Crawford County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 4 of 22)

No representative of the medical fraternity in Crawford county has had a more extended patronage or a higher reputation in the line of his profession than Dr. Swingly, late of Bucyrus. He was born in Washington county, Maryland. November 22, 1809, and was a son of Leonard and Prudence (Brentlinger) Swingly. At the usual age he entered school and continued his studies in the schools of Hagerstown. Maryland, until eighteen years of age. Subsequently he determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. Russell, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, who planned his reading until he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. In 1840 he was graduated in the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, and immediately afterward began practice in Chesterville, Ohio, where he remained for seven years. Subsequently he spent one year in Mt. Gilead. His success in his profession was so pronounced that his reputation extended to surrounding counties and he became recognized as one of the leading members of the medical fraternity in this part of the state. In 1843 lie came to Bucyrus, where he was already known by reputation, and at once secured a lucrative practice. The Doctor spent many years in his profession. Flis work was arduous, for the practice of medicine in those days involved long and dreary rides by day or night, in storm or sunshine, and he often had to make his way over almost impassable roads or through stretches of forest, but he never failed to respond to the call of the sick and suffering. Often times he knew that no pecuniary remuneration would be received, but his generous spirit and broad humanitarianism prompted him to relieve those in need of professional service. On the 2 1 st of June, 1836, Mr. Swingly was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Trobridge) Denman, of Knox county, Ohio. Their children are : Edith V., now the wife of J. B. Gormly, a banker of Bucyrus; Ellen M., who for several years was principal of the schools of Bucyrus, and is now the wife of Major E. C. Moderwell, of Chicago. Illinois; John R. ; Frederick; Mary D., wife of Colonel C. W. Fisher, of Bucyrus; and Kate M., the wife of H. M. Fulton, also of Bucyrus. The mother of this family died February 28, 1874, and on the 5th of June, 1889, the Doctor was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Barbara Van Vorhees, widow of Isaac Van Vorhees, one of the early settlers of Crawford county.

Dr. Swingly passed away June 13, 1900, at the age of ninety-one years. His was a long, useful and honorable career, and his life history forms an integral part of the annals of Crawford county. Probably no- man in the community was more widely known than this loved family physician in many a household. His work brought him into close contact with a large majority of citizens, and his sterling worth gained him very warm regard.

Sylvanus Charles Chaney

A good name is a priceless legacy and one of which the children of an ordinary man should be more proud than the children of a great financier who had died and left millions smirched with dishonor. Sylvanus Charles Chaney, in his time one of the prominent citizens of Crawford county, Ohio, left such a priceless legacy to his descendants and to his children, property of considerable value which he won by hard work and honest dealing with his fellow men.

Sylvanus Charles Chaney was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 5, 1830, a son of Johnson and Mary (Brooks) Chaney, who had six sons and two daughters, only two of whom - James Chaney of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Mary, who is the wife of Elija Moore, of Columbiana county, Ohio, - survive. His parents were both of Irish blood and his grandfather died when Johnson Chaney was only a lad, leaving his widow with a family of six children and without means adequate for their support. When our subject's father was only fifteen or sixteen years old, he began to work out by the month to assist in the maintenance of the family. After his brothers and sisters had become old enough to be self-supporting, he married and took up the career of a farmer in Columbiana count)-, Ohio, where he lived until his death which occurred in 1875 at the advanced age of ninety-three years .

Sylvanus Chaney was one of six brothers, five of whom, including himself, learned the carpenter's trade and one of whom became one of the most skillful workmen in his line in the country. After he finished his apprenticeship, he took up the work of his trade and in connection with farming- he continued it until the spring of i860. In September, 1858, he had come to Crawford county for his bride, whom he took to Columbiana county where they lived about a year and a half. In the spring of i860 he returned to Crawford county where he took up his residence and in connection with Eli O. Lones, his brother-in-law. rented a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres, which belonged to his father-in-law, which they worked together for three years under lease. At the expiration of that time, they bought the farm and owned it in partnership, Eli O. Lones living in Mr. Chaney's family, until 1876, when Mr. Lones married and the property was divided and Mr. Chaney became owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres of the original farm. Later he purchased of the Lones heirs seventy acres of land, which is now the home of his son, Lambert. As a farmer he was thoroughly enterprising and his splendidly improved property and everything upon it afforded ample evidence of his thrift and of the excellence of his business management.

Mr. Chaney's educational advantages were limited to those afforded by the public schools of his day, but he possessed an active mind that was inclined to the acquisition of knowledge and by reading he became well informed in a general way, and by careful attention to business and a constant study of economic conditions and influences became one of the ablest business men in his part of the county. One of his marked traits was caution and he brought it into use often with most gratifying results. Eminently fair in all of his dealings, his integrity and probity were never questioned and he is remembered as one who in all his relations with his fellow men was fair and honorable. Of keen perception and liberal views, his grasp of all questions was certain and comprehensive and his gift of language was such that he was noted for the clearness and force with which he presented his views of any question, that he discussed, and he was no< less convincing in argument than entertaining in conversation.

Though not a member of any church Mr, Chaney attended religious services frequently and, with a leaning toward Presbyterianism, was a liberal supporter of churches of various denominations. An advocate of popular education, his influence upon -schools in his neighborhood was very marked and his public spirit was so great that it may be said of him that during all his active vears he withheld his encouragement and financial support from no measure that promised good to the general public. In politics he was an uncompromising" Republican and as such he was elected to numerous local offices, and in the capacity of township trustee he served his fellow citizens with noteworthy ability and fidelity. A man of deep conviction, he possessed courage and force of character to maintain any position to which he was brought by his view of any question. He was a true and faithful friend and nobly filled his obligations to his fellow men, and as a husband and father he was loving', generous and in every way helpful, a blessing to those who depended upon him and who mourn him with tender affection and reverence.

In September, 1858, Mr. Chaney married Mary J. Lones, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Bowman) Lones. Mrs. Chaney's father was born in Berkeley county, Virginia (now West Virginia), March 17, 1801, a son of John and Mary (Spahr) Lones. It is a singular historical fact that he was born in the same house in which his mother was born. John Lones, also a native of Virginia, was a son of one of three brothers who early came from Germany to America, and, locating in different parts of the country, lost knowledge of one another's whereabouts and fortunes. John Lones' father served his adopted country in the Revolutionary war and was killed in battle. John, who was at that time but ten years old and spoke only in the German language, was bound out to an English speaking family, with whom he remained until he attained mature years, entirely forgetting his mother tongue.

In 1 810, when Joseph Lones was nine years old, his father moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and settled about six miles from the Ohio river. Upon Joseph, who was the oldest of eleven children of parents who were comparatively poor, much farm work devolved early in his life and he aided his father very materially in improving and cultivating his farm and in rearing his large family. In 1828, Joseph Lones removed from Columbiana county, Ohio, to Crawford county, Ohio, with John Bowman, his father-inlaw, and settled in Holmes township. There is a tradition in the family that the journey consumed eleven days, John Bowman and his family coming to the county in a large wagon drawn by five horses, while Mr. Lones drove a sixth horse attached to a small Dearborn wagon. This journey was made in the month of March, through a wild country so nearly impassable that on some days not more than ten miles were traveled.

Mr. Lones built a cabin of poles, fourteen by sixteen feet inside, in a locality near Bucyrus, Ohio, known as Ludwig's bottoms. There he spent the summer, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the Quaintance farm in Holmes township. Having only twenty-five dollars in cash, he worked on the streets in Bucyrus at twenty-five cents a day to earn money with which to pay for his farm. Later he worked on the canal in Columbiana county and from time to time at whatever his hands found to do. In the fall succeeding his arrival in the county he penetrated the dense forest which included his land to a point where he made a small clearing, in which he intended to erect a cabin. Attempting to return to the place a few days later, he was utterly unable to find it and accordingly made a new clearing, in which he built a home for himself and family, and it was not until years afterward that one day he came unexpectedly to his original clearing. For some years he lived there in a primitive way until he replaced his log cabin with a more modern frame residence. After a time he bought sixty-six acres of the old Eli Ouaintance farm, which extended his holdings to the road on the west side; and not long afterward he bought sixty acres more of the Ouaintance farm, on the east side of the road, and where he erected a residence and good farm buildings and lived out the remainder of his days.

A few years after Mr. Lones came to Crawford county he entered eighty acres of land north of his home farm for his father, who soon came to the county, of which he was a citizen until his death. To enter the tract of land just mentioned Mr. Lones was obliged to walk to the land office at Tiffin, twenty-seven miles distant. He had completed his business and had covered seven miles of the return journey by dinner time of the day on which he had left his home, and by the time he had eaten dinner the muscles of his legs were so badly swollen that he was unable to resume his journey until the following day and he remained over night at Melmore, Seneca county, Ohio. He died at the age of eighty-six, in the year of 1886. He was married three times.

Mr. Lones was a man of remarkable constitution, but the strenuous life of his earlier years told upon him and in his later years he suffered much from rheumatism. His early political affiliation was with the Whigs, for he Avas a strong anti-slavery man, and from the organization of the Republican party until his death he was a member of that virile and influential political party. His interest in public education was such that, though he was not an office seeker, he was repeatedly elected a member of the local school board, and his advocacy of road improvements made him SO' popular with his fellow citizens that he was several times elected supervisor, in which office he served most willingly and efficiently. For many years he was an active member of the Protestant Methodist church. By his first marriage Mr. Lones had eight children, of whom three survive. One of these is Mrs. Sylvanus Chaney, who was born in Holmes township, on her father's farm, on which she now lives, on the eighteenth day of December, 1832. She has borne her husband five children, of whom the following- survive: Emma C. wife of J. M. Herron, of Perry. Iowa ; Laura J., who is a member of her mother's household ; Lambert ]., a farmer of Holmes township, and Rush A., who is the manager of his mother's farm. Johnson Chaney, another of her sons, died in infancy, at the age of two years and four months.

Wallace B. Forrest

Wallace Byron Forrest, who is occupying the position of clerk of the courts of Crawford county, was elected to the office in 1897 anc^ entered upon the discharge of his duties on the 1st of August, 1898. In the fall of 1900 he was re-elected, so that he is now serving for the second term. If all public officers were as true and faithful to duty as Mr. Forrest there would be no complaint of corruption in politics, for his public service is above reproach.

Mr. Forrest was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1853, and is a son of James and Margaret (Aston) Forrest. On the paternal side he is of Irish lineage, for his grandfather was a native of county Derry, Ireland, whence he emigrated to the new world, becoming a resident of the Keystone state. James Forrest was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1799, and died at Oceola. Ohio, in 1880, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. His wife, who was born in the same count}-, in 1805, passed away in 1881, at the age of seventy-six years. She was of Scotch lineage for the Astons came to the new world from the land of hills and heather. In 1854 the parents of our subject came to Ohio, taking up their abode in Todd township, Crawford county, upon a farm, where they spent their remaining days. They became well known and highly respected citizens of the community.

Wallace B. Forrest was an infant at the time of the removal, and thus within the boundaries of Crawford count}' he was reared. To its public school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. In 1872 he began teaching school and for seventeen years followed that profession in Oceola. He was acknowledged to be one of the most competent instructors in this portion of the state, was enthusiastic and zealous in his work and has the ability to impart clearly and accurately to the students the knowledge which he had acquired, and to forcibly impress upon the young minds the lessons which prepare them for life's practical duties. He also served as school examiner for six years and was long an active member of the Crawford County Teachers Association, and served as its president for two years.

Air. Forrest was married, in Oceola, to Miss Lottie E. Stull, a daughter of J. M. and Alar}- E. (Smith) Stull, who removed from Stark to Crawford county. The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with the following named children: Edith S., who is now acting as deputy clerk for her father ; Nina, the wife of Charles McLaughlin, of Oceola ; Fannie, who is in school ; Bruce and Irene. The family took up their abode in Bucyrus in 1898, removing hither from Oceola. Air. Forrest is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. In politics he *is a Democrat and takes considerable interest in political affairs, doing all in his power to advance the growth and success of his part}'. Todd township many times honored him by electing and re-electing him to office, he having held the offices of clerk and treasurer for ten and live years, respectively. In 1880 he was a census enumerator for Todd and Dallas townships, having been appointed by a Republican president over three Republican rivals. In 1890 and 1891 he acted as deputy county treasurer under Frank Blicke. For five years he was proprietor of a general store, which he closed out in order to assume the duties of county clerk, and during four years of the time he spent in merchandising he was also postmaster, appointed to the office -by President Cleveland in 1892. During the fiftieth congress he was an index clerk in the house of representatives, having been appointed to the position by General Clark, of Alissouri, who was at that time clerk of the house. In thespring of 1901 Mr. Forrest was elected a member of the Bucyrus city council, a position he now holds. His election to this office, he being not long a resident of Bucyrus, indicates the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens of Bucyrus. Called to the position of county clerk by popular ballot, he discharged his duties so< faithfully through one term that he was re-elected to the office. His public career is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and as a man and citizen Air. Forrest commands uniform respect.

James Kerr

James Kerr, deceased, resided in Crawford county for many years, and" so active was he in affairs that contributed to the material growth of the community and so extensively did he engage in farming and wool-growing that no biographical record of Crawford county would be complete without mention of this honored and venerable gentleman, who through a long and useful career ever commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men.

Mr. Kerr was born in Knox county. Ohio, February 18, 1818. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Arbuckle) Kerr, natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Knox county. Ohio, at a very early day. In that county their son James was born and there he spent his youth, working on the home farm, but when seventeen years of age he left his father's fireside to take up the battle of life for himself. His mother had passed away in death and his father had married a second wife, and it was a disagreement with the step-mother that caused Air. Kerr to leave home. He came to Crawford county and made his home with his elder brother, "Bobbie" Kerr, for whom he worked on the farm for about three years. On the expiration of that period he began farming for himself and completed his arrangement for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Nancy Towers, on the 5th of November, 1840. They began their domestic life upon a farm of forty acres, which he had purchased in Dallas township. Not long afterward, however, he sold that tract of land and purchased another farm in Whetstone township, taking up his abode thereon and making it his home for many vears. He prospered in his undertakings and became an extensive landowner, at one time his possessions aggregating nearly nine hundred acres. For years he engaged in trading and raising sheep, carrying on the business on a very large scale, finding it a profitable source of income. For five years he lived with his son, George T. Kerr, but in 1897 he removed to Marion, Ohio, where his wife died July 12, 1900, and he himself passed away October 22, 1901.

Airs. Kerr was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, January 14, 1820. and was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Sullivan) Towers, both of whom were natives of Maryland, whence they removed to Pickaway county in an early day. In later life they came to Crawford county and here made their home until called to their final rest. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a farmer by occupation, following* that pursuit in order to provide for his family. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Unto James and Nancy Kerr were born the following children : Susan, the wife of William Arbuckle, a resident of Crawford county; George T., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume: and James F., who died when four years of age. The mother was a most noble woman. She was a pioneer daughter, a pioneer wife and bore bravely the struggles and hardships of pioneer life. She worked with an energy equal to that of her husband and materially assisted him in gaining a competence in life. She passed away in the eightieth year of her age, but her memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew her. Like her husband she was for many years an active and faithful member of the Disciples church, located in Bucyrus, an organization which owes much to their support. They were liberal contributors to the erection of the church building", and to the work as it was carried on along various lines. Upon the death of Mrs. Kerr her remains were laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery at Bucyrus. Mr. Kerr passed the eighty-third milestone on the journey of life. He certainly deserves great credit for the exemplary life he lived and the success he achieved. A man of strong conviction, yet charitable in his opinions of others ; honest in his business relations and at all times living in harmony with upright principles and honorable manhood, he not only gained wealth, but also won that good name which is rather to be chosen than °reat riches.

George A. Spahr

A familiar and well-known figure in all of the important and progressive agricultural movements in Holmes township, Crawford county, for many years past, has been George A. Spahr, a highly respected citizen and most substantial farmer. The birth of Mr. Spahr was in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 1825. He was a son of Jesse and Margaret (Peterman) Spahr, and is one of three surviving children. His two sisters are: Catherine, who is the wife of Urias Smith, of Defiance county, Ohio; and Sarah A., who is the wife of Richard Knisley, of Libert}- township, in this count}-.

Jesse Spahr, the father of our subject, was born in Cumberland count}-, Pennsylvania, and grew up on a farm there, married in his native vicinity and there four of his family of children were born. In 1830 he emigrated to Crawford count}', Ohio, and after farming for some years as a renter he purchased eighty acres of land in Liberty township, six miles east of Bucyrus, and there he resided until the time of his death in his eighty-fifth year. In politics he was an adherent of the Democratic party, became prominent in public affairs in the township and efficiently filled the office of trustee for several terms. Both he and his wife were life-long, devoted members of the English Lutheran church, and he is still remembered as one of the most upright citizens of Crawford county. The mother of our subject also was born in Pennsylvania and survived her husband several years, dying at the age of eighty-four.

The subject of this biography, who is so well and favorably known through this section of Crawford county, grew up on his father's farm and received the best possible schooling of the time and locality, in the little log school house in the vicinity of his birth. At the age of twenty-one he began his own career as a farmer, and on December 10, 1846, he was married to Miss Catherine Cover, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Zent) Cover, who came to Crawford county from Pennsylvania at an early day and settled in Liberty township, where the}7 lived and where their worthy lives closed.

After marriage our subject continued to work as a farm hand for one rear and then removed to his father-in-law's farm and managed that estate for a year, during which time the latter was on a visit with his friends in Pennsylvania. The following" year Air. Spahr purchased eighty acres of his present home farm and in subsequent years has continually added to the original tract, until he now owns one hundred and fifty-four acres .of some of the most productive farming land in the county.

Our subject's family consists of five surviving children, one son, Joshua, having passed from life; but all the others are comfortably settled, their names being: Daniel: Rev. Moses, a minister of the Methodist church, located in Sedan. Kansas; Julia A., the wife of Eli Miller, a prosperous farmer of this county; Lovina, the wife of Elias Crall. of Defiance county; and Eliza, the wife of David Schlosser, of Todd township.

In early life Mr. Spahr managed a threshing machine through the neighborhood for a number of vears. His farming operations have been conducted with thoroughness and good judgment and he has been eminently successful. While a stanch and life-long Democrat, he respects the opinions of others and with satisfaction to both parties served the township several times as trustee. Repeatedly he has served on the election board, and in matters of public interest he is very generally consulted. Mr. Spahr is an active and useful as well as consistent member of the United Brethren church, to which his wife also belongs, and has long been a trustee of both church and parsonage, and he has also served as class-leader at various times. His circle of personal friends comprises every one in his locality, while his standing before the public is that of the highest.

Adam J. Wisman

Adam John Wisman, one of the progressive young farmers and stockraisers of Crawford county, was born in Bucyrus township, February 12, 1863, a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Conkle) Wisman. The father was born in Waynesboro, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1827, and was a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Heinlen) Wisman, both of whom were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, from which country they came to America in childhood. They were married in Pennsylvania and resided in that state until their removal to Crawford county, Ohio, in the year 1828. The father was a wagonmaker by trade, but after establishing his home in the Buckeye state devoted his energies to farming. He was an industrious man, reliable in business and was greatly respected by his neighbors and acquaintances. His wife died about fifteen years after their arrival in Ohio, and his death occurred on the 18th of February, 1867. They were the parents of nine children.

Of this number Christian Wisman, the father of our subject, spent his youth and early manhood in assisting his father upon the farm, and in the primitive log school house, such as was common at that time, he obtained his education. On the 17th of October, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Conkle, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, September 30, 1830, and by her marriage became the mother of three children, namely : Adam J., Elizabeth and Amanda, the last named now deceased. Upon a fine farm situated on the west bank of the Sandusky river the father farmed for many years, but is now living retired in Bucyrus, where he had made his home for several years. He started out in life with no capital save a stout heart and willing hands, but by means of industry and frugality he gained a good estate and ample competence. In politics a stanch Democrat, he, however, never sought office, preferring to give his attention to other interests. He was esteemed for his honesty, his integrity standing as an unquestioned fact in his career.

Mr. Wisman, whose name forms the caption of this review, was reared upon the home farm and educated in the neighborhood schools. He lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age and was then married and established a home of his own in Bucyrus township. In March, 1890, he took up his residence on the Sandusky road, about two miles southeast of Bucyrus, where he has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land. The place is splendidly improved with all modern equipments usually found upon a model farm. There is a pleasant and attractive residence, a large and substantial barn and other outbuildings and the latest improved machinery. In addition to the home farm he also owns another tract of land in Bucyrus townshp, consisting of eighty-six acres, and a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sandusky township. A man of marked energy and enterprise, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and as the result of his perseverance and business ability his capital is annually increasing.

In 1886 Mr. Wisman was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Brown, a daughter of John G. and Catherine ( Christman ) Brown. Her father was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and when a young- man came to America. For several years he was employed in Bucyrus, and in this locality he was married. He then located in Holmes township, where he became a prosperous farmer and useful citizen, respected by all who knew him for his sterling worth. He died there in 1892, but his widow still resides on the old homestead. They were the parents of one son and nine daughters, and they reared their children in the faith of the German Lutheran church, of which they were members. Mrs. Wisman was born and reared in Holmes township and by her marriage she became the mother of three children, namely : Cleo L., Ruth and Mabel. In his political views Mr. Wisman is a Democrat and as every true American citizen should do he keeps well informed on the issues of the day. Although he has never sought or desired political preferment to any extent, his fellow townsmen, recognizing" his worth and ability, have called him to public office in 1888, when he was chosen township trustee, and for six consecutive vears he was continued in that position through re-election. He is a good citizen, liberal and public-spirited and by all who know him he is highly esteemed for his genuine worth of character.

James P. Be All

For almost half a century James Perry Beall has been a resident of Crawford county, and throughout the greater part of the period has been identified with agricultural pursuits, but at the present time he is living retired. He has passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, and in the evening of life is enjoying a well earned rest - the fitting crown of many years of labor.

in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1797, and was a son of Colmore Beall, who was of Scotch lineage. Representatives of the family have become very numerous in the country since the first of the name took up his abode in the Keystone state. The family there founded has since scattered until it is now represented in various states of the Union and its members have become prominent in business, professional and political life. The father of our subject was reared in the country of his nativity and was there married to a Miss Albert, by whom he had two children - Zenas, now deceased, and Airs. Jane Chance, now a resident of Todd township, Crawford county. The father was a farmer by occupation. His first wife died in Pennsylvania and afterward, when a young" man of about twenty-seven years, he came to Ohio, settling in Harrison count}-, where his father had entered land from the government.

James P. Beall, Sr., settled in the midst of the wild forest, becoming one of the pioneers of the count}-, where he resided for thirty years. Pie then sold his property there and came to Crawford count}-, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1870, when he was seventy-three years of age. After taking up his abode in Harrison county he had formed the acquaintance of Minerva Huff, whom he married. She was of a Virginian family and was born in the Old Dominion. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children : Casander, William, Elizabeth and Colmore, all now deceased : James Perry, of this review ; Cyrus, who died while serving in the Union army during the Civil war; Rebecca, deceased; John, who also died while a Union soldier; Minerva, deceased ; and Zephaniah. who also served in the Civil war and is now a resident of Fulton county, Indiana. The mother died about 1874. at the age of seventy-three years.

Mr. Beall, whose name forms the caption of this review, was reared in Harrison county, Ohio, amid pioneer scenes and privations, and was educated in the old primitive log school house, which was built with a huge fireplace in one end large enough to hold immense logs. The windows were made by removing a log from one side and one end, and filling the aperture with glass. The desk was formed of boards resting on pegs driven into the walls, and there were slab seats, resting on wooden pegs. In such a school Mr. Beall learned to read, write and "cipher," but was only instructed in arithmetic for thirteen days. In after years, however, he applied himself to study at home, even after his marriage continuing his educational work, for he realized the value of education and wished to prepare himself for the duties of life. He worked on the home farm and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in 1848. For three years thereafter he worked as a farm hand in Harrison county, and rather than remain idle one spring, before the time for farm work, he spent one week at splitting rails for thirtyseven and a half cents per day. He thus began an independent career under rather difficult circumstances. During the fifth year after his marriage he cultivated a rented farm of one hundred and thirty acres and after paying his rent in cash he had four hundred dollars clear above all expenses. This was the result of hard work and good management. In 1852 he came to Crawford count)', and the first year he was here was the year he rented lands and cleared the four hundred dollars, and the next year he could not rent to suit him. and, being offered a good proposition to work as a hired hand, he accepted the proposition. In 1854 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of rich land. He has since prospered in his undertakings and at one time had extensive landed possessions, but has since sold much of it, although he still owns two other farms in connection with that upon which he now resides. He has engaged quite extensively in raising stock, mostly sheep and hogs, but for several years has lived a retired life, having in the meantime acquired a handsome competence, which supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

In 1848 Mr. Beall was married to Miss Mary Ann Kecklar, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1827 and went to Harrison county, Ohio, with her parents during her early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Beall have had seven children : James Perry and John \Y., who are deceased; Mary .Margaret, the wife ot Charles B. Henry, a farmer of Bucyrus township; Lauraette, the wile of Edward Hill, also a farmer of Bucvrus township; Dorsey Lincoln, an attorney living in Toledo, Ohio; Eva Minerva, the wife of Wesley Beal, an agriculturist of Bucyrus township; and Nora Ellen, the wife of John I. Milliken, who also engages in the tilling of the soil in the same township. Both Mr. and Airs. Beall are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He joined the church in early manhood and for many years he has been a leader in church work, serving as Sunday-school superintendent, church steward and in other offices. He has labored earnestly and conscientiously for the spread of the cause of Christianity among the people of this locality and has molded his life according to the teachings and tenets of the religious organization with which he is connected.

Airs. Beall's parents were John and Rosanna (Gordon) Kecklar. Her father and mother were born in Pennsylvania, but her grandparents, both pa- ternal and maternal, were born in Germany, and on coming to this country settled in Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandparents were Michael and Alary Ann Kecklar, and the maternal grandparents were Josiah and Martha Jane Gordon. They lived and died in the Keystone state. Mrs. Beall was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and when she was seven years of age her parents came to Ohio and settled in Harrison county. Here her mother died, but her father died in Kansas, while on a visit to a daughter living in that state. Martha Jane, Mary Ann, Rosanna, Josiah and Malinda are the living children born unto John and Rosanna Kecklar. Their father was a blacksmith by trade, but farmed the greater part of his life.

An uncle of Mrs. Beall, Josiah H. Gordon, soon after his marriage removed to the south and was there living when the Civil war came on. In the conflict he became a Confederate soldier and rose to the rank of general and was killed in battle. By profession he was a lawyer, and he was one of ability.

Ezekiel Steinhilber

Among the prosperous farmer residents of Bucyrus township, who have made farming a very successful life business, is Ezekiel Steinhilber, who owns a fine farm of eighty acres in a desirable part of this township. The birth of Mr. Steinhilber was in Todd township, on December 12, 1857. He was a son of John M. and Christina (Leitzy) Steinhilber, both of whom were born in Germany and who came with their parents to America. Grandfather Steinhilber settled in Chatfield township, Crawford county, and there lived and died, and his son John M. married there and lived on the old place for some seven years and then sold out and bought a farm in Todd township, where the remainder of his life was spent. The}' were good and worthy people and were the parents of nine children.

Ezekiel grew up on the farm and attended the country schools, remaining with his father until the age of twenty-one and then married and began housekeeping and worked for his father on halves. His wife, whom he married in 1881, was Sophia Hirtz, the estimable and amiable daughter of the late George Hirtz, of Holmes township, in which township Mrs. Steinhilber was born May 15, i860. Her parents were natives of Germany.

Mr. Steinhilber was not possessed of very large means at first, and rented a small farm in Todd township, but both he and his wife were frugal and industrious and in 1880 purchased a compact little farm of thirty-five acres, which he sold in 1895 and bought the eighty-acre farm where he now lives.

Seven of the children born to his marriage are still living, and he has reared them in the faith of the German Brethren church. The children are George, Joseph, Lawrence, Annie, Cora, Katie and Reuben. Four children died in childhood.

In his political connection he has always voted for the men and measures of the Democratic party. It is a very commendable thing to so live as to become independent in so few a number of years as has Mr. Steinhilber, but it is still more so to have gained in that time the esteem and respect of the neighborhood, and this he has done also.

John Hopley

In the promotion and conservation of advancement in all the normal lines of human progress and civilization there is no factor which has exercised a more potent influence than the press, which is both the director and the mirror of public opinion. Bucyrus has been signally favored in the character of its newspapers, which have been vital, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aiming to advance the interests of this favored section of the Union, to aid in laying fast and sure the foundations of an enlightened commonwealth, to further the ends of justice and to uphold the banner of Ohio. In a compilation of this nature then it is clearly incumbent that due recognition be accorded the newspaper press of the state.

The universal acknowledgment that the press is the most potent factor in molding public opinion indicates therefore the prominent position which the editor occupies. Every publication bears the impress of him who occupies the editorial chair, whether this is given consciously or unconsciously; his thought goes forth into the work and receives the support or awakens the opposition of the reading public. A fair view of public questions, clearly presented, will therefore do more to form the general opinion of a community than any other one agency ; and as the editor of the Bucyrus Journal for forty years Mr. Hop ley has been an important factor in laboring for the interests of Crawford county along all lines o<f progress and advanced thought.

A native of England, he was born in Whitstable, in 1821. His paternal ancestors were substantial farmers of Suffolk county. His father was a surgeon in the British navy, and after his retirement from the army practiced the profession of medicine and surgery at Whitstable, in Kent, and afterward in Lewes, Sussex county, one of the oldest towns in England.

He married a Miss Prat, who was descended from a long line of ancestry distinguished in the Church of England. Our subject has a genealogical table of the line of his descendants on the maternal side for hundreds of years.

John Hopley, of this review, pursued his education in the Royal Xaval College, then located at Camberwell, in the county of Surry, a suburb of London, but at the present time it is situated at Newcross, in Surry. This college is for the sons of naval officers, and its course is very extensive and thorough, but it is not licensed to confer degrees. Accommodations are furnished for three hundred and thirty pupils, all of whom reside in the college. The Bell or monitorial system of teaching was in vogue. It was to this extent a normal, for the monitors at the head of their classes received much experience in the art and duties of teaching. Mr. Hopley excelled in athletics as well as in study. He was a constant and often successful contestant for the honors of the various classes. About the close of his college course he was made a teacher, and remained in the institution for some years. In 1842, soon after attaining his majority, he came to the United States with his maternal uncle. John R. Prat, of Zanesville, Ohio, whose store he entered in the capacity of clerk. He there continued until 1844, when he began teaching with a view of entering upon the study of law and making its practice his life work. In 1845 ne removed to Logan, Hocking county, and induced the trustees to establish graded schools. theirs being among the first graded schools in the state. The system which he inaugurated was highly successful and proved an important factor in advancing the educational interests of Ohio.

In 1848 Mr. Hopley was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana Rochester, the fourth daughter of John Rochester, of Logan, Ohio. Her father was born near London, England, January 9, 1796, and in 1816 he married Miss Gladle. a daughter of a French gentleman who left his native land, owing to the French revolution, and entered the English arm}- as an officer and was killed in Spain while fighting against Napoleon. Mr. Rochester came to America in 1820, settling at Englishtown, Athens county, Ohio, but soon removed to Logan, where for nearly half a century he was engaged in merchandising', being recognized as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the place. For more than forty-four years he was a member of the Presbyterian church and served for thirty-four years as an elder, while through a long period he was superintendent of the Sunday-school and a trustee of the church property. He aided greatly in promoting the moral advancement of the people among- whom he lived, and the memory of his upright career remains as an inspiration and benediction to all who knew him. He died November 28, 1876, at the age of eighty-one years. His daughter, Mrs, Hopley, was born July 22, 1826.

Desiring to study slavery and its influence upon the social life of the south, Mr. Hopley removed to Tennessee, becoming a teacher in a school at Yellow Creek, that state, and later he engaged in teaching near Elktown, Kentucky, and in New Providence, Tennessee, and during this time he gave earnest thought and attention to the institution of slavery and its influences. In 1852 he returned to Logan, where he remained for three years, and in addition to his work as a teacher he seiwed as supervisor of the schools. In 1855 he was made instructor in mathematics and commercial arithmetic in the Grangers' Commercial College, but that institution was not a very substantial one and in six months he removed to Wellsville, Union county, Ohio, and took charge of the schools there for a fractional term. From that place he came to Bucyrus, on the 12th of April, 1856, and was a very important factor in promoting the educational interests of this place in the middle of the century. The schools had been far from prosperous, but he entered upon the duties here with his usual thoroughness and zeal and the system which he established soon awakened the admiration of the people of this vicinity and of other portions of the state. In the school work he was an excellent organizer as well as disciplinarian and instructor. He knew how to utilize his forces, studied his pupils individually and was particularly proficient in imparting to' them the knowledge he had acquired so as to make a lasting impression upon their minds.

In 1858 Mr. Hopley was admitted to the bar, having in the meantime devoted much of his leisure to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence. He then entered into partnership with A. M. Jackson, but the following year this was discontinued and he opened an office of his own and continued to practice with encouraging success until 1862. In that year he went to England with Thomas Alsop on professional business, and on his return his law practice was virtually destroyed, for owing to the absence in the army of many parties who were needed as witnesses no cases could be tried. Mr. Hopley was then appointed by Mr. Chase to a clerkship in the office of the second auditor of the treasury, and soon by special order of Mr. Chase he was transferred to the latter's office, having- a desk in the library of the treasury. As he found opportunity he studied the financial problems and employed his pen effectively in advancing- the financial policy

<>t~ the secretary of the treasury and the establishment of national banks. After the national bank law was passed he was transferred to the banking and currency bureau. Hugh McCullough, who was then comptroller of currency, placed Mr. Hopley in charge of the statistical department of the bureau. His duties there included examination of regular reports and the reports of the bank examiners. Mr. Hopley during that period of his life occasionally furnished data for speeches made by members of congress whereby the statesmen became distinguished.

In 1864 he resigned his position in order to accept an offered position in a large bank in Xew York. In 1866 he went to Washington in a privatecapacity for his employer, and was soon afterward appointed national bank examiner for all the southern states excepting" Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Kansas was afterward added to the list. After completing- this work in 180- he returned to Bucyrus, and in September purchased a half interest in the Bucyrus Journal. In May of the following year he became sole owner, and, becoming absorbed in journalism, he abandoned his intention to enter upon the practice of law, and has since given his time to his work as a representative of the press. From August, 1870, until January, 1879, he served as postmaster of Bucyrus, but has never given his newspaper work into the charge of others. He has continued to be a close student of the important questions of the day affecting the state and national welfare, and the keen, analytical mind of the lawyer, added to the comprehensive knowledge of the journalist, have made his treatment of such subjects of great interest, his opinions being quoted by the press throughout his section of the country.

On the 19th of April, 1898, Mr. Hopley and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. The members of their family are as follows : Charles Rochester ; John Edward ; Thomas Prat, who died in childhood ; Thomas Prat, Mary Catherine, Georgiana Eliza, Harriet Eveline. James Richard, Frank Lewis and Joseph William. The second named is now United States consul at Southampton, England.

Viewed in a personal light, Mr. Hoplev is a strong man, of excellent judgment, fair in his views and highly honorable in all his relations with his fellow men. Fie is a man of very strong convictions, and his integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career. He has always been a student, and the scope and amplitude of his knowledge render him a charming- conversationalist. He is in full sympathy with all the great movements of the world about him and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest.

Though severe at times toward men and measures deserving- criticism, he is nevertheless a generous friend and warm advocate of those who are battling for the right and of principles and policies for the public good.

Children Of John Hopley

J. E. Hopley was for years in newspaper business in New York, and afterward, at Bucvrus, established and managed the Evening' Telegraph, the first daily newspaper established in Bucyrus. He took an active part in the politics of his congressional district, where he was a prominent and successful political manager. He was mainly instrumental in securing the nomination and election of Hon. S. R. Harris, a Republican, to congress, in a congressional district in which the natural Democratic majority is ovec four thousand. He acted as private secretary, at Washington, to the congressman whom he had so actively contributed to elect, and in this position, by his political foresight and ability, he became known to the prominent Republicans of the state. He is at present United States consul at Southampton, England.

Thomas P. Hopley was for some time a bookkeeper in his father's office. He was, and he is, a strong Prohibitionist and established the Temperance Ballot. Before commencing the publication of his paper he canvassed the county for subscribers, and by this systematic visitation he secured a very large subscription list and placed his temperance paper on a paying basis before he had issued the first number. He continued this active canvass and knew more citizens in Crawford county than any other man in it. Having disposed of his paper to Andrew J. Hazlett, Esq., he went to Oklahoma and was among the first settlers at Enid, where he is now publishing two papers, both the daily and the weekly Enid News. Pie married Miss Rosa Curtis and is now the father of two children.

Each of the daughters - Mary C, Georgia E. and Harriet E. - is directly or indirectly in newspaper work. Misses Mary and Harriet are both in Chicago, and Miss Georgia is a well known newspaper correspondent in this state. She was one of the women commissioners to the Paris Exposition and represented Ohio as the commissioner at the Pan-American Exposi- tion at Buffalo. At present, in the interest of the state labor bureau, she is investigating the condition of women and girls engaged in the factories at Columbus.

James R. Hopley was in his father's office and is now with C. Harper, Esq., of Columbus, editing the Advertising World and also Ad. Art, two of the leading- advertising publications of the country, having the largest list of bona-fidc paid-up subscribers, - over twenty thousand. He is a newspaper man from his youth up, studying and practicing his profession as a science.

Frank L. Hopley was also in his father's office until employed as manager of the advertising- department of the American Clay-Working Machinery Company, in which capacity he has been acting for several years.

Joseph W. Hopley, the youngest of the family, was in his father's office when war was declared against Spain, and he went with his home company as newspaper correspondent, first to their camp at Washington and afterward to Cuba. He was with the company through the campaigning, and was present at the surrender of Santiago. Soon after this he contracted yellow fever, and after many weary and anxious weeks he was sent home a skeleton, only just alive. By good home nursing he was restored, and he is now assisting- his brother as deputy United States consul at Southampton, England.

Charles R. Hopley is the only one of the family not in newspaper work either directly or indirectly. Ele was for years in the railroad business in Texas, and he is now in the Klondyke, where he owns several promising mining claims.

Charles Breisinger

It is pleasant indulgence to write the biography of a man who has been so prominent in the industrial and business affairs of the county as has Charles Breisinger. Ele has certainly won the somewhat hackneyed but expressive title of the self-made man; the possibilities of accomplishment which surround each individual were improved by him, and by determined purpose, unflagging industry and a will to dare and to do he has worked his way steadily upward. He is now engaged in the manufacture of brick, a business which he has followed with marked success for nineteen years.

Mr. Breisinger is a native of Wurtemberg, born July 28, 1853, and was reared and educated there, beginning his studies in the public schools. After arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Julia Baushlinger, a daughter of Daniel Baushlinger, and unto them were born live children, of whom Maude, Carrie, Sadie and Carl are living, and Robert is deceased.

As before mentioned, Mr. Breisinger is connected with the manufacture of brick, establishing the enterprise in 1882. He was for some time associated in business with his father-in-law and the enterprise which they conducted was a successful one, but for the past nine years he has been identified with John Witter. They have a splendidly equipped plant, a large yard, steam power and a capacity of twenty-live thousand bricks each day. They own a splendid clay bed of eleven acres and in the yard employ twenty men. The brick which they produce is of an excellent quality, being manufactured after the most improved methods of the times and their sales are very extensive. In addition to the home trade they ship some brick and annually the business nets to the proprietors a good income. In his political affiliations Air. Breisinger is a Democrat and is deeply interested in the growth and success of the party. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Deutsche Gesellshaft. Mr. Breisinger and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and he co-operates in many movements for the general good, being a public-spirited and progressive citizen.

George Doxxexayirth

There is ever a degree of satisfaction and profit in scanning the life history of one who has attained to eminent success as the diametrical result of his own efforts, and has had the mentality to direct his endeavors toward the desired end and to singleness and steadfastness of purpose. As a distinctive type of the self-made man we can refer with singular proprietv to the honored subject of this sketch, the president of the Bucyrus City Bank and a well known and honored resident of Crawford countv.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, George Donnenwirth was born January 28. 1835, a son of George and Sophia (Anthony) Donnenwirth. His paternal grandparents, George and Magdalene (Ruth) Donnenwirth, were natives of France, who in 1827 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating first in Buffalo, New York, whence they removed to' Stark county, Ohio. In 1834 they came to Crawford county and secured land in Cranberry township, where they spent the rest of their lives. They were the parents of five children, including George Donnenwirth, the father of our subject, who was born in Strasburg, France, September 7, 18 10, and was educated in the schools of his native town. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, and soon afterward accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He found employment at his trade in Buffalo, New York, and later in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and then in Stark county, Ohio, and then worked on the Ohio canal, drifting to Columbus, Ohio, in 1833, and there he wedded, in 1834, Miss Sophia Anthony, who was born in Lorraine, France, in 1809, and died in Crawford county in 1849. Their children were George 'and Adam (twin brothers), Jacob, William, Magdalene, Charles and John. Three other children died in childhood. William, Charles and Jacob are deceased. After the death of his first wife the father wedded Miss Caroline Derr, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and four children graced this union, namely: Lewis C, Franklin P., Sophia M. and Caroline M., but the last named has passed away. In 1838 the father came to Crawford county and located at Xew Washington, where he engaged in blacksmithing, continuing with success for several years. He became well and favorably known, and about 1846 was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, representing Crawford and Wyandot counties. In 1855 he was elected county treasurer and the following year removed to Bucyrus. the county seat, where he resided up to the time of his death, in 1884. ±n 1868 he was chosen mayor of Bucyrus and filled the office for two terms of: one year each. In all the public positions which he was called upon to fill he discharged his duties with entire satisfaction to all concerned, his loyalty being above question, was prompt and energetic and gained the unqualified' approval of the best citizens. Flis judgment was considered sound and reliable in the councils of the Democratic part}", and he aided materially in advancing the best interests of his community.

George Donnemvirth, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the schools of Xew Washington, Crawford county, until his fifteenth year, when he entered his father's shop and worked at the blacksmith's trade for four years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Sandusky, Ohio, where he was employed in a grocery store for eighteen months. For a short time he was also a clerk in Burlington, Iowa, but returned to Bucyrus and entered a business career that has been prominently successful through a long period of forty-four years. His first venture was in connection with Henry Anthony. They established a brewery and after a short time Mr. Donnenwirth's father purchased Mr. Anthony's interest, the enterprise being then conducted under the firm name of George Donnenwirth & Son. Upon the father's retirement, in 1875. Frank P. Donnen- wirth, a half-brother of our subject, entered the firm, and their business connection was maintained until 1889, when they sold the business. They had built up an excellent trade, having a large and constantly increasing patronage, owing to the excellence of the brewing product and through reliable business methods. In 1881 Mr. Donnen wirth was one of the organizers of the Monnett Bank, of Bucyrus, the style of which was changed in 1892 to Bucyrus City Bank. He became a director of the institution upon its organization, and was also elected vice-president of the bank. Since 1886 he has been its president, and the concern is one of the most substantial in this portion of Ohio. His business career in Bucyrus covers a period of about forty-three years and has been one of uninterrupted success due to tireless energy, cool, sound judgment and to strict integrity. These traits have been a tower of strength to the bank, and have had much to do with its steady and substantial growth .

In 1865 George Donnenwirth was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Fuhrman, of Bucyrus. Fraternally Mr. Donnenwirth is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A stanch advocate of Democratic principles, he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the party, and on that ticket has been frequently called to public office. He is also active in formulating the policy and controlling the campaigns in his county, having served as a member of several committees, while his advice and counsel carry weight in Democratic circles. For twenty-five years, from 1874 until 1899, he served as a member of the school board, and for a number of years was its treasurer. He has also been a member of the city council for fifteen years, and was treasurer of the township through a long period. In public office he has labored for the good of the majority, and his work has proved of benefit and value. In business affairs he has displayed great discrimination and superior executive ability, and such qualities, combined with industry and strong purpose, never fail to gain success. He stands to-day among- the wealthy residents of Bucyrus, and his enviable position in financial circles is well merited.

Thomas S. Kennedy

Thomas S. Kennedy, whose success in life results from earnest, indefatigable efforts, is numbered among the leading and influential farmers and stock raisers of Dallas township, Crawford county, his farm being on section

2. He was born in Tully township, Marion county, Ohio, October 23, 1848, and is of Irish lineage, for the name is of Irish origin. The family, however, was probably established in America at a very early day and the grandparents of our subject, Thomas and Nancy Kennedy, were both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1832 they left that state and coming to Ohio settled in Crawford county, where they spent their remaining days, passing away in Whetstone township. The journey to this state was made in a wagon, and during their early residence here they lived in true pioneer style. The grandfather died in the '40s, and the grandmother passed away in 1863. Their children were: William K., the father of our subject; Martha, who died in early womanhood; Margaretta, who is living in Marion county, Ohio; John, deceased; Nancy Jane, who has also passed away; Thomas, who died in Jasper county, Indiana, in 1900; Sarah, deceased; Samuel, who is living in Whetstone township; Mary E., who died in Marion county in 1901 ; and George Washington, who is living in Marion count}'.

William K. Kennedy was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 18 1 8, and when a youth of fourteen accompanied his parents to this state, being reared here upon the home farm. He acquired a good common-school education and for a few terms engaged in teaching school. He had a strong mind, was a man of good judgment and was well informed. For five years he worked as a farm hand, at eleven dollars per month, being thus employed on the plains south of Bucyrus. For his first wife he married Miss Margaret Shank, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent, her ancestors coming from Holland. Her parents, Jacob and Lydia (Bush) Shank, settled in Crawford county about 1832. Bv the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy the following children were born: Nancy, who died at the age of three years ; Lydia Jane, the wife of Samuel Baker, of Dallas township; Thomas S., of this review; Martha, who died after her marriage; James W., who is residing in Marion county, Ohio; Emma, wife of Madison Roberts, of Marion county; Anzilla, wife of George Watts, of Marion county; Margaret, wife of John R. Hill, of Marion county. The mother died in 1861 and a few years later the father married Mary Lance, a native of Pennsylvania, who still survives him and is living on the homestead farm in Marion county. By the second marriage there was one child, Samira, the wife of Elsworth Jones, of Marion county. Throughout his business career the father followed farming. He located on the boundary line between Crawford and Marion counties, his farm lying in both counties, but his residence in the latter, and there he remained until his life's labors were ended in death. He prospered and gained a good estate. He engaged in dealing in and raised large flocks of sheep and also handled other stock. Being an excellent judge of domestic animals he was enabled to make judicious purchases and upon his investments he realized a handsome profit.

Mr. Kennedy was reared upon the home farm and the labors of the. field and meadow became familiar to him during the period of his youth. The common school afforded him his educational privileges and through the winter months he pursued his studies, again taking up the work of the farm with returning spring. In 1874 he was married to Hester F. Monnett, a daughter of Thomas Monnett, of Marion county, and their union was blessed with twelve children: Thomas Mervin, William C, Otho W., Orange D., Myron G., Amy E., James C, Ollie, Ralph, Myrtle, Almet and Jay. The last named died at the age of two years, but the others are all living, and three of the sons, Thomas Mervin, William C. and Otho W-, have engaged in teaching in the district schools.

After his marriage Mr. Kennedy began farming in WTetstone township, Crawford county, where he remained for seven years, after which he removed to his present place of residence. Here he owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, and in addition he has eighty acres a mile west, forty acres in Whestone township and one hundred and seventy-five acres in Marion county. In connection with general farming he raises cattle, sheep and hogs and also buys and sells others. His business interests are well conducted and directed along progressive and straightforward lines. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office, and he has satisfactorily served in a number of minor positions,, but he has never been an aspirant for political office. In his political views he is a Democrat, and in religious faith is a Methodist. His life is honorable, his actions sincere, and his integrity unquestioned, and in Crawford county lie has gained many warm friends who esteem him highly for his sterling worth.

Robert K. Warner

Among the honored pioneers who aided in laying broad and deep the foundations for the present prosperity and progress of Crawford county, who met the hardships and trials of pioneer life, yet continued an active factor in the work of reclaiming the wild land for purposes of civilization was Robert K. Warner. He was one of the representative men of the community, hon-

A native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Warner was born on the 8th of April, 1825, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Walton) Warner, both of whom were born in the same county and were of English descent. The father's birth occurred about 1801, the marriage was celebrated in 1822, and in 1827 he came with his family to Ohio, traveling in a wagon drawn by four horses. When they were about four miles from Gallon the wagon sunk so deeply in the mud that the family were obliged to get out and walk the remaining distance to the home of a relative in Galion, leaving the wagon behind. The father remained in Crawford county throughout the remainder of his life and for many years carried on farming. He settled in the southern portion of Whetstone township, Crawford county, but in 1833 removed to a farm on section 35, Bucyrus township, where he resided through a long period. He was a successful farmer, although frail health prevented him from taking an active part in the work of the fields, but he capably managed his affairs and realized therefrom a good financial return. He died May 8, 1872, while visiting in Kankakee, Illinois, and his wife passed away March 7, 1877. He was a man of kind heart and noble purpose and his wife was a most excellent woman. They were of the Quaker faith and lived useful and quiet lives, which gained them uniform respect. They had three children : Robert K. ; Harriet, the widow of St. Clair Welsh and a resident of Missouri ; and Louisa, the wife of Hiram Everet, of Iowa.

Robert K. Warner was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio, and here he was reared amid pioneer scenes and environments. The Wyandot Indians were still numerous in the county and he played with the "Johnny Cake boys" man)' a da}', also learned their language. It was in 1836 that he attended the first school taught in Dallas township, the teacher being Miss Susan Bovee. Lie continued his education in the old log school house until twenty years of age and was reared to manhood upon the farm, where he early became familiar with the work of caring for the stock and cultivating the field. Lessons of industry and perseverance were early impressed upon his mind and were active factors in his successful career. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached his twenty-third year, when he was married.

The wedding was celebrated November 22, 1847, Miss Martha Monnett becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Jeremiah and Elsie (Slagle) Monnett, and to her husband she proved a most faithful companion and help- mate on the journey of life. For a year and a half they resided on a farm on section 26, Bucyrus township, on the Columbus & Sandusky road and then removed to the old homestead on section 27, of the same township, where Mrs. Warner still makes her home. At that time he owned one hundred and twenty acres of land, to which he added in later years, until at the time of his death his farm property comprised four hundred and twenty acres. In 1875 he erected a fine residence and afterward built a barn. He was a successful business man and gained a large estate, dying a wealthy man. The home was blessed with four children : Ellen, the wife of W. T. Mclvinstry, of Bucyrus township; Mary, the widow of Albert Yaker ; Harriet, the wife of Smith C. Caldwell; and Louisa, who married Francis M. Caldwell. They reside with her mother on the old homestead.

Mrs. Warner is now in her seventy-fifth year and yet enjoys fair health. She was born and reared a Methodist and has been a member of the church since fourteen years of age, her entire life being in harmony with her pn> fessions. In his political views Mr. Warner was a strong Republican and held a few minor political positions, but was not an office seeker. He was highly esteemed for his strict regard for honesty and upright principles and in his religious faith was a Quaker, living a life consistent with that faith. He passed away October 14, 1889. In his friendships he was faithful and in the discharge of his duties of citizenship he was loyal and true, while in his family he was a devoted husband and father, finding his greatest happiness in ministering to his family.

Albert M. Ensminger

The press has not only recorded the history of advancement, but has also been the leader in the work of progress and improvement, - the vanguard of civilization. The philosopher of some centuries ago proclaimed the truth that the pen is mightier than the sword, and the statement is continually being verified in the affairs of life. In molding public opinion the power of the newspaper cannot be estimated, but at all events its influence is greater than any other single agency.

In the history of Bucyrus, therefore, an account of the Daily and Weekly Forum should form an important factor, as this journal is the oldest established one of the count}- and its present proprietors keep in touch with the most advanced methods of journalism, making the paper one of great value in Crawford county. Albert Milton Ensminger was associated with this paper from 1890 until October, 1901, when it was sold to the newly organized Bucyrus Publishing Company. He was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1858, and traces his ancestry back to Christian Ensminger, who was born in the Keystone state June 8, 1762, and died March 6, 1836. His second son, David Ensminger, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and married Barabar Messinger. Their son, Henry Ensminger, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1826, and pursued his education in the district schools near his home. He afterward turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and followed farming in Pennsylvania until 1866, when he settled in Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio. In that year he established a store, and for two' years was in partnership with his brother, George Ensminger, at North Robinson, the connection being dissolved by the death of the brother. Henry Ensminger then carried on business alone for four years, when he disposed of his mercantile enterprise and purchased a farm near North Robinson, upon which he resided until 1879. In that year he came to Bucyrus and opened a dry goods store in the Ouinby block, being identified with business affairs in this city for some time. He was known as a reliable and trustworthy merchant and enjoyed the business confidence of the public in an unusual degree. He married Susan Jacobs, and his death occurred in Bucyrus, February 24, 1892. Unto this worthy couple were born the following children: Franklin P., Albert M., Charles E., Anna M. and Alberta E.

Albert Milton Ensminger, whose name forms the caption of this article, pursued his education in the public schools of Crawford county, Ohio, and on the completion of his literary course entered the law department of the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated with the class of 1882. In the same year he was admitted to the Ohio bar and began practice in Bucyrus. In 1885 he was elected city solicitor and discharged his duties so capably that he was re-elected for a second term. After his retirement from office he became associated with The Forum, and has since been connected with the paper except during the period from the 1st of August, 1894, until the 1st of September, 1898, when he was postmaster of Bucyrus.

On the 1 6th of December, 1886, Mr. Ensminger was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Blair, a daughter of E. Blair, president of the Second National Bank of Bucyrus and a most prominent citizen. Their only child, Edward Blair, was born September 2, 1899. Mr. Ensminger is a member of St. Paul's English Lutheran church and socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Democrat and was a candidate for presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1888. He has been an important factor in the progress and upbuilding of Bucyrus since locating here, and educational, church and social interests owe their promotion in a considerable degree to his efforts.

William W. Reehl

William W. Reehl, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucyrus on Februarv 22, 1868, attended the public schools until 1885, and then he took a business course in the Nelson Commercial College, of Cincinnati. After finishing his course he accepted a position as bookkeeper for Lee Cann & Company, of that city, but resigned to enter business for himself. Returning to Bucyrus, he entered the firm of Reehl & Howe, hardware dealers, an enterprise which he did much to build up. Owing to failing health, he sold his interest to G. P. Fisher, and after six months of rest and recuperation he, in December, 1888, with others, organized the Frey-Sheckler Company, which bought out the Frey-Sheckler & Hoover Company, manufacturers of clay-working machinery. In organizing the business staff of the new company Air. Reehl was made head bookkeeper, and after a year was made auditor of the company, acting in that capacity until September, 1896, when a consolidation of the Frey-Sheckler Company and the firm of J. W. Penfield & Son, oi Willoughby, Ohio, was consummated under the firm name of The American Clay-Working Machinery Company, with general offices in Bucyrus. Under the consolidation Mr. Reehl was made secretary and resident manager of the Bucyrus plant. He has continued in this capacity since his election to the office and has contributed in large measure to the phenomenal success of the enterprise. The American Clay-Working- Machinery Company does the most extensive business of its kind in the world, its products being shipped to all parts of this country and abroad. They manufacture a full line of clay-working, cement and pottery machinery, and employ over four hundred workmen in their combined plants. In 1888 the Bucyrus and Willoughby plants combined employed about fifty-six men, which taken in comparison with the present pay-roll indicates the great increase in business.

growing enterprise composed largely of eastern capitalists, devoted to the manufacture of heating and ventilating machinery. The company was established in Bucyrus in 1899. Owing to his ability as a manager, Mr. Reehl was selected as the head of the company, a position he assumed in January, 1901. The employes of the company number nearly a hundred, with branch offices in Xew York, Boston and Chicago.

On January 7, 1892. Mr. Reehl was married to Miss Margaret Troop Harris, of Peoria, Illinois, Miss Harris being a daughter 01 D. W. C. Harris. Two children grace their union: Helen Harris, born May 20, 1894, and William \\\, born December 5, 1900. The parents occupy an enviable position in social circles, the hospitality of the best homes in Bucyrus being open to them. They also belong to the Presbyterian church. Air. Reehl having served on the board of trustees of the church. Mr. Reehl is a young man, but has already attained a position in business circles that many a man of even twice his years might well envy. His determination and keen sagacity, combined with unflagging diligence and scrupulous honesty, have been the salient features of his success.

Air. Reehl is of German parentage. His father, Nicholas Reehl, was born at Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, August 1, 1825. The parents of Nicholas Reehl, Michael Reehl and Anna Louise Plaizer Reehl, were lifelong residents of Hessen, the wife having been born at Allarts-Hofen, Germany. Michael Reehl died Septembei 14. 1S52, his wife preceding him in February of the same year. The son, Nicholas Reehl, came to the United States in 1847, and after a year spent in Philadelphia he removed, in 1848, to Bucyrus. Soon after Ins arrival he formed the acquaintance of Anna Elizabeth Kreighbaum, and on May 13. 185 1, they were married. Mrs. Nicholas Reehl was born in Reichenbach, Germany, December 10, 1828, and came to this country in 1849, landing at New Orleans, and later settling at Upper Sandusky. Her parents were Falten Kreighbaum, who died February 2, 1850, and Katherine Kaffenberger, who died December 10, 1866. The marriage of Air. and Airs. Nicholas Reehl was solemnized at Colnmbus, and they at once removed to Bucyrus, where they were identified with the earlv historv of the community, Air. Reehl following his trade of wagon and carriage-maker, and later on becoming largely interested in manufacturing and real estate. Airs. Reehl died in the fullness of a well spent life on September 12, 1899. To Air. and Airs. Reehl nine children were born, as follows: Henry, born October 28, 1852, deceased; Carl, born October 30, 1853, deceased: Louisa, born November 3, 1855, the wife of Rev. John

Horst, of Coving-ton, Kentucky; Lewis, born July 29, 1858, deceased; John, born October 28, 1861, deceased; Edward, born December 14, 1862, deceased; Katherine M., Bucyrus, Ohio, born December 1, 1864; William W., born February 22, 1S68; and Samuel, born May 21, 1870, deceased.

Daniel Pfleiderer

The ancestors of the Pfleiderer family were old and established families of AYurtemberg, Germany, where their thrift, energy and economy had brought them a comfortable competence ; but a restless spirit entered into the younger members, as they saw their sons growing up about them, and some of them decided to emigrate to the great country across the sea. where there was land for all. Among- these came Christian and his wife Barbara (Auberly) Pfleiderer, the former born in 1789, the latter in 1794. They left Germany in the spring of 183 1, with their children, - Adam. Jacob. David and Christian, - and after ninety-two days on the ocean, they landed in Baltimore, Maryland, and pursued their journey across the continent until they reached Columbiana county, Ohio. Winter was near and they were weary of travel, and although they intended to go into the forest they wisely decided that it was not the season to go into an unsettled portion of the country. They found shelter with the family of Air. Seacrist. and Air. Pfleiderer went to work at whatever jobs he could find, as did also the oldest boys. As soon as spring opened they purchased a yoke of oxen and an old wagon, and thus equipped set out for Crawford county, where thev arrived the first week in April. They located on eighty acres, which had been entered by the father during their stay in Columbiana county, and on arriving in Crawford county he purchased an adjoining eighty acres for one hundred and forty-five dollars. The improvements on this tract consisted of a miserable lob cabin, and there the family found refuge until the}' had time to build a more comfortable one, in which there was scarcely a nail used in construction. About one year later the father bought another eighty acres, for one hundred and forty dollars. In those days each settler felt honorably called upon to assist every other, and soon after his location the father was asked to assist a man by the name of Ludwig Geiger to raise a cabin. By some accident a pole fell upon Air. Pfleiderer and broke his right leg. This was a terrible discouragement, for there was so much work to be done in the clearing of land and improving the farm. No clearing had yet been done and no crops could be started, but fortunately he had brought some means with him, and the money earned by him and his sons in the cranberry marshes, upon their arrival in Ohio, had been saved, and things were not so desperate as they were with some pioneers. Just as he seemed to be recovering from his accident, however, paralysis set in and he was alive but a short time afterward, expiring suddenly.

This was a terrible blow to the widow with her six children, two of whom had come amid the stress of the years after the family arrived in Ohio. John and Daniel, our subject, who was but an infant at this time, having been born in Liberty township, on April 10, 1840, were too small to be of any assistance at this time, but the older children went sturdily to work, and, assisted by the mother, commenced to clear the land, and finally succeeded in a most admirable manner. Later the mother married a neighbor, John Heckenlively, but spent her last years with her son David. She was a remarkable woman, a true type of the pioneer. At the advanced age of ninety she would walk several miles to take part in the services of the Lutheran church, of which she was a devoted member, and walk home again, without apparent fatigue. She would relate that in early pioneer clays the congregation would walk to church barefoot, in flax shirts and homespun dresses.

Daniel Pfleiderer was but nine months old when his father died, but remained with his mother until he was twelve, and then, as she had married again, he started out to make his own way in the world. His education was necessarily limited. He worked at farm work, as this was all he knew anything about, and had saved enough by the time he was twenty-one to purchase a team and wagon and then he began farming, on shares, on the old home place for his mother. In 1862 he was married to Miss Mary Kafer. the daughter of John Kafer, who came to Crawford county, Ohio, at an early day, from Germany and became one of the prosperous farmers of Liberty township.

After his marriage Daniel Pfleiderer was employed on the home farm for one year, but in 1863 he purchased sixty acres of land in section 4 and removed to his new home. Three years later he sold this and purchased eighty acres in Chatfield township, and there he resided until 1873, when he exchangd this farm for one hundred acres of his present home farm, where he has ever since remained. During the subsequent years he has added to his land, until he now owns two hundred and thirty acres of the rich and productive soil of Crawford county. Mr. Pfleiderer comes of good stock and in no way could he have proved this more than in the success which he has made of his business life.

James Givens, of Mercer county, Ohio ; Lizzie, deceased ; Tillie, the wife of Charles Hillboat, of Mercer county; John, a butcher of North Robinson, this county; Rosa, at home; Emma, the wife of William Rhine, of Bucyrus; Laura, at home ; Edward, on a portion of the home farm ; and James and Jane, at home.

Although Mr. Ptieiderer has been a life-long Democrat and somewhat prominent in township affairs, he has never sought office, but has cheerfully and efficiently served on the school board for several years. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church and have carefully reared their children in the same faith. The family is one which is held in high esteem in Crawford county.

Abraham Frost

Among the prominent, successful and highly esteemed farmers of Holmes township, Crawford county, Ohio, is Abraham Frost, who was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on March 18, 1825, a son of George and Christina (Kindt) Frost, and was one of a family of eleven children, four of whom survive: Uriah, who resides in this township; Abraham; Isaac, who resides in Osceola; and Julia A., who is the wife of Mr. Hines, of Nebraska.

George Frost was born in the state of New Jersey and early in life displayed a talent for working in wood. He learned the trade of wagon-making and was constantly employed in developing a mechanical genius. All of his furniture Was made by his own hands, and he finally constructed a cardingmachine, which he used for twenty years. After his marriage he removed to Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where he wTas given, free of charge, water power for his carding-machine, if he would build and operate a carding-mill, and bought a small tract of land near the mill, from which came his power, consisting of some twenty acres ; but later he sold this land and purchased a desirable farm, of eight}- acres, although he was obliged to hire labor to work it until his sons grew old enough to take charge of it.

In the spring of 1840, Mr. Frost came to Wayne county, where he remained for two years, farming on rented land, and then removed to Liberty township, Crawford count}-, where he was engag-ed in farming until the outbreak of the Civil war. So interested was Mr. Frost in the stirring events of the time that he insisted upon going to town to obtain news from the seat of war for himself, although at this time he was in his seventy-fourth year, that he became the victim of a fast train on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne &

Chicago Railroad and was instantly killed. Early in life Mr. Frost was a Democrat, casting his vote for Andrew Jackson, but later his adherence to that party weakened and before his death he had become an ardent Republican. His life was one of morality, and although he never was formally connected with any religious organization he contributed freely and was a constant attendant upon religious services.

The mother of our subject was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, also, about 1798, and died in her forty-fourth year. She was the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Kindt, both of whom passed their whole lives in Pennsylvania. Both parents are remembered with affection and respect, and their counsels and care had much to do in the formation of the character of their children, all of the survivors of the large family being esteemed and respected in their several neighborhoods.

Abraham Frost grew up under his father's care, working on the farm and assisting in other ways, attending school and growing to manhood, strong, moral and energetic, a son of whom his parents were pardonably proud. At the age of twenty-one he began his personal business career, in Bucyrus, working at a gristmill. After his first marriage he rented a house one and one-half miles west of Bucyrus and worked industriously, sometimes at chopping wood and sometimes at other labor which he found to do, managing to save enough money to purchase eighty acres in Todd township, and later added to this twenty-seven acres, making a nice farm of one hundred and seven acres, but he never resided upon this place and later disposed of it, advantageously, and bought his present farm, of one hundred and lift}- acres, having previously resided upon it after his second marriage. In 1872 Air. Frost erected his present handsome brick residence, which is one of the best in the county.

In j 850, Air. Frost was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Hollinger, and to this marriage one child was born, deceased; and Airs. Frost, on account of giving birth to this child, died some six days later, on July 3. 185 1. The second marriage of Air. Frost was in 1852, to Aliss Esther H. AlcCollongh, a native of Crawford county, who was born upon the farm which is now the family home. The father of Airs. Frost, AYilliam AlcCollongh, was a pioneer of 1828, and entered the land at that time. Ten children were born to this union, the eight survivors being: Nancy, the wife of D. W. Myers, of this township ; Laura, the wife of George Studer, of Fresno county, California ; Jnlia, the widow of F. E. Brester, of Dunkirk, Ohio; Jay. of Bucyrus township; Ira, of Holmes township; Dilla, the wife of Frank V. Steen, of Holmes township; Willis, the farmer on the home place; and Ida, the wife of George

Goodwin, of Holmes township. The death of Mrs. Frost was in 1873. In 1877 Mr. Frost was married to Mrs. Jerry Orthwein, formerly Miss Christina Bahler. a native of Germany, who came to America, with a brother, when she was but twelve years of age. She died September 9, 1888. One son, Frank, has been born of this marriage, and he resides at home.

Mr. Frost is known to be a stanch Republican, and he was first a "Know Nothing," and has ever taken an intelligent interest in public affairs. For many years he has been a leading member of the Presbyterian church and one of its liberal supporters. During an extended period Mr. Frost has been fraternally connected with the I. O. O. F., and has been an active and interested member, but in late years he has not felt disposed to attend the night meetings. He is also connected with Bucyrus Grange, No. 507, P. of H., and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Holmes township.

Frank E. Liebich

Frank E. Liebich, assistant postmaster of Bucyrus, was born March 3, 1859, in the city which is now his home, and during the greater part of his life has been identified with its business and public interests. His grandfather, Franz Otto Liebich, was a native of Germany and died when about fifty-two years of age, while his wife, Mrs. Amelia Liebich, who was also a native of the same country, passed away in 1883. Their son. Leo Otto Liebich, the father of our subject, was born in Gera, Germany, January 29, 1830, and in 1857 emigrated to the new world, settling at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided for a few months and then came to Bucyrus. Here he entered the employ of a Mr. Beam, in the printing office of the. Democrat, and a year later he entered into partnership with a Mr. Koch, and purchased the office and paper, conducting business under the name of Koch & Liebich. They continued to publish the paper for some years and met with success in the undertaking. Mr. Liebich was married in 1858, to Teresa Hoffman, who was a daughter of Andrew and Annie Hoffman. The father of our subject died February 22, 1884.