BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 325 engaged in brewing, which he carried on one year, returning to his farm at the expiration of that period. George Schoenberger became a successful agriculturist and in the course of a few years found himself able to purchase other land 'adjoining his place. He many many valuable improvements on his farm and at his death, which occurred June 23, 1897, he was the owner of two hundred and eighty-nine acres of valuable land, the greater part under a high state of cultivation. He received a good education in his native county, and was always a great reader, making a special study of the Holy Scriptures, in which he was deeply learned. He was baptized in the Evangelical Protestant church when fourteen years old and as a member of that body exerted a wholesome, moral influence upon his fellow men; all who knew him praised him for his many sterling qualities of head and heart. He always held to the opinion that to be a good citizen a. man should take an. interest ill al matters of a political nature ; accordingly he early became a politician of the Democratic school; it was never his desire to hold office, nor was he ever known to aspire to public position of any kind, although eminently fitted to discharge worthily high trusts. Caroline (Long) Schoenberger, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., and died January 12, 1862, at the age of thirty-eight. She bore her husband twelve children, three of whom died in infancy, the others growing to maturity and raising families of their own. The eldest in Michael G., our subject, the next in order of birth is Samuel, a farmer and stock raiser of Jackson township, this county; John is also an agriculturist of the above township; Caroline and Emeline are twins, the former the wife of Henry Hyman, of Paulding county, Ohio, the latter of John S. Klingler, a former resident of the county of Hancock, how dead. Susan, the next in order, married. Jacob Koehler, of Salem township; Amos is a farmer of Richland township, in which George also lives and follows the pursuit of agriculture; the youngest member of the family is David, who owns and operates the old home place in the township of Salem. Michael G. Schoenberger, the direct subject of this sketch, dates his birth from the 2nd day of May, 1845; he first saw the light of day in the town. of Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, and when five years of age, his parents moved to the county of Wyandot, from which time until twenty-four he lived on the home farm. in Salem township. Like all country boys, he early became inured to. hard labor in the woods and fields, grew up strong of muscle and earnest of purpose, determining to make the most of his opportunities and became a useful man in the world. At the age of twenty-four, he selected a life partner in the person of Miss Margaret Altvater, to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock on the 8th day of April, 1869. Immediately thereafter he engaged in farming, which he has since followed with most encouraging success. During the first nine years of his married life, Mr. Schoenberger lived on a farm of ninety-six acres, and then invested his surplus means in the farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres in Salem township where he has since made his home. As a farmer and stock raiser, Mr. Schoenberger has always taken high rank. Possessing energy and determination, he has been remarkably 326 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. successful in making everything he undertakes result to his advantage and his success in the various lines of his chosen calling is attested by the fact of his. accumulated by his own efforts a:large amount of valuable real estate, numbering in the aggregate three hundred and forty-seven acres in one body. This is one of the most valuable and highly improved farms in Wyandot county, containing a fine barn, thirty-eight by seventy-eight feet in area and twenty feet high, 'erected in 1882, and a large modern brick dwelling finely finished and handsomely furnished, built in the year 1887 at a cost of over three thousand dollars. Mr. Schoenberger has spared no expense in surrounding himself with the good things of this world and he believes in getting all the pleasure and satisfaction out of life there is in it. In many. respects, his home is model in its appointments, while everything on his premises is kept in nearly perfect order and bespeaks the presence of an owner of taste, thoroughly up to date and familiar with every detail of modern agricultural methods. Mrs. Schoenberger was born August, 17, 1850, in Mansfield, Ohio, the daughter of Theobalt and Mary M. Altvater, both parents natives of Germany. By occupation Theobalt Altvater was a stonecutter, but after coming to America he turned his attention to farming. He first purchased, about the year 1856, eighty acres of land in Salem township and later became the possessor of a large and valuable farm in the county of Van Wert. He Made his -home in Salem. township until his death, which took place in the month of February, 1862. He was a successful man, a good citizen and an earnest an:d pious member of the Evangelical church, to which his wife and family also be longed. He was twice married,Mrs. Mary M. Altvater being his 'second wife. She was the mother of three children and survived her husband until 1868, when she died at the age of forty-seven. Besides Mrs. Schoenberger the only surviving child of Theobalt and ,Mary M. Altvater is a son, George, who came with his parents to Wyandot county while young and who now owns the old home place in Salem township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schoenberger has been blessed with seven children, all sons, name; ly : Lewis E., a resident of Marion, Ohio, married Ella Kimmel and is the father of two children, Russell and Esther; Edward, the second son, married Miss Leo-the Weber, formerly a teacher in the public schools of Wyandot county; Albert Charles and Michael are still with their parents ; they are well educated young men, the last named having taken the :Boxwell examination. Ira, the next in order of birth, is at biome and at the present time is pursuing his studies under the direction of competent instructors ; Arthur C., the youngest, is also in school and bears the reputation of an unusually bright student. When Mr. Schoenberger bought his farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres in Salem township, he went in debt for half the purchase price. By industry and successful management he soon had the place clear of all incumbrances, besides increasing its area and making the valuable improvements referred to in a preceding paragraph. His good wife has materially aided him in all that he has done and to her wise counsel and self-sacrificing efforts is he indebted for much of the success which he to-day enjoys. In his political belief Mr. Schoenberger is an uncompromising Democrat, earnest in BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 327 the support of his principles and an active worker, contributing materially to the suc. cess of the party in Wyandot county. He has served five years as trustee of Salem township, aside from which he has held no office, although frequently importuned by his many friends to present himself for more exalted stations. He is a man of strong convictions, fearless in defense of what he believes to be right and his name has long been a synonym for honorable business dealing. His life has been singularly free from faults and by reason of his genial manner he ranks with the most .popular as well as the most enterprising and successful zens of the township where he so long maintained his residence. DR. CLARK L. SHEPPARD. The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the foremost business men of Upper Sandusky and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city and county. He has in the course of an honorable career been most successful in the business enterprises of which he is the head, and is well deserving of mention in the biographical memoirs of Wyandot county. Gustavus C. Sheppard, the Doctor's father, was a native of New York and by vocation a. cooper. In his young manhood, he went to Canada, where he followed his trade for a number of years, meanwhile earning quite, a reputation in the treatment of cancer, using a remedy which one of his early ancestors is said to have learned from the Indians while living with them as a missionary. While making it his chosen calling he successfully treated over two hundred cases which came to him, and he was repeatedly urged to put the remedy upon the market and devote all of his time to its manufacture. This he did not see fit to do, but before his death he urged upon his son, the subject of this sketch, the advisability of such a step, thoroughly convinced that if properly handled the manufacture of the remedy would grow into a large and profitable enterprise. Gustavus C. Sheppard was born July 2, 1820, and died on the l0th day of June, 1882. His wife, Hannah M. Thornton, a native of Canada, departed this life in Michigan about 1872 at the age of forty-one years. Of her nine children Clark L. was the fifth in order of birth, four beside himself growing to maturity. Dr. Clark L. Sheppard was born July 3, 1860, in Attica, Michigan. After the death of his mother, which occurred when he was twelve years of age, he went to live with relative's and strangers, and when old enough to do manual labor was put to work, wheeling saw dust from a saw-mill. From this lowly position he was gradually advanced until able to run the engine, when he took charge of the same and continued in that capacity for several years. He worked on the mill and in timber until his twenty-second year, when, at the suggestion of his father, he began in a small way to manufacture the well-known cancer remedy which has since made his name famous throughout a large portion of the United States. In early life circumstances combined to prevent Mr. Sheppard from receiving the 328 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. education to which he was entitled and he began life for himself with no training be-. yond that received by nine months attendance at a very indifferent school in the woods of Michigan. Always a reader and close observer, he has made up this deficiency by thorough self-culture and he is now classed with the most intelligent and. best informed men of the city in which he resides. While manufacturing the cancer cure, he carried. out a desire of long' standing by reading medicine, pursuing the study under the direction of different physicians at. Bad Axe and Cass City, in his native state. After remaining at those two places about five years, he located in the town of Macomb, thence, fourteen months later, going to Findlay, Ohio, where for a period of ten years he did a thriving business in the manufacture and sale of the cancer remedy, besides putting on the market his celebrated Blood Purifier, which has since become a very popular curative agent. Meeting with most gratifying success in the sale of his medicines, the Doctor was encouraged to give to the public still other remedies, accordingly Sheppard's Cough Cure and Sheppard's Magic Liniment made their appearance 'and through the medium of judicious advertising soon took high rank among the popular patent medicines of the day. The better to prosecute his already large and constantly growing .business the Doctor, in 189.7, moved to Upper Sandusky and established the Sheppard Sanitarium for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, which he has since conducted in connection with the manufacture of his various popular remedies. The sanitarium is a large and commodious structure, pleasantly located in one of the best parts of the city; and has proved a most delightful resort for invalids afflicted with all kinds of blood, stomach, kidney or liver troubles., In the treatment of these various ailments the Doctor has been uniformly. successful; he makes a specialty, however, of cancers, tumors and chronic diseases and his patients come from all parts of this country and Canada. Many of the cures effected at the sanitarium border upon the marvelous, in consequence of which the institution has been given wide publicity and is every day becoming more popular. It has indeed been a boon to suffering humanity and the numerous flattering testimonials as to the efficacy not only of personal treatment, but of the various remedies manufactured by the Doctor, prove, him to be a benefactor of his kind. The sanitarium is elaborately furnished with everything conducive to the sufferers' comfort and supplied with all the latest and most approved appliances and devices for the scientific treatment of such diseases as the Doctor guarantees to cure. In addition to those enumerated above,- he treats with a quantity oaf success, all forms of catarrh, skin diseases, rheumatism, lung and throat trouble, enlarged glands, goitre, deafness, paralysis, neuralgia, lumbago, spinal irritation, nervous exhausti0n and various other ailments. He has made a special study of the treatment 0f diseases by electricity and other appliances found only in his office, and the results obtained place him in the very .front rank of his profession. The success he has already achieved, both in the sanitarium and in the sale of his remedies, is a guaranty of still greater success in the future and his many friends in Upper Sandusky and 'those who have been benefited by his treatment predict for him a most BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 329 promising and successful career in years to come. His remedies are now found upon the shelves of the leading drug hoUses of the country and the great rapidity with which their sales have increased is one of the most encouraging testimonials as to their merits and value as curative agents. Dr. Sheppard is a public-spirited man, interesting himself in what concerns the city of Upper Sandusky and taking an active part in all enterprises calculated to promote its material prosperity. He is a lover of nature and has long been interested in the study of natural history, not alone from books but from objects themselves. He has a large number of birds, dogs; wild animals of various kinds, including a . large black bear from the wilds of Michigan, and he takes great pleasure in training his dumb friends and teaching them to perform many strange and interesting tricks. His power over animals is remarkable and he seldom fails to win them or make them come and go at his will. He has also a large and varied collection of war relics, including all kinds. of arms, both ancient and modern, missies and other destructive devices,. the whole embracing several hundred articles,, some of them very rare and all of great value.. This is one of the finest private collections in the state and it represents several years of labor and research. The Doctor has been thrice married, the first time to. Miss Ellen McClory, who bore him three children : Roy, Fisk and Ethel. Some years after the death of his first wife he entered into marriage relations. with Miss Ida Wagner, of Findlay, Ohio, who died leaving one child, Glenn. The third union was with his present wife, who previous to her last marriage was Mrs. Lucinda Frasier. The Doctor is an ardent temperance man and believes the manufacture and sale of intoxicants should be prevented by appropriate but stringent legislation. Accordingly, he votes the Prohibition ticket, convinced that the principles of his party, if adopted by the majority of voters, would effectually rid the country of the curse from which it now suffers. In his fraternal relations he is an Odd Fellow, Woodman and a member of the Order of Maccabees. The Methodist church embodies his religious creed and for a number of years he had been an active member of the same, contributing liberally of his means to the spread of the Gospel both at home and in lands beyond the seas. JOSEPH CHADWICK. It is the pride of the inhabitants of this country, that, when the great civil war be-. tween the states closed ,all the vast army of citizen soldiery quietly. laid down their .arms and returned to the pursuits of peace. It was predicted by the governments of Europe, not only that the country would be divided, but that after the war an enormous army would be kept up and a military dictatorship be established on the fragments, perhaps of every state. Foreign nations did not understand the spirit of the people of this country, that is, the spirit of the people in all of the free states. They could not understand how we had come to love the name of liberty and be willing to sacrifice blood and treasure to save a country founded upon the rock of freedom. In view of these misguided ideas the most of the foreign nations stood ready to pounce upon the fragments when the smoke of war had rolled away. But they beheld a splendid 330 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. sight. They saw the great armies melt away, saw a reunited country in which liberty was a fact as well as a name, and saw the soldiers return to their farms and shops, mills and various other vocations. One of the gallant boys in blue thus to return was the subject of this brief notice. He was born in Oxford township, Delaware county, Ohio, April 10, 1842, and is the son of James and Catherine (Slack) Chadwick, to whom were born a family of four sons and six daughters. The father was a native of Liverpool, England, where he grew up and was educated. In youth he was put to work in the great woolen mills of his native town. Later he came to this .country and his family were reared here. After a life of much respectability, he passed away at a comparatively early age on his farm in Delaware county. At the time of his death, Joseph was. twelve years old, He and his elder brother took charge of the farm, and continued to carry on its operations for two year. Succeeding this, the subject worked out by the month and carefully saved his earnings. About this time the Rebellion broke out, and on November 6, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Eighty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after a space of drilling in camp, was sent to the front with his companions. He was first required to show his mettle a.t the battle of Fort Republic, and did much to his credit for bravery. Subsequently he was a participant in all the various campaigns skirmishes and battles in which his regiment took part during its. term of service. He fought at the bloody battle of Chancellors ville, and at the decisive battle of Gettysburg, and bore himself with conspicuous bravery. At the battle of Peach Tree Creek he was quite severely wounded, but after a season in the hospital rejoined his regiment and again took the field. For his gallantry in that battle he was, promoted corporal. After many other campaigns and engagements, in all of which he bore a brave and honorable part, he was finally mustered out at the close of the war, July 22, 1865. Mr. Chadwick returned to his home, where he remained for a short time and then came to Wyandot county and began to work on a farm. by the month. He was thus engaged for four years, when he went to Dewitt county, Illinois, where he remained one year. He then came back to Ohio, bought the place where he now resides, and here he has continued to the present time. On March 30, 1869, he married Miss Anna B. Benau, by whom he has four children, as follows; Noah, a farmer in Mifflin township; Joseph W., a farmer of Mifflin township; Mary L., engaged in teaching school; and Milton H., at home. Mr. Chadwick owns eighty acres in the home farm and one hundred and ninety acres elsewhere. He is in comfortable Circumstances and carries on farming and stock raising, at which he has been quite successful; his dwelling is one of the handsomest private residences of the neighborhood and in man respects. an ideal home. Mr. Chadwick is a Republican and takes much interest in public affairs. His fine war record and his excellent name make him one of the most prominent citizens in this part of the county and he is highly esteemed by all who know him. CHARLES RALL. The life of this well-known citizen shows what industry, goad habits and stanch citizenship will accomplish in the battle of acquiring property and rearing children to BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 331 steady and respectable lives. Mr. Rall was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in April, 1837, and was one of nine children, four sons and five daughters, born to Phedalius and Rosa Rall, also natives of Germany. Mr. Rall was reared on a farm in his native land and received, like all German youths, a good business education. His father dying when he was twelve years old, he was sent to an uncle to be reared and educated, and while thus engaged saved enough money to bring him to America. He embarked in. the fall of 1856 in a sailing vessel and after forty days on the Atlantic, landed, in New, York, accompanied by his brother, Joseph. In December of the same year he came to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and in March, 1857, hired out as a farm laborer, at the small price of eleven dollars per month to work for a Mr. Sly in Mifflin township. At the expiration of that time he began work for R. N. Taylor, continuing for one year. Succeeding this he contracted to work for the next year for Mr. Taylor's father, who lived near Columbus, Ohio, his compensation being one hundred and fifty-six dollars for the year. When his year had expired he bought a colt and a calf out of his first earnings. He soon afterward decided to come back to Wyandot county, which he did leading his, calf and colt back all the way. His life thus far had been, characterized by hard work and many privations, but he had managed to master the English language pretty well and had begun to gather around him considerable property. Upon his arrival in Wyandot county he contracted to work for one year for Wesley Hedges, and continued longer than that period. He then determined to begin farming on his awn account. The money he had saved enabled ,him to buy the necessary teams, whereupon he rented land in Pitt township and continued there for three years, gaining steadily in this world's goods. Succeeding this he rented land from David Harpster for one year. He now determined to buy a small farm for himself. Accordingly he bought forty acres in, Mifflin township, all covered with, heavy woods, which he gradually cleared and improved. After eight years he sold this farm and bought eighty-seven acres where he now resides. Since that date down to the present, he has steadily added to his possessions, buying tract after tract, from his savings, and accumulations until he now owns a grand total of five hundred and forty-three acres. Of this land ninety acres lie in Crane township, sixty in Pitt, and three ,hundred and ninety-three in Mifflin. , All of this forms a splendid farm of well improved and well diversified land, one of the best in this part of the county of Wyandot and all gained .by his and his good wife's toil and economy. In conjunction with farming .Mr. Rail has carried on stock raising on a large scale and in this branch of husbandry has been highly successful, especially with sheep and cattle. October 3, 186o, Mr. Rall wedded Miss Lydia. Quail, and to this marriage four sons have been born, viz. : Henry W., who resides near Upper Sandusky,. is a prosperous agriculturist. He married Miss Rosa Best and they have five children, Bertha M.; George; Stella C.; George Henry; and Carl F. Albert married Miss' Clara Strouser and they have three children; Mary L., Frances A., and. Hilda C. David resides with his parents on the homestead. Charles married Miss Susie Orians, and they have two chil- 332 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. dren, Joseph E. and Lewis A. These sons are all stable, honorable citizens of the county and are a credit to their parents. Mrs. Rall, the mother, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 3o, 1836, and was a little child of but two years when she was brought by her parents to Wyandot county, where she has been reared. Her parents were Henry and Barbara (Pepple) Quail. There were two sons and three daughters in the family and all are residents of Wyandot county, excepting one sister, who resides in Columbiana county, Ohio. Almost half a century has passed away since Mr. and Mrs. Rail were married and all these years she has valiantly aided her husband in the rearing of their manly boys and the establishment of their home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rall are devout members of the Catholic church at Upper Sandusky and they have given liberally of their means in its erection and support. They are amongst the best citizens of the county and Mr. Rail's word is considered amongst his friends and acquaintances as good as his bond. In political sentiment Mr. Rall casts his vote with the Democratic party. SILAS W. McCLEARY. It should be a matter of general congratulation when the younger members of a community take an active and continued interest in education and the development of morals. In this age of fast living and faster dissipation of wealth in frivolous amusements, the appearance of a steady head and a firm hand to control conduct must be considered a real blessing in any neighborhood. Such a citizen is the subject of this memoir, Silas W. McCleary. The descendant of a family of well-known standing, he was born on the place where he now resides on the 9th of August, 1865, and during his youth passed through the usual experiences encountered on the average American farm of raising grain and rearing stock. His surroundings were such as to give him a clearer insight into the better management of husbandry than the ordinary routine of farm life gave to the youth growing up with the country. He knew more of scientific farming than was usually met with and more of the rare art of select stock breeding. He wanted something more than: to be able to hold a plow handle or pitch hay into the barn. He wanted knowledge, and therefore, when he had attained the age of nineteen years, having qualified himself at the common schools and having secured his certificate from the county superintendent he began teaching, continuing during the winter months and resuming farming during the summer months. His education up to this time consisted in what he had secured at the common schools and a course at the excellent schools of Ada, where he studied industriously for a period of ten weeks. This was to him, an interesting, important and enjoyable period, and he made the most of it. A little later, still thirsting for knowledge and thinking he might lead a different life than on the farm, he went to Ada and took up the study of pharmacy, which he pursued with great success until his graduation with honor in 1893. But his intentions were not realized. In this world of change few are. His surroundings were such that it became necessary for him to return to the farm. and here he has since remained, building up a superior improvement and content- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 333 ing himself with attaining a high degree of citizenship. He has .charge of his father's farm of two hundred acres and is himself the owner of forty acres. He carries on general farming and stockraising and is highly successful. He takes' much interest in public affairs and has served his township two years as clerk. He is a Democrat and a member. of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1889 Mr. McCleary was united in marriage to Miss Amy Snider, daughter of Aaron and Amanda Snider, of Mifflin township, and by her has five children, whose mines are as follows : Vera, Kenneth, Mary, Grace and Howard. Few young men of this section of the state have accomplished more in the same length of time than has Mr. McCleary. PROF. THOMAS W. SHIMP. An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition, for themselves, and at the same time have honored the locality to which they belong, would be' incomplete were there failure to make mention of the one whose name forms the caption of this sketch. He has sustained a very enviable reputation in educational circles, and to-day is giving thoughtful and intelligent direction to the schools of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Prof. Shimp is a native of Indiana, born in Jay county, on the 12th of January, 1867. His father, Jesse B. Shimp, is a native of Germany, and in 1842, at the age of ten or twelve years, was brought by his parents to the United States. These parents settled near Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, and reared their son to the life of a farmer. Jesse B. Shimp took up, farming on his own account when of sufficient age, and shortly after his marriage, about 1861, removed to Jay county, Ind., where he lived for several years as a renter. He then purchased a. small farm about six miles from Portland, that county, and is still, at the age of .sixty-nine years, making that hi's hcme. He desired to serve his country during the war of the Rebellion but was not able to pass the physical examination, much to his regret. Religiously he is an earnest member of the Evangelical church, in which body he is serving as elder and trustee. Politically a Democrat, he has always had a keen interest in politics, though never politician in the ordinary sense of the word. He is a Man. of fair intellectual attainments, having been a student in Otterbein University. His wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Emily Hiestand, was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and is still living. She also is an active member of the Evangelical church. She is the mother of ten children, as follows : Laura is the wife of Benjamin, Kimble; George B. is a farmer and teacher of Adams county, Ind.; Charles E. is superintendent of schools at Bowling Green., Ohio; Thomas W., our subject; Valentine is a teacher and lives at Geneva, Ind. ; Alonzo is an agriculturist; Clara became the wife of John Elauding and lives at Portland, Ind. ; Belle is the wife of Levi Gilpin, also of Portland; Maggie and Grace, the youngest of the family, are at home with their parents, attending school. Prof. Shimp spent his boyhood days on the home farm and was so fortunate as to be able to attend the public schools until 334 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. his seventeenth year. At that time he took an 'examination for a teacher's license, which he received and then taught two terms in the district schools. Desiring still further to prepare himself for his chosen profession, he attended the Eastern Indiana Normal, at Portland, during the summer months and for several years taught school through the winter seasons.. In 1887 he was invited to take charge of the schools. at Lancaster, Ind., which position he retained three years. He then went to Lebanon, Ohio, and for two . years attended the National Normal School there, receiving from that institution the degree of Bachelor of Science. While at Lebanon he was elected superintendent of schools at Sciotoville, Ohio, and after holding that position one year accepted a similar position at Fort Recovery, Mercer county, this state. His efficiency as a director of instruction is shown by the fact that he was retained at Fort Recovery for six years; he resigned the work there that he might accept the superintendency of the schools of Upper Sandusky. He has occupied his present position three years and has abundantly proven his eminent fitness for the work. As a recognition of his fitness and ability the board of education have just re-elected him for two more years. He has also been appointed county examiner by the probate judge, and is now making his influence felt in a very efficient way among the teachers of: Wyandot county. While at Fort Recovery he successfully passed the examination for both common and high school teacher's life certificates, the latter covering twenty-three subjects.. On the 26th of December, 1$93, Prof. was united in .marriage with .Miss Ella Sheward, a native of Jay county,. Ind., and an old schoolmate of her husband. This union, a most happy one, has been blessed with two children., viz. : Paul Brooks, born November 22, 1894, and Eva Ione., born August 26, 1896. Prof. Shimp in his political proclivities is a Democrat and is keenly interested in all questions affecting the public welfare. He has ever been ready to unite with Upper Sandusky citizens in any way to advance the interests of the city, and to bring to its people better opportunities, a broader horizon and richer advantages for the young. Religiously he and his wife are active and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder and also clerk of the session. They are both very energetic workers in the Sunday-school and the society of Christian Endeavor. Longfellow said "The talent of success is nothing more than what you can do well and doing well whatever you do, without any thought of fame." Illustrative of this sentiment has been the life of the subject of this outline, and his career should serve as an incentive. and inspiration for others. By his uniform courtesy, amiable disposition and genuine worth he has gained for himself a warm place in the hearts of Upper Sandusky's citizens. JAMES L. CURLIS. This young gentleman is a native born citizen of Wyandot county, Ohio, and is one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Sycamore township. His birth took place in Tymochtee township August 1, 1860, and this county he has passed all his life, employed in his present calling and BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 335 is of the third generation to make Wyandot county his home. Jacob Curlis, the grandfather of James L., and a blacksmith by trade, came from New Jersey to Tymochtee township in 1839, and here purchased one hundred and forty acres of timbered land deep in the wilds of the township, cleared oft a good part of the place and here passed the remainder of his life, dying February 3, 1872. David H. Curlis, father of James L., was born in Sussex county, N. J., in 1816, and was also reared to biacksmithing. He came to Wyandot county, Ohio, when still an unmarried young man, and here wedded Miss Charity C. Snover. Thomas H. Snover, the grandfather of this lady, was also a blacksmith and farmer and came to Wyandot county, Ohio, in 1839 and settled in Tymochtee township, where he passed the remainder of his life. The rather of James L. Curlis passed away November 1, 1896, and the mother July 1, 1900. Mr. Curlis has purchased the old homestead and other land, had been a Democrat in politics and had served as a justice of the peace. He and his wife were sincere members of the Evangelical church and were greatly respected and esteemed by all their neighbors for their upright walk through life and sterling personal characteristics. They were parents of seven children, namely : Annetta, widow of Willis L. Clingman, and now residing with the subject of this sketch; Rachael, wife of David Gibson, of Crane township; Sarah, a resident of White House, Lucas county, Ohio; Laura, wife of Linas Gibson, of Crane township; Jacob, who died August 4, 1896, aged thirty-nine years. James L., whose name stands at the opening of this biography; and John, who is married to Lillian Cochenour, a resident of Tymochtee township. James L. Curlis lived at home on the old farm until his marriage, October. 19, 1884, to Miss Sarah E. Walton, daughter of William Walton, of Tymochtee township, and this union has been blessed with four children, viz. : David W., William D., Mabel G. and James Paul. He lived on the old homestead until 1894 and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm in Sycamore township, formerly known as the William VanGundy place. Here his wife was untimely called away March 26, 1899, deeply mourned by the family and all who knew her. Being a skilled and experienced farmer and a hard-working and industrious man, Mr. Curlis has increased his acreage to three hundred and forty, of which he has about two hundred and eighty acres in a splendid state of cultivation. He raises all the crops that the climate and soil are at all capable of producing, and also breeds, buys and sells large numbers of live stock, handling the best graded cattle and the choicest breeds of swine and sheep. His homestead. is well improved with a modern dwelling and his outbuildings are all of substantial construction and conveniently arranged, as well as sufficiently commodious for all reasonably practical purposes. The entire place shows the careful superintendence of a skillful manager, and there are very few farms of its size in the .county with which it will not favorably compare. In politics; Mr. Curlis is a Republican, but his manifold personal affairs prevents him from entering to any great extent in public affairs; yet, he is; a very public-spirited citi- 336 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. zen and ready at all times to aid with his means the needs of the township in the way of improvement. Fraternally he is a member of Enterprise Lodge, F. & A. M., at Sycamore, and the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 645, at the same place, and is besides, a conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal church. No man in the township is more respected than Mr. Curlis and no man, more deserves this respect. ALFRED L. STERNER. It is with pleasure that the biographer takes up the life record of one of Wyandot county's best known and most popular citizens. Alfred L. Sterner, the county clerk of Wyandot county, was born in Lehigh county, Penn., on the 14th of March, 1858. His father, Paul Sterner, was a native of the same county and was there reared. He was by trade a mechanic and shoemaker and followed those callings for he years in his native county. Then he removed to Rockport, Penn., and worked there until well advanced in years, when he retired. He is still living at the age of eighty-one years. He enlisted for service during the war of the Rebellion and served for three years in the ranks.. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Our subject's mother, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Elizabeth Ritter was bdrn in Columbia county, Penn. She was a faithful and earnest member of the Baptist church and in that faith passed away at the age of sixty-seven years. This union was blessed with seven children, of whom our subject is the fifth in order of birth. When Alfred L. Sterner was seven years old he went to live with an English family. He first worked on the farm for his board, but later received monthly wages. He had been able to attend school during the winter seasons and when about eighteen years old began teaching in the district schools. He then pursued an independent course of study at Ada, Ohio, and attended the State Normal School at Millersville, Penn., and also spent eighteen months at the academy at Orangeville, the same state. Then he resumed the occupation of school teaching, but in March, 188o, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and clerked in a large clothing store for a few weeks. Not liking this work he engaged in canvassing for books, but shortly afterward, by request, he came to Wyandot county and here taught country Schools for four years. Then for nine years he had the superintendency of the schools at Little Sandusky, and while holding this position was one of the three persons who composed the county board of school examiners. He was appointed by the probate judge to fill out an unexpired term and then was twice reappointed, filling the position in all about seven years. In 1896, while teaching, the Democratic convention honored him by making him the party nominee for county clerk. The result of this convention was that Mr. Sterner received three hundred and nineteen more votes than the total number cast for the other three candidates for the office. He assumed the duties of his office August 2, 1897, but before the expiration of that term was elected to succeed himself. At the second election he was one hundred and fifty votes ahead of the balance of the Democratic ticket. Our subject now owns one BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 337 hundred and twenty-two acres of fine farming land situated three and a half miles west of Upper Sandusky. On the 19th of August, 1889, occurred the marriage of the subject to Miss Rilda Der, a native of Morrow county, Ohio, who also had been a teacher. The result of thiS union was two children, Myron B. and Garland Iler, both at home. Socially Mr. Sterner is a member of Wyandot Lodge, No. 110, I. O. O. F., of Upper Sandusky, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is a Baptist and has. also been a Sunday-school teacher. Mr. Sterner has attained to an eminent standing among the foremost men of Wyandot county. Without much outside assistance, the success he has achieved, is due largely to his own efforts. Strong determination, persistence in the pursuit of an honorable purpose, unflagging energy and keen discrimination—these are the salient features in his career and his life stands in unmistakable evidence that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the outcome of earnest and well directed effort. ANDREW J. BRETZ. One of the substantial as well as one of the most experienced farmers of Sycamore township, WyandOt county,. Ohio, is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in. Fairfield county, May 23, 1825. He was brought to Wyandot county by his parents, Conrad and Susanna (Foreman) Bretz, in April, 1834, and has here grown from boy- hood to manhood. Conrad Bretz and his wife, Susanna, were born in Lancaster county, Penn., the .father 1812, were there married, and shortly afterward came to Ohio with a wagon and team of horses. They were accompanied by other parties, all of whom located near Lancaster, in Fairfield county, where Mr. Bretz bought one. hundred and sixty acres of timber land deep in the woods. He Cleared up this tract and in 1834, as stated above, brought his family to Wyandot county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the then wilderness of Sycamore township, in section 18. The place was slightly improved, but he put up a barn and cleared off some of the timber, and made his home there for the remainder of his life, dying in January, 1861, the hero of three wars. His wife passed away in 1852. Both were active workers in the Old School Baptist church and well known and highly esteemed throughout the sparsely-settled town, ship. Although a greatly-respected and popular citizen Mr. Bretz never accepted a public office. To Mr. and Mrs. Canrad Bretz were born nine children, two of whom died young. Of the seven others Christina was married to Jesson Morgan, but she and her husband are both deceased; Peter died single; Lydia, who was married to. John Bope, is now deceased, as is also her husband; Annie' and her husband, Samuel Spitler, have passed away likewise; Lucinda is the widow of Andrew Pontius, and is residing in Tymochtee township; Eli, who married. Betsey Sites, is now deceased and his widow is a resident of Sycamore township; Andrew J., the youngest of the family, is the subject of this sketch. Andrew J. Bretz lived at home with his parents until the death of his mother, when, feeling the need of a helpmate, he married the 338 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. first time. The lady of his choice was Miss Mary. Baum, whom he led to the marriage altar February 25, 1852. This lady was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1826, and died October 9, 1872. Mr. Bretz selected for his second wife Miss Eliza Baum, a sister of his first wife, and married her in 1876. To the first marriage one child was born, James Alexander, who married Lucy Pauline and:has two children, viz. : Mary May, Wife of William Baucher, of Sycamore township, and Ada Mabel, married to Frank Swartz, of Tymochtee township. After his marriage Mr. Bretz erected his modern dwelling, and here has been prosperously engaged in 'agriculture ever since. He 'ownsall two hundred and forty acres and raises all crops that can be raised in this lztitude, and also gives considerable attention to live stock. He is classed with the foremost farmers of the township and all his surroundings betoken the skillful agriculturist that he is. Cattle and horses receive his special care and he breeds some of the best strains and grades in the county. Mr. Bretz is a Democrat in politics and is very popular with his party as with all the rest of his fellow citizens. He served as township trustee ten years, and no fault was ever found with his administration of the office. He has always been an enterprising citizen, followed threshing fourteen years and owned the first separator in this section. No man in the township is better known or more highly respected. [ Since the foregoing was written the subject passed away, the sad event occurring at his home on the evening of March 27, 1902. The funeral services were held from the house and also at the United Brethren church, Rev. Shuman officiating.] BARNET COLE. It is always a great comfort and gratification to descendants, to be able to affirm that their parents and, in fact, all of their ancestors were people of exemplary habits and always lived respectable and honorable lives. On the contrary, what a strange sensation a high, and excellent man must have to know that his father was always considered by his neighbors and friends as a man of low and mean instincts and of dishonorable practices. A farmer can be as .dishonorable as well as any other business man. He can misrepresent his grain, his stock, his hay and his apples, and can secure a buyer by such misrepresentations. But when he is found out it is much harder for him to live the odium down than it is for the merchant to do the same. The latter can much more easily sell out and go where he is not known than the farmer, because it is hardier for the latter 'to sell out. So the descendants of the farmer must remain, or at least usually do so, and take the results of their father's misdeeds. The subject of this sketch, can see nothing but good results flowing from the life work of his par- ents., They were persons of the highest re- spectability and of unusual intelligence, and their influence was very strong for upright living and steady industry while they lived. Subject was born in Crawford county, Ohio, cn February 23, 1836, and is the son of Barnet Cole, Sr., who was a native of Washington county, Penn., and Miss Charity (Swisher) Cole, a native also of the Keystone state. The parents grew up in their native state, both receiving good training in industry and education, and upon reaching maturity were married in Crawford county, Ohio, after their removal there. The father BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 339 was twenty years old when his parents came to Crawford county. They located in Vernon township, where they bought eighty acres of very. wild land and began to clear the same. At that time the country in that vicinity was comparatively unsettled and many wild and dangerous animals roamed through the almost unbroken forests. Deer and bear were still quite common sights in the edges of the clearings,' where they came to steal the farmers' hard-earned corn crop. These pioneers began cutting down the trees, burning the brush, and raising such crops among the stumps as they could, and in time built up a comfortable home for their old age and for their descendants after them to enjoy. In time eighty'acres• were added to this farm and a still greater clearing was made. After a long life of useful deeds the parents passed away, the father in 1876 and the mother in 1866. The father possessed high intelligence and filled many positions of honor and trust, among which were trustee of the township, member of the school board and road supervisor, in the latter capacity laying out many of the first roads through the dense woods, some times along the section lines and sometimes along an old Indian trail. His life was useful and honorable. He and his wife were members of the United Brethren: church: The father was twice married, first to Miss jemima Champion, who bore bin): five children : William, John, Eliza, David, Margaret. By his second marriage, to Miss Charity Swisher, he had ten children: Samuel S., a farmer at Warsaw, Ind. ; Barnet, subject ; Mary, the wife of John Pry, lives in Richland county ; Rebecca, deceased ; Lavinia, who became the wife of Lerman Ahlefeld and lives in Eden township; Lucinda, who married George Ahlefeld, of Upper Sandusky ; George, deceased; James, a farmer of Crawford county. After reaching his majority Barnet Cole began farming on his own account and also ran a threshing machine, salving his earnings. In 186o he bought forty acres in Eden township on section 19, all of which was covered with impenetrable forests. He made a small clearing, put up a rude cabin and started to improve. In 1862 Mr. Cole was married to Miss Rachel Brown, of this county. She was born in Wyandot county February 11, 1842, and was a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Knitz) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her grandfather was of Scotch-English ancestry, while her mother was of German descent. Mrs. Cole was reared and educated in her native county and was of a family of three children. The eldest was Sarah, the widow of James Welsh, a Civil war veteran. She now resides near Fostoria, Ohio. The youngest of the family was Margaret, who is the wife of George Wilson, an agriculturist residing near Erie, Kan. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born these children: George F., deceased, who married Miss Minerva Mothers. He was educated in Fostoria, Ohio, and at the Cleveland Medical College, graduating in the class of 1888, and opening an office in Nevada, Ohio. He died in 1896, leaving one daughter, Helen. Minnie Myrtle, who became the wife of Samuel E. Sterner, of Mansfield, baggage master of the Erie Railroad. Foster B., at home. After his marriage the subject lived on his farm until 1869, when he bought first his present place of eighty acres, and later forty, and still later another forty, now owning one 'hundred and sixty acres. All is in Eden township, and all of it he has cleared except about five 340 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. acres. He is a stanch Republican and is engaged in general farming. Though his education was received in the old subscription schools, which had clap-board roofs and puncheon floors, he has ma' de an excellent success of life through right living and honorable conduct. He is one of the most prosperous citizens in this part of the county. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Cole are members of the Union church, which is located in their vicinity. GEORGE O. MASKEY, M. D. Notwithstanding the long strides that have been made in the practice of the healing art within the past half century, the discovery of medical properties in hundreds of vegetable and mineral substances that riot many years ago were not included in materia medica as remedies are barely mentioned in the pharmacopeia, or laid dormant as far as the dispensatory is concerned ; notwithstanding the charlatancy practiced by adventurers in the legitimate practice of the art and the quacks that claimed particular and special gifts. in the treatment of human ills; and notwithstanding the fact that legislatures have found it necessary to regulate the general practice by the expulsion of diplomaless pretenders .and the registration of legitimate and truly scientific physicians. there are some of the latter who have risen to eminence within the field of their actual labors., and among these is the subject of this sketch, whose career has been that of a true and conscientious worker in the sphere to which he has devoted his life and energy, and who possesses a profound knowledge of medicine and surgery: George O. Maskey, M: D., of the firm of Sampson & Maskey, of Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, Ohio, was born iii Nevada, this County, .February 7, 1856, and is a son of Benjamin and Adaline (Zook) Maskey, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, the former being born in Cumberland county; Penn., and the latter in Wayne county; Ohio. Benjamin Maskey when a small boy was brought west by his parents, who located in Crawford county, Ohio, where Benjamin grew to manhood on a farm. At the proper age he began an apprenticeship at carpentering, which trade he learned thoroughly and gained quite a reputation as a rural architect. In 1870 he came to Upper Sandusky and for ten or twelve years was foreman for a large railroad carpenter shop here. Later he took a position as engineer of .a stationary engine for the Pennsylvania Railway Company and so faithfully did he perform his duties that he held this position until his death, which occurred July 24, 1897, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was a life long Democrat, and socially always maintained an exalted position in the esteem of his many friends. His wife, who vas a highly respected lady and a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in Upper Sandusky on the 12th day of July, 1884. Benjamin and Mary (Rinehart) Maskey, parents of Benjamin and grandparents of subject, also natives of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in a very early day and were classed with the pioneers of Crawford county. They were farming people, were highly respected by their neighbors in that then sparsely settled country and there passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying when seventy BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 341 years old and the mother at the age of eighty-two. The mother of Dr. Maskey before her marriage was Miss Adeline Zook, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel and Nancy Zook. She bore her husband three children: William F., who died at the age of twenty-one; Jacob A., who died when ten years of age, and Dr. George O., the subject of this review, the eldest member of the family. The Doctor's boyhood days were passed in Nevada, where he attended the public schools until about fourteen years old, when he came to Upper Sandusky with his parents. Here he attended the schools until about eighteen years of age, when he was graduated, and thence went to the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he pursued his literary studies for three years, and then returned to Upper Sandusky and was here appointed principal of the high school, which position he held for two years. While engaged in teaching Dr. Maskey began reading medicine with Dr. R. A. Henderson, and after due preparation under that capable physician entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, from which, at the end of two years, he was graduated in the spring of 1882. He then returned to Upper Sandusky and formed a partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Henderson, which connection was prosperously continued for five years, when Dr. Henderson retired. Dr. Maskey then joined Dr. Sampson, over thirteen years ago, and this firm is now the acknowledged head of the medical profession in Upper Sandusky. Dr. Maskey was married on October 27, 1891, to Miss Stella M. Fahl, of Mount Blanchard, Hancock county, Ohio, a most agreeable and accomplished young lady and very highly connected in her family relations. To this union one son has been born, Robert F., December 15, 1901. In politics. Dr. Maskey is a stanch Democrat and is extremely popular with his party. Four years he served as a member of the school board; was six years city treasurer, and was for five years coroner of the county, having been elected for two terms to the latter once and having served one term under appointment. At present he is health officer of the city. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he is a Methodist. He is a trustee in his church and was. a member of the building committee appointed to erect the church edifice now in use and which cost eighteen thousand dollars. The Doctor still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres that cost about ten thousand dollars and adjoins the corporate boundary line of the city and several pieces of nicely located residence property within the city limits. He has taken much interest in local and public affairs and has been a liberal contributor to every enterprise that reasonably gave promise of being a benefit to the public weal. His social standing, with that of his wife, is with the most refined people of Upper Sandusky, and professionally he is an acknowledged leader, being as highly respected by the brother professionals as he is by the general public. SILAS S. DEBOLT Silas S. Debolt, who was one of the first to enlist in the Civil war at the call of our martyred president, Abraham Lincoln, was a 342 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS gallant soldier and won the admiration of his comrades and now is well and favorably known in Wyandot county. He was born in Mexico. township, Wyandot county, December 15, 1841, the son of Silas Debolt, who was born in 1807. Early in life the latter's father, Rev. George Debolt, moved to Fairfield, Ohio, where he lived until 1828. He learned the tanner's trade and moved to Fairfield county for a short time. In 1828 the subject's father moved to Mexico, Tymochtee township. They were the first white settlers in this township ; built a log house, opened a store and started a tan:yard. Silas Debolt married Elizabeth Parkerson, of Fairfield county, Ohio, and . to them were born twelve children, of whom eight are still living: Mary, who married Dr. Renner, is living in Indiana; John P., living in Roxbury, Kas.; George, who died in Danville prison in 1863.; Sarah married J. F. Wisterman and now resides in Tonawanda, N. Y.; Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth., who married Wm.. H. Baird, lives in Fostoria ; Silas S., the subject proper of this sketch; Reason is living in Union county, Ohio; Maranda, married to Mr. Doty, lives at Naponee, Neb.; Phidelia married G. W: Nafzzar, and resides at Riverside, Cal. ; William, deceased ; Emma P., deceased. The father of the subject lived in Tyrnochtee township until 1868, being engaged in farming, running a store, buying and selling. grain. In 1868 he retired to Smithville, Crane township, where he built an elegant home, living there until 1894. , When his health failed he went to San Diego, Cal. He was a very active politician, having filled all of the offices in the township. In politicS he was a Whig and later a Republican. He was a drill master and major of a company in the old state militia. He took a great interest in church matters, was a member of the Baptist church and preached throughout the country, making the journey on horseback. At his death, in 1895, his estate consisted of two hundred and seventy-one acres Wyandot county, some town property and also some land in Michigan. His wife, Elizabeth, died April 6, 1893. At the first call for volunteers for the Civil war Silas S. Debolt enlisted in Company K, Forty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, September 1, 1861, at Tiffin, Ohio, and from here the gallant boys in blue were sent to Kentucky. After one year of service the subject was taken prisoner at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862. From here he and many comrades were taken to Libby prison, where after forty days he was exchanged and again joined his company. Two years later, May 27, 1864, at Pickets Mills, near Dallas, Ga., he was severely wounded in the left shoulder, right thigh and right arm, and the wounds caused him to spend much time in the hospitals. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge and returned to his old home. Mr.. Debolt then completed his education at Fostoria. In 1869 the subject married Miss Sarah E. Lowmaster, daughter of Ruben Lowmaster, one of the pioneer settlers of this county. Eleven children graced this union : Leota B., wife of Anthony Hall, residing at home; Lillian M. first married R. Ocherman and, second, married Charles Rottman, of Crane township; Myrtle, residing at Newark, Ohio; Dudley, who resides at Upper Sandusky, was a member of Company B, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American war and was seriously in in Cuba quite BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 343 a long time; Joyce, wife of Sergeant Fred L. Allen; Scott S., who is single, still lives at home; Edith F.: married N. S. Albert and lives in Upper Sandusky, Ohio; Adolph R. resides at home; , Brant died quite young, George R. resides at home. After marriage Mr. Debolt moved to Kirby, at which place he was postmaster for three years. They then. moved to Bowling Green, Wood county, Ohio, where Mr. Debolt was proprietor of a grocery and bakery until 1874, thence coming, to Crane township where; after one year, they located on. a small farm. Here by careful management he has been able to add to it until he owns one hundred and twenty-five acres, which is under cultivation and is improved with good dwellings and all necessary farm buildings. Mr. Debolt is one of the most respected and substantial citizens of Crane township. He was a faithful soldier, prompt in the discharge of every duty and endured all the hardships of a soldier's life with fortitude and cheerfulness. Politically he is a Republican. HENRY C. BOWEN. The earliest settlers of this county have nearly all passed away and the few that remain are landmarks of old manners, old customs and old usages that are yet sacred to them. Later generations look upon them too often without interest; on the contrary the old settler is not only very often a pioneer in improvement, but in thought in the new country as well. The family of Bowen, of which the subject of this memoir is a worthy member, was one of the first to advance into the wilderness north:West of the Ohio river. Joseph Bowen, father of subject, was born in Delaware and was a son of Michael Bowen, native of Bucks county, Va. Joseph Bowen, upon reaching man's estate in Delaware, married there and soon afterward moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1821, and entered a tract of government land. His wife was Miss Margaret Harmon, member of another early, family in Ohio. At that time the state was largely a wilderness, wild animals and Indians were frequently seen, and a dense forest covered the fertile soil. But they went resolutely to work to fell the trees and burn the brush and to win a comfortable home from nature's bountiful stock. To Joseph and wife the following children were born: Harmon, who died in June, 1899, was a successful merchant and a man of more than ordinary ability and resided for many years at Upper Sandusky; John, who died in 1865, was a skillful mechanic and lived a life of honor and usefulness; Eli, who now resides at' Bryan., Ohio, achieved a competency and is now living in retirement, enjoying his old age and his good name; Margaret, who married Charles Smith, passed away in 1898; Henry C., subject; Gideon, who lives. at Upper Sandusky and is a farmer by occupation; Nancy, who died about 1878; William, who died in 1899; Susanna, who was married, but is now the widbw of Henry Harmon., Of Crane township. In 1821 Joseph Bowen moved to Marion County and settled in Salt Rock township, where his father-in-law purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land that was partly improved. It was upon this place that grandfather Harmon died in 1828. His wife died in 1887 at the age of eighty-four years. Henry C. was born in Salt Rock 344 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. (now Pitt) township, October 9, 1836, and when seven years old was sent to live with an uncle, Samuel Harmon, with whom he remained until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, working during that time for his board and clothes. Upon reaching his majority he began chopping wood for fifty cents a day and continued to work out for a period of five years, managing to save from his earnings a considerable sum and to get around him other property of considerable value. All this he put into the best possible form and, in company with Milton Swigart, engaged in contracting and building, in which occupation they were engaged for about six years. At the expiration of that time he retired from that pursuit and in 1860 bought eighty acres of his preSent farm and moved into the old Indian chief White Wing's log cabin, which was then standing on the place, in fact one room of which is still standing. At that time a few acres only cleared. There are now one hundred and eighty-seven acres in the home farm, but Mr. Bowen owns a total of three hundred and sixty-nine acres, all of which he has earned by industry and good management. He carries on general farming and stock raising. He is absolutely a self-made man, as well as a. self-educated man and stands high as a citizen and a neighbor. In 1858 Mr. Bowen was united in marriage to Miss Jane Woolsey and by her cause the father of one child, Florence, who died at the age of sixteen years. On September 6, 1868, he married for his second wife Sarah A. Bates, who presented him with seven children as follows : Sheridan, a farmer of Mifflin township ; Napoleon, a farmer of Mifflin toWnship; Omer, Victoria, Henry C., Jr., Mary and Carson. Henry C. is one of the self-educated boys of his township and has taught two terms of school in Wyandot. Indeed, all the sons are young men possessing liberal, practical educations. Henry C. Bowen. has in his possession one of the old parchment deeds, executed under the signature of President James K. Polk, and which is now considered quite a relic. , The family is well known, and has the respect and esteem of a. large circle of friends and acquaintances. L. WALTER NAUS, M. D. The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful practitioner of the healing art it will be invariably, found to be true that a broadmi.nded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given fortunately embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and drawing to himself a large and remunerative patronage. The parents of the subject are David E. and Fannie (Zimmerman) Taus. They are both natives of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Hardin county, and they still make that county their home. The father, who, is now fifty-four years old, has all his life followed the pursuit of agriculture. He is a self-made man in the truest BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 345 sense of the phrase, having from a small beginning amassed a property estimated to be worth forty thousand dollars. He is the representative farmer in his locality and is in politics an ardent Republic.an. He and his wife are the parents of two children., L. W., the subject, and a daughter, Anna Ellen. Religiously the parents are worthy members of the Baptist church. Dr. Naus, of this sketch, was born near Forest, Hardin county, Ohio, on the 4th of March, 1874. His early boyhood days were passed on the old homestead, where he early learned the mysteries of agriculture. He received his preliminary education in the common Schools of his district. However, he was ambitious to enter the medical profession and determining to acquire a good fundamental education, he went to Findlay (Ohio) College, Which was: then called the Church of God College. Leaving that institution he attended the well-known school at Ada, this state, from which he was graduated. in 1895. Then., feeling that he had acquired a sufficient preparation, he took up the study of medicine in the office and under the preceptorage of Dr. Gemmill, of Forest, Ohio. He pursued his studies there diligently for two years and then matriculated in the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in May, 1899. In September of that year he came to Upper Sandusky and has since been engaged in practice here. He is doing a general practice, but has given Much special study to chronic diseases and is still pursuing investigations along that line. He possesses undoubtedly the finest and most completely equipped medical office in his city, having the electric and surgical appliances, including an X-ray machine, and other accessories so helpful to the up-to-date practitioner. Fraternally Dr. Naus is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of that greatest of all fraternal insurance orders, the Modern Woodmen of America. In religious faith he is a Baptist. Kindly and generous by nature, with exalted purposes and high aims, his many excellent qualities are readily recognized by his fellow practitioners and he is held in high esteem by all. JOHN W. HENDERSON Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in following out th.e career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made Mr. Henderson one of the prominent and successful men of Upper Sandusky have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career, has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. The immediate subject of this brief outline, John W. Henderson, who is the efficient and 'popular manager of the Upper Sandusky Water Works Company, is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born at Eaton, Wayne county, on the 14th of July, 1848. He is the son of Robert A. Henderson, M. D., an early honored pioneer and prominent physician of this city. (For 346 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. the family record and a more extended sketch of Dr. Robert A. Henderson, see sketch of Our subject's brother, Harris R. Henderson, elsewhere in this volume.) When John W. Henderson was six years old he was brought by his parents to Upper Sandusky. Here his boyhood days were spent and here he received his elementary education in the public schools. Later he attended for two terms an academy at Hayesville, Ashland county, this state. After completing his education he was employed for 'a time in a machine shop in. Upper Sandusky. In the fall of 1868 our subject and his brother-in-law, R. D. Dumm, went to Fort Wayne, Ind., and purchased the Daily Sentinel, Mr. Duman occupying the editorial chair and our subject being business, manager. They were successful in the enterprise for about five years, but during the financial stringency of 1872-73 they lost money and were finally compelled to sell . the paper. Then for about six years Mr. Henderson acted as manager for a theatrical company, for about two years of this time also acting as treasurer. for the Adam Forepaugh circus. However, this work was not to our subject's liking, as it necessitated his absence from home the greater part of the time, so he returned to Upper Sandusky and here since remained. During the existence of natural gas in this county he had charge of the gas plant in this place and since that time has been manager of the Upper Sandusky Water Works Company, having held the position ever since the organization of the company. Mr. Henderson was united in marriage with Miss. Emma M. Kinnear, of Fremont, Ohio. Politically our subject is a stanch adherent to the principles of Democracy. His methods are in keeping with the progressive spirit of the twentieth century and the splendid. condition of the property over which he has charge is a monument to his well directed efforts. He is a man of broad humanitarian principles, earnest purpose and upright life, and by all is esteemed for his courteous manner, genial disposition and genuine worth. DANIEL KRICHBAUM Daniel Krichbaum, a stable and influential farmer residing in Antrim township, Wyandot county, Ohio, was born November 28, 1844, in Crawford county, this state, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Maskey) Krichbaum. The father was born July 3, 1801, in Center county, Penn., and went with his parents to Starke county, Ohio, and while a resident of Ashland county met and married Miss. Elizabeth Maskey. She was also a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Lancaster county April 10, 1814, and moved with her parents to Ashland county, Ohio, and later to Crawford county, that state. Their marriage was celebrated February 20, 1834, and they made their home in Crawford county, where they had purchased a farm, until 1849, when they removed to Wyandot county and located in Antrim township, where they bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. They built a home and improved the farm, clearing all but forty acres, engaging in general farming.. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade and worked at his craft for many years during his early residence here. Be- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 347 sides building his. house and barn he also ade most of the furniture in his home and a great deal for other. people. He was a Democrat in politics and a German Lutheran in his religion. He passed to his reward November 14, 1890, a man loved and honored. They reared a large family! off 'children, namely : Mary, who was born November 14, 1834, and died on the following Christmas; Benjamin, born April 10, 1836, who gave his life for his -country, dying February 7, 1863; John, born August 2, 1838, learned the trade of a carpenter and is now following that vocation.. near Bellevernon, Ohio, which is his home; Mary Ann, born Janu, ary 20, 1841, died July 10, 1848; Elizabeth, born December 6, 1842, is the widow of Lewis Miller and makes her home with her brother, Daniel, subject of this sketch ; Daniel; Susanna, born April 23, 1847, died May 25, 1855; Jacob, who is a resident of Lima, Ohio; Catherine Almira, who married Henry Larick and lives in Eden township; Adeline, born September 6; 1853, is the wife of Dr. W. Balby, and resides in Pitt township and Franklin, born June 17, 1856, and is a well known farmer of this township. Daniel Krichbaun remained with his parents until his marriage and took care of his father during his declining years, and after his death gave a home to the beloved mother, who is still a member of his household. H.e was married February 2, 1871, to Miss Mary Bachtel, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Metz) Bachtel, who came from Franklin county, Penn., to Seneca county, Ohio, in 1835, and thirteen years later to this county, settling in .Antrim township Where they purchased a: farm and engaged in fuming . until their death. In his younger years he had been a cooper but had given that up for husbandry during his later years. The wife and mother died October 6, 1868, and the father followed her April 1, 1869. They were Republicans. in their political affiliations and consistent members of the Presbyterian church in the East. Mr. Krichbaum and his wife are childless but have taken into their home and carefully reared and educated five homeless and orphaned children. Four of these were nieces of Mrs.. Krichbaum and are now happy possessors of homes of their own. The fifth. one was named Blanche Gilliland, now aged eleven years. She was but seven months old when taken by our subjects and they are doing all for her that kind and loving hearts. could suggest. They have always resided on the old homestead, where they have carried on general farming and are among the best known. and most highly respected residents of the township. They are devout members of the Lutheran church and are among the most willing and efficient workers. ire that denomination. Mr. Krichbaum is a. Democrat but has, never been an aspirant for office. He is a gentleman whose educational advantages were very limited in his boyhood but who has made up for this deficiency by careful 'observation' and keenness of perception, joined to a habit of reading and .retaining fact's which are worthy of note. He is a leading agriculturist of Antrim township and a royal entertainer who enjoys a wide circle of friends and whoSe latch-string is always out. MATHIAS FLECK. Success has been worthily attained by Mathias Fleck, who is to-day accounted one of the prosperous farmer's and substantial 348 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. citizens of Salem township. To his energy, enterprise, careful management and keen discernment his present station in life is attributed. He started upon his career as an independent factor at the bottom of the ladder and is now the owner of a very desirable farm property and occupies a conspicuous place in the front rank of Wyandot county's successful agriculturists. Born in Hirckenheim, Kingdom of Baden, Germany, May 11, 1839. He was brought by his parents to the United States when eleven years of age and with little exception has spent his life since that time within the limits of Wyandot county. His father and mother, Frank and Kate (Clay) Fleck, were natives of Baden, where the former worked for some years as packer in a wholesale tobacco house. In November, 1851, the family took passage on a sailing vessel for New York and after a protracted voyage of several months duration reached that city the following March. Shortly after sailing, the vessel struck a sand bar, resulting in considerable injury, in consequence of which it had to be towed to the nearest English port for repairs. It required two months work to make the ship seaworthy, which, with other unavoidable delays, caused six months to elapse before the passengers were landed at their final destination. Immediately after reaching New York Mr. Fleck started to Sandusky City, via Buffalo, but was obliged to remain at the latter place about four weeks on account of the ice which seriously interfered with navigation. On reaching Sandusky he secured employment on the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad as a section hand and continued in that capacity until 1864. In that year he purchased eighty acres of land in Salem township, Wyandot county, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing the same until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-nine years of age. Frank Fleck was an industrious man and a most excellent citizen. He cleared an improved a fine farm and took an active interest in the growth and development of the part of the county where. he lived. He cam to the United States with little capital worth mentioning, but by industry, economy and good management, succeeded in acquiring a respectable fortune and left his family iii comfortable circumstances. In politics he was a Democrat and in religion a Catholic. His wife, also a devout member of the same church and a woman respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances; died in her seventieth year. Of the seven children born to Frank and Katie Fleck, the subject of this sketch is next to the oldest. As already stated, he was eleven years of age when the family came to America and until his twenty-first year he spent the greater part of his time in Upper Sandusky. On attaining his majority he practically assumed control of the home farm and continued to look after his parents' interests until his twenty-seventh year when he married and engaged in agriculture for himself. He purchased a place of eighty acres in Salem township, on which he has since lived and prospered, making it one of the best farms in the neighborhood. Mr. Fleck was married February 6, 1865, to Miss Clavva Brown, of Richland county, Ohio, who has borne him eight children, namely: John, who lives on the home place; Martha J.; Mathias; Celia; Clara, wife of Vic. Clochter; Anna; Rosa; Ambrose; and one that died when young. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 349 Religiously Mr. Fleck was born and reared a Catholic and has always remained loyal to the Holy Mother Church. He is a stanch Democrat, and in recognition of valuable services rendered the party was elected at one time trustee of Salem township. He proved a capable and poi ular official and discharged all the duties incumbent upon him in a praiseworthy manner. He also served as school director and in many ways has manifested a lively interest in public affairs, advocating all measures for the general good and taking an active part in every movement calculated to promote the .moral growth of his community. His beautiful farm in Salem township bears the marks of thorough cultivation and careful management, and for a number of years he has ranked with the successful agriculturists of his section of the country. He is essentially a self-made man and owes the success which he has attained wholly to his own efforts. Mrs. Fleck and children are also devout Catholics; the entire family belong to St. Joseph's church, in the township of Salem. JOHN HEISTAND. This gentleman, a prosperous agriculturist of Eden township, Wyandot county, is a son of Martin and Catherine Heistand, and a younger brother of Isaiah Heistand, whose biography will be found on another page. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 6, 1828. The parents were natives of Rockingham county, Va., but early settlers in Ohio, where they were married. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in 1830 came by wagon from Fairfield county to Wyandot county and settled in Sycamore township, where he put up a pole shanty, which he occupied as a dwelling. until he erected a hewed-log house. The family was amongst the first White ones to settle in the section and the first tract of land owned there by the father consisted of forty acres, which by good management he increased to eighty acres before death overtook him in 1848. He had lost his wife in 1843, and both died in the faith of the German Reform church, of which they had been active members from their youthful days. The family born to Martin and Catherine Heistand comprised, ten children, who were named as follows : Methuselah, Sophia, Mary, Catherine, Magdaline (married to M. Masteirs, of Jay county, Ind.), John (subject of this sketch), Isaiah, Delilah (wife of. A. Buxton, of Eden township), Rev. Jacob (a clergyman of the German Reform church at Van, Wert, Ohio), and Martin (who died young). John Heistand remained on the homestead until nineteen years old and then began to work, out for whomsoever had employment for him, and in this precarious manner made a livelihood for seven years; but he was, frugal as well as hard-working and at the end of that time, in partnership with his brother, Isaiah, purchased the farm on which the latter now resides in Eden township. This place contained eighty acre, covered with heavy timber, but by hard and constant labor they succeeded in clearing it up and moved upon it in 1861. On August 15, 1861, John Heistand married Miss Charlotte Keener, of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel and Eleanor (McBride) Keener, the former a