950 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Politically Mr. Huffman is a Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although Mr. Huffman's early life was one of hard toil, he has been well rewarded. He has accomplished much good for his fellow men at the same time that he has been laying by a competency for himself and family, and he has won the respect and honor of all with whom he has been associated. JOHN McGUFF. Highly respected as a citizen and honored as a patriotic defender of the stars and stripes in a war which tested the solidity and perpetuity of America's free institutions, the subject of this brief review is distinctively one of the leading men of the township where he maintains his residence and is in every way worthy of mention with the progressive and representative citizens of Wayne county. John McGuff is a native of the dominion of Canada, having been born in Quebec on the 14th of April, 1846. His parents, Michael and Mary McGuff, were both natives of Castle Bar, Ireland, and came to America in 1843, locating first in Quebec, where the father was employed as a laborer. In about 1848 they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and eventually settled at Macedonia, Ohio, where their deaths occurred, the father dying in 1863. They were the parents of four sons, two having been born in Ireland and two in Canada. The subject of this sketch was handicapped in his early youth by the poverty of his parents. They reared him as best they could until he was ten years of age, when he came to Oak Grove, Milton township, Wayne county, and in the schools there he secured a fair education. Subsequently he went to Michigan and there learned the trade of carpenter, which vocation he followed continuously until 1897. He was an expert and proficient workman and did much building in this part of the state. On August 5, 1897, Mr. McGuff was appointed postmaster at Creston, receiving the appointment and the hands of President McKinley, and he has continued to discharge the duties of the office since that time. He is an accommodating and painstaking official, prompt in the discharge of his duties and courteous to the customers of the office, and is held in the highest regard by all who come in contact with him. During the early part of the Civil war Mr. McGuff gave unmistakable evidence of his patriotism by enlisting as a private in Company G, Eighty- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 951 sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served about ten months. After remaining at home a year, he again enlisted, this time in Company C, of the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Regiment, and served one year. Both enlistments were made at Wooster. Mr. McGuff gave his best possible service in the defense of his .country and assisted in the capture of the rebel General Morgan, being at that time under the command of Colonel DeCoursey, who was in command of the brigade. The regiment did valiant service at Cumberland Gap and was in a number of other engagements. The subject was employed much of his time in guard duty. His old military associations are kept alive through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is a past post commander. Politically Mr. McGuff is a stanch Republican and has taken a prominent in local public affairs, having served his fellow citizens in the capacity of assessor, five terms, constable, and road supervisor, giving the best of satisfaction in every position to which he has been called. Fraternally he belongs to the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons and also is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. His religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, and to that society they render an earnest and consistent support. On November 12, 1878, Mr. McGuff was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Hattie Benjamin, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, April 14, 1859, the daughter of Samuel and Helen Benjamin, early settlers here. Mrs. McGuff's paternal grandfather was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the state and had a prominent part in inducing the Erie railroad to survey its line through this county. To Mr. and Mrs. McGuff the following children have been born : Carl, a conductor residing at Cleveland, Ohio Claud, a traveling salesman for Parsons & Parsons, of Cleveland, and Ethel, who remains at home. Mrs. McGuff died on January 6, 1900, and was buried at Creston cemetery. Mr. McGuff is a public-spirited citizen and a whole-souled man, ever ready to help forward any work designed for the public good. He has done .much toward bringing Canaan to the front among the sisterhood of townships of Wayne county, and is recognized by all as one of its most useful citizens and is consequently greatly honored and respected. NOAH S. BURKHOLDER was born in Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 19th clay of February, 1860, and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Smoker) Burkholder. The grandparents were John and Barbara (Schrock) Burkholder, the former 952 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. of whom was born in Switzerland in 1801. He came to the United States with an uncle in 1817 and located in Pennsylvania, and in 1823 he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and located on what is known as the old Burkholder farm. He was first employed by his uncle, Benjamin Schrock, whose daughter, Barbara, he married. They became the parents of four children, Jonathan, Jonas, Nancy and Sarah. Jonathan Burkholder was reared to manhood on the paternal homestead and on attaining mature years he married Elizabeth Smoker, to which union were born nine children : Sarah, Anna, Caroline, Meenow. Noah S., Simon S., Amos, Joseph and an infant that died unnamed. Noah S. Burkholder was reared on the farm which was owned by his grandfather, John Burkholder, and there he helped in the manifold duties pertaining to farm life. On the 20th of December, 1884, Mr. Burkholder was united in marriage to Lizzie A. Hostetler, who was born in Wayne township, Wayne county, Ohio, March 6, 1858, and is a sister of Jonathan K. Hostetler. No children have been born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Burkholder have, out of their kindness, reared four children and have adopted two : Meriam, born June 4, 1896, and Alice, born October 30, 1898. These children are being cared for and educated as carefully as though they were the subject's own children. DR. WILLIAM N. LAVIERS. To win success in any profession or avocation and become something more than mediocre requires a definiteness of purpose, an unswerving courage and a force of personal character that impel admiration. These qualities Dr. William N. LaViers seems to possess, for, in the face of obstacles, he has forged his way to the front as a veterinary surgeon, standing at the head of this profession in Wayne county, throughout which his name has become a household world, for he has been very successful in the practice of his profession. As his name would indicate, he comes from a French family, an old and honored one, and he possesses many of the qualities that made his ancestors noted in their communities. His birth occurred in North Lawrence; Stark county, Ohio, November 27, 1882. He was educated in the public schools and reared on the farm which he assisted in developing during his boyhood, while he was not in school. He was a good student and graduated from the high school at Canal Fulton, June 12, 1902, after which he taught school one winter. But, not liking school teaching, he entered the lumber business, at which he worked for a time. Having long desired to WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 933 become a veterinary surgeon, he entered the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, where he made a very commendable record and from which institution he was graduated in 1907 with the degree of Veterinary Surgeon. Returning to Ohio after his graduation, Doctor LaViers established an office at Dalton, April I, 1907, and soon had a good practice. This community had long felt the want of just such a live and well equipped young veterinary as he, and those owning livestock were quick to secure his services when such were required, with the result that he has shown himself to be not only well versed in his profession but by nature an excellent judge of a horse and possessing all the qualifications necessary in the successful prosecution of this line of work. Doctor LaViers was married on December 25, 1906, to Bessie I., Dreurey, a very estimable young lady and the representative of an excellent family. This union has resulted in the birth of one child, Nellie Vester, born January 7, 1908. Doctor LaViers is a Republican in politics, although he does not find time to take a very active interest in the affairs of his party. Fraternally he is a member of Arling Lodge, No. 775, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Personally he is an obliging, courteous and genial young man whom everybody likes. Religiously he and his wife both belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. JOEL B. AMSTUTZ. Among the substantial men of influence living in Milton township the name of Joel B. Amstutz should be included, partly because he is a native of the same and his efforts have always been for the promotion of Wayne county affairs. His birth occurred on June 9, 1851, the son of Ulrich and Marie (Logabill) Amstutz. The former was born in Switzerland on April 26, 1801, and died March 19, 1881 ; his wife was also a native of Switzerland, where she was born May 14, 1809, and died September 6, 1876, When nineteen years of age Ulrich Amstutz came to America and located in Milton township, section 24. Here he married and took up government land, in time accumulating in all four hundred acres, which he cleared and improved, and there .reared a family of seven sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, of whom five sons and two daughters are now living. The father was an elder in the Mennonite church and was known among his neighbors as a peacemaker ; while he took an interest in politics, he was no office-seeker. He was respected as a man of integrity and generosity and eminent 954 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. fairness. Two brothers and two sisters of Ulrich were : John, who located in Greene township ; Peter, in Putnam county ; Mrs. Rev. Christian Steiner, of Wayne county, and Mrs. Basinger, of Putnam county. Joel B. Amstutz was educated in Smithville Academy and taught school for one year, during the winter of 1872 and 1873. He was reared on a farm and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for three years, then married and lived a year on the farm. In 1878 he moved to Sterling and entered the grist-mill business, which he followed very successfully until 1892. In 1878 and 1879 he built the first two residences on the west side of the railroad track. In 1900 he entered the employ of the Knights of the Maccabees and has been employed by this organization ever since, traveling entirely in Ohio. In 1899 he was acting as bookkeeper of the Starling Boiler Company at Barberton; previous to that for a period of four years he was bookkeeper for the Toledo Stove Company, giving these firms entire satisfaction. Previous to that he was engaged in the tobacco business, also insurance and notary public. Just before going to Toledo he was employed for some time with the Royal Arcanum fraternity and worked in that capacity in Ohio and West Virginia. He has been very successful at whatever he has been engaged in. He has a fine home which he built on South Main street. Previous to 1892 he had accumulated considerable wealth, but failed during the bad panic of 1893, and was compelled to begin over again. However, he had the courage to push forward and was soon on his feet again, and today he is one of the substantial men of the township. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but is now independent. He has held nearly every township and village office within the gift of the people in his vicinity. He was for many years a member of the Democratic committee, and has been trustee, school director, assessor, treasurer and clerk of Milton township, besides several other offices. Fraternally he is a member of Seville Lodge, No. 74, Master Masons, also belonging to the chapter, Medina, No. 30 ; Wooster Council, No. 13, and Wooster Commandery, No. 48. He was made a Mason November I, 1881, passed the degree of Fellowcraft on November 15, 1881, and that of Master, November 29, 1881. In July, 1908, he was made a chapter Mason, and on April 15, 1909, a Royal and Select Master; he was elected to the commandery June 8, 1909, the degree being conferred on September 14, 1909. He joined the Knights of Pythias in 1882, Lodge No. 173, at Sterling. He also belongs to the Knights (of the Maccabees, and he joined the Royal Arcanum in 1879. He has long taken an abiding interest in lodge work and he holds high rank in lodge circles throughout the state. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 955 Mr. Amstutz was married on December 5, 1875, to Susan Hoover, a native of Wayne county, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Hoover, old settlers of this county and highly respected people. Two children have been born to this union, Meno S., who graduated at Ada College, then went to Atlanta for four years and was employed in the Georgia city by the Lidgerwood-Gordon Manufacturing Company. He was promoted to the home office in New York City, where he remained eleven months, when he died February 24, 1904. He was a member of the Atlanta Lodge of Masons and is buried in the Seville cemetery. The second child, Jeanette, who graduated from the Sterling high school, is living at home. For many years she has been clerking for D. C. Steiner. For thirty years Mr. Amstutz has been a "teetotaler," believing in absolute temperance. He is well liked by all who know him as a result of his many commendable personal traits. THOMAS E. CARNAHAN. The founder of the local branch of the family of this name in America was James Carnahan, a native of Ireland, who became an emigrant to this country in 1800, or thereabouts. His movements at that time are not definitely recorded, but it seems that shortly after arriving he located in Pennsylvania. While a resident of that state he married Katherine Lanch and removed to Ohio about 1808, locating in Milton township, Wayne county, where he ended his days. The maternal grandparents were John and Mary Hutchinson. the former born in 1778, the latter in 1789. He was a native of Virginia, of Irish parents, while his wife was born in Wales. After marrying in Virginia they removed to Pennsylvania, but later came to Ohio, where all their children were born. William Carnahan, son of James, married Sophronia Hutchinson, a daughter of John and Mary. William was horn in Milton township in 1827 and his wife in Chippewa township in the same year. James Carnahan, the emigrant ancestor, was a soldier in the war of 1812. and his grandson still owns a blanket used by him during his field service. After his marriage, William Carnahan became a farm worker and wood-chopper, saved up money enough to buy a farm, increased his holdings from year to year and at one time owned about two hundred and forty acres of land. His death occurred in 1887 and that of his wife in September, 1902. All of their three children are still living, and are proud of the good from left them by their pioneer parents. 956 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Thomas E. Carnahan, one of the three children above mentioned, vas born in Milton township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the farm he now owns, June 3, 1867. He obtained his education in the usual way of country boys, by attending the township schools during the winters, while the spring and summer and early fall were devoted to farm work. As soon as he grew to manhood he began farming for himself and now occupies the old homestead, consisting of eighty acres, northwest of Sterling. He does not undertake much fancy farming, but confines his efforts to producing the ordinary cereal crops of this latitude and to raising the amount of stock adapted to his acreage. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and enthusiastic in support of the Democratic party. He enjoys excellent standing in his community, both socially and financially, and is regarded as one of the safe and conservative farmers of the younger generation. In 1889 Mr. Carnahan was married to Ida B., daughter of Samuel Frase, an old settler of Wayne county. Mr. and Mrs. Carnahan have five children, Zoe, Hazel, Kent, Ethel and Stanley. Mrs. Carnahan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. JACOB SCHORLE. There is no nation that has contributed to the complex makeup of our American social fabric an element of more sterling worth and of greater value in fostering and supporting our national institutions than has Switzerland. From this source our republic has had much to gain and nothing to lose. Switzerland has' given us men of sturdy integrity, indomitable perseverance, high intelligence and much business sagacity,—the result being the incorporation of a strong and strength-giving fibre, ramifying through warp and woof. A man who may well look with pride on his Swiss origin is the subject of this review, who is one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of Milton township, Wayne county, where he is personally recognized as a representative citizen, having attained a high degree of success through his operations. Jacob Schorle was born in Basel, Switzerland, on the 22d of October, 1867, and is the son of Otto and Mary (Gysin) Schorle, both of whom also were natives of that little republic, where they spent their lives and died. They were the parents of four children, two of whom came to America, the subject being the only survivor here. The two who remained at home are still living. The subject received a good education in the public schools at WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 957 Basel and in his youth learned bookkeeping. At the age of eighteen years, fired with an ambition to secure larger opportunities for future advancement, he came to the United States, and at once, located in Milton township, Wayne county, where for the ensuing three years lie was in the employ of Peter Mongey, later working for five years for John Slemmons. He was industrious and economical and at the end of the period noted he found himself in position to start out on his own account. He therefore bought one hundred and sixty acres of fine land located northeast of Sterling, in Milton township, and here he has since conducted farming operations with a very gratifying degree of success. His property is adorned with a full set of neat and attractive farm buildings, everything about the place indicating the owner to he a man of good judgment and wise discrimination. In connection with the tilling of the soiI, Mr. Schorle also devotes considerable attention to stock raising, Holstein cattle being his specialty. He is progressive in his methods and keeps in close touch with the latest ideas in relation to successful agriculture. On March 22, 1889, Mr. Schorle was united in marriage to Mary Leichty, a daughter of John and Veronica (Mongey) Leichty. This union has been a most happy, and congenial one and has been blessed in the birth of ten children. namely : Walter, Otto, Martha, Fannie, Howard, Dorothy, Wallace, Laura. Edith and Harold. In religion the subject is a member of the Reformed church, as is his wife, and they take a deep interest in the various activities of that society. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party, and he takes a commendable interest in the trend of current events, though not in any sense a seeker after public office or official preferment of any nature. Mr. Schorle is one of the intelligent, substantial and responsible men of the township in which he lives. He has been a successful agriculturist and has done much to develop the resources of his fine estate, making another of the fine farms which are the pride of Wayne county. He enjoys the respect and esteem of the public as a man of integrity, while he is much beloved in the narrower circles of private life. GIDEON HARTZLER. This venerable pioneer of Wayne county is a native son of the Buckeye Mate and a representative of one of the families who came to this commonwealth in an early epoch, dignifying the same by their services and worthy- 958 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. lives, even as he has done during the more than three score and ten years which have elapsed since he was here ushered into the world. Honored by all, there is no citizen of the county more worthy of consideration in this volume, and we find satisfaction in noting here the more salient features in his career. Mr. Hartzler, after years of active and earnest endeavor, is now living retired in the attractive little city of Smithville, honored as one of the patriarchs of this locality. Gideon Hartzler was born in Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1837, and is a son of Joseph and Fannie (Kaufman) Hartzler. The subject's father was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and received a good education in the public schools. There he married Fannie Kaufman and in about 1820 they came to Ohio, locating in Greene township, Wayne county.. Here Mr. Hartzler followed farming and as the years went by he saw his efforts rewarded in the acquisition of a fine farm, which at one time comprised three hundred acres. His success Was due entirely to his own efforts, as he came to this country in poor financial circumstances and his life during the following years was one of unremitting toil and earnest endeavor. He was a man of sterling qualities and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. In religion he was an Amish Mennonite. To him and his wife were born eleven children, namely : One that died in infancy unnamed, Levi, Sarah, Enos, John, Elizabeth, Solomon, Seth, Benjamin, Gideon and Nancy. Of these, all are now dead but Gideon. Gideon Hartzler was reared on the Greene township farm and secured his education in the common schools of the locality. When of proper age, he took up the duties of the farm and was so employed until he started out in the world for himself. For awhile he was employed by the day at farm work, but at length acquired a farm of his own in Greene township, and to this he devoted his attention until 1897, when he sold the farm and bought six acres eligibly located in Smithville, where he is now living retired from active labor, enjoying that rest which he so richly earned during his long and active life. He is novw in comfortable financial circumstances, and is counted among the solid citizens of the township. Mr. Hartzler has twice been married. On March 3, 1864, he married Lydia Plank, by whom he had ten children, whose names and the dates of their births are as follows : Samuel, March 2, 1865 ; Adam J., September 22, 1866 ; Fannie S., April 12, 1868 ; Harvey J., September I I, 1869 ; Solomon, October 26, 1871 ; Mary A., September 9, 1873 ; Elizabeth, January WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 959 16, 1876; Emma, August I, 1878; Clara and Sarah, twins, June 5, 1881. Mrs. Lydia Hartzler died on August 1, 1881, and in October, 1884, Mr. Hartzler wedded Arie Yoder, who was born December 31, 1837, the daughter of Reuben Yoder. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzler are faithful members of the Amish Mennonite church, to which they give a hearty and liberal support. In politics Mr. Hartzler is an uncompromising Republican, and takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, though he is not a seeker after public office. His influence has ever been given in support of all worthy enterprises and projects for the general good, so that he stands as a model citizen and as one who has made a large contribution to the development and progress of this section of the state. JESSE H. WEIDMAN. From the study of the life history of Jesse H. Weidman one may learn valuable lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, Mr. Weidman has risen to his present high position in the agricultural circles of Wayne county. Industry, energy and progressive sprit have ever been dominating characteristics in his makeup and through these forces he has attained a distinctive degree of prosperity, while at the same time he has earned the sincere respect of his. fellow citizens. Jesse H. Weidman was born near Belville, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of June, 1865, and is a son of Adam and Catharine (Cole) Weidman. These parents are still living at Belville. In 1883 Mr. Weidman, feeling that larger opportunities for a young man of energy and ambition lay farther west, came to Wayne county, Ohio, and accepted employment on the farm as hired hand for three years, then rented a farm for seven years, and then accepted employment on the Pennsylvania railroad for four years. At that time his wife inherited a farm of ninety-five acres and to the operation of this place he has since devoted his undivided attention. The property is eligibly located in Greene township and, under the wise management of Mr. Weidman, has been made to return good profits for the labor bestowed. He 960 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. is energetic and progressive and maintains the place at the highest standard of excellence. In addition to the tilling of the soil, Mr. Weidman also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in which he has met with gratifying success. He also runs a cider mill and chop mill. The farm is well improved and is a valuable property. On December 24, 1886, Mr. 'Weidman was united in marriage to Drucilla Kurtz, who was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1863. Her mother died when she was but six weeks old, and she was thereafter reared by C. H. Yoder, a cousin of her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder brought her to Wayne county, Ohio, when she was but eleven months old and they gave her the same careful attention and as good an education as they would have given one of their own children. Mr. Yoder also was a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Weidman is of German ancestry, her paternal great-grandfather having been a native of the Fatherland, who, emigrating to the United States, settled in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. It was from Mr. Yoder that Mrs. Weidman inherited the farm on which she now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Weidman have become the parents of the following children : Laura, born December 28, 1887; Allen, born February 19, 1889; Effie, born February 2, 1892 ; Frank, born January 4, 1898. The children are all living at home and all have been given the advantage of a good common school education. In religion Mr. Weidman holds to the faith of his ancestors, being a faithful and consistent member of the Amish Mennonite church. In politics he is a Republican and takes a commendable interest in local public affairs. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a gratifying degree of success. He is of a high type of business man and is-- eminently deserving of recognition in a work of this character. JOSEPH ARMSTRONG. The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monument, seen 'by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand of time. Those who have valiantly fought and suffered for their country are especially deserving of an honored place in its annals, and their posterity will turn with a just pride to these records of the founders and preservers of a WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 961 prosperous, united nation. Among the leading and influential citizens of Wayne county, Ohio, is Joseph Armstrong, who owns and operates a fine and fertile farm in section Li., Franklin township. Mr. Armstrong was born in Saltcreek township, Holmes county, Ohio, on the 6th day of December, 1837. He is descended from sturdy Irish ancestry, his great-grandfather, Joseph Armstrong, Sr., having been born in county Cavan, province of Ulster, Ireland. In the year 1800 he brought his family to the United States, one child dying on the trip across the Atlantic. They settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where Joseph spent the remainder of his clays. His son Joseph. who also was born in Ireland, married and was the father of the following children : Thomas, deceased; Joseph, who died July 12, 1833 ; John S., father of the subject of this sketch; Nancy, who became the wife of Robert Lisle; Susan, who died April 26, 1829. The father of these children brought his family to Holmes county, Ohio, in 1816, and settled on a farm which joined the Wayne county line. The land was at that time densely covered with the primeval forest and Mr. Armstrong at once entered upon the herculean task of clearing it and rendering it fit for cultivation. He married Susan Crowe, whose death occurred October 12, 1852. Their remains now lie buried in the cemetery at Fredericksburg. John S. Armstrong, father of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1802 and in voting manhood he accompanied his parents on their removal' to Holmes county Ohio. His education was necessarily somewhat limited, but he made up for his limitations in this respect by a large fund of what is sometimes called "horse sense being a man of sound judgment and practical ideas. He was reared to the life of a farmer and to the pursuit of this vocation he gave the active years of his life. He was enterprising and progressive and was numbered among the successful men of his community. He took a marked interest in the local affairs of the community and in the early days he organized and trained a company of militia. The splendid farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he owned was bought of James Moffitt, who lived in Pennsylvania, and Mr. Armstrong had to make the trip back to that state with the money in his saddlebags in order to complete the purchase of the place. He was a sturdy old pioneer and is still favorably remembered' by the older residents of that community. John S. Armstrong married Ann Johnson Searight, who was born October 5, 1807, and to them were born the following children : Eliza Jane, born March 29, 1839, married Luther 1. Roby, and her death occurred August 15, 1897; Joseph, the subject of this sktech ; William Searight, born August 7, 1839, is a resident of Holmes (61) 962 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. county, this state; Thomas James, born January 20, 1841, now lives on the old Armstrong farm which was originally entered from the government ; Lucinda Ellen, born September 29, 1844, died August 3, 1866 ; Gilbert, born August 1, 1846, lives in Fredericksburg, this county. Mrs. Armstrong was a faithful and active member of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr: Armstrong was a Republican and took an active interest in local public affairs. He died April 1, 1880, and his wife died on August 23, 1885, both being buried in the cemetery at Fredericksburg. Joseph Armstrong, the immediate subject of this review, attended the old log school houses of the locality where he was raised and his education was necessarily somewhat limited. He was reared to the life of a farmer and remained at home as his father's assistant until 1862, when, on August 13th, he responded to his country's call for defenders, and enlisted at Cleveland in the Nineteenth Ohio Independent Light Artillery as a private. During the winter of 1863-4 he was stationed at Knoxville, Tennessee, where the army was besieged by General Longstreet's rebel forces. During this trying period the commissary supplies of the Union were sadly depleted and at one time the men were reduced to a ration of a half pint of corn meal daily. After they were extricated from this trying position, they engaged in the celebrated southern campaign under General Sherman and remained with his army until the fall of Atlanta. The company of which the subject was a member was then ordered back to Nashville, Tennessee, in order to get an equipment of new guns, their old ones having become 'practically worn out. During all his service thus far Mr. Armstrong had sponged and rammed one gun. After receiving their new equipment, the Nineteenth Artillery did effective service in the engagements which ended with the defeat of General Hood's forces. From Nashville, the Nineteenth went by way of the Tennessee river to the Ohio, up which they proceeded until stopped by heavy floating ice, when they were transferred to. the railroad and taken to Washington, D. C. From there they went by water down the Potomac to the ocean and thence up the Cape Fear river to Wilmington, North Carolina, and then to Raleigh, where they again became a part of the army under General Sherman, with whom they 'remained until the close of the war. Mr. Armstrong received an honorable discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, June 28, 1865, after nearly three years of hard and faithful service for his country. During this period he passed through some thrilling experiences, and had some close calls from death or injury, but escaped without injury. After the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Armstrong returned WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 963 to his father's farm and worked there until his marriage, in 1869, when he located on the farm which he now owns and which is eligibly located in section 14, Franklin township. At that time only about sixty acres of the place had been cleared and the only building there was a rude log cabin. In this they resided until they could have a house erected, and from that on they labored energetically and unremittingly to develop the farm into their ideal of a homestead. In this laudable effort they were successful to an eminent degree and in due time the place came to be known as one of the best farms in the township, a reputation which it has always sustained. The improvements made by Mr. Armstrong are of a permanent and substantial nature, embracing a convenient and attractive residence, large and commodious barn and other necessary outbuildings. A full line of modern and up-to-date machinery is employed in the operation of the place and proper attention is given to the rotation of crops and other features which contribute to the successful operation of a farm. All the crops common to this section of the country are here raised and in connection Mr. Armstrong also gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock. in which also he has been successful to a marked degree. On the 15th of April, 1869, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Martha Ann Stucker, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, December 12, 1842, the daughter of Elias and Sarah (Keller) Stucker, both of whom are now deceased. These parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Holmes county in 1840. They here applied themselves to the operation of a farm and spent the remainder of their lives here. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have been born the following children : Lyda Jane, born January 21, 1870: Elias Charles. born October 21, 1871 ; Anna Lucinda, born May 4, 1874. died on the 23d of January, 1897 Sarah Elizabeth, born July 10, 1875, married Burdett S. Bontrager, of Fredericksburg. November 21, 1906, and they have one child, Blanche Ola, horn September 19, 1907; Blanche, born October 15, 1878, married Albert G. McCance September 20, 1904, and lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are members of the Congregational church at Fredericksburg, of which he is a member of the official board in the capacity of trustee. His old army associations are kept alive through his membership in the A. M. Mass Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Fredericksburg. During all the years of his residence in Wayne county, Mr. Armstrong has enjoyed the unbounded confidence of all who know him and today he is numbered among the representative citizens of the township in which he lives. 964 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. FREDERICK KARCH. There is no element which has entered our composite national fabric that has been of more practical strength, value and utility than that furnished by the sturdy, persevering and honorable sons of Germany, and in the progress of our Union this element has played an important part. Intensely practical, and ever having a clear comprehension of the ethics of life, the German contingent has wielded a powerful influence, and this service cannot be held in light estimation by those who appreciate true civilization and true advancement: Among the sons of the Fatherland who have become assimilated with and an important part of our great national unity, the subject of this sketch is an honorable representative, and because of his consistent life and sterling qualities of character he well merits representation in this work. Frederick Karch was born June 16, 1847, in Germany, and is a son of George and Margaret (Hill) Karch, who brought their family to the United States in 1851. They located in Saltcreek township, Holmes county, where the father successfully prosecuted farming operations and stock raising. He was successful and prospered, owning over two hundred acres of fine farming land, besides some valuable city property. He was a hard-working man and enjoyed the high regard of all who knew him. He was in politics a Democrat and in religion he was affiliated with the Lutheran church, of which he. was an earnest supporter. To George and Margaret Karch were born six children, Margaret, Melissa, Minnie, Cora, Jacob and Frederick. Frederick Karch was but two years old when the family crossed the Atlantic and settled in the New World. His boyhood days were spent with his parents and in the district schools of the home neighborhood he received n good practical English education. He remained with his parents until he had attained his legal majority, when he started out in life for himself For awhile he operated rented land as a farmer, to which vocation he had been reared, and by dint of ceaseless toil and careful economy he was prospered so that in a short time he purchased one hundred acres- of land in Paint: township. Holmes county, for which he went into debt. His persistent industry, however, enabled him to pay off the incumbrances in due time and he bought other land as he was able. On March 28, 1905, he purchased the M. L. Rich farm in Greene township, Wayne county, consisting of two hundred and six acres, which he is now engaged in operating. This place comprises two hundred and six acres and is considered one of the best farms in the township.. The first settlement on it was made in 1811, and a monument WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 965 has been erected commemorating that fact. Mr. Karch is progressive and practical in his methods and keeps his farm buildings, fences and machinery in splendid condition. He carries on general farming and stock raising and is meeting with a measure of success commensurate with the labor bestowed. On March 4, 1869, Mr. Karch was united in marriage with Mary E. Pounds, who was born in Paint township, Holmes county, Ohio, August 27, 1845. She was reared and received her education in Millersburg. Holmes county, Ohio. They are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living. namely : ( ) Clara V.. born November 22, 1869, is the wife of Dr. Robert Sunkle. (2) Henry P., born May 17, 1871, married Mary J. Stifler he is an attorney at Cincinnati, Ohio. (3) Charles M., born January 13, 1873. married Nina Close; he is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, of Canton, New York, and the Georgetown Law School, at Washington, D. C., and is now a practicing attorney at Cleveland, Ohio. (4) Alice L., born March 3. 1875, died August I. 1883. (5) Abbie R., born July 2, 1877, is the wife of R. H. Hanna. (6) Maggie. born January 9, 1879, is single and is a teacher of music at Cleveland, Ohio. (7) Electa,- born February 13, 1881, is single. She is a graduate of the Millersburg high school and will graduate at Wooster University in art. (8) Otto H., born September 26, 1883. is unmarried and is a traveling salesman for the Wayne Machine Company of Wooster. (9) Ula M., born January 26, 1886, unmarried, and ( 10) Grover C. September 10, 1887, married Frances Spencer of Holmes county. The parents of Mrs. Karch both bore the family name of Pounds, though they were not of kin. Her father, Henry F. Pounds, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. He was a carpenter in early life, but later followed farming. He died on March 26, 1903, having been preceded to the silent land a number of years by his wife, whose death occurred in 1875. The subject's paternal grandparents, who were slaveholders in Virginia, moved from that state to Pennsylvania, and thence to Ohio. Politically the subject of this sketch is an ardent Democrat and takes an active interest in the trend of public affairs. His religious membership, with that of his family, is with the Christian church at Orrville, to which they render a liberal and earnest support. Mr. Karch is a sensible and well-balanced citizen, a good business man and one who keeps thoroughly abreast of the times. He is highly respected in the township and is justly considered one of the representative men. 966 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. AMMON S. HALTEMAN. Among the prominent and successful citizens of Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, must be mentioned Ammon S. Halteman, who is a prosperous farmer and respected and useful member of society. His valuable estate attracts attention and favorable 'comment, not only on account of the evidences of agricultural superiority but also by reason of its attractiveness and its air of generous comfort. The present condition of the place is due almost entirely to the efforts of its owner, who is a thoroughly practical man, who not only takes a deep and intelligent interest in his vocation, but also has a commendable pride in his surroundings Ammon S. Halteman was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania.' on the 26th of February, 1853, and is the son of Abraham and Catharine (Stauffer) Halteman. The father was born in 1814 and died in 1882, and the mother, who was born in 1817, died in 1880. They were the parents of seven children, Leah, Mary, Jacob, Harriett, Henry, Ammon S. and Sarah. Of these, the two last named are the only survivors, Sarah being the wife of John Bergey, of Mifflintown, Juniata county, Pennsylvania. The, subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and was early inducted into the mysteries of successful agriculture, with which vocation he has been identified all the years of his life. He attended the common schools near his home and received a fair education. When he had attained his majority he worked as a farm hand for various employers, until 1877, when he caught the western fever and came to Ohio, locating in Wayne county. Here for a time he was employed as a farm hand, but, at the end of a year, marrying, he rented his mother-in-law's farm for a few months. In June, 1879, he bought the farm which he now owns and cultivates and has confined his attention continuously to it since. The place comprises ninety-three and a third acres and is considered one of the fine farms of the township. Mr. Halteman has erected a fine modern dwelling and made many other improvements of a substantial nature. He is energetic in his efforts and progressive in his ideas and has met with a gratifying degree of success as an agriculturalist. On November 17, 1878, Mr. Halteman was married to Salome Troyer, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Hostetler) Troyer. She was born in Greene township on September 20, I 860, and received a fair education in the common schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Halteman have been born eight children, whose names and the dates of birth are as follows : Ira, December 18, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 967 1881; Jacob V.. September 12, 1883 ; Icie M., February 18, 1886 ; Ada. May 14, 1892; Roy, April 4, 1894; Ruth, January 11, 1898 ; Wayne, February 14, 1900; Ward, July 1, 1904. In politics Mr. Halteman is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes for President. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, though not in any sense a seeker after public office. Religiously he is a member of the Dunkard church and is serving as a member of the board of deacons. The subject gives a thoughtful attention to every phase of his farm work and keeps in close touch with the latest advances and theories relating to the science of agriculture. Besides cultivating the soil, he is also interested in the breeding and raising of horses, giving particular attention to the NormanPercheron breed. He is a man of many fine personal qualities and is liked by all who know him. Joseph Troyer, father of Mrs. Halteman, was the son of Jacob Troyer. The latter was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and located in Greene township, Wayne county, in about 1814, and here he continued to reside until his death. Joseph Troyer was reared on a farm in Greene township and secured such education as was possible to secure in the schools of that day, which, as compared with the schools of the present day, were rather primitive in methods and equipment. He was a prosperous farmer and was also engaged in the saw-milling business for a number of years. He commenced his married life .a poor man, but by dint of tireless energy and rigid economy, he was enabled to secure for himself a good farm and at the time of his death he was in fairly easy circumstances. He was a man of religious habits and was a member of the denomination known as the Brethren in Christ. He was the father of five children, Christian, Mattie, Joseph H., Salome and Lydia. He was horn March 29, 1825. and died in 1874. JOHN M. CRILEY. The subject of this sketch. who fills a large place in the public view and by his connection with one of the leading financial institutions in northern Ohio, has attained an honorable position in business circles, is a native of Indiana and a son of Rey W. W. Criley, a learned and popular minister of the Lutheran church now residing at Indianapolis, Indiana. John M. Criley was horn in Indianapolis, March 9, 1869, while his father was stationed in that city, and received his preliminary education at the various places to 968 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. which the elder Criley was called during his ministerial labors. In this way young Criley was provided with the best educational facilities obtainable and his progress was such that 'while still quite young he was enabled to enter institutions of a higher grade, where in due time he was prepared for college. His collegiate training consisted of a course in Bucknell University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, the training thus received being afterwards supplemented by attendance at Wittenberg College and Wooster University, Ohio, in both of which he completed the prescribed courses of study. On leaving the latter institution Mr. Criley was made professor of mathematics in Carthage College, Carthage, Illinois, where he labored with marked success for a period of three years, when he resigned to become cashier of the Wayne County National Bank, to which responsible position he was appointed in the year 1895. Mr. Criley's experience as a teacher, though of comparatively brief duration, was eminently honorable and had he seen fit to devote his life to that field of work he doubtless would have attained an enviable standing among the distinguished educators of his time. Since turning his attention to another and entirely different line of effort, however, he has forged rapidly to the front as an able, well-balanced and judicious business man, familiar with every phase of banking, thoroughly informed on monetary questions, and among his contemporaries he is regarded as one of the most capable and accomplished financiers in the northern part of the state. Mr. Criley has ever manifested a commendable interest in educational matters and for some years has been one of the trustees of Wooster University, an institution in which he takes especial pride and to the success of which he has contributed liberally of his time and influence. He also keeps in close touch with other enterprises which make for the progress of Wooster and the welfare of the people, and is an earnest advocate and liberal patron of all measures and movements for the social, intellectual and moral advancement of the community in which he resides. Mr. Criley is a married man and the father of four children, to whose interests and welfare he is greatly devoted. His wife, formerly Cora Frick, is a daughter of Jacob Frick, of Wayne county, and the ceremony by which her name was changed to the one she now so worthily bears was solemnized in the year 1892. JOHN HEINRICH VILLARD. Representing one of the oldest and best known families in Wayne county, Ohio, and a man of enterprise and sterling worth, John Heinrich Villard is well entitled to notice among the representative citizens of the locality of WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 969 which this volume treats, where he is well known and respected by all classes as a result of his well regulated life and interest in the general welfare of his county. He was born at Mt. Eaton, Wayne county, Ohio, October 1, 1865. He is the son of Frederick and Magdalena (Rudy) Villard, natives of Switzerland, the father having been born in the canton of Bern, July 4, 1812. He learned the trade of machinist and early in life invented a machine for making wire nails. He first married, in Switzerland, Mary Chantry. In 1842 he brought his family to the United States and settled on a farm at Mt. Eaton. Wayne county, Ohio, which he owned until his death and which is still an undivided estate. He continued his study of mechanics after coming to America, and secured patents on some useful inventions, but they brought him no profit as they were not pushed on the market. His wife died here, and of the five children horn to them, these three grew to maturity : Frederick, Sophia and Rosa. the last named now deceased. Mr. Villard's second marriage was in 1852, when Magdalena Rudy became his wife. She was also a native of Switzerland, horn June 30, 1831, and she came to America in 1851. By this marriage twelve children were born, of whom nine grew to maturity. namely : Mattie, the wife of E. F. Graber ; William A., Samuel H., Simeon E.; Lucy, the wife of L. C. Klein; John Heinrich, whose name introduces this article; Charles T., Solomon E.; Ida, the wife of Elmer L.. Graber. The father of this family died in 1888 and the mother is living upon the homestead. John H. Villard, of this review, was reared on the home farm and early in life knew the meaning of hard work. He attended the district schools and received a very serviceable education. On March 24, 1892, he married Julia Mathiot. (laughter of August C. and Rachael (Fisher) Mathiot. Mrs. Villard was born at Mt. Eaton, Ohio, and was reared and educated there. Mr. and Mrs. Villard reside on the old Villard homestead, where Mr. Villard has passed all the years of his life and which he has managed very successfully. He also operates a saw-mill and cider press on the place. He is a citizen whose judgment can be relied upon and his fellow citizens, recognizing his qualifications, in 1905 elected him county commissioner and as he served the people to their utmost satisfaction he was re-elected in 1908. His former record as township assessor, an important office, won him the confidence of his constituents. Politically he is a Democrat. Like his parents, his religious membership is with the Reformed church. He is one of Paint township's best known and most progressive citizens. 970 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. CHARLES NEUROTH. For many years Charles Neuroth has occupied a conspicuous place among the agriculturalists of Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio. His career has been that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well-rounded character has enabled him to take an active interest in education and social and moral affairs, and to keep well informed concerning current events and the momentous questions affecting the nation. In all life's relations he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been thrown in contact and his friends are in number as his acquaintances. Mr. Neuroth is a native son of Wayne county, having been born at Marshallville on the 30th of November, 1862. He is a son of Christopher and Mary (Lutz) Neuroth. The father, who was a successful agriculturalist and highly-respected citizen, died in 1909, and his widow now resides at Marshallville. Charles Neuroth was reared on the home farm at Marshallville until he was eight years old and received a fair education in the schools of that place. He remained with his parents until he had attained mature years and his first employment away from the home farm was as section foreman on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus railroad, which position he held about a year. He then decided to return to his first love, agriculture, and to this end he bought the splendid farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres in Greene township, which he now operates. Practically all of this farm is under cultivation and on it are raised all the crops common to this section of the country. Mr. Neuroth also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in which he has met with a gratifying degree of success. He is energetic and methodical in his farming operations and keeps his place up to the highest standard of excellence. He has excellent farm buildings and a fine line of modern farming machinery, and in everything he does he is guided by twentieth-century methods and means. He is a close reader of authorities pertaining to advanced agricultural methods and is not slow to adopt that which to him seems to be practical and reasonable, the result being that he is today considered one of the progressive farmers of his township. In June, 1885, Mr. Neuroth was united in marriage to Emma Baar, who is a native of Greene township, where she was reared and secured her education. This union has been a most happy and congenial one and has been blessed in the birth of four children, namely : Clara, born December 12, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 971 1889; May, born May 8, 1892; and George and Grace, twins, born on October 12, 1896. Politically M r. Neuroth is an adherent of the Democratic party and takes a deep interest in public affairs, serving at the present time as a school director of his township. In November, 1909, he was elected trustee of the township for two years. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, in which he carries insurance to the amount of one thousand dollars. Mr. and Mrs. Neuroth are members of the German Lutheran church, to which they give a cordial and liberal support. Mr. Neuroth is a man of forceful individuality and marked intellectuality, and to him has been given the most unequivocal confidence and esteem of the people of the community. JOHN M. SEIGLEY. In nearly every community are individuals who .by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above their fellows and win for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. Such an one is the well-known gentleman whose name appears above, a man who has been identified with the history of Wayne county for over forty years, during which period his life has been closely interwoven with the material growth and development of the county, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is honorable and upright in citizenship. John M. Seigley was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 1st day of January, 1859. He is descended from German ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Lawrence Seigley, having been a native of the Fatherland, but came to the United States in an early day and settled on a farm in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He 'was a man of energy and enterprise and was successful in his vocation. He and his wife were the parents of five children, John, Benjamin, Lawrence, Barbara and Mary, and of these, John was the father of the subject of this sketch. John Seigley brought his family to the Buckeye state in 1868 and settled on a farm in the northern part of Greene township, Wayne county. Here he remained until 1878, when he moved to a farm in section 34, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in August, 1899. He married Barbara Mellinger, who survived him about ten years, dying in February, 1909. They were the parents of three children, namely : Jacob, who married Mary Krick and is operating a farm in East Union township; John M., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Anna, the wife of Joseph Royer, of Greene township. Though poor in this 972 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. world's goods when he started out in life for himself, Mr. Seigley was successful in all that he undertook and at the time of his death he owned a fine farm, valued at seven thousand dollars. He was a Republican in politics and stood high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, having served for six years as township trustee, the responsible duties of which he discharged to the complete satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He was a faithful and active member of the United Brethren church. John M. Seigley was a lad of nine years when his parents came from their Pennsylvania home to Wayne county, Ohio, and here he has spent all his life since. He was early put to work on the farm and during the winter seasons he was given the advantage of attendance at the common schools, most of his schooling being at Smithville. He continued to work at farm labor by the day until he was twenty-six years old, when he rented his father-in-law's farm and operated it for eight years. During the following six years he operated another rented place, and was then enabled to purchase the fine farm of seventy acres in Greene township, where he now lives. He is a progressive and enterprising agriculturist, exercising a sound judgment and wise discrimination in all that he does, with the result that his efforts have been crowned with a gratifying measure of success. His farm buildings are all kept in the best of condition and he possesses a full line of modern and up-to-date farming machinery, so that his operations are carried on under the best possible conditions. Mrs. Seigley is also the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and five acres in Milton township, which is considered a choice piece of land. In matters political Mr. Seigley gives his support to the Republican party and is at present t;me serving efficiently as the treasurer of Greene township. About ten thousand dollars in public funds passes through his hands annually and he is required to give a heavy bond. Religiously, Mr. Seigley is a member of the United Brethren church, as is his wife, and they give to this society their earnest support. Mr. Seigley married Amanda A. Tschantz, the daughter of Jacob Tschantz. She was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 10, 1858. and received her education in the common schools of her home township. They are the parents of two children, Nettie E., born August 3, 1890, and Frank M., born June 22, 1896. Mr. Seigley possesses sound judgment and superior business abilities, and as a farmer he has taken high rank among his neighbors, who look upon him as a model agriculturist and regard him with favor as a man of broad intelligence and a leader in movements for the general prosperity of the community. He is of a genial disposition and makes friends of all he meets. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO -973 DANIEL STEINER. Among all branches of history, there is none more instructive or More eagerly sought after than that which truthfully delineates the rise and progress of the state, county or community in which the reader lives. There is pleasure as well as profit to every intelligent mind in contemplating the strug gles of the early settlers in every portion of the great West; how they encountered and successfully overcame every species of trial, hardship and danger to which men in that stirring period were subjected. But these things strike us more forcibly and fill our minds with more immediate interest when confined to our own locality where we can yet occasionally meet with some of the silver-haired actors in those early scenes, men whose bravery in encountering the manifold troubles and misfortunes incident to frontier times has borne an important part towards making Ohio what it now is, and whose acts, in connection with hundreds of others in the first settling of our vast domain, have compelled the world to acknowledge us an invincible people. The early settlement of Wayne county was marked by as much heroism and daring as characterized the frontier history of any other section of the state. Her pioneers were men of invincible courage, undaunted by the obstacles which, confronted them, and the results of their self-sacrificing labors are today seen in the wonderful achievements they wrought in laying the foundation upon which their successors have builded wisely and well. The great majority of these veterans of the early day long since finished their work and are now sleeping the peaceful sleep which knows no waking on this side of the mystic stream. To meet and converse with the few living representatives of the early pioneer period, those who came here as children, or as very young men and omen. and are now approaching or have passed the allotted three score years and ten, stooped with age, venerable patriarchs mostly, and their white-haired companions and helpmeets, is one of the peculiar experiences and pleasing tasks which falls to the lot of the writers of these pages. To gather up the raveled and now mostly broken threads of the strange but simple stories of their lives. to catch the fleeting facts of their histories and hand them on to posterity, might well be the ambitious labor of any man's life. Among the honored old pioneers and worthy citizens of Wayen county was numbered him whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who died December 16, 19* at the venerable age of eighty-seven years and fourteen days, after an illness of two weeks at the home of his sons, David and Noah C., in Greene township. Daniel Steiner was a native of Alsace, France, where he was born De- 974 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. cember 2, 1822, the son of Peter and Barbara (Lughinbihl) Steiner. The father, Peter Steiner, brought his family to the United States in 1828, corning at once to Greene township, Wayne county. Ohio, where, in the following June, he bought one hundred and seventy-two acres of land. The land was densely covered with the primeval forest growth, through which wandered many varieties of wild animals, and the task of clearing this land and rendering it fertile for cultivation was one of herculean proportions. Nevertheless, in due time the task was accomplished and here the father lived until his death, in 1844. His widow survived him a number of years, her death occurring in 1858. They were members of the Swiss Mennonite church and were people of eminent respectability in their community. They were the parents of seven children, John,.Peter, Christ, Ulrich, Jacob, Barbara and Daniel. Of these, Daniel was the last survivor, having been but five years old when the family located on the farm where he lived at his death. Daniel Steiner was reared on the paternal homestead and received his education in a private school and the district schools of the neighborhood. The latter, in that early day, were somewhat primitive in equipment and methods, but the scholars here learned the rudiments of an education, which many of them supplemented through their lives by practical experience and close observation. Daniel Steiner was early put to work on the farm and performed his full share of the labors thereon. He remained with his father until his marriage in 1853, at which time he bought the home place, comprising one hundred and seventy-two acres, to which he subsequently added by purchase a tract of sixty-four acres and one of forty-seven acres, all of which he acquired by dint of his own strenuous labor, combined with sound judgment and rigid economy. During all his active years, Mr. Steiner was a hardworking man, sparing himself at no time and never asking others to do more than he himself was willing to undertake. He carried on a general line of farming, and also gave considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in both of which lines of endeavor he was prospered greatly. He spent practically his entire life on the home place, with the exception of a trip that he and his wife made to Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, and Putnam and Allen counties of this state. He enjoyed remarkably good health up to within a short time of his death, which he attributed to the fact that most of his life was spent out of doors and to the good care he took of himself. Despite his years, his intellect was bright and keen and he could tell many interesting reminiscences of the early days, when this section of the country gave little promise of the wonderful development which now characterizes it.