750 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. fortable frame dwelling. He married Hannah Gardner and here they reared their children in a wholesome atmosphere, leaving them the heritage of a good name, then passed on to their rest in the silent land. David G. Blackwood, being ambitious from his early boyhood to succeed in what the poets would call "the battle of life, studied hard and re. ceived a good education in the local schools of Orrville and the high school of Smithville, Ohio. He first turned his attention to teaching, which he followed, very successfully for a period of four years in the district schools, and although his services were eminently satisfactory to pupils and patrons alike, he decided not to make teaching his life work and left the school room never to return as an instructor. He has been employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for the past twenty-seven years, being freight agent at Orrville ten years, and in 1900 'was transferred to Wooster for duty as chief clerk in the freight office, which position he now holds. He is regarded by the company as one of their most faithful and efficient employes and his long period of service is indicative of his faithfulness and fidelity to duty. Mr. Blackwood has never had time to mingle much in politics, but he very ably served as clerk of the village of Orrville for a period of four years, and as a member of the council four years. Mr. Blackwood was married on September 7, 1876, to Emma Weirich, who was born in Millersburg, Ohio, the daughter of K. Weirich and wife, highly respected citizens of that village, who afterwards moved to Orrville, this county. This union resulted in the birth of one child that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood have numerous friends throughout Wayne county, especially at Orrville and vicinity, where they were long among its worthiest citizens. CHARLES FAHR. That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for one to exercise his talents and influence which in some way will touch the .lives of those with whom he comes in contact. Although in the list of Wayne county's successful citizens who have won state or national reputations the name of Charles Fahr may WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 751 not be found, yet there is much in his career that is Commendable, and his success forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when his plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. Charles Fahr, well-known deputy auditor of Wayne county, Ohio, was born at Red Haw, Ashland county, this state, January 28, 1868. While very young he removed with his mother, his sole dependent, to Plain township, near Reedsburg, where she was employed as a domestic. Poverty prevented his receiving more than an ordinary education,—in fact, the mere rudiments of learning,—for during his school days he was compelled to labor on the farm, attending the district schools during the winter months, known as Union Institute, District No. 2, Plain township, later known as Mt. Wis dom. But he was ambitious and studied hard, and here, during the latter part of his school days, he assisted in teaching, procuring some small means which he put to good use by attending the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, Ohio, during 1890 and 1892. This again consumed all his finances and he returned and taught his home school for nine terms, studying in the meantime, until he became quite well informed on general topics, the sciences and the classics. His ability as an able, conscientious and painstaking educator became known and his services were in great demand. He was at the head of the Reedsburg ,schools for four years, and in 1900 he was chosen principal of the New Pittsburg schools, which position he retained, giving his usual eminent satisfaction, up to 1909. He is at home in the school room and entertains as well as instructs his pupils, and his ability to organize and manage classes and all the details of school work made him popular with pupils, teachers and patrons, so that the most satisfactory results were accomplished. Mr. Fahr's domestic life dates from August 1, 1894, when he married Mary Ebert, a lady of culture and refinement, of Apple Creek, Ohio, and the daughter of an excellent family. Early in life, Mr. Fahr had imbibed a love for equality and political principles and therefore affiliated himself with the Democratic party and his first public work as an organizer was during the campaign of 1896, when he labored in behalf of Bryan, and his township gave a majority of thirty for Bryan when it was normally Republican by seventy majority. His politics can never be doubted as he has always been found fighting for the cause of Democracy, as can be attested by his efforts in Chester township in the last national and state campaign. He was a resident of New Pittsburg in Chester township from 1900 to September, 1909, when he removed to. Wooster, Ohio. 752 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. His record as a public school teacher can be attested by the fact that for thirty-eight terms of experience, these have all been in but three different schools. He was an active and energetic member of the Lutheran church at New Pittsburg, Ohio, and the Sunday school superintendent there for nearly six years, which position he resigned upon his removal to Wooster. He transferred his membership and is now a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Wooster. Upon the election of James L. Zaring as county auditor in the fall of 1908, he was appointed by Mr. Zaring, in the spring of 1909, as deputy auditor, and he assumed his present position on October i8, 1909. Personally he is a pleasant man to meet, always courteous, considerate, genteel and kind, so that he is generally popular throughout the county, with all classes, irrespective of party ties. DAVID JAMES. In the death of the subject of this sketch, which occurred on the 25th of September, 1904, at his home in Franklin township, Wayne county suffered a distinct loss, he having been for many years numbered among the strong and virile characters. A man of forceful personality, sound judgment and enterprising spirit, he had long occupied a high position among his fellow agriculturists, and had achieved a large measure of success in his life work. David James was born in England, October 7, 1826, and was a son of George 'and Ann (Sealy) James, who migrated to America in 1832. They located on a farm in Franklin township, Wayne county, where they bought one hundred acres of land, for which they paid seven hundred dollars, this being the farm on which the subject's widow now resides. The country Was at that time but sparsely settled, there being but one house between the James home and Wooster. There the parents made their home during the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1859 and the mother in 1870. George James was a stanch Whig in his political faith and was an active and influential man in his home neighborhood. To him and his wife were born four children, namely : William Albert, who died at the age of twenty-three years; John S., whose death occurred April 25, 1896; Amelia, deceased ; David, the subject of this sketch. David James was but six years old when the family emigrated to the 'United States and here he obtained a fair common school education. When old enough he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, but never fol-   WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 753 lowed it as a vocation, his entire life from that time on being spent on the home farm. At his father's death he took up the burden of its management and eventually he acquired the ownership. He was a hard and discriminating worker and succeeded in making this one of the best farms in Wayne county. He erected several splendid buildings, bought improved and up-to-date machinery, and followed the best and, most advanced methods in the cultivation of the soil. He was prosperous and bought other land, so that at his death he owned over two hundred and fifty acres of as good land as could be found in the community. In 1853, Mr. James married Ellen Gilmore, the daughter of. Thomas and Dorothy (Young) Gilmore, of Holmes county, this state. The union was a most happy one and was blessed in the birth of the following children ; Thomas A., of Franklin township, this county ; Dorothy Ann, at home ; William Alfred, of Franklin township, who married 'Minnie Florence Morgan, and they have two children, Hugh Carl and Mary Ellen; Jesse Gilmore is the wife of Alverta Watson, of Franklin township, and they are the parents of three children, Harry, Nellie and Blanche Ellen; Mary Nellie became the wife. of Frank E. Langell, of Wayne township, and they have five children, Mark Bunyan, James Maxwell, Floyd, Myrel David and Francis Henry ; Martha Nettie is the wife of Frank Shaw, M near Shreve, this county, and they have two children, Ernest and Forest ; Wesley David, who lives in Iowa, married Emma Morgan, and they have seven children; Glenn, Lucille, William McKinley, Althea, Kenneth, Harrold, Max; John Charles, of Franklin township, married Flora Franks, to which union has been born one child, Clark; George Walter died. at the age of nineteen years.; Lorenzo Ellsworth died at the age of sixteen years ; Frederick Herbert married Alca Weetman, and they have two children, Earl and David ; Francis Asbury, of Franklin township, married Nora Swinehart, and they are the parents of four children : Lester, Virgil, Harold and Wayne ; Amelia Ellen is the wife of Wilbur Snure, of Franklin township ; Sealy, of Wayne township, married Anna Bucher, and they have three children, Mabel, Ellen and Chester Allen ; Anna Hortense is the wife of Richard McCoy, to whom she has borne one child, Ellen Marie.  Mrs. James' parents, Thomas and Dorothy (Young) Gilmore, were natives of England, the 'former having been born at Somersetshire, November 17, 181o, and the latter at Bristol March 31, 1810, and at the latter place their marriage occurred. On May 1, 1831, five weeks after their marriage, they came to the United. States, locating first at Fredericksburg, Wayne county. Ohio. Later they moved to Honeytown, Wayne county, this state, but two  (48)  754 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. years afterwards they settled at Martins Creek, in Holmes county, where they remained thirteen years. Mr. Gilmore first followed the occupation of a Miller and subsequently he purchased the Hockenberry Mill, which he operated until his wife's death, when he 'bought the Cider mill in Franklin township. He operated this mill twenty-eight years, when his second wife died, and he thereafter made his home with his daughter, Mrs. James, until his death, which occurred at the age of ninety years, ten .months and, twelve days. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Which he was an earnest and liberal supporter, and he stood high in the estimation of all who knew him. Politically, David James was a Republican and took a deep interest and an active part in local public affairs. He was an interested member of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Moorland, and served as trustee and class leader. He was indefatigable in his efforts to advance the religious interests of the entire community, and assisted materially in the erection of the second church in Wayne county. His death occurred on the 25th of September, 1904, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Moorland. Since his death Mrs. James has personally directed the operation of the farm, and has achieved eminent success in her efforts. She possesses business ability of a high order and has given to her affairs a discriminating intelligence that has enabled her to realize a handsome income from her property. She is well liked by all who know her and in her hospitable and attractive home she gives a cordial greeting to her many friends. JOSEPH SHERCK. Another of the native sons of Wayne county who has here passed his entire life and by his energy, integrity and progressive methods attained a high degree of success, is Mr.. Sherck, whose fine homestead farm lies in section 5, Franklin township. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, since his father located in Ohio nearly three-quarters of a century ago (in 1837), and that he has attained his prosperity by worthy means is evident from the unqualified esteem in which he is held in the corn- munity where his life has been passed. Joseph Sherck was born on the farm on which he now lives, on the 16th of November, 1849, and is a son of John and Catherine (Morr) Sherck. The subject's paternal grandparents were Peter and Barbara (Pefley) Sherck, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 755 who were natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of seventy-two years he came to Wayne county and settled on the Franklin township farm, which at that time contained but little improvement. He was a strong and sturdy type of the early pioneer and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He died June 4, 1876, at the age of seventy-nine years, eight months and fifteen days, and his wife died September 14, 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-five years two months and four days. They were active members of the Evangelical church, which in those days held services in the homes of the members of the society. Peter and Barbara Sherck were the parents of the following children : Catherine, who makes her home with the subject ; Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of John Mom and John, father of the subject. John Sherck received but a limited school education, though in the great school of experience he was an apt scholar and by dint of close observation and sound reasoning he became a well-informed man. He was brought by his parents to Wayne county when eighteen years old, was reared to the life of a farmer and remained a resident of Franklin township, Wayne county, until 1867, when he and his wife moved to DeKalb county, Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring in 1887., at the age of sixty-five years. He was a well-known local preacher of the Evangelical church, though he served without salary. In politics he assumed an independent attitude, voting for the man whom he considered best qualified for the office. John and Catherine Sherck were the parents of two children, Abraham, who is a resident of Dekalb county, Indiana, and Joseph, the subject of this sketch. Joseph Sherck is indebted to the common schools of Franklin township for his mental training and, with the exception of four years prior to his marriage, when he was employed in Wooster, his entire life has been spent on this place. He here carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this latitude, and he keeps in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture, so that he has long been numbered among the representative farmers of the township. The subject married Laura Ellen Lauck, who was born in Wooster township, Wayne county, Ohio, January 9, 1851, the daughter of Joseph and Harriett (Kramer) Lauck. Joseph Lauck was a native of the state of, Pennsylvania; the son of David Lauck, and he came to Wayne county, Ohio, in young manhood. He settled first in Wooster township, later at Madison-burg, and followed the pursuit of agriculture all his active life. He is now deceased, and his widow makes her home in Denver, Colorado. They were   756 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. consistent members of the United Brethren church, while in politics Mr. Lauck was a Republican. Mrs. Sherck is their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherck have been born six children, namely : Ora Alice, the wife of Julius Gasche, of Holmes county, and the mother of one child, Charles Julia A., the wife of George Smith, of Franklin township, this county; Clara E. is the wife of Lambert Gilson, of Holmes county, this state, and they have three children, Virgil, John and Walter; Walter E. is at home; George M. resides at Sullivan, Ohio ; Ida C. is at home with her parents. Mr. Sherck is a Democrat in his political views and has been honored by his fellow citizens, having twice been elected to the office of trustee of Franklin township. He is public-spirited in his attitude towards all movements having for their object the advancement of the best interests of the community. Because of his fine personal qualities, he enjoys the unbounded confidence and regard of all who know him, regardless of religious creed or political belief. JOHN JACOB LOWE. One of the native sons of Wayne county who has here passed his entire life figures as the subject of this sketch, and it is not irrelevant to state that he is one of the most popular and highly esteemed citizens of Franklin township, where he is successfully engaged in farming, having a well-improved and highly cultivated farm in section 8. As a member of one of our leading pioneer families we here enter record of the more salient features in his career. John Jacob Lowe was born April 13, 1859, in Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, and is a son of Gilbert Lane and Catherine (Armstrong) Lowe, the latter having been a daughter of John Armstrong, of Holmes county. Gilbert Lane Lowe was born in New Jersey and at the age of thirteen years came to Columbus, Ohio, with his parents, John and Rachael Lowe. A few years later they settled in Holmes county, this state, where they remained until Gilbert was married. After that event he came to Saltcreek township, Wayne county, 'where he engaged in the carpenter trade and farming, during, his later years giving his attention exclusively to the latter vocation. He remained in Saltcreek township until 1867, when he moved to East Union township, where he resided until about two years prior to his death. He and his wife were prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 757 church. In politics he had been at first an active Republican, but, in obedience to the dictates of hiS conscience, he subsequently allied himself with the Prohibition party and was equally vigorous in its support. His death occurred in 1907, at the age of eighty-three years, while his wife died in 1868, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Fredericksburg. Mr. Lowe's second wife, who bore the maiden name of Effie Swinehart, survives her husband and resides at Moorland, this county. To the union of Gilbert and Catherine Lowe were born the following children : Ora A. is the wife of Silas Smith, of East Union township, this county ; Alice is the wife of James Snyder, of Franklin township; Luella is the wife of William Ober, of Akron, Ohio ; John Jacob, the subject of this sketch, is the next in the order of birth; Walter is a resident of Stark county, Ohio. John J. Lowe, when four years old, removed with his family to East Union township where he was reared at the parental homestead and received his education in the schools of that locality. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has followed this vocation practically all his life. He has been at all times wide-awake and alert in his business affairs and has so conducted his operations as to realize a comfortable annual income from the same.. He has made many permanent and substantial improvements on his property, which he has at all times kept in the very best of condition, and because of his enterprise and progressiveness he is numbered among the reliable and representative farmers of the township. Mr. Lowe has twice been married. His first wife bore the maiden name of Cerena Beam and is now deceased. To this union were born three children, namely : Osa A. married Alta Byrns and lives in Holmes county ; Roy Clayton, who lives in Holmes county, married Mabel Byrns, and they have one child, Rosetta; the youngest of these children is Wealthy Fern, now the wife of Roy Slater, of Wooster. For his second wife Mr. Lowe chose Sadie Taylor, a daughter of Mark and Catherine (Kuhn) Taylor, and to them were born six children, of whom five are living, and all at home, namely : Alta, Elton, Glenn, Lillian and Leo, the two last named being twins. Mark Taylor, who at the time of his death, December 4, 1905, was numbered among the well-known and highly-esteemed citizens of Franklin township, was born in Somersetshire, England, February 5, 1823. In 1842 he emigrated to America with his parents, locating in Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, where the remaining years of his life were spent. His parents were James and Mary Taylor, who on their emigration to this county settled first near Wooster, later locating in Franklin township. James Taylor was a 758 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. stonemason by trade and followed that vocation during most of his active years. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Josiah, horn November 27, 1820, died in infancy ; Mark, born February 5, 1823; Martha (Mrs. John Tuttle), born May 6, 1825 ; Thomas, born February 15, 1828 ; Mary, born January 13, 1830, became the wife of Samuel Bodine: Josiah (second of this name), born April 22, 1832 ; Sarah, born April 14, 1834, became Mrs. William Guyor; Elizabeth, born March 23, 1836, became the wife of Thomas Gilmore ; Hester, born March 21, 1838, became the wife of William L. Newstetter, of Wooster township, but is now deceased; Jane, horn November 22, 1839, became the wife of Adam Schaaf. James Taylor died June I, 1853, at the age of fifty-seven years and one month, and his wife died April 9, 1856, at the age of sixty years, five months and five days, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Moorland. They were a grand old couple and enjoyed the love of all who knew them. Mark Taylor was a stonemason by trade, and followed that vocation largely during his life. He also worked some as a cooper, which trade he had learned in his early life. He was also successful in high measure as a farmer and was prospered financially in all his undertakings, so that at the time of his death he was one of the large landholders of the township. He was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Boyd, whose death occurred June 15, 1854, at the age of thirty-one years, ten months and twelve days. To this union was born one child, a daughter Mary, who became the wife of L. A. Hall, of Chicago, Illinois. On the 22d of March, 1860, Mr. Taylor married Mrs. Catherine Gabriel, the widow of Jacob Gabriel, and they became the parents of two children, namely: . Sadie C., born September 28, 1861, and Josiah J., born in 1864, who makes his home in Franklin township, this county. Mark Taylor died December 4, 1905, and his second wife on November 30, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years, seen months and twelve days. In politics John J. Lowe is an ardent Republican and maintains at all times a deep interest in the local affairs, giving his unreserved support to every measure calculated to benefit the community in any way. His religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member and trustee of the church of that denomination at Moorland. His fraternal relations are with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, Wooster, to which Mrs. Lowe also belongs. In all the qualities that go to make up a stalwart and well-rounded manhood, standing "four square to every wind that blows," Mr. Lowe is conspicuous and during the years of his residence in this community he has ever enjoyed the unbounded confidence and the highest regard of all who know him. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 759 RICHARD HARRISON. One of the best known and most progressive agriculturists of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, is Richard Harrison, a native of Franklin township. He is the son of John and Hannah (Shreve) Harrison and his birth occurred on August 7, 1870. John Harrison, now deceased, was born on August I, 1796, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, about seven miles 'southwest of Uniontown. He was the son of Peter Harrison, who was the father of fifteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity, the oldest and youngest dying in 'childhood. Peter Harrison was reared in Maryland, from which state he emigrated to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, thence to Cumberland county, Ohio, and later to Harrison county, this state. John Harrison's death occurred on the old home farm in Franklin township, October 19, 1889. John Harrison, with his brother, Elisha, came to the state of Ohio. in May, 1816, and settled in Franklin township. Before he left his native state he was married on April 30, 1816, to Margaret Dysert, a native of Virginia. They made the trip overland on horseback, bringing with them one hundred and fifty. pounds of flour, it being seventy miles to their destination in Harrison county. They settled first in section 22, about a mile south of where he purchased land later. In 1826 he bought a farm where his son, the subject, now lives, and there he lived until his death. In 1836 he built a substantial brick house, the brick having been burned on the farm near by the spot where the house was erected. Mr. Harrison also burned lime here in the early days, and many of the old homes of the county are plastered with it. He was an honest, plain, hard working man whom everybody respected. He was a Quaker in his religious belief. He reached the advanced age of ninety-three years, having been regarded by all as a useful citizen and a kind and generous neighbor. Eleven children were born to John Harrison and his first wife, namely : William, deceased ; Stephen, deceased ; John lives at Millardsburg, Ohio; Hannah married Jacob Miller ; Jane married John Frees; Elizabeth married William Cristwell ; Nancy married Mr. Sterling; two children died when young. The other child was Richard. John Harrison's second marriage was to Hannah Shreve, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, south of the town of Shreve, the daughter of Samuel Shreve. One child was born to this union, Richard. John Harrison, who died in 1889, and is buried in the East cemetery at Fredericksburg, as is also his wife. 760 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Richard Harrison was born on August 7, 1870, and was reared and educated in the community where he was born, remaining at home until his father's death. He married Ida Merryman, a native of Morrow county, Ohio, the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Ruby) Merryman; the former died in Morrow county, Ohio, while the latter is still living in Mount Vernon, this state. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harrison : Lena, Ethel, Donald (deceased), Nettie Belle. Politically, Mr. Harrison is a Republican and he belongs to the Disciple church at Fredericksburg. He has an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on which he carries on general farming and stock raising in a manner that shows him to be abreast of the times in these lines, his farm being one of the "show places" of this township. Mr. Harrison has a large and comfortable home, beautifully located, and here the many friends of the family often gather,. for he is one of the best known and most highly esteemed men of the township and his friends are limited only by the circle of his acquaintance. WILLIAM FRARY. Rising above the heads of the masses are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to positions of comparative eminence in the business world, and at the same time have commanded the trust and respect of those with whom they have in any way been thrown in contact. Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle exite the admiration of his contemporaries Mr. Frary is prominent and he is now recognized as one of the leading merchants of his portion of Wayne county. William Frary is a native of the county in which he lives, having been born at Burbank, Canaan township (called Bridgeport then), on May 27, 1859. His paternal ancestors as far back as can be traced were New England Yankees and in that section of the country were born and reared his paternal grandparents, Orange and Jerusha Frary. They were married in their native state, and in a very early day they emigrated to Ohio, which at that time was considered a frontier state. Locating in Wayne county, they created a comfortable home and acquired a modest estate, where they spent their remaining years and died. The subject's maternal grandfather, Cornelius Seeley, was a native of Ohio, his family having been among the .first corners here. Mr. Frary's WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 761 parents were Asa and Florentine (Seeley) Frary, who were born in Huron county, Ohio, the former in 1830. The father was reared to the life of a farmer, which pursuit he followed throughout his life, his death occurring in February, 1906. His wife had died in 1882. Asa Frary loved his family and was devoted to them. He was an enthusiastic farmer and nothing diverted his attention from his family and his farm. In politics he was a Republican and gave a proper attention to public affairs, giving his support to every movement calculated to benefit the community. He was not an office seeker, however, and public preferment would have been extremely distasteful to him. He was at one time, however, induced to serve as trustee of Canaan township and gave to the discharge of his official duties the same careful and painstaking attention that he gave to his private affairs, retiring from the office with the highest esteem of his fellow citizens. He and his wife were the parents of four children, all of whom are living. William Frary received his elementary education in the common schools of his home neighborhood, supplementing this by attendance at the Burbank Academy. After leaving school he devoted himself to work on his father's farm, remaining there until about twenty-four years of age, when, in 1884, he went to Burbank and accepted a position as clerk for Eli Palmer in the latter's hardware store. He was careful and economical and saved his earnings, and eventually was enabled to buy a half interest in the store. Two years later he bought the remaining interest and has since run the business on his own account. He keeps one of the largest and most complete stocks of both shelf and heavy hardware to be found in this part of the county and he commands a large share of the local trade. Mr. Frary is accommodating in his attitude, genial in disposition and absolutely honest in all transactions, the result being that he has won a reputation for integrity and square dealing that has made a friend of every one who has patronized him. In July, 1897, he was. appointed postmaster at Burbank and has held the office continually since.. He is also the owner of a fine farm, which he operates at a profit. In politics, Mr. Frary follows in the footsteps of his antecedents and gives his support to the Republican party, taking a commendable interest in the trend of current affairs. His religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he and his wife belong and to which they render an earnest and generous support. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of the Maccabees. In January, 1883, Mr. Frary was united in marriage with Libby McBride, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and a daughter of John Abner and Maria 762 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. McBride, early settlers and prominent citizens of Ashland county. To Mr. and Mrs. Frary the following children have been born : Leslie, who married Maggie Shriner : Eugene ; Grace, a student in the Burbank high school ; Wayne and Leah. Personally, Mr. Frary is a gentleman of quiet demeanor, unassuming in his relations with his fellow men, but nevertheless popular with all classes and most highly respected by those who know him best. He has read and thought much, possesses a broad mind well stored with knowledge, and is a man of broad views and wide culture. Well posted in the general and political history of the country and keeping in touch with the times on current events, he is a loyal citizen and a true type of intelligent and symmetrically developed manhood. CHARLES MUNSON. No citizen of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, is more widely known or highly esteemed than Charles Munson. Of a sterling pioneer family, he and his ancestors have been prominent in the development, organization and maintenance of this county, always being safely counted upon to endorse and support to the extent of their ability every good work, movement and enterprise. A successful farmer, public-spirited citizen and faithful friend, Mr. Munson is eminently deserving of representation in a work of this nature. Charles Munson is descended from a long line of honorable ancestry. The subject's great-grandfather, Isaac Munson, Sr., was a native of Connecticut, who, some time after his marriage, emigrated with his family to the state of New York, where his wife, Eleanor Andrews, died in August, 1815. Soon after her death he and his son Henry came to Ohio. They passed the winter of 1815 in Holmes county and in the spring of 1816 they located in Franklin township, Wayne county, where they made their future home and where the father died on July I0, 1830. He was a man of many and varied experiences, not the least of which was his service in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution, he having entered the service at the age of fifteen years. The subject's grandfather, Henry Munson, soon after coming to Wayne county recognized the value of the limestone deposits in this locality and he at once opened .up the stone and bui the first kiln in the county. His preliminary test of the stone was made by burning some of it in a big log heap. It proved to be of splendid quality WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 763 and for many years he was successfully engaged in its manufacture. He sold it at fifty cents a barrel and people from a radius of fifty miles came to him for their lime. He shipped enormous quantities to Mansfield, Ohio, by ox teams, it having been used in the construction of the old Wiler House in that city. Mr. Munson took a leading part in local public affairs and served as trustee of the township in 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1848. Henry Munson was married November 15, 1821, to Mary Cutter, a native of Holmes county. He then removed to Shreve, but five years later he returned to the old homestead, where his death occurred on December I, 1867. His wife died May 4, 1872. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Ezra, who married Ann Eliza Wycoff; Isaac, father of the subject of this sketch ; Samuel C., who married Jane Hughes, the daughter of John Hughes; Eleanor, who died September 9, 1856, was the wife of Jared Barker, of Summit county, this state ; Mary, who died in 1862, was the wife of Isaiah Jones, of Holmes county; Elizabeth, who remained single, died on October 12. 1856; Henry, born February 12, 1837, married Rebecca Jones, a daughter of John Jones and granddaughter of Isaiah Jones, who died February 15, 1861. They had five children, John Henry, E. N., James K., William B. and one that died in infancy. Rebecca Munson died November 30, 1876, and subsequently 'Mr. Munson married Martha McCartney. Isaac Munson, the subject's father, was born on the 19th of September, 1823, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He received his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and during his mature years supplemented this education by much reading and habits of close observation. He was the possessor of a large fund of sound common sense and was practical in all his affairs. He long occupied a leading position in the community and at the time of his death, which occurred on February 13, 1898, he was considered one of the representative citizens of the township. He was twice married, first to Eliza A. Lowe, who bore him three children, namely : Mary, who is the wife of Samuel Geisinger, of Shreve, this county ; Phoebe, now deceased, was the wife of William Musser; Jacob is deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Munson, in 1856, married Susan Thomas, who is now living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. To this union was born one child, Charles, the subject of this review. His birth took place in the place where he now lives, May 10, 1860, and he has always made his home in this township. He was early initiated into the mysteries of successful agriculture and has followed that vocation continuously since taking up life's work. He is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred 764 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. acres, which is finely improved in every respect and is generally considered one of the best farms in Wayne county. Good buildings, well-kept fences and highly cultivated fields characterize the place, the general appearance of which indicates the- owner to be a man of sound ideas and practical methods. Mr. Munson is progressive and energetic and is not slow to adopt new ways of doing things when their feasibility has been demonstrated by experiment and experience. In addition to the raising of a general line of crops, he is also to a considerable extent engaged in the breeding and raising of livestock, in which he has achieved a distinctive success. Mr. Munson was united in marriage to Rebecca J. Ven Ordel, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and they have become the parents of two children. Harry and Hazel. Harry was married on January 6, 1910, to Edna S. Crile, of Franklin township. Personally Mr. Munson is a man of splendid qualities and has so ordered his life as to win and retain the unbounded confidence and respect of those who come in contact with him. He is popular in the circles in which he moves and has ever been found on the right side .of every movement having for its object the advancement of the bes interests of the community. OLIVER D. BRUCE. Oliver D. Bruce, who is numbered among the leading and successful business men of Shreve, Wayne county, Ohio, is an Ohioan by birth and may justly bear the title of "self-made man," having worked his way unaided from the humble ranks of toil through the vicissitudes and adversities of life to an enviable position in his community. The success attained in his business enterprises has been greatly owing to his steady persistence, stern integrity and excellent- judgment, qualities which cause him to take rank with the leading men of his community, besides winning for him the confidence and esteem of the public to a marked degree. Oliver D. Bruce was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on June 13, 186o, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Bruce, both of whom are dead. The subject attended the common schools of his home neighborhood, supplementing this by brief attendance in the normal school at Millersburg. He was reared to the life of a farmer and after leaving school he followed that vocation, also engaging in teaching several terms of school, in which he was highly successful. In 1890 he came, to Shreve and engaged in the WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 765 livery business under the name of Coffman & Bruce. The style of the firm changed a number of times, but eventually Mr. Bruce became the sole owner and ran the business alone until 1907, when he disposed of the business and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He is a man of pronounced Lusiness ability and has met with very satisfactory success in his latest enterprise. He has handled a number of important real estate deals in this locality and is numbered among the solid and substantial business men of the town. In the insurance field he stands well, carrying none but the best companies and exercising a commendable conservatism in his placing of risks. While a resident of Holmes county he stood well in the community and served as clerk of his township. Since becoming a resident of Shreve he has been several times honored by election to responsible offices, having been elected mayor of Shreve in 1898, and serving in the position four years. He was again elected to this position in 1907 for a two-years term. He has given his community valuable and appreciated service as justice of the peace, to which office he was first appointed and afterwards elected three consecutive terms. Politically, Mr. Bruce is a stanch Democrat and has been active in advancing the interests of his party, having served a number of times as a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party. Fraternally, he is a member of Challenge Lodge, Knights of Pythias, at Shreve, and has several times passed the chairs in this body. He is a man of acknowledged ability and personal worth and by a life of unimpeachable integrity and right living he has gained for himself the unbounded confidence and regard of all who know him. URIAS F. WELLS. Few men of Wayne county are as widely and favorably known as Urias F. Wells, whose attractive home is located in Clinton township. He is one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this county and for years his name has been synonymous for all that constitutes honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every-day common sense, are among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success he has also largely promoted the moral and material welfare of the community. 766 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Urias F. Wells is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Ripley township, Holmes county, on the 28th of July, 1843. He is a son of Aaron and Mary (Shreve) Wells. The subject's paternal grandparents were Moses and Happy (Gorsuch) Wells, and the paternal great-grandfather was David Wells. The latter was a native of Wales, from whose rock-ribbed hills. he came to the United States in 1816, locating first in Maryland and later in Ripley township, Holmes county, Ohio. Moses Wells, who also was born in Wales, came to this country at the time of the emigration of his father, and settled in Maryland, near Annapolis. He married Happy Gorsuch after arriving in his new home. Subsequently he located in Holmes county, where he remained until 1850, when he moved to Fulton county, Ohio, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He was the father of twelve children, of whom Aaron was the third in the order of birth. His birth occurred in Holmes county, where he was reared to the life of a farmer and where during his youth he secured his education in the neighboring schools. He followed farming during all the days of his life and was a prominent and influential man in the community. He was proprietor of the leading hotel in that section where they had general muster. He married Mary Shreve and they became the parents of the following children : Martin, Thomas, Martha Jane, Ellen, all of whom are deceased ; Urias F., the immediate subject of this sketch; Aaron, who lives in Clinton township, Wayne county. Aaron Wells died when the subject of this sketch was about four and a half years old and his widow subsequently married Isaac N. Fouch, to which union were born the following children : Caleb S., who resides in Shreve; Mary E., now deceased, who. was the wife of William Easterday ; Ira, deceased. The subject's mother died in 1881 and her remains were interred in the cemetery in Ripley township. The subject of this sketch was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the district school. He made splendid progress in his studies and at the age of eighteen years he engaged in teaching school, following this vocation during a period of ten years, during which time he actually taught seven hundred and twenty-five days and one hour. He then relinquished the pedagogical chair for the plowshare and applied himself closely during the following years to agricultural pursuits. He was a practical man in his operations and, besides the tilling of the soil, he also devoted much attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, in which also he was successful. In 1881 Mr. Wells became a resident of Wayne county, where he has since remained. He is the owner of a fine farm in Clinton WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 767 township and is numbered among the enterprising and successful men of the county. He keeps in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture and gives his personal attention to every phase of the work, in consequence of which he has been enabled to realize a handsome income from his investment. His property is well improved and is maintained at all times in the best of condition, the general appearance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of excellent taste and good judgment. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the Christian church, with which Mr. Wells united on October 19, 1862. In October, 1881, he became a member of the church at Shreve, and has been prominent and active in advancing the best interests of the society. He has long been active in Sabbath school work and served for the long period of forty years as superintendent of the school, his service covering two thousand and eighty consecutive Sabbaths. In politics Mr. Wells has been affiliated with the Democratic party and has been actively interested in local public affairs. He has been frequently elected by his fellow citizens to offices of responsibility, in all of which he has acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He served three terms as assessor and twelve years as a member of the school board in Ripley township, Holmes county, and since coming to Clinton township, Wayne county, he has served as a member of the school board many years, during nine of which he was president of the same. He has also served as a water works trustee and clerk of the board. In these positions he has given to the public interests the same careful attention and applied the same business methods that he employs in his own private affairs. His ability as a Sunday school worker has been recognized in his election to the presidency of the Township Sunday School Association, which office he held for five years. He is now president of the Wayne County Farmers' Institute, having held this office during eleven of the sixteen years during which this organization has been in existence. In every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged, Mr. Wells has performed his full part to the best of his ability, and this fact has been generally recognized by those in touch with him and his work. Industry, integrity and progressiveness have been the keynotes to his character and are the elements which have contributed to his success. Urias F. Wells married Louisa M. Mathewson, a native of Ripley township, Holmes county, Ohio, and a daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Ruble) Mathewson, and their union has been blessed in the birth of the following children : Robert D., who lives in Clinton township, married Maude Thomas; 768 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. to them have been born the following children : Ruth L., Thomas F. and Mildred I. Mary Shreve Wells, mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wagel) Shreve. Thomas Shreve. who was a son of Richard Shreve and one of twelve children, came to Ohio in 1816, locating at Shreve. There he built one of the first mills in the county, in connection with which he also operated a sawmill. He was an enterprising and progressive man and did much for the upbuilding of the community. He was the first postmaster and in other ways was a leading man among his fellows, having served for many years as a justice of the peace. In connection with his milling business, he also successfully operated a farm. The Shreve family is of Holland origin, the first of the name to come to America being Israel Shreve, who married Maude, the daughter of a rich nobleman. They came to the new world at a date prior to the war of the Revolution and in this conflict the family took an active part on the side of the colonists, Israel Shreve having been a member of General Washington's staff and passing through the terrible experiences at Valley Forge. The present members of this family possess the original family coat of arms. Thomas and Mary (Wagel) Shreve were the parents of the following children : Rosanna, who is now dead, became the wife of Eson Hughes and the mother of twelve children; Richard is the father of ten children; Margaret, the wife of John Graven, became the mother of seventeen children ; Caleb, deceased, was the father of six children ; Charlotte became the wife of Peter Shreve, who was no relation ; Henry ; Mary, mother of the subject ; William; Eliza Jane, who became the wife of Nicholas Crum and the mother of twelve children ; Sarah Jane married Thomas Morgan and became the mother of ten children. Mr.: Wells is a member of the Knights of Honor, of which there were one hundred and fifty members at one time, but he is now the only one left. Mr Wells was elected in 1899 and served three terms as a member of the Legislature from Wayne county, and it is worthy of note that his Paternal grand; father served in that body in 1838-40. He has also been the leading stoc buyer and shipper in the county for fifty years. MATHEW GAUT. The biographical history of Wayne county would be incomplete wer there failure to make specific mention of Mr. Gaut, who has passed his en tire life on the farm which is now his home. In his youth he was famili with the scenes and incidents of pioneer life, his father having been one WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 769 the early settlers in the county, coming here at a time when the section was practically an unbroken forest, when Indians and wild animals were still plentiful and when the homes of the settlers were log cabins of the most primitive type. Reared thus on the frontier, as it was then called, the subject has borne his part in the work of development, as did his honored father, both having been factors in bringing about the transformation which has made this one of the leading counties in the state, with its highly cultivated farms, thriving towns and villages, its school houses, churches and all other evidences that show the mark of progress and culture. Mathew Gaut was born on his present homestead in the township of Canaan, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 3d of July, 1833, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Montgomery) Gaut, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1799. The subject's paternal grandfather, Matthew Gaut, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, in which state he lived and died, being a farmer by vocation. His son Samuel emigrated from the Keystone state to Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1821, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild land. This he cleared and developed into a fine and productive farm, on which he lived during the remaining years of his life, his death occurring in 1879. He was of that sturdy pioneer stock which was instrumental in paving the way for the present wonderful civilization and his sterling qualities of character commended him to the confidence and regard of all who knew him. In politics he was a stanch and radical Democrat and took a prominent and influential part in public affairs during his active years. To him and his wife were born the following children : Oliver, Mary, Mathew, Harriet, John, Margaret and Vetencia, all of whom have passed over the silent river excepting the third named, the subject of this review. Mathew Gaut was reared under the parental roof and secured his early education in the district school at Golden Corners. After the conclusion of his school days he continued to assist his father in the work of the farm until he had attained his legal majority, when he went to Iowa and was there employed a few years. At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Gaut gave unmistakable evidence of his patriotism by enlisting on June 13, 1861, in Company G, First Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, with which command he served three years and three months, being mustered out on the 9th of September, 1864. During most of the period of his enlistment he was engaged in bushwhacking and in fighting Quantrell's gang of guerrillas. His command was a part of the army west of the Mississippi and also took part in several severe engagements, including that at Prairie Grove and the capture of Little Rock, besides many (49) 770 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. minor battles and skirmishes. At the close of his military service Mr. Gaut returned to Canaan township and resumed work on the home farm, continuing to assist his father until the latter's death in 1879, when the farm became his. He has continued his residence here ever since and gave to its operation his personal attention and undivided efforts until his retirement from active labor a few years ago, since which time his son John has looked after the management of the place for his father. Mr. Gaut has been twice married, first to Julie Young, who was a native of Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac and Lavina (McVicker) Young. Mr. Gaut's second union was with Elizabeth Francis, a daughter of William Francis, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gaut has become the father of two children, John, born May 18, 1876, and Ira, who is deceased. John was married on June 2, 1902, to Anna Rumbaugh, of Congress township, this county, the daughter of William and Catherine (McVicker) Rumbaugh, who were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaut have been born two children, Edna and Wayne. In matters political Mathew Gaut formerly gave a stanch and loyal support to the Democratic party, but in recent years he has stood independent of party lines and votes for the men he considers best fitted for the offices He has ever taken a deep interest in the advancement of the community in which he lives and has always lent his support to all movements for the advancement of the best interests of the entire community. He stands as one of the strong and sturdy pioneers of the county and enjoys the respect of all. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and few men now living in Wayne county are better informed concerning its history when Ohio was a frontier state than is Mathew Gaut, whose reminiscences of the early days are most interesting. PETER HOUSEL. Peter Housel was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, on the 14th day of May, 1845, and was reared to the life of afarmer. In 1867 he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and here he engaged in the carpenter and contracting business, in which he was successful. He erected the Shreve high school building and many of the largest and best residences in this part of the county and was considered one of the leading men of his profession in this community. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 771 Mr. Housel was united. in the holy bonds of matrimony with Ella Robinson, the daughter of Charles Robinson, of whose thirteen children she was the youngest. To this union was born one child, Elizabeth Elleanor, who, after completing a good education in the common schools, became assistant postmaster at Shreve, which position she retained until her marriage to Charles W. Keister. They now live at Toledo, Ohio, and have one child, Housel. Mr. Housel is an ardent Republican in politics and has rendered his party effective service as a member of the county and township central committees, in which positions he served many years. He also served as clerk of the township. On May 16, 1889, under the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, Mr. Housel was appointed postmaster and served a full term, his tenure of office running over into the Cleveland administration four months and fifteen days. He was out of office three years and eleven months and then was reappointed to the office on September 1, 1897, and retained the office continuously until September 30, 1909, having served altogether as postmaster sixteen years, five months and a half and during all this long time Mr. Housel was never away from the office for one whole day at a time. He is an accommodating and obliging official and has given the patrons of the office a very satisfactory administration. Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is public spirited and gives his support to every movement that promises to be of benefit to the community, having served two terms as a member of the school board and in other local offices. He is a man of marked ability and integrity of character and because of this and his genial manner towards his acquaintances he occupies an enviable position in the community. ASBURY B. OLDROYD. The first half of the nineteenth century was characterized by the emigration of that pioneer element which made the great state of Ohio what it is. These immigrants were sturdy, heroic, upright, sincere people, such as constitute the intrinsic strength of a commonwealth. It scarcely appears probable that in the future history of the world another such period can occur, or indeed any period when such a solid phalanx of strong-minded men and heroic, self-sacrificing women will take possession of a new country. Too careful or too frequent reference can not he made in the pages of history concerning those who have figured as the founders and builders of a great commonwealth, and in connection with this brief review of the personal history 772 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. of Mr. Oldroyd it is a privilege to touch incidentally and specifically upon interesting data in regard to the sterling pioneer family of which he is a member, and which has been identified with the annals of the Buckeye state since an early period in the last century. The subject is known as one of the influential and worthy citizens of Wayne county, where he has passed practically his entire life and because of a life which has been characterized by unimpeachable integrity and upright living he is eminently deserving of the high position he holds in the community. Asbury B. Oldroyd, who owns and operates a fine and fertile farm in section 14, Clinton township, was born May 10, 1842, on a farm located across the road from where he now lives. He is a son of Henry and Hannah (Ebright) Oldroyd. The latter was a daughter of George Ebright, who came in a very early day from Pennsylvania and settled in Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1863. While still living in Pennsylvania he was drafted for service in the war of 1812, but secured a substitute. However, the latter got only as far as Pittsburgh, when the news of the close of the war was received. The subject's paternal grandfather, Charles Oldroyd, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and was a fuller by trade in his native country. At that time it was the policy of the English government to prevent mechanics from emigrating, so he was compelled to leave the country surreptitiously. Arriving in America, he located first in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where for a number of years he operated a fulling mill with a gratifying degree of success.. Some time after locating there he was joined by his wife and son, who had remained in England, and not long afterwards he sold his business and in 1832, accompanied by his son, Henry, he came to Wayne county, Ohio, making the trip afoot. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in. Clinton township. During the balance of his life he was employed in the fulling mill at Millbrook, walking back and forth to his work, a distance of two miles. The remains of Charles Oldroyd and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Ellis, are now resting in the cemetery at Mill-brook. They were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly esteemed in the community. Henry Oldroyd was born in Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1810, and, as related above, he accompanied his mother to America to rejoin the husband and father, who had preceded them to this country. In 1832 Henry accompanied his father on the trip to Wayne county, Ohio, and here he followed the pursuit of agriculture all the remaining days of his life. His early years WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 773 here were characterized by much labor of the hardest kind, the land which his father entered having been covered by the primeval forest growth, which must be removed before the crops could be planted. Eventually he witnessed the wonderful transformation which transpired in this section and realized for himself the fruit of his labors. His death occurred in Shreve, this county, and his wife died in Kansas, their remains being interred in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Shreve. They were prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born a number of children, namely : Mariah, who died young; Elmer George, who now resides at Shreve, was a soldier in the Civil war, serving three years as a member of the Fourteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry ; Charles W., who now lives at Ottawa, Kansas, served three years during the Civil war as a member of Company C, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, entering as an orderly sergeant and being honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant; Asbury B. is the immediate subject of this review ; Wilbur Fisk, deceased ; Thomas B., who resides at Arkansas City, Kansas. Henry Oldroyd was a stanch and uncompromising Republican in his political views and was a strong supporter of the government during the Civil war. Asbury B. Oldroyd was reared on the old homestead in Clinton township and early became accustomed to the strenuous labor of the farm. He secured his education in the schools of the neighborhood, and it is related that when he was learning his A B Cs his mother cut the letters out of paper and pasted them on a paddle, which he carried to school with him. The subject assisted his father on the home farm until 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He rendered faithful and valiant service to his country, but, owing to continued ill health, he was given an honorable discharge from the service about eighteen months after his enlistment. Since that time he has continuously applied himself to agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with splendid success. His fine farm in Clinton township is numbered among the best in the township and is so conducted by Mr. Oldroyd as to insure a handsome income each year. The property is well improved with substantial and attractive buildings, these, with the well-tilled fields and other features of a modern farm, standing in marked evidence of the progressive character of the owner. In addition to raising all the crops common to this section of the country, Mr. Oldroyd also gives considerable attention to the raising of livestock, which he has found to be a profitable and valuable adjunct to the regular farm work. In politics Mr. Oldroyd has at all times given a firm allegiance to the Republican 774 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. party and has taken a keen interest in its success, though not ambitious for office. Fraternally he is a member of the Shreve Post, Grand Army of the Republic. in which he has served as senior vice commander. Mr. Oldroyd took unto himself a helpmeet in the person of Tamer Kean. The latter was a daughter of William Kean, who was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, six miles east of Lewistown, on January 12, 1805. He was a son of Joseph W. Kean, who left Mifflin county in 1815, and went to Beaver and Allegheny counties, that state, where he remained for six years. In 1821 he came to Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained until his death in 1826. William Kean was but twenty-one years of age when his father died and he gave to his mother the most careful and loving attention until her death, which occurred in 1836. He then went farther west in search of a location, but became dissatisfied and returned to Wayne county. He was married January 13, 1831, to Elizabeth Case, a daughter of Augustus Case, of New Jersey, who settled in Plain township, this county, in the spring of 1831. Augustus Case was born on Long Island, New York, July 17, 1759, and in childhood moved to New Jersey with his father, Joshua Case. The latter was the son of Augustus Case. Mrs. Kean's father, Augustus Case, Jr., learned the carpenter's trade and was employed at that vocation in New York city and in the shipyards until 1777, when he enlisted for service on behalf of the colonists. He gave faithful service throughout the war, but took part in no battles, having been, because of his proficiency as a workman, assigned to special work along the line of his trade. It is a matter of record that he performed some very important service for the cause which he had espoused. In 1794 he was married to Elizabeth Bell, a daughter of Onisimus Bell, and born in New Jersey May 19, 1765. In 1798 they crossed the Alleghany mountains to Washington county, now Greene county, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1813 he started afoot westward and, arriving in Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, he entered the northwest quarter of section 31. He then started on the return journey and on the way he also entered land in Richland county, this state. He arrived at his Pennsylvania home January 1, 1814, and immediately made arrangements to move to the new western home. The household goods were packed in a big covered wagon, drawn by an ox team, with a horse hitched to the end of the tongue. They started on the long and wearisome journey, he and the older children walking most of the way. They arrived at Wooster on the 25th of April, 1814, and there the family remained a short time, while the father was engaged in the erection of a small log cabin on the Plain township land. On its completion, they occupied it and the parents there spent the