Ashland County, Ohio - The whole text, 1909 (part 26 of 26)

William James Simms

William James Simms, residing on a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres in Green township, Ashland county, is devoting his life to agricultural pursuits in which he is meeting with creditable success. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, near Steubenville. March 20, 1837, a son of William and Hannah (Jennings) Simms, natives of Jefferson county, Ohio. The former, born November 9, 1809, passed away when sixty-five years of age, while the latter, who was born June 6, 1804, lived to the venerable age of eighty-six years. In their family were five children: David Benton, deceased ; William James, of this review; Martha Ann, the wife of Jonathan Davis, of Nebraska; John, who enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war from Ashland county and was killed in the battle of Chickamauga; and Wilson Shannon.

Removing to Green township with his parents when only a year old, William James Simms has spent comparatively all of his life in this township. He has devoted his entire attention to the occupation of farming, being now the owner of one hundred and forty-six acres in section 25, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He raises the crops and cereals best adapted - to the soil and climate and his well kept fields are evidences of his thrift and enterprise.

On April 12, 1858, Mr. Simms was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Zimmerman, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, who was born February 7, 1836. Unto them were born six children: Malinda Jane, who died in childhood; Samuel Leander, who met his death on the railroad in 1896; Margaret Elizabeth, who also passed away in childhood; Etta, the wife of G. L. Darling, of this township; David Franklin, of Wabash, Indiana; and Maude Bell, the wife of Paul Bickford, of South Bend, Indiana. The wife and mother passed away October 4, 1886, and on the 14th of November, 1899, Mr. Simms was again married, his second union being with Margaret E. Wolf, a daughter of Warring Wolf, and a native of Green township, where she was born November 21, 1845, on the farm which is now her home and upon which her entire life has been spent.

Mr. and Mrs. Simms are both members of the Loudonville Baptist church, and for ten or twelve years, before removing to this immediate vicinity, Mr. Simms served as deacon of the Perrysville Baptist church. They take an active interest in the work of the church and Mr. Simms is in hearty sympathy with all measures which tend toward the moral development of the community. In politics he is a democrat and for two years occupied the office of trustee of Green township. while for many years he served as school director. His career has been a most exemplary one, in which he has performed all duties, whether of a public character or those pertaining to private life, in such a way as to gain the respect and trust of his fellowmen. His interest in the public welfare is unquestioned and his business dealings at all times have been of such a character as to inspire confidence in those with whom he comes in contact.

H. J. Raubenolt. prominent in the financial and commercial circles of Ashland as a member of the firm of J. W. Brown & Company, coal dealers, was born in Lake township. Ashland county, June 11, 1871. His parents are William and Catherine (Hoy) Raubenolt, the former a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of New York state. their marriage being celebrated in the first named place. Soon afterward they came to Ashland county, Ohio, locating in Lake township, where they remained for three years. They next made their home in Wayne county, this state until 1904, and then located in the city of Ashland, where they have since resided. A democrat 'in politics, the father has always been loyal to the candidates of his party and as well, evincing considerable interest in local affairs, has held various township offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical church, in the affairs of which they have always taken an active interest.

H. J. Raubenolt was reared at home under the careful training of his parents, becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits on the home farm, where he remained until twenty-two years of age, in the meantime having been given advantage of an education in the public schools. He then commenced farming for himself, in 1893 coming to Ashland county and renting land in Lake township, upon which he pursued general agriculture for five years. At the end of that time he gave up his farm and engaged in the huckster business for three years, and next followed threshing until 1902. In the meantime he served as treasurer of Lake township from 1899 to 1902. He then came to Ashland, where he followed his trade as a carpenter for six years and in 1908 became a member of the firm of J. W. Brown & Company, dealers in coal and building supplies. In his venture he has been wonderfully successful, his business being one of the most lucrative in the city, and as its owner he ranks high in the financial circles of ,the city.

On February 2, 1893, Mr. Raubenolt wedded Miss Lelah Aber, of Lake township, and to this union have been born: Paul A., Mabel B. and Ruth E. A democrat in politics, Mr. Raubenolt is a firm believer in the fundamental principles cf his party and is deeply concerned in local affairs. He belongs to Ashland Tent, No. 515, Knights of the Maccabees; Mohican Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F.; Ashland Encampment, No. 130, I. O. O. F.; and the Commercial Club. Together with his wife, Mr. Raubenolt attends divine worship at the Methodist Episcopal church, in which both are active workers, and, being a man of great industry and honesty, whose commercial ambition has had much to do with the financial standing of the city, he is numbered among its representative business men,

Peter Shafrr

Peter Shafer started in business life on his own account with three sheep but became known as one of the extensive sheep raisers of Ashland county and is now classed with its prosperous and representative farmers, owning and cultivating four hundred and ten acres of land in Green and Mohican townships. His birth occurred near McKay, in Green township, January 20, 1839. His grandfather, Charles Shafer, spent his entire. life in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, where he carried on business as a weaver of coverlets. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and assisted in carrying Lafayette off the field when that French nobleman was wounded. The maternal grandfather of our subject was George Black, a native of Pennsylvania who came to Ohio in the 730s and here died.

Peter Shafer and Sarah Black, representatives of these two families, were married in the Keystone state in 1821. The former was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and the latter near the city of Pittsburg en the 16th of June, 1806. They continued their residence in the state of their nativity until 1832, when they came to Ashland county, Ohio, and located in Green township, a mile west of the present home of their son Peter. A few years passed and the mother was called to her final rest, in December, 1840. Thirty-nine years then went by ere the father departed this life, on the 6th of September, 1879. In Pennsylvania he had engaged in mining coal and in raising vegetables, and after coming to Ohio he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, having one hundred and ten acres of good land. Following the death of his first wife he married her sister, Susan Black, who survived him until 1906.

He was the father of twenty-one children, ten having been born of his first marriage, namely: John, who died in childhood; Samuel, deceased; George, who passed away in early life; Sarah, who became the wife of Henry Friedt, and after his death married Jacob Sychapose and is now a widow in Indiana; Charles, of Oklahoma; Daniel, a wealthy farmer of Iowa; Susan, the wife of Thomas House, of Indiana; Charlotte, the wife of Silas Hannan, of Mansfield, Ohio; Peter, the subject of this sketch; and William, who enlisted from Adams county, Indiana, in the Eleventh Indiana Zouaves and served for three years, after which he reenlisted and remained in active duty until the close of the war. He died in Illinois. By the second marriage the children were: Mary Jane, deceased; Wesley, living in Wayne county, Ohio; Mary Ellen, who married Joseph Byerly but both are now deceased; Samantha, the widow of John Carver and a resident of Vermillion township; Orville, living in Wayne county, Ohio; Sena, the wife of Theodore Kiser, of Wayne county, who served in the Civil war; Alice, the wife of Martin Shakely, of Wayne county; Emma, the wife of Frank Humphrey, of Green township; Melvin, who died at the age of six years; and two who died in infancy.

With the exception of a year and a half spent in Illinois, to which state he went when seventeen years of age, Peter Shafer, of this review, has remained a life-long resident of Ashland county. He has therefore long witnessed its changes, its growth and development, for he is now seventy years of age. In early manhood he worked at the carpenter's trade for about ten years and then bought land and began farming. Before he owned land he started in the stock-raising business with three sheep and from that he developed his flock, practically making all of his money out of sheep. For a long period he dealt extensively in those of the Delaine breed and still raises them, although not on as large a scale as he formerly did. For forty-seven years he kept on hand about four hundred or five hundred head of 'sheep and he derived a good profit from the sale of the wool and the animals. In 1866 he made his first purchase of land, becoming the owner of eighty acres, where he now resides. It was mostly woodland, there being no buildings upon it, but with characteristic energy he began the development of his farm. In 1874 he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres, and in 1880 invested in thirty-six acres and later bought one hundred and twenty acres and another farm of eighty-nine acres on Mohican township, so that he has a total of four hundred and ten acres lying in Green and Mohican townships. He carried on general farming for many years, devoting his time and energies to the raising of both grain and sheep, but now gives his attention almost exclusively to the production of corn. He has cleared a large part of his land, built three barns and lost one barn by fire. He also erected his own residence, and the buildings upon his place are commodious and substantial. His farm is lacking in none of the modern equipments and accessories and indicates the progressive spirit of a practical and painstaking owner.

It was in 1860 that Mr. Shafer was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Endinger, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, February 4, 1839, and died in this county, November 12, 1905. She was a daughter of John and Barbara (Steiner) Endinger, natives of Germany and Switzerland respectively. They were married, however, in this country and spent their last days in Ashland county, where they reared their family of ten children.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children: Mary, the wife of Robert Jones, a farmer of Vermillion township; Malissa, the wife of John Frank, of Green township; Edward, living in Hanover township; John, who followed farming in Vermillion township ; Milton, residing in Mohican township ; Bertha, the wife of Watson Donaldson, of Mohican township; and Clara, at home. Mr. Shafer has always been a hard worker, carefully carrying on his business interests, and his enterprise has brought to him a substantial measure of success.

Jeremiah Wolf

Jeremiah Wolf, better known as ''Jerry,'' a member of the firm of Thomas, Myers & Wolf, lumber merchants, occupies a prominent position in the commercial and financial circles of Ashland. A native of Richland county, Ohio, his birth occurred October 15, 1851, and he is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Arnold) Wolf, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Richland county, this state. The father pursued agriculture in Blooming Grove township, where he and his wife resided until they entered into rest.

Jeremiah Wolf was reared under the tender care of his parents, who enrolled him as a pupil at the public schools when he had attained the required age, and after receiving his preliminary education he was given the advantage of a course of study in a high school in Wayne county, this state, where he prepared himself to teach school. When nineteen years of age he applied himself to that occupation, following it for six years. He taught during the winter months in the schools of Richland county, spending the summer in agricultural pursuits. Upon giving up teaching he turned his attention to farming, at which he made quite a success and he now owns one of the finest farms in this vicinity containing one hundred and twenty acres. Leaving his farm in 1893 he went to Shiloh, where he turned his attention to the stock business, in which enterprise he had taken considerable interest for several years in connectiou with his farming pursuits, and while in that city he also became associated with the banking business, conducting a private institution by himself. Subse: quently he organized the Shiloh Bank & Savings Company and was made president of the last named institution, the duties of which office he performed for some time, when, upon deciding to remove to Ashland and feeling that the interests of the bank had better be handled by a resident he resigned his office as president although he still retains a financial interest in the concern and is consulted in its business investments. In the fall of 1903 Mr. Wolf located in .Ashland and in March, 1906, purchased an interest in the lumber business of J. W. Myers & Company, which was later conducted under the name of Thomas, Myers & Wolf. He was also one of the organizers of the Ashland Bank & Savings Company, being a member of the board of directors of that institution. He is a man of excellent business ability and judgment, possessed of a remarkable degree of enterprise and activity and is a leading factor in the financial affairs of this city. Aside from his extensive business interests here he is also concerned in real estate in other places and owns a half interest in a valuable farm of eighty acres located in Montgomery township, one mile east of this city.

On October 30, 1872, Mr. Wolf wedded Miss Alzina Crum, a native of Butler township, Richland county, and to this union was born one child, who is deceased. Mr. Wolf is well known in fraternal organizations, being a member of Shiloh Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Plymouth Chapter, R. A. M. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, where he attends divine services and to which he is a liberal contributor, and, being a man of recognized business ability, whose efforts in commercial lines have not only effected his own prosperity but also that of the community at large, he justly deserves a place among the city's most worthy and beneficial citizens.

John E. Brubaker

John E. Brubaker, one of the leading business men of Ashland, this county, was born here, Apfil 1, 1870, a son of John W. and Eliza (Barr) Brubaker, both of whom were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where the birth of the father occurred in 1822 and that of the mother in 1826. They died here in the years 1902 and 1901 respectively. The father came to this state when a boy with his parents, Peter and Katherine (Albert) Brubaker, who settled on one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, and when he became old enough he assisted his father in clearing the farm, in the meantime taking advantage of the educational opportunities afforded by the village schools. He remained at home until he became of age, when he purchased a farm of his own containing one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land, the greater portion of which he cleared and upon which he remained until 1882, when he purchased a home in the village of Ashland, there spending his remaining days in retirement. He was a man of great reserve who was not affiliated with any secret societies or fraternal organizations, preferring to live in quiet and devote his leisure time to his family. Politically he was a democrat, and as to his religious convictions a member of that denomination of Christians known as Dunkards, in the creed of which he was a firm believer. In his family were the following children: Mrs. Harriet Kohler; Mrs. Anna Reep; Mrs. May Hoot; Cornelius; John E.; Mrs. Adeline Backhouse; and Mrs. Sarah Baum.

John EK. Brubaker was reared on his father's farm and acquired his education in the Ashland schools and when twenty vears of age he took his first step in the business world as a clerk for Brown & Landis. general merchants. remaining with them urtil he had become familiar with the various phases of the enterprise. He then launched out in the same business for himself and carried it on for a period of five vears. meeting with such suecess that at the expiration of that time he had amassed sufficient means to enable him to buy the business in which he is now engaged. In March, 1908. he sold a half interest to Mr. McCullough. the firm becoming known as Brubaker & McCullough. The company transacts an annual busiress of approximately forty-eight thousand dollars, and the enterprise is one of the largest in this part of the state. It has attained its present proportions and acquired its vast volume of trade. almost exclusively through the business ability and careful management of Mr. Brubaker. His commercial enterprises are not alone confined to this business as he is a director of the United States Cement Block Machine and the United States Cement Mixer Company, in which company he is also a heavy stockholder.

On November 13, 1896, Mr. Brubaker was united in marriage to Miss Stella Hess, daughter of Chris and Elizabeth Hess, whose birth occurred here February 17, 1872. To this union have been born Ruth, who is in her twelfth year; and John Robert, whose birth occurred December 30, 1905. It is the purpose of their parents to give them the full advantage of a higher education.

Mr. Brubaker gives his allegiance to the democratic party, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious convictions are on the side of Lutheranism and with his wife he attends divine services at a church of that denomination. He owns one of the finest residences in this part of the county and it is of modern architecture, containing every convenience and located outside the city limits on a beautiful tract of land containing forty-three acres. He has added to his home every comfort with which to facilitate happiness and enjoyment. Mr. Brubaker's enterprise has already made him a man of affairs, and being still young, by the manifestation of the admirable business qualities he has already shown, the future undoubtedly reserves for him a still higher position in the financial circles of the county.

George W. Walter

George W. Walter has not confined his time and attention to one I' ie of business activity, but is today equally well known in agricultural, industrial and political circles of Green and Hanover townships, his energy and enterprise having brought him into prominence in the communities in which he has resided.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Brown township, Knox county, about eight miles from Loudonville, July 29, 1859, a son of Samuel and Juda (Oakes) Walter, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. Extended mention is made of them on another page of this volume. George W. Walter was one of a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living. In 1860 he removed with his parents to a farm in Green township, Ashland county, where he has since continued to live.

Spending the days of his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, his ped life was not unlike that of thousands of other country lads. As his strength and years permitted, he participated more and more in the work of the fields and remained with his father, assisting him in his agricultural pursuits, until his marriage. At that time he purchased a farm of eighty acres, one-half a mile northeast of Perrysville, and continued to make this his home for seventeen years, during which time he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and they in return yielded him abundant harvests, so that as the years have come and gone he has been justified in extending his interests into other fields of activity. The farm, however, still remains in his possession. About the year 1899 he removed to Perrysville, where he remained until 1906, when he came to Loudonville, where he has since resided. That he has been popular in the communities in which he has lived and that his fellowmen have recognized his ability and worth is indicated in the fact that during his residence in Perrysville. he served as county commissioner for two terms of three years each, or from September 19, 1900, until September 17, 1906, having been elected on the demoeratic ticket. Just prior to his removal to Loudonville he served as a member of the school board of Perrysville for fifteen years, and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. He also served as a member of the Perrysville council for three years and was constable at the time of his removal, having held that office for three years, it being his first political position. Since arriving in Loudonville he has been assessor of precinct No. 2, Green township. All of his public duties have been performed with marked promptness and faithfulness, which have won for him the hearty endorsement of his fellowmen and a place among the prominent and well known citizens of his community. He is an important factor in industrial circles, being one of the firm of Walter Brothers. & Jones, well known undertakers of Loudonville, his brothers, Nathaniel and J. C. being partners, while the fourth member is W. E. Jones. Mr. Walter and his brothers also carry on a general farming and stock-raising business on the former's farm in Green township, and together they own three fine farms in that township. Aside from their farm land they own the C. C. Coulter block in Perrysville and also possess considerable property in Loudonville, while George W. Walter is a director in the Perrysville Pottery Company of Perrysville.

On the 22d of August, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Walter and Ella M. Helbert, a daughter of Jacob and Katharine (Stephens) Helbert, and a native of Lake township, Ashland county, where her birth occurred June 18, 1864. Their family consists of two children. Ethel Leone wedded L. E. Shumacher, of Perrysville, and by her marriage has four children, George E., Berdella May, Leone and Paul Jacob. Eulalia J., the younger anusheen: vat makes her home with her parents. The family have an elegant home at the corner of Campbell and Water streets. Public spirited, Mr. Walter gives hearty support and cooperation to all measures and movements which have a direct bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding of the community, and his career has been such as to warrant the confidence and trust of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

Charles C. Chapman

Charles C. Chapman, a well known representative of the legal fraternity whose ability and thorough understanding of the law are evidenced in the liberal and important clientage accorded him, was born in Mohican township, Ashland county, Ohio, May 24, 1871, his parents being Richard M. and Rhoda A. (Webster) Chapman, the former a native of Holmes county and the latter of Ashland county. The paternal grandfather was a Pennsylvanian by birth and, coming to Ohio at an early period in the development of this state, settled in Holmes county, while later he removed to this county and took up his abode in Lake township, where his remaining days were passed. He was a prominent farmer of that section and for years held the office of justice of the peace, his decisions being characterized by strict impartiality, equity and comprehensive knowledge of the law.

Following his marriage Richard M. Chapman, who was largely reared in this county, took up farming as his life work and has always devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits, winning success through his well directed labors and unfaltering industry. He now resides in Montgomery township about two and a half miles east of Ashland. He has practically retired from active life, however, having rented his land in Montgomery township, although he still lives on the farm. He is known as one of the representative and worthy citizens of that locality and enjoys the esteem of many friends. His political allegiance is stanchly given to the democratic party.

In taking up the personal history of Charles C. Chapman we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this county, having spent his entire life within its borders. He was a pupil in the district schools in his early boyhood and in 1894 he began his career as a teacher, . following that profession through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he engaged in farming. He also pursued a teacher's course in the Ohio Northern University and prior to the time when he took up the profession of teaching he attended the Hayesville Academy. For a little more than six years he was identified with educational work, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired and also maintaining good discipline, which is ever an essential feature in the best school work. In the fall of 1899 Mr. Chapman was called by the vote of his fellow townsmen to public office, being elected to the position of county clerk. He served for two consecutive terms, from 1900 until 1906, and then retired from the office as he had entered jt - with the confidence and good will of all concerned.

While filling that position Mr. Chapman determined to adopt the profession of law and to this end began reading the text-books and commentaries now in use. In October, 1906, he entered the law department of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, and while a student there he also completed his scientific 'course and was given the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was graduated from the law department in the class of 1908 and on the 23d of June of that year was admitted to the bar. Soon afterward he opened an office in Ashland and on the 15th of November he formed a partnership with Jay P. Taggart. Together they are now practicing law under the firm style of Chapman & Taggart and although one of the younger firms, they have a good clientage and are making steady progress in professional lines.

In 1898 Mr. Chapman was married to Miss Adaline Kohler, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (Brubaker) Kohler, of Ashland, the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have an interesting little daughter, Florence Ruth. The parents are prominent socially and are well known members of the Presbyterian church, while in fraternal lines Mr. Chapman is connected with Mohica. Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., and Excelsior Camp, No. 237, M. W. A. In all the relations of life he has enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellowmen and his sterling traits of character have won him warm friendship.

Mr. Chapman has always been an earnest advocate of democratic principles and is recognized as one of the able workers in the local ranks of the party. He served for three terms as chairman of the democratic county committee and of the executive committee and is one of the well known of the younger generation of Ashland county's representative men in both political and professional lines.

William H. McAdoo, an enterprising and successful farmer and stockman of Montgomery township, was born in Pennsylvania on the 28th of April, 1864. His father, a resident of the Keystone state, is extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning about four hundred acres of land and about five hundred head of high grade sheep. He has now attained the age of sixty-seven years and is a self-made man, having accumulated his present competence entirely through his own eftorts as a farmer.

William H. McAdoo acquired his preliminary education in the common schools and then spent one year in the State Normal School of Pennsylvania after which he engaged in teaching for one winter term. Throughout ie active business career, however, he has been engaged in farming and in November 1896, made his way from his native state to Ashland county, Ohio, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Montgomery township, where he has a pleasant and commodious home and has since continued to reside. He likewise owns another farm of seventy-two and a half acres and has accumulated his present valuable holdings entirely through his personal efforts since starting out in life for himself, his record proving the fact that success is not a matter of genius, as some aver, but comes as the result of indefatigable labor, sound judgment and experience. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of stock, having two hundred and fifty head of high grade Delaine sheep and quite a large number of hogs, as well as some cattle and horses.

On the 15th of October, 1890, Mr. McAdoo was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Quinn, whose birth occurred in Washington county, Ohio, February 7, 1866, her father being James Quinn. She enjoyed excellent educational advantages in early life and prior to her marriage taught school for six years. She is now the mother of three children, namely: Elizabeth B., born in 1892; James Robert, whose natal day was July 30, 1900; and William Quinn, who was born October 9, 1905. Mr. McAdoo is fully cognizant of the value of a good education in the practical and responsible duties of life and intends giving all of his children advanced privileges in this direction. His daughter has now almost completed the high-school course in Ashland.

Mr. McAdoo exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. Starting out in life for himself empty handed, he has made steady progress and as the years have gone by he has achieved a measure of success which is most gratifying. Moreover, his business methods have ever been honorable and reliable, winning for him the respect and good will of his fellowmen.

E. H. Charles

E. H. Charles, who has been closely identified with agricultural and industrial interests for many years but now devotes his attention to farming and to the sale of butter and eggs, makes his home on section 35, Mifflin township. He was born about a mile north of the village of Mifflin, on the 17th of February, 1836, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children whose parents were John and Maria (Huber) Charles, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They were reared and married in that state and in 1826 came to Ohio, settling on the farm where the birth of their son, KE. H. Charles, occurred. The father was a farmer and miller, pursuing those pursuits throughout his entire life. He died February 14, 1884, at the age of eighty-one years, seven months and one day, while his wife passed away October 10, 1877, at the age of sixty-eight years, eight months and eighteen days. Following their arrival in this county the father cleared a tract of land which was originally covered with a dense growth of timber. He was a very strong man physically, well qualified to cope with the arduous and strenuous duties of pioneer life. Moreover he was a man greatly respected and trusted by all who knew him and his fellow townsmen called him to fill all of the township offices, while he also settled many estates. Unto him and his wife were born six children: John, who died at the age of three years; Eliza, deceased; Mary ' Ann, the deceased wife of John Weaver; Fannie, who became the wife of Sam

E. H. Charles was reared in the usual manner of farm lads. The district schools afforded him his educational privileges and he therein mastered. the common branches of learning. He remained on the farm with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he began working in a dry-goods store in Mifflin, where he remained for three years. He then came with his parents to his present farm in 1859 and has made his home thereon for a half century. It is situated on the Black Fork on section 35, Mifflin township. He and his father owned the grist and sawmill for forty-eight years, E. H. Charles conducting it: by himself for twenty-two years, while he was also identified with his father all of the time the latter was operating the mill. In 1884 he left the mill and when his father died the property was sold and Mr. Charles has since given his attention to general farming. Aside from tilling the soil he makes a specialty of butter and eggs, which he sells in the Mansfield market every week to special customers.

In 1862 occurred the marriage of Mr. Charles and Miss Fannie Kauffman, who was born in Mifflin township, Richland county, five miles east of Mansfield, Ohio, November. 18, 1838, and resided there until her marriage. Her parents were Christian and Anna (Staman) Kauffman, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but following their removal westward spent their remaining days on the farm in Richland county on which they first settled. The mother died March 23, 1896, at the age of eighty-seven years and six months, while the father passed away May 1, 1876, at the age of sixty-seven years and six months. Their family numbered six children, of whom one died in infancy. The others were Sarah, the deceased wife of Alexander McElroy; Anna, who is living with her sister, Mrs. Charles; Jacob, who went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with an exploration company and was never heard from again; Mrs. Charles; and Maria, the deceased wife of Dr. BH. V. Kendig. Mr. and Mrs. Charles have had no children of their own but have reared several.

In his political views Mr, Charles is an earnest democrat, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party. He served as township treasurer for four years, was trustee for six years and in 1890 was land appraiser and again in 1900. He became a member of the Chestnut Grove River Brethren church and is active in the church work. His life has at all times been the exponent of honorable principles of manhood and he has a wide acquaintance in the county.