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of the largest and best equipped stores in the general hardware line, in this part of Shelby county. John C. Koenig is a member of the Catholic church and is identified with the Knights of Columbus at Sidney. Mr. Koenig is unmarried.
ERNEST J. ROETH, a general farmer who is successfully cultivating a valuable tract of eighty-four acres of land which is situated in Loramie township on the range line turnpike road, is a well-known and highly respected citizen of this section of Shelby county. He was born in Germany August J0, 1875, and is a son of Carl F. and Catherine (Wagner) Roeth.
The parents of Mr. Roeth were also born in Germany and came from there to the United States in 1881 and settled on the farm above mentioned when there were but few permanent residents in Loramie township. By trade the father was a carpenter but later became a farmer and in clearing and putting his land under cultivation as fast as possible, spent the rest of his life, his death occurring at the age 0f fifty-two years. He was a most worthy man, a consistent member of the Lutheran church to which religious body his wife belongs, her present place of residence being Covington, 0. In Germany seven of their family 0f ten children were born, three others being added after they came to Ohio. Annie, the eldest, who is now deceased, was the wife of Simon Wehneman. Henry and Mary both reside in Miami county. Reynold is deceased ; Ernest J. is the fifth in order of birth ; Fred lives in Loramie township; Louis and Albert, both are residents of Chicago, Ill.; Alma lives in Miami county, and Edward, the youngest, is now deceased.
Ernest J. Roeth was six years old when his people came to Shelby county and settled in Loramie township. With his brothers and sisters he attended the Beech Grove school and afterward, until his father's death, hired out to neighboring farmers and subsequently, with his brothers, took charge of the home farm, where he still continues his management, and his success has given him the reputation of being one of the most capable farmers of the township.
Mr. Roeth married Miss Anna Fessler, a daughter of the late Martin Fessler, and they have the following children : Ada, Forest, Clara, Naomi, Eva, Dora and Herbert. Mr. and Mrs. Roeth have lived on this place since 1902 and he has greatly improved it, remodeling the residence and building the substantial barn. In politics he is a democrat but has never accepted any public office except membership on the school board of the Beech Grove special school district, to which he has belonged for three years. He is justly proud of his father's record as a soldier in the Civil war, he having served for three years as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge and was mustered out on July 3, 1866. Mr. Roeth and family belong to the Lutheran church at Houston.
M. C. SULLIVAN, who is one of the best known residents of Shelby county, 0., f0r thirty-seven years has been continuously engaged in educa-
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tional work and at present iS a valued teacher in the public schools of Botkins, O. He was born at Webster, in Darke county, O., February 22, 1856, and is a son of Marcus and Mary (Kelly) Sullivan.
M. C. Sullivan was about two years old when his parents moved on a farm situated one mile south of Botkins, the father being a railroad man. M. C. Sullivan attended the district schools in Dinsmore township and afterward attended the Ohio Normal, now the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., largely providing for his own expenses and, being very ambitious, making the most of his opportunities. He was only sixteen years old when he taught his first school, this being at Glynwood, in Auglaize county, O., and he continued to teach in that county, although not continuously, for about thirteen years, being at Freiberg for two years, otherwise he has taught mainly in Shelby county. As an educator Mr. Sullivan has few equals in this section and is held in great esteem. Teaching has been his life work and he has found his greatest pleasure in imparting instruction and in watching the seeds of knowledge he has planted develop into the educational standards which have prepared hundreds of his pupils for successful careers in life. A democrat in his political views, Professor Sullivan has frequently been called upon by his party to accept the burdens of public office and when he has done so his duties have been performed with the efficiency which marks his life. While residing in Dinsmore township he served as clerk of the township and at the present time is filling the same position at Botkins.
Mr. Sullivan was married to Miss Catherine O'Neil, who was born in Canada and was two years old when she was brought to Shelby county They have had five children : John M., who resides at Lima, O.; Neal; Ruth; Raymond, who died at the age of three months; and Mary L0uisa. Mr. Sullivan and family are members of the Catholic church. He is identified with the Woodmen of the World, and has frequently served on charitable boards, and has addressed educational bodies.
JOSEPH H. BARHORST, one of the leading citizens and successful agriculturists of Cynthian township, owner of a fine farm of 120 acres, situated in section 34, three miles southwest of Newport, O., is a member of the township board of trustees and has also served on the board of education. He was born in McLean township, Shelby county, January 20, 1872, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Schultze) Barhorst.
Joseph H. Barhorst was reared on his father's farm and attended school in the Berlin special school district. Since his marriage he has resided on his present farm, which he purchased from his father who had bought the same from George Wishwitz, and has done the most of the improving. He has a very fine barn, 80x40 feet in dimensions and other substantial buildings. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Barhorst keeps a herd of high grade cattle for dairy purposes and sells his milk to the New Bremen Creamery.
Mr. Barhorst was married to Miss Anna Ungruhn, who was born and reared at St. Rose, a (laughter of Joseph and Catherine Ungruhn, and they
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have had nine children : Magdalena, Bernard, Veronica, Frank, Clara, Freda, August, Joseph and Mary, all of whom survive except August, the third youngest, who died at the age of five months. All the other children have attended school in the Turner special school district, which is a tract of forty acres, on the northwest corner 0f this farm, of which it was originally a part. Mr. Barhorst and family belong to the Catholic church at Newport, 0. In politics he has always been a democrat and personally is looked upon as one of the solid and reliable men of this section.
F. I. MONNIN, treasurer of the board 0f education of the Huffman special school district of Loramie township, is the owner of a well-drained and tiled farm of eighty acres, which is situated two and one-half miles northeast of Russia, 0. He was born February 13, 1869, in Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., and is a son of Frank and Henrietta (Thiebeau) Monnin, both of whom died in this township.
F. I. Monnin spent his first year of school life in Cynthian township but afterward was a pupil in the Loramie schools and when old enough to assume such responsibilities learned the principles and has ever since followed farming. He came to his present place following his marriage and improved the property to a considerable extent and is numbered with the successful agriculturists of this section. He cultivates all but ten acres of his land and that makes a valuable wood lot.
Mr. Monnin married Miss Rosa Mary Perin, who was born in Cynthian township, a daughter of Jule and Rosa Perin, and they have had six children born to them, namely : Amos, who died when aged three and one-half months ; Albert; Emma ; Agnes, who died when in her sixth month; and Elmer and Wilfred. Mr. Monnin and family belong to the Catholic church at Russia, 0. In politics a lifelong democrat, Mr. Monnin has been no office seeker but has consented to serve on the school board, of which he has been a member for three years and its treasurer for the last two years.
PROF. WEBSTER C. KING, superintendent of schools of Botkins, 0., is one 0f the younger educators of the state and thr0ugh scholarship and executive ability of a high order, has reached a very prominent position as a teacher. He was born on a farm in Montgomery county, 0., June 15, 1884, and is a son of Adam F. and Rose E. (Goode) King.
In 1888 the parents of Mr. King moved to Shelby county, locating for a short time at Sidney, and then moved to the old Dr. Silver farm in Clinton township, where they resided for a number of years. Subsequently they lived on a farm in Orange township and then moved to Port Jefferson.
Webster C. King attended the public schools, rural and village, and afterward taught school for seven years, first in Salem township and then in Logan county, and after satisfying himself that a career as an educator would be a congenial one, he entered the Ohio Northern University and there thoroughly prepared himself. Since completing his course there he has taught in different high schools and prior to coming to Botkins in 1910
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he taught for three years at Lake View, in Logan county. Under his superintendence the schools of Botkins have made marked advances and he not only has won the confiedence of the pupils but the respect and cooperation of his teachers and the public.
In 1907 Mr. King was married to Miss Cora Nettleship of Port Jefferson, a daughter of A. L. Nettleship, and they have one child, Maurice, They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and is more or less interested in various educational organizations in different parts of Ohio.
HON. JOHN B. STOLLY, mayor of Botkins, O., a justice of the peace, and a representative business man of the place, is a native of Shelby county, O., born on a farm in Jackson township August 11, 1849, and is a son of Frank J. and Susanna (Seiter) Stolly.
Frank J. Stolly was born in Alsace, France, and after coming to the United States first located in Stark county, O., removing from there to Jackson township, Shelby county, when very few settlers had yet secured homes here. He followed farming all his active life and died in advanced age at Botkins, O.
John B. Stolly was fourteen years old when he left Jackson for Dinsmore township and in 1867 came t0 Botkins, where he learned telegraphing, afterward working for the C. H. & D. Railroad for eight years, following which he did teaming for a time and then embarked in the meat business, and ever since has conducted it along his own lines, doing his own slaughtering, and retaining old customers who have never used stock yard products from other places. So successfully has Mr. Stolly conducted his own business affairs, during all these years keeping the confidence 0f his fellow citizens, that it is not remarkable that they should place reliance in him in public affairs and honor him by electing him to the highest municipal office in their gift. Mr. Stolly was elected mayor of this pleasant and progressive town in the fall of 1911, on the democratic ticket, and took charge of affairs on January 1, 1912. His policy is the same that has brought him prosperity in his private undertakings and Botkins is to be congratulated on having so sensible, courageous and judicious a mayor. Some twenty years ago he served two terms as a justice of the peace and is now serving in his fifth year in the same office.
Mayor Stolly was married to Miss Augusta Hemmert, who was born and reared in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, a daughter of. Aquelin Hemmert, and they have six children : Albert, Victoria, Matilda, Annie, Nora and William. Mayor Stolly and family belong to the Catholic church.
GENERAL BENJAMIN LeFEVRE, the subject of this somewhat extended biographical sketch, is a thorough Buckeye, having been born on a farm in Salem township, ten miles northeast of Sidney, October 8, 1838. His parents were pioneers and the ancestral acres of great fertility Ben has owned for years and has recently erected a spacious farm house, approached by a drive shaded with an arcade of maples.
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From the ample porch of this delightful rustic abode he can sniff the aroma of the apple blossoms of his nearby orchard and the fragrance of its ripening fruit.
Higher criticism, with its convenient elasticity, had not been developed rendering it possible to interpret the plain injunction of Scripture to multiply and replenish the earth to mean race suicide, so the God-fearing LeFevre household was filled with a large family of stalwart boys and girls, with appetites commensurate with their healthy out-of-door activities and digestion that an ostrich might covet, thus furnishing a home market for the surplus products of the farm.
Though he was not born with a gold spoon in his mouth, as that article was not plenty in those pioneer days of nearly a century ago, he never felt the grip of poverty for the home domain was ample. As the virgin land furnished employment in all seasons, Satan, who gets in his work where there are idle hands, steered clear of that busy, industrious household.
Ben's pockets were not distended with an annoying surplus of pin money, as filthy lucre was not a profuse commodity in those days, and did not admit of liberal distribution to such an extent as to invite burglarious invasion, but the larder was never empty and its products were dispensed freely in those hospitable times.
He was by nature optimistic, kept himself 0n the silver lining side of life clouds and shadows, was full of hope and as his sky was thickly set with lofty ideals he bent every energy to achieve and realize their fruition; and his life attest how successful he has been. In his lexicon there was no such word as "fail."
What crude privileges the log country schoolh0uses afforded he embraced. but the three R's were the extent of the curriculum, and to the rule of three was the limit of the pedagogic ability to instruct.
In due time he was sent to Sidney for advanced instruction, attended several terms and subsequently taught school and became a student at the Miami University at Oxford.
An episode in his pedagogical career illustrates his natural tact and diplomacy which has served him so well in untying hard knots and straightening tangles. He had one very refractory pupil who gave him a world of trouble, and, feeling that forbearance had ceased to be a virtue, he kept the miscreant in the schoolhouse one evening for substantial settlement. When about ready to administer a deserved castigation, Ben looked out of a window and caught a glimpse of the irate mother, who was a terror in skirts, sidling up to the schoolhouse with a stride that meant business. She paused a while to listen to the interior proceedings. Not relishing the red hot fury of a woman, Ben at once changed his tactics and in a voice that could be distinctly heard outside, said : "Jim, I wish you would suppress your animal spirits and mischievous ways, for you have marked ability and noble qualities. I did not keep you in for punishment but to have a good talk and appeal to your better nature. You are the hope of your kind and indulgent mother who would do anything for your welfare and solicitous as she is through the
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day for you I have no doubt that she remembers you in her prayers each night, and I am doing my best to help her make of you an honor to her and a useful man." At this the mother burst in the door, totally disarmed, and poured the contents of her -vial of wrath, intended for Ben, up0n her son. This diplomatic stroke endeared Ben to her not only the rest of the term but ever afterward.
When the slogan of the Civil war sounded Ben's quick and patriotic ear heard it, and he joined the Benton cadets, went to Missouri, and served in General Fremont's brief campaign, going as far as Springfield in that state. When the cadets were mustered out he came home as lieutenant and when the Ninety-ninth Ohio regiment was organized joined at Lima, serving as major in the army until the final surrender of the rebel host. He returned to Sidney, studied law with Smith and Cummins, leading attorneys of Sidney, and was admitted to the bar, but having a stronger taste for politics than of legal practice he was elected to the state legislature from Shelby county.
At the close of his term he was appointed governor of the territory of Washington by President Johnson, but which was changed to a consulship to Nurenburg, Bavaria. At that time Andrew G. Curtis, Pennsylvania's war governor, was minister to Russia, and Elihu Washburn, minister to France, and the three became fast friends.
Upon his return to this country he was employed by Col. Thomas A. Scott to look after the revenue cases of the Pennsylvania railway and remained until he resigned to run for democratic congressional nomination from this district, composed of Shelby, Miami, Darke, Mercer and Auglaize counties. A mass convention was held in Sidney, and after a fierce fight of three days and nights, the time Jonah spent in making interior observations of the whale, Ben was victorious by one and a half votes on the two hundred and eighteenth ballot for the forty-sixth congress, and triumphantly elected in November.
While serving his first term the district was changed to comprise Shelby, Auglaize, Allen, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Defiance and Van Wert counties. Five 0f these counties were represented by W. D. Hill, who was up for renomination, but Ben w0n 0n the first ballot. The district was again changed and Ben served continuously for eight years. It is safe to say that no representative ever served his constituents with more fidelity than General LeFevre, or procured more lucrative employment for democratic boys in republican administrations than he. His diplomacy and suavity did the work. Milton E. Ailes, who subsequently became assistant secretary of the treasury under Lyman D. Gage, was one of his b0ys from Sidney.
Upon entering congress he served on the committee on agriculture and the committee on military affairs, and introduced the first bill for the suppression of contagious diseases among domestic animals. He introduced the resolution creating the department of agriculture and always espoused the cause of the soldiers, and was ever at his post.
At the close of his congressional career he was engaged by the Erie railway to look after claims, and for twenty-three years was in its service,
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resigning in the summer of 1909, much to the regret of the railroad managers, as letters show.
Many of these years his vacations were spent in Europe, and he has crossed the Atlantic over twenty times and visited all the countries of the continent and nearly all the cities, and sipped the waters of its famous springs. Being a great pedestrian, he mingled much with the peasants and common people studying their habits and modes of life, and has made footprints, man's size, in the soil from Italy to Finland, not giving Sweden and Norway the go-by. His views afoot if written out would fill volumes.
After Mr. LeFevre's resignati0n as a railway official, he again set sail for Europe, and pausing l0ng enough to get breath, started on an overland trip to the Orient. It was more of a leisurely saunter than trip, as he took his own time and avoided the water as much as possible. He left France, traversed Austria and Hungary and the Balkan states to Constantinople, where he spent two weeks. A religious festival was in progress and the supply of Moslem prayers seemed to be largely in excess of the demand. He next went to Smyrna and to Jerusalem, where he stayed three weeks, visiting all the places of interest and some not so interesting. It seemed as if all the beggars were expecting him, from the welcome they gave him, and had an idea that he had a souvenir for each one. Ben donkeyed and cameled it across Arabia and sailed across the Arabian sea to Bombay, India, a most wonderful city, with the finest architecture in the world. The hotel Taj Mahai is not excelled for artistic beauty by any on earth, and is 0wned by a parsee. He made the acquaintance of several parsees, who are the merchants of the city. He journeyed to Delhi and at Agra saw the famous tomb Taj Mahal, built for an Indian princess at a cost of $20,000,000. When L0rd Curzon was viceroy of India he had a lamp that had been destroyed or taken from the tomb replaced, but could find only two men that c0uld do it. One of these was brought from Persia, and they were about two years in fashioning it. He passed through Lucknow and Cawnpore on his way to the sacred city of Benares, on the Ganges, where he paused for several days. From thence he went to Calcutta, at the delta of the Ganges 0n the Bay of Bengal. It is the most interesting city that he saw so far on his journey, and its jute mills are the largest in the world, employing 57,000 men. The experts in these mills get twelve cents a day and the others less. They live on rice the year around, a most monotonous diet, and it goes without saying that not buy it in Sidney nor Dayton. From there he sailed diagonally across the Bay of Bengal, rounded the peninsula of Malacca, passed Singapore on his way to Borneo, Hong Kong and Canton, a most interesting city, where half a million people live on boats, briefly viewed the Philippines on his way to Japan, where he remained for some time, then took a Pacific steamer for San Francisco, halting for awhile at the beautiful flower-embowered city of Honolulu. From San Francisco he went to S0uthern California and returned by way of Texas to Sidney, where he was most warmly greeted by his many friends after a year's absence. Abstemious in his habits, careful in diet, drinking Vichy water as a beverage, the year was one of unbroken health and enjoyment.
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PAGE - 658 - PICTURE OF CHRISTOPHER ENDERS
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How one so genial and a social favorite has managed to elude Cupid's darts seems strange, but he has, and is as ever in "maiden meditation and fancy free," with no obvious symptoms of change for "better or for worse."
A. B. C. HITCHCOCK.
GEORGE W. ZEDEKER, residing on his valuable farm of 120 acres, situated in Salem township, Shelby county, O., was born in Montgomery county, O., January 30, 1864, and is a son of John W. and Mary (Brandenberg) Zedeker. He has one brother, Oliver C. Zedeker, who is also a well- known resident and successful farmer of Salem township. The parents live retired in Franklin township.
George Zedeker was about ten years old when his parents moved to Shelby county and here he completed his school attendance. With his brother he assisted on the home farm and continued with his father until five years after his marriage, moving then to his wife's old home farm. Later he bought a one-half interest in the same which he subsequently sold, then bought his present farm from the Widow Davies and ever since has been actively engaged in general farming and stock raising, such as horses, cattle, hogs and sheep which demand good prices.
In 1888, Mr. Zekeker was married to Miss Martha West, a daughter of William and Lavina (Conover) West, farming people of Shelby county. The mother of Mrs. Zedeker was born in Miami county but the father came from Virginia. Mrs. Zedeker had four brothers and one sister : Elizabeth, wife of Shelby Brandenberg, and John, Edward, Charles and Lester, the last named being deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Zedeker five children have been born : Ethel, Hazel, John, Wilbur and Charles, all 0f whom have been given school and other advantages. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Zedeker is a democrat and for some four years he served as a member of the Shelby county fair board.
CHRISTOPHER ENDERS, for many years waS a well known and respected citizen of Shelby county, where he became a man of large estate, at the time of his death, June 24, 1901, owning 214 acres of fine land in Franklin township, the result of his own industry and frugality. He was born in Elsass, Germany, in April, 1837, a son of Christopher Enders, who, with his wife, died in Germany.
When sixteen years of age, young Christopher Enders came to the United States and made his way to Shelby county, O. Here he worked for a time at weaving and wagonmaking and still later, when able to buy land, became a farmer and afterward, until death, followed an agricultural life. Quiet, self respecting and industrious, he was well known to his neighbors and he set an example of thrift and good citizenship. He was twice married, first to Miss Margaret Dormeyer, and four 'children were b0rn to them : Jacob, George, Charles and Emma, the last named being a trained nurse. His second marriage was to Miss Barbara King, who was born in Butler county, O., and still resides 0n the
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homestead, in which she has a life interest. Her parents, John and Magdalena (Sallsman) King, are now deceased. They were old residents of Butler county, who moved from there to Iowa, but at the time of death were buried in Graceland Cemetery at Sidney, 0. Mrs. Enders is the youngest of her parents' family, the others being : Elizabeth, wife of John Houndrick ; Mary, wife of Jacob Meyers ; Catherine, wife of John Gram ; and Joseph. To Mr. and Mrs. Enders four children were born, all surviving: Sadie E., who is the wife of Charles Richards, and they have two children—Jennette and Frances ; Mary, who is a trained nurse ; Herman, who operates the farm for his mother ; and Catherine. Mr. Enders was a member of the Lutheran church and Mrs. Enders and all of the children belong to this religious body. He was never active in politics and never willing to serve in public office but voted with the democratic party and his sons follow his example.
MARTIN F. DENMAN, whose own farm of ninety-five and one-half acres is located in Green township, Shelby county, 0., eight miles southeast of Sidney, 0., also operates his wife's farm of fifty-seven acres in the same vicinity. He was born on his present farm, September 9, 1863, and is a son of Moses and Barbara (Hauser) Denman.
Moses Denman was born in Miami county, 0., near Piqua, and was twenty-one years old when he came to Shelby county and settled on the farm in Green township on which his entire subsequent life was spent, his death occurring here, when he was aged eighty-two years. He married Barbara Hauser and she became the mother of five children, passing away in her sixty-sixth year. Two of these survive : Martin F. and Mrs. Harvey Millhouse.
Martin F. Denman obtained a public school of training and is one of the well-informed and substantial citizens of this section where he has engaged in farming and stock raising ever since reaching man's estate. He has kept up repairs but has had no buildings to erect as his father had made all improvements. Mr. Denman married MisS Abigail W. Grosvenor, and they have three children : Araminta, Della and Harry. Mr. Denman and family are members and supporters of the Christian church. In politics he is a democrat.
GEORGE H. WAGNER, one of the leading citizens of Loramie township, Shelby county, 0., wh0 resides on his excellent farm of forty-three acres, situated one-quarter mile north of Houston, 0., lying on the north side of the Piqua and St. Mary's turnpike road, in section 5, was born January 9, 1854, in Clark county, 0. He was one year old when he was brought to Shelby county by his parents, Jacob and Celina Wagner, who settled south of Houston.
George H. Wagner obtained a district school education and then assisted his father until his own marriage, after which he still worked 0n the homestead for one more year and then moved to a place one mile west of Houston. After four years there he moved on the Flynn farm and operated that for four and one-half years. Later, after a period in which he was engaged in a general mercantile business at Houston, he moved to the Block farm, on the
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township line, where he remained for eight years. He then came to his present place, in 1907, where he has made many improvements. He has all his land under cultivation with the exception of four acres of pasture. For many years he has been a leading factor in democratic politics and has given most efficient service in such offices as turnpike superintendent, township trustee and school director, and for the past three years has been r0ad superintendent.
Mr. Wagner married Miss Alice Stoker, who was horn and reared in Loramie township, a daughter of W. F. and Libby Stoker, both of whom died in this township. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner : Verna, who died at the age of two years; Charles; Mollie; Bertha ; Edith, who died in infancy; and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are members of the Christian church. They are well-known people all through this section and have a wide circle of friends.
GEORGE FAULDER, who has recently retired after many years of active life on his farm of eighty acres, situated in Salem township, Shelby county, O., now occupies his comfortable residence on South Main street, Sidney, O. He was horn February 16, 1833, in Frederick county, Md., and was two years old when his parents, James and Louisa (Applebee) Faulder, brought him to Shelby county.
James Faulder was a cooper by trade and in his day the making of barrels, casks and hogsheads by hand was a very remunerative business. He followed his trade until within twenty years of the close of his life, when he turned his attention to farming. He was one of the useful and reliable men of his neighborhood and, while never consenting to hold office, gave his support to all public spirited movements when they seemed to him to be of a character to benefit the community. He was the father of the following children : William H.; George; James; Joseph; Wilbur ; Sarah, wife of John Morter ; Louisa, wife of Amos Stiger ; Mary, wife of Leander Halter ; and Susan, wife of William Sims.
George Faulder attended the district schools in boyhood although he never had the advantages which children of the present day have thrust upon them. When he started out to take care of himself, he engaged at farm work by the month for about six months and then went into a saw mill, and for twelve years worked there by the day. After that he settled down t0 farming and also did considerable business in building turnpike roads under contract. Mr. Faulder, with his many interests, has been a very busy man and seemingly is entitled to a period of rest. In politics he is a republican and at times served as school director in Salem township and for two years was assessor.
In 1865 Mr. Faulder was married to Miss Caroline E. Fergus, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Allery) Fergus, both of whom are deceased, their burial being in Graceland cemetery. Mrs. Faulder has the following brothers and sisters : R. H.; Sarah C., wife of William Valentine; John S.: \V. Alonzo ; Mary M., wife of Thomas Mitchell;
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J. L.; Scott; Charles E.; Wealthie E., wife of Peter Stockstill ; and Laura A., wife of Samuel Knoop. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Faulder are : Harry B., who married Ella Shaw ; Charles V., who married Mellie Gauze, and they have one son, Forest Faulder ; Edward L., who married Ella Williams, and they have one child, Audrey; Taylor A., who married Katie Burton; Clemie C., who is the wife of Elmer Shroyer ; Nellie B., who is the wife of Earl Fristoe ; Mary H., who is the wife of Terry Wones and they have one child, Mildred ; Donnie F., who is at home; and George B., wh0 is a student at Ann Arbor, Mich. Mr. Faulder and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. George Faulder was a soldier in the Civil war, having been a member of 134 Regiment, 0. V. I.
EARL D. FRISTOE, whose farm of 138 acres of valuable land lies in Perry township, Shelby county, 0., belongs to an old Shelby county family and was born in this township, January 21, 1879. His parents were Milton and Mahala (Fahnestock) Fristoe.
Milton Fristoe was a highly respected citizen, and a successful farmer. His death occurred in September, 1901, and his burial was at Port Jefferson. To his first marriage witih Lyda Mericle four children were born : John, Anna, Libbie and Phebe. His second marriage was to Mrs. Mahala (Fahnestock) Spangy, widow of Philip Spangy, who had two children, Frank and Clara. To the second marriage but one child was born, Earl D. and his mother resides at Sidney.
Earl D. Fristoe attended the public schools and all his life has been more or less engaged in agricultural pursuits. The first land he ever owned was forty acres situated in Orange township, which he s0ld and then bought sixty acres in Perry township and after selling that, bought his present farm, in 1909, at sheriff's sale, it being known as the old Henry English farm. He made all necessary improvements, including the building of a new and substantial barn and is successfully interested here in raising Jersey cattle and Percheron horses.
Mr. Fristoe was married in November, 1900, to Miss Nellie B. Faulder, who was born in Shelby county, July 16, 1880, a daughter of George and Caroline (Fergus) Faulder. They are farming people in Salem township and their children are : Harry B., who is a physician at Wapakoneta ; Charles, Edward, Taylor, Clementine, Nellie B., Mary, Donna, Chester and Benjamin. To Mr. and Mrs. Fristoe one son was born to whom the name of Lawrence Theodore was given, but his little span of life covered only five weeks. In politics Mr. Fristoe has been active as a republican and served three years as a county central committeeman, and is serving in his second term as vice president of the county fair board. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood and Knights of Khorassan of Sidney, 0.
E. A. DUNN, who resides on an excellent farm of eighty acres one-half mile south of Plattsville, 0., in a desirable section of Green township, was born in Orange township, Shelby county, in 1858, and is a son of John and Susan (Razor) Dunn.
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John Dunn was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio when young and after living for some years in Montgomery county, came to Shelby and settled on a farm in Orange township, where he died in his sixty-fifth year. He married Susan Razor and they became parents of seven children.
E. A. Dunn obtained a district school education, often attending school under conditions that his children would deem exceedingly uncomfortable, entailing long walks in inclement weather and a schoolhouse devoid, in large measure, of any of the present-day comforts that are now considered necessities. He remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years old and then worked through the neighborhood for different farmers. He has been established on the present place for the past eleven years and here very successfully carries on general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Dunn married Miss Callie Simes and they have two daughters: Bertha and Ruth. In politics Mr. Dunn is a democrat. For a number of years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows, attending the lodge at Kirkwood.
CONRAD CRUSEY, proprietor of the Crusey Grocery Company, operating a first-class grocery store on the corner of Walnut and Fair avenues, Sidney, O., is one of the representative business men of this city and has practically spent his life here. He was born at Sidney, November 28, 1853, and is a son of Stephen and Agnes (Sousa) Crusey.
Stephen Crusey and wife were born in Germany. In the fall of 1849, Stephen Crusey with his own family and with his father, John Crusey, and two brothers, John and Michael Crusey, set sail for America and during the voyage that lasted fifty-five days, forty-two of the passengers died of cholera. Finally the survivors were landed at New Orleans and took passage on a Mississippi river steamboat for Cincinnati. The germs of the deadly cholera, however, were in the system of the aged father and he suffered a severe attack but finally recovered and subsequently lived in robust health into advanced age, his death occurring at Muncie, Ind. After reaching Cincinnati the travelers proceeded by canal to Piqua and from there came to Sidney by wagon. Stephen Crusey was a machinist by trade but the circumstances that surrounded him on reaching the United States did not favor his securing employment at this trade and for s0me years he was variously employed, but always industriously. At one time he purchased a small farm in Auglaize county, O., but as it was in the woods he never w0rked it but kept it until he could sell to advantage and made seventy dollars by his prudence. His first job of work after coming to Sidney was on the Wapakoneta turnpike road, his wages being eight dollars a month. Afterward he started in the business of selling stoves, traversing the country in a wagon and carrying the stoves with him to the farms where he found customers and when he made one dollar a day and his expenses, he considered that he was doing a very satisfactory business and was able to save money. Later he worked for a foundry as cupola tender and afterward was employed for a short time at the old still house, where he fortunately saw the dangerous character of the work in time to leave it, three other workmen less observant being killed on the following
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day. He assisted in putting in new machinery and became night engineer and turned the first wheel that ever revolved in the still house. Later Stephen Crusey and his brothers opened a brickyard, its site being what is now known as Gramercy Park, and for many years he carried on this business. Retiring at last he spent some quiet, restful years prior to his death in January, 1910, when aged eighty-eight years, having survived his wife since 1888. One son, Edward, who was born in Germany, is now in the grocery business at Sidney.
Conrad Crusey attended the public and parochial schools at Sidney and aS a boy worked in his fathersis brickyard and afterward, for eighteen years, waS in the liquor business. In 1906 he embarked in the grocery line and carries a large and carefully selected stock, catering to the city's best trade.
Mr. Crusey was married in 1875 to Miss Nettie Wise, of Muncie, Ind., a lady reared at Sidney from the age of seven years, and they have three children : Agnes Jane, who is the wife of Bert E. Binckley, of Cleveland, by whom she has five children—Helen, Dolores, Marion, Paul and Sarah; Milton S., who married and lives at Sidney, has three children—Frances Marie, Jennette Rose and John Anthony; and Nicholas John, who married Agnes Redind0, lives at Sidney and has two sons, Adrian and Nicholas. Mr. Crusey and family are Members of the Holy Angels Catholic church.
ELIAS J. GRIFFIS, a lifelong resident of Shelby county, 0., and a very prominent business man of Sidney, interested in many of the important enterprises of this section, was born in Cynthian township, Shelby county, March 8, 1862, and is a son of J. S. and Mary (Babylon) Griffis.
J. S. Griffis was born in Butler county, 0., a son of Jacob and Rachel Griffis, who came to Shelby county when their son, J. S., was a boy and settled on the present site of the Loramie reservoir. J. S. Griffis engaged in the grain business at Dawson, 0., in 1880, and was a well known business man. He was the first postmaster at that place. He died in 1904 at the age of seventy-two years. He married Mary Babylon, wh0 was reared in Miami county, 0., and died in 1905 at the age of sixty-eight years. Her parents were Daniel and Eliza Babylon, old residents of Miami county. To J. S. Griffis and wife four children were born : Warren A., who died of typhoid fever, in 1895, survived by a widow and one daughter, was in partnership with his brother, Elias J., in the grain business from 1887 until the time of death; Jennie E., who is the wife of E. T. Custolenborder, of Sidney ; Wilson, who died in infancy; and Elias J.
Elias J. Griffis was educated in the local schools and at Ada Normal and from 1880 to 1885 alternated teaching with school attendance and afterward was interested in the grain business at Dawson for several years. In 1887, in partnership with his older brother, Warren A., he purchased the grain business of Nutt Bros., operating an elevator known as the Old Stone Bridge Elevator. The Griffis brothers did an immense business both in coal and grain. In 1895 the old building was replaced by the present one, the new elevator being the best in this part of the state. The business was continued after the death of Warren A. Griffis, the firm name being E. J. Griffis & Co.
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In 1898 a flour mill was erected with a capacity of ninety barrels, and Mr. Griffis continued to devote his time to this enterprise until 1904, when he sold out to E. E. Nutt.
A large number of the successful business enterprises of Sidney have had the fostering care of Mr. Griffis and his interest in many of these continues. He was one of the promoters and one of the first officers of the Commercial Club, serving as its second president ; is a stockholder and director in the Sidney Tool Company ; a stockholder and director 0f the Monarch Company; a stockholder in the Sidney Manufacturing C0mpany, and, in association with W. E. Wenger, owns the Standard Clutch Company, of Sidney. In 1895 he entered the newspaper field, purchasing the old Sidney Journal, which was founded in 1832, and consolidated it with the Sidney Gazette, then 0wned by Mr. Williams, the new paper being issued as the Sidney Journal-Gazette, and during the four years that he remained connected with it, the policy of the paper was progressive and tended to assist in furthering the interests of this section. Mr. Griffis is first vice president of the Shelby County Building & Loan Association, and he also owns two fine farms in his native county.
In 1888, Mr. Griffis was married to Miss Rhoda V. Boyle, a daughter of S. H, and Elizabeth Boyle, 0ld residents of Cynthian township, and they have one son, Forest H. The latter was educated at Sidney and is shipping clerk for the Sidney Tool Company. He married Miss Mabel Struble and they have a handsome residence at No. 119 Walnut street, Sidney.
In his political affiliation Mr. Griffis has been an active republican but has never sought political honors, accepting only membership on the board of health, in which 0ffice he has served with efficiency for the past twelve years. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. The only fraternal organization with which he has ever identified himself is the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Griffis is largely a self-made man, his success having been mainly the result of his own unaided efforts.
R. O. BINGHAM, superintendent of the Wagner Manufacturing Company 0f Sidney, O., a member 0f the library board and a citizen of sterling worth, waS born at Baltimore, Md., August 25, 1850, and is a son of Alfred Hugh and Rebecca (Evans) Bingham, the former of whom, for some years, was superintendent of cotton mills in Maryland.
In the infancy of Mr. Bingham, his parents moved to Alexandria, Va., and there he attended school. He afterward served an apprenticeship of four years to the machinist trade and worked in cotton mills until 1871, when he came t0 Sidney, O. Here he entered the machine shop of G. G. Haslup & Brother, where he remained for seven years, in the meanwhile being first made foreman and later superintendent. During these seven years the business name had been changed to the Sidney Manufacturing Company. In 1888 he went to Marion, Ind., with Mr. Gould and Mr. Fruchey, on account of inducements offered by capitalists in that city, and for three years the partners conducted works for the manufacture of hollow ware and stoves, when their plant was burned. Mr. Bingham then came back to Sidney and
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ever since has been identified with the Wagner Manufacturing Company as itS superintendent. This important businesS enterprise of Sidney started with twenty men and at present 300 are given employment, all of whom, in their industrial activities, come under the careful superintendence of Mr. Bingham.
In 1881 Mr. Bingham was married at Sidney to Miss Alice Conklin, a daughter of the late Judge Conklin, and they have two children, Florence and Hugh, both of whom have been afforded exceptional educational advantages. Miss Florence was educated in Miami University at Oxford, 0. Hugh is a graduate of the Wesleyan University at Delaware, 0., and during 1910-11 was an instructor in the Sidney high school, and at present is a student of law in the Western Reserve College. The mother of these children died in March, 1908.
Mr. Bingham has always taken a public spirited interest in city improvements since he came to Sidney and for thirteen years served as a member of the school board, in 19 10 being its secretary and its president in the following year. He has held other municipal offices and for many years served as a member of the board of trustees 0f the city waterworks. As a member of the Commercial Club, Mr. Bingham has encouraged its aims and on many occasions his sound business advice has been followed. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and a Knight Templar in Masonry.
KIRBY THRELKELD, who has been identified with the grain business at Jackson Center, 0., for eight years and conductS a mill and grain elevator here, was born at Shelbyville, Shelby county, Ky., December 29, 1872. and is a son of Elijah and Mary Ellen Threlkeld, both of whom survive and now reside at St. Joseph, Mo.
Kirby Threlkeld was four years old when his parents moved to Missouri, where he was reared and attended the public schools and later Hardin College. Afterward he came to Fayette county, 0., to learn telegraphing and subsequently was made operator and agent at Jackson Center for the D. T. & I. A., and continued for eight years. For about eighteen months he was with the Baughman Lumber Company of Jackson Center as manager, and then became assistant cashier of the old Farmers & Merchants Bank, which, after reorganization, became the First National Bank of Jackson Center. Mr. Threlkeld remained with the bank for a year and a half and then purchased a one- half interest in the mill and elevator of G. E. Allinger & Son, the mill plant having been erected by Allinger & Woodcock. The firm of Allinger & Threlkeld succeeded and continued for three years, when Mr. Threlkeld purchased his partner's interest and assumed entire ownership. He did an extensive business but a fire that attacked his plant in December, 1912, swept everything away, his elevator at that time having about fifteen thousand dollars worth of grain destroyed. Steps will probably soon be taken to rebuild and possibly on a still larger scale. Mr. Threlkeld is not a man to permit business disasters to discourage him. He has always been an active and public spirited citizen and enjoys public confidence and esteem. A democrat in politics, he has always declined public office for himself.
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Mr. Threlkeld married Miss Nevada E. Hall, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hall, the former of whom is deceased, but the latter lives at Jackson Center, where Mrs. Threlkeld was born. Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld have one son, Wayne Hall. They have a very handsome residence which is situated on South Main street, Jackson Center. He is identified with the Odd Fellows.
GEORGE P. STALEY, who is probably one of Shelby county's best known citizens, prominent in political life and popular as an educator, was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, O., April 6, 1871, and is a son of George W. and Sarah C. (Erven) Staley, both of whom reside in Jackson township. The Staley family is an old and substantial one of this section. .
George P. Staley secured his early education in Jackson township, in district No. 6, and afterward attended Lebanon University. He then entered the educational field and taught school for twenty-three years, in the meanwhile acquiring a teacher's life certificate. Since his marriage he has been a resident of Montra, O. A lifelong democrat, Mr. Staley has been very loyal to his party and has frequently been honored by the same with election to responsible offices. He served for two years as assessor of Jackson township, for six years was a member 0f the board of county school examiners, being the clerk and president of this body, and in November, 1912, was elected county auditor of Shelby county, for which office he is undoubtedly well qualified. For the past eight years he has also been clerk of Jackson township and his official duties in this direction will engage him for one more year.
Mr. Staley has been a factor in the literary life of his social acquaintance and is one of the oldest members of the Shelby County Reading Circle.
HENRY H. EVERSMAN, who was born in 1871, resides on his birthplace farm, which is situated in Van Buren township, Shelby county, O., and is a well known, public spirited and highly respected citizen of this section. He is a son of Herman and Elgian Eversman. The father was born in Germany but the mother is of American birth. Of their seven children, Henry H. is the fourth in order of birth. William, the eldest, was a resident of Auglaize county, O., where he died. He married Louise Rehn, who survives. John died at the age of twenty-three years. George married Magdalena Katterheinrich and they live at New Bremen, O. Fred Erick married Dora Katterheinrich and they live at New Knoxville, O. Philip married Sarah Schroelucke and they live in Auglaize county, O. Sarah, the youngest of the family, is the wife of William Koge and they live in Auglaize county.
Henry H. Eversman was educated in the public schools and ever since, with the exception of two years during which he lived at New Knoxville, he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Van Buren township. He owns a well improved farm of eighty acres here and additionally has a farm containing seventeen and one-half acres situated in Auglaize county.
Mr. Eversman married Miss Anna Settlage, a daughter of William and Mary Settlage, the other members of their family being: August, who mar-
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ried Elizabeth Snethcamp, now deceased, and for his second wife, Grace Holcroft and they live at New Bremen; Herman, who is deceased, married Anna Knierim; William, who lives in Auglaize county, married Ida Wellman; Henry, who married Mary Grether and they live in Wisconsin; Sarah, who is the wife of William Elshoff, of Shelby county ; Caroline, who married John Geiger and they live at St. Mary's; Matilda, who married John Wagoner, of Auglaize county; Flora, who married Wesley Katterheinrich and they live in Auglaize county; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Louis Hoge and they live in Indiana ; and Paulina, who lives with her brother, William, and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Eversman have four children ; Walter, Florence, Wesley and Arnold. Mr. Eversman and family belong to the Reformed church. Politically he is identified with the progressive party and takes a very decided interest in public affairs both local and countrywide.
PHILIP SMITH, president of the Philip Smith Manufacturing Company, one of the most important business enterprises of Sidney, 0., giving employment to a large number of men and thereby adding to the general prosperity of the city, is one of the solid, stable, reliable men of Sidney. He was born at Harrisburg, Pa., September 7, 1839, and is a son of Reinhardt and Catherine Smith. Reinhardt Smith and wife were natives of Pennsylvania and probably were of German parentage. He was a foundryman by trade and after his son Philip had started his foundry at Sidney, came here with another son, Michael, and they became partners in the business.
Philip Smith was reared in Dauphin county, Pa., through his school period and then came to Ohio, and in a foundry at Dayton learned the molder's trade and remained there until he was almost twenty-one years old, when he came to Sidney, and here started out in business for himself on a capital of $25, practically among strangers. He was able to purchase the ground on which an old foundry had formerly stood but had been destroyed by fire, and in 1859 he put up his first shop and from that time until the present has been in the manufacturing business and is the oldest manufacturer in the city. Industrious, persevering and possessed of mechanical skill, Mr. .Smith gradually broadened his business field until his plant had been developed into one of such importance that it became advisable to form a company, and thus the Philip Smith Manufacturing Company came into existence and its capitalizati0n is $130,000, Mr. Smith owning the majority of the st0ck, his partners being L. M. Studevant and B. D. Heck. The business carried 0n is the manufacture of elevator machinery and employment is afforded from eighty to one hundred workmen. Mr. Smith retained the active management until 1907, when he retired but with no loss of interest. When a man has built up a business like that of Mr. Smith, no formal retirement from some of its responsibilities can cause him to lose his interest in its continued prosperity. At various times Mr. Smith invested in farm land and in town property and both are n0w exceedingly valuable and his investments aggregate 270 acres. For some years after starting
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into the manufacturing business Mr. Smith operated a spoke plant t0gether with his foundry, and also a hollow ware factory, but sold the latter to the Wagner Manufacturing Company and discontinued the f0rmer. Mr. Smith has always been too busy a man to take a very active part in politics, but at times has consented to serve on the city council, where his business judgment has been highly valued. He is one of the oldest members of the Odd Fell0ws in this section.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN RHOADES, a man of character and standing in Loramie township, Shelby county, O., who for seven years has been president of the Beech Grove special school district and still earlier a member of the board, was born December 13, 1864, in Newberry township, Miami county, O., and since the age of twenty-one yearS has resided on his present valuable farm of 210 acres, lying in section 25, Loramie township.
John Rhoades, father of W. F. Rhoades, was born in Pennsylvania and at the age of twenty-one years came to Miami county, O., and settled on 160 acres in Newberry township, where he cut the first tree ever taken from the native forest in that section. In Montgomery county he married Miss Barbara Apple, and ten children were born to them, not all of whom, however, survived her. One of her sons, Henry Rhoades, died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war. The second marriage of John Rhoades was to Elizabeth Schneck, who was born in Pennsylvania but was reared in Montgomery county, O., and she became the mother of five children, dying when aged seventy-five years. Of the second marriage W. F. Rhoades was the second born.
W. F. Rhoades, with his wife, moved on the farm of eighty acres they purchased in the spring of 1886 and in the year 1889 purchased fifty acres adjoining the home place. He cleared eighty acres of his farm and tiled all of it. In the year 1897 they built the large bank barn and erected the wind pump with supply tanks and hydrants. In the year of 1904 they built the large buff pressed-brick house, with all modern improvements, which is their present home. In 1909 they purchased the Apple homestead of eighty acres, this farm being well improved with a large brick house and bank barn.
Mr. Rhoades was married in Miami county, O., to Miss Lucinda B. Loxley, who was born in that county, a daughter of Benjamin and Phebe Ann (Kaylor) Loxley. The mother of Mrs. Rhoades is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoades have two children: Grover Franklin and Orville Leslie, and they also reared a niece, Myrtle Loxley, now the wife of Morris Cothran. Mr. Rhoades and family are members of the Lutheran church at Bloomer, in which he is a deacon and is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. A lifelong democrat, Mr. Rhoades has been a loyal party worker but has accepted few offices except those concerned with the public schools, in which he has been deeply interested. He belongs to the Bloomer Horse Thief Association, of which he was president, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, attending the last named lodge at Versailles, O. Mr. Rhoades is president and for the past eight years has been manager of the Bloomer Home Tele-
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phone Company, and is one of the charter members of this enterprise. Few men in Shelby county are better known in the quiet walks of life.
CHRISTOPHER SHEARER, who is one of Franklin township's most highly respected citizens, a retired farmer, was born in Montgomery county, 0., six miles from Dayton, in Wayne township, May 4, 1826, and is a son of Moses and Mary (Martin) Shearer, a grandson of Valentine Shearer.
Moses Shearer was born in Bedford county, Pa., and probably was of German descent. He followed farming as an occupation through life, first in his native state and later in Montgomery county, 0. He was a man of good standing in his neighborhood and was a member and supporter of the Reformed church. In politics he was a whip. He married Mary Martin, who was born in Maryland, and the following children were born to them, many of whom became well known in Shelby county: Elizabeth Catherine, who married F. E. Munger ; Marian, who married Asa Grimes ; Christopher ; Susannah, who married Samuel Wright ; Julia Ann; George W.; Sarah Jane, who married William Eckert ; Henry E.; William H. and David Edward.
When Christopher Shearer was a boy the matter of securing an education was much more difficult than at present but, in spite of disadvantages, the essentials were taught and the foundation thus laid was built upon as later opportunity offered. After his school days were over, Mr. Shearer gave his father assistance until he was twenty-three years old, when he married and for five subsequent years worked for his father on the home farm on shares. He then purchased 114 acres in Montgomery county and lived on that property for two years and then sold, and in 1856 came to Shelby county and took possession of a farm he had bought in Jackson township. On that farm he remained for eight years and then sold and purchased the farm in Franklin township on which, with the exception of four years spent in Montgomery county, he has lived ever since, selling the same to his son Edward in 1910.
On December 19, 1849, Mr. Shearer was married to Miss Harriet Wright, who was born in Miami county, a daughter of Asahel and Martha (Sweney) Wright. The parents of Mrs. Shearer were natives of Vermont and they had children as follows : Edmund, Samuel, Sarah, John Quincy, Warren, Harriet and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Shearer a large family was born, the record being as follows : Albert L., John H., Martha Alice, Mary Florence, Samuel Edward, Clara Bell, Charles M. and Minnie Louella, twins, William Everett, Effie Grace, Warren Wright and Frances Harriet. Albert L. married Julia Folkerth and they have one daughter, Edith. John H. married Alvena Miller and they have two children, Ethel and Howard. Charles M. married first Grace Russell and she left one child, Dorothy Grace. His second marriage was to Frances E. Burritt. Minnie Louella married Dr. E. McCormick and they have two children, Lowell and Eugene. William Everett married Eva Young and two children were born to them, Mildred and Frederick W., the former of whom is deceased. Warren Wright married Helen Hackman, who is deceased. Frances Harriet married E. W. Richards.
Mr. Shearer was reared in the Reformed faith and all through his long
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life has retained his membership in this religious body and in younger years served as a church official. He remembers well the organization of the republican party and has supported its policies and candidates for many years.
FOREST D. CHRISTIAN, who conducts what is generally acknowledged to be the best equipped drug store in western Ohio, located at Sidney, has been a resident of this city since the summer of 1897, with the exception of a few months, during which period he managed a drug store at Nicholasville, Ky. Mr. Christian was born September 3, 1873, at Versailles, O., and is a son of Samuel and Lydia E. Christian, his father being a farmer and stock dealer in Darke county.
Forest D. Christian attended the public schools at Versailles and after graduating there entered upon an apprenticeship to the drug business under J. G. Steinle, an old and experienced drug man, and during 1895 and 1896 was a student in the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy, and after completing his professional course returned to Versailles and from there on July 5, 1897, came to Sidney. He accepted a position with H. W. Thompson, druggist, and remained with him until September, 1899, in September of that year going to Nicholasville, Ky., where he managed a store, as alluded to above, returning to Sidney on April 6, 1900, when he took over the management of Mr. Thompson's store. In 1904 he purchased a one-half interest in the store, and on July 30, 1908, after Mr. Thompson's death, bought the latter's interest and has been sole proprietor since that time. In addition to carrying the most complete line of drugs and drug sundries in northwestern Ohio, Mr. Christian handles a complete line of' patent medicines of known merit, together with a complete line of physicians' supplies, doing a very extensive business in this department in this and adjoining counties. He also caters to public convenience by devoting space to books, stationery, periodicals, perfumes, camera supplies and other sundries, his stock covering all that is usually found in a modern drug and book store and is one that has been carefully selected with a view to pleasing a very discriminating public.
Mr. Christian was married to Miss Florence E. Hardman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sol Hardman of Versailles, O., on May 12, 1897, she at that time being a popular teacher in the Versailles schools. Mrs. Christian is an accomplished musician and since coming to Sidney has been one of the active members of the city's leading musical organizations. She is prominent in social and church affairs. Mary Bess, the daughter and only child, is spending her first year in the city high school, a pleasant little lady taking particular interest in her music and getting along nicely in her regular school work. Mr. and Mrs. Christian and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor in the latter organization, and is a member of the local branch of the United Commercial Travelers. He has shown his public spirit in many ways since becoming a permanent resident of Sidney and is an active member and a former director of the Sidney Commercial Club.
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CHARLES PEPPER, a general farmer operating seventy-two acres of land situated in Perry township, Shelby county, 0., which he rents from W. A. Johnston, of East Sidney, is one of the prosperous agriculturists of this section. He was born in Perry township, November 19, 1881, and is a son of John H. and Margaret A. (Roe) Pepper. The father was born in Champaign county, 0., and came to Shelby county at the age of eighteen years and has spent his subsequent life here. In politics he is a democrat. He married Margaret A. Roe, who was born in Miami county, 0., and three sons were born to them : Frank, Charles and William. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Charles Pepper has had experience as a farmer ever since his school days ended. Until he was twenty-one years of age he assisted on the home farm and for four years afterward worked for his father on shares; following which, in 1907, he rented his present farm from Mr. Johnston and has successfully and profitably conducted it for five years. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers Telephone Company.
On October 1, 1905, Mr. Pepper was married to Miss Martha Heath, who was born in Logan county, 0., a daughter of David and Sarah (Kress) Heath. Mrs. Pepper has brothers and sisters as follows : Reatha, Viola, Orvie, Alva, Rachel, Jaazaniah, Ollie, Earl and Minerva. Mr. and Mrs. Pepper are the justly proud parents of twin children, Cable and Mabel, who were born August 26, 1907. Politically Mr. Pepper is a stanch democrat and is now serving in his second term as township trustee. Mrs. Pepper belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
EMORY E. BAKER, whose successful operating of the home farm, consisting of 235 acres, which is situated in Perry township, Shelby county, 0., places him among the competent young agriculturists of this section, was born in Perry township, October 24, 1880. He is a son of Lewis W. and Julia (Booze) Baker.
Lewis W. Baker is a son of William Baker, one of the early settlers in Shelby county. From early manhood until 1893 he engaged in general farming, but in that year he went into the elevator business at Maplewood, Shelby county, 0., with M. D. Burke of Pemberton, 0., under the firm name of Burke & Baker. In 1904 he bought out Mr. Burke and continued in business by himself until 1909, when he sold to Simmons, Faulkner & Cook. In 1911, he and Mr. A. F. Rust bought two elevators at Haviland, Paulding county, 0., and are operating them under the name of the Haviland Grain Company. He married Julia Booze, a daughter of Hezekiah Booze, and they have two children : Emory E. and Edna, who is the wife of John J. Drewery, of Jackson township, and they have one daughter, Beulah.
Emory E. Baker obtained his education in the public schools and afterward was employed for five years by the firm of Burke & Baker, elevator operators. Mr. Baker then took charge of his fatherls large farm and has managed its various industries in a very satisfactory manner ever since. He has progressive ideas and follows the most modern methods with the assistance 0f
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improved machinery, devoting the land mainly to crop raising, growing only stock for his own use.
Mr. Baker was married November 15, 1900, to Miss Lavina J. Young, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Adam P. and Mary J. (Allen) Young, Mr. Young being a substantial farmer in this county. Mrs. Baker is the third in a family of five children : Elza, Earl, Lavina J., Minnie and Grover, Minnie being the wife of William Cox.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker have four children : Wilda L., Harold L., Carl E. and Ralph E. The family attends the Disciples church. In politics Mr. Baker is a democrat but has always been too busy attending to his own affairs to feel at liberty to accept public office, although well qualified for the same. He takes an interest in several fraternal organizations and belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood and to the D. O. K. K., at Sidney.
JOSEPH FRANKENBERG, who owns one of the fine farms of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, a beautiful, fertile tract of 200 acres, situated two miles east of Botkins, O., was born in this township in 1858, and is a son of Harmon and Louisa (Alkermire) Frankenberg. Harmon Frankenberg, the father, who died in 1862, was a highly respected man and by trade was a carpenter and cabinetmaker. He left six children : Julius, John, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary and Theresa. Some time after the death of her first husband, Mrs. Frankenberg married Barney Wempe and four children were born to that marriage : Josephine, Catherine, John and Barney, John being deceased.
Joseph Frankenberg was educated in the district schools and then worked on his step-father's farm and was sixteen years old when the latter died. He then took charge of the farm for his mother and operated it until he was twenty-two years of age, at which time he married. He had inherited forty acres from his father's estate and then settled on that tract and erected a residence and shortly afterward bought forty acres more. Three years later he bought still another forty acres and his next purchase was a tract of eighty acres. He made all the improvements on his land and devotes it to general farming and stock raising.
Mr. Frankenberg married Miss Frances Greve, who is a daughter of Harmon and Louisa Greve and the following children have been born to them : Clara, John, Louis, Joseph, Frances, Aloysius, Catherine and Clemens, all of whom live at home with the exception of Frances and Clara, the former of whom is the wife of Paul Smith and they live in Shelby county. The latter married Frank Switzer and they live in Auglaize county and have three children : Richard, Alfred and Hilda. Mr. Frankenberg and family belong to the Catholic church. Politically he is a democrat. He is one of the reliable, substantial men of the township and one of best and most progressive farmers.
WILLIAM G. MURPHEY, a well known resident of Shelby county, O., who, for fourteen years has operated the Daniel Curtner farm in Franklin township, was born on this farm November 13, 1865, and is a son of Henry
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and Nancy (Cole) Murphey. Henry Murphey is a highly respected retired farmer now living at Port Jefferson, 0. He was twice married, first to Nancy Cole, who died in 1875, and second to Rhoda Busic. To his first marriage three children were born, namely: Clara, who is the wife of John Lochard ; Minnie, who is the wife of Rev. Harrison Thompson, of the Christian church; and William G. To the second union one son was born, Charles.
William G. Murphey obtained his education in the schools of Franklin township and afterward followed farming with his father and grandfather until his marriage. He owns an excellent farm of eighty acres, situated in Salem township, but it has suited his convenience to remain on the Curtner farm, where he carries on a general farming line, raising only enough stock, however, for home use.
In January, 1881, Mr. Murphey was married to Miss Minnie Staley, who is a daughter of George W. Staley and wife of Jackson township, Shelby county, who had the following children, all well known people of this section : Edward; Mrs. Murphey; Milton; Alice, who is the wife of Rowe Buracre; George ; Mark ; Isophene, who is the wife of L. G. Shanley, of Pemberton, 0.; Bessie, who is the wife of Albert Linker ; and Mary, who is the wife of Clarence Rinehart. Mr. and Mrs. Murphey have two children : Clay, who is a student of osteopathy, in college, at Kirksville, Mo.; and Bessie, who resides at home. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political affiliation Mr. Murphey has always been a republican.
GEORGE KIES, who successfully carries on general farming and stock raising in Dinsmore tOWnship, Shelby county, 0., owns an excellent farm of 160 acres, situated two and one-half miles southeast of Botkins, was born in this township and is a son of Michael and Frederica (Seamans) Kies.
The parents of Mr. Kies were born in Germany and in their native land and afterward, in the United States, were highly respected people. They were the parents of the following children : Adam, Henry, Mary, Anna, John, Sophia, George and Catherine. Adam married Ann Shuler, and they live at Botkins, 0. Henry married Louisa Groves and they live three miles from Botkins. Mary married Jacob Elsass of Auglaize county, 0. Anna married David Rheinhart and they live also in Auglaize county. John, who died at the age of fifty-seven years, married Caroline Groves. Sophia is deceased. Catherine is the widow of Louis Zeble and lives at Wapakoneta, 0.
George Kies attended the public schools in Dinsmore township and ever since, with the exception of twelve years, has followed farming. He owns a beautiful property which is kept in the best of condition, his buildings being attractive and substantial and all his industries are carried on according to the latest methods. In visiting a model farm like Mr. Kies' it is easy to see why an Ohio agriculturist may be classed with the most independent and contented of men. Productive fields, bountiful orchards, healthy cattle and stock, abundance in every direction, with order and comfort reigning in the home, this presents a pleasant picture.
Mr. Kies was married first to Miss Caroline Wilt, and they had two chil-
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dren, Emma Elizabeth and Martha M. The latter died in infancy. Emma Elizabeth married George Elsass and they live in Auglaize county and have three children : Edna, Amelia and Leona. Mr. Kies' second marriage was to Miss Maggie Meyers, a daughter of Casper and Margaret Meyers. Mrs. Kies had two brothers, Henry and John, the former of whom is deceased and the latter lives at Portland, Ind. Mr. Kies and wife belong to the Lutheran church, in which he has been a trustee for a number of years and of which he is a liberal supporter.
MICHAEL A. ROTH, whose valuable and well stocked farm of 110 acres is situated one-half mile northeast of Botkins, O., in Dinsmore township, is one of the representative men of this section, in which he has served for seven and one-half years as a justice of the peace. He was born at Botkins, O., May 26, 1872, and is a son of Antony and Elizabeth (Leabling) Roth.
Antony Roth was born at Palestine, O., and died October 24, 1911, at the age of seventy-five years. His father was born in Germany and came to the United States at the age of fourteen years, and his mother about the same time. She was born on the River Rhine, Germany, and her maiden name was Salinger. Anthony Roth married Elizabeth Leabling, who was born at Dayton, O., and still survives, being in her seventy-sixth year and a resident of Botkins. Her father was born in Hesse and her mother in Wittenberg, Germany. The following children were born to Antony and Elizabeth Roth : Josephine, George, Jacob, Henry, Frank, Joseph, Elizabeth, Michael A., Anna and Alphonse. Josephine, who lives at Botkins, is the widow of William B. Stelzer ; George died at the age of nineteen years ; Jacob married Kate Geotz and they live at St. Mary's, O. ; Henry died in infancy; Frank married Lena King and they live at Wapakoneta, O. ; Joseph married Bertha Baldus and they live at Genessee, Idaho ; Elizabeth married Peter Schaaf and they live at Dayton ; Anna married William Hemmert and they live at Botkins ; and Alphonse married Matilda Schullen and they live at Ottoville, O.
Michael A. Roth obtained his education in the public and parochial schools at Botkins and later took a course at Rensselaer College, Ind. He then went into the sawmill and contracting business, in which he continues to be interested, and, additionally, carries on his farming operations with a large amount of success. He is justly proud of his pure-bred cattle and hogs, believing that there is more profit in fine stock than in the 0rdinary 0r inferior breeds. He is one of the active citizens of his neighborhood, always ready to do his part in all public movements and through natural gifts and education is capable of doing so. He was first elected to the office of justice of the peace when but twenty-four years old and has proved a valuable and efficient official.
Mr. Roth married Miss Clara Baker, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hasser) Baker. The father of Mrs. Roth was horn in France and her mother at Fremont, O. The grandfather served under Napoleon in the Russian campaign, after which he came to Ohio and died here in his eighty-sixth year. The grandmother died at Fremont, O., in her ninety-ninth year. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Roth : Marie, Rosella, Claretta,
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William, Eugene, Joseph and Gregory, the last named dying at the age of five years. Mr. Roth and family are members of the Catholic church at Botkins, 0.
WILLIAM FINKENBINE, one of the representative citizens and substantial and practical business men of Franklin township, was born in Shelby county. 0., February 18, 1859, and is a son of John and Barbara (Schiff) Finkenbine, who now live retired in Franklin township. They are well known and highly esteemed people and are among the leading members of the German Lutheran church.
William Finkenbine was the eldest born of his parents' family of ten children and he remained with his father on the extensive home farm until he was thirty years of age, in the meanwhile attending the district schools in the neighborhood. After his twenty-first birthday he worked for his father for $1 00 a year and as he never drew one cent of his wages until he married, had a snug capital with which to start out for himself. For nine years after marriage he rented farm land from his father but later purchased his present farm of eighty acres, on which he has profitably engaged in farming and stock raising ever since.
Mr. Finkenbine was married first on November 1, 1888, to Miss Ida M. Ludlum, who died March 31, 1894. She was a daughter of Eliakim and Sarah (Persinger) Ludlum. Three children were born to the above marriage : Bonnie, who is deceased; Margie, who is the wife of Wilbur Schiff ; and Wilbur, who is deceased. On March 4, 1897, Mr. Finkenbine was married (second) to Miss Emma C. Losch, a daughter of George and Sarah (Harmon) Losch, the former of whom died on his farm in this county and his burial was in the Pearl cemetery. The mother of Mrs. Finkenbine still resides in Franklin township, her children being: Jacob, George, Emma C., Lydia, Callie, John and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Finkenbine have two children : Freda Clara and Mary May. The family belongs to the- German Lutheran church, which has been the family church for several generations. Mr. Finkenbine, like his father, is a strong democrat in his political views.
JOHN M. SCHIFF, JR., one of the representative citizens of Franklin township, Shelby county, 0., who is serving in his seventh term as township assessor, resides on his valuable farm of 112 acres, where he engages in general farming. This is his birthplace, born January 19, 1866, and is a son of John M. and Leanda (Moothart) Schiff.
John M. Schiff, the father, was horn in Germany. For many years he was a farmer in Franklin township, where his death occurred in advanced years. He was a worthy member of the Lutheran church and his burial was in Pearl cemetery. He married Leanda Moothart, who was born in Pennsylvania and now lives at Anna, 0., a much esteemed lady and a member of the Lutheran church there. They had the following children : William, who is deceased; Lydia, who is the widow of John Fogt; Henry L.; Lena, who is
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deceased, was the wife of George GuethS; Callie L., who is the wife of William Hagelberger; and John M.
John M. Schiff, his father's namesake, grew up on the home farm and assisted his father during the latter's lifetime and since then has devoted himself exclusively to his farm industries, always having been an industrious man and is one who is credited with excellent judgment in business and 0ther affairs. In 1886 Mr. Schiff was married to Miss Louisa Knasel, who, at death, left the following children: Melvin C., who married Bessie Ike; and Ladonna May, who is the wife of William Harmon and they have two children: Kenneth Eugene and Marion Lester. Mr. Schiff's second marriage took place in 1898, to Miss Caroline B. Zorn, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Merklin) Zorn. The father of Mrs. Schiff was born in Shelby county and died on his farm in this county. The mother was born in Germany and now lives in Jackson township, Shelby county. To Mr. and Mrs. Zorn the following children were born: Lena, who is the wife of Jacob Helmlinger; Catherine, wh0 is the wife of Philip Helmlinger; Jacob Henry; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Alfred Waltz; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of Jacob Waltz; and Caroline B., who is the wife of Mr. Schiff.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Schiff are: Mamie Louella, Iva Marie, Elmer Harold and Erma Grace. The family belongs to St. Jacob's Lutheran church. Always a stanch democrat, Mr. Schiff has frequently been useful in the councils of his party and when he has been elected to office has proven honest and thoroughly efficient. He is known all over the county and stands high with his fellow citizens.
JOHN F. CAMPBELL, who is a member of 0ne of the 0ld and representative families of Shelby county, O., is one of the substantial citizens of Turtle Creek township, where he owns 370 acres of very valuable land. He was born in this township, December 26, 1836, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Brown) Campbell.
John Campbell and wife were born in Shelby county and were very early settlers in Turtle Creek township, where he followed farming until his death in 1841. His widow subsequently married Edward Beck, who was also a farmer and well known resident of this township. To her first marriage the f0llowing children were born : J0seph, Robert and Jackson; Elizabeth, who was accidentally drowned when eight years old; Susan, who married Kinley Sissell; Margaret, wh0 married William Millinger; John F.; and Mary, who married Martin Burress. To her second marriage four children were born: Martha, who married James Russell; Raper; Laura, who married William A. Russell; and Frisby, who was accidentally killed by falling from a wagon.
During boyhood John F. Campbell attended the district schools and afterward worked for his step-father on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age and then worked two years longer for his board. He was eighteen years old when he started out for himself and remained with his first employer for three years, receiving wages of eleven dol-
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lars a month, and as soon as he had enough money hastened to invest in land, his first purchase being eighty acres. Mr. Campbell has always believed that good land is a wise and sensible investment and has followed out that policy and now owns 370 acres of producing property. He is no longer actively engaged but for many years was a hard working and has always been provident, and while he has been able to accumulate a large property, has done so through his own unassisted efforts. He is also a stockholder in the churn factory at Sidney.
In 1865 Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Melinda Strouse, who was born in Montgomery county, 0., a daughter of Adam and Barbara (Dare) Struose, the former of whom was a tailor in early life but later became a farmer. Both he and wife are deceased. They had the following children : Mary, wife of Lewis Hohn ; Sarah, wife of Shedrach Burton; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Zimmers ; and Melinda, wife of Mr. Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have two children and three grandchildren: Littie Dell, who is the wife of -William Widney and they have one son, John; and Sheridan S., who married Mary Marshall and they have two daughters, Sadie E. and Emma Marie. Mr. Campbell and family belong to the Presbyterian church. He is a democrat in his political views and has served two terms as township trustee. In business, social and church relations Mr. Campbell has always been held in esteem.
JOHN H. MOWRY, a general farmer and stock dealer, well known in Franklin township, resides on his finely cultivated farm of eighty-five acres, and was born at Sidney, 0., September 17, 1853. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Davis) Mowry, and both are now deceased. They were people of sterling character and upright life, leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were widely known. Their children were : Lyda, wife of Louis Johnston; Anna, wife of William Counts; Clara, wife of Bert Patton; Alice, wife of George Pfaadt; Eva, wife of Charles Quinn; and Edward, Thomas C. and John H.
John H. Mowry obtained his education in the country schools near his present farm, on which he has spent all his concious life, remaining with his parents until they passed away and then purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead. He devotes his attention to general agriculture and also, as did his father, does some stock dealing. He is regarded as one of the able and practical farmers of his section.
Mr. Mowry was married to Mrs. Sallie (Maderis) Clark, widow of John Clark and daughter of John Maderis, whose wife was a Miss Woods. He formerly was a well known stock buyer in Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Mowry are members of the Plum Creek Methodist Episcopal church. They have a wide circle of friends to whom their hospitable home is ever open. Mr. Mowry casts his vote with the republican party and as a citizen is intelligently active but is no seeker for office for himself.
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LEWIS H. FINKENBINE, general farmer and well known citizen of Franklin township, whose well improved sixty-acre farm is situatel in a desirable section, not far from Sidney, was born in Franklin township, Shelby county, O., November 22, 1877, and is a son of John and Barbara (Schiff) Finkenbine. The father of Mr. Finkenbine was born in the city of Philadelphia, in 1831, and was one year old when his parents, who were natives of Baden, Germany, brought the family to Shelby county, O. The mother was six years old when her parents, also of Baden, Germany, crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and made their permanent settlement in Shelby county. Of their family the mother was the youngest born. Mr. and Mrs. Finkenbine are among the best known and most highly respected residents of Franklin township and are leading members of the German Lutheran church.
Lewis H. Finkenbine was the ninth born in his parents' family of ten children and he remained with his father, whose agricultural interests are yet very large, until he was twenty-three years old, in the meanwhile securing a good public school education. After his marriage he moved to his present farm, which his wife had inherited from her father, and here, with much success, carries on general farming and moderate stock raising, taking advantage of modern inventions to save labor and increase production.
Mr. Finkenbine was married in December, 1900, to Miss Della M. Wells, who was born in Clinton township, Shelby county, a daughter of Sylvester S. and Sarah J. (Estey) Wells, who were both early settlers and prominent people in the county. Mrs. Finkenbine is the youngest of their children, the others being : Lilley, who is the wife of William Schlayman ; Dacie, who is the wife of Charles B. Miller ; and William A. and Arthur.
Mr. and Mrs. Finkenbine have three children, Marie, Emory and Goldie. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Finkenbine is a democrat, although in local matters he exercises his own excellent judgment in supporting candidates, seldom accepting any office for himself, although he has served four years as township trustee and als0 as school director.
CHARLES A. JOHNSTON, who may well be numbered with the substantial and representative men of Perry township, Shelby county, O., resides on his valuable farm of 120 acres and is interested in local enterprises, holding considerable stock in the Farmers Telephone Company. He was born in Perry township, July 18, 1862, and is a son of Fielding and Rebecca (Stephenson) Johnston.
Fielding Johnston was born also in Shelby county, while his wife was a native of Champaign county. She survives and resides with her son Charles A., but Mr. Johnston passed away some years ago, his burial being in Cedar Point cemetery, in Perry township. Three children were born to them, namely : Alice, who is now deceased, was the wife of Lewis M. DeWeese; and William A. and Charles A., twins.
Charles A. Johnston attended the public schools of his native township and then gave his father assistance on the home farm, afterward rented it and
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after the death of his father, bought the homestead and has continued here. He carries on general farming and is one of the extensive hog raisers and dealers of this section. His preference is for the Poland China breed and raises from 100 to 140 head a year and feeds many more. Mr. Johnston has a handsome residence and substantial barns and sheds and an air of pleasant thrift prevails. No large farm or extensive stock business can be carried on advantageously without hard work and sensible direction and Mr. Johnson appears to have completely understood the situation.
In 1896 Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Alta Keesecker, who died in the following year survived by an infant son, Ray 0. On June 1, 1904, Mr. Johnston was married (second) to Miss Edith Licklider, who was born in Champaign county, 0., a (laughter of William and Jane Licklider, farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston attend the United Brethren church. He is identified with the democratic party and is a very active citizen in local matters and interested in all that concerns the welfare of Perry township. For seven and one-half years he served with the greatest efficiency as township trustee and has been a member of the school board for four years.
JOHN THOMAS STALEY, who resides on his home farm of 140 acres, situated in Salem township, Shelby county, 0., owns two other farms in this township, all three aggregating 300 acres. Mr. Staley now lives retired, having all his land satisfactorily rented. He is one of the township's best known and most highly respected men, born here March 26, 1844, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Baker) Staley.
The Staleys were early settlers in Ohio and Nicholas Staley was born near Dayton, in Montgomery county. After marriage with Mary Baker, who was born in Salem township, Shelby county, he engaged for the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits in this section. They were estimable people and devout members of the Christian church. They died on their farm near Port Jefferson and their burial was in the cemetery at that place. Their children were as follows : Margaret, who is the wife of John Bruner ; Henry; Sarah Jane, who is the wife of Port Blue ; Susan, who is the wife of John Ward ; Nicholas and John Thomas.
John Thomas Staley attended school irregularly in youth, a building for school purposes having been built on his father's farm, but in his boyhood no opportunities were afforded as at the present day. He remained at home assisting and working for his father until he was thirty years of age, at which time he purchased, in partnership with his brother, Henry D. Staley, 160 acres in Green township, which they cultivated together for five years. Henry Staley then bought his brother's interest and the latter returned to Salem township, where he first purchased 130 acres, to which he has added until he now owns the large acreage above mentioned. General farming and stock raising were carried on by Mr. Staley while actively engaged and the same industries are continued on the land by his tenants.
In 1875 Mr. Staley was married to Miss Jennie Cargill, a (laughter of John and Margaret (Strahlem) Cargill. The father of Mrs. Staley was a
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farmer in early manhood but during the larger part of his life carried on a tanning business. Both he and wife are deceased, are following children surviving them : Jennie, who is the wife of Mr. Staley; Mary, who is the wife of John Hughes ; Emma, who is the wife of Martin Wones ; Bell, who is the wife of Guy Steenrod and Ellen, who is the wife of D. R. Gibbs.
Mr. and Mrs. Staley have had four children : Ida May, who is deceased; Cora Olive, who is the widow of Dr. Dickerson; Dottie, who is the wife of Dr. Claude Harmon ; and Goldie, who is the wife of Dr. Lucas. The family are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics a democrat, Mr. Staley has been interested at all times in the success of his party but has seldom accepted any public office for himself, although one time serving as a township trustee.
JOHN C. STANGEL, who is very efficiently serving Shelby county in a public capacity, being a member of the board of county commissioners, first elected to this representative body in the fall of 1910, was born on a farm in Pickaway county, O., February 9, 1864, a son of Christian and Rachel (Kah) Stangel.
The parents of Mr. Stangel moved to a farm in Jackson township, Shelby county, in 1866, and he comes that near to being a native of the county in which he has lived ever since. The father died in Jackson township and the son was eight years old when his mother removed with him to Sidney, where he attended school for six years. He then started out to be self supporting and worked at first on a farm in Franklin township, but after his marriage entered the Sidney Wheel Works at Sidney, where he continued until 1892, when, he moved on a farm of 120 acres, situated in Franklin township, where he successfully carries on the usual farm industries.
In 1888 Mr. Stangel was married at Anna Station. O., to Miss Anna Brideweser, a daughter of Philip Brideweser, at that time a substantial farmer of that section, and the following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stangel : Lawrence, Wallace, Perry, Maud, Luella, Carrie, Glenna, and Roy Wilson, the last named born October 25, 1912.
Mr. Stangel has always been an interested citizen of his neighborhood but has never been unduly anxious to hold office, in fact never accepted but one political position prior to his first election as a county commissioner, that being assessor of Franklin township, in which office he had served for two years when he resigned in order to accept his present one. Mr. Stangel was honored by re-election to the office of county commissioner, in 1912, and hence will continue his public service through a second term.
F. M. WILDERMUTH, cashier of the First National Bank of Jackson Center, O., is one of the representative men of Shelby county and a useful and influential citizen of Jackson Center. He was born on a farm in Jackson township, Shelby county, three and one-half miles northwest of Jackson Center, June 11, 1875, and is a son of George and Magdalena (Harmon) Wildermuth.
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George Wildermuth was born in Germany but was married after coming to Shelby county, 0. During his long life he has followed agricultural pursuits and he and wife still reside on their farm, which is situated three and one-half miles northwest of Jackson Center. They have been the parents of twelve children, nine of whom survive.
F. M. Wildermuth attended the public schools in Jackson township, later the Jackson Center schools and afterward the normal school at Angola, Ind., following which he taught school in his native township for nine years. Mr. Wildermuth first became associated with the First National Bank in the capacity of assistant cashier, then becoming cashier, in which office he has served continuously since 1909. He has additional business interests, being a member of the J. M. Pence Grain Company, of Ansonia, 0., and the junior member of the Runyan & Wildermuth Hardware Company of Jackson Center. In politics Mr. Wildermuth has been a lifelong democrat and for a protracted period served efficiently in responsible offices in Jackson township, for two years being assessor and for three successive terms, township treasurer. He has served Jackson Center also as city clerk and during two terms was a member of the city council.
Mr. Wildermuth married Miss Christiana Sherer, who is a daughter of John and Louisa (Allenbarch) Sherer, and they have three children : Ruby Marie, Willis Arlington and Forest Elmer, all of whom were born in the family residence on North Main street, Jackson Center. Mr. and Mrs. Wildermuth are members of the Lutheran church.
GEORGE W. STALEY, who is one of the well known citizens of Shelby county, a retired farmer, owns eighty-five and one-half acres of fine land in Jackson township, situated one mile north of the southern township line. He was born in Franklin township, Shelby county, August 29, 1841, and is a son of John and Catherine (Young) Staley and a grandson of Joseph Staley, who was a native of Virginia and from there came to Montgomery county, 0., at that time having but one child. He was twice married and became the father of twenty-two children.
John Staley was born in Montgomery county, 0., and remained there into young manhood, when he came to Shelby county and entered eighty acres of land in Franklin township. He married Catherine Young, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Philip Young, who married twice and had twenty-two children. To John Staley and wife the following children were born : Henry C., Susanna, George W., Nancy Jane, Milton and Sarah Elizabeth. From Franklin township John Staley moved into Jackson township and there his death occurred at the age of sixty years and his burial was first in the Wesley Chapel cemetery but later removal was made to the new cemetery at Port Jefferson and he was reinterred by the side of his wife.
George W. Staley attended school in Jackson township and was not much more than a boy when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company B, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served under Captain Frey for thirteen months when he was discharged on account of disability. He
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then returned to the homestead in Jackson township and has lived here ever since and during his active agricultural life did a large amount of general improving and all the land is under cultivation by his tenant, Stewart Swiger, with the exception of ten acres still in valuable timber. All the substantial buildings now standing on the farm were placed here by Mr. Staley and his farm stock has always compared favorably with that of other farmers of this section. He has some other interests, including stock in the Farmers Telephone Company.
On November 3, 1864, Mr. Staley married Miss Sara C. Erven, who was born in Union township, Union county, Ind., December 21, 1841, a daughter of James and Lucretia (Campbell) Erven, and when Mrs. Staley was eight years old her parents moved to Shelby county. Her father died in Jackson township when aged seventy-one years, and her m0ther when aged eighty-six years, six months and twenty-two days, and their burial was in Salem township. Since his marriage Mr. Staley has lived on his present farm and here his children have been born and reared as follows : Edwin L., who lives at Maplewood, .O., married Etta Arbigast and they have one son, Hugh A.; Milton E., who is a resident of Auglaize county, married first Edith Elliott, who became the mother of two children—Huber and Ralph E., the former deceased, and married (second) Lulu Hobby and they have one child, Twila : Minnie M., who is the wife of William G. Murphy and they live in Franklin township and have two children—H. Clay and Bessie; George P., who married Anna Maria Ambos and they have two children—Welland A. and Bertram Lowell : James M., who lives in Salem township, married Hattie Stephenson, and they have three children—Edith, Edna and George L. ; Alice J., who married William Buroker of Pemberton, O., and they have six children—Thelma, Ethel, Mabel, Dorothy, William W. and Elizabeth; Isophine C., who is the wife of L. G. Shanley, of Pemberton, O., and they have four children—Grant Theodore, Jennie C., Charles Elwin and Staley; Bessie, who is the wife of Albert Linker of Dinsmore township and they have one son, Eugene; and Mary, who is the wife of Clarence Rhinehart, of Kirksville, Missouri. From the age of three years Mr. and Mrs. Staley have reared their grandson, Ralph, who was then left motherless. He has been carefully educated and has developed into a fine specimen of young manhood and is a pride and comfort to his grandparents. In the fall of 1912 he started into business for himself at Dayton, O. Mr. Staley and family are members of the United Brethren church. In his views on public questions Mr. Staley is liberal to some degree except in the matter 0f temperance and his opinions on this vital subject have made him a voter with the prohibition party. For nine successive years he served as a member of the school board and during seven of these was president of this body of representative men, and for five years he served as township constable and for four years was a trustee of the township.
W. E. COLEMAN, general farmer and a highly respected citizen of Jackson township, who works 120 acres of fine land in section 35, which
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belongs to Mrs. Margaret Gilfillen, his mother-in-law, was born November 1, 1861, one mile southeast of St. John's, in Auglaize county, 0., and is a son of Arnold and Sarah Ann (Miller) Coleman.
Arnold Coleman and wife are now deceased and their burial was at St. John's. In his young manhood he was a farmer and later he became a soldier in Company B, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and although he lived to return from the Civil war, it was with shattered health which caused his death a few years later. It is customary to call those who fall on the field of battle the nation's heroes but those who gave their strength and health may just as truly he named as heroes and there are those who will ever recall them as such.
W. E. Coleman attended the public schools of Jackson township and farming has been his business all through life and he has been very successful. His present home is the old Gilfillen homestead and he owns fifty-five acres adjoining this farm. His industries include a moderate amount of stock raising and the growing of crops which experience has taught him do best in this locality.
Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Emma Gilfillen, who was born in Salem township and is a daughter of William and Margaret Gilfillen, the former of whom is deceased but the latter resides with Mr. and Mrs. Coleman. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coleman: Arnold, who lives on a farm lying southwest of the home place, married Etta Hawkins; and Roy, who is a student in the Ohio State Business College at Columbus. The family belong to the United Brethren church. A republican in his political views, Mr. Coleman has loyally supported his party's candidates but has desired no public recognition for himself, in fact has never accepted any office except membership on the board of education, to which he has belonged for four years and has been faithful to the duties involved.
HENRY SHROYER, who is now living in comfortable retirement at Maplewood, 0., is an example of what may be accomplished in securing success and independence in life by the exercise of prudence and self-denial in youth and persistent industry through the years when the vital powers are at their best. Mr. Shroyer is a self-made man and through his own efforts built up from nothing a fortune that included the possession of more than 500 acres of land in the best sections of Shelby county. He was born in August, 1835, in Miami county, 0.
The parents of Henry Shroyer were of the same name although not related, Joseph and Mary (Shroyer) Shroyer. Joseph Shroyer was born in Ohio while his wife was a native of Maryland. After marriage they lived in Miami county but later came to Salem township, Shelby county, where both passed away on their farm and their burial was in the cemetery belonging to the Reformed church, the church site having been given by Mr. Shroyer. They had a large family of children, the record being as follows : William, Thomas, Jacob, John, Henry, Elizabeth, Catherine, Eliza and Matilda, the last named being the only surviving daughter and she is the wife of Samuel
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Giffin. Elizabeth was the wife of Samuel Roberts, Catherine was the wife of Frank Maxwell, and Eliza was the wife of Joseph Dodds.
Henry Shroyer had but meager schooling when he was a boy, partly because of the lack of school facilities in the neighborhood of his father's farm and partly because his services were needed, with those of his brothers, to help carry on the agricultural industries that then had to be conducted, more or less, without the help of much labor-saving machinery. He started out for himself as soon as he became independent and for five years afterward worked in Miami county for $12 and $13 a month. He then came to Shelby county and continued to work by the month on farms until he was twenty-eight years of age. For about five years after marriage he rented farming land and by that time had accumulated enough capital to buy his first eighty acres, situated in Salem township, and this tract he still owns. With continued prudence he became able to add farm to farm until over 500 acres belonged to him, all earned through his own unassisted efforts. Mr. Shroyer proved then to be a generous father for he divided this large estate among his children, happy in thus providing for them and giving each a good start in life.
On May 18, 1865, Mr. Shroyer was married to Miss Mary Strahlem, at the parsonage of the German Reformed church, by Rev. Jeremiah Heller. She was born in Ohio, a daughter of Gotleib and Elizabeth (Clapper) Strahlem, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Ohio, her parents having come here from Maryland. Mrs. Shroyer was the youngest of her parents' children, the others being : Jacob, Henry, David, Susan, Abraham, Isaac and Samuel. Susan married James Moreland. To Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer six children were born, namely: Clara, who is the wife of William Rubert ; Eliza Ellen, who is the wife of John C. Wones; Harriet, who is the wife of George W. Rose; and Elmer, Nelson C. and Harry. Mr. Shroyer and family belong to the Reformed church, in which he was a deacon for many years. In politics he is a democrat and has always given an active support to the candidates of his party.
E. McCORMICK, M. D., physician and surgeon, with residence and office on the corner of College and Lincoln streets, Jackson Center, O., has a practice which extends north, east, south and west of the city. The father of Dr. McCormick died at Rosewood, O., at the age 0f eighty-eight years. His mother, however, died in his infancy and he was reared by the late T. B. and Elizabeth B. (Hawver) McCormick, the latter of whom survives and resides near Dr. McCormick.
In the public schools of Jackson township the youth first had educational privileges and afterward became a student of medicine under Dr. Edward McBurney, at Jackson Center, subsequently entering the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. After graduating in medicine he located first at Santa Fe, in Auglaize county, later removing to another location, and remained in practice in Auglaize county for fifteen years, during which time he was a member of the Auglaize County Medical Society. In 1905 he came to Jackson
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Center. He is now a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Society. Dr. McCormick is a democrat in politics and is a member of the town council. He is surgeon for the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad.
Dr. McCormick married Miss Minnie Sherer, a daughter of Christian Sherer, and they have two children : Lowell, who will graduate from the Ohio Western 'University at Delaware, 0., in the class of 1914; and Eugene, who is a graduate of the Jackson Center high school. Dr. McCormick is an Odd Fellow and has passed the chairs in Lodge No. 736 at Jackson Center.
LEWIS PHILLIP GROSS, one of the substantial citizens of Salem township, who owns 103 acres of very fine land and is one of the stockholders in the Farmers Telephone Company, was born in Auglaize county, 0., June t, 1864, and is a son of Phillip C. and Catherine (Schuler) Gross.
Phillip C. Gross was born in Ohio but it is probable that his father, Phillip Gross, was born in Germany. The former married Catherine Schuler, who came from Germany, and they now live in comfortable retirement at Jackson Center, 0., where they are members of the Lutheran church. They had children as follows: William, John, Lewis Phillip, Godfrey, Catherine, wife of Jacob Wilt, and David.
Lewis Phillip Gross attended the district school in boyhood and then helped his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he started out for himself. He first rented a farm in Salem township and lived on it for one year and then spent a year in Jackson township and the following year in Auglaize county. During the next six years he lived at Botkins, Shelby county, and then moved to Maplewood but in the following year returned to Botkins and two years afterward rented land in Salem township and then m0ved again to Jackson township and lived there for six years, when, in 1905, he once more came to Salem township, purchasing his present farm from Jennie North. He found the residence needed remodeling and did that and other improving and now has a very desirable property and devotes his land to general farming and moderate stock raising.
Mr. Gross was married in March, 1887, to Miss Nellie Mallahan, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Charles and Anna (Elliott) Mallahan, to whom but two children were born : Nellie and Frank. The second wife of Mr. Mallahan was Mary Counts and they have had three children : William, May, wife of William Garrett, and Louis, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross three children were born, two sons and one daughter : Charles Phillip, who died at the age of eighteen years ; Minnie Gertrude and Howard Henry. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gross is a democrat in politics but is not active beyond the bounds of good citizenship.
JACOB NEWTON VAN DEMARK, owner and proprietor of Avondale Farm, containing 220 acres and situated in Clinton township, has other property in the county, 560 acres of valuable land lying in Washington township also belonging to him. Mr. Van Demark is one of the capitalists of this section
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of Ohio and one of its best known men. He was born March 22, 1853, in Orange township, Shelby county, and is a son of Henry B. and Susan (Boyer) Van Demark.
Henry B. Van Demark was born in Shelby county in 1815 and died in Clinton township in 1899. He was a farmer and stock raiser all his active life and was numbered with the successful business men of the county. He married Susan Boyer, who was born in Shelby county in 1821 and died in 1894. They were members of the Presbyterian church. To them were born the following children: Arvesta, who is the widow of Capt. E. E. Nutt ; Daniel W.; Clymelia, who is deceased, was the wife of S. S. Mcready; Henry Lewis, who died at the age of eleven years ; and Jacob Newton.
Jacob Newton Van Demark enjoyed educational advantages in the public schools, spending three winters as a student in the Sidney high school, after which he assumed duties on the home farm and has continued his agricultural industries ever since. General farming is carried on and extensive cattle and stock raising, a good grade of hogs, sheep, cattle and horses being developed, Mr. Van Demark owning enough land to profitably care for many flocks and herds. In addition to his possessions above listed, he owns a cottage and ten lots on Orchard Island, and is a stockholder and a director in the Citizens National Bank at Sidney.
In 1882 Mr. Van Demark was married to Miss Catherine Hicks, who was born in Michigan, a daughter of Richard and Catherine Hicks, who were farming people in that state. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Demark, namely : Florence V.; Henry V., who married Caroline Coon ; and Jennie M., who married George Brandywie. The family attend the Presbyterian church. Like his late father, Mr. Van Demark is a republican although he frequently uses his own judgment in casting his vote, many intelligent men declining to be always guided by party leaders.
J. E. MERANDA, who is one of the representative men of Jackson township as evidenced by his election to the presidency of the township school board, is a general farmer here, who owns forty acres of land and 120 acres more in association with J. K. Clayton. He was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, three miles south of Jackson Center, July 4, 1869, and is a son of J. S. and Sarah (Maddux) Meranda, who still reside in Jackson township.
J. E. Meranda was reared in his native township and attended the public schools and afterward taught school until April, 1w0, a period of twelve years, at the close of which he came to his present farm, which is situated one mile west of Jackson Center on the south side of the Arnett turnpike road. This beautiful farm bears the name of Sunset Farm, eighty acres of which belongs to J. K. Clayton, and he makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Meranda. Its situation is admirable and Mr. Meranda carries on his farm industries with the intelligent interest and judicious methods which bring abundant success.
Mr. Meranda married Miss Hattie Clayton, who was born in the old
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pioneer log house which still remained on this farm, and is the only surviving child of J. K. and Mary Clayton. They have one daughter : Mary Hazel, who attends school at Jackson Center. Mr. Meranda has been a lifelong democrat but has consented to serve in few public offices. He was the man who secured the route out of Jackson Center, and it was through his efforts that the petition for free rural delivery was granted. He has been on the educational board since January, 1905. He is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 458, F. & A. M., of Jackson Center, and both he and wife are members of the Eastern Star. They have many pleasant social ties in the neighborhood and belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
GEORGE W. BOYER, who owns 170 acres of fine land in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, 0., resides on one farm of 120 acres, situated two miles southeast of Botkins, 0., his other farm of fifty acres lying not far distant. He was born in Dinsmore township in 1846, and is a son of Samuel F. and Elizabeth (Veach) Boyer. Samuel F. Boyer was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Virginia. After they came to Shelby county they resided on their farm and reared ten children, the record being as follows : Jane, George W., Samuel F., William H., Henry, Harriet, Christina, Frances, Anna and Edward.
George W. Boyer is probably one of the youngest surviving soldiers of the Civil war who entered the service in 1861, for he was only fourteen years old when he enlisted at Sidney, under Colonel Wilson, and served out his first enlistment and was honorably discharged at Vicksburg, when he re-enlisted and served as a veteran until his second honorable discharge in 1865, when he was mustered out at Columbus, 0. So young that only a boy's judgment controlled his actions, soldier Boyer lived up to the measure of a man and on many a battlefield proved his patriotism and courage. After the war he returned to Shelby county and ever since has been interested in farming and stock raising and additionally, for many years, ran a threshing machine. He has made all the improvements on his farms and all his land is valuable and productive.
Mr. Boyer married Miss Nancy Blue and they have had the following children : William E., who married Lena Bonnowont and they live in Dinsmore township ; John H., wh0 is also a resident of this township, married Margaret Finkenbine ; James E., who is a farmer in Dinsmore township, married Millie Schurr ; Della G., who married Michael Munger and they live at Botkins, 0. ; and Grace E., who is the wife of Augustus Bush, of Botkins. The parents of Mrs. Boyer were natives of Ohio. She had two brothers and two sisters, namely : James K. ; Oliver C. ; Mary, who married F. Stough ; and Nora, who married Jack Stenrod. Mr. Boyer and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and they are well known people throughout Shelby county.
WILLIAM F. BILLING, who is one of the well known and respected citizens of Dinsmore township, resides on his finely improved farm of 170
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acres, which lies one and three-fourths miles southeast of Botkins, O. He was born in Franklin township, Shelby county, and is a son of Frederick and Salome (Knasel) Billing.
Frederick Billing was born in Germany, in the neighborhood of Baden, and came in early manhood to the United States and settled in Ohio. He married Salome Knasel, who was born here and they had the following children : John, George, William F., Edward, Susan, Sophia, Louisa and Lena. John married Louisa Pfaddt and they live in Dinsmore township; George H. married Lizzie Gerber and they live in Salem township ; Edward married Anna Fogt and they live at Detroit, Mich. ; Susan married Samuel Hagelberger, and they live at Anna, O.; Sophia and Lena are both deceased ; Louisa is the wife of William Fogt and they live in Dinsmore township.
After his school days William F. Billing assisted his father like a dutiful son and following his marriage settled on his present place, about sixty acres of which he inherited, purchasing the rest. He immediately began improving and has continued until he has made this a beautiful property, with fine modern residence and substantial barns. He keeps thoroughly posted on all agricultural movements and applies new methods after being convinced that they are the proper ones to use on his land. Diversified farming is carried on and some excellent stock raised.
In 1890 Mr. Billing was married to Miss Louisa C. Bartsch, who is a daughter of Christian and Sarah (Harmon) Bertsch. The father of Mrs. Billing was born in Baden, Germany, and the mother in Franklin county, O. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Billing: Clarence E., who assists his father; Emory, who is teaching school ; and Arthur, who is a high school student at Botkins. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Billing is a democrat and is serving on the township election board. For many years he has been a school director and for nine continuous years was superintendent of roads and has also been supervisor, in all these positions performing his duties with efficiency and to public satisfaction.
P. WRIGHT QUIGLEY, one of the enterprising young farmers of Franklin township, who, in
association with his mother, owns 163 acres of very fine land, was born in Miami county, O., December 25, 1883, and is a son of Silas and Anna (Waggoner) Quigley.
Silas Quigley and wife were born in Pennsylvania and after marriage came to Ohio, settling in Miami county, where their only child was born. He followed farming until his death on October 17, 1905, his burial being in Pearl cemetery, in Franklin township. He was a much respected man and a consistent member of the Lutheran church. In politics he was a democrat but was never a seeker for public office.
P. Wright Quigley was given educational advantages, passing from the common schools into the Troy high school, where he was graduated and then became a student in Wittenberg College, where he spent three years but was recalled before graduating, on account of his father's death. In the spring of 1905 the family had removed to Franklin township and thus the responsibili-
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ties attending the managing of this large farm here fell upon the student's shoulders, a few months later. He assumed them with energy and fulfilled them with marked success and is numbered with the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of this section.
Mr. Quigley was married December 25, on his birthday, 1910, to Miss Harriet Miller, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of George and Mary (Mason) Miller. The father of Mrs. Quigley is deceased but the mother survives and resides in Turtle Creek township. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley have one son, who has been given the name of Harold and was born October 25, 1911. They attend the Lutheran church. Mr. Quigley belongs to the order of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Anna, 0. In politics he does his own thinking and votes according to his matured judgment.
JOSEPH P. STALEY, who is one of the well known and substantial citizens of Shelby county, 0., a general farmer and formerly an extensive dealer in fine stock, resides on his farm of 174 acres, which is situated in Franklin township, and owns a second farm, containing eighty acres, lying in Salem township. He was born in Montgomery county, .0., May 10, 1852, and is a son of Daniel and Margaret ( Jackson) Staley.
Daniel Staley was born in Montgomery county, 0., and lived there until after marriage, coming to Shelby county in 1868, where he followed farming until the close of his life. He married Margaret Jackson, who was born in Pennsylvania and who also died in Shelby county, their burial being at Port Jefferson. They had three children : Joseph P., Julia and Daniel.
Joseph P. Staley grew up on the home farm and attended the local schools and for some time afterward assisted his father. He then decided to see something of the western country and in his travels visited not only the interesting sections of his own land but also Mexico and Central America. In 1897 he went to the gold fields of Alaska and was one of the fortunate prospectors, returning from the Klondike region with an ample fortune. In all Mr. Staley has made ten trips to the far West, in the meanwhile carrying on his stock operations and prior to making his most recent trip sold stock, in two sales, that netted him $13,000. Mr. Staley is well known in the Masonic fraternity and has taken the thirty-second degree. His father was a republican and Mr. Staley has always given his political support to this party. Mr. Staley is unmarried.
GEORGE A. FRAZIER, one of the prosperous farmers of Franklin township, where he owns 136 acres of valuable land which is particularly well adapted to stock 'raising, was born January 12, 1860, in Green township, Shelby county, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Woods) Frazier. The parents of Mr. Frazier were well known and respected residents of Green township for many years, where the father followed the mason trade. Both passed away some years ago and their burial was in the cemetery at Plattsville. They were members of the Universalist church and reared their family in that liberal religious faith. Their children were
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Beulah, who is the wife of Thomas Buchanon; John; Harriet, who is the wife of Rudolph Peppers; Amy, who is the wife of Edward Emley; George; Alfred ; and Ida, who is the wife of James Eldredge.
After his school days were over, George A. Frazier learned the plastering trade, which he followed for fifteen years, during which lie bought forty acres of land in Green township. He resided on that place for sixteen years but in 1900 sold it and then purchased his present property in Frank- lin township, from Abe Emley. The residence needed but little remodeling but a new barn was required and Mr. Frazier erected a commodious one which probably is the most modern barn in the township. He has a complete water system which he controls with a gas engine. For some time he has been interested in raising Jersey cattle and Duroc hogs and is making preparations to go into the stock business extensively.
In January, 1884, Mr. Frazier was married to Miss Hannah Hill, who was born in Miami county, O., a daughter of John and Hannah (Howell) Hill, well known people in that part of the state, and beside Mrs. Frazier they had three other children : Josephine, who is the wife of Frank Pence ; Eugenia, who is the wife of James McCormick ; and Telford. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frazier : Genie, who resides at home; and Kate, who is the wife of Lyman Allen, who is a farmer in Franklin township, and they have one son, George. Mr. Frazier and family attend the Universalist church. He is identified with the democratic party but is not a man to seek political honors for himself, although in every way well qualified for the same.
ELZA A. BAKER, residing on his valuable farm of 143 acres, which is located in Perry township, Shelby county, O., was born in this township, October 31, 1883, and is a son of Martin and Christena (Smith) Baker. Martin Baker was a well known farmer in Perry township for many years, his death occurring in February, 1909. His widow and their three children all survive, she being a resident of Jackson Center, O. The family consisted of one daughter and two sons : Ida, who is the wife of Cory Hoak ; Orla A., a farmer and business man at Port Jefferson; and Elza A.
Elza A. Baker secured a public school education and then assisted his father until he was twenty-two years of age, when he rented land in Logan county for one year. He then returned to the home farm, which he inherited at his father's death, and which had been the home of his parents for twenty-four years. He carries on general farming and does considerable business in the way of buying and selling stock, and is generally looked upon as one of the township's successful farmers and progressive citizens.
On December 29, 1905, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Guernie LeFevre, a daughter of Jacob and Dulcina (Line) LeFevre, who formerly were prominent farming people of this county. They had the following children : Edward, William, and James; Warren, who is deceased; Alice, who is the wife of Allen Baker; Minnie, who is the wife of Lafe Vester ; Guernie, who is the wife of Elsa A. Baker; and Cora, who is the wife of Samuel
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Ritter. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children : Ruth Estella and Pauline Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Baker attend the Disciples church. He is independent in his political attitude. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood and the Knights of Khorasan at Sidney.
ALLEN MAURER, county surveyor of Shelby county, 0., and a well known and valued citizen, has been a resident of Sidney, 0., since 1909, coming from Van Buren township, where he was born December 19, 1885. His parents were Adam and Caroline (Sunderman) Maurer. Adam Maurer was born also in Van Buren township, Shelby county, a son of Philip Maurer who had come to this section front Germany. Adam Maurer followed an agricultural life and died on his farm in Van Buren township in February, 1895. He married Caroline Sunderman, who was born in Auglaize county, 0., and still survives.
Allen Maurer grew to manhood on the home farm and secured his primary education in the country schools. Developing an unusual mathematical talent he decided to study civil engineering and became a student in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, 0., where he was graduated in 1909. He immediately was appointed deputy county surveyor and the experience gained in that capacity prepared him for the office to which he was elected in 1912, on the democratic ticket, the duties of which, he will assume on the first Monday in September, 1913. He is a young man of enterprise and marked ability.
In 1910 Mr. Maurer was married to Miss Gertrude Lucas, of Van Buren township, Shelby county. They attend the ,Evangelical church. He is identified with several fraternal organizations including the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and some social and political bodies.
L. CABLE WAGNER, who not only belongs to a somewhat noted family of Shelby county, 0., but in his own person is a representative business man and citizen of Sidney, 0., was born at Sidney and is a son of W. H. Wagner, president of the Wagner Manufacturing Company.
L. Cable Wagner attended the public schools in his native city and after graduating from the Sidney High School became a student at Villa Nova College near Philadelphia. After he returned to Sidney he assumed business responsibilities and is a director and one of the large stockholders in the Wagner Manufacturing Company. He is one of the active and dependable members of the Sidney Commercial Club.
Mr. Wagner was married in 1908 to Miss Louise Fitzgibbon, who was born at St. Louis, Mo., and they have two children : Mary Jane and James. Mr. Wagner was reared in the Catholic church and he is a member of the fraternal order of Knights of Columbus.
ANTHONY J. ALLEN, whose ninety acres of fine land lie in Franklin township, is one of the well known and representative agriculturists of this
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section. He was born in York county, Pa., July 24, 1843, and is a son of Edmund K. and Alice (Harkins) Allen.
Edmund K. Allen was born in York county, his people having been early settlers in Pennsylvania, probably of English extraction, and he spent his entire life in his native section, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He married Alice Harkins, who was born in Hartford county, Md., and she also died in York county. They had the following children : Anthony J., William L., Robert F., Thomas H., Joseph L., Hannah and Martha Jane. Hannah married Joseph Strawbridge and Martha Jane married Charles Robinson. The parents of the above children were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. -
Anthony J. Allen attended the district schools near his father's farm and afterward was a student for one year in the Stewartstown Academy, York county, and for several succeeding years was mainly engaged in teaching school, both in Pennsylvania and Maryland. After learning the miller's. trade he followed that for some four years and in 1876 came to Shelby county, settling first in Washington township. Mr. Allen remained in that township for eight years and then took advantage of a favorable offer and sold his property there and came to Franklin township and bought his present farm from Joseph Barnes, it being locally known as the William Reed farm. Here Mr. Allen has prospered both as a farmer and as a dairyman. He maintains his dairy with Holstein cattle and operates a milk route, sending his wagon to Sidney daily and disposing to regular customers twenty gallons of rich milk. He raises other good stock but not more in quantity than he requires for his own use.
Mr. Allen was married first in 1865, to Miss Eleanor Gorsuch, a daughter of Stephen Gorsuch, who moved with his family from Maryland to Ohio. To this marriage the following children were born : Martha Jane, who is the widow of Frank Fee; Anna Bell, who is the wife of John Yinger .and they have two children : Elmer LeRoy and Neva May; Elva May, who is the wife of Thomas White and they have three children: Norma Allen, Mary Lee and Ruth Annabel; Nora B., who is the wife of Walter Brandenberg, and they have one son, Stanley Allen; Bertha Pearl, who is the wife of Roy Allton, and they have one daughter, Evaline Lois ; and Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Pfaadt, and they have one child, Martha Elizabeth. In 1887 Mr. Allen was _married to Miss Laura E. Davis, a daughter of Hiram and Emeline (Trine) Davis, and they have two children: Lyman Davis, who married Kate Frazier; and Vera. Mr. Allen and family belong to the Methodist Epnscopal church in which he is a local preacher. He has long been active and deeply interested in religious work and is additionally serving as church trustee, class leader and district steward. In politics Mr. Allen has always been in sympathy with the principles of the republican party.
WILLIAM H. FORRAR, one of Shelby county's most respected citizens, who has passed the greater part of his long and useful life in Dins-
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more and Franklin townships and owns the old Forrar homestead of seventy acres, now lives retired in Swanders. He was born in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, in 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Good) Forrar.
Jacob Forrar was a well known and respected citizen of Dinsmore township for many years. He was twice married, first to Mary Good and after her death to Mrs. Elizabeth (Hilbern) Boyer, widow of George Boyer. To his first marriage the following children were born : John, William H., Martha, wife of Henry Sisler, and Isaac. Two sons were born to the second union, Nelson and Jacob, the last named being deceased.
William H. Forrar attended the district schools when a boy and remained on the home farm with his father. In August, 1,862, he enlisted in Co. H, 99th 0. Vol. Inf., for service in the Civil War, contracting for three years. The hardships endured during the first nine months brought on such serious illness that he was discharged on account of disability and he returned then to the old homestead. With this exception and two years spent at Sidney, Mr. Forrar always lived on his farm until he retired to Swanders.
In February, 1870, Mr. Forrar was married to Miss Frances Swanders, who is a daughter of David and Lydia Swanders, one of the old and substantial families of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Swanders the following children were born: Edward, Aaron, Alfred, Jefferson, James, Christiana, Sarah, Savilla, Susan, Rebecca and Frances. Sarah is the wife of David Baker, and Savilla, who is deceased, was the wife of Frank Shafer. Mr. and Mrs. Forrar have two children : Albert Ward and Edward. The latter married Leora Minnear and they have one child, La Brieta. Mr. Forrar and family belong to the Reformed church. In politics he was reared a democrat by his father but frequently he casts his vote according to his own matured judgment rather than at his party's demand. For seven years Mr. Forrar served as turnpike supervisor, for two terms as a member of the school board, two terms as township trustee and declined to be a candidate for county commissioner. He is a member of the Reformed church and in his church relations he has also been shown confidence and esteem, being now one of the elders and was church treasurer for twenty-eight years.
DELPHIS R. MILLIETTE, M. D., physician and surgeon at Anna, 0., who has been established here since 1903 and through professional skill and sterling personal traits of character has built up a fine practice, was born in Logan county, 0., August 19, 1872, and is a son of Frank and Sarah Jane (Curtner) Milliette.
The parents of Dr. Milliette moved from Logan county to a farm in Clinton township, Shelby county, when he was an infant, and the family lived there for about seven years and then removed to Franklin township and still later to Dinsmore township. His primary education was secured in the country schools and after coming to Anna in 1884 he became a student here and in 1893 was graduated from the Anna high school. Afterward fora number of years he taught in the country schools and also at Anna and Botkins, in the meanwhile doing preliminary medical reading, and in the fall of 1899
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entered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and immediately after graduating from that well known institution, established himself at Anna, where he has since carried on a general medical practice. He is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society and keeps thoroughly abreast with the times in scientific investigation and discoveries.
In June, 1903, Dr. Milliette married Miss Elle Fitzgerald, who was born at De Graff, Logan county, O., and they have three children : Gerald, Agnes and Martha. In politics Dr. Milliette is a democrat and is a very active citizen, serving as a member of the town council and also as clerk of the school board.
GOTLEIB GRAU, whose valuable farm of 103 acres lies in Franklin township, is well known in this section and as man and citizen is held in high esteem. Mr. Grau was born in Germany, June 14, 1852, and was twenty- one years old when he came to the United States. He is a son of Matthew and Dora Grau. The father died when Gotleib was two and a half years old. The mother remained in Germany until she was seventy years of age and then joined her son in Franklin township, Shelby county, and here saw sixteen more years of peaceful life, passing away in her eighty-sixth year, her burial being in the Pearl cemetery, in Franklin township.
For the first eighteen months after coming to Ohio, Gotleib Grau lived in Tuscarawas county, then spent a few weeks in Indianapolis, Ind., and from there came to Shelby county, where he has lived ever since. He had learned a trade in Germany and at Sidney he secured work with John Conner, with whom he remained for three years and then started a shop of his own at Anna, O., where he lived for twenty-five years. Mr. Grau then bought the Steeley farm which he still owns and lived on the same for six years when he rented it to a good tenant and for his own home rented another farm, containing 154 acres, also in Franklin township, on which he carries on a general agricultural line.
On February 26, 1878, Mr. Grau was married to Miss Caroline Shie, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Christian and Frederica (Slatser) Shie. Mr. Shie and wife were natives of Germany and both died in Shelby county. By trade he was a stone mason. The children of Christian Shie and wife were : John, who lives three miles west of Sidney; Emma, deceased, who was the wife of George Steinle; Caroline, who is the wife of Mr. Grau; Henry ; Rachel, who is the wife of Andrew Delscamp; George, deceased ; Charles; and Katie, deceased, who was the wife of Walker Holly, all of Shelby county. Mr. Grau was the youngest of his parents' children, three of their family being residents of Crawford county ; Godfrey, John and Rosa, who is the wife of Andrew Drakert. His eldest sister, Eva, is now deceased, was the wife of John Weller, and one other sister, Dora, is the wife of Michael Nagel, and they both live in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Grau have three children : Christian G., Freda and Dora. Christian G. married Emma Shafer and their adopted daughter, Edith, is the wife of Andrew Harmon and they have a son, Gotleib. Freda is a school teacher in Franklin
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township, and Dora is a member of the class of 1914, in the Sidney High School.
In politics Mr. Grau is a democrat but he never permits party rule to interfere with his own judgment. He served as a member of the town council at Anna and was also on the school board there and at present is serving as president of the school board of Franklin township.
The family belongs to the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Grau has been a trustee several times and for a number of years has been church treasurer.
PARKER L. STAFFORD, who is one of the leading business men of Maplewood, 0., where he owns and conducts a general store, was born in Salem township, Shelby county, 0., March 11, 1877, and is a son of Robert and Bicey (Louthain) Stafford. The father was born in Virginia but passed the greater part of his active life on his farm of 109 acres, which he still owns in Salem township, and now lives retired at Maplewood. In politics he has always been a democrat.
Parker L. Stafford, the only one of his parents' children to survive childhood, obtained his education in the public schools. When twelve years old he went to work in the store of J. K, Dunson, at Maplewood and continued until 1896, when, in partnership with 0. A. Dunson, lie bought the store of his employer. The firm of Stafford & Dunson continued until 1900, when Mr. Stafford bought his partner's interest and has since been sole proprietor. As an additional business interest he operates a huckster wagon through the county.
In 1901 Mr. Stafford was married to Miss Myrtle Stephenson, who was born in Salem township, a daughter of James and Della (Stiles) Stephenson. farming people, well known and highly respected. Mrs. Stafford has two younger sisters : Ethel, who is the wife of C. C. Steenrod; and Alma. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have three sons': Donald E., James Arthur Cecil, and Harold Robert. Mr. Stafford is one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church at Maplewood, to which the family belongs. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, both of Maplewood. At present Mr. Stafford is serving with entire satisfaction as treasurer of Salem township, elected to this important office on the democratic ticket.
JOHN D. PARTINGTON, whose name carries weight all over Shelby county, 0., where he is known as a representative and substantial citizen, resides on his farm of 131 acres which is situated in Perry township and owns also a farm of eighty acres, lying in Miami county, and additionally owns large blocks of stock in the Farmers Telephone Company, was born in October, 1860, in Green township, Shelby county.
The parents of Mr. Partington, Edwin and Jemima (Partington) Partington, for many years were highly respected farming people of Shelby county, in which the mother was born and still survives, being now in her eighty-third year, and a cherished member of the household of her son, John
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D. Partington. The father was born in Indiana and died in Shelby county, O., in November, 1904, his burial being in the Pascoe Cemetery. His children all survive, as follows : Joseph H., John D., Mary, William E., Edward W. and Mark E., Mary being the wife of William Middleton.
In the public schools of his native county, John D. Partington secured his education and continued to work for his father until he reached his majority and afterward, for three years, worked with him on shares. He then started out for himself and in 1903 purchased the homestead from the other heirs and has continued here. On March 21, 1896, he was married to Miss Letha M. Chrisman, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of David and Sarah E. (Latimer) Chrisman, the former of whom, a native of Miami county, O., is now deceased, his burial taking place at Plattsville. The mother of Mrs. Partington resides on a farm in Green township, her children being: Letha M.; Albert E.; Harriet I., who is the wife of Fred Hagerman; and Joseph C. Mr. and Mrs. Partington have one child to whom they are giving parental love and care although he is not their own. He was born in October, 1909, and his name is Leo Millard, and since he was eight weeks old he has been fortunate enough to find a tender father and mother in Mr. and Mrs. Partington and judging by his beauty and intelligence, he gives promise of becoming a great comfort to his foster parents. They are members of the Universalist church. In his political views, Mr. Partington is a democrat.
MARCELLUS N. LUCAS, a representative citizen of Perry township, Shelby county, O., a member of the township board of trustees and the owner of seventy acres of fine farming land here, was born April 12, 1867, one and one-half miles northeast of this farm, and is a son of Patrick Good and Thurza (De Weese) Lucas.
Patrick Good Lucas was a well known farmer in Perry township and was a son of one of the early settlers of Shelby county. He was identified with the republican party but merely as a citizen, never desiring to hold office. His wife was also born in Shelby county and she survives, her husband, passing away on June 25, 1906, his burial being at Port Jefferson. They had two children : Ethel, who is the wife of Calvin Boyer and they reside with her mother on the home farm; and Marcellus N.
Marcellus N. Lucas secured a public school education and worked on the home farm until his marriage, after which he went to Logan county and remained ten months. After returning to Shelby county he rented land for ten years, then bought a farm and later sold it and in 1903 purchased his present farm from Dr. Milholland. A general line of farming is successfully carried on and enough good stock for home use is raised, no effort being made to do more in this direction.
On January 1, 1890, Mr. Lucas was married to Miss Sarah Nichols, a daughter of William and Catherine (Criffield) Nichols, substantial farming people of Shelby county. Mrs. Lucas had the following brothers and sisters : John, Frank and William, and Belle, who is now deceased, was the wife
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of David Speece. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have four children : Norma B., Gracc A., Vesta and Doris. The entire family belongs to the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Lucas has always cast his vote with the Republican party.
ORLANDO BURTON KEY, who is one of the well known and substantial men of Perry township, a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company and the owner of 120 acres of well developed land, was born on this farm, the old Key homestead, in Shelby c0unty, 0., May 25, 1870, and is a son of John and Anna (Rinehart) Key.
John Key, father of Orlando B. Key, was a son of John Key, who was born in Virginia in 1781 and came to Montgomery county, 0., in 1800, where he died in 1815, leaving his wife with four children, although the youngest, John, was not born until 1816, six months after the father's death. His mother remained in Montgomery county until 1836, when she came with him to Shelby county and they lived about one year in Jackson township and then went back to Montgomery county, where he lived until 1840, after which he lived continuously in Shelby county. In 1841 occurred his first marriage, to Newlillie Lucas, who died in July, 1846, leaving two children, Norman and John H. In 1847 John Key married Anna Rinehart and seven children were born to them : Amanda, wife of William DeWeese; Rachel, wife of Dr. D. N. Whitmire; Margaret Elizabeth, wife of John Maxwell: Martha Jane, wife of Frank Marrs; David R.; Thomas Levi, who died aged two years; Abraham Sherman; and Orlando B.
When John Key came to Shelby county he had fifty dollars as his sole capital and with this sum he entered forty acres of land in Jackson township, then went to work by the day and month and kept on until he had saved one hundred dollars, with which he entered eighty acres of land in Indiana. He kept on working and saving, and after accumulating another one hundred dollars entered another tract of land in Indiana and afterward traded his Indiana land for eighty acres in the woods of Shelby county. The latter place he then cleared and improved and later added two other eighty- acre tracts, making his home place consist of 240 acres. Here he erected a sound brick dwelling house and kept on improving his land in every way, subsequently, through his industry and good judgment acquiring other farm land and valued real estate in Sidney and Millerstown.
Orlando B. Key attended the public schools in Perry township and afterward took a business course in a commercial college at Dayton, 0,, following which he spent three years in the western states. Finding no section of the country more satisfactory than his own, Mr. Key then returned to Shelby county and has ever since been engaged in farming and stock raising in Perry township. He is an independent voter in politics and has never accepted any public office except once when he was appointed a member of the local school board.
In 1895 Mr. Key was married to Miss Bessie Stockstill, a daughter of John P. and Mary (Miller) Stockstill. In early manhood the father of Mrs. Key followed the trades of tinner and carpenter but later became a farmer in
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Shelby county. He was twice married, first to Mary Miller and second to Jennie Varner. To the first union two children were born : Carrie, who died young, and Bessie, who became the wife of Mr. Key. Two children were born to the second marriage : Newton and Varner. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Key : Fred Miller, John Otis and Max Allan. Mr. and Mrs. Key attend the United Brethren church at Pascoe, O. He is identified fraternally with the Masonic lodge at Port Jefferson and also the Odd Fellows and is a member of the Encampment at Sidney, O.
SQUIRE NICHOLAS STALEY, an enterprising general farmer of Perry township, Shelby county, O., who not only successfully operates hiS own farm of 126 acres, but also one of eighty acres which he rents, belongs to the old and respected Staley family of Salem township, where he was born April 26, 1862, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary (Baker) Staley. His\ mother was born in Salem township while his father came from Montgomery county, O., but spent the larger portion of his life as a farmer in Salem township. Of their family of six children, Squire Nicholas was the youngest born.
Squire Nicholas Staley obtained his education in the public schools and afterward remained with his father assisting in the general farm industries, tilling of the soil, stock raising and moderate dairying, and in the course of time inherited his land from his father and, as indicated above, prospers in his agricultural undertakings.
Mr. Staley was married first to Miss Ida Redinbo, who died in 1887. On November 3, 1890, he was married (second) to Miss Tena Brendel, a native of Auglaize county, O. Mr. and Mrs. Staley have had four children: Bonnie May, Pearl, Clay, and Robert Roy, who died when aged six weeks. The family belong to the Disciples church. Mr. Staley is not active in any political party, preferring to be an independent voter, but in any matter of public importance he may be depended upon to bear the responsibilities of a good citizen.
WILLIAM ENOS GILFILLEN, who, in association with John A. Wones, does a large business at Maplewood, O,, under the firm name of the Maplewood Elevator Company, dealing in grain, grass seed, coal, lime, cement and other commodities, was born in Salem township, Shelby county, O., September 21, 1873. The parents of Mr. Gilfillen, William and Margaret A. (Baker) Gilfillen, were residents of Shelby county, the father for many years carrying on agricultural industries with success. He died in Jackson township, where his widow still lives. They had the following children: Emma D., wife of W. E. Coleman; Elizabeth, wife of Logan Clayton; and William Enos.
William E. Gilfillen obtained his education in the public schools and afterward worked with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-
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five years old, after which he rented land and carried on general farming until March, 1912, when he became the junior partner in the firm of Wones & Gilfillen, by purchasing the interest of E. E. Young in the Maplewood Elevator Company. The business is in a prosperous condition and is on a safe financial basis.
In 1893 Mr. Gilfillen was married to Miss Rhoda Davis, who was born in Auglaize county, 0., but was reared in Shelby county. She is a daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Morris) Davis whose other children were : Louie. who is the wife of Hamer Wagner ; Floyd ; Eliza. who is the wife of Albert Thompson; Charles ; Mabel, who is the wife of H. A. Stahler ; Fannie, who is the wife of Frank Reese ; John; and Pearl, who is the wife of Henry Dosic. Mrs. Gilfillen was the third born in the above family. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilfillen : Raymond and Vernon. He is nominally a republican but reserves the right to exercise his own judgment in political matters and frequently votes accordingly. He has served on the school board, having a good citizen's interest in the public schools. For some years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows at Jackson Center, and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN K. DUNSON, a well known resident of Maplewood, 0., has been identified with business interests here for a number of years. He was born at Port Jefferson, Shelby county, 0., November 3, 1862, and is a son of Abraham A. and Rosanna (Lodge) Dunson. Abraham A. Dunson was born in Virginia but has passed the greater part of his life in Ohio and still survives, being now in his eighty-first year. In early manhood he followed the cabinetmaker's trade but later became a farmer. He married Rosanna Lodge, who was born in Montgomery county, 0., and is now deceased. They had the following children : John K.; Luella, who is now deceased, was the wife of F. E. Pool; 0. A.; M. D.; Estella, who is the wife of A. F. Rust : and Effie B., who is the wife of W. E. Thompson.
John K. Dunson was educated in the public schools of Shelby county. For some years he was engaged in manufacturing tile at Maplewood and for six years conducted a general store here, since which he has devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns a very fine farm of 136 acres, situated in Salem township, and a second farm containing 120 acres, which is located in Logan county. Mr. Dunson is listed with the substantial citizens of this section. Politically a democrat he has occasionally accepted office when made a party candidate, and served one year as constable and three years as township trustee..
In December, 1891, Mr. Dunson married Miss Sarah L. Huber, who was born in Logan county, a daughter of Allen and Anna Magdalena (Hall) Huber, the former of whom is deceased, but the latter resides at Bellefontaine, 0. To Mr. and Mrs. Huber the following children were born : Delmar A., Sarah L., W. T., Nancy, C. S., Anna Pearl and Forest M. Nancy is the
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wife of O. S. Robinson, and Anna Pearl is the wife of Dr. J. M. Patterson, of Lima, O. Mr. and Mrs. Dunson have two sons : Huber A. and Charles A. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Dunson takes an interest in all that concerns the public welfare of his town and fellow citizens and when called upon, in any public emergency, accepts responsibility. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias at Maplewood.
SANFORD C. RETTER, who leads in the hardware line at Maplewood, O., being owner and proprietor of a well stocked store at this place, iS one of the town's prosperous young business men, a property owner and reliable citizen. He was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, O., April 3, 1880, and is a son of Albert and Mary (McCord) Retter.
Albert Retter is a merchant doing business at Maplewood, having a large general store and supplying commodities of all kinds to both town and adjacent country. He married first Miss Mary McCord, who died in 1882, leaving but one child, Sanford C. Mr. Retter's second marriage was with Rebecca Shade and they have one child, Bonnie.
When his school days were over, Sanford C. Retter gave his father assistance in his store and added to the mercantile experience secured there by five years as a clerk for P. L. Stafford. In 1905 he erected a handsome building for himself and in 1906 embarked in his preSent line. He handles general hardware and all kinds of agricultural implements and also does tinning and spouting work.
On April 3, 1908, Mr. Retter was married to Miss Cora LeFevre, a daughter of Jacob and Dulcina (Line) LeFevre, farming people, who had other children as follows : Edmund, William and James; Warren, who is deceased ; Alice, who is the wife of Allen Baker ; Minnie, who is the wife of Lape Vesper'; and Guernie, who is the wife of Elza A. Baker. While nominally a democrat, Mr. Retter uses his own judgment in local politics. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood.
JOHN C. WONES, who is the senior member of the firm doing business at Maplewood, O., under the name of the Maplewood Elevator Company, is a representative citizen of this community and enjoys a large measure of respect and public confidence. He was born in Champaign county, O., January 19, 1862, and is a son of Simon and Jane (Smith) Wones.
Simon Wones was born in Champaign county, O., and his wife in Yorkshire, England. He was a farmer for many years and was well known in Champaign county. Both he and wife are deceased, their burial being in the cemetery at Port Jefferson. Their children were as follows : John C.; Phyllis, wife of John F. Howell ; Martin G. ; Malissa, wife of Frank Calhoun; Matthew ; William R. ; Ernest; Simon T.; and Ona, wife of Robert Sharp.
After his school days, John C. Wones worked at farming and became interested in stock, doing a large business in that line for twenty years and continues it to some extent together with his grain business, with which he became identified in 1902, when he built the elevator at Maplewood. For
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one year he had Dr. Loffer and William Stewart associated with him; then J. W. Shearer bought Mr. Stewart's interest and afterward Mr. Shearer and Mr. Wones bought Dr. Lofferls interest and together they operated for nine years, when Elza Young bought the Shearer interest but later sold it to W. E. Gilfillen. The company deals in grain, grass seed, flour, coal, lime, cement, plaster and wire fencing and do an extensive business.
On New Year Eve, 1884, Mr. Wones was married to Miss Ella E. Shroyer, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Strawlen) Schroyer, formerly farming people but now retired residents of Maplewood. Mrs. Wones has brothers and sisters as follows : Clara, wife of William Rubert ; Ella ; Elmer ; Nelson ; Hattie, wife of George W. Rose; and Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Wones have three children : Raymond, who married Eda Keifer ; and Cyril and John Conery. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church in which Mr. Wones is a Sunday school teacher after having served for nine years as superintendent. Fraternally he is identified with the F. & A. M. at Port Jefferson, the Odd Fellows also at Port Jefferson, the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Sons of Veterans and Poplar Knob Grange.
ORRIE W. COOK, who has numerous business interests at Haplewood, 0., is one of the representative men of" Salem township and came from one of the old families of Champaign county. He was born there May 25, 1878, and is a son of William I. and Mary C. (Curl) Cook. William I. Cook, who, for many years Was a prosperous farmer in Champaign county, was born in Shelby county but spent his married life in the former county, where he died, his burial being at Quincy, 0. He married Mary C. Curl, who was born in Champaign county and lives on her home farm there. They had three children : Daisy, who is the wife of Samuel D. Yoder; and Orrie W. and Elmer W.
After completing the common school course in Champaign county, Orrie W. Cook went to Indianapolis, Ind., where he received a commercial training and from there entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he was a student for five terms and completed his school course in the higher branches, in Glover Institute, at West Liberty, 0. For eight years of the above period he alternated teaching with school attendance and continued until he became interested in a grain business with the firm of Simmons, Faulkner & Cook. Since 1908 he has been sole owner and proprietor of the grain elevator at Maplewood, and additionally deals in coal, lime, cement, . New American fencing, red cedar and steel fence posts, lubricating oils and the popular brand of flour known as the Pride of Lima. He is a very enterprising business man and is a prominent factor in everything of importance at Maplewood.
Mr. Cook was married in June, 1902, to Miss Daisy A. Yost, who was born in Champaign county, a (laughter of Elisha and Caroline (Weimer) Yost; who now live retired at Sidney, 0. They had the following children : Ethie, Myrtle, Dora, Belle, Mary, Daisy and Norma. Mr. and Mrs. Cook
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have two sons : Harold E. and Robert W. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Cook is a republican and has served as treasurer of Salem township. He is identified with the Masons at Port Jefferson and the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood.
GEORGE C. SCHIFF, who owns 162 acres of valuable land situated in Franklin township, and is a director and stockholder in the Anna Bank, at Anna, O., is one of the substantial men of this section and one who is held in respect and esteem. He was born in Franklin township, Shelby county, O.. August 25, 1859, and is a son of Christian and Catherine (Fogt) Schiff.
The parents of George C. Schiff were born in Germany but spent their married life in Ohio and died at Anna where they had been living retired. Their burial was in the Pearl cemetery in Franklin township. They were good, Christian people, devout members of the Lutheran church. To them were born the following children : George C., Michael, Caroline, Jacob, Louisa, Lena, Albert C. and Clara, the last named being the wife of William Minton. Albert C. is a Lutheran minister at Columbus, O. Jacob and Louisa are deceased, the latter having been the wife of William Stuber. Caroline is the wife of Christina Hagelberger, and Lena is the wife of Joseph Bennett.
George C. Schiff has spent his life on his present farm, in early years assisting his father and after the latterls death purchasing the property, or seventy acres, as he inherited ninety acres. The father owned seven farms and gave a farm to each child. Mr. Schiff also carries on general farming and also deals in livestock.
On October 18, 1883, Mr. Schiff married Miss Matilda Machlitt, born at Painesville, O., a daughter of Henry and Rosa (Muschulsky) Machlitt, the latter of whom died in October, 1912. They had the following children : Augusta, wife of J. L. Ferguson; Matilda ; Louis, deceased; Emma, wife of Thomas McVay; George, deceased; John ; and Minnie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Schiff have three children : Stella, who is the wife of M. C. Finkenbine and they have four children—Tehkla, Wilbur, Velma and Luther ; Laura, who married Elmer Stuckman and they have two children, Dorothy and Hazel; and Wilbur M., who married Marjorie Finkenbine. The family belong to the Lutheran church at Anna and when the new edifice was put up Mr. Schiff was a member of the building committee and is now church treasurer. In politics he is a democrat and has served honestly and efficiently in public offices. For eight years he was a justice of the peace and for nine years Served on the county fair board.
CHARLES A. HIEGEL, president of the board of education of Greenwood Special School District, is one of the leading citizens of Loramie township, Shelby county, O., and resides on his well improved farm of eighty acres, on which he was born, February 22, 1882. He is a son 0f Anton and Sarah Hiegel.
Charles A. Hiegel was three years old when his parents moved into the Mills Special School District and there he was educated and then he came
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back to the home farm on which he has been established ever since, carrying on general farming and raising stock for his own use. He married Miss Cora Ream, who died at the age of twenty-four years, her burial being in the cemetery at Houston. Her father, J. W. Ream is a resident of Newport, 0. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hiegel : twin sons, deceased; and Floyd Emerson, a bright lad of seven years who is attending school. Mr. Hiegel has been a democrat ever since casting his first vote and at each election does his part in supporting party principles and candidates. He belongs to the order of M. W. A. at Versailles, 0. He has always taken much interest in educational matters in his neighborhood and as president of the school board is vigorous in pushing forward local legislation.
JAMES E. SMITH, a representative citizen and leading business man of Maplewood, 0., where he owns and conducts a general store, was born in Logan county, 0., N0vember 2, 1868, and is a son of Ralph Newton and Huldah (Davis) Smith. Ralph Newton Smith was a very well known man and followed farming and was also a veterinary surgeon. He was a man of temperance principles and gave his political support to the Prohibition party. Both he and wife died in Logan county, all of their children surviving except Elizabeth and Elliott. The others are: Laura, who is the wife of William T. Rairdon ; Elbridge ; Talitha, who is the wife of Perry A. Hill; Edwin, and James E.
James E. Smith attended the public schools and afterward taught one term of school. He remained at home and gave his father assistance until 1904, when he embarked in his present business. He carries a large and carefully selected stock, comprising dry goods, notions, shoes and groceries, and as his methods of business have encouraged trade his customers come both from the town and the surrounding country. Mr. Smith is an enterprising and progressive business man but in his own success does not lose sight of the general welfare, being ever ready to do his part.
On October 16, 1892, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Clara Smith, this similarity of name being merely a coincidence as the families are in no way related. Her father, William F. Smith, was a farmer and a veteran of the Civil War. He married Mary Mattox and two children were born to them : W. E. and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Smith have four sons : Paul, Franklin, Kenneth and Carl. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and they occupy a pleasant social position in the town.
GEORGE WENGER, who is well and favorably known all over Shelby county, 0., where almost his entire life has been spent, is one of the substantial farmers of Salem township, where he owns 240 acres of valuable land. He was born near Columbus, 0., November 21, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Magdalena (Billing) Wenger.
Andrew Wenger and his wife were born in Germany. Both came to America in youth and were married in the United States. They came to Shelby county in 1856 and Andrew Wenger followed farming here during
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the rest of his active life and both he and wife died and are buried in Franklin township. They had the following children : Louisa, who is the widow of Samuel Harmon; George; Mary, who is the wife of C. E. Fogt ; Sophia, who is the wife of Jacob J. Shilling; Andrew ; and Lena, who is the wife of Benjamin Denning.
George Wenger attended the district schools in boyhood and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, starting out then for himself. He has made farming and stock raising his business and through industry and good judgment has been successful in his undertakings and is now numbered with the substantial men of his community. In addition to his large acreage in Salem township, he has a tract of twenty-five acres in Franklin township, and he is also a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company.
On June 3, 1875, Mr. Wenger was married to Miss Sophia Barbara F0gt, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Jacob and Julia Fogt, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Fogt the following children were born : John H., Philip J., Peter, Samuel, Catherine, Julia Ann and Sophia Barbara. Julia Ann is the wife of Jacob Pfaadt, Catherine is deceased, and Sophia Barbara is the wife of Mr. Wenger. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger have four children : William E., Minnie, Emma J. and Laura, at home. William E. Wenger is a leading citizen of Shelby county and served for six years as county recorder. He married Alice Miller and they have two children : Esther and Wilma. Minnie is the wife of George H. Zimpfer and they have two children : Richard and Rosella. Mr. Wenger and family belong to the Lutheran church and he is a deacon in the same. In politics he is a democrat.
OLIVER C. ZEDEKER, owner of the well known Locust Side Farm, a valuable property containing 102 acres, which is situated in Salem township, is one of the representative men of this section. He was born July 6, 1862, in Montgomery county, O., a son of John W. and Mary (Bradenburg) Zedeker, who now live retired in Franklin township. Their family consisted of but two sons, Oliver C. and Ge0rge W., the latter of whom is a farmer also in Salem township.
Oliver C. Zedeker had common school advantages and afterward assist- assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-two years old. For the next three years he rented land and then, in partnership with his father, bought his present farm from Nathan Stout, subsequently purchasing his father's share and is now sole owner. In general, farming has been his main business although he also raises some excellent stock, this being principally for his own use on the farm. His land is beautifully situated and under his methods of advanced farming is very productive.
Mr. Zedeker was married April 2, 1884, to Miss Maggie E. Lawhead, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Philip and Mary (Fordyce) Lawhead, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Zedeker two children have been born : Ella E., who married O. A. Baker, and they have one son, Ralph Emerson; and Clyde B. Mr. Zedeker and family attend the Methodist Epis-
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copal church at Port Jefferson. In politics he is a democrat and at times has been elected to local offices, serving very acceptably for two terms as township trustee and at present is a member of the school board. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, attending the lodge at Port Jefferson.
CHARLES M. McCASHEN, wh0se many interests make him a widely known man is one of the leading citizens 0f Perry township, where is situated his well improved farm of eighty acres. He was born in Shelby county, 0., October 5, 1867, and is a son of James and Mary (Stephenson) McCashen. The parents of Mr. McCashen are now among the highly valued retired residents of Sidney, 0. For many years they resided on their farm and there their children were born, three in number, namely : Charles M.; Leona, who is the widow of A. F. Pence; and Frank, who is a resident of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. McCashen are members of the Baptist church at Sidney.
Charles M. McCashen attended the public schools and assisted his father and, with the exception of seven years, during which period he was a traveling salesman for a blank book firm, he has been continuously interested in agricultural pursuits. He is a stockholder in a number of substantial business concerns, including: the Booker Gibbs Plow Company of Canton, O.: Charles Harris Company, importers of fine wearing apparel at Canton ; and The Geiger-Jones Company, also of that city, an investment company.
Mr. McCashen was married in September, 1890, to Miss Cora A. Woolley, a daughter of William and Jennie ( Johnston) Woolley, and they have one daughter, Agnes, wh0 is a student in the high school at Pemberton. The father of Mrs. McCashen was a wagonmaker by trade and engaged in farming during the most of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Woolley reared the following children : Charles ; Ora, wife of John Lorton; James ; Daisy, now deceased, formerly the wife of Chester Staley; Frank ; Harry; Grace, wife of Wallace Lochard; William ; and Cora A., wife of Mr. McCashen. As a citizen Mr. McCashen stands high and is president of the board of education in Perry township. He and family are active members 0f the Baptist church, of which he is financial secretary and is also a member of the board of deacons.
LEWIS GRANT SHANELY, a member of the board of education in Perry township, and a leading business man of Pemberton, is owner and proprietor of the L. G. Shanely elevator which he built here in 1903. Additionally he deals in all kinds of farm implements. Mr. Shanely was born in Champaign county, 0., February 13, 1869, and is a son of Isaac and Barbara (Shaffer) Shanely. The father of Mr. Shanely was also born in Champaign county and has been a farmer all his active life. He married Barbara Shaffer, who was born in Germany, and they have had five children: Lewis Grant, Caroline, Jennie, George and Newton, the survivors being the oldest and the youngest. Isaac Shanely and wife are members of the United Brethren church.
After he completed the common school course, Lewis G. Shanely took a
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commercial course at the Nelson Business College, but prior to this taught one term of school in Champaign county. After that he remained on the home farm until he came to Pemberton, where his business interests have been expanding ever Since.
Mr. Shanely was married in 1901 to Miss Isophene Staley, who is a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Irvin) Staley, who were early settlers in their section of Shelby county, their other children being: Edward L.; Minnie, wife of W. G. Murphy; Milton; George P.; J. Mark ; Alice, wife of W. M. Buroker ; Bessie, wife of Albert Linker ; and Mary, wife of Clarence Rinehart. Four children make up the family of Mr.. and Mrs. Shanely Theodore Grant, Jennie, Charles and Staley. The family is well known in the pleasant social circles of the town and is active in all the work of the Methodist Episcopal church. Nominally Mr. Shanely is a republican but his political activities are frequently along the line of his own judgment, especially in local matters. For three years he served as clerk of Perry township and gave careful attention to the duties of office and made many personal friends during that time.
JACOB M. FINKENBINE, a substantial and well known citizen of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, O., who owns a valuable farm of 120 acres, situated one and one-half miles east of Anna, O., together with improved property in that town, was born on this farm April 27, 1854, and is a son of Louis and Sarah (Fogt) Finkenbine, for many years well known and highly respected residents of this township.
Jacob M. Finkenbine obtained his education in the district schools and has spent his entire life amid his present home surroundings. Remainng at home and asssting his father, when the latter died he fell heir to the homestead, and hence has never had reason to leave what he is convinced is one of the finest farming sections of the state. As soon as the property became his own he began the improvements which have made it both more valuable and very attractive, new buildings of modern type having been erected and other changes made, all in the direction of development and added material comfort. Mr. Finkenbine gives his personal attention to his different farm industries and is numbered with not only the busiest but also the most successful agriculturists of this neighborhood.
Mr. Finkenbine married Miss Sophia D. Billings, wh0 died May 2, tw0 and was buried in Pearl cemetery in Franklin township. Her father, Frederick Billings was born in Germany. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Finkenbine : Frederick, Lena and Nora, the only survivor being Lena, who remains with her father. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a stanch democrat but at present is serving in no political office although his reputation as an intelligent, upright and trustworthy man would indicate that any public trust would be safe in his hands.
718 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
WILLIAM L. ALLTON, who is associated with his son in the ownership of the elevator at Swanders, O., is one of the well known and reliable business men of Franklin township. He was born in Logan county, O., February 3, 1856, and is a son of Albert G. and Martha M. (Wheeler) Allton.
Albert G. Allton was a farmer and lumber man and belonged to a pioneer family of Logan county. He married Martha M. Wheeler and they had the following children: William L., Alfred, Seymour, John W:, Wheeler, James, Anna and Emma Florence, all surviving except Alfred, Seymour and Wheeler. Anna is the wife of James McMillen, and Emma. Florence is the wife of C. J. Graver. The grandfather of the above family was Reason Allton, who was probably born in Pennsylvania. Albert G. Allton reared his family in the faith of the Baptist church and instilled political sentiments in his sons that made them all republicans.
William L. Allton obtained a district school education and at first started out for himself as a day laborer and then went to work in a saw mill. He continued in the lumber business for twenty-eight years and was still thus interested when he first embarked in the elevator business, which was in April, 1896. He had then an old plant which was subsequently torn down, the present one being erected by the firm of William L. Allton & Bros., in 1901, Mr. Aliton's first partner being Rinehart Smith, of Sidney, O. A large business is done at Swanders, it being a fine shipping point, and Mr. Allton largely controls the grain trade.
On October 26, 1882, Mr. Allton was married to Miss Mary Conover, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Benjamin and Maria D. (Wells) Conover, who were prominent people here. Mr. and Mrs. Allton have the following children : Emory LeRoy, who married Bertha Pearl Allen, of Shelby county, and they have one child, Eveline Lois; Clifford Conover ; and Pearl and Agnes. Two children are deceased, Alice, who died at the age of eighteen years, and her twin brother, who died in infancy. Mr. All- ton and family belong to the Reformed church. Although a very active citizen, Mr. Allton has never accepted political office except on one occasion when he served one term as trustee of Turtle Creek township. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Sidney.
JEREMIAH D. FERREE, whose valuable farm of 137 acres lies in Perry township now lives retired after a long and busy life, and is known and respected all through this section 0f the county. He was b0rn in Salem township, Shelby county, April 28, 1845, and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Dixon) Ferree.
Daniel Ferree was born in Adams county, Pa., and died in Miami county, Ind., in March, 1892, He married Eliza Dixon, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and who lived to the unusual age of 103 years, passing away on January 12, 1912, at the home of her son, Jeremiah D., where she had been tenderly cared for for fifteen years previously. Daniel Ferree and wife had three children : Anna, who is the wife of George M. Gamble; Jeremiah D.; and Edwin A., who lives in Kentucky.
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Jeremiah D. Ferree was still young when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Co. G, 1st O. Vol. Cav., in which organization he was promoted to be first sergeant, and during the whole period of service was a brave, efficient and obedient soldier, winning the admiration of his comrades on many occasions and the approbation of his commanding officers. During one part of his service he was engaged in very dangerous work, although the entire period of a soldier's life is filled with danger, but on this occasion the hazard and danger were more than usual. A call for volunteers came for a secret mission and Mr. Ferree was one of those who exhibited courage and enlisted for this mission under Capt. Yeoman. The first indication of the nature of their work was when all were given Confederate uniforms and thus they marched in a certain direction all through one day up to midnight, when the captain told them that their mission was to capture Jefferson Davis, for whom a reward was offered by the Government, amounting to $100,000. Although every man at this stage was given a chance to retire from the pursuit not one gave up, and such was their diplomacy that they mingled every day with Confederate soldiers without having their disguise penetrated, and each day a secret courier was sent back to General Wilson, their commander. The subsequent capture of Davis is a matter of history and the prize money was distributed between the soldiers of the 4th Michigan, the 1st Wisconsin and Captain Yeoman's brave squad of thirty-five men. Mr. Ferree took part in all the closing events of the war in which his regiment participated and was honorably discharged at Columbus, 0., September 27, 1865. After his return from the army he completed his education and took a commercial course at Dayton, 0., following which he taught one term of school in Shelby county. Later for some years he was in the saw mill business in Shelby county and then took up farming and continued until he retired from hard work.
Mr. Ferree was married September 29, 1870, to Miss Arvesta Line, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of D. M. and Sarah A. Line, and a granddaughter of Henry C. Line and of Solomon and Hannah (Rut- man) Robeson. Mr. Ferree's paternal grandparents were Jacob and Elizabeth (LeFevre) Ferree, and the maternal, Haines and Elizabeth (Souder) Dixon, the former of whom was a Methodist preacher. Mrs. Ferree was the eldest born of her parents' family, the others being : Easton, Henry and Charles S.; Agnes I., who became the wife of Jacob Piper ; Dewitt F., Ellwood S. and Morris Robison; and Olive May, who married Arthur T. Culbertson.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferree have four children, all of whom occupy rather prominent positions in life. The eldest son, Ernest Franklin, is a well known attorney in Indiana. Judson A. is a successful physician of Dayton, O. He married Minnie Connor and they have two children : Marjorie and Virginia. Clarence E. is a man of scientific attainments and is professor of psychology, at Bryn Mawr College, Pa. Grace Agnes, the youngest, is a teacher in the school of domestic science at the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree were reared in the Methodist faith and attend that church.
720 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
Politically Mr. Ferree is a republican and for nine years served as a justice of the peace. He is a Knight Templar Mason, attached to the Commandery at Sidney, O.
ORLA A. BAKER, who is one of the substantial men of Shelby county, O., the owner of two farms aggregating 204 acres, situated in Perry township, and a member of the firm of Baker & Harris, implement dealers at P0rt Jefferson, O., is one of the enterprising young business men of this section. He was born on his father's farm in Perry township, August 31, 1881, and is a son of Martin A. and Christena (Smith) Baker. The father died in February, 1909, but the mother survives and resides at Jackson Center. The family consisted of three children : Ida, who is the wife of Cory Hoak ; Orla A., and Elza A.
In the public schools of Perry township Orla A. Baker secured his education, after which he became interested in agricultural pursuits and successfully carried on farming and moderate stock raising, confining himself to the same until 1910, when he became interested additionally at Port Jefferson and since March 1, 1912, he has been the senior member of the firm of Baker & Harris. This firm carries a full line of hardware and handles all kinds of agricultural implements. While Mr. Baker cannot be regarded as a politician, he is a stanch democrat and gives loyal support to his party's candidates and without asking for political preferment for himself.
On December 31, 1903, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Ella E. Zedeker, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Oliver and Margaret (Lawhead) Zedeker. Mrs. Baker has one brother, Clyde. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one son, Ralph Emerson, who was born May 3, 1906. They are members of the Disciples church. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Maplewood, and with the Knights of Khorasan at Sidney, O.
ORRIN C. STALEY, who resides on his well improved farm of 100 acres which lie in Salem township, additionally, in partnership with his brother, Roger W., owns a valuable tract of thirty-eight acres, situated in Perry township, and is one of the well kn0wn men of Shelby county, belonging to a family established here by his grandfather eighty-one year ago. He was born in Salem township, Shelby county, O., east of Port Jefferson, January 17, 1871, and is a son of Oliver C. and Anna (Cargill) Staley.
Oliver C. Staley was born in Shelby county in 1847, a son of William Staley, who was born in Montgomery county, O., in 1821, and came with his father, John Staley, to Salem township, this county, in 1831. In 1844 William Staley married Barbara Harshbarger, daughter of Jonas and Hettie (Jacobs) Harshbarger and they had four children. In 1869 Oliver C. Staley married Anna Cargill and two sons were born t0 them : Orrin C. and Roger W. The mother of these sons still lives on the homestead on section 20, Salem township, but the father died in February, 1911. He was a representative man in his township and county, was a school teacher in his youth and later served in numerous township offices and for four years was county treasurer.
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PAGE - 722 - PICTURE OF MARTIN QUINLISK
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Orrin C. Staley attended the public schools in Salem township and afterward, for four years, the schools of Port Jefferson. Both he and brother early began to give practical assistance on the farm and after their school days were over the entire management was turned over to them. During the mother's lifetime the homestead of 209 acres belongs to her but, by the terms of the father's will, the sons are expected to finally come into the property. Mr. Staley is an enterprising and intelligent farmer and takes pride in keeping his place in fine condition. His father was one of the organizers and was president of the Farmers Telephone Company and Mr. Staley is a member of its board of directors and one of the stockholders.
On September 20, 1893, Mr. Staley was married to Miss Blanche Leapley, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Otho H. and Mary (Stone) Leapley. Mrs. Staley has three brothers and one sister : Charles E., Quinn, J. R., and Anna, who is the wife of A. N. Wooley. Mr. and Mrs. Staley have three children : Lova, Homer and Mary, all of whom are being given every advantage in the power of their parents. In politics Mr. Staley is a democrat but in local matters exercises discretion in casting his vote. He has served in the councils of his party on several occasions and has long been a member of the school board. Fraternally Mr. Staley confines his interest to the order of Odd Fellows and is identified with the lower branch at Port Jefferson and the Encampment at Sidney. With his family he attends and gives a liberal support to the Baptist church at Sidney.
HON. MARTIN QUINLISK, a retired farmer now residing at Sidney, 0., occupying his comfortable residence at No. 433 S. Main street, is one of the leading men of Shelby county and for many years was active and useful in public office. He was born in Ireland, August 1, 1845, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Gleason) Quinlisk.
In 1848 the parents of Mr. Quinlisk came to America and for several years they lived on a farm in Butler county, 0., in 1852 cooling to Shelby c0unty and renting a farm in Orange township for ten years. Patrick Quinlisk then bought a farm in Green township, containig 120 acres and continued to live there until the close of his life, when aged about sixty years. He and wife were members of the Catholic church.
Martin Quinlisk was only a boy when his father rented land in Orange township, and he became so attached to that place that in later years he bought the same farm, containing 160 acres. He attended school when his father could spare him and helped to clear and drain the Green township farm. He owns 230 acres all located in Orange township and carried on farming and stock raising until in February, 1911, when he came to Sidney. He has always been a stanch democrat and an effective party worker and in 1893 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and served until September 19, 1900, a period of six years and nine months. He served also on the fair board for four years, for three years being president of that body. His party had higher honors still for Mr. Quinlisk, in the spring of 1912 placing him on the democratic ticket for state representative, and his election followed in
724 - HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
November, 1912. Mr. Quinlisk is admirably qualified for high public office, being a man of superior judgment and of known personal integrity.
In 1877 Mr. Quinlisk was married to Miss Elizabeth Maloney, who was born in Miami county, O. They are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Quinlisk belongs to the fraternal order of Knights of Columbus.
PAUL HARRIS, who is one of the younger business men of Port Jeffer- son, junior member of the firm of Baker & Harris, dealers in hardware and farm implements, was born on his father's farm in Logan county, O., April 4, 1888. He is a son of John W. and Matilda (Shick) Harris.
The Harris and Shick families are representative ones in Logan county and the older members had much to do with the making and carrying out of laws and statutes for the general welfare. Like other pioneer families of their day they engaged in road making and school and church building and made law abiding communities in which to rear children who now reflect honor on them. John W. and Matilda Harris had the following children born to them : Emmett, Elizabeth, Iva, Chester and George.
Paul Harris was reared and educated in Logan county and mainly spent his time on the home farm prior to March I, 1912, when he came to Port Jefferson and entered into his present partnership. The firm of Baker and Harris handles both shelf and heavy hardware and all the leading makes of agricultural implements, and their patronage comes from a wide surrounding territory.
In politics Mr. Harris is a democrat but is no seeker for office as at present he finds his time sufficiently employed with his own business problems. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and he reared in the Methodist faith. He is an enterprising young man in his business relations and through a pleasing personality has many friends in social life.
WYANT A. DE WEESE, who is operating his wife's farm of eighty acres, which is a part of the Gearhart estate and lies in. Perry township, Shelby county, O., is one of the best known and highly regarded citizens of the county in which for over twenty-five years he has been a successful school teacher. The De Weese name is well known throughout Shelby county in other connections for the family has long been one of sturdy character in this section. He was born on the land that his grandfather entered from the Government as early as 1804, on October 1, 1867, and is a son of Leonidas and Margaret (Thompson) De Weese.
Leonidas De Weese was born on his father's pioneer farm in Perry township, and now lives retired at Sidney, O. His first marriage was to Margaret Thompson, who died January 18, 1891, and she was the mother of eight children, namely : Laura D., who married A. L. Gibbs; Hamilton G. ; Wyant A.; Thornton N., who died September 25, 1910; Hattie M., who married A. C. Dill; Lagurna, who married W. L. C, Sturm; Bertha, who married O. S. Vance; and Thurman G., who is a bookkeeper in a bank at Norwalk, O. The second marriage of Mr. De Weese was to the widow of his brother, N.