450 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. in matrimony with Miss Emilie Robbins, of Lima, Ohio, and this genial union has been crowned with the birth of one daughter, Jane. The family attend the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Hare is a Democrat and for this party works with all the vim by which he is characterized, but has never expressed any desire for election to public office. W. A. FOUGHT. There is little that interests one more than to observe how different men. begin and continue the duties of life. Some commence in hesitation and seem to hesitate at every obstacle they encouner. Others begin bold ly, but after a time show by some defect in execution, that they have not properly mastered their tasks. Still others Commence with steady grasp of the situation, and show by their subsequent accomplishments that they have compassed the problem of life; to the last class. success always comes and they are the men, to leave behind them good names and large properties-honorably won in life's struggle. Their children. are left to reap the harvest of good actions. Among such active and enterprising men is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Pitt township, Wyandot county, January 29, 1855. He is one of seven children. born to the marriage of J. D. Foucht and Miss Mary A. Wirick, six of whom are yet living. Of this family, two were sons and five were daughters. The father was a farmer by occupation and achieved success in building up a home. He died in. 1874 at the age of forty-three years; his widow is still living in Upper Sandusky, aged sixty-seven years. The subject of this sketch grew toy manhood in Pitt township, learning the multifarious duties of the farm and taking much interest in his youth. in all educational matters. Prompted by a studious tendency that would not be thwarted and by a will tha.t was determined to grasp the fundamental rules of life, he applied himself diligently to his studies, even when his opportunities were far from being the best, and succeeded in mastering the principles of education and the art of imparting the same to others. Accordingly; at the age of seventeen. years, he successfully passed the examination required by the county superintendent and taught his first term of school. His first attempt proved so successful that he continued to teach during the succeeding winter terms. Upon reaching his majority, and wishing to see something of the outside world for himself, he went to Upper Sandusky and accepted a position in a grocery store, where he remained continuously for a period of four years. He then. returned to Mifflin township and rented land of the man who afterwards became his father-in-law —Campbell J. Ewart—and began. to farm the same. On March 24, 1876, Mr. Foiucht wedded Miss Sarah J. Ewart, daughter of Campbell J., and began the very pleasant duty of housekeeping. To himself and wife have been born the following children: Marshall E. and Pearl L. The former is a well-educated young man and has before him a bright and promising future. After completing the common-school course, he entered the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, where he became proficient in bookkeeping, commercial -law and kindred subjects. He was also graduated from Zenarian Art College at Columbus, and for several years BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 451 taught successfully in the public schools of Mifflin township. He married Miss. Cora E. Justus, and at the present time is engaged in agricultural pursuits. Pearl is also liberally educated, having completed the classical course of Ada Normal College, and is now teaching in the schools of Gibsonburg, this state. The entire family seem to have a strong love for learning, and all are ready readers of popular and current literature. Since coming to this township in the 'seventies, Mr. Foucht has taught many terms of school, almost continuously, in fact, during the winter months. He is recognized as an excellent disciplinarian and an efficient instructor, and has the unqualified endorsement of the county superintendent as to his methods of government and instruction. He is the owner of eighty acres of land, and carries on farming and rearing stock. To show the consideration in which his judgment and learning are held by his neighbors, it is sufficient to state that he has served fourteen years as justice of the peace, four years as township clerk, and in other ways has shown his fitness for public service. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was formerly a member of the Grange. WILLIAM DAVIDSON. Of the leading families that have long been identified with the history of Wyandot county none stand out more prominently than the Davidsons, of whom the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative. His father, George Hudson Davidson, came to this part of the state with the pioneers and the marks of his presence are still fresh in the township where he settled as an Indian trader, telling the. story of his work and writing his epitaph in the hearts of his descendants and others who enjoy the fruits of his labor and foresight. George H. Davidson was born in Connellsville, Penn., and there grew to young-manhood as his father's valuable assistant in the iron works, of which the latter was owner and operator. While still a young man lie went to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, as clerk in a dry-goods house and after remaining there a short time was sent by his employers to Wyandot county to take charge of an Indian trading post in the town of Tymochtee. This was about the year 1834 and during the two succeeding years he managed the business very satisfactorily and then returned to Mt. Vernon to resume his former position as salesman. Later he engaged in the mercantile business at Danville, this state, where he remained until some time in the fifties, then returning to Wyandot county and purchasing a farm in the township of Salem. Removing his family to the farm, he set about making improvements and in due season developed a good farm, on which he lived the remainder of his days. George H. Davidson was a man of intellect and great force of character, such a man as comes to the front when important work is to be done. His influence in: the part of the county where he settled was strong and far-reaching in its results. Among his neighbors and fellow citizens he lived a useful life and was highly respected, for his many sterling qualities of head and heart. He served as justice of the peace both in Knox and Wyan.- 452 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS dot counties and for a number of years held the office of trustee, besides filling other positions of trust, for all of which he apTeared to have been peculiarly fitted. A stanch Democrat, he early became one of the leaders of his party in Wyandod county and few elections took place in his time in which he was not an active and aggressive participant. In early life he was taught the principles of religion as laid down by the Presbyterian creed, but later changed his faith, becoming an earnest and devout Catholic, to which communion he remained true tO the end of his life. A willing tribute that is paid to his memory by all who know him is that he was one of the most generous and liberal of men. He ,helped the needy with free, .and generous hand and, did all within his power to promote the 'best interests of the township in which he lived. A strong head, warm heart and generous impulses made him a citizen of great benefit to the people and his death, which occurred in 1875, at the age of sixty-three, was greatly deplored, by all who knew him. Rachel Payne, who became the wife of George Hudson Davidson, was born in Maryland, but when. quite young was taken to Knox county, Ohio, by her parents, Raphael and Winifred (Porter) Payne. Raphael Payne was one of the early pioneers of Knox county and is said to have operated the first tannery in that part of the state. For a number of years he did a large and thriving business as a manufacturer of leather in the town of .Danville and became quite well-to-do. He died at the age of seventy and his wife, who survived, hith some time, was called to the other life when about eighty years old. Mrs. Rachel Davidson bore her husband fourteen children and departed this life on the old homestead in Salem. township in her seventy-fifth year. Of her family, seven were sons and seven daughters; three dying young and eleven growing to mature years. The first born of this large family was the subject of this Sketch, after whom, in order of birth, came Mary, who still lives on the home farm; Eliza Jane, wife of Matthew! Orian, died at the age of fifty; John, a prosperous farmer of Tymochtee township; Elias, who died in 1899, aged fifty-three years, was a farmer and contractor and became Widely know throughout Wyandot and adjoining counties; Winifred is the wife of Henry W. Karr, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Huldah Ann, wife of Mark Kenfield, died when about forty years old; Geneva has never left the old place; Clara. F.; who died at the age of forty, was the wife of James Huett, of this county; James M. died at an early age, and Rachael Emeline, like her two sisters previously mentioned, is still a member of the home circle. and a teacher by. profession. As stated in a preceding paragraph, the subject's paternal grandfather, William Davidson, was one of the early iron manfacturers of Connellsville, Penn. He came to the' United States from. the north of Ireland and was descended from Scotch ancestors who settled in the Emerald Isle a great many years ago. He owned what was known as the Laurel Hill. Furnace, at Connellsville, and for Many years did a large and lucrative business in smelting ore and dealing in the manufactured product. He lived to be quite old, being in his eighty-fourth year. His wife, whose family name was Hulda Thorp, survived him a short BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 453 time, dying at the adVanced age of eighty-six. William Davidson, to a review of whose life we now turn, was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, on the 25th day of August, 1837. ntil the age of sixteen he assisted his father on the farm and then accepted a clerkship with a mercantile firth, in which capacity he continued a little more than one ear. In 1857 he came to Wyandot county and for about four years thereafter worked on the home place, as his father's manager, the latter being incapacitated from active labor by reason of infirmities incident to advanced age. He continued as his father's assistant until 1861, when he leased the place and engaged in farming upon his own responsibility. During the ten years following he divided, his attention between agriculture and teaming, devoting the spring, summer and part of he autumn to the former and the winter as on to the latter. A large; part of his time was taken up in hauling logs to a saw-ill and later, about 1867, in partnership with his brother-in-law, he purchased the mill and for a period of two years manufactured lumber with. fairly successful results. Disposing of his interest in the mill, Mr. Davidson purchased ten acres of land Salem township, to which he subsequent made additions until the place was in-eased one hundred and thirty acres. On is farm, he has since lived and his advancement as an enterprising and thrifty agriculturist has placed him among the most substantial men of Salem township. Upon the premises he has erected a good, dwelling, which is well finished and furnished, a commodious barn and convenient outbuildings, while the general appearance of the well cultivated fields indicates the presence of a man familiar with the most approved methods of modern husbandry. As a public-spirited citizen, Mr. Davidson is exemplary, being, an influential worker in the Democratic party, and taking an intelligent and active interest in all questions of the day. He began for himself poor in this world's goods, going in debt for his first ten acres of land, but through industry and good judgment he gradually forged to the front until he is now the possessor of a competence which puts him in a condition of independence as far as the future is concerned. Not only has he met with well deserved success in his chosen calling, but as an honorable man, upright in all his dealings, no one stands higher in the esteem and confidence of the people of his neighborhood. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, educationally and financially, while his long residence in Wyanclot has made his name widely and favorably known among the best citizens of the county. On the 6th day of October, 1861, was solemnized the marriage of William Davidson and Miss Eliza J. Mincer, daughter of William and Susan (Rakestraw) Mincer, a union blessed with tWo children : Etta D., formerly one of the county's successful teachers, but now the wife of Henry Fleck.; and Ella W., who married John Kemmerley, a farmer and contractor of Crawford township. Mrs. Davidson was born October 27, 1833, in Columbiana county, this state, and she has been a true and devoted helpmate to her husband, aiding him by her wise counsel and contributing much to the success he has attained. Her father, a native of New Jersey, be- 454 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. came a citizen of Wyandot county about the year 1846 and purchased a tract of timber land in Ridge township, which he cleared and otherwise greatly improved. He spent the rest of his life in this place, dying at the age of seventy-two. His wife lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five years; she was the mother of seven Children, two of whom died in infancy. David Mincer, father. of William, was a native of Germany. He came to the United States when twelve years old and. settled in New Jersey, thence in middle life moving to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he finished his earthly career. He was one of the pioneers of Columbiana county and lived to see the county developed from a wilderness to one of the most progressive and enlightened sections of the state; he departed this life at a good old age, being in his eighty-first year when summoned to the other world. WILLIAM F. SMITH. Among the natives of Pennsylvania who thought to better their condition by a removal to Ohio, is the subject of this sketch. He is of Germanic descent, one that is famous for the frugality, industry and the honesty of its members. Although his birth occurred in Bedford county, Penn., in 1833, the parents were German's. and came to America at an early period. Their names were Adam and Elizabeth (Wehm) Smith and they reared three sons and five daughters Caroline; Margaret ; Henrietta; Ellen; Sophia, wife of William Ryber, of Kirby ; George L. ; William' F. ; and Reuben., of whom but three are living, viz : Ellen, Sophia, and the subject of this sketch. Reuben died while in the service of his country during the Rebellion. He enlisted and was sent to the front was .a participant in many engagements, marches and skirmishes, and finally gave up his life in the bloody battle of Winchester. When he subject of this biography was six months old, his parents removed from Pennsylvania to Richland county, Ohio; they continued to reside. there until 1851, when they changed their residence to Mifflin township, Wyandot county, and settled on the farm where Mr. Fox now resides. Here, in 1854, the father died, whereupon William F. took. charge of the farm. The family lived in. the township of Mifflin until 1869, when they removed to Bucyrus, where William. F. engaged in the manufacture of brick, continuing the same with success for two years. He then removed to Marseilles and was given the contract to make the brick for the public school building, which work engaged his attention, for some months. Following this, he bought a farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Marseilles township, upon which he resided for a period of eight years, when he bought another farm in Mifflin township, and .here he has continued to live to the present time. He now owns one hundred and eighteen acres of unusually fertile land and carries on general farming, besides raising considerable stock for the markets. As a farm manager, he is more than ordinarily successful. On December 26, 1854, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stevens, who is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. To them have been born the following family : Josiah J., a teacher, living at Marseilles; George W., a real-estate dealer BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 455 of Patterson, Ohio; John A., a farmer of Sycamore township; Reuben E., who is engaged in farming in Ashland county;. William V., formerly a teacher in the public schools of Cleveland, but now engaged in the oil industry ; Eleanora May, wife of Ambrose Baldwin, of Salt Rock township, Marion county. The different members of, the family are highly respected in their respective communities. Mr. Smith served his township as trustee for two terms, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party. Himself and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for over forty years. They are strong supporters of the common. schools, of churches, and of all worthy movements to improve the community in which they live. BENJAMIN WILLIAMS. At the close of the Revolution and for many years thereafter the New England states sent many of their best citizens. into the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The state of Connecticut held a large reserve in the northern part of Ohio, and there many of her citizens. settled on land given them in return for their service in the Continental army. This circumstance was the means of bringing hundreds of others from that state to all parts of Ohio, and in fact to the whole west...It was not an unusual thing for score's of families, from the same neighborhood in the east to move west together and secure land in the same. county. And long afterward families which came west moved to the same counties to be near somebody they had formerly known. The family represented by the subject of this memoir came originally from Connecticut, lived first in New York and then came to Ohio. His grandfather was a native of Wales, while his grandmother was of French ancestry. Benjamin was born in Windham county; Conn., September 17, 1819, his parents being Raymond and Eunice (Eastman) Williams, to whom a family of ten-children were born, eight sons and two daughters. Raymond removed from Connecticut to Oswego county, N. Y., about the year 1822, and there resided until 1838,. when he sold out and with all his family came by Wagon to Ohio. He located in Salt Rock township, Marion county, where he purchased eighty acres: of land, upon which considerable improvements had already been made. Later, at the, land sale, he bought considerable more in Pitt township and elsewhere. In 1845 he came to Pitt township. and located on the farm now occupied by the Lewis brothers. Here he resided until 1852, when he removed to Indiana and. there lived until his death in 1876. Grandfather Raymond lived to the great age of one hundred and five years. He was a descendant of Roger Williams, and his son, Raymond, Jr., served his country in the war of 1812,. and later was a pensioner of that war. His wife, the mother of subject, died in 1845, at the age of forty-eight years. When the subject of this sketch was nineteen years. old he came with his father's family to Ohio, but two years later he began work on his. own account. About this time he was placed in charge of the Wyandot Indians' saw-mill, at what is now called the Indian mills. This he conducted successfully for about four months, when he returned home 456 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS and remained until the spring of 1842. He then Was sent to New York with a drove of horses, which were sold to good advantage, after which 'he worked on a farm in that state for six months, when he returned to Ohio. He worked the succeeding summer on a farm here and the following spring took six horses to New York and sold them at good prices. While in New York on this trip he concluded that it was not good for man to live alone, and accordingly he married, which was undoubtedly one of the best business strokes. he had yet made. After his marriage he came back to Ohio and lived on a rented farm in Marion county for three years, at which time be entered from the government the tract upon which he now lives. This tract was bought in 1846 and was located upon in 1847. Here he has lived from that day to this, except three years. He now owns two hundred and forty-six acres, all constituting a fine farm; besides this he owns a residence property in Upper Sandusky. He has been extensively engaged in the rearing of stock and in general farming. He has made a specialty of sheep rearing, and has also raised some fine horses, among which is the trotting stallion "Ambassador," which won the stake race of Ohio at the State Breeders' Association meeting. This horse, with a trotting record of 2 :21, was finally sold for seventeen thousand dollars. Mr. Williams has bred other fast horses. Mr. Williams was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth. Hitchcock and by her had seven children:. Mary J.; Ann A., at home; Volney E., of Pitt township; Frank, deceased; John, who lives in Pitt township; William, deceased ; Frank, also of Pitt township. Mr. Williams is now far advanced in years, having lived longer than the time allotted by the psalmist. His life has been one of great industry, and he has built up a comfortable home and a name that is above reproach. He is interested in all matters of import to the community, and has served in various positions of trust greatly to his own credit. He held the office of trustee of Pitt township for two years, county coroner ten .years, and school director for twenty-nine years, there being an intermission of but two years in the latter period. He has not missed casting his vote at any election, except one, for fifty-seven years. He is an unswerving Democrat and takes much interest in the success of his party. Few citizens have led a more useful and none a more honorable life. He was vice-president of the Wyandot County Agricultural Society four years, and was a member of the board of agriculture for fourteen years. He has in his possession. the old parchment deed calling for eighty acres in Pitt township, the present home. It bears the signature of President James K. Polk and the date of execution was November 5, 1846. Probably he is the only living citizen of Wyaridot county who is living on the same land entered from the government. Mr. Williams has also an old commission as coroner issued by Gov. Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, the "father of greenbacks." PETER BRAND. The people who constitute the bone and Sinew of this country are not those who are unstable and unsettled, who, fly from this occupation to that, who do not know where PAGES 457 - 458 MISSING FROM THE BOOK BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 459 the former by occupation a farmer and miller. George Burson lived in Virginia until about 1835, when he came to Wyandot county, Ohio, and here he spent the remaining years of his life, dying in 1850 at the age of sixty-five. His wife also died in this county, having reached her seventy-fourth year when called to the other life. They were members of the Society ,of Friends, very religious and they exerted an influence for good upon all with whom they came in contact. In early life Mr. Burson was quite successful in accumulating property, but in the kindness of his heart he went security for several of his neighbors who left him to meet the obligations when they became due. From these financial reverses he never succeeded in rallying, and at the time of his death his circumstances were comparatively straitened. The family of George and Susanna Burson was a very large one, consisting of fourteen children, the majority of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Elijah Burson, Sr., father of the subject, was born in Logan county, Va., November 27, 1807, and at the age of sixteen accompanied his parents to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he greW to manhood and married. His first wife, Mary Ward, of Columbiana county, bore him two children and died shortly after the family moved to Wyandot ; one of the children died in infancy, and the other, William. by name, lived to be twenty-one years, old. Mr. Burson chose for his second wife Miss Eliza Jane Parker, who came with her parents to this country when young, settling in Crawford township, where her father, William Parker, became a successful farmer. He died in middle life, but his. wife, Rachel, lived to be quite old before: responding to the summons to the other world. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and are remembered as an excellent couple, deeply religious, and for many years active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Eliza Jane Burson spent the greater part of her life in Wyandot county, and died at her home in Richland townShip when fifty-two years of age. All of her nine children grew to maturity, and it is said to their credit that not one ever disgraced his early training or in any way reflected dishonor upon the fair name of the family. Their names are as follows : Irene, deceased ; Susanna, deceased ; , Lydia, deceased ; Rachel; Maryett, deceased ; Elijah M.; Lizzie; Laura, deceased ; and Charles F., all born in the state of Ohio. The father of these children was a man of local prominence, an active Republican in his political views, and liberal in all the term implies. He settled in Crawford town-- ship about 1835, and became one of the successful farmers of that part of the county, and also one of its most enterprising and highly respected citizens. He spent much of his in:come in helping the poor and destitute of the community, and earned the reputation of a sincere benefactor of his fellow man.. On coming to Wyandot county, he entered ninety-four acres of government land, which he developed into a fine farm, and subsequently from time to time he came into possession of other real estate until his holdings. represented over four hundred acres. He was one of the first settlers; of Crawford township and lived there many years. Later, about 1850, he moved across the line into the township of Richland, where he spent the re-- 460 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS mainder of his life, dying on the 6th day of December, 1886. Few men have exerted a more potent or wholesome influence among the early pioneers of Wyandot county than Elijah Burson. To know his duty was equivalent to doing it, and he always endeavored to advance the standard of citizenship, and labored earnestly for the good of his fellow men. He left the impress of his strong and vigorous personality deeply stamped upon; the community which he assisted to found, and his name will be cherished by his numerous friends. and neighbors for many years to come. The following extract from an obituary published in a county paper will afford the reader a fair idea of the characteristics and personal worth of this sturdy pioneer and excellent citizen: "Elijah Burson was a typical backwoods, man and early settler of the far west; a man of strong physique, being six feet in height, but like most meri of that day he was genial and hearty and always ready to lend a willing hand to the needy. He was a man of good judgment and sterling honesty of character, sympathetic and affectionate in his family relations, and died respected by all as an honest man." Elijah M. Burson, whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, dates his birth from the 17th day of February, 1851, and he first saw the light of day in Richland township, Wyandot county. Reared on a farm, his early years were marked. by honest toil, and in the. common schOols lie received an educational training which fitted him to discharge creditably the duties of a very active life as an agriculturist and stock raiser. He remained on the home place until attaining his majority and then engaged in husbandry for himself on rented land, continuing thus for about, two years. At the end eif that time his father deeded him forty-seven acres and this, with twenty-three acres since added, constitutes the beautiful and comfortable home where he has since lived and prospered. Mr. Burson's farm, though small, is a model of neatness and successful tillage and from it he receives more liberal returns than are realized by many from much larger places. He understands every minutiae of agriculture and employs modern methods in prosecuting his labors. He has erected substantial buildings and surrounded himself with many of the conveniences and comforts of life—his place being among the most highly improved in the township, the well tilled fields and thrifty appearance of everything upon. the premises indicating his careful and progressive spirit. A valuable relic in the possession of Mr. Burson is an old parchment patent executed December 30, 1835, and bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson. It calls for ninety-four acres of land, which one of the Bursons purchased from the government and is one of the oldest instruments of the kind in the county of Wyandot. Mr. Burson was united in marriage October 27, 1872, with Miss Sarah Jane Savage, daughter of Foster W. Savage, of this county. Mrs. Burson was born January 20, 1854, in Salem township, grew to maturity and received her education not far from the place of her birth. One child has blessed the above union, Earl Stanley Burson, a bright and manly youth of fourteen years. Being the only child, this son has received more attention than falls to the lot of the majority of country lads. No reasonable means have been spared in! providing him with the best BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 461 educational advantages obtainable and from the progress made in his various studies it appears that he has made the most of his opportunities. He is an exceedingly bright and popular student, being especially apt in mathematics, in which branch he carries the honor of his school. He will soon take the Boxwell examination and has already formulated his plans for a useful life. Earl has developed exceptional . abilities as a musician, being a skilled performer upon several kinds of instruments; as organist of the church to which he belongs he has achieved an enviable reputation and he will no, doubt distinguish himself in the musical world if he cultivates the talents with which he is endowed. Mr. Burson has been a supporter of the Republican party since old enough to exercise the rights of citizenship, but he is by no means. a partisan or active political worker. In religion he subscribeS to the United Brethren creed and for a number of years had held the position of class leader, trustee and treasurer in the local congregation, with which both himself and wife and son, Earl, are connected. Mr. Burson has. always been an honorable upright man, industrious, temperate, economical and in every way exemplary in his daily life and conduct. He has performed well his part as a factor Of the. body politic and no one questions his standing as one of the leading farmers and enterprising citizens of the township in which he fives. ABRAHAM SWARTZ. Abraham. Swartz, well-known farmer of Antrim township, Wyandot county, Ohio, is one of those whole-souled, large-hearted individuals wild, are constantly adding to the number of their. friends by their disinterested kindness and their genial natures. The spelling of the family name has become somewhat changed from the original German style, which was. "Schwartz." The immediate progenitors of the subject of this sketch were of the old Pennsylvania-German stock. Mr. Swartz was born in Perry township, Morrow county,. Ohio, March 14, 185o, and is a son of Abraham and Caroline (Balleit) Swartz, both natives of Schuylkill county, Penn. The father. was born February 14, 1819, and the mother on May 19, 1822. The former is yet living at the age of eighty-three, but the mother passed away April 23, 1901, at the age of seventy-nine years. They moved to Richland county, Ohio, in 1838 when it was sparsely settled: and much of it was wild land. Here he bought land, which he cleared and farmed for about twentysix years, when he moved to Morrow county, where our subject. first made his appearance. In 1876 he brought his family to Wyandot county, Ohio, and purchased a farm. in Antrim township, clearing about twenty-five acres of it and making it his home until 1901, when he moved to Nevada, where he and his estimable wife are now living. He is a man of many admirable traits who is honored and esteemed by a very large circle of acquaintances and friends. He supports the Democratic ticket, but has never aspired to office. In religion they are consistent members of the German Lutheran church. Eight children were born to them, namely : Hannah, who passed into the ,realms of immortality in 1895, was the wife of Samuel Wertman; Henry, who married Mina Vickroy and is a prosperous 462 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. farmer of Antrim township ; Abraham, our subject; Emanuel, who died at the tender age of ten years; Katie, wife of John Gongwer, a drayman of Nevada; Alice, wife of Charles Keller, an agriculturist, of North Dakota; John and Charles, a farmer who married Miss Cora Bretz. Abraham Swartz remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-four years of age when he removed on to a farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, which he purchased and which was situated in section 31, Antrim township, and consisted of fine prairie land. He lived there until 1890, when he sold it and bought two hundred acres in section 20; part of which was the Swartz homestead. He carries on general farming and is one of the leading farmers of, Antrim township, carrying on his work after the most approved methods and prospering in his efforts. He continued in active farming operations until in October, 1899, when he turned the farm over to the management of his son and moved into Nevada, where he will make his home and enjoy a surcease from the toil which has hitherto marked his life. Mr. Swartz became a benedict November 9, 1876, when he was wedded to Miss Amanda Smith, a resident of Wyandot county, and a daughter of Jacob and Phoebe (Fought). Smith, both of whom are natives of Perry county, this state. Her parents became residents of Wyandot county in 1843, settling in Pitt township, where they still reside, both at the age of eighty-one years. She was born July 8, 1855, in Wyandot county, Ohio, and is one of seven children, four only of whom are now living. They are Sarah, who married Jacob Bender, of Pitt township; Elizabeth, wife of John Swartz, of Antrim township; Matilda, deceased; Samuel, deceased; Amanida, wife of Abraham Swartz; Louisa, deceased; and Fianna. Mrs. Swartz received her education in the common schools and for a quarter of a century has been a true helpmeet to her husband. Four children: have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Swartz, namely: Ira Stanton, who. married Miss. Daisy Harvey and. is the father of two daughters, Twilla Amanda and Thelma Rosalie, lives on his father's farm and has charge of it; a daughter that died in infancy; Rollin Edison, who is taking the intermediate school studies, and a son who died in infancy. Young Swartz is an exemplary young man who is following closely in the footsteps of his father and in a few years will be ,found among the front ranks of progressive agriculturists. Mr. Swartz is a Democrat, but has been too much taken up with his farming operations to enter the political arena for office. He is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias, Nevada Lodge, No. 234, and belongs to Tent No. 301, Knights of the Maccabees, of Little Sandusky. He is a man of honor and integrity who counts his friends by the score. Mr. Swartz has erected a beautiful modern cottage home on. South Center street and, with its outbuildings and other improvements, is now one of the best houses in Nevada. SAMUEL G. LILES. This valiant ex-soldier of the Civil war, now a resident of Jackson township, Wyandot county, Ohio, is a native of the county and was born in Richland township Septem- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 463 ber 23, 1843. His father, Isaiah Liles, was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 27, 1818, and was a son of Lemuel Liles, who was born in South Carolina in 1779, served in the war of 1812, later came to Ohio, where he followed his. vocation of farmer in Ross county and also officiated in his capacity of a Methodist clergyman. In Ross. county, also, Lemuel married Harriet Deringer. Isaiah Liles, hoWever, was reared in Logan county and in 1839 came to Wyandot county and purchased seven hundred acres of land. He furnished. timber to the Pennsylvania Railway Company, partly from his own forest and partly through purchase. He was married in Wayne county to Miss Catherine Young and to, this union were born seven children, viz. : Samuel G., a farmer in Jackson township; Joseph. A., whose biography will be found on another page; Margaret, who has 'been twice married, first to James Morrison, and now to Henry Shriver, of Jackson township; Charlotte Ann, who was called away when quite young; Elvira, who died in 1874, the wife of Lewis Ellis, and the mother of two children, George and Lucy; Lemuel, who married Alice Healy and died in 1894; and Plimpton J., who has, retired to private life and has his residence in Forest, Ohio. The father of this family; Isaiah Liles, was a stock dealer and land agent, was a very influential and popular citizen, and for twenty-five years was clerk of the board of education, but never held an elective office. In politics. he was first a Whig, but when that party became disintegrated and its members merged into the Republican party, he became identified with the latter. In religion he was a Methodist and was very active in church work, being a class-leader, and in this faith he died April 16, 1889. His widow now makes. her home in Richland township, and she, as was her late husband, is greatly respected for her many amiable traits of character. Samuel G. Liles lived with his parents on the homestead until the dire clash of arms aroused his patriotic ardor beyond control, and when but seventeen years old he enlisted August, 23, 1861, in Company I, Forty-ninth. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served three years. He took part in every engagement in which his regiment had a share until he re-enlisted September 24, 1864, in the One Hundred and. Eightieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 12, 1865; three months after. hostilities had been brought to an end when he was honorably discharged. There were two memorable dates in connection with the subject's soldier life. The first was April 9, 1865, when General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomatox. At that time. Mr. Liles regiment was at Salisbury, N. C.,. ready to engage in battle with the Confederates under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and the news of Lee's surrender caused the wildest joy throughout the Union , army: However, five days later came the sad news, of the assassination of the beloved president, and the joy of the soldiers was turned to the deepest sorrow. Although Lieutenant Liles shared in encampments, marches, skirmishes and engagements innumerable, he was never, sick nor wounded, and, performed every duty faithfully and with. enduring fortitude. On his return home Lieutenant Liles resumed the occupations of peace, and October 25, 1805, married Miss Mary E. Giester, a native of Basle, Switzerland, and a daugh- 464 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. ter of Henry and Anna (Snyder) Giester. This union has been graced with one child, Isaiah R., who was born October 13, 1885. Mr. Liles then purchased eighty acres of wild land in section 2, Jackson township, of which he cleared forty acres. He improved it lived on it seven years, and then went to Birmingham, Iowa, where he engaged in the dry goods trade! one year. Thence he went to Healdsburg, Cal., and for ten years conducted a boot and shoe store; he next went to Tombstone, Ariz, where he was in the mining business eighteen months, and then in 1883 came back to Wyandot county and settled on his present farm of sixty-one acres, which was formerly known. as the Dempsey place. Here he carries on general farming and is as prosperous as his best friends could wish him to be. In politics Mr. Liles is a stanch Republican and takes an especially active interest in his party's affairs.. He has. been president of the board of education for twelve years and is also a member of the board of road supervisors. He is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 236, of Forest, Hardin county; also of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 136, of Birmingham, Iowa, and of Grange No. 283, P. of H:, of Jackson township, Wyandot county. He is well known throughout the county, is exceedingly popular, and he and his wife mingle with the best society of the county and township, being sincerely respected for their many personal good qualities. MARTIN BAEHR. In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom, the biographer now calls the reader's attention, was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life. Martin Baehr, the popular and well known livery man of Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, Ohio, is a native of the fatherland, having been born on the 28th of October, 1858, in Baden, Althushim, Germany. His parents, were George and Catherine (Roherman) Baehr, both natives of the same locality. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but upon his emigration to the United States engaged in farming in Salem township, Wyandot county. His death occurred in 1882 while on a visit to Germany, and he was buried at Rotterdam. He was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, lived to the age of fifty-eight years, and passed away in Upper Sandusky on the loth of April, 1882. She also was an earnest and consistent member of the Lutheran church and reared a, family of six children. Martin Baehr lived at the parental home in the fatherland until fifteen years old, at which. time he accompanied his parents on their voyager to .the United States. They embarked on the steamer "king William" on the 21st of June, 1873, and landed at New York city on the 9th of July. Upon reaching the new home in the Buckeye state, Martin willingly went to work to assist his parents and for about eight years manfully bore his share of the arduous toil of the BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 465 farm. At the end of that time he began working by the month at farm labor and continued in. that capacity about four years. He then married, and desiring a home of his own, rented a farm for about ten years, after which he ran a dairy one year. Corn ing to Upper Sandusky he engaged in the livery business for about. three years. The next three years he combined the agricultural implement business, with the other line and conducted them together. He then disposed of the implement stock and has ever since confined his energies solely to the livery business. Mr. Baehr chose, for a companion Miss Matilda Hassly, of Salem township, Wyandot county, and the fruits of this happy union have been two daughters., Edna Pearl and Ruthcile, both at home. Politically Mr. Baehr is an active and uncompromising advocate of Democratic policies, and principles, and has been honored by his party as a member of the city council, in which he is now serving his second term. His record in that body has been a commendable one and he enjoys the respect and esteem of his constituents in a high degree. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in Lodge No. 174. of Upper Sandusky, and belonging to the Uniform Rank, No. 94, and to the National Union. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Warpole Lodge, No. 176, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Baehr are both active and consistent members of the Lutheran church. The business career of Mr. Baehr is one that should encourage others to, press on to greater achievements.. When he came to Ohio, without money or influence to aid him, he set to work to overcome all difficulties that might lay in his path to success, and the high standing which he now enjoys is the result. Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good management and a laudable ambition—these are the elements which brought him, prosperity. His career has ever been such as to warrant: the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow men. What the world needs is such men—men. of genuine worth, of unquestioned integrity and honor. MARION B. MYERS. Less than a hundred years. ago the farmer of this country was almost wholly independent of every other business. He raised all his food on his farm, his wife and daughters made his clothing and required very few things from outside sources. Even his boots and shoes were made at his own home from his own leather by traveling shoemakers. As time progressed, however, he was obliged to relinquish much of this labor to other artisans under a division of labor and a closer union of the various industries. Now, his shoes are made at one factory, his coat at another, his hat at another, his shirt at another, and so on through the list of all he wears and even to a portion of what he eats. It is a fact that many farmers of today sell their hogs and buy their bacon, and even sell their cattle and buy their beef, sell their wheat and buy their flour, etc. Thus, while the farmer is not so independent, he has greater advantage's. The father of our 466 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. subject was not a farmer, but nevertheless contributed to the wealth of the state in an industry no less important He was a miller Most of his life, and supplied a large section of the surrounding counties with products. George Myers was born in Cumberland county, Penn., in 182o, and when a young than married Miss Elizabeth Baker, of the same place, and to them were born a family of eight children, as follows: Mary, the wife of George H. Handy, who lives in Toledo; Ann, the wife of Harvey Griffith, of Sycamore; Jane, who resides in this township; Ellis, who lives in Kesota, Minnesota; Virginia, deceased; John, deceased; Rebecca, deceased and the subject, the latter's birth occurring on November 2, 1855, at Indian Mills, Crane township. In 1848 George Myers came with his family by wagon to Wyandot county, where he purchased the Indian Mills of the government, and began to operate the same. He made a success of the same and continued until 1865, when he sold out and moved to Upper Sandusky, at which plaice he established a handle factory and about the same time began operating a saw-mill. Both of these business enterprises he conducted with success and profit until his death on February 16, 1887. He was a man of much intelligence and force of character, and became prominent in the civic affairs of his community. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, and as such was elected justice of the peace many years, and was finally chosen mayor of the town. During his administration of city affairs, many needed reforms were instituted and the town was placed in much better financial condition. He was an active member of the Methodist. Episcopal church, and had strong convictions of morals and duty. Though his education was none of the best, he was a wide reader and student of public questions. His wife having died in 1857, he married Miss Harriet Wysong, who bore him two children : Shirley, and Carrie, the wife of Herbert Gregg. His third marriage was to Susan E. Spahr, with whom he was united in the fall of 1866. To this union were born two children, of whom the only one living is Alfred H., a resident of Wyoming: Mrs. Myers makes her home in Chicago, Ills.: Subject was nine years old when his father moved to Upper Sandusky. There he was reared and educated, having excellent advantages. When sixteen years of age he began working at the blacksmith trade with John Seider, and continued with him for seven years. He then came to Harpster and opened a shop of his own. continuing from 1879 to 1885. At the latter date he engaged in farming, and has continued the same down to the present time. October 15, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss. Sarah J., daughter of John Wood, and by her he has four children: Anna; John, deceased ; Catherine and Mary. He has four hundred acres of land and carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a member of the Republican party and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the progressive citizens of the county. SAMUEL McCLAIN. Very often it is greatly to the advantage of the farmer's boy that instead of rushing off to the town to become a poor grocery clerk or tavern keeper, he remains BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 467 in the country where he was brought up and where he knows what is necessary to make an honest living. He knows when and how to seed and harvest his. crops and knows what is needed to insure success in the rearing and sale of stock. If he leaves for the town he must learn another business and enter into competition with men who have grown up to the business which he must acquire. He is thus greatly at a disadvantage. This is said for the benefit of boys who have a start in farm business—who are owners of small farms. The farmer boy who has to start at the very bottom when be begins for himself is bound to experience the greatest trials and to pass through the most severe schooling before he can rise above the surface and show, his head. But in time true worth will always tell, as it did. in the case of the subject of this memoir. Samuel McClain was born. in Pitt township, Wyandot county, Ohio, September 11, 1846, and is. the son of Thomas McClain who was born in. Greene county, Penn.,. in 1817, though he traces his ancestry back to "bonnie Scotland, the land of the thistle." Thomas passed his youth in his native state, attending the district schools and working on a farm. When he reached the age of nineteen he came with his father, David, to Wyan.dot county, Ohio, and settled in Pitt township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres, where John Moore now resides. There the grandfather of subject passed the remainder of his days, having lived a long and useful life. In his early manhood Thomas McClain married Miss Rosanna Bowsher, who bOre him eight children, as follows : David, deceased; Martha, deceased; Anthony, who is now a resident of Iowa; Malinda, who is the widow of Jacob Kiser ; Leefe, deceased; subject ; Annie, the wife of Abraham Hunt; Swan, deceased; Thomas, deceased. By his second marriage, to Miss Mafy Kepfer, he had the following children : James, who lives in Kansas ; Rosilla and Charley, both residents of Pitt township. Rosilla is the wife of Henry Snider, an agriculturist, and they are the parents of two children. Charley married Miss Anna Wagner. He has one child by a former marriage, and by his present union also has one, James, who is married and a resident of Kansas. In due time Thomas McClain. purchased, two hundred and twenty acres in Pitt township, and upon that farm, resided until his death, March 1, 1891. At the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred acres, much of which was cleared and which was well stocked. He pursued farming, stock raising and general trading, and showed excellent judgment in his business operations. He soon came to be recognized as one of the most prominent farmers in this part of the county. He took a strong interest in. the affairs of the county, was wide-awake on all important questions. of the day, and had a comprehensive grasp of the problems of local government. So highly was he regarded by his fellow citizens that he was elected in 1869 to the office of county commissioner, and continued to serve in that responsible position until 1875. During his term of office many important question's came up before the board for settlement. He possessed exceptional powers of mind and judgment and served the county honorably and well He served also as trustee of Pitt township. In politics he affiliated with the Republicans, though. he was formerly an old-line Whig; in the success of which parties he was deeply 468 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS interested. He was a man of strong character and was an active factor in the development of Wyandot county. He was energetic and was signally successful in his business affairs. He was at skillful veterinary surgeon, being well-known as such throughout Wyandot county. Subject was reared on his father's farm, securing the usual educational advantages and learning in detail the business of farm management. December 24, 1872, he married Mary Minerva Straw, daughter of David Straw, who was born in Waterbury, Vt., March 28, 1801, and in 1831, when twenty-five years of age, came with his parents to Ohio, settling on a farm near Bowsherville. David Straw married at the age of forty years, Miss Rebecca Jane Williams, by whom he had four children: Tunis, deceased ; subject's, wife; Cornelia, deceased; Iva, deceased. Mrs. Straw's father, George Williams, was a native of Pennsylvania. Her mother was born September 2, 1829, and died at the age of fifty-five years. David Straw passed away February 28, 1862, well advanced in years and having the high regard of all who knew him. He farmed on a large scale and dealt extensively in hogs, sheep and cattle. The land now occupied by the subject was a part of his old farm, he having owned five hundred and twenty-five acres at the time of his death. To the subject and wife two, children were .born James, who married Miss Jesse HugheS, is a practical agriculturist and stock raiser in this township, arid Nellie; at home. In 1874 Mr. McClain moved to the farm where he now resides. He now owns a total of four hundred and sixteen acres in three different farms in Pitt and Mifflin townships. He is one of the most Prominent citizens of the county. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. Mr. McClain has in his possession three old parchment deeds, executed. November 5, 1846, one calling for forty-three acres and another for one hundred and eight acres. As relics these old deeds are highly, valued in the McClain home. In the social circles of Mifflin township the subject and his Wife stand high and none are more deserving of the honor and esteem of the community. Christopher Weist and Mary Wild / Wilt Weist John Gilbert Weist and Emma Catherine Swinehart Weist JOHN G. WEIST. There is a vast difference between the means of crossing the Atlantic ocean now and what they were fifty and sixty years ago. At the present day emigrants come across in from six to ten days on one of the great liners. Of course, in order to save cost, they take steerage passage, but the accommodations even then are good and comfortable. Sixty years ago, in order to save expense, the emigrants came almost always by slow sailing vessels that required fully a month to cross from Germany to New York. This meant what seemed to be endless tossing and protracted sea-sickness, so that very often, when New York harbor was reached, the emigrant and his family were gaunt skeletons who set foot on land again with the feeling that they had just come to life once more. Very often six weeks were consumed on the trip, but the emigrant counted the saving as so much earned during the eventful period on the ocean. The family represented by our subject was one of those to thus cross the At- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 469 lantic. Christopher Weist, father of John G., came from Baden, Germany, when he was fifteen years old with his father across the ocean on just such a vessel. He lived in this country until his death, which occurred April 9, 1901, at the age of seventy-years and twenty days. Upon their arrival in this country the family located in New York state for about six months and later removed to Richland township, Marion county, Ohio, where the elder Weist, whose name was also Christopher, bought forty acres of wild land, all being coveted with impenetrable forests. A small clearing was made, a log cabin erected and the tiresome task was begun of clearing off the timber. The father of our subject took care of his parents until their deaths and the old farm came to him, to which he added later other tracts. He married Miss Mary Wilt, a native of Alsace, France, who died December 19, 1889, at the age of fifty-eight yeats, five months and seventeen days. After living on the old place for several years he sold out and moved to Little Sandusky; and later bought two hundred acres upon which he lived until his death. The children of the elder Weist were as follows Christina; deceased ; John, now living in Iowa; Barbara; Philip; Caroline, living in Marion county; Christian, living in Ashley, Ohio. The father of our subject was one of the first stage drivers in the section of country, between Zanesville and Bellevernon, and was thus engaged for the period of sixteen years. To himself and wife the following children were born Louisa, who married William Burbaugh; Barbara, who married Samuel Burbaugh, of Hardin county, Ohio; John G., subject; Samuel, who married Alice Worden, of Little Sandusky ; Caroline; who died young; Lena, who married Frank Montee, of Pitt township; Caroline, who, married A. Eversole and lives in Upper Sandusky ; Tena, who married Samuel Hughes, who lives near Harpster; Christopher, who died aged twenty-four years; Maggie is the wife of William Hughes. and lives near Harpster; Charley married Miss. Bertha Coons and lives near Little Sandusky; a child that died in infancy. Our subject was born March 24, 1855, and remained at home until his marriage, January 14, 1875, to Miss Emma Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Kelly) Swinehart, of Perry county, Ohio. She was born December 16, 1855, in Wyandot county, Ohio, and was reared in that county. The latter were among the early settlers of Pitt township, coming in while the Indians, were still here. Mr. Swinehart was a farmer and carpenter, and a man of excellent principles and habits. He died December 25, 1883, and his, widow December 29,. 1886. These children were born to the Swineharts: John, deceased; Elizabeth; Jane, deceased; Mary ; Sarah; Joseph; Tena; Lydia, deceased; our subject's wife; Daisy May; Alvador; and Maude C. Of these, Daisy May has a marked taste for music, and is accomplished in that art, both vocally and instrumentally. In 1875 John G. Weist bought his present place in Antrim township. He first bought eighty acres and was obliged to go in debt for the same. But he went to work and soon paid for it, and ere long bought other tracts until he now owns a total of over one hundred and eighty-six acres of valuable land. He is an industrious, wide-awake and thoroughly honest man and a good citizen. He raises grain and cattle and is very skillful 470 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. in his dealings with the latter. He also makes a specialty of sheep, in which he is successful, and has a flock of about three hundred head of the Delain and Shropshire breeds. He is a Democrat, but is not an office seeker, though he takes much interest in selecting honest men to administer the affairs of government, casting his ballot for the best man regardless of party lines. His first presidential vote was cast in 1876 for S. J. Tilden.. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the few self-made men of this community, and has the highest respect of all persons who know him. Fraternally Mr. Weist, with his son, Alvador, is a member of Tent-No. 301, K. O. T. M., at Little Sandusky, Ohio. MICHAEL BOWER. This old settler is so well and favorably known that it seems almost superfluous to enter into the details of his uneventful life. He was born near Cayuga Springs, Cayuga -county, N. Y., January 19, 1818, and is the son of David Bower, a native of the Keystone state. The latter was raised on a farm and when a young man married Miss Susan Keptner, who bore him the following children.: Harry, who died at the age of eighty-five years; Adam, who died aged twenty-seven years; Jacob, who died aged seventy-five years; Nicholas; who died aged seventy years.; Margaret, who married Nelson Davis and died in early womanhood; the subject; David, now living in Mifflin township; Maria, who married George Merriman and died at the age of seventy-seven years. When David Bower, the father, was yet a young man he removed. from Pennsylvania to New York and lived there until 1834, when he came west to Ohio by team, and settled on the farm in Marseilles township where the subject of this memoir now resides. He . bought eighty acres of land of John Yeager, upon which a small clearing had been made and a log cabin erected and a well dug. He paid five dollars and fifty cents per acre for the tract. Here he continued to live and labor until his death, in 1852, at the age of seventy-four years: His widow also passed away the same year. Both were people of eminent respectability, earnest in their duties, strong in the friendship and confidence of their neighbors and firm in their adherence to all that makes up a benevolent and God:fearing life. Mr. Bower was a member of the Presbyterian church. When Michael Bower was sixteen years of age he was brought to this farm upon which he worked until he.was nineteen years old. At that time he married Miss. Ann E. Studebaker, a native of Adams county, Penn., where she was born near Bendersville September 1, 1820. She was the daughter of Abraham and Mary (Group) Studebaker, who came to this county about the year 1835. Soon after his marriage the subject moved, onto a farm about a mile from here and erected thereon a log cabin, where he resided for a period of seven years. He then returned and took charge of the old home farm, where he has continued to live ever since. He has been married twice. By his first wife, Ann E. Studebaker, he had the following children : Jarvis, Who is a merchant and lives in, Marseilles; Orson, who enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was in many im- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 471 portant engagements, being at one time taken. Prisoner and confined in Andersonville prison for nine months; he' died about a year after his return from the service at the close of the war ; Martha, who married William Elder and is now deceased; Mary A., cleceased; Mina, the widow of Enoch Robey, who is now living with her father. Mr. Bower's first wife died August 29, 1847, and on March 14, the following year, he wedded her sister, Miss Martha J. Studebaker, who bore him four children ; Ann E., now dead; Leander, who lives with subject; Georgiana, dead; Melville,. who lives in Marseilles township. Martha Jane (Studebaker) Bower was born in Adams county, Penn., April 2, 1822, and departed this life July 17, 1899, aged seventy-seven years, three months and fifteen days. For many years she had been a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a kind and affectionate wife and mother. Her beautiful life was reflected in her many good works, the poor and the needy ever finding in her a kind and sympathetic friend. The subject is the owner of two hundred and forty-three acres of land and carries. on farming and stock raising. In politics he is a Republican, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for sixty years. He is a member of Lodge No. 415, F. & A. M., at Marseilles, and deservedly stands very :high in the community as a useful and respected citizen. Mr. Bower has in his possession the oldest deed the genealogist has been able to find in Wyandot county. It is of sheep skin, beat's the date of May 6, 1835, and is signed by President Andrew Jackson. It is a valuable souvenir as a state relic and should be held sacred and preserved by the subject's descendants. REV. J. W. BYERS. It is with pleasure that the biographer takes. up the life record of the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article, a man who has in all circumstances in which he has been placed has endeavored, by word and example, to exemplify the teachings of that One who came into the. world "to seek and to save that which was. lost." Rev. Jacob W. Byers, the pastor of the English Lutheran church in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Littlestown, Adams County, on the 27th of March, 1855. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany, but emigrated to America and served as a private in the patriot: army during the war for independence. His, son, Michael Byers., a farmer and cooper, was born near Westminster, Md. The latter was also a soldier, serving as a private in the war of 1812 and being at Fort McHenry when the British bombarded that stronghold. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and died in his native place at the age of eighty-three years. He married in his native state a Miss Duttera, who bore him children, among whom, was John G. Byers, father of the subject of this sketch.. John G. Byers first saw the light of day on the 26th of October, 1827, his birth taking place in Carroll county, Md. He was reared to the life of a farmer. He was married in his native county to Miss Eliza Ann Getty, and about 1853 moved to Adams, county, Penn. He there purchased a farm and made it his home for the remainder of his days, dying on the 19th of August, 1891. He was a successful agriculturist and. was held. in high esteem by all who- 472 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS knew him. He was a member of the English Lutheran church, in which body he was an elder for many years. In his youth he received an injury which caused a life-long lameness, but in spite of this he always persisted in attending to his business affairs. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, while fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Henry Getty, was born in Maryland, and was of German extraction. 'The original name was' "Geatty," but after coming to the United States it was changed to "Getty." He was a contractor, became quite successful in his business affairs, and died about the age of seventy-three years. His wife, whose maiden name was Wilbahn, was a native of England. She was a member of the Episcopal church and died at the age of sixty-two. Eliza Ann Byers, the subject's mother, was born in Carroll county,. Md., on the 2d of January, 1829, and there grew to womanhood and married. She was an active and consistent member of the. English Lutheran church. She died at her home in Pennsylvania November 21, 1898, having almost reached her seventieth year John G. and Eliza Ann Byers were the parents of five children; namely: One that died in childhood; Jacob W., the subject of this sketch ; Ethelia H. became the wife of John D. Bashore, of Pennsylvania ; Harry L. is a farmer and resides on the old Pennsylvania homestead ; Minnie A., the youngest, Is the wife of John Rebert, of Allegheny City, Penn. The boyhood of Jacob W. Byers was passed on the home farm, and during this time he diligently pursued his studies in the public schools, becoming so proficient that in the fall of 1875 he was enabled to teach in the district school's of his native county. In 1875 he attended a normal school at Gettysburg, near his home, and in 1876 entered the preparatory department of the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg. At the close of his collegiate course, in 1881, he received the degree of bachelor of arts. He then entered the Theological Seminary in the same place, from which he was graduated in 1884. In the meantime he had also received the degree of master of arts. In 1894 the degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him and in 1896 that of D. D. Upon his graduation he came at once to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and assumed pastoral charge of the church of his denomination at this place. In August, 1886, he resigned this pastorate, but for several months continued to make this city his home. In. May, 1887, he took up active work again, accepting the pastorate of St. Paul's Lutheran church at Alliance, Ohio. He remained there until December 1, 1889, when he resigned and assumed charge of the Lutheran church in Meyersdale, Penn., where he continued to exercise the duties of the holy office for two years. He resigned at the expiration of that time and became minister to the congregation at Nevada, Wyandot county, Ohio. February I, 1898, he was recalled by his former congregation in Upper Sandusky and served as Pastor until June 1, 1901, since which time he has been aiding his father-in-law, J. J. Stoll, in his business interests in the city. Aside from his profession, Rev. Byers in other ways has assisted in the advancement of the educational interests of his corn- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 473 munity. In 1896 he was appointed a member of the board of school examiners for Wyandot county and held that office until August, 1899. He was then appointed on the city board of school examiners of Upper Sandusky to fill a vacancy, and after a year's service was reappointed to the position for a term of three years. On the 14th of September, 1886, Mr. Byers was united in marriage to. Miss Ida M. Stoll. Mrs. Byers, is the daughter of John J. Stoll and was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, though reared and educated in Upper. Sandusky. This .union resulted in the birth of three children, namely : Horace S., who died when one year old; Helen E. and Romaine E., the last two at home. Politically Mr. Byers is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally he is a MaSon, holding membership in Warpole Lodge, No. 176, Upper Sandusky. He also has a membership in McCutchin Chapter, No 96, Royal Arch Masons, of Upper Sandusky, and Council No. 122, Royal and Select Masters, at Marion, Ohio. Rev. Mr. Byers, by a life of right living and strenuous endeavor, has earned a warm place in the hearts of all who know him. He is a devout lover of all that is pure, true and good, and is ever ready to encourage that which is worthy and to support that which is best. All find in him a friend and helper. He is neighborly and brotherly, candid, frank, sincere and generous, as well as kind and courteous. By the exercise of these qualities he has been greatly blessed of God in leading the unsaved to Jesus, in spiring the discouraged and in winning the careless. CHRISTIAN WYSS. The northern: part of Ohio is not only noted for its fine farms, but also for its excellent dairy and cheese products. In fact, Western Reserve cheese is famous the world over for its fine quality and flavor and its durable qualities. The district in which it is raised is not confined to the Reserve proper, but extends: over all of the northern third of the state. In that section you may see large herds of cows feeding in the pastures and large barns and other buildings for the care of the cows and the products of the milkings. Much of the wealth of this portion of the state is centered in the cheese and dairy interests. It was in this industry that the subject of this memoir made much of his, property. He was engaged in it nearly twenty years and carried the manufacture to a high degree of perfection. Christian Wyss is a native of Switzerland, having been born in the canton of Berne on the 15th of February, 1849. He passed his youth in that country and secured a good education at the public schools. In 1868 he came with his parents to this country, crossing the ocean in the ocean steamer "Chamonia," and landing at the conclusion of the voyage at New York. He came west to Eden township, Wyandot county, where he began working out on a farm by the month, and so continued for the period of two years, when he concluded to change his operations. He accordingly rented a tract of farm land in Eden township and began farming on his own account, and thus continued for the space of three years. He then bought seventy-seven acres of partly improved land, on which was a log house and 474 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. a log barn. He remained here for three years, farming and clearing the land of its timber and laying up considerable money. He then bought the farm where he now resides, took possession and began to improve the place. He has been more than ordinarily Successful and has built up a good home and a large property. He now owns one hundred and fifty acres, nearly all the improvements on which have been made by himself and family. In 1877 he began the manufacture of cheese and from the start made a success of it. The demand for his product was good and he continued manufacturing until 1898, a. period of twenty-one years, making from this branch of farm industry much of the money he now possesses. At the same time he carried on farming and stock raising and continued moving steadily forward. His comfortable home proves the success of his efforts. May 2, 1868, he married Miss Rosa Luthy and by her has the following living children: Sophia, Minnie, Maggie, Ida and Hassen E., and four deceased. Minnie and Ida passed the Boxwell examination and Minnie has taught nine terms in Pitt, Antrim and Eden townships. Mrs. Wyss was born July 19, 1844, and educated in the German tongue. Her parents were Christian and Magdelina (Koppersmidt) Luthy. There were six children, two sons and four daughters, of whoin there are only two yet living—Mrs. Wyss and her brother, Christian, of Pitt township. It was in 1900 when Mr. and Mrs. Wyss entered their beautiful home, which is a credit to the township. It is of modern style of architecture, slate roof and heated by furnace and it' is a beautiful home where strangers and friends are cordially entertained. Mr. Wyss has good reason to be proud of his steady habits and his good name. He is universally respected by all who know him. He is a Republican, having voted for Gen. Grant, and is a member of the Evangelical church. His name and character are above question. REV. FRANCIS L. HULTGEN. This; worthy representative of the Catholic church, founder and present pastor of St. Mary's church at Kirby, Wyandot county, Ohio, was born April 3, 1864, in the province of Loraine, France (now Germany), a son of John and Anna (Weiland) Hultgen. Father John was a native of Loraine and was a member of the Imperial Guard under the reign of Napoleon. III. After the year 1870 he retired from the service and purchased a farm in. Loraine, where he lived until his death, which resulted from an accident, at the age of fifty-two years, a devout and worthy member and consistent believer in the Catholic faith. The mother of our subject was a native of Luxemburg and still lives on the home place in Loraine, aged sixty-two years. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. The boyhood of our subject was spent at home, where he received his. training in the elementary branches. At the age of thirteen he commenced a full course at the gymnasium, from which. he graduated. with an exceptionally fine record in his twentieth year. Coming to the United States he located in the city of Cleveland, and on September 1, 1885, entered the Theological Seminary of that city, where he completed