BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 625 he is the soul of hospitality and good fellowship, greeting his friends With a profusion of spirit which sweetens the welcome. Mr. Snyder's wife was formerly Miss Anna Musselman and the ceremony which united them in the bonds of wedlock was solemnized on the loth day of October, 1882. Mr.. and Mrs. Snyder were schoolmates in their native state of Pennsylvania, and their union has been blessed with six children, namely: Clarence, Cora, Maude, Grover, Howard and George, all members of the home circle, except the oldest, who is absent attending college. IRA N. ZEIS, M. D. The true western spirit of progress and enterprise is strikingly exemplified in the lives of such men as Dr. Zeis, men whose energetic nature and laudable ambition :have enabled them to conquer many adverse circumstances and advance steadily to leading positions in professional and business life. The Doctor is a worthy representative of this class and is now a. prominent figure in the medical circles of Wyandot county, having been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in the town of Carey since 1894. William H. Zeis, the Doctor's father, is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He is still living and at the present time owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near the town of McCutchenville. He served in the late Civil war as private in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, is a man of more: than- local repute and as a farmer and stock raiser has amassed .a fortune which will enable him to spend the remaining years retired from the active duties of life. The father of William H. Zeis, Jacol? H. by name, was born ,anct reared in Germany, and shortly after his marriage there came to the United, States, settling about 1828 in Seneca county, Ohio He was one of the pioneers of that part of the state, took an active part in the growth and development of the country and became a large and wealthy land owner. He accumulated a fortune estimated at eighty thousand, dollars, mostly in real estate, which he purchased from the government, and died at the age of sixty-seven; his wife, a true type of the pioneer dame of seventy years ago, also lived to a good age, dying in her sixty-sixth year, the mother of fifteen children. Margaret E.. Cromer, who became the wife of William H. Zeis, was born in Seneca. county, Ohio, the daughter of Ezra E. and Sarah (Crawn) Cromer, the latter of whom is still living at the advanced, age of eighty-five, the father having- died when sixty-seven years old. These parents were among the first pioneers of Seneca and lived to see the country emerge from a wilderness and takes its place among the most advanced counties of the commonwealth. Mrs. Margaret E. Zeis bore her husband three children and died in the prime of life having barely reached her thirty-second year. The children were as follows. The subject of the article; Daniel Webster, a dentist who is now residing in Columbus; and a daughter that died in infancy. Dr. Ira N. Zeis was born on the banks of Wolf creek, Seneca county, October 9, 1867, and spent his boyhood days on the 626 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. home farm near Cromer Station. He early became accustomed to the use of all implements used in tilling the soil and the public schools afforded him the opportunities of an educational training which. enabled him to engage in the work of teaching when a youth of. but sixteen years' of age. From that, time on for a couple of years he taught of winter seasons and attended school during the summer months, making substantial progress in the higher branches of learning in what was known as Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, .Ohio. While teaching he husbanded his earnings with 'the greatest of care, with the object in view. of preparing himself for the medical profession when he could get together money enough to enable him to take a course of study. In due time he found the opportunity long desired and made arrangements while teaching to. devote his spare time to reading in the office of Dr. C. A. Heaton, of McCutchenville. At intervals during the succeeding three years Dr. Zeis prosecuted his professional studies under the direction of the above physician and then entered a medical college at Toledo, where, he completed his preliminary work, graduating on the 12th day of March, 1894. As a student the Doctor's record was all that could be desired and his progress was such that at graduation he stood first in a large class distinguished for the ability of its members. Many of less determination would have retired discouraged before Completing the course under circumstances such as the Doctor was obliged to encounter before receiving his degree. His limited means barely enabled him to live and clothe himself respectably and on leaving college an inventory of his available cash showed him to be the possessor of ninety cents in small change. In order to furnish an office and begin the practice .his father furnished him a small amount of money and with this he came to Carey Apri1.4, 1894, and swinging his shingle to the breeze announced himself in readiness to. minister to the necessities of suffering humanity. Like all new beginners, his progress at first was slow, but in due season his ability became known and a lucrative practice was the result. At the present time he ranks with the most. successful medical men of. Wyandot county and his business, already large, is constantly growing in volume, his patients. being among the best people in Carey and surrounding territory. Dr. Zeis is an enthusiast in his profession and keeps himself in touch with the age on all matters relating to medicine and surgery. He is a reader of the best professional, literature and possesses the happy faculty of applying his wide knowledge in the treatment of diseases to which humanity is., heir. His manner in the sick room is such as to: inspire confidence on the. part of sufferers and their friends and he seldom makes a mistake in diagnosis or treatment. So far his practice has been eminently satisfactory professionally and financially, and he has a laudable ambition to perform still more effective service in the future. Dr. Zeis is a married. man and the father of three children, one of whom died in infancy ; the other two are Gladys and William Russell. The maiden name of Mrs. Zeis was Viola Gam; she is the daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Gam, of Carey, and the ceremony. which united them! in the bonds of holy wedlock was solemnized on the 28th day of February, 1895. While devoting his time and attention earnestly to his chosen calling, the Doctor is BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 627 not unmindful of the duties of citizenship which every loyal man owes to his country. He takes an active interest in matters political and supports the principles of, the Republican party. He belongs, to the Northwestern, Medical Society, takes a part in its deliberations and leaves nothing undone which he can do to add to his professional knowledge, either by study or by exchanging ideas and opinions with his professional brethren. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, blue, lodge and chapter, and is also one of the leading workers. in the Pythian order at Carey, holding the office of county deputy and having represented Justice Lodge, No. 393, in the grand lodge of Ohio. The' Doctor is a firm believer in revealed religion and in the efficacy of the church as a great moral and spiritual force in winning humanity to the higher, life. He subscribes to the Methodist creed and, with his wife, belongs to the Carey congregation, being, a member of its official board at the present time. CHARLES STIEF, DECEASED. The influence which the late Charles Stief, Sr., exerted upon the industrial and business interest of the town Of Carey was potent and. far reaching. As a manufacturer of brick and drain tile he added much to the material prosperity of the place and as. a wide-awake, progressive. man of affairs he became widely and favorably. known as one of the representative citizens of Wyandot county. Mr. Stief was a native of Germany, born in Newlasheim, Baden, on the uth day of. November, 1835. The father, Andrew Stief, was a dealer in hemp and Charles became his assistant as soton as big enough to handle the implement's used in the business. Thinking to better his financial condition in the new world Andrew .Stief and family left their native land in 1851 and coming to the United States located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where he died six weeks after his arrival. Catherine Stief, wife of Andrew, also a native of Germany, survived her husband some years, dying at the age of seventy. She was the mother of five children, namely : Jacob, who died in this country when about thirty years old. He was formerly a sergeant in the German army, but in the war of 1848, when Baden attempted to achieve her independence, he cast his lot with the revolutionists and took an active part in the insurrection; on this account he was compelled to flee the country and, making his way to the United States, died here a few years later. The second in order of birth was Charles, whose name introduces this article. Adam, the third, of the family, went to California in 1854 and became a successful miner and later acquired large wealth in the live stock business; he was prosperous in all his undertakings and remained in California until his death, which occurred on the 19th day of April, 1901. Gottlieb, who was next, to Adam, died in Wyandot county. Christina, also deceased, the youngest of the family, was the wife of John Buser, of this county. Charles Stief was sixteen years old when brought by his parents to the United States and for some time After his arrival he lived with the family in Wyandot county. Later he learned the stone mason's trade in Bucyrus and after working there several years began the manufacture of brick at Upper 628 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. Sandusky in partnership with his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Stief & Ulrich. He carried on a large and lucrative trade there until 186o, in 'the spring of which year he disposed of his interest in the business and, effecting a copartnership with a Mr. Miller, established a similar enterprise in Carey, which was conducted under the name of Stief & Miller until the subject became sole proprietor four years later. Mr. Stief's success as manufacturer of brick was assured from 'the start and it was not long until his yards in Carey were the largest and most patronized in the county. In the spring of 1877 he established a large plant for the manufacture, of drain tile, an enterprise which more than met his expectations in financial returns and which' in the end proved one of the most remunerative industries in this part of the state. The demand for tiling became so great as to necessitate the enlargement of the plant's capacity and the business has continued to grow in volume and importance to the present time. Mr. Stief devoted his tine and attention to his brick yard and tile factory until failing health obliged him to retire from active life, at which time he- turned the' business over to his sons, Henry R., Jacob and Charles, who managed it with renewed energy and a large measure of success until his death. Enterprising, and progressive in all the terms imply, intelligent beyond the average ability, Mr. Stief overcame many formidable obstacles in the pathway of success and gradually forged to the front until he won a conspicuous place in the ranks of Wyandot county's prominent business men and representative citizens. Starting in life at the very bottom of the ladder, with no capital except what nature had provided him in the way of strong and willing hands, a vigorous mentality, keen discernment and a determined purpose, he knew no such word as fair; and throughout a long and active career demonstrated that success, is not the result of what some are pleased to call good luck, but is the legitimate fruit of industry, perseverance and consecutive effort. All his dealings were honorable, his integrity was unimpeachable and the sincerity of his motives in his every 'transaction were never Called in question by those with whom he had business or other relations. While he was much more than ordinarily successful in his worldly affairs, accumulating a large estate, conservatively estimated at forty thousand dollars, he was rich in the higher qualities of manhood, as he always endeavored to shape his life according to the divine standard furnished by the man of Nazareth, of whom, he was for many years a sincere and devout follower. His religious convictions were deep and strong and as a member of the orthodox Lutheran church, his life was fruitful of witch good to his fellow man. Politically Mr. Stief was a supporter of the Democratic party and he took an active interest in upholding and maintaining its prinCiples: Though not an office seeker he was frequently importuned to stand for public position, but he invariably refused, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his large and growing business enterprises. With the exception of township trustee, member of the board of education and member of the city council, he held no office, but his duties in these positions were cheerfully and efficiently discharged: As stated in a former paragraph, the precarious state of Mr. Stief's health obliged him to turn his business over to BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 629 other hands and the five years preceding his death were years of great physical suffering. The disease which had fastened itself upon his former vigorous constitution gradually but surely did its fell work and on the 2ist day of. September, 1898, the soul of this good man took its everlasting flight. His loss was deeply felt, not only by the members of his immediate family, but by everybody in the community, where for many years he had lived and prospered. Catherine Ulrich, wife of Charles Stief, was born in Germany in 1834 and grew to maturity in the locality where her husband spent his youth and early manhood. She came to the United States in 1847 with her parents, Henry and Lizzi (Smith) Ulrich, who settled in Salem township, Wyandot county. Her father was born in 1800, followed agriculture for a livelihood and departed this life in the month of March, 1876; the mother died nine years later at the .age of eighty-two. They were members of the Lutheran church, devout in their religious observances and lived lives of consecration to duty. Mrs. Stief was thirteen years old when she came to this country and the ceremony which made her a wife was solemnized in the year 1858. Like her ancestors for several generations, she was a Lutheran and throughout life remained loyal to her church. Six children were born to Charles and Catherine Stief, one of whom died in infancy before receiving a name; the others are: Henry B., Jacob, Charles J., Emma C., and Rose; who married M. E. Mench, of Tiffin, this. state. The sons are all useful citizens and prominent in the public and business affairs of Wyandot county. Henry was born in Upper Sandusky June 5, 1859, and, as already indicated, became a partner with his brother in the brick and tile business, in which he is still identified and ranks with the leading and progressive. men of Carey. A Democrat in politics, he is one of the leaders of.his party in Wyandot county and during the progress of campaigns he wields a potent influence as a counsellor, planner and worker in the rank. He has never entertained ambition in the direction of public office, although at the earnest solicitation of his many friends, irrespective of party, he allowed himself to be elected to the town council, the duties of which position he discharged faithfully and well. Jacob Stief was born January 31, 1861, in the town where he now lives and received a good practical education in the public-schools. When old enough he began working in his father's brickyard. and tile factory and at the latter's death purchased an interest in the plant, which he still owns. Like his brother, Henry, he is prominent in local affairs, having several times served as township clerk and as member of the Common council he was instrumental in promoting municipal legislation. In 1892 he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of. Carey and for a period of four years thereafter discharged his official functions to the entire satisfaction of the public. In politics he is a Democrat and as such has been of great service to his party in Wyandot county, contributing much to its success ever since old enough to exercise the right of the elective franchise. He was born and reared in the Lutheran faith and' at the present time is .oneof the leading members of the church in Carey. Mr. Stief was married May 22, 1899, to Miss Iva Wowder, daughter. of Andrew 630 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. Wowder, of Carey, and is the father of one child, a son, Willard Charles Stief. The brick and tile plant owned and operated by Henry B. and Jacob Stief is by far the largest enterprise of the kind in Wyandot county and one of the most extensively patronized in the northern. part of the state. Under the joint management. of the proprietors, both shrewd and progressive business men, it has steadily grown in favor and promises to continue in the future, what it has been in the past, the leading industry of Carey. The product of the factory, both brick and tile, is noted for superior quality . and excellence and the, annual business. is estimated to be in excess of ten. thousand dollars. In addition to their manufacturing enterprise, the Stief brothers. are also largely interested in stock raising and agriculture, operating a fine farm: of two hundred and sixteen acres, on which can be seen some of the finest cattle, sheep, and hogs to be found in this section of Ohio. They carry on general farming quite extensively which with the stock business, adds very materially to their yearly incomes. REV. JOHN Z. MIZER. This well-known and scholarly divine, the devoted and popular pastor of the church of Our Lady of Consolation at Carey, is a native of Ohio, born in the city of Cleveland on the 24th day of December, 1854. His father, John Mizer, was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and was brought to America by his parents when four years old. The family located in Cleveland, where the elder Mizer spent the greater part of his life as foreman of the Cuyahoga Works. He died in that city in the sixty-eighth year of his age. Margaret Ruebensell, wife of John Mizer and mother of our subject, was also born in the kingdom of Bavaria, and when a young lady of sixteen accompanied her parents to the new world, settling in Cleveland, where her marriage afterward took place. Both she and her husband were devout Catholics and made the claims of the holy church paramount to every other consideration. They were plain, unassuming people, pre-eminently noted for their good common sense and strict observance of every religious duty. Of the six children that constituted their family the subject of this review is the first born and by far the: best known. After receiving his preliminary education in the parochial schools of Cleveland, Father Mizer entered, at the age of fourteen, St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, Wis., where he pursued his. studies for a limited period and then became a student in a diocesan college at Louisville, Ohio, where for two years he devoted his attention to the higher branches of learning. The folloWing year he taught in one of the parish schools of Cleveland and then went to Calvary, Wis., and completed a course in St. Laurence College. In early youth he decided to devote his life to the service of God and the uplifting of humanity and in due time he formulated plans to prepare himself for the priesthood. Finishing his literary course, he began the study of theology in the Cleveland Seminary and after five years of close study was ordained a priest on the 4th day of July, 1880. His first parish was at Kirby, Ohio, where he faithfully and efficiently discharged the duties of his holy office for a BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 631 period of ten years, greatly strengthening the church numerically and financially and increasing its influence for good in the community. During his pastorate there he built a beautiful mission. church, eight miles from the town, at a cost of eight thousand dollars, which was afterward destroyed by fire, entailing a great loss upon the congregation. With characteristic energy he at once went to work to replace the building, which was of frame, with a substantial brick structure and after many sacrifices and much hard labor he succeeded in getting the enterprise under way. Pushing the work as rapidly as circumstances would admit, the good pastor's efforts were at last crowned with success, for the. temple of worship, forty by eighty feet in dimensions and representing a capital of twelve thousand dollars, was formally dedicated on the 4th of June, 1894, and within one year and a half thereafter every cent of indebtedness was wiped out. This church stands a monument to his zeal and sound business methods and the parishioners there, to whom he still breaks the bread life, entertain for him feelings of great love and veneration. In January, 1894, Father Mizer was appointed pastor of the church of Our Lady of Consolation, at Carey, and here he has since remained busily 'engaged in strengthening the congregation and winning souls from the path of sin, to the higher way leading to. holiness and everlasting life. When he came to Carey the church had a membership of about thirty families, a number which has since been increased to seventy. The success which has attended every department of religious work since he took charge has been eminently satisfactory and among all classes of people, irrespective Of church or creed, he has made many warm and enduring friends. Father Mizer is held in high esteem by bishop and clergy, and in Carey, as well as throughout northern Ohio, by Catholics and non-Catholics alike for his many noble qualities' of mind and heart. He is one of the most generous and manly of men and his untiring labors in the cause of Christianity have endeared him to his people and aroused in all with whom he comes in contact an admiration seldom enjoyed by priest or layman. Broad-minded, charitable and devout, he well deserves the high regard in which he is held and the good work he has, already accomplished in the name of God and humanity may be taken as an earnest of a still wider experience and greater usefulness in years yet to come. The church of Our Lady of Consolation is the only church by this name in America acknowledged at Rome'as a "shrine," in consequence of which it is annually visited by devout pilgrims from all parts of the United States and Canada. The present building was. erected in 1873 by Rev. Father J. P. Gloden, who at that time was pastor in charge to the congregation at Berwick and Carey. WILLIS R. KURTZ. Henry B. Kurtz, founder of the dry goods house in Carey operated by Willis R. and Edgar B. Kurtz, formerly known by the firm name of The H. B. Kurtz Sons, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., September 28, 1827. His parents, David and Margaret (Bard) Kurtz, also natives of the Keystone state, reared a family of six children, namely Fannie, H. B., Susan, B. F. 632 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. and D. P. Mr. Kurtz was reared in his native state and in 1848 began business for himself at McAlister, Penn., where he became a member of the mercantile firm of J. H. & B. Kurtz. After continuing with the above firm until 1852., he disposed of his interests in the store and, removing to Ross county, Ohio, was engaged about one year in railroad construction, doing considerable work on the Marietta and Cincinnati line. In 1854 he returned to Juniata county, Penn., and married Sarah Rickenbach, and on his wedding day started to Ohio. He settled first. in Sandusky county and one year later took, up his residence in the county of Hancock, where. he purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1859 he moved to Carey, Wyandot county, and engaged as salesman for David Straw, in Whose employ he continued two years. he then returned to his farm, remaining there until 1876, when he sold out and came back to Carey in the interest of the Champion Machine Company. One year later he opened his dry goods business in which he continued with gratifying success the remainder of his life. Although not a banker large sums of money were deposited with him by persons who desired him to act as custodian of their funds. In 1886 he took his son, Willis R., into partnership and in 1893 sold to his son, Edgar B., his remaining interest in the business and virtually retired from; the firm. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz had eight children : Emma A., Ida B., David S., Willis R., Edgar B., Mettie and Clara. Mr. Ktirtz was not a member of any church society but' gave liberally to all religious and benevolent enterprises. He affiliated with the Republican party and was a worthy member of the highest type, greatly esteemed and beloved by all who knew him: He departed this life in Carey on the 7th day of February, 1897. Willis. R. Kurtz, whose name initiates this review, was born in Wyandot county, Ohio, April 16, 1863, and received his education in the public schools of Carey. When old enough he entered his father's store in the capacity of clerk and continued as such until admitted to partnership in 1886. From that date until 1893 he retained a half interest in the business with his father, but after. the latter's death his younger brother, Edgar B., became a partner and, as thus constituted, the house has since been known. The Kuirtz brothers are the leading dry goods merchants in Carey and their well-appointed store, supplied with all articles demanded by the trade, is one of the largest and most successfully conducted enterprises of the kind in Wyandot county. The subject of this sketch is an accomplished business man thorough in his methods, popular with his numerous customers and familiar with every detail of commercial life. He is public-spirited, taking an active interest in the town and county, and as a member of the school board has done much to promote the educational interests of Carey. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge, No. 420, F. & A. M:, and religiously belongs to the English Lutheran church,' holding 'the position of deacon in the Carey congregation at the present time. . Mr. Kurtz was married September 27, 1887, to Miss Gertrude Houk, daughter of Henry Houk, of Carey. She was born in this town, received a good education in the graded schools and has borne her husband three children, namely : Dean H., Russell BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 633 and Gail M. Mrs. Kurtz is also a member of the Lutheran church, in which she is highly esteemed. Edgar. B. Kurtz, junior member of the firm of Kurtz Brothers, is a native of .Wyandot county, Ohio, born in the town of Carey on the 3oth day of January, 1870. In his youth he enjoyed the best educational advantages the schools afforded and he obtained his first knowledge of business in the store with which he is now connected. He continued as clerk until 1893 when as already indicated, he purchased a half interest and is now a member of the largest and most substantial dry goods firm in this part of the Reared to business pursuits he profited by his early training and experience and his thorough knowledge of the line of commerce coming within his sphere has won him, a conspicuous place among the enterprising and successful merchants of Wyandot county. The marriage of Mr. Kurtz was solemnized January 21, 1893, with Miss Sofronia Wonder, daughter of David H. Wouder (a sketch of the latter appears elsewhere in this work). Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have a beautiful, in fact, an elegant home, which is made bright by the presence of a daughter, Ruth, a sweet little miss of seven summers. Mr. Kurtz has been remarkably fortunate in his financial transactions, owning valuable property in both town and county, the latter consisting of a finely improved farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. He is a shrewd, far sighted business man whose integrity has never been questioned and whose dealings are conducted in harmony with the ethics of commercial life. As a citizen he is popular and his name is al ways found connected with all laudable enterprises' for the good of his fellow man. He holds membership with the Masonic lodge of Carey and politically supports the principles of the Republican party. A prominent business man and representative citizen, alive to all that interests the public, or tends to promote the material and moral welfare of the community, Edgar B. Kurtz is worthy of mention with the enterprising and progressive men of Wyandot county. CHRISTIAN BART, DECEASED. It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operations of his code of morals, witness how he conducts, himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are therefore competent to. judge of his merits and his demerits. After a long course of , years of such daily observation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." In this connection it is not too much .to say that the subject of this, sketch passed a life of unusual, honor, that he was industrious and had the confidence of all who had the pleasure of his friendship. He was born in the little republic of Switzerland on the 3d of January, 1825. His father lived in the Canton of Berne, and there Christian Bart grew to maturity, securing a fair education and learning in early manhood the carpenter's trade. Thinking to better his condition, in 1844-he boarded a sailing vessel and after. several 634 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. weeks spent on the billowy. Atlantic landed in New York. He crossed the Alleghanies and came to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and there opened a shop and began working at his trade. He soon was earning a competence and thereafter found no difficulty in getting on in the business world. In 1852 he concluded to change his location, and accordingly came to Pitt township, Wyandot county, and bought forty acres of land, upon which he resided until the date of his death. He engaged quite extensively in contracting and, building, at which he was more than ,ordinarily successful. A great many buildings in this section of the county were erected by him. He followed contracting and building for forty years and led an industrious and honorable life. On the 11th of May, 1848, Christian Bart was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Struchen, who was also a native of Switzerland, and came with her. parents to America in 1840. To this union children were born, their names being as follows : David F., John W., Daniel B., Eli, Loris E., Albert E., Mary A. and. Sophia C.. Mr. Bart was a member of the Democratic party and also a member of the German Reformed church, in which he always took an active and very deep interest. He served as township trustee and in various other offices, much to. his personal distinction. The excellence of his judgment was Shown in his appointment to the very difficult and responsible position of county. infirmary director which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of the county for the period of six years. At the time of his death he owned one hundred and fifty acres and possessed considerable personal property. His widow, a woman of much worth, yet lives on the old place, which she helped to clear from the deep woods. She is a member of the same church as was her husband, and is earnest and sincere in her Christian work. FRANK OGG. High on the roll of Crawford township's leading. citizens is Frank Ogg, who. has attained an enviable standing as one of Wyandot county's most enterprising farmers, and stock raisers. He is the son of Samuel and Lorain Ogg and. dates his birth from the loth day of August, 1868. Mr. Ogg is a native of Crawford township and he passed his youth and early manhood on the home farm, assisting his father and developing a strong and vigorous physique which fitted him to discharge successfully the duties of a very active business life. In the country schools, Which he attended during his minority, he acquired a good practical education and when twenty-six years old he began farming for himself on eighty acres of land in Ridge township given him by his father. During the seven preceding years Mr. Ogg operated this place with encouraging results and then took charge of the home farm, which he has since conducted. While it is true that his father gave him a substantial start in life, it must not be understood that Mr. Ogg has been content to obtain a mere livelihood from the eighty acres deeded to him. Possessing natural ability and sound judgment of a high order, he has added largely to his original holdings, owning at the present time three valuable farms, aggregating in all 'four hundred and sixty acres, all but eighty acres of which are the BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 635 result of his energy and correct business methods: While devoting much attention to agriculture and achieving much more than ordinary success therefrom, Mr. Ogg is also largely interested in live stock, a business which has. added very materially to his income. He has. spared no pains to introduce superior breeds of cattle, horses and hogs into his neighborhood and through his influence a number of farmers have recently devoted much attention to stock raising as a profitable accessory to agriculture: By acquired, as well as by inherited qualities, Mr. Ogg has been led into a career that places him far above the average husbandman and to-day he holds distinctive precedence as one of the representative farmers of Wyandot county. Honorable and upright in all his dealings and progressive in his methods, he occupies a conspicuous. place among his fellow citizens of Crawford, township, and no one enjoys in a more marked degree the esteem and confidence of the people at large. He is a wide-awake, progressive man of affairs, intelligent and shrewd and, like all good and loyal citizens, he keeps himself well-informed upon the great questions, political and otherwise, now before the American people. Politically he believes the principles of the Republican party to be for the best interests of the country, accordingly he votes that ticket on state and national issues, but in matters .purely local his good judgment leads hirri to support the candidate best fitted for the office sought. Mr. Ogg's household is presided over by a wife of intelligence and good taste, who spares no efforts to make the home comfortable and pleasant in all of its appointments. Mrs. Ogg was formerly Miss Mary E. Musselman, of Carey, and the ceremony which binds her and her husband in the holy bonds of wedlock was solemnized February 1, 1894. The fruits of this marriage are three children, namely : James M., Blanche and Dewey S. Mrs. Ogg is a native of Pennsylvania and was born in Lancaster county February 15, 1870, a daughter of Levi and Mariah (Summty) Musselman, who emigrated to Wyandot county, Ohio, from Pennsylvania in 188o, where the mother died August 13, 1889. The father still survives and lives in Carey. They were the parents of six children, viz. : Elias E., Annie E., Barbra, Jacob (deceased), Mary E. and Martha. SAMUEL OGG. Few men of Wyandot county were as widely and favorably known as the late Samuel Ogg, of Crawford township. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and for years his name was:synonymous. for all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every-day common sense, were among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success he also largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his community. Mr. Ogg was a native of Wyandot county and the son of one of its early pioneers, Kinsey Ogg, who came to Crawford township when the few scattering settlements were but niches in the surrounding forests. Kinsey Ogg purchased the land where the town of Carey now stands and became one 636 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. of the county's successful farmers and substantial business men, owning at his death a large and valuable tract of real estate. He was a prominent factor in the early history of Crawford township and is remembered as a man of great energy and determination, a leader of the local Democracy and a gentleman whom to know was to respect. He served as musician in the war of 1812, lived to the age of sixty-five and reared a family of eleven children, the majority of whom grew to maturity and became useful and honorable men and women. Margaret Hodge, wife of Kinsey Ogg, was born in Maryland and died in Crawford township when sixty-three years old. Samuel Ogg was born on the present site of Carey, March 23, 1834, and grew to manhood's estate on his father's farm. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he chose that useful calling for his life work and followed it with success and financial profit' all: his life. Some time after his father's death he purchased a. part of the old homestead and in due time found himself the possessor of three hundred acres of valuable land. As a farmer and stock raiser he early took high rank, while his business methods, conforming to the, strictest ethics. of life, made him one of the leading men and popular citizens of the community.. He operated his farm quite extensively and by energy and careful management added to his possessions until he became not .only one of the largest owners of real estate in the township; but also one of its wealthiest men in other property. In politics he 'was `:a stanch and ardent Republican, but his interest as a politician never went beyond wise counsel and active work;. he never sought nor desired official honors of any kind, but was ready at all times to promote the interest of the party by any legitimate means within his power. Mr. Ogg's career was eminently honorable and he left the impress of his individuality indelibly stamped upon the community where all his life was spent. Having accumulated a competence, he turned his farm over to his children and for a period of ten years enjoyed the fruits of his labors in a life of retirement. He died December 10, 1896, honored and respected by all who knew him, and his death was considered a public calamity in the township where he had so long maintained his home. Mr. Ogg was married October 3, 1861, to Miss Lorain Shawhn, whose birth occurred in Fairfield county, this' state, on the 3d day of February, 1841. Mrs. Ogg's father, Josiah S. Shawhn, a native of Virginia, was taken to: Perrysburgh, Ohio, when a lad of ten years and he there grew to maturity and married Susan Walters. Subsequently he moved, to Fairfield county and about 1.855 became a citizen of Wyandot county, purchasing a farm in Crawford township, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He was a. man of local prominence, an active member of the Methodist church and took a prominent part in political matters as a. leader of. the Republican party in the community where he resided; he died, at the age of seventy-four. Mrs. Shawhn survived her husband some years, reaching the good old age of eighty-four, before being: summoned to the other life. She was the mother of ten children, nearly all of whom' became well-known and useful men and women in the world. Mrs. Ogg as seventeen years old when brought to Wyandot county and 'she bore her husband children, as follows : Ella married BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 637 Joshua Elza; Altha was the wife of Albert Hoyt; Frank, who manages the home farm and whose sketch follows this review; Lee, a prosperous farmer and large land owner of Ridge township; Alonzo, a farmer and stock raiser of Crawford township ; James, one of the leading business men of Carey; and Annia, the fifth member of the family, who died when sixteen years of age. GEORGE W. MULLHOLAND. Conspicuous among the enterprising farmers of Wyandot county is George W. Mullholand, who for a number of years. has been a leading citizen of Ciawford township, active in public affairs and to a considerable extent a moulder of opinion in the community where he lives. His father was Hugh Mullholand, whose birth occurred January 23, 1803, in the state of Pennsylvania. When a young man of about twenty Hugh Mullholand came to Ohio and for some years thereafter lived on a farm near the state capital and later followed the pursuit of agriculture in Miami county. After his marriage, which was solemnized in the county. of Miami with Mary Young, he moved, about the year 1826, to Seneca county, then in about 1840 to Wyandot county. On coming to the latter he purchased. a quarter section of land in Tymochtee township, where he made a good home and ended his days, dying July 6, 1879, at the age of seventy-six. Hugh Mullholand was a good citizen and met with fairly successful results in his business affairs. He helped survey a goodly part of Wyandot and counties of northern Ohio in an early day, and took an active interest in public affairs, being a man of good intellect and remarkably well informed. Mrs. Mullholand was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 28, 1807, and died at her home in. Tymochtee township, on the 21st day of September, 1864. She was the mother of nine children, the oldest of whom. died in infancy; the others were George W., the subject of this sketch; Nancy J., deceased, was the wife of Alex. Watson ; William ; John; Mary, deceased; Hugh; Attie Ann, deceased, and Elizabeth. George W. Mullholand, to a brief review of whose life we now turn, was born in what is now Tymochtee township, Wyandot county, Ohio, on the sth day of March, 1827. He was reared on a farm and by close application to honest labor early developed habits of industry and frugality which insured his success in after life. He assisted his father until the age of twenty-one and then began working for himself, though still making his home under, the parental roof. In early life he attended such schools as were Common in this part of the state and obtained a fair knowledge of the branches consisting the public school course. Mr. Mullholand continued to live on the home place until his marriage, in April, 1860, with Miss, Dorothy Kear, daughter of Henry and Susan (Ogg) Kear, after which he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in Crawford township, where he has since resided. He has always been regarded as a typical farmer, and his thorough system of tillage, the order of his improvements and the well cared for condition of everything on the place, demonstrates his intelligent management and substantial thrift. He is also a good financier and careful business man. His judgment is seldom wrong 638 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. on matters coming within his sphere and he may be cited as a notable example of the self-made man who wins success in his every undertaking. His home farm, consisting of ninety acres; is adorned with a large and handsome brick residence, in addition to which he also owns another farm of sixty acres which, like the former, is well improved and carefully cultivated.. Mr. Mullholand is one of the oldest native sons of Wyandot county and as such has been not only an eye witness of the many notable changes that have taken place within the last seventy years, but also a factor in the evolution of the country from a primitive condition to its present advanced stage of civilization and enlightenment Beginning life's struggle in a field of adversity, with the aid of little or no Capital, and a meager experience, wholly dependent upon personal effort, his good sense sound judgment and discreet management have forced success from what to many would have been certain defeat, and at the same time secured to him a prominent position among the leading men of Crawford and surrounding townships. Mr. and Mrs. Mullholand are the parents of children as follows Arthur ; Anna, wife of John Wininger; George. A. ; Henry, who died July 26, 1890, and Earl K. Mr. Mtillholand has always been a Democrat in politics, zealous in the advancement of party measures and for years he was recognized as one of the standard bearerS in-his part of the county. He is a charter member d.f the first Masonic lodge instituted at Upper Sandusky, and is still an active worker in the order, belonging to Wyandot Lodge No. 314. He has served his township in various. official capacities, including thbse of school director and justice of the peace, and in every position to which he has been called his duties have been discharged in an able and praiseworthy manner: Although hearing his seventy-fifth year, Mr. Mullholand is quite vigorous for one of his age, and retains unimpaired the possession of his mental powers. He. has always been a reader and close observer and. still maintains. an intelligent and active interest in all great public and. political questions before the people popular with all with whom he comes in contact, genial and companionable in his relations with his fellow men, it is the earnest :desire of his many friends and neighbors that he may be. spared many years to bless the world. with .his presence. FRANK H. BROWN. It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well-known farmer whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the township where he has his home. Frank H. Brown, son of Henry P. Brown, whose biography appears elsewhere in these pages, first saw the light of day in the house he now occupies, and he dates his birth from the 25th day of April, 1861. Growing to mature years in his native township of Crawford, he enjoyed the advantages of a good common-school education and When old enough he became his father's ready assistant on the farm. The correct principles of life were BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 639 early implanted in his .mind and he attained his majority strong of muscle and earnest in his desire to be of some use in the world. At the age of twenty-one he began farming on rented land and was thus engaged until 1893, when he purchased forty acres of his own to which three years later an addition of the same area was made. Mr. Brown's farm, consisting of eighty acres, is highly cultivated and contains many improvements which reflect credit upon the proprietor and bespeak for him a familiarity with every detail of his chosen calling. He has followed agriculture with commendable zeal and energy and his well-directed efforts have yielded him liberal financial returns. In matters of business he is careful and methodical and whatever he undertakes bears the evidence of enterprise and correct judgment. Mr. Brown was united in marriage December 17,1882, with Miss Hulda L. Enos, daughter of Amariah and Sarah (Van Buren) Enos; both parents natives of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Enos came to Ohio in 1862, settling in Hancock county, thence later moved to the county of Wyandot and settled on land near the town of Carey, Crawford township. They had a family of seven children and both departed this life when fifty-five years of age. Of their offspring four died young, those growing to maturity being Sarah, Huldah L. and George. Mrs. Brown' was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., October 7, 1862, and was but eight months old when brought by her parents tO the state of Ohio. She has borne her husband six children; namely : Robert 0., Stella R. and Ralph E., all still members of the home circle. The other three are deceased and were as follows : Verlinda and two that died in -infancy, unnamed. Mr. Brown, is a gentleman of commanding presence and pleasing personality. He impresses those with whom he comes in contact as a man of force and determination and at the same time wins them by his genial humor and companionable manners. His robust figure, good natured face and eminent social qualities have made him a conspicuous factor in his neighborhood, and, as stated in the initial paragraph, it is doubtful if a more popular or companionable man can be found in the community where he resides. As a friend no -man can be truer, as a neighbor there never was a better, and as a citizen he deserves to be denominated an: honest, upright man whose aims. and motives are always correct.. In. politics he is a Republican, but not an aspirant for official honors. Though not a member of any religious, organization, he believes in the church as a great factor for substantial good, hence contributes liberally of his means to its support, as he does to promote other moral and benevolent enterprises. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Lutheran church, being highly esteemed as an earnest and effective worker in the local congregation with which she' is identified. HENRY P. BROWN, DECEASED. For many years. the late Henry P. Brown Was a man of mark in the Community where he was born, reared and spent the greater part of his life. He was a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Wyandot county, and could' also boast of being 640 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. among her oldest native sons, having been born near where the town of Carey now stands September Do. 1834. William and Eliza (Kooken) Brown, his parents, moved in about 1824 to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he purchased from the government a tract of land near the present site of Carey and took an active part in the growth and development of that part of the county, developing a good farm on which he lived until his death, in June, 1866; his wife survived him until June, 1876, when she, too, was called to the other life. William and. Eliza Brown had a large family, fifteen children in all : Aurelia, deceased, Ellen, deceased, Alpheus, deceased, Eliza, deceased, Ann C., William S., Mary, deceased, Henry P., Edward, deceased, Augusta, James K., deceased, Emma deceased, Souvreign, deceased, Charles, deceased, and Franklin. Henry P. Brown grew to manhood on his father's farm and, like the majority of boys reared in a new country, his youthful days were spent amid a round of almost ceaseless tail, broken at intervals of winter seasons by a few months attendance at the district schools. He was taught the necessity of labor and to look upon idleness as a sin very near akin to crime. With a well-,defined purpose, he selected agriculture for his life work and at the age of twenty took possession of a quarter section of land, three miles southwest of Carey, which fell to him at his father's death. This place he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation and in time he became one of the substantial citizens and enterprising farmers of his neighborhood. On the 27th day of January, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Verlinda McLeod, a native of Hancock county, born just over the line dividing that .county and Wyandot, March 14, 1837. Her parents, John and Elizabeth (Cole) McLeod, were natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio and early settlers of Ridge township, this county, the farm upon which they located lying on both sides of the county line. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McLeod, namely : Joseph R., a practicing physician of Findlay, this state; William O., also a physician and surgeon located in Santa Anna, Cal. ; Isabela lives in Shelby county, Mo.; Verlinda, wife of our subject; Abraham, a soldier of the late Civil war, died at Louisville, Ky., while waiting to be mustered out, after three years active service; John M. died in 1881, aged thirty-eight years ; Eliza lives in Kansas; Clementine lives in. Missouri, as does also Lorilla, both in Shelby county ; Angenora is a resident of Nebraska, and Emma, whose home is in Missouri. Mrs. Brown's parents moved from Wyandot county to Missouri and died in that state, the father at the advanced age of eighty-nine and the mother at seventy-seven. John McLeod was a good farmer and met with fair success in the way of accumulating property. He was a man of generous impulses and earnest convictions and belonged to the sterling class of pioneers to whose efforts the present generation is largely indebted for the advanced state of civilization which Wyandot county nog l enjoys. In politics he was a Republican of local prominence and in religion. an earnest and devoted communicant of the Baptist church, a religious body to which his wife and some of his children also belong. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown re- BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 641 sulted in the birth of ten children, five of whom grew to maturity, namely : Florence A., wife of Frank D. Hurd, a prominent farmer of Crawford township whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this work ; Frank H., a review, of whose life is also found in these pages ; Charles A., who lives with his mother and manages the home farm; Abraham M., a farmer and stock raiser of Tymochtee township, and Earnest E., who carries on agricultural pursuits in the township of Richland. The five deceased are June E., William. H. and three that died in infancy and not named. Mr. Brawn was a practical farmer and met with gratifying success in his business transactions. He added to his original farm until the place contained three hundred acres, but some years prior to his death he disposed of a part of his real estate, the home farm now consisting of one hundred and seventy-five acres. He believed in progress and improvement and made every effort to keep pace with the most enterprising .agriculturists of the county, and was fully informed upon all matters pertaining to modern husbandry. Born to the necessities of labor, the circumstances of his early life offered no promise of golden success. That was almost foreign to the time and the community in which he lived. Had his life been cast amid abundant opportunities for enterprise he might have reaped larger gains. As it was, the active farm life, the hardship of whose training has brought upon the stage so much of sterling worth while it in some sense held mental growth in check, was not without its influence in developing industry and cultivating judgment, energy, self-reliance and decision, qualities which always and everywhere must be relied upon to pro- duce success. By the exercise of these and other attributes he won a conspicuohs place among his fellow citizens and made a reputation which has never been criticised or assailed. A stanch Republican in his political affiliations, he was not a seeker for place, although at different times the people of his township called him to important public positions. He served several terms as 'trustee and also filled the office of school director, in both capacities proving himself capable .and painstaking and eminently worthy the confidence reposed in. him by his fellow men. Mr. Brown was in a large and true sense, a moral man. He believed implicitly in the standard of living as laid down in the Golden. Rule and demonstrated by his daily life and conduct how easily it Was to reduce the rule to practice. Not connected with any church, he was neyertheless a believer in religion and he used his influence as well as his means to aid all benevolent, moral and religious enterprises. He lived well and left his family an unsullied character—which is far more enduring than the loftiest monument that ever towered cloudw.ard; his death occurred on the 17th day of December, 1899. Since her husband's death Mrs. Brown and son have looked after the homestead. She is a remarkably well-preserved woman for her years, intelligent and shrewd, and possesses business qualities of a high order. Well known in the community where 'she has' lived so long and retaining to a marked degree the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends, she is popular with all and has earned the reputation of a noble Christian woman. She belongs to the Lutheran church. and in her work of faith and labor of love may appropriately be termed a "mother 642 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. in Israel." The Brown homestead contains a beautiful brick dwelling, surrounded with well-kept lawns, nicely arranged shrubbery and every thing on the premises suggests the presence of a guiding genius of energy and taste. A spirit of genuine hospitality pervades the place and all who seek entrance therein are received with a heartiness that sweetens the welcome. JACOB ALLION. This progressive and successful agriculturist, now residing in section 11, Crawford township, Wyandot county, Ohio, was born in Richland county, this state, November 6, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Christina (Zupp) Allion, relative to whom a few words will here be given. Jacob Allion, the father, was born in Baden, Germany, and at the age of twenty-one years came to America with his father, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The grandfather bought a tract of land in Richland county, Ohio, on which he lived several years, then removed to Lucas county and bought a farm, on which he passed the remainder of his days. In. 1835 Jacob Allion, the father; was married, in Richland county, to Miss Christina Zupp, who was born in Alsace, France. Being a blacksmith by trade he bought eleven acres of land—all that was necessary for his purpose—east of Mansfield, where he followed his trade and farmed in a small way until 1839, and then came to Crawford township, Wyandot county, and purchased a farm of forty acres in section 1. There was a small log house on the place, and during the two years that he lived there he cleared off considerable of the timber. He later sold out here and removed to McCutchenville, worked at his trade there for a short time, then went back to Richland county, rented a farm and lived there two, years. He then came again to - Crawford township, Wyandot county, and purchased eighty acres in section 12, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1890; he was not long waiting on the "other shore" for his wife, who joined him in 1892. Jacob and Christina Allion were consistent and faithful members of the Lutheran church, and were duly respected everywhere for the quiet lives they had led, as well as for their many amiable traits of character. To their marriage there were born six children, named as follows : Jacob, the subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Kestler, of Crawford township; John, deceased; Maria married to Harrison Mitter, of Carey, this county ; Martha, wife of Benjamin F. Kline, of Logan county, Ohio, and Caroline, deceased. Jacob Allion, the subject of this sketch, lived with the old folks at home until thirty-three years of age, when he married, March 3o, 1870, Miss Emma Kinney, a native of Seneca county and a daughter of A. J. Kinney, and this union has been crowned by the birth of two children, namely: Albert H., who is married to Rettie Haynes, and lives at Adrian ; and Harriet C., who still has her home under the parental roof. After marriage Mr. Allion settled on his present place in section 11, where he owns eighty acres of good land and is engaged in general farming and in raising sufficient stock for home use and an overplus to dispose of in the markets. Although he was educated in an old-time, backwoods school BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 643 house, he was an apt student and acquired a good practical education, sufficient for all the requisites demanded in this line by the ordinary farmer, and which have , since proved to be adequate for the intelligent carrying on, of his .business transactions. He cultivates his farm with exceedingly good care and has improved it with all the necessary buildings to make farm life pleasant as well as profitable, and has so lived as to gain the respect of all his neighbors and of his special personal friends, of whom he has a great number that are deeply attached to him: He is a. member of the Masonic order, McCutchenville Lodge, No. 314. JOHN W. POWELL. Among the most prosperous middle-aged farmers of Crawford township, Wyandot county, Ohio, is John W. Powell, who is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and was born April 9, 1852. His parents were Daniel and Eliza (Beaty) Powell, the former of whom was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., February 7, 1811, and the latter in Lycoming county, also in the Keystone state, Januarys 7, 1810, and were married in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1832. Daniel Powell, at the age of ten years, emigrated with his parents, Peter and Elizabeth Powell, from Pennsylvania to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and there met his future wife. Her father, Alexander Beaty, came from Lycoming county, Penn., about the same time as the Powell family. On one occasion, in about 1845, Daniel Powell rode horseback from Fairfield county to Hancock county to enter land, stopping with the Indians during his trip. He came to Wyandot county in. 1864 and purchased land in Crawford township in the fall of that same year. This tract was partly improved and he later added sixty-six. acres. Here he followed farming successfully and happily until the death of his wife in 1878, he following her to the grave in 1888. These parents had born to them eight children, namely : Beateman, living in Hancock county; Mary,,married to Jacob Whitehurst, and living in Fairfield county; Peter, who died in 1891, when inhis fiftieth. year; Alexander, farming in Hancock county ; Sarah, the wife of Samuel Raney, in the same county Daniel; in Findlay, Ohio; Elizabeth, married to James Wells, of Benton Ridge, Ohio ; John W., the subject. These children all received good educations in the common schools. John W. Powell, of this sketch, was married February18, 1875, to Mary C. Shuman, of Wyandot county, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Stahl) Shuman, who.came 'here at an early day from Union county, Penn, To John W. PoWell and wife have been born seven children, of whom the first, born died in infancy, unnamed; the surviving six are Clarence M., Frederick S., Daniel T., Mary L., Cozetta E. and Jennie C. Mr. Powell purchased a part of the old homestead in 1878, and part of it is his by inheritance, aggregating one hundred and ninety-six acres. He carries on general farming and also raises considerable stock. He has been very fortunate in his &lling and has one of the best improved farins of its dimensions in the. township. His home is cozy and comfortable, made so by the constant care of his amiable and accomplished 644 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. helpmeet, whose chief aim in life seems to be to make her household happy. Mr. Powell and wife are members of the Evangelical church, to the maintenance of which he liberally contributes financially, and the teachings of which they conscientiously follow. In politics Mr. Powell is a Democrat, but contents himself with the simple exercise of his franchise and leaving to others the doubtful honor of office holding.. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 393, K. of P., at Carey, and of Uniform Rank, No. 166; also he and his wife are members of the Rathbone Sisters Temple. He and his family mingle with the best society of the township and none have a greater number of true and warm hearted friends. SYLVESTER SHUMAN. One of the most substantial and thriving farmers of Crawford township, Wyandot county, Ohio, Sylvester Shuman, who is a native of the township and was born June 22, 1850. Frederick Shuman, father of Sylvester, was born in Union county, Penn., in 1818, was reared on his father's farm until 1836, and then with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Arno) Shuman, came to Ohio and for six months stopped in. Hancock county, whence he came to Wyandot county and settled on section 7, Crawford township, where he both entered and bought land, on which he built a cabin and cut out roads, was there married and there died, his marriage taking placeFebruaryy 25, 1847, and his death January 17, 1901. The ten children born to these parents were named as follows : Joseph, now deceased; Sylvester, the subject; Sarah Ellen, on the old homestead with her, mother ; Emily Jane, wife of Levi Hile, of this township; Mary C., married to J. W. Powell, whose sketch appears on another 'page of the work; Angeline, wife of John Smith, of New Hudson, Mich.; Susan A., married to J. D. Larmouth, of Carey; George H., on the Old farm ; Franklin L., farming in this township; and an infant that passed away unnamed. Sylvester Shuman lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age, when he married, December 23, 1873, Miss Sarah E. Corwin, who was born in Blairstown, Warren county, N. J., June 11, 1853, and is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Blair) Corwin. The latter came to Wyandot county in 1864, and first located in Sycamore township, where they resided four years and then settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this review, in section 18. Here the father died, September 24, 1883, and the mother in November, 1896. Mrs. Sarah E. (Corwin) Shuman died October 24, 1888, the mother of four children, namely : Roy, who. died when one year old; Mertie M., born June 1, 1878, is the wife of Harry Stoll who is a farmer in this township; George F.; born June 14, 1882, and James B., born March 18, 1885. The second marriage of Mr. Shuman took place May 10, 1890, to Miss Alice Gregg, daughter of John and Anna Eliza (Smith) Gregg. After his first marriage Mr. Shuman lived on his farm of two hundred and twelve acres, which he had 'bought in sections 3 and 4, north of Carey, but in 1883 sold out and bought his present farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres in section 18. Here BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 645 he carried on general farming, raising all the cereals customarily grown in this section, together with hay and, being a thorough agriculturist, succeeded in producing abundant crops each successive season. His place is improved with a fine modern dwelling and all necessary outbuildings for profitably carrying on the business. His implements are of modern make and first-class in every particular, so as to make his work, outside of the necessary hard labor, somewhat pleasant as well as profitable, for all farmers delight in watching the harmonious working of well constructed farming implements and machinery. In politics Mr. Shuman has been a Republican ever since he has been old enough to vote, but although he does everything he can lo advance the interests of his party, he has never sought an office of any kind. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Carey, and are never backward in contributing toward its support. They are the friends of the public schools and believe in employing the best teachers the school fund can afford to pay and are also the friends of all movements that lead to the increase of the public happiness and welfare. Their friends are numerous and sincere in their attachment to the family and the standing of Mr. and- Mrs. Shuman in the community is very high and all that could be desired. PROF. THOMAS A. BONSER. The county of Wyandot numbers among its citizens many skillful physicians, lawyers of state repute, well-known manufacturers and business men of much more than local reputation; while proud of them, she is not lacking in others who have achieved distinction in callings requiring intellectual abilities of a high order. Among the latter Prof. Thomas A. Bonser, the popular and efficient superintendent of the Carey public schools, occupies' a deservedly conspicuous place. No one is more entitled to the thoughtful consideration of a free and enlightened people than he who shapes and directs the minds of the young, adds to the value of their intellectual treasures and moulds their characters. This is pre-eminently the mission of the faithful and conscientious teacher and to such noble work is the life of the subject of this sketch devoted. Prof. Bonser is a native of Ohio and the son of Thomas and Louisa (Goodbread) Bonser, both parents born in Germany. When a boy of twelve or thirteen years of age, Thoinas Bonser bid farewell to the familiar scenes of the fatherland and came to the United States, locating at Cincinnati, where he was reared to maturity and educated. On reaching manhood's estate he engaged in the mercantile business at Lockland, a small town near Cincinnati, and later was employed to run a canal boat plying between that city and Toledo. He continued in the canal trade until 1864, in February of which year he entered the Union army as member of Company F, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, and saw his first active service in West Virginia under Gen. Sheridan. Later he participated in the celebrated Shenandoah Valley campaign. and . on the 22d day of September following his enlistment was shot and instantly killed while charging with his command the enemy's position at Fisher's Hill. 646 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. He bore the reputation of a brave and gallant soldier and his body, with those of thousands of his comrades in arms, was buried on the bloody field. of Antietam.. Thomas Bonser was left an orphan when quite young and was therefore obliged to rely upon his own resources for a livelihood at an age when the majority of boys are being cared for by their parents. He began the struggle of life with no capital save an inborn determination to make the most of his opportunities: and with this object always in view he overcame many discouraging obstacles and won for himself an honorable position in the business and. .world. Reared in the Catholic faith, he remained true to the church throughout life, .while his love for the country of his adoption led him to lay down his life for its preservation. He was thirty-five years old when stricken down by the missile treason and it was by such sacrifices that our country was saved. Louisa Goodbread, wife of Thomas Bonser, came to the United States with her parents when about twelve years old. She spent the remainder of her youthful years in the city of Dayton and is still living, having reached the age of sixty-one. Since her early youth she has been a devout member of the Evangelical church and to her credit be it stated that she never, failed to impress upon the minds of her children the necessity of strictly observing the claims of morality and religion. The following are the names of the children born to Thomas and Louisa Bonser; William, a merchant tailor, of Dayton; Mary, wife of Thomas Warner, of Oregon City, Ore.; Thomas A., whose name introduces this sketch ; and John, a resident of the city of Dayton. Prof. Thomas A. Bonser, to a brief review. of whose life the reader's attention is now directed, was born in Dayton, Ohio, on the 21st day of December, 1861; Reared in that city until 'his fourteenth year, he attended the graded schools, making substantial progression in the preliminary branches and from that time until nineteen he continued his studies in: the country schools. Actuated by a laudable desire to increase his scholastic knowledge, he supplemented the training. thus received by taking a three-years course in college after which he began teaching in Montgomery county, this state. After continuing educational work, in various, parts of that county four years, he took charge of the, graded schools of a township adjoining the city of Payton and two years later. 'accepted the superintendency of the schools of West Carrollton. Prof. Bonser remained in charge at the latter place for three years, at the end of which time, in 1891,. he was elected superintendent of the Carey schools, the duties of which position he has since discharged. At first he was chosen for one year, but such ability did he display in conducting the schools and promoting their efficiency that at the expiration of his contract he was unanimously re-elected by the board for the two succeeding years. Since then he has been re-elected every alternate year and, as far as known, his work has been eminently satisfactory both as instructor and manager. Prof. Bonser is a gentleman of broad culture, bright intellect and quick perception and by his courtesy and kindly demeanor has won the respect and love of teachers and pupils, under his charge, besides gaining the esteem; of the public. He has fine executive BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 647 capacity. His judgment shows him the surest way of accomplishing an end to be desired and he invariably holds fast until the result is gained. Professionally he stands high among the leading educators of northern Ohio and the conduct of the schools of Carey since he has been in charge has been in every way satisfactory to the most critical and exacting patrons. He is a growing man; unlike many holding positions similar to his own, he is not content with past. achievements, but strives in every way possible to increase his professional efficiency and add to his scholastic knowledge. With these laudable objects in view, he spent the vacation months of 1899 in Otterbein College, completing the philosophical course and still later took work in the Chicago University, where in due time the expects to finish a post-graduate course and receive the degree of M. S. In 1889 he successfully passed examination for a high school life license, enabling him to teach in any part of the state; this, with other efforts he has made, bears. eloquent testimony to his enthusiasm in the noble work to which he expects to devote the remaining years of his active life. The very high character Prof. Bonser has achieved in the field of education has made him well and favorably known throughout Wyandot county and other counties and in view of his. scholarship, professional ability and untiring energy it is safe to assume that there are few if any more successful superintendents. in this part of the state. He is now in the prime of vigorous manhood, possesses those qualities which Win and retain public' confidence, and his many years of practical experience as an educator, from ungraded district school to the superintendency, bespeak for him. a career of still greater efficiency and usefulness. Personally the Professor is an affable gentleman of broad and liberal culture, though modest and unassuming in manner. As a citizen he is much respected. He is active in the work of the church and amid his many professional duties finds time to attend to the higher claims of religion. He subscribes to the Lutheran creed and, with his wife and family, is connected with the congregation worshipping in Carey. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Pythian orders, belonging to Lodges. Nos. 40, 407 and 393, respectively. In national and state affairs he is a Republican, but in matters purely local he votes for the man instead of party. He takes a deep interest in the great questions and issues before the American people and as a close student keeps himself fully informed upon current events. Prof. Bonser spends many of his happiest hours at home surrounded by his books, where he delights to hold converse with the greatest and best minds of all times and all countries. He is a profound reader of the world's best literature and of him it may be said that there are few more scholarly or cultured then among the educators of the state: Prof. Bonser was united in marriage July 20, 1886, to Miss Edna Flory, daughter Of Michael and Mollie Flory, of Montgomery county, Ohio. Mrs. Bonser was born in Johnsonville, this state, but grew to womanhood in the city of Dayton, where the ceremony occurred that changed her from maiden to wife. 648 - BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS. D. H. STRAW, DECEASED. Through a residence of forty years in Wyandot county; the late D. H. Straw became known to his fellow townsmen of Carey as a man who could be trusted at all times and places—one who was honorable and successful in business, loyal to his duties of citizenship and faithful to his many friends. During the period of his active life his business career and the industrial history of Carey were very closely interwoven, therefore as well for his long and prominent connection with the growth and prosperity of the community as for his sterling rectitude of character do we gladly present his life record to the readers of this volume. D. H. Straw was a son of the late David Straw, one of the most eminent and successful business men Wyandot county has ever known. For an account of the life, character and achievements of the latter, the reader's attention is respectfully directed to his biography, which will be found elsewhere in these pages. D. H. Straw was born in Wyandot, county on the 29th day of January, 1855. He received a good edu cation in the, public schools of Carey and obtained his first knowledge of business under the careful direction of his father, who early instilled into his mind correct and honorable principles. After a very thorough and efficient training in various lines of business; he became, in 1874, a partner in the People's Bank of Carey and later was promoted to the office of cashier. Subsequently he came into possession of one-half of the capital stock, of the institution and after his father's death succeeded to the management, in which he displayed abilities of a very high order. He also co-operated with his father in the grain, seed and wool business and in due time became one of the most successful and widely known man of affairs in this part of the state. By judicious investments in real estate he became the owner of a large and valuable tract of land in Wyandot county, owning at the time of his death a fine farm of four hundred acres, to the cultivation of which he gave his personal attention. Mr. Straw was married on the.9th day of June, 1877, to Miss Mary A.. DeWitt, daughter of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Snowden) DeWitt, parents both natives of Delaware county, this state. Joseph W. DeWitt, a stone mason by trade, came to Carey a number of years ago and died in that town at the age of seventy-nine; his wife also departed this life here, dying in 188o when fifty-four years. old. Mrs. Straw was born and reared in Carey and received a good education in the public schools. She bore her husband two children, Clara, who married Bert Wallace., a lumber dealer of Carey, and Lucy E., a bright little miss of seven years. At the death of his father Mr. Straw took charge of the large and valuable estate and managed the. same: to the satisfaction of all concerned until ill health. compelled him to turn the business over to other hands. He took an active part in public affairs and did much in various ways to promote the material interests of his town and county. He was essentially a business man and as such ranked with The most enterprising and successful men of Wyandot county and other counties of northern Ohio. He became prominent in Masonic circles, passing the Scottish Rite degree and at different times held the most important offices within the gift of .the fraternity. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS - 649 Mr. Straw died in the prime of manhood on the 12th day of February, 1895, leaving to his family an estate valued at eighty thousand dollars, a part of which was inherited from his father, the greater portion, however, being acquired by his own exertions. The deceased possessed all the attributes that make men respected and esteemed in any community. A man of sterling, rugged honesty, pure moral sentiments, and withal of a kindly, cheery disposition, he was liked by every, one. He was the. highest type of a good citizen and the county could boast of no more creditable or loyal, son. He. lived in Carey all his life, and loved the town with the pride of one whose interests were largely interwoven. with its welfare. Mr. Straw was one of the prominent men who assisted in making the town's history and his death is sincerely mourned by those who knew him in the days of his success ful business career. He performed faithfully and energetically his; part in life and its "fitful fever over he now rests well." Mrs. Straw has a beautiful and elegant home in Carey and is popular in the best society circles of the, place. She is a devoted, member of the Lutheran church, active. in all good work. and noted for her liberal benefactions to all charitable and benevolent enterprises. DAVID H. WOWDER. David H. Wowder, an enterprising, business men of. Carey, is a member of the firm. of Carothers & Wowder, dealers in farming implements, threshing machines, wagons, buggies, all kinds of vehicles and various other agricultural and mechanical devices. His paternal grandparents, Daniel and Catherine (Harpster) Wowder, were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Seneca county, Ohio. Daniel Wowder was a distinguished minister of the Evangelical church and rode circuits for several years during the pioneer period, of Seneca county. He was also a farmer and became quite successful financially, owning at his death valuable real estate in the county of Seneca and elsewhere. He preached in. Carey in an early day and lived to be quite old, dying at the age of ninety-six. His wife, who lived in this town for some years, died at the age of sixty. John Wowder, son of the above parents and father of the subject of this review, was born in Pennsylvania and when a lad of nine years was taken. to Seneca county, where he grew to maturity on a. farm. When a young man he became a resident of Wyandot county and purchased a. quarter section of land. about three miles north of Carey. After living on the place until the spring of 1864, he bought another farm of one hun dred and sixty acres, near the village of Adrian, Crawford township, dividing his original purchase between his two oldest sons. In the spring of 1874 he moved to Kansas, locating near Hiawatha, Brown county, where he' bought a large tract of land and engaged quite extensively in agriculture and stock raising. In many respects John Wowder was much more than an ordinary man. Early in life he displayed unusual energy and business ability and such was his success that in addition to valuable farm property in Ohio, he owned at the time of his death over eight hundred, acres of good Kansas land, all in one body. To use a western expression, he was a "hustler" and every