1050 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. WILLARD BROWN JORDAN. "Man is the noblest work of God" and a truly noble man but fulfills the plan of the Creator. The life of man described a circle. The cycles of existence of different lives form concentric circles, for some are given but a quarter of a century wherein to complete the appointed work, while the span of others varies to the allotted three score and ten. But how true and comforting that life is measured, not by years alone, but rather by a purpose achieved, by noble deeds accredited to it. How often are we confronted when a loved friend and coworker answers the final summons, with the question, "Why must he go when there yet remains so much for him to do, when he can so illy be spared?" But the grim messenger heeds not and we are left to mourn and to accept submissively. These thoughts are prompted in a review of the life and achievements of Willard Brown Jordan, in whose death, on the 31st of January, 1907, the town of Creston and indeed the entire community suffered a distinct and irreparable loss. In the prime of his sturdy manhood, active in the prosecution of enterprises which benefited the entire community, a sound, practical business man, a kind neighbor, a loving husband and father, and an enjoyable acquaintance, Willard B. Jordan occupied a conspicuous place among his fellow citizens, each of whom felt a sense of personal bereavement in his untimely death. Willard Brown Jordan was born at Berea, Ohio, April 15, 186o, and was the son of Hezekiah Usher and Eloise (Brown) Jordan. His paternal grandparents were William and Mary (Usher) Jordan, who were natives of Brookfield, Madison county, New York. In 1823 they came to Ohio and settled at Rockport, where they located and created a fine homestead. There they reared their family of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. The maternal grandparents were Samuel and Fannie (Silsby) Brown, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively. They came to Ohio in an early day, settling near Richfield, Summit county. Subsequently they removed to Cuyahoga county, this state, where they lived during their remaining years. Mr. Brown was a pioneer ax-maker, and so famous was the quality of his output that he went by the soubriquet of "Axmaker Brown." Hezekiah Jordan was born in 1828 in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and was reared to the life of a farmer. Upon attaining mature years he took up farming on his own account and located at Berea, this state, where he reared his family. He took a prominent part in local political affairs, and, being a well-read and intelligent man, he easily became a leader among his fellow citizens. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1051 The subject of this sketch was reared in the Berea home, and early became acquainted with the manifold duties of the farm. He attended the common schools until the age of fourteen years. He conceived the idea that specializing in farming and gardening could be made a success and that his belief was well founded was abundantly proven in his later experiences. In his youth he followed his idea, raising large crops of onions, beets, and other garden truck, in which he was engaged for a number of years. He also engaged in the milk business to some extent. About the time of his marriage, in 1887, he moved to Creston and entered the business of growing celery, going into partnership with W. C. ("Celery King") Johnson, of Carey, Ohio, their land being located just outside of Creston. Celery and onions were their specialty and their success was pronounced from the start, the muck ground occupied by their gardens being capable of wonderful productions of vegetables. Eventually Mr. Jordan purchased the interest of his partner and continued the business alone until his death. He added to his original land holdings from time to time and at the time of his death he was the possessor of a handsome competence. He was a pioneer in the preserving business and at one time was a heavy raiser of tomatoes and cucumbers. The land corn-prising the farm was at one time wild and considered practically worthless, but under the magic touch of a practical hand the land became very valuable, a single acre of land giving employment to several persons. The business thus inaugurated and established has had a beneficial influence on the business of the community, and is numbered among the most prominent enterprises of the township. Mr. Jordan possessed a marked taste and talent for music and for a number of years was a prominent member of the Shubert Orchestra and the Berea Band. He also had an interest in military affairs and was a member of Company D, Fifth Regiment Ohio National Guard, known as the Berea Light Guards. On the loth of January, 1886, he was commissioned by Governor Foraker first lieutenant of this company, having been elected by the company. In religious belief Mr. Jordan held that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an earnest and consistent member, while his fraternal membership was with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been a charter member of the subordinate lodge of this order at. Creston. In politics he was an ardent Republican and always took a live interest in the success of his party. He inherited from his mother and his grandmother, who were prominently connected with the Crusader movement in this state a number of years ago, am intense hatred for the liquor business and was active in efforts to promote temperance in his community. More especially when children of his 1052 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. own grew up about him did he feel the force of the question and thereafter he was more personally interested than ever before. In 1900 he was placed on the Republican ticket as the candidate for mayor of Creston, but having business interests in the South to look after, he did not give much attention to the canvass and was defeated by four votes. In 1902 he was again nominated and this time the issue was the temperance question. He took a firm and uncompromising stand for a "dry" town and on this question he was elected mayor of Creston. He gave the city a satisfactory administration and in 1905 he was again put on the ticket on the same issue and was again elected. His only official service prior to his election as mayor had been in the capacity of member of the council and of the board of education. He was serving as mayor at the time of his sudden death. This deplorable event occurred on January 31, 1907, during a heavy snow storm. He was walking with one of his workmen along the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad tracks when a train suddenly approached and he jumped hastily aside to escape injury. A train was approaching on the other track, however, of which fact Mr. Jordan was ignorant, and he was struck and killed. The sad event cast a gloom over the entire community, Mr. Jordan being one of the most popular men who resided in this section of the county. On the l0th of October, 1887, Mr. Jordan was married to Estella Mary Anthony, a native of Rockport, Ohio, and the daughter of Edward M. and Sophronia Anthony, early settlers there. They were originally from Brookfield, Madison county, New York, the mother's family being traced to old Connecticut stock. Mrs. Jordan's parents came to Ohio in 1826 and here the father entered a farm, which he cleared and developed into a valuable property, the same being still in the possession of the family. The father died in 1891, while the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were born the following children : Edith A.. who is now a student in Wooster University ; Ralph W. is a graduate of the Creston high school and is now managing the business formerly conducted by his father, and which is now run under the name of Jordan Brothers ; Carl M. is a student in the high school at Creston; Florence R. is in the high school ; Frances G. and Raymond Usher. The honored subject of this review was ever found faithful to duty, under whatever aspect it presented, itself, never sacrificing integrity and honor to personal expediency and so living as to command unqualified confidence and esteem as emanating from those with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life. No undue eulogy but rather simple justice is done to the memory of such a man when perpetual record is made concerning his life and WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1053 accomplishment, and this has been attempted in this simple tribute to one who stood "four square to every wind that blows," who attained definite success in temporal affairs and who was one of the representative citizens of Wayne county. JOHN HARTZLER. This family represents several generations of farmers, the first of whom came to Ohio in the early half of the last century and figured in several different communities. They were originally Pennsylvanians, from which state John Hartzler, grandfather of the subject, came to Wayne county and settled near Smithville on the wild land then offered freely by the government. He married Sarah Zook, by whom he had six children, including a son named Joel, the father of the subject. He grew up on his father's farm and at maturity made shingles by hand as his chief source of income. He married Sarah, daughter of Nicholas and Catherine (Kurtz) Yoder, who came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Holmes county, Ohio, where they ended their days. After his marriage Joel located in Milton township, Wayne county, on a farm purchased by hard labor, which he improved and put in a good state of cultivation. In 1854 he moved to Greene township, and bought a good farm of one hundred and twelve acres, which he cultivated until his death, in 1875. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite church and a man of quiet, unobtrusive manner who never disturbed or wronged any one. The four children by his marriage were Elizabeth, wife of J. C. Borntrager, of LaGrange county, Indiana; John, the subject; Jacob, .a farmer of Greene township, and David, who died when twelve years of age. John Hartzler, second of the family, was born in Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, January 25, 1855. He remained under the parental roof until 1887, meantime picking up a desultory education in the somewhat inferior schools of those days. On November 6, 1887, he married Lydia,. daughter of Christian and Catherine Berkey, of Wayne township. The latter was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. The former was a native of France, who came .to the United States when seventeen years old and first located in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Ohio. He bought a farm in section 14, Wayne township, subsequently purchasing another in section 25. He died at Orrville, Ohio, in 1903, and his wife in 1893, after becoming the parents of three children : Christian, deceased ; Lydia, and Emma, wife of Daniel Liechty, of Greene township. To Mr. and 1054 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Mrs. Hartzler have been born two children, Mahlon and Effie. After his marriage Mr. Hartzler located in Wayne township, section 11, on the farm known as the Joshua Zook place, where he has since lived and carried on agricultural operations. He owns one hundred and seven acres on which he has expended much hard work and made many improvements. In 1903 he built the commodious house in Which he now resides and is enjoying the comforts that have come from a life of industry and frugality. He carries on general farming, raising all the cereal crops suitable to this latitude and a small amount of stock sufficient to consume the surplus products. He enjoys the reputation of being a good farmer and judicious manager. He is a member of Oak Grove Amish Mennonite church of Greene township and, though he votes the Republican ticket, he has neither held nor sought for office. Since 1902 his venerable mother has found a comfortable home under his roof. JACOB STAM. Though many years have passed since the subject of this sketch passed from the life militant to the life triumphant, he is still favorably remembered by many of the older residents of Wayne county, and because of his many excellent personal qualities and the splendid and definite influence which his life shed over the entire community in which he lived here during many years, renders it particularly consistent that specific mention should be made of him in a work containing mention of the representative persons of the county. A man of high moral character, unimpeachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, he stood "four square to every wind that blows," and throughout the community he occupied an enviable position among his fellow men. Jacob Stam was a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he was born March 14, 1805. He was a son of George and Elizabeth (Baker) Stam, who also were natives of the Keystone state, where they had lived for Many years. His father having died when the subject was very young, the latter was reared by his maternal grandfather Baker. In 1830, at the age of about twenty-five years, Jacob Stam came to Ohio, locating near Moorland, Wayne county, where he entered a tract of land, which was practically all covered with the primeval growth of forest trees. A small clearing was made and a cabin erected, and then the worthy pioneer applied himself to WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1055 the herculean task of creating out of the forest a home, and in this effort he was eminently successful, and in due time came to be recognized as one of the leading agriculturists and influential citizens of the county. To his original one-hundred-and-sixty-acre tract he added thirty-one acres on the east and sixty-two acres on the west, making a total of two hundred and fifty-three acres owned by him at the time of his death. He was a hard-working man, and with his energy was combined a spirit of progressiveness that enabled him to accomplish much that to others would have seemed impossible. He was public-spirited in his attitude toward all movements calculated to advance the best interests of the community and gave a hearty support to all beneficent projects. In his death, which occurred on the 27th of August, 1878, the community suffered a distinct loss, and his memory is held sacred by those who knew him. In politics he was first a Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party he allied himself with it and remained faithful to that party during the rest of his days. He was active in local public affairs and satisfactorily filled a number of local offices. His religious membership was with the German Lutheran church, in which he was a very active worker, and his remains now lie buried in the cemetery of that church in Franklin township. On September I, 1853, Mr. Stam was united in marriage with Margaret Hagye, the daughter of John and Margaret (Long) Hagye, who were natives of Baden, Germany. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Stam is the only one living. Mrs. Stam was born in Germany on the 19th of August, 1829, and at the age of eight years she was brought to America by her parents. They first stopped in Knox county, Ohio, but a few years later removed to Holmes county, where they lived until the death of Mrs. Stam's stepmother. Mr. and Mrs. Hagye were members of the Lutheran church and their remains lie buried in the cemetery of that church in Holmes county. To Mr. and Mrs. Stam were born the following children : Albert, who is now a resident of Knox county ; Eliza, who remains at home with her mother; Adolph died on August 30, 1906, and is buried in the Wooster cemetery ; George, who lives in Knox county, married Estella Blue, and they have five children, Lillie Dean, George Carlton, Walter Lee,. Lena May and Opal; Jacob, who lives in Colorado, married Hannah Goodyear and they are the parents of five children, Henry Jacob, Edna, William McKinley, Maude Eliza and Elsie Margaret; Wilson is a successful stock buyer in Nebraska; Joseph is at home ; Margaret became the wife of Charles Kimber and they have five children ; George R. and Helen LeGrand are at home. 1056 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Mrs. Stam, who still resides on the old homestead, is a lady of many womanly virtues and by her kindly ways and sweet qualities of character she has won and retains the warm friendship of all who know her, her attractive home being ever open to the visits of her friends. DR. BENJAMIN STUDER. Each calling or business, if honorable, has its place in human existence, constituting a part of the plan whereby life's methods are pursued and man reaches his ultimate destiny. A study of a career like that of Dr. Benjamin Studer, one of Orrville's best known citizens, shows what may be accomplished while yet young in life if proper ideals are persistently applied. Doctor Studer is a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he was born in February, 1879, the son of Fred and Louise (Bright) Studer, an influential family of that county. Doctor Studer is the next to the youngest member of the family and a brother of Rudolph Studer, of Sugar Creek township. He was reared on the home farm, which he worked when he became of proper age ; this was in Holmes county, for when he was one year old his parents moved from Tuscarawas county to Holmes county, this state. Benjamin received a good primary education, having attended the district schools during the winter months for several years or until he was seventeen years of age, after which he devoted his attention exclusively to farm work. But, believing that some other line would suit his tastes better, he started to learn the blacksmith's trade, but he did not follow this long until he started in the creamery business, learning the buttermaking trade. He followed this very successfully for a period of four years. Having long desired to become a veterinary surgeon, he abandoned all business and entered the Veterinary College of the Ohio State University and took a full course, embracing three years, from which he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of Veterinary Surgeon, having made an excellent record for scholarship. Doctor Studer at once located for practice at Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained there over eighteen months, where he enjoyed an excellent patronage from the first. But desiring to return to Wayne county, he established an office in Orrville in 19o8, and, although he has been here but a short time, he has built up a very satisfactory practice which is constantly growing, for he is well grounded in his profession and is a man in whom everyone places the utmost confidence. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1057 Doctor Studer was married, in April, 1909, to Emma Herman, a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and the daughter of a fine old family there, and they have been blessed wtih a daughter, Sophia Alice, born May 19, 1910. The Doctor is a member of the Reformed church at Orrville, and politically he is a Democrat. MENNO PETER YODER. The family of this name became identified with Wayne county at an early period by the incoming of the founder, who was among the first settlers of Wayne county. Samuel Yoder, a son of this first settler, was a boy at the time his father arrived. The latter bought land in section 3o, Greene township, and after spending his life in farming ended his days on the old homestead. Samuel was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and remained with his parents until of age, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land west of Weilersville, Ohio. He spent much labor in clearing this tract and eventually converted it into a valuable home. He died March 31, 1878, aged seventy years, four months and twenty days. In early manhood he married Catherine Naftziger, a native of Germany, who died September 4, 1892, aged over seventy-five years. They had eleven children : Bene, married and both are deceased ; Jonathan, who was a farmer and horse dealer in Greene township, first married Leah Stoltzfus, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1881, and second, Mary Zook, of Goshen, Indiana, who again resides at that place, and he died November 4, 1896; Barbara is the wife of David Hostetler ; Jacob N. is a resident of Greene township ; Levi N. is a farmer, at Holden, Missouri ; Elizabeth (deceased), wife of A. K. Kurtz ; Martha is the wife of Ames Smucker ; Samuel D. died June 2, 1873, aged twenty-two years ; Menno P. ; the tenth child, David V., died in infancy ; John A. married Sarah Newhouser and is a farmer in Wayne township. Meno P. Yoder, ninth of this family; was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 24, 1856. After securing a fair education he taught three terms of school in Greene township. In 1878 he located on section 15, in Wayne township, where he has since resided. On January 22, 1878, he married Veronica Yoder, of Wayne township, daughter of Joash and Catherine (Smucker) Yoder. Mr. Yoder has no children. He has been engaged in farming all of his life and has met with a fair amount of success. He is a member of the Oak Grove church in Greene township. (67) 1058 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. About the year 1720, Barbara Yoder, widow of a man who died at sea on his way from Switzerland to this country, arrived at Philadelphia. This was one of the first Amish Mennonite families that came to Pennsylvania, and they located in the eastern part of the state, either in Lancaster or Berks county. She 'was the mother of eight sons and one daughter, the latter becoming the wife of Christian Byler. Seven of the sons married and reared families. Christian had eleven children, Jacob, Anna, Christian, John, Fannie, Elizabeth, Barbara, Henry, Yost, Joseph and David. The latter was the grandfather of Joash Yoder. His first wife was Jacobin Esh, who also came from Switzerland and arrived at Philadelphia in 1780, after a long and perilous passage of over six weeks on the ocean. She had three sons and five daughters : Daniel, born 1791 ; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Zook, born October 18, 1793 ; Jonathan, born September 2, 1795, married Magdaline, daughter of Zacharius Wagner, who 'was brought to this country from Hesse, Germany, during the Revolutionary war and died in Berks county, Pennsylvania; Joseph, born September 13, 1797, married Catherine Lantz, of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he lived many years and taught English and German schools. In 1838 he moved to Juniata, Pennsylvania, and in 1846 to McLain county, Illinois, where he bought a farm on which he lived until his death, in February, 1888 ; Magdaline, born April 23, 1799, married John Lantz and died in 1832 ; Fannie, born April 11, 1802, married Joel Yoder, of Center county, Pennsylvania; Maria, born April 11, 1804, married John Yoder, of Center county, Pennsylvania ; Leah, born December 8, 1806, married Yost Yoder, of Center county, Pennsylvania. In 1849 she and her family moved to Juniata county and from there to McLain county, Illinois, still later to Kansas. David Yoder, grandfather of Joash, went with his family from Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Mifflin county in 1811. He bought a large farm, which after the death of his wife he lost as the result of financial disasters, and died in 1820. His son, Jonathan, who became the father of Joash, was a man of great strength and more than ordinary intelligence. Though he had little schooling, he could read and write German and English, and could solve many difficult problems. When about thirty years old he was called to the ministry of the Amish Mennonite church and served in that capacity to the end of his life. He received no compensation, but worked for the love of the cause, and showed a great deal of ability. He worked for fifty cents a day, yet by industry and the help of his good wife they lived comfortably. Eventually he owned a small home place, four miles west of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Shortly after his marriage he learned the carpenter's trade and made his living chiefly by that kind of work for some time. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1059 In 1828, when his son Joash was ten years of age, he removed to Half Moon township, Center county, Pennsylvania, and bought one hundred acres of land on which he lived eight years and then removed to Juniata county. Jonathan and Magdalena died in Center county. Nine children grew up, married and reared families, their names being as follows : Leah, born March 28, 1818; Joash, born December 23, 1819 ; Elias, born October 16, 1821; Elizabeth, born January 5, 1825 ; Sarah, born December 17, 1826; Amos, born December 17, 1828; Jonathan, born September 21, 1830; Magdaline, born July 13, 1832; Asa, born January 24, 1835 ; Catherine, born September 10, 1836, and Annie, born February 7, 1840. In 1846 Elias removed to McLain county, Illinois, near Bloomington, and afterwards other members of the family joined him. In 185o Jonathan and his wife followed with the remainder of the family. The parents died and were buried there. When fourteen years of age, Magdaline Yoder was bound to Christian Smucker, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Her master removing to Mifflin county, she accompanied him and remained with him until eighteen years old. She early became a member of the Amish Mennonite church and was a kind and benevolent woman, as well as the most loving of mothers. She spun all the cloth used by her family, from shirts to overcoats, and wove all of the clothing with her own hands and made all the clothes for the family. Joash Yoder was born December 23, 1819, in Derry township, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and remained at home until twenty-one years old. He did all kinds of farm work, went to the log school house and had all the experiences of the pioneer boy. He studied hard and could read and write English and German. An unusually good scholar at the age of nineteen, he began teaching and kept this up for several years. In 1841 he married Barbara Kaufman, daughter of Christian Kaufman, of Mifflin county. He left Juniata county and lived in a small log house, fourteen by fifteen feet, which belonged to his father-in-law. He cut wood and cleared for fifty cents a day, which was the prevailing price in those times. He had only one son, Eli L., who now lives in Nebraska and has seven children. His wife died October 12, 1851, and in the fall of 1853 he married Catherine Zook, a widow and daughter of Christian Schmucker. She had three children by her former husband and two by Joash Yoder : Veronica, the eldest, is the wife of Menno P. Yoder; Amos died when four years old. Catherine (Zook) Yoder, when married, was living on the farm later occupied by herself and Mr. Yoder. The farm belonged to her three sons, but she owned a life estate. Later Mr. Yoder bought this farm and devoted the rest of his life to its cultivation after he 1060 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. came to Wayne county, and ended his days on this old homestead. He was one of the most prominent and esteemed men in the township. He had an excellent memory and was well posted on current events. Of amiable disposition, fair and just in his dealings, he had many friends. SAMUEL MATTY. A large number of the best citizens of Wayne county, Ohio, have come from Switzerland and, without exception, they have greatly benefited themselves since coming to our shores, for they are thrifty and soon get possession of valuable property. One of this number is Samuel Matty, whose birth occurred in Switzerland on February Jo, 1851, the son of Samuel and Magdalena (Reben) Matty. His maternal grandfather was Stephen Reben, and his paternal grandfather was John Matty, both natives of Switzerland, in which country they spent their lives. Samuel Matty, father of the subject, Was also born in Switzerland, in which country he kept a tavern, and his death occurred in 1858 ; his widow and three children came to America, where the mother lived until her death, in 1897. Besides Samuel, of this review, there were two daughters. The trip to the United States was made in 1868. The family first located in the state of Tennessee, but after a short residence Moved to Ohio, where they remained for two years ; then lived one year in Wisconsin, after which they returned to Wayne county, Ohio, locating at Overton in 1871, and they have lived in Chester township ever since. For a period of twenty-one years the family lived on the Rumbaugh farm as renters. In 1892 the son, Samuel, bought seventy-six acres of the Guidlesperger estate near Burbank. This place was first rented, then sold, and later Mr. Matty bought the William Howman farm and moved thereto ; from that farm he moved on the farm on which he now lives, which was for some time known as the old Lehr farm or Felgar farm. Mr. Matty is the owner of two hundred and seventy-five acres of excellent land which he has so skillfully managed as to cause it to yield abundant harvests from year to year. He remodeled the dwelling and barn, making them comfortable and up-to-date. He handles a good grade of all kinds of livestock, and in connection with his general farming, they net him a fine annual income. Mr. Matty now lives practically retired, his son doing most of the work about the farm. Samuel Matty was married to Josephine Mowrer in Overton. She is a native of .Wayne county and the daughter of Jonas and Barbara Mowrer, old settlers of Wayne county, Mr. Mowrer being one of the well known early veterinary surgeons. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1061 To Mr. and Mrs. Matty seven children have been born, namely : Edward S., James E., Frank J., Magdalena J., Jacob P., Emma Mae and Augusta Jeanette. The mother of these children passed to her rest on July 24, 1904, and was buried in Bethel cemetery. Politically Mr. Matty is a Democrat, and he has long taken considerable interest in local affairs, having served four years, or two terms, as township treasurer. He is a member of the Reformed church, of which his wife was also a member. HIRAM McCANCE. It is eminently fitting that in this work be entered a memoir of the honored subject of this review, who was one of the influential citizens of Wayne county, where he passed his entire life, lending his aid in reclaiming this section of the state from the sylvan wilds, enduring the vicissitudes and disadvantages of the pioneer epoch and ever ordering his life according to the highest principles of honor and integrity, thus gaining and retaining the confidence and good-will of his fellow men. He was a man of indomitable perseverance, distinct individuality and most kindly nature, and now that he has passed forward to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," he leaves the legacy of an unblemished life and one that was prolific in usefulness and worthy example. Hiram McCance was born September 2, 1835, on the farm where he spent his last days and where his widow now resides. He was a son of James Dixon and Isabelle (Gilmore) McCance, and a grandson of James McCance. The latter came to this state in a very early day and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, the two deeds for which, eighty acres each, were signed by President Andrew Jackson. It is worthy of note in this connection that the eighty-acre tract now owned by Mrs. McCance has never been out of the possession of the McCance family. James Dixon McCance was a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he was married. Soon after that event he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and located on the land which had been entered by his father, but which was never occupied by the latter. James D. McCance Was a progressive and enterprising man and he proceeded at once to the task of developing a farm out of the wilderness which at that time characterized the land. He succeeded in this effort and in due time was accounted one of the most successful and prominent men of his township. He was a member of the Presby- 1062 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. terian church and took an active interest in the work of the church, giving to it an earnest and generous support at all times. He was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics and took an active interest in local public affairs. Fraternally, he was a member of the order of Malita. To James D. and Isabella McCance were born four children, of whom two died in infancy. Hiram McCance was reared in the parental home, and secured his education in the schools of the township. He was reared to the life of a farmer and never moved his residence from the farm on which he was born. After completing his education he took up the vocation of teaching and for several years he engaged in teaching schools in Indiana. After his marriage he returned to agricultural pursuits, in which line he continued to be engaged until his death, which occurred on the 13th of October, 1899. He was an indefatigable worker and was progressive in his methods, keeping in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture. He made many permanent and substantial improvements on his property, and at the time of his death it was considered one of the fine and fertile farms of the township. Mr. McCance was an ardent Republican in political faith and took a particular interest in educational matters, being a man of considerable influence in the community. His religious belief was embraced in the creed of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a leading member, serving as a trustee of the church at Fredericksburg. Fraternally, he was an appreciative member of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the lodge at Wooster. Mr. McCance was united in marriage to Elvira Gailey, who was born near Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Pinkerton) Gailey, who were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. These parents were married in their native state, and soon afterward came to Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio, where they followed farming. To Hiram and Elvira McCance were born the following children : Alpha, deceased ; Albert G., who married Blanche Armstrong and lives in Cleveland ; Mary Helen, at home ; Lucile, at home. Mr. McCance was a man of splendid personal qualities and stood well in the community in which he had passed practically his entire life. Of an optimistic temperament and genial disposition, he readily made friends and was accounted one of the most popular men in the community in which he lived. Mrs. McCance, who is still living in the old home, is a woman of many gracious qualities, whose friends are in number as her acquaintances, and her attractive home is ever open for the reception of her associates. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1063 LOUIS EMERSON AUKERMAN Louis E. Aukerman is a native of the township in which he now lives, having been born within a half mile of his present residence on the 29th of February, 1848. He is the son of Christopher and Rebecca (Clinker) Aukerman, both of whom are also natives of Ohio. The subject's paternal grandparents, George and Rebecca Aukerman, were born in Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. In a very early day they came to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled in Congress township, where they spent the rest of their days, and died. Much the same detail might be written concerning the subject's maternal grandparents, Samuel Clinker and wife, as they too came in a very early day from their native Keystone state, and they too made their future home in Wayne county. Christoper Aukerman and Rebecca Clinker were reared in their respective homes and after their marriage they went to farming, in which they were successful, the father owning at the time of his death over three hundred acres of land in Congress township. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church and was a man of much influence in the community. His death occurred in 1898 and his wife died in 1889. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are living at the present time. They were a worthy couple and their memory is held sacred by those who remember them. Louis Aukerman remained with his parents during his youth and secured his education in the common schools of Congress township. He has during his subsequent years supplemented his school learning by liberal reading and close observation, and is a well informed man. After completing his education Mr. Aukerman assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, remaining with him until 187o, when his father gave him a farm of forty acres lying in Congress township, but a short distance from the home farm, and to this place Mr. Aukerman has since given his undivided attention. Here he carried on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and in connection therewith he devotes considerable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, which also he has found a profitable business. He is methodical in his work, is industrious in his habits and progressive in his ideas, 'in view of which facts there can be little wonder that he has made a distinctive success of his enterprise. He occupies a high standing in the opinion of his fellow-agriculturists and in many ways he occupies a leading position in the community. In politics Mr. Aukerman holds to the faith of his father and renders an 1064 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. earnest support to the party of Jefferson and Jackson. He is not an aspirant for public office, but gives a thoughtful and intelligent attention to the affairs of the township and county. On August 18, 1870, Mr. Aukerman was united in marriage. to Catherine Ballinger, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1850, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia Ballinger, natives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs, Aukerman have been born seven children, namely : Lydia Jane, Susan, Amanda, Minnie, Joseph Christopher, L. F. and Charles. Joseph and Lydia were very early settlers of Monroe county, Ohio, where Mr. Ballinger followed his trade, that of shinglemaking. He was a quiet and unassuming man and lived a comparatively retired life. His death occurred in 1900, and that of his wife in 19o2. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom five are living. SIDNEY GRANT SOLIDAY. The Solidays have constituted one of the leading families of Wayne county, members of the same having been leaders In the industrial and social life of the community since the days that historians are pleased to refer to as "early." One of this number that should claim our attention for a time is S. G. Soliday, a farmer of Plain township, whose life has been one of calm, consecutive endeavor and one that has resulted in good both to himself and his neighbors. He was born in this township, March 30, 1864, and he is the son of John and Susan (Sparr) Soliday, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of the subject were Jacob and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Soliday, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1836 and settled in the northeast quarter of section 26, Plain township, buying a farm there and clearing it and making other improvements. He later moved to what is now the A. R. Eberhart place in Plain township, remaining there •until their deaths. S. G. Soliday's maternal grandparents were Peter and Katherine (Snader) Sparr, the former a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, who, in 1834, came to the northeast quarter of section 15, Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, buying the farm where the subject now lives. There he reared a large family, nine members of which grew to maturity. Four of his sons, Peter, John, William and Benjamin, were soldiers in the Civil war. Two brothers of John Soliday, Abraham and Jacob, were also soldiers in the Federal army ; Jacob died at Vicksburg. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1065 John Soliday, father of S. G. Soliday, received his education in the common schools of Wayne county. When he reached maturity he learned the trade of millwright, which he followed for several years, then bought the Starr homestead and there he lived until his death. Politically he was a Democrat and took an active part in the affairs of his party, serving his township as trustee and assessor. He was a member of the Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. John Soliday four children were born, namely : Ida, who married A. S. Alexander ; W. A., a grocer in Shreve, Ohio ; S. G., the subject of this sketch ; L. L., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. John Soliday died on September 26, 1893, and was buried in Plain cemetery. Mrs. Soliday makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Alexander. S. G. Soliday was educated in the common schools of his native community and at Smithville Academy, receiving an excellent text-book training. After leaving the school room he took up farming on the home place, having spent his life there. He has a well cultivated and well managed farm of eighty acres, carrying on general farming and stock raising, being very successful in both. Mr. Soliday was married in 1894 to Mina Rickabaugh, daughter of John Rickabaugh, whose life record is given in the sketch of F. L. Rickabaugh on another page of this work. The subject and wife are the parents of one interesting daughter, bearing the good old Bible name, Ruth. Mr. Soliday is a member of the Lutheran church and Mrs. Soliday belongs to the Disciple church. The former belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a Democrat in politics and he served very faithfully as township clerk from 1894 to 1895. He is now a member of the local school board, having been elected to this position in 1907. JOHN FRANKLIN GEISELMAN. Among those men who have lived in Wayne county and gained for themselves the highest esteem and the unbounded confidence of the entire community, probably none stood higher than John Franklin Geiselman, who passed from the scenes of his earthly labor on the 16th of September, 1893. He was born in Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 6th of November, 1857. His paternal grandparents were John and Sarah (Miller) Geiselman, who during their early life lived at New Franklin, Columbiana county, Ohio, but subsequently moved to Wayne county, locating on land 1066 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. which was located partly in East Union and partly in Franklin townships. His maternal grandparents were Caleb and Julia Ann (Hooper) Francis, who were both born in Maryland, the grandfather on February 20, 1812, and the grandmother on January 18, 1817. They were married on July 29, 1834, and soon afterwards came to Harrison county, Ohio. Subsequently they moved to Tuscarawas county, and later to Coshocton county, where he died on July 28, 1843. His widow later married again and eventually settled in East Union township, Wayne county, where her death occurred on December 21, 1851, and her remains are buried at Apple Creek, this county. To Caleb and Julia Francis were born the following children : Sarah Elizabeth, mother of the subject; Charles T., born August 16, 1836, died February 2, 1852 ; Ann Eliza, born August 24, 1835, now deceased ; Mary E., born March 22, 1840, died August 19, 1843 ; Caleb B., born April 9, 1842, died in 1907. The subject's maternal great-grandfather, Michael Hooper, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The subject's father, Cyrenius Geiselman, was born January 18, 1833, at New Franklin, Columbiana county, Ohio, and subsequently moved with his family to Wayne county. There he received a fair education in the common schools, supplementing this with attendance at an academy at Apple Creek. On reaching mature years he engaged in farming and eventually bought the homestead in which his widow now resides, and there he spent the remaining years of his life. Cyrenius Geiselman was an enterprising and progressive farmer, in which vocation he was fairly successful, and during his later years he also took the agency for farming machinery, in which also he was successful. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fredericksburg and was a popular man in the circles in which he moved. He took an active part in politics and local affairs and rendered efficient service as a trustee of his township. In religion he was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, to which he gave an earnest and liberal support. His death occurred on October 12, 1884. At Wooster, Ohio, on August 31, 1854, he married Sarah Elizabeth Francis, whose birth occurred in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1835, and they became the parents of the following children : Julia Ann, born July 8, 1855, died March 31, 1883, became the wife of Allen Derr, also deceased, and they became the parents of two children, Ada Alice, who married a Mr. Williams, and Cyrenius Derr; John Franklin, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Caleb Francis, born October 18, 1861, died December 15, 1861; Mary Ettie, born December 14, 1862, died December 26, 1862 ; Emma Loretta, born August 3, 1864, is the wife of Peter U. Martin, of Hampton township, Summit WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1067 county, Ohio, and they have had six children, four of whom are living, Ada, Anna B., Wesley and Walter. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Geiselman remained a widow eleven years, and then, on the 3d of September, 1895, she became the wife of David Lawrence, who is now deceased. She is now residing on the old homestead in Franklin township. John F. Geiselman was reared under the parental rooftree and secured his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He was reared to the life of a farmer and always followed that vocation in Franklin township, excepting the last .six months of his life, when he resided in Woods county, this state. He was a hard working man and progressive in his methods, and he enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. He possessed personal qualities of the highest order and readily made friends, who remained loyal to him. A stanch Democrat in politics, he took a deep and commendable interest in local affairs and his influence was ever given to all movements that promised to benefit the community. He was a member of the Lutheran church and took an active part in the various activities of that society. His death occurred on September 16, 1893, and his remains now lie in the Franklin cemetery. On the 11th of June, 1881, Mr. Geiselman was united in marriage to Alzuma A. Franks, who was born in Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, March 29, 1864, a daughter of Cornelius and Harriet (Lawrence) Franks. Cornelius Franks was born in Franklin township, this county, and the major part of his life was spent here, his last few years being spent on a farm four miles south of Shreve, in Holmes county. Harriet Lawrence was a daughter of Benjamin Lawrence. Cornelius and Harriet Franks were the parents of the following children : Loretta, who is the wife of William Butler, of Barberton, Ohio; Alzuma, who is the widow of the subject of this sketch ; Ellsworth, who lives in Holmes county ; Ardella, the wife of James Tate, of Holmes county ; Malissa, the wife of Frank Hostetter, of Holmes county ; Lula, the wife of Albert Snyder, also of Holmes county ; Thomas, of Holmes county. To Mr. and Mrs. Geiselman were born children as follows : Thomas, born December 24, 1882, died at the age of seven years Carl Dean. born January 4, 1885, married Cora Sturgess, and lives in Franklin township; Alta Myrtle, born March 13, 1885 ; William, born February 17, 189o, died February 18, 189o; Lillie Malissa, born March 6, 1891; John Myron, born February I I, 1893 ; the four last named are living at home with their mother. Mrs. Geiselman is a lady of splendid womanly qualities, and in the 1068 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. church and social circles in which she moves she is well liked by all who know her. She is a member of the Lutheran church and is an active and effectual worker in its various departments. She maintains a personal supervision over the home farm and possesses business qualities of a high order. JOHN ROBERT SNYDER. Few sections of Ohio can boast of more thrifty, industrious or enterprising farmers than those of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio. Handsome residences, substantial and commodious barns and sightly and well-kept fences are the rule in this part of the county. The livestock is well cared for and everything presents a prosperous and inviting appearance. The people are intelligent and studious and have given to their vocation a practical study which has guaranteed success under anything near a normal condition. One of the best and most systematic of these farmers is J. Rob. Snyder, whose fine and fertile farm is located in section 6, of Franklin township, and whose success during the years he has lived here has been commensurate with the intelligent and thoughtful labor he has bestowed. J. Rob. Snyder is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having first seen the light of day in Holmes county on the 9th of March, 1853. He is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Miller) Snyder, both of whom were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania. They, in company with the paternal grandfather, Jacob Snyder, came to Ohio in about 1835, locating in Wayne county, later going to Holmes county, but subsequently returning to Wayne county, where the remainder, of their lives were passed. They were faithful and active members of the Lutheran church. After Daniel Snyder had lived in this state a few years and had definitely determined to make it his future home, he returned to Pennsylvania by horseback and there married the sweetheart whom he had left behind when he started westward on his prospecting trip. Loading their effects in a one-horse wagon, they came to their Wayne county home, later going to Holmes county. They later returned to Wayne county in 1864. Their remains now lie buried in the cemetery at Wooster. They were the parents of the following children : Henry, who is now deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of Company B, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer infantry ; Samuel died during his service in the army, having been a member of the same company WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1069 and regiment as his brother; George died in infancy ; Susan is the wife of H. B. Rayl, of Lake county, Ohio; Civilla is the widow of Perry Yernall and makes her home at Wooster; Elizabeth lives at Wooster ; James Q. lives in Wooster township; John Robert, the subject. of this sketch. J. Rob. Snyder was reared in his Holmes county home until he was about twelve years of age, when the family moved back to Wayne county. He secured a fair education in the common schools and was reared to the life of a farmer. He remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, in 1879, when he moved onto the splendid farm which he now. occupies. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is one of the most fertile and productive farms in the township. All the improvements on the place have been made by the subject and he has given at all times an intelligent direction to his operations, so .that he has been enabled to realize handsome returns for the labor bestowed. The buildings on the place are all well built and present an attractive appearance, the general aspect of the property indicating the owner to be a man of right ideas. He here carries on a general line of farming and stock raising and is numbered among the progressive and successful farmers in his community. In 1895 Mr. Snyder erected the grain elevator at Kauke, this county, and has continued to operate it since that time. The elevator is well built and is capacious, a large business being done through it annually. Mr. Snyder was married to Amanda Hoffman and they have become the parents of the following children : Leotta, deceased ; Daniel Bonnell and Catherine. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Moorland, of which the subject is one of the trustees, and to this society they give an earnest and generous support. In politics Mr. Snyder renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and takes an active part in advancing its interests in the community, though he is not in any sense a seeker himself after the honors or emoluments of public office. He is a man of progressive ideas and practical methods and his success has been well merited. As a man of strict morality, the community can ask for no better; as a man of integrity, no district can boast of a citizen more honest, and as a man of intelligence he ranks high, enjoying the unbounded respect and esteem of those with whom he associates. ABBOTT LAWRENCE. Abbott Lawrence is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Wayne county. When the greater part of this county was in its primitive condition, when its lands were wild and untamed, when its streams 1070 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. were unbridged, its forests uncut and when the work of progress and improvement was a thing of the future, the Lawrence family was founded here by Benjamin Lawrence, the grandfather of the subject, and since that time different members of the family have contributed in large measure to the general improvement and substantial advancement which have brought about the present wonderful prosperity which characterizes this section of the state. Abbott Lawrence, who is now one of the successful and influential farmers of Franklin township, was horn in this township, February 17, 1854, and is the son of David and Sarah (Force) Lawrence. The subject's paternal grandfather, Benjamin 'Lawrence, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from whence he came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1818, settling in Saltcreek township, where he entered land from the government. He proceeded to improve the land and made that his home during the remainder of his life. He was the father of the following children : Benjamin, John (who died young), Samuel, Jacob, David, Henry, all of whom are now deceased. The subject's father, David Lawrence, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1816, and was therefore but two years of age when the family moved to their new home in the Buckeye state. He was reared and educated in Saltcreek township, and continued to reside there until his marriage, when he moved to Franklin township and bought a farm, the land embracing that on which the Lutheran church now stands. His purchase included eighty acres, but at various times he added to it. The land had been but slightly improved, but he went to work energetically and by dint of much and persistent hard work and good judgment he developed it into one of the best farms in the locality. He erected a set of commodious and well-arranged buildings, erected good fences and in other ways evinced the fact that he was enterprising and progressive in spirit and methods. He took an active and important part in the early development of the community and gave material assistance in the erection of the old Lutheran church, having donated the land for the same. He and his wife were active workers and stanch supporters of this church. His political affiliation was with the Democratic party, in the councils of which he took a leading part. He served several terms as trustee and also as a member of the school board and in other capacities he exerted a healthy influence on the life of the community. To David and Sarah Lawrence were horn the following children : Jane, who is the wife of William Greenwald, of Franklin township; Clinton, of Wooster, Ohio ; Abbott, the immediate subject of this review ; Florence, who is the wife of Josiah Morr, of Franklin township. Sarah (Force) Lawrence, the mother of these children, was born in 1821 in WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1071 Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John Force, who also was one of the earliest settlers of Saltcreek township, this county. Her death occurred on August 21, 1893. David Lawrence, besides being a successful farmer, also worked at the carpenter trade and' assisted in the erection of many of the best buildings and churches in the county. He was also engaged for thirty years in the operation of a portable sawmill. After the death of his first wife, he married Mrs. Sarah Geiselman, who is still living. His death occurred on the 7th of November, 1903. Abbott Lawrence was reared by his parents and secured his education in the district schools of the community. He was early initiated into the work of the farm, and after the completion of his education he became his father's assistant on the farm, and, with the latter, was also engaged for thirty years in the operation of the portable sawmill. Prior to going into the sawmill business, he had taken possession of his present farm in Franklin township, where he has lived continuously for thirty-one years. The place, which comprises thirty-two acres, is most eligibly located and is kept in the best of condition by the subject, who thoroughly understands the secrets of successful agriculture. He has made all the improvements on the place, including the erection of the attractive house, commodious barn and other outbuildings, and the planting of many fine fruit, forest and ornamental trees, which abound on every hand. He is progressive in his methods and is a good business manager, so that he has been enabled to realize a comfortable income in return for the labor bestowed. He raises all the crops common to this section of the country and also devotes some attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has been fairly successful. On November 2, 1876, Mr. Lawrence was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Elsie Hensel, who was born in Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Geiselman) Hensel, her mother being a daughter of Valentine Geiselman. Jacob Hensel was a native of Germany and in young manhood came to Wayne county, Ohio, settling at Moorland, where he engaged successfully in the vocation of wagon-making. After his marriage he bought a farm in Wooster township, where he resided for some time, later moving to Wayne township, where his death occurred on December 7, 1890. His widow survived him several years, dying on June 16, 1903. Their remains lie buried in the Wooster cemetery. They were both active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of the following children Aminda Josephine, who is the wife of F. E. Reynolds, of Cleveland, Ohio ; Elenora, now deceased, was the first wife of F. E. Reynolds ; Elsie is the wife of the sub- 1072 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. ject of this sketch ; Edmund resides at Akron, Ohio ; Alma, deceased ; Irene is the wife of Angus McDonald and resides in the state of New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have been born three children, namely : Adelbert, who lives in Akron, Ohio, has one child, Carrey, who lives with his grandparents, the subject and wife ; Laverna is the wife of Bernard McCarron, of Canton, Ohio, and they have one child, L. Clayton ; Pearl is the wife of Glenn Barnes and lives in Franklin township. Politically, Mr. Lawrence is an ardent Democrat and takes the right sort of an interest in local affairs. Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence formerly held membership in the Lutheran church near their home, and the subject held prominent official position in the society, but they are now members of the Reformed church at Apple Creek. Mr. Lawrence has taken a prominent part in local public affairs, having served a number of years as trustee of the township and as a member of the school board. He has also served a number of times on the township central committee of his party. He is held in the highest esteem in the locality, being a man of responsibility, and he not only represents an honorable old family but also personally stands for all that is best in the life of the community. Because of his many fine personal qualities of character and the esteem in which he is generally held, and also because of the fact that the family which name he bears was one of the founders of Wayne county, he is eminently deserving of representation in this work. WILLIAM FRANKLIN NIRODE. Although many foreign countries have sent their citizens to Wayne county, Ohio, and they have figured in the various walks of life, the German empire has furnished a larger quota than any other, and while one, by way of comparison, could not say that these sons of the Fatherland have surpassed all others, it would be safe to say that none have outstripped them or made better supporters of our institutions, for they have become property owners, labored for the development of the county in many ways and have offered their services in our wars. Of this number, Adam Nirode, father of William F. Nirode, of this review, should be mentioned, for he was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1824, and he came to America with his parents, who were also natives of Germany, having made the slow trip across the Atlantic in 1833. The family settled at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 186o Adam Nirode left his parents in Pennsylvania and came to Wayne county, Ohio, where he first worked as a teamster and farmer, hav- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1073 ing done a great deal of teaming with six horses. He married Sarah Snyder, a native of Wooster township, this county. He received his education in Wayne county and lived near Blachleyville, Plain township, for many years and was living there at the time of his death. He was a Democrat in politics and had always been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. To Adam Nirode and wife five children were born, namely : William Franklin, .of this review ; George ; Sarah Alice, deceased ; Levina and Edward. Joseph Snyder and wife, the maternal grandparents of William F. Nirode, were early farmers of Wayne county. William F. Nirode was born in Wooster township, Wayne county, Ohio, January 19, 1862, and he received his education in the common schools of Greene and Plain townships. Early in life he began farming and, when a boy, he loved to watch the threshing machines when they visited his vicinity, usually following them about until they went to another neighborhood, declaring that when he got to be a man he would operate one of his own; consequently he has been a thresher all his mature life. However he has also managed a saw-mill and farmed in connection with threshing, but of late years he has not engaged in the saw-mill business. He has now given up the threshing business, which is being carried on by his son Chester. He has a good farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres in Plain township which he keeps well tilled and well stocked and on which he has a cozy home and excellent barns. Mr. Nirode was twice married, first on January 8, 1885, to Isadore Obenour, and to this union two children were born, Chester and Wayne. February 8, 1903, Mr. Nirode married for his second wife Martha Naylor, who has borne him one child, William Earl. Mrs. Nirode is the daughter of Sylvester and Julia (Colman) Naylor, of Clinton township, Wayne county. Mrs. Naylor died in March, 1903, and is buried in Newkirk cemetery, near Lakeville, Ohio. Religiously Mr. Nirode is a Lutheran, and in politics he supports the Democratic ticket; fraternally he belongs to the. Modern Woodmen of America. JOHN C. SANDERSON. It is a pleasing indulgence to refer to the life and achievements of a man who has been so long and so prominently identified with the material activities of a community as has the subject of this review, and who stands con- (68) 1074 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. spicuously forward among the leading factors in the continued growth and prosperity of one of the most flourishing and substantial sections of the great Buckeye commonwealth. John C. Sanderson, who occupies an enviable position among the leading agriculturists of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, is a native of the township in which he now lives, his birth having occurred there on February 10, 1855. His paternal grandparents were Alexander and Rebecca Sanderson, who came by horseback overland from Pennsylvania to Wayne county in 1817. They settled in what is now section 13, Franklin township, and which at that time was densely covered with the original forest growth, in the midst of which roamed Indians and many varieties of wild animals. These worthy pioneers erected a rude log cabin and at once set themselves to the task of clearing the land and putting it in cultivation. This tract entered by Alexander Sanderson comprised three hundred and twenty acres, and a part of this is still held in the Sanderson family. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson spent the remainder of their lives on this place, and during their active years they made great progress in the development of the land into a good farm. They were worthy and highly esteemed persons and were leaders in their community. In politics, Alexander Sanderson was a Democrat, and in religion he was a member of the Presbyterian church at Fredericksburg, of which he was an elder for many years. To Alexander and Rebecca Sanderson were born the following children : James, John, Alexander, David, William, George, Nathan, Jane and Ann. Of these, all are now dead but George, who lives at Shreve, this county. Nathan died at the age of twenty-one years. Jane was the wife of Charles Kittlewell, and Ann became the wife of Robert Reed. John Sanderson, the second in the order of birth in the above-mentioned family of Alexander and Rebecca Sanderson, was born on the Franklin township farm, and was there reared, his education being received in the district schools of the township. When he had grown to manhood he married Caroline Shaw, who was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, her parents having died when she was quite young. After his marriage John Sanderson bought part of the home farm from his father and proceeded to give attention to its cultivation. Being a carpenter by trade, and a very proficient workman, he erected his own house and barns and in many other ways made substantial improvements. In connection with his farming operations he did a good deal of carpenter work throughout the neighboring country. He was a widely known and highly respected man and spent his entire life on this farm where he had had his beginning. He was a stanch Demo-