1350 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. township and has won a reputation as a veterinary surgeon second to none in northern Ohio. As a citizen he is not only intelligent and enterprising but combined within himself are those sterling qualities of manhood that make not only a useful member of society, but a leader of whatever he undertakes. Dr. J. F. Reinhardt was born in Paint township, Wayne county, Ohio, May 20, 1859, the son of J. F. and Verna (Fetter) Reinhardt. J. F. Reinhardt was born in Germany, but when young in years he made the tedious voyage across the great Atlantic and the still more arduous journey to the Middle States in the year 1843, locating at Mt. Eaton, Ohio. He had no capital when he came here and he worked as a farm hand for a period of fifteen years, at the end of which time he was still a poor man. He later made his home with his son and there lived comfortably. He was married in 1854, and this union resulted in the birth of one son, Dr. J. F., of this review. Doctor Reinhardt worked on the home farm during the summer seasons in his boyhood and attended the district schools in winter until he was seventeen years of age. He became a student at the Toronto Veterinary College from 1889 to 189o, of ter he was thirty years of age, having lived on a rented farm up till he attended college. He made a very commendable record there, after which he returned to Wayne county, and, for a period of twenty years, practiced his profession at Apple Creek in a most successful manner, winning a wide reputation in this line and building up a very lucrative and extensive patronage. Doctor Reinhardt rented a farm when he first started out in life for himself on which he remained for four years. Starting with an indebtedness of three hundred dollars, but being backed with sound common sense, the rare ability to accurately foresee the outcome of present business transactions and the courage to push forward in the face of all obstacles, he has been unusually successful in whatever he has directed his attention to. He first bought twenty-seven acres in Holmes county, this state, which he sold two years later with a profit of nine hundred dollars. He then bought forty acres in Paint township,, Wayne county. His parents moved thereto and resided on the same the rest of their lives. He retained this farm until 1900, when he disposed of it and bought ninety-five acres ; this was in 1901 and two years later he secured eighteen acres additional, making in all an excellent farm of one hundred and fourteen acres. This farm lies in the edge of Apple Creek and is among the most valuable tracts in the township, being very productive and highly improved in every respect. On this farm is to be seen a modern, attractive and beautifully located dwelling, also substantial outbuildings. In 1904 the Doctor erected a fine horse barn in Apple Creek, and, in connection WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1351  with his farming, he deals in horses extensively. He is the owner of three valuable properties in Apple Creek, and he is conservatively worth sixteen thousand dollars, all of which he has made unaided, having started in life empty handed and under the ban of discouraging environment, but to such as he obstacles do not mean what they do to most, for men of proper mettle delight in overcoming whatever lies in their road to success, and while he has been advancing his own interests he has not been neglectful of his duty to others, always considerate of the rights of his fellow citizens and honest in all his relations with them. Doctor Reinhardt was married on December 28, 1880, to Sarah J. Maurer, daughter of Abraham Maurer, a resident of Mt. Eaton, Ohio. This union .has resulted in the birth of three children, one son and two daughters, namely : Dr. Alvin A., a practicing veterinary surgeon at Berea, Ohio ; Nora M. was educated at Oberlin, Ohio, and she is very ably serving as assistant cashier in the Apple Creek bank; Ada B. has been carefully trained in music, and has reached high attainment in voice culture. Members of this family belong to the Reformed church at Apple Creek, Ohio, being liberal supporters of the same. Politically, Doctor Reinhardt is a Republican, but he was reared a Democrat. He takes an abiding interest in whatever tends to develop his community, and personally he is a pleasant man- to meet, friendly, generous and hospitable. WILLIAM BIXLER. The Bixler family have figured prominently in the affairs of Wayne county since the early days, having established reputations for loyalty to public enterprises and honorable dealing in all the avenues of life. A well known name here is that of William Bixler, a native of Sugar. Creek township, this county, where he was born on March 10, 1868, the son of David and Magdalena (Hofstetter) Bixler, the former born in Sugar Creek township in 1846 and the latter in the same vicinity in 1848 ; they grew up and married there and have made their home in the same locality. Jacob Bixler, the grandfather,' was a native of canton Bern, Switzerland, having grown to maturity there, coming to America in a very early day, shortly after his marriage to Elizabeth Cammerman, and, making- their way to the interior, settled in Sugar Creek township where they lived until their deaths, having developed a farm in the wilderness. They were the parents of a large family, about fifteen children. 1352 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. William Bixler, of this review, is the second member of a family of ten children. He worked on the home farm during the crop season and attended the neighboring schools in the wintertime, later studied at the Dalton high school and the Smithville Academy. Having applied himself very assiduously to his text-books, he made a very commendable record and fitted himself for a career as teacher, becoming in due course of time one of the best known local educators, his services having been in great demand. He taught nine terms very successfully, pleasing both pupil and patron. He grew tired of the schoolroom, however, and longed for the more untrammeled life of the husbandman, consequently went back to the farm, closer to the heart of nature, from whence many, especially those of the temperament of Mr. Bixler, derive lessons of the higher sensibilities, reverence, courage, purity and hope. He is the owner of a well tilled and well kept farm of seventy-three acres in section 7, Sugar Creek township, where he carries on general farming with wise discretion and foresight. He is a lover of good horses, and feeds them for the market. He has a cozy and nicely furnished home and all the outbuildings and farming machinery that his needs require. Mr. Bixler was married in 1893 to Caroline Amstutz, a lady of many praiseworthy personal traits, a native of this county, where her birth occurred in 1863. Three children have been born to this union, namely : Calvin, born March 14, 1894 ; Dale, born December 3, 1898 ; Elma, born December 18, 1903. In politics Mr. Bixler is a substantial Democrat and he is at this writing the land appraiser of Sugar Creek township. Religiously he and his family belong to the Mennonite church. He takes a great deal of interest in the welfare of his township and owing to his genuine worth, his integrity and friendly manner, he has the friendship of all who know him. JOHN E. ETLING. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who have labored continuously, always finding in each transaction and transition state an incentive to further effort. J. E. Etling, of this review, is one whose well directed efforts have gained for him a position of desirable prominence in his neighborhood in Chippewa township, Wayne county, where he was born on the same place that hc now owns, January 12, 1859, the son of William and Abigail (Myers) Etling, a complete history of the parents being found in the sketch of A. Etling, appearing on another page of this work. Suffice it here to say that WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1353 the ancestors of the subject were people of worth and influence and among the leading residents of their respective communities. J. E. Etling was educated in the district school No. 7, in Chippewa township, which he attended during the winter months, it being necessary for him to assist with the work on the farm in the summer time. The work. he did with his ,father on the home place when a boy well fitted him for his subsequent career as an agriculturist, he having began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one, renting the home place, continuing thus for twelve years, when he purchased the same, having prospered and saved his money until he then had a good start. It was. in April, 1892, that he bought the north half and in 1907 he purchased the south half, and he has since added to that until he is now the owner of two hundred and four acres in one body in Chippewa township and as fine land as the township affords. Mr., Etling has shown that he is an excellent manager by the manner in which he has improved his land and the abundant harvests he has reaped from his well cultivated fields and the excellent grade of livestock which he markets from year to year, having carried on general farming and stock raising in a manner that shows him to be fully abreast of the times. He has a commodious and well furnished residence and many good outbuildings. He cleared twenty-five acres of the home farm, which is now all cleared but two and one-half acres. Mr. Etling was married in 1880 to Elizabeth Shafer, whose parents were natives of Germany, though born in different provinces. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, many years ago and became fairly prosperous and well known. To Mr. and Mrs. Etling the following children have been born : Viola B., now Mrs. Frank Snyder, of Barberton, Ohio ; W. B. married Mary Rich and works for his father; Eva Grace married John Morningstar, of Canal Fulton, this state ; Charles W. married Ida Byler, of Barberton ; Isa Abigail, who also lives in Barberton, married Robert Rasor ; J. H. is living at home, as are also Minnie Ethel, who married Mr. Frasse, and Jefferson G. Politically, Mr. Etling is a Democrat, and he has been a member of the school board and a trustee of Chippewa township, serving these offices to the entire satisfaction of all and with much credit to himself. DAVID H. WARFEL. Success has been worthily attained by David H. Warfel, one of the most progressive and best known citizens of Greene township, Wayne county, who is today accounted one of the leading farmers here. To his energy, en- 1354 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. terprise, careful management and keen discernment his present station in life is attributed. He started upon his career as an independent factor at the bottom of the ladder, and is now, after meeting and surmounting many obstacles that would have completely baffled others, the owner of a very desirable farm property and a competency, and occupies a conspicuous place in the front rank of successful agriculturists of this locality. Mr. Warfel is a native of Stark county, Ohio, where he first saw the light of day June 15, 1853. He is the son of Henry and Nancy (Horst) Warfel. Henry Warfel was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1820. He grew to manhood and was educated there, coming to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1856, settling in Greene township about 186o and living there the remainder of his days. He was a very industrious man and became the owner of one hundred acres of good land, developing it into one of the choice places of the township. He was an influential man in his community, an unswerving Republican and a man who delighted to see others prosper as well as himself and family. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Warfel the following children were born : Eliza, who became the wife of John Stuckey; Frances is the wife of Marcus Adams ; David. David Warfel was reared on the old home farm in Greene township, working with his father during the summer months when he became of proper age, and attending the district schools during the winters until he was twenty years of age, when he turned his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. The marriage of Mr. Warfel occurred in 1875 and it was solemnized with Susie Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, a highly respected citizen of this county for many years. Mrs. Warfel was born in this county and received her education in the home schools. This union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Maggie L., wife of Wellrose Hunter, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work ; Harry, who is now deceased, married Emma Zimmerman ; Icie Dell is a bookkeeper in Wooster, Ohio. Mr. Warfel is a believer in education and he has given his children every advantage possible and they have become influential in the circles in which they move. The mother of these children was called to her rest on February 8, 1888. Mr. Warfel, like many another business man, has met with many discouraging situations during his career, but the fabled fates could not crush him and he always plunged forward with a determination and a tact that won out in the end, and today he is one of the substantial citizens of Greene township, having been very successful during the latter years, and he now owns WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1355 four hundred and ten acres, under an excellent state of improvement. This comprises three tracts, on each of which are splendid improvements. He has so skillfully managed his crops that the soil has retained its original fertility. He has a modern, comfortable and beautifully located home and substantial outbuildings. He has been very successful in many deals, especially in the handling of livestock, he having bought and disposed of a very large number of draft horses, being an exceptionally good judge of such animals. Everything. about the place shows thrift and prosperity and that a gentleman of excellent tastes and good management has its affairs in hand. Personally, Mr. Warfel is regarded as scrupulously honest and he is friendly to all with whom he comes into contact, thereby winning and retaining the good-will of his fellow citizens. WELLROSE HUNTER. Back to the interesting pioneer days is traced the Hunter lineage in Wayne county and it is safe to say that no family has been more closely in touch with the trend of events here in all the phases of development than those who bear this name, for they have not labored alone for their individual advancement, but also for the general good, thereby winning the highest esteem of all with whom they came into contact. One of the best-known members of the family today is Wellrose Hunter, who was born in East Union township, Wayne county, April 28, 187o, the son of Henry and Mary J. (Orr) Hunter. Henry Hunter was born in East Union township in 1844 and he has spent his life in this locality, residing now in Orrville, this county. He has seen the country develop from a wilderness to its present prosperity, and he himself took no small part in the upbuilding of the same, receiving his just reward for labor thus expended. Wellrose Hunter was the oldest of a family of three children, the other two children being Nola and Della, the latter the wife of Will Wright. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in East Union township, where he began working when merely a boy. When he became of proper age he attended the district schools in his native vicinity during the winter months until he was twenty years of age, receiving a very good education for he always applied himself in a very careful manner. He very early decided to devote his life to farming and he has certainly made a success of the same, now operating as fine land as Greene township can boast, which 1356 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.  he rents, and upon which he conducts a general farming business, and he is also interested in the feeding of heavy draft horses, which he buys, feeds and sells, no small part of his annual income being derived from this source, for he is a good judge of that kind of animal and knows how to handle them. Mr. Hunter was married in 1899 to Magdalena Warfel, daughter of David Warfel, a well-known citizen of this county, and this union has resulted in the birth of the following four, children : Russel, who is nine years old at this writing; Irene and Arline, twins, born in April, 1903; Harry was born in February, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are members of the Lutheran church in East Union township where they are faithful attendants. Politically, Mr. Hunter is a Republican, and of recent years he has taken a very active part in his party's affairs,—in fact, he is always interested in whatever tends to the development of his community and is always ready to lend a helping hand. DUDLEY S. ORR. The record of Dudley S. Orr is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of comparative affluence and influence in the agricultural affairs of East Union township, Wayne county. His life has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Orr was born in East Union township, this county, December 20, 1874, and he has achieved success at a much earlier age than most men, being yet young in years but ripe in experience. He is the son of W. C. and Mary B. (Bott) Orr; the father was born in East Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, and he was reared here and married in this vicinity and has spent his life here. He and his wife became the parents of three children, namely : Laura, wife of Harry Jameson, of Apple Creek ; Ida, who married a Mr. McCullough, is deceased. Dudley S. Orr was reared on the home farm in East Union township, which he worked when very young during the summer season, attending the winter term of schools in that district in the meantime, but he managed to get a very good education which has since been greatly supplemented by general home reading and observation by corning in contact with the world. When but a young man he started in life for himself and adopted farm- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1357 ing, which line of endeavor he has always followed, and, being a hard worker and quick to see the trend of events, he has been very successful as an agriculturist and stock raiser. He now owns a neat little farm of thirty-seven acres where he lives and another of fine soil south of his home place in East Union township, the latter farm consisting of ninety-three acres. He has a very cozy home and a good orchard and garden,—in fact, everything to make life on a farm desirable. Mr. Orr was married to Bertha Carson, daughter of John Carson, a well-known citizen in his community, their wedding occurring in the fall of 1895; Mrs. Orr was born in the state of Pennsylvania, and when sixteen years of age she came to Wayne county, Ohio, with her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Orr six children have been born, named as follows : Donald, Ross, Velma, Wilbur, Cloyce and Rene. Politically, Mr. Orr is a Republican, and he and his family are well liked by all who know them, owing to their pleasant demeanor in mingling with both stranger and neighbor. LEVI S. RUDY. Prominent among the worthy representatives of the pioneer element that cleared the wilderness which covered the rich soil of Wayne county and developed therefrom as fine farms as any state in the Union can boast, is the Rudy family, who were also prominent in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, before migrating westward, and of the descendants of the same, Levi S. Rudy, the well-known agriculturist and stock raiser of Sugar Creek township, is a representative and worthy of a conspicuous place in the present volume. For many years he has been a forceful factor in the growth and prosperity of the same, and as such his name and reputation have extended far beyond the limits of the locality in which the greater part of his life has been spent.. He is the son of David Rudy and the grandson of Christian Rudy, who came to Ohio in 1832, a detailed history of each of whom is to be found in the sketch of David Rudy, on another page of this work. Levi S. Rudy was born in Greene township, Wayne county, near Orrville, October 8, 1843. He worked on the home farm and attended the neighboring schools during the winter months, attending school in Orrville and Sugar Creek township, and received a very good education. He remained under the parental rooftree until 1864, when he could no longer repress his patriotic 1358 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. pride, and enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, and he did very creditable duty until his enlistment expired, four months later, having during that period acted as guard at Fort Ethan Allen and Fort Marcy. Returning to the home farm, he worked on the same until his marriage, in the spring of 1867, to Eliza E. Erwin, who was born in Sugar Creek township in April, 1846. After this event he rented his father's farm two years and then purchased the farm and there remained for a period of forty years. He prospered from the first, the place consisting of one hundred and sixty-three acres, on which he made all the improvements, and it is safe to say that no richer soil and no better improved farm is to be found in Sugar Creek township, It has been so skillfully managed that abundant harvests are reaped from year to .year and the original fertility of the soil has been retained. He has been a hard working man, and no small part of his ample competency has been gained through the successful handling of livestock, especially horses, which he buys, feeds and sells, no trouble being experienced in making sales owing to the 'fine quality of the animals he handles. being an excellent judge of a horse. He has on the farm a beautifully located home which is cozy and well furnished, and everything about the place shows that a gentleman of good taste and excellent judgment has its management in hand. In fact, no more progressive and up-to-date agriculturist could be found within the prescribed limits of Wayne county. Mr. Rudy built a fine new. residence, located a. half mile east of Dalton, into which he moved in the spring of 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Levi S. Rudy three sons have been born, namely : Clyde, 1874 ; Guy, 1875 ; Merle, 1885. All received a good high school and collegiate education and are well launched in business affairs. Mr. Rudy is a member of the Presbyterian church at Dalton, this county, being one of the ruling elders of the same and active in its various lines of work; also a liberal supporter of the church,- and takes an interest in Sunday school work. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post at Dalton. Politically he is a Republican. He is held in high esteem by all who know him for his public spirit, his exemplary life and his genial disposition and generous nature. WILLIAM HOSTETTLER. A man who is eminently deserving of a place in this work is William Hostettler, partly .because he is the representative of an excellent old family and partly because of his pronounced success in life in the face of obstacles WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1359 that would have made many another man falter, if not entirely overwhelmed him. He is a native of Holmes county, which adjoins Wayne on the south, his birth occurring October 26, 1844, the son of Christian Hostettler, who was born in canton Berne, Switzerland, January 1, 1801. He became a prominent veterinary surgeon and later a practicing physician. He married Margaret Pauli in 1822, and in 1834 .,they came to America, the voyage being a long and tedious one owing to the primitive methods of ocean-going vessels at that time, the trip requiring thirty-one days. They had heard of the great opportunities that existed in Holmes county, Ohio, and at once came here and purchased a piece of land, which Doctor Hostettler improved in connection with his practice of medicine, in time becoming well fixed in reference to the material things of life. His first wife died and he was married again in 1852, his last wife having been known in her maidenhood as Magdalena Hebiza. The Doctor became the father of nine children by his first wife and seven by his second ; they were : Elizabeth, John, Joseph, Anna, Ulrich, Barbara, Peter, Mary, William, Susan, Amelia, Fred, Caroline and Daniel. William Hostettler was reared on the farm in Holmes county and when ten years of age moved with his two brothers to East Union township. He received a somewhat limited education in the common schools, principally after he came to Wayne, county. When fifteen years of age he worked on a farm by the month, and thereby got a start in life. He was married March 16, 1875, to Mary A. }Masser, a sister of P. S. Blosser. The Blossers have long been a highly respected family in thls locality. Mr. and Mrs. Hostettler have had no children, of their own, but, out of the kindness of their hearts. they reared' .a girl, Fairy T. D. Nusbaum, to the age of thirteen years, her death occurring in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Hostettler started out in life with but little of this world's goods ; they rented land for six years, and, being hard workers and economical, they were enabled to save enough beyond living expenses to- buy a farm in Sugar Creek township, consisting of: eighty acres, a part of which they went in debt for, but, prospering here, the place has been paid for and greatly improved, and here they have made a very comfortable living and have a cozy home and everything in, the way of livestock, poultry and small fruits that their needs require. However, they are now making their home in Dalton, where they own one and one-half acres, but Mr. Hostettler keeps in close touch with his farm. He has laid by an ample competency for his declining years. In politics he is a Democrat, but he does not take a very active inter- 1360 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. est in political affairs. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church at Mount Eaton, this county. They are highly respected by the congregation of this church and by all with whom they have come into contact, for their lives have been led along worthy lines. WILLIAM D. ROSIER. Many of the best and most progressive citizens of Wayne county, Ohio, are of German and Irish descent and of this class William D. Rosier is deserving a place in the county's history owing to his life of industry and honor. He was born in Dalton, Sugar Creek township, this county, in 1849, the son of George and Sarah (Wilson) Rosier, natives of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, who came to Dalton, this county, in 1854. William D. Kosier's paternal grandparents came to America from Germany and his maternal grandparents came from Ireland. George Rosier, father of William D., was an undertaker and cabinetmaker in Dalton, Ohio, for a period of forty years, having been very successful in his line. He and his wife each died at the age of eighty-four years. The father was a Republican and a loyal Union man, and the paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Mexican war. To George Rosier and wife the following children were born : Mary Wadsworth, Sarah, Alice, Bertha, William D. (subject), Frank, George and Charles. the last named being deceased. Alexander Wilson, brother of Mrs. George Rosier, moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1861 and there followed the trade of coppersmith, being at that time the only skilled artisan in his line there,- and he conducted a large business. Four of his sons went through the Civil war in the Federal army and they were later successful business and professional men in St. Paul. William D. Kosier, of this review, was educated at Dalton, this county, and early in life began carpentering and contracting, and for eight years he was a lumber dealer. In 1894 he bought the farm he now owns, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres, in Chippewa township, south of Easton. It is one of the best in the neighborhood and has been so managed as to yield rich reward for the labor expended upon it. Since purchasing this place Mr. Rosier has devoted his attention exclusively to his agricultural and stock-raising pursuits, making a specialty of Holstein cattle, and he also keeps an excellent grade of other stock, for which he always finds a ready market, his place, which is widely known as the Champion Hill Stock Farm, being one of the "show" places in this vicinity. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1361 Mr. Kosier was married on March i8, 1875, to Susan Echard, daughter of Peter and Margaret (Hartman) Echard, who came to this country from Baden, Germany, in 1830. They lived three years in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, then settled two miles south of Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio; however, they spent some time in Chippewa township before going to Sugar Creek township. Peter Echard bought timber land here and cleared it, on which he farmed extensively and became well-to-do. To Mr. and Mrs. Kosier the following citizens have been born : Elma, now Mrs. G. H. Houser ;'Emma, who married Reuben Messer; Merwin, Ray and Ralph. Mr. Kosier is a Republican in politics ; he has been school director in Chippewa township and he was a member of the city council of Dalton for a period of twelve years. In 1904 he was elected director of the infirmary, but he did not know that he was on the ticket until after the election. He is a Republican and always active in the party, and in all positions of public trust in which he has been placed he has never betrayed the confidence of his constituents, but has made a most efficient, careful and conservative official. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and the former has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1874. DAVID RUDY. Among the citizens of Sugar Creek. township, Wayne county, who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with large evidences of their thrift and ingenuity, few have attained a greater degree of success or won a higher place in the citizenship of the community than David Rudy, a member of one of the old and prominent families of this section of the Buckeye state. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where members of the family have been well known for a century and a half, the date of his birth being given as December 21, 1816. Thus his life has been prolonged well toward the century mile-post, and now in its golden evening it is a blessing to all those who come into contact with this upright and useful patriarch—a link between the primitive past and the opulent present. He is the son of Christian and Barbara (Mayers) Rudy, the former born December 1, 1790, and the latter born on September 27, 1793, both in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. On October 9, 1834, Christian Rudy came to Wayne county, Ohio, and located where the north- edge of Dalton now extends, purchasing (86) 1362 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO ninety acres, on which the family remained until the spring of 1835, when they moved on the farm where David L. Rudy now lives. He secured a good piece of land, which he greatly improved, making a comfortable home, and he became prosperous, being an up-to-date farmer for his day, finally becoming the owner of most of the land adjoining the town of Dalton, in all eight hundred and forty-four acres. He also became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Iowa. He is remembered as a. very liberal man, doing many acts of kindness for his neighbors: He was a member of the Mennonite church, and politically a .Whig, later a Republican When that party was organized. The death of this excellent man occurred on July 13, 1875, and that of his wife on October 3, 1858. They had a large family, David Rudy, subject of this biographical review, being the second in order of birth. He was a young man when he came with his parents to Wayne' county, Ohio. Here he assisted in clearing the land secured by -his father, attending the common schools during a brief time each winter until he. had obtained a fairly good education for those early days, most of his education having been secured in Pennsylvania. He soon devoted all his attention to farming. He delights to tell of the removal of the family from their old home in Lancaster county to Wayne county, the trip overland being made with a five-horse team which he drove. He assisted with the work on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. Mr. Rudy was married on January 15, 1839, to Mary Martin, who was born in Cumberland county; Pennsylvania, September 9, 1819. Soon afterwards David's father gave him one of his farms, consisting of one hundred and' twenty-eight acres, on which he and his bride settled; prospering, they added ninety acres 'to the same, where the city of Orrville now stands, and at this writing Mr: Rudy is the owner of two hundred acres of fine. land where he now resides in Sugar Creek township., He operated a threshing machine very successfully for some time. In 1852 he bought his present farm and in 1853 moved on the same. He met with the misfortune to lose his right leg in 1855, it being caught. in the threshing machine, but notwithstanding this handicap he managed to farm until his boys were large enough to carry on the work. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy became the parents of eight children, namely : Henry, deceased ; Fannie, deceased ; Levi S., born October 1843 ; Sarah, born March 19, 1845 ; David C., born November 1, 1846; Mary A., deceased ; Elizabeth M. and Barbara, deceased. All these children received a good common school education. David C. married Julia Chatelain. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1363 Mr. Rudy is a member of the Mennonite church, and politically he is a Republican. He is a man in whom the people of his neighborhood have placed a great deal of confidence and he has settled thirty-one good estates. He is well informed regarding the statutes of the state of Ohio, and he is one of the most useful and honored men of Sugar Creek township. ISAAC A. MYERS. All credit is due the man who starts in life with but little of this world's goods and no influential friends to help him hew his career through the avenue of obstacles that necessarily lie in wait along his future pathway, and he who removes such barriers one by one and wins a place of respectability and financial ease among his fellow men is undoubtedly the possessor of strong characteristics. Such phraseology might well be applied to I. A. Myers, a farmer and stock man of East Union township, Wayne county, for we shall see by a brief study of his career that he has persevered on his own account until success has crowned his efforts. He was born in Wooster township, this county, March 17, 1866, the son of Milton and. Catherine (Kick) Myers, a well known family in that community. I. A. Myers was reared on the home farm, where he began assisting with the work during the crop seasons very early, and he attended the district schools during the winter months, receiving a very good education. He was ambitious to become a merchant and when twenty-one years of age entered a dry goods store in Fulton county, Ohio, having been employed by F. J. Dimkey, of Archbold, this state, and he remained in his employ for a period of eight years, rendering very faithful service and learning much regarding the mercantile business. After leaving the store Mr. Myers returned to Wooster, Ohio, and married Elizabeth A. Sands, daughter of J. W. Sands, long an influential citizen of this county. After his marriage, Mr. Myers rented land for one year, then moved to East Union township in 1895, where he has since remained. He owns the old J. W. Sands farm of one hundred and nine acres, which he has greatly improved and built up the soil until it ranks well with the best farms in the township. He has a very comfortable home, good barn and outbuildings, orchard, garden,—in fact, whatever goes to make a successful country place. No small part of Mr. Myers' income is derived from his successful handling of 1364 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. livestock, which he buys, feeds and sells; being a good judge of stock, a careful buyer and knowing how to properly manage all kinds of stock, he finds a ready market for what he has to sell in that line, and he is widely known in this locality and those adjoining as a stock man. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born two sons and one daughter, Zoma, John and Anthony. Fraternally, Mr. Myers is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Politically, he is a Democrat, having long taken considerable interest in the success of his party locally, and as a reward for his loyalty his fellow citizens gave him the office of treasurer of East Union township, which position he held with much fidelity and credit for a period of four years. He is one of the influential citizens of this township. GEORGE BRENIZER. The respect which should always be accorded to the brave sons of the North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American Union is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the following lines are devoted. He proved his love and loyalty to the government on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to summer's withering heat and winter's freezing cold, on the lonely picket line a target for the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle, where the rattle of the musketry mingled with the terrible concussion of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar made up the sublime but awful chorus of death. Among these valiant defenders of the Union and Old Glory was the subject of this sketch and he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character. George Brenizer is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, having been born in Canaan township, and is the son of John, Jr., and Susan (Irvin) Brenizer. John Brenizer, Jr.. was born in Canaan township in 1821 and died in 1902, while his wife, who was born also in Pennsylvania November 7, 1821, died March 24, 1878. The subject's paternal grandfather, John Brenizer, Sr., was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock and was himself born in the Keystone state, from whence he came to Wayne, county, Ohio. The subject's maternal grandfather, George Irvin, was a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and came to Wayne county in an early day. John Brenizer, Jr., was a carpenter by trade, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1365 but eventually went to farming, buying a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Canaan township. To this he later added sixty acres and he cultivated this farm until late in life, when he disposed of it. He was a Democrat in politics up to the candidacy of Abraham Lincoln, when he became a Republican and afterwards voted that ticket. He was a member of the Dunkard or German Baptist church. He was the father of nine children, namely : Catherine, George (the subject of this sketch), John F., Samuel, Edmond A., Franklin, Albert L., Clara E. and one that died in infancy unnamed. George Brenizer of this review received his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, his studies being interrupted at the age of seventeen years by the outbreak of the Civil war. The firing on Fort Sumter had fired all his youthful patriotism and on October 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In the engagement at Chickasaw Bayou, Kentucky, under Morgan and DeCoursey, he supported a battery and later participated in a charge, during which he received severe wound in the head caused by the explosion of a shell, rendering him unconscious and causing him to be left on the field as dead. For three days he lay there unconscious and finally was placed with hundreds of dead .in' a trench for burial by his comrades. Franklin Feeman, a drummer boy of his regiment, came along and was looking over the faces of the dead to see whom he recognized, when he thought he saw signs of life in Mr. Brenizer. Help was summoned and the injured man was carried to the camp fire, for it was in the cold of winter. The warm fire aroused Mr. Brenizer so that he showed unmistakable signs of life and he was at once taken to the hospital boat and thence conveyed to the Stearns Hospital at Paducah, Kentucky. There shattered pieces of skull were removed from the right side of his head and he began slowly to recover, although the surgeons prophesied his death. Four months afterwards he was taken to the City Hospital at Columbus, Ohio, where he began to convalesce, and two weeks later he was removed to the hospital at Camp Denison, where he remained until able to travel, when he went to Cincinnati and was there formally discharged from the service. After his return home he still felt the effects of his terrible wound, being partially paralyzed on the left side of his body, but this disability gradually left him, in a measure, though for several years he was unable to do any heavy work and still feels its effects. Eventually, however, he took up farm work and later worked at the carpentering business, being naturally an adept in the use of tools. He engaged in school teaching, being so employed during four terms, and then did some canvassing. He is now living practically retired, and is 1366 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. living in Pleasant Home, Congress township, where he lives in a comfortable home. He is a man whom to know is to honor and he enjoys the confidence and regard of all who know him. On the 7th of June, 1870, Mr. Brenizer was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ellen Atkinson, who was born February 18, 1847,. at Wooster, Ohio, the daughter of James T. and Mary (Long) Atkinson, residents of that city, where both died. To this union have been born two children, namely : George Elvin, born April 18, 1871, a machinist, and Appalonia Grace, born November 26, 1876, who is the wife of Frank Weltmer, a farmer of this county. In politics Mr. Brenizer is a supporter of the Republican party when national politics are involved, but in local elections he votes for the man best qualified for office. He is opposed to the liquor traffic and whenever possible casts his ballot against the liquor interests. His .religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal church. Socially he is a member of Wooster Post No 133, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has served as post chaplain and assistant inspector. Mr. Brenizer is a quiet, unobtrusive citizen, busily occupied with his own affairs, and is now enjoying that rest which he has so richly earned. AMANDUS W. BRENNEMAN. It was a tedious, difficult, if not a dangerous journey which John R. Brenneman, father of the gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, took when he left his native hills in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and came overland across rugged heights and through well-nigh fordless streams, wending his way westward to the newer and inviting county of Wayne in the Buckeye state. But he was a man of courage and determination and consequently he was not appalled at the vast stretches of wilderness that confronted him here, but, like the sterling pioneer that he was, he at once set to work with a will and soon had a good start. Settling in Greene township, he later moved to East Union township, where he lived the remainder of his days, battling with a resisting nature until he won from the soil not only a good living for himself and family, but something to lay by for the days when old age forbade him taking an active part in the affairs of life. He married Eliza Walter and to them eleven children were born, eight of whom lived to maturity. Amandus W. Brenneman, one of the number, was born in East Union township, this county, August 20, 1854. The other children were Elva A., WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO- 1367 Charles, Walter ;Ellen became the wife of Elmer McAfee (deceased) ; Emma A. married W. C. Orr; William: married twice, first to Lois Shreve, who died, after which event he married Lizzie. Musselman ; Frank married Cora Stauffer; Ida has remained single ; Mary is the wife of E. J. Steele ; Samuel married Nettie Redwine. Amandus W. Brenneman was reared on the old homestead and a great deal of work fell to him on the farm, which he performed. uncomplainingly,— in fact, he, took naturally to. farming and did not care to do anything else; he also: delighted to accompany his father on his trips. with his threshing machine about the country. But he. found time in the midst of his active life as boy to attend the district schools, later going to school at Smithville, Ohio. Applying himself very diligently to his studies, he became equipped for a teacher, which he followed for three. years,. but not finding the life of a teacher exactly to his tastes, he turned his attention to farming and also to carpentering,, which he has since continued, the two making him an excellent living and permitting the laying by of a competency for his old age. Mr. Brenneman was .married in 1883 to Savilla M. Bechtel, who had been married to H: Brenneman. She is the daughter of John Bechtel, a well known citizen of Orrville, this county. .She became the mother of one child by her first marriage, Bertha. M., born. in 188o, and died. in 1909; she had married J. C. Odenkirk. Two children have been born to .Mr. and Mrs. .:Amandus W. Brenneman, namely : Harriet E.,. born in August, 1891, and Allen J., born in September, 1897.. . Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman .are members of the East Union Lutheran church, the former being one of the elders and a liberal supporter of the same. Politically, he is a Republican, and he served as, trustee. of Greene township at one time, and he is at this writing the land .appraiser of East Union township. He has always proved worthy of all trusts reposed in him, being honest and industrious. GUY M. RUDY. The well-directed efforts of Guy M. Rudy, one of the best known of the younger generation of agriculturists of Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, have brought him success, his life. demonstrating what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who is. not afraid to work and has the perse- 1368 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. verance to continue his labors, even in the face of seemingly discouraging obstacles, possessing many of the sterling traits of his honored ancestors who have figured prominently in the affairs of this locality since the pioneer days. He is the son of Levi S. Rudy and the grandson of David Rudy, and the great-grandson of Christian Rudy, who was the first member of this family to settle in Wayne county, Ohio, where he came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. For a full history of these ancestors the reader is directed to the sketch of David Rudy, on another page of this work. Guy M. Rudy was born August 8, 1875, in Sugar Creek township, on the farm where he now resides, and is the second son of Levi S. and Elizabeth (Ervin) Rudy. When he arrived at the proper age he assisted on the farm during crop seasons and in winter he attended the district schools until he was about eighteen years of age, then he spent one term in the Dalton high school ; he was a good student and obtained a fairly serviceable education. After completing his education, Mr. Rudy turned his attention to farming and stock raising, which he has since followed in a most successful manner. Mr. Rudy was married in 1899 to Lulu King, who was reared near West Lebanon, Wayne county, but she was born near Mount Eaton, this state, May 21, 1877. Her people have long been influential in that vicinity. She received a good common school education. This union has resulted in the birth of three daughters, Maude, born October 3, 1901 ; Ethel, born June 19, 1903 ; Mary, born August 10, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy are members of the Presbyterian church at Dalton, of which Mr. Rudy has served as trustee. In politics he is a Republican, and takes considerable interest in the local affairs of his party. As a farmer Mr. Rudy has been abreast of the times in every respect, owning an excellent farm, well improved and well managed, which yields abundant crops from year to year. He is also interested in stock, especially horses and Jersey cows. He finds a ready market for his stock owing to the fine quality of the same. Mr. Rudy is a young man of fine characteristics and is well liked by the people of his community who have known him since childhood, and can vouch for his big conception of true American manhood. PHILIP G. TAWNEY. One of the most successful farmers and best known citizens of Chippewa township, Wayne county, is Philip G. Tawney, who was born August 28, 1856, on the farm where he now resides and which he owns, the son of Abra- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1369 ham and Margaret (Sickman) Tawney, the former born in Stark county. Ohio, in 1826, and the latter where the Lutheran cemetery is now located, in Baughman township, Wayne county, in 1823. The paternal grandparents of the subject were John and Christina Tawney, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father of John Tawney came with his wife and children to Stark county, Ohio, in 1814. There John Tawney was married in 1818 to Christina Slusser, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1835 John Tawney and family came from their home south of Canton, Ohio, and bought the farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres where Philip G. Tawney now lives, having purchased the same from a man who entered it from the government in 1822. It was still nearly all in timber when John Tawney came into possession of it, and he deadened the trees, later cut and burned them and made a home in the wilderness, building a barn in 1842 which is still standing and in use, the foundation having been made of straw, clay and large stones. The subject's maternal grandparents were Philip and Hannah (Critz) Sickman, the former born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Washington county, that state. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, in an early day, having been preceded many years to this locality by the great-grandfather Sickman, who bought two farms, then returned to Pennsylvania and sent his two sons, Philip (grandfather of the subject) and John, to take possession of them. Philip sold his place in Wayne county and went to Medina county, Ohio, and he died about 1859. his wife dying about 1872 or 1873. Abraham Tawney, father of Philip G. Tawney, came to Wayne county, this state, with his parents and has since lived on the homestead, retiring some years ago from active business. When he first came here the country was almost a wilderness, and most of the houses were built of logs. When newcomers arrived, especially from Pennsylvania, the neighbors would assist in building their houses, which was the prevailing custom. There was plenty of game. The early settlers hauled grain to Canal Fulton before the canal was built, up to about 1828. In his younger days Abraham Tawney was a carpenter and he helped to erect several of the larger barns in his neighborhood. He cut grain with a sickle and cradle, and at one time he and Henry Sickman cradled sixty acres of wheat in five and a quarter days. In 1846 Mr. Tawney worked in a warehouse at Canal Fulton, sleeping on the counters in the store, and he used to handle wheat in two and three bushel sacks, day and night, for fifty cents per day, working from four o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock at night. He always liked to tell of the trip the family made from their old home in the Keystone state, which was made overland in wagons, requiring 1370 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. several weeks. The father. of Abraham Tawney made one trip to Baltimore, Maryland, and returned on foot, walking from four o'clock in the morning until eight o'clock at night each day. Abraham Tawney was a Whig and later became a Republican, taking an active interest in local political matters, but he never sought office. His father voted for General Jackson first, but was later a Whig. Several generations back the: Tawney family were members of the Reformed church ; the father and grandfather of the subject, however, were members of the Methodist church, and many campmeetings have been held by the Methodists on the farm of the elder Tawneys. .0n the. Sickman side of the house the family were members of the Lutheran church. John J. Sickman, son of Philip and Hannah Sickman, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, June .18, 1821, and died at his home in Marshall county, Indiana, December 13, 1894, in his seventy-fourth year. His wife departed. his life on September 1, 1894. He was married to Elizabeth Kinney, August 28, 1844, and to. this union five children were born,. three boys and two girls, all of whom are: living except the oldest daughter, who died in infancy. He, moved from Wayne .county, Ohio, to Pulaski county, Indiana, in the _fall of. -1848, living there for over nineteen years, after which he moved to Marshall county, Indiana, where he lived in Tippecanoe township until his death: In August, 1862, ,he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer. Infantry, in which he served until honorably discharged from the service. While in the army he contracted a disease from which he never recovered In early life he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and he remained a consistent Christian. He was a member of, James Shields .Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He is buried at Pleasant Bill cemetery. He was a good man and had no enemies that he knew of. Mrs. Hanna Sickman died in River Styx, Wayne county, May 28, 1874, in her, seventy-second year. She was born, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio when thirteen years of age. In her fourteenth year she was married to Philip Sickman, by whom she had fourteen children, nine of whom survived her. When these parents married, they commenced life in the wilderness in what is now Baughman township, this county. They had when they commenced, their "clearing," one horse, a saddle, an ax and a gun. They lived upon the farm they cleared up until 185o, when they sold it and bought and moved upon what is known as the "Canada Smith" farm, in Montville. Mr. Sickman was a sterling character and for many years he had but one shirt, and often when .out at work and a rain came on he would pull it off, place it under a log to keep it dry ; this man finally got to be worth thirty thousand dollars. Mrs. Sickman was a woman of more than ordinary WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1371 ability—order and promptness were the leading traits of her character. She was a member of the Lutheran church nearly all her life. She was charitable and kind to the poor. She was patriotic and sent five of her sons into the Union army, two of whom, Jonas and Barnhart, died while in the service. She was a truly good woman and her end was that of the tried and true Christian. Philip G. Tawney, the immediate subject of this sketch, was educated in No. 7 school, Chippewa township. He began. farming early in life and has always lived on the old place, which he has worked., He, formerly did a great deal of sheep shearing, but now follows farming only. In May, 1901, he bow ht the home place, his mother having died in 1900. She and Mr. Tawney had lived together fifty-two years, and the parents of. Philip G. Tawney and three other couples whose farms all practically joined all celebrated their golden wedding anniversaries within eight years. Now only Abraham Tawney and two of the widows 'of the neighbors of the four couples are living. The father is now eighty-five years old. Philip G. Tawney was married in March, 1901, to Irena Kauffman, daughter of Adam Kauffman, whose father came to this county from Pennsylvania and located in Franklin township, near what is now the Agricultural Experiment Station, their advent in this county having been in .1829. His wife was Serenda. Carpenter, whose people were natives of Virginia. The Kauffman people were from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Philip G. Kauffman was living in Wood county, Ohio, when she was married. This union has resulted in the birth of one child, Inez Jane. Mr. Tawney is a member of the Lutheran church. and a Republican in politics. He delights to recall incidents of former clays and talks interestingly of .his forefathers. He remembers when the first mower and binder was brought to the Tawney farm. His paternal grandfather pounded out the bullets he used in hunting. In his day all kinds of game was abundant here and the old pioneer shot many deer roundabout, and the father of the subject at one time killed nine squirrels in one tree. Both the Tawney and Sickman families have always borne excellent reputations and had hosts of friends throughout this locality. ALBERT M. RUDY. In all the relations of life Albert Rudy, a well-known farmer of Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought into contact. His capable manage- 1372 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. meat of his own business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, for he is a hard worker and has always had the interests of his community at heart. He is the representative of an excellent old family, members of which have figured prominently in the affairs of this and Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, for at least four generations. The birth of Albert M. Rudy occurred in Sugar Creek township, this county, November 18, 186o. He is the son of Daniel L. Rudy, who came to Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, in 1832, from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, with his father, Christian Rudy, a hardy pioneer, who obtained land here in the wilderness and became a prosperous farmer. Daniel L. Rudy also became a well-to-do farmer. Albert M. Rudy was the third member of his father's family, and when he became of proper age he worked on the home farm, attending the district schools during the winter months until he had received a fairly good education. He later attended the graded schools at Dalton for four years. From the age of twenty-one to twenty-six years he worked for his father and thus became well grounded in the basic principles of agriculture, which he has made very successful ever since. Mr. Rudy was married December 14, 1886, to Margaret Saurer, the daughter of Abraham Saurer, a well-known and highly respected citizen of East Union township, where Mrs. Rudy was reared and where she attended school. Her birth occurred in 1863. This union has resulted in the birth of four sons, namely : Raymond, May 10, 1888; Troy, December 10, 1890; Allen, 1891, and Warren, January I, 1894. They have all received good educations in the common schools. Mr. Rudy is the owner of a very valuable farm of eighty acres, on which is located the Dalton coal mine, No. 14. General farming is carried on very successfully, and a large part of Mr. Rudy's annual income is derived from the sale of his heavy draft horses, which he buys and feeds, always finding a ready market for them owing to their excellent quality. He is regarded as an excellent judge of livestock, especially horses. Politically, he is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Dalton, being highly esteemed members of the local congregation. DANIEL A. SOMMER. The motto, "Merit always commands its reward," is strikingly exemplified in the modest career of D. A. Sommers, a business man of much influence locally in Wayne county. He early learned that knowledge, backed WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 1373 by well-directed energy, is the key with which the poor boy could open the door of success and cull its choicest fruits, and although he began life in a rather humble way, he is now very comfortably situated and enjoys a liberal patronage as a merchant and business man in the town of Kidron, Sugar Creek township, in which locality he was born on January 16, 1861, the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Lehman) Sommer. The former was the son of Isaac Sommer, who was born in Switzerland, and who came to the United States in an early day and devoted the rest of his life to farming here. D. A. Sommer was the next to the youngest of his father's family, and he was reared on the home farm in section 16, Sugar Creek township, which he assisted in developing, having begun work on the same very early, but he found time to attend the district schools during the winter months and became fairly well educated. When he reached maturity Mr. Sommers married Mary Saltzman, who was born and reared in Sugar Creek township, whose father was long an influential citizen in his community. This union has resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Alvin B., born January 2, 1888 ; Carrie, born June 24, 1891 ; Willis, born October 28, 1893. Mr. Sommer started in life as a farmer and continued in that line of endeavor until 1902, making a success of its diversified phases, but he long entertained a desire to enter the mercantile life, and, when an opportunity presented itself in 1902, he took advantage of the same and purchased a stock of goods at Kidron, Sugar Creek township, having since given his almost exclusive attention to the same. He has built up an extensive trade with .the surrounding community and he always keeps a carefully selected stock of goods which he displays neatly in his well-kept place of business, and the fact that his trade has constantly increased is a criterion that he is giving his customers the worth of their money and at the same time accords them courteous treatment. He very creditably served as acting postmaster of Kidron for a period of three years. He owns four acres of land, on a part of which his store building stands. This furnishes opportunity for a good garden, orchard, etc. Mr. Sommer is president of the Kidron Telephone Company, which is incorporated and which is well patronized throughout this vicinity, much of its success being due to his efficient management but it is in the proper handling of his large stock of general merchandise that his excellent business qualities are brought out. Politically, Mr. Sommer is a Democrat, active in the affairs of his party, and he very capably served as trustee of Sugar Creek township for two terms. 1374 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. WILLIAM A. BARDEN. The enterprise of 'William A. Barden has been crowned by success, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integrity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been clone in the present instance, judging from the high standing of Mr. Barden among his fellow citizens whose undivided esteem he has justly won and retained, being one of the leading agriculturists of Plain township, Wayne county ; also one of the leading school teachers of the same. William A. Barden was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1865. He is the son of William Barden, whose sketch appears in full on another page of this work. Young- Barden attended the common schools, receiving a good primary education in district school No. 5, Plain township, into which community he moved when a small boy with his parents, who located on a farm there. He also attended the Shreve high school for one year, also the West Salem high school, and he took one term at the Ada Normal School, also taking a business course in one of the leading business colleges of Oberlin, Ohio, thus receiving an excellent text-book training, for he applied himself very carefully, being ambitious to get a good education in order that he might become a teacher. While attending school he worked on the home farm during the summer months. Mr. Barden began teaching in 1886 and he has taught every year since that time with the exception of three years, having done all of his teaching in the three districts, Nos. 5, 9 and Io of Plain township, his services having been in great demand. for Mr. Barden has the happy faculty of pleasing both pupil and patron. He is well grounded in the fundamental principles of pedagogics, and he is a master in the art of elucidation. He always kept well abreast of the times, being a wide reader of general scientific and literary subjects; he also keeps well informed on agricultural and horticultural subjects and his farm is a model owing to his knowledge of such subjects and their practical application, which he carries out, having followed farming for several years, now owning a highly improved and very productive place consisting of one hundred and ninety-five acres in Plain township, just west of Blachleyville. He carries on general farming- in a way that stamps him as a gentleman of sound judgment and industry, and about his place may be found some excellent varieties of livestock and poultry, in which he takes considerable interest. He has a cozy and substantial home and a good barn and outbuildings.