I r ■:•■ v fv »•* r t-r
; '; , , - \ ..." ... - . . ''-, : :: : ■ Y • -' -' ■ ' . : : ■
* as?- r- * :; ;•'
* il »■ » ft ». * V;. r
i \> & * *
f * * f >• |. jr I' v £ % i j * / * „ : , i^i y r t * jf ; »
t .& A. & A ?: 'fi &. v! > V'§. '% >'"«r *, fc .1 fc F, : -• \ • * - : < - * * t„ '
* * * f > > * > ■. . -' : ' * * ? *'
. . " .y-}\. . wv . ■■ /;.-;
* * v * * y " , :■ i .' > & i* i- * $ ^ *■ i/ <
* *- J./ : £ * > - - . ' - > * I * '*.
i x % 4 i :. > j» ;
> *\k'.* *\?,*/ ' * - ' * i * ^ * »• R f-
.%• ». ^ A i * U -. • i $ f $ |: ^ ^. ^ & ^
* .1; r % '$' & % * '% *v I,- %■ ^ ^'% V?t f. a.'"i' - f- *v 5..-. >;■ & s; •& a; ?r ^" W: i, •*■■ v. ^ ^'>/ ff I ■;
* ■',: :- ;.':• &. .' . -,'-.* -' * '. -"- <" : -. '{ i I » * »- v, * ^ > * • -- - :- : -J - '.- : • i' k & t f t f »'|j '
: ' :. - : i ■- i ■
*&:*!:«* t .- , \ i ! ? k * * § *
' - * t .i -, ^ . » . « . - *f , >. *. $ ■% %
f. ^ |, ;?.- ;|. J" > ft v II %j |^| » f, | $ t .,
.J-'/l V I. I. &" i '■*' fi.'t I- Kl- I * V , * » v *' ■
. ' 1 :^ 1? k it :
> '^^ > ^ fe %J' * *• *
I I |: I ? f ^ ^ S. :l; • "' &
» f > f » * % Vi 6
. fr J t t f $. V I > i *
.■ :■■ i I ;;- " '- ■
" SS ■■ : ~ ." ■■■ ■
. . y*v**! .■;■.;■ >. -ft": :ft;,:.ft:-..: -;
•.< ■ -;- f '• .• l ' i -I ■ s *■■ -fc * *. >■«•',. ft ft *,»' ft'- - ft -ft. •' >■■
. ! .: : fe ft-- : : ft
- ■ ft.' fcJ ' ' -
•■ ■■ ^
' Sj ' > V- \:" *.^4 * * i * fc * ^ " '' * J * > I. * * X** * \'r"K**'* .>i ■k * » v ». ^ t^ i v f *>• ^ •> > ,* ^ » ; ^ 4 * I; ^ nt « /k •»%«..
t . . ' .;-• \ - - s.** ^^ ? * * * * *.* \* * * «■ .^ * * f t > v ^ * r * *
\% \\
vS • i v •
■
ft
\ 9
*
%
v"y
1 $L £
f
>^>
Gc
977.101 W67b |v.2
1191358
•
^ 4 £ jfc*^
>
**
m
r s
■'JMJJ.JH [Lfr ^^
^•GENEALOG ' ^i977.101 % 'W67B
M.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
A Standard History
of
Williams County, Ohio
An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention
to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial,
Educational, Civic and Social Development
Prepared under the Editorial Supervision of
HON. CHARLES A. BOWERSOX
Assisted by a Board of Advisory Editors
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1920
n
1191358
|
.vj '-■. |
||
|
w *~ |
% JH |
Si^f^Mg^^E R |
|
.»K / |
||
|
-Jfc-' |
>■ t. |
|
|
JX" |
||
History of Williams County
J. Arter Weaver.— When, in 1917, Judge Weaver was elected to preside on the bench of the Probate Court of Williams County, he had the distinction of being the youngest man, with one exception, ever elected to this office in the State of Ohio, and in Williams County only one other candidate of equal youthfulness has been called to this office —Hon. Charles A. Bowersox. Judge Weaver is a native son of this county and his eligibility for the important office of which he is now the incumbent was fortified by his having previously been graduated in the law department of the Ohio Northern University, and had been actively engaged in the work of his profession for a period of two years.
Judge Weaver was born at Montpelier, Williams County, Ohio, April 20, 1885, and is a son of Jacob F. and Hattie L. (Arter) Weaver, he having been but six days old at the time of his mother's death, and having then been taken into the home of his paternal grand- mother, with whom he remained until her death, when he was four years of age. Again deprived of fostering care, the future probate judge was then taken in charge by his aunt, Mrs. Addie C. (Weaver) Gilcher, whose husband was a prosperous farmer southeast of Mont- pelier. There he remained until he was thirteen years old, and in the meanwhile he had attended school and also begun to gain experience in connection with farm operations. At the age noted he went to the home of his father, who had contracted a second marriage, and thus he was enabled to attend the public schools at Montpelier, where he was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1905. In 1907 he was graduated in the law department of the Ohio Northern University, and in June, 1907, he was admitted to the bar of his native state. For two years thereafter he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Montpelier, and he then assumed active management of his father's farm, in Bridgewater Township. There he remained three years, at the expiration of which he became an exponent of agricul- tural industry in Center Township. He proved an energetic, progres- sive and successful farmer, but in 1917 he became the republican
4 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
candidate for the office of judge of the Probate Court of Williams County, the majority which he received at the ensuing election attest- ing the popular estimate placed upon him in his native county. He assumed his official duties at the courthouse, in Bryan, and his admin- istration of probate affairs has fully justified his selection for the office in which he is serving with marked efficiency and acceptability. The position is no sinecure, as may readily be understood, but Judge Weaver has naught of the attributes of a slacker, as proved by his herculean labors during his career as a farmer, as well as by his punctilious and careful service in his present office. He is influential in the local councils of the republican party, his Masonic affiliations include membership in the commandery of Knights Templar at Bryan, and both he and his wife are active members of the Church of God, at Ada, Hardin County.
Judge Weaver is of sterling German ancestry in both the paternal and maternal lines, but the respective families were early founded in Pennsylvania, the original representatives in Wayne County, Ohio, having come to this state from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Jacob F. Weaver, father of the subject of this review, was most influential in the civic and material development and advancement of Montpelier, Williams County, where, as a successful real estate dealer, he platted and improved four additions to the village, many houses having been erected and sold by him and one of the handsome homes thus built by him having been a fine stone house which he erected for his own use and which he and his wife occupied during the last two years of his life, his death occurring in December, 1917. This is one of the finest homes in Williams County. Mr. Weaver is survived by his second wife, whose maiden name was Martha McCrea, and their only child, Lisle M., was a member of the class of 1920 in the law department of the Ohio Northern University, and now practicing law in Bryan.
Curtis D. Gardner, vice president of the Farmers National Bank rjf Bryan, the judicial center of Williams County, was born and reared in this county, with whose history the family name has been promi- nently identified for nearly seventy years. Those influentially con- cerned in banking enterprise represent composite business more than any other class of workers, and their attitude can form public opinion to a greater extent in any community than can any other one agency. Mr. Gardner has not only become one of the prominent figures in banking enterprise in his native county, but continues as one of the representative factors in agricultural industry in this part of the state,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
his finely improved farm property being partly in Williams County and partly in Defiance County. Appreciative of the manifold advan- tages of this favored section of the Buckeye state, he is signally loyal and public-spirited in his civic attitude and as one of the representa- tive men of his native county he is entitled to special recognition in this history.
On the old homestead farm of his father, in Center Township, Williams County, Curtis D. Gardner was born March 2, 1852, a son of Moses and Jane (Taylor) Gardner, who were born and reared in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized and whence they came to Williams County, Ohio, within a short time thereafter. Their arrival in the county occurred in 1843, and the father secured a tract of unimproved land in section 33, Center Township. With characteris- tic vigor and judgment he set himself to the task of clearing away the timber on the land and making it available for cultivation. His first house was a log cabin of the true pioneer type, and, with increasing prosperity, he later erected the substantial frame house which is still standing on his old homestead, in excellent preservation. Here he con- tinued to reside until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy-one years of age, and his widow passed the closing period of her life at Bryan, where she died at the venerable age of seventy-three years. Mr. Gardner developed and improved a valuable farm prop- erty of 540 acres and was one of the substantial and highly honored citizens of the county. His political faith was that of the democratic party, and while he had no ambition for public office he served a number of years as treasurer of Center Township, his election to this position having been a concrete testimony to the unqualified confidence and esteem in which he was held in the community in which he long maintained his home and to the social and material advancement of which he contributed his due share. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner became the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Mary, the widow of Marion Brannon, died April, 1920; Curtis D. is the imme- diate subject of this review ; William H. resides at Bryan, where he is living virtually retired ; and Isaac E. is a resident of the City of Toledo, this state.
Curtis D. Gardner was reared to the sturdy discipline of the old home farm and in the meanwhile profited fully by the advantages afforded in the village school at Williams Center. He continued to be actively associated with the work of his father's farm until the time of his marriage, and he then began independent operations on a farm of eighty acres, in Farmer Township. Industry and good manage-
6 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ment brought to him cumulative success, and the most tangible evidence of this is that given in his ownership at the present time of a valuable farm estate of 280 acres in Defiance County, besides his fine farm of 160 acres in Center Township, Williams County. Though he continues to give his personal supervision to his farm enterprise, Mr. Gardner has given his financial co-operation in the furtherance of numerous institutions that have been influential in furthering the prosperity and progress of his home county. In addition to being vice president of the Farmers National Bank of Bryan he is a stockholder in the Union Trust Company of Bryan, is vice president of the Bryan Hardware Company, and a director of each the Bryan Motor Service Company and the Bryan Plumbing & Heating Company. In politics he is found aligned as a loyal supporter of the cause of the democratic party, but he has had no desire to enter the arena of so-called practical politics. In the time-honored Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with Bryan Lodge, No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons; Northwest Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; Bryan Council, No. 101, Royal and Select Mas- ters; and Defiance Commandery, No. 30, Knights Templar.
In 1874 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gardner to Miss Ida J. Mills, a daughter of the late Hugh Mills, of Williams County, and they have two children : Clarence is a representative buyer and shipper of livestock in Williams County; Laura J. was graduated in the high school, later attended a leading academic school in the City of Detroit, Michigan, and finally, after completing a course in pianoforte work, she was graduated in the celebrated musical conservatory of Oberlin College ; she is now director of Camp No. 19, at Asheville, North Carolina, where she is also director of music and has general super- vision of the camp cafeteria.
Eliel T. Binns, who is now living virtually retired at Bryan, the judicial center of Williams County, was for forty years a representa- tive merchant of this village, even as he has been loyal and progres- sive as a citizen. He was born at Leroy, Medina County, Ohio, September 16, 1850, and is a son of Samuel and Ellen (Taylor) Binns, both of whom were born in England, and in the same year, 1817. The parents were reared and educated in their native land, where their marriage was solemnized, and whence, in 1837, they immigrated to the United States and first established their residence in New York City, where the father found employment in the work of his profes- sion, that of taxidermist, in which he was especially skillful and as a representative of which he was employed for a time by Phineas T.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 7
Barnum, the great circus man. He remained in the national metropolis three years and then, in 1841, came to Ohio and established his home in Medina County. In England he had gained also a practical training in the tailor's trade, and at Leroy, Medina County, he opened a tailor shop, which he conducted until 1855. He was a man of marked intellectuality and studious habits, and his deep Christian faith finally led to his being ordained a clergyman of the Universalist Church, in the active service of which he continued during the remainder of his life. He held various pastoral charges, and his last ministerial incumbency was at Lyons, Fulton County, whence he removed to Fayette, that county, where he died in the year 1889, revered by all who had come within the compass of his kindly and benignant influence. He was a republican in politics and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. His wife survived him by several years and of their five children three are living — John W., a prosperous farmer near Fayette, Fulton County ; Sarah, the wife of Otis Ford, of Fayette ; and Eliel Taylor Binns, the immediate subject of this sketch.
Eliel T. Binns had the advantages of a home of distinctive culture and refinement and his early education was obtained in the public schools of his native state, including those of Fayette, Fulton County, and the Fayette Academy, he having been seventeen years of age at the time of the family removal to that county. In 1871, about the time of attaining his legal majority, he came to Bryan, where he found employment in a dry goods store, at very modest wages. He continued his clerical service about seven years and then, in 1878, here opened a modest dry goods establishment and engaged in business in an inde- pendent way. Effective service to patrons gained to him in the passing years a substantial and profitable trade, and he was one of the leading merchants of the city at the time of his retirement, in 1908. He has not been content, however, to become inactive, after so many years of earnest and productive enterprise, and he gives his attention at the present time to the general insurance business and the extending of financial loans on approved security. He and his wife are zealous and influential members of the Universalist Church at Bryan, and he is a member of its board of trustees. He is affiliated with the Bryan lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and at Defiance, judicial center of the county of the same name, he holds membership in Defiance Commandery, No. 30, Knights Templar, besides which he is affiliated with Zenobia Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the City of Toledo. He is a staunch supporter of the principles of the republican party, and though he has ever been
8 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
liberal and progressive as a citizen he has had no desire for the honors or emoluments of political office. He is today one of the most respected and influential men of Williams County and has done much to advance the civic and material prosperity of Bryan. He has been for years the president of the Bryan Business Men's Association, is the owner of six rooms utilized by representative mercantile concerns of the city, and has erected and sold forty-five houses in Bryan. No one citizen has done more for the upbuilding of the town than has he, as he has been liberal in supporting the various manufacturing enter- prises and other industries and active in securing new enterprises of this order for his home town. He was chairman of the county tem- perance committee which played a most important part in obliterating the liquor traffic in Williams County and was also influential in the furtherance of prohibition in the state. He was assistant chairman of the county committee which had charge of exploiting the first Liberty loan in Williams County incidental to the late World war, and was chairman of the committee which had charge of the promotion of the second and third Governmental loans in the county, his resignation from this position having occurred at the time when the fifth loan was projected, as he felt physically unable to carry forward this final campaign.
In 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Binns to Miss Rhoda E. Lane, daughter of the late John Lane, who was a representative farmer in Defiance County. Mr. and Mrs. Binns have one daughter, Laura, a graduate of Vassar College, is now the wife of Leigh B. Lynch, of Pontiac, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Binns take much pride in the fact that they have three grandsons and one granddaughter. Mrs. Binns has been a leader in church and social activities in her home community.
F. M. Bruns. — The study of the life of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, developing a mastering of expedients which has brought about remarkable results. F. M. Bruns, well-known cashier of the Exchange Bank of H. F. Bruns, at Stryker, is a worthy representative of that type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promotes public good while advancing individual prosperity. Because of his business ability and public-spirited interest in the affairs of the community, he is held in high esteem by all who know him.
F. M. Bruns was born in the Town of Stryker, Ohio, on Septem- ber 24, 1887, and is the son of H. F. and Rose B. (Drum) Bruns,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 9
the former born in Germany on November 7, 1852, and the latter in Pennsylvania on April 11, 1856. Henry F. Brims came to the United States at the age of seventeen years and located first at Napoleon, Ohio, where he was employed at farm work. Subsequently be became a clerk for S. M. Heller & Company. Later he went into business on his own account at Florida, Ohio, and in 1884 he engaged in the dry goods business at Defiance, Ohio, in which he was very success- ful. In 1891 Mr. Bruns opened the Exchange Bank of H. F. Bruns at Stryker, of which he' is still sole owner, and which has through three decades stood as one of the strong and influential financial insti- tutions of this section of the county. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics he gives his support to the republican party. To him and his wife were born two children, F. M. and Marion. The latter graduated from the Stryker High School and was then for one year a student in the Martha Washington Semi- nary. She is now the wife of V. J. Silliman, of New York City. During the World war he held a commission as second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps, and is now assistant to H. I. Shephard, financial head of the Willys Corporation of New York City.
F. M. Bruns was reared and educated in Stryker, being a graduate of the high school. He was then a student in Phillips Exeter Academy and on the completion of his studies he entered his father's bank as assistant cashier, subsequently becoming cashier, which position he still fills. He is thoroughly qualified for the position and because of his business ability and his sterling qualities of character, he enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire community. The Bruns, father and son, have for years been prominent in the business and public affairs of the community and have been influential in support- ing and advancing various enterprises of public benefit. H. F. Bruns is one of the directors of the Farmers National Bank of Bryan, hav- ing held that relation for more than twenty-five years. He is treasurer of the Bruns-Bowersox Land & Lumber Company and treasurer of the Stryker Boat-Oar & Lumber Company. F. M. Bruns took an active and effective part in the various war activities, especially as per- taining to the national loans, having served as chairman of Springfield Township for the first four Liberty loans and district chairman for Brady, Pulaski and Springfield townships in the Victory loan, as well as chairman of the United War Work campaign.
On December 30, 1908, Mr. F. M. Bruns was married to Ruth E. Royce, who was a graduate of the Stryker High School and later a student of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. They have one daugh-
10 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ter, Virginia Louise, born on May 29, 1911. Mrs. Bruns is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Bruns is a repub- lican. Fraternally, he is a member of Evansport Lodge No. 511, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is senior warden ; Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; Bryan Council, Royal and Select Masters ; Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar ; the Toledo Consistory of the Scottish Rite (thirty-second degree) and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Toledo, Ohio ; Lodge No. 432, Knights of Pythias, of which he is the keeper of records and seal for the past five years ; Stryker Lodge No. 611, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Defiance Council No. 407, United Commercial Travelers. He has taken a healthy interest in everything pertaining to the activities of his community and is a popular member of the circles in which he moves.
Martin T. Hodson. — Because of the extent and quality of his usefulness, his commercial soundness and acumen, his public spirit and integrity, and his nearness to the fundamental requirements of citizenship, Martin T. Hodson, president of the Pioneer Banking Com- pany, of Pioneer, Ohio, affords an encouraging example of success gained through the proper use of every-day abilities and opportunities. Of Mr. Hodson it may be said that his career is a response both to his early teaching and to the needs of his environment. He was born on a farm in Bridgewater Township, Williams County, Ohio, four miles southwest of Pioneer, December 10, 1855, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Hodson, the latter a native of near Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio.
Thomas Hodson was born in England, and after the death of his father accompanied his widowed mother to the United States at the age of nine years. Reared in Williams County, as a youth he went to Richland County, where later he was married, and in 1854 came to Bridgewater Township, this county, where he spent the rest of his career. As a young married man he worked by the month until he was able to purchase his first farm in Richland County, and after com- ing to Williams County continued his industrious and intelligent work to such good effect that he became one of the substantial men of his community. He was a reader and student, qualified as an attorney, and was frequently called upon to deliver public addresses and to speak for candidates during electoral campaigns. He was independent in politics, while his fraternal connection was with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined at an early day. He and
7tf.&
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 11
Mrs. Hodson were consistent members of the Christian Church. They were the parents of seven children, of whom one died at the age of thirteen years, the others reaching maturity, as follows : George and Job, who are residents of Montpelier, Ohio; Martin T. ; Mary, the wife of A. J. Bostetter, of Montpelier ; Sophia A., the widow of Henry Umbenhaur, of Toledo ; and Minnie H., the widow of George Letcher, of Berkeley, California.
Martin T. Hodson was reared on the home farm four miles south- west of Pioneer, and acquired his education in the district schools. When he was only fourteen years of age he began clerking in a general store, and three years later started in business on his own account at Pioneer. Commencing in a modest manner, he gradually developed his interests and increased his holdings. He installed a fine, clean and varied line of goods, charged reasonable prices and gave ample returns. The subterfuge of misrepresentation was relentlessly tabooed from his establishment, and in consequence he became thoroughly trusted and relied upon by the larger part of the town and surrounding coun- try. Gradually, the farmers began to deposit money with him and this practice finally became so common that he was forced to open a private bank. Later he moved to the location of his present institution and took in two partners, J. A. Grant and Dr. George Young, and this was incorporated as a state bank in 1913, with Mr. Hodson as president; A. F. Young as vice president, and J. A. Grant, cashier; H. G. Young being secretary and the board of directors consisting of M. T. Hodson, Fred M. Hodson, A. F. Young, H. G. Young, J. A. Grant and A. Grant. Mr. Hodson is the owner of several farms and much town property, has a fruit farm in Cuba and is interested in a number of other ventures.
Mr. Hodson married Emma D. Eggleston, who was born in Madi- son Township, Williams County, Ohio, one mile south of Pioneer, and was educated in the schools of this place, in which she later became a teacher. To Mr. and Mrs. Hodson there has come one son, Fred M., born November 2, 1880, a graduate of the Pioneer schools and of the university at Ada in pharmacy, who is now associated in busi- ness with his father. He married Grace Sibley and they are the parents of two children: Catherine, born in 1911, and Phyllis, born in 1917. Fred M. Hodson is a thirty-second degree Mason and a mem- ber of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
12 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Leland S. Houlton. — An esteemed and highly respected resident of Edgerton, Williams County, Leland S. Houlton was for many years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. A native of Indiana, he was born, February 11, 1887, in Franklin Township, Dekalb County, Indiana, a son of Lewis and Rhoda (Martin) Houlton. His grandfather, John Houlton, was in very truth a pioneer of that town- ship, he having been the first white man to locate in Dekalb County, Indiana, while his son Samuel, a half brother of Lewis Houlton, was the first white child born in Franklin Township.
Leland S. Houlton was born and brought up on a portion of the original homestead which his paternal grandfather entered from the Government, and was educated in the rural schools of his native township. He still owns one hundred and nine acres of the old home farm, which is mostly under cultivation.
Mr. Houlton married Jessie Hathaway, a daughter of Dr. Calvin Hathaway, who was actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Edgerton for a full half century. Beginning the study of medicine in the College of Medicine at Ann Arbor, Michigan, Calvin Hathaway subsequently entered the Cincinnati, Ohio, College of Medicine, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He entered the United States Army service as surgeon in the Civil war in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after the war located in Edgerton, Williams County, Ohio, and having won the well-deserved reputation of being one of the most skillful and able physicians in this part of the state, built up a large and highly remunerative practice. For four years Doctor Hatha- way was a member of the United States Pension Board at Toledo, Ohio, and of the board at Bryan, Ohio, for twenty-six years. During the Civil war, the doctor served as a surgeon in the Union Army, gaining an experience in medicine and surgery that was of much value to him in his professional career. A man of good business ability and judgment, he accumulated considerable wealth.
Dr. Hathaway married Harriet E. Hutchenson, and of their union four children were born, as follows : Paul and Azalia both died in infancy: Lodema, a graduate of the Edgerton High School, and of Hillsdale College, died in Edgerton, Ohio, in March, 1898; and Jessie, now Mrs. Houlton. The doctor was a republican in politics, and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Mrs. Houlton was educated in Edgerton, being graduated from its high school with the class of 1896, after which she taught school one term. For two years thereafter she held a responsible position in
(WoAM^a.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 13
the Farmers National Bank of Bryan, and then returned to her home in Edgerton. At the present time Mrs. Houlton, who has inherited to a marked degree the business ability and tact of her father, is assistant cashier of the Farmers Commercial Bank at Edgerton, and one of its directors. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Houlton, Calvin H. Houlton, died in infancy.
Henry W. Ellis. — In the career of Henry W. Ellis, of Bryan, there is presented a lesson for the youth of any land, something to be found in it of a nature encouraging to the young aspirant who, with- out friends or fortune, is struggling to overcome obstacles in his efforts to establish a comfortable competence. Mr. Ellis has trod the difficult self-made road to success. When he entered upon his career he was forced to depend solely upon his own resources. Today, after thirty years of connection with the insurance, loan and real estate interests of Williams County, he is rightly accounted one of the leading busi- ness citizens of his community, and may look back with pardonable pride over a business record, substantial though modest, which stands without a blemish.
Mr. Ellis was born at Fayette, Fulton County, Ohio, November 30, 1861, a son of Philip and Anna (Holden) Ellis, natives of Lincoln- shire, England, where they were reared, educated and married. The parents came to the United States in 1856 and located at Fayette, Ohio, subsequently going to Lyons, where both died, the mother in 1871. They were members first of the Methodist Episcopal Church and later of the LTnited Brethren Church, and Mr. Ellis became a republican in politics after coming to this country. Of the four chil- dren in the family, three are living: John T. and William O., resi- dents of Seattle, Washington ; and Henry W. of Bryan, Ohio.
Henry W. Ellis was only ten years of age when his mother died, and when he was sixteen years of age left the paternal roof to make his own way in the world. He had attended the public schools of Fayette and subsequently managed to complete a four-year term at the Fayette Normal and Business College, which formed his prepara- tion for business affairs and gave him a good practical education. When he was about nineteen years of age, he taught his first term of school, and for the ten years that followed devoted himself to the work of the educator. In 1885 he removed to Stryker, where he continued to be a teacher until 1890, then giving up educational work to adopt the business of life insurance and mortgage loans for the LTnion Central Life Insurance Company, which he continued to follow
14 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
there until 1892. That year saw Mr. Ellis' arrival at the county seat of Williams County, which has been his home ever since. Here he has developed a large and lucrative business in the line of insurance, loans and real estate, and maintains well-appointed offices in the First National Bank Building. As a realtor, Mr. Ellis has handled much city and country property and has been the medium through which a number of large and important deals have been consummated. He is accounted an expert as to values, this adding to his equipment for the loan department of his business, and few men are better known in the insurance field, he being the representative of some of the leading companies of the country at Bryan. Mr. Ellis is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Bryan, the Williams County Telephone Company, the Bryan Pattern and Machine Company, and the Bryan Realty Company. In 1912 he erected a modern home at the corner of Maple and Lynn streets, which is one of the attractive and comfort- able residences of Bryan. Mr. Ellis also takes an interest in fraternal work, being past chancellor of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and a former member of the grand lodge of the state. In politics he is a republican, but public life has not attracted him and he confines his interest in political matters to that taken by every good and public-spirited citizen. With his family, he belongs to the Universalist Church, and is a member of the board of trustees thereof. In 1888 Mr. Ellis was united in marriage with Miss Allie Kintigh, who was born near Stryker, Ohio, and educated in the public schools of that place. ■ They are the parents of three children : Frances, a graduate of Bryan High School, who spent two years at Oberlin College, married Ross O. Stine, of Bryan, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and has one son, William : Charles W., a graduate of the Bryan High School and the University of Wisconsin, served twenty-one months in the United States Army, being nine months over- seas, and was a non-commissioned officer ; he married Miss Agnes S. Grady of St. Louis, Missouri, and has one son, James W. : and Virginia, who is attending the Bryan public schools.
C. H. Boone. — The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identified with the history of Montpelier, Ohio. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success attained by those only who devote themselves inde- fatigably to the work before them. He is of a high type of a business man and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among the men whose genius and abilities have achieved results that are most enviable and commendable.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 15
C. H. Boone, proprietor of the Boone Lumber Company, at Mont- pelier, Ohio, was born near Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, on Decem- ber 29, 1849, and is the son of Thomas and Anna (Criss) Boone. These parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared to maturity and were married. Eventually they came to Ohio, settling near Wooster, where they engaged in farming and where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Boone gave his support to the republican party. They were parents of the following children : W. S., of Montpelier, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of E. D. Pinkerton, of Wooster, Ohio ; C. H., the subject of this sketch ; Ruth A., deceased ; Joseph N., of Akron, Ohio ; Mattie, the wife of Dr. Bucher, of Wheat- field, Indiana; Lucy, the wife of George Getts, of Massilon, Ohio.
C. H. Boone was reared on the paternal farm near Wooster, Ohio, and secured a good practical common school education. After his mar- riage, which occurred in 1876, he lived on a farm in Wayne County for five or six years, and then went into business in Akron, Ohio, but in 1882 sold out there and came to Williams County. Locating at Montpelier, Mr. Boone went into the sawmill business, to which he later added the lumber yards, and he has been identified with this business continually since. For seven years he was associated with his brothers, under the name of C. H. Boone & Company, but at the end of that time he acquired sole ownership of the business and is still so conducting it. He is ably assisted in this work by his sons, and the combination has been one of peculiar efficiency. The Boone lumber yards are well stocked with all kinds of lumber and building stock and their trade covers a wide range of surrounding country.
In 1876 Mr. Boone was married to Alice Clippinger, who was born in Dalton, Ohio, and their union has been blessed by the birth of four sons, namely: R. A., who is secretary of the Boone Lumber Com- pany; L. L., who is manager of the company; R. C, treasurer of the company, and W. S., who is connected with the Goodyear Rubber Company, at Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Boone is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Boone is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being a past chancellor of his lodge and a member of the Grand Lodge. Politically, he has been a lifelong supporter of the repub- lican party and for fourteen consecutive years he served as a member of the Montpelier Council. While he has carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself, he has also belonged to that class of representative men
16 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
of affairs who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success, and he has so ordered his life as to gain the unlimited confi- dence and esteem of the entire community.
Joseph Burkhart.— A prominent and prosperous agriculturist, and an extensive land holder, Joseph Burkhart, of St. Joseph Town- ship, is widely known as proprietor of Twin Elm Farm, which con- sists of 260 acres of land, twenty acres of which lies in Dekalb County, Indiana. He also owns another farm of 240 acres in the same township, and is carrying on general farming and stock raising most successfully. A son of George Burkhart, he was born, May 12, 1858, in Crawford County, Ohio, where he lived until twelve years of age.
Born and educated in Pennsylvania, George Burkhart came to Ohio in early manhood, locating in Crawford County, where he ran a sawmill for a few seasons. .Moving to Bucyrus, in the same county, he took charge of a furnace. He subsequently invented the old Excelsior reaper, the first one that had a patent dropper, and traveled on the road selling the machines. Coming to Williams County with his family in 1869, he spent his remaining years on a farm in St. Joseph Township. He was a democrat in politics, and a member of the Evangelical Church, with which he was prominently identified. He married Roxanna Songer, who was born in Pennsylvania, and as a child came with her parents to Ohio, locating in Crawford County. Of the children born of their marriage, seven are living, as follows: Joseph, the special subject of this sketch; Sarah, wife of Solomon Suffel, living near Montpelier, Williams County ; Samuel F., engaged in farming in St. Joseph Township ; Frank, of Edgerton ; Ida, wife of Chester Isenhood ; Anna, wife of John Richmond ; and Sophia, the eldest child of the parental household, wife of Daniel Mowery, of St. Louis, Missouri.
Coming with the family to Williams County in 1869, Joseph Burk- hart was educated in the district schools, and after finishing his studies spent many years on the home farm, remaining with his parents until twenty-five years old. Choosing the free and independent occupation to which he was reared, Mr. Burkhart has met with no failures in his undertakings, at the present writing having title to 400 acres of choice land, from which he reaps bountiful harvests, the rich soil responding readily to his methods of culture.
Mr. Burkhart married, December 25, 1884, Aletta Casebere, who was born in Tracy Township, Dekalb County, Indiana, December
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 17
15, 1866, a daughter of George Casebere, and granddaughter of John and Nancy (Smiley) Casebere, who settled in Williams County, Ohio, in 1840. George Casebere was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1832, and died in July, 1896. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Kinsely, was born in Canal Dover, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 2, 1835, and died in 1893. Four children were born of their union, as follows: Lee Casebere, of Bryan, Ohio; Solomon, of Butler, Indiana; Marshall, deceased; and Aletta, now Mrs. Burkhart.
Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart have three children, namely : Ora Glenn, born July 5, 1885, married Ethel Spaulding; Earl Lyston, born August 22, 1888, is single, and lives at home ; and Arthur Dale, born February 11, 1890, who was graduated from the Edgerton High School, and the Fort Wayne Business College, married Jette Kimball. Mr. Burk- hart is a democrat in politics, and Mrs. Burkhart, true to the religious faith in which she was reared, is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Samuel F. Burkhart, brother of Joseph Burkhart, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, near Bucyrus, June 6, 1862, and at the age of seven years came with his parents to Saint Joseph Township, where he acquired his early knowledge of books, and became acquainted with the various branches of agriculture. Finding farming both agree- able and profitable, he turned his attention to agriculture when young, and has now 180 acres of land in his home farm, and is managing it with exceptionally good results. He has accumulated considerable property, in addition to the farm which he now occupies having for- merly had title to sixty-five acres nearby, and is a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial Bank of Edgerton.
Mr. Burkhart married Lena Landel. and they have three children, namely : Charles, a graduate of the Edon High School ; Oscar, a graduate of the Edgerton High School, is now, in 1920, a sophomore in the University of Illinois, at Urbana ; and Raymond, a student in the Edgerton High School. Mr. Burkhart is a prominent and useful member of the Evangelical Church, in which he is an elder, and is an active worker in the Sunday School, which he has served as super- intendent. He is a steadfast democrat in politics, and has served as a member, and as president, of the local school board.
William M. Kurtz has spent all his life in Northwestern Ohio, is a successful farmer in St. Joseph Township, and is a veteran of the threshing business. He- owns a large acreage and a valuable
18 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
farm, representing to a large extent his varied industry and capa- bilities.
Mr. Kurtz, whose home is a mile and three-quarters southeast of Edgerton, was born in Milford Township, Defiance County, Ohio, March 24, 1871. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kurtz, were natives of Germany and were married in that country. His father was born in Wuertemberg, January 8, 1831. At the age of twenty-six he took his wife and son to Australia, and lived in that country for five years. Returning to Germany, they remained only a few months and in 1862 emigrated to the United States and located in Defiance County. They bought a farm three and a half miles south of Edgerton and Jacob Kurtz cleared up his land and improved it and remained a resident there until his death. They were reared as Lutherans, but in Ohio became Methodists. The mother died in 1879.
William M. Kurtz was one of eight children and grew up on the home farm near Edgerton, attended district schools, and was a factor in the parental establishment until he married and established a home of his own.
January 23, 1898, he married Martha M. Fisher, who was born in Center Township of Williams County, February 3, 1878, daughter of Michael and Mary (Laufer) Fisher. Her father was born April 12, 1830, was brought to the United States from Germany in 1840 and the family were pioneers in Williams County. In the Fisher family were fourteen children named Jacob, George M., Mary E., Anna M., John Z., Caroline, Henry E., Frederick, David, William M., Albert C, Charles F., Martha and Victoria C. Mrs. Kurtz was reared on a farm and acquired a district school education.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz rented the farm where they now live, and in 1902, as a result of their joint thrift and energies were able to buy the land. They now have a valuable place of 120 acres, and their improvements are of the best. Mr. Kurtz has operated a threshing oufit for twenty-eight years, and is one of the oldest men in that business and as such is widely known. He is a democrat in politics, a member of the Farm Bureau, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Kurtz is a member of the Pythian Sisters.
They have two children : Arvilla A., born March 4, 1904, now attending high school ; and J. W. Russell Kurtz, born January 3, 1914. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Kurtz is one of its trustees.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 19
Wesley Casebere.— Owning a farm of ninety-four acres, Wesley Casebere, of Edgerton, Williams County, is still actively engaged in work upon which the health, wealth and general prosperity of our nation is largely dependent. A son of William Casebere, he was born, July 12, 1848, in Troy Township, Dekalb County, Indiana.
In 1790 two brothers named Casebere emigrated from Germany to the United States, one of them settling in Pennsylvania. A descend- ant of that Casebere, one John Casebere, married, and in 1814 located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, at Canal Dover, and from his nine chil- dren all of the Ohio Caseberes are descended. The eldest son, also- named John Casebere, was born in Pennsylvania, October 24, 1798, and in 1814 came with his parents to Canal Dover, Ohio. In 1821 he married Nancy Smiley, a daughter of George Smiley, and in 1839, having entered land in both Ohio and Indiana, moved to Troy Town- ship, Dekalb County, Indiana, where he resided until his death, September 2, 1881. He had previously learned the blacksmith's trade, and specialized in the making of cow bells. In 1841 he erected a second cabin, and in that cabin the first school opened in that district was taught, ten out of its sixteen pupils having been Caseberes. His wife died May 4, 1870, several years before he did.
One of a family of twelve children, William Casebere went with his parents to Troy Township, Indiana, from Canal Dover, Ohio, and assisted his father as well as a boy could in clearing and improv- ing a homestead. He began life for himself as a farmer in that town- ship, but finally removed to Canada, where he spent the later years of his life. He married Harriet Moore, who was also of pioneer stock, and on the farm which he owned and occupied his children were reared.
Brought up and educated in his native township, Wesley Casebere began life for himself as a youth, and for eight years worked as a farm laborer for Daniel Farnham, a prominent agriculturist of St. Joseph Township, Williams County. Industrious and enterprising, he wisely saved his money, and after his marriage bought his present farm, and in its improvement has taken great pleasure, his work having also proved quite remunerative.
Mr. Casebere married Mrs. Medora (Williams) Geiger, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1847, and came with her parents to Williams County, Ohio, in 1856. She received excellent educa- tional advantages, attending the public schools and the Newville Academy, after which she taught school a few terms. She married Jacob Geiger, who died in early life, leaving her with one daughter.
20 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Alberta Geiger, who became the wife of W. D. Bratten, of St. Joseph Township. Mr. and Mrs. Casebere have one child, E. E. Casebere, of St. Joseph Township, who married Clara Watson, and has one son. Mr. Casebere is a republican in politics. His son, E. E. Casebere, is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star.
Frank C. Flickinger. — One of the best known citizens of Wil- liams County, a former county commissioner, F. C. Flickinger has always shown a serious sense of responsibility both to himself and his fellow men, and his material accumulations would offset in only a small measure his large and varied service.
Mr. Flickinger was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 12, 1874, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Weidrich) Flickinger, the former a native of Wayne County and the latter of Allen County, Indiana. Both parents were active members of the United Brethren Church. Daniel Flickinger was a democrat, interested in political affairs, and at one time was roadmaster in Northwest Township of Williams County. He died August 14, 1914, and his widow is still living in Northwest Township. They had two sons, F. C. and Herman, the latter a farmer on the old homestead.
F. C. Flickinger was seven years of age when his parents moved to Williams County and here he acquired a public school education, supplemented with a teacher's course at the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. He received his degree Bachelor of Pedagogy. Mr. Flickinger has devoted his entire adult life to the profession of teaching, and almost altogether in Northwest Township. While it could not be said that he has gained wealth from a profession that is notoriously underpaid, he has contrived to manage his affairs in the intervals of school work in such a manner as to achieve the own- ership of a good farm, consisting of 150 acres, and is known as a successful breeder of Duroc hogs and white Leghorn chickens. He has always been active in democratic politics, served eight years as township clerk of Northwest Township, and for two years was a valued member of the County Board of Commissioners. He is also a member of the Township Board of Education.
March 15, 1899, Mr. Flickinger married Nettie Ricketts. They have four children: Zola and Cleon, both graduates of the Mont- pelier High School ; Gaython, who has completed the common school work, and Gladys attending the grade school. The family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Flickinger is a past master of the Grange.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 21
David J. Mettler.— While his youth was one of struggle and lack of advantages, David J. Mettler has found his way to a comfortable success, and for a number of years has been one of the influential and successful farmers of Williams County. His place is known as the Hickory Grove Farm, comprising 120 acres located a half mile west of Cooney, and he also had forty acres a half mile east of that town, which he sold to his son.
Mr. Mettler was born at Union Corners, then known as the Adair Farms, on September 9, 1862, son of William and Miriam (Adair) Mettler.
His maternal grandfather, William Adair, was one of the notable pioneers of Williams County, settling in this densely wooded section in 1848. He bought four parcels of land each containing eighty acres, at what is now Union Corners. Later he lived in the west part of the township and he died in Steuben, Indiana.
William Mettler and his wife Miriam were both natives of Mor- row County, Ohio, where he was born August 19, 1834, and she on July 20, 1836. William Mettler was killed when thrown from a horse December 11, 1862, about three months after the birth of his son David. He had three children : Melvin C, now of Coldwater, Mich- igan ; David J. and Marcelina D., wife of H. S. Ely, of Montpelier. The widowed mother did a noble part by her small children after the death of her husband and managed to keep them together. She worked out for about twelve years in order to support them. Later she became the wife of J. B. Neer, but had no children by that union.
David J. Mettler lived for three years with his uncle John McCannch, and after that with his aunt, Mrs. Ferguson, until her death in 1874. Much of his boyhood was spent among strangers, and while he managed to attend the district schools he expended much of his youthful strength working out by the month and by the day.
On January 1, 1885, Mr. Mettler married Miss Wilda Moss, a native of Allen County, Indiana, where she lived to the age of twelve when her parents removed to Columbia, Ohio.
After his marriage Mr. Mettler rented a farm for four years and then established a modern stock of general merchandise at Cooney and subsequently was in business as a merchant at Columbia until about 1907. He then sold out and invested his modest capital in the farm where he now lives. This is a valuable property, and represents his accumulations above that needed for the support and rearing of his family. Mr. Mettler had the misfortune to lose his good wife on February 12, 1918. They w:ere the parents of four children: Win-
22 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
fred, a farmer in Northwest Township; Harley, who is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Business College and is also a farmer in Williams County; Dale of Northwest Township; and Waity, wife of Charles Lash.
Mr. Mettler is a democrat in politics and for four terms, eight years, served as treasurer of Northwest Township. He also took the census in 1920. For several years until he resigned he was a member of the County Central Committee representing Northwest Township. He is also actively identified with the various farmers' organizations, and lends his support to every movement for the benefit of his com- munity.
Grant S. Kintigh. — Steadily through a period of over thirty years Grant S. Kintigh has been a sustaining factor in the agricultural activities of Northwest Township, has achieved the success represented in the ownership of a good farm, and has played a worthy part in local citizenship.
Mr. Kintigh, whose farm home is a mile east and a half mile south of Cooney, was born in Northwest Township September 16, 1868, son of William and Susanna (Shaffer) Kintigh, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The parents were married in Williams County and first lived on a farm in Springfield Township, but for many years were honored residents of Northwest Township where both of them died. They were members of the United Brethren Church and the father served as superintendent of its Sunday School. A republican in politics, he was honored with the office of justice of the peace. In a family of nine children, one died in infancy and six are still alive: William C, of Camden, Michigan; Mary, wife of Joe Murray of Bryan, Ohio; Howard of Camden; John of Pioneer, Ohio; Elmer, whose home is in Kansas, and Grant S.
Grant S. Kintigh grew up in his native township, and acquired a very thorough education, beginning in the district schools and finish- ing with courses in Hillsdale College and in the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. For about five years he devoted his talents and time to educational work, and since then has followed farming with good results. His farm comprises 120 acres, and he has also worked with his fellow farmers in improving marketing and other conditions. He is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Association at Mont- gomery, Michigan.
In 1893 Mr. Kintigh married Miss Jennie Houtz, who was born in Camden, Michigan, and was also a teacher before her marriage.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 23
They have two talented children : Ruth is a graduate of the Hillsdale High School, attended the Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing, and has a record as a teacher. Paul is a graduate of the Hillsdale High School, taught school one year and is now a student in Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan.
The family are members of the Presbyterian Church and of the Grange. Mr. Kintigh is identified with the republican party and for four years served as township clerk.
Franklin Knecht, who lives five miles northwest of Montpelier in Florence Township was ten years old when his parents came to Williams County. He was born July 9, 1855, in Crawford County. He is a son of John G. and Mary (Fouser) Knecht, the parents both born and brought up in Germany. They were married and three of their children were born in Germany. The father was a farmer in Germany. In 1845 they emigrated to the United States and settled in Crawford County. It was twenty years later that they removed to Williams County. They bought eighty acres of land in Superior Township and ended their days on it.
The Knechts were members of the German Lutheran Church and thirteen children were born to them, although A. D. 1920, only six of them are among the living: Gottlieb, Catharine, Sofia, Lewis, Franklin and William. They all had common school advantages, and Franklin who relates the family history remained at home until he was twenty-one years old when he married Barbara Knoblich who was born in Florence Township and had always lived in Williams County. Their children are : William D., with the Wabash Railroad and living in Montpelier; Harvey, of Florence Township, and Iva, the wife of Charles Custer.
The Knechts of this generation are members of the United Breth- ren Church, and Franklin Knecht is Sunday school superintendent. Mr. Knecht is a democrat and for four years he was the assessor in Florence Township. He was a member of the local school board for five years. He is a member of the Edon Farmers' Co-operative Association, and is interested in all farm organizations looking to the welfare of the rural community. Besides being a farmer Mr. Knecht is a carpenter and contractor, and in addition to making all the improvements on his own farm he has built many houses and barns for others. He operated a sawmill on the farm when there was more timber in Williams County.
24 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
William Henry Shinn. — In the largest and best sense of the term, William H. Shinn is distinctively one of the representative men of his day in Williams County, and as such his life record is entitled to a distinctive place in the annals of his county. As a citizen he is public-spirited and enterprising to an unwonted degree; as a friend and neighbor, he combines the qualities of head and heart that win confidence and command respect; as a legislator, he exhibited ele- ments of statesmanship which won for him not only the esteem of his colleagues, but also the commendation of his constituents, while as an attorney, possessing a comprehensive grasp of the philosophy of jurisprudence, he occupies an enviable position at the bar of his county. He realized early that there is a purpose in life and that there is no honor not founded on worth and no respect not founded on accomplishment. Because of this he has won for himself a place of prominence and honor as one of the world's honored army of workers, his life and labors being worthy because they have contrib- uted to a proper understanding of life and its problems.
William Henry Shinn was born in Northwest Township, Williams County, Ohio, on March 19, 1867, son of Aaron and Henrietta C. (Speaker) Shinn. He is descended from sterling old Colonial stock, the Shinn family dating its beginning in America back to a time prior to the coming of William Penn, when John Shinn, a Quaker and a native of England, left his native land in order that he might enjoy freedom of religious belief and practice. It is an essential truth that the final causes which shape the fortunes of individual men and the destinies of states are often the same, and when they inspire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial, enterprise, and call into play the higher moral elements ; lead men to risk all upon conviction, faith — such causes lead to the planting of great nations and great peoples. Thus it was with those hardy people who, for the sake of their con- sciences, courageously came to a new and practically unknown world, braving all for the sake of posterity, and we today are enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices and courage. John Shinn settled in Burling- ton County, New Jersey, where he established a home and reared a family, and there the family has been continuously represented to the present day. All of the name in America are said to be direct descend- ants of the brave pioneer, John Shinn. In Burlington County, Aaron Shinn, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1803. In early manhood he came to Ohio, eventually locating in Williams County, where he followed his trade, that of blacksmith, establishing the first shop of that kind in Northwest Township. Here he met
>. mJLl^
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 23
and married Henrietta C. Speaker, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and here his death occurred on January 16, 1867, at the age of sixty-four years, about two months before the birth of his son, the subject of this review.
William H. Shinn received his early educational training in the dis- trict schools, where his attendance was necessarily more or less irreg- ular. During the summer months he hired out for work on neighbor- ing farms, while during the winter he did chores for his board in the neighborhood of the school which he attended. In January, 1883, when not quite sixteen years old, he went to Montpelier and became an apprentice at the printing trade in the office of the Montpelier Enter- prise. He was ambitious and while working at his trade he applied himself assiduously to his books, so that at the end of two years he was able to pass an examination and secured a certificate to teach school. He taught in Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan, and at the age of twenty years he became the editor of the Montpelier Democrat, occupying that position about eighteen months. From 1890 until November, 1893. he was the publisher of the Democrat at Newaygo, Michigan, and during his brief residence there he quickly gained public appreciation, rilling several local offices, among them being school inspector, deputy county clerk, village clerk, justice of the peace and township clerk. In June. 1894, Mr. Shinn removed to La Grange, Indiana, and purchased the La Grange Democrat, which he published until February, 1896. In the spring of the following year he entered the employ of a publishing house as a writer, main- taining this relation until 1912, during which period he resided in Indiana. While residing there, in 1900, he became the democratic nominee for state senator, but was defeated at the ensuing election.
In August, 1912, Mr. Shinn returned to Williams County and pur- chased the Montpelier Enterprise, the office in which he had originally learned the printing trade, and he conducted this paper with marked success until September, 1916. In November, 1913, he was elected mayor of Montpelier, and two years later was re-elected to succeed himself, holding the office until January 1, 1917, when he resigned that office in order to take his seat in the Legislature, to which he had been chosen. At the primary election of 1914 the democrats of Wil- liams County chose him as their candidate for representative from this county, but he was defeated at the November election. In 1916 he was again nominated, without opposition, and at the election he was successful, receiving a plurality of 102 votes over his opponent, the Hon. Frank M. Money, who had been the successful candidate two years before.
26 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
As a member of the Legislature, Mr. Shinn took a prominent and leading part in securing the passage of a number of important bills. Upon the organization of the House, he was made chairman of the committee on Constitutional Amendments and the Initiative and Referendum, and was given membership on the following com- mittees : Cities, Fees and Salaries, Liquor Traffic and Temperance, Privileges and Elections and Taxation and Revenues. He introduced the Anti-Spotters railroad bill and the Injunction and Abatement (anti-vice) bills, both of which were enacted into laws. He was also the author and secured the adoption of the resolution submitting to the people an amendment to the State Constitution whereby the double taxation of real estate may be prevented. This amendment was sub- sequently ratified by the voters by a majority of more than 108,000 and is now a part of the organic law of the state. Upon his retire- ment from the Legislature, Mr. Shinn opened a law office in Mont- pelier and has since been engaged in the practice of that profession, in which he is meeting with splendid success.
On Christmas Day, 1891, Mr. Shinn was married to Zoe Thomas, at Montpelier, and they have a son, William Thomas, who was grad- uated from the Montpelier High School with the class of 1919, and is now a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus, preparing for the practice of law. The beginning of Mr. Shinn's career was characterized by hard work and conscientious endeavor, and he owes his rise to no train of fortunate incidents or fortuitous circumstances. It has been the reward of the application of mental qualifications of a high order to the affairs of business, combined with keen percep- tions and mental activity that enabled him to grasp the opportunities that have presented themselves. This he has done with success and, what is more important, with honor. Because of his success and his sterling qualities of character, he enjoys to a marked degree the confi- dence and good will of all who know him.
William Felger. — In insurance circles of Williams County there is no name better known than that of William Felger. While he has not been indifferent to the opportunities offered for advancement in other lines of endeavor, notably that of farming, Mr. Felger has been first, last and all the time an insurance man, and at the present time, in addition to being the representative at West Unity for a number of leading companies, is secretary of the Brady Township Fire Insurance Association.
Mr. Felger was born in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio, one mile north of West Unity, June 29, 1853, a son of Henry and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 27
Susanna (Herman) Felger. The father was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and as a young man went to Wayne County, Ohio, where he married a native of that county. In 1848 he went to California, where he remained about three years, during which time he saved $800 in gold, and, returning to Ohio with this sum, invested it in a tract of eighty acres of land in Brady Township, Williams County. There he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits during the active period of his life, but finally retired and moved to West Unity where he died two years later, his widow surviving him eight months. He was a democrat in politics, and he and Mrs. Felger were consistent members of the Reformed Church. They were the parents of six children : William ; Conrad, a resident of San Diego, California; Frank, of Fayette, Fulton County, Ohio; Simon, a farmer of Mill Creek Township, Williams County ; John, a resident of West Unity; and Sarah, the wife of David Laser, an agriculturist near Pioneer.
William Felger was reared on the old home farm in Brady Town- ship, and in his boyhood and youth assisted his father in the work of the home property while securing his education in the public schools of West Unity and the Smithville (Ohio) Normal School. Later he took a course in the Wooster Business College, then starting to teach day school and penmanship, which he followed for several years. As an agriculturist he became the owner of ninety-five acres of land in Jefferson Township, in addition to which he possesses a fine home at West Unity. In young manhood Mr. Felger became interested in insurance matters and began as a local agent for several of the large companies. Meeting with gratifying success in this field, he increased the scope of his efforts and his patronage has constantly grown larger, until at the present time he is local representative for the Home Insurance Company of New York, the Fidelity Phoenix of New York, the Fidelity Casualty Company of New York, the Great American Indemnity Company of Mansfield, Ohio, the Ohio Windstorm Company of Columbus and the Cleveland National of Cleveland, Ohio. In January, 1907, Mr. Felger became secretary of the Brady Township Fire Insurance Company, a position which he has retained to the present time. The affairs of this institution are in a flourishing condition, and much of its prosperity is directly trace- able to Mr. Felger's ability and industrious efforts. He is likewise a notary public and is largely interested in the handling of real estate. From 1885 to 1901 he was agent for various express companions at Orrville. A democrat in politics, Mr. Felger has taken an active part in
28 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
local affairs, and has served one term each as township clerk of Brady Township and as mayor of West Unity, displaying capability along executive lines. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Superior Lodge, No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Knights of the Maccabees, and he and Mrs. Felger are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Felger is a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial and Savings Bank.
Mr. Felger married Sarah Billman, of Wayne County, Ohio, and they had three children: Edmund J.,' of Akron, Ohio; Charles H., of Hillsdale, Michigan ; and Mabel V., a graduate nurse at the Toledo Hospital. Mrs. Felger died June 28, 1904, and Mr. Felger later married Ina L. Miller. They have had no children.
Fred Planson. — A fine representative of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of Williams County, Fred Planson is actively engaged in his free and independent calling in Springfield Township, where his well improved and productive farm is located. A son of the late Peter Planson, he was born, April 29, 1883, on the farm adjoining the one he now owns and occupies.
A native of Williams County, Ohio, Peter Planson was born in Lockport, Brady Township, where he acquired when young a thor- ough knowledge of the various branches of agriculture. Industrious and thrifty, he accumulated some money, and when ready to begin the battle of life on his own account bought 130 acres of land in his native township, but subsequently moved to Springfield Township, where he carried on general farming a number of years. When ready to give up active work, he removed to Stryker, and there spent the later years of his life. A stanch republican in politics, he took much interest in local affairs, and rendered acceptable services as trustee of Springfield Township. Religiously both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Baptist Church at Stryker.
Peter Planson married Frances Recine, who was born in France, and as a girl came with her parents to Lockport, Ohio, where she was married. Of the nine children born of their union, eight were living in 1919, as follows: Herman, of Springfield Township; Emiel ; Ida; Charles; George; Nora, wife of James Roux; Sylvia, and Fred.
Obtaining a practical education in the district schools, Fred Planson began in boyhood to do the chores usually falling to the lot of a farm- er's son, and, naturally following in the footsteps of his ancestors, chose farming for his life occupation. Settling on land adjoining his father's, he has been very successful in his agricultural labors, his
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 2$
farm of seventy acres being under a good state of cultivation, yield- ing each year bountiful crops of the cereals common to this region. He is a steadfast republican in politics, and a valued member of the Baptist Church at Stryker, of which he is a trustee.
Mr. Planson married, November 24, 1904, Alice E. Peugeot, who was born and educated in Brady Township, Ohio, and into the house- hold thus established four children have been born, namely: Ethel, born August 18, 1906; Emerson, born August 21, 1908; Charlotte, born July 28, 1914; and Lucille, whose birth occurred November 14, 1917.
Walter S. Tomlinson, breeder of Holstein Friesians and a farmer upon an extensive scale, owns one of the best stock farms in Defiance County, which is located three-fourths of a mile southeast of Williams Center, Defiance County, Ohio. He was born at Bryan, Ohio, on June 16, 1843, a son of Giles Hawkins Tomlinson.
The Tomlinson family is traced back to 1600, when George Tom- linson was married to Mariah Hyde in January of that year, at Saint Peter's Church, England. Their son, Henry Tomlinson, born in Derby, England, came to the American Colonies in 1652, and died at Strat- ford, Connecticut, in 1681. Jonas Tomlinson, the son of Henry Tom- linson, married Alice Hannak and lived on Grant Hill, Derby, Con- necticut, where he died in 1693.
Isaac Tomlinson, son of Jonas Tomlinson, was born in 1687, mar- ried Patience Taylor in March, 1712, and died in 1754. Their son, Noah, who was born in 1727, was married on July 2, 1747, to Abigail Beers, and lived and died at Derby, Connecticut. In 1749 Noah Tom- linson became the father of Daniel Tomlinson, and he served as an officer in the American Revolution. In 1774 he married Susanna Hotchkiss, and died near Marbledale. Connecticut. His son, Abijah Tomlinson, was born in 1780, and he married Betsey, a daughter of David and Ruth (Hawkins) Tomlinson, in 1805, and died at Marble- dale, Connecticut in 1862, aged eighty-two years. His wife died in 1875, aged ninety-two years. To them were born the following chil- dren : Ruth, George, Giles Hawkins, Daniel, Charles, Eliza, Agnes and Nancy, Giles Hawkins surviving them all.
In 1842 Giles H. Tomlinson was married to Eunice Ensign, a daughter of Oren and Nancy Ensign, and a sister of Oscar, Henry, Dwight, Frank and Elbridge Ensign, all of whom were at one time or another residents of Farmer Township.
30 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson began their married life in a log house which was located just north of the Eaton property at Bryan, and in it their eldest son, Walter S., was born. Later removal was made to the old Carter building which stood on the present site of the Farmers National Bank. In 1848 Mr. Tomlinson moved his family to Williams Center, and there his wife died in 1854, and in 1856 he was married to Electa, a daughter of Lyman and Mary Anna (Baker) Hemenway. In addition to the sons, Walter S., Dwight, Oren and Frank Abijah, born of his first marriage, Mr. Tomlinson had by his second marriage the following children: Mrs. Ida Hoffman, who lives at Williams Center, Ohio; Mrs. Betsey Blanch Gardner, who lives at Bryan, Ohio; William, who lives at Lima, Ohio; Charles, who lives at Barlow, North Dakota; and Irwin, who remained with his parents on the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on April 28, 1906.
Giles H. Tomlinson was a highly educated men, and for a time was a teacher of mathematics, and among his pupils were the Good- rich brothers who later attained to a world-wide celebrity as manu- facturers of rubber goods. He was a merchant in the village of Marbledale, Connecticut, for a time, but came to Ohio, and while at Columbus, became acquainted with the Mr. Bryan for whom Bryan is named, and was induced to come to Bryan to superintend the con- struction of the courthouse. Owing to the failure of Mr. Bryan, Mr. Tomlinson was involved in a long and costly lawsuit which left him but little means, but he settled at Williams Center and established himself in a small way as a merchant. From that beginning his busi- ness interests multiplied and expanded until at one time he was one of the wealthiest men in Williams County.
With the outbreak of the war between the states he was far- ' sighted enough to see that the demand for foodstuffs would be greatly increased, and he went into the beef and pork packing business, and secured army contracts. While he lost on these contracts, he built up a business of large proportions.
For over forty years Mr. Tomlinson was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Williams Center, and when the church edifice was in process of construction he contributed every seventh dollar until the necessary amount was raised. Every legitimate interest of his community received his hearty support and he was in the best and broadest sense of the word public spirited. His death occurred at Williams Center, Ohio, on July 23, 1906, and his funeral services were held in the church his benefactions had helped to build. -His widow survived him.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 31
Walter S. Tomlinson was reared at Williams Center and attended its schools and academy. After completing his studies he taught school for fifteen terms, but in 1899 began to turn his attention to agricultural matters. He had 225 acres of land and set out to operate it just as a banker would conduct his financial interests, systematically and expertly. His farm now comprises 700 acres and it is equipped with as fine buildings and machinery for the several purposes for which they are required as can be found in the state. He has operated his land so as to pay him a fair dividend each year on his investment, and feels certain that anyone who went about the matter as he has done could accomplish the same results. He values his farm and improvements at $100,000. His herd sires are Ona Clothilde DeKol Pontiac Hartog No. 189146 and Royalton Ormsby Second No. 186457, and he has about sixty-five in his herd of registered Holsteins at present. Mr. Tomlinson has been a valued contributor and editor of the Ohio Farmer, and is a writer of authority on hogs, sheep and dairy cattle.
Mr. Tomlinson was married to Emily Lane of Williams County, Ohio, and they had two children, namely: Eva, who is the wife of Prof. W. H. Bender of Des Moines, Iowa, a graduate of the Ohio State University, is now occupying the chair of agriculture in the Iowa State University, his duties taking him all over the state to the different high schools where he gives special instruction on agricul- ture to the pupils ; and Orla L., who is deceased. Professor and Mrs. Bender have four children, namely: Walter D., who is an exten- sive farmer of Washington Township, Defiance County, Ohio ; Marian, who is the wife of Myron Lankworthy, is a teacher in the Bryan High School; Roger T., who is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; and Eunice, who is attending the Iowa State University. The first Mrs. Tomlinson died on December 10, 1905. In 1908 Mr. Tomlinson was married to Loretta Coy, widow of Albert Coy, who was born in Mel- ford Township, Defiance County, Ohio, on January 24, 1853. She was educated in the Bryan High School and taught school for two terms prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. Well known in Masonry. Mr. Tomlinson belongs to Bryan Lodge No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a' Chapter Mason, and he and his wife belong to the local chapter of the Eastern Star. In politics Mr. Tom- linson is a republican.
During the war between the North and the South Mr. Tomlinson served in the Union army as a member of Company A, Thirty-eighth
32 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting on August 26, 1861, and he remained in the service until the close of the war. He belongs to Evans Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at present, but formerly belonged to Lew Bowker Post No. 725, Grand Army of the Republic, at Farmer Center, and served it as commander. Without any question Mr. Tomlinson is the leading breeder of Holstein cattle in this part of the state and has been largely instrumental, through his own efforts and results and his writings, in awakening and maintaining an interest in registered cattle of this strain, which has brought about a most remarkable improvement in the herds and increased the prestige of this locality for dairy production.
George W. Custar of Florence Township, three miles northeast from Edon, was born October 12, 1859, in Superior Township. He is a son of John and Lydia (Tumbleson) Custer. They were natives of Columbiana County and after their marriage they came to Williams County, locating on a farm four miles southwest from Montpelier. They were members of the United Brethren Church and being a good singer Mr. Custar was very active in affairs of the church and com- munity. He always served the church in some official capacity, and since there were thirteen children the Custar family helped to increase the church attendance. Those living are : Jacob, Martin, George, Edgar, John, Samuel, B. E., Amanda and Amelia.
George W. Custar was reared on the farm in Superior Township and educated in the common school, remaining at home with his par- ents until he was twenty-one years old. On July 4, 1883, Mr. Custar married Lillie McCamis, a daughter of John and Louisa (Hare) McCamis, the father born in Morrow County and the mother in London, England. She was a young woman eighteen years old when her parents came to the United States and settled in Williams County. They settled on the farm where Mr. Custar now lives and they were members of the Christian Union Church in the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Custar have two children : Pearl M., born April 15, 1886, is the wife of S. D. Lovejoy of Superior Township. Their children are : Paul F., Roger M., Lyle L. and Doyle D. Lovejoy. John J. Custer, born October 2, 1889, married Jennie Shaull, and they have one child, Fern P. Custar. As in the older generation of the family, G. W. Custar is active in the United Brethren Church, and for four years he has been Sunday school superintendent. His vote is cast with the republican party.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 33
Levi MILLER.-The name of Miller is associated with some of the progress.ve farming done in Williams County, and one of the expert agriculturists bearing it is Levi Miller, who owns his fine farm of 282 acres, which is located five miles north and three miles west of Montpeher. He was born on the farm he now occupies on April 29 185/, a son of John H. and Elsa (Gardner) Miller. John Miller was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, in 1831, and his wife was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1833. While still a boy he was brought to Wayne County, Ohio, where he was reared, and he was married in Richland County, Ohio. In the fall of 1855 he came to Williams County and located on the farm in Bridgewater Township which remained the homestead, and there he died on December 9 18/6, his wife having died there in February, 1873. They were very active members of the Church of God. In politics Mr. Miller was a democrat. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: Silas, who is a carpenter and contractor of Montpelier Ohio ; Levi, whose name heads this review ; Wilda, who is the wife of George Canfield, lives in Bridgewater Township; Louisa who is deceased, married M. J. Kurtz; John, who is also deceased, mar- ried Laura Champion ; Elsie, who married John Jackson ; and Grace who married Reynold Koch, of Denver, Colorado.
wuLeVl Mi'ler ^ Spent his entire Hfe in Bridgewater Township. W hen he was seventeen years old he lost his parents, and he left off attendance at the log schoolhouse in the neighborhood and began work- ing by the month. After four years he left the farm work and was employed in other lines. He was very industrious and saving and by the time he was thirty-two years old he was able to buy his father's homestead from the other heirs, and later added 122 acres. Here he has been engaged in farming ever since and has a fine property
On December 25, 1888, Mr. Miller was married to Eva C. Hunter who was born in Northwest Township on September 12, 1859 a daughter of Edwin and Margaret (Kunsman) Hunter, natives 'of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Seneca County, Ohio, respectively, who were married in Northwest Township, Williams County, Ohio, in 1854. Mr. Hunter was killed by a kick from a horse in 1871, but his widow survived him and still lives in Northwest Township. Mrs. Miller was educated in the common schools of her native township. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of four children, namely : Mary B., who is the wife of George Messner, lives in Northwest Township- Ralph, who married Sarah A. Owen; Clarence E, who is unmarried] lives at home; and Flava, who is at home. Mrs. Miller belongs to
34 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
the Presbyterian Church, but Mr. Miller is not connected with any religious organization. He is a democrat and belongs to the Farm Bureau at Montpelier. In addition to his agricultural interests, Mr. Miller is a director of the Montpelier National Bank. All that he owns today Mr. Miller has made himself and deserves great credit for this, as many left as he was would not have had the courage and initiative to forge ahead and accomplish so much.
David Shaffer. — One of the careful agriculturists and respected citizens of Pulaski Township, Williams County, is David Shaffer, a man whose history furnishes a splendid example of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, laudable ambition and well- directed efforts. Starting in life at the bottom of the ladder, he has steadily worked his way upward, winning success in his chosen field of endeavor and gaining the public confidence, which he has retained through careful "hewing to the line" in all the relations which he has sustained with his fellow men.
David Shaffer was born on October 30, 1861, on the farm which he now owns and operates, and he is the son of David, Sr., and Mary A. (Smith) Shaffer. These parents were born in Maryland, and were reared and married in that state, living there for a time after their union. They came to Crawford County, Ohio, and, sometime later, located in Williams County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, engaged in farming pursuits. They became the parents of eight children, of which number six are now living, namely : Michael P., of West Unity, this county ; Silas, of Pulaski Township ; Mary, the wife of Henry Updyke, of West Unity; David, the subject of this review ; Charles, of Bryan, and Cora, the wife of Henry Fifer, of Toledo, Ohio. David Shaffer, Sr., was a democrat in his political views and was a member of the Reformed Church.
David Shaffer, Jr., remained during his youth on the home farm and attended the district school. When about twenty-five years of age, he started out on his own account and has been successful in his efforts. With no one to materially assist him, he has gradually forged ahead during the years and is now the owner of 284 acres of splendid farming land, all of which he has acquired through his persevering labors, and this land he is cultivating with good judgment and excel- lent discrimination, so that he is enabled to realize good returns for his labor. In addition to general farming, he also gives some atten- tion to the raising of live stock, in which also prosperity has attended his efforts. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Shaffer also owns
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 35
an interest in the Farmers Grain Elevator at Pulaski. He is public spirited and gives his support to every measure which promises to advance the material, civic or moral interests of his community.
Mr. Shaffer was married to Dana Rosendaul, a native of Pulaski Township, and they are the parents of two sons, Dale V., a traveling salesman, who married Ethel Faulk and lives at Akron, Ohio, and Fay, who is farming in Pulaski Township.
Mr. Shaffer is a stanch supporter of the republican party. Genial and unassuming in his manner, nevertheless he possesses to a marked degree those qualities of mind and character which have gained for him the confidence and good will of all who know him. a jQjorn
John S. Ingram.— On the first of September, 1919, John Sherman Ingram entered upon the discharge of his official duties as county recorder of Williams County, his election to this responsible post having taken place on the fifth of November of the preceding year, and the majority which he received in this election having emphatically attested to the high esteem in which he is held in his native county.
Mr. Ingram was born on his father's farm, in Florence Township, near the village of Edon, this county, and the date of his nativity was February 6, 1865. He is a son of James and Mary (Sheridan) Ingram, the former a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and the latter of the State of Pennsylvania. James Ingram was five years old at the time of the family immigration to the United States, and after remaining for a brief time in Wayne County, Ohio, his parents came to Williams County, where his father engaged in farming and where both parents passed the remainder of their lives. James Ingram received his youthful education in the schools of this county and after his marriage he settled on a farm in Florence Township, where he long continued as a successful exponent of agricultural industry in the county and where he died when about seventy years of age, his wife also having passed away when seventy years of age. He was a republican in politics and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Of the five children three are living in 1920: James W., of Montpelier, this county; Harriet M., the wife of William Eddy, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan ; and John S., of this review.
On the old farm of his father, in Florence Township, John S. Ingram early gained a full quota of practical experience in connection with productive industry, and in the public schools he received his youthful education He continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until he had attained to his legal major-
36 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ity, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of telegra- pher. He became a skilled operator, and as such was employed for varying intervals at different stations on the line of the Wabash Rail- road. He continued his active service as a telegrapher until 1912, when he engaged in the restaurant business at Edon, one of the attrac- tive villages of his native county. There he continued in this line of enterprise until his election to the office of county recorder, as noted in the opening paragraph of this sketch. He and his wife still main- tain membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edon, though his official duties involved his establishing his home at Bryan, the county seat. At Edon Mr. Ingram is affiliated with the lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and in politics lie is a stalwart in the local ranks of the republican party.
November 21, 1890, recorded the marriage of Mr. Ingram to Miss Laura A. Gonser, and of their five children four are living: Ethel, •who was graduated in the high school at Edon, is the wife of Monte Dewier; Leona, likewise a graduate of the Edon High School, is a talented musician, a former director of an orchestra in the City of Lexington, Kentucky, and now directing an orchestra in Richmond, Virginia ; Adaline is a teacher, and Isabelle, a high school student.
George J. Wise. — It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review a man who has led an active life and by his own exertions reached a position of honor and success in the vocation to which he has applied his energies. But biography finds justification, nevertheless, in tracing and recording such a life, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to give the right publicity. It is then with a certain degree of satis- faction that the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has been that of George J. Wise, a farmer of high standing and influence in Pulaski Township.
George J. Wise, whose fine farm is located on the Napoleon road in Pulaski Township, about four miles east of Bryan, was born in Seneca, Ohio, on the seventh day of October, 1856, and is the son of Charles and Christina (Karier) Wise. Charles Wise was born in Germany, whence he came to the United States in 1848, landing at New York City. He first made location in Crawford County, Ohio, where he bought a home and lived for a time, but eventually they came to Williams County, locating east of Bryan, in Pulaski Town- ship. He applied himself to farming pursuits there until 1870, when
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 37
he moved to Bryan and there spent the rest of his days. He was a minister of the United Brethren Church and a republican in his polit- ical views. He became the father of three children, all of whom are dead but the subject.
George J. Wise was a boy of thirteen years when the family came to Williams County and he secured his educational training in the common schools of Pulaski Township. He has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with a gratifying degree of success, owing to his persistent industry and his practical intelligence in the direction of his affairs. He is the owner of sixty acres of well improved land, which is maintained at a high state of cultivation, and the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. In addi- tion to the cultivation of the land, Mr. Wise has also met with con- siderable success in the raising of live stock.
In 1881 Mr. Wise was married to Ella Baker, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, and to them were born three children, namely : Vergie, the wife of Earl Newcomer, of Pulaski Township; Nell E., the wife of Guy Schaefrer, and Oliver C, who is referred to in a later paragraph.
Politically, Mr. Wise has always given his support to the repub- lican party, and has consistently thrown his influence in favor of every movement having for its object the betterment of the community along any legitimate line. He has played a noticeable role in the general progress of the locality in which he lives and can look back over a career well spent and know that he has the good will and hearty esteem of all who have come into contact with him.
Oliver C. Wise enlisted on May 29, 1918, in the United States, service, and on August 24th was assigned to the quartermaster's depart- ment at Camp Johnson, Florida. On September 10th he was trans- ferred to Motor Truck Company No. 506, of Motor Supply Train No. 422. He left Camp Johnson for Camp Upton, New York, on- September 16th, and on the following day he left Camp Upton for embarkation. He landed at Glasgow, Scotland, on September 29th, went to Ronssey, England, on the following day, arrived at South- ampton on October 1st and at La Havre, France, on October 2d. He arrived at LeMans on October 6th and at Nantes on October 11th. From that time on he saw service of various kinds at different places; in France, locating at St. Nazaire on January 10, 1919. Returning home on July 30, 1919, he received an honorable discharge, with the rank of corporal.
38 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Clifford Clemens, the present efficient deputy sheriff of Williams County and former city marshal of Bryan, the judicial center of this county, claims the county as the place of his nativity and is a repre- sentative of one of its old and highly esteemed families. He was born in the little Village of Williams Center, on May 30, 1868, and is a son of Ephriam and Mary (Lane) Clemens, both natives of Crawford County, this state, and both young folk at the time of the removal of the respective families to Williams County, Mrs. Clemens having been eight years old when her parents came to this county. Ephriam Clemens gained his rudimentary education in Crawford County and was a lad of fourteen years when his parents'came to Williams County and established their home on a farm near Bryan. He was a carpenter in this county, where both he and his wife continued to reside until their death and where both were earnest members of the United Brethren Church at Williams Center. Mr. Clemens was one of the loyal young men who represented this county as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war, and in later years he vitalized the more gracious associations of his military career by maintaining active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic, his political allegiance having been given to the republican party. Of the three surviving children the subject of this sketch is the youngest; Stella is the wife of William Imes, and Nora is the wife of Charles Brown.
The childhood and early youth of Clifford Clements were marked by the associations of the home farm, and his early educational dis- cipline was received in the public schools of Williams Center. At the age of eighteen years he learned the barber's trade at Bryan, and thereafter he conducted a barber shop at Lima, Allen County, for twenty years. In 1904 he returned to Bryan and here engaged in the work of his trade, in which he continued until his election to the office of city marshal, in which he served four years, his original election having occurred in 1913 and his re-election in 1915, having given him the largest majority ever received by any candidate for municipal office at Bryan. He finally resigned the office of marshal and there- after he served as probation officer at Bryan until June 11, 1919, when he resigned, to accept oppointment to his present position, that of deputy sheriff. Mr. Clemens is a staunch supporter of the principles of the republican party, is affiliated with Bryan Lodge, No. 221, Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of the Pythian Sisters, in which Mrs. Clemens has not only passed the official chairs of the local organization but also served a number of terms as district deputy.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 39
In 1893, while a resident of Lima, Mr. Clemens was united in mar- riage to Miss Lillie May Smith, who was born and reared in Allen County. They have no children. Mrs. Clemens is an active member of the United Brethren Church at Bryan, and is popular in the social activities of her home village.
Harvey F. Brown is one of the efficient and popular officials of Williams County and his technical skill and discrimination come into effective play in his activities and service as county surveyor. He was born in Jefferson County, this state, July 28, 1883, and is a son of Ledlie H. and Leanora (Foreman) Brown, both natives of Hancock County, West Virginia, where the former was born in 1851 and the latter about 1851. The venerable father now maintains his home in Jefferson County, Ohio, his loved wife having passed to the life eternal in August, 1919, and the subject of this review being the elder of the two surviving children, his brother, Frederick R., being a resident of Toronto, Ohio. The father is a republican in his political faith, is affi- liated with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Knights of Pythias, and he holds membership in the Methodist Protestant Church, as did also his wife.
In his native county Harvey F. Brown was reared in the fine little City of Toronto, and after having there completed the curriculum of the public schools he continued his studies in Bethany College and graduated, after which he entered Ohio State University, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1912, and from which he received not only the degree of Bachelor of Arts but also that of Civil Engineer, the latter degree having been conferred upon him in 1912. After leaving the university Mr. Brown brought his technical knowledge into effective service by entering the employment of the Government as inspector of locks and dams on the Ohio River. He served also as village engineer of his home town of Toronto, Jefferson County, and later became borough engineer at Charleroi, Pennsylvania. In 1915 he established his home at Bryan, judicial center of Williams County, Ohio, and here he served as deputy county surveyor until November 5, 1918, when he was elected county surveyor, in which office he has continued to give most able and efficient service, with reputation as one of the representative civil engineers in this part of his native state. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife hold membership in the Christian Church.
September 15, 1909, was the day that marked the marriage of Mr. Brown to Miss Elizabeth E. Carson, who is a graduate not only
40 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
of one of the state normal schools of Pennsylvania but also of Bethany College in West Virginia, and who had been a successful and popular teacher prior to her marriage.
Alva E. Snyder, .M. D., who is engaged in the active general practice of his profession in his native city of Bryan, has long held distinct prestige as one of the able and representative physicians and surgeons of Williams County, is a member of one of the well-known pioneer families of the Buckeye State, his parents having been born and reared in Columbiana County, this state, where their marriage was solemnized.
Dr. Alva Earl Snyder was born at Bryan, Williams County, June 12, 1869, and is a son of Dr. Alva L. and Mary (Richey) Snyder. In his native county the father gained his early education in the public schools at Salem, and in preparation for his profession he entered and was graduated in the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the foremost institutions of Eclecticism in the United States. Upon coming to Williams County Dr. Alva L. Snyder first engaged in practice at Montpelier, but later he removed to Bryan, the county seat, where he continued in practice until his death, as a result of an accident, on August 14, 1908, his widow here passing away in 1910. He was a man of sterling character and high professional ability, and he held for many years a secure place as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Williams County. In connection with his practice he conducted a well appointed drug store at Bryan and in the later years of his life his practice was limited to his office. He was one of the honored and influential citizens of Bryan, was affiliated with various professional organizations, was a republican in politics and was identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity. He served fully thirty years as a member of the board of trustees of the Bryan cemetery.
In the public schools at Bryan Dr. Alva E. Snyder continued his studies until he had completed the curriculum of the high school, and he early gained practical experience in his father's drug store. Finally he perfected himself for service of this nature by completing a course in the Northwestern University Illinois College of Pharmacy, in the City of Chicago, from which he received the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy. As a licensed pharmacist he was thereafter associated with his father in conducting the drug store at Bryan, under the firm name of Dr. A. L. Snyder & Son, for five years, and in the meanwhile he became imbued with a determined ambition to prepare himself for the profession in which his father had achieved success and precedence.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 41
In consonance with this ambition he was matriculated in famous old Jefferson Medical College, in the City of Philadelphia, and in this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1894 and with the well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. He has since been actively engaged in practice in his native city and has not only achieved marked success but has also added materially to the pro- fessional honors of the family name. He has subordinated all other interests to the service of his profession, but is loyal and public-spirited m his civic attitude, with deep interest in all things touching the well- being of his native city and county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and in the Masonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, his maximum York Rite affiliation being with Defiance Commandery' No. 30, Kmghts Templar, at Defiance, and he being also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine He is actively identified with the Williams County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Doctor Snyder served from 1900 to 1909 as surgeon in the Ohio National Guard, with the rank of captain, and thus he was well forti- fied in incidental military experience when he interrupted his private practice to tender his services to the Government when the nation became involved in the great World war. He enlisted in the medical corps on September 28. 1917, and, as captain, was called into active service June 25, 1918. He was in service at various military camps in the South, was assigned to service with Evacuation Hospital No 18, and on August 30, 1918, he sailed for France. He disembarked at Brest on the thirteenth of the following month. He continued in active and efficient service until the close of the war, as well as for some time after the signing of the historic armistice. He received his honorable discharge May 31. 1919. and has since given his attention to his large and representative private practice in Williams County It may be noted that Doctor Snyder is the elder of the two survivors in a family of four children, his sister, Maude, being the wife of Rev. Richard L. Locke, a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church.
In 1894 was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Snyder to Miss Netta L. Viers. and they have three children : Wilmer E. was one of the patriotic young men who represented Williams County in the war activities in France, where he was in active service nine months, he having enlisted and been assigned to the One Hundred and Forty- Eighth Field Hospital, and his service having been with the One Hun- dred and Twelfth Sanitary Train. Thirty-Seventh Division, in France;
42 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Robert L. is in the aerial mail service of the United States ; and Carl- ton R. is at the time of this writing a student in the Bryan High School. Doctor and Mrs. Snyder are active members of the Universalist Church at Bryan and their pleasant home is a center of much of the representative social activity of the community.
4
Harry B. Calvin, who sold his farm and moved to Bryan in November, 1919, is thoroughly deserving of the proud American title of self-made man, the term being one that, in its better sense, cannot but appeal to the admiration of all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the privileges afforded for individual accomplishment.
Harry B. Calvin was born on his father's farm in Pulaski Town- ship, Williams County, Ohio, on September 13, 1870, and is the son of Andrew J. and Emily (Byers) Calvin, both of whom were natives of Portage County, Ohio. They were reared and educated in their native county and both came to Williams County prior to their mar- riage. After the latter event they located on the farm recently sold by their son, and there they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in March, 1895, and the mother in 1912. They were active members of the Lick Creek Disciples Church, of which Mr. Calvin was a deacon. He was a republican in his political views and took an active part in local public affairs, having served as trustee of Pulaski Township. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: J. W., of Bryan; E. E., of Bryan; C. O., of Cad- mus, Nebraska ; Rosa, the wife of W. H. Scott, of Pittsford, Michigan ; Harry B., the subject of this sketch, and Delia, of Bryan.
Harry B. Calvin received his educational training in the public schools of Bryan and the Normal School at Fayette, Ohio. He then learned the art of telegraphy and was employed by the Standard Oil Company, with which company he remained for twenty years, being employed as engineer and operator. In 1910 Mr. Calvin bought the old homestead in Pulaski Township and he then devoted his atten- tion to its operation and showed marked ability as a progressive and practical farmer and was numbered among the enterprising agricul- turists of his township.
On March 19, 1891, Mr. Calvin was married to Rilla Kieffer, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on September 13, 1870, the daugh- ter of Jesse Kieffer. She came to Bryan with her parents and attended the high school there, after which she devoted her attention to the teaching of music. To Mr. and Mrs. Calvin was born a son, Eldred A., on April 4, 1892. He attended the public schools and the Bradner
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 43
high school and on February 24, 1916, he was married to Emma J Sannar, who was born in Bradner, Woods County, Ohio, and is a graduate of the high school at Pittsford, Michigan. She taught school tor one year after completing her studies.
Fraternally, Mr. Calvin is a member of Bryan Lodge No 221 Knights of Pythias, of which he has served twice as chancellor' com- mander, and he and his wife are members of the local lodge of Pythian Sisters, of which Mrs. Calvin is a past chief and member of the Grand Lodge. Politically, Mr. Calvin has always supported the repub- lican party and has been active in his advocacy of every movement for the advancement of the best interests of the community. He has been true and loyal in all the relations of life and stands as a type of that sterling manhood which ever commands respect and honor.
Emmet E. Calvin.— Three vocations, those of farming, teaching and plumbing, have entered into the activities of E. E. Calvin during a long, successful and honorable career, and in each of these occupa- tions he so directed his affairs that he won not only material prosperity but established a reputation for efficient workmanship, integrity in his transactions with his follow men and co-operation with others in work- ing toward the advancement of the general weal. Mr. Calvin, who has now retired from active affairs and is living in comfort at his home at Bryan, was born ona farm in section 6, Pulaski Township Williams County, Ohio, June 15, 1863, a son of Andrew J. and Emily (Byers) Calvin, natives of Portage County, this state.
The Calvin family is one that has been identified with Williams County since 1848, and the old homestead has belonged to several generations of the family, having been owned originally by David Calvin, later by Joshua Calvin, then by Andrew J. Calvin, who was succeeded by his son, Harry Calvin. Andrew J. Calvin was a life- long farmer in Pulaski and Jefferson townships, Williams County and a man of rugged honesty and good citizenship. He was a republican in politics and served his township as a member of the board of trus- tees, and he and his devoted wife were faithful members of the Christian Church. They were the parents of six children • J W a resident of Bryan; E. E. ; Charles O., farming in Cadmus, Nebraska- Rose, the wife of W. H. Scott, of Pittsford, Michigan; Harry B., of Bryan, Ohio; and Delia, unmarried, a resident of Bryan.
E. E. Calvin attended the district schools of Pulaski Township while being reared on the home farm, and subsequently took courses in the normal schools at Wauseon and Fayette. He then began his
44 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
career as a teacher in the rural districts, being for eight years a teacher in Pulaski Township, and for one year each in Center and St. Joseph townships. Where he gave up the work of an educator, with which he had combined farming during the summer months, he engaged in drilling wells and putting up windmills for thirty years. The last few years he has also added plumbing to his business. He followed that occupation during the winter periods while still continuing his agricul- tural operations during the summer months. Eventually Mr. Calvin settled at Bryan, where he now makes his home, and where he is highly esteemed because of his many sterling qualities and his public-spirited citizenship. He is a member of Bryan Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a republican. He has several important business con- nections, and is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Company at Bryan.
On December 9, 1894, Mr. Calvin was united in marriage with Miss Allie Scott, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, Ohio, and to this union there have been born three sons: Denver, a graduate of the public schools, who is engaged in operating his father's farm in Pulaski Township; Gayle, a graduate of the Bryan high school, now at home with his father ; and Scott, who died when nine months old.
Hezekiah Poast has gained secure vantage-place as one of the leading buyers and shippers of hay and grain in his native county and maintains his residence and business headquarters at Bryan, the county seat. He was born on a farm one mile south and one-half mile west of Bryan, and the date of his nativity was December 11, 1854. His parents, John and Catherine (Rodkey) Poast, were born and reared in Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized, and they were an ambitious young couple when they came from the old Keystone state to Ohio and established their home on a farm near Bryan. There the father continued his activities as one of the substantial farmers of the county until within a few years of his death, in 1861, when still a comparatively young man, his widow surviving him by a number of years and both having been earnest members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Of their eleven children only three are now living, all of the others having died when young. Esther, eldest of the three sur- viving children, is the wife of George Dustan ; Hezekiah, of this review, is the next younger ; and Susan is the wife of George Dick, of Williams County.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 45
Hezekiah Poast was about seven years old at the time of his father's death and was reared to adult age on a farm, the while he made good use of the advantages afforded him in the schools of Wil- liams County. He was but fourteen years of age when he found employment at farm work, and he received as compensation for his services the sum of $5 a month. He continued at farm work until he was eighteen years of age, and his maximum wages in the meanwhile never exceeded $12 a month. At the age noted he took charge of the operation of a farm owned by George Burns, and after thus continu- ing three years he rented the farm for one year. He then took charge of his mother's farm, on which he continued his activities until he had attained to the age of thirty-seven years, when he established his residence at Bryan and engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock. With this line of enterprise he continued his association until 1885, when he began buying and shipping hay, and later he expanded his operations by including the handling of grain. With this impor- tant business he has continued his connection to the present time, and he has long controlled a substantial business, based upon fair and honorable dealings and careful and conservative policies. In the busi- ness he now has as his efficient coadjutor his son-in-law, George Daw- son, and they own five well-equipped places for the reception and shipping of hay and grain. These headquarters are at Bryan, Mont- pelier and Alvordton, Williams County, and Defiance and Moats, Defiance County, and through this medium they control a large per- centage of the shipping business in these lines in this part of the state. Mr. Poast is a republican in his political proclivities but has been essentially a business man and thus has had no predilection for political activity or public office. He has been an earnest member of the United Brethren Church since he was fifteen years old and has been liberal and zealous in the furtherance of the various departments of church work, as has also his wife. He has been for twenty-seven years a member of the board of trustees of the United Brethren Church at Bryan. Mr. Poast chose as his wife Miss Mary E. Arnold, and they have one daughter, Lanorma, who was graduated in the Bryan High School and who later attended the Tri- State College, at Angola, Indiana. She is a talented musician and began teaching music when she was but fourteen years of age. By this means she earned the money with which to purchase her piano. She is now the wife of George Dawson, who is associated with her father in business, and their one child, Poast Dawson, was born in 1916.
46 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Albert L. Youse is manifesting the same vigor and discrimination in his operations as one of the representative farmers of Pulaski Township as he did during his efficient administration in the office of sheriff of his native county, and he is a representative of the third generation of the Youse family in Williams County, in connection with whose annals, since the pioneer days, the family name has been one of prominence and influence.
Mr. Youse was born in Pulaski Township, this county, June 11, 1868, and is a son of Arthur L. and Elizabeth E. (Saddoris) Youse, both natives of Bryan, judicial center of this county, where the former was born in 1845 and the latter in 1847. Arthur L. Youse was a son of Jacob and Emma (Washburn) Youse, the latter of whom was a sister of Henry Washburn, who was a civil engineer by profession and who, at the instance of and in the service of the Government, was the first white man to make an exploration of the now famous Yellow- stone National Park. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of the subject of this review were numbered among the early settlers of Williams County and were associated with the early stages of civic and industrial development and progress in the county. Arthur L. Youse well upheld the honors of the family name, both as a loyal and public-spirited citizen and as a successful representative of the basic industries of agriculture and stock-growing. He continued to reside on his fine homestead farm, in Pulaski Township, until his death, in 1902, his wife having preceded him to the life eternal. Mrs. Youse was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Youse was a staunch republican and was influential in community affairs in his home township and county. He was prominently affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he served as noble grand of his lodge and as chief patriarch of the encampment body of the fraternity. He and his wife became the parents of five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living except one son.
Albert L. Youse passed the period of his childhood and early youth on the old home farm, not far distant from his present farm, and his educational advantages were those afforded in the public schools of his native township. The major part of his active career has been marked by close and effective association with farm industry, and he was one of the substantial farmers of Pulaski Township when, in 1899, he was elected sheriff of the county, as the candidate on the republican ticket. He gave a most efficient administration and upon his retirement from office, in 1903, he accepted a position with the Bryan Plow Company, which he represented through both Ohio and
/Y, 0L. CT^W^
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 47
Indiana and with which he continued his association eight years. He then established his residence on his present farm, which comprises 124 acres and is one of the well improved and attractive rural home- steads in Pulaski Township, and which gives satisfactory returns under the able management of its progressive owner. Mr. Youse is also a stockholder and director of the Bryan Sheet Steel & Metal Company. He has been for many years an active worker in the local councils and campaigns of the republican party, and in the Masonic fraternity he maintains affiliation with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Bryan and rounds out the circle of the York Rite by his affiliation with Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, in the City of Defiance. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church and he has been a member of the official board of the same for fully twenty years.
September 15, 1892, Mr. Youse wedded Miss Bertha Musser, who was born in Milford Township, Defiance County, on August 9, 1872. They have two adopted children — Frederick W. Youse and Lena S. Youse — both of whom remain at the home of the loved fosterparents.
H. A. Throne, proprietor of the marble and granite works at Pioneer, is one of the substantial men of Williams County, comes from one of the old-established families in this locality, and is living up to the high standards of integrity and dependability raised by his fore- fathers. He was born two miles east of Pioneer, on February 26, 1864, son of Henry and Rosanna (Martin) Throne, the former of whom was born in York County, Pennsylvania, but was brought to Richland County, Ohio, by his parents when he was five years old, the family locating five miles north of Mansfield. Henry Throne was there reared and learned the shoemaking trade, at which he worked at Mansfield, Ohio. Later he came to Williams County and bought 160 acres of land in the woods, about two miles east of Pioneer, and there he died, his widow surviving him for some time. They were members of the German Baptist Church, in which he was a deacon. In politics he was independent. He was the father of eight children, namely : David, who is a farmer of Madison Township ; Susan, who is the wife of John Eagle, lives in Van Buren Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan; Anna, who was the wife of William Bushong; Michael, who lives on the old homestead; Mary, who is the wife of Amos Myers, of Hillsdale County, Michigan ; H. A., who was sixth in order of birth ; Effie, who is the wife of William Kemmerly, of
48 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Pioneer ; and Ida, who is the wife of Burt Cummins, of Madison Township.
H. A. Throne was reared on his father's farm and attended the neighborhood schools, remaining with his parents until he was thirty- five years of age. In 1898 he moved to Pioneer and was engaged in selling monuments for Mr. E. S. Butler, of Montpelier, Ohio, but in 1908 he established himself in the same line of business and has built up a good patronage.
On August 5, 1886, Mr. Throne was united in marriage with Ida Rittenhouse, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, on September 21, 1865, but was brought to Williams County by her parents when she was four years old. She is a daughter of David M. and Amanda (Poorman) Rittenhouse, natives of Wayne County, Ohio, and Massil- lon, Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Throne became the parents of the following children : Vera, who was graduated from the North Manchester, Indiana, Conservatory of Music, in both vocal and instru- mental music, is the wife of Loyal H. Martin, a partner of Mr. Throne, and a resident of Pioneer; and Audrey, who was born in 1903, died in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Throne belong to the German Baptist Church. He is independent in his political faith. In addition to the seventeen acres where he lives, Mr. Throne owns 178 acres of land in Jefferson and Madison townships, and three residences at Pioneer. Mr. Throne takes a pride in the fact that he has been able to make his own way in the world, and having lived all of his life in this vicinity, he naturally is very much interested in the progress made by his com- munity and willing to bear his part in any public improvements which in his judgment will result in a betterment of existing conditions.
Eli E. Strayer is a prominent representative of the real estate and loan business at Bryan and is a scion of one of the well-known pioneer families of Williams County. He was born in Jefferson Township, this county, August 30, 1858, and is a son of Peter W. and Mary C. (Butler) Strayer, the former of whom was born in Lucas County, this state, and the latter in Williams County. Peter W. Strayer was a boy at the time when his parents established their home in Williams County, and his father became a pioneer farmer in Jef- ferson Township, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, secure in the high esteen of the entire community. Peter W. Strayer was here reared and educated under the conditions and influence that marked what may be termed the middle-pioneer period of the history of the county, and he became one of the successful
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 49
exponents of farm industry in Jefferson Township, where he con- tinued to reside until he was well advanced in years, both he and his wife having passed the closing period of their lives in the City of Montpelier, this county, and both having been zealous members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Strayer was a republican in political allegiance and while residing on his farm he was called upon to serve in various local offices of public trust. Of the three children the sub- ject of this review is the eldest ; Louise is the wife of William Porter, of Montpelier ; and Miss Carrie likewise resides at Montpelier — in the old home of her parents.
The boyhood and youth of Eli E. Strayer were marked by his attending the public schools and assisting in the work of the old home farm. He remained with his parents on the farm until the time of his marriage, shortly before attaining to his legal majority, and thereafter he continued his association with farm enterprise until his removal to Bryan, where he now controls a substantial and prosperous business in the handling of real estate and the extending of loans on approved real-estate securities. He has served as a member of the city council and is a staunch supporter of the principles of the republican party, both he and his wife being earnest members of the United Brethren Church at Bryan, in which he is serving as a member of the board of trustees.
July 2, 1878, recorded the marriage of Mr. Strayer to Miss Amanda Howey, and they have one son, Ralph H., who was born April 17, 1891, and who supplemented his public school discipline by a course in a commercial college at Morgantown, West Virginia, he being now associated with his father in the real estate and loan business.
H. Cortez Miller assumed the office of county auditor of Williams County in 1919, and this responsible executive preferment indicates the high regard in which he is held in his native county, where he has long been a progressive and representative farmer and where he continued his active association with agricultural and live- stock industry until his election to his present office. His fine farm, of 160 acres, is modern in its improvements and facilities and is eligibly situated in Brady and Jefferson townships. He has been a leader in the promotion of farm enterprise and interests in the county and served three years as secretary of the Farmers' Institute of Wil- liams County.
Mr. Miller was born in Brady Township, this county, August 29, 1878, and is a son of William C. and Margaret L. (Rowles)
50 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Miller, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Williams County, Ohio, where she still maintains her home. Wil- liam C. Miller was but nine months old when his parents came to this county, where he was reared and educated and where his entire' active career was marked by close and successful association with the basic industry of agriculture, save for a period of two years which he passed, as a young man, in the state of California, where he gained his quota of experience in the search for gold — at the time when the gold excitement was still at its height in that common- wealth. Upon his return to Williams County he engaged in farming in Brady Township, and later he acquired farm property also in Jef- ferson Township. He continued as a successful exponent of farm enterprise in this county until his death and was one of the honored and influential citizens of his community. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and both he and his wife held mem- bership in the Universalist Church at Stryker. They became the parents of six children and besides H. Cortez, of this sketch, three others of the children are living: Edwin U., a resident of Bryan; Carrie, the wife of Julius Vernier, of Chicago, Illinois; and John, a resident of West Unity, Williams County.
The present efficient and popular auditor of Williams County passed the period of his childhood and youth on the home farm, in connection with the activities of which he gained fortifying experience that was later to prove of inestimable value to him in his independent operation as an agriculturist and stock grower. In the public schools he continued his studies until he had profited by the advantages of the high school at West Unity, and thereafter he took a course in the Tri-State Business College, in the City of Toledo, besides having attended the Ohio State Normal School at Fayette. Thereafter he taught three terms of district school, and after this effective service he gave his undivided time and attention to farm enterprise until he was elected to the county office of which he is now the incumbent. He was for a number of years secretary of the Northwestern Ohio Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was for several years a mem- ber of the republican county committee of his native county, and this in itself indicates that he has been influential in the local councils and campaign activities of his party. He and his wife hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Brady Township— Foun- tain Chapel — their removal to the county seat having been incidental to his election to his present office ; and he is affiliated with the Knights
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 51
of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, Mrs. Miller being an active member of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
The year 1902 recorded the marriage of Mr. Miller to Miss Jennie Hamet, who has served as a teacher in the public schools of Brady and Jefferson townships, Williams County, and they have one daugh- ter, Florence Lyndall, who is a student in the Bryan High School at this time.
Edmond C. Carlin is one of the forward-looking representatives of farm enterprise in Pulaski Township, where his well improved farm gives distinctive evidence of his progressive policies and efficient man- agement. This attractive rural homestead comprises sixty acres, and Mr. Carlin also owns about forty additional acres of land, the latter being attractively situated three and one-fourth miles northeast of Bryan.
Mr. Carlin was born in Fulton County, this state, August 8, 1876, and is a son of Lewis and Julia (Roberts) Carlin, both of whom were born and reared in France, where their marriage was solemn- ized and where their first two children were born. Upon coming to the United States the parents finally established their home on a farm in Fulton County, Ohio, not far distant from Stryker, one of the leading towns of Williams County. Though the father had been a locomotive engineer in his native land, he proved a successful farmer and he continued to reside on his well improved farm of ninety-two acres until his death, in March, 1919, his widow still remaining on the old homestead at the time of this writing. They became the parents of five children : Julia is the wife of Curtis Bonney; Lewis, Jr., resides in Springfield Township; Emma is the wife of Dr. Frederick A. King, of New York City; Edmond C, of this review, was the next in order of birth ; and Emil remains on the home farm with his widowed mother.
Edmond C. Carlin was reared on the home farm which was the place of his birth, in Springfield Township, Fulton County, and gained his early education in the public schools. He continued to be asso- ciated with the activities of the home farm until he reached his legal majority, and he then went to New York City, where he became associated with the hotel business, with which he continued his connec- tion five years. He traveled about somewhat extensively through the eastern states, but finally he returned to Ohio, where was sol- emnized his marriage to Miss Bertie Lockhart. They settled on a farm south of Bryan, but later he sold this place and purchased
52 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
his present farm, which has since continued the scene of his success- ful enterprise in diversified agriculture and the raising of good types of livestock. He gives loyal support to the cause of the republican party and he and his wife are earnest communicants of the Lutheran Church. They have six children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here recorded : Harvey, February 28, 1892 ; Naomi, November 2, 1893; Oscar, July 30, 1895; Dale, May 10. 1897; Lamoille, July 31, 1899; and Earl, May 7, 1918.
William M. Maneval. — A progressive and skilful agriculturist of Brady Township, William M. Maneval, whose farm lies one mile south of West Unity, is pursuing his pleasant and independent occupa- tion with marked success, his well tilled land yielding bountiful crops. A son of Peter Maneval, he was born, September 2, 1862, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, the descendant of one of the earlier families of that state.
Born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Peter Maneval was there brought up and educated. Marrying when young, he settled near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he lived a number of years. Seek- ing a more favorable location, he came with his family to Ohio about 1872, and having settled in Williams County, a mile south of West Unity, he bought land and was subsequently engaged in tilling the soil until his death. Politically he was a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party, and both he and his wife were active and worthy members of the Evangelical Church. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Drum, four children were born, as follows: William M., the subject of this brief per- sonal record; Emma, wife of Wilmer Heaton, of Fulton County, Ohio ; Rose, wife of John Zink, of Iowa ; and Frank, deceased.
Ten years old when he came with his parents to Williams County, William M. Maneval was educated in the schools of West Unity and Pulaski. Remaining with his parents until attaining his majority, he acquired agricultural knowledge and experience of value, and readily selected farming as his life work. Mr. Maneval has sixty-five acres of choice land in his own farm, but being a man of industry, energy and ambition he rents eighty acres of land adjoining his estate, and is managing the whole with highly satisfactory results.
Mr. Maneval has been twice married. He married first Miss Emma Buck, who died in early womanhood, leaving five children, namely: Florence, wife of Scott Baltosser ; Alda, wife of Joseph Kehr, of Brvan, Ohio; Vernon, living in Montana; Howard, of Bryan; and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 53
Herman, also a resident of Bryan. On December 21, 1904, Mr. Maneval married for his second wife Catherine Weidler, who was born December 11, 1870, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and came to Williams County, where she was married. Four children have blessed their union, Walter, Edith, Lloyd and Lola. Mr. Maneval is a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial and Savings Bank. He is identified in politics with the republican party, but has never been an aspirant, for public office. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Church at West Unity, to which Mrs. Maneval also belongs.
Silas Shaffer. — Conspicuous among the representative agricul- turists and stock men of Williams County is Silas Shaffer, of Pulaski Township. He has made his influence felt for good in his community, his life having been closely interwoven with its history for a number of years. His efforts have been for the material advancement of the same, and the well regulated life he has led, thereby gaining the respect and good will of all with whom he has come into contact, entitles him to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand. Silas Shaffer was born on his father's farm on section 12, Pulaski Township, Williams County, Ohio, on May 3, 1857, and he is the son of David and Mary E. (Smith) Shaffer. Both of these parents were natives of Maryland, where they were reared, educated and married. Sometime after their marriage they came to Ohio, buying a farm in Crawford County, where they lived for a time, but, selling that place, they made permanent settlement on section 12, Pulaski County, where they spent the remainder of their days. They were members' of the Reformed Church and Mr. Shaffer was a supporter of the democratic party. Of the eight children born to them, six are living at this time, namely: Michael, of West Unity, Ohio; Silas, the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of Henry Updyke, of West Unity, Ohio; David, of Pulaski Township ; Charles, of Bryan, Ohio ; Cora, the wife of Oscar Pifer, of Toledo, Ohio.
Silas Shaffer remained under the parental roof until he had attained mature years and his educational training was received in the common schools of Pulaski Township. After his marriage, which occurred in 1879, he began business on his own account and through the subse- quent years he has gradually forged ahead until today he is in very comfortable circumstances and numbered among the substantial and representative agriculturists of his section of the county. He owns 100 acres of excellent land, the greater part of which is devoted to general
54 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
farming, though he also gives some attention to the raising of live stock. Thorough practical in everything he does, he has so ordered his actions as to gain liberal returns for the effort which he puts into his operations.
On December 25, 1879, Mr. Shaffer was married to Maggie Fehli- man, who was born in Springfield Township, Ohio, on February 11, 1859, the daughter of Lewis and Catherine (Caesar) Fehliman. Her father was a soldier for the Union during the Civil War and gave up his life on the altar of his country, being killed in battle on Novem- ber 25, 1862. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have been born five children, namely : Gertrude, who is the wife of Rev. W. E. Harmon, a min- ister of the Christian Church; Oscar, who married Daisy Reader, of Redlands, California; Elgie, who is a graduate in medicine and who served two years in the recent World War, was married to Gertrude Roback, of Columbus, Ohio ; Floyd, who was married to Cecil Coil, of Bryan, enlisted, on December 13, 1917, in the United States avia- tion service. He was first sent to Camp Grant, at Rockford, Illinois, but was later transferred to Camp Dorfield, in Florida, thence to Charleston, and still later to Newport News, Virginia. From there he was sent to Langley Field, in Virginia, and from there to Garden City, New York. He was finally mustered out on January 26, 1919, at Camp Sherman, Ohio, reaching home the following day. The fifth child, Paul, is at home with his parents.
Politically, Silas Shaffer gives his support to the democratic party and takes a keen interest in the advancement of the best interests of the community in which he lives. He is a stockholder in the Pulaski Grain Elevator and in other ways gives his support to material enter- prises of the county. Mrs. Shaffer is a member of the Christian Church at Bryan. Mr. Shaffer has been successful in business and respected in his social life, and as a neighbor he has discharged his duties in a manner becoming a liberal-minded, intelligent citizen of the state where the essential qualities of manhood have ever been duly recognized and prized at their true value.
Dwight O. Leslie is numbered among the representative young business men of Bryan, judicial center of Williams County, where he is proprietor of the Bryan Monumental Works. His establishment is equipped with the best of modern facilities, his stock of monu- ments and other mortuary memorials offers at all times a wide range for selection, and the highest grade of workmanship is assured in all products turned forth from the establishment.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 55
Mr. Leslie was born in Stark County, Ohio, September 1, 1883, and is a son of Amos and Samantha (Watkins) Leslie, of whose eight children all are living except one. Amos Leslie was born and reared in St. Joseph County, Indiana, whence he came to Ohio, where he later married Miss Samantha Watkins, who was born in Carroll County, this state. For a number of years Mr. Leslie has been engaged in successful market gardening near Canton, the judicial center of Stark County, his political support being given to the repub- lican party and both he and his wife being active members of the Reformed Church.
Dwight O. Leslie gained his early education in the public schools of his native county and supplemented this by a course in a well conducted business college in the City of Canton. He then entered upon a practical apprenticeship in the monument business, and in the early years of his application to practical work in this line he received compensation of only one dollar a day. As a skilled workman he eventually commanded good salary, and he was finally made fore- man of a leading monument concern in the City of Canton. He remained with this firm ten years and then, in 1914, came to Bryan and purchased a half interest in the business of E. B. Willett, the style of the firm now is the Bryan Monumental Works. The effective service given by the Bryan Monumental Works has gained to the concern a substantial and representative supporting patronage, and the high-grade work turned out constitutes the best advertising asset of the enterprise. Mr. Leslie is a progressive not only as a business man but also as a citizen, and is a republican in his political pro- clivities. He and his wife are active communicants of the Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder, and both hold membership in the local organization of the Pythian Sisters, he being, in 1920, the chan- cellor commander of Bryan Lodge, No. 221, Knights of Pythias, besides which he is affiliated with Bryan Lodge, No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons.
In 1908 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Leslie to Miss Ada Warley, of Carroll County, and they have one son, Harold, who was born December 4, 1910.
H. F. Planson. — Intimately associated with the agricultural inter- ests of Springfield Township, his finely improved farm lying three- fourths of a mile south and one mile east of Stryker, H. F. Planson holds high rank among the prosperous farmers of Williams County, the record of whose lives fills an important place in this volume. He
56 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNT\
was born, January 14, 1867, in Lockport, Brady Township, this county, a son of Peter and Frances Planson.
Peter Planson was born, bred and educated in Brady Township, near Lockport, and as a young man selected farming as his occupa- tion. Industrious and economical, he saved his earnings, and soon after his marriage began farming in his. native township. Subse- quently coming with his family to Springfield Township, he bought land near Stryker, and was successfully engaged in tilling the soil until ready to retire from active labor. Removing then to Stryker, he spent the closing years of his life in ease and comfort, both he and his wife dying there. Active in republican circles, he served as town- ship trustee a number of terms. Religiously both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Frances Racine, came from France to Lockport, Ohio, when about twenty-two years of age and here she was married. Nine children blessed their union, as follows : H. F., the subject of this sketch ; Emiel; Ida; Charles; George; Nora, wife of James Roux; Sylvia; Fred; and a child that died in early life.
Completing his early education in the public schools of Stryker, H. F. Planson remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when, with very limited means at his command, he began the battle of life on his own account, for three years thereafter living on rented land. Having obtained some money, he then purchased sixty acres of the land included in his present farm, and in its man- agement showed marked ability. He has since added by purchase forty more acres, and has now a fine farm of 100 acres, the greater part of which is under culture, the land being as rich and productive as any in the neighborhood. Mr. Planson has been very fortunate in his undertakings, and in addition to making many wise improvements on his home place, he is now building a modernly constructed residence in Stryker, on North Main Street, where he may eventually live.
Mr. Planson married, December 22, 1891, Anna Juillard, and to them three children have been born, namely: Mertie, a graduate of the Stryker High School, is the wife of Emil Hayes ; Arthur, who married Grace Bender, served as a corporal in the World War, and while in France was gassed ; and Edwin, a graduate of the Stryker High School, married Miss Sine, and lives in Stryker. A steadfast republican in politics, Mr. Planson was elected township trustee in November, 1919, and is rendering appreciated service in that capacity. He is an active and worthy member of the Baptist Church, of which he is a trustee and a deacon.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 5?
Daniel C. McTaggart, M. D., has been for more than thirty years established in the practice of his profession at Bryan, judicial center of Williams County, and holds secure vantage ground as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of this section of the Buckeye State. The broad scope of his practice indicates alike his ability and the high estimate placed upon him in his home community. Doctor McTaggart was born at Mapleton, Province of Ontario, Canada, July 19, 1856, and is a scion of the staunchest of Scotch ances- try. His father, Donald McTaggart, was born and reared in Scot- land, where he received excellent educational advantages, and he was about twenty years of age when, in company with his four brothers, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, on a sailing vessel of the type common to that period, and established his home in the Province of Ontario, Canada. He was a man of fine intellectuality, as may well be under- stood when it is stated that he was educated for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, but he never entered the active service of the ministry. For several years after coming to America he held a clerical and executive position with a prominent lumbering company in Ontario, and finally he purchased land and turned his attention to farm industry, in which he achieved success and with which he continued to be identified during the remainder of his active career, his death having occurred on his fine old homestead farm in Elgin County, Ontario. His first wife was a young woman at the time of her death and he later married Miss Sarah House, and of the four children of this union two died in infancy, Doctor McTaggart of this review being the elder of the two surviving, and his sister, Mary, being the wife of William H. Healy, St., of Miami, Florida.
Doctor McTaggart profited fully by the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native province, and after completing the curric- ulum of the high school at Springfield, he continued to be associated with farm enterprise until he had attained to the age of twenty-seven years, besides which he did an appreciable amount of work as a car- penter. In consonance with his ambition he finally provided ways and means for its concrete realization, in that he began preparing himself for the medical profession. After preliminary study under effective private preceptorship he finally entered the Cincinnati Col- lege of Medicine, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1888. After thus receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine he came to Bryan, in the spring of 1888, and Williams County has continued the stage of his earnest, humane and successful service in the work of his profession during the
58 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY,
long intervening years. He has kept in constant touch with the advances made in medical and surgical science, avails himself of the best standard and periodical literature of his profession, and gains much also through his active membership in the American Institute of Homoeopathy, the Ohio State Medical Society and the Williams County Medical Society, of which last mentioned he is president at the time of this writing, in 1920.
A staunch supporter of the principles of the republican party, Doctor McTaggart has never sought public office but his communal loyalty has been effectively shown in his sixteen years of service as a member of the board of education at Bryan, of which body he is vice president at the present time. He and his wife are active mem- bers of the Christian Church and his Masonic affiliations are with Bryan Lodge, No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons; Bryan Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; and Bryan Council, No. 101, Royal and Select Masters. He is affiliated also with the Knights of Maccabees.
At Mapleton, Ontario, Canada, in 1881, was solemnized the mar- riage of Doctor McTaggart to Miss Addie E. White, who was there born and reared and who is a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hull) White. Dr. and Mrs. McTaggart have two children: Hazel is the wife of Ralph B. Shannock, of Mansfield, Ohio, and they have one son, Donald R. Kenneth W. McTaggart, who is associated with business enterprise at Bryan, married Miss Freda Bragg and they have two children, Dorothy and Mary M.
Wilbur M. Fyke. — The extent and importance of the enterprises with which the late Wilbur M. Fyke was identified during the active period of his career caused him to be accounted justly as one of the prominent men of Williams County, and more particularly of Brady Township, where for many years he carried on operations as a farmer and breeder of stock. While late in life he lived in semi-retirement at West Unity, he maintained his interests in a number of enterprises in the county in which his business ability and good citizenship were factors in developing the natural resources of the section.
Mr. Fyke was born in Summit County, Ohio, May 13, 1855, a son of Henry and Catherine E. (Brett) Fyke. His father, born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1823, was a young man when he went to Wayne County, Ohio, where in 1850, he married Miss Brett, who was born in Pennsylvania, of New England ances- try, December 9, 1826. In 1857 they moved to Williams County and located on a farm in Springfield Township, south of Stryker, on
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 59
which they made their home and carried on agricultural operations until 1909, when they moved to Stryker and retired. Henry and Catherine E. Fyke were the parents of six children : Frank, of La Grange, Indiana; Charles A., of Bryan, Ohio; Wilbur M. ; Mary, the wife of E. E. Mallory, of Los Angeles, California ; George, of Chi- cago, Illinois ; and Ella, the widow of John Paxton, of Bryan. The mother of these children died in 1896 and in 1898 Mr. Fyke married Catherine Chappens, who was born December 9, 1826, in Pennsylvania, and was eighteen years of age when she accompanied her parents to Summit County, Ohio. Mr. Fyke united with the Oak Grove Metho- dist Episcopal Church in 1868, and remained a consistent member thereof until his death at Stryker. April 12, 1910.
Wilbur M. Fyke was reared on the home farm near Stryker and obtained his education in the district schools and at a normal school at Bryan, under the instruction of Professor Mygrants. At the age of nineteen years he began to teach school, and this profession he followed for twenty-two years continuously, becoming one of the most popular and efficient teachers in Williams County. After he went to farming, he purchased 162 acres two miles east of West Unity, where he followed farming until 1907, at that time retiring from active opera- tions and moving to West Unity where he maintained his residence until his death August 29, 1920.
While not actively engaged himself in farming affairs, Mr. Fyke held extensive holdings, and a feature of the work done on his farm was the breeding of cattle, he having seventeen head of registered Holstein cattle led by a prize-winning individual, as well as much good graded cattle. He was the representative at West Unity for Swift & Company, in the sale of fertilizer products, and was a life member of the Farmers National Congress. Mr. Fyke served as a director of the Brady Township Fire Insurance Company for fifteen years and as secretary and manager of the Electric Light Plant seven years, and was one of the founders of the Farmers Commercial and Savings Bank, in which he was a stockholder. Mr. Fyke likewise was active in religious work, as a member of the official board and recording steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church and treasurer of the Sunday school, in which he also taught a class.
On December 29, 1880, Mr. Fyke was united in marriage with Ada Cook, one of triplets, the others being: Dora, who married Jacob Smith; and Frank P., who married Mary A. Bradick. Mrs. Fyke, who is the only survivor in a family of fourteen children, was born on a farm south of West Unity, November 21, 1852, and was
60 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
educated in the public schools. She is a member of a family which came to Williams County in 1350, and a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca W. (Kenney) Cook. The latter was born January 1, 1811, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Kenney, and became widely known as a student and a com- poser of poetry. She was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and greatly respected and beloved, and the first child born to her and her husband was the late Hon. Theodore Cook. To Mr. and Mrs. Fyke there have been born four children : George, a grad- uate of West Unity High School, who is carrying on operations on the old homestead east of West Unity; James C, of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, a graduate of the high school at West Unity, and of the university at Ada, Ohio, in mechanical engineering; Frank C, a grad- uate of West Unity High School, and of mechanical engineering at Ada, and now with the Standard Oil Company at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Charles W., who died aged two months.
Ernest E. Culbertson, who holds the position of cashier in the First National Bank of Bryan, was born in this village, the judicial center of Williams County, October 3, 1883, and is a son of William F. and Jennie (McGraw) Culbertson. William F. Culbertson passed his entire life in this county, where his parents settled in the pioneer days, and he was long numbered among the representative business men and honored and influential citizens of his native county. He served five years as treasurer of the county and thereafter was engaged in the lumber business at Bryan until the time of his death, when he was about fifty-nine years of age. His widow was a girl when she came with her parents to West Unity, this county, where she was reared to adult age and where she remained until the time of her marriage. She passed to the life eternal in 1904, both she and her husband having been zealous members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Culbertson long served as an elder of the church at Bryan, he having also been affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Of the nine children seven are living.
In the public schools of Bryan, Ernest E. Culbertson continued his studies until his graduation in the high school, and thereafter he served three years as deputy county treasurer, under the administration of his father as county treasurer. Upon his retirement from this position he assumed that of bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Bryan, on November 15th, 1909, and he has since continued as an efficient member of the office corps of this representative institu-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 61
tion, in which he now holds the position of a cashier. He is an active and loyal worker in the local ranks of the republican party, is past master of Bryan Lodge, No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons, which he has represented in the grand lodge of Ohio, and he is also secre- tary of Northwest Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons. Both he and his wife are earnest members of the Presbyterian Church at Bryan, and he is serving in 1920 as superintendent of its Sunday school.
November 18. 1911, recorded the marriage of Mr. Culbertson to Miss Taisy Kline, daughter of Henry O. Kline, of Bryan, and they have two children— Jane and Margaret.
Joseph P. Arnold, president of the State Bank of Kunkle, living at Bryan, is one of the prominent and influential representatives of banking enterprise in Williams County, and takes due satisfaction in claiming the judicial center of the county as the place of his nativity. He was born at Bryan, December 20, 1863, and is a son of Charles and Violet A. (Fulton) Arnold. The father was born in the Province of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their immigration to America, he having been reared and educated in Ohio, and having been a resident of Williams County for many years prior to his death, which occurred at Bryan. He was a carpenter by trade and became a successful con- tractor and builder at Bryan, his political allegiance having been given to the republican party and both he and his wife having been earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of five sons, of whom four are living: Edward J. is a resi- dent of Anderson, Indiana ; Hiram W. maintains his home at Bryan ; and Charles A. is a resident of Greenfield, Indiana; the subject of this review being the youngest of the number. The mother was born in Pennsylvania and was a child when her parents came to Ohio and established their home in Williams County, where she was reared and educated and where she passed the remainder of her life.
Joseph P. Arnold is indebted to the public schools of Bryan for his early educational discipline, and after attaining to adult age he was for sixteen years here engaged in the meat market business. He devoted the next decade to farm enterprise, but his financial advance- ment was primarily the result of his successful operations in the buying and selling of real estate— principally farm properties in this section of the Buckeye State. In 1913 Mr. Arnold returned to Bryan, and he was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Kunkle State
62 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Bank, with the active administration of which he has since continued to be prominently identified. The other officers of this substantial institution are as here noted : Philip Wagner, president, now deceased ; John Kunkle, second vice president, and George W. Wagner, cashier. The bank bases its operation on a capital stock of $25,000 and its busi- ness is of most substantial order, based on wise and conservative policies and careful management, and upon the unqualified confi- dence of its supporters. Mr. Arnold gives the major part of his time and attention to the affairs of this institution, but is also super- intendent of Garver Park, at Bryan, and maintains a general super- vision of his farm, which is well improved and comprises 120 acres. As a young man Mr. Arnold wedded Miss Catherine Lantz, daughter of the late John Lantz, who was president of the Mont- pelier National Bank, at Montpelier, this county, at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have no children.
Levi B. Kunkle. — Among the native born citizens of Williams County who have spent their lives within its precincts, and have aided in every possible way its growth and development, is Levi B. Kunkle, whose birth occurred, April 26, 1858, on the farm where he now lives, it being located one mile south and one-fourth of a mile west of West Unity, in Brady Township, where his father, John H. Kunkle, located in pioneer days. He comes of distinguished patriotic stock, his grand- father, Henry H. Kunkle, having fought bravely in the War of 1812, while his great-grandfather, Jacob Kunkle, served for seven years in the Revolutionary war.
Born January 26, 1818, in Perry County, Pennsylvania, John H. Kunkle remained there until 1835, when he made his way to Shelby, Ohio, where he learned the trade of a tailor. Removing from there to Mansfield, Ohio, he followed the trade of a carpenter for a while. Deciding to change his occupation, he came to Williams County in 1841, and invested what money he had, all of which, with the excep- tion of 50 cents that constituted his entire wealth when he arrived in Ohio, he had accumulated in Richland County, in land. He bought eighty acres in Brady Township, and as a general farmer met with good success. As his means increased, he added other land by pur- chase, at the time of his death having title to 215 acres of good land. He was active in public affairs, and served one or more terms as township trustee. He married, in 1848, Lavina Bargahiser, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, where her parents, Levi and Susan Bargahiser, were pioneer settlers, and into their household five chil-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 63
dren were born, as follows: George, Susan, Lavina, Hattie, and Levi B. Both parents were active and faithful members of the Pres- byterian Church.
The youngest child of the parental household, Levi B Kunkle grew to manhood on the farm where he now lives, and as a boy and youth attended the district schools of Brady Township, in the mean- time becommg familiar with the various branches of agriculture. Suc- ceeding to the ownership of a portion of the home farm, he is suc- cessfully following his chosen vocation, having, in sections 17 and 18 173 acres of fertile land, which he cultivates with desired results the soil being rich and fertile.
On July 23, 1884, Mr. Kunkle was united in marriage with Eliza- beth Neaster, who was born and reared on a farm in Brady Township and they are the parents of two children, namely: Blanche born' March 8. 1885; and Golda, born March 20, 1893. Blanche, who was educated in the West Unity High School, married George Stevens a farmer living just across the road from Air. Kunkle, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth Stevens, born December 13, 1912 Golda the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle. a high school gradu- ate, married Frank Hoover, of West Unity, and they have one daugh- ter, Mary A., born September 18, 1916. Mr. Kunkle is a faithful repubhcan in politics, and has served as township trustee for seven years. Both he and his wife are esteemed and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Benjamin Franklin Neff, senior member of the firm of B. F Neff & Son, manufacturers of drain-tile and brick, at Bryan has been the dominating figure in developing one of the most important industrial enterprises of Williams County, and the high-grade prod- ucts manufactured at the Neff plant find constant and cumulative demand m connection with material improvements in both town and farm properties in this section of the Buckeye State.
Mr. Neff was born in West Moreland County, Pennsylvania November 10, 1855, and is a son of John G. and Mary (Garver) Neff, who were born and reared in the old Keystone state and who there continued to reside until 1868, when they came to Williams County, Ohio, and established their home at Bryan. The father had not only proved successful as a farmer but also as a manufacturer of brick and tile, and he it was who founded the substantial industry of which his son Benjamin F. is now the executive head. After coming to Williams County John G. Neff first confined his attention to the
64 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
manufacturing of brick, but later he amplified the enterprise to include the manufacturing of high-grade drain-tile. Eventually he admitted his son Benjamin F. to partnership in the business, and the son later assumed full control, his progressiveness and energy having come effectively into play in extending the scope of the industry and making it one of much importance in a practical way as well as a medium for the achieving of substantial success. The parents passed the remainder of their lives in Williams County, where they held high place in popular esteem, both having been zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the father having been a democrat in his political faith.
Benjamin F. Neff acquired his rudimentary education in his native state and was a lad of about thirteen years at the time of the family removal to Williams County, where he continued to attend school for the next few years and where he finally became actively associated with his father's manufacturing business, as previously noted. After he had attained to his legal majority he became associated with his father in establishing a brick yard at West Unity, this county, and of this he had the active management for ten years, within which he did a substantial business in the manufacturing of brick and tile. After selling the plant and business at West Unity he returned to Bryan and became a partner of his father in the brick and tile manu- factory at this place. Here he has since continued the enterprise with success and upon admitting his son to partnership the present firm name was adopted. Mr. Neff also owns a farm of fifty acres, near Bryan, and he maintains a general supervision of the operations on this place, which is devoted to diversified agriculture and the rais- ing of live stock on a somewhat limited scale.
Mr. Neff is found aligned staunchly in the ranks of the democratic party, but he has had no desire for public office, though he served four years as treasurer of Pulaski Township. He is past master of Bryan Lodge. No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons, and is affiliated also with the local chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the Council of Royal and Select Masters. He is a zealous member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Bryan, as was also his wife, and is serving as chairman of its board of trustees.
In 1881 Mr. Neff wedded Miss Laura Allison, of Stryker, this county, and their gracious companionship was severed when on Janu- ary 7, 1919, Mrs. Neff passed to the life eternal, her memory being revered by all who came within the sphere of her kindly influ- ence. Of the three children the eldest is Emery A., who was grad- uated in the Bryan High School and who is now the junior member
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 65
of the firm of B. F. Neff & Son; Arthur G. was graduated in Oberlin College and later in historic old Harvard University, and he is now a successful contractor in the City of Detroit, Michigan, he having enlisted m the heavy field artillery when the nation became involved in the World war and having continued in camp service twenty-two months, his command having not been called to active service over- seas; and Florence, whose higher education was received in the great University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, is now the wife of James Roe, editor of the Bryan Press, in her native city.
Eli R. Sheline.— Possessing shrewd business sense and bein- able to put into his enterprises the full force of well-directed efforts Eli R. Sheline, now living retired at Edon, has been one of the men who has ra.sed the standards of production in manufacturing in this region, and still maintains a prestige in his community because of the interest he always manifests in civic affairs.
Born in Carroll County, Ohio. December 4, 1848, Eli R Sheline was but six years old when he was brought to Williams County by his parents, Andrew and Ann Sheline. so that he has spent prac- tically Ins whole life in this section of the state, and here all of his interests center.
Andrew Sheline was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania April 20, 1819, and his wife was born in Carroll County, Ohio in 1823. Coming to Carroll County, Ohio, when a young man. Andrew Sheline was there married, and was employed in building several grist mins m that county as he was a carpenter and millwright In
1855 he came to Williams County, and built the first grist mill at Edon, operating it and developing the plant to considerable propor- tions during the war between the states. Both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives at Edon, and became very prominent as members of the Christian Church there, in which he was a class leader and elder. He was one of the founders of the church and continued to be one of the very liberal contributors to it until his death. In politics he was a republican. His interests were not con- fined to his mill, but he owned stock in a number of enterprises at different times and was exceedingly successful in all that he undertook The children born to him and his wife were as follows : Benjamin F., Edwin K.. Eli R.. Mary, Louisa, Jennie, Harriette A. and Saman- tha, who are living, the second child, Martha E., is deceased.
Eli R. Sheline attended the public schools of Florence Township until he was fifteen years old when he entered Hiram College, and then attended school at Bryan, Ohio, but although prepared for the profes-
Ynl IT—*
66 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
sion, he never taught school, but began working for his father in the mill. In 1866 Andrew Sheline erected a woolen mill, and later Eli R. Sheline bought an interest in it, and eventually took all of the stock, becoming the sole owner in 1882, and conducted it until it was destroyed by fire, at which time, due to the shock and anxiety, his health failed, and since then he has lived in practical retirement.
On February 25, 1875, Mr. Sheline was married to Rebecca J. Eyster, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio, but was married at Edon, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sheline became the parents of four chil- dren, namely : Cordelia and Arthur E., who are both deceased ; Hol- land L., who is foreman of one of the factories at Edon ; and Orville, who died at the age of two years. Both Mr. Sheline and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Like his father Mr. Sheline is a republican. He, too, has been very successful, and in addition to other property, owns 116 acres of land adjoining the lower end of Edon.
J. E. Alspaugh.' — The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well defined purposes which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been characterized by unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a good business and the accumulation of a good property.
J. E. Alspaugh, manager of the Stryker Lumber Company, at Stryker, Ohio, is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born on his father's farm, about sixteen miles southeast of Columbus, Franklin County, on July 14, 1867. He is a son of Jonathan and Christiana (Beartsch) Alspaugh, the former a native of Van Wert County, Ohio, and the latter born in Franklin County on the same farm where the subject was born. Jonathan Alspaugh was reared to manhood in Van Wert County, and at the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting in the Forty-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served three years. After his return from the army, he moved to Franklin County and engaged in farming, becoming the owner of sixty acres of land in Van Wert County, Ohio, on which he carried on general farming operations. He was an earnest supporter of the
^flBfe
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 67
republican party and served as assessor of Wilshire Township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was affiliated with the Masonic order. To him and his wife were born eight children, six of whom are living, namely : J. E., the immediate subject of this sketch; Louisa, the wife of Elmer Coffman ; O. A., of Cuyhoga Falls; E. H., a physician of Wilshire, Ohio; Bertha L., wife of Fred Heard- ering, of Anderson, Indiana, and Gracie, a stenographer in Chicago.
J. E. Alspaugh was about one year of age when the family moved to Van Wert County, Ohio, and there he was reared and secured his educational training in the public schools. He spent his summers in working on the home farm until he had attained his majority, when he engaged in farming for about seven years. He then went to Rock- ford, Ohio, where he engaged in carpentering and contracting for about thirteen years. During the following three years he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, but then engaged in the lumber business at Wilshire, which commanded his attention for six years. In May, 1919, Mr. Alspaugh came to Stryker and purchased a large interest in the Stryker Lumber Company, of which he was elected secretary, treasurer and manager, which positions he still occupies. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the lumber business and has demonstrated his thorough qualification for the line of work in which he is engaged.
Mr. Alspaugh was married to Flora Lauckhart and they have become the parents of six children, namely : Finley, who is manager of the Edon Lumber Company, at Edon, this county; Arnold, who is now on his father's farm in Mercer County, Ohio, is a veteran of the World war, having served with the 157th Aviation Squadron and spending two years in England and France; Ada is the wife of Wilber Smalley; Zelah is the wife of Randolph Shaffer; Ezra and Esther are at home.
Mr. Alspaugh gives his support to the republican party, while, religiously, he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, which he served as ruling elder at Rockford, Ohio, but they are now members of the English Lutheran Church, Stryker, Ohio. Fraternally, he is a member of Shanes Lodge, No. 377, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master; Celina Chapter, No. 120, Royal Arch Masons, and of Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 54, Knights Templar. His record is the story of a life whose success is measured by its use- fulness— a life that has made for good in all its relations with the world, and he therefore has richly merited the enviable position which he now enjoys in the community.
68 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Roy E. Oberlin. — A prominent and influential citizen of Brady Township, Roy E. Oberlin has been profitably engaged in general agriculture on section 30 for upwards of twenty years, owning and occupying one of the best improved and most desirable farms in this part of Williams County, it being advantageously located three miles northwest of Stryker. He was born, March 14, 1873, in Jefferson Township, Williams County, a son of Orlando Oberlin, and a grand- son of Jacob Oberlin, who settled in Jefferson Township in 1854, and on the farm which he reclaimed from its primeval wildness spent his remaining years.
Born in Holmes County, Ohio, Orlando Oberlin was a small lad of eight summers when he came with his parents to Williams County, where he was bred and educated. Choosing the free life of a farmer, he located soon after his marriage on section 25, Jefferson Township, where his efforts in cultivating and improving a farm were well rewarded. Retiring from active labor in 1915, he has since lived in Bryan, his home being at No. 342 East Bryan Street. Patriotic and public spirited, he enlisted, in 1863, in the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as a soldier in the Civil war until the close of the conflict. He is a sound republican in politics, and a member of Bryan Lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Orlando Oberlin married Althea Reid, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, a daughter of George Reid, who was an early pioneer of Jefferson Township, locating there in 1826, when he took up land from the Government, and with true pioneer courage cleared and improved a homestead. Two children were born of their marriage, as follows : Roy E., the subject of this brief sketch ; and Theodore F., engaged in farming in Jefferson Township.
Receiving his elementary education in the district schools, Roy E. Oberlin subsequently continued his studies at the Fayette Normal School for a year. Remaining beneath the parental roof-tree until twenty-three years of age, he taught school winters, and worked on the home farm through seed time and harvest for seven years. When ready to begin life on his own account, Mr. Oberlin purchased 135 acres of land in Jefferson Township, and that he has met with such unquestioned success in its management may well be attributed to his industry, agricultural skill and keen foresight. He is also actively interested in various enterprises, being vice president of the West Unity Bank, and one of its directors ; president of the Northwestern Ohio Mutual Rodded Fire Insurance Company; and a director of the Farmers Elevator Company at Pulaski, and director of the Farm- ers Elevator Company at Stryker.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 69
Mr. Oberlin married first, November 10, 1895, Lizzie Barkdoll, who died September 23, 1910, leaving three children, namely : Wayne! during the World war, is assistant cashier at the Stryker Bank; home; Willis, who was in the training camp at Denison University during the World War, is assistant cashier at the Stryker Bank; and Mercy, attending the Stryker High School.
Mr. Oberlin married for his second wife, October 18, 1911, Cora E. Schnur, a native of Defiance County, Ohio, and they are the par- ents of two children, Eunice, born December 5, 1912; and Kenneth, born November 28, 1919. Politically Mr. Oberlin is identified with the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of Superior Lodge, No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at West Unity; of Bryan Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; of the Encamp- ment; and of the Grand Lodge, of which he is past noble grand. He is likewise an active member of Springfield Grange No. 499. Mrs. Oberlin is a consistent member of the German Reformed Church.
Guy Mignin.— The life of Guy Mignin, of Stryker, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been true to every trust reposed in him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.
Guy Mignin was born in Stryker, Ohio, on March 30, 1881, and is the son of Frederick and Anna (Bostetter) Mignin, both of whom were natives of Springfield Township, Williams County, the father born in 1846 and the mother in 1856. Frederick Mignin was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his education in the public schools. About the time he attained his majority he went to Chicago, where he obtained employment as a fireman on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, that being during the period when wood was used almost exclusively on railroad engines in the West. Later he was employed for a year in a lumber yard at Chicago, and at the end of that time he returned to Williams County and engaged in the lumber business on his own account. At that time Mr. Mignin gave special attention to walnut lumber, which was very plentiful in this locality. He was successful in this enterprise, so that he was soon able to buy and remodel the sawmill, making it one of the best in this section of the state, and this mill has been in operation ever since in the manufacture of hardwood lumber. During the later years of his life he was in poor health, though he continued to look after the details of his business affairs until within a few months of his death. At the time of his
70 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
death he still owned enough standing timber to keep the mill running for several years. At the time of Mr. Mignin's death, which occurred on August 22, 1911, the entire community suffered an irreparable loss, for he had been one of the sterling characters of the community and had enjoyed the highest degree of confidence and regard. A man of high moral character, unimpeacheable integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, he stood "four square to every wind that blows," and in all his business affairs his word was considered as good as his bond.
Guy Mignin was reared in Stryker and educated in its public schools. In about 1898 he became identified with the lumber business, of which he assumed complete control on the death of his father. He also has general oversight of two farms which his father left in Springfield Township. Mr. Mignin gained invaluable business experience under his father and possesses those qualities which make for success. With a keen insight into trade conditions, and ener- getic in the handling of his products, he has been very successful in his management of the mill, while as a manager of the farms he has exhibited progressiveness and practical ideas which have stamped him as a man of versatile ability.
Mr. Mignin was married to Mable Henning on March 18, 1903, and they have two children, Anna and Jeanne. Mrs. Mignin is a graduate of the Stryker High School, class of 1900, and she had taught for one year in the schools of Brady Township prior to her marriage.
Fraternally, Mr. Mignin is a .member of Evansport Lodge, No. 511, Free and Accepted Masons; Bryan Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; Defiance Commandery of Scottish Rite and Zenobia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Stryker Lodge, No. 432, Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife hold mem- bership in Evansport Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically, Mr. Mignin has always given his support to the demo- cratic party. Because of his business ability and his splendid qualities of character, he enjoys to a pronounced degree the good will and esteem of all who know him.
E. E. Vernier. — The recent controversy which has become wide- spread throughout the country in regard to the emoluments granted the educational profession is one that has established the fact that the interest taken in our educators is national and that regardless of the compensation which they receive their value to society is recognized and their worth in the development of future citizenship cannot be
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 71
surpassed. In many intelligent communities the citizens have evi- denced their appreciation of the value of educators by elevating them to positions of public trust and responsibility, notably at Stryker, Ohio, where E. E. Vernier, a teacher for two decades and the incum- bent of the chair of mathematics in the Stryker High School, has been elected mayor of the city.
Mayor Vernier was born on a farm in Springfield Township, Wil- liams County, September 5, 1883, a son of C. H. and Camilla (Gui- man) Vernier. His father, born in Springfield Township, December 31, 1852, has been a resident of the rural districts all his life and still continues to be engaged in threshing work. He is a republican in his political views, and he and Mrs. Vernier, a native of Defiance County, Ohio, are members of the Plymouth Brethren faith. They are parents of four children: E. E. ; Lendall, a conductor on the T. & I. Railroad; Asa, storekeeper at the car shops of that company; and Blanche, a graduate of the Stryker High School and the Bowling Green Normal School, who is teaching in the public schools of Stryker. E. E. Vernier attended the district schools of Springfield Township and the Stryker High School, following which he took normal work at the Ohio State University and Miami University. He began, teach- ing in 1901, and after some experience in the rural districts began his work in the schools of Stryker in 1911, eventually being given the chair of mathematics in the Stryker High School. He was and is still known as one of the most capable and popular instructors this community has known and during his long experience as a molder of the minds of youth has formed many lasting friendships with parents and pupils, as well as with school officials and fellow educators. A republican in his political allegiance, he has long taken an interest in public affairs, and served as clerk of Stryker and Springfield town- ships for three terms. His official record in this position showed that he was of mayoralty timber, and November 4, 1919, he was the successful candidate for his party for the office of chief executive of Stryker, to which position he was elected by a gratifying majority. Mr. Vernier is fraternally affiliated with Stryker Lodge, No. 432, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, while Mrs. Vernier belongs to the Pythian Sisters. Their religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal Church and their pleasant home is located on North Defiance Street.
Mayor Vernier married Miss Gertrude Juillard and they are the parents of two children, Vivienne May, born in 1910, and Robert Juillard, born in 1920.
72 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
William H. Gardner has found in his native county ample scope and opportunity for successful business exploitation and is one of the representative figures in the mercantile circles of the county seat, where he is president of the Bryan Hardware Company. He is a member of a family whose name has been identified with the history of Williams County for more than three-fourths of a century and was born on the parental homestead farm, in Center Township, this county, August 10, 1860, a son of Moses and Jane (Taylor) Gardner, who were born and reared in Pennsylvania and whose marriage was there solemnized. In 1842 the parents came to Ohio and established their home on a pioneer farm in Center Township, where the father reclaimed much of his land from the native forest and where he con- tinued as a prosperous and influential exponent of agricultural indus- try until his death. He was a man of high principles and marked business acumen. He purchased land in the early days at a low price, and accumulated a large landed estate, which became very valu- able with the passing years. He was an active advocate and supporter of the principles of the democratic party and was one of the influen- tial and public spirited citizens of Center Township, of which he served as treasurer for a number of years. His devoted wife proved his able coadjutor in the achieving of independence and prosperity and their names merit a place of honor on the roster of the sterling pioneers of the county. Mr. Gardner died when about seventy-one years of age and his widow passed the closing period of her life at Bryan, where she died when about seventy-three years of age. Of their eight children three are living: Curtis D. is vice president of the Farmers National Bank of Bryan and is individually mentioned on other pages of this volume ; William H., of this review, is the next younger, and Ira E. is a resident of the City of Toledo, this state; Mollie married Aaron Brannon and both are now deceased.
The invigorating environment and activities of the old home farm compassed the boyhood and youth of William H. Gardner, and he continued to attend the public schools until he had completed school- ing in Farmers Center. That he made good use of these advantages is shown by the fact that he became a successful teacher and taught in the district schools during the winter terms for five years. He there- after became the owner of an excellent farm of eighty acres in Center township, and he erected good buildings on the place, besides making other high-grade improvements and adding forty acres to the area of his farm. He continued his active association with the basic industries of agriculture and stock growing for ten years, and in 1892 he removed
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 73
with his family to Bryan, primarily for the purpose of giving his children the advantages of the excellent schools of this village. His is not the nature that enjoys inactivity, and he has found ample demands upon his time and attention in connection with the substan- tial business of the Bryan Hardware Company, of which he is presi- dent. He has been an active and loyal member of the Bryan Business Men's Association and has given liberal support to its progressive policies and movements, which have proved specially potent in fur- thering the civic and industrial advancement of Bryan. Of this asso- ciation he served for a time as president. His political convictions are indicated by his unfaltering support of the cause of the demo- cratic party, he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in their home city and he is serving as a member of its official board. Mr. Gardner is past master of the Bryan Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, besides being affiliated also with the local chapter and council, and with the commandery of Knights Tem- plar at Defiance, the while both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Gardner married Miss Blanche Tomlinson, who likewise was boAi and reared in Center Township, this county, and they have three children : Ethel, who was graduated in the Bryan High School and later in the Boston Conservatory of Music, has established and is successfully conducting a school of music in the State of Washington ; Walter T., who likewise was graduated in the Bryan High School, is now manager of the Bryan Motor Service Company and the Auburn Garment Company. He is high priest of the Bryan Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at the time of this writing, in the spring of 1920, and is also worthy patron of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. He married Miss Bessie Updyke, daughter of Emerson B. Updyke, a representative farmer near Bryan. Harry W., the younger son, is the active manager of the Bryan Hardware Company, of which his father is president, as already noted. He likewise continued his studies in the Bryan schools until his graduation in the high school, and both he and his brother are numbered among the progressive and popular young business men of their native county. He wedded Miss Alice Killits, whose father is presiding on the bench of the Federal District Court in the City of Toledo.
John A. Leavy. — The subject of this sketch has spent practically his entire life in Williams County and his persistent and commendable efforts have benefited alike himself and the community, for he has
74 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
always had deeply at heart the well being and improvement of the county, using his influence whenever possible for the promotion of enterprises of public benefit, besides taking a part in all movements for the advancement of the community along social, civic and moral lines. Consequently he richly merits the high standing which he enjoys among those who know him best.
John A. Leavy, the well-known secretary and treasurer of the Stryker Building & Supply Company and ticket agent at Stryker for the New York Central Railroad Company, was born in Stryker on April 16, 1866, and is a son of Patrick and Helen (Fox) Leavy, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was born on May 1, 1815, and died on June 21, 1911, at the advanced age of ninety-six years, while the mother, who was born on September 29, 1834, died on July 19, 1894, when almost sixty years of age. They were reared and married in their native land, and in 1852 came to the United States. He was employed at railroad work and on July 28, 1861, he located in Stryker, where he spent the remainder of his days. Though he was not a large wage earner, he was steady and industrious and wisely economical of his earnings and succeeded in buying a comfort- able home, where he and his wife spent their last years. He waS an active member of the Catholic Church and took a leading part in advancing its interests in this community. He was a democrat in his political views. To him and his wife were born six children, four sons and two daughters, namely: Thomas, a resident of Archbold, Ohio, who for many years was employed in the railroad service ; Patrick, who lives in Coldwater, Michigan, is a conductor on the New York Central Railroad; Joseph is a telegraph operator for the Michigan Central Railroad Company at Albion, Michigan; Ellen is the wife of Thomas Retaiczak ; John A. is the immediate subject of this review; Anna is the wife of D. J. Mattison.
John A. Leavy was reared in Stryker and secured his educational training in its public schools. His first active employment was in the brick yard, where he worked for three summers. In the fall of 1883 he began to learn telegraphy under Charles Elliott, and on June 15, 1884, he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company as telegraph operator. He was employed at dif- ferent places, including Englewood, Illinois. Later he became con- nected with the New York Central at Stryker and in 1892 he was made manager of this office, which position he still retains. He has proven his qualifications for this responsible position and enjoys the fullest measure of confidence on the part of both the company and the patrons of the road.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 75
In addition to his duties in connection with the railroad, Mr Leavy is otherwise interested in local commercial affairs, and was one of the organizers and is now part owner of the Stryker Building Supply Company, one of the prosperous and well-known enterprises of this town. He owns a comfortable and attractive residence property on the corner of South and Defiance streets, and other property
On May 7, 1901, Mr. Leavy was married to Maggie F Knight who was born in Bryan, Ohio, on November 7, 1869, and received her education in the public schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Religiously, Mr. Leavy is a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Stryker, while Mrs. Leavy belongs to the Universalis! Church Politically, Mr. Leavy has been a life-long and active supporter of the democratic party and has taken a keen and intelligent interest in local public affairs. He has served as township and village clerk for six years and as a member of the school board for three years His hfe history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable industry and wholesome home relations, and because of his success and his sterling character he holds the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
William Hawkins.— With indisputable evidence of culture and development on every hand, it seems a long way to look back to the time when Williams County called her settlers pioneers, but one of these, who is a veteran of the Civil war, William Hawkins well remembers pioneer conditions when he came here in 1842.
William Hawkins was born in Westchester County, New York February 28. 1833. His parents were Joseph and Matilda (Crissy)' Hawkins, who were natives also of Westchester County and were of English descent. When Mr. Hawkins was three years old he was taken to Fulton County, Ohio, and in 1842, when nine years old, came to Williams County. There were many of the usual hardships to endure in the newly settled township where he grew to manhood, and his school privileges were exceedingly limited. In 1861 he answered the first call of President Lincoln for soldiers to preserve the Union enlisting m Company C, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served out his enlistment of 100 days: three of his brothers also serv- ing m the Union army.' He did his duty as a soldier and then returned to the farm.
In 1862 Mr. Hawkins was married to Kercilda Young, who was born in Bndgewater Township, Williams County, Ohio, February 23 1840, and they have two sons, Alpheus and Guy S. Alpheus Hawkins
76 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
was reared on the home farm in Bridgewater Township and obtained his education as did his brother, in the public schools, and has always been a farmer. On February 18, 1886, he was married to Alice Miller and they have two children, Dale and Guy. Dale is a farmer in Bridgewater Township and married Naomi Fightner. His brother Guy attended the high school at Montpelier and is in the employ of the Wabash Railroad at this point. He married Alice Case. Both Dale and Guy belong to Montpelier Lodge No. 745, Odd Fellows, and Dale belongs also to the Encampment. Guy S. Hawkins, the second son of William Hawkins, is also a farmer in Bridgewater Township. Mr. Hawkins and both his sons have always voted the republican ticket. He has made his own way in the world, being poor when he came to Williams County, where for many years he worked industriously and exercised great economy. He now lives in comfort- able retirement and has a valuable farm of 160 acres situated in Bridgewater Township. He is known all through this part of the county and is held in universal esteem, being one of the county's most venerable residents.
He is a member of Hiram Lowden Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Montpelier.
Martin Troxel for many years occupied a prominent place in the agricultural and civic affairs of Madison Township. While he recently sold his fine farm and removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, his influence and interest will not be lost to Williams County, where he was born and reared and has spent the most productive part of his life.
Mr. Troxel was born three miles south of Pioneer on March 1, 1866, son of Henry and Amanda (Grindle) Troxel. His parents were both born in Wayne County, Ohio, were married there and after their marriage moved to Williams County, settling in Madison Town- ship, where they spent the rest of their years. They were active mem- bers of the Church of God. Henry Troxel was an elder in that church. He was the only member of his family to vote as a republican. Of ten children six are still living : Leora, widow of Howard Dean ; Harvey, of Mill Creek Township: Irvin, of Montpelier, Ohio; Martin, of Pioneer, Ohio; Jacob, of Toledo, Ohio; and Catherine, wife of Willis Crum, of Alvordton, Ohio.
Martin Troxel grew up on the home farm in Madison Township and had a common school education. At the age of fourteen he began working for himself and had accumulated some small savings by the time he was twentv-one, only to see this modest capital swept away
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 77
by misfortune. He therefore began life all over again. On September 23, 1896, he married Miss Mamie Haviland, also a native of Madison Township, and educated in the common schools there. After his mar- riage Mr. Troxel made a living hauling logs and at other work, and finally bought a small property and in 1911 moved to his farm in Madison Township. He acquired seventy-four acres there and while he bought it for less than $75 an acre, the farm was well worth the $165 an acre for which he recently sold it. Mr. and Mrs. Troxel have three children : Claire, a successful truck driver in Government employ during the war ; Darwin R., a graduate of the Pioneer High School; and Wilma, in the first year of her high school work. Mr. Troxel is a member of the Pioneer Grange, is a republican, and was trustee of Madison Township during 1918 and 1919.
William Rittenour.— 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.
William Rittenour was born on the farm which he now owns, in Jefferson Township, on February 17, 1859, and is a son of George and Sarah (Hisey) Rittenour. George Rittenour was born in Ford's Valley, Virginia, on July 10. 1819, and lived to the unusual age of almost ninety-eight years, dying on May 24, 1917. His wife was born in Virginia on January 24, 1822, and died on October 10, 1893. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Altdaffer) Hisey, by whom she was brought to Columbiana County, Ohio, when five years of age. When she was fourteen years old they moved to Richland County, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years, on August 27, 1840, under the pastorate of Rev. S. Leiter, she united with the Reformed Church, of which she was ever after a faithful and earnest member. To George and Sarah Rittenour were born thirteen children, of which number eight are living, namely: Mary A., the wife of Lorenzo DeGroff; Arabelle, the widow of J. W. Jones; Sarah E., the wife of J. J. Young; Effie, the wife of Albert Knapp ; Francis is married and lives in Portland, Oregon ; George, of Tacoma, Washington ; William, the immediate subject of this review, and Arthur, who lives in West Unity, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in Jeffer- son Township and received his educational training in the district
78 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
schools. After his marriage he continued to reside on the home farm, the ownership of which he afterwards acquired, and he has continued to the present time to operate it. He carries on a general line of farming, together with which he gives attention to the raising of poultry. Thoroughly practical and progressive in his methods, he has gained a distinctive success in his work, and is numbered among the enterprising and substantial farmers of Jefferson Township. The farm, which comprises forty acres, is well improved in every respect and maintained at a high state of cultivation.
On December 24, 1885, Mr. Rittenour was married to Ella M. Burns, who was born in Jefferson Township on August 29, 1866, the daughter of John and Diana (Smith) Burns. Her parents were both natives of Maryland, where the father was born on March 9, 1828; his death occurred on December 6, 1900. He and his wife were married on March 22, 1849, their union being blessed in the birth of thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living, namely : Angeline, Peter, Susie, Catherine, Edward, Victoria, Ella M., Jennie, Charles, Perry and Sadie, all of whom are married. Two children died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Rittenour have been born three children, namely: Oscar W., who volunteered for service and was sent to the Mexican border in the ambulance service, on his return being mustered out at Fort Sheridan. He then enlisted in the ambulance service and was sent overseas, serving in France for nine months ; he now lives in Toledo, Ohio; Alva G., who lives in Toledo, Ohio, married Elva Kleinhaus ; Orpha A. is unmarried and remains at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Rittenour are members of the Reformed Church, Mr. Rittenour being a deacon in that society. He is an earnest repub- lican in his political faith. He belongs to the Grange at Pulaski, of which he has served as chaplain. He is a stockholder in the Pulaski Grain Elevator Company and is known as a man who stands ready to give his support to every enterprise or movement looking to the advancement of the best interests of the community. Because of his success and his sterling qualities of character, he enjoys the unlimited confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Byron W. Clark. — Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of Byron W. Clark, of Springfield Township, Williams County, is all that is required to make a bio- graphical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community, for it is the honorable reputation of the man of affairs and standing, more than any other consideration, that gives
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 79
character and stability to the body politic. In the community where he has spent his life, Mr. Clark stands deservedly among his fellows for he has ever stood for those things which are for the good of the community and his personal record is one of which he has no reason to be ashamed.
Byron W. Clark, whose fine farm of eighty-two acres is situated about two miles south of Stryker, in Springfield Township, was born m this township on July 6, 1877, and he is the son of Austin F. and Mary (Woodward) Clark. These parents, who now reside in Stryker are both also natives of the Buckeye State, the father having been born in Sprmgneld Township on June 17, 1850, while the mother was born m Washington County on "September 15, 1855. Austin Clark is a republican in his political views and has been active in local public affairs, having served as a member of the school board. To him and his wife were born eight children, of which number four are now living, namely: Byron W., the subject of this sketch; Cynthia the widow of J. M. Rumbaugh; Harley, a farmer in Springfield Town- ship ; Myron, a farmer in Springfield Township.
Byron W. Clark spent his boyhood days on the homestead and secured his education in the district schools of Springfield Township Ihe home farm, which is now operated by the subject's brother is located about one and a half miles south of where he now lives He remained at home until his marriage, in 1904, since which time he has been farming on his own account in section 16. He carries on a gen- eral line of farming, raising all the crops common to this locality and also gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock makine a specialty of Ohio Improved Chester hogs and Shorthorn cattle, in the handling of which he has met with spendid success. His farm is well ,mproved, the buildings being of a substantial and attractive character and the general appearance of the place indicating the owner to be a man of good taste and up-to-date ideas
On December 21, 1904, Mr. Clark was married to Lucile Barber who was born in Springfield Township on January 20 1883 the daughter of Levi and Minnie (Miller) Barber. She was reared 'here and educated in the district schools. Her parents are both natives of Ohio; her father being a native of Williams County and her
mu°,tJheri:,0,iFu!t0n C°Unty- T° Mn and Mrs- C!ark h*s been born one child, Milbert B., who was born on November 4, 1905, and who is now a student in the Stryker High School.
Politically. Mr. Clark is an earnest supporter of the republican party and takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs. He is a
80 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
member of Springfield Grange No. 499, of which he is a past master. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and persistent industry have been the key to his success and they have earned for him the unqualified respect and good will of all who know him.
William Marcus Dunlap. — There could be no more compre- hensive history written of a city or county, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "progressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who has refused to be subdued by the obstacles and failures that come to everyone, but who has made them stepping stones to higher things, and at the same time that he was win- ning his way in the material affairs of life gained a reputation for uprightness and honor.
William M. Dunlap, whose splendid farm of 97l/2 acres is located in section 1 of Superior Township, was born on the farm where he now lives, on February 23, 1866, and is the only child born to the union of Andrew and Mary A. (Hoskinson) Dunlap. Andrew Dun- lap was born in Ireland in 1796 and in 1809 came with his parents to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania. Later they came to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood and married. Afterwards he came to Williams County, settling first near Pulaski, where he bought land, but a year later he sold that place and bought the farm where his son now lives, and there he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1888. He and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and took an active part in the support of all worthy interests of the community.
William M. Dunlap was reared on the paternal farmstead and attended the district schools of that neighborhood. He remained with his parents and at the time of his father's death he acquired his share and purchased the other heirs' interest in the 97i/2 acres of the home farm, and he has since applied himself to the operation of this farm with success. The place is well improved and is numbered among the most productive farms in the community, Mr. Dunlap being recognized as a farmer of mature judgment and untiring industry.
On March 25, 1893, Mr. Dunlap was married to Delia Fulton, the daughter of Fred H. and Malinda J. (Mott) Fulton. Her father was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1839, and her mother in Jeffer- son Township, this county. Mr. Fulton came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1843, residing there until August, 1860, when he came to
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
81
Williams County. Here he was married and settled on a farm in Jefferson Township, where he lived continuously until his death March 28, 1920. To him and his wife were born six children, namely Cora, wife of Samuel Roush; Delia, wife of the subject; Olive the wife of Joseph Mocherman ; Maurice O. ; Ida, the wife of Christ Grabner; Pearl, unmarried, in Columbus. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap has been born a son, Harry F., born on January 16 1896 who was educated in the district schools, graduating from the Mont- peher High School in 1915. He is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted on May 25, 1918. He went overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces and was on the front line during the last months prior to the signing of the armistice, being afterwards sent on to Germany. He was finally ordered back to the United States and
miistprfrl r»iif /-»« A/T~,, 0"2 mm TT_ • . t ....
na<
____, — „„ t„ L11>_ wniLcu tidies arm was
mustered out on May 23, 1919. He is now at home with his parents He is a member of the American Legion, and is also an active mem- ber of the Pleasant Hill Grange, being also a lecturer and overseer of the Williams County Pomona Grange.
Mr. Dunlap is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of which he is a past grand, and he and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah, of which Mrs. Dunlap is a past grand. Politically, Mr. Dunlap gives his support to the republican party. He is a member and past master of Pleasant Hill Grange. He is a stock- holder and a member of the directorate of the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank of Montpelier. Whatever of success he has attained has been entirely owing to his individual efforts, his energy and natural ability. Through the years of his life here he has gradually attained a deserved prominence in his community and is eminently entitled to the high esteem which he enjoys among his fellow citizens.
Joseph M. Vail, manager of the Vail Cooperage Company at Bryan, in this connection exercises important executive function in the furtherance of the successful operations of one of the prominent industries of Williams County, and he is consistently to be designated as one of the progressive and representative business men of this favored section of the Buckeye State.
Mr. Vail was born at Ossian, Indiana, October 27, 1862, and is a son of Thomas and Martha (Shepard) Vail, both of whom were born in Ohio, where they were reared and educated, their marriage having been solemnized in Coshocton County, this state. Thomas Vail was a contractor in connection with the construction of the line of the Penn- sylvania Railroad through Indiana, and for a time was keeper of a
82 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
toll gate on the old toll road running south from Fort Wayne, that state. He finally established himself in a modest cooperage business at Ossian, Indiana, but later he assumed a contract in connection with the construction work on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, near Ossian. He continued to maintain his residence at that place until his death, and his widow was a resident of Decatur, Indiana, at the time of her death, in November, 1911. Concerning their children the following brief data are available: Solomon is now a resident of Washington, D. C. ; Ephriam A. resides at Portland, Arkansas ; Ange- line is deceased ; Elizabeth resides in the State of Missouri ; John W. maintains his home at Decatur, Indiana; Joseph M. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Lucy is the wife of Daniel Spring, of Decatur, Indiana ; and Aaron T. resides in the City of Fort Wayne and is con- nected with his brother Joseph in business. The parents were for sev- eral years residents of the State of Iowa, but on their return to Indiana re-established their home at Ossian.
Joseph M. Vail gained his early education in the public schools of Indiana and Iowa, and in his youth he became actively associated with his father's cooperage enterprise at Ossian. He became an expert workman as a cooper, and gained full experience in connection with all details of this line of industrial enterprise. He continued his resi- dence in Indiana until 1900, when he came to Bryan, Ohio, and estab- lished and equipped the present modern plant of the Vail Cooperage Company, of which he has since continued the executive head and efficient general manager, a large and substantial business having been developed under his careful direction of both manufacturing and com- mercial policies. Mr. Vail is a vigorous and progressive business man, is a republican in political allegiance and is affiliated with the Bryan Lodge of the Knights of Pythias.
At Defiance, Ohio, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Vail to Miss Tena Nofsinger, and they have one daughter, Catherine, who was born January 20, 1911.
M. M. Cameron. — Among the earnest and enterprising men whose depth of character has gained him a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, is M. M. Cameron, farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson Township. A man of decided views and laudable ambition, his influence has ever made for the advancement of his community and in the vocation to which his energies have been devoted through a long lapse of successful years he ranks among the successful farmers of the community.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 83
M. M. Cameron, who operates a well cultivated and productive farm in section 23, Jefferson Township, about three and a half miles southwest of West Unity, was born in Tiffin Township, Defiance County, Ohio, on April 26, 1865, and is the son of Milton and Mary P. (Porter) Cameron. Milton Cameron was born in Wayne County, Ohio, but in boyhood was taken to Defiance County, where he was reared to manhood. His death occurred at Evansport, Ohio. He was an active supporter of the democratic party and served one term as trustee of Tiffin Township. To him and his wife were born two chil- dren, the subject of this review and an elder brother, Elmer P., who was born on August 13, 1855, and who died on March 4, 1874.
M. M. Cameron was reared to manhood on the paternal homestead in Tiffin Township, Defiance County, and secured his elementary edu- cation in the district schools of that township, which he supplemented by attendance at the Valparaiso Normal School, at Valparaiso, Indiana. He remained on the farm for two years thereafter, and some time later he returned to the home farm. In 1910 he sold that place and in March of that year came to Williams County and bought the eighty acres of land which now comprises his excellent farm in section 23, Jefferson Township. This place is well improved in every respect, the buildings being of an attractive character and conveniently arranged, while the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. Since coming here he has devoted himself closely to his farm work, in connection with which he gives due attention to the raising of live stock, and in both of these lines he has met with satisfactory success.
On November 18, 1886, Mr. Cameron was married to Alwilda Swank, who was born in Adams Township, Defiance County, Ohio, on November 6, 1876, and who was educated in the district schools and the Stryker High School. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Arthur W. and Milton, the latter of whom married Florence Stipe and lives in Brady Township. Arthur W. Cameron, who was born on November 12, 1887, was in the United States service during the World war, having been sent first to Camp Taylor, and later transferred to camp at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, where he was discharged.
Fraternally, M. M. Cameron is a member of Superior Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons; Ensawaksa Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar. Arthur W. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge and encampment at Bryan. Politically, Mr. Cameron gives
84 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
his support to the democratic party. He has been a close observer of modern methods and is a student at all times of whatever pertains to his life work, and he has therefore met with encouraging success all along the line. Because of his success and his sterling qualities of character, he well merits the enviable position which he holds in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
Edward Frappier is one of the principals in the progressive firm which has developed at Bryan a substantial and well ordered business enterprise under the title of the Bryan Ice & Ice Cream Company, the plant and service of which are of the best modern standard.
Mr. Frappier was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 26, 1867, and, as the name indicates, the lineage on the paternal side traces back to French origin. He is a son of Francis and Melisse (Merou) Frappier, both of whom were born and reared in the Dominion of Canada, where their marriage was solemnized and where nine of their children were born. In 1866 they came to Ohio and established their home in Trumbull County, where the death of the mother occurred in 1871, the father having subsequently contracted a second marriage. He whose name initiates this sketch was about four years old at the time of his mother's death, and after his father's second marriage he remained at the paternal home until he was a lad of about eight years, when he was virtually thrown upon his own resources. He thus began productive work when a mere boy, and he managed to attend school at intervals, both in Ohio and Michigan, to which latter state he went when he was about seventeen years of age. There he was employed at farm work until he was nineteen years old, when he purchased a stump-puller and with the same established an independent business enterprise. He operated this machine six seasons, and thereafter was engaged in the draying business four years, besides which he did a minor but profitable contracting business. He finally sold his draying business in Michigan, and he passed the following year at Decatur, Indiana, whence, in 1896, he came to Williams County, Ohio, where his energy and ability enabled him to find profitable employment of varied kinds. He finally purchased a hay-baler, ' and this he successfully operated until he turned his attention to contracting. With this latter enterprise Mr. Frappier continued his active association until April, 1916, when he formed a partnership with O. W. Gleason and estab- lished the business which has since been conducted under the title of the Bryan Ice & Ice Cream Company. This concern Randies ice both at wholesale and retail and the same functions apply in connection
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 85
with its manufacturing of ice cream of the highest grade. The busi- ness has been developed to substantial volume and is one of no little relative importance in the capital city of Williams County. The firm also has modern facilities for the moving of buildings and for the execution of excavation and concrete work, and a substantial contract- ing business is controlled in these lines. Mr. Frappier has been in the most significant sense the architect of his own fortunes, and the success which he has achieved is thus the more pleasing to note. His political support is given to the republican party and he takes loyal interest in the welfare and advancement of his home community.
In 1900 Mr. Frappier wedded Miss Patti Stevens, who was born and reared at Bryan and who was graduated from the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Frappier have five children — Leroy, Pauline, Dorothy, Jo and Frances.
Horace D. Boynton. — The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradis- tinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is a particular interest attached to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of Williams County, where his entire life has been passed, and he has so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the representa- tive farmers and stock raisers of the county, as well as one of its most public-spirited citizens.
Horace D. Boynton, proprietor of Fairview Stock Farm, in Pulaski Township, one-half mile east of Pulaski, was born on the farm which he now owns, on December 11, 1869, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Kennedy) Boynton, the latter of whom was born in Ash- land County, Ohio. Charles Boynton was born in the State of Maine, whence he came to Williams County when about seven years of age, with his father, A. W. Boynton, who entered land here and also ran a store in Pulaski. He was active in political affairs of the county and served two terms as a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Williams County. His son, Charles, was reared in Pulaski, attended the district schools and assisted his father in the store. At that time their goods was freighted by ox team from Toledo, and the subject of this sketch has in his possession two of the yokes used then. After leaving the store, he returned to the farm. After his marriage he began keeping house where the subject of this sketch now lives, and where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served on its official board. In poli-
86 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
tics he was a republican. He was successful in his business affairs and, besides general farming, he was a successful breeder of Short- horn cattle. To him and his wife were born five children, namely : Alpheus, who is an oil-well driller in California; Herman, who runs a music store and sewing machine agency in Bryan; Horace D., the immediate subject of this sketch; Dora, the wife of Edwin Reed, of Bryan ; and Josephine, who lives in Bryan.
Horace D. Boynton was reared on the paternal farmstead and secured his education in the public schools of Pulaski. He has always followed farming and stock raising and has been successful in both lines. He is the owner of 146 acres of land, in addition to which he also farms 120 acres belonging to his mother. He has given special attention to the breeding and raising of Shorthorn cattle, Hampshire hogs and grade horses. His herd of cattle is headed by "Elmherst Stamp," which was shown in six county fairs in 1919, winning many ribbons, and two other members of the herd have not been defeated. Mr. Boynton is a director of the Farm Bureau of Pulaski Township, being a member of the state organization, and he is also a director of the Williams County Fair Association.
Mr. Boynton was married to Josephine Knipe, who was born and reared in Fulton County, Ohio, and to them have been born two children, Charles and Hubert, both of whom are attending school.
Politically, Mr. Boynton gives his support to the republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, hold- ing membership in the Blue Lodge, the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and Defiance Commander}- No. 31, Knights Templar. He has, through the exercise of good judg- ment, energetic efforts and sound business ability, gained not only a gratifying prosperity, but also the confidence and high regard of all who know him.
Harry W. Wertz, M. D. — It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be done than to note their mani- festation in the career of the individual under consideration. Doctor Wertz has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above the mediocre in administering to human ills.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 87
Harry W. Wertz, a successful physician and surgeon and the founder and owner of the Wertz Hospital at Montpelier, is a native son of Williams County, having been born in Superior Township on June 6. 1869, the son of Henry and Alice (Lambertson) Wertz. His parents are both natives of Ohio. After their marriage they first engaged in farming and later engaged in the grocery business. Doctor Wertz was reared on the home farm and attended the public schools, being a student in both the Bryan and Montpelier high schools. Having determined to devote his life to the practice of medicine, he then matriculated in the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, where he was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1890, at the age of twenty-one. Immediately thereafter he located in the practice at Montpelier, success attending him from the start. Doctor Wertz made a specialty of surgery and enjoyed a large prac- tice in that line. In 1910 he opened a hospital, which filled a long-left want in this community, and in 1916 he made still further improvement in his hospital facilities by establishing himself in his present loca- tion, at No. 315 Empire Street, where he is prepared to care for any case that may be brought to him. In analyzing the career of the suc- cessful practitioner of the healing art, it will invariably be found to be true that a broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid his afflicted fellow men, have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. Doctor Wertz embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties has built up an enviable reputa- tion and drawn to himself a large and representative patronage.
Doctor Wertz has one son, Selwyn, who is connected with the Foundation Company, which has done a great deal of big construc- tion work in various parts of the country. During the World war Doctor Wertz offered his services to the Government and was attached to the medical department, with the rank of captain, being assigned to duty at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He is at the present time surgeon for the Wabash Railroad Company, and is a member of the Wiljiams County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, as well as the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.
Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, in which he has taken all the degrees up to and including those of the commandery of Knights Templar, and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the American Legion. Politically, he is a democrat. In addition to his long and creditable career in one of the
88 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
most useful and exacting of professions, Doctor Wertz has also proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public and commanding respect by innate force as well as by superior ability. Genial in disposition, Doctor Wertz is popular in the circles in which he moves and enjoys the sincere respect of the entire community
John M. Hodson. — When a man holds membership in the different societies having as their purpose the welfare of the community he is always a useful citizen. John M. Hodson, of Spring Brook Stock Farm in Bridgewater Township, living about six miles northeast of Montpelier, is a community man, active in all movements having as their purpose the betterment of farm life and agriculture. Mr. Hod- son was born February 28, 1879, on this farm, and is a son of Job and Sarah E. (Hill) Hodson. The father was born in Richland County, while the mother came from Noble County, Indiana. They had four children: Edwin T. Hodson, of New Mexico; John M., who enrolls the family in the annals of Williams County ; Ruth, who is the wife of A. J. Buclen ; and James R. Hodson, of Montpelier.
John M. Hodson supplemented his common school education with high school training at Pioneer, and in 1898 he had the short course in agriculture in the University of Wisconsin. While there he spe- cialized in dairy work and he established a co-operative creamery plant at Spring Brook Farm upon his return to Williams County. For two years he operated the creamery with his brother and then for five years he managed the business alone. Mr. Hodson is a breeder of Jersey cattle and still operates a dairy business although on a smaller scale and alone.
Mr. Hodson is an active member of Pomona Grange and in all farmer organizations. He has been president of the Farmers' Short Course School Extension or Farmers' Institute at Montpelier. He is serving his third year as president of the Williams County Agricul- tural Association. He has been a member of the board of directors for five years. He is vice president of the Williams County Farm Bureau, and always interested in the better methods of agriculture. Mr. Hodson is a member of the Williams County Board of Edu- cation, and president of the Northern Ohio, Michigan and Indiana Fair circuit.
On Christmas Day of the century year Mr. Hodson married Mabel Gerding, of Wood County. Their children are : Maurine, a 1920
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 89
graduate of the Montpelier High School, and Richard J who is still a school boy. Mr. Hodson is a member of Montpelier Lodge No 542, Free and Accepted Masons, and Mrs. Hodson is a member of Lilhan Chapter, No. 44. Order of the Eastern Star. She is a Pres bytenan. Mr. Hodson is a democrat and active in political circles in Williams County. He is an active member of the Co-operative Busi- ness Association of Montpelier and surrounding country.
_ H. J WiNELAND.-The life of H. J. Wineland, farmer and stock- raiser of Jefferson Township, Williams County, has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing to the fact that he has always been true to the trusts reposed in him and has been upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the community at large.
H. J. Wineland, whose splendid eighty-acre farm is located in sec- tion 23, Jefferson Township, about six and a half miles northeast of Bryan, was born in the township now honored by his citizenship on October 13, 1873, and is the son of Daniel and Louisa (Fenimore) Wineland. Daniel Wineland was born in Blair County, Pennsylvania on October 11, 1840, and went from there to Knox County Ohio in childhood, coming to Williams County when a young man. His wife was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, on January 22, 1843, and was taken from there to Logan County, this state, and thence to Williams County, where occurred her marriage to Daniel Wineland To their union were born four children, of whom three are living, namely Jennie, the wife of I. A. Geddings, of Jefferson Township; Mabel the wife of John Green, of Jefferson Township, and H. )., the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Wineland were faithful members of the German Reformed Church and in politics Mr. Wineland gave his support to the democratic party.
_ H. J. Wineland was reared to manhood on the parental farmstead m Jefferson Township and secured a good practical education in the common schools. He has never forsaken the vocation to which he was reared and has been successful as a farmer and stock raiser, being numbered among the progressive and up-to-date men of his township. His farm in section 23 comprises eight acres of land, which is main- tained at a high state of cultivation, producing all the crops common to this locality. Mr. Wineland also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, in which he has met with success. He is also a stock- holder in the Pulaski Grain Elevator Company.
90 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
On June 16, 1894, Mr. Wineland was married to Cora Zigler, and to their union was born a daughter, Ruth, on November 20, 1898, and who graduated from the West Unity High School with the class of 1918. Mrs. Wineland died on February 24, 1903, and on June 16, 1904, Mr. Wineland was married to Rose Lafferty, the daughter of John L. Lafferty, her birth having occurred in Richland County, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. To them have been born three children, namely: Hugh, born on January 17, 1906; Eva, born Decem- ber 15, 1907, and Evaline, born February 14, 1914.
Politically, Mr. Wineland gives his earnest support to the democratic party and has taken an active interest in local public affairs. He served one term as assessor of Jefferson Township, and by a life of public-spirited effort for the public welfare, he has earned the con- fidence and good will of all who know him.
John L. Lafferty, father of Mrs. Rose Wineland, was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted as a private in Company H, Fifty- Ninth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, with which command he took part in many of the most important battles of that great strug- gle, including Gettysburg, Kettle Run, Bristow Station, Mine Run, and others, and was so fortunate as to escape without a wound. He was mustered out on March 15, 1865, after exactly three years of service. He died October 16, 1918.
Jacob A. Fabee.— It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well applied energy, unflagging deter- mination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. In tracing the history of the influential farmer and representa- tive citizen whose name introduces this review, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those who know him.
Jacob A. Faber, proprietor of the Wild Rose Farm, in Pulaski Township, comprising 170 acres of excellent land, and which is located about one mile east of Pulaski, was born on an adjacent farm on July 4, 1862, and he is the son of Jacob and Mary (Fehleman) Faber. His father was born in Alsace-Lorraine in 1834, and came to the United States at the age of sixteen years. He first located in Portage County, Ohio, whence he came to Williams County, locating in Pulaski Township, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was married to Mary Fehleman, who was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1823, and to their union were born seven children, of whom five are living,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
"I
namely: Henry; Caroline, wife of C. J. Bowman; Jacob A., subject of this sketch Dr C. A., of Toledo, Ohio, and W. R., also of Toledo D ceased are Fred and Mary. The father was a stanch supporter of the democrats party and a man of influence in his community
Jacob A. Faber was reared on his father's farm and secured his educat.onal training in the district schools of his home neighborhood He remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority,' when the farm came mto his possession and he has since devoted his sole attention to its operation. He has been successful in his opera- tes, for he .s thoroughly practical and up-to-date in his methods and is numbered among the progressive farmers of his section of the county. In add.t.on to the cultivation of the soil, Mr. Faber also gives attention to the feeding of Polled Angus cattle, which he generally buys and sh.ps ,n carloads. He is also a stockholder in the Pulaski grain elevator. He takes a keen interest in the general upbuilding of the community ,n which he lives and supports every movement that promises to result in the advancement of the public welfare
Mr. Faber gives his earnest support to the democratic party and has been act.vely interested in public affairs, especially as relating to local matters. He is the present efficient trustee of Pulaski Township He .s a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is active, being a trustee and member of the official board. Fraternally he ms a member of Bryan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Bryan Chapter Royal Arch Masons; Bryan Council. Royal and Select Mas- ters, and Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, and he also is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic bhrme, at Toledo.
On November 17, 1887. Mr. Faber was married to Mary E bmith, who was born and reared in Brady Township, this county and they are the parents of two children, Celia, a graduate of the Bryan High School and the wife of E. C. Chumley, of Toledo. Ohio and
?'',/' tu mu19°u- Wh° " n°W a Student in the h^h «hool at loledo. Though a busy man in his own business affairs, Mr Faber has not neglected his duties to his community and his friends and because of his public spirit and fine personal qualities, he is deservedly popular throughout the community where he has spent his entire life
Frank Copeland.-R has been the privilege of Frank Copeland, of Superior Township, to live where he was born July 3, 1881 three miles ; south of Montpelier. He is a son of James J. and Susan B. (Waltz) Copeland; the father born born January 14, 1832, in Colum-
92 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
biana County, and the mother a native of Maryland. Both families came to Defiance County where they met and were later married and they located in Williams County.
There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Copeland, and six of them were living when Frank Copeland narrated the family history. G. M. Copeland lives in Detroit; Nettie is the wife of Elmer Campbell ; Belle is the wife of R. J. Kyes ; Frank of this sketch ; Alta is the wife of T. O. Myers, and Charles is in Detroit. The Copeland children all had common school advantages and some of them went to high school, and Frank Copeland has con- tinued farming, having bought the family homestead' from the others.
In 1901, Frank Copeland married Belle Shasteen, of Superior Township, and their children are : Leota B., Lilah, Ralph and Mar- jorie. As they graduate from common school they are given high school education. The Copelands are Presbyterians and Mr. Cope- land is a member of the official board, serving in the capacity of trustee. He is a member of Superior Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias, and of the Montpelier Grange. He is a breeder of Oxford sheep and Chester White hogs. Mr. Copeland is treasurer of the Williams County Argicultural Society. He is abreast of the times in agriculture.
Lyman O. Cook. — The record of Mr. Cook is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of affluence and influence in the agricultural and busi- ness world. His life has been characterized by unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Williams County.
. Lyman O. Cook, owner of Meadow View Farm, located in section 27, Jefferson Township, was born in this county on November 8, 1881, and is the son of William and Rosanna (Critchfield) Cook; the former a native of Richland County, Ohio, and the latter of Williams County. William Cook came to Williams County in young manhood and after his marriage here he settled on a farm in Jefferson Township, where he remained about a year. The following two years were spent in Indiana, after which he returned to Williams County and settled on a farm, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1901. He is survived by his widow, who lives in West Unity. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in West Unity, to which Mrs. Cook still belongs. Mr. Cook gave his political support to the democratic party and was active in local public affairs, having served one term as to\ 'nship trustee. During the Civil war, he served two
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 93
years in defense of the Union, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of that conflict. To him and his wife were born five children namely: Vernon A., deceased; May, the wife of F. A. Bowers of Toledo, Ohio; William A., of West Unity, Ohio ; Aquilla M., who lives in Arizona; Lyman O., the subject of this review.
Lyman O. Cook was reared in Williams County and secured his education m the district schools. He remained at home, assisting his father, until he had attained his majority, when he was married and engaged in farming on his own account. He has been successful in all his operations and his farm is today considered one of the best and most productive in the township. In addition to a general line of farming, Mr. Cook gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which his success has been most marked. He specializes in pure-bred Holstein cattle and pure-blooded Chester White hogs, the latter herd being headed by "Bryan's Pride" an unusually well bred and valuable animal. His farm comprises eighty acres of excellent land, well adapted to the purposes to which it is devoted. Mr. Cook is also a stockholder and secretary of the Farmers Grain Elevator Company at Pulaski.
On November 25, 1903, Mr. Cook was married to Carrie Baird who was born and reared in Pulaski Township, Williams County, and they are the parents of two sons, Wayne and Lawrence. Mr.' and Mrs. Cook are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pulaski, of which society Mr. Cook is a member of the board of trustees. He is a democrat in his political views. He is a member of the Pulaski Grange, a member of the board of directors of the Wil- liams County Farm Bureau and secretary of the Pulaski Farmers Institute. He is essentially public-spirited in his attitude towards all movements for the advancement of the general welfare. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship is a good example, his career having been characterized by duty faithfully performed, and by industry, thrift and wisely directed effort. Because of these ele- ments of character, he is deservedly popular throughout the community.
Harley F. Clark.— The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradis- tinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is particular interest attached to the review of the subject of this sketch, since he is a native son of Williams County, where his entire life has been passed, and has so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the worthy citizens of Springfield Township.
94 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Harley F. Clark was born on the farm on which he now lives in Springfield Township, Williams County, on December 2, 1890, and is the son of Austin F. and Mary (Woodward) Clark, both of whom are now residents of Stryker. These parents are both natives of Ohio, the former born in Springfield Township, Williams County, on June 17, 1850, and the latter, near Marietta, in Washington County, on September 15, 1856. Austin F. Clark has always been an active supporter of the republican party and has taken a keen interest in local public affairs, being a member of the school board. To him and his wife were born eight children, namely : Edith, the wife of Frank Lenobrink; Byron W., of Springfield Township; Cynthiana, the widow of Jacob Rumbaugh ; Mary, the wife of Adolph Buehrer ; Rosa died at the age of three years ; Roxanna died at the age of twenty-three years ; Harley F., the subject of this sketch ; Austin M., who is a graduate of the common schools, enlisted during the World's war and was at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio.
Harley F. Clark spent his boyhood days on the home farm and received his education in the district schools. He has never forsaken the vocation to which he was reared and has been more than ordinarily successful as a farmer. He is now the owner of 120 acres of the old home farm, which he is devoting to the raising of general crops and to the breeding and raising of live stock. He gives special attention to registered Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Ohio Improved Chester hogs, his herd of cattle being headed by "Mins's Champion," an exceptionally fine animal, of which Mr. Clark is justifiably proud. He has maintained his farm at a high standard of excellence in the way of improvements and fertility, and is looked upon as an enter- prising and progressive man in his line of effort.
On November 2, 1912, Mr. Clark was married to Stella Ziegler, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio, and graduated from the com- mon schools. To their union were born three children, Leland, Hope and Morris. Mr. Clark gives his support to the republican party and his co-operation can always be counted upon in the advancement of the best interests of the community in any way. Because of his business ability and his splendid personal character, he enjoys the unlimited confidence and regard of the entire community.
Charles L. Bowen. — The agricultural importance of Williams County has long been recognized, and at the present time, when farm production is one of the urgent needs of the nation, there are experi- enced and progressive men in this line of work who are fully main-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 95
taining the county's old prestige. One of these, who is a foremost citizen of Bridgewater Township, is Charles L. Bowen, a prosperous farmer and stockman, who owns the old Bowen homestead, situated three miles north of Montpelier.
Mr. Bowen's ancestors came to Ohio at a very early day and both his parents, Robert and Rebecca (Cline) Bowen, were born in Rich- land County. They were reared and married there, then moved to Williams County and spent their last years at Montpelier. They were active members of the United Brethren Church. The father was a soldier in the Civil war during its closing eighteen months, and as long as he lived was a valued member of Hiram Lowden Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He was a man of sterling character, was a strong republican in his political convictions and frequently was elected to local offices. To Robert and Rebecca Bowen six children were born, namely : Leonard, who is a resident of Montpelier, Ohio ; Charles L. ; Bert H., who is in business at Mobile, Alabama ; Elmer, whose interests are at Coldwater, Michigan; O. H., who lives at Montpelier; and Ella M., who is the wife of Cyrus Pierce.
Charles L. Bowen attended the district schools in boyhood and remained with his father on the old farm until he reached manhood and in later years acquired the homestead. He has 140 acres of valu- able land, well watered and favorably situated as to transportation. For a number of years he has mainly devoted himself to raising Short- horn cattle and breeding Poland China hogs, his enterprise in this and other directions, adding to his reputation as a substantial and farsee- ing business man. Mr. Bowen has additional interests and is one of the directors of the Montpelier National Bank.
In 1898 Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Clara Allman, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, Ohio, November 12, 1876, and is a daughter of John Allman, who was a substantial farmer of that township, in which Mrs. Bowen was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have three children, namely: Ethel R., who is a graduate of the Montpelier High School ; Robert R., who is doing well as an eighth grade student; and Clarence C, who is also making satisfactory headway in his studies ; all of the children being unusually intelligent and studious. The family belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal Church at Bridgewater, Mr. Bowen being one of the church trus- tees. In his political attitude he has always been a republican, believing firmly in the fundamental principles of that party, and as a sound, reliable citizen, exerts considerable influence in local affairs. He is a member of the Grange at Bridgewater.
96 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Zeph Lees. — While capitalists are rare at Edon, Ohio, yet many business enterprises nourish here, this city is proud of the fact that it has not proved attractive to speculators, but that fortunes enjoyed here have in the main been earned by their owners through honest, persevering effort along legitimate lines. This fact speaks well for stable conditions here, indicating a class of careful, thrifty, prudent business men of superior judgment. Such a man was Zeph Lees, who was vice president of the Edon State Bank.
Zeph Lees was born April 20, 1848, on a farm in Florence Town- ship, Williams County, Ohio, lying one mile south and a quarter mile east of Edon. His parents were Hugh and Catherine (Delargy) Lees, both of whom were born at Belfast, Ireland. They grew up there and were married in Ireland, after which they came to the United States, landed at old Castle Garden, New York City. Hugh Lees found employment in New York and they remained there for two years, then came to Ohio and finally settled on a rented farm in Flor- ence Township, Williams County. The time came when Hugh Lees owned 200 acres of land but at first he had to invest carefully and labor hard, sometimes working for 25 cents a day. Without help he cleared and cultivated many acres and as soon as his sons grew old enough they gave him assistance, Zeph, the oldest, remaining with his father until he was twenty-four years old. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Of their eleven children, there were the following living in 1920: Elizabeth, who is the widow of David Metzler, of Huntington, Indiana; Mary, who is the wife of Henry Stuller, of Edgerton ; Murvin, who lives at Edon ; Elmer, who lives at Edon ; Willis, who lives at Elkhart, Indiana : and Edson, who lives in Florence Township.
Zeph Lees remembered the early days on his father's farm and of the real hardships that settlers at that time had to endure. He was a good son and remained at home as long as his help was necessary, in the meanwhile obtaining a district school education. When he came to Edon he went into the hauling business and carted goods or com- modities to and from Edon and Edgerton, keeping at that business for seven years. About that time he began to buy and ship cattle and so continued for thirty-five years. He was vice president of the Edon State Bank and a director, the other members of the directing board being : Charles A. Bowersox, E. F. Brandon, Charles Allumong, G. C. Mauerhan, Jr., Nicholas Hauser and Elias Estrich.
On May 26, 1873, Mr. Lees was married to Miss Amanda McCrory, who was born at Auburn, in Dekalb County, Indiana, April 14, 1849.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 97
She was young when she accompanied her parents to Williams County. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lees. They have been very active members of the Christian Church and the Sunday school and he has long been a church trustee. For many years he was an Odd Fellow and was past noble grand of the lodge at Edon. During a long and active life he saw much of politics and was always inter- ested as a good citizen. Very many years ago he united with the republican party and continued to adhere to that political organization.
Hiram E. Batterson. — The general public has ever taken great pleasure in tracing the history of a man who started on life's career handicapped in many ways, but who, notwithstanding innumerable obstacles, pushed forward manfully and finally reached the goal of success set before him. The career of the widely-known and public- spirited citizen whose name appears above affords an impressive exam- ple of what energy, directed and controlled by correct principles, can accomplish in overcoming an unfavorable start and lifting its possessor from a comparatively humble origin to a position of usefulness and independence.
Hiram E. Batterson, whose fine farm of 119 acres is located in section 26, Jefferson Township, was born in Steuben County, Indiana, on July 17, 1864, and he is the son of Martin V. and Julia A. (Miller) Batterson. The condition of the family exchequer was such that he was denied many of the advantages desirable in youth and at twelve years of age he was thrown upon his own resources. There- fore his educational facilities were at that time exceedingly limited, though in a large sense this deficiency has been made up during the subsequent years by habits of intelligent reading and close observation of men and events. He worked faithfully and steadily at whatever he could find to do during this period and conscientiously saved every cent which he could possibly spare above his actual necessities, for he was ambitious. His first real stride forward was when he entered the normal school at Fayette, Fulton County, Ohio, where he pre- pared himself for the teaching profession. He then taught one term of school in Williams County, and when not so employed he worked at outside employment. On his marriage, in 1885, he settled on the Dick homestead, where his wife had been born and reared, and they have continued to reside there to the present time. The place com- prises 119 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land, on which Mr. Batterson raises a general line of crops and also engages to some
98 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
extent in stock raising. He is energetic and progressive in his methods and is held in high repute as a successful farmer.
On January 21, 1885, Mr. Batterson was married to Sarah E. Dick, who was born on September 9, 1852, on the farm where she now lives. She is the daughter of Abraham and Lucy A. (Altaffer) Dick. To Mr. and Mrs. Batterson have been born two children, namely: Iva P., who is a graduate of Ohio State University and is now teaching in the public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio ; Ivan A. married Bessie G. Spence and they have three children, Frances L., Mabel E. and Lewis E.
Mr. and Mrs. Batterson are members of the German Reformed Church and Mr. Batterson is not a party man — in politics. He is a member of Pulaski Grange No. 2046. He gives his support to every enterprise for the advancement of the welfare of the community and is a stockholder in the Pulaski Grain Elevator Company. His success has been achieved by close attention to business and by an honorable and consistent course he has steadily risen in the esteem of the com- munity, his fellow men appreciating the efforts which he made towards success and his consistent, upright life.
George Z. Castor. — One of the worthy citizens of Williams County is George Z. Castor, a progressive farmer of Pulaski Township, who 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 strong nature. His relations with his fellow citizens have been of such a character as to win the confidence and respect of all who have come into contact with him.
George Z. Castor, whose fine farm is located one mile north of Bryan, is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth having occurred in Defiance County on March 10, 1870, and he is the son of Eli E. and Catherine (Ziegler) Castor. Both of his parents also were natives of Ohio, the father having been born in Richland County and the mother in Defiance County, where she still lives. They were married in the latter county and made that their future home. Eli Castor was a veteran of the Civil war and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a republican in his political faith and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of eleven children, of which number eight are still living, namely: Belle, who has never married; Susie, the wife of Orville Ensign; Jennie, the wife of Henry Gardner; George Z., the
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 99
subject of this sketch; William, of Williams County; Sarah, the wife of C. L. Gardner; Arthur E. and Archie E., twins, both of whom reside in Williams County.
George Z. Castor was reared to manhood under the parental roof and secured his educational training in the public schools of Defiance County. About the time he reached his majority he was married and thereafter he farmed on his own account in Defiance County until March, 1902, when he came to Williams County and bought a farm of eighty-three acres in Pulaski Township, to the cultivation of which he has since devoted his time. He is thoroughly up-to-date and prac- tical in his farming operations, and has been uniformly successful in all that he has undertaken. His place is well improved with sub- stantial and attractive buildings and the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of splendid ideals and good taste. In addition to general farming, Mr. Castor also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which has been a source of comfortable income. He is also a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Pulaski Farmers' Co-operative Association.
On November 19, 1891, Mr. Castor was married to Mertie B. Fisher, who was born on October 16, 1871, near Williams Center, Defiance County, Ohio, the daughter of Jesse and Susan (Blair) Fisher, the latter of whom was also born at Williams Center. The father was born in Wayne County, Ohio, but came with his parents on their removal to Williams Center. After his marriage, he settled on a farm in Defiance County, where he spent the remainder of his life. Politically, he was a republican and a man of splendid attributes. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom six are living, namely: Thomas, Jennie, Mertie B. (Mrs. Castor), Reason S., Harry B. and Elery B. To Mr. and Mrs. Castor has been born seven chil- dren, namely : Paul ; Georgie, the wife of Clarence Richman ; Helen E., wife of Alphonso Fulmer; Jesse E., Blanche, Susan E. and Verden F.
Mr. Castor gives his political support to the republican party, while, fraternally, he is a member of Bryan Lodge, Knights of Pythias. By a life of industry, uprightness and square dealing — a life devoted to the support of whatever is good and true — he has won the admiration and genuine regard of a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
Dayton M. Blue. — It has been the privilege of Dayton M. Blue, of Superior Township, to always live in one locality. He was born there November 8, 1859, and is a son of Dennis H. and Adaline C. (Purdy) Blue. The father was born in Seneca County and the mother
100 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
in Port Clinton. They were married in Seneca County and located in Superior Township, Williams County. Mr. Blue was a democrat, a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Civil war soldier. He was an active member of Hiram Louden Post, Grand Army of the Republic,
There were four children born to Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Blue. Sarah is the wife of Jacob Schull, and Mary the wife of Frank Schull. Dayton M. Blue, who enrolls the family, is between them in age, and a brother, Peter Blue, who educated himself for teaching, died in St. Louis. D. M. Blue was reared on the farm where he was born and attended the district school in Superior Township. His mother died when he was twelve, and at seventeen he began doing for him- self, working at whatever presented itself. From young manhood he has made his own way in the world. He owns 100 acres of land.
On September 18, 1881, D. M. Blue married Amanda J. Custer. She is a daughter of John and Lydia (Tumblin) Custer, both of whom came from Columbiana County. The Tumblins were of Irish lineage, and they located on a farm in Williams County. The two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Blue are: Dennis H., who married his brother Burton's widow. He is a brakeman on the Wabash and lives in Mont- pelier. Burton B. Blue was born July 4, 1894, and was accidentally killed by gunshot while rabbit hunting January 1, 1915. He was mar- and since his death his wife, her name was Bertha Waltz, became the wife of his brother, Dennis H. Blue. They have two children: Bur- ton B. and Rachel Irene Blue.
John and Lydia Custer, who came from Columbiana to Williams County, had eleven children : Jacob, Martin, Amanda, Anna, George, Nettie, William, Millie, John. Samuel and Burton. Mrs. Blue's father and mother were members of the United Brethren Church in the com- munity. Their children were all brought up under the influence of the church.
Ora A. Keiser, D. D. S. — A well-known and popular resident of Bryan, Williams County, Ora A. Keiser, D. D. S., has won an envia- ble reputation as a skilful dentist, and built up a large and remunera- tive patronage. Dentistry, which has made rapid advances as a science within the past few years, is now acknowledged as one of the more important branches of surgery, mayhap because at some period of life almost every member of the human family has need of its application. A native of Williams County, Ohio, he. was born February 8, 1867.
Becoming especially interested in dentistry, he entered the Indiana Dental College, Indianapolis, and was there graduated in the spring
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 101
of 1891. He immediately entered his father's office and practiced with him for thirteen years, but since that time has continued his busi- ness alone. Through his acknowledged skill, courtesy, close attention to his professional duties, and his unblemished personal character, the doctor has won an extensive and remunerative patronage in Bryan and the country roundabout.
Doctor Keiser married, August 26, 1891, Nellie Patton, who came to Williams County as a girl, and was here educated. The doctor and Mrs. Keiser have one daughter, Ava Catherine, who was graduated from the Bryan High School, and is now the wife of C. M. Acker, a well-known contractor of Bryan. Mrs. Keiser is a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Keiser is a member of Bryan Lodge No. 515, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons.
George A. Brim, of Superior Township five miles southwest of Montpelier, has the same family lineage as J. M. Brim of the same community. He was born October 23, 1862, a son of John and Sarah (Chaney) Brim, the father enlisting as a Union soldier in the Civil war and dying at Atlanta, Georgia. The children are : Esther, wife of Ed C. May, of the same community; Mary, wife of William Jones, in Montpelier; Jeptha M. Brim, whose sketch also appears in the Williams County History, and George A., who is also a patron of the county history.
Mr. Brim had common school advantages, and when he was seven- teen years old he began working as a carpenter, finally becoming a contractor and builder, putting up more farm buildings than any other man in Williams County. He is still in the building business although living on a farm in Superior Township.
On Washington's birthday. 1887. Mr. Brim married Jennie Iden- hart, who had come with her parents from Defiance County. They have one son, Loren H. Brim, who graduated from common school and married Hazel Shaull and lives on a farm in the community. Father and son are members of Florence Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the son belongs to the Masonic Lodge in Montpelier. Mr. Brim owns 120 acres of land in Superior Township. The son, Loren Brim, is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Association in Montpelier.
Lewis P. Mignin.— One of the progressive men of Williams County is Lewis P. Mignin, whose indomitable courage, persistent and aggressive efforts and his excellent management have brought to him
102 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
the prosperity which is today his. He has ever stood ready to do what he could in pushing forward the wheels of progress and advanc- ing the prosperity of this locality and his career has been one worthy of the high esteem which those knowing him best freely accord.
Lewis P. Mignin was born on the farm where he now lives in Springfield Township, Williams County, on March 25, 1858, and is a son of George D. and Catherine Susan (Planson) Mignin. These parents were both natives of France, where the father was born on October 7, 1821, and the mother on July 29, 1821. They both are now deceased, the father dying on July 16, 1896, and the mother on June 16, 1888. They were reared and educated in their native coun- try, and after attaining maturity came to the United States, making the trip on the same boat. They came to Williams County, Ohio, and here their marriage occurred in 1843. Mr. Mignin bought a small tract of land here, on which they lived for a short time, but he sold it and had made up his mind to return to France, but was persuaded to remain for a while. He did so, and, success attending his efforts this time, he decided to remain permanently, buying the land where the subject of this sketch now lives. There he and his wife spent the remainder of their days and died. They were both confirmed in the faith of the Lutheran Church, and in his political views he was a demo- crat. He was a quiet and unassuming man, but was held in the highest esteem among his neighbors. To him and his wife were born five children, namely : Susan C, born on January 12, 1845, died at the age of sixteen years ; Fred P., born on August 22, 1846, died on August 22, 1911 ; George F., born July 22, 1848, died May 14, 1918; Catherine L., born August 11, 1850, died December 14, 1879; and Lewis P.
Lewis P. Mignin's boyhood home was a log cabin, in which he was reared to manhood and he secured his education in the common schools of Springfield Township. He has never left the home farm and is now the owner of 305 acres of as good land as can be found in his section of the county. This land is devoted to general farming and stock raising, in which he has met with a well-deserved success, for he has applied himself indefatigably to the improvement and cultiva- tion of this farm, and he enjoys a splendid reputation as an enter- prising and progressive farmer.
On July 26, 1879, Mr. Mignin was married to Louise Beucler, whose death occurred on November 26, 1910, without issue. In Janu- ary, 1912, Mr. Mignin was married to Clara Juillard, whose death occurred on January 29, 1918.
Mr. Mignin is a member of the Lutheran Church and gives his
<^2^*u^J<*. /{ OzHi^z^^zi
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 103
political support to the democratic party. He has always stood stanchly for the best things in the community life and enjoys a well- deserved popularity throughout the community where his life has been spent.
Lewis T. Perkins, who is giving a vigorous and effective adminis- tration of the office of sheriff of Williams County, is a man of the vital, well-poised type that is potent in causing malefactors to "sit up and notice" when they attempt to execute their nefarious work within his bailiwick, and he is making an admirable record since he became sheriff of the county, in 1919.
Mr. Perkins was born in Gratiot County, Michigan, June 29, 1880, and is a son of Frank and Effie (Brady) Perkins, both of whom like- wise were born in that county, where their parents were early settlers. In his native county Frank Perkins continued operations on the old home farm of his parents until 1888, when he came with his family to Ohio and established his home at Pettisville, Fulton County. There he remained about six years, during which he conducted a meat market and also bought and shipped live stock. He finally returned to his native county in Michigan, but he is now retired and he and his wife maintain their home in the City of Saginaw, Michigan. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, as were also his father and his paternal grandfather, and the sheriff of Williams County, Ohio, perpetuates the ancestral fraternal loyalty by his active and appreciative affiliation kwith this time-honored organization, he being a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council at Montpelier, and both he and his wife being actively identified with the adjunct organization, the Order of the Eastern Star. In this connection it is interesting to record that the subject of this review has in his possession the Masonic apron that was owned and worn by his paternal uncle, Hiram Perkins, who was a pioneer settler in Michigan and who was killed as a soldier in the War of 1812. Sheriff Perkins has one brother, Hiram, a resident of Saginaw, Michigan, and one sister, Doris, who is married to A. T. Dixon and resides in Detroit.
Lewis T. Perkins was eight years old at the time of the family removal to Fulton County, Ohio, and his early education was received principally in the schools of Pettisville, that county. He has been virtually dependent upon his own resources since he was a lad of twelve years, and thus has gained the self-reliance, courage and invinci- ble purpose which make him specially well equipped for the office of which he is now the incumbent. He finally entered the employ of the
104 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Standard Oil Company, of which he continued an efficient representa- tive at Montpelier, Williams County, until his election to the office of county sheriff, his entire service with the Standard Oil Company hav- ing covered a period of sixteen years. He is a loyal advocate and supporter of the cause of the republican party and has been active in its councils and campaign work in Williams County. In addition to his Masonic affiliations at Montpelier he is identified also with the organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose in that city.
When he was twenty-five years of age Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Guilford, of Fulton, Fulton County, Ohio, and they have two children — Edna and Earl, both of whom are students in the public schools of Bryan.
Oscar Frank Koch. — A worthy native son of Williams County is Oscar F. Koch, who, after spending his life here successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, is now giving effective service to the county as superintendent of the county infirmary. He has succeeded in his life work because of his fidelity of purpose, keenness of per- ception, unswerving integrity and sound common sense, and he now enjoys to a marked degree the esteem and confidence of the people of Williams County.
Oscar Frank Koch was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, Ohio, on July 28, 1874, and is a son of Moses and Sarah (Troxel) Koch, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Wayne County, Ohio. They were married in the latter county and soon afterward went to St. Joseph County, Indiana, where they spent several years. They then came to Williams County and here spent the remainder of their days on a farm. The father gave his support to the democratic party. To him and his wife were born six children, five of whom are living, namely : Diana, wife of Alfred Moore; Daniel, of Jefferson Township; George, of Palmyra, Michigan ; Saloma, wife of George Bohner, of Pioneer, Williams County; and Oscar F., the immediate subject of this sketch.
Oscar F. Koch was reared on the home farm in Jefferson Town- ship and secured his education in the common schools of his neigh- borhood. He remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he started out on his own account, and thereafter he gave his attention to farming pursuits until 1917, when he received the appoint- ment as superintendent of the county infirmary. That he is eminently qualified for this responsible position is evidenced by the successful
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 105
and businesslike administration of the affairs of the institution, which meets with the approval of the voters of the county.
Mr. Koch was married to Melvina Green, and they became the parents of one son, George K., who was born in February, 1902. Mrs. Koch died in 1902 and in 1908 Mr. Koch was married to Helen Waltz, to which union two children have been born, Hallie and Sher- man, both of whom are attending school. Politically, Mr. Koch has always given his support to the democratic ticket and has taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs, consistently giving his sup- port to every worthy cause and movement looking to the betterment of the community in any way. Because of his ability, industry and fine personal character, he is deservedly popular among all who know him.
Emanuel W. Starr. — The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the favorably known and representative citizens of Williams County, where he has spent practically his entire life. He has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a mate- rial way to the advancement of his locality and during the course of an honorable career has met with success as a general farmer and stock raiser, being a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose.
Emanuel W. Starr, whose splendid farm is located in the northwest quarter of -section 19, Brady Township, Williams County, was born in Richland County, Ohio, on December 25, 1851, and is the son of Robert and Rebecca (Wilson) Starr, both of whom also were natives of Richland County. They were there reared, educated and married, and lived there until September, 1864, when they came to Williams County, settling on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. There they spent the remainder 'of their lives, both being now deceased. They became the parents of four children, as follows : Angeline died in infancy ; Emanuel W., the subject ; Eliza J., who became the wife of E. C. Boothman ; Reuben, who graduated from a law school and practiced his profession in Bryan, now deceased.
Emanuel W. Starr was about thirteen years of age when the fam- ily came to Williams County and here he received the major part of his education in the district schools of Brady Township. He remained at home with his parents, practically taking charge of the operation of the farm until 1899, when he bought it and has since devoted his energies to its cultivation. He has been successful in his labors and
106 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
is considered an enterprising and thoroughly practical agriculturist. In addition to the raising of general crops, he also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, which has proven a very profitable adjunct to his other labors.
On November 16, 1880, Mr. Starr was married to Catherine Warren, who was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, on August 17, 1855, the daughter of William and Helen (Lutz) Warren. Her father was a native of Maryland and her mother of Pickaway County, Ohio, where their marriage occurred. They came to Williams County in 1847 and settled in Jefferson Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their daughter, Catherine, was reared in Jefferson Township and secured a good common school education. To Mr. and Mrs. Starr have been born the following children : Oscar W., who was married to Leora Mann, lives in West Unity, and they have five children ; Loren B. was married to Jennie Smith and lives in Brady Township; Orville O., who married Edna Todd, is engaged in the operation of his father's farm ; Leland E., after graduating from the West Unity High School, attended the Ohio State University, where he graduated as a veterinarian and is now engaged in the prac- tice of his profession at West Unity ; he was married to Zada Fink in 1914.
Mr. and Mrs. Starr are earnest members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, he being a trustee of Fountain Chapel, with which they are affiliated. He is a republican in his political faith and is serving as a trustee of Brady Township. In every relation of life Mr. Starr has fulfilled his every obligation and has given his support whole- heartedly to every movement for the advancement of the best inter- ests of the community, therefore he enjoys to a notable degree the confidence and regard of all who know him.
Jesse W. Beerbower. — Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recog- nition, whatever may be his field of endeavor; and it is the function of works of this nature to prepare for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered. The record of the honored old settler, Jesse W. Beerbower, of Pulaski Township, Williams County, is worthy of perpetuation on the pages of local history as will be readily ascer- tained by perusal of the following paragraphs.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 107
Jesse W. Beerbower was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, Ohio, on August 24, 1844, and is the son of Jacob F. and Susan (Snyder) Beerbower, the former of whom was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on January 22, 1822. The subject's paternal grand- parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Spurgeon) Beerbower, were born, reared and married in Wise County, West Virginia. Jacob Beerbower was a veteran of the War of 1812. Subsequently he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where he entered 160 acres of Government land, which was located in the forest, and to the clearing of this land and putting it into cultivation his energies were applied. He created a good home and other landed estate, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a democrat in his political faith. He was the father of James, Jacob F., Jesse, John, William, Sarah, Lydia and Elizabeth. His wife died in November, 1833, and he later was married to Mrs. Baum- gardner, by whom he had two sons, Abraham and Benton. Jacob F. Beerbower was reared on the home farm in Wayne County, Ohio, until eighteen years of age, when he and his brother, James, came to Jefferson Township, Williams County, the date of their arrival here being April 19, 1840. They each secured a quarter section of land adjoining, thus having a total of 320 acres in one tract. In 1851 their brother Jesse also came out and located near them, and John also located on a quarter section in Jefferson Township. Each of these brothers received his land as a gift from his father, who also gave their sister Sarah eighty acres of land in the same township. On Septem- ber 23, 1843, Jacob F. Beerbower was married to Susan Snyder, and the following children were born to them, namely : Jesse W., the sub- ject of this sketch; Mary J., the widow of H. H. Hester; Sarah, who remains unmarried ; Francis, the wife of S. S. Wineman ; Jonathan ; Jacob C, of Pulaski Township.
Jesse W. Beerbower was reared on the paternal farmstead in Jefferson Township, the schools of which he attended, completing his educational training in the public schools of Bunker Hill, Ohio. He remained at home until his marriage, when he engaged in farming operations on his own account, operating rented land for five years. He then bought a farm in Superior Township, on which he lived for five years, or until April 10, 1878, when he located on his present attractive farm of fifty-four acres, in Pulaski Township, where he has resided continuously since. He has been an industrious and pains- taking farmer during all of his active years and his efforts have been rewarded with well-merited success, so that he is able to spend his later years in comparative ease.
108 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Politically, Mr. Beerbower has always given his support to the republican party and has taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs, especially as pertaining to education, and rendered effective service as a member of the local school board.
Mr. Beerbower was married to Charlotte Jones, a daughter of Cass Jones, and they became the parents of the following children : Thomas, Arthur, Lydia, Cora. Mrs. Charlotte Beerbower died on September 19, 1912. She was a devoted member of the German Reformed Church. The subject has led a life of persistent and well-applied energy and commendable industry, and, because of his unswerving honesty in all his dealings with his fellowmen, and his generous and kindly nature, he has won and retains a host of warm personal friends throughout the locality long honored by his citizenship.
Jesse G. Snyder. — The record of the subject of this sketch is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of comfort and influence in the com- munity. His life has been one of unceasing industry and persever- ance and the systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Williams County, whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promote whenever practicable.
Jesse G. Snyder, whose splendid farm is located in Jefferson Township, about one and a quarter miles east of Pulaski, was born in Defiance County, Ohio, on April 29, 1869. He is the son of Christ and Caroline (Sparr) Snyder, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Crawford County, Ohio. They were married in the latter county and subsequently moved to Defiance County, locating on a farm there in 1849, where they spent the remainder of their lives and there died. Christ Snyder was a man of excellent parts, was a vet- eran of the Civil war, and was a supporter of the republican party. To him and his wife were born six children, of which number, three are living, namely: Margaret, the wife of Martin Kuzmaul; Sherman, at Ney, Ohio, and Jesse G.
The subject of this sketch remained at home until he had attained his majority and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. He secured his education in the common schools of Washington Township, Defiance County. After his marriage he remained for about twenty years on a farm in his native county, but then sold out and, coming to Williams County, bought eighty acres of land in Jef- ferson Township, where he has since resided, and to the improvement
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 109
and cultivation of which he has devoted his attention. He has car- ried on general farming operations, raising all the crops common to this locality, and has also given some attention to the raising of live stock. Besides his farming interests, Mr. Snyder is also a stockholder in the farmers' elevator at Pulaski. •
In 1890 Mr. Snyder was married to Emma Stuckman, who was born and reared in Defiance County, Ohio, and they have become the parents of six children, namely: Edna, the wife of Guy Huston; Ethel, the wife of Lauren Ensign; Beatrice, the wife of Fred Favor; Vera, the wife of Alfred Opdyke ; Nelda and Deah. Mr. Snyder gives his political support to the republican party and is vitally inter- ested in every movement for the benefit of the community. Genial and unassuming, he possesses those elements of character which have made him popular in the locality in which he lives, and he is numbered among the representative citizens of Jefferson Township.
John Wilson Sloan. — The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, and it is a source of regret that the people are not .more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks ot whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, professional men and those of varied vocations. John W. Sloan is one of the creditable representatives of the agricultural element in Williams County and as such has made his influence felt in Springfield Township and earned a name for enterprise, business ability and integrity.
John W. Sloan, whose well improved farm lies about two and a half miles south of Stryker, was born in this county on July 12, 1850, and is a son of John and Rachael (Bower) Sloan, both of whom were natives of Columbia County, Pennsylvania. They were reared to maturity in their native county, were married there and in 1849 came to Williams County, locating in Springfield Township, where they engaged in farming and spent the remainder of their lives. They were persons of sterling character, with an active interest in religious work, and were among the leaders for right living in their community. Mr. Sloan was a democrat in his political views and was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bryan. They became the parents of nine children, of which number four are now living, namely : Allen J., of Archbold, Ohio, is the widow of Alexis Short ; Lavina is the widow of Caleb M. Clark; Sophia, the wife of Fred Gilbert, of Raleigh, North Carolina; John W., whose name heads these paragraphs.
110 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
John W. Sloan was reared under the parental roof and remained on the home farm until he was thirty years of age. In his boyhood he attended the district schools in winter, during the summer months assisting his father. After his marriage he went to farming on his own account and during the subsequent years he has steadily forged ahead and is now the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. He is methodical in his work and up-to-date in his ideas, not hesitating to adopt new ways of doing things when their superiority has been demonstrated, and he holds a high reputation as a progressive and enterprising farmer.
In 1880 Mr. Sloan was married to Alice E. Clark, who was born in a log cabin on the farm now owned by Mr. Sloan and who received her education in the local district schools. Her death occurred on January 12, 1918. They became the parents of four children, two of whom are living: John L., who is engaged in the hardware business in Stryker, and Otis, who remains on the home farm with his father, married Dora Mann on Easter Day, 1920. The deceased children are William and Gertrude, both of whom died in their thirty-seventh year.
Mr. Sloan is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, giving earnest support to all its interests. He is a republican in his political views and has been active in local public affairs, having served eight years as township trustee and also as a member of the school board. A man of high moral character, persistent industry and excellent judgment, he stands "four square to every wind that blows" and enjoys the unlimited confidence and regard of his fellow citizens.
Elias S. Myers is one of the venerable and honored representa- tives of farm industry in Pulaski Township, has been a resident of Williams County from the time of his birth, save for an interval of two years passed in the West, and is a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this county.
Mr. Myers was born on his father's pioneer farm in Jefferson Township, this county, October 12, 1846, and is now the only survivor of the five children of George W. and Emily (Lewis) Myers, the former of whom was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 23, 1808, and the latter of whom was born in Dutchess County, New York, June 18, 1818, both having been young at the time of the removal of the respective families to Huron County, Ohio. George W. Myers became a successful contractor and builder in Huron County, where his marriage was solemnized and where he continued to reside until 1835, when he came to Williams County and secured
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 111
a tract of 160 acres of timbered land in Jefferson Township. This land is now the site of the Williams County infirmary. He established his residence on the place in 1836, cleared off much of the timber and reclaimed the tract into a productive farm, upon which he made good improvements, as gauged by the standards of the locality and period. In 1853 he sold this farm, and in 1855 he removed with his family to Bryan, the county seat, where he continued to maintain his home until he purchased the land of which the farm of Elias S., of this review, is a part. The father remained on this farm for a number of years but both he and his wife were residents of Bryan at the time of their death. They believed fully in the spiritual verities of the Christian religion but were not formally identified with any church organization. The father was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity for many years prior to his death. Concerning the deceased children brief data may consistently be entered: Julia became the wife of John M. Welker; Gilpha was the wife of Frank M. Carter; Amzi died in California ; and George W., Jr., likewise was a resident of this county at the time of his death.
Elias S. Myers was a lad of seven years at the time of the family removal from the Jefferson Township farm to Bryan, and here he acquired his early education in the village schools of that day. After the close of the Civil war he and his brother George became asso- ciated in the work and management of their father's farm in Pulaski Township, and there he remained until he had attained to his legal majority, when he signalized his independence by passing two years in the West. He then returned to Williams County, and here, on December 16, 1876, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Caroline Reeves, who was born and reared in Center Township, this county. The young couple forthwith established their home on the farm which is their present place of abode and which has been the stage of Mr. Myer's very successful activities as an agriculturist and stockraiser. He still maintains a general supervision of the farm, the area of which he has reduced, by sale, to fifty-seven acres, but in a general way he may be said to be living retired, in the enjoyment of the merited rewards of former years of earnest toil and endeavor. His wife is nearly a decade his junior, as she was born January 26, 1856. They have two children: Frank, who was born December 16, 1877, is a prosperous farmer in Pulaski Township; and Cora May, born June 1, 1879, is the wife of Edwin Hester, their home being in Calhoun County, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Myers take marked pride in the fact that they have seven grandchildren. They have lived a quiet and
112 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
uneventful life, have done well their part in community affairs and have the unqualified esteem of all who know them. In politics Mr. Myers is a democrat.
Charles A. Roode. — It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in the work the varying con- ditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well focused light onto the individual and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each respective career. The banks of Williams County have ever main- tained a high standing, and among the able young workers in this field of endeavor is Charles A. Roode, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Savings Bank, at Montpelier. With a natural pre- dilection for this vocation and endowed with an analytical mind, he is exemplifying in a significant way the value of the possession of these elements of character which command the confidence of those acquainted with him and his work.
Charles A. Roode is a native son of the county now honored by his citizenship, having been born near West Unity, Ohio, on October 17, 1887. His parents are A. B. and Sarah E. (Shaffer) Roode, the former a native of the State of Michigan and the latter born near West Unity, Ohio. A. B. Roode came to Williams County in young manhood, but later went to Kansas, where he remained for a time. Returning then to Williams County, through the subsequent years he engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits. His wife, whose death occurred in 1914, was a member of the liberal branch of the United Brethren Church, while both were members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners. He gives his political support to the democratic party. To him and his wife were born three children, namely : Charles A., who is the immediate subject of this review; Lena, who is the wife of T. M. Shaull, a farmer in Superior Township; Winnie, the wife of Harley Bible, of Superior Township.
Charles A. Roode lived on the parental farmstead until twelve years of age, and thereafter lived at West Jefferson, in Jefferson Township. He received his elementary education in the district schools, and then was a student in the International Business College at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was graduated in 1907. His first employ- ment was as a bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Montpelier, from which he was advanced to the position of assistant cashier, which he held until January 1, 1916. On the latter date he became assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Savings Bank of Mont-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 113
pelier and on January 1, 1917, he was made cashier, which position he still holds. This is one of the strong and influential financial insti- tutions of Williams County and has been an important factor in the progress and development of business in this county. The official personnel of this bank is as follows : E. E. Kaufman, president ; Albert Schlegel, vice president; Charles A. Roode, cashier; H. H. Wisman, assistant cashier, and Keith A. Porter, teller. Mr. Roode is a stockholder in this bank and undoubtedly much of the success which it enjoys is due to the business ability and personal popularity of its cashier.
On December 24, 1911, Mr. Roode was married to Grace Roberta Tressler, who was born and reared in Jefferson Township, Williams County, and they have one child, Mary Alice. Mrs. Roode is well educated and prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Roode are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Roode is a member of the board of stewards and financial secretary of the society. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of Gleaners, and in the first named order is the present master of finance. Politically, he gives his support to the democratic party and is the present treasurer of Superior Township and of Montpelier Village. The record of Mr. Roode's life is a plain chronicle, marked by no sensational chapters, but it is the record of one who has so ordered his life as to earn the sincere respect and esteem of the entire community. He takes a deep interest in every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community and is considered a representative citizen of the locality in which he lives.
r
Frank N. Watson. — The gentleman, to a brief review of whose life and character the reader's attention is herewith directed, is among the favorably known and representative citizens of Williams County. Mr. Watson has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his community during the course of an honorable career, and he has ascended by his individual efforts from the bottom of the ladder to a place of impor- tance in farming circles in this locality, having ever been known as a man of unswerving industry, sound judgment and honesty of purpose.
Frank N. Watson, whose well cultivated and productive farm is located in Jefferson Township, six miles north and one and a half miles east of Bryan, was born in Northwest Township, this county, on
114 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
July 17, 1876, and is the son of W. C. and Jennie (Dargitz) Watson, the former of whom was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. After attaining maturity he came to Williams County, and was here married. He settled in Northwest Township, where he engaged in carpenter work and the sawmill business, switching later to carpentering and contracting. During the Civil war he enlisted as a private and gave faithful service to the Union during that great struggle. He was after- wards a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His religious membership was with the United Brethren Church. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: Carrie, the wife of W. A. Dietrich; Cora, the wife of A. J. Dietrich, a twin brother of W. A.; Frank N. ; Daisy, the wife of W. E. Warrick.
Frank N. Watson was reared to manhood on the parental farm- stead in Northwest Township and attended the district schools, com- pleting his studies in the high school at Montpelier with the class of 1895. He then followed the vocation of school teacher for eight years, being employed in the schools of Williams County. Aside from his labors as a teacher, however, Mr. Watson has devoted practically his entire life to agricultural interests, in which he has been rewarded with splendid success. He owns seventy-eight acres of excellent land, devoted to general farming and stock raising and maintains his place at a high state of cultivation, following up-to-date methods in his work. Mr. Watson is a stockholder and the president of the Farmers' Grain Elevator at Pulaski.
On August 20, 1892, Mr. Watson was married to Pearl Koch, who was born in Jefferson Township, the daughter of D. P. Koch, who is referred to specifically in dater paragraphs in this sketch. To this union have been born eight children: Lawrence, Opal, Willard, June, Hubert, Robert, Marjorie and William C.
Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Church of the Brethren, while, politically, Mr. Watson gives his support to the republican party. Because of his business success, his public spirit and his sterling qualities of character, he well merits the high standing which he occupies in the esteem of all who know him.
Elder Daniel P. Koch was born in St. Joseph County, Indiana, on August 23, 1858, and is the son of Moses and Sarah (Troxell) Koch. His father was born in 1829 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the mother was bom in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1842. When four years of age Moses Koch was brought by his parents to Ohio, locating first in Holmes County, following which they lived for a time in Wayne County. Later they came to Defiance County, and finally
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 115
located in Williams County. He was married in Wayne County, and then went to St. Joseph County, Indiana, where he lived four years. At. the end of that time he sold out and returned to Williams County, and settled on a farm in Jefferson Township, where he lived until 1862. He sold his farm here and moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, but at the end of a year he returned to Williams County and again located in Jefferson Township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a democrat in politics. To him and his wife were born six chil- dren, namely: Diana, the wife of A. M. Moore, of Center Township, this county ; Lanetta, deceased, was the wife of Jonathan Dick ; Daniel P., who is referred to specifically in these paragraphs; George, of Michigan; Taloma, the wife of G. O. Boner, of Michigan; Oscar F., who is superintendent of the Williams County infirmary.
Daniel P. Koch was reared in Williams County and received a common school education. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, and, after his marriage, which occurred in 1878, he rented the home farm for three or four years. He then bought sixty acres of land, but subsequently purchased the old homestead and located on it. Subsequently he bought a farm near Pioneer, on which he lived for five years, but sold it and came to his present farm, which comprises 190 acres of excellent land.
On November 7, 1878, Mr. Koch was married to Cora Keiser, of Primrose, Ohio, whose birth occurred in Williams County in 1865. She secured her education in the district schools, and she bore her husband two children, namely: Pearl, the wife of Frank N. Watson, and Homer Dale, born in May, 1889, who was married to Belle Wiley, of Montpelier, Ohio.
Elder Koch is at the head of the local churches of his denomination, known as the Church of the Brethren. Politically he is a democrat. Because of his upright character, his influence for good in this com- munity and his genial disposition, he is well liked by all with whom he comes in contact.
A. Earl Newcomer is staging his progressive activities as a general agriculturist and successful dairy farmer on the fine old homestead farm which figures as the place of his nativity and which is eligibly situated one mile south and one-fourth of a mile east of Bryan, the judicial center of his native county. Here he was born June 16, 1882, and he is a son of Nathaniel H. and Barbara (Brown) Newcomer, well known and highly honored citizens of the county where the
116 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
father has long been a prominent and successful exponent of farm industry.
No minor valuation does A. Earl Newcomer place on the youthful experience which he gained in connection with the varied activities of the old home farm, and in the meanwhile he made good use of the advantages afforded in the district schools, besides which he attended the Bryan High School two years and thereafter completed a course in a leading business college in the City of Toledo. Upon his return to the parental home he rented the farm from his father for one year, and he then purchased of his father the well-improved eighty-acre place upon which he now resides and where he is giving special atten- tion to dairy farming, with an excellent herd of Holstein cattle, includ- ing a goodly number of the best type of milch cows, and breeder of Spotted Poland China hogs. He is one of the progressive young men of Pulaski Township, is energetic and enterprising in his business activities and is making his dairy industry a distinctive success. He is a republican in political adherency. He and his wife hold membership in the Church of the Brethren.
In December, 1906, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. New- comer to Miss Virga E. Wise, who likewise was born and reared in Pulaski Township, and they have two winsome little daughters — Pauline and Katherine.
Ed Piper. — One of the leading citizens and representative business men of Williams County is Ed Piper, who is engaged in the heating and plumbing business at Stryker. His has been an eminently active and useful life, but the limited space at the disposal of the biographer forbids more than a casual mention of the leading events in his career. He is a man of influence in local affairs and is looked upon as a man thoroughly in sympathy with any movement looking toward the bet- terment of the community in any way. He has always been regarded as a man of sterling honesty and worthy of the utmost confidence and respect, which his fellow citizens have been fre,e to accord, owing to his upright, public-spirited and industrious life.
Ed Piper was born at New Holstein, Wisconsin, on February 3, 1877, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Greve) Piper, who also were natives of New Holstein, where their respective families had been among the earliest settlers. Both families had their, origin in Germany and in Wisconsin they followed farming and dairying. The subject of this sketch was reared on the paternal farmstead until eighteen years of age and secured his education in the public schools. He then
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 117
apprenticed himself to learn the tinning trade, serving three years, and at the end of that period he located in Waterloo, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for a time, later going to Butler, Indiana, where he spent eight months. In 1898 Mr. Piper came to Stryker and entered the employ of the Beucler Manufacturing Company, for whom he worked for two years, being employed in the making of tanks. He then bought the business, to which he has added the departments of heating and plumbing, and has conducted the business to the present time. Thoroughly qualified in every way for his lines of work, Mr. Piper has commanded his full share of the public trade, his patronage covering a wide radius of surrounding country, and he has built up a large and prosperous business. His plant is well equipped and is thoroughly up-to-date in stock and appliances, so that large or small contracts can be handled with equal facility.
Mr. Piper was married to Anna Strong, and five children have blessed their union, namely: Lawrence, Francis, Eva, Bernice and Pauline. Politically, Mr. Piper gives his support to the republican party, while his fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has served as noble grand of his sub- ordinate lodge. He is a man of generous nature, congenial among his acquaintances, and by his life of industry, integrity of purpose and public spirit, he has won the unreserved confidence and esteem of the entire community.
O. H. Bowen. — Upon the roll of representative citizens and influ- ential business men of Williams County consistently appears the name of Orlie H. Bowen, the popular and able cashier of the Montpelier National Bank of Montpelier, Ohio. He is one of those who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the community in which he resides. He has been a resident of this community for many years, during which time he has won the esteem and respect of the people, for he possesses those sterling qualities of character which commend themselves to an intelligent people.
Orlie H. Bowen was born at New London, Huron County, Ohio, on April 24, 1884, and is the son of Robert and Rebecca (Cline) Bowen, both of whom were born and reared in Richland County, Ohio. They were married there and for a time engaged in farming. Subsequently they came to Williams County and eventually Mr. Bowen was able to lay aside active farm work and retire. They were members of the United Brethren Church and in politics Mr. Bowen gave his support to the republican party. Of the seven children born to them, six are
118 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
now living, namely: Leonard E., of Montpelier; C. L., of Montpelier; Bert H., of Mobile, Alabama; Elmer B., of Coldwater, Michigan; Orlie H., the subject of this review ; Ella M., the wife of Cyrenus Pierce, of Pathlow, Canada.
Orlie H. Bowen spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and received his elemental education in the public schools and attended the Montpelier High School. He then took a commercial course in the Davis Business College at Toledo, Ohio. His first employment was with the First National Bank, from which he went to the Kunkle State Banking Company on June 8, 1903, as assistant cashier. On March 1, 1907, Mr. Bowen was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Montpelier, and after the consolidation of that bank with the Montpelier Bank, on March 1, 1916, he was continued as cashier of the merged institutions, which position he still holds. This bank enjoys an enviable standing throughout this section of the country and is counted among the strong and reliable banks of the county. Its official personnel is as follows: J. D. Hill, president; Gerry Drake, vice president; Orlie H. Bowen, cashier, and W. P. Tressler, assistant cashier. Mr. Bowen is a man of sound and mature judgment and devotes himself indefatigably to the interests of the institution with which he is connected.
Mr. Bowen was married to Lucy Opdycke, who is a graduate of the Montpelier High School, and they are the parents of two children, Mary E. and Alice J. Mr. Bowen is a member of the liberal branch of the United Brethren Church and of its official board. Fraternally, he is a member of Montpelier Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest, and the Council of Royal and Select Masters. Politically, he gives his support to the republican party and he stands stanchly for the best things in the community life. Because of his business ability and his sterling character he is deservedly popular throughout the community.
George M. Benner. — Clearly denned purpose and consecutive effort will inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of suc- cess, but in following out the career of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made Mr. Benner one of the prominent and successful men of
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 119
Williams County have also brought him the esteem of his fellow men, for his career has been one of well directed energy, strong determina- tion and honorable methods.
George M. Benner was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on April 8, 1874, and he is the son of Jacob and Mary (Foley) Benner. The father was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and the mother was a native of Ireland, whence she came to the United States in young girl- hood. They were married and at once settled in Tennessee, where they remained until the father's death. Then the widow came to Defiance County, Ohio, where she lived until her death, which occurred in Montpelier. To Jacob and Mary Benner were born the following children: Fannie, the wife of Ellsworth Hillard, of Pioneer, Ohio; Ella, the wife of Emory Sellinger, of Wauseon, Ohio; Margaret, the wife of Elmer Replogle, of Jefferson Township, this county; Minnie, the wife of John Sawyer, of Auburn, Indiana ; Jacob, of Bryan, and George M., the subject of this sketch.
i George M. Benner was about two years of age when he was taken by his mother to Defiance County, and was nine years of age when he came to Williams County. During this period after they came to Ohio, the subject lived with his paternal grandfather, George Benner, and he received the advantage of a common school education. At the age of eighteen years he started in life on his own account, first as a farm laborer. Eventually he forged ahead and bought his present fine farm of sixty acres in Pulaski Township, where he has since resided and where he has given his attention to general farming and stock raising. Industrious and painstaking, he has persevered in his efforts and today is considered a man of good judgment and wise discrimina- tion as a business man. He keeps his place in excellent order and the permanent improvements are of a substantial and attractive character. Mr. Benner was married, on October 8, 1902, to Mabel Thompson, who was born at Fayette, Ohio, and who received a good education in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Benner are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in the activities of which they take a prominent part, Mr. Benner being a trustee of the church at Pulaski and super- intendent of the Sunday school. Politically, he gives his support to the republican party and takes a proper interest in the public affairs of the community, though he is not in any sense an aspirant for public office. Because of his business success and his excellent quali- ties of character, he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and good will of the entire community.
120 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
George G. Bloom. — The subject of this review enjoys prestige among the citizens of the Township of Springfield, Williams County, where he has spent a life of unusual industry, which has been crowned with success, and as a neighbor and citizen he is highly esteemed by all who know him. He earned the right to be called one of the pro- gressive men of his community, having fought his way onward and upward to a position of honor in the circles in which he has moved and in every relation of life his voice and his influence have been on the side of right.
George G. Bloom, who is the owner of 303 acres of excellent farm- ing land in sections 17, 18 and 19, Springfield Township, about five and a half miles east of Bryan, was born in Pulaski Township, this county, on November 20, 1863, and is a son of Daniel W. and Eliza- beth (Truxill) Bloom, the latter of whom was born in Huron County, Ohio, on February 7, 1834. Daniel W. Bloom was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, on November 11, 1832, and at the age of seven years was taken by his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. The family were in poor financial circumstances at that period and the subject's education was necessarily somewhat neglected, though he succeeded in learning to read and write. Eventu- ally he married and settled in Huron County, Ohio, where he gave his attention to farming for a few years. In 1856 he moved to Williams County and located in the north central part of Pulaski Township, where he bought forty acres of timber land, to the clearing and ditch- ing of which he gave his attention. He was poor in this world's goods and made ax handles as a source of ready cash, while his farm labors were being prosecuted. Eventually he was able to sell the forty-acre tract for $500 more than he paid for it, and then bought forty acres in another location, on which he lived for five years, selling it also at a very good' advance in price. He then moved to Huron County, where for a short time he was engaged in farming, but he then bought eighty acres comprising a part of what is now known as the Bloom farm in Springfield Township, Williams County, and there he lived until his death, which occurred on March 7, 1912. He was a repub- lican in his political views and was a strong supporter of all moral and benevolent movements. Of the three children born to him and his wife, but one is now living, George G.
George G. Bloom was reared in Pulaski and Springfield townships and received his educational training in the district schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has never forsaken that vocation. He has devoted his energies and best faculties to the intelligent opera-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
121
tion of his farm and has been eminently successful in his efforts, being numbered among the enterprising, progressive and substantial farmers of his section of the county.
On February 25, 1883, Mr. Bloom was married to Mary Wibirt, who was born in Springfield Township, Williams County, on June 5, 1865, the daughter of Joseph Wibirt, a native of New York "State. To Mr. and Mrs. Bloom have been born four children, namely : Clar- ence A., who is unmarried and at home, is a member of Bryan Lodge No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons, and Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; Emmett E., who married Mildred Radabaugh and they have two children, Verl and Robert; Ford M., who is a member of Stryker Lodge, Knights of Pythias, is a veteran of the World war, having been first with the Eighty-Fourth Division, after which he was transferred to Company G. Three Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment, of the Ninetieth Division; he fought in the Argonne drive, was later in the Army of Occupation, was wounded and confined in eight hospi- tals, and was finally mustered out on June 15. 1919; Celia E. is a stu- dent in the high school at Stryker.
Mr. Bloom and all the members of his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Bloom is an earnest supporter of the republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to lodge, chapter, council and commandery, and also holds membership in Zenobia Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Toledo, Ohio.
He has acted well his part in life and, while primarily interested in advancing his own interests, he has not been unmindful of his obligations to the community and has consistently supported every movement for the advancement of the general welfare. Because of his success and his high character he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
George F. Gentit.— One of the up-to-date fanners and stock- raisers of Springfield Township, Williams County, who has worked hard for what he now possesses is George F. Gentit. He knows how to appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the value of money. Nevertheless, he is liberal in his benefac- tions and stands ever ready to support with his influence and means all measures for the material and moral welfare of the community in which he has so long resided. Among those who know him best he bears the reputation of a man who exercises sound judgment and who has pronounced views, and he keeps himself well informed upon
122 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
all matters pertaining to the public weal or woe and always exercises the duties of citizenship in a conscientious manner.
George F. Gentit, whose fine farm is located two miles west of Stryker, was born near West Unity, Williams County, on March 6, 1872, and he is the son of Peter and Margaret (Mungo) Gentit. Both of these parents were natives of France, whence the father came to the United States at the age of eight years. Later he returned to his native land and was married, returning to this county immediately thereafter. He spent the rest of his days here, his death occurring in February, 1919, his widow survived him until January, 1920. They became the parents of five children, namely : Ortense, the wife of Elsie Bruot; Leon, of Springfield Township; Peter, of Stryker; Fan- nie, wife of William Thiel, of Pulaski Township; George F.
George F. Gentit was reared on the parental farmstead and attended the district schools during his boyhood. He has always followed the vocation of farming, in which he has met with pronounced success, owing to his indefatigable industry, his sound judgment and his busi- ness ability, and is numbered among the leading farmers of his section of the county. He carries on a general line of farming, in connection with which he gives some attention to stock raising. He owns 248 acres of land, which is well improved and maintained at a high stand- ard of cultivation. Mr. Gentit is a stockholder in the Farmers' Grain Elevator at Pulaski.
In 1893 Mr. Gentit was married to Eliza Goll and they have three children living, namely : Alfred G., born on November 24, 1894, received his education in the district schools ; on June 25, 1918, he enlisted in the United States military service and was sent to Camp Sherman, at Chillicothe, Ohio, where he remained until September 2, 1918, when he was sent to France. He was assigned to the "S. O. S.," remaining in that service until the summer of the following year, when he returned home and on July 26, 1919, he was mustered out at Camp Sherman, with the rank of corporal. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is unmarried and remains at home. Charles, the second child in order of birth, graduated from the Stryker High School in 1916, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. The young- est child, Francis, is a student in the Stryker High School.
Mr. and Mrs. Gentit are active members of the Lutheran Church, of which society Mr. Gentit is a trustee. He has been successful in business, respected in social life and as a neighbor he has discharged his duties in a manner becoming a liberal-minded and intelligent citizen of a community where the essential qualities of manhood have ever
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 123
been recognized and prized at their true value, therefore he has justly merited the splendid reputation which he enjoys throughout his section of the county.
Dr. Glen Biddle. — One of the best known and most successful veterinary surgeons in Northwestern Ohio is Dr. Glen Biddle, of Bryan, Williams County, where he has been engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession since 1911. He has won success in life in a definite manner because he has persevered in pursuit of a worthy purpose and is gaining thereby a most satisfactory reward. He is the representative of honored old families of this part of the Buckeye State and has so ordered his life as to win the respect of all who know him. *
Glen Biddle was born in Wauseon, Fulton County, Ohio, on August 19, 1889, and is a son of S. A. and Clara E. (Kesler) Biddle, both of whom also are natives of Ohio. After their marriage, these parents located in Fulton County, where the father has successfully followed farming and stock breeding. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is held in high esteem in his community. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Glen Biddle was reared on the home farm in Fulton County and attended the public schools, completing his elementary education in the high school at Wauseon. He then entered the Ontario Veterinary College and the University of Toronto, from both of which institutions he was graduated in due time ; from the Ontario Veterinary College in April, 1910, with the degree of Veterinary Surgeon, and from the University of Toronto in June of the same year with the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science. On December 4, 1911, Doctor Biddle located in Bryan and has been engaged in his profession here continuously since. He has been very successful and enjoys a wide reputation as a thoroughly competent and skilful veterinarian.
Doctor Biddle is an ardent advocate of better live stock and has given evidence of his interest in many ways, not the least of which is in his active connection with the Williams County Holstein Breeders' Company, incorporated, which is officered as follows : President, Albert Kalber; vice president, E. D. Ensign; general manager, H. F. Burgbacher; secretary and treasurer, Glen Biddle. This company was organized for the specific purpose of inducing and encouraging the farmers and stockmen of Williams County to breed and raise better grades of stock of all kinds, and thereby increase the value of their output in that line. In many other ways the doctor has been active in
124 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
furthering enterprises for the advancement of the best interests of the county.
Glen Biddle was married to Iva Bard, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Bard. She was born and reared in this county and completed her education in the Bryan High School. Politically, Doctor Biddle is a supporter of the republican party, while, fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Bryan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a man of action rather than words, being eminently utilitarian, and his energy of character and professional success have gained for him the con- fidence of the entire community.
William E. Riley, of Montpelier, is a man whose life has become an essential part of the history of this section and he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality honored by his citizenship. His chief characteristics seem to be fidelity of purpose, keenness of per- ception, unswerving integrity and sound common sense, which have earned for him the esteem of the entire community. Mr. Riley was born in Bridgewater Township, Williams County, on September 3, 1867, and is a son of Alfred and Eliza (Kollar) Riley. His parents were both natives of Ohio, they having been born in Darke County. They came to Williams County with their respective parents, and after their marriage they first located in Superior Township, later moving to Bridgewater Township, and finally to Montpelier, where they spent the remainder of their lives and there died. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Alfred Riley gave his sup- port to the republican party, being active in local public affairs, and served six years as a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Williams County. During the Civil war he served in the Union army and was afterwards a member of Hiram Lowden Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic. He was also affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom four are now living, namely: Lenora, the wife of G. B. Williams, of Bridgewater Township; Lydia, wife of August Biggie; William E., the subject of this sketch, and Cora, the wife of Charles Farlee, of Montpelier.
William E. Riley remained on the home farm with his parents until he had attained his majority, and during his boyhood he attended the district schools. From the age of twenty-one he assumed the operation of the home farm, to which he gave his attention until the spring of 1895, when he came to Montpelier and engaged in the grain business under the firm name of Riley & Pew. At the end of a year
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 125
he purchased Mr. Pew's interest in the business, the firm name being then changed to Riley & Son, the subject's father being the senior member of the firm. Two years later the latter died and William E. then became the sole owner of the business, to which he has devoted his attention continuously since, the Riley elevator being one of the best known elevators in this section of the county. By strict attention to business and fair dealings with his patrons, Mr. Riley has not only- built up a good business, but he has also gained an enviable reputation as a man of integrity and sound business qualities.
On November 1, 1891, Mr. Riley was married to Eva Bailey, who was born and reared in Bridgewater Township, where she attended the district schools. They are the parents of a daughter, Thelma, born in 1904, who is now a student in the Montpelier High School.
Fraternally. Mr. Riley is a member of Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor, and is also a member of the grand lodge. Mrs. Riley is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters. Politically, Mr. Riley is an earnest sup- porter of the republican party and has served for six years as a mem- ber of the village council. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellowmen, he has not only made his presence felt, but has also gained the good will and commendation of all who know him.
B. E. Custer. — In studying the life history of B. E. Custer, well- known business man and the present postmaster of Montpelier, there are found many qualities in his makeup that always gain definite success in any career if properly directed. The splendid success which has come to Mr. Custer is directly traceable to the salient points in his character, for he started in life at the bottom of the ladder, which he has mounted unaided. With a mind capable of planning, he combined a will strong enough to execute his well-formulated purposes, and his great energy, sound judgment, keen discrimination and perseverance have resulted in a well-deserved success.
B. E. Custer was born in Superior Township. Williams County, on March 28, 1877, and is a son of John and Lydia (Tumblin) Custer. His parents were both born and reared in Columbiana County, Ohio, where they were married. Some time afterwards they came to Wil- liams County and settled about three miles southwest of Montpelier, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were highly respected in their community and Mr. Custer held several township offices. He was a republican in his political views, and he and his wife were active members of the United Brethren Church. Of the thirteen
126 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
children born to them, the subject of this sketch was the youngest and was the seventh son. All of these children remained residents of Superior Township.
B. E. Custer was reared and educated in his native township, graduating from the common schools. About the time he attained his majority he learned the barber's trade, at which he worked for about twelve years. At the end of that time he engaged in the real state and insurance business, in which he met with splendid success. In 1907 he was assessor of personal property and in 1910 he appraised the real estate of Montpelier. He is a man of good judgment and accurate knowledge as to real estate values and was unusually com- petent as an appraiser. In 1913 Mr. Custer was appointed postmaster of Montpelier and in 1917 was reappointed to that position, being the present incumbent. He is eminently qualified for this position, for he thoroughly believes in the political maxim that "public office is a public trust," and to that end he has so conducted the affairs of the postoffice that he has earned the commendation of both the patrons of the office and the department officials.
Mr. Custer was married to Zoa M. Haines, who was born in Hamil- ton, Indiana, being brought to Williams County in her childhood. She was educated in the schools here, being a graduate of the Montpelier High School. Mr. and Mrs. Custer are members of the United Brethren Church and earnest in their support of all its activities. Politically, Mr. Custer has been a lifelong supporter of the democratic party. A man of many sterling qualities of head and heart, his career, both officially and in the humble sphere of private citizenship, has been such as to commend him to the favorable consideration of the best people of the community where he has long maintained his residence.
G. Grant Stahl. — Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Williams County within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the business interests of this favored locality, and who have been and still are identified with its various phases of pro- gress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is G. Grant Stahl, pro- prietor of the Montpelier Creamery and a man who has made an excellent impression upon all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Stahl was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, on June 16, 1880, and is the son of David and Adora (Bastress) Stahl. Both of these parents were also natives of the Keystone state, the father having
^J^aM^f
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 127
been born in Perry County and the mother in Juniata County. After their marriage they located on a farm in Perry County, where the mother still lives, her husband having met his death by accident in 1910. They became the parents of nine children, of which number five are still living, as follows : Leona, the wife of Charles Bailer ; B. M., of Mount Wolfe, Pennsylvania; Eva, the wife of J. W. Wor- stall, of New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Bertha, the wife of John Bailer, of Newport, Perry County, Pennsylvania, and G. Grant.
G. Grant Stahl was reared under the parental roof until he was sixteen years of age, and attended school some, though in the main his education was seriously neglected. However, he was ambitious to make up for this deficiency and applied himself closely to study at night, in addition to which he took a course of study with the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania. His labors had been mostly at farm work until the age of sixteen years, at which time he went to Cranberry, New Jersey, and became identified with the creamery business, being employed with the Middlesex Dairy Company for six years. During the following year he was similarly employed at Allentown, New Jersey, and then he spent three years at Buckmanville, Pennsylvania, where he was manager of the Bucks County Creamery Company. He was next manager of a creamery at Stockton, New Jersey, but at the end of a year he became head clerk in a department store at Millerstown, Pennsylvania, holding that posi- tion also one year. His next engagement was as manager of a cream- ery at Elverston, Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1905, when he came to Montpelier, Williams County, as manager of the local creamery. In 1910 Mr. Stahl bought the creamery and has conducted it continuously since. Because of the excellence of the products, prompt service and courteous treatment, Mr. Stahl has built the business up to gratifying proportions and it is now numbered among the best creameries in this section of the state. Mr. Stahl man- ufactures the Rose brand of butter and supplies the major portion of Montpelier with milk.
Mr. Stahl has been successful in all his business affairs and has accumulated some valuable property, being the owner of the creamery building, his own residence and eighty acres of excellent farm land in Superior Township, about two miles west of Montpelier. He is also a stockholder in the Montpelier National Bank.
Mr. Stahl was married in March, 1908, to Florence Rickey, of Montpelier, and they are the parents of seven children, Estel, Ken- neth, Blanche, Alva, May, Georgia and Lloyd. Mr. Stahl and his
128 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, while, politically, he gives his support to the republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belong- ing to Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Montpelier and to Defiance Commandery, No. 30, Knights Templar, at Defiance, Ohio. He is public spirited and takes a keen interest in affairs affecting the com- munity, rendering effective service as a member of the board of public service of the Village of Montpelier. In relation to life's activities he has performed his full part and today he occupies an enviable position in the confidence and esteem of the people.
Ora R. Manning. — Among the traveling salesmen identified with the automobile industry who make their homes in Williams County, one who is achieving success in his chosen field of endeavor is Ora R. Manning, whose residence is at Pioneer. Mr. Manning is a native of Deerfield, Michigan, born January 17, 1875, and received a district and public school education in his native place. As a young man he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he found employment in the service of the Interurban Electric Railway, and continued to be identified therewith until he took up the handling of Hudson automobiles, which he followed for seven years, the while he handled a full line of candy selling to the trade. In 1920 he gave up the automobile business and is now devoting his entire time to selling of candy on the road.
On September 4, 1907, Mr. Manning was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. Bartoe, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, reared in Madison Township, and educated in the public schools of Pioneer. She is a daughter of William and Josephine (Anderson) Bartoe, her father being a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born near Wooster, in 1840. He was reared near Reedsburg, where he married Josephine Anderson, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and educated there and at Mount Vernon. They came to Williams County in 1865 and engaged in farming, their home being made at Pioneer. Three chil- dren were born to them : Viola, who is the wife of F. L. Masters, of Seattle, Washington; Alice M., and Clara, the wife of J. C. Ewing, of Pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have no children of their own, but are rearing an adopted son, James Lewis, who is now attending the public school at Pioneer.
Mr. Manning is a member of Pioneer Lodge No. 441, Free and Accepted Masons. The modern Manning home is located at Pio- neer, in addition to which Mrs. Manning is the owner of 131 acres
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 129
of valuable farming land in Madison Township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Manning are highly esteemed at Pioneer, where they have numer- ous warm and appreciative friends.
Byron S. Williams. — Eagle Creek Farm in Superior Township has always been the home of its owner, Byron S. Williams. He was born May 7, 1873, and is a son of William and Mary (Simpson) Wil- liams. There are eighty acres in Eagle Creek Farm, and Mr. Williams combines farming and the livestock business there.
William Williams was born September 9, 1833, in Tuscarawas County, and Mrs. Williams was born January 13, 1844, in Holmes county. As a young girl she came to Williams County in 1847 with her parents, and four years later Mr. Williams came to the community. They both grew up in Williams County. In his young manhood he was a great chopper and could easily cut and cord four cords of wood in a day. He owned forty acres of land in Florence Township and cleared it alone. He bought the eighty where the son, Byron S. Wil- liams now lives — Eagle Creek Farm — and chopped off the timber on a spot where he wanted to build a log house. In his time he wielded the ax and conquered the forest.
The Williams family are members of Eagle Creek Methodist Epis- copal Church, and William Williams was a strict church member, always standing for the right in everything. He was a republican in his political conviction. Three children of the William Williams family are living, A. D. 1920. Alsinas Williams of Superior Town- ship is a deputy sheriff of Williams County. Harriet is the wife of Horace K. Brundyge, and Byron S. Williams who enrolls the family in the "History of Williams County." There was another daughter, Clara B. Williams.
Byron S. Williams has always lived at Eagle Creek Farm. On April 1, 1899, he married Eliza Houk. She was born July 2, 1878, in Florence Township, and he brought her at once to Eagle Creek Farm. Their children are : Ernest W., Wayne A., and Leland O., in Montpelier, and Theresa M. and Keith B. at home with the par- ents. Mr. Williams is a general farmer and combines the livestock business with it. He is one of the progressive men in the community.
C. Rome Dustin.— The County of Williams numbers among its citizens many skillful physicians, lawyers, manufacturers and business men of more than local reputation ; while proud of them, she is not lacking in others who have achieved distinction in callings requiring
130 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
intellectual abilities of high order. Among the latter, C. Rome Dustin, the popular and efficient superintendent of the Montpelier public schools, occupies a deservedly conspicuous place. No one is more en- titled 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.
C. Rome Dustin was born near Kunkle, Madison Township, Wil- liams County, Ohio, on July 26, 1887, and is a son of John H. and Mary W. (Barckley) Dustin. The father was born near West Unity, Ohio, on February 16, 1851, and the mother was born at Decatur, Indiana, on January 17, 1854, while their marriage occurred in Wil- liams County, Ohio. They both were high school graduates and held to high ideals in educational matters. John H. Dustin also attended normal school and became a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Williams County, teaching first in Madison Town- ship and later becoming principal of the schools at Kunkle. Mrs. Dustin also taught one term of school prior to her marriage. They were members of the Church of God and in politics Mr. Dustin gave his support to the democratic party. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namely: Kahl, who graduated from high school and then won his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Findlay (Ohio) College, is now a minister of the Church of God at Columbia City, Indiana; Cleveland R., who is a graduate of the Tri- State Normal College at Angola, Indiana, is now superintendent of schools at Kunkle ; C. Rome, the subject of this review.
C. Rome Dustin received his elementary education in the public schools of this county, graduating from the high school, and then entered the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science, following which he took special work in the Ohio University and Teachers' College, N. Y. He then engaged in teaching school, his first work being in Bridgewater and Superior Townships, this county, following which he had the grammar school at Pioneer for three years. During the following year and a half he was principal of the Kunkle school and then for six years was principal of the Montpelier High School. On May 31, 1918, Mr. Dustin resigned the latter position and entered the Naval Officers Training School, at the Municipal Pier, Chicago, and from there he was sent to Chicago LTniversity for three weeks of special training. He was then transferred to the United States
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 131
steamship Commodore, stationed at Grant Park Chicago, where he remained until October, 1918, when he was transferred to the Pier. On November 3, he was selected as one of the twenty-five who were to be sent to Pelham Bay, New York, but before sailing he was stricken with an attack of the "flu," which necessitated his being sent to a hospital. After his recovery, he received a furlough and on December 6, 1918, he was honorably discharged from the service. He returned home and finished the year as a teacher at Kunkle, and the following year was elected superintendent of the Montpelier schools, in which position he is now serving. Prof. Dustin possesses in an eminent degree the essential qualifications of the successful educator and has rendered appreciated service in every position which he has filled.
On August 2, 1917, Mr. Dustin was married to Ruth Elder, of Pioneer, Ohio. Mrs. Dustin is a graduate of Pioneer High School, and the State Normal School at Oxford, Ohio, and taught in the public schools for two years prior to her marriage. To them has been born a son, Richard E., born on August 14, 1919.
Mr. Dustin is a member of the Church of God at Deerlick, Ohio, and his political support is given to the democratic party. Although a quiet and unassuming man, Mr. Dustin has contributed to the civic, moral and educational advancement of his community, while his admir- able qualities of head and heart have won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moves.
Howard M. Byall, M. D. — For many years the name of Dr. Howard M. Byall, of Montpelier, has been a household word in Wil- liams County, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice, being numbered among the representative citizens of this locality, having ever been known as an able, reliable and progressive physician and patriotic in citizenship. He is esteemed for these commendable traits, together with his cordial disposition and genuine worth, and although he has been more or less active in various relations with his fellowmen, his name stands out more prominently in connec- tion with the medical profession, in which he has long been a promi- nent figure.
Howard M. Byall was born in Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana, and is a son of John and Magdalena (Keagle) Byall. The father was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on June 23, 1817, and the mother in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1827. They were married in Wayne County, Ohio, and in September, 1846, went to Wells County, Indiana, where land had been entered by James
132 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Byall, who was a veteran of the War of 1812. This land, comprising 160 acres, was located in the midst of dense timber and here John Byall settled and devoted himself to the task of clearing the land and putting it in shape for cultivation. He succeeded in creating a good farm and here he and his good wife spent the remainder of their days, his death occurring in 1883, and that of his wife on January 25, 1881. John Byall was a democrat in his political views and he became one of the leading citizens of Wells County, taking an active part in public affairs and holding the office of justice of the peace for many years. He was a member of the Universalist Church and his wife was a Lutheran in her religious belief. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, and four are still living, namely : Alexander, of Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana ; Oscar, of the same locality ; Henry, who lives in Kansas, and Howard M., of this review.
Howard M. Byall was reared on the parental farmstead in Wells County, Indiana, and attended the public schools, completing his ele- mental studies in the high school at Bluffton, Indiana. He then was a student during four terms in Ridgeville College, Ridgeville, Indiana, and one term at Fort Wayne College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He then determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and matricu- lated in Rush Medical College, of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He first located in the practice of his profession at Metz, Steuben County, Indiana, in partnership with Dr. T. F. Wood, but two years later he moved to Kunkle, Ohio, where he was engaged in the practice for six years, in 1892 Doctor Byall came to Montpelier and has remained here ever since, and has enjoyed a large and representative patronage cov- ering a wide range of the surrounding country. In his chosen field of endeavor, Doctor Byall has achieved success such as compara- tively few attain and his eminent standing among the leading medical men of Williams County has been duly recognized and appreciated not only in Montpelier, the town long honored by his citizenship, but also throughout this and surrounding counties. As a citizen he has easily ranked with the most influential of his compeers in affairs looking towards the advancement and betterment of his community. He is a stockholder and director in the Montpelier National Bank, one of the strong and influential banks of the county. This bank is capitalized at $60,000, with a surplus of $15,000 and resources of $700,000. The officers are as follows: J. D. Hill, president; Jerry Drake, vice president; Orley H. Bowen, cashier; W. P. Tressler,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 133
assistant cashier, and the following additional directors, J. D. Hill, A. P. Kothenberger, W. L. Hogue, D. G. Tressler, Howard M. Byall* Leon Miller, W. S. Boone, Jerry Drake, Nelson Cumms, Jobe Hod- son and C. L. Bowen. Doctor Byall is also the owner of some valuable real estate in Montpelier.
In 1892, Doctor Byall was married to Martha J. Foltz, of Mont- pelier, who was born and reared in Huron County, Ohio. Doctor and Mrs. Byall are active members of the Presbyterian Church, of which society he is one of the trustees. Fraternally he is a member of Montpelier Lodge, No. 547, Free and Accepted Masons. Politically, he is an earnest supporter of the democratic party and served two years as coroner of Williams County. The Doctor holds professional membership with the Williams County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, and holds a fellowship certificate of the Amer- ican Medical Association. Doctor Byall's life has been characterized not only by the most adroit professional ability, but also by the most profound human sympathy which overleaped mere sentiment to become an actuating motive, for when a youth he realized that there is no honor not founded on genuine worth, that there is a vital pur- pose in life and that the best and highest accomplishment must come from a well trained mind and an altruistic heart. Older men in the profession here relied on his judgment and younger ones frequently have sought his counsel, all admitting his eminence. Because of his ability and his sterling qualities of character, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
Charles E. Hause.— One of the leading citizens of Superior Township, Williams County, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, who has for many years been considered one of the successful and enterprising farmers of his section of the county. Those who know him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many ele- ments of a solid and practical nature are united in his composition and which through a series of years have gained for him the favor- able opinion of his fellow citizens.
Charles E. Hause, who lives on an excellent farm one mile south of Montpelier, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on October 11, 1854, and is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Beard) Hause. These parents were both natives of Hagerstown, Maryland, where they were reared. Later they came to Clark County, Ohio, where they were married, moving sometime later to Seneca County, this state. Once more they returned to Clark County, and again made their home in
134 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Seneca County, where they lived until 1859, when they came to Wil- liams County, locating in Superior Township, one mile south and two miles west of Montpelier. After living there a short time, Sam- uel Hause built a log cabin a half mile north of his former location, where he cleared a farm, and there they spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the English Lutheran Church. In poli- tics, Mr. Hause was first a republican, but later gave his support to the democratic party. He was prominent in the affairs of his com- munity and served as trustee of Superior Township. To him and his wife were born six children, namely : Charles E., the immediate subject of this review; William H., a retired farmer now living in Montpelier; Daniel K., a farmer in Superior Township; Celia, the wife of George Mcintosh, who lives on the old homestead ; Albert C, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Montpelier; Otis B., who is engaged in farming in Michigan.
Charles E. Hause spent his boyhood days on the parental farm in Superior Township and attended the district schools of that neighbor- hood. He remained at home until his marriage, in 1876, when he settled in a farm in Superior Township, where he remained until 1886, when he moved to the farm where he now resides and to the cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies. A thoroughly practical agriculturist, he has achieved a distinctive success in his vocation and is numbered among the progressive farmers of his township. He carried on general farming operations and stock raising and maintains the place at a high standard of cultivation.
On December 30, 1876, Mr. Hause was married to Hannah Kent, who was born on May 9, 1858, on the farm where she and her hus- band now live. She is the daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Kollar) Kent, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Tusca- rawas County, Ohio. They both moved to Williams County, were mar- ried here and settled on the farm in Superior Township, which was entered by the Kent family and has always remained in the family. To Mr. and Mrs. Hause has been born a daughter, Bertha L., who attended the Montpelier High School, received a license to teach school, and is now living in Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Hause are earnest members of the English Lutheran Church, and in politics Mr. Hause is a supporter of the republican party. He is a member of Superior Lodge, No. 269, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the grand lodge. Mrs. Hause is a mem- ber of the Pythian Sisters, of which she is a past chief and member of the grand lodge, and is also a member of the Woman's Benefit
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 135
Association, in which she served as captain of the degree staff for seven years. Mr. Hause has worked hard and knows how to appre- ciate the true dignity of labor. He is essentially a man of affairs, sound judgment and keen discernment, and by his industry and sturdy integrity he has won and retains the confidence and esteem of all classes.
Albert C. Hause, secretary of the Williams County Agricultural Society, has played an active part in commercial and other affairs in the county for a number of years, and is a shoe merchant at Mont- pelier.
He was born in Superior Township, Williams County, March 6, 1871, son of Samuel and Margaret (Beard) Hause. His father was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, October 4, 1831, and the mother was born in the same locality December 26, 1832. They were reared in Seneca County, Ohio, -and after their marriage settled on a farm in that county. Somewhat later they moved to Williams County, and later went to Clark County, Ohio. The father spent his active life as a farmer, and finally returned to Williams County and established a home two and a half miles southwest of Montpelier. Both were charter members of the English Lutheran Church at Mount Zion, and the father was for many years an elder. As a democrat he was elected a trustee of Superior Township. The children were Charles E. of Superior Township; William H., a retired farmer at Mont- pelier; Daniel K., who lives on the old homestead; Clara, wife of George Mcintosh of Superior Township ; Albert C. ; and Otis B., of Hillsdale County, Michigan.
Albert C. Hause grew up on the home farm, and supplemented his district school education in the Tri-State College at Angola, Indi- ana, and the Ohio Northern University at Ada. He graduated from the Nelson Business College at Springfield, Ohio. Returning to the farm January 1, 1896, he soon afterward engaged in the implement, seed and wool business as a member of the firm Martin & Hause. After a year he bought out his partner, and continued active in the business for five years longer. He then sold and became . assistant cashier of the First National Bank, and five years later was made cashier. Mr. Hause resigned from the bank in 1907 to engage in the shoe business with C. J. Bohner under the name Bohner & Hause. This is a successful firm at Montpelier where both members are prominent in civic as well as business activities.
136 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
April 6, 1898, Mr. Hause married Dell E. Pressler, daughter of Arch Pressler. She was born in Superior Township February 9, 1871, and finished her education in the Hillsdale College of Music. They have one son, R. Reginald, born May 30, 1905. Mrs. Hause is a member of the Methodist Church. He is affiliated with Montpelier Lodge, No. 547, Free and Accepted Masons, Montpelier Chapter, No. 184, Royal Arch Masons, Montpelier Council, No. 102, Royal and Select Masters, and he and his wife are affiliated with the Eastern Star. He is a past master, past high priest and past worthy patron of the several branches of Masonry. Mr. Hause was elected as a demo- crat to the office of treasurer of Montpelier, and is now in his sixth year as secretary of the Country Agricultural Society.
Guy Wisman. — The purpose of biography is to preserve the records of successful men for the edification of succeeding genera- tions, and thus the lesson of biography may be far-reaching to an extent not superficially evident. A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to or rises above the controlling influence which touches, guides or misdirects others. The career of Guy Wis- man, well-known business man of Montpelier, is of that class of enter- prising citizens whose example is calculated to be an incentive to others, for his efforts have met with a fair measure of success in life's affairs.
Guy Wisman, president and manager of the Farmers Superior Co-operative Association, is a native son of Williams County, having been born in Superior Township on January 28, 1866, and is a son of James and Hannah (McHenry) Wisman, the former a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and the latter, of Ashland County, this state. They were married after their removal to Williams County and settled on a farm in Superior Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and in politics Mr. Wisman was a democrat. They became the parents of nine children, of which number five are now living, namely : Guy, the subject of this sketch ; E. C, who is a veterinary surgeon by profession, and is the present postmaster of Bryan ; Viola, who is the wife of C. E. Blue, a teacher in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio; M. J., of Kansas City, Missouri; H. M., also of Kansas City.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the parental farmstead and secured his educational training in the district schools of Superior Township. He remained at home until his marriage, in 1889, when
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 137
he located on a farm, which engaged his attention until June 3, 1919, when he came to Montpelier as manager of the Farmers Co-operative Association, which position he is still filling to the entire satisfaction of the members of- the association. He is a man of good business ability and gives the best of his efforts to the business, of which he is president. He is the owner of 140 acres of splendid land in Supe- rior Township, on which he raises a general line of crops, but he gives special attention to the dairy business, the products of his farm bearing a widespread reputation for high quality, his stock being highly bred and well cared for.
In 1889 Mr. Wisman was married to Roberta Gilcher and they have become the parents of three children, namely : Clyde E., who formerly engaged in teaching school, is now a farmer in Superior Township; H. H. is assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, at Montpelier ; Silvia, who is a graduate of the Bryan High School, is teaching in the public schools of Montpelier.
Politically, Mr. Wisman gives his support to the democratic party and takes a keen interest in local public affairs, having served as trus- tee of Superior Township and as a member of the school board. His chief characteristics seem to be fidelity of purpose, keenness of per- ception, unswerving integrity and sound common sense, which have earned for him the esteem of the entire community.
Leon P. Charpiot. — Well trained in modern business ways and methods, Leon P. Charpiot is conspicuously identified with the advancement of the mercantile prosperity of West Unity, being a popular and successful hardware merchant of that place, and for many years has been actively associated with its highest and best inter- ests as a public official, having served most satisfactorily in various township and city offices. A son of Peter Charpiot, he was born, August 30, 1863, in Stryker, this county, of French ancestry on both sides of the house.
Born and bred in France, Peter Charpiot acquired a good educa- tion in his native land, and as a young man learned the tinner's trade. Soon after his marriage with Catherine Pengeot, he immigrated to this country with his bride, locating in Stryker, Ohio, where he followed his trade for a while, later embarking in the hardware business. Ener- getic and far-seeing, he subsequently established a hardware store in West Unity, and placed it in charge of his son, Leon P. Charpiot, the subject of this brief personal record.
Brought up and educated in Stryker, Leon P. Charpiot left school
138 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
at the age of fourteen years to become a clerk in his father's estab- lishment, and while yet young had obtained a practical insight into the business with which he has since been identified, becoming thor- oughly acquainted with its every detail. Thus equipped, he came to West Unity in 1880 to assume the management of his father's store, and has since built up an extensive and highly remunerative trade, his ability, integrity and upright dealings winning him an extensive patron- age. At one time, Mr. Charpiot was also engaged in the manufacture of oars, at that time a paying industry.
In 1887 Mr. Charpiot was united in marriage with Edith McLaugh- lin, a native of Fulton County, Ohio, and to them three children have been born, namely: Peter, a graduate of the West Unity High School is engaged in farming in Jefferson Township ; Charles, who was grad- uated from the West Unity High School and from the University of Michigan, is engaged in the hardware business with his father, in Stryker; and Leon, a student in the local high school. One of the leading members of the democratic party, Mr. Charpiot has contributed his full share in advancing the interests of the community, having served ably as township trustee, councilman, and as mayor of West Unity, performing the duties devolving upon him faithfully and accept- ably to all concerned. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens Telephone Company, and is a member of its board of directors.
J. C. Beerbower. — In such men as J. C. Beerbower, a successful farmer of Pulaski Township, Williams County, there is peculiar satis- faction in offering their life histories — justification for the compilation of works of this character — not that their lives have been such as to gain them particularly wide notoriety or the admiring plaudits of men, but that they have been true to every trust reposed in them and have shown such attributes of character as entitled them to the regard of all.
J. C. Beerbower, whose splendid farm lies just south of the cor- poration line, on South Main Street, Bryan, was born in Jefferson Township, this county, on December 24, 1858, and is the son of Jacob F. and Susan (Snyder) Beerbower. Jacob F. Beerbower was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in June, 1822, and was a son of Jacob Beerbower, who was born in Germany. The latter came to the United States when but a boy and located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a time, subsequently moving to Wayne County, Ohio. He had been married in Philadelphia and on the long and tiring trip to the new home in the West his wife rode a three-year-old colt and carried in her arms a babe, James, now deceased, while the father
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 139
walked by her side and led the colt. They settled near Apple Creek, where they spent the remainder of their lives. There their son Jacob F. grew to manhood and attended the comparatively primitive schools of that period. In 1840 he came to Williams County and located on a farm in Jefferson Township, where he lived for several years. Sell- ing that place, he moved to another farm in the southeastern part of the township, which he had bought, and there he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in June, 1910. He was survived but a few months by his widow, who died in October of the same year. They were active members of the Church of God, will read in the Scriptures, and the purity of their daily lives attested to their religious faith and purpose. They became the parents of eight children, of which number six still survive, namely : Jesse W., of Pulaski Township; Mary J., the wife of Harrison Hester, of Bryan;' Jonathan, who is engaged in the grocery business in Conneaut, Ohio '; Docia, the wife of Orlando Benner. of Bryan; J. C. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Sarah is unmarried and lives with the subject' Izora, who was the wife of W. W. Benner, is deceased.
J. C. Beerbower was reared on the paternal farmstead in section 24, Jefferson Township, and attended the district schools until eighteen years old. He remained with his parents and operated the home farm for them until their deaths, when he was chosen administrator of the estate. He bought the interests of the other heirs in the place, and with his sister Sarah, remained there a year. At the end of' that time he sold the farm and bought the land on which he now lives. He carries on a general line of farming and also gives some attention to the raising of high-grade poultry, and in both lines of effort he has been rewarded with a very gratifying degree of success. Besides his farm interests, Mr. Beerbower is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Association of Bryan. Politically, he gives his earnest support to the republican party, though he does not take a very active part in local public affairs. However, he is public spirited and con- sistently gives his support to all worthy movements for the advance- ment of the public welfare. Because of his business success and his sterling personal qualities, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
Walter S. Unger, M. D.— For almost a quarter of a century the medical profession has been ably represented at Melbern, Ohio, by Dr. Walter S. Unger, who in other ways also is a representative man of Williams County. Doctor Unger was born at Canton, Ohio, August 11. 18/4, and is a son of J. Wesley and Charity (Miller) Unger.
140 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
J. Wesley Unger, a veteran of the Civil war and for many years prominent in the livestock business in Williams County, now lives retired at Melbern. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 9, 1840. His parents, the paternal grandparents of Doctor Unger, were George and Elizabeth (Smith) Unger, the former of whom came to Ohio from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1826. He married Elizabeth Smith in Stark County, of which she was a native, and they had five children, namely: J. Wesley; George, a farmer in Stark County; Amanda, of St. Cloud, Florida; John, of Stark County, and one who is deceased. George Unger worked at the shoemaking trade when a young man but later became a farmer near Canton, Ohio. J. Wesley Unger was reared in Stark County, attended the district schools and assisted his father on the farm and taught school in Stark County five years. He married Lydia A. Meese who, at death, left two daughters, Emma and Minnie. His second marriage was to Charity Miller, who was born near Wolf Lake, in Noble County, Indiana. They had one child born to them, Walter S., physician and surgeon at Mintern. The third marriage of J. Wesley Unger took place June 11, 1911, to Inez Estes, who was born in April, 1856, near Boston, Massachusetts, and educated in that state.
Mr. Unger served 120 days in the Civil war, enlisting in 1864 in Company E, 162nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1874 he came to Edgerton and went into the livestock shipping and hay business, and is credited with having bought, baled and shipped the first hay out of the county. In politics he has always been a republican, and is a member of the H. G. Blake Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Medina. Mr. and Mrs. Lhiger are very widely known and much esteemed.
Walter S. Unger was brought to Williams County in his infancy and was reared at Edgerton, where he attended the public schools. After his high school course he entered the Tri-State College, at Angola, Indiana, where he completed a commercial course on February 4, 1894. During the following year he studied medicine in the Toledo Medical College, subsequently entering the medical department of the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery of Detroit, Michigan, from which he was graduated March 23, 1897. On June 28, 1897, he entered into medical practice at Melbern, Ohio, where he has remained, becoming notable in his profession in Williams County.
Doctor Unger was united in marriage on June 18, 1898, to Miss Isola Burger, of Hicksville, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. They have two children, namely: Paul W\, who was born April 18, 1899,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 141
was graduated from the Bryan High School and at present is a stu- dent in the Ohio State University at Columbus ; and Doris, who was born March 4, 1902, graduated from Bryan High School with the class of 1920. Doctor Unger and his family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He has large real estate interests at Melbern and owns 300 acres of fine farm land in Center Township. Williams County. He has been one of the progressive citizens of the county, taking an interest in a number of worthy enterprises and being par- ticularly useful in bringing about the fine telephone service enjoyed, being vice president and one of the directors of the Edgerton Tele- phone Company. He has always been firm in his support of the repub- lican party as an earnest citizen, but has had no inclination nor has found time to accept any public office. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Edgerton, Ohio.
Edward L. Fix.— A business that has done much to build up the commercial importance of Melbern, Ohio, is the handling and storage of grain, made possible by the erection and operation of great ele- vators. Immense capital is invested in this business, the leading repre- sentatives of which at Melbern are John H. Nihart and Edward L. Fix, operating as the firm of Nihart & Fix.
Edward L. Fix was born one mile west of Melbern, March 23, 1883, and is a son of Daniel and Christina (Foster) Fix, both of whom were born in Germany and accompanied their respective parents to the United States. At first the father worked on the New York Central Railroad, then was married at Bryan, Ohio, bought land in Center Township, Williams County, and they passed the rest of their lives there. Six children were born to them, namely: Elizabeth, who is deceased ; Yosty, who is the wife of Grant Christ ; Emma, who is the wife of Charles Miller; Callie. who is the wife of Charles Glowe; Birdie, who is the wife of Fred Langle; and Edward L. The parents were members of the German Lutheran Church.
Edward L. Fix attended the public schools of Center Township and remained on the home farm with his father until he was twenty- five years of age, devoting his entire attention to farm industries in his native township until he formed a partnership in the elevator business with John H. Nihart. In January, 1918, this firm built their large, elevators at Melbern and the business is in a very pros- perous condition, both partners having been grain growers and grain handlers almost all their lives. Mr. Fix still owns his farm of 130 acres which is situated in Center Township.
142 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
In 1907 Mr. Fix was united in marriage to Miss Effie Clay, who was born in Center Township, and they have three children, namely : Vera, William and Cleo. Mr. and Mrs. Fix are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Melbern. As was his father, Mr. Fix is an earnest supporter of the democratic party and quite influ- ential through Center Township, where he served six years as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and has local membership at Bryan, Ohio.
William M. Denman, M. D. — A man of scholarly attainments, possessing excellent business and financial ability, William M. Denman, M. D., a retired physician, banker and farmer, of West Unity, Wil- liams County, may well claim the title of "Honorable," as he has served ably in both branches of the State Legislature. A son of E. G. Denman, he was born, September 16, 1845, in Knox County, Ohio, coming on both sides of the house of honored pioneer ancestry.
Born and bred in Knox County, Ohio, E. G. Denman spent his early life in that locality, and there married Almira Morrison, one of his youthful companions. Choosing the free and independent occu- pation by which the early pioneers of that county earned their liveli- hood, he began life as a farmer in his native township, remaining there a number of seasons after his marriage. Coming to Williams County in 1851, he bought land near West Unity, and on the farm which he redeemed from its primitive condition resided until his death. His wife outlived him, and spent her last days in West Unity. A man of strong individuality, energetic and progressive, he was an active member of the democratic party, and in addition to serving one term as county treasurer represented his district two terms, of two years each, in the State Legislature. To him and his wife, four children were born, William M., the special subject of this skech. being the only one of the family now living. Another of the sons, J. K. Denman, M. D., was engaged in the practice of his profession at Sherwood, Ohio, several years.
Brought up on the home farm, William M. Denman laid a sub- stantial foundation for his future education in the district schools, and subsequently completed a college course in Adrian, Michigan. Deciding upon a professional career, as was natural to a man of his mental calibre, he entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, and was there graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1870. Locating immediately in Bridgewater, Williams County, Doc- tor Denman remained there a year, and in 1872 came to West Unity,
tfM&
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 143
where he has since resided. An eminently able and skilful physician, the doctor built up an extensive and lucrative practice in the town and surrounding country, being one of the busiest and most popular physicians in this part of the county.
Possessing good business ability and judgment, Doctor Denman has acquired property of value, as a landholder owning thirty acres of land in Brady Township, and 160 acres in Jefferson Township. Since 1896 the doctor has served as president of the West Unity Banking Company, one of the more substantial financial organizations of this part of the county, and for the past twenty-two years has been presi- dent of the Brady Fire Insurance Company.
He is a prominent member of the democratic party, and in addition to having served one term in the seventy-fourth general assembly was for two terms a member of the seventy-seventh session of the State Senate.
Doctor Denman married, September 30, 1875, Mary Skiles, of Huntington, a woman of culture and refinement. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, the doctor being now president of its official board. A thirty-second degree Mason, he is a member of Superior Lodge, No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; of Northwest Chapter, at Bryan, Ohio ; of Defiance Commandery, No. 30, Knights Templar ; and is one of the charter members of Toledo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. Denman is a charter member of the Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star to which both she and the doctor belong, and of which she is a past worthy matron, while he is a past worthy patron.
Edwin Stenger. — A substantial representative of the farming and stock raising interests of Williams County, Edwin Stenger also fur- nishes an example of the value of progressiveness and enterprise when applied to vocations connected with the soil, and his excellent property, lying four miles west of Bryan, in Center Township, gives excellent evidence of his good management.
Mr. Stenger was born in Elkhart County, Indiana, January 2, 1865, a son of George W. and Mary A. (Dickerhoff) Stenger, the former born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 19, 1841, and the latter in Stark County, this state, August 28, 1838. In young manhood, George W. Stenger resided in Defiance County for a short period, but later moved to Center Township, Williams County, where he made his home during the remainder of his active career. He is now living
144 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
at Hicksville, in retirement, although he still takes a keen and intel- ligent interest in public affairs, being a stanch democrat in politics. He and his wife have been worthy God-fearing people and church people and have had five children : Edwin ; Abbie A. and Maggie Viola, twins, the latter of whom is deceased; Amos F., a farmer of Superior Township, Williams County; and Alice, the wife of George Brown, a farmer of Defiance County at Hicksville. Abbie A. is the wife of Eugene Long of Akron, Ohio.
Edwin Stenger received a public school education and was reared on the home farm where he remained until his marriage at the age of twenty-nine years, January 25, 1894, to Miss Delia M. Stauffer. She was born in Center Township, where she was educated in the public schools, a daughter of A. C. and Marian Stauffer. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stenger started their careers as occupants of a rented farm, on which they remained about twelve years, then purchasing a piece of land located in Superior Township, Williams County. This they continued to operate until three years later, when they purchased their present farm in Center Township. Here they have 160 acres in sections 9 and 10, which has been put under a high state of cultivation by Mr. Stenger, a man of much industry and agri- cultural ability. In addition to carrying on general farming operations, he is a breeder of registered Holstein cattle and is considered a shrewd judge of livestock.
Fraternally, Mr. Stenger is affiliated with Florence Lodge, No. 502, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor and deputy grand chancellor of Williams County, and has attended the grand lodge. Mrs. Stenger belongs to Blakeley Temple, Pythian Sisters. Mr. Stenger's political opinions make him a democrat, a ticket on which he has been elected to the office of clerk of Center Township for four years.
Mr. and Mrs. Stenger are the parents of seven children : Clinton F., a graduate of the Bryan High School, who is a teacher in the schools of Center Township, served as a bugler in the United States Army and was in France for four months during the World war; Marian M., who is unmarried and makes her home with her parents, is a graduate of the public schools ; Jennie B., a graduate of the Bryan High School, who is teaching school in Center Township; Susanna, a graduate of Bryan High School ; Zenith E., who is attending that school; and Gladys M., who is attending the graded schools. The sixth child in order of birth, George A., is deceased. Mr. Stenger
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
145
has various business interests and is a stockholder in the Farmers Co- operative Elevator Company at Bryan and of the Melbern Telephone Company. '
w ,VALcER, S' Morrow— A life-'°ng resident of Williams County, Walter S. Morrow was for many years actively engaged in agricul- tural pursu.ts and having, by energetic toil, thrift, and good manage- ment, acquired a handsome competency, is now living retired from farming in Bryan, devoting his time to the advancement of the inter- ests of the Home Building Association, of which he is a director A son of David Morrow, he was born, November 14, 1855, in Center Township, on a farm situated two miles northwest of Bryan
Born in Pennsylvania, David Morrow came with his parents to Ohio in childhood, and was brought up in Wayne County, his home having been located between Wooster and Orrville. After his mar r.age he lived in that locality for a while, but in 1854 came to Williams County, and having bought a farm near Bryan, there resided during the remainder of his life. A man of strong personality he became prominent in local affairs, and a leader in the establishment of beneficial enterprises. He was a charter member of the Farmers National Bank of Bryan, and one of the organizers of the first agri- cultura society formed in that vicinity, and served as its first presi- dent. Very successful as an agriculturist, he made wise investments becoming proprietor of 700 acres of rich farming land He was a republican in politics, a member and past master of Bryan Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he ^s one of its official board for many years. He married Ruth Mitchell, who was born in Pennsylvania, and brought up in Wayne County, this state, in the same neighborhood that he was. Of the four children born of their union, Walter S., the subject of this brief sketch, is the only survivor ; the others were as follows : Elmore Y Charles A. and Ellen, who became the wife of William McNary.
Spending his boyhood on the parental homestead, Walter S Mor- row was educated in the public schools of Bryan, and as a voting man selected farming as his occupation. Successful in his undertak- ings, he acquired considerable property, and is now enjoying all the comforts of life at his attractive home, which is located at No 1015 West High Street, Bryan.
™-0^eC'mber ?' 1881' Mn M°rr0W Was united in "^rriage with Miss Erne Bntton, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, December
146 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY .
7, 1861, a daughter of Amos and Ann Britton. She was educated in the Bryan schools, being prepared for a teacher, although she never followed the profession. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have three sons, namely: Rush B., Charles D. and Walter S., Jr., a student in the Bryan High School. Rush B. Morrow, the eldest son, was graduated from the Bryan High School, and from the Ohio State University, at Columbus, and is now married and living in Bryan. At one time a member of the Ohio National Guard, he served as an officer in the World War, going overseas as captain, and being promoted to the rank of major. Charles D. Morrow, also a graduate of the Bryan High School and now attending the Ohio State University, enlisted in the World War, and was stationed at Camp Taylor, in the Officers' Training School.
Wyatt S. Ehrmin.- — A well-known and highly esteemed resident of Springfield Township, Wyatt S. Ehrmin, postmaster at Stryker, is devoting his time and attention to the duties of his position, rendering to his fellow-townsmen efficient and appreciated service in that capac- ity. A son of John A. Ehrmin, he was born, January 12, 1892, in Springfield Township, on the home farm, not very far from Bryan.
Born- and reared in Virginia, John A. Ehrmin came to Ohio in early manhood, and after living for a time in Defiance County settled per- manently on a farm in Springfield Township, Williams County. His first wife, whose maiden name was Clarissa A. Hall, died at a com- paratively early age, leaving three children. He subsequently married for his second wife, Mary Harsch; of Fulton County, this state, and to them six children have been born, as follows : Louella and Willon, twins; Wyatt S., Victor V., and Floyd and Lloyd, twins.
Brought up on the home farm, Wyatt S. Ehrmin acquired his pre- liminary education in the district schools, and in 1911 was graduated from the Stryker High School. The ensuing year he taught school, and was afterwards in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company as an assistant in the freight department. On April 1, 1917, Mr. Ehrmin took the civil service examination at Bryan, Ohio, and was at once appointed mail carrier on Rural Free Delivery Route No. 2, from Stryker, and served in that capacity until November 1, 1918, when he assumed the duties of his present position as postmaster at Stryker. Mr. Ehrmin married for his first wife, Isabelle Stuller. who died December 28, 1917, in early womanhood. He married, June 11, 1919, Miss Virgie Radabaugh, and in their pleasant home they gladly welcome their many friends and acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Ehrmin
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 147
are prominent members of the United Brethren Church, and for the past five years Mr. Ehrmin has served as superintendent of the Sunday School connected with the Radical Branch, and has acceptably filled the position of secondary county superintendent of the Williams County Sunday schools. He is a democrat in politics, and ever faith- ful to the principles of his party. Active in local affairs, he served as chairman of the Victory Boys of Williams County.
Honorable George C. Rings. — Well equipped for the duties of his chosen profession, not only by his natural gifts and temperament, but by mental training and untiring industry, Honorable George C. Rings, of West Unity, occupies a place of prominence in the legal circles of Williams County, and is conspicuously identified with the highest interests of his home city, which he is now serving as mayor, a position that he has twice before satisfactorily filled. He is distin- guished as a native born citizen, his birth having here occurred Decem- ber 4. 1872.
His father, George Rings, was born in Pennsylvania, and as a young man came to Ohio in search of fame and fortune. Settling in Williams County in 1835, he was engaged in general farming sev- eral years. During the Civil war he enlisted for service, and as captain of Company C, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry took part in several engagements of importance. He was captured in one battle, and held as a prisoner-of-war until making his escape. A stanch democrat in politics, he was active and influential in public affairs, and in addition to serving as county auditor was probate judge two terms. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Presbyterian Church, and active in its work. He married, in Hicks- ville, Ohio, Catherine Casebeer, a native of this state, and' of the six children born of their union, four were living in 1919, as follows : George C, the special subject of this sketch ; Mary, wife of Dr. W. C. Stockton, of Angleton, Texas; J. E., of Jackson, Michigan: and Lucy A., wife of W. A. Hollington, of Findlay, Ohio. George Rings was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and took great interest in it.
Having completed the full course of study in the West LTnity High School, George C. Rings entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty-one years. Immediately admitted to the bar, he began the practice of his profession at West Unity, and met from the first such flattering success that he has continued here since. Thoroughly
148 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
versed in legal lore, Mr. Rings has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and through a close application of his talents and time to the duties of his profession has built up an extensive clientele.
True to the political faith of his immediate ancestors, Mr. Rings is a stanch supporter of the principles of the democratic party, and active in public affairs. For eight years he served as state fire marshal, and is now serving his third term as mayor of West Unity. Fra- ternally Mr. Rings is a member of Superior Lodge, No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons ; of Montpelier Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; of Montpelier Council, No. 102, Royal and Select Masters ; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor ; and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Relig- iously he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Rings married Nettie M. Allen, and they have four children, namely: James E., a graduate of the University of Michigan, is associated with the National City Bank of New York City, represent- ing their Montevideo, South America, interests ; Margaret, a graduate of the West Unity High School, is attending Findlay College; Cath- erine A., who was graduated from the West Unity High School with the class of 1918, is now with the West Unity Banking Company; and George E., attending the public schools.
C. F. Shook. — An extensive and well-to-do agriculturist of Wil- liams County, C. F. Shook is actively engaged in his independent vocation in Springfield Township, his estate, known as Clover Leaf Farm, situated on sections 22 and 27, being one of the most desirable pieces of property in the vicinity. A native of this township, he was born July 6, 1871, a son of the late William R. Shook.
Born in Crawford County, Ohio, William R. Shook came with his parents to Williams County, Ohio, as a child, and was brought up and educated in Pulaski Township, where he also obtained his first knowledge of agriculture, having assisted his father in the pioneer task of redeeming a farm from its original wildness. Coming to Springfield Township after his marriage, he bought land, and having improved a farm continued its management until his death. He mar- ried one of his early schoolmates, Elizabeth Gurwell, whose parents settled in Pulaski Township when she was very small, and of the eleven children that were born of their marriage eight were living in 1919, as follows : Lucinda, widow of John Bowman ; Ellen, wife of Orlando Woodward ; W. W., of Bryan, Ohio ; E. C, of Jefferson
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 149
Township; George Henry, of Pulaski Township; Sheridan, living near Flushing, Michigan; C. F., the subject of this sketch; and Earl B., of Bryan. Marion, following E. C. in birth, is deceased. The father was a republican in politics, and the mother was a faithful member of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church.
Brought up and educated in Springfield Township, C. F. Shook remained with his parents until attaining his majority. Marrying a few years later, he rented the home farm, and having previously acquired a practical knowledge of agriculture managed it successfully. Mr. Shook subsequently bought Clover Leaf Farm, and in its improve- ment has spared neither labor, time nor expense. He has recently installed in his well appointed home a complete Delco Lighting sys- tem, one of the most useful and enjoyable of all modern conveniences.
Mr. Shook married, October 11, 1900, Cora B. Doughten, who was born in Jefferson Township, this county, and here received her elementary education. She subsequently attended the Tri-State Col- lege, at Angola, Indiana, and after completing her studies at the Ohio Northern University, in Ada, she taught school successfully until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shook have two children, namely: Harold D., a graduate of the Stryker High School ; and Donald B., attending that school. Mr. Shook has been in truth the architect of his own fortune. Having but a thousand dollars to his name when he married, he has gradually increased his capital, having accumulated a compe- tency by wise management and thrift. He is a sound republican in politics, and a member, and a trustee, of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Shook also belongs. Wideawake and progressive, he is an active member of Springfield Grange No. 499, and a past master and deputy master of the Williams County granges.
Guy H. Knepper. — One of the most conspicuous figures in the present day history of Williams County is Guy H. Knepper, of Mont- pelier, a man actively identified with the argicultural business and political interests of his county and for many years known as one of the representative men of this locality. Strong mental endowment and business ability of high order, with honesty of purpose, have so entered into his composition as to render him a leader of men and a factor in the prosperity of the county. He is essentially a man of affairs, sound of judgment and far-seeing in what he undertakes, and to a notable degree he has won and retained the confidence and esteem of all classes.
150 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Guy H. Knepper, a member of the board of commissioners of Williams County, was born in Superior Township, this county, on March 4, 1863, and is a son of William and Eliza (McHenry) Knep- per. Both of these parents were natives of the Buckeye State, the father having been born in Columbiana County on April 13, 1836, and the mother in Richland County on April 10, 1836. William Knepper was about fifteen years of age when, in 1851, his parents brought their family to Williams County. The same year saw the arrival here of his future wife, whose family settled in Superior Township. They were reared here and after their marriage they located on a farm in Superior Township, where they lived until August, 1885, when the mother died. Mr. Knepper continued to reside there until 1903, when he moved to Montpelier, where he resided until his death, which occurred on January 5, 1917. Mrs. Knepper was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Knepper was a republican in his political views and was active in local public affairs, having held several town- ship offices. To him and his wife were born six children, namely : Albert, of Superior Township; Guy H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Ida, the wife of A. L. Brannan, of Nebraska; Bertha, Sarah and Harry E. are deceased.
Guy H. Knepper remained at home with his parents until twenty years of age, and in the meantime he received a good practical educa- tion in the district schools. In 1883 he went to South Dakota, where he remained a year, and then, because of his mother's sickness and death, he was at home for about a year and a half. Returning then to the West, he located in Nebraska, where he remained for about ten years, engaging in farming and for about three years being employed as a cowboy. After his marriage he located on land which he had entered in Nebraska, but eight years later he returned to Wil- liams County and lived on the home farm until 1906. He then went to Edon, Ohio, and, in partnership with his brother-in-law, was engaged in the elevator, hay and grain business for about four years. He then acquired entire ownership of the business, which was there- after operated under the name of Knepper & Son until January 1, 1916, when the business was sold and Mr. Knepper came to Mont- pelier. For a time he was engaged in the manufacturing of hoops, but discontinued that and was engaged in the buying and shipping of hay until August, 1918, when he enlisted in the United States military service, receiving a commission as first lieutenant in the Quar- termaster Corps. He was sent to Camp Taylor, where he had charge of fuel and forage. He received an honorable discharge on January
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 151
15, 1919, and returned home and gave his attention to the operation of his farm of eighty acres in Superior Township, comprising a part of the old homestead on which he was born and reared.
Mr. Knepper has for many years been an active participant in political affairs, and in 1915 was elected on the republican ticket to the office of County Commissioner, in which position he served until
1917, giving entire satisfaction to the voters of the county. In
1918, during his absence in the army, he was again nominated for the same position and was elected, assuming the office on September 15, 1919. Well qualified in every respect for this important office, Mr. Knepper has proven a faithful guardian of the people's interests, giving to the public affairs in his, charge the same careful and pains- taking attention that he would give to his private affairs. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and, fraternally, he belongs to Edon Lodge, No. 474, Free and Accepted Masons ; Superior Chapter, No. 184, Royal Arch Masons, and Montpelier Council, Royal and Select Masters, he being a past master of the blue lodge. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
On June 22, 1887, Mr. Knepper was married to Alice Hepker, who was born and reared in Superior Township, attending the district schools. They had four children, namely: Virgie, the oldest, died when sixteen years of age; W. H., who is a graduate of Winona College, at Winona, Indiana, is manager of the Farmers Co-operative Hay and Grain Company, at Bryan ; Guy H., Jr., is a veteran of the World War, having been located for seventeen months at Camp Sher- man, Chillicothe, Ohio, where he had the rank of regimental sergeant major; he is now connected with the Goodyear Rubber Company, at Akron, Ohio ; Leeta B:, after graduating from the Edon High School, attended the dramatic art department of the Valparaiso University, where she was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Oratory, and is now a teacher in the Montpelier public schools. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship he is a notable example, his career having been characterized by duty faithfully performed, and by industry, thrift and wisely directed effort, with the result that he enjoys the universal respect and confidence of the entire com- munity.
Archibald Pressler, popular ex-commissioner of Williams County and for many years one of the leading farmers and stock men of Superior Township, who is now living in- honorable retirement in Montpelier, was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of
152 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and the exercise of sound judgment, he has attained a comfortable station in life, making his influence felt for the general good of his community and county, where practically all of his active life has been spent.
Archibald Pressler was born near Shelby, Ohio, on August 31, 1843, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Holtz) Pressler. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in 1818 and the mother in 1820. The Pressler family came to Ashland County, Ohio, in 1840, and the Holtz family came to Richland County in 1830. Henry and Nancy Pressler came to Williams County in 1857 and located in Bridgewater Township, where they lived six years, moving at the end of that time to Superior Township, where he engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. They were members of the Church of God and in politics Mr. Pressler was a republican. They became the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living, namely: Archibald, the subject of this sketch; Catherine, the wife of Edwin June, of Bryan, Ohio ; Sarah, who is the wife of B. A. Lowe, of Superior Township, and Margaret, the widow of Robert A. Kime. Jacob and Julia are deceased, and one child died in infancy.
Archibald Pressler was about fourteen years of age when the fam- ily came to Williams County, and his education was secured in the district schools of Huron and Seneca counties. He remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he started out on his own account, applying himself first to the carpenter trade. In 1864 he enlisted in defense of the Union, joining Company D of the One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served about five months. He was then transferred to the Quartermaster's department, where he remained until receiving his honorable discharge, in January, 1865. He then returned to Wil- liams County and, after his marriage, which occurred in 1866, he located on a farm in Superior Township, where he lived until the fall of 1903, when he moved to Montpelier, where he now resides.
On February 2, 1866, Mr. Pressler was married to Angela Haw- kins, who was born in Huron County, Ohio, in August, 1844. She is a daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Crissey) Hawkins, both of whom were born in Connecticut, where they were married, coming to Williams County in 1847, and spending the remainder of their lives here, their home being located in Bridgewater Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Pressler were born two children, namely: Ettie May, who was formerly a teacher in the public schools, but is now the widow of P. B. Rogers, and Belle, who was the wife of A. C. Hause, of
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 153
Montpelier, Ohio. She died March 25, 1920. There was one child by that marriage, Reginald Hause, now fifteen years of age, the only grandchild.
Mr. Pressler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and he and his wife are affiliated with the Daughters of Rebekah. Politically, Mr. Pressler is a democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He was elected a member of the Board of Commis- sioners of Williams County and gave so satisfactory an administration of the office that he was elected to succeed himself by a handsome majority. Mr. Pressler keeps alive his old army associations through his membership in Hiram Louden Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has served as commander. Mrs. Pressler is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, of which she served as president for three years. Mr. Pressler's life has been one of duty well and conscientiously performed in all its relations. He has not been a man to shrink from his duty, however irksome or dangerous, whether in the role of private citizen, public servant or on the field of battle, and today he enjoys to a marked degree the respect and confi- dence of his host of loyal friends and acquaintances throughout the county.
Lewis P. Wirtz.- — During the long, honorable and uniformly suc- cessful career of Lewis P. Wirtz, he has been identified with a num- ber of lines of business endeavor and in each has shown capability and good management that have tended to work for his advancement. Farming, carpentry, the clothing business and the produce line have benefited by his attentions, and at the present time he is centering his activities in the lumber industry as proprietor of the L. P. Wirtz Lumber Company, at Kunkle.
Mr. Wirtz was born on a farm near Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, May 14, 1866, a son of Henry and Mary (Frank) Wirtz, who were reared, educated and married in the same community of that county. On coming to Williams County, they located on a property three miles north of Kunkle, on which they carried on operations for many years, but after the death of the mother Mr. Wirtz went to Iowa, where he passed his last years at the home of a son. He was a republican in politics and at one time served efficiently as a member of the board of trustees of Madison Township. He and his worthy wife were faithful members of the German Reformed Church, and had eight sons and two daughters. The daughters, twins, died in infancy, and seven sons are living at this time: L. P., G. A., C. W., F. M., Allen
154 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
E., Oliver W., and Sherman. John H. died Christmas night, 1918.
Lewis P. Wirtz was given the advantages of a public school edu- cation in Williams County and remained under the parental roof as his father's associate in cultivating the home farm, until he was nineteen years of age, at which time he began working at the trade of carpenter. After eight years devoted to this vocation, he turned his attention to the clothing business, with which he was identified for four years, and this was followed by six years of experience in the produce business. Mr. Wirtz then founded his present business, the L. P. Wirtz Lumber Company, which he has developed to large and important proportions. Mr. Wirtz has a number of other business connections. He is one of the directors of the Kunkle State Bank. He organized and built the Farmers Telephone Company, of which he is secretary and man- ager, and a member of the board of directors of the Kunkle Light and Power Company. His career has been an exemplification of the value of perseverance and industry, when combined with natural abil- ity, for at the outset of his career he had no outside assistance and his success has been gained entirely through his own initiative and resource. Mr. Wirtz is a republican, and at the present time is serv- ing as justice of the peace. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Superior Lodge, No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons, and Kunkle Lodge, No. 821, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand, Mrs. Wirtz being a member of the Rebekahs. They belong to the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Wirtz has been secretary for twenty years and a member of the board of trustees for fifteen years. His record as a business man and a citizen is beyond reproach and has been characterized by constructiveness in advancing education, religion and high commercial standards.
Mr. Wirtz first married Miss Maine Whetro, having one child by that marriage, who is now deceased. In May, 1900, Mr. Wirtz mar- ried Miss Mary E. Barrier, who was born in Williams County and educated in the public schools. She is a woman of numerous accom- plishments, and, like her husband, has many friends at Kunkle.
William Lonabarger, proprietor of the Ford Sale and Service Garage of Pioneer, is one of the men who has possessed the right idea of the importance of the automobile industry and the lines con- nected with it, and as a result of his broad vision and enterprising methods has built up a large and constantly growing business. He was born in Hillsdale County, Michigan, on June 30, 1879, a son of David and Ella (Monk) Lonabarger, natives of Williams County,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 155
Ohio, and Hillsdale County, Michigan, respectively. They are still living and reside in Hillsdale County, Michigan. ' For many years they have been consistent members of the Evangelical Church. In poli- tics he has always espoused the principles of the democratic party, but aside from voting its ticket, has not been active in public affairs! He and his wife had three children born to them, namely : William, who is the eldest ; Fern, who is a farmer, is married and lives in Amboy Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan; and Jesse, who is also a farmer, lives in the same township and county as Fern.
William Lonabarger was reared on his father's farm and taught by that excellent man the lessons of industry and thrift which actuated him through life. While assisting in the operation of the farm, he attended the district schools and in them laid the foundations of an excellent common school education. Until he was married he remained at home, at which time he branched out for himself and came to Pioneer and became agent for the Ford machines. Being a good busi- ness man and understanding the needs of his customers, he is able to give them a service that is so appreciated that through it he has built up a patronage that is yielding him very gratifying returns.
Mr. Lonabarger was married to Pearl Yagel, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Yerlin, Gerald. Irene and Mildred. After the death of the first Mrs. Lonabarger, Mr. Lonabarger was married to Estella Serer, but they had no children, and she later died. As his third wife Mr. Lonabarger married Mary Dohen, and they have a son, Robert. Mrs. Lonabarger was early united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and is still a member of it. Mr. Lonabarger is a member of the Pioneer Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and his wife belongs to the Rebekahs. In politics he is a demo- crat both by inheritance and conviction. Both he and Mrs. Lonabarger stand very high in popular esteem, and are accepted as representative people of the county.
Francis W. Grannis. — Among the men who have gained positions of prominence in business affairs in Williams County, not a few have had their early training in the midst of the environment of the farm. From the rural districts they have brought a sense of discipline and a knowledge of sturdy industry that have combined with their later training to assist them in gaining prosperity for themselves and for the enterprises with which they are connected. In this class undoubt- edly is Francis W. Grannis, a dealer in coal, cement, wire fencing and similar products at Pioneer, who was reared in the atmosphere
156 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
of the farm, but whose success has been enjoyed as a competitor in the marts of commerce.
Mr. Grannis was born in Bridgewater Township, Williams County, Ohio, March 31, 1853, a son of Pierce C. and Esther (Close) Grannis. From his native state of New York, Pierce C. Grannis first came to Huron County, Ohio, and later to Ashland County, where he married Miss Close, a native of the Buckeye State. In 1851 they transferred their residence place to Williams County, the father locating on a farm in the woods at a time when the settlement of Pioneer had but two log houses, these being occupied by the members of the Norris and Joy families. After clearing a small tract, he built a small log cabin, to which he brought his family, and in this community the remainder of his active life was passed in the pursuits of agriculture. He was an industrious and capable man, and cleared and developed a good farm, making a material success of his life through legitimate channels of endeavor. In the evening of life he moved to Pioneer, where he died at the age of eighty-three years, his worthy and highly esteemed widow surviving him for some years and passing away at the remarkable age of ninety-two. They were faithful Christian people, and, with their oldest son, together with John Fulton and his sister and Mrs. G. R. Joy, organized the first Methodist Episcopal Church at Pioneer. All remained consistent members of this con- gregation throughout their lives. Mr. Grannis was a stalwart repub- lican in his political views and held numerous township offices in Bridgewater Township. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom two are living: Anna, the wife of Joseph Gordon, of Madison Township, Williams County, and Francis W.
Francis W. Grannis was reared on the home place and his educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of Pioneer. When he put aside his school books he returned to farming, and when ready to enter upon a career of his own purchased the home farm of eighty acres. This he operated with a gratifying share of success until August 20, 1909, at which time he turned over its management to other hands and came to Pioneer. Here he established himself in his present business, which he has built up to large proportions. Mr. Gran- nis enjoys an excellent reputation in business circles and is known as a man of high integrity. He is a republican in politics and has served as a member of the board of township trustees. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Pioneer Lodge No. 359, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and Mrs. Grannis belongs to the Pythian Sisters. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he holds membership on the official board.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 157
Mr. Grannis was united in marriage in 1876 with Miss Elsie Fulton, who was born at Pioneer and educated in the public schools, and three children have been born to them: Addie E., a graduate of the Pioneer High School, who became the wife of Edwin Hodson and died at the age of thirty years ; Vernie, a graduate of the same school, now the widow of Clinton Bible, of Pioneer; and Percy, who is married and a resident of Pioneer. Mr. Grannis is the owner of an eighty-acre farm in Bridgewater Township, and has also accumulated several town properties at Pioneer.
Hon. William E. Siders. — The record of successful business men needs no introductory preface among the citizens of the county in which their prosperity has been attained, and Hon. William E. Siders, of Pioneer, is undoubtedly a member of the class referred to. By his strict personal integrity and honorable dealings, combined with good business qualifications, he has become one of the leading manufacturers of his part of Williams County, and at the same time has taken a prominent and influential part in public affairs, at present being the incumbent of the office of mayor of his city.
Mr. Siders was born in Meigs County, Ohio, February 16, 1872, a son of David and Phoebe (Greathouse) Siders, natives of West Vir- ginia, the former born in Kanawha County and the latter in Roane County. They were married in Meigs County, where they resided for some years, in 1880 moving to Syracuse, Ohio, where the father worked at his trade of cooper. In 1884 David Siders engaged in the lumber business in Henry County, Ohio, where he remained until 1906, then removing to Bryan, where he followed the same line for five years. Coming to Pioneer in 1911, he and his sons purchased the Pioneer Hoop Mill, with which the father continued to be identified until his death in 1914.
William E. Siders was twelve years of age when he went with his parents to Henry County, where he completed his public school edu- cation, then pursuing a course at the Fostoria Business College. Fol- lowing this, he spent twelve years at Seneca and in Sandusky County, and in 1911 came to Pioneer, where he became identified with the Pioneer Hoop Mill. At the time of his father's death, in 1914, he assumed sole control of the business, which had adopted the style of the Pioneer Cooperage Company, and which he has continued to con- duct with ever-increasing success. In addition, Mr. Siders is the proprietor of a sawmill and lumber business, and is a large property owner, having 353 acres in Woodbridge and Ransome townships, Hills-
158 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
dale County, Michigan ; ninety-three acres on Nettle Lake, Northwest- ern Township ; eighty acres in Texas and the beautiful Siders' home and another dwelling at Pioneer. Some idea of the extent of Mr. Sid- ers' success may be seen when it is stated that when he entered upon his active career, in 1903, he and his brother-in-law possessed a capital of about $100. Today Mr. Siders is worth approximately $50,000.
A stalwart republican in his political allegiance, Mr. Siders has been active in the ranks of his party, in which he wields a strong and beneficial influence. He has been a member of the county central committee and of the Pioneer city council, and at present is acting in the capacity of mayor of Pioneer, giving his fellow citizens a capable and business-like administration, during which much has been done to advance the city's interests. As a fraternalist, he belongs to Green Spring Lodge No. 427, Free and Accepted Masons, Green Springs, Ohio, and to the Chapter and Council at Montpelier, Ohio.
On August 31, 1900, Mr. Siders married Miss Mae B. Beatty, who was born at Strasburg, Virginia, and to this union there have come two children: Leroy, born July 13, 1903, who is attending high school; and Anna, born April 1, 1906, a freshman in the high school.
Rev. J. F. Slough. — It is seldom that an outsider understands or appreciates the work accomplished by the ministers of the Gospel. Fortunately these learned and honored pastors give little thought to the criticisms or lack of appreciation on the part of the world, resting content with the realization that they have carried out the ideas of their church and achieved untold good for humanity. One of these distinguished clergymen of the Church of God, now retired, is Rev. J. F. Slough, who for thirty-eight years preached the Gospel in Wil- liams County, where he filled seven charges, and who is now one of the greatly venerated residents of Pioneer.
J. F. Slough was born in Crawford County, Ohio, November 21, 1854, a son of Leonard and Christina (Beaver) Slough, the father born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1819, a son of Jacob and Mary (Moorey) Slough. The grandparents removed from Pennsylvania to Columbiana County, Ohio, where the grandfather met an accidental death, the grandmother remaining in that locality during the remainder of her life. Leonard Slough grew to maturity in Columbiana County, where he was married, and shortly thereafter moved to Crawford County, Ohio, where he made his home until April, 1864. At that time he brought his family to Williams County, locating two and one-half miles west of Pioneer, where he passed the
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 159
remaining years of his life. He was a democrat in his political alle- giance, and he and his worthy wife were faithful members of the German Lutheran Church. They were the parents of nine children, of who four are living: Daniel, of Edon, Ohio; J. F. ; W. J., of Ashta- bula County, Ohio: and Doctor George, of Posey County, Indiana.
Rev. J. F. Slough was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to Williams County, here acquiring his education in the district schools. He was reared as a farmer's son and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, January 2, 1877, to Miss Maggie Miller, who was born in Richland County. Ohio, and was a girl when she accompanied her parents to Williams County, where she was given a public school education. To Rev. and Mrs. Slough there was born one daughter, Lottie A., who attended the public schools until seven- teen years of age when she went to the Fayette Normal School. A graduate in music, she taught that art at Pioneer until her marriage to George A. Brown, at present clerk of the court of Williams County, Mrs. Brown acting as his deputy. Mrs. Slough died July 31, 1914, and October 24, 1916, Rev. Slough married Miss Martha Riley, of Rising Sun, Ohio, who was born in Richland County, this state, May 19, 1859, educated in the public schools of Seneca County, and was a teacher for some years in Sandusky County.
Rev. J. F. Slough entered the ministry of the Church of God at the age of twenty-six years, in 1880, and continued his ministerial labors for a period of thirty-eight years, during which time he filled seven pulpits. It would be hard to estimate the extent of the good work accomplished by Reverend Slough during his long ministry, in which he won the affection of his people wherever he labored. The high esteem in which he was held by his brethren of the cloth was evidenced in the fact that for a number of years he acted on many of the important committees in the eldership. In 1918 he retired to his one and one-half acre tract at Pioneer, where he has a pleasant home. He is likewise the owner of a farm of eighty acres in Bridgewater Township, the management of which he supervises, and is especially interested in the breeding of Jersey cattle and White Orpington chick- ens. His standing as an authority upon agricultural matters has been recognized by his occupancy of a position on the board of directors of the Williams County Agricultural Society for ten years, during which time he has been president of that society for two years and vice president for seven years. In matters of a political character he maintains an independent stand, voting at all times for the man whom he deems best qualified for the office at stake.
160 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Daniel H. Claudon, cashier of the Citizens Bank of Pioneer, Ohio, has had seven years' experience with the uncompromising and accuracy-compelling methods of monetary science as revealed behind the counters of Ohio institutions. As are all successful and reliable cashiers, he is methodical in his habits and practical in his ambitions. Steadiness of life aim has been imparted to him by a family which has always been noted for its financial ability.
Mr. Claudon is a product of the Prairie state, born in Livingston County, Illinois, February 11, 1871, a son of Joseph and Mary (Mosi- man) Claudon, the latter born near Peoria, Illinois. Joseph Claudon was born in Alsace-Lorraine and immigrated to the United States when twenty-one years of age. Locating in Illinois, he secured work as a farm hand until, with the aid of his faithful and capable wife, he was able to purchase a farm of eighty acres. To this, through constant industry and good management, he added from time to time until he was the owner of 480 acres of good Illinois land. He was one of the substantial and highly esteemed citizens of his community, a republican in his political views and a consistent member of the Mennonite Church. He and his wife were the parents of six children: Amos, who is carrying on agricultural operations in Illinois ; David, cashier of the Bank of Meadows, Illinois, and president of the First National Bank at Gridley, that state ; Daniel M. ; Mary, the wife of David Gerig, of Illinois; Sarah, the wife of John D. Gorg; and Miss Emma, unmarried.
Daniel H. Claudon spent his boyhood days on the home farm, acquiring his education in the public schools. He continued to follow the pursuits of agriculture until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, at which time he embarked in the grain business at Meadows, Illinois, where he and his brothers were the owners of the grain ele- vators. After fourteen years in this business they disposed of their Illinois holdings and in 1913 came to Pioneer, where they bought the interests of the Edward Gaudom Bank and founded a business of their own which has since developed to large proportions. At the same time, Daniel H. Claudon became cashier of the Citizens Bank, a posi- tion which he has retained to the present time. He is a heavy stock- holder in the bank and his wide acquaintance with the farmers and business men of the section renders him a valuable adjunct to its success. He likewise has an interest in two banks in Illinois, and is the owner of an 160-acre farm in Williams County, near Pioneer. In politics he is a republican, although he has never sought nor cared for public office. With his family he belongs to the Mennonite Church.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 161
He is a promoter of stable and conservative interests, and as a citizen and banker maintains standards in keeping with the best welfare of the community.
In 1893, while still a resident of Illinois, Mr. Claudon was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Rediger, a native of that state, and to this union there have been born two daughters : Alice, a graduate of the Pioneer High School, and wife of Marion Masters, who is carrying on agricultural operations on Mr. Claudon's 160-acre farm; and Irene, also a graduate of the same school, who is acting as assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank of Pioneer.
William D. Wallace. — One of the retired farmers of Pioneer, was for years connected with the agricultural life of Williams County, and then, as now, he commanded the confidence and respect of all with whom he came into contact. He was born near Olivesburg, Richland County, Ohio, on September 12, 1844, a son of Noah and Sophia (Bowser) Wallace, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively, who were married in Maryland. After their marriage they moved to Ohio and located on a farm in the vicinity of Olivesburg, Richland County, leaving that locality for Williams County. Here they settled on a farm three miles south of Pioneer in Madison Township, and here they died. They were devout members of the United Brethren Church. In politics he was a strong republican, and his fellow citizens elected him to several of the township offices for he was a man who com- manded their confidence. There were eleven children in his family, of whom four survive, namely : William B., who is the eldest ; Eliza- beth, who married G. G. Brown, lives three miles south of Pioneer; Noah, who lives in Michigan : and John, who is also a resident of Michigan.
William B. Wallace was reared on the Madison Township farm, and attended the district schools during the winter months and in sum- mer assisted his father in operating the homestead, this condition continuing until he was twenty years old. He then went to Tennes- see, where he was employed for a year, and then returned and was engaged in working for farmers of Williams County. Having saved his money, Mr. Wallace was then able to buy a farm of his own and now owns eighty-five acres of land, on which he was engaged in farm- ing until his retirement. All that he has he made himself.
Mr. Wallace was married to Livona Page, and they had four children, three of whom survive, namely : Melvin, Albert and Els- worth. M. I. died at the age of fortv vears. Mrs. Wallace died in
162 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
1886, and Mr. Wallace later married a daughter of Professor Kirk, Miss Maude Kirk, and they had one son, Clare, who lives at home. Mrs. Wallace died on December 22, 1909. Mr. Wallace belongs to the Church of God. Like his father he is a republican. During his long and useful life Mr. Wallace has lived up to what he believed was right, and is recognized as being one of the dependable and upright men of Williams County.
i Hon. Frank L. Waterston. — Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record in the annals of history wherever they are found. By a few general observations the biographer hopes to convey in the following paragraphs, succinctly and yet without fulsome encomium, some idea of the high standing of Frank L. Waterston, of Montpelier, as a business man and public- spirited citizen, one of the representative men of Williams County. Those who know him best will readily acquiesce in the statement that many elements of a solid and practical nature are united in his com- position and which during a series of years have brought him into prominent notice in this county, his life and achievements earning for him a conspicuous place among his compeers.
Frank L. Waterston, who is the present representative from Wil- liams County in the lower house of the Ohio State Legislature, for- merly county commissioner of Williams County for seven years, and four years a member of the Board of Public Affairs of Montpelier, is a native son of the county now honored by his citizenship, having been born in Bridgewater Township on May 5, 1860. His parents were Simon and Cyrena (Lindsay) Waterston, both of whom are now deceased. Simon Waterston was born and reared in Edinburgh, Scotland, his birth occurring on May 20, 1830, and in his youth he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States. They first located in Belmont County, Ohio, later living for a time in Richland County, this state, and in 1851 they came to Williams County, locating in Bridgewater Township, where he grew to manhood. Cyrena Lindsay was born in Schenectady, New York, on December 7, 1830, and was a daughter of Frank and Polly (Adams) Lindsay, being on the maternal side a direct descendant of John Quincy Adams. In 1838, when but eight years of age, she was brought to Williams County, her parents locating in Bridgewater Township, where she met and mar- ried Simon Waterston. They first located on a farm in section 28, Bridgewater Township, where they lived until 1889, when they moved to Montpelier, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 163
They were active and faithful members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Waterston was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. The latter membership was particularly consonant from the fact that during the dark days of the Civil war Mr. Waterston offered his services to his country, serving from 1861 to 1865, being discharged in July of the latter year, with the rank of captain. He was a republican in his political views and took an active part in local public affairs, having held several township offices. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: George T., of Pioneer, Ohio; Anna C, the wife of Samuel Hays, of Montpelier; Frank L., the immediate subject of this review ; and Jennie, the wife of Fred Bauer.
Frank L. Waterston spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Bridgevvater Township and secured a good practical education in the district schools of that locality. He remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he was married, and started farming on his own account. He first bought eighty acres of land, for which he went into debt, but by hard work and good management he was able to pay for it in two years. Thereafter as he prospered, he added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of 120 acres of excellent land, all of which he has gained by his own efforts. In 1904 Mr. Waterston went to Montpelier and engaged in the hardware busi- ness, which he conducted for about eight years, at the end of which time he sold the business, though he still owns the building in which the store is located. Since then he has given his attention to his farming interests, which have proven profitable under his direction. His farm is well improved in every respect and, in addition to the raising of general crops, Mr. Waterston also gives some attention to the raising of live stock.
On October 3, 1882, Mr. Waterston was married to Mary A. Ansley, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, but in babyhood was brought to Alvordton, Williams County, where she lived until twelve years of age, when the family moved to Bridgewater Town- ship, where she was reared and attended the district schools. To this union has been born one son, Lynn S., who completed his studies in the Montpelier High School, after which he was engaged in teach- ing school for two years. He was married to Mary Shammel and they have three children : Naomi, Carmie and Fred L.
Politically, Mr. Waterston has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party and has taken an active part in local public affairs. In 1903 he was elected a member of the Board of County Commis-
164 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
sioners of Williams County, serving until 1910. For four years he rendered effective service as a member of the Board of Public Affairs of the Town of Montpelier. In November, 1918, he was elected a member of the General Assembly, representing Williams County in the eighty-third session of that body. He has been eminently efficient and faithful in the performance of his public duties and has always stood stanchly for the best interest of the general public, his efforts being fully appreciated by his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is member of Superior Lodge, No. 269, Knights of Pythias, and, with his wife, belongs also to the Pythian Sisters. In his record there is much that is commendable, his career forcibly illustrating what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles and correct ideals. In his public ■career, as well as his private life, no word of suspicion has ever been breathed against him. His actions have been the result of careful and conscientious thought, and when once convinced that he is right no suggestion of policy or personal profit can swerve him from the course he has decided upon. Because of his success, his ability and his sterl- ing character, he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence, good will •and esteem of all who know him.
Ward G. Haviland. — In the less extensive and populous towns and villages of a state, the postmaster is very likely to be brought into ■contact with a greater number of the inhabitants and at more frequent intervals than any other member of the community. Few are the individual residents of either sex who do not become familiar with his presence and deportment and cognizant of his habits and characteris- tics, and there are likewise few, on the other hand, even to the older children, whom he has not learned to know. With such an intimate relationship existing between the man conducting the postoffice and the townspeople depending upon it, thrice happy is the incumbent of that 'office when all of the men, women and children of the place have for him only words of commendation. Such is the favored position of Ward G. Haviland, the efficient and popular postmaster of Pioneer, Williams County, who is the possessor of those qualities of candor, sincerity, faithfulness and affability which give the best class of public officials a high standing in the estimation of those whose interests are entrusted to their care.
Mr. Haviland was born in Williams County, Ohio, October 14, 1871, a son of Comfort and Harriet (Gordon) Haviland, the former -a native of Putnam County, New York, and the latter of Ransom
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 16S
Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan. The father, who was a Wil- liams County farmer, served as postmaster at Pioneer during the administration of President Cleveland, and was a lifelong democrat, and fraternally was a charter member of Pioneer Lodge No. 441, Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife were faithful members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Haviland met an accidental death in 1912, and his widow still survives as a resident of pioneer.
The only child of his parents, Ward G. Haviland was reared on the home place and received his education in the public schools. After his graduation from the high school, he applied himself to farming, in which he was engaged uninterruptedly until appointed postmaster at Pioneer in February, 1914. In 1918, at the expiration of his first term, he received the reappointment, and is still acting in that office, his continuous conduct of the position having met with the entire approval of the community. Mr. Haviland is identified with the democratic party, in the local councils and campaigns of which he has long been an influential factor. He belongs to Pioneer Lodge, No. 441, Free and Accepted Masons, and Montpelier Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and he and Mrs. Haviland are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is still the owner of sixty acres of good farming land in Madison: Township, Williams County.
Mr. Haviland married Gertrude Heist, who was reared near West Unity, Ohio, and they have two children : Max, born in January, 1907, who is attending the public school at Pioneer; and Kathleen, born November 8, 1919. Mrs. Haviland is a member of the United Breth- ren Church, and, like her husband, has numerous friends in the community of her home.
Richard D. Martin. — Agriculture is today just as essential an industry as it was during the period when this country was maintain- ing a mighty army abroad and the farmer is still entitled to the credit he then won and has since held because of his work in creating food to feed the world. Williams County is furnishing some of the best examples of the agricultural class as can- be found in the country, and one of them is Richard D. Martin, of Madison Township, whose fine farm is located one mile south and one and one-half miles east of Pioneer.
Mr. Martin was born near his present farm, in the same township, on December 10, 1855, a son of David and Eliza (Kendall) Martin; he born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and she, in England. She came to the United States with her parents, who located in Richland
166 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
County, Ohio, where she was reared to maturity and was married. For a short time she and her husband lived in Richland County, but then moved to Williams County, Ohio, and located in Madison Town- ship, where both died, owners of 160 acres of land. They were Dun- kards in religious faith, and most excellent people. In politics he was a democrat, and served as director of the county infirmary for two terms. Of the ten children born to him and his wife, eight survive, namely: Isabelle, who became the wife of Samuel Weeks, of Kan- sas; Daniel, who lives at Nankin, Ohio; Ira, who is deceased; John, who lives in Michigan ; Catherine, who is the widow of Samuel Baum, lives at Ashland, Ohio; Mary, who is the wife of Henry Yeagle; Richard D., whose name heads this review ; Willard K., who lives near Pioneer, Ohio ; H. W., who lives at Pioneer ; and an unnamed infant.
Richard D. Martin was reared to manhood on his father's farm and he alternated assisting him in conducting it with attendance at the district schools. On October 3, 1878, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Rittenhouse, born in Medina County, Ohio, on January 22, 1858, who was brought to Williams County when she was thirteen years old and educated in the common schools of this neighborhood. After they were married Mr. and Mrs. Martin lived for seven years in Amboy Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan, but returned to Williams County and have since lived in Madison Township. They own 100 acres of very valuable farm land.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of the following children : Loyal, who died at the age of five years ; Myrtle E., who was born on December 23, 1890, was graduated from Ashland College, and mar- ried Herbert G. Kauffman, of Madison Township; and Arda N., who was graduated from the Pioneer High School and is a physical direc- tor. She is now a reconstruction agent of the United States Govern- ment at Fort Henry, Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Martin and his wife belong to the Brethren Church and he is one of the trustees of the local congregation. He is not a party man but independent in politics. In all of his life he has been guided by principles which are the bed-rock of Christianity, and he has always shown a deep and enlightened inter- est in the advancement of his community.
Herbert Glenn Kauffman, one of the rising young farmers of Madison Township, lives on his father's farm which is located four and one-half miles northeast of Montpelier, Ohio. He was born in Madison Township, Williams County, Ohio, in March, 1892, a son of Albert and Clara (Arter) Kauffman, natives of Madison and Superior townships, Williams County. They were reared in the same
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 167
neighborhood and attended the same schools. At present Albert Kauff- man is president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Montpelier, and a farmer of Superior Township. In politics he is a republican. Albert Kauffman and his wife have two children, namely : Herbert G., who is the elder, and Elsie, who is at home.
Herbert G. Kauffman was reared on his father's homestead in Madison Township, and attended the district schools until he was twenty-one years old. At that time he was married to Myrtle Martin of the same township, a daughter of Richard D. Martin, whose name heads this article. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman have one child, Galia M., who was born on April 12, 1916. Mr. Kauffman is a republican. Since his marriage he has been carrying on general farming and stock raising, being fitted for this work by years of training and natural liking for it. He and Mrs. Kauffman belong to the younger married set of their community and are very popular socially.
Benjamin H. Traxler, one of the trustees of Madison Township, and a farmer of Williams County, who is living on his finely developed farm one mile south and one and one-quarter miles east of Pioneer, is one of the men with a love of the soil in the blood, who has mate- rially assisted in maintaining the agricultural prestige of this section of the state. He was born in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio, on October 11, 1862, a son of Hugh and Esther Traxler, natives of Pennsylvania and Richland County, Ohio, respectively. They were married in Williams County, Ohio, and settled on a farm near West Unity, Ohio. With the outbreak of the war between the North and the South, Hugh Traxler espoused the Union cause and enlisted and died in the service, leaving but one child, who was born after his father had gone into the army. It is sad to relate that the gallant young soldier was not spared to see his son. The lad was reared by his grandparents with whom he remained until he was fourteen years old when, his mother remarrying, he accompanied her and his step- father to the farm he now occupies. Later his mother moved to Kunkle, but subsequent to the death of her second husband, she returned to the farm and spent her last days with her son. They were all church members and most excellent, Christian people.
B. H. Traxler's educational training was confined to that offered by the district schools, but he made the most of his opportunities. All of his mature years he has been engaged in farming and now owns 186 acres of excellent farm land, on which he is carrying on general farm- ing and stock raising, and specializes in a good grade of stock.
168 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
On September 23, 1882, Mr. Traxler was united in marriage with Ada Best, who was born in Madison Township, Williams County, Ohio, in August, 1863, a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Flagle) Best. She was reared on her father's farm and went to the district school. Mr. and Mrs. Traxler have two children, namely: Mabel, who was born on December 10, 1884, is unmarried and lives at home; and Forrest, who was born on May 20, 1901, was graduated from the Pioneer High School, and is now a student of the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, where he is taking a course in civil engineering. Mr. Traxler is a republican and was elected on his party ticket one of the trustees of his township. Both he and Mrs. Traxler are mem- bers of the United Brethren Church. In addition to his farming inter- ests Mr. Traxler is vice president and a director of the Northwestern Mutual Wind & Tornado Insurance Company. He is a thoroughly competent farmer and operates his farm in conformity with the most modern of agricultural methods and his compensation for his years of effort is not entirely measured by his material prosperity, for he also holds dear the respect and trust he inspires in his neighborhood.
Oscar W. Starr. — The great growth and development of the automobile industry has attracted to its ranks men from various voca- tions of life, and not a few of these have come from the country districts. One of the important concomitants of the business is that which deals with the housing problems of the industry, this necessitat- ing the presence of numerous well-fitted and conveniently situated garages throughout the country. Of the men who have come from the farming industry to become factors in the automobile business, one at West Unity who is making a success of his operations is Oscar W. Starr, proprietor of the Starr Garage.
Mr. Starr was born on a farm three miles southwest of West Unity, in Williams County, Ohio, August 4, 1881, a son of E. W. and Catherine (Warren) Starr, the former a native of Richland County and the latter of Williams County, where both are now living on a Brady Township farm. The eldest of a family of four children, Oscar W. Starr was reared on the farm and as a lad attended the public schools of West Unity. When he was nineteen years of age he secured employment as a clerk in Welker's dry goods store, at Bryan, but after two years returned to the farm. He continued to be engaged in farming and stock raising operations for fourteen years, his property being known as the Maple Leaf Stock Farm, a tract of eighty acres of well-cultivated land, and this he still owns, it
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 169
being operated under his supervision. Mr. Starr took up his residence at West Unity March 1, 1919, at which time he opened to the public the establishment known as the Starr Garage, of which he has since been the proprietor. This is a commodious enterprise, which houses a great number of cars and which has attracted a constantly growing patronage. Mr. Starr maintains an efficient and well-equipped repair department, and also handles gasoline and all standard accessories and maintains a service station. His policy of fair dealing and honorable representation has gained him friends among the traveling public and standing in motor circles and his business record is one that evidences his progressiveness.
Mr. Starr is a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial and Savings Bank of West Unity. As a fraternalist, he is affiliated with Evergreen Lodge No. 637, Knights of Pythias, and Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has taken active and helpful interest in public affairs, having served as a member of the West Unity school board, to which he belongs at this time, and as clerk of Jefferson Township. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On October 14. 1911, Mr. Starr was united in marriage with Miss Leora Mann, of Williams County, and they are the parents of five daughters : Beulah, who is a pupil of the eleventh grade in the West Unity High School ; and Hortense, Doris, Margaret and Naomi. Both Mr. and Mrs. Starr have numerous friends at West Unity and are held in high esteem.
Carl Beach. — The contribution of Carl Beach to the business interests of the thriving little city of West Unity, Ohio, is a partner- ship in a reliable and well-established undertaking and furniture business which has won public confidence and patronage through a policy of honorable dealing and honest representation. Mr. Beach belongs to a family whose members have stood high in the esteem of this community for many years and has passed his entire life within its borders. He was born at West Unity, January 13, 1879, a son of David and Elizabeth (Smith) Beach, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Williams County, Ohio.
David Beach attended the public schools of the Keystone state until he reached the age of sixteen years, and here grew to manhood. A natural mechanic, he became the proprietor of an establishment of his own, as well as a wagonmaker's shop, which he conducted until the time of his death. Mr. Beach was a very devout Christian, and
170 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he served as a member of the official board. He was a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons, and in politics was a republican. He always was a sincere friend of higher educational standards and for years belonged to the local board of school directors. Mr. Beach and his worthy wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are living: Fred E., a resident of Mont- pelier, Ohio; Carl; Herman P. and Marcus D., both assocaited with their brother Carl in the undertaking and furniture business ; Mary, the wife of P. C. Short, of Archibald, Ohio, and Lizzie, the wife of H. W. Randels.
Carl Beach was reared at West Unity and after his graduation from the high school secured employment in the gristmill, with which enterprise he continued to be identified for nine years. He then went to Montpelier, where he was conncted with a furniture business for two and one-half years, and then turned his attention to the insurance business, in which he spent four and one-half years. This was fol- lowed by an experience in the ice business covering a period of four years, and eventually he embarked in the furniture line, with an under- taking business as a feature of the firm. The business is conducted as Beach Brothers, and from the start has been successful. The public has come to repose the fullest confidence in the brothers, who are men of known integrity, habits of probity and possessed of high business principles, and the enterprise has shown a marked increase each year during the comparatively short period of its existence. Mr. Beach is a Mason, belonging to Superior Lodge No. 179, and at present is serving as master thereof. He is a republican in politics.
Mr. Beach married Jessie Eaton, of West Unity, a graduate of the local high school, and they have twin daughters, Lenore and Lucille, born February 21, 1905, who are attending high school. Mr. and Mrs. Beach are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at West Unity, Mr. Beach being a member of the official board. For some years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and at this time is acting as assistant.
John M. Zimmerman. — A man of unquestioned sagacity and intelligence, John M. Zimmerman, proprietor of the West Unity Flouring Mills, is actively associated with the advancement of the manufacturing and industrial interests of Williams County, and holds an honored position among the esteemed and valued citizens of West Unity. A son of Jerry Zimmermann, he was born March 25, 1869, in
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 171
Florence Township, this country, where he was brought up and educated.
Jerry Zimmerman was born in Pennsylvania, and as a child was brought by his parents to Williams County, Ohio, and was educated in the rural schools of Florence Township. Enlisting in the Union army in 1862, he served as a soldier until the close of the Civil war, and is now an active member of the Hiram Louden Post No. 155', Grand Army of the Republic. Being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Florence Township, and settled on a little farm of forty acres. Subsequently disposing of that land, he bought a farm lying southeast of Blakeslee, and after managing it success- fully for a time sold out, and moved to Montpelier, Williams County, where he is now a resident. He married Letitia Reader, who was also born in the Keystone state, and was brought up and educated in Florence Township, this county, where her parents located when she was a girl. He is a stanch republican in politics, and she is a devout member of the United Brethren Church. Five children were born of their union, as follows : Joseph, of Cleveland, Ohio ; Tohn M the special subject of this sketch ; Albert, living at home ; William F.', of Woodville, Ohio; and Mary, wife of Raymond Shaffer, of Montpelier, Ohio.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, John M. Zimmerman obtained a practical education in the district schools, and acquired an excellent knowledge of agriculture on the home farm, where he remained until twenty-two years old. Going to Montpelier in 1890, he learned the miller's trade, and there followed it for ten years, being head miller. Migrating to Indiana, he leased a mill at Laotto, and operated it two years. Continuing in Indiana, Mr. Zimmerman rented a mill in Ashley, where he remained eighteen months, and the follow- ing year was in Middlebury, where he had rented a mill. Returning to Williams County in 1905, he bought the West Unity Flouring Mills, and has since carried on a large and highly remunerative business, his plant having a capacity of fifty barrels of flour a day. Mr. Zimmer- man has other interests, being a stockholder in the Farmers Com- mercial and Savings Bank.
In November, 1894, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage with Mary E. Camp, of Florence Township, and thev have one child Mabel E., born November 14, 1910. Mr. Zimmerman is a republican in politics, but not an office seeker. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at West Unity. Fraternally he is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted
172 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Order of Masons, and of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which Mrs. Zimmerman also belongs.
John Miller. — Inheriting to a marked degree the habits of industry, honesty and thrift characteristic of his pioneer ancestors, John Miller has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, and is now living in West Unity, Williams County, retired from active pursuits, enjoying all the comforts, and many of the luxuries, of modern life. A son of William C. Miller, he was born August 23, 1870, in Brady Township, on a farm lying three miles south of West Unity. His paternal grandparents, John and Rebecca (Carl) Miller, removed from Richland County to Williams County in early pioneer days, and on the farm which they improved spent their remaining days.
Born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1834, Williams C. Miller was but six months old when brought by his parents to Williams County, where he was brought up and educated. When ready to begin life as a farmer, he settled down three miles south of West Unity, and was there actively and prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret L. Rowles, was born in Lima, Ohio, April 14, 1845, a daughter of Alfred M. and Matilda (Green) Rowles, who settled in Bryan in 1848 and later removed to Marshall County, Indiana. Six children were born into their home, as follows : Edward, of Bryan, Ohio ; Carrie, wife of J. C. Venier, of Chicago, Illinois ; John, the special subject of this sketch ; and H. C, auditor of Williams County ; and two children who died in early life. A stanch republican in politics, William C. Miller was active in public affairs, and very influential. Both he and his wife were liberal in their religious beliefs, and were among the more promi- nent and active members of the First LTniversalist Church of Strvker, which they helped to build, and of which they were charter members.
Educated in the rural schools of Brady Township, John Miller became familiar with the many branches of agriculture when young, and finding farming congenial to his tastes remained on the parental estate of 175 acres until 1913, finding both pleasure and profit in managing it, as a farmer and stock raiser being successful. Retiring from active pursuits in 1913, Mr. Miller has since resided in West Unity, where he has valuable interests. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial and Savings Bank, and likewise in the Stryker Telephone Company, both substantial enterprises. At the time of his father's death, the Miller estate consisted of 335 acres, but a part of it has been sold. Mr. Miller has never married.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY \7i>
William C. Lingle, C. C. Lingle.— Owning and superintending the management of one of the most highly improved farms of Spring- field Township, William C. Lingle and C. C. Lingle stand prominent among those native born citizens of the township who have spent their entire lives within its limits, and have aided in every possible way its growth and development, whether relating to its agricultural, industrial, or financial interests. They are of pioneer stock, their paternal grandfather, Thomas Lingle, having come to Williams County at a very early period of its settlement, and though he entered from the government a tract of land containing 1,000 acres in Springfield Township, he never lived upon it, but divided the tract among his children, his son John, father of the subjects of this sketch, receiving his share.
John Lingle was born and reared in Pennsylvania. As a young man he came to Williams County, Ohio, and assuming possession of the land given him by his father improved a farm in Springfield Township, and was subsequently industriously engaged in agricul- tural pursuits the remainder of his days. He was a democrat in his political relations, and a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Evansport, and one of its liberal supporters. He married in the southern part of Ohio. Catherine Belford, a native of this state, and six of the ten children born into their household are now, in 1919, living, as follows : Sarah, widow of S. R. Mapes, of Toledo, Ohio; Jane, widow of H. S. Gurwell ; Benjamin, living near Edon, Williams County; George, residing in the West; and William C. and C. C, subjects of this brief sketch.
Messrs. Lingle own 240 acres of rich and fertile land, one-half of it being in Springfield Township, and the other half in Pulaski Town- ship. Possessing a thorough knowledge of agriculture, they are meet- ing with most satisfactory results as general farmers and stock raisers, their herd of Shorthorn cattle being especially noteworthy.
William C. Lingle was born on the farm where he has always lived, his birth having occurred May 10, 1857. He received a prac- tical education in the rural schools, and while assisting his father obtained an insight into the mysteries of agriculture. Taking kindly to farming, he chose it as his life work, and has been exceedingly prosperous, the result of his labors being evident to the passerby. He married Etta Paxton, who died in early womanhood, about twenty- one years ago, leaving two children, namely: Grace, wife of Philip Hare; and Clara, wife of Walter Hollinger, of Bryan, Ohio. Mr. Lin- gle is a democrat in politics, but has never sought public office. Fra-
174 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ternally he is a member, and past grand, of Evansport Lodge No. 489, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Encampment.
Born on the parental homestead April 7, 1860, C. C. Lingle was educated in the district schools, and in common with his brothers gained agricultural knowledge and experience while assisting his father on the home farm. Finding farming pleasant and profitable, he has continued his operations as a farmer and stock raiser, and has met with well deserved success. He married Salina Posey, and they have no children. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the democratic party.
Orlando Ewing. — Prominent among those energetic and progres- sive agriculturists of Williams County who have accumulated con- siderable wealth as general farmers, and are now living retired from active care and responsibilities, is Orlando Ewing, of Bryan, Ohio, who has a modernly constructed home at No. 915 West High street. A native of Ohio, he was born, July 26, 1852, in Defiance County, coming on both sides of the house of good old Pennsylvania stock.
His parents, William and Margaret (Brubaker) Ewing, were born, educated, and married in Pennsylvania. Coming from there to Ohio in 1851, he located on a farm lying six miles northwest of Defiance, in Defiance County, it being in Noble Township. Improv- ing the land, and placing it in a tillable condition, he and his faithful wife there spent their remaining days. They were held in high respect by their neighbors and friends, being people of tried and trusted integrity, and though they were religiously inclined were never affiliated with any church. They reared seven children, as follows: Orlando, the special subject of this sketch ; Ananias, engaged in farm- ing in Michigan; Leander, deceased; Hattie, deceased; Amos, living in Defiance, Ohio; Ellen, wife of Alfred Sell, living on the home farm ; and Albert, of Toledo, Ohio.
Growing to man's estate on the parental homestead in Defiance County, Orlando Ewing received his education in the rural schools of Noble Township, and under his father's guidance obtained a practical insight into the methods of farming as then carried on, that having been long before the days of the labor-saving machinery now used in every branch of agriculture. Leaving home on becoming of age, Mr. Ewing worked as a farm laborer, by the day or month, for a short time, and after his marriage was engaged as a carpenter and contractor in Defiance County until 1888. Being then elected sheriff
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 175
of Defiance County on the democratic ticket, he served acceptably for four years. Locating in Mark Township, that county, in 1892, Mr. Ewing bought land, and was there engaged in farming for nine years, when, still retaining the management of his farm, he moved to Sherwood, Ohio. In 1912 he sold that property, and in 1913 came to Bryan, Willaims County, and having erected his present residence moved into it the same year. He has made wise investments of his money.
Mr. Ewing married, January 20, 1873, Lucy A. Stotler, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 16, 1855, and was educated in the rural schools of Defiance County, and the graded schools of Defiance, Ohio. True to the political faith in which he was reared, Mr. Ewing is a democrat, and loyal to the principles of his party.
Randolph Baker. — For many years active in advancing the agricultural interests of Williams County, Randolph Baker is now enjoying the reward of his many years of patient toil, living, retired from active business cares, in Bryan, his home being at 906 West High street. A son of Peter Baker, he was born, in July, 1859, in Richland County, Ohio, where he lived until six years of age.
Peter Baker was born, bred and educated in Pennsylvania, and in that state married Nancy A. Randolph, who was a Virginian by birth and breeding. Coming from the Keystone state to Ohio, he first located in Richland County. After farming in that locality a few years, he came, in 1866, to Jefferson Township, Williams County, where he continued as a farmer until 1872. In that year he moved with his family to Pulaski Township, and on the farm which he improved spent his remaining days. A man of much ability and intel- ligence, he was active in the democratic ranks, taking a practical interest in public affairs, and both he and his wife were identified by membership with the Christian Church. All of their children grew to years of maturity, as follows : W. A., living in Nebraska ; George W., who lost his life in the Civil war ; Martha C, widow of Henry C. Cline ; Jane Mary, wife of H. O. Cline ; Frances E., wife of H. W. Scott ; Barbara E., wife of George Wise, of Pulaski Township ; and Randolph, of whom we write ; and J. A., deceased.
A young lad when he came with the family to Williams County, Randolph Baker was educated in the common schools, and developed into manhood on the home farm, being there trained to the habits of industry and economy that have since won him success, and gained for him the respect and esteem of his fellow men. Assuming the
176 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
management of the parental homestead in 1872, Mr. Baker managed it ably and skilfully until 1898, placing its sixty acres of land in a fine state of culture, with improvements of a substantial character. Coming to Bryan upwards of twenty years ago, he has since made it his home, and has taken a genuine interest in its affairs. Hs is a stanch democrat in politics, and a valued member of the United Brethren Church.
Mr. Baker married, in 1880, Emma Robinson, a native of Michi- gan, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Maude, wife of C. F. YYeingardner, a well-known farmer, living on the home farm ; Goldie M., wife of George Charles, lives with her parents; and Ruth, a graduate of the Bryan High School, and of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, is the wife of Glenn C. Vollmer, who served in the World war as second lieutenant.
Charles Oliver Wineland. — While there had been two or three generations of the Wineland family in Blair County, Pennsylvania, its history began in 1853 in Williams County with the coming of Daniel Wineland from Knox County, Ohio. The three brothers : James M., Samuel S. and Charles O. Wineland of Bryan, are in the third generation of Winelands in Williams County.
Daniel Wineland, founder of the house of Wineland in Williams County, was born November 9, 1806, in Blair County, Pennsylvania, and on August 25, 1828, he married Elizabeth Lantz. She was born April 11, 1807, and they grew up together in Blair County. In 1829, within one year from the time of their marriage, they took up their home in Knox County. In 1829 the family history began in Ohio, and in 1853 it began in Williams County. The children born to Daniel and Elizabeth Wineland were : Jacob, Hannah, John, William, Elizabeth, Susannah, Mary, Samuel, Daniel, Catherine, Nancy, Henry and Sarah Jane. Their mother died August 23, 1851, in Knox County.
After living twenty-four years in Knox County Daniel Wineland and his children came by wagon to Williams County. On February 24, 1861, he married Sarah Musser, and to them were born the fol- lowing children : Eliza W., George B., David and Emma. Their mother died March 6, 1886, and Daniel Wineland died May 31, 1893, almost seven years later. When this sketch was written, A. D. 1920, only Samuel of the older set of Wineland children was living, and the three Wineland brothers already mentioned as living in Bryan are sons of John L. Wineland, who was born March 3, 1832, in Knox
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 177
County. He was twenty-one years old when he came with his father to Williams County.
While there were no railroads when the Winelands came to Williams County it was not long until they were able to leave the country by rail, and yet Daniel Wineland knew all of the hardships and privations of the pioneers. The family lived in Jefferson Town- ship and here on February 14, 1857, John L. Wineland married Ellen Oliver, who belonged to one of the earliest families in Williams County. She was born November 7, 1835, at a time when there were but few white families in Jefferson Township, and her entire life was passed in one community. She died at the Wineland family homestead in Jefferson Township, January 24, 1903, while John L. Wineland died July 17, 1913, at the home of C. O. Wineland in Bryan.
In 1822 John Oliver, who was a bachelor living in Virginia, made a hunting trip through Kentucky and Ohio and he liked the wild lands of northwestern Ohio so well that when he returned to Virginia he induced a brother, Eli, who was married, to immigrate into the newer country, and from Virginia he came to Todd County, Kentucky, where he lived for a time, finally coming to Pickaway County, Ohio, and in 1833 he was among the early settlers in Williams County. In 1834 Mr. Oliver invested in land in Jefferson Township where he lived the remainder of his days. He first bought forty acres in the wilderness and later he bought another forty and then acquired title to an eighty-acre tract, and when he had a quarter section of land he had paid $200 for it. This was government land and the old deeds are still in existence.
Eli Oliver married Lucinda Corder while yet a resident of Vir- ginia. Eleven children were born to them : Virginia, James, John, Jackson, Frances, Ellen (Mrs. John L. Wineland), Mary, Isabel and Cynthia, and two who died in infancy. It is said that the uncle, John Oliver, who induced Eli Oliver and his wife to leave Virginia and led them finally to Williams County, was a great hunter, and that he killed 150 deer in his time. There were other hunters in the family, and some of the old guns and other weapons are now treasured as heirlooms by the Wineland brothers living in Bryan today. Williams County was full of Indians when Eli Oliver came, and Mrs. Lucinda Oliver would supply them cornmeal in exchange for wild honey. One time she bought twenty-five pounds of honey brought to her door in a deer skin, not because she wanted the honey, but because she did not wish to get into disfavor with the Indians. She had heard that Indians never harmed settlers who treated them well, and she bought the honey, giving cornmeal in exchange for it.
Vol. II— 12
178 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
The Olivers had been in Williams County twenty years when the Winelands came, and Eli Oliver knew all about three or four days being consumed in a trip to the mill in Defiance or Maumee with corn to have it ground, or for any of the necessities they did not produce in the cabin manufacturing establishment operated by every family that long ago. Mrs. Martha Fields, a sister to Mrs. Lucinda Oliver, also once lived in Williams County. The Olivers had their part in developing the wild land of Jefferson Township, and while they came from Harper's Ferry in Virginia, the older ones have long since gone the way of the world, and many of them lie buried in the Oliver cemetery on the old family homestead in Jefferson Township. While this sacred spot is no longer used as a place of burial, they will sleep the sleep of the ages there. Beside the three sons: J. M., S. S. and C. O. Wineland, the children born to John Lantz and Ellen (Oliver) Wineland were: Orlando J., John Seymour, Bertha E., and an infant who had not been given a name.
Orlando J. Wineland married Amy Harrington. The others were unmarried. James M. Wineland married Louella Richards, and to them was born one daughter, Grace. Samuel S. Wineland married Frances Beerbower. Charles O. Wineland married Retta Brannon, and to them was born one daughter, Midgie. Mrs. Wineland and her daughter are lying side by side in SchifHer cemetery. On January 30, 1907, Mr. Wineland married Mary Mae Garver, a daughter of Amos C. Garver of Defiance County. Through his father, Isaac Garver, the family is related to the Garvers of Wayne and Medina counties. None of the immediate Garver relatives live in Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Wineland have one daughter, Kathryn Arlene. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bryan. Mr. Wineland is a member and he has filled all of the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge in Bryan. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge in Bryan.
The Wineland family vote has always been cast with the demo- cratic party. Samuel S. Wineland has served as sheriff of Williams County. For many years C. O. Wineland has had his share of build- ing contracts in Bryan, and his father and uncle Samuel Wineland were both carpenters for thirty years in Williams County. Samuel Wineland, who is past four score years of age, spent four years of his life in the Civil war. C. O. Wineland was not at the age to enlist in any of the wars that have drawn upon the soldier citizens of Williams County.
Since 1894 the Wineland family has met in annual reunions, and Samuel Wineland of West Unity is the honorary president. There
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 179
are Wineland relatives in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and the annual meetings have been held in three states and sometimes at the homes and sometimes in parks, Garver park in Bryan sometimes being the meeting place in Williams County. Sometimes relatives from Penn- sylvania and eastern Ohio are in attendance at these Wineland family reunions. As a carpenter Mr. Wineland has a well-equipped shop at his home in Bryan, and many families depend on him when they want improvements made about their homesteads. He was the first man to construct an Aladdin house in Bryan.
Herold A. Graetz. — One of the men who has made his name a household one in Williams County is Herold A. Graetz, proprietor of the Melbem-Ney Light & Power System, of Bryan. He was born at Melbern, Ohio, on December 3, 1885, a son of August L. and Chris- tina (Frich) Graetz, both of whom were born in the United States, and they were married in Williams County, Ohio. For the past thirty- seven years August L. Graetz has been station agent at Melbern, Ohio, and is one of the reliable men of his road, and one who holds the confidence of his community. While not active in politics he votes the democratic ticket. He and his wife became the parents of the fol- lowing children: Herold A., who is the eldest; Frances B., who is the wife of H. M. Brannan, of Bryan, Ohio; Clyde B., a farmer, of St. Joseph Township ; and Donelda, who married P. R. Viers, of Edgerton, Orn°-
Herold A. Graetz was reared in Melbern and attended its schools until he was seventeen years old. His first work was for the local telephone company, and then two years later he went into a mercan- tile establishment at Melbern and continued with it until, eight years later, he was elected recorder of Williams County on the democratic ticket. Some idea of his personal popularity can be gained from the fact that he received a majority of 315 votes in a county that had a republican majority of 734 votes. During the one term he was in office he served very capably and gave satisfaction to people of both parties and the public generally. Prior to coming to Bryan, he had established his present business, and since completing his official work, he has devoted himself to it.
On January 8, 1906, Mr. Graetz was united in marriage with Flossie E. Bradford, born in Center Township, Williams County, Ohio, on December 17, 1888, a daughter of Charles and Viola (Stauffer) Bradford. She attended the common schools of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Graetz became the parents of three children, namely : Juanita, who was born September 1, 1906; Bernard, who was born on October
180 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
11, 1909; and Donald Paul, born August 22, 1920. Mr. Graetz is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His progress has been steady and normal. Public-spirited to a marked degree, he is usually to be found in the front ranks of any movement which has for its object the betterment of existing conditions, for he realizes that unless improvements are made no locality can keep abreast of the times.
Charles M. Silcox. — To successfully carry on large enterprises under modern conditions, men of business ability and solid judgment are essential. In looking over the general field it is a matter of com- ment that a great proportion of such men occupying responsible posi- tions in those organizations designed to provide better security and more helpful features relative to agricultural production, have been called from the discipline of the farm, their practical knowledge being of far more value than the theoretical training of a college. An enter- prise of large importance at Bryan, Ohio, which is well financed and sensibly officered is found in the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Com- pany, of which Charles M. Silcox is president.
Charles M. Silcox was born May 22, 1869, in Pulaski Township, Williams County, Ohio. His parents were Alfred and Cyrena (Gil- bert) Silcox, both of whom were born and reared in Seneca County, Ohio. Shortly after their marriage in Seneca County, the father of Mr. Silcox enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a mem- ber of Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he completed an enlistment of three months. After coming back to Seneca County, he farmed for a time, then moved to Michigan, but later returned to Ohio and settled on a farm situated two and a half miles east of Bryan, in Williams County. There he engaged in farming and resided until 1910, when he moved into the city and died at Bryan, December 31, 1918. He was a man of ster- ling character and commanded general respect. As long as he lived he took great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, attending post meetings whenever possible. Although no office seeker he was a sturdy republican and loyally supported the candidates that upheld party principles that he felt convinced were right. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. They had four children born to them, namely : Metta. who is the wife of George McConnell. of Bryan; Jennie, who is the wife of L. J. Nicely; Charles M. ; and Iva, who is the wife of J. D. Leiper, of Illinois. The mother of the above familv survives.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 181
Charles M. Silcox had country school privileges and public school advantages at Bryan. He assisted his father on the home farm, where general farm industries were carried on in a thorough manner, and continued farm pursuits until 1919, when he moved into Bryan and took possession of his comfortable residence on Center Street. Mr. Sil- cox was active in the organization of the Farmers Co-operative Eleva- tor Company at Bryan and as vice-president has carefully looked after its enlarging interests. He became president of this company in June, 1920. He is a stockholder also in the elevator at Pulaski.
On September 25, 1890, Mr. Silcox was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Lockhart, and they have three children, namely : Hazel, who was graduated from the Bryan High School and then took a course in the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College, having unusual musical talent; Cecil D. and Marjorie, the latter attending school at Bryan. Mr. Silcox and his family are members of the English Lutheran Church at Bryan, in which he has been a deacon for some years. He is past master of Bryan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons and belongs to Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, being high priest at the present writing. He is identified also with the Knights of Maccabees. A republican all his life, Mr. Silcox has been politically active only as an intelligent, earnest citizen desirous of peace, order and justice in civic affairs and sincere Americanism in all that relates to national policies.
Harry W. Hole. — A wide-awake, enterprising and progressive young business man of Bryan, Williams County, Harry W. Hole, manager of the H. B. Hole Poultry House, is prominently identified with one of the leading industries of the place, buying, picking, and shipping poultry on an extensive scale, his business extending far and wide. A son of Isaiah Hole, he was born in 1882 in Darke County, Ohio, where his early life was spent.
Coming from pioneer stock, Isaiah Hole was born in Versailles, Ohio, where he was for many years in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. An uncompromising republican in politics, he was active in the party, and as a member, and past grand, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was well known in fraternal circles. He mar- ried Sarah Murphy, a native of Newburgh, New York, and they became the parents of nine children, as follows : Harry W., the special subject of this brief sketch ; Charles, of Vernon, British Columbia : Caroden, manager of a poultry house at Covington, Ohio; George, with his brother Harry, in Bryan; Mary, wife of George E. Pessinger;
182 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Irma. a stenographer, with her brother Charles in British Columbia ; James, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Grace and Margaret, both stenographers in Dayton, Ohio.
Acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of Ver- sailles, Harry W. Hole was graduated from its high school, after which he was variously employed for a time. Having obtained some knowledge of the poultry business, he became manager of a poultry house at Arcanum, Darke County, and there continued in the employ of the same firm until 1916. Coming in that year to Bryan, he has since had control of the H. B. Hole Poultry House, and in its manage- ment has met with characteristic success, having built up a large and lucrative business, highly gratifying to his employers.
Mr. Hole married, in 1908, Bertha R. Minnich, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, and was graduated from the Arcanum High School. Mr. and Mrs. Hole have no children. True to the political faith in which he was reared, Mr. Hole is identified with the repub- lican party, and while a resident of Arcanum served as a member of the common council. Fraternally he is a member of Arcanum Lodge No. 295, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Arcanum Chapter No. 77, Royal Arch Masons, and of Greenville Council, Royal and Select Masters. His brother George, who is associated with him in business, is a Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree Mason.
Leroy M. Gordon, D. C. — Each calling or profession, if honorable, has its place in human existence, constituting a part of the plan whereby life's methods are pursued and man reaches his ultimate des- tiny. Emerson said that "All are needed by each one." And that is as true in one avenue of life's activities as in another. However, the importance of a business or profession is in a very large measure determined by its beneficence or usefulness. So dependent is man upon his fellow man that the worth of each individual is largely reck- oned by what he has done for humanity. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due than to those sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work has been the alleviation of suffering that rests upon humanity, thus lengthening the span of human existence. There is no no known standard by which their beneficent influence can be meas- ured ; their helpfulness is as broad as the universe and their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that come from the very source of life itself.
Leroy M. Gordon, of Montpelier, one of the best known and most successful chiropractors in northwestern Ohio, is a native of Williams County, having been born at Pioneer on October 1, 1884, and is the
P^va»^JY|\, (^O-r-JU-t^
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 183
son of Augustine N. and Eva (Siddall) Gordon, both of whom were natives of the state of Michigan. These parents, after their marriage came to Williams County and located first in Pioneer, where the father followed the vocation of teaching, being successful and popular in that profession. He and his wife now reside at Bristol, Indiana. Mrs. Gordon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of three children, two of whom are now living the subject of this sketch, and Gale A, a railroad man living at Elkhart, Indiana.
Leroy M. Gordon was about six years of age when the family moved to Indiana and he received his education in the public schools of Elkhart, graduating from the high school. His first employment was as a drug clerk at Elkhart and he later engaged in the furniture business there. Then for about two years he was employed as a loco- motive fireman on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and at the end of that period he took up the life work for which he had planned. He entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic, at Dav- enport, Iowa, known as "the fountain head of chiropractic," where he . completed the full course, graduating in 1907 with the degree of Doc- tor of Chiropractic. He first located for the practice of his profes- sion in Oregon, where he remained about four years, at the end of which time he returned to Williams County and located at Montpelier, where he has remained until the present time. He has met with most pronounced success and has built up a representative and lucrative patronage, covering a wide range of surrounding country.
Doctor Gordon was married to Ella J. Sage and they are the parents of two children, Beatrice and Edwin L. Politically, the doctor is an earnest supporter of the democratic partv. He is a mem- ber of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Personally, Doctor Gordon is genial and approachable, has a host of warm and loyal personal friends, and is held in the highest esteem throughout the community.
W. D. Campbell.— Manufacturing enterprise contributes to the commercial prosperity of Bryan and those connected with lumber interests are of exceeding importance. A great amount of capital has been invested here and lumber mill enterprises are numbered with the city's most productive assets. One of the large lumber concerns that is foremost here in its volume of business is the Campbell Lumber Com- pany, in which W. D. Campbell is interested and of which he is the able and energetic manager.
184 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
W. D. Campbell was born January 23, 1885, at Marion, Grant County, Indiana, and is a son of George B. and Ida M. (Woolsey) Campbell. He attended the public schools at Marion and after being graduated from the high school, entered Purdue University at La Fay- ette, where he remained until 1906, when he was graduated with the degrees of B. S. and E. E. His first professional work was done in the construction department of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and gave attention to civil engineering problems for some time before becoming interested in the lumber business at Stryker, Ohio. The widened field of choice of vocation is one of the many advantages afforded by thorough educational training, and in the lumber industry Mr. Campbell found a congenial field of effort. From Stryker he came to Bryan, where he has become a vigorous and successful busi- ness man and earnest citizen.
On April 25, 1912, W. D. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Leas, who was born at Marion, Indiana, and is a grad- uate, of the high school of that city. Mrs. Campbell is highly gifted musically and is the organist of the Presbyterian Church at Bryan, and is much sought after in musical circles.
There are few thoughtful, intelligent business men of the day who do not take some measure of interest in political questions and Mr. Campbell, from his standpoint of good citizenship, has always felt his duty to lie in supporting the principles of the republican party. He is a member of Evansport Lodge No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons and Bryan Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the United Commercial Travelers' organization.
George P. Elliott. — In looking around for men of vigorous and forcible character who have taken important and prominent part in the affairs of men, the biographer is not expected to deal only with national figures, for in the smaller communities are found men of action, capable and earnest, whose talents, enterprise and energy com- mand the respect of their fellowmen. That the lives of such persons should have their public record is peculiarly proper, because a knowl- edge of men whose substantial fame rests upon their attainments, char- acter and success must necessarily exert a wholesome influence on the rising generation in their community. In this connection it is appro- priate to review the career of George P. Elliott, ex-treasurer of Wil- liams County, Ohio, and a substantial and highly esteemed business citizen of West Unity.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 185
Mr. Elliott was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 1, 1849, a son of Thomas G. and Narcissa (Pierce) Elliott, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Stark County, where, at Fulton, Thomas G. Elliott began his career as a clerk, later going to Cleveland in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1860 he came to West Unity and established himself in business as a general merchant, and for many years held not only the patronage but the respect and confidence of the people of his community. He was active in politics as a republican and was elected treasurer of Brady Town- ship, a position which he filled with efficiency and conscientious atten- tion to duty. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, lived his faith every day, and died therein at a ripe old age in 1897. He and his worthy and faithful wife were the parents of three children: Garretson, who met an accidental death by drowning; George P., and William G., deceased.
George P. Elliott acquired his education by attendance at the local schools of West Unity, having been brought here as a boy of about eleven years of age. When he put aside his school books he began to secure an introduction to business methods in the general store of his father and gradually acquired the qualifications so necessary to the success of a merchant. At the time of the elder man's death he assumed the management of the enterprise, which he has continued to conduct in a highly honorable manner and which is justly accounted one of the substantial business ventures of the city. Mr. Elliott has various business connections, is the owner of his comfortable home and modern business room at West Unity, and is likewise a stock- holder in the Farmers Commercial Savings Bank. He and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has retained his membership since her death in 1916. She was a past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which her daughter still belongs, while Mr. Elliott is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics a republican, Mr. Elliott has served as a member of the West Unity Council, and in 1891 was elected treasurer of Williams County, taking office in Sep- tember, 1892, and serving with splendid efficiency for four years, dur- ing which time he won the full approval and confidence of the people of his community.
In May, 1894, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Anna Brit- ton Werts, who was born in Center Township, Williams County, and to this union there was born one daughter, Georgiana, a graduate of West Unity High School, who is now in her third year in the Ohio State University.
186 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
C. C. Cook. — "Talent alone cannot make a book; there must be a man behind the book," writes Emerson, and, had the American philos- opher been discussing agricultural matters as well as those pertaining to literature, he might have added : "Plowing alone cannot make a farm ; there must be a man behind the plow," a man, too, possessed of the necessary qualifications ; a man of brain and brawn and industrious habits that are bound to lead to success and comfortable competence, as in the case of C. C. Cook, one of the substantial agriculturists of Pulaski Township, Williams County.
Mr. Cook was born at Shelbyville, Missouri, July 19, 1866, a son of Daniel and Caroline (Keller) Cook, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Knox County, Ohio, where they were married. From Knox County, Ohio, they came to Williams County, this state, and settled in Jefferson Township, and while living here Daniel Cook entered the Union army during the war between the states and con- tinued to serve until the close of the great struggle. When his military career was finished, he disposed of his interests and moved to Mis- souri, where he lived for eighteen months, then returning to Williams County and again settling in Jefferson Township. After living on that farm for a period of ten years, he moved to a property located one mile east of Pulaski and there both he and his wife died, both in the faith of the Reformed Church. He was a democrat in politics, but took only a good citizen's part in public affairs. He and his wife were the parents of seven daughters and three sons, of whom six daughters and two sons are living: Ella, who is the wife of Enoch Stall; Jennie, who is the wife of Michael Shaffer, of Westminster, Ohio; Lillie, who is the wife of George W. Morey, of Michigan; Alma, who is the wife of S. P. Alttifer, of California; C. C, of this notice; Sherman, who is engaged in farming near Alverton, Williams County; Orpha, who is the wife of James W. Christy, and Josie, the wife of Albert Bauer, living near Kunkle, Ohio.
C. C. Cook was a child of eighteen months when brought by his parents from his Missouri birthplace to his new home in Williams County, and here his education was acquired in the public schools. He remained at home with his parents, as the associate of his father on the home acres, until he was twenty-three years of age, and at that time, in December, 1888, was united in marriage with Dinsy Glenn, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1865, and there educated in the public schools. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cook moved to a farm two miles southeast of West Unity, then located on a farm in Jefferson Township, and finally came to their present home
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 187
of fifteen acres which is located in Pulaski Township, and he has a 132-acre farm in Center Township. Mr. Cook has a well-cul- tivated property upon which he raises the standard crops of the local- ity and also carries on stock raising to some extent. He uses modern methods and has progressive ideas and his work has prospered accord- ingly. In his political preferences he is a democrat, but has not sought public office, although as a good citizen he has supported all measures which have promised to benefit the community and enhance the wel- fare of the people. Mr. Cook is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Bryan.
Ulysses P. Brognard. — A prominent, progressive and prosperous agriculturist of Springfield Township, Ulysses P. Brognard, owner of Fountain Ridge Farm, which is situated six and a half miles east of Bryan, has been an important factor in developing and promoting the agricultural prosperity of this section of Williams County, and as a general farmer has met with good success. He is of French ancestry on both sides of the house, and was born December 22, 1884, in Springfield Township.
Emil Brognard, his father, was born in France, and as a small boy came with his parents to Ohio, and was brought up and educated in Stryker, Williams County. He there met, wooed and won Louise Peugeot, a native of France, who was brought by her parents to Stryker when a child. After his marriage, he lived first on a farm lying east of Stryker, and the following year bought land in Pulaski Township, where he carried on farming for awhile. He subsequently removed to Stryker, where he spent the closing years of his life, dying in June, 1917. His wife, who was born in France on April 3, 1853, survived him, and died on the farm of her son Ulysses in June, 1918. The father was a democrat in politics, and a member of Elm Grove Grange. Both he and his wife, true to the religious faith in which they were reared, were members of the Lutheran Church.
The only child of his parents, Ulysses P. Brognard spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Pulaski Township, and was educated in the Elm Grove schools, where he completed the studies of the eighth grade. Becoming well versed in agricultural lore while assisting his father, he selected the free and independent life of a farmer, and soon after his marriage bought the Fountain Ridge Farm of eighty acres, and has since devoted his efforts to its improvement, each year adding to its attractiveness and value. Mr. Brognard has one of the finest appointed farms in the locality, it being under a good state of culture,
188 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
with substantial buildings, which are models of comfort and con- venience. A man of good business tact and ability, Mr. Brognard is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Grain Elevator at Bryan, and owns valuable residential property in Stryker.
On December 25, 1906, Mr. Brognard was united in marriage with Loretta Gurwell, a daughter of Wallace Gurwell, who was born in Springfield Township in 1860, and granddaughter of John B. Gur- well, a pioneer farmer of Williams County, who came to this part of the state from Crawford County, Ohio, when much of the country round about was in its original wilderness. Mr. Brognard is an ardent supporter of the principles of the republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Evansport Lodge No. 489, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; to the Evansport Encampment, and both he and Mrs. Brognard are members of Magdalena Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Elm Grove Grange.
Charles E. Shaull, of Superior Township, four and one-half miles southwest of Montpelier, was born there July 25, 1866, and has always lived in the community. He is a son of George and Rachel (Colbert) Shaull, the father having been born there in 1846, and died March 2, 1919, at the old family homestead. The mother came into the community as a young woman. While six children were born to them only Lewis Shaull, of Montpelier, and Charles E. Shaull are living today. Mr. Shaull, who relates the family history, was educated in the district school of Superior Township, and worked at the home of his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he began doing for himself.
As a young man C. E. Shaull learned the stone mason's trade and worked at it continuously for seven years. Although he is a farmer today he has frequent calls from people in the community and he still does something as a stone mason. Mr. Shaull married for his first wife Adaline Tarr, and there is one daughter. Hazel, by that mar- riage, who is the wife of Loren Brim, of Superior Township. For his second wife Mr. Shaull married Flora Corbett, and by that mar- riage the children are Marie and Robert. Mr. Shaull is a member of Florence Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Mrs. Shaull belongs to the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Shaull owns 120 acres of land and he earned all he has by his own effort, except twenty acres from his father's estate. As a stone mason, he has often had work when other farmers were not engaged in active farming, and the trade combines well with agriculture.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 189
David W. Isenhart, of Superior Township, seven miles southwest of Montpelier, is one of the most highly respected citizens of Wil- liams County. When he was six years old he came into the com- munity and he has always lived there. Mr. Isenhart was born Septem- ber 27, 1846, southwest of Tiffin in Seneca County. He is a son of Nathaniel B. and Mary A. (Housman) Isenhart, the father born June 27, 1817, and the mother January 21, 1821, in Seneca County. They came to Williams County in 1852, and settled on the St. Joe River five miles southwest of Montpelier.
In 1862 N. B. Isenhart enlisted in Company H, the Sixty-Eighth Ohio Regiment, and he never came home again. He died of typhoid fever contracted while in the service and lies buried at Cave Hill, Kentucky. There were eight children in his family. Jacob B. Isen- hart was killed at the battle of Jonesboro, and Eli, who served three years in the Civil war, died in Columbus where he was serving as a guard at the Ohio State Penitentiary. The father and two of his sons were soldiers in the Union army. David W. Isenhart, who enrolls the family, was the third son, and he was a child when they located in Williams County. S. B. Isenhart, who graduated from the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan, is a prominent attorney in Topeka, Kansas. Rebecca E. is the wife of Marion Wolfe, of Superior Township. Rufus M. is a retired farmer living in Edon. Florence E. is the widow of Alvin Douglas, of Chicago. Theodosia, the widow of William Davis, lives in Indiana.
David W. Isenhart grew up at the family homestead on the St. Joe River, and when he began doing for himself he worked at the car- penter trade and looked after the farmstead for his mother. On March 9, 1875, he married Anna C. Strawser, a daughter of David and Rachel Strawser, early settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Strawser lived on the farm until his death in 1884. and she died in 1898, both having attained to advanced age.
Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Isenhart have two sons and a daughter. David A. Isenhart, born January 8, 1876, lives on a farm in Superior Town- ship; Mary D., born November 26. 1877. is the wife of Fred Rothen- barger, of Napoleon; and Sylvester, born October 14, 1880. is a contractor and lives in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Isenhart are Free Thought advocates and do not affiliate with churches in the com- munity. He is a charter member of Edon Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having first been a Mason at Edgerton. He is a member of Florence Lodge, Knights of Pythias and past chancellor and member of the grand lodge.
190 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Mr. Isenhart is active in democratic party councils, and he ranks among the good farmers of Williams County. He owns 170 acres in Superior Township and he is active among farmers in their organiza- tions. He is past master of Sodom Grange and has been an organizer of granges.
Joseph Deisler, of Superior Township, about six miles southwest of Montpelier, was born January 18, 1859, in Crawford County, Ohio. Since 1883, with the exception of two years, he has been a citizen of Williams County. His father, George Deisler, was born February 15, 1825, in the Province of Bavaria, Germany. In 1832 he came with his parents to the United States when he was a boy of seven years. They located in Wayne County, Ohio, but one year later they removed to Seneca County. George Deisler grew up and married Catharine Shade in Seneca County. They settled on a farm in Crawford County. They were there five years when they returned to Seneca County. They were active members of the German Reformed Church and they died and lie buried in Seneca County.
The Deisler family have been democrats. George Deisler was a carpenter and cabinet maker as well as a farmer in his time. Eleven children were born: B. F. Deisler lives at Defiance; Lucinda is the wife of Gottleib Hasch, of Paulding County; Joseph relates the family story ; George W. lives in Tiffin ; Sarah is the widow of D. F. Smith, of Seneca County ; James S. lives in Attica, Ohio ; Harvey is a farmer in Paulding County; Simon is. a farmer in Paulding County; Reuben lives in Plymouth; John H. lives in Detroit; and Katy O. is the wife of J. M. Sponseller, of Geneva.
Joseph Deisler was three months old when his parents moved from Crawford to Seneca County. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, working sometimes by the day or month for others. In 1883 he came to Williams County, and Febru- ary 11, 1886, he married Agnes C. Kent, who was born in the vicinity of Montpelier. She was born March 15, 1864. She went to school in Montpelier. They lived a year in Williams County and then removed to Paulding County in 1887, remaining there until 1912 when they returned to Williams County. They bought forty acres and added to it until they had doubled it and then they sold it and bought 160 acres where they lived twenty-five years, and then sold out and returned to Williams County. They now own a quarter section of land in Superior Township.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 191
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Deisler are: Carmie A., wife of C. W. Carrick: Cady, wife of R. E. Scott, of Ladysmith, Wiscon- sin; Mame A., wife of W. S. Barnhart, of Shoals, Indiana; Myrtle, at home ; A. A. Deisler, of Superior Township ; Harley J. Deisler spent six months in military training for overseas service ; C. C. Deisler, Elma O. and Altha are at home with the parents. Mr. Deisler is a democrat. He has good grade live stock and is a member of the Montpelier Farmers' Co-operative Association. They are church members and members of the Grange.
Emory O. Johnson. — Because they are brothers Emory O. John- son, of Montpelier, has the same lineal descent as Charles W. Johnson, their parents being Simeon and Dianna. (Steltz) Johnson. Mr. John- son was born April 12, 1864, in Florence Township where the parents had located when they came to Williams County. The father was born in 1835, and the mother in 1839, in Columbiana County, Ohio. They were married there and in 1865 they came to Williams County. They spent the rest of their lives on the farm in Florence Township, their two sons being born and educated there. E. O. Johnson began life as a farmer there.
On February 26, 1890, Mr. Johnson married Maggie Maier, who was born February 16, 1868, in Center Township. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Webber) Maier, the father born January 5, 1833, in Germany, and the mother, a native of Tuscarawas County. Mr. Maier came to the United States when he was seventeen years old, finally locating in Williams County. He married in Williams County and settled on a farm in Center Township where he reared his family. He now lives in Bryan. Mr. Maier was a soldier in Company K, Thirty-Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. While he came from a country where militarism prevailed, he did not shrink from taking up arms in defense of his adopted country. Mr. Maier is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post in Bryan today. He is a Granger, and a member of the Methodist Church there.
When E. O. Johnson married he located on a farm in Florence Township, and his only son and child, Clarence S. Johnson, lives there today. C. S. Johnson was born October 12, 1892, and he married Beulah Kess. He is a member of Superior Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias, and Mrs. Johnson belongs to the Pythian Sisters. The Johnson family vote is cast with the democratic party. The farmland
192 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
where C. S. Johnson lives lies in Florence and Superior Townships, Williams County.
Gottlob C. Mauerhan, Jr. — As long as business affairs seem to run in accustomed channels, the people of a community apparently give little attention to thoughts of what might happen if their dependable purveyors of food supplies should suddenly be entirely prevented from performing their ordinary labors. It is more than likely, under such circumstances, that the first business men to be missed would be han- dlers of meat, and certainly this would be the case at Edon, Ohio, where the majority of the people have come to look on the Mauerhan meat market as a fixed, standard business house that cannot be dis- pensed with. For almost a half century the Mauerhans have been in the meat business here, and through faithful service and honest and straightforward methods have built up this enviable reputation.
Gottlob C. Mauerhan, Jr., who is at the head of the firm of G. C. Mauerhan. Jr., & Son, was born in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Ohio, February 20, 1868. His parents were Gottlob and Louise (Kewth) Mauerhan, the former of whom was born in Ger- many March 21, 1845, and the latter in 1843. Both came when young to the United States and were married in St. Joseph Township, Wil- liams County, and came to Edon in 1873 and she died here in Novem- ber, 1893. Gottlob Mauerhan, Sr., established the meat business after he came to Edon and continued until 1896, during a part of this time having his son, Gottlob, Jr., as a partner. When the founder of the business retired the latter succeeded to it, enlarged its scope and made modern improvements, and in the course of time admitted his son, Edwin A. Mauerhan, to partnership, at that time adopting the present firm name. Mr. Mauerhan is one of the best experienced men in the meat business at Edon and carries the largest and best selected stock. He has always been a hardworking, frugal man, and has pushed ahead because of this and is now one of the substantial business men of the city. He owns fifty acres of excellent land situated a half mile north of Edon, and has some valuable city property.
On April 21, 1895, Mr. Mauerhan was married to Miss Louise Kaltenbach, who was born at Edon, Ohio, January 27, 1870, and they have two sons, namely : Arthur C. and Edwin A. Arthur C. Mauer- han is a graduate of the Edon High School and of a business college at Detroit, and is cashier of the Edon State Bank. During the great war he was in training as a soldier at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and Camp Gordon, Georgia, being mustered out in December, 1918. He married
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 193
Louise Starr. Edwin A. Mauerhan was born July 7, 1897, and during the great war, as an enlisted man, served three months at Camp Gordon, Georgia, and was mustered out there in December, 1918. Before becoming his father's partner in business he was graduated from the Edon High School and took a business course at Oberlin College.
Mr. Mauerhan has always been democratic in politics but has never accepted any public office except in relation to the public schools. He was serving on the school board when the new and imposing school building was erected and took a deep interest in its construction. He is a stockholder and a director of the Edon State Bank, a thriving financial institution of the county, the officers being as follows: Charles A. Bowersox, president ; Zeph Lees, vice president ; Arthur C. Mauerhan, cashier. The following make up the board of directors: Charles A, Bowersox, Dr. E. F. Brandon, Charles Allomong, Gottlob C. Mauerhan, Jr., Charles Estrich and N. J. Hauser. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church and is known to be a generous and charitable man.
Albert Hathaway, M. D. — Prominent in the medical profession and highly esteemed personally and as a citizen, Dr. Albert Hathaway has been a valued resident of Edon, Ohio, for nineteen busy years. He is one of the older medical practitioners here and one whose cheerful presence has brought comfort and relief into many homes. He has devoted himself closely to his profession and has given to the people of Edon the richest years of his life.
Doctor Hathaway was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 19, 1849. His parents were Richard and Lorinda (Bates) Hathaway, both natives of Ohio, the mother born in Knox County, and they were married in Morrow County in 1837. The father was a carpenter and contractor. He was a grandson of Richard Hathaway who served with General Washington in the Revolutionary war and was present at the surrender of the army of General Cornwallis. After the war the Revolutionary veteran settled with many of his comrades in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
In September, 1853, Richard Hathaway, father of Doctor Hatha- way, came to Williams County and settled on a farm in Northwest Township, which he developed from its wild state and continued to live on that farm until 1863, when he bought a farm near by upon which he lived until his death on August 8, 1886. His widow survived until in January,' 1901. They were among the founders of the Metho-
194 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
dist Episcopal Church in their neighborhood. Of their children, Albert was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follows : Jane, who is the widow of P. B. Wycoff ; Sarah, who is the widow of Berton Donovan ; Horace, who is a retired farmer of Fremont, Indi- ana; Calvin, who was an army surgeon during the Civil war, died at Edgerton, Ohio ; Charles, who was killed during the uprising in Mexico ; Caroline, who died unmarried ; and Judson, who died when twenty-one years old.
Albert Hathaway enjoyed better educational advantages in boyhood than many country youths at that time and made the best of his oppor- tunities as he was very ambitious and had determined on a medical career at an early date. . He attended the Columbia High School in Northwest Township, in the meanwhile devoting as much time as possible to reading medicine, in this way completing two medical courses prior to entering Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he was graduated on February 22, 1881, with his degree. He then entered into partnership with his brother, Dr. Calvin Hath- away, at Edgerton, Ohio, and in 1884 moved to Columbia, Ohio, and from there came to Edon in 1901. Here Doctor Hathaway built up a large and lucrative practice. Unlike a number of his professional brethren, he has pursued no divided interests but has devoted himself entirely to medical science. In this line has has always been a student and with professional delight has welcomed the many wonderful advances made in his beloved science within the last decade. He is a member of the Williams County, the Ohio State and the American Medical societies.
On December 18, 1887, Doctor Hathaway was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Richards, who was born in Florence Township, Wil- liams County, Ohio, February 19, 1857, and they have two children, namely : Paul R., who is a graduate of the Chicago University, with the degree of Ph. B., and is now associated with the well-known firm of Kelly Brothers at Bryan, Ohio; and Helen L., a graduate of the Edon High School, who is the wife of William H. Knepper, of Bryan, Ohio. Mrs. Hathaway, son and daughter, are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Doctor Hathaway belongs to Edon Lodge No. 474, Free and Accepted Masons; Coony Lodge, Odd Fellows, and Edon Lodge No. 644, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. Sound old democratic doctrine was taught him early by a Jeffersonian father and he has never seen reason to change his political faith.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 195
Elsworth F. Brandon, M. D. — When the grandparents of Dr. Elsworth F. Brandon, a prominent physician and surgeon of Edon, Ohio, came to Williams County more than sixty years ago, they found themselves pioneers with the necessity of making a home in the dense forest. Their humble log cabin was one of the first to rise in North- west Township and proved a happy home and a hospitable and cheery place to many a weary traveler no doubt, for they were warm-hearted Irish people with the virtues of their race. The Brandons have grown and prospered here and an every-way worthy member of this family is Doctor Brandon, of Edon.
Elsworth F. Brandon was born in Williams County, Ohio, Decem- ber 20, 1874, and is a son of Hugh and Adelaide (Culbertson) Bran- don. Hugh Brandon was born June 12, 1846, in Ireland, a son of Francis and Ann (Cunningham) Brandon. He accompanied' his parents to America about 1850, and after a short time spent in Car- roll County. Ohio, they all came to Williams County and this section of the state has been the family home ever since. Hugh Brandon was a farmer in Northwest Township and for a number of years was influential in republican politics, serving for a long period as a justice of the peace. He married Adelaide Culbertson, who was born in 1856, in Wisconsin, and died in February. 1906. The following children were born to them : Etta, who is the wife of Dr. E. A. Bechtol ; Elsworth F. ; Bridget, who lives at Morenci, Michigan; Van H„ who is in business in Seattle, Washington; Arthur W., who lives at Quincy, Michigan; Charles, who resides at Zenith, Kansas; Ollie, who is the wife of George Long, of Florence Township, Williams County; and Scott, who is a farmer in Northwest Township, Williams County. The parents were members of the United Brethren Church.
Elsworth F. Brandon grew up on the home farm, attended first the country school in the neighborhood and later the grade and the high school at Montpelier, following which he taught school two years in Northwest Township, then entered Detroit Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1900 with the degree of M. D. Before the year was out he had become well established at Edon, where he has met with much professional success and now has additional impor- tant interests. He owns a beautiful farm of 160 acres situated one and a half miles east of Edon, the management of which is a source of relaxation and additionally is profitable. He is well known also in banking circles and is vice president of the Edon State Bank.
On September 20, 1900, Doctor Brandon was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Waterston. who is a daughter of William Waterston,
196 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
and they have two daughters : Wilma I., who was born March 29, 1912 ; and Esther F., who was born November 3, 1913. Doctor Brandon and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Doctor Brandon is a member of Edon Lodge No. 474, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Montpelier Chapter No. 184, Royal Arch Masons, and Montpelier Council, Royal and Select Masters, while both he and Mrs. Brandon belong to the Eastern Star, in which she is a past worthy matron and he is a past master. While his profes- sional duties have more or less debarred him from great activity in the political field, as a zealous republican he has sought opportunities to be useful, and at present is vice president of the school board. Dur- ing the great war he was a member of the medical army corps at Camp Custer, Michigan, from October 3, 1918, until March 14, 1919, during the entire progress of the war having demonstrated patriotic interest. As a physician he is known to be faithful in performance of his professional obligations, and he belongs to a number of repre- sentative medical bodies.
Thomas Brandon. — Not only has Thomas Brandon developed a fine farming property in Bridgewater Township, but he has reared a nice family of children and given all of them a start in life. He has so lived as to set an example to them and to render a service to his community and is rightly regarded as one of the leading men of Williams County.
The birth of Thomas Brandon took place in Ireland on March 21, 1848, and he is a son of Francis and Ann Brandon, of Scotch-Irish descent, but born in Ireland, from whence they came to the United States in 1848 and 1850, he making the trip alone and then as soon as well settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, sending for his family to join him. For a time Francis Brandon worked on the railroad and then as soon as he had saved enough money to buy 100 acres of land at $3 per acre, he secured a farm. Unfortunately, however, he had worked too hard, and so lost his health, and his wife and his children had to care for the land. After his death Alexander Brandon bought the homestead from the other heirs. There were seven children in the family, four of whom are now living, namely : Thomas, who was the eldest; George, who lives at Hillsdale, Michigan; Mary A., who is the wife of Robert Hoy; and Alexander, who lives at Montpelier, Ohio.
Only three years old when brought to the United States Thomas Brandon has spent practically all of his life in this country. He was reared on the farm his father bought and attended the district schools,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 197
and later the Bryan High School, and then, having secured a license taught school for five seasons, and saved $350. With it and $150 he borrowed, he bought his eighty-acre farm, to which he added more land until he now has 220 acres, and he has bought other land, giving each of his sons eighty acres. All but twenty-five acres of his farm is cleared, and is finely improved.
In 1872 Mr. Brandon was married to Eunice M. Parker, born on January 10, 1848, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, but who came to Wil- liams County, Ohio, when she was twenty-one years old. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon became the parents of the following children: E. C, who lives at Montpelier, Ohio; L. G., who lives on section 1, Bridge- water Township; and Sylvia, who is the wife of Paul Hugg, and F. E. Brandon, a farmer of Bridgewater Township. In politics Mr. Bran- don is a democrat, but he has never participated in public affairs save as a voter of his party ticket. An industrious and thrifty man he has worked very hard all of his life and deserves the rewards which have come to him not only in material things, but the respect and confidence of his associates, which mean a good deal to the right kind of a man.
Charles E. Boyer. — In no part of Williams County will be found more intelligent or enterprising people than in Bridgewater Township where for years a deep interest has been maintained in agricultural progress. This interest covers not only the developing of the usual farm industries but goes farther, having in view the amelioration of many undesirable features of farm life and the introduction of social conditions and privileges that will serve to make life on a farm not only the healthiest but the happiest and most independent in the world. In carrying on such important work assistance must be given by com- petent, earnest, farseeing men, and one such who has long been identified here with the Grange and other movements is Charles E. Boyer, who is a substantial farmer of Bridgewater Township.
Charles E. Boyer was born at Tiffin, Ohio, February 15, 1858, and is a son of Josiah and Lydia M. (Rainey) Boyer, the former of whom was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 25, 1831, and the latter in Brownwell Township, Lorain County November 30, 1834. Josiah Boyer was left motherless in childhood. When thirteen years old he was bound out to John Schlusser, who treated him well, sending him to school at Tiffin and later to Heidelberg College, and also taught him his own trade, that of a plasterer. He- worked at the trade and also taught school and in the course of time was able to buy five acres of
198 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
land in Williams County. It was situated in the deep woods in North- west Township. Then the Civil war came on and he enlisted in an Ohio regiment. Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served bravely through two years and ten months of that great struggle. When he returned to Williams County he completed clearing his land, on which he previously erected a cabin, worked at his trade for some years, and gradually acquired additional land and followed farming during the rest of his life. He lived a busy, useful and honorable life and performed every known duty to the best of his ability. He united early with the republican party and for many years was active in its ranks in Bridgewater Township, fre- quently serving in such public capacities as school director and town- ship trustee.
In Seneca County, on March 15, 1855, Josiah Boyer was married to Lydia M. Rainey, who, like himself, was a member of the United Brethren Church. They had the following children : Emma J., who is the wife of William Holloway ; Charles E. ; Josiah N.. who is a farmer near Ouincy, Michigan : William E., who followed the trade of a barber at Toledo; and John G.. who is a farmer in Bridgewater Township.
Charles E. Boyer attended the district schools in boyhood and assisted his father until he was twenty-one years old. He has always been a resident of Williams County since coming here with his parents and farming has been his chosen vocation. He resides on his valuable farm of forty acres which is situated two and a quarter miles west of Bridgewater Center, where twenty-five years ago he began bee culture and at the Columbia Exposition he received a medal and diploma for fine quality ; he also grows grain, fruit and stock. For many years Mr. Boyer has been interested in farm organizations founded on worthy principles. He has been active in the Ancient Order of Glean- ers and also in the Patrons of Husbandry, and was a charter member and the first master of Bridgewater Grange.
On December 21, 1882, Mr. Boyer was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Waterston, a daughter of Thomas Waterston, and they have two children, Earl F. and Edwin W. Earl F. Boyer is a fanner in Bridgewater Township and has has three sons : Harold, Robert and Lyle. Edwin W. Boyer married Helen Ayers and they live on a farm in Bridgewater Township and have one son, Ronald. The entire family belongs to the United Brethren Church, in which Mr. Boyer is very active as he also is in local politics, from early voting days having been identified with the republican party.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 199
Lewis E. Haines. — The Haines family is one which has long been connected in its different branches with the agricultural life of Bridge- water Township, and its various members are sustaining the prestige of the name in the several communities in which they have seen fit to locate. One of them is Lewis E. Haines who is on the Haines' home- stead in this township.
The birth of Lewis E. Haines took place on the farm he now occupies, December 8, 1887, and he is a son of J. M. and Mary A. (Waterson) Haines, natives of Stark and Richland counties, Ohio. The grandparents on both sides of the house came to Williams County in the early '50s and located in Bridgewater Township, and here J. M. Haines and Mary A. Waterson were reared, and here they were mar- ried. They located on a farm in Bridgewater Township, and there their eight children were born, namely : Alexander C, who is engaged in farming three miles west of Montpelier; Walter L.. who is engaged in farming in Bridgewater Township, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work ; Hattie, who is the wife of J. E. Briner ; Emerson E., who is a farmer of Northwest Township, Williams County; and three, who died in infancy.
Lewis E. Haines was reared on his present farm and was sent to the schools of the neighborhood. It was his father's desire to have his sons adopt farming as their life work, and he encouraged and helped them all that he could, and stimulated in this way, Lewis E. Haines acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of agriculture which has been of great use to him. At present he owns his farm of 100 acres of land, and is engaged in handling a high grade of stock, his product having already gained more than local prestige on account of its excellence.
On August 2, 1911, Mr. Haines was united in marriage with Ida J. Bauer, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, on December 23, 1890, a daughter of Gabriel and Laura (Bauer) Bauer, the former of whom is still a resident of Superior Township, but the latter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer had two children, Mrs. Haines and Henry F., who is living with his father. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Haines are as follows : Merrill W., who was born on September 25, 1912; Gladys, who was born August 7, 1914; Walter L., who was born October 16, 1916; and Lauretta, who was born October 3, 1918. Mrs. Haines belongs to the Lutheran Church, and she and Mr. Haines are members of the American Gleaners. In politics he is a republican, but his inclinations have never led him into public notice for he has been too much occupied with his private affairs. Both he and his wife
200 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
are popular in the social life of their neighborhood, and both have many friends here and in other parts of the county where their lives have been spent. They are in favor of local improvements for all of their interests are centered here, and may be depended upon to give them a support if they are convinced that they are practical and will not impose undue hardships upon the people to carry them through.
Joseph A. Weitz, M. D. — The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. The career of the successful practitioner shows that a broad minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid in affliction have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given embodies these necessary qualifications to a marked degree and by energy and appli- cation to his professional duties through many years of practice built up an enviable reputation and drew to himself a large and remunera- tive patronage.
Doctor Weitz, for many years engaged in his professional labors at Montpelier, but widely known outside of his home locality for his scientific achievements and official honors conferred upon him by medical organizations, is a native of Williams County, having been born on his father's farm in St. Joseph Township on November 30, 1849, and is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Yeager) Weitz. Adam Weitz was born in Wattenheim, Germany, in 1810, and was there reared and educated. In 1837 he came to the United States, locating first in Portage County, Ohio, where his marriage occurred. In 1846 he came to Williams County, locating in St. Joseph Township, where he lived until late in life when he moved to the Village of Edgerton, this county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. He was an enterprising citizen, being deeply interested in the develop- ment of St. Joseph Township, of which he was one of the early set- tlers. In his native land he had learned the trade of a weaver, but after coming to the United States he applied himself to the trade of a stone cutter, in which he became an expert workman. He laid the stone for the old courthouse in Williams County and also constructed the locks on the canal. He was born a Catholic, but became an active and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also altered his political faith, having first supported the democratic party, but later identifying himself with the republican party. He was active
(Ay.ho.hc.A
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 201
in public affairs and served as trustee of St. Joseph Township. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of which number two lost their lives by accident, the others being as follows : Frances, of West Unity, the widow of Charles F. Grisier ; Harriet, the widow of John Casebere, of Edgerton, Ohio: Lucina, the widow of T. J. Stoops; Lavina, the wife of I. M. White, of Montpelier ; Daniel W„ of Butler, DeKalb County. Indiana; Charles W. and Thomas T., of Oklahoma; George H., of Fresno, California, and Joseph A.
Joseph A. Weitz spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in St. Joseph Township, and received his elemental education in the dis- trict schools and the high school at Butler. He then entered Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1876, and given the degree of A. M. in 1879. He then engaged in teaching school, following that profession for eight years, during which time he was superintendent of schools at Edgerton and Sylvania, Ohio. Having determined to devote his life to the medical profession he matriculated in the medical depart- ment of the University of Michigan where he was graduated in 1886 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He first located for the prac- tice of his profession in Montpelier, remaining here until October, 1897, when he accepted the chair of neurology in the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery at Detroit, having served as professor of pathology from 1894 to 1897. In 1899 Doctor Weitz returned to Montpelier and re-engaged in the active practice of his profession, which he has continued to the present time. In 1913 Doctor Weitz went to Europe and took a post-graduate course in the medical depart- ment of Berlin University. He has been successful in practice to a remarkable degree and is held in the highest esteem not only by the public but also by his professional colleagues. Doctor Weitz in 1887-88 ran a drug store at Montpelier and is a registered pharmacist. For a number of years he was local surgeon for the Wabash Railroad Company.
In 1880 Doctor Weitz married Helen Fay, who is a graduate of Hillsdale College, and who, prior to her marriage was a successful teacher, having taught in Michigan and in Plattsburg, New York. To Dr. and Mrs. Weitz has been born a daughter, Florence, who after graduating from the Montpelier High School was a student in Oberlin College, where she was graduated in 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She was a teacher of German in the Montpelier High School for two years, and subsequently took a post-graduate course in the
202 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
University of Berlin, Germany. She became the wife of Charles A. Changnon, and they have three children, Richard E., Helen Fay and Robert A.
Politically Doctor Weitz has been a lifelong supporter of the repub- lican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order and Knights of Pythias, and is an active member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian Church of his home town. It is safe to say that no man in Williams County enjoys to a greater extent the affection and confidence of the people than does Doctor Weitz, and this feeling has been demonstrated for him on more than one occasion. His career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted.
Doctor Weitz is a former president and for several years past has been treasurer of the Northern Tri-State Medical Association. He is a member of the Williams County Medical Society, Ohio State Medi- cal Association and is a Fellow of the American Medical Association, and also of the American Academy of Medicine. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association for Clinical Research, and with all his other duties is now carrying the responsibilities of Health Commissioner of Williams County. He is the author of scientific articles that have attracted national attention and are published in various medical jour- nals and in the Reference Hand Book of Medical Sciences. As a writer he is known for his accuracy and conciseness.
William T. Orton. — A man of forceful and distinctive individ- uality, William T. Orton occupies a position of note among the esteemed and valued citizens of West Unity, where he served as post- master for upwards of fourteen years, his long continuance in the posi- tion bearing proof of his ability, fidelity and popularity as a public official. He was born December 12, 1862, in Richland County, Ohio, near Shelby, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, the late E. C. Orton.
Born in 1834, E. C. Orton acquired an excellent education in his native county, and having fitted himself for a professional career taught school forty-four terms, teaching several years after his mar- riage. Coming with his family to Williams County in October, 1865, he bought a farm lying one mile north, and a half mile east, of West Unity, but did not immediately assume its possession, as he accepted a position as a teacher in West Unity, where he taught school the following six years. Locating on his farm in 1871, he continued as a
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 203
farmer until his death, in 1911. Talented and cultured, he was active in the republican ranks, and served as an attorney, and as a justice of the peace for many years. He married Anna Y. Orr, who was born in 1840 in Rob Roy, Fountain County. Indiana, and prior to her marriage taught school in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he met her. She died on the home farm, near West Unity, in 1886, leaving four children, as follows: Minnie, who was graduated from the West Unity High School, and subsequently taught school a few terms, is the wife of J. B. Johnson, of Lawrence, Kansas; William T., with whom this sketch is particularly concerned; Leonard E., and Adaline, wife of A. J. Young, of Winfield, Kansas. Both parents were esteemed mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Reared in West Unity, his home having been on North Liberty street, on the lot where his present residence is located, William T. Orton was educated in the public schools, and since attaining his majority has been an important factor in promoting the highest and best interests of the community. He served, as stated above, as post- master for fourteen years and four months, a position of trust and responsibility, and performed the duties connected with the office promptly and efficiently. Since leaving the post office, in 1913, Mr. Orton has built up an excellent business as special agent of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York. He has acquired considerable property through wise management and investment, and owns a part of the old Orton homestead.
Mr. Orton married, December 12, 1882, Alice A. Boston, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio, and educated in the West Unity High School. Their only child, Edith, wife of R. L. Lorton, of Akron, Ohio, is a graduate of the West Unity High School, and of Oberlin University. Her husband was also graduated from both of those institutions of learning, while during the World war Mr. Lorton served as a corporal, being stationed at Camp Sherman.
Politically Mr. Orton is prominent in the republican party, and genuinely interested in public matters. Fraternally he is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, having served in that capacity eight years ; of Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; of Montpelier Council No. 102, Royal and Select Masters ; of Defiance CommanderY . No. 30, Knights Templar. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, and for five years was district lecturer for the Fifth Masonic District. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Orton belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among its active and valued workers.
20+ HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
John W. Bowersox. — Although he has lived many years in Wil- liams County, John W. Bowersox of Florence Township was born August 25, 1836, in Stark County. His father, John W. Bowersox, was born January 10, 1808, and his mother, Mary (Breckinridge) Bowersox. was born December 4, 1809, in Frederick County, Mary- land. However, they were married in August, 1831, in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and they immediately came to North Industry, Stark County, Ohio, where he worked as a shoemaker for seven years.
In 1838, Mr. Bowersox and his wife and two children and two other children who came with them located in Williams County. He entered eighty acres of land and they settled in St. Joseph Town- ship, and October 28, 1838, they moved into their own cabin on the land they had entered and he died there April 14, 1889, although she had died March 31, 1867, at this pioneer family homestead. While he was reared a Lutheran she was a Methodist, although they later belonged to the United Brethren Church in the community.
John W. Bowersox, Sr., was first a whig, then a free soiler and finally a republican, and he was always active in politics. The chil- dren born to him were : James G.. who died when he was a man forty- six years old. He was a United Brethren minister. John W. Bower- sox, Jr., who enrolls the family in this history. Mary E., deceased, was the wife of Daniel Weitz. Nancy E., deceased, never married. Elizabeth L. died at sixteen and Francis A., the youngest, at thir- teen. The next to the oldest son was the Hon. Charles A. Bowersox of Bryan, judge of the common pleas court of Williams County. Judge Bowersox is supervising editor of the recent Williams County History.
John W. Bowersox was only two years old when his father and mother came to Williams County. On September 26, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, the Sixty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained at the front until the close of the war. On June 9, 1860, he married Amelia Yeager. Her parents came to Williams County in 1846 and settled in St. Joseph Township. Mrs. Bowersox was born September 27, 1837, in Portage County. As children together she and her husband attended the same school, the same Sunday school and church and they settled January 4, 1861, on the farmstead where he now lives, although she died there April 8, 1906, bo{h having been active in affairs of the community.
J. W. Bowersox is a member of Evans Post Grand Army of the Republic, and was commander of Edon Post. He is a republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was the cen-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 205
sus enumerator that year. Mr. Bowersox was president or member of the Board of Education in Williams County for twenty-seven years. His children are : J. E. Bowersox, Mrs. Mary E. Kline.
John E. Bowersox was born March 19, 1861, and married Sarah E. Kurtz, April 5, 1892. She was born May 9, 1873, and has always lived in Williams County. Their son, Harvey W. Bowersox, is a graduate of the Edon High School and attended Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. He is a mail clerk on the railroad, but is tem- porarily a school teacher. The Bowersox family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Bowersox is republican in his poli- tical views, and will die a republican. John E. has served as a school director for twenty-seven years. He is ditch commissioner in Florence Township, and for many years he has served as a member of the Williams County republican central committee.
Eli Doty of Florence Township was born there August 20, 1851, and he has always lived there. He is a son of Lucius W. and Mary (Bash) Doty. The parents were born, raised and married in Crawford County. They settled in Williams County and died on the farm where Eli Doty lives today. Mr. Doty has two brothers: David and George Doty. They all live in Florence Township.
On August 22. 1877, Eli Doty married Ida Hammond. She was born August 20, 1857, being just six years younger than Mr. Doty and they were married two days after her twentieth birthday. She was born in Stark County. Ohio. The family removed to DeKalb County, Indiana, and then returned to Williams County, Ohio. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doty. Those living are: Mabel, wife of Logan Mizner, of Toledo, and Roy, who married Elizabeth Kirby. Myrtle died in January, 1920, wife of Nathan McCurdy. Carrie, also deceased, was the wife of George Allen.
Roy Doty volunteered as a soldier in the World war and was in service from March 6, 1918, to January 9, 1919. He was stationed at Oglethorpe, Georgia, Hammond, Virginia, and Cook Field, Dayton. The six grandchildren are : Lenore, Clettus and Hazel McCurdy, Merle and Elvie Mizner and Mabel Doty.
Mr. Doty is a republican. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Butler, Indiana. He owns ninety-four acres of land in Flor- ence Township and is engaged in farming and raising livestock for the market.
206 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
David Doty. — There are three Doty brothers living in Florence Township on land their parents had owned, and while Eli Doty has given the story, two historians always describe a battle differently, and David has told something different of the family history. He was born May 24, 1853, a son of Lucius F. and Mary (Bash) Doty. They were Crawford County people who came to Williams County in 1846, when Northwestern Ohio was pretty wild country. They entered land and built a cabin on it, and as the country developed they developed with it. There are men and women of the present generation who would enjoy such an opportunity. The stories of the hardships of the pioneers are not recounted so often now as they were a generation ago.
L. F. Doty died at forty-two years of age while his wife lived forty years longer, and while they were the parents of eight children only David, Eli and George are living today. While all had about the same educational advantages, David Doty was a pupil in the first dis- trict school taught in the Doty schoolhouse. The fact that the school- house w-as built on one corner of the land makes it a story to be remembered by him. The conditions surrounding the rural school have changed since that happy day in the long ago.
On December 5, 1878, Mr. Doty married Samantha Alwood. She was born September 5, 1855. in DeKalb County, Indiana. Their daughter, Lola, born October 2, 1879, is the wife of Thomas Fiser and lives in DeKalb County. Their children are Fern and LaRue. Bertha Doty is the wife of Alva Kline of Edon. Their children are Maynard and Mera. The Dotys attend the United Brethren Church and he votes with the republican party. He owns farm land both in Williams County and in DeKalb County, Indiana.
Samson Dixon. — The Dixon family represented by Samson Dixon of Florence Township, has always lived in Jackson County. Mr. Dixon was born there March 29, 1858, and his parents were both natives of Jackson County. He is a son of Giffee and Eliza (Coles) Dixon. The Dixon family contributed three sons to the Civil war, Giffee Dixon being one year in the service.
He votes with the republican party, and of the six children born to them four are living today. Only Samson Dixon lives in Williams County. Ida is the wife of E. S. Plummer, of Dayton. Dr. E. M. Dixon lives at Stockdale. He is a graduate of the Louisville Medical College. Alva Dixon lives on the old family homestead in Jackson County.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 207
Samson Dixon remained in Jackson County until he was thirty years old, running the old farm there ; on January 22, 1888, he mar- ried Nrana V. Bennett. She was born July 24, 1864, in Pike County. When they married they settled on a farm in Jackson County, living there until 1906, when they removed to Williams County. Their son, Roscoe Dixon, born October 20, 1888, was in a training camp four months but he is now with the family in Williams County. Hazel, born June 5, 1892, is the wife of Frank Oberlin of Florence Township. Gwendolyn, born October 21, 1897, graduated with the 1915 class from the Edon High School and she is at home with her parents. While they have not always lived in Williams County, they are inter- ested in its history.
William E. Van Wye. — A man of broad intelligence and excel- lent business capacity, William E. Van Wye, of Edgerton, is intimately associated with the advancement of the manufacturing interests of Williams County, and as proprietor of the Edgerton Glove Factory, is identified with a well-paying industry. He was born, July 20, 1868, in Florence Township, Williams County, where his father, Cameron Van Wye, settled in early manhood.
A native of Mahoning County, Ohio, Cameron Van Wye was born and educated in Youngstown. Becoming familiar with the various branches of agriculture in his early life, he located in Florence Town- ship, near Blakeslee, soon after his marriage, and was there indus- triously employed in tilling the soil until his death. He married Mary J. Laub, who was born in Sylvania, Ohio, and brought up in Wil- liams County. Four children were born of their marriage, as follows: Amy, wife of William Custer; William E„ the subject of this brief personal record ; Ora, living in Bridgewater Township ; and John, a resident of Angola, Indiana. The father was a stanch republican in politics. He served as a soldier in the Civil war for three years, and was a member of the Hiram Louden Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic. Both he and his wife were affiliated by membership with the United Brethren Church.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, William E. Van Wye was educated in the rural schools of Florence Township, and subsequently served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in Williams County for ten years. Going then to Michigan, he con- tinued at his trade a brief time, after which he decided to make a change of both residence and occupation. Migrating to Alberta, Can- ada, Mr. Van Wye homesteaded and pre-empted 320 acres of land,
208 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
on which he lived and labored for nine years. Returning to the States, he established a glove factory in La Grange, Indiana, and operated it successfully five years. Coming from there to Williams County, Ohio, in October, 1919, he has since been actively and pros- perously engaged in the manufacture of gloves, as owner of the Edgerton Glove Factory having built up a substantial and remunerative business. He still owns his farm in Alberta, Canada, and finds it a paying investment.
Mr. Van Wye married, at Montpelier, Ohio, in 1893, Ella Hughes, and they have five children, namely: Florence, Marie, Ida, Oren and Raymond. Mr. Van Wye is a republican in politics, and a member of the Independent order of Odd Fellows.
Lewis E. Groff. — A useful, eminently worthy and valued citizen of Edgerton, Williams County, Lewis E. Groff, a well-patronized and prosperous tailor, has been in truth the architect of his own fortune. Coming to this city with but $30 to his name, he began life on a low rung of the ladder of attainments, and by close attention to his work, and a diligent use of his faculties and opportunities, has met with signal success in business, and gained a position of note in finan- cial and political circles. A son of Stanlus Groff, he was born, Febru- ary 28, 1871, in Fulton County, Ohio, of German and Swiss ancestry.
A native of Germany, Stanlus Groff emigrated to this country in early manhood, locating in a small town in Fulton County, Ohio, where he followed the shoemaker's trade for awhile. He subsequently lived for a time in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio, from there moving to Butler, Indiana, where he remained until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Walter, was born in Switzerland and reared and married in Fulton County, Ohio, where she came as a girl. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church. Of the eight children born of their union, seven are living, as follows : Lewis E., the special subject of this brief sketch; Frank, engaged in farming; Edward, engaged in the livery business at Butler, Indiana; Mrs. Mary Denenburg, of Marion, Ohio ; Otto, of Detroit, Michigan ; Mrs. Emma Roberts, of Butler, Indiana, and Carl, a machinist in Butler, Indiana.
Acquiring his preliminary education in Fulton County, Ohio, Lewis E. Groff completed his studies in Butler, Indiana, and there learned the tailor's trade. Coming to Edgerton, Ohio, in 1894, Mr. Groff, who had but a limited capital to start on, opened a shop, and as a tailor has since met with very satisfactory success, his skil- ful workmanship having won him a substantial patronage in Edgerton
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 209
and vicinity. He is a man of good business ability and integrity, and is now one of the directors of both the Farmers Commercial Bank and the Oak Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Groff married Anna Packer, of Butler, Indiana, and their only child, Velma M., born in June, 1901, was graduated from the Edgerton High School and is now at home. A democrat in politics, Mr. Groff has been active and influential in public affairs, having served two years as city treasurer of Edgerton, and is now a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of Edgerton Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and a member, and past coun- cillor, of the Knights of Pythias, while Mrs. Groff belongs to the Pythian Sisters.
{ James A.. Neil. — Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which produced him, and in his works we expect to find the true index to his character. A worthy representative of that type of American busi- ness man who may properly be termed "progressive," that character which promotes public good in advancing individual prosperity and conserving popular interests, is James A. Neil, well-known business man of Montpelier, and president of the Municipal Contract and Sup- ply Company, of Gary, Indiana. He has been prominently identified with the building interests of this locality for many years, and while his efforts have brought him success, they have also advanced the general welfare.
James A. Neil was born in Madison Township, Williams County, Ohio, about three and a half miles south of the town of Pioneer, on February 21, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Bowen) Neil. Joseph Neil was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on September 8, 1827, was reared in his native county, and in 1849 came to Williams County, locating in Bridgewater Township, where he remained until 1887, when he came to Montpelier, where his death occurred on February 6, 1907. He was an active member of the Church of God and highly respected in the communities where he had lived. His wife was born in Richland County, Ohio, on November 15, 1827, and died on April 8, 1904. They became the parents of ten children, of which number three are now living, namely : James A., the immediate subject of this sketch; S. G., who is engaged in the contracting business at Detroit, Michigan, and Jane, the widow of Eli S. Ault and living in Hardin County, Ohio.
210 • HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
The subject of this sketch was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his mental training in the public schools of Bridgewater Township. He remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, though from the age of ten years he had worked at any- thing that offered itself, being practically self-sustaining from that age on. He began in a modest way to do contract work, in which he was successful, but after his marriage, in 1882, he engaged in farming for two years. In 1884 he went to Kansas and entered 160 acres of gov- ernment land, to which he later added another entry of the same size, thus becoming the owner of 320 acres of farm land there. After living on this land about five years, Mr. Neil returned to Williams County and entered into the contracting business. He met with pro- nounced success and erected many of the best residences and business blocks in this section of the country, among his last contracts being the Farmers and Merchants Bank building and the Odd Fellows Tem- ple. He became a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank and was the second president of that institution, holding that position about two years. He is still a member of the board of directors of that bank. As president of the Municipal Contract and Supply Com- pany, of Gary, Indiana, he is connected with a company of large size and prosperous business, the success of which has been mainly due to the energetic policy and sound business judgment of Mr. Neil. This company are road contractors and street contractors. He is recognized as a man of mature judgment and excellent business capac- ity, who has been eminently successful in his efforts, and he occupies a high standing among his business associates.
On March 12, 1882, Mr. Neil was married to Viola Reader, who was born in Williams County on September 16, 1861, the daughter of George and Sarah (Metzler) Reader, who were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Neil has been born a son, Leslie R., born on May 30, 1883, who was married on November 24, 1907, to Almeda Bechtol and now lives in Montpelier.
Politically, Air. Neil is an earnest supporter of the republican party, though he has never taken a very active part in political affairs. Fraternally, Mr. Neil is a member and past noble grand of Montpe- lier Lodge No. 745, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Supe- rior Lodge No, 269, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Neil is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Neil has been successful in business, respected in social life and as a neighbor he has discharged his duties in a man- ner becoming a liberal-minded, intelligent citizen of the state where the essential qualities of manhood have ever been duly recognized and prized at their true value.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 211
Fay E. Lees, of Florence Township, is among the younger farmers here and was born October 10, 1893, and has always lived in Florence Township. His father, M. A. Lees, was born August 22, 1842, at the same farmstead, but the mother, Hannah (Fettes) Lees, was born May 5, 1840, in Wayne County. They were married in Williams County and live in Edon today. Their daughter, Beulah, is the wife of Samuel J. Burkhart ; Florence is the wife of Orvie Eys- ter. Howard, who graduated from the Fort Wayne Business College, is cashier of the First National Bank of Fremont, Indiana. All had Edon High School training, and Fay, who graduated in the class of 1913, had planned to become a farmer, and that fall he entered the Department of Agriculture in the University of Wisconsin. He was there two years and on June 2, 1917, he married Juanita Skelton. They have a daughter, Samantha J. Lees, born June 19, 1918, and the baby, Max Skelton, was born July 13, 1920. The family lives at the Lees homestead in Florence Township.
Fay E. Lees is a breeder of Holstein cattle, and the head of his herd is Hark Dekol. He also specializes in Duroc Jersey hogs. He has grades in other livestock. Mr. Lees is chairman of the Florence Township branch of the Williams County Farm Bureau. He votes with the democratic party, and the family are communicants in the Christian Church in Edon.
Walter L. Haines.— The future looms large with economic prob- lems and of them all none is fundamentally more important than that of the production of food. Owing to the devastation of so much of the former fertile land of the Old World, food is going to be the great necessity of the next few years, so that the men who are devot- ing their talents and lives to agricultural pursuits are more important than ever, and deserving of special credit. It has taken a broad vision and high conception of duty to keep men from yielding to the lure of the more congested regions, but those who have remained on their farms are now reaping well-merited rewards, both in money and esteem. One of these really public-spirited men of Williams County who has attained considerable prestige locally on account of his farm- ing methods is Walter L. Haines, proprietor of the fine rural property known as the "Elm Flats," 160 acres located four miles north and one and one-half miles west of Montpelier, in Bridgewater Township.
Walter L. Haines was born in Bridgewater Township on February 5, 1873, a son of J. M. and Mary A. (Waterson) Haines, the former of whom was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 15. 1838, and the lat- ter in Richland County, Ohio, May 13, 1847. She came with her parents to Williams County, Ohio, on September 3, 1853, and he
212 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
•came to this county with his parents in the fall of 1854, both families locating in Bridgewater Township, and here the young people were reared to maturity and were married on December 29, 1870. She was a daughter of Alexander and Jeanette (Forrest) Waterson, natives of the same county in Scotland, who came to the United States in 1831, following their marriage, and located on Scotch Ridge in Belmont County, Ohio, from whence they first moved to Richland County, Ohio, and then to Williams County, as before stated, and there they later died, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. For years they were very active in the work of that denomination at Eagle Creek, Ohio. Of their eleven children one is now living, Mrs. Haines. She was only eight years old when she came to Williams County, and after she had been educated, she became a school teacher and taught for six terms. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Haines became the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, namely: Alexander C, who lives three and one-half miles west of Montpelier ; Walter L., whose name heads this review ; Hattie, who is the wife of J. E. Briner ; Emerson E.. who is a farmer of Northwest Township; and Lewis E., who is on the old homestead. The other three died in infancy.
J. M. Haines served three years in the Civil war, Company B, One Hundredth Indiana Regiment. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Louden Post.
Walter L. Haines was reared in his native township and attended its schools. He learned to be a farmer under his father's instruction and after acquiring his own farm put to practical use the knowledge and experience he had thus gained, and devotes his farm to general crops.
On March 31, 1897, Mr. Haines was married to Ellen Ingram, horn, reared and educated in Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have five children, namely: Hildreth, who is the wife of Harold Bauer; Helen M., who is a graduate of the Montpelier High School; and Dorothy, John M. and Jeanette, all of whom are attending the local schools. The Bridgewater Grange has Mr. and Mrs. Haines as members, and they also belong to the Farm Bureau. Very active in local politics, Mr. Haines has become a leader of the republican forces in this section. There is one grandchild in the family, Elwin Bauer, who was born in 1919.
A. O. Williams. — There is a common history in the life of A. O. Williams of Superior Township with that of his brother. Byron S. Williams, already written and yet he remembers some of the omitted points in family story. He was born December 1, 1867, in Williams
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 213
County, a son of William and Mary (Simpson) Williams, and he is authority for the statement that the grandfather, Charles Williams, came from Ireland. He located in Tuscarawas County and here Wil- liam Williams was born and lived until he came to Superior Township, Williams County. Charles Williams died in Tuscarawas County.
It was in 1848 that William Williams came to Williams County, and the Simpson family into which he married came two years later.. They all lived in Superior Township, and when William Williams mar- ried he settled in the same community. Six brothers in the Williams family were soldiers in the Civil war. For sixty years the family has been identified with the Methodist Church in Williams County. A. O. Williams is the oldest son of William Williams. The sister, Har- riet, wife of H. K. Brundage, lives near Tallahassee, Florida, and Byron S. Williams lives on the homestead.
As a young man, A. O. Williams worked on his father's farm until he was twenty, and then he sometimes worked by the month for others. On December 31, 1903, he married Demma Hoadley. She is a daugh- ter of Erastus and Sophia (Morris) Hoadley, and was born July 30, 1871, in Florence Township. The father was born in Columbiana and the mother in Mahoning County. They were married in 1855 and! located on a farm in Florence Township. Williams County. Mrs. Wil- liams was reared in Florence Township, and went to school in the same township. When Mr. and Mrs. Williams were married they lived two years in Bridgewater, then came to the farmstead in Supe- rior Township. They have one son, Lindon Roe.
Mrs. Williams is a member of the Christian Church and he is a member of Superior Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias. The family- are members of Montpelier Grange No. 2087, and Mr. Williams is its. treasurer. He is also a member of the Montpelier Co-operative Asso- ciation. In politics he is a republican, and he served as deputy sheriff of Williams County under Albert Youse. He owns a farm of eighty acres in Superior Township, and has put many substantial improve- ments on it.
Erastus Hoadley, the father of Mrs. A. O. Williams, first came to> Williams County in 1853, two years before he married and settled down two miles east of Edon. He was a soldier in the Civil war from Williams County. When the Lake Shore, now known as the New York Central, Railroad was built, Mr. Hoadley was employed in its construction. Mrs. Hoadley died in 1888 at Edon and he died in 1905, at the family homestead there. The Williams-Hoadley families both belong to pioneer days in Williams County.
214 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
George W. Farlee. — The name of George W. Farlee is certainly entitled to special mention in a work of the nature of the one in hand, for he has long been one of the influential citizens and successful farmers of Superior Township, Williams County. A man of forceful individuality and marked initiative power, he has been well equipped for the duties of citizenship, while his probity of character and his genial personality have gained for him universal esteem and friend- ship in the locality where he has spent the major portion of his active and useful life.
George W. Farlee, whose excellent farm is located in Superior Township, about two miles west of Montpelier, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, on November 22, 1858, and he is the son of Henry and Annie E. (Mathias) Farlee. His parents were both natives of Penn- sylvania, where the father was born on April 26, 1824, and in that state they were reared to maturity and received their educational train- ing. Henry Farlee was the son of Caleb and Annie Farlee. From Pennylvania he and his future wife came to Morrow County, Ohio, with their respective parents and there he completed his education in the common schools. His family were pioneers of that locality. His marriage to Annie E. Mathias occurred in 1857, and in 1864 thej came to Williams County, settling in Northwest Township, where he bought and cleared a farm. Subsequently he sold that place and pur- chased another farm in the same township. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war. He and his wife were originally members of the Christian Church, but subse- quently transferred their membership to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Farlee died on July 7, 1891, and he was survived many years by his widow, whose death occurred on December 29, 1919. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are liv- ing, namely: George W., the subject of this sketch; Catherine A., the wife of O. L. Brown, of Conneaut, Ohio ; Sarah J., the wife of Frank Allman, of Superior Township, this county ; Caleb, of Montpelier, and Samuel, of Superior Township.
George W. Farlee was six years old when brought to Williams County by his parents, and his education was received in the district schools of this county. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age and during the latter years of that period he worked by the month on neighboring farms. He has never forsaken the vocation to which he was reared and has demonstrated his ability and knowledge of the best farming methods. After his marriage, which occurred in
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 215
1896, Mr. Farlee located on the farm where he now lives and through the subsequent years he has given his undivided attention to its culti- vation, keeping up the improvements and maintaining the place at the highest standard of excellence.
On August 6, 1896, Mr. Farlee was married to Alice R. White, who was born on the farm where she still lives, the daughter of Isaiah M. and Lavina E. (Weitz) White. Isaiah M. White was born in Supe- rior Township on May 5, 1842, on that farm, the son of Joseph H. White. The latter was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on October 14. 1806. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and when he was twenty-four years of age, he came to Newhope, Ohio, and there followed his trade. On May 8. 1830, he was married to Rebecca T. Leach, and in 1835 came to Crawford County, Ohio, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land. In 1839 he sold that land and came to Williams County, entering 160 acres of land, on which he made his home. He was a man of considerable prominence in his community, holding the office of justice of the peace. To him and his wife were born ten children, of which number two are now living, John B. and Isaiah M. White. To each of his sons, Joseph White gave forty acres of his land, the original farm thus having never left the family. On February 7, 1920, Isaiah M. and Lavina White celebrated the fifty- first anniversary of their marriage. They are the parents of three children, namely: Alice R., wife of the subject of this sketch; Mertie E., the wife of Alva Shankster, and Cassius O., of Winona, Okla- homa. Mr. and Mrs. Farlee are the parents of one daughter, Anna L., born on October 4, 1903, who is now a student in the Montpelier High School.
Politically, Mr. Farlee has been a lifelong supporter of the repub- lican party and he has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, giv- ing his support to every movement for the advancement of the public welfare. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church at Montpelier. A man of high moral character, persistent industry and good business ability, Mr. Farlee has stood "four square to every wind that blows," and he occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens.
Homer Peck, proprietor of Corner View Farm in Florence, con- sisting of 114 acres of well improved land six miles northwest of Montpelier, was born April 30, 1876, in Northwest Township. He is a son of Sanford and Emma (Lamb) Peck, the father a native of Northwest and the mother of Bridgewater townships. They had
216 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
similar homes and school advantages, and after their marriage they always lived in Northwest Township where they reared their family. Their children are : Homer, who enrolls the family in this history ; Clara, the wife of Oscar Bordner, and Blanche and Goldie.
Homer Peck married Sylvia Rickets. They are members of Chris- tian Union Church, and he is a member of Edon Lodge Knights of Pythias, having filled several of the chairs. His father, Sanford Peck, was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are members of Spring Lake Grange No. 1963, and for four years he served as master of the Grange. He is a member of the Edon Farmers' Co-operative Association, and believes in the upbuild- ing of the rural community. Mr. Peck is a democrat and for four years he served as trustee of Florence Township.
Mr. Peck is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants State Savings Bank, and he is a director in the Farm- ers Banking Company of Columbiana. He owns and operates a threshing outfit and is a breeder of Holstein cattle. Mr. Peck is in close touch with the business interests of Williams County.
Frank Burkhart.- — A prominent and enterprising citizen of Edgerton, Frank Burkhart is not only vice president of the Farmers Commercial Bank, but is one of the leading farmers of Williams County, and carries on an extensive business as feeder and shipper of livestock. A son of George Burkhart, he was born, January 12, 1864, in Crawford County, Ohio, of German ancestry.
Tobias Burkhart, his paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, and as a child came with his widowed mother, Dorothea (Beal) Burk- hart, to the United States in 1804, settling in Lycemburg, Heppin Township, Pennsylvania. Choosing the free and independent life of a farmer, he came with his family to Ohio a few years after his marriage to Christena Keiss, locating first in Crawford County, but later moving to Williams County, where both he and his wife spent their declining years, his death having occurred in 1876, and hers in 1885.
Born in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1829, George Burkhart came to Crawford County, Ohio, with his parents in 1847, and assisted in the pioneer labor of improving a farm in that locality. In 1870 he set- tled in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Ohio, and from that time until his death was identified with the agricultural interests of the community in which he resided. He married Rosanna Songer, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of George Songer, who
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 217
emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1815, locating first in Pennsylvania, where he married Catherine Ence, who was born in the Keystone State in 1807, and later moving to Crawford County, Ohio, where both spent the later years of their lives.
Of the union of George and Rossana (Songer) Burkhart several children were born, as follows: Sophia, born July 23, 1854, is the wife of Daniel Mowry ; Joseph, born May 25, 1858, married Lettie Casebeer; Sarah, born January 21, 1861, married Solomon Suffel ; Samuel F., born June 6, 1862, now a farmer in St. Joseph Township, married Lena Landel ; Frank, the special subject of this sketch; Ida, born December 25, 1866, is the wife of Chester Isenhood ; and Anna, born April 4, 1872, is the wife of John Richmond.
Brought up in St. Joseph Township, Frank Burkhart obtained his early education in the district schools, and as a boy and youth acquired valuable experience in the agricultural arts. Continuing a member of the parental household until thirty-one years old, he had the entire management of the home farm the last seven years that he lived upon it. A man of undoubted business and financial ability, Mr. Burkhart has judiciously invested a part of his wealth in land, owning a fine farm of 200 acres near Edgerton, and in addition to carrying on gen- eral farming with good results makes a specialty of feeding and ship- ping cattle and live stock, a branch of industry that under his manage- ment is exceedingly profitable. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Commercial Bank of Edgerton, which has the following named officers : George Weber, president ; Frank Burkhart, vice pres- ident; James J. Jennings, cashier; and the directors are George Weber, Frank Burkhart, James J. Jennings, Jessie Houlton, Lewis Groff, E. A. Geauque and D. G. Koehner.
Mr. Burkhart has been twice married. He married first, January 31, 1895, Catherine Groff, who was born in Sterling, Illinois, January 8, 1870, a daughter of Henry Groff. She died in early womanhood, leaving one son, Harry W. Burkhart, who was born September 10, 1900, and was accidentally killed January 27, 1917.
On November 29, 1916, Mr. Burkhart married Mrs. Mary (Hughes) Walker, a daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Alvert) Hughes, the former of whom was born in Seneca County, Ohio, and the latter in Pennsylvania. Her father, a school teacher in his younger days, came, after his marriage in Seneca County, Ohio, to Williams County, settling on a farm in Superior Township, where he was suc- cessfully engaged in tilling the soil during his remaining years. He was a republican in politics and ever interested in local matters.
218 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Mr. Burkhart invariably supports the principles of the democratic party. Fraternally he belongs to Edgerton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Mrs. Burkhart is a member of the Pythian Sisters. She is an active member of the Christian Church. Mr. Burkhart's first wife attended the Evangelical Church, of which he was an attendant, and a liberal supporter.
Mr. Burkhart recently acquired a tract of land in the Brownsville District, Texas, and expects to establish a winter home at this place.
Fred O. Mills. — In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above their fellows and win for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. Such a one is the well-known gentleman whose name appears above, who is a native of the adjoining State of Indiana, but whose identification with Williams County is such that he is universally recognized as a man of undoubted ability, courage and loyalty. Fred O. Mills, the efficient and popular manager of the Liberty Cooperage and Lumber Company, at Montpelier, was born in Jay County, Indiana, on May 4, 1891, and is the son of C. H. and Elizabeth (Stout) Mills. These parents were also natives of Jay County, where they were reared, educated and married. After their marriage they first set- tled on a farm in Jay County. In 1905 Mr. Mills engaged in the lumber mill business in Warren, Ohio, in which he was occupied until the fall of 1917, when he sold that business and came to Mont- pelier. Mr. Mills remained here until September, 1919, when he moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he now resides. He is the owner of a mill at Areola, Indiana. He is a republican in his political sympathies, is a member of the United Commercial Travelers, and his religious membership is with the Presbyterian Church. To him and his wife were born nine children, of which number eight are now living.
Fred O. Mills was about two years of age when his parents moved from Indiana to Van Wert County, Ohio, and he secured his educa- tional training in the public and high schools of Warren. He was then a student in Oberlin College for one year, at the end of which time he became associated with his father in the Warren Cooperage Factory for three years. He then became connected with the Peer- less Electric Company, at Warren, remaining with that concern for two years. He then became a student in the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, where he was when the United States entered the World War. He promptly volunteered and entered the officers training camp at
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 219
Fort Benjamin Harrison, at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he received a commission as second lieutenant in August, 1917. He was then assigned to the Fifty-Ninth Regiment of Infantry and sent to the camp at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On October 2, 1917, Lieutenant Mills was transferred to the Fourth Machine Gun Battalion of the Second Division, and on December 23, 1917, sailed from Portland, Maine, arriving at Liverpool on January 7th following. From there he went to France and was in training camps until March 19, 1918, when he was sent into the lines at Verdun. On June 1, 1918, he took part in the historic engagement at Chateau Thierry, after which he was relieved on July 4. For bravery in the Bois de Belleau he was awarded the Croix de Guerre. On July 16, 1918, he took part in the attack on Soissons, where he was gassed, in consequence of which he was confined to a hospital for three weeks. In this engagement also he was cited for the Croix de Guerre for bravery in action. He remained inactive until September 12th, when he again went into action in the Saint Mihiel drive, during which he was again gassed and sent to hospital. On October 11th he rejoined his division and they were in maneuvers and rest in preparation for the Meuse-Argonne drive. On August 28, 1918, the subject had received a first lieutenant's commission. They were located along the Meuse River, ready for action, when the armistice was signed, and on November 17th they started on the march for Germany, crossed the Rhine and located in Neuwied on Friday, December 13, 1918. On January 1, 1919, Lieu- tenant Mills was taken down with an attack of the "flu" and after his recovery he was granted a seventeen-day sick leave. He returned to France, with the intention of visiting a brother, and while there was again prostrated with the "flu" and sent to the hospital. He was then put in Class D, to be returned to the United States, and on April 8, 1919, he sailed from Brest on the Kaiserine Augusta Victoria, arriv- ing in New York on April 17th. He was sent to the Polyclinic Hos- pital, in New York City, whence he was transferred to the Base Hos- pital at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, from which he was dis- charged as fit for duty on May 21st. He was transferred to Camp Custer and assigned to the Tenth Infantry Regiment, but sent in his resignation, which was accepted on July 31, 1919. Lieutenant Mills at once returned to Montpelier and immediately turned his attention to civic pursuits. As stated at the beginning of this review, he is now acting as manager of the Liberty Cooperage and Lumber Company. He is well qualified for his position, possessing good business ability, sound judgment and industrious habits and is handling the duties of his position in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned.
220 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
On November 24, 1919, Lieutenant Mills was married to Elsie L. Timmons, of Kirkersville, Ohio. Politically, the subject gives his sup- port to the republican party, while his religious membership is with the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degrees of the Chapter, and to the United Commercial Travelers. He is also a member of Post No. 109, American Legion, of which he is the present commander. In every relation of life, Mr. Mills has proven true to his trust and today no one in his community enjoys to a greater degree the respect and confidence of the people generally than does he.
Fred Held.- — While he was born in Sandusky County, April 2, 1864, Fred Held of Florence Township has been in Williams County since 1873, and he owns a farm of eighty acres. His parents, Fred- erick and Catharine (Algire) Held, were born in Baden, Germany, and while they were not acquainted until they met on the sailing vessel, they came together to the United States. Frederick Held was thirty years old when he emigrated to America. He came to Huron County, where he worked by the month for two years before he married Cath- arine Algire whom he had known as a passenger across the Atlantic. For a year they lived in Huron County and then they moved to Bellevue.
While in Bellevue, he worked four years in a distillery as a night watch, then he returned to Huron County where he bought a team and became a farmer, renting farm land there six years, when he came to Williams County. In 1873 Frederick Held bought the farm owned today by his son, Fred Held, and it was his home for many years. He voted the democratic ticket and was a member of the Catholic Church at Blakeslee. Nine children were born in the Held family, although only five survive as Fred relates the history. They are John, Emma, Fred, Catharine and Mary.
Fred Held was nine years old when his parents came to Williams County. He had common school education and on May 28, 1895, he married Josephine Trausch who was born in Florence Township. They have always lived at the Held family homestead. Their children are: Robert, Martha, Michael, Oscar and Bernard. They are all members of the Catholic Church at Blakeslee.
Mr. Held is the democratic county central committeeman from the south precinct in Florence Township, and for three years he served as constable in the community. For seven years he served as town- ship trustee, and he has always been active in politics of Williams
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 221
County. He is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Company at Blakeslee and is always interested in anything that advances the cause of agriculture.
Jacob Walz. — Since he was a boy eleven years, Jacob Walz of Low Land Farm in Florence has been a resident of Williams County. He was born February 20. 1872. in Wiirtemberg, Germany. He is a son of Christopher and Barbara (Hainz) Walz who were children together in Germany and emigrated to the United States several years after their marriage in that country. They came direct to Williams County in 1883, and they bought a farm in Florence Township and settled there. Their children are : Christopher, of Kansas ; Catharine, wife of Henry Durr, of Steuben County, Indiana ; Adam, of Florence Township; Mary, wife of George Kaiser, of Florence Township; Jacob, who enrolls the family in the "History of Williams County," and Fred Walz of Center Township.
The Walz family are Lutherans in their church relation and they vote with the democratic party. While the children were born in Germany they were educated in America. Jacob Walz being only eleven and coming to the United States young enough to learn Amer- ican methods in everything. There was a German school in Edon and they had common school education. Until he was twenty, Jacob Walz worked for his father and then he went among others working by the month. He was the young man to save his money.
On January 21, 1897, Jacob Walz married Susan J. Lerch. She was born in Allen and reared in DeKalb County, Indiana. They set- tled on the farm where they live today and have always lived there. Their children are : Clara, Lavina, William, Edna and Dora. All are being given a common school education, the older ones having gradu- ated from the public schools. They are all members of the Lutheran Church at Edon. Mr. Walz is a member of the Farmers' Co-opera- tive Association, and is interested in the welfare of the man in the country. There are 168 acres in Low Land Farm and it is under an excellent state of cultivation.
Thomas R. Bostater, of Florence Township, three miles from Edon, was born December 1, 1880, in Defiance County. He is a son of Andrew J. and Mary A. (Hodson) Bostater. While the father was born at Wooster, Ohio, the mother is a native of Bridgewater Township. She is a sister of Martin Hodson of Pioneer. The Bos- taters are Presbyterians and the family vote is cast with the repub- licans.
222 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Andrew J. Bostater was a medical doctor, a graduate of the med- ical college at Ann Arbor, Michigan. For a time he practiced medicine at Pioneer. Later he practiced medicine in Toledo, and he owned a drug store there. Doctor Bostater had seven children. The daughter Florence, who is the widow of Solomon Johnson, is a daughter by the first marriage with Alice Sweden. There were six children from the second marriage. Grace is the wife of S. L. Kelley of Toledo; Frank M. is with the Electric Stove Company of Toledo; Elizabeth is a graduated nurse from the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago ; Lucile is a graduate of the Fayette Normal and is the wife of F. C. Koos of South Bend, Indiana ; Thomas R. Bostater relates the family history, and Gertrude, a graduate of the Montpelier High School and lives in Montpelier, but is doing Young Women's Christian Association work now in Chicago.
Thomas R. Bostater was educated in common school and at the Fayette Normal. He has the B. S. degree from Fayette. He was a teacher in public school and he married Daisy M. Moore who was also a teacher. She was a graduate of the Waldron High School in Michigan. Their children are: Mary E., who is in the Edon High School, and Arthur J. and Margaret E. who are in common school. The family are members of the Christian Church in Edon. Mr. Bostater is an elder in the church.
T. R. Bostater is president of the Edon Farmers Co-operative Association and a member of Spring Lake Grange. He is interested in all farmer movements of the community. He lives on a farm in Florence Township, Williams County.
Samuel D. Kaiser. — The development of Williams County has been chiefly due to the sustained efforts of individuals and families carried on year after year, resulting in the planting of homes, the clearing away of the woods, bringing the land under cultivation, and through the co-operative enterprises of road building, erection of schools and churches, and the facilities and resources that come from collective effort.
With this development for more than six decades the Kaiser family has had a more than ordinary share and participation. Of this family perhaps the best known in the present generation is Samuel D. Kaiser, whose estate, the Maple Forest Farm, near Edon, is familiar to thousands of stock growers outside of Williams County and has a well justified fame as the home of Kaiser's Registered Shropshire sheep.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 223
Mr. Kaiser was born March 23, 1875, on the farm home two and a fourth miles north of Edon, where he and his family reside today. He is a son and the youngest child living of William F. Kaiser, Sr., and Eva Catherine (Klink) Kaiser, both now deceased.
The late William F. Kaiser was born in Kusterdingen, Wuertem- berg, Germany, March 8, 1830, and in 1832 was brought to America by his parents John George and Eva Barbara Kaiser, who for four years made their home in Columbiana County, Ohio, and then moved to Richland County the same state, locating two miles east of Shelby. William F. Kaiser grew up in that locality, acquired a common school education, and for six years worked as a carpenter. In those days he was regarded as a skilled worker, and some of the buildings he constructed from the mammoth oak timber more than sixty years ago may be seen just as they were erected, while others have been remodeled and modern equipments installed.
September 7, 1858, he married Eva Catherine Klink, who was born April 20, 1839, in Chatfield Township, Crawford County, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood. Soon after their marriage in 1858, with their meager household outfit in horse drawn vehicles, over desperately muddy roads, they moved to Williams County, locating on the farm where Samuel D. was born and where they lived out the remainder of their lives. This farm at that time contained 180 acres and was in its natural state, a dense forest. The obstructive timber, great oaks, walnut, poplar and other varieties that would be of great value now, was cleared away and burned, and acre by acre was made arable until all but thirty acres, reserved for forestry, was under cultivation. Ten children were born to William F. Kaiser and wife. Seven grew to maturity and are still living, named : Lena Krill, George F., Mary Weber, Rebecca Koerner, Anna Krill, Sarah Plogsterd and Samuel D. Kaiser. As these children one by one left the parental home to establish homes of their own, the parents provided each with a good start in life. The parents were widely known and highly respected for the charitable dispositions, and helpfulness in time of need, were always loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active in every good cause. William F. Kaiser died April 2, 1904, and some time before his death had sold eighty acres of his land. The mother controlled the balance of the homestead farm con- sisting of 100 acres until the time of her death September 3, 1909.
Samuel D. Kaiser acquired his education in the common schools and also took a practical business course by correspondence in the Michigan Business Institute of Kalamazoo. From the age of eighteen
224 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
he managed the homestead farm for his parents, and on March 21, 1910, bought the place from the heirs of the estate. He then named it the Maple Forest Farm, the characteristic feature and source of the name being ten acres of timber mostly hard maple on the north- east corner of the farm. Mr. Kaiser firmly believes in scientific principles of farming and the maintenance of the fertility of the soil. Practice amounts to more than theory in his case, demonstrated by the quality and quantity, per acre, his soil yields in return for his labor. He has no use for scrubby stock, and is also delighted to show his line of breeding. Especially he takes pride in his flock of registered Shropshire sheep. Having studied and managed this one breed exclu- sively for twenty-five years, gives him a knowledge of its excellent points and the correct type of the real Shropshire. By honest, fair and square dealing with customers, there has developed a demand for his stock known as Kaiser's Shropshires, which he is never able to supply.
It is only natural that so much progressiveness in the management of his individual affairs should extend to public improvements, such as better roads, better schools, better churches. He has exhibited a community spirit of unselfishness, and at the same time is conservative in handling the public funds. For eight years he has been a member of the Florence Township Board of Education and was re-elected to that post in November, 1919. He is serving his second term as a member of the Williams County Board of Education. He is con- nected with various movements which he believes will bring about better marketing facilities for farm products, and is one of the men who sustain and make effective such organizations as the Williams County Farm Bureau, the Edon Farmers' Co-operative Company, the Williams County Wool Growers' Association, and the Farmers' Institute.
December 18, 1894, Mr. Kaiser married Ida E. Kiess. She was born in Whetstone Township, near Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, May 28, 1876, being the youngest child of Jonathan H. and Elizabeth (Cook) Kiess. The older children consisted of a son and two daugh- ters, the son and one daughter dying in youth. The two surviving daughters are Rebecca Crall and Ida E. Kaiser. The mother of these children died in July of the same year of Mrs. Kaiser's birth, and she was then taken by relatives to Richland Township, Steuben County, Indiana, where she was educated and grew to womanhood. Her foster parents were William F. and Mary (Cook) Kiess. Her father, Jonathan H. Kiess, remained a widower for some time and then mar-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 225
ried Rachel Cook, a cousin to his first wife. To this union were born four children, named Wesley, Olen, Charles and Bertha, the latter now Mrs. Vernon Schieber. Jonathan Kiess was born December 9, 1840, near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and in 1851 came with his father, his mother having died three days after his birth, to Crawford County, Ohio, locating at Bucyrus, where he had his residence for more than sixty years. He was a popular farmer, owned a farm place of 160 acres, and gave to it his personal management until his death on April 26, 1912. He was public spirited, and his influence could always be counted upon for every project for the public welfare. He and his family were members of the Evangelical Church..
Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser have two daughters, Mildred Evadne, born October 6, 1899, and Pauline Gladys, born November 11, 1902. They were given every advantage in attending the country schools, each completing the eighth grade work at the age of twelve, and they graduated from the first grade high school at the age of sixteen. Mildred graduated from the Edon High School in the spring of 1916 and was a post graduate of the same school the following year. She then entered the Tri-State College at Angola for a four-year course of music under Professor A. G. Harshman, and received her diploma as a Bachelor of Music in the spring of 1920. While in college she was called upon temporarily to teach in the public schools, and on different occasions filled vacancies for a period of several months. During her last year in the musical conservatory of the Tri-State College she also took a course in teacher's training to qualify as musical supervisor in public schools. Pauline graduated from the Edon High School in the spring of 1919, and having also distinctive musical gifts had spent summer months as a student under Pro- fessor A. G. Harshman. In the winter of 1919 she also entered the Tri-State College to finish the musical course taking at the same time the teachers' training course. All the family are sincere and consistent members of the Edon Methodist Episcopal Church.
Benjamin T. Lingle, living near Edon in Florence Township, was born February 1, 1849, in Springfield Township, and he has always lived in Williams County. He is a son of John and Catharine (Bel- ford) Lingle, the father coming from Pennsylvania to Southern Ohio where they were married and they settled in Springfield Town- ship, Williams County. John Lingle was a blacksmith and combined farming with working at the forge. He was a democrat. They were members of the Lutheran Church, and of their ten children six are
Vol. II— 15
226 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
living, A. D. 1920, when B. T. Lingle relates the family story. They are: Sarah, Jane, Benjamin T., William, Cyrus and George. B. T. Lingle remained on the home farm in Springfield Township until after the death of his father, when he began farming in Florence Township.
Mr. Lingle married Lydia F. Eagle of Pulaski Township and when they located in Florence they bought eighty acres of land, and they placed all of the improvements on it. Their daughter, Minnie M. Lingle, died in childhood, and on February 12, 1880, twin sons, William C. and Charles C. Lingle, were born to them. W. C. Lingle is a coal dealer in Edon and Charles C. is a hardware merchant in Hamilton, Indiana. The family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Edon. Mr. Lingle raises grade live stock of all kinds and is a member of the Montpelier Farmers' Co-operative Asso- ciation.
Mrs. Lingle is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Weaver) Eagle. She was born January 26, 1855, in Pulaski Township. Her parents came from Montgomery County, Ohio, to Williams County. They settled in Pulaski Township, six miles southeast of Bryan. Mr. and Mrs. Lingle were married February 19, 1874, and they have always lived in Williams County.
George Jerger is a prosperous farmer of St. Joseph Township, his prosperity having been due to his persistent effort carried on through a long period of years, and he belongs to one of the old and prominent families of Williams County.
Mr. Jerger, whose farm is a mile southwest of Edgerton, was born in St. Joseph Township May 25, 1872, son of J. B. and Elizabeth (Magrum) Jerger. His father was born in Baden, Germany, Novem- ber 30, 1834, while the mother was a native of Buffalo, New York. J. B. Jerger came to the United States at the age of nineteen, was married at Buffalo where he lived for several years, and then came as a pioneer to Williams County, locating north of Edgerton. At the time of his death he had lived on one farm in that locality for fifty- four years. He was thrifty, industrious, and prosecuted his affairs so that at one time his estate was valued at $50,000. He was twice married and had thirteen children by his first wife and seven by the second. The first group of children were Mary, Josephine, John, Frank. Joseph, Lena. Anthony, George, Elizabeth, Frances, Emma, Dora and Charles. The children of the second marriage were Anna and Daniel, twins, Louise, Clara, William, Frederick and Ida. The father was a democrat in his political affiliations.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
227
George Jerger grew up on his father's farm, attended district schools and remained at home until the age of thirty. After he was twenty one he worked for wages, and at twenty-five he married Miss Gertrude Hoch, a native of St. Joseph Township, Williams County
a!d' Marl" ^ *"* ^^ ^^ deCeaSed' R^mond
Mr. Jerger is still an active farmer, and the scene of his efforts >s 100 acres of fertile and well cultivated land. He is a democrat in politics and with his family is a member of the Catholic Church.
cit,VJe0HNAv-nAN-~rThe hiSt°ry °f thC l0"VaI S°nS a"d representative citizens of Williams County would not be complete should the name that heads this review be omitted. When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging through the Southland, threatening to destroy the Union he responded with patriotic fervor to the call for volunteers and in some of the blood.est battles and severest campaigns for which that great war was noted proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well Duong a useful life in the locality where he lives he has lablr d' diligent y to promote the interests of the people, has been devoted to the public welfare and today none stands higher in the esteem of the people among whom he lives.
Tnint" A1,maVh0Se fine farl» of "< acres is located in Superior Township was born m Stark County, Ohio, on December 27 1840 and he is the son of James and Margaret (Anspaugh) Allman. These parents were natives of Pennsylvania and both were brought to Ohio
a'm lveimT8P,0Ct,VTHParenTtS' ^ """* * '^ C°U^ the A,Im- family in 18 0. There James Allman and Margaret Anspaugh were married and lived until 1842, when they came to Williams County se
ling in sect.on 5, Superior Township. There they spent the e t of the,r hves the father dying in 1846 and being survived many "a by his widow, who death occurred in 1890. They were the parents of the following children: Catherine, who became the wife of Wil- - Ingram; Barney P. deceased; Hayman C, who was a sollr he wiS ofTh T k,IIed fn ^ ba"Ie °f J°nesb0r°= M^a>en,
k tch a' Ts- gram; John- the immediate subJect 0f thi
sketch Agnes, who ,s now deceased, was the wife of J W Pew Jacob, deceased. •■«■«»,
John Allman was about two years of age when his parents brought
nd s cur' d lh ,amS C°Unty and hCre hC WaS reared t0 ™hogod
and secured his education m the district schools. He remained at home until August 29, 1861. when he enlisted in Company H, T rty Eighth Regiment, Oh.o Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of
228 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
the Army of the Cumberland. On November 10, 1862, he was detailed and assigned to the Pioneer Corps of that army, being assigned to Company C, and took part in the sanguinary battle of Stone's River. In the spring of 1863 he was again detailed on the Pontoon Battalion, serving in that service until December, 1863, when he was promoted to forage master of the pontoon train. Later he was made wagon master, having charge of the train from Bridgeport to Chattanooga, and thence to Mission .Ridge. There he had charge of the wagon or pontoon train. On December 10, 1863, Mr. Allman came home on a furlough and he veteranized, re-enlisting in Company H of the Thirty-Eighth Regiment, and returned to his home on a thirty-day furlough. He then rejoined his command and was with Sherman on his campaign from Chattanooga to Atlanta. On August 12, 1864, he was transferred to Company D of the First United States Engineers, with which he served until September 26, 1865, when he was given an honorable discharge. Though Mr. Allman took part in much of the most strenuous service of the war, exposed to attack by the enemy and to the most taxing labor, he was never wounded nor confined to hospital. He rendered faithful service in every service to which he was assigned and was discharged with an honorable record and the rank of artificer.
On his return home Mr. Allman resumed his farm work and has never relinquished his active interest in agricultural affairs. His splendid farm of 114 acres is located one mile north and three miles west of Montpelier, being numbered among the best improved, most highly cultivated and most productive farms of the locality. Mr. All- man carries on general farming operations, in connection with which he also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, and in both departments he has met with well deserved success.
On November 19, 1865, Mr. Allman was married to Lucinda Simpson, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on April 28, 1842, and whose death occurred on June 22, 1899. She came with her parents to Williams County, the family settling on a farm in Superior Township, where she was reared, receiving her educational training in the district schools of that neighborhood. To Mr. and Mrs. All- man were born five children, namely: Frank, a farmer in Superior Township; Charles S., who remains at home; Elva, who was a teacher in the public schools, became the wife of Elmer Lytle, of Quincy, Michigan; Eva, a twin sister of Elva, is unmarried and remains at home ; Clara J., the wife of Charles Bowen, of Bridgewater Township.
Politically, Mr. Allman has always given his support to the repub-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 229
hcan party and has thrown his support to every worthy movement for the advancement of the community's best interests. He is a member of Hiram Louden Post, No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is the present commander. He is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church and has been active in support of its every interest. A man of genial personality, he has easily made friends and because of this fact and his other sterling qualities he enjoys the sincere esteem of the entire community.
William Moss, ex-county commissioner and ex-justice of the peace for Mill Creek Township, is one of the leading men of Williams County, and one of the prosperous farmers of his section. Mr. Moss was born in Richland County, Ohio, on December 13, 1852, a son of Samuel and Priscilla (Turbeth) Moss, natives of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Thomas W. Moss, came to Richland County, Ohio, from Pennsylvania, at an early day, and there he died. Samuel Moss was reared in Richland County, Ohio, and there married, but in 1853 he came to Williams County and located on a farm of 160 acres of land in Mill Creek Township. He and his wife were Presbyterians in their religious faith, while in pol- itics, he was a democrat. They had five children born to them, namely: Thomas, who is deceased; Ellen, who married Thomas' Crawford; Joseph, who is deceased; Sarah, who is the widow of Samuel Holenbaugh ; and William, who is the youngest.
William Moss was reared on the farm he now owns, and attended the public schools of his neighborhood. For four terms he taught school, but then decided to devote all of his attention to farming, and has made a success of it. Mr. Moss has prospered and now in addition to his fine farm and its equipment, owns stock in the Bryan Democrat.
On April 29, 1875, William Moss was united in marriage with Malinda Clay, who was born in Mill Creek Township, and educated in its schools. Following their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Moss moved on the farm, first renting it and then buying it and now they have 100 acres of land. They became the parents of four children, namely: George S., who was graduated from the schools of Fayette and later from the law school of Ada, Ohio, is now a practicing attorney of Toledo, Ohio; T. E., who was graduated from the Fayette Schools and the Metropolitan Business College, was a stenographer for the Michigan Central Railroad, but is now on the farm; Mary L., who attended the public schools, married Frank Raymond, and
230 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
they live on the Moss Farm; W. D., who was graduated from the Metropolitan Business College of Toledo, Ohio, is now living at Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Mr. Moss and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church of West Unity, of which he is an elder. He belongs to Supe- rior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons, and he and Mrs. Moss are members of West Unity Chapter, Order of Eastern Star.
Mr. Moss has been very prominent as a democrat, and served for two terms and was appointed for another term, in all six years, as county commissioner of Williams County, and for twenty-one years was a justice of the peace of Mill Creek Township. A man of sound judgment his decisions were seldom reversed by the higher courts, and he was recognized as one of the most just men in that office, as he has always been in everyday transactions.
Joseph Greek. — Numbered among the dependable citizens and prosperous farmers of Mill Creek Township is Joseph Greek, whose farm is located on section 6, one and one-half miles east of Kunkle. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, on January 12, 1844, a son of Frederick and Margaret Greek. Frederick Greek was born in Pennsylvania on September 18, 1811, and his wife was born on July 29, 1814. They came to Richland County, Ohio, in 1840, and after a period of several years moved to Hancock County, Ohio, and then, in 1854, located in Williams County, where his death occurred in 1895, his wife passing away in 1894. They were Dunkards in religious belief. Of their fourteen children, eight survive, namely: John, who is a resident of Tiffin, Ohio; Joseph, who is the second child; George, who is a resident of Idaho ; Wesley B., who is a resident of Alabama ; Elias, who is a resident of Mill Creek Township ; Jane, who is the wife of Frank Throne; William F., who is a resident of Kunkle, Ohio; and Margaret, who is the wife of John Oxinger of Reading, Michigan.
Joseph Greek has practically spent his life in Williams County, and is thoroughly identified with its best interests, and is a product of its public schools. During the war between the two sections of the coun- try, he sided with the Union, and enlisted in Company F, Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and when his first period of service was completed, he re-enlisted, in 1863, in Company G. Sixty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the campaign in the Shenan- doah Valley and the one in Georgia with General Sherman, including the famous "March to the Sea." Following the close of the war he took part in the Grand Review at Washington, and then returned home.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 231
Following his return from the army, Mr. Greek worked at the car- penter trade, but later bought a farm in Mill Creek Township, and now owns 157 acres of land, which is finely improved. He has alternated farming with work at his trade, and has been eminently successful at both.
On October 15, 1867, Mr. Greek was married first to Melissa West, who died on January 19, 1886, having borne her husband five children, namely: Ada B., who is the wife of J. E. Walcott ; Jane, who is the wife of George W. Werdner; Emerson, who is unmarried, is a railroad man of Lima, Ohio; Arthur J., who married Jennie Man- ville, lives in Mill Creek Township, and Carrie L., who is deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Greek was married to Sarah J. Drum, on September 23, 1888. She was born in Pennsylvania on January 30, 1858, and was brought to Brady Township, Williams County by her parents in 1860. By his second marriage Mr. Greek had three children, namely: Carl E., who was born on February 3, 1890, was graduated from the Fayette High School, married Myrtle Sayers, and they have two children — Ruth B. and Clifford O. ; Glenn D., who was born September 23, 1894, was graduated from the West Unity High School, married Florence Utter, and lives at Columbus, Ohio. During the World war Glenn D. was in the service, was sent overseas, and was wounded. Mildred, the third child, who was born on February 25, 1900, was graduated from the West Unity High School, and is now at home. The family belong to the Evangelical Church. In politics Mr. Greek is a republican and he served as town- ship trustee and was county commissioner for one term. Both in war and peace he has proven his worth as a man and a citizen, and he is held in the highest regard by the many who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Emery Bunce, who is vice president of the Farmers Banking Company of Columbia, laid the foundation of his business career as a farmer, and still gives most of his time to his well improved place of 138 acres in Northwest Township, seven miles north and a mile west of Edon.
The Bunce family were among the pioneers of Williams County, and their collective efforts have contributed not a little to its develop- ment and prosperity for a period of seven decades.
Emery Bunce was born in Florence Township, Williams County, April 27, 1863. His grandparents were Jacob and Laura (Wilcox) Bunce. The grandfather was born in New York State in 1788. His
232 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
first wife, Laura Wilcox, died in Perrysburg, Ohio. Later he removed to Crawford County, Ohio, and married Miss Nancy Kelley. His death occurred in Crawford County in 1842. The seven children of his first marriage were Freeman, Lydia, Rhoda, James, Calista, Rus- sell and Daniel.
James Bunce, father of Emery, was born in New York April 7, 1820. He married Elizabeth Gloar, who was born in the same state March 2, 1822. However, they were reared from childhood in Ohio, and about 1848 as young people moved into the wilderness of WiL Hams County, Ohio, and located in Florence Township where they did their part as pioneers. Later they moved to Northwest Township where they spent their last years. James Bunce died in January, 1892, and his wife in November, 1891. They were married May 6, 1845, and their children were: Martha J. and John, deceased; Jacob, a farmer near Litchfield, Michigan ; James A., of Northwest Town- ship; Laura F., wife of Sidney Malcomb ; Samuel, of Whitley County, Indiana ; Charles F., of Tonesville, Michigan ; Emmit and Emery, twins, the former of whom died in 1908.
Emery Bunce was reared and spent his entire active life in Wil- liams County and after leaving school applied his efforts to farming, and has kept steadily to that vocation though he has lent his capital and influence to business and other public movements.
April 5, 1888, he married Dora Brunk. She died December 26, 1895, the mother of four children : Ella, born February 7, 1889, a graduate of the common schools and still at home ; James R., who was born December 29, 1892, and died September 3, 1893; J. Wesley, born February 18, 1894, now a farmer in Steuben County, Indiana; and George, born December 25, 1895, and died January 5, 1896.
March 13, 1897, Mr. Bunce married Ella Skinner, who was born in Northwest Township January 24, 1867. She is a graduate of the common schools, attended the Montpelier High School, and was a successful teacher for two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Bunce have three children: Martha J., born July 12, 1898, wife of Dale Crawford of Northwest Township; James E., born November 7, 1903, a graduate of the common schools; and Emery E., born April 27, 1905. The family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Bunce is a republican. He is an ex-trustee of Northwest Township.
Franklin Blair. — The career of Franklin Blair has been char- acterized by such industry and good management as to make him one of the prosperous citizens of St. Joseph Township. He is a member
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
233
of one of the oldest of the families of Williams County and the asso- ciations of his own hfe have been centered at a farm that has been in the possession of the Blair family since 1836
.rJdf^1"/ Mo Bbir WaS emered fr0m the Government by his grandfather, James Bla,r. in 1836. It is two and a half miles south! west of Edgerton in St. Joseph Township
This farm is the birthplace of Franklin Blair where he first saw
Ct e Ci°v t;-^'1 21' 1861> °nly a feW ^ *" ^ ~ of the Civil war. His parents were Seth and Laura (Ball) Blair.
until hd' T b0l;n,0n ^he same farm, and lived there continuously
rl ^:l°" ^ 190°-. Ab°Ut *? *■* of the birth of his
SOn Franll- 1 I" \. r ""^ 0t tfle D'rth °f hlS
^n Frankhn he enlisted for service in the Civil war, but was rejected He was a man of quiet and unassuming character and lived a long He was twice married. Of the four children of
h,s first marriage the only one now living is Curtis Blair of Brvan Ohio. H,s second wife, Laura Ball, who died at the old homestead December 4, 1914, was the mother of Franklin, Mary, wife of Henry
SXfr County: Wi,son of st- josep,; T—hip. s
nenry v ho died when seven years of age.
hierfschonr ^t WaS rTd °" the °ld farm' attended dlstri* ^d ^ t all h rJ "T^ °r °ne year in Southw^ern Missouri has o man , ™ " °? ^ ^ ^^ SCh°o1 0ne term, but
for many years has given his energies to the cultivation and manage ment of his good farm of sixty-five acres g
in SeZtc "l T^ ""*** ^ E' ^ds- wh° -as born
hoo. The'h y' r^'.,? 187°' and WaS eduCated in the ^strict schools They have two children : James A., a graduate of the com- mon schools and the Edgerton High School, and Gladvs P now a student in the Edgerton High School. The family are active members' of the Christian Church. Mr. Blair being one of the elders He is a stanch republican and has filled with credit several township offices
William H. Steele, M. D.-Some one has aptly said. "He serves the Master best who serves humanity most." There is no cla s t0 whom we owe more gratitude than the self-sacrificing, noble-minded men whose hfe work is the alleviation of suffering and the min iter mg o comfort to the afflicted. Among the physicians and "g os of Wilhams County who are proficient in their chosen calling and are conscientious workers in the sphere to which their life energies are being devoted ,s Dr. William H. Steele, of Montpelier, who ha been more than ordinarily successful in the treatment of disease and who
234 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
is, therefore, held in high repute throughout this section of the state.
William H. Steele was born in Macomb County, Michigan, on August 23, 1873, and is a son of August and Louisa (Gerlach) Steele. August Steele was born in Germany, where he was reared and edu- cated. At the age of twenty-six years he came to the United States, locating first at Detroit, Michigan. He was an artisan and subse- quently he went to Macomb County, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1897. He is survived by his widow, who is a native of this country and who is now living in Detroit. Mr. Steele was a democrat in his political views and he and his wife were members of the Episcopal Church. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, namely: William H., the subject of this sketch ; Carl, a carpenter in Detroit, Michigan, and Edward, of Mount Clemens, Michigan.
William H. Steele was born on a farm, but when only three years old the family moved to Mount Clemens, and there he was reared and given the advantage of attendance at school, completing his studies in the high school. Then, having decided to devote his life to the prac- tice of the healing art, he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1903, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He first located for the practice of his profession at Manistee, Michigan, where he remained until December 31, 1912, when he came to Montpelier, where he has since remained and where he has built up a large and repre- sentative patronage, covering a wide range of the surrounding coun- try. Doctor Steele has been very successful in the practice of medi- cine, being regarded as reliable, painstaking and duly conservative, three properties which always commend a physician. Doctor Steele is a member of the Williams County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. During the World war, Doctor Steele enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States Army, receiving a commission as first lieutenant, and on July 13, 1918, was sent to the Base Hospital at Camp Sherman, Chilli- cothe, Ohio, where he remained a year, receiving an honorable dis- charge from the service on July 13, 1919.
On February 9, 1902, Doctor Steele was married to Bertha A. Mead, who was educated in the public schools of Tecumseh, Mich- igan, and they are the parents of one son, William W., born on May 18, 1904, and who is in attendance at the Montpelier High School. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. The doctor is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Montague, Michigan, and Mrs.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 235
Steele belongs to Lillian Chapter, No. 41, Order of the Eastern Star, of which she is the present conductress. The doctor has taken a deep interest in the welfare of the community in which he lives, especially in matters pertaining to education, and is at the present time vice president of the school board. By a life consistent in motive and because of his many fine qualities of head and heart he has earned the sincere regard of a vast acquaintance, and his success in his chosen field of endeavor bespeaks for him the possession of superior attributes.
Ralph L. Bordner of Florence Township, four miles northeast of Edon, was born on a nearby farm in that community February 3, 1886. and he has always lived in Williams County. He is a son of John E. and Catharine (Friend) Bordner. The father was born in Henry County while the mother is a native of Williams County. When they were married they settled in Florence Township and aside from six years in Superior Township they always lived there. Their children are: Cloyd Bordner, of Superior Township; Howard, of Florence ; Ralph L., who enrolls the family in this history, and Ethel, wife of Sherman Willoughby.
Ralph L. Bordner had common school advantages and remained at home with has parents until he was twenty-one, when he worked by the month and by the year for others. On November 6. 1909. he married Fern Hake, who was born December 12, 1889, in Florence Township. She is a daughter of John and Emma (Thompson) Hake, who had always lived in Williams County. The children born to Mr! and Mrs. Bordner are: Cecil J., September 20, 1919: Lester D„ June 13, 1913, and Leeta L., December 10, 1915. Mrs. Bordner is a member of the Christian Church in the community.
Mr. Borner is a general farmer with live stock and he owns a farm of eighty-seven acres in Florence. He votes with the democratic party, and is a member of the Edon Farmers' Co-operative Association. He is among the progressive young farmers of Williams County.
Wilson Blair.— The annals of pioneer settlement of Williams County give a prominent place to the Blair family, who came to this section of the northwestern Ohio wilderness nearly eighty-five years ago. The founder of the family was James Blair, who took up a tract of land from the Government in St. Joseph Township in 1836.
He and his family had come to Williams County from Akron, Ohio, driving ox teams. He settled in the woods, and spent most
236 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
of his active life here. In 1852 he drove across the plains to Cali- fornia, and remained in the mining districts of the Far West for some time.
Wilson Blair is a son of Seth and Laura (Ball) Blair. His father owned sixty-five acres of the old Blair homestead, and has spent all his life in that locality. Wilson Blair was born on the homestead, was reared and educated in the district schools, and in July, 1895, mar- ried Grace Dunlap. She was born in Pulaski Township April 16, 1873, and when ten years of age her parents moved to St. Joseph Township, where she completed her education in the district schools.
After his marriage Wilson Blair remained for two years on the home farm and then rented and in 1902 bought the place where he now lives. This is known as the Spring Hill Farm, consisting of sixty-five acres and located two miles southwest of Edgerton. He has built the residence and has made many other improvements to give substantial value to the property. He is actively identified with the Farm Bureau and other co-operative organizations of farmers.
Mr. and Mrs. Blair have three children : Eunice, wife of Paul Groff; Doris, aged eighteen; and Pauline a school girl. The family are members of the Christian Church and Mr. Blair is a republican. He served one term as township supervisor.
Orrin H. Nihart, M. D. — The old families of Williams County that have stood strong and steady here for more than a half century include that of Nihart, and land on which its early representatives located as pioneers, is still in the family, a substantial part of it belong- ing to Dr. Orrin H. Nihart, a prominent citizen and able physician of Edon, Ohio.
Doctor Nihart was born October 17, 1871, on his father's farm in Center Township, Williams County, Ohio. His parents were Daniel P. and Alice (Gabriel) Nihart. the former of whom was born in Center Township, January 7, 1841, and the latter in Wayne County, Ohio, May 18, 1851. She accompanied her parents to Williams County in 1866 and was reared in Center Township and practically spent her entire life there afterward. Following their marriage Daniel P. Nihart and his wife located on a farm in the above township and for a num- ber of years he was in the live stock business, buying and shipping extensively. They had two sons born to them, Orrin H. and Charles. The father was somewhat active in republican politics but not as an office holder.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 237
Orrin H. Xihart and his brother had excellent educational advan- tages. He taught school for two years before entering Valparaiso University, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the Bachelor of Science degree, and in 1894 received his Bachelor of Arts degree. Following this he spent two years in the medical department of the Western Reserve University, and in 1898 was graduated from Star- ling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, with his medical degree, in the spring of the same year establishing himself at Edon where he has continued and where his professional reputation reflects credit and entitles him to the public confidence and esteem which are his.
In 1898 Doctor Nihart was united in marriage to Miss Lulu I. Ewan, a lady of many accomplishments. She was graduated from the high school at Bryan, later Angola College, Indiana, still later from the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. For some time previous to her marriage she was engaged in teaching. Doctor and Mrs. Xihart have one daughter, Alitza. who was born August 21, 1903, and is a student in the high school at Edon, Ohio.
Aside from his profession Doctor Xihart has important interests, political and otherwise, and some of these identify him with notable enterprises, included in which may be mentioned his estate of fifty acres in Texas, on which he raises cotton and corn, and his stock farm of 290 acres, situated in Center Township, Williams County. Here he breeds pure Holstein cattle and has the noted Pontiac Corn- dyke at the head of his herd. Doctor Xihart also owns much valuable realty at Edon, included in which is improved property in the business heart of the city.
From early manhood Doctor Xihart has taken a vital interest in public affairs, deeming such a course the duty of every intelligent citi- zen. He served two years as county coroner, and in 1900 was elected to the state legislature, and served with distinction through the Seventy- fifth and Seventy-sixth sessions of the General Assembly, standing firmly on every question of public right. He is a man of liberal mind and of genial personality, but in faithfully caring for the many pressing duties of so busy a life, he finds little time for mere social relaxation, but he maintains his deep interest in the fraternities with which he has long been identified. He is a member of Edon Lodge, No. 474, Free and Accepted Masons ; Cooney Lodge, Odd Fellows, at Cooney, Ohio, of which he is past noble grand and a member of the grand lodge. He is also a member of Edon Lodge, No. 644, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor and belongs to the grand lodge of this order.
238 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
George Joice. — Shadyside, the farmstead owned by George Joice of Florence Township, is four miles northeast from Edon. Mr. Joice's specialties as a breeder are registered Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep. His telephone serves its purpose in advancing his business interests. He uses printed stationery, and the letterheads are an advertisement wherever his letters are sent in answer to inquiries or in search of patronage. The farmer who uses printed stationery simply follows business methods.
George Joice was born April 15, 1891, in Northwest Township and he is a son of William and Emma (Gloar) Joice. They were both born in Crawford County. The Joice ancestry came to Williams County in 1860, locating in Northwest Township and they have always lived there. In 1864 Emma Gloar came with her parents to the same community in Williams County. William and Emma (Gloar) Joice were married December 31, 1868, and they settled in Northwest Town- ship where they had lived for several years. Mr. Joice was a Civil War soldier, serving in Company H of the Forty-seventh Ohio Regi- ment. He remained from the time of his enlistment till the end of the war which was about fifteen months in the service. He was a member of Hiram Louden Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and republican in politics. He died April 6, 1908. His wife died April 6, 1919.
The children in the Joice family numbered ten with eight of them living, A. D. 1920, as follows : Minnie, wife of John G. Boyer of Bridgewater Township ; May, wife of Charles E. Kine of Northwest Township ; Walter, a traveling salesman of Defiance ; Harvey of Bridgewater; Roy of Angola, Indiana; Orrin of Bridgewater Town- ship ; Orville lives in Northwest Township ; George. Mr. Joice had common school education and remained at home until he was twenty- one years old. He then turned his attention to agriculture.
On December 26, 1914, Mr. Joice married Velma Thompson. She was born and educated in Florence Township and graduated from the Edon High School. She was a teacher for three years. They have one child, Ramona L., born December 8, 1915. Mr. Joice is a member of the Edon Farmers' Co-operative Association, and along with regis- tered live stock, he is an apiarist, producing honey and always having a market for it. Mr. Joice votes with the republican party.
Thomas S. Van Fossen. — It has been the privilege of Thomas S. Van Fossen of Florence Township to always live on the farm where he was born, July 5, 1844, more than threescore and ten years, the allotted life of man, in one community. He is a son of William and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 239
Mary A. (Sloss) Van Fossen, the father a native of Perry County, Pennsylvania, and the mother born in Ireland. She was fourteen years old when she came with her parents to the United States, and they settled in Detroit. She grew to womanhood in Detroit.
Mr. and Mrs. William Van Fossen were married in Newark, Ohio, where he was working as a carpenter. They came to Williams County and entered the farm of eighty acres where their son, T. S. Van Fossen lives today. It was all in timber and they cleared a place for their cabin and made a farm of it. When they came, there were many Indians in the country, and the wild animals were thick in the woods of Northwestern Ohio. Mrs. Van Fossen was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the community.
William Van Fossen served as justice of the peace in Williams County for thirty years. He was well posted on law and able to render accurate decisions in cases tried before him. For thirty-three years Mr. Van Fossen was local postmaster when the United States mail was carried by star route from Maumee, Ohio, to LaGrange, Indiana. Before the Civil war Mr. Van Fossen voted the democratic ticket, but since then he was a republican. His children are : Eliza- beth, deceased; John and William were both Civil war soldiers; Rachel, deceased; Thomas L. ; Maggie, wife of Hugh Goshorn, and Jane, wife of Jacob Coldsnow.
Thomas S. Van Fossen was educated in the common schools and in Professor Mycrantz's school in Bryan. He was a teacher for twenty-two winter terms in Williams County. On February 4, 1865, when he was not yet twenty-one years old, Mr. Van Fossen enlisted in Company D of the One Hundred and Ninety-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, receiving his discharge December 18, after eleven months in the service. He is a member of Hiram Louden Post, GrancfATmy of the Republic, of Montpelier.
Mr. Van Fossen married Anna Clark March 22, 1885. She was born in Crawford County, August 14, 1846, and she came to Williams County in 1865. She was educated in the common school and in Bryan, and for twenty-seven years she was a school teacher in Wil- liams County. Mr. Van Fossen is past noble grand in Edon Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he casts his ballot with the republicans. He now owns the farm of eighty acres which his father entered when he came to Williams County under President Van Buren's administration.
240 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Stephen A. Powers, one of the organizers and cashier of the Farmers Banking Company of Columbia, has spent all his active career in Northwest Township of Williams County, and was a successful general farmer before he took up banking.
The Farmers Banking Company was organized and began busi- ness in April, 1917. The active officers are C. W. Johnson, president; Emery Bunce, vice president; Stephen A. Powers, cashier; and besides these the members of the board of directors are W. W. Chamberlain, A. E. Kaufman, H. S. Parrett, Charles A. Roode, A. R. Walker, C. L. Rigelman, Homer Peck, H. M. Lecker.
Mr. Powers who is also a stockholder and director in the Farmers and Merchants State & Savings Bank in Montpelier, Williams County, was born on a farm near Columbia in Northwest Township, September 13, 1878. His parents were Volney and Martha (Kimmell) Powers, the former born in York Township, Steuben County, Indiana, March 17, 1838, and the latter in Richland County, Ohio, July 27, 1848. Volney Powers enlisted as a Union soldier with a Michigan regiment, and at the expiration of his first term re-enlisted and was in the service at the close of the war. He was discharged with the rank of second lieutenant. He afterwards became a member of Hiram Lowden Post of the Grand Army. For many years he was a successful farmer in Williams County and was one of the founders of the Eagle Creek Presbyterian Church and one of its ruling elders. Politically he was a republican. There were eight children in the family : Ella, wife of Emery Bunce; Viola P., widow of Lee E. Amidon; Oliver of El Paso, Texas ; Jennie P., wife of Henry Sines ; Stephen A. ; Vada P., wife of John A. Redfield ; Clyde V., who is in the Philippine Islands ; and Mary E., wife of Charles Brandon.
Stephen Powers grew up on his father's farm, attending the com- mon schools, and after the age of twenty-one began farming. He owns a valuable place of 120 acres, and still gives it his active super- vision in connection with his duties at the bank.
July 27, 1902, he married Ada J. Bunce. They have three chil- dren : Winn in the Edon High School ; Weir in the first year of the high school at Edon; and Doris, a student in the common schools. The family are members of the West Eagle Creek Presbyterian Church and Mr. Powers is an elder, having taken the place of respon- sibility so long held by his father in that organization. He is also affiliated with Montpelier Lodge, No. 547, of the Masons and with Metz Lodge, No. 411, of the Knights of Pythias.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
241
William D. Bratten, who is one of the active and public spirited citizens of southwestern Williams County and whose country home is a mile and a quarter west of Edgerton, is a native of St. Joseph Township and the family name he bears has been prominent in that locality since earliest pioneer times.
He is a grandson of John and Catharine (Upp) Bratten, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married at Sandusky, Ohio, and in 1836 John Bratten investigated the northwestern Ohio country and entered a tract of land in St. Joseph Township of Williams County Of that original entry William D. Bratten now owns sixty-four' acres. In 1837 John Bratten brought his family to Williams County with wagon and ox-team, and established his home in the midst of the heavy woods, clearing away a spot on which he erected his first log cabin He spent the rest of his life in this locality, was an honored and influ- ential pioneer settler, and a member of the United Brethren Church All of his five children are now deceased.
The parents of William D. Bratten ' were John V. and Isabel Shambaugh) Bratten. His father was born in St. Joseph Township July 7, 1842, and his boyhood was spent on the farm and in a locality where almost inevitably his educational opportunities were meager He lived the life of a hard working farmer and died here. His widow Vu ™Tgjm hGr seventy-seve"th year and is an active member of the Methodist Church at Edgerton. She has three children - Wil- liam D., Jessie, wife of R. J. Smith of Edgerton; and George E a dentist at Cincinnati, Ohio.
William D. Bratten was born in St. Joseph Township January 19, 1868, and acquired a district school education. After the aee of twenty-one he rented his father's farm for about twenty years He has been a good farm manager, also a keen business man, and has bought developed and sold a number of farm properties in this section In 189 he married Bertie Geiger, daughter of Tacob and Medora Oeiger She was educated in the public schools of Williams County They have two children: Roscoe, a graduate of the high schools of Edgerton and Bryan and now a dentist at Galion, Ohio; and Florence who graduated from the Bryan High School and is now a student in the Tn-State College at Angola, Indiana. The son Roscoe has a military record, having enlisted with the Eleventh Railway Engineers and spent twenty-two months in France, sharing in the glorious achievements of the Railway Engineers. He rose from first lieutenant to the rank of captain. Mr. W. D. Bratten has always been an active factor in the republican party in his community.
Vol. 11—16
242 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Frank J. Keller. — The ownership of the Pleasant View Farm in St. Joseph Township constitutes a competence which would satisfy the man of ordinary ambition. In the case of Frank J. Keller his pro- prietorship of this farm is the product of his own energies and labors carried on through a period of over thirty years, since he left home to take up the battles of life on his own account.
The Pleasant View Farm comprises seventy-seven acres and is located two and a half miles west of Edgerton.
Mr. Keller was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 26, 1860, son of Daniel and Caroline (Piffer) Keller. When he was nine days old his mother died, and he was her only child. He then lived with his grandmother until his father married again and after that lived with his father and stepmother. Mr. Keller was at home until the age of twenty-three, and in the intervals of schooling worked out at monthly wages.
December 2, 1888, he married Ida Garber, who was born in Troy Township, Dekalb County, Indiana, August 16, 1868, a daughter of William and Lydia (Eberly) Garber. Her parents were born and married in Pennsylvania and were early settlers in Dekalb County, Indiana, where they spent the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Keller began their married life in Wilmington Township, Dekalb County, but in the spring of 1902 moved to Williams County and located on their present farm in St. Joseph Township. Mr. Keller also owns eighty acres of another farm, so that his land ownership includes 157 acres. He handles his land to general crops and considerable live stock.
Mr. and Mrs. Keller have two children : Dessie, a graduate of the Edgerton High School, was a successful teacher in Williams County for six terms and is now the wife of Williams Weber of St. Joseph Township ; and Glenn L. who married Wanda Groff and is the father of a son, Leroy G. Keller, born April 1, 1918. Mr. Keller is affiliated with Edgerton Lodge, No. 465, of the Knights of Pythias, and polit- ically is a republican.
Charles W. Thompson. — Since he was eight years old, the home of Charles W. Thompson has been in Florence Township where he lives today. He lives three miles northeast of Edon. He was born July 4, 1864, in Northwest Township. He is a son of George and Catharine (Smell) Thompson, the father a native of Trumbull County and the mother from Germany. When she was a child three years old, her parents came to the United States and settled in Williams County. They located in Northwest Township and ended their days there.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 243
When the Thompson family came to Williams County they lived some years near Pulaski and then they moved to Northwest Town- ship where George Thompson was married and after a few years he removed to Florence Township. They bought the farm in 1872 that is now owned by C. W. Thompson. They were members of the Chris- tian Union Church, and George Thompson cast his vote with the democrats His children are : Charles W. Thompson who repeats the family history; Emma, the wife of John Hake of Florence Town- ship; Lilly, the wife of Charles Kent ; Claude of Jonesville, Michigan: Curtis of Edon; Cora, wife of Harl Oberlander and John C of rlorence Township.
On October 24, 1885, C. W. Thompson married Sarah Hake who was born March 1, 1866, in Fulton County. She is a daughter of John H. and Lucy (Betz) Hake, who had come from eastern Ohio o Fulton County and later to Florence Township in Williams County When Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were married they lived for two years on a farm at Jackson, Michigan, when they returned to the Thompson family homestead in Florence, renting the land until 1905 when they bought it. Their daughter, Velma, graduated from the' Edon High School and was a teacher for three years. She is now the w.fe of George Joice of Shadyside Farm. Willis Thompson is also a graduate of the Edon High School. The family are members of the Christian Union Church in the community.
Mr. Thompson is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Associa- tion and is interested in all welfare organizations among the farmers of Williams County. He owns a farm of eighty acres and makes it prontable. He is a democrat and active in the affairs of the party.
Thomas B^Matthews, who lives on a farm five miles northeast from Edon ,n Florence Township, has always lived in one community He is a son of C. W. and Lucinda (Cain) Matthews, and was bom there November 23. 1865; the father, a Canadian, born in Toronto while the mother is a native of Williams County. When C W Matthews was only one year old the family came from Toronto to Horence Township and he knew nothing about any other country. Mr and Mrs^ Matthews married and lived many years on this farm m Florence Township before they went to Montpelier to end their days He died February 4, 1916. and she still lives in Montpelier
-Although Canadian born C. W. Matthews served eighteen months as a so dier in the Civil war, and he was wounded in the battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse. For many years he had been an active
244 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
member of Gen. Hiram Louden Grand Army of the Republic Post in Montpelier. He always voted with the democrats. There were three children in his family. They are : Thomas B. Matthews, who enrolls the family in the annals of Williams County ; Wesley C, of Florence Township, and DeLora, the wife of E. C. McCamis. They all had the educational advantages of the time in Williams County.
On July 15, 1889, T. B. Matthews married Emma Knapp, who was born in Northwest Township, and always lived in Williams County. They have five children, and three sons have inherited the military spirit of their grandfather and enlisted in overseas service in the World war. All are musicians and all served in musical organizations "some- where in France." John was a member of the band with the Sixteenth Infantry and First Brigade, and did service both in France and Ger- many. Ben F. Matthews was the first volunteer soldier from Flor- ence Township, and after being discharged he re-enlisted and his sec- ond enlistment of one year ended March 4, 1920. He was sergeant in the One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Infantry and DeLeon M. Matthews was in the Three Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Infantry band, and all were overseas several months. Nelson B. Matthews is a musician in Jackson, Michigan, and Charles is at home with the parents.
In his younger days T. B. Matthews taught piano and violin music, and the sons all had musical advantages as well as ability to master music. For many years Mr. Matthews was leader of the Berlin Band in Florence Township, having mastered music himself by study and application to it. The Matthews family have furnished music on pro- grams frequently. Mr. Matthews votes the democratic ticket. He owns a farm of eighty acres and is a member of Sodom Grange. He is interested in all organizations designed to advance the welfare of the farming community.
Samuel J. Kissinger, proprietor of the Maple Lawn Farm three miles north of Edgerton, has a record as a farmer, business man and public official that is in keeping with the high standing of the Kissinger family which became identified with Williams County in pioneer times and has furnished several worthy citizens to the community.
Mr. Kissinger was born in Stark County, Ohio, near Canton, Janu- ary 25, 1846. a son of John and Mary (Cassler) Kissinger. His parents were natives of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and a few years after their marriage moved to Stark County, Ohio, and in 1852 invaded the wilderness of Williams County. They acquired the land, then covered with dense woods, where their son Samuel still lives,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 245
and that farm has been under the continuous management and owner- ship of the Kissinger family for nearly seventy years. John Kissinger was well equipped for pioneering, exercised a good influence in the development of the county, was an elder in the Lutheran Church and a democrat in politics.
Samuel J. Kissinger is the only survivor of six children, namely: Annie, Maria, Rosana, Barbara, Henry and Samuel, the youngest of the family. He was six years of age when brought to Williams County and his personal recollection goes back to many pioneer scenes and personalities. He grew up on the home estate, attended such schools as were in existence at that time, and on September 22, 1869, married Caroline Richard. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, December 2, 1848, daughter of John and Wilhelmina (Ehret) Richard; the former a native of Alsace and the latter of Germany. They were married in Ohio and were also early settlers of Williams County, locating in St. Joseph Township in 1851.
Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger after their marriage located on the old Kissinger farm and later he became its owner. For many years he has cultivated this place, comprising eighty-eight acres and the farm shows the results of continuous ownership and operation by one family through so many years.
Mr. Kissinger has been identified with various movements for the welfare of farmers and the community in general. He is a member of the Farm Bureau, and has served as president of the Williams County Agricultural Society three years, and as a director of that organization for seventeen years. He has been township trustee, and for two terms was land appraiser. Politically he is a democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Kissinger have two children: Estella, born October 10, 1871, wife of Charles Goeltzenleuchter, and Clarence E., born February 23, 1875, who married Pearl Suffel and lives on the home farm with his father.
Charles A. Dietsch has been identified with the farming com- munity of St. Joseph Township for over forty years, has been an active factor therein the greater part of that time, and his interests have extended beyond the management of his own acres and his home to various community and commercial enterprises.
Mr. Dietsch, whose rural home is three miles north and one mile east of Edgerton near the Denmark bridge, was born in Milford Town- ship, Defiance County, Ohio, January 17, 1864. His parents, Frank A. and Mary (Trofrer) Dietsch, were natives of Alsace, France, where
246 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
his father was born in 1824. They came to this country when young, were married in Ohio, and after living on a farm for a number of years in Milford Township of Defiance County, they moved to Wil- liams County in 1879. The farm in St. Joseph Township where they spent the rest of their lives is the present home of their son. Charles A. The parents were members of the Catholic Church at Edgerton and the father was a democrat. There were seven children in the family : Josephine, widow of John Hams; Henry, of Edgerton; Louise, wife of Eck Long ; Caroline, wife of Peter Goble ; Anna, deceased ; Charles A. ; and Dora, wife of Lawrence Cape, of St. Joseph Township.
Charles A. Dietsch was sixteen years of age when he came to Williams County, and completed his education began in Defiance County in the schools of St. Joseph Township.
February 12, 1895, Mr. Deitsch married Clara C. Crisman. She was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 5, 1861, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Yanney) Crisman, both natives of Tus- carawas County. Her parents were members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Dietsch was educated in the common schools and was brought to Williams County by her parents at the age of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Dietsch have three children: Eva L., Leo H. and B. Franklin. The two older are at home, while Franklin is a student of agriculture at the Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing. The family are members of the Catholic Church and the sons belong to the Knights of Columbus at Edgerton.
Mr. Dietsch is an influential democrat, a member of the county executive committee representing St. Joseph Township. His home farm, where he has lived for over forty years, consists of 160 acres and he also has another place of 130 acres. He is a stockholder and director in the Edgerton State Banking Company.
Daniel W. McGill. — One of the best known citizens of Mont- pelier is the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this paragraph, a man who has succeeded in his life work because he has been persist- ent and energetic in his efforts and honorable in his dealings with the public, and he has therefore enjoyed the confidence and good will of all. Mr. McGill is a native son of the Buckeye State, having been born at Orville, Ohio, on October 20, 1868, and he is a son of Henry and Julia (Haverstock) McGill, the former of whom was a native of New York state, while the latter was born at Mount Eaton, Ohio, and is now living in Montpelier. They became the parents of three children. The subject's mother came to Williams County in about 1.880 and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 247
located in Montpelier in 1890. Daniel W. McGill accompanied his mother on her removal to this county in 1880 and thereafter made his home with W. S. Boone. He secured a good practical education in the public schools, and then obtained employment in the Boone sawmill, where he remained about three years. At the end of that time he went to Montana, but three years later he returned to Williams County, remaining here for a short time. He then became manager of a saw- mill at Seneca, Michigan, and two years later moved the mill to Ashley, Steuben County, Indiana, where he became a partner in its ownership, under the name of D. W. McGill & Company. He remained there until the fall of 1899, when he sold his interests and, returning to Williams County, bought a farm located northwest of Montpelier. After operating this farm for six years, he sold the place and went to Oregon, where he homesteaded a farm and remained about five years. Again he returned to Ohio and located at Leipsic, where for about eighteen months he operated a lumber yard, but sold out there and, coming back to Williams County, was employed at farm work by W. S. Boone.
On June 2, 1896, Mr. McGill was married to Mary E. Henry, who was born and reared in Williams County, and they are the parents of a son, William H., who is now connected with the Goodrich Tire and Rubber Company at Akron, Ohio. Politically, Mr. McGill is a stanch supporter of the republican party and has taken a very active part in local public affairs. He served four years as a member of the village council and then became mayor of Montpelier, serving three months in 1917 and again in 1919 up to January 1, 1920. Fraternally, he is a member of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Free and Accepted Masons, in addition to which he also belongs to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Their religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Whatever of success Mr. McGill has attained has been entirely owing to his indi- vidual efforts, his energy and natural ability, and he has so lived that all who have come into contact with him appreciate the excellent qualities of his character.
Hiram McKelvey.— In proportion to its population, Williams County has as great a number of substantial and intelligent agricul- turists as any county of its size in Ohio, and among this number is Hiram McKelvey, the owner of a farm of excellently cultivated land lying five miles west of Bryan, in Center Township. Mr. McKelvey
248 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
has operated this property with such judgment as to have made him, financially, a substantial and successful man, while the position which he occupies high in the esteem of the community has been gained through years of strict adherence to principles of integrity and probity.
Mr. McKelvey was born in Portage County, Ohio, on February 7, 1850, a son of S. B. and Jeanette (Byers) McKelvey. His grand- father, William McKelvey, was born in Ireland, whence he came to the United States with his parents as a lad of five years, the family settling in Portage County, Ohio, where the lad grew to manhood and the man engaged in farming throughout the active years of his life. S. B. McKelvey was born in Portage County, and there met and mar- ried Jeanette Byers, who had been born in Mahoning County, this state. Following their union they resided for a time in Portage County, but in 1851 came to Williams County and settled on a farm located in section 9, Center Township, the 160 acres being located in the woods. Here the parents spent the remainder of their lives, clear- ing their land, establishing a home, adding improvements and comforts and finally developing a paying and attractive property with many con- veniences. S. B. McKelvey was an interested member of the Grange, in the work of which he took an active part and served as a delegate to the State Grange. For many years he acted as justice of the peace in his community, where he was a man of marked influence and stand- ing and where he was greatly esteemed by those who recognized and appreciated his many sterling traits of character. In his family there were nine children, of whom but two are now living, Hiram and Lowell, of Montpelier, Ohio.
Hiram McKelvey has passed almost his entire life in Center Town- ship. After attending the district schools he started assisting his father in the work of the home acres and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, February 14, 1871, to Miss Catherine Baker, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September 19, 1850, and came to Williams County in 1863, the family settling in Center Township, where she secured a public school education, later attending Williams Central Academy. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McKelvey settled on the farm which they now occupy, in Center Township, a tract of eighty acres on which Mr. McKelvey is engaged in farming and raising stock. He has made an unqualified success of his opera- tions, and is justly numbered among those whose personal efforts have won them independence and position. Mr. McKelvey is a demo- crat in politics and has served three years as a member of the board of trustees of Center Township. He and Mrs. McKelvey are members
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 249
of Center Grange, at Melbern, and Mr. McKelvey is past master thereof and has been a delegate to the State Grange.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McKelvey, of whom six are living: Delia, the widow of John Hesrick, of Bryan; Clara, the wife of Ed Yackee, residing on a farm on section 16, Center Township; Lydia. the wife of Isaac Kerr, of Bryan; Jeannette, the wife of Loren Young, of Bryan ; Clee, a resident of Bryan ; and Mark, residing at home, who spent about seven months at Camp Sherman during the recent war period.
John H. Nihart.— There is a large elevator business done at Melbern, Ohio, and prominent in this line of business is the firm of Nihart & Fix. John H. Nihart of the above firm belongs to a well known old family of 'Williams County, and was born in Center Town- ship, April 23, 1877. His parents were John and Martha (Carnes) Nihart, whose other surviving children are as follows : William A., a farmer in Center Township; Jessie, wife of Houston Childers, 'of Oklahoma ; Mary, wife of William Holden, of Indiana ; Theodore, a farmer in Missouri ; George, a farmer in St. Joseph Township, Wil- liams County; Anna, wife of Ernest Wines, of Waterloo, Indiana; Emma, a resident of Waterloo; and Walter K, a physician and surgeon of Edgerton, Ohio.
John Nihart. father of John H., was born in Holmes County, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Anna M. Nihart, who moved to Williams' County in his youth, settling in Center Township, and spent the rest of their lives there as farming people. After his marriage to Martha Carnes, who at that time lived with her parents in St. Joseph Town- ship, he settled at Edgerton, the Carnes family later moving to Kansas, where the parents died. John Nihart was first engaged in a sawmill business, then was a clerk in a store and afterward was a farmer in Center Township and died on the farm now owned by his son William A. Nihart. John Nihart was a republican in his political sentiments, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John N. Nihart obtained his education in the public schools and assisted his father on the home farm, remaining at home until his father's death. He owns forty-six acres of valuable land in Center Township. After coming to Melbern he went into the elevator business, at which he worked ten years before he and his partner, Mr. Fix, put up their elevators in January, 1918, this large out- lay being justified on account of their constantly expanding business. Mr. Nihart is widely known as a careful, reliable business man.
250 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
On December 26, 1908, Mr. Nihart was married to Miss Ethel Dean, who was born in Defiance County, Ohio, and they have one son, John D., who was born January 26, 1916. Mr. Nihart has always been sound in his republicanism but has never consented to hold a public office. He belongs to Fountain City Lodge No. 314, Odd Fel- lows, and also to the order of American Yeomen.
William A. Nihart, who is a substantial farmer of Williams County, resides on section 18, Center Township, where he owns eighty acres of the old homestead farm. He was born at Edgerton, Ohio, August 11, 1862, the eldest of ten children born to John and Martha (Carnes) Nihart, and a brother of John H. Nihart, of the firm of Nihart & Fix, in the elevator business at Melbern, Ohio.
William A. Nihart attended the public schools, remained at home assisting his father, and has always followed farm pursuits and with very satisfactory results. He is one of the progressive men of Center Township and carries on his agricultural industries according to modern methods.
On December 22, 1887, Mr. Nihart was married to Miss Hannah Sufne, who was born in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Ohio, April 23, 1868. Her parents were Peter and Sarah (Geoltzenleuchter) Suffle, who were born in Bavaria, Germany. They came to the United States in 1837, settling first in Stark County, Ohio, and moving to Williams County in 1844, where they died. Of their eleven children the following are living: Julia, Solomon, William, Sarah, Emanuel, Hannah, Hattie, Benjamin and Peter. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nihart, namely: Emma and John W., both of whom died in infancy, and Mildred, who was born March 8, 1909. She is attending school and is bright and studious. Mr. Nihart and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Melbern. He is past noble grand of Edgerton Lodge of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife are members of the Order of Rebekah, of which Mrs. Nihart is past noble grand, while he belongs also to the Order of American Yeomen. The Nihart family has always been hearty in its support of the republican party but have never been office-seekers, although Mr. Nihart, because of his interest in educational matters, has served as school director and has also been trustee of Center Township.
M. C. McGuire. — An eminently useful and highly esteemed citizen of Edgerton, prominent and influential in public affairs, M. C. McGuire is one of the best known men in this section of Williams County, his position as agent for the New York Central Railroad Company having
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 251
brought him in contact with people of all classes, and his unfailing courtesy, prompt attention and willingness to accommodate his patrons have made him a favorite with the general public. He was born January 1, 1852, in Dover, New Hampshire, where the days of his early childhood were passed.
Martin McGuire, his father, was born, bred and married in Ireland. Immigrating with his bride to the United States in 1851, he first located in New England, living for a few years in New Hampshire. Coming from there to Ohio, he spent a short time in Wooster, where he obtained work as a section hand on the railroad. Moving to Wil- liams County in 1856, both he and his wife resided here during their remaining years. He was a democrat in politics, and both he and his wife belonged to the Catholic Church. Of their four children. M. C, the subject of this brief sketch, is the only survivor.
A child when he came with his parents to Williams County, M. C. McGuire attended the public schools until thirteen years old, when he entered the employ of the railroad company. Subsequently learn- ing telegraphy, Mr. McGuire continued as a railroad man and has been in the service fifty-four consecutive years, fifty years of the time hav- ing been spent in Edgerton. his long tenure of office bearing visible evidence of his efficiency, integrity and trustworthiness. Mr. McGuire owns a farm of 118 acres, and on it makes his home.
Mr. McGuire married Clarissa Thornburg, and of their union three children have been bom, namely : Sylvia, a graduate of the Edgerton High School, is ticket agent at Bryan ; Mertie, deceased ; and Agnes, living at home. An unswerving democrat in politics, Mr. McGuire is active and influential in public affairs, having served as mayor of the city three terms of two years each; as a school director for twenty years, and as a member of the city council. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Edgerton Lodge No. 357, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. McGuire conducted a school of telegraphy at Edgerton from 1870 to 1912, during which period he taught more than nine hundred the profession.
David T. Kiess.— An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and success for themselves, and at the same time by their lives have honored the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of' the one whose name forms the caption to this sketch. He has sustained a very enviable reputation in business circles and today is numbered among the progressive and enterprising citizens of Montpelier. David T. Kiess was born at Edon, Williams County, on August 3, 1867, and is
252 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
a son of Samuel and Sarah (Burkhart) Kiess, both of whom were born and reared near Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They came to Williams County, Ohio, with their respective parents and here met and were married. After their marriage they located in Edon, where Mr. Kiess engaged in the boot and shoe business, having been a shoe- maker by trade. Some time later he sold this business and for a time was engaged in farming. Later in life they went West, locating in Nebraska, where their deaths occurred. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, namely: D. W., a con- tractor in Los Angeles, California; David T., the subject of this sketch; and Lizzie, the wife of Ora Eyster, a farmer in Williams County.
David T. Kiess received his education in the district schools of Williams County and in Nebraska. He then entered the Chicago Horological School and the Chicago Opthalmic School, where he was graduated in 1893. He then was employed as jeweler and optician at various places for fifteen years, but then located at Edon, where he engaged in the jewelry business, in which he met with good success. In 1914 Mr. Kiess came to Montpelier and opened a jewelry and optical goods store, to which he has given his personal attention, though he also still operates the store at Edon. Thoroughly qualified by training and experience both as a jeweler and optician, Mr. Kiess has met with a well-deserved prosperity and is considered a thoroughly reliable and trustworthy man in every respect, and that is as much as can be said of the best of men.
Mr. Kiess was married to Bertha L. Twichell, of Orland, Indiana, but who was born in Steuben County, Indiana. She received a good education, being a high school graduate, and prior to her marriage she was engaged as a school teacher. To this union have been born five children, namely : Reginald, who is a graduate of the Montpelier High School ; Kenneth, Elinore, Esther and Robert, who are in school.
Mr. Kiess and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and, politically, he gives his support to the republican party, having served seven years as treasurer of Edon Village. Fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the degrees of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Among those who know him best, Mr. Kiess bears a reputation of a man of sound judgment, good business ability and an expert in his special lines of effort. He has pronounced views, keeping himself well informed on all matters pertaining to the public welfare, and because of his genial
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 253
disposition and excellent qualities of character he enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him.
William C. Heller.— This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for William C. Heller, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits all mankind, was for a number of years one of the prominent and influential citizens of Montpelier, although he was summoned to close his earthly accounts while still in the zenith of his power. While he carried on a special line of business in such a manner as to gain a comfortable com- petence for himself, he also belonged to that class of representative men of affairs who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which com- manded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends.
William C. Heller, who at the time of his death, on December 19, 1919, was president of the W. C. Heller Company, one of the most important manufacturing concerns of Montpelier, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on August 27, 1872. After completing his elemental education in the public schools, he became a student in the Coleman Business College, where he gained a good preparation for a business career. His first employment was in his father's hardware store as a salesman, and it was while thus employed that he observed needed improvements in hardware shelving and other store furniture. His business shrewdness was evidenced here when he embarked in the manufacture of hardware furniture, for it was a field entirely unoccu- pied, and he soon was in command of an important and rapidly grow- ing business in that line. Finally, the W. C. Heller Company was organized in 1891. under the laws of New Jersey, for the manufacture of hardware store fixtures and sectional cabinets, to take care of automobile accessories, parts, etc., the factory being at that time located at Montclair. New Jersey. The official personnel of the corporation at present (1919) is as follows: W. C. Heller, president; E. S. Taylor, vice president; J. B. Heller, secretary, and E. G. Heller, treasurer; these gentlemen also comprising the directorate. Early in 1906 Mont- pelier extended to Mr. Heller an invitation to move his plant to this village and in May of that year the change was effected. After locat- ing here the factory turned out its products in enormous quantities, and the product is known practically all over the world, shipments being made to foreign countries as well as throughout the United States. Mr. Heller's manner of conducting his business quickly won
254 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
for him not only the confidence of thousands of satisfied customers, but also the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens of Montpelier. Immediately upon coming to Montpelier Mr. Heller entered into the business and civic life of the community in a whole-hearted and public-spirited manner and from that time until his death he was considered one of the foremost figures in the commercial life of the village. He always took a very active part in any movement which had for its object the betterment of Montpelier and he had become identified with several local institutions, wherein his influence for progress carried much weight. He was a member of the directorate and vice president of the Farmers and Merchants State and Savings Bank of Montpelier.
On May 27, 1896, at Astoria, New York, Mr. Heller married Miss Evva Bamber, of Astoria. To Mr. and Mrs. Heller were born four children, as follows: John B., a graduate of the Montpelier High School and secretary of the W. C. Heller Company, is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained the degrees of the Council, he is a Knight of Pythias, of which he is past chan- cellor commander; Leroy S. is a graduate of the Montpelier High School, and now assistant foreman in the W. C. Heller Company's plant; Ruth is attending high school, and Louise is a student in the public school.
Politically, Mr. Heller was a lifelong supporter of the democratic party and took an active part in advancing its interests. He was vitally interested in the cause of education and rendered most efficient and appreciated service as a member of the village school board for eleven years. Fraternally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A member of the Presbyterian Church, he gave hearty and liberal support to that society, of which he was a trustee, and he was also a life member of the American Red Cross Society. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellowmen, Mr. Heller not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high char- acter, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of the model gentleman. Consequently his influence for good was potent and he will long be missed from the circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like sun- shine on a field of ripened grain.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 255
E. S. Taylor, vice president and, since the death of W. C. Heller, acting president of the W. C. Heller Company, is one of the com- munity's useful and esteemed men. His business career has brought him before the public in such a way as to gain him confidence. Tire- less energy and honesty of purpose are among his most prominent characteristics and, while advancing individual success, he has also borne his share of the burden of the civic life of the community.
E. S. Taylor is a native son of New York State, where he received his education in the public schools. His first employment was in a drug store, where he remained six years. At the end of that time he went to work for the Western Electric Company in New York, with whom he was identified until 1906, when he came to Montpelier and became associated with the late William C. Heller, who had just moved his manufacturing plant from Montclair, New Jersey, Mr. Taylor becoming secretary and treasurer of the corporation and subsequently being advanced to the office of vice president. He is a man of excel- lent business qualifications and has ably carried forward the work so well established by Mr. Heller.
Politically, Mr. Taylor gives his support to the republican party and his religious membership is with the Baptist Church. Fraternally, he belongs to Montpelier Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master ; to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons ; the Council of Royal and Select Masters,' and to Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar ; Toledo Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite (thirty-second degree) and to Ararat Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Kansas City, Mis- souri. Personally, Mr. Taylor is genial and unassuming and since coming to Montpelier has won a host of warm and loyal personal friends who esteem him for his genuine worth.
Henry Dietsch. — Inheriting the habits of industry, perseverance and thrift that invariably win success in the business world, Henry Dietsch, proprietor of the Edgerton Milling Company, holds an assured position among the active and valued citizens of Edgerton, Williams County, and has the distinction of having been the first person to subscribe for stock in the Edgerton State Banking Company, which he has served as vice president and director ; he has also been a director in the Oak Manufacturing Company, of Edgerton. A son of the late F. A. Dietsch, he was born January 22, 1857, in Milford Township, Defiance County, Ohio, of French ancestry.
256 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Born, bred and educated in Alsace-Lorraine, France, F. A. Dietsch immigrated to the United States in early manhood, and having made his way to Ohio located in Milford Township, Defiance County, where he carried on general farming for a while. Moving from there to Williams County, he bought land in St. Joseph Township, and on the farm which he improved spent the remainder of his years. He mar- ried Mrs. Mary Troffer, who was born, reared and married in Alsace- Lorraine, France, and subsequently came with her husband to Ohio, where she died. She subsequently married for her second husband F. A. Dietsch, and they became the parents of the following named children: Josephine, wife of John Harris, of DeKalb County, Indiana; Henry, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned ; Louise, widow of Ech Long; Caroline, wife of Peter Goble ; C. A., of St. Joseph Town- ship, Williams County; and Dora, wife of L. C. Cape, of Defiance County, Ohio. The mother died in Edgerton, having survived her husband.
Educated in the district schools, and reared to agricultural pursuits, Henry Dietsch remained on the parental homestead in St. Joseph Township until 1900, having full charge of its management for many years, and finally succeeding to its ownership. Purchasing another farm in that year, he managed it successfully seven years. Locating in Edgerton in 1907, Mr. Dietsch built the mill he now owns and operates, and as head of the Edgerton Milling Company has since carried on an extensive and profitable business. He has also other interests of value, owning 190 acres of good farming land in Defiance County, and 133 acres in Williams County, both of which yield him good annual incomes.
Mr. Dietsch married, at the age of twenty-five years, Josephine Williams, and to them three children have been born, namely : Oscar C, a miller by trade; Lionel, engaged in farming in Defiance County; and Ursula, who married Otis Miller, of St. Joseph Township, and has a fine family, consisting of one girl and one boy. Mr. and Mrs. Dietsch are faithful members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Dietsch belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is the grandfather of ten children.
C. J. Bohner. — Williams County, Ohio, enjoys a splendid repu- tation because of the high order of her citizenship, and none of her citizens enjoys a more enviable position in the esteem of his fellows than the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. A residence here of many years has given his fellows a full oppor- tunity to observe him in the various lines of activity in which he has
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 257
been engaged and his present high standing is due solely to the honor- able and upright course he has pursued. As a leading citizen of his community he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
C. J. Bohner, of the firm of Bohner & Hause, retail shoe dealers at Montpelier, was born in Michigan, about three miles north of Pioneer, Ohio, on May 13, 1874, and is the son of Z. and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Bohner, the latter of whom was born near Penrose, Ohio. Z. Bohner was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio with his parents, settling in Williams County, where he was reared and educated. He was mar- ried here and afterwards moved to Michigan, where he remained until 1878, when they returned to Williams County, settling on a farm in Mill Creek Township. Subsequently he moved to Steuben County, Indiana, where he was employed in Chadwick & Company's retail store. Later he returned to Montpelier, where he was employed in a lumber yard and sawmill, but finally located in Hudson, Steuben County, Indiana, where he now resides. He and his wife are now members of the United Brethren Church and in his political faith he is a democrat. To him and his wife were born four children, namely : C. J., the subject of this sketch ; Wilford, of Stoneham, Colorado ; Bertha, the wife of Julius Kirkham ; Jennie, the wife of Chester Johnson, of Chicago.
C. J. Bohner was reared in Pleasant Lake, Indiana, and received his educational training in the public schools of that locality. His first employment was in a tile mill, and later he worked in a sawmill. In 1904 Mr. Bohner came to Montpelier and engaged in the retail shoe business, in which he met with success from the start. Subsequently he took A. C. Hause in as a partner, the firm being since known as Bohner & Hause. They carry a complete and well selected stock of footwear of every description and, because of their courteous treat- ment, the high quality of their goods and right prices, they have built up a large and representative trade.
On March 4, 1894, Mr. Bohner was married to Frances Dorshimer, of Montpelier, and they are the parents of one son, George, born on March 11, 1899. The latter attended the public schools, being a gradu- ate of the Montpelier High School, is now married and lives at Romulus, Michigan, where he is in the employ of the Wabash Rail- road Company.
Politically, Mr. Bohner gives his support to the democratic party and has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, especially as per- taining to educational matters and is rendering effective service as a
258 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
member and president of the Montpelier school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chan- cellor and a member of the grand lodge ; of the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is a past dictator, and of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. Mrs. Bohner is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Bohner has been the architect of his own fortunes and has been true to the highest ideals and principles in business, civic and social life, so that today he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and good will of all who know him.
Hiram Long. — A man of strong personality, enterprising and progressive, Hiram Long, of Edgerton, has been actively identified with many of the leading interests of his home city, which he is now serving as mayor, and an important factor in advancing its material prosperity. He is likewise associated with the promotion of the mer- cantile prosperity of the city as one of its leading druggists and pharmacists. A native of Williams County, he was born September 9, 1869, in St. Joseph Township.
John Long, his father, was born May 9, 1833, in Stark County, Ohio, on the present site of the busy City of Canton. Marrying in 1859, he came to Williams County soon after that event, and having bought land on section 8, was there engaged in general farming for many years. Removing to Edgerton, he there retired from active pursuits until his death, which occurred April 14, 1901. He married Margaret Lang, who was born in Strasbourg, Alsace-Lorraine, France, in July, 1839, and in 1845 came with her parents to Stark County, Ohio, where she married. She died on the home farm in St. Joseph Township, May 18, 1880. Of the seven children born of their union, four were living in 1920, as follows : Myron, Lona, Hiram and Alma. The father was a democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were devout members of the English Lutheran Church.
After leaving the district schools, Hiram Long continued his studies in the Edgerton High School and afterwards attended the Indiana State University for two years, taking the scientific and the teacher's courses. Engaging in a professional career, he taught school four years, after which he attended lectures at the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in Chicago. Since that time Mr. Long has con- tinued work as a pharmacist, having served as a clerk in the store he now owns and operates until 1897, when he purchased a half interest in the establishment. In 1899 he bought out his partner, and has since carried a large and lucrative business, his professional knowledge and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 259
skill, and his prompt and courteous attention to the wants of his many customers having won him the confidence and good will of the general public. He is a stockholder in the Edgerton State Bank, and was one of the organizers of the Farmers Commercial Bank, two prosperous financial institutions of Edgerton.
Mr. Long married Pearl Kline, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, and was graduated from the Bryan, Ohio, High School, and from the Davis Business College of Toledo. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Long was a teacher, having taught in the district schools and in the Davis Business College. A prominent and useful member of the democratic party, Mr. Long is active in political circles, and as mayor of Edger- ton is filling the responsible position with credit to himself, and to the eminent satisfaction of the people concerned. Fraternally, he is a member of Edgerton Lodge, No. 357, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master ; of Bryan Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; of Bryan Council, Royal and Select Masters ; and of Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar. Prominent in the order, he was chairman of the building committee when the Masonic Building was under process of construction.
Harlan L. Poole. — A prominent, active and prosperous business man of Edgerton, Harlan L. Poole, vice president of the Edgerton State Bank and manager of the Oak Manufacturing Company, occupies , a position of note among the leading citizens of this part of Williams County, and is eminently worthy of the respect so generally accorded him. A native of Williams County, he was born July 3, 1865, in Cen- ter Township, where his early life was spent.
William Poole, his father, was born in Stark County, Ohio, but was reared and educated in Williams County, his parents having set- tled in Center Township. Choosing the occupation to which he was bred, he bought land in Center Township, and was there prosperously engaged in tilling the soil for many years. Subsequently removing to Edgerton, he lived retired from active business until his death, in 1898. He was a republican in politics, and both he and his wife were loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and generous con- tributors towards its support. He married, in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Mary Cornell, who was born in Maryland, and as a girl came with her parents to St. Joseph Township. Of the eleven children born of their marriage, seven were living in 1920, as follows : Emery C, of Grand Rapids, Michigan ; Bertha, widow of William Warrick, of Enid, Oklahoma; Ira A., of Texas; Harlan L., the sub-
260 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ject of this sketch; Eva, wife of L. J. Gabriel, of Edgerton ; Mattie, wife of Resnor Nichols, of Farmer Township, Defiance County, Ohio; C. W., of Jackson, Michigan.
Educate'd in the rural schools of Center Township, Harlan L. Poole assisted his father in the care of the home farm until attaining his majority, and during the ensuing ten years operated a tile factory on the old homestead farm. Coming from there to Edgerton in 1904. he was assistant cashier in the Edgerton State Bank for two and a half years, and is now serving as vice president of the institution, which has the following named officers: President, Charles A. Bowersox; vice president, Harlan L. Poole; cashier, I. L. Burke; assistant cashier, Jacob Zeeb. The directors of the bank are Charles A. Bowersox, Harlan L. Poole, I. L. Burke, Jacob Zeeb and C. A. Dietsch.
Since 1907 Mr. Poole has been the manager of the Oak Manufac- turing Company, a corporation of which Henry Krell is president; E. A. Geaque, vice president : Jacob Zeeb, secretary ; L. E. Groff, treasurer, and Harlan L. Poole, manager. Although he is a stanch republican, ever doing his duty at the polls, Mr. Poole takes no active part in politics. Fraternally, he belongs to Edgerton Lodge No. 357, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; to Bryan Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; to Bryan Council, Royal and Select Masters, and to Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, at Defiance, Ohio.
Mr. Poole married, in 1889, Susia Lane, a native of Center Town- ship, and into their home four children have been born, namely: Charles L., a graduate of the Edgerton High School, is train master of the Chicago & Indiana Belt Railroad; Waldo, who served a year in the World war, having been at the front in France when the armis- tice was signed, was educated in the common and high schools of Edgerton, and is now married and serving as bookkeeper for the Oak Manufacturing Company; Earl C, a high school graduate, served in a training camp during the World war, and is now a teller in the Edgerton State Bank ; and Russell W., a graduate of the Bryan High School and now attending Northern University at Ada, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Poole are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he being president of its official board.
Arthur C. Mauerhan. — It would be difficult to find more repre- sentative men of the constructive element of any community than those who are connected with the conduct of the financial institutions of the region, and Williams County is no exception to this rule. Its bankers
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 261
are men of the highest character and standing, and they are all inter- ested in the development of this section and its enterprises. One of these sound and dependable men is Arthur C. Mauerhan, cashier of the Edon State Bank at Edon.
Mr. Mauerhan was born at Edon, Ohio, January 25, 1896, a son of G. and Louise (Kaltenbach) Mauerhan, and the elder of their two children. He attended the public and high schools of his native place, and after completing his courses in them, in order to prepare himself for his future work, he learned the fundamentals of commercial life in a business college at Detroit, Michigan.
On June 10, 1919, Mr. Mauerhan was made cashier of the Edon State Bank, of which he is a stockholder, and associated with him in its management are the following men of high repute : C. A. Bower- sox, who is president, and E. F. Brandon, who is vice president. This bank is firmly established in the confidence of the people of Williams County, and its deposits are constantly increasing.
Mr. Mauerhan was married on July 19, 1919, to Louise A. Starr, who attended the Bryan High School and for a year thereafter was engaged in teaching school and was regarded as one of the very popular and successful young educators of the neighborhood. Mr. Mauerhan belongs to the Lutheran Church and is interested in the good work this congregation is constantly carrying out. Mrs. Mauerhan took a course in domestic science at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and also attended college at Olivet, Michigan. In politics Mr. Mauerhan is a democrat, and very active in party affairs, having been treasurer of Edon for one term, and is now township treasurer.
Mr. Mauerhan brings to his work and civic endeavors the enthu- siasm of youth, which, combined with his natural excellent judgment and sound, common sense, make him one of the best of the younger business men, and one in whom those with many more years of expe- rience to their credit, place implicit confidence. Both he and Mrs. Mauerhan are very popular socially and they have a bright future before them.
Feed E. Beach. — The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splen- did success. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county and earning a repu- tation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate. Fred E. Beach, who
262 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
is engaged in the business of undertaking, in which he conducts a pros- perous music business at Montpelier, is a native son of 'Williams County, having been born at West Unity on November 27, 1876, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Smith) Beach, the latter of whom also was born and reared near West Unity. David Beach was a native of Pennsylvania, whence in young manhood he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Williams County. He w^as reared and edu- cated, and in due time was married. He settled in West Unity, where he followed the trade of a blacksmith, in connection with which he manufactured wagons and buggies, continuing this business until his death. During the latter part of his business career he was a member of the firm of Smith & Beach. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of Superior Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at West Unity, serving as treasurer of his lodge. Politically, he gave his support to the republican party. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of which number six now survive, namely : Fred E., the immediate subject of this sketch ; Carl, of West Unity, Ohio; Herman, of West Unity; Mary, the wife of Peter Short, of Archbold, Ohio ; Lizzie, the wife of Harry Randle, of Brady Township, this county, and Marcus, of Toledo, Ohio.
Fred E. Beach was reared under the parental roof in West Unity, where he attended school, being a graduate of the high school. His first employment was in a furniture store and he then spent two years as a clerk in a dry goods store. In 1899 Mr. Beach came to Mont- pelier and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with his father, under the firm name of Beach & Son. One year later his father died and his interest in the business was continued by his widow under the same firm name. Subsequently she sold her interest in the business to Mr. Gause, the firm name being known for two years as Beach & Gause. Then Gause sold his interest to A. J. Brown, the firm style being Beach, Brown & Company until 1912, when the subject sold his interest in the business to Mr. Brown. He then established himself alone in the undertaking business, in which he has continued to the present time and in which he has met with a very satisfactory degree of success. He has gained a very enviable reputa- tion as a director of funerals and has commanded his full share of the local business along that line. In addition to the undertaking busi- ness, Mr. Beach also conducts a music business, handling instruments and a full line of music supplies and sheet music, both popular and classic. By his courteous treatment to his customers, he has built up a large trade and his store is popular among music lovers.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 263
In March, 1899, Mr. Beach was married to Lizzie Hager, who was born in West Unity, Ohio, graduating from the high school there, after which she was a teacher in the public schools. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Beach has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Evaline, Carmen, Audrey, deceased, David, Russell and Robert.
Mr. and Mrs. Beach are active and earnest members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, while in politics Mr. Beach has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party. He is secretary of Montpelier Commercial Association. His fraternal relations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the degrees of the Blue Lodge; the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and of Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Tem- plar. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand. He and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. A man of high moral character, persistent industry and excellent busi- ness judgment, he occupies an enviable position among his fellowmen, being deservedly popular throughout the community in which he lives.
Wesley C. Matthews.— There was a time in the history of Ohio when some of its men went into farming only as an occupation to tide them over for a brief period until they found something more congenial, but that is not the case today. The man fortunate enough to own a well-cultivated farm feels that he has an investment second to none, and takes a deep interest in improving his property and mak- ing it yield banner crops. One of these prosperous and representative exponents of the agricultural class of Williams County who stands high in public regard is Wesley C. Matthews of Florence Township.
Wesley C. Matthews was born on his present farm which com- prises 130 acres of land and is located three miles north and one mile east of Edon, on November 22, 1868, a son of Charles W. and Lucinda (Cain) Matthews. The birth of Charles W. Matthews took place in Canada, February 18, 1841, and his wife was born in Williams County, Ohio, February 17, 1846. He died in 1916. but his widow survives him and is still living in Williams County, at Montpelier. After com- ing to the United States he enlisted in the Michigan Sharpshooters during the war between the states, and remained in the service for eighteen months. After the war he joined Hiram Lowden Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he was a democrat. He and his wife had four children, namely: Thomas B., who is a resi-
264 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
dent of Florence Township ; Wesley C, who was the second born ; Delora, who is the wife of E. C. McCamis, and Leroy who died in infancy.
Growing up on the homestead, Wesley C. Matthews was taught to be a farmer by his careful father, and was sent to the district schools. After his marriage he took charge of the farm and has always lived on it. He is carrying on general farming and stock- raising, and is making a success of both branches of agriculture.
On October 28, 1887, Mr. Matthews was united in marriage with Almina Dailey, and they have one daughter, Mildred L., who was born August 27, 1903, and is attending Montpelier High School. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are both members of Spring Lake Grange, and are very much interested in the object of this organization, for they believe that only through co-operation can the best results be obtained. In politics Mr. Matthews follows in the footsteps of his honored father, and has espoused the principles of the democratic party.
John A. Hollington. — An able representative of the business and financial interests of Williams County, John A. Hollington, vice president of the West Unity Banking Company, holds a position of prominence among the leading citizens of his community, being ever ready to lend his aid and influence in the establishment of beneficial projects. A son of the late Richard P. Hollington, he was born Octo- ber 13, 1857, at Johnson Mills, Fulton County, Ohio, of honored English ancestry.
The eldest of the five children of Joseph and Mary (Perry) Hollington, Richard P. Hollington was born at Redditch, County of Worcester, England, March 28, 1822, where for many years his father was actively engaged in business, not only as a manufacturer of soap and candles, but as grocer.
In 1833 Joseph Hollington immigrated with his family to the United States, locating in Wood County, Ohio. Entering a tract of land that was in its primeval wildness, he took up 400 acres of land lying near Bowling Green. Erecting a rather pretentious log house, containing two stories, he cleared and improved a farm, and there continued a resident until his death, in 1848. He was a man of much culture and talent, having been a fine actor and a wonderful vocalist, with a clear, melodious voice that easily ranged through three octaves, and while a young man was offered liberal inducements to appear upon the London stage. He was a man of upright character and integrity.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 265
and although not a member of any religious organization attended church regularly, and was a generous contributor towards its support. He belonged to a long-lived family, his mother, the great-grandmother of John A., the subject of this sketch, having attained her one hundred and fourth birthday, retaining in the meantime her mental and physical strength to a remarkable degree, on the one hundredth anniversary of her birth having visited her daughter, a mile and a half away, walking to and fro.
A sturdy young lad when he came with his parents to the United States, Richard P. Hollington continued his studies in the higher insti- tutions of learning in Ohio, at the time of his father's death having been attending college in Berea. After serving satisfactorily as admin- istrator of his father's estate, he was engaged in the stock business for nearly three years, and subsequently, as junior member of the firm of Gates & Hollington, engaged in business at Delta. Fulton County, as a general merchant, and a manufacturer of pot and pearl ash. He was similarly employed in both Burlington and at Johnson Mills, in the same county, until 1857, when he purchased Johnson's flouring mill and sawmill, both of which he operated three years.
Coming from Fulton County to Williams County in 1860, Richard P. Hollington opened a store of general merchandise ; in 1866, wishing to enlarge his business activities, he took in a partner, and as head of the firm of Hollington & Elliott continued as a merchant until 1881, when he retired from active pursuits. In. the meantime, as a real estate agent, he had bought and sold upwards of twenty farms in Fulton and Wood counties, and in addition to owning one of the finest residences in West Unity had acquired much property of value in the town and surrounding country, including a farm on which he lived for a year. His death, which occurred August 7, 1892, was a cause of general regret, his influence as a man and a citizen having been felt, not only within the limited confines of the community in which he lived and labored, but throughout this section of the state. A man of great ability and strict integrity, his opinions in matters of impor- tance were always sought, and his advice invariably taken.
In 1849 Richard P. Hollington was united in marriage with Mary A. Cummings, who was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Lucy Cummings, both of whom were of New England ancestry. Three children blessed their union, as follows: Albert, born June 8. 1852, died April 12, 1853 ; Frankjin, born August 30, 1854, died May 12, 1868; and John A. Both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was
266 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
a steward for a quarter of a century. He was a steadfast republican in politics, but never sought the emoluments of public office, and fra- ternally he belonged to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Brought up in Williams County. John A. Hollington was educated in the schools of West Unity, graduating from the high school. He began life for himself as an agriculturist, and after his marriage lived on the Masters farm, in Franklin Township, Fulton County, for eleven years, managing it most successfully. Removing then to West Unity, Mr. Hollington became a stockholder in the West Unity Bank- ing Company, in which he has since been a director, and the vice pres- ident, positions for which his financial and business ability amply qualify him.
Mr. Hollington married, September 12, 1876, Rosella Coslet, who was born April 17, 1857, in Brady Township, Williams County, and was bred and educated in West Unity. Four children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hollington, namely: William A., now cashier of the First National Bank of Findlay, Ohio, was graduated from the West Unity High School, and from Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, at Delaware, Ohio, was for seventeen years bookkeeper of the West Unity Bank; Arthur J., a graduate of the West Unity High School, moved after his marriage to Detroit, and there resided until his death ; Charles R. P., also a high school graduate, is with the West Unity Telephone Company; and Mary E., a graduate of the local high school, is the wife of George C. Riffle, of Detroit.
Politically Mr. Hollington is a stanch republican. Mrs. Hollington is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, toward the support of which Mr. Hollington is a generous supporter. Fra- ternally Mr. Hollington is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Northwest Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; of Toledo Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar; of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has been a thirty-second degree Mason since June 14, 1895. He also belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, Mrs. Hol- lington being a charter member, and a past worthy matron of the local chapter.
Frank L. Buell. — Located as it is in the midst of a rich farming community, Edon has long been the market place for a wide area, and . people come here to trade from a distance of many miles, so that the merchants can rely upon doing a first-class business, provided that they live up to the requirements of their customers and handle the quality of goods demanded. One of the prosperous men in the imple-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 267
ment line at Edon is Frank L. Buell, senior member of the dependable firm of Buell & Cook.
Frank L. Buell was born in Steuben County, Indiana, June 7, 1871, a son of Byron and Mary A. ( Gipple ) Buell. Byron Buell was born in New Hampshire, and came with his parents to Steuben County, Indiana, when a year old, and is still living on the family homestead in that county. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Wil- liams County, Ohio, at an early day, was here married, and went with her husband to Steuben County, Indiana, where she later died. They early united with the Christian Church, and Mr. Buell still maintains his membership in it. During the war between the states, Mr. Buell served as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for eighteen months. He and his wife had the following children : Ida, who is the wife of Eben A. Cole ; Dora, who is the wife of Ward Dally ; Frank, who was fourth in order of birth ; Viola, who is the wife of Edgar Wiles, of Bryan ; Abram, who lives at Toledo, Ohio ; Willis and Elson, both of whom are on the old farm in Steuben County, Indiana ; and Evaline, who is deceased.
Frank Buell grew up on his father's homestead, and attended the local schools until he attained his majority. He then bought a farm in Steuben County, Indiana, and lived on it until 1911, when he came to Edon, Ohio, and established his present business, and he owns the building in which it is located. Mr. Buell is also a stockholder in the Edon State Bank, and is a man of ample means, all he now owns being the result of his personal endeavors.
In 1892 Mr. Buell was united in marriage with Ida Enfield, who was born in Steuben County, Indiana, a daughter of John Enfield. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have one daughter, Verna, who is attending the public schools of Edon. Not only is Mr. Buell a member of the Chris- tian Church, but he is serving it as a deacon. He belongs to Edon Lodge No. 474, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master. In all of his operations Mr. Buell has shown more than ordinary ability, and his success is but the natural reward of intelli- gently directed effort along legitimate lines of business. In politics Mr. Buell is a democrat, and he is now serving as a member of the town council.
George Weber. — A man of business ability, judgment and discrim- ination, George Weber, owning and occupying a farm lying in Saint Joseph Township, three miles southwest of Edgerton, is conspicuously identified with the promotion of the agricultural and financial pros- perity of this part of Williams County, being a prosperous and pro-
268 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
gressive farmer, and president of the Farmers Commercial Bank of Edgerton, of which he is a director, and one of the original stock- holders. A son of George Weber, Sr., he was born October 15, 1857, in Defiance County, Ohio, his birth having occurred on a farm sit- uated four miles southeast of Edgerton.
Born in Oberam, Marbach, Wiirtemberg, Germany, George Weber, Sr.. remained in his native land until twenty-eight years of age. Hop- ing to better his financial condition, he then immigrated to this coun- try and made his way directly to Ohio, locating in Defiance County. He subsequently bought a tract of timbered land lying four miles southeast of Edgerton, and on the farm which he improved spent the remainder of his life. At the time he moved on to his farm after settling in Defiance County, he married Caroline Fink, who was born and educated in the same town that he was, and came to the United States at the age of twenty-four years. Ten children blessed their union, three of whom are living, as follows : George, the subject of this sketch; Christena, wife of Fred Krill, of Defiance County; and Jacob, also a resident of Defiance County. The father was a stanch republican in politics, and an active and influential member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, George Weber attended the district schools, and continued a resident of the parental houeshold until past twenty-seven years of age. Starting life for himself, he then bought fifty-five acres of the land included in his present home farm, and his father gave him a deed to its other fifty-five acres. In its management he has been very successful, it being one of the best in regard to its improvements and appointments of any in the vicinity, its neat and orderly appearance bearing evidence of the thrift and prosperity of its owner. Mr. Weber has accumulated other property of value, owning in addition to his home farm 244 acres of land in Defiance County, and seventy-seven acres in Dekalb County, Indiana. He is a steadfast republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and among its most valued and active workers.
Mr. Weber* married, April 7, 1885, Mary S. Kaiser, who was born near Edon, Ohio, and of the seven children that have been born of their union, five are living, namely : Amanda, William, Carl, Bertha and George. All are living with their parents with the exception of William, who is engaged in general farming in Williams County. The two children dead were Rebecca, who died when thirteen years two months and seventeen days, and Oscar, who died when an infant.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 269
Harry W. Randels. — A progressive and prosperous agriculturist of Williams County, possessing a thorough knowledge of the calling which he has adopted, Harry W. Randels, living on a farm lying one and three-fourths of a mile south of West Unity, is a typical represen- tative of the public-spirited, wide-awake young men who in addition to advancing their own interests through constant study of means and methods are also alive to the needs of their community, and are active and influential in promoting its welfare. A son of Charles Randels, he was born March 20, 1890, in Gratiot County, Michigan, where the first five years of his life were passed.
A native of Williams County, Charles Randels was born November 25, 1857, on the parental homestead, which was situated four and a half miles northeast of West Unity. As a young man, he went to Michigan in search of a favorable location, and for a few years lived in Gratiot County. Returning in 1895 to Williams County, Ohio, he resided on the farm now occupied by his son Harry, and was there engaged in tilling the soil until his death, in 1899. He was a repub- lican in politics, and both he and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Letitia Jami- son, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 17, 1850, and is now a resident of West Unity, Ohio. Four children were born of their marriage, as follows : George B., of Alma, Michigan ; Maggie, wife of William A. Cook, of West Unity ; Harry W., the subject of this brief personal review ; and Leslie, of Toledo, Ohio.
Five years old when his parents returned to Williams County, Harry W. Randels was here reared and educated in the schools of West Unity. Going then to Toledo, Ohio, he took "a course of study in a business college, and for six months thereafter was employed as a stenographer in the office of the News-Bee. Soon after, taking upon himself the responsibilities of a married man, he settled on the farm where he now lives, and in its management has shown marked ability and sound judgment. Keeping himself well informed in regard to the more highly improved methods of caring for the land, he is classed among the up-to-date farmers of his locality, and is now serving as one of the directors of the Williams County Agricultural Society at Montpelier. He is actively interested in public affairs, and during the W'orld war was a member of the Williams County American Patriotic Organization and was captain of Brady Township.
Mr. Randels married, November 30, 1911. Elizabeth Beach, who was born in Brady Township, this county, and educated in the schools of West Unity. Three children have blessed their marriage, namely :
270 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
James W., born July 13, 1913; George D., born January 17, 1915; and Karl, born August 28, 1917. Politically Mr. Randels is identified with the republican party, in which he takes an active interest. Fra- ternally he is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Evergreen Lodge, No. 648, Knights of Pythias; of Lodge No. 5126, Modern Woodmen of America; and he also belongs to Brady Grange No. 2164, which he is now serving as master. Both Mr. and Mrs. Randels are members of the West Unity Methodist Church.
Herbert Sharp. — A well-known and well-to-do agriculturist of Edgerton, Herbert Sharp is a worthy representative of the indus- trious, thrifty and self-reliant men of Williams County who have achieved success through their own courageous and persevering efforts. A son of Henry Sharp, he was born December 31, 1851, in Allen County, Indiana, coming on the maternal side of substantial New England stock.
Born in Albany, New York, January 19, 1809, Henry Sharp spent the earlier years of his life in that locality. Coming westward soon after his marriage, he located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a manufac- turer of hats. He subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits on Columbia street, that city, and was there a resident until his death, on June 15, 1900. Active in republican ranks, he served as mayor of Fort Wayne for one term. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belonged ; he served as an elder for many yeafrs. His wife, whose name before marriage was Roxie Olds, was born in Swanton, Vermont, May 15, 1815, and was married at Saint Albans, Vermont, in 1840. She outlived him several years, dying March 21, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois. Seven children were born of their union, as follows : Mary L. became the wife of Dr. Gunder Erickson, and neither of them are now living; Carrie, a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, at South Hadley, Massachusetts, was first principal of a ward school, and later of Westminster Seminary ; John H., Abbie J., and Thomas L., all deceased; Emma, wife of David Boyer; and Herbert.
Born and educated in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Herbert Sharp remained there until 1867. Of an active and enterprising disposition by nature, ambitious to start out for himself, he came in that year to Edgerton and going into a heavily timbered tract of land began the improvement of the 160 acres of' land that now constitutes his present farm. For seven years he labored industriously, doing his own cook-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 271
ing and housekeeping, in the meantime selling the wood he cut to the railroad company.
Mr. Sharp has been twice married. On February 17, 1876, he married Helen A. Neuman, who was born in Palmyra, Michigan, in 1855, and at the age of three months was brought by her parents to Edgerton, Ohio, where she spent the remainder of her life, passing away on the home farm June 1, 1911. Nine children blessed their marriage, namely : Fred, engaged in the hardware business at Flint, Michigan; Thomas L., also in the hardware business in the same city; Herbert, a graduate of the Edgerton High School and of the Armour Institute at Chicago, Illinois ; Harlan H., a hardware merchant in Milford, Indiana; Anthony W., engaged in farming in Saint Joseph Township ; Helen, a graduate of the Edgerton High School, is in Los Angeles, California; Esther, who was graduated from the local high school, and the Thomas Normal School, at Detroit, Michigan, in dietetics, is now taking a course in nursing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland ; Henry died at the age of three years ; and Marjory, who was graduated from the Edgerton High School and from the Chicago Normal School of Physical Education.
Mr. Sharp married second Mrs. Ella M. (Schopp) Lewis, whose first husband, William C. Lewis, died at the age of sixty-five years, leaving one child, Helen M. Lewis, who was graduated from the Edgerton High School, and is now the wife of G. F. Beucler, of Detroit, Michigan.
William C. Lewis was a son of William S. Lewis, who came with his parents, Thomas and Margaret (Slater) Lewis, to Williams County, Ohio, in 1832, and was brought up on what is now known as the Dawson farm. William S. Lewis married Eliza E. Wannamaker and settled on what is now the Sam Burkhart place. He was subsequently elected sheriff on the republican ticket and served two terms. Return- ing then to Edgerton, he bought the hotel, which he managed a num- ber of years. Disposing of that, he bought a farm in southern Illinois, but at the end of six years returned to Edgerton and continued here a resident until his death, in 1900. His wife preceded him, dying in 1888. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. William S. Lewis, four have passed to the life beyond, and four are living, as follows : Charles E. and Henry, of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Sarah, widow of Leonard Allen; and Nancy, widow of Dr. S. J. Moore, of Mitchell, South Dakota.
Mrs. Sharp was born in Canton, Ohio, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Schopp, and when married to William C. Lewis in 1884
272 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
came to Edgerton, Ohio, where she has resided ever since. Mr. Lewis was successfully engaged in business as a dealer in hay and grain. He was a stanch republican in politics, and fraternally belonged to the Knights of Pythias. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Sharp also belongs.
Isaac E. Cook. — Almost without exception the men of any of the smaller cities of the country who rise to be owners of their business enterprises are possessed of the highest character. If they were not, they could not have gained the public confidence to such an extent. Where congestion is greater, dishonesty may seem to prosper for a time, but in the communities where each man's life is open to the inspection of his associates, unless he measures up to the standards they believe to be right and dependable, he soon finds that he lacks their support, and without it he cannot carry on his undertaking. Therefore, when a man in such a community has been able to interest his fellow citizens, and keep their custom, it is certain beyond any reasonable doubt that he is in every way worthy of their approval.
Isaac E. Cook, junior member of the well-known implement firm of Buell & Cook, is one of the highly respected merchants and citizens of Edon and Williams County. He was born in Florence Township, this county, August 7, 1869, a son of David and Dorothea (Burkhart) Cook, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Crawford County, Ohio, and then to Williams County about 1856, and located in Florence Township, and there spent the rest of their lives. Early joining the Evangelical Church they were liberal and active supporters of it and were devout Christian people. In politics he was a democrat, but he never cared to hold public office, although had he cared to do so, doubtless could have been elected to one or the other of the township offices, for he was held in such high regard by his neighbors that they would have felt honored had he been willing to represent them. He and his wife had three children, namely : Samuel, who lives at Edon ; Rebecca, who is the wife of George Rockey, of Edon ; and Isaac E., who is the youngest.
Growing up on the old farm in Florence Township, Isaac E. Cook remained on it until his father's death and acquired a knowledge of the fundamentals of a public school education in the neighborhood. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at it until he bought a half interest in his present firm, in 1916, at which time he located per- manently at Edon. In addition to his business, Mr. Cook owns 100 acres of valuable land in Florence Township.
MR. AND AIRS. CHESTER T. CLAR
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 273
On December 25, 1893, Mr. Cook was married to Essie Bebee. Like his father he is a democrat, and, also like him, he has never taken any active part in politics.
Chester T. Clark. — There are few farmers of Williams County who have met with more encouraging success here than Chester T. Clark, one of those strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the community and township in which he resides, being a modern agriculturist and as a citizen public- spirited and progressive in all that the terms imply, and for a number of years he has been an important factor in promoting the progress of his section of the county. He is now living practically retired from the active operation of his land, enjoying a well-earned respite.
Chester T. Clark, who owns 562 acres of excellent farm land in Springfield Township, was born on section 21 of this township, on April 11, 1848, and is the son of Lewis and Catherine (Knipe) Clark, the mother a native of Ross County, Ohio, and the father born in Massachusetts. They both came to Williams County prior to their marriage, and after the latter event they settled on section 21, Spring- field Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. Lewis Clark was a splendid citizen and successful farmer, becoming the owner of 335 acres of land. This is very creditable in view of the fact that when he came to this county his cash capital was only about $500. He was an earnest supporter of the democratic party. To him and his wife were born five children, namely : Roxie A., who is the wife of James Sandford, of Springfield Township ; Caleb M., a farmer in Springfield Township ; Chester T., the immediate subject of this sketch; Austin, of Springfield Township; Alice, the wife of J. W. Sloan, of Springfield Township.
Chester T. Clark was reared on the paternal farmstead in section 21 and secured a good practical education in the district schools of that day. He remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, when he bought fifty acres of timber land, which he cleared by his own efforts and then sold the tract to his brother. He then bought sixty acres where he now lives and which formed the nucleus for the present fine estate belonging to him. To this original tract Mr. Clark has added from time to time until today he is the owner of 562 acres, comprising the largest land holding belonging to one person in Springfield Township. To the improvement and cultivation of his land Mr. Clark devoted the best years of his life, always main- taining it at the highest standard of agricultural excellence and win-
274 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ning a high reputation as a practical and up-to-date farmer. In addition to the raising of a general line of crops, Mr. Clark also gave considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in which he also met with good success.
On March 14, 1878, Mr. Clark was married to Anna Maltby and they became the parents of six children, namely: Joseph, of Spring- field Township, is married and the father of Lawrence, Alberta, Arvilla and Ethel ; Caleb Z., of Springfield Township, is married and the father of Glen, Allen, Mildred, Marjorie, Clifford, Enoch Chester and Iona; Catherine is the wife of James O. Rising of Springfield Township, and her children are Chester R., Forest, Frankie, Ruth, Lillian; Lewis, of Springfield Township, is also married and the father of Wayne, Chester T., Jr., Melvin, H. and Lewis W. ; Alice is the wife of Harry Dicks, who is operating the subject's farm; Chester W. is also married and operates a part of the home farm.
Politically, Mr. Clark has been a lifelong supporter of the demo- cratic ticket and has always taken a healthy interest in the welfare of the community in which he has spent practically his entire life, giving his support to all worthy moral and benevolent movements. His life history has been distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character and he enjoys to a notable degree the confidence and regard of the entire community.
Prof. W. A. L. Gibbs. — A gifted and accomplished musician, Prof. W. A. L. Gibbs, a well-known and popular music teacher of Bryan, Williams County, and director of the United Brethren Church choir, has acquired a far-extended reputation as an able and efficient choir, chorus and orchestra leader, having been successfully engaged in the work since a lad of eleven years. A son of Christopher Gibbs, he was born on a farm in Fulton County, Ohio, and received his early education in the common schools of his native district.
Christopher Gibbs was born, bred and educated in New Jersey, and there married one of his early companions, Eliza Wilgus. Shortly after taking that important step, he came to Ohio, about 1859 or 1860, and settled on a farm in Fulton County, near Pettisville, where he lived and labored until his death. A man of much influence in his community, he was active in the republican ranks, and a valued mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which both he and his wife united soon after their marriage. Of the nine children born of their union, four died in infancy; one passed to the life beyond at the age of nineteen years, and four are living, as follows : J. W. W., of
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 275
Wauseon, Ohio ; W. A. L., the special subject of this sketch ; Ollie, wife of Peter Aeschliman ; and G. W., living in Morenci, Michigan.
Manifesting a decided talent for music as a small child, much attention was given toward developing the wonderful talent of Prof. W. A. L. Gibbs, who says that he cannot remember the time when he could not readily read music, and in its study he made rapid progress. He frequently as a boy substituted for his brother, who belonged to a male quartette, and at the age of eleven years he began his musical career as leader of a church choir, being so small that he had to stand on a box while doing so.
Professor Gibbs began at that time to study music, both by corre- spondence and under private tutorship, and he is still a student, keep- ing in touch with all the modern methods used in teaching the art. He subsequently attended a music school in Detroit, and later in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of eighteen years being proficient in piano and orchestral work. The professor afterward took private instruction in Chicago, under Dr. D. B. Towner, a noted song and gospel leader, receiving special training as a director of choir, chorus and congrega- tional singing.
For five years thereafter. Professor Gibbs was engaged in evangelistic work, with which he is still more or less connected, in that capacity visiting many different states. Subsequently organ- izing a chorus of sixty splendid voices, he traveled extensively, visiting among other places, Cincinnati, Ohio; Richmond and Norfolk, Vir- ginia, and Washington, District of Columbia. The professor has taught music in nearly every part of Williams County, as well as in other counties of the state. In 1913, having disposed of his interests in Mercer County, Ohio, where he had organized a special system of musical instruction, he moved back to Bryan, where, in addition to his work as a music teacher he has full charge of the United Brethren Church choir, and of its Sunday school music. He has also one of the most proficient orchestras to be found in northwestern Ohio, each of its twenty members being well trained and accomplished musical artists. He takes especial interest in his church and Sunday school music, and arranges all of his own cantata work.
Professor Gibbs married, in 1908, at Waterloo, Indiana, Olive A. Hamman, who was born in De Kalb County, Indiana, a daughter of Frank F. and Phoebe (Martin) Hamman. She was educated in the public schools of Waterloo, and at the Tri-State College, in Angola, Indiana, and was subsequently a pupil of the professor when he was doing evangelistic work in Waterloo. Both Professor and Mrs. Gibbs
276 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
are active members of the United Brethren Church, and prominent and influential workers in both church and Sunday school. Politically Professor Gibbs is a straightforward republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was active in the World war, for his efficient work having had several badges conferred upon him by the Federal Government.
O. W. Carolus. — It is a well-recognized fact that the most powerful influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. It reaches a greater number of people than any other agency and thus has always been, and, in the hands of persons competent to direct it, always will be a most important factor in moulding public opinion. The gentleman, to a brief review of whose life the following lines are devoted, has been for some years closely identified with the journalism of northern Ohio and at this time is editor and publisher of the Mont- pelier Leader, one of the most popular papers in Williams County, comparing favorably with the best in this section of the state in news, editorial ability and mechanical execution. The county recognizes in Mr. Carolus not only a keen newspaper man, but also a representa- tive citizen, whose interest in all that affects the general welfare has been of such a character as to win for him a high place in the confi- dence and esteem of the people. O. W. Carolus was born in Allen County, Ohio, on October 27, 1878. His parents, John and Mary (Rupert) Carolus, had five children: William T., of Celina, Ohio; Sarah E., wife of Eli Wagoner, of St. Marys, Ohio; Lewis, of Flint, Michigan; Lottie, wife of I. N. Tracy, of Spencerville, Ohio; and O. W. Carolus.
Mr. Carolus was reared on his father's farm, attended the district schools of his home neighborhood and at Spencerville, and completed his early education in the high school at St. Marys. For a time he was a teacher, and later a student in the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana. In 1901 Mr. Carolus became identified with the newspaper business as night editor of the Lima (Ohio) Gazette, remaining five years. Four years he was on the road as a commercial salesman, but after his marriage in 1910 became a reporter on the Cleveland News, shortly changing to the Cleveland Leader, where he occupied the state editor's desk. Prior to coming to Williams County he was night editor of the Sandusky Register, and on August 1, 1915, came to Montpelier and bought the Leader, of which he is editor and publisher. He possesses to a marked degree the instinct for news that characterizes the born newspaper man, and has so directed the
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 277
policy of the Leader as to gain for it an enviable standing among the newspapers of Williams County.
June 8, 1910, Mr. Carolus was married to Mrs. Nina I. Dickinson, a native of Summit County, Ohio, but at that time a resident of Cleve- land. Mr. Carolus is a member of Montpelier Lodge of Masons, Mrs. Carolus being affiliated with the Eastern Star. A republican,' Mr. Carolus has always taken a keen interest in the development and upbuilding of the community in which he lives. He is the present mayor of Montpelier, and a member of the Montpelier Commercial Association, being assigned to the publicity committee.
Malcolm Smith, assistant cashier of the Alvordton Banking Company, is one of the solid and dependable men connected with the financial affairs of Williams County, and a highly respected resident of Alvordton. He was born in Mill Creek Town- ship, Williams County, Ohio, in June, 1858, a son of Morris H. and Sarah. (Gault) Smith, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and the latter in Warren County, New York, in July, 1832. Morris H. Smith died in Mill Creek Township on November 11, 1864, having been married in 1853, and the subsequent spring brought his wife to this township, settling on the farm where he later died. He and his wife had four children, namely: Hiram W., who lives at Glen- wood Springs, Colorado ; Harry C. who lives at Smiths Center, Kan- sas; Malcolm, who was the third in order of birth; and Frank H., who died in 1886. After her husband's death, Mrs. Smith was left with four children, but reared them, and was spared to her family until February, 1911, when she was called away by death. She was possessed of a lovely Christian character, and was' an honored mem- ber of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Smith was a democrat.
Malcolm Smith was only a little child when he lost his father, but his excellent mother brought him up, as her other children, to habits of industry and thrift, made him useful on the farm and sent him to school in the district. Later he was able to attend high school for a short time. When he was eighteen years old he began manag- ing the farm, and later became its owner, and still has it. This farm comprises eighty acres of very valuable land. He owns other land having at this time 277^ acres. Like his father, he is a democrat and has served as a justice of the peace for twelve years, and also as assessor of Mill Creek Township. For some years Mr. Smith has been connected with his present company, a private banking concern, as assistant cashier.
278 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
He feels that too much credit cannot be given to his mother for her noble efforts in behalf of her children. It is not every widow who is able to manage as she did, and her success came only through great personal sacrifice and devotion. It is such mothers as she who prove the truth of the old saying, "When God found He could not be always with His children, he made mothers."
Wesley J. Wieland. — In section 20, Pulaski Township, is situated the fine farm property which gives patent evidence of the ability and progressiveness of its owner, Wesley J. Wieland, who here maintains his home and who is recognized as one of the successful and represen- tative exponents of agricultural and livestock enterprises in Williams County.
Mr. Wieland was born in Defiance County, this state, February 9, 1859, and is a son of John G. and Christena (Kortz) Wieland, both natives of Wiirtemberg, Germany, where the former was born about the year 1826 and the latter about 1830. John G. Wieland was young when his parents immigrated to the United States and established their home in the state of New York, where they passed the remainder of their lives. John G. Wieland was reared and educated in the old Empire state, where his marriage occurred, and in 1850 he and his wife came to Ohio and settled on a farm in Defiance County, where he won worthy prosperity and where both continued to reside until their death, he having been a democrat in politics and his wife having been a zealous member of the German Methodist Church. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom eight are living in 1920, four of the number being residents of Williams County.
Wesley J. Wieland was reared under the invigorating discipline of the old home farm in Defiance County and remained at the parental home until he had attained to his legal majority, his educational advan- tages in the meanwhile having been those afforded in the public schools of the locality and period. After leaving home he received $100 for seven months' service at farm work in his native county, and he continued his association with farm enterprise as an employe until his marriage, September 2, 1881, to Miss Charlotte A. Simmons, who likewise was born and reared in Defiance County. The young couple initiated their career of marital companionship with an available capi- tal of only $200, but with a full allotment of courage and ambition. After having been employed fifteen months in a gristmill in his native county, Mr. Wieland rented land and engaged in independent farm enterprise. With gradual advancement in financial prosperity, he continued his operations on rented farms until 1902, when he pur-
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 279
chased his present farm of 200 acres. Much of the land was still covered with native timber, and in clearing away the timber and making the land available for cultivation he realized a substantial profit in the sale of the timber. The house on his farm is one of modern design and facilities and is one of the best in Pulaski Town- ship, while the barns and other buildings on the place are of excellent type and in their appearance give evidence of care and of the thrift and prosperity of the owner. This fine property represents the returns from the industrious and well directed labors of Mr. Wieland, for the only financial aid he has ever received was his reception of $800 from his father's estate. His civic loyalty and liberality attest his appreciation of the opportunities which have been his in his forward- moving career, and he takes deep interest in the welfare of his home community and county. Mr. Wieland was prominently identified with the organization and incorporation of the Farmers' Co-operative Grain and Supply Company, with headquarters at Bryan, the county seat, and he has the distinction of being president of this important cor- poration, which has proved of inestimable value to the farmers of the county, especially during the period of the World war and the present interval of high cost of living. In national affairs he is a supporter of the cause of the democratic party, but in local politics he is not constrained by strict partisanship.
The devoted wife of Mr. Wieland's youth passed to the life eternal in January, 1906, and is survived by four children : Fannie is the wife of Sylvan Planson, and prior to her marriage had been a popular teacher in the district schools: Amelia is the wife of Clarence Young; Frank is now a resident of the city of Toledo ; and Orlie is the wife of Dr. Zephaniah Ballmer, of Toledo. Mr. Wieland married Mrs. Gertrude Zeller, widow of John Zeller, and she is the popular chatelaine of their pleasant and hospitable rural home.
A. L. Krider.— In compiling this volume of representative citizens of Williams County occasion has been afforded to give the records of men in many walks of life; here will be found appropriate mention of worthy citizens of all vocations, and at this juncture we are per- mitted to offer a resume of the career of one who has performed well his life's duties and by his perseverance, industry and ingenuity has gained the respect of the community, as well as a well-deserved success.
A. L. Krider, the well-known proprietor of the A. L. Krider Motor Works at Montpelier, was born in Churubusco, Indiana, on
280 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
December 27, 1875, and is a son of Frank and Julia (Wagoner) Kri- der. The father was also born in Churubusco and the mother was a native of Columbia City, Indiana. They were married in Whitley County, Indiana, and settled on a farm, where they lived for many years, Mr. Krider finally retiring from active business life and they now live in Churubusco. They are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Krider is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being a past chancellor of his lodge. In politics he gives his support to the republican party. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: A. L., the immediate subject of this review; Homer, of Whitley County, Indiana; Osie, the wife of T. J. Corban, of near Huntertown, Indiana, and Toby, of Whitley County, Indiana.
A. L. Krider was reared on the parental farmstead in Whitley County, Indiana, and received his mental training in the common schools of that neighborhood. At the age of seventeen years he began life on his own account, securing employment in a glass works at Marion, Indiana. He also about that time learned the art of teleg- raphy and then for a time was employed on a railroad section. He then engaged in farming and in July, 1896, he became a fireman on the Wabash Railroad, and on November 3, 1902, he became an engi- neer, in which capacity he has remained ever since in the employ of the Wabash Railroad.
Mr. Krider possesses a natural aptitude for mechanics and has designed and built a gas engine, which has been pronounced one of the best of its kind in the market and which has been extensively adopted in marine and automobile service'. In order to facilitate the manufacture of these engines, he erected his own shop in 1917 and has installed a splendid equipment of machinery, so that he is well prepared not only for the building of his own engine, but also is in a position to do all kinds of repair work.
Mr. Krider was married to Nettie B. Jones, of Auburn, Indiana, and they have a daughter, Edith, who is now a high school student. Mrs. Krider is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Krider gives his political support to the republican party and he is a member of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 147, Royal Arch Masons, and Council No. 134, Royal and Select Masters. He has ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who know him for his friendly manner, business ability, his interest in public affairs and right living, and is regarded by all as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of the community in which he lives.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 281
Frank Gump. — It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master strokes of his own force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence among his fellow men. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Montpelier to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the following lines are devoted.
Frank Gump was born at West Unity, Williams County, Ohio, on October 3, 1878, and is a son of William H. and Sarah (Lewis) Gump, both of whom also were natives of the Buckeye State, the father having been born near Plymouth and the mother at Haysville. Some time after their marriage, in 1885, they came to West Unity, where the father followed his trade, that of a shoemaker, and also operated a store. He was engaged in the latter business for over fifty years, during a part of the time under the firm name of Coslet & Gump, though during the latter part of the period Mr. Gump was the sole proprietor. At the age of seventy-nine years he retired from active business and is now living in West Unity. Mr. Gump served one and a half years in defense of the Union during the Civil war and is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and gives his political support to the republican party. Mrs. Gump died about sixteen years ago. They became the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living, namely: Ella, the wife of George Yesbera, of Montpelier; L. C, of Montpelier; Charles, of Chicago, Illinois, and Frank. The latter was reared in the parental home at West Unity and secured his education in the public schools, being a graduate of the high school. His first employment was with H. H. Miller, but later he went to Addison, Michigan, where he clerked in a drug store and grocery store. In 1894 Mr. Gump came to Montpelier and for a short time was employed as a clerk in a clothing store, after which he returned to West Unity, where he remained for about six and a half years. He then went to Leadville, Colorado, as buyer for the Hayden Clothing Company, but eventually returned to West Unity, where he was employed about one year. The following year he spent in the employ of Marshall Field & Company at Chicago, and the season of 1903 was spent in a whole- sale woolen house. He then returned to Montpelier and entered the employ of George Yesbera, soon afterwards acquiring an interest in the business, of which he obtained entire control in 1913. He carries
282 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
a large and well-selected stock of clothing and by his courteous treat- ment and fair prices he has built up a large and representative patronage.
In June, 1906, Mr. Gump was married to Maude Lewis, who was born in Indiana, but was educated in the public schools of Montpelier. To them have been born four children, Josephine, Helen, Catherine and Dorotha. Mrs. Gump is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Gump gives his support to the republican party, while he sustains fraternal relations with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man of absolute honesty, always on the advance and manages his extensive clothing business with a skill and prudence which comes of a practical knowledge of every detail of the business. He is a man of many fine personal qualities and enjoys to a marked degree the esteem of all who know
George W. Lesnet. — In all the relations of life, George W. Lesnet, one of the substantial and well-known citizens of Williams County, has proved signally true to every trust. He has spent his life in this state, believing that for one of his bent no better place could be found, and he has been successful, building up, through his close application and careful management, a valuable landed estate and accumulated a competency, so that, now that the snows of old age have settled upon him, he can spend his last years in peace, quiet and plenty, at the same time enjoying the good will and esteem of all who know him.
George W. Lesnet, formerly an active farmer of Bridgewater Township, but now retired from active business and living at No. 620 East Washington street, Montpelier, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, on December 10, 1840, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Brannan) Lesnet. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother was born and reared in Ireland. They were married in Ohio and in 1847 came to Williams County, settling on a farm in Superior Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Les- net was a republican in his political faith. They were the parents of seven children, of which number four are now living, namely: Nancy, (who remains unmarried and lives in Superior Township; George W., the subject of this sketch ; Mary, the widow of Eli Wisman ; John, of
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
283
Superior Township. Of the deceased children, Francis was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Atlanta.
George W. Lesnet was about seven years of age when the family came to Superior Township, and he received a somewhat limited edu- cation in the district schools. He remained at home until the opening of the Civil war, when, on August 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Sixty-Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served faithfully until the end of the war, receiving an honorable dis- charge in June, 1865. He then returned to his father's farm, where he remained for some time. In the meantime he bought a farm in Bridgewater Township, the land being heavily covered with timber, and to the clearing and improvement of this land he devoted himself,' at length finding himself the owner of 160 acres of excellent and well cultivated land. He was successful through the years in the operation of this place, on which he remained until November, 1911, when he retired from active labor and moved to Montpelier, where he now resides.
On October 18, 1882, Mr. Lesnet was married to Ann E. Logan who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, on January 30, 1852, and is the daughter of Andrew and Mary A. (Young) Logan. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother was born in Jefferson County, Ohio. After their marriage they came to Williams County and settled in Superior Township, three miles west of Montpelier, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Lesnet was educated in the district schools, the Bryan Hi-h School and the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana. At the age of sixteen years she taught her first term of school and alto- gether taught twenty-five terms of school. Mr. and Mrs. Lesnet are the parents of five childern, namely : Lulu, the wife of Fay Lough- weed, who lives on and operates the subject's farm in Bridgewater Township ; Carl, who married Malissa Conkey and lives in Northwest Township ; Francis Y, who served ten months in the United States army during the World war, is unmarried and lives with his parents- Mary is the wife of Lindon Hoadley, of Bridgewater Township- George L., who also served in the United States Expeditionary Forces in France during the World war.
Mrs. Lesnet is a member of the Presbvterian Church in which she takes an active part in the various phases of church work She is also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, in which she has held a number of officers. Mr. Lesnet is a member of Hiram Louden Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic, while in politics he gives his
284 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
support to the republican party. While his life has not been such as to gain him particular notoriety or the admiring plaudits of men, he has been true to every trust and conscientious in the discharge of every duty, showing such attributes of character as have won for him the sincere regard of all who know him.
Nelson Cummins. — The subject of this sketch has long been one of the important factors in the agricultural life of his part of Williams County, his fine farm being located two miles east and one and a half miles north of Montpelier, and known as "Pleasant Hill Farm." The son of one of the pioneer residents of this locality, a man who held a record as a prominent farmer and public-spirited citizen, he is entitled by birth to a conspicuous place in the life of the community. A progressive farmer, in the best sense of the term, he has been success- ful and is eminently deserving on his own account of the splendid reputation which he enjoys in his community.
Nelson Cummins was born on February 14, 1851, on a farm adjoining the one where he now lives in Superior Township, and he is a son of Joseph and Mary J. (Van Fosen) Cummins. His par- ents were both natives of Ohio, the father's birth having occurred in Portage County and the mother's in Richland County. They came to Williams County with their respective parents and were here mar- ried. They settled on a farm in Superior Township, where they spent their active years. Both are now deceased, the father dying in Mont- pelier and the mother in Chicago, Illinois. Joseph Cummins was a democrat in politics and a member of the Grange. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the eight children born to them, four are now living, namely : Nelson, the immediate subject of this sketch ; Monroe, who lives in Michigan ; Caroline, the widow of Hugh Bohner, and Joseph, an attorney in Chicago.
Nelson Cummins was reared on the home farm and attended the common schools of his home neighborhood. At the age of eighteen years he commenced to work for himself in Indiana and in 1870 he went to Kansas, where for four years he worked on farms by the month. He then returned to Williams County and, after his mar- riage, he went to farming on his own account, his father giving him a cow. He rented his father's farm for eight years and then received by inheritance from his father 171 acres, on which he lived until 1908, when he purchased the farm of 160 acres where he now lives. He is thus the owner of 371 acres of excellent farm land, which, under his excellent management, has returned abundant harvests. The
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 285
farms are both well improved and are maintained at a high standard of cultivation.
In 1874 Mr. Cummins was married to Mary J. Barnhart, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, in 1856, and came with her parents to Williams County, where she was reared and secured a good education in the common schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummins have been born thirteen — eleven children now living, namely: John W., Homer, Her- man, Vard, Arnold, Carson, all of whom are engaged in farming in this county except Homer, who is in Michigan; Laura, the wife of Ernest Smith; Mertie, the wife of H. C. McKelby, of Montpelier; Ada, the wife of Luther Thompson ; Ona, the wife of Sheldon Munch ; Hazel, who remains unmarried, is a graduate of the Montpelier High School, and is now engaged in teaching in the schools of that village.
Politically Mr. Cummins is an earnest supporter of the democratic party and is an active member of the Grange. He is a stockholder and a member of the directorate of the Montpelier National Bank. He is a public-spirited man, delighting in the development of his native community in any way possible, and his support is not withheld from any laudable movement looking toward the general welfare. Because of his business ability, his industry and his excellent personal quali- ties, he enjoys the confidence and good will of all who know him.
Jacob W. Gearhart.— The farmers of Williams County are a very progressive lot of men, imbued as they are with the sense of the importance of their calling and the necessity for their co-operation so as to continue to uphold the prestige of this region as an agricultural center. One of these men who has borne his part in the development of the county in this and other respects is Jacob W. Gearhart of Florence Township.
Jacob W. Gearhart, who is living on his farm which is two miles north of Edon, was born in Florence Township, November 2, 1863, a son of Henry and Catherine (Koch) Gearhart. both of whom were born in Germany. They were brought to the United States when young by their parents, he, when thirteen years old, and she when four- teen, settlement being first made in Columbiana County, Ohio. Later the Gearhart family went to Stark County, Ohio, and from there came to Williams County and located in Florence Township. About the same time the Koch family came to the county and settled in Superior Township. The grandparents, John and Catherine Gear- hart, died on their farm, he when eighty years old. and she was eighty- six years of age. Henry Gearhart was their only child.
286 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Henry Gearhart was married in Williams County by Squire Bible, and afterwards located on a farm in Florence Township, where he remained until 1873, and then moved to the farm now occupied by his son, Jacob W. Gearhart, and here both he and his wife died. They were devout members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a democrat. He at one time owned 190 acres of land and was a man of large means. Of the seven children born to him and his wife, five survive, namely: John, who is a resi- dent of Edon ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Philip Goshorn, of Read- ing, Michigan ; David, and Joseph H., who are both farmers of Flor- ence Township ; Jacob W., whose name heads this review.
Jacob W. Gearhart was reared on his father's homestead, and attended the schools of the neighborhood, and adopted farming as his life work. His farm, the old homestead, is a valuable property, and he takes a pride in it and in having everything about it first-class in every respect.
The marriage of Jacob W. Gearhart took place in Williams County, when he was united with Fredrika Kuttler, born in Germany, April 12, 1865, but brought to the United States in 1867 by her parents, who located first in Wood County, Ohio, which they left in February, 1880, and came to Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart became the parents of the following children : Anna M., who is the wife of Jay Starr, of Montpelier; Edward F., who married Mabel M. Fix; and Ray H., who was born February 25, 1904. Mr. Gearhart is a democrat and served for four years as township trustee of Florence Township. He belongs to the Farmers' Co-operative Association of Edon.
Henry Krill. — A prominent and highly esteemed resident of Edgerton, Williams County, Henry Krill is widely and favorably known, not only as the leading undertaker of this section of the county, but as an extensive dealer in furniture, being head of the firm of Henry Krill & Son, and as president of the Oak Manufacturing Company, which has established a large and successful business in Edgerton. A son of John Krill, he was born, April 10, 1859, in Ger- many, where he received his elementary education.
Born, bred and educated in Germany, John Krill lived in the fatherland until 1869, when he came with his family to this country. Looking for a favorable opportunity to invest his comparatively lim- ited amount of money, he came to Williams County, and having bought
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 287
forty acres of land in Saint Joseph Township, five miles northeast of Edgerton, he was very fortunate in his agricultural operations, and as his means increased added sixty more acres of land by purchase to his original farm, and continued its management until his death. He was a republican in politics, and as a man of sterling integrity was held in high respect throughout the community. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Harradk, three children were born, as follows: William, whose birth occurred February 5, 1853, in Germany, is engaged in farming in Williams County; Henry, the special subject of this brief sketch; and Frederick, born August 22, 1861, in Germany, is carrying on general farming in Defiance County, this state.
Having become proficient in the undertaker's art, which he began to study in 1875, Henry Krill embarked in the undertaking and furni- ture business with J. H. Miller, in Edgerton, and met with excellent success. Taking over his partner's interest in the business in 1891, he conducted it alone for nearly thirty years, devoting his time and energies to his work, and having a large patronage, his services as an undertaker being sought throughout Edgerton and the surrounding country, while his dealings in furniture grew quite extensive. In 1920 Mr. Krill admitted his son, Edwin C. Krill, to partnership with him, and the entire business, under the firm name of Henry Krill & Son, is now being carried on with characteristic success.
Mr. Krill married, May 25, 1890, Mary Helmling, a native of Edgerton, and they are the parents of four children, as follows: Minnie M., born May 8, 1891, was graduated from the Edgerton High School, in which she is now a teacher, and also from the Baldwin- Wallace College, where she received the degree of Bachelor of Arts; Oscar S., born May 2, 1892; Arthur Paul, born December 16, 1893,' and Edwin C, born September 1, 1895. Oscar S. Krill completed the course of study in the Edgerton High School, after which he was graduated from an embalming school. He now has charge of a fur- niture and undertaking establishment in Wyoming, where he has a homestead. He married Golda De Groff. During the World war, he served in the medical department. Arthur Paul Krill, who is with Killinger & Company, of Edgerton, married Zella Beach, of Edon, Ohio. Edwin C. Krill, a member of the firm of Henry Krill & Son,' served in the medical corps during the World war. He married Mabel Gabrial, of Edgerton. Mr. and Mrs. Krill have four grandchildren Mary Alice Krill, Max Krill, Catherine I. and Martha J.
288 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
An active and influential member of the republican party, Mr. Krill has served as treasurer of the township and corporation in which he resides. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand; and is a member and past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of its official board, which he has served as president. A man of good business judgment, Mr. Krill has accumulated property of value, having a farm of eighty-six acres, lying a mile north of Edgerton, and has a pleasant home on Lynn street.
George R. Curl, M. D. — Actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Edgerton, Williams County, George R. Curl, M. D., is a physician and surgeon of wide experience, and one who has given much time and thought to the study of disease and the process of alleviating suffering. A native of Ohio, he was born, May 1, 1884, in Logan County, which was also the birthplace of his father, Harrison Curl.
Harrison Curl, now living retired from active pursuits, served as a soldier in the Civil war for four years, and is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a republican in politics, and a man of sterling worth and character. His wife, whose name before marriage was Arrena McCampbell, was born and bred in Union County, Ohio. Of the eight children born to their union, two are practicing physicians, and one is a veterinary surgeon.
Reared on a Logan County farm, George R. Curl was educated primarily in the public schools of Middleburg, and after his gradua- tion from its high school studied for a year in the Ohio Northern University, at Ada. He subsequently taught school for a time in Logan County, and then entered the Eclectic Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. Establishing himself in Edgerton in January, 1911, Doctor Curl practiced here continuously until June 20, 1917, when he was com- missioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the United States army. On August 16, 1917, he was called to service in the World war, and on September 12, of that year, sailed from New York, reported at London, England ; later was stationed at the Scottish Gen- eral Hospital, in Glasgow, where he remained two months. The doctor was then sent to Blackpool, England, where for a month he was in training with the Royal Army Medical Corps Department. Being then assigned to the Twenty-Third Division of the British Army, he went
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 289
to Italy, and for three months was on duty on the Piave. Being transferred to the western front, he served in France with the Fifty
officer ol f'T f°r °Ver a yCar' bdng a reg™taI ^fad off cer Orders for the return of the American forces to the. United
States havmg been received in March, 1919, Doctor Curl joined the
iTjri^^^T- FrCC' and haVlng Sailed fr°m B-t on April 13, 1919 arrived in New York April 23. 1919. After spending s,x weeks ,n the debarkation hospital No. 1. the doctor was honoraWv discharged from the service with the rank of captain on 1 6 1919 Returning ^mediately to Edgerton, he has since been sue ces fully engaged in his chosen profession, his patronage being fl as large as before he went to France, and constantly increasing' ' „f 5 Z UTkd- °Ct0ber 16' 19U- Hortens* Cillis, a graduate
March 28 1915. The doctor ,s an active member of the county and state medical associations. Both he and his wife are worthy mem bers of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally the doctor be onjs To Edgerton Lodge No. 357, Ancient Free and Accepted Mason and is now serving as its master. I„ po,itics he is indepLde„t. voting with out regard to party prejudices. g th~
w,{: E' ^L°SSER' D- D- S-One of the leading dental surgeons of Williams County, Dr T E Blnsspr n( vj * • , *
nt ,u0 ■ , . , :'' ^'osser, of Edgerton, is a close student
of the science which he has chosen as a profession, and keeps in touch with the more modern methods used in dentistry He was born, j 19> ,878> fa w ^ ^ ^ J* ™
Superior Township, on a farm lying seven miles southwest of Mon peher, and two and a fourth miles east of Blakeslee, being a son of
Hosier Zl " °' Pi°neer **"«"• h''S *™dfather. Pete
Blosser, and his great-grandfather, Christian Blosser, having been among the pioneer settlers of Seneca County, Ohio §
H T. Blosser was born, in 1847, near Fostoria, Seneca Countv th s state, and there grew to man's estate. Receiving excellent edu ational advantages when young, he taught school four witer terms
Wim tncoun0n- i0' ant seven terms in Su^ To- ™p
866 nd? y' /arentS haV,ng l0Cated in Defiance Countv in County „ 1893 iTt B, Wffl™, ?"»* R^ning to Defend
r - ss r^r^;^rt
SnVeer o7S W T *??"* ^ * SerVed *S -ntTcomtnt s oner 0f Defiance County two terms. He was prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to lodge, chapter and council, and being a meX
290 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
of Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar. His wife, whose maiden name was Savilla Weidler, was born and educated in Stark County, Ohio, her birth occurring in 1850. Four children blessed their union, as follows : Howard V., a well-known physician and surgeon of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; J. E., the special subject of this sketch : Blaine A., of Fremont, Indiana ; and Frank A., of Cleveland, Ohio.
Spending the first fifteen years of his life in Superior Township, J. E. Blosser acquired his early education in the common and high schools of Farmers Center, and later attended the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. Subsequently, having previously taught school three years in Defiance County, he entered the Ohio Dental College, at Cincinnati, and after taking a course of three years was graduated with the class of 1903. Immediately opening an office in Edgerton, Doctor Blosser has since devoted his time and attention to his profes- sional duties, and having proved himself eminently skillful in his work, has built up an extensive and remunerative practice.
Doctor Blosser married, in 1909, Jessie Willman, and they have two children, Dorothy, born in June, 1910; and Lois, in 1913. Identified in politics with the democratic party, the doctor has served ably and satisfactorily as mayor of Edgerton for two terms, and has been chairman of the township democratic committee. Fraternally he is a member of Edgerton Lodge No. 357, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; of Bryan Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; of Bryan Council, Royal and Select Masters; and of Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar. Religiously the doctor is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and Mrs. Blosser of the Christian Church.
Ora E. Calvin. — Of the many industrious farmers who are the boast of Williams County, not a few are to be found in Center Town- ship, and in this class, deservedly, is noted Ora E. Calvin. Mr. Calvin is numbered among those, also, who have passed their entire careers within the boundaries of this county and who have here accepted the opportunities offered for success. He was born on a farm one mile north of the one which he now occupies, a well-cultivated tract lying in section 12, Center Township, two miles west of the county seat of Bryan, November 23, 1862, a son of B. M. and Adelia (Gilbert) Cal- vin, natives of Portage County, Ohio.
Benia M. Calvin was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native county and as a young man removed to Williams County, where he passed the remainder of his life as a farmer, dying on his Center Township property, March 12, 1911, in the faith of the Christian
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
291
Church, ot which he had been a lifelong member and for some years an elder. He was a member of the Masonic Order, in which he had advanced to the Knights Templar degree, and in politics was a stanch and unwavering republican and served efficiently in several township omces. His wife was born at Edinburg, Ohio, March 20 1839 the youngest of a family of ten children, of whom all are deceased except one, Elizabeth who is a resident of Kokomo, Indiana. Mrs. Calvin attended the public schools and Hiram College three years, where she was a pupd of James A. Garfield, who later became President of the
u\, WaS a member °f the Christian Church, and died
in that faith ^ March 9, 1916. She and her husband were the parents
Mav°i0 C ^/"m I' T ^^ 23' 1862; a" ^ born
,U i«7i \ V"' °m AUgUSt 27' 1868: and BeIIe^ b°™ Febru- ary 14, 18/1, of whom Ora E. survives.
the dSri VCa!Vin, T Ttd H1 Cent6r TownshiP- where he attended he district school, also being a student at the Kokomo, Indiana, pub- hc schools and taking a course at the Fayette Normal. He has resided on the farm which he now occupies since six years old and has made a success of his agricultural operations. His farm is well improved w.th good buildings and up-to-date equipment. Mr Calvin , a member of the Knights of Pythias and is entitled to membe h p in the Sons of Veterans, his father having served for three years as a member of an Ohio volunteer infantry regiment duringThe war
e ween the states and having been a member of the Grand Army 0 the Republic, holding membership in the post at Bryan
On May 1, 1895, Mr. Calvin married Clarissa Gaskill. the cere- mony being performed by the Rev. George Matthews. Mr Ca ill
Twe, Vm 7 I8' '"I6' m JefferS°n T°WnshiP' William Counts Twelve children have been born to them: Mabel R., born January 2
Wafker nt °L "■ ^ ^ Sch°01 a"d now ^ wif7o1 Bryan ffi.h Icn ^ ^ ^ ^ *' 1898' a graduate of Bryan High School, ,s inspector with the Burroughs Addine Machine Company and belongs to the Masonic Order at Brvfn and also served as superintendent of the Sunday school; Virgil H born February 24, 1900; Chester G, born January 13, 1902, I member f he graduating class of 1920 at the Bryan High School- ML born December 3, 1903 ; Mildred L., born November 12, 1905 Nagat' L born October 16, 1907; Kenneth, born December 28 1W the only one deceased, he having died in infancv • I eswK I a •, 30, 1911; Marshall R, born M^arch 15 iZ" I^T L^Z" 14, 1918; and David, born December 23 1919 ^^
292 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Orville U. Grose. — Improvement and progress may well be said to form the keynote of the character of Orville U. Grose, a well- known farmer of Superior Township and one of Williams County's representative citizens, and he has not only been interested in the advancement of his own individual affairs, but his influence is felt in the upbuilding of the community which has so long been honored by his citizenship. The prosperity which he enjoys is the result of energy rightly applied and has been won by commendable qualities.
Orville U. Grose, whose farm is located four miles northwest of Montpelier, was born on a farm adjoining his present home on Janu- ary 17, 1877, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Michaels) Grose. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Williams County, Ohio. Peter Grose was brought to Williams County by his father when eight years of age and here he grew to manhood and received his education. After his marriage he located on a farm in Superior Township, where he lived until 1912, when he retired from active farm pursuits and is now living in Montpelier. He is a repub- lican in his political faith and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of two chil- dren, twins, of whom the daughter, Orpha U., died at the age of nine years.
Orville U. Grose was reared on the parental homestead in Superior Township and received a good practical educational training in the district schools, later attending the Tri-State Commercial College. He has always followed the vocation of farming, which he has found profitable and to his liking, and he is well versed in every phase of his work. He is the owner of seventy acres of excellent land, which he has devoted to a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country. In connection therewith, Mr. Grose also gives considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in which he specializes on Hampshire hogs and Belgian horses, breed- ing none but the purest of stock. He has also been very successful in the raising of pure-bred Plymouth Rock chickens. His farm is well improved in every respect and its general appearance is attractive to the passerby.
On September 19, 1901, Mr. Grose was married to Blanche Ogle, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, in December, 1875, the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Hoverstark) Ogle, the latter of whom is dead. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogle were born five chil- dren, George, Alma, Blanche, Ray and Herbert. Mrs. Grose received a good public school education and was engaged for nine years prior
FOUR GENERATIONS OF THE HOGUE FAMJ LEVI, WARREN L., HAL WYMAN, AND
HALWYMAN, JR.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 293
to her marriage as a teacher in the public schools. She has become the mother of one child, Kermit, born July 4, 1902, who is a student in the Montpelier High School. Mr. and Mrs. Grose are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Montpelier, of which he is one of the trustees. Politically, he gives his support to the republican party and maintains a public-spirited attitude towards all movements for the advancement of the public welfare. Because of his genial dis- position, business success and sterling qualities of character, he enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
Warren LaRue Hogue, M. D. — The medical profession in Wil- liams County has an able exponent in the person of Dr. Warren LaRue Hogue, who, in addition to handling a large and successful general medical practice, is the owner, superintendent and surgeon in charge of the Hogue Hospital at Montpelier. His reputation has far tran- scended the boundary of the locality of which this history treats and no work of the nature of the one in hand would be complete without a resume of his career. In every relation of life he has proved signally true to every trust. He possesses a strong social nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to those with whom he comes in contact he has won the confidence and regard of all.
Warren LaRue Hogue was born in Superior Township, Williams County, on January 13, 1864, and is the son of Levi and Alatha Jane (Yoder) Hogue. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother was born in Seneca County, Ohio. Both came to Williams County with their parents and were married here. They had received good public school educations and she had been a teacher in the public schools. Her death occurred in 1867. They became the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch and a sister, Grace, who is the wife of Dr. L. A. Beard, of Pioneer, Ohio. After the death of their mother, these children were reared by their maternal grand- mother, who gave them living and careful attention. They attended the public schools and the high school at Edgerton. The subject then became a student in the Fayette Normal School, where he was grad- uated, and in 1888 he commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. A. Weitz. A year later he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, and in the spring of 1889 entered the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery at Detroit, where he was graduated in June, 1890, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He engaged in the practice of his profession at Blakeslee until 1893, when he came to Montpelier and has been here continuously since. Doctor
294 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Hogue has given close attention to the advances in his profession and has taken post-graduate courses, first in surgery and gynecology in 1894 and then in the Chicago Polyclinic in 1896. He has given special attention to surgery, in which he has met with pronounced success, gaining a widespread reputation because of his proficiency in this most difficult phase of his profession. In 1907 the doctor established the Hogue Hospital at Montpelier and through the subsequent years this institution has proven a most important aid to the profession in this community in the handling of difficult medical and surgical cases.
Doctor Hogue is a member of the Williams County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Northwestern States Medical Society and the American Medical Association, as well as the Wabash Railway Surgeons' Association, the American Railway Surgeons' Association and the Clinical College of Surgeons of North America. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has attained to the degree of Knights Templar, and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Politically, the doctor gives his support to the democratic party and has rendered effective service as a member of the school board. He is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Montpelier National Bank. The doctor possesses a diploma from the Clinic Laboratory of Surgical Technic, 1918, and is surgeon for the United States Employees Compensation Commission. During the World war he became a member of the Volunteer Medical Service Corps of the United States army.
In 1897 Doctor Hogue was married to Cora Hepker, who com- pleted her studies in the Fayette Normal School and later had been a teacher in the public schools and an instructor in music. To them have been born four children, Halwyman, Grace L., Warren L., Jr., and Lorin L. Halwyman, after graduating from the Montpelier High School, was for two years a student in the University of Michi- gan. He then entered the medical department of Northwestern Uni- versity, at Chicago, where he was graduated in 1913, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then served as interne in the Cook County Hospital at Chicago, and is now engaged in the practice of his profes- sion at Akron, Ohio. Grace L. Hogue graduated from the Mont- pelier High School, after which she spent a year in Belmont College, at Nashville, Tennessee. She had from childhood shown a special talent for music and had received careful instruction in the art. She attended the Columbian School of Music, Chicago, where she was graduated in 1915, with the degree of Bachelor of Music, and she
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 295
then taught music one year in Houghton, Michigan. She is now the wife of Sidney S. Lang, who is superintendent of copper mines at Houghton. Warren L. Hogue, Jr., after graduating from the Mont- pelier High School, became a student in Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, and the Northwest Medical School, of Chicago, being graduated from the former institution with the degree of Bache- lor of Science in 1917, and from the latter school in 1919, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He is now an interne in the Michael Reese Hospital. Lorin L. Hogue graduated from the Montpelier High School and then spent two years in the pre-medical course at Ohio State University. In 1916 he joined the One Hundred and Thirty-Fourth United States Field Artillery, at Akron, and was sent to the Mexican border. From there he was sent to Chicago, where he was mustered out of service. Later he again entered the service and was sent to France as sergeant-major of the One Hundred and Thirty-Fourth Field Artillery. After reaching France, he left his regiment and attended the Artillery Training School at Somme. At the end of three months he received a commission as first lieutenant and was sent to the Third Division, which at that time was on the line of battle. He saw some strenuous work there and took part in the last fighting which occurred just prior to the armistice. He went into Germany with the Third Division and was assigned to a casual office. Subsequently he was ordered back to France and placed in command of Prisoners of War Camp No. 69. Later he was placed in charge of the American University in France, in which position he served until placed in command of the prisoners of war escort and superintended the return of German prisoners. He was finally ordered home, embarking at Brest and reaching the United States in October, 1919. He is now city salesman for the Akron Grocery Company, at Akron, Ohio.
James A. Bell. — The record of the gentleman whose name heads this brief sketch is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of responsibility and an enviable standing among his fellows. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the honorable methods he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Williams County, whose interest he has at heart and has sought to promote when practicable.
James A. Bell, the efficient road foreman of engines for the Wabash Railroad Company at Montpelier, Ohio, was born in Brook-
296 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
lyn, New York, and is a son of W. A. and Grace (Turner) Bell. The father was a native of Scotland and the mother of England. They were reared and educated in their respective countries and were mar- ried in England. Mr. Bell learned the trade of a machinist in his native land and became an expert workman. After his emigration to the United States he located in Brooklyn, New York, whence he moved to Mattoon, Illinois, where he obtained a position as foreman in the shops of the Big Four Railroad. Later he went to Karns, Illinois, where he worked as a master mechanic, later held a similar position in the Big Four shops at Indianapolis, Indiana, being transferred from there to the shops of that company at Louisville, Kentucky. From there he went to Chicago, where he was master mechanic in the shop of the Wabash Railroad, but while there his health failed and he went to Denver, Colorado, were he worked as foreman in the shops of the Santa Fe Railroad. Having in a measure recovered his health, he then went to Ashley, Indiana, where he was employed as general fore- man, and from there went to Fort Wayne as foreman in the Wabash Railroad shops. While there his health again failed, and he moved to Taylorville, Illinois, where he spent the rest of his days. He was a republican in politics and was a member of the Masonic order. To him and his wife were born eight children, of which number six are living: Lillie, the wife of Charles Clark; J. W., of Taylorville, Illi- nois, general superintendent of the Chicago & Indiana Midland Rail- road; James A., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, who remains unmarried and lives at Decatur, Illinois ; Grace, the wife of O. H. Ault, who is engaged in the real estate business at Bloomington, Illi- nois; Catherine, the wife of E. T. Needham, superintendent of motive power of the Wabash Railroad.
James A. Bell received his educational training in the public schools at Mattoon and Karns, Illinois. His first employment was with the D. O. & O. R. Railroad, where he learned the trade of machinist, following which he became a fireman on the same road, and later was promoted to the other side of the cab. He then transferred his service to the Vandalia Railroad, where he worked first as fireigan and then as engineer, later working as engineer for the Big Four out of Louis- ville, Kentucky. In 1898 he became an engineer on the Wabash Rail- road, remaining with that line until 1902, when he went to the Mobile & Ohio Railroad at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he remained about eighteen months as engineer. In 1904 he rejoined the Wabash and was sent to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he remained until 1911, when he came to Montpelier as road foreman of engines, in which position
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 297
he is still serving. His is a position of much responsibility, but his special qualifications and his long experience have fully qualified him for the work and he stands high in the regard of his superiors and associates.
In 1901, at Ashley, Indiana, Mr. Bell was married to Elsie Dunham, who was born in Richmond, Indiana, in 1883. She attended the public schools at Indianapolis, Indiana, Delphos, Ohio, and Frankfort, Indiana, completing her public school studies in the high school at Ashley, Indiana, where she was graduated. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have two children, James C. and Florence, who are students in the public school.
Politically, Mr. Bell is an ardent supporter of the republican party, while fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mrs. Bell is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In all the relations of life Mr. Bell has proved true to every duty. He possesses a sociable nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to those about him he has won the respect and confidence of everyone.
Leroy Schartzer. — The gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph, is one of the worthy native sons of Williams County, and we are glad to give our readers a brief review of his career, for he is deemed eminently worthy of representation along with the best and most industrious citizens of the locality embraced by this work, owing to the fact that he belongs to the energetic and enterprising class that has contributed to the later-day success of his favored section of the great Buckeye commonwealth. He enjoys distinctive prestige in agricultural circles, his practical intelligence, mature judg- ment and sound sense winning for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come into contact.
Leroy Schartzer, whose excellent farm is located in Pulaski Town- ship, was born in Bryan, Ohio, on December 14. 1871, and is the son of Noah and Mary (Johnston) Schartzer, the former a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and the latter born on the farm now owned by the subject. Noah Schartzer came to Williams County with his par- ents, and was here reared and educated. He always followed farming and spent the major portion of his life on his farm in Pulaski Town- ship. He was a member of the Dunkard Church. To him and his wife were born seven children, all of whom are living, as follows : Leroy, the immediate subject of this review ; Belle, the wife of Nathan Leek; Robert, of Bryan; Howard, a farmer; William, of Bryan; Mertie; Ray, of Bryan.
298 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Leroy Schartzer was reared on the parental farmstead in Pulaski Township and received his educational training in the district schools. He remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he went to work on a neighboring farm. After his marriage, which occurred in 1899, he lived for awhile in Superior Township, but later moved to Pulaski Township and took possession of the farm on which he is now living, and which comprises fifty-five acres of excellent land, which he devotes to general farming operations. He is practical and progressive in his methods and has achieved a splendid success in his efforts. Mr. Schartzer also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, and is a stockholder in the Farmers Grain Elevator at Bryan.
On March 23, 1899, Mr. Schartzer was married to Nora Gilcher, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, on November 28, 1877, the daughter of Peter and Josephine (Steck) Gilcher. Her father was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832 and was brought to the United States when about two years old. His wife was born in Han- cock County, Ohio, in 1835, and their marriage occurred in the latter county. Subsequently they came to Bryan, Ohio, where they resided for about ten years, and then bought a farm in Superior Township, this county. Mr. Gilcher died in 1884, and was survived many years by his widow, whose death occurred on October 22, 1915. They became the parents of four children, namely: Roberta, the wife of Guy Wisman ; Charles, a farmer in Superior Township ; Leona, the wife of M. C. Wisman, and Nora. The latter was educated in the district schools and the public schools of Montpelier, after which she became a teacher in the schools of Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Schartzer have one child, Lela J., born on November 5, 1900, who graduated from the Bryan High School with the class of 1918.
Mr. Schartzer is a member of the Christian Church and Mrs. Schartzer is of the Presbyterian Church, to which they give generous support. Mr. Schartzer is a republican in his political views and takes a public-spirited interest in the public affairs of his com- munity. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens through- out his section of the county.
John P. Fisher. — The year 1920 finds Williams County specially favored in the character, ability and effective service of its board of commissioners, and one of the most loyal, progressive and popular citizens now holding office as county commissioner is he whose name
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 299
introduces this paragraph and who is able to claim this county as the place of his nativity. Mr. Fisher was born on the farm which he now owns, in section 28, Pulaski Township, two and one-fourth miles south- east of Bryan, the county seat, and the date of his nativity was May 30, 1874. He is a son of Benton and Lucy (Eggleston) Fisher, and of the other four children, one, twenty years ago, was killed by accident, July 11, 1899; Florence is the wife of Albert E. Ridenour ; Frank E. is a prosperous farmer of Pulaski Township ; and Harry C. is now a resident of the city of Toledo. Benton Fisher was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, and his wife was born in the vicinity of the city of Cleveland, this state, a daughter of David Eggleston, who was engaged in the operation of sawmills, both in Ohio and Michigan, and who resided for some time in Fulton County, where his daughter became the wife of Benton Fisher, who, though a native of Williams County, was reared and educated in Fulton County. In 1873, in company with his wife, Mr. Fisher returned to Williams County, where he became the owner of one of the excellent farms of Pulaski Township, the old homestead, in section 28, being that now owned by their son, John P., of this review. On this farm the parents passed the remainder of their lives, and Mr. Fisher achieved substantial pros- perity through his energetic and well ordered activities as an agricul- turist and stock-raiser. He served three years as a member of Company E, Twenty-First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war, and took part in many battles and minor engagements. In later years he per- petuated the more gracious associations of his military career by his active affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a republican in politics, served as township trustee of Pulaski Township, was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife were earnest members of the Presbyterian Church. John P. Fisher passed the period of his childhood and early youth on the old homestead farm which was the place of his birth and which he now owns, and after having availed himself of the advantages of the public schools he attended the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, for one year. At the age of twenty years he became associated with the development and operation of oil wells, and with this line of indus- trial enterprise he continued his connection ten years. When the Spanish-American war was precipitated, Mr. Fisher enlisted in Com- pany E, Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment he was in active service in Cuba, he having been a company musician at first and having later been transferred to the regimental band. He con- tinued with his regiment until it was mustered out, at Atlanta, Georgia
300 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
on May 24, 1899. After the close of this patriotic service, Mr. Fisher returned to Williams County, and here he gained more than passing prominence and success through the progressive policies which he brought to bear in connection with his farming operations. His farm, which comprises 120J4 acres, is one of the well improved places of Pulaski Township and of the same he still maintains a general super- vision. He has given special attention to the breeding and raising of high-grade Holstein cattle, and has at the time of this writing, in the spring of 1920, a herd of about fifty head, the greater number being registered. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Association at Bryan, is a staunch republican in politics, is affiliated with the United Spanish-American War Veterans, and holds member- ship in the Bryan lodge of Knights of Pythias. He served seven years as trustee of Pulaski Township, and on November 5, 1918, he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners. He assumed the duties of this office September 15, 1919, and in the meanwhile removed from his farm to Bryan, the county seat, where he is now giving much of his time to his important official duties.
On April 8, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Fisher to Miss Bertha Fawney, who was born at Williams Center, this county, and they have two children, Helen and Marion, both of whom are (1920) students in the Bryan High School.
Daniel Augustine. — Closely identified with the agricultural interests of Williams County, Daniel Augustine, proprietor of Fair View Stock Farm, is pleasantly located in Springfield Township, where he is actively and profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising. A son of the late Joseph Augustine, he was born, March 31, 1862, in Seneca County, Ohio.
Born and educated in Alsace, France, Joseph Augustine immi- grated to the United States in early manhood, locating first in Penn- sylvania. Shortly after his marriage, he came with his wife to Seneca County, Ohio, and lived for awhile in the vicinity of Bloom- ville. Coming to Williams County in 1866, he purchased the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Daniel, the subject of this sketch, and began its improvement. When ready to retire from active pursuits, he settled at Archbold, Ohio, and there both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Both were members of the Men- nonite Church, and he was a democrat in politics. He married, in Pennsylvania, Anna Youtzey, a native of that state, and of the seven children that were born of their union, two, John and Eliza, have
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 301
passed to the life beyond, and five are living, as follows: Martha, wife of Emil Thourot ; Catherine; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Ouellet ; Daniel, and Joseph.
But a small child when his parents removed to Williams County, Daniel Augustine grew to man's estate on the home farm, acquiring his early education in the district schools, and being well trained under his father's instructions, in agricultural science. Becoming a farmer from choice, Mr. Augustine farmed for three years in Fulton County, this state. Returning to Williams County, he assumed possession of his present farm of seventy-four acres, and in its management has found both pleasure and profit, being successful both as a general farmer and a stock raiser, making a specialty of breeding Chester White hogs.
Mr. Augustine married, December 2. 1887, Ella Harris, who was born in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio, February 2, 1865, a daughter of Richard and Margery (Dailey) Harris, the former of whom was born in Lincolnshire, England, and the latter in Tiffin, Ohio. Her parents located in Williams County soon after their marriage and spent the remainder of their lives on the farm they improved. Mr. and Mrs. Augustine have one child, Nora, born October 29, 1893. She married F. C. Gentel, and they have two children, Belle and Maurice. Mr. and Mrs. Gentel reside on the home farm with Mr. and Mrs. Augustine. Politically Mr. Augustine is a steadfast democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and socially belongs to the Springfield Grange.
John W. Christy.— Distinguished not only as a native-born citizen of Springfield Township, but as an esteemed and thriving agriculturist, John W. Christy is eminently worthy of representation in a volume of this character. He was born, November 21, 1873, on the farm he now owns and occupies, a son of the late John Christy.
Born and bred in Pennsylvania, John Christy remained in his native state until nineteen years old. Migrating then to Ohio, he settled in Springfield Township, Williams County, and as soon as his means would warrant him in so doing, purchased a tract of land in that township, and by dint of persevering energy and persistent toil placed a large part of it under cultivation, and continued its manage- ment until his death. He was identified with the democratic party, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Evansport He likewise belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife, whose maiden name was Frances Coy. was born in Evansport,
302 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Ohio, and died on the home farm, in Springport Township, Williams County. Of the eight children born into their home, two died in infancy, and six are living, as follows : Belle, wife of R. B. Cameron, M. D., of Defiance, Ohio ; Walter, engaged in farming in Williams County ; Elmer, also a farmer in this county ; Flora, wife of Charles M. Calley; Maggie, wife of Walter Spangler; and John W.
Receiving his early education in the district schools, John W. Christy became familiar with agricultural pursuits as a youth, and having succeeded to the ownership of the home farm, which lies one-half mile east of Evansport, has since carried on general farming with ability and success, his 160 acres of land being well improved, and quite productive. Interested to some extent in stock raising, he makes a specialty of breeding Merino sheep, a branch of industry that well repays him for his time and labor.
Mr. Christy married, in 1902, Orpha Cook, and they have two children, namely : Vera, a graduate of the Evansport High School, and John L. Politically, Mr. Christy supports the principles of the demo- cratic party. Fraternally he is a member, and past master, of Evans- port Lodge No. 511, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, which he has twice represented at the Grand Lodge ; of Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; and of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which his wife also belongs. Mrs. Christy is a most estimable woman, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Evansport.
Horace D. Sanford. — One of the industrious, enterprising and farseeing agriculturists of Springfield Township, Horace D. Sanford has started out in life with fair prospects for a prosperous future, his energy, ability and excellent business tact having already won for him a noteworthy position among the successful husbandmen of this sec- tion of Williams County. He was born, June 29, 1891, in Springfield Township, on the same farm, lying two and a half miles south of Stryker, where the birth of his father, Nathaniel B. Sanford, occurred some twenty-two years earlier.
A son of James C. and Roxanna (Clarke) Sanford, Nathaniel B. Sanford has spent his entire life on the old home farm, and since assuming its possession has managed it with characteristic ability and success. He married Alice M. Bayes, who was born in Pulaski Town- ship, Williams County, and of the eight children born of their union, six are living now, in 1919, as follows: Horace D., Mary, Ellis O., James, Roxanna and Charles H.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 303
Laying a good foundation for his future education in the public schools of Stryker, Horace D. Sanford studied agriculture for a year in the Ohio State University at Columbus. Returning to Springfield Township, he rented the home farm for a year, and subsequently served eight months as field man for the Continental Sugar Com- pany, and later as traveling salesman for a fertilizer company, his territory including both Ohio and Indiana. When ready to locate permanently, Mr. Sanford purchased his present farm, in section 34, Springfield Township, one mile north of Evansport, and each year has added to the improvements previously inaugurated, and increased its value. In addition to carrying on general farming, he raises fine horses, Holstein cattle and White Leghorn chickens, branches of agriculture in which he takes both pleasure and pride. '
Mr. Sanford married, in February, 1913, Bethel Ellis, a native of Illinois, and into their pleasant household two children have made their advent, namely: Francis D., born October 17, 1914; and Her- bert R., born June 22, 1917. Politically, Mr. Sanford is a staunch advocate of the principles of the republican party. He is a member of Springfield Grange No. 499, and takes great interest in advancing the prosperity of the organization. Fraternally he belongs to Evans- port Lodge No. 511, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; to Bryan Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; and to Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, which he has served as senior deacon. Both he and his wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star, and both belong, religiously, to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bryan.
William H. Scott spent a number of years in railroad service. Like many railroad men he had a strong leaning toward farm life, and about twenty years ago he gratified his ambition in that direc- tion by the purchase of some land in Williams County, and has since occupied it and has become one of the leading agriculturists of St. Joseph Township.
Mr. Scott, whose rural home is three miles southwest of Edgerton, was born in Jefferson Township, Wells County, Indiana, October 26, 1859, son of John E. and Anna (Parr) Scott. His father was a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and his mother of Allen County, Indiana. They were married in Wells County, first locating near Ossian and later southwest of that town in Jefferson Township. John E. Scott on selling his farm in northeastern Indiana moved to Michigan and spent the rest of his days on a farm in that state. He was a democrat in politics. There were five children : William H. ;
304 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
John and Alva, deceased; David, who lives in Nebraska, and Joseph, deceased.
William H. Scott lived in Wells County, Indiana, to the age of ten years, and began his education while there. He then removed with his parents to Michigan, and remained at home until 1874, when his father died. His mother then married again and removed to Iowa.
Mr. Scott took up railroading at the age of twenty, beginning as a locomotive fireman, later as a brakeman, and still later as a con- ductor. He was in the service of the Wabash for about ten years, and in 1892 went with the Great Northern Railway as a passenger con- ductor, having a good run in the northwestern states. He remained in the service of the Great Northern until 1901.
In the meantime, in 1899, Mr. Scott had bought a farm in St. Joseph Township of Williams County, and he has occupied it since 1901. In 1883 Mr. Scott married Mrs. Sarah Uhlam, who died in 1917. On July 30, 1919, he married Mrs. Sarah Reas. Mr. Scott is a republican and his farm home comprises 108 acres. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Butler, Indiana, and Mrs. Scott is identified with the Women of Wood Craft.
Mrs. Scott's maiden name was also Scott. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, April 20, 1855, a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Simpson) Scott, her parents also natives of Wayne County, where they were married. They moved to Williams County in 1855, locating on a farm in St. Joseph Township where they spent the rest of their days, her father dying in March, 1914, and her mother in 1901. Mrs. Scott was one of eleven children, nine of whom are still living. She grew up on a farm in Williams County, and her first marriage was with William Lee. By that union she had two children : Frances M., wife of Sidney Gorbell, and Mattie, wife of Ed Omer of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Lee died in 1888 and later she became the wife of Fayette Reas.
Waldo P. Whitney. — Because of the urgent need of greatly increased farm proudction that faces the world today, the operation of a stock farm has become almost a matter of public concern. In Williams County may be found enterprises of this kind that are well and efficiently managed and one of these is the Acco Stock Farm, situated four miles west of Pioneer, Ohio, which is the property of Waldo P. Whitney, one of the county's representative citizens.
Waldo P. Whitney was born in Bridgewater Township, Williams County, Ohio, November 11, 1866, and is a son of Thomas E. and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 305
Lila (Ames) Whitney. The father was born in the city of New York and was a young man when he came to Williams County, although he had completed a service of three years as a soldier in the Civil war. He was married shortly afterward, in Bridgewater Township, near Montpelier, to Lila Ames, who was born in Huron County, Ohio, and now resides in Erie County. Thomas E. Whitney established himself as a merchant at Bridgewater Center, where he conducted a store for many years, and died there on February 18, 1890. His three children all survive, namely : Waldo P. ; Hattie, wife of Percy Stull, of Chattanooga, Tennessee ; and Edwin, resid- ing at Reading, Michigan.
Mr. Whitney was reared at Bridgewater Center and attended the village schools, afterward taking a course in the university at Valpa- raiso, Indiana. When he came home he took charge of a sawmill his father owned and also assisted in the management of the store, early proving the possession of business qualities which 'have since been notably manifested. He found himself naturally interested, however, in agriculture, and after a farm experience of six years, bought eighty acres and set about building up a great stock farm. To the original eighty he kept adding land and now has 120 acres of some of the finest land for stock purposes in Bridgewater Township. He devotes it to standard stock and is developing Holsteins, now having twenty-two head of these beautiful cattle, with the valuable bull Wanda Gigis Hero at the head of the herd. When Mr. Whitney exhibits stock from the Acco Stock Farm, he finds few cattle owners to dispute prizes with him.
In 1890 Mr. Whitney was married to Miss Josephine Crall, who was born in Williams County and was educated in the Montpelier schools. They have three children, namely: Dale, who is a high school graduate, was a soldier in training camp when the armistice was signed that terminated the Great war, and he is as efficiently turning his attention to peaceful pursuits on the farm, as he bravely assumed the duties of military training when the government called; Ilo, who is a graduate of the high school at Pioneer ; and Mildred, who is yet in the grades. With modern methods of transportation, the family can enjoy the healthful life of a country home and also urban advan- tages at Pioneer.
Mr. Whitney is prominent in the democratic party in county and township and frequently takes part in party councils, in which his good judgment and his wide acquaintance prove very valuable. He is serving in the office of township trustee, in 1910 was land appraiser,
306 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
for five years was personal property assessor, and for ten years was township clerk. He belongs to the Ancient Order of Gleaners, in which he has passed all the chairs, and is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Pioneer, while Mrs. Whitney is past chief of the Order of Pythian Sisters.
Henry Bayes. — The City of Bryan, county seat of Williams County, has its full quota of men who have stepped aside from the path of active participation in various vocations, to let pass the younger gen- eration, with its hopes, visions and ambitions. In the retired colony of this city is found Henry Bayes, who was for many years a suc- cessful agriculturist of northwestern Ohio, and who now is spending the evening of life in comfortable retirement at his home, 446 West High street.
Henry Bayes was born in Lucas (now Fulton) County, Ohio, August 16, 1844, a son of Thomas and Lamenta (Swan) Bayes, the former a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of the state of Maryland. The parents were children when they accompanied their respective families to Ohio, each locating first in Holmes County and subsequently moving to what is now Fulton County. Thomas Bayes located in Fulton County about 1837, first taking up land a mile north of Delta, which he later sold to buy 160 acres, the present site of Wauseon. When the development com- pany laid out the latter city, Mr. Bayes disposed of his holdings to the incorporators of the town and moved to a 160-acre farm which he purchased about one and one-half miles west of that place. There he passed the remainder of his life in the pursuits of the soil, and not only gained material success, but also secured the confidence and esteem of the people among whom the active years of his life were spent. A republican in his political views, Mr. Bayes took an active part in the local affairs and wielded some influence in the ranks of his party. He and his worthy and estimable wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and parents of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, while three are living at this time, namely : Henry ; W. F., whose home is near Wauseon ; and Miss Diadem, who resides at Bryan with the subject of this sketch.
Henry Bayes received his education in the public schools of Fulton County and was reared on the home farm located west of Wauseon. There, in his boyhood and youth, he assisted in the clear- ing and ditching of the land, and remained at home until his enlistment, June 18, 1863, in Company H, Eighty-Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 307
Infantry, which was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps and placed in the Army of the Cumberland, under General Burnside. After eight months of service he received his honorable discharge because of expiration of service, but later, in 1864, joined the home guards and served therewith four months. When his military career was through, Mr. Bayes returned to the home farm and resumed the duties of peace.' On September 9, 1869, Mr. Bayes was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Campbell, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio, November 7, 1851, a daughter of Reason and Temperance Campbell.' The month following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bayes came to Williams County and settled on a tract of eighty acres, located in the woods. Later Mr. Bayes bought forty acres 'additional, on which there was located a small house, and subsequently sold his original eighty acres and purchased eighty acres more, all' in Pulaski Town- ship. Mr. Bayes continued to be engaged in farming on this property until 1904, and during his long residence in that community made numerous improvements on his farm and cut the first road from Springfield to his home. He was known as an energetic and progres- sive farmer, who took a pride in his surroundings and made the most of his opportunities, while personally his reputation for integrity was high and his standing in business circles of the best. Since 1904 he has resided at Bryan, where he has displayed all the elements and qualities that combine to make for good citizenship.
Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bayes, seven are living: Alice, the wife of N. B. Sandford, of Springfield Township; Tem- perance, the wife of Frank Spangler, of Bryan; R. E., also a resident of Bryan; Lamenta, the wife of F. L. Doughten, an agriculturist of Center Township, Williams County; Edna, unmarried, formerly a teacher for ten years, but now taking a trained nurse's course at Cleveland; Effie, a graduate of Bryan High School, who is servino- as bookkeeper at Van Camp's Condenser, Bryan ; Inez, deceased, 1 graduate of Bryan High School and Michigan State Normal, who was the wife of A. E. Gee; and Wilda, a graduate of the Michigan State Normal School, who is now a teacher in the Schools of Winnetka Illinois.
The members of the Bayes family belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Bayes has always maintained his interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a past commander of two posts, belonging at present to Evans Post No. 149, of Bryan He and his wife are charter members of Elm Grove Grange, of which he is a past master. In politics a republican, Mr. Bayes has been an important
308 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
and influential figure in his party in this locality for some years, and has served in public office on several occasions, having acted com- mendably and efficiently as township trustee for four years, as asses- sor of Bryan two years, and as one of the infirmary directors of Williams County.
Neri B. Newcomer. — One of the substantial residents of Williams County who has passed his entire career in this locality and who has devoted his efforts to farming and stock raising, is Neri B. Newcomer, the owner of a handsome and well-cultivated farm located, in section 9, Center Township. Mr. Newcomer's life has been one in which the homely but substantial traits of industry and honesty have been allowed full expression, with the result that while their possessor has been attaining material prosperity he has at the same time been accu- mulating the good will and sincere respect of the people who make up the community in which his home is located and his activities are centered.
Neri B. Newcomer was born on a farm south of BryanTin Pulaski Township, Williams County, January 6, 1870, a son of Nathaniel and Barbara (Brown) Newcomer. He was reared on the home place and in his boyhood was sent to the district schools of Pulaski Township, this preparation being subsequently supplemented by attendance at the Bryan High School and Defiance College. At the latter he took a commercial course, and after his graduation returned to his father's farm, where he made his home until his marriage, April 14, 1892, to Miss Melissa C. Frederick, who was born in Wood County, Ohio, October 26, 1869, a daughter of John and Caroline (Freyman) Fred- erick. Her father was born September 4, 1844, and her mother sev- eral years later, and both passed their lives in Wood County, where they were born. Mrs. Newcomer was two years old when her father died, in 1871, and only three years of age when she lost her mother, who passed away August 22, 1872. The child was taken into the family of an uncle. William Freyman, with whom she lived until the time of her marriage, her education being secured in the district schools of Center Township and the Fayette Normal School. After leaving the latter, she taught school for three terms in Center Town- ship, but after her union with Mr. Newcomer her teaching career was terminated and they moved to a farm of 140 acres, in section 9, where they have since made their home. Through industry and intelligent direction of their affairs, Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have prospered, and Mr. Newcomer is a stockholder in the First National Bank of
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 309
Bryan and the Williams County Telephone Company. In addition to carrying on general farming operations, he buys, feeds and sells stock, a field in which he has likewise met with merited success, and in which he has established a reputation for both knowledge of the business and for sound integrity and fair and honorable transactions. Mr. New- comer is a republican in his political views, and has served two terms as a trustee of Center Township. With his family, he belongs to the Melbern Methodist Episcopal Church, where he is serving as a mem- ber of the official board.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer: I. Loyal, born July 15, 1893, a graduate of Bryan High School, attended the Ohio State University for two years, taking an agricultural course, married Chloe Fisher, and has one child, Arline, and is now engaged in agricultural operations in Defiance County; Galen, born July 22, 1895, also a graduate of Bryan High School, who attended agricul- tural college for three years, enlisted in the United States Army dur- ing the World war, and saw ten months of service in France, holding the rank of corporal and being a member of the military police and is now in partnership with his father operating the farm and feeding livestock ; Lura V., born May 29, 1898, a graduate of the Bryan High School, also attended the State Normal School at Bowling Green, taught for three years in the public schools of Center Township, was married to Clinton F. Stenger, February 26, 1920, and now lives on a farm two miles west of Melbern ; and Elwin C, born March 27, 1904, who is attending high school.
Byron Allison.— A well-known, active and thriving farmer of Springfield Township, Byron Allison is likewise identified with the industrial interests of this section of Williams County, having estab- lished an extensive draying business in Stryker, his prompt and effi- cient service as drayman having won him a lucrative patronage. A native-born citizen, his birth occurred June 30, 1867, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, and on which his life has been spent.
His father, John Allison, was born and bred in Ohio, and soon after taking upon himself the responsibilities of a married man located in Springfield Township, and having purchased the farm on which his son now lives, was industriously engaged in tilling the soil the remain- der of his active life. A republican in politics, he was active and influential in local affairs, and served many terms as justice of the peace. He married, in Williams County, Ohio, Mary Casebeer, a native of Indiana, and they became the parents of two children, as follows : Frank, deceased ; and Byron, of whom we write.
310 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Brought up on the home farm, Byron Allison spent his earlier days in very much the same manner as most farmers' boys, attending school and doing chores around the house and on the farm. Leaving the Stryker schools at the age of fifteen years, he started out in life for himself, and being ambitious, industrious, and trustworthy, he had no trouble in earning his livelihood. Succeeding to the ownership of the parental homestead, he has placed its twenty-nine acres of rich and fertile land in a tillable condition, and pays such excellent atten- tion to its cultivation that its abundant harvests amply repay him for his labors.
Mr. Allison married, June 25, 1890, Lydia Mignery, a native of Springfield Township, and they have two children, namely: Lucille, who was graduated from the Stryker High School with the class of 1920; and Consuelo, attending school in Stryker. Mr. Allison is a republican in politics, and takes much interest in town and township affairs, although he is not an office seeker. Mrs. Allison is a valued member of the Baptist Church.
Wendell P. Grisier.- — Owing to his connection with business and civic affairs of the western part of Williams County for a number of years, the name of Wendell P. Grisier, of Stryker, needs no formal introduction to the readers of this work. In a straightforward, con- servative manner, he has sought to perform the duties of a progres- sive citizen, while advancing his own interests, and his support has always been counted upon in the furtherance of any laudable move- ment having for its object the welfare of the general public.
Wendell P. Grisier, who is engaged in the undertaking business at Stryker, is a native son of the county now honored by his citizen- ship, having been born on his father's farm in Springfield Township, on August 18, 1891. He is the son of William and Margaret (Currie) Grisier, the former a native of Springfield Township and the latter of the state of Illinois. They were married in Kansas, where they lived for a short time, and then came to Springfield Township, Wil- liams County, and engaged in farming. Eventually he moved to Stryker and for twenty years was engaged in the furniture business and the direction of funerals. Eventually, however, he sold his business and went to Plains, Colorado, where he is now engaged in operating a ranch. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he sustains fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias. He is an ardent republican in his political views and while living here he served as a member of the village council and of the school board. To him and his wife were born three sons, namely:
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 311
Orville J. was a student in Northwestern University and Greeley College, and is now county supervisor of schools at Rocky Ford, Colorado ; he is a veteran of the World war, having served in France with the Fourth Infantry Regiment, as a part of the Third Division ; Wendell P., the subject of this sketch, and Walter, who lives in Colorado.
Wendell P. Grisier received his education in the public schools of Stryker and spent his senior year at Bryan, graduating from the Bryan High School, and then attended the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana. He then entered the Worsham Embalming School, where he took a complete course in that science. He worked for I. K. Platner, of Chicago, Illinois, a highly respected funeral director, and then went in as assistant to his father in the latter's business at Stryker. After his father went west, Mr. Grisier engaged in the business on his own account and has continued the business to the present time. By close attention to his business and the needs and wishes of his patrons, he has drawn a large share of the work in his line, and is today numbered among the leading funeral directors in the western part of Williams County.
Mr. Grisier was married to Frances R. Brickman, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, and they are the parents of three children, Geraldine, William and Donald. Mr. and Mrs. Grisier are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Grisier gives his political support to the republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of Evansport Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; Bryan Council ; Defiance Com- mandery No. 30, Knights Templar; of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Toledo, Ohio ; Stryker Lodge No. 432, Knights of Pythias, of which he is the present chancellor commander ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Evansport Encampment, and a member of Council No. 407, United Commercial Travelers. Mr. Grisier takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs, advocating and supporting every movement calculated to advance the public inter- ests in a material, civic or moral way, and he enjoys the good will and esteem of all classes.
Henry E. Olmstead. — The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Stryker, Williams County, Ohio. He has lived in this county all his life and for many years was prominently identified with the educational inter- ests of this community, in which profession he won an enviable reputation, but is now engaged in the insurance business. In all the
312 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact and a history of Williams County embracing the records of its representative citizens would not be complete without a brief recital of his career.
Henry E. Olmstead is a native of the county now honored by his citizenship, his birth having occurred near Stryker, in Springfield Township on March 13, 1866. His parents were Alva and Martha (Chichester) Olmstead, the former of whom was born near Saratoga Springs, New York, on March 28, 1827, and died on July 15, 1908, while his wife was born near Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, on July 18, 1840. They came to Williams County with their respective par- ents and were here reared. Alva Olmstead came to Springfield Town- ship in 1834 and was here reared and educated, attending the district schools, which in that early day were somewhat primitive as to meth- ods and equipment. Here he followed the vocation of a farmer and spent the remainder of his life. He was a member of the United Brethren Church and was held in high repute among his fellows. To him and his wife were born two children, the subject of this sketch, and a sister Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of Alfred Betts. The mother of these children now makes her home with the subject.
Henry E. Olmstead secured a good practical education in the district schools and in the public schools of Stryker, to which town he moved in 1885. His higher education was acquired at normal school, Valparaiso, Indiana, and at Lima College, Lima, Ohio. After the completion of his education he began teaching school, a profession for which he was eminently qualified by natural inclination, his first school being taught by him when eighteen years of age. He was thus engaged for twenty-nine years and was recognized throughout the county as an unusually well-qualified and successful pedagogue. For a number of years he was engaged as a teacher in the Stryker schools, and was principal of these schools for nine years, following which, for six years, he served as superintendent of the rural schools of Springfield Town- ship. He was also a member of the board of school examiners for twelve years. In 1914 Mr. Olmstead retired from his profession and since that time has been engaged in the insurance business in Stryker and as notary public and public administrator of estates. In these lines also he has been successful and has acquired some splendid prop- erty in Stryker, embracing his own home and seven good lots. He is also a stockholder in the Ohio Gas Company.
Politically, Mr. Olmstead is a republican and has taken an active interest in local public affairs. At the present time he is serving as
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 313
village assessor of Stryker and as treasurer of Stryker village and of Springfield Township. He gained success in one of the most exact- ing of all callings, his work as an educator having brought him promi- nently to the notice of the public, the result of which was a constant demand for his services where a high standard of professional excel- lence and required. He is a well-read, symmetrically developed man of scholarly tastes and studious habits, and to a marked degree enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
John T. Day. — Seven and one-half miles northwest of Bryan, in Center Township, Williams County, is located the well-cultivated and highly-improved farm of John T. Day. This property, in its substan- tial buildings, modern equipment and general air of prosperity reflects the good management and progressiveness of one of Williams County's enterprising agriculturists, Mr. Day having been a lifelong farmer in this county, of which he is a native, having been born in Florence Township, April 17, 1854, a son of Thomas S. and Caroline (Bratton) Day.
Thomas S. Day was born in Pennsylvania, September 8, 1818, and there married Miss Bratton, who had been born in the same state in 1819. They remained in Pennsylvania until 1847, at which time they came to Williams County, settling on an eighty-acre farm one mile south of Edon, in Florence Township. While Mr. Day resided on a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits to some extent, he was a blacksmith by trade and followed that vocation throughout his life, being well and favorably known for many miles around. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a republican in politics, and a man whose industry gained him prosperity, he being the owner of town property in addition to his farm. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Hannah E., the wife of Dan Klink, of Iola, Kansas; James G„ of Denver, Colorado; John T. ; and Mary E., the wife of Austin Fiser, of Edon. The parents were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and active in church work.
John T. Day was reared on the home farm in Florence Township, and as a boy attended the district schools. He was first married in 1877 to Katie Freed. After her death he remained under the parental roof until his marriage, December 15, 1881, to Miss Jennie S. Boman, who was born January 22, 1860, in Wood County, Ohio, daughter of William and Rosabell (Eckels) Boman, and a member of an honored family of this locality. In the year 1835 George and Christina (Hock-
314 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
enbarger) Boman, with their children, left Doylestown, Wayne County, Ohio, and journeyed to the northwestern part of Ohio, locating on a property which now forms the southeastern part of Blakeslee. There they endured the usual hardships that attended our forefathers in a new country, but sturdily and forcefully fought their way upward and won not only material independence, but the affection and esteem of the community. George Boman, who was a shoemaker by trade, was a great lover of dumb animals of all kinds, but dogs and horses were dearest to him. His worthy wife, who adopted the United Brethren faith after coming to Williams County, was unable to attend church for many years, but maintained her religion and was widely known for the beautiful manner in which she could tell the story of Jesus and his resurrection. The family of George and Christina Boman consisted of : William, Susanna, John, Mary, Sarah Jane and George Clark.
William Boman remained at home a few years after attaining his majority, following which he worked two years for Jonas Webb and then went to Wood County, where he met Rosabell Eckels. One year later they were married and to this union there were born the following children: Jennie S., the wife of John T«. Day, of the Edgerton com- munity ; James W., who lives on a farm west of Blakeslee ; W. H., of Blakeslee ; Mrs. Maggie E. Favourite, of Edgerton ; and C. V., who lives on the Jacob Aucker farm in Williams County.
The father of the foregoing children, William Boman, resided in Hancock and Wood counties. On August 22, 1862, when thirty years of age, he enlisted at Findlay, Ohio, in Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. His brother, John Boman, served in the Third Ohio Cavalry. In 1873 William Boman moved to Williams County and settled on a farm west of Blakeslee which was known as the old Jordan farm, and here carried on agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his active career. When unable to do farm work any longer, he moved to Edgerton, and subsequently to Blakeslee, where his death occurred in 1909, when he was aged seventy-seven years, eleven months, thir- teen days. His faithful and worthy wife, who died September 5, 1912, at the age of seventy-two years, four months, twenty-five days, was buried at the West Buffalo Cemetery, as was also Mr. Boman, William and John Boman, Susanna Riley and Sarah J. Berlew. At the time the Bomans came from Wayne County, the family of William Laub also made the journey and located on a farm adjoining the
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 315
Boman farm on the east. None of the Boman children are now living, but of the Laubs, three sons still survive : Norman, of Edon ; John, of Hicksville, Ohio ; and George, of Blakeslee.
Mrs. Day was thirteen years of age when brought by her parents to Williams County in the fall of 1873, the family locating in St. Joseph Township. She completed her education in the public schools of Edgerton and Edon and for five terms taught school. Mr. and Mrs. Day resided in Florence Township until 1902, at which time they removed to their present home in Center Township, where they have made numerous improvements and have come to be accounted among the substantial and reliable people of their community. They are active members of the local Grange, and have also been enthusiastic and helpful in their assistance of the movements of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being members of Salem congregation, where Mr. Day has served as class leader. He is a republican in his political views and has acted as ditch supervisor four years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Day there have been born the following children: Clair L. ; Thomas W. ; Joel E. ; Maggie, the wife of Frank Engler: Ivan E. ; J. Roger: Hershel H. ; Carvin C. ; Frances I. ; Duane A. and Donald D. The children have been given good educational advantages and fitted for honorable positions in life. Three of the sons, J. Roger, Hershel H. and Carvin C. were in the United States army service during the World war, but only one, Carvin C, saw service in France. He died December 5, 1919, from the effects of injuries received during the windstorm at Bryan November 29, 1919.
Clinton O. Figgins.— Among the enterprising and self-reliant men who are ably conducting the agricultural interests of Williams County, Clinton O. Figgins, a well-to-do agriculturist of Brady Township, occupies a noteworthy position, not only as a thriving farmer, but as one who has achieved success through his own unaided efforts. He was born July 28, 1874, in Brady Township, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Emanuel Figgins.
Born and reared on a farm, Emanuel Figgins naturally followed the vocation of his ancestors, and as a tiller of the soil labored early and late. Settling after his marriage oh unimproved land in Brady Township, two and a half miles south of West Unity, he toiled with earnest heart and energy to clear his land, and has had the satisfaction of placing it in a highly productive condition, his farm now being among the best in the vicinity. He is an active worker in the repub* lican ranks, and a stanch supporter of all beneficial enterprises. He
316 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
is a member of Brady Grange No. 2164, and both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, being leading members of Fountain Chapel. Emanuel Figgins married Sophena Altaffer, who was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, and they are the parents of six children, as follows : Fred, of West Unity, is a mail carrier on the Rural Free Delivery Route ; Clinton O., the subject of this sketch; Bertha; Devilla, a farmer, living two and a half miles northeast of Kunkle, this county; Charles, engaged in farming three and a half miles southeast of Stryker ; and Clifford, living on the old homestead.
Living with his parents until becoming of age, Clinton O. Figgins attended the rural schools, and under his father's tuition acquired a practical knowledge of the science of agriculture. Beginning life for himself with a limited capital, having but $300 to his credit, he was engaged in building and contracting until 1914. Wise in his savings, and prudent in his expenditures, he accumulated some money, and having purchased sixty-three acres of land in Brady Township, a mile and a half south of West Unity, he has since made improve- ments of value, having erected comfortable and conveniently arranged buildings, his farm in its appointments and equipments now com- paring favorably with any in the township.
Mr. Figgins married, April 28, 1900, Alice M. Rosier, a native of Williams County, and they have two sons, George E., a graduate of the West Unity High School; and Willard, a junior in the same school. Fraternally Mr. Figgins is a member, and past chancellor, of West Unity Lodge No. 637, Knights of Pythias, and of the Grand Lodge, in which he has filled all of the offices ; and a member and past consul, of the local lodge, Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Figgins belong to the Pythian Sisters, in which he is past most excellent chief, while she is mistress of finance. A strong republican in politics, Mr. Figgins has never sought office, but has served as constable of Brady Township.
Frank C. Crawford has for thirty-five years been identified with the rural community of Northwest Township. A successful farmer, he is known as proprietor of the Cedar Lawn farm located seven miles north of Edon. His interests have also extended to banking in his neighborhood, and he has also given of his time and influence to promote the welfare of schools and other public institutions.
Mr. Crawford was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 18, 1856, a son of John and Susana (Laser) Crawford. John Crawford
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 317
was born in Pennsylvania of Irish parentage, and was married in Richland County, Ohio, where his wife was born. In 1876 the Crawford family moved to Williams County, locating in Brady Town- ship, and subsequently for ten years lived near Fayette in Fulton County. The parents then returned to Kunkle in Williams County where they spent the rest of their years. John Crawford was always active in politics, served as Justice of the Peace for sixteen years in Richland County and was a stanch democrat. He was also a Mason. He was twice married and by his first wife had six children. Susana Laser was his second wife and their three children were Delbert and Asa both of Kunkle, and Frank C.
Frank C. Crawford grew up in Williams County, attended common schools and remained at home until the age of twenty-one. About that time he and his uncles William and John Lasar bought the first steam threshing outfit in the vicinity of West Unity and he was identi- fied with its operation for nine seasons. After his marriage in 1880 he located on his uncle's farm near West Unity, remaining there five years, and in 1885 moved to Northwest Township where he bought the 120 acres comprised in the Cedar Lawn farm. He paid for the land through his own efforts, and also placed its improvements, and year after year has not only made his farm self-sustaining but has increased its value. He has been a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle. Mr. Crawford is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank at Montpelier and the Farmers Banking Company at Columbia.
September 12, 1880, Matilda Sanders became his wife. They were married at Waldron by Squire Reynolds. To their marriage were born five children: Elgin, born December 13, 1882, unmarried and at home: Blanche, born April 12, 1885, wife of Ed Dunham; Alta B., born August 31, 1888, wife of Urban Peck; Dale, born February 16, 1893, a farmer in Northwest township; and Mabel, born September 6, 1905. Mr. Crawford is affiliated with Edon Lodge No. 474 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. For many years he has been a leader in the democratic party in his township and is a member of the local school board.
Charles W. Chaney who lives five miles southwest of Montpelier in Superior Township was born there July 28, 1861, and has always lived there. He is a son of John and Mary (Lott) Chaney. The father was born in Richland and the mother in Seneca county. He came to Seneca and after they were married they located in Williams
318 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
County. John Chaney, who entered the land where Charles W. Chaney now lives, was a shoemaker and worked at his trade in Mont- pelier. He worked at his trade two years and then moved to the farm. There were fifteen children in his family, six of them living when C. W. Chaney related the family history.
The oldest daughter, Ann, is the wife of Isaiah Bechtol; Ellen is the wife of George Flumerfeldt; Mary is the wife of Sherman Leek; Eliza is the wife of James Fisher; Charles W. enrolls the family, and Clement Chaney is a resident of Montpelier. They were all given common school advantages, and C. W. Chaney remained at the family homestead until he was past eighteen years old when he went to San- dusky County where he farmed seven years. He came back to Wil- liams County and August 23, 1885, he married Clara Gunyan. She was born September 28, 1864, and had always lived in Williams County. When she was eleven she entered school in Montpelier and was educated there.
When Mr. and Mrs. Chaney were married they lived three years on the Chaney farm, then moved to Montpelier where they remained one year and then they rented a farm where they lived five years. At that time they bought forty acres where they live today. Their son Willis A. Chaney served in Company E, Three Hundred Twenty-ninth Infantry, at Camp Sherman and he was transferred to the Eighty-third Division Supply Company and embarked for France June 12, 1918, being overseas when the armistice was signed and receiving his discharge April 19, 1919, spending ninety days of the time in a hospital. Clarence M. Chaney on first enlistment failed to pass the physical examination, but later passed it and was with his brother all through the service and was discharged July 16, 1919, both returning to Williams County. Blanche M. Chaney is the wife of Oscar Calvin, and Olive V. is the wife of Milo Patterson. Lola Pearl died in young womanhood.
The Chaneys are members of Mount Zion English Lutheran Church and he is a member of the official board as trustee. He is a member of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Montpelier Chapter No. 184, Royal Arch Masons, and Montpelier Council No. 102, Royal and Select Masters, and he is past chancellor of Florence Lodge No. 502, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Chaney is a charter member of the Pythian Sisters, and they are members of Sodom Grange. Both are members of the Lillian Chapter Order Eastern Star. While he had always been a democrat Mr. Chaney now votes with the republicans.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 319
Wilton D. McCoy. — Among the strong and influential citizens of Williams County the record of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the gentleman whose name appears above has exerted a beneficial influence throughout the community where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive and everyday com- mon sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also to contribute in a definite way to the moral and material advancement of the locality where he lives.
Wilton D. McCoy, whose attractive farm is located in Superior Township, was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, on March 8, 1861, and is a son of Robert and Mary A. (Stanford) McCoy, the former of whom was also born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Evansburg, that state. They were married there and in 1865 came to Williams County, Ohio, locating three miles east of Edon, where they bought a farm and lived for about eight years. They then sold that place and bought seventy-four acres, on which they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying on July 11, 1901, and the mother on January 31, 1919. They were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. McCoy was a republican in his political views. They were the parents of three children, W. D., the subject of this sketch, Collins S., who died in 1894, and Addie B., who died in 1913.
W. D. McCoy was about four years of age when he was brought to Williams County, Ohio, and in the schools of this locality he secured his education. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he began working on his own account, being employed by the month for two years. He then rented land and also bought forty acres, which he operated in connection with his rented land. At the time of his marriage in 1895 he had 114 acres and his success since then has been so sure that he has added to his landed holdings until he is now the owner of 189 acres of excellent and well cultivated land, practically all of which is in cultivation. In addition to a diversified system of farming, Mr. McCoy also gives some attention to the rais- ing of live stock. His farm is well improved and presents an attractive appearance.
On March 28, 1895, Mr. McCoy was married to Flora Hughes, who is a native of Williams County and was educated in the district schools and the schools at Edgerton. Prior to her marriage she was a successful teacher in the district schools and the Montpelier public school. To their union have been born two sons, namely: Paul H.,
320 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
born on August 4, 1896, after graduating from the high school at Bryan, attended the agricultural department of the Michigan State Agricultural College, at Lansing, Michigan, where he was graduated; Dale, born on August 17, 1900, after completing the high school course at Bryan, entered the dairy department at the Michigan Agricultural College, where he is still attending.
Politically, Mr. McCoy has always been a strong supporter of the republican party and has served as township school supervisor. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bryan, and Mr. McCoy is a member of its board of stewards. He has always taken a deep interest in the general material and moral welfare of the community and has given his support to a number of enterprises of importance. He is a member of the board of directors of the Farm- ers Co-operative Grain and Supply Company and a stockholder in the Pulaski Grain Elevator. His life history exhibits a career of unswerv- ing integrity, indefatigable private industry and wholesome social relations — a most commendable career crowned with success, and he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence of all who know him.
Samuel S. Wineland. — In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship Samuel S. Wineland, one of the best-known and most substantial of Williams County residents, is a notable example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the com- munity honored by his citizenship. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully done, and by industry, thrift and wisely directed efforts he has acquired a fair share of this world's goods. He is a man of good judgment and sterling qualities of character and his record while serving as sheriff of his county stamped him as a man of fearless courage and resourcefulness.
Samuel S. Wineland was born in Jefferson Township, Williams County, Ohio, on June 20, 1865, and is the son of John and Ellen (Oliver) Wineland, the former a native of Knox County, Ohio, and the latter born in Jefferson Township, this county. John Wineland was reared and educated in his native county, but at the age of twenty years he came to Williams County and located in Jefferson Township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a democrat in his political faith and was active in local public affairs, having served as treasurer of Jefferson Township. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Church, of which he was a trustee. These worthy par- ents had seven children, of whom three are living, namely : Charles O., of Bryan, Ohio; J. M., also of Bryan, and Samuel S.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 321
Samuel S. Wineland was reared on the paternal farmstead in Jefferson Township and attended the district schools there. After his marriage, which occurred in 1897, he moved to West Unity, where he engaged in carpentering and contracting until 1912, when he was nominated as the democratic candidate for sheriff of Williams County. At the ensuing election he was successful, being elected by a plurality of 692, a splendid evidence of his popularity, when the fact is taken into consideration that the county was normally republican by 700 and that he was the first democratic sheriff elected in the county in twenty- seven years. So satisfactory was his discharge of the duties of the office that in 1914 he was again chosen, this time by a plurality of 1,892, carrying every precinct in the county but two. One contrib- uting factor to his greatly increased vote in the second election was an incident that occurred near the close of his first term. Three high- waymen had held up some parties, had taken their automobiles, together with money, jewelry and other valuables, the outrage occur- ring near the town of Pulaski. Sheriff Wineland promptly went after the bandits and, after a struggle, captured them and brought them to the jail. During the struggle Mr. Wineland received two bullet wounds, but hung onto his men until he had them safely behind the bars. After the expiration of his second term, Mr. Wineland served one term as deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Ruff, his official service ending on June 6, 1919. Since then he has devoted his time to looking after his property in Bryan and farm of ninety acres in Jefferson Township. He owns a comfortable and attractive home at No. 325 East Maple street, Bryan.
April 13, 1897, Mr. Wineland was married to Frances Beerbower, who was born and reared in Jefferson Township. As a man of ability, sturdy integrity and usefulness, and as a citizen representative of the utmost loyalty, Mr. Wineland has merited the consideration of his fellowmen, and his life record is deserving of a place in this publica- tion, which touches those who have given to and sustained the civic and material prosperity of this favored section of the great Buckeye commonwealth.
Charles A. Fyke, one of the substantial men of Williams County, has long been associated with its agricultural interests, and since 1918 has been a resident of Bryan. He was born in Summit County, Ohio, on October 21, 1852, a son of Henry and Catherine (Butts) Fyke, natives of Pennsylvania and New York states, respectively.
The paternal grandfather, Jacob Fyke, brought his family to Ohio, and after a period spent in Wayne County, moved to Williams County,
322 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
and permanently located in Brady Township, where he became one of the landowners and prosperous farmers. Henry Fyke, after living for a time in Summit County, Ohio, moved, in 1856, to Williams County and bought a farm two miles south of West Unity, Ohio, where he lived for about ten years, and then sold his property and bought another farm southwest of Stryker, Ohio, in Springfield Township, Williams County, and here he and his wife rounded out their useful lives. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a republican. He and his wife had the following children: F. J., who learned the milling trade, is now proprietor of the Fyke Milling Company, of LaGrange, Indiana; Charles A., whose name heads this review ; Wilbur M., who was a farmer of West Unity, Ohio, and at one time a teacher, died August 29, 1920; Mary E., who is the wife of E. E. Mallory of Los Angeles, California ; George W., who is a steelworker of Chicago, Illinois ; and Ella, wife of John Paxton, who lives at Bryan, Ohio.
Charles A. Fyke was reared on his father's farm in Williams County, and first attended the district schools, later the Bryan Nor- mal School, and then, when only seventeen years of age, he began teaching, first for two terms in the district schools and then at Arch- bold, Ohio, for nine months. He then attended the high school at Ann Arbor for two years, graduating in 1876 ; then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and took a two years' course, and then returning home, continued to teach until 1885. In that year he bought a farm in Jefferson Township, Williams County, which he operated during the summer months, and then in the winter months he con- tinued to teach school. Until 1905 he continued to alternate farming with teaching, but then left the educational field so as to give all of his time to his agricultural interests. In the meanwhile he had built up a large dairy, and continued it until the Van Camp corporation began operating in Bryan, when he turned his attention to breeding Holstein cattle, with remarkable results, his herd delivering as high as 105,000 pounds of milk annually. So successful has he been that he is still in the business. His herd has at its head a grandson of the "King of the Pontiacs." Since 1918 Mr. Fyke has resided at Bryan, but continues to oversee the operations of his stock farm.
On November 28, 1876, Mr. Fyke was united in marriage with Alma Rudisill, born on a farm in Williams County, Ohio, on November 28, 1854, and she died on this farm on April 5, 1913, having been the mother of three children, namely. Glendore, who was graduated from the Bryan High School, died in 1912; J. Lowell, who was graduated the electrical department of the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTT 323
is assistant superintendent of the electrical department of the Allis- Chalmers works, Milwaukee, Wis. ; and Carmen A., who is the wife of Alfred Tingle, now operating the dairy farm in Jefferson Township.
On May 2, 1915, Mr. Charles A. Fyke was married to Julia B. Roys, who was a schoolmate of his at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Fyke are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a steward and a member of its official board. He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi Greek letter fraternity. In politics he is a repub- lican. Although he no longer operates his farm of eighty-one acres in Jefferson Township, which is being conducted by his son-in-law, he still owns it.
Mrs. Fyke was born at Belleville on September 24, 1857, was reared at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is a highly cultivated lady. Both she and Mr. Fyke stand very high in their community, and their many excellent characteristics are recognized and appreciated by those with whom they are brought into contact.
George W. Weidner, of Kunkle, has been for seventeen years cashier of one of the most nourishing financial institutions for a com- munity of its size in Williams County. It is the ambition of many men to be manipulating the affairs of some great metropolitan bank, but if they fully realized what a splendid field there is for sound business and financial ability in the smaller agricultural centers, they would profit greatly. While Mr. Weidner might have succeeded as fully in one of the large cities as he has at Kunkle, he had the good sense to avoid the overcrowded metropolises and establish a house in a quieter community, which is a great credit to his judgment and ability and to the village where he is so highly honored.
Mr. Weidner was born on a farm in Madison Township, Williams County, Ohio, March 21, 1870, a son of Philip and Catherine (Strong) Weidner, natives of Richland County, Ohio, where the former was born August 23, 1840, and the latter on June 25, 1846, both parents still surviving. Philip Weidner left the farm in 1875 and came to Kunkle, where he established himself in business as a merchant and still maintains his business house, one of the oldest in the village, and an institution the conduct of which has always been characterized by a policy of strict integrity and fair and honest representation. He was the first postmaster of Kunkle and has given his aid to every forward movement, combining the qualities of merchant and citizen into a force for good that is well worthy of emulation. Mr. Weidner is at present president of the Bank of Kunkle. He and Mrs. Weidner are the parents of three children : George W., Homer F., who is man-
324 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
aging the store of Jiis father; and Laura, the widow of John Hollstein.
George W. Kunkle was five years of age when brought from the farm to Kunkle, and here he was reared to manhood and secured his educational training in the public schools. He received his introduc- tion to business methods in his father's establishment, and when he was admitted to partnership the business assumed the style of P. Weid- ner Company, a concern in which Mr. Weidner still has an interest. He gave his complete attention to that business until 1903, in which year he became the founder of the State Bank of Kunkle, of which he was the first and has been the only cashier, the other officials being: Philip Weidner, president; Joseph P. Arnold and J. C. Kunkle, vice presidents ; and the foregoing gentlemen and H. F. Weidner, L. P. Wirtz and W. S. Clark, board of directors. Mr. Weidner has various other interests and is a stockholder in the poultry enterprise at Edon. He is actively identified with the Masonic fraternity, as a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons, and has been unswervingly attached to republicanism. Since early manhood he has been foremost in the public enterprises which have proved advantageous to his home locality, and is generally one of the most influential men in this section of Williams County.
Mr. Weidner was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Conley, of Kunkle, and to this union there was born one daughter, Margaret Conley, a graduate of the Kunkle High School, who is now the wife of George R. Daso. Mrs. Weidner died in 1892, and Mr. Weidner married Miss Jennie A. Greek, of this city, they having one daughter: Andea, a graduate of Tri-State College, of Angola, Indiana, who taught school for four and one-half terms. The second Mrs. Weidnet died in 1907, and Mr. Weidner married Miss Grace Hostetter. Mr. Weidner has four grandchildren, who were born to Mr. and Mrs. Daso.
Martin W. Varner. — Williams County is rapidly taking rank •among the most progressive farming sections of Ohio, now progres- sive not only in the technical processes involved in modern agriculture but also in point of good citizenship. One of the men who have con- tributed toward its record in the past decade is Martin W. Varner, owner of Liberty Farm in Florence Township. Liberty Farm, a highly cultivated place of a hundred acres, is located near West Edon.
Its owner was born April 24, 1877, in Putnam County, Ohio, son of Isaiah and Fannie (Landas) Varner. His parents grew up in the same community in Putnam County. Isaiah Varner was in the Civil
MR. AND MRS. MARTIN W. VARN1 AND DAUGHTER MARGARET M.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 325
war, served all through the Union army, and was once wounded. In politics he is a staunch republican, affiliated with the Masonic lodge, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of ten children, eight are still living, the only one in Williams County being Martin W. The others are Maggie, Charles, Jacob, Jerry, Curtis E., Grace and Chester E.
Martin W. Varner spent his early life on the old farm in Putnam County and made good use of his advantages in the common schools. He was married in 1906, and the following year moved to DeKalb County, Indiana. That was his home until 1912, when he bought Liberty Farm in Williams County, and in the past eight years he has done a great deal of development and improvement, making his farm a source of profit and one of the real homes of the county. While a general farmer Mr. Varner has given much attention to livestock, and is also one of the specialty crop men in this section of Williams County, his specialties being onions and potatoes. In the season of 1920 he had fifteen acres planted to onions, and two acres in potatoes.
Mr. Varner votes as a republican and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edon. Life's heaviest cross to him, and a great loss to the community as well, came with the death of his good wife and the companion of his youth, on May 2, 1920. They were married March 11, 1906. Mrs. Varner's maiden name was Myrtle S. Shafer, and she was born in Putnam County, April 16, 1889, a daughter of Samuel and Salome Shafer. Mrs. Varner by her work and counsel had contributed a great deal to the success she and her husband enjoyed. She was a devout Christian, and during the World war she covered her section of the county in Red Cross and other war causes. Her plans and thoughts revolved about doing good and help- ing others. She was a wonderful housekeeper and many of her friends learned to appreciate her efficiency in the home and the quality of her hospitality. Mrs. Varner is survived by two children: Margaret M., born May 7, 1908, and Paul D.. born November 1, 1910. The inspira- tion flowing from the unselfish love and devotion of the good mother continue to uphold the father and children as they face the tasks and responsibilities of life.
John A. Ehrmix.— A man of integrity and worth, John A. Ehrmin has been an active factor in advancing the agricultural interests of Springfield Township, his farm, lying two miles south and six miles east of Bryan, being well improved and under a good state of culture. A native of Virginia, he was born July 13, 1856, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where his early life was spent.
326 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Elijah Ehrmin, his father, was a life-long resident of Rockingham County, Virginia, and his wife, whose maiden name was Justine Sand- ridge, was born and reared in Albemarle County, Virginia, but spent the later years of her life in Rockingham County. She was a member of the Dunkard Church, with which she united when young, and he was a staunch democrat in politics. Of the eight children born of their union, six are living in 1919, as follows : Rebecca, Virginia, Kate, Mary, Benjamin S. and John A.
Brought up and educated in Virginia, John A. Ehrmin decided in early manhood to seek his fortune in some other locality and having made his way to Ohio located on a farm in Defiance County. Subse- quently settling in Williams County, he bought land in Springfield Township, as above stated, and in its management has been quite successful.
Mr. Ehrmin has been twice married. He married first, in Defiance County, Clarissa A. Hall, who was born in Tiffin Township, that county, and died on the home farm, in Springfield Township, March 22, 1887, leaving three children, namely: George A., of Toledo, Ohio; Gertrude M., wife of Joseph Clark ; and Nellie V., wife of Thomas Daft. Mr. Ehrmin married for his second wife, March 23, 1888, Mary Harsch, of Fulton County, Ohio, who was born in 1856, on Kellys Island in Lake Erie. Six children have blessed their union, namely: Luella J., wife of Earl Peugeot; Wyatt and Willou, twins, the latter having died in infancy ; Wyatt, now serving as postmaster at Stryker, Ohio, married Virgie Radabaugh; Victor V., of Stryker, married Catherine Spindler ; and Lloyd and Floyd, twins. Enlisting in the World war, Victor went overseas and served in France for eighteen months ; while Lloyd was stationed at Camp Sherman and Camp Harrison. Lloyd married Beatrice Garber, and they have one child. Floyd married Nora (Thiel) Stratton, whose husband was killed overseas. Politically, Mr. Ehrmin is a consistent democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of of Evansport Lodge No. 511, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star.
J. A. Reagle. — In touching upon the life history of J. A. Reagle, well-known citizen of Pulaski Township, the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise, yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life — a life characterized by perseverance, energy and well-defined purpose. To do this, will be but to reiterate
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 327
the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.
J. A. Reagle, who, in association with W. R. Cotterman, owns the Lick Creek farm in Pulaski Township, Williams County, was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1848, and is the son of John and Emily (Houser) Reagle, both of whom also were born and reared in the same county. After their marriage, they located on a farm in their native county, where they remained for a time, but in 1853 he came to Williams County, Ohio, and bought the land on which the subject now lives. In the following year John Reagle brought his family to their new home and here they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1894 and the mother in 1909. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bryan and were active in its work. The father gave his political sup- port to the republican party. To him and his wife were born six children, of which number two are now living, William, of Bryan, and J. A., the immediate subject of this sketch.
J. A. Reagle was about six years of age when his parents brought their family to their new home in Williams County and here he was reared and secured his education in the district schools and the public schools of Bryan. He remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he bought a farm east of Bryan, on which he lived for a number of years and which he brought up to a fine state of cultivation and improvement. After the death of his mother, Mr. Reagle sold that farm and bought the old homestead, on which he now lives. It is a fine, well-located farm and is numbered among the most productive farms in this section of Williams County. Mr. Reagle is assisted in the management and operation of the farm by his son- in-law, W. R. Cotterman, who, too, is an able and successful farmer.
Politically, Mr. Reagle is an ardent supporter of the republican party and takes a keen interest in every movement having for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bryan.
On June 17, 1875, Mr. Reagle was married to Emily C. Frank and to them has been born a daughter, Carrie, who was married on December 21, 1899, to W. R. Cotterman, who was born in Defiance County, Ohio. To the latter union have been born three children: Mildred, Raymond and Harold, the first named being a graduate of the Bryan High School. All the members of this family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bryan. In addition to their
328 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
farm interests, Messrs. Reagle and Cotterman are stockholders in the Farmers' Grain Elevator Company at Bryan. They are good busi- ness men, hustlers in every undertaking to which they address them- selves and deserve the high standing which they enjoy among their fellow men.
George H. Howard. — An active, enterprising and successful busi- ness man of Edgerton, Williams County, George H. Howard, of the well-known firm of Howard Brothers, has been identified with the automobile industry since 1909, when the firm established the first garage in this city. A native of New York State, he was born, August 4, 1874, in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, where he spent his childhood days.
His father, the late Charles W. Howard, was born in Schoharie County, New York. Learning the shoemaker's trade when young, he followed it for awhile, and then embarked in business as a manufac- turer. Coming with his family to Edgerton, Ohio, in 1888, he took employment with the Briggs Basket Company. He married Sarah Hurd, a native of the Empire State, and to them four children were born, as follows: William C, with the Auburn Auto Company, at Auburn, Indiana; George H., the subject of this sketch; Roy, of the firm of Howard Brothers, at Edgerton ; and Glenn, with the Auburn Auto Company, in Auburn, Indiana.
Coming with his parents to Edgerton as a lad of fourteen years, George H. Howard completed the course of study in the public schools, and when old enough to become a wage earner began work for the Briggs Basket Company and was afterwards employed in a drug store at Edgerton, Ohio, and Spencerville, Indiana. In 1901 Mr. How- ard and his brother Roy purchased the hardware establishment of Lewis Gebhard and continued the business under the firm name of Howard Brothers. In 1908 this enterprising firm embarked in the automobile business, establishing a garage, and met with such decided success in the venture that in 1916 Messrs. Howard erected their present fine garage, and are carrying on business on a much more extensive scale.
Mr. Howard married, in 1905, Pearl Wines, and into their house- hold four children have made their advent, namely : Opal, Clyde, Owen and Florence. Mr. Howard is independent in politics and has served as a member of the city council one term. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 329
thirty-second degree, and Mrs. Howard is worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which they both belong. Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Howard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John R. Martin. — The business career of John R. Martin, the well-known and successful farmer of Superior Township, is one that should encourage others to press on to greater achievements, for when a boy he set to work to overcome all difficulties that might lay in his path to success, and the high standing which he now enjoys is the result. Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, a laudable ambition and good management are the elements by which he has gained his present excellent standing. Mr. Martin is the owner of two excellent farms in Superior Township, the "Evergreen Farm," consisting of eighty acres, and "Maple Lawn Farm," comprising sixty acres. He is a native son of Ohio, having been born in Wyandot County, on September 9, 1863, and is a son of Matthew and Sarah (Miller) Martin. The father was a native of Maryland and the mother of Pennsylvania. Their marriage occurred in the latter state and soon afterward they came to Wyandot County, Ohio, settling on a farm, where they spent a number of years. They then moved to Hillsdale County, Michigan, where they remained until advanced ages, when they moved to Waldron, where their deaths occurred. They were faithful members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Martin was an active supporter of the democratic party. Of the eight chil- dren born to their union, seven are living, namely : Elizabeth, the widow of Charles Sebring, lives in The Dalles, Washington : John R., the subject of this sketch; Hiram, who lives in Michigan; Luther, also of Michigan; Deel, the widow of Charles Kinkaid ; Edith, the wife of Colonel Coskins, of Fayette, Ohio ; Grace, the wife of Lewis Haues, of Fayette, Ohio.
John R. Martin accompanied his parents on their removal to Hills- dale County, Michigan, and there he attended the district schools. From the age of sixteen years he practically made his own way, work- ing by the month on farms and securing a practical knowledge of farming and of business methods. After his marriage, which occurred in 1885, he came to Montpelier, Ohio, where he became section fore- man on the Wabash Railroad, holding that position for sixteen years. He then bought forty acres of land in Superior Township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself. He was successful in his financial affairs and at length was enabled to add
330 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
twenty acres more. Finally he bought the eighty-acre tract where he now lives and ever since has operated both farms. These places are well improved and very productive, their appearance reflecting credit on their owner. He carries on a general line of farming, and also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in both of which lines he has met with excellent success.
Mr. Martin was married on March 14, 1885, to Matilda Lantz, who was born in Bridgewater Township, Williams County, where she attended the common schools. They are the parents of one son, T. E., born on December 22, 1886, who attended the district schools. He was married to Helen Reese and they have a son. Mr. Martin has not only been active in his own affairs, but has also been deeply interested in the advancement of the general agricultural interests of the county. He organized the Montpelier Grange, of which he was master for four years, and is also master of the Williams County Pomona, con- sisting of the twelve subordinate Granges. He is also a member of the Superior Farmers' Co-operative Association. In political affairs he takes an independent attitude, reserving the right to vote for the men and measures which meet with his approval, regardless of party lines. He is a fine type of the sturdy, conscientious, progressive Amer- ican of today, doing thoroughly and well the work that he finds to do and asking praise of no man for the performance of what he conceives to be his simple duty.
Homer H. Patton, M. D— The subject of this sketch has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In addi- ' tion to his creditable career in one of the most useful and exacting of professions, he has proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public and earning a repu- tation as a public spirited and enterprising citizen.
Homer H. Patton, a successful and well-known physician and surgeon at Montpelier, Ohio, was born at Crown Point, Indiana, on December 24, 1871, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (McHenry) Patton, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the father having been born in Trumbull County in 1842 and the mother in Holmes County on January 20, 1840. The latter came to Williams County with her parents when about fourteen years of age, the family settling about
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 331
six miles southwest of Montpelier. Her marriage to Henry Patton occurred in June, 1869, and they then moved to Indiana, settling near Crown Point. There Henry Patton engaged in farming, and also did a large business as a jobber in cattle, selling his beef to Philip Armour when he was engaged in the retail trade. Mr. Patton died in July, 1877, and his widow then sold the farm and returned to Williams County, making her home with Eli McHenry, her father. She is still living. To Henry and Sarah Patton four children were born, of whom three are still living, namely: Homer H., the subject of this sketch; Delia, the wife of H. J. Brannan, who lives three miles southwest of Montpelier: Thomas R., a druggist in Montpelier.
Homer H. Patton was reared to manhood on a farm southwest of Montpelier and secured his elemental education, first in the district schools and finishing in the Montpelier High School. He then became a teacher in the public schools of Williams County, following that vocation for three years. In 1897, having determined to devote his life to the practice of medicine, he matriculated in the Michigan Col- lege of Medicine, at Detroit, where he was graduated in 1901 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He first located for the practice of his profession at Britton, Michigan, but three years later he went to California for the benefit of his health. Subsequently, having regained his health he returned east and located at Scotts, Michigan, where he practiced four years, and in 1909 he came to Montpelier and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession here. Doctor Patton stands admittedly in the front ranks of Williams County's professional men, possessing a thoroughly disciplined mind and keeping in close touch with the trend of modern thought relating to the calling to which his life and energies have been devoted, and he enjoys a large and remunerative practice throughout this section of the county. The doctor is a member of the Williams County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
Doctor Patton was married to Nellie Welhaur, of London, Eng- land, where she was reared and educated. She is a member of the Episcopal Church, while the doctor attends the Presbyterian Church, of which he is one of the trustees. Politically, he is a democrat and has been active in local public affairs, having served as mayor of Montpelier and four years as a member of the village council. Fra- ternally, he is a member of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Chapter and Council of that order. In the life history of Doctor Patton are found evidences
332 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
of characteristics that always make for achievement — intelligence, sound judgment and lofty traits — and as the result of suck a life he has become one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of his community.
Carleton S. Roe. — The story of the Bryan Press, which was established half a dozen years before the beginning of the Civil war and is one of the oldest newspapers in Northwestern Ohio, has been fully told in the history of newspapers elsewhere in this publication. This is a brief sketch of its editor and publisher, Carleton S. Roe.
Mr. Roe was born June 27, 1864, son of William M. and Harriet E. (Whitman) Roe. Through his father he is of English ancestry and through his mother, Holland Dutch. William M. Roe was born near South Bend, Indiana, in 1830, and spent the greater part of his life as a minister of the Gospel. He died December 3, 1919. The mother, who was born in Mentor, Ohio, in 1833, is now living at Buchanan, Michigan.
During a portion of his boyhood Carleton S. Roe lived in Southern Michigan, attended high school at Dowagiac, and in 1884 went to Ohio, where he read law, being admitted to the bar in 1888. However, in the following year he entered the newspaper business, and that has been his real profession ever since. Mr. Roe is a republican in politics, is affiliated with the Masonic Order, and both individually and as a newspaper man has endeavored to do his bit as a good citizen of Bryan and Williams County.
In October, 1888, he married Harriet H. Moore. They have two children, James M., born in 1890, now associated with his father in the newspaper business, and Marjorie, born in 1892, wife of Lane R. Scott of Bryan.
Charles W. Johnson. — While Charles W. Johnson of Superior Township still owns farm land in Florence Township where he was born, February 17, 1865, he is a stockholder and officially connected with a number of business institutions in Williams County. He is a son of Simeon and Diana (Stelts) Johnson, the parents having come from Columbiana to Williams County many years ago. Mr. Johnson has one brother, Emery O. Johnson of Montpelier.
Mr. Johnson was brought up on a farm in Florence Township and had common school advantages there. In 1895 he married Lillie Burns, who was born in Center Township, Williams County. She is a daughter of Allen Burns. They began life on a farm in Florence
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 333
Township and he made his money in handling livestock. He now owns almost 500 acres of farm land in Williams County. He is vice president and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants State and Savings Bank of Montpelier, and president of the Farmers Banking Company of Columbia in Northwest Town- ship and he is also a stockholder in the Montpelier National Bank. While Mr. Johnson has both farm and business interests, he prefers living in the country.
W. W. Benner, who is now living in well earned retirement at Bryan, gave many years of constructive effort in connection with agricultural and live-stock industry in Williams County and his civic loyalty and liberality were recognized in his election to the office of county commissioner, in which his service fully justified the popular confidence and esteem thus reposed in him.
Mr. Benner was born in the adjacent county of Defiance, October 4, 1861, and is one of the four surviving children of George W. and Jemima (Porter) Benner. Of the other three children it may be recotded that Clara is the wife of Delbert Woodcoc. of Defiance; Emma is the wife of Lewis Motter, of Ney. Defiance County ; and George is foreman in an automobile factory at Detroit, Michigan. The father was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 18, 1836, and his wife was born in Defiance County, where their marriage was solemnized, and where they continued to reside on their well improved farm until 1905, when they retired, after many years of earnest and fruitful endeavor, and established their residence at Bryan, Williams County, their present place of abode, both being earnest members of the Church of God. The father is a staunch democrat in politics, and has long maintained affiliation with the Masonic fraternity.
W. W. Benner passed the period of his childhood and youth on the old homestead farm in Washington Township, Defiance County, and in the meanwhile he profited duly by the advantages afforded in the district schools. He continued to be associated with the work and management of his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, when he took unto himself a wife, and prepared to establish a home of his own. His available cash capital was represented in the sum of seventy-five dollars, and after he had purchased furniture and other household effects for his modest home he found his capital reduced to less than three dollars. He had full appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor and he and his young wife faced the future with utmost confidence and courage. For a
334 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
time he worked at the carpenter's trade and he then established himself on a farm in Tiffin Township, Williams County, where, as a renter of the place, he continued his agricultural activities one year. At this juncture came to him a great loss and bereavement, in the death of his devoted wife, in 1883, and with his two little motherless children he repaired to the home of his parents, where he provided a woman to care for the children and where he himself remained until August of that year, when he went to the state of Kansas. He returned to the parental home November 8 of the same year, and soon afterward became a clerk in a hardware store at Evansport, Defiance County. In the following January he contracted a second marriage and in the spring of that year he and his wife established their home on a farm in Williams County, his elder child being taken into their home and being given a mother's care by his second wife, while the younger child remained with the paternal grandparents. Within a short time Mr. Benner purchased fifty acres of land, in Washington Township, Defiance County, and in this connection he assumed an appreciable indebtedness. He remained on this farm until the autumn of 1887, when he sold the property and, for a consideration of $3,000, pur- chased a farm of sixty acres in Pulaski Township, Williams County. This continued the stage of his vigorous and successful farm opera- tions until 1891, when he sold the property to advantage and purchased a place of 160 acres, in Pulaski Township. He paid for this property at the rate of sixty dollars an acre and assumed indebtedness for the greater part of the purchase price. He made excellent improvements on this farm and after selling it he purchased the 100 acres south of Bryan, where he continued to reside until he again found it profita- ble to sell out. At this juncture he purchased a place of eighty acres, one mile south of Bryan, and there he continued his enterprising activi- ties as an agriculturist and stock-grower until his election to the office of county commissioner, when he removed to Bryan, the county seat. After serving one term in this office Mr. Benner was for three years engaged in the grocery business at Bryan, and since disposing of his store and business, he has here lived virtually retired. He is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Association of Williams County and in addition to the modern residence which he erected and occupies at
335 North Main street, he is the owner of a business building on West Butler Street. Though he is a democrat in politics Mr. Benner was elected county commissioner in a strong republican county, which fact testified to his popularity in Willams County. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the United Brethren Church.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 335
October 4, 1881, recorded the marriage of Mr. Benner to Miss Laura Moon, and she died in March, 1883, as previously noted in this review. Of the two children of this union, the elder is Grace, who is now the wife of John Elliott, and Maude is the wife of Lorin Herri- man. In 1884 Mr. Benner wedded Miss Izora Beerbower, of Williams County, and she passed to the life eternal June 12, 1914, being sur- vived by three sons : Harold, a graduate of the Bryan High School, is now married and is one of the progressive young farmers of Wil- liams County ; Creston and his wife are now residents of Hillsdale, Michigan ; and Paul and his wife own and reside upon one of the excellent farms of Williams County. The third marriage of Mr. Ben- ner was with Mrs. Anna Smith, whom he wedded in 1915, and her death occurred July 2, 1919.
Alfred F. Besancon. — Individual enterprise, which is the just boast of the people of Ohio, is forcefully exhibited in the career of Alfred F. Besancon, one of the substantial farmers of Pulaski Town- ship. He is a worthy representative of one of the old and highly honored families of this county, and he has so ordered his life as to win and retain the sincere respect of all who know him. Mr. Besancon, whose fine farm of eighty acres is located in section 12 of Pulaski Township, about four and a half miles east of Bryan, was born in this township on May 29, 1877, and is the son of Frederick and Catherine (Forderyea) Besancon. These parents were both born and reared in France, whence, after their marriage, they came to the United States, locating on the farm in Williams County, Ohio, now owned and occupied by their son, the subject of this sketch. Here they lived the remainder of their lives and both are now deceased, the father dying in 1907. They were members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Besan- con gave his political support to the republican party. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Abel, of Bryan, Ohio; Florence, the widow of Levi Lewis ; Alice, the wife of Henry Shook, of Pulaski Township; Blanche, the wife of Cash Martin; Alfred F., the subject of this sketch, and Emma and Domatel, both of whom are deceased.
Alfred F. Besancon was reared on the paternal farmstead in Pulaski Township and attended the schools of that neighborhood. He remained at home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred in 1905, when he started farming operations on his own account. His total cash capital at that time was only $100, but he went to work with the determination to succeed, and that he has been successful in his efforts is attested in no uncertain way by the splendid farm which
336 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
is now his and from which he derives a very comfortable income. He owns eighty acres of excellent land, which he operates with sound judgment and discriminating care and, being also a good business manager, he has risen to an enviable position among his fellow agri- culturists of the western end of the county.
On December 15, 1905, Mr. Besancon was married to Dessie Rosendaul, who was born in Pulaski Township on September 13, 1885, and educated in the common schools of that locality. Her parents are Benjamin and Sarah (Crawford) Rosendaul, the former born in Columbiana County, Ohio, on May 28, 1837, and the latter born in Pennsylvania on June 16, 1847. To the union of the subject and wife was born one child, Avis M., on July 13, 1917. Mrs. Besancon is a member of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically, Mr. Besancon gives his support to the republican party. He is intensely public spirited in his attitude towards all movements for the advancement of the public welfare. He has given financial support to worthy local interests, being a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator at Pulaski. He is active and energetic in all his affairs, and as a general farmer and stock raiser he is practical and up-to-date. His property is well improved and very attractive in appearance. Because of his progressive and enterprising spirit and his sterling per- sonal character, he is deservedly held in high esteem throughout the community.
Franklin A. Reynolds. — One of the responsible and successful farmers of Mill Creek Township, is Franklin A. Reynolds, who is living on his valuable property in section 15, and he was born on this farm. The date of his birth is May 13, 1855, and he is a son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Dimond) Reynolds. Benjamin Reynolds was born in Washington County, Maryland, and his wife was also born in that same county, and there they were reared and married, almost immediately thereafter coming to Richland County, Ohio. After eight years spent in that county they came to Williams County, Ohio, settling on the farm now owned by their son, Franklin A. Rey- nolds, and here they spent the rest of their lives. The winter previous to their migration, Mr. Reynolds had come to Williams County, and after looking things over, bought the farm. It had five acres cleared and on it was a log cabin which served the family for a home until something better could be put up. Before he died Mr. Reynolds had cleared off nearly all of it, and died the owner of 120 acres. He and his wife were church members, and kindly, Christian people. In
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 337
politics he was a republican. They had eleven children, four of whom survive, namely: Jacob, who lives at Fayette, Ohio; Mary, who is the wife of John Martin, lives in Michigan ; Henry L., who is a farmer of Mill Creek Township ; and Franklin A., who is the youngest.
Franklin A. Reynolds was brought up on the homestead and like the other boys of the neighborhood, attended the district schools during the winters and worked on the farm in the summers. On May 18, 1876, Mr. Reynolds was married to Sarah A. Held, born in Richland County, Ohio, on September 26, 1853, and the subsequent year was brought to Williams County, and was reared here and sent to the district schools. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds began conducting the homestead, and have always lived on it ever since. Their children are as follows : Lewis Mervin, who is a farmer of Fulton County, Ohio, married Cora Zolman ; Effie, who is the wife of Winfred Towne, lives in Michigan ; Charles, who is a farmer of Mill Creek Township, married Eulalie Hutcheson ; and Robert Earl, who married Bonnie Dohm, is a farmer of Mill Creek Township. There are five grandchildren in the family. Mr. Reynolds has 206 acres in his farm and also owns 160 acres of land in Michigan, and is a gen- eral farmer and stockraiser, his homestead showing that he thoroughly understands his business and how to make his efforts yield him a fair compensation for his investment of time and money. In politics he is a republican and he belongs to the school board. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Reynolds has branched out somewhat and owns a modern outfit for raising barns and does all of this kind of work for miles around. While he and Mrs. Reynolds have not definitely connected themselves with any church, they were brought up in reli- gious homes, Mrs. Reynolds' parents being devout members of the Mennonite faith. Mr. Reynolds is a man of broad mind and sober judgment and his advice is often sought upon matters pertaining to agricultural development.
Roger Essi. — The Syrian name Essi has been known in the annals of Bryan and community since 1894, when Assid Essi located in Bryan. His death on June 6, 1920, leaves Roger Essi as the recognized business representative of the family. He is a native of Bryan.
While Mr. Essi and his wife were both Syrian born, they did not know each other in that country. They were born at Mount Lebanon, Syria, in the empire of Turkey. In 1888 Mr. Essi came alone to the United States. Since that time he had known very little of his country- men in Syria. He was a son of Charles and Helen Essi, and they died
338 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
before he left that country. A brother, Charles Essi, later came to America, but he soon returned to Syria. Two sisters, Fannie and Martha always lived there. A cousin, Abdo Essi, lives in Oak Harbor, Ohio. A nephew, Farris Essi and his sisters, Schanes and Atour, also live in this country. They were all in Bryan at the funeral service of Assid Essi. There are no other relatives in America.
Nemer Etoll accompanied by a sister, Minnie Etoll, came from Syria to the United States in 1890, and in Cleveland Mr. Etoll joined Mr. Essi in the fruit business, and the business arrangement continued there and later in Toledo and finally in Bryan, where they were many years in business together. On September 1, 1892, Assid Essi married Minnie Etoll, and while living in Toledo a daughter, Phoebe, was born to them. Mrs. Essi is a daughter of Azor and Sarah Etoll, who always lived in Syria. Beside Nemer Etoll with whom Mrs. Essi came to the United States, she has a brother, Thomas Etoll in Troy, N. Y., Wahda Etoll in Archbold, and two sisters, Magel in Edon and Wanda in Milwaukee. The home of Mr. Essi and his wife in Syria is about fifty miles from Damascus, the oldest city in the world.
When Mr. and Mrs. Essi came to Bryan they had one child, and the children born in Bryan are: Roger, Isaac, Julia, Thomas, Adelle, Margaret, Philip and Helen. When Essi and Etoll dissolved their business relation, Mr. Essi bought the property now occupied by the Bryan Ice Cream Parlor, and just six years from the day of the formal business opening of this place occurred the death of Mr. Essi. For some years failing health had detained him from active business and his son, Roger, has represented him.
Phoebe Essi is a graduate from the Lucas County Hospital as a nurse, and she is in the employ of the City of Toledo in the depart- ment of Public Health and Welfare. Julia is a graduate of the Ft. Wayne Business College and holds a responsible position as stenographer in Bryan. Roger and the brothers are known to the community in connection with the Bryan Ice Cream Parlor. All the Essi children have received common school advan- tages in Bryan. While the parents have always spoken the Syrian tongue in the home and the children all understand it, none of them but Roger speak it. They all learned English in the public schools, and while their mother understands it, she speaks the Syrian language to them.
Assid Essi became a full fledged American citizen, July 12, 1900, and from that time on he and his family have been entitled to all of the rights and privileges of a naturalized citizen. Mr. Essi secured
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 339
his naturalization papers through the Williams County courts, the cer- tificate issued to him saying that he was a native of the empire of Turkey, and that he had in all respects complied with the laws of the United States relating to the naturalization of aliens. He declared on his oath before said court that he would support the Constitution of the United States. In this oath Mr. Essi renounced all relation to any foreign Prince, Potentate or Sovereignty, and particularly to Abdul Hamid, the Sultan of the Empire of Turkey.
Mr. Essi cast his first vote in the presidential election in 1900, voting with the republican party and aiding in the election of the lamented William McKinley. The family are communicants in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and Mr. Essi lies buried in Fountain Grove Cemetery. His death caused the first vacant chair in the house- hold. The residence property on North Portland Street and the business property left to the family had been accumulated by strict economy and close application to business since the family located in Bryan. The Essi children know no other home or country. They are American citizens.
A. F. Norris. — In the thriving and enterprising little city of Pio- neer, Ohio, a citizen whose name is associated with honorable business dealings and substantial public service is A. F. Norris, justice of the peace. For many years Mr. Norris has contributed of his abilities in maintaining civic law and order in his community, while as a real estate and insurance man he has identified himself with legitimate transactions of importance. He is a native of his present place of residence, born August 12, 1858, a son of Col. P. W. and Jane K. (Cottrell) Norris.
P. W. Norris was born at Palmyra, New York, August 17, 1821, and as a young man went to Fulton County, Ohio, where he married Miss Cottrell, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1824. About the year 1843 this young couple started overland into the undeveloped country of Madison Township, Williams County, Mr. Norris cutting the road and his bride driving the ox-team. Finally they reached their destination, which was in the heart of the forest, and there Mr. Norris built the first cabin to be erected in this vicinity. He served as agent for eastern land interests, a capacity in which he sold numerous farms, and in the meantime continued to develop his own property. Likewise he became one of the prominent and influential men of his community and was one of the early representatives of Williams County in the Ohio Legislature. When the Civil war came on he offered his services to the Union, was accepted, and served
340 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
four years, during which time he rose to the rank of colonel. Returning to his Williams County home, he remained here until 1866, when he went to Detroit and purchased 1,900 acres in a 10,000-acre tract of land, starting a town named Norris which is now a part of the City of Detroit. Mr. Norris lived there until 1873, when he went to the West, and in 1875 was appointed the first superintendent of Yellowstone Park. After the assassination of President Garfield, he was replaced in That post and went to Kentucky, where his death occurred while he was still in the employ of the United States Government. He was a stanch repub- lican in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Norris were the parents of six children, of whom three are living : E. A., a resident of Joplin, Missouri ; Aurelia A., the wife of William Ennis, of Detroit, Michigan; and A. F.
A. F. Norris was reared at Pioneer until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he accompanied his father to the West, subsequently returning to this locality, where he was variously employed for a time. Eventually he embarked in the real estate and insurance business, which he has followed ever since, and making a specialty of collec- tions. He has built up a good business and is highly considered by his associates and acquaintances. Mr. Norris allies himself with the republican party, and has been active in civic affairs. At present he is serving efficiently as justice of the peace, and in former years was deputy under seven different sheriffs of Williams County, including Bert Annis and Charles Graham. He is a past master of Pioneer Lodge No. 441, Free and Acccepted Masons and his religious connec- tion is with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1882 Mr. Norris was married at Romeo, Michigan, to Ida M. Tuckburry, and they lived at that place until 1897, when they came to Pioneer. Five sons were born to this union : Archie C, color sergeant of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Field Artillery during the great World war, who was at the front for eighteen months, during which time he was wounded twelve times, gassed, and gunshocked, now a resident of Waco. Texas; Dr. Ralph A., a graduate of the Homeo- pathic Medical College of Detroit, who as a member of the United States Army Medical Corps was stationed at Battle Creek, Michigan, during the period of the war, and is now engaged in practice as a physician and surgeon at Detroit ; Walter R., of Pioneer, Ohio ; E. A. and H. T., who live at Detroit. Archie C. and Dr. Ralph A. Norris are thirty-second degree Masons, and Walter R. is a member of the Blue Lodge of Masonry.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 341
Christ L. Scott.— The gentleman, a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed, is among the favorably known and representative citizens of this section of Ohio, where he has spent practically his entire life. He has by his indomitable enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality and during the course of an honorable career has met with success as a general farmer and stock raiser, being a man of energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose.
Christ L. Scott, whose splendid farm of 120 acres is located in Superior Township, three miles west and one-half mile north of Montpelier, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on August 15, 1860, and is the son of Solomon and Rosanna (Lutz) Scott. Both of these parents were born in Pennsylvania, whence they came to Crawford County, Ohio, where they were married and settled on a farm. In 1862 they came to Williams County, settling on farming land in Florence Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Solomon Scott was a republican in his political faith and stood high in the esteem oKthe communities where he lived. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of which number eight are living, namely: Amelia, the wife of Cyrenius Dowling; Jane, the widow of George Knecht ; Laura, the widow of Jonas Anspaugh ; Ellen, the wife of Chauncey Motherman ; Harriett, the wife of Henry Alleman ; John, of Florence Township; Christ L„ the subject of this sketch, "and Amanda, the wife of Joseph Anspaugh.
Christ L. Scott was but one year of age when his parents brought their family to Williams County and he was reared on the parental farmstead in Florence Township, securing his education in the district schools and remaining at home until his marriage. They then estab- lished their home on the old Scott farm, where they remained for five years, when he bought 120 acres of land in Superior Township, where he now lives. The place is well improved and under Mr. Scott's able direction it has always been a very productive farm. He devoted himself to its cultivation until 1917, when he moved to Montpelier, but in March, 1919, he again took up his residence on the farm. In the meantime he had secured a splendid residence in Montpelier, which he still owns. He has always carried on general farming opera- tions, in connection with which due attention was given to the raising of livestock. Success attended his efforts and the prosperity which he enjoys has been honestly earned solely by his own efforts.
342 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
On May 25, 1883, Mr. Scott was married to Mary M. McElhenie, who was born in Steuben County, Indiana, on February 8, 1866, the daughter of Thomas and Christena E. (Shook) McElhenie, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. This union was blessed in the birth of four children, namely: Pearl B., who is a gradu- ate of the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana, was engaged as a teacher in the public schools for nine years, and is now the wife of Howard L. Haney, of Ada, Ohio; Harvey, who was married to Clara Henry ; Zada, who graduated from the Montpelier High School, became the wife of M. M. Frizbie and she is deceased; Lula F., who completed the common school course, died aged eighteen years.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the United Brethren Church at Montpelier, in which they take an active interest. In his political views Mr. Scott is an earnest republican and has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, having rendered appreciated service for seven years as a member of the school board. A man of keen discernment, sound judgment and integrity of character, he has long held the confi- dence and esteem of all who know him.
Aaron C. Brown. — Aaron C. Brown has passed the psalmist's span of threescore years and he has been a resident of Williams County since he was a youth of twenty years. He long held prestige as one of the vigorous and successful exponents of farm enterprise in the county, and though he is now living retired, he still remains on his well improved homestead farm on the south line of Williams County in Pulaski Township. He has not only contributed his share to the industrial progress of Williams County but has won the prosperity that is the fitting reward for years of earnest and. honest endeavor. He is a younger brother of Eli Brown, another of the patriarchal citizens of the county and of the latter personal mention is made else- where in this volume.
Aaron C. Brown was born in Hancock County, this state, Jan- uary 7, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Catherine (Keller) Brown, whose marriage occurred in Hancock County and who passed the closing years of their lives in Williams County, the father having been born in Richland County, Ohio, and the mother, who was born in Europe, having been young when she came to the United States. Both were devout members of the Dunkard Church and ordered their lives in accord with the simple and the noble faith which they thus professed.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 343
As previously stated, Aaron C. Brown was twenty years of age when he came to Williams County, and here the long intervening years have been marked by his successful association with agricultural industry. He is loyal to all civic duties and responsibilities and gives his allegience to the republican party. The maiden name of his wife was Celestia Sherky, and they have four children: Monford L. is a resident of Dallas, Texas ; F. M. resides in the state of Michigan ; Bliss maintains his home in California and Robert S. resides in Texas.
Frank Lantz. — Agricultural land is the foundation of all lasting prosperity, and good land is an anchor to the windward against the day old age approaches, facts which are being acknowledged more and more by the intelligent men of the country and confirming them in their intention to remain in the rural neighborhoods. One of the men who is engaged in conducting his farms of 132 and 160 acres of valuable land, is Frank Lantz, one of the prosperous men of Williams County.
Born on the farm owned by his grandfather Backus, on August 8, 1880, Frank Lantz is a product of this locality, and its public schools gave him his book education, but his training in practical matters, especially those connected with farming, was gained under the supervision of his careful father.
Frank Lantz is a son of Jacob and Emma (Backus) Lantz, the former of whom was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on October 11, 1839. On July 4, 1869, he was married, his wife having been born in Bridgewater Township, a daughter of Clark and Susannah Backus, natives of Connecticut and England, respectively, and early settlers of Bridgewater Township. Jacob Lantz and his wife had four children born to them, namely: Fred, who is a farmer of Bridge- water Township, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Maude, who is the wife of Adam Yoder of Pioneer, Ohio; and Frank, whose name appears at the head of this review ; and Len Lantz, of Montpelier. Jacob Lantz was one of the heavy landowners of the township, his acreage amounting to about 1,500 acres. His death occurred on June 27, 1915, and his wife died on October 7, 1907.
Frank Lantz married Nora Knapp, in September, 1900. She was born in Florence Township, Williams County, Ohio, September 3, 1882, a daughter of Lester Knapp, who was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 16, 1842, and died March 11, 1905. During the war between the states, he served in the Union army, enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on Octo-
344 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ber 7, 1862. He re-enlisted and served to the end of the war and was honorably discharged on December 21, 1865. He married Mary E. Cain, who was born in Florence Township, Williams County, Ohio, March 25, 1848, and died December 14, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Lantz have one son, Jacob F., who was born on September 29, 1903. In politics Mr. Lantz is a democrat, and he is a man who, while not forcing himself on the public, has always contributed freely to the civic undertakings of his community, and taken an intelligent interest in its future.
Charles R. Ames. — The house of Ames, of which Charles R. Ames, deputy clerk in the office of the Probate Judge, is a representative, is now in the fifth generation of its history in Williams County. While the Ames family has been on American soil since Colonial days, the original members coming from Scotland, the local family had lived for many years in Wayne before locating in Williams County, Ohio. James, the grandfather of C. R. Ames, was the first to come to Wil- liams County, although he was followed by his father, William Ames.
It was in 1851 that James Ames located in Williams County, and since that time the family has been known in Bryan and the sur- rounding country. William Ames and his son, James Ames, were residents of Wayne County and Alva Ames, father of C. R. Ames, was born September 18, 1847, in Wayne and was four years old when his father located in Williams County. James Ames married Margaret Maxwell in Wayne County. They had five children : Harvey, Alva, James, Harmon and Mary Ann. Alva Ames, who died August 22, 1919, and lies buried in the family burial plot in Schiffier Cemetery, looked backward and forward over two generations. His grandparents and his grandchildren lived in Williams County.
Alva Ames married Jennie Beeler and to them was born one son, Bert W. Ames, and two daughters who died in infancy. The wife died in 1881, and March 23, 1883, Mr. Ames married Mrs. Ella Miller Supple. She is a daughter of William and Margaret (Fleck) Miller, and is a native of Bryan. Their children are : Charles R., Dora, Irvin and Alva E. Ames. The older brother, Bert W. Ames, grew up with them, and in enrolling the family, C. R. Ames said: "There are five of us."
On November 8, 1906, Charles R. Ames married Nora Kumnick. She is a daughter of Frederick and Marie Kumnick, the family coming in 1871 from Germany. They live in Defiance County. Their children are: Margaret, Frederick, Emma, Louis, Nora (Mrs. C. R. Ames), and Ernst. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have one son : Herbert K. Ames.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 345
C. R. Ames was educated in the Bryan public schools, and his first business experience was in Bryan clothing stores as a salesman. For some time he was local agent for the American Express Company, and in 1911 he entered the civil service as a rural mail carrier, leaving the mail wagon — the post office on wheels — for U. S. military service on the Mexican border. He went to Texas in June, 1916, remaining there until the following April.
When the United States Government declared war against Germany, April 6, 1917, Mr. Ames was already in the service. He went into training for overseas service at Camp Sheridan, but on account of physical disabilty he was discharged from the army, and April 13, 1918, he became an assistant mustering officer at Columbus. When the armistice was signed and Mr. Ames returned to Bryan, he again went on the rural mail wagon. On December 1, 1919, Mr. Ames entered the office of the Williams County probate judge as clerk, and since that time he has been probationary officer, having to do with unfortunate and delinquent children brought before the juvenile court. As probation officer it became his duty to advise young persons who are not surrounded with proper parental and home influences.
In its early history, members of the Ames family were identified with the German Reformed Church, and Mrs. C. R. Ames is a communicant in the English Lutheran Church in Bryan. The family vote has always been cast with the republican party. Bert W. Ames served two successive terms as sheriff of Williams County. Harvey and Alva Ames were Civil war soldiers from Williams County. Bert W. Ames was in the Spanish-American war, and C. R. Ames gave two years to his country's services incident to the World war. He is Commander of Charles E. Arnold Post No. 284 of the American Legion, and is always active in local military community affairs. While he was not overseas in military service, he had his part in "Keeping the Home Fires Burning," and Charles E. Arnold Post has its share in the annual memorial service in the cemeteries of Williams County.
J. M. Brim, who lives on a farm in Superior Township, three miles from Montpelier, was born in that community May 12, 1864, a son of John and Sarah J. (Cahney) Brim. Their children are: Esther A., the wife of Edward C. May; Mary M., wife of William Jones; George A., a farmer in Superior Township, and J. M. Brim, who enrolls the family. The father, John Brim, enlisted in 1863 as a
346 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
soldier in the Civil war. He died of the measles while in the service. The mother afterward married Samuel Schaull.
The children in the Brim family all had common school advan- tages, and J. M. Brim, who was the youngest son, remained with his mother until he was twenty-one when he. embarked in business for himself. From the time he was sixteen years old he worked by the day and the month for others. On January 14, 1890, Mr. Brim married Dora Dean, who was born December 31, 1863, in Northwest Township, Williams County. When she was a child her parents removed to Defiance County and she was educated there.
Mr. and Mrs. Brim were married in Defiance County and for fifteen years they lived on a rented farm in Williams County. They bought the place where they live in 1914 in Superior Township. Mr. Brim is a charter member of Lodge No. 502, Knights of Pythias, at Blakeslee. There were sixty-six members and only five are living there today. They died or moved away. Mrs. Brim is a member of the Pythian Sisters, and as past chief she has attended the Grand Lodge. Mr. Brim is a member and past worthy president of the Eagles in Montpelier.
Mr. Brim is a member of the Montpelier Co-operative Association. He is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Superior Building and Loan Association. He is a breeder of grade Holstein cattle and has some fine cattle at the farmstead in Superior Township. He has other high-grade livestock.
Forrest C. and Homer J- Brim were both in the World war and did overseas service. They were together in all of their military experience, enlisting in May, 1918, and being discharged in July, 1919, having spent almost a year in France and Germany. They were in the Seventh Corps of the One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Ambulance Com- pany. They were educated in the Montpelier High School. Homer J. Brim is at home and Forrest C. is in Detroit. A sister, Mabel M., is between them in age, and she is the wife of Harley Faber. She has one child, Darell Faber. Charles J. Brim is the fourth child and the youngest of the family, and he has graduated from common school.
Arthur L. Stiving. — The vital interest of the whole community in the success of agriculture as the great basal industry is now uni- versally recognized and the farmer of today is given a position of recognized dignity and importance. This distinction has been earned by the farmers the whole country over, but especially is it true in a
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 347
state like Ohio, where agriculture has received special attention since the first settlements, and one of the counties which has played a distinctively important part in this work is Williams. Arthur L. Stiving of Madison Township is one of the aggressive farmers and stock raisers of the county, who can always be depended upon to live up to the best ideals of his locality, and his success is regarded as amply earned.
Arthur L. Stiving was born on a farm near his present one in Madison Township, on January 31, 1878. a son of Jacob and Ella (Yocum) Stiving. Jacob Stiving was born in Richland County, Ohio, on August 23, 1847, and Mrs. Stiving was born on the old Yocum farm in Madison Township on October 28, 1856. The children born to Jacob Stiving and his wife were as follows : Arthur L., who was the eldest ; Cornelius, who is a farmer of Southern Iowa ; and LeRoy, who is a farmer of Western Kansas. Jacob Stiving is still living, and making his home in Madison Township.
Growing up on his father's farm, Arthur L. Stiving was early taught to make himself useful, and he received the educational train- ing afforded by the district schools. After his marriage in 1904 Mr. Stiving bought 160 acres of land and commenced operating it and has remained on it ever since. All of his stock is of a high grade and he is specializing in Percheron horses.
On December 7, 1904, Arthur L. Stiving was united in marriage with Bertha Dohm, who was born in Amboy Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan, on February 12, 1883, and she, too, was brought up on a farm and attended the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Stiv- ing have three children, namely : Margaret, who was born on Febru- ary 25, 1908; Robert, who was born on August 23, 1910, and Richard, who was born on June 16, 1919. They are members of the Progres- sive Brethren Church. In politics he is a democrat, although aside from casting his vote for the candidates of his party he does not take any active part in public affairs. In addition to his farm Mr. Stiving has interests at Kunkle, Ohio. His character is one that createst respect and invites friendship with the best people of his community, and his standing in it is conspicuously high.
Albert W. Ames is contributing, in his native county, his due quota to the prestige of the one "universal" automobile, as he is agent at Bryan for the Ford automobiles and also conducts the Ford service station in this vital little city. He was born on a farm near Bryan, August 30, 1878, and is a son of Alva and Jennie (Beeler) Ames,
348 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
the latter of whom died when her son Albert W., of this review, was only three years old, he being the one survivor of the three children. Alva Ames was born in Williams County, September 19, 1847, and was a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of the county. He became one of the prosperous exponents of agricultural industry in his native county and here continued to maintain his home until his death, August 22, 1919. Upon the death of his mother Albert W. Ames was taken into the home of one of his uncles, and his early experience was gained in connection with farm operations, the while he profited duly by the advantages offered in the public schools of his native county. He was twenty years of age at the inception of the Spanish-American war in 1898 and promptly gave evidence of his youthful patriotism by enlisting as a private in Company E, Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he was thereafter in active service in Cuba. He continued in service thirteen months and was mustered out at Savannah. Georgia, his honorable discharge hav- ing been received after he returned with his regiment to Ohio. In 1902-3 Mr. Ames served as deputy sheriff of Williams County, and in November of the latter year he was elected sheriff, an office of which he continued the incumbent five years and in which he gave a most efficient administration, though at the time of his election he was the youngest sheriff in the entire State of Ohio. After his retire- ment from office he became the owner of a one-fourth interest in the business of the Cox Showcase Company, with which he continued his connection three years, the company having been then reorganized and its manufacturing headquarters removed to the State of Missouri. Thereafter Mr. Ames was for five years owner of a half interest in the Carolines Hardware Company, of Bryan, and since March, 1919, he has been the sole owner of the Ford sales and service station at Bryan, in which he had previously held a partnership interest. He is also a stockholder in the Williams County Ice Company and is one of the progressive and popular business men of his native county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is promi- nently identified with the time-honored Masonic fraternity, in which he is past master of Bryan Lodge No. 215, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; a member of Bryan Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons, and Bryan Council No. 101, Royal and Select Masters; besides which he has completed the circle of the York Rite through receiving the chivalric degrees in Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, at Defiance, of which he is past thrice illustrious master. Both he and his wife are affiliated with the adjunct organization, the Order of the
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 349
Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Ames is past worthy matron of the chapter at Bryan.
On December 31, 1903, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ames to Miss Sylvia A. Smeltz, and they have one child, Roger P., born June 22, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are active communicants of the English Lutheran Church in Bryan.
Mrs. Elizabeth J. Norrick is one of the noteworthy women of Williams County and a real pioneer. At the age of eighty-eight, still in command of her faculties, she has recollections that stretch back over past epochs into the very earliest pioneer events in this section.
Mrs. Norrick, who is the widow of Samuel Norrick, bore the maiden name of Elizabeth J. Davis. She was born in Ohio and soon after her birth her parents moved to Pennsylvania, but after a short residence came to Williams County in 1845 and located a mile east and a mile north of Montpelier. It was in that locality she grew up. She became the wife of Samuel Norrick, who some years later enlisted as a Union soldier and gave up his life as a sacrifice to the cause.
Mrs. Norrick attended an old log cabin schoolhouse as a girl and her early training was only in the rudiments. After her marriage she moved to Hicksville, Defiance County, but nine months later they returned to Williams County and Mrs. Norrick has lived in Northwest Township since 1856. Two of her children are still living, John Nor- rick and Ellen, wife of John Petrie, of Hillsdale County, Michigan.
Mrs. Norrick has been actively identified with the United Brethren Church for over forty years. Besides her two children she has six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Norrick, when she came to Williams County, saw Montpelier when it consisted of two log and two frame houses. At West Buffalo, twelve miles southwest of Montpelier, was a gristmill, and her family and many of their neighbors went to this mill on horseback or with ox teams.
Samuel Farlee. — Although he now lives in Montpelier, Samuel Farlee was born October 19, 1872, in Northwest Township, Wil- liams County. He is a son of Henry and Anna E. (Mathias) Farlee, who were pioneers in Northwestern Ohio, the father a native but the mother came from Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio and lived for many years on a farm in Northwest Township, finally selling it and locating four and one-half miles northwest of Montpelier. He died there while Mrs. Farlee died in' the home of her son, George W.
350 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Farlee. They were members of Eagle Creek Methodist Episcopal Church and were always active in any forward religious movements of their day and generation.
Henry Farlee was a republican, and his son has the same political conviction. They had five children : George W. Farlee, of Superior Township ; Catharine, wife of Ora Brown, of Ashtabula County ; Jane, wife of Frank Allman, of Superior Township; Caleb, a resident of Montpelier, and Samuel Farlee, who relates the family history. He was six years old when his parents removed from Northwest to Superior Township, and until he was eighteen years old he was in the district school whenever in session and worked on the farm for his father.
When he was eighteen years old Mr. Farlee went to Kansas where he rented a farm for two years and then bought eighty acres of land, but one year later he sold it and returned to Williams County- He worked awhile for others and finally engaged in farming for him- self. On December 27, 1899, Mr. Farlee married Clara O. Richards of Williams County. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Nye) Richards, the parents both natives of Ohio. They removed to Wil- liams County and lived in Superior Township. They were mem- bers of Mount Zion Lutheran Church, and there were four children : Clara O. (Mrs. Farlee); Ida, wife of S. S. Isenhart, of Detroit; William, living near Nettle Lake; and Lottie, wife of Otis Myers, of Montpelier. John Richards died in 1902, and Mrs. Richards lives in Montpelier.
Samuel Farlee is republican in his political affiliation, and is always interested in the problems confronting the country. Mr. Far- lee owns two farms in Williams County. He has 120 acres in Supe- rior Township and eighty-five acres where he lives near Montpelier. He is selling the latter and retiring from farm life after years of hard labor. They are locating in Montpelier. The time comes in many families when the labor question causes them to change their plans, and when a man and woman have worked and saved for many years they are entitled to a life of quiet where they may enjoy themselves without working all of the time.
George F. Goll, Sr. — A prominent agriculturist of Williams County, and an extensive landholder, George F. Goll, Sr., has con- tributed his full share in promoting the agricultural and business interests of Springfield Township, and is now living in Stryker, hav- ing an attractive home on North Defiance street. A son of Peter F.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 351
and Mary A. GoII, he was born October 22, 1862, in German Town- ship, Fulton County, Ohio.
Born February 8, 1834, in France, a country far across the seas, Peter F. Goll was less than three years of age when he came with his parents to this country, locating in November, 1836, in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio. Growing to manhood in Williams County, he was well drilled in the various branches of agriculture while young, and after his marriage bought land in German Township, which was located in that part of Williams County that is now included within the limits of Fulton County. He purchased 138 acres of land in this township, and was there prosperously employed in mixed husbandry until 1899, when he removed to Stryker, where his death occurred, February 9, 1915. He was a republican in politics, and a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. He married, April 24, 1861, Mary A. Goll, who was born in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio, November 15, 1841, and died on the home farm, in German Township, Fulton County, in 1886.
Brought up on the home farm in German Township, Fulton County, George F. Goll, St., acquired a practical education in the rural schools, and as a boy assisted in the labors incidental to life on a farm. Con- tinuing on the home farm after his marriage, he had the general man- agement of it until 1899, when he assumed possession of his present home in Stryker, Williams County. Mr. Goll has owned 685 acres of land, but has disposed of a part of it, owning now not only the original parental estate, but enough more good farming land to make 500 acres.
Mr. Goll married, February 24, 1887, Emilie C. Goll, who was born. September 26, 1867, in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio, where her parents, J. G. and Catherine (Renaud) Goll, have spent their entire lives, the birth of her father having occurred March 16, 1843. and that of her mother on August 27, 1848. Mr. Goll is a republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Stryker. Two children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Goll, namely: George F., Jr., born September 5, 1888; and Florence E., born August 15, 1891. George F. Goll, Jr., was graduated in 1910 from the School for the Deaf Mute, and subsequently married Pearl Le Crone, who was graduated from the same school in his class, and they have one son, Frederic L., born September 30, 1919. Florence E. Goll married Charles L. Lonys. and they have two boys, Kenneth G. and Charles L. Lonys, Jr.
352 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
William H. Knepper. — An organization that has proved of much economic and commercial value and importance in Williams County is the Farmers' Co-operative Grain and Supply Company, with head- quarters at Bryan, the county seat, and the active direction of its sub- stantial business is vested in Mr. Knepper, who is the company's efficient and popular manager, and who has been a resident of Wil- liams County since his boyhood. He was born in Perkins County, Nebraska, December 7, 1889, and is a son of Guy H. Knepper, who came with his family to Williams County in 1894 and established his home on a farm about midway between Bryan and Montpelier. He is numbered among the representative exponents of farm industry in the county and is serving in 1920 as a valued member of the board of county commissioners.
William H. Knepper was five years old when the family home was established in Williams County and was reared to adult age on the home farm, in Superior Township. He profited fully by the advan- tages afforded in the public schools, including the high school at Edon, and thereafter he continued his studies in the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, besides completing a business course in the well ordered educational institution maintained at Winona Lake, that state. After his graduation in this institution he became associated with his father in the operation of the grain elevator in the Village of Edon, where later he engaged in the wholesale hay and grain business, which he still successfully continues at that place. On April 1, 1919, Mr. Knepper was manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Grain and Supply Company at Bryan. He also continues in the general supervision of his substantial business in the buying and shipping of grain and hay at Edon.
Mr. Knepper is an active worker in the local ranks of the repub- lican party, he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Edon, and he is past master of Edon Lodge No. 474, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a member of the Royal Arch Masons and Royal and Select Masters, with which he maintains active affiliation.
At Bryan Mr. Knepper has secure status as one of the vital and progressive young business men of Williams County, and his popu- larity is fully shared by his wife.
In 1914 Mr. Knepper wedded Miss Helen Hathaway, daughter of Dr. Albert Hathaway, a leading physicion at Edon, in which village she completed the curriculum of the high school, thereafter taking a
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 353
college course and also receiving a thorough musical education. Prior to her marriage she had been for some time a popular teacher in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Knepper have one son, Max Albert, who was born December 23, 1915.
Hon. Rolland J. Christman. — A young man of practical ideas, native ability and sound conceptions of public duty, is Rolland J. Christman, who is ably filling the office of mayor of Bryan, Ohio. Accepting this office with a deep sense of responsibility, Mayor Christ- man is devoting himself to municipal problems, and is giving the people a clean, vigorous administration that is helpful to business and beneficial to every reputable city interest.
Rolland J. Christman was born July 19, 1884, at Berwick, in Seneca County, Ohio, a son of Philip and Rachel (Sprow) Christman. The father of Mayor Christman was born May 18, 1859, in Lucas County, Ohio, and was three years old when his parents moved to Fulton County, where he grew to maturity. He married Rachel Sprow, who was born June 11, 1858, at Berwick, Ohio, and three sons were born to them, namely: Philip D. and Rolland J., both residents of Bryan; and Lewis G., residing at Toledo. Mr. Christman and his wife settled on a farm in Seneca County, on which they resided four years, in 1885 moving to Archbold, in Fulton County, and a year later to Bryan. In 1889 Mr. Christman purchased a gristmill and for eighteen months operated it under the firm name of the Christman- Miller Company, then took over Mr. Miller's share and the business was continued for twenty years under the style of the Christman Brothers. Up to December 18, 1918, the mill was operated under the name the Christman Milling Company. This mill had become a land- mark in this section and great regret was felt when the property was destroyed by fire on December 18, 1918. The mill has not been rebuilt and Mr. Christman has lived retired since his loss. He is one of the older Masons of the county and belongs to Bryan Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons. Both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church at Archbold, and are held in respect and esteem in that city.
Rolland J. Christman was three years old when his parents came to Bryan and the greater part of his subsequent life has been spent in this beautiful Ohio city. Here he attended school, continuing from the grades through the high school, then accepted employment at the Christman elevators. Ambitious to try his fortune away from home, he then went to Akron and worked for a time in a rubber factory and
354 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
afterward, for about two years was employed as a motorman on the Toledo & Interurban Railway. He returned then to Bryan and was associated with the Christman Milling Company until the plant was destroyed by fire. Mr. Christman made a good impression on his fellow citizens and it is quite a long distance back since they began to elect him a member of the city council and when he had six years to his credit, they decided to elect him mayor. This was accomplished November 4, 1919, by his republican friends, and he assumed the duties of office on January 1, 1920.
Mayor Christman belongs to Bryan Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, also Bryan Lodge No. 221, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. Personally Mayor Christman has many friends for he is genial, kind and generous and very approachable.
Mrs. Elnora E. Fusselman. — Mrs. Fusselman was born in Williams County, Ohio, a daughter of Daniel Farnham, who was for many years actively identified with the leading interests of Edgerton, contributing his full share towards advancing its agricultural, mercan- tile and financial prosperity. Having obtained a good education in the public schools of Edgerton, and acquired an excellent knowledge of domestic arts under her mother's wise instructions, she married, October 6, 1875, Adrian O. Fusselman.
Born in New York State, Daniel Farnham came to Williams County, Ohio, as a young man, and having entered a large tract of land in St. Joseph Township in 1832, returned to his old home, and when he came back to this county brought his mother and two sisters, and immediately began the pioneer task of redeeming a farm from its primeval wildness. In 1840 he married Caroline Sawyer, a daughter of Prescott Sawyer, who settled near Bryan, Ohio, in 1838, when she was a young lady. She was accomplished in the manifold duties of the household. Settling after his marriage on Fish Creek, he remained there until 1870, when he established himself in business at Edgerton. He subsequently sold a one-third interest to Eli A. Farn- ham and became head of the firm of D. Farnham & Company. He was one of the founders of the first bank established in Edgerton, a financial institution that was afterwards merged into the Edgerton State Banking Company. A republican in politics, he served eighteen years as justice of the peace. He was liberal in his religious views, and was an active and consistent member of the Universalist Church.
Eleven children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Farnham, four of whom were living in 1920, as follows: Eli A.,
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 355
president of a bank in Butler, Indiana ; Ella A., wife of Stephen Reed, of Edgerton ; Elnora E., the subject of this sketch; and Inez, widow of Charles Porter, of California.
Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fusselman, namely: Mabel E., a graduate of the Edgerton High School, served seven years as deputy probate clerk of Williams County; Gorden F., who died in infancy; Genevieve, also a high school graduate, is the wife of Edward F. Hilbert ; Paul F., who was graduated from the Edgerton High School, the Ohio Northern University and the Detroit University of Law, is an attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Federal officer ; Marion V., a high school graduate, married John F. Sher- wood, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; and Doris, who was graduated from the Edgerton High School, also International Business College of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is now in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mr. Fusselman was a member of Edgerton Lodge No. 357, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of Bryan Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; he was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Fusselman is a past worthy matron, both of them having been charter members of the local chap- ter of that order. Mrs. Fusselman is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Bryan, and has other property of value.
W. Wier axd Weldox G. Weigle. — The true western spirit of progress and enterprise is strikingly exemplified in the lives of such men as W. Wier and Weldon G. Weigle, two of Williams County's native sons, who are successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Superior Township. Their success has been won honestly by per- sistent industry and the exercise of sound judgment, while at all times they have been actuated by the highest motives and the best of principles, so that they are eminently deserving of the high place which they hold in the esteem of all who know them. They are the sons of Lewis and Alice (Griffith) Weigle, both of whom are natives of Ohio, the father having been born in Seneca County and the mother in Williams County. Of the four children who blessed their union, the subjects of this review are the only survivors, two having died in childhood.
W. Wier Weigle was born on the farm where he now lives, on July 21, 1890, and spent his boyhood days with his parents, securing his educational training in the district schools and the Montpelier High School. He then attended the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana, and also attended and graduated from the Spen-
356 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
cerian Commercial School. Immediately afterwards he entered the employ of the Willard Storage Battery Company, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained until January, 1917, when he came to Bryan and established a battery service station. The business was successful from the start, but when, in the following April, the United States entered the great world conflict, Mr. Weigle laid aside all personal interests and promptly enlisted in the service of his country, entering the Signal Corps. Later he was transferred to the aviation service and was sent to Kelly Field, whence he was sent to Ellington Field, where he was stationed at the signing of the armistice. Shortly afterwards he was discharged with the rank of master signal elec- trician. He then returned to Williams County and, in partnership with his brother Weldon, engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he is still interested and in which they are achieving a pro- nounced success. They are operating 350 acres of land, which they devote to general farming, and in connection therewith are giving con- siderable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock. They handle Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and Shropshire sheep, and are gaining a wide reputation because of the high quality of their product. Their farm is well improved in every respect, being admir- ably adapted to the purposes for which used, and they are numbered among the enterprising farmers of Superior Township.
W. Wier Weigle was married to Olive J. Frazier, a native of Williams County, and who received a good education in the public schools. Mr. Weigle takes an independent attitude in political mat- ters, reserving the right to vote according to the dictates of his judg- ment, regardless of party lines. Fraternally, he is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of the Masonic Order at Montpelier ; of Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar, at Defiance, Ohio ; of Scioto Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Colum- bus, Ohio, and to Arabia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Houston, Texas, while he and his wife are members of Lillian Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
Weldon W. Weigle was born in Superior Township on February 8, 1897, and attended the public schools during his youth, being a grad- uate of the Montpelier High School with the class of 1915. He then entered Purdue University, at Lafayette, Indiana, where he was grad- uated in 1919 with the degree of Bachelor of Science and Agriculture. Since his return from college he has devoted his attention to farming interests with his brother Wier, who is referred to in preceding para- graphs. By natural aptitude and special training, he is thoroughly
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 357
qualified for the work to which he is devoting himself and he has won a splendid reputation as an expert agriculturist.
In October, 1919, Mr. Weigle was married to Ethel Tompkins, who graduated from the Montpelier High School and then took one year's work in Hillsdale College, Michigan. Mr. Weigle is independent in his political views, while he holds fraternal relations with the Masonic Order, belonging to Lodge No. 547. at Montpelier, as well as the Chapter and Council in that place, and is also a thirty-second degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, being affiliated with the Consistory at Indianapolis, Indiana.
George W. Whaley, proprietor of the Midway Farm, located on Rural Free Delivery Route No. 3 from Montpelier, about nine miles northwest of the town, is one of the substantial men and experienced farmers of Bridgewater Township. He was born in Wisconsin, Octo- ber 12, 1862, a son of Joseph and Jerusha (Davis) Whaley, the latter being a native of Pennsylvania. During the war between the North and the South, Joseph Whaley enlisted in the Union army, and died on. the battlefield. He lies buried in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tennessee. His widow was left with three children, of whom George W. Whaley is now the only survivor.
When he was only twelve years old George W. Whaley began to be self-supporting, and did farm work until he was seventeen. At that time he went west and remained for four years, when he returned to Ohio, and in 1885, was united in marriage with Almeda E. Wilgus, who was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, in 1866, and was brought to Williams County, Ohio, by her parents when still a child, and she received her education in the public schools of this region.
For two years subsequent to his marriage Mr. Whaley worked by the day, and he and his wife were very thrifty and managed to save sufficient money to enable them to rent a farm and get a start. For the next fifteen years they rented land, and then bought 120 acres of land, on which Mr. Whaley is operating most successfully.
Mr. and Mrs. Whaley have two daughters, namely : Mary, who is the wife of Earl T. Boyer, a farmer of Bridgewater Township; and Ethel B,. who is the wife of Scott Waterson of Bridgewater Township. Interested in co-operation among the farmers Mr. Wha- ley joined the Northwest Grange No. 413 of which he is past master. Later he connected himself with Pomona Grange, which he served as master for two years, and then was secretary for three years, overseer for two years and gatekeeper for one year. For eight years he has been
358 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
a member of the Ohio State Grange. Mrs. Whaley also belongs to Pomona Grange, and is active in it. One of the leading republicans of his neighborhood, Mr. Whaley is the member from Bridgewater Township on the county central committee of his party, and he has served his township as one of its trustees. He is a member of the Superior Farmers' Co-operative Association. Mr. Whaley is a man of strong personality and has been able not only to make a success of his calling, but also to capture the confidence of all of his associates, and to become the moving spirit in the organizations with which he has connected himself.
Fred Lantz. — The Lantz family has been associated with the agricultural life of Williams County for a number of years, and Fred Lantz, a member of it, is one of the leading exponents of the farming class in Bridgewater Township. He was born on a farm adjoining his own, in Bridgewater Center, on July 5, 1871, a son of Jacob and Emma (Backus) Lantz. Jacob Lantz was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on October 11, 1840, and his wife was born in Williams County in 1848. They were married on July 4, 1869, in Williams County, to which he had come in the spring of 1865, and settled on a farm he had bought, but only remained on from 1865 to 1872, when they moved to the one now owned by their son, Fred. The present house was built in 1882, and in it the parents resided until they died, he pass- ing away on January 27, 1915, and she died in 1907. While upon national matters he was a democrat, in local affairs he voted inde- pendently, and he held some of the township offices. He and his wife had four children, namely: Fred, who was the eldest; Maude, who is the wife of Adam Yoder, of Pioneer, Ohio; Frank, who is a farmer, of Bridgewater Township; and Len, who lives in Montpelier.
Fred Lantz was reared on his present farm and attended the local schools, and when old enough decided upon farming as his calling. His farm comprises 400 acres of very valuable land, including the family homestead, and he conducts it very profitably for he is an experienced farmer.
On February 21, 1895, Mr. Lantz was united in marriage with Sula Waterson, who was born in Bridgewater Township on August 18, 1877, a daughter of William and Lucretia (Haines) Waterson, the former of whom was born in Belmont County, Ohio, and the latter in Columbiana County, Ohio. They came to Williams County and located in Bridgewater Township, where they were engaged in farming, and there they died. They were members of the United
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 359
Brethren Church. Mr. Waterson was a Union soldier and belonged to Hiram Louden Post No. 155, Grand Army of the Republic. Dur- ing the war he served as a member of Company C. One Hundred and Ninety-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the period of one year. Mr. and Mrs. Waterson had the following children : Sula, who is Mrs. Lantz ; Augusta, who is the wife of Dr. E. F. Brandon, of Edon, Ohio; Belva, who is the wife of Noah Speith, of Montpeliet^ Ohio; Scott, who is a resident of Bridgewater Township; and one who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lantz have one son, Ray W., who is unmar- ried and living at home. Mr. Lantz belongs to Pioneer Lodge No. 159, Knights of Pythias, and the Gleaners. Both he and his wife are independent in their political views. A man of fine character, Mr. Lantz is very liberal in his views, and in his own life has tried to follow the teachings of the Golden Rule in a practical manner, with the result that he is not only highly respected, but is held in great affection by a wide circle of friends who appreciate his excellent qualities and what he has done for his community.
Harvey J. Brannan, ex-treasurer of Williams County, returned to his farm in Superior Township when his term as county official had ended, and he is giving his attention to farming again. Mr. Bran- nan was born in Superior Township on November 16, 1871, and he is a son of James and Lusina (Bets) Brannan. The father was born in Columbiana County, but the mother had always lived in Williams County. There seems to have been an exodus of Columbiana County families to Williams County many years ago.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brannan are : C. W. Brannan, of Superior Township; Harvey J. Brannan, who enrolls the family; Mary, wife of O. E. Wolfe; Lulu, wife of Samuel W. Cox, of Mont- pelier; James W. Brannan, of Montpelier; Solomon R. Brannan, of Superior Township ; and Klare Brannan, of Montpelier. They all had common school advantages, and H. J. Brannan remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. When he was twenty-three he married Delia Patton. She was born in 1873, in Lake County, Indiana. They were married in November, 1894, and have always lived in Williams County.
The children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Brannan are : Myrtle, who graduated from the Bryan High School and is a book- keeper in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Montpelier; Bessie, the wife of Harley J. Dashler ; Ross L. Brannan, who was a soldier in the famous Rainbow Division in the World war and went overseas
360 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
in 1917 and returned in 1919, suffering from both shell shock and gas, is now living in Denver, Colorado ; and the younger children are : Paul R., Harvey H., Sarah R., Edith B., Ralph E. and Donna R. Brannan.
Mr. Brannan and family are members of the West Bethesda Pres- byterian Church. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. In a political way Mr. Brannan is a democrat, and by appoint- ment he became treasurer of Williams County, afterward being duly elected and in all he served the county four years as county treasurer. When his official relation with Williams County terminated the town had no charm for him, and he returned to the farm in Superior Township.
In connection with farming Mr. Brannan has always bought and shipped live stock from Montpelier. He owns 160 acres of land there miles southwest of Montpelier, and lives there. He is known to all as a farmer and shipper, and live stock dealers always promote better live stock production in a community.
Walter K. Nihart, M. D. — A widely known and experienced physician and surgeon of Edgerton, Walter K. Nihart, M. D., is a man whose services are much sought, his great success in the cases which have come under his charge have won him an extended repu- tation for professional skill and ability. A native of Williams County, he was born in Center Township, April 14, 1879.
The doctor's father, John Nihart, was born in Pennsylvania, and as a child brought to Melbern, Williams County, Ohio, where he grew to years of maturity. He learned the miller's trade when young, and followed it several years, but later bought land in Center Township and turned his attention to agriculture. He was a stanch prohibitionist, and a charter member of Edgerton Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He married Martha Kerns, a native of Williams County, Ohio. She died in early womanhood, passing away in 1882. Nine children were born of their union, as follows: William, of Center Township; Jessie, wife of Huston Childers, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he is a noted attorney-at-law ; Mary married William Holden ; Theodore, living in Missouri ; George, employed in the United States service as a rural mail carrier ; Anna, wife of Ernest Wines, of Water- loo, Ohio; Emma; John J., of Melbern, Ohio; and Walter K.
Brought up on the home farm, Walter K. Nihart, who was bereft of a mother's love and care at the tender age of three years, received
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 361
his preliminary education in the district schools, later attending the Edgerton High School. Graduating from that school, he taught school two years, and then entered the Tri-State College, at Angola, Indiana, where he was graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Graduate in Pharmacy. Going then to Michigan, he was . graduated from the College of Medicine and Surgery in 1906, receiv- ing the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Doctor Nihart subsequently took a post-graduate course in Chi- cago, and has since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Edgerton. His skill and ability as phvsi- cian and surgeon are widely known and appreciated, while his genial manner and pleasant words make him a welcome visitor to the well and strong, as well as to the sufferer to whom he so kindly ministers. The doctor is a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial Bank at Edgerton. Politically he is a republican, and fraternally he belongs to Edgerton Lodge No. 457, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also belongs to the county and state medical societies.
Doctor Nihart married in November, 1910, Helen B. Webster, a woman of culture and refinement, who, after her graduation from the high school was engaged in teaching for a year. Two children have been born into their pleasant home, Arthur L. and Elsie R.
William M. Harter. — During the long and honorable career of William H. Harter in Williams County he has exemplified qualities making for agricultural achievement and excellent public service. Since April, 1920, he has lived retired at Bryan and has rented his well-cultivated farm located four and one-half miles west of Bryan, in Center Township. He is still serving in the capacity of justice of the peace, a position which he has held for many years.
Judge Harter was born near Newville, in Richland County, Ohio, July 25, 1858. a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Reidnour) Harter, natives also of that county, where the father was born in the same house as his son. September 19, 1833, the mother having been born on a nearby farm February 15, 1834. The parents were childhood playmates and upon arriving at maturity were married and settled on the Harter farm, where they rounded out long and honorable careers in the pursuits of agriculture and won the esteem and respect of those who knew them. Mr. Harter was a republican in his political prefer- ences, and he and his wife were members of and active workers in the Baptist Church. They were the parents of ten children, of whom nine are living, William M. being the only resident among them in Williams County.
362 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
William M. Harter was reared on the home farm and acquired his educational training in the public district schools of his own county, this later being supplemented by one year's attendance at the high school. At the time he reached the age of twenty-one years, like numerous other country youths he was attracted by the apparent romance and glamor of railroading, but after one year spent therein returned to farming. One year after his return he was married, in 1882, to Amanda Frederick, who died without issue May 20, 1894. Following this, Mr. Harter worked in the oil fields of Wood County for about seven years, having already spent five years there, and in 1901 moved to Paulding County. In the meantime, March 4, 1896, he had married Miss Minnie Leedy, who was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, near Pierceton, March 11, 1862. She attended the graded and high schools of her native community, where she resided until reaching the age of twenty-two years, then going to Belleville. Ohio, where she made her home from 1884 to 1888, next being a resi- dent of Columbus, employed by the Institution of the Blind seven years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harter resided at Rudolph, Wood County, until 1902, at which time they moved to Paulding County and made their home on a farm. In 1907 they came to Center Township, Williams County, where they have since resided, and where Mr. Harter is the owner of a valuable farm, upon which he is carrying on very successful operations as a general agriculturist. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Harter: Edith A., a grad- uate of the Bryan High School, who spent three summers at the State Normal College and is now engaged in teaching; W. Harold, who is attending the Tri-State College, at Angola, Indiana; Clifford M., a graduate of the public schools ; and Grace M., who has also completed her public school course.
Mr. and Mrs. Harter are consistent members of the Church of Christ at Bryan, where Mr. Harter is serving as an elder and a member of the board of trustees. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Bryan Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and of Bryan Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Northwest Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, while he and Mrs. Har- ter belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. Always a republican, he has taken an active interest in local affairs, and for some years has served as a justice of the peace in his community. In addition to general farming, he interests himself in the breeding of Holstein cattle and good graded stock of all kinds, and his business connections include stock in the Bryan Elevator.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 363
Stephen H. Reed. — A man of enterprise, energy and forethought, Stephen H. Reed, of Edgerton, has accumulated a comfortable share of this world's goods, and is now living retired from business activi- ties, enjoying a well-merited leisure. A son of the late Sidney Reed, Sr., he was born, March 2, 1847, in New York State, of English ancestry.
Sidney Reed, Sr., was born, August 28, 1811, at Vine Hall, Sussex County, England, and early in life immigrated to the United States, settling in New York City. Subsequently moving to Syracuse, New- York, he there followed the trade of a wheelwright for a few years, and afterward was employed as a car inspector at White Pigeon, Mich- igan, until retiring from active labor. He was a republican in politics : a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife were devout church members. His wife, whose name before marriage was Mary Harmon, was born in Hastings, Sussex County, England, was married in New York City to Sidney Reed March 12, 1846. Five children blessed their union, three of whom were living in 1920, as follows: 'Stephen H., the subject of this sketch; Hannah, wife of Albert Robbins ; and William H., of Chicago, an employe of the Elevated Railroad Company.
But seven years of age when his parents located at White Pigeon, Michigan, Stephen H. Reed acquired his education in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen years began the struggle of life on his own account, first finding employment on a railroad. Subse- quently going to La Porte, Indiana, he served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, and in 1879 entered the employ of a railroad com- pany as a traveling engineer, a position that he filled for twenty years, his business being to superintend the setting up of locomotives, an undertaking demanding great mechanical skill and ingenuity.
Mr. Reed married twice. His first wife, to whom he was married January 29, 1871, died January 25, 1915, leaving no children. Mr. Reed married for his second wife Mrs. Ella (Farnham) Reed, who was born in Williams County, Ohio, June 15, 1854, a daughter of Daniel Farnham, a pioneer settler of the county.
Coming from New York State to Williams County, Ohio, in 1832, Daniel Farnham settled in what is now called Denmark, and entered land from the government, becoming owner of 1,000 acres. Going back to New York, he returned to Williams County with his mother, and established his home three and a half miles northwest of Edgerton. He became prominent in local affairs, having served as county com- missioner many years, and having been one of the founders of the
364 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
First National Bank of Bryan. On his farm Daniel Farnham started a general store, and in 1853 removed the business to Edgerton, where he continued it for fifty years, later opening a private bank.
Daniel Farnham married, in 1840, Caroline Sawyer, and of the eleven children born to them, six grew to years of maturity, and four were living in 1920, as follows : Eli, of Butler, Indiana ; Ella, wife of the subject of this sketch: Elnora, wife of Adrian Fusselman; and Inez, wife of Charles Porter.
Ella Farnham first attended school in St. Joseph Township, later continuing her studies at Edgerton, Bryan, and Butler, Indiana. On September 27, 1874, she was united in marriage with Sidney Reed, who died May 2, 1913, leaving one child, Eva G. Reed, who was born September 4, 1876, and was educated at Red Wing, Minnesota, being there graduated from the high school. Eva G. Reed married M. T. Skewes, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they have four children liv- ing, namely: Marjorie, a high school graduate; Dorothy, also a grad- uate of the Minneapolis High School ; Lucille, attending the high school; and Phyllis Jene, born August 13, 1919.
Mrs. Reed has acquired considerable property, owning 200 acres of land in St. Joseph Township, and being a stockholder in the First National Bank of Bryan, of which her father was one of the founders. She is a member, and the president of the Woman's Relief Corps, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
William J. Willis. — The life of William J. Willis, living south- west of Montpelier, began May 12, 1863, in County Monaghan, Ire- land. He is a son of Henry and Mary J. (Henderson) Willis, who always lived in Ireland. They had five children, but in 1920 only one sister, Eliza, still living in Ireland, survives along with Mr. Willis of Williams County. He was past twenty years old when he left Ireland. Mr. Willis is the only member of the family who came to America. He had a common school education in Ireland.
As a young man inclined to better his condition, Mr. Willis embarked for the "Land of Promise" in the United States, and when he landed in New York City he had $50 in his pocket. He went directly to Michigan where he had two uncles, and he found employ- ment as a helper to a blacksmith in the Peninsular Car Works at Adrian. He was later employed as a section hand on the Wabash Railroad for three and one-half years at Adrian, and was then trans- ferred to Alvordton, Ohio, as section foreman. However, he only remained there three months and went to Detroit in 1888, where he
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 365
became a driver on the Grand River Avenue street car lines, remain- ing for two years. It was in the days of the horse-drawn street cars, something almost forgotten by the people of today.
The next job Mr. Willis had was as watchman for three years in the Peninsular Car Company's shops in Adrian. From there he came to Montpelier, where he was employed on the construction of the Wabash Railroad line to Chicago for one summer, and then he was made section foreman at Montpelier, holding the position twelve years. Mr. Willis is an example of the man who has been diligent in business and saved this money. At this time he bought 100 acres of land and for seventeen years he has been a farmer in Superior Township not far from Montpelier.
On April 19, 1893, Mr. Willis married Jennie \T. Bechtel, who was born in Superior Township. She is a daughter of John Bechtol. He was a pioneer citizen of Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have three children. Eva is the wife of L. E. Connelly, of Montpelier. William Leslie is employed with his father as a farmer. In July, 1918, he went into training as a soldier and in September he sailed for France, remaining there until the following July. His overseas experience is something he will always remember with pleasure. A younger son, Loren D., is in school in Montpelier.
The Willis family are members of the English Lutheran Church, and Mr. Willis is regarded as an upright, honorable citizen of Wil- liams County. He votes the republican party, and while he is an American from choice, having come to this country in his young man- hood, lack of loyalty and patriotism has never been charged to him. He is an example of what any young man may accomplish through honesty and industry.
William W. Thompson. — The rate of progress of any com- munity is largely determined by the readiness of the people to take advantage of the natural resources of the land, or their ability to over- come nature's obstacles. Ohio offers a countless number of the former, and but few of the latter, and therefore from the earliest settlements it has taken a foremost place among agricultural produc- tion. One of the enterprising men of Williams County who has prac- tically spent his life at general farming and stock raising is William W. Thompson of Madison Township, and his success proves the wisdom of his choice of an occupation.
Mr. Thompson is one of the native sons of this locality, as he was born in Madison Township on November 22, 1860, a son of David
366 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
and Barbara A. fLambright) Thompson, both of whom were born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. They were reared, educated and married in that county, from whence they came to Williams County, Ohio, and were among the first settlers of Madison Township. They made the trip from Toledo, Ohio, with an ox team. At that time there were no roads and he had to go ahead of the wagon and blaze the way to their claim in the woods. After they arrived, he cleared a small space and erected a log cabin, taking three days to complete their first home. They rounded out their lives on this farm. In religious faith they were Presbyterians. In politics the father was a democrat, and he held several of the offices in Madison Township. Eleven children were born to him and his wife, seven sons and four daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of one. They are as follows : Mary A., who is the wife of A. L. Kast ; Hannah A., who married Josephus Bujer; R. J., who lives at Bryan, Ohio; George, who is deceased; S. R., who lives in Madison Township; Andrew, who lives in Kunkle, Ohio; William W., whose name heads this review ; Martin, who lives at Montpelier, Ohio ; Josephus, who lives at Kunkle, Ohio ; Ella, who is the wife of Ezra Tresler, now deceased ; and Maggie, who is the wife of George Wilson.
William W. Thompson was reared on his father's homestead, learning under the careful supervision of that most excellent man how to cultivate the soil, and while doing so he attended the district schools during the winter months, thus growing up with a love of the farm life, so that after he attained to his majority, he began farming on his own account, and has made a success of his undertakings. At present he owns his farm of sixty-five acres of land, all of which is well improved.
On March 11, 1898, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Frances C. Erskin, who wsa born in Superior Township. She died on March 5, 1919, leaving no issue. Both she and Mr. Thompson joined the Church of God at Madison Bethel, and he still maintains his membership with it, and is a generous contributor to its mainte- nance. He is a member of the board of trustees of the church, and is active in the Sunday school, of which he has been superintendent for many years. In politics he is a democrat, and has served as ditch commissioner of Madison Township. He is a man who has gone on doing each day's duties as they came to hand, and giving a conscien- tious service to his church and community, and naturally is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens who appreciate his excellent qualities.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 367
O. E. Ewan. — Undoubtedly the civilized nations of the world are clamoring for the benefits of education, and the teacher's profes- sion thereby acquires still greater dignity as it must assume still heavier responsibilities. A leader of American thought has recently declared that no more impressive lesson was presented in the Great war, than the supreme importance of education. Men and women of ripe scholarship have long proclaimed this fact in peaceful times, but strangely enough it has required brutal combat to thoroughly arouse thoughtful people to the perils and dangers of ignorance. Williams County, Ohio, has been more farsighted than many sections, educators of note having been welcomed here and one of these coming readily to mind is Prof. O. E. Ewan who for sixteen years has been the able and faithful superintendent of the public schools of Edon and a mem- ber of the advisory board of editors of Williams County History, 1920.
O. E. Ewan was born on his father's farm in Center Township, Williams County. His parents were A. H. and Eliza (Stahl) Ewan, the former of whom was born in Defiance County, Ohio, in 1850, and died in 1912, and the latter, born in Center Township, Williams County, in 1852, died in 1880. She was a member of the United Brethren Church. The father of Professor Ewan had academic advantages and taught school for twenty-six terms, then turned his attention to farming his property in Center Township. He gave his political support to the republican party, always declining public office, however, and fraternally was long identified with the lodge of Odd Fellows at Bryan, Ohio. He was a member of the Christian Church. He was twice married, first to Eliza Stahl, who died in 1880, and sec- ond to Melissa Spangler. To his first union two children were born : O. E. and Lulu. The latter was graduated from a business college at Delaware, Ohio, and is now the wife of Dr. Oren H. Nihart, of Edon. A son and daughter were born also to his second marriage, namely : Earl, and Vera, who is the wife of Roy Richardson.
Professor Ewan attended the country schools and then spent three years in the select and high school at Bryan, going from there to the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, where he remained for sixteen terms, during this time completing courses in philosophy and other science. He then went into educational work and with scarcely any intermission, has followed the teaching profession ever since. In 1900 he took a post-graduate course at Taylor University, Indiana, and won his Master of Arts degree, and has taken courses at other institutions. In 1903 he came to Edon as superintendent of the city schools, and the high educational standards maintained here give testimony to sound-
368 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ness of his methods and the efficacy of his training. He has a high school life certificate in Ohio.
In December, 1909, Professor Ewan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Abry, who, like himself, has devoted her life to educa- tional work and for twelve years has been a popular teacher at Edon. She is actively interested in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and gives largely of herself in promoting worthy charities. Professor Ewan is a member of Edon Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The political principles he absorbed in youth have always regulated his public attitude, and now, as always, he is work- ing as an interested citizen, for the success of the republican party. He has served for eleven years as county school examiner. He has a wide acquaintance with educators and belongs to several representa- tive teaching bodies in the state.
Hugh W. Scott. — One of the men who has stamped the impress of his strong individuality upon the minds of the people of Williams County as one of the conspicuous men of this locality, is Hugh W. Scott, who, after many years of active and successful effort, is now practically retired from active business and residing quietly in Bryan. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained.
Hugh W. Scott is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred on his father's farm in Columbiana County, Ohio, on December 26, 1848. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brannan) Scott, both of whom also were natives of Ohio. They were married in Columbiana County, where Robert Scott followed the trade of a carpenter, in connection with which he also farmed. In 1849 the family came to Williams County and Mr. Scott bought a farm in Superior Township, to the operation of which he devoted his efforts during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Scott was a great help- mate to her husband. He was a democrat in his political faith and he and his wife were active members of the Christian Church.' Ten children blessed their union and eight are still living, namely : Cath- erine, the wife of Edward Daniels; Hugh W., the subject of this sketch-; Mary, the wife of John Young; Rebecca, the wife of John McQuilkin; Eliza, the wife of Taylor White; Rosanna, the wife of Lewis Lindesmith; William, of Pittsford, Michigan, and John, who remains on and operates the old home farm in Superior Township; Albina, the wife of E. E. Calvin, of Bryan, and Iona died in infancy.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 369
Hugh W. Scott was but a year old when the family came to Williams County, and here he was reared and educated. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, during the last three years of which period he rented the home farm and ran it on his own account. He then left the homestead and has owned his own farm in Pulaski Township for many years. This place comprises 114 acres of well- tilled land, under Mr. Scott's careful and practical management, it has returned good crops, and has been maintained at a high state of cul- tivation. Mr. Scott has been successful in all his undertakings and is now able to relinquish the details of farm life and enjoy the rest which his years of activity have earned for him. Mr. Scott rendered effec- tive and appreciative service as superintendent of the Williams County infirmary, being first appointed to that position in 1892 and serving ten years. After a lapse of seven years, he was again appointed to that position in 1909 and served until 1917, when he retired from active life. His administration of this important position was eminently satisfactory, for he managed the fields of the county with that care and discretion which stamped him as a twentieth-century farmer of the highest order, everything indicating good judgment and excellent system as well as executive ability.
On June 1, 1872, Mr. Scott was married to Emma Baker, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, but who came to Williams County with her parents in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have a son, Harley O., who was born January 17, 1875. He was a student in the Bryan public schools, and then attended the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana, after which he taught for five years in the public schools of Williams County. * He married Miss Docia Ewan and they have two children, Selma Maria and Waneta Irene.
Mr. Scott is a democrat in his political faith, while he and his wife are members of the Christian Church in Bryan. Owing to his probity of character, his genuine worth, and his kindly and genial disposition, Mr. Scott has gained a position in his community as one of the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle has called forth the admiration and respect of his fellow citizens.
J. A. Devore has shown marked initiative and administrative ability in his executive office of president of the Williams County Telephone Company, the service of which has been brought up to a high standard under his effective supervision. He claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity, and to it he pays unwaver-
Vol. II— 24
370 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ing loyalty. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was three years of age at the time of the family removal to Defiance County, where his father purchased land and turned his attention to farm enterprise. He, whose name introduces this review, thus had the fortifying influence of being reared under the sturdy discipline of the farm, and his youthful education was acquired in the public schools of Defiance County. In 1870 he went west and finally he established his residence in the State of Nebraska, where he continued to devote his attention principally to farm industry until 1900. For a time he was engaged in the hardware business at Valparaiso, Saunders County, that state, and after selling this business he effected the organization of the Nuckolls County National Bank, at Nelson, the judicial center of the Nebraska county of the name noted in the title of the bank. He continued as president of this institution two years, at the expira- tion of which it was consolidated with the First National Bank of Nelson, of which he became vice-president, besides which he conducted a substantial independent business in the extending of loans upon approved real estate securities.
In 1892 he removed to Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska, and there he continued his residence until he came to his native state and established his residence at Bryan, judicial center of Williams County, where he forthwith erected a fine modern residence, on South Lynn street. In 1904 he became president of the Bryan Telephone Company, which later was merged into the Williams County Telephone Com- pany, of which latter corporation Mr. Devore has since continued the president. He is not only one of the heaviest stockholders of this company but has also been vital and progressive in his administration as its president, with the result that the company has become one of the most successful public utility corporations in Northeastern Ohio. Mr. Devore has well fortified opinions concerning economic and gov- ernmental policies and while he is a stanch supporter of the princi- ples of the republican party he has never manifested any desire to enter the arena of practical politics. He was loyal and zealous in the support of governmental agencies through which was furthered the efficiency of the nation's war activities in the recent world conflict and in Williams County he was the chairman of the county committee which had direction of the fourth and fifth government loan drives. He is an active member and a trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Bryan, of which his wife likewise was a devoted adherent. In the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with Bryan Lodge No. 45, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 3/1
Masons; Defiance Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar at Defi- ance; and with the temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Lincoln, Nebraska. He also holds membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, as did also his wife.
When he was twenty-four years of age Mr. Devore was united in marriage to Miss Estelle J. Dellett, of Defiance, Ohio, she having previously been a popular teacher in the schools of Defiance County. Mrs. Devore passed to the life eternal September 11, 1917, leaving no children.
George F. Dick.— This representative and honored citizen of Jefferson Township, Williams County, has been distinctively the archi- tect of his own fortunes, has been true and loyal in all the relations of life and stands as a type that sterling manhood which ever commands respect and honor. He is a man who would have won his way in any locality where fate might have placed him, for he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and business tact, together with upright principles, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and persistently applied. By reason of these principles he has won and retained a host of warm and loyal friends in whatever community he is known.
George F. Dick, whose excellent farm is located in section 33, Jef- ferson Township, Williams County, was born at Rome, Richland County, Ohio, on March 27, 1846, and he is a son of Abraham and Lucy A. (Altaffer) Dick. Abraham Dick was born in Batavia, Ger- many, in 1818, and was reared and educated in that country. He came to the United States in 1836 and during the following three years lived in Buffalo, New York, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. He then came to Richland County, Ohio, and worked at his trade. Lucy A. Altaffer was born in Woodstock, Virginia, and came with her parents to Ashland County, Ohio, and in 1843 to Rich- land County, where she made the acquaintance of Mr. Dick, whose wife she became in 1845. Coming to Jefferson Township, Williams County, in 1850, they spent the remainder of their lives there, where Mr. Dick worked as a carpenter during all his active years, dying on April 20, 1904, at the age of eighty-six years and one dav. His wife had passed away in 1889. They were members of the Reformed Church and he was a democrat in his political alignment. Of the eight children born to them, four survive, namely: George F., the immediate subject of this sketch ; John, of Michigan ; Sarah E., wife of Herman Batterson, who lives on the old homestead in section 26
372 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Jefferson Township; William, who lives on section 36, Mill Creek Township.
George F. Dick was four years of age when, in 1850, he was brought to Williams County, and here he received his education in the district schools. When seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Thirty-Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with this command took part in many of the most important and hotly contested battles of the Civil war. On August 7, 1864, he was seri- ously wounded in the right thigh, which disabled him from service until December 12, 1864, when he was transferred to the Fourteenth Corps of detached troops, with whom he remained until April, 1865. He then rejoined his old regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and with it went to Richmond, and on to Washington, District of Columbia, where they took part in the Grand Review. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 12, 1865, and honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, on July 22d. On his return home, Mr. Dick went to farming and was so employed until 1870, when he located on a farm in section 36, Mill Creek Township, where he remained about six and a half years, clearing the farm during that period. He then sold it and in 1876 he located on the farm where he now lives and which he has developed into one of the choice farms of Jefferson Township. The farm comprises 125 acres of land, the greater part of which is in cultivation, while a portion of it is devoted to the raising of live stock, which in this locality is always a valuable adjunct to farming operations.
On March 17, 1870, Mr. Dick was married to Sarah Wolfe, who was born in Missouri, but came with her grandparents to Williams County, Ohio, when one year of age. To this union were born eight children, four of whom died in infancy, the survivors being as follows : Elva, the wife of Analdo Richard, of Seattle, Washington ; Minnie, the wife of Frank Eager, of Bryan ; Charles F., who remains on the home farm, married Marcie Hamet ; Florence, the wife of Lee Eager, of Center Township. Mrs. Dick died on February 16, 1919.
Politically, Mr. Dick gives his support to the republican party and has been active in local public affairs, having served three years as trustee of Jefferson Township, and as director of the County Infirmary two terms, or six years. He is a member of Evans Post No. 149, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is a past commander, and he was at one time an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Dick has eight grandchildren, of whom he is deservedly proud, and two of whom took an active part in the World war. George R.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 373
enlisted and was sent overseas, serving about a year in France, while Charles R., who also enlisted, was sent to the officers' training camp at Seattle, Washington, but was not ordered into active field service.
Eli Browx, who is living retired on his fine farm in Pulaski Township, is one of the venerable citizens of Williams County, which has been his home from his farming operations, through the medium of which he achieved independence and substantial prosperity. His home place in Williams County comprises twenty acres, and he also owns an additional eighty acres. He is a stanch supporter of the cause of the republican party, has been an upright, loyal and honored citizen of the county for many years, and is well entitled to recognition in this history. He is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Eli Brown was born September 20. 1837, and was reared and educated in Hancock County, Ohio, his patents having later come to Williams County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. As a young man, Mr. Brown became the owner of a threshing machine, and through the financial returns which he gained from its operations he laid the foundation for his later success as one of the substantial exponents of farm industry in Williams County, where he has main- tained his residence since. As a young man he married Miss Julia Weller, who was his devoted companion and helpmate during the long intervening years. She is now deceased, she having been born in Pennsylvania. William A., the only child of this union, died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. Brown is a brother of Aaron C. Brown, of whom individual mention is made on other pages.
Del A. Leu, treasurer of Williams County, is giving a most able and satisfactory administration of the financial affairs of the county and is a representative of one of the sterling families of Northwestern Ohio. He was born at Pettisville, Fulton County, this state, on March 14, 1871, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Foust) Leu, whose mar- riage was solemnized in Williams County. Jacob Leu was born and reared in Switzerland, where he had excellent educational advantages, and as a youth he also attended school in France. He was about twenty years of age when he came to the United States. He was a man of fine mentality and spoke four languages with almost equal fluency. Upon coming to Ohio, he first located at Waterville, Lucas County, though he maintained his home in Williams County for many years prior to his death, he having become a prosperous dry goods
374 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
merchant in the Village of Montpelier, where he served for over twenty years in municipal office — notably in the position of city treas- urer and city clerk. He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, was a republican in politics and was a citizen who commanded high place in popular confidence and esteem. He was about seventy-six years of age at the time of his death and his widow now resides in the City of Detroit. Of their nine children, eight are living, but only two of the number remain in Williams County.
Del A. Leu acquired his early education in the public schools of Montpelier, and prior to his election to his present office he had fol- lowed various vocations, including a number of years of effective service in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, in which connection he was a member of the board of trustees and director of the Association of Hospitals on the system. He is affiliated with the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and was a representative of the organization on that system for a number of years. Mr. Leu has given vigorous support to the cause of the republican party and has been influential in its councils and campaign activities in Williams County. While residing at Montpelier he gave effective service as president of the board of municipal affairs, and in 1916 as the repub- lican candidate, he was elected treasurer of the county, his re-election in 1918 offering a significant voucher for the estimate placed upon his first administration, the majorities which he received at both elections having indicated also his personal popularity in the county that has always represented his home.
Upon assuming his present office, Mr. Leu removed from Mont- pelier to Bryan, the judicial center of the county, but in the former place he still maintains affiliation with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of the Masonic fraternity, also the Loyal Order of Moose.
The year 1896 recorded the marriage of Mr. Leu to Miss Jessie M. Stauffer, who was born in Center Township, Williams County, and of this union have been born five children : Freda is the wife of Calvin F. Brown ; Carson, who is in the employ of the Wabash Railway, is married and lives in Montpelier ; Oneta is a student in the Bryan High School, as is also Karleen and Harrold, he being nine years old at this ■writing, in the spring of 1920.
Alva H. Quidort. — The people of Springfield Township, Williams County, are too familiar with the career of Alva H. Quidort for the biographer to call special attention to his record other than to give the salient facts in the same, for here he has spent his entire life and has gained a prominent place in the esteem of the people. Because of his
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 375
upright life and his success in his vocation, he is eminently entitled to representation in a work of this character.
Alva H. Quidort, who owns a fine farm in Springfield Township, five miles east of Bryan, was born about three and a half miles south- west of Stryker, Ohio, on November 11, 1870, and is the son of Eugene and Louisa (Jodry) Quidort, the former of whom was born in France on July 22, 1845, and the latter in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio, on November 18, 1843. Eugene Quidort was about one and a half years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, who settled first at Utica, New York, where they lived about two years. They then came to Ohio, locating in Defiance, where the father followed his trade, that of stone cutter, for some time. Event- ually he came to Williams County and settled on a farm west of Stryker, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives and died. Eugene Quidort received his education in the district schools during his boyhood, remaining at home and caring for his mother until her death. He then married and moved to a farm southwest of Stryker, which place he afterward sold, and bought the farm which is now the home of his son Alva, subject of this sketch. In 1912 he retired from active farming and moved to Bryan, where his death occurred on May 18, 1916. His wife had passed away in 1893. They were mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, and very active in their support of its various interests. He was a republican in his political views. They became the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch and a sister, Fannie Adaline, who became the wife of Charles Rex. Mrs. Rex died in 1918 and her husband in 1919.
Alva H. Quidort, who is now the only survivor of his family, was reared on the home farm and secured his educational training in the district schools. He is still giving his attention to the operation of the old home farm, of which he acquired possession after his father's death, and he has achieved a distinct success as an agriculturist. His farm comprises seventy acres of excellent land, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. He keeps the farm well improved and at a high standard of cultivation and bears a high reputation as a progressive and enterprising farmer.
On November 4, 1903, Mr. Quidort was married to Minnie L. Chaney, who was born in the State of Missouri, but who was brought to Ohio by her parents, who located on a farm near Springfield, where the marriage of the subject occurred. To them have been born four children, namely: Bessie L., born November 18, 1904; Alice Leone, December 11, 1906; Gladys P., October 6, 1908, and Clifford E., Janu-
376 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ary 29, 1912. Politically, Mr. Quidort gives his earnest support to the republican party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, espe- cially as pertaining to his home community. He stands consistently for the best things in community life and gives his support to every worthy movement for the public interest. Genial and unassuming, he enjoys to a notable degree the good will and esteem of all who know him.
Carie O. Simon. — In all that constitutes good citizenship, Carie O. Simon, foreman of machinists in the Wabash Railroad shops at Montpelier, is an example, none standing higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community. His career has been characterized by duty faithfully performed and he has earned an enviable standing with his official superiors through his industry and good judgment.
Carie O. Simon was born near the Town of Auburn, in Dekalb County, Indiana, on December 24, 1868, and is the son of George and Mary J. (Rosenberger) Simon. His parents were natives of Noble County, Indiana, where they were reared, educated and married. After their marriage they settled on a farm near LaOtto, Indiana, but sub- sequently he went into the meat business at Hudson, Indiana, follow- ing that business until his retirement, since when he has made his home at Tekonsha, Michigan. His wife died in 1900. Mr. Simon is a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church and is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons. Politically, he is a supporter of the republican party. To him and his wife were born four children, namely : Carie O., the subject of this review; William E., of Tekonsha, Michigan; Albert, of Mobile, Alabama, and Delia.
Carie O. Simon was reared in Hudson, Indiana, and received a good practical education in the public schools of that locality. His first employment was in his father's meat market, but afterwards went to Ashley, Indiana, and learned the trade of a machinist in the shops of the Wabash Railroad. In 1900 he was transferred to the shops in Montpelier, Ohio, where he has since remained. Mr. Simon developed into an unusually expert and capable machinist, his ability and steady qualities being recognized by his official superiors, so that he won pro- motion. For some time he has been foreman of machinists, a respon- sible position, calling for not only an exact knowledge of the details of the work done, but also calling for the essential qualifications for successfully handling men.
Mr. Simon was married to Arie Bell Bish, of Hudson, Indiana, and they have one daughter, Elsie, who is now the wife of Amos
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 377
Adams, of Auburn, Indiana. Politically, Mr. Simon gives his earnest support to the republican party and has taken an active part in local public affairs, being at the present time a member of the Board of Public Affairs of the Village of Montpelier. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Free and Accepted Masons, the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Royal and Select Mas- ters, and to Superior Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias. He has been honored with official position in both orders, having served as master of the Masonic Lodge and chancellor commander of the Pythian Lodge. He is of a genial disposition, sterling quality of character and is successful in his vocation.
John B. White. — Innumerable advantages are to be noted as a result of the increasing tendency of men learned in the profession of law to embark in occupations outside their immediate sphere of activ- ity. This is the natural result of a vocation which equips its devotees for success in more lines of business than any other wage-earning medium, causing it to be justly regarded as a means, rather than an end, and as an adjunct rather than an entirety. The result is necessar- ily an elevation of commercial standards, an avoidance of complica- tions, a means of adjustment out of courts, and a general simplifying of conditions through a knowledge of underlying principles and penal- ties. An illustration of this modern phase of the law is found in John B. White, secretary and attorney of the Home Savings, Loan and Building Association of Bryan, Ohio.
Mr. White was born near Montpelier, in Superior Township, Wil- liams County, Ohio, January 21, 1853, a son of Joseph H. and Rebecca F. (Leach ) White, natives of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they were married. On coming to Ohio, the parents first located in Craw- ford and next in Seneca County. In 1837 Joseph H. White bought from the Government 160 acres in Superior Township, Allen County, one and one-half miles west of Montpelier, and in August, 1839, moved to this new home with his family. Mr. White cleared a small piece of land, erected a log cabin and set about clearing his property, with the result that he became the owner of a splendid farm of 160 acres, with modern buildings and up-to-date equipment. This property still belongs to members of the family. John B. White, of this notice, has forty acres; Mrs. Hattie (White) Holloway, has a like property; and George Farley, who married Alice White, owns the balance. The parents were Quakers in their native state, but on coming to Williams County joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they were
378 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
consistent members and substantial supporters up to the time of their deaths. Mr. White was a stanch republican and served his community capably in the office of justice of the peace for many years. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom two are living: John B., of Bryan; and Isaiah M., of Montpelier.
John B. White was reared on the home farm and received his edu- cation in the log schoolhouse in the home vicinity. Later he went to school in a more modern frame building and then taught school for sev- eral terms, in the meantime devoting himself to the study of law. At the age of twenty-four years he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1881 as a Bachelor of Laws. In 1882 he located at Montpelier, where he continued in practice until 1886, and since the latter year has been engaged in his vocation here, having steadily risen to a position as one of the most thorough and reliable lawyers of Williams County. Mr. White was one of the organizers of the Home Savings, Loan and Building Association, which was organized in 1889, and the officers of which are : C. S. Roe, president ; J. E. Beach, vice president ; John B. White, secretary and attorney ; and Fred Yunck, treasurer. The board of directors including J. E. Beach, H. C. Gross, W. S. Morrow, C. S. Roe and E. A. Wolff.
Mr. White married Mrs. Belle (Brinkerhoff) Sperry, who was born in Dekalb County, Indiana, in April, 1852, and who has been active in the work of the Presbyterian Church, of which she has been a lifelong member. They reside in a pleasant home at No. 227 South Lynn Street. Fraternally, Mr. White is affiliated with Bryan Lodge No. 215, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past mas- ter; Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is a past high priest; Bryan Council No. 101, Royal and Select Masters, and a demitted member of Defiance Commandery, Knight Templars. He and Mrs. White also belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. White has long been a leading factor in the republican party in Williams County. While residing at Montpelier, he served one year as mayor, and after coming to Bryan was elected to the mayoralty, in which he served eight consecutive years. He was then out of office for one term, when he was returned to the mayor's office for another term. In 1900 was one of the electors from the State of Ohio. Genial in manner, cultured in mind, he is a fair representative of the thought- ful, intelligent men of his day and locality who are doing so much to advance the interests of their community and its people.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 379
James H. Miller. — A representative business man of West Unity, James H. Miller possesses rare ability and judgment, and the keenness of vision that has ever kept him alive to the needs of the hour, and many of the more beneficial enterprises that have been established in this part of Williams County owe their success in a large measure to his wise forethought and active support. A native of Ohio, he was born, June 29, 1867, in Hicksville, a son of James M. and Catherine (Casebeer) Miller, and a grandson of John and Margaret (Boone) Miller, who were born in Wayne County, Ohio, in early pioneer days. James M. Miller owned and operated a sawmill in Hicksville, Ohio, and was carrying on a substantial business at the time of his death, which occurred while he was yet in manhood's prime. A soldier in the Civil war, he served three months.
Left fatherless in infancy, James H. Miller grew to manhood in West Unity, and was graduated from its high school. He began life on his own account as salesman in a general store, and in that position showed marked business and financial ability. Broadening his scope of activity in 1888, Mr. Miller organized the West Unity Banking Com- pany, of which he is the efficient cashier, a position for which he is amply qualified, and in June, 1899, he organized the Citizens Telephone Company, one of the most useful and used of all the beneficial enter- prises that have been here established. Fraternally active, he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being past master of his lodge, and to the Knights of Pythias. He helped organize the local lodge and was its first chancellor commander.
Rufus H. Weaver. — Perhaps no one agency in all the world has done so much for public progress as the press, and an enterprising, well-edited journal is a most important factor in promoting the wel- fare and prosperity of any community. Williams County is certainly indebted to its wide-awake journals in no small degree, and one of the men who are doing a commendable work in the local newspaper field is Rufus H. Weaver, part owner of the Montpelier Enterprise. He has long been connected with public affairs in Williams County, being in close touch with all phases of public life here, and his influence as a writer and editor is widely acknowledged among contemporary news- paper men and the public in general.
Rufus H. Weaver was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on April 16, 1873, and is a son of J. M. and Minnie (Barkman) Weaver, both of whom also were born and reared in Seneca County. They were reared on farms and educated in the district schools, and spent their married
380 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
lives in that county, the mother's death occurring in 1881. Subse- quently J. M. Weaver came to Williams County, where he lived for a long time, eventually moving to Allegan County, Michigan, where he was again married. To this second union were born two children, Kenneth and Duncan, both of whom are graduates of the Fenville (Michigan) High School. Kenneth saw active service in the Quarter- master's Corps during the World war, being stationed at Fort Ben- jamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana. To J. M. and Minnie Weaver were born four children, namely : Rufus H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Theresa, the wife of Amandus Sherman, of Tiffin, Ohio; Fred S., who is married and is living at Detroit, Michigan ; William E., of Tiffin, Ohio.
Rufus H. Weaver spent his early life upon the farm in Seneca and Williams counties, and secured his educational training in the district schools of Seneca and Williams counties and the high school at Mont- pelier. He then engaged in teaching school, being employed for nine years in the Mount Zion school district and one year in the public schools of Montpelier. He was then nominated by the democratic party for the office of auditor of Williams County, and was elected. He was re-elected to that office, serving six years and earning a splen- did reputation as a capable and efficient public official. He then served two years as assistant in the office of the county treasurer.
On September 1, 1916, Mr. Weaver came to Montpelier and, in partnership with William Behne, purchased the Montpelier Enterprise, of which he has acted as manager and editor. The Enterprise is well edited and in mechanical execution is attractive, standing high among the newspapers of this and adjoining counties. Mr. Weaver possesses to a marked degree the instinct for "news that is news" that marks the successful journalist and through the colums of his paper he has exerted a potent influence in favor of all that is best in community life.
On June 6, 1899, Mr. Weaver was married to Savillah D. Shaull, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, and, after completing her public school education, became a school teacher, fol- lowing that vocation six years prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have been born six children, namely : Blanche A., Paul F., Raymond E., Russell H., Francis and Wilson J., who was born on January 12, 1918, and died on February 17, 1919.
Mr. Weaver and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is an earnest supporter of the democratic party, while, fraternally, he is a member of Montpelier Lodge No. 547, Free and Accepted Masons, together with the Chapter and Council
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 381
of that order, and to Superior Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He has served as secretary of the Williams County Democratic Central Com- mittee and has been a member of its executive committee for the past ten years. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters and has rendered efficient and appreciated service as a member of the Montpelier school board. He is a splendid type of the self-made man, possessing to a marked degree the elements that make men successful, pre-eminent among his qualities being that sound judgment which is ordinarily called common sense, his good judgment extending to men as well as to measures, and he is deservedly popular among those who know him.
James T. O'Bryan. — Montpelier is the home town of many Wabash Railroad men. One of these whose responsibilities give him distinction among this class of citizens is James T. O'Bryan, pay- master of the Wabash Railway in charge of the line between Detroit and Chicago.
Mr. O'Bryan is a veteran railroader and has been with the Wabash Railway Company thirty-five years or more. He was born in Penn- sylvania March 27, 1867, but grew up in Adrian, Michigan, where he attended the public schools. At the age of seventeen he entered the local office of the Wabash Railroad at Adrian, learned telegraphy, and for five years had the duties and responsibilties of operator and agent at Adrian. He was then promoted to trainmaster and chief dispatcher and on November 30, 1899, was assigned to duties at Montpelier, and has been an honored resident of Williams County for twenty-one years.
June 25, 1893, Mr. O'Bryan married Phoebe Durrin, of Butler, Indiana. She is a graduate of the Butler High School. Mr. and Mrs. O'Bryan have two daughters, Lorraine and Elizabeth, both of whom have received their education in the public schools of Montpelier. Mrs. O'Bryan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics he votes as a democrat.
William W. Fisher. — An active, wide-awake and enterprising business man, William W. Fisher, of Edgerton, traveling salesman for the J. I. Case Threshing Company, is widely and favorably known throughout Northwestern Ohio, his territory embracing fourteen coun- ties in this section of the state. A native of Williams County, he was born January 18, 1866, in Center Township, of German ancestry.
George Fisher, his father, was born in Germany, and as a child came with his parents to this country, locating in Center Township,
382 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
where he was reared and educated. Becoming a tiller of the soil, he bought land in Center Township soon after attaining his majority, and was there successfully employed in mixed husbandry until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Poorman, was born in Germany, but was brought up and educated in Center Township, Wil- liams County, Ohio, where her parents located after coming to the United States. Twelve children were born into their household, and eleven are now living, as follows : Ira, William W., Ella, Daniel, Jane, Charles, Clara, George, Cora, Grace and James. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church.
Having acquired a practical education in the district schools, Wil- liam W. Fisher later obtained an excellent knowledge of the art and science of agriculture while working with his father. Instead of adopting farming as an occupation, he worked with a threshing machine outfit until twenty-seven years of age, when he accepted his present position with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. As a traveling salesman Mr. Fisher has met with eminent success, his familiarity with the machines which he is so ably handling, and their construction, being of great advantage to him in his work.
On February 6, 1894, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage with Cora B. Smith, a daughter of John P. and Almira (Spangler) Smith, both of whom were born and bred in Center Township, Williams County, the mother's birth having occurred in 1846. The father was a farmer and a buyer and shipper of live stock. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the United Brethren Church, and liberal contribu- tors toward its support. They reared six children, as follows : Reuben J., of Edgerton, Ohio ; Charles S., of St. Joseph Township ; Arthur E., of Edgerton; Cora B., now Mrs. Fisher; Harvey C, of Edgerton, and Maud J., wife of Mead Irish.
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have no children of their own, but they brought up and educated a nephew, Andrew F. Irish, who, after his graduation from the Edgerton High School, entered the Ohio State University, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Enlisting for service in the World war, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Aviation corps and at the present writing he is with the Cleveland Lamp Works, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are active members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mrs. Fisher occupies a place of prominence in literary, social and fraternal and religious circles. She is vice president of the local Red Cross Society, and was active in the World war work. She
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 383
belongs to the Home Culture Club, which she has served as secretary, and is president of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She also belongs to the Rathbone Lodge, Pythian Sisters, in which she has passed all the chairs.
John G. Kaiser.— A prominent, substantial citizen of Williams County, who has important business interests in several directions, is John G. Kaiser, at one time the leading hardware merchant at Edon, Ohio. He was born on a farm in Florence Township, Williams County, Ohio, situated two miles north and one mile west of Edon, January 28, 1871, a son of John and Christina (Hieber) Kaiser.
John Kaiser was born in Richland County, Ohio, going later to Crawford County and it was in that county that he was married to Christina Hieber. She was born in Germany and accompanied her par- ents to the United States and was reared on a farm in Crawford County, near Bucyrus. After marriage, John Kaiser and his wife came to Williams County, settling first on a farm in Florence Township one mile south of Edon. Later he bought the farm on which his son John G. Kaiser, was born, situated two miles north and one mile west of Edon, and when he sold that he bought what is known as the old Kaiser farm located one-half mile south of Edon. In later years he moved to Edon and his last years were spent there. For many years he was a prominent factor in county politics as a strong democrat, and filled public offices of responsibility, serving in such position as township treasurer. He and wife were members of the German Meth- odist Episcopal Church. They had five children born to them, as follows : William F., who was long associated with his brother, John G, in the hardware business, died February 6, 1917; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Jacob Weber, of Defiance County, Ohio; John G. ; Fred C, who is a dry goods merchant at Edon ; and Christina, who is the wife of H. L. Shelline, of Edon.
John G. Kaiser grew up on the farm but as the distance was so short he had the advantage of the Edon schools, and later he took a thorough course in bookkeeping at Fort Wayne, Indiana. When pre- pared to enter business, in association with his brother, the late Wil- liam F. Kaiser, he embarked in a general store enterprise at Blakeslee, Ohio, which the brothers continued for five years. In 1896 they entered the hardware business at Edon, under the name of the Edon Hardware Company, erecting a store building for the purpose, and John G. Kaiser continued in that line of business until July, 1920, when he sold his interest, since which time he has given his time to
384 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
various enterprises, among which may be mentioned his farm. For some years he also operated a lumber yard but sold that branch in 1919. Mr. Kaiser has been actively concerned in many of the worthy business enterprises that have contributed to the progress and develop- ment of Edon as a substantial business center. He was influential in bringing about the formation of the Williams County Telephone Com- pany and is one of its directors, and is a stockholder in the Edon State Bank, a solid financial institution of the county, of which Charles A. Bowersox is president, E. F. Brandon, vice president, and Arthur Mauerhan, cashier.
In 1904 Mr. Kaiser was married to Miss Ethel Lash, and they have one daughter, Pauline, who was born November 9, 1905. This young lady is a junior in the Edon High School and takes a prominent part in school social affairs. Mr. Kaiser and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, he serving on the official board and for some years was superintendent of the Sunday School. In political life he has always been a democrat but has never accepted a public office, protesting that a man with so many business interests could not do justice to the duties that every public position demands. Mr. Kaiser owns the valuable old farm of 150 acres near Edon, on which he was mainly reared. Mr. Kaiser not only has the reputation of being on able and trustworthy business man but also a generous and public- spirited citizen.
Frederick W. Beek. — Few can draw rules for their own guidance from the pages of Plutarch, but all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. The unostentatious routine of private life, although in the aggregate more important to the welfare of the community than any meteoric public career, cannot, from its very nature, figure in the public annals, though each locality's history should contain the names of those individuals who contribute to the success of the material affairs of a community and in its public stability. In such a class must consistently appear the name of Frederick W. Beek, who holds the responsible position of yard conductor of the Wabash Railroad at Montpelier. and who has led a plain, industrious life, endeavoring to deal honestly with his fellow men and contribute somewhat to the general public good in an unobtrusive manner.
Frederick W. Beek is a native of England, where he was born on February 26, 1866, and he is the son of Lewis and Ellen (Baker) Beek, both of whom were born, reared, educated and married in that
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 385
country. In 1876 they came to the United States and located in Saratoga, New York, where the father engaged in farming. They returned to England, remaining there about ten years, when they again came to the United States. Frederick W. Beek went to Branch County, Michigan, where he lived on a farm with his parental grandfather Beek. He had attended school during his last stay in England and completed his educational training in Sara- toga County, New York, graduating from the high school at Ball- ston. He then was employed at various things until after his marriage, when he located on a farm in Williams County, Ohio, which he rented for about seven and a half years. At the end of that period he came to Montpelier and entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company in the train service, his first work being as a brake- man. Soon afterwards he was promoted to the position of night yard master, then to day yard master, and finally to yard conductor, which position he is now filling. Persistent industry and faithful attention to duty have been the predominant traits which have gained success for Mr. Beek and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his superiors and associates. He has been successful and owns his own home in Montpelier, as well as other valuable property here.
Mr. Beek was married to Nettie Hilton, of Hillsdale County, Michigan, and they are the parents of three children, namely : John, who is a graduate of the Montpelier schools, is an electrician in that place ; Lola, who also is a graduate of the high school here, is the wife of Hoytt Lett, of Montpelier ; William, graduated from the Mont- pelier High School, and during the World war was in the service, being located at Camp Sherman and Camp Meade. He was made sergeant clerk in the division railroad superintendent's office.
Politically, Mr. Beek has been a lifelong supporter of the democratic party and has taken an active interest in local public affairs, having served for two years as a member of the village council. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; in the last named order he has served as noble grand of Montpelier Lodge No. 547. He and his wife are members of the Daughters of Rebekah, and both of their sons are members of the Masonic Order. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, to which they give liberal support. Personally, Mr. Beek is quiet and unassuming, but he possesses to a marked degree those qual- ities which win the esteem and friendship of those who come into contact with him and he is deservedly popular throughout the com- munity in which he lives.
386 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Nathaniel B. Sanford.— One of the foremost agriculturists of Springfield Township, not one better known in its history. Nathaniel B. Sanford is numbered among the sturdy, energetic and enterprising farmers of Williams County, and is contributing his full share in maintaining its reputation as a rich and productive agricultural region. A son of the late James C. Sanford, he is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred January 11, 1869, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, and which joins the farm on which his mother was born.
Born in New York State, James C. Sanford came to Williams County, Ohio, when eighteen months old. After settling in Springfield Township he met, wooed and married Roanna Clark, January 2, 1861, and was subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1897. He was a democrat in politics, was made a Mason in Illinois and was a member of Evansport Lodge No. 511, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sanford were active charter members of Springfield Grange. To him and his wife three children were born, as follows : Charles, who died in infancy ; Eleanor, who in 1882, married J. J. Robinson died in 1892; and Nathaniel B., the special subject of this sketch.
After leaving the common schools of his native township, Nathaniel B. Sanford completed his early education in the Fayette Normal School in the fall of 1885 and spring of 1886. Choosing the occupation of both his paternal and maternal ancestors, he gained an excellent knowl- edge of the various branches of agriculture while young, and has been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising ever since. Succeeding to the ownership of the Sanford homestead, on which his mother spent her entire married life, and on which his father lived and labored successfully many years, Mr. Sanford is managing its 127 acres most successfully, as a general farmer and stock raiser, meeting with most gratifying results. He has also had other interests, having served as field man for the Continental Sugar Company for a time.
Mr. Sanford married, in Williams County, Alice Bayes in 1889, who was born May 4, 1872, and educated in Pulaski Township, this county, and they have six children living, namely : Horace D., a farmer in Springfield Township, married Bethel Ellis ; Mary, a graduate of both the Stryker High School and Denison University; Ellis O., of Springfield Township, married Luretta Moulton ; James, born in 1903, is a student of the Stryker High School; Roxanna, attending the Stryker High School, and Charles H., a school boy.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 387
Politically, Mr. Sanford invariably supports the principles of the republican party. Religiously, both Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are active members of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, Mr. Sanford is a member of Evansport Lodge No. 511, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons, and of Defiance Commandery No. 30, which conferred the Knights Templar degree upon him and his son at the same time. He also belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Sanford is worthy matron. Mr. Sanford is greatly interested in the Spring- field Grange, of which he is an active member and past master, and a member of the Williams County Agricultural Society.
Henry D. Fix. — While some of the agriculturists of Williams County are specializing on some one line, the majority find it more profitable, all things considered, to do a general farming and stock raising business, and some of them are attaining really remarkable results. One of the progressive farmers of this class worthy of men- tion in a work of this high character, is Henry D. Fix, of Florence Township.
Henry D. Fix was born in Florence Township, February 26, 1867, a son of Martin and Mary (Fetters) Fix, natives of Alsace, France, and Pennsylvania, respectively. Martin Fix came to the United States with his parents and after a period spent in New York State, located in Center Township, Williams County, Ohio. The grandfather lived on his farm until his death, following which the grandmother began living with her sons, and so continued until she, too, was claimed by death. Martin Fix was about ten years old when the family came to this country, and he was reared on the homestead which was about one mile west of Melbern, Ohio. After he married he located on a farm in Florence Township and lived there until he retired when he went to Toledo, Ohio, and there passed away. Both he and his wife were church members and good, Christian people. Of their seven children, six survive, namely : Ida, who is the wife of William Mourey of Wooster, Ohio; Henry D. ; Zora, living at Edon with her mother; Irene, who is the wife of John White : Belle, who is the wife of Samuel Anspaugh, and Hiram, who is a farmer of Northwest Township. Sarah, who is deceased, was the eldest.
Henry D. Fix was reared in his native township, and remained at home until he was twenty-eight years of age. On February 26, 1895, he was married to Nellie Coldsnow, who was born in Florence Town- ship, June 8, 1875, and educated in the district and high schools and
Vol. 11—26
388 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
was a school teacher. Following his marriage Mr. Fix rented a farm in Florence Township for three years, and then bought one in Bridge- water Township, but sold it in three years and bought another one in Jefferson Township. Seven years later he sold it and bought seventy- nine acres two miles north and one-half a mile east of Edon, and here he has since continued to live and carry on his general farming and stock raising.
Mr. and Mrs. Fix have the following children: Mabel, who was graduated from the Edon High School, is the wife of Fred Gearhart ; Herman, who was graduated from the Edon High School, is at home ; Ina, who was also graduated from the Edon High School ; Hazel, who is at home, and Audrey, who is attending the public schools. Mr. Fix and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edon. He is a member of Edon Lodge No. 644, Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a republican. Like a number of his neighbors he belongs to the Farmers' Co-operative Association at Edon.
John P. Arnold. — The name of John P. Arnold, of Jefferson Township, Williams County, does not need to be introduced to the readers of this chronicle, for it has been intertwined with the history of this locality for a number of years. The splendid success which has come to him is directly traceable to the salient points in the character, for his great energy, keen discrimination and perseverance have resulted in the accumulation of a handsome property and he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of his section of the county.
John P. Arnold was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 28, 1852, and is the son of George and Margaretha (Gilger) Arnold. The mother was a native of Germany, whence she came with her parents to the United States, settling near Rome, Richland County Ohio. George Arnold was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, and in his boyhood was brought by his parents to Richland County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, received his education in the district schools and was married. In 1875 George and Margaretha Arnold came to Williams County and bought 240 acres of land in section 30, Jeffer- son Township, where he carried on farming operations during the remainder of his life, his death occuring in 1900. His widow is still living and resides in Bryan. They were members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Arnold gave his support to the democratic party. They became the parents of eleven children, of which number ten are living, namely: John P., the immediate subject of this review; Jacob, who lives in Richland County, Ohio ; Wesley, of Bryan, Ohio ;
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 389
William, of West Unity, Ohio ; George, a farmer in Jefferson Town- ship ; Oscar, of Bryan ; Caroline, the wife of Stephen Dusten ; Mary, wife of Hezekiah Post ; Ella, wife of Harry Davenport of Medina, Ohio ; and Emma, who is unmarried and lives at home.
John P. Arnold was reared on the paternal farmstead in Richland County, Ohio, and received his education in the public schools of that county. He remained at home until about twenty-two years of age, when he started to farm on his own account and has been successful in his operations. He is now the owner of 104 acres of excellent land in Jefferson Township, this county, on which he is carrying on general farming operations, in connection with which he also gives some atten- tion to the raising of live stock. His farm is well improved in every respect, the buildings on the place being of substantial construction and well suited for up to date farming. He is methodical and systematic in his work and is accounted a thoroughly practical man in all he undertakes.
Mr. Arnold married January 27, 1876, Nancy Johnston. The Johnstons were a family of early settlers in Williams County, her parents being Joseph and Hannah (Gaskill) Johnston. Joseph John- ston was born July 1, 1818, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and married Hannah Gaskill March 26, 1846. They moved to Williams County in the spring of 1852. Hannah Gaskill Johnston was born May 22, 1825, at Alliance, Stark County, Ohio. The children of Joseph Johnston and wife in order of birth were : Mrs. Elizabeth A. Shankster, born January 13, 1847; John M. Johnston, born August 29, 1848; Rebecca J., born October 12, 1850; Mrs. Martha E. Harrington, born December 9, 1853; Mrs. Nancy Arnold, born April 22, 1856; Mrs. Alice House- man, born September 1, 1858; Thomas, born December 24, 1860; Miss Hannah Louisa Johnston, born July 29, 1863 ; Miss Mary Malisea Johnston, born August 18, 1864, and Joseph Francis Johnston, born January 23, 1867. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Shankster, John M. Johnston and Rebecca J. Johnston were born at Alliance, Stark County, Ohio, and the remaining children in Superior Township, Williams County, Ohio.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold were born three children. Two are living, Joseph W., at home, and Margaretha R., wife of Lewis F. Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have one son, Gayle. Politically, Mr. Arnold gives his support to the democratic party and takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs, supporting all movements for the public welfare. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Arnold's success in life has been the legitimate fruitage of consecutive effort, directed and controlled by good judgment and correct principles and he is held in high esteem by all who know him.
390 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Charles W. Moog is a successful business man of Bryan, a dealer in hay, straw, grain and coal, and owns and operates the eleva- tor at Kunkle, in Williams County. His career covers a broad range of business experience, as a farmer, sawmill operator, and in his present field.
He was born in Defiance County, Ohio, July 16, 1864, of French and German ancestry. David Moog, his father, was born, reared and educated in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and married a native of that country, Catherine Klutz. Soon after their marriage they came to the United States, and David Moog bought land in Washington Township, Defiance County. On the farm which he improved he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They had eight children, seven of whom are still living. Three of them live at Bryan, Charles W. and J. A. Moog, and Catherine, wife of Joseph Svoboda. David Moog was a democrat in politics, and was a German Lutheran in religious faith, while his wife was a Catholic.
Brought up on the home farm in Washington Township, Defiance County, Charles W. Moog attended the winter terms of district school and otherwise had ample exercise for his strength and maturing judg- ment in the work of the farm. When he started the battle of life on his own account he worked on a farm as a laborer two years. From farm work he became an employe of a sawmill, and in March, 1887, bought the plant and continued active in the sawmill and lumber busi- ness until December, 1899. At that date he moved to the old home- stead farm he had bought, and for five years his business activities were concentrated on the operation of the farm in Washington Town- ship. Selling it he removed to Bryan, where he had developed a very extensive business as a dealer in grain and hay, and through his ele- vator at Kunkle furnishes an important medium for the storage and distribution of grain raised in that section of Williams County.
April 20, 1890, Mr. Moog married Miss Fannie E. Wieland, who was born in Tiffin Township, Defiance County, August 9, 1869. Her father, J. G. Wieland, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 5, 1823, and was a child when brought by his parents to the United States. He grew up and married in New York state, and soon after- ward came with his wife to Defiance County, Ohio, locating in Tiffin Township. His first wife died there in early womanhood. He subse- quently married Sarah A. Moon, who was born in Tiffin Township July 18, 1838. The Wielands were a prominent family in that section of Defiance County. J. G. Wieland died August 9, 1906, when in his eightv-third year. His wife Sarah died April 27, 1910, at the age of
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 391
seventy-one years, nine months, nine days. She was the mother of six children: Eveline, wife of S. B. Figley, of Evansport, Ohio; Christ B. of Syracuse, New York; George B., of Springfield Town- ship, Williams County : Hattie, wife of John Core, of Sherwood, Ohio; Cora, wife of Charles Black of Evansport; and Mrs. Fannie E. Moog.
Mr. and Mrs. Moog have one child, Gladys Olive, a high school graduate whose accomplishments as a musician are greatly admired. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Moog is a democrat and a keen observer of politics and affairs both in his home locality and in the nation. Fraternally he is affiliated with Bryan Lodge No. 215, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife and daughter are members of the Eastern Star.
Reuben J. Smith. — A man of energy and enterprise, prosperous and progressive, thoroughly acquainted with all branches of agricul- ture, Reuben J. Smith is considered an authority on everything con- nected with farm productions, being a specialist in hay, grain, coal, wood and seeds, in all of which he is an extensive dealer. A son of John Smith, he was born, February 18, 1863, in Center Township, Williams County, and there grew to man's estate.
A native of Williams County, John Smith was reared to agricul- tural pursuits. Naturally choosing farming as his life occupation, he bought land in Center Township, and was industriously employed in tilling the soil during the remainder of his years. He was a repub- lican in politics, and a faithful member of the church. His wife, whose maiden name was Almira Spangler. was born in Center Township, Williams County. Six children were born of their marriage, as fol- lows: Reuben J., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Charles E., of St. Joseph Township ; Arthur E., of Edgerton ; Harvey, of Edgerton ; Nora, wife of W. W. Fisher, and Maud, wife of W. M. Irish, of Edgerton.
Acquiring his early education in the rural schools of Center Town- ship, Reuben J. Smith was well drilled in the various branches of agri- culture when young, and at the age of seventeen years, being the eldest child of the parental household, was forced to assume the management of the home farm. He subsequently attended the Fayette Normal School, and later embarked in mercantile pursuits, becoming widely known as a specialist in hay, grain, coal, wood, seeds and kindred productions, in which he is an extensive dealer.
392 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Mr. Smith married Jessie B. Bratton, and their only child, Ber- nice, married Ross Tomlinson, an employee of the Auburn Auto Com- pany, at Auburn, Indiana, and has one child, Ruth Jeane. Politically, Mr. Smith is a straightforward republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a charter member of the Edgerton Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Emery E. Strayer. — While Emery E. Strayer of Maplewood Farm in Bridgewater has engaged in other lines of business and has lived in other communities, he is interested in all movements calcu- lated to better the conditions surrounding agriculture. Maplewood Farm is five miles northeast of Montpelier. Mr. Strayer was born October 6, 1867, in Jefferson Township, Williams County. He is a son of D. W. and Orphana (Cummins) Strayer, the father born March 12, 1841, and the mother October 6, 1847, both natives of Williams County. D. W. Strayer was a Civil war soldier in Company H, Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteers, and was two years in the service.- Mrs. Strayer died in 1904; they were members of the United Brethren Church and he votes with the republican party. Their children are: Emery E. Strayer, who relates the family history, and A. M. and E. M. Strayer.
While E. E. Strayer was reared on a farm, when he began doing for himself he engaged in different things. For a time he clerked in a clothing store in Montpelier, and later he and his brother, A. M. Strayer, purchased it and operated it under the name Strayer Broth- ers. When he sold it he engaged in the real estate business at Law- renceburg, Tennessee, then he bought the Hub Dry Goods Store and a year later he traded it for a farm in Ashtabula County. After one year in Ashtabula County Mr. Strayer returned to Williams County and bought Maplewood Farm in Bridgewater Township, where he lives today.
On November 12, 1894, Mr. Strayer married Belle Hodson. She is a daughter of George and Emma (Back) Hodson, her parents natives of Bridgewater, and she was educated in Montpelier public schools. They have one daughter, Ruby Belle Strayer. The family attend the United Brethren Church and Mr. Strayer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges in Montpelier, and of Bridgewater Grange. They are members of the Rebekah Lodge and Mrs. Strayer is past noble grand of the Rebekahs. Mr. Strayer is republican in politics and is actively interested in all farmer organizations in Williams County.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 393
H. E. Ridgway. — There are few farmers of Williams County who have met with more encouraging success here than H. E. Ridgway, one of those sturdy characters who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the community in which he resides, being a mod- ern agriculturist and a citizen public-spirited and progressive in all that the terms imply. Such a man is a credit to any community and his life forcibly illustrates what effort and consecutive ' effort can accomplish when directed and controlled by correct principles.
H. E. Ridgway, whose fine property, known as the Clover Leaf Stock Farm, consisting of 280 acres, is located in section 24, Jefferson Township, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on November 31, 1871, and is the son of William and Sarah (Wade) Ridgway. Both of these parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but were married after their removal to Tuscarawas County. They settled near New Phila- delphia, where Mr. Ridgway engaged in farming until 1881, when he moved to Henry County, locating on a farm near West Hope. About four and a half years later he moved to Paulding County, settling on a tract of forty-four acres in the midst of a dense timber tract. He cleared that tract, developing it into a good farm, and lived there twenty-five years. In 1908 he sold that farm at a handsome profit, and bought a farm in Defiance County, about eight miles southeast of Bryan, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a member of the United Brethren Church and a republican in his political align- ment. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom three survive, namely: Charles, of Bryan; H. E., the subject of this sketch, and Elmer, of Bryan.
H. E. Ridgway was reared on the parental homestead in Paulding County until fourteen years of age, and received the advantage of a limited attendance at school. Before he was twenty years of age he went to work out by the month, for which he was paid at the beginning $6.50 a month, which was eventually increased to $18 a month. After his marriage, which occurred in 1895, he bought twenty acres of land, for which he paid $15 an acre. This land he cleared up, put in good shape for cultivation, and then sold for $80 an acre. With this start, he then bought eighty acres of land in Paulding County, which he operated for six years and then sold, this also at a good advance over the purchase price. His next farm consisted of 119 acres sit- uated four miles south of Bryan, which he sold four years later and then bought the splendid place which he now owns and which is generally considered one of the best improved and most productive farms in Jefferson Township. Mr. Ridgway carries on general farm-
394 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
ing operations, in connection with which he gives considerable atten- tion to the raising of livestock. Progressive, up-to-date and practical in everything he undertakes, he has been successful to a gratifying degree and is now numbered among the substantial men of his locality.
On June 9, 1895, Mr. Ridgway was married to Christie J. Whitaker, who was born and reared in Ohio and educated in the public schools. They have become the parents of six children, namely: Virgil, a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias lodge, who enlisted for service in the United States Army during the World war, but was not ordered over- seas, having been in hospital for five months, lives at home ; Denver, at home: Alice, the wife of Edward Rhodes; Fremont, at home; Ger- trude; Lee, at home.
Politically. Mr. Ridgway is a stanch supporter of the republican party, while fraternally he is a member of West Unity Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He has consistently supported every enterprise for the material, civic or moral advancement of the community. He is a stock- holder in the Pulaski Grain Elevator and in the Farmers State Bank, at West Unity. Having devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, by close application and habits of industry and frugality, his efforts were rewarded with a degree of success which has now placed him in pos- session of one of the choice farms of Williams County and surrounded with the comforts and conveniences of life. He also owns a nice resi- dence property in Bryan. Because of his success and his fine personal character he is universally respected and esteemed throughout the community.
E. A. Geauque during the last two decades has developed many important interests directly related to the welfare and progress of the Town of Edgerton, including the Edgerton Telephone Company, which he founded and of which he is manager.
Mr. Geauque was born in Milford Township March 16, 1872, son of A. A. and Mary Ellen (Smith) Geauque, the former a native of Holmes County and the latter of Wayne County, Ohio. The Geauque and Smith families were among the pioneers of Williams County, the former locating in St. Joseph Township and the Smiths in Edgerton. A. A. Geauque and wife grew up from childhood in Williams County, were married there, and for a number of years lived on a farm in Defiance County. The father is a member of the Church of God and the mother was a Methodist. There were three children in the family but E. A. Geauque is the only one living. The mother died in Decem- ber. 1879, at the age of thirty years.
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 395
E. A. Geauque spent his early life on a farm, attended the schools of Edgerton, and as a boy learned telegraphy. For four years he was employed as an operator by the Lake Shore Railway. In 1899 Mr. Geauque established a telephone exchange at Edgerton, that being an individual enterprise and entirely on his own capital. He continued its operation, gradually extending its facilities until April, 1905, when he organized the Edgerton Telephone Company. He is president of the company, Dr. W. W. Unger is the vice-president, J. E. Harmon is the secretary and Jacob Zebb the treasurer. The other director, besides the executive officers, is David Koener.
Mr. Geauque and Gordon Williamson also own the telephone exchange at Roanoke, Indiana, and Mr. Geauque is president of the St. Joe Telephone Company at St. Joe, Indiana. He is a director in the Farmers Commercial Bank at Edgerton, a director in the Oak Manufacturing Company, and is a member of the board of directors of the Peoples Efficient Publishing Company of Cleveland. These several enterprises represent the fruits of his increasing experience and his ability to successfully administer business affairs.
Mr. Geauque established the entire electric light plant at Edgerton.
Blakeslee and Edon and operated these plants until a few vears ago.
In 1902 Mr. Geauque married Miss Anna Gebhard, an Edgerton
girl, and she has taken an active part in his business enterprises and
has been of great assistance to her husband.
Elmer S. Johnson. — There could be no more comprehensive his- tory written of a community, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "progressive," and in this sketch will be found the record of one who outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life, one who was not subdued by the many obstacles and failures that came to everyone, but who made them stepping stones to higher things, and at the same time that Mr. Johnson was winning his way to the front in agricultural affairs he gained a reputation for upright- ness and honor. He was one of the worthy native sons of Williams County, who wisely decided to spend his life on his native soil, rather than seek uncertain fortune elsewhere, and he thus was identified with the growth of the same and played well his part in its development.
Elmer S. Johnson, who in addition to being a successful general farmer, enjoyed the distinction of being the largest grower of soy beans in the United States, was born in Springfield Township, Williams
396 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
County, on February 14, 1879, and was the son of Simon and Lucinda (Wieland) Johnson, the former a native of Fulton County, Ohio, and the latter of Defiance County, Ohio. The subject's paternal grand- father, George Johnson, owned and operated the Johnson gristmill, the first mill of the kind in Williams County and to which the early settlers came for miles around to get their grain converted into meal or flour. Mr. George Johnson met his death by accident in this same mill. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and strength of character and was the leading citizen of his community. His son, Simon Johnson, also took an active part in the business, in connection with which he carried on farming operations.
Elmer S. Johnson was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools, completing his elementary studies in the Stryker High School, where he was graduated in 1892. During the following seven years he was engaged in teaching school, at the end of which time he entered the Tri-State Normal College, at Angola, Indiana, where he took the scientific and commercial courses, graduating with the degrees Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commercial Science. On his re- turn home he was married, and soon afterwards began farming on rented land, one of his father's farms. His first distinct venture was in corn, but he soon found that corn was not the ideal crop for this land, and in 1904 he began experimenting in the growing of soy beans. His first seed was obtained from Ohio State University and Purdue Uni- versity of Indiana, and his first crops were so successful that he deter- mined to go into the raising of soy beans on an extensive scale. He care- fully selected his seed and studied the growth of the bean from every angle, so that he was able to produce a bean far above the average bean in every respect, the plant growing from thirty-two to thirty-six inches high. He grew an average of 250 acres annually of soy beans and shipped the seed to every state in the Union, as well as to many for- eign countries. In addition to beans, Mr. Johnson was engaged in growing other grains, always maintaining the highest possible standard of excellence. Altogether he operated 523 acres of land and was con- sidered the largest general farmer in Williams County, enjoying an excellent reputation for his enterprise and for his constant insistence on the highest standards in his products.
On March 26. 1903, Mr. Johnson was married to Anna Young. They were both members of the Christian Church, Mr. Johnson hold- ing his membership in the church at Angola, Indiana. Fraternally, he was a member of Evansport Lodge No. 511, Free and Accepted Masons ; Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; Defiance
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 397
Commandery No. 30, Knights Templar; Zenobia Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Toledo, Ohio; Stryker Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and with his wife, belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Pythian Sisters. He was also a member of the Grange, while his political support was given to the democratic party. Mr. Johnson was considered an authority in the production of grams, and had been employed by the state to do special work among the farmers along the line of higher standards in grains. Every year he spent from four to ten weeks in Farmers' Institute work and was a very popular talker on agricultural subjects. He was president of the Williams County Farm Bureau, a director of the local telephone company. Essentially public spirited in his attitude toward all move- ments for the advancement of the general welfare, Mr. Johnson had earned the respect of the entire community.
Elmer S. Johnson died February 22, 1920, at Columbus, Ohio of influenza-pneumonia, while being engaged in farm institute work Funeral services were conducted by the Knights Templar of Defiance Ohio. He left a wife and one child, Anna Bell, bora December 9, 1919.'
Charles A. Bowersox, for all his varied activities and interests as Judge of the Williams County Court of Common Pleas, banker lawyer, bus.ness man and farmer, yet finds time to act as supervising editor of this History of Williams County, has been a resident of the county nearly three-quarters of a century and has always been pos- sessed of a reverence for things and persons historical, not only in his own family and county, but in state and nation.
Judge Bowersox was born in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, October 16, 1846, one of eight children, the only other sur- vivor being his brother, John W. Bowersox, also of Williams County The father, John Warner Bowersox, was born in Baltimore County Maryland, January 10, 1808, of an ancestry described as Pennsylvania German. A shoemaker, he followed his trade in and about Frederick County, Maryland, and Adams County, Pennsylvania, until about twenty-two. At Taneytown, Maryland, he married Mary Jane Breck- enndge, who was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, not far from Gettysburg, in September 1810. She was of Scotch-Irish descent of a very rehg.ous Presbyterian family, and was a connection of one branch of the Breckenridge family that went to Kentucky, where the Breckenridges have long been distinguished in politics, the professions and business. Soon after his marriage John Warner Bowersox and wife removed to North Industry, a village about four miles south of
398 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
Canton, Ohio. They lived there about seven years, during which time he continued his trade. Three children were born there, one dying in infancy, and the others accompanying their parents to St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Ohio, in October, 1838. In Williams County the father engaged in farming and lived here until his death, April 14, 1890. His good wife died on the old farm in 1867.
Charles A. Bowersox grew up at the old homestead, attended the common schools of St. Joseph Township, taught seven terms of dis- trict school there, after which he entered Otterbein University at Wes- terville, Ohio, taking the full classical course and graduating Bachelor of Arts, June 10, 1874. Three years later he received his Master's degree, and years after that returned to his alma mater and was acting president of the college from August, 1890, until June, 1892. Begin- ning August 17, 1874, for two years he was superintendent of the public schools of Edgerton in Williams County. While in that post he was nominated and elected Probate Judge of Williams County, serving three full years from January 1, 1876, until December 31, 1879. In the meantime he studied law and was admitted to the bar and began practice in September, 1879, with Hon. Edward Foster. Their part- nership was terminated by the death of Mr. Foster in 1883. After that Judge Bowersox continued in law practice with some intermis- sions until January 1, 1917.
The Civil war closed before he was nineteen years of age and his only military record is as an honorary member of the Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. However, he was old enough to appreciate the grandeur of the character and service of Abraham Lincoln, and is probably the best informed man in Williams County on the life and times of the great President. Mr. Bowersox has been a popular speaker on many occasions, and his favorite subject is Abraham Lin- coln. In politics he has been a republican, with an exalted conception of the duties of the party, and has been radical to the extent of an implacable hatred of human slavery and an ardent espousal of the cause of temperance. His prohibition views have doubtless interfered at times with his political ambitions, but he has never been known to yield his convictions for expediency. Until he took his place on the bench he was in almost every campaign of his party, made a great many speeches, and in the campaign of 1896 delivered about thirty speeches in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio under the appointment of the National Committee.
Following his service as Probate Judge he was elected in the fall of 1881 to the lower house of the State Legislature, serving one term
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 399
of two sessions. The governor of Ohio at that time was Charles Fos- ter, afterwards secretary of the United States Treasury. In April, 1883, Governor Foster appointed Mr. Bowersox common pleas judge of the second subdivision of the Third Judicial District of Ohio to fill a portion of the unexpired term of S. N. Owen, elected to the supreme bench. The subdivision was hopelessly democratic and Mr. Bowersox was not a candidate for re-election. Then followed over twenty years of devotion to law practice and business. In the fall of 1907 he was again elected to the Legislature, serving two ses- sions and being present and taking part in the election of T. E. Bur- ton of Cleveland, Ohio, to the United States Senate. In the fall of 1916 Mr. Bowersox was nominated and elected as common pleas judge of Williams County, which then constituted a judicial district, and he has presided over all the sessions of this court for the past four years. Even without the honors and success of his professional career Judge Bowersox would be known as one of Williams County's best business men. He has been a farm owner and farm manager, has been a merchant, manufacturer and banker. With H. F. Bruns he com- prised the Bruns-Bowersox Lumber Company, serving as its presi- dent. This company owned and controlled large tracts of timber land on the Ohio River and in the southeastern part of Illinois, and they conducted several lines of business on the Ohio River under several firm names, with Mr. Bowersox as president. He was also a stock- holder and is a director and vice president of the Stryker Boat, Oar and Lumber Company, at Stryker. In 1881 he was elected a director of the Farmers National Bank of Bryan, served several years as its vice president, and was then elected president, filling that office by repeated election annually until he retired in January. 1919. He also served as president of the First National Bank of Montpelier until obliged to retire on account of overwork. He helped organize the Edon Bank, a partnership institution, finally incorporated, and for at least fifteen years has been president of this prosperous institution now known as the Edon State Bank Company. About twelve years ago he helped organize the Edgerton State Bank Company, was elected a director and for several years was vice president, and for the past ten consecutive years has been president.
In spite of the tremendous duties imposed by this program of busi- ness and professional duties, Judge Bowersox has found time to write for various papers, especially in a reminiscent and historical way, and has assisted in producing several histories of his native county and of the Northwest. He is a Knight Templar Mason and for five vears
400 HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY
has been principal conductor of its work. If he has slighted any of life's interests it is clubs and organizations. He is a lover of singing and has had some connections with singing societies. In early life he was united with the church of the United Brethren in Christ, graduat- ing from its oldest college, which, as noted, he served two years as acting president, but since then has attended the Presbyterian Church in his community and is a teacher of the men's class in the Sabbath school.
June 10, 1875, at Westerville Judge Bowersox married Laura Alice Jarvis, and their companionship begun in youth has endured forty-five years. She was the only daughter of Samuel and Lydia Jarvis. Her parents during their lives were devout members and both died in the faith of the church of the United Brethren in Christ. Her father for a number of years had been a general merchant at West Lebanon, in Wayne County, Ohio, and after retiring moved to Westerville, and for a time was in the hardware business there. His wife died at Westerville, and he then came to live with his daughter at Bryan and was in the home of Judge and Mrs. Bowersox for four- teen years. At his death he was laid to rest with his wife, son and little daughter in the Otterbein Cemetery at Westerville. This ceme- etry also contains the honored grave of Ben R. Hanby, author of the ■ immortal melody, Darling Nellie Gray. Mrs. Bowersox graduated at Otterbein in June, 1875. Her married life has been devoted to her home and children and the cultivation of some exceptionally artistic talents. She has taken many lessons with special masters, and excels in landscape and china painting. Her own home at Bryan and the homes of her children and friends contain some interesting examples of her art.
Judge and Mrs. Bowersox have two children. Their son Charles R., born March 28, 1886, at Bryan, has been engaged in manufactur- ing lines but is now planning to devote his time to banking. He married Lenore Grant, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Grant. Her father was formerly a banker at Pioneer, Ohio, but recently disposed of his interests and is now in Washington and California. The daughter Helene Jarvis Bowersox was born in Bryan August 18, 1896, is the wife of Wayne Burke of Edon, Ohio. Mr. Burke is a farmer and dairyman. Judge Bowersox's only grandchild is Joan Jarvis Burke, born at Edon on the birthday of her father October 16, 1920.
Judge Bowersox is one of many men who find renewed strength in association with the affairs of the past. In his own life the center of these associations is the old ancestral estate where he was born and
HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY 401
which now consists of about 220 acres. His birthplace was a lo- cabin in the woods on that land, and he was nearly old enough to vote before he went away from the old home. In the house yet stand- ing his father and mother, two sisters and a brother died, all in the same room. The estate is a beautiful and quaint old farm with groves and forest covering it in part. Judge Bowersox prizes the farm very greatly. Substantially all the old furniture, beds, bedding, books tables and chairs, a part of all its history, yet remain. It is less than fifteen miles from Bryan and he and his family and friends make fre- quent visits there and take meals in the old dining room, eat off the old plates, and sit at the old table. He keeps renters upon the farm but largely manages it himself. In the rooms so sacred to memory are books, pictures, beds, carpets and furniture as ancient as can well be found. One article is a cooking stove bought as early as 1854, and the only stove for like service the farm has ever known.
W'
m
-ii
<
****
^
*
V
•
•
^^ ?:- I
$* 1*
:
. W*. # A u¥rir
v^y///Xv
;f jt ;c;c
X«y«v«v,v,
K«Xt>y«W;
&x«;*y»v«v.
•w;«X« *« •
3 .•-■ .. < . * i i ;. j ., g ■
■■■-..* .& $ * % i
* ;n «
; . , - :
1 :
! J» ■ ! ■ . .
■ .! i j ) •• ."
":'J*J* A- *- < * ' - * * * * t *
-..•■-. •
;■■• .5 4"'*
•' ''..I « t '* i
..;v ;■■/••-
J , , r ,
,'u;.;- A !£ &. >:■ A| V>, > " ,* "V\rV
, '^ <~ •,- -*■ A •- :< ' < \ . V ^
1 . .' ,* r i. * ^
' . • \ ',.— , r, ;• r
'.'■.:■■'..■//■•.■;■
•■■■■ • :■
-
. ; £■.£ ?■ ^ $ • * '. $ * -V it *■ £ I * f>
»■ . s * v .-
: - i ■
* * f 1 f * > * 5, , X
: ■■■'
* .£ ? 51- & $. & t |f.'S ?> 3 'ft &." &'V>."
V: * * ' ' , ' * . ' " . . * .* r
? * ** *.* .* I' * fc » ',
^"•.'V- ..'- ' ' 1 * *> 5/ * I
' V -1 j s ?- \ * ;• v, \ - :: ■¥ * v r >. t
.* * A * <- i » £■ 5. .* t, w ', •-, « - ^ '.
'-..-*■ •* *. • .> - - ' ;■ t ^ " * ft * J •/?
i ,:" .--: * *■- v ?- ?* ■ :. ; >' * \. :.»'-• c *
: : i
-: I; * I-. A • I - ■
■
■
- ■
I
*. * * 4 .« < 4 ■*
.« * « « 1 4 I
* f VlVin A!/',! ' • - "* "
tiViVi/rA'i' *// ' * * §- < v A ■ ■' - -v. r, .: ■■'•-. V
VW«V«V<\vft«. ','/..
i I. -
I ■ . .vav.v.' v. .■".■•••
M«% sy/ <<• « v :- s :• v v,v a*
?;*xoy/.6*yy ,.»,:. •.■,.••', •,,-=/.
r
< '< 5 ."*, *
- . - ■ .