WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 875 Mr. Amstutz was married a second time, his last wife being named Fannie Steiner also, but no relation to his first wife ; this wedding occurred on July 1, 1906. Mr. Amstutz has been very loyal to the church and has so fixed his will that his entire real estate will divert to the Mennonite board of missions and charities, with the charge that it shall be devoted to the Old People's Home. In 1899 Mr. Amstutz was the organizer and promoter of the building of the Old People's Home, and in 1901 several persons were placed in the home, since which time it has been under the management of a superintendent and matron. Mr. Amstutz's first wife was the daughter of Christian Steiner, who was born July 29, 1806, and died May 16, 1885, when seventy-eight years old He married Maria Steiner (no relation). This was his third wife ; the other two wives were Stanfer and Katherine Amstutz. To his first wife two children were born, both dying in childhood, then Mrs. Steiner died. He had six children by his second wife, two dying in infancy ; then the death of Mrs. Steiner occurred. Fifteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Christian Steiner, seven of whom grew to, maturity, six still living. The parents of the second wife of David Amstutz were Daniel Steiner, born December 2, 1822, and Magdalena Steiner, born February 2, 1829. Mr. Steiner died December 16, 1909, at the age of eighty-seven years and fourteen days. His widow is still living north of Orrville, at an advanced age. On February 15, 1872, Mr. Anistutz was ordained a minister in the Mennonite church and in 1885 he was ordained as bishop, thus proving that he is a man of unusual force of character and intellect. The children of Christian and Katherine Steiner were : Lydia, born March 22, 1832 ; Peter, July 17, 1833 ; Christian, March 11, 1835, died in April, 1909; Barbara, born August 27, 1836; John, born July 25, 1838, is deceased; Anna, born December 29, 1840, died December 28, 1906. The brothers and sisters of David C. Amstutz are as follows, those deceased named first : Katherine, March 27, 1838, died March 16, 1873 ; married Peter J. Steiner, who 'was born May 24, 1835, and died March 8, 1883 ; Frederick, born March 17, 1828, died January 1o, 1899 ; John, October 17, 1829, died February II, 1899; Lavina, wife of Abraham Burkholder, was born July 9, 1853, died August 3, 1903 ; those living are, Peter, at Smithville; Jacob, at Sterling; Daniel ; Joel B., living at Sterling; Fannie, widow of Abraham Fisher, who was born in 1838 and died November 15, 1876 ; Lydia is the wife of Daniel Steiner. 876 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MELLINGER FAMILY. The history of the Mellinger family may be accurately traced to Melchor Mellinger, the great-grandfather of the writer, who was born in Baden, Germany. In 1772, while yet a young man, with his wife and two children,—a son, Benedict, and a daughter, Anna,—he started to seek his fortune in the colonies of the new world. His wife fell ill while crossing the Atlantic ocean and died, her remains being left in the sea. After landing in America, he settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in a few years married again, to which union were born a number of sons and daughters, who, as they grew up, were scattered, some of them going to other states and some remaining in Pennsylvania. One son, Jacob, and one daughter, Elizabeth—as far as known to the writer—came to Ohio and lived in Columbiana county, where the city of Letonia is now situated. The dates of the birth and death of Melchor Mellinger are unknown to the writer. In both Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and Columbiana county, Ohio. are still living quite a number of descendants of Melchor Mellinger. Benedict, the son of the first marriage, was born in Baden, Germany, October 25, 1770. He lived with his father and stepmother in Pennsylvania till grown to manhood; and was married to Barbara Binkley, to which union were born the following children while living in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania : Fronica; born February 6, 1794 ; David, December 31, 1795 ; Anna, April 12, 1797 ; Barbara, March 18, 1799 ; Mary, September 22, 1800; Elizabeth, February 3, 1803. They owned a little home and followed weaving for a livelihood ; also raised flax, prepared it for the loom, and wove it into cloth suitable for clothing such as Was then used by both men and women during the summer season. They also carded wool by the use of hand-cards, spun it, and wove it into cloth. Money being very scarce and hard to get, even for the products of labor, they, in this way, were enabled to make the necessary clothing for the family, and the little money that could be made by weaving and selling cloth, was carefully laid by for a larger and better home in the future. By the most rigid economy they were enabled to accumulate sufficient money with which to purchase more land, and in 1805 they removed from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Columbiana county, Ohio, where they purchased a small farm. They hired their farming done in part, and devoted their attention to raising flax and the manufacture of cloth from it ; also the wool of their own growing, together with that brought to them to be spun and woven into cloth. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 877 While living in Columbiana county the following children were added to the family : John, born September 20, 1805 ; Benedict, March 20, i8o8 ; Catherine, December 4, 181o; Esther, January 3o, 1814. While living there, Benedict Mellingees full sister, Anna, who came with the family from Germany, settled there and bought land adjoining that owned by the Mellingers, she being married to Harmon Brown. They remained in Columbiana county until 1816, when both families removed to. Wayne county, Ohio, where one son, Christian, was born April 7, 1818. Mr. Mellinger bought a large tract of land in Plain township from the government, all in timber, which was cleared by the family, with some outside help, and prepared for the plow. The Indians, bears and deer were their. neighbors. But in a few years other white settlers came from the eastern states and a community was formed. When they had cleared a part of the land and had erected suitable buildings, Benedict Mellinger and the family began raising flax and wool and started the spinning-wheel and the looms, which were the products of his skill as a mechanic. They became experts in designing patterns for woolen coverlets and linen tablecloths, and the products of their ingenuity and skill are still to be.met with in the form of linen cloth and woolen coverlets, manufactured by them from materials in their crudest form. After living in a log cabin for some years, they built a large two-story frame house, thirty by forty feet, which was looked upon as almost a marvel in the then "back woods." They did all the carpenter work themselves, employing a mason to build the cellar walls and a plasterer to plaster the walls inside. Benedict Mellinger lived to see the country cleared of its timber and prepared for agriculture, the hills dotted with school houses and churches. While living in Wayne county the following members of this family were married : John, to Hannah Casebeer ; Benedict, to Sarah Casebeer ; Catherine, to William Spittler; Esther, to Henry Gines; David, to Mary Felger ; and Christian, to Elizabeth Showalter. The three oldest sons, John, Benedict and David, each received a farm from their father, the same being parts of the home tract purchased from the government, and lived there to the time of their deaths, except Benedict, who spent the latter part of his life with one of his daughters. Spittler bought a farm near Mohicanville, Ashland county, Ohio, and remained in that vicinity the balance of his life. Gines went to Illinois, which was then the "far West," and purchased a farm there, remaining on the same the rest of his life. Christian lived with his parents until their deaths. The five older daughters, Fronica, Barbara, Anna, Mary and Elizabeth, never married, but remained on the farm with their parents and younger brother during their lifetime and 'were cared for by him in their old age. 878 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. The family is remarkable for its longevity. The following are the dates of death and age of the family : The father, Benedict Al ellinger, died August 11, 1851, aged eighty years, nine months and seventeen days ; Barbara, his wife, died April 27, 1863, aged ninety years and fifteen days ; Fronica died July 3, 1887, aged ninety-three years, four months and twenty-seven days; David died November 27, 1862, aged sixty-six years, ten months and twenty-six days; Anna, February 5, 1884, aged eighty-six years, nine months and twenty-three days; Barbara, January 24, i885, aged eighty-five years, ten months and six days; Mary, December 4, 189o, aged ninety years, two months and six days ; Elizabeth, March i5, 1891, aged eighty-three years, one month and twelve days; John, October 23, 1872, aged sixty-seven, one month and thirteen days ; Benedict, Jr., May 12, 1892, aged eighty-three years, one month and twenty-three days; Catherine, August 16, 1875, aged sixty-four years, eight months and twelve days; Esther, February 12, 1890, aged seventy-six years and twelve days; ChriStiati, March 18, 1894, aged seventy-five years, eleven months and nine days. The wife of Christian Mellinger survived hirh twelve years, dying June 23, 1906, aged eighty-four years, eleven months and thirteen days. The children of Christian and Elizabeth Mellinger are William, Daniel, Belinda and Franklin. William Married" Samantha BUckwalter, October 26, 1869, to which union were born three children, namely : Clement, George and Har- vey. Cletnent died in infancy ; the other two boys are uni-harried in 1909. Franklin married Alice Routh and they are the parents of one child, a daugh--- ter, OdeSSa. Belinda and Daniel never Married. Benedict Mellinger's frill sister, Anna, married Harmon Brown, remained in Wayne county for some tithe, and then be in Licking county, Ohio, where many of their descendants are still to be found. Anna, a daughter of the Browns, married Jesse Arnold; some of whose descendants are living in Wayne county. One of Benedict Mellinger's half sisters; a descendant from the second marriage of Melchor Mellinger, married Jacob Oberholtzer, Whose descend ants are still found in Wayne county and in some other parts of the state. —By WILLIAM M. MELLINGER. WILLIAM HENRY DEUELL. Admired and respected for his general intelligence and his progressive spirit, as, well as for his sterling qualities as a neighbor and citizen, no man in Canaan township, Wayne county, stands higher in public esteem than the WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 879 Worthy individual the salient features of whose life and characteristics are herein set forth. William H. Deuell was born at Canton, Stark county, Ohio, on July 12, 1856, and is the son of Jesse and Martha (Becher) Deuell, the former a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born in 1831, and the latter born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1835. The subject's paternal grandfather was Tobias Deuell, who was a native of Maryland and one of the first settlers in Carroll comity, Ohio. He there became the owner of a large farm and lived there during the remainder of his life, dying at the remarkable age of one hundred and two years, eleven months and twenty-two days. The maternal grandparents of the subject, John and Polly Becher, were from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and were also early settlers in Stark county, Ohio, where the father acquired a half section of government land. Hi,. stood high in the community, having served as a justice of the peace for thirty-six years, and for thirty-two consecutive years he served as postmaster at Sparta, Ohio. Jesse Deuell, the subject's father, lived on his father's farm in Carroll county, until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Third Regiment Ohio Cavalry, with which he participated in a number of the heaviest engagements of that terrible struggle, including the battle of Gettysburg. He was captured twice, having escaped after his first capture on the way to Andersonville prison, and after his recapture he again escaped and found his way back to the Union lines. During the last two years of his service he was an orderly sergeant. After the war he went to Canton, Ohio, first carrying on farming operations near there, and subsequently entering the contracting business, in which he was successful. He was a Republican in politics. To him and his wife were born the following children : Corvan, William H., Lizzie ('who married Emanuel Young), Elmer, Alfred, Emma (who married Perry Christy), Harry and Margaret, who. became the wife of a Mr. Wolfred. William H. Deuell received a good practical education in the public schools of Canton, but at an early age he went to work on farms by the month, being so employed for ten years. He then went into the sawmill and timber business at Canton, and shortly afterward became a contractor, and in this capacity he constructed many sewer systems and pavements at many points in Ohio. He followed that line of business until the spring of 1909, when he retired to a farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres in Canaan township which he had purchased in 1904, and he has since made that his home. He carries on agricultural operations, to which he gives a fair amount of attention, but his chief interest lies in the breeding and raising of fine horses, in which he is achieving a distinctive success. He has three fine pure-bred stal- 880 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. lions, two Percherons, Sir George and President, and a coach horse, Duke. These are fine animals and Mr. Deuell is justifiedly proud of them. Mr. Deuell has been twice married, first to Emma Markley, who was born in Paradise, Ohio, the daughter of John Markley, a successful farmer of that place. To this union was born one child, Harry, born February 2, 1883. On February 5, 1901, Mr. Deuell married Emma Boyce, who was born in August, 1872, near Mansfield, Ohio, the daughter of Josiah Boyce, an early settler and farmer there. In politics Mr. Deuell is a stanch Republican, but in local elections he assumes an independent attitude, believing that the candidate's personal fitness for office should be paramount to all other considerations. Mr. Deuell is a thorough and broad-gauged business man, a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and is well known and uniformly respected throughout the county. THOMAS ARMSTRONG, JR. Wayne county, Ohio, is characterized by a full share of the honored pioneer element who have done so much for the development of the county and the state and the establishment of the institutions of higher civilization in this fertile and well-favored section of the old Buckeye commonwealth. The biographical sketches in this work are to a large extent in recognition of those who are pioneers or members of pioneer families, and it is signally fitting that there should be perpetuated records which will defy the ravages of time and betoken to the coming generations the earnest lives and devoted labors of those who have been such noble contributors to the state's prosperity and pride. The subject of this sketch is one of the honored citizens of the county, where he has been for many years successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and where he has maintained his home from the days of his childhood, representing a period of sixty-five years of consecutive residence in the county. Tracing the ancestral history of the Armstrong family, it is learned that the subject's paternal grandfather, Thomas Armstrong, Sr., was born August 22, 1776, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared to manhood. After his Marriage he moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and lived there until the war of 1812. After the surrender of General Hull at Detroit, the subject volunteered and was commissioned captain and WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 881 came with the forces under General Bell to Wooster, Ohio. On the conclusion of hostilities he returned to Columbiana county, and in the spring of 1815 he came to Wayne county and settled on Clear Creek. Subsequently he came to what is now known as the Armstrong farm in Canaan township, which land he had entered from the government in 1811. Here he lived until his death, which occurred on March 2, 1842. His wife, who was born in 1779 in Columbiana county, Ohio, survived him a number of years, dying on April 14, 1856. His children were William, John, Thomas, Harrison, Eliza, Juliana, Hannah, David, Jane and Calvin. Of these William, who vas born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. came to Wayne county in 1815, with his father and the other members of the family, and during the first years of their residence here much strenuous work was performed in the clearing of the land and putting it in shape for cultivation. William was extensively associated with his father in the handling of land :and at one time he was the owner of between five hundred and six hundred acres. William Armstrong was twice married, first to Mary Rose, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and to them were born the following children : Mrs. Jane Smith, of Medina county; John, of Iowa; Mrs. Julia Slemmons. deceased ; Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Harrison, of Wayne township. this county ; Mrs. Mary Slemmons, of Sterling, Ohio. After the death of his first wife, William Armstrong married Catherine McFerson, of Columbiana county, and they became the parents of two children, William E., of Wooster, and Mrs. Isabelle Elizabeth Wilson, of Doylestown, Ohio. The subject's maternal grandparents, John and Mary Rose, were natives of Pennsylvania and in an early day came to Wayne county and took up land. The life record of the subject of this sketch presents no exciting or thrilling chapters. He was born on the home farm in Canaan township, this county. in 1844, and received his education in the common schools of his home neighborhood. He remained with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, when he moved to another farm in Canaan township, where he has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits: His place comprises one hundred and seventy-six acres. which are highly improved, and here Mr. Armstrong carries on a general line of farming, and in this line he has achieved a distinctive success. The property, which is eligibly located, is well improved and contains a full set of well built and conveniently arranged farm buildings, which are at all times maintained in the best of repair, the general appearance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of sound judgment and good taste. (56) 882 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. In 1864, when the fires of southern rebellion were burning fiercely, the subject enlisted in the defense of Old Glory, joining Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the one-hundred-day service, but he remained in the service until the close of the struggle and the dove of peace once more hovered over the land. On the 2oth of October, 1868, the subject was married to Sarah Keeney, who was born in 1848, and is the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Elliott) Keeney. The father was born in Canaan township, this county, on July 15, 1825, and the mother was born at Duncan's Island, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1827; they were. married March 18, 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong the following children have been born : Zeno, born actober I, 1869, died September 5, 1872; Frank, born January 13, 1872, a farmer of Wayne township. married a Miss Garver, and they have two children, Evelyn and Grace; Clyde C., born April 8, 188o; Grace U., born March i 1, 1883, married Emmet Carmony, of Wayne township. Mrs. Armstrong's paternal grandparents were Simon and Sarah (Shankland) Keeney, the former born at East Hartford, Connecticut. September 29, 1790, and the latter born December 27, 1794, their marriage being consummated on July 26, 1821. This was his second marital union, his first wife having borne the maiden name of Polly Daniels, who died seven years after their marriage, leaving three sons and a daughter. After his second marriage Mr. Keeney came to Ohio, locating first on the Killbuck river, but, because of the prevalence of ague there, he came to Canaan township, Wayne county, where he made his home for fifty-five years. He took up government land here and at one time was the owner of an entire section. Mr. Armstrong devotes his time and attention closely to his own business affairs. He is a man of strong purpose and unfaltering industry, and by the capable management of his place he has gained a comfortable competence. His friends—and they are many—know him to be a reliable and enterprising gentleman, faithful to his duties of citizenship and working in harmony with all progressive measures for the general good. W. FRANK SELL. In reverting to the lives and deeds of those who helped to initiate and carry on the onerous work of developing the virgin wilds of Wayne county and thus laying the foundation for that prosperity and precedence which now characterize this favored section of the Buckeye state, it is imperative that recognition be had of the Sell family, who have been identified with the WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 883 history of the county from an early date and whose members have invariably maintained the highest standard of integrity and honor, commanding unequivocal respect and esteem. The subject's paternal grandparents, David and Elizabeth Sell, were natives of Pennsylvania, and were early settlers in Ohio, having settled in Stark county, where they acquired a tract of land which had been but partially cleared. This task was completed by Mr. Sell, who here developed a good farm and established a comfortable home. They became the parents of the following children : Christina, Samuel, John, Catherine, David, Louis, Elizabeth, Daniel and Jacob. Of these, John, Catherine and Jacob are the only ones now living. On the maternal side, the subject's grandparents were Jacob and Elizabeth Read, who also were natives of Pennsylvania and pioneer settlers in Stark county, Ohio. Jacob Sell, father of the subject of this sketch, was reared on the paternal homestead in Stark county and in the common schools of that neighborhood he received his education. When he attained to manhood's years he learned the trade of a carpenter, and this vocation he followed for some years. He then returned to the work to which he had been reared, that of farming, and was so engaged during the following five years in his home county. In 186o he came to Canaan township, Wayne county, and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has resided continuously since. The farm was but slightly improved when he acquired possession of it, but he has made many permanent and substantial improvements on it and today it is regarded as one of the best farms in Wayne county. Mr. Sell was prospered in his farming operations and was enabled to add to his original possessions from time to time, having bought tracts of sixty-one acres, sixty-three acres and eighty acres, all excepting the last one adjoining the homestead. Mr. Sell has been a hard-working man during the years since he first settled on this farm, but now he has practically retired from the more arduous labor of the farm and is enjoying that rest which he has so richly earned. He is a Republican in politics and has ever taken an active interest in the success of his party and in local public affairs. In religion, he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, to which they give a generous support. Jacob and Ella Read were married in 1867 and their union has been blessed in the birth of the following children : Matilda, Charles E., W. Frank and Ella. W. Frank Sell was born on the old family homestead in Canaan township, Wayne county, in 1869. He was reared by his parents and received his education in the common schools of Canaan township. His education was not limited to his school training, however, for he has throughout his life been a close reader of the best current literature and has been a close observer 884 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. of men and things, and is today considered a well-informed man. He was early initiated into the mysteries of successful agriculture and continued as his father's assistant on the home place until his marriage. He then located on a farm immediately adjoining the home farm on the south, the tract comprising eighty-seven acres, and here he has since been engaged in general farming. He is diversified in his operations, raising all the crops common to this latitude, and in connection with the tilling of the soil he also devotes some attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, and in both of these lines he has been fairly successful, being considered one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of the township. The property is adorned with a neat and well-arranged set of farm buildings, which are kept in the best of repair, and the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and sound ideas. In addition to farming his own land, Mr. Sell is also engaged in operating his father's land comprising the old homestead. Mr. Sell is essentially public spirited in his attitude toward all movements having for their object the betterment of the community in which he lives and is considered one of the influential citizens of the township. In 'natters political he has rendered a stanch support to the Republican party and has held the offices of township supervisor and school director, discharging his official duties to the entire satisfaction . of his fellow citizens. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church, to which he and his wife belong, and he has served efficiently as superintendent of the Sunday school for three years. On the 25th of December, 1889, Frank Sell was united in marriage to Clara Brinkerhoff, who was born in Canaan township, this county, on AuguSt 13, 1870, the daughter of Amos Brinkerhoff," who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To this union have been born three children, Goldy Macy, Jacob Glenn and Eva Lucile. Mr. Sell stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens. Throughout his career he has been emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of the county which has so long been his home. ORANGE W. FRARY. This sterling representative of one of the pioneer families of Wayne county, Ohio, is a native son of the county in which he now lives. where lie was reared to maturity on a farm, early beginning to assume the practical WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 885 responsibilities of life and lending his aid in connection with the operation of the home farm. That he has lived and labored to goodly ends is clearly indicated in the position which he holds in the confidence and high regard of his fellow men and in the success which has crowned his efforts as an exponent of the basic art of agriculture, which has been his vocation throughout his entire business career. His fine farm is located in Canaan township and no resident of the community commands a fuller measure of respect and esteem. This brief epitome of his life history will be read with interest by his many friends and will serve as a permanent memorial to his sterling character and worthy life. Orange W. Frary was born on the paternal homestead in Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the loth day of July, 1868, and is a son. of Asa Frary. 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 comers here. Mr. Frary's parents were 0. Asa and Florentine (Seeley) Frary, the former of whom was born in Vermont in 1830 and the latter near Evans, Ohio. 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 1878. Asa Frary was a great home man. He was an enthusiastic farmer and nothing diverted him 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. Orange W. Frary was reared to the life of a farmer and secured his early education in the district schools near his home. His youth was spent as the assistant of his father in the cultivation of the farmstead and upon attaining his majority he started out on his own account. He is now the owner of one of the finest farms in Canaan township, which he is operating with a very 886 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. gratifying degree of success. The farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty-six acres, is what was formerly known as the Bdwman farm•, and is very eligibly located, including some of the most fertile soil in this section of the county. Mr. Frary is wide-awake and progressive in his methods and in connection with the cultivation of the soil he is engaged quite extensively in the poultry business, in which he has achieved a distinctive success. He is a close student of the latest ideas relating to the breeding and raising of the feathered fowl and is considered an expert in this line. Mr. Frary was united in marriage to Ora Whonsetler, the daughter of Samuel L. and Adeline (Snell) Whonsetler, the former of whom was born on the Showalter farm in this county and the latter in Pennsylvania. Samuel Whonsetler was reared to the life of a farmer and followed that pursuit until his retirement from active life, when he removed to Canaan Center, where he now makes his home. He is one of a family of thirteen children, seven of whom lived to mature years. To Mr. and Mrs. Frary have been born six children, namely : May, Effie, Bertha, Zenas, Oliver and Alice. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Frary were Daniel and Susana (Hewitt) Whonsetler, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The former came to Ohio on horseback, took up land located just north of Canaan Center, and after clearing a small tract of land, built a small house. He then returned to his native state and brought his family to their new home, the family and household goods being brought by wagon. He then proceeded with the clearing of the land and in due time found himself the possessor of a fine farm. He lived there until his death and acquired not only material property but also the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Mrs. Frary's maternal grandparents were Jacob and Margaret (Smith) Snell, who also were natives of the old Keystone state. They came here at an early day and settled on land just south of Canaan Center, where they rented for a short time. Eventually they bought a fine farm located four miles south of where the subject now l'ves and there they spent the remainder of their days. In politics Mr. Frary gives his support to the Republican ticket on national elections, but in local affairs, where no great issues are involved, he supports the men he considers the best qualified for the offices to which they aspire. He is classed among the representative agriculturalists of Wayne county and his career is in many respects worthy of emulation. A man of independent and earnest thought, his line of action has come from a line of reasoning based upon his own observation and familiarity with passing events, not being governed by the ideas of others unless they seem to him based on sound principle and reason. WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 887 ELMER F. MYERS. The family of this name in Wayne county was founded by Samuel and Hannah Myers, who came to this section in 1832 and settled on a half section of land in the eastern part of Congress township. They farmed this land successfully after the methods prevailing at that early time, lived the quiet lives usual to people in sparsely settled neighborhoods and were finally gathered to their fathers without blame or reproach. They were interred in the cemetery located. on their homestead, where also three others of the name have been laid by their side. Among their children was Solomon Myers, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, and came to Ohio with his parents. He married Elizabeth Naftzger, a descendant of early pioneers and a native of . Harrison county, Ohio. Her grandparents, Jacob and Elizabeth Naftzger, were very prominent members of the United Brethren church and the first meeting of this denomination in Ohio was held at their home. The parents of Mrs. Myers were David and Susan Naftzger, natives of Harrison county, Ohio, and who were among the first settlers of Congress township, in Wayne county. They took up a quarter section of land and spent all their active lives in clearing, improving and cultivating it, eventually making it quite valuable. They were, like their ancestors, quite enthusiastic members of the United. Brethren church, and always took much interest in the local gatherings of the denomination. The Naftzgers, for generations, were always considered good citizens, good neighbors and reliable in all the relations of life. Solomon Myers lived on a part of his father's farm in Congress township during the entire period of his activity. He was successful as a farmer and a man of sterling integrity and supported the Democratic party, but later became an ardent Prohibitionist, voting the ticket of that party for many years. After the death of his first wife, he married Maggie Guthrie, the full list of his children being as follows : David A., deceased; John F., a resident of Burbank ; Emma, deceased; Elmer F. ; Susan, deceased; Zeno, of Congress township, and Annabelle, the latter being the only child by the second wife. He was also a very active Christian man, being a member of the United Brethren church all his life. He was class leader for fifty-five years. Elmer F. Myers, son of Solomon and Elizabeth Myers, was born in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, March 15, 1862. He was educated in the district schools near his home, and later attended the North-v. cstern Ohio Normal University at Ada. He remained on the farm, help- 888 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. ing his father, until the completion of his twenty-third year, when he decided to begin life on his own account. Matrimony is usually the prime cause of this step in the case of young men and Mr. Myers was no exception the rule. On December 18, 1884, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Whonsetler, a well-to-do and highly respected family of Wayne county. In 1840 Mr. Whonsetler came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Canaan township, where he prospered by hard work and good management and at his death owned two hundred and sixteen acres of land. Mrs. Myers was born on this farm, October 10, 1862, and besides herself there were ten other children. To E. F. Myers and wife were born two children : Zora, wife of Merton Talley, of the commercial department of the Denison high school, and Clyde, who is his father's assistant on the farm. In 1885 Mr. Myers began renting the home farm of his father-in-law and after the mother-in-law's death he purchased one hundred forty-one acres in 1900, since which time he has occupied and cultivated it with entire success, giving much attention with gratifying success to livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are very active members of the Lutheran church, and he is a Democrat in politics. He is public-spirited and was a member of the school board a number of years. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON WERTZ. The name of this prominent citizen of Dalton, Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio, would indicate that he was named for one of the greatest generals and presidents of America, and while he may not have the capacity and necessary qualifications for either a leader of men in battle or statesmanship, he has shown by his successful life work that he is the possessor of sterling qualities which in every cummunity must command the highest respect. As a. matter of fact in 1838, General Harrison gave Mr. Wertz's father a dollar to name his son after him. Mr. Wertz was born in the house in which he now lives in Dalton, January 14, 1838, which was the first two-story house to be erected in that place. It is of hewn logs, but has been weatherboarded ; however, the many fine walnut logs used in its original construction would he very valuable for lumber now. He is the son of John and Priscilla (Hemperty) Wertz, who were married in Wooster, Ohio, in 1828. Locating in Dalton, they remained here the rest of their lives, establishing a hotel, which they conducted successfully. Later Mr. Wertz WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 889 purchased land and became a well-to-do farmer, although he continued to give most of his attention to his hotel. John Wertz was the son of Henry Wertz, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, the former having migrated to Wayne county, Ohio, in about 1826. He took considerable interest in the affairs of the Whig party. He was the father of fifteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity ; those living at present are : C. S., R. V., W. H. H. (subject), Mrs. J. M. Palmer and Mrs. Florence McGill. The father of these children died in 1856, a highly honored and influential man. W. H. H. Wertz was reared in his native community, having assisted his father with the work on the farm and about the hotel. He was a very industrious and ambitious lad, and at an early age was sent to a subscription school, and received a good education for those days. He was enabled to begin teaching, which he did very successfully, later using the money he saved from his labors as teacher to take him to the West, where he soon spent all he had saved ; but, nothing daunted, he cast about for something to do in order to start over again. He was prospered and has ever since worked for himself and given employment to many others. He is still actively engaged in business, having acquired large possessions through his able management and thrift, holding both valuable landed possessions and other property, owing at this time over four hundred acres of as fine land as could be found in Wayne county, which means that it is as good as any in the United States, for this county ranks second in the Union in point of wealth and productiveneSs. Besides his personal property of this nature, he is a large stockholder in the First National Bank of Dalton, of which he is president, ably discharging the duties of the same and giving this institution a prestige second to none in the county. He has long ago established a reputation for industriousness and rare business acumen, managing his many affairs with ease and dispatch, having innate ability as an organizer and promoter. He is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held in this community owing to the fact that he has made what he has unaided and in an honest manner. But while he has labored to advance his own interests he has not neglected the general interest of the community which he has long honored with his citizenship, being liberal in his support of all movements having for their object the public good, whether political, civic or material. Mr. Wertz was married in 186o to Caroline Shusser, a native of York county, Pennsylvania, having been born there in 1843, a woman of culture and many praiseworthy characteristics and a member of a fine old family. She has proven a great helpmeet to Mr. Wertz and much of his large success has been due in no small measure to her encouragement and counsel. Mr. 890 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. and Mrs. Wertz are the parents of four children, two of whom are living, namely : Mrs. C. J. Harrold, wife of the present county clerk of Wayne county and a prominent attorney of Wooster. E. S. Wertz is the other child. When Mr. Wertz was married he was not blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, but he went to work with a will, having those qualities of determination and perseverance, and in a short time had a good start. He opened a grocery and drug business in Dalton, which he followed with marked success for a period of twenty-five years, and in connection with his store he at one time added a nursery line, making it a very thriving business. Disposing of his grocery and drug store, he entered the lumber business and soon had a liberal patronage,—in fact, in whatever he has turned his attention to he has been rewarded with abundant success, owing to his exercise of good common sense and his fairness in his dealings with his fellow men, his integrity having never been questioned. Fraternally Mr. Wertz is a Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the encampment, the Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of the last two named. No people in the eastern part of Wayne county are more highly honored or better known than Mr. and Mrs. Wertz, and their pleasant and substantial home is often the gathering place for numerous friends and admirers, for here they always find a free hospitality that smacks of "ye olden tyme." CLINTON M. ORR. When Hugh Orr, founder of the family of that name in the West, left his native Ireland in 1801 to seek his fortunes in the New World, the trip across the Atlantic was something of a venture. Fulton had not as yet invented steamboats and those wonders of the deep did not come into vogue until many years later. The only mode of ocean travel was by sailing boat, which was slow and uncertain, often taking from six weeks to two months to cross over. The young Irish boy, like many others of his unhappy land, secured steerage passage, as his funds were low, and turned his face resolutely toward the free land beyond the deep waters. He had courage, youth, strength and ambition, but these were his only equipment and when he stepped ashore at New York he felt that he was a stranger in a strange land. The tide of emigration was at that time setting strongly towards the new territories beyond the Alleghanies and he determined to join the rush. The journey was long and tedious, over rough roads, high mountains and down WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 891 the various water courses which intersected the vast region south of Lake Erie. Hugh Orr finally reached his destination and began looking for an available situation in the county of Wayne, a part of Ohio Territory, which at that time had not been admitted into the Union and was cheap, it being possible to obtain land from the government for a mere pittance. Hugh Orr secured a quarter section in East Union township, adjoining what was afterwards knOwn as the county infirmary farm. It was all wild land and in fact that whole section was still little changed from the primeval wilderness. The labor of clearing and improving such a tract could only be known to the sturdy pioneers who went through them and cannot even be guessed at by those who now own the smiling farms and highly cultivated acres of modern Wayne county. In 1830 Hugh Orr bought the farm in Canaan township on which he lived until his death. The place descended to his son, James Orr, who managed and worked it successfully for many years and also ended his days on the same old homestead. He was born in East Union township, before the removal to Canaan, and in early manhood was married to Melissa Barnes, a native of West Virginia who had come to Ohio with her parents at an early day. This union resulted in a large family, most of whom are still living and have done fairly well in the various walks of life. The list as compiled from the family register reads thus in consecutive order : Meroa (who died at the age of fifty-four), Sarah, Emma, Sophronia, Hugh, Robert (who died in infancy), Levi, George (who died in infancy), Naomi, Charles, William and Clinton. Clinton M. Orr, youngest of this large family, was born in Canaan township, Wayne county, Ohio, on November 9, 1873. His birthplace was on the old farm owned and occupied by his father during his lifetime and now his own property and place of residence. Mr. Orr grew up on this farm and attended the nearby district school during the winter months. He was thoroughly trained to farm work in his youth, learning all about the putting in and the gathering of crops, the feeding, breeding and caring for livestock, and all the other things which enter into the making of a good farmer. So when he became the landowner on his own account he was Nv el 1 qualified to take charge of the business. He has always lived on the home place and knows no other business than farming and he has made a success, being regarded as one of the progressive young farmers of the later generation. He leads a quiet, unobtrusive life, attends strictly to his own business, is just in his dealings and enjoys the good will of his neighbors. In 1903 Mr. Orr married Daisy, daughter of Isaac and Emily (Leiter) Hawk, of Stark county, where the family is well known. 892 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. IRA BRINKERHOFF. For many years Ira Brinkerhoff has occupied a conspicuous place among the agriculturalists of Wayne county, Ohio. His career has been that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well-rounded character has enabled him to take an active interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of the community and to keep well informed concerning the momentous questions affecting the nation.. In all life's relations he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact and his upright life is an inspiration to all who know him well and are familiar with his character. Ira Brinkerhoff was born on the old Brinkerhoff homestead in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 29th of June, 1858, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Ewing) Brinkerhoff, the former a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born October II, 1817, and the latter born March 30, 1825. in Congress township, Wayne county; Ohio. The subject's paternal grandfather, Daniel Brinkerhoff, was born March 14, 1780, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and he married Rebecca Frazier, who was born June 15, 1783. They were married in 1809 and his death occurred in 1848 ; she died in 1892. Daniel Brinkerhoff came to Wayne county, Ohio, settling first in Wayne township, but a short time afterwards he bought the place of one hundred and sixty acres in Congress township on which the subject of this sketch now lives. The place was densely covered with the primeval forest growth and Mr. Brinkerhoff entered at once upon the herculean task of clearing this and putting it under cultivation. A log cabin was erected where the present residence stands and a happy and comfortable home was established, albeit lacked many of the comforts and luxuries which characterize the homes of the present day. Here the subject's father, James Brinkerhoff, labored in the arduous toil of the first few years and he spent the remainder of his life here. James, and Elizabeth Brinkerhoff became the parents of the following children : Amos, born February 1846; Rebecca, born January 14, 1848, the wife of Jonathan Fetzer, of Chester township; Elizabeth Jane, born March 30, 185o, died December 15, 1854; William, born September 7, 1854, living in Canaan township ; Martha, born January 3, 1855, married John Winters, of Wooster ; Ira, born June 29, 1858, lives on the home place, and is the immediate subject of this sketch: Anna, born May 22, 186o, died March 9, 1892, was the wife of William Barnard, of Congress township; James, born, July 30, 1864, lives in Canaan township; Jane, born August 7, 1867, died in infancy. James Brinkerhoff, Sr., was a stanch Democrat in politics and in religion he gave his support WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 893 to the Presbyterian church. The subject's paternal grandfather, William Ewing, was one of the very earliest residents of Canaan township and his brother Simon was the first white male child born in the township, 1817. Ira Brinkerhoff was reared by his parents and secured his education in the district school at Golden Corners, supplementing this by attendance at the high school at Burbank. He has, with the exception of one year spent in Michigan, spent his entire life with his parents on the old home farm. He was reared to the life of a farmer and in his early years he saw much arduous toil, assisting in bringing the farm to that splendid condition which has since characterized it. After completing his education, he was for a time employed as a collector and in various other capacities, but eventually he went to farming and stockraising on shares with his father, in both of which lines he was eminently successful. At his father's death, he assumed charge of the home farm, and has since continued its operation. Ee has proven himself a man of progressive ideas, keeping in close touch with the latest advances in the science of agriculture and he is not slow to adopt those methods which appear to him as sound and practical. He has thus acquired a'well-merited reputation in his community as a thoroughgoing and up-to-date agriculturalist. The home and other farm buildings are kept in the best of repair and the general appearance of the place reflects great credit on Mr. Brinkerhoff. In politics Mr. Brinkerhoff is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, but he has never consented to run for public office of any character. While not a member of any church, he is a firm believer in their efficiency as a moral agency and their influence for good in any community, and he gives a liberal suPport to the various churches in this community. On the 25th of July, 1898, Mr. Brinkerhoff wedded Nettie Wagner, the (laughter of .Michael and Mary (Hawk) Wagner, the former a native of Alsace, Germany, and the latter of Wayne county, Ohio. They have become the parents of the following children : Charles Ira, born November 19, 1899; Harry Clement, born NoVember 29, Iwo; Erma June, born June 6, 1903, died October 15th of the same year ; Fay, born September 6, 1904; George, born September 20, 1906; Fern., born May 14. 1908. Socially. Mr. Brinkerhoff is an appreciative member of Rising Star Lodge No 22, Knights of Pythias. He is a man of splendid personal qualifications and has lent his influence to the support of every movement calculated to benefit the community, morally, educationally or materially. A man of genial disposition and kindly manner, he enjoys the friendship of all who know him. 894 - WAYNE COUNTY. OHIO. WILLIAM BELL. The names of those men who have distinguished themselves through the possession of those qualities which daily contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have enjoyed the confidence and respect of those about them, should not be permitted to perish. Such a one is William Bell, whose name needs no introduction to the readers of this book, and whose reputation is international, having long been one of America's importers of blooded horses. He is one of Wayne county's leading citizens and takes an abiding interest in whatever pertains to the general upbuilding of the community. Mr. Bell was born in Bole, Nottinghamshire, England, December 17, 1861, the son of Samuel Bell, Sr., and Martha (Ell's) Bell. The father, a man of sterling worth and excellent business traits, was born at Gainsboro, England. He was a stock man and well known in that line of business. William Bell was educated in the village schools of Bole, finishing his education at Wesleyan school, Gainsboro. Soon after finishing school he came to America, when nineteen years of age, bringing some horses with him, for he had early in his youth decided to follow the footsteps of his father in the stock business. He established himself at Montreal, Canada, and began importing horses, but believing that a better field for .his operations existed at Wooster, Ohio, he soon afterwards came here. He had some valuable experience before coming west, shipping horses from New York, where he first landed, to Boston and other points, gradually becoming a more expert judge of horses and learning how to manage the business profitably, having by this time gained a very extensive knowledge of the commercial side of stock raising and selling. He formed a partnership with his brother, Samuel, the firm being known as the Bell Brothers, in 1880. They were successful from the first in this venture and the business grew from year to year, until today it has a national prestige. They have imported one hundred stallions a year for the past five years. The first few years was not especially "easy sailing" and the business has gradually grown unti4, it has reached immense proportions. They are importers of shires,—Percherons, Belgian, and German coach horses,—all full blooded, and they are greatly admired by all Who see them. They also handle large numbers of American bred horses. That Mr. Bell is an excellent judge of livestock is shown by the following letter, which he received from the International Live Stock Exposition at Chicago, where he was a judge in 1909, which is self-explanatory : WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO - 895 "Union Stock Yards, "Chicago, Ill., December 22, 1909. "Mr. William Bell, "Wooster, Ohio. "Dear Sir : The able and efficient service rendered our Exposition by your worthy self, as judge of the Percheron horses, is deserving of more than passing comment, for you not only justified the action of the board who selected you to act in this important capacity, but you also acquitted yourself with such credit that your splendid service was a subject of much commendation, and I am pleased to be able to report that not a single complaint of any description was brought to my attention in connection with your work. This must be exceedingly gratifying to .you when you consider that your decisions were watched also by the entire livestock world, so to speak for, as the International is regarded as the 'Court of Last Appeal,' you, therefore, descriptively speaking, held the position of a judge of the supreme court. "I desire to thank you most heartily fo1 your painstaking efforts, and sincerely trust that you will not hesitate to command me should I, at any future time, be able to prove myself of service to you. "Wishing you the compliments of the season and hoping that the New Year will bring you much happiness and increased prosperity, I am, "Yours very truly, "B. H. HEIDE, "General Superintendent." In all his extensive and varied interests Mr. Bell has shown himself to Le a master of details, possessing rare executive ability and business acumen of a high order. With duties that would greatly worry the average man, he has his labors so systematized that he experiences little or no trouble in doing them. He is a vigorous as well as an independent thinker, a wide reader, and he has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. He is also strikingly original and fearless, having a keen discernment, prosecuting his researches after his own peculiar fashion, caring little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, tradition or the accident of birth. He is essentially cosmopolitan in his ideas, a man of the people in all that the term implies, and in the best sense of the word a representative of that virile manhood which commands and retains respect by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct conduct. Mr. Bell was married in Wooster March 28, 1888, to Ella Camp. Her parents were Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Brosius) camp, who lived in North- 896 - WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO. umberland county, Pennsylvania. The mother died in 1876 and the father in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Bell had two children, a son, William Ellis, born October 29, 1894, died at the age of four years and seven months; a daughter, Esta Elizabeth, born June 7, 1901, and who is attending school. She is a bright little girl and the joy of her parents. Fraternally Mr. Bell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious membership is with the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are whole-souled and very pleasant people fo meet in their home at No. III South Market street, where every one is made welcome.