(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 1200 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. our national life. Fired by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Shroyer enlisted August 6, 1862, at Portage, in Company A, 100th O. V. I., under Capt. John A. Shannon. From their camp at Toledo, Ohio, fhe troops went to Covington, Ky. In their first engagement at Limestone Station, Tenn., our subject was captured by Stonewall Jackson's men, taken to Richmond, and confined in prison for eight months, after which he was sent to the parole camp at Columbus, Ohio. For five weeks Ir visited home, and then rejoined his regiment near Kenesaw Mountain, which he found in line of battle. Remaining with his command until mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., he was discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July t, 1865, with an honorable war record. On his return home, with the savings from his soldier's pay, and with the feyv dollars his wife had, Mr. Shroyer purchased ten acreS of land in Section 3, Portage township, where he erected a house. To that tract he later added twelve acres, all of which he cleared, ditched and improved. In 1882 hi sold out at a good price, and purchased seventy acres in Section to, where he now lives. His good barn was built in 1889, and in 1893 he erected his pleasant dwelling. To Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer have been born eleven clandren, namely: Della, now Mrs. John Underwood, of Center township, Wood county; Ida, wife of Thomas Eggleston, of Portage township; Amanda, wife of Henry Lein, of Portage; Olen, a farmer of Portage township; Alva, who resides in the village of Portage; Burley, at home; John, of Portage township; Earl, who died in infancy; and Arthur, Jessie and Oliver, all at home. Mr. Shroyer takes a great interest in the success of the Republican party, with which he casts his ballot, and is a member of Wiley Post, G. A. R., of Bowling Green. Pioneers like Mr. Shroyer endured many trials in those early days. Privations, hardships, lack of old friends and conveniences, could only be tolerated by faith in the "good time coming." GEORGE E. MERCER, one of the most enterprising and successful business men of Bowling Green, and who has acquired a reputation for good judgment, skill and " push," which many older men might envy, is a native of Wood county, born March 18. 1862, on a farm in Liberty township. Caleb Mercer, grandfather of our subject, was born March 14, 1814, in Columbiana county, Ohio, a son of William Mercer, a native of Westmoreland county, Penn. The latter was married, in Columbiana county, to Charity Petit, who was also of Pennsylvania birth, and twelve children were born to them—six sons: George William, John, Daniel, Caleb, Abraham and Charles—and six daughters: Martha, Mary Ann, Beula, Charity, Lucretia and Elizainn. The father of these, who was by occupation a stone-mason and farmer, in 1834 move to Wood county, and entered land in Liberty township, where he passed the rest of his days, dying in 1838; his wife departed this life some years later in Columbiana county, while on a visit. In religious faith they were Quakers, and in his political associations Mr. Mercer was an Old-line Whig. Caleb Mercer, son of William, assister his father on the farm till he was twenty-one years old, and then worked out for one year of one hundred dollars per annum, with which sum, together with a similar amount given him by his father, he entered 160 acres of wild land in Portage township. Here he lived a couple of years at the end of which time he sold this land and bought a 240-acre farm in Liberty township, which was also wild land, a road having to be cut through the woods in order to reach it. This property he improved and made a fine farm of and twenty-one years later he moved to Delaware county, where, in Delaware township, he for three years conducted a grocery business which he sold out at a profit. Proceeding now to Iowa, he, in that State, bought 320 acres of partly-improved land, where he made his hom some twelve years, or until the death of his wife, in January, 1882, when he returned to Wood county, remarried, and settled in Bowling Green where he has since resided. His first marriage was in 1836, with Eliza Groves, who was born in 1816, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and by her he had seven children, as follows: Henry G., of Bowling Green; William H., of Nebraska; Matilda, deceased; Thomas and Enis F., both of South Dakota; and Charles and Louis, both deceased. For his second wife, Caleb Mercer married, on June 27, 1882, Mrs. Elvira Newton, who was born in 1832, in Knox county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Sarah (Sellers) Clutter, the father a native of Pennsylvania, the mother of Ohio. In religious faith Caleb Mercer is a member of the Disciples Church, in politics he is a Republican, and in his younger days he held prominent township offices. Henry G. Mercer, eldest son of Caleb and Eliza (Groves) Mercer, was born in Liberty township, Wood county, Ohio, December 29, 1837and remained at home, assisting in the farm work, until he was about twenty-one years old, when his WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1201 father presented him with a horse, and he hired out as a farm hand, so continuing up to his marriage. At that time his father gave him forty acres of wild land (a part of the home farm), which was in the woods, and there Henry built a log house, wherein he and his young wife commenced the battle of life together. This 40 acre tract the improved, then, in course of time, he bought land adjoining, which he also cultivated. In 1888 he came to Bowling Green and rented the " American House," which he conducted some nine months, when he commenced contracting, in association with his son George E., for two yeafs Constructing stone roads. Impaired health, however, compelled him to abandon this line of business, and, selling his farm (some eighteen months after coming to Bowling Green) he, in October, 1895, embarked in his present prosperous grocery business in that city. In August, 1861, Henry G. Mercer enlisted in Company G, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, attached to the army of the Cumberland, wherein he served three years, during which service he participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Franklin and Nashville, besides many skirmishes. He proved a faithful and valiant soldier, and was never absent from his command a single day, although at one time he suffered severely from the sting of a scorpion, which came near proving fatal to him. On January 16, 1861, Henry G. Mercer was united in marriage with Miss Ruth Murphy, of Indiana, born in March, 1843, in Hamilton county, Ohio, daughter of George G. and Sarah (Jones) Murphy, natives of Virginia. To this union were born two children: One son, George E., the subject proper of this review; and one daughter, Amber F., who died at the age of fifteen years. Like his father, in politics" and Church relationship, Henry G. is a Republican, and member of the Disciples Church. George E. Mercer, whose name introduces this sketch, for several years attended the district schools of the neighborhood of his birthplace, later studying at the Weston High School, at the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., two terms,and at the Wesleyan College of Delaware, Ohio, three years. In the district schools of Wood county he taught three terms, then went west, and spent a year in Denver, Colo., and vicinity. He traveled extensively in the mountains, and one hunting expedition, which was especially memorable, lasted for thirty days. Returning to the old homestead, he was engaged in farming two years, and then opened a butcher shop in Weston; but this proving uncongenial he came to Bowling Green, and went into partnership in the contracting business with his father, Henry G. Mercer, and uncle, a wealthy contractor, under the firm name of Murphy & Mercer. Among their first enterprises were the paving of Main street, the construction of five miles of stone road at Toledo, Ohio, in the direction of Genoa, and four miles of stone road from Bowling Green northward. Mr. Mercer owns a fine limestone quarry just north of the city, and a few years ago he opened a stone-cutting establishment, to which he has given much time and attention, learning the business himself in all its details. This has proved to be a lucrative venture. He haS lately added dealing in ice and coal to his various interests, and enjoys a good trade. On February 28, 1885, Mr. Mercer was married to Miss Carrie L. Powers, who is also a native of Wood county, born March 28, 1859, and they have one child, George Graham, born February 17, 1886. Mr. Mercer is a Republican, takes an active and influential part in political work, and in the spring of 1895, was elected a member of the city council. The family of Mercers are widely and favorably known throughout the county, and enjoy the unqualified esteem and regard of all. Mrs. Mercer is a daughter of James and Mary (Downing) Powers, the former of whom, a native of Ireland, came to America about the year 1811, he being then some eleven years old. In 1834 he married, in New York, Mary Downing, a native of Yates county, N. Y., born February 8, 1816, ,and in 1854 they came to Obio, settling in Milton township, Wood county. Here Mr. POWers bought a farm on which he and his wife passed the rest of their days, the father dying August 3o, 1878, the mother on January 16, 1896. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary J., of Denver, Colo., who married Col. John McDesmo, now deceased; Helen M. (Mrs. C. W. McDonald), now deceased; Andrew, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and died at Bowling Green, Ky„ in 1863; JameS F., living in Toledo, Ohio; George A., a resident of Montana; Carrie L., Mrs. ,George E. Mercer; and John and Leslie, who both died young. Mr. and Mrs. Powers were consistent members of the Baptist Cburch, in politics he always supported the Democratic party, and by occupation he was a life-long and successful agriculturist. F. H. PEINERT, one of the native sons of Wood county, who is now engaged in general farming in Washington township, is one of the 1202 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. popular and enterprising young men of the community. His birth- occurred in Middleton township on November 19, 1861, and he is a Son of Frederick and Zilpha (Robinson) Peinert, the latter the daughter of Nelson Robinson. The father was born in Germany, but the mother is a native of New York. The primary education of our subject was received in the common schools of Middleton and Washington townships, but this was later supplemented by two terms' attendance at the schools of Bowling Gren and Weston. Farming has ever been his occupation, he having assisted his father in the operation of his land from an early age, and on attaining his majority worked for him for gages until twenty-five. In connection with his brother, he then rented 107 acres for one year. For the past nine years, however, he has been engaged in the cultivation of eighty acres of the old homestead, which he has greatly improved, making it one of the valuable farms of the neighborhood. On February 20, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Peinert and Miss Mina F. Williams, a daughter of Daniel and Nettie (Longmore) Williams, and they have become the parents of one son—Floyd H., born September 12, 1891. Mrs. Peinert'S mother was born in Seneca county, Ohio; her father, also, was born in this country. He is at present a bookkeeper in Mer rill's seed house, in Toledo, Ohio, and in politics is an ardent Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Williams also have a son, Chester B., born October 8, 1866, who is engaged in farming in Middleton township,- this county. He married, Libbie Barnes, and they have three children—Merle, born March 27, 1889; Montis Myrtle, born May JO, 189o; and Olive Marie, born May 9, 1.895. Mrs. Peinert's birth occurred on April 29, 1868. Our subject and his wife attend the Baptist Church, while socially he is connected with the K. 0. T. M., and she is a member of the L. 0. T. M., at Haskins. His political support is unswervingly given the Republican party, of whose principles he is an earnest advocate, doing all in his power for the advancement of the party. The family hold a high position in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens, and make friends of all with whom they come in contact. FRED SAMSON, a prominent business man of Luckey, and senior member of the firm of Samson & Holter, general merchants, has, since the fall of 1895, conducted his present store in a new building which he erected that year. It is a two- story brick, 22 x 8o feet, and there he carries a full and complete assortment of general merchasdise, for which he finds a ready sale. The early home of our subject was in Troy township, where he was born on the farm of his parents, Edward and Mary (Whitker) Samson, in 1851. They were both natives of Hanover, Germany, and came to Troy township, where their marriage was celebrated. About 1838, Edward Samson accompanied his father, John F. Samson, to this locality, where the latter opened a farm in the midst of the woods, there died in 1852. The father of our also made farming his life occupation, and farm in Troy township, departed this life in 1893. His widow still survives him. Their family sisted of six children, who, in order of are as follows: Fred, of this sketch; Mrs. Mary Rolf, of Pemberville; Mrs. Anna Hartman; Willam, of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Sophia meyer, of Freedom township; and Mrs. Lena Swan, of the same township. Fred Samson was reared like most farmer boys in a frontier region, receiving his education in the common schools of Troy township, and continued a member of his father's household until 1887, when he began the saloon business in Luckey, which he conducted for eight years, and then opened his present store. In Troy township, in 1878, Mr. Samson was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Laurmann, who was born there. Her parents, Fred and Eliza Laurmann, were natives of Germany, and at an early day located in Troy township, where their deaths occurred. To our subject and his estimable wife have been born five children: Mary, who clerks in her father's store; Lizzie; Eddie; William and Herman. The family is one of prominence in the community, and are faithful members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Samson is an ardent Democrat, and has served as supervisor of Troy township. He belongs to one of the honored pioneer families of the county, and has watched with interest the marvelous changes that have taken place in this section during the forty years. JOHN SHOUP. The subject of this sketch was born in Section 1, Portage township, March 27, 1846, and is the son of Matthew and Catherine (Shinew) Shoup. Our subject first went to school in Sandusky county, and later in District No 1, Portage township, his first teacher there being a bell:, Miss Lamson. He has since seen much improvement in these schools, and heartily endorses it. He worked on the farm, and his schooling was obtained during the winter months. He remained WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1203 at home until February, 1864, when he enlisted, at Toledo, in Co. E, 25th O. V. I., as a recruit, the regiment being home on veteran furlough. He joined it at Camp Chase, and went with it to Hilton Head, S. C., where it did guard duty until fall, at times making short foraging expeditions. In the, latter part of October, Mr. Shoup was wouunded; at Honey Hill, and was confined in the hospital at Hilton Head until the spring of 1865, when he went to Fort Schuyler, N. Y., and then to Cam,p Dennison, Ohio, where he was discharged in the fall of 1865. Returning. home, he worked there until his marriage, in November, 1873, to Miss Martha Van Voorhis, a native of Crawford county, and the daughter of William Van Voorhis. He had bought eighty acres of timber land, in Section 12, at a cost of $800, part of which he paid down. After his marriage, he located in an old log cabin, on his father's farm, where he remained four years, and then removed to his own farm, and built a substantial brick house, where he brought and cared for his father, who was at that time quite old. In the fall of 1882 he moved to his present home; where he has since resided. To him and his wife have been born two children, Jesse A. and Verna, both of whom are at home. He now has 160 acres of good land, and is looked upon as one of the substantial farmers, and progressive, public-spirited citizens, of Portage township, besides being a shrewd business man. In politics he is a Republican, and an advisor and counsellor in his section. He is a member of Randall Post, G. A. R., at Freeport, and, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Church. Matthew Shoup, father of our subject, was born in Germany, and came to America when fifteen years old, being the first of his family to make the trip to the United States. He came to Wood county, and worked for Adam Phillips, then living on what is known as the " infirmary farm.” He was married, in Wood county, to Catherine Shinew, and went to farming. Later he went to Montgomery township, thence to Scott township, Sandusky county, where he owned forty acres of land. Then he came to Section 1, Portage township, where he afterward lived. To Mr. and Mrs.. Shoup were born four children: William, a member of Company D, i i 1th O. V. I., was wounded at Resaca, and died two weeks later; Mary married Jacob Showman, of Seneca county; John is our subject; Kate became the wife of Otis Wilcox, and died in Montgomery township. Politically, Mr. Shoup was independent, but voted th.e Republican ticket most of the time, and was elected trustee of Portage township several times. He died at the age of seventy-three, and his wife when fifty-seven years old. Both are buried in Portage township. J. W. SMITH. Prominent among the representative citizens, and the respected and influential men, of Bloom township is found this gentleman. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, October 22, 1855 , and is the eldeSt child of William and Margaret (Clanachan) Smith. He spent his boyhood and youth after the manner of farmers' sons, learning to plow, sow and reap, and in the winter season attended the public schools of the neighborhood. When quite small he waS brought by his parents to Wood county, and he remained upon the home farm until the age of eighteen, when he went to Fostoria, Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade with Israel Cramer, after which he worked as a journeyman for several years. Later he became a partner of Thomas G. Campbell in contract work, being associated with that gentleman for about two years, when he became connected with R. A. McKee for the same length of time. For a year after his marriage he made his home with his father- in-law, during which time he was preparing a home of his own on the forty-acre tract, where he still lives, and which is now a well-improved farm. In Bloom township, on December 23, 1880, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Cotant, who was born there September 20, 1861, the fourth child in the family of Charles Cotant. They have become the parents of two daughters and one son—Mabel A., born November 2, 1882; Ethel M., born September 20, 1889, and James F., born November 16, 1895. On May 7, 1885, Mr. Smith joined Company H, 2d O. N. G., and seven days later was made corporal; on January 2, 1888, he was promoted to sergeant, and June to, 1893, was commissioned sergeant-major. On January 12, 1894, he re-enlisted for five years as sergeant-major. He is well versed in military matters, and his command has often received high mention for its excellent training. He has won both a gold and a silver medal for good marksmanship. His first Presidential vote was cast for Rutherford B. Hayes, and since that time he has supported the Republican party, taking an active interest in its success and attending the county conventions as a delegate. He has efficiently served as trustee of his township, and in his Church relations he, his wife and his elder daughter are members 1204 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. of the United Brethren denomination, in which he is serving as trustee of the Church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. A man of the strictest integrity, Mr. Smith enjoys the confidence of all, his word never being questioned. He is a skilled mechanic, and, besides engaging in farming and carpentering, he has also dealt extensively in slate for roofing purposes, at Bloomdale. ABRAHAM WALKER, sexton and custodian of the Bowling Green cemetery, was born in Fayette county, Penn., January 15, 1821. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Solenbarquer) Walker. The father of our subject was born on the Susquehanna river, in Lancaster county, Penn., and was a stone mason by trade. He died in Columbiana county, Ohio, near New Lisbon, at the age of sixty years. The mother died in Stark county, Ohio, when eighty years old. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The paternal grandfather was of Irish descent, and his mother's people were Pennsylvania Dutch, her grandfather, David Solenbarquer, having been born in Pennsylvania, and died in Fayette county, Ohio. Abraham Walker, our subject, is one of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity: David, Thomas, Presley, Henry, Abraham, Joseph, Ann, Clarissa, Mary, and Isabella. Of these, Joseph and Clarissa, besides our subject, are alive, Joseph living in Stark county, Ohio, and Clarissa at Warren, Ohio. Mr. Walker's early life was spent in Columbiana county, on a farm. He was married March I, 1845, to Miss Lloyd, who was born in New Jersey, August 31, 1824. They settled in Columbiana county, Ohio, for four years, and then came to Wood county, in the fall of 1847, and, after living at various places, finally located in Bowling Green, which is still his home. There was no sign of a town when he first came to what is now the prosperous town of Bowling Green. He had learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked and farmed, alternately. That was in the days when the huge forests were being cleared away in Wood county, and black salts and potash were about the only cash commodities. He was engaged in 'making potash for fifteen years, and then became sexton in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the public School house for five or six years, finally accepting the position of sexton of the cemetery, which he has held for thirty-two years. He is a Republican, and has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-five years. Mr. Walker is a strong, hale and hearty man, and long has been the procession of youth and aged whom he has seen join the silent majority, sleeping their last sleep beneath the sod. Mrs. Walker, as well as her husband, has been spared in excellent health by the "grim reaper” to a ripe and happy old age. Both of their lives have been nobly spent, and stand as an excellent example to be followed by succeeding generations. To this couple have been born four children, as follows: Martha, who is the wife of Allan Cook, a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and a citizen of Bowling Green. Jemima, who is the wife of Thomas Baker, a resident of Putnam county, Ohio; they have five sons, Nathan, Alva, William, Ira and Charles. Sarah died when thirty-one years old; she was the wife of Henry Dibert. Henry died when six weeks old. The parents of Mrs. Walker were Floyd and Mary (Sparks) Lloyd. They were both natives of New Jersey, and died there when Mrs. Walker was a child. JOHN WELLING, a leading agriculturist of Perrysburg township, is a native of same, born in Perrysburg township in 1855, and although his earlier years were spent upon a farm in Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he was educated, he returned in early manhood to settle at his birthplace. His grandfather Welling came from Hanover, Germany, accompanied by his family, and made his home in Sandusky county. His son, Harmon Welling, our subject’s father, then a young man, was married there to Miss Margaret Albert, who was also a native of Hanover, and afterward moved to Wood county, locating upon a farm in the eastern part of Perrysburg township, where he died in 1856, leaving two children—George, who resides in Perrysburg township, and the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Welling was married a second time, her husband being Samuel Schreiner, of Stony Ridge; her death occurred in 1861. Two children were born of the second marriage—Henry, a resident. of Toledo; and Caroline, now Mrs. Emch, of Woodville township, Sandusky county, Left an orphan at an early age, Mr. Welling was reared at the old home of the family in Sandusky county; but, in 188o, he came to his present farm, near Stony Ridge, where he built a comfortable and tasteful farm residence. He was married, in 1883, to Miss Sophia Warns, a daughter of Bromain and Catherine (Kane) Warns, who came from Germany in early life and settled in Perrysburg township, where they still reside. Four children were born of this union—Arthur, Edward, Lenora and Walter. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1205 Mr. Welling and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church. at Stony Ridge, and have taken a leading part in various enterprises for the social and religious advancement of the community. As a farmer, Mr. Welling is progressive and enterprising, and his improvements are first-class—his barn, built in 1887, being a model structure, 40 x 62. He is a general farmer, but has given especial attention to stock raising. In his home farm there are fifty-seven and a half acres, but he owns also a farm of seventy-six acres, in the same township. Politically he is a Democrat. JOHN H. CHRISTELLER was born on the farm which is still his home, in Section 1, Portage township, March 20, I 856. His father, Christian Christeller was a native of Switzerland, born in 1793, and when a boy came to the United States. In Columbiana county, Ohio, he wedded Miss Anna Morolof, whose birth also occurred in Switzerland, in 1816, and who, when seven years old, was brought by her parents to America. To them were born five children—Frederick, who died when forty years of age; Louisa and John, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Amos Huffman, of Montgomery township, Wood county; and John H., of this review. On coming to the New World the father was twenty-five cents in debt; but, with energy as his capital, he started out. He had learned the tanner’s trade .in Switzerland, and after his arrival here followed shoemaking, and also worked as a stone cutter on the Beaver & Ohio canal. He secured eighty acres in Section 1, Portage township, giving in exchange a gold watch and a small piece of town property he owned, but did not remove to this place for some years. He drove to Wood county, and began house-keeping in an old log house on his -farm, near which the pioneer road was laid out; but later, when the section lines were established, the roads were changed and the house was found to be near the center of the farm. It was not the intention of Mr. Christeller to engage in farming when he first secured his land, but he later became attached to the business as his children grew up, and he continued to follow it during the remainder of his active life, though he still carried on shoemaking to some extent. On June 13, 1877, he passed away at the age of sixty-four years, six months and fifteen days, and his wife died-in February, 1881, at the age of eighty-five years, being buried by the side of her husband in Rochester cemetery. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he was a stalwart Democrat. He was not over five feet in height, but was a very industrious, energetic man, and was still well preserved for one of his age at the time of hiS death. He had increased his landed possessions, until at one time he owned 240 acres, all in Portage township. The first school which John H. Christeller attended was taught by a Mr. Wollam, and the good practical education he secured was all obtained in the district schools of the neigbborhood. His first ideas of farming were received on the land where he still practices them. On the division of the property, after the death of his father, when our subject was twenty-one, he received as his share the old homestead, on which a snbstantial brick residence had been started. This he completed, and his mother lived with him until her death. In Portage township, on March 20, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Christeller and Miss Eliza Emslie, who was born in Ruggles township, Ashland Co., Ohio, August 20, 1866, and is the daughter of James and Elsie (Thom) Emslie, farming people. Previous to her marriage, Mrs. Christeller had engaged in teaching in both Ashland and Wood counties. Mr. Chris- teller owns 118 acres of excellent land, and gave to the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, the land on which their house of worship was erected, it being a part of his farm. He is now serving as one of its trustees, and his wife is also one of its faithful members. In politics he supports the men and measures althe Republican party, and takes a prominent part in local political affairs. Naturally he is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, is quite a reader, and keeps well informed on the leading topics and events of the day. In their hospitable home both himself and estimable wife delight to entertain their many friends. JACOB HELFER, a retired farmer of Perry township, was born in Germany, July 27, 1824, and is the son of Peter Helfer. Peter Helfer, who was a teamster in the old country, brought his wife and eight children to the United States, thirty-six days being passed on the ocean, during tbe most of which time the mother was ill. The glowing accounts of the resources of the New World had deceived Mr. and Mrs. Helfer, and they did not find the conditions in America as bright as they had anticipated. For three weeks after arriving in Stark county, Ohio, the family slept in a barn. Mr. Helfer then bought twenty acres of land, which was cleared and improved, and on wbich they lived for six years, at the end of that time trading 1206 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. it for eighty acres in Loudon township, Seneca county, to which place the family moved. The land was unimproved, and full of timber and undergrowth. A log house, 20 x 28 feet in dimensions, was built to accommodate this large family of ten people, whose condition at that time was deplorable. The task of clearing the land was a laborious one, and the boys helped their father, working from early morning until late at night. The woods abounded in game and wild animals, and at one time, our subject, then but a boy, was driving the cows home, when he encountered sixteen wolves. His only protection was a little torch he carried; but with this he managed to keep the animals at bay until he reached home. Mr. Helfer lived on this farm until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years old; his wife was eighty-three years of age at the time of her demise. Their family consisted of fourteen children, eight of whom grew to maturity: Jacob, Philip, Peter, Michael, Elizabeth, William, Catherine, and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Helfer were members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject, who was eight years old when he came to this country, attended school but a short time in Germany. He was reared as a farmer's boy, and worked at odd jobs on the farms in the neighborhood, turning over what money he earned to his parents, with whom he lived and helped to support until he was twenty-seven years old. In August, 1851, he was married in Loudon township, Seneca county, to Miss Catherine Long, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when eighteen years old. They went to house-keeping in Seneca county, on a tract of timber land, eighty acres in extent. Here, in a log house, 18 x 20 feet in size, and with an indebtedness of $500, he began life in earnest; but he prospered, and for fifteen years lived in this log house. In March, 1877, he sold his eighty acres for $6,000, and bought 160 acres in Section 23, Perry township, for which he paid $12,000, and where he has since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Helfer have been born children as follows: Daniel, a resident of Cleveland, Tenn. ; Catherine, now Mrs. Henry King, of Liberty township, Seneca county; Jacob, Jr., living at home; John, who died when five years old; Henry, farming on the old homestead; Samuel, also living at home; and Mary, the wife of Jacob Luman, of Perry township. Mrs. Helfer departed this life November 17, 1893, and is buried in Fostoria. In politics our subject is a Democrat; in religious faith he is a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has held office. He is generous to the deserving, and a liberal contributor to churches of all denominations. In 1884, he retired from active farm work. He has always been a hard worker, and, although not possessed of much education, has considerable practical knowledge, and is a shrewd business man. He is well-to-do, and is one of the substantial citizens of Perry township. LEVI TABERN, proprietor of seventy-two acres of land in Section 6, Portage township, and a gentleman of education and intelligence, who employed his earlier years as a teacher in the public schools, is now operating his farm in a highly successful manner. His father, James Tabern, was a native of Devonshire, England born in 1816, and, when a young man, resolved to seek his fortune in the New World. Soon after his arrival he came to Wood county, buying land in Section 6, Portage township. In Bowling Green, in February, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Jones, who was born in Greene county, N. Y., September 7, 1831, and is a daughter of Andrew and Phoebe (Bullis) Jones, who were Eastern people by birth, but in 1834 came to Wood county, becoming pioneers of Plain township. In the family were two children, the other daughter being Naomi, who died at the age of eighteen years. Unto Mr. & Mrs. Tabern were born four children: William who was born March 5, 1855, and died October 23, 1861; Levi, of this sketch; Joseph, who born February 19, 1859, and died August 19. 1878; and Phoebe M., who was born March 11, 1861, and is now Mrs. Wallace Strack, of Portage. The father operated his farm of 100 acres in Portage township until his death from consumption, in December, 1861; his remains were interred in Sargent cemetery. He was a member of the Methodist Church. The mother our subject, who is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, later married Noah Foltz, by whom she has two sons—Albert L., who was born April 22, 1868, and resides in Kansas; and Franklin P., who was born November 4, 1870, and is still with his mother. The birth of Levi Tabern occurred December 9, 1856, on the farm where he still lives. His education was secured at the " little red school," west of the village of Portage, and, in the common schools of that place, fitted himself for teaching, which profession he took up in Bloom township, at the age of seventeen. For two years he was then a student in the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, and, after leaving that institution, taught for seventeen years, while his vacations were spent in farm work. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1207 On April 2 1, 18'87, in Milton township, Wood county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Tabern and Miss Louise Ries, a native of Townsend township, Huron Co., Ohio, and a daughter of Henry and Louise (Puder) Ries. They began their domestic life on the farm where he was born, and, in 1892, he erected their pleasant residence. The home is brightened by the presence of a little son--Glenard W., born August 20, 1890. The mother holds membership with the Methodist Church. Although not bound by party ties, Mr, Tabern usually votes the Republican ticket, is a man of more than ordinary ability, well posted on the current events of the times, and is an excellent citizen and prosperous farmer of Portage township.. JOHN D. WEAVER, an industrious and thrifty farmer, resides in Section 31, Lake township, where he has a good farm. His birth occurred in Franklin county, Penn., in 1842, and he is a son of George W. and Eliza (Davis) Weaver, also natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and whence in 1849 they took their family to Seneca county, Ohio. The journey was made with a two-horse team, and occupied six weeks. There the family remained until coming to Lake township, Wood county, in 186o, where the father purchased a tract of timber land, on which he erected a log house the same fall. His death occurred upon that farm in July, 1888, and the mother also closed her earthly career in the same same township, in 1886, leaving behind them an honorable record of industry and honesty. The parental household included fourteen children, nine of whom are still living. Our subject, who is the eldest, was followed by Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Wagoner, of Lake township; Mrs. Sarah Richards, of Gibsonburg, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Kurfess, of Lake township; Eliza, who became the wife of BarnabuS Wagoner, and died in Lake township, December 25, 1879; George; Martha', who died in Seneca county; Martin, a resident of Lucas county, Ohio; Maria, who died in Lake township, in 1860; Jessie D., who lives in that township; Mrs. Urilla Joseph, of Plain township, Wood county; George B., of Mungen, Ohio; Gilbert, of Melmore, Seneca county; and Harry E., who died in Lake township, in 1886. John D. Weaver was about eight years of age when he arrived in Seneca county, where he attended the primitive schools of that day, and at the age of eighteen came with his parents to Lake township. Here he aided in clearing and cultivating the borne farm, and has ever devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits— besides general farming, being engaged in threshing for many years. He was one of the first to own a threshing machine in the county, which was run by six horses; but for the past fourteen years he has operated a steam thresher. Twenty-five acres of the old homestead are now in his possession, and he also owns fifteen acres additional, located in Section 31, Lake township. In that township, Mr. Weaver was married in 1870, the lady of his choioe being Miss Susan Baker, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Levi and Leah (Sherrick) Baker, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of that county; from which they removed to Crawford county, Ohio, and, in 1862, to Lake township, this county, where the father died in December, 1886. The mother, however, is still living, and resides upon the old homestead here. Seven of her ten children yet survive; they were as follows: Matilda, wife of George Wagoner, of Lake township; Susan, honored wife of our subject; Mrs. Mary Harr, of East Toledo, Ohio; Adaline, wife of Isaac Hufford, of Lake township; Elias, who died in that township at the age of nine years; Samuel, who resides on the home farm; Elmira, who died in 1879; Mrs. Cora Keller, of Lake township; Henry, who is married, and also lives on the old homestead; and Harvey, who is married, and resides at Stony Ridge, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born ten children, namely: Charley, who is married, and resides in Troy township, Wood county; Sydney, who is married, and lives in Lake township; Ezra, Cyrus, Eroy, Ida and Laura, all at home; Cora, who died in 1886, at the age of one year; ParmE., who died in March, 1892; and Clinton, who also died in the same month. Mr. Weaver has witnessed much of the development and progress of Wood county, and haS always taken an active interest in everything that will promote its welfare. His ballot is generally cast for the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he has acceptably served as a member of the school board. JOHN C. MONKS, a retired farmer of Wood county, who, with his estimable wife, is now spending his later years in ease and comfort at his pleasant home in Bowling Green, is a native of England, where he was born at Redmile, in the Vale of Belvoir, March 8, 1833. Thomas Monks, the father of our subject, was born in the same place as his son, and was a shoemaker by trade, also carrying on a boot and shoe store. He was of Irish descent, and 1208 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. was a relative of the illustrious Gen. Monks, who helped place King Charles II on the throne. Thomas Monks was born in 1796, and died in May, 1886, when a little over ninety years old. He was a clerk of the Church of England in his parish for over forty years, and was highly esteemed in his community. His wife died at forty years of age, having been the mother of seven children: George, James, and Thomas, reside in England; William died in that country; John C. is our subject; Charles H. lives in England; Mary died in that country. After the death of his mother, which took place when he was Seven years old, the subject of this sketch attended school in his native place until 1852, when, a. lad of eighteen, he emigrated to America, landing at New York City. He afterward came to Ohio where he worked for some time on a farm at Ridgeville, Lorain county, going from there to Olmstead, Cuyahoga county, where he was married November 24, 1859, to Miss Nancy Ann Fitch, a native of that county, born August 9, 1835. Here he carried on general stock farming, raising cattle, sheep, etc. , until May, 1887, when he sold out and removed to Bowling Green, which has since been his home. One child was born to himself and wife. This son, F. T., whose birth took place November 13, 1863, was educated in the Schools at Olmstead and at Berea College, and married Letta Burdick. His wife died Some three years ago, leaving two children, Edna A., born November 29, 1888, and Charles Gilbert, born September 10, 1890. Mr. Monks is one of the substantial citizens of Bowling Green, and has acquired a comfortable property through his own industry and good management. His family stands high in the regard of their large circle of friends and acquaintances, and they are always ready to assist in the furthering of any worthy enterprise. In politics Mr. Monks is a good Republican, although never taking a very active part in matters of the kind, further than to cast his vote for the men he considers most suitable for offices of public trust. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Church, and take a leading part in its work. B. F. GUNDER is one of the native sons of the county. He was born in Perry township, April 25, 1854, on the old family homestead of his parents, Isaac and Susanna (Heller) Gunder. The district schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges, and he had ample physical training upon the home farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. He then began earning his own livelihood, by work in the neighborhood, and, in 1888, desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he rented a farm of 124 acres, in Perrysburg township, which he operated for four years. He thee purchased fifty acres of land, on which he now resides, and also rents 100 acres, so that he is operating almost a quarter of a section. Hi farm is now a well-developed tract, and yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation he bestows upon it. On March 30, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gunder and Miss Ella William who was born in New York, July 25, 1856, and is a daughter of Josiah Williams, a carpent joiner. They had four children: Etta, March, 1877, now the wife of William Kanzamire, a farmer of Middleton township; Cora, born in 1878; Hattie, born in 1881; and one who died in childhood. In politics Mr. Gunder is an advocate of Republican principles, and, socially, he belongs to Fort Meigs Lodge No. 774, I. O. O. F., also the Rebekah Lodge; and Masonic Lodge No. 123; Knights of Pythias No. 524, all of Perrysburg. He has led an industrious and useful life, is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, popular with his many friends. S. S. DILLEY, M. D., a prominent physician of Pemberville, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, November 30, 1860. Freedland Dilley, our subject's father, was born in Wilkesbarre, Penn., and in early life entered upon a theatrical career. When a young man, he came to Ohio, where he met and married Miss Arabella Baker, a native of Hancock county, where he established his home. Soon after his marriage the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted, but he died at Washington D. C. of smallpox, while on his way to the front. His widow afterward married Solomon Frederick and removed to Wood county, where he died in 1895; she is now residing in Jerry City, Wood county. S. S. Dilley, our subject, her only child, obtained his early education mainly in the schools of Jerry City. His first money was earned by finishing boat oars; but later he learned the barber's trade, which he followed for sometime. He began the study of medicine, with Dr. Bryant, ex-sheriff of Wood county, and after careful preparation he attended one term at the Medical College at Fort Wayne, Ind., and two terms at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute, from WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1209 which he graduated in '894. He at once located in Pemberville, where he has already acquired a good practice, his successful treatment of cases entrusted to him bringingan enviable professional standing, which is the best possible guarantee of his future. On September 13, 1881, he was married, in Jerry City, to Miss Hattie M. Yant, who died, leaving two children—Cleoa and Freedland B. His second wife, to whom he was married August 3, 1894, was Mrs. Mary Alexander, of Pemberville. She is one of ten children born to Henry and Margaret (Telemyer) Bimedick, born March 6, 1852, in Seneca county, Ohio; was educated in the English language, at New Rochester, and also in the German schools of Pemberville. Of her eight sisters, seven are yet living; brother, Lewis, died June 12, 1896. Politically, Dr. Dilley is a Republican; socially, he is a member of the F. & A. M., Lodge No. 112 of Bowling Green; of the I. O. O. F. of Pemberville; of the Foresters of America (of which he is the physician); of the Knights of the Maccabees, and the K. of P. of Jerry City; and of the Uniform Rank of K. of P., of Bowling Green. The Doctor is the medical examiner of the I. O. O. F., of Columbus, and also of the Foresters of America. He is a contributor to the New York medical journals, and other works of similar nature, principally on diseases of women and children. M. B. SIMON, a leading farmer and stockraiser, and one of the most popular citizens of Bloom township, was born in Wood county March 28. 1859, and is a son of Levi and Mary A. (Pfister) Simon, His early education was begun in Hopewell School, and among his first teachers was Miss Libby Fisher. He later entered Fostoria Academy, where for three years he pursued his studies, taking up Latin and German as well as the more common. branches; he was a member of the male quartet there. Later he taught in District No. 1, Bloom township, being the first teacher in the present brick schoolhouse. On September 14, 1887, in Washington township, Hancock Co., Ohio, Mr. Simon was united in marriage with Miss Florence Ringer, a native of that township, born November 1, 1864; and they have become the parents of three children - Eva Blanch, born October 3, 1888; Amy Mettalene, born September 28, 1890; and Edwin DeWitt, born July 21, 1894. After his marriage Mr. Simon located upon his present farm, only five acres of which at that time were under cultivation. In April, 1892, he began the dairy business in being the first to establish an industry of that kind in that thriving village, and has since given considerable attention to the same. He has also dealt in bee supplies, being well versed in bee culture, and thoroughly conversant with the business. In addition to general farming, he is an extensive stock raiser, breeding Chester-white hogs, which he has shipped to various States, and has some fine registered Holstein cattle upon his place. Mr. Simon possesses a fine tenor voice, well cultivated, and haS taught vocal music to some extent. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, in which he serves as chorister, and is a member of the board of trustees, and he is a devout, earnest Christian; seldom do you find a man as conscientious, thoroughly upright and honest, and whose integrity is above question. He is a student of more than ordinary ability, and as a musician ranks high, many of the pieces used in the United Brethren song books being of his composition, both the music and words. His political support is given to the Republican party. The parents of Mrs. Simon, George and Rachel (Scherer) Ringer, were both natives of Stark county, Ohio, the former born January 2, 1819, and the latter August 25, 1826. In that county they were reared and married, moving to Hancock county, Ohio, in 1849. Mr. Ringer's father had given him 16o acres of land, valued at $300, still in its primitive condition, to which he later added another 160-acre tract; he afterward bought his son James forty acres. On his farm in Hancock county he lived until December, 1892, when he removed to Arcadia, Ohio, there dying on May 6, 1894, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at that place. In religious faith he was a Methodist, while in politics he was connected with the Republican party for many years, but later became a Prohibitionist. His wife still makes her home in Arcadia. Mrs. Simon is the youngest in their family of eight children—three sons and five daughters. Her primary education, received in the district schools, was supplemented by a three-years' course at Fostoria Academy, where sbe prepared herself for teaching, which profession she followed for several terms in Wood and Hancock counties, having charge of a Bloomdale school for two terms. Her brothers and sisters were as follows: Carlesta, wife of Samuel Myers, of Melmore, Seneca Co., Ohio; Elizabeth, who married Josiah Kimmel, and removed to Kansas, dying in Neosha county, that State; Frances, who died in Stark county, in infancy; Catherine, now Mrs. A. C. Powell, of Findlay, Ohio, who is a deaf mute, her infirmity having been caused by sick- 1210 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ness in childhood; James, a farmer of Washington township, Hancock county; Benjamin, who died at the age of two years; and Franklin, who was a mercantile clerk, and died in Lyon county, Kansas. J. W. LAMBRIGHT, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Montgomery township, is a native of Jackson township, Seneca Co., Ohio, born May 12, 1859, and was but a child when his parents, Henry and Margaret (Johnson) Lambright, removed to Perry township, Wood county, where he was reared from childhood and educated in the district schools, which were greatly inferior to those of the present time. He is heartily in favor of the advancement of educational interests. As a farmer boy he was reared, having the benefit of his father's instruction along that line. In Perry township, on November 8, 1883, Mr. Lambright was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Rainey, who was born in Seneca county, May 3o, 1860, and is a daughter of John Rainey, who died when she was an infant. She then lived in the family of John W. Griffith, of Fostoria, Ohio, and was a young lady on coming to Perry township. Three children have been born to our subject and his wife—Chester H., born October 16, 1884; Minnie M., born April 3, 1887; and Venus, born July 24, 1896. For eight years after his marriage Mr. Lam-bright conducted his father's farm, and then bought the John Baker farm in Section 36, Montgomery township, which comprises seventy-one acres of fine land, and he now cultivates with good success. In all his business dealings he is straightforward and reliable, and is numbered among the progressive farmers and valued citizens of the community. In politics he is a stanch Republican, only leaving that party to support nominees of minor township offices, as in his selection of incumbents for such positions, he is strictly non-partisan. Both he and his estimable wife are devoted and efficient members of the United Brethren Church. GORDON PITCHER, a well-known resident of Haskins, was born in Lewis county, N. Y., December 20, 1833. His family is of Welsh origin, several generations removed. His paternal grandfather, Gurdon Pitcher, a prominent farmer in Massachusetts, died in the State of New York in 1845, during our subject's boyhood. Lyman Pitcher, father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts in 1808, and in early manhood moved to New York State, where, in 1831, he married Miss Edith Jones, who was bor: Oneida county, N. Y., in 1814. He was for many years a contractor on public works there, but, in 1865, he came to Wood county, and bought a farm in Middleton township, which he cultivated until advancing age caused him to retire from active business, and he now resides with our subject. During his earlier years he was a Whig and he became a Republican when the issues arose which caused the new division in party lines. He and his wife, who died in 1888, at the age of seventy-four, were faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and brought their family up in the same faith. Of their eight children five lived to adult age: Caroline, deceased, was twice married, first to F. Seager, second to W. H. Garrett: Gurdon; Gideon, a resident of Bowling Green; Sallie Ann, who resides in Bowling Green; and George, living in Haskins. Mr. Pitcher acquired his education in a log school house in Lewis county, N. Y., and was early initiated into the occupation of farming. He was married, in 1856, at Redfield, Oswego Co., N. Y., to Miss Electa Williams, a native of Pennsylvania, born July 28, 1840. They have two children: Frankie married Charles Bernthisel, of Haskins, and has three children—Estella, Electa, and Henry; Charles is now his father's partner in business, and lives at home. On October 2, 1861, Mr. Pitcher joined Company G, 59th N. Y. V. I., and served in the army of the Potomac, taking part in the battles of Richmond, Antietam, Fredericksburg, the second battle of Bull Run, and the desperate struggle at Gettysburg, where he was seriously: wounded, necessitating his discharge in September, 1863, for disability. In the fall of 1864, he came to Middleton township, and engaged in agriculture, continuing until about six years ago, when he began teaming and contracting in the oil fields. An honest, industrious citizen, blessed with that rarest of qualities, hard commonsense, he holds the respect and friendship of all who know him well. He belongs to the G. A. R and the I. O. O. F. DANIEL LOOMIS, a prosperous retired carpenter and builder of Bowling Green, was born ib Springwater, Livingston Co., N. Y., August 14. 1825. His paternal ancestry was English, but his father, David Loomis, was born in Connecticut. He went to New York State in early manhood where he met and married Miss Celia Grover: and a few years later moved to Ohio, locating WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1211 first in Conneaut. Here his wife died at the age of fifty, and in 1832 he removed with his son to a farm in Huron county, where he died in 1836, when fifty-four years of age. He was a Democrat in politics, and an intelligent and original student of the problems of the day. In religious faith he was a Universalist. Our subject spent four years in New York State during his boyhood, attending school for three years and spending the rest of the time as an apprentice to a cabinet maker. Becoming dissatisfied, he returned home and assisted his father until the latter's death. July 19, 1852, he was married to Miss Emaline Wyckoff, who was born in Canada, July 9, 1833, and they have three children. After his marriage Mr. Loomis remained for some time in Huron county, engaged in carpentering, and then moved to Enterprise, Ohio. In 1861 he came to Wood county, and lived near Portage for seven years, finally settling in Bowling Green. As a conscientious, industrious workman, he has met with the success which he deserves, and holds the confidence respect of all who know him. The family are among the leading members in the M. E. Church, and take an interest in all the various lines of social and religious advancement. In politics Mr. Loomis is a Republican. AUGUSTUS SCHALLER. The farming interests of Wood county are well represented by this gentleman, who is a progressive citizen of sterling worth and a self-made man who can justly attribute his success to his own efforts. A native of Svitzerland, he was born on the 14th of January, 1849, and is a son of Benjamin and Rosanna (Harming) Schaller, natives of the same country, With their family the parents crossed the Atlanc to America, and continued their journey across the continent until they arrived in Middleton township, Wood Co., Ohio, where they made a settlement. Near the homestead our subject attended school when his labors were not needed in the development of the farm. He continued to give his father the benefit of his services until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself, renting a farm which he operated for a year. He then purchased 120 acres of timber land, and at once began the work of clearing the place. It was an arduous task; but he faithfully continued his labors until now the entire amount is under a high state of cultivation, has been made arable by tiling and ditching, a good barn has been erected at a cost of $1,000, and other excellent improvements added. On March 5, 1874, in Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Schaller united in marriage with Caroline Kohl, who was born in Cleveland, February 20, 1857, and is a daughter of Michael Kohl, a native of Germany, now farming in Perrysburg township. They have six children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Alice, January 28, 1876; Albert A., May 3o, 1878; John, April 23, 1882; Jennie, April 16, 1886; Nellie, October 8, 1888; and Rosie, March 26, 1891. A Democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Schaller has served as school director for six years, and as supervisor of roads for three terms, discharging his duties in a commendable manner. Socially, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. In business dealing he is straightforward and honorable; in social life he is genial and pleasant. FRANCIS M. TWINING, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Middleton township, was born near Findlay, Ohio, November 21, 1842, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the State. His father, Silas Twining, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a blacksmith by trade; but after his removal to Hancock county, he purchased 120 acres of land and there engaged in farming. He was married in that locality to Leatitia Harold, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1817. The children of this union are: John, who died in 1848; Charles, deceased; Amos; Eli; Francis M.; Sarah, who died in childhood; and Alvin. The father of this family died in Findlay, Ohio, January 12, 1854, but the mother is now living with Amos Twining. Mr. Twining, of this review, during his boyhood days attended school through the winter season, and in the summer months aided in the labors of the farm. He continued at home until 1865, when he came to Wood county, and worked by the month as a farm hand in Middleton township for a time. His first purchase of land comprised ten acres, which he cleared, and then engaged in market gardening, selling his produce in Bowling Green. He met with good success in that undertaking, which he continued until 1882, when he purchased twenty-five acres of land in Middleton township, south of Haskins, on which he now has five oil wells in active operation, carried on by a Toledo company. He has erected here a pleasant home at a cost of $1,000, has also built good barns and outbuildings, and has a well-improved place. Mr. Twining was married, April 8, 1866, to Annie Apger, a native of Carroll county, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter and Mary (Atchley) Ap- 1212 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. ger, of Jackson township. They have five children—Mary, born April 29, 1868, now the wife of siGeorge Helger, a farmer; Elmer, an oil operator, who was born January 22, 1872, and married Louise Helzer; Jay, an oil operator, who was born March 2, 1877, and married Hulda Cummings, daughter of Clark Cummings, of Haskins; Elizabeth and Lula, who died in childhood. Mr. Twining and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and take an active interest in its work and upbuilding. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and for nine years has efficiently served as school director. During the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Government by enlisting, but illness prevented his going to the front. He is a genial and affable man, kind and generous by nature, and has the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been brought in contact. JOSIAH KIGER, deceased, was for several years a well-known and prominent agriculturist of Perry township. He was a native of Ohio, born in Fairfield county, February 9, 1823, and was a son of William Kiger, who lived and died in that county. In the family of twelve children Josiah was the fifth in order of birth, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. When a young man, he came to Perry township, Wood county, purchasing eighty acres of partially improved land, in Section 7, and immediately began its further development, making his home, in the meantime, with his sister, Mrs. John Bucher. While attending a spelling school in Perry township, Mr. Kiger first met Eleanor W. Kelley, and the acquaintance thus formed ripened into love, and they were married on June 7, 1848, in Montgomery township, Wood county. She is a daughter of John A. and Rachel (Shawan) Kelly, and was born November 24, 1828. Three children blessed this union, all daughters: Nancy E., born June 2, 1854, became the wife of Daniel M. Yates, and died on October 17, 1888. Annie C., born September 27, 1857, received a common-school education, and for a time attended the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, where she better prepared herself for teaching, which she began at the age of sixteen, and followed the profession for ten terms, with excellent success. Subsequently she completed a two-years' course of music at the Fostoria Academy, and later taught music. In Toledo, Ohio, on the gth of December, 1886, she wedded J. J. Harley, and to them have been born three children—Harrison C., born August 19, 1888; Ella B., born January 30, 1890; and John Arthur, born March 25, 1892. The youngest child of our subject was May E., who was born May 3, 1864, and died in infancy. In a log house, built near the creek which flowed through his land, Mr. Kiger and bride his began their domestic life. Although it was and arduous task to develop the new land, he was an young and full of hope, and soon converted the place into a valuable farm. In 1868, however, he removed to West Millgrove, where, for about three years, he engaged in merchandising, but at the end of that time returned to his farm, and continued his agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred August 7, 1872, from the accidental discharge of a gun. His remains were interred in West Millgrove cemetery. He was an earnest defender of Republican principles, and i man whose opinions were invariably held in respect. He cared nothing for political office, though he served for a time as trustee of Perry township. In early life he had sewed as deacon in the Congregational Church to which he belonged, but later became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which Mrs. Kiger is also connected. He left to his widow 160 acres of good land, which she leases, and since December, 1872, has made her home in West Millgrove, surrounded by her many friends. F. W. HEMINGER, an energetic and successful farmer of Montgomery township, first opened his eyes to the light of day, August 2, 1853, upon the farm of his parents, Frederick and Maria (Wilard) Heminger, the place where he still makes his home, in Section 6. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and was the second in order of birth in the family of Andrew and Elizabeth (Yunkman) Heminger, though the elder to grow to maturity. When a young man he located in Portage county, Ohio, where he wedded Miss Maria Wilard, and it was in about 1839 that he came to Wood county. He purchased forty acres and entered fifty more in Section 6, Montgomery township. Upon the former tract a log house stood, and three acres had been cleared, but the remainder was all in its wild state. Upon this farm the father died at the ripe old age of eighty-three years, and the mother passed away five years later, Both were buried at Pemberville. They were earnest members of the German Baptist Church, and commanded the respect of all who knew them. They belonged to that honored band of pioneers who opened up the county, though compelled to endure the hardships and privations of life on the frontier. Of their large family of thirteen children all but the eldest reached manhood and womanhood, and, after WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1213 their marriage,, on two different occasions all ate he same table. Mr. Heminger, whose name introduces this record, received his primary education in the common district schools, and the knowledge thus gained was supplemented by study at Fostoria. Though .competent to teach, he never followed that profession, and when a young man he worked for two years in Michigan and one in Illinois at farm labor. With his earnings he attended school, as previously stated. His parents becoming feeble, Mr. Heminger was prevailed upon to return home and assume the management of the farm, and by so doing shaped his future course. He was well fitted for other professions, and would undoubtedly have succeeded in any calling which he might have chosen. He purchased the home farm of ninety acres before his marriage, and made a home for his aged parents, who there died. His pleasant residence stands but a short distance west of the site of his father's first log cabin. In 1882, in Montgomery township, Mr. Heminger married Miss Cinderella De France, a native of Wood county, and a daughter of David De France, who was killed at the battle of Stone River, during the Civil war. By this union two daughters were born—Mattie M. and Ida R., both of whom are at home; they also adopted a son, Frank B. The mother died in 1887, and was buried at Pemberville, Ohio. The lady who now shares the name and fortunes of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Martha Bardz, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Hiram Bardz. Three children were born of the second marriage: Merrill V., who died in childhood; and Marven V. and Bertha M., yet living. The family now occupy a comfortable residence erected in 1889, upon the fine farm of ninety acres owned by Mr. Heminger, who is one of the most skillful and intelligent agriculturists of tbe community, and is a fine specimen of physical manhood. Genial and affable in manner, as a citizen he stands high, and is willing to aid deserving undertakings. By his ballot he supports the principles of the Republican party, and religiously both he and his wife are Methodists. LORIN L. CASS is one of the most popular and highly esteemed residents of Liberty township, whefe he was born October 2, 1849, a son of Louis H. and Amanda M. (Loveland) Cass. His parents were married in Wayne county, Ohio, and the father engaged in the practice of medicine. Several years later he came to Wood county, and is now residing in Chicago, where he has an extensive practice as a specialist. The members of the family are Minerva, wife of J. D. Edgar, of Ivesdale, Ill. ; Louis O., who served in the 6th United States Cavalry, and died in Texas; Lorin L., of this sketch; Emma, of Chicago; Bayard T., of Chicago; Victor H., who went to Minnesota when nineteen years of age, where for three years he was agent for a cement company, and now owns a half interest in a gold mine in southern California; Earl, who died at the age of three years; and Florence N., at home. The early educational privileges of our subject were supplemented by one year's attendance at the seminary in Findlay, Ohio, one year's study in Perrysburg, and a year and a half in the Ypsilanti Seminary. When in his twenty-first year he went to California, spending a year on the Pacific slope, and carefully viewing the country. Then returning home, he purchased at auction 16o acres of land in Section 17, Liberty township, and began farming. Mr. Cass was married in Tontogany, August 13, 1879, to Florence L. Drain, and they began their domestic life on the farm which he had secured. In 1881 he removed with his family to Weston, where be established a dry-goods store, conducting the same until the spring of 1884, when he returned to the farm. After three years he again went to Weston, and in the Spring of 1896 built a grain elevator, and is now in the grain business at that place. He has fourteen oil wells upon his land, and also owns a good house and lot in Weston. Owing to his well- directed, energetic effortS and capable management, he has prospered in his business undertakings, and is known as a thoroughly reliable and progressive business man. Mr. and Mrs. Cass have one child, Lorin Earl, now twenty-three years of age, who was married, in the spring of 1895, to Anna Laney. The family is one of prominence in the community, and its members are held in high regard. On questions of national importance, Mr. Cass gives his political support to the Democratic party, but at local elections votes independently. He is known throughout the community as " Captain Cass," and in this neighborhood, where he has spent almost his entire life, his circle of friends is limited only by the circle of his acquaintances. SAMUEL STILWELL, who is now living retired in Bloomdale, was born in Ross township, Jefferson Co., Ohio, May 4, 1836, is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Elliott) Stilwell. The father was a native of Maryland, and on going to Jeffer- 1214 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. son county, Ohio, when a young man, there married Miss Elliott, a daughter of Richard Elliott. In 1851, with his family of seven children, he removed to Hancock county, Ohio, driving the entire distance in a covered wagon. It was a tong and tedious journey, requiring several days, 'and the family would cook their meals along the roadside. The father bought 120 acres of new land in what was known as "Wild Cat Thicket," Washington township, and which was thickly Covered with timber and brush, and water covered almost a third of the area. It was an arduous task to clear and develop such land, and the members of the family were compelled to secure other work in order to earn enough to live on. The father died on this farm at the age of eighty-two, and his wife survived him only about six months, dying at the home of our subject in Woocrcounty. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they were buried at Arcadia, Hancock county. Mr. Stilwell cast his ballot with the Democratic party. The children of the family were Esther, now Mrs. Addison Beamer, of Paulding county, Ohio; Lewis, of the same county; Samuel; Abraham, of Perry township, Wood county; Harriet, who died in Hancock county; Nancy J., who also died in that county, while young; and Margaret, who became the wife of David Moore, and passed away in Hancook county. The education of our subject was obtained in the common district schools of his day; but farm training was considered more essential than literary studies, so that his educational advantages were limited. He remained at home until his marriage, which happy event occurred November 4, 1858, in Findlay, Ohio, Miss Angeline Wiseman becoming his wife, and the ceremony being performed by Squire Byal. She was born in Washington township, Hancock county, November 4, 1841, and is a daughter of James G. and Elizabeth (Sommers) Wiseman, who removed from Augusta county, Va., to Washington township, being the third family to locate there. For two years after his marriage, Mr. Stilwell remained upon his father's farm, and for the next fifteen years rented land, moving fourteen times during that period. He first became tbe owner of forty acres of land in Washington township, Hancock county, on which he resided for three years, and in 1877 bought seventy-two and a half acres in Se compelled to section 30, Perry township, Wood county; although the place was mostly unimproved, he converted it into a good farm, and there made his home until December, 1891, when owing to failing health he was give up agricultural pursuits. He now has a pleasant home on Garfield street, Bloomdale, where he expects to pass his remaining days in retirement enjoying the fruits of his former toil. In January, 1894, he became a member of the firm of Miller & Stilwell, grocers, but disposed of his interest at the end of a year. Two children were born to our subject and his wife: Edward R., of Bloomdale; and Albert F., a farmer of Perry township. They have an adopted son, Jesse M., whom they took at the age of three months. In July, 1877, Mr. Stilwell's right eye was injured, which resulted in the loss of it. He and his wife take an active part in the work of the Liberal United Brethren Church, of which he has been a trustee and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Democrat. RICHARD HOPPER. This worthy citizen of Plain township, who departed this life November 15, 1889, was a native of England, his birth taking place in King's Lynn, County of Norfolk, August 12, 1814. His wife, who survives him, and whose maiden name was Jane Pruden, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, December 19, 1822, and their marriage took place in that country October 29, 1844. The young couple were very poor in this world's goods, their combined capital at the time of their marriage consisting of seventy-five cents. But they had youth, health, love and hope, and began their married life without fears of the future. They had worked for a living before that event, and both continued in. service until they had saved enough to carry them to America—that land of promise to the youth of foreign countries. They came direct to Monroeville, Ohio, where Mr Hopper secured a position in a distillery, and before long was able to buy a house and lot in that place. He subsequently became the owner of thirteen acres of land, which he sold for $1,300, and in 1863 removed to Wood county. His first purchase here was forty acres of land in Pine township, for which he paid $40 per acre, it being the first land sold at that price in this section of the county. It was excellent land, with good improvements, and proved to be a valuable piece of property. The present homestead was bought in 1870, and Mrs. Hopper now owns property to the extent of 128 acres of fine land on which are three oil wells. Mr. Hopper was an industrious, thrifty and enterprising man, a Democrat in his political views, and, with his wife, a consistent member of the Congregational Church. His death was deeply WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1215 felt, not only by his friends and associates, but by the entire community, who appreciated his many good finalities. The children born to this worthy couple are as follows: Mary J., born 26, 1848, in England, is the wife of William Wakefield, of Bowling Green; by a former marriage to William E. Wilson, she has two sons, Charles W. and Wilber E. William R., born May 5, 1851, married Rachel Coen, and has three children, George O., Perry C. and Jennie V., Lydia A., born August 2, 1861, is the wife of G. J. Thomas, and they reside with her mother on the home farm. Mrs. Hopper's parents were Thomas and Mary (Carter) Pruden. Her father died when was eight years old, and her mother when was twenty-one. She has two brothers, Robert, living in England, and Samuel, a farmer Wood county. Mrs. Hopper is a most estimable woman, and highly esteemed by all her acquaintances. JOSEPH HAMPTON, who during his life was a resident of Plain township, was born in Ross county, Ohio, November 25, 1825, and died March 26, 1895. He was married November 16, 1847, to Miss Eliza J. Wilson, who was born in Mercer county, Penn., December 18, 1829, and after their marriage settled (in the fall of 1848) on the farm his widow now owns and occupies. Mr. Hampton was a carpenter by trade, and during the earlier years of his life followed that occupation. Ill health, however, compelled him to give up steady work, and he removed to the farm, where he carried on contracting until the infirmities of increasing age forced him to abandon all labor. He wassi a kind husband and father, a good neighbor and a royal citizen. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a Christian, and a believer in the Bible. To Mr. and Mrs. Hampton seven children were born, as follows: Warren W., born May 29, 1850, is postmaster at Dunbridge, Wood county; he married Miss Malinda Jackson, and they had five children-Maude, Bernice, James and Pearl, and Cora Viola, born July 23, 1890, died September 11, 1891. Cynthia, born November 5, 1851, is the wife of Adelbert Segar, and lives in Dunbridge, Ohio; they have seven children, namely: Electa. (the wife of Joseph Kelly, and has two children--May and Everett), Joseph, Frank, Edna, Arthur, Lenora and Alva. Cassius A., born May 20, 1853, married Ella Perrin, and has three sons: Edgar, Percy and Donald; he is a merchant at Perrysburg, Ohio. John C., born June 26, 1856, is an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and resides at Garrett, Ind.; he married Ada Budd, and they have two children, Wade and Mildred. Emma, born October 7, 1858, is the wife of J. D. Killyen, and they reside with her mother on the home farm. Adele, born June 15, 1860, married Ralph Shay, and died April 20, 1 88 5. Manley B., born April 14, 1864, died July 10, 1875. Mrs. E. J. Hampton, the widow of our subject, is a woman of superior intelligence and excellent business capacity. For several years she carried on a country store for the Grange, finally purchasing the stock, and is now operating it for herself on her farm. She has been very successful in her enterprises, and deserves the high esteem in which she is held by all who know her. Mrs. Hampton is the daughter of William and Rebecca (McDowell) Wilson. Her father was born May 3, 1802, near Mount Vernon, Ohio, but when a child his parents removed to Pennsylvania. He was then married, his wife being a native of Westmoreland county, that State, born May 3o, 1812. Soon after their marriage they removed to Ohio in 1835, afterward returning to Pennsylvania to educate their children. They again came to Ohio and settled in Plain township, when there were only three houses where the city of Bowling Green now stands. The mother of Mrs. Hampton died August 26, 1851, and the father married a second time, and moved to Defiance county, Ohio, where he died near Hicksville, August 26, 1887. He was a carpenter by trade, and a member of Church. His parents were John and Mary (Cox) Wilson, the former of whom died in Iowa, and the latter in Wood county. NOAH HAMILTON. Faithfulness to duty in all the relations of life has secured to this gentleman the high regard of those who know him, and has made him worthy of representation in the history of his adopted county. A son of Andrew and Christina (Bickle) Hamilton, he was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 14, 1851. His father was born in Hocking county, this State, July ro, 1823, and was there married, March 29, 1849, to Miss Bickle, whose birth occurred September 20, 1829. He was a gentleman of fine education, and considerable prominence. When a young man he learned the carpenter'S trade during vacations. His parents, John and Hettie (Spears) Hamilton, were pioneers of Hocking county, and natives of Virginia. The parents of our subject located in Fairfield county, and for twenty years the father followed teaching. He was a prominent worker in the United Brethren 1216 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Church, and one of nature's noblemen. He died in Fairfield county, April 21, 1867, and his wife died August 8, 1864. They had nine children- Joseph, born December 17, 1849, living with Noah, who is the second in order of birth; Simon, born September 3o, 1853, a carpenter of Liberty; Abram, born July 14, 1855, who died at the age of six years and three months; John, who was born October 6, 1856, and died at the age of four years and eleven months; Mary, born May 17, 1858, wife of Edward Calderwood, of Idaho; Phcebe, born April 30, 1860, now in Florida; James Monroe, who was born September Jo, 1862, and died at the age of ten years; Ezra, born March 26, 1864, now in a factory in Indiana. Noah Hamilton remained on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when his father died, and he started out to make his own way in the world, working as a farm hand for twelve years, and receiving from $18 to $28 per month. He was married in Clear Creek, Fairfield Co.,. Ohio, October 16, 1873, to Ann M. Vandemark, who was there born October I 1, 1856, a daughter of Charles and Maria (Woodring) Vandemark, natives of Fairfield county. Our subject and his wife located at Clear Creek, where he farmed on shares, until coming to Wood county in the spring of 1882. Here he rented land until the fall of 1889, when he located on his present farm, which he had purchased in 1887. He erected his residence two years later, and now has a good start in life, all owing to his own industry and perseverance. Besides his own farm of seventeen acres, he cultivates 250 acres of rented land. Three children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton-Rosa Rebecca, born March 14, 1878; Frank Russell, born October 26, 188o;,. and Lillie May, born December 1, 1884. Their eldest child, Elda, born July 17, 1874, died in infancy. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat, and has served as supervisor. JOHN W. STERLING is a self-made man of Wood county, whose success in life may be attributed alone to his enterprise and good management. These qualities have overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and have brought to him a well-merited prosperity. Mr. Sterling was born in St. Joseph county, Mich., December 12, 1855, and is a son of John A. Sterling. The family was founded in America by Jacob Sterling, the great-grandfather of our subject, a native of Ireland, who, on emigrating to America, located in Hancock county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. The grandfather, George Sterling, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The father of our subject was Mahoning county, Ohio, March 2, 1832, and was a defender of the Union during the Civil war, enlisting August 5, 1861, in Company D, 92d O.V. I. He served until the close of the struggle and was wounded, at Chickamauga by a minnie ball in the right knee; was at the siege of Atlanta, also in the celebrated march to the sea, and was a faithful defender of the old flag. By occupation he is a farmer. In Noble county, Ohio in 1850, he married Miss Elizabeth Dolison, and then located on a rented farm in Noble county; but afterward removed with his family to Michigan, where he rented land until he had saved enough to purchase property. In the winter of 1866 he came to Wood county, and rented 160 acres of land in Henry township belonging to his brother. He afterward bought forty acres in Section 21, same township, built a log cabin and there made his home until 1875, when he removed to Hammansburg, where he and his wife are still living. The members of their family were as follows: Rachel J., who doed om Michigan; John W.; Sarah Elizabeth, deceased wife of -Charles Johnson, of Henry township, Wood county; Nancy Ellen; who died in childhood; George F., of Hammansburg; James, of Woodville, Ohio; Sylvester, who died at the age of two; Charles, who is also living in Henry township; and Ernest True, at home. In the district schools Mr. Sterling acquired his education, but the greater part of his training was that of farm labor. At the age of sixteen he left home to earn his own living by work as a farm hand, and received for his services $15 per month. He was thus employed until his marriage, which was celebrated in Hammansburg, October 7, 1875, the lady of his choice being Miss Amelia Elizabeth Ackerman, who was born in Henry township, on April I, 1858. For two years they lived in Hammansburg, and then removed to their present home, which Mr. Sterling rented for three years, and then purchased, The place at first comprised eighty acres. To this he has added forty acres, and he also owns a valuable tract of eighty acres in Hancock county, Ohio. The entire place is fenced, he has a good bearing orchard of two and one-half acres, and in 1888, he erected a commodious and comfortable dwelling, while all the other improvements, of a model farm are found upon his place. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, their names and dates of birth being; Jennie Etta, November 27, 1876; Birtus E, August 29, 1880; Pearl, September 18, 1883; WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1217 Frank, March 23, 1886; Joseph, March 19, 1888; and Merl, December 21, 1893. Mr. Sterling gives his political support to the Democracy, but has had neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business dealings, in which he has met with signal success. JOHN C. JOHNSTON, whose genial, pleasant manner has gained him many friends, and made him a popular citizen, was born in Meadville, Penn,, September 15, 1855. His father, James S Johhnston, was born in the same place in 1816, and when a young man acquired a knowledge of carpentering, which he followed for a number of years in connection with farming. He married Rachel C. Wingate, who is still on the old homestead in the Keystone State. The father died in 1887. Their children were Emma, who died in Meadville; John C.; Ella, who married Frank Thatcher, of Meadville; William J., an oil man of Rudolph, Wood county; and George, who is is on the old homestead. The family was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject, Launcelot Johnston, who with his five brothers went from Ireland to England in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and after a few years crossed the Atlantic, locating first in Canada, where several of the brothers made permanent homes and acquired considerable property. Their descendants still live in that country, and are very wealthy. The grandfather of our subject and one brother came to the United States, the latter locating in New York, where he became a wealthy merchant. Launcelot Johnston took up his residence in Pennsylvania. While in Canada he had considerable property confiscated by the British government, on account of his sympathies with the United States. Our subject received a good English education and remained under the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he went to Clarion county, Penn. There he was employed in various ways in the oil fields, and eventually became a driller. He also worked in the oil fields of Allegany county, N. Y., and while there was married, in 1882, to Miss Ella Richmond, who was born in Saginaw county, Mich., in 1863. They began house-keeping in the little town of Obi, N. Y., and after five years removed to Lima, Ohio, where Mr. Johnston was connected with the oil trade for two years. He then removed to Decatur, Ill., but after nine months became a resident of Liberty township, Wood Co., Ohio. In January, 1888, he was appointed to fill the position of district superintendent for the Ohio Oil Company, and is now acting in that capacity. He looks after their entire interests in this district, and in the discharge of his duties displays the utmost fidelity and trustworthiness. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston was blessed with three children, but Lola died at the age of four years. The others are Earl and Forest. Mr. Johnston takes quite an active interest in political affairs, and is a stanch Democrat. Diligence and perseverance have won for him a comfortable ,competence, and his honorable career has secured him a place among Wood county's most respected citizens. AARON P. TREADWELL, deceased, was one of the valued and leading citizens of Middleton township. He was born in Connecticut February 4, 1816, acquired his education in that State, and afterward followed the profession of school teaching. In 1850 he removed to Wood county, locating in Grand Rapids, where he taught school for five years, and in 1855 he removed to Hull Prairie, where he and T. Junkins entered 16o acres of land from the government, for which they paid seventy-five cents per acre. He won success in his business ventures, acquiring a comfortable competence. He traveled throughout the country, and wherever he went made friends, for he possessed a genial, kindly disposition that gained him the warm regard of all. In 1855 Mr. Treadwell was united in marriage at Tontogany, Ohio, to Elizabeth Black, a sister of Capt. Black, of Bowling Green. The following named children were born to them— Thomas W.', born June 5, 1856. died in June, 1857; Phoebe E., born August 10, 1858, died May 23, 1864; Mina B., born February 19, 1864, died January 16, 1892, the wife of George Mundis, of Kansas; Libbie T., born September 7, 1867; Arona P., born November 4, 1869, the wife of Forest McClung, of Plain township, married March 15, 1892, and on October 3, 1894, they became the parents of a daughter—Jessie. Mr. Treadwell was a member of the Episcopal Church, in which he was confirmed in youth. He devoted many hours to the study of the Bible, and was interested in all that would benefit his fellowmen, being numbered among the valued members of the community. He died April 14, 1888, leaving a family and many friends to mourn his death. Mrs. Treadwell still resides on the old homestead, and is a most estimable lady. She is a member of the Methodist Church, and her daughter of tbe Baptist Church, and belongs to the Christian Endeavor, Society. Mrs. Treadwell has long been a resident of the 1218 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. county, and is a representative of one of the first families, her father having located in Washington township in 1832, when Wood county was a vast unbroken wilderness: She can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life, when settlements were widely scattered, and the work of progress and civilization seemed scarcely begun. WILLIAM A. FRIES is now carrying on agricultural pursuits in Bloom township, where al, most his entire life has been passed. His birth occurred in Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, February 1859, and he is the second child and eldest son of Solomon and Louisa (Steckel) Fries. When still an infant he was brought by his parents to Bloom township, where he was reared to manhood in much the same manner as most farmer boys, though his educational privileges were better than the average. After attending District School No. 8, in the neighborhood, he ,entered the Fostoria Academy, where he pursued his studies for several terms. For fifteen winters he was then engaged in teaching, two in Perry township, but the remainder in Bloom township, where he also taught two summer terms. He lived upon the old homestead, where his first lessons in farming and business methods were secured, until 1884, since which time he has lived upon some of his father's lands. On October 28, 1883, Mr. Fries led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah V. Blair, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born near Bloomville, and a daughter of Jackson Blair. They have an interesting, intelligent family of four children— .Harry A., Clyde C., Ruby M., and Maud 0. For eight years Mr. ,Fries resided at Bloom Center; but, on April 3, 1894, he located upon part of the old Russell homestead, to the cultivation of which he now devotes his time. He is a wide- awake, progressive farmer, a close observer, and has benefited by his father's instruction and the example set by him. He has ever been a thorough student, and is one of the most intelligent and esteemed citizens of the locality. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he has served as assessor for one term. His wife, a most estimable lady, is a consistent member of the Christian Church. PETER JUNK, who is numbered among the worthy German citizens that the Fatherland has furnished to Wood county, was born in Rhineland, government of Trier, Prussia, March 28, 1834, and is a son of Philip and Maria Katrina (Holstein) Junk. The father was a farmer and linen weaver, who served as a soldier in the war in Luxemburg, and died in 1867, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife passed away in 1855, at the age of fifty-five years. Their children are Joseph, Barbara, Emma and Katrina, all in Germany; Peter, of this sketch; Casper, of Germany; Margaret, who died at the age of twelve years; and Philip, who died at the age of seven. Our subject attended the public school until thirteen years of age, and at the age fifteen learned the trade of linen weaving with his father, earning one mark per day. He followed that pursuit until twenty-eight year or when he turned his attention to farm work; but a believing that he would have better opportunities in the New World, he determined to try his fortune here. On April 17, 1862, he sailed from Antwerp on the vessel, "Germany," which after a voyage of forty-seven days, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. He came direct to Lorain county, where he spent two weeks with friends, and then went to Michigan, working in the copper mines of Houghton for a year. Returning to Lorain county, Mr. Junk was then joined by the lady to whom he had become engaged in his native land, and they were married August 22, 1866. She bore the maiden name of Margaret Mahanen, and was born August 21, 1842. They removed to Wood county, where Mr. Junk purchased twenty-eight acres of wild land, building thereon a plank house. He afterward added twelve acres to this, and subsequently bought the twelve-acre tract on which his residence is now located. He sold the lumber, which he cut, to the railroad company, and in those early days had a hard time to make a start; but as time passed, he has prospered, and is now the possessor of a comfortable home. In 1892 Mr. Junk was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in the month of April, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Custar. Five children survive her: John, a farmer of Milton township; Joseph, at home; Mary wife of Peter Berres, of Milton township; Anne and Katie, at home. The family are communicants. of St. Louis' Catholic Church of Custar; and in politics, Mr. Junk is a Democrat. JOHN JOHNSTON was born in Section 9, Portage township, January 12, 1844, and is the son of James and Susannah (Durler) Johnston. Mr. Johnston spent his youth attending the district schools and working on the farm until July 25, 1862, when he enlisted at Portage, in Company A, 100th O. V. I., under Capt. John A. Shannon. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1219 The regiment was ordered to Covington, Ky., where its first duty was performed. The first engagement was entered into between Lexington and Fort Sterling, and the first battle took place at Limestone, Tenn. Our subject was with his regiment all through the war, with the exception of ten days. He enlisted as a private, and was made a corporal at. Knoxville, Tenn., September 5, 1864. He was confined ten days in the hospital at Lexington, Ky., with the measles, and was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., June 20, 1865, and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, July 2, 1865, After his discharge he came to Portage township, where he was married July 19, 1866, to Miss Mary M. Miller, who was born in Scipio township, Seneca county, October 18, 1847, the daughter of Amos B., and Nancy (Shaffner) Miller, her parents being from Pennsylvania. Mr. Johnston located on forty acres of land in Secion 9, and lived there until October, 1892, when he moved to Section 10, where he now lives and has 200 acres of land, 160 of which are cleared. The children of this couple are: Nancy A., is now Mrs. John Cox, of Milton township; Grant E. is a farmer in Portage township; Sherman M.,. resides at home; Mabel A. is also at home. Our subject has always been a Republican, being an ardent believer in "sound money and protection," and has served seven years as trustee of the township, and of which he has been clerk since April, 1894, also holding the office of clerk of the township board. He has been president of the school board, and was for eightteen years director in District No. 2, of Portage township. He is a member of Wiley Post No. 46, at Bowling Green, and was formerly commander of the G. A. R. Post at Portage. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Johnston is a well-known man, a respected citizen and a most successful farmer. He has a wide acquaintance, made while carrying out contracts in ditching throughout his section of the county. He has a family of which any man might be proud, and they all live happily on the home farm. C. WILSON SOLETHER, of Jerry City, one of the ablest and most successful young business men of Wood county, was born January 14, 1857, in Section 5, Bloom township, the son of Charles and Sarah (Miller) Solether. The family name is a synonym in this region for all that goes to make up good citizenship, and his own career does credit to their record. Mr. Solether was reared upon a farm, and received thorough instruction in the ancient and honorable occupation of agriculture, his attendance at the district school being often interupted thereby. As he grew older his active and aspiring mind demanded a better opportunity for development, and he studied for some time in advanced schools in other places, spending three years in Oberlin. He began teaching in Bloom township for $1. 50 per day, and boarded at home, going five miles to his school, sweeping his school room and building his own fires. His work as a teacher in Bloom and Portage townships extended over seven years. In 1879 he spent his summer vacation in Kansas, working on farms. On December 22, 1882, he was married in Zanesville, to Miss Lizzie Weaver, daughter of Philip Weaver, a prominent farmer of Muskingum county. Mr. Solether expended all his savings in fitting up a home in Portage township, and for two years he conducted his father's farm there. He then bought eighty acres of timber land in that township, going heavily in debt for it. This he cleared, working in the woods in winter and farming his fields in summer. He also got out timber for others, and the opening of the oil business furnished him plenty of work in teaming, for some time. But the discovery of oil, upon his own land, soon gave him more profitable employment, and as his means increased he has enlarged his farm and now owns 324 acres in Bloom and Portage townships, not to be surpassed for agricultural purposes. He is progressive and farsighted, putting into effect, successfully, the approved scientific methods of tbe day. He also owns six acres within the corporation limits of Jerry City, and since July, 1884, he has made his home there, adding many first-class improvements. Always a great reader, his range of information is unusually wide. Notwithstanding his success, he is very unassuming in manner, not suffering apparently from the " cerebral enlargement," which often follows so radical a change in circumstances. His home is a center of culture and refinement, and his five children, Earl K., Ralph B., Glenn E., Alta F. and Clyde, are enjoying excellent educational advantages. Mr. Solether has been a Republican from the time he cast his first vote for Garfield, to the present time. He is one of the leaders of the party in his locality, has been trustee of both Bloom and Portage townships, and a member of the board of education of Jerry City for nine years, serving the entire time as clerk. He is also, at present, the corporation treasurer of the town, and has been a delegate to several county conventions. He belongs to Lodge No. 602, I. O. O. F., at Jerry City. 1220 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. SOLOMON SMITH, a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Bloom township, is a native of Ohio, born September 13, 1829, son of John H. and Elizabeth (Keefer) Smith. His early life was uneventful, passed in the usual manner of farmer boys; but, in 1852, he left home, going overland to California in the spring of that year, and remained in the Golden State until the fall of 1855, when he returned by the Panama route. On the first day of the year 1856, in Mifflin township, Richland Co., Ohio, Nyas celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary Zody, who was born in Bedford county, Penn., January 5, 1831, and was six years old when brought by her parents, Jacob and Catherine (Ebersole) Zody, to Richland county. Although his father was in comfortable circumstances he was unable to give "our subject any assistance at that time. He operated the home farm until the spring of 186o, when he removed to Section 8, Bloom township, Wood county, locating upon the r6o-acre tract which he and his brother Henry had bought the fall previous. He came by wagon, and, besides his own family, which consisted of his wife and three children, he was accompanied by his brother- in-law, David H. Wirick. Twenty-five acres of the land had been cleared, and a log house, 18 x 20 feet, erected, but he went earnestly to work to improve his place, and year after year saw more land under cultivation. He had gone in debt several hundred dollars, but as he was young, strong and active, it did not discourage him, and it was soon paid off. To the marriage of our subject were born four children, as follows: Abraham Franklin, a physician, of Wawpecong, Ind. ; George G. and Dora W E., twins, the former of whom died in Oregon, and the latter of whom is now at home; and Iola E., wife of Isaac Loe, of Portage townsbip, Wood county. Mr. Smith now owns 120 acres of fertile and productive land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time until meeting with a very unfortunate accident on September 8, 1894, when, at Perrysburg, Ohio, he was run over by the cars, losing his left leg just below the knee, and a part of his right foot. In the fall of 1892, he had removed to that city, but he returned to his farm in the spring of 1895. The improvements upon the place all stand as monuments to his thrift and industry, and it has been transformed into one of the most valuable farms of the township. In 1887, Mr. Smith leased his farm to the Standard Oil Co., and there are now four wells in operation, producing about nineteen tanks of 18o barrels each per month; he receives one-eighth of the oil. One gas well is also in operation. Politically our subject votes the straight Democratic ticket, but he is no office seeker, as his time has been wholly occupied by his business affairs. The family is one of prominence in the community, standing high in social circles, and Mrs. Smith is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. JOSEPH W. STIGER. Like many other residents of Wood county who have succeeded through their own diligence, energy and economy the gentleman whose name stands at the beginning of tbis sketch started out in life with naught but an abundance of determination and indefatigable industry, and a strong and healthy constitution. In the spring of 1894 he entered into a partnership with C. H. Hoiles, forming the firm of Stiger & Hoiles, who are now successfully engaged in general carpenter work, also running a lumber yard and planing-mill. Mr. Stiger was born near Bettsville, Sandusky Co., Ohio, January I, 1863, son of Isaac and Phoebe (Goucher) Stiger, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Toledo, Ohio, of German descent. By trade the father was a carpenter. He was employed at that occupation at Fremont, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Ind., and then returned to Bettsville, where he and his wife now make their home. While his parents were living at those places our subject attended the common schools, and thus acquired a fair education. As early as 1876 he began working at the carpenter’s trade with his father, and became competent to perform almost any labor along that line. In the spring of 1881 he began work at his trade for the Nickel Plate. railroad, building depots, and was soon promoted to foreman of a gang, holding that position until June of the same year. He was later with the C. J. & M. railroad, in Michigan. The following winter, however, was spent in Ohio, and in the spring of 1883 he went to Eaton Rapids, Mich., where he worked at his trade. On March 31, 1884, Mr. Stiger was married, at Maple Grove, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Miss Ida B. Riley, who was born in Montgomery township, Wood county, March 25, 1867 and was educated in the district schools. She is the daughter of John and Sophrona (Ensminger) Riley, who now make their home Prairie Depot; by occupation her father is a farmer. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children—Arlington A., born January 30, 1886; Vernie V., born November 9, 1891, and a daughter, born August 6, 1896. Mr. Stiger took WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1221 his bride to Eaton Rapids, working there for others until the spring of 1885, when he began contracting there. In 1888 he moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he was employed by the large real-estate firm of John B. White & Co., superintending the erection of their residences. On September 14, 1889, however, he returned to Prairie Depot, and worked for a short time in the factory of G. W. Hedge. He was then engaged in business alone until forming his present connection. He is one of the most skillful mechanics in the county, and an excellent workman, as many of the best homes and business blocks of Prairie Depot testify, and was engaged by the school board to superintend the erection of the elegant school building of that place, having charge of all the carpenter work. He stands high in the confidence of the people as a straight forward buginess man, and a most thorough and efficient mechanic. In politics Mr. Stiger is a silver Democrat, and manifests considerable interest in the success of his party, though he has always refused to become a candidate for office. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Eaton Rapids, Mich., and was one of the founders of Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., of Prairie Depot. He now has a pleasant home at that place, which he built in the fall of 1893, and there he and his estimable wife delight to entertain their many friends. MARTIN LEMBRICH. Among the sturdy and stalwart citizens of Portage township, whose place of birth was the far-away German Fatherland, and who, with the industry and thrift so natural to the people of their native land, are rapidly progressing toward that financial condition so much coveted by all, is the subject of this personal history, He was born in Bavaria, June 6, 1824, and is a son of Adam and Catherine (Dautan) Lembrich, who were the parents of five children: Valentine, Martin, Catherine, Henry and Jacob. Both parents died in Germany, the father at the age of sixty,. and the mother at fifty-five years. According to the laws of his native land, our subject was provided with a good education, and had never deft home even for a single night until he came to America in September, 1851. From London, England, he sailed on the vessel " Queen Victoria," which made the passage in thirty days, and, after landing at New York came at once to Wcod county, where he arrived in October. At Cleveland, Ohio, his money gave out, and he had to borrow $5 to bring him to his destination. He was here employed at ditching, clearing and general farm work at fifty cents per day, and thus secured a start in the New World. Before his marriage, however, he was able to purchase forty acres of wild land in Section 8, Portage township. In that township, in July, 1854, Mr. Lembrioh wedded Miss Margaret Amos, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Michael Amos, who brought her to the United States when an infant. They became the parents of five children: Lewis, who lives in Portage township; George, who died in Liberty township, Wood county, at the age of thirty-one years; Caroline, who married James Taylor, and died in Bowling Green, Ohio; Frederick, at home; and Catherine, now Mrs. Nicholas Wisebaugh, of Portage township. The mother of this family died in September, 1868, and waS laid to rest in Portage cemetery. In the following spring, Mr. Lembrich was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Durler, who was born in Portage township, October 5, 1844, and is a daughter of Jacob and Magdalene (Schruntz) Durler. By thiS marriage he has one daughter —Celesta M. Mr. Lembrich has converted his timbered tract into one of the best farms of Portage township, making all of the improvements found thereon, and extending the boundaries of his place until it now comprises eighty acres of arable land. For the past five years, however, he has laid aside business cares, enjoying a well earned rest. In his political views he coincides with the Democratic party, and in the discharge of his elective franchise votes for the candidates offered by that organization. Mrs. Lembrich is a consistent and sincere member of the Christian Union, belonging to Cloverdale Class. DAVID B. COTANT. Among the leading and influential farmers of Bloom township, who thoroughly understand their business and pursue their chosen calling in a methodical and workmanlike manner, is the subject of thiS biography. He was born in Bloom township, April 13, 1852, and is a son of Charles and Rebecca (Taylor) Cotant. He was reared to rural life, receiving the usual education of such by attending " Hopewell school," District No. 7, and his first teacher was John K. Lasher. Mr. Cotant was married in Hancock county, Ohio, on August 7, 1873, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Wineland, whose birth occurred in Fayette county, Penn., June 27, 1852. Her parents, David and Catherine (Barnhart) Wineland, removed when she was about seven 1222 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. years of age to Hancock county and there she had a very poor chance of attending school. By her marriage with our subject she has become the mother of three children—Clara A., wife of J. M. Stilwell, of Perry township, Wood county; Clinton J., who died in infancy; and Edna O., at home. In Perry township Mr. Cotant rented a farm for a few months, but in 1873, he located upon his present valuable farm, and in August of the following year began the construction of his comfortable dwelling. At the time of his arrival there were only three acres cleared, but year after year saw more land placed under the plow, and he has converted the tract into a highly-cultivated farm. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party; is a stockholder in the Northwestern Fair Association of Fostoria, Ohio, and he and his wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is at present one of the trustees. W. C. SMITH, though young in years, is one of the most energetic and enterprising agriculturists of Perry township. A native of the Buckeye State, he was born in Logan county, April 18, 1860, a son of William E. Smith, a prominent farmer of Wood county. He was but a child when brought by his parents to this county, where he was reared as most farmer boys and obtained his education in the district schools near his home. Vs. month before he reached his majority he started out in life for himself, and for two summers before his marriage worked as a farm hand. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Smith, was in her maidenhood Miss Ada Loucks, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Fretts) Loucks, who came to Wood county in 1878, locating in Section 31, Perry township, where they still reside. The daughter was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., March 20, 1866, and in Perry township, on the 15th of June, 1882, became the .wife of our subject. One daughter graces their union—Sylvia M., born April 1, 1890. For two years after his marriage, Mr. Smith cultivated his father's farm in Perry township; but in the spring of 1884 he removed to Page county, Iowa, where he rented land until October, 1885, when he returned to Wood county and leased a house near the old homestead, which he again operated. That same fall, however, he purchased twenty-five acres of land in Bloom township, Wood county, on which he resided for three years, but now makes his home on his father's farm. He owns forty acres of excellent land in Perry township. For some time he engaged in ditching, by which business he gained a start in life. Mr. Smith in giving close attention to his farming interests, has but little time to devote to political matters, but has studied politics sufficiently to determine that the principles of the Prohibition party more nearly coincide with his views than those of any other, especially on the liquor question, and accordingly gives it his uniform support, though he was formerly a Republican, He and his wife are earnest members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has served as a class leader, and has for several year taught in the Sunday-school. A. W. NAFUS, a progressive and successful agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, was born September 24, 1842, in Wyandot county, Ohio. William Nafus, his father, was a native of England, born in 7?4, came to America 1781, and died about 1852. He settled upon a farm in Wyandot county, Ohio. He was twice married: for his first wife, he wedded Miss Salome Carpenter, who was born November 22, 1775, and died April 20, 1837. To this union were born five children. On July 24, 1838, he married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Clabaugh widow of Joseph Clabaugh, of McCutchenville, Ohio. Her maiden name was Mary Krause. To this union were born three children, all of whom are yet living: Nancy, born October 10, 1840 married Simon P. Starkey, of Green Springs, Ohio; A. W., our subject; Clarissa, born May 1, 1845, married A. C. Vine, of Wentworth, S. D. The mother of this family died in February, 1869, at McCutchenville, Ohio, at the age of sixty-three years. She was a kind and loving mother, and her death was deeply mourned by her children A. W. Nafus attended the district schools near his home and worked upon farm until the 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, 4th O. V. I., Col. Mason and Capt. George Weaver, commanding. From Camp Dennison, his regiment was sent to the front and took part in thirty-one battles, among them the engagements at Fair Oaks and Winchester. Mr. Nafus lost two toes, was wounded in the right groin, and for several months was confined to the hospital, but he returned to his regiment, and remained until he received an honorable discharge June 21. 1864, having been in the service three years, four months and twenty-one days. A year and half at home enabled him to recover somewhat his former health, and at the end of that time he went to Iowa and found employment as a herdsman, remaining two years. On his return home. he worked twenty years as a carpenter and joiner. but in 1889 he bought a farm of forty acres near WOOD COUNTY; OHIO - 1223 Grand Rapids, upon which he built a fine dwelling house and barns, and made other improvements. To this place he devoted the greater part of his time, working at his trade as opportunity offered. On Apri 21, 1865, he was married to Miss Catherine Everhart, of Wyandot county, who was born May 17, 1847. To them have been born eight children: Manda L., June 6, 1866, married John Whitmore, in 1882, and has three children; Byron S., February 23, 1868; Alice and Albert (twins) March 8, 1871, the former married to Frank Philips, October 4, 1892, and has one child, and the latter works at the carpenter trade; George F., October 1873, a mason at Custar, Ohio, married Mary E. Stocke, June 11, 1895 (she was born May 28, 1870), and has one child; Charles, born February 12, 1875; Howard, January 4, 1880; and Mabel May, October 12, 1887. After our subject was married he went to work at the carpenter's trade, and served an apprenticeship of seven years. He then started out to work for himself, as a contractor and builder, with a large force of men. He worked in Tiffin, and Kenton until the time of the " boom," when be went to Findlay. His industry supported the above mentioned family of eight children, and he is now well-fixed, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. Mr. Nafus is a genial, industrious, honest citizen, and not the least amiable trait of his character is his uncomplaining of impaired health, a result of his devotion to the Union cause. He is highly esteemed wherever he is known, and takes an active part in all local affairs, serving at one time as township supervisor. In politics he is a Republican, and socially is a member of the G. A, R., Bond Post No. 24, and of the I. O. O. F., No. 494, of Adrian, Ohio. He and his wife are prominent members of the United Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids township, and their interest' in any progressive measure is ready and sincere. Mr. Nafus has been a member of the township school board for two terms, and is at the present time president of the board. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters, and ever stands ready to aid his fellowmen in times of need, frequently discommoding himself to accommodate a friend. WILLIAM SIMONS (deceased), who, after the labors of a long and useful life, passed his later years in ease and retirement in the village of West Millgrove, this county, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., January 31, 1814, and was one in a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, born to Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Weed) Simons. The father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was a farmer by occupation, and died in Genesee county, N. Y., being killed by a falling limb while chopping down a tree. The educational advantages. of our subject were very limited, and at the age of eleven years he left home, starting to make his own way in the world as a farm hand. When not yet twenty years of age he was married in his native county to Mary Bair, and with his wife came to Ohio in the early part of the " 3os," locating in Jackson township, Seneca county. He had been cheated out of $130 due him for labor by an unprincipled man, and on coming to this State had little more than the horse and wagon with which he made the trip. They left all their household goods, with the exception of a feather bed, in New York, and later he sent for them, but they were lost en route. With a capital of twelve shillings our subject began life in the Buckeye State. For a short time he made a temporary home with his brother-in-law, Samuel Bair, who had preceded him to this State, and later went in debt for forty acres of timber land, on which he built a cabin of round logs, which was his first home since he left the parental roof when only eleven years old. On account of the water, it was difficult to raise anything, and their first crops were corn and potatoes. Our subject struggled along, each year bettering his condition until he had paid for his land. Later he traded this for a better tract, and bought eighty acres in addition, for which he went in debt. On selling out after some years, he removed to Washington township, Hancock county, where he bought zoo acres. He met with an accident, however, breaking his sboulder by falling out of a wagon, which disabled him, and, as he had gone into debt for his land, he was afraid he could not pay for it, and so disposed of the property. He then came to Perry township, Wood county, where, in 1849, he purchased the fine farm of 166 acres owned by him at the time of his death. His first wife died December 20, 186o, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Fostoria. She was a Christian woman, and died happy.. To them had been born the following children: Silas, the eldest son, enhsted August 12, 1861, in Company E, 49th 0. V. I., and was killed at Pickett's Mills, Ga., May 27, 1864, while serving as first lieutenant of Company H, in the same regiment, to which company he was transferred June 18, 1863, being at that time made second lieutenant. On the loth of March, 1864, he was 1224 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. promoted to first lieutenant, and died as a gallant and brave officer. Elizabeth, the second child, is the wife of John Nobles, of Fostoria. Benjamin F. is a merchant of West Millgrove. Nancy is now Mrs. A. D. Stewart, of Toledo, Ohio. Martha died at the age of nineteen years. Sarah is the wife of William Robbins, of Jackson townShip, Seneca county. Amos died in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1894. For his second wife Mr. Simons wedded Martha J. Faylor, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Pitchard) Faylor. Five children graced that union, only one of whom grew to maturity— Nellie M. The mother died October 2, 1894, and was buried at Fostoria. In her youth she united with the Presbyterian Church, but some ten, years later became identified with the Methodist Church, of which she remained a consistent member until her death, which was a happy one. Her funeral was preached by Rev. Andrew Hayes. Our subject later married her sister, Mrs. Margaret McClelland, widow of A. J. McClelland, by whom she had four children: Clarence, who died at the age of four years; Arthur, a resident of Hillsdale county, Mich; and Ada and Ida, twins, the former now Mrs. Ulysses Jenkins, and the latter now Mrs. D. A. Tanner, both of Hillsdale county, Michigan. In March, 1879, Mr. Simons removed to West Millgrove. For a short time when young he voted the Democratic ticket, but later supported the Republican party, and for nine successive years was school director. For over forty years he had been a faithful member of the Methodist Church, to which his widow also belongs. He was among the self-made men of the county, having accumulated all that he possessed by his own energy end thrift, and was also one of itS most highly respected citizens. His death occurred April 6, 1896, and from the obituary notice the following is extracted: William Simons, aged eighty-two years, two months and twenty-five days, died at his home in this place, of pneumonia, on the 6th inst., after a brief illness. Deceased was a retired farmer, well respected, one of the foremost members of the M. E. Church, and a good citizen. We laid the remains away to rest in the Fostoria cemetery till the general reunion." GEORGE C. EMMERICH, one of the most successful oil operators in Wood county, and a • thoroughly representative German-American citize'n, progressive and prosperous, was born October 3, 1862, at Gittersdorf, Hessen-Cassel, Prussia, where his parents, Conrad and Anna (Aple) Emmerich were born, were married and passed their entire lives. In their family were seven children: Anna Catherine, wife of John Smith, by whom she has a son, Henry, now (1896) aged thirteen years (they make their home in Gittersdorf); Henry married, and carrying on farming at that place; Conrad, married, married, and following agricultural pursuits in Ottawa county, Ohio; George C. is next in order of birth; Bus is married, and farms in Washington township, Anna Lizzie is making her home with our subject; and Barbara is still a resident of Gittersdorg, Our subject received his education at the common schools of his native place, was leader of a singing school there, and also drill master in the military department of the school, It was the wish of his parents that he should attend a higher school, graduate, and then become a teacher; but he preferred to come to America, and accordingly in 1878, when sixteen years old, he set sail from Bremen. After a voyage of some eleven days he landed at New York, whence he at once came to Wood county, arriving with just sixty-five cents in his pockets, twenty-five of which he found in New York City. After working as a farm laborer some seven years, he rented land for about four years, and in the fall of 1888 purchased thirty acres of good land of Henry Aple, to which in the following fall he added forty-six and one-half acres obtained from Clark Cummings. In 1892 he bought ten acres of George Kidd, and has since purchased 240 acres D. R. Haylor— who was trustee for the Bowling Green Fence Co.—but all his farm land he rents. He has fourteen producing oil wells, seven of which he drills and operates himself, and he is developing many other wells. His land and wells are very valuable, and he derives therefrom a handsome income. On April 9, 1885, Mr. Emmerich was married at the residence of Jacob Wenig, in Washington township, to the latter's daughter, Miss Dena M., and to them was born October 1, 1890, a son - Howard W. With his little family, on April 28, 1895, Mr. Emmerich set out for the Fatherland to visit the home and friends of his childhood, also the principal cities of Germany. After spending four enjoyable months, he returned to America. Public-spirited to a great degree, he takes an active interest in every measure calculated to benefit the community, using his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and held the office of school director of Middleton township, one term. He attends the Evangelical Church of Tontogany, of the Sunday- school of which he was superintendent five years. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1225 Jacob Wenig, father of Mrs. Emmerich, was born August 25, 1833, in Gittersdorf, Hessen-Cassel, Prussia, and was one of the three children of Henry and Catherine (Ames) Wenig, the others being Martha, widow of Henry Opper, a farmer of Plain township, Wood county, and Katie, wife of Charlie Sales, of Huron, Erie Co., Ohio, by whom she has four children—John, Libbie, Charles and Lyda. Mr. Wenig received his education in Germany, where he worked in a factory, and at the age of twenty-two, in 1855, set out from Bremen on a sailing vessel for America, arriving at New York four weeks later. He located in Huron, Erie Co., Ohio, where for five years he was employed as a farm hand, and on April 5. 1861, he arrived in Wood county. His first location was in Middleton township, where he rented land for a year, and then purchased twelve acres, which he afterward sold, and then, removing to Plain township, rented land there for three years. In 1867, he purchased fory acres of his present farm in Washington township, to which he added twenty acres in 1871, and now has one of the most highly improved farms in his section of the county. His pleasant dwelling was erected at a cost of $1, 200, and his barn cost $400 in addition. On November 9, 1858, at Huron, Erie county, Mr. Wenig was married to Mary Bachstin, who was born in Ana, Hessen-Cassel, Prussia, May 18, 1840, and they have nine children; John; August; Charlie; Henry; Dena M., wife of Mr. Emmerich; Libbie, wife of Joe Reams, of Washington, by whom she has one child, born July 28, 1893, named Earl W. ; Linda, wife of J. H. Good; George, a school teacher; and William J. The tither, who is a Republican in politics, has been supervisor and school director, and is a worthy member of the Evangelical Church, of which he has served as trustee and been steward and class leader. C. B. HEDGE is one of the steady-going young men and prosperous farmers of Montgomery township, where he was born October 11, 1866, in Section 17, at the home of his parents, George B., and Kate (Crawfoot) Hedge. His education was such as the district schools of the neighborhood afforded, his first teacher being Miss Mollie Smith, and he completed his literary studies at the age-of nineteen years. The boyhood days of Mr. Hedge were spent upon his father's farm, and when not in the schoolroom he assisted in its cultivation, and was also employed in his father's mill; but farming and teaming were his principal pursuits. He remained a member of the parental household until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated October 4, 1888, in Bowling Green, Ohio, Miss Elsie Gobble, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Echelberger) Gobble, becoming his wife. Her mother is now the wife of George Amos, a prominent resident of this county. Three children have come to the union of our subject and his wife—Nora M., born September 21, 1891; Elva, born July 9, 1893; and Harry, born April 28, 1895. After his marriage Mr. Hedge located upon a portion of his father’s farm, where he vet owns a house and an acre of ground. In March, 1892, he removed to his present residence, and is now engaged in operating his father's place, also devoting considerable time to teaming. He is a wide-awake, progressive young business man, public-spirited and enterprising, and no doubt a successful future awaits him. He is an excellent farmer, and just such a citizen as the name Hedge in Montgdmery township Suggests. DANIEL GUYER, a veteran of the Civil war, and a valued citizen of this county, was born in Pennsylvania, August 14, 1829, and is a son of Gabriel and Elizabeth (Long) Guyer, also natives of the Keystone State. The father was a miller by trade, and followed that business in Pennsylvania until 1832, when he came with his family to Wood county, making the journey with ox-teams, and camping along the roadside by night. He purchased forty acres of land in Weston township, built a log house with a bark roof and floor, and at once began to clear and cultivate his land. His death occurred here in 1865, and his wife passed away three years later. They had a family of nine children—Gabriel, who was a soldier in the II1 th O. V. I., and died in 1866; Susan, widow of George Adelman; Joseph, who served in the 144th O. V. I., and died in 1873; Polly, now deceased, who was the wife of Levi Bartell, and after his death became Mrs. Frankfurter; Daniel; John and Emanuel, both of Weston; and Washington, who is living in East Toledo. Our subject was a child of two years when he came with his parents to Wood county, and was educated in the district schools of Weston town-' ship. When about twenty years of age he learned the trade of carpentering, which he followed until after the breaking out of the war. He purchased 16o acres of land in Weston township, which he sold in 1861. The following year he offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union, and joined Company I, 144th O. V. I., with which he continued until 1226 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. after the cessation of hostilities. He was a faithful defender of the old flag and the cause it represented, and returned home with an honorable war record. In 1865 Mr. Guyer resumed farming, purchasing eighty acres of land in Milton township, on which he built a log cabin, The work of improvement was at once begun, and has been steadily carried forward. He tiled and fenced the place, planted an orchard, and in 1885 erected a large dwelling. In the spring of 1892 he exchanged this property for his present farm of 120 acres in Section 6, Milton township, and in 1893 erected his residence. Mr. Guyer was married in September, 1859, to Miss Emma Older, and to them have been born six children—Della now the wife of John McGill., of Milton township; Cora, wife of Emory Burson, of Milton township; Edward, who wedded Mary Baumgardner, and resides at the old homestead; Albert, who wedded Mary Beaverson, and lives in Milton township; Pearl, wife of D. C. Wolf; and Maud, wife of Thomas Pugh, of Weston, Ohio. Mr. Guyer has always been a warm friend of the cause of education, and while serving on the school board has been effective in its promotion. He belongs to the Evangelical Church, and, in his political views, is a Republican. A. V. POWELL, the well-known undertaker at Bowling Green, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Fairfield county, July 20, 1855. His family is of Welsh origin, and the ancestors of the American branch settled in Pennsylvania at an early period. His grandfather, Peter Powell, was born there, and his father, George Powell, was born there in 1829. The latter married Miss Sarah Ann Beaty, also a native of that State, and a few years later came to Ohio with his family, locating first upon a farm in Fairfield county. His father accompanied him, and spent his last days in this State. In the spring of 1873, our subject's parents came to Wood county, traveling the entire distance by wagon, and driving their stock before them. They bought a farm in Liberty township, Wood county, where they made their home for nearly twenty years, and then retired to Bowling Green, where Mrs. Powell died April 27, 1892, at the age of seventy- four years, and her husband in 1893, aged seventy-three. They were faithful and devout members of the United Brethren Church. Of their large family of children six grew to adult age: John W., a resident of Bowling Green; Martha J., the wife of L. D. Smaltz, of Han cock county; Silas H. , who occupies the old homestead; A. V., our subject; Chester L., who died July 6, 1893, at the age of thirty-seven, and Laura Belle, who married James Stafford, farmer of Wood county. Our subject attended the public schools at Fairfield county during his boyhood, and on coming to this county obtained a position as clerk in a store in Bowling Green, and later went to Findlay in the same capacity. He then entered into business for himself, making several experiments before settling down at his present novel and prosperous enterprise. He was for two years in the hardware business in Fostoria, Ohio, before coming back to Bowling Green, where he conducted first a grocery for two years, and then a restaurant, and, in 1889, opened a novelty five and ten cent store, which he has since sold, and is now engaged in the undertaking business, having the largest and best equipped establishment of the kind in Wood county. He was married November 22, 1877, to Miss LaVandee Sargent, who was born in Wood county, April 6, 1859. They have had six children: Frank Sargent, Alice Lillian, John Avery, Gerald A., William McMann and Vivian. Politically Mr. Powell is a Republican, and he is among the most enterprising and public-spirited of the young men of the community. He is a member of the K. of P. and of the I. O. O. F. Green Encampment No. 626, and Canton Alpine No. 26, Uniform Rank, and of the Order of D. of R. JACOB BOVIE, an enterprising farmer of Montgomery township, pleasantly located in Section 9, has identified himself with the representative and progressive citizens of Wood county. His birth occurred in that township on October 20, 1847, at the home of his parents, Adam and Magdalena (Friedinger) Bovie, natives of Germany, who came to America at the same time, and were married in this country, after which they located in Wood county, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. The mother passed away, July 6, 1877, and the father, who was born in 1811, died at a ripe old age in April, 1893. They were both buried at Prairie Depot, Ohio. To this worthy couple were born eleven children, five sons and six daughters, and with the exception of Margaret, who was burned to death at the age of six months, when their dwelling was destroyed by fire, all lived to adult age. They were as follows: Magdalene married Andrew Zimmerman, and died in Montgomery township, in 189o; Caroline became the wife of An- WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1227 thony Hirscherberger, and died at Clyde, Ohio; Adam was a member of Company A, 144th 0. V. I., during the Civil war, and died in prison at Salisbury, N. C.; Jacob is next in order of birth; Catherine became the wife of M. Swape, and died in Missouri; Margaret is now Mrs. Joseph Hess, of Fostoria, Ohio; Peter is a resident of Portage township, Wood county; David lives in Gratiot county, Mich., near Ithaca; Lavina is the wife of A. Swape, of Missouri; and George died at the age of five years. As his parents were in limited circumstances, the educational privileges enjoyed by Jacob Bovie were rather limited, and he early began assisting in the labors of the farm, being a great help to his parents, In Fremont, Ohio, on November 1, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia A. Girton, who was born near Bellevue, Ohio, January 19, 1856. Her parents, Asa and Elizabeth (Wales) Girton, located in Montgomery township, Wood county, in 1863, where the father died October 20, 1865, leaving his widow with five children, namely: Luther, now postmaster of Tromley, Ohio; Mary C., who wedded N. Wise, and died in Kansas, December 28, 1879; Lydia A., the honored wife of our subject; John W., a resident of Bloom township, Wood county; and Margaret, who died unmarried June 14, 1894. Another child, George, died at the age of five years, before his father's death. During his younger years Mr. Girton had taught school, but by trade he was a mechanic, and was employed as a spinner in a woolen-factory. His health was always poor, and he never accumulated much property. His widow married Charles J. Wickenheiser, who is now deceased, and she now makes her home in Bloom township. The education of Mrs. Bovie was mostly acquired under the instruction of her father, who taught his family at home, and she learned very rapidly. At the time of her marriage she was working as a domestic. Two children grace the union of our subject and his wife—Frederick Raldo, born September 29, 1877; and Randal R., born December 26, 1887. Upon his Marriage, Mr. Bovie located at Prairie Depot, where he owned a house and lot, and worked as a farm hand and laborer. On leaving that place he rented a farm for a year, after which he lived upon his father's farm until his removal to his present homestead in Section 9, where he had purchased forty acres of land on which was a rather dilapidated house, and he went in debt for the same. However, he has since paid off the indebtedness, and added twenty acres to 'the original tract, all of which is now highly cultivated. He erected his present substantial and comfortable home in 1887, and has made many other useful and valuable improvements on the place. In politics he usually supports the principles and candidates of the Democratic party, but is not strictly bound by party ties. MARTIN L. WALTERS is a native and resident of Weston township, born September 26, 1855. He comes of one of the pioneer families of the locality, his grandparents having settled here in an early day. They migrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and made their first location in Harrison county, thence after a few years' residence moving to Wood county. They were of Pennsylvania-Dutch lineage. Jacob Walters, the father of our subject, was born June 20, 1828, in Harrison county, Ohio, and was three years of age when the family removed to Wood county. Here he was reared, and obtained his education, which included a thorough training in agricultural pursuits, to which he gave his principal time and attention during his entire life. During the Civil war he served one hundred days in the Union army. He died September 6, 1892, of cancer. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, in political sentiment, a Republican. Jacob Walters married Catherine Huffman, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Sarah Ellen, Martin Luther, Louisa Alice, Lucina Ann, Emma Angeline, and a son who died in infancy. On September 26, 1877, M. L. Walters was married to Miss Mary E. Long, who was born March 7, 1859, in Illinois. Their union has been blessed with three children: Rollie Jacob Daniel, born October 1, 1878; Bessie Ann Janet, born February I I, 1881; and Cora Belle, born July 23, 1883. Mrs. Walters is a member of the Methodist Church. Socially they belong to the Patrons of Husbandry. Mrs. Sarepta (Hopkins) Long, the mother of Mrs. M. L. Walters, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, from there removing in early life to Illinois, where she married Mr. Long. He was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, was a Republican in politics, and a Methodist in religious connection. Mrs. Long died in 1875, a member of the Methodist Church. Her father was of Yankee descent; her mother was a Pennsylvanian, and a Methodist in religious faith. To D. M. and Sarepta (Hopkins) Long were born the following named children: Sarah B. (Mrs. Hunter); Mrs. M. L. Walters; S. L. Long; E. L. Long; Mrs. E. J. Callihan, who lives in 1228 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Toledo, and has one son, Daniel; Mrs. J. B. Stafford, who resides in Deshler, Wood county; Ida (Mrs. Brown), who lives at Waterville, .and has two children—Gracie and Ethel; and J. D. Long, who is a resident of Findlay. The eldest son died when two years old, the youngest daughter when one year old. L. K. SOULE. The present prosperous condition of Wood county is largely due to the class of men who came here during its earliest history. One of these, now a worthy representative of the agriculturists of Bloom township, was born near Buffalo, N. Y., May 11, 1837, a son of Lorenzo and Ann C. (Fink) Soule. They were natives of Germany, where they were married and their two eldest children were born. About 1832 the family crossed the Atlantic, and after a long voyage, landed at New York. For a time the father followed the trade of a wheelwright in the Empire State, later removed to Huron. county, Ohio, arid in the fall of 1843 come to Wood county, where he purchased forty acres of land in Section 1, Bloom township. Here was erected a log house, 18 x 20 feet, with puncheon floor and clapboard roof; but it was a hapyy home, as it was the first the family owned in the New World, and they moved into it before it was completed. It seemed that civilization had scarcely begun in this region, the land being mostly in its natural state, covered with a heavy growth of timber and very wet, and wild game could be had in abundance, while the family had to go as far as Fremont, Tiffin or Perrysburg, to mill. Here the father died at the age of seventy-four, while the mother passed away June 22, 1894, and they were buried in the Mennonite 'cemetery, in Perry township, Wood county. He was first a Whig and later a Republican; was an industrious, hard-working man; well versed in the Scriptures, and a consistent member of the Evangelical Church. In the family were the following children: Elizabeth, widow of John Walker, of Bloom township; Conrad C., who died in Jerry City; Bernard, of Fostoria; L. K., subject of this sketch; Ann, wife of John Faylor, of Henry township, Wood county; Martha, who died at the age of twenty years; Amelia, who became the wife of Leonard Harsh, and died on the old home farm; Harriet, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mary, widow of Jacob Mowry, of Risingsun, Ohio; and Sarah, who wedded Reuben Munday, and died in Fostoria, Ohio. Not until he was fourteen years of age was L. K. Soule able to attend school, but he became an. apt scholar, particularly good in mathematics, and continued his studies during the winter months until twenty years of age, the remainder of the year being mostly passed in work upon the home farm.   He later learned the carpenter's trade, at which he and his brother, Conrad, were employed for several years. In September, 1862, in Portage township, Wood county, Mr. Soule married Miss Caroline Graham, a daughter of William Graham, one of the pioneers of that locality They began housekeeping with his brother Bernard, but about that time our subject purchased forty acres of timber land in Section 2, Bloom township. In less than a year, however, the wife died, passing away in July, 1863, and her remains were interred in the Mennonite cemetery, Perry township. Mr. Soule took an honorable part in the Civil war, enlisting in October, 1864, at Toledo, Ohio in Company K, 182nd 0. V. I. The troops were ordered to Nashville, taking part in the second engagement at that place, and remained in that vicinity until the close of the war. Our subject received his discharge in July, 1865, but since June he had been ill in Cumberland Hospital, and was unable to leave until the following September. During his absence he had hired some of his land cleared, and on his return began the improvement of his farm, while he also worked for others on shares. Mr. Soule was again married, in Portage township, in May, 1866, this time to Miss Matilda Hillard, a daughter of Daniel Hillard, and to them was born a son—Clarence G., a farmer of Bloom township. At the end of five years of married life Mrs. Soule died, and her remains were interred in the Mennonite cemetery, in Perry township. Our subject later wedded Mary 0. Hopkins, of Liberty township, Wood county, by whom he had four children—Earl W., Cora E. , Ira L. and Armen J. The last named was an infant when his mother died, and he was taken to the home of an aunt, with whom he still resides. The present wife of our subject was, in her maidenhood, Miss Melissa Phillips, of Center township, a daughter of Daniel Phillips. From its primitive condition Mr. Soule has developed his farm of forty acres until it is now a valuable tract, supplied with good buildings which he himself erected. His first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, from which time he was a stanch Republican until 189o, but he now supports the Prohibition party, as it embodies his principles on the liquor question. For the long period of fifteen years he held the position of school director of District No. i, for three years was justice of the peace, and for one year WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1229 assessor, always discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. , He and his estimable wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school, and he is at present secretary of the Quarterly Conference of his circuit. J. B. BLAIR, a prosperous agriculturists of Bloom township, residing near Jerry City, is one of those farmers, who, by energetic work and business like management, refute the complaint that, “farming does not pay." He is systematic, prompt, and always willing to put his shoulder to the wheel, and has succeeded in gaining a competency in spite of a most discouraging beginning. Mr. Blair was born August To, 1854, in Blair's Valley, Washington Co., Md., which had been for several generations the home of his family, and took its name from them. Tradition has it that three brothers of this name came from England in the latter part of the eighteenth century. One settled near Dayton, Ohio, one was lost sight of, and the other settled in Blair's Valley. His son Andrew, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer there, and the father of twelve children —five boys and. seven girls. Andrew J. Blair, our subject's father, born January 8, 1825, was the third youngest of this family, a brother and sister being younger than he, and as his father had only forty acres of land, he had but limited advantages in early life; he attended a subscription school only a few weeks, the public schools not being organized until he was too old to avail himself of the advantages offered by them. On October 30, 1848, he was married in Franklin county, Penn., to Miss Mary Sword, who was born March 17, 1827, in that locality, where her ancestors were pioneer. settlers. Her father, Jacob Sword, owned a farm of fifty acres, and carried on the trade of wagon making. He married Catherine Tanner, and both lived to the age of sixty-seven years. They were consistent members of the Lutheran, Church, and were highly respected by all who knew them. At the time of his marriage, our subject's father was conducting the old homestead for his mother, the father having died some years before. He was a natural mechanic, and could work at almost any trade. During the war he bought land in Maryland, but times became hard and in April, 1864, he moved with his family to Ohio. Seneca county was their destination, but he found it difficult to make a living there, and came to Bloom township, where his wife's uncle, Adam Baker, lived. He rented a farm and made a new start in life, engaging after a time in stone quarrying. In the spring of 1871 he bought eighty acres of land, with a log house and ten acres of clearing, going in debt for it. Had he lived he would in all probability have owned the farm in time, but on August 1, 1876, he was thrown by a half-broken colt, while returning home from Fostoria. The accident occurred at 2 P. M., and he lived only five hours. His remains were brought home the following day, and later interred in Weaver cemetery. He had been all his life an upright and honorable man, and while living in Seneca county he and his wife had made open profession of their faith, and united with the U. B. Church. The sad event made it necessary to dispose of the home, and his widow removed to Eagleville, where she has since resided. Ten children were born to this worthy couple: Joseph L., a resident of Eagleville; Emma J., who married Emmanuel Ziegler, of Bloom township; Catherine, Mrs. Frank Russell, of Hancock county; J. B., our subject; Jackson, a farmer near Monmouth, Ill. ; Amanda, Mrs. Albert Brandeberry, of Bloom township; John, with the B. & O. R. R., at Syracuse, Ind.; David, who resides at Eagleville; Hannah, the wife of W. A. Friese, of Bloom township; and Flora, now Mrs. W. H. Mohr, of Bloom township. J. B. Blair was but ten years old when his parents moved to Seneca county. He had attended school for a short time in his native State, and after the removal to Wood county he studied in Prof. Richard's select school at Republic. At the age of thirteen he began to work for farmers near by for wages during the summer, and to do chores in the winter for his board while attending school, and by the time he was twenty-one he had given to his parents S5oo in cash. He consinued this work until 1874, when he went to Maryland and worked for a cousin in a drug store, intending to study medicine; but the cousin failed, leaving $200 of his wages unpaid, and that plan was frustrated. He passed the teacher's examination in his native county (Washington county, Md.), but did not teach. On his way home he visited the Centennial. He returned to Wood county shortly after his father's death, and for some time worked at any labor which would bring him an honest penny. On February 9, 1879, he was married to Miss Almina Adams, a native of Bloom township, born November 4, 1857, a daughter of David and Lucinda (Henry) Adams. Mr. Blair had saved $ 175 from his earnings, and his wife owned the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 4, in Bloom township, 1230WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. with some incumbrance. They went to housekeeping on this farm, remaining there until 1883, when they disposed of it, and after a year spent on a rented farm, bought their present property of sixty-seven acres near Jerry City. This was in a very unsatisfactory condition at the time of the purchase, but is now one of the best farms in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have one child, Maude, born September 23, 1881, still at home. In politics Mr. Blair is a Democrat, as was his father before him, but he reserves the privilege of voting for the best candidate in local affairs, and he never seeks office for himself. A jovial, good hearted man, he has many friends, and the qualities of character which have enabled him to coin success from untoward circumstances command the respect of all who know him. He is a member of Lodge No. 602, I. 0. 0. F., of Jerry City. DAVID DESHETLER is a native of Michigan. He was born in Monroe county, November 9, 1845, and is a son of Peter Deshetler, who was born in the vicinity of Detroit, Mich. The grandfather, Joseph Deshetler, came to the United States from Canada during the war of 1812, and took up arms against the British government. He afterward settled near Detroit, where he followed farming. He had married in Canada, and the following named were included among his children : John, Mary, Rorgele, Xavier, and Peter. The last named was reared near Detroit, and afterward removed to Monroe county, Mich., where he wedded Mary Rabidne, a native of .Michigan. About 1852 they came to Wood county, locating on a 160-acre tract of wild land in Liberty township. In 1869 the father sold that property and removed to East Toledo, Ohio, where the mother died. The father afterward married Mrs. Viola (Barber) Stone, and soon returned to Monroe county, Mich., where he bought a home and lived for a time. He later took up his residence in Blissfield, Mich., where he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. He then made his home with our subject until called to his final rest, January 7, 1888. To the parents of our subject were born the following named: Jane, who died in childhood; Mary Ann, wife of John Ducat, of Toledo, Ohio; Louis, who died in childhood; David; Christ, of East Toledo, Ohio; Peter, a farmer of Dundee, Mich. ; Albert, who was drowned in 1872, at the age of twenty-eight; and Joseph, who has never been heard from since he left home, in 1875, and went to the West. Mr. Deshetler, of this sketch, pursued his education in the district schools of Liberty township, and through his boyhood days aided his father in the cultivation of the home farm. On starting out in life for himself, he located on five acres of land in Liberty township, to which he afterward added thirty acres. His first home was built of logs, into which he moved before the windows were put in; but, as time has passed, he has made excellent improvements upon his land, and, in 1891, erected a very pleasant ant: comfortable dwelling. He also has five oil wells, whereby his income is materially increased. Mr. Deshetler was married in Liberty township, September 20, 1863, to Mary Roe, who was born in Monroe county, Mich., April 9, 1847 Their eldest son, Charles, born August 5, 1864, and now living in Liberty township, married Annie Gouger, and they have two children—Edith, Elizabeth and Ralph A. Lenora Adelaide, born. December 24, 1867, died at the age of sixteen years. Daniel Henry, born August 20, 1870 married Millie Ducat, and had one child, Alma, Alvira; he was employed in a boiler house. which was destroyed by fire in January, 1894, a_ which time he was burned to death. Josephine, Alma, born November 16, 1872; Louis Abraham, born October 13, 8 7 5 ; and Clarence Sari uel, born March 8, 1882, are at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Deshetler is a Democrat, and served as supervisor for two years, while for three years he was school director. H belongs to St. Aloysius Catholic Church of Bowling Green, and is a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, whose public life and private career are alike above reproach. MRS. AMELIA WILKINSON PERRIN, of Perrysburg, is one of the honored pioneers of Wood county, and one of the few survivors of that little band of settlers who made their home in the early days at the Foot of the Rapids: In spite of her eighty-six years, she retains all her mental faculties, and many and interesting are the reminiscences of the old times, which her memory preserves. Jacob Wilkinson, her father, was born March 3o, 1777, in Morristown, N. J., her mother, Sallie Wightman, on April 14, 1784, in Connecticut. They were married, in 1803, in Warren, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and five years later, in the winter of 1808-9, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, traveling in sleighs over the snow. In 1811 they came to the Foot of the Rapids, on the Manmee river, and saw Hull's army cross that river on its way to Detriot. When news of his surrender to the British reached the settlers, they WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1231 for the most part fled in fear of the Indians; but Mr. Wilkinson was away from home at the ime, his family remained until his return. The nly means of transportation left was an old rowboat, into which the little family was crowded, and Mr. Wilkinson started by way of the lake to Cleveland. He was well-known there, and when the news came that he and his family were on Lake Erie, in an ̊pert row-boat, at the mercy of time waves, the entire city was aroused. As the line drew near when they might be expected, crowds of " people gathered upon the bluffs watching with glasses for the first sign of them, and when they were seen at last, boats were sent out to meet them, carrying wine and food. So overcome was Mr. Wilkinson with fatigue and anxiety, that he fainted in the first joy of his deliverance. He remained in Cleveland until the fall of 1815, engaged in ship building. Having constructed a stanch little craft of his own, the “Black Snake," he and several of his friends brought their families, making their landing in a bayou near Fort Meigs. Peace being restored, he made a permanent home here, and for many years was engaged in business, building bridges and wharves. In political affairs he took great interest, and was a Democrat in early life, later a Henry Clay Whig. He died March 1834, his wife surviving him but a few years, dying November 26, 1839. They had ten children, a brief record of whom is as follows: Freeman, a ship builder, died in San Jacinto, Texas; Harvey, educated in Fredonia, was a merchant in New Albany, Ind., and died in New Orleans of yellow fever; James Merrill, was for some years a druggist at Grand Rapids, but later bought a farm in Fulton county, where he spent the remainder of his life; Amelia, born November 15, 1810, is the subject of this sketch; Samuel, born November 16, 1812, was a ship builder, and died in Brownsville, Texas, during the cholera epidemic;' Emily D., born February 9, 1814, married Sylvester Johnson, of Perrysburg; William W., bOrn April 29, 1816, was a sailor, and died at Antwerp, Ohio; Nancy L., born May 29, 1819, and died at the age of six months; Clara A., born January 28, 1820, was married October in, 1850, to G. B. Warner, an architect, a native of Brownsville, N. Y. (he died in 1860 in La Salle, Ills., leaving three children: (I) George, a painter in Cass county, Mich., married to Susan Swinehart, of Elkhart, Ind., and had five children—Clara, Royal M., Lillian, George and Helen. (2) Ida, who married Edward Fisher, of Cass county, Mich., and has three children—Herbert, Merlin and Leland; (5) Fred E., a resident of Michigan, married to Catherine Avery, of Goshen, Ind., and has four children—Grace, Hazel, Maude and Frederick. Mrs. Warner was married, the second time, in 1862, to Moses McKissick, of Toledo, who afterward removed to a farm in Cass county, Mich., where he died in 1894. One daughter was born of this marriage, Grace, now the wife of C. Rinehart, of Cass county, Michigan. The subject of this sketch was married April 28, 183o, to Jonathan Perrin, who was born in Bedford, Penn., in 1804. He was a house- builder and contractor in Perrysburg, and a leading citizen of that place. He died May 18, 1876. Of their children six grew to maturity: (I) Theresa married Fred R. Miller, and had three children William P., who died at Wichita, Kans., leaving one son, Willie; Ernest, a resident of Denver, Col., who married Mary Dodge, a daughter of Judge Dodge, of Bowling Green, and has two children—Hobart and Mary Dodge; and Shelley, of St. Joseph, Mo., superintendent of insurance in that State. (2) Helen P. is thd widow of Hon. E. F. Bull, of Ottawa, Illinois, and has had three children—Lillian, the wife of S. W. Ruger (she has one child, Edward); Edward Brill, a law student, who was accidentally shot while hunting in Minnesota; and Follett W. Bull, an attorney at Chicago, Ill., who has one child, Helen Perkins. (3) William Henry, bor.n September 4, 1835, was a merchant in the south, and a captain in the Confederate army; he died in New Orleans, leaving one daughter, Edna. (4) Mary, born June 17, 1838, married Samuel Price, a journalist and lawyer; both are now dead, leaving one child, Ethel. (5) Eugenia, born February 22, 184o, married Dr. J. W. Long, of Bryan, Ohio, and has one son, James W. (6) Wilkinson D., born May 17, 1842, enlisted in the ist Ohio Artillery, and was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor. Mrs. Perrin has for many years been a leader in the most exclusive circles of social life in Perrysburg, and although now less fond of society than of yore, she takes a generous and intelligent interest in all the movements of the day. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. CHARLES WILLIAM MILBOURN is a native of Wood county, born in Jerry City, July 1 i , 1855. He is a son of L. D. and Julia Ann (Rollins) Mil- bourn, who had four children, namely: David A., a boiler-maker of Barrington, Ohio; Rachel A., wife of Jack McCrory, of Bowling Green; Charles W.; and Sylvester, at home. Our subject began his education in the district schools of 1232 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Bloom township, but his privileges in that direction were meager, for his services were needed on the home farm. He assisted in its cultivation until he was eighteen years of age. His mother then died, and he started out in life for himself, working at any employment he could secure which would yield him an honest living. He was employed in a sawmill for three years, and when he had acquired a sufficient capital he purchased ten acres of land. He afterward bought forty acres near Bowling Green, and on this tract of land now has a nice home. Mr. Milbourn was married in Bowling Green, January 14, 1883, to Miss Clara E. Baird, who was born in Wood county. In 1886 they located on the ten-acre tract of land in Liberty township. Mrs. Milbourn has proved to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet. She was born in Eagleville, October 26, 1863, and was the seventh in order of birth in the family of eight children, whose parents were• Sherman and Casia (Lacy) Baird. While Mr. Milbourn was attending to his business interests, his wife added largely to the family income by keeping boarders, having as high as thirty at one time. She continued this work until 1894. Mr. Mil- bourn cleared his land, and made many excellent improvements upon it, including the erection of a fine residence. He now has three oil wells upon the place, which are very productive and profitable. His honorable business career and straightforward dealing have won for him a handsome competence, and gained him the respect and good will of all, at the same time demonstrating that success can be achieved by determination and unfaltering industry. He belongs to the Disciples Church, and in politics is a stalwart Republican. D. W. REDDIN, M. D. who for the past ten years has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at North Baltimore, is, though yet a young man, one of the best and most favorably known physicians of Wood county, and he has probably no equal of his age in northern Ohio. A native of Ohio, he was born January 24, 1860, near Findlay, Hancock county. His father, Thomas Reddin, was born, in 1808, in Dartmouth, England, was a man of fine intellectual qualities, and also possessed artistic ability; he was employed to do the decorative painting on Girard College. However, he was a captain by occupation, and followed the high seas many years, visiting all the principal ports of the globe. His life was an adventurous one. Under Gen. Sam. Houston he served with Texas in her struggle for independence, being in Col. Fanning's command, which surrendered to Santa Anna after the memorable battle of Goliad. The men were all marched out in line to be shot by the Mexican, but Mr. Reddin and several other's broke from the line and ran, and amid a shower of bullets made good their escape. The others were shot down by Santa Anna's orders. Mr. Reddin also served throughout the Mexican war. During the war of the Rebellion he was in the Navy taking up arms in the Union cause. In 1846 he was married, at Harrisburg, Penn., to Catherine Braucht, who was born April 16, 1828, in Halifax, Dauphin Co., Penn., and is still living residing about six miles west of Findlay, Ohio. They subsequently went to New Orleans, where he enlisted in the Mexican war, and she then returned north, living at Gilboa, Ohio, during his absence. Immediately after his return he located on a farm in Hancock county, this State, where he died September to, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Reddin were the parents of seven children, namely: Thomas, who lives near McComb, Hancock county ; Catherine (Mrs. W. A. Dorsey), deceased; Mary, who married Charles Guear, of Hancock county ; Sophia, who married Rev Tilman Jenkins, of Mosca, Colo.; D. W., our subject ; Dr. Francis O., living at Hamler, Henry Co., Ohio; and John, who is a traveling salesman for a Chicago house. Mrs. Reddin's father, David Braucht, was a native of Pennsylvania, and married a Miss McCalister, of Scotch ancestry, who was a native of the same State. He served in the war of 1812, and his father in the Revolutionary war. Our subject remained on his father's farm in Hancock county, attending the district school. until he was thirteen years old. Since that time he has been self-supporting, and the record of hi. life is one of steady perseverance and indomitable energy. For two years he attended the high school at Findlay, and at the age of fifteen he went to Iowa, where he worked during the summer months, and for two years attended Simpson College. For a time he was a student at th, Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal School, thence going to the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he remained one term. He now commenced reading medicine, pursuing his studies for a year and a half in the office of Dr. T. C. Ballard, of Findlay, and then entering th, Medical Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty-one years, in 1881. In order to further prepare himself for practice he WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1233 spent the following year in the hospitals of New York ,and Philadelphia. By continued application to study his health had been somewhat impaired, and he now devoted a year to travel in the Western States, visiting many cities and ponits of interest, and returning to Findlay fully recuperated. After engaging in practice here for two years, the Doctor, in 1886, came to North Baltimore, in which city he has ever since made his home. He has built up a most extensive practice as a skillful physician and surgeon, and as a self-made and self-educated man he well deserves the success which has come to him, for in his calling, success is attained only by years of arduous study and thorough preparation. The early obstacles in his path were overcome by steady application to his chosen line of work, and he has won the esteem of all who know him by his unfaltering devotion to duty, and many adrable personal characteristics. Socially he affiliates with two fraternal organizations, the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. The Doctor was united in marriage, December 28, 1886, with Miss Ella Lochhead, of Keokuk, Iowa, who died January 7, 1888, her death being occasioned by the shock received at the time of the fire in North Baltimore. She was laid to rest in the Findlay cemetery, widely mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In this fire the Doctor's household goods, his valuable library and surgical instruments were completely destroyed. On June 14, 1893, he married Miss Eugenia Bachman, of Tiffin, Ohio, who was born March 21, 1870. Her parents, George W. and Eugenia (Beilharz) Bachman, were both born in Ohio, the father October 18, 1842, in Summit county, the mother May 18, 1845, in Tiffin. They were married in 1866, and spent their wedded life in Tiffin, where Mr. Bachman died in 1879. He was one of the most prominent men of the city in his day. In 1866 he graduated from Heidelberg College, Tiffin, was admitted to the bar in 1867, and engaged in the practice of law until his death. He was prosecuting attorney of Seneca county for two terms, held the office of mayor of Tiffin for the same length of time, and was president of the city board of education a number of years. Mrs. Bachman now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Reddin. Her other daughter, Mary L., is also a resident of North Baltimore. Her only son, George W., is a traveling salesman. Mrs. Reddin inherited the literary tastes of her parents. In 1888 she completed a course of study in the Tiffin High School, afterward attending Heidelberg College for a time. She then accepted the position of principal of the High School at Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, which she ably filled for one year and a half, next entering the Fostoria High School as assistant principal, a much better position than the former, from a financial standpoint. She held this incumbency three years, or until her marriage to the Doctor. One son, born September 19, 1896, has blessed this union. They reside in a very fine home on Broadway, North Baltimore. Mrs. Reddin's maternal grandfather, Dr. C. C. Beilharz, was an early physician and dentist of Tiffin. His father, John J. Beilharz, was the first pastor of the German Lutheran Church of that city. JOHN FARLEY (deceased) was a leading and influential citizen of Wood county, and a man of sterling worth, one who depended upon his own resources to secure him a competence. By his well-directed efforts and honorable dealing he not only gained a good property, but also won the high regard of those with whom he was brought in contact Mr. Farley was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, April 10, 1814, and completed his education by a college course. At the age of twenty- one years he bade adieu to his parents, friends and the scenes of his boyhood, and sailed, in 1835, for America. He first located in Cleveland, where he secured a situation as bookkeeper with the firm of Smith & Clarey, general merchants. Later he engaged in sailing on the lakes for four years, in the capacity of purser, after which he returned to Ireland to visit his aged parents. Again coming to America, he spent another year in Cleveland, Ohio, in the employ of others, and then embarked in the grocery business in that city, which he carried on for ten years with good success. He also made judicious and profitable investments in real estate, erecting several houses and store buildings. He also served as chief of police in 1857. In 1861, in Cleveland, Ohio, he became connected with the tobacco trade, and in 1864 came to Wood county, locating in Middleton township, where he purchased 210 acres of land. He began the development of that property with characteristic energy, drained it with ditches and tiling, and erected thereon good buildings, which added to the value and attractive appearance of the place. In September, 1841, in Cleveland, Mr. Farley married Annie M. Schwartz, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1822, and came to this country in 1835. Twelve children graced this marriage—six sons and six daughters—of whom seven are living, namely: Mary, wife of George 1234 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Schiple, a farmer of Middleton township; Frederick, in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Lima, Ohio; Catherine; ANDREW P,, a fanner of Middleton township; Bernard, also a farmer; Annie R.; and Rosie B. Those who have passed away are John, Joseph, Frances and Maggie, who died in childhood; and Sarah, who died April 22, 1886. The parents and children all became members of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Farley was a Democrat. He served as school director of Middleton township, and while in Cleveland was for nine years a member of the fire department. He was a man of culture and of broad general information, was special correspondent for several papers in Ireland, and while a resident of Cleveland was a mathematician and a writer of prose and poetry. An enterprising, progressive man, he was popular with all, and his friends were many. His death occurred December 26, 1883; his wife had passed away December 28, 1877. ELIJAH WHITMORE, a worthy representative of the farming and fruit-growing interests of Ross township, was born on the banks of the Maumee, in Lucas county, Ohio, June 20, 1839, and is a son of Luther and Martha Melissa (Trask) Whitmore, in whose family were six children, the others being Warren, a resident of Lucas county; Lydia, deceased; Fidelia, wife of Robert Chamberlain, residing on the old homestead; Mary, wife of H. L. Wood, an agriculturist, of North Star, Match., who served two terms in the State Legislature; and Chester Parnell, a mechanic, residing at home. Luther Whitmore, the father of our subject, was born May 16, 181o, in the town of Millbury, Worcester Co., Mass., and in May, 1825, came to Wood county. passing through what is now Bowling Green, the county seat, and coming on to the Maumee river, at what is now Waterville. After that he settled in Perrysburg, and went to work for John Hollister, with whom' he continued, most of the time, until about 1834, when he bought a piece of land containing 123 acres, at that time all in Wood county, but, since, the old Fulton line has cut off twenty-three acres which are now in Lucas county. Mr. Whitmore built his house near the river, also a dock on the river, and cut the timber off the land into cordwood, which he sold to steamboats-then running to Detroit from Perrysburg. Luther Whitmore has lived on the same farm since 1836, a period of sixty years, is now eighty-six years old, but well and hearty, and is numbered among the early settlers and the pioneers of Wood county. The early education of our subject was obtained in the district schools, and he continued under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when, on October 12, 1861, at Toledo, Ohio he became a member of the 67th 0. V. I. Tenth Army Corps, under Capt. H. G. Ford, and Col. A. C. Voris. He was first on duty in the Shenandoah Valley, was at the siege of Charleston and in the battles of Winchester, Strasburg, Front Royal, Harrison's Landing, Malvern Hill, Franklin, Black Water, and Fort Wagner. From corporal he was promoted to second lieutenant October 2, 1862, and was wounded at Ft. Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863, and resigned January 28, 1864, as, on account of physical disability from wounds received at Ft. Wagner, he was unable to march. Returning home, Mr. Whitmore worked on the farm until his marriage September 28, 1865, with Miss Mary B. Chamberlin, who was third in the order of birth in the family of seven children of James B. and Elizabeth S. (Barber) Chamberlin. The others were Samuel, who died at the age of three years; Robert, who married Delia Whitmore, sister of our subject, and resides in Lucas county; Elizabeth Dale, wife of Warren Whitmore, of Lucas county; Sarah, who died at the age of three years; James Dale, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Toledo, Ohio, at the age of twenty-three years: and Frank Wilson, who married Jennie Reid, of Crestline, Ohio, and resides on the old homestead. Mrs. Whitmore, as well as her parents, is a native of Pennsylvania. Three children bless the union of our subject and his wife, namely: (1) Herbert L., born July 2, 1866, is a conductor on the C. H. & D. railroad, and married Anna May Chapius, by whom he has two children- Marguerite, born November 12, 1893, and James Luther, born October 6, 1895. (2) James C. born February 3, 1869, is a farmer residing a home. (3) Alice Elizabeth, known as "Bessie,” was born April 15, 1883. After his marriage Mr. Whitmore came to Ross township, where he ,received sixty acres land from his father, only five of which had been cleared; but he now has the entire amount under a high state of cultivation, and well-improved with good buildings, and it is also well-drained and fenced. For several years he has made specialty of raising small fruits, which he finds to be a profitable source of income. Mrs. Whit more is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, in the Fifth ward in Toledo, and former: took an active part in both the Church and Sunday-school work; but owing to ill health, and the distance which she lives from church, she has WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1235 been unable to continue in the work. Socially, Mr. Whitmore is connected with Ford Post, No. 14, G. A. R., and the Gen. John W. Fuller Command, Union Veterans Union. For thirty years he has been a school director in either Perrysburg or Ross township, was trustee three terms, assessor two terms, and justice of the peace for nearly two years; but owing to his pressing business affairs, he gave up that office. He has never voted any other ticket but the Republican, and is one of the most earnest and faithful advocates of the principles of that party. Widely and favorably known, no man in Wood county has more friends, or is held in higher esteem, than Elijah Whitmore. [Since the above was written Mr. Whitmore has purchased a lot on the old homestead, on the bank of the Maumee river, in Lucas county, and built himself a beautiful cottage home, where he expects to live the rest of his days, with his wife and daughter. His two sons are carrying on the farm work at the farm in Ross township. JOHN LOE, residing in Jerry City, is one of the county's self-made citizens, and, during his active life, gave his attention principally to agricultural pursuits.. Our subject was born June 23, 1822, in New Jersey, third in the family of Robert and Gatherine (Seldenrick) Loe. John Loe attended school up to the age of eleven years, after which he commenced to work, driving for his father, who was foreman at a coal dock, and had two horses and carts. When about fourteen years of age he came with his parents to Ohio, he family settling in Belmont county, and here he worked in a brick yard, which his father and brother William owned—William having thoroughly learned the business in Philadelphia. John lived with his parents until their removal to Wood county, Ohio, and during his residence there he engaged in various kinds of work, making several trips to Louisville on coal boats. On July 3, 1848, he was married, at West Wheeling, Ohio, to Miss Mary J. Hurless, who was born in North township, Harrison Co., Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Susan (Snyder) Hurless. Mr. Loe rented a house, and, with what money he had, they were able to commence in a comfortable home. He worked for his brother William, who was a contractor, first as laborer, and, after two or three years, having picked up a knowledge of the brick-laying trade, he followed it, receiving one dollar and three shillings per day, and continuing thus for some years. He became the owner of a house and two lots in West Wheeling, but during a flood he was unfortunate enough to have his house and almost all the contents swept away, while he was absent trying fo save the house of a neighbor, a widow. Renting the upper story of a brick house, he brought his family and remaining household goods in a skiff, and moved in through a second- story window. In the spring of 1858 Mr. Loe brought his family to Wood county, the journey being made by rail as far as Findlay, and from there by teams to Bloom township, where Mr. Loe had four years previously bargained with his father for seventy-seven acres of land lying in Section 5. Here they settled, living in a primitive log cabin, 20 x 24 feet in dimensions, with puncheon floor and wooden hinges on the door— a veritable pioneer home. Mr. Loe lost no time in commencing to clear the tract, and it was gradually transformed into a fertile farm, on which he made his home until 1891, when he removed to Jerry City. In addition to farming he was engaged, to some extent, in bricklaying; and, by untiring labor, he succeeded in acquiring a comfortable competence for his declining days. On April 1, 1891, he removed into Jerry City, and his comfortable home there is the finest in the place. He is a highly-respected citizen, and well deserves the rest which he is now enjoying. To Mr. and Mrs. Loe were born children as follows: Samuel R., now of Lenawee, Mich. ; William H., who died young; John A., who is a resident of Henry township; James C., who died in infancy; Sarah M., Mrs. Thomas Lewis, of Lenawee county, Mich. ; Emma J., who was first married to Daniel Crow, and is now the wife of Michael Hunisecker, of Bloom township; David S., of Sandusky county, Ohio; Albert, who died in Bloom at the age of twenty-seven years; and Clara C., who died at the age of twenty-four years. The mother of these passed from earth March 3, 1866, and was buried in Sugar Grove cemetery, her remains being removed later to Jerry City cemetery, where they now rest. For his second wife Mr. Loe wedded a sister of his first wife, Lucinda Hurless, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio. There are no childfen by this marriage. The Loes are Protestants in religious faith. Politically Mr. Loe is a Republican. HENRY FREYMAN has spent his entire life in Wood county, and has witnessed much of its growth and upbuilding, ever bearing his part in the work of progress. He was born in Henry township, July 8, 1842, and is a son of Peter Freyman, a native of Germany, who was born in 1806. In 1840 he came with his wife and three 1236 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. children to America, landing at New York after a voyage of forty-eight days. He went directly to Morgan county, Ohio, and after a year came to Wood county, entering 120 acres of wild land' from tbe government, in Henry township. He built a Iog cabin on the place, and at once began to improve the property, meeting with many hardships and difficulties in the early days, but eventually becoming the possessor of a comfortable home. He died in Williams county at the home of his son, and his wife passed away in 1873, at the home of her son, John, in Wood county. Their children were John, a farmer of Defiance county, Ohio; William, an agriculturist of Williams county, Ohio; Elizabeth, who died at the age of ten years; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Caroline, deceased wife of John Frederick, of North Baltimore, Ohio; and Catherine, deceased wife of Dillon Ames, of Seneca county, Ohio. The school privileges which our subject received were extremely meager, but his training at farm work was ample, aS he aided in the development of the old homestead. On December 26, 1867, in Henry township, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Smith, who was born January 1, 1 843 , in Richland county, Ohio, daughter of Henry J. and Catherine (Ernsberger) Smith. They lived upon a rented farm for two years and then Mr. Freyman purchased his present place, which was at that time a wild tract of eighty acres. Their first home was a log cabin, which, in 1887, was replaced by a substantial and pleasant frame residence, erected at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Freyman has tiled and fenced his farm, and now has a valuable and productive tract. The home has been blessed by two children, but Ira died in infancy. The daughter, Mary, is now the wife of Millard F. Leathers. In politics, Mr. Freyman is a stalwart Democrat, and for two terms has served as township trustee, while for a number of years he has been school director, proving a capable and trustworthy official. Upon his farm he has developed twelve oil wells. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and has built wisely and well. His honorable, upright life, and his pleasant, genial manner has gained him a large circle of friends, and the confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact. W. H. BURDITT, a native of Ohio, born in Bay township, Ottawa county, September 12, 1844, is a son of Greenbury Burditt, who was born near St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio, May I, 1818, and in 1855 came to Wood county, locating in Washington township, where he purchased and improved eighty acres of land. He was married near Fremont, Sandusky county, to Maggie Bowlus, and they became the parents of three children: W. H.; and Lewis Hanson and George, who both died in the Civil war. The mother died in Ottawa county, Ohio, and the father afterward married Martha A. Gray, of Pennsylvania. They had eight children, namely: Maletha Ann, wife of Lawrenoe Long; Lucy Ann, wife of Zahm Stevens; Andrew; Martha Jane, wife of William Digby; Maggie, wife of Newton Petteys; Levi, who died in infancy; Sarah Jane, wife of L. S. Woodruff, a minister of the U. B. Church, and Greenbury, Jr. The mother died in the spring of 1894, and the father now makes his home with his son Andrew. W. H. Burditt remained with his father, and assisted in the care of the home farm until twenty-eight years of age, when he purchased seventy acres of land, and began farming on his own account. At the age of nineteen he enlisted at Tontogany under Capt. Black; but, as his father was ill he remained at home, and in his place employed a substitute who later died in a Southern prison. He has always devoted his energies to farming, and now owns and operates 12c1 acres of land, which has been acquired through his own efforts, and throughout the community he is recognized as a progressive, wide-awake and industrious farmer. Mr. Burditt was married in 1872 to Eldretta Gates, of Weston township, who was born in Danbury Conn., on Christmas Day, 1849. They lost their first child, Charlie, but three children, Claude B., Maudie May and Emma E., are yet at home. Our subject has served as school director Several terms, and is a warm friend of the cause of education. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of that party. JOSEPH BRILLHART, deceased, was one of the best known farmers of Washington township, this county, and was truly a self-made man, having acquired all that he possessed through his own industrious and persevering efforts, combined with sound judgment and good business ability. H. was born in York county, Penn., on October 1822, and was a son of John Brillhart, who also a native of the Keystone State, and grey. manhood on his father's farm. On attaining majority John Brillhart married Catherine Lowe. and they became the parents of eight children namely: Jacob; Mary, deceased, who was known by the name of "Polly;" John, who was a WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1237   mister of the Dunkard Church, and is now deceased; Catherine, who has also passed away; Daniel, a resident of Ohio; Peter, a farmer of Henry county, Ohio; Joseph, of this sketch; and Joanas. After the father's death in Crawford county, the mother removed to Stark county, Ohio, where she departed this life at the age of seventy-five years. Joseph Brillhart obtained his literary education in the common schools of Stark county, remaining at home until he had reached the age of twenty-six, when he went to Crawford county, Ohio, where for ten years he owned and operated a farm of eighty acres. On selling that property he came to Wood county, where he purchased 104 acres, which were still an unbroken wilderness, erecting thereon a log cabin. He immediately began the work of developing his land, making extensive improvements, and left one of the best equipped farms in the county. In Stark county, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brillhart and Catherine Epley, and of their union the following children have been born—Benjamin, who is in delicate health, is a farmer by occupation; Rebecca, who died at the age of thirty years, was the wife of White McMann, of Otsego, Ohio; Amanda is the wife of George Mawer, of Grand Rapids township, Wood county; Hattie is the wife of George Stone; Calvin wedded a Miss Jeffers, and operates the homestead farm; and Frank is also a farmer. For a number of terms Mr. Brillhart served as school director, and while a resident of Crawford county filled the office of supervisor. He was a supporter of the Republican party, and took a deep interest in its success, and throughout the county was well and favorably known. His death occurred on the old homestead, July 30, 1896. SIMEON F. CROM is a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Center township. His well-spent life silences the voice of criticism, and justly entitles him to the respect which is accorded him by his fellow citizens. He was born in Center township, Wood county, November 22, 1849. His father, Daniel Crom, was born and reared in Oxford county, Penn. , spending his boyhood days on the parental homestead. He married Miss Barbara Oberdorf, also a native of Oxford county, and in 1820 started for Wood county, Ohio, making the entire journey with an ox-team. He located in what is known as Beaver Creek, and took up a tract of land which he cleared and then soldo later removing to Center township, where he entered from the government 16o acres of land. One-half of this he cleared, and the remaining eighty he sold. Upon the part which he retained he erected a dwelling and barn, planted a five- acre orchard, and made other excellent improvements. For several years he served his township as trustee, as supervisor, and as school director. He died on the old homestead in 1864, and his wife passed away in Center township in 189o. They had the following children who reached mature years: John, who died while serving in the Civil war; Annie, wife of Aaron Phillips, of Bowling Green; Joseph, of Oklahoma; Mary, wife of Henry A. Olds; Aaron, a farmer in Portage township; Simeon F. ; and Martha, wife of Levi Loomis, a farmer of Kansas. Our subject acquired a district-school education, and worked on the home farm until his father's death, after which he supported his widowed mother. He began life on his own account on a farm of fifty-two acres, but has now 116, which he purchased and improved, erecting thereon a fine dwelling, good barns and outbuildings, at a cost of more than $2,500. He also planted an orchard, has ditched and tiled the place, and now has one of the most desirable farms of the township, while the community recognize in him one of its progressive agriculturists. Mr. Crom was married April 16, 1870, to Amaryllis Humisson, daughter of Mrs. Gideon Underwood, of Center township. They have two children—Carleton, who was born March 26, 1873, was educated in the district schools and the high school of Fostoria, and now aids in the operation of the home farm. Alanson, born June 22, 1878, is also at home. Mr. Crom has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his native county, and faithfully performs his duties of citizenship. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and socially is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Bowling Green. JOHN HOOD, an honored pioneer of Wood county, now residing in Perrysburg, was born in Portland Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, in May, 1825. He was the youngest of the sons of Henry and Elizabeth (Douglas) Hood, and is the only survivor of the family, the elder sons—James, George, Henry, William and Thomas, and a daughter, Jane—having, with their parents, passed to the unseen life many years ago. In 1832 the father of our subject, a day laborer by occupation, emigrated with his family to America, and coming directly to Wood county, Ohio, settled upon wild land at Hull Prairie. At that time there were but two other settlers in Middleton township, and they had to endure in ' 1238 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. full measure the isolation and hardships of frontier life. This they did with true pioneer spirit, and before Mr. Hood's parents died, they had been rewarded for their work by seeing their lands converted into valuable property. Educational facilities in that locality were poor, and his help being needed upon the farm, Mr. Hood never attended school; but his characteristic Scotch shrewdness has enabled him to acquire much information by observation. At the age of fifty- five, after a life of constant toil, he placed the management of his 143 acres at Hull Prairie in other hands, and retired to Perrysburg to enjoy his well-earned leisure. In 1891 he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Ella Tracy, by whose companionship his later years have been brightened. Mr. Hood is independent in politics, and in religious connection is a member of the Episcopal Church. FREDERICK HELLVOIGT, prominent among the agriculturists of Plain township, is one of its most progressive and energetic of men, and from a humble beginning in life has accumulated a handsome property. He not only commenced without means, but was obliged to battle with the elements of a foreign soil and the customs of a strange country, as he is of German birth and parentage. He was born in Hanover, Germany, March 1, 1837, and is a son of Frederick and Augusta (Buck) Hellvoigt. While a soldier in the German army, the father fought in the battle of Waterloo, and he died in his native land in 1847. His widow came to America and died in Toledo, Ohio, in 1885. Frederick is the eldest of their three children, the others being Leontena, widow of Dedrich Smith, of Toledo; and Augusta, wife of John Fehlauer. Our subject received his education in the .schools of Germany, and worked upon a farm until 1857, in which year he came to America in a sailing vessel, landing, after a voyage of six weeks, at New York, whence he came direct to Ohio, arriving at Bowling Green on the 4th of July. His first work in Wood county was as a farm laborer, receiving $12 per month, and attending school at intervals. He was thus employed for two years, when he married, and worked on his father-in-law's farm for a year, which he subsequently rented for the same length of time. In 1862 he moved to Middleton township, where he rented a farm for a year, and then leased another tract in the same township, which he operated some five years. On the expiration of that time he returned to Plain township and bought sixty acres from his father-in-law. Later he disposed of that place purchased his present farm of sixty acres, which by the exercise of industry, energy and perseverance he has now brought to a condition of excellent cultivation. On September 24, 1860, he was united in marriage with Emma Brandes, who was born October 15, 1841, a daughter of Gotlieb Brandes, a farmer of Plain township, where the wedding was celebrated. To this union were born ten children, namely: Freddie, born in 1861, died in September, 1866, aged five years, Minnie, born May 29, 1862, married February 4, 1886, to William Hindly, a farmer of Plain township August, born May 24, 1864; Charles, born September 24, 1866; Tena, born Aug. 10, 1870; Fred, born May 23, 1872, married March 14, 1896, to Miss Jessie Conklin, of the same township; Emma, born November 22, 1875; Lottie and William (twins), born July 9, 1878, the latter of whom died March 2, 1884; and Edward, born November 21, 1883. In religious faith Mr. Hellvoigt and his family are identified with the Congregational Church and follow closely the teachings of that denomination. Politically he endorses the principals of the Republican party, which he supports with his ballot, and for three years served as supervisor of his township, also for the same length of time was school director. He has watched with lively interest the growth and development of the county, and has contributed largely to its reputation as one of the most desirable farming districts in the State. CYRUS JOHNSTON. This highly respected gentleman of Wood county, is paying especial attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm in Portage township. He was born July 28, 1853, in Section 9, the same township, in the home of his parents, James and Susanna Johnston. He grew to man's estate upon his father's farm, and as soon as old enough assisted in its cultivation until he was twenty-one, gaining a good practical knowledge of the business under the wise guidance of his father. He acquired his education in the district schools, and for one winter worked in a lumber camp in Michigan. Mr. Johnston has been twice married. In Portage township, in March, 1877, he wedded Miss Nancy L. Miller, a native of Seneca county Ohio, by whom he had one son--Clarence E., at home. On her death, the wife was laid to rest in Portage cemetery. The lady who now shares the home and fortunes of our subject, was in her maidenhood Miss Julia Green, a native of Fulton county, Ohio. They have become the parents of WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1239 three children---*Whitney R. ; Alpha, who died in infancy; and Ethel M. Mr. Johnston began housekeeping on the farm where he yet resides, and by his industrious and energetic efforts has converted his place into a highly cultivated tract. He is a keen, practical man, well gifted with mental and physical vigor. In politics he casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, and conscientiously performs his duties as a good citizen. He and his wife take an active interest in religious work, and are members of the United Brethren Church. SOLOMON SIMON (deceased). Among the pioneer settlers of Bloom township, this gentleman proved himself especially worthy of notice in a work of this kind. He was one of the early men to locate within its borders, and, being possessed of a rare amount of energy, proved a most valued member of the younger and rapidly growing community. His early home was in Boardman township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, where his birth took place November 5, 1820. Abraham Simon, (father of our subject), and his brother Henry, were the two children born of the third marriage of Michabl Simon, the founder of this numerous family iri Mahoning county, from where the Wood county contingent has descended. Abraham Simon was born in Washington ounty, Penn., whence at the age of seven years he was brought to Ohio, and always followed farming as a vocation, living upon one place from 1802 until his death. At North Lima, Columbiana Co. , Ohio, he wedded Catherine Crouse, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wilderson) Crouse, who were the parents of eight sons and three daughters, who grew to maturity. To Mr. and Mrs. Simon were born the following children: Solomon, of whom we write; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Bailey; John, of Boardman township, Mahoning county; Michael, who lives on the old homestead in that township; Harriet, who married, first, Peter Monasmith (who died at Philadelphia, Penn., on his way home from the army), and later became the wife of George Cover; Martha, now Mrs. George Harnickle, of Mahoning county.; Jacob, of Youngstown township, that county; Delilah, wife of Ralph Agnew, of Mahoning county; and Joshua, of Jackson township, Mahoning county. The father, who was formerly a Whig and later a Republican in politics, lived to be over seventy-eight years of age, while his wife was eighty-seven at the time of her death, acrd they were both buried in Boardman township. Being the eldest son, Solomon Simon was early obliged to assist in the work of the home farm, and never attended an English school an hour in his life, though he received some instruction in German. He was married in Boardman township, Mahoning county, on Christmas Day, 1842, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Gress, who was born in Northampton county, Penn., December 18, 1822, and is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Philman) Gress. When she was ten years old she was brought to the Buckeye State by her parents, who located near Lisbon, but later went to Springfield township, Mahoning county, where the father died. The mother later removed to Boardman township, where Mrs. Simon was married. She also had very meager school privileges. Five children graced the union of our subject and his wife: Demer S., who was a soldier in the Union army, and died in Boardman township after his return from the war; J. L., a farmer of Bloom township, Wood county; Elnora, widow of Amos Phillips, of Jerry City, Ohio: Annie, now Mrs. Corvin Nestlerode, of Portage township, Wood county; and Reuben, of Oregon. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Simon had no property; but his mother had come into possession of 100 acres of land in Bloom township, Wood county, which had belonged to her father. This she had the latter deed to our subject, provided he would improve the same. Therefore, in the spring of 1844, with his wife and oldest child, he started for this county in a covered wagon, being also accompanied by the family of Levi Simon. Our subject had been here several times previous, and in the fall of 1843 had sowed some wheat and built a rude log cabin, with no doors or windows, a quilt being hung up to keep out the wolves, while a fire was never built in the house from spring until fall, the cooking all being done by a large log outside. They were the first family to locate in Section 3, and they experienced all the difficulties and trials of life on the frontier, it requiring three or four days to go to mill at Perrysburg. On that farm Mr. Simon continued to reside until the latter part of the Civil war, when he removed to Jerry City, there owning a half-interest in a sawmill with Anthony Frederick. Two years later, however, he sold out and purchased 120 acres of land in Section 9, Bloom township, to which the latter added twelve acres. It continued to be his place of abode until the spring of 1892, when he removed to Jerry City, though still owning ninety- two acres of that farm. He died February 9, 1896. 1240 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO Mr. Simon cast his first Presidential vote for William H. Harrison, the Whig candidate; but being a strong abolitionist he joined the Republican party on its formation, and with it continued to affiliate. For several years he held the offices of trustee, supervisor and school director, and by his fellow citizens was always held in the highest respect. W. W. ROSENDALE, one of the wide-awake, progressive farmers of Perry township, was born June 28, 1863, in West Millgrove, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. Charles R. and Rebecca (Wade) Rosendale. The early life of our subject was spent in his native town, where he attended the public schools and obtained what education he could in that way. His father owned large land interests, and as our subject was the eldest son, he was started in the real-estate business at an early age, and that occupation he follows at the present time. As work was plentiful, he remained at home, helping his father until his marriage, June 6, 1882, to Miss Irene Adams, who was born near Apple River, Ill., November 9, 1861, and who is the daughter of David and Phoebe (Vosburg) Adams. The Adams family were pioneers of Montgomery township, Wood county, as were also the Vosburgs. After his marriage Mr. Rosendale first located in West Millgrove for a few months, and on March 24, 1883, went to live on his present farm. He first lived in a log but that stood a Aloft distance north of his present home, and where he resided until the fall of 1884, when the new house was built and he moved into it. Mr. and Mrs. Rosendale have two children: Addie B., born September 27, 1883, is at home; and Linnie M., born July 11, 1885, also at home. Our subject owns over 343 acres in Perry township, which is more than any other man of his age has in the same township. Politically, Mr. Rosendale is a Republican, but he has declined all candidacies, preferring to look after his property, which he does in a business like manner. Socially, he is a charter member of Lodge No. 145, K. of P., in West Millgrove, and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church of the same place. Mr. Rosendale has always been one of the progressive, go-ahead farmers of Perry township, and although a young man has proved his ability as a business man and a successful agriculturist, and stands foremost among the leading farmers of Wood county. He is public-spirited, ever ready to promote any movement that will advance the interests of his community. In 1892 he embarked at New York for Europe on the "City of Paris," and made a tour through England, Scotland, Ireland and France, which lasted from August 3 until September 27. He visited the principal cities of those countries, and returned on the " Teutonic," which made the fastest voyage on record at that time. While Mr. Rosendale is the son of wealthy parents, he has preferred to assert his independence and branch out on his own account, relying on his own efforts to attain success. That he has accomplished this object is amply proven by his present comfortable position in life. HENRY MOHR. Among the influential members of the farming community of Wood county is the gentleman whose name begins this sketch. He is entirely a self-made man in the truest sense of the word, having been the sole architect o: own fortunes, and has raised himself from a s. of poverty to affluence, aided only by his strong arms, indomitable energy and laud ambition. His homestead lies in Bloom to ship, and is one of the most highly-cultivate this portion of the county. Mr. Mohr is the eldest of the five children of Charles and Elizabeth (Hilderbaddle) Mohr, natives of Pennsylvania, the others being Daniel, Carey, Ohio; Amandus, who was a member of the 55th O. V. I., and died at the battle of Chancellorsville; Eliza, now Mrs. William Heninger, of Seneca county, Ohio; and Mary A., who was the wife of W. H. Ridgely, and died in Eagleville, Ohio. The parents became residents of Seneca county, in 1853, and there their deaths occurred. Our subject was born in South Whitehall, township, Lehigh Co., Penn., January 14, 1828, and in a district school, taught by a German teacher, received his education, which was quite limited. At the age of nineteen he began learning the carriage maker's trade, serving a two-anda-half-years' apprenticeship, and, in 1851, started for Ohio, where he hoped to better his financial condition. With a comparion he began the journey on foot, but when between Harrisburg and Reading, Penn., they gave out, and took stage to Hollidaysburg, thence to Allegheny. Penn. For five months Mr. Mohr worked at his trade at Clarksville, Mercer Co., Penn., but secured only $5 of his wages, with which amount he started for Tiffin, Ohio, walking most of the distance to Mansfield, thence proceeding over the first railroad in Ohio to Sandusky, and on by th, Mad River railroad to Tiffin, where he was employed at his trade for about five years. In the meantime Mr. Mohr had married, in WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1241 Lehigh county, Penn., Miss Catherine Schantz, who was born in that county, October 15, 1830, daughter of Philip Schantz, a farmer by occupation. They have become the parents of six children - Catharine, now Mrs. T. V. Pelton, of Bloom township; Mary A., wife of Dr. R. J. Simon, of Pemberville, Ohio, Alvin F., a farmer of Eagleville, Ohio; Emma who became the wife of Augustus Kyle, and died at Pemberville,; William H., a farmer of Bloom township; and Charles who died in infancy. For nine years after his marriage Mr. Mohr carried on carriage making in connection with a partner; but in March, 1861, he removed to Eagleville, where he opened a wagon shop, which he conducted without intermission for six years. At the end of that time he purchased fifty-five acres at Eagleville, from John A. Bunnell, and engaged in farming as well as wagon making, keeping that arrangement up for about five years; from that time he gradually began to give more attention to farming, retaining the shop, however, until 1893, at which time he sold the lot and building. His wife has ever proved to him a faithful companion and helpmeet, encouraging him in every way, and they have reared a family of which they may well be proud They have two great-grandchildren - Ada and Goldie Schwartz. In religious faith they are Lutherans; in politics Mr. Mohr was formerly a Democrat, but since the year John C. Fremont ran for President he has been an ardent Republican. He has always declined to accept public office, but has, however served as supervisor. WILLIAM LYTLE, a gentleman of genuine worth and genial manner, whose friends in Middleton township, and in Wood county, are many, was born in Waterville, Lucas Co., Ohio, January 1, 1853. His father, John Lytle, was a native of the Emerald Isle, and, with his parents, came to the United States when a youth of sixteen, here following the occupation of farming. He still resides in Lucas county, where he owns and operates 124 acres of land. He married Sarah Cripliver, of German lineage, and they became parents of nine children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Thompson, a farmer; William, of this sketch; James, an agriculturist of Lucas county; Mary, wife of Samuel Noward; Alice, wife of John Kutzley, a farmer of Lucas county; Glover, Matie; John, who died in childhood; and one who died in infancy. Our subject attended school in Waterville, Lucas county, and was reared on the old family homestead. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, and for three years was employed as a farm hand in the county of his birth. His first purchase of land was a tract of forty acres, which he operated for fifteen years, making excellent improvements thereon. Subsequently he purchased fifty acres of land in Middleton township—his present home—and in addition to this he operates sixty acres of rented land. The good buildings upon his place, the highly cultivated fields, and the many modern improvements all indicate the owner to be one of the progressive farmers of the community. His pleasant home is shared by his wife and five children. He was married in Waterville, in 1876, to Mary Noward, who was born in 1851, and is a daughter of Joseph Noward, a farmer of Lucas county. Their children are George, Burton, Ross, Ivan, and Harvey. In politics Mr. Lytle is a Republican, and socially is connected with Waterville Lodge No. 155, I. 0. 0. F., while his religious connections are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. JEREMIAH FOLTZ, a retired capitalist and oil operator, of North Baltimore, is a native of Hancock county, Ohio, born September 22, 1853. There he spent his boyhood days, attending the district-schools and working on the farm. Mr. Foltz was united in marriage, January i8, 1877, with Miss Alice L. Dustman, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, July 28, 1853. To this union was born one child, Carl C., on March 18, 1882. After his marriage Mr. Foltz settled in Hancock county, and took up farming, continuing that occupation for about five years, at the end of which time he moved to Henry township, Wood county, where he again took up farming until, in 1888, he came to North Baltimore and built .his present fine residence. It is a large, roomy house, built in modern style, beautifully situated and sursounded by charming scenery. Mr. Foltz owns about 38o acres of land around North Baltimore, and is largely interested in the oil business, owning nine producing wells. He devotes his time to the care of his property, and to investing his money in paying enterprises. He holds a prominent place in society, and is looked upon as one of the town's leading and energetic citizens. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party. Noah Foltz, father of our subject, was born 'DeCernber 27, 1817, in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. He was married in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1840, to Miss Mary Ann Heisey, whose birth took place in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., October 28, 182o. They settled in Hancock county, Ohio, after their marriage, where Mr. Foltz en- 1242 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. tered land and located permanently, engaging in regular farming. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious connection a member of the Christian Union Church. He died in 1890, at the advanced age of seventy-three years, and his wife passed away four years later. Twelve children were born to this couple, as follows: Amos, living in California; Margaret, wife of Aaron Burner, residing in California; Abraham, now in Hancock county; Peter, also living in Hancock county; Catharine, wife of Charles Green, who resides in North Baltimore; Mary E., married to J. G. Knepper. of Hancock county; Amanda, who married Jacob Fox (both herself and husband are dead, leaving two children, Amos and Marietta); Isaiah and Jeremiah, twins, the former living in Hancock county; W. Harvey, residing ih Putnam county; Harrison W., in Indiana; and Albert, living in Hancock county. The paternal grandfather, Wallace Foltz, was from Virginia, and came to Ohio when our subjeot's father was six years old. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died in Fairfield county, Ohio. The original Foltz was a German by birth, and was among the emigrants who came to America during the Colonial days. MICHAEL BAUMGARDNER. Among the progressive agriculturists of Milton township is numbered this gentleman, an intelligent and popular citizen, well deserving representation in the history of his adopted county. He was born in the village of Hogestown, between Carlisle and Harrisburg, Penn., April 18, 1830. His father, John Baumgardner, a shoemaker by trade, was born' in Dauphin county, Penn., January 7, 1809. He there wedded Mary Ulrich, who was born in that county, January 9, 1809. They subsequently removed to Hogestown, where the father followed shoemaking. In 186o he moved, with his family, to Seneca county, Ohio, locating on a forty-acre farm, where he lived for three years, then going to Wyandot county. He there purchased sixty acres of lan , which he cultivated until 1877, when he removed to Henry county, Ohio, and bought 125 acres. His next home was in Fostoria, Ohio, where he purchased sixty acres; there his death occurred in 1871, while his wife survived unfit November 30, 1883. Their marriage,. which was celebrated May 10, 1829, was blessed with the following children: Michael; Catherine, wife of Samuel Rife, of Circleville, Ohio; John, of McCutchenville, Ohio; Sarah, who was drowned in Sandusky river, at the age of fourteen; Samuel, who died at the age of eighteen; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Erton; and Susan, wife of William Williams, of Fostoria, Ohio. The family is of German origin, and was founded in America the grandfather of our subject, who located in Pennsylvania when a young man. Michael Baumgardner was educated native State, and in his Ohio learned the trade of shoemaking with. his father, also the trade of harness-making, following those pursuits until twenty-one years of age. He acquired a good education in the schools of Pennsylvania and Ohio, has been an extensive reader, is a well-informed man, and an entertaining conversationalist. Mr. Baumgardner was married in county, Ohio, March 22, 1855, to Miss L. Corfman, who was born in that county, September 26, 1836, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Beery) Corfman, natives of Fairfield county, Ohio. The parents had a family of nine children; -Noah, now of Sycamore, Wyandot county; Henry, deceased; Sarah Ann, deceased wife of Tressley Walters; William, of Tiffin, Ohio; Mrs. Baumgardner; John and Daniel, both of Kansas; Mary Magdalene, wife of George Stolters, of Wyandot county; and Samuel, of Sycamore, Ohio. To our subject and his wife have been born eight children-William, born May 3, 1856, was married November 25, 1881, to Della Anthony, a resident of Milton ; Daniel A. , born May 19, 1858, was married March 9, 1886, to Mary Ash, and resides in Henry county; Samuel A., born September 17, 1860, is at home; Jacob A., born November 15, 1862, was married January 31, 1889, to Oliva Busson, and resides in Milton township; Simon G. , born May 7, 1865, is in Florida; Mary C., born January 25, 1870, is the wife of Edward Guyer, of Milton township; Charles L., born July 11, 1873, is at home; Carrie L. , born January 14, 1877, was married May 29, 1895, to Elijah Everett. They are now living at the old homestead. Mr. Baumgardner and his wife began their domestic life in Wyandot county, where the former purchased a farm of thirty-five acres after renting it for a short time. His first home was a plank house. He continued the improvement of this property until 1876, when he sold and came with his family to Wood county-their departure being a source of much regret to their many friends in Wyandot county. Here Mr Baumgardner purchased eighty acres of wild land on which stood a log cabin, that in 1888 was replaced by a large and comfortable frame residence. He has made many excellent improvements upon his property, which is now one of the highly developed farms of the neighborhood In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1243 school director since coming to Wood county, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He holds membership with the Evangelical Church, and takes an active interest in its work. RUDOLPH DANZ, the well-known proprietor of the bakery and confectionery store of Perrysburg, was born in Switzerland, March 6, 1846. is parents were Nicholas and Barbara (Bucher) Danz, the former of whom was a native of Switzerland, where he was born in 1805, and the mother in 1809. They were married in Switzerland, and followed the occupation of farmers. Mrs. Danz died in 1870, and Mr. Danz, in 1885. Both were members of the Reformed Church. The children of this couple numbered thirteen: Ameliao Nicholas, Elizabeth, Barbara, John, Benjamin, Annie, Helen, Jacob, Rudolph, Fred, Elizabeth, and Gottlieb. Three of them now live America. Rudolph grew up in Switzerland, and came to !the United States in 1867, locating at Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio, where he farmed for two years, and then learned the baker's trade. He went to Cleveland and worked two years, afterward coming to Perrysburg, and opening a store in 1872. He was married in 1873, to Miss Rosetta Matthews. These children were born to them: Mary E., Harry R., Julia 0., Hellen R., Laura L., Lillie A. Mr. Danz is a member of the Evangelical Church; and of the National Union and the K. of P. He is a Republican in politics, and has served in the city council two years, and on the school board for three years. He is an active worker, a progressive citizen, and is highly respected by all Who know him. WILLIAM H. FAUSEY, a farmer and stock raiser of Center township, was born in Madison township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, September 24, 1846, and is descended from one of the Revolutionary heroes. His grandfather, Henry Fausey, was of German lineage, and valiantly aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence. The father, Henry Fausey, was born in Northumberland county, Penn., was reared on his father's farm, and throughout his life carried on agricultural pursuits. During his boyhood he removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, where for some years heaided in the operation of his father's farm, and then went with his parents to Sandusky county, locating in Madison township. He was one of the pioneers of that locality, and passed through all the experiences and hardships of frontier life. He secured a claim of 24o acres, which he succeeded in clearing, and erected thereon a good dwelling, barns, and other necessary buildings, continuing the cultivation of that place through his remaining days. For a number of years he served as township trustee, also township treasurer, and manifested his loyalty to the cause of education through his efficient service for years as school director. He was married in Sandusky county, in 1842, to Rebecca Donalds. They had nine children—James, deceased; Rebecca, wife of Tobias Gains, of Michigan; Margaret E., deceased wife of Edward Kimberling, a farmer of Michigan; William H.; Amos F., an agriculturist of the Wolverine State; Lewis W., a traveling man living in Michigan; Adolphus E., who resides on the old family homestead; Louisa A., wife of Eli Endsley; and James Monroe, who died in infancy. The father died in Madison township, Sandusky county, in 1886, and the mother is there living at the age of seventy-two. William H. Fausey acquired his education in the district schools, and worked on his father's farm until sixteen years of age, when he went to to Fremont, and enlisted in the 3d Ohio Cavalry, which afterward proceeded to Nashville, Tenn. He participated in several engagements, and on one occasion had his left ear injured by an artillery ball. At another time, while riding through the mountains with his company, he was thrown from his horse, causing a fracture of several of his ribs, which still produces considerable suffering. He remained with his company until the close of the war, when, having been honorably discharged, he returned home, reaching Madison township, August 26, 1865. Mr. Fausey continued work on his father's farm until 1868, when he purchased forty acres of land, which he improved by the erection of a home and other buildings, planting an orchard, etc. He made excellent improvements during his eleven years' residence there, and in 1879 sold this farm, removing to Center township, Wood county, where he rented 100 acres, and afterward purchased forty acres. He also purchased 164 acres of prairie land in Madison township, Sandusky county, and for six years personally engaged in its cultivation. Later he returned to Wood county, where he has since remained, devoting his attention exclusively to farming and feeding stock. His son now operates the farm in Sandusky county. Mr. Fausey has been honored with some local offices, having served as assessor in Center township for one year, and as school director for several years, both in Wood and Sandusky counties. Socially he is connected with the 1244 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Grand Army of the Republic, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; religiously, with the United Brethren Church; and politically with the Republican party. He was happily married in his native township, in 1867, to Mabel Endsley, who was born in 1849, a daughter of James Endsley, a farmer of Sandusky county. They have three children—Charles, who was born in 1868, and is farming in Sandusky county; Eldorado, wife,of Dr. R. H. Gregory, of Iowa; and Goldie, at home. WILLIAM HOOTON, one of the leading agriculturists of Washington township, was born in England, December 26, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Eliza (Digby) Hooton. Both parents were natives of the same land, the father's birth occurring in Yorkshire. The mother is a sister of Robert Digby, of Bowling Green, Wood county. Of their ten children, three have departed this life, one being drowned, another burned to death, and the third dying of scarlet fever. In order of birth the children are as follows: Robert; Mary Ann; William; John, deceased; James; Eliza; Sallie; John; Liza Ann, deceased; and Ruth, deceased. With the exception of our subject, those living are still reSidents of England. The parents also never left England; the mother has now passed away, but the father is still living. It was on April 8, 1872, that William Hooton left the Old World, resolved to try his fortunes on this side of the Atlantic, where he believed better opportunities were afforded enterprising, industrious citizens. He took passage on the, " Absyna " (which has since burned), going from Liverpool to New York. Since his arrival in thiS country farming has been his occupation. He first located on the Richard Digby farm, in Tontogany. where he remained for fifteen years, during which time he ditched and tiled the place, making. it a valuable and productive farm. In the springl of 1888, however, he purchased forty- five acres of land in Washington township at $40.00 per acre, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since given his time and attention. Besides tiling and fencing his land, hehas erected a good dwelling at a cost of $1,000, and a substantial barn, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and untiring industry. All that he now possesses has been acquired through his enterprising, persevering energies, aided and encouraged by a kind and faithful wife. Before leaving England Mr. Hooton had wedded Mary Stillings, of Sowerby, Yorkshire, and to him she has ever proved a true and devoted helpmeet. This worthy couple are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tontogany, while socially. He is connected with Tontogany Lodge No. 451, F. & A. M. His political support is given the Republican party. REV. JOHN BORN, pastor of St. John's. Lutheran Church, at Stony Ridge, was born on August 19, 1863, in Kreuznach on the Rhine, Germany, and is a son of R. and Anna (Eckart) Born, natives of the same place. The father, who was also a Lutheran minister, brought his family to the New World in 1864, locating at Rochester, Penn., where he had charge of a large congregation until 1875, when he became pastor of a church at Dayton, Ohio. He is now living retired at Detroit, Mich. He is the father of a family of seven children-E. A., a Lutheran minister of Tyrone, Penn. ; John, of this review Robert, who is also engaged in the work of the Lutheran ministry at Delphos, Ohio; William who is attending college at Columbus, Ohio, preparing to enter upon the same grand work; Mrs. Katie Myers, of Monroe, Mich.; Mrs. Gertie Reiser, of Monroe county, Mich. ; and Anna, who still lives with her parents in Detroit. Our subject began his education in the schools of Rochester, Penn., continued his studies in the public schools of Dayton, Ohio, and then for two years was a student in Nazareth College, of that city. In 1885 he entered a theologioal seminary of St. Paul, Minn., where he graduated two years later, and was ordained at Stony Ridge in 1887, where he has since remained in charge. He also conducts services every other Sunday at Latchie, Wood county. In 1888, at Dayton, Ohio, was solemnized the marriage of Rev. Born and Miss Elizabeth Ingling, a native of that city and a daughter of Rudolph and Hannah Ingling. Mr. and Mrs. Born have a little daughter, Margaret. Our subject is an earnest Christian gentleman, and in the nine years that he has had charge of St. John's congregation at Stony Ridge he has made many warm friends, not only among his parishioners, but also among members of other denominations. His entire time and energies are devoted to his calling. and he has proved a faithful worker in the Master's vineyard. St. John's Lutheran Church, of Stony Ridge, was founded by Rev. E. Cronenwett, of Woodville, Sandusky Co., Ohio; but for the first few years services were held very irregularly as there was no church building. In 1872 the present WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1245 house of worship was erected at an approximate cost of $2, 500, and the parsonage, which was built about 1880, cost $800. The pastors have been Revs. Buerkle, Sheips and George Wolf, who were in charge until 1887, and in July of that year Rev., Born assumed the pastorate. The Church has a membership of about 150, is in a thriving condition, and sustains a good strong Sunday-school where seventy children attend. ANDREW O. MINKS. Among the reliable and substantial farmers of Bloom township, there can be found no one who stands higher in the public estimation than this gentleman. He is a native of Ohio, born in East Union township, Wayne county, July 16, 1856, and when he was only nine years of age his father, Michael Minks, died, leaving the widow with the care of eleven children.. A daughter had died a few weeks previous to his death. They were in very limited circumstances, but the mother, who bore the maiden name of Susan Bavington, kept the children together for a couple of years, on the expiration of which time, however, they became scattered. Andrew O. then began working for William 0. Orr, a farmer living near Apple creek, Wayne county, Ohio', where he received $3 per month, and was allowed to enter school during the winter term. For five years he remained with that gentleman, and at a later day was employed by him for two years. His school training was not very extensive, and he did not learn to write until he had becotne a young man. His first trip to Wood county was in January, 1876, when he accompanied his cousin, Henry Minks, who had been on a visit to Wayne county. Later he worked for Daniel Easley, an agriculturist of Cass township, Hancock Co., Ohio, and was also employed by others as a farm hand. In Bloop township, in March, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Minks and Miss Lavina Barrington, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, but kince the age of twelve years has made her home in this county. They have become the parents of three children--Marion W., born July to, 5885; .Alta M., born May 27, 1888; and Mildred, borriilanuary 2, 1891. Mr. Minks was able to secure $300, by keeping his mother-in-law, who was an invalid during the last twelve years of her life. He purchased thirty acres of land in Section 35, Bloom township, moving into the old log house which was in a dilapidated condition, the roof being particularly had. He worked in a stave factory at Bairdstown for a time, in order to secure the money with which to buy some shingles. He has since erected a comfortable home, and all the improvements upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. He began threshing in 1890, and now owns a half-interest in one of the best threshing outfits in the township, while there is none better in the entire county. Although his family were Democrats, Mr. Minks has always supported the Republican party, attending elections regularly, but is not a politician in the sense of an office seeker. He was one of the main petitioners for the present Bairdstown road from Bloomdale, and by his efforts this now prominent thoroughfare was put through. Enjoying the confidence and esteem of the whole community, Mr. Minks may well be classed among the prominent citizens of Bloom township, in which high regard his wife also shares, and she is a faithful member of the Methodist Church. FRANK KLEEBERGER. A well-developed farm in Middleton township tells to the passer-by of the thrift and enterprise of the owner, and inquiry would reveal that the owner of this desirable property is a young man, a native son of Middleton township, who was born November 28, 1865. His father, Matthew Kleeberger, was born in Bavaria, Germany, acquired a good education in the public schools, and when a young man crossed the briny deep to the New World, taking up his residence in Wood county, Ohio. He purchased fifty acres of land in Middleton township, covered with a dense forest growth; but he cleared away the trees, and transformed the tract into richly cultivated fields, which in return for his labor yielded to him a good income. He was married in Middleton township to Gertrude Keebley, and they became the parents of three children—Annie, wife of John Kever, a farmer of Middleton township; John a resident of Toledo; and Frank, with whom the mother makes her home. The father died March 22, 1885. Mr. Kleeberger, of this sketch, became familiar with the common English branches of learning through his attendance at the district schools of the neighborhood. He worked upon the home farm from the age of twelve years until his father's death, when he assumed the management of the property, which he has since successfully conducted; at the same time he has cared for his mother. He is familiar with every part of farm work, both in principle and practice, and many of the improvements upon the place are the work of his hands. In his methods he 1246 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. if progressive, and his efforts are crowned with prosperity. In politics he is a Democrat, iS a 'Timber of the Catholic Church of Perrysburg, and is popular with all classes. ALVAH MARSHALL. Among the pioneers of Wood county, who are noted for their eminent success in their chosen calling, is the gentleman Whose name opens this sketch. He is one of the popular and representative citizens of Center township. His birth occurred in the State of New York, March 16, 1825, and he is a son of Henry Marshall, a native of Connecticut. In that State the father engaged in farming, but, when a young man, removed to New York, where he married Sarah Tucker, by whom he had five children, named as follows: David and Liddie, both deceased; Annie, wife of A. E. Wisener; Henry, deceased; and Alvah. For a number of years the father followed the vocation of farming in the Empire State, after which he removed with his family to Huron county, Ohio, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Mr. Marshall, of this review, grew to manhood upon the farm, receiving his literary training in the common schools of Huron county. In 1845, in that county, he was joined in wedlock with Maria Jerome, and to them were born two children—Alta, who was born in 1847, and is the wife of George Ernes, of Indiana, by whom she has a daughter, Katie, born March 7, 1881; and Jeremiah, who is now assisting in the operation of the home farm. It was in 1855 that Mr. Marshall lelt Huron county, coming to Wood county and buying forty acres of land in Plain township. This he cultivated for several years, when he disposed of the same, and purchased fifty-five acres in Center township. This was wild land, but by earnest persistent effort, he has transformed the place into a highly-cultivated tract, having cut away the timber, built fences, ditched and tiled the land, planted an orchard, and, erected a tine dwelling, together with good barns and outbuildings. All that he now possesses is the fruit of his own honest toil, and he well deserves the success which has come to hint.. His political support is given the Repub- lican party, and he is a good neighbor and stalwart friend. FREDERICK W. BRIDGES, one of the energetic and wide-awake citizens of Wood county, was born in Haskins, March 5, 1868, and is still a resident of that town. He is descended from New England ancestry. His grandfather, Darius Bridges, was a native of Massachusetts, became a resident of New York, and in 1834 took up his residence in Allen county, Ohio. Four years later in Perrysburg, Wood county, and in 1843 established his home on Hull Prairie, where his death occurred in 1850. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Mason, and was a native of Rhode Island, died in Perrysburg in 1838. They had a family of five children, four of whom grew to mature years: Caroline H., wife of G. Chase, of Hull Prairie; Nancy A., wife of Richard Carter, of Middleton township; Sauel F.; Orpha M., wife of John Shinaberry, now deceased; and Sarah A., who died at the age of a year and a half. Samuel F. Bridges, the father of our subject was born in Oneida county, N. Y., May 2, 1827, and in Perrysburg, Ohio, on Maroh 18, 1861, was united in marriage with Miss Ann Vass, who was born in Scotland March 5, 1834, and was the daughter of Alexander Vass, who died in Perrysburg. At the time of their marriage the parents located on a farm on Hull Prairie. Previous to this time the father had worked at ship building, but now devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and the carpenter trade, which he still follows in Haskins. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife died in Haskins October 3, 1894. In their family there were four children—Carrie A,, Darius A., who died in childhood; Frederick W., and Jessie M. Our subject was the third in order of birth. His boyhood days were passed upon his father’s farm, and the instruction afforded in the common schools of Haskins constituted his educational privileges. For the past six years he has been employed in the oil fields, and has purchase an outfit for removing oil pipes, to which branch of the business he is now devoting his energies, deriving therefrom a good income. He is a industrious, energetic young man, possess a genial disposition in which there is a strong vein of humor, is an entertaining companion, and therefore a popular gentleman. RICHARD MOONEY, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist of Grand Rapids township,. was born in Hancock county, November 1, 1843. George Mooney, the father of our subject, was a native of Fairfield county, born in 1812, and was by occupation a farmer. In early manhood he moved to Hancock county, where he married Miss Eunice Wade, who was born in Hancock county, March 19, 1820. They had four children; John, a blacksmith at Findlay, Ohio; Richard, our subject; Belinda, the wife of John Jakeway. WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1247 of Hancock county, and Enoch B., a glass manufacturer at Findlay. Our subject's father was one of the: most highly respected citizens of his community. Fie died in 1879, his wife surviving him sixteen years. Richard Mooney's early education was obtained mainly in the excellent public schools of Findlay, and he learned all the practical details of farm work while assisting his father. For nine ears he was engaged in manufacturing lime, and later he conducted a farm of eighty acres in his native county. He was married October 26, 1876, to Miss. Almira Grabble, of Findlay, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 27, 1852. Shewas one of the eight children of Abraham Grabble, a well-known farmer and carpenter, and his wife, Susanna, Bright. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mooney, of whom the youngest died in infancy. The names of the others, with dates of birth, are as follows: June L., January 7, 1878; Guy G., October 13, 1880; Abraham R., April 3, 1883; John, August I I, 1885; Pearl M., July 3, 1893; and Carrie Blanche, October 23, 1896. In 1887 Mr. Mooney came to Wood county, and bought forty acres of land four miles north of Weston, to which he has since added twenty more, and tie entire sixty is now under cultivation. Thoroughly alert to the value of the best methods, Mr. Mooney has made extensive improvements-on his estate, re-modeling the buildings and draining the land by the most approved plans. Genial in manner and possessing unusual intelligence,, he is one of the leaders among the progressive element in the community. RUDOLPH J. HAHN. Among the sturdy, eneretic and successful farmers of Wood county, ho thoroughly understand the vocation they ollow, and, are consequently enabled to carry on heir calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He is actively engaegd in griculturA. pursuits in Section 35, Lake township, where he has a fine farm of eighty acres. A native of Ashland county, Mr. Hahn first drew the breath of life on May 15, 1848. His father, Valentine Hahn, was born and reared in Bavaria, Germany, but at an early day became a residentt—Of Ashland county, Ohio, where he wedded 'Vagdalena Burg, a native of the same country, and to them were born Julia, a resident of Troy township, Wood county; Rudolph J:, of this sketch; Lizzie, wife of G. B. Brim, of Lake township; Harmon, of Troy township; Theodore, at home; Mary and Laura, twins, the former now Mrs. G. W. Brown, and the latter, Mrs. Andrews, of Lemoyne, Wood county; Mrs. Barbara Wagoner, of Toledo; and Katie, Albert, August, and Clara, all at home. From Ashland county the father brought his family to Perrysburg township, Wood county, where he opened up a farm, but later removed to Troy township, where he has since resided, and for some years served as trustee. Our subject was but five years old when the family took up their residence in Troy township, where he was educated in the district schools, and in early life received a home training on the farm, which so well fitted him for the calling he now follows. However, during his youth, he learned the trade of carpenter, and was employed at that work for ten years in Troy and Lake townships. He purchased his present farm in 1877, and has since devoted his time and attention to its cultivation and improvement, erecting a good barn, 42 x 76 feet, and a comfortable and substantial residence. In June, 1878, in Lake township, Mr. Hahn was married to Miss Mary Baumgardner, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and to them have been born a son, Victor, and a daughter who died at ten months. Mrs. Hahn's parents, Jacob and Magdalena Baumgardner, were natives of Wurternberg, Germany, but came to America single, and were married at Toledo, where for some time the father engaged in blacksmithing. He later removed to Perrysburg township, where he died in 1894; but his wife is still living, and makes her home in this country. Mr. Hahn votes the straight Democratic ticket, and for three years capably served as trustee of Lake township, where he enjoys, in a marked degree, the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. He has been prominently identified with the development of the county, and is public- spirited and progressive. CHARLES L. WINELAND, a young and progressive agriculturist of Center township, was born July 5, 1863, in Washington township, Hancock Co.. Ohio. David Wineland, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a stone and brick mason by occupation. He came to Ohio, in 1854, when a young man, and bought forty acres of land in Hancock county, to which, in time, he added eighty more, improving and cultivating it until he made it one of the best farms of that vicinity. He was a soldier in the Civil war, in Company D, 72d 0. V. I. On May 20, 1847, he was married to Miss Catherine Barnhart, who was born in Fayette county, Penn., July 3, 1828. They had thirteen children: John, 1248 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Frank, Mary, Susanna, David E., Lucinda, Ida, Joseph, Charles L. (our subject), William, Jacob, Turley, and Cora. David Wineland, our subject's father, died at Bloomdale, March 29, 1885, and his wife followed him May 5, 1894. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of his native county, and worked during his early years upon his father's farm. He came to ,Wood- county when he was twenty-three years of age, and for some time worked as a farm laborer at small wages; but in 1889 he rented a farm of eighty acres in Center township which six years later he bought, and now operates it successfully. He was married in 1888, to Miss Sarah J. Brownheller, a native of Bloomdale, born December 26, 1870, the daughter of George Brownheller, a well-known citizen of that town. They have two children, Orpha E., born August 16, 1892, and Otta F., born August 6, 1894. Mr. Wineland is a Prohibitionist in politics, and is one of the most active and influential of the younger men of his locality, taking great interest in all progressive movements. He and his wife are leading .members of the Church of Christ, at Bowling Green. JAMES A. YATES was born April 1 2, 1 8 5 I, in Sycamore township, Wyandot Co., Ohio, and is the eighth son and eleventh child in the family of Thomas and Elizabeth (Craun) Yates. Our subject obtained his primary schooling in the district school of his native place, and when he was a boy of nine years, in the, fall of 1860, his parents removed to Wood county, settling in Perry township. There the lad attended the 'school taught by Henry Williams and others, until he was sixteen years old, when he began teaching in Henry township, his salary being $1.25 a day. He afterward attended a school of higher grade at Grand Rapids, Ohio, of which Prof. Wright was the principal, and completed this education at the Fostoria Normal School, then under the management of Prof. J. Fraise Richard. Thus equipped, he took up the profession of a teacher at the age of nineteen years, and for the succeeding sixteen years taught at various times in Henry, Bloom and Perry townships, at from $1. 5o to $2.25 a day. He had, when younger, learned the carpenter's trade with his brother Henry, and during vacations worked at it in order to increase his earnings. Many of the younger people of the county can recall the days spent under Mr. Yates' tutelage, and the friends he made then have been constant in their attachment to him. He was popular as a teacher, strict in his discipline, yet sympathetic, and unceasing in his efforts to promote the best interests of his pupils, and his example of the worth intellectual attainments and of integrity in every day-life was not thrown away upon them. Mr. Yates was married in Perry township, April 24, 1879, to Miss Sarah E. Hall, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, January 1, 1853. Her parents, Daniel and Mary (Kirk) Hall, were natives of Fairfield county, Ohio, the former of whom came to Wood county in 1855, locating in Section 7, Perry township, and died December 23, 1884, at West Millgrove, when sixty-six years of age. The mother died May 13, 1885,: leaving three children, one child, William, having previously passed away. Those living are Martha, now Mrs. L. L. Yates; Mrs. James A. Yates, and Franklin, who resides at West Millgrove. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Yates are Mertie E., born September 9, 1880, and Edna P., born August 12, 1884. Mr. Yates first location after his marriage was in Section 7, in Parry township, he afterward removing to his present farm on the Northwest Quarter of Section 8, where he owns 16o acres. Since his removal to this place he has .devoted himself exclusively to farming, in which he has been very successful. He has an excellent piece of property, and has bestowed much care on its improvement and cultivation. Until 1895 Mr. Yates was in sympathy with the Republican party, but his great abhorrence of the liquor traffic, with all its attendant evils, has induced him to transfer his allegiance to the cause of Prohibition, which he believes to be the only remedy for this curse of the country. He is enthusiastic on the subject, and exerts all his influence in behalf of temperance and sobriety. He has never been an office-seeker, and has refused all tenders of a nomination to any public position; but he is a loyal citizen, one who has the good of his community at heart, and is always ready toy assist in any enterprise looking to its welfare. Mr. Yates is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is at present a trustee, and was for six years superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is also the president of the township board of education. He is a well-read man, posted on all topics of the day, and a genial, companionable gentleman. HENRY ROTHENBUHLER, a prominent young agriculturist of Webster township, is a son of one of the pioneer farmers, John W. Rothenbuhler, and was born in Webster township, August 28, 1860. His education was obtained in the schools WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1249 of his district, and until the age of twenty-five he remained at home assisting his father. He was Married June 16, 1885, in Ann Arbor, Mich., to Miss Sophia Helena Rothenbuhler, who was born May 23, 1864, the daughter of Christopher and Mary Rothenbuhler, of Troy township. They have one son, George H., born January 23, 1886, a bright, intelligent boy, who is already taking a high rank as a student. After his marriage Mr. Rothenbuhler settled upon a farm of twenty acres, which he improved and sold, buying a tract of forty acres near Luckey. Here his industry and frugality have brought him prosperity, of which his handsome residence and modern farm buildings give pleasing evidence. Politically he is a Republican, and he and his wife are leading members of the Evangelical church at Luckey. THOMAS KNEALE CRAINE. There is probably no man in Lake township wider or more favorably known than Mr. Craine, who came to this section of the country in the pioneer days, and is recognized as one of the important factors in its progress and development. A native of the Isle of Man, he was born March 10, 1815, at the home of his parents, James and Isabel (Kneale) Craine. His father, who was also born on the Isle of Man, was constable for many years at Dollybeg, where he made his home until his death, which occurred when he was aged seventy-eight years. His wife was about seventy-two years of age when she was called from this life, and they were both faithful members of the Churdh of England. In their family were the following children: John, who died on the Isle of Man; Mary, who became the Wife of John Lewin, and died on the same island ; Catherine, widow of W. Kinney, and Isabel, widow of Richard Cowley, both still reiding on the Isle of Man; Ann, wife of Ned Kewley, of Galva, Ill. ; James, of Cleveland, Ohio; Thomas K., Subject of this review; Elizabeth, wife of Jollin Kneen, of O'Brien county, Iowa; and William, deceased. In his native land our subject was reared and educated, there learning the stone-mason's and plasterer's trades; but when still a young man, believing that in America he could more easily ecure a competence, he took ship, and after a voyage o; three weeks and one day landed at New York. This was in 1850; but in 1893 when e made a visit to his old home, he was only eight days in crossing, while on the return' trip, which was made on the largest vessel on the ocean, it required but five days and twelve hours. On his first arrival in the New World, Mr. Craine located at Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained for a year, during which time he was employed on a stone church, and then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where two years were spent in learning brick laying, at which he then worked in that city for six years. He then removed to Toledo, Ohio, and in Lake township, Wood county, purchased his present farm in 1859, on which he erected a log cabin. On January n, 186o, his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children, located upon the farm, while he still continued to work at his trade in " Toledo until about 1873; but since that time he has devoted most of his time to the cultivation and improvement of' his land, though at various places in the community he has subsequently been employed on odd jobs. In Cleveland he had earned the money with which to buy his place, and after paying for it had $20 remaining. He was fortunate in securing a tract of land of remarkable fertility, which, in its present high state of cultivation, yields in abundance the choice products of northwestern Ohio. In Cleveland, Ohio, August 14, 1855, Mr. Craine was married to Miss Jane Cowles, who was born on the Isle of Man, December 12, 1833; but June 15, 1889, he was called upon to mourn the loss of her who had for almost thirty-four years been his faithful companion and helpmeet. To this union came the following children: (I) Mary Jane, born July 7, 1856, is the wife of B. M. Crandall, of Lake township, by whom she has four children-Thomas, Ethel, Gray and Bernice. (2) William James, born September 16, 1858, is a merchant of Mermill, Ohio. (3) Florence 0., born June 16, 1860, married Charles Coy, of Ross township, Wood county, and has one son--Aaron. (4) Charles J., born September 19, 1861, wedded Maggie Rideout, by whom he has twin boys-Thomas and Isaac. (5) Alice 0., born February 17, 1863, died March 12, 1877. (6) Kneale Henry, born December 9, 1864, died December 24, following. (7) Henry K., born November 3, 1865, is a merchant of Mermill, and by his marriage with Nellie Bacon has one child-Opal. (8) Isabel C. , born December 16, 1866, is the wife of Charles Webb, and has two daughters-Mildred and Rachel. (9) Richard C., born March 30, 1868, died January 7, 1895. (no) Clara L., born May 1 , 187o, is the wife of George Blandin, of Lake township. Edward J., born April 3, 1872; and Alma B., born November 3, 1873, are both at home. In politics Mr. Craine was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist, and an earnest and strong advocate of any legislation 1250 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO or method that will suppress the liquor traffic. He holds membership with the Episcopal Church. He is an intelligent, well-read man, and has one of the best libraries to be found in the locality, while his pleasant, genial manner has won him many warm friends throughout the community. WILLIAM MARION MERCER is a well-known representative of one of the old established families of Wood county—his parents, Abraham and Harriet (Rice) Mercer, having located here at an early day. He was born in Liberty township, June 15, 1852, and, as soon as he had arrived at a suitable age, entered the district schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired an unusually good English education, for the time, his natural abilities leading him to make the most of every opportunity offered him. He was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, and aided his father in the cultivation of the old homestead until he went to a home of his own. At the time of his marriage his father gave him forty acres of land— his present property—and he now has seven oil wells upon the place, producing four hundred barrels per day, from which he derives the excellent income of about $5o per day. In 1872 he erected thereon a good residence, and now has a pleasant home and a valuable property. In 1872, in Liberty township, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mercer and Miss Susan E. Donzy, who was born in Liberty township December 6, 1853, a daughter of Peter Frederick and Catherine E. Donzy. Their union has been blessed with a family of four children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are Dana Otto, Clement Artus and Benjamin Elwood. The parents are members of the Disciples Church, of Rudolph, and take an active part in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Mercer is a very important factor in public affairs, gives a hearty support to all interestS calculated to benefit the community at large, and has served as school clerk and school director for three years. He is an industrious, energetic worker, a man of rare judgment and good sense, and to-day stands among the leading farmers of Liberty township. ROBERT W. MCMAHAN, treasurer of Wood county, and a prominent business man of Bowling Green, was born in Jeromeville, Ashland county, Ohio, October 9, 1842. John McMahan, his grandfather, was born October 21, 1769, in Ireland. He was a weaver by trade, and, coming to America in early manhood, he followed that business for many years, and died in Jeromeville, May 14, 1844. He married Miss Margaret Hargrove, a native of England, who was born July 11, 1778, and died September 18, 1838. She came to this country with her parents, John and Sarah Hargrove died, 1784, from Newry, Ireland, and settled Somerset county, Md., where Mrs. Hargrove died, November 6, 1817, at the age of sixty-seven. Mr. Hargrove died in Jeromeville, Deember 26, 1825. Robert McMahan, our subject's father was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., January 5, 1808, and was married in Danville, Ohio, February 23, 1839, to Miss Emily A. Whitney, a native of Tunbridge, Vt., born February 5, 1810. Her father, Thomas Whitney, was born in Tolland county, Conn., in 1790, was married at Tunbridge, to Miss Fannie Jennings, and some years later moved to Danville, where he settled permanently. Robert McMahan was a merchant, and engaged in business in several towns in the State, among them Loudonville, Jeromeville, Ashland and Crestline, before coming, in 1861 to Wood county, where he located at Portage, and was engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits until his death, which occurred August 12, 1886. His wife died in February, 1890. They were devouted Presbyterians, and preserved strict principles of their Covenanter ancestor. Our subject received a good common-school education, and at the age of nineteen came to Wood county. He worked on a farm some ten years, and tben went into the grocery business, gradually enlarging his store to include general merchandise. Subsequently he became a hardware merchant of Bowling Green. After some five or six years he sold out and engaged in the lime business at Portage, and two years later, in 1888, he organized the Snow Flake Lime Co., of which he became president. His well-known integrity, good judgment, and executive ability have made him a leader in the Republican party in his locality. He has served as coroner of the county, and in November, 1895, was elected to the office of county treasurer. In 1884 he was, chosen a delegate to the Republican Nationant Convention. Socially he is prominent, being member of the K. of P., of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, and is a Royal Arch Mason. He is identified with the Royal Arcanum, and with the order of Maccabees. Whitney Lodge I. O. O. F. was organized by his father and himself many years ago. Our subject was married June 15, 1869, to Miss Kate Osborne, a native of Wood county, and whose death occurred December 2, 1872. CLARENCE JENNINGS MCMAHAN, the only child WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1251 of this union, was born July 19, 1870, and was educated in the schools of Portage and at Oberlin College. After one year in the employ of the T. & O. C. R. R., as agent at Portage, he became secretary and treasurer of the Snow Flake Lime Co., which position he has since filled satisfactorily. He is. also secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Lime Co., with offices at Toledo, in the Chamber of Commerce building, and is recognized as one, of the best of the young business men of the county., He is a young man of high moral principals, and an active worker in Church work. FRANKFOTHER BROS., dealers in buggies, carriages, and wagons, and manufacturers of wagons, are known as one of the most enterprising firms in Wood county, and, indeed, in their section of state. The firm is composed of W. S. and O. D. Frankfother. Their parents, David and Mary (Boozer) Frankfother, were both born in Columbiana county, Ohio and were married in Bloom township, Wood county. David Frankfother learned the carpenter’s trade in early life; but having met with a painful accident, he was obliged to go on crutches for life, his right knee being permanently injured. After marriage he settled at Bloom Center, where his father. Prederick Frankfother, also lived, and father and son made the first furniture for the latter's house, doing all the work by hand. Frederick Frankfother was an all-around mechanic, wheelwright; gunsmith, carpenter, etc., After a few years David Frankfother removed his family to a forty-acre farm in Montgomery township, and built a shop on it, following his trade as much as possible. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1878, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. Eight children were born to him and bis wife, of whom W. S, was born September 12, 1853, in Bloom Center; Thomas, who was a blacksmith by trade, died in 1893, in Montgomery township; Lafayette died in infancy; Charles, who is a building mover by trade, lives in Portage township; Orville D. is junior member of the firm of Frankfother Bros.; Margaret E. died young; Eli is a wagon maker of Jerry City; Rosetta died young. The father, though handicapped by his crippled condition, supported his family in comfort, and never made a single effort to accumulate a fortune by depriving them of any comforts, As it was, he became well-to-do, having a good business in his line in Montgomery township, and he also owned a half-interest in a wagon shop at Jerry City, from which sources he derived a very fair income. He was a kind and generous father, a good husband, and a useful, progressive citizen of the community in which he made his home, favoring advancement in every line. In politics he was a Democrat, and though an ardent party man, was not a politician, giving no time to such matters. His remains now rest in the Mennonite cemetery, in Perry township. Mrs. Frankfother lived on the farm until her second marriage, when she removed to Sandusky county, and she now has a comfortable home in Jerry City. She is an earnest member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which Mr. Frankfother also belonged. W. S. FRANKFOTHER enjoyed the advantages of the district schools in his youth, but he was never over fond of study, preferring to spend his time in mechanical work, and he was always delighted to work with his father in the wagon shop. He acquired thus a knowledge of wagon making in early manhood; but when eighteen years of age he commenced to work for Adam Graham, a farmer, with whom he continued for some time. During the "seventies," when the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was being built through Wood county, he was employed at grading and other work connected therewith, and finally drifted to North Baltimore, where he found employment in a shingle-mill, and acquired an interest in the business. This he traded for a wagon shop in North Baltimore, which he conducted for about one year, in 1876 coming to Jerry City, where he was given charge of his farther's interest in the wagon shop established by Hunsicker & Beck. At that time his father had a half-interest in the business, the other half being owned by Mr. Hunsicker and our subject's brother, Thomas. After a time Thomas retired, and, in 1882, W. S. bought the interest of his father's estate, his brother Orville D. purchasing Mr. Hunsicker's share, and since that time the firm has been Frankfother Bros. W. S. Frankfother is a thorough mechanic, and makes a specialty of wood-working, having full charge of that branch of the business. When the brothers took possession the business was simply for the manufacture of wagons, and they have not only enlarged this department until their wagons have a wide reputation throughout this section of the State, but have also engaged in dealing in buggies and carriages, handling many different makes of vehicles. They built up an extensive business by fair, honest dealing, and their patronage comes from miles around; their success is well merited, for they are hard-working men, respected by all who come in contact with them, either in business or social circles, for their industry and integrity. 1252 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. They are energetic citizens of the town in which they make their home, wide-awake to every thing that will advance the interests of the section in which they have lived all their lives. W. S. Frankfother was married in Bloom township, in September, 1876, to Miss Ann Sherwood, daughter of Benjamin Sherwood, a farmer, and children as follows' have blessed their union: Rosella (Mrs. Hiram Tyson, of Bloom township), and Aaron D., Chester A., Lena and Gail, all four at home. Mr. Frankfother is a Democrat in politics, is active in public affairs, and served as a member of the city council. He and his wife belong to the Radical U. B. Church. ORVILLE D. FRANKFOTHER was born in 1859, in Montgomery township, Wood county, received his primary education in the district schools, and, later, attended a select school in Jerry City, taught by Edward Hubbard, who was a most excellent instructor. Mr. Frankfother learned readily, and, having fitted himself to teach, he followed that profession, in 1881 teaching in Thrush District, Henry township. In November, 1882, he came to Jerry City, and, as above stated, purchased an interest in the wagon business, which he and his brother have since conducted. Like his brother he keeps well abreast of the times, and has won the confidence of all his associates; he does not give his attention to any department in particular, doing everything that comes to his hand. Since 1890 he has served as city marshal, but he is not an office seeker, and, beyond casting his vote for the Democratic party, gives little attention to politics. In July, 1889, he was married, in Tiffin, Ohio, to Miss Cora E. Sell, and they have had one child, Lila M. D. L. SOULE. The history of Wood county would be incomplete without mention of our subject and the family to which he belongs. He was born in Portage township, February 5, 1851, and is a son of John E. and Rachel (Burgess) Soule. The father, a native of Germany, came to America when a young man with his brother Lorenzo, and was married in Huron county, Ohio, whence he came to Wood county. In Portage township he purchased forty acres of land which he afterward sold, removing then to Webster township. His first wife died in Huron county, and his second wife still survives him. The children of the first union are Silas W., who died in January, 1892; D: L.; and John E., a farmer of Michigan. Mr. Soule, of this sketch, was a child of seven years at the time of his father's death, and then lived with different farmers of the neighborhood. He resided with Mr. Henry of Portage township, until seventeen years of age, and during that time worked on the farm through the summer and attended school through the winter. He afterward worked for other farmers, receiving from $13 to $20 per month. By hard study in the evenings he qualified himself for teaching, and on attaining his majority embarked in that profession. He afterward rented land which he operated for about five years. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey, Mr. Soule chose Hannah E. Jones, and their marriage was celebrated in Liberty, October 15, 1878. She was born near Richland Center, Wis., March 1, 1852, a daughter of Gideon and Nancy (McMahon) Jones. The father was a native of Huron county, Ohio, and whena young man removed to Liberty township, Wood county, where he was married. He afterward took his family to Richland Center, Wis., where he carried on farming and rail splitting. In the 50's, he engaged in prospecting for gold at Pikes Peal. When the war broke out he returned to Toledo, Ohio, and enlisted in the United States army, a private. He was killed at Honey Hill, and was buried on the field of battle. His widow, had removed to Liberty township, Wood county died January 13, 1895. They had but two children—Lewis, of Liberty township; and Mrs. Soule. For two years after his marriage our sub], operated a rented farm. and then purchased forty acres of his present farm. He afterward bout; a residence and ten acres of land that in t summer of 1895 he exchanged for a house a: three lots in Omaha, Neb. He has five oil Nye upon his farm, and his wife also has a like nun on forty acres of land whin she owns in Liberty township. In politics he is a Prohibition. Both Mr. and Mrs. Soule are members of Disciples Church, and in social circles they h an enviable position. WILLIAM L. ROSS. Among the many estmable citizens of Weston township, none is highly respected or better beloved than the tleman whose name introduces this sketch, who is one of the wealthy farmers of that township. Joseph W. Ross, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, and when a young man came west, settling first in Holmes county, Ohio, and later going to Freeport, Ill., where he bought forty acres of land on which he made his home for seven years. He then returned to Ohio, and, coming to Wood county, WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1253 ated in what is now Grand Rapids township. t various times he purchased 120 acres of land, which he retained eighty, and resided thereon remainder of his life. He was married, Febru16, 1843, to Miss Mary Barton, and three chiln were born to them: Margaret, who married muel Brown, and is now deceased; William and Eulalia, who became the wife of Daniel gh (both are deceased). Mr. Ross died June 1883, his wife surviving him until June 2, 1893. William L. Ross was born August 19, 1846, Holmes county, Ohio, and was educated in district schools of Beaver Creek. He reained at home, assisting his father upon the farm, until he was twenty-three years old, when was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Heyman. After his marriage Mr. Ross bought eighty acres of land in Weston township, which he has bought under fine cultivation, and on which he has erected one of the most palatial homes of ood county. His wife also owns forty acres of improved land in the corporation of Weston, making in all 120 acres, which Mr. Ross operates. Six children have blessed the union of this estimable couple, viz. : Nellie B., boin April 26, 1872; Maud M., born October 28, 1874; Charles K., born in June, 1876, farming on his father's place; Ralph. R., born September 10, 1880; May M., born September 25, 1882; and Ethel Rose, born June 22, 1884. Mr. Ross at one time taught school, and has been a school director for fifteen years, and also clerk of the school board. He is a Republican in politics, and a member and elder of the United Presbyterian Church, while his wife belongs to the United Brethren Church. Mr. Ross has always been a total abstainer never having used intoxicating liquors or tobacco, and owes his present prosperity to strict economy and close attention to business. He is a man of fine character, genial disposition, social temperament, and is greatly beloved in the home circle, as well as by a large number of friends in all classes of society. .His example is one which the young men of to-day would do well to follow, if they desired to secure the same results, and become not only prosperous, but worthy and respected citizens. E. R. RISSER, who for years has been a substantial farmer and one of the best-known and most popular citizens of Perry township, was born in Ashland, Ohio, June 11, 1846, son of Christian,and Magdaline (Echelberger) Risser. Christian Risser was a native of Germany born in May, 1812. When only seventeen years old he came to the United States, landing at New York City and going thence to Buffalo, and later to Cleveland. From the latter city he walked to Ashland, Ohio, his feet being blistered by the long journey. By trade he was a shoemaker, and he worked at his calling a number of years in Ashland. After some years, by his help and influence, two of his brothers, Jacob and Henry, came to this country with their families, settling in Ashland. Mr. Risser was married in Ashland to Miss Mary Risser, who, although of the same name, was no relative. She bore him three children: Abraham, who grew to manhood, was a shoemaker by trade, and died in West Mill- grove; Daniel, who died in infancy; and Christian A., a leading shoe merchant of Findlay, Ohio. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Risser married Magdaline Echelberger, who was born in Germany, near his own birthplace. To this union two cnildren were born: Mary, now Mrs. MoSes Legron, of Perry, and our subject. In the spring of 1848 Mr. Risser traded his house and lot in Ashland for I6o acres of land in Section 35, in Portage township, Wood county, and removing into the place set up a shoemaker's shop, employing three men and securing custom from all around the vicinity. In those early days living was somewhat different from the present. The farmers had plenty of corn bread, but very little bread made from wheat, and for six months at a time would have no " white " bread in the house. Maple syrup and sugar were made in large quantities, and were a staple article of trade. One year a doctor's bill of $40 was paid (Dr. Ranger's, of West Millgrove), all in these products. Game was plentiful, and the settlers could not complain of lack of provisions, but malaria and fever and ague were prevalent, and many of the comforts of older communities were lacking. After five years' residence on this place Mr. Risser traded his oxen and cows for property, at West Millgrove, which he bought from Osman Divers. Later he purchased corner property in that village, and worked at his trade until his removal to Section to, Perry township, where he owned 16o acres of land. He had at this time given up doing much active work, but set up his work-bench at home, and continued to do shoemaking for his family and his near neighbors. His death took place in February, 1886, his wife having passed away November 3o, 1884. Both are interred at West Millgrove. Christian Risser was a generous, easy-going, benevolent man; anybody could obtain help from him by relating a story of misfortune, and he was 1254 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. frequently imposed upon by people who knew of this trait of his character. After his death over $2,000 were found on his books which had never been collected from his debtors. He never sued any one, and was never sued himself. He began life a poor boy, but by constant industry and economy became quite well-to-do. He died from general failure of his powers. He was a Democrat in his political belief, but was not a partiSan, and took no active part in public affairs. He was very fond of his home, and was always to be found there when not at work. Quiet in his manners, he was yet decided in his opinions, and of high principles, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. Both he and his wife were members of the Mennonite Church. E. R. Risser, the subject proper of this sketch, received a limited education in the district schools of West Millgrove, which were much inferior to those of the present day. When a lad he worked around the country for different farmers, his first employer being John Jelison, who paid him one cent a day and his dinner. As soon as he was old enough his father gave him twenty acres of land, which he worked for himself. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, October 23, 1866, to Miss Matilda Kelso, who was born in Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio, August 8, 1846. Her parents were Samuel and Anna (Miller) Kelso, the former born in Cumberland county, Penn., December 23, 1823. He was married in Richland county, November 4, 1845, and had a family of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Risser was the eldest. Mr. Kelso was a Lutheran minister, but was preaching in the Congregational Church at West Millgrove at the time of his daughter's marriage. For a short time after his marriage Mr. Risser lived at West Millgrove, and, in the spring of 1867, removed to a farm of twenty acres belonging to his father, in Section 8, Perry township. Here he remained one year, and in February, 1868, settled on his farm, which is in Section 10, in the same township. This place he rented from his father until January, 1885, when he purchased it, and has spent much hard labor on the property, greatly improving it in many ways. He met with success financially, and became one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the township. On January 4, 1896, Mr. Risser purchased a property in the village of Millgrove, remodeled the residence into a very comfortable and attractive home, and moved into it, leaving the farm in the hands of his son, Albert C. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Risser are as follows: Wilbur H. (died September 6, 1886); Clara M., the wife of Harry Vosburg, of Bloom township, to whom has been born one child- Claud H. ; Flora E. (died February 11, 1884); Charles E. , a carpenter by trade; Albert C., a farmer in Perry township; Mary A. (died April 29, 1890); Howard H. (died March 17, 1882); and Bertha A. Mr. Risser is a Republican in his political views, but looks more to the fitness of a man who is a candidate for pubhc office than to his party affiliation. He has served eight years as trustee of Perry township, and is regarded as a good man in every respect. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church at West Millgrove, in which he has been a deacon for many years. J. M. LAWRENCE, the leading blacksmith and iron-worker of Prairie Depot, has the oldest established institution of the kind in the place, where he is recognized as one of the most enterprising and progressive business men. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born at Terre Hillo Lancaster county, February 18, 1853, and was the oldest child of George and Mary (Newpher) Lawrence, the former of Spanish extraction, and the latter of German lineage. He was reared by his maternal grandmother, who, though kind to him, had not the means at her disposal to give him an education. He attended the common Schools for a short time, but only before the age when he was old enough to learn well and rapidly. As he was not under the strict discipline of parents, Mr. Lawrence became well posted in worldly knowledge at an early age, and when sixteen years old he concluded he would see more of the world than what was visible from that portion of his native State. He left home against the will of those to whom he owed allegiance, and without money or clothes, save those he wore, he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was fortunate enough to find a friend in Capt. Brigham, of the steambarge " Esterbrook," who gave the boy a position on that vessel, which plied between Cleveland and Bay City, Mich., in the lumber trade. For four seasons he was thus engaged, and later was for some time wheelman on the " Birkland," of Toledo. Like many sailors he made money, but spent it with equal rapidity. On leaving the lakes, Mr. Lawrence went to West Millgrove, Wood county, where his stepfather, Amos Wean, and mother were then hving, and there began to learn his trade under the direction of R. L. Knapp, of whom he later became a partner. After six years spent at that place, he WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1255 in 1878 came to Prairie Depot, which at that time had no blacksmith, and took the shop vacated by the death of Charles Brooke, where he has since continued. He enjoys to-day one of the best businesses of the kind in the county, and is ,a sk illed and thorough workman. Like many you g` men, who have developed into our best citiz ens, he has sown his wild oats, and is now one of the most straightfoward and reliable busines men of the community. At West Millgrove was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Lawrence and Miss Nettie Phillips, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of J. R. Phillips, and to them have been born two children: Avis M., and Frank N. In his political views, our subject affiliates with the Republican party, in the success of which he takes quite an interest, and has served as a member of the Prairie Depot council. Socially, he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society, of that place, and his wife is a member of the Disciples Church. They now occupied a pleasant home which he erected in 1890, and he has also built a substantial blacksmith shop. JAMES R. REDFERN, of Bloomdale, a leading business man and agriculturist of Bloom township, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer families. He is a son of Joseph and Ann (Phillips) Redfern, and was born October 7, 1847, in the township where he now resides. He attended the Hopewell school during boyhood, that being his only opportunity for an education, and his limitations in this respect make him an earnest advocate of better schools at the present time. Machinery was but little used in his early days, and a farmer's boy found plenty to do. His four elder brothers went to the army in the first years of the Civil war, and his father was taken ill with typhoid fever, leaving him, a lad of fifteen, to conduct the farm, a task which he accomplished with rare discretion, the overwork, however, affecting his health permanently. He made several efforts to enter the army himself, but was rejected on account of his youth. After the war closed he learned the carpenter's trade with Thomas Campbell, and followed it for seven years, when he bought 2o acres of land in Bloom township, going in debt for $4,000. He evidently solved the problem of making farming pay, as the returns soon cleared his obligations, his profits in one year amounting to $1,100 net.  On December 13, 1877, Mr. Redfern was married in New Hampton, Iowa, to Miss Jennie Schoonover, a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, and the daughter of R. B. Schoonover. The two families had been on terms of friendship for many years. The young couple began housekeeping on the farm February 7, 1878, remaining there until December 2, 1891, when Mr. Redfern moved to Bloomdale, his failing health making a change of occupation necessary. He had bought a lot on the corner of Main and Mulberry streets, and, in the spring of 1891, began dealing in agricultural implements. In 1895 James Rosendale became associated with the business, which is now carried on under the name of Rosendale & Redfern. Mr. Redfern still retains the ownership of his farm and fine country residence, in addition to his town property. He is also a stockholder in the Bloomdale Creamery. In politics he is a Republican, and his shrewd judgment has often been devoted to the service of the community in various official positions. He was township trustee for nine years, personal property assessor for two terms, and real-estate assessor in 189o, serving under appointment by the county officials. Since coming to Bloomdale he has decided to take an active part in public life, lending his influence in quieter ways for the success of beneficial movements. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 406, and a charter member of the K. of P., No. 24, both of Bloomdale. J. T. BEVER, of the firm of Marshall & Bever, grocers, was born in Seneca county, Ohio, October 8, 1851. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Knouse) Bever, the former of whom was born in Virginia, near New Market, in 1814, and is still living at his home in Fostoria, Ohio. He was reared in Seneca county, and entered the ministry of the United Brethren Church, remaining in active service for over half a century. His wife was born in Pennsylvania in 1814, and lived to be eighty-one years of age, dying in Seneca county. To this couple were born eight children, as follows: Henry is a carpenter in Tiffin, and was a captain in the 55th O. V. I.; Jerome died when young; Alson lives in Marion, Ohio; Loretta died when two years old; Delanzo is a contractor in Tiffin; Lucius is a farmer at Kenton; J. T., subject of this sketch; and Milton, attorney at law in Fostoria. Jacob Bever, grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer settler in Seneca county, where his death occurred. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Solomon, a farmer in Seneca county, is eighty-four years old; Jonas lived in Iowa, and died at the age of eighty years; Susan married P. Michael; and Joseph. 1256 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Our subject's boyhood was spent in Seneca county, and when nineteen years old he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked first in Tiffin, then in Fostoria, and finally came to Bowling Green in 1885, and occupied himself as a contractor and builder. He then went into the undertaking business, which he left to become a member of the present grocery firm. In 1875 he was married to Miss Katie Rigby, who was born. in Wood county, January 27, 1857. They had five children—Myrtle, Tempy, Mina, Ruth and Remington. The first born died when three years old. Mr. Bever is a member of the United Brethren Church, and of the I. 0. 0. F. WILLIAM BROWN, one of the oldest pioneers of Weston township, and a prominent stock-raiser and veterinary surgeon, was born in Weston, September 23, 1833. He received his early education in the district school of Beaver Creek, later taking a course in the Cleveland Veterinary School, from which he was graduated in 1851. He settled on 120 acres of land in Weston township, improved it, and began farming and practicing veterinary surgery. He erected one of the finest dwelling houses in the township at a cost of $5,000, together with barns, outhouses, etc. About 188o Mr. Brown began the raising of fine blooded stock, his first venture being the purchase of a stallion in Kentucky, since which time he has bred and raised a splendid lot of trotting, running, and draft horses. In order to give his stock proper training, he built a half-mile track on the place, where he does his speeding. On September 23, 1859, our subject was married to Miss Julia Ann Bassett, a daughter of Smith Bassett, a prominent farmer of Washington township, where she was born May 23, 1839. Seven children have been born to them: Ellwood, a farmer, living in Waterville; Lucy, the wife of Samuel Oswald, a lumber merchant of Weston; Elmer, a farmer; Lawrence P., an operator in a lumber-mill; Holly, residing in Weston; and Frank and Earl, who died young. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican, and in religious faith is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is of a genial, affable nature, and has a host of friends. Alexander Brown, his father, was born in Perry county, Ohio, and followed the occupation of a farmer and veterinary surgeon. In Perry county he was married to Miss Anna North, and twelve children were born to them, those living being: Sarah, the wife of S. Condit, a farmer in Oregon; William, the subject of this sketch; Newton, a farmer in Henry county; Samuel, a farmer in Washington county; Maggie, who married Elliot Warner, and they live in East Toledo. The deceased are: Caroline, who was the wife of John McKee; James; Morgan, who died in the army; Jane, who was the wife of John McClain; Anna, who was the wife of Leroy Rowland; and Joseph and Polly, who died in infancy. J. M. GRAU, M. D. In the life of this gentleman, a leading physician of Jerry City, is found one of the most notable instances of well. deserved success. Starting in life with no capi ital but his worthy ambitions, and the pluck, energy and mental ability to fulfill them, he h steadily made his way forward upon his meri and already takes a high rank in his chosen profession. He is a native of Ohio, born September 1864, in Mayfield township, Cuyahoga county one of the four children of Frederick and Rosen (Reiter) Grau, of Germany. They removed to Geauga county when our subject was ten yea old, and still reside there. Up to the age of fifteen Dr. Grau attended the district schools nea his home, and he then went to work upon neig boring farms, saving his earnings fm the educa tion which he desired. At nineteen he entere Geauga Seminary, at Chester, and studied then as he could for three years, teaching in the m time. He began reading medicine with Dr. I. Lyman, of Chester Cross Roads, Geauga county, and in September, 1889, entered Western Reserve College, Cleveland, and later studied at the University of Vermont. His professional studies were completed in Starling Medical College, Columbus, where he was graduated March 3, 1892. In July of that year he came to Jerry City and hung out his shingle," and, although he was among strangers, with no influence to smooth his path before him, his fine abilities, through training, and high personal character won him friends from the outset, and he has established a good practice. His success in the past, won, as it has been, by his own efforts, forms the best promise for the future. The Doctor was married, October 16, 1893, to Miss Irene B. Covert, of Chester, Geauga county, who was educated in Geauga Seminary. In politics he is independent, voting according to his own judgment. JACKSON SWEEBE, a well-known agriculturist of Liberty township, was born in Huntingdonshire, England, in 1832, a son of Joseph and Ann (Paine) Sweebe. His father, who was a groom, had charge of the hunting horses of a WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1257 wealthy man in England, for a number of years. He afterward worked as a laborer, and passed his entire life in his native land. The children of the family are Charlotte and Samuel, both deceased; Jackson, subject of this sketch; and Joseph, Sarah and Samuel, all three living in England. Our subject attended the common schools and aided his father during his boyhood. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of a Lincolnshire farmer, with whom he remained for one year and seven months, receiving eleven pounds per year, until his marriage, when his wages were raised to fifteen pounds. He was married at Dummitton, in Lincolnshire, England, in 1856, to Miss Sarah Andrews, and the following year they sailed from Liverpool on the trading vessel “Rachel," landing, after a voyage of thirty-five days, at New York. On July 4, they started for Albany, where Mr. Sweebe worked by the month as a farm hand, and then went to Canada, locating fourteen miles from Toronto, where he remained until the fall of 1865. He then visited Huron county, Ohio, on a prospecting tour, and, having decided on a location, sent for his family. Here, for some four years, he worked as a farm hand, after which he rented a farm four years, and in the fall of 1873, he came to Wood county, living in various places before purchasing his present home, which comprises forty acres of land in Liberty township. In Huron county, in.1869, Mrs. Sweebe died, the mother of the following family: (1) Jackson E., born in Canada, November 27, 1858, was reared on a farm, and was married in Monroeille, Ohio, January 13, 1881, to Mary Young, who was born in Huron county, July 5, 1862, daughter of Philip and Julia Young, natives of Germany; children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson E. Sweebe—Amos, Clarence, Samuel and Louise. (2) Harriet, born in Canada, was married, in 1876, to William Carpenter, of Huron county, and they live in Oklahoma, Kans.; their children are named as follows: Samuel, Joseph, Mabel, Grace, and one unnamed. (3) Joseph, born in Capada, was married in 1885 to Sarah Hock, of Liberty township, where they now have their home; the children born to them are named respectively: William, Clayton, Emma, Louise, Verne and Herman. (4) Herbert L., born in Canada, has a sketch elsewhere in this volume. (5) Elizabeth, born in Huron county, Ohio, was married, in 1890, to George Limbert, of Erie county, Ohio, where they now live, and have two sons. (6) William, born in Huron county, Ohio, was married to Bertha Poland, and they now live in Liberty township; they have one son, named Lloyd. The father of this interesting family is a progressive, wide-awake citizen, devoted to the welfare of the community, and, during his long residence in Wood county, has made many warm friends. PAUL J. BROWN, one of the leading oil producers of Wood county, and the owner of a fine farm in Plain township, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., June 5, 1837. [The family history is given in the sketch of George M. Brown elsewhere]. Our subject remained in his native place until the age of fifteen, when he set out by the overland route for California, helping to drive thither 300 head of cattle. He crossed the Missouri river where Omaha now stands, and could have bought the entire tract " for song." From Omaha he walked to Sacramento. City, a distance of 2,360 miles, and, after his arrival, he worked for some time in the gold mines, after which he kept books in a lumber yard, later again engaging in the search of gold, digging in the middle fork of the American river. After three years spent on the coast, he came home by the Nicaragua route, reaching the old homestead in the fall before the removal of the family to Wood county.. Hither he accompanied his parents, and soon after his arrival found employment on the North Western railroad, in the engineering corps, where he worked nearly a year. Returning to this county, he bought land in Plain township, and settled down to farming. In the course of time he became interested in the oil industry, and he is one of the founders of the Brown Oil Company. On August 28, 1862, Mr. Brown enlisted in Company D, r r ith O. V. I., Col. John R. Bond commanding the regiment, and Capt. John E. McGowan, the company, which regiment was attached to the army of the Tennessee. Our subject participated in several battles and skirmishes, among the most important being those of Perry, .ville, Knoxville and Loudon. At Perryville one of his eyes was injured by the concussion of a shell; and, while in the mountains of east Tennessee, he was taken prisoner, but succeeded in effecting his escape, after being in the enemy's hands some fifteen minutes. He was promoted to sergeant, and was honorably discharged in 1864. On March 4, 1865, he was married to Miss Martha Brown, a native of Perry county, Ohio, born July 8, 1839, a daughter of Isaac and Cassandra (Rhinehart) Brown, the former of whom was a son of Mathew Brown, who was 1258 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. born in Ireland, and, coming to this country, first settled in Virginia. Mrs. Cassandra (Rhinehart) Brown was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Simon Rhinehart, a very early settler in Perry county, Ohio, coming there with the army in 1812, and participating in the battle of Fort Meigs. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Brown had a-family of nine children: Six sons-Simon R., Tood, Robert, Ethan, Jesse and Oliver and three daughters, Martha (Mrs. Paul J. Brown), Ida and Lucia. To our subject. and wife have come four children: (1) Cora, born July 23, 1867, married John McMillen, and has two children-Esther and Mary; (2) Laura is at home with her parents; (3) Fannie married Charles Diehl; and (4) Jay B., is a student at Dennison College. Mr. Brown is one of the substantial men of Wood county, holding in an unusual degree the esteem and confidence of the community. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M., Blue Lodge, while in politics he is a Democrat. J. D. HATHAWAY, a wide-awake and prominent citizen of Montgomery township, is one of thest most successful general farmers and horse breeders of Wood county, where almost his entire life has been passed. Philip Hathaway, his paternal grandfather, was born September 11, 1789, in Massachusetts, and in that State he was married May 22, 1818, to Diadamia. Hathaway, whose birth also occurred there, on September 24, 1797. Learning carpentering, he later worked at that trade in New Orleans, but in the spring of 1835 brought his family to Rollersville, Ohio, near which place he owned a farm of 16o acres, covered with a heavy growth of timber, and there carried on farming until his death, which occurred September 9, 1844 His wife survived him four years, dying September 16, 1848, and both were laid to rest in the Bradner cemetery. In their family were the following children: Philip, Jr., born July 12, 1820, was drowned July 22, 1830. Philo W., born May 9, 1822, died while on a visit to Portland, Ore., and was buried at Fostoria, Ohio. G. D., the father of our subject, was next in order of birth. Eunice W., born March 24, 1831, is the widow of John Eaton, of Philadelphia, Pennst. Philip D., born July 30, 1833, died in Massachusetts while studying law, in December, 1851. Ann E., born June 22, 1838, is now Mrs. Marshall Rice, of Erie county, Ohio. G. D. Hathaway was born at Freetown, Mass., March 27, 1827, but when quite young was brought to Ohio, where his boyhood was passed amidst pioneer scenes on a farm, and he secured his education in the primitive district schools. In Freedom township, Wood county, March 21, 1852, he led to the marriage Miss Harriet Kelly, who was born February 1832, in Salem township, Columbiana Co., 1 and is the daughter of John C. and Caroline (Smith) Kelly, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania, born near Wilkesbarre. From Columbiana county she was taken by her parents to Sandusky county, Ohio locating near Rollersville; but about 1836 removed to Section 36, Freedom township, Wood county, where her father died at the age of seventy-six years, and her mother at the age of seventy-four. In their family of twelve child seven sons and five daughters, Mrs. Hathaway was the eldest daughter and second child. After his marriage the father of our subject rented a farm in Scott township, Sandusky county, for a short time, and there later owned seventy-two and a half acres which had belonged to his father. Disposing of that place he purchased forty acres in the same township, to which he added until at the time of his death he had 100 acres. In June, 1890, he removed to Bradner, where he built an excellent home, in which his last days were spent. He died January 7, 1895, and was buried in Bradner cemetery. He was always a Demo: crat in politics, served as trustee of Scott town ship, and was a faithful member of the Discipes Church. His wife, who still survives him, i also a member of the same church, and at he pleasant home in Bradner is surrounded by man warm friends. Her husband left a valuable property, and she is now in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Hathaway, whose name introduces this sketch, is the only child of G. D. and Harriet (Kelly) Hathaway, and was born October 14, 1853, in Section 1, Montgomery township, Wood county, where his parents lived for a short time. On reaching a sufficient age he entered the "Fractional school," his first teacher being Celestia Smith, and he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits. On December 27, 1872, Mr. Hathaway united in marriage with Miss Lucy Hartman, who was born May- 16, 1854, and is the daughter William and Esther (Buchtel) Hartman, th. wedding ceremony being performed in Section 12, Montgomery township. They have become th parents of the following chidren, all still living, Lee, William, Glenn, Maggie, Alfred, John, Clifton, Orville, Jay and Goldie. Mr. Hathaway began housekeeping upon rented farm in Scott township, Sandusky county WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1259 where he resided for two years, and then moved to an adjoining farm of too acres, but in Madison township, of the same county, on which he built a log house, where the following three years ere passed.. He next made a temporary home with his fatter while his present dwelling was being, erected. In 1877 he received from his father forty acres in Section 1, Montgomery township, a few acres of which had been cleared, but no buildings-stood upon the place, so that all that are now there found have been put up by him. Since 1888 the has given considerable attention to breeding blooded trotting stock, starting with a Morgan mare, and now has some excellent stock, some of which are of the Wilkes breed. He is great admirer of good horses, of which he is excellent judge, and is one of the prominent reeders of —the community, which business is he result of an intense desire for high-bred animals. On political questions, Mr. Hathaway egularly votes the Democratic ticket. HERBERT. L. SWEEBE, an industrious and rogressive young farmer of Liberty township, is native of Canada, born in Toronto, Province f Ontario, June 4, 1866. He is a son of Jack- on Sweebe, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere a this voLume. Our subject spent his school days in Huron ounty, completing his education at the age of ighteen. He afterward worked on the stock inn of Amos Stover for six years. In 1887 he as married in Liberty township, Wood county, to Almira M. Smith, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1870. For four years they lived on the Stover farm, of which for the last year Mr. Sweebe had sole management. In the winter of 1891 he purchased twenty acres of land of his father, erected thereon a good residence, and as since carried on farming and teaming. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweebe were born four children: Willis J., born March 26, 1889; Sarah Merl and Leah Pearl (twins), born August 22, 1891, the former now deceased; and Lester, born February 22, 1894. In politics Mr. Sweebe was formerly a Republican, but is now a supporter of the Peoples party. In religious faith he is idenified with the United Brethren Church. ADAM BLESSING, one of the representative German-American citizens of Montgomery town- hip, was born eighteen miles northeast of Heidlburg, Germany, June 21, 1821, and is a son of enedict and Eva D. (Hildebisel) Blessing. The ather was general millwright, was quite wello-do, owning a saw and grist mill in the Fatherland, as well as several acres of land, all of which he sold, but unscrupulous dealers caused him to lose the entire proceeds. In his family were six children: Emma, who was married and died in Germany; Catherine, who there married Adam Graber, and after coming to the United States, died in Montgomery township, Wood Co., Ohio; another daughter, who was married and died in Germany; George, of Wood county; Adam, of this sketch; and Andrew, who was drowned by a freshet in Germany, at the age of eleven years. In 1847 the parents crossed the Atlantic, and in Ashland county, Ohio, the mother spent her remaining days, but the father died in Montgomery township, Wood county. In Germany, our subject attended the district schools during his boyhood, and learned the trade of a millwright. At the age of twenty- three years he was married, and in 1845 he and his family sailed from Amsterdam for the New World, arriving in New York after a long voyage of forty-nine days, whence they came to Wayne county, Ohio, by way of the Hudson river and Erie canal to Buffalo, N. Y., by lake to Cleveland, Ohio, and by canal to Fulton. Going to Marshallville, Wayne county, he there secured work in a sawmill and among the farmers, for five years. In the meantime George Blessing, the brother of our subject, had come from Germany, and the two bought a mill property in Copley township, Summit Co., Ohio, which they greatly improved. After conducting the mill for some time they sold out in 1855, and came to Rising- sun, Wood county, where they purchased ten acres of land, on which a frame sawmill had been erected. Fitting out the mill with the machinery which they had brought from Summit, they continued to operate it in partnership until 1864, when our subject sold out and worked as an employe in a sawmill. Soon afterward he bought the north one-half of the southeast quarter of Section 36, Montgomery township, which was then covered with timber. The first home of the family, a log house, 18 x 24 feet, was supplanted by a frame residence, but as that was later destroyed by fire, he is now occupying the third house built upon the farm. In 188o, in connection with his son George, he erected a sawmill in Jackson township, Seneca county, Ohio, which they still operate; his present farm comprises eighty acres of valuable land, and he also owns a lot in Risingsun. Seven children came to bless the union of our subject and his estimable wife, namely: Maggie, wife of Frank Crowell, who is living with her parents; Catherine, wife of Conrad Shefler, of 1260 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. Risingsun; Eve, wife of G. Bartley, of the same place; John, who died in infancy; George, of Jackson township, Seneca county; Fred, who died in childhood; and William, of Montgomery township. In his political affiliations, Mr. Blessing has ever been a stanch Democrat, and has held the office of supervisor. On starting out in life in the United States, his capital consisted of but five dollars, and his Success is due to persistent labor and indefatigable energy, backed by a determination to succeed. He has never shirked work, being as industrious as his nationality would suggest, but is still a well-preserved man, of jovial disposition, a great joker and an excellent conversationalist. He is widely and favorably known, and is held in the highest esteem by all. His worthy wife is a member of the liberal United Brethren Church. GEORGE CHALLEN. The present prosperous condition of Plain township is largely due to the class of men to which our subject belongs. He comes from the " tight little island " across the sea, his birth having occurred in Sussex, England, June 18, 1854, and when but an infant was brought to this country by his parents, William and Mary (Evans) Challen, also natives of England. They arrived in the New World in 1857, and the father began farming in Plain township, :Wood county. In the family were eleven children, as follows: Jane, deceased wife of Thomas Mitchell, of Plain township; Henry J., who followed farming, but is now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Parkson; Charlotte, wife of Robert Barber; Mary, wife of Thomas Aldrich; William, a farmer of Jackson township, Wood county; Annie, widow of Isaac Borland; Charles, also a farmer of Jackson township; Harriet, widow of George Green; George, subject of this sketch; And John. The mother of this family died in Plain township, in 1882, and the father made his home with his son John until his death, September 20, 1896. The district schools of Bowling Green furnished George Challen his educational privileges, and in the labors of the home farm he aided until he reached mature years, when for a year he rented a farm of 120 acres. In connection with his brothers he then went to Jackson township, where they bought 160 acres, but, later, he sold bis interest to his partners and came to Plain township, where he purchased eighty acres. He immediately commenced the improvement of his land, which is now in an admirable state of cultivation, and it has become a very valuable piece of property, owing to his careful tillage and the neat buildings he has erected. At Tontogany, January 20, 1882, he was married to Miss Jennie Kitchen, a daughter of Philip Kitchen, of Plain township, and one child graces their union: Wallace W., born August 23, 1883. Our subject does not care to take an active part in politica, but always casts his vote with the Republican party, and has served for nine years as school director, being clerk of the board for a part of the time. He and his wife are held in the highest respect for their genuine integrity of character, and their attractive home is the abode of hospitality. WILLIAM T. LE GALLEY, a prominent agriculturist of Plain township, was born May 13, 1845, in Peru township, Huron county, Ohio. His father, William Le Galley, Sr. came to Wood county in 1856 and located in Plain township, where our subject attended the district Schools and worked upon his father's farm during bis boyhood. On reaching his majority he received from his father thirty-two acres of unimproved land, which he has cleared and brought to a fine state of cultivation, making ditches, planting an orchard, and erecting substantial buildings. In 1864 he enlisted for 100 days in Company C. 144th 0. V. I., under Col. Hunt and Capt. Kitchen, and went by way of Columbus and Baltimore to the front. He remained with his regiment until the expiration of his term, and on receiving hiS discharge, September 2, 1864, returned to his peaceful occupation of farming. In 1869 he was married to Miss Celia A. Jewell, a daughter or the late John Jewell, a leading citizen of Plain township. They have had two children: Maude, born in 1873, died in infancy, and Grace, born in 1878, now attending school. Mr. Le Galley is a brother of John H. and Myron Le Galley, prominent residents of this county, whose biographies appear elsewhere, any the family holds a high standing in the community. Our subject and his wife are active members of the Baptist Church, and take part in yarious lines of philanthropic and religious work, In politics Mr. Le Galley is a Demoorat; socially he is a member of the G. A. R. JOHN H. HANNA. Among the leading citizen, of Wood county, whose genuine worth well entitles them to representation in the history of till, locality is our subject, a self-made man, wh owes his success in life to his own efforts, an ! who is highly esteemed by many friends. Mr. Hanna was born in Fairfield county, Ohio WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1261 January 17, 1859. His great-grandfather, John Hanna, was a native of Ireland, and became the founder qf. . the family in America, locating in Maryland, subsequently taking up his residence in Fairfield county, Ohio, and becoming one of its first pioneers. The father of our subject, Harrison Hanna, was born in that county, and is a farmer by occupation. He wedded Miss Mary Miller, and some years later removed from Fairfield to Hancock county, there locating on a farm in Portage township. In 1883 he purchased a forty-acre farm in Jackson township, Wood county, where he has since lived. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have been born the following named children: Ellsworth, a farmer of Jackson township; Mrs. Annetta Entz, of Fairley, Ohio; Mrs. Ida Rader, of McComb, Ohio; Mrs. Jemima Wright, of Jackson township, Wood county; Harvey, a farmer of Jackson township; Carrie, a successful school teacher of Nebraska; Edwin, at home; and John H. The mother of this family died in 1882. Our subject attended the district schools of his native county, and for two terms pursued his studies in Van Buren, Ohio. He remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he began to earn his own livelihood by working as a farm hand, and was thus employed for two years. He is an earnest, energetic, wide- awake bilsiness man, and, whatever he undertakes, carries forward to successful completion. In September, 1879, in Cass township, Hancock Co., Ohio, Mr. Hanna was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Albertson, a native of that county. Four children were born to them: Myron Edwin, at home; Wilbur A., who died at the age of thirteen; Elsie E. and Harry Berchord, who are under the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Hancock county, and, in the sprillg of 1891, came to Wood county, he having previously purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township. Soon afterward he added to this another eighty acres, and now owns i6o acres of rich and arable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, and yields to the owner a good return for his labor. On leaving Hancock county, he sold his farm in Cass township, and his property in Findlay and Arcadia. At the time of his marriage his cash capital consisted of not more than $5; but he has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and has risen to a place among the substantial citizens of this locality. The Republican party claims his support. He is now serving as school director, and as township trustee, having been elected in the spring of 1894 to the latter office for three years. While living in Hancock county, he also served as township trustee. He holds membership with the Methodist Church, and his honorable, upright life is in harmony with his professions. RUDOLPH KINDERVATER, a well-known and highly respected farmer of Perrysburg township, was born in Hessia, Germany, January 27, 1843. His parents were Henry and Augusta (Schultz) Kindervater, both of whom were natives of Hessia, the former being born there in 1800 and the latter in 1814. They came to America in 1852, and settled in Perrysburg on a farm, where the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1881. Their children were: Harmon, Henry, Rudolph, Augusta and Frederick. Rudolph came with his parents to the United States, grew to manhood in Perrysburg, and was educated in the public schools. On December 6, 1867, he was married, and six children were born to him, as follows: Emma became the wife of John Jacobs, of Perrysburg township, and they have two children—Clifford and Carlin; Frederick married Miss Ella Ward, and they also have two children—Melone and Paul; and Ida, Agnes, Caroline and Lucy. The daughters of Mr. Kindervater are remarkable for their beauty, as well as for their intelligence. PETER KLAG, who owns and operates a good farm conveniently situated in Middleton township, is one of the native sons of Germany, He was born in Bavaria, May 31, 1836, and is one of a family of ten children born to Valentine and Elizabeth (Sunckle) Klag. His father came to this country in 1862, and died in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1872, while his wife passed away in 1883. Our subject acquired his education in Germany, and worked on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when in 1853 he came to this country, making the voyage across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which reached New York harbor after a forty-two days' voyage. He located in Williamsburg (now Brooklyn), N. Y., where he remained some four years, working as a common laborer. In 1857 he came west to Ohio, settling in Norwalk, Huron county, and for three years was employed on a farm. In 1862 he came to Wood county, purchasing forty acres of land in Middleton township. It was covered with timber, but in the midst of the forest he erected a log cabin, and at once began to clear the property, continuing this work until the entire 1262 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. place was under the plow,. In 1870 the cabin home was replaced by a substantial frame resi- residence, good barns have also been built, the place has been divided into fields of convenient size by well-kept fences, the latest improved machinery has been purchased, and to-day the farm is a valuable and desirable one. In 1864, in Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Klag was united in marriage with Johanna Hassalselle, who was born, in Germany in 1841, and two children were born to them: Johanna, wife of Albert Raatz, a farmer of Perrysburg township; and Mary, wife of Lewis Schaller, who is operating the Klag homestead. The mother of tbis family is now deceased. The history of a self-made man is interesting and encouraging, as it demonstrates what can be accomplished by perseverance, industry and well-directed efforts. By the exercise of these qualities Mr. Klag haS steadily worked his way upward, and as the result of his labors is today in comfortable circumstances. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in political faith is a Democrat. JONATHAN DUHAMEL, a prosperous agriculturist of Perrysburg township, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1832, a son of Henry and Margaret (Johnson) Duhamel, who were born and reared in Maryland, and where they were married. In 1820 they came to Ohio, and made their home in Guernsey county. In May, 1851, Mr. Duhamel removed to Perrysburg township, Wood county, where he purchased land and improved it. Six children were born to them, as follows: Amos was a soldier in the Civil war, and died in Wisconsin; Benjamin is yet living; James, who was also a soldier, died in Indiana in 1882; Jonathan is our subject; the other children died in infancy. The mother of this family died in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1836, and the father, for his second wife, wedded Miss May Arnold. She died in Wood county in 1886, leaving seven children, all of whom except one are living, but we have record of only three: Maria lives in Perrysburg; William in Cygnet; Daniel is deceased; Fred lives in Dunbridge. The father of Henry Duhamel was born in 1765, and died in Wood county in 1862. Our subject was educated in the district schools of his native county, also at Belmont Academy, Tuscarawas county, and was nearly twenty years old when the family came to Wood , county. Some two years later he purchased unimproved land in Perrysburg township, which he cleared and cultivated. In 1861 he was married, in Middleton township, to Miss Eunice M. Connor, who was born in Genesee county, N. Y., and of this union six children were born, namely: Adella (now Mrs. Henline), who resides in Freeport, Ohio; Elizabeth (Mrs. McPherson) of Dunbridge; and James, Grant, Georg(, Grace, all at home. In 1862 Mr. Duhamel enlisted in Company D, I I Ith 0. V. I. for three years, or during the war. They were assigned to the Department of Ohio and Tennessee, and he Served the most of the time on detached duty. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharge at Indianapolis, and returned home to engage in the peaceful pursuits of farm life. Since that time Mr. Duharnel has given his attention to the cultivation of his land, and has prospered in the business. He is a Republican, but has never taken any active interest in politios beyond using his influence in the selection of good men for office. He is public-spirited, ever ready to assist in any enterprise looking to the welfare of the community, and was the first man to petition a ditch law in Perrysburg township. Mr. Duhamel is a member of Wolford Post No. 51, G. A. R., at Perrysburg, in which he has held office a: various times. He is highly respected by all why know him. J. B. MILLER, a real-estate dealer of Bowling Green, was born in Knox county, Ohio, August 18, 1855, where he attended school and worked on a farm until eighteen years old, when he learned the plasterer's trade, at which he worked in Knox county for five or six years, then going to Ashland county for a period of six years, and thence to Bowling Green, where he arrived in 1888. Here he worked at his trade, made contracts for plastering, and assisted in building. many of the public and private houses in the city. He continued in this line of business until March, 1894, when he entered the real-estate business, and was employed by Mr. Rud ulph. He possesses property in Bowling Green, and has bought and sold a great deal since he has resided here. Mr. Miller was married, in 1886, to Miss Ella Brown, who was born in 1857, in Knox oountsl, and died October 11, I 891. Two children were born of this union, Mary M,, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, and socially is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and of the Methodist Church. The paternal great-grandfather, John Miller, came from Ireland to America and settled in Pennsylvania. He was employed in the Custom House at Philadelphia for some time. His son Jonathan, our subject's grandfather, was born in WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1263 Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. He settled for a time in Columbiana county, iiten our subject's father was three or four years old:moving from there to Knox county, where he died. His wife died in Carroll county, Ohio. They had four children: Charles, Hiram, John, and Jonathan. John, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, Penn. He was artied in Knox county, Ohio, to Sarah Burtette, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, 1825, and. is still living with our subject in owling Green. She was formerly an English Lutheran in her religious belief, but is now a member of the Methodist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born five children, as follows: inderella, who married John Beam, and lives in Bucyrus, Ohio; J. B., our subject; Alice, who married Henry Garns, and lives in Wooster, Ohio' Myra J. is single, and lives with our subject; and a child, who died in infancy. Mr. Miller 's one of the energetic citizens of Bowling Green, nd possesses the respect and esteem of all who ome in contact with him. A. F. CHASE, who occupies a foremost place in the ranks of Middleton township's leading and influential farmers, was born in Perrysburg townships March 7, 1849. His father, Gulusha Chase, was born in Vermont, where he attended school and worked on his father's farm. When a young man he came to Ohio, locating in Perrysburg township, Wood county, where he rented a farm of 200 acres, continuing its cultivation until 1856. He then removed to Middleton township, and purchased an eighty-acre tract of land near Hull Prairie, which he transformed into well developed fields. He married Caroline Bridges, a native of Perrysburg, Wood county, and to them were born six children, five of whom died in early life, our subject being the only surivor. Mrs. Chase passed away in 1857, and the father afterward married Miss Cunning, of Middleton township. He served as trustee of Middleton township for one term, as school director two years, and gave a liberal support to all measures calculated to advance the general welfare. His death occurred in April, 1891. Our subject acquired his education in a log school house furnished in primitive style, and early began earning his living by working on the farm of Richard Carter, with whom he remained for a number of years. He afterward returned to his father's home at Rudolph, and subsequently aided him in clearing up the family homestead in Middleton township, which since his father's death had come into his possession; a comfortable dwelling has been erected, a good barn has been built, many rods of tiling have been laid, and the work of cultivation and improvement has been carried forward until the farm is one of the best in Middleton township, and the owner is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists. In 1870, in Middleton township, Mr. Chase was joined in wedlock with Mary Cobley, who was born in that township in 1851, and they had three children: Andrew, who was born September 17, 1871, and operates the home farm; Bertha, who died in infancy; and Bertha (2), who was born in 1877, and is now attending school. The parents are members of the Hood Presbyterian Church, and in politics, Mr. Chase is a Democrat. Socially, he is connected with Camp No. 387, K. O. T. M., Haskins, and Roche-deBoeuf Lodge, No. 530, I. O. O. F., while he and his wife belong to the Order of Rebekah. His many excellencies of character and his genuine worth, combined with a genial, social manner, have won him many warm friends. THOMAS DAVIS has witnessed much of the development and upbuilding of Jackson township, has seen its wild and unimproved lands transformed into good farms and homes, and takes just pride in the progress and advancement that have here been achieved. The community recognized in him a valued citizen, one who has always borne his part in the work of improvement. He is also a self-made man, who well merits the success he has achieved, as it is a reward of his earnest and persistent labor. Mr. Davis was born in Wales, November 10, 1827, and is a son of John and Mary (Morgan) Davis, also natives of that land. There were eight children in the family—Elizabeth, who died in Wales; Thomas; William, who came to America when a young man, locating in Medina county, Ohio, and after his marriage removing to Highhill, Mo., where his death occurred; James, who came to this country with his brother William, and in 1861 entered the army, since which time no news has been received of him; Nancy, who was married, and died in Wales; Joseph, who came to America, served as a soldier in the Civil war, and died in Kansas; Charles, who came to this country with his brother Joseph, and locaNd in Medina county, where he is now a prosperous farmer; George, who was married, and died in Wales. Our subject began his education in his native land, and after coming to America attended night school. He worked on a farm in Wales for $50 1264 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. per year until 1846, when, at the age of nineteen years, he came to America, believing that he could thereby better his financial condition. On the 18th of April, the vessel " Leodes" sailed from Newport with Mr. Davis on board. After a voyage of seven weeks he landed in Boston, and by way of the lakes went to Milwaukee, Wis., and on to Janesville, that State. There he spent his last quarter for breakfast, after buying a ticket to Cleveland. Near the latter city he secured employment at sheep-shearing, and afterward worked as a farm hand in Cuyahoga county for more than a year. Mr. Davis was married August 27, 1851, to Miss Adelia Atherton, who was born on a farm pear Burlington, Vt. When she was three years old her parents, Marvin and Sarah (Hill) Atherton, removed with their family to Cuyahoga county, Ohio,. and afterward went to Medina county, where the parents spent their last days. On his marriage, Mr. Davis purchased sixty acres of land in Lorain county, Ohio, which he operated for six years, and then engaged in teaming for three years. In the fall of 1864 he came to Wood county and bought forty acres of land, to which he afterward added another forty acres. His farm is situated in Section 2, Jackson township, and he has now a highly improved place. The comfortable frame residence which replaced the log cabin is typical of all the improvements upon the farm, and the owner is accounted one of the progressive agriculturists of the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born these children--Matilda, wife of David Hemminger, of Jackson township; Mary Ann, wife of Finley Oberdorf, of Bowling Green; Charles, at home; Mrs. Dora Pyatt, of Sioux City, Iowa; Marcia, wife of Henry Blythe, of Jackson township; Louisa, who was married, and died in Jackson township; and Lizzie, who died at the age of nine years. In his political views, Mr. Davis was formerly a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for General Scott, but now gives his political support to the Republican party. He has been clerk of the school, director and township supervisor, discharging his duties in a capable manner. He belongs to the United Brethren Church, and his life may be termed a successful one, not only when viewed from the standpoint of finance, but when judged from the standard of all that is„ honorable and straightforward. ADAM GROSS, a.well-known young agriculturist of Webster township, Wood county, residing near Dunbridge, is a native of Baden, Germany, born February 21, 1865, a son of John A. and Elizabeth Gross. He was one of a family of four children: Catherine, Armenia, Adam (our subject) and Jacob. Both parents died in Germany, the mother in 1884, the father eight years later. Mr. Gross received his early education in the excellent schools of his native place, and lived at home until the age of twenty-three, when he came to this country, locating first near Maumee, Ohio, where he worked as a laborer for two years. In 1890 he came to Webster town, and bought eighty acres of land, which his industry has made a fine property. He was married in Maumee, February 18, 1888, to Miss Elizabeth Coller, a daughter of Jacob and Margerite (Gonseller) Coller. She was born November 30, 1860, one of a family of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have had four children: Jacob, born January 11, 1892; Albert, born September 10, 1894; and two who died in infancy. Mr. Gross takes an intelligent and active interest in all the questions which affect the welfare of his adopted country. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church. F. C. ROSENDALE, one of the pushing, wide awake, prosperous young men of Wood county. was born in West Millgrove, this county, May 6, 1867, son of Dr. Charles and Rebecca (Wade) Rosendale. Our subject attended the district schools of his native town, and this training was supplemented by two terms of study at the more advanced school at Fostoria, Ohio. He was reared in the little village where he was born, and, as his parents were well-to-do, he had but few cares as a boy. Being somewhat given to adventure, he spent some time in the West, where he took up various pursuits. Returning to Ohio, he was married, at Bowling Green, on March 27, 1889, to Clara Brubaker, a native of Bloom township, who was born February 1, 1866. She is the daughter of Philip and Sarah A. (Lee) Brubaker, who occupy a farm in Bloom township. To Mr. and Mrs. Rosendale have been born four chidren, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Charity A., January 6, 1890; Charles P., June 19, 1891 ; Grace, February 26, 1893, Sadie M., February 17, 1896. In the spring of 1889, Mr. Rosendale located on his present farm in Section 17, Portage township, where he has 307 acres of land. In the same year he paid a visit to England and its principal cities, and also went to the Paris Exposition. In 1892 he began to operate in oil in Portage township, securing WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1265 some good wells, and has been quite fortunate in his ventures, being at present one of the best known operators in the above mentioned township. Although a young man, he has a plentiful supply of this world's goods. He is an admirer of fine horses, and owns some fast animals. In politics he .is. a Democrat, but he only takes a voting interest in the elections. He is of a genial disposition, and has a host of friends. N. S. HATFIELD, M. D. This leading citizen and popular .physician was born in Perry township, January 5, 1855, the second son of John S. and Johanna (Bonnell) Hatfield. The father, John S., was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 5, 1820, and was the son of William Hatfield, whose wife died when John S. was a mere child. The latter in his boyhood was put to learn cabinet making in Williamsburg, Ohio, which trade he succeeded in mastering in a comparatively short time, and in a few years was able to purchase his employer's business, which he carried on successfully for some years. He was married in March, 1840, in Hamilton county, to Miss Caroline McMillen, who bore him three children: Sarah J. (now Mrs. Joseph French), of St. Joseph, Mo.; Lorenzo D. ,who died in Bloomdale, Ohio; and Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-one years. John S. Hatfield was an honest, industrious man, but was overtaken by misfortune; his wife became very ill, and the trouble and expense caused by this affliction, with other reverses of fortune, greatly reduced his finances, and he was compelled to give up his furniture factory. Later he carried on a grocery store at Williamsburg, Ohio. About 1846 or 1847 he came to Wood county, and had to practically begin life over again, all his property having been swept away. For three years thereafter he was associated with his brother, Nathan Hatfield, in farming and in a chair factory, at the end of which time he bought land in Section 28, Perry township, and began farming on his own account, continuing in that occupation until his death, December 23, 1893. For his second wife he married, in Perry township, February, 1848, Johanna Bonnell, who was born May 17, 1826, in Greene county, Penn., a daughter of John and Deborah (Alexander) Bonnell, who came to Ashland county, Ohio, in an early day. Her father at one time resided om Perry township, but returned to Ashland county, where he died. Of this union there were eleven children, namely: Job, born in December, 1848, died in infancy; Theodore J., born in May, 1850, is a farmer in Perry township; Mary C., born October 12, 1851, lives on the home farm; Eunice E., born in January, 1853, is now Mrs. C. M. Hollopeter, of Fostoria; Nathan S. is our subject; Louisa V., born October 16, 1857, died when six years old; Clark A., born in February, I86o, lives in Fostoria; Charles B., born December 2, 1861, is a physician in Millgrove; William, born January 6, 1864, died when eight years old; Vierna, born in October, 1865, married C. C. Adams, of Montgomery township, Wood county; and Susannah, born in November, 1867, is the wife of F. E. England, of Fostoria. The mother of these children died October 1, 1886, and is interred in the cemetery at Center, Perry township. She was a member of the Methodist Church, and was a most estimable woman. John Hatfield was a well-built man, and in his younger days was a famous wrestler, never finding his superior in this art. He received only a limited education, but was a good business man, and in his later years again found himself in easy circumstances, owning at the time of his death 140 acres of good land, on which he had erected excellent buildings and made other improvements. Politically he was a Democrat, and held various township offices. N. S. Hatfield, the subject of this sketch, was reared- on his father's farm. Before he was five years old, which was the minimum age at which pupils could enter the schools, he entered District School No. 6, in Perry township, his teacher being James Chilcote. But little attentlon was paid to the small lad at first; yet when he attained to the dignity of five years he spoke to his teacher and demanded that he should receive more care from him. He learned easily and rapidly, his only trouble being that his schooling was so often interrupted by the necessity of attending to his duties on the farm. As early as the age of fifteen he fostered the idea of becoming a medical student, and used every opportunity to lay the foundation of a good education. When he was seventeen years old he entered the Union Schools at Fostoria, under the tuition -of Prof. Hartley, and later attended the Normal School at Fostoria, at that time taught by Prof. J. Fraise Richard. At the age of twenty-one he began reading medicine under Dr. C. R. Rosendale, of West Millgrove, and, in 1876, he entered the medical departnent of Wooster University, at Cleveland, Ohio. His second course of lectures there was interrupted by illness which compelled him to go to Texas, where he spent the greater part of a year recuperating, in the meanwhile reading medicine. He completed his course in the University above 1266 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. mentioned, and was graduated therefrom February 2 I , 1879, and began the practice of his profession the following April at West Millgrove. In October, 1879, Dr. Hatfield was married to Miss Ora, daughter of Abraham and Lydia -Foster, of Montgomery township. She bore him one child, Charles S., born June 29, 1882, who is at home with his father. On February 15, 1885, the mother died, her remains being inferred in Millgrove cemetery. On May 5, 1887, Dr. Hatfield was united in marriage, in Bloom township, with Mrs. Albert Loe, who was the mother pf one child by her first husband. This son, Wade D., was born April 20, 1882, and is at home with his mother. Mrs. Hatfield, whose maiden name was Louzila Shanabarger, was born in Bloom township, December 28, 1859, a daughter of Jefferson and Lydia (McCrory) Shanabarger. The mother died when the daughter was only three years old, the father passing away two years later, and the child was taken by her aunt, Mrs. Reason Whitacre, who lived near Cygnet, in Bloom township, and in her family was reared to womanhood. She had one brother, Reason L., who died when ten years of age. Mr. Shanabarger was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1842. About the- breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, he joined Company D, 111th 0. V. I., and was appointed corporal, and then became sergeant. While home on a furlough in 1863, he was kicked by a horse, from the effects of which he died the same night, leaving the two children above mentioned. Dr. Hatfield has practiced medicine continuously since 1879, and has been very successful both professionally and financially. He and his wife own 310 acres of land in Perry township. They now reside in BOWling Green. He is a very pleaSant, agreeable gentleman, exceedingly popular in the community, and enjoys the respect of a large circle of friends. Politically he is a Democrat, but no partisan, .in local elections casting his vote for the best man. He has served as councilman. Socially he belongs to the I. 0. 0. F. at Prairie Depot, and is a charter member of the K. of P. at West Millgrove. Mrs. Hatfield is a member of the Disciples Church, and shares with her husband in the esteem of their fellow citizens. LEE N. BARNES, a popular citizen of Jackson township, having many friends in the community, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Rochester, May 25, 1866, and is a son of Orrin W. and Mahala (Anderson) Barnes. At the time of their marriage they located in Rochester, and several years later removed to Toledo, where for a long period the father served as lumber inspector for the firm of Skidmore & Co. His death occurred about 1880, and his wife passed away in Toledo in 1872. They had several children, namely: Edna, wife of E. Merles, of New London, Ohio; May; Lee N. ; and George and Wade, both of whom died in childhood. Lee N. Barnes attended school in Toledo, and acquired a fair education. At the age of eleven he began work in the pump factory of Skidmore & Co., in Toledo, where he remained about t years. He then secured work in a box factory in that city, and subsequently spent two years as a farm hand near Rochester, Ohio. His next place of residence was Wood county, where he cleared and improved eighty acres of wild land that had been purchased by himself and father. In 1889, in Jackson township, Mr. Barneswas united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Stimmel, and then located on his land, erecting there a good frame residence, and making other extensive improvements. In January, 1891, he came to Hoytville and purchased a restaurant and bakery. He conducted this business for a year, and then began dealing in liquors, carrying on a retail trade. He is a genial, social gentleman, and has many friends, He traded forty acres of his land forhis town property, but still owns the remaining forty acres. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and is now serving his second term as councilman. All that he possesses, he has made through his own efforts. W. R. SWERLEIN is the owner of one of the richly improved farms of Milton township. His home, a commodious and substantial brick residence, stands in the midst of forty acres of rich land, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of progressive methods. Mr. Swerlein was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, September 20, 1848. His father, John Swerlein, was a shoemaker by trade, and came from Germany to Baltimore, Md., in 1839. After nine weeks he went to Mexico, Ohio, near Tiffin, and to the latter place was married in 184t to Theresa Klitch. Purchasing a farm of 155 acres near Mexico, he there carried on agricultural pursuits until his death in August, 1893. His widow is still living on the old homestead. Our subject attended the distriot schools until eighteen years of age, and through the summer months worked on his father's farm. He afterward bought twenty-five acres of land which he operated five years, when he sold out and came WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1267 to Wood county. Here he purchased eighty acres which he later sold, and bought another tract of forty acres. Subsequently he became owner of his present farm of forty acres. He carries on farming on scientific principles, and is also a progressive, enterprising stock-raiser. On February 11, 1875, Mr. Swerlein was married to Esther J. Bare, who was born December 7, 1856, a daughter of Ephraim and Ann (Goodman) Bare, natives of New York. She was one of three children, the others being Edward, who resides on the old homestead; and Emma, wife of Thomas Faust, of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Swerlein have been born five children— Ella M., November 1, 1876; William M., July 17, 1880; Ethel B. , February 3, 1889; Delpha Etta, October 17, 1890; and John C., October 13, 1894. The parents are members of the Evangelical Church. In politics, Mr. Swerlein is a Democrat. In personal appearance he is a fine looking man, while in manner he is genial, and courteous, and all who know him have for him high regard. LOUIS J. BOWERS. Of those who devote their energies to agricultural pursuits in Middleton township„ none are more worthy of representation in this volume than our subject, who is ever found true to all relations of life, and is a popuular and highly-esteemed citizen. He was born March 7, 1863, in the township which is still his home. His father, Peter Bowers, was a native of Lorraine, France (now in Germany), and when fourteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Maryland. Some time afterward he removed to Tiffin, Ohio, and engaged in Stage driving for several years. Subsequently he went to Indiana, where he devoted his energies to farming, and next came to Wood county, Ohio, locating in Middleton township, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land. He has not only cleared and improved this, but has added to it too acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, and in the midst of the well- tilled fields stands a good residence, and barns. He was Married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Annie Rhyman, and they had fifteen children: Charles, George: Elizabeth (wife of Thomas Wright), Henry and Jacob (both deceased), Mary, Caroline (deceased), Catherine (wife of C. Stewart, of New York City), Margaret, Rosie (deceased), John (who operates the homestead farm), Louis J.; and three who died in infancy. The father died in 1886, and the mother in 1891. They were members of the Catholic Church, and he was a Democrat in politics. Our subject was educated in the district schools, and attended college for one year. He worked on the old homestead until he had reached his majority, and then purchased twenty acres of land, to which he has since added sixty acres. His farm is now all under cultivation, and waving fields of grain, good buildings, and well-kept fences indicate the careful supervision and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Bowers was married in November, 1887, to Clara Grover, daughter of the late George Grover, of Center township, and six children graced their union, but the two youngest (twins) died in infancy; the others are William, born in 1888; Clyde in 1890; Edward in 1892; and George in 1894. Politically, Mr. Bowers is a Democrat; socially, he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a popular citizen, having many friends, and all who know him esteem him highly. MRS. MARY FITZGERALD GUIDER, Of Bowling Green, Wood county, is a descendant of a family which has long been famous in the history of Ireland. Lord Edward Fitzgerald, whose name is familiar to every student, was one of her ancestors, and the genealogical record contains the names of other eminent men, including bishops and other ecclesiastics noted for learning and piety. Her father, James Fitzgerald, was a freeholder in County Tipperary, Ireland; where our subject was born. He had ten children: ThomaS died in Dunkirk, N. Y.; John was for many years a resident of Wood county, and died in Perrysburg; James died in Bowling Green, in June, 1894, at the age of ninety-six; Patrick died in Perrysburg; Anastasia, who was greatly beloved for her saintly character, died at Waterville, aged sixty ; William died in Ireland; Pierce was a devoted student, and was remarkable for his mental attainments; Michael is deceased; Peter is a freeholder in Ireland; and Mary, Mrs. Guider. The Fitzgerald brothers were highly respected residents of Wood county, with which they were identified for many years. The subject of this sketch, formerly Miss Mary Fitzgerald, was married in Ireland to John Guider, and lived there upon a freehold until after his death. About ten years ago she came to Wood county, bringing her three children, in order to be with her brothers, for whom she cared during the remainder of their lives. Possessing abundant means, she has acquired a large tract of land in the " Oil Belt," upon which operations are being conducted, and she also owns a 1268 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. pleasant home on Wallace street, Bowling Green, where a refined circle of friends and acquaintances enjoys a charming hospitality. Two of Mrs. Guider's children are at home with her: James, who is noted as an athlete, and Percy, a young man of twenty-four, of fine culture and intelligence. Mary, a charming young lady, was married April 21, 1896, to Patrick Hubbard, and has a fine home in Toledo, Mrs. Guider possesses an unusual range of information, and in her cheery home one may well forget for a time the prosaic side of life. SIDNEY MCMASTER is a representative of one of Ohio's pioneer families, and was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, August 10, 1839, his parents being Levi and Charity (Newberry) McMaster. His education was acquired in the district schools near his home, and on the old home farm he was reared to manhood, early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and then began 'farming on his own account on rented land in Huron county. He enlisted at Mansfield, Ohio, February 2, 1865, in Company G, 19 1 st 0. V. I., and served until the war closed. Mr. McMaster was married in his native township, December 25, 1866, to Miss Roena McKelvey, who was born in Huron county, April 9, 1846. They began their domestic life in that locality, and there remained until December, 1874, when they came to Wood county, where Mr. McMaster purchased forty acres of partially improved land—his present farm. This is under a high state of cultivation, and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision. The home is blessed by the presence of two children: Jay, born July 8, 1871; and Della, born March 22, 1883. Our subject is a stanch Republican, and for many years has efficiently served as supervisor. He and his wife are highly-esteemed people, and their hospitable home is a favorite resort with a large circle of friends. MYRON LE GALLEY, a prosperous farmer and well-known educator, of Wood county, residing in Plain township, was born in Huron county, Ohio, January 23, 1837, and is a son of William and Abigail (Terry) Le Galley. The father of our subject was born in Massachusetts in 1812, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Huron county, whither he came at an early day. He there learned the trade of a tanner and currier, which he followed in the village of Peru, in that county, until 1856, when he removed to Wood county, where he is still living active and vigorous in spite of his advanced aged. His wife was born in 1819, and grew to womanhood in Huron county, Ohio. The children of this worthy couple were six in numbero of whom one died in infancy. The others are the subject of this sketch; John H. ; William T., who lives in Plain township; Silia, living at home; Charles residing in Wood county; and Fannie, deceased, Myron Le Galley was nineteen years old when his parents removed to Wood county. He had finished his education at Norwalk, Ohio, and in 1858 was married to Miss Margaret Jewell, who was born in Pennsylvania April 21, 1839. young couple settled on the farm on which still reside, and for ten years Mr. Le Galley taught in the district schools of the county, and for one term at Haskins. In this vocation he was very successful, being a man of fine mental ability well informed in all branches of literature, and of genial, kindly manners. His family are all readers and students, and progressive in their views. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs Le Galley: (1) John W.. born August 1, 1860, finished his schooling in Toledo, and also taught school for one term; he married.Miss Eva Smith, born June 24, 1866, and they have two children Harry B. and Marguerite. (2) Frank, born September 25, 1871, is single, and has a farm of sixty-three acres, on which are three oil wells. Mr. Le Galley has five oil wells on his farm, from which he derives a good income. For thirty years he has been a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Tontogany Lodge No. 451 CHRIS. A. HOFFMANN, one of the young, active and enterprising merchants of Perrysburg, where he enjoys the esteem and confidence of the community, is a native of Wood county, born in Perrysburg, August 27, 1861. He is a son of George Hoffmann, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Our subject, at the age of eighteen years, began traveling for J. C. Sharp, of Delavan, Wis,, selling agricultural implements, and for some ten years traveled through the States of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and Missouri. After this experience he returned to Wood county, where for two years he was employed in farming, tben moved to Perrysburg, and became engaged in his present business. Mr. Hoffmann was married in Perrysburg to Miss Louisa Armbruster, whose birth occurred in Troy township, August 12, 1865, and to the marriage were born Anna who died at the age of WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1269 eight years, and Elmer H. Our subject is a member of the K. of P. society at Perrysburg, and is identified with the Order of Elks, of Toledo. As intimated in the beginning Mr. Hoffmann is one of the wide-awake and public-spirited men of Perrysburg. G. W. SUTTON. This popular and energetic citizen of Bowling Green, where he is an extensive dealer in ice, coal and beer, was born in Oneida .county, N. Y., October 2, 1853. He is the sort of D. C. and Judith (Winston) Sutton. The father was a native of Albany, N. Y., where he was married, afterward removing to Oneida county, where he died about 1875, when forty- seven years old. He was a grocer by occupation. The mother removed west after the death of her husband, and died in Chicago in 1893, at the age of eighty-seven years. Her father, David Winston, lived to be 102 years old, and had his second eyesight and second growth of hair. The subject of this sketch ran away from home when twelve years old, and followed the water for sixteen years, sailing on the Hudson and Long Island Sound. He was licensed as captain, engineer and pilot, and for some time ran his own vessel, the " City of Detroit." He had grown quite prosperous, but he lost everything through speculation, and when he canie west was obliged to begin life anew commercially. During his life as sailor he learned the trade of a ship carpenter and caulker, which he followed some four or five years, after which he traveled throughout the Western States, finally purchasing land and other property in and near Red Cloud, Neb., which he still owns. During one of his Western trips Mr. Sutton heard of the discovery of oil and the rapid development of the oil field in Wood county, this State, and after investigating the matter decided to locate in Bowling Green, which he did in 1888, opening-up a business here in which he has made a success. For the first two years of his residence here he was engaged in the manufacture of brick in company with Amos Freese. He put up the first icehouse ever built in Bowling Green, and has made various other improvements which have added materially to the growth and benefit of the city. He has dealt in real estate to some extent, and all the property he now owns has been acquired by energetic and well-directed industry. His business is prosperous and steadily growing, and he now gives employment to four men and three teams. Mr. Sutton was married in January, 1888, in Lexington, Ky., to Miss Ollie Berry, who was born in that city in 1862. Two children have blessed their union, Ellen and Royce. Their beautiful residence was erected in 1889. In politics Mr. Sutton is a Democrat, and socially he is a K. of P. He is a wide-awake, enterprising business man, foremost in all matters relating to the public interests, and is esteemed by all classes of people. WILLIAM COOKSON is a Western man by birth and interests, and in Wood county has a wide acquaintance, while his many friends hold him in high regard. He was born in Orange, Ohio, November 25, 1862, and is a son of Milo and Idress (Williams) Cookson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. Their marriage was celebrated.in Hancock county, and subsequently they located in Orange, Ohio, whence they afterward removed to Clare, Clare Co. , Mich., where they are living at the present time. The father is a farmer by occupation. The children are—Mary, wife of Eli Stockwell, of Liberty township; Elizabeth, wife of James Coulter, of Clare county, Mich.; William; Nancy, wife of Thurston Ross, of Portage township; Jacob, a farmer of Clare county, Mich.; and Eliza, wife of J. Lowers, of the same county. Our subject was reared to manhood in the place of his nativity, and in the public schools acquired a good education. On the removal of the family to Michigan, he purchased a farm of forty acres in Clare county, which he still owns. In 1887 he came to Wood county, and for eight years was in the employ of his brother-in-law, Eli Stockwell, in a sawmill. He afterward rented ten acres of land from Mr. Stockwell, on which he erected a good home. He now has an interest in the Independent Oil Co., and his own industry and resolute purpose have brought to him a comfortable competence. Mr. Cookson was married in Liberty township, January I1, 1888, to Alta Harris, by whom he has two children—Eli, born February 5, 1890; and Myrtie, born February 25, 1891. He is a member of the United Brethren Church; in politics he is a Democrat. T. J. CHILCOTE, one of the leading and prosperous young business men of Wood county, who is engaged as a furniture dealer and undertaker in Prairie Depot, was born in Section 11 , Montgomery township, this county, February 3, 1869, and is the son of James and Rose (Stewart) Chilcote. His father, whose birth occurred at Risdon, now Fostoria, Ohio, August 8, 1835, was the 1270 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. eldest son and child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Jones) Chilcote, and, after completing a course in the common schools near his home, he attended a school at Republic, Ohio, taught by Professor Schuyler. At the age of seventeen yearS he began teaching, his first school being in the Flack district, in Seneca county, Ohio, and he followed that profession continuously until his marriage. It was in 1859 that Mr. Chilcote wedded Rose Stewart, a daughter of Thomas D. Stewart, who was born in 1804, in Lycoming county, Penn., and in that State married Frances Riddell, whose death occurred in February, 1843. They had four children, namely: Mary S., now Mrs. Abram Hyter, of Bradner; Rose E., mother of our subject, now Mrs. G. H. Caldwell, of Republic; Frank R., of the Stewart Hardware Company of Fostoria, Ohio, who enlisted as a private of Company H, 49th 0. V. I., during the Civil war, and, when hostilities had ceased, returned home as captain of Company A, of the same regiment, receiving his commission Soon after the battle of Nashville, in December, 1864; A. D,, ex-county clerk of Wood county, who is now located at Toledo, Ohio; and J. M., a physician of Fremont, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Stewart chose Miss Henrietta Bernard, and they had four children: John T., of St. Paul, Minn.; W. D., a physician of Toledo ; C. H., a grocery man of Fostoria; and C. E., a physician of Hicksville, Ohio. The family was one of the moSt illustrious in Wood county. In the spring of 1838 Mr. Stewart had removed to Clinton township, Seneca Co., Ohio, and in 1854 located in Perry township, Wood county, where he died on March 12, 1875, and was buried at Fostoria. After the marriage of the parents of our subject they located upon a rented farm in .Perry township, where they were living when the Civil war broke out. On August 15, 1862, the father enlisted in Company I, II nth 0. V. I., was promoted to first sergeant September 4 of the same year; on November 26, following, was made second lieutenant, but December 7, 1863, resigned his commission. On his return from the army he located in what is now Bradner, Ohio, where he conducted a sawmill up to the time of his death, which occurred December 10, 1869, and his remains were interred at Center, Perry township. Politically, he was always a stanch Republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, and, at the age of twenty-eight years, served as justice of the peace. An earnest Christian, he held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he was also officially connected, and, socially, joined the Masonic order at Fostoria. He was a large man, being five feet ten inches in height, and weighing two hundred pounds. The parental household included five children namely: P. V., a telegraph' operator, stationed at Air Line Junction, Ohio; Frank P,, of Lewiston, Idaho, who is secretary of a mining company; Minnie M., who was the wife of A. A. Brownsberger, and died at Lime City, Ohio; Lilly B., now a teacher of Fostoria, Ohio; and T. J., of this review. The last named was but an infant when his father died, and hiS mother later married G. H. Caldwell, formerly of Bradner, Ohio, who was a well-to-do and substantial citizen. His ste father lived in different portions of the co but the youth of our subject was mostly pas the vicinity of Perrysburg, and his primary cation was obtained in the district schools, three months he later pursued his studies at mee, Ohio. At the age of seventeen years he entered the mercantile trade as a clerk for A. Williams of Perrysburg, by whom he was employed for Six years and three months, at first receiving only $3 per week, out of which he paid $2 for board, but even out of such small wages managed to save some money. Mr. Chilcote was next in the employ of Sanborn & Co., at Toledo, Ohio, but at the end of two months he was taken ill, and on his recovery returned home to recuperate, spending the summer at Republic, Seneca county, where his step-father had removed in the spring of 1893, and where his mother is still living. The following August, Mr. Chilcote purchased the business of R. S. Clegg & Son, furniture dealers and undertakers of Prairie Depot, and tbere he has since Successfully engaged in business. Besides his store building he also owns a good home at that place. At Perrysburg, on September 6, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Chilcote and Miss Lottie. L. Clegg, daughter of R. S. and Mary (Janney) Clegg. They are both earnest worker, and faithful members of the Methodist Church, in which our subject is serving as secretary and ,1 member of the board of trustees. He is a Republican in politics, and socially is a member of Odd FellOWs Lodge. No. 646, and Petroleum, Lodge No. 499, K. of P., both of Prairie Depot HIRAM OSTERHOUT, deceased, was a farmer of Weston, Ohio, born in Ontario county, N. 1. December 6, 1816. He is the son of Georger and Catherine Osterhout, the former of whop was a farmer, and was born in New York State He died in Huron county, Ohio, at the age e WOOD COUNTY, OHIO - 1271 seventy-four, and his wife when fifty years old, also in Huron county. He was a Democrat. To this couple were born six children, as follows: Mary Ariu, who married in New York State; Hiram, our subject; Electa, who married Wilson Dwight, of Huron county; Henry, who died in Wood county; Charles, who lives at Hull Prairie; and John, who died near Chicago, Illinois. Our-subject remained in New York until sixteen years old, when he came with his parents to Huron county. In 1852 he went to California, spending one hundred and eighty days on the road. He spent five years there, hunting gold, of which he found a goodly quantity, and then returned home via Nicarauga. He stopped a few days in Erie county, and in the same year, 1857, bought his present farm and was married to Miss Mary Jane Heath, who was born in Huron county, near Monroeville, in March, 1823. They at once settled in the home where the widow yet resides, and by honesty, industry and thrift, accumulated money, and became independent. The huge maple trees standing in front of their residence were planted by Mr. Osterhout when he first went to live there. He was a member of the Disciples Church. Before the war he was a Whig, but joined the Republican party after its formation. He passed to his final rest August 26, 1896, mourned by a wide circle of friends. H. C. PITTENGER is a noble type of the citizen soldier, equally true to his country on the battlefield, or in the peaceful surroundings of his home, and his family may well feel proud of his honorable and manly record. He is now one of the prominent and representative men of Prairie Depot, where he has made his home since December, 1891. Mr. Pittenger was born in Seneca county, Ohio, August 15, 1844, and is a son of John and Catherine. Pittenger, both of whom were of German extraction, and were married in Seneca county. , The father was a native of Maryland, and accompanied his father, John Pittenger, to Tiffin, Ohio, where the latter was one of the pioneer merchants. Our subject is the oldest in the family of six children, the others being Robert, who now makes his home in Texas; Charles, of Seneca county; Jesse, of Texas; Sarah, wife of Rev. Kelser, a Methodist minister; and William, who died when a young man. The parents still reside upon the home farm in Clinton township, Seneca county, which the father purchased many years ago, and has since continued to operate. He is a large man, six feet in height, and during his younger days was quite strong. His political support is given the Republican party. The education of our subject was obtained in the common country schools of his boyhood, he first attending at an old log school house, which was supplied with very primitive furniture. He early became inured to the arduous labors that fall to the lot of the pioneer farmers, and assisted his father in clearing the land and developing a farm, remaining under the parental roof until he joined the boys in blue during the Rebellion. On August 18, 1862, Mr. Pittenger joined Company I, mist 0. V. I., under Capt. N. M. Barnes, and was mustered in at Monroeville, whence he was sent to Cincinnati, and went into camp at Covington, Ky. His first engagement was at Crab Orchard, Ky., after which he was detailed to drive a team in a supply train belonging to the army of the Cumberland. After the battle of Chattanooga, he rejoined his regiment at Bridgeport, Tenn., and was with Sherman un- til August 2, 1864. At about 6 P. M., of that day, when on a skirmish line within sight of Atlanta, he received a bullet in the left shoulder, and was sent to the field hospital. He was later in the hospital on Lookout Mountain, where he was given a furlough in November. At the end of twenty days he returned to his regiment at Nashville, Tenn., and remained with the command until the close of the war, being discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, in June, 1865, after about three years of faithful and arduous service. On the day of his return home he began plowing corn, and aided in the farm work until his marriage. On March 3, 1868, Mr. Pittenger was joined in wedlock with Miss Rose Watson, who was born in Seneca county, March 4, 1846, and is a daughter of James Watson, one of the early settlers of Pleasant township, that county. To this worthy couple have been born four children Asenith, now Mrs. E. W. Hovis, of Prairie Depot; Maud, wife of I. B. Newcomer, of the same place; Catherine, now Mrs. Frank Castle, also of Prairie Depot; and Frank K., at home. After his marriage, Mr. Pittenger operated the " Watson homestead," which he rented until 1870, when he purchased forty acres of land in Section to, Montgomery township, Wood county, where he continued to make his home until his removal to Prairie Depot. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and for six years has been a member of the school board. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society and the Knights of Pythias fraternity, at Prairie De- 1272 - WOOD COUNTY, OHIO. pot. Both himself and excellent wife are members of the Christian Church, in which they take great interest, and in their daily life show them. selves to be sincere Christians. CALEB H. OPPERMANN, one of the progressive young farmers of Wood county, and superintendent of the Air Line Oil Co., was born in Washington township, Wood county, January 21, 1865, and is a son of Henry Francis Oppermann, a native of Germany. When a young man his father came to this county, where he purchased forty acres of land, which he cleared and cultivated; but later sold the same and bought eighty acres, to which he subsequently added forty acres, erecting thereon a good dwelling. On February 19, 1857, he wedded Rebecca North, who was born on the old homestead where our subject now resides. Politically, he was formerly a Democrat, later becoming a Republican, and served his fellow citizens in the office of supervisor. His death occurred December 13, 1876, that of his wife on January 4, 1892. Our subject is their only child. In the district schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth, he acquired his education, and afterward, for one season, worked in a brick and tile yard at Tontogany; but at the age of nineteen he took entire charge of the farm, which he has since successfully conducted, making many good improvements on the place, including the erection of substantial barns and outbuildings. In March, 1896, he organized the C. H. Oppermann Oil Co. , of which he was president, and in August, of the same year, .it was reorganized as the Air Line Oil Co., he being one of the directors and superintendent, or manager, of same. On July 17, 1884, Mr. Oppermann was united 'in marriage with Orra Ketchum, who was born December 25, 1868, a daughter of Edward Ketchum, a carpenter, of Tontogany. Her father, who is a native of New York, was born January 23, 1841, and on January 20, 1867, he wedded Caroline Kuder. To them were born two children: Mrs. Oppermann and her twin sister, Clara. The mother died December 10, 1869; the father is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Santa Monica, Cal.; during the Civil war he enlisted at Tontogany in Company C, 67th 0. V. I. , and, bravely aided in defense of the Union. To our subject and his wife have come seven children: Sherwood Gerald, born January 13, 1885, now deceased; Bernard H., born November 19, 1885; Helen, born March 18, 1887; Neil Kuder, born June 17, 1888, now deceased; Arthur, born February 5, 1890; and twins who died in infancy. Since the age of ten years Mr. Oppermann has been dependent upon his own efforts, and he is a typical self-made man. He was ever a dutiful, son, supporting his widowed mother, who for the last seven years of her life was an invalid. He uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, has been school director for three years, and for two years was supervisor. He is a consistent and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, belongs to Tonogany Lodge No. 755, I. O. O. F., in which he has always taken an active part, filling all the chairs, and in which he is now past grand. CALEB NORTH, maternal grandfather of Caleb H. Oppermann, was born March 18, 1789, in Somerset county, Penn. , but nothing is known of his parentage. He had one brother named John, and records show that they were both " baptized at Unity church, Perry county, Ohio, June 17, 1820" ; records also mention that John " died in Hocking county, Ohio, July 16, 1874." In 1829, Caleb North came to Ohio and settled on the farm whereon Caleb H. Oppermann now lives, in Washington township, Wood county. Here he followed agricultural pursuits, in connection with his trade, that of tanner, and being very handy at any thing he undertook, also did something at other trades, such as making boots and shoes, harness, etc., for the early settlers round about his farm. During the war of 1812, he was a commissioned officer, and Mr. Oppermann has in his possession the sword worn by him. Mr. North also had charge of the ferry at Brandywine Creek, Penn., during the war, and was in the government service in transporting troops, besides having charge of the United States mail, in delivering it over to the ferry. When, in 1864, Gov. Tod called for volunteers to defend the State against the threatened invasion of Morgan, Mr. North, at the age of seventy-five years, was among the first to shoulder his rifle and offer his services, as a member of the " Squirrel Hunters," to defend the State against the invasion; he proceeded to Cincinnati where he remained in camp and on picket duty until the command was ordered home. Two of his sons also served in that struggle-Caleb, Jr., as a member of Company C, N. Y. Art. (he was killed by a Confederate sharpshooter in front of Petersburg, Va., October 24, 1864), and Samuel L., who served but a short time, however. On April 1 2 , 1813, our subject was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Sarah Black, who was born January 18, 1794, in Perry county, Ohio, and eight children were born to them, their names