Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 32: Miscellaneous, 1912 (part 14 of 28)

Elizabeth, born May 20, 1840, died in the Methodist parsonage at Upper Sandusky, Oct. 19, 1889. Graduate of Mt. Union College, teacher of drawing and oil painting at the college, also teacher in Bucyrus public schools, an almost perfect reader of human nature, and a humorist of the first order. On Sept. 6, 1870, married the Rev. Gershom Lease, one of the ablest ministers of the Central O. M. E. Conference. No children. Mr. Lease had been previously married and had three children, Emma, Lura and Edward. He was a General Conference delegate at York City, May, 1888; died Feb. 8, 1901, aged about seventy-three years.

Sarah, born May 4, 1842, living at S. W. corner Poplar and Charles streets, Bucyrus, O., graduate of Mt. Union College, taught in the college. At 16 years of age began teaching, taught seven terms in the country, about seven years in Bucyrus public schools, from primary to principal of the high school. Sept. 4, 1872, married the Rev. Thomas J. ^Nlonnett, an able minister of the North Ohio Conference M. E. church, with whose sketch elsewhere given, appears other brief items.

Lydia, born Nov. 6, 1843, ^^^^ ^t her home south of Bucyrus, April 30, 1889, educated in Bucyrus public schools and O. S. N. S. Taught school - gentle refined lady. In May, 1872, married Benjamin Beal, farmer, secretary of the Agricultural Society, secretary Crawford County Mutual Insurance Company for many years, Methodist ; held many official positions ; died March 4, 1898 at Bucyrus. Living children, Benjamin married Bertha Snyder; Mary J. married Rev. Thomas H. Housel of Central O. M. E. Conference; Edwin G., cashier First National Bank, married Rachel K. Monnett; ^^'illiam D., minister, missionary, member Bengal M. E. Conference, on leave of absence from Belgaum, India, married Bessie Ellice Robinson; Bertha E., history teacher Bucyrus high school, married Abraham J. White. Defeased children: Frederick Alexis and an infant. Mr. Beal had been previously married and had three children: Albert, who became a minister of the North Ohio Conference, M. E. church, died April, 1908, married Mary Mc- Cully; Wesley, prosperous farmer, married Eva Beall; Emma married Charles E. Ensminiger.

David, born June 4, 1846, living at Marion, O., progressive farmer and able business man, on building committee and generous giver M. E. church, Oxford, Ind., Civil War veteran. Feb., 1873, married Margaret Purkey, noble wife, deceased February, 1896. Children, John Nicholas, wealthy farmer, married Eleanor Walters; Oliver Morton, deceased; Mary, domestic science graduate; Bessie married Oscar Hord, prosperous farmer; Elizabeth Lease, graduate O. W. U. and Cincinnati Missionary Training School, under appointment Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, M. E. church, missionary to North India.

Margaret, born Aug. 24, 1848, is living at Bucyrus, O., educated in local public schools and O. S. N. S., taught; for many years cared for her aged mother. February, 1873, married Samuel Kurtz, now deceased. Living children: George, S. Aaron, Simeon G., Bertha R., Harrison and Edwin. Deceased, Catharine and Paul. More complete data of this family are given in the sketch of Samuel Kurtz, given elsewhere in this history.

Rexroth relatives meet in Annual Reunion on the last Wednesday in August, thus far at Seccaium Park, as being most central. Object,- mutual encouragement and helpfulness. About one hundred have attended to enjoy a short literary and business program, a bountiful dinner and general exchange of greetings. Last year a motion prevailed to undertake some work in a united capacity and an annual do-

HARRY E. LOTT,* a successful general farmer in Dallas township, Crawford county, O., who operates his wife's farm of 215 acres, known as the old Monnett homestead, was bom in Clark county, O., Sept. 25, 1872, and is a son of William Henry Harrison and Mary (Yarnell) Lott.

The parents of Mr. Lott were born in Clark county and the father follows farming there. He was married first to Mary Yarnell, who died after the birth of the following children : Stella, who is the wife of Ernest Keyes; Jennette, who is the wife of William A. White; Louie, who is the wife of R. A. Garlough; and Harry E., Walter and Charles. To his marriage with Elizabeth Crampton four sons were born : Fred, Frank, Crampton and Harvey.

Harry E. Lott attended the public schools in Dallas township and the high school at Selma, where he was graduated in 1888, after which he perfected himself in the art of telegraphy and was a telegraph operator for railroads for 20 years. Since settling on the present valuable farm, in March, 191 1, he has devoted himself entirely to farming, and stock raising and his agricultural undertakings have proven judiciously planned and well carried out.

In February, 1899, Mr. Lott was married to Miss Emma Lois Monnett, a daughter of Oliver and Mary (Raymon) Monnett, this family being one of the old and best established ones in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Lott have three daughters : Mary Eloise, Bonnie Lois and Bess Virginia. The family attends the Presbyterian church. He is identified with Lodge No. 402, Knights of Pythias, and Lodge No. 32, Elks, both at Marion. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN SCHIMPF, one of the well known farmers and respected citizens of Sandusky township, Crawford county, O., residing on one farm of 120 acres and owning a second one, of 82 acres, lying also in the same township, was born at Bucyrus, O., in 1857, and is a son of Frederick A. and Lizzie (Molenkofif) Shimpf.

Frederick Schimpf was born in Germany, where he grew to the age of 18 years and learned the shoemaking trade. He then came to the United States and located at Bucyrus, O., where he worked at his trade until he moved on his farm first in Lykens township and then in Chatfield township, after which he engaged in farming until his death, at the age of 56 years. He married Lizzie Molenkofif and they had 1 1 children.

John Schimpf attended the district schools in boyhood and gave his father assistance on the home farm, which was good land but required much improving. In 1888 he came to his present home farm, making all the improvements on the place, and here has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since.

Mr. Schimpf married Miss Eliza Layer and they have one son, Clarence, who resides at home and takes many, of the responsibilities in the operating of the two farms. In politics Mr. Schimpf is a Democrat. He served on the school board seven years.

H. J. ROOP, a successful farmer and highly respected citizen of Sandusky township, Crawford county, O., residing nine miles northeast of the city of Bucyrus, where he and wife own 389 acres of fine land which has been highly improved, belongs to one of the solid old families of this section and is a son of John and Sarah Roop.

John Roop was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in early manhood, where he lived until his death, for many years having been a farmer and stock raiser in Crawford county. He married after coming to this state and a family of 13 children was born to him and wife, all but two of whom, Rebecca and Joseph, still survive. Those living are : Alice, Marinda, Fancina, May, Laura, Frank, Ellsworth, Wellington, Peter, Charles and H. J. The parents of these children are both deceased and are buried in Roop cemetery. Liberty township. John Roop died June 18, 1912.

H. J. Roop obtained his education in the public schools and his main occupation has been farming. He is a progressive and intelligent agriculturist and his operations are on an extensive scale. He has devoted much care and attention to the improvement of his large prop-

Mr. Roop married Miss Angeline Songer, who is a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Schreck) Songer, and they have two children : Lester C. and Orlo E. Mrs. Roop has one brother, WilHam H., who married Marie E. Reiff and they have two children: Lloyd W. and Delwyn E. Mr. Roop and family belong to the Lutheran church.

JOSHUA McNEAL,* one of Bucyrus' most respected citizens, has been a resident of Crawford county since he was 12 years of age and has witnessed and taken part in much of its material development during the past 65 years. He was born in Huntington county. Pa., April 3, 1825, and is a son of Alexander McNeal.

The McNeal family undoubtedly is of Irish extraction but Alexander McNeal was born in America, in Huntington county, in 1790, and lived there many years afterward. He married Jane Goshorn and in 1837 they came with their children to Crawford county, pioneers in every sense of the word, and found land that suited them in Bucyrus township, on which they lived out long and useful lives. Alexander McNeal died when aged 75 years and was survived by his wife for several years although she was some years his senior. They were among the founders of the Presbyterian church in Bucyrus township. Of their twelve children, five were sons and seven were daughters and all grew to maturity except one, and three yet survive : Joshua ; Alexander, who resides north of Bucyrus with his children, his wife being deceased; and Eliza, who is the wife of William Young, of Ada, O.

Joshua McNeal was a sturdy boy of 12 years when he came with his people to Crawford county and remained on the home farm until he was 25 years of age. Farming was his main business during all his active life and he has spent it in Bucyrus and Dallas townships, where he has owned property, residing in the latter from 1865 until 1910, when he was prevailed upon to come to Bucyrus and become a member of the household of his son, Dennis A. McNeal Although his 87 years preclude any active participation in business, Mr. Mc-

Neal in mind or person gives no indication of such a passage of time, being in excellent health and interested in all that transpires not only in the domestic and social circles but in the larger life that takes in public enterprises and outside affairs.

Mr. McNeal was married in Bucyrus township to Miss Loett Palmer, who was born in 1829, in Lorain county, O., and was ten years old when she accompanied her parents, Dennis,and Olive (Terrell) Palmer, to Crawford county. Dennis Palmer was born in England and his wife in Massachusetts, where they were married. They finally came to Bucyrus township and died there when aged about 70 years.

To Mr. and Mrs. McNeal the following children were born: Esther, who is the wife of Lawrence Murphy, and has children, Alfred, Joshua and Daisy, the last named being married; George and Anna, the latter being married; J. Curtis, who lives at Detroit, Mich,, who married Martha ^Vise and has three children - Marvin J., Charles and Eula; Dennis A. ; and Francis, who is a business man at Bucyrus.

Dennis A. McNeal was born on the old homestead in Bucyrus township, July 15, 1859, and attended the public schools through boyhood. For a number of years he engaged in farming and lumbering and is a man of substantial fortune, owning a valuable farm and also city realty. He was married in Crawford county to Miss Hulda Beamer, who was born in Perry county, O., and was ten years old when her parents came to Crawford county. She is a daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Grove) Beamer, the former of whom was born in Perry county, April 8, 1837, and still survives. The mother of Mrs. McNeal was born in 1846 and died Dec. 22, 1887. She \\as a member of the old-school Baptist church. Mrs. McNeal is one of the following family: Calvin, who is a resident of Nevada, O. ; Corda, who is the wife of John Starner, also of Nevada, O. ; Noble B., who is a farmer in Wyandot county; Myrtle, who is the wife of William Van Horn, of Crawford county; Elva L., who is the wife of Charles Harvey, of Bucyrus township; George, who lives in California; a babe that died; and Mrs. McNeal, who is the eldest born of this family.

children: Frances C, born October 6, 1885, graduating in the class of 1909 from the university at Ada, O., who is principal of the East Side public school at Bucyrus, and is married and has one son, Webster M. ; and Orpha A., born June 9, 1891, who has been given excellent educational advantages and holds a teacher's certificate. Mr. and Mrs. McNeal are members of the English Lutheran church.

SAMUEL KURTZ, whose well improved and finely cultivated farm of 112 acres, lies two miles northeast of Sulphur Springs, O., in Liberty township, Crawford county, belongs to one of the highly respected old German families of this section, his grandparents having come to America with their families when his parents were children. He was born March 22, 1850, in Chatfield township, Crawford county, where his parents had settled on a farm of 40 acres.

Samuel Kurtz had district school advantages in boyhood and grew up as a farmer, and has continued to follow agricultural pursuits ever since. In 1883 he settled on his present fine farm which he has improved with excellent buildings and here carries on his agricultural operations with complete success.

Mr. Kurtz married Miss Kate Kessler, who was born in Schuykill county, Pa., and three children have been born to them, James Garfield being the only surviver, the two other dying in infancy. This son has remained with his father and gives him assistance, being a competent agriculturist, trained to the business under his father's supervision. He married Miss Elizabeth Hoss and they have had three children : Ruth, John Wesley and one that died in infancy. Mr. Kurtz and son are Republicans but neither are seekers for political prominence. The family belongs to the Reformed church.

.G. FRANKLIN LASH, who resides on his valuable farm of 120 acres, which is situated in Sandusky township, Crawford county, O., two and one-half miles northeast of Sulphur Springs, was born in 1868, on his father's farm northwest of Tiro, O., and is a son of George and Eliza (Hutson) Lash.

when his people came to Crawford county. He was a farmer and resided northwest of Tiro, where his death occurred at the age of 67 years. His widow, Eliza (Hutson) Lash, now in her 79th year, lives at Tiro. George F. Lash had three brothers, one survivor, Benjamin, residing at Tiro, while William and Elmer are deceased.

G. Franklin Lash obtained his education in the district schools and then assisted his father until he was 25 years of age. Since 1894 he has lived in Sandusky township continuously with the exception of seven months when he resided at Sulphur Springs. He carries on general farming and stock raising, having made many excellent improvements. His surroundings indicate good management and thrift.

Mr. Lash married Miss Leila A. Stock, daughter of George W. and Mary (Loudon) Stock, both of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lash have two children: G. Nellis and O. Ellsworth. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Lash is a hearty party worker. He enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens, irrespective of party, and has served seven and one-half years as township trustee.

JAY F. SHAWK, a prosperous farmer and well known citizen of Holmes township, Crawford county, O., carrying on agricultural operations on 160 acres of finely improved land situated seven miles north of Bucyrus, O., was born on the old family homestead in this township, April 25, 1870, and is a son of Jennings T. Shawk, a grandson of Thomas Shawk and a great-grandson of Jacob Shawk, who was a Revolutionary soldier. The family is one of age and prominence in Holmes township and the father of Mr. Shawk is the oldest native born man here.

Jay F. Shawk was educated in the schools of Crawford county and received his agricultural training on the home farm and in 1894 took charge of his present one. General farming and moderate stock raising are the industries .engaged in and his methods are those of the progressive agriculturists of the day.

On Feb. 21, 1883, Mr. Shawk was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Fralick, who was born in Richland county, O., but came with her parents to Holmes township when young. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shawk, namely: Ruth, who married Ralph Lahman, of Lykens township, and has one daughter, Hilda; Willis, who is deceased; Naomi; and Laverne, who is deceased. In politics Mr. Shawk is a Democrat like his father, and has served one term as township trustee and also as road superintendent. He takes much interest in the Patrons of Husbandry and is a member of the Bucyrus Grange. He and wife attend the Protestant Methodist church at Broken Sword.

BLOOMER B. GILL, a representative and enterprising business citizen of Galion, O., belongs to one of the early families of this part of Crawford county, one that has had a great deal to do in developing this section along every line. Mr. Gill was born here, m iS5g, and is a son of James Woodgill and Louise (Baker) Gill, and a grandson of David Gill.

David Gill, the grandfather, was the founder of this family in Ohio, coming from an eastern state, and was the first teacher in this section of Crawford county. He married a Miss Wood, whose people were of English extraction. Of their family of children there is but one survivor, Mrs. Catherine Monnett, of Crawford county.

James Woodgill Gill, father of Bloomer B. Gill, was the only son of the family. His birth took place in 1824, on what is now the site of Galion, and he died here April 24, 1866, at the age of 42 years. He secured 160 acres of land and lived to see a part of this beautiful city built on this property, its rapid development resulting largely irom his efforts in securing the construction of the railroad. He was married here to Louise M. Baker, who was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Ohio by her parents, who settled near Galion but in Richland county. She survived her husband and not only carried forward the plans that were interrupted by his death, but pursued a business policy of her own and laid out what is known as the Gill Addition to Galion. For the past 27 years she has been an esteemed resident pf Dixon, 111., where she is interested in social matters and church relationships, still possessing an active mind as well as perfect physical health although she is now^ in her 83rd year. Her second marriage, after which she removed to Dixon, was to the late I'heron Cumins, for many years a prominent and respected citizen of that city. Mrs. Cumins was reared in the Society of Friends but in later years united with the Methodist Episcopal church. Of her four children, two survive: Bloomer B. and Mrs. Carrie G. Todd, of Dixon, 111. One son. Jay, died, at the age of 18 months, and another, James Woodgill, Jr., at^the age of 17 years.

After completing his High School course, at Galion, Bloomer B. Gill engaged first in the hardware business an later became a manufacturer and as such is prominent in local circles. He is secretary and treasurer of the Howard Motor Car Campany which has recently been merged and the new corporation is known as the Cleveland- Galion Motor Truck Company, which is capitalized at $500,000. Mr. Gill, like both parents, has great faith in the future of Galion and not only invests in local enterprises himself, but is ever ready to foster the interests of others and has been the means of bringing much outside capital here. He owns one of the finest residences in Crawford county, which he erected in 1884, patterning it after the old southern colonial mansions, with wide verandas inviting to repose and broad pillars producing a fine architectural effect.

Mr. Gill was married at Galion to Miss Xellie Stewart, who was born, reared and educated here, a daughter of A. M. and Hannah (McClelland) Stewart, the former of whom came to Galion from Boston, Mass., and for many years was livestock agent for the Erie and the Big Four Railroads at this point. His death occurred in this city when lie was 58 years old, his widow surviving. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Gill have four children, namely: Mary L., who is a graduate of Galion High School and the Phelps School of Columbus, O. ; Isabel Stewart, who was graduated at the Hathaway- Brown School, Cleveland, in the class of iQio; Mina Miller, w^ho, for several years has been an art student at Chicago, 111., giving especial attention to portraiture, for which she has decided talent ; and Tames Cumins, who is sfudving mechanics and resides at home. Mrs. Gill belongs to that cultured body of ladies at Gallon which torms the memoership ot tne tortnigntiy CluD. Mrs. GiU is a member of the Mcihooaist Episcopal church. Jr'olitically Mr. Gui is a KepuDlican.

JEREMIAH HOPPLE,* one of the substantial retired farmers of Crawford county, O,. resides in his comtortable residence at iNo. 321 bpring street, iSucyrus, but still owns his valuable tarm of 242 acres, which is situated near Sulphur Springs. He was born in INorthampton county. Pa., Dec. 5, 1^48, and is a son of Reuben and Christianna (Deal) Hopple.

Mr. Hopple comes of German and French ancestors, many of whom came to America and several served in the Revolutionary War. Reuben Hopple was one of a family of six sons and three daughters. He grew to manhood in Northampton county, Pa., and there married Christianna Deal. 1 hey continued to live in their native section until 1856, when they came to Ohio and settled in Crawford county. Reuben Hopple first bought land in Liberty township and sold the same in 1861, but purchased another tract in the same township and on that farm his wife died, and a few years later he moved to a farm near Bucyrus, where he passed the rest of his life, dying in 1898, at the age of 80 years. He was a member of the German Reformed church, and was a Democrat in politics.

The children born to I'J.euben Hopple and wife were : Anna, deceased, who was the wife of John Davison; Ephia, who married Joseph Kneisley, both now deceased; Jeremiah, the subject of this sketch; Emma, who is the wife of Amos B. Charlton, of Liberty township. Mr. and Mrs. Charlton have seven children : Virgil, Parry B., Michael, Anna, Maybell, Orlo and Donald H.

Jeremiah Hopple remained at home until he reached manhood and afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. His finely improved farm is known as the old Michael Charlton farm. In April, 1904, he came to Bucyrus to reside and is one of the well known and well informed citizens of this place. In national movements he is identified with the Democratic party politically while in local matters he exercises his own judgment.

township, to Miss Mattie Sheiber, a daughter ot Christopher and Lydia (Hershberger) Sheiber, the tormer of whom was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Sheiber were married in the above state and then came to Crawford county and they died on the same farm they settled on in their early married life. Mrs. Hopple has two brothers : Jacob, a farmer in Liberty township, who married Elizabeth Knabberger and has the following children - Ella, Anna, Amelia and Pearle ; and J ohn, who resides on the old homestead. He married Caroline Klink and they have children - Henry, Charles, Anna, Albert, Cora, Verne, Walter, Irving and Mary. Mary was accidentally killed at the age of 14 years, while on a railroad crossing.

Mr. and Mrs. Hopple have four children : Myrtle, who married Ralph McCalacan, of Decatur, 111., and has two children - Helen and Myra; Otis Milton, who is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Elden J., who is a member of the business firm of McCullough & Hopple; and Helen, who is a student in the Domestic Science School, north of Decatur.

CHARLES M. WERT, general farmer, who owns 80 acres of valuable land which is situated ten and one-half miles northeast of Bucyrus, O., in a productive section of Sandusky township, Crawford county, was born at Sulphur Springs, in Liberty township, and is a son of J. H. and Elizabeth Wert. His father and grandfather were born in Pennsylvania, but his mother was born in Ohio. He has one brother, Herbert B. Wert, who married Minnie Markle and they have four children : Logan, Harold, Paul and Warren. The father, J. H. Wert, is deceased, but the mother survives.

Charles M. Wert has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits since he has been of suitable age. After his district school days were over he assisted his father and in the course of years became the owner of his present well stocked and well improved farm. He takes much interest in it as his many substantial improvements show, and is numbered with the prosperous agriculturists of this section of the county. In politics he is a Democrat.

daughter of Aaron and Mary Darr, and they have four children : Eldon, who lives at Marble Head, O., and who married Miss Frances McKean and has one daughter, Marian Luise ; and J. Darr, Karl F., and Sarah N. Mrs. Wert has three brothers, George, William, deceased, and Frank, and two sisters, Harriet and Lucetta. Air. Wert and family belong to the Lutheran church.

JOHN GORDON, a well known and highly respected resident of Tod township, Crawford county, O., and one of the most successful agriculturists, resides on his finely improved farm of 165 acres, which is situated two and one-half miles southwest of Oceola, O. He was born in County Glamorgan, South Wales, March 3, 1849, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Morris) Gordon.

The parents of Mr. Gordon were farmers in South Wales and in comfortable circumstances. The father died in 1869, when aged 61 years, but the mother survived to the age of 72, years. They had the following children born to them : Mary, who is the wife of George Bevan and lives in Wales; Thomas, who manages the old homestead farm in \\'ales; Eliza, who lives in Wales, being the widow of Lewis Bowen, who was a surveyor and civil engineer; John, subject of this article; Richard, who is deceased; Ann, who was the wife of George Fleming, both of whom are deceased; and George, who still lives in Wales.

John Gordon obtained his education in the schools of his native land. When 21 years of age he decided to come to the United States and after reaching an American port he made his way to Trumbull county, O., where he found employment on a dairy farm and continued for four years, when he married, and then moved to a place near Bucyrus and two years later came to his present farm in Tod township. He found a large amount of improving necessary and immediately began itsrenovation and has made of this one of the finest farms of this part of Crawford county. Mr. Gordon's methods have resulted in much prosperity. He has always been a hard-working man and still looks carefully after his farm interests.

and they have had six children: -Luella, who is the wife of Edward McLaughlin, who operates an elevator at Nevada, O., and has two children - Velma and Gordon ; Henry, who assists his father; Alice, who helps her mother; and Florence, Elva and Letty, all three of whom are now deceased. Mr. Gordon is a Democrat in his political views and for a term of six years was township road commissioner and still keeps up his interest in the good roads subject, his long experience in the above office having made him an authority on the subject. Mrs. Gordon is a member of the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH KNISELY,* who is a member of one of the old and substantial families of Crawford county, O., now lives retired at Bucyrus, \\hich city has been his preferred home since 1887. He was born Feb. 11, 1830, at Knisely Spring, in Sandusky township., Crawford county, O., and is a son of Samuel and Sarah Knisely.

Samuel Knisely was born in 1782, in York county, Pa., and was a young man when he accompanied his German father to Ohio. The name of the latter has not been preserved but he was one of the enterprising pioneers of Tuscarauwas county, where he entered 1,600 acres of land and probably was the founder of New Philadelphia. He died there in extreme old age. It is said of him that with the old flintlock musket, which his grandson carefully preserves, he made it a practice to kill just 100 deer each season, laying aside the fowling piece then until the next year. Samuel Knisely enlisted for service in the War of 181 2 and assisted in the construction of the block-house at Mansfield, built to preserve the settlers from the Indians and took part in the battles there with the savages and helped to inter the unfortunate families who were slain. He was first lieutenant of his company and the annals speak of him as a brave and daring soldier. In 1823 he came to Crawford county and settled in the isolated little log hut village of Bucyrus, securing later Government land lying eight miles west of hpre, the place being still known as Knisely Springs. Like his father he was a great huntsman and made use of the old flintlock musket. The Indians learned to both fear and esteem him, for he was a just as well as kind, man, and on many occasions he assisted savages and fed them and won their good will. Thus he was able to travel far without fear, both on his hunting trips and also on his missions of mercy, for he was ever ready to assist other settlers in the building of their cabins, the sowing of their grain or to give help in times of sickness and death. He was so well known that people as far distant as Marion county frequently begged his presence. In May, 1867, this admirable man, who had been likened by his admirers to Daniel Boone, passed out of life at the home of his son Joseph Knisely. His wife died in 1859, when aged 73 years. She was a member of the Baptist church. They had 13 children, four of whom survive.

Joseph Knisely grew up on the Crawford county farm and has always resided in this county with the exception of seven years prior to his marriage, which he spent in Illinois and Indiana. He acquired the old homestead of 160 acres and continued farm activities there until 1887, when he traded the farm for a large tract of land in the immediate environs of Bucyrus. Much of this land has been disposed of for building purposes as the city has grown. Mr. Knisely has occasionally worked at the mason trade and a large part of his time has been occtipied with the duties of public office, to which he frequently has been elected on the Democratic ticket.

Mr. Knisely was married to Miss Minerva Baughman, who was born Oct. 12, i839,. in Putnam county, O., a daughter of Abram and Jane (Book) Baughman, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Wayne county, O. After Mr. and Mrs. Baughman married they began housekeeping in a thatchroof log cabin in Van Buren township, Putnam county, on the 400 acres of land which Mr. Baughman subsequently developed into a fine farm. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and among the most worthy and respected people in that section. To Mr. and Mrs. Knisely the following children were born: Fannie, who was born in 1860 and died in 1881 ; Sabilla, born Feb. 26, 1861, who is the wife of George Dinkle, of Bucyrus ; Florence, born Dec. 4, 1863, who is the wife of David Knisely, of Goshen, Ind., and has one son, Clyde; Lewis, born Dec. i, 1864, who resides with his wife at Bucyrus;

Sadie, who was born Oct. 25, 1868, and is the wife of William Hizer, of Gallon, O. ; Minnie, who was born Nov. 12, 1870, and is the widow of Joseph Burger and has one daughter, Imogene ; and Maude, who was born April 10, 1873, who is the wife of Edward Miller, residing at Columbus, O., and has two children - George and Dorothy. Mr. Knisely and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

G. P. WELSHONS, whose finely improved farm of 120 acres is located three miles northeast of Sulphur Springs, O., was born in 1859, at Crestline, O., and is a son of Stephen and Lucinda (Rininger) Welshons.

Stephen Welshons was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. He came to Crawford county, O., in 1858, and selected Crestline as his home. He had learned the cabinetmaking trade in Pennsylvania. He spent five years in California in the gold mines. He was then employed by the railroad company in Crestline and later worked in the Big Four yards, during the remainder of his active life, but was living on a farm east of Crestline, his death occurring at the age of 76 years. He married Lucinda Rininger and they had four children, the two survivors being G. P. and Elwood, the latter being a railroad engineer.

In the schools of Crestline, O., G. P. Welshons obtained a common school education and then went into railroad work, serving for two and one-half years as a fireman and later as an engineer. He tried farming for a short time but returned to the railroad, but later resumed farming and has made a success of his undertaking. All the substantial improvements on his place show a sensible interest and much forethought and his modern residence is both comfortable and attractive. He raises grain, hay, potatoes, fruit, poultry and stock and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of this section.

Mr. Welshons married Miss Mary Peppard, and they have two children: Samuel and Ernest. He is a good citizen but no seeker for public office, and casts his vote with the Republican party.

in his agricultural activities, owns 120 acres of very productive land and carries on general farming. He was born Aug. 11, 1853, i" Illinois, and is a son of William and Mary (Baker) Crissinger, and a grandson of Benaiah Baker.

The father of Air. Crissinger was born in Crawford county and was a farmer and laborer prior to entering the Federal Army for service in the Ci\'il W^ar and died while a soldier. He married Alary Baker, who was also born in Crawford county, and died when their son Elias was but two years old. Their other children were : James A. ; Alary, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Zoll; Emma, who is the wife of Elias Stiger; Isabel, who is deceased; and Dora I., who is the wife of John Lyons. The parents of the above family were members of the German Reformed church.

Since his school days, Mr. Crissinger has been interested continuously in farm pursuits and in late years has received assistance from his son but still retains the general management of his estate. He is largely a self-made man, becoming an orphan when ten years old and afterward living with relatives and strangers until he made a home for himself.

On Oct. 20, 1874, Mr. Crissinger \\as married to Miss Harriet L. Houser, who was born in Scott township, Marion county, O., a daughter of Anthony and Eliza (Wise) Houser. The father of Mrs. Crissinger was a farmer in Marion county, O., and also followed the carpenter trade. Mrs. Crissinger was the youngest but one of his children, the others being: John, Eliza, who married (first) Michael Mathias, and (second) Christian Pommert; Catherine, who married Robert Highley; Sarah, who married Elliott Denman; and Malinda, who married Jacob Spiece. To Mr. and Mrs. Crissinger the following children were born: Manford Roy, who married Agnes Keckler, and has two children, Julia and Frank . Daisy Viola, who married Wallace Lindsay, and has two children, Plites, and Reo May; William A. ; Ray, who married Hattie Mollenkoff, and has five children - Helen, Homer, Raymond, Velma and Wilma ; Grover O., who married Mary Oberlander, and has two children, Harold and Eveline; Blanche E., who is the wife of David Pierce; Mervin E. ; and

Florence. Mr. Crissinger and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served some years as steward and for six years was a class leader. As a citizen Air. Crissinger has been interested in all that has promised to build up and make more stable good laws and good influences in his community. Politically his opinions have made him a Democrat and for many years both in Alarion and in Crawford counties he has served honestly and efficiently in township offices, beirig assessor for five years in the former and for three years in the latter, and for six years served Dallas township on its board of trustees.

JOHN \ATLLIAAI EXLEY, one of the highly respected residents of Bucyrus, O., who is a well-known blacksmith, was born here, Alay 19, 1858, and is a son of John Jacob and Frederica (Krebs) Exley.

John Jacob Exley was born in 1825, in Baden, Germany, and in childhood his father died and shortly afterward his mother. In 1838, being then only 13 years of age, he started for America in company with two friends, the late Jacob Schoub being one of these and Daniel Bauslinger, the other. These youths embarked on an old sailing vessel that required 42 days to transport them to New York. They managed to make their way from that city to Crawford county, O., and all came to Bucyrus. They were too young to have yet learned a trade but all three became respected men and useful citizens. John Jacob Exley died after a very short illness, on Sept. 12, 1868. He was a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Lutheran church. He A\-as married at Bucyrus to Frederica Krebs, who was bom in ^^''urtemberg, Germany, in 1836, and died Dec. 4, 1904. She accompanied her parents to America in 1854, landing at New York, and came to Crawford county by way of Buffalo. Her parents, Gottlieb and Rica Krebs, subsequently moved to Wyandot county where the mother died aged 68 years, after which the father returned to Bucyrus and lived to be 87 years of age.

To John Jacob Exley and wife the following children were born: John William; Charles, who is a blacksmith, living in this city; Gallic, who died Aug. 28. 1897. who was the wife of Joseph Nutter and the mother of two children - WiUie and Georgia, both now of Detroit, Mich. ; Emma, who is the widow of Albert Miller, and lives at Bucyrus, having one son, Carl ; and Katie, who resides with her sister, Mrs. Miller.

John William Exley attended school in boyhood and afterward learned the blacksmith business with the late John Horvald, and followed this trade in connection with other work, being a natural mechanic. Through industry, thrift and prudence he has accumulated a coml^etency and owns several valuable pieces of city property. With the exception of four years he has spent his life here and is well known to the majority of the citizens. On many occasions he has filled public office with efficiency, for eight years has been a member of the city council, of which he was president two years and vice president four years, and has been a member of all the committees. He is a Democrat.

Mr. Exley was married at Bucyrus to Miss Augusta Petersilge, who was born here Nov. 22, ,i86i, a daughter of Ferdinand and Frederica (Winegartner) Petersilge,. natives respectively of Saxony and Wurtemberg, Germany. The father of Mrs. Exley came to the United States in 1852. He was born Jan. 21, 1836, and died Sept. 7, 1902. His widow survives and was 73 years old. May 22, 1912; she has been a resident of the United States since 1854. Two of her children survive: Mrs. Exley and Fred. The latter was born in 1865 and is a resident of Bucyrus and formerly was engaged in the restaurant business. He married Anna Trautman and they have two children: Augusta P. and Ralph F. Mr. and Mrs. Exley are members of the German Lutheran church. He is a member of a German organization and for 28 years has been a Knight of Pythias, this long connection entitling him to the order's gold medal.

J. H. KIESS,* who has lived on his present farm of 160 acres, situated in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., for 42 years, has owned this land for 36 of these, purchasing from Jonathan Heinlein, it then being called the old Burkhardt farm. Mr. Kiess was born in Lycoming county, Pa., a son of Jacob and Catherine (Roth) Kiess.

Christopher Kiess, the grandfather, was born in Germany and came from there in 1806 and settled in Lycoming county, Pa., where he was one of the early school teachers. In 1850 the family decided to come to Crawford county, O., and it required two weeks for the loaded farm wagons to make the long overland journey. They settled in Whetstone township and among the good citizens of this section the name is not an unusual one. The mother of J. H. Kiess died after coming to Crawford county, leaving two children : J. H. and Lydia, the latter of whom is now deceased and is survived by her husband, Lewis Cripes. Jacob Kiess married Catherine Delker for his second wife and they had the following children: Simeon, Joseph, Daniel, Samuel, W. C, Christiana and Mary Margaret.

J. H. Kiess had but meager school advantages in the English language but in Pennsylvania attended a German school. His help was needed by his father when he was yet young and he has devoted his whole business life to agricultural pursuits. He has enriched his land and carefully cultivated it and it gives bountiful returns, and his buildings are those that are found on the farms of substantial and self-respecting people, built and kept up not only for shelter but for comfortable living. Mr. Kiess makes no attempt to raise any great aiTiount of stock but always has enough for his own use.

In 1864, Mr. Kiess was married (first) to Miss Elizabeth Cook, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Kiess) Cook, and to this marriage the following children were born; Mary B., Franklin J., Ella Lucinda and Matilda, all of whom are deceased; Rebecca, who is the wife of J. P. Crawl; and Ida E., who is the wife of Samuel Keiser. Mr. Kiess was married second to Miss Rachel Cook, a daughter of George and Rebecca (Young) Cook, and they have had five children : Reuben, who is deceased ; Wesley, who is a mail carrier; and Olen, Charles F and Bertha May. Mr. Kiess has frequently served in public office but it has not been any political reward as he votes independently. He has been very useful and progressive in relation to educational matters and has been equally concerned in giving the people good roads, for some years serving as road supervisor. With his family he attends the Evangelical church.

EAIAXUEL NEFF, residing nine miles northeast of Bucyrus, G., and two miles east of Sulphur Springs, is the justly contented owner of a well improved farm of 215 acres, well located, well drained and exceedingly productive. He is a son of Joseph and Sophia (Yeiter) Neff, the oldest of nine children, namely: Aaron, Amos, John J., Joseph C, Elizabeth, Alary, Emma, Tillie and Emanuel, all sur\iving except Tillie. Aaron married Cora Orweiler and they live in Liberty township. Amos married Anna Schieber and they live at Bucyrus, O. Jacob married Ella Schieber and they live in Liberty township. Joseph married Myrtle Schieber and they live in Holmes township. Elizabeth married Joseph Durr and their home is in Liberty township. Mary married Abraham Scheiber and they reside at Bucyrus, while Emma is the wife of Albert Scheiber and they live in Holmes township.

Emanuel Xeff attended school at Holmes township. He has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and has been very successful, being progressive and enterprising in his undertakings. He has greatly improved his property since it came into his possession, has two very fine barns and other substantial buildings and carries on his operations along modern lines with due regard to family comfort. He has been a member of the township board of education for some years and is much interested in the public schools.

Mr. Xeff married ^Nliss Sarah Krauter, one of a family of ten children born to Jacob and Anna Krauter, the others being: Jacob, who married Elizabeth Baker, and lives at Cleveland, O. : Otilla, who is the widow of Elias Durr; Alartha, who married \\^illiam Baker, of Galion ; Esther, who married Hershel Eshelman, of Seville, Aledina county, O. ; Elmer, who lives at home; and John, Christianna, Sophia and X^^etta, all deceased. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. X'eff; Lester E., Ralph A., Herbert J., Elsie :sl. and Karl F. j\Ir. Neff is identified with the Republican party but is no seeker for office, just a sensible, law-abiding, interested citizen.

successfully in the real estate and insurance business and is well known all over Crawford county. He was born in Northumberland county. Pa., and comes of Gennan people.

Johannes Schumacher, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, of German parents, so that a number of generations back must be followed to the little German village \vhere great grand-father Schmnacher was born. He came to the United States when young and became a .farmer, he and wife passing their later days in Schuylkill county, Pa., where they died in advanced age.

John Schumacher, father of Charles B., was born in Schuylkill county, Pa., and died Sept.- 17, 1856, when aged 66 years. His first marriage was to a Miss Hicks who died in Pennsylvania in middle life leaving eight children, all of whom are now deceased. His second marriage was to Catherine Baker, who died Sept. 20, 1873, aged 73 years, 10 months and 6 days. To the second union the following children were born: Catherine, Elvina, Jane, Julia, \\'iiliam, Robert, Charles B., Thomas and Sarah.

Charles B. Schumacher was born Dec. 15, 1835 and was reared and obtained his education in his native county. Before coming to Ohio in 1864, he had been variously employed, and after reaching the state located for a time in Fairfield county and then came on to Galion. Here he began work as a blacksmith in the Erie Railway shops, where he continued until 1874, becoming a master blacksmith. After leaving shop work he was made constable and served for four years, in that office, when he was elected a justice of the peace and continued in that responsible office foi" 15 consecutive years and after being out of office for one year, was re-elected justice of the peace and as such continued until 1885, terminating this connection after serving for 24 years. In 1886 he was elected mayor of Gallon and after the close of an admirable administration, he was elected a member of the city council for two succeeding years. Mr. Schumacher has thus been a very hiehlv honored citizen and has always realized his responsibilities and has fearlessly and honestly pursued his course in public life.

Charles B. Schumacher

Smith, who was born Aug. 14, 1839, in Williams county, O., but was reared in Pennsylvania and died at Galion, March 7, 1908, a woman of many virtues and excellencies. She was the loving and careful mother of a large family. Helen, Oliver, Harry and Walter, all died young. Alice L., who died Jan. 28, 1901, was the wife of Theodore Stewart, and the mother of two children, Charles and Helen, the latter of whom died at the age of 16 years, and the former, who lives with his grandfather, a graduate of the class of 1912, in the Galion High School and now employed by United Fruit Company, of New York ; Thomas M., who is general traffic manager of the American Smelting Company, and resides in New York; Clara T., who is the wife of George Stoltz and lives at Dawson, Neb. ; S. Emma, who cares for her father and is his capable housekeeper; and Wilbert A., who is general traffic manager of the United Fruit Company - Steamship and Railway Service, of New York. The last named is a very successful business man. After graduating in the class of 1894, from the Galion High School, he was with the Illinois Steel Company for two years and with the Armour people for 14 years, becoming assistant traffic manager for them and later traffic manager for his present Company. He has two children, Ruth and Herbert.

Politically Mr. Schumacher is a Democrat. For many years he has been very active in Odd Fellowship, uniting with the order in September, 1869, and has filled all the chairs in the local lodge. For 15 years he was treasurer of Galion Lodge No. 215, and is the second oldest past grand initiated in this lodge. He is a member and an elder of the Christian church, his family being of the same religious faith.

JENNINGS T. SHAWK, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest native born man of Holmes township, Crawford county, O., now lives retired on his farm five miles north of Bucyrus. He was born Sept. 11, 1835, in an old log house that then occupied the present site of the Opera House, at Bucyrus, and is a son of Thomas Shawk and a grandson of Jacob Shawk, who was a Revolutionary soldier.

county, O., March 4, 1806, came to Crawford county in 1829, and died Dec. 29, 1885. After his marriage he moved to Bucyrus by wagon, the state of the roads at that time making the journey of three day's duration, and at Bucyrus purchased the block on which the Opera House now is located and went to work as a blacksmith for a man named Gilmore, whose shop was in this vicinity. Shortly afterward the old Trimble House was erected. Thomas Shawk spent the larger part of his life at Bucyrus and died there. For three years he lived in Whetstone township and for some years in Holmes township, but Bucyrus was his chosen home and he was identified with its early enterprises and was considered a valuable citizen. He rnarried Esther Albright, whose father was the brother of Jacob Albright who was the founder of the Evangelical church in Pennsylvania. Daniel Albright was a man of much prominence in Crawford county during its early history. This was his second marriage, his first one taking place in Columbiana county, to which six children were born. Jennings T. Shawk, son of Thomas Shawk, is the only survivor of his father's family and he was third in order of birth, his two brothers and three sisters all being deceased. Adeline was the wife of Edward Sheckler. Aurelia was the wife of Alexander Ruhl, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas as well as Mary, the youngest, died early.

Jennings T. Shawk had educational opportunities that served to qualify him for teaching school but he did not teach, working instead at the blacksmith trade until his marriage, when he came to his present farm, on which his wife was born, and later bought the place. For many years afterward he engaged in farming and stock raising, but has been retired for some time and his son carries on the farm industries. He owns 320 acres, all situated in Holmes township, and his improvements are probably the best in the township. He erected two comfortable residences and has built six barns, three of which were destroyed by fire.

Mr. Shawk was married to Miss Sarah Lahman, a daughter of Charles Lahman, who was born in Germany, May 30, 1810, and died in Ohio, Feb. 10, 1892. When he came first to Crawford county he entered 80 acres of land and then returned to Germany, where he was married to Christina Gearhart and returned with his wife to Ohio and they settled on the present farm of Mr. Shawk and Hved there through hfe. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shawk, namely: George E., who lives in Sheridan county, Mo., and who married Elizabeth Pfeifer and has five children - Mary, Pearl, Sarah, George and Jessie ; - Charles L., who lives in Holmes township who married Laura Wilhelm and has three children - Guy, Arthur and Grace; Jay, who is his father's farmer, who married Lizzie Fralick and has two children - Naomi and Ruth; and Thomas, also a resident of Holmes township, who married Emma Meek and has three children - Russell, Willard and Warren. In politics, Mr. Shawk and sons are Democrats and he has served as township trustee. He is a member of the Evangelical Association.

HOWARD M. GREEN,* who is engaged in the house painting and decorating business at Gallon, O., and additionally, is interested with his brother, in a 500-acres stock farm in Washington township. Morrow county, O., belongs to one of the old Crawford county families and is well known all through this section. He was born at Gallon, in 1871, and is a son of James Henry and Lenora H. (Mc- Clain) Green, and a grandson of Henry and Anna Green. He is the eldest of four sons, the others being : Frank, Dahl and James.

Howard M. Green attended school at Gallon and completed his education at Evanston, 111. In May, 1898, he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War, entering Battery H, First O. Light Artillery, under Captain Stewart and Colonel Brooks and was discharged as head driver of his section. Later he became a furniture finisher, displaying much skill in this line of work and then learned decorating. For the past 12 years he has been interested in the Spring Grove Stock Farm, in Morrow county, where horses, mules and hogs are raised for market.

Mr. Green was married at Galion, to Miss Grace Blazier, who was born at Chicago, 111., but was reared and educated at Galion. She is a daughter of Henry and Sarah E. (Slick) Blazier, the former of whom died at Galion in 1887, at the age of 45 years. Mrs. Blazier resides on East Main street, Galion. Mr. and

Mrs. Green have two children : Ruth Leanora, who was born July 4, 1893, and is a member of the class of 1913, at the Galion high school; and Frank M., who was born October 27, 1899. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, have many pleasant social connections and Mr. Green is a member of the Spanish-American War Veterans.

CHARLES A. SHROLL, who is engaged in general farming in Dallas township, Crawford county, O., where he owns 80 acres of excellent land, was born in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, March 2^, 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (McNichol) ShroU.

Jacob Shroll was of German parentage but he was born in Pennsylvania, where his wife was also born, she being of Irish ancestry. Both died in Crawford county, his burial being in the old SchroU cemetery, while her resting place is in Mt. Zion cemetery, in Bucyrus township. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Eight children were born to them, Charles A. being the youngest: William; Mary, wife of Norman Mount; Sarah, wife of Porter Leighbarger; John; Nancy, wife of Noah Seitz; Louisa, wife of Richard Kellar; and Matilda, wife of R. P. Young.

Charles A. Shroll was left fatherless when seven years of age and on this account had fewer advantages in youth than had many other boys of his acquaintance. His mother was obliged to let the family be broken up and he was placed with strangers with whom he lived and as opportunity offered, attended the district schools. He was naturally industrious and before long was able to earn enough to provide for his own necessities and afterward continued to work on farms, by the month, until he was 27 years of age. In all this time he had never had a real home, living always with strangers, but now he married and founded his own hearthstone and has a happy domestic circle of wife and eight children. For some 20 years after marriage Mr. Shroll rented land from different farmers, after which he purchased his present place and to its cultivation and improvement has devoted himself ever since. He is a self-made man and niay be cited as an example of what may be accomplished through industry and persistent effort.

Mr. ShroU was married July 19, 1884, to Miss Ida A. Argrave, who was born in Mercer county, Pa., a daughter of George R. and Mary Argrave, who had three children: Henry; Olive, wife of George Paup; and Ida A., who became the wife of Mr. Shroll. To Mr. and Mrs. Shroll the following children have been born : Reginald, who married Victoria Eckert ; Clyde ; Frank, who married Effie Fillinger ; and Walter, Dice, Beth, Theodore and Ivan K. Mr. Shroll has always been a busy man but never neglects his duties as a citizen and has taken much interest in the public schools, serving as school director and giving his children all the advantages within his power.

W. A. WATERS, who is one of the most substantial citizens and the largest land owner in Liberty township, Crawford county, O., carries on general farming and stock raising on his large estate of 400 acres and resides two miles southeast of Sulphur Springs, O. He was born in Wyandot county, O., March 11, 1862, and is a son of Philip A. and Mary (Daugherty) Waters.

Philip A. Waters was born in Westmoreland county. Pa., and by his parents was brought to Crawford county, at the age of four years. At a later date he moved to Wyandot county and there engaged in farming for a number of years, when he removed to Indiana and died in that state in advanced age. He married Mary Daugherty and one child was born to them, W. A., the wife and mother dying in 1864.

Being left motherless at the age of two and one-half years, W. A. Waters was reared on the present farm in his uncle's home, the later, Reuben Waters, being now deceased. He obtained his education in the district schools and was trained from boyhood to be a farmer. This farm has always been his home from infancy and since he took possession as sole owner, he has made a great many improvements, including the erection of a handsome modern residence.

Mr. Waters was united in marriage with Miss Ella Caris, who was born in Wood county, O., a daughter of Eli Caris, and they have one daughter, Ada. She is the wife of Delbert Butterfif, who resides on an adjoining farm, and they have five children : Zelma,

Bernice, Robert, Mendel and Richard. Mr. Waters is a Republican in politics but has given more attention to his agricultural activities than to public matters, although he never neglects the duties of good citizenship.

EMANUEL C. CRISSINGER,* carpenter and builder, a well known citizen of Galion and a reliable business man of this section, was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., May 13, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Knoble) Crissinger, and a grandson of George Crissinger, who was the founder of the family in Ohio, moving to Crawford county from Northumberland county. Pa. The father was twice married and Emanuel C. was the sixth born of the first family, there being two surviving brothers: Charles J., a well known business man of Galion; and Daniel, who is a farmer and also a carpenter and lives in Whetstone township.

Emanuel C. Crissinger was reared on the home farm and worked with his father at carpentering and under his supervision became an expert mechanic. In 1884 he moved to Galion and three years later he erected the comfortable residence which he has since occupied, at No. 334 North Market street. From 1903 until 1909 he was engaged in the grocery trade at Galion, but with that exception, he has been giving his attention exclusively, for the past 38 years, to carpenter work including building. In his political affiliation he is a Democrat but he has never been what may be called a politician, just a good, earnest and interested citizen.

Mr. Crissinger was married in 1884 to Miss- Susie E. Fail, who was born near Galion, Sept. 4, 1856, a daughter of John and Julia A. (Snyder) Fail. John Fail was born in Germany and was eight years old when his parents brought him to the United States. He was. reared in Crawford county and was married, near Bucyrus, to Julia A. Snyder, who accompanied her parents to this section, from Pennsylvania, when 17 years of age. Mr. Fail was^ a farmer in Polk township, Crawford county, until 1898, when he and his wife retired to Galion, where his death occurred in 1899, when aged 75 years. Mrs. Fail, now in her 8othyear, resides with a daughter at Galion. To-

Mr. and Mrs. Crissinger the following children have been born: William A., born Sept, 15, 1887, who resides at Gallon and married Ada Shaw; and Charles Addison, who was born May 9, 1890, and lives with his parents. He is a graduate of the Galion High School and is now cashier for the Erie Railway Company at Galion. Mr. and Mrs. Crissinger are active members of the United Brethren church, of which he has been a trustee and for some years was a class leader in the same.

WILLIAM I. MUTCHLER, one of the progressive agriculturists of Tod township, Crawford county, 0., residing on his well improved farm of 160 acres, situated one mile northeast of Oceola, O., was born on this farm, in 1866, and is a son of Isaiah and Harriet (Kisor) Mutchler.

In the death of Isaiah Mutchler, which occurred in 1906, in his 83rd year, Crawford county lost one of its most respected pioneers. He bought the farm which now belongs to his son, William I., in 1846, from the Government, paying $2.25 per acre, and it has been carefully preserved in the family ever since, and has never had even a mortgage entered against it. Isaiah Mutchler was born in Seneca county, O., and took possession of his Crawford county land in 1847. Subsequently he acquired much other property, aggregating some 600 acres of land, and each one of his children were given a farm by this generous and provident father. He was a member of the United Brethren church and had filled almost every church office, taking much more interest in it than in the political life of the community in which his long life was spent. He married Harriet Kisor, who was born near Sycamore, Wyandot county, and died in Crawford county, when aged 73 years and 6 months. The record of their children is as follows : Catherine and Barbara, twins, the former of whom married Adam Fisher, and the latter, Frank Karns; Amanda, who married George Aurand ; Frank, deceased, who married Dora Miller; Susanna, deceased, who married John Beamer; George, who married Susan Little; Harriet, who married Samuel Lambert; Melissa, who is deceased; twin infants, both deceased; Matilda, who married Philip Hoker; William I., and Leafy, deceased, who was the wife of William Nicholson.

In the schools of Tod township, William I. Mutchler secured a good, common school education, and ever since has devoted himself to farm industries on the homestead. Since the farm has been his own he has done considerable improving, replacing all the buildings with the exception of one barn. He owns valuable stock and improved machinery and is contemplating the building of a fine silo in the near future.

Mr. Mutchler married Miss Rebecca Patton, who was born in Mifflin county, Pa., and a family of ten children has been born to them, as follows: Flora, who married Orlo Bash and has two children, Cecil and Laura; Fred; Jesse, who married Bessie Cox; and Sylvia, Russell, Mary, Goldie, Ethel, Paul and Dwight L., all of whom survive with the exception of Paul, who died in infancy. Mr. Mutchler is a Democrat in politics and he has served as school director. He is one of the leading members of the United Brethren church and has served as class leader and steward.

GEORGE W. SCHIEFER, who is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., where he carries on modern agriculture on his farm of 94 acres and operates additionally the 257 acres belonging to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Ellen McKinstry, was born in Crawford county, Dec. 19, 1878, and is a son of Isaac and Margaret Ellen (Berry) Schiefer.

The parents of Mr. Schiefer were bom in Crawford county, where they still reside, the father being a farmer. They have the following children: George W., James W., Weldon S., Cordelia, Moody L., Grace J., and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer are members of the Evangelical church.

George W. Schiefer completed the common school course and then became a student in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., after which he taught school for eight terms during the winter time while he devoted his summers to the farm. Since then he has given all his attention to his agricultural pursuits, doing general farming and being an extensive stock raiser, keeping only good grades and finding a ready market.

Kinstry. The mother of Mrs. Schiefer survives but her father died in 190 1, leaving a large estate. Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer and Mrs. McKinstry attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican but has never accepted any public office although well qualified for the same, being an educated, well balanced, reliable man.

HENRY R. KURRLEY,* a representative business man of Gallon, 0.,-junior member of the firm of Evans & Kurrley, proprietors of the Boston Street Grocery House and also conducting a store at Delaware, O., was born in the latter city, Jan. 2, 1879, and is a son of William and Fannie (Wittinger) Kurrley.

The parents of Mr. Kurrley were born in Wurtemberg, Germany. They were young when they came to America and were reared near Delaware, O., where they married and now live in comfortable retirement. In 1859 William Kurrley started in the grocery business at Delaware and continued active in the trade until 1895, when he sold to his son, Leopold D., and the business is continued at the old stand. Mr. Kurrley and wife are both in their middle seventies but are hearty and well and there is promise of many years before them. All their seven children survive and four of these have domestic circles of their own.

Henry R. Kurrley was reared and educated at Delaware and learned the grocery business in his father's store. In October, 1898, Mr. Kurrley and Mr. Evans, the latter of whom was born at Delaware in 1873, came to Gallon and purchased the Boston street store from J. E. Gelsanliter and have conducted it successfully ever since and subsequently bought the Delaware store, which Mr. Evans mainly manages. Both partners are young men of energy, discretion and enterprise and conduct their large volume of business along honorable lines, such as have won them the confidence and patronage of the public.

;,^t Delaware, O., Mr. Kurrley was married to Miss Amelia L. Osterly, who was born, reared and educated in that city. They have one daughter, Edna A., who was born at Delaware, April 28, 1898, and is now attending school at Gallon. Mr. and Mrs. Kurrley are members of the German Lutheran church.

MISS INEZ MILLER, who has been a teacher in the public schools of Gallon, O., since 1889, and has been interested in and identified with the remarkable advancement in educational matters in this section during this time, belongs to Gallon, for here she was born, reared and educated and here has found her chosen field of work. She is a daughter of Charles R. Miller and a granddaughter of Charles and Mary (Riblet) Miller.

Charles Miller, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and was young when he accompanied his parents to Richland county, O. Later he married Mary Riblet, a daughter of Daniel Riblet, who had also moved to Richland county, from Pennsylvania. Daniel Riblet was a school teacher and later owned and operated a stage coach line between Gallon and Mansfield, with headquarters six miles east of Gallon. For some years he was postmaster of Gallon and was active in politics, serving in the state legislature. After marriage, Charles Miller and wife lived for a time in Ashland county and then settled in Sandusky township, Richland county, on a farm adjoining that of the Riblets, and remained there until their death, when aged about 75 years. They were members of the Lutheran church. Of their four children who reached maturity, all married and three sons survive : Charles R., William W. and Henry F., the two younger brothers still living on the old homestead.

Charles R. Miller was born in Ashland county, O., and was reared on the home farm. Afterward he served as assistant postmaster at Gallon and later became a landscape decorator and artist. He was married at Crestline to Miss Mary Lowe, who was born in Denbeighshire, Wales, and when ten years old accompanied her sister Elizabeth to the United States to join their step-father and guardian, Charles Charlton, who formerly was well known in railroad circles in the United States and Canada. To Charles R. Miller and wife the following children were born : Mary, who is the wife of J. H. Barr, residing at Galion, Mr. Barr being a rural mail carrier, they having three children - Jessie, Howard and Ruth;

Inez L. ; Albert E., who is a merchant at Cleveland; and William H., who is in commercial art work at St. Louis, Mo., and who married Margaret DeNaux.

Miss Inez Miller was creditably graduated from the Galion High School in 1887 and began teaching in 1889, and for the past four years has been, also, elementary superintendent of the Crawford County Sunday School Association. She is so eminently a teacher and so thoroughly qualified in every way to be an instructor, that her availability is recognized wherever educational work is proposed and on many occasions she has been tendered positions of responsibility. While she is progressive and ambitious yet she is careful and understanding and the advancement made by her pupils is on a sound foundation. She is well known in the city's pleasant social life and, with the other members of her family, belongs to the English Lutheran church.

MRS. FRANCES CRUM, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Liberty township, Crawford county, C, residing on her well improved farm of 90 acres, was born in Liberty township and is a daughter of the late Abraham Grogg, and the widow of D. O. Crum.

D. O. Crum was born in Dauphin county. Pa., and was brought in childhood to Crawford county, his father locating in Liberty township. He grew to manhood ^on his father's farm and helped to clear and cultivate it, in the meanwhile attending the district schools and acquiring a fair knowledge of books. For some three years after his marriage, he worked his father-in-law's farm and then settled on the property now owned by his widow and here he lived as a busy and contented farmer until his death, March 27, 1896, at the age of 45 years. In everything pertaining to this property he felt an interest and continued to make improvements which included the erection of new and substantial buildings. He was widely known and much resjjected.

In 1 87 1 D. O. Crum and Frances Grogg were united in marriage. Her father, Abraham Grogg, was born in Pennsylvania but spent the larger part of his life in Crawford county. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crum, namely: Chester C, who lives at

Mansfield, O. ; Maude, who is the wife of I. W. Rodgers, who resides at Bucyrus and has three children - David, Donald and Mildred; E. L., who rharried Emma Loyer, and lives in the western part of Liberty township and who has three children - Lawrence, Opal and Alice ; Estella, who is deceased; Fred, who resides with his mother; Lulu, who married Howard Gwinner, and has two children - Elmer and Josephine; and McKinley, who lives at home. Mrs. Crum and family belong to the United Brethren church. Mr. Crum was a Republican in politics but he was a quiet, peaceful man and never sought office nor engaged in political campaigns.

CLAUDE B. SHARER, superintendent of the sales department of the American Clay Machinery Company of Bucyrus, O., has been connected with this branch of one of the large industries of the city since 1904, coming from Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Sharer was born July 30, 1871, at Delaware, O., and is a son of George W. Sharer, whose name has been carried to many sections of this and other countries as the inventor of modern brickmaking machinery. He was also a valiant soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, a member of Co. C, 40th O. Vol. Inf. He was the patentee of the Sharer Brick-Dryer.

Claude B. Sharer was educated in the public schools of Terre Haute, Ind., and then became interested in brick machinery with his father, and 20 years of his active life was devoted to introducing and establishing modern brick plants with improved machinery. He is a practical brick man and probably is as well known in that trade as any man in the country, of his age, and has also had foreign experience, having visited the great brick centers of Europe and introduced the Sharer and other patents. For some time before coming to Bucyrus he had maintained his headquarters at Philadelphia, which is one of the greatest brick making centers of the country. His long experience as sales manager has made him a man .^ great value to his present company and he has charge of all the selling interests of this concern.

they have four children : Beryl W., Claude B., Jr., Harvey B. and Morris C, their ages ranging from fourteen to eight years, and all are pupils in the public schools. Mr. Sharer is a Republican but no politician, nor is he addicted to the club habit. His family, his home and his business afford him contentment.

JACOB HILDEBRAND,* whose excellent farm of 30 acres lies in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., has resided here since 1907 and was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, Feb. 14, .1851, a son of John and Margaret (Rapp) Hildebrand.

John Hildebrand was born in Germany and died in Liberty township, Crawford county, O. By trade he was a butcher and he also followed farming and was a well known man in his day in his neighborhood. He married Margaret Rapp, who was born in Pennsylvania and both are now deceased. The following children were born to them : Solomon, George, Mary, Emanuel, Jacob, Christian, Matilda, John, and Sophia, the last named being the wife of Terry Tupps. Mary, who is now deceased, was the wife of John Green, and Matilda is the wife of John Sheeley.

Jacob Hildebrand obtained his education in the schools of Liberty township and farming has occupied a large part of his time since then, although he has also been engaged in saw-mill work and also has traveled with a threshing machine in the threshing seasons. Prior to coming to Whetstone township he had lived for three years in Cranberry township and five years in Auburn township, and in the latter served as road supervisor and as school director. He has always been an industrious man and is one who enjoys the respect of his neighbors.

In September, 1884, Mr. Hildebrand was married to Miss Maria Utz, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Frederick and Gertrude (Hirnlein) Utz, natives of Germany. Mrs. Hildebrand has two brothers and one sister: Daniel, Augustus and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand have four children, namely : Frederick, who married Delia Kile ; Florence ; Harvey, who married Mabel Raiser; and Paul. Mr. Hildebrand has the assistance of his sons Florence and Paul on the home farm. The family belongs to the German Lutheran church

Rev. Thomas J. Monnett, 1826

REV. THOMAS J. MONNETT, 1826- 190 1. From pioneer days to the present time the Monnett family has been numerously and honorably represented in the financial, educational and religious life of Crawford county.

Isaac Monnett was the first of the name to arrive. In 1828 with his wife, Elizabeth Pittinger Morris Monnett, and their family of adult children, including a step-son, Jeremiah Morris, he located on section 36, Bucyrus township, four and a half miles south of the county seat. The married children later located on adjacent lands. They were industrious, thrifty and religious people and while seeking personal and family advancement, ever had in mind the public welfare. Almost coexistent with a place of abode for himself and family, provision was made for religious services at his home, which was continued until better facilities could be arranged.

In 1835, the Rev. Jeremiah Monnett, a brother of the above, arrived and located in the vicinity near what is now Monnett Memorial chapel. His family was composed of his wife Aley (Elsie) Slagle Monnett and a number of adult children, most of whom after marriage settled in the locality and thus in a brief period of time a large element of desirable citizens was implanted in the community.

These brothers had come from Pickaway county, O., and were respectively the oldest and youngest sons in a large family born to Abraham and Ann (Hillary) Monnett, pioneers from Virginia to Pickaway county, O., at the beginning of the last century.

For generations a tradition had been held that the family had descended from Huguenot refugees, who left the "vine-clad hills and sunny vales" of their beloved France upon the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and fled to England and some of them afterward to America, establishing themselves in Virginia and Maryland from whence descendants emigrated to Pickaway county, O., and in 1828 and 183 s some of them to Crawford county, as stated.

edited by the Hon. Orra Eugene Monnett, formerly of Bucyrus, O., but now of Los Angeles, California. He brought to his task an equipment, well-nigh perfect for such, an undertaking - ^youth, health, enthusiasm, broad culture, including a legal training and ample financial resources to cover all expenses of travel and necessary investigation to insure utmost accuracy in the history. Traveling, personally, over the grounds of the various removals and migrations in America, back to England and France, searching records, muster rolls, records of historical societies, by such earnest, devoted and intelligent services unremittingly applied for several years, aided by an able corps of expert assistants and contributors, he has established, incontrovertibly, that the traditions were founded upon fact - that the family belonged to the nobility, eligible to the use of a coat-of-arms, with a most significant motto : "Florens suo orbe Monet," and in the services of ancestors in the land of their refuge, in colonial and revolutionary days, entitled their descendants to qualify as Sons of Colonial Wars, Colonial Dames, Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Members of the Huguenot Society of America, etc. In view of this interesting and honorable inheritance, it is hoped, there will be nothing of the parvenu in the kindred of this and later times; and it is trusted, that fidelity to principle; incorruptible integrity; self-sacrifice and strong self-reliance which has made the name honorable, down the centuries, wherever representatives have lived for a considerable time, will have an inspiring effect upon descendants to live up to high ideals of life.

It is the object of this sketch to present, in brief review, one of the representative members of this family - the Reverend Thomas Jefferson Monnett, the youngest son and thirteenth child born to the Rev. Jeremiah and Aley (Elsie) Monnett.

He was born in Pickaway county, 0., Jan. i6, 1826. In 1835, he came to Crawford county, 0., with his parents, where they located four and a half miles south of Bucyrus. Here he grew to manhood. He early evidenced a keen intellect, a fine gift of language and other endowments which gave promise of a successful professional career. Officials of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he had joined in his boyhood, soon recognized his fitness for the Christian ministry in her communion, and at eighteen years of age, he was licensed to exhort, and recommended for advancement in the ministry. His father, also had noted with interest and pleasure the same evidences of "a call to preach" and in furtherance of a good foundation for the work had the son read Clarke's Commentaries on the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. This was mainly done in winter evenings. Meanwhile, young Monnett taught the district school, worked on the farm, attended a select school in the neighborhood and for a time, the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. As the "fields were white to the harvest and the laborers few," those in authority urged him to enter at once, the active ministerial ranks and trust to and utilize his opportunities for acquiring academic knowledge while fulfilHng his studies as a minister. This unwise policy made his later work unduly hard and had much to do with enfeebling his constitution, which had never been robust.

Mr. Monnett joined the North Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1852 and for the full period of time, served successively, in the following order: Melmore Circuit, Fostoria, Kenton, Upper Sandusky, Latimberville Circuit, which at the time embraced a wide area and contained nine appointments. He was an extremely hard worker in his pastorates, conducting revivals and church building or repairing enterprises in all of them. Finally, in the rigorous winter of 1860-61, after an unusually prolonged series of meetings, at most of the appoinments on the large circuit, his health became seriously impaired, especially from a siege of acute bronchitis. This trouble afterward became chronic and compelled his retirement from the active ministry. In taking up secular work from 1864 to the time of his death he was ever ready to answer the calls of the church when health permitted. He never ceased to regard the ministry as his calling and on the testimony of one, who knew conditions better than anyone else, his secular activities were largely incidental and not studied voluntary business enterprises, as business men pursue them.

institutes, temperance and many other organizations met with a ready response, if possible, and his services were in recjuisition to the time of his fatal illness. At that time he was closing his thirteenth consecutive year as president of the Crawford County Sunday-school Association and held official relations to other religious and moral organizations.

Mr. Monnett's ministerial services were without financial consideration, no moneyed rew ard excepting the occasional wedding fee came to him, and no minister, in the region of his residence rendered so much gratuitous ministerial service and for the long period of his life, few, if any, were so popular. He could only cope with his chronic malady by leading an out-of-door life, so he continued on his farm and by this course he maintained a fair average of health and accomplished a larger measure of work for the Master's Kingdom than would otherwise have been possible.

In his secular work he was for twenty years head of the woolen mills of Bucyrus ; for eighteen years president of the Bucyrus Gas company, and principal owner of the plant; at the same time he was interested in banking and stock-raising and engaged in looking after his landed estate. He spurned all sham methods of accumulating wealth and in commercial and business circles, his word was as good as his bond.

His own accjuaintance with the hardships of the business world, on account of the fluctuations of the markets and the intricacies and uncertainties of trade, greatly broadened his sympathies for business men and they understood and honored him for it.

Notwithstanding his attention given to church and educational work he amassed a comfortable fortune as well as endowing his children with a liberal education and financial opportunities.

Mr. Monnett died of bronchitis at his home in Bucyrus, O., May lo, 1901, in the seventysixth year of his age and was buried in Monnett cemetery. His last sickness indicated a complication of diseases, but an autopsy revealed all organs normal but the bronchial system and bronchitis was therefore the primary cause of his death.

Esquire Thomas D. and Martha (Walton) Johnston, wealthy and highly respected pioneers of Marion county, O. Seven children were born of this union; two of them, Webster and Agnes J., died in infancy. John Gilbert, "Bertie," died in his young manhood, March 26, 1879. A daughter, Mrs. Effie Monnett Bennett, in the early prime of a noble and most beautiful womanhood, died Oct. 27, 1898, leaving a husband, Hon. Smith W. Bennett and two children, Hugh Monnett and Grace Lizetta. Mr. Bennett, who is a highly successful lawyer and who was for ten years special counsel in the attorney-general's office at Columbus, by a second marriage, this time to Miss Anna Drought, a beautiful and accomplished lady, well-fitted for such a position, has had his home sweetly reestablished and with his family is living at Columbus, O.

The oldest surviving son, Orin Bruce, married Anna - Hoffman, daughter of Charles and Catharine (Snyder) Hoffman and they have two children, Ethel and Bessie, both married. Mr. Monnett is in the real estate business and the family home is at Conroe, Montgomery county, Texas. William Arthur married Annetta Boyer, daughter of Joshua and Charlotte (Slough) Boyer and they have three children, Kay, Grace and Charlotte. Kay married Harriet Homes and they are the parents of six children. William Arthur Monnett and family live on the old homestead on the Sandusky Pike.

Francis Sylvester, graduate of the O. W. U. and National Law School, Washington, D. C. ; was twice attorney-general of Ohio ; practicing now in all the courts including supreme court of the United States; married Ellen Kate Gormly, daughter of James B. and Virginia (Qwingley) Gormly and their home is at Columbus, O.

The devoted, faithful wife, and mother of this family, Mrs. Henrietta Monnett, lived with her husband during his active ministry and was a constant inspiration to him and the work. She was ever honored and greatly beloved by all who made her acquaintance. Her useful life came to a close, Nov. 20, 1871.

Mr. Monnett was twice married. His second union was with Miss Sarah Rexroth, M. S., a daughter of John Nicholas and Anna Maria (Rittmann) Rexroth, a graduate of

Mount Union college and late principal of the Bucyrus high school. She brought with her into the family life a rich Christian experience, a well-trained intellect and a mind and heart full of noble inspirations. She gave the best years of her life to the rearing of the family and fitting them for the serious duties of life and training them for high school and college education along with her other arduous family duties. She fully sympathized with her husband in his religious activities and ever strove to make his work successful. She was a devoted companion to Mr. Monnett in his declining years.

The family home had been in Bucyrus, a number of years before Mr. Monnett's death and here Mrs. Monnett became identified with various activities, helping to establish the Current Events Club and in earlier years the foreign and home missionary societies of the First M. E. church, and in recent years W. F. M. society at Monnett Memorial Chapel; was one of the nine women incorporators of the Bucyrus public library and served as trustee, was chairman of the building committee of Monnett Memorial Chapel and administered her husband's estate. Mrs. Monnett lives at Bucyrus, O.

ALBERT RENSCH,* market gardener and proprietor of the Renschville Greenhouses, located just outside the city limits of Galion, O., is carrying on a business which was established 43 years ago by his late father, Jacob Rensch. Albert Rensch was born July i, 1863, in the large brick house which was erected here in 18^3, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Deinkeldein) Rensch.

Jacob Rensch was born in Baden, Germany, in 1828, and in 1833 accompanied his parents to the United States, they locating on the present site of the Renschville plant, just outside of Galion, it then being covered with native timber and entirely a wilderness. They had two sons and one daughter: Jacob, Frederick and Martha, all of whom are now deceased, the death of Jacob Rensch occurring May 17, 1903. On the portion of the home land which became his, he started a market garden and as he prospered, enlarged the scope of his business and in i88g built the first hot house. He had a natural leaning in the direction and built up a large business which he continued to be interested in as long as he lived. He married Elizabeth Deinkeldein, who was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, and was seven years old when her parents, Peter and Martha Deinkeldein, came to Ohio and located near the Rensch land, under similar conditions. She survived until April 23, 1900. Jacob Rensch and wife were members of the German Reformed church. Of their family of ten children all survive except one, Clara, who died at the age of 17 years, the others being: Henry, Edward, Janet, Frank, Albert, Emma, Mary, Emanuel and Amanda, all of whom have married with the exception of Albert and all are residents of Crawford county.

Albert Rensch with his brothers and sisters attended the country schools and willingly gave his father assistance in his farming and gardening, having a taste in this direction, and before his father's death became the practical manager of the business. Since the property became his own he has made many changes, tearing down the old buildings and erecting five greenhouses in which he has installed modern equipments and carries on his undertaking in a scientific way. He is a good business man and a representative citizen, being a member of the Commercial Club. With his brothers he is identified with the Democratic party, and with the other members of his family, was confirmed in the Reformed church. He has assistants in his brothers and they cultivate 63 acres and in the greenhouses have 12,000 feet of glass and in the spring their trade is very heavy, shipping their forced plants to outside points, while their local trade is very satisfactory.

JOSEPH HEINLE. One of the substantial old families of Holmes township, Crawford county, O., is the Heinle family and a member of the same, Joseph Heinle, lives on the old homestead which his father acquired as wild land, some 60 years ago. Mr. Heinle was born on this farm of 94 acres, which lies four miles west of Bucyrus, May 26, 1857, and is a son of John G. and Maria (Leittz) Heinle.

John G. Heinle was born in i8ig in Germany and came to Crawford county, O., in 1837, engaged first in farming in Bucyrus township and then came to Holmes township and bought the present place. To the development and improvement of this property he devoted many years of life and lived into old age, dying in 1899, when 80 years old, his wife surviving to be 75 years of age. They had eight children, namely: Eliza, who is the wife of Adam Brown; Frances, who lives in Bucyrus township; George, who also lives in Bucyrus township; Mrs. Kate Gibson, of Oceola, O. ; Mrs. Mary Ann Meyers, of Van Wert, O. ; John and Philip, both of whom live in Bucyrus township; and Joseph.

Joseph Heinle obtained his education in the schools of Crawford county and ever since has been engaged in farm pursuits on the old homestead which he purchased. In addition to general farming and some fruit raising he gives attention to stock raising to a moderate degree, and through his systematic methods produces fine returns.

Mr. Heinle married Miss Emma Snavely, a daughter of David Snavely and they have had four children: Kate, who married Moses Steiger, and has one daughter, Valeria ; Agnes ; Mary and Stella, the youngest daughter being deceased. Mr. Heinle and family belong to the Martin Luther church in Tod township. In politics he is a Democrat and has served in the office of road supervisor.

JOHN GRAU, who owns 113 acres of finely improved land situated three and one-half miles northeast of Bucyrus, O., in Liberty township, Crawford county, is a careful and competent farmer and has every reason to feel satisfied with his agricultural success. He was born in 1870, in Tuscarawas county, O., one of a family of nine children born to his parents, who were Gottlieb and Dora (Esterley) Grau. Two of the children died in infancy, but the following survive : John ; George, who married Mary Crall, lives near Bucyrus ; Jacob, who lives in Marion county, O., married Mary Scherer; Edward, who lives two miles south of Bucyrus, and married Anna Wise; Albert, who lives at Cleveland; Mary, who is the wife of Frederick Metzger, of Bucyrus ; and Emma, who resides at Cleveland.

John Grau had the usual district school advantages of a farmer's son and very early became acquainted with many of the practical facts that are foundation stones in successful farming. After purchasing the property on which he lives he did considerable improving and has one of the most valuable and attractive farms in this section.

Mr. Grau married Miss Rachel McCullough, who is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Mc- Cleland) McCullough, and they have two children, Louise and Earl. Mr. Grau and family are members of the Presbyterian church. He is identified with the Democratic party but takes no very active part in public matters. He is interested, however, in having good schools and good laws concerning the construction and repair of the public highways, as becomes a good citizen.

J. BERT ROBINSON,* one of the enterprising and active business men of Gallon, a member of the transportation firm of Walford & Robinson, proprietors of the Central Delivery company, with business stand on Warehouse Alley, Gallon, was born in Polk township, Crawford county, O., Jan. 23, 1876, and is a son of J. Chalmer and Emma Robinson.