Crawford County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 14 of 22)

of Germany and came from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, about 1847. During the years of a happy married life eight children have come to bless the home of 3*1 r. and Airs. Tobin, and the family circle vet remains unbroken by the hand of death. The children are: Anna Mary, widow of Samuel Springer, of Cranberry township; William James, who conducts a blacksmith shop in Xew Washington; David Elmer, a resident farmer of Cranberry township; John Franklin, who is proprietor of a grocery store in Xew Washington; Margorie E., wife of Allison Bittikoffer, of Bucyrus ; Thomas G., of Canyon City, Colorado; Eva E., at home; and Clement L., who is living in Denver, Colorado.

For a year after his marriage Mr. Tobin resided upon the farm which adjoins his present home place, and then purchased the eighty acres which he has since improved and cultivated. He first erected a log cabin in the midst of the forest and removed to his home, the family experiencing man)- of the trials and hardships of pioneer life during the early days in which he was gaining a start. After some years he erected his present substantial residence and other farm buildings and has since carried on the work of development and improvement, until the property is now very valuable. In politics he is a Democrat and in religious faith is an English Lutheran. Strong purpose and indefatigable energy have been the means of bringing to him success in life, and he is now numbered among the men of affluence and among the leading and influential citizens of Cranberry township.

Hugh M. Cory has a wide acquaintance in Crawford county and enjoys the hig'hest esteem of his fellow townsmen. He makes his home in Xew Washington and is one of its representative' citizens, well deserving representation in this volume.

Mr. Cory was born in Cranberry township, Crawford county. December 28, 1845, anc^ comes of one of the old New England families of Scotch descent. Early in the seventeenth century three brothers of Scotch birth emigrated from the land of hills and heather, and braving the danger incident to an ocean voyage in that early period of trans-Atlantic navigation, came to America. Aaron Cory, one of these brothers, soon after settling in the Massachusetts colony, was married and for many years continued his residence in Massachusetts. One of his descendants, though in what generation is not known, was Nathan Cory and his eldest son was Joseph Cory. An- other link in the family history is missing', but we have record of John Cory, who about 1725 removed to Trenton, New Jersey. He married Elizabeth Brown, who was also of Scotch descent, and the eldest of their large family of children was Thomas Cory, who was born in New Jersey, in 1734, and when thirty-six years of age was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wallace, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. One of these sons was Aaron Cory, the paternal grandfather of our subject.

Aaron Cory was born in Xew Jersey, in the year 1773, and near the close of the eighteenth century located in Washington county, Pennsylvania. In that state he was married to Elizabeth McGuire in 1798. In 1802 he emigrated westward to Ohio, settling in Tuscarawas county, where he remained for a number of years, or until about 1819, when he took up his abode in Ashland county. There he remained for seven years and in 1826 came to Crawford count}-, casting- in his lot among its pioneer settlers. He made his home in Cranberry township, entering a tract of land from the government and there he began the development of a farm. In addition to his farming operations Aaron Cory labored earnestly for the spiritual uplifting- of his fellow men. He was an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, possessed great personal magnetism and an undaunted will and did a vast amount of good in founding and encouraging the church and Sunday-school organizations. He died in 1834, in the sixty-first year of his age.

Since 1826 the Corys have been among the most distinguished and leading- citizens in the northeastern part of Crawford count}-. Thomas Cory, a son of Aaron Cory and the father of our subject, was a man of great natural ability and served with marked fidelity in various positions of honor and trust. He was born in New Jersey, in 1810, was reared under the parental roof, and when about twenty-five years of age married Esther G. Brown, who was born in Nescopeck, Luzerne county,- Pennsylvania, in 1808, her parents being James and Mar}- Brown, natives of Pennsylvania and representatives o>f Dutch ancestry. They came to Ohio at an early period in its development, locating in Auburn township, Crawford count}-, whence they afterward removed to Van Wert county, where the maternal grandfather of our subject was accidentally killed while hauling logs. At the time of his marriage Thomas Cory began his career as a farmer on a little tract of land of twenty acres in Auburn township. After some time his success enabled him to increase his landed possessions, and, selling his first property, he purchased the farm now owned by T. B. Carson, comprising one hundred and sixty acres in Cranberry township. Thereon he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1854. Six years previous his constitution had been broken down by the suffering' caused from milk sickness. He was a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a Democrat in his political affiliations, but was never an office seeker. Unto Thomas and Esther Cory were born seven children, of whom six are yet living, namely : Mary E. is now the wife of James Morrow, of Auburn township. James E. is a dealer in oil and gas lands in Marion, Indiana, and was for four years representative from his county in the state legislature. He was the author of several important enactments, which passed both the house and the senate. Robert W. is a veteran of the Civil war, serving for three years as a member of Company C, Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and is now a farmer living at Galena, Missouri. Hugh M. is the next younger. Sarah E. is the wife of Henry C. Martin, a farmer of Montgomery county, Kansas. Susan N. is the wife of John Morrow, an agriculturist of Auburn township. The second member of the family was Thomas C. Cory, a veteran of the Civil war, who afterward became a prominent attorney of Kansas, but died in that state, as the result of his wounds, in 1888.

Hugh M. Cory spent his childhood days under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district schools. On the return of his brothers from the army the burden of the farm work and management was taken from his shoulders and he was then able to acquire a better education, so that in 1864 he entered Lexington Seminary, where he pursued his studies during the summer months for four years. In the winter season he engaged in teaching in order to pay his tuition. He was also a student for one term in the Delaware University. In April, 1870, he went to Kansas, and shortly afterward, on account of the building of the two branches of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, he went to Parsons, Kansas, which was at the junction of the two railroads and there the company purchased four sections of land, laying" out the town of Parsons. Believing that the new town would prove a desirable place Mr. Cory and his brother hastened thither, acquiring some propertv, and for eight years Air. Cory, of this review, was engaged in the real-estate business at that point, while his brother practiced law. Our subject read law with his brother in his leisure hours, but never applied for admission to the bar. However, during that time he argued many cases before the iustice court and was very successful in law work. In August, 1878, he sold his real estate in Kansas and returned to Ohio, soon afterward locating in New Washington, where he engaged in the real-estate and fire insurance business. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace, and with but two or three terms intermission has continuously filled the position since that time. In 1885 ne was elected mayor of New Washington and served for fourteen consecutive years in that office. He has a record for public service that is scarcely paralleled and no comment need be made concerning his ability and fidelity, for this is indicated by his long continuance in office. Mr. Cory was one of the founders of the Settlers' Advocate, a weekly publication in the interests of the settlers, as well as real-estate men. In 1886 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Carrie F. Baker, a native of Crawford county and a daughter of George W. Baker, a prominent farmer of Vernon township. Six children have been born unto them : Hazel, now deceased: Minnie M.. who born in 1888: a son who died in infancy; Thomas, born in 1894; Lois, born in 1898; and Mary E., born on the 1st of May, 1899. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cory is one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Xew Washington.

George Stuckey

While Germans and men of German extraction have won success m nearly every walk of life, they have been especiallv successful as farmers, a fact that has been amply demonstrated by farmers of German blood in Crawford county, Ohio, notably in Lykens township, where George Stuckev and others have made records which distinguish them above manv other wellto-do farmers in the county.

George Stuckey was burn in Lykens township, Crawford county, 01ii<». on the same farm which is now his home, August 19, 1867, a son of Carl Stuckey, a native of Bavaria. Germany, born in 1821. Carl Stuckev, who was a blacksmith by trade, came to America in 1847 and landed in New- York City, after forty days' voyage on an old-fashioned sailing vessel. From New York he went to Sandusky, Ohio, where for a time he was employed at railway construction. Removing to Bloom township, Seneca count)-, he worked as a farm hand for several years by the month until he was able to buy eighty acres of land in Lykens township, Crawford county. The land was heavily timbered and he made a clearing on it and built a log house, in which he lived until 1864, when he removed to the farm on which he died, January 22, 1899. He was twice married. His first wife, Mary Keiffer, bore him two children : Henry, who lives in Seneca county, and Mary, who children, as follows: Lena, who is the wife of Frank Dennis, of Seneca county, Ohio; Charles, who is a well-known citizen of Texas township, Crawford county; Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Young, of Lykens township; Hattie, who married Charles Mohr, of Lykens township; George, who is the immediate subject of this sketch and the next in order of birth ;' William J., a respected citizen of Texas township; Laura, who married Cyrus Ohl, of Seneca county; and Nellie, who makes her home with George and is a student at Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio. The mother of these children died in September, 1893.

George Stuckey was brought up to work on the farm and received a practical education in the common schools near his home. In 1890 he rented his father's homestead, which has been his home to the present time. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land and gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising. lie is a member of the German Reformed church and in politics he is a Democrat. He has never been active as a politician and has never sought any public office, but he exerts a good influence in a political way and his public spirit has led him to identify himself with man)' movements, which he believed promised to benefit his fellow citizens.

Samuel Snyder

Samuel Snyder, who resides on one of the fine farms of Todd township, and is one of the highly esteemed and useful citizens of Crawford count)-, Ohio, was born in Holmes township, on Xov ember 17, 1836. He was a son of Rudolph and Anna (Schlabaeh) Snyder, who had six children, our subject and his brther John, of Henry count)", Ohio, being the only ones remaining.

Born in Berne, Germany, about 1800, Rudolph Snyder grew up in his native land and was thoroughly instructed in the trade of carpenter, and married an estimable lady in his neighborhood. Starting with his wife and three children for the United States, in 1836, he reached this country with his wife and only one of the children, as two of the little ones died on the voyage and were buried at sea. Not only did Mr. Snyder and his wife have to suffer from this double bereavement, but the voyage was one of storm and danger, after sixty-four days being towed into New York harbor by a passing vessel, their own sails having been washed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Snyder made their way to Bucyrus, Ohio, where many of their countrymen resided, and with them found sympathy and remained there for six months. Their means were limited and Mr. Snyder was able to buy but nine acres of land. This was covered with timber, but on it Mr. Snyder dug a cave, improvised a roof and lived here for the following two years, and then built a substantial and comfortable hewed-log house, in which he resided until 1856. when he removed to what was known as the Hall farm, which he rented for three years. That Mr. Snyder was frugal, energetic and industrious may be inferred from the fact that about this time he was financially able to purchase eighty acres of timber land, in Todd township, this being the farm upon which our subject now resides. During- these succeeding three years, by working on moonlight nights and taking advantage of every holiday, receiving some assistance from his little sons, Mr. Snyder succeeded in clearing up ten acres, and in 1859 he built a portion of the present handsome farm residence and here he lived until his death, in 1879. His faithful wife, who has endured all his trials and cheered him through the years of their companionship, survived him only eight days. They were most worthy people and were members of the Lutheran church, while in politics he was in sympathy with the Democratic party, although he never took any active interest in public affairs.

The subject of this sketch, Samuel Snyder, grew to sturdy manhood, strengthened by the hardships of pioneer life, and became a most important factor in the clearing of the farm, and in i860 bought twenty acres, which adjoined his father's purchase. Two years later he was married to Miss Catherine Spiegel, who was a native of Germany and a daughter of Christopher Spiegel, who came to Ohio from his German home and settled in Todd township about ]86o. After marriage our subject began housekeeping on his little farm and worked also at the- carpenter's trade and built many of the largest barns in this section of the township, although he never served any apprenticeship, having inherited the capacity for mechanical skill from his father.

In 1879, when the parents of Mr. Snyder died, the home farm, which had been acquired with so much industry and economy by his father, and upon which he had worked through many a year, came into his possession, while his brother John took a farm in Henry county, in which our subject also had an interest. Since that time Mr. Snyder and family have lived on the old homestead, now one of the most valuable properties in this part of the township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, namely :

Hygeia, the wife of Joseph Hilborn, of Bucyrus; Hattie, the wife of George Allbright, of Todd township; Charles, at home; and Bertha, the wife of Benjamin Beall, of Bucyrus township, in this county.

Mr. Snyder is inclined to favor the Democratic party in politics, but he is liberal-minded, and frequently votes for the man instead of the party. He is one of the highly respected citizens of this township, and a most worthy representative of the honest and persevering parents who so bravely battled through poverty and misfortune and won the esteem of all with whom they came in contact.

William Gledhill

There are few farmers in Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio,, who are better or more favorably known than William Gledhill, who was born March 12, 1838. in Jefferson township, Crawford county (then Richland county), Ohio, a son of Joseph and Mary (Mitchell) Gledhill.

Joseph Gledhill was born September 11, 1799, at Browbridge, Othersfield, Yorkshire, England; married at Leicester, England, in the year 1824, Mary Mitchell; moved to America in 1826, and located in Trumbull county, Ohio. Being a carder by trade, he ran a woolen factory for five years, then removed to Youngstown and engaged again at his trade, and from Youngstown he came to Crawford county, in 1832, and bought a farm, where he resided until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife, who bore him eleven children, attained the advanced age of eighty-four years. The following facts concerning the children of Joseph and Mary (Mitchell) Gledhill are pertinent to the purpose of this sketch. Eight of them grew to manhood and womanhood. Elizabeth, the eldest, married David Snyder and they have both passed away. Alary married Perry Russell and lives at Middiet oavii, Ohio. Esther married John Shoemaker and is dead. Martha, who became the wife of Colonel Calvin Burwell, is also dead. Sarah married Henry Castle and lives in Jefferson township. John married Susan Burgin and died in 1883. Joseph is a prominent citizen of Jefferson township. William is the immediate subject of this sketch.

William Gledhill was born and reared on his father's old homestead in Jefferson township, of which he took charge at the age of nineteen years, of which he is now the owner and on which he has lived all his life. He owns one hundred and seventy acres of well improved and very productive land and gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising. A Republican" in politics, he has taken an active interest in local affairs and has held the -office of township trustee for eleven years, with some intervals, and is its incumbent at this time, and his interest in good roads has been such that he lias for many years been kept in the office of road supervisor. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

Mr. Gledhill was married April 10, 1873, to Miss Rebecca Gilliland and they have five children, named Olive, Esther, Edward, Tacy and Cleo Hazel. Edward married Miss Idessa Deam and lives in Jefferson township.

John Keller

One of the fertile and valuable farms of Crawford county is the property of John Keller, one of the leading agriculturists of lhs locality. He is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, born on the 3d of April, 1843, a son °f Henry and Maria (Geip) Keller. The father was born in Northampton count)", Pennsylvania, in 181 6, and when fourteen years of age came with his parents to Ashland county, Ohio. In 1847 ue took up his residence in Crawford count}', settling in Todd township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, but seven years later he sold that tract and purchased one hundred and thirty-three and a third acres north of Osceola, also in Todd township, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away on the 1st of June, 1899. He was a Democrat in his political views and was a member of the German Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keller were born seven children, five of whom still survive: Hettie, the wife of W. Y. Fagin, of Sycamore, Ohio; John, of this review; Sarah, the wife of J. A. Welsh, of Wyandot county, Ohio; Nancy, the wife of Samuel Keifer, of Osceola; and Elias, a resident of Todd township. After the death of the mother of these children the father was again married, Miss Mary Baker becoming his wife, and they had one son, William, who resides at Lemert, Todd township.

John Keller, whose name introduces this review, acquired a limited education in the old log school house of his district. In February, 1864, he enisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company E, Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the Lynchburg raid, was with Sheridan in the second engagement at Y\ 'inchester, and took part in the battles of Berryville, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill and many other engagements of the war. He was captured at Beverly, Virginia, on the 8th of January, 1865, and was sent to Libby prison, where, after forty days, he was paroled and exchanged, after which he returned to his home on a thirty days furlough. On the expiration of that period he returned to his command, and on the 31st of July, 1865, received his honorable discharge at Columbus and returned to his home. Mr. Keller then worked for his father until the following December, when he went to Michigan and worked as a farm hand there for one year. Again returning to his home, he then took charge of the old homestead, which he worked on the shares, and in August, 1872, he purchased his present farm of sixty acres, where he has since resided.

In 1866 Mr. Keller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah L. Mc- Creary, a native of Lorain county, Ohio, and a daughter of John McCreary. They have had two children, but only one is now living, Eva L., the wife of J. C. Frost, who is serving as postmaster of Osceola. Our subject is liberal in his political views, but gives his preference to the Democracy. He is one of the most successful men of his community and is regarded as one of its well-to-do citizens.

Albert Hammond

Albert Hammond was one of the honored pioneers of this portion of Ohio, and for many years was identified with agricultural interests here. He was a native of Cayuga county. New York, born February 25, 1813, and was a son of George and Sarah ( White) Hammond. His father, at a very early period in the development of Crawford county, emigrated westward, settling near Tiro, wher.e he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and began the arduous task of developing a new farm, and there lived and died.

Mr. Hammond, the subject of this sketch, married Miss Catherine Groesbeck, who was born October 4, 181 3, and they became the parents of six children: Almira ; Alvira ; Philora, deceased; Orlando, deceased; Ellen Delora; and Lucy. In 1834 our subject removed to Lykens township and settled where Jacob Breode now lives. He entered the land from the government, built a log cabin and began to clear and improve the farm, which he transformed into a desirable property, the fields yielding- to him good harvests. There he resided until 1875, when he removed to the farm upon which he spent his remaining days, his death occurring when he was seventytwo years of age. He was actively concerned in the work of public progress and improvement. Indians were still to be seen in this part of the state when he came to the county and the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun. He helped to lay out roads, build school houses and assisted in building the Baptist church. No work calculated to advance the general welfare sought his aid in vain and he was widely known as a most valuable citizen. He held various township offices, ever discharging his duties most faithfully, and wherever he was known he was held in the highest regard by reason of his upright life and ficlelitv to principle.

Almira, the eldest child of Albert Hammond, was born in Lvkens township, Crawford county, Ohio, May 12, [835, and has spent her entire life in the county. She has been twice married. She first wedded James Miller, and they had four children: Albert, a merchant of Plankton, Ohio; Izora A., wife of Elbridge Tippin, of Kansas: Elbert P. and Francis M. The last two learned blacksmithing and located in Tiffin, Ohio, where the younger was killed by a kick from a horse in July, 1901. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Miller gave her hand in marriage to Jacob Johnston, and they had two sons, one dying in infancy, and the surviving one is Corma E., at home with his mother.

Mrs. Johnston owns eighty-two acres, which is cultivated by her youngest son, and the farm is now in good condition, due mother and son are both members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Johnston is a milliner by trade and has engaged in business along that line to a considerable extent. She is one of the worthy and honored pioneer ladies of the county, representing- a prominent family, and is held in high regard for her many estimable characteristics.

Henry R. Linn

As one of the largest land-owners and most substantial citizens of Crawford county, Henry R. Linn occupies a prominent position, although there are many who can recall the day when his only capital was an abundance of energy, an industrious and willing nature and an honesty, which his worthy parents had taught him while still a child.

Mr. Linn was born in Holmes township, in Crawford count}', on April 12, 1840, and was a son of Philip and Christina (Holcher) Linn. They were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and were married in their native land, and there their oldest son, John, was born. John Linn is now a prosperous farmer of Chatfield township. In 1833, when John was but three years old, Mr. and Mrs. Linn came to America and settled on a farm in Holmes township, where the rest of the children were born, these being: William, who died in 1862; Mary, who married Andrew Green, of Liberty township; Henry R. ; Philip. who resides in Marion county, Ohio; Jacob, who also resides in Marion county; Charles, who lives in Bucyrus; and Elizabeth, who is unmarried. The mother died in 1870, at the age of sixty-five, the father surviving- until he was eighty-two. These worthy and pious parents reared their children in the German Lutheran church and did their best to give them a commonschool education.

Until he was fifteen years old Henry Linn remained at home, but the family was large and he early decided to look out for himself /and for five or six years he worked by the month and then bought a team and as a renter engaged in farming. - For about eight years he rented farms and finally bought a tract of one hundred and thirty acres in Holmes township, but never located on that land. After owning it for some three or four years he sold it and bought one hundred and fifty-six acres in Dallas township, upon which he moved, and there he lived for two years, erecting a house and barns, with other outbuildings and putting it into perfect repair. This enabled him to sell at a good profit and then he bought a fine estate, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres in Dallas township, where he now lives. Here he has built one of the most attractive residences in this locality, and one of those barns so necessary upon a farm where large operations are successfully carried on, and has made other improvements, both to beautify and increase the value of his property. Since this purchase he has added ninety acres and now owns four hundred and ten acres of some of the finest land in the county

In 1877 Mr. Linn married Miss Alice Martin, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Martin, pioneers of Crawford county. To Mr. and Mis Linn three daughters and one son have been bom: Grace E., who has taught several terms of school; Gertie, who has also proved herself a line teacher; Helen and Ora. With his wife and children he belongs to the Methodist church, where all are highly valued. Mr. Linn has been a life-long Democrat and has efficiently served for two years as township treasurer.

Henry Martin, the father of Mrs. Linn, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on January 12, 1826, and was a son of Charles Martin, a pioneer of Richland county, who later lived in Crawford county and then removed to Huron county, where he died. His ancestry was German.

Mr. Martin was married to Elizabeth Miller, in 1853, in Marion county, Ohio, where Mrs. Martin's parents were then living. She was born there. Her parents, also of German descent, were early settlers of Marion county. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin ten children were born, all of whom survive and are George W., Alice J., Mary J., Erne A., Sarah Ellen, Ida May, Viola I.,

Charles E., Harry J. and Blanche I. The lamented death of Air. Martin occurred on August 19, 1891, and his widow lives on the old home place.

In 1857 Mr. Martin moved to Dallas township, Crawford county, and established the home upon which his widow now resides. By trade he was a carpenter, but he worked at it very little after coming to this county. In business he was fairly successful. He took a great interest in the Democratic party and for several years was justice of the peace and township treasurer. He was held in high esteem in the Methodist church, of which he was a worthy member.

Jefferson Marquart

Jefferson Marquart is a representative of a well-known family of Crawford county, whose members have ever been people of sterling worth, well meriting the high regard in which they are uniformly held. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with agricultural pursuits in his native county. His birth occurred on the old family homestead, where his father now resides, his natal day being October 4, 1858. He is a son of Michael Marquart, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. During his youth he had the influences of a good home and was enabled to acquire a practical English education in the common schools. He received training in the work of the fields and meadows and was thus fitted for carrying on business on his own account. On the 23d of May, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Riedel, a native of Chatfield township, and a daughter of Conrad Riedel, one of the pioneer settlers of Crawford count)-, now residing in New Washington.

After his marriage Mr. Marquart and his bride located upon his father's land in Seneca county and operated that farm, while he and his brother August also carried on the home farm, the partnership continuing for one year. In the succeeding autumn Jefferson Marquart removed to his present home of eighty acres, which his father had purchased only a short time previous. Here he has since resided, his time and attention being given to agricultural pursuits. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance and in his farming operations he is meeting with creditable prosperity. For eight years he ran a thresher, but in 1899 disposed of his interests in that business. The many excellent improvements which he has made upon his farm have transformed it into one of the valuable farm properties in this portion of the countv.

Tn 1884 Mr. Marquart was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died on the 22(1 of May, and their only child is also- deceased. On the 2d of January, 1887, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Shade, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Anna (Deisler) Shade, both of whom were natives of Seneca county, Ohio. Her paternal grandfather, Samuel Shade, was born in Pennsylvania and came to Seneca county, Ohio, among the first of its pioneer settlers. Her maternal grandfather, Charles Deisler, also cast in his lot with the early residents of that community when it was a frontier region, he having emigrated to the new world from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Marquart now have one child, Rosa A. C, who was born December 20, 1887. In his political views Mr. Marquart is liberal, although he usually supports the Democracy. He and his family are very highly esteemed people and are consistent members of the Lutheran church. Their circle of friends is extensive and their own home is well known for its cordial and sincere hospitality.

Royal R. Ross

The Ross family, to which our subject. Royal Resolved Ross, who is a leading citizen of Crawford county, Ohio, traces his ancestry, originated in Scotland, from which country his great-grandfather came generations ago, settling in Pomfret, Connecticut, among the early settlers. The grandfather was a well known physician there who later removed with his family to Otsego count}-, Xew York, where the father of our subject grew to manhood and married; in 1825 he came to Crawford county. The parents of our subject, Abel C. and Celia ( Emmons) Ross, had a family of four children, but our subject is the only survivor. Two died in infancy and one daughter, Phoebe Alzina married Wiliam Cuykendall, who at death left four children, viz. : Ross, Dorr, Edessa and William R.

Abel Ross was born in Pomfret. Connecticut, in 1800, and was a son of Royal Ross. After his marriage in the state of New York he came to Craw ton 1 county, Ohio, and settled on the farm in Auburn township, which is now the property of Alfred C. Ross, and here he entered eighty acres of land, and in later vears added thirty-two and one-half acres to the original purchase. At that time it was virgin forest, but he worked hard and succeeded in clearing it up, and lived in the log cabin, which he built upon it, until our subject was eighteen years of age. Then Mr. Ross built a commodious and comfortable frame residence, and lived here until his death.

The mother of Mr. Ross, of this sketch, died when he was only four years old. By a later marriage, to Miss Laura A. Carlisle, three more children were added to the family, - Byron H., Celia A. and Alfred C, the last named residing on the home farm. In his early years Mr. Ross was a Whig", and later naturally connected himself with the Republican party. Although not a member, he was a supporter of the Baptist church, and was known as a man of probity and Christian life and character.

Royal R. Ross was born in Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, on November 2^, 1832, and he was a son of Abel C. and Celia (Emmons) Ross, as mentioned above. He grew up on the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools, all of his attendance, with two years' exception, being in the pioneer log hut, with slabs for benches and with a puncheon floor, over which the little barefooted children had to walk with circumspection, always being in danger of splinters. When he had reached the age of nineteen years our subject began to work for neighboring farmers, assisting in the haying and harvesting, and was a welcome hand for the following four years, being strong and willing.

About 1855, desiring to see something of the world, Mr. Ross went to Charlotte, Michigan, and worked through one year in a sawmill there, going then to Marion, in Linn county, Iowa, where he was employed during the next year on a farm. A party of friends desired Mr. Ross to accompany them to Kansas, and he bought a horse and made his way to Independence, Missouri, where he joined them, but the party was detained some weeks and our subject in the meantime found temporary employment. They all reached Neosho Falls, Kansas, but finally decided to turn back. Mr. Ross returned with them to Ohio, and found business conditions better in his native place than in other sections of the country. In 1858 he entered into a partnership with Samuel Hilborn and Samuel Wynn and they built a steam sawmill in this township, and this enterprise was successfully conducted for seven years. During this time Mr. Ross bought a farm of one hundred acres, known as the Williams farm, later trading this for one of eighty acres, located near the mill. Two vears later he sold this property to advantage and bought eighty acres, where he now resides, selling the mill at this tune and removing to his present property, where he now owns one hundred and twenty acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land. Forty acres of desirable land our subject gave to his sons.

Emmons W., who is a farmer in this township; William B., who is a farmer of Richland county, Ohio; Fred R., who is a resident of Bloomville, Ohio; and Amelia A. and Howard, who have passed away.

In politics Mr. Ross is a Republican and has filled a number of the local offices with credit to himself, notably those of justice of the peace for two terms and some five terms as township trustee. He is a member of the Methodist church, in which he is both trustee and class-leader and to which he 'contributes most liberally. Mr. Ross is highly respected as a self-made man and as one of sterling character, upright and honorable in his citizenship and esteemed in every relation of life.

Gilbert F. Malcolm

A busy, useful and successful career has been that of Gilbert Ferris Malcolm, who is one of Crawford county's native sons and who has throughout his entire life been connected with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of this locality. He stands to-day as one of the leading representatives of this department of labor and in his business affairs he is meeting with splendid success.

A son of James Harvey and Elsie M. (Monnett) Malcolm, he was born on a farm in the southeastern portion of Bucyrus township, April 29, 1865, and there the days of his youth were passed. His father was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser and early he became familiar with the best methods of caring for stock and cultivating the fields. He pursued his education in the public schools, acquiring a good knowledge of the English branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He was a stout and hearty youth and even at the early age of twelve years he was able to perform the labors usually assigned to a man. Between that time and his majority no man of the many employed on his father's farm ever did more hard labor than our subject. In fact, he has experienced many hardships and has done much difficult work. Learning in early life the value of industry and perseverance, he has made them salient features in his career and they have contributed in large measure to his prosperity. He continued to work and labor in the interests of his father with no salary or any agreement about the work until he was twenty-nine years of age. at which time he was given a fourth interest in the profits of his father's stock business and was also given two hundred and eighty acres of land. In the stock business he was associated with his father until the latter's death.

Mr. Malcolm remained under the parental roof until his marriage and just after the celebration of that event he removed with his young' bride to their present residence, situated on section 33, Bucyrus township, the place being known as the Ed Monnett homestead. Upon the death of his father, in June, 1900, he assumed the business control of the estate and now superintends the operation of nineteen hundred acres of land, of which he leases and cultivates six hundred and sixty-eight acres, all in one body and constituting one of the finest farms in the entire county. In addition to this he operates his farm of two hundred and eighty acres, given him by his father on the twenty-ninth anniversary of his birth, and a tract of four hundred acres, which he owns in Dallas township and which adjoins his Bucyrus township land on the south. He is one of the largest, if not the largest, cattle feeders of the county, having at this time about two hundred and fifty head upon his farm. He buys all of the cattle which he feeds, and in addition he raises horses, mules and hogs on quite an extensive scale. He has a large frame barn with stone foundation and basement, a modern and convenient frame residence and other good improvements upon his place.

On the 18th of February, 1897, Mr. Malcolm was married to Miss Elizabeth Hinamon, a daughter of Fred Hinamon, of Marion county, Ohio, where occurred the birth of Mrs. Malcolm. Two children grace their union : Catherine Elsie and James Harvey. Their home is celebrated for its pleasing hospitality and their friends throughout the community are many and the circle is constantly increasing. In his political views Mr. Malcolm is a Republican and is a firm believer in the principles and policy of the part)-, but has never sought office as a reward for party allegiance. He prefers to give his time and attention to his business interests, which are extensive and important, demanding capable management and keen business discernment in their control. He is widely regarded as a most enterprising farmer and stockraiser, reliable in business and in all trade transactions, conducting his interests along the lines of the strictest commercial honor.

John Shalter

The once prominent citizen of Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is above, was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 30, 181 5, and died at his home in Lykens township, August 3, 1880. His parents died when he was three years of age and he lived with different families until he was able to begin the battle of life for himself. He passed his early life in?

working at whatever he could find to do and in 1832 moved to Crawford county and took up eighty acres of government land in Lykens township, on which he built a log cabin, which a few years later he replaced by a more commodious log house, which in turn was superseded by the modern house which is the home of his daughters. At the time of his death he owned one hundred and fifty-five acres, which had been cleared and improved by his own industry. His wife died August 30, 1892, aged eighty-two years and six months. They were active workers in the church and useful citizens in the community. Mrs. Shatter was Miss Elizabeth Albaugh, of Jefferson county, Ohio, and she bore her husband thirteen children, the following information concerning whom will be of interest in this connection. Hiram, the first born, is a farmer in Texas township, Crawford county. John lives in Putnam county, Ohio. Abraham lives in Seneca county, Ohio. Saloma is the wife of Daniel C. Savage and lives at Cripple Creek, Colorado. Mary A., Levi, Catharine, Susannah, Emma and David are dead. Nancy, Lizzie and Delia live on their father's homestead. For several years the three were the proprietors of millinery stores at Bloomville and at other places in Ohio, and before that, for several vears, Delia was a successful teacher.

Robert E. Crowley

Robert E. Crowley, who is a passenger conductor on the Big Four Railroad, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1849, an^ ^s a son of Robert Crowley, a native of Scotland. Having arrived at years of maturity, the father married Miss Agnes J. McCullough, also a native of the land of hills and heather, their wedding being celebrated in Edinburg. Crossing the Atlantic to America, they became residents of Schuylkill county. Pennsylvania, where occurred the birth of our subject. He spent his boyhood days under the parental roof until fifteen years of age. when he ran away from home in order to aid his country in preserving the Union. On account of his extreme youth his parents withheld their consent for him to become a soldier, but his spirit of loyalty could not be checked and he therefore quietly left the parental abode in 1864 and was enrolled as a member of the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Five other boys of the neighborhood enlisted at the same time, but four of the number were killed or died in the service. Mr. Crowley was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley and did dispatch duty for a long time. This service was particularly arduous and dangerous, but he never faltered, although so young, and was ever found true to the trusts reposed in him and to the important work given into his charge. He was twice slightly wounded, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, receiving an honorable discharge.

Throughout the greater part of his business career Air. Crowley has been connected with railroad service, having been for twenty-eight years in the employ of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Companv. He was on the road when it was known as the Bee line, and since 1873 he has been a conductor on what is now the Big Four Railroad, a part of the Vanderbilt system. For some years he acted as freight conductor between Gabon and Union City, Indiana, but since 1880 has been a passenger conductor, running to Indianapolis. During- all of the years of his connection with the road he has never had an accident, never been suspended and has never been reprimanded by railway authorities. It is a record of which he has every reason to be proud and one indicating close application and unquestioned fidelity.

Mr. Crowley was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Carrothers, a daughter of George Carrothers, who came from county Fermnagh, Ireland, to the new world when a lad of ten summers, accompanied by his parents, who located in Guernsey county, Ohio. This family of Carrothers were heirs to the Abercrombie castle and estates in Scotland. After some time spent in Guernsey county, George Carrothers removed to Noble county, from there to Morrow county, where his last days were passed. His widow is still living on a farm in that county, her home being seven miles from Gallon. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crowley have been born five children : Agness Jane and Clyde W., twins, who died in infancy, at the ages of eight months and two years, respectively; Margaret, who is in Little Rock, Arkansas, acting as private secretary to Bishop Brown, of the Episcopal church. She was educated in St. Mary's Episcopal school, at Knoxville, Illinois, being graduated with the class of 1898, in which she won class and valedictorian honors. She learned stenography and typewriting in three months, after which she accepted her present position. Bishop Brown was residing in Gallon during her infancy and acted as her godfather and Mrs. Brown as godmother. There are also two sons in Mr. Crowley's family, - Forest Glenn and Robert Garfield, - both of Galion, the latter now a student in the high school.

Mr. Crowley is a Republican in his political views, and, though he takes no active part in campaign work, he believes firmly in the principles of the party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He was reared in the Episcopal church and he and his family attend its services. Although his life has been quietly passed it contains many lessons worthy of emulation, as does that of every man, who, like Mr. Crowley, is true to his duties, to himself, to his neighbors and to his country.

Wilson C. Lemert

No adequate memorial of Colonel Wilson C. Lemert can be written until many of the useful enterprises with which he has been connected have completed their full measure of good in the world and until his personal influence and example shall have ceased their fruitage in the lives of those with whom he has been associated while an actor in the busy places of the world. Yet there is much concerning him that may with profit be set down here as an illustration of what can be done if a man with a clear brain and willing hands but seriously undertakes the real labors and responsibilities of life.

Colonel Lemert is numbered among the native sons of Crawford county who have attained distinction and honor in connection with commercial and industrial interests. He was born upon a farm in Texas township, in 1837. His father, Louis Lemert, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, August 5, 1802, and was a son of Joshua Lemert, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, but whose parents were of German birth. Joshua Lemert was united in marriage, in Virginia, to Miss Mary Wright, and in 1808 emigrated to Ohio, settling on a farm in Coshocton county, Ohio. He served as an officer in the war of 181 2 and is said to have been the strongest man in the regiment. He died in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1858. Lewis Lemert, the father of the Colonel, acquired a fair education in his youth, and on the 2d of January, 1823, was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Perdew, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1802, a daughter of William and Rachel Perdew, who removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, in 181 6. In 1826 Lewis Lemert came with his young wife to Crawford county and took up his abode on a farm in Texas township, where he won prosperity through the tilling of the soil. Both he and his wife were active members and liberal supporters of the Methodist church in an early day and they lived exemplary Christian lives. The father held various positions of public trust and ever merited the honor and confidence reposed in him. Their son, Joshua, was for three years a member of the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry at the time of the Civil war and for one year commanded his company, with the rank of captain.

Wilson C. Lemert pursued his preliminary education in the schools of Crawford county, later entered the Republic Academy, in Seneca county. Ohio, subsequently was a student in Heidelberg College, of Tiffin, Ohio, and was graudated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, in Delaware, with the class of 1858. In the following year he was graduated in the Cleveland Law College, and in i860 began the practice of his chosen profession in Greensburgv Indiana, but about a year later he put aside all personal considerations that he might aid his country, then engaged in civil war.

During the first year of hostilities between the north and the south Wilson C. Lemert joined the Seventh Indiana Infantry, was chosen second lieutenant of his company, and during the first year of his services was promoted to first lieutenant and afterward to captain, receiving" the latter promotion in recognition of meritorious conduct on the battlefield of Winchester. In 1862 Governor Tod tendered him a major's commission in the Eightysixth Ohio* Volunteer Infantry, and in \ 863, on the reorganization of that regiment, he became its colonel. The regiment was assigned to the command of General Burnside, with the Ninth Army Corps and was active in the historical campaign of eastern Tennessee. Colonel Lemert was given command of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, consisting of over seven thousand soldiers, including infantry, cavalry and artillery troops,, which constituted the Federal forces in the department of Clinch river. I J is headquarters were at Cumberland Gap, the strategic gateway of east Tennessee. Colonel Lemert continued in command of this brigade and a part of the time was acting commander of the division, until the expiration of his services in 1865. The movement of his troops formed an important chapter in the history of the war. He was a gallant officer, with a comprehensive and practical knowledge of military tactics. Ever fearless himself, he inspired his men with his own bravery, yet he was never reckless in exposing them to needless danger. His loyalty was above question and he enjoyed the confidence of his superior officers and those who served under him.

On his return from the war the Colonel entered upon a business career requiring generalship no less marked than that needed in commanding troops on the field of battle. It requires a master mind to plan, formulate and execute gigantic business enterprises, and this the Colonel has done. No citizen of Crawford county has been connected to a greater degree with important commercial and industrial concerns. In 1865 he was president and general manager of the Bellefontaine Cotton Company, eng'aged in raising' and trading in cotton in Mississippi and Alabama. From 1867 until 1877 he was a part- ner and manager in the business of A. M. Jones & Company, extensive manufacturers of wagons, carriages and sleighs. In 1877 he became manager of the firm of McDonald & Company, railroad builders, who constructed and operated the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad. In 1878 he became president and manager of the Moxahala Furnace Company, of Perry county, Ohio, constructed and opreated the plant and opened coal, iron-ore and fire-clay mines at Moxahala. During the same time he superintended the construction of the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad from Moxahala to Corning". He purchased the land, platted and built the town of Corning and there developed other coal mines, with a daily capacity of three thousand tons. In 1880 he completed the Corning mines and built the railroad from Corning to Buckingham, and raised by subscription along the line to Toledo one hundred thousand dollars to complete the line to Toledo and enlarge its equipment. He was appointed manager of the entire mining and railroad properties and conducted the "Corning war" which resulted satisfactorily to miners and operators. During the same year he secured a location of the railroad machine shops at Bucyrus and purchased and reorganized the Bucyrus Manufacturing Company, which became large producers of mining and railway equipments, steam shovels and dredges. In 1881 he built an extension to the Ohio Central Railroad from Corning to the Ohio river, a distance of fifty-one miles. He also successfully operated extensive drafthorse ranches in Iowa and Colorado for ten years. He was appointed chief engineer on the staff of Governor Foster. In 1882 he built the St. Louis & Emporia Railroad, afterward a part of the Missouri Pacific system, and in 1883 began the construction of a railroad from Findlay, Ohio, to Columbus, which was sold to the Ohio Central Railroad Company. He was also interested in the Nickel Plate enterprise, which was sold at a good profit to the Vanderbilts.

Colonel Lemert organized the Northwestern Natural Gas Company, which supplied Toledo, Sandusky, Tiffin, Fostoria, Fremont, Clyde. P>ellville and Detroit with natural gas. Colonel Lemert then assumed the general supervision of the Price & Thomas natural gas plants in Ohio and Indiana, - at Springfield, Dayton, Piqua, Sidney. Troy and Lima, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Logansport and Lafayette, Indiana. In 1887 he purchased, rebuilt and consolidated the gas and electric light properties at Bucyrus and in 1889 purchased the brick machinery factory of Frey, Sheckler & Hoover, organizing the Frey-Sheckler Company, which he later consolidated with the Penfield & Son plant, at Willoughby, Ohio, the new organization being known as the American Clay Working Machinery Company. This company has enlarged its business until it now has the most extensive plant in the world in the manufacture of clay-working machinery. In 1894 Mr. Lemert purchased, combined and rebuilt the gas and electric light plant and the electric railroad at Fort Smith, Arkansas, so that the different concerns are now under one management. In addition to all his other interests the Colonel is a director in the First National Bank at Bucyrus. In his manifold undertakings he has prospered and is now able to retire with a comfortable fortune acquired through good management, close attention to business and careful economy. His relations with his employes have ever been of the most desirable character. His bearing is entirely free from ostentation and there is a kindly interest manifest in his intercourse with those who serve him. He is generous in helping the needy and distressed, is quick to reward merit and is ever prompt in payment.

Colonel Lemert was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Jones, a daughter of Dr. A. M. and Elizabeth Jones, of Bucyrus, and unto them were born two daughters, Katie E. and Blanche, but the former died on the 11th of March, 1896. The Colonel has traveled extensively, visiting many points of interest in Europe, continuing his travels to Palestine and looking upon the evidences of the ancient civilization of Africa. He has always preferred to control gigantic business enterprises rather than to enter politics and has declined many responsible positions of honor and trust. He has never held office, save when in 1866-7 he was postmaster of Bucyrus. The career of Colonel W. C. Lemert has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men. What the world needs is such men - men capable of managing extensive, gigantic mercantile concerns, and conducting business on terms that are fair alike to employer and employe - men of genuine worth, of unquestioned integrity and honor, - and then the questions of oppression by capitalists and resistance and violence by laborers will be forever at rest.

Henry D. Miller

Henry D. Miller, who is engaged in general farming, was born May 25, 1869, on the farm in Lykens township, Crawford county, upon which he now resides. He is a son of Christian Miller, deceased. He attended the common schools in his youth and also assisted in the cultivation of the fields upon the old homestead, thus early becoming familiar with farm work in its various branches. When eighteen years of age he took charge of the old homestead, practical experience having well qualified him for the work. Since that time he has managed the farm, and its well cultivated fields and neat appearance indicate his careful supervision. He is an industrious, progressive farmer, and he annually harvests good crops. He now owns one hundred and seventeen acres of the old home place in Lykens township and is therefore numbered among the substantial young farmers of the community.

On the 28th of November, 1895, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ida Margraff, a daughter of Charles and Leah (Miller) Margraff, and they now have one child, Donna Blanche, who is a most interesting member of the household. Mr. Miller is well known in Crawford county and his fellow citizens of Lykens township have honored him with office. He served as assessor in 1894 and 1895, and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Reformed church,, and he holds social relations with the Knights of Pythias lodge of Lykens. He is a charter member of the organization and has filled all of its offices. A wide-awake and progressive fanner, he well deserves mention in the history of his native county.

Abraham Monnett

Abraham Monnett was for many veai's a prominent resident of Crawford county, but the boundaries of the locality in which he made his home were too limited for the capabilities of such a man. He was a typical representative of the Aemrican spirit, which within the past century has achieved a work which arouses at once the astonishment and admiration of the world. Crawford county was fortunate in that he allied his interests with hers, for his labors proved of benefit to the entire community, as well as resulting tohis individual prosperity. The marvelous development of the middle west is due to such men, whose indomitable energy and progressive spirit have overcome all obstacles and reached the goal of success. He was not so abnormally developed as to be called a genius, but was one of the strongest because one of the best balanced, the most even and self-masterful of men, and he acted so well his part in both public and private life that Ohio as well as Bucyrus has been enriched by his example, his character and his labor. When he was

Abraham Monnett was born October 12, 181 1, in Virginia, near the Maryland line, and was a son of the Rev. Jeremiah and Aley ( Slagle) Monnett, who, in 1 8 14, left the south and with their family came to Ohio, locating in Pickaway county, where Abraham Monnett grew to manhood, early displaying his active and energetic disposition, his strong will and decisive character. 'With few local advantages he yet obtained a good education, reading, observation and experience continually supplementing his knowledge until he became a well informed man. He took an active interest in local affairs and was made first lieutenant of a militia company commanded by Captain Berkley. He aided in everything pertaining to the public progress and development, and his worth to the community was widely acknowledged. In earl)- life he purchased forty acres of land in Scott township, Marion county, Ohio, where he began farming on his own account. On the 9th of June, 1830, in Pickaway county, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Braucher, who in her fourth year was left an orphan and inherited three thousand dollars, which helped to lay the foundation of his financial success. This, together with a small sum received from his father, was the only part of his large fortune which Air. Monnett did not accumulate through his own industry, energy and economy. In 1838 he began buying stock in Illinois and driving the cattle to his farm in Crawford and Marion counties, Ohio. His operations in this line of business proved very successful and he continually added to his income until he became one of the wealthiest men in this portion of the state. He assisted in organizing the Marion County Bank, and was its president from 1864 until 1881. In 1879, in connectionn with Mr. Hall, he organized the Crawford County Bank, of Bucyrus, was made its chief officer and acted in that capacity until his death. The successful conduct of the enterprise was due to his efforts, his capable management and his keen business discernment, and he made the institution one of the most reliable financial concerns in this part of the state. As the years passed he also increased his landed possessions by making judicious investments in farm property and became the owner of over eight thousand acres of land in Marion and Crawford counties.

By his first marriage Mr. Monnett became the father of twelve children, namely: Ephraim B., who is now living in Bucyrus, Crawford county; Martha, wife of G. H. Wright, a resident of Marion, Ohio ; Oliver, who also is living in Marion; John T., who makes his home in Marion county; Elsie, widow of James H Malcolm, of Bucyrus; Augustus E., who is living- in Colorado; Mervin ]., who makes his home near Central City, Nebraska; Mary J., wife of J. G. Hull, of Findlay, Ohio; Madison W., of Michigan; Melvin H., who resides in Marion county; Amina J., wife of Judge J. C. Tobias, of Bucyrus ; and Kate, wife of Linus H. Ross, of Delaware, Ohio. The mother of this family was called to her final rest February 8, 1875. She was a woman of sterling qualities of mind and heart, a worthy and faithful wife, and a most kind, just and affectionate mother. On the 30th of May, 1877, Mr. Monnett was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Jane L. Johnston, a most estimable lady, whose family history is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Monnett was a supporter of the Republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life was ever in harmony with its teaching's and principles. His history contains man)- valuable lessons. It is impossible to keep a man of merit in the background, although his early surroundings were not such as to win him prominence. A progressive spirit knows no bounds, and ability has no limitations of time, place or space. The man who has no opportunities makes them and molds adverse conditions to his own ends. Such characterictics won for Mr. Monnett a place among the most prominent, successful and reliable business men of his portion of the state. As a man his lousiness ability was constantly manifest, and his operations in land as well as the banking business became extensive. His advancement resulted from determined purpose, resolute will and keen sagacity, combined with unfaltering industry, and he won a place among the most prosperous residents of Crawford county. His affairs were ever conducted along' the line of legitimate trade, and over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He passed away March 19, 1881, and the community mourned the loss of one whom they had learned to respect and honor.

James H. Robinson

There are no rules for building character; there is no rule for achieving success. A man who can rise to a position of eminence is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same and the surroundings of individuals differ but little, so that when one man passes another on the highway of life, reaching the goal of prosperity before those who, perhaps, started out ahead of him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. To-day among the most prominent business men of Crawford county stands James Henry Robinson, the vice-president of the Bucyrus State Bank and a man whose influence in business and political circles has been far-reaching". The history of such a man cannot fail to be of widespread interest, for he ranks high among the representative citizens of this portion of the state.

Mr. Robinson was born on the home farm in Chatfield township, Crawfi »rcl county, February 22, 1839, and manifests in his life many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry, - for the family is of Scotch lineage. The great-grandfather, John Robinson, was born in the land of hills and heather, and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Virginia, where he met and married Miss Stout, whose parents came to the new world from the Emerald isle. Mr. Robinson was at one time captured by the Indians in Virginia and brought by them to Ohio. They intended to burn him at the stake, but for some reason changed this decision, and he finally escaped, but four of his companions were killed. John Robinson, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, and on leaving the Old Dominion emigrated westward to Coshocton count}-, Ohio, casting in his lot among its early settlers. In 1825 he came to Crawford county, bringing with him his family. James M. Robinson, the father of our subject, was born in 1807, near Wheeling, West Virginia. He wedded Alary E. Cooper, and In 1825 came to Crawford county, taking up his abode on a farm in Chatfield township, where the birth of our subject afterward occurred. He died in 1874, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife passed away May 15, 1852, at the age of forty-two years. They had two sons who served in the Civil war, both having been members of the Third Ohio Cavalry. They are now deceased, having passed away in Michigan in 1883. One daughter of the family. Melvina J., became the wife of E. Clady, of Chatfield township, and died in 1872 : Nathan J. died in Crawford county in 1874; and Alpheus D. is now living in Paulding county, Ohic.

James Henry Robinson, whose name introduces this record, was the second of the family. He pursued his education in Chatfield and in the Otterbein University at Westerville. He was a student for two years. Subsequently he engaged in teaching eight terms of school in Chatfield, giving excellent satisfaction through his ability to maintain discipline and to impart with readiness and clearness to others the know ledge he had acquired. He has many times been called to public office, where he has served with ability and fidelity. He was township clerk of Chatfield township, and for two terms held the office of county surveyor. In the meantime he had engaged in merchandising at Chatfield for ten years, and in 1876 he became identified with industrial interests in Bucyrus as the secretary and treasurer of the Franz & Pope Knitting Machine Company, in which capacity he served for one year. In 1876 he also became county auditor, and filled that position for six consecutive years, or until 1882. On the 1st of January, 1886, he became cashier of the Bucyrus City Bank, acting in that capacity for fifteen years, or until the 1st of January, 1900, when he was elected vice-president. The success and growth of this institution is largely due to his efforts. He has been untiring in promoting its welfare, and his genial manner and unfailing courtesy have made him a popular officer of the institution, while his well-known reliability has added to its high standing in financial circles.

Mr. Robinson was married in Craw ford count)', to Miss Louisa Hipp, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine ( Kunzi ) Hipp, of Bucyrus. Her father is a director of the Bucyrus City Bank and ex-probate judge of the county. Their marriage has been blessed with two children : Francis Marion, who died in 1871, at the age of five years, and Minnie M., now the wife of F. B. Lauck, of Bucyrus. In his political affiliations Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, and socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. lie also has membership relations with the Odd Fellows society, in which he has passed all the chairs, and in the Knights of Pythias lodge, of Bucyrus, he was the first past chancellor. He holds membership relations in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also the English Lutheran church. In all life's relations he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. Regarded as a citizen, he belongs to that public-spirited, useful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number, and it is, therefore, consistent* with the purpose and plan of this work that his record be given among those of the representative men of the state.

The family physician sustains a peculiarly confidential relation to his fellow citizens, and if he be a man of tact and honor comes in time to lie their confidant and adviser in many matters of importance. Such a well-established, useful citizen is Dr. Charles R. Sheckler, of Brokensword, Crawford county, Ohio.

Dr. Sheckler was born at Bucyrus, Ohio, March 7, 1856, a son of Edward Scheckler, a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and a tailor by trade, who located early at Bucyrus and there married Adaline G. Shawk, who bore him four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first born. Their daughter Nettie became the wife of E. J. Williams, of Holmes township, Crawford county. Their sons Thompson and Edward became farmers. Their son Charles R. received his primary education in the public schools at Bucyrus, and when about fifteen years of age began reading medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. A. Cuykendall, of that town. He was graduated in the Columbus Medical College in 1877, at the age of twenty-one years. After practicing his profession five years at North Robinson, Crawford county, he located at Brokensword, where he has met with gratifying success. He affiliates with the Democratic party, but is not a practical politician, preferring to give his time entirely to his profession. He was married in 1881 to Miss Catharine Bogan, and they have three children, named Ralph, Ada and Archibald.

John F. Smith

The subject of this sketch is of that sturdy German stock which in all parts of our country has developed good citizenship and done its full share in bringing about general progress and prosperity. Mr. Smith was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, Ohio, June 22, 1840, a son of Frederick Smith, a native of Germany, who married Christina Lipman, who bore him six children : Lewis lives in Lykens township; Hiram is dead; John F. was the next in order of birth ; Adolphus lives at Aurora, Illinois; and Clara is the wife of Joseph Laipply, of Chatfield township, Crawford county, Ohio. A sixth child died in infancy.

Frederick Smith came to America in 1832 and located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked as a stone and brick mason until 1840, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lykens township, Crawford count}', and engaged in farming. The land had no improvements and was practically wild and cost him six hundred dollars. He lost no time in erecting a hewn-log house and in beginning the work of improvement and cultivation. His wife died at the age of thirty-four years and he married Lucy A. Shupp, who bore him the following children: Cornelius, Frederick T., Henry, Jefferson, L. M., Matilda, Catherine, Lucy. Emma and Sarepta. He became a prominent man in the township and died at the age of sixty-two years.

in Lykens township and was brought up to farm work and received his education in the public schools. At the age of twenty-two years he began a practical apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. After working as a journeyman carpenter for eight years he engaged in contracting and building, which he followed successfully until 1881, when he bought his father's old home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lived until 1895, when he retired from active life and removed to Brokensword, Lykens township, where he has made his home to the present time.

In 1S65 Air. Smith married Melinda Shupp, and of their children we observe that Lulu married Edward Pfetcher ; Laura married Wesley Lust ; Horace J. married Ida Fralick and lives in Lykens township ; Lucy Edith and Hiram are dead ; Learra married George Lecrove, a farmer of Lykens township ; Lottie L. and Lestie B. are members of their father's household; and Linna is dead. The mother of these children died April 22, 1887, ac tne a§'e of forty years. She was a woman of many virtues, who- was dearly beloved by all who knew her, and, like her husband, was a consistent member of the Evangelical church. Mr. Smith has been prominent in township affairs and has in many ways shown his public spirit. At one time he held the office of township trustee. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. He has always been a hard-working man and has achieved success by means of industry and a good name by fair and upright living.

David Crum

David Crum is now living a retired life, and his rest is well merited, for through a long period he was an active and energetic factor in agricultural circles in Crawford county. His industry, perseverance and energy were the means of bringing to him success, enabling him to> overcome many obstacles and difficulties in the path to prosperity. Over the record of his business and private life there falls no shadow of wrong, and thus he enjoys the warm regard of many friends.

Mr. Crum is a native of the Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of July, 1829. The family is of German lineage and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject. Our subject's father, Leonard Crum, was born in the same state, in 1786, and there grew to manhood, learning the wagonmaker's trade in his youth. For a short time he followed that business and also conducted a small distillery, but this covered a period of only a few years, after which he retired from the distillery businesss and located upon a farm in Dauphin county, where he resided throughout the residue of his days, his death occurring in 1869. He was twice married, his first wife having been a Miss Hain, by whom he had four children, all of whom are now deceased. He afterward wedded Catherine Stine, and unto them were born twelve children, but only five are now living: Jonas L., a retired farmer of Decatur. Illinois; David; Sarah E., wife of Samuel Crum, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Swartz, also of Dauphin county; and Benjamin, who is living in Progress, that county. Air. Crum was enabled to provide comfortably for his family, for in his farming operations he prospered, acquiring possession of three hundred and nine acres of valuable land in Dauphin county. He was also one of the influential and representative residents of his locality, and until his fortieth year he was a member of the Lutheran church, but ab~ut that time he became converted t<> the Evangelical faith and remained a consistent membei of that denomination up to the time of his death, serving through a long period as deacon and elder in the church. His early political views were in harmony with the principles of the Whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the Republican party. The mother of our subject was born in Dauphin county, Pennsvlvania, in 1795, and, like her husband, was of German lineage. She, too, was an active member of the Evangelical church, and died in [887, at the age of eighty-two years.

David Crum mastered the branches of English learning and taught in the common schools and received his training at farm labor on the old homestead. He was married October 4, 1849, tne lady of his choice being Miss Mary Crall, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Hanshew) Crall. Her father was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, born November 13, 1805. and her mother was born in Cumberland county. November 27, 1804. In 1855 they emigrated to Crawford county, Ohio, purchasing- the old Conkle farm in Liberty township, where Mr. Crall carried on agricultural pursuits until within thirteen years of his death. His wife died August 29, 1884, and he then made his home among his children until his demise, on the 27th of September, 1892. Both were members of the United Brethren church and were people of the highest respectability. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crum were born thirteen children, of whom eight yet survive, namely: Mary A., the wife of William Caris, of Bucyrus ; Elmira, wife pf F. M. Lash, a farmer of Auburn township; Ellen, the wife of Joseph Bucher, of Liberty township ; Sarah, who married C. C. Heller, of Liberty town-

After his marriage Mr. Crum took his bride to a farm belonging to his father in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and there carried on agricultural pursuits for six years. He also engaged in the butchering business to seme extent during the winter months, erecting a stall in the Harrisburg market house. In the spring of 1856 he came to Crawford county, Ohio, and purchased the Samuel Smalley farm of ninety-eight and a half acres in Liberty township. This he still owns. With the exception of three years, during which time he was engaged in the butchering business in Bucyrus. he resided upon his farm continuously until 1888, when he purchased four lots in Sulphur Springs. Upon this land stands his present residence, and it has been his home continuously since. While living in Bucyrus he engaged in the live-stock business, continuing in that line of trade for fifteen or twenty years, and thus he added materially to his income derived from his farming operations. At the present time, however, he is living retired, having acquired a handsome competence, which enables him to put aside the more arduous duties of business life and spend his remaining days in ease and quiet. His political support is given the Republican party, and on that ticket he was elected a member of the township board of trustees for several terms. He and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the United Brethren church, of which he served as trustee, and superintendent for a number of years. His life has ever been in harmony with his professions, being guided by sound judgment, honesty and integrity.

John Moore

For more than half a centurv John Moore has resided upon the farm which is now his place of residence and is therefore to be numbered among the early settlers of Crawford county. Through many decades he has been identified with agricultural interests in the Buckeye state and is still interested in farmling. giving his personal supervision to the cultivation of his land. He was born near Hagerstown, in Harrison county, Ohio1, July 7, 1823, and is a son -of Morris Moore, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, where he was reared and married Hannah Davis. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom seven are now living. The record is: Mary A., now deceased; George, who died in infancy; John, our subject; George Davis, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Kemp, of Seneca county, Ohio; Morris, who died in hospital while in the Civil war; Margaret, who married Finley Leonard and is living near Attica, Ohio; Martha and Hannah, both deceased;. Louisa, the widow of Josiah Haughman, of Attica; David Bennett, of Franklin county, Ohio, who served during the Civil war with the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Frank, who is living in Kansas ; and Theodore, who makes his home in Indiana.

In 1823 the father moved from New Jersey to Ohio and entered a tract of land from the government in Harrison county, where he remained until the fall of 1833, when he went on horseback to Seneca comity and there entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, near Caroline. The following year he removed his family to the new place and there he built a double log cabin of two rooms. The land was covered with heavy timber and it was an arduous task to develop the farm. In 1850 he took up his abode in Attica, Ohio, where he lived retired until his death, which ocurred when he was eightyseven years of age. He aided in laying out roads, building school houses and in other work of progress and improvement which resulted to the benefit of the community, and he was an active member and earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church.

When eleven years of age Mr. Moore, of this review, accompanied his parents to Seneca county and there he began to assist in the difficult task of cutting away the timber and preparing the fields for cultivation. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred in 1845, tne lady of his choice being Miss Sarah R. McLaughlin, a daughter of Joseph McLaughlin, a native, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He was a son of James McLaughlin, who was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, as was also Mr. James Fisher, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Moore. Her paternal grandmother was Mary Mackey, and her maternal grandmother was Mary Kiester. Mr. Fisher spent the winter at Valley Forge and participated in many important battles, and, coming to this state, he ran the first boat on the Ohio river. Joseph McLaughlin served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Moore became a resident of Seneca count}- when seventeen years of age and attended a subscription school, held in a log school-house in Columbiana county, to which she walked a distance of three and a half miles. She is a member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady, who has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. They have become the parents of four children: Eliza J., deceased, who married Charles Meeker; Hannah A., deceased, who married John Melroy ; Sarah, who became the wife of John P. Yingling; and Delia, who died at the age of nine years.

After his marriage Mr. Moore rented land in the vicinity of Bucyrus for two years and in 1848 purchased the farm which he now owns and operates and which has been his place of abode since 1849. He paid four hundred dollars for eighty acres of land, upon which he erected a hewed-log house of one room in the yard where his present residence is located. Oak. beech, basswood and maple trees stood upon the place, which was heavily timbered. Mr. Moore has cleared sixty acres of his land and has made excellent improvements. When he came here he owned no horses and worked out for others until he could get the money with which to purchase a team. He has since carried on general farming and all that he possesses has come to him as the direct result of his own labor. His life has indeed been a busy and useful one and prosperity has rewarded his efforts.

In his political views Mr. Moore is a Republican and he has served as schoool director and supervisor. As a citizen he has ever been public-spirited and progressive, manifesting an earnest interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and to progress along material, social, educational and moral lines. His has been an upright life, worthy of emulation.

Edward Fralick

Among the pioneer families who came to Crawford county when this portion of the state was largely an undeveloped region and aided in laying broad and deep the foundations for the present prosperity and progress of the county were the Fralicks, and since 1839 the name has been honorably and inseparably interwoven with the history of the community. The subject of this review was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1834. His father, David Fralick, also a native of that state, was there married to1 Elizabeth Garrett and they became the parents of four children, of whom Edward is the eldest. David, the second, is now a farmer of Lykens township. Levina, the third, married Joseph Rank, and after his death became the wife of Benjamin Witmire, her death occurring in 1897. Henry, the youngest of the family, is living in Lykens township. It was in 1839 that the father, with his wife and children, left his old home in the Keystone state and with a one-horse wagon traveled to Ohio, settling first in Richland county, where he purchased four acres of land. He was a weaver by trade and followed that pursuit in Richland county for a few years, after which he came to Crawford county and bought a forty-acre tract of wild land in Holmes township. Upon the place he erected a log cabin, and into this the family moved before there were doors or windows in the structure. After three years, however, David Fralick, Sr., returned to Richland county, where he rented land for a time and then returned to Crawford county and purchased one hundred acres in Lykens township. The home here was also a log house, in poor condition, but soon he erected a substantial log house, which is still standing, and in which he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1876, when he was seventy-eight years of age. His wife, surviving him several years, died in 1888, past the age of seventv. She was a consistent member of the Reformed church and a most estimable lady, sharing with her husband in the high regard in which he was uniformly held.

Reared to farm life, Edward Fralick soon became familiar with the work of clearing and cultivating the fields and harvesting the crops, and on the old homestead he remained until his marriage, which occurred March 19, 1861, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Porter, a native of Lykens township and a daughter of Edward and Rachel ( Shupp ) Porter. Her father was a school teacher in Crawford county in an early clay and also served as justice of the peace. He came to Crawford county at a period of its primitive development and from the government entered eighty acres of wild land, upon which Henry Fralick now resides. There he developed his farm, reared his family of nine children and made his home until his death, in 1849. His wife died in June, 1897, at the age of eighty-three years, and thus passed away one of the honored pioneer couples. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fralick has been blessed with four children: Jerome E., who resides in Fremont, Indiana; Clara; William Porter, a farmer of Holmes township; and Hattie A. The daughters are unmarried and at home.

The first year after his marriage Mr. Fralick resided upon his father's farm, and on the expiration of that period he and his brother David purchased ninety-three acres of land in Holmes township, where they made many improvements, developing an excellent farm, upon which our subject resided until 1896, when he came to his present home in Lykens township. He owns thirty-eight acres of land here and one hundred and thirty-eight acres in Holmes township, and his property has all been acquired through his own exertions. It is fertile land, highly cultivated, and the fields return to him a golden harvest. His business ability and untiring energy are the foundation stones upon which he has reared the structure o>f his success, and his example in this regard, as well as in many other ways, is well worth}' of emulation.

In his political preference Mr. Fralick is a Democrat, and keeps well informed regarding the political questions of the time, but has never sought or desired public office. His wife and family are identified with the Protestant faith, and in the community they are well known and highly esteemed, the possession of many admirable characteristics winning for Mr. Fralick the enviable regard of those with whom he has come in contact through the long residence in Crawford county, which classes him among its early settlers.

Thomas J. Monnett

The influence which Thomas J. Monnett had upon the material and moral development of Crawford county was very great. As a minister of the gospel he labored for the spiritual welfare of the people, and at the same time he was an active factor in many movements and enterprises which contributed to the prosperity and happiness of the people among whom he lived and by whom he was ever held in the highest esteem. He departed this life in Crawford county, in May, 1901, and the community thereby lost one of its .most valued citizens.

Thomas J. Monnett wras born in Pickaway county, Ohio, January 26, 1826, a son of the Rev. Jeremiah and Alcy ( Slagle) Monnett. When he was nine years of age his parents removed to Crawford county and settled on "the plains" south of Bucyrus. The}' were among* the pioneers of the county and aided in its primitive development, assisting to lay broad and deep the foundation upon which its present prosperity and progress rests. In the country schools such as were common at that time the son Thomas pursued his studies, mastering the branches of learning which were taught in such institutions. He afterward attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, in 1845, and subsequent to his return home engaged in teaching school. He studied medicine to some extent, but under the direction of his father, who was a Methodist minister, he prepared for that holy calling and was at length licensed to preach for the same denomination. For many years he proclaimed the "glad tidings of great joy" among the people of Ohio, acting as pastor of the Methodist churches at Fostoria, Kenton, Upper Sandusky and other places. At Fostoria he was associated with G. W. Collier, now chaplain in the United States army, located at Columbus, Ohio. In 1861 he be- came superanuated and thereafter, not being in good health, his ministerial labors were not consecutive, although he never lost his deep interest in Christian work and did much to advance the cause of the church.

In 1 86 1 Mr. Monnett located upon his farm in Bucyrus township and became a successful ami extensive agriculturist and stock-raiser, but his efforts were not confined alone to this line. He was interested in the Bucyrus Woolen Mills, the Bucyrus Gas works, together with other enterprises, and his business and executive ability made his advice and management of value in the successful control of such industrial concerns.

Mr. Monnett was married, in 1848, to Miss Henrietta Johnston, of Crawford county, and unto them were born the following named children: Webster, who died in childhood ; Orwin Bruce ; William A. ; Francis S. ; John G., who died at the age of nineteen years ; Efhe. who was the wife of Hon. S. W. Bemalt and died November 20, 1898; and Agnes, who died in childhood. The mother departed this life November 22, 1871. at the age of forty-two years, and on the 4th of September, 1873. Mr. Monnett was joined in wedlock to Sarah Rexroth, who was one of the early school teachers of the county. In politics he was always a stalwart Republican and supported his position by intelligent argument, always keeping well informed on the issues of the day. During his work in the ministry he was an earnest, forceful and convincing speaker and his influence was widely felt. In business he was industrious, determined and straightforward and thereby won prosperity. During the last few years of his life he lived retired in Bucyrus. He was a man whom to know was to respect and honor, and his career furnishes an example well worthy of emulation.