Crawford County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 12 of 22)

Ludwig Durr

Luclwig Durr was born in Chatfield township, June 7, 1845, a son of Henry and Cathirine ( Green ) Durr. In his early youth he attended the common schools, and at the age of sixteen he began working for Adam Klink. receiving" eight dollars per month in compensation for his services. He was thus employed for two years, and at the age of eighteen he began operating his father's threshing machine and also ran a wood-saw until his marriage, since which time he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Sandusky township, where he rented land for two years and then went to Chatfield township, where he also operated a rented farm for two years. On the expiration of that period he bought ninety acres of land in Chatfield township and afterward purchased two additional tracts of fifty and eighty acres respectively. In 1883 he removed to the farm upon which he now resides - a tract of one hundred and sixtv acres in Lykens township. He also owns another farm of one hundred and eight acres, his landed possessionamounting altogether to two hundred and sixty-six acres. He carried on general farming and stock-raising" until 1900, but is now practically living a retired life, the active work of the farm being performed by others, while lie is enjoying a well-merited rest.

In the year 1869 Mr. Durr was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, a daughter of Caleb Brown, and they became the parents of four children : Eliza, the wife of William Fick, of Lykens township; Katie, who married Jacob Kellar, of the same township; and two who died in infancy. The eldest daughter was a music teacher and Katie engaged in teaching school. Mr. and Mrs. Durr took into their home in 1874 John Baumgardner, of Columbus, who remained at their home until the age of twenty-one, when he began the manufacturing of tiles. Thev also reared Alpha Bardner, who resided with them between the ages of six and seventeen years.

the issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. For two years he served as assessor. Starting out in life emptyhanded at the age of sixteen years, he has been the architect of his own fortunes and has budded wisely and well, acquiring through determined and honorable effort a comfortable competence.

John P. Sheckler

John P. Sheckler, who is the subject of this sketch, has been a life-long resident of a state which has become one of the most prominent in the great union of states, born in Richland count)', on March 3, 1829. His parents were John and Rachel (Pettit) Sheckler. pioneers of the county and for a number of years among the most highly esteemed residents.

John Sheckler was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in November, 1790, and he was a son of Frederick and Catherine (Monroe) Sheckler. He grew to manhood in his native place and in 1812 made a trip to Ohio, where settlement was being made. However, after looking over the unsettled country, he returned to his home until the spring of 1819, when he returned to Ohio and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Auburn township, and this same farm is now the property of our subject. Two years later he returned to establish a home on this land, building a log cabin in the great woods, and soon after he brought his wife thither. At this time game was abundant in this locality, and. as Mr. Sheckler was a fine hunter, the larder was well supplied with venison and other game. In this pioneer home eight children were born, the four survivors being: Thomas, a farmer of Whitley county. Indiana; John P., the subject of this sketch; George, of Whitley county; and Christina, the wife of William Willett, of Richland county, Ohio. When his eldest daughter was about thirteen years of age Mr. Sheckler was bereaved of his faithful wife, a blow from which he never recovered. This capable young daughter took charge of the housekeeping and cared for her father until his death, on August 15, 1859. In early life he voted with the Democratic party, but later he became a Republican, and he was a consistent member of the Baptist church, having lived a worthy and upright life.

John P. Sheckler is a worthy representative of this honorable and honest man. His early life was passed among pioneer surroundings and his education was acquired in the log school house of those days, with its puncheon floor and slab benches. When he was twenty-three years old, with his brother George, he began farming, on shares, and for two years the brothers managed the farm; then our subject decided to see something" of the outside world, and made a trip to Indiana. For one year he worked as a farm hand in Whitley county, but decided to return to his heritage in Ohio, and there, with his brother George, again carried on farming operations. After the death of his father our subject purchased fifty acres of the home farm, and also a tract of sixty-two acres, which was desirable, as it lay immediately across the highway from his land. The owner, a Mr. Carlisle, was willing to dispose of it, and thus our subject soon had a farm of one hundred and twelve acres. In 1899 our subject's brother James and his two sisters died, and our subject then bought the remainder of the farm, making his holdings two> hundred and twenty-two acres.

In 1862 Mr. Sheckler was married to Miss Lenora Ashley, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of Ebenezer Ashley, who was a native of the state of New York and was one of the early settlers of Crawford county. Three children were born to our subject and wife, viz. : Mary, single, at home ; Blanche, the wife of D. F. Grove, of this township ; and one who died young.

In politics Mr. Sheckler is an active Republican and takes a deep interest in the success of his party. For many years he has been a leading member of the Baptist church, in which he is a deacon, and he is fraternally connected with the Auburn Grange, No. 956, and the Patrons of Husbandry. Probably no man in the township is more highly esteemed. He is one of the leading farmers and a thoroughly good citizen, interested in every movement for the advancement of the various enterprises which promise to be of benefit to his neighborhood.

James Morrow, a leading and representative citizen of Crawford county, owns and operates a fine farm in Auburn township. He is a native 'son of this township, his birth having occurred on the 30th of April, 1844, a son of James and Margaret (xA.ke) Morrow. At the early age of sixteen years our subject began operating on shares the old home farm, which was entered from the government by his grandfather, there continuing to make his home until the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 17th of December. 1868, Miss Mary E. Cory becoming his wTife. She is a daughter of Thomas and Esther G. (Brown) Cory. In the following spring Mr. Morrow located on seventyfour acres of his father's farm, which he operated for one year, when his pres- ent home farm of one hundred and sixty acres was deeded to him by his father and he took up his abode upon his new possession. For the past fifteen or twenty years, however, he has rented most of his land, and, being' a natural mechanic, has devoted much of his time to the work in his shop, where he does all kinds of wood and iron work. When he located upon his present farm it was covered with the native timber, with the exception of twenty acres which had been partially cleared and improved, and their first residence was a primitive log cabin which had been built by a former owner. Mr. Morrow, however, immediately began the arduous labor of clearing and developing his land, and although the task was a stern and hard one, he succeeded in placing his fields under a fine state of cultivation and made all other necessary improvements. His present commodious and comfortable residence was erected in 1871, and in the following year his large barn was built.

Air. and Mrs. Morrow have had no children of their own, but they have an adopted daughter, Bernice C, whom they have reared from the age of two years. J. B. Finney, now a young man of nineteen years, has also found a pleasant home with this worthy couple for the past eight years. He is a bright and promising student in telegraphv in the Pennsylvania Railroad office in Tiro, Ohio, and expects soon to enter the employ of that company. In his political affiliations Mr. Morrow is a Democrat, and on that ticket he was elected for one term as land appraiser, and has also held many other minor offices, including those of supervisor and school director. He is uniformly honored and esteemed, and his record is one which reflects credit upon himself and does honor to the commonwealth in whose progress and welfare he is &'& deeply concerned.

Although Tiro, Ohio, is fond of boasting of its desirable location and its healthful breezes, it welcomes among its citizens a physician who comes with good credentials, who displays the requisites which go toward making not only an addition to the professional circles but also to those of society and business. Among those who have found a congenial home and an encouraging and increasing practice in this prosperous town is Dr. George O. Blair, who has been a resident since 1896.

The birth of Dr. Blair was in Cardington, Morrow county. Ohio, on February 12, 1865, and he was a son of James and Amy (Carr) Blair, who were the parents of eight children, the seven survivors being: Eva, who is the widow of Zenas Worthington, of Cardington, Ohio ; Mary and Robert, who are at home; George O., the subject of this sketch; Addie, the wife of George Crane, of Columbus ; Amy, the wife of Roy Quay, of Iberia ; and Kate, with her sister in Columbus.

James Blair was burn in Richland county, Ohio, in 1816, and grew to maturity there, acquiring but a limited education. In his young manhood he read medicine for a short time, but circumstances caused him to give up the study and he devoted his time thereafter to farming. After leaving heme he remained a short time in Knox county, Ohio, and then went to Morrow county, where he married Miss Ensign and had a family of six children, the three survivors being: Alex, of Cardington, Ohio; Daniel, of Mansfield. Ohio;. and Anna, the wife of James Duncan, of Chicago, Illinois. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Blair married our subject's mother, who still survives. When he left his parents' roof it was as a poor boy, bul his life was one of energy and industry, and he left to his family, at his death, a tine, well-improved farm of one hundred and three acres, securing to his wife a comfortable competency. In political life he advocated the principles of the Republican party, and was prominently identified with the Masonic order. Mr. Blair was very successful in both his farming and stock-raising, and possessed excellent judgment in regard to real estate.

Idle mother of our subject was born in 1837, and she was a daughter of Daniel Carr, both parents belonging to old Xew England stock. During her childhood she was bereft of her mother, and she was reared by a family of the name of Robinson, of Knox county, and grew into a most estimable woman, respected and valued in the Presbyterian church and beloved by her old neighbors, among whom she still resides, on the old farm at Iberia.

Dr. Blair was reared in a pleasant home and acquired the foundations of his education in the common schools. Later he became a student at the Ohio Central College and at Muskingum College, at New Concord, Ohio, and after passing a most satisfactory examination, prepared to teach school. Perhaps, however, he inherited from his honored father the inclination toward the medical profession, which had been subdued in the latter, and instead of becoming a pedagogue he entered upon a course of medical reading in the office of Dr. \Y. C. Bennett, at Iberia. After one year of study, on September 15, 1889, he entered the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, where he attended lectures during that and the following winter, again entering Dr. Bennett's office,, returning to the college during the winter of 1891-2, in March, 1892, entering

Upon his return to Iberia, Dr. Blair entered into practice in association with his former preceptor, and remained with him until the following January, when he located in Louisville, Ohio, where he opened an office and for three years enjoyed a lucrative practice. In April, 1896, Dr. Blair decided to make Tiro his home, and since that time he has built up a growing practice and has won the esteem and confidence of the whole community.

The marriage of Dr. Blair was on March 28, 1894, to Miss Pearl Macintosh, a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and who is a daughter of George Macintosh,, who was a prominent lumber dealer of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. To our subject and his estimable wife one child has been born, - Mary Gladys, on February 9, 1895.

Dr. Blair is a member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592, K. of P., and also of the American Medical Society. He is still a student, for, like the leading members of his noble profession, he is not willing to allow any modern specific for disease or new method of treatment to- escape his notice. Outside of his professii >nal duties the Doctor has proven himself a useful and desirable member of both social and business circles.

George W. Hood

George W. Hood, who through many years has been an engineer in the service of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago; Railroad Company, and makes hrs home at Crestline, was born in Carroll county, Maryland, June 7, 1837. His father, Thomas Hood, was a native of the same locality, born in 1809, and there he carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, making his home in his native county until his death, which occurred in 1S95, when he had attained the ripe old age of eighty-six years. In his early political affiliations he was a Whig- and voted for Henry Clay, and later he joined the ranks of the Republican party. He married Catherine Grimes, who was born in 1807 and spent her early life in Carroll county, Maryland.

George W. Hood was the fourth in order of birth in a family of nine children born unto this worthy couple, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of George W. Hood and his youngest brother. He acquired his education in the common schools of his native county, and in early boyhood began work on his father's farm, assisting in the cultivation of the fields until -eighteen years of age. when, not wishing to follow the plow throughout his entire life, he determined to enter the railway service, and therefore he secured a position as brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and was afterward promoted to engineer on that line in 1859, acting in that capacity until 1862, when he entered the service of the Northern Central Railroad Company, which is now part of the Pennsylvania system. He has continued with the road from that time to the present, and is, therefore, one of its oldest representatives. His first run was from Baltimore to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He then went to Pittsburg, and has been running between Pittsburg and Crestline from 1862 until the present time. For thirty years he has been a passenger engineer, and during that time has been in only two small wrecks, one being a head-end collision, which occurred June 2, 1864, between Salem and Lattona. At that time he was carrying a train load of mules for the government and the train was checked in time to avoid any serious damage, not one being injured. The other collision was with a freight train that was trying to clear the track for him but failed to get the engine off the main track, when Mr. Hood's engine struck the freight and he sustained a broken arm. With these two exceptions,, however, he has never had any accidents, and is known for his watchful care and close attention to duty.

Air. Hood has been twice married. In 1870 he wedded Lucy Ann Gray, and after her death he was again married, in 1893, his second union being with Effie E. Grim, who was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1863. They now have one daughter, Georgia Ah. who was born in Crestline, February n, 1897. Air. Hood is a Republican in his political affiliations, and has never failed to cast his vote at the presidential elections since i860, when with his first ballot he supported Abraham Lincoln. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and is a very courteous gentleman, of even temperament, agreeable manners and kindly nature.

Samuel Ludwig

Samuel Ludwig was a son of Michael and Sarah (Hanks) Ludwig, and the latter was descended from a family of English Quakers, or Friends. The first representative of the name in America crossed the Atlantic just after the edict of Nantes was revoked and took up their abode in Pennsylvania. Michael Ludwig died in early manhood, leaving a family of six children. His widow afterward became the wife of Nicholas Yocom, a wealthy farmer of Berks county, Pennsylvania, whose sons, Nicholas and Moses, became the largest iron masters in east Pennsvlvania. Samuel Ludwig and his half-brothers performed almost all of the work upon his stepfather's farm of four hundred acres, yet through industry and close application he acquired a good education, his intellectual training being largely directed by his mother, a lady of superior education and intelligence. After his marriage Samuel Ludwig removed to Reading, Pennsylvania, and became an active factor in the manufacturing interests of that city. He conducted a wagon and plow factory for twenty-three years, carrying on business on an extensive scale and amassing a fortune. He had the ability to formulate his plans readily and was determined in their execution. His business judgment was rarely at fault and he seldom made a mistake in even the slightest detail. He was a man of strong individuality, and one of his most marked characteristics was his great thirst for knowledge. His leisure hours were almost entirely given to reading, and he thus mastered to a marked degree subjects on chemistry, geology, natural philosophy and history, and his information on those subjects was only surpassed by professors in such lines. He was often offered positions of public trust, and his fellow townsmen greatly desired that he should represent them in the state legislature. but he preferred the quiet of his home and of his study to the turmoil of public life, and passed his most pleasant hours in the companionship of his books. In 1831 he visited Bucyrus and purchased one hundred acres of land adjoining the town on the east. He then returned home, and the same year brought his family to Crawford count}". In 1832 he purchased an additional tract of eighty acres, bordering the east corporation limits of the city, and thereon he made his home for thirty-eight years. In 1840 the father was the owner of three thousand acres of land in Crawford, Seneca and Sandusky counties, Ohio, and was one of the richest men in this portion of the state. In j 841;, at the age of sixty-two years, he successfully piloted a party of young men to California, then the scene of great mining excitement, and after seeing them landed on the Pacific coast in the Golden state he returned by steamer to Xew Orleans and then home to Ohio.

Samuel Ludwig was united in marriage to Elizabeth Redca, a daughter of Hon. John Redca, a member of the Democratic legislature from Berks county. They became the parents of eleven children, namely: Isaac, Jeremiah, Samuel, Mary, Hanna, Alary, William, Michael. Henry, Solomon and Jane L. The last named is the only survivor of the family. Mr. Ludwig spent the closing years of his life in the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. D. E. Johnston, now Mrs. Abraham Monnett, his wife having previously passed away. He closed his eyes in death December 20. 1876, at the age of eightyeight years and eleven months. His career was ever such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good was unquestioned and arose from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men.

Sebastian Brown

The prominent and influential citizen of Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is the title of this article, was born in Sandusky township, Crawford county, Ohio, December 16, 1832, a son of Joseph Brown, who was an early settler in Ohio.

Joseph Brown was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade. In company with his brother-in-law, Nicholas Tustison, he came to Ohio with an ox team and located within the present borders of Jefferson township, Crawford county, where he took up eighty acres of government land on the usual contract of one dollar and a quarter an acre. He married Elizabeth Swarty, daughter of Sebastian Swart}-, a Revolutionary soldier who was with Washington when he made his perilous crossing of the Delaware. After his marriage he built a log cabin on his land and pushed forward the work of clearing and improving the farm as rapidly as possible.

After a brief absence from his native township, Sebastian Brown returned to Jefferson, where from the age of nine years he attended the common sch< w ils, and afterward worked on his father's farm until he married and began life for himself. Margaret Fox became his wife March 15, 1859, and bore him six children, the following facts concerning whom will be found interesting in this connection. Their daughter Emma died at the age of eighteen months. Their son Joseph M. lives at Crestline, Ohio. Their son James A. lives on the family homestead with his father. Their son Willard is a farmer in Clinton county, Michigan. Their son Homer K. lives at Crestline, Ohio. Their daughter Laura B. is a member, of their household. For a year after his marriage Air. Brown lived in Richland county, Ohio. From there he removed to Defiance county, Ohio, on eighty acres of wild land which he bought of his father and on which he lived two years.

In 1864 Mr. Brown enlisted as a private in Company I, Forty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in battle at Stone River, Cumberland, Kenesaw Mountain, Mission Ridge and Marietta, Georgia, and started with Sherman on his march to the sea. At Burford, Georgia, he was taken sick and was sent to Chattanooga and afterward to a hospital at Nashville. He soon recovered and rejoined his regiment, but was again taken ill and was eventually sent back to his home in Jefferson township. In 1865 he returned to Defiance county, Ohio, where he lived until 1870. In the year last mentioned he moved on his eighty-acre farm in Jefferson township, which he has improved into a valuable property. While he is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the term, he is active in township affairs, and for six years he has held the office of township trustee and has come to be known for a liberal public spirit which impels him to give his support to every measure which promises to promote the general good. He has kept alive memories of the Civil war through his membership of .Snyder Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Crestline, Ohio.

Aaron Rader

Through industry and enterprising efforts Aaron Rader advanced to a leading position among the substantial farmers of Crawford county, and was regarded as one of the most reliable citizens - a man who in all life's relations commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow men. His birth occurred in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 29, 181 7, his parents being Peter and Catherine (Fried) Rader. His youth was spent in the state of his nativity and as he grew to manhood he learned the miller's trade, which he followed as a source of livelihood for a number of years. Later he turned his attention to farming" and throughout the greater part of his residence in Crawford county he carried on agricultural pursuits.

Believing that he might better his financial condition further west, Mr. Rader removed from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1856, and took up his abode in Sandusky township, where he secured a tract of land. With characteristic energy he began its further development and improvement and in course of time made it a very valuable property, adding thereto all modern accessories and conveniences. His.buildings were substantial and modern, his machinery of the latest improved kinds and he was widely known as a progressive farmer. His business affairs were so well managed that he yearly added to his income, and in the later years of his life he was enabled to live in quiet retirement in the village of Sulphur Springs.

On the 8th of September, 1840, was celebrated the marriage of Aaron Rader and Miss Sabina Bauer, and unto them were born nine children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Owen Henry, Enos George, Maria Cath- erine, Jacob, Thomas, John David. William Benjamin and Francis Aaron. Two have passed away, James Peter and Franklin. The latter died in Elsinore Springs, California, March 28, 1897. In earl}- life he engaged in teaching; school in this state and afterward was connected with journalistic work for a time. He next established a hardware store in Clyde, Ohio, and in 1883 hewent to Los Angeles, California. He soon rose to prominence there and taking an active interest in politics became a recognized leader of his party in that city. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the high office of mayor in 1894 and his administration was so just, so practical and progressive that it won the commendation of all parties. He was one of the most popular and honored residents of Los Angeles, and when he passed away young and old, rich and poor came to pay their last tribute of respect him whom they had so highly esteemed. He was prominent in Masonic circles and was laid to rest with the beautiful Masonic service for the dead.

Mr. and Mrs. Rader reared a family of children of whom they had every reason to be proud. Three of their sons were gallant soldiers in the Civil war, - Owen H., James P. and Enos G. - all being members of the Fortyninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In his political views Mr. Rader was a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of the party in which he so firmly believed, yet he never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business affairs, in which he met with signal success. After a residence of thirty-six years in Crawford county he passed away at his home in Sulphur Springs, on the 30th of April, 1892. His life was ever honorable and he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His widow, now in her seventy-eighth year, is still a resident of Sulphur Springs and has many friends there, as well as in her old home neighborhood in Liberty township.

James Peter Rader

A loyal soldier during the Civil war and for many years a faithful public official, the life history of James Peter Rader well deserves a place in the annals of Crawford county, whither he came in his boyhood with his parents, Aaron and Sabina (Bauer) Rader. He was born in Northampton count}-, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1843, an^ was reared upon his father's farm, earl}- becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the work of the fields. He acquired a fair

When the troubles over the slavery question had precipitated the country into civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly he offered his services to the government and became a member of Company B, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He took part in many of the important engagements of his regiment and finally received an honorable discharge, after which he returned to his home in Crawford county.

Air. Rader was married to Miss Julia Musgrave, a daughter of Robert Wallace Musgrave, one of the pioneers and distinguished citizens of Crawford county. Since her husband's death Airs. Rader makes her home in Sulphur Springs. She has a very wide acquaintance throughout the county and is most highly esteemed for her many excellencies of character Air. Rader rose to prominence in political circles and was a stanch Republican, giving an unfaltering allegiance to the Republican party, in whose principles he SO' firmly believed. He was appointed and served as posmtaster of Bucyrus and was afterward a government clerk in the treasury department at Washington, a position which he held continuously up to the time of his death, which occurred in Bucyrus, January 7, 1880, when he was in the Aery prime of manhood, being then thirty-seven years of age. Methodical and exact he performed his work in a most capable manner and was a most trustworthy representative of the department. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, genial and popular and wherever he went made friends.

Willis A. Brown

One of the leading business men of Crawford count}', Ohio, who is financially interested in many of its prominent industries and who is cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, is Willis A. Brown, who also owns and manages the leading mercantile business of this prosperous town. Willis .\. Brown was born in Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, Crawford county, on July 22, 1859, anc^ ne was a son °f* Joseph D. and Sarah J. 1 Dickson) Brown, and a grandson of William Brown, who was a pioneer in Richland county in 1830. Seven children were born to the parents of Willis A. Brown, and our subject is one of the four survivors, the others being: Mary A., who is the wife of John Brown, Jr., of Vernon township;

Willis A. Brown grew to manhood under the parental roof, and finished the common-school course before entering- upon a business career, for which he has seemed peculiarly well fitted. In March. 1879, he entered the store of Brown & Davis, the former representing his father, in the capacity of a salesman. One year later the senior Mr. Brown purchased the interest of Mr. Davis and during the two succeeding years Willis proved to his father's satisfaction that he possessed the attributes which would enable him to become a successful man of business. In 1881 our subject and his brother-in-law. I. M. Van Tilburg, succeeded Mr. Joseph D. Brown in the business, the firm name being Brown and Van Tilburg, but two years later Mr. M. L. Callin purchased the interest of Mr. Van Tilburg and the firm name changed to Brown & Callin. This connection continued for two years at the end of which period our subject became the sole proprietor and successfully managed the growing interests by himself until in 1893, when his father-in-law. J. H. Stevens, was admitted into partnership, the latter purchasing a one-half interest, and the firm name was changed to Brown & Stevens. Three years later our subject again became the sole owner and since that time has most judiciously managed the affairs of the old and established house, with which his family name has been so long connected.

Mr. Brown is one of the progressive and energetic young men of the count}-, and his mind has long been exercised concerning other business enterprises. One result was his organization, in April. [896, of the Farmer's & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, with Mr. A. C. Robinson as president, Joseph 1). Brown as vice-president and our subject as cashier, with Mr. C. L. Morton as assistant cashier. In April, 1899, Mr. Robinson died and Mr. J. M. Dickson purchased the interest of Mr. Robinson and was made president of the bank, since which time the officers of the institution have remained the same, with the exception of the withdrawal of Mr. Morton. This bank is recognized as one of the sound financial institutions of the county and its organizers and officers are men of the highest financial responsibility and (if unimpeachable integrity.

The marriage of Mr. Brown was on September 5. 1883. when he was united in marriage to Miss Nora Stevens, who was the daughter of J. H. Stevens, the latter now making his home with our subject. Four children have been born to this union, these being: Stevens W. ; Sherman J., deceased; Sadie E. ; and Edna A. Fraternally he is connected with Tiro Lodge, Xo. 592,

K. of P., of which he was a charter member. In political life he has been prominently identified with the Democratic party, and was made a member of the first board of election in the county, but he resigned that office to become postmaster, under the administration of President Cleveland, serving in that official capacity during- both presidential terms. For some ten years Mr. Brown was the very satisfactory township treasurer and for two years he served with efficiency on the school board. All of his family are members of the Lutheran church and to this religious body he is liberal in his support of all Christian work.

Few men in the county have displayed more business ability in the same length of time than Mr. Crown. His mind is fertile in resource and quick to seize opportunity, while his judgment is calm and trustworthy. It was through his efforts that the Auburn Milling Company was organized, with. John VV. Hahn as president, who is also president of the Ohio Millers' Insurance Company, and our subject is one of the stockholders and is its secretary and treasurer. In 1896, when the Bell Spice Cabinet Company was organized, our subject became a member and for two years was president of this company, since that time filling the position of vice-president, and he is also a member of the Tiro Building & Loan Association, a very important business enterprise of this city, and acts as treasurer of this company also. The confidence he has inspired by his honorable business methods and his exemplary life place him in the front rank of the worthy representative men of Craw ford county. He is practical and self-reliant and is of that mental fiber that enables him to seize business opportunity and to convince others of the wisdom of his decisions.

James E. Harrop

Mr. Harrop was born in Crestline, Crawford county, Ohio. October n, [862, his parents being Hugh and Catherine (Cover) Harrop. His grandparents, James and Ann Harrop, came from England to America in the year 1866 and located in Crestline. The grandfather was a weaver by trade and while in England followed that pursuit, but after arriving in America worked in the Pennsylvania Railroad shops with his son, Hugh, throughout the remaining years of his active, busy career. He died in 1878, at the age of sixtyseven years, and his wife passed away in 1872, when aged sixty-three rears.

Hugh Harrop was born in Ashton, Lancashire county, England, March 27, 1832, and died September 9, 1889. He was reared under the parental roof and in his youth he learned the machinist's trade. In 1857 he emigrated to America, landing in New York City, whence he made his way to Philadelphia. For a short time he worked at his trade there, but soon went to Niagara Falls, New York, where he remained until the 1st of January, i860. He then came to Crestline and here found employment in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and soon was promoted as foreman, which position he held for more than a quarter of a century, or until the time of his death. Fie was an active worker in the Methodist Episcipal church and was a prominent Mason, having taken the Knight Templar degree -of the York rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He was one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Crestline and was a stanch Republican in politics, but never sought or desired office.

In earlv manhood Hugh Harrop was married to Miss Catherine Cover, .and unto them were born five children, of whom four are yet living, namely: James E. ; George, who is the manager for the Central Union Telegraph Company, at South Bend, Indiana; Frank, who is one of the owners of the Crestline Machine Shop, at Crestline, this county; and Bertha, the wife of R. U. Miller, an attorney of Crestline.

James E. Harrop spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and obtained his education in the public schools of Crestline. In 1887 he and William A. Stine formed a partnership and embarked in the livery business at Crestline. In 1890 Mr. Harrop sold his interest to Mr. Stine and came to Bucyrus, where he has since been engaged in the livery business. Mr. .Stine continued in that business at Crestline continuously from 1887 to tne spring of 1901, and then came to Bucyrus. becoming again the partner of Mr. Harrop. They are proprietors of what is known as "the old John Keil liverv stables," and do the largest livery business in Bucyrus, having a fine Tine of carriages and a goodly number of excellent livery horses. They are large buyers and sellers of horses, doing a greater business along this line than am* other dealer in the county. They handle a high grade of horses and do a straightforward, legitimate business. Carloads after carloads of horses are annually sold at their stables by auction, and thus many a pleased customer has purchased of them driving and draft horses of the best quality.

In 1886 Mr. Harrop married Miss Emma Zink, daughter of David L. Zink. who has been ticket and freight agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad -at Crestline for over forty years, being for many years joint agent for this railroad and the Big Four Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Harrop have two interesting sons, namely : Hugh J. and Spencer. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also of the Masonic order, being a Master Mason. In business he has been successful and among men he is regarded as enterprising and public spirited.

George A. Brause

One of the few middle-aged residents of Lykens township, Crawford county j Ohio, who was born on the farm on which he now lives, is George Brause, who first saw the light of day May 29, 1855. Mr. Brause is a son of Rudolph Brause, who was born at Kenesa, Germany, in 1826, and was brought to America in 1832 by his parents, John and Hannah Brause. The family from the fatherland and settled on the Bower farm, or, at least, on forty acres < >f it, which the elder Brause took up as government land and on which he erected a log cabin. The old German emigrant died in Iowa, at the age of ninetythree years. Rudolph Brause married Catharine Klink, a daughter of John Klink, originally from German}-, who came to Crawford county from Columbiana count)' and located in Liberty township.

Rudolph and Catharine ( Klink) Brause had eight children. Their daughter Elizabeth married Jacob Fike, of Lykens township. Catharine, who became the wife of Joshua Miller, is dead. Caroline died at the age of twenty years. The subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth. John lives in Chatfield township, Crawford count}-. Fidelia is the wife of Jacob Seigler. of Seneca county. Willis lives in Lykens township. Emma died young. Rudolph Brause learned the carpenter's trade in his youth and was employed as a carpenter until he was married, when he engaged in fanning, and for some years ran a threshing machine in season. He moved upon the farm where the subject of this sketch was born and where he now lives, about 1847, shortly after he was married. His first purchase of land there was of forty acres, on which was a log house in the midst of a small clearing. At the time of his death, in 1892, he owned three hundred and sixty acres of land in Lykens township. His good wife died in November, 1896, aged seventy-two years.

George A. Brause was born and reared on the old family homestead in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, and lived there until he was twentyfive years old. He gained his education in the public schools near his home, and under his father's special direction was inducted into all the mysteries of successful farming. When he branched out for himself he bought eightv acres- of land, which he partly cleared and on which he lived eight years. He then sold that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns, and on which he lived until 1897, when, after the death of his mother, he returned to the old homestead. He was married February 12, 1889, to Miss Marv A. Green, daughter of Jacob Green, of Chatfield township, who has borne him five children: Edward Rudolph, George Walter, Clarence Albert, Rosa Mary and flattie Magdaline Catherine.

Mr. Brause's heme farm consists of two hundred and thirty-nine acres.. Adding to this his other farm of one hundred and sixty acres, it will be seen that he is the owner of three hundred and ninety-nine acres of good and wellimproved land. He devotes himself to general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and his family are members and attendants upon the services of the German Lutheran church. Neither an office seeker nor a practical politician. Mr. Brause yet exerts a well-defined influence in shaping the destinies of the township and county, and his excellent judgment in all the affairs of every-day life encourages his fellow citizens to seek his advice in matters of public moment. A man of intense patriotism and much public spirit, he has the weal of the people of his township and county very close to his heart and is generous in his aid of all movements for the general good.

Samuel Esterline

A noted writer has said. "The present is the child of all the past, the mother of all the future." If this be true, where will the generations of the future find a more impressive lesson or faithful guide than in the study of the lives of those men who have achieved a successful prominence in the busy walks of life? There is in the intensified energy of the business man, fighting the every-day battle of life, but little to attract the attention of the careful observer; but to the mind fully awake to the stern realities of life there are noble and important lessons in the life of the man, who, withoult other aid than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity and wins for himself honor and distinction among his fellow men. Among such men we may mention Samuel Esterline, one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Crawford county.

Mr. Esterline is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Sandusky township, Crawford county, on the 13th of March, 1844. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Kaler) Esterline, who were the parents of four children, three now living, namely: Henry, a resident of Crestline, Ohio; Franklin, of this township; and Samuel, the subject of this review. The latter was reared on the home farm, acquiring his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. After his marriage he purchased a threshing machine and began its operation, having been identified with that work at intervals since his fifteenth year, but after one season he sold his machine and located on his father-in-law's farm, where he remained for one year. On the expiration of that period he removed to the farm now owned by Jacob Glower, which he also operated for one year and then returned to his father's farm, remaining there for two years. His father-in-law having died, Mr. Esterline then purchased his farm of one hundred acres, where he has ever since made his home. He is very progressive in his farming methods, his fields having been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the place is now one of the model country seats in Crawford county. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he is also extensively engaged in the stock business, and his farm now contains the best grades of stock to be found in the county. He has met with excellent success in this line of his business, and has been largely instrumental in improving the grade oi stock raised in this section. For seventeen seasons Mr. Esterline has also been engaged in threshing.

The year 1865 witnessed his marriage with Miss Sarah E. Humphrey, a native of Vernon township, Crawford county, having been born on the farm on which she now resides. Five children have graced their union, namely: Charles B., deceased; Nora D., the wife of James Brubaker, of Shell))', Ohio; Jefferson, a resident of Shelby, Ohio; Ada G., at home; and Amy, who is also at home and is a popular and successful teacher. In political matters 'Mr. Esterline casts his ballot in favor of Democratic principles, and for six years he has served as trustee of his township. He is a member of the Church of God, in which he is an active and zealous worker, and in all the relations of life he is true and loyal to the duties of citizenship. He takes a prominent part in all public affairs calculated to benefit his community, and is one of the wide-awake and progressive citizens of the county.

William A. Stine

William A. Stine was born in Crestline, Ohio, January 2r, 1858, his parents being Adam W. and Hannah (Wentz) Stine, and is the fourth in order of birth of seven children. The father was a native of Berks county,

Pennsylvania, and the mother was born in Perry county, that state. Coming to Crawford county they settled in Crestline, where the father became a prosperous contractor and builder, and proprietor of a saw and planing mill. In the public schools of Crestline our subject obtained a limited education. His business career has been mentioned in the biography of James E. Harrop. which appears above. He has met with fair success in business and is a gentleman of honor and integrity. In 1895 Mr. Stine married Lizzie Hoover, and their home is brightened by two children, namely : Martha and Harriet. They have resided in Bucyrus since the spring of 1901.

John B. Campbell

A landmark in Crawford county, Ohio, is the fine farm of John B. Campbell, on the Galion and Bucyrus pike, four and a half miles from Bucyrus, in Whetstone township. There Mr. Campbell was born April 4. 1849. a son of Edward Campbell, who was born and reared in Wayne count}-, Ohio, and a grandson of John Campbell, who was an early settler in that count}'. In 1823 John Campbell brought his family to Crawford county, Ohio, and settled in Whetstone township, where his son, Edward, is still living, and where he took up government land. He built a log cabin and applied himself to the task of clearing and improving a farm. He was a man of ability and influence and lived a useful life and died at the age of seventy-six. Edward Campbell was brought up amid the vicissitudes of backwoods farming and acquired such an education as was available to him. He married Amanda Tupps, who bore him four children. Their daughter, Catharine, married Frank Keiffer and is dead. Their son, Samuel K.. is managing his father's homestead farm. Their son, John B., who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was their third child in order of birth. Their daughter, Lettie J., married Andrew H. Gibson and lives on Grandfather Campbell's old homestead, in Whetstone township, which in the days of its founder was the center, not only of a generous hospitality, but of an influence which extended in many directions, for that honored pioneer served for many years in the office of justice of the peace at one time represented his district in the legislature, and he was an active member of the Disciple church. His son Edward has been devotedly attached to the same church and during all his active life was prominently identified with township and county affairs. He is the owner of eight hundred and forty acres of land, all of which lies within the borders of Whetstone township, and he has been one of the leading sheep raisers in his part of the state. His wife died in 1889, aged sixty-nine years. He attained to the advanced age of eighty-five years, becoming quite feeble, having been the victim of a paralytic stroke in March. 1901. He died November 5. following.

John B. Campbell was horn and reared on the farm on which he now lives, was educated in the public schools near his home and at Lebanon, Ohio, and at the age of nineteen began teaching winter terms of school, giving his attention to home interests during the remainder of the year. In 1872 he married Miss Jennie Shanks, a daughter of David Shanks, and they have two children - Mabel Campbell, who was educated at the State Normal School at Ada. Ohio, and is a teacher, and Urias Edward. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Campbell settled on Grandfather Campbell's old home farm, where they lived ten years, then located on their present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all the tine improvements on which have been planned and carried out by Mr. Campbell. He has given his attention to general farming and has come to be known as a successful breeder of Shorthorn cattle and is a very prominent sheep raiser, and in 1892 he was in fair competition awarded a premium for large yield of scoured wool per fleece grown in the United States, dnring the vear 1892, which was conferred upon him at Boston, Massachusetts. He is a Republican in politics and like his father and grandfather has made his influence felt in local affairs, though he is not an active politician and has never sought public office, but his public spirit has impelled him to ally himself with many movements having for their object the enhancement of the g-eneral weal.

Joseph D. Brown

Among the men of hardy enterprise and undaunted courage, who made for his family a home in Richland county, Ohio, in the days while still the wild beasts of the forest roamed at will and howled at night around his pioneer cabin, was William Brown, who was the father of Joseph D. Brown, the subject of this biography. In 1830 William Brown came to Richland county from his native state, bringing with him his bride and settling upon lands which his far-seeing father had previously purchased in this then almost unsettled portion of the state. William Brown was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and he was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cummings) Brown, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Jeremiah Brown was a successful farmer and distiller and exerted influence in his locality, and when the desirable farming land in Richland county, in the neighboring state, came upon the market he hastened to buy farms there for his growing sons, although William was the only one to settle there.

\\ nen he came to Richland county, as it was then called, William Brown located with his young wife on a vast tract of timbered land, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, in Vernon township. The site of the home farm is now owned by David Weaver. Here the new settler built his log cabin and for some thirty years engaged in clearing and cultivating his land. In 1869 he sold this property and then purchased a farm of three hundred acres in Auburn township and resided there some ten years, and then disposed of that property to purchase another tract of three hundred and four acres, in Springfield township, near Crestline, and here he lived until the time of his death, on August 9, 1890. Mr. Brown was a man of intellect and was conspicuous for his strong sense of justice. If his employes worked even but one hour over the stipulated time they received a compensation for it. In politics he was a Democrat and was one of the leaders in his party, efficiently serving in almost all of the local offices. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church, where they were held in the highest esteem.

The mother of our subject was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1808, and passed out of life on June 30, 1889. Her parents died while she was a child and she was reared in a neighbor's family. The family born to William Brown and wife consisted of ten children, six of these still surviving, as follows: Joseph D., who is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Norman Martin, of Richland county; George C, of Crestline; Martha J., who is the wife of Rev. H. B. Miller, of Wooster, Ohio; Mary, who is the widow of A. D. Seibert, of La Grange county, Indiana: and Amanda, who is the widow of Joseph Lewis, of Monroeville, Indiana.

Joseph D. Brown, who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on May 27, 1832, and he was a son of William and Sarah (Ellis) Brown. His rearing was in the pioneer Imme and his education was acquired in the common schools of his neighborhood. On March 1. 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Dickson, who was a native of Auburn township, in Crawford county, and who was a daughter of Andrew Dickson. In 1852 Mr. Brown made preparations to make a trip to California, but his mother opposed the project and he delayed starting until the following spring. Then he prepared to go to the far west and open up a hotel, in association with another man, but the latter failed him at the last moment, and our sub- ject decided to abandon the idea. Hence he purchased eighty acres of land near Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, and settled upon it after his marriage, engaging extensively in the raising of cattle and sheep, being especially successful in the management of the latter. As time went on Mr. Brown was able to purchase more land and improve it. increasing his farm to two hun- -dred and fifty acres, and finally, in 1883, sold two hundred acres for seventeen thousand dollars.

In 1878 our subject rented his farm to his son-in-law and moved into Tiro and built the residence now occupied and owned by Mr. George Owens, and established the general store, after erecting the building, which is now Conducted by \Y. A. Brown, his son. In 1883 he sold his farm and purchased one hundred and seventy acres of George Carrothers. which was located immediatelv south of the town, and resided there until 1896, when, on .account of an accident to Mrs. Brown, by which she broke a limb, he decided to remove to Tiro, where both he and wife have resided in comfortable retirement ever since.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children, their names being as follows: David C, Georgiana and Martha E., all deceased; Mary A., the wife of John Brown, Jr.; Willis A., of whom a biography appears in this volume; Josephine, the wife of J. M. Van Tilburg; and John E., of Pasadena, California. These children were all given the best possible educational advantages and reflect credit upon their careful rearing, and have become representative citizens in the various localities where they have made their homes.

In politics Mr. Brown is liberal, with a tendency toward Democratic doctrine, while in voting he selects from the various tickets. He has efficiently served several terms as township treasurer, and is one of the reliable and esteemed residents of the county. Both he and wife are among the leading members of the Presbyterian church in Tiro, and Mr. Brown is a liberal supporter of every charitable and benevolent enterprise connected with the church or that promises to benefit the community.

Sherman H. Stevens

Sherman H. Stevens, who is one of the substantial, reliable and highly esteemed citizens of Cranberry township, Crawford county. Ohio, was born in the house which he now occupies, on May 24. 1858. He is a worthy son of one < if the well known and respected pioneers of this county, Jacob H. Stevens, who has the distinction of being the oldest living- resident of Auburn township. The mother of the subject of this sketch was formerly Miss Sarah J. Wallace, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Jefferson Wallace, who located in Richland county at an earl}- day, later removing to Cranberry township, in Crawford county.

Until his twenty-first year Sherman H. Stevens remained at home, assisting on the farm and acquiring an education in the common schools At that period he took charge of the home farm, consisting oftwo hundred and thirty acres, and worked on the share plan, remaining thus engaged for two years, and then went to Sandusky township and took charge of what was known as the Kuntz farm, which had passed into the posesssion of the father of our subject. One year was spent by Mr. Stevens on this farm, as a bachelor, but on April 27, 1882, he was united in marriage +o Miss Clara R. Siefert, and he was thus provided with a most admirable companion, an estimable lady and an excellent housekeeper, trained in all domestic wavs. She was a native of this county, and she was a daughter of Jacob Siefert ( a sketch of the Siefert family can be found in the biography of John E. Siefert, who is a brother to Mrs. Stevens). Upon this farm our subject and wife resided until the fall of 1894. During the ensuing years our subject was extensively engaged in the manufacture and shipping of maple syrup, his trade extending to all parts of the United States, his shipments aggregating thousands of gallons of this delicacy. His opinion was that he could realize more financial returns from two months' work in the sugar camp in the spring than from an entire summer's work in general farming.

In the fall of 1894 Mr. Stevens removed to the home farm and in the following winter he acquired the homestead, with one hundred and fifty acres of land, which he yet owns. He also efficiently manages his father's farm of eighty acres. Although he has the management of a large extent of land he has practically given up active work on the farm and has his farm under rental at present, his time and attention being required to enable him to look after his large interests in the buying and selling of stock. Mr. Stevens owns a large herd of valuable cattle, known as Aberdeen, and is the only citizen of the county, with one exception, who owns any of these high-priced animals.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, the survivor being- Freeman W. S., who was born on June 12, 1892. a bright, intelligent lad, who bears promise of worthily upholding a name which his father and grandfather have made respected through Crawford county. Politically Mr.

Stevens is a stanch Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs, and is fraternally connected with Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. of P., of New Washington, and was a charter member of this lodge. The social and business standing of Mr. Stevens is very high in this locality and his name is a leading one among" the representative men.

John Outhwaite

Among the public-spirited and leading farmers of Crawford county is John Outhwaite. He was born in Bedford, now Fulton count)-, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of November, 1820, a son of William and Elizabeth (Thompson) Outhwaite. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1794, a son of Francis and Elizabeth (Robinson) Outhwaite. Francis Outhwaite was a well-to-do farmer and miner, and also conducted what was known as a raft yard, where lumber was sawed by hand, one man standing above and the other below the log. The father of our subject grew to manhood under the parental roof, receiving the advantages of a thorough education. When about seventeen years of age he entered a wholesale and retail grocery store in the town of Richmond, where he served an apprenticeship of four years. He then went to the city of London and secured a clerkship with Pettv & Wood, wholesale grocery, tea and liquor merchants, where he remained for about two years, and then engaged in business on his own account. He was there married to Elizabeth Thompson, of East Witten, Yorkshire, England. Her father was a well-to-do farmer under Lord Essix. He had four sons, namely: John, Richard, Thomas and William, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Hannah, of whom the eldest was the mother of our subject. Thomas, the third son, united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and at the age of seventeen became a minister of the same In the year 182] he was married, and in 1823 he emigrated to Bedford county. Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1828, when he removed to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where he took charge of the Wyandot mission. - the first mission in the world, - where he was minister and teacher among the Wyandot Indians for seven vears, under whose supervision the Stone mission church of Upper Sandusky was erected and stands as a memorial for the beginning of mission work. In 1835, for fear of his children marrying among the Indians, he moved to his farm near Republic, Seneca county, Ohio. He was then appointed by conference as the preacher in charge of the Mexico circuit, where he had twenty- eight appointments. He was afterward appointed presiding elder of the district embracing Berea, where he received a donation of forty thousand dollars for the beginning of the Baldwin University

In 1818 William Outhwaite, the father of our subject, bade farewell to the home and friends of his native land and sailed for the United States, much against his parents' wishes, and for this he was disinherited. The first half of the journey was made in twelve days, but they then encountered adverse winds and fifty-four days had passed ere they reached the shores of the new world. On his arrival Mr. Outhwaite purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid seven hundred dollars in gold, and after residing there for seventeen years, during which time he cleared eightyacres and also made other improvements, he sold the tract for seven hundred dollars, the purchase price, with payments of one hundred dollars, to be made yearly. In the spring of 1836 he removed to Seneca county. Ohio, purchasing eighty acres of land at Rockaway, to which he afterward added fifty acres, and there he resided until a short time before his death, when he moved into the town of Republic, where he passed away in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Outhwaite became the parents of five children, three of whom still survive, namely : John, of this review; William, who resides at Red Cloud, Nebraska : and Francis, of Rockaway, Seneca county, Ohio. After the death of the mother of these children the father was again married, choosing for his second wife Miss Mary Bell. Mr. Outhwaite was a stanch old-line Whig, and was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

John Outhwaite, whose name introduces this review, acquired his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood. On reaching his twenty-fourth year he began working on his own account, and for one year operated a thrsher, after which he worked at farm labor and at carpentering, becoming an expert joiner, although he never served an apprenticeship to that trade. He did considerable building for the following seven years, and in i8_!7 purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The land was then in its primitive condition, but he erected) a log cabin in the midst of the forest, although he did not make this his permanent home until after his marriage, which occurred in 1855, Miss Drucilla Brown becoming his wife. She is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a daughter of William Brown, who removed to that county from Canada, his native place. This union has been blessed with five children, two now living, - Susan B-, the wife of W. A. Tucker, of Todd township, Crawford county, and John, of Wyandot county, Ohio. After a happy married life of fourteen years Mrs.

After his first marriage Mr. Outhwaite located on his farm in Todd township, Crawford county, and in 1S70 he erected one of the finest residences in the locality. His place is under an excellent state of cultivation, and a glance at its neat and attractive appearance would indicate to the passer-by the supervision of a thrifty and progressive owner. In political matters Mr. Outhwaite casts his ballot in favor of the men and measures of the Republican party. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held the office of trustee for many years, and all movements intended for the public good of the community receive his hearty support and co-operation.

Anthony Herman

Mr. Anthony Herman is a self-made man, who, without an extraordinarv family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward. The vast forests of Ohio afford excellent business opportunities to the manufacturer of lumber and Mr. Herman is among those now extensively and successfully engaged in this line of business, being a member of the well-known firm of Herman & Mahon. He was born in the province of Alsace, which was then under French rule, on the 13th of May, 1848, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Swartz) Herman. The father was born about 1796, the mother about 1802. and both are natives of Alsace, where they were reared and married. The father followed farming as a life occupation, carrying on that work at the place of nativity until 185 1, when, with his family, he emigrated to America, spending three months in Canton, Ohio, after which he located in Seneca county. He purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty acres and thereon made his home until 1870, when he sold the property and removed to New Washington. Crawford county. There his remaining days were spent in quiet retirement from toil, as he had acquired a competence sufficient to meet all his wants without recourse to further work. He passed away in 1874. and his wife died in 1872. In political views he was a stalwart Democrat and in religious faith was a Catholic. Anthony Herman, whose name begins this sketch, was only about three years of age when brought by his parents to the new world. He acquired his education in the common schools of Ohio, and after coming to New- Washington entered upon an independent business career, being employed during the "first year as a farm hand. In 1871 he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade and after the completion of his term of service he followed that pursuit until 1876. He was then married and after his marriage he purchased fifty acres of land in Seneca county, four miles north of New Washington, and with his bride he removed to his new home, where he began farming, continuing to cultivate the fields for three years, after which he sold the place and returned to the town. He then purchased his present sawmill business and began operations on a small scale and by his indefatigable industry and business ability soon was enabled to build up an industry of considerable magnitude. After three years he admitted his brother John to a partnership in the business. They put a new engine into the sawmill and it was in that department that the brother was interested, Mr. Herman owning the planing mill alone. After a time, however, our subject purchased his brother's interest and carried on operations alone until [888, when he formed the present partnership with Charles Mahon. This relationship has since been maintained and the firm is recognized as one of the leading business concerns in this line in this part of the county They have their mills well equipped with the latest improved machinery and the best facilities for carrying forward their work, their patronage constantly increasing and bringing to them a very satisfactory financial return. In connection with his other interests Mr. Herman is proprietor of a millinery establishment in New Washington, which is conducted by his daughters.

In January, [876, Mr. Herman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Steiert, a native of Erie county and a daughter of Ferdinand Steiert, who: was born in Germany. Their union lias been blessed with nine children, eigiiT. of whom are yet living, namely: Josephine, now the wife of Jacob Promenshenkel, of Crestline; Ida and Emma, who are engaged in the millinery business; Nellie, Catherine, Marie, Pauline and Margaret, who are still under the parental r< m if.

Mr. Herman exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party and has served for seven and a half years as township treasurer. He is also a member of the city council of New Washington and has acted in that capacity for eight years, discharging Inofficial duties with promptness and fidelity. He holds membership in the Catholic church and for six years he has served as a member of the church council. He withholds his support from no movement or measure that is calculated to prove of general good and has steadily advanced along the highroad to success. He is a man of steadfast purpose, unflinching' integrity and upright principles, - virtues to which the splendid civilization of America is indebted for its wonderful development and its glorious progress.

John E. Siefert

John E. Siefert is a telegraph operator and station agent at Xew Washington and is a popular and obliging representative of the railroad and telegraph corporations, lie has made many friends through his unfailing courtesy, as well as through his prompt and faithful execution of his business duties.

Air. Siefert was born in Whetstone township, Crawford count}-, December 26, 1862. his parents being Jacob and Catherine (Whitcum) Siefert. idie father was born in Stark county, Ohio, about 1835, an^ ^vas a son "t John and Solemena (Lantz) Siefert. He remained at home until about eighteen vears of age, when he went to Ashland, Ohio, to learn the blacksmith's trade. After completing his apprenticeship he worked for several years as a journeyman, and during his residence in Ashland he was married. Soon afterward he located in Whetstone township, Crawford county, settling on the original site of the old town of Olentangy, where he conducted a blacksmith shop. In 1862 he removed to Xew Washington, where he opened and operated the blacksmith shop now owned and carried on by Fred Carle. He also built and conducted a carriage factory, employing five workmen in the blacksmithing department and four in the other departments of the business. He became one of the leading merchants and representatives of the industrial interests in the town. Many of the buggies and spring wagons built by him are still in use in and around Xew Washington. He was an expert workman, energetic and reliable, and his business integrity was above question. He died in 1871, at the comparatively early age of thirty-six years. An active member of the Lutheran church, he had held church offices for a number of years and was ever faithful to the teachings of that denomination. In politics he voted with the Democracy, but his business interests claimed too much of his attention to allow him to become an active factor in political affairs. He was a lover of hue horses and could handle any horse, always owning some fine specimens of the noble steed. The mother of our subject was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1835, aiu^ was a' daughter of John and Alary Whitcum. both of whom were natives of that state. They went to Ashland county, Ohio, at an early date and in later years removed to Crawford county, settling in Cranberry township, where they remained until called to the home beyond. Mrs. Siefert survived her husband until March, 1899. She was the mother of six children, but only two are now living-, the sister, who is older than our subject, being Mrs. Clara R. Stevens, the wife of S. H. Stevens, of Cranberry township.

From an early age John E. Siefert has depended upon his own resources, and whatever success he has achieved in life is due to his earnest efforts. At the age of thirteen he began earning his own livelihood as a farm hand. He spent the summer of 1881 as an employe in a brick yard in New Washington and the following year he entered the telegraph office of the Pennsylvania Company at this place, taking up the study of telegraphy. In the spring of 1883, having mastered the business, he was placed in charge of the office at Vernon Junction, where he continued for eight years, and in 1891 he was promoted to the office at Xew Washington, where he has since remained as telegraph operator and railroad and express agent. His genial disposition and obliging manner have made him very popular with the patrons of the road, and he is highly esteemed in the town and throughout the surrounding country.

On the 25th of November, 1888, Mr. Siefert was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Bair, a native of Whetstone township and a daughter of John and Rebecca (Shearer) Bair. who came to Crawford county from Stark county among its early settlers, taking up their abode in Whetstone township. Three children graced the union of our subject and his wife: Florene M., Hazel R. and Chauncey J. The mother died October 31, 1893, mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Siefert was married, on October 23, 1901, to Miss Amanda L. High, of Xew Washington, Ohio. She is a daughter of Adam and Matilda L. ( Hesse) High, who were of German birth. Both were born in Germany and emigrated to this country with their parents in early childhood, settling in New Washington, and always resided in and around this village. Mrs. Siefert was born in New Washington, Ohio. February 2. 1866. Her early girlhood days were spent in attending school, and she is a graduate of the New Washington high school, being a member of the class of 1886. In September, the same year, she entered the New Washington public schools as a primary teacher, which position she successfully rilled for four years, when the board of education promoted her to the intermediate department for one year, thence to the grammar department, which position she ably filled for two years. During these years at vacation time she attended school at

Ada, Ohio, two terms and at Valparaiso, Indiana, one term. Her health failing, she abandoned the work for some time. After again taking up the work she taught twelve successful terms in the district schools of Cranberry and Chatheld townships. She is a member of the New Washington Methodist Episcopal church and has always been an active member in all church work.

Mr. Siefert belongs to Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. P.. and to the Uniform Rank, and in the former he has filled all of the offices. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Although his life has been quietly passed it is worthy of emulation in many respects, showing the power of a strong force of character, energy and determination in the practical affairs of life.

Jacob H. Stevens

A deep interest in the pioneer days through which many of the older residents of our enlightened country have passed, with honor to themselves and benefit to the younger generation, is but a natural feeling; and those wdio still remain to show the honest, sturdy and manly stock of which pioneers were made, receive but their just tribute of gratitude. Among the old settlers of Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, no one is more highly esteemed than Jacob H. Stevens, who is the subject of this biography.

Jacob H. Stevens was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on October 31, 1817, and he was a son of Amos and Hannah (Cunning Stevens, who reared a family of eleven children, five daughters and six sons, but of these only two survive, these being Jacob II., of this sketch, and his brother Amos, of Arkansas.

Amos H. Stevens was born near Allicott's Mills, Maryland, on October 16, 1778, and he was a son of Augustus and Sophia (Young) Stevens, these parents being of English and Welsh extraction. Later Grandfather Augustus Stevens moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there made his home on a farm, lmt finally came to Columbiana county, Ohio, and spent his last days with his son Amos. Amos Stevens was given as good school opportunities as were then possible, but books were scarce and even the rich could secure for their children what we would now regard as only the outlines of an education. Some brothers of the father of our subject resided in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and it is probable that Amos Stevens also resided there a time, but after his marriage he and his voting wife came to Geauga county. Ohio, prior to 1802, when it was admitted as a state. At that time the country was a vast wilderness, with no hierhwavs and no means of communication with civilization except by long and toilsome journeys through the forest, and with the wild beasts of the woods still in their accustomed haunts and the equally savage Indian a frequent visitor. Within three miles of another intrepid pioneer, Amos Stevens erected his log cabin and became a resident of the "Buckeye state," although at that time the name had not yet been bestowed upon it.

The causes which induced Mr. Stevens to leave this section are not known to the family, but he later removed to Columbiana county and there entered a one-quarter section of land, and again built a pioneer cabin of logs, and once more began the clearing and then cultivating a farm. Here he s< >< m made many improvements, erected a more modern residence, added sixty more acres of land and made this a pleasant home, where the family lived until 1834, when he sold this property and came to Crawford county. Here Mr. Stevens located in Cranberry township, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land from Isaac Mathews, this property having been entered some ten years previously. But a small tract of this land had been cleared and upon it stood a small log cabin, which served through one winter as a shelter to the family of Mr. Stevens, in the following spring a more commodious one being erected. Here Amos Stevens lived and labored and here he died. In his later years he accumulated much more property, buying and entering different tracts, until he owned at one time fully six hundred acres of Ohio soil. Physically he was a typical pioneer, strong, energetic and courageous, a man who dared every danger and feared no hardship. In his religious life he was a strict Methodist and was. in fact, a local preacher of that faith, going many miles to perform the sacred duties of that calling. In his political belief he was a Whig and from principle became a great abolitionist.

The mother of our subject was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1784, and she was a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Young) Cunning, the former of whom was born in Ireland. The latter was a native of England, and the maiden name of her mother was the same as that of G. M. Stevens, also born in England, but of no kindred. G. F. Cunning came to America prior to or about the time of the Revolutionary war, and was a member of the patriot army. Mrs. Stevens lived until in her ninety-second A-ear, dying on June 8, 1876.

Jacob H. Stevens, who is the subject of this sketch, remained at home until his twenty-sixth year, attending school in his early youth in the old school house, in the clearing, where he well recalls the puncheon floor, the slab benches and the greased paper for windows. He was the strongest of his father's sons, and probably was the most willing, and he assumed much of the most laborious part of the clearing and cultivation; as must be remembered, this was done with no machinery and very little apparatus. About his twenty-sixth year he and his father caine to an agreement as to his future. Three of his brothers and several of his sisters had been given assistance by the father, when thev left home, and our subject felt that some like provision should be made for as faithful a sun as he had been. The father intended, doubtless to be just, but he imposed hard conditions. A tract of heavily timbered forest land, covered with underbrush, one hundred and fifty acres of the home farm, should be his for the sum of eight hundred dollars, which was to be paid to his father, in installments. He had no money to start a career in any other place, and he accepted his father's proposition and began with energy to clear his land.

In 1849 our subject was married to Miss Sarah J. Wallace, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was the daughter of Jefferson Wallace, who came to Richland county, Ohio, at an earl)- day, later removing to Cranberry township, in Crawford county. Ten children were horn to our subject and wife, the five survivors being among the best and most reliable citizens of this county, and thev are as follows: Amos W., of Auburn township; Almira, the wife of Frank Albright, of Whetstone township; Sherman H., of Cranberry township; Julia jVL, the wife of Freeman Brown, of Shelby, Ohio; and Nora, the wife of AVillis A. Brown, of Tiro, Ohio.

After subject had succeeded in paying for his farm and in placing it in a prosperous condition, he began the purchase of other land, the first tract being one of eighty acres adjoining his own land, which belonged to his brother. Late in the '50s he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Sandusky township, another of one hundred acres in the same township, this being followed by a purchase of one hundred and twenty acres in Liberty township, and his last purchase being in 1882, when he became the owner of one hundred and forty-seven acres in Auburn township. This land Mr. Stevens acquired for his children, and after he had become satisfied that he could do well for all of them he bought a small tract of sixty-four acres, a part of which is within the corporate limits of Tiro, and removed to it. There he and his most estimable wife resided until her death, on December 26, 1893, when he deeded this land to his daughter, Airs. Brown, and went to live with her.

In his political life Air. Stevens has been a Republican for many years, although his strong temperance principles induced him to vote with the Pro- hibition party for a time. He is distinguished as being' the oldest living resident of Auburn township. His years have reached eighty-four, but his mind is clear and his memory of past events is vivid. Many of his years have been spent in the most laborious toil, but he has always possessed both energy and ambition, and stands to-day as a worthy representative of the perseverance, courage and zeal, which has made the extraordinary progress possible, which has given Crawford county its prominence in this state, which latter has become known as the "New Mother of Presidents," well deserving the title.

Rev. Israel Lust

Probably there is no better known or more highly esteemed citizen in Crawford count}-, ( )hio, than Rev. Israel Lust, the subject of this biography, who has traveled at least twelve thousand miles, back and forth through the country, laboring in the interests of Christianity. Not only is he a preacher ot power and convincing argument, but he is an author of considerable note, especially in the religious world, and has also successfully carried on large agricultural 1 iperations.

The birth of Mr. Lust was in Chatfield township, in this county, on December i 1. 1839, and he was a son of Conrad and Magdalena ( Myers) Lust. They reared nine children to maturity, and our subject is the eldest of the family, the others being: Susan, the wife of Christian Klink, of Chatfield township; John, of Cranberry township; David, of Dallas township: Catherine, the wife of William Hunsicker, of Lykens township; Sophia, the wife of Emanuel Yeiter, of Liberty township: Solomon, of Chatfield township; Daniel, of Chatfield township; and Elizabeth, the wife of John Biel, of Chatfield township.

The father of this family of prominent and highly respected children was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1812. and in 1819 accompanied his parents, who were John David and Elizabeth Lust, to America. Grandfather Lust brought with him his wife and eight children, all of whom were in great danger, during the long voyage of ninety days, of never landing in the new country, upon which their hopes were set. The captain of the slow sailing vessel lost his bearings, and even touched the shore of Greenland before he made the harbor of Philadelphia !

Grandfather Lust settled on a small farm in Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, for the welfare of his children. One of his sons, quite a young boy. died crossing the ocean and was buried in the grave of the Atlantic sea, which was the most heartfelt trial of his and the grandmother's life. He lived six years in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, quite poor, working hard to support a family of small children. He and another man by the name of Jacob Buck thrashed in one winter with a flail, forty-five hundred bushels of wheat, at three cents per bushel !

After living six years in Pennsylvania he came to Richland township, Marion county, Ohio, among the Delaware Indians, and bought ninety-three acres of wild woodland, at the government price. Grandfather Lust there, with his sons, soon succeeded in clearing away quite a tract of land, by living" mostly on hominy and boiled wheat, as then, in 1826, there were no gristmills nearer than from thirty to sixty miles distant. The wild woods were everywhere inhabited by Indians, wolves and bears. Bears made raids upon his hogs right beside his log cabin ! In order to get wheat flour and corn meal he dressed a common boulder to the thickness of one-sixteenth of an inch, and three feet in diameter, through which he drilled a hole four inches in diameter, and through this he put a stout pole, one end of which he ran into a stump, into which there was made an auger hole, a large flat stone lying beside the stump, over which the dressed stone was rolled to and fro to crack the corn or wheat. The broken grain was then sifted through a sieve made of hometanned groundhog leather. Most truly, "Necessity is the mother of invention." This historic stone is still remaining on the farm.

Xow. in the years 1828 to 1830 Grandfather Lust had more wheat raised than was needed by his family. He sent the father of our subject, Conrad Lust, to Sandusky City over the old state road, from Marion to Little Sandusky, thence to Upper Sandusky and to Fort Ball or Tiffin, then to Fremont and then to Sandusky City, with a yoke of young oxen and about twenty-two bushels of wheat, the price of which ran from fifty cents to a dollar. This he exchanged mostly lor clothing goods. It required eleven days and nights to return again, over a distance of about sixtv miles of wild-woods road.

On or about the year of 1832 a road was constructed by a company from Columbus to Sandusky City, called the Columbus & Sandusky Pike, which was running directly through the farm of Grandfather Lust, of which pike his three sons - Gottlieb, Conrad and Frederig Lust - constructed a mile and a quarter, all along their home in Marion county, for which services they secured a section of real wild land of the pike company in Chattield township, Crawford county, and on this they settled in the year 1837. Over the above pike were sometimes from thirty to forty-five teams in one train hauling wheat to Sanduskv City from Marion and Delaware counties. Grandmother Lust died in

Conrad Lust, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, was married to Magdelena Myers, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in May, 1820. He had eight hundred acres of land, in different places of the county and state. In politics he had been in sympathy with the Democratic party, but was never a politician, and through all his life he was a member of the Evangelical Pietist church. He died in February, 1876, at the age of sixty-four years, and his wife Magdalena died in September, 1893, aged seventy-three years. Frederig Lust, the uncle of our subject, was a most powerful preacher, with but a rare equal, in spite of all his very limited education. He also was the founder of the so called Lust church in Chatfield. He departed this life in December, 1882, at the age of sixty-nine years.

Who would not look down with a flood of tears, as tears trickle down from the children's eyes, upon the graves of their grandparents, so beloved: - fathers and mothers who are now mingled with the dust of the earth, in the silent shade of death, after so many struggles, with hardship, penury and so many thousands of evils full of trials? Grandfather John David Lust. Gottleib, Conrad, and Rev. Frederig Lust, and Elizabeth (Jacoby) Lust, are all at rest in the Lust cemetery in Chatfield township.

Rev. Israel Lust, who is the highly esteemed subject of this review, was reared amid pioneer surroundings His educational advantages were limited, having only about three hundred and fifty days of schooling, scattered over ten years, introducing him only to primary studies and fostering a love for books, which he has never outgrown. In May, 1865, he was married to Miss Magdalena Crum, who was a native of Chatfield township. After this event Mr. and Mrs. Lust located on the farm now owned in Todd township which was given him by his father, and cleared about one hundred acres of dense timber, and this is cultivated by our subject. The estate now comprises one hundred and forty-six acres, as Mr. Lust has added other land by later purchases. He also became the owner of five hundred acres of land in Allen county, Kansas, which he mostly deeded to his children, - Jessias, Magdalena, Frank and Wesly. To the first marriage of our subject one child was born, Jessias, now a resident of Allen county, Kansas. Mrs. Lust departed this life in January, 1867.

In the following year our subject was united, in marriage to Mrs. Mary Linn, who was the widow of William Linn, formerly a Miss Seibert, who died on September 8, 1881. Seven children were born to this union, these being:

Magdalena, deceased; Benjamin Franklin, of Allen county, Kansas; Samuel Wesley, of Allen county, Kansas; Catherine E., at home; Sarah, the wife of George Cooper, of Shelby, Ohio ; Clements, at home ; and Mary, the wife of Roassle Winger, of Marion county.

Mr. Lust has been one of the successful and prosperous farmers of the count}-. He was reared in the Democratic party, but in late years has taken no active interest in politics. For nineteen years he has been a preacher in the Evangelical Pietist church and also nine years in the Crawford County Infirmary, and during this time he has covered fully twelve thousand miles, driving to and fro over the country, answering the calls of duty, ministering to the sick in body and mind and working faithfully in the Master's vineyard. His faithful horse Cole, which has carried him so far, often through storm and cold, still stands in his stable, cared for with the affection its long service has occasioned. Mr. Lust is known to the religious-reading public, especially in his own church, through three published volumes of his writings, under the title of "Exhortations and Edifications of Israel Lust," and the fourth volume is ready for the press. Mr. Lust has bound over two thousand volumes of these books himself, the latter work reflecting great credit upon his artistic skill, as he never served any apprenticeship in it. They are filled with good advice, moral teachings, and no reader could doubt that they came from the pen of a deeply and truly religious man. In arranging all the writings of Rev. Israel Lust up to this date, 1901, in a line it would make a continuous line of not less than ten miles.