Crawford County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 19 of 22)

Charles Morrow

Charles Morrow 'has long been a conspicuous figure in agricultural circles in Crawford county. He was born on the farm which he still owns, in Auburn township, on the 15th of May, 1839, a son of James and Margaret (Kumler) Morrow. He was reared to manhood on the old family homestead, being early inured to the labors of field and meadow, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the pioneer schools of that day. On reaching his twentyfirst year he was employed by a Mr. Hodge, of Connecticut, to assist in driving cattle to that state. He made the return trip and started on a second, but after making a portion of the journey he returned, and on the 1st of January, 1863, was united in marriage with Miss Savina Nickler, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Nicholson) Nickler. The father, who was a native of Germany, came to America with his mother and stepfather when fourteen years of age, his father, who was of French parentage, having died in the fatherland. The family located in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where Benjamin grew to manhood and learned the trade of a tailor. After his marriage he located in Somerset county, his wife's native place, and there divided his time between farming and working at the tailor's trade. In 1863 he emigrated to Crawford county, Ohio, locating in Liberty township, where he followed farming during the remainder of his life, passing away in death in 1864, at the age of fifty-five years. His widow survived him thirty years, dying at the advanced age of eighty years and ten days. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Morrow was residing with a sister, Mrs. Anna Eicher, in Auburn township, and by her marriage with our subject she has become the mother of three children, namely : Martha Ann; wife of W. J. Cleland, who resides on the old Arthur Cleland farm in this county ; Ida E., the wife of Frank Will, who now makes his home on Mr. Morrow's farm : and Mary J., the wife of Orin Lake, a prominent agriculturist of Auburn township.

a little log cabin on one hundred and sixty acres of land which belonged to his father and where his brother William now resides, and there he followed agricultural pursuits for two years, receiving the entire profits from the farm. On the expiration of that period he returned to the old home farm on which he was born, and on his father's death he inherited the property, making his home thereon until 1885. In 1883 he purchased four and a half acres of land in the city of Tiro, and two years later he retired from the active duties of farm life and took up his abode in this city. He has since rebuilt his residence, making it one of the finest in the town, and there he and his wife are now living, surrounded by the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, the result of former toil. In political matters Mr. Morrow is identified with the Democratic party, and socially he is a member of Tiro Lodge, No. 688, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member for twenty years. In his business affairs he has met with splendid success, and by reason of his energy, ambition and careful discrimination he has been very successful, being now regarded as one of the foremost men of his locality. A man of unswerving integrity and honor, one who has a perfect appreciation of the higher ethics of life, he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men, and is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Crawford county, with whose interests he has been identified for so* many years.

Francis M. Lash

Among the highly esteemed farmer citizens of Crawford county, Ohio, is Francis M. Lash, who- was born in Auburn township, in this county, on the farm which he now occupies, on January 23, 1848. He was a son of Peter and Mary (Fredline) Lash, who were pioneer settlers of Crawford county, and of whom extended mention is made in the biography of Peter B. Lash in another part of this volume.

Francis M. Lash was the youngest of the family born to his parents, and when his father died, at the age oi forty-three, the hard labor of the farm fell upon his sons. The older brothers of our subject first managed the farm, while the latter grew to manhood and acquired his education in the public schools, and in 1870, when his next older brother left the home roof, the responsibility fell upon him. As his circumstances warranted, our subject gradually purchased the interests of the other heirs, and by 1885 he had obtained entire control of the homestead, consisting of one hundred and three acres.

The marriage of Air. Lash was on November 15, 1874, to Miss Almira Crum, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of David Crum, who was an old and honored resident of Liberty township, and a sketch of whom appears upon another page of this record. In politics Mr. Lash now supports the Republican party, but for several years he worked diligently for the Prohibition party and at different times was a candidate on that ticket. His interest in the cause of temperance has not diminished, but he believes that the Republican party can best adjust the issues of the people. Both Mr. Lash and wife are active and useful members of the United Brethren church, in which his parents were so deeply interested, and for many years he has been one of the trustees, and is one of its most liberal contributors to both home and foreign missions. Mr. Lash stands high in public esteem and is known to be a man of sterling character and unimpeachable integrity.

George Weaver

Among the prominent citizens of Crawford county, Ohio, George Weaver, of Auburn township, takes a leading position. The birth of Mr. Weaver was in Germany, a country which has contributed a large number of substantial citizens to America. Baden was the native city of Mr. Weaver, and there he was born on June 15, 1831, a member of a family of seven children born to his parents, Frederick and Mary M. (Brimley) Weaver. Two of this family are the only survivors, these being our subject and his sister Catherine, whois the wife of John Zabst, of Steuben county, Indiana.

Both Frederick Weaver and wife were born in Baden, and there they were reared and married, later becoming farmers. When our subject was but six months old his father died and the mother, with her family, emigrated to the United States, coming to Ohio and buying eighty acres of land in what was then a part of Richland county, but is now included in Crawford county. This land was located about one mile west of our subject's present farm, and was placed under the management of her eldest son. who had reached maturity. This son died some eight years later, perishing from foul gas in a well, the gas overcoming another young man who went to his assistance. The mother continued to reside on this farm for a number of years, finally sellingit and spending her last days with her children and dying early in the '70s,.

George Weaver, of this sketch, grew to the age of fourteen years, spending his time on the farm and in attendance at the pioneer school, where the conveniences and adornments consisted in slab benches and puncheon floor. By the time our subject was fourteen his mother broke up her home and he went to make his residence with a neighbor by the name of Jacob Cruykendall, and remained with him until he had reached his majority. Then our subject began his own career, working as a farm hand until his marriage. This took place on March 19, 1857, when he was united in marriage to Miss Katy A. Aumund, who was a native of this township and was a daughter of Adam Aumund.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weaver located on a portion of Mr. Crtiykendall's farm, where our subject carried on one summer's operations, on shares. Prior to his marriage he had purchased eighty acres of land in Inliana, but Mrs. Weaver did not feel inclined to go so far from her old home and friends, and our subject respected her desires and exchanged that land for seventy acres of his present farm, and in the fall of 1857 they removed to this new home. An earlier settler had built a log cabin and the young people soon made it cosy and comfortable, and this remained their residence for a number of years, Mr. Weaver later enlarging it. In 1874 he erected the substantial frame house where the family has since resided. The high cultivation to which Mr. Weaver has brought his land proves him a skilled farmer. It contains one hundred acres and has excellent improvements and presents a most attractive and thrifty appearance.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, these being: Henry, at home, and Clara B. and Royal, both deceased. In politics Mr. Weaver has been a life-long Republican, and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens has been shown by his election to the office of township trustee for three terms. Both Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, as well as their son, belong to the Methodist church, where our subject is recording steward and where he is held in the highest esteem.

Mrs. W'eaver was a daughter of Adam, Jr., and Susannah (Harley) Aumund, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and was a son of Adam and Christina Aumund. Soon after coming to Richland county, when a young man, he was married and located on a farm of eighty acres adjoining .his father's home farm, the latter having made provision for his sons by entering four tracts of eighty acres each. Mr. Au- mund lived on this farm all his life, adding to it until he had two1 hundred and thirty acres. He was a man of much influence in his district and was a power in the councils of the Democratic party, serving several years as a justice of the peace, township truste and in other local offices, and was also an active member of the Methodist church. His death occurred in 1879, in his eightieth year. After the death of the mother of Mrs. Weaver, her father married, first, Nancy Harley, and by that marriage one son, Riley W., was born, since deceased; and Mr. Aumund's next marriage was to Mrs. Runyan, formerly Miss Prudence West, and his last marriage was to Mrs. Vincent, who was formerly Miss Mary Davidson. Seven children survive, these being: Henry; Samuel; Mary E. ; Mrs. Weaver; George W. ; Mary A., the wife of R. R. Ross, of this township; and Henderson P.

Samuel A. Stock

Samuel A. Stock is one of the leading and influential men of the township in which he was born. His birth occurred on August 14, 1850, in Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, and he was a son of John and Christina (Schaffer) Stock, who reared a family of twelve children, six of whom still survive. These are as follows : George W., a resident of Cranberry township; Samuel A., the subject of this sketch; Jennie, the wife of George Hart, of this township ; Elvira, the wife of Frank Morse, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; Sabine, the wife of Abner McCane, of Xew Washington, Ohio; and Eva, the wife of Charles Urich, of Cranberry township.

John Stock was born in Pennsylvania and came with his parents in his youth to Richland county, Ohio, where he married and then moved to Auburn township, Crawford county, where he owned an eighty-acre farm. Some time later he sold this farm and returned to Richland county and engaged in farming on the home place. His wife purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Crawford county from her brother-in-law, and some years later exchanged this farm for the one which is now owned by her son George, and there her last years were spent. John Stock was a soldier during the Civil war, and was a member of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio' Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to the front, the privation and exposure bringing on dysentery, from which he died in Philadelphia, and there he was buried.

Our subject grew to manhood amid home surroundings, and obtained an excellent school education in the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years old, managing his mother's property, and then was married to Miss Adelia L. Morse, who was also born in Auburn township. She was a daughter of Amos and Mehetable (Carlisle) Morse, the former of whom was one of the most influential men in the neighborhood. In his earlier years he was a teacher, but before his death followed agriculture on one hundred and sixty acres of land. In politics he was a Republican, and he held the office of justice of the peace for the last twenty years of his life. He was a member of the Baptist church and a man of more than average intelligence, and was the father of three children, viz.: Frank R., Adelia and Amanda, twins.

After marriage our subject rented a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in Cranberry township, where he remained some two years, removing then to his father-in-law's farm, which he has managed ever since. At the death of Mr. Morse he was made executor, and his esteemed mother-in-law resides with our subject and family. Six children have been born to- Mr. and Mrs. Stock, and the rive survivors are: Otis M., whoi is a graduate of the Linwood high school and the Woodward high school, of Cincinnati; and Ira \\\, Charles A., Irma A. and Harold M., all of whom are at home except Ira, who is employed in the tube works in Shelby, Ohio. The one member of the family who is deceased was Olive E.

hi politics our subject is a member of the Democraitc part}', and he has been quite active in township affairs, serving four terms as assessor. At one time he was made a candidate by his friends for the office of trustee, but he never desired the office and did not work for it, and he was defeated by just one vote. In the order of K. of P. Mr. Stock has been a valued and useful member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592. He is one of the charter members of this lodge and has done much for its advancement. In the township he occupies a position of confidence and trust, and is regarded as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens who are ever on the alert to advance the interests of Crawford county.

William Dawson

Among the progressive and representative farmers of Crawford county, Ohio, is William Dawson, who for many years has been a very successful agriculturist of Auburn township. The birth of Mr. Dawson, of this biography, was in Lincolnshire, England, near the town of Boston, on December J3< I(^35- ^e was a son °f William and Susan ( Courtright) Dawson, and is the only surviving child of his parents.

William Dawson was born also in Lincolnshire, in 1800, and after the death of his wife, some time after 1840, he came to America and located in Crawford county, Ohio, where he bought a farm of fifty acres, in Auburn township. At a later date he purchased an adjoining thirty acres, and this he improved and lived upon until his death, in 1858. Mr. Dawson was a man of high moral purpose and a most consistent member of the Primitive Metho- church. In England he had been a local preacher and exhorter in the church, and always lived an exemplary life. After coming to America he contracted a second marriage. Miss Mary Gibson becoming his second wife, and she survived her husband for some years.

After the death of the mother of our subject, when he was about seven or eight years of age, he found a comfortable home with an uncle, Samuel Dawson, and young William remained with him until his eighteenth year. This uncle was an extensive farmer and successful stock-raiser, and under his supervision our subject became well trained in all agricultural pursuits. This severe discipline served our subject well in after life, as he applied on his own land the principles which his uncle had taught, and now owns one of the best developed and valuable farms in Crawford county.

hi 1853 Mr. Dawson, our subject, came to America, landing in New York City on May 11, 1853, after a tempestuous voyage, in the sailing vessel ''Forest King," which lasted forty-seven days. In the furious storm they encountered the vessel was stripped of her canvas and was almost wrecked. It was with a feeling- of great relief that Mr. Dawson found himself again on firm land, and he immediately made his way to his father in Crawford county. With him he engaged in farming, and on January 6, 1857, was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca J. Doty, who was a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and a daughter of a prominent farmer of Ashland county. In the following summer our subject took charge of the farm, and as his father died during the next year the property came into his possession.

In 1862 our subject purchased one hundred and fifty-one acres of land in Ashland county, with the intention of moving to that place, but just at this time came a family affliction, - the death of a dear child, and Mrs. Dawson felt unable in her trouble to leave old friends and. associations. Therefore, in 1864 Mr. Dawson sold this farm and purchased his present one, which consists of one hundred and eighty acres, and resided upon it, improving and beautifying it, until about 1887, when he rented it to- his son-in-law and retired to Plymouth. In 1890 Mrs. Dawson died. Five years later Mr. Dawson returned to his farm, having been married on June 28, 1806, to< Miss Dora

Doty, who was a native of Ashland county, and she was a daughter of James Doty, also of that county. To his former marriage five children were born, as follows: Ada A., deceased; Elmer Lincoln, a farmer of Richland county; Ef.'le R., the wife of Howard Clark, a farmer of Richland county; Emma R., the wife of Andrew Trobridge, of Chicago; and Ida May, who resides with her sister Effie.

In politics Air. Dawson is numbered among the stanch Republicans of Auburn township. Socially he is a valued member of the Auburn Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, while he has long been one of the leading members of the Methodist church, in which he is a steward. His farm shows the personal care and attention that has been given it and is an example of what skilled farming can accomplish. He is one of the highly respected citizens of this locality and is well and favorably known over a wide section.

Thomas B. Exdslow

The history of mankind is replete with illustrations of the fact that it is only under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed. Perhaps the history of no people so1 forcibly impresses one with this truth as the annals of our own republic. If anything can inspire the youth of our country to persistent, honest and laudable endeavor it should be the life record of such men as he of whom we write. The example of the illustrious few of our countrymen, who have risen from obscurity to the highest positions in the gift of the nation, serves often to awe our young men rather than inspire them to emulation, because they reason that only a few can ever attain such eminence; but the history of such men as Thomas P>. Endslow proves conclusively that with a reasonable amount of mental and physical power success is bound eventually to crown the endeavor of those who have the ambition to put forth their best efforts and the will and manliness to persevere therein.

Thomas B. Enslow was born in Lykens township, Crawford county. May 6, 1850, and is a son of William and Eliza (Junk) Endslow, of whose family of eight children five are yet living. The Endslows are of English lineage. William Endslow, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of the Merrie Isle, but when a young man crossed the briny deep to the new world, settling' in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming. His wife was Mrs. Margaret Endslow, and among their children was William Endslow, Jr., whose birth occurred in Juniata county, in 1803. In his youth he learned the trade of wagon-making, and when he had attained his majority he chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Eliza Junk. In 183 1, accompanied by his wife and one child, who was born in the Keystone state, he made his way to Ohio, settling in Richland county, near Shelby, which was then a small hamlet of two houses and a blacksmith shop. He there erected a wagon-maker's shop, but after two or three years came to Crawford county and purchased eighty acres of land in Lykens township, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. The journey thither was made by way of Xew Washington, which was also in the period of inception, containing but two dwellings. Air. Endslow and his brother-in-law erected his first residence of poles, the house being twelve by eighteen feet. It was completed in a day and at once fur* nished shelter for the family. Later they covered the poles with clapboards on the front and sides and plastered the house with straw and mud. This served as the family residence for only a year or two, after which Mr. Endslow erected a substantial hevved-log house. He made his home until his death, which occurred in 1876, upon the farm which he there developed, but in the meantime he erected four other houses, the last being a commodious frame residence, erected some time in the '50s. His wild land was transformed into richly cultivated fields that brought to him golden harvests in return for his plowing and planting. In his political views he was a Democrat and in religious faith was first a Presbyterian, but afterward became a, member of the Seceders church. During the many years of his residence upon his farm he devoted much of his time to his trade, and thus the care of the fields developed largely upon his children. The five surviving members of the family are : Margaret, who is now living in Crawford county, Kansas; William, a miller of Columbus, Ohio; Samuel; Eliza, now the wife of R. K. Williams, an agriculturist of Seneca county ; and Thomas B.

No event of special importance occurred to change the usual routine of farm life for Thomas B. Endslow. He was a student in the district schools through the winter season and made a hand in the fields through the summer months. At the age of twenty, however, he left the parental roof and became an apprentice to the miller's trade, serving in a mill near Loudonville. After three years there passed he came to New Washington and was employed in the mill which he now operates. Two years later he acquired an interest in the business, which he retained until 1885, when he removed to Aberdeen, Brown county, where he rented a mill for a year. That property was then sold, after which Mr. Endslow worked on a salary until 1890, when he returned to New Washington and purchased the mill in which he had formerly been employed and which he now conducts. He is doing- a good business, his patronage steadily increasing, which calls for an enlarged output.

In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Air. Endslow and Miss Sarah Springer, of Crawford county, a daughter of George W. Springer, a prominent farmer who resided in this locality, but is now deceased. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Endslow has been blessed with four children, namely : Maud L., now the wife of Dr. H. G. Blaine, of Attica, Ohio; B. Clyde, who is in the mill with his father; \Y. Lloyd, an engineer in the mill; and Myrtle B. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1892, and in September, 1896, Mr. Endslow was again married, his second union being with Miss Lydia Evert, a native of Crawford county. In his political views he is a Democrat, and, though not an office seeker, he was elected and served for three terms, in the early '80s, as township clerk, while at the present writing he is a member of the board of cotmcilmen of Xew Washington. To those who are familiar with his history it is needless to say that his duties were ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He holds membership relations with the Methodist church and is serving as one of its trustees. Fraternally he is connected with Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. P.. of which he became a charter member and in which he has filled all the offices. In all life's relations he has been found true to duty and to every obligation. His life record is commendable in that he owes his advancement to his unflagging energy and perseverance, and to the fact that he has ever conducted all business transactions along the lines of strict commercial ethics.

Isaac Hosler

Isaac Hosier is now serving as mayor of Xew Washington, and the city has found him a capable, energetic and faithful official, having a just appreciation of the duties that devolve upon him and discharging them with promptness and ability. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, at the old family homestead in Bloom township. May 11, -1840, his parents being Jonas and Catherine (Troxel) Hosier. The grandfather of our subject, Christian Hosier, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and was of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. In the place of his nativity he was reared and learned the trade of a cooper. He married a Miss Gensler and followed his chosen vocation in his native county until 1824, when he emigrated with his family to Ohio, settling in Stark county, where he carried on the coopering business until within the last five vears of his life. His wife died and then he went to live with his son

Jonas Hosier, the father of our subject, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, March1 14, 1810, and spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, learning the coopering business with his father ere the removal of the family to Ohio. As his parents were in but moderate circumstances Jonas Hosier and his elder brother worked for the neighboring farmers during the early years of their residence in the Buckeye state. The father of our subject entered the employ of Mr. Troxel, whose daughter he afterward married. Subsequently he and his brother-in-law engaged in the operation of the Troxel farm on the shares, but soon after his marriage, which occurred in 1832, he went to Seneca county in search of a home for his bride. While there he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land and two years later he removed his wife and two children to the log cabin which he had erected in the forest. There he developed an excellent farm, making it one of the best agricultural properties in the county. He continued its cultivation until 1863, when he sold and purchased a farm of one hundred and three acres in Chatlield township, Crawford county, where he died August 30, 1875. He was a very energetic man, of strong purposes and keen discrimination in business and thereby won a comfortable competence. In his political views he was a stalwart Democrat, but office holding had no attractions for him. His life was in harmony with his professions as a member of the German Lutheran church and he was one of the most highly esteemed men of his community. He married Miss Catherine Troxel and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are yet living', namely : Peter, a farmer of Defiance county, Ohio ; Amanda, wife of Elias Miller, an agriculturist of Fulton county, Indiana ; Isaac, of this review ; Mathilda, wife of William Cummings, Sr., of New Washington; Malinda, wife of John Donnenwirth, a former postmaster of New Washington, and now resides in Bucyrus ; Minerva, the widow of Jacob Haas, of Wyandot county, Ohio; and Elizabeth, who married Conrad Kahler, a resident of Kosciusko county, Indiana.

In taking up the personal history of Isaac Hosier we present to our reader the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in the Buckeye state, where he has always resided. His boyhood days were quietly passed on the home farm, and during- that period he acquired only a limited common-school education, for his services were needed in the work of the fields. When he was twenty years of age he and his brother Peter took charge of the old homestead, which they operated on the shares for three years. In the summer of

1863 Mr. Hosier, of this review, had charge of the harvesting of the crops and worked at various other occupations, such as brick-making and threshing. In the spring of 1864, in company with five others, he started by wagon across the plains for California, leaving Bucyrus on the 1st of April. The travelers arrived in Austin, Nevada, on the 2nd of July, and there stopped for a couple of weeks. One of their number died while in that place. When the party left Austin Mr. Hosier remained behind and after two weeks' work in the silver mines took charge of some horses and mules on a stock ranch, his time being thus occupied during the fall and winter. In the spring of 1865 he began work in the salt marshes, about thirty miles from Austin, and in the fall of 1865 he went with a freight train to Colfax, California. After reaching that place he. proceeded to Sacramento, over the Union Pacific Railroad, and from there, by river, to San Francisco. He spent about a week in the latter city and then took passage on a steamer going by the "Keystone" route. He crossed a lake in Central America, thence proceeded by way of the San Juan river to the Caribbean sea - the present proposed route of the Nicaraguan canal. He arrived in New York about a month after leaving San Francisco and at once continued on his way to his home. After two months spent upon the farm Mr. Hosier proceeded to Bucyrus and during the six succeeding years was employed as engineer in the Bucyrus Woolen Mills. In 1872, in connection with his brother-in-law, John Donnenwirth, Mr. Hosier came to New Washington and opened a tinshop, which they conducted for four years, when they sold their business, and through the two succeeding years our subject followed various pursuits. In 1878 he accepted a position in the tinshop, where he remained until 1900, but at the present time he is devoting his entire time and attention to his official duties.

While residing in Bucyrus Mr. Hosier was united in marriage, in 1867. to Miss Teresa Rook, a native of Alsace, Germany, a daughter of Phillip and Magdalena Rook, who came to America, locating in Ohio about 1854. In his political views the subject of this review is a stalwart Democrat and at various times has served for ten years as a member of the town council of New Washington. Entirely without his solicitation, in the spring of 1899, he was nominated and elected to the office of mayor, and in the spring of 1901 he was again nominated in a district where a Democratic nomination is equivalent to an election. He has proved a capable executive, laboring earnestly for the best interests of the people and exercises his official prerogatives in support of all measures and movements for the reform and progress of the city. He belongs to Cranberry Lodge, No. 441, I. O. O. F., has filled all its offices and for seventeen consecutive years was secretary, to which position he has again been re-elected. Although not a church member, he contributes liberally to religious work and withholds his support and co-operation from no movement or measure for the general good. His fidelity to principle, his earnest purpose and his unquestioned honesty have gained for him the unfalteringconfidence and high regard of the people among whom his lot has been cast.

Charles Mahon

It is the enterprise and character of the citizens that enrich and ennoble the commonwealth. From individual enterprise has sprung all the splendor and importance of this great west. The greatest merchants have developed from the humblest origins. From clerkships have emerged men who have built great enterprises. America is a self-made country, and those who have created it are self-made men. No influence of birth or fortune have favored the architects of her glory. Among those who have achieved prominence as men of marked ability and substantial worth in Crawford county is the subject of this sketch, Charles Mahon, who occupies a prominent position. He is now proprietor of a saw and planing-mill in Xew Washington and is accounted one of the leading representatives of industrial interests in this portion of Crawford county.

Mr. Mahon was born in Weller township, Richland county, July 24, 1843, and is a son of John and Margaret (Steward) Mahon. The family was established in Ohio during the pioneer epoch in the history of the state. The father was born in Weller township. Richland county, and was a son of James Mahon, a native of Ireland, who came to America soon after his marriage and established a home in Weller township, on Chestnut Hill, being one of the first residents of that portion of the state. Mansfield then contained but three houses and the country for miles around was in its primitive condition, the forests standing in their primeval strength, unmarked by roads made by the white man or by the habitations of early settlers. Mr. Mahon entered three hundred and twenty acres of land and built a round-log house. He began clearing his land and was connected with the work of cultivating the fields up to the time of his death. Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life on the old familv homestead John Mahon was reared, and in the common schools of the neighborhood he acquired his education. He married Miss Margaret Steward, who was also born in Wreller township and was a daughter of Charles Steward, whose birth occurred in the Emerald Isle. Soon after his marriage he, too, sought a home in the new world and became a resident of Weller township, tak- ing- up his abode on Black Fork. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, cleared and improved the property and in the early days experienced all the hardships and privations which fall to the lot of the early settlers. They established a home in the wilderness and laid the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the community. He continued in Weller township until called to the home beyond. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith and was a very active and influential member of the church.

After his marriage John Mahon located upon a portion of the old homestead, having received eighty acres of the farm as his patrimony, the grandfather having died when his son was only three years of age. Until 1859 John Mahon continued to cultivate his fields at that point and then sold the property, removing with his family to Crawford county, locating on the southeast corner of Cranberry township. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, and the farm which he there improved and developed was his place of residence until his life's labors were ended in death. His political support was unswervingly given to the Democracy, and for several terms he served as township trustee, discharging his duties in a prompt and capable manner. He was quite active in church work, holding membership with the Methodist denomination. In early days he was for a number of years a member of the state militia and throughout his entire life was a man of influence and prominent in his community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mahon were born ten children, of whom five are yet living, namely: Charles; Millie, the widow of William Striker, of Cranberry township ; Barger, of the same township ; John, who is living near Bloomville, Ohio; and Jennie, the wife of David Smith, of Shelby, Ohio.

To the common-school system of Ohio Charles Mahon is indebted for the educational privileges which were afforded him in his youth. During the Civil war he was drafted for service, but owing to the objections raised by his parents he did not go to the front, although it was his desire to aid his country in her struggle to preserve the Union. As is usual with young men when they start out upon a business career he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, and on the 28th of July, 1866, was united in marriage to- Miss Hannah M. Shilling, a native of Cranberry township and a daughter of David Shilling, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio when Mrs. Mahon was a little child of only two years. The journey was made by wagon and often led through dense forests. In the Keystone state her father had followed teaming, but soon after his arrival in Crawford county he turned his attention to farming. The same pursuit claimed the energies of Mr. Mahon after his marriage, and he began his labors as an agriculturist upon a tract of eighty acres, near the old homestead. About a year later, however, he sold that property and purchased another eighty-acre tract a mile to the north, residing thereon for six or seven years. After disposing of that property he became the owner of eighty acres, one mile east and a half mile north of New Washington, and there engaged in the tilling of the fields until 1885, when he once more sold his farm and in that year became a resident of the town. He purchased a half interest in a saw and planing-mill, which, in connection with his partner, Anthony Herman, he has since conducted. The business has proven a profitable one under the capable management of the owners and now furnishes employment to twelve or more workmen. They manufacture lumber, and do all kinds of planing mill work, and their business has steadily increased, both in volume and importance.

The home of Mr. and Airs. Marion has been blessed with four children, of whom three are yet living, namely: John I., who is employed by the milling firm ; Marinda M. and Lettie F., both at home. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and for fifteen years Mr. Mahon has served as class-leader, steward and trustee. Socially he is connected with Cranberry Lodge, No. 441. 1. O. O. F., in which he has passed all of the chairs. Fie is likewise a member of Rex Tent, No. 229, K. O. T. M., in which he has filled all the offices, at the present time serving as commander. His political support is given the Democracy, and for nine years he has been a member of the school board. However, he is not an office seeker, and has steadily refused to allow his name to be placed on the ticket at a candidate for office. In the latter part of the 70s, however, he was elected township trustee, and popular suffrage has continued him in the position for three terms. He ranks among the progressive and representative men of the county. Of verile strength and strong purpose, he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken, and his labors have brought to him a comfortable competence.

Frederick Carle

Frederick Carle is a manufacturer of and dealer in buggies and wagons in New Washington and als< 1 c< inducts a horse-shoeing and general repair shop. Industry is a most potent element in securing success and this principle is well exemplified in the life of Mr. Carle, who is a most energetic man, indolence and idleness being utterly foreign to his nature. He is classed among the rep- resentative German-American citizens of Crawford county, his birth having occurred in Oberheinrieth, Wurtemberg, Germany, August 16, i860, his parents being Christian and Barbara (Loehle) Carle, of whose family of six sons four are yet living, namely : William, a carpenter of Bucyrus, Ohio ; Frederick ; and Henry and Ernest, both of whom are residents of Newark, New Jersey. The father was also a native of the same village in which occurred the birth of our subject. He was born May 5, 1806, and died May 16, 1888. His first wife was a Miss Weik and they became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom one is yet living, namely, Gottlieb, of Stuttgart, Ohio. The mother died October 26, 1858, and the father afterward married Miss Barbara Loehle. He continued farm work until 1836, when he was appointed keeper of the forest, which important position he filled for a period of thirty-two years. He then retired to farm life. In 1867 Gottlieb Carle, the son of the first marriage, came to America, and in 1872 William, the eldest of the children of the second marriage, crossed the Atlantic, taking up his abode in Bucyrus, Ohio. The glowing accounts of the country tempted our subject to cast his fortunes in the golden land of promise, and in 1880, just prior to the time when he would have been forced to enter military life in the fatherland, he sailed for America. In 1881 Christian Carle, the father, and the other members of the family also came to the new world, taking up their abode in Bucyrus, and Frederick and his brother William were then single and boarded at home. After the marriage of our subjecct, however, the parents broke up housekeeping and made their home with him until called to their final rest. The mother, who was born September 16, 1826, in Untergruppenbach, Heilbron, Wurtemberg, died on Thanksgiving day in 1897, while the father passed away about nine years previous.

Frederick Carle, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade. On the completion of his three-years' term of service he worked as a journeyman until 1880, when he resolved to seek a home in the new world and, on the 29th of July, embarked on the steamer Niederland at Antwerben, which, after fourteen days spent on the Atlantic, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, on the 12th of August. Mr. Carle first set foot on American soil in the metropolis, and after visiting his sister in Newark, New Jersey, he came direct to Crawford county, taking up his abode in Bucyrus, where he worked at his trade for three vears in the employ of Phillip Sager. On the 1st of October, 1883, he opened a shop of his own and did a general repair business in connection with horse-shoeing. He also engaged in wagon manufacturing and thus continued operations until 1897, when, desiring" to increase the scope of his work and being unable to secure suitable quarters where he was, he purchased the business of Charles Vollmer, in Xew Washington. In the intervening four years he has done a gradually increasing business and now has a large trade, which brings him a good financial return. He is numbered among the progressive business men of the town and his patronage has attained considerable magnitude, so that he now has in his employ one carriage trimmer, one carriage painter and two blacksmiths.

On the 7th of October, 1883, Mr. Carle was united in marriage to Miss Catherine R. Pfeifer, a native of Bucyrus and a daughter of Christian and Maria (Schwalb) Pfeifer, both of whom were natives of Germany, the farmer coming to America in 1856, the latter in 1857. The father is now one of the prominent shoe merchants of Bucyrus. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carle has been blessed with four children, but they lost their first born, Minnie. The others are: Frederick C, born March 2, 1889; Elmer R., born July 15, 1892; and Howard E., born July 25, 1897.

Mr. Carle is one of the stalwart supporters of the Democracy, inflexible in his adherence to its principles and while in Bucyrus he served one term as a member of the city council. He is not, however, an office-seeker, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Duetsche Gesllschaft Society in Bucyrus. He was president of the organization for four years, and for six years was one of its trustees. He is likewise a member of Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. P., of New Washington, and enjoys the high regard of his brethren of the fraternity, while in business circles he sustains an unassailable reputation and in social life he has many friends.

Isaac Pfleiderer

A worthy representative of an old and honored Crawford county agricultural family is found in Isaac Pfleiderer, one of the progressive and successful fanners of Liberty township. Mr. Pfleiderer was born in this township on August 4, i860, a son of David and Mary ( Hickenlively) Pfleiderer. (The full ancestry of the Pfleiderer family may be found in another part of this volume. )

Our subject grew to manhood on the family homestead, acquiring his education in the public schools and adding to it by a very liberal course of reading. His marriage was on February 21, 1883, at which time Miss Mary Alice E. Charlton became his wife. She is a native of Hardin county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Matilda ( Hite) Charlton and a granddaughter of Henry Charlton, who came to Crawford county from Maryland when still a voung man. After his marriage Mr. Pfleiderer settled on his present farm, which was purchased at that time, in partnership with his brother Jacob and his father, and our subject conducted it as a renter until 1898, when he became its sole owner. He is one of the thorough agriculturists of this locality and understands all matters pertaining to rotation of crops, drainage and the various foods needed for the different grains he desires to cultivate, his prosperity testifying to the merit of his excellent methods. Since 1883 he has been engaged in buying and selling horses and this has proved a very successful line of business.

Three children have been born to Air. and Mrs. Pfleiderer, these being: Edna Belle, who is attending high school in Sulphur Springs, has passed the Boxwell examination; Gusta M., also at her studies in the high school, has likewise passed the Boxwell examination; and Fred M., who is at home.

The political affiliations of our subject have always been with the Democratic party and he has efficiently served two terms as township assessor. At present he is acting as township clerk and for sixteen years has been a valuable member of the school board and has been clerk of the district ever since his election. During five years he served as president of the board. Mr. Pfleiderer for several years was the central committeeman from his district and for six years was a member of the Crawford county agricultural board, of which he is still a member. He has been identified with the business, s< >cial and political life of the township in a greater degree than almost any other man of his years, and has shown ability in every position in which he has been placed. Both he and wife are consistent members of the English Lutheran church of Sulphur Springs. Personally he is of a genial, pleasant nature, and with his amiable wife delights to show hospitality to his friends.

Samuel B. Koons

Samuel B. Koons is one of the leading men of Liberty township. Crawford county, and was born in Sandusky township on November 17, 1840, on the farm which is the second one east of his own at the present time. His parents were Abraham and Jane (Mills) Koons, who reared a family of fourteen children, twelve of whom still survive, as follows : Ann E., single,.

a resident of Sulphur Springs; Mary M., the widow of Rev. R. Armstrong, of Cowley county, Kansas ; Sarah J., the wife of Frank Moore, of Lansing", Michigan ; David, of Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio ; Martha E., the widow of Madison Roberts, of southern California; Samuel B., of this sketch; Harriet L., the widow of Joseph Stephenson, of Missouri; Benjamin F., for the last eleven years president of the State Agricultural College of Mansfield, Connecticut;. Catherine, the wife of Rev. Pope, of Oberlin, Ohio; Robert P., a practicing physician of Lone Jack, Missouri; Oliver ],, physician and surgeon, of Brooklyn, New York; and Francis M., of Toledo, Ohio.

Abraham Koons was born in Philadelphia about 1773 and lived to be. ninety-six years old, dying in 1869. His first wife was Susan Schrader, by whom he had thirteen children, all of whom are now deceased. The father of Abraham was one of three brothers who came from Germany to America at an early day, bringing with them a sum of ten thousand dollars, with which they engaged in the brewery business in Philadelphia, during the Revolution. On the death of Grandfather Koons, the two brothers were made guardians of his children, and when Philadelphia was threatened by the British the Koons brothers converted the property into money and departed and were never located until after the death of Father Koons, and by that time all of the documents pertaining to the case were lost and the children of Abraham never received any share. The latter was but a child at the death of his father and he was bound out to work for a neighbor, but as he was not treated well there he ran away, at the age of seven years, and supported himself in unknown ways until he became a youth old enough to learn the carpenter's trade. After he had thoroughly learned the trades of carpenter and millwright, which were then combined, he worked for a number of years in and about Philadelphia,, and in 1829, learning of the rich lands to be had in ( )hio, he came to Richland county and purchased eighty acres, and pursued both farming and work at his, trade. Seven years later he disposed of his property there to advantage, and located in Sandusky township, in Crawford county. Here he first purchased one hundred and sixty acres and later added thirty-seven acres, and resided in that township until the time of his death, in [869. lie was reared near the Pennsylvania and Maryland line, and after coming to Ohio' was often heard to predict that there would be a war between the north and the south, although he might not see it. In early life he was a Democrat, but later, when he came to a thorough understanding of the slavery question from personal observation, he became an ardent Republican. For many years he was a consistent member of the United Brethren church.

Samuel B. Koons grew up on his father's farm and his school opportunities were very limited. His father had large stuck interests and he was obliged to look after them, while his brothers and sisters, coming later, were educated at Oberlin College. When he was about twenty years old the Civil war broke out and with three of his brothers he entered into the service of his county. David entered Company B, of the Eighth Ohio, enlisting as a private and leaving the service as a captain; Benjamin was a corporal in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio; and William, now deceased, was a member of an Indiana regiment. Our subject enlisted on August 15, 1861, in Company C, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was sent from Fort Dennison to Louisville, taking part in all of the battles of the Army of the Cumberland, until the terrible struggle of Missionary Ridge, where he was wounded. The accident happened from the Union artillery, the block between the powder and the ball striking him in the back of the head, on the morning after the taking of Orchard Knob, November 24, 1863. For the succeeding eighteen days our subject lay unconscious in the hospital at Chattanooga, and after thirty days was sent home on furlough, where he remained until March i, 1864. During this time the regiment had become veterans and they were home on furlough, and when they returned to the front one of the most determined soldiers was our subject. When he had reached Buzzards' Roost, his enlistment having expired, he was sent back to Chattanooga, later to Nashville, thence to Jeffersonville. and on September 5, 1864, was mustered out of the service at Columbus, Ohio.

On the following 24th of November our subject was married to Miss Maggie Stevenson, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, the daughter of John Stevenson, who was born in Pennsylvania. The latter came to Seneca county at an early day. Soon after marriage the young couple settled on his father's farm, in an extra house, where they lived comfortably for three years, while Samuel cultivated his father's land on shares, but in 1868 the opportunity came to purchase a desirable tract of seventy-one acres, this being the present home farm, and here the family has since resided.

To Mr. and Mrs. Koons six children have been born, all of them being well known and popular members of society, viz. : Clarence, a farmer of Richland county; Virgil, a letter carrier in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Jennie, at home; Mat, at home; Ray, a teacher in the public schools, at home; and Inez, also' a teacher, living at home. Mr. Koons has always been a verv ardent Republican and has been active in work for his party. He has taken an intelligent interest in educational matters and has been a valuable member of the school board for several years, always advocating every measure which has promised to be of general benefit. He is a member of the G. A. R., and bears a fine record for gallantry during his term of service. His standing in the community is that of an honest, upright citizen, who well represents Crawford county.

Cassius C. Heller

During almost the whole of his business life Cassius C. Heller, of this biography, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born on the farm in Liberty township, Crawford county, upon which he now resides, on April 5, 1857, a son of Jonathan and Susanna (Spade) Heller. His parents had a family of seven children, and six of these still survive, these being : Byron F., a carpenter and builder in Bucyrus, Ohio; Cynthia E., the wife of A. \Y. Tustison, of Bucyrus; Elizabeth, the wife of Philip Thoman, of Gabon, Ohio; Cassius C. ; William L., a farmer of Sandusky township; and Hattie M., the wife of B. F. Robison, of Bucyrus.

Jonathan Heller, the father of our subject, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, on January 26, 1823, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Heller, both natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio when their son was but nine years old and settled on the farm now occupied by Jacob Pfleiderer, but later removed to the one now owned by Mr. Harringer, in section 33, and here the father died. When a young man he had learned the carpenter's trade and once made a walking trip back to Pennsylvania, working by the way, finally covering the four hundred miles in this way. After his marriage, on March 11, 1847, he lived for some years on one of his father's farms, but later purchased the farm now owned by his son, where he died on March 22, 1892. The mother of our subject was born in Portage county, Ohio, on November 18, 1830, a daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Hazel) Spade, both of them natives of Pennsylvania, who were among the early settlers of Portage count)", where they located, in 1842 coming to Crawford county, where they lived until the time of their death, when in advanced years. Mr. Heller was a consistent and valued member of the United Brethren church and for several years was one of the trustees. In politics he was an active Democrat and in early life efficiently filled many of the minor offices. Mr. Heller was one of the highly respected old citizens of the county who left behind him an unblemished name.

Our subject grew up surrounded by excellent home influences and obtained his education in the district schools of his locality. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Crum, the daughter of David Crum, of

Sulphur Springs, whose biography is given elsewhere. For the two years following his marriage Mr. Heller farmed for his father, but in 1883 he rented what is known as the Moderwell farm, located one mile east of the home farm, and for three years successfully operated this estate. Then he removed to his father-in-law's land and there continued farming for eight years, and then came back, in 1896, to the home farm and took charge of it for his mother. In the spring of 1900 he purchased this most desirable property and now has one of the choice farms of Crawford county.

To Mr. and Airs. Heller two children have been born : Orpha Grace and Mary Ruth. Air. Heller has taken a very active interest in politics, and in national ajTairs votes with the Democratic party, but in local affairs he votes as his judgment indicates. As an earnest and capable worker and a conscientious and worth}' Christian, Air. Heller is widely known in the United Brethren church, having been a trustee for the past four years, and for a long period has been the efficient superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He seems to possess the ability which enables him to organize, and the school connected with this church reflects great credit upon him. In all his affairs he displays an energy and thoroughness which have done much to place him in the estimation of his neighbors as one of their best representatives.

Webb J. Kelly

The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has attained wealth by honorable business methods, acquired the highest reputation is his chosen calling by merit, and whose social prominence is not less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. YVe pay the highest tribute to the heroes who on blood)' battlefields win victories and display a valor that is the admiration of the world : why should the tribute be withheld from those who wage the bloodless battles of civil life, who are conquerers in the world of business? Greater than in almost any line of work is the responsibility that rests upon the physician. The issues of life and death are in his hands. A false prescription, an unskilled operation, may take from man that which he prizes above all else - life. The physician's power must be his own; not by purchase, by gift or by influence can he gain it. He must commence at the very beginning, learn the very rudiments of medicine and surgery, continually add to his knowledge by close study and earnest application and gain reputation by merit. If he would gain the highest prominence it must come as the result of superior skill, knowledge and ability., and ihose qualities are possessed in an eminent degree by Dr. Kelly. He is known throughout the country as one of the most eminent members of the profession, and his opinions are recognized as authority throughout a great portion of America. The life history of such a man is always of profit as well as interest.

Dr. Kelly was born in Gabon. His father, Harmon Rockerfeller Kelly, M. D., for many years a prominent and successful physician in this place, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and there spent his boyhood days. He pursued his education in the Ohio Wesleyan University, making his own way through college. He thus displayed the elemental strength of his character, which in later years developed into a stalwart and resolute manhood, enabling him to maintain a foremost place in the ranks of his chosen calling. He was graduated in Starling Medical College, of Columbus, in the class of 1856, and from that time until i860 engaged in practice at West Point, in Morrow county, five miles south of Galion. For many years he performed all the important surgical work in this portion of the state. In 1870 he was appointed surgeon for the Erie Railroad Company, then the Atlantic & Great Western Railway Company, and did the active work for that corporation until 1880, when his son, Dr. Webb J. Kelly, was appointed to the position and the father became consulting surgeon. For thirty years the father and son acted as surgeons for the road. Plerman R. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss Mary Keech, who was of Quaker family and was of Scotch descent. Her maternal grandfather, Mr. Bebb, was an architect in Philadelphia, and constructed the first water works there. He was also the architect for Stephen Girard and was a Welsh Quaker.

Dr. Kelley, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the schools of Galion and was graduated in the high school with the class of 1874. He afterward entered the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he completed his literary course, and then, determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered Starling Medical College, where he was graduated in 1889. Desiring to still further qualify himself for his chosen calling, he then entered Bellevue Medical College, of New York, in which he was graduated in 1880, when in his twenty-first year. In March of that year he was appointed surgeon for the Cincinnati division of the Erie Railroad, from Kent to Dayton. Since 1885 he has been surgeon for the Big Four Railroad Company, being the only physician to hold that position between Delaware and Cleveland. His knowledge of anatomy is remarkably comprehensive and accurate. Added to this is a logical mind, cool nerve and steady muscles, without which the surgeon never wins success. His ability in surgical work has advanced him far beyond mediocrity, and he is to-day recognized as one of the most capable representatives of that branch of the profession in the country. He has performed almost every surgical operation of importance in Galion county for a number of years and has treated over five thousand injured railroad men. For seven years prior to 1900 he was one of the lecturers in the Ohio Medical College, of Columbus. He is now associate editor of the Xew York Medical Legal Journal and is national agent of the Xew York Medico-Legal Society. He is a member of the American Medical Association, also of the American Medical Academy, the Railway Surgeons and the National Association of Railway Surgeons.

Mr. Kelly married Miss Kate M. Grandy, a daughter of Rev. I. B. and Julia ( Lee) Grandy. Her father was a Universalist minister and a representative of a prominent and distinguished Xew England family, while her mother was a granddaughter of General Robert E. Lee. Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born two children, - Rufus and Dessa. The parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and the Doctor is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity. The Doctor is a social, genial gentleman, interested in all that pertains to his community, is charitable and benevolent, and worthy demands of the needy are seldom made in vain. He has a large circle of warm friends, and his friendship is best prized by those who know him best. In his professional capacity Dr. Kelly is known throughout the country, his reputation extending far beyond the limits of his state, an honor to the profession, by which he has been especially distinguished.

Henry B. Green, who is serving as engineer with the Pennsylvania Railroad, makes his home at Crestline, Ohio. He was born in Ashland county, on the 1 6th of February, 1849, and represents one of the pioneer families of that locality. His grandfather had thirteen quarter sections of land, which he divided into thirteen farms and gave them to his thirteen children. Thomas W. Green, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, and when a young man became a resident of the Buckeye state, where he followed farming and milling. He wedded Mary Kilinger, a native of Center county, Pennsylvania, but who went to Ashland county when twelve years of age. There they were married, and their union was blessed with a family of eleven children, namely :

Noah, George and Olive, who are now deceased ; William, Alary, Sarah, Anna, I [enry B. and four who died in infancy. The father at the time of the Civil war offered his services to the government and remained in the army until 1865, when he died from exposure and hardships. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1887.

Henry B. Green is the youngest of their children. He was reared in Ashland and Wayne counties and enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the common schools. He entered the railroad service as an employe on the Erie Railroad, working at anything he could get to do in order to support his mother. In the meantime he learned telegraphy and eventually became an operator on the Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1878 he hecame a fireman on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and in 1882 was promoted to the position of engineer, in which capacity he has served continuously since with the same road. He has been in hut one accident, and that was a head-end collision, in which eighteen cars were burned, the accident resulting from the fault of an operator giving wrong orders. Several of the employes were killed, but Mr. Green was not badly injured, although his clothing was largely torn from him.

On the 2d of June, ]88/, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Green and Miss Ella M. Obney, a native of Indiana, born October 7, 1861. She was reared in Alliance, Ohio, and in its schools acquired her education. Her father is a native of Pennsylvania, her mother of Ohio, and they are farming people now residing in Alliance, aged eighty and seventy-five years respectively. The father served for three years in the war of the Rebellion as a defender of the Union. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Green has been blessed with five children, - Earl, Lee Briton, Ella M., Henry Wayne and Russell Clifford. Our subject is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, is a Republican in his political views and is a member of the Lutheran church. His long service with the Pennsylvania Railroad indicates plainly his fidelity to duty and his care and precision in his work.

W. D. Cover

There is, in the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid career of the business or orofessional man fighting the every-day battle of life, but little to attract the idle reader in search of a sensational chapter; but for a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there are noble and important lessons in the life of the man, who, without other means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity, and toiling' on through the work-day years of a long career, finds that he won not only wealth, but also something far greater and higher, - the deserved respect and esteem of those with whom his years of active life placed him in contact.

Air. Cover was born in Crestline, March 12, 1865, and is therefore one of the younger representatives of the business interests. His father, Jacob Cover, was a native of Richland county, Ohio, and came to Crestline in the '50s. About 1870 he established a meat market, and conducted the enterprise until 1890, when he retired from active business, since which time he has enjoyed a well earned rest. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the respected and worthy citizens of Crestline. He married Martha Devine, who died when her son W. D. was a lad of seven summers, leaving two children, the daughter, Laura, being now the wife of David Baker, of Crestline.

W. D. Cover, the younger child, was educated in the schools of his native town, and putting aside his text-books began to work in his father's market. In 1884 he was admitted to a partnership in the business, under the firm name of J. Cover & Son, a connection that was maintained until about 1888, when he sold his interest to his father and accepted a position as clerk and yardmaster with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, remaining with the corporation fur two years. He then returned to mercantile life, opening a meat market, which he conducted for seven years, when he extended the field of his labors by adding a grocery stock. His place is known as the Central market. There he carries a large line of staple and fancy groceries and meats, and is enjoying a very liberal patronage. His efforts, however, have not been confined alone to the conduct of his store. He is a man of resourceful business ability, possessed of executive force and keen discernment. He became one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Crestline in the year 1897, and on the 1 st of January, 1898, the institution opened its doors for business. Mr. Cover was elected vice-president and has since held the position. He is also a stockholder in the Schill Brothers Manufacturing Company, and his sound judgment and correct opinions carry weight in business circles, especially having influence over the manner of conducting the two enterprises with which he is connected.

In the year 1889 Air. Cover was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Snvder, a daughter of John and Mary (Burnison) Snyder, residents of Crestline. The marriage has been blessed with one daughter, Marjorie. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, take an active part in its work and labor earnestly for its advancement. Mr. Cover is serving as one of its trustees and as church treasurer. In politics he is a Democrat and socially is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is secretary of the Crestline water works and does everything in his power to promote the welfare and progress of his native city, in which he has a deep and abiding interest.

John Adam Walker

Among the many well cultivated farms of Holmes township the one occupied by John Adam Walker attracts notice as one which demonstrates that its occupant is a most careful and excellent agriculturist.

The birth of Mr. Walker was in Chatfield township, this county, on the 18th of March, 1849, a son °f John George and Elizabeth (Durr) Walker, he being one of a family of six children, three of whom survive, namely : Mary, the widow of William Pfleiderer, of Bucyrus, Ohio; John Adam; and Frederick, also of Bucyrus. John George Walker was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he learned the trade of shoemaker, and emigrated to America when twenty years old. For several years he traveled over the country, working at different occupations, but finally came to Crawford county and settled in Chatfield township, where he married and bought a farm of sixty acres. In 1856 or 1857 he sold this farm and removed to1 Holmes township, where he bought eighty acres, in section 14, upon which he lived, and died on February 5, 1892. His farming efforts had met with success, and at the time of his death he was the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of land. The mother, who also was born in Germany, died in 1853.

John Adam Walker grew up at home and attended the public schools. On February 10, 1881, he was married to Miss Mary A. Schieber, a native of Liberty township, this county, and the daughter of Gottlieb Schieber. After marriage the young couple settled down to domestic life on the eighty-acre farm owned by the father, at Spore, in this county, and there they resided for three years, when Mr. Walker located upon his present farm, which was deeded to him by his father. Since taking possession Mr. Walker has added twenty-two acres to the original tract, which makes his farm contain one hundred and two acres. In 1885 he built his present handsome residence, this improvement being followed, in 1898, by the rebuilding of his farm structures, all of which are now in a most desirable and substantial condition.

A life-long Democrat, Air. Walker has taken an active interest in political matters and posessses considerable influence through the township. His religious membership is in the German Methodist church, but as this is situated four miles distant from his home he usually attends the English Evangelical church, which is more convenient. Probably there is no more highly esteemed resident of Holmes township than Air. Walker, who has long been considered one of the substantial citizens of the county.

Henry L. Schwenk

Henry L. Schwenk, a leading farmer of Holmes township, Crawford county, and known both as an excellent agriculturist and as a liberal-minded and progressive citizen, was born in Liberty township, this county, on August 26, 1859, and was a son of Hironemus and Alary (Zimmers) Schwenk.

Jacob Schwenk, the grandfather of Henry L., was a native of Germany, who came to America with his family in 1835. After three months spent in New York City they came to Crawford county and settled in Liberty township, and here Grandfather Jacob bought a farm of about one hundred and ten acres, built a cabin upon it and began the hard work of clearing the tract. Here his son Hironemus attained his majority and assisted his father, and some vears later purchased it, giving his parents a comfortable home with him during the remaining- years of their lives.

Hironemus Schwenk was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 18 18. After attaining his majority he married Alary Zimmers, and they reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom survive, as follows: Jacob, of Auglaize county, Ohio-; Peter, of Hardin county, Ohio; Charles, of Hardin county, Ohio; Samuel, of Auglaize county, Ohio; Paulina, the wife of Jack Vanvoors, of Bucyrus; William, of Bucyrus; and our subject. In 1866 Hironemus Schwenk sold the home farm and removed to Holmes township, where he bought the farm he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and sixtv acres. This property was formerly the farm of Jacob Lutz, and here Air. Schwenk lived and enjoyed every comfort of life until his death, in 1887. For many years he had been connected with the Democratic party, and was an active member of the German Lutheran church, and. was known through the neighborhood as a most liberal and just citizen.

the district school. On October 9, 1887, he was married to Miss Lenora E. Fralick, who was born in Holmes township and was a daughter of Henry Fralick. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and was one of the early settlers of Crawford county. In the month of February preceding- our subject's marriage his father died, and with his bride he settled with his mother on the old home farm and managed it for the other heirs until 1895, wnen ne purchased his farm of eighty-three acres, which he has made one of the most desirable in the township. Here he carries on general farming, and has made many improvements and is justly regarded as a model agriculturist.

To Air. and Mrs. Schwenk three children were born, the one survivor being Ross Delvin, born October 18. 1899. Although much engaged in his farming enterprises, Mr. Schwenk has taken a great interest in township affairs. He is a stanch Democrat and is now serving his second term as township trustee. He is also a trustee of the United Brethren church, of which he has long been a consistent member, and is well and favorably known through Holmes township.

Christopher G. Schiefer

Prominent among the agriculturists of Holmes township, Crawford county, is Christopher G. Schiefer, one of the highly esteemed German- American citizens. The birth of Mr. Schiefer was in Wurtemberg, Germany, on July 11, 1824, and he was a son of Conrad F. and Rosina ( Krauter) Schiefer, the former of whom was also born in Germany and was the son of Abraham and Sibula Schiefer. When Conrad Schiefer was called upon to select an occupation he decided to be a shepherd. After the death of his father, with his mother and his own family, in the fall of 1831, he emigrated to America. The voyage was long, covering sixty days, but they finally landed safely in New York. From there they went to Canada, locating some fifteen miles from Waterloo, where Conrad bought one hundred acres of forest land. This was a wilderness indeed, for at that time both bears and wolves were frequently seen. Many discouragements beset the emigrants, and as Mr. Schiefer learned of more desirable lands in the state of Ohio-, he brought his family thither, in 1834, and left them in Cleveland while he prospected in Crawford county. He finally found what he considered a desirable locality, in Chatfield township, and before he returned to Cleveland had closed the bargain by which he became the owner of forty acres of land, two cows, one heifer, two' yoke of oxen and all else on the place, for the sum of one hundred and ninety dol- lars. This remained his home during the rest of his life, his death being -caused, on October 15, 1853, by being run over by a team. Before his death he had added to his farm until it contained seventy acres, and his industry made it one of the best in the count}'. Mr. Schiefer was a good and pious man, highly esteemed by his neighbors and valued in the Evangelical church. His knowledge of the Bible had come from its constant study. The mother of our subject, who also was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1800, was a daughter of Michael Krauter, and she survived her husband for ten years.

They had a large family, numbering' fifteen members, the names of the five v. ho still survive being: Christopher; Frederick, of Leavenworth, Kansas; Mary, the widow of a Mr. Kennedy, of Kansas City, Missouri; Abraham, of Clinton county, Iowa ; and Christiana, the widow of Frederick Mack, of Chatlield township.

Christopher Schiefer passed his boyhood and youth surrounded by many strange physical features and experienced many thrilling events. At one time, when about eight years old. he was sent to look after some stock and became lost in the dense forest and spent a night of terror in the bushes, while he could hear the wild beasts prowling around him. His education was necessarily limited, the school facilities being poor, and the work which fell to his share occupied the greater part of his time. On reaching manhood he began his career as a farm hand, working by the month for the neighbors, gaining a reputation for honesty, industry and efficiency. On April 13, 1851, he was married to Miss Sarah Miller, who was born in Texas township, this county, and was a daughter of John and Maria (Wirt) Miller, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, Grandfather Miller having emigrated to that state form Germany. Five children were born to our subject and wife, these being: Sarah A., the wife of Lewis Schiefer, of Chatfield township; Jacob F., of this township; Isaac, of this township; Abraham, of Lykens township; and Amanda, the wife of Charles Ollifelt, of this township. A very delightful circumstance of this family is that the children are all located almost within call of their parents.

Following his marriage our subject purchased a sawmill from Mr. Charles Kiplinger in Liberty township, which he operated some ten years. Some eighteen months after the purchase of the mill he bought five acres of land in the section in which he now resides and removed his mill to that land, having just enough money to pay for the deed, trusting to his success to get enough to pay for the land. The success came, and ten years later he sold his mill .and bought four hundred acres of land in Iowa, but later exchanged that for the farm upon which he now resides. His landed property at one time amounted to four hundred acres in this and Lykens township. He has retained one hundred and fifty-five acres in his home place and has divided the rest among his children.

Until the time of the Civil war Mr. Schiefer was a Democrat in politics, but the issues of that struggle made him a Republican. For many years he has given a liberal support to the Evangelical church, of which he is a member. He is well and most favorably known and respected by all through the part of the county which has so long been his home.

Clyde D. Shilling

One of the leading business men of Tiro, Crawford county, Ohio is Clyde D. Shilling, who conducts a large lumber business in this vicinity and who is one of the most progressive citizens of Auburn township. The birth of Mr. Shilling was in this township, on February 7, 1873, and he was a son of Jacoband Elizabeth (Staley) Shilling, who reared a family of three children, all of whom survive, being: Frank F., of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Lorena, at home; and Clyde D., who is the subject of this biography. Clyde D. Shilling grew to young manhood in his home and acquired his education in attendance at the common schools of his neighborhood. At the age of eighteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, working in this line for four and one-half years.

At the age of twenty-three years Air. Shilling began his lumber and timber operations, the sawing being done in his father's mill, but on May 1, 1899, this null was destroyed by fire. His father then offered him a one-half interest in another mill if he would agree to remain in the business, as he had shown such unusual ability in this line, and later, in association with his brother Frank, the mill was rebuilt. Since that time the business, under our subject's management, has become one of the leading ones in this locality and is a very important industry in Crawford county.

The marriage of Mr. Shilling was on September 12, 1900, to Miss Minnie Wood, who was born in Tiro, and who is the accomplished daughter of Jacob AYood. Mr. Shilling is a valued member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592, K. of P., and is chancellor and commander of the lodge.

Air. Shilling is prominently identified with many of the leading business interests of Tiro, is secretary of the Tiro' Building & Loan x\ssociation ; is a member of the town council ; and is also a s tockholder and one of the directors in the Bell Spiee Cabinet Company, of this city. He is one of the most conspicuous young business men of this city on account of his energy, ability and business integrity, and has built up a business which opens avenues for much future usefulness.

William H. Bridgeman

Among the excellent citizens and successful business men of Tiro, Crawfor county, Ohio, is William H. Bridgeman, who is the reliable and efficient foreman and engineer of the Bell Spice Cabinet Company, of this city. The birth of Mr. Bridgeman was in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, on June 8, 1855, and he was a son of William F. and Sophia (White) Bridgeman. These parents reared a family of seven children, and the five survivors are : William H., who is the subject of this sketch; Matilda M., who is the wife of C. A. McCaskey, of Shelby, Ohio; Alexander A., who lives at home; Rose, who is the wife of N. J. McBride, of Shiloh, Ohio ; and Melinda, who is the wife of A. W. Lash, of Auburn township.

William F. Bridgeman, who was the father of our subject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1833, and in 1848 came to America and settled in Mansfield, Ohio. Here he learned the trade of brickmaker and later married in this locality, and continued to follow this line of work until about 1859, when he came to Crawford county and began farming on rented land in Vernon township. Later he purchased a small farm here and resided upon it until his death, on May 7, 1883. His political affiliations were with the Democratic party and he was honored by it with almost all of the local offices, in which he served with efficiency and satisfaction. Mr. Bridgeman had long been one of the leading members of the German Reformed church, in which he was a trustee, and he was known as a public-spirited and progressive citizen as well as an honest and upright man.

The mother of our subject was born in Switzerland, in 1830, and came to America about 1848, making the journey on the same vessel that brought young William Bridgeman to these shores. She also* located in Mansfield, and later married the father of our subject. She still survives and is an honored member of the home of her sons, our subject and Alexander.

William H. Bridgeman, who is the subject of this biography, was reared on his father's farm and acquired his education in the public schools of his neighborhood. In 1878 his father purchased a sawmill and gave the management of it into the hands of his son, who was permitted to retain the proceeds for his own use. Until 1881 our subject conducted this mill, but was then married and settled on a farm belonging to the family of his wife. After three years on this place he purchased an interest in a threshing machine and for the two following years engaged in the threshing business. In 1887 he bought an interest in the Shilling sawmill, of Tiro, which interest he still retains, as good, paying property, and until 1899 he worked in the mill, later employing a man to fill his place there while he spent a year in a different line. During the next twelve months he successfully engaged in the buying and shipping of lumber, but in the spring of 1901 he accepted his present responsible position as foreman and engineer of the Bell Spice Cabinet Company, and has continued here ever since. Mr. Bridgeman is a stockholder in this company and is one of the well known and progressive young business men of the county.

in 1881 Mr. Bridgeman was married to Miss Frances J. McCaskey. who was a native of Auburn township, in this county, and who was a daughter of John and Anna J. (Furrow) McCaskey. Her father was a native of Ireland, and her mother was a native of Ohio. Two children were born to our subject and wife, Otis J., and Pearl, both of whom have passed away.

Mr. Bridgeman is prominent in the Lutheran church and is a trustee, and he is also a member of Tiro Lodge, No. 592, K. of P., and at present is filling the office of "master at work." He is also connected by membership with Lodge No. 688, I. O. O. F., of Tiro, of which he is the treasurer In politics he is one of the prominent Democrats, and is a man highly respected in social and business circles over a great part of Crawford county.

Among the residents of Crawford county, Ohio, who number their personal friends by the score and who have served their fellow citizens in various positions with integrity as well as ability, is William McManis, a long-time resident of Vernon township. The birth of our subject was in Crawford county, on September 4, 1827, and he was a son of James and Sarah (Walters) McManis, to whom five children were born. Three of these still survive, our subject being the only son, the daughters being : Sarah, the widow of Nicholas Brown, of Williams county, Ohio; and Matilda, the widow of Thomas Couts, also of Williams county.

The father of our subject was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, but he was born in Pennsylvania and came to Liberty township, in Crawford county, when he was a young man. Here for a time he engaged in work on the surrounding farms and gained such a reputation for sobriety and industry that he soon married and became a resident on the Crall farm, which is located just west of Sulphur Springs. Here he resided for a number of years and then removed to Fremont, Ohio, where he worked at the carpenter's trade and lived in that city until his death, in his seventy-sixth year. In his political belief he was a Democrat and took an active interest in public affairs.

The mother of our subject was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and her parents removed to Crawford county some time prior to 1820, and settled in Liberty township, where Mr. Walters died in a few years, his widow surviving for some years after.

William McManis, who is our immediate subject, on account of domestic misfortunes, made his home from the age of ten years until he was eighteen with neighboring farmers, beginning at the latter age his personal career as a farmer, working through the succeeding three years for Mr. John Dickson.

On January 16, 185 1, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Emeline Dickson, who was a native of Vernon township and who was born on the farm on which the family of our subject now resides. She was a daughter of George Dickson, who was a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, coming to Crawford county in 1822. He put in a crop of wheat on the land which was then in Richland county, and in 1823 removed his family to our subject's present farm, his father having entered this land some time prior to his death.

After marriage Mr. McManis and his bride located on the farm of grandfather Andrew Dickson, and here he carried on his farming operations as a renter, and then he moved to a farm of ninety-three and one-third acres which belonged to his father-in-law. Two years later removal was made to the farm adjoining his present one, lying to the west, which also was the property of Mr. Dickson, who was a large land-owner. In 1874 Mr. McManis located mi his present farm, working faithfully for his esteemed father-in-law until the death of the latter. Prior to this event Mr. Dickson willed to our subject eighty acres of the homestead, and afterward the latter bought eighty additional acres from the other heirs, making his farm one of one hundred and sixty acres of finely cultivated and improved land. Mr. McManis also owned seventy-eight more acres of land in this township, but this he recently sold to his son-in-law, Jefferson Easterday. Mr. McManis has long been regarded as one of the most thorough farmers in this locality, his excellent crops and fine, sleek cattle testifying to the interest he has taken in these pursuits.

away except these three : Clara, who is the wife of William Brown, of Vernon township, and they have two children, Frank and John William; Emma, who is the wife of Jefferson Easterday, and they have two children, Aland and Mable; and Cora, who is the wife of John Weidemeier, of Vernon township, and they have one child, Ruth Emeline. Those who have passed out of life bore these names: Alary M. ; George, who left five children, John, Bertha, Emma, William and May; John; Agnes; and Maggie, who was the wife of \\ illiam Bloom, and one son, Raymond, survives her.

The argicultural interests of this section have received much attention from our subject. For some years he followed threshing in this county, and by many young farmers he is regarded as an undoubted authority in the management of agricultural operations. Mr. McManis is of that kind and neighborly nature that makes him a willing adviser and very often a substantial helper. As a leader in the Democratic party he has been honored with mainoffers of preferment, but aside from one term as township trustee and a longseason as school director he has declined them all. He is well known and is respected and esteemed by all who have come within his genial presence, and is a representative man of Vernon township.

James B. Carrothers

A prominent citizen of Crawford county. Ohio, is James B. Carrothers,.. who testified to his loyalty to his country during the Civil war, and since that time has become one of the most substantial farmers of this part of the state.

The birth of James B. Carrothers was in Vernon township, Crawford county, Ohio, on February 2, 1841, and he was a son of John and Elizabeth (Laird) Carrothers, and is one of the three surviving children of eight who were born to these parents. The others are: George Carrothers, who resides in Findlay, Ohio; and Dr. Morton M. Carrothers, who is a practicing physician, also in Findlay.

John Carrothers. Jr., their father, was born April 4, 1807, m Fernamagh county, Ireland, and he was a son of John, Sr. and Alary Carrothers. \\ 'hen a small boy six or seven years old, he emigrated with his parents to this country. The voyage was a long and perilous one. The ship was wrecked at midnight during a storm, and everything on board was lost save the lives of the crew. His father had live hundred guineas stowed away in the till of a chest which with all other valuables, including the family record, was lost.