Allen County, Ohio - Chapter 21: Conclusion, 1906 (part 3 of 4)

Llewelyn Jones has always lived on the homestead farm and for the past 35 years has carried on undertaking. He is the only funeral director in Sugar Creek township and his calls come from all over the northern portion of Allen County and from neighboring counties as well. A part of the present farm of 45 acres belonged to the old homestead and Mr. Jones and his sister Martha bought 20 acres additional in section 33. They reside together, neither having married, and in the old home keep up many of the old Welsh customs of their parents. The large family has been reduced to three members. All are well and favorably known and are among the leading members of the Welsh Congregational Church of Gomer, of which the subject of this sketch has been a member since be was 12 years of age. He has never taken a very active part in politics, but votes with the Republican party.

H. BLATTENBERG, D. V. S., of Lima, was born in Wayne County,. Ohio, and is a son of H. M. Blattenberg, one of the prominent citizens of that county, engaged in farming and in conducting a harness business.

Dr. Blattenberg comes of Revolutionary ancestry and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution through his maternal greatgrandfather, Philip McCracken. The Doctor prizes highly the document in his possession, bearing the signature of George Washington, which proves the honorable discharge of this ancestor from the Patriot Army. His paternal grandfather, John Blattenberg, served in the Mexican War. His father served four years in the Civil War and in this period enlisted four times and was honorably discharged four times, the last discharge being dated October 30, 1865- This is a very unusual record. His first enlistment was in the First Regiment, Delaware VoL Inf., April 18, 1861. Thereafter he enlisted and served in the Sixth Ohio Vol. Cav., 166th Ohio Vol. Inf. and Fifth Ohio Vol. Cav.

J. H. Blattenberg was reared in Wayne County and, after completing his literary education in the Smithville Normal School, took a professional course in the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated in 1S92. After practicing one year in Toledo, he came to Lima, where he has been located ever since. His fine horse sanitarium on North Union street is one of the best equipped establishments of its kind in the State. Horses are brought in a regular ambulance kept for the purpose and skilled surgery speedily applied. 1 1 is work covers not only Lima hut all the counties adjacent to Allen County. He has served as president of the Ohio State Veterinary Asso-

In addition to his extensive professional interests, Dr. Blattenberg is interested in many other enterprises. He is vice-president of the Humane Horse Shoe Company, which is capitalized at $25,000. This company manufactures the latest style of horse shoe and owns the patents. He has large real estate holdings in Lima and has erected, on Elizabeth street between North and Market streets, a fine threestory, brick, flat building, 40 by 66 feet in ground dimensions. The lower floors have been fitted up for business purposes and the two upper floors are divided into cosy, comfortable apartments. They are heated by steam and lighted by electricity.

Dr. Blattenberg is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Lima, to the Shrine at Dayton and to the Consistory at Toledo, and has filled offices in the various bodies. He belongs also to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. Blattenberg has frequently been a delegate to the national assemblages of the Sons of the American Revolution. During the past few years he has indulged his fancy for making a collection of old colonial furniture and now has in his possession some rare and valuable pieces. Some are treasured old family relics and others have come into his hands by the costly methods of modern collectors. He has long been one of the city's prominent and public spirited men. During his membership on the Board of Education, the new High School Building was built (1904-05), which is one of the finest structures of its kind in the State.

ACOB PIPER, the leading retail grocer of Lima, and a director of The Lima Trust Company, was born in 1855 'n Sidney, Ohio. Pie is a son of Jacob Piper, now deceased, who was for many years the largest and most popular grocer of that city. Our subject was educated in Sidney and then entered his father's store, succeeding to the business in 1880. He remained there until 1901 when he disposed of his stock and came to Lima where he opened his present large store. He has one of the best stores in the city and keeps a complete line of fancy and staple goods to meet all the requirements of his extensive trade. Some idea of the magnitude of his business may be gained when it is known that it requires 20 employees to attend to the wants of the patrons and keep the stock in order.

Mr. Piper was married in 1885 to Aggie Line, daughter of David Line of Sidney. They are zealous members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and are always ready to lend a helping hand in any good cause. Mr. Piper was made a Mason "at Sidney and has taken the 32nd degree in that order. Mr. Piper still continues to be a director of the Citizens' National Bank of Sidney and is also, as stated above, a director of The Lima Trust Company. He takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city.

HOMAS K. JACOBS, M. D., a native of Lima, and one of the extensive owners of real estate in Allen County, is a son of the late Hon. Thomas K. Jacobs, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

He received his literary training in the common and high schools of Lima and in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1880 he was graduated in medicine at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He practiced for a short time at Akron, Ohio, and then went to Chicago and was engaged in practice there for 1 1 years. In 1891 it became necessary for him to return to Lima in order to look after his large property interests and lie has not resumed practice on account of the great demands upon his attention made by his numerous investments. For the past 15 years he has been engaged in laying out and platting additions in the southeastern section of Lima.

OAH CALVIN HIRSCHY, A. B, D. B., president of the Central Mennonite College, at Bluffton, where he also fills the chair of Greek and Biblical languages and literatures, is one of the distinguished ministers and educators of the Mennonite Church in Ohio. Mr. Hirschy was born February 25, 1867, on a farm in the environs of Berne, Adams County, Indiana, and is a son of Philip and Maria (Richer) Hirschy.

Philip Hirschy was born in Canton Neuenberg, Switzerland, in 1824, and was brought to America, when 1 1 years old, by his mother and step-father. He lived a number of years in Stark and Wayne counties, Ohio, prior to locating in Indiana, where he engaged in farming in Adams County until the close of his life, his death occurring in October, 1899. He owned a half section of land in that county and was one of its most substantial as well as highly esteemed men. Although he had had but 45 days of schooling in his life, he was a well-informed and liberal-minded man. He was a devoted member of the Mennonite Church. In 1848, in Indiana, he married Maria Richer, who was born near the village of Erikur, France, in 1826, and came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1837. Her death took place in 1893. The family consisted of eight sons and one daughter. Of the sons, Noah Calvin is the second youngest, the whole family still surviving; most of its members are engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Noah Calvin Hirschy remained on his father's farm until 18 years of age, but as he grew to youth and early manhood the advantages afforded by the country schools in no way satisfied his expanding mind. He secured a certificate to teach, and as a school teacher during the five succeeding years earned the means with which to pursue higher branches of study. He attended the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana, from 1889 to 1891. During 1891-92 he was principal of the village schools at Berne, Indiana, and in the latter year became pastor of the Mennonite Church at Wadsworth, Ohio. From 1893 to 1898 he attended and graduated from Oberlin College and Theological Seminary. He became the first president of the Central Mennonite College at Bluffton in 1901. A historical sketch of this college appears elsewhere in this work. He has been a student in the University of Chicago at different times from 1900 to 1905. On May 6, 1894, Mr. Hirschy was ordained to the full ministry of the Mennonite Church by Rev. Ephraim Hunsberger-. In 1896 he was chosen a member of the home mission committee of the General Church Conference, which position he still holds.

Mr. Hirschy was married at Wadsworth, Ohio, September 5, 1895, to Augusta Hunsberger, daughter of Rev. Ephraim Hunsberger, pastor of the church there and an eminent man in the Mennonite body. She was born at Wadsworth, Ohio, April 22, 1867. They have two children, viz.: Hermon Delos, born June 11, 1898, and Lois Elizabeth, born June 12, 1904.

BUR T. COPELAND, of the firm of Copeland & Rogers, enterprising and prosperous attorneys of Lima, is a native of this State and one of three children born to William N. and Ellen E. (Robinson) Copeland. He was born May 5, 1871, was reared on his father's farm, and attending the public schools to obtain the rudiments of his education. Later he read law in the office of Ex-Congressman F. C. Layton and was admitted to the bar December 7, 1893. He began practicing his profession the first of the following April in Lima and has met with flattering success in building up a large clientele.

Mr. Copeland was married to Lizzie Mabel Herbst and is the father of one son, Don H. They the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and contribute liberally both of their time and means towards the advancement of their church. They are pleasantly located at No. 220, South Collett street. The offices of Copeland & Rogers embrace Rooms 19, 20 and 21 Holmes Block. Our subject is a member of the Allen County Bar Association, a life member of the Allen County Law Library Association, a prominent Modern Woodman of America and is also affiliated with the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Royal Neighbors of America. In politics Mr. Copeland is identified with the Democratic party and takes a lively interest in its success.

OHN W. ROBYone of the leading attorneys of Lima, and one of the city's educated and forceful men, was born at Delphos, Ohio, January 9, 1868, and is the only son of John and Linda (Searing) Roby.

John Roby was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 31, 1839, and was a son of John and Mary (Munger) Roby, both natives of Germany. When he was about six years old his parents emigrated to America, landing in. New York and proceeding from there to Perry ville, Wood County, Ohio. The mother, worn out by the long journey, died at Buffalo, New York, before reaching their destination, leaving four children. Subsequently our subject's grandfather married again, and after the death of his second wife he went to live with his daughter Mary, at Maumee, and there he died in 1882.

John Roby, father of our subject, was seven years old when his mother died, and in those days it was no easier for a boy to grow up without a mother's love and tenderness than it is at present. When he was about 20 years old he began teaming, later bought a canal-boat which he operated three years, and then engaged for three years in a produce business, after which he opened a hotel at Delphos. He continued as manager of this until the completion of the new Phelan House, which hostelry he conducted until his death. He was a man of genial nature and was very popular with the traveling public. He died in 1898.

Our subject was reared in Allen County and was graduated from the public schools at Delphos in 1884. He then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and after two years there spent two years at Yale College where the degrees of M.-L. and LL. B. were conferred upon him. He was graduated from the law department in June, 1891 and was immediately admitted to the bar. He began at once to practice at Delphos, in partnership with H. A. Reeve, and in 1895 entered into a partnership with Hon. John E. Richie, of Lima. This partnership was dissolved July 1, 1905. Mr. Roby is prominent in his profession all over the county, and is also known favorably in business circles, being president of the Townsend Grocery Company, of Lima.

Mr. Roby was married to Eveline Curren,. a daughter of J. T. Curren, of Delaware, Ohio, and they have these children : Mary K., Martha A. and Annette. The family are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Churcli. Their beautiful family home is at No. 121 South Baxter street, while Mr. Roby's well-appointed offices are at Nos. 409-41 1 Holland Block.

Politically Mr. Roby is a Democrat. He is one of the valued members of the Allen County Bar Association and at present is president of that organization.

vIUEL J. DERBYSHIRE, M. D., one of the representative and experienced physicians and surgeons who give scientific prominence to the city of Lima, is a native of this State. He was born in Putnam County, September 28, i860, and is a son of Jesse C. and Lydia (Pierce) Derbyshire.

Samuel J. Derbyshire was reared on his father's farm in Putnam County, where he remained during his minority, in the meantime securing a common-school education, which he supplemented by a year's study at Lebanon, Ohio. Later, in 1884, he was graduated at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He then went to Indiana and studied medicine, and later entered the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, where he was graduated in medicine and surgery. In 1900 he located at Lima. Pie has become very prominent in his profession through Allen County, successfully meeting close competition.

Buck, of Indianapolis, Indiana. By a former marriage he had two children, Weir J. and Vera L. Dr. Derbyshire has his office at his pleasant home, No. 24^ Public Square. He is a member of all the leading medical organizations of his school of practice.

Dr. Derbyshire is one of the city's good citizens, public-spirited and earnest. He is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias.

ON. CHARLES H. ADKINS, one of the leading members of the bar of Allen County, senior member of the wellknown law firm of Adkins & Armstrong, of Lima, and formerly Representative in the State Legislature from Allen County, was born July 29, 1867, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Hon. Barzillai and Louise (Fissell) Adkins, who had a family of 13 children.

The father of Mr. Adkins was born in Ross County, but when three years old was taken to Pickaway County, where he has since resided, and become one of the county's substantial men and prominent politicians. A rather unusual occurrence was that both he and his son, our subject, served in the same sessions of the Legislature, the father from Pickaway County and the son from Allen.

Charles H. Adkins was educated in the schools of Pickaway County and studied law at the Ohio Normal University. He was admitted to the bar in 1892. Our subject has always been a prominent factor in Democratic politics. In 1897 he was first elected a member of the State Legislature and in 1899 he was reelected; at the end of his second term he was a candidate for congress. He is looked upon as one of the able lawyers and astute politicians of the county, and has every reason to look forward to a long and successful public career.

Mr. Adkins was united in marriage with Lora G. Mathews, a daughter of Roland G. Mathews of Harding County, Ohio, and they have two children - Harold M. and Helen. Mr. Adkins and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have a pleasant home at No. 515 North Jameson avenue. Fraternally Mr. Adkins is an Elk.

LEN E. CHENOYVETH,M. D., one of the younger physicians and surgeons of Lima, who in a short period of practice has gained the confidence of the public and the esteem of his professional associates, was born at London, Ohio, December 4, 1879, and is a son of James S. and Anna (Rowlen) Chenoweth.

The Chenoweth family is one of prominence in Madison County and Dr. Chenoweth's father was an influential man there, serving acceptably at one time as county treasurer. He reared a family of four children.

Dr. Chenoweth completed the commonschool course at London, Ohio, and then entered Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was graduated most creditably in 1900, receiving the degree of M. A. His medical education was secured in Starling Medical College at Columbus. He is a valued member of the leading medical societies including the Allen County and Ohio State medical societies and the American Medical Association. He is a close student and is equipped with a thorough professional training. Personally Dr. Chenoweth is popular and his field of practice is rapidly extending. His offices are located in the Cincinnati Block.

RANK FRAUNFELTER, superintendent of the Allen County Infirmary, which is situated in section 22, Bath township, was born July 28, 1S56, near Stringtown, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Israel and Sabra (Patrick) Fraunfelter.

Garrett Vvykoff

an early settler in Pickaway County, where he reared his family and died on his own farm. Israel Fraunfelter was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 17, 1834. On November 4, 1855, ^ie was married to Sabra Patrick, who was born in Pickaway County and died in 1859. Of the two children born to this union one died in infancy and the other is the subject of this sketch. On February 15, i860, Israel Fraunfelter married as his second wife Laannah Goodman, a daughter of John and Sarah (Weaver) Goodman, of Hocking County, Ohio. In the fall of 1865 Israel Fraunfelter and family came to Allen County, settling in German township, where he engaged in farming. Through good management and industry he developed what was considered the best farm in the township. He was a prominent Democrat and was elected by that party as infirmary director. Israel Fraunfelter died at the age of 57 years. Three sons and one daughter were born to his second marriage. At one time Israel Fraunfelter was the candidate of his party for county commissioner ; he served as township trustee for a long period. At death he left 220 acres of good land.

Our subject was in his 10th year when he accompanied his parents to Allen County. His father settled on a farm three miles west of Lima in German township and our subject remained at home until he attained his majority, having obtained his education in the common schools of his district. In the fall of this year he married and settled on a farm he bought near Allentown, a fine tract of 95 acres. He resided there until 1903 when he gave up farming in order to accept his present responsible position. For 12 years Mr. Fraunfelter was a justice of the peace in German township and is a man noted for his many sterling traits of character and for the excellence of his judgment. These things were taken into consideration by the infirmary directors in their choice of superintendent.

Mr. Fraunfelter was married in November, 1877, t0 Delilah Kesler, who was born in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Abraham and Juliana (Crites) Kesler, natives of Ohio. They have five children : Roe, wife of J. G. Baxter, Mount Sterling, Ohio ; James A., who operates his father's farm in German township; Jessie, wife of J. E. Miller, of Elida; and Walter and Grace, who live at home.

Mr. Fraunfelter has been a life-ion? Democrat and has been a very active party worker and on many occasions has been selected as a delegate to conventions. Since he was 16 years of age he has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and has his membership at Elida.

ARRETT WYKOFF. Among the early business men of Lima was the late Garrett Wykoff, who .for many years before his death on May 21, 1893, was numbered with the retired capitalists of the city. Mr. Wykoff was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 21, 1831, and was a son of Rulef and Desire (Marshall) Wykoff.

The father of our subject was born in 1796 in New Jersey, and was a young man who had just attained his majority when he came to Ohio, with the idea of founding a home. He entered land in Butler County and resided upon it the remainder of his life. He married a lady who was born in Virginia, and they reared nine children, some of whom still survive.

When Garrett Wykoff was a boy, he attended the schools of his native locality, growing up to manhood on his father's farm. His inclinations were not in the direction of a?riculture, rather more in the line of mechanics. He learned the trade of blacksmith and became a first-class artisan, enjoying a very prosperous trade. After 12 years of work at blacksmithing, he came to Lima, where he enlarged his business, entering also into wagon manufacturing. While carrying on a good business in these lines, he wisely invested considerable capital in real estate and to the management of this he devoted the latter years of his life. He was a man of practical ideas, keen and cpiick in business dealings, an honest, outspoken defender of his political views and religious professions, and a man who enjoyed the respect and esteem of the community.

Frederick and Elizabeth Straley. She still survives and enjoys the many comforts of a pleasant home at No. 212 South McDonald street, Lima. Mr. VVykoff was laid at rest in Woodlawn Cemetery. He was a prominent and influential Mason, and Garret Wykoff Lodge, F. & A. M., was named after him. His portrait acompanies this sketch.

HANNON FRAUNFELTER wasborn in Green township, Ross County, Ohio, February 2, 1863, and when but a child removed with the family to Allen County. They settled on the farm . of 100 acres, which is admirably situated on the Allentown road within two and a half miles of Lima in section 28, German township, where Shannon Fraunfelter is engaged in carrying on agricultural operations. He is meeting with much success in the management of the homestead. He also makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle and at the present time is acknowledged to have the finest herd in Allen County. He is a son of the late Israel Fraunfelter, a member of a family that stands very high in the county.

Israel Fraunfelter was born July 17, 1834, in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and was a son of John Adam and Saloma (Markel) Fraunfelter, natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared in Pickaway County and there he atended the district schools and grew to manhood a well-informed farmer. On November 4, 1855, he was married to Sabra Patrick, of Pickaway County, Ohio, who died in 1859. To this marriage two children were born, one of whom died in infancy; the other is Frank Fraunfelter, the well-known superintendent of the Allen County Infirmary. On February 15, i860, Mr. Fraunfelter was married to Laannah Goodman, a daughter of John and Sarah (Weaver) Goodman, of Hocking County, Ohio. To this marriage were born these children : Otis, residing in Allentown, who married Eliza Baxter; Shannon, the subject of this sketch; Milton, deceased at the age of five months; James, who married Etta Crites and is engaged in farming in Amanda township; and

On September 1, 1865, Israel Fraunfelter and family settled on the farm now conducted by our subject. He died on this farm January 22, 1892, and was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Lima. His widow and his son, Shannon and daughter, Mary Alpha, continue to reside on the old homestead. The family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Elida.

RANK H. DOWNING, a member of the well-known law firm of Welty & Downing, of Lima, is the worthy representative of a name that has been indissolubly linked with the history of Allen County for nearly four-score years, his grandfather, Adam Downing, having come to Allen County in 1833 ; he took up a section and a half of land and erected the first house in Monroe township. It was on this farm that Frank H. Downing was born, July 27, 1870. His parents were Rev. Hugh and Mary (Hughes) Downing, whose family consisted of three children.

Hugh Downing was a child of two years when his father settled in Allen County, and the hardships and privations which were the lot of the early pioneers only accentuated the religious vein which the lad possessed, and he read messages of love and warning from the grandeur of the forest with its wild solitude and the untamed creatures lurking within its sheltering depths. In his sermons lie spoke from a heart full of love for his fellowmen. He made a wide reputation, and the good accomplished by him can never be told.

Frank H. Downing was reared on his father's farm and attended the common schools when a lad. Not caring to follow agricultural life, he determined to take up the study of the law, and to that end entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He was admitted to the bar in the autumn of 1899, and came to Lima the following spring. His partnership with Mr. Welty was formed soon after, and the volume of business conducted by them shows the confidence reposed in this firm by the public. Mr. Downing is a Republican. He is genial and affable and has met with quite as much success in a social as in a business way.

S. WHEELER, one of the eminent attorneys of Lima, senior member of the law firm of Wheeler & Bentley and formerly president of the Ohio State Bar Association, was born in Bedford, Ohio, October 21, 1849, and is one of a family of five children born to Edwin and Sallie (Sanford) Wheeler.

Mr. Wheeler was reared on his father's farm. His early education was obtained in the district schools, where he prepared for Oberlin College, from which institution he was most creditably graduated in the class of 1876. He then prepared for the practice of the law under the supervision of Andrew Squire, a leading attorney of Cleveland, and was admitted to the bar in 1878.

In November, 1881, Mr. Wheeler came to Lima and opened a law office. In 1884 he formed a partnership with W. E. Hackedorn, which connection lasted until 1887. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Herbert L. Brice, which continued until the death of Mr. Brice in 1902. Since that year Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Bentley have formed the present strong combination, which handles a large part of the important litigation of Lima and vicinity.

In 1900 Mr. Wheeler was elected president of the Ohio State Bar Association, a just tribute to one who has proven himself eminent in his profession. A notable paper on "Law" was read by President Wheeler before the Ohio State Bar Association at its annual meeting in 1902, which for beauty of diction, originality of thought and comprehension of the great subject involved has scarcely been surpassed by any modern speaker. He is a valued member of the American Bar Association and of the county and city organizations. For two and a half years he was referee in bankruptcy, and performed the duties of that responsible office according to the letter of the law and with the judgment which only years of legal training could have produced.

Mr. Wheeler has a beautiful home on the Spencerville road and a domestic circle made up of wife and two children. He married Laura E. Seaver, who is a daughter of Andrew Seaver, a well known citizen. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

IOSEPH WARREN KILGORE, notary public and a leading attorney of Lima, is one of four children born to Samuel and Margaret (McFarren) Kilgore..

He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 23, 1855. Samuel Kilgore was an agriculturist of considerable means who owned a fine farm in Wayne County, whence he removed to Allen County in 1871. The greater part of our subject's youth was spent in Wayne County. He attended the common schools, aided in the farm work, and later farmed for some years in Monroe township, Allen County. Deciding to take up a profession, he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, August 10, 1897, and devoted his best efforts to mastering the intricacies of the profession of the law. He was graduated from that institution in 1898, and on June nth of that year was admitted to the bar. He at once located in Lima and has been in active practice here since. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association. In 1905 Mr. Kilgore was the Democratic nominee for probate judge.

Mr. Kilgore was married to Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Marcus Miller, who resided in Allen County until 1869, and whose family tree was deep rooted in Virginian soil. He died in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore are the parents of five children. They are members and active workers of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and their pleasant home, at No. 980 West Wayne street is a center of open-handed hospi- tality. Mr. Kilgore at one time served as township clerk, and for 12 years was a member of the School Board of Monroe township, the educational question being one in which he takes an active and intelligent interest.

EV. PHILIP LEMASTERS, one of Spencerville's most venerated citizens, whose ministerial life covered a most interesting period of the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio, is as well and widely known as any clergyman of that religious body. He is a native of Ohio, born June 10, 1836, in Shelby County, near Fort Jefferson, and is a son of Luman W. and Nancy (Young) Lemasters.

The Lemasters family is of French extraction. The father of our subject died in 1888. The mother was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and at her death, in 1904, was in her 92nd year. Their nine children all survive and are as follows: Philip, of Spencerville ; Mrs.

Rachel Cunningham, of Salamonia, Indiana; Mrs. Catherine Wehrley, of Portland, Indiana; L. W., of Salamonia, Indiana; Jacob, of Nebraska ; Mrs. Phoebe Wilson of Fort Recovery, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Petrie, of Salamonia, Indiana; Mrs. Martha Loofborrow, of Ord, Nebraska; and John, of St. Paul, Nebraska.

Philip Lemasters attended the public schools of Shelby County and later enjoyed academic and collegiate training at Liber College, in Indiana. He taught school in Butler and other counties in Ohio, in the meantime preparing himself, by special study, for entrance into the Methodist Episcopal Conference of Central Ohio. This had been his ambition almost from the age of 16 years, when he joined the church, and the desire to devote the energies of his body and the powers of his mind to spreading the Gospel grew with his growth and increased with unfolding opportunity. In 1870 he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Clark, and in 1872, an elder, by Bishop Harris.

The first charge to which the young minister was sent was that of Columbus Grove, and his subsequent charges, in order of incumbency, were : Spencerville. Salina, St. Johns. West

Cairo Mount Victory, Quincy, Ansonia, Huntsville, Bettsville, Weston, Mendon and then back to Spencerville among old friends and esteemed members of his former congregation. He located at this point in 1891, and after a service of three years preached one year at Allentown. In 1895 he was placed on the supernumerary list, after almost a quarter of a century of faithful and consistent work in the ministry. In the early days his charge, included a number of preaching appointments, miles apart, sometimes as many as eight, and every day of the week would be filled, with three services every Sunday. This entailed much riding, often over rough country and the acceptance of hospitality in many different homes. He preached his last sermon at Spencerville on November 12, 1905, in the absence of the regular pastor, with much of his old-time fire and conviction.

At the close of his second year in the ministry, on September r, 1870. Mr. Lemasters was married by Presiding Elder Roberts to Elizabeth Hover, who was born at Lima, Ohio, in 1846. At the age of 17 she joined the church of which she has been a faithful member ever since. Her parents were Cyrus and Martha (Post) Hover, the former of whom is deceased, his death taking place March 8, 1896, at the age of 74 years and three days. He was the second of four brothers who located in the vicinity of Lima, coming in 1833 from Trumbull County, Ohio. On August 4, 1847, Cyrus Hover married Martha Post, who still survives and lives with her daughter, Mrs. Hitchcock, at Lima. Her parents were C. C. and Elizabeth (Bryant) Post, a well-known family of this section. Mrs. Hover is the oldest surviving member of this branch of the Post family. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, August 7, 1827. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hover were: Elizabeth, wife of our subject;

Mary, wife of R. H. Gamble, of Lima; C. A., who is in the loan and real estate business at Lima: Kate, wife of D. H. Crites, of Elida; B. G., of Lima; Minnie, wife of James Cochrun; Florence, wife of F. \V. Newell, of Hammond, Indiana; and Martha (Mrs. Hitchcock), of Lima. Mr. and Mrs. James Cochrun reside in the old Hover home in Spencerville.

a daughter, Bessie, who in 1903 was married to A. E. Henry. They have one daughter, Nellie Elizabeth, born January 4, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Henry reside in the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Lemasters in Spencerville.

Mr. Smith comes of Scotch-English ancestry, although the family has been established in America for several generations. His parents were born in Pennsylvania; they removed to Marion County, Ohio, in 1831, since which time the family has been identified with the affairs of one of the most important States in the Union. The father settled in a rich farming and grazing section and lived there for many years, a successful agriculturist and stock-dealer. In 1845 he moved to Hardin County. Surrounded by good influences and in the midst of plenty produced by industry and frugality, a family of 15 children were born, all of whom reached maturity and the four who died first came to their deaths by accident. The parents of this virile family lived to a vigorous old age.

O. W. Smith was educated in the local schools and was afforded the best educational advantages possible in the locality at that time. For five years he was a student at Hiram College, of which the late President James A. Garfield was the head. He taught school in the West for one year and in June, 1864, entered upon the reading of the law. Completing his studies in 1867, he was admitted to the bar, and in the following year established himself in Lima, where he is the oldest attorney at the present time. Here he has continued in practice for almost 40 years and is one of the best known attorneys before the city and county courts. His knowledge and experience make him one of the wisest counselors now in practice. and he has been markedly successful in a number of notable cases of litigation. He now

On June 23, 1874, Mr. Smith was married to Josephine C. Cunningham, only daughter of John and Emeline Cunningham, who were early pioneers of Lima, Mr. Cunningham settling here in 1832. The Cunningham family has a family record going back 800 years, while the Smith family trace their ancestry back prior to the Revolution, in which four of the family served. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four daughters - Ethel, Helen W., Marian and Lenore. Mrs. Smith was one of the three first graduates of the Lima High School in 1864. After graduating, she was principal of the High School at Bellefontaine, Ohio, for seven years previous to her marriage.

ILBERT L. ROGERS of the wellknown, wide-awake law firm of Copeland & Rogers, was born July 14, 1871, at St. Johns, Auglaize County, Ohio. His parents were Alfred and Catherine (Morris) Rogers, who were agriculturists and the parents of seven children, five of whom are living at this time.

Mr. Rogers spent his boyhood on the farm, and worked his way from the common schools through law school by his own efforts. After graduating from the schools of Jackson Center, Ohio, in 1889, he engaged in teaching school from 1889 to 1893. He also worked about a year as bookkeeper for the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, of South Bend, Indiana. In 1896 he was graduated from the law department of the Ohio Normal University at Ada.. He had previously attended the Tri- State Normal College, of Angola, Indiana. After his graduation in law and admission to the bar, he came to Lima in April, 1897, and soon after formed the present partnership with Mr. Copeland. Mr. Rogers is a deep thinker and a logical speaker ; his words carry conviction and impress his hearers with their earnestness and truth. His success and ability in his chosen work have placed him, even in this short time, among the leading lawyers of the county.

Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Lulu E. Gullette, daughter of William Gullette, of Lima. They are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rogers is a Republican.

ILLIAM A. REYNOLDS, one of Spencerville's substantial citizens and representative men, has been identified with the interests of this town for the past 24 years, mainly, but not exclusively, in the line of lumber. Mr. Reynolds was born August 3, 1849, near Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Malinda (Moon) Reynolds, and a grandson of John and Julia (Lively) Reynolds.

The grandparents of Mr. Reynolds were natives of Greenbrier County, formerly in Virginia, but now a part of West Virginia. In 1862, during the Civil War, they moved to Clinton County, Ohio, where the grandmother died, reaching old age although she had borne and reared nine sons and six daughters. She possessed what has been considered a mark of beauty, perhaps on account of its rarity - one black and one blue eye. The 13th child of the above family still survives, Mrs. Rebecca Flint, who resides at Paulding, Ohio. It is a curious and unusual coincidence that Mr. Flint was also the 13th child in a family of 14 children. The Virginia Livelys were large slave-owners.

George Reynolds, father of our subject, and his twin brother, David, were born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, in 1822. George Reynolds was a farmer in the humbler walks of life, dying in 1880, aged 58 years. In 1847 he married (first) Malinda Moon, in Clinton County, Ohio, removing at an early day to Fayette County, Ohio. The children of this marriage were: William A.; James, who died aged six years; Mary Jane, who is the widow of Joseph Workman, a veteran of the Civil War and a resident of Spencerville ; and Malinda. The last named died with the mother, at the time of birth, and both were laid to rest in the same casket. George Reynolds married

William A. Reynolds was reared on a small farm in Clinton County, Ohio, and can remember as far back as his sixth year; for then it was that he commenced attending school at Reeseville, two miles distant. It was a long walk to take, but he was always a sturdy lad, and now is a splendid specimen of manhood,, being six feet, one inch in height, and carrying easily his weight of 240 pounds. He is the father of three sons, who are but a shade less developed. In the days when Mr. Reynolds was a lxiy, it was considered advisable for children to be "hardened" to the weather, and he was 12 years old before he owned an overcoat. At that age he was able to plow as well as his father,; perhaps better, as the latter had been injured by being kicked by a horse, and in later years depended largely on the filial care of our subject. A handsome granite monument has been erected to the father's memory by this same son.

Until he was 24 years of age, our subject continued to work on the home farm, and he assisted in the raising of the flax and in preparing it for the loom ; he also collected the walnut bark with which to dye the material after it was woven. He has comfortably worn many a suit of jeans, as his sisters did dresses of linseywoolsey. He became a thorough and practical farmer and in 1874 worked as a farm hand. In 1875 he moved to Auglaize County and secured work in George Kephart's mill, taking much interest in his job of hauling logs. This was not lost on Mr. Kephart, and he soon made his new employee a fireman in the mill. Later on, when the sawyer quit, Mr. Reynolds was promoted to that position, and, as before, worked so faithfully and carefully that Mr. Kephart valued him highly. He remained there for five years, receiving $20 a month for his services. In 1877 the mill was moved to Spencerville and Mr. Reynolds accompanied Mr. Kephart as head sawyer. In 1879 he branched out on his own account, buying logs and lumber for some two years. At the death of Johnzey Keith, he purchased the portable mill the former had l)een running, and operated it until it was burned in the great fire of June, 1877. His next business venture was the purchase of the old sawmill on the west side of the canal, and some time later he embarked in a lumber business in connection with the mill work. Since 1894 he has owned and operated a large lumber-yard. On August 23, 1897, Mr. Reynolds was again burned out, sustaining a very heavy loss.

Upon resuming business, Mr. Reynolds formed a partnership with C. A. Mauk, and together they purchased the present lumber business, continuing to be associated for two years, when Mr. Reynolds bought his partner's interest and has operated the business alone -ever since. This concern has furnished the material for nearly all the buildings in Spencerville since it has been established. Mr. Reynolds has many other interests. For about four years he operated a handle factory south of his present office, continuing it as long as conditions made it profitable. From the date of the first oil boom, he has been interested in oil development in this section and is now a contractor, with a complete string of tools. He is a large owner of town realty and is also proprietor of a farm of 200 acres in Amanda township, located in section 17. At one time 130 acres of it were covered with a heavy growth of timber. This he has utilized and transformed nearly the entire tract into one great grass pasture, having 50 acres yet that is timbered. He pastures a large number of fine sheep. In 1905 he erected a new barn on the farm, with dimensions of 36 by 70 feet, and 20 feet high. A commodious tenant house also stands there.

In 1881 Mr. Reynolds was married in Auglaize County, Ohio, to Mary C. Dietsch, who is a daughter of Michael and Lydia (Berringer) Dietsch, who were born in Auglaize County and reside there in the old home, just across the Allen County line. They are aged 74 years. They have two children: Mrs. Sarah Eisley and Mrs. Reynolds.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are: John, who was educated in a business college at Poughkeepsie, New York; Earl, who took a business course at Delaware, Ohio; Wilmer, who is a student at Spencerville ; Ruth, Myrel and Homer (all students), and Morris, the youngest of the family, who is a bright and beautiful child of three years. Being seven years the junior of his next brother, he is naturally the pet of the family, as well as one of its brightest members. Mr. Reynolds has kept his older sons with him, educating them to business methods, and now paying them the same salaries they could command elsewhere.

The pleasant family home of Mr. Reynolds is situated on Fourth street, on the Lima turnpike road, being a modern residence shaded by beautiful evergreens. When Mr. Reynolds came first to Spencerville, there were no pavements in the village, nor was it reached by a railroad line. Weeds stood as high as a horse on the present site of the Keith House, and the well-known citizen, Johnzey Keith, owned the greater part of all the land north and south of the present railroad to the river. As a member of the early Town Council Mr. Reynolds has been personally concerned in much of the development and improvement that have taken place. For over 18 years he has served on the Board of Education, has been president of that body, and was its treasurer when the last addition was made to the new school edifice.

Politically Mr. Reynolds is one of the county's leading Democrats, and on numerous occasions has served as delegate to county and congressional conventions. For years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee, and for some years was the superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Reynolds owns stock in the Citizens' Bank, of which he is one of the directors, and is in every regard one of Spencerville's useful and popular citizens.

EV. ALOYSIUS I. HOEFFEL, pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist at Delphos, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born at Lutzelbourg, Lorraine, Diocese of Nancy, France, May 14, 1832, but he has been a resident of Ohio for many years, coming as a pioneer priest to many of the now thickly populated counties of this State.

a period of 40 years. Father Hoeffel pursued collegiate studies there for five years and he spent four years subsequentlyatFenetrange and Pont-au-Mousson, France, completing his classical studies. In 1854 he came to America and in January, 1855, was received at St. Mary's Theological Seminary. After three and a half years there, he was elevated to the priesthood by Bishop Rappe, June 13, 1858. On July 2d of that year he was appointed to the parish at Defiance, Ohio, which included work in six counties, his knowledge of German and French making his services of the greatest value. For a decade following, Father. Hoeffel traveled through Paulding, Henry, Fulton, Williams and parts of Lucas and Putnam counties, carrying to many secluded homes the comfort of spiritual ministrations and performing at many points the various offices of the church.

On January 28, 1868, Father Hoeffel was appointed pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist at Delphos, Ohio, since which time he has been identified with the work and people here. What he has accomplished fills an important chapter in church history in this part of Ohio. In 1868 he purchased two lots on which stood a frame house where worship was held. In 1869-70 a new brick school-house, three stories high, containing four rooms and hall, was erected; and in 1872 a Sisters' residence on First street. These narrowly escaped the fire of 1873, when the pioneer church and Sisters' residence were destroyed. In 1875 a new organ was installed in the church, and in 1879 I'16 old wooden structure, which had outlived its usefulness, was pulled down. On June of this year the corner-stone was laid for the new edifice, which is now entirely clear of debt. The beautiful chime of bells were presented to the church by Father Hoeffel in 1894, when the 50th anniversary of the church was celebrated. A full sketch of the church may he found in Chapter VII of this work in the history of Delphos.

Father Hoeffel is much beloved by his congregation and by the general public at Delphos, this feeling of general esteem gaining him the name of the "Good Shepherd" of his parish. After the celebration of the silver jubilee, the good Father was afforded the opportunity to make an enjoyable trip to Europe. Although a man of scholarly acquirements and literary tastes, as will be seen, he is also a man of great executive ability and most practical ideas.

ENJAMIN F. WELTY. a leading attorney of Lima, member of the wellknown firm of Welty & Downing and prosecuting attorney of Allen County, was born August 9, 1870, a short distance from .Bluffton, Ohio. His parents, Frederick and Catherine (Steiner) Welty, are engaged in agricultural pursuits and own a farm near Bluffton. They had a large family of 17 children, of whom 13 are living.

Having finished the common-school course, Mr. Welty entered college and completed the scientific course, later taking up the law course and graduating from the University of Michigan two years later, in 1896. He came at once to the county seat of Allen County and opened an office, being associated at first with Mr. Huber, but afterwards forming a partnership with Mr. Downing, which firm has proved to be a strong combination, achieving success and lasting popularity. Being a young man of decision and energy Mr, Welty has taken a keen interest in the management of county and municipal affairs, and has been prominent in the councils of the Democratic party for several years. When the call came for troops to serve in the Spanish-American War, he was enrolled as a member of Company C, Second Regiment Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers. At the present time he is commissary, with rank as captain, of the Second Regiment Infantry, Ohio National Guard.

Mr. Welty was secretary of the Democratic Executive Committee in 1898, and for several years has been the efficient city attorney of Bluffton, having been elected to the office in 1897, and remaining in that capacity until the office was changed from an elective to an appointive one, since which time he has been employed by the village.

Mr. Welty married Cora Gottschack, whose father, Andrew Gottschack, was county treasurer of Adams County, Indiana, and a prosperous druggist of that county.

IMOTHY B. BOWERSOCK, proprietor of the "Lima Jersey Stock Farm," located in German township, is one of the most advanced and progressive agriculturists of Allen County and his reputation as a farmer and breeder of thoroughbred Jersey cattle has made his name familiar beyond the boundary of the State. Mr. Bowersock was born April 28, 1853, in Noble County, Ohio, and is a son of John Bowersock who died in Allen County March 1, 1889, and is remembered by the older residents as a man of sterling qualities. John Bowersock was born' in the State of Pennsylvania, December 16, 1 8 1 r , and was a shoemaker during his earlier years. Later, he became a miller and followed that occupation for many years, but at the outbreak of the Civil War abandoned that calling to purchase horses for the Government. In 1865 he removed from Noble to Allen County, where he purchased 126 acres of land in section 33, German township, and gave his attention to farming during the remainder of his life.

Timothy B. Bowersock was a lad of 12 years when his parents sought a home in Allen County, and he has grown to manhood and been identified with the leading men of the community ever since. He has always been interested in farming and stock-raising, and established his present beautiful farm in 1878. He began by stocking it with thoroughbred Jerseys, and he still makes a specialty of that breed of cattle, although he buys and sells extensively of other stock, confining his transactions, however, to high-grade stock. Many fine animals are disposed of both by public and private sale each year, and the fact that they come from the "Lima Jersey Stock Farm," is considered a guarantee of their superior merits.

Mr. Bowersock has been married twice. On September 25, 1873, he was united to Ellen Kemp, daughter of Rev. J. W. Kemp, and three months later, on December 23, 1873, s^ie was called to her reward. In 1876, on March 25th, he was married to Margaret L. Brewbaker, a lady of many estimable qualities and a daughter of G. W. Brewhaker. Her father, a venerable pioneer of Allen County, was an honored resident within its limits from 1S33, when as a child of seven he was brought here with the family, until his death in 1896 as an old and highly esteemed citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Bowersock are the parents of the following children: George A.; Walter M. ; William LI.; Nora M. ; Roy E. ; Oscar and Calvin Brice.

The fraternal societies to which Mr. Bowersock belongs are the following : Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Improved Order of Red Men. He served one year as worthy president of the lodge of Eagles and was a delegate from the lodge to the national convention that was held at Denver, Colorado, in 1905.

Mr. Bowersock is one of the prominent Democrats of this county, and has borne his full share of the responsibility and labors which should devolve upon all, but usualy fall to the lot of a few of the untiring workers. Time and again he has been honored by election to office, and has served on the Democratic County Executive Committee, as township assessor, land appraiser, township trustee and president of the School Board. He is now serving his second term as township treasurer, and in the discharge of the duties of this office, as of all others which he has assumed, has shown earnestness, faithfulness and ability. For eight years he also served as secretary of the Allen County Agricultural Society, then declining further service in that capacity.

Mr. Bowersock has reason to be proud of the fact that he has acquired prominence solely through individual exertions ; further, he has established a fine home and given his children a thorough education, four of the memlrers of his family being teachers in the schools.

HOMAS R. THOMAS, M. is a rising young physician and surgeon of Lima, who has already .gained an enviable reputation in his profession by reason of the skillful and successful treatment of the cases entrusted to his care. His parents are John T. and Marguerite (Richards) Thomas, who are farmers of Van Wert County, this State, where our subject was l>orn February 14, 1873.

five children. After finishing the public school course, he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1899. From there he went to Stillwater, Minnesota, where he became a member of the hospital staff, and during the year spent there, under the best physicians of the State, gained a practical knowledge of medicine and surgery that would have required years of ordinary practice to acquire. Thus equipped with all the latest practical and theoretical methods for the practice of medicine, he came to Lima in 1900 and has been remarkably successful in building up a large and constantly growing practice. He is frequently called in by other physicians to assist in difficult cases. It is confidently predicted that he will soon stand at the head of his profession in the county. :

Dr. Thomas was married to Minnie Watkins, daughter of Thomas' Watkins, and one child, Lester C., has been born to them. They are earnest workers in the Presbyterian Church, of which they are members and are prominent in the social life of the city. The Doctor is a member of the State and county medical socities and is a Modern Woodman of the World. He is supreme medical examiner for the Colonial Insurance Union of the United States. He is a Republican in politics.

OSHUA B. COON, who is engaged in \ a wood and feed business, on the corner \ of Market street and Washington avenue, Lima, and is also the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres, situated in Shawnee township, belongs to a family which was established in America before the War of the Revolution. Mr. Coon was born January 23, 1842, on his father's farm in Allen County, Ohio, and is the eldest son of Wesley and Mary (Flynn) Coon.

George Coon, the grandfather of Joshua B., was born in 1783 in the State of Pennsylvania. After reaching his majority he went first to Kentucky and then to Belmont County, Ohio, still later to Logan County, and in 1832, to Allen County. He was a pioneer here, a man of prominence in his day, and when he' died in 1873 he left numerous descendants. Wesley Coon, father of Joshua B., was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1807, and there he was reared, under pioneer conditions, and obtained his education in the primitive schools of that locality. In 1832 he settled permanently in Allen County entering 80 acres of land in section 4, Shawnee township, and there his life was passed, his death occurring in 1866. He was twice married, first to Mary Flynn who died in 1856, leaving five children, and second, to Caroline Craft, who had three children.

Joshua B. Coon remained on the home farm until the outbreak of the Civil War. He was one of the first in his locality to think of leaving all personal interests behind to serve his country in her hour of peril. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, 46th Reg., Ohio Volunteers Infantry; he wore the Union blue through three years and nine months of danger and exposure and, when his services were no longer needed, was honorably discharged. He participated in many of the most serious battles of the great struggle and can speak with pride and knowledge of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta. Well he remembers the long march through Georgia to the sea and the later triumphal return to Washington where the tattered battleflags and the old worn-out uniforms testified to the dangers passed, and where the country sought to show, by honors and enthusiasm, a portion of the gratitude it felt toward its brave and loyal defenders.

Upon his return from the army, Mr. Coon purchased his farm in section 5, Shawnee township, on which he resided, carrying on extensive farming and dairying, until 1899, when he moved to Lima, with the intention of living retired. A few years of inactivity sufficed, and in 1903, he engaged in his present business, opening a wood yard and a feed mill, and demonstrating that he still retains much of his oldtime energy and business capacity.

In 1866 Mr. Ccon was married to Mary B. Buckley, who is a daughter of William and Eliza Bucklev. The father of Mrs. Coon came to Allen County after the Civil War, in which he had been a soldier, serving three years as a member of the 1 8th Regiment, Michigan, Vol. Inf. He conducted a grocery business for some years on the Auglaize River. He survived until 1901, dying at the age of 92 years. Mr. and Mrs. Coon have three surviving children, viz. : Charles, Mary A. and Virgil N. Charles Coon married Maud McClure, a daughter of John McClure, a farmer of Shawnee township, who served through the Civil War as a member of the 99th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. Charles Coon and wife have two sons, Carl and Ralph. Mary A. Coon married R. D. Crites, who is a prominent farmer of Amanda township and a son of Isaac Crites, one of the pioneers of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Crites have these -children : Winnifred, Ruth, Harriet, Pauline,

Clayton and Robert. Virgil N. Coon married Edith Judy, who is a daughter of Clay Judy, a well-known paper-hanger, of Lima. They have two children - Roy and Herbert.

Politically he is a Republican, but has never been willing to accept offices of a public character. He belongs to Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R.

L. RUSSELL, president of The Bank of Lima, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is one of the leading men of this section of the State, identified with a number, of its most important interests to such an extent that he has made a name for himself in business, social and political life. Mr. Russell was born at Zanesville, Ohio, and is a son of Anson Henry Russell, a well-known oil producer who now lives retired at Cleveland.

Mr. Russell received his educational training in the public schools at Hanoverton, Ohio, Logansport, Indiana, and Saginaw, Michigan. His father was interested in oil production and the son entered into business as an operator and producer, first in the oil fields of Venango County, Pennsylvania. Since then he has investigated intelligently the oil fields of almost all sections of the United States and has been a producer in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. At the present time (1905) he is personally interested in the operation of 475 wells. In addition he has company interests in a number of successful concerns which cover a wide territory. He is president of the National Consolidated Oil Company, Union Oil, Gas & Refining Company, Mount Joy Oil Company, Bolton Oil Company, and Troga Oil Company ; and is a director and a member of the executive committee of the United States Petroleum Company. The last mentioned is the largest independent oil-producing company in the field and was organized by Mr. Russell. He floated it in France, its flotation being the largest deal ever made in the oil fields, the sum involved being nearly $1,000,000. For some time Mr. Russell continued as president of the company, but subsequently resigned in order to give necessary attention to his many other enterprises.

In 1902 he came to establish his home at Lima. He is a man who impresses one most favorably, a man with clear insight into world affairs, with a level head, an open, engaging manner and, in business, a perfect master of diplomacy. His mingling with men of affairs in this and other countries has broadened both his mind and his sympathies, making him a citizen of whom Lima has reason to be proud.

Always alert in matters of business, when the great Klondike region began to attract visitors, he went with the great exodus from the East to that far-distant spot in the great frozen West. He was successful in attaining the results which took him there and returned home in safety after an absence of 18 months, although he was on almost the exact spot where occurred the great snow-slide in which 86 men and three women lost their lives. Mr. Russell assisted in taking out the bodies of six of the unfortunates.

Three years prior to his visit to the Klondvke region, Mr. Russell had made a business visit to Venezuela. South America, and while there he secured from President Crispo concessions for a long-distance telephone service. He also was the moving spirit in the building of 1,500 miles of trunk lines through the Andes Mountains and he established 17 local ex- changes. It was during his strenuous work in those malarial regions that he was attacked with yellow fever. Although 20 of his employees died of the disease at this time, he survived, being cured by a treatment of his own, with no medical assistance.

He was directly instrumental in saving the life of President Crispo at the beginning of a revolution; for this act he was decorated with the third degree of the Buste Bolivar , which he has in his possession. He is the only private citizen that ever received this decoration.

With the exception of his visits to South America, and the Klondike region, and their consequent business results, Mr. Russell has given his time mainly to the oil-producing business and in Ohio his name is almost as familiar a one as those of the leaders of the largest oil corporation in the world.

Politically Mr. Russell is a stanch Republican and he has always been more or less prominent in party councils. He was a delegate from the Fourth Congressional District of Ohio to the Republican National Convention which nominated Theodore Roosevelt for the presidency, a fact which has given him much satisfaction. He belongs to the Masons, the Elks and the Red Men.

ILLIAM E. REILLY, one of Lima's representative business men, in the line of real estate and insurance, was born at Chicago, Illinois, in i860, and is a son of the late Patrick Reilly, who was a railroad man all his life, and who for 14 years was chief of the motive power department of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad.

In his childhood, the parents of our subject moved from Chicago to Burlington, Iowa, where he was reared and where he obtained his education in the public schools. After completing the high school course, he went to Beardstown, Illinois, as clerk to the master mechanic of the St. Louis Division, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In that capacity he remained three years, when he became storekeeper of the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroad, at Mattoon, Illinois, and continued thus until the fall of 1887. In September of that year he came to Lima as chief clerk of the mechanical department of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, his father at that time being chief of the motive power department. In this position he continued until June, 1900.

In the spring of 1901, Mr. Reilly was elected a justice of the peace and served in that capacity until June, 1905. Since then he has been engaged in the fire and life insurance business, and has also dealt in real estate with it. He has always been more or less interested in politics and is a ready worker for his friends.

ASPER EVERETT one of the prominent farmers of Allen County, has been a life-long resident of the farm in section 34, Monroe township, where he first saw the light of day November 16, 1850. He has 40 acres of land which he devotes to general farming; by giving it the proper attention, he manages to raise almost as much produce as do many farmers with twice the acreage. His parents were Jacob D. and Elizabeth (Bush) Everett.

Jacob D. Everett was born February 27, 1807, in Erie County, New York, and belonged to one of the old New York families who were originally from England. His parents came to Allen County to spend life's sunset days. He was married December 30, 1828, to Elizabeth' Bush, who was born in New York, Februry 12, 1806 and together they removed to Trumbull County, Ohio, and later, in 1835, to Allen County, where he bought land of Samuel Miller. As there was no road within three-quarters of a mile of the property, he had to "blaze" the trees in order to make his way to and from his home. He became the owner of 280 acres of land, the greater part of which he cleared during his life. The log house which he built for -his home is still standing as a reminder of the hardy and enduring character of the brave old pioneer. His estate was left in the form of three farms of 80 acres each, and one of 40 acres. He was a member of the Disciples' Church and a man who took a keen interest in the spiritual, moral and intellectual improvement of the new country. He was serving as treasurer of the township at the time of his death, May 30, 1852. His family consisted of nine children, namely : Hannah (Edgecomb) of Beaver Dam; Jonathan L., deceased; Mary, wife of Isaac Tharp of West Cairo; Abraham, deceased; Elias deceased who lived in Indiana ; Frances L. deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Cramer, of Paulding County; Thomas, deceased; Esther deceased, who was the wife of William Beamer ; and Jasper.

Jasper Everett, the immediate subject of this sketch, was married in 1872 to Margaret Reeder a native of Jackson township and a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Hawk) Reeder, the former of Northurmberland County, Pennsylvania, and the later of Brown County Ohio. They were pioneers of Allen County, where they died. Mrs. Everett is the mother of six children, viz. : Elzie, of Monroe township ; Emmett, an attorney of Lima; Vacy, wife of Charles Lamb; Alzada wife of Frank B. Stockier; Grover, who is in school and Yates. Mr. Everett is a Democrat and served for six years as township trustee, being elected to that office in 1891. He has been an Odd Fellow since 1881 when he became a charter member of Cairo Lodge. Mr. Everett had three brothers in the Civil War : Jonathan L. took part during the last year of the war, Abraham enlisted for 100 days, while Thomas reenlisted after serving three years and was with Sherman on the memorable "March to the Sea." i OHN KEITH, civil engineer and form- | erly county surveyor of Allen County, ^ now lives in a beautiful home at Lima, and owns one of the finest farms in Perry township. Mr. Keith was born August 27 1844, in Van Wert County, Ohio, and is a son of Johnzey Keith and a grandson of John Keith.

Keith, the paternal grandfather, migrated from Maryland to Van Wert County, Ohio, among the early pioneers in 1833, and became one of the prominent men of his day. Johnzey Keith, the father of our subject, was born at Baltimore, Maryland, and accompanied his parents to Van Wert County. With his father he entered government land, which was long known as "Keith Island," because of the fact that then the land was covered or surrounded by water. He became a leader in public affairs and served in many responsible positions, holding local offices and serving two terms as county commissioner. His name was given to localities, streets and buildings, and it has been one which has been held in esteem in all this part of the State.

When John Keith, our immediate subject, was seven years of age, his parents moved to Mercer County, where they lived until the fall of 1854 when they settled in Allen County, at a time when Lima was but a village. The father owned a farm and reared his son to agricultural pursuits, but the latter early turned his attention to civil engineering, and subsequently became so thorough and competent a surveyor that, in 1879, he was elected county surveyor of Allen County. In 1882 he was reelected to the office and on one occasion polled the second highest vote on the Democratic ticket. It was during this term of his public service that many important public improvements were made, one of these being the inauguration of an extended system of ditching. He was civil engineer of the work, while the Court House was being built. When it became a subject of vital import that Hog Creek, should be ditched, it was Mr. Keith who drew the designs for this important work. After his term of office expired, he returned to the farm, where he resided, with the exception of two years' residence in Spencerville, until he retired to Lima in 1902.

On December 23, 1869, Mr. Keith was married to Mary Partello, a daughter of Washington R. Partello, who located at Lima in i860, and later was elected for two terms as treasurer of Allen County. They have three children, viz.: Albert G., who is one of the chief clerks for the Hollingsworth & Whitney Paper Company, of Boston. Massachusetts; Lillie, who is the wife of Harry R. Post, of Laflin & Rand, of Haskell New Jersey; and Donald Roscoe, who is a civil engineer in the county surveyor's -office of Allen County.

In politics, Mr. Keith is a Democrat. In 1900, while a resident of Amanda township, where he owned 500 acres of land, he served as land appraiser. In 1902 he sold his property there and bought the old Ross Crossley farm of .340 acres in Perry township. For over 30 years he has been a member of the Masonic lodge at -Spencerville.

C. SETTLAGE, secretary of the People's Oil & Gas Company, of Lima, is an experienced oil and gas man and has been connected with some of the large enterprises, principally located in the Trenton rock fields of Ohio. He was born in 1846, at New Bremen, Auglazie County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry A. Settlage.

The father of Mr. Settlage was born in Germany and came to Ohio in 1838, settling among the pioneers of the Western section of Auglaize County. He was a farmer, and during the building of the Miami and Erie Canal was engaged as a contrator on that useful water-way.

H. C. Settlage was educated in the schools Auglaize County, and then took a course in Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, following which he taught school for two years and then entered into a mercantile business at Wapakoneta, where he continued for the next

10 years and where he still has his residence. He was then elected recorder of Auglaize and served in that office for the following six years. After retiring from the record- he became associated with the Wapakoneta Gas Company as general manager and secretary, which he managed for five years and then became interested in the production of crude oil, principally in the Trenton rock fields of Ohio. He organized the National Oil Company, of which he is vice-president, and with other capitalists is interested in the Peoples'

The People's Oil & Gas Company is strictly a combination of business men and capitalists, who produce crude petroleum from tested fields. The policy of this company has always been to work leases in well-known fields, where the speculative feature is at a minimum. The officers of this large corporation are : Charles H. Hubbard, president; Russell L. Armstrong, vice-president ; William M. Melville, treasurer ; H. C. Settlage, secretary, and William G. Brorein, general manager. The office rooms are at Nos. 410-41-1 Opera House Block, Lima.

In 1870 Mr. Settlage was married to Louisa Kattman, of Auglaize County, and they have three living children, viz: Laura, wife of Van Schwergen, of Lima, who is in the service of the Western Ohio Railway Company; Wesley, who is in the real estate and insurance business, at Wapakoneta ; and Fred, who is an employee of the Kreitzer Buggy Company, of Wapakoneta.

Politically Mr. Settlage is identified with the Democratic party. When a resident of Wapakoneta he took an active part in the public affairs of the place. He is a member of Lima Lodge No. 162, B. P. O. E. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church.

EORGE L. NEWSON, president of the City Council of Lima, and one of the leading business men, being the senior member of The Newson-Bond Company, general house furnishers, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, May 13, 1865, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Kingman) Newson.

Samuel Newson was born in Maryland, but subsequently moved to Ohio, where he followed an agricultural life until his death February 5. 1892. He reared a family of four children.

George L. Newson was reared on his father's farm and grew to manhood like most country boys, differing from some in being more ambitious. He prepared himself for teaching, and for some four years he spent the winters as a pedagogue and assisted in the farm work during the summers. In 1891 he came to Allen County and accepted a position as clerk in a furniture business at Lima, paying such close attention to the demands and management of this line of business that in 1895 'ie embarked in the same with a partner, under the firm name of Newson-Deakin Company. This partnership lasted for two years and then a corporation was formed and the business was conducted under the style of Newson, Deakin, Bond Company; two years later it was changed to its present style.

The Newson-Bond Company carries an immense stock of fine household goods and is the largest establishment of its kind at Lima. The value of the stock carried amounts to about $35,000; 15 salespeople are employed. A specialty is made of fine purniture such as can only be found elsewhere in the large cities.

Mr. Newson was united in marriage with Anna B. Powell, a daughter of Evan Powell, of Morrow County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Newson are leading members of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. The -charming family home is located at No. 133 North Collett street.

Politically, Mr. Newson is a stanch Republican and he has been an important factor in his party for many years. He was elected a member of the City Council and its president in 1902, and in the spring of 1905 he was honored by his fellow-citizens by nomination as Representative. Primarily a business man with large private interests to make heavy demands upon his attention, he is public-spirited enough to assume the duties of office when he believes he can thereby work for the welfare of his fellow-citizens.

CLINTON BEILER resides on a farm of 80 acres in section 14, German township, and is one of the thrifty, influential men of Allen County. He was born on the Van Wert County side of the canal in Delphos, Ohio, on April 20, 1850, and is a son of John and Margaret (Cunningham) Beiler. The Beiler family was established in America early in the 1 8th century, when the great-grandfather of our subject, Joseph Beiler, came from Germany and settled in

Pennsylvania. He afterwards moved to Carroll County, Ohio, where he reared a family, among whom was David Beiler, who was born February 2, 1772. David Beiler remained in Carroll County and there married Nancy Summers. Among the children born to them was the father of our subject - John Beiler, who is a resident of Boston.

Through his mother's people, Mr. Beiler traces his ancestors back to Patrick Cunningham, of the Manor Cunningham, of Clough, Ireland, who died in 1644. The first one to come to America was John Cunningham who settled in Philadelphia in 1737, and died there in 1776 at the advanced age of 95 years. In 1832 William Cunningham came from Knox County, Illinois, to Allen County, where he is still represented by numerous descendants. Mrs. John Beiler was a daughter of Archibald Cunningham and was the mother of 10 children, namely : William Biebb, born December

4, 1845, wh° was killed June 27, 1864, in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain; Samuel L., born June 30, 1847; J. Clinton; Clara, born January 13, 1852, who married A. A. Starkweather anddied August 29, 1898; Flora, born May 13,. 1853, and deceased on October 4th following; Adam Clark, born August 17, 1854, deceased January 17, 1892 ; Emery Fremont, born March 15, 1856; Emma Summers, born March 15, 1856, deceased Septemebr 18, 1858; Josephine, born April 7, 1858, who became the wife of Frank Lochhead, and died December 7, 1894; and David Lincoln, born July 4, i860, who died on August 2 1 st of the following year.

Mr. Beiler received his education in the district schools and the Ohio Wesleyan University. He has been a farmer all his life. His farm of 80 acres, which he has placed in a high state of cultivation and improved by remodelling and adding to the buildings, is one of the most attractive and beautiful in German township. He was married on April 25, 1880, to Ida Faze, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Faze, of this county. She is a granddaughter of Nicholas and Cordelia Faze, who were of French-German descent and who came to the United States from Germany in 1819. Mrs. Beiler was born March 31, 1852. in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Mr. Beiler bebo j f / : ' r ( 1 J ff ' < :r ' r

March 2, 1881, is a graduate of Lima College, class of 1903. After teaching two years in the Allen County Children's Home, she accepted a position in District No. 6, Sugar Creek township. Ethel Elizabeth, born October 31, 1883, was graduated from the same college in 1904. She is now teaching in German township. Ida Zoe, born November 30, 1885, will graduate from Lima College in the class of 1906. Cora Lois, the youngest of the family, was born January 6, 1891. The family are Methodists, being members of Wesley Chapel in German township, where Mr. Beiler has served as trustee, class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a Republican in politics.

ACOB R. WELCH, M. D.,who has the distinction of being the oldest resident physician at Spencerville, as well as one of the town's busiest and most useful citizens, was born at Cuba, Putnam County, Ohio, March 16. 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Allen) Welch.

Jacob R. Welch was the only child of his parents and was born after the death of his father, who had been a practicing physician at Cuba. His bereaved mother survived until November 15, 1883, and from the age of 10 years our subject had given his best efforts to make her life one of ease. He attended school during the winter seasons and through the good management of his mother and by reason of his own ambition passed creditably through the Fort Wayne (Indiana) High School. He worked at the various employments open to a youth at that time and proved his efficiency in many ways. In 1870 he entered the Methodist at Fort Wayne and took a preparatory medical course and was graduated at the end of four years. He then followed teaching for three years in succession and, as chance offered, attended the Indiana State Normal School at Valparaiso. His medical reading was done under Dr. C. B. Stemen at Fort Wayne and in 1879 he reentered the college at Fort Wayne

As soon as he possessed his coveted degree, Dr. Welch, with a capital of $5 and abundant energy, came to the village of Spenvercille and entered into practice, first with Dr. C. B. Rice, whom he bought out six months later. One year after locating here, on November 28, 1883, he was appointed surgeon for the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad. For five years his manner of visiting patients scattered through Allen, Van Wert and Mercer counties was on horseback, and he was obliged to keep three saddle horses in order to attend to the needs of a large and constantly increasing practice. Now his automobile awaits at his office door but his field of practice has been confined to a much smaller territory than in the old days when a call was answered no matter from what distance, both as a matter of humanity as well as for selfish reasons. The town at that time had about 600 inhabitants. He recalls many of his earlier brother physicians, namely: Hart, Campbell, Renner, Travis, Rice, Pethrick, three of these still surviving and working in other fields.

On May 7 1885 Dr. Welch was married to Mollie Miller, a daughter of Harvey Miller, of Warsaw, Indiana. Three children were born to them. Their only daughter, Mildred, is a student in the Spencerville High School.

In addition to his heavy professional labors, Dr. Welch has been interested in a number of business enterprises at Spencerville, including a. produce business, oil developing and the presidency of the Spencerville Artificial Stone Company, but his profession has always come first and in it he 'is honored and gratefully remembered all through this section. He was one of the early promoters of the various medical organizations and belongs to county and State medical societies, to the Northwestern Medical Association and to the other bodies of a local character. In civic affairs he has always shown a good citizen's interest and was serving as a member of the School Board when the handsome schoolhouse was erected in Spencerville. He belongs to Masonic Lodge No. 306 and to the Knights of Pythias, both at Spencerville.

Hon. John E. Rich Ik

ON. JOHN E. RICHIE, formerly judge of the Court of Common Pleas and now the senior member of the well-known law firm of Richie & Leland, of Lima, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, March 28, 1838, and is a son of Mirabeau F. and Sarah (Eaton) Richie.

Mirabeau F. Richie was born in Pennsylvania but came to Ohio when he was but 12 years of age, and settled in Columbiana County, removing in 1839 to Van Wert County. His family consisted of 10 children, seven of whom still survive.

John E. Richie was a babe of one year when his parents settled in Van Wert County. He was a student in the first schoolhouse ever built in Harrison township and in youth attended school when not engaged in work upon the farm. He completed the school course before he was 18 years old, and thereafter, until he reached manhood, he continued to assist his father on the home farm in the summer season, while in the winter he taught school. Arriving at manhood's estate, he began the study of the law, his reading being done under the supervision of Edward A. Ballard, now of Denver, Colorado, a well-known former attorney of Allen County. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 and prior to coming to Lima practiced law for six months at Bluffton.

Since locating in Lima, the subject of this sketch has become one of the leading practitioners before all the courts and has filled offices of responsibility. For three years he served as justice of the peace, and was elected city solicitor when the village was given its city charter. In the fall of 1888 he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas and served in that position from February, 1889, to February, 1899. Since retiring from the bench, Judge Richie has given his attention to a large and important practice in partnership with F. F. Lelancl.

In 1861 our subject was married to Margaret J. McCoy, a native of Van Wert County, Ohio. To this union were born five children, as follows : Idumea, wife of F. F. Leland, his present law partner; Willis A., a prominent architect of Spokane, Washington, who was architect of the State Capitol of Washington and all the court houses around Puget Sound; Walter

J., junior member of the firm of Richie & Richie; Bertha, wife of Hugh L. Harrod, a traveling salesman, with home in Lima; and Frank, deceased at the age of two years.

The second marriage of Judge Richie was contracted with Mrs. S. Louise (Van Arsdale) Wyker, who by her first husband had one daughter, Lilian. Judge Richie with his family attends the Presbyterian Church. The beautiful family residence is situated at No. 541 West Wayne street, while Judge Richie's offices are in the Holland Block.

Politically, judge Richie is identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally he is associated with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He has long been looked upon as one of the city's most public-spirited men; one proof of this attitude was his gift in 1892 of a tract of 10 acres for the use of Lima College. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

C. RILEY, one of Lima's prominent business men, an extensive oil producer, and organizer of the "International Fire Alarm System'' in Ohio, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1865, and is a son of the late Michael Riley, who for many years was interested in the large contracting firm of Smith & Williamson, of Cincinnati. Mr. Riley is a nephew of John Charles Riley, a very prominent politician of that city, ex-postmaster and a member of the wholesale firm of McHenry & Company.

Our subject was reared and educated at Cincinnati and there began his business career with the wholesale men's furnishing goods house of Liebunan & Schloss. After four years with this well-known house, he entered the traffic department of the old Cincinnati Southern Railroad for a period of five years. Following this preparation, his promotion to the positions of chief clerk and later to general superintendent of the traffic and transportation departments of the C., H. & D. Railway was rapid. For 12 years, he had entire charge of the loss and damage claim department. Early in April, 1889. he came to Lima to take charge of the Lima terminals, having the title of gen-

At the above date Mr. Riley became traffic manager for the Manhattan Oil Company and continued with them until their sale to the Standard Oil Company, in 1900. Since then he has been engaged almost exclusively in the oilproducing business. He is associated with J. R. Keenan, of Marion, Indiana, and they have 45 oil-wells in operation in Grant County, Indiana. He has been much interested in the new magnetic system of fire alarms, has acquired the patents of an automatic system and has just organized a company for its introduction. He is a man of great business enterprise and possesses a vast amount of American push and energy.

Mr. Riley was married on June 27, 1898, to Mrs. Peter Smith, who is a daughter of John E. McMaher, one of the early contractors of Chicago, who built one of the first tunnels under Lake Michigan to the cribs and had the contract for almost all of the early brick paving done in that city. Mr. Riley is a member of the Elks and of the Knights of Columbus.

ALVIN HEATH is well and favorably known, not only in Elida, where he conducts one of the finest meat markets in this part of Ohio, but throughout the entire county of Allen, having been engaged in extensive business transactions here during the past seven years. Mr. Heath was born August 15, 1857, in Cumberland County, Illinois, and is a son of Joseph Heath, now many years deceased, who was at one time successfully engaged in the butcher, business.

When Calvin Heath was nine years of age, the family moved to the State of Missouri, remaining there but one year when they returned east, locating in Champaign County, Ohio. That was before the day of the lightning express and the journey was made by them in covered wagons. Mr. Heath was educated in Champaign County and there grew to manhood. As soon as he was large enough, he worked by the month as a farm hand for several years and later engaged in farming on his own behalf. In 1898 he engaged in the butcher business at Elida and also bought and sold stock quite extensively, meeting with success in both lines of work. In addition to running one of the best markets in the county, he ships cattle, hogs and sheep to supply the Pittsburg market and has made Elida widely known as a shipping point of importance.

In 1881 Mr. Heath was married to Phoebe Molenhour and four children have been born to them, namely : Hazel ; Oliver, who is associated in business with his father, Minnie and Ira. Mrs. Heath had three brothers in the Civil War. Her father, Henry Molenhour, was a locksmith and followed that occupation for more than 50 years, being so employed at the time of his death seven years ago. Mr. Heath has been a member, of the Elida Town Council for the past five years. He has been an honored member of the United Brethren Church for 18 years and for a number of those years has served on the Board of Trustees. When it was decided to erect a new church in Elida, B. F. Sherrick, Rev. Sords, the pastor, and Calvin Heath were appointed as the building committee and have carefully superintended the work which is now in process of erection, and will soon be ready for dedication, at which time Elida will have a church that will be a credit and an ornament to the entire community.

HILL, master mechanic of the Lake Erie & Western, Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville and Northern Ohio railroad shops at Lima, has been a resident of this city only a short time, coming here September 1, 1904. He was born in Scotland in 1865, and is a son of John Hill, deceased, who was at one time master mechanic in charge of the roundhouse of the Wisconsin Central Railway at Stevens Point.