WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 775 remainder of their lives. The wife and mother did not live long in the new home, her death occurring September 12, 1817. Her husband survived her many years, his death occurring March 24, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Kean were the parents of the following children Dewitt C. ; Sophie, the wife of Edwin G. Ebright, of Clinton township, this county ; Anner, who makes her home with the subject and his wife; Augustus C., who resides at Shreve ; John was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and died while on board a boat at Young's Point ; Tamer, the wife of the subject. William Kean was a prominent man in his day and served two terms as trustee of Plain township, having also held every other office in the township excepting that of constable. He died in March, 1884, and his wife Elizabeth in December, 1883, their remains being interred in the Maple Grove cemetery in Plain township. To Mr. and Mrs. Oldroyd have been born the following children : Lura, at home ; Emma, at home ; Bessie is the wife of George William McCluggage, of Clinton township, this county, and they have one child, Ruth ; Mabel, at home ; Sophia, deceased ; Helen and Gerald are at home. JOHN W. CRUMMEL. An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have honored the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the one whose name forms the caption to this sketch. During a number of years he sustained a very enviable reputation in educational circles and, now, in the responsible capacity of clerk of East Union township, he is rendering signally useful and efficient service to his fellow citizens. John W. Crummel is a native son of the township in which he now resides, his birth having occurred at Apple Creek, East Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 7th day of October, 1852. He suffered the loss of his mother when he was a very young boy and he then was placed in the family of W. W. Wyer, who gave to him the same care and attention that an own father and mother could have done. The subject secured his elementary education in the district schools of the neighborhood, which was supplemented by attendance at the Smithville Academy. He then engaged in teaching school and in this effort he achieved a pronounced success, being occupied 776 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. in this profession for many years in this county. In 1881 and 1882 he attended the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, but on his return he resumed his pedagogical work, which he continued until 1895. He was then engaged in clerking in various mercantile houses until 1898, when he was elected clerk of East Union township. So efficient were his services in this position that he has been retained in it ever since, and is the present clerk. The duties of the position are manifold and are in some respects onerous, but Mr. Crummel has handled the details of the office in such a manner as to win the approval of his fellow citizens. On the 6th of November, 1883, Mr. Crummel was united in marriage to Ella M. Hough, a sister of Isaac N. Hough, the present auditor of Wayne county. The union has been without issue. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Crummel lived for awhile at Honeytown, where Mr. Crummel was engaged in teaching, but they are now residing at Apple Creek, where, in their pleasant and attractive home, they give a hearty welcome to all their friends. In politics Mr. Crummel is a stanch Democrat and gives an enthusiastic support to his party. Mrs. Crummel is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which society Mr. Crummel gives generously. Mr. Crummel takes a deep and abiding interest in the progress and improvements in the schools and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community. He belongs to that class of substantial citizens whose lives may not show any meteoric brilliancy, but who, by their support of the moral, social and political movements for the general good of the community are deserving of the commendation of all good citizens. A man of genial personality and integrity of life, he has won the unbounded confidence of all who know him and as a representative citizen of his township he is entitled to representation in a work of this character. WARDEN WHEELER. The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave on the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to. hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 777 distinction of a true, useful and honorable life—a life characterized by perseverance, energy, patriotism, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well. Warden Wheeler is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born at Zanesville on the 23d of November, 1833. He is a son of Benjamin and Eleanor (Warden) Wheeler. The family for several generations have been residents of Ohio, his paternal great-grandfather, Moses Dillon, having died at Zanesville at the age of ninety-seven years. The paternal grandparents were natives of Baltimore county, Maryland, and there the father, Benjamin Wheeler. also was born in 1802. The subject's mother was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and is closely connected with an interesting bit of pioneer history. Her mother and children were at one time captured by the Indians, but succeeded in escaping and hid themselves in a school house, where they escaped detection. Benjamin Wheeler left his native state in 1820 and came to Zanesville, Ohio, making the trip by horseback, and there he began working as an ox-driver for the Dillon Iron Works. In this humble capacity he was faithful and industrious and was promoted from time to time until he became manager of the entire plant. Subsequently he started the Zanesville Foundry and Iron Works, which he conducted with considerable financial success until advancing age suggested to him the wisdom of retiring from active commercial life. Selling his manufacturing interests, he invested in bank stock, which enabled him to live a retired life free from worry or business care. His death occurred in 1874. He was also a large owner of farm lands, which required much of his attention. During his active years he was considered one of the most public-spirited men in Zanesville, giving his support to many enterprises which promised to be a benefit to the community. He was also very charitable, doing much in the way of benevolence, but was unostentatious in his manner of giving, and many of his acts of benevolence never came to public notice. In politics he was first a Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party he gave that party his unreserved support. His widow survived him a number of years, dying in 1884. Warden Wheeler was reared under the parental roof and secured his preliminary education in the Zanesville public schools, supplementing this by attendance at Marietta College, at Marietta, Ohio. He was not permitted to graduate at this institution, however, ill health forcing him to relinquish his studies. Upon recovering sufficiently to take up active work, he became a collector for the Adams & Wheeler Iron Works, at Zanesville, in which his father was interested. Subsequently, however, he became possessed with a 778 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. desire to take up agriculture and, with this end in view, he went to where is now located the city of Rochelle, on the line between Lee and Ogle counties, Illinois, and in 1853 entered eighteen hundred acres of government land. In the following year he returned to Zanesville and drove overland to his new land a herd of cattle, the trip requiring about six weeks. Mr. Wheeler continued his farming operations in Illinois until 1862. He has taken an active and intelligent interest in the trend of public events and was deeply concerned in the great struggle which ensued between the great political parties just prior to the Civil war. He cast his presidential votes for Fremont and Lincoln and was intimately associated with several of the great political leaders of Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. At the outbreak of the war he was in a mind to enlist for military service, but his father, to prevent him doing so, persuaded him to return to Ohio and take charge of a farm in Morgan county. The Wheeler family were of patriotic blood, and several members took an active part in the great and bloody struggle. A brother of the subject, Samuel H. Wheeler, was captain of. Company A, Twenty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was at that time the youngest and smallest captain in the service. He was injured in the battle at Cheat Mountain, West Virginia, and was brought home, dying soon afterwards. Another brother, Robert F. Wheeler, gave up his life at the battle of Shiloh, and a brother-in-law, Capt. T. C. Ewing, of Ewing's Battery, was shot through the body at the battle of Rocky Ridge, West Virginia, being afterwards captured by the enemy. The subject could not restrain his patriotic ardor and enlisted for service, and was sent to Knoxville, Tennessee, as master of transportation in General Burnside's army. He remained there during the siege of that city, and was then prostrated with an attack of typhoid fever, being sent home to recuperate as soon as well enough. On his recovery he was commissioned quartermaster of. the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, this appointment coming to him entirely without his application, and he served in this capacity until the close of the war. His command was a part of Sheridan's cavalry at the battle of Opaken, Fisher's Hills, and the advance to Stanton, besides other minor engagements. The command returned by the Urah valley when the Shenandoah valley was devastated, and the subject was detailed by General Sheridan to go to Martinsburg and bring the whole army train from that point to Cedar Creek. In following out this order, they had reached Winchester, near Cedar Creek, when they heard the firing at the latter place. The train was at once started for the front and when they had reached the Stone Mill, four miles from Winchester, General Sheridan, who had spent the night at Winchester, overtook Mr. Wheeler and ordered him to park his WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 779 train on the left of the road. The subject then asked permission to go to the front and try and save the brigade train, and was told to do so. He rode forward with Sheridan several miles and then struck off to the left and eventually was able to save the brigade train intact. This act was of greatest importance to the army at that time and the subject was highly complimented by his superior officers and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He saw much arduous service during the remainder of the war and was always found at the post of duty. At the close of the war, Lieutenant Wheeler received an appointment as quartermaster with the rank of captain in the regular army, but he declined the commission, having no desire for military service in the time of peace. On leaving his country's service, Mr. Wheeler went to Amesville, Athens county, Ohio, and entered the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1869, when he moved to Pike Station, now Creston, Wayne county, and has since made that his home, having in the year mentioned retired from active participation in commercial life. In March, 187o, he was commissioned a notary public, having been the first person in Canaan township to receive this appointment. He served awhile as postal mail agent on the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad, but was caught in a wreck and badly bruised. Mr. Wheeler has enjoyed the acquaintance and companionship of a number of Ohio's foremost citizens and some of them men of national importance. He was a personal friend and admirer of William McKinley and in his home was held the first meeting of the congressional commission preceding the first election of McKinley to Congress. The district was then composed of Ash- land, Wayn0e, Stark and Portage counties and among the men who composed that campaign committee were such well-known men as Cornelius, Colonel Hard and Smyser, of Wayne county, Robinson, of Portage county, and others who have been political leaders in their communities. For several years Mr. McKinley was an annual visitor to the home of the subject, their intimacy having begun when they were comrades together in the army, both being assigned to General Crook's staff. Mr. Wheeler was also well acquainted with Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield, the latter having served in the same brigade with the, subject's brother-in-law, Gen. Samuel A. Gilbert. When the subject was a lad of seven years Gen. William Henry Harrison was entertained in his father's home, and he also gained the personal acquaintance of Thomas Ewing, Thomas Calling and S. S. Cox. He also remembers seeing Henry Clay and Gen. Zachary Taylor while they were on a steamboat trip up the Ohio river. Mr. Wheeler took a great interest in the early improvements of Ohio public highways and public works and was a member of the first 780 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. party to travel by rail from Zanesville to Bellaire. After his removal to Creston and the incorporation of that place, Mr. Wheeler was elected the first mayor and gave to the new corporation effective service. On the 11th of August, 1858, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Mary B. Smith, who was born at Bartlett, Washington county, Ohio, the daughter of Milton and Susan Smith, old settlers of that county and who later came to Wayne county, where they spent their remaining days. Mrs. Wheeler's grandfather and grandmother came to this country with Blennerhassett. who settled on Blennerhassett's Island. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler two children have been born, namely : Charles, who was born in Illinois. was for twenty-five years a conductor in the passenger service on the Northern Pacific railroad, and served as one of the presidential electors from North Dakota during William McKinley's first campaign. Benjamin Wheeler, who also was born in Illinois, is engaged in the grocery business at Orrville, this county. Both of these sons have married, and a grandson of the subject, B. F. \Vheeler, married, in July, 19̊9, Sallie A. Royer, of Orrville. Mr. Wheeler has been successful in life to a high degree and is recognize as one of the county's best citizens. He is well known and is highly respecte by every one. He is now nearing the golden sunset of life and in the course o nature must in a few years take his departure, but he rests in the assuranc that his life has been well spent and that he has honored the name which h bears, being the peer of any of his fellow citizens in all that constitutes uprigh living and correct citizenship. He is a close and intelligent observer, ha read much, and keeps himself well informed on current events. He is unostentatious in manner and quiet in demeanor, a thinker, and a man of deeds rather than words. He is essentially a man of the people, because he has large faith in humanity and is optimistic in all his views. The high esteem in which he is held by the people of his community is a worthy tribute to a most excellent man and his name will always occupy a conspicuous place on the roster of Wayne county's representative citizens. ELMER BROWN. From his boyhood the subject of this sketch has been a resident of Wayne county, and he is an honored representative of one of its pioneer families. His life has been one of usefulness and honor, and his memory links the later pioneer epoch, with its comparatively primitive surroundings WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 781 and equipment, with this later era of prosperity and opulent achievement and condition which have marked the advent of the glorious twentieth century. As a representative farmer of the county and a public-spirited citizen, it is entirely consonant that there be here entered a review of the life history of Mr. Brown. Elmer Brown, whose fine farm is located in section To, Clinton township, \Vayne county, was born August 8, 1857, a son of Thomas Ashford and Mary (Bird) Brown. Thomas Ashford Brown was a son of John Buckner Brown, who was the second child and oldest son of Thomas and Ann (Ash) Brown. John Buckner Brown was born January 28, 1788, in Prince William county, Virginia. In the spring of 1805 he accompanied his father and family west of the mountains to what is now known as Preston county, "West Virginia, locating on what was called the "Stone House" property, consisting of five hundred and seventy-eight acres. About five years later, at which time he was twenty-two years of age, he married Mary Morgan, who lived on the east side of the Cheat river, near Kingwood, West Virginia. She was a daughter of Hugh Morgan, one of the pioneers of Preston county, \Vest Virginia. She was born May 12, 1790, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children, nine of whom were girls. She was a quiet, Christian woman, of many excellent personal qualities, an excellent housekeeper and a faithful and loving mother. In the summer of 181I John Buckner Brown came to Wayne county, Ohio, and entered land in section 20, Clinton township, on which he made some improvements. He then returned to his family in West Virginia, and in the fall of 1813 he brought the family to their new western home, arriving here on the 17th of September. The tedious journey required several weeks' time, during which time the members of the party were in constant danger from various sources. The trip incurred many hardships, the trail leading through unbroken forests and over bridgeless streams, while on every hand roamed bear, wolves, panthers, catamounts, wild red deer and wilder red men. The party arrived safely at their destination and at once the task was begun of getting the land in shape for cultivation. One who has not passed through this experience an have no definite idea as to the extent of the task. The timber had to be felled, chopped and burned, the ground broken, crops planted, fences built and other labor performed which was not incumbent on those who later took up the operation of the farms. These sturdy old pioneers did their work well and today they deserve the everlasting gratitude of those who are now enjoying the conditions made possible by their sacrifices and strenuous labors. 782 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. John B. Brown continued to reside on this farm until their deaths. His death occurred September 15, 1855, and hers on July 12, 1850, their remains being interred in the old Baptist cemetery in Holmes county, near their home. Mr. Brown was a member of the Disciples church and the first meeting ever held by that denomination in Wayne county was held in his home. Mr. Buckner was said to have been a man of fine personal appearance. He was five feet eight inches in height, weighed one hundred and sixty pounds, and had bright blue eyes and dark brown hair. He bore a splendid reputation in the community, his word being considered literally as good as his bond. At the time of the death of his father he received as his portion of the estate three or four slaves. Being bitterly opposed to th; practice, of slavery, he returned to Virginia, and hired out one of them, Raf Harris, to Gen. Buckner Fairfax, for a term of six years, at the end of which time he and the other slaves were to be given their freedom, which was done. Politically, Mr. Brown was a Democrat until the campaign of 1840, from which time he .gave his support to the Whig party. To hill and his wife were born the following children : Ann, born November 2: 1811, died August 12, 1812 ; George Harrison, born April 4. 1813, died 1844, married Rebecca Hull ; William Wesley, born March 23, 1815, died in June, 1893, married Phoebe Lee, who was born April 6, 1837, the daughter of James Lee, of Virginia, and died July 17, 1886; Hugh M., born October 14, 1816, married, on February 21, 1838, Margaret Neely, wh was born June 25, 1819, and both are now deceased; Rebecca Ann, horn February 25, 1820, died in infancy ; Thomas Ashford, born June 22, 1818, married Mary Bird March 5, 1845, and both are dead; John, born October 25, 1822, died April 19, 1889, married, in 1848, Rhoda Newkirk, who also is dead; Mercy, born December 19, 1823, died in infancy; Stephen, born August 8, 1826, now deceased, married, on January 31, 1850, Martha M. Riffle, also deceased, and had three children, Herbert, G. E. and Alice (Mrs. Kick) ; Mary Ann, born August 25, 1828, became the wife of James K. Campbell on February 13, 1851, and both are deceased ; Isaac, born April 3, 1831, married Elizabeth McConkey on February 13, 1851, and is now living in Holmes county, this state ; Samuel Elery, born August 12, 1833, married Almira. Caldwell November 4, 1854. He is now dead and his widow lives in Nebraska. Of these children, Thomas Ashford Brown, father of the subject of this sketch, became a well-known and highly, respected farmer of Clinton township. On March 5, 1845, he married :Mary Bird, who was a native of WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 783 Holmes county, Ohio, and to them were born the following children : Ralston Buckner, born January .28, 1846, died 1902, married Sarah J. Gill, February 25, 1869, she being now a resident of Wooster, this county; Bird Ashford, born February 25, 1848, died April 29, 1877; Salina J., born September 12, 1849, became the wife of J. J. Sullivan on September 27, 1887, and they now reside in Cleveland, Ohio ; Luderna died young; Mina J., born July 29, 1853, was married, on November 27, 1873, to W. C. Craig, of Wooster; Aurelia M., born August 29, 1855, married, on October 6, 1876, Lucustus Sidle, and they live in Wooster ; Eliner, the subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth.. He was reared on the paternal homestead in Clinton township and received his education in the common schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has spent his entire life as a tiller of the soil in this township. He has been energetic and progressive and has so operated his farm as to realize a gratifying return for the labor bestowed. The place is well improved in every respect and is numbered among the best homesteads of the township. In addition to the tilling of the soil, Mr. Brown also devotes some attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, in which also he is,successful. Mr. Brown married Ida Dike, who was born June 18, 1871, in Plain township, this county, a daughter of Andrew and Barbara (Kugler) Dike. Her parents were both natives of Germany, having emigrated to the United States in 1851. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but here followed farming as an occupation. He died September 2, 1901, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his widow now makes her home with the subject and his wife, being now eighty-four years old. To the subject and his wife have been born the following children : Helen, born July 17, 1899; Mary, born October 6, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Christian church, both giving their earnest and liberal support to this society. In politics Mr. Brown has given his support to the Republican party, though he is not in any sense an aspirant for public office. Standing "four square to every wind that blows," he has so ordered his life as to win the unbounded confidence of all with whom he has had dealings and his friends are in number as his acquaintances. DAVID G. EVANS. D. G. Evans, son of James Evans, a pioneer settler, was born in Baughman township, April 4, 1833. At the close of his country school days he served as a dry goods clerk in stores at Dalton and Massillon, after which 784 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. he was engaged in various pursuits in Illinois and Missouri. At Springfield, Illinois, as bookkeeper in a large dry goods house, he was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln. He returned to Orrville in 186o and engaged in the drug and grocery business. He was joined in wedlock to Mary Jane Taggart, daughter of Robert Taggart, one of the pioneer settlers of Baughman township and Orrville. Mary Jane died one year before her husband. He died in 1901 and left no children. He was known as one of Orrville's most strenuous and enterprising business men. ROBERT C. FLACK. Back to stanch old Scotch-Irish stock does the subject of this sketch trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked these two nationalities is manifest when we come to consider the more salient points in his life history, which has been marked by consecutive industry 'and invincible spirit, eventuating in his securing a high place in the confidence and respect of his fellow men. Robert C. Flack is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born near Homesville, Holmes county, on February 8, 1866. He is the son of James and Isabelle (Dorvacter) Flack. James Flack, who also was a native of Holmes county, was a farmer by profession, and moved to Wayne county in 1866, when the subject was but six weeks old. He located one-half mile south of Maysville, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1894. The father was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Riddle, who was born in Knox county, this state, and to them were born three children, of whom only one is living, Thomas J. Flack, now living near Gambier, Knox county, Ohio. Isabelle Dorvacter who became the second wife of James Flack, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1898. She became the mother of seven children, who are briefly mentioned as follows: Robert C., the subject of this sketch ; John J., who lives four and a half miles southeast of Wooster; Ora O., who is connected with the experimental station work of the government horticultural department Celia M. is the wife of Harry J. Jolloff, of Wooster; Charles S., living two miles northwest of Wooster ; Ida V., of Wooster; two, Marion and Mary Ann., died in infancy. The subject's paternal grandfather, James Flack, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day, being one of the highly respected pioneers of his locality. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 785 As stated above, the subject of this sketch was brought to Wayne county by his parents when he was but six weeks old, and this county has been his home continuously since. He remained on the parental farmstead during his boyhood years and received a good education in the common schools of the locality. He continued to assist his father in the duties of the farm for a number of years and then entered the insurance business, working fraternal insurance and giving his attention principally to the Bankers' Fraternal Union. He then took up old-line insurance and for eight years was with the John Hancock Company, one of the strong and reliable companies. In this line of work Mr. Flack achieved a distinctive success, being considered one of the leading insurance men in this locality. He practices correct business methods and has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has transacted business. R. C. Flack is at present engaged in the field of investments, in which he negotiates bonds, stocks and other first-class securities, making a specialty of western investments because of their larger profit return on invested funds. In this field he has been exceptionally successful, having influenced the investments of many thousands of dollars of Wayne county capital. He is a director of the Colusa Mining & Milling Company, operating rich gold properties in the Tarryal district, Park county, Colorado, and a director of the Ohio Quartz Hill Gold Mining Company, operating valuable gold properties on Quartz Hill, which is generally recognized as the richest square mile of gold producing territory in the world. Judge L. M. Goddard, for twelve years associate justice of the supreme court of Colorado, with other influential persons of that state, are officers and directors of this company. Mr. Flack's offices are in the Nolle building, Wooster, Ohio. Mr. Flack is heavily interested in other legitimate enterprises of the west, among which are the Stoughton Mining & Milling Company and the North Star Tunnel, Mining, Milling, Power & Transportation Company, both mining enterprises of a profitable and successful business character. On August 31, 1887, Mr. Flack wedded Priscilla B. Hoagland, of Danville, Knox county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Stephen A. Hoagland, of Knox county, and is descended from a family of soldiers, five of her father's brothers having served throughout the Civil war as members of the Northern armies. To Mr. and Mrs. Flack have been born the following children : Elmer C., now seventeen years of age, has completed his common school education and is now a student in Bixler's Business College, at Wooster ; Hazel V., aged thirteen ; Urshel E., aged ten years ; Genevieve, aged five years ; Edgar V. died at the age of ten years. ( 50) 786 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO Socially, Mr. Flack is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both subordinate and encampment, the Knights of Pythias, in which he has risen to the Uniform Rank, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Home Guards of America. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, though not an aspirant for the honors or emoluments of public office. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Flack and their children, Elmer and Hazel, are members of the Christian church, to which they give a generous support. The subject is one of the county's public-spirited citizens, and he has so ordered his life as to command unequivocal confidence and esteem in the county where he has passed practically his entire life. He is widely and favorably known and has co-operated earnestly in every movement which he believed would advance the general welfare and progress of the county. OHIO J. HARRISON. As a representative of one of the pioneer families of Wayne county and as one who has here passed his entire life, it is certainly consistent that we enter in this work a review of the career of Mr. Harrison, who has long been identified with the agricultural and stock-growing interests of the county, having a fine estate in Franklin township and being honored as one of its representative men. He is a native of the township in which he now maintains his home, having been born on the old pioneer homestead on the 9th of January, 1852. He is a son of William and Mariah (Criswell) Harrison. His paternal grandfather was William Harrison, who was born on the Harrison homestead in this township in 1823 and lived here all the days of his life, his death occurring on the 9th of October, 19oo, at the age of sixty-seven years. His remains are buried in the Fairview cemetery at Fredericksburg. William Harrison was a man of many excellent parts and stood high in the estimation of the community. He was a farmer all his life and was a practical and industrious man. His wife died on January 9, 1898. He was in religious faith a Presbyterian and took an active part in the work of the society, having served efficiently as trustee. In matters political he was affiliated with the Republican party and took a commendable interest in local public affairs, though he was never an aspirant for public office of any nature. He was the owner of three hundred acres of fine and fertile land and was very successful in his agricultural operations, being energetic and progressive in his methods and a man of excellent discrimina- WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 787 tion. He was the father of three children, namely : Ohio, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Adeline, who died at the age of six years ; Gerry S., who resides at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Ohio J. Harrison was reared on the paternal homestead and secured his education in the schools of the township. He was reared to the vocation of a farmer and has always been a tiller of the soil. He has always lived in the immediate neighborhood where he now resides and has been considered one of the leading men of the township. He is the owner of a splendid and well improved farm of one hundred and ten acres, to which he devotes his entire attention, with gratifying financial results. His place is well improved with neat and substantial buildings and other accessories of an up-to-date farm and here he carries on a diversified system of agriculture, raising all the crops common to this section of the country. In addition, he gives much attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, in which also he is successful. Mr. Harrison married Margaret Moore, a daughter of William Moore, and to them have been born two children, namely : George Clarence married Ellen Hall, a daughter of Asa Hall, of Holmes county, and they have three children, Margaret Helen, Wayne Hall and Dorothy Fay. George C. Harrison served five years as a private in Company H, Eighth Regiment Ohio National Guard. William I., the youngest son, lives at home with his parents. Politically, Mr. Harrison is an enthusiastic Republican and is active in the interest of his party, though not himself ambitious for the honors or emoluments of office. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which he gives an earnest and liberal support. He is a man of fine personal qualities and during his lifetime spent in this community he has done nothing to forfeit the unbounded regard in which he has been held by his friends and neighbors. He is keenly alive to the best interests of the community and gives a hearty support to every movement calculated to advance the moral, educational, religious or material interests of the township in which he lives. WILLIAM S. EVANS. William Shafer Evans, son of James and Katherine Gardner Evans, was born on the family homestead farm in section 25, school district No. 5, Baughman township, Wayne county, Ohio, December 23, 1843, fourth son of his father's family, the other children being David G., John G. and James S. He traces his lineage back to John Evans, who was born in Wales 788 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. in 1724, emigrated to Pennsylvania and died in Ohio. His grandfather ( James Evans) and father were both born in Pennsylvania. The former died on the above mentioned homestead in the year 1852 ; the latter died in Orrville in the year 1887. W. S. Evans never attended any other schools or educational institute than the "Pokeberry" district school near the place of his birth, and it was exceedingly primitive at that time. As early as ten years of age he gave evidence of his journalistic or newspaper tendency in editing and reading before the school each Friday afternoon, or literary day, an imitation local newspaper, in which the neighborhood and school news and gossip was presented in a semi-comical manner, which afforded much amusement to the scholars and their parents, who would assemble to enjoy the exercises of the occasion in the little red school from which it took the cognomen "Pokeberry." He was also the champion speller in the school and his elder brother frequently carried the smaller boy on his shoulder through the deep snow for the purpose of "spelling down" the champions in the surrounding districts such as "Bunker Hill," "Number Four' and "Mock's" schools. His first effort in writing for publication occurred when, at about nine years of age, he conceived the idea of reporting the condition of the growing crops and other farm news for the Ohio Farmer, then published in Cleveland. In February, 1860, his brother, D. G., opened a grocery and drug store in Orrville and brought W. S. with him to help about the store. During the next two years acid 'while about the store during the day he got permission from John D. McNulty, Orrville's first telegraph operator, to go into the telegraph office at night and practice the art of telegraphy. In this way he became extra operator for the relief of operators along the line of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago railway. In the spring of 1863 he was sent to take charge of the telegraph office at Plymouth, Indiana, where he was employed for one year and• was returned to Orrville in 1864 and was the manager of the telegraph office in that place for ten years, or until 1874, when he went to Akron and spent the summer in the office of the Akron Daily Argus, as assistant to the editor and in other office duties. Resigning this position at Akron, he returned to the railway office and filled such positions as telegrapher, freight office clerk, ticket, freight and express agent, with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe ; Northern Pacific ; Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Chesapeake & Ohio ; Chicago Great Western; Wheeling & Lake Erie ; Pennsylvania and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railways. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 789 On June 21, 1868, Mr. Evans was joined in marriage with Celia Seymour Painter, adopted daughter of the late Rev. W. H. Painter, and who is yet living. From this union one son, William P. Evans, was born. This son gave great promise from his very unusual mental endowment, but died on his twenty-fifth birthday in Chicago in the year 1894 from spinal tuberculosis. In the year 1866, while in the telegraph office at Orrville, the subject of our sketch procured a small printing outfit which included a "Lowe" press, a conical shaped cylinder, which swung around from one end and by which he could execute various kinds of job work, such as sale and hand bills and indifferent card printing. This was the first printing press and outfit in Orrville and rendered much service for those days, but its work was not fine enough for the fastidious taste of our pioneers in this line of progressive development, so he sold it to C. M. Kenton, a printer at Shreve. Determined upon continuing yet further efforts in the printing line our amateur purchased a Novelty foot-power press and a nice outfit of type, with which he turned out much of the small work in a highly creditable manner. In the year 1867 Mr. Evans began the publication of Orrville's first newspaper and on September 15th of that year he issued number one of volume one of The Orrville Ventilator, a four-page monthly paper devoted to the local news and business interests of Orrville, the printing being done at the office of the Wooster Republican. This arrangement was continued until January, 187o, when John A. Wolbach, of Wadsworth, came to Orrville with a printing outfit of type and presses and prepared to issue a weekly paper. On the third week of January, 1870, Mr. Wolbach issued the first number of the Orrville Ventilator, weekly, taking the data of the monthly entilator number one, volume five. In April, or three months later, the name was changed to Orrville Crescent and Mr. Evans was continued as local editor the first year of the issue of the weekly Ventilator and Crescent. Mr. Wolbach is now a respected resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado. In October, 1906, Mr. Evans was offered and accepted the editorship of the Orrville Courier, which he held for one year, when too arduous labor and advancing age obliged him to relinquish. He found much pleasure in conducting its columns in accordance with his ideas of what best subserves the requirements of a village and country weekly and made a commendable record. It was noticeable throughout the multiplicity of essays, editorials, selec- 790 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. tions and random notes that he always upheld and advocated optimism, hopefulness, good cheer and a higher and better life. He was possessed of a rare appreciation of genuine wit or clean, good humor and always liked to publish anything that he thought would be appreciated and cherished by his readers. He also nourished an inherent hatred of hypocrisy, conceit and falsity. He was naturally of a retired, reserved disposition, but a true and devoted friend to any one whom he believed to be honest and trying to do what is right. If he acquired a dislike of any one it was not his disposition to quarrel with him, but rather to let each go his own way. He was generous to an unusual degree and would give the last cent he had to help a friend. In politics he was an ardent Republican from the date of that party's birth in 1856, but did not care to indulge in political discussion, because he believed that every man was entitled to his own opinion. L. S. STUDER. Holding worthy prestige among the leading business firms at Apple Creek, East Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, is that of Studer Brothers, proprietors of a thriving and important milling business, one of the best known and most important establishments of the kind in the county. The proprietors, L. S. and C. E. Studer, enjoy honorable reputations as enterprising, progressive and eminently reliable men in the lines of commerce in which they are engaged and since locating at their present place of business they have built up, by fair dealing and correct methods, an extensive and lucrative patronage, which under their able and judicious management is steadily increasing with each succeeding year. The milling plant now operated by the Studer brothers was built about the year 1880 and is a modern and up-to-date mill, with a capacity of one hundred barrels in twenty-four hours. The plant is equipped with the best of machinery and other appliances for the production of mill products and is kept busy practically the year round. In addition to the milling business, the firm also handles coal, plaster, lime and cement, and in these lines also they do an immense and constantly increasing business. They carry large supplies in all these lines and by the courteous treatment of the trade and their fair dealing they have built up a splendid trade throughout this part of the county. They are also heavy buyers and shippers of all kinds of grain, handling many carloads annually. They have been uniformly, successful in WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 791 their various lines of trade and are today numbered among the enterprising and prosperous concerns in this part of the county. L. S. Studer, the senior member of the firm of Studer Brothers, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 19th of March, 1870, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Zurcher) Studer. He was reared on the home farm and received a fair education in the district schools of his native county. In 1890 he apprenticed himself to learn the milling business at Kent, Ohio, and served three years, during which time he made it his business to acquire a knowledge of every detail of the work, from the handling of the grain and the manufacture and shipping of the finished product to the keeping of mill accounts. After the completion of his period of apprenticeship he became a regular or "trick" miller in the same mill, holding the position four years. He then was offered and took the management of Thompson Brothers' mill at Brink Haven, Ohio, and continued in this capacity for eight years. In 1905 he and his brother C. E. bought the flouring mill at Apple Creek, which they put in first-class condition and have continued to operate it continuously to the present time. Mr. Studer is a benedict, having been united in marriage with Effie Klein, who is a native of Stark county, this state. This union has beet; without issue. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Studer are active members of the Reformed church at Apple Creek, of which the subject is an elder. His political belief is that of the Republican party, in .the support of which he takes an active part. He is interested in all that promises to benefit the community, giving his support to all worthy enterprises. In evidence of this fact it may be stated that he is a stockholder in the Apple Creek Banking Company, as is also his brother. Mr. and Mrs. Studer are well liked in the community. Though they have no children, their hospitable residence is ever open to young and old alike and within its walls the guest is sure of a welcome such as only comes from hearts in close touch and sympathy with what is noblest, best and most elevating in humanity. FRANK HECKMAN. The Heckman family needs no introduction to the readers of this history. for members of the same have figured prominently in the life of Wayne county for several generations. Frank Heckman, to whose career the reader's attention is especially directed in the following paragraphs, was born in 792 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Clinton township, this county, in 1868, the son of Henry B. and Barbara ( Jacobs) Heckman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter born in Knox county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents of Frank Heckman were Samuel and Catherine (Grafius) Heckman. To Henry B. and Barbara A. Heckman were born six children, five boys and one girl. The sister died April 1, 1908. The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was educated in the common schools of Clinton and Plain townships, and early in life he decided to become a tiller of the soil and consequently he has devoted his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits, his wife now owning one hundred and thirty-nine acres in Plain township, which is one of the best farms in this vicinity and which yields its owner a very comfortable income from year to year. Mr. Heckman was married on April 5, 1888, to Lora Bunyan, a native of Macon township, Ashland county, Ohio, where her people were well known. She is the daughter of Elijah Bunyan, a leading farmer of Ashland county. Mr. Bunyan was one of the men who made a successful trip to the gold fields in California in 1849, and came back in 1851. To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heckman the following children have been born : Howard Olyler, Clarence Clark, Sherman LeRoy, Ralph Richey and Earl Wayne. Mr. Heckman has an attractively located and comfortable home and excellent outbuildings on his place and he is carrying on general farming in a manner that shows him to be fully abreast of the times in this line. He takes considerable interest in the affairs of his township and has been superintendent of the township roads, discharging his duties in this connection in a very able and conscientious manner. He is a member of the United Brethren church. SAMUEL M. BRENNEMAN. In the past ages the history of a country was comprised chiefly in the record of its wars and conquests. Today history is largely a record of commercial and financial activity and those whose names are foremost in the annals of the nation are those who have become leaders in business circles. The financial and commercial history of Orrville, Wayne county, would be incomplete. and unsatisfactory without a personal mention of those whose lives are interwoven closely with the industrial and financial development of this portion WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 793 of the state. When a man, or a number of men, set in motion the machinery of business. which materializes into many forms of practical utility, or where they have Carved out a fortune or a name from the common possibilities, open for competition to all, there is a public desire which should be gratified to see the men as nearly as a word artist can paint them, and examine the elements of mind and the circumstances by which such success has been achieved.. These thoughts are prompted by reference to the lives and works of him whose name appears as the caption to this article and his father, both of whom have exerted a wide-felt and wholesome influence on the growth and development of Wayne county. The subject's paternal grandfather was Adam Brenneman, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, in about 1832, and nobly performed his part in the development of this section. He was the father of a large number of children, nearly all of whom remained in this county and became prominent and respected citizens, so that it has been aptly said that the history of this part of Wayne county is a history of the Brenneman family. The subject's parents were Jacob and Nancy (Martin) Brenneman. The latter was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and is still living at the old homestead in Orrville, which was erected in 1874. Jacob Brenneman, who was born in Pennsylvania, accompanied his father to Wayne county in the thirties, and during the subsequent years he occupied a conspicuous place in local business circles. He was a pioneer in commercial enterprises and a man of large influence. In 1859 he came to Orrville and the following year he built a store building and entered the dry goods business, in which he was successful from the beginning, continuing this line until 1867, when, on account of ill health, he retired to his farm. Five years later he returned to Orrville and erected the building now occupied by the Orrville Savings Bank. About 1868 the Brenneman & Hoist Exchange Bank was organized and he remained identified with this institution until 1876, when he withdrew. In 1881, with the subject of this sketch, he organized the Orrville Banking Company, with which he was identified until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was a larger holder of landed interests and was a heavy dealer in grain, owning a warehouse for its storage. He was a Mennonite in religious belief and was a man of sound moral principles and sterling integrity, in whom the people with whom he dealt had absolute confidence. Samuel M. Brenneman, who was born in Baughman township, Wayne county, February 12, 1855, attended the schools of Orrville and Wooster, and subsequently matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1880. He was a member of 794 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. Sigma Chi fraternity. The following year he was interested with his father in organizing the Orrville Banking Company and was identified with it until 1892. A few years later he organized the Orrville Savings Bank, Of which he is the proprietor. The banking room was first located in what was then known as Dr. D. L. Moncrief's office and moved into its present convenient andswellarranged quarters in 1905. The bank has been prosperous from its inception and is counted among the prominent and solid financial institutions of the county. Mr. Breneman is also proprietor of the Rittman Savings Bank, at Rittman, this county, a private bank which was established in October, 1907. In 1886 Mr. Brenneman was united in marriage to Maria Orr, a daughter of the late Judge William M. Orr and a granddaughter of the founder of Orrville, Smith Orr. She was a native of Wooster and was a most estimable woman, possessing many qualities of character which commended her to all who knew her. Her death occurred on January 5, 1909. To this union were born two daughters, Charlotte and Maud, both of whom are students at Wooster University and popular young ladies among their associates. In politics Mr. Brenneman is identified with the Republican party, in the success of which he takes a strong interest, though not in any sense an office seeker. His fraternal relations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the lodge at Orrville. Mr. Brenneman is a man of strong mentality and keen discernment, and he commands the confidence and respect of his fellow men because of his sterling worth of character. CHARLES E. BURCHFIELD. The subject of this sketch has lived what to many persons might appear to be an uneventful life, yet to one who looks beneath the surface and seeks the hidden springs of human action, there comes into view the intrinsic worth of a man who has in every sphere of action in which he has engaged been faithful to his trust, and in any line of activity faithfulness is the keynote to success. Mr. Burchfield is well known throughout Wayne county and everywhere his sound qualities are recognized and he enjoys the unbounded confidence of all who know him. Charles E. Burchfield is a native son of the old Keystone state, having been born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of April,. 1857. His parents were Hiram and Sarah (Fox) Burchfield, also natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. They came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1860, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 795 when the subject of this sketch was but three years old, and here they spent their remaining days, the father's death occurring in 1886. He was a miller by trade and after coming here was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Massillon. The subject of this sketch was the only child born to this union. After his father's death, his mother again married and is now living at Apple Creek, this county. Charles E. Burchfield was reared by his parents and in his youth was early inured to the labors of a farm. During his boyhood days he was given the advantage of attendance at the common schools and secured a fair education. In 1876 Mr. Burchfield entered the employ of Silas Moore as a grain buyer and continued in this capacity until 1882. He then entered the employ of the Orrville Milling Company, at Orrville, this county, in which he has remained continuously since. He has a position of responsibility and has performed his duties to the full satisfaction of the company. He is widely known and has by his own efforts brought much business to the firm with which he is connected. He has exercised a wise economy and has exercised sound judgment in his investments and is now the owner of two good residence properties at Apple Creek, which are a source of income. In 1879 Charles E. Burchfield was united in marriage with Ida Hough, a sister of Isaac N. Hough, the present auditor of Wayne county, and to them have been born tlitiee children, namely : Earl, who is deceased ; Maude, the wife of Delano Moore, of Akron, Ohio; Mabel, who died at the age of seventeen years. Politically Mr. Burchfield gives an unqualified support to the Republican party and takes a keen interest in the trend of public events. He is an influential worker in the ranks of his party, but is in no sense a seeker after office or public preferment. Fraternally he is a member of Apple Creek Lodge No. 674, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Apple Creek Lodge No. 374, Knights of Pythias. He has passed the chairs in both of these subordinate bodies and is a member of the grand lodge in each order. His religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the Apple Creek church of which denomination he and his wife are devoted members. Mr. Burchfield is a leader in the work of the church and is now a member of the board of trustees. Mr. Burchfield has been public spirited and progressive in his attitude towards all movements having for their object the betterment of the community morally, educationally, religiously or materially, and he has honestly won and retains the respect of the entire community. 796 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. ALBERT DIX. Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the high standing of Albert Dix, publisher of the Wooster Republican, as a man of affairs and a citizen, as a public benefactor or an editor of unusual felicity of expression, whose facile pen delights hundreds of readers. United in his composition are so many elements of a solid and practical nature, which during a series of years have brought him into prominent notice and earned for him a conspicuous place among the enterprising men of the county of his residence, that it is but just recognition of his worth to speak of his life and achievements in a work of the province of the one at hand, although he is conservative and unpretentious, caring little for the admiring plaudits of men, satisfied if he is conscious of doing his duty well in the several relations of life. Mr. Dix was born in Portage county, Ohio, October 8, 1845. His mother died when he was eighteen months of age. His father owned a small farm of fifty-two acres, and in addition he was a stone cutter and mason, and for years he was a stone contractor. He is remembered as a hard-working, honest and well-liked gentleman who took considerably more than a passing interest in the development of his community. Albert Dix Was taught the use of stone cutter's tools at an early age, and when fifteen years old he left home for the purpose of working as a stone cutter on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad, now the Erie. He worked at his trade in the summer and attended select schools in the wintertime for a period of four years. He taught school during the winter months for a short time. When twenty-one years of age he entered a general store in which he remained for twelve years. But not fancying the mercantile business as a vocation he turned his attention to the newspaper field and in 1879, with C. M. Campbell, he established the Hamilton (Ohio) Daily News and continued as manager of the same up to 1897. In 1898 he and his son, Emmett C. Dix, purchased the Wooster Republican, which they have developed into a fine property and which has the support of the people to a large degree. Under their management the publication took new life, the father 'taking charge of the business department and the son as editorial manager, with George Kettler in the news department. The circulation increased rapidly, the mechanical appearance of the paper was greatly improved, and the Republican became much more valuable as an advertising medium which is now liberally patronized. They have sought to keep abreast of modern   WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 797 methods and they have left nothing undone to give the people what they want. New equipment has been added and this is one of the best, if not the best, newspaper properties in the Buckeye state of cities the size of Wooster. A Duplex printing press has been installed, printing the paper from the roll, thus being able to "runoff" the rapidly-growing circulation within a few minutes. The composing room is equipped with two up-to-date linotype machines. HUGH M. MEIER. The record of Mr. Meier is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of comparative affluence in the business world. His life has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic. and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Apple Creek and East Union township. Hugh M. Meier is a native son of the county in which he now resides, he having first seen the light of day at Fredericksburg, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 29th day of April, 1870. He is a son of James and Eliza (McCullough) Meier. The father died September 19, 1907, while his widow now lives on the home farm. James Meier was a native of Switzerland, having been born April 8, 1836. He was reared and educated in his native land and, desiring larger opportunities for advancement, he came, in 1860, to the United States. He came at once to Holmes county, Ohio, where he was married. He was a shoemaker by trade, and was considered a proficient workman, but later in life he took up farming, of which he made a success. He Was a poor man when he first came to this country, but at his death he was conservatively estimated to be worth twelve thousand dollars. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was highly respected throughout the community where he lived. James and Eliza Meier became the parents of fifteen children, named as follows : A. J., G. E., W. H., Lucinda, Hugh M., E. B., I. V., John F. (deceased), Cornelius, J. M., Mainard, C. W., Etna, Joseph and Virgil. It is a remarkable fact that of this large family only one has died, and all of the survivors are prosperous and most of them heads of families. Hugh M. Meier was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm until he was twenty-five years old, when, tiring of an agricultural life, and believing he could do better along another 798 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. line, he learned the trade of a harness-maker, at which he has worked continuously since. On March I I, 1898, he located at Apple Creek and since that time he has been numbered among the enterprising and successful merchants of this place. The quality of his work and his courteous and accommodating treatment of his customers has resulted in attracting to his shop a full share of the trade in his line and he is handling a nice business which is increasing steadily year after year. He carries in stock everything pertaining to harness supplies, such as robes, blankets, whips, etc., and is eminently deserving of the large patronage which is accorded .him. In January, 1897, Mr. Meier married Emma Keister, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and to them have been born three children, namely : Ralph M., born July 25, 1898; Stewart J., born July 27, 1901, and Pearl M., born April 14, 1904. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Meier are faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, to which they give an earnest and generous support. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, while his political affiliation is with the Democratic party. He has taken a deep and commendable interest in local public affairs and was elected mayor of Apple Creek, in which position he served from 1900 to 1905, giving a strong and business-like administration. He is now serving as chairman of the water works board, and is rendering efficient service. In the fall of 1909 he was elected treasurer of his township. A few years ago five public-spirited citizens of Apple Creek organized and incorporated the Franklin Union Telephone Company, the incorporators being J. E. Frank, John Tate, F. R. Beazell, Alvah. Eyman and Hugh M. Meier. There are now fifty stockholders in this company and Mr. Meier is serving as treasurer. In this necessarily brief review of the life of the subject enough has been said to indicate to even the casual reader the leading characteristics of the man. Wide awake to his best opportunities, with a candor and courage that has enabled him to take advantage of them, he has gone forward, step by step, until today no man in the community where he lives enjoys a larger measure of popular regard than does he. A man of acknowledged ability, absolute integrity in word and action, and of courteous manner, he has no trouble winning friends, which are in number as his acquaintances. HARRY KOUNTZ. Back to stanch old German stock does Harry Kountz trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked the true type of the German nation, is manifest when we come to WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 799 consider the more salient points in his life history, which has been marked by consecutive industry and invincible spirit, eventuating in his securing a high place in the confidence and respect of his fellow men. Harry Kountz is a native son of Wayne county, having been born on West North street, Wooster, on the loth of August, 1862. He is a son of George Harry and Jane (Gregor) Kountz, the former of whom was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1842, the latter the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Hill) Gregor, of Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio. Her parents, who are both deceased, were born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio and bought land when the locality was still inhabited by Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Kountz were married on March 19, 186o. The subject's paternal grandfather was Michael Kountz, a native of Baden, Germany. He was a boilermaker by trade and came to the United States with his wife in 1825, locating at Pittsburgh, where he was employed at his trade and where he and his wife spent their remaining years and died. Their son, Harry .Kountz, father of the subject, was reared in Pittsburgh and secured a fair education in the public schools of that city. He learned the trade of a painter and in 1859 he came to Massillon, Ohio, where for about a year he was engaged at his trade. In 186o he came to Wooster and in 1863 he enlisted for service in defense of his country. He proved a brave and valiant soldier and received an honorable discharge at the end of his period of enlistment. After his return he was employed at his trade by the McDonalds until 1875, when he ceased that line of work and moved onto a farm which he owned in East Union township. The farm comprised about forty acres and he devoted himself with success to its operation. He is now deceased, but his widow is still living. They were the parents of two children, Harry, the subject of this sketch, and Alice, who remains unmarried. Harry Kountz, Jr., was reared principally on his father's farm and he possesses a practical knowledge of agriculture, having been his father's assistant in that work. He received a good education in the common schools of the township, and has liberally supplemented this by much close reading of the world's best literature as well as the current periodicals of the day, so that today he is considered an unusually well informed man. He has been prospered in all his undertakings and is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in East Union township, besides residence property in Wooster. He is a heavy stockholder and general manager of the Wayne County Telephone Company, besides being a stockholder in three mining companies. Mr. Kountz is of an inventive turn of mind and has secured