550 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY shimer, of Jefferson township, and they have three children—Lena, Helen and Frank. Clyde L. Siple attended the public schools of West Unity until he had attained the age of nine years and later continued his studies in the schools of Superior township. After leaving school he held a position as salesman in a mercantile establishment in Montpelier for a period of five years, after which he secured appointment to his present position, in which he has served most acceptably since 1902, having one of the important rural mail routes of the county. He is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, in whose cause he takes a liyely interest. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is affiliated with the local organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order, while Mrs. Siple, as well as himself, is identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. January 23, 1902, Mr. Siple was united in marriage to Miss Fannie H. Allman, daughter of Jacob and Hattie (Friend) Allman. of Superior township, and they have a winsome little daughter, Carrol Lucille. ISAAC N. SKELTON, retired building contractor of Edgerton, was born at North Industry, Stark county, O., in 1840. He is the son of John and Catherine (Steinmetz) Skelton, both natives of Pennsylvania. His paternal and maternal grandfather were respectively John Skelton and John Steinmetz, the latter having served with credit in the Revolutionary war. John Skelton was born in Franklin county, Pa., early in the nineteenth century, and removed to Stark county when a young man. In 1840 he came to St. Joseph township and settled on land that was entirely in the woods, which he at once proceeded to clear 'and bring to a high state of cultivation, equipping it with all the buildings necessary to successful farming. At North Industry he operated a large six-burr flour mill run by water power, the building being a six-story wooden structure. The products of this mill soon became so popular that the farmers for miles around patronized him. He died at his home in 1862, highly esteemed by all who knew him. He and wife were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: William, Isaac N., Caroline, Rachel. Mary, John and James Grear. Isaac N. Skelton was reared on his father's farm, receiving a fair public school education. Having learned the building trade he followed that occupation in Edgerton for some years with marked success, as the number and character of the buildings erected by him indicate. In answer to his country's call for volunteers he enlisted first in the Thirty-eighth Ohio infantry, serving ten months, and afterwards in the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio, serving four and one-half months, when he was mustered out of the seryice at Camp Bradford, Md., by virtue of the close of the war. He took part in the Battle of Stone River and several other important engagements. As a matter of course he takes a deep interest in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is actively identified with Post No. 568, at Edgerton. After the close BIOGRAPHICAL - 551 of the war he returned to his farm and gave his undivided attention to its successful management. In 1901 he removed to Edgerton, where he lives a contented and retired life. He was wedded in Florence township to Miss Margaret, the daughter of Thomas and Caroline (Bratton) Day. Their marriage has been blessed with these children: Jennie, now Mrs. Monroe Enterline, of St. Joseph township; Ida, the wife of Max Fisher, of Toledo, O.; Oma, the wife of Eugene Bryant, of DeKalb county, Id.; Oda, now Mrs. Robnett, of Toledo, O., and Archie I., a machinist and musician of Toledo, O. Mr. and Mrs Sketon are United Brethren church . WILLIAM R. SLAYBAUGH, a prominent citizen and official of Montpelier, is of German extraction, his ancestors having emigrated to America in a very early day, settling in Pennsylvania. His grandparents were John George and Mary Magdalena (Fair) Slaybaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Maryland, where she was born in 1787. The Slaybaugh family came from Perry county, Pa., to Ohio about the year 1828, when William Slaybaugh, the father of the subject of this sketch, was fifteen years old, and settled in Richland county. His maternal grandfather was George Rank, who came to Richland county in 1831. Both families followed the occupation of farming and the grandparents on both sides died on the farms on which they first settled. The parents of William R. were William and Sarah (Rank) Slaybaugh, who spent their lives in Richland county, both dying in Shelby, the father on May 29, 1893, and the mother on January 18, 1898. The former was born September 5, 1813, and the latter on March 8, 1820. They were the parents of the following children: Derial Bruce, still a resident of Shelby; George E., of Montpelier; Ida S., the wife of J. J. Shultz, of Enon Valley, Pa., William R. and Catherine Elizabeth, the latter being the wife of Max Dickerson, of Shelby. William R. Slaybaugh was born in Shelby, Richland county, on May 25, 1856. He was reared in his native town and educated in its public schools. His first work was on the farm, where he remained four years. In 1882 he remoyed to Bloomville, Seneca county, O., and engaged in the manufacture of bricks, continuing there until the spring of 1884, when he removed to Montpelier, and there he has since continued in the same line of business, adding a cider mill in 1887. In 1887 he was elected to the city council of Montpelier, re-elected in 1889, and served almost continuously up to 1899. In 1890 he was elected for a term of three years to the city school board. Since 1899 he has served continuously as a trustee of the water works. Mr. Slaybaugh is prominently identified with the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, having passed the chairs of the Masonic lodge twice and those of the Odd Fellow lodge twice. In religious matters he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma R. Hill, born August 30, 1859, the daughter of Louis and 552 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY Sarah (Weagley) Hill, the latter deceased. Mrs. Slaybaugh died November 7, 1891. To these parents there were born the following children: William Asher, a resident of Montpelier; Brenard T., of Butte, Mont., and Maude, Carl, Esther and Ruth, all still at home. JAMES SNOW, who gained independence and definite prosperity through long identification with the great fundamental industry of agriculture, is now living retired in the village of Pioneer, where he has a pleasant home and is enjoying the rewards of his former years of application. He was born in Lysander township, Onondaga county, N. Y., on the 1st of August, 1828, and is a son of Isaac and Ruth (Elliott) Snow, who immigrated to the west in 1839, locating on a pioneer farm five miles west of Morenci, Lenawee county, Mich., whence they come to Williams county in 1844, taking up their residence in Bridgewater township, where the father reclaimed a farm of one hundred acres, the land having been heavily timbered at the time when he secured possession of the same. Both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in this county, honored by all who knew them. James Snow secured his rudimentary education in his native county in New Ydrk and later attended the common schools in Michigan and Ohio, while he early became inured to the sturdy work of clearing land and assisting in its cultivation. He removed to Hillsdale county, Mich., and there continued as a successful farmer until 1887, when he returned to Williams county and took up his residence in Pioneer, where he has since lived practically retired, having accumulated a competency through his farming and stock-raising operations. In 1864 he tendered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting as a private in Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he received his honorable discharge. Up to the time of the Civil war he affiliated with the Democracy. but since that time has given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party. He has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than forty years, and his wife has been a member of the same since she was fourteen years of age, while his first wife was likewise a devoted member of the church. He first married Miss Elizabeth Alfred, who was born in Geauga county, O., March 27, 1834, and who was a resident of Hillsdale county, Mich., at the time of her marriage. She died and is survived by two sons, Pomeroy and Sylvester. In 1887 Mr. Snow was united in marriage to Mrs. Elvira Loretta Doolittle, daughter of Erastus Eggleston, who was an honored pioneer of Williams county. Her first husband, Samuel A. Doolitte, died in this county, April 22, 1864, at the age of thirty-seven years, leaving two daughters, Ida Amelia and Eva Melissa. No children haye been born of the second marriage. BIOGRAPHICAL - 553 JOHN K. STAUFFER, a successful and thrifty farmer of Center township, was born near his present homestead on August 3. 1848. He is the son of Samuel and Susannah (Miller) Stauffer, both natiyes of Lancaster county, Pa. His grandparents were Samuel and Susannah (Kiser) Stauffer, both natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Wayne county, O., in 1834, and both died there. His maternal grandparents, Christopher and Susannah (Killinger) Miller, both natives of Pennsylvania, removed from their native State first to Stark county, O., then to Wayne county and finally to Williams county in 1845, and settled on the farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres, on which John K. Stauffer was born. He and wife were ardent members of the German Reformed church. Here he died in 1868, aged eighty years, and his wife in 1878, aged eighty-six years. Samuel Stauffer, the father of John K. Stauffer, had the benefit of a fair common-school education and chose farming as his avocation. In the spring of 1848 he came to Williams county and located on the farm which his son, the subject of this sketch, now owns. In politics he was an enthusiastic Democrat. He died on July 21, 1874, and is suryiyed by his widow who is now in her eightieth year. To them were born six children, four of whom are now living. John K. Stauffer grew to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common-schools. Twelye years he spent in Montana, where he was engaged in the sheep-raising business, owning at one time three thousand five hundred head of sheep on his ranch. While engaged in this enterprise he made fifty-one round trips from his farm to Montana, the distance being seyenteen hundred miles. While he shipped a great many sheep of his own he was also engaged in shipping for other parties. During his stay in the West he spent three months in California. In 1904 he settled on the old homestead, a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, now owned by him, which he has greatly improyed by erecting substantial buildings on it, and which he has also brought to a high state of cultiyation. In politics he is identified with the Populist party. On March icy, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Hagemann, born in Crawford county, O., March 8, 1854, the daughter of Frederick and Sophia (Overlander) Hagemann, the latter born in 1831, and both natives of Germany. They came to the United 554 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY States in 1853 and lived one year in Buffalo, N. Y., whence they removed to Crawford county, O., and twelve years later to Defiance county. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics and with his wife a member of the Lutheran church. He died on the homestead May 19, 1900, and his wife on December 28, of the same year. To them were born nine children, of whom four sons and four daughters are yet living, one having died in infancy. John K. Stauffer and wife have had six children. Their names follow: Samuel M., who died in 1893, in Montana, aged eighteen years and four months, but was buried in Bryan, O.; Gertrude, now the wife of William O'Brien, residing at Cut Bank, Mont. They were married July 5, 1899. Delbert K., Magnolia, who was married to Walter Mann on April 19, 1905, and now resides at Big Springs, Tex.; John L., and the youngest, who died in infancy. WILLIAM H. STAUFFER, a prosperous farmer of near Bryan, was born in East Union township, Wayne county, O., on May 9, 1846, and is the son of Samuel Stauffer, a sketch of whose life appears in the preceding review. William H. Stauffer grew to manhood on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools of his home county. He chose farming as his life's calling, and since 1892 has owned a farm of eighty acres of very fertile and valuable land seven miles northwest of Bryan. General farming and stock raising constitute his occupation, at both of which he has been unusually successful. In political affairs he as a Democrat has always taken a deep interest in his party's success and has held the office of township trustee for two terms. Together with his wife he is a charter member of Grange, No. 444, both having joined that organization in 1874. On October 26, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Azuba Paine, who was born in Huron county, O., on December 8, 1848, and is the daughter of Ira and Electa (Birdsill) Paine, the former born in Vermont in 1810 and the latter in New York. Ira Paine is the son of Rufus and Azuba (Sanderson) Paine, both natives of Vermont and among the earliest settlers of Huron county, where they located in 1817. His wife died in 1856 and he survived her two years. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Stauffer were Isaac and Anna (Thurston) Birdsill, the former a native of New York. They settled in. Huron county, in an early day, where he died. His widow, who died in Williams county in 1877, afterwards married John Smothers, who died in Delaware county, O. Ira Paine was reared on a farm and had the benefit of a fair common school education. In 1869 he came to Williams county and settled in Center township. In politics he was identified with the Republican party and with his wife was a member of the Christian church. He died on the homestead in 1884 and his widow still resides there at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are still living. To William H. Stauffer and wife there have been born two children. Jessie, the elder, was born July 17, 1874, and was educated in the Montpelier high school. She taught four terms of school BIOGRAPHICAL - 555 in the same district, which is the best of evidence that she was a successful teacher. She is now the wife of Adelbert Leu of Montpelier. They have four children, the names of whom follow: Freda, Carson, Oneta and Karline. Otiwell Clyde, the younger, was born June 21, 1877, and was educated in the common schools and the Montpelier high school. He is a farmer by occupation and owns sixty acres of land in Center township. During the winter months, he teaches, having followed that calling for eight years. His wife was Miss Lulu Jaques of Williams county, the daughter of H. L. Jaques, mentioned elsewhere in this work. To them one child been born, Dale by name. JOHN H. SMITLEY, manager of the Denman tile and brick works, in West Unity, and the owner of a good farm in Brady township, is one of the worthy and popular business men of this section, where he has resided for the greater portion of the time since his boyhood. He was born in Columbiana county, O., October 19, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Cook) Smitley, the former of whom was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1811, while the latter was born in Columbiana county, O., where their marriage was solemnized. They came to Williams county in 1863 livingliving. John K. Stauffer grew to manhood on a farm and and settled on a farm of sixty-two and one-half acres, in Brady township, north of West Unity, where they passed the remainder of their lives, being held in high esteem in the community and both being consistent members of the Christian church,. while the father was a Republican in politics and a loyal citizen, though never an aspirant for office. He made a success of his farming enterprise, and he passed his last days in retirement, in West Unity, where he died on the 13th of January, 1898, his wife having been summoned to the life eternal in 1892. They became the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living. John H. Smitley secured his early education in the public schools of West Unity, and was reared to the discipline of the home farm. After initiating his independent career he continued to be identified with farming about six years and he then entered the employ of W. I. Pepple, in the manufacturing of brick and tile, assisting in the building of the factory and continuing with this concern about one year, after which he was employed about two years by the firm of Neff & Holtzberger, of West Unity. He and Mr. J. G. Neff then engaged in the meat business in this city, continuing operations about two years, after which they were associated in the manufacturing of tile and brick for four years, at the expiration of which they sold out to Dr. William M. Denman and L. B. Kent, in whose employ Mr. Smitley continued for the ensuing five years. For the following two years he was employed in the tube works at Shelby, O., then returning to West Unity and being employed at the Denman tile and brick works for four years. He then passed one year on his farm, since which time he has been manager and superintendent 556 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY of the Denman plant, as noted in the opening sentences of this sketch. He also owns the old homestead farm of sixty-two and one-half acres, on which he was reared, and the same is well improved and under effective cultivation. Mr. Smitley is an uncompromising Republican, and he served two terms as a member of the city council of West Unity and one year as a member of the board of education. He is affiliated with Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons, and Evergreen Lodge No. 637, Knights of Pythias. November it, 1874, Mr. Smitley married Miss Ellen Feiguson, of Shelby, Richland county, and they became the parents of three children—William, who died in infancy; Erma, who died at the age of seven years; and Fay, who was five years of age at the time of death. Further bereavement came to Mr. Smitley on the 13th of February, 1899, when his loved and devoted wife was summoned into eternal rest. ARTHUR E. SMITH, proprietor of a livery and .dray line at Edgerton, is the son of John and Almira (Spangler) Smith, both natives of Center township, where the homestead is still owned. by Mrs. Smith. John Smith was quite prominent in public affairs and eminently successful in dealing in live stock. He died in May, 1880, aged thirty-seven years. George Smith, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, in an early day removed from his native state, New York, to Ohio and settled on a farm in the same township in which his son and grandson were born, and he lived there the remainder of his days. Jacob Spangler, the maternal grandfather of Arthur E. Smith, came from Germany directly to Center township, where he entered land and in time became quite prominent in public affairs. A large family of children survives him, all of whom are engaged in farming and other occupations. Arthur E. Smith was born in Center township, January 12, 1866, and when quite small removed with his parents to Edgerton, where he grew to manhood and received a fair education. The first work that he did for himself was on a farm in St. Joseph township, where he continued for some years and then returned to Edgerton: For the past sixteen years he has been engaged in the livery and draying business and has met with unusual success, his knowledge of horses aiding him materially. In public affairs he has taken a prominent part, having been elected and re-elected to the office of constable on the Republican ticket. In the work of the Knights of Pythias he is deeply interested. He married Miss Cora R. Neidhart, the daughter of Lewis and Regina Neidhart, of Defiance county. They have had three children, named Gladys E., Mable E. and Arthur O., all being still at home. FREDERICK SMITH, one of the substantial farmers and stock-growers of Brady township, where he has lived from his childhood days, is representative of that loyal citizenship which has so signally conserved the advancement of the best interests of Williams county, BIOGRAPHICAL - 557 and consistency is maintained in according him recognition in this publication. In the sketch dedicated to his younger brother, George Smith, appearing below, due genealogical data are given, so that a further record concerning the family history is not demanded at this juncture. Frederick Smith was born in Germany, on the 26th of December, 1844, and is the eldest son of Adam Smith. When he was but three years of age his parents took up their residence in Williams county, and here he was reared to the sturdy labors of the farm and secured a common-school education, while he has never withdrawn his allegiance to the agricultural industry, through which he has gained independence and definite prosperity. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, having purchased the property in 1865 and having reclaimed much of the land from its wild state. He has made the best of improvements on the place, including the erection of good buildings, and maintains the land under a high state of cultivation, while he also gives special attention to the breeding of high-grade draft horses. In politics Mr. Smith is a stalwart Republican, and in 1900 he served as land appraiser. He and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he has been identified since he was fifteen years of age, and he served as Sunday-school superintendent for thirty years and as class leader for six years. For the past nine years he has been a director of the Brady Insurance Company, a substantial and well managed local institution. December 28, 1865, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Catherine Fig-gins, who was born in Richland county, O., November 11, 1846, being a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Fidler) Figgins, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Ohio in the '30's, and in 1847 Mr. Figgins came to Williams county and purchased a tract of eighty acres of wild land, upon which he and his family located two years later. He reclaimed his land and became one of the well-to-do farmers of Brady township, where he died in 1879, his wife having passed away in 1877. He was a Democrat in politics and he and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their five children two are living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of fiye children, namely: Mary E., Effie (deceased in infancy), Lydia, Arthur E., and Ellen M., the last named having died on the 21st of October, 1903. GEORGE SMITH is one of the leading business men and representative citizens of West Unity, where he has capitalistic and industrial interests of an important nature, testifying alike to his individual enterprise and to his interest in the general welfare of the community. Mr. Smith was born in West Unity, on the 31st of March, 1855, and has passed his entire life in Williams county. He is a son of Adam and Katherine (Drum) Smith, both of whom were born in Germany, the former on the 31st of March, 1820, and the latter was born on the 21st of the same month and year. Adam Smith died March 5, 1905, and his venerable widow still maintains 558 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY her home in West Unity. Adam Smith was a son of Frederick Smith, who passed his entire life in Germany, dying at the age of eighty-two years. The original German spelling of the name was Schmidt. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were Peter and Elizabeth (Bauer) Drum, the former having met his death by drowning. His widow and tell children came to America about 1857 and settled in Brady township, Williams county, and members of the family were prominently concerned in the organization of the German Methodist church in this township. Mrs. Drum passed to the life eternal in October, 1861, and her descendants are now very numerous in Williams county. Adam Smith came from Sandusky county to Williams county in April, 1848, making the trip with team and wagon and being accompanied by his wife and their two children, the other four children having been born in Williams county. Adam Smith purchased eighty acres of land in Brady township, and hired men to clear the same, having been a wagonmaker by trade and having followed this vocation to a greater or less extent for a number of years after locating in this county. He was a Republican in politics, having joined the party ranks soon after the organization was effected, and he and his family have been prominent and valued members of the German Methodist church, in which he was a class-leader for nearly a half century. The six children all reside in Brady township, and within a radius of two miles from the old homestead farm, their names, in order of birth, being as follows: Frederick, Peter, Elizabeth, Jacob, Adam and George. George Smith passed his boyhood days on the home farm and was afforded the advantages of the public schools of his native county. When seventeen years of age he became a salesman in the general merchandise store of Hollington & Elliott, of West Unity, remaining with this firm for nine years and then becoming associated with Robert W. Lant Ely in the purchase of the stock and business. Lant Ely was employed as a salesman with Hollington & Elliott at the same time Mr. Smith was and when they united as partners in business they succeeded Hollington & Elliott. They removed the goods into a frame building which stood on the site of the present store of Leland B. Kent. This building was destroyed by fire, on the 2d of August, 1888, and Messrs. Smith & Ely then erected the building now occupied by Mr. Kent, who owns the property. Mr. Smith disposed of his interests in the building and business in 1889. For two years thereafter he owned and operated the local creamery, after which he devoted his attention to farming until 1893, when he engaged in the grain business and in the manufacturing of boat oars. In December, 1898, he disposed of his interest in the manufacturing enterprise, but he has since continued in the grain business, which has grown to extensive proportions, and in 1899 he purchased the flour mill of Rings & Beach, which he has since operated, in connection with his well equipped grain elevator. In 1902 Mr. Smith was instrumental in the organization of the West Unity Manufac- BIOGRAPHICAL - 559 turing Company, in which he is one of the principal stockholders, the concern being engaged in the manufacturing of house furnishings and boat oars. He is the owner of ninety acres of valuable land in Brady township, a portion of the tract lying within the corporate limits of West Unity. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Republican party, but he is an uncompromising adversary of the liquor traffic and his views are in harmony with the principles of the Prohibition party, though he believes that reforms must largely come through one of the dominant political bodies rather than a third party. He has served many years as a member of the school board and takes a deep interest in the educational affairs of the community. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Smith is identified with the Presbyterian church. September 19, 1883, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Julia Wilson, who was born in the state of New York, a daughter of William and Lydia (Fanning) Wilson, both of whom died in Canandaigua, that State. Her maternal grandparents passed their entire lives in Rushville, N. Y., where her only sister now resides. Mrs. Smith was graduated in the high school at Ann Arbor, Mich.. and was a successful teacher in the West Unity schools prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children—Frederick G., Clara, George, Jr., Paul and Julia, the eldest son being now a student in the Ohio State University, in Columbus. DANIEL B. STEWART, M. D., is one of the venerable and highly honored members of the medical profession in Williams county, where he was engaged in active practice for more than forty years, and he has been a resident of the county for more than half a century and is well known in all parts of the same, through his long continued and self-abnegating ministrations as a physician. The Doctor was born in Columbiana county, O., on the 16th of September, 1824, and is a son of John and Catherine (Pepple) Stewart, the former of whom was born in Maryland and the latter in Columbiana county, O., where their marriage was solemnized. Matthew Stewart, grandfather of the Doctor, was a pioneer of Columbiana county, where he died, and in that county also died John and Catherine Stewart, both having been devoted members of the Reformed church, and the father was a Democrat in his political proclivities and a farmer by vocation. Of the seven children in the family there are living: Daniel B., subject of this sketch; Sarah, the wife of Jeremiah Bates, of Columbiana county; and Henrietta, the wife of Andrew Thomas, of Salem, that county. Dr. Stewart was reared to the sturdy of discipline of the home farm, and his preliminary education was secured in the typical log school house, with its puncheon floor, slab benches and wide fireplace, and he remained at the parental home until he had attained the age of twenty-six years. He prepared himself for the medical profession through effective study and clinical work under able preceptors, and he is known as one of the able pioneer physicians 560 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY of Williams county. He here took up his residence in September, 1851, locating on his present fine farmstead, which comprises eighty acres, in sections 15 and 16, Jefferson township. He reclaimed the land to cultivation and has made excellent improvements on the property, and has ever given his personal superyision to its work and management, though finding in the earlier days an insistent demand upon his time and attention in his professional labors, which called him forth in all kinds of weather, day and night, oyer often almost impassable roads, entailing the greatest of personal discomfort, which he cheerfully bore that he might relieve distress and suffering. It is thus but natural that he is held in affectionate regard in the county where he has labored so long and so faithfully, and he is now practically retired, having passed the age of four score years. In 1850 Dr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Millwert, who proved a devoted wife and helpmeet until death seyered the silver cord of her gracious life, her demise occurring in 1871. Of the three children of this union the following record is given: Sarah Jane, who remains at the parental home, was a teacher for a number of years and is a lady of culture and gracious presence; Emma, who became the wife of Jason Crow, died in 19o3; and John Henry is engaged in the meat-market business at Montpelier, this county. Dr. Stewart is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he seryed nine years as treasurer of Jefferson township, while he was also school director for a number of years. GEORGE W. AND PETER O. STIVING are so intimately associated in their farming and stock-growing operations owning one of the fine landed estates of Madison township, that they may appropriately be mentioned in the same connection in this publication, and they are to be noted as sterling representatives of one of the honored pioneer families of Williams county. They are sons of Philip and Leah (Dohm) Stiving, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, on the 9th of May, 1821, and the latter was born in York county, Pa., in 1823, having been a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Dohm. Christian Dohm came to America in the Colonial era from Germany, and he seryed as a valiant soldier in the Continental line during the Revolution. He continued his residence in Pennsylvania for a number of years and then came to Crawford county; O., where he became a pioneer farmer. He passed the closing years of his life in Williams county, where he died in 1859, and here his wife passed away in 1868. Philip Stiving was a son of Jacob and Savilla (Weidner) Stiving, or Stibing, as the name was originally spelled, and was a lad of thirteen years at the time of his parents' immigration to America, in 1834. They located near Shelby, Richland county, O., where the father reclaimed and improved one of the best farms of the county, there continuing to reside until his death, which occurred in 1875. His wife survived him by a number of years, passing the closing years BIOGRAPHICAL - 561 of her life with her children, in Williams county, where she died at the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Both were members of the German Reformed church. They became the parents of five children, all now deceased. Philip Stiving and Leah Dohm were married in 1845, and they continued to reside in Richland county until 1856, when they came to Williams county and settled on a tract of eighty acres of wild land, in Madison township. He had purchased this property in 1851, for two hundred and fifty dollars. He not only reclaimed this place from the wilderness but became the owner of other land, which he likewise improved, having been the owner of four hundred and ten acres at the time of his death. Concerning Philip Stiving the following words of appreciation have been written and are well worthy of perpetuation in this connection: "On starting out in life for himself he was without capital, but with the aid of a devoted and faithful companion he met with success in his undertakings and at his death left a large and valuable estate to his children. In 1856 he moved to Williams county, locating on the farm where his sons are now living. Five years previously he had made a trip on horseback to this county, and at that time purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land. Soon afterward he contracted to have forty acres of timber slashed and deadened, but on locating here he had to cut a road a mile in length in order to moye his household effects by wagon to his new home. Finding an old log shanty near his land, he fixed it up and lived there until the following season, when he built a hewed-log house on the place. In later years he erected on the old homestead, comprising two hundred and forty acres, a commodious two-story brick residence, a large barn and substantial out-buildings, making it one of the most desirable farms of the locality. He was a popular man, widely and favorably known, a stanch Democrat in politics, for a number of years served as township trustee, and also filled many minor offices of honor and trust. He became a member of the German Reformed church when twenty-one years of age, and was ever after a true and consistent Christian. His wife also believed as he did: That if we do right in this life we will receive our reward in the life to come, whether we are members of church or not. During the early times in this county wild game was to be had in abundance, and he killed all kinds of game for his own use." Philip Stiving was summoned to eternal rest on the 12th of March, 1888, and his devoted wife passed away on the 6th of the following October. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living: Catherine E. is the wife of Philip Weidner, of Madison township; Jacob W. is a representative farmer of the same township; Mary is the wife of William Traxler, of the same township; George W. is mentioned later on; Sarah A. is the wife of Wesley B. Greek, a prominent resident of Madison township; Peter O. is one of the subjects of this sketch; Emma J. is the wife of Jefferson D. Keller, of Madison township; and Savilla L. is the wife of John Kunkle, of Madi- 36 562 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY son township. George W. Stiving was born in Richland county, O., January 15, 1851, and he was thus about seven years of age at the time of the family removal to Williams county. He was reared to manhood on the home farm and early began to assist in its development and cultivation, and his educational advantages were those afforded in the local schools. He and his brother, Peter O., have been associated in their farming and stock business for many years and are the owners of a fine landed estate of three hundred acres, the old homestead secured by their honored father so many years ago. They have kept the place up to the highest standard and are numbered among the most progressive farmers of the county. For some time they gaye special attention to the buying and shipping of stock, but they have practically withdrawn from this field of enterprise. George W. Stiving was married on October 21, 1888, when Miss Anna Kiser became his wife. She was born and reared in Fulton county, having been a daughter of John Kiser, a successful farmer of that county. The only child of this union died in infancy, and the mother passed away three years later, on the 4th of January, 1893, since which time Mr. Stiving has made his home with his brother, Peter O. Both are stanch adherents of the Democratic 'party and keep well informed on the questions and issues of the hour, and both have been called upon to serve in offices of local trust and responsibility. One of the unique and attractiye features of the Stiving homestead is the fine deer park of four acres, in which the brothers have been very successful in the raising of the beautiful deer, such as formerly ran wild through this section. Peter O. Stiying's early training and education were practically the same as that of his brother, and during their years of intimate association in business the most amicable devotion has been shown and their mutual fealty has been unwayering. August 15, 1878, Peter O. was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Kunkle, who was born and reared in Williams county, a daughter of Henry S. Kunkle, to whom reference is made elsewhere in this work. She died in February, 1881, leaving no children. In 1887, Mr. Stiving married Miss Mary E. Wallace, who was born in Millcreek township, this county, January 22. 1868, being a daughter of Lockwood M. and Emily (Stantz) Wallace, the former of whom was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., September 13, 1842, and the latter was born in Crawford county, O., July 13, 1845, their marriage being solemnized November 26, 1863, in Williams county. Lockwood M. Wallace was a son of Samuel and Mary T. (Alvord) Wallace who were numbered among the pioneers of Williams county, and here he was actively identified with farming during the greater portion of his active career. He finally retired from farming, passing the closing years of his life in the village of Kunkle, where he died at the home of his daughter, Mary E. Stiving, on the 26th of December, 1903. He served one and one-half years as a Union soldier in the Ciyil war, and his political views at. BIOGRAPHICAL - 563 the time of his death were those of which William J. Bryan has been the chief exponent. He was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, as was also his wife, who died June 9, 1899. Three daughters survive the honored father. Mr. and Mrs. Peter O. Stiving haye five children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are here entered: Martha Belle, January 2. i888; Grover Cleveland, July 31, 1891 ; Bessie R., April 17, 1894; Dorothy Reed, March 3, 1899; and Justus Omer, March 8, 1903. ELI STONER, owner of one of the finest farms in Jefferson township, Williams county, is a native son of the old Buckeye state, which he has honored by his life and services, haying won a distinctive success through his own efforts and having so ordered his course as to command at all times the respect and confidence of his fellow men. Mr. Stoner was born in Stark county, O., on the 20th of October, 1832, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Oberlin) Stoner, the former of whom was born in York county, Pa., and the latter in Cumberland county, Pa. As a lad of sixteen years Charles Stoner removed from Pennsylvania to Stark county, O., where he was reared to maturity and where he worked at the carpenter trade for a number of years. About 1837 he removed to Wood county, where he purchased a tract of wild land, which he reclaimed to cultivation, and in 1860 sold out and removed to Stark county, where he bought one hundred and twenty-five acres of tillable land. There he and wife continued to reside until their respective deaths, honored by all who knew them. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Jonathan, who is a farmer of Stark county; Eli, who figures as the subject of this sketch; Mary Ann, who is the wife of John Oberlin, of the same county; Susanna, whose first husband was William Basum and her second husband was William Caldwell, both deceased. She now resides in Dalton, Wayne county; Elizabeth, who was first married to Ephraim Groop and after his death she married James Garman and resides in Stark county; Margaret, who is the wife of John Gouchenhour, and they reside in Wayne county; Sophia, who first married Jacob Rease, and after his death she married George Neff and they reside in Stark county, O. Eli Stoner received a common school education in the pioneer schools, and he continued to be associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm until he had attained to the age of thirty-two years. He resided in Stark county until 188r, when he came to Williams county and purchased his present farm, upon which he has made many improvements, making it one of the best in the county. The place comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres, all available for cultivation, and Mr. Stoner gives his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of liye stock, and his energy and good 564 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY management enable him to gain the maximum returns from his farming enterprise. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities. In 1867 Mr. Stoner was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Heister, daughter of John Heister, a prosperous farmer of Stark county, and of this union have been born seven children: Ira, who is a physician and surgeon, is engaged in the practice of his profession at Ransom, Hillsdale county, Mich. He married Miss Elizabeth Hoover and they have one daughter, Nellie. Sanford is a successful school teacher and is engaged in pedagogic work in Leadville, Cob.; Laura is the wife of Arthur Beerbower, and they reside with Mr. Stoner and have two children, Ava and Howard. Cora is the wife of Clarence Shiffler, of Pulaski township, and they have one child, Gladys. William C., who married Miss Olive Shafer, and has one child, Ardis, is preparing himself for the medical profession, and is now at Vilas, Kan.; Albert remains on the homestead farm, and Thurman is preparing to enter Ann Arbor University. CHARLES W. STOY, a prosperous and prominent farmer, is a native of Williams county, O., where he was born on the old homestead, near Bryan, on January 1, 1857. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (Keesey) Stoy, both natives of Tuscarawas county, O. After their marriage in 1850 they removed to Williams county in 1854 and settled on the farm now owned by their son, C. W. Stoy. As the land on which he settled was all in the woods, he went to work at once to clear and improve it. During his lifetime William Stoy erected substantial buildings on it and brought it to a high state of cultivation, and was rated one of the substantial farmers of the county. In politics he was identified with the Republican party, and with his wife he was a member of the Evangelical Association. He died on the homestead September 8, 1898, his wife having died four years earlier. To them were born nine children, seven of whom are still living. C. W. Stoy grew to manhood on his father's farm and received a fair common school education. Having been thoroughly trained in the occupation of farming by his father, and finding the work agreeable to his taste, he chose it as his life work, determined to succeed as his father before him had done. As his father was an ardent Republican it is but natural that the son should have the same political views. He is the owner of the homestead, consisting of eighty-three acres of some of the finest land in the county. This was not given him by his father, but was purchased by him. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Steward of Williams county, by whom he has had two children, named Della and Ray. All that Mr. Stoy possesses he has made by his own effort. By practicing industry and economy he has acquired a competency. BIOGRAPHICAL - 565 REV. W. J. STOY, a prominent preacher and a successful farmer of Center township, was born on the old homestead in Williams county on February 16, 1855. His father was William Stoy, mention of whom is made in the preceding review. W. J. Stoy grew to manhood on a farm and received only a limited education in the common schools of his native county. This school training he has supplemented by hard earnest study, so that he may really be called a self-educated man. This learning he has nut to good use by preaching the Gospel. At the age of twenty-one years he became a member of the United Brethren church and four years later of the Conference of that organization. For twelve years he gave his undivided attention to the ministry and since then has devoted a part of his time to general farming. His farm of two hundred acres is well equipped with all the necessary buildings, well stocked and in a high state of cultivation, proying that he is a progressiye farmer as well as a successful preacher. This double occupation, as might be expected, makes him a very busy man. For some time he was identified with the Republican party, but of late years he has been an Independent, voting for such men as were, in his judgment, best fitted for the positions they sought. The only political office that he has ever filled is that of township assessor. On December 30, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia E. Hughes, who was, born in Williams county in November, 1856, and is the daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Albert) Hughes, both natives of Seneca county, O., where the former was born in 1829. They removed to Williams county in an early day. Ephraim Hughes was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics and with his wife a member of the United Brethren church. He died in 1901 and his widow still suryives. They had eleven children, of whom six are living. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Stoy was Thomas Hughes, a natiye of Ireland and a pioneer of Seneca county, where he met a violent death, having been killed at a railroad crossing. To Reyerend Stoy and wife there haye been born seyen children, six of whom are liying. They are: Maude B., George Firman, Beulah Blanche, Florence Mildred, Celitia Esther, Frank Estel and Walter Jennings. 566 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS .COUNTY NATHANIEL B. STUBBS, M. D., who stands at the head of the drug firm of N. B. Stubbs & Son, of Stryker, was actively engaged in the practice of medicine in this community for a long term of years, being widely known as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the county, even as is he recognized as a worthy scion of one of the old and distinguished pioneer families of this favored section of the Buckeye State, where practically his entire life has been passed. Dr. Stubbs was born in Brady township, Williams county, O., on the 18th of May, 1838, and is a son of William M. Stubbs, who was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., June 22, 1810, the eldest of the seyen children of John and Phoebe (Miller) Stubbs, both of whom were likewise natives of the old Empire State, where the respective families were early founded, both being of English extraction. William M. Stubbs was reared and educated in New York State and remained at the parental home until the time of his marriage. In 1836 he came to Williams county, O., and purchased two hundred and twenty acres of heavily timbered land in Brady township. No roads had been constructed, neighbors were few and widely separated and the county was but little more than an unbroken wilderness. He made a clearing on his land and there erected a log cabin of the type common to the pioneer days in this section, and there then devolved upon him the herculean task of reclaiming his land to cultivation. He effected the development of a fine farm, making the best of improvements on the same and becoming one of the most substantial agriculturists of the county. He continued to reside on his homestead until 1878, when he removed to Stryker and became a partner with his son, Dr. Nathaniel B., in the drug business, this association obtaining about two years, after which he lived retired until his death, which occurred November 21, 1900, and his cherished and devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal in 1893. Her maiden name was Margaret A. Collins, and she was born in the State of New York, being a daughter of David and Sabra (Blanchard) Collins. Six children were born of this union, and it is germane that a brief record concerning them be here incorporated: Martha, who became the wife of William Sheridan, died in 1875; Chauncey C., who married Miss Ella Grant, of West Unity, this county, is now an extensive stock-grower in Montana; Roxana L. is the wife of John G.. Rumsey, of Stryker, mentioned individually in this work; Dr. Nathaniel B. was the next in order of birth; Phoebe A. became the wife of Samuel A. Smith and both now are deceased; and Sabra A. resides in Stryker, being the widow of Dr. Danforth P. Aldrich, who was one of the representative physicians of this county. William M. Stubbs was a man of strong intellectuality and forceful individuality, while his attributes of character were such that he ever commanded unqualified confidence and esteem in the county of which he was a sterling pioneer. He served as associate judge of the county and also as justice of the peace in Brady township, having been a stanch Democrat in his political adherency. Dr. Nathaniel BIOGRAPHICAL - 567 B. Stubbs passed his boyhood days on the old home farm and was accorded the advantages of the common schools of the locality. He initiated his independent career by becoming a salesman in a dry-goods establishment in Stryker, while later he was successfully engaged in teaching in the district schools of the county. In 1861 he engaged in the grocery business in Stryker, and in 1864 he was appointed clerk in the quartermaster's department of the Union army at Wheeling, West Va., serving until the close of the war. Upon his return to Williams county he became associated with his brother-in-law, Dr. Danforth P. Aldrich, in the drug business in Stryker, and here he has ever since been prominently identified with this line of enterprise. Dr. Aldrich withdrew from the firm in 1877 and thereafter the father of Dr. Stubbs was associated in the enterprise for two years, as has already been noted in this context. Then the Doctor individually continued the business until August 3, 1889, when he admitted his only son. W. S. Stubbs, to partnership, under the present firm name. In the meanwhile, aside from the valuable discipline gained through his active connection with the pharmaceutical business, Dr. Stubbs had taken up the technical study of medicine in a careful way, and in 1871 he was matriculated in the Cleveland Medical College, where he was graduated in February of the following year, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwith began the practice of his profession, in connection with his drug business, and he continues his active and able labors as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Stubbs has ever taken a deep and helpful interest in local affairs of a public nature, and his attitude has been that of a generous and public-spirited citizen. He is a stalwart Democrat and has served as trustee, clerk and treasurer of Springfield township, as a member of the city council of Stryker, and as a valued member of the board of education, having been incumbent of the office of school director for the long period of thirty-six years. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1862 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Stubbs to Miss Eliza S. Stone, who was born in Essex county, N. Y., being a daughter of Granville and Maria (Butler) Stone, and two children represent the offspring of this union: Walter L., who was born in Stryker, October 17, 1867, is associated with his father in. business, as has already been stated, and is one of the progressive business men and popular citizens of his native town. He is a Democrat in politics, served two years as a member of the city council and two years as a member of the board of education, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. Cora L. is the wife of John H. Carpenter, of Laporte, Ind., and they have two children, Helen E. and Mildred. PETER T. SUFFEL, a prominent and successful farmer of St. Joseph township, was born July 3, 1880. He is the son of Peter and Sarah (Goeltzenleuchter) Suffel, the former a native of Ba- 568 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY varia, Germany, and the latter of Stark county, O. His grandparents were Philip and Caroline (Radenbaugh) Suffel, who emigrated to America and came directly to Ohio, locating on a farm three miles southeast of Edgerton, where he died in 1857, and his widow in July, 1885. Peter Suffel was quite young when he came with his parents to the United States. Having been reared on a farm, he naturally chose farming as his avocation. In politics he was a Democrat, and with his wife a member of the Lutheran church. He married Sarah Goeltzenleuchter February 18, 1855, and to this union eleven children were born, all but two still liying. Those living are: Julia A., Solomon H., William, Sarah, Emanuel, Hannah, Harriet, Benjamin and Peter T. Those deceased are: Caroline, the eldest, and Irwin, the tenth child. Mr. Suffel died July 31, 1898, aged sixty-seven years, and his widow still survives, residing in St. Joseph township, aged sixty-seven years. The parents of Mrs. Suffel were Philip R. and Dorotha (Shaefer) Goeltzenleuchter. both born in Pirmasens, Bavaria, Germany, who came to the United States about 1837 and located near Waynesburg, Stark county, O., and in 1844 came to Williams county, where the father died December 3, 1872, aged sixty-two years. His widow survived him many years, dying December 6, 1899. The parents of Dorotha Shaefer were Henry and Catherine (Gilbert) Shaefer, both natives of Germany, who came to Stark county in 1837, where the father died in 1844, his wife suryiving him twelve years, dying in DeKalb county, Ind. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Suffel were Christian and Catherine (Deihl) Goeltzenleuchter, who lived and died in their native land. Peter T. Suffel was born and reared on the old homestead and received a fair education in the public schools of his home county. For two years he was engaged in the saw-mill business, in which enterprise he succeeded quite well. Then for some time he worked in the basket factory at Edgerton, but for the past three years he has farmed on the old homestead. He is a man of push and enterprise and succeeds at anything he undertakes. CLYDE E. THOMAS merits recognition as one of the able and progressive newspaper men and popular citizens of Williams county, being editor and publisher of the Montpelier Leader. He was born in Florence township, this county, on the 21St of March, 1865, and is a son of Albert P. and Nancy J. (Dole) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February i6, 1834, while the latter was born near Salem, Columbiana county, March 1, 1844. Our subject's father came to the county in 1840 when he was but a child, and the country was an unbroken forest. He attended such schools as the county afforded until about eighteen years of age when he attended a graded school at Orland, Ind., a few terms, which prepared him for teaching, and that worthy vocation he followed ten or twelve years. In 1864 he was married to Nancy J. Dole and settled on a farm in Florence BIOGRAPHICAL - 569 township, where he remained until 1876, when he sold that farm and bought another and larger one, two and one-half miles northeast of Montpelier, residing there until 1893, when he retired and removed to Montpelier, where he now resides. The mother came to Williams county with her parents, who settled on the farm which is now the Thomas homestead in 1855, and remained here attending school until 1864, when she was married. Her mother, Mrs. Lenorah Dole, now more than ninety years old, is still living in Bryan. The Thomas family is an ancient and honorable one, and according to Welsh traditions the history of the family commences with Urian Rheged, a prince of Northern Britain in the sixth century, who was expelled from his principality by the Saxons and took refuge in Wales, from which have emanated the principal American branches of the family, twenty-eight representatives of which had come to the new world prior to 1699, and the name was prominent in the early wars as well as that of the Revolution. The ancestry of Clyde E. Thomas is traced in direct line to William Thomas, concerning whom the following interesting data have been secured for reproduction in this connection: "A cruel fate was that of William Thomas, who, in 1712, essayed to embark for America from the city of Bristol. He had large possessions which he converted into cash. This, together with the clothing for himself and family, he put on board the vessel. Before the day appointed for its sailing Thomas and his family found to their consternation that the vessel had set sail, but was not yet out of sight. Pursuit was made in a small craft and signals hoisted, but with no result. The vessel passed from sight and the family were left destitute. They, however, obtained credit and came to this country, landing in Philadelphia, where they had the mortification—as is set down in the records—of seeing some of their goods in possession and some of their wearing apparel on the backs of those who had purchased them from the dishonest master of the vessel. They were not able to recover anything. Fortune, however, favored William Thomas in the country of his adoption, and he became a leader among the people. He gave each of his five sons and two daughters a farm and stone house upon the occasion of their marriages. He also erected a stone meeting-house at his own expense. Although the congregation probably assisted him, Mr. Thomas himself worked in finishing the interior of the building. He made the pulpit out of a hollow gum tree, which was laid on a platform. At that time `Elder Thomas,' as he was called, for he was often engaged in preaching, was nearly sixty years of age. He always carried his gun and sword to meeting, depositing them at the foot of the pulpit, this being the period of the French and Indian wars." From this stanch old Pennsylvania patriarch is descended Clyde E. Thomas, and he may well take pride in reverting to the genealogical records for the intervening decades. He was accorded the advantages of the district schools near the home farm, in Florence and Superior townships, and was a student 570 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY about one year in the Montpelier high school, but his education has been largely through well-directed reading and self-discipline. He continued to he associated with agricultural pursuits until he was about twenty-seven years of age, when he located in Montpelier and engaged in the real estate and insurance business, to which he gave his attention until July 1st, 1899, when he purchased the Montpelier Leader, of which he has since been editor and publisher. The paper is an eight-column quarto, issued on Thursday of each week, and is not only a vehicle for bearing the local news in acceptable form, but for upholding the best interests of the community, and Mr. Thomas has made it a power in furthering the cause of the Republican party in its circulatory province. Mr. Thomas is at the present time incumbent of the office of mayor of Montpelier, and his administration has been marked by wise and progressive policies and due conservatism. He has also served as city clerk and as a member of the board of state deputy supervisors of elections, retaining the latter position two terms. March 28, 1905, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Nettie M. Powers, daughter of Hiram and Flora (Coonly) Powers, originally of Orono, province of Ontario, Can.. but later of Galesburg, Mich. DAVID THOMAS, a successful farmer residing near Edgerton, was born in Holmes county, O., on December 14, 1830. He is the son of Jacob and Mary (Domer) Thomas, both natives of Pennsylvania. Jacob Thomas was born in Bedford, Pa., in 1801. He first removed to Holmes county and in the fall of 1842 to Williams county and settled on a farm which he at once prepared to clear and which his son David now owns. In politics he was a Democrat until 1856, when he became an ardent Republican. In religious matters he was identified with the Dunkard church. He was twice married. By his first wife, Miss Barbara Harman, he had three children, all of whom are dead. His second wife was Miss Mary Domer, by whom he also had three children, of whorl David, the subject of this sketch, is the only one living. Jacob Thomas died June 18, 1877, aged seventy-five years, and his wife February 6, 1873. aged seventy-six years. David Thomas grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving a fair common school education. He owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, a part of the three hundred and twenty acres his father once owned, and follows general farming. In politics he is identified with the Republican party. On January 1, 1857, he was wedded to Miss Catherine Snyder, a native of Crawford county, O., and the daughter of John and Caroline (Sheller) Snyder, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Saxony. William Snyder and wife, the parents of John Snyder, settled in Crawford county, where he died at the age of ninety-three and she at the age of eighty-seven years. John Snyder came to Williams county about the year 1850, was a Methodist minister for more than fifteen years and for a part of that BIOGRAPHICAL - 571 time the presiding elder of the district. He is now a resident of New Albany, Ind., aged ninety years. To David Thomas and wife were born nine children. Their names follow: John S., born March 25, 1858, a carpenter and farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics and the husband of Miss Alice VanBuskirk, of Florence township, who died in June, 1901, by whom he had two children, Mary Agatha and Ralph Waldo; Mary, the wife of Rushton G. Lint of Bridgewater township, Williams county; William, a farmer of Center township; Rebecca, now :Mrs. Connan of Bryan, O.: Caroline Matilda, who married Frank B. Laneus and died in 1886; Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of George P. Webber of Montpelier, O: David Albert and Jacob, farmers of Center township, and James. a Wabash railroad employee. His first wife having died on March 4, 1874, David Thomas married Mrs. Mary Delp, whose maiden name was Meyers, of Columbiana county, O., where she was born February 18, 1837. Of the seven children she had by Mr. Delp three are still. living, viz.: Milton, Lillie and Alwilda. ALPHEUS S. UMBENHAUR, a retired farmer and sterling citizen of Williams county, where he has passed his entire life, is a resident of the attractiye little city of Montpelier. He was born in Superior township, this county, on the 25th of October, 1850, and is a representative of the third generation of the family in the county. The genealogical data accessable traces back only to his grandfather, Philip Umbenhaur, who was born in Berks county, Pa., and of German ancestry. When a young man he removed from the old Keystone State to Frederick county, Va., locating in the vicinity of Winchester, where he was engaged for a number of years as a successful planter. In 1837 he cane to Williams county, O., and secured a tract of land in Superior township, which had been previously pre-empted by Jacob Pultz. Here he developed a good farm, to whose cultivation he gave his attention until his death, which occurred shortly before the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, and during the progress of that great conflict his wife died. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Pultz, and she likewise was born in Berks county, Pa. The remains of both rest in the old cemetery south of Montpelier. George Umbenhaur, father of Alpheus S., was born near Wnichester, Va., April 12, 1810, and was there reared and educated. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio and he passed the residue of his life in Williams county, having been one of the representative farmers of Bridgewater township at the time of his demise, which occurred November 4, 1871, interment being made in the Cogswell cemetery in Bridgewater township. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden naive was Laura Lloyd, was born in the State of New York, and she died in 1851, having been the mother of fiye children, namely: Harriet, the widow of Benjamin F. Morris, and a resident of Montpelier, O.; Benjamin F., a resident of Montpelier; Virgil A., of Beagle, Kan.; Francis Marion, deceased in 572 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY infancy; and Alpheus Shannon, subject of this review, who was aged about one year at the time of his mother's death. Laura Lloyd's grandfather Lloyd was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. George Umbenhaur consummated a second marriage, wedding Mrs. Elizabeth (Dean) Young, who was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., and they became the parents of two children—George W., who died in infancy, and Bryce H., who is a resident of Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Elizabeth Umbenhaur died in September, 1900, in Kansas, where her remains were laid to rest. Alpheus S. Umbenhaur received his early educational discipline in the common schools of Bridgewater township, which he continued to attend a portion of each year until he was twenty years of age. He was reared on a farm, and after leaving school he continued to be actively concerned in agricultural pursuits in Bridgewater township until 1884, when he removed to Montpelier, where he followed the carpenter trade for the ensuing nine years. About two years later he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Superior township, and he gave his attention to diversified agriculture and stock-growing until 1904, when he again took up his residence in the town of Montpelier, where he has since resided. He still owns a fine farm of seventy-one acres, adjoining the town on the northwest, and a farm of about seventy-five acres on the south side of the road, one-half mile west of town, the two farms being practically together, and he finds a profitable source of income from the operation of several gravel banks. He is a loyal and well-liked citizen, is a stalwart Republican, having held the offices of road supervisor and school director, and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and its adjunct organization the Daughters of Rebekah. Mrs. Umbenhaur is also an active member of the Daughters of Rebekah and has held an office in the order almost continuously since she became a member. August 13, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Umbenhaur to Miss Florence A. Stocking, daughter of Timothy W. and Sarah J. (Adams) Stocking, of Bridgewater township. Timothy W. Stocking was the fourth in a family of eight children born to John and Polly (Train) Stocking, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. The father of Polly Train was John Train, who enlisted at Tinmouth, Vt., as a private in a company of Vermont troops which was under the command of Captain Grant and Col. Warner during the Revolutionary war. Timothy W. Stocking was born in Madison county, N. Y., on January I, 1817. He was reared in York State and learned the carpenter trade. On November 24, 1838, he married Sarah J. Adams, a native of Wayne county, N. Y., where she was born on July 24, 1816. They removed to Williams county in 1854 and settled -on a farm which he purchased. In 1866 they removed to Bryan, where Mr. Stocking was connected with the United States internal revenue service, and after five years' residence there they returned to the farm, and in 1884 removed to Montpelier, where Mr. Stocking died on February 8, BIOGRAPHICAL - 573 1889. He had served three terms as commissioner of Williams county, and also as clerk and trustee of Bridgewater township. During the Civil war he filled the office of deputy provost marshal. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the National Grange. He was one of the organizers of the Republican party in Williams county. In all the various duties of life that he was called upon to perform he acquitted himself with credit and was a man highly respected by all who knew him. His wife survived him until November 1st, 1902, when she died in her eighty-seventh year. She was the daughter of Joseph and Fanny (Langdon) Adams, both natiyes of New York, where they resided in Wayne county until their deaths. The former was born August 25, 1786, and died April 17, 1861. The latter was born March 2, 1792, and died November 29, 1827. Timothy W. and Sarah J. Stocking were the parents of the following children: Joseph E. born December 25, 1840, and resides at Anita, Cass county, Ia.; Frances L., born November 11, 1843, died October 2, 1873; Annettie J., born June 19, 1846, and died November 4, 1874; and Florence A., born February 6, 1857, is the wife of the subject of this sketch. Joseph and Fanny (Langdon) Adams were married on October 1, 1801. Mr. and Mrs. Umbenhaur have no children. They are enjoying a pleasant home in Montpelier, surrounded by all the comforts incident to a well-regulated household. Mrs. Umbenhaur is one of the charter members of the "Women's Relief Corps" of Montpelier, and she is also a member of the Women's Historical Society, a local organization. WALTER S. UNGER, B.C.S., M.D., a prominent and highly successful physician of Melbern, was born in Stark county, O., August 11, 1874. He is the son of Jacob W. and Charity E. (Miller) Unger, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. His grandfather, George Unger, was the son of George Unger, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Haines, the daughter of an English nobleman, and came to Canton, O., in 1826, where both died. One of their sons, Jacob Unger, was a hotel-keeper at Minerva, O., for more than sixty years and frequently entertained William McKinley. George Unger, the grandfather of Walter S. Unger, spent his life in Canton, where he followed the trade of a shoemaker and farming, being the owner of a farm just south of the county farm of Stark county, and now is in part laid off into town lots. He married Elizabeth Smith and died at Canton in 1873,. aged sixty-two years. His widow survived him twenty-six years, dying at the age of eighty-three years. Jacob W. Unger, the father of Walter S. Unger, grew to manhood at Canton, receiving a liberal education in the public schools. When a young man he taught school in Stark county for five years, meeting with marked success. He enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, on May 2, 1864, and served until the close of the war. In 1874 he 574 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY removed to Williams county and located at Edgerton. Here he owned the first hay-press and shipped the first car load of baled hay out of Williams county. He took a deep interest in the public schools of Edgerton and served for seven years on the school board. He and wife had one child, the subject of this sketch. Walter S. Unger attended the Edgerton high school and on February io, 1894, he completed the commercial course in the Tri-State Normal at Angola, Ind., receiving the degree of B.C.S. Then he attended the Toledo Medical College one year, after which he entered the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery at Detroit, Mich., where, after two years' arduous work, he graduated with the degree of M. D. on March 23, 1897. He at once began the practice of medicine at Melbern, and now ranks as one of the most successful physicians of the county. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the school board of Center township. He is a member of Edgerton Lodge, No. 357, Free and Accepted Masons. In 1898 he married Miss Isola F. Burger of Hicksville, O., born in Noble county, Ind., June 15, 1873, and educated at Hicksville O., where she removed with her parents, Joseph and Mary Burger, about 1879. Joseph Burger served three years in the Union army and still resides at Hicksville, O., having lost his wife in 1885. To Doctor Unger and wife two children have been born, Paul W. and Dorris B. GEORGE WALKER is the owner of one of the finely improved farm properties of Northwest township, where he has maintained his home for more than forty years, and where he has achieved a position of independence through well directed effort, being now practically retired, though giving a general supervision to his farming interests. Mr. Walker was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 7th of October, 1840, and his early educational training was secured in the excellent schools of his fatherland, being later supplemented by a period of study in the common schools of Medina county, O. His honored parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Crouver) Walker, passed their entire lives in Germany, the father having been a wagonmaker and farmer. In 1857 George Walker severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and set forth to seek his fortunes in America, being dependent upon his own resources and being strong in his determination and his willingness to do whatever honorable work that would enable him to forge to the front in the New World. He landed in New York city and thence made his way to Medina county, O., locating in "Guilford township, where he was employed in farm work by the month, in the meanwhile attending the district schools a portion of the winters. In 1861 he came to Williams county and purchased fifty acres of wild land in Northwest township, and took up his residence on the place in 1863, clearing the land of its heavy timber and eventually purchasing an adjoining fifty acres, which two tracts combined makes his present finely BIOGRAPHICAL - 575 improved landed estate, which is under a high state of cultivation and gives evidence of the well directed energy which has been brought to bear in transforming it from a wild condition to a productive and attractive farmstead. He has labored earnestly during many years, has been a loyal citizen and has never lacked the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities and formerly served as trustee of his township. His wife is a member of the Christian Union church. In 1861 Mr. Walker was married to Miss Lydia Shook, who was born in Wayne county, O., on July 27, 1838, being a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kindig) Shook, who were pioneers of Wayne county, where the father died in 1879 and the mother in 1889, both having been members of the Lutheran church, the father being a Democrat in politics and a farmer by vocation. Following is a .brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker: Albert R., who married Mary E. Hamilton, is a successful farmer of Northwest township; Emma became the wife of Edward Norris and her death occurred in February, 1903, one child, Charles Thurman, surviving her; Charles William, a farmer of this township, married Neocia Humphrey, and they have two children, Velma Viola and Estella May; Elizabeth Ellen is the wife of Elmer Humphrey, a farmer of Northwest township, and they haye one child, Mabel Grace. JAMES F. WALLACE, a prominent and highly successful farmer, near Melbern, was born in Columbiana county, O., August 18, 1835. He is the son of William and Martha (Laughlin) Wallace, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of the State of Pennsylvania. William Wallace came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Columbiana county, where William Wallace is buried, and Mrs. Wallace is buried near Bryan. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics, serving as township assessor, and was regarded as an upright and exemplary citizen by all who knew him and who had dealings with him. His wife remoyed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling on a farm in Columbiana county, where her parents died. William and Martha Wallace were the parents of eight children. four sons and four daughters, all liying except two daughters. James F. Wallace was reared on a farm and. received a fair common school education in Columbiana and William counties, having come to the latter county with his mother and family about the year 1855. While a farmer by occupation he learned the carpenter trade, at which he proyed quite successful, as is shown by the substantial buildings he erected, not only for himself on his farm, but also for other parties. On September 20. 1864, he was drafted into the United States army and served as a private in Company K, Forty-seventh Ohio infantry regiment. His command captured Fort McAllister and continued with Sherman's army until the surrender of Lee, when it went to Richmond and thence to Washington, and was mustered out of seryice on- 576 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY May 31, 1865, Mr. Wallace being honorably discharged at Columbus, O. In 1877 he located on the present homestead, a farm of eighty acres of well improved land which is equipped with all the necessary buildings. In politics he is a Republican, serving as such in the capacity of township supervisor for four years. On February 18, 1862, he was wedded to Miss Lydia Nihart, born in Williams county, January 20, 1844, the daughter of Jacob and Anna Mary (Frock) Nihart, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Four children have blessed the marriage of James F. Wallace and wife. Leroy G., the eldest, was born March 6, 1863, and was educated in the public schools of his home county. He is a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics and an active member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. William J., the second son, was born July 6, 1865, and received a fair public school education. By occupation he is a railway clerk, operating on the line from Cleveland to Chicago. He married Miss Rose Parcher, of Williams county, and by her has had four children. They are: Selma Irene, Blanche Esther, Wilma and Carlton, the latter being deceased. Lawrence N., born July 17, 1869, and educated in the public schools of Bryan, is employed in Edgerton and is a Republican in politics, having served for some years as deputy probate judge at Bryan. He married Miss Letitia Potts and has a family of two children, named Cleo and Carmen. Harry F., the youngest, was born February 25, 1871, and was educated at Bryan and the State Business College of Toledo. He has served as stenographer in the Ordinance department of the United States government at Akron, O., as manager of the Wallace Collecting Agency, and as a typewriter salesman. He is wedded to Miss Nellie Bucklew and has two children, Marion and Mildred. JOSEPH WARNER, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Bridgewater township, is a natiye of Wooster, Wayne county, O., having been born there on November 12, 1831. He is the son of David and Leah (Dierdorf) Warner, the former born in 1803 and the latter, a natiye of Pennsylvania, in 1805. His paternal grandfather, a soldier in the war of 1812, died in Stark county, O., at the age of ninety-eight years. A sister of this venerabel man lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and three years. David Warner first came to the neighborhood of Camden, Stark county, O., where he cleared a farm, and his next move was to Wayne county and later to Crawford county. In 1864 he removed to Bridgewater township, Williams county, where he died June 16, 1878, his wife having died July 11, 1876. Joseph Warner grew to manhood on his father's farm and received such an education as the common schools of his day afforded. For twenty years he followed the occupation of threshing. He came to Williams county in 1864 and now owns a valuable and highly productiye farm of one hundred and seven acres. As a Democrat he has served the BIOGRAPHICAL - 577 people in the capacity of trustee and school director. In religious matters he and wife are deyout members of the Church of God. On September 1, 1852, he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Fry, a daughter of Henry and Amy Fry, both natives of Pennsylvania. His wife died June 22, 1873. To the marriage of Joseph Warner and wife there were born nine children, all of whom are living. They are: Sarah Ann, David, Amy, Samantha Ellen, Joseph, Mary, Matilda, Daniel and Jane. WENDEL E. WASNICH has the distinction of being one of the representative farmers of the township and county in which he was born and reared and in which he is held in high regard by all who know him. He was born on the old homestead farm, in Jefferson township, Williams county, O., on the 12th of January, 1865, and is a son of John and Margaret (Rempp) Wasnich, the former of whom was born in Richland county and the latter in Wayne county, O., and both came to Williams county when young, having been married here. John Wasnich was the son of Wendel Wasnich, who was born in Germany, from whence he came to America when a young man, settling in Richland county, O., where he remained until 1850, and then came to Williams county and settled in Jefferson township, where he secured eighty acres of land, which he reclaimed from the virgin forest, eventually selling the property and purchasing another farm in the same township. He passed the closing years of his life in the homes of his children, and his death occurred in August, 1891, while his wife died in 1879. John Wasnich learned the trade of a carpenter, to which he devoted more or less attention for many years, and he lived on the homestead now owned by his son, Wendel E., up to the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1891, while his cherished and devoted wife was summoned into eternal rest in March, 1879. Both were members of the German Reformed church, and in politics he was a stalwart Democrat, having held various public offices of a local nature. This worthy couple became the parents of three children: Wendel E., whose name introduces this paragraph; Minnie, the wife of William Bly, of Jefferson township; and Claudia, the wife of Ellsworth Connley, of Jefferson township. Wendel E. Wasnich has lived on the old homestead farm from the time of his birth to the present, and he has found the agricultural industry well worthy of his continuous allegiance, having attained success through his interposition therewith, and he has held the same unqualified confidence and esteem as were enjoyed by his honored father. On the 15th of January, 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Barr, who was born in Richland county, O., being a daughter of John and Lydia (Bly) Barr, the former of whom was born in Wayne county, O., and the latter in Virginia. Mr. Barr came to Williams county in 1885, and the family settled in Jefferson township, where he became a prosperous and influential farmer. He died in April, 1904, and his wife still 37 578 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY lives on the homestead farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wasnich have two children—William W. and Alma M.. Mr. Wasnich was educated in the public schools of his home county and is a man of intelligence ana forceful individuality, taking a loyal interest in local affairs and being a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. In the spring of 1901 he was elected trustee of Jefferson township, for a term of three years, and he has served three years as a member of the school board of his district and also as a road officer. Both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. THE WATERSTON FAMILY.—For nearly three-fourths of a century the Waterston family has resided in the State of Ohio, and for more than fifty years it has been actively identified with the growth and development of Williams county, its members being recognized as belonging to the class of the leading and substantial citizens. Very generally they have followed agricultural pursuits and, true to their sturdy Scotch ancestry, they have been industrious and conservative. In every instance they have discharged faithfully the duties incumbent upon good citizens, two of them having served their country as soldiers during the dark days of the Civil war, and one the county in the capacity of a public official. The Waterston family is of Scotch stock and was founded in the United States and Ohio in 1831, by Alexander Waterston. This worthy ancestor was born at Dalkeith, Scotland, March 6, 1805, the elder son of Simon and Janet (Thorburn) Waterston, both natives of Scotland. His early education was obtained in night-schools and he learned the tanner's trade with his grandfather, Alexander Thorburn, and followed that occupation until twenty-one years of age, when he went to the city of Edinburg and there learned the baker's trade which he followed until he sailed for America. On September 15, 1829, he was wedded to Miss Janet Forrest, a native of Penicuik, Scotland, where she was born on August i8, 1806. In 1831 he emigrated to the United States, landing on the Fourth of July at New York City. From there he at once removed to what is now the State of West Virginia. A year later he removed to Belmont county, O., where he spent ten years on a farm. Then he removed to Richland county, O., where he purchased a farm and resided there until 1853, when he came to Williams county and established his permanent residence there. Although the county at that time was a veritable wilderness, he soon had a log cabin erected for his family, and then he began the work of "blazing the way for future generations." The hardships and trials through which he passed were met with the true pioneer spirit, and he was permitted before his decease to enjoy the fruits of his endeavors. Possessed of the sterling traits of character of his Scotch ancestors, he lived a long and useful life, winning not only a competency but also the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. He was a Republican in politics and in religious matters a devout member of the Presbyterian church. Full of years and honors he died at his homestead on March 12, 1875, and was sur- BIOGRAPHICAL - 579 vived by his widow until September, 1895. The children of this worthy family who grew to manhood and womanhood were as follows: Simon; Thomas, deceased; James, deceased; William; Mary, the widow of the late Jonathan M. Haynes of Bridgewater township, and Elizabeth, the wife of Wallace Culbertson of Paola, Kan. Simon Waterston, eldest of the children of Alexander Waterston, was born on May 20, 1830. When two years old his mother brought him to the United States to join his father, who had gone the previous year. His boyhood and youth were spent in Belmont and Richland counties, both in Ohio. His father having given him his time when twenty years old, he went to Huron county, O., and worked in the first dairy establishment there. That fall he started for the Michigan pineries, but stopped at Detroit and worked in a saw-mill until the close of navigation. Then he took up firing on the Michigan Central railway, and fired the first engine that went into Chicago on wheels from the east of that city. In i852 he returned to the farm in Richland county and, in the fall of the year; came to Williams county. On October 27, 1852, he and his father purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild land in section 28, Bridgewater township. About the first of December his father purchased the northeast quarter of section 28, and later his brother Thomas bought the northwest quarter of the same section. On September 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company H of the Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, serving under General Thomas in Kentucky, tinder General Buell in his famous march to Shiloh and his retreat north, and then under Generals Rosecrans and Thomas until the fall of Atlanta, when, as lieutenant, he was ordered to take the surplus baggage of the Third division of the Fourteenth Army Corps back to Bridgeport, Ala. Here he remained until General Sherman's army reached Washington, where he joined his regiment and took command of Company H, and he was mustered out as first lieutenant at Louisville, Ky., on July 12, 1865. Returning home, he resumed farming and followed that occupation until 1888, when he removed to Montpelier on account of poor health from exposure in the army, and has since resided there. Mr. Waterston was one of the twenty-eight citizens who organized the Republican party in Williams county, only two of whom are now living, the other being James Cummins, of Madison township. Of the principles of that organization he has ever since been a strong advocate. His party has frequently honored him with election to public office in his township, such as trustee and treasurer and notary public. He became a Mason in 1861, an Odd Fellow in 1879, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1888. On April 13, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Cyrena Lindsay, a native of Essex county, New York, and the daughter of Francis W. and Polly (Adams) Lindsay. The Lindsays removed from New York State to Michigan in 1837, and three years later came to Bridgewater township, Williams county. To Mr. Waterston and wife the following children were born: George T., born February 17, 1855, who lives on one-half of the old homestead; an 580 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY infant, deceased; Anita C., the wife of Samuel S. Hayes, of Bridgewater township; Frank L., a member of the board of county commissioners, and Jennie A., now Mrs. Fred A. Bowers, of Northwest township. On June 15, 1905, the beloved wife of Simon Waterston was called to her eternal rest. She was a noble wife and mother and a devout member of the Presbyterian church. She died at their home in Montpelier and is buried in Riverside Cemetery. WILLIAM T. WATERSTON, a well-to-do farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Bridgewater township, was born in Belmont county, O., on May 25, 1841. He is the son of Alexander Waterston, mention of whom is made in the preceding memoir, and Janet (Forrest) Waterston. William T. Waterston grew to manhood on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools of his home county. On March 3, 1865, in answer to his country's call for defenders, he enlisted as a private in Company C of the One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until December 17, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from service because of the close of the war. He now owns the farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which his father cleared and on which he settled on September 3, 1853. He is an ardent Republican and has served as township treasurer for ten years. In religious matters he and his wife are actively identified with the United Brethren church. In 1876 he was wedded to Miss Lucretia Haines, the daughter of Michael and Rebecca (Lowe) Haines, who came to Bridgewater township in 1854 and there spent the rest of their days. both being natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Waterston was born in Stark county, O., January 5, 1851. To William T. Waterston and wife there have been born the following children : Ursula, the wife of Frederick Lantz and resides on a farm at Bridgewater Center; Augusta, the wife of Elsworth Brandon, M. D., of Edon, O.: an infant, deceased; Belva, the wife of Noah Spieth, residing on an adjoining farm to the homestead; and Scott. who resides with his parents at home. Mr. and Mrs. Waterston have justly earned the competence which they now possess and to-day are enjoying all the comforts of a rural home. They stand high in the community in which they have spent the greater portion of their lives, an inheritance more to be valued than worldly goods. JACOB F. WEAVER, of Montpelier, is one of the most public-spirited citizens of Williams county, and his efforts have been specially potent in connection with the development and upbuilding of his home town, where he was formerly engaged in the real-estate business in a most active war, having platted and improved additions to the town and otherwise promoted the material and civic advancement of this section. Mr. Weaver comes of stanch German ancestry and wag born in Center township, this county, July 22, 1857, being a son of William and Lovina (Steele) Weaver. The paternal grandparents, Samuel and Mary (Stauffer) Weaver, were natives of Lancaster county, Pa., whence they came to Ohio in an early day, becoming BIOGRAPHICAL - 581 pioneers of Wayne county, where Samuel Weaver was engaged in farming until 1855, when he came with his wife to Williams county and located in Center township, where he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his death, and his wife also died in that township, both having been consistent members of the English Lutheran church, while he was a stanch Republican from the organization of the party until his death. They became the parents of six children : William, father of the subject of this sketch; Samuel, a successful farmer of Center township; and Anthony, Ephraim, Susan and Harriet, all of whom are deceased, except William and Samuel. William Weaver was born in Lancaster county, Pa., June 22, 1822, and he was a child at the time of his parents' removal to Wayne county, O., where he was reared and educated amid the environments of the pioneer era. In 1853 he came to Williams county and purchased eighty acres of wild land in Center township and instituted the reclamation of the same. In 1868 he sold this property and purchased a farm one mile southeast of Montpelier, where he continued to be actively identified with agricultural enterprise until 1900, when he sold the farm to his son. Jacob F. Weaver, and has since lived retired. He is a radical Republican in politics and is a valued member of the, Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder. His wife, who died in 1891, was likewise a devoted member of this church. She was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Long) Steele, of Wayne county, where her marriage to Mr. Weaver was solemnized in the year 1844. Concerning the ten children of this union the following brief data are given: Caroline is the wife of George Warns, of Missouri Valley, Ia.; Sarah is the wife of Nathan Zeigler, of Center township; Mary, who became the wife of James Nichols, of Alton, Kan., is deceased; Irenus is a resident of Cedar Rapids, Ia.; Samuel L. is a merchant of Lake Park, Ia.; William O. is engaged in the granite business in Lafayette, Ind.; Jacob F. is the immediate subject of this reyiew; Libbie H. is the wife of Lemanuel McIntosh, of Missouri Valley, Ia.; Addie C. is the wife of George W. Gilcher, of Jefferson township; and Sherman E. is a representative farmer of Superior township. Jacob F. Weaver duly profited by the advantages afforded in the public schools of his natiye county, continuing to attend the same until he had reached the age of twenty years, also taking a course in the high school in Montpelier. After leaving school he learned the art of photography, and in 1878-9 he operated a studio in Montpelier, after which he was employed one year as a traveling salesman for the American View Company, an establishment of W. R. Babcock. of Toledo. In 1882 he went to Clay county, Ia.. where he remained a few months, engaged: in farming, and he then returned to Montpelier, where he engaged in the painting of portraits, to which line of enterprise he gave his attention until 1891, when he purchased the real-estate business of Pratt & Joy, of Montpelier. and carried on active operations in the handling of local realty until 1904, since which time he has been less active, though he gives his attention largely to the management of his farm, also manages the farms of Mrs. J. K. Young and other real-estate 582 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY holdings in the county. He laid out four additions to the city of Montpelier, placing one hundred and six lots on the market and showing much discrimination in exploiting the attractions of his additions and in securing their development in a proper way, and he was able to offer exceptional inducements to home seekers. For two years he was in partnership with Isaiah W. Pressler in the real-estate business. He was one of the organizers of the Fidelity Building and Loan Association, of which he was one of the first directors, and he was its vice-president for many years and its appraiser for a decade. In politics Mr. Weaver is a stalwart Republican, but he has never sought or desired office, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, as was also his first wife. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and was one of those prominently identified with the organization of the Montpelier lodge of Knights of Pythias, in which he served as chancellor commander and held the various other official chairs, and he assisted in organizing a number of lodges elsewhere in the county. He is not an active member of the lodge at the present time. February 7, 1884, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Hattie L. Arter, daughter of Christian M. Arter, of Superior township. She died April 26, 1885, leaying one child, Arter J., who was graduated in the Montpelier high school as a member of the class of 1905, and at present is taking a course in law at the Ada Law School. March 8, 1893, Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Martha E. McCrea, daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Lindersmith) McCrea, of Columbiana county, O. Her parents died while she was quite young and James K. and Jane (McCrea) Young, an uncle and aunt, provided her and her brother, William McCrea, with a home. She continued to reside with them until her marriage to Mr. Weaver. She received a good common school education and completed her studies in the Hillsdale College at Hillsdale, Mich., from which institution she graduated in music with the class of 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have one child, Lisle McCrea, who is now attending the Montpelier schools. It might be well to say to the credit of Jane (McCrea) Young, who so nobly filled the place of mother to Mrs. Weaver, that no mother ever manifested a greater interest in her own child than Mrs. Young did in behalf of her niece, and that Mrs. Weaver lovingly appreciates all the kindness bestowed on her; and to-day Mrs. Young is an honored member of the family and all expect to live together until called, to the great beyond. GEORGE WEBBER, a retired farmer and a well-known citizen of Bryan, was born near Tuebingen, Kingdom of Wertemburg, Germany, on July a, 1832. He is the son of Jacob and Dora (Baumiller) Webber, both natives of Germany. The family was one of the old and respected ones in the Fatherland and followed farming for a living. Jacob Webber died in his native country about the year 1848. His widow emigrated to America in 1855 and died in Richland county, O., soon after her arrival there. Four children were born to them, as follows: Jacob, who came to America with his brother, William, BIOGRAPHICAL - 583 in 1854; Dora, who married and died in her native country; and George, who came over in 1852 and settled in Richland county, O. George Webber received his education in the public schools of his native country and there began to learn the cabinet maker's trade. When his father died he returned to the home farm. In 1852, in company with five other young men of the same place, he emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Richland county, O., separating from his companions at New York city. In Richland county he found a relative of his mother and here he began work at the car, penter trade. In 1856 he married and the year following removed to Williams county, locating in Madison township, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres and followed farming and carpentering. Having sold his farm in Madison township he removed to Jefferson township, in 1863, where he also purchased eighty acres of land and continued farming and carpentering, the latter occupation, however, only a year or two. He remained there until 1872, when he sold his farm and removed to Millcreek township, a mile and a half south of Alvordton, where he had purchased a fine farm of two hundred acres, and there followed farming for eight or nine years. During that time he was also engaged in the agricultural implement business at West Unity. In 1880 he removed to Alvordton and there engaged in buying and selling hay and in dealing in agricultural implements, and he remained there until about 1892, when he removed to Bryan. Here for fiye years he engaged in buying and shipping hay, and then retired from active business. He always took a deep interest in public affairs, and held the office of trustee in Jefferson and Millcreek townships, serving two years in each instance. Next he was elected a justice of the peace of Millcreek township, which office he held for nineteen years. He was elected for twenty-one years, but resigned two years before the expiration of his last term. While a resident of Millcreek township, in 1878, he was elected county commissioner and served one term of three years. During his incumbency a wing was added to the county infirmary and other improvements were made. At one time he owned six hundred acres of farm land, of which he gave three hundred and twenty to his three oldest children. He now owns one hundred and forty-two acres in Center township, two miles west of Bryan, and other valuable improved real estate in Bryan. In politics he is a Democrat. For thirty-four years he was identified with the Lutheran church, then for five years he affiliated with the United Brethren church, but finally returned to the Lutherans. In 1856 he was wedded to Miss Christine Wilour, a native of Baden, Germany, who came to this country when an infant. She died on July 12, 1878, aged fifty years, three months and twenty-three days, leaving three children, as follows: George, who resides at Alvordton and is wedded to Florence Tressler; William, a resident of Alvordton and 584 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY the husband of Ella Poulson; and Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Schrider of Alvordton, by whom she has had two children, George and Helen. George Webber was married the second time on October 26, 1879, Miss Sarah Bevire being his choice. She was born in Richland county on June 20, 1841, and is the daughter of Simon and Catherine (Bevire) Bevire, natives of the State of New York and of Highland French stock on both sides of the family. One child has been born to this union, Earl by name, who is single and resides at home. FREDERICK WEBER, a successful farmer near Bryan, is a natiye of that county, haying been born there on April 2, 1843. He is of German stock, both of his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Nihart) Weber, being natives of Germany. His maternal grandfather, \valentine Nihart, a native of Germany, died in Williams county. When Frederick Weber and wife were still quite young they emigrated to the United States with their parents, landing at Baltimore, Md., whence his people removed to Monroe county and hers to Tuscarawas county, both in Ohio. After their marriage they settled, in 1840, in Williams county on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he at once proceeded to clear, improve and cultivate. He was a stanch Democrat in politics, a farmer by occupation, and with his wife a member of the German Reformed church. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, only two of that number now living. Frederick Weber grew to manhood on his father's farm and received an elementary education in the schools of Center township. Haying chosen farming as his life's work, he has been continuously engaged in that, to him agreeable and profitable occupation. He is the owner of ninety acres of some of the best and most productive land in the county, all of which is the result of his careful and skillful management. Naturally a farmer, he has made it his daily study, and as a natural consequence he has a well equipped and a highly productive farm. He finds that general farming is more remuneratiye than any other kind of farm work, and for that reason giyes it his undivided time and attention. In politics he is affiliated with the Democratic party, though in no sense an office-seeker, and with his wife he is a member of the German Reformed church. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Muhl of Jefferson township, Williams county, the daughter of Peter and Rebecca Muhl. Peter Muhl was born in Dudenhofen, Germany, September 3, 1803, and settled in Williams county in April, 1854, when the daughter, Mrs. Weber, was eleven years old, and there both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Frederick Weber and wife are the parents of ten children, whose names follow: John F., Hiram, Lena, Dora, Jay,. Martin, Annie, Lovina, George and an infant who died unnamed. BIOGRAPHICAL - 585 RUSUS H. WEAVER, a successful educator of Montpelier and county auditor of Williams county, was born on a farm six miles north of Tiffin, Seneca county, O., on April 10, 1873 He is the son of John M. and Minnie (Barkman) Weaver, both natives of Seneca county. His paternal grandfather. David M. Weaver, was a pioneer settler of that county. Frederick Barkman, his maternal grandfather, was a native of Stuttgartt, Germany, who emigrated to America about fourteen months before the mother of the subject of this sketch was born. John M. Weaver came to Williams county in 1883 and resided in Montpelier until about 1889, when he removed to Allegan county, Mich., where he now resides, engaged in fruit farming. His wife died in Seneca county, O., in 1881. Four children were born to these parents. They are : Rufus H. ; Frederick S., a resident of Detroit, where he is employed in railroad work; Eya T., the wife of Amandus Shuman of Seneca county ; and William E., also a resident of Seneca county. Rufus H. Weayer grew to manhood on a farm. He first attended the district schools of Seneca county, and then the graded school of Fort Seneca, of the same county, a special district school, whose teacher was George M. Hoke, afterward prosecuting attorney of the county and later city attorney of Tiffin. After his mother's death Rufus H. Weayer made his home for about four years with Henry Stoner, a farmer, and in 1886 came to Montpelier, to which place his father had moved. After attending the Montpelier schools for two years he again went on a farm, making his home with Henry C. Brish, of Superior township, whose wife is an aunt of John M. Weaver. From 1890 to 1893 he worked on the farm by the month, attending school during the winter months. In the winter of 1893 he began teaching in District No. 9. Superior township, and taught there for sixteen consecutive terms. In the spring of 1899, after haying successfully passed the ciyil service examination, he served as mail clerk on the Wabash railway between Montpelier and Detroit. He next engaged for three years in the agricultural implement business in Montpelier with T. D. Wertz. In 1904 he was elected one of the teachers of the Montpelier schools and completed the year's work. In politics he is actively identified with the Democratic party, haying hell the offices of assessor and clerk of Superior township prior to his election to the office of auditor of Williams county in the fall of 1904. His election to, this office by a majority of one hundred and 586 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY eighty-six votes is all the more remarkable, because he was the only successful candidate on his party's ticket, his associates having been defeated by over twelve hundred votes. He took possession of the auditor's office in October, 1905. Mr. Weaver has been identified for some time with the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. On June 7, 1899, he was wedded to Miss Savillah D. Shaull, born in Superior township on January 12, 1880, the daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Houseman) Shaull, one of the oldest and most highly respected families in the township. To their marriage one daughter, Blanche, has been born. PHILIP WEIDNER, head of the well-known firm of P. Weidner & Co., engaged in the general merchandise business in Kunkle, is a citizen who has turned the tide of success by his own vigorous efforts and who has gained high standing in the community both as a citizen and as a business man, and his marked prosperity has a substantial basis in honorable and legitimate effort. He was born in Richland county, O., on the 23d of August, 1840, and is a son of Wendal and Catherine (Weidner) Weidner, both of whom were born in the Rhine district of Baden, Germany, where they were reared and educated, and while both bore the same name they were not consanguineous. They were married in the Fatherland and in 1831 severed the home ties and came to America, making Richland county, O., their destination and there passed the remainder of their lives, being persons of inflexible integrity and of industrious habits. Mr. Weidner purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he reclaimed and improved, and on this homestead he continued to reside until his death, in 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, his devoted wife having passed away, in 1855, at the age of fifty-six years. Of their eight children three sons and three daughters are still living. Both were zealous members of the German Reformed church, and in politics the father was a stanch Democrat. In his native country Philip Weidner was reared to the invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm, and his educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools. In 1860 he came to Williams county, where he found employment during the first year in chopping timber and clearing land, receiving twelve dollars a month as compensation. Thereafter he devoted his attention principally to work at the carpenter trade until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, which was a part of General Hancock's corps in the Army of the Potomac. He served until the close of the war, engaged principally in guard duty, and was mustered out in Baltimore, Md., receiying his honorable discharge at Columbus, O. After the close of his military career Mr. Weidner returned to Williams county, and in the autumn of 1865 he purchased eighty acres of timber land in Madison township, initiating the work of clearing the place and erecting a small frame house on the embryonic farm. In 1867 he was married and he and his bride took up their abode in the little home which he had proyided, and both bent their energies to the winning BIOGRAPHICAL - 587 of a position of independence. Their co-operation was fruitful in good results, and the homestead farm in 1875 was one of the best in that section of the county, having a two-story frame residence and other substantial buildings, while thrift was evident on every side. In 1875 Mr. Weidner left the farm and removed to the village of Kunkle, where he invested one thousand dollars in a stock of merchandise, acquiring a third interest in a general store. Three years later he retired from the firm and for the ensuing year gave his attention to contracting and building. He then purchased the store with which he had previously been connected, and he has built up a very extensive business, the same being quartered in a commodious double store-room, in which the various departments are stocked with the best lines of merchandise germane thereto, and the trade is of a representative order and drawn from a wide area of surrounding country. The reputation of the house is of the highest, and this fact indicates the honorable business policy which has been followed without the silghtest deviation. In the business Mr. Weidner is associated with his sons, who are progressive and capable young business men. The firm also buy and ship large quantities of poultry, wool, hay, clover seed, etc. Mr. Weidner owns his store building and a handsome brick residence in Kunkle, and his landed estate in the county now comprises two hundred and fifteen acres, including his original homestead, on which he laid the foundation for his pronounced success. In June, 1903, Mr. Weidner and his two sons organized' a bank, under the State law, and they adopted the title of the Kunkle State Banking Company, under which incorporation was made and the banking business initiated. The batik has received a gratifying support and its officers are as follows: Philip Weidner, president; and George W. Weidner, cashier. Mr. Weidner is also a stockholder and director in the Kunkle Furniture Manufacturing Company. In politics he has been unfaltering in his allegiance to the Democracy, whose cause he has supported from the time of attaining his franchise. He was the first postmaster of Kunkle and retained this office for a period of eleven years, at the expiration of which he resigned in order to give his entire time to his business interests. He is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A broad-minded, public-spirited man, no citizen of the community is held in higher esteem and none has achieved success by more worthy means. In 1866 Mr. Weidner was united in marriage to Miss Catherine E. Stiving, who was born in Richland county, a daughter of Philip and Leah (Dohm) Stiving, who came to Williams county in 1856, here passing the remainder of their lives, and both dying in 1888. Mr. Stiving was one of the representative farmers of the county and a citizen of worth and influence. Concerning the Stiving family proper data will be found on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Weidner have three children: George Washington, the eldest, was born in Madison township, this county, on the ad of March, 1870, and was educated in the excellent public schools of the county. In 1891 he married Miss 'Maggie Connolly, of Madison township, and she died in 1892, leaving 588 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY one child, Maggie. In August, 1894, he married a second time, his choice being Miss Jennie Greek, daughter of Joseph Greek, of Millcreek township, and they have one daughter, Audrey. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been associated with his father in the mercantile business since attaining his legal majority. Homer Frank Weidner was born in Kunkle, October 26, 1875, and received a good educational training in the public schools, while, like his brother, he was reared to the mercantile business, in which he is now associated with his father and brother. He also is a Democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Laura Almeda Weidner was born in Kunkle, May 1, 1877, was given good educational advantages and is now the wife of John Holstien, a successful farmer of this county. They have two children—Eyaline and Florence Kathleen. LOUIS WEIGLE has one of the extensiye and finely improved farms of Superior township and is one of those who are upholding the high prestige which has so long been enjoyed by the progressive and enterprising husbandmen of Williams county, which has been his home during the major portion of his life. He was born in Seneca county, O., on the 22d of April, 1860, and is a son of George and Rosanna (Winter) Weigle. George Weigle was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 17th of November, 1821, and in the Fatherland he was reared and educated, while he there served a three years' apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, becoming a skilled workman. His father died in Germany, and in 1846, accompanied by his widowed mother, he came to America and located in Seneca county, O., where he followed his trade until 1861, when he came to Williams county and purchased a tract of land in Superior township, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, developing one of the valuable farms of the county and ever retaining the implicit confidence and regard of the community, in which his influence was always exerted for good in the various material and social relations of life. He continued to reside on his homestead until about 1892. when he removed to Winfield, Kan., where he died in September, 1897, his devoted wife, to whom he was married April 2, 1850, haying passed to the life eternal on the 20th of September, 1891. They became the parents of ten children, namely: Jacob, who married Mary Pennington and is engaged in farming in Cowley county, Kan.; Sophia, who is a resident of Winfield, Kan.; Louise. who is the wife of Jacob Beck of Montpelier. Williams county; George,. who married Miss Alice Clark and is engaged in the hardware business in Pewoma. Mich.; Louis, who is the immediate subject of this review; John, who married Miss Lura Crawford and is engaged in farming in this county; William F., who married Miss Sadie Stephenson and is now a resident of Cowley county, Kan.; Rosanna, who resides in Winfield, Kan.; and Gustave and Rosella, who are deceased. Louis Weigle received a good public school education in Superior township, being reared on the farm and continuing to attend school at intervals until he had attained the age BIOGRAPHICAL - 589 of twenty-one years. Thereafter he worked at the carpenter trade about two years, then passed about four years in the west, visiting various states and territories. He returned to Williams county in 1886 and located upon his present farm, where he has ever since maintained his home, successfully engaged in diversified agriculture and stock-growing. His farm comprises three hundred and five acres and the greater portion of it is available for cultivation, while the improvements and accessories are of the best order. Though essentially public-spirited and a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, Mr. Weigle has never sought office. His wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are popular in the community. March 30, 1886, Mr. Weigle was united in marriage to Miss Alice Griffith, daughter of Benjamin L. Griffith, a prominent farmer of Superior township, where she was reared and educated. Of this union have been born four children: Weir, in the Montpelier school; Grace, who died when two years old, the only daughter; Weldon, now attending school; and an infant who died unnamed. GEORGE B. WEILAND is numbered among the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Springfield township, and his success is the more gratifying to contemplate on the score that it stands as the diametrical result of his own efforts. He was born in Defiance county, O.. July 29, 1864. and is a son of John G. and Sarah A. (Moon) Weiland, the former of whom was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and the latter in Defiance county. O., where their marriage was solemnized. John G. Weiland was a boy at the time of his parents' immigration to America, in 1831, the family settling in Erie county, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood, receiving fair educational dvantages.. He worked on the old Erie canal and also on the lakes in his youth, and finallyremoyedd to Tiffin township, Defiance county, O., where he secured eighty acres of wild land on which a small clearing had been made and a primitive log cabin constructed, this constituting his original home. He still resides on this homestead, which now comprises one hundred and sixty-eight acres, well improved and under high productivity. He was twice married, and to his first marriage were born six children, viz.: John, Emma, Sophia, Barbara, Lucinda, and Wesley. The children of the second union were six in number, all of whom are still living: Wesley is a farmer of Pulaski township; Eva is the wife of Bruce Figley and resides in Defiance county; Christopher resides in Binghamton, N. Y.; George B. is the subject of this sketch; Hattie married John Core and resides at Sherwood, O.; Cora, who is the wife of Charles Black, resides in Defiance county; and Fannie, the wife of Charles Moog, resides in the city of Bryan,Williamss county. John G. Weiland is a Democrat in politics and has held various township and school offices. George B. Weiland was reared on the home farm and was afforded the advantages of the public schools of hisnatiyee county., including the high school in the city of Defiance. He remained at home until he had attained his legal majority, having thereafter taught two terms of school in Defiance county, 590 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY after which he clerked eight months in a hardware store at Ney, that county. He then went to Tonawanda, N. Y., and in that locality was employed at farm work one year, after which he returned to Defiance county. He there devoted his attention to farming for two years and then removed to Williams county, in 1893. He located in Springfield township, where he farmed on rented land for the ensuing seven years, at the expiration of which he purchased his present fine farnt which comprises one hundred acres, and which has long been known as the Schaeffer farm. The place is all available for cultivation and is improved with good buildings. Mr.. Weiland devotes himself to general farming and the raising of good grades of live stock, in such numbers as the exigencies of his other operations justify, and he is known as one of the energetic, progressive and reliable farmers and business men of this section, commanding uniform esteem in the community. In politics he is a Democrat, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Universalist church. December 24, 1891, Mr. Weiland wedded Miss Hattie Pumphrey, who was born in this county, July 22, 1872, being a daughter of Curtis and Sarah (Benner) Pumphrey, who came to this county from Licking county, O., in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Weiland have no children. JOSEPH. A. WEITZ, A. M., M. D., a distinguished physician and surgeon of Montpelier, was born in St. Joseph township, Williams county, on November 30, 1849. He is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Yeager) Weitz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. His grandfather was Joseph Weitz, who lived and died in his native country. Adam Weitz, born in February, 1810, attended school, learned the weaver's trade and served the required six years in the German army. In 1837 he emigrated to the United States, locating first in Portage county, O., where he worked on the canal then in process of construction, attended school one winter in order to acquire some knowledge of the English language, and then learned the stone-cutter's trade. His ability as a workman and his energetic and temperate habits soon gained for him the position of foreman of the works, a position which he filled with credit to himself and profit to his employers for a period of twenty-four years. In 1839 he was wedded to Elizabeth, the daughter of John Yeager, a native of Butler county, Pa. To these parents there were born the following children: Daniel, a resident of Indiana; John Andrew, who was killed in 1864; Harriet, the wife of John Casebeer of Indiana; Lovina, now Mrs. Isaiah M. White of Montpelier; Lucina, the widow of T. J. Stoops of Edgerton, O.; Joseph A.: Wesley, who resides at Edgerton; Thomas, who resides in the West; George, of California; William A., who died at the age of seven; and Frances, the widow of Charles F. Grisier of West Unity. In 1846 Adam Weitz removed to Williams county, and purchasing a farm in St. Joseph township, made his permanent home there. He was a Democrat until the birth of the Republican party, when he cast his lot with that organization, and was a stanch and active Republican the rest of his life. Though reared a BIOGRAPHICAL - 591 Catholic in religious belief, he in later life became a Protestant, and at the time of his death was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife. Adam Weitz died in December, 1890, his wife having died seven years earlier. Joseph A. Weitz, the third son of Adam Weitz, grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the district schools, the Butler, Ind., high school and Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich., from which institution he graduated with the class of 1876. Prior to attending college he taught three winters in the country schools. After graduating he resumed teaching as superintendent of the Edgerton public schools, following this by three years' service as superintendent of the Sylvania schools. He holds a teacher's life certificate for Ohio, being one of the first men in this part of the state to receive one. After graduating from the medical department of the University of Michigan, in 1886, the Doctor came to Montpelier and bought a drug store here, studied pharmacy at home and passed successfully the examinations required of a registered pharmacist. Two years later he sold his drug store and gave his, entire time to the practice of medicine, which he has ever since followed. From 1894 to 1897 he filled the chair of Pathology in the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery at Detroit, and from 1897 to 1890 that of Neurology in the same institution. While in charge of the professorship of Neurology he made his home in Detroit. Then he returned to Montpelier and resumed his practice. 'Beginning with 1893, he served four years in the capacity of surgeon of the Wabash Railway Company. Many meritorious articles have been contributed by him to the Reference Hand-book of Medical Science and various medical journals. Dr. Weitz is ex-president of the Northern Tri-State Medical Association, secretary of theWilliamss County Medical Society, member of the American Medical Association, member of the Ohio State Medical Association, and Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine. In the Masonic and Pythian orders he also takes a deep interest. The Doctor chose as his helpmeet in life's journey Miss Helen Fay, a native of Hillsdale county, Mich., the daughter of M. W. Fay. To this union one daughter has been born, Florence M., a student at Oberlin College, in the class of 1907. JOHN M. WELKER, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Bryan, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on January 26, 1833, and was reared and educated there. At the age of eighteen years, impelled by the energy and desire to do things which have characterized a long and honorable life, he went to Massillon, O., where he entered the employ of G. & P. Welker. Subsequently he engaged with Humberger, Oberlin & Co., remaining with that firm three years. In 1854 he removed to Williams county, and since that time he has been prominently identified with the commercial interests of this section of the State. His first employment here was with Col. William Stough, long a prominent figure in the affairs of Williams county, who at that time was conducting a general store at the village of Pulaski. At the 592 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY expiration of one year he became a partner in the business, the firm name being Stough & Welker. In the spring of 1856 the establishment was removed to Bryan. A few months after this removal the storm clouds of the panic of 1857 appeared, and the firm of Stough & Welker, as was true of scores of others, succumbed to the inevitable and was forced to close its doors. The stock of goods was purchased by George W. Myers who placed Mr. Welker in charge. In August, 1860, Mr. Welker and Jacob Howe purchased the business of Mr. Myers and conducted it under the firm name of Howe & Co. until 1865. The firm was then dissolved and Mr. Welker engaged in growing cotton in Tennessee, maintaining his home, however, in Bryan, where his family remained. As this venture did not prove profitable, he returned to Bryan the following year and accepted a position as a traveling salesman for a wholesale dry-goods house in Chicago. After working in this capacity for one year he embarked in the general merchandise business at Bryan with Andrew W. Killits, the father of John M. Killits, common pleas judge. The business proved very profitable and was continued until 1878, when the stock was divided. In 1874 Mr. Welker established a cheese factory in Bryan and later a creamery was added to it. The output of the combined concern was 140,000 pounds a year. He also owned a cheese factory at Edon and an interest in one at Edgerton. In 1878 Mr. Killitts withdrew from the partnership and was succeeded by Oscar L. Dales, a son-in-law of Mfr. Welker, the firm name being Welker, Dales & Co. After a year Mr. Dales withdrew and Mr. Welker conducted the business alone until 1885. when a partnership was formed with I. E. Gardner. In 1892 Mr. Gardner was succeeded by George M., the eldest son of Mr. Welker. This firm still exists and the establishment is readily acknowledged to be the largest dry-goods house in the county. In addition to the business interests mentioned Mr. Welker has been identified with other important enterprises, all tending to the upbuilding of Bryan and Williams county. He was one of the organizers of the Union Trust and Savings Bank of Bryan and for a long time a director of the Farmers' National Bank of the same place. For Years he has Len one of the most extensive wool-buyers in Northwestern Ohio, handling annually more than a million pounds. With his characteristic method of mastering every detail of any business in which he is engaged, he has made an exhaustive study of all branches of the wool industry from the growing of the sheep to the final consumption of the wool. In this way he became a recognized authority upon the subject. When the wool tariff was a burning politicaI question his advice was frequently sought by members of Congress, and his arguments were quoted in the halls of the national legislature and on the political hustings. Mr. Welker has contributed to the press many instructive articles on this vital subject. Although taking such a deep interest in a great political issue, and giving of his talent, time and money to promote the success of the party that has always championed protection, yet Mr. Welker has never sought political preferment. His interest in politics has been that of a good citizen and the positions that he has held have come to him unsolicited. BIOGRAPHICAL - 593 The social side of life has not been neglected by him, notwithstanding the fact that his time has been given so strenuously to business. In June, 1855, he was made a Mason in Collins Lodge of Bryan, and he is now in point of membership the oldest Mason in Williams county, Collins Lodge having been succeeded by Fountain City Lodge, No. 215. He belongs to Defiance, O., Commandery, Knights Templar, and to Cleveland Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Myers, eldest daughter of George W. Myers, one of the earliest settlers and most prominent citizens of Williams county. To this union five children have been born. They are: Emma R., the wife of Oscar L. Dales, now a practicing physician of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Alice M., deceased, who was the wife of E. T. Binns, a prominent merchant of Bryan; Julia Louise, the wife of Reuben L. Starr, a leading member of the Bryan bar; George M., who is associated with his father in business and who married Miss Minnie Haine; John J., a prominent dentist of Toledo, O., who married Miss Grace Boothman, a daughter of the late ex-Congressman Boothman. Thus in a brief way has been given the record of an active, enterprising man of affairs, an excellent type of that class to which not only Williams county but also the State of Ohio owes its position in the business world today. Although Mr. Welker has passed the allotted "three score years and ten" he is still active and vigorous and in the full enjoyment of excellent health, the priceless reward of an industrious life and abstemious habits. Such a life record is not alone of value to his immediate family and friends, but the American youth can see in it the possibilities of our citizenship, and draw from it inspiration that cannot fail to be a help to them in their individual careers. HARRY WISNER WERTZ, M. D., a well-known and successful physician of Montpelier, is a native of Williams county, having been born in Superior township on January 6, 1869. His parents are Henry and Alice (Lambertson) Wertz. Aside from the few years that he resided in Bryan, O., he grew to manhood on the parental farm, receiving his education in the country schools and the graded schools of Bryan and Montpelier. The first work that he did after quitting school was to teach for two years in the Williams county schools. In 1887 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Blair Hagerty of Montpelier, and later attended the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, from which institution he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1890. After a brief practice of four months at Edon, the Doctor removed to Montpelier, where he has since practiced with unusual success. In 1896 he received the nomination for the office of coroner of Williams county by the Democratic party and was triumphantly elected, serving with marked success for two years. In addition to his general practice he is acting as examiner of various life insurance companies. In the work of the organization of the Modern Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows the Doctor has since his majority taken a deep interest. In 1891 he was wedded to Miss Mary Waterston, the daughter of James 38 594 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY Waterston, a prominent citizen of the county. To this marriage one son, Selwyn, has been born. The Doctor is a wide-awake, progressive young man, and is meeting with the best of success in his rapidly growing practice. JOHN DEMERIT WERTZ, a prominent and highly successful dealer in agricultural implements at Montpelier, was born in Bryan, Pulaski township, Williams county, on August 29, 1866. He is the son of Henry and Alice (Lambertson) Wertz. His parents resided in Bryan until John D. was eleven years old, when they removed to the Lambertson farm in Superior township, the property of Japtha Lambertson. Here John D. Wertz grew to manhood, working diligently on the farm and attending the district school, his education being the best that the schools of that day afforded. In 1901, when he was thirty-five years old, he came to Montpelier and embarked in the agricultural implement business, in which by fair-dealing and indefatigable effort he has built up an extensive and profitable trade, a trade not limited to the immediate neighborhood, but extending to all parts of the county. What he possesses in the shape of worldly goods he has made himself, at no time having received the aid of influential friends. He understands his business thoroughly and richly deserves the success that he has won. The only organization with which Mr. Wertz is identified is that of the Knights of Pythias, in which he takes a deep interest. His choice for a helpmeet in life's journey was Miss Edith Lash, a native of Florence township, and the daughter of James and Julia Lash. OSCAR B. WERTZ, a progressive and prominent farmer, is a native of Center township, Williams county, O., where he was born May 30, 1859. He is the son of John P. and Margaret (Grindle) Wertz, the former born in Germany, in 1822, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. John P. Wertz emigrated to the United States when only fifteen years old and stopped, first in Seneca county, O., whence he removed to Williams county in 1850, locating on and clearing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Center township. His first wife having died, January 2, 1872, he married Mrs. Treny Cotterman in 1873, who died, January 1, 1882. He received his education in Germany, was a Democrat in politics, having held the offices of school director and supervisor, and with his wife was a member of the German Brethren or Dunkard church. His death occurred January 8, 1892. He was the father of seven children, six sons and one daughter, all of whom are still living. The maternal grandparents of Oscar B. Wertz were Jacob and Margaret (Harbaugh) Grindle, both natives of Pennsylvania. Jacob Grindle first removed to Wayne county, O., in 1829, then to Wyandotte county, where both spent the remainder of their days. Oscar B. Wertz grew to manhood on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools of his native county, Bryan high school and the Fayette, O., normal. After quitting school he followed teaching during the winter and farmed during the summer for five years. Since then he has given his entire time to BIOGRAPHICAL - 595 farming. On his farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres he follows general farming and dealing in live stock, including cattle and hogs. In public affairs he has always taken a deep interest, and as a Republican has served as township clerk for four years. In 1903 he was appointed infirmary director for Williams county to serve the unexpired term of A. P. Warren, and one year later he was elected for a short term of one year to that important office. At the November election of 1905, he was chosen to succeed himself in that position for a full term of three years, receiving the flattering majority of 421 votes. Together with his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On January 25, 1885, he was wedded to Miss Margaret Amanda Weaver, born in Williams county March 17, 1860, the daughter of Samuel and Caroline (Harman) Weaver, who came to the United States from Germany when young and were married in Williams county, where they still reside. To them there have been born eight children, six of whom are still living. Oscar B. Wertz and wife are the parents of nine children, all of them living. They are: John Fearn, Dale Benson, Glen Weaver, Bonetha, Leta, Vale Forest, Bernice, Gertrude and Mayro Wesley. Samuel Weaver, the father of Mrs. Wertz, was born near Wooster, Wayne county, O., October 24, 1835. He is the son of Samuel and Mary (Stauffer) Weayer, the latter the daughter of John Stauffer, mentioned elsewhere in this work, both natives of Lancaster county, Pa., whence after their marriage they removed to Wayne county, O., in 1830. After a residence there of twenty-five years they came to Williams county, locating on a farm in Center township. He was a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics and with hip; wife a member of the English Lutheran church. His wife died March 12, 1874, and he on April 29, 1877. They were the parents of six children, of whom only two are living. His paternal grandparents were John and Sarah Weaver, both natives of Pennsylvania, and both died in Wayne county, O. Samuel, Weaver was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1855 he came with his parents to Williams county, where he has since resided engaged in farming and selling fruit trees. He is a Republican in politics and has for a number of years served on the school board. In 1864 he enlisted in Company K of the Forty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry and served until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Bentonville, Ft. McAlister and Goldsboro. In June, 1856, he married Miss Caroline Harman, born in France, March 6, 1833, the daughter of George F. and Eva (Snyder) Harman, both natives of France who came to Stark county, O., about 1835, and twelve years later to Williams county, where both died, he in 1860 and his widow in 1864. To this couple five children were born, all of whom are living. To Samuel Weaver and wife eight children have been born. Their names follow: Hattie E., Rilla, who died when about two years old; Margaret A., Laura D., deceased, Ulysses S., Ida C., Mary A. and John Henry. CHARLES M. WHITE, a retired business man and a highly respected citizen of Edon, is a native of Liverpool, England, where he was born on August 15, 1846. His parents, Charles and Marian 596 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY (White) White, are natives of Scotland, who emigrated to the United States in 185o, landing at New York city. Being an expert machinist, Charles White experienced no difficulty in securing profitable employment in New York and Brooklyn, where he remained for three years. From the American metropolis he removed to Detroit, Mich., and spent five years there. His next removal was to Angola, Ind., where he was employed for one year in the manufacture of sewing machines. Then he purchased a farm near Fremont, Ind., and followed general farming until 1863. In answer to his adopted country's call for troops he enlisted in Company M of the Fifth Indiana cavalry and served until the close of the war. Having been taken prisoner he was confined in the Confederate prison at Andersonville for nine months, when he was exchanged. After the close of the war he returned to Fremont, where he and his wife are still residing, he at the age of eighty-four and she at the age of eighty-two years. In politics he is a Republican and with his wife a member of the Congregational church. Eight children have been born to Charles White and wife, four of whom have grown to man and womanhood. David died at the age of eleven years at Detroit and the other three in infancy. Charles M. White was twelve years old when his parents moved on the farm on which he grew to manhood. He was educated in part in the Detroit city schools and finished at Orland Academy, Orland, Ind., after the close of the Civil war. In 1864 he enlisted in the same company of the Fifth Indiana cavalry in which his father had enlisted the year before and served until the close of the war. He too was taken prisoner by the Confederates and confined for nine months in the Andersonville military prison. At one time he succeeded in escaping from the prison pen, but he was re-captured, the pursuers having used blood-hounds. After the close of the war he went to Kansas and farmed there for a period of four years. Then he returned to Fremont, Ind., and in 1877 removed to Williams county, where he followed the occupation of farming for two years. Then he removed to Edon and worked at the carpenter trade for some time. After this he engaged in the cement business for several years, and followed that by dealing for a like period of time in the buying and selling of grain and in managing a grain eleyator. Then until 1902 he conducted a cement and general building supplies establishment, when he retired from active business, having succeded so well in his various business ventures as to have acquired a snug little fortune. He is now building for his own use a substantial residence in Edon, where he owns other valuable realty. In politics he is an active Republican, having served both on the town council and the school board. He is an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and together with his family is a member of the Edon Church of Christ. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Eyster, a daughter of William and Mary Eyster, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. To Charles M. White and wife the following children have been born: Effie and a twin, the latter dying at birth, and the former at the age of eleven months; Edward, who died at the age of three months; William, educated at the Tri-State Normal at Angola, Ind., a teacher for a short time, and since BIOGRAPHICAL - 597 1901 a first-class Yeoman on the battleship Wisconsin of the United States navy; Ellsworth LeRoy, educated in the Edon high school and the Angola Normal is at present a teacher, but will later take the electrical engineering course at Armour Institute, Chicago; and Archie Lee, now a student in the Edon high school, who taught school before he was sixteen years of age. JOHN B. WHITE, the present mayor of the city of Bryan, is one of the representative members of the bar of his native county, is a prominent factor in the ranks of the Republican party in this section of the State, and has a large and important professional business. He was born in Superior township, Williams county, Ohio, on the 21st of January, 1853, and is a son of Joseph H. and Rebecca F. (Leach) White. Joseph H. White was born in Bucks county, Pa., October 14, 1806, being a son of John White, who was a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. Joseph H. White was numbered among the sterling pioneers of Williams county and developed a valuable farm estate in Superior township, where both he and his wife died. He served as justice of the peace of Superior township from 1843 to 1846 and was one of the honored and influential citizens of that section of the county. John B. White passed his youth on the home farm, and after completing the work of the public schools finally entered the law department of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1881, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and he was soon afterward admitted to practice before the supreme court of his native State. He began the practice of his profession in Montpelier, this county, where he remained several years, within which time he was called into service as mayor of the town, having previously served as township clerk of Superior township. In 1886, the demands of his practice and his increasing prestige in the ranks of his profession in the county led Mr. White to locate in Bryan, the county seat, and here he controls a practice of a representative order, being known as a skilled trial lawyer and able counselor. He has served eight years as mayor of Bryan, being the present incumbent of this chief executive office, and no further voucher of his able and acceptable administration of municipal affairs is needed than that afforded in his long tenure of the mayoralty. He has also been a valued member of the local board of education, and is essentially a liberal and public-spirited citizen. Mr. White is a stalwart in the camp of Ohio Republicans and has rendered efficient service in the party cause, being at the present time a member of the Republican State Executive Committee, and in the election of 1900 he was chosen Presidential elector as the representative of the Fifth congressional district of Ohio. He is identified with the local lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity, and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. November 8, 1887, Mayor White was united in marriage to Mrs. Belle Sperry, daughter of James and Mary (McKibben) Brinkerhoff, of Ashland county, Ohio. They have no children. 598 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY JOHN WILDER, of Edgerton, Ohio, was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., April 9, 1851. His parents were John and Eliza (Reals) Wilder, the former a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and the latter of Onondaga county, in the same State. In 1861 he came with his parents, John and Eliza (Reals) Wilder, to Farmer township, Defiance county, O., where they followed the occupation of farming with marked success. His grandfather was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of the Empire State. John Wilder, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was a man of influence in his section of the State, being a successful farmer and a progressive citizen. He married Miss Eliza Reals, a native of Fayetteville, New York. The children born to this marriage are John Wilder and an only sister, now Mrs. William Alexander of Farmer township, Defiance county, O. John Wilder, Sr., died at the homestead in Farmer township, Defiance county, at a ripe old age. John Wilder, Jr., grew to manhood on his father's farm and received the rudiments of an education in the public schools of his home county. For some years he was engaged in the saw-mill business. Five years ago he removed to Edgerton and entered the employ of the Oak Manufacturing Company, being assigned to the handle department of that concern. On the first day of last January, after five years' faithful service in subordinate positions, he was made foreman of his department, a well merited promotion. He is popular and well liked, not only by his employers but also by those who were subordinate to him. He understands his business thoroughly and is ever watchful of the best interests of his employers. The handles made by this company are of the best material and are shipped to all parts of the country. He married Miss Ollie Knight, the daughter of Ayres Knight, a prominent and successful mill-owner of Defiance county, Ohio. Four children, all of whom are still at home, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilder. They are: Roy, Myrtle, Millie and Lulu. EMORY BENJAMIN WILLETT, the leasing marble and granite dealer of Bryan, is a native of Fulton county, Ohio, where he was born June 28, 1858. He is the son of Joseph H. Willett. At the age of four years his parents brought him to Bryan, where he received a fair education in the public schools, and in 1878 he began working in the granite and tombstone business, serving one year, and then worked until January 1, 1884, at the trade of polishing marble. After that he formed a partnership with his father in the same line of work, continuing the business until 1899. On January 1, of the following year he went into business for himself, beginning the manufacture of monuments from the rough material, and today has the largest plant of the kind in the county. He employs on an average the year round eleven skilled mechanics. The granite is purchased in car-load lots, and is polished, lettered and finished right here in the factory. His office is next to the post office and the factory is on Lynn street. Since 1890 he has conducted a marble shop also at Hicksville, O. He is a director and the treasurer of the Bryan Telephone company, of which concern he was for a time solicitor, securing BIOGRAPHICAL - 599 some of its first subscribers. In the work of the Knights of Pythias he is deeply interested, always having taken an active part, and although he has never held or sought a public office, he is nevertheless an enthusiastic Democrat. He was united in marriage to Miss Mildred H. Long, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of William H. Long. CHARLES W. WISNER.—Among the farmers of Northwest township, who by dint of push and enterprise have met with an unusual degree of success in both general farming and stock-raising. may be mentioned Charles W. Wisner. He is the son of Samuel and Maria (Clume) Wisner, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. William Wisner was a blacksmith by trade and the owner of a highly improved farm, and the fact that he prosecuted both callings successfully proves that he was a man of considerable energy and thrift. Settling in Florence, township in a very early day, when the land was wholly unimproved, he worked long and faithfully to make the homestead one of the most desirable farms in Williams county. In political views he affiliated with the Republican party, and in religious matters, together with his wife, he was identified with the Christian Union church. He died in 1877, and is survived by his widow, who still resides on the homestead. Of the four children born to William Wisner and wife, three are yet living. Charles W. Wisner was born in Steuben county, Ind., on August 16, 1865. He grew to manhood on the parental farm, assisting his father in its successful management, and the education that he received was the best that the public schools of that day afforded. The farm that he now owns and operates was purchased by him in 1902, and here he follows general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is a Democrat, being an earnest advocate of the principles of that party, but in no sense an office seeker. On March 1, 1888, he was wedded to Miss Susie Brubaker, a native of Florence township, the daughter of William Brubaker, an early settler of Williams county, who died during the Civil war. Of the four children that have been born to this union, Savel Dewey, the youngest, is deceased. Those living are Bernice, Elbert and Joseph. HENRY M. WOODWORTH, owner of one of the fine farms of Jefferson township, is a native son of Williams county, a representative of one of its oldest and most honored families, is a veteran of the Civil war and is a citizen of worth and influence. Mr. Woodworth was born on the old homestead farm, in Millcreek township, this county, on the 9th of September, 1839, and is a son of Josiah and Maria (Snow) Woodworth, both of whom were born and reared in the State of New York, where their marriage was solemnized and where the father was engaged in farming until 1835, when he came as a pioneer to Williams county, Ohio, securing eighty acres of heavily timbered land in Millcreek township and receiving his deed to the property from the Government. The nearest neighbor was four miles distant and he found his initial task that of building his primitive log 600 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY cabin, which had a floor of puncheons, and for some time blankets served in lieu of doors, for the construction of which no lumber could be secured. He cleared and improved his farm and lived on the homestead until his death, in 1847, being killed by a stroke of lightning. His widow later married George Bachman, and after his death became the wife of Thomas Ansley. She died in 1893 at a venerable age, having been a devoted member of the Baptist church. She was a typical pioneer woman, earnest, sincere and strong of character, and she held the unqualified regard of all who knew her. When she first visited the site of the present city of Toledo only one log cabin marked the location, and prior to coming to the West she saw the first railroad train which ran from Buffalo to Albany. By her first marriage she had nine children: Charles is engaged in the real-estate business in Des Moines, Iowa; Hannah, who was the first white child born in Millcreek township, became the wife of Oliver G. Smith and is now deceased; Ray is a farmer of Moscow, Idaho; Henry M. is the subject of this review; Ann E. is the wife of Robert N. Renshaw, of Spokane, Wash.; John E., who served three years during the Civil war as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, is now a large stock-grower of Ennis, Madison county, Montana; George, a prominent stockman of Wisdom, Beaverhead county, Mont., was formerly a member of the legislature of that state and has also served as a member of the board of commissioners of his county; James, who was a member of the Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed in battle at Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864; and Amanda is the wife of James Saunders, of Bryan, Ohio. By her second marriage, to George Bachman, the mother bore three children, the names of whom were: Sarah, who is deceased; Henry, who is a resident of Wauseon, Ohio; and Orcelia, who is the wife of Samuel Young and resides in Stryker, Ohio. No children were born of the third marriage. Henry M. Woodworth was reared under the influences and conditions of the pioneer epoch in Williams county, and early began to assume personal responsibilities and to do his share of hard work, while his educational advantages were limited to a very desultory attendance in the little log school house of the early days. When eight years of age he went to live in the home of his maternal uncle, Elijah Snow, a pioneer farmer of this county, and later he was employed four years on the Wabash canal. He then returned home and devoted his attention to farming up to the time of the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, when he was among the first to tender his services in defense of the Union. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized in Millcreek township, and he received his honorable discharge in September following, having enlisted for a term of three months. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted, for three years, as a member of Company C, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained three weeks in the city of Toledo, and then accompanied his command to Covington, Ky., in which State it operated about one year, then crossing the Cumberland mountains to BIOGRAPHICAL - 601 Knoxville, Tenn., took part in the engagement at that point. Mr. Woodworth was there selected as a member of a detachment of three hundred men, sent from Knoxville to a distance of eighty-five miles on the line of the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad, where they met the enemy in greatly superior numbers and were compelled to retreat and finally to surrender. Mr. Woodworth was held a prisoner at Belle Isle for six months, his exchange being effected in May, 1864, after which he rejoined his regiment and took part in the Atlanta campaign; and later he was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and the engagements at Cape Fear river, Fort Fisher, and Wilmington, proceeding to Raleigh, N. C., in which State his command was on duty at the close of the war. He received his final discharge in Cleveland, Ohio, in June, 1865. He then returned to Millcreek township, where his young wife had lived during his absence as a soldier of the Republic, and took up work at the cooper trade and also turned his attention to farming, in which he continued until 1874. He then removed to Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the general merchandise business for fifteen years, during the greater portion of which time he was also identified with agricultural pursuits, having been one of the pioneers of that county. He returned to Williams county in 1899, for the purpose of caring for his venerable mother, and he then purchased his present fine farm of eighty acres, in section 19, Jefferson township, where his beloved mother died on the 30th of January, 1904, at the age of 86 years. Mr. Woodworth is now living practically retired on his farm, the work of the same being carried forward by a reliable lessee. While a resident of Iowa he served three years as postmaster at Advance and for an equal period at Bagley, and for nine years he was an incumbent of the office of justice of the peace, and was also a school director in his county. Prior to his removal to the West he was trustee of Millcreek township, and later he held the same office in Jefferson township for two terms. Since his return to his native county he has again been called to the office of township trustee, of which he has been in tenure for the past five years. In political matters he has always been aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and in a fraternal way he is identified with Sunbeam Lodge, No. 476, Free & Accepted Masons, at Bagley, Iowa, having served as Master of the same, and also having been a member of the grand lodge of the order in the Hawkeye state. He is a member of the Independnt Order of Odd Fellows but not in active affiliation, and is a valued member of Hiram Louden Post, Grand Army of the Republic, in Montpelier, Williams county, Ohio. In September, 1861, Mr. Woodworth was united in marriage to Miss Susan M. Miller, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, being a daughter of Henry and Margaret R. (Bringman) Miller, both of whom were natives of York county, Pa. They came to Ohio in an early day and in 1858 removed to Williams county, settling in Millcreek township, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The father was a weaver by trade but devoted himself principally to farming after coming to Ohio. Mrs. Woodworth was the only child. 602 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth have three children. Ida M. is the wife of William E. McKee, a prosperous ranchman of Ennis, Madison county, Mont., and they have ten children: Carl, Guy, Verne, Della, Otto, Zora, Anna, Henry, and Harry and Chauncey, twins. Della is the wife of Grant L. Arrasmith, of Bayard, Iowa, and they have one child, Winfred W. Orville J. is at the present time on the ranch of his uncle in Beaverhead county, Mont. WILLIAM MARTIN WRIGHT may properly be designated as one of the pioneer citizens of Williams county, as is evident when it is stated that he has resided on his present homestead farm for nearly sixty years, the place having been secured by his honored father in the early days, when this section was yet largely un-reclaimed from the forest wilds. It is now one of the well improved farms of St. Joseph township, being attractively located on the river road leading north from the village of Edgerton. Mr. Wright was born in Ripley township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 12th of October, 1840, being the fourth in order of birth of the six children of Tobias Wright, and the maiden name of his mother was Susan Cook. The former was born at Salem, Washington county, N. Y., on the 14th of February, 1794, and the latter was born in Delaware county, same state, April 1, 1807. Tobias Wright was a son of Alexander and Rebecca (Kiker) Wright, the former of whom was born about the year 1768, and the latter on March 29, 1772. Alexander Wright was a son of Samuel and Sarah Wright, the former of whom was a native of Ireland, as was presumably his wife. Samuel Wright immigrated from Ballybay, county Monaghan, Ireland, to America about the year 1765, and made settlement at Salem, N. Y. He was driven from his farm during the occupation of that town by the British, but returned later, becoming a soldier in the Continental line and rendering yeoman service during the Revolution. He died in Salem, in 183o. His son Alexander passed his entire life in that locality, having been a farmer by vocation. Tobias Wright was reared to manhood in Washington county, N. Y., and there married Mary Lakin, after whose death, a few years later, he removed to Delaware county, that State, where was solemnized his marriage to Susan Cook, who was born in that county, as has already been noted in this context, and who was a daughter of Deacon Nathaniel and Rebecca Cook. About 1840 Tobias Wright came with his family to Ohio, locating in Huron county, where he remained until about 1845, when he removed farther west, to a farm in Indiana, only a few miles distant from the site of the present town of Edgerton, Williams county, Ohio. About 1847 he removed over into Williams county and took up his residence on the farm now owned and occupied by his, son William M., whose name initiates this sketch. He improved this place and became one of the substantial farmers of the, county, and his name ever stood as a synonym of honor and integrity in all the relations of life. He died on this homestead, April 17, 1866, his widow surviving him by more than a score of years, as her death occurred on the 22d of January, 1888. Alexander Wright, a brother of Tobias, came to Ohio at the same time, BIOGRAPHICAL - 603 having married Orpha Cook, sister of the second wife of Tobias. The brothers settled in the same locality and each had a family of six children. Of the children of Tobias Wright all are living except the eldest, Alexander, who died in early youth, in Huron county, Ohio. David, born October 24, 1836, married Lydia Beverly and resides in Kansas; Charles Louis, born October 27, 1838, married Susannah Wideman, and resides in Hamilton, Indiana; William Martin, subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; Tamar Rebecca, born May 29, 1843, is the wife of Oliver P. Learned, and they reside in Hamilton,. Id.; Tobias Alexander, born June 29, 1846, married Mary, daughter of Hon. James Gibson, of Salem, N. Y., and they reside in New York city; through him has been secured much of the data for the preparation of this ancestral review. Tobias Wright was a Democrat in his political views. William Martin Wright secured his educational training in the common schools of Dekalb county, Ind., and Williams county, Ohio, in which latter practically his entire life has been passed. He was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm which he now owns and occupies, and in his farming operations he has kept pace with the march of improvement, laying aside the more primitive accessories and methods as improved ones have been devised and utilizing judgment in his labors, so that he has found his enterprise profitable and grateful, having no reason to regret his continued application to the noble art of husbandry. His farm comprises sixty-three acres of excellent land, under a high state of cultivation and devoted to diversified agriculture and horticulture, and the improvements on the place are of a substantial and attractive order, making the old homestead a delightful rural estate. Mr. Wright has ever shown a proper interest in local affairs of a public nature and has been signally true to the duties of citizenship, and he exercises his franchise in support of the Democratic party and its principles. In the community which has been his home from his childhood days he has never lacked the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and he has served most acceptably in various local offices, including those of township assessor and trustee. He is liberal in his religious views, having a due appreciation for the true spiritual ideas aside from dogmatism, and his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church. On November 20, 1866, Mr. Wright married Miss Amanda Sheridan, who was born in Williams county, Ohio, March 16, 1843, being a daughter of William and Hannah (McKims) Sheridan, the former of whom was born in Ireland, August 9, 1801, and the latter was born in Scotland, in April, 1803. William Sheridan came to America with his mother when he was a child of three years and they settled in Pittsburg, Pa., in which State he was reared to manhood, receiving a common-school education and learning the trade of a blacksmith. About 1838 he came to Ohio and settled on a farm one and one-half miles west of Bryan, Williams county, where he followed his trade and carried on agricultural pursuits, continuing a resident of this county until his death, which occurred August 28, 1889, his devoted wife having passed away October 18, 1876. Both were zealous members of the Presbyterian church, in which he served consecutively as deacon 604 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY for more than a quarter of a century, and in politics he was a stalwart Democrat. Of the eleven children only two are living—Mrs. Wright, and Wallace S., the latter being a prominent contractor and builder of Springfield, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Wright became the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. William Sheridan, the oldest child, resides in Chicago, Ill., where he holds a lucrative position. Edgar T. is a traveling salesman from St. Louis, Mo., having previously passed four years with a leading concern in New York city; Susan H. is the wife of James Hissong of Shelby, Ohio; Archibald C. died November 7, 1901, aged twenty-six years, four months and twenty-two days; Mary Belle is the wife of Frederick Dimler of Bryan, Ohio. GEORGE M. YEAGLEY, a prosperous farmer near Melbern, is the son of James K. P. and Mary Catharine (Gallatin) Yeagley and the grandson of Andrew and Catharine Yeagley, both natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Williams county about the year 1852 and there spent the remainder of their lives. His maternal grandparents, John and Lydia (Saul) Gallatin, were both natives of Pennsylvania, the former being born September io, 1818, and the latter August 24, 1819. The parents of John Gallatin, Jacob and Elizabeth (Buttler) Gallatin, removed from their native State to Stark county, O., September 13, 1840, where both died. John Gallatin was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county. In 1852 he removed to Williams county and located on a farm where he spent the remainder of his days. In politics he was affiliated with the Democratic party, being an earnest advocate of the principles of that organization. To John Gallatin and wife four children were born. They are: Daniel B., a resident of Washington, D. C.; Silas Saul, deceased; Mary Catharine, the mother of the subject of this sketch, and Willie H., deceased. John Gallatin died April 15, 1895. His widow, who still lives on the homestead, is the daughter of John and Catherine (Asper) Saul, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Williams county in 1854, where both died. Here follow the names of the children of John and Catherine Saul: Eliza, born March i8. 1814; George B., born September 10, 1815; John, born September i8, 1817; Lydia, born August 24, 1819; Sarah, born January i6 1822; David, born May i5, 1824; Catherine, born October 31, 1828. The first five were born in Pennsylvania and the last two in Stark county, O. George M. Yeagley is the son as stated above of James K. P. and Mary C. (Gallatin) Yeagley, both natives of Ohio. James K. P. Yeagley grew to manhood. on a farm, receiving a liberal education in the common schools and in a select school in Williams Center. By occupation he is a farmer and in politics a Republican, and together with his wife a member of the United Brethren church. He is now a resident of Jasper county, Ind., his wife having died August 15, 1870. To their marriage three children were born: George M.; James C. of Nebraska, and the third child died in infancy. George M. Yeagley was born in Center township, June 6, 1866. Having lost his mother when four years old he was reared by his maternal grand- BIOGRAPHICAL - 605 parents, John Gallatin and wife. He received his education in the public schools of his home county and in the Fayette, O., Normal. By occupation he is a successful farmer, owning one hundred and forty acres of very fertile and valuable land, and in politics is an independent. On December 24, 1889, he was wedded to Miss Jennie Fisher, the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Poorman) Fisher, a farmer of Center township, where he has resided for sixty-three years. To Mr. Yeagley and wife three children have been born. They are: Carrie Grace, born January 17, 1892; Clarence Herbert, born December 5, 1894, and Florence Carmon, Dorn June ii, 1899. ANDREW D. YOCUM.—From the old Keystone State came many of the leading pioneer families of Ohio, and a representative of this sturdy element is Mr. Yocum, who is one of the well-to-do and honored farmers of Madison township, where he has passed essentially his entire life, his memory linking the early pioneer era with the present time, as the twentieth century rolls majestically into the cycle of the ages. Mr. Yocum was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the Loth of January, 185o, and is a son of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Martin) Yocum, the former of whom was born in Wayne county, this State, January 9, 1824; and the latter was born in Bedford county, Pa., August 26, 1823, being a daughter of Dan Martin, who removed from Pennsylvania to Wayne county, Ohio, in an early day. Lemuel Yocum was a son of Andrew Yocum, a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he accompanied his father to Wayne county, Ohio, in the early pioneer days, and there they operated a tannery for a number of years. On the 9th of August, 1853, Lemuel Yocum and his family arrived in Madison township, Williams county, settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he reclaimed from the primitive wilds. He later purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land, comprising the present homestead of his son Andrew, subject of this review, three acres of the place having been sold for use as the site of the school house of the district. This farm was cleared by Dr. George Lawson, from whom Mr. Yocum purchased the property. He made good improvements on the place and resided at the time of his death, on the farm he located on in 1853. His death occurred April 30, 1899, while his widow was summoned to the "land of the leal" February 12, 1905. Both were sincere and faithful members of the German Baptist church, and in political matters he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and its principles. Of the four children of this honored pioneer couple only two are living, Andrew D. and Nancy Ellen, the latter being now the wife of Jacob W. Stiving, a prosperous farmer of Madison township. Andrew D. Yocum was reared on the homestead farm and has contributed his quota to its reclamation and improvement, and the place is doubly valuable to him by reason of the fact that it has been his home from his childhood and also the home of his honored parents from the pioneer days to the time of their death. He gives his attention to diversified farming and the raising of high-grade live stock and is one of the able and popular representatives of the agricultural element in the county, the sturdy 606 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY husbandry on whose efforts must ever rest much of the stable prosperity of the nation. In politics Mr. Yocum is independent in his attitude, supporting men and measures which meet the approval of his judgment. March 23, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Cordelia A. Gordon, who was born in Hillsdale county, Mich., being a daughter of Cyrus and Sarah (Coddington) Gordon, who were early settlers of that county, whence they came to Williams county in 1862, passing the closing years of their lives in the village of Pioneer. Mr. and M. Yocum have one son, Earl G., who attended the high school at Pioneer and who is associated with his father in the operation of the home farm. HARVEY GEORGE YOUNG, M. D., who is engaged in the practice of his profession in the village of Pioneer, where he has various capitalistic interests of importance, is recognized as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the younger generation in Williams county, and he follows the same profession as did his honored father, who was one of the most distinguished representatives of the Homeopathic school of practice in this section of the State. Dr. Harvey G. Young was born in the village of Pioneer, this county, on Christmas day of the year 1871, and is a son of George and Mary Ann (Miller) Young, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Richland county, Ohio. Dr. George Young received his elementary education in his fatherland, haying been twelve years of age at the time of his parents' immigration to America. They located first in Richland county, Ohio, and later came to Williams county, locating in Florence township, where both passed the remainder of their lives. Dr._ George Young was not only educated largely through his own efforts, but he also gained marked financial success through his discriminating operations and honorable methods. He was graduated in the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College, having previously been a careful and ambitious. student of his profession under private preceptors. He was an assistant surgeon in an Ohio regiment for three years during the Civil war, soon after the close of which he came to Williams county, having been previously engaged in the practice of his profession with his preceptor, at Shiloh, Richland county. Upon coming to Williams county he took up his residence in Pioneer, where he continued in active practice for many years, becoming one of the most honored and most successful physicans of the county, as well as one of the county's wealthiest and most influential citizens. For many years he was an extensive loaner of money, was one of the organizers of the Pioneer Banking Company, in 1894., and owned at different times a large amount of valuable real estate, besides having other important capitalistic investments in the county. In earlier years he supported the Democratic party, but he espoused the cause of the Republican party soon after its organization, and thereafter was one of its stalwart adherents. Dr. George Young died Feb. 15, 1903. He was a man of lofty integrity of character and ever commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. In a fraternal way he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd. Fellows. He BIOGRAPHICAL - 607 and his wife became the parents of three children: Arthur F. is engaged in the drug business at Stryker, this county; Minnie is the wife of Alfred E. Quidort, a hardware merchant of Pioneer; and Harvey G., of this review, is the youngest. The junior Dr. Young was reared in his native town, having been graduated in the Pioneer high school as a member of the class of 1889, after which he was a student for one year in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. He then entered the Homeopathic medical department of the famous University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1893, receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwitli established himself in the practice of his profession in Pioneer, where most gratifying success has attended his efforts and where he has attained to exceptional prestige as an advanced exponent of modern medicine and surgery. He has taken post-graduate courses in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College and special courses in orificial surgery and electro-therapeutics, in Chicago, besides special courses in refraction and diseases of the eye, in the Detroit Medical College. The Doctor is a member of the Ohio Homeopathic Medical Association, the American Institute of Homeopathy and the North American Association of Orificial Surgeons, and he is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and in political matters he maintains an independent attitude. He is a stockholder of the Pioneer Banking Company, the Pioneer Eleyator Company and the Pioneer Telephone Company, of which last he is president. He is the owner of one of the finest residences in the town and the same is a center of generous and gracious hospitality. Animated by a genuine public spirit, Dr. Young. is well upholding the prestige of the honored name which he bears, both in his functions as a citizen and as a physician. August 6, 1901, Dr. Young was married to Miss Bertha R. Hall, who was born and reared in Pioneer, being a daughter of Thomas B. Hall, a well-known citizen of this place, and the one child of this union i~' Kathleen Marv. FREDERICK YUNCK, manager of the Bryan Novelty Manufacturing Company and chief of the fire department of that city, is of foreign birth, being a native of Alsace, Germany, where he was born on November 10, 1849. His parents were Philip and Barbara (Milliman) Yunck, both natives of Alsace. In 1853 the Yunck family, consisting of the parents and two sons, emigrated to America, landing at New York City, whence they came directly to Massillon, Stark county, O., where Mrs. Yunck had three sisters living. Philip Yunck secured work on a farm about three miles north of Massillon and continued there about a year and a half. Then he removed to the, neighborhood of Uniontown, Stark county, where he remained a like period of time. In April, 1857, he removed to Williams county and bought a farm four miles west of Bryan. In 1870 he sold this farm and, moving to Bryan, purchased twenty acres of land adjoining the corporation line of the city. He continued to cultivate this piece of land until his death, in the spring of 1887, his widow surviving him one 608 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY year. He was a Democrat in politics and with his wife a member of the German Lutheran church. Philip, the elder son, nine years older than Frederick, is now engaged in the sheep-raising industry in Montana, but maintains his residence at Bryan. Frederick Yunck was reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1869 he left the, farm and coming to Bryan engaged in the mercantile business which he conducted successfully for twenty years. In 1889 he sold out his business and embarked in the clothing business, continuing in that line for a year and a half. In 1897 he organized the Bryan Novelty Manufacturing Company and was made manager of the business, in which capacity he is still serying. The product of this firm consists principally of store tools and display tables. From eight to ten mechanics are employed the year around. Mr. Yunck has served as treasurer of Pulaski township, and is identified with the Odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum organizations. On April 2, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Goller, born near New Liverpool, Medina county, Ohio, the daughter of George Goller, who came to Williams county in 1856, locating on a farm five miles south of Bryan. To Mr. and Mrs. Yunck there have been born three children. Their names are: Edward G., an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Toledo, O.; Charles F., secretary of the Bryan Novelty Manufacturing Company, and Frederick, who died when a year and a half old. JACOB ZEEB, a prominent and successful merchant of Edgerton, is of German descent, his father having come to America when only twelve years old. The parents of Jacob Zeeb are George and Christina (Keinath) Zeeb, both of foreign birth. George Zeeb was born in Kusterding, Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1840. When the Civil war broke out he patriotically enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Indiana volunteer infantry and saw very active service. Two years after his return from the war, in 1867, he removed to Edon, Williams county, where he embarked in the furniture business. In public affairs he has been quite active, having practically filled all of the town offices. He and his estimable wife are still living at Edon, being highly respected by all who know them. They have had five children: George, the proprietor of a general store at Edon; Louise, now Mrs. L. W. Burkhart; Tina Christina, Mrs. William Lingle, and Mary who is still at home. All are residents of Edon. Jacob Zeeb was born July 4, 1870, in Edon, where he grew to manhood, receiying a fair education in the home schools. He began his business career by clerking, for six years in a general store in Edon. Then in 1890 he removed to Edgerton, where for the next four years he held a clerkship in the establishment of F. W. Arnds. For the past ten years he has conducted a grocery and crockery store of his own, meeting with the most pronounced success. He married Miss Grace Relyea, of Edgerton, the daughter of Jerome and Rachel (Skelton) Relyea, the former of whom was run over and killed by a fast passenger train in 1901. Without the assistance of influential friends and with very little money, Mr. Zeeb has step-by-step risen from the humble position of clerk in a BIOGRAPHICAL - 609 village store to that of proprietor of a large and lucrative business. In dealing with his fellow citizens he has always been scrupulously honest, and he has demonstrated that a business can be successfully conducted by an honest man. He is a man of pleasing manners, cheerful disposition, and possesses the tact of winning friends and keeping them. While Mr. Zeeb has always been a' very busy man he has found time to devote to public affairs, having served two terms as township treasurer. He is a Democrat in politics but not an office seeker in any sense of the term. JOHN H. ZEITER, who is proprietor of a prosperous livery and transfer business in Montpelier, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, on the 20th of June, 1862, and is a representative of the third generation of the family in America„ whither his grandfather, George Zeiter, immigrated from Germany, accompanied by his wife and their one son. He became a successful farmer in Crawford county, Ohio, where he continued to reside until 1864, when he came to Williams county and purchased a farm near Montpelier, and here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his exceptionally long and useful life. He died in 1895, at the patriarchal age of ninety-seven years, while his wife survived him, her life being prolonged to a still more notable age, since she only lacked three months of being one hundred years old at the time of her death, which occurred in 1901. Their only son, John, was born in Germany and was a child at the time of their immigration to the United States. He received his educational training in the schools of Crawford county, and came with his parents to Williams county, becoming one of the representative farmers of Superior township, and having been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for fifty-seven years, while for a number of years he also operated a threshing machine in this section, where he was well known and highly honored. He continued his residence in Superior township until 1902, and is now living retired near Reading, Hillsdale county, Michigan, which adjoins Williams county on the north, and he has passed the age of four score years. He married Miss Julia Swope, who was born in Pennsylvania, and she died in 1890, at the age of fifty-seven years. She was a devout and consistent member of the German Lutheran church and was a woman of noble and gentle character. Her husband is also a member of the same church, and in politics he has been aligned with the Democracy from the time of attaining the franchise. They became the parents of eight children, concerning whom the following brief record is incorporated: George is a resident of Reading, Mich.; Elizabeth is the widow. of George Burkhardt and resides in Montpelier; William also makes his home in the same town; John H. is the subject of this review; Charles resides in the West; David is engaged in the real-estate business m the city of Toledo; Edward is engaged in business in North Baltimore, Wood county; and Albert is with his father in Reading. John H. Zeiter was about two years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Williams county, where he was reared and educated, in the meanwhile lending his aid in the work of the home farm. After leaving school 89 610 - HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY he continued to be engaged in farm work for a short time, thereafter operated a threshing machine one year, after which he came to Montpelier and entered the employ of Adam Lattanner, in the livery business. About three years later he effected the purchase of the business, which he has successfully continued, having well equipped stables and doing a general livery and transfer business. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities and is loyal to the party cause at all times. In 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Olinger, of Defiance county, Ohio. JACOB ZIGLER is properly represented in this work by reason of his status as one of the successful farmers and worthy citizens of Jefferson township. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, on the 15th of October, 1858, and is a son of Reuben and Catherine (Samsel) Zigler, the former of whom was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., of stanch German lineage, and the latter was born in Germany. Benjamin Zigler, father of Reuben, removed with his family from Pennsylvania to Richland county, Ohio, in an early day, and later they came to Williams county and settled in Center township, where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. Reuben Zigler was reared to manhood in Richland county, where his marriage was solemnized. His wife was a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Dick) Samsel, who came from Germany to America when she was a child, settling in Richland county, where the father worked at his trade, that of a weaver, and also became a prosperous farmer, both he and his wife continuing to reside in that county until their death. In 1865 Reuben Zigler came with his family to Williams county, and he secured sixty-five acres of land in Jefferson township, developing a good farm and continuing to here make his home until he was called to his final reward, in November, 1896, in the fullness of years and well earned honors. He was a Democrat in his political adherency and was a consistent member of the English Lutheran church, as is also his widow, who still resides on the old homestead. They became the parents of eight children, of whom four attained maturity, namely: Mary, who is the wife of Elwood A. Piper, of Chadbourn, N. C.; Ella, who is the wife of Samuel A. Steyers, of Jefferson township; Jacob, whose name initiates this sketch; and Cora, who died in February, 19o3, having been the wife of Jay Wineland, of Jefferson township. Jacob Zigler received a good education in the public schools and continued to live at the parental home until he had reached the age of twenty-twd years, when he was married. In 1883 he located at Waldron, Hillsdale county, Mich., where he devoted his attention principally to teaming for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he returned to Williams county, Ohio, locating in Superior township, where he was engaged in farming for the following seven years. He then, in the spring of 1896, purchased and removed to his present farm, which comprises forty acres of land in section 7, Jefferson township, all being under effective cultivation. He has remodeled the house on the place and erected a large and substantial barn, and is meeting with success in his efforts, giving his attention to general farming and stock-growing. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and both he and his BIOGRAPHICAL - 611 wife are members of the Lutheran church, as was also his first wife. February 3, 1881, Mr. Zigler was united in marriage to Miss Anna Steyers, who was born in Jefferson township, having been a daughter of the late George Steyers, a substantial farmer of this county, to which he came from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Zigler died on the list of November, 1900, and is survived by three sons, Meril J., who married Josephine Kirk and is engaged in farming in Richland county; William D., who is a carpenter by trade and vocation, resides in Chicago Junction, Ohio; and L. C. remains with his father on the home farm. On Christmas day, 1901, Mr. Zigler married Miss Emma Zouvers, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, being a daughter of Caleb and Amanda Zouvers, the former of whom was born in Shelby county and the latter in Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. Zouvers died December 25, 1898, and his widow now resides in Sandusky, Ohio. WILLIAM ZIGLER, a prosperous farmer of Center township, is a native of Trumbell county, Ohio, where he was born on March 29, 1836. His paternal and maternal grandparents lived and died in Pennsylvania. He is the son of Benjamin and Catherine (Libey) Zigler, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married and whence they came to Trumbull county, O., about the year 1830. Later they removed to the vicinity of Mansfield, Richland county, and finally, in 1862, to Williams county, where they located on a farm of eighty acres two miles east of the farm on which William Zigler now resides. In politics he was a Democrat and with his wife a member of the Lutheran church. He died at Miller's Corners in 1890, his wife having died seven years earlier on the home farm. They were the parents of eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, of whom five sons are yet living. William Zigler grew to manhood on his father's farm and received a very limited education in the common schools, which he afterwards supplemented by self culture. On May 27, 1859, he was wedded to Miss Elizabeth Rinehart, born in Ashland county, O., in 1838. the daughter of Fred and Catherine (Steele) Rinehart, residents of Richland county, where both are buried. In 1861 William Zigler, wife and one son came to Williams county and settled in a perfect wilderness, where he cleared sixty of the first eighty acres bought by him. To this tract he later added forty acres and in 1903 sixty-seven acres more, making a total of one hundred and eighty-seven acres in the farm. He has been very successful in general farming as well as in breeding Short-horn and Polled-Durham cattle and Shropshire and Oxforddown sheep. Although a stanch Democrat he has never aspired to public office. In religous matters he is identified with the Evangelical Association. Mrs. Zigler has had the benefit of a thorough education and is a highly cultured and refined Christian woman. Seven children were born to them: John, Mary, Presly, Annie, Berton, Eddie and Jesse.