was born on a farm in Salem township, Shelby county, O., one mile northeast of Port Jefferson November 21, 1883, and is a son of James and Sarah (Frederick) McVay.
The McVay family is an old and honorable one in Shelby county and was founded in Salem township by the grandfather, James McVay, who, at the time of his death, in 1908, was one of the most venerable residents of the county, being then aged ninety-eight years and six months. James McVay, Jr., was born in Salem township, followed an agricultural life and died there March 29, 1907.
Frederick R. McVay was educated in the country schools and those of Port Jefferson and after graduating from the Port Jefferson high school entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada and afterward taught school for two years, following which he took a course of four years in the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1909 and immediately came to Botkins. During his senior year at college he practiced in the Ohio Maternity Hospital at Cincinnati. He carries on a general practice in both medicine and surgery.
Dr. McVay married Miss Maybelle Lochard, who is a daughter of J. W. Lochard. They are members of the Methodist Episc0pal church. In his fraternal relations he is a member Of Stokes Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M., at Port Jeffers0n, and of the Woodmen of the World at Botkins.
JOHN C. KOENIG, whose business interests are largely centered at Botkins, O., where he is in the hardware line, being the senior member of the firm of Koenig Bros., proprietors of the Botkins Hardware Company, was born on a farm in Auglaize county, O., one and one-half miles north of Botkins, September 19, 1880. His parents are John H. and Margaret Koenig, who are well-known and highly esteemed residents of Botkins.
John C. Koenig was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools. His first business experience away from home was as a traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company, of Fort Wayne, with which corporation he continued for two years, when he came to Botkins to make a permanent business establishment, in which commendable undertaking he was associated with his brother, Michael Koenig, and they, under the firm style of Koenig Bros., bought the hardware business then conducted by Jacob Paul. For the past seven years they have operated their present store, enlarging their stock as demand has arisen and probably have one