1300 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. community. He was a member of the Reformed church, of which his widow is also a member. Mr. Pfeiffer was married in 1862 to Martha Mowery, who was born and reared in Wayne county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Jane Mowery; an excellent old family, having been among the first settlers here. They cane from Germany with their parents in a very early day and helped clear up this country. Mr. Mowery was a stanch Republican and he engaged in - farming on a very extensive scale. Both he and his faithful wife are sleeping the sleep of the just. To Mr. and Mrs. Pfeiffer four children were born, namely : Mary Jane, wife of Frank Fair and the mother of three children ; Sarah Ellen and Charles Allen (twins), the former deceased, and the latter is managing the home farm ; Harvey died in infancy. Mrs. Pfeiffer is a woman of pleasing characteristics and she and her children have hosts of friends in this township. The death of George Pfeiffer occurred on July 4, 1896. All who knew him are unstinted in their praise of his many sterling qualities as a man and citizen, and he will long be missed in this community. JOHN H. WILEY. John H. Wiley is one of the prominent business men of Wayne county, his home being in West Salem, Congress township. He has met with creditable success and has commanded uniform confidence and respect by his business methods, so that the record of his career is full of interest. In all his trade transactions he has been honorable; at all times he has been energetic; he forms his plans readily, carries them forward to successful completion, and is now enjoying well-merited prosperity. John H. Wiley is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Ashland county on the 21st of July, 1859. He is the son of William H. and Mary S. (Mason) Wiley. His paternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary (Vanica) Wiley, were natives of Pennsylvania, but in 1837 they came to Ohio, settling in Ashland county, where they took up land from the government. They were successful farmers and stood high in the community. The subject's maternal grandparents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Heffner) Mason, were also natives of the Keystone state, and they too came and settled in Ashland county, where they spent the remainder of their days. Thomas Wiley and a brother were veterans of the war of 1812. The subject's father, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1301 William H. Wiley, was reared on the parental homestead in Ashland county and received his education in the common schools. On attaining mature years he took up the vocation of farming, which he followed throughout his active years. He died on December 31, 1888, and his widow is still living at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are living. They were prominent members of the Evangelical church, in which they took a prominent part. The subject of this sketch was reared in the Ashland county home and secured a good education in the common schools. He then entered Ashland College, being a student there during the first year of its existence. He then attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada and later the Mansfield Business College, from which he graduated with the class of 1889. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching school and was so employed' about twelve years, embracing a period before and after his attendance at business college. Mr. Wiley then went into the hardware business at West Salem, to which place' he had moved in 1894, and was so occupied about a year and a half, when he discontinued it. Since that time he has been to some extent engaged in farming, but has made a specialty of buying and shipping all kinds of poultry, in which enterprise he has been successful to a gratifying degree. He is energetic and progressive and has been successful in all his enterprises. Mr. Wiley has also, in company with F. L. Berry, started the Farmers' Bank at West Salem, which is meeting with splendid success. A Republican in politics, Mr. Wiley was elected mayor of West Salem, serving from 1898 to 1900, he being compelled to decline re-election because of moving .to his farm. Returning to reside in West Salem, he was elected councilman, and then was again elected mayor to fill out an unexpired term, and has been re-elected twice to the office, thus having served in this responsible position during the past six consecutive years. He has given the office his careful attention and has given the town a practical, business administration, reflecting honor upon himself and benefiting the community at large. Socially he is a member of West Salem Lodge, No. 4,12,, Free and Accepted Masons, and Lodge No. 85, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Ashland. His religious membership is in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, and to this society they give an earnest and generous support. On the 29th of April, 1900, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage to Harriet M. Berry, a native of Wayne county and a daughter of Richard and 1302 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Ann M. Berry, early settlers at West Salem, Where they are now living. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Wiley is recognized as a man of executive ability and enterprise and is numbered among the leading citizens of his community. JONATHAN FETZER. Among the representative citizens of Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, who, while advancing their own interests, have not been unmindful of their duties to their neighbors and to the state as well, is Jonathan Fetzer, a native of Canaan township, this county, his birth occurring January 7, 1846, the son of Frederick and Alutia Ann (Hoff) Fetzer. His paternal grandparents were Barnhart and Magdalena Fether, natives of Bern, Switzerland, who, in 1832, came to America and located in Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, where they entered government land. At that time the nearest post-office was Cleveland. When Barnhart Fetzer came here he walked from Cleveland, to which place he returned after viewing the land which he desired to enter, and from there he wrote to his family, who were left at Buffalo, to join him here. He entered one hundred and sixty acres and lived the remainder of his days here. The maternal grandparents of Jonathan Fetzer were Jacob and Elizabeth Hoff, natives of and reared to maturity in Pennsylvania, from which state they came to Wayne county, Ohio, in wagons in 183o, a few years before Barnhart Fetzer and his family came here. The Hoffs settled in Milton township and there spent the remainder of their clays. The father of the subject was born in_in France 1822, having come to America with his parents. His wife, Alutia Ann Hoff, was born in Wayne county, Ohio. Soon after their marriage they began farming, but Mr. Fetzer became an invalid from rheumatism and could do but little work, so, later in life, he depended entirely upon his children for support. He lived a temperate, quiet, retired life. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity and are living at this writing. During the Civil war the father, Frederick Fetzer, was a loyal Union man, but not a soldier, though he did all he could at home for the Federal government. He was a member of a committee in Canaan township whose duty it was to collect whatever they could that would be of aid and comfort to the soldiers at the front. While engaged in this work he rode on horseback from house to house. Jonathan Fetzer, of this sketch, was educated in the common schools in Canaan township and the Canaan Academy. He learned the carpenter's WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1303 trade which he followed for a few years when a young man and finally went to farming. Later he took up threshing, which he followed for a period of seventeen years, becoming known as one of the leading threshing-machine operators in this locality, and this, in connection with his farming, made him a very comfortable living. He was slightly disabled and gave up the threshing business, devoting his attention exclusively to farming, which he has continued ever since. In 1873 he purchased the place on which he now resides, consisting of one hundred and twenty-four acres in Chester township. He has put all the improvements on the place, cleared half of the land and in many ways rendered it attractive and valuable. He has been an extensive breeder of Shorthorn and Jersey cattle, always dealing in registered stock of a very fine quality. He has never kept many hogs or sheep, but his cattle have attracted a great deal of attention. Mr. Fetzer was married in 1867 to Rebecca Brinkerhoff, the daughter of James Brinkerhoff, mentioned elsewhere in this work, and this union has resulted in the birth of eight children, namely : Charles, Blanche, Ellen, Martha, Mary, Bessie, Riley and James ; the last named is engaged in the real estate business in Wooster, Ohio. Mr. Fetzer is a Democrat and he has taken much interest in local affairs. He very ably served on the local school board for thirteen years consecutively, and he has long been a school director. He was a township trustee for seven years. Such long service would indicate the high standing of Mr. Fetzer in his community and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. L. LYMAN SOLIDAY. Among the well-known agriculturists of Plain township, Wayne county, who have made a success in life because they have worked for it and spent their lives in looking after their individual affairs instead of making. everybody's business their own, is L. L. Soliday, who was born on the old Soliday homestead in Plain township, November 20, 1865. His father, John Soliday, was born in Plain township, and his mother, Susan Spar, was born in Wayne county. John Soliday, who was a farmer, died in September, 1893 ; his widow survives and lives with her daughter, Mrs. A. S. Alexander. They had children as follows : Ida May married A. S. Alexander and lives in Plain township ; William A.; Sidney Grat ; L. L., the subject of this sketch. 1304 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. L. L. Soliday was educated at the Union Hall school house in this township, where he spent his time during the winter months, working on the home place during the crop seasons, assisting his father with his work. Later he farmed on the home place on his own account. He has always been considered a good farmer and consequently he got a good start in life at a much earlier age than many who have followed the same line of endeavor. In 1896 he purchased fifty acres southeast of Reedsburg where he has since resided, carrying on general farming and making a very comfortable living, as a result of his good management and close application to his business. He has a very comfortable home and keeps some fine poultry and livestock. Mr. Soliday was married on February 17, 1891, to Clara Bower, daughter of Frederick Bower, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. This union has resulted in the birth of two children, Russell and Paul. In his political relations Mr. Soliday is a Democrat, and he has long taken considerable interest in local affairs. He has served several years on the board of education in Plain township, and served very acceptably as assessor of Plain township. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously he belongs to the Lutheran church and Mrs. Soliday and the children are members of the Reformed church. They are regarded by their neighbors as excellent people. ORLOW H. WERTENBERGER. It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and useful life and who has attained a position of relative distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biography finds its. most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the honored subject whose life now comes under review, Orlow H. Wertenberger, a successful agriculturist and highly esteemed citizen of Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio. Orlow H. Wertenberger is a native son of the Buckeye state, having first seen the light of day in Jackson township, Ashland county, on the 25th of January, 1868. He is the son of George and Jane (Berry) Wertenber- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1305 ger, who will be mentioned in a later paragraph. The subject was reared with his parents and received a good education, attending the common schools and the Congress high school, after which he attended Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, two years, completing his education by taking a through course at the Cleveland Business College. He was then employed with the Erie Railroad Company three years, after which he went to Schenectady, New York, as private secretary for A. J. Pitkin, who was engaged in the locomotive business there. After the organization of the combine of locomotive building companies, Mr. Wertenberger became chief clerk for the American Locomotive Works, in which Mr. Pitkin was interested, and subsequently was transferred to the mechanical engineering department in the capacity of chief clerk. He was connected with this concern until 1904, when he returned to his father's farm and has since been occupied in its management. He has demonstrated his fitness to manage agricultural duties as well as business affairs and has already achieved a distinctive success as a farmer. He gives his attention to a general and diversified system of farming, with whin he combines stock raising, and in both these lines he has been enabled to realize a handsome profit. He keeps the farm up to the highest standard and in the community he has earned the esteem and respect of his fellow agriculturists. On October 17, 1893, Mr. Wertenberger married Sarah Good, the daughter of Joel and Margaret Good, early settlers in Dalton, this county. To this union have been born seven children, namely : George Ellis, Paul Edward, Edith Estelle, Mildred (deceased at the age of two years), Leland Good, Willard Earl and Mary Alberta. In politics Mr. Wertenberger is a stanch Republican and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, though he is not an aspirant for public office of any nature. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Socially, the subject is an appreciative member of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, holding membership in George Lodge, No. 6, at Schenectady, New York. His many admirable qualities of heart and mind have gained for him a large circle of friends. George Wertenberger, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in what was Jackson township, Wayne county, Ohio, but is now Ashland county, on the 22d of January, 1836. He was the son of Isaac and Katherine (Bower) Wertenberger, both natives of Stark county, Ohio. The paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany, who emigrated to Pennsylvania in an early day. His son George moved to Stark county, Ohio, where he farmed and reared his family. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Bower, 1306 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. was a native of the little republic of Switzerland. He emigrated to America, locating first in New York state, but subsequently coming to Stark county, Ohio. He became a farmer here and in 1826 he moved to Wayne county. There his father-in-law had entered a quarter section of land for each of his children, at a cost of one dollar and a quarter per acre, and there Isaac and Katherine Wertenberger made their future home and reared their family. Isaac Wertenberger was a Democrat in politics, but never aspired to public office. They became the parents of six children, of whom George Wertenberger is the only one now living. The father died in 1873 and his wife in 1868. George Wertenberger received his education in an old log school house which stood near the line between Wayne and Ashland counties, and when he had attained mature years he took up the pursuit of farming. At the age of twenty-five years he enlisted in Company C, of the Third Regiment Ohio Cavalry, with which command he served valiantly for three years, receiving his discharge shortly after the siege of Atlanta. He was a participant in the famous battle at Chickamauga and took part in about fifty other battles and skirmishes, in one of which he was wounded in the right arm. At the conclusion of his military service he resumed his farming operations. Buying a part of the old homestead farm, he remained there until 1877, when he moved to another place and eventually bought a smaller place just east of the old home, where he has since lived, being now retired from active farm labor. On the 25th of December, 1862, Mr. Wertenberger married Jane Berry, a native of Wayne county, and the daughter of Henry and Maria Berry, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in this county. To George and Jane Wertenberger were born four children, namely : Orlow, who is mentioned at length in preceding paragraphs; Charles is engaged in home mission work ; Grace M., who also is a missionary ; one died in infancy unnamed. Mrs. Jane Wertenberger died on the 23d of April, 1888, and in 1892 Mr. Wertenberger married Anna L. Zaring, of Jefferson, Ohio. To this union one son has been born, John, whose natal day was November 14, 1897. In politics George Wertenberger was reared a Democrat, but turned Republkan after the war, and then supported the Prohibition party. In religion he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Socially he is a member of West Salem Lodge, No. 39, Free and Accepted Masons, and at one time he was a member of the Grange. A man of excellent personal traits of character, Mr. Wertenberger has long enjoyed and still retains the warm friendship of all who know him. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1307 JOHN I. SWINEHART. Back to the stirring days of the American Revolution John I. Swinehart, a representative citizen of Wayne county, Ohio, traces his ancestry, and it is a matter of no small amount of self-gratification that he can say that, without exception, they have borne honorable names and played well their parts in whatever community they have lived. The immediate subject of this sketch was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1857; the son of Josiah and Martha (Meck) Swinehart.. His maternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Nudeing) Meck, were also natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they spent their entire lives: John Meck was a soldier. in the Revolutionary war and a man of much physical courage. The paternal grandparents of the subject, also lived and died in the old. Keystone state. Josiah Swinehart, father of John I., was born in Pennsylvania in 1825 and his wife, Martha Meck, was also. born there in the. same year, having been one month Older than her husband. They grew up in their native community and married there ; coming to Ohio, in 1871, they settled in Chester township on a farm; however, much of Josiah's time was taken up with his practice of veterinary surgery, he having been regarded as an expert of the old school. He first settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he rented in Chester township, but later purchased a farm of an equal number of acres, and after making several changes spent his last days in Lattasburg, dying in 1903. His widow, who is still living, is a woman whom everybody admires for her motherly kindness. She and, her husband became the parents of eleven children, namely : George, Kate, :Henry, Maria, Amos, John, Lydia. (deceased), Philip, Lizzie, William and Ezra (deceased). The father of these children gave most of his attention to his personal affairs, -taking little interest in public matters. In 1864 he was drafted for service -in the Union army, but hired a substitute. John I. Swinehart was educated in the public schools of this county, having been twelve .years of age when he came to this community. He worked on the hothe farm in his boyhood days, consequently he quite naturally took to agricultural pursuits and, having made a success of the same from the first, he was enabled to purchase a fine farm of ninety-five acres in about 189o, his place being one of the best improved in Chester township. In 1905 he built a new barn, ample and modern, but .unfortunately lost it by, fire. He also remodeled his house, making it quite. comfortable. Besides carrying on general farming, he breeds Durham cattle and Ohio Improved Chester hogs, preparing considerable stock for market, which always brings excellent prices, owing to their high grade. 1308 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Swinehart was married on February 13, 1883, to Emma Berry, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and the daughter of William and Margaret (Shutt) Berry, old settlers of Jackson township, Ashland county. William Berry was a native of this state and his father, Jacob Berry, came here from Pennsylvania in a very early day. Margaret Shutt was also born in Ohio, and it was believed that her people also came from the old Keystone state in a very early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Swinehart two children have been born, Kenneth, who died in infancy ; Wayne B., born on October 4, 1888, is now a student in the Bixler Business College, where he is making a fine record. In his political relations, Mr. Swinehart is a Republican ; though for a time he voted the Prohibition ticket. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swinehart belong to the Lutheran church in New Pittsburg, Wayne county. MILLER I. RUMBAUGH. A prominent character in his vicinity and a man who delights in assisting others while laboring for his own advancement is Miller I. Rumbaugh, of Chester township, Wayne county, of which locality he is a native, having first seen the light of day here on March 13, 1862, the son of Solomon and Mary (Miller) Rumbaugh. His paternal grandfather was Adam Rumbaugh, who was born in 1793 in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Lauffer. His father served in the Revolutionary war. In the pioneer days of this county (1819), Adam Rumbaugh came here and settled in Chester township, locating on a farm now owned by D. D. Woodward. His wife's father had entered the land from the government, and there they spent the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandparents of Miller I. Rumbaugh were Abram and Sarah (Rouch) Miller, the former a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In a very early day he came to Wayne county, Ohio, locating on a farm, which he worked in connection with maintaining a blacksmith shop on his place. This farm is now owned by Peter Firestone. Sarah Rouch, the wife of the former, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, where she married Mr. Miller. They spent their last days in Chester township, Mr. Miller having followed farming and blacksmithing all his life. Solomon Rumbaugh, father of the subject, was born December 17, 1826, and his wife, Mary Miller, on September 1, 1832, and in 1855 they were married in this county. Mr. Rumbaugh was a farmer and owned one WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1309 hundred acres in this township which he cleared and improved. In politics he was a Democrat and always took an active interest in political matters. He and his wife attended the Reformed church, but the latter was a member of the Lutheran church. They were the parents of six children, namely : Philena J., born November 12, 1856, died in Sterling, this county, on May 4, 1908; Sarah O., born Decembe 5, 1860, married Howard Wile, of Barberton, Ohio ; Miller l., of this review ; Minnie E., born February 24, 1869, is the wife of J. K. Wilkinson, of Jamaica, California; Chalmer A., born October 4, 1870,.. died February 9, 1893, when twenty-two years of age ; Lydia M., born May 5, 1875, is the wife of J. M. Slough, of San Diego, California. The father of these children lived a quiet, retired life, dying February 9, 1892, his wife having preceded him to the "narrow house" on September 24, 1801. Miller I. Rumbaugh was educated in the common schools and in the Smithville Academy, becoming well educated. After leaving school he returned to the farm; on which he did a great deal of work as his father grew older. In December, 1889, he purchased one hundred and forty. acres belonging to Isaac Rumbaugh (deceased) and there he lived for three years, when he sold to his father all but ten acres and then bought the old home farm, consisting of one hundred acres, which he has since managed very successfully. He raises high grade stock, but not thoroughbreds. He is a great admirer of horses, notwithstanding the fact that they have in the past used him rather badly, for .when he was only nine years of age a team of horses ran away with him while he was harrowing and threw him thirty feet into a pile of stones, injuring the right side of his face and the optic nerve, causing blindness in one eye later in life. He lay unconscious for twenty-four hours and was thought to be dead. When thirteen years of age he was kicked by a horse and .again it was thought that he had been killed, for he was unconscious for three or four hours.. Mr. Rumbaugh was married on December 24, 1889, to Martha E. Swine-hart, who was born May 19, 1864, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Josiah. and .Martha (Meek). Swinehart, also natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in the spring of 1870 and located in Chester township on a farm now owned by John Muir. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rumbaugh, namely : Philena M., February 19, 1891, died in infancy ; Russell C., April 2, 1892 ; Merna A., November 20, 1894; M. Dewey, April 23, 1897; Lulu M., March 5, 1900; Mary Jane, January 8, 1903 ; Victor E., June 8, 1906, is deceased. 1310 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Politically Mr. Rumbaugh is a Democrat. He was elected land appraiser of Chester township in 1899 and performed the duties of this office in a most satisfactory manner, being again elected to that office in 1909. Religiously the Reform church claims the membership of himself, wife and oldest daughter, Merna A. WILLIS D. FUNK. A useful and influential man in his community is W. D. Funk, who is successfully conducting a general store at the village of Funk, Wayne county, being a well known citizen of this part of the county. He was born on the farm adjoining that of his grandparents in 1871, the son of Zenas and Emma (Tyler) Funk, both natives of Wayne county. The paternal grandparents of the subject were Hugh and Elizabeth Kenan (Cornell) Funk, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, in a very early day and, like the rest of the pioneers, literally hewed out a site for their home in the wilderness and established themselves on primitive soil. At that time the city of Wooster had but fourteen houses; they first settled in Clinton township. In 1834 they entered a farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres, all timbered, which they cleared and developed, both living on the place the remainder of their days. Hugh Funk died in 1879, while his widow survived until 1904, reaching the remarkable age of ninety-five years. The maternal grandparents of W. D. Funk were William and Cordelia (Whitford) Tyler. One of Mr. Tyler's brothers founded Tylertown, Ashland county, Ohio, in an early day. William and his father Benjamin lived there for a short time, then moved near Funk, Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio; they were both farmers, William Tyler also acting as sewing machine salesman, also a shoemaker. Zenas Funk, father of W. D. Funk, was a soldier in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861 and served faithfully until 1865. He was educated in the common schools of his native community and when he reached manhood bought the farm adjoining his father's place, on which he lived and prospered until 1904, when he retired to Jeromeville, Ashland county, this state. He owned in all two hundred and seventy-five acres, but he has disposed of all his land except a farm of eighty-eight acres, and is leading a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of his former years of labor. In politics he is a WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1311 Republican and he has served his community as township trustee, always taking an active part in his party's affairs. He is a member of the Disciple church. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter, one child dying in infancy. W. D. Funk was educated in the home schools and spent one winter in school at the Ada Normal, receiving a very good education. In the spring of 1895 he entered the general mercantile business at Funk, this township, and has continued in this line to the present time, having built up an excellent and extensive patronage with the surrounding community, handling a carefully selected stock of goods, which, according to the statement of many of his customers, are always disposed of at reasonable prices. He is also agent for the Ashland & Western railroad. Mr. Funk was married in 1894 to Bertha Allaman, the daughter of a highly respected family, and this union has resulted in the birth of three children, Carl, Irene and Clair. Mr. Funk is a member of the Christian church and politically he is a Republican. He has won a reputation for absolute fairness in all his business. He believes in supporting all measures looking to the welfare of the community at large, desiring to see others prosper as well as himself. HENRY C. WINTERSTEEN. A descendant of a worthy old family of Wayne county, Ohio, members of which have figured prominently in the affairs of the same for considerably more than a half century, is H. C. Wintersteen, a native of Chester township, this county, where he first saw the light of day, December 28, 1857, the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Hileman) Wintersteen, both natives of Pennsylvania, in which state the subject's paternal grandparents both died. His maternal grandparents were Joseph and Anna (DeFrane) Hileman, also natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1856, having made the overland trip from the Keystone state in wagons and settled in Plain township, later moving to Chester township. Joseph Hileman was a farmer and a Republican in his political views. Benjamin Wintersteen was educated in the early schools of Pennsylvania, and early in life decided to become a carpenter and cabinetmaker, having become an efficient workman. He married in his native state, and later he and his wife came by wagon to Wayne county, accompanying the maternal grandparents of the 1312 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. subject; he also settled in Plain township, where he continued his trade of carpenter, and while in Chester township he built the first barn. About 1865 he came to Reedsburg and there took up cabinetmaking and undertaking, soon conducting an excellent business, continuing in the same until his death, which occurred at an advanced age in 1895. He was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church at Reedsburg. His family consisted of ten children, namely : Anna Mary, Joseph Edwin, H. C. (of this review), Elizabeth, Emma, William; Viola, Laura, May, Hattie (died in infancy). H. C. Wintersteen was educated in the Reedsburg public schools. He always worked with his father and at the latter's death he purchased his home and business, and is still continuing in the undertaking and furniture .business, enjoying an excellent patronage with a wide circle of acquaintances throughout the township.. His stock of goods is always up to date and his prices are right according to his customers. Mr. Wintersteen was married in 1888 to Idella Barron, the daughter of Joseph and Amanda (Boffenmyer) Barron, her mother having been the daughter of David Boffenmyer; both these families were early settlers in Ashland county, but they later moved to Iowa. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Wintersteen, Esther and Edison. Politically, Mr. Wintersteen is a Republican, and he has very ably served on the school board at Reedsburg. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arch Masons, of Wooster. He has made a success of his business affairs owing to his close application to whatever he has in. hand and his honorable .dealings with his fellow men, which has won their respect and confidence. JOHN WESLEY SHEPPARD. It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer adverts to the life of one who has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness. of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor or of sudden accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to others whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the representative agriculturists of Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio. For a number- of years he directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance in well doing succeeded at last in overcoming the many obstacles by which the pathway was beset. John W. Sheppard was born at Congress, Wayne county, Ohio, on the WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1313 4th of December, 1859, and is the son of John Tarr and Mary Ann (Madison) Sheppard, natives of Pennsylvania and Vermont respectively. The subject's paternal grandfather, Paoli Sheppard, was an early settler in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and there he erected a large log house, which was a favorite meeting place for the Methodists of that section. The maternal grandfather, Tenny Madison, was born in Vermont, but subsequently moved to Brownhelm, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days. The subject's father was a blacksmith by vocation, and followed that occupation all his active years. He and his Wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and enjoyed the high regard of all who knew them. They are both dead, the father's death occurring on November 25, 1883, and the mother's in 1895. John W. Sheppard received his early education in the schools of Congress township and, under his father's direction, he learned the trade of a blacksmith, though he did not afterwards work at it. On attaining mature years, he was first employed at farm work, working by the month for several years. After his marriage, in 1883, he moved to Milton township, where he remained three years. In 1888 he bought a farm of thirty-two acres, in Congress township, to which he devoted his attention with such energy that he was able to buy additional land from time to time until by 1901 he was the owner of one hundred and three acres. He has recently added another tract of land to his holdings, and is now living practically retired on the home farm. His farm is a fine, fertile tract and Mr. Sheppard has been able to realize splendid returns for the labor he has bestowed. He makes a specialty of hay, of which he raises enormous quantities, and to him belongs the distinction of raising more hay per acre than any of his neighbors. For fourteen years he was in the hay business, buying and baling hay for the general market. He is careful and painstaking in his methods, and the appearance of the place is pleasing to the eye and indicative of an owner of good taste and sound judgment. In politics Mr. Sheppard gives an unqualified support to the Republican party and has occupied a number of offices of responsibility. He was at one time clerk of -Congress borough and a school director, and he also served as president of the board of education for three successive years. 'He was elected in November, 1909, trustee of Congress township and was appointed on the board of health. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, being affiliated with the West Salem Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, West Salem Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and the Wooster Commandery, Knights Templar. (83) 1314 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO On he 6th of September, 1883, Mr. Sheppard wedded Eliza Crater, of Wayne county, the daughter of Peter and Sarah Crater, who were natives of Prussia, coming to the United States in a very early day. They located in Wayne county, where they reared their family of eleven children, all of whom are living, and of whom Mrs. Sheppard is the seventh in order of birth. The parents are both dead, the father passing away several years ago, while the mother's death occurred in November, 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard four children have been born, namely : Pansy V., the wife of Martin H. Barnard ; they are the parents of two children, Elizabeth, born December 4, 1908, and Catherine, born February 8, 1910; Florence Isidore died in infancy ; Ruby Marie was educated in the Wooster Conservatory of Music, and is now engaged in teaching that art and is organist of the Presbyterian church; R. Paul. Mr. Sheppard is a worthy representative of an honored family, one who, by reason of his sterling personal worth, deserves and is generally accorded that esteem which comes to those whose lives are in close touch with all that assists in advancing the community in which they live. AI RYLAND. A well-known resident of Plain township, where he has spent his entire life, is Ai Ryland, who was born July 15, 1856, on the farm where he now lives. This farm was entered nearly a century ago, 1812, by his grandfather, Henry Ryland, who came with his family from Vermont, making the long, toilsome journey in wagons. He was of Irish descent and a hardy pioneer, a New Englander of the most sterling qualities, to whom the western wilderness, with all its red men and wild beasts, had no terrors. Upon reaching this locality he at once cleared a spot and erected a log cabin. He was a hatter by trade and he made a good living by buying furs from the Indians, from which he made hats and sent them back to Eastern cities, where they found a ready market. There were five boys and several girls in his family. The girls busied themselves by raising flax and making it into cloth. They also carded wool and made clothing, raising large droves of sheep for this purpose. William, one of the sons of Henry Ryland, was one of the most famous and successful deer hunters in this country. This family lived for the most part on game, fish and vegetables. When they came here the city of Wooster had only three dwellings. One hundred and sixty acres were entered from the government, which the sons cleared when they became WAYNE COUNTY; OHIO - 1315 old enough to swing the axe. Henry Ryland, the father, reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, dying on the land he entered from the government when he first came to this state. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was John Eagle, of English descent, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, from near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1836 and settled near Reedsburg, ,Plain township, with his family. He was a mason by trade, and he served as a drummer in the war of 1812, also in the Mexican war; his Son, William, was also in the Mexican war ; they both survived, the father dying in Reedsburg. Henry Ryland, father of Ai Ryland, was two years of age when he came to Wayne county, and his youth was spent on the farm where the subject now lives, which the former assisted to clear. He finally bought out the heirs and lived here until his death, becoming one of the leading farmers of the community. One of his sons, William Henry, was a soldier in the Civil war for a period of three years. Ai Ryland received his education in the common schools of Plain township. He, began farming early, but later learned the cooper's trade, also the mason's trade, but neither of them seemed to appeal to him as strongly as farming; consequently he returned eventually to agricultural pursuits, buying out the heirs of the home place, and he has thus followed farming on the home place nearly all his life, having so skillfully managed his crops that, although the place is very old, it has retained its fertility and is yet very valuable. Mr. Ryland was married on November 22, 1877, to Laura Otto, daughter of Michael Otto, mention of whom is made in the sketch of M. D. Otto on another page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Ryland two children have been born, John Wilson and Otto Brant. Mr. Ryland was married the second time on March 22, 1899, to Mrs. Eliza Chesrown. Politically, Mr. Ryland is .a Democrat and fraternally a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He has kept untarnished the good name borne by his forebears and is highly respected by all who know him. JULIUS MOINE. An old and highly respected citizen of Wayne county, Ohio, is Julius Moine, father of Charles R. Moine. The former was born on the farm he now owns in Milton township, August 18, 1837, the son of John P. and Mary (Schwan) Moine, both natives of Belford, France, having come to 1316 - WAYNE. COUNTY, OHIO. America in 1833, making their way direct to Wayne county, Ohio, where they began farming, purchasing eighty acres, all timbered. This they cleared and developed into an excellent farm which in recent years has been added to. Julius Moine was a member of a family of nine children. He was educated in the early schools of Milton township, assisted his father with the work on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, then worked at the carpenter's trade for four years. He had a natural talent for architecture and when only twenty-one years of age built the Catholic church near his home. During a part of the four years specified he was in Indiana and Iowa and turned some big jobs. In 1859 he purchased the home farm of eighty acres, later adding eighty acres more, and, after making quite a success at farming, sold the place in 1899. Mr. Moine was married January 5, 186o, to Mary Petit, daughter of John Peter and Margaret (Qulosquin) Petit, both natives of Verdenal, county Blamant, France. They came to America in 1842, settled first at Marshallville, Wayne county, Ohio. Joseph Petit, father of John Peter Petit, came to Marshallville in 1832, coming by canal and wagon, and there purchased forty or fifty acres of land, cleared it and made a home. To Julius Moine and wife the following children were born : Addie. John, Emma, Edward, Matilda E., Clara Jane, Lora Katherine, Arthur (deceased), Charles Raymond, George Alfred, Pear Clementine, Agre Minerva, Lewis Delbert and Melvin Theobald (deceased). Julius Moine and wife and their children are members of the Catholic church. The father is a Democrat, and he has been toWnship assessor and supervisor. He and his family are highly respected in this county or wherever-they are known. CHARLES EMBREE THORNE, M. S. A. The record of Prof. Charles Embree Thorne, director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, and who is too well known to the people of Wayne county to need an introduction through this history, is that of a man who has worked his way from a modest beginning up to a position of considerable prominence by his persevering and practically unaided efforts, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is freely accorded him by his fellow men. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1317 have won the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance. Such strong, earnest characters of a people are always public benefactors. Their usefulness in the immediate specific labors they perform cannot be defined by metes and bounds, but the good they do through the forces they put in motion and through the inspiration of their presence and example is immeasurably an infinite gauge or standard of value. Professor Thorne is a man of this type. Although well known and highly esteemed, he is by nature conservative and averse to any notice savoring of adulation and prefers to let his achievements rather than the fulsome praise of the chronicler speak for him. Professor Thorne was born in 1846 on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, and was educated in a country district school, supplemented by one term in 1866 at the Michigan Agricultural College, and four terms, in 1868 and 1869, at Antioch College. He was an ambitious youth and applied himself very assiduously to his text books and made a splendid record in the above-named institutions. Always fond of agricultural pursuits, he took up the life of a husbandman after leaving college, and from 187o to 1876 farmed success Ally in Greene county, Ohio. He very ably filled the responsible position of farm manager in the Ohio State University from 1877 to 1881. His prolific pen began to produce articles of more than ordinary interest and value to the agricultural world and he eventually became associate editor of Farm and Fireside at Springfield, Ohio, ranking thus from 1881 to 1887. He is a lucid and forceful writer, entertaining in style and, being profoundly versed in the themes he chooses for publication, he is always sure of an appreciative audience. Since 1887 he has been director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, where he is carrying on a very commendable work and giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned. Being an original thinker and investigator, his experiments and theories have been of much practical value. The Ohio State University, recognizing his ability, has conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of the Science of Agriculture. Since 1892 he has resided in Wayne county. JOHN A. RAUDEBAUGH. This venerable and highly honored citizen of Wayne county, Ohio, was all interesting man to talk to, for he could tell of the wondrous transformations he had witnessed in this locality since the pioneer days, he himself taking no small part in the material development of his community, and his 1318 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. life, having been honorable and usefully spent, is worthy of conspicuous mention in this history. John A. Raudebaugh was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, the son of Solomon and Martha (Bell) Raudebaugh. The parents of the latter, Who came from Ireland, were Richard and Mary Bell, who first settled. in Pennsylvania, where Martha Bell was born. Neither she nor her husband ever came to Ohio. The paternal grandparents of the subject were Jacob and Elizabeth Raudebaugh, who spent part of their days in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Raudebaugh and their four children made the trip from Pennsylvania with a five-horse Learn, there being no railroads in those days. They bought one hundred and twenty-two acres in Plain township, the place-having been nearly all woods, as were most of the farms in Wayne county at that time. They worked hard and soon had a good start in their new home. After his marriage, John A. Raudebaugh lived on the home place, which he had helped to clear in his boyhood days, for a period of sixteen years, and he built every fence on the farm, making numerous other substantial improvements. He then moved to Ashland county, this s ate, where for one year he lived on an eighty-acre farm belonging to his father. After that he lived in Mercer county, Ohio, for two years, then returned to Chester township, Wayne county, where he bought eighty acres. Later he sold it and bought one hundred and twenty-three acres northeast of Overton in the same township. There he farmed very successfully until 1903, when he retired, moving to Overton and purchased a home here, where he spent his declining years in the midst of plenty as a result of his former years of thrift and industry. His death occurred there on January 11, 1910. Mr. Raudebaugh was married in 1847 to Susan Soliday, who came to this county from Pennsylvania with her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Rose) Soliday. They entered land in Plain township which they cleared, living there the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Raudebaugh the following children were born, seven sons and four daughters : Mary Elizabeth, Jacob. Winfield, Henry (deceased), John Ford, Solomon Emery, Evert Lincoln, Bertha, Charles, Elmer, Hattie and Effie. The parents of these children were blessed by a harmonious wedded life of sixty-three years. No person in this part of the county was held in higher esteem for his kindly and generous nature than Mr. Raudebaugh, being honored especially by the young- people. He was a member of the United Brethren church, to which Mrs. Raudebaugh belongs. Politically, Mr. Raudebaugh was a Republican ; he at one time very WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1319 ably served as justice of the peace of Plain township, and he was trustee for two terms in Union township, Mercer county, Ohio. He was always ready to do his part in any public function that would assist in furthering the general good. JOSEPH B. GREGORY. Well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life and honorable dealing with his neighbors have won for Joseph B. Gregory, a progressive farmer of Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, the success in life which he rightly deserves and also the high esteem of his fellow men. He comes from excellent Pennsylvania stock, he himself having been born in Mifflin county, that state, November 15, 1863, the son of Robert and Nancy (McCartney) Gregory, the former a native of Stone Valley, Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio about 1879. He was a man of influence in his community and made a success in life, being a man of energy and good common sense. Joseph B. Gregory was reared on the farm in the old Keystone state, which he worked during the crop seasons and attended the common schools during the winter months. In early youth he began working on a farm for the meager sum of five dollars per month, and when he was twenty-one years of age he was receiving twenty dollars per month. Turning his attention to railroading, having long desired to become an engineer, he began learning the same, in a short time familiarizing himself with its many phases, and for a period of sixteen years he had charge of a locomotive, rendering very efficient service, possessing the required faculties for this line of work to a marked degree. However, finding that the more wholesome and less strenuous life of the agriculturist had greater attractions than the precarious existence' of the engineer, Mr. Gregory, after saving enough money to buy a farm, purchased an excellent piece of land, consisting of sixty-three acres in section 11, Sugar Creek township. where he now resides, carrying on general farming. He also buys, feeds and sells heavy draft horses, always having some very fine ones about the place and, owing to the excellent quality of these animals, he has no difficulty in disposing of them, handling about thirty annually, no small part of his income for many years having been derived from this source. The horses he handles are admired by all who see them, and he has become generally known throughout this part of the county as a horse dealer. 1320 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Mr. Gregory was married on October 15, 1885, to Alice Johnson, who was born and reared in Stark county, Ohio, the daughter of a highly respected family. To Mr. and Mrs. Gregory one child was born, Nancy, who lived to be nine months and nine days old. They are rearing one of Mr. Gregory's sister's daughters, Irene Jones. Mr. Gregory is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dalton, this county, and is one of the trustees of the same; he is also superintendent of the Sunday school, serving in his fourth year in this capacity. He has done much for the local congregation, having made a large increase in the Sunday school since he began active work in the same. Politically, he is a Democrat, but not an office seeker, though he takes considerable interest in the affairs of his county, politically and otherwise. DAVID C. CURRY. There would be a regrettable deficiency in this or any other historical and biographical compendium of Wayne county if an extended mention of the Curry family and their extensive interests should be omitted, for it is safe to say that few if any families have contributed more to the material and general advancement of this locality's interests from the pioneer epoch to the present, and a worthy and commendable as well as one of the best-known members of this enterprising household was the late David C. Curry, for many years senior member of The Curry Lumber Company of Wooster, the oldest substantial manufacturing establishment in the city. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1841, the second son Of James Curry, founder of this company. The latter was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1816, the son of David Curry, a carpenter and builder, in which pursuit he brought up his son, James. When he had completed his trade, at the age of eighteen years, James Curry left home and worked as a journeyman for two years, then came to Ohio, locating in Washington township, Holmes county, where he followed his trade until removing to Wooster in the spring of 1853, and he at once entered vigorously into business, establishing a lumber yard where the Snowflake mills were later built ; remaining there one year, he purchased a better site of E. Quinby, Jr.; at East Liberty and Beall avenue. Here the main building was erected in 1857. In 1854 he placed in use the first planing mill brought into Wayne county, and from time to time he and the members of the family that suc- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1321 ceeded him introduced new and labor-saving machinery, of the latest designs required in the skillful manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, brackets, making a specialty in later years of church furniture, such as pews, pulpits, etc., finding ready. sales in many states and distant territories. Thus from this small beginning, as time went on, his shops and yard became an extensive. establishment, the largest in the county, until, from doing a business in 1854 of one hundred thousand feet of lumber, the trade increased to four million, and often much more, feet of lumber annually. James Curry was the first large dealer in pine lumber in Wooster, where it was comparatively little used before he established his shops and imported building material in large quantities from the pineries of the North and the walnut woods of Indiana. His sons, who grew up in the business, became valuable assets to him. As they came to manhood's years he gave each an interest, 'until this became widely noted as "the lumber family." In the fall of 1867 James Curry. and his three oldest sons, John, David and Wellington, purchased the machinery, grounds, areas, etc., of Stibbs, Spink & Company, .which was conducted under this arrangement until October, 1874, when the copartnership was dissolved, the sons retaining the new yard on North street, under the style of D. C. Curry & Company, the father resuming sole charge of the old plant on East Liberty street. In February, 1876, the plant was burned. out, the loss being twenty thousand dollars. They immediately rebuilt, but several destructive fires since then have caused heavy 'losses. The father erected a substantial three-story brick building adjoining the old shops. and' in connection with lumber and house building, established a furniture factory, which grew to large proportions, including at one time undertaking. In May, 1877, he took as a partner his fourth son, James Millard Curry, and Robert.. Cameron, the firm doing business under the name of Curry, Cameron & Company; and they continued to do a large business. The following are the dates of birth of James Curry's children : John, born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 18, 1839, married Elizabeth Laubach ; David .C., of this review ; Marguette, born in Holmes county October 7, 1843 ; Wellington, born in Holmes county, May 27, 1845, married Mary E. Vanhouten, January 9, 1866; James Millard, born in Holmes county, August 27, 1849; Mary, born in Wooster, July 20, 1853 ; Jerome, born in Wooster, April 5, 1856. The death of James Curry occurred June 9; 1884. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in• 1814, and she died on May 1, 1874. 1322 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. David C. Curry was twelve years old when his parents brought him to Wooster, and he received his education in the schools of this city. In 1857 he began serving an apprenticeship as a printer, working as a compositor for nearly four years on the old Wooster Republican. The breaking out of the Civil war changed his career, and upon the first call for troops to suppress the rebellion he was one of the, first to respond, enlisting, on April 23, 1861, in Company G, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, three-months service. Upon the reorganization of the regiment he enlisted for three years, October 5, 1861, in Company H, commanded by Capt. A. S. McClure, and after sharing the vicissitudes of the famous Sixteenth Regiment in campaign and battle, he was honorably discharged October 31, 1864, having served his country faithfully for a period of nearly three years and a half. On April 19, 1863, he was wounded by a fragment of a shell striking him in the left arm and in the stomach, at the first assault on Vicksburg. Returning to Wooster, Mr. Curry at once took the position of engineer in his father's planing mill and later owned and controlled this business until his death, on January 7, 1910, the end coming suddenly while on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Robert Esterly, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had long been president of the firm here and had managed its affairs in a manner that stamped him as a man of unusual business acumen, foresight and judgment. The firm was incorporated on June 20, 1901, with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, with the following officers : David C. Curry, president; Charles Curry, vice-president ; W. R. Curry, secretary and treasurer. Since Mr. Curry's death the officials are W. R. Curry, president and treasurer; R. A. Curry, vice-president ; Charles Curry, secretary. On December 24, 1868, David C. Curry married Jennie J. Yergin, which union resulted in the birth of five children, four of whom survive, namely : Charles Y., of Wooster ; Blanche married Robert Esterly and is living in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Cora B. died in 1875 ; William lives in Wooster; Rowland is a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Curry also survives. Mr. Curry was long a stockholder in the Quinby Opera House of Wooster, of which he was the contractor. He was the owner of considerable valuable property and one of the leading men of the county in business and other circles. He was always a Republican in politics and active in local party affairs. He was twice elected to the city council from the second ward, but resigned his position before the close of the second term. He was also an active lodge worker and a member of the following orders : Masonic. Knights of Honor, Knights of the Maccabees and Given Post, Grand Army of the Republic. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1323 Personally, Mr. Curry was straightforward in his dealings with his fellow men, courteous, genial and a man who made friends readily and who had no trouble in retaining their good-will. His beautiful and well-appointed home was frequently the gathering place for his many warm friends and those of the family, and they never failed to be hospitably received. BENJAMIN F. SWINEHART. Benjamin F. Swinehart, well-known farmer of Chester township, Wayne county, is one of those whole-souled, large-hearted individuals who are constantly adding to the number of their friends by their disinterested kindness and their genial natures. He was born 'in 1844 near where the Experiment Station is now located, the son of Ephraim and Barbara (Stoner) Swinehart, both. natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandparents were Daniel and Elizabeth Swinehart, who lived and died in the old Keystone state. In that state Ephraim Swinehart, father of Benjamin F., was bound' out. When eighteen years of age, 1836, he ran away and came to Apple Creek, Wayne county, Ohio. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this review were John and Elizabeth Stoner, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1836, Mr. Stoner following the trade of basketmaker in connection with farming. Here the father of Benjamin F. worked on the farm for Jacob Kurtz, and while employed there he became acquainted with Barbara Stoner, who was at that time working for Mr. Kurtz also, and they were there married, soon afterwards buying a farm in Medina county, Ohio.. Later he bought near Lattasburg, Chester township, Wayne county. Ephraim Swinehart followed farming all his life, making a success of agricultural pursuits. Benjamin F. Swinehart was reared in the neighborhood in which he now resides. He received a good education in the district schools and in his youth taught one term, but not taking kindly to school teaching, he cast about for other lines of endeavor; however, if he had continued teaching he would doubtless have been very successful, for he received on first trial a six-months license. As a young man he followed selling machinery and threshing. Giving this up, he later followed farming for six years in Stark county, but the remainder of his life has been spent in Wayne county ; however, he got a good start farming in the former county. He resided in 1324 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Wooster for a period of six years. In 1881 he purchased the farm where he now lives in Chester township, consisting of one hundred and ninety acres. He also owns twenty-nine acres adjoining Lattasburg. He cleared thirty acres of the first-named tract. He has greatly improved his land, putting up good buildings and fences and in many other ways rendering his farm equal to any in the township. He has made a specialty of colt raising and his colts are always ready sellers, owing to their excellent quality. Although Mr. Swinehart practically retired from active farming in 1896, he has since resided on the home place 'and merely oversees his farming operations, leaving the work for the most part to his two sons. Mr. Swinehart was married in the fall of 1865 to Nancy Worst, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and to this union the following children have been born : Mary, who married David Joliff ; Ephraim A. married Nora Zurker; Frances C. married C. C. Stair; Clara E. married Jessie Ebert ; Samuel W. .died when thirteen years of age; Verna married Guy Pittenger ; Ralph and Ray are twins ; they are farming on the home place ; Ralph married Sylvia Hiner, and Ray married Zella Peters. Mrs: Benjamin F. Swinehart was called from her earthly labors on August 17, 1907. Mr. Swinehart is a Democrat and he has long taken considerable interest in the affairs of his community, having served very acceptably as township assessor and also trustee. He is well known throughout this part of Wayne county and everybody respects him for his honesty in dealing with his fellow men and his life of usefulness and industry. Religiously, he belongs to the United Brethren church. CHARLES E. TAYLOR. The Taylor family has been an honored and influential one in Wayne county since the early days, and they have been faithful in the performance of their duty in all the relations of life. One of the best known of the present •generation of Taylors is Charles E., who was born in Franklin township, this county, in 1867, the son of Thomas and Elvina (Batdorff) Taylor, the former a native of Bristol, England, and the latter born in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents of Charles E. Taylor were James and Mary Taylor, who, in an early day, came to Wooster township and settled near Munson school house. He was a mason by trade and he built many lime kilns and spent the remainder of his life in that vicinity. The maternal grandparents