BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 575 occurred in the summer of 1900, the business was discontinued, after which Mr. Kemerley accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Peoples Bank, at Carey, the duties of which he discharged until January 1, 1895, when he was promoted assistant cashier, and two years later he purchased an interest in the institution. On February 1, 1902, the bank was reorganized and incorporated under the name of the Peoples Bank Co., with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and Mr. Kemerley was elected cashier. Mr. Kemerley is essentially a business man and in the management of the important monetary institution with which he is; identified, has demonstrated clerical and executive abilities which place him, among the ablest financiers in this part of the state. Sound judgment; clear discernment and a faculty to look carefully into details are among his marked characteristics, while his integrity and high standing in the world of business have won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has dealings. His business enterprises have been uniformly successful and, being still in the prime of life and fortified with a laudable determination to press forward to higher accomplishments in commercial and financial avenues. His many friends in Carey and elsewhere predict for him a future career .of still greater activity and promise. Mr. Kemerley takes a pardonable pride in promoting the prosperity of his town and his name appears in connection with a number of its most important public improvements, among which may be cited the Carey electric telephone plant, in the building of which he was largely instrumental. On the 11th day of January, 1888, Albert H. Kemerley and Miss Sadie E. Galbroner, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Galbroner, were made man and wife, the issue of which marriage is two children, Lawrence A., born August 13, 1880, and Gladys M.., whose birth occurred on the 22d of July, 1893. Mr. Ketnerley has been honored by his fellow citizens of Carey with various local offices, in all of which he manifested the same faithfulness and efficiency which he displays in his business enterprises. He was town treasurer several terms and as such managed the public funds in such a way as to conserve the highest interests of the place. In politics he is a Republican. In his fraternal relations Mr. Kemerley is a Mason, belonging to blue lodge,. chapter and cornmandery. He has also advanced in the Odd Fellows fraternity, being an active member of Carey Lodge, No. 407, and Wyandot Encampment, No. 153. Additional to the above brotherhoods, his name may be found on the records of Justice Lodge, No. 393, Knights of Pythias. AMOS BIXBY Amos Bixy, notary public, collecting agent and farmer, with office in the town of Carey, is a native of Clinton county, N. Y., and a son of Joel and Eunice Bixby. Joel Bixby, a descendant of an old and highly respected New England family, was born in Wooster, Mass., and grew to maturity on a farm in that state. When a young man he went to Clinton county, N. Y., where he carried on agriculture until his removal, in 1848, to Wyandot county, Ohio. Shortly after coming her he purchased 576 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. a small farm about one mile east of Carey and continued to live on the same until the breaking up of his family, after which he made his home for six or eight years with his son, the subject of this review. He was only fairly successful in his business affairs, but in all that constitutes upright manhood and good citizenship he was the peer of any of his fellows. He lived to a good old age, departing this life in. his eightyfirst year, respected and honored by all who knew him. His parents were Joel and Sallie (Moore) Bixby, both descendants of ancestors .who settled in New England at a very early period. Eunice Churchill, who became the wife of Joel Bixby and the mother of our subject, Was also descended from New England antestry, her father, William Churchill, . coming from one of the oldest families of Massachusetts. She bore her husband nine children and died in Wyandot county at the age of sixty-five. Of her family, but three are living at this time, Amos., the subject of this article, Herbert, a retired farmer and soldier residing in Carey, and Joel D., a telegraph operator at Valparaiso, Ind. Amos Bixby was born April 15, 1838, and spent the first ten years of his life on the home farm in Clinton county, N. Y. In 1848 he accompanied his parents to the county of Wyandot, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, meantime attending the public schools. and obtaining 'a fair knowledge of the subjects then. taught. The training thus received was afterward supplemented by three terms in the graded schools of Upper Sandusky and still later he pursued the higher branches of learning for some time in the Ohio Wesleyan. University. While still in his teens, he taught in the district schools of this county and continued the work at intervals, until his twentieth year, when he went to Illinois. After spending two years as a teacher in that state, Mr. Bixby returned to Wyandot county and the two years following worked for David Straw, of Carey, in the grain and wool business, after which he spent two years in the west, then returned to Wyandot county and taught school at Carey one year, and in 1868 he engaged in the clothing business, to which line of trade he devoted his time and attention for about twenty-four years, Meeting with gratifying success. The meanwhile, seeing a favorable opportunity to dispose of his business at a good figure, he sold his stock and turned his attention to other matters, chief among which were his, duties as county commissioner, in which office he served from 1890 to 1893, inclusive, and at the same, time he was appointed to administer the affairs of 'the late David Straw, whose estate was estimated at over half a million dollars. In adjusting the business Mr. Bixby demonstrated abilities of a high order. He wound up the affairs of the estate so faithfully and efficiently as to receive .the highest praise from. all concerned and since that time he has been retained in similar capacities for other parties in Carey and elsewhere. The better to attend to such business as came to him, he opened an office in 1895 and since that date his attention has been devoted to adjusting estates and a general law practice. Mr. Bixby is well versed in the underlying principles of jurisprudence and his practical knowledge of the law has led to. his appointment as legal adviser for several large landed interests.. As a counselor BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 577 he is safe and reliable and his services are greatly appreciated by those whose business has been intrusted to him. Mr. Bixby stands high in public esteem, as witness his election as a Republican to the office of commissioner in a county overwhelmingly Democratic. As custodian of the people's interest in that responsible position, he was judicious. and painstaking, conservative in matters of expenditure, but aggressive when convinced that certain improvements were essential to the public good. He also served as township treasurer four or five years, was a member of the town council several terms and his service on the school board was instrumental in advancing the standard of education in Carey. In fact, he has proved himself able to fill worthily every trust with which he has been honored, and thus far no one with business in his charge has had cause to question his prudent course or wise advice. In addition to his business as notary and collector Mr. Bixby has large agricultural interests in Wyandot county, owning and overseeing a fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres, a part of which is devoted to stock raising. He is a good financier and by close application and able management has surrounded himself with a sufficiency of worldly wealth; to render his remaining days on earth free from embarrassment or care: He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity and for a number of years his name ha adorned the records of Lodge No. 420, at Carey. Mr. Bixby has been twice married, the first time on the26th day of May, 1867, to Miss Alice Reynolds, who died June 30, 1870, leaving one daughter, Alice, who is married to E. G. Laughlin, of Carey. The second marriage was solemnized with Mrs. Eunice,(Straw) Snyder, who is living at the present time. This union is without issue. DAVID STRAW, DECEASED. In the death of the honored subject of this. memoir, April 26, 1890, at his home in Carey, 'there passed away another member of that group of distinctively representative business, men who were the leaders in inaugurating and building up the industrial an.d commercial interests of Wyandot and other counties of northern Ohio. His name is familiar, not alone to the residents of the city to whose development he contributed so conspicuously, but to all who have been informed in regard to the history of this particular section of the Buckeye state. He was identified with the growth of Wyandot county for over forty-five years and contributed to its material progress and prosperity to an extent unequaled by any of his. contemporaries. He early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing section of the commonwealth, and acting in accordance with the dictates of faith and judgment; he reaped, in the fullness of time, the generous benefits which-are the just recompense of indomitable industry, spotless, integrity and marvelous enterprise.. Prominently connected with the business history of Carey and Wyandot county, the career of David Straw is. eminently worthy of permanent record. Great fortunes have been accumulated by others, but few lives furnish so striking an example of the wise application of sound business principles and 578 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. safe conservatism as does his. The story of his success is not long nor does it contain many exciting chapters, but in it lies one of the most valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records; his business and private life are replete with interest and incentive, no matter how lacking in dramatic action. The record of a noble life, consistent with itself and its possibilities in every particular. David Straw was a native son of Wyandot county, born in what is now Pitt township, on the 28th day of March, 1826. Samuel C. Straw, his father, a native of Vermont, came to Ohio about 1820 and for several years thereafter followed school teaching for a livelihood. He married Christine Staley, daughter of John Staley, a Pennsylvanian, who came first to Pickaway county, Ohio, thence, as early as the year 1815, to the county of Wyandot, locating in Pitt township, of which he was one of the earliest pioneers. Samuel C. and Christine Straw reared a family of six children and he became one of the most prosperous farmers in this section of the county, owning at one time, four hundred acres of valuable land. By nature generous and open-hearted, he went security for some of his friends, the result being .the loss of his entire fortune, about the years 1844 and 1845. He never recovered financially from this disaster, living the remaining 'years of his life in somewhat embarrassed circumstances,, dying in 1858, near Upper Sandusky; his wife survived him until 1874, when she, too, was called from the scenes of this life. Being the eldest of the family and reaching manhood's estate during his father's financial troubles. David Straw was obliged to start in life unaided, not even possessing a common school education, his intellectual acquirements being confined to a simple knowledge of the most elementary branches with an ability merely to write his own name. Handicapped with such great disadvantages, his outlook at the beginning of his career was anything but encouraging. In the fall of 1844 he began to work at such odd jobs as he could find, and the following spring secured employment in Huron. county, where he remained several months, at a compensation of thirteen dollars per month. In November, 1845, he returned to Wyandot county, and with a cash capital of about fifty dollars, the net earnings of his previous months of labor, he opened a small grocery in the town of Carey. From this venture dates his as a business man anc prominent factor in all that concerned the growth and prosperity of the place during the next forty-five years of its history. Es business increased so rapidly and steadily that in 1851 it has attained such proportions that he was enabled to embark in the wholesale trade. Equipped With a robust constitution, energy and well directed determination., Mr. Straw took advantage of every opportunity conducive to his interests and soon found himself on the highway to success and fortune. Through the advice of a grocer salesman of New York, a party in that city engaged him, in 1847, to purchase and deliver :a number of horses, which Was done in due time to the entire satisfaction of his employer. Five men were employed to assist Mr. Straw in taking the drove of forty-two head, the trip from Carey to New York city covering a period of thirty-two day's. This transaction having' given hint considerable prestige as a successful horse buyer he was recommended by a BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 579 friend, I. W. Hallister, of the American Fur Company, to the famous railroad contractor, Mr. DeGraff, as a man eminently qualified to furnish the latter with horses for railroad work. Mr. Straw was consulted, and delivered a few animals at Springfield, Ohio, after which, Mr. Hallister vouching for his honesty and integrity, he was furnished with five thousand dollars to make other purchases from time to time as directed, his aggregate investment amounting to thirty-six thousand dollars. Because of his business tact Mr. Straw was intro by Mr. DeGraff to an extensive wool dealing firm in Providence, R. I., by .which he was employed as agent to look after their interests in Ohio. He was put in possession of their..contracts, with instructions to operate for them throughout the state. He was thus engaged until the firm disbanded in 1860, his purchases amounting to over five hundred thousand dollars each year. From 1860 to 1873 he was engaged with a Philadelphia firm and did for them a business equal in volume to that he had clone for his former, employers. Meantime his commercial business continued to increase in magnitude, in connection with which ire also dealt extensively in grain, becoming one of the largest buyers and shippers in the state. Through Mr. Hallister Mr. Straw secured the co-operation of a firm of grain dealers at Oswego, N. Y., doing an immense business, his shipments amounting to four and five thousand bushels daily, enabling him to load two boats at Sandusky city each week. Some idea of the magnitude of his mercantile interests may be learned from the fact that during a period of eighteen years his annual sales ran up to eighty thousand dollars, exclusive of his business as grain dealer and commission merchant. In 1870 he withdrew personally from the mercantile field, but retained an interest for two years after that date. He may be said to have been one of the pioneer merchants of Carey and certainly no other man ever did as' much as he toward promoting the commercial and industrial interests of the town. He was one of the founders of the People's bank at Carey in 1868, which institution began business with a capital of forty thousand dollars, and in 1872 he purchased the entire stock and became sole proprietor. Later he increased the capital to seventy thousand dollars and, with his son, Harry, as cashier, managed the concern carefully and successfully until his death. The well-known firm of D. Straw & Son was also extensively engaged in handling wool, seeds and grain, and for a number of years was recognized as one of the safest and most enterprising business houses in northern Ohio. In addition to his various commercial affairs Mr. Straw was largely interested in real estate and the live stock business, owning over four hundred acres of land, stocked with four thousand head of sheep, besides a large number of fine horses and shorthorn cattle of the most valuable breeds obtainable. In 1883, at a cost of twenty-one thousand dollars, he completed the finest residence in Wyandot county, and one of the most valuable in this section of the state. Mr. Straw was endowed with unusual business capacity and his sound judgment, keen discernment and remarkable fares' ight enabled him to attempt great enterprises and succeed where the large majority would have failed. There is perhaps no better example of what may be accomplished by duty 580 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS fully done or what obstacles may. be surmounted through energy and tact than that afforded by the life history of this broadminded, intelligent and progressive man of affairs. He carefully considered every enterprise before undertaking it, but when once embarked addressed himself manfully to the issue and never failed to carry his concerns to successful completion. Although a keen observer and shrewd financier, he likewise possessed a broad and generous nature and contributed liberally of his means to the advancement of all laudable enterprises, as well as to dispense with lavish hand the necessities of the poor and unfortunate of the city and community. Through business reverses his old friend, Hallister, became reduced in circumstances and the closing hours of his life found him penniless. With much gratitude for assistance rendered in his less prosperous years, Mr. Straw and another party kindly defrayed all expenses for his care in sickness and at death accorded him a respectable funeral. In all that constituted correct living and good citizenship Mr. Straw was preeminently a man among men. There was nothing small or narrow in his composition, but on the contrary he took broad and liberal views of men and affairs and stood "four square to all the world," a striking example of symmetrically developed manhood and a model worthy of imitation by those with careers and destinies yet to be achieved. His name will always be illustrious in the history of Wyandot county, and his character, unstained by the commission of a single unworthy act, is destined to be cherished for all time to come as a priceless heritage, not only by his descendants, but by the people among whom he was so long a leader and a moulder of thought. He continued actively in business, directing and controlling his. large interests, until death by apoplexy suddenly terminated his long and useful career on the date mentioned in the opening paragraph of this review. Mr. Straw's first wife, to whom he was united in marriage on the 25th day of March, 1852, was formerly Miss Lucy Ann Turner, daughter of Samuel and Laura (Day) Turner, a union blessed with the following children,: Emma, Harry, Anna, Willie, Minnie, Grace and Robert, of whom the last named, Willie, Minnie and Harry are deceased. Mrs. Straw departed this life in 1870 and two years later Mr. Straw married Marjorie V. Kirtland, of Huron county, Ohio. Hezekiah L. and Sarah L. Kirtland, parents of Mrs. Straw were natives; of Connecticut and North Carolina, respectively. Hezekiah Kirtland was born, reared and educated, in the historic old town of Saybrook and when a young man went to Tarboro, N. C., and engaged in the mercantile business. There he met and married Sarah L. Pittman, daughter of Dr. Pittman, one of the leading physicians of the town, a large planter and slave holder and: one of the wealthiest mien ;in that part of the state. Mrs. Kirtland was reared in luxury and enjoyed the best educational advantages which wealth and influence could procure. She was largely a lady of strong mentality, cultured and refined, and bore her husband children, as follows : Rev. Ambrose B. Kirtland, a learned divine of the Lutheran: church, living in Salina, Kan.; Alexander H. died when fifty-eight years old; James: K., of Plymouth, Ohio; George P., a jeweler of Nashville, Tenn.; Emma 0., wife of E. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 581 D. Strong, of Plymouth.; Marjorie V., widow of the late D. Straw ; Alvin C. died some years ago in Nashville, Tenn. ; Frederick .W., a merchant of Plymouth, this state; David P., deceased ; Collin S., residing in New York city, and Mack H., deceased. Mr. Kirtland was an active member of the Lutheran church, a Democrat in his political belief and a very successful man in his business affairs. He was descended from an old and prominently connected New' York family, his father, Daniel Kirtland, having served as captain in the military service in Long Island in a very early day. Mrs. Kirtland was a Methodist and is remembered as a woman of much piety and great. activity in religious work. She died at Plymouth, Ohio, at the age of seventy-six. Mr. Kirtland departed this life in his seventy-eighth year, honored and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Straw makes her home a part of the time in Carey with her children, Nellie, an accomplished young lady, Lawrence, now finishing his collegiate education, and George, a prominent farmer and stock raiser, who lives in the town. She has large monetary and real-estate interests which she manages with ability and tact, owning valuable property in Carey and some of the best farming lands in Wyandot and adjoining counties. She possesses a fine mind, cultivated in the refining grace of womanhood, and is held in high esteem by the best people in this town and wherever she is. known. Like her husband she, too, is mindful of the needy and unfortunate, gives liberally to all charitable and benevolent enterprises and by her sweet moral nature has endeared herself to a large and appreciative circle of friends. ALVIN DOW, DECEASED. No record of the representative men and early settlers of Wyandot county would be complete without appropriate mention of the well-known gentleman whose name we are pleased to place at the head of this sketch—the late Alvin Dow, who for many years was a prominent factor in the business affairs of Carey and vieinity. Mr. Dow was born November 30, 1822, in the town of New Haven, Huron county, Ohio, the son Of David. and Louisa Dow, the father a native of New Hampshire and one of the earliest pioneers in the northern pare of the Buckeye state: By occupation David Dow was, a shoemaker, but after locating in Huron county he turned his attention to agriculture and continued the same until his death, at the age of forty: Louisa Dow survived her husband a number of years; dying in Carey at the age of seventy. The youthful years of Mr. Dow were spent amid the stirring scenes of the pioneer period and until about sixteen he remained on the family homestead in Huron county. In 1838 he went to Springville, Seneca county, where he was employed as clerk in a general Store, continuing there until his removal, a few years later, to the town of Carey, Wyandot county. On coming to the latter place he entered the employ of Carey & Starr, in whose establishment he worked for some time and then engaged in merchandising upon his own responsibility, a venture which more than met his expectation. At that time there was a group of notable figures in the commercial world who had their residence in this part of the county, promi- 582 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. nent among whom were David Straw, David Harpster, Robert Carr and Lionel Ranger, Sr., all doing business at or near Carey and whose reputation extended over a large section of the state. Mr. Dow became one of the group and, although dealing with and competing against such men,. he was eminently successful and soon ranked with the more progressive merchants of Wyan(lot and neighboring counties. To him and his contemporaries the town of Carey is largely indebted for its business prosperity and their ability and thrift did much toward Moulding and directing the subsequent commercial interests of this part of Ohio. In 1842, when twenty years old, Mr. Dow was united in marriage to Miss Olive Brayton, who bore him one child, Anna, now Mrs. Swartz, who lives in Pennsylvania. No life is exempt from sorrow and Mr. Dow, in common with all humanity, was called to pass through deep waters of affliction. In two short years the death .angel visited his happy home, taking therefrom the wife of his youth, the companion Whose Wise counsel and willing help did so much to encourage him when he started in the world to achieve a fortune and to carve out a destiny. After treading life's pathway alone about four years, he entered into the marriage relation, June. 21, 1849, with Miss Dorcas Carey, daughter of Judge John Carey, with whom he shared life's joys and vicissitudes for over fifty years. This was indeed a fortunate and happy union and during the long years of its continuance each became a part of the other's life. Seven ,children came to gladden their home, two sons and five daughters, whose names are as follows:: John Carey (see his sketch elsewhere) ; Rose married Herbert Bixby; Wal ter Scott, a traveling salesman who makes his home with his mother; May, wife of J. D. Carothers, a farmer of Crawford township; Winter, now Mrs. Albert Kaley, of Red Cloud, Neb.; Dorcas, wife of Henry Felker, of Toledo, and Alice M., who died in infancy. In the prime of early manhood, under the preaching of Rev. Gray, Mr. Dow was happily converted and from that time until his death he lived a devoted Christian, life, consecrating all the powers of his strong' mentality unreservedly to the service of the Master. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church: and contributed liberally of his means for the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad, being always identified with movements having for their object the moral and spiritual uplifting of humanity. His religious life was not demonstrative—in fact, he Was rather reticent and conservative in matters of faith—yet he never lost sight of his obligations to a higher power, while a lively hope in a blessed immortality always cheered and encouraged him amid the duties and cares of this life. Mr. Dot was a splendid example of symmetrical developed, consecrated Christian manhood. Successful in business and a prominent factor in the affairs of his town and county; he never lost sight of the higher obligations he owed to God and his fellow men. His whole life was patterned after the divine standard of excellence as found in the person of the Nazarene, and if he occasionally came short of realizing his ideal, as all do, his career was marked by a most admirable consecration to duty, and his character was singularly free from faults, while his clear and intelligent faith gave him power to speak words of counsel and administer corn- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 583 fort that will always:be cherished in many memories. It was his. daily life and condubt that exercised such a wholesome moral influence upon all with whom he came in contact. In all his dealings he was noted for principle and integrity and throughout a long and active business career not the faintest breath of suspicion was ever uttered against his reputation as a high-minded, successful man of affairs. After an illness of brief duration he was called to the other life, August 1, 1899, while on a visit to his daughter at Red Cloud, Neb. In the death of Mr. Dow Carey lost one of its most prominent citizens, the county one of its old landmarks and the church one of its most devoted and consecrated members. His life and. business career were identified with the town from the beginning and during all those years his name and figure were familiar to nearly every man, woman and child in the county for many miles around. He did well his part as. a business man to develop the various interests of the place and his memory will be cherished on account of his great moral worth and his prominence and usefulness as a citizen in every walk of life. Mrs. Dow was. born in Crawford township on the 24th day of February, 1830. Coming from an old and highly respected family she inherits in a marked degree the sterling qualities of her ancestry and possessing many noble characteristics, has froth her girlhood been a leading member of the best social circles of the town in which she lives. With rare business tact she manages successfully the large interests intrusted to her care and as a devout member of the English Lutheran church has long been prominent in religious and charitable work in Carey and elsewhere. In this connection it is appropriate to append a sketch of her father. Hon. John Carey, than whom a more notable or more distinguished man never figured in the affairs of Carey or Wyandot county, was not only in his immediate neighborhood the object of well merited distinction, but his. reputation as a man of sound judgment, good sense, sincere and active benevolence, shone with that peculiar luster which reflected the many testimonials of personal worth from all who came within the range of his acquaintance and influence. He. was born on the 5th of April, 1792, in Monongalia county, Va., the son of Stephen and Sarah Carey: In 1796 his parents and family moved to Brown county, Ohio, where they remained some years and reared their family. In 1812, young John removed to Franklin county, Ohio, and a short time. thereafter enlisted as a soldier in the army of the United States. After a military service of six months he returned to his home. in Franklin county and engaged in the milling business, and also at the same time paid considerable attention to agriculture, remaining in that part of the state until 1822. On the 9th of January, 1817, he married Miss Dorcas Wilcox, whose parents were native's of Connecticut who had migrated to Franklin county, Ohio, in the year 1802.. Mrs. Carey was born in Hartford, Conn., January 17, 1790, and departed ,this life in Carey, Ohio, September 1, 1867. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Carey, in 1822, came to what is now Wyandot county and purchased one hundred and ninety acres of land in sections 27 and 34, Crawford township, which still remains a part of the Carey homestead. In 1823 he began improvements. 584 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. upon this land and a year later removed thither with his wife and family, whom he made comfortable in the first hewed-1og house erected in this section of the country. Later he built a carding factory on Tymochtee creek, a small stream that ran through his place, and still later added to this industry a saw mill. While one of the first enterprises of the kind in the county, it withstood the buffets of time and business and remained for many years; a noted landmark of the pioneer period. It was near this mill that thee gallant Col. Crawford met with such a tragic fate at the hands of the blood-thirsty savages, against whom he led the ill-fated expedition whose destruction forms an important page in the history of Ohio. Mr. Carey's fine business qualities, tact and industry brought their reward, for in due time he became one of the largest holders of real estate in. northern Ohio, owning at his death three thousand acres. This large possession was the result of his well-directed efforts, as he started in life a poor boy with no capital beyond a well-defined purpose to succeed. At the age of twelve he was carrying the mails between Portsmouth and Chillicothe, at that time a most hazardous. undertaking for one of his. years and experience, and he continued in that capacity for two years. From the mail service he entered as an apprentice to learn the trade of tanning, and after becoming a proficient workman continued the business until 1812 when, as already stated, he became a soldier, enlisting in a rifle company, which formed a. part of the army surrendered to the British-by Gen. Hull, at Detroit. After an honorable discharge Mr. Carey returned to Columbus and .entered upon the career as already set forth in the preceding paragraphs of this sketch. For many years he was an honored and central figure in the business affairs of Wyandot county, was referred to with pride on many of the leading questions of local and, public interest 'and the great, confidence reposed in him for sterling worth' gave his favor a conspicuous influence. In politics Mr. Carey was a Whig as long as that party lasted,, and later became can active, though liberal, adherent of the principles of the Republican party. Although never an office seeker, he readily won distinction; among his people and party, which is indicated by the fact that as early as 1827 he was chosen to represent this (then Crawford) county in the lower house of the general assembly. As legislator his course was marked by sound judgment, keen discernment and a conscientious regard for the best interests of the people, his influence and considerate activity having a decided bearing upon many laws which still grace the statutes of the state. He also served one term as judge and subsequently was sent to the state senate, where he made himself quite prominent and reflected upon the district which he represented that true honor which is ever the result of faithful service. In 1858 he was prevailed upon to accept. the Republican nomination for congress in the then old Democratic ninth district, and although running against a strong popular opponent, Judge Hall, he overcame a majority of two thousand and' was triumphantly elected. His course in congress was marked with ability and the ablest address ever made before that body. in behalf of -the tillers of the soil is said to have been his maiden speech, shortly after taking his seat. It is a fact universally admitted' that the bureau. of agriculture en- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 585 joys its present importance at the national capital by reason of Mr. Carey's efforts in its behalf. In 1854 Mr. Carey, finding that old age was Jelling on his years of usefulness, left the old homestead on the banks of Tymochtee and, removing to the town which bears his name, sought that rest and repose which his overtaxed energies had so long needed. Although his physical strength gave way, his mental energies never flagged, remaining with him unimpaired until the 17th day of March, 1875, when, surrounded by his family and friends, he quietly breathed his last in the eighty-third year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Carey were the parents of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Napoleon B., June 18, 1818, died October 21, 1846; McD. M., 'May 13, 182o; Emma Maria, January 15, 1822, died. August 27, 1842; Eliza A., wife of Joseph Kenney, July 7, .1824; Cinderella, wife of EdWin Brown, May 2, 1826, and Dorcas, widow of Alvin Dow, whose birth is mentioned in the preceding paragraph. In his period Judge Carey was a man of remarkable physical and intellectual force and few men have exercised as marked influence upon the history of northern Ohio as did he. His manhood and ability were reflected in his presence to such a degree that it needed no introduction to establish his character or command respect. He was a man who considered well and. was sometimes slow to act, but when settled in his convictions he was impatient of opposition and used his great force and remarkable energy to surmount obstacles as well as to sustain his position. Such positive characters as his naturally arouse antagonism and it would indeed have been strange if throughout his long and active career in various important public capacities he had not encountered much formidable opposition. Such was the case and although considerable bitterness, was engendered by reason of his attitude in opposition to certain public measures, none of his most active opponents ever attributed to him any but conscientious motives for his actions. It is also a fact worthy of note that nearly all the bitterness formerly entertained for him has changed with time into admiration, and today his name is mentioned with no shade of animosity, while his memory is cherished as one of the notable men of his day and generation. No fault lies at his door other than a firm and sincere consideration of what he esteemed to be right and the comments upon his long life of usefulness are full of that tender regard which gives sublimity tea expression. and find a fitting repose:in the respect and intensity of. feeling of his. fellow citizens of Wyandot county who will always take. a pleasurable pride in perpetuating his. name and achievements. ANSELM MARTIN Our nation owes much of its progressiveness to the infusion of the German element amongst its population and especially is this apparent in the profession of music. The gentleman to whom the biographer now refers has long been recognized as one of the leading musicians of this section of the Buckeye state, being a skillful performer on various instruments and a successful and popular leader and teacher. Anselm Martin is a native of the fatherland, having been, born at Eigeltingen, Ba- 586 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. den, Germany, on the 22d of July, 1845, being the eldest of a family of twelve children. His boyhood days were spent at home and until he reached the age of fifteen years he divided his time between working at the carpenter's trade with his father and attending school. In 186o an uncle, named Thomas Martin, who had previously emigrated to America, was visiting his old German home and upon returning to the United States induced the subject of this sketch and a cousin, Herman Wissler, to accompany him. The uncle was the proprietor of a large music store in New Orleans, La. Both of the boys, were ambitious, had a talent for music and were fairly proficient in the art. On their outward trip they stopped a week at Paris, France, then took passage at Havre, France, on the steamer "Teutonia," landing at New York. After several days of resting and sight-seeing, they started on an overland trip through Canada, and then went by rail to New Orleans. Here our subject was given employment in the music store of his uncle, and also received the advantage of instruction in violin music, at the same time acquiring the ability to play the flute and clarionet. His cousin, who was at that time about fourteen years old, also became an adept player of musical instruments and during the political campaign of 186o they played with several bands. In the fall of 1861 our subject discontinued working for his uncle and as he was not in good shape financially he had to .employ himself at whatever he could find, and finally accepted a modest position in a large restaurant. His uncle died in December of the same year. The war of the Rebellion now being fully on, stirring events were taking place. In the spring of 1862 Commadore Farragut anchored his fleet in the Ms: sissippi river before New Orleans; having captured Forts Jackson and St. Philip. After General Butler took possession of the city inducements were offered for recruits for the Union army and recruiting offices were opened.. Our subject, being a northern sympathizer and his position at that time not being especially to his liking, took advantage of the opportunity and enlisted May 21, 1862, in the Eighth Regiment of. Vermont Volunteer Infantry, as a musician. His cousin also enlisted at that time in 'the same capacity. Our subject during the remainder of the war continued as musician, playing the lead E-flat cornet, being also assistant leader of the regimental band. At the close of the great struggle this regiment was one of those that participated in that grand pageant of modern times, the grandest review at Washington, D. C. At that time the National Intelligencer, in its report of the affair, paid the following compliment to the Eighth Vermont Regimental Band: "On this and other similar public occasions the regimental band was, brought into prominence, and was often. complimented upon being one of the best in the Nineteenth Corps. The leader was August Haenel, a German, and the assistant was Anselm Martin. When a serenade was desired at headquarters the Eighth Regimental Band was always in demand." One incident in connection with Mr. Martin's army career is worthy of men, tion here. As a boy he was in. a position to hear much talk -concerning wars and impending conflicts, the European countries then being in the state of almost continuous unrest. When about ten years of age he had a dream in Which it appeared to him that a shell, exploded in the midst of a gathering of. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 587 his companions, killing or wounding them. At the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, while the Eighth Regimental Band was in what was supposed to be a safe position. in the rear of the combatants, a shell exploded in their midst, killing our subject's bunk-mate and wounding several others. The incident was a strange reproduction of the dream of his boyhood. In June, 1865, Mr. Martin was sent to Vermont with the regiment and there .received an. honorable discharge. After the mustering out of the regiment Mr. Martin and, his cousin remained a few months in Vermont as guests of their old comrades. In the fall of that year, at Burlington, that state, they joined the Forester's Grand Dramatic Company, in the capacity of musicians, visiting all the principal cities , of New Englarid. The, company disbanded at Watertown, N. Y., in the spring of 1866 and upon invitation our subject, with his cousin, Herman Wissler, came to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, arriving there June. and being warmly welcomed by .their old country friends. and the musicians of the city. All of the latter, especially, were anxious for them to remain here, -and as they had not formulated other plans they consented to. do so. They both became engaged in the restaurant business, at the same time teaching music. Mr. Martin was made leader of the local brass band and orchestra. The old German band of Upper Sandusky was known far and wide as Martin's Band and Martin's String Band, and their music was of high standard. In 1869, about the time of his marriage, our subject disposed of his restaurant to Mr. Wissler and went into the grocery and bakery business in partnership with his father-in-law, Ulrich who had given him the first invitation to come to Upper Sandusky. In 1875, however, our subject disposed of his interest in the business and with Fred Orsinger and: Wm. B. Hitchcock, erected the old opera house was opened, he decided to discontinue the first floor of the new building with a restaurant. This building was opened as an opera house in February, 1877, Mr. Martin and his partner disposed of their restaurant business in 1884, and our subject entered the political arena with the result that he was elected to the office of county clerk. He served three years in that capacity, and so eminently satisfactory were his services that be was re-elected to the position with practically no opposition. Upon the expiration of his second term Mr. Martin served for about a year as deputy county clerk and then, for a time, gave his attention mostly to the teaching of music. In 1890 he acquired the half interest in the opera house building. In 1892, when the brewery of Upper Sandusky was incorporated under the name of the Upper Sandusky Brewing Company, our subject became one of the stockholders in the enterprise and was made secretary and treasurer of the company, a position he held until 1898 when the plant was sold to Mr. Bernard Michenfelder, who retained Mr. Martin in the capacity of bookkeeper, a position he still holds. In. 1899, when a new opera house was opened, he decided to discontinue the use of the old building as such. Mr. Martin is a stanch Democrat in politics and with the exception of a year or two has been a deputy state supervisor of election ever since the. Australian ballot system was introduced. He has, also, served as a 588 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. member of the city council. He and his family are members of the Catholic church. A brother of his emigrated to America in 1869 and his parents. and other children came in 1872. Two brothers of his, Theodore and John, are noted musicians, the former being a resident of Chicago, Ill., and the latter of Battle Creek, Michigan. Mr. Martin is still leader of the brass band of Upper Sandusky, an organization which has captured many prizes, at band tournaments, one notable occasion. being at Findlay, Ohio, in 1887, where his band consisted of only eight pieces, two of them being drums, and the competition was of a high-grade character. Mr. Martin was united in marriage on the 7th day of June, 1869, with Miss Rosa Orsinger, daughter of Ulrich Orsinger. She was born in Medina., Ohio, on August 29, 1851, and came to Upper Sandusky with her parents in 1865. Their union has been blessed with six children, namely : William E., born July 20, 1870, is the secretary of the gas company in Upper Sandusky ; Laura., born August 3, 1872, is the widow of William H. Hawley ; Charles, born September 20, 1873 ; Ida, born May 31, 1877; Leo, born December 11, 1881, and Anselm, Jr., born April 14, 1886. HON. DARIUS D. HARE. Darius D. Hare was a native of th.e Buckeye state, having been born in Seneca county on the 9th of January, 1843. (For genealogical record of the Hare family, see sketch of Curtis B. Hare, elsewhere in this volume.) The subject was but an in fant when his parents removed to Wyandot county and settled on a farm in Crawford township: here, amid agricultural environments, our subject's boyhood days were spent. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, but believing that a nor liberal education was essential to success in professional life., he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, remaining there during 1861-2-3 ; during his last year there he also taught a four months' term of school. At this time his country was engaged in that most terrible of all civil strifes and Mr. Hare offered his life, if need be, in defence of "Old Glory," enlisting in March, 1864, as a private in the Signal Corps. He faithfully served his country during the remainder of the war, and at its close received an assignment to special duty at the headquarters of Major-General Sheridan as clerk at New Orleans, remaining there until his final discharge on the 17th of February, 1866. He immediately returned home and in September of the same year entered upon a course of study in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Harbor. Completing his studies there he was admitted to the bar by the district court of Wyandot county in September, 1867, and at once entered upon the active practice of the law at Carey, this county. He remained there until May, 1868, when he came to Upper Sandusky, and was here continuously engaged in practice up to the time of his death. His practice steadily grew as he demonstrated his ability to handle with masterful skill the intricate problems of jurisprudence and he soon possessed a distinctively representative clientage which connected him with the most important litigation that was heard in the courts of his section of the state. He pre- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 589 pared his cases with the utmost skill and precision, and his dignified presence and earnestness of manner indicated his thorough familiarity with the contested points. He was. logical in argument, clear in his reasoning-, forceful in his delivery and his opinions always carried weight and seldom failed to convince. In 1872 Mr. Hare received the nomination for mayor of Upper Sandusky and was elected, and at the expiration of the term was re-elected. In 1876 and 1877 he filled the office of city soliditor. However, his previous, excellent record in the mayoralty was borne in mind by the electors and at the election in 1878 he was again elected mayor, and so eminently well qualified was he for this position that he was, re-elected in 1880, and again in 1882, thus serving in all five terms as chief executive officer of the city and in that capacity winning for himself additional laurels. He also served thirteen consecutive: years on the Wyandot county board of school examiners, his service thereon being terminated by his resignation. Mr. Hare was elected on the Democratic ticket to the fifty-second congress, and was re-elected by that party to the fifty-third congress. In the latter election he received 24,186 votes, against 17,037 votes for Mr. Hull, the Republican candidate, 1,097 for Chase, Prohibitionist, and 893 for Smith, of the People's party. Mr. Hare was a safe, conservative, and yet progressive, legislator and retired from his congressional service, as he had entered it, with the good will and high regard of all. On the 28th. of October, 1868, Darius D. Hare was united in marriage with Miss Elise Liddelle, the daughter of William and Aldanah (Fisher) Liddelle, of Rochester, N. Y. She was born in that city and received her education mainly at St. Mary's, Seminary, from which institution' she was graduated in 1865. Both of her parents passed away during her childhood. The union of our subject and wife was blessed with the birth of six children, viz.: Donella G.; William C.; Edna Elise, who died May 3o, 1899; Richard M.; Edwin Dodge; and Edith W. Darius D. Hare died very suddenly on the l0th of February, 1897, his death being caused by congestion of the. lungs.. His demise was deeply mourned by the public generally, regardless of creed or opinion, for they realized that in his death there passed away a man who in natural ability and mental attainments stood head and shoulders above any man the county ever produced, and one who as a lawyer was the equal of any in, the state of Ohio. He always been keenly alive to all the varied interests of his city and county and had probably done as much as any other one man toward the general good. HON. WILLIAM C. GEAR One of the most conspicuous figures in the recent history of Wyandot county is the well-known gentleman whose name introduces this review. An enumeration of the men of this part of the state who, have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the community in which they live would be incomplete without reference to him as, a political leader and director of opinion. William C. Gear's American ancestors were among the 590 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. early settlers of Pennsylvania, in which state his father, Jacob C. Gear, was born on the 6th day. of August, 1820. When he was about four years old, Jacob C. Gear's parents died and he went to live with an. uncle in Pennsylvania; remaining with him until nineteen, when he came to Wyandot county, Ohio,, and settled near the, present site of Carey. A carpenter by trade, he soon. had all he could do in the way of building, and later entered the employ of the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company to look after bridge work, building of elevators, road houses, wharfs and general wood work on a certain part of the line. He remained with the company several years, living at Huntsville a part of the time, and on severing his connection with the road returned to Carey and resumed carpentering. He continued contracting and building until advancing age obliged him to forego such work, when he retired from active life. He is still living in Carey, having reached his eighty-second year, a remarkably well-preserved man for one of his age. Jacob C. Gear has always been a man of enterprise and public spirit. In 1840 he cast his- first presidential ballot for William Henry Harrison and from that time until the dissolution of the old Whig party he was one of its stanch adherents. When the Republican party was organized he espoused its principles and from that time to the present he has been a supporter of the same. At the breaking out of the Mexican war he entered the army as first lieutenant of a company known as the Scott Guards. and served until the cessation of hostilities. At the present time he is the oldest resident of Carey and also one of the town's most. highly respected and popular citizens. The maiden name of Mrs. Jacob, C. Gear was Elizabeth Jane Berry, daughter of John and Rachael (Daugherty) Berry. Her father was a Virginian, but in an early day came to Wyandot county and figured prominently in the pioneer period. Mrs. Gear was. born in Tymochtee township in the year 1826 and spent all her life within the county, except what time (one year) she lived in Logan county, dying December 25, 1900, at the age of seventy-four. She was a member of the English Lutheran church, an earnest and devout Christian and was highly respected by all who knew her. Of her eleven children but five are living at the present time, the subject of this sketch being the first born of the family. William C. Gear was born December 28, 1846, in Huntsville, Logan county, Ohio, and at the age of seven months was taken by his parents to Carey. There he attended the public schools until 1862, in June of which year he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and proceeding at once to the front experienced his first active service in: West Virginia. On September 15 of the same year he was captured by the enemy at Harper's Ferry and after being held prisoner a short time was paroled. He then returned home and resumed his studies,. but in December, 1863, he again: entered the army, enlisting in Company A, Forty7ninth Ohio Volunteers, with which he served until transferred with others of the regiment to the Sixty-eighth Indiana Infantry. He shared with his command the fortunes and, vicissitudes of war, was in the Strawberry Plains anal Knoxville campaigns and in the. winter of 1863-64 and the following spring was ordered to rejoin the Forty-ninth Ohio, at Camp Cleveland, Tenn. From that time on Mr. Gear saw much BIOGRAPHY MEMOIRS - 591 active service and it was his fortune to take part in the celebrated Atlanta campaign un'der Gen Sherman and fight with Thomas at Franklin and Nashville. He served till the close of the war, received his discharge November 30, 1865, and immediately thereafter returned home and entered Wittenberg College. After taking a course in that institution, he began teaching in the public schools and was thus engaged until 1876, when he was elected superintendent of the schools at Marseilles, this state. As a teacher and manager of schools Mr. Gear has an enviable reputation and had he seen fit to continue educational work he doubtless would have achieved distinction in that useful field. Resigning the superintendency in 1881 he came to Upper Sandusky and engaged in the practice of law, having previously prepared himself for the same by a course of study under the direction of capable instructors. While a student he devoted much attention to civil engineering and after a limited period in the law he abandoned the practice and took tip surveying as a profession." "1883 he waS elected surveyor of Wyandot county, in which position he served six years, having been re-elected in 1886. He also served nine years as county School examiner and as such did much to promote the cause of education by advancing the standard of teaching. He insisted upon a higher order of professional training upon the part of those asking for positions in the public schools and used his influence in this direction until the school system of Wyandot Compared favorably with that of any other County in the state. Mr. Gear's inclinations early led him to take an active interest in politics and it was not long after locating in Upper Sandusky until he became. one of the recognized Democratic. leaders of northern Ohio. In 1880 he was elected to the lower branch of the general assembly and as a member of that body. Proved an able and discreet legislator, serving on may of the most important committees and taking an active and influential part in the general deliberations. He introduced a number of important bills which became laws and was largely instrumental in promoting other legislation of great value to the people of the state. So satisfactory was. his Course to his constituents that he was renominated in 1801, but a still higher honor awaited him, as he was nominated by his party for senator in a convention held at Tiffin the same year. He made a brilliant canvass, carried the election against a very populai competitor and served with distinction in the Ohio senate of the seventieth and seventy-first general assemblies, making a record which reflected great honor upon him as a public servant and a state party leader. At the expiration of his two senatorial terms Mr. Gear was again elected to the lower house and, as formerly; added luster to his name by reason of valuable service rendered to his constituents and to the people of the state at large. His well-known abilities caused him to be placed upon the leading committees and as a debater his influence upon the floor of the house was strong and far reaching in effect. He is now serving in the seventy-fourth general assembly. As a politician he is shrewd, far-seeing and his judgment on all matters of policy is seldom if ever at fault, while his ability as, an organizer and manager of campaigns has long since won him recognition as one of the most successful of Ohio's party leaders. He was selected by the Democratic 592 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. state executive committee in 1900 to conduct the speakers bureau of the state when William J. Bryan ran for the presidency. He is ever ready to, make any reasonable sacrifice to promote the interests of his party and his sound advice and executive ability, combined with indomitable energy and untiring work, have contributed more to the success of Democracy in Wyandot county than any other agency. A partisan, in the most liberal acceptation of the term, making every other interest subordinate to success at the polls, he is honorable in his methods and throughout a number of hotly contested campaigns he bore a leading part. His name has never been coupled with anything savoring in the least of disreputable practice. Mr. Gear was chosen, in 1892, one of the alternates-at-large to the national convention at Chicago and in 1901 was renominated by his party for representation from Wyandot county to the seventy-fifth session of the state legislature. In 1891 he was appointed by Governor Campbell chairman of the committee of -the First Commercial Congress of Western States, held at Kansas City, Mo., and as such discharged ably his duties and proved himself worthy of the honor conferred upon him. As a public man he has a state reputation and he also has a wide acquaintance among the leading politicians and statesmen in the nation. Wherever known. he is, held in high esteem and his career as, a teacher, engineer, legislator and politician is creditable to himself and complimentary to the county which is proud to number him among her progressive men and representative citizens. On the 24th day of December, 1874; Mr. Gear and Miss Alice Hale, daughter of Daniel and Katherine: (Kendig) Hale, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. Mrs. Gear's parents are natives of Pennsylvania and came to Wyandot county about the year 1852. Daniel Hale followed farming till 1886, when he retired from, active fife and moved .to Upper Sandusky, where he and wife no reside. Mrs. Gear was born May 5, 1855, in Crane township, and spent the greater part of her life in the county of Wyandot. Mr. and Mrs. Gear are the parents of six children, whose names are as follows: Frank L., a painter of Upper .Sandusky, served as sergeant in. Company B, Twentieth Ohio Volunteers, during the late Spanish-American war; Anna E. ; Florence Vivian; George Hale; Marie and Robert, all of whom are still members of the home circle-. Mr. Gear belongs to the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Pythian: fraternities at Upper Sandusky and is also a charter member of the Elks lodge in this city. Additional to those societies, he is identified with the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor and for some. years has been an active worker in Robbins Post, G. A. R. He believes, in religion, but is not united with any church, although a contributor to all moral and religious enterprises. Mrs. Gear is a Presbyterian. Mr. Gear is easily the peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood and good citizenship. He is what he is from natural endowment and self-culture, having attained his present standing solely through the impelling force of his own genius. He possesses not only those powers that render men efficient in official position and the political arena, but also the gentler traits that mark genial and refined social intercourse. In his daily affairs he manifests a generous regard for his fellows and as a large-hearted, whole-souled, companionable BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 593 gentleman, actuated by principles of honesty and integrity, no man in Wyandot county more fully merits and commands the good will of the people. HENRY F. GRAVES Henry F. Graves, banker of Carey, is an Ohioan by birth and may justly bear the title of "self-made man," having worked his way unaided from the humble ranks of toil through the vicissitudes and adversities of life to an admirable and influential position among the able financiers of Wyandot county. The success attained in his business enterprises has been greatly owing to his steady. persistence, stern integrity and excellent judgment, qualities which cause him to take rank with the leading business men in this section of the state, besides winning for him the confidence and esteem of the public to a marked degree. Noah F. Graves, father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, but when a mere child was taken by his mother to Preble county, Ohio, where he grew to maturity and married. Later he engaged in buying and shipping live stock at Findlay,. Ohio, where he carried on a successful business until 1857. His death occurred in that city in June, 1859, at the age of forty. For a number of years Noah F. Graves was suc. cessful in his various enterprises, but in the panic of 1857 he met with financial reverses which seriously crippled his business thereafter, and from which he never recovered. Left to the care of his mother when quite young, his father dying shortly after his birth, he was compelled to rely upon his own resources and the success which he attained was entirely the result of his ability as a business man. To provide him a home and the means of subsistence, when a mere boy his mother bound him to a neighbor and after serving his time he set himself resolutely to earning and carving out an honorable destiny, which he accomplished in due time. Wherever known the name of Mr. Graves was a synonym for all that consti-- tuted honorable and upright manhood. Originally a Whig he supported that old party until its dissolution, after which he assisted in organizing its successor, the Republican party, of which he remained a strong and uncompromising adherent until his death. At one time he was his party's candidate for sheriff of Hancock county,. but failed of election by reason of the overwhelming majority of the opposition, though receiving more votes than any other man on the ticket. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic brotherhood and in every relation of life his conduct was that of an intelligent, broad-minded, courteous gentleman. Martha M. Rinehart, wife of Noah J. Graves, was, born in Preble county, Ohio,. and is still living in the city of Findlay, haying reached the age of seventy-one years. She bore her husband three children, the subject of this review being the oldest of the number; the others are William, E., who died when forty years old, and Charles F., a plumber doing business. in Findlay. Henry F. Graves was born May 21, 1852, in Xenia, Ohio, and was a lad of seven years when his father died. He remained with his mother during his boyhood and youth, received a good education in the Findlay schools and at the early age of seventeen began life for himself as a clerk in a hardware 194 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. store: After continuing in that capacity about five years and obtaining a practical knowledge of business, he came in 1874 to the town of Carey and accepted the position of salesman with a mercantile firm that made hardware a specialty. Mr. Graves' ability and reliability is sufficiently attested by the fad of his long continuance in the service of the same employer, as he remained with the hardware house in Carey from 1872 to 1881. In the latter year he severed his connection With the Mercantile business to become bookkeeper in the People's Bank; a position, he filled to the satisfaction of the management until the death of the president; David Straw, when he was promoted to the more responsible post of cashier. Upon assuming the duties of this Station, he purchased an interest in the bank and in 1895 became one of its managers by reason of the death of D. H. Straw, at that time president of the institution; On the reorganization of the bank; incorporated with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, under the name Of the Peoples Bank Company. On the first day of February, 1902, Mr. Graves was elected president of the institution, and is now serving: in that capacity. His wise counsel and financial credit have been conducive to the stability and popularity of the bank, much of the success of which is directly attributable to his ability sound judgment. and keen discernment as a financier. He is a skillful accountant, familiar with the details of banking and as president and executive has won the confidence of the public to such a degree that few go elsewhere to transact their monetary affairs. There are few men in Wyandot county more entirely self-made than Carey's popular and efficient banker. With a mind unusually fertile in resources, he has realized success where many others in a similar situation would have confessed defeat. Confident and self-possessed, ordinary obstacles do not deter him. Indefatigable and indomitable, he goes forward when others hesitate and is full of confidence when others doubt. His life maybe studied with profit by those who bewail their poverty in youth, for on every page may be read "Where there is .a will there is a way" and that fortune's favorites are those who woo her by rugged advances as well as by the blandishments of wealth and station. The honorable position he has attained in life is a monument to his success, gratifying alike to himself, his family and his many friends in Carey and throughout the county. of Wyandot. Mr. Graves is also one of .the directors in the First National Bank of Upper Sandusky, which institution is one of the oldest in this part of the state. The marriage of Mr. Graves and Miss Nora A. De Witt, daughter of Joseph De Witt, a pioneer of this part of Ohio, was solemnized in the month of August, 1886. Mrs. Graves was born and reared near the town Of Carey and has spent all her life within the limits of her native county. She has been a valuable assistant to her husband, aside from presiding with ease and dignity over his pleasant home, and is highly esteemed in the community by members of the best social circles. Like the great majority of good women, she possesses a fine moral nature and has accomplished much good by reaon of her connection with the Lutheran church, of which she has been a consistent member for many years. By honorable dealing, as well as by shrewd business management, Mr. Graves BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 595 has accumulated much valuable property, owning at the present time a large amount of real estate in Various parts of the county, besides capital in bank and otherwise invested. Genial and companionable, he is well liked by his fellow citizens and none stand higher in public esteem, than he. His name appears on the records of Lodge No. 420, F. & A. M., and Chapter No. 159; R. A. M.; he is also a member of the DeMolay Commandery, K. T., at Tiffin, and has taken the thirty-second or Scottish Rite degree. In addition to the Masonic fraternity he is an Odd Fellow of high standing, belonging to Lodge No. 159, at Carey. WILLIAM GREGG. Prominent among the enterprising business men of Upper Sandusky is William Gregg, who for a number of years has been the largest and most successful grain dealer in Wyandot county. In looking over his family history, it is learned that his grandfather, a native of Ireland, came to' the United States as early as 1799 and settled tempqrarily in Pennsylvania. After a brief residence in that state he migrated westward as far as Jefferson county, Ohio, where local annals say, he figured as one of the earliest and most conspicuous pioneers of that section of the state. A man of moderate circumstances, he located originally on the land of an early; settler as a renter, but as soon as he became fairly well off in the world's goods he purchased a. place of his own and continued to live on the same the remainder of his days. The name of this sturdy pioneer was Andrew Gregg. He was married in Pennsylvania shortly after coming to the new world and his good wife, Jennette, also born in the Emerald Isle, proved a valuable helpmeet during their early experience on the frontier of Jefferson county. He died about the year 1817 in the prime of vigorous manhood, his widow surviving to. a very old age. Among the children of Andrew and Jennette Gregg was a son, Robert, who was born in Pennsylvania. He. accompanied his parents to their new home in the wilds of Jefferson county and there grew to manhood, taking an active part in the development' of the country and later in life becoming a "large land owner and prosperous farmer. In the year 1846 he disposed of his realty in Jefferson County and came to Wyandot, settling several miles northeast of Upper where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land which he cleared and ,otherwise. improved. He was successful in the accumulation of property, took a livery interest in Public affairs of his township and county and for some years was a Republican leader in the neighborhood where he dwelt, having formerly been an ardent and uncompromising supporter of the old Whig party. He was a strong friend of the national union during the early days of slavery agitation and from his youth was a pronounced Methodist in his religious belief. He lived out a well-rounded, useful life, dying at the age of seventy-six. Nancy SMith, wife of Robert Gregg and mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, the daughter of William Smith, who came to this' county from Ireland in 1807. William Smith was also an early pioneer of Jefferson county and became one of its success- 596 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. ful farmers and stock raisers. He is remembered as a man: of most exemplary character, a pious member of the Methodist church, and his death occurred after reaching the good old age of eighty years. Mrs. Gregg departed this life on the 18th day of March, 1840, when; but thirty-three years old, leaving a family of six children, name ly : Andrew, John., James., William, Franklin. and Watterman, all of whom, except the subject of this sketch, are deceased. William Gregg, to a review of whose life the remainder of this article is devoted, was born June' 12, 1833, near Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio. The first seven years of his life were spent on the paternal homestead and he still retains many fond recollections of the place of his birth and recalls with pleasure many incidents of his childhood home. In his eighth year he was brought by his parents to the county of Wyandot, and here he grew to manhood, remaining with his father until twenty-five years. old and at intervals during his minority attending the common schools. At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Gregg purchased a farm. consisting, of eighty acres in Eden township, but did not long retain the land, disposing of it one year later. He then bought ninety-three acres about three miles north of Upper Sandusky, to which he subsequently added . twenty acres more, going in debt for a part of the purchase price. Upon. this. place he lived and prospered .until 1878, in December of which year he changed his. residence to. thee county seat and turned his attention to the grain business. The better to carry on his. operations, Mr. Gregg erected an elevator, which he operated successfully until April, 1896,, when the entire structure was consumed by fire, entailing quite a loss upon the proprietor. Rallying from this disaster, Mr. Gregg. rented the elevator which he now. owns, purchasing the same after the lapse of two years, during which period he dealt very extensively in all kinds of grain and did a very satisfactory business. Since taking possession of the elevator as owner he has greatly extended his operations, being at this time the largest grain. buyer and shipper in the county and among the most successful in the northern part of the state. Mr. Gregg is one oaf the aggressive Republicans of Wyandot, a leader of the party and one of its wisest and most reliable counselors. While an active partisan, leaving no reasonable effort undone to promote the success of the ticket, he has little sympathy with the methods: of the curb-stone politician, and refuses to resort to any than the most honorable and legitimate means in his political operations. In 1890 he was the choice of his party for land appraiser and at the election that year he went into the office by a large majority, although the county was overwhelmingly Democratic and a very popular man took the field against him. He discharged the duties of the position with good judgment and ability and failed not to satisfy the people regardless of political ties. Mr. Gregg possesses. a fund of good common sense, which combined with sound judgment, tact and business ability of a high order, mark him, as one of Wyandot county's most intelligent and enterprising citizens. Of pleasing address and genial manner, he is popular with the people of his city and his name is always found in connection with movements having for their object the material, moral and religious well being of the community. At the present BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 597 time he is interested in several enterprises, among them being a land syndicate of Toledo, which has operated extensively in different parts of Ohio and other states. The Methodist .church represents his religious creed and for some years past he has been an active and influential member of the local congregation in Upper Sandusky. Mr. Gregg's first wife, whose maiden name was Magala Lemert, a native of Crawford county, Ohio, departed this life on the l0th day of March, 1867, leaving three children, Hubert, Ella and Lara. His, second marriage was solemnized with Mattie Gibson, of Wyandot county, a union blessed with the birth of two children, Alten and Claude, the latter an assistant in the grain business. Fraternally Mr. Gregg is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, belonging to Warpole Lodge, No. 175, Upper Sandusky. EDWIN BROWN The subject of this review is a venerable and highly respected farmer of Crawford township. He is a worthy representative of one of Ohio's early pioneer families, his father, Souvreign H. Brown, a native of Baltimore, Md., having settled in Ohio as long ago as the year 1802. Souvreign H. Brown was a farmer, and he followed that vocation in the county of Highland till 1844, at which time he migrated to Iowa, where he lived until his death, in 1855, at the age of seventy. He served in the war of 1812 and was made prisoner by the British at Hull's surrender of Detroit. Mrs. Mary Brown, wife of Souvreign H. Brown, was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of James and Jane Bell, who were among the early pioneers of Ohio. She departed this life when her son, the subject of this article, was but a child of eighteen months old. Edwin Brown spent his youth and early manhood on the home farm in Highland county and early learned by practical experience the full meaning of honest toil in its various aspects on the farm. When in his twenty-third year he went to Iowa and purchased one hundred acres of land and later entered a forty-acre, tract, both of which he improved, and upon which he resided about four years. He then sold his places and removing to another part of the state, Black Hawk county, purchased land and engaged in farming and milling. Mr. Brown owned a part of the present site of Cedar Falls and, in conjunction with three others, surveyed the town and put the lots upon the market. The enterprise proved very successful and from a small beginning the place has. continued to increase in population and importance until the present time. Cedar Falls is now one of the most beautiful and flourishing cities of its size in the state of Iowa and much of the prosperity it now enjoys is directly attributed to the energy and persistence displayed by the original proprietors. They gave an impetus to the place which soon caused it to be widely and favorably known as a good trading point and a favorable place for the investment of capital and by their personal exertion induced, a fine class of citizens to select the town for a permanent home. Mr. Brown remained in Cedar Falls from 1848 to 1872. In the latter year he returned to Ohio, and located in Wyandot county, settling on a farm three' miles south of Carey, where he lived until his removal from the farm in the spring of 1901 to the 598 - BIOGRAPHICAL town of Carey, where he now resides. During the time spent on the: farm he carried on agriculture very successfully and by industry and judicious business methods accumulated a handsome competence which placed him: a. position of independence. In the year last referred to he erected a fine brick dwelling in, Carey where, surrounded by many of the conveniences' and comforts of life, he is spending his declining years free from the care and anxiety 'which overtake so, many whose situations are not so fortunate as his own. He still looks after his business interests and; to keep himself pleasantly and at the same time. profitably employed; personally superintends a well-cultivated farm adjoining the limits of Carey. Recently he laid, out what is known as Brown's Addition to Carey, a most desirable Tart of the town, and 'the lots are being purchased by those having in view the erection of beau, tiful and attractive residences. Mr. Brown was married July 20, 1872, to Miss Cinderella Carey, daughter of Judge John Carey, one of Wyandot's most distinguished citizens; a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in these pages. Mrs. Brown was born and reared in Crawford township and after a happy married life of twenty years duration was called to the Other world on the l0th day of July, 1892. She was a faithful and loving wife. a consecrated member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her death was mourned by a host of relatives and friends who had long known and prized her for her many noble traits of womanhood. On attaining his majority Mr. Brown espoused the principles. of the old Whig party and continued loyal to the same until the party's dissolution, after which he be came a Republican. He has voted with the latter ever since its organization and, while earnest in the support of his political convictions, he has never been an aspirant for political favors of any kind. For many years he has been an earnest and untiring worker in the cause of temperance and formerly the Presbyterian church represented his religious creed. There being no organization; of that denomination in Carey, he united with the Methodist church, of which he is now an humble and devout communicant. In summing up this brief sketch we find the battle of life to have been well fought by this enterprising, self-made man. That he is endowed with financial of no mean order must be. admitted, yet there is added to this an honest determination of purpose arid a kind heart, which has impelled him to help others while he was making a path to prosperity for him. From an early age his desire has been to earn every cent needed in the prosecution of his business. He has always lived, upon his principle and now as age creeps on apace, with the ambition to accumulate no longer a necessity; free from embarrassing debts and with a wholly unencumbered property, he stands among the financially strong and well-to-do men of his town and county. He is plain and unassuming in manner and by reason of his noble character is frequently sought for as guide, counselor and friend. BYRON OGG. Wyandot county can boast of few more progressive and successful farmers and stock men than the well-known gentleman, whose name furnishes the caption of this BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 599 review. He is considered one of the leading agriculturists of Crawford township and as a citizen is intelligent and enterprising, combining within himself those sterling qualities of manhood that make not only a useful member of society, but a leader in whatever he undertakes. Byron Ogg .is a native son of Wyandot county, born about three miles south of Carey in Crawford ,township, November 7, 1865. His father, William Ogg, was born and reared on a farm just west of Carey which the subject now owns and later he purchased a place south of the town where he spent the remaining years of his life. About 1850 William Ogg went to California and engaged in mining; he met with encouraging success during the three or four years he remained there and returned home with considerable money which he judiciously invested in real estate. As time went by this land increased greatly in value and at his death the six hundred acres he owned proved a comfortable fortune for his family. He carried on agriculture quite extensively, also raising stock, and met with success in both undertakings. There were few s progressive and large hearted men in the ection of 'the county as William Ogg. Liberal to a fault, helping with generous hands all worthy objects of charity, he was a potent factor for substantial good in the community, and his memory is cherished as a priceless heritage by his family and by others who profited: by his liberality. He. died February 17, 1870, at. about the age of forty-seven. His wife, Keziah Wohlgamuth, a native of Stark county, Ohio, died when thirty-one years, old, leaving an ,only son, the subject of this sketch. Her parents were. natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, the remote ancestors of the family coming to America at a very early period. Byron Ogg, was, fourteen months old when his mother died, after which sad event he was taken by, her parents, who kept him until his father's second marriage, four and a half years later. He then returned home, but another great misfortune soon overtook him in the death of his father, which occurred when the lad was about five years of age, He then went back to his grandparents and made his home with them until attaining his majority, when he took charge of the large estate left him and started upon his successful career as a farmer and stock raiser. Meanwhile Mr. Ogg attended the country schools and received a good education, which with knowledge since obtained by coming in contact with the world in different business capacities has enabled him to discharge very successfully the duties. of . a -very active life. Under the direction of his maternal grandfather, who was a thorough farmer and clear-headed, practical business man, our subject was, early instructed in the things essential to his success when he should come into possession of his share, of the estate. He proved a willing and apt Pupil and when the time came for him to assume the ownership, and management of such a large and important, interest he was well qualified, to, transact such business as came within his sphere and soon earned the reputation of one of the most enterprising farmers in the township of Crawford., Not content with what came to him by inheritance, Mr. Ogg has since purchased a part of his grandfather's old homestead, about ninety acres of which lie within the corporate limits of Carey, and on this he has recently