1000 -WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. ALLEN BROWN. One of the fine farm properties of Saltcreek and East Union townships, Wayne county. Ohio. is that owned by Allen Brown, who has here maintained his home for over three score and ten years and who is known as one of the progressive and successful business men of this section of the state, and as a citizen whose life has been dominated by high principles and a determination to achieve a success worthy of the name, so that he has not been denied the fullest measure-of confidence and esteem. Such are the men who are particularly worthy of consideration in a publication of this nature, for though they have not stood in the great white light of publicity, they have been of the world's workers and have played well their assigned part in the making of history. The family history of Allen Brown, on the paternal side, is traced back to his grandfather, Caleb Brown, who was one of the earliest settlers in Wayne county, having entered government land in section 9, Saltcreek township, in 1816. He always followed farming and became prominent in the county's early history. He was the father of seven children, five sons. and two daughters, and all the sons attained to prominence in the county. The names of the children were Elizabeth, John, Bealy, Noah, Robert, Samuel and Sarah. Of these, Samuel, the subject's father, was born in 1800 in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and when he was sixteen years old he was brought by his parents to Wayne county, where he lived continuously until his death, which occurred in 1882. He had received a fair education in the schools of his native state and when he came to the new Ohio home his attention and energy were directed to the task of clearing the land and rendering it fit for cultivation, a task of considerable magnitude. He remained at home until his marriage, at which time he located where the subject of this sketch now lives, his home at that time being in the midst of a dense forest. He was at that time the possessor of the magnificent sum of fifty cents, which comprised his total cash capital, but, nothing daunted, he went bravely to work to carve out a fortune. He was a great worker and, despite some severe losses and other drawbacks, he eventually succeeded" in accumulating a handsome property. He was an active worker in the interest of the Democratic party and was a persistent and skillful debater on political questions. He was not an office seeker, however, though he did serve one term as constable. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and active in the work of the society, being one of the most prominent men in his church. From boyhood he was a licensed exhorter and class leader. He, with the assistance of the Armstrongs, founded the Methodist Episcopal church at Fredericksburg and always gave that society WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1001 an earnest and liberal support. In addition to agriculture, he was a lover of horses. being considered one of the best judges of horseflesh in the county. and he dealt very extensively in them. He married Sarah Armstrong, whose parents were natives of Ireland, and she was born on the Atlantic ocean while they were en route to the United States in one of the old-fashioned slow-going sailing vessels. The Armstrong family was one of the first to settle in this part of Wayne county. To Samuel and Sarah Brown nine children were born, namely : Jane. who is the wife of Mr. Bartol, of Wooster, Ohio; Robert. Elizabeth. Christine. John. Rachael and Margaret are deceased ; Allen. the subject of this sketch : Whiteman. deceased. Allen Brown was reared on the paternal homestead and secured his education in the old district schools of the county, though he was enabled to attend school nearer home than his older brothers and sisters had done, they .being compelled to go to the neighborhood of Maysville. where the nearest school was located. Mr. Brown remained with his parents and when old enough he gave unmistakable evidence of that progressive spirit which marks his subsequent life. going into the threshing business and buying one of the first horse-power machines in this section of the country He has spent his entire life in the pursuit of agriculture and in this line he has been succeSsful to a gratifying degree. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty-six acres of fine land, one hundred and sixty acres being located in Saltcreek township and eighty-six acres in East Union township. The land is well improved and maintained in the best possible condition. and on it Mr. Brown raises all the crops common to this section of the country. When about fifty years old, Mr. Brown went into the horse business and as a further evidence of his progressive spirit he determined to start right and accordingly he sent to Belgium and imported two of the finest stallions ever seen in this part of the county, one being a Clyde and the other a Norman. He was the pioneer heavy-horse breeder here and soon acquired a reputation as a successful and practical horse man. About twenty years ago he decided to advertise his horses by giving an exhibition of their colts, which was held at his farm. It was the most successful affair of the kind ever held in the county and at that time was the first affair of the kind ever held here. Mr. Brown had a brass band hired for the occasion and food of allkinds in abundance was provided that the guests might be made as comfortable as possible, and in addition to the exhibition of the horses and colts there were a number of speeches by prominent men. The affair was a decided success and gave Mr. Brown and his horses an advertisement that they could have secured in no other way. Mr. Brown carried on the horse business a number of years, but since losing the sight of his right eye he has practically retired from active labor and is living practically retired. 1002 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. In politics Mr. Brown has always been a Democrat and supports that ticket on national elections, but in local elections he is independent, believing that the personal fitness of the candidates should be considered regardless of party lines. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Apple Creek. to which he gives an earnest and generous support. On the 22d of February, 1866, Mr. Brown was married to Emily Musser, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Musser, natives of Switzerland and early settlers here, Mrs. Brown having been born March 17, 1841, on what is now the Crosby farm. To this union have been born five children, namely : William C., at home ; Louis, who is in the plumbing business at Loraine, Ohio, married Sophia Hofacre, and they have three children, Bessie, Nellie and Leonard ; Anna, a twin of Louis, is the wife of L. C. Huguelet, of Akron, Ohio, and they have two children, Lyman and Grace; Mina became the wife of James Graber, of near Mount Eaton, this county, and they have one child, Harlan ; Rosa became the wife of Lyman Critchfield, Jr., of Wooster, and they are the parents of three children, Robert, Henry and Dorothy. William C., who remains at home with his parents, and who has assumed the burden of looking after the farm, is an enterprising and progressive man and has evinced qualities which stamp him as a man of unusual calibre. He has received a good education and is a man of decided literary tastes, and has given effective and appreciated service at various times as the local correspondent for the Orrville and Wooster papers. He is a successful hog raiser and his up-to-date hog barn is well arranged and is equipped with a feed grinder, run by a gasoline engine, which has proven a great convenience, much corn being ground here for the neighboring farmers as well. Mr. Brown is unmarried and devotes himself to the best interests of his parents, to whom he is devoted. He is a lover of the home life and is a close and critical reader of the best literature. Because of his sterling qualities of character he enjoys the high regard and the unbounded confidence of all who know him, his friends being in number as his acquaintances. JOHN W. BUCHANAN, M. D. "We build the ladder by which we rise" is a truth which is certainly applicable in the case of the subject of this sketch. He is a type of the progressive spirit of the age,—a spirit which has given America pre-eminence along its various business lines,—and the undaunted enterprise, indomitable WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1003 perseverance and resolute purpose which have characterized his career have been the means of raising him to a position of eminence in the business world. In the past ages the history of a country was comprised chiefly in the record of its wars and conquests. Today history is largely a record of commercial activity and those whose names are foremost in the annals of the nation are those who have become leaders in business circles. The conquests now made are those of mind Over matter and the victor is he who can most successfully establish, control and operate commercial interests. Mr. Buchanan is unquestionably one of the strongest and most influential men whose lives have become an essential part of the history of Wayne county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time are the chief characteristics of the man. These, combined with everyday common sense and guided by a strong will power, are concomitants which will insure success in any undertaking. John W. Buchanan is a native son of Wayne county, Ohio, his birth having occurred in Chester township on the 27th of September, 1860. His father, George R. Buchanan, also was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, his birth occurring in Wayne township in 1823. His death occurred on the l0th of March, 1904, at the age of eighty-one years. In his youth,. George Buchanan had received a good common school education and on attaining mature years he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, while in summer he labored on the farm. In 1849 he yielded to the allurements of the California gold fields and spent three years in that state. He was successful in his search for the precious metal and was enabled to bring back to the East several thousand dollars. He then entered the mercantile business at Jeromeville. Ashland county, this state, but a short time afterwards he returned to his native county and assumed charge of the home farm, remaining there until his death. He had added to the home farm from time to time and at the time of his death was the owner of extensive landed interests. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and in his life he exemplified the religion which he professed. He was a man who exerted a wide and beneficial influence in the community, holding the unbounded confidence of all who knew him. He was twice married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Mary Dunham, and she died at Jeromeville, their only child having died at birth. On December 22, 1857, Mr. Buchanan married Lydia Firestone, the daughter of David and Elizabeth Firestone, who were natives of Pennsylvania. where they both died. To this union were born seven children, namely : Franklin, Sidney, Ira, all of whom are deceased ; John W., the subject of this sketch; Cynthia; Alice, the wife of Harvey L. Piper ; Mary E. and Edward. 1004 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. John W. Buchanan was reared by his parents on the home farm. In young manhood he attended the district schools of the neighborhood during the winter seasons, while in summers he assisted in the manifold duties of the farm. Subsequently he spent two and a half years at Wooster University, when, having definitely decided to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the Cleveland Medical College and later the Ohio Medical College. He eventually matriculated in the Kentucky School of Medicine, where he was graduated on June 2, 1882, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession at Lodi, Ohio, but remained there but a short time, removing to Mansfield, Ohio. In October, 1884, he finally located at Smithville, where he continued in the practice of the healing art, meeting with the most gratifying success. He continued actively in the practice until within a few years, when his extensive business interests compelled him to retire from the active practice. The Doctor while in the practice stood admittedly in the front rank of Wayne county's distinguished professional men, possessing a thoroughly disciplined mind and keeping in close touch with the trend of modern thought relating to the noble calling to which his life and energies were devoted. He ever maintained his high standing, never descending beneath the dignity of his profession nor compromising his usefulness by countenancing any but noble and legitimate practice. The apparent ease with which he mounted to a commanding position in the healing art marked him as the possessor of talents beyond the majority of his professional brethren and, being a close and critical student, he experienced no difficulty in sustaining the high reputation which his professional abilities and marked success earned for him. Doctor Buchanan and wife are the owners of seven hundred and fifty acres of land in Wayne county, Ohio, besides large holdings of land in Florida and Georgia, which is rapidly increasing in value. He is a stockholder, a member of the board of directors and vice-president of the Uncle Sam Oil Company, a powerful and successful corporation, which is capitalized at sixty-one millions of dollars and operating in Kansas and the Indian Reserve, where it owns hundreds of producing wells, besides miles of pipe lines and many refineries. This company is officered as follows : President, J. W. Tucker ; vice-president, J. W. Buchanan; secretary, H. H. Tucker ; treasurer, Frank Goble. The Doctor is also a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the United Steel Plant, of Canton, Ohio, which is capitalized at one and a half millions. The Doctor is also interested in a number of other enterprises and his time is fully taken up with his business interests. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1005 On the 14th of October, 1882, Doctor Buchanan was united in marriage to Lizzie I. Staman, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, November 18, 1865, a daughter of Henry N. and Susan A. Staman. Henry Staman was a man of splendid education and fine personal qualities and was a teacher of wide experience and eminent success. He is now deceased and his widow is making her home with her (laughter, Mrs. Buchanan. To Doctor and Mrs. Buchanan have been horn the following children : Clarence Staman, born February 28. 1884, married Arleen Curtis, of Denver, Colorado. April 19, 1938 ; John Arthur. horn April I I, 1887; Daisy M., born September 26, 1889; Mary A.. born December 20, 1892 ; Walter Firestone, born September 8, 1899. Fraternally Doctor Buchanan is a member of Smithville Lodge, Knights of Pythias. while in his political belief he is an ardent believer in the doctrines of the Republican party and he takes an active interest in the success of his party, though he is not in any sense a seeker after public office or preferment of any nature. In the lives of such men as Doctor Buchanan there is particular justification for works of this nature—not only because their lives are such as to gain them a wide reputation and the admiration of their fellow men, but that they have Leen true to their opportunities and have shown such attributes of character as entitle them to the regard of all, and have been useful in their spheres of action. In the midst of the thronging demands of a busy life the Doctor is always approachable, being gracious in his association with his fellow men and enjoying a personal popularity which is a natural result of his characteristics. Mrs. Buchanan is a woman of many estimable qualities and kindly manner and is well liked in the social circles in which she moves. LABAN FUNK. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is an uncle of W. D. Funk, whose biography appears on another page of this work, and who is a member of a well known old family. Laban Funk was born in Plain township, Wayne county. August 24, I845, the son of Hugh and E. K. (Cornell) Funk, the former horn near Kingston, Virginia, and the latter horn in Mercer county. Pennsylvania. in 1809. The subjects paternal grandparents were Jacob and Percella Morgan) Funk, who, in 1812, came to Wayne county, Ohio. and settled a half mile south of Shreve. where they entered a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, Mr. Funk having cleared much of the land. 1006 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. He was drafted to serve on Perry's fleet on the Great Lakes during the war of 1812. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Cornell, was a native of New Jersey, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1816 and settled near Shreve. He, too, had the distinction of serving on Perry's fleet. After the close of the war he returned to his farm here and lived to be eighty-four years of age. However, he moved from Wayne to Crawford county, Ohio, and in 1834 he moved to Porter county, Indiana, being the first white settler in the southern part of that county, which was then the home of the red men. He lived there until his death, owning at that time five hundred and twenty acres. Hugh Funk was ten years of age when he came to Wayne county, having driven a herd of sheep and cows from Virginia. On this arduous journey, his mother rode horseback, carrying a baby. Hugh's education was very limited, but he became a shrewd business man. He settled where the subject now lives in Plain township in 1834, having cleared most of the place. He was among the first men in the locality to become a Republican, and although he took an active part in party affairs, he never desired public office. In his family were seven children. Laban Funk, subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and he has always followed farming. His parents were the pioneers of the Christians in Plain township, having been converted under the ministry of the noted Alexander Campbell. They were charter members of three different congregations. In 1877 Laban Funk moved to Porter county, Indiana, but returned here in 1903. He was married in 1876 to Elizabeth Bair and the following children have been born to them : Effie, living in Washington, D. C. ; Carson, living in Wisconsin ; Corwin, deceased ; Elizabeth and Zola, both living in Indiana; Lyda Loos died in early childhood. Politically Mr. Funk is a Republican, and he has also worked in the temperance cause. JAMES A. YARGER. It is interesting to study the career of such a man as J. A. Yarger, who has succeeded in the material affairs of this life not because he was the child of inherited fortune or that some one has helped him, but because he has diligently applied his energies in the proper channels. He 'is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, where he was born February 22, 1874, the son of John H. and Catherine A. Yarger. He lived on the home farm until he was fifteen WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1007 years of age. He received his education in the common schools, and began his business career by learning the milling trade. When sixteen years of age, being ambitious to advance himself, he attended night school and received a very serviceable education. While an apprentice in the milling business he served three years for ten dollars per month, the last year receiving twenty-five dollars. He was very adept in this line of work and was given a position in some of the best mills of the county, while yet a mere boy holding the responsible position of head miller, and he has ever since held important posts in many large mills, his services being in great demand owing to his skill and thorough knowledge of this line and his faithfulness to duty. He was in Janesville, Wisconsin, for four years, having been connected with the Blodgett Milling Company, in which he was a stockholder. For a short time he was with the Eckhart & Swan Milling Company of Chicago, also the Burger-Anderson Company's mill and with the Hardesty Brothers at Canal Dover for about two years. He traveled on the road selling flour and other mill products. In the spring of 1908 he purchased the Sellers mill at Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio, which he has repaired by painting and general overhauling until he has now one of the best mills in the county, well equipped for turning out high-grade flour and other products and the mill is very popular in the eastern part of the county. It has a capacity of eighty barrels per day. Recently this mill has been consolidated with another one at Dalton and Mr. Yarger is treasurer and manager of the new concern. Mr. Yarger also owns one-half interest in the Canton (Ohio) Hay and Grain Company, which is doing a good business. He is the owner of a splendid residence property in Canton, and he is interested in the Dalton Driving Park Association in his home city. He has been very successful in whatever he has been interested. Also he is a director and manager of the Noble Oil and Gas Campany, of Canton, Ohio. Mr. Yarger was flurried to Arma Amendt, a native of Medina county, this state, where she was born in 1875 and where her family has long been prominent. To this union two children have been born, William F., March 3, 1894, and Ethyline, December 12, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Yarger are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, also members of the Bible class and the Sunday school. Mr. Yarger is a member of the State Millers' Association and the Illinois Traveling Men's Association. Politically he is a Republican, but independent in local affairs. Fie has won a reputation wherever he has been for fairness and honorable dealing with his fellow men in every respect. He is a good mixer and well liked by all who know him for his industry and excellent personal traits. 1008 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. JAMES CUTTER SCOTT. Another of the native sons of the Buckeye state who has here passed his entire life and by his energy, integrity and progressive methods attained a high degree of success, is Mr. Scott, whose farm homestead of one hundred and sixty-four acres lies in section 23, about four miles east of the town of Fredericksburg. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, since his grandfather was one of the earliest settlers in this section of the state, and that he has attained his prosperity by worthy means is evident from the unqualified esteem in which he is held in the community where the greater portion of his life has been passed. James C. Scott was born on the l0th of November, 1862, in Saltcreek township ,Wayne county, Ohio, and is a son of William and Charity (Cutter) Scott. William Scott was born in Franklin township, Wayne county, January 12, 1837, and was the son of James Scott, who was one of the earliest pioneers of this county. He was a farmer and was a man of splendid standing among those who knew him. William Scott secured a limited education in the subscription schools of that early day, but he was a close observer of men and things and was generally considered a very well-informed man. He was possessed of those sterling qualities of character which make a man of force in a community and his support and influence were always given to those movements which promised to benefit the community in which he lived. He remained with his parents, assisting in the labors of the farm, until his marriage, which occurred in 1861, when he located on the farm which is now operated by the subject of this sketch, where he remained until about seven years prior to his death. He there made many permanent and substantial improvements and was regarded as an energetic and progressive agriculturist. He also owned an interest in what was known as the Scott & Munson mill at Apple Creek, and his death occurred suddenly while at work in this mill on April 27, 1897. He was not much of a politician, but was well known throughout the county, having for a number of years been heavily engaged in the buying and selling of stock, his business taking him to all parts of the county. In religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life was consistent with his profession. He was domestic in his tastes and cared little for social life away from home, consequently never joined any fraternity. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Charity Cutter, was born in Franklin township, Wayne county, and there she spent her early life. Her parents, who also were early settlers of that locality, had the following children : Jane C. and Laura E., who married a Mr. Gabriel. The mother of these children died on the 22d WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1009 of March, 1869, and subsequently Mr. Scott married Mary L. Burbridge, who is now living at Fredericksburg. To this union were born five children, namely : Ida May, who died in infancy ; Burton R., of Saltcreek township, this county ; Elmer Ray, deceased ; Victor, of Fredericksburg ; Herschell, who is a resident of California. The subject of this sketch was reared to the life of a farmer and secured his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He remained at home until he had reached the age of twenty-three years, when he was married and started out in life for himself. He is the owner of one of the fine farms of the township, in which he takes a justifiable pride, as the place has been brought up to and maintained at its present high standard of agricultural excellence through his persistent efforts. He is progressive in his methods, keeping in close touch with the-latest advances in the science of agriculture, and he has been rewarded with very gratifying results in his operations. His buildings, fences, machinery and other accessories all indicate the owner to be a man of sound judgment and wise discrimination and he is held in high esteem because of the results which he has attained. He conducts farming along general lines, raising all the crops common to this section of the country and also gives some attention to the raising of livestock. In 1886 Mr. Scott took unto himself a helpmeet in the person of Ella M. Stauffer, who was born in Saltcreek township, this county, September 2, 1865. Her father, John Stauffer, was a native of Germay, and came to the United States in his youth, becoming one of the early settlers of Wayne county. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott the following children have been born : Lenora, aged twenty-one years; Orpha, aged nineteen ; Stella, aged seventeen ; Minnie, aged fifteen ; Lloyd, aged twelve; Reva, aged ten ; Mabel, aged eight ; Mildred, aged three. Their first born died in infancy. Mr. Scott has been progressive and public spirited and has for a good many years run a threshing machine in season, being well known in this capacity throughout the county. In many other ways he shows his enterprising spirit and any movement looking to the improvement of the community in any way receives his endorsement and support. He has taken a live and commendable interest in local public affairs and during the past six years he has been rendering efficient service as trustee of the township. He is an ardent supporter of the Democratic ticket and is one of the leaders of the party in the county. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which faith he was reared, the members of his family also being members of this society. Because of his genial disposition and fine personal qualities, he has won and retains a host of warm personal friends. (64) 1010 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. GEORGE C. BIDLE. The general public has ever taken great pleasure in tracing the history of a man who started on life's career handicapped in many ways, but who, notwithstanding innumerable obstacles, pushed forward manfully and finally reached the goal of success set before him. The career of the widely known and public-spirited citizen whose name appears above affords an impressive example of what energy, directed and controlled by correct moral principles, can accomplish in overcoming an unfavorable environment and lifting its possessor from a comparatively humble origin to a position of usefulness and comparative affluence. Mr. Bidle is too well known in East Union township to need an elaborate formal introduction. Eminently a self-made man, having carved his own way in the world, and honestly earning every dollar in his possession, he ranks with the most enterprising and successful of his compeers and has won a name and reputation which place him among the representative citizens of his native county. George C. Bidle traces his ancestral line to Philip Bidle, who was a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, where he was reared and married. In 1852 he brought his family to the United States, the slow-going sailing vessel on which they took passage requiring fifty-two days to cross the Atlantic. The family located in Stark county, Ohio, where the father was employed at day labor. He eventually acquired a small piece of land, but never succeeded in getting much ahead financially. He was the father of eight children, six daughters and two sons. Of these, all the daughters are still living. Of the sons, John Bidle, the subject's father, was born at the ancestral home in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1838, and in 1852 accompanied the family on their emigration to the United States. During his boyhood and young manhood it was necessary for him to labor constantly to assist in the support of the family, in consequence of which he was not enabled to attend school after coming to this country, his education being confined to this training in the German schools. He continued to work at day labor and he also acquired a small farm, to which he devoted his attention as far as possible when not otherwise engaged. He was a hard worker and succeeded in keeping his family in fair circumstances. He married Nancy Stauffer and to them were born three children, namely : One that died in infancy unnamed ; George C., the subject of this sketch, and Melissa A. George C. Bidle was reared by his parents and in his youth he was enabled to attend the common schools, securing a fair education. During his minority he worked as a farm hand, and after he attained his majority he WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1011 retained his own wages, which prior to that time had been faithfully given to assist in the support of the family. From this time on Mr. Bidle made rapid progress. He was a hard worker, a good manager, and exercised a wise economy, so that in due time he found himself in a position to buy land. In 1893 he bought ninety-seven acres and later, in 1898, he bought eighty-three acres of land located in section 21, now owning one hundred and eighty acres, and this land he occupied in 1906 and has since devoted himself faithfully to its cultivation. A number of splendid improvements have been made on the place by Mr. Bidle, including a large, commodious and well-arranged barn, and in many other respects he has shown his good judgment and wise discrimination. He carries on a general line of farming and also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, on both of which lines of effort he is meeting with a very gratifying degree of success. Starting with practically nothing excepting a pair of ready hands and a stout and willing heart, he persistently fought his way upward step by step and today his land alone is conservatively estimated to be worth at least sixteen thousand dollars. On Christmas day, 1888, Mr. Bidle married Lulu Craven, who was born October 17, 1868, the (laughter of John and Elizabeth (McIntire) Craven. Both of her parents are natives of Wayne county and are now living in Wooster township. Mrs. Bidle was reared on a farm and received a good practical common school education. To the subject and wife have been born four children, namely : John W., born April I0, 1890; Charles W., born August 3o, 1891; George W., born March 17, 1905; Elizabeth N., born April 28. 1906. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Bidle are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Apple Creek, of which Mr. Bidle is a member Of the board of trustees and his wife is an active member of the Ladies' Aid Society. In politics Mr. Bidle is a Democrat and has served as trustee of East Union township and as a member of the school board. By a life of consistent endeavor and right living, Mr. Bidle has earned and retains the unbounded confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens throughout the township in which he lives. IRVIN O. STAIR. A name deserving of mention in a work of the character of this history, which has to do with the progressive and honorable citizens of Wayne county, is that of I. O. Stair, who, by a life of consecutive endeavor along praise- 1012 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. worthy lines, has succeeded in establishing a good home and maintaining the excellent reputation of his forbears. He was born December 20, 1865, in Plain township, Wayne county, the son of Fred Stair, a highly honored citizen of this county. The subject was educated in the district schools of his native township, and early in life he turned his attention to farming, which he has always followed in a very successful manner. He is now the owner of ninety-three acres of highly improved land on which he conducts a general farming business. He keeps some good stock and has a nice home and all the farming implements that he can use in the successful operations on his farm. Mr. Stair was married on December 22, 1887, to Eva Rebecca Bechtel, daughter of T. O. Bechtel, who is mentioned at length in another part of this work. She was born, reared and educated, in Plain township, and she has borne her husband the following children : Glen O. and Ethel May, the latter dying March 30, 1908. The mother of these children passed to her rest on April 25, 1909. Glen O. Stair was married on June 20, 1909, to Edna May Swartz, and they have a son, Earl Allen, born March 21, 1910. Mr. Stair and family are members of the Reformed church at Reeds-burg. Politically he is a Democrat, but he prefers to devote his time to his individual affairs rather than mingle in politics. WILLIAM MUSSER. The life of the subject of this review has been such as to bear aloft the high standard which had been maintained by his father, who was one of the pioneers of Wayne county and whose life was signally noble, upright and useful,—one over which falls no shadow of wrong, in thought, word or deed. Such was the type of man who laid the foundations and aided in the development of this favored section of the Buckeye state, and to their memories will ever be paid a tribute of reverence and gratitude by those 'who have profited by their well-directed endeavors and appreciated the lessons of their lives. William Musser was born in Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 9th of June, 1835, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah S. (McDonald) Musser. Jacob Musser was born in canton Bern, Switzerland, in 1800, and Sarah McDonald was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, February 16, 1808, the daughter of a Revolutionary veteran, her father having served with Washington. Jacob Musser came to the United States in 1816 with a family WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1013 named Summers, and came at once to Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained about six years. He was a carpenter by trade and here he was steadily employed at his trade. He was economical and at the end of the period indicated he returned to his native land for a year's visit with his parents. Returning then to the United States, he went first to Shenandoah county, Virginia, where he was married and soon afterward came to Wayne county. The trip was made by horseback, and on their arrival here they located in Salt-creek township, where Mr. Musser worked at. the carpentering trade, building many of the best houses in the community. He was a good workman and enjoyed a good repute among those who knew of him and his work. In later life he took up the vocation of farming, having acquired his land through earnest and persistent labor at the carpenter's bench. His first real estate purchase was in Saltcreek township, the land being now owned by Howard Crosby. This land was partly cleared when he acquired possession of it and he erected a comfortable house and made other permanent and substantial improvements. After selling this property some years later he moved to East Union township, where he made his home until his death, on December 23, 1881. His wife died September 18, 1900. They were the parents of four children, namely : William, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Catherine, who became the wife of L. C. Reichenbaugh and lives in East Union township ; Lucy is the wife of a Mr. Smith and lives in Paint township, this county; Emily, the wife of a Mr. Brown, of Saltcreek township. Jacob Musser was domestic in his tastes, preferring the companionship of his wife and family to any other, and he had no inclination to mix in politics. He was formerly a Democrat, but on the outbreak of the Civil war he allied himself with the Republican party, with which he remained identified afterwards. He belonged to no church or lodge, but enjoyed a widespread reputation for his absolute honesty and fair dealing in business affairs. William Musser was reared under the parental roof and attended the district schools. Though these early schools were crude in equipment and somewhat primitive in educational methods, Mr. Musser was a good student and succeeded in securing a fair education. He has always been a close reader and is considered a well-informed man on topics generally. He was early inured to the labors of a farm and has continued to follow that pursuit all his life. He remained at home until his marriage, when he moved onto land in section 3, Saltcreek township, and here he has lived continuously since. He owns about two hundred and thirty acres of fine land, all of which is under cultivation excepting about thirty acres of good timber land. Here he has carried on a general system of farming and has achieved a distinctive success 1014 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. along this line. The place was partly cleared when he secured possession, but the present buildings have been erected by the subject, who has made other substantial improvements. The condition of the soil has been carefully looked after, the fences are kept in good condition, and in all ways Mr. Musser has given evidence of his capability and enterprise in this honorable calling. Mr. Musser married Caroline Emick, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Emick, natives of Baden, Germany. These parents were married in the Fatherland and had several children when they settled in Wayne county, where Mrs. Musser was born on the 2d of June, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Musser are the parents of four children, namely : Emma, who is the wife of Arthur Senff, of Apple Creek, this county ; Sydna Ann, at home ; Harvey, deceased; Charles, of Saltcreek township, married Lulu Bale and they have two children, Mildred and Howard. In matters political Mr. Musser is inclined to support the Republican ticket on national issues, but in local affairs he is independent. He has never made any effort to secure public preferment, though he served on the school board for twenty years, giving efficient and appreciated service in that capacity, and at one time he was the nominee of his party for county commissioner, but he made no effort to be elected. In religion, the family are members of the Reformed church at Apple Creek. At one time Mr. Musser was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is now non-affiliated. Mr. Musser is recognized as one of the influential and progressive farmers of his native county, using marked discrimination in the conducting of his agricultural enterprises and thus winning the merited reward of definite success. He has lived in this community from his childhood and his life has been such as to gain and retain to him unqualified confidence and esteem. C. WILLIS HORN. It should be a matter of general congratulation when the younger members of a community, especially those who seem to be destined for leaders, take an active interest in the development of morals. In this age of fast living and faster dissipation of wealth in frivolous amusements, the appearance of a steady head and a firm hand to control conduct must be considered a real blessing in any neighborhood. Such a citizen is C. Willis Horn, who, while yet a young man, has won recognition as an attorney of no small calibre WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1015 and a man in whom his community may expect the future to give up many a triumph. He is a native of Dalton, Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, where the major part of his life has been spent, having first seen the light of day September 20, 1878, the son of Edward and Alice (Davidson) Horn, people of unusual traits of character. At an early age he entered the common schools of Dalton, where he made a splendid record, graduating from the high school in 1898. While attending school he worked in the shoe store of L. C. Davidson ; but not finding the mercantile business to his liking and having long had an inclination to the legal profession he entered the law office of C. M. Yocum, of Wooster, where he read law for a period of six months, then entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, this state, graduating from the law department of that institution in 1901, having made a very commendable record, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He opened an office in his native town of Dalton in 1902 and has been practicing here ever since. He met gratifying encouragement from the first and has succeeded in building up a large clientele, having established a wide reputation as a very capable and painstaking attorney, who ever looks to the interest of his clients in a manner that has won the confidence of all who know him. He is not only well versed in both criminal and civil jurisprudence, but he is a forceful and earnest speaker, his arguments convincing and logical. Mr. Horn has never assumed the responsibilities of the married state. Politically he is a Democrat and an active worker in the party. He is at present town clerk and city solicitor of Dalton. In church affairs he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He takes an interest in church and educational matters and all affairs that tend to the betterment of his community, and he has won the highest respect of all classes. JACOB A. MOSER. One of the most thoroughgoing and respected agriculturists of Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, is Jacob A. Moser, the descendant of an excellent old family. He was born in this township March 4, 1872, the son of A. P. and Mariah (Welty) ) Moser, the former born in this township July 23, 1836, the son of Peter Moser, who was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, in 1809. He came to the United States as a single man, here met and married Anna Baer, a native of the same country, and they were among the 1016 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. earliest settlers of Wayne county and here they spent the balance of their lives on the farm which they hewed from the wilderness. They were the parents of six sons and three daughters. A. P. Moser was reared in Sugar Creek township and lived here all his life, becoming a prosperous farmer and an influential man in his community. Starting in life with but little, he became the owner of one hundred and sixteen acres of good land on which he made a comfortable living. He was a public-spirited man and an earnest Christian. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, seven living in 1910. Jacob A. Moser was reared on the home farm which he assisted in developing, receiving a common school education. He remained at home until he was married in 1893 to Anna Hofstetter, who was born in Sugar Creek township October 23, 1872. Her •people were long well known here, having been among the representative farmers of their community. Mrs. Moser received a fairly good common school education in her native community. Mr. and Mrs. Moser are the parents of two children, Ellen May, born July 2, 1894, and Victor Hugo, born December 13, 1897. When Mr. Moser started out in life for himself he purchased the farm of eighty-two acres in section i 1, Sugar Creek township, going in debt for most of it, but, being a man of thrift and a good manager, he soon had the place all paid for and excellent improvements made. He has one of the finest and most comfortable homes in the township and also a good barn and out-buildings in general. He keeps some good stock and carries on general farming in a manner that yields him a good income. In fact, the larger part of his success has been in raising and dealing in stock. In politics Mr. Moser is a Democrat. He was assessor of his precinct two years. He takes much interest in whatever makes for the improvement of the community in which he has been reared and made a success of his life work.. JAMES HOWARD FISHER. It is the pride of citizens of this country that there is no limit to which natural ability, industry and honesty may not aspire. A boy born in poverty and reared under the most adverse surroundings may nevertheless break from his fetters and rise to the highest station in the land. And the qualities do not have to be of transcendant character to enable him to accomplish this result. It is more the way he does it and his skill in grasping the oppor- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1017 tunities presented, than to any remarkable qualities possessed by him. Accordingly, it is found that very often in this country the president, governor and other high public officials possess no higher ability than thousands of other citizens. They have simply taken better advantage of their circumstances than their fellows. And this truth runs through every occupation. The farmer who rises above his fellow farmers does so because he has found out how to rise above the surroundings which hold others down. Such a farmer is James H. Fisher, who owns a comfortable landed estate of one hundred acres in section 12, Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, and he is eminently entitled to representation in a volume of this character. James Howard Fisher was born in Saltcreek township, this county, on the 6th of January, 1852, and is a son of Wilson and Sarah (Chapman) Fisher. Wilson Fisher was also a native of this township, and is descended from early pioneers of this county, they having come here from Pennsylvania at a time when there had been but little done in the development of the state. They were farming folk and located on land near Fredericksburg. Wilson Fisher was a good farmer and hard worker and he carried on general farming operations with success there. Subsequently he moved to near Fremont, Williams county, and lived there until the precarious condition of his health compelled him to move back to Wayne county. He made no improvement and his death occurred in the fall of 1858. He was but twenty-eight years of age, and was a young man of bright promise for the future. He had married Sarah Chapman, who was born in Pennsylvania and came here in an early day with her parents, who located at Mount Eaton, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born three children, James H., Frank, and Mary, who lives in Pennsylvania. Some time after the death of her husband, Mrs. Fisher married George W. Boyer, Who was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, and to them was born one child, Louisa, who is now married and living in Pennsylvania. Mr. Boyer enlisted for service during the Civil war and became the captain of an ambulance train, in which capacity he was serving when he was shot and killed during the progress of a battle. Afterwards his widow became the wife of Mordecai Amos, and to that union there was born a son, Edward. James H. Fisher is indebted to the schools of Williams county for his early education, his attendance not going further than the common school. After the death of his father, at which time he was but seven years old, he was put out to work on farms in Holmes county. He was among total strangers and thereafter was not given much opportunity to attend school and was denied many other things dear to a boy. When he was nineteen years old he 1018 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. started out in life for himself and engaged in farming by the day and month and when he was twenty-two years old he was in the employ of John D. Armstrong. The following year he commenced farming for himself and has been prospered, so that today he is considered one of the successful agriculturists of the township. His career has been characterized by energetic efforts, sound judgment and wise economy, in which he has been ably assisted by his good wife, and, despite numerous obstacles and discouragements, he has forged ahead and achieved the success which ever lured him on. In addition to the cultivation of the soil, Mr. Fisher has given much attention to the raising of livestock and during the past fifteen years he has bought and shipped large numbers of animals, having been notably successful in this line of effort. Mr. Fisher has been a Republican all his life, and in 1886 was elected trustee of the township by a majority of three votes, the township being normally Democratic by ninety. In 1889 he was again the nominee of his party for the same office and this time he was elected by a majority of twenty votes, thus testifying to his popularity as a man and to the satisfactory manner in which he had discharged the duties of the office. He has been several times offered the nomination for various county offices, but has invariably declined to allow his name to go before the voters. He is one of the prominent and well-known men of the county and undoubtedly would come as near being elected as any Republican in the county. Mr. Fisher belongs to no church, but his wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Maysville, to which he gives a liberal support. On June 15, 1876, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Elizabeth Spencer, a daughter of R. W., better known as "Dick" Spencer, a native of Pennsylvania, as was also his wife. Mrs. Fisher was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on New Year's day, 1855. To this union have been born nine children, who are briefly mentioned as follows : Osborn H. married Alta Latchat and they have one child; Mary is the wife of J. J. Stoufer and they are the parents of two children ; William is at home ; Sadie is the wife of Harry Grow ; Giles ; R. Walton; Hattie is the wife of Charles Lillich ; Nettie is the wife of Bert Smedley ; John married Pearl Gordon and they are the parents of one child. Quiet and unassuming in his demeanor, he has made many friends in this township, and all are united in their high regard for 0ne who has lived an honest, industrious and upright life in their midst for so many years. A good citizen, a careful farmer and a man devoted to his friends and family, Mr. Fisher occupies an enviable place in public regard. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1019 DANIEL LEINER. What a great consolation it is to be able to say that our ancestors were people of such sterling worth that nothing derogatory was ever said about them. Daniel Leiner, one of the substantial farmers and stockraisers of East Union township, can see nothing but good results flowing from the life work of his parents and grandparents, their influence being for right living and steady industry while they lived, and many of their worthy traits have manifested themselves in the subject, whose reputation in his community is of the best. He was born in Wooster township, Wayne county, March 9, 1861, the son of George and Sofia (Parson) Leiner, the father having come to this county from Germany, where he was born; the mother also first saw the light of day in the Fatherland, where they both grew to maturity, coming to the United States in 1849. George Leiner had little of this world's goods when he landed on our shores, but, being a man of thrift, he soon had a start, first renting land, later purchased sixty-four acres in East Union township where he lived comfortably until his death, June I, 1909, his wife having preceded him to the unseen land in 1897. Mr. Leiner had reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. George Leiner eight children were horn, six of whom are living at this writing, namely : George W., August, Daniel ; Sofia, wife of Harry Frey ; Kate, wife of G. V. F. Bechtel ; Emma, wife of W. H. Long, of Orrville. Daniel Leiner was born south of Wooster and he has spent his life in Wooster and East Union townships. He was educated in the district schools, working on the home farm in the meantime. At the age of twenty-one he started in life for himself and has been engaged principally in the threshing machine business. becoming widely known as one of the leading threshing men in Wayne county, and, owing to his good management and activity, he has prospered at this. He is the owner of eighty-three acres of excellent land in East Union township where he carries on general farming very successfully. He is a breeder and raiser of heavy draft and road horses, having engaged in the same for a period of twenty years, and his stock has been the admiration of thousands throughout this locality. He is regarded as an exceptionally good judge of a horse and some high-grade ones are always to be found at his place, and he has little trouble in disposing of them at fancy prices. He has a substantial and beautifully located home and good outbuildings. Mr. Leiner has never assumed the responsibilities of the married state. In politics he has long been more or less interested and has done 1020 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. much for the success of the Democratic ticket in his locality. He very capably served as one of the county commissioners from September 17, 1900, to September 17, 1906. He has the welfare of his county at heart and any movement looking to the betterment of the same has his loyal support. He is said to be honest and straightforward in all his business transactions, consequently has long ago won the confidence and good will of all who know him. LEHMAN J. SMEDLEY. This name is one known throughout Wayne county, for here Mr. Smedley has passed his entire life and here his parents resided for many decades. He has long been recognized as one of the leading agriculturists and business men of his locality, and for many years has held a foremost place among his fellow citizens. He has been faithful to his conceptions of the duties of citizenship, ever striving to advance the interests of his fellow men. L. J. Smedley was born in East Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the anniversary of our national independence, July 4, 1854, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Halfhill) Smedley. The paternal grandfather was Jacob Smedley, who, in 1826, came to East Union township, Wayne county, settling in the southeast corner of the township, he having entered the southeast quarter of section 36. He first built a rude log cabin, in which the family lived for awhile, but in due time this was superseded by a two-story hewed log house, in which. he spent his remaining days. The subject's father afterwards possessed this old house, and after him it became the property of the subject of this sketch, but is now in other hands. Samuel and Catherine Smedley were both native of Pennsylvania and accompanied their parents to Ohio in 1826, the father being at that time ten years of age. Samuel was reared under the parental roof and at his father's death he acquired the family estate, to which he added as he was able until eventually he was the owner of two hundred and fifty-one acres of as good land as could be found in the township. He was a hard-working and industrious man and stood high among his fellows. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom one died in infancy and six are now living, namely : Cyrus S., of Paint township, this county ; Aaron H., of Paint township ; Mary, the wife of George Casteel ; Susan, wife of Levi Arnold ; Idell, wife of Albert Freed, of Oklahoma. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1021 L. J. Smedley spent his youthful days on the home farm and during the winter months he was given the advantage of attendance at the common schools of the neighborhood. He remained as his father's assistant until he had attained his majority, when he started out on his own account, renting seventy acres of his father's land. He was successful in his farming operations and eventually acquired the ownership of the land. He is progressive in his methods and has realized a handsome return from his operations, being now in fairly comfortable circumstances. In February, 1901, he left the farm and located in the town of Apple Creek, where he has since resided. He has engaged extensively in the buying and shipping of hay, which he has found a lucrative business. He is also a stockholder and a member of the hoard of directors of the Apple Creek Banking Company. In all his business affairs he has shown a shrewdness and soundness of judgment that has given him a high standing among his business associates. In politics Mr. Smedley is a stanch and uncompromising Democrat and was honored by election to the position of trustee of East Union township, in which he served for seven years to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is a member of Apple Creek Lodge No. 324, Knights of Pythias. NI r. and Mrs. Smedley are faithful members of the Apple Creek Presbyterian church, of which they are generous supporters, Mr. Smedley being a member of the board of trustees and superintendent of the Sunday school. On the 14th of August, 1879, Mr. Smedley was united in marriage to Emma Lachat, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in November, 1862. They have become the parents of three children, namely : V. W., of Iowa; Madie. the wife of John Lechot, of Orrville, this county, and Catherine, who died when seven month sold. Mr. Smedley belongs to the public-spirited, useful type of men whose ambitious and desires are directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number, and it is therefore consistent with the purpose and plan of this work that his record he given among those of other representative citizens of Wayne county. WILLIAM JACOT. Among the intelligent, progressive and enterprising men who have successfully directed their attention and labors to the noble work of husbandry in Wayne county and whose prosperity has come as the result of personal effort, is Mr. Jacot, one of the substantial and honored agriculturists of 1022 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. East Union township, and aside from his position as a sterling husbandman, he also has the honor of being the present treasurer of his township, the duties of which position he is discharging to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Mr. Jacot was born in the township in which he now resides on the 2d of March, 1868, and is a son of Julius and Sophia (Reichenbach) Jacot. These parents were both born in Switzerland, the former on March 24, 1841, and the latter on February 5, 1839. Her death occurred in East Union township July 2, 1896. After her death, her husband felt an irresistible longing for his old home in Switzerland and thither he went, and is still living there. This worthy couple were the parents of sixteen children, twelve of whom are living, namely : Fannie, the wife of John Dunham ; John L., of Medina ; Henry, deputy clerk of probate court at Wooster ; William T., the subject of this sketch ; J. C. E., principal of the public schools at Smithville, Ohio ; George W., a student at Wooster University ; Charles A., also a student at the same institution ; Albert, of Wooster ; Alexander ; Joseph, a teacher in the reformatory school at Mansfield, Ohio ; David, a teacher in the industrial school at Lancaster, Ohio ; Mary E., unmarried. William Jacot was reared on the home farm and has always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He received a fair education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and supplemented this training by attendance at the Ada Normal School. When twenty-one years of age he started out for himself, working by the month at farm labor. After his marriage in 1898 he farmed rented land for awhile, and by dint of the most rigid economy, combined with wise discrimination and sound judgment in his business affairs, he was eventually enabled to purchase a splendid farm of fifty-five acres in section 22, East Union township, which he has continued to operate to the present time. He has made many good improvements on the place and has maintained it at a high standard of excellence, so that now it is considered one of the best farms in the township. Mr. Jacot carries on general farming, combined with which he also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in both of which lines he is achieving a distinctive success. On December 25, 1898, Mr. Jacot was married to Hannah Litsinger, of Franklin township, Wayne county. She was born on September 21, 1870. and received a good common school education. They have become the parents of two daughters, Mabel S. and Ella M. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Jacot are faithful members of the Presbyterian church at Apple Creek, to which they give a generous support and of WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1023 which Mr. Jacot is one of the trustees. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and was honored by his party by the nomination for the position of township treasurer, to which his fellow citizens elected him, and he has now given four years of efficient and satisfactory service in this responsible position. The subject has been a hard-working man, but has seen the reward for his labor, his prosperity having come to him as the direct result of energy and perseverance, his career thus illustrating most forcibly the power of patient and persistent effort and self-reliance. CHARLES B. EYMAN. In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition of a character which not only can endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. Such a man is C. B. Eyman, one of the progressive agriculturists of East Union township who is one of the successful men of his community because he has worked for it. He is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, where he was born on January 17, 1868, the son of S. B. and Isabelle (Tinkey) Eyman, a detailed account of Whose lives is to be found in the sketch of S. B. Eyman on another page of this work. C. B. Eyman was the oldest of a family of five children. When about two years of age his parents brought him to Wayne county, Ohio, and he was reared in East Union township where he has spent the major portion of his subsequent life. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm, which he worked (luring the crop season and in the winter months he attended the district schools, receiving a common school education. Naturally he took to farming and remained with his father until he reached manhood. Having started in life empty handed, he deserves a great deal of credit for what he has achieved. He rented land for the first eight years lie worked for himself, and thereby got an excellent start then he purchased the farm of one hundred and eight acres in section 27, known as the Simon Bott farm, one of the most excellent farms of this township. Since taking possession of the place lie has greatly improved it, making it rank with the best in the community: He has a good dwelling and other buildings and he keeps some good stock, being known as a horseman, having for a number of .years engaged in buying, feeding and selling horses and other stock. He is an excellent judge of livestock of all kinds, especially horses, and some fine ones are to be found on his place at all times, no small part of his income being derived from this 1024 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. source ; however, general farming constitutes the principal line of business which claims his attention and the bounteous harvests yielded by his well cultivated fields would indicate that he has mastered the science of agriculture. Mr. Eyman married Millie Smedley, daughter of William Smedley and a native of East Union township, this county, where she grew to maturity and was educated, her parents being well known here. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, Stanley, born in 1901, and Doyle, born August 18, 1905. Mr. Eyman is a member of the Reform church at Apple Creek, this township, and politically he supports the Republican ticket. He takes great interest in whatever tends to the welfare of his community and county, though he prefers to devote his time to his farm and stock rather than seek public office. WESLEY SPANGLER. The well-remembered and honored ex-county commissioner of Wayne county, Wesley Spangler, was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born near Carlisle, Cumberland county, in 1825, and during his long and useful career he noted many wondrous changes, playing well his part in whatever phase of the country's development he was in touch with. Yost Spangler was the name of the pioneer of this family in America. He was born in Germany and, when eighteen years of age, in 1769, left his native land and came to the United States. He settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in surveying; the country being new and many settlers coming in, he was kept busy at his profession. He was twice married, having wed two Weinholt sisters, by whom he became the father of eight children, those by his first wife being: John, Philip, Samuel, Peter, Mary and Barbara; those by the second were Hannah and Yost. From Berks county, Pennsylvania., this old pioneer moved to Lancaster county, that state, later to Cumberland county, where he followed farming for a number of years previous to his death. Peter Spangler was the fourth son born to Yost Spangler, his birth occurring in 1791 in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania; he married Susan Zinn, and to them ten children were born. In 1829 Peter Spangler, wife and five children came to Wayne county, Ohio, and purchased fifty acres of land, formerly owned by A. McMonegal. He finally became the owner of one hundred and thirty acres of land. Peter Spangler was a cooper by trade and he followed the same for a period of forty years in connection with farming. His death occurred in 1863, when he was seventy years of age.