1150 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. than during his younger years, leaving most of the active labor of the farm to younger men, but still maintains a personal supervision over the general operations conducted on the place. In matters political, Mr. Smith has always given his support to the Democratic party and has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, having held several township offices in Congress and Chester townships, including those of constable, school superintendent and assessor. In all these positions he discharged his official duties to the full satisfaction of his fellow citizens. .Mr. and Mrs. Smith are earnest and faithful members of the Presbyterian church, in the workings of which they take a deep interest and to which they give a generous support, being numbered among the leading members of the society. On the 8th of January, 188o, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Sarah L. Howey, a native of Wayne county and a daughter of John and Nancy Howey, early settlers of Wayne county. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandfather, George Howey, .was one of the pioneers of this township and was a man prominent in the public affairs of the township in its formation period. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born one son, George, who is now married. his wife's maiden name having been Ida Billheimer. That Mr. Smith has lived and labored to goodly ends is clearly indicated in the position which he holds in the confidence and regard of his fellow men and in the success which has crowned his efforts in the great basic art of agriculture. He is a business man of much more than ordinary ability, and his unremitting toil and close attention to business throughout his active career have been the means of winning for him the comfortable competence which today is his. He is a man of genial disposition and kindly manners, and these qualities., together with his well-recognized sterling worth, have won for him the friendship of all who know him. HENRY COFFMAN. Among the prominent and successful citizens of Wayne county, Ohio, must be mentioned Henry Coffman, who is a prosperous farmer and respected and useful member of society. His valuable estate, which is located in Franklin township, attracts attention and favorable comment, not only on account of the evidences of agricultural superiority, but also by reason of its attractiveness and its air of generous comfort. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1151 Pennsylvania is the native state of the subject of this sketch, he having been born in Bedford county, that state, on the 23d of May, 1836. He is a son of Peter and Catherine Coffman, who also were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, the paternal grandfather, Henry Coffman, having been a native of Germany. In the fall of 1846, when the subject was about eleven years of age, the family came to Wayne county, Ohio, locating first at Wooster. In the spring of the following year they moved onto the Goodman farm, where they remained as renters four years, later becoming renters of the Jefferson farm, where they continued until 1854. They were members of the Lutheran church and their remains are buried in the Oak Grove cemetery. They were the parents of the following children : John, deceased ; William, deceased ; Michael, of Franklin township; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Bartram ; Kate, who married a Mr. Miller and resides near Shreve, this county; Henry,. the immediate subject of this sketch. The parents of these children were worthy persons and enjoyed an enviable standing in the community in which they lived. The father was a Democrat in his political views, but did not take an active part in local public affairs, his own business interests absorbing all his time and attention. He was a public-spirited man, however, and gave a cordial support to every movement which promised to benefit the community. Henry Coffman was reared under the parental roof and secured a fair education in this district schools of the neighborhood. Owing to financial circumstances in which the family was placed, he had to start out for himself early in life and consequently his educational advantages were somewhat limited. At the age of nineteen years he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter's trade, and he was employed at this vocation during the following fourteen years, or until the time of his marriage. He had been a hard worker and a wise economizer and at this time found himself in a position to invest in business. He wisely decided on agriculture and bought one hundred and thirty-two acres of land. The land was at that time practically covered with timber and but little improvement of any kind had been made on the place. Mr. Coffman, however, went energetically to work and in a few years he had developed the place into one of the choice farms of the township. The buildings which he erected are all neat, commodious and well arranged and he is well equipped in the way of up-to-date machinery for the successful prosecution of his work. He is considered one of the progressive and practical farmers of the community. In 1869 Mr. Coffman was united in marriage to Lovenia Pitts, a native of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where her parents died. To the subject 1152 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. and his wife the following children have been born : Charles W., who remains with his parents ; Nettie was the wife of James A. Moore, deceased; Jennetta, who is the wife of a Mr. Frane, of Wooster township ; George, of Franklin township; Emma, who is the wife of Sherman Ware, of Crestline, Ohio ; John H., who remains on the home farm. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Coffman are faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church, to which they give liberally of their means. In matters political Mr. Coffman has always given his support to the Democratic ticket and has rendered his party effective service in campaign times, but he has never sought office or public preferment for himself. Throughout his entire business career Mr. Coffman has been industrious, energetic and successful, and he has won for himself an honorable name in agricultural circles, while at all times he has received the unbounded confidence of his fellow men. HOWARD CROSBY. One great exemplification of the fact that wealth attends upon industry and that comfort is a close follower in the wake of thrift is shown in the life career of the subject of this sketch. Howard Crosby, who is the owner of a fine and fertile farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres in section 10, Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, was born on the place where he now lives and on which he has passed practically his entire life. His paternal grandfather, James Crosby, was a native of Pennsylvania and in that state was employed as a teamster between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. He came to Ohio in a very early day and entered the farm where the subject now lives and here he followed the pursuit of agriculture all his remaining days, clearing the land and, making many improvements on the same. His son, John Crosby, the subject's father, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1820, and came to Wayne county, Ohio, with his parents in 1840. He was reared to the life of a farmer and followed that calling all his active years, his death occurring in 1907. He was a great worker and was considered a very successful man in his day. He was not much of a mixer in public affairs, but gave to his township efficient service as trustee. During the Civil war he entered the military service and was sent to Washington, but saw but little service. In politics he was first a Republican, but later gave his support to the Prohibition party. He was for many years a member of the Presbyterian church at Fredericksburg and served as elder for the long period of WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1153 forty-six years, being one of the most active members of that society. He married Caroline Hamaker, who was born at Fredericksburg, her mother being a native of Canada, while her father was born in Germany. The latter was a successful and well-known miller at Fredericksburg and was injured in the mill so seriously that his death ensued before he could be moved to his home. John and Caroline Crosby became the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch and a brother, Lincoln Chase, who died at the age of two years. Mrs. Crosby died December Jo, 1899. These parents were well known throughout the community and enjoyed the unbounded confidence and esteem of all who knew them. Howard Crosby first saw the light of day on the 24th of September, 1857, and was reared under the parental roof. He secured a good education, attending the township schools during his early years, afterwards spending two years in the schools of Fredericksburg, finishing with two years in Wooster University. He has all his life been a close reader of the best literature and, is considered a well informed man. He assisted his father in the operation of the farm and on the retirement of the latter he assumed its management and is now the owner and giving to it his entire attention. He is enterprising and methodical in his work and maintains the place at a high standard of excellence. The place comprises one hundred and seventy-five acres, about thirty of which is timber land, the balance being devoted to cultivation. Mr. Crosby carries on General farming, raising all the crops common to this section, and formerly operated a dairy business, keeping a herd of pure-bred Jersey cattle, but, because of ill health, he relinquished this line of business some time ago. Mr. Crosby is a mechanic of much natural ability and has a workshop on his farm fitted up with machinery of different kinds, which he puts to good use in the making of furniture and other household conveniences. The machinery is run by a gasoline engine and in this shop Mr. Crosby derives much pleasure. He has within the past few years built a splendid modern residence on his farm, furnished with many up-to-date conveniences, including a complete acetylene lighting plant. It is one of the fine homes of the community and is the center of a large social circle who here enjoy the refined hospitality which is ever there in evidence. On the 17th of June, 1879, Mr. Crosby was united in marriage to Mary Isabell McBride, a daughter of John and Susana (Nelson) McBride, both of whom were natives of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Crosby was horn in Lowellville, Ohio, April 12, 1857, and at the age of two years accompanied the family on their removal back to Pennsylvania. When she was (73) 1154 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. eighteen years old she located in Crestline, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby are members of the Presbyterian church, at Apple Creek, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. .Because of their sterling qualities of character they are held in high esteem throughout the community. AMOS BRINKERHOFF. As a native son of Wayne county and a representative of one of her prominent families, Mr. Brinkerhoff is eminently entitled to representation in a compilation which has to do with those who have been instrumental in the upbuilding of this section of the commonwealth, while such is his personal honor and integrity of character and such his standing as one of the successful and progressive farmers of the county that this consideration is all the more compatible. Amos Brinkerhoff was born in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the I 1 th of February, 1846, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Ewing) Brinkerhoff, the former a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born October 11, 1817, and the latter born March 30, 1825, in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio. The subject's paternal grandfather, Daniel Brinkerhoff, was born March 14, 1780, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and he married Rebecca Frazier, who was born June 15, 1783. They Were married in 1809, and his death occurred in 1848 ; she died in 1881. Daniel Brinkerhoff came to Wayne county, Ohio, settling first in Wayne township, but a short time afterwards he bought the place of one hundred and sixty acres in Congress township on which the subject of this sketch now lives. The place was densely covered with the primeval forest growth and Mr. Brinkerhoff entered at once onto the task of clearing this and putting it under cultivation. A log cabin was erected where the present residence stands and a happy and comfortable home was established. Here the subject's father, James Brinkerhoff, labored in the laborious work of the first few years and he spent the remainder of his life here. James and Elizabeth Brinkerhoff became the parents of the following children : Amos, born February 1, 1846; Rebecca, born January 14, 1848, the wife of Jonathan Fetzer, of Chester township ; Elizabeth Jane, born March 30, 1850, died December 15, 1854 ; William, born September 7, 1854, living. in Canaan township ; Martha, born January 3, 1856, married John Winters, of Wooster; Ira, born June 29, 1858, lives on the home place; Anna, born May 22, 1860, died WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1155 March 9, 1892, was the wife of William Barnard, of Congress township; James, born July 3o, 1864, lives in Canaan township; Minnie Ellen, born August 7, 1867, died in infancy. James Brinkerhoff, Sr., was a stanch Democrat in politics and in religion he gave his support to the Presbyterian church. The subject's maternal grandfather, William Ewing, was one of the very earliest residents of Canaan township and his brother Simon was the first white male child born in the township, 1817. Amos Brinkerhoff was born in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 11th of February, 1846, and was reared under the parental roof. Being the eldest son, he was compelled to early take a hand in the cultivation of the farm and consequently had but little opportunity for securing an education. He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he married and moved onto one of his father's farms in Chester township, where het remained for two years. At the end of that time he moved onto another of his father's farms in Canaan township, where he remained for a time. His father then gave him a small piece of land in Canaan township, on which he located and in the operation of this place he was eminently successful, so that eventually he was enabled from time to time to buy adjoining land until today he is the owner of sixty-three acres. He has bcen careful and painstaking in the handling of this land, paying proper attention to the rotation of crops and other features of successful agriculture, and he has made a number of permanent and substantial improvements on the same, maintaining the property at a high state of excellence. He is progressive in his methods and is known as one of the enterprising farmers of the township. Mr. Brinkerhoff was married to Mary Crater, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Weaver) Crater, the former born in Germany in 1819 and the latter born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1826. To the subject and his wife the following children have been born : Daniel, born January 1, 1861; Clara, born August 13, 187o, is the wife of Frank Sells ; Anna, born February 17, 1872, is the Wife of George Garver ; Mary, born April 14, 1874, is the wife of Frank P. Barnes ; Thomas, born October 27, 1876, is a successful farmer in Canaan tonwship; Rose, born December 31, 1878, is the wife of Jacob Clark, of Ashland ; Jesse, born October 27, 188o; Wettie, born March II, 1884; Clarence, born February 4, 1887; Glenn, born March 1o, 1891. In politics Mr. Brinkerhoff is inclined to be independent, believing that the personal fitness of the candidates should be the question of paramount importance, especially in local elections. During a long and industrious career 1156 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Brinkerhoff has not only gained a strong position by the ability with which he has managed his business, but as a man of force of character, upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow citizens, and as a kind husband and devoted and careful father, he has gained the esteem of all who know him. LEVI BUCHER. Most consistently may we enter memoir in this work to one who stood as one of the honored citizens and successful agriculturists of Wayne county during the years of an active and useful life, winning the regard of men by his sterling attributes of character and attaining success through the medium of bis own ability and efforts. Mr. Bucher passed to his reward on the 2d of May, 1906, and in his death Saltcreek township was deprived of one of its most worthy and honored citizens and one whose life was such as to offer both lesson and incentive to all who came in touch therewith. He was entitled to additional regard from the fact that in the dark and troublous days of national peril in the early sixties, he gave distinctive evidence of his patriotism by enlisting in the defense of Old Glory, and such was the service he rendered that he ever afterwards was a sufferer from wounds received in battle. He was one of that host of brave sons of the North who offered their lives if need be to preserve the integrity of the Union and to them the country is under a debt of gratitude which it can never repay. In centuries yet to be posterity will commemorate their bravery in fitting eulogy and tell of their courage in story and song. Levi Bucher was born in Portage county, Ohio, on the 11th of May, 1846. Because of the extreme reticence which he always observed as to himself, nothing is known of his early life, to the age of seventeen years, at which age he enlisted for service in the Civil war. He was reared by a man named Enoch Wolford, who lived near Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio, and must have attended school during his youth, as he was a man of considerable culture and mental attainments, being always a close reader and a very intelligent and interesting conversationalist when he chose to talk. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years or as long as the war should last, but he received an honorable discharge in 1864, it is supposed because of disability from wounds. He was several times wounded and from the effects of one of his injuries, a gunshot wound, he suffered all the rest of his days until his sudden death in 1906. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1157 He was a brave and fearless soldier and enjoyed the confidence and regard of his commanding officers. After returning from the army, Mr. Bucher took up the vocation of farmer, in which line he had been reared, and he carried this on with considerable success until failing health compelled him to desist from active labor, and for some time before his death he was unable to do anything except the lightest work. The farm, which is eligibly located in section 16, Saltcreek township, is a fine and fertile tract of land and has always been maintained at the highest standard of excellence. The house and other farm buildings are well built and convenient in arrangement and attractive in appearance, and reflect the good taste and sound judgment of him who built them. Mr. Bucher was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Bucher also belongs, their membership being with the church at Fredericksburg, to which Mrs. Bucher has belonged for thirty-seven years. Socially, Mr. Bucher was a member of the Fredericksburg Post, Grand Army of the Republic. On August 1, 1873, in Holmesville, Holmes county, Ohio, Mr. Bucher wedded Samantha Horner, who was born June 11, 1852, in Saltcreek township, Holmes county, Ohio, the daughter of Charles C. and Margaret (Tuttle) Horner. Charles Homier was also born in Saltcreek township, Holmes county, and his wife was born in Newville, Ohio. They were numbered among the early settlers of this part of the state and were well-known and prominent people, owning large farming interests. To Levi and Samantha Bucher were born the following children, eight in number: Mary and Nanny, twins, born April 3, 1874, both died in infancy: John, born March 28, 1876, married Flora B. Phillips, who was born in Saltcreek township, Wayne county, a daughter of Jonathan Phillips, an early and prominent settler they had one child which died in infancy ; John is a farmer by vocation and now operates the home farm, for his mother, with whom he and his wife now live; one died in infancy September 27, 1879 ; Harry, born July 3, 1882, is unmarried and makes his home with his mother; Lee, born May 13, 1885, single and at home ; Robert, born October 3, 1887, died at the age of fifteen months ; Sarah, born September 14, 1891, died in infancy. Mr. Bucher gave his support to the Republican party, though he was never an aspirant for public office of any nature. His sons, likewise, with the exception of Lee, give their support to the same party. In every relation of life he was true to his trusts and his memory is held sacred by those who knew him. 1158 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Mrs. Bucher, who still maintains her home on the farm, is a woman of rare personal qualities and was to her late husband a helpmeet in the truest sense of the word. She is widely known in this section and enjoys the warm regard and esteem of all who know her. JOHN WILLIAM TAGGERT. One of the most valuable and most highly improved farms in Wayne county is that owned by the gentleman whose name initiates this article and who is recognized as one of the representative citizens of the county, where he has passed practically his entire life, the family having been one of prominence in the community from the early pioneer epoch to the present time. He has been a, man of public spirit and progressiveness and has always been found. on the right side of every moral issue, his influence being felt as a definite factor in the community when movements for the public good are involved. John W. Taggert, who owned and operated a fine farm in Franklin township, until 1910, when he sold, had lived on this place from the time he first saw the light of day, June 23, 1841. He is a son of William and Lydia (McAllister) Taggert, the former of whom was born in Ireland. He was reared and educated in his native land and at the age of twenty-one years came to the United States, and was thereafter employed for a number of years in the United States mint at Philadelphia. He was a member of a noted military organization known as the Independent Blues at the time the Marquis de Lafayette paid his celebrated visit to this country. He and his brother Robert came to Ohio and here they started the first brewery, but were not long engaged in that business. He then moved onto the farm which he had purchased prior to his business venture. He was also interested in a dry goods store with his brother, but his efforts were mainly confined to his agricultural operations, in which he was successful. He married Lydia McAllister, who was a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Hugh McAllister, whose death occurred in that, his native state. William and Lydia Taggert were the parents of three children, John W., the subject of this sketch, Mary, the wife of James T. Stitt, and Martha, who makes her home with her sister. William and Lydia Taggert died and were buried at Wooster. They were a worthy and highly respected couple and stood high in the community, being favorably remembered at this time by many who knew them. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1159 The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and remained with his parents until his father's death, at which time he was twelve years old. He bought a portion of the home place and was engaged in the operation of the same until he sold in 191o, when he moved to Wooster. He has made improvements on the place and constantly maintained it at the highest standard of excellence. It is a fertile and productive farm and under the intelligent direction of the subject it has been made to yield gratifying returns for the Igor bestowed. Mr. Taggert is an up-to-date and progressive agriculturist, keeping closely in touch with advanced ideas and methods and he enjoys a splendid reputation among his fellow tillers of the soil. In 1864 Mr. Taggert was united in marriage to Nancy A. Hughes, whose death occurred in 1907. This union resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Cary, of near Greeley, Colorado ; Bert, who is employed in the refining department of the United States mint at Denver, Colorado, and Harry, an undertaker at Grand Junction, Colorado. On February 28, 1910, Mr. Taggert married Mary Boyd. The family reside in a pleasant home at No. 3 East Henry street, Wooster. During the Civil war Mr. Taggart gave unmistakable evidence of his love of country by enlisting in the one-hundred-day service, joining Company C, One Hundred. and Sixty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Because of this service he became a member of Given Post, Grand Army of the Republic, but he has received a discharge from that order and is no longer affiliated. In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican, in the success of which he has taken a live interest, but he has never held office of any nature. The subject has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful and progressive agriculturist, always known for his prompt and honorable .methods of dealing, and thus he has the unbounded confidence of his fellow men. WILLIAM HENRY WILER. W. H. Wiler, a well known citizen of Plain township, Wayne county, was born in Wooster township, Wayne county, in 1855, the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Weirick) Wiler, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The subject's paternal grandparents spent their lives in Pennsylvania, and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weirick, were also natives of the Keystone state, who came to Wayne county in an early day. In the early forties Philip Weiler came to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled in Wooster 1160 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. township. He became prosperous here, at one time owning three hundred acres of good land, which he cleared and improved ; however, he retired several years prior to his death and lived in Wooster where he had the esteem of all who knew him. He was a strict Lutheran. John Wiler, brother of W. H. Wiler, was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company C, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. W., H. Wiler was educated in the common schools and the high school at Wooster, receiving a good text-book training. He decided when a boy to become a merchant and accordingly launched in the shoe business before he was twenty-one years of age and has since been engaged in that line at Wooster. He has an excellent trade with the surrounding community, always keeping an up-to-date and carefully selected stock, and many of his customers are of long standing. Mr. Wiler was married in 1876 to Mary A. Lucas, daughter of an old and highly respected family, and this union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Roy died when six months old ; Zella married Lemuel Harrold ; Wiler and Paul ; Charles Wiler married Polly Herman. Mr. Wiler is a stanch Lutheran, having been a member of this denomination since he was eighteen years of age. In politics he is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also the Royal Arcanum. While he devotes his attention exclusively to his individual business affairs, he is interested in whatever tends to promote the welfare of his county. MICHAEL TATE. For many years Michael Tate has occupied a very conspicuous place among the agriculturists of Wayne county. His career has been that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well-rounded character has also enabled him to take an active interest in education and social and moral affairs, and to keep well informed concerning the momentous questions affecting the nation. In all life's relations he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact, and his upright life is an inspiration to the many friends who know him well and are familiar with his virtues. Michael Tate, an honored resident of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, and a veteran of the Civil war, was born in Franklin township December 26, 1837, and is a son of William and Mary (May) Tate. William Tate WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1161 was born February 25, 1817, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and his death occurred May 1o, 1889. In 1828 he accompanied his parents on their overland trip to Ohio and thereafter made his home in Franklin township, Wayne county until his death. He followed the vocation of farming, in which he was fairly successful, and occupied a high position among his fellow citizens. He cleared much land of the timber which originally covered it and was active and progressive in his work and ideas. He was an active member of the Church of God, in which he held the office of exhorter. During his first years in this county he followed undertaking to some extent and directed the funerals of many of the early pioneers. In his younger days he was a supporter of the Democratic party, but later he became a Republican and was ever after loyal to that party. William Tate was twice married, first, in April, 1836, to Mary May, the daughter of Jacob and Christina May, and to them were born the following children : Michael, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Jacob, Isaac, Mary, Carrie Elizabeth and Cyrus Franks. Airs. Tate died May 6, 1852, and on the 6th of March, 1853, Mr. Tate married Rebecca Margaret Lemmon, who was born July 9, 1831, and died November 9, 1889, leaving one child. Jacob and Christina May were natives of Pennsylvania' and came to Wayne county in 1828, being prominent among the early settlers. The subject's paternal grandparents were Isaac and Catherine Gray Tate, the former of whom was born January 24, 1794, and died January 16, 1863, and the latter born in August, 1788, and died January 2, 1855. They were married March 28, 1815, and became the parents of the following children : William, referred to in the preceding paragraph ; Mary, born April 30, 1819, became the wife of Michael Miller March 15, 1838, and her death occurred on August 18, 1879 ; Susannah, born December 5, 1823, died December 23, 1824; Isaac, born December 12, 1825, is referred to elsewhere in this work; Phoebe, born December 21, 1827, died July 17, 1831 ; Solomon, born June 9, 1830, married Elizabeth Gabriel, February 24, 1853, and his death occurred September 15, 1899. Isaac Tate, the father of these children, was a native of Pennsylvania, from whence he came overland to Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1828. Here he cleared up a small tract of land and spent the balance of his life here. He was a man of good habits and sterling integrity and commanded at all times the unbounded confidence of all who knew him. Michael Tate, the immediate subject of this sketch, has lived in Franklin township all his life with the exception of twelve years spent in Paulding county, this state, and four years in Nebraska. He was reared to the life of a farmer and received a fair education in the district schools of the day, which 1162 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. were somewhat lacking in the facilities which characterize the twentieth-cen- tury schoolroom. He gave unmistakable evidence of his patriotism during the dark days of the early sixties, enlisting in 1863 in Company C, Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private. A short time after his enlistment he was taken sick and sent to the hospital, and after his recovery he was retained there in the capacity of nurse. He received an honorable discharge from the service at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in- 1865. Because of his service, he is now a member of Given Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Wooster, in which he finds appreciated association with his old comrades in arms. In politics he is a Republican and gives his efforts to the success of the party during the campaigns. He is not, however, a seeker after public office of any nature, being now too far advanced in years to permit of aspirations along that line. Mr. Tate still owns his fine farm in Franklin township, with which he has been identified for so many years, and he has always given his personal attention to the cultivation of the farm, in which he has been rewarded with handsome returns. He is a man of splendid personal qualities, which have commended him to the favorable opinion of all who know him and he is generally regarded as one of the strong, stalwart men of the community. GEORGE CRATER. There is no one nation that has contributed to the complex composition of our American social fabric an element of more sterling worth or of greater value in fostering- and supporting our national institutions than has Germany. The Fatherland has given us men of sturdy integrity, indomitable perseverance, high intelligence and much business sagacity,—the result being the incorporation of a firm and strength-giving fibre, ramifying through warp and woof. A man who may well look with pride upon his German-American ancestry is the subject of this review, who is a native of Wayne county, where he has passed practically his entire life, devoting his attention to agricultural -pursuits, possessing the dominating characteristics mentioned above and attaining a success worthy the name, with the accompanying and resulting confidence and regard of his fellow men. George Crater was born in Chippewa township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 12th of October, 1858, and is a son of Peter and Sarah (Weaver) Crater. The father was born near Hamburg, Germany, in 1819, and the WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1163 mother is a native of Stark county, Ohio. She was, however, of German parentage, her father, George Weaver, having been a native of Germany, whence he came to the United States in 1829, settling in Stark county, Ohio. He died near Paris, this state. The subject's paternal grandfather Crater was born in Germany and attained distinction in the military service of his country, rising to the rank of general in one of her wars with France. In 1829 he emigrated to America. He was a neighbor and friend of 'the subject's maternal grandfather, George Weaver, and they came over the ocean on the same boat, a slow-going sailing craft, which required forty days to make the passage. One of his children, Peter Crater, father of the subject of this ,sketch, who came to America with his father, was ten years old when the family settled in Stark county, and there he was reared and received a good education in the schools of that day. After the death of his father, he assumed the control and management of the home place, which he continued until 1865, when he moved with his growing family to Golden Corners, Wayne county, where he lived until his death, which occurred on January 20, 1881. He was a stanch Democrat in political faith and was a hardy and enterprising pioneer. His wife, Sarah, who was a most estimable woman, was reared in the German Lutheran church and, because of her many estimable qualities, she was beloved by all who knew her. Her death occurred in 1908. To Peter and Sarah Crater the following children were born : John, of Denver, Colorado; William ; Charles ; Mary is the wife of Amos Brinkerhoff, a farmer in Canaan township ; Lavine, the wife of John Matthews ; Sarah, the wile of Williard Keefer; Eliza, the wife of John Sheppard, a farmer in Congress township ; Emelia ; Dora, the wife of Frank Criss ; Della, the wife of Burt Bebbington, of Wooster, Ohio, and George, the subject of this sketch. George Crater attended the district school at Golden Corners, Wayne county, Ohio, and received a fair education. He remained at home assisting his father in the operation of the farm until the latter's death, at which time the farm was sold and the subject moved to near Canton, Ohio, where he remained four years. He then returned to Wayne county and bought a farm of one hundred acres, which he operated four years, after which he cultivated rented land for ten years, during the last seven years of which time he lived on the George Clark place. In March, 1909, Mr. Crater bought the Eli Palmer farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Canaan township, and he is now engaged in farming here. It is a splendid piece of farming land and is highly productive, all the crops common to this section of the country being raised thereon. Mr. Crater gives special attention to the raising of hay, in 1164 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. which he has been very successful. He is progressive in his methods and energetic in his labor, showing himself to be a man of sound judgment and wise discrimination in all his efforts. On the 21st of January, 1892, Mr. Crater was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Hattie Overs, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, September II, 1863, the daughter of John and Catherine (Swaisgood) Overs. John Overs was a native of Pennsylvania, but was brought to Ohio when he was eight years of age. His wife was born near Red Haw, Ohio. To John and Catherine Overs the following children were born : Hattie, wife of the subject; Andrew, a merchant at Burbank, this county; William, in Cleveland ; Sarah, who lives in Canton, Ohio, is the wife of John Oldfield ; Philene is the wife of Chancey H. Frary, of Burbank; Delency is the wife of Charles Wheeler, who is conductor on the Northern Pacific railroad in North Dakota. The subject and his wife are the parents of the following children : Helen, born July 2, 1894 ; Howard, born July Jo, 1895; Mabel, born January 26, 1897; Stella, born September 19, 1902 ; John, born December 13, 1904. In politics Mr. Crater is a Democrat and takes a keen interest in the success of his party. He if public spirited in his attitude toward all movements looking to the advancement of the best interests of the community and because of his splendid qualities of character he enjoys the unbounded confidence and regard of the entire community. JOHN MARTIN. Among the leading citizens and representative farmers of Wooster township, Wayne county, Ohio, is he whose name forms the caption to this brief article, and this work would be incomplete were there failure to make specific notice of him. The people of the United States give special reverence to those brave men who, laying aside all personal interests and love for home and family, went forth to battle for the perpetuation of the national integrity, knowing full well that the cost of their sacrifice might be life itself. The subject gave a valiant and faithful support to "Old Glory" on many southern battlefields and carries scars received from southern bullets, a badge of honor to be held in higher esteem than the royal badges bestowed by old world monarchs. John Martin is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Franklin township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on May 2, 1844, and is the son of Andrew and Catherine (Wickey) Martin, both of whom are now de- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1165 ceased. The subject remained at home with his parents during his youth and secured a fair education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1860 he came to Wooster township, Wayne county, and entered the employ of John Walters, with whom he remained until October 9, 1861, when he responded to his country's call and enlisted as a private in Company I, Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of corporal and gave faithful service until being mustered out on December 10, 1864, at Marshall, Tennessee. During his service he was in the commands of Generals Buell, Rosecrans and Sherman, and took part in all the battles incident to the campaign leading up to the capture of Atlanta, Georgia. At Chickamauga, Mr. Martin had one finger of his left hand shot off, the bullet being deflected from his body by striking the barrel of his gun. Upon the conclusion of his army service Mr. Martin returned to Wooster, where he worked for two years. In 1866 he was married and moved onto his father-in-law's farm, which he managed until the latter's death, when he purchased the farm and has since continued to operate the place. It is now a well-improved farm in every respect and under Mr. Martin's able management it has been maintained as one of the most fertile and productive farms in Wooster township. The subject is a man of indefatigable energy and enterprise and is progressive in his methods. He carries on a general system of agriculture and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of livestock and in both lines he is meeting with a gratifying degree of success. On the 20th of September, 1866, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Balinda A. Eckert, a native of Wooster, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Mary (Burnett) Eckert, both of whom are now deceased. To the subject and wife the following children have been born : Peter W., who resides three miles northwest of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio ; Lillie Allie is the wi fe of Isaac N. Hough, auditor of Wayne county, and they reside at Wooster ; Emma Bell is the wife of Dellsworth Wrenn, of Mason, Ohio ; John Q., who resides at Cleveland, Ohio, married grace Beebe ; Walter E., who is a farmer near West Salem, Ohio, married Flora Shank; Samuel C., a street car conductor at Mansfield, Ohio, married Emma Atkins ; James Roy, of near Wooster, Ohio, married Altie Kimber; Charles. H., of near Canal Fulton, Ohio, married Isa Franks; Miry Maude is deceased ; Ethel is a student at the Agricultural Experiment Station. Politically, Mr. Martin is a Democrat and has taken an active part in the councils of his party, having served as a member of the county central committee and the state committee. He has been a number of times honored 1166 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. by official positions, having served as a member of the township board for twenty-six years ; township assessor, six years; infirmary director for six years, and in 1907 he was elected trustee of Wooster township, in which position he is still serving. His religious membership is with the Lutheran church at Wooster, to which he gives a generous support. Fraternally, he is a member of Given Post, No. 133, Grand Army of the Republic, .at Wooster, of which he has served as junior vice-commander. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Martin has been a very busy man and successful withal. He has at all times evinced a commendable interest- in public *affairs and has always - stood for the highest and best interests of the community. His genial disposition and kindly attitude towards all having dealings with him have won for him a host of warm personal friends and he is eminently deserving of being numbered among the representative men of his county. JESSE R. SHILLING. This is an age in which the farmer stands pre-eminently above any other class as a producer of wealth. He simply takes advantage of the winds, the warm air, the bright sunshine and the refreshing rains, and applying his own hands and skill to nature's gifts he creates grain, hay, livestock, etc., all of which are absolute necessaries to the inhabitants of the world. The commercial world has come to recognize his importance and has surrounded him with many conveniences not thought of one hundred years ago. The inventor has given him the self-binder, the riding plow, the steam thresher, and many other labor-saving devices. And the farmer has not been slow to take advantage of the improvements thus invented and offered. Among the up-to-date farmers of this county is the subject of this brief sketch, who was born in Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, on June 25, 1876. He is descended from sturdy Pennsylvania stock, his paternal grandfather, John Shilling, having migrated from that state to Ohio at an early date and taken up a tract of government land. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church and died at the age of eighty-five years. His son, Adam Shilling, the subject's father, was born October 25, 1839, in Canaan township, and was reared on the home farm, where he spent practically his entire life. He himself acquired the ownership of one hundred and eighty-four acres of land in this county and was accounted one of the county's representa- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1167 tive citizens. He was an ardent Republican. His death occurred in 1899. He married Maria Richie, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1843, her death occurring in 1897. Jesse R., the subject of this sketch, was the only child. Jesse R. Shilling secured a fair education in the district schools and was reared to the life of a farmer, which honorable calling he has followed all his life. He remained as his father's assistant until the latter's death, when, as the only child, he assumed possession and control of the property. Mr. Shilling is an energetic worker, being noted for the great amount of which he can accomplish in a given time, and he devotes his energies wholly to the operation of the farm. He is up-to-date in farming methods and is maintaining the farm at the very highest standard of excellence. He carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to the section, and he has been rewarded with bountiful crops in return from the labor he has bestowed. On January 7, 1903, Mr. Shilling wedded Minnie Swartz, who was born at Red Haw, Ohio, the daughter of Esly Swartz, a successful farmer of Medina county. To Mr. and Mrs. Shilling have been born four children, namely : Clyde, born in 1904 ; Ralph, born in 1905 ; John, born in 1907, and Gertrude, born in 1909. Mr. Shilling is a Republican in politics and takes a keen interest in the success of that party, though he is not in any sense an aspirant for public office. Not only as a farmer and business man is he considered representative, but in all that constitutes nobility of character and good citizenship he has long occupied a conspicuous place in the community. ADAM B. BOWER. One of the representative agriculturists of Plain township, Wayne county, is Adam B. Bower, a man who has shown by his life of consecutive endeavor, which has resulted in the attainment of desirable property and the winning of a reputation for integrity and fidelity to duty, that he has inherited many praiseworthy qualities from his ancestors, who, as records show, were people of the highest. type of citizenship, the class that any community might well boast of. Mr. Bower was born on a farm east of Reedsburg, Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, January II, 1863. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Funk) Bower, both born in Plain township, this county. His paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bower, were natives of Pennsylvania, who in an early day came to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled on what is now the Houck 1168 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. farm, one mile east of Reedsburg. There were no roads there when he came and the country was undeveloped generally, but Jacob Bower was a hardy pioneer and he soon cleared the place he selected and followed farming. The maternal grandparents of the subject, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Funk, came to this county from Pennsylvania in an early day and settled on what is now the Palmer farm in Plain township. John Bower, father of Adam B. Bower, was reared in Plain township and he has always followed farming, being very successful in this line of endeavor, having accumulated two hundred and five acres of land. He was a Democrat and a member of the Reformed church. He and his wife were the parents of seven sons and one daughter. Adam B. Bower was educated at Reedsburg, receiving a very good education. Early in life he began farming and he has always followed this occupation, now being the owner of a very well managed and highly productive farm of one hundred and five acres in Plain township. He is a general farmer and stock raiser. He has a nice home and good outbuildings. Mr. Bower was married on November 2, 1892, to Elsie M. Martin, a sister of Samuel Curtis Martin, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Bower the following children have been born : Florence, Floyd. Cloise and Jason. Mr. Bower is a member of the Reformed church, and politically he is a Democrat ; while he does not find time to take any special. interest in politics, he is always ready to do what he can in furthering the interests of his community politically or otherwise. WILLIAM TATE. In the best development of Wayne county William Tate bore an important part. He was identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state from pioneer days, and while promoting the material welfare of the community also gave an active and liberal support to those measures which tended to advance its intellectual and moral status. His life was filled with good deeds and kindly thoughts, and all who knew him entertained for him the kindest regard, by reason of his upright, honorable life. Over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and his example is well worthy of emulation. In his death, which occurred on the 10th of May, 1889, the community suffered a distinct loss. William Tate was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1169 February, 1817, and was a son of Isaac and Catherine (Gray) Tate, the former of whom was born on the 24th of January, 1794, and died January 16, 1863, and the latter born in August, 1788, and died January 2, 1855. To their marriage, which was celebrated on March 28, 1815, the following children were born : William, the subject of this sketch ; Mary, born April 30, 1819. and who became the wife of Michael Miller March 15, 1838, her death occurring on August 18, 1879 ; Susannah, born December 5, 1823, died December 23, 1824; Isaac, born December 12, 1825, is referred to in following paragraphs; Phebe, born December 21, 1827, died July 17, 1831; Solomon, born June 9, 1830, married Elizabeth Gabriel February 24, 1853, and his death occurred September 15, 1899. Isaac Tate was a native of Pennsylvania, from whence he came overland to Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1828. Here he cleared up a farm of moderate size and there successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. He lived there during the remainder of his life and died in the enjoyment of the love and regard of all who knew him. In 1828 the subject came with his parents from Pennsylvania to their new western home and here he was reared to the life of a tiller of the soil, which vocation he followed during all his active years. He received his education in the district schools of the neighb0rhood, and on attaining manhood's years he took up the active work of the farm, to the ownership of which he in due time succeeded. William Tate was twice married, first to Mary May, in April, 1836, she being the daughter of Jacob and Christina May, and to them were born the following children : Michael, who is referred to elsewhere in this work ; Jacob, Isaac, Mary, Carrie Elizabeth and Mrs. Cyrus Franks. Mrs. Tate died May 6, 1852, and on the 6th of March, 1853, Mr. Tate married Rebecca Margaret Lemmon, who was born July 9, 1831, and died November 9, 1889, leaving one child. Jacob. and Christina May were natives" of Pennsylvania and came to Wayne county in 1828, and became prominent among the old settlers of the county. William Tate was a Republican in politics and took an active interest in local public affairs. Isaac Tate, the fourth in order of birth of the children of Isaac and Catherine (Gray) Tate, was born December 12, .1825, and died on the 8th of April, 1868. On the 23d of December, 1852, he married Margaret Ann Fegtly, who was born February 3, 1834, and died on August 17, 1898. She was the daughter of John Jacob and Hannah (Marks) Fegtly. Her father was of Swiss nativity and his death occurred on November 8, 1828. After-the death of Isaac Tate, his widow became the wife of Robert C. Reed, and (74) 1170 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. her death occurred August 17, 1898. To Isaac and Margaret Tate were born several children, namely : Hannah Catherine, born July 4, 1854; William Marks, March 4, 1856; Jacob N., born March 9, 1858, died August 13, 1861; John W., referred to in another paragraph ; Emma Tressa, born April 30, 1863, died May 15, 1864; Jane Ann, April 1, 1865, died November 16, 1866. Isaac, the father of these children, was a staunch Republican in politics and followed the pursuit of agriculture all his active years, his death occurring at the comparatively early age of forty-two years. Of the children of Isaac and Margaret Tate, referred to in the preceding paragraph, John W., who is a well-known farmer of this township, was born on the paternal homestead November 2, 1860. He has been twice married, first to Helen Sloan, to which union was born one child, William Reed Tate. His second union was with Clara Benepe, to which union was born a son, Jacob. Marks. Mrs. Clara Tate is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Wallace W. and Abigail (Franks) Benepe. Her father was born at Mount Eaton, this county, and after attaining mature years he was for a time engaged in the hotel business at Fredericksburg. John W. Tate is the owner of one hundred and seventy-five acres of splendid land in Franklin township and is a progressive and enterprising farmer, being also a public spirited acid influential citizen. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Moorland, of which he has been a member of the official board, serving as steward and trustee, as well as class leader. In 1889 he was made a Master Mason in Ebenezer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Wooster. His political belief is that of the Republican party, with which he has always voted, and he takes an active interest in the public affairs of his community. William Marks Tate, the son of Isaac and Margaret Tate, was born on the old homestead March 4, 1856, and was there reared. He was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood, and his manual education was along the lines of agriculture, with which he has always been closely identified. He is the owner of one hundred and ten acres of land, which is highly improved and, under the careful management of the owner, has been made highly productive and profitable. He is a stanch Republican in politics, but has never been a seeker after public office, though ever taking a commendable interest in the trend of current public events. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal church at Moorland. He is a public-spirited man and his support is ever given to those movements which promise to be a benefit to the community. Because of his many personal qualities of a high order he is held in high regard by all who know him, his friends being in number as his acquaintances. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1171 SIMON D. BURKHOLDER One of the leading agriculturists of Greene township, Wayne county, is S. D. Burkholder, who has made his influence felt among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor, that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume. He was born in Greene township, this county, September 26, 1863, the son of Jonathan S. and Elizabeth (Smoker) Burkholder, the former born in this township in 1826, the son of John Burkholder, who was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, formerly a province of France, now of Germany. He came to the United States when a young man, having been fourteen weeks on the voyage, the trip being made in an old-fashioned sailing vessel that was slow and tiresome. He made his way to Wayne county, Ohio, and located in Greene township, marrying here and securing a farm, where he spent most of his later life, and where his son, Jonathan S., lived and where S. D., son of the latter, was also reared. The grandfather, John Burkholder, moved to Smithville late in life and died at that place. Thus we see that this name has been a familiar one in Wayne county since the pioneer days and this family has been a very enterprising and honorable one ever "since. Jonathan Burkholder, mentioned above, was reared on the home farm in this township, where he was married and reared his family, which consisted of nine children, namely : Sarah, Anna, Caroline, Menno, all deceased ; an infant also died unnamed ; Noah S., living in Greene township; S. D., of this review ; Amos J., of Greene township; Joseph, deceased. S. D. Burkholder was reared on the home farm near Smithville and he assisted with the work there, attending the common schools in the meantime, alternating the two until he was eighteen years of age ; then he devoted his attention exclusively to farming until he was twenty-two years of age. He was married on January 20, 1887, to Emma Musser, the daughter of a highly respected old family, and this union has resulted in the birth of eight children, five of whom are living, namely : Ada, Nora, Allen, Grace and Roy. The mother of these children passed away in 1902, and afterwards Mr. Burkholder married Salina Byler. She was reared in Noble county, Indiana, her birth having occurred September 6, 1868. Three children were born of this last union, Guy, in 1906, Ray in 1908, and Zora in 1909. When Mr. Burkholder was first married it became necessary for him to borrow money to buy a team' with which to begin farming. He rented the home place for one year, then rented other farms, prospering by reason of his habits of industry and economy, until he was able to purchase a farm of eighty-one and three-fourths acres in the center of Greene township and as 1172 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. good land as the township afforded. However, he went in debt for all of the place and used what money he had saved to stock the same and began farming in a proper manner.. He made a success principally by raising grain, and he has been enabled thereby to pay for the farm, remodel his house and barn and improve the place in many ways. He has a very good dwelling and other buildings and his land is easily worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre, the entire farm being worth ten thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. He also has an interest in the gristmill at Smithville and had an interest in a threshing machine for some time. Considering the disadvantages under which he started in life he has succeeded admirably, well and has shown himself to be a man of soundness of judgment and rare foresight. In politics he is a Democrat, and he holds membership in the Amish Mennonite church. MRS. DAVID LAWRENCE. Wholly devoted to home and domestic duties, doing through all the best years of her life the lowly but sacred work that comes within her sphere, there is not much to record concerning the life of the average woman. And yet what station so dignified, what relation so loving and endearing, what office so holy, tender and ennobling as those of home-making wifehood and motherhood. A celebrated writer and biographer once said that the future destiny of a great nation depended upon its wives and mothers. May this not also be said concerning the future that is bone of her bone, blood of her blood and flesh of her flesh, and which is incalculable in its results and will never be fully known until eternity solves the problem ? In the settlement of the great Middle West woman bore her full share of hardship, sufferings and other vicissitudes, helping man in the rugged toil of wood and field, cheering him when cast down and discouraged, sharing his dangers, mitigating his sufferings, in the end quietly and unostentatiously rejoicing in his success, yet ever keeping herself modestly in the background. In a biographical compendium, such as this work is intended to be, woman should have no insignificant representation. As man's equal in every qualification save the physical, and his superior in the gentle, tender and loving amenities of life, she fuller merits a much larger notice than she ordinarily receives, and there should be given her due credit for the important part she acts in life's great drama and be accorded her proper place in history and biography. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1173 Sarah Elizabeth Francis, the subject of this sketch, is a native daughter of the old Buckeye state, her birth having taken place in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1835. She is a daughter of Caleb and Julia Ann (Hooper) Francis, who were both born in Maryland, the father on February 20, 1812, and the mother on January 18, 1817. They were married on July 29, 1834, and soon afterwards came to Harrison county, Ohio. Subsequently they moved to Belmont county, where he died. Later the stepfather came to Coshocton county, where he died on July 28, 1842 ; the widow moved to Tuscarawas county. She 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 Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Francis were born the following children : Sarah Elizabeth, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Charles T., who was born August 16, 1836, died February 2, 1852 ; Ann Eliza, born August 24, 1833, now deceased, became the wife of Jacob Mootersbaugh and they had ten children : Mary E., born March 22, 1840, died August 19, 1843 ; Caleb B., Jr., born April 9, 1842, died in 1907. Mrs. Lawrence's maternal grandfather, Michael Hooper, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and her step-grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject was reared in the parental home and secured her education in the district schools of the locality. At Wooster, Ohio, August 31, 1854, she was united in marriage with Cyrenius Geislman, who was born January 18. 1833, at New Franklin, Columbiana county, Ohio, a son of John and Sarah (Miller) Geislman. Subsequently they moved to Wayne county, locating on land which was located partly in East Union and partly in Franklin townships. Here 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 now occupied by the 'subject of this sketch, where he spent the remaining years of his life. The residence was built in 1837 by Nicholas Smith, and was the first brick house built in this locality. It was large and commodious and for several years the second story was used as a place of worship by the United Brethren congregation. Mr. Geislman was an enterprising and progressive farmer, in which he was fairly successful, and during his later years he also took the agency for farming machinery, in which also he was successful. 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. To Cyrenius and Sarah Geislman were born 1174 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. the following children : Julia Ann, born July 8, 1855, died March 31, 1883, became the wife of Allen Derr, also now deceased, and they became the parents of two children, Ada Alice, who married a Mr. Williams, and Cyrenius Derr, who married Savilla Swartz, four children being born to them ; John Franklin, born November 6, 1857, died September 16, 1893, married Alzoma Franks, who is now living, and they became the parents of six children, two of whom are now dead, those living being Carl Dean, Alta, Lillie and Myron; 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 \V. Martin, of Hampton township, Summit county, Ohio, and they have had six children, four of whom are living, Ada, Anna B., Wesley and Walter, Lonna Delno (died in infancy), Viola and Myrtle. Cyrenius Geislman was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fredericksburg, and was a popular man in the circles in which he moved. Mrs. Geislman remained a widow eleven years, and then, on the 3d of September, 1895, she became the wife of David Lawrence, who is now deceased. He was a man of many fine personal qualities of character and was well liked throughout the community by all who knew him. Mrs. Lawrence still resides on the old homestead in Franklin township, and though she is nearing the golden sunset of her life's journey, she still takes an active interest in the affairs of the community. She possesses considerable business ability and is conducting her landed interests in a practical and businesslike manner. She has through a long course of years enjoyed the warm friendship of a large circle of loyal friends and today her attractive and hospitable home is a favorite meeting place for the companions of her younger days, who delight in her society. JONATHAN K. HOSTETLER. One of Greene township's most progressive and influential citizens is Jonathan K. Hostetler, a representative of an old and highly respected family of Wayne county, where he was born September 22, 1860, the son of Jeptha and Salome (King) Hostetler, the former a native of Wayne township, this county, where he was born June 10, 1834, the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Yoder) Hostetler, both natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, in a four-horse wagon about 1831, and settled in Wayne township, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, all timbered. Christian cleared this and developed a good farm on which he