Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 32: Miscellaneous, 1912 (part 22 of 28)

George Lauck was born in Lancaster county, Jr'a., in 1800 and died in 1852 on his farm in Crawtord county, O., to which state he had come in 1827. He married Mary Deardoff, in Lancaster county, a member of a well known old Pennsylvania Dutch family, and her death occurred in 1859. They were members of the Lutheran church. George Lauck was prominent and influential in the Democratic party in Crawford county and served in local offices and three terms as county treasurer. To George and Mary Lauck the following children were born: John, who died at the age of two years; Jane, who married Andrew Failor, formerly a merchant at Bucyrus but later a resident of Iowa, where both he and wife died, leaving seven children - Emma, Andrew, George, Mary, Samuel, Charles and Frank; Amanda, who was the wife of Judge Josiah S. Plantz, both now deceased, who had four children - Justinian, Gailor, Frank and Anna; Henrietta, deceased, who was the wife of C. W. Fisher and left six children - Mary, deceased, Edwin, Charles, Frank, Blanche and Grace, deceased; Nettie, who married L. B. Lyday and died in Texas, while Mr. Lyday died at Indianapolis, Ind., they having had four children, the one survivor being Mary, who lives with her family in California; Benjamin F., whose name heads this article ; and George, who died at Toledo, O. For some years he was a merchant at Bucyrus. He and wife were survived by four children : Qarence, Stella and Ella, twins, and Mary.

Benjamin F. Lauck was educated at Bucyrus, later was a student at Wittenberg College and still later had educational advantages at Newton, la. In i860 he went into the grocery business but closed it out shortly afterward in order to become a soldier in answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers. He enlisted in Co. I, 86th O. Vol. Inf., and served four months under Captain Stone and Col. Burns, in this connection, and then reenlisted, becoming a member of the 57th O. Vol. Inf., under Captain Skelton and Colonel Munyon, and one year later was honorably discharged at Black River, Miss. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the following battles : Deer Creek, Haines' Bluff, Jackson, Chapin Mills, Blue Ridge, Chickamauga, Holly Springs, Black River Bridge and many others

For some years following his army experience, he was a clerk in business houses and in 1866 he embarked in the dry goods business with a partner, under the firm name of Fisher & Lauck, which continued for nine years. Flailing health caused Mr. Lauck to retire from the above firm and for some years afterward he traveled as a representative of a grocery house. In 1880 he became a partner in a grain buying house and continued for 21 years and then went into the wool buying business, purchasing largely for Jeremiah Williams & Co., of Boston, Mass. He has the northwestern part of Ohio as his territory and in 191 1 handled the enormous amount of 700,000 pounds of wool. He is widely known and has both business and personal friends jn every section.

Mr. Lauck was married at Plymouth, O., in i860 to Miss Laura E. Bodine, who was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Feb. i, 1838. She was one year old when her parents, Peter and Susan (Erving) Bodine, moved to Plymouth, O. Peter Bodine was born in 1784, in Pennsylvania, and his wife in 1796, in New Jersey. They were married in 1814 at Niles, N. Y. Her father, Peter Erving, was a native of England and later came to the colonies and served as an officer in the Patriot army. Peter and Susan Bodine came to Richland county in 1837 and he acquired much land and became a man of substance. His death occurred there Sept. 20, 1849. His widow survived until Oct. 28, 1868, her death occurring at the home of Mrs. Lauck. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Of their 12 children, three are living. One daughter is the widow of D. R. Locke, the author of the Nasby Letters, once editor of the Bucyrus Journal, founder of the Plymoutli Advertiser and later owner of the Toledo Blade, which she yet owns. One daughter, Martina, who is the widow of Alfred Parks, was married first to Daniel Locke, a brother of D. R. Locke. She resides at Bucyrus and has a family.

who was born Nov. 13, 1896; Frank B., a machinist by trade, who is shop superintendent in one of the large plants at Bucyrus ; and James L., who died in 1908. He was a merchant. He married Grace Reed, of Mansfield, 0., who survived him for two years.

In politics Mr. Lauck is a Republican and has always been an active and interested citizen. He served five terms, eleven years, as a member of the city council. He is past commander of Keller Post, No. 128, G. A. R., Bucyrus, and is a Royal Arch Mason.

HARVEY CANDEL, one of the representative citizens and public officials of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., resides on his excellent farm of 130 acres and belongs to one of the old county families. He was born in Whetstone township, Nov. 12, 1875, and is a son of Elias and Sarah (Shupp) Candel.

Elias Candel was well known in Crawford county. By trade he was a tile maker and he established the Candel factory in Lykens township, which is now operated as the Zellner factory. He died and was buried at Brokensword by the side of his wife in the Evangelical church cemetery. They were parents of the following children: Harvey; Clarence; Cora, wife of Marion H. Kline; Ada, wife of Robert Reamsnyder; and Florence, wife of Roy Gatchell.

Harvey Candel attended the public schools and after the death of his father, when he was 18 years of age, took charge of the tile factory and conducted the same for his mother for five years. He then purchased 50 acres of land and cultivated it and when his mother died, he bought the tile plant and operated it for seven years. After disposing of the tile works he bought 80 acres of land adjoining his first purchase and has continued here as a general farmer and moderate stock raiser. He is also engaged, to some extent in contracting in concrete work. In politics he is a Democrat and is now serving very satisfactorily in the office of turnpike road commissioner.

In 1899 Mr. Candel was married to Miss Louisa Laipply, who was born in Lykens township, a daughter of Simeon and Matilda (Bower) Laipply, who still reside on their farm in Holmes township.. Mrs. Candel has the following brothers and sisters: Adam; Elizabeth, wife of John Volkmer; Frederick; Abraham; Rosa, wife of Herbert Aurand; William; and Pearl, wife of Lloyd Zellner.

Mr. and Mrs. Candel have six children, namely: Edison, Arthur, Alverta,_ Gladys, Harry and Lloyd. They are members and active workers in the Evangelical church.

FRANCIS MARION FOSTER,* who has been a resident of Crestline, O., where he now lives retired, for 40 years, for 36 of these was a faithful and valued employe of the great Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was born in Bracken county, Ky., in July, 1841, a son of James and Prudence (Knight) (Walker) Foster.

On the paternal side Mr. Foster's ancestors came from Scotland and Ireland and were early settlers in Tennessee. Grandfather Foster was born in Tennessee and was married seven times and survived all his wives, the fourth one being the grandmother of Francis M. Foster of Crestline and was the mother of four children, one of whom was James Foster. He was born near Knoxville, Tenn., in 1817. In early life a farmer, he later became mate on a Mississippi River steamboat, but afterward returned to his farm and died at St. Louis, Mo., in 1869. Prior to the Civil War he was a Democrat but afterward was identified with the Republican party. He married Prudence Knight Walker, who was a first cousin of Hon. James G. Blaine, and was born in Westmoreland county. Pa. After the death of her husband she came to Crestline and for 32 years was a member of the household of her son, Francis Marion Foster, where her death occurred in January, 1900, when her age was 82 years, 2 months and 18 days. Her grandfather Knight died while serving in the War of 1812. During the life of her husband she attended the Baptist church, to which he belonged, but later she united with the Presbyterian church. She was the revered mother of four sons, all of whom grew to manhood and three married, Francis Marion being the eldest arid the only one living.

Francis M. Foster was 1 5 years of age when his parents moved to Indiana and later to Illinois. When he started out for himself he entered railroad life as an employe of the old

I. & St. L. line and engaged in construction work for one year and then became fireman, later a brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad and still later, on the O. & M. Railway, which is now the B. & O., southwest. In 1872 he came to Crestline and accepted a position as freight conductor with the Pennsylvania Railroad, beginning a connection that lasted for 36 years, when he retired with a clean record, this move being made at his own request, when he was 68 years of age, his pension being dated August i, 1909. Mr. Foster is well and favorably known to all railroad men in this section and is highly esteemed by the company he served so long and by his comrades who had confidence in his skill and knowledge and affection and admiration for him as a man. Since 1885 he has been a member of the order of Railway Conductors and was a charter member of the division order at Alliance, O., known as Division No. 177, with which he has always been in good standing. From 1875 until 1885 he was chief conductor in the old order of Brotherhood Conductors, when that organization had its headquarters at Crestline. Aside from his own business, Mr. Foster has also been a progressive and energetic worker and a useful and public spirited citizen. In politics he has been a supporter of the policies of the Republican party since the close of the second administration of President Cleveland. In 1881 he became a Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Crestline, actively interested in the fraternity and living up to its teachings.

On June 20, 1872, in Knox county, O., Mr. Foster was married to Miss Mary E. Wertz, who was born in Holmes county, O., where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Foster had three children: Charles H., whose lamented death occured in his 26th year, and who married Josephine Dunlap who survives with their daughter, Marion, now 14 years old; Ira G., a funeral director at Crestline, who married Almira Geiger, and has one son, Eugene Francis; and Benjamin, who died at the age of seven months. Mrs Foster died Dec. 23, 1906. Mr. Foster is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his

ABRAHAM SCHIEFER, one of the enterprising farmers of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., who owns 93 acres and also operates 80 acres for his father, was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, O., April 16, 1866, and is a son of Christopher G. and Sarah Ann (Miller) Schiefer.

Christopher G. Schiefer was born in Germany, July II, 1824, and is one of Lykens township's venerable and respected citizens. He married Sarah Ann Miller, who was born in Texas township, Crawford county, O., who died in 1907, her burial being in the Brokensword Cemetery. They were parents of the following children : Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Lewis Schiefer; Jacob F., Isaac and Abraham; and Amanda, who is the wife of C. H. Ahlefield. Mr. Schiefer is one of the oldest members of the Evangelical church in this section, in which he and wife were active for many years. He is identified politically with the Republican party.

Abraham Schiefer attended the local schools during boyhood and one term at New Washington in the High School, and afterward, for one term was in the Normal School at Ada, O., since when he has given the home farm attention and has devoted himself almost exclusively to agricultural activities. In 1887 he was married to Miss Emma J. Smith, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of Frederick and Lucy Ann (Shupp) Smith. The father of Mrs. Schiefer was a substantial farmer and a well known man. He was married (first) to Christabel Lipman, who was born May 15, 1815, and died June 2, 1846, the mother of four children : Louis F., Herman, John F. and Adolphus G. He was married (second) to Lucy Ann Shupp, and to that marriage the following children were born : Clara, who is the widow of Joseph Laipply; Christabel, who is deceased; Cornelius W. ; Martha and Matilda, both of whom are deceased; Catherine, who is the wife of Jacob Meek ; Frederick T. ; Henry W. ; Lucy Ann; Jefferson I.; Emma J., who is the wife of Mr. Schiefer; L. Melanchton; and Sarepta G., who is the wife of Clarence H. Flickinger.

Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer have eight children, as follows: Guy Arden, Charles Richard, Harry Edwin, Christopher Frederick, James Gerald, Russell Washington, Helen Camile and Dorothy Rebecca. They have been given excellent educational and other advantages and are intelligent and interesting young people. The family attends the Evangelical church. Nominally Mr. Schiefer is a Republican but there are occasions when he is led into depending entirely upon his own good judgment in casting his vote. He has served his township on the school board and as land appraiser and for two terms was assessor. He is now representing the Crawford County Insurance Company as its agent in this section. For some years he has been an active member of the Grange, at Brokensword.

FREDERICK STAIR,* manager and superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Company offices and also of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company offices at Crestline, O., was born near Orville, O., Jan. ii, 1865, attended the public schools there and spent one year in a Normal School, after which he became a telegraph operator.

After learning his profession at Orville, Mr. Stair accepted a position in 1885 with the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad and later became connected with the Pennsylvania system at Pittsburg, three years was with the same corporation at Wooster, O., and in 1893 came to Crestline as an operator under C. N. Frye. In 1899 he succeeded Mr. Frye, who then became manager of the District Telegraph Company at Columbus. Mr. Stair thus became manager of the Crestline office and additionally, is wire chief of the Pennsylvania lines from Crestline to Alliance. Mr. Stair is an interested and active citizen of Crestline and for some time has been clerk of the city school board.

At Crestline, Mr. Stair was married to Miss Flora Hoffman, who was born in this city in 1869 and has survived her parents. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stair : Ethel, who is a member of the class of 1 913, in the Crestline High School; Helen, who is a Junior in the High School; Madge and Charles, both of whom are in the High School; and F. Wayne, who is preparing for the same in the grade schools. Mr. Stair and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been treasurer for some years, and for three years was Sunday-school superintendent and at present is teacher of the Bible class. In politics he is affiliated with the Democratic party.

FRANK LA RUE, an honored veteran of the great Civil War and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., in which section lies his valuable farm of 140 acres, was born in Seneca county, O., July 22, 1842, a son of J. B. and Jane (Gray) La Rue.

The parents of Mr. La Rue were both born in the State of New York and did not come to Crawford county but settled in Seneca county after marriage and there the father became a substantial farmer. They were members of the Free Will Baptist church, most worthy people in every relation of life. Their ashes rest in the Rock Creek Cemetery in Seneca county. Seven children were born to them : Frank, Charles, C. W., Levi G., George, Janette, and Albertus, of whom all are deceased except Frank and C. W.

Frank La Rue attended the public schools and afterward spent one year at Hillsdale College and then taught one term of school. He then enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a private in Co. K, 45th O. Vol. Inf., and remained a soldier for three years, less 28 days, during this time bravely facing death on many a battle field. He survived, however, to return home although numerous comrades were left behind, many in unknown graves. Mr. La Rue very soon afterward settled down to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and continued a farmer and stock raiser as long as he remained in active life and then turned over his responsibilities to his capable sons. A general farming line is carried on, stock for home use is raised and something of a specialty is made of Delaine sheep. A combination of fertile land and careful methods of cultivating it, has resulted in bountiful crops and financial independence.

Mr. La Rue was married Feb. 20, 1868, to Miss Ardella Waller, who was born in Crawford county and has passed her life here. Her people, L. M. and Arietta (Cory) Waller, were old settlers and her father became a man of large estate. After the death of his first wife, Air. Waller married Ann Jane Yingling and they had one child that died in infancy.

To Mr. and Mrs. La Rue the following children have been born : Charles, a civil engineer, who married Gertrude Blazer and has one son, Baxter B. ; L. W., who is one of the home farmers; Cora, who is a successful school teacher, having taught for five years and afterwards graduated from college at Ada, O. ; Ralph W., who married Edith Flickinger, and has two children - Forest and Stanley; Guy G. ; Harry G., who married Mabel Caldwell, and has two children - Ellen G. and Lois Marion; James O. ; Edna; F. E. ; and Gertrude. Mr. La Rue and sons are Republicans as was the father of the former from the organization of the Republican party. He is a member of the Grange at Brokensword and belongs also to the G. A. R. and the Knights of Pythias. The family attends the Baptist church.

JOHN W. RONDY, who has numerous business interests in Crawford county, O., and is a director and stockholder in the Weaver Bros. Company, extensive dealers in grain and other commodities at Crestline, and one of the incorporators of this company, was born in Richland county, O., Feb. 28, 1873, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Sutter) Rondy.

Jacob Rondy was born at Nassau, Germany, in 1840, and was three years old when his parents came to the United States. They secured Government land in Sharon township, Richland county, O., and Mathias Rondy cleared and improved the same and it subsequently became the property of his son Jacob, who still resides there, being now in his 72nd year. His father lived to the unusual age of 96 years, retaining all his faculties to the day of his death. To Jacob Rondy and wife nine children were born and seven of these are living and all have married but one, John W., our subject, was the third of the family in order of birth. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic church.

John W. Rondy was reared in Sharon township, Richland county and obtained his education in the public schools. He was married at Mansfield to Miss Mary A. O'Rourke, who was born at Spring Mill, Richland county. May 2, 1876, a daughter of Christopher and Mary (Brannon) O'Rourke. They were born in Ireland and came to Richland county when young and married there, where the mother of Mrs. Rondy still resides, the father being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke reared their children in the Roman Catholic faith. Mr. and Mrs. Rondy have an adopted daughter, a child of three years, who has been named Mary Dorothy. In his political affiliation Mr. Rondy, like his father, is a Democrat. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Ohio and the Eagles. Mr. Rondy and wife are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church at Crestline.

VICTOR D. CAMPBELL, who is a leading citizen of Texas township, Crawford county, O., who is serving in his tenth consecutive year as township treasurer, and is owner and proprietor of a general store at Benton, O., was born in Wyandot county, O., July 30, 1859, a son of Curtis and Isabel (Caldwell) Campbell.

Curtis Campbell was born in Washington county. Pa., and during the greater part of his life was a school teacher. He married Isabel Caldwell, who was born at Bucyrus, O., a daughter of John and Martha (Martin) Caldwell, the former of whom was once sheriff of Crawford county. They died in Wyandot county and their burial was in the Union Cemetery. Their family consisted of four sons : Fremont and John, both of whom are deceased ; Victor D. ; and Elmer E., who is a resident of Los Angeles, Calif.

Victor D. Campbell attended the public schools of Wyandot county, and with the exception of seven years has been in the mercantile business all his mature life. In 1901 he came to Crawford county and bought his present store from R. O. Seery and now conducts the only mercantile establishment at Benton, serving a wide territory and carrying a very large stock of well selected goods. He is an active citizen, in every way possible advancing the interests of the town. Politically a Republican he has frequently been called on to serve in local offices, his fellow citizens having great confidence in his integrity and business ability.

Mr. Campbell was married in 1891 to Miss May Caldwell, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of David S. and Sarah Jane (Doyle) Caldwell, the former of whom, now deceased, was a native of Maryland and a minister in the Reformed church. The mother of Mrs. Campbell \vas born in Canada but was reared in Crawford county. To Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell four children were born: Ellsworth ; May ; Blanche, who died at the age of 14 years; and Alpha O., who is the wife of R. E. Hillborn. The father of Mrs. Campbell was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as captain in Co. H, 123rd O. Vol. Inf. For eight months he was a prisoner at Libby Prison and was one of the fortunate unhappy men who managed to escape from that vile dungeon by tunnelling his way to freedom. He served all through the war in the company which was organized at Benton. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell four children have been born: Beth, Dale, Roscoe and Faythe, of whom Roscoe is now deceased. The eldest daughter is a teacher of Stenography in the Lorain Business College, at Lx)rain, O., in which Dale is at present a student. Mrs. Campbell and daughter Beth are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Campbell is identified with the Odd Fellows at Upper Sandusky, O.

REV. JOSEPH R. WAECHTER, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic church, at Crestline, O., has charge of one of the most important and prosperous parishes in the diocese. He was bom at New W^ashington, O., where his people still reside, Aug. 9, 1876.

Father Waechter attended the parochial schools at New Washington and completed his theological training at St. Mary's Seminary. On May 24, 1902, he was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Horstman, after which he was assigned as assistant priest under the presiding priests at Tiffin, O., where he remained until Sept. 14, 1909, when he took charge of St. Nicholas' church, at Ber\vick, Seneca county, O., and continued in charge there until Dec. 25, 191 1, when he came to Crestline and took charge of St. Joseph's church, succeeding Rev. H. E. Boesken, who had been sent to Toledo after a pastorate of nine years at Crestline. Father Waechter entered upon his duties with characteristic zeal and has aroused fresh interest in every branch of church work. This is one of the old strongholds of the Catholic church and for years has been steadily advancing both spiritually and materially. There are few better established congregations in the Toledo diocese and Father Waechter is a man well qualified to carry on the present church enterprises and to add still further to their efficiency and usefulness. His parochial school is flourishing, with 130 pupils and is in charge of a niunber of Catholic Sisters.

HENRY M. HEER,* whose well cultivated and very productive farm of 80 acres is situated in Lykens township, Crawford county, p., was bom in Lykens township, Jan. 29, 1873, and is a son of Philip C. and Catherine (Herrwagon) Heer.

Philip C. Heer was well known in Lykens township where, for many years, he followed the shoemaking trade. Afterward he went to Missouri and died there. His wife died in Crawford county and her burial was in Chatfield township. They had the following children bom to them: Henry M., our subject; Louisa M., who is the wife of Jacob Bower; Emma E., who is the wife of William Husemann; Matilda C, who is the wife of Daniel F. Long; Edward M. ; and Rosena C, who is the wife of William Marquis.

Henry M. Heer attended the public schools in boyhood and since then has practically taken care of himself. For 1 1 years he worked for farmers by the month and thus accumulated the means to purchase 40 acres of his present farm, this being about 1888. The second 40 acres he bought in February, 191 1, and now has about as much land as he cares to give attention to. He carries on general farming and raises some good stock but only for his own use. Mr. Heer was reared a Democrat but uses his own judgment when he casts his vote, frequently putting men before party when he gives support. He attends the Lutheran chiu-ch. yir. Heer has never married.

GEORGE F. NESS, one of the well known citizens of Galion, O., where he has been connected with the building of many of the substantial structures, and also owns a tract of farming land, was bom at Tipton, la., July 16, 1856, and is a son of Charles and Phebe Jane (Auten) Ness.

came to Galion, O., when it was but a small place and finally became a landowner and farmer in Polk township, Crawford county. He died in 1870, when aged 75 years and his wife survived him for eight years. They were industrious, respectable, thrifty people and were consistent members of the German Lutheran church. To them were born three sons and one daughter; the last, Rebecca, who has been twice married, lives at Waterford. All three sons, Jacob, Michael and Charles are now deceased.

Charles Ness was born in York county. Pa., Dec, 16, 1833, and was two years old when his parents came to Crawford county. He grew to early manhood here and learned the carpenter trade, afterward married and then moved to Iowa and for a few years lived at Tipton, in Cedar county. He was always a hard-working man, mainly at his trade but he also engaged to some extent in farming and it was said of him that few could excel him in the use of the old cradle in a wheat-field. His death occurred in 1890. He was married in this city to Phebe Jane 'Auten, who was born west of Galion, in 1833, and was two months younger than Mr. Ness. She accompanied him to Iowa but willingly returned to Crawford county after a few years in the western state and here her death occurred in January, 1885. Of their five children the following survive : James H., living six miles from Galion, in Marion county, who is a barn carpenter, and who is married and has nine children; George F., whose name heads this sketch ; Mary, the youngest, who is the wife of Sidney Hill, a railroad man, living at Springfield, O., and having six children.

George F. Ness was young when his parents returned to Crawford county and his education was secured in the district schools. Under his father he learned the carpenter trade and is considered an expert workman. In politics he has always been a Republican but is not interested beyond the demands of good citizenship.

On Feb. 8, 1880, in Whetstone township, Mr. Ness was married to Miss Rachel Bair, who was born in Whetstone township, Jan. 5, 1859, and was reared and educated there. Her parents were John and Rebecca (Sherer) Bair, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Whetstone township and all their married life they spent in that township. John Bair died there in 1896, at the age of 65 years. His wife, who was born March 12, 1835, died on the farm on which she was born, Oct. 12, 1888. Her father had entered the land from the Government and it has been kept in the family and is now owned by the two brothers of Mrs. Ness, Michael and Samuel Bair. To Mr. and Mrs. Ness two sons and one daughter were born, which died in infancy. One son, Sherman H., born Nov. 14, 1888, who died Nov. 7, 1910, was a bright and promising young man. The other, Cloyd L., born Oct. 4, 1882, who operates his father's farm in Marion county, married Bessie Geiger and they have two children: Willard C. and Geraldine. Mr. and Mrs. Ness are members of the United Brethren church.

FRANK A. NEFF, proprietor of the leading barber shop at Crestline, O., and an enterprising business man of the city, is a native of Crestline, born July 4, i860, a son of John and Catherine (Burkhart) Neff.

The grandparents of Mr. Neff, on both sides, were natives of Germany, but both parents were born in Germany and were married at Marion, O. They afterward took up their residence in Galion, coming later to Crestline, spent the rest of their lives here. The father, who was a car finisher with the Big Four Railroad for some years, was a skilled cabinetmaker and also manufactured delicate musical instruments. He was well known to the people of his adopted city and universally respected. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran, while his wife was a Roman Catholic. They had four children: Catherine, John, Frank A. and Edward, the last named being a dry goods merchant at Crestline.

After his school days were over, Frank A. Neff learned the barber trade in 1871 and has been in business for himself since 1886, after spending about ten years in New York state, and has established himself here, having a modern tonsorial parlor, with three chairs and skilled attendants to care for patrons. Through his courtesy, skill and careful attention to details, Mr. Neff has built up a heavy patronage and conducts a place that compares very favorably in its equipments with these found in a much larger city.

Mr. Neff was married at New York city to Miss Elizabeth Cohan who was born in Rochester, N. Y., and who losing her parents was reared by an aunt. They have the following children : Bertha, who is the wife of Gran Blanford, of Crestline; William L., who is a factory worker at Crestline; and Alfonso, who is a brickmason by trade, both sons living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Neff are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Neff is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen. In addition to his business location, Mr. Neff owns some valuable residential property here.

ROBERT U. WALCUTT,* one of the public officials of Texas township, who owns and resides on the old homestead farm, was born on this farm, one of the best in Crawford county, 0., Nov. 20, 1868, and is a son of Mason and Susan (Walters) Walcutt.

Mason Walcutt and wife were born in Ohio, she being a native of Wyandot county, surviving her husband and residing with her son, Robert U. All his active life Mason Walcutt \\'as a farmer. He voted with the Republican party and was a member and liberal contributor of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mason Walcutt and wife the following children were born: Daniel; Alverta, who died when aged 20 years ; Amelia, who is the widow of John Smith; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of James Brown; Laura, who is the wife of Frank Bower; William and Robert U.

In the public schools of Texas township, Robert U. Walcutt secured his education and since then has devoted himself to his agricultural industries, carrying on general farming, dealing in Durham cattle and buying and selling horses. About four times yearly, Mr. Walcutt makes a business trip to the West and ships by car load his market being Crawford and adjoining counties.

On Feb. 2, i8qo, Mr. Walcutt was married to Miss Alice Klase, who died in 1897, her burial being at Benton, O. She was survived by four children: Raleigh, Mason. Inez Floy and Zelma Merl. In IQOO, Mr. Walcutt was married (second) to Miss Rose Merbaugh, and they have two children: Ralph Edward and Mercy Dell. Mr. Walcutt and wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is independent in politics but is a respected and relied on citizen and has been elected to the school board and is serving also in his first term as township trustee.

FRANCIS M. ANDERSON, a substantial and representative citizen of Crestline, O., where, for many years, he has been interestecl in fire insurance, has been a resident here for 50 years and has a financial interest in many of the prospering enterprises of this city. He was born in Fairfield county, O., Feb. 12, 1830, a grandson of James and Priscilla (House) Anderson.

On account of the stormy times in which they lived, the ancestors of Mr. Anderson succeeded in preserving but few of the family records. Among these may be found proof that William Anderson, who was born in Scotland in 1693, was a supporter of the claims of one of the pretenders to the British throne and was obliged to fly in disguise, on account of political troubles and first reached England and from there crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Virginia. He located in Hampshire county, Va., and his estate is still known as the Anderson Bottoms, although at that time, it was a wild and unsettled region by white men. He became a well known warrior, took part in the French and Indian campaigns and served under General Braddock. He died in Virginia when aged 104 years. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters.

James Anderson, probably a grandson of William Anderson, was born in England, Feb. 17, 1768, and died Oct. 24, 1844. He entered the cavalry branch of the military, with the rank of second lieutenant, and assisted in putting down the Whiskey Insurrection and afterward served under General Anthony Wayne, and for meritorious services was made a captain. In 1808 he came to Fairfield county, O., late in life moving to Lafayette, Ind., where he died at the home of a son. He married Priscilla House, in Virginia, who survived him for a few years, passing away also in Indiana. They had eleven children and ten of these grew to mature life, married and reared families of their own.

John Anderson, son of James and Priscilla Anderson and father of Francis M. Anderson, was the third born child in the above family, his birth taking place in Virginia, March 4, 1803, but he was reared in Fairfield county, O. Subsequently he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for eight years and then moved to Marion county and in 1838 purchased 120 acres of wild land there. This land he cleared and cultivated and occupied it until his death, on Jan. 4, 1888. In Fairfield county he married Martha Roult, who was born in Ohio of Pennsylvania parents who were of Irish extraction. Mrs. Anderson died in Marion countv in 1847. The Andersons were members of the Methodist Episcopal church in this generation. In politics they were Whigs until the formation of the Republican party, when thev became identified with it.

Nine children were bom to John and Martha Anderson, five sons and four daughters, and eight of these grew to maturity. One son, Thomas T., enlisted for service in the Civil War, in the 12th Ind. Vol. Inf., and was stricken with an illness from which he died before arriving home. John, the next son, died in 1859, while Levi died in 1864, all being unmarried. Three daughters survive, Susan, Ellen and Margaret. Susan is the wife of Rev. Walter Scott, a retired Episcopal minister, residing at Oberland, O., and they have four children. Ellen is the wife of John Blue, of Belleplaines, la., and they have six children. Margaret is the wife of John B. Hines, of Marion county, O., and they have three children.

Francis M. Anderson had common school and academic advantages, and afterward, for eleven years was a school teacher, and for five years was in the mail service on the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1862 he reached Crestline and shortly afterward became agent for leading fire insurance companies and has continued in the business, one of the oldest and most successful agents here. He is a director in the Crestline Building and Loan Association and owns stock in many of the industrial plants in this section, his investments having been made judicially. He has been very active as a citizen and has served as mayor of Crestline. For some 15 years he was a justice of the peace and for many years was a member of the

Mr. Anderson was married (first) in Marion county, O., to Miss Sarah E. Geiger, who was born in Marion county, in 1834, and died at her home in Crestline, in 1899, leaving one son, Harry W. For a number of years he was in the furniture business at Crestline but now lives retired, a man of ample fortune. He married Mary Etsinger, and they have two children: Bertha and Frank M., the latter of whom fills a clerical position with the Pennsylvania Railway at Crestline. In 1900 Mr. Anderson was married (second) to Miss Elizabeth A. Thrush, who was born in Crawford county. Mr. and- Mrs. Anderson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

TOBIAS MORCKEL, who is a highly respected retired citizen of Gabon, is a native of Ohio, bom at Windfall, Crawford county, April 16, 1838. His parents were Peter and Anna M. (Stuber) Morckel.

Peter Morckel and wife were born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, where they grew to maturity and married. It was after the birth of three children. Christian, Katherine and Elizabeth, that they decided, in the later twenties, to come to the United States. They took passage on a sailing vessel and after 76 days on the Atlantic Ocean, were safely landed on American soil. They made their first home in Pennsylvania and while living there another son, George, was born. About 1832-3 the family came over the mountains with teams, accompanied by other immigrants, and when they reached Jefferson township, Crawford county, found land which seemed desirable, although it was in what seemed to be a cyclonic section and was named Windfall on that account. Here they bought many acres of land and erected a log cabin that withstood all subsequent storms. With land clearing and improving climatic changes were evidently brought about and the parents of Mr. Morckel lived peacefully and undisturbed until the end of their lives, the mother dying when aged 65 years and the father surviving to his 82nd year. They were of the German Lutheran faith and assisted in building the Windfall church. After coming to Crawford county the following children were born : Tobias, whose name heads this article; Maria, deceased, who married here ; Leah, who lives with her family at Cleveland; and Elizabeth C, who lives three miles west of Gallon.

For the first 23 years of his life, Tobias Morckel lived on the old home farm. Later he went to Crestline and for ten years afterward was with the Pittsburg and Ft. Wayne Railway, subsequently moving to Cardington in Morrow county, where he operated an engine in a grist mill for some time for his father-inlaw. Still later he went to Upper Sandusky and from there to Columbus, where he engaged in a business enterprise and was also engaged in this way at other points prior to coming to Gallon, in 1876, in which city he was successful in business ventures for years. He had the foresight to buy some valuable tracts of city property and these he has improved, much of his improved realty being on East Main Street, right in the heart of the business center, and he also has valuable holdings at Crestline. He occupies his leisure in looking after his property interests.

Mr. Morckel was first married to Miss Matilda Purkey, who was born in Ohio but was of Pennsylvania parentage. Her death occurred in 1873 and she was survived by two children : Augustus J. A., who resides with his family at Tacoma, Wash., and has two children - Ruth and John Allen; and Lilian, who is the wife of Rev. J. Fred Miller, a Lutheran minister of Baltimore, and has four children - Ernest, who has been well educated and is an electrician; Carl, who is a resident of Columbus, O. ; and Leona and Harold.

The second marriage of Mr. Morckel was to Miss Elizabeth Hinkle, who was born in Hesse, Germany, March 11, 1849, and was three years old when her parents, Conrad and Mary E. (Eckel) Hinkle brought her to America. The voyage consumed 68 days and after landing at New York the father was taken sick and died three months later. Mrs. Hinkle and her five children remained in New York City for five years and then came to Gallon, where she lived for many years afterward, her death occurring in 1899, when she was aged 81 years. Mrs. Morckel was the youngest but one of the children, the others being: Henry, who died in Ohio, leaving a family; Conrad, a stonemason by trade, who lives at Gallon now retired ; John M., who is in the meat business at Troy; and Charles, who is an engineer with the Erie Railway, lives with his family at Gallon. Mr. and Mrs. Morckel are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat and fraternally is identified' with a German organization.

SAMUEL HEINLEN,* one of the highly respected retired citizens of Bucyrus, O., residing in his comfortable residence on Wallace Avenue, owns an excellent farm of 92 acres, which lies in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O. Mr. Heinlen was born in this township, April 4, 1855, and is a son of Mathew and Elizabeth (Beckel) Heinlen.

Mathew Heinlen was born in Gerinany and there learned the weaving trade but later settled in Crawford county, O., and followed fanning in Bucyrus township. He was married to Elizabeth Beckel, in Crawford county^ and they had the following children : John, S., M. and Frank; Elizabeth, wife of Absalom Bolinger; Matilda, wife of James Johnson; Lena, wife of B3Ton Kent; and Lucinda, wife of J. S. Murphy.

Samuel Heinlen attended the district schools in boyhood and then began to work on farms, first by the day and later by the month, and thus, by hard labor acquired enough capital to buy 40 acres of land. This tract he subsequently sold and purchased the 92-acre farm which he still owns and on which he lived and carried on farming for a number of years and then shifted his responsibilities in large degree to younger shoulders and retired and took up his residence in Bucyrus.

Mr. Heinlen was married April 12, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Catherine Speigle; who was born in Crawford county and died April 28, 1908, a daughter of William and Barbara (Myers) Speigle. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Speigle are well known people of Crawford county. To Mr. and Mrs. Heinlen the following children were born: Lewis, Lawrence, Leroy and Dora Alvena. Leroy married Ermina Eckert, a daughter of George Eckert, and they have one son, William Lee. Mr. Heinlen and sons are identified with the Democratic party. The whole family attends the United Brethren church.

WILLIAM H. WEAVER, member of the firm of Weaver Bros., the well known grain firm at Crestline, O., has been secretary and treasurer of this corporation for about 12 years and is numbered with the careful and astute business men of this section. He was born in Wyandot county, O., in 1867, a son of John and Mary B. (Rininger) Weaver.

John Weaver, the grandfather, came to the United States from France and purchased Government land in Jackson township, Crawford county, O., on which he and wife spent their subsequent lives. His wife was also a native of France and they were members of the French Catholic church. They had 12 children, ten of whom lived to marry and eight survive.

John Weaver, father of William H., was bom on the old homestead in Jackson township and spent the greater part of his life in the German settlement, his death occurring July 17, 1890. His widow survives and resides with her son, William H., bein? now in her 71st year. Four sons and two daughters were born to them, namely: William H., our subject; Frank and John E., both members of the above named firm; Rose, who is the wife of William Gosser, residing on a farm in Vernon township; Anna, who is the wife of Peter Keller, a farmer in Darke county ; and Charles D., who is a farmer in Sharon township, Richland county, on the old homestead.

William H. Weaver came to Crestline from Vernon, where he had been in the grain and stock business for six years previously. The present business is one of large volume, incorporated for $100,000, its officers being: Charles Kindinger, president ; Peter Huth, vice president; and William H. Weaver, secretary and treasurer. The company has branches at three points. Gallon, Vernon and Crestline, John B. Weaver being manager at Vernon and J. J. Patterson at Galion. They handle hay, grain and livestock, give employment to five men at Galion, eight at Crestline and two at Vernon.

Mr. Weaver was married in Richland county, O., to Miss Mary E. Frye, who was born there in 1864, of German parents, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have the following children: Leo E., who was educated at Crestline and Dayton, and resides at home;

Wilfred F., similarly educated, who is associated with his father; and Norbert R. and Angeline H., both at school. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Elks and the Eagles.

A. H. KINSEY, who is the present proprietor of what was the first established drug store at Crestline, O., has been in the drug business for 32 years, having had experience in several cities and a resident of Crestline since 1891. He was born at Galion, O., in 1862, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Claes) Kinsey.

Samuel Kinsey was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland. After coming to the United States he settled near Galion, O., where he first engaged in farming and later was a machinist in the shops of the Big Four and Erie Railways, his death occurring in 1893, when he was aged 63 years. He was a Republican in his political views and was a member of the Reformed church. He married Catherine Claes, who was born in Germany and was young when her parents came to the United States and settled at Galion, where both died. Mrs. Kinsey survives and resides in her comfortable home which is situated on Atwood Street, Galion. Her people secured and improved land near Galion, the deed for the same bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson.

After graduating from the Galion High School, A. H. Kinsey became a drug clerk in that city and later entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at Philadelphia, the oldest institution of its kind in this country, where he was graduated in 1884. For five years before coming to Crestline, Mr. Kinsey was in the drug business at Xenia, O. The first drug store at Crestline, the one that Mr. Kinsey now owns, was started here by Dr. Alexander Jenner, a half century ago. He was succeeded by the firm of Spencer & McCullough, which did business for a few years, when Dr. Spencer became sole proprietor and continued until 1 891, when Mr. Kinsey succeeded. Dr. Spencer moving to Colorado. Mr. Kinsey has been improving his property ever since. In 1907 he erected the Kinsey block, a two-story brick structure, with basement, of modern construction throughout, one of the most substantial business blocks in the city. Mr. Kinsey enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens in his profession and is numbered with the representative men along all stable lines, of this city.

In 1892, Mr. Kinsey was married at Crestline, to Miss Irilla Rooks, who was born and educated in Illinois. Her parents, Levi L. and Anna (Frye) Rooks, are residents of Crestline, where Mr. Rooks is a coal dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey have two sons : Herbert S. and Albert R., both students. Mr. Kinsey belongs to the National Association of Retail - Druggists, the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association, the United Drug Company, of Boston, and the American Druggists Syndicate, of New York.

MRS. FRANCES M. SOURWINE, who is one of the highly respected residents of Auburn township, Crawford county, O., the mother of Frank A. Sourwine and the wife of Henry Sourwine, deceased, was born in Seneca county, O. Her maiden name was Link and her parents moved from Pennsylvania to Seneca county. She resides on the farm of 103 acres with her son, this farm being located in section 5, Auburn township, Crawford county.

In 1874 Frances M. Link was married in Seneca county, to Henry Sourwine, who was born one mile north and one-half mile east of Attica, 0., a son of William Sourwine. Henry Sourwine died in December, 1909, at the age of 64 years, 3 months and 21 days, and his burial was in Green Lawn Cemetery, at Plymouth, O. In 1873, Henry Sourwine and his brother, William, Jr., bought this farm in partnership, and when they subsequently divided the land, Henry took 103 acres and William, Jr., took 92 acres and both improved their properties. The substantial buildings now standing on the farm of Frank A. Sourwine were put there by his father, who also drained and tiled the land and continued to be interested in its cultivation until his death. In politics he was a Republican, and from 1898 until 1901, served his township as one of its trustees, an honest and tipright man in all his official acts.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sourwine but one child was born, Frank A. He was carefully reared and is now one of the township's solid, reliable men, a Republican like his late father. He married Myrta M. Keller, a daughter of George

M. and Ella Keller, of Crawford county, now residents of Attica. They have three children : Carl G., Wanda L. and Gerald K. Henry Sourwine and wife were members of the Church of God.

JEREMIAH ERRETT, who, after many years of active agricultural life on his valuable farm in Polk township, Crawford county, O., came to Gallon, since 1906 has occupied his handsome residence at No. 638 West Main Street. He was born on the old Errett homestead in Polk township, Jan. 14, 185 1, the youngest but one of a family of nine children born to his parents, John and Nancy (Budlin) Errett.

The founder of the Errett family in Crawford county was Rev. Henry Errett, who was of German ancestry but was born in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and married Catherine Fox. In 1835 they came to Crawford county, O., accompanied by their three children, Polly, Susan and John, the last named being 13 years old at that time. The grandfather was a good judge of land and selected a heavily timbered tract in Polk township, well situated as to water, and there built a log cabin, gradually cleared the land as his ministerial duties permitted and both he and wife spent their remaining years here. They were among the most venerable people of this section at time of death, although they had passed through many of the dangers and hardships of pioneer life, he reaching the age of 91 years, while she was 86 years old. He was the first minister of the United Brethren church in this part of Crawford county and was the means of organizing churches in many neighborhoods and in visiting them traveled hundreds of miles back and forth on horseback. He was widely known and was held in great esteem by all. His son John succeeded to the homestead and spent his long life of 75 years here. He married Nancy Budlin, who was born at Marion, O., and was young when her parents settled in Polk township, where she lived at the age of 84 years. Both she and husband were members and active workers in the United Brethren church. They had five sons and two daughters born to them, all of whom became respected members of society and became well settled in life.

Jeremiah Errett grew to manhood on the old homestead and attended the countryschools, atter which he devoted himself until 1906 to farming and stock raising. He still retains his finely improved fann of 100 acres, in Polk township, the management and operation of which now rests with his son Charles. During his many years as a farmer he was considered judicious and resourceful and brought his land to a high state of fertility and raised excellent stock but never went largely into the stock business.

Mr. Errett was married in Polk township, to Miss Lyda N. Traxler, who was born in 1854, in Morrow county, O., but was reared and attended school in Polk township, Crawford county. Her parents were John and Margaret (Kriner) Traxler, who moved from Morrow county to near Ada, O., and from there to Polk township, Crawford county. There the father of Mrs. Errett died at the age of 84 years and the mother when aged 76 years. They were members of the English Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Errett have three children: Charles, who resides on the homestead in Polk township, and who married Elizabeth Riskey; Nellie, who is the wife of Harry Quigley, an engineer on the Big Four Railroad, residing at Belle fontaine, O. ; and Burton, who is a fireman with the Big Four Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Errett are members of the United Brethren church and they have a very pleasant social circle and are respected and esteemed people of their neighborhood.

E. G. HARTLE, secretary and general manager and a member of the board of directors of the Perfection Road Machinery Company, of Galion, O., is an experienced man in this line, having been connected with road machine wofk throughout his entire business career. He was bom in Ohio and is a son of Americus and Margaret (Hastings') Hartle.

The father of Mr. Hartle was born in Hardin county, O., in which he yet lives, being one of the progressive farmers and well known men of that section of the State, a graduate of two colleges and a camoaien speaker of note. He married Marearet Hastings, also of Hardin county, who still survives, and they are the parents of four sons and one daughter.

schools and was about 21 years old when he gave full rein to his inclinations in the direction of mechanics. He has been with the present company since its organization in January, 1908, and is the draughtsman and chief designer of practically all the machines of this company. The Perfection Road Machinery Company was incorporated with a capitalization of $200,000, with the following officers : Ernest Klopp, president ;J. A. Petrie, vice president; W. T. Resch, treasurer; and E. G. Hartle, general manager and secretary, all being Galion business men. Miss Grace McCool has been employed as private stenographer and bookkeeper for the company ever since its organization; and also Mr. George Beach as it foreman. The output includes three styles of road scrapers, seven styles of road drags, and several styles of road dump boxes and land pulverizers. A specialty is made of custom work, employment is given 30 people and they sell all over the world. The business has been successful from the start and Mr. Hartle has been its manger for four years, coming here in this capacity from Columbus, O.

Mr. Hartle was married, at Felicity, O., to Miss Isadora Riley, and they have four children : Chester C, who is an assistant to his father; Hadessa, Imo and Margaret M., the ages ranging from seventeen to nine years. Mr. Hartle is a member of the Odd Fellows and the U. C. T., of Ohio.

CARL J. GUGLER, attorney at law and city solicitor of Galion, O., is a prominent member of the Crawford county bar and a substantial factor in Republican politics. He was born at Galion, O., April 29, 1883, and is a son of Jacob and Katherine (Herzog) Gugler.

Jacob Gugler was born in 1844, in the Rhenish province of Baden Baden, Germany, and from there came to the United States in 1865 and attended school in the city of New York and at St. Louis, Mo., and afterward at German-Wallace College at Berea, O., where he studied for the ministry. In 1875 he came to Galion, where he was a merchant for some years and also was interested in retailing oil and gasoline. His death occurred April 17, 1903. In politics he was a Republican and fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. In 1875 he married Katherine Herzog, who was born at Russville, Lucerne Canton, Switzerland, April 5, 1852 and came to America with her brother a short time before her marriage, residing at Elmore, O., before coming to Gallon. She still survives and is a well known and much esteemed resident of this city. She is a member of the Methodist church as was her husband. Of their nine children there are seven survivors: Mary, who is the wife of George Kunkler, of Gallon; Louise, who is the wife of James Lindley, of Gallon; Bertha, who is a teacher in the public schools at Akron, O. ; Carl J. ; Anna, who is engaged as a stenographer; Edna, who is employed in the clerical department of the Gallon Iron \Vorks ; and Carrie, who resides with her mother.

Carl J. Gugler did not wait until his school days were over to become useful and self supporting for he was only eight years old w hen he became a newspaper carrier for the Gallon Leader and also handled the Cleveland and Cincinnati journals. After graduating from the public schools in 1900 he worked for one year in the superintendent's office of the Erie Railroad and then for four years was clerk in the master mechanic's office at Crestline. Having cherished a laudable ambition for a legal career, by 1904 he was able, through his own efforts, to enter the University of Michigan, where he was graduated high in his class and was admitted to the bar in December, 1906, immediately opening his office m his native city. In 1907 he was elected a justice of the peace and in 1909 was his party's chosen candidate for prosecuting attorney. Although not successful in that contest he is plenty young enough to wait for still higher professional honors. In 191 1 he was elected city solicitor and his thorough knowledge of both English and German, has assisted him greatly in public office as well as in his private practice. He is legal advisor for the Ohio State Legislative Board of the B. of L. F. & E., an appointment received early in 191 2. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Pythias. It is almost impossible in these days for intelligent and broad minded men to ignore lX)litics even if they so desired, and Mr. Gugler has not been backward in announcing his convictions and his thorough identification with the Republican party.

JOHN HARVEY BROWN,* deceased, was a well known, respected and industrious citizen of Gallon, O., in which city he was born March 5, 1867, while his death occurred May 21, 1897, at Vicksburg, Miss., his burial being at Gallon. He was a son of Harvey and Lucy (Harper) Brown, both of whom were natives of Ohio.

John Harvey Brown attended the public schools of Gallon and as he had natural talent in that direction, learned the machinist trade and was employed in different railroad shops as a competent machinist, until the time of his death. He was a member of the trade organization known as the Machinists' Union, and politically was identified with the Republican party. He had many friends as he was pleasant and genial in manner and was ever ready to do others a kindness.

Mr. Brown was married at Gallon, O., to Miss Mary Boehm, who was born at Gallon, Feb. 27, 1870, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Price) Boehm. The mother of Mrs. Brown was born in Ohio but her father was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, June i, 1 84 1, and came to Gallon in June, 1866, where he followed shoemaking, having learned his trade in his native land, for more than 40 years. He now lives retired at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Brown, at No. 514 South Market street. She also owns a valuable property on Boston street and her father has nine acres of productive land near the city. The mother of Mrs. Brown died in 1907, when aged 68 years. She was a member of the German Lutheran church, to which her husband and daughter also belong. Mr. Brown is survived by two sons, Peter Henry and William I. The older son is learning his father's trade in one of the big city shops, while the younger is yet a student in the Gallon High School.

FREDERICK G. BOWERS, a successful general farmer and stock raiser, a member and supporter of the Grange and a man of progressive agricultural ideas, owns 50 acres of excellent land in Lykens township, Crawford county, O., and also cultivates a tract of 80 acres belonging to his father. He was born in Lykens township, March 23, 1878,

Amoh F. Keller

Frederick W. Bowers followed farming during his active life and now lives retired, making his home in Michigan. He was married (first) to Caroline Brown, who died May 25, 1891 and was buried in tthe Brokensword Cemetery, the mother of the following children: Lafayette, Frederick G., Esther and William, Esther being deceased. He was married (second) to Amelia Huff, who, at death, left one daughter, Velma. His third marriage was to a Miss Jane Smith, who was born in Michigan.

After completing the common school course, Frederick G. Bowers spent two terms in the Ohio Normal School, at Ada, O., after which he taught school for two terms, but finally decided to turn his attention entirely to agricultural pursuits. His well cared for land and abundant harvests testify that his decision was a wise one and that there are few careers in life which give the same amount of personal independence, a possession so dear to Americans, as does that of a successful farmer

On Nov. 5, 1 901, Mr. Bowers was married to Miss Lena Aydt, who was born in Marion county, O. She has two sisters : Christina, who is the wife of George Rentschler; and Catherine, who is the wife of William Laucher. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have two bright little daughters, Eleanor and Evelyne. In politics Mr. Bowers is a Democrat and is serving in his first term as township trustee, taking his duties seriously and as an official reflecting credit on the board. He and wife are members of the United Brethren church at Olive Branch, Lykens township.

FERDINAND BLEILY, deceased, for 37 years was in business at Gallon, O., where he was numbered with the honest and reliable men and generous and public spirited citizens. He was born at Grutzing, Baden, Germany, May 26, 1827, and died at Galion, Nov. 28, 1888.

Ferdinand Bleily was 28 years of age when he came to America, crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a sailing vessel, and in 1854 was landed at New York. From there he came on to Galion, C, where he remained only a short time and then went to Columbus, but several years afterward returned to Galion and made this city his permanent home. He was a painter, glazier and decorator and had thoroughly learned his trade in his native land, and for three years was foreman of the paint shops for the Big Four Railway, at Galion. Subsequently he went into the saloon business and continued until his last illness. He was a man of good fellowship and kind heart and was exceedingly charitable. He was a strong Democrat in politics and in religion was a member, with all his family, of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

1855, to Miss Veronica Frank, who was born in Baden, Germany, March 18, 1837, a daughter of George and Margaret (Heegel) Frank. They came to the United States from Baden, Germany, in 1841, locating first at Erie, Pa., from whence they came to Ohio and purchased a farm in Morrow county, cleared and improved it and lived there during the remamder of their lives. The father was 'j'j years old at time of death and the mother was aged 70 year. To Mr. and Mrs. Bleily two children were born: Pauline C. and William A. The former married Joseph F. Lampert and they both died at Cleveland, O. One son, William A. Lampert, survives and lives at Cleveland. William A. Bleily who was born Feb. 13,

AMOS F. KELLER, vice president of the Farmers and Citizens Bank and Savings Company, of Bucyrus, O., is one of the foremost men of Crawford county in many lines, the professions of teaching and law having claimed a large jjart of his time in the past, while politics and public affairs have also interested him. He was born in Crawford county, O., and has had the satisfaction of occupying the old family homestead throughout his life up to the present time. He is a son of Phillip and Hannah (Stucker) Keller, old residents of this section, who were well and widely known and were held in much respect by their neighbors.

Amos F. Keller in boyhood displayed a love of learning' that was somewhat unusual among his school-boy comrades, and the result was that he soon outstripped them all. He took up the scientific course under Professor Churchill, then of Oberlin University, and by the time he was nineteen years of age, he had solved every problem in mathematics that belonged to the district school course. When he began to teach school it was probably with no idea of the real interest the work would have for him, but later he continued as an educator because of the opportunities it gave him of arousing ambition in others, as many of these have since testified. He continued in the educational field for more than eighteen years. In the meanwhile he was acquiring knowledge for himself along other lines and not only equipped himself for the practice of law, but made a study of the great questions of the day, becoming deeply concerned on the subject of the relations of capital and labor. Possessing a well trained mind and the gift of oratory, Mr. Keller came to the front in political campaigns, and identified himself with the Labor party, becoming a party worker under the organization of Hon. T. V. Powderly. In 1894 Mr. Keller was a candidate for Congress on the People's ticket, and, although not elected, showed remarkable strength. He subsequently became an admirer and supporter of Hon. William Jennings Bryan for the Presidency, and in the campaigns of 1896 and 1900 traveled through Ohio speaking in his behalf. W^hile all the people did not have the same confidence in the political wisdom of the Democratic candidate, a large proportion were always willing to go long distances to listen to Mr. Keller, on any subject, his popularity being very general all over his native state.

Mr. Keller was married Oct. 30, 1895, to ;\Iiss Hattie Maudesta Carrothers, a daughter of James B. Carrothers, a substantial farmer of Vernon township. They have four children. As mentioned above, the old home .farm has continued to be the chosen place of residence by Mr. Keller and family, he having been its owner since he was twenty-three years of asre. In addition to being second officer in the Farmers and Citizens Bank and Savings Company, he is associated with its president, George W. Miller, in the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, on Jan. 2, igii, Mr. Keller was appointed deputy sherifif of Crawford county. He is now the Democratic candidate for Probate Judge and is certain to be elected, nomination on the Democratic ticket in this county being equivalent to election.

DANIEL KREITER, county treasurer of Crawford county, O., is widely known as a reliable and representative citizen and also as a successful business man. He was born in Crawford county, Sept. 22, 1854, one of three children born to his parents, who were William and Elizabeth (Hess) Kreiter, who are now deceased.

Daniel Kreiter was educated in the schools of Gallon, O. and also attended school at the Capitol University at Columbus and the Lebanon, O. Normal School. He had learned the shoemaking trade, although his father had been a tailor, and had worked at that before entering upon his college education. Intervening his school course at Columbus and Lebanon, he taught school one year in the public schools at Gallon. After his graduation in the commercial course at Lebanon, he was employed about seven years in the freight and ticket office of the Erie "Railroad Company at Gallon. Later he served for many years as bookkeeper in Kreiter & Schaefer's grocery store and while in this service was elected for and served two terms as city treasurer of his home city. He continued as bookkeeper in the grocery business until he was elected county treasurer of Crawford county on the Democratic ticket, this election being held in November, 1908. He assumed the office in the following year and has served two terms with the greatest efficiency.

Mr. Kreiter married Miss Margaret Bohl, a daughter of Ludwig Bohl, and they have three children, namely: Clio, Fred W. and Elfrida. They attend the Lutheran church.

JESSE G. BROWN, one of the live business men of Gallon, O., progressive in his ideas and enterprising in his undertakings, is proprietor of the Old Reliable Piano Store, \\hich is situated on the corner of Walnut and South Market streets, and has additional business interests. He was born on a farm in Champaign county, O., near Kingston, in 1858, and is a son of John and Anna (Myers) Brown.

John Brown and wife were born in Berks county. Pa., of old Dutch ancestry, and were reared and married there. In the forties they came to Champaign county, O., locating on a farm and spent their subsequent lives there. well known and highly respected, his death occurring at the age of 58 years. After being left a wiuow, JVlrs. Brown moved to urbana and died there in 190S, when aged 89 years. Both she and husband were members of the Methodist lipiscopal church. 1 hey had eleven children and of these one son and three daughters died in early childhood and seven reached maturity. Elizabeth is a resident of Urbana, Champaign county. Sallie J. resides at Urbana and is the widow of E. M. Most and she has four sons. David H., a county oificial, lives at Urbana with his wife. Eliza is the widow of E. B. Kiser and lives at Urbana with her four daughters. James and John, twins, the former of whom is a business man of Springfield, O., unmarried, while the latter is a railroad man and is married and has one son.

Jesse G. Brown was reared in Champaign county and obtained his education at Urbana. When 19 years of age he accepted a commercial position and went out on the road and for about 20 years traveled over the country, his business taking him into almost every State of the Union, his line being the selling of pianos. He was thus engaged until he determined to go into business for himself and chose Gallon, of which city he had already been a resident for six years, as a good business field, establishing his present store in 1889. He carries a fine line of high grade musical goods, including the Ivers-Pond pianos of Boston, the Adam Schaafer, of Chicago, together with a special make of piano, with new and admirable features, the J. G. Brown piano, which is specially manufactured for him in New York City. He also has the exclusive agency for the Edison phonographs, for which the demand is large. Mr. Brown has been public spirited in promoting many of the business enterprises of Galion and owns stock in many of them. As a pastime Mr. Brown interested himself some 20 years ago in horticulture and fruit growing but the pastime has developed into a large business and he is known all over the state for the products of his fine orchards and his success in the growing of all kinds of fruit that will mature in this climate. Mr. Brown still finds enjoyment in his experiments and has solved many horticultural problems.

Miss Minnie Gledhill, who is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hershner) Gledhill. This substantial family of Crawford county is well known and is one of the old settled ones of Jefferson township, members of the United Brethren church, to which religious body Mr. and Mrs. Brown also belong. They have three children; Claudia O., a graduate of the Galion High School, who married E. Landis Miller, an Erie Railroad official, residing at Galion; Hazel F., who is a graduate of the Galion High School in the class of 1908; and Jesse Gledhill, who is yet a school boy.

In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. While he has not accepted any political office he is a charter member of the Commercial Club, of which he has been president and otherwise officially connected, at present being chairman of the entertainment committee. He has been the chief mover in many of the recent successful enterprises organized to make this city more widely known as a desirable place in which to establish both a home and business. He belongs to Lodge No. 186 Knights of Pythias and is a past official of the State Grand Lodge, and belongs also to the Odd Fellows at Galion.

WILLIAM E. MILLIRON, who is a member of the firm of Milliron I3ros., manufacturers of drain-tile and brick, with plant located five miles northeast of New Washington, just across the Huron county line, in Richmond township, is half owner of this large business enterprise and is a very active and successful business man. He was born in Crawford county, O., and is a son of John and Helen (Page) Milliron.

John Milliron was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in boyhood. Later he learned the carpenter tracle and worked at the same until 1882, when he turned his attention to the manufacturing of drain tile and brick, came to near New Washington and purchased 25 acres of land, subsequently adding ten more acres. In the above year he erected the present plant, two buildings with dimensions of .-?oxi45 and 40x40 feet and also built a saw mill for custom sawing. Here he resided and manufactured from three to 12-inch tile building blocks. In 1890 he took his three sons into partnership and the firm name became J. Milliron & Sons, and a large business was done, trade being drawn from Huron, Richland and Seneca counties, as well as all over Crawford county. After the death of the founder, in 1902, the three sons continued under the style of Milliron Bros., until 1 9 12, when Harry L. Milliron retired and sold his interest to his two brothers, John R. and William E., who are sole owners. The present firm has enlarged the facilities of the plant, erecting two new buildings, one with dimensions 54x54 feet and the other of 32x40 feet. They are prepared to make every size of tile and their annual output approaches 50,000 building blocks and 50,000 bricks, and give employment to four steady men who understand the business.

John Milliron was married at New Washington, O., to Miss Helen Page, who was born in Guernsey county, and they had twelve children born to them, the survivors being: Mrs. Jeremiah Lewis, who lives in Garfield county, Okla. ; Mrs. John Beamer, who lives four miles north of the above mentioned plant; Mrs. Newton Carson, who lives at Plymouth, O. ; Charles, who married Lottie Rapp and lives in Auburn township; Harry L., who lives at Plymouth, O. and who married Nora Jones; William E., subject of this sketch; John R., who resides at the plant and who married Minta De Witt; Mrs. Isaiah Kemmery, residing near the plant ; and Mrs. Henrietta Yarnell, who resides at Norwalk, O.

William E. Milliron makes his home at his place of business. He married Miss Matilda E. Warner and they have two children: Alta, who lives at Plymouth, O. ; and Inez B., who is attending school.

HARRY L. BODLEY, cashier of the First National Bank of Gallon, O., and one of the progressive and energetic citizens, wide awake to public conditions and well qualified as a citizen and business man, was born at Bucyrus, O., Nov. 16, 1877, and is a son of \\'illiam A. and Frances (Miller) Bodley.

William A. Bodley was born near Plymouth, O., and his wife near Olney, 111. They were married at Olney, III, and shortly afterward moved to Bucyrus, where Mr. Bodley engaged in business as a merchant until 1882.

In that year he came to Gallon and resumed merchandising here and for 30 years has conducted a book, stationery and wall paper store on the Public Square. He is a well known and respected citizen, has served as a member of the board of education and is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His family numbered but one child, Harry L. The latter was a child of five years when the family came to Gallon and as youth and man he has been identified with this city ever since. After he completed the public school in 1893 he became a messenger in the First National Bank, being then 17 years of age, and through fidelity and efficiency has won promotion all along the line, serving as assistant cashier prior to being made cashier in 191 1, being elected to this office in January of that year.

The First National Bank of Gallon, O., was organized in 1864 and its present officers are: E. M. Freese, president; B. E. Place, vice president; H. L. Bodley, cashier, and J. E. Casey, assistant cashier. The following capitalists make up the board of directors : E. M. Freese, B. E. Place, H. W. Todd, R. W. Johnston, M. R. Crim, W. A. Bodley and H. R. Schuler. This institution is the oldest bank in Crawford county and its first president was C. S. Crim and its first cashier, J. S. Bloomer. The report of the condition of this bank at the close of business, Feb. 20, 1912, showed a very prosperous condition. The original capital of $50,000, in 1903 was increased to $100,000.

Mr. Bodley was married at Columbus, O., to Miss Margaret L. Beelman, who was born in Richland county, C, and they have one son, Herbert D., who was born in January, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs. Bodley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to Mansfield Commandery, Blue Lodge and Chapter at Gallon, being past high priest of the Chapter and junior warden of the Blue Lodge, and to Gwynn Council, No. 83, at Bucyrus. He belongs also to Gallon Lodge, Knights of Pythias.

in the real estate and general insurance line, was born in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., Aug. ii, 1876, and is a son of Michael and Caroline (Ehmann) Auck. The family is an old and very prominent one in this section and for many years the parents of Mr. Auck resided in Whetstone township on their large estate but now live retired at Bucyrus.

Samuel Edward Auck was afforded excellent educational advantages, from the public schools entering the Ohio Northern University and later taking a business course in a Toledo commercial school, where he was graduated in 1898. He then taught school for one year and then came to Bucyrus and associated himself with his older brother, William H. Auck, in their present line of business, under the firm style of Auck Bros., purchase having been made of the business of F. M. Kerr. This firm handles farm and city properties in Crawford and adjoining counties and deals in investment and security bonds and represents the best old line insurance companies. During his father's second term as county treasurer he served as deputy and continued with Treasurer Wm. L. Alexander, his father's successor, until April i, 1901, when he resigned in order to accept a position as cashier for the American Clay Machinery Company of Bucyrus, O., and remained with this well known business concern until Dec. 17, 1908, when, as noted above, he joined his interests with those of his brother. They are men well qualified in every way for successful business, energetic, honest and reputable and their standing in commercial circles is equally high with that won by them personally.

Mr. Auck was married Dec. 25, 1900, at Bucyrus to Miss Lulu V. Knoedler, who was born Jan. 6, 1879 and educated here, graduating from the Bucyrus High School with the class of 1898. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Volk) Knoedler. Mr. and Mrs. Knoedler reside at Bucyrus, the former being a retired business man, and both he and wife are members of St. John's Reformed church, to which Mr. and Mrs. Auck also belongs. The latter have two children : Carol Elizabeth, who was born Feb. 22, 1902, and Donald Knoedler, who was born Aug. 23, 1907. Mr. Auck is a member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat.

C. P. DEERWESTER,* who is in the iron roofing business at Brokensword, O., residing on the edge of the town, is well known all through this section as for many years he has been at work at the carpenter trade, in Holmes and adjacent townships. He was born in Defiance county, O., Sept. 10, 1854, and is a son of Peter and Julia Ann (Hall) Deerwester.

Peter Deerwester was born in Clermont county, O., and was a farmer all his life, his death occurring at the age of 56 years. He married Julia Ann Hall, who was also a native of Clermont county, and they had two sons born to them : C. P. and W. S. ; both of whom are residents of Holmes township, Crawford county.

The parents of the subject of this sketch died when he was but a babe and with the family of Isaac Heller the homeless little child was brought to Crawford county and here he was educated and afterward followed farming for about ten years and then began work as a carpenter. For some 20 years he followed that trade and has assisted in the erection of a large number of the most substantial buildings in this section. Since 1900 he has given his attention mainly to the iron roofing business.

Mr. Deerwester married Miss Rebecca Shupp, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Shupp, a representative of one of the old county families, and they have two children : W. E. and Grover P. The older son married Carrie J. Hattick and they are the parents of one son, Lloyd A. Our subject's younger son assists him in his business.

C. P. Deerwester has been active in local political circles and has served six terms as township assessor being elected to ofifice on the Democratic ticket. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association. For a number of years he has been identified with the fraternal order of Foresters.

FRANK M. CAIRNS, foreman of the Pennsylvania Railway Company's round house, at Crestline, O., is a valued employe of a corporation with which he has been continuously identified for 35 years. He was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., in October, 1861, a son of James and Mary (Young) Cairns.

shire, Scotland; the old family estate in Scotland, belonged to the Cairnes for 300 years. In 1 85 1 James Cairns and wife and their one son, James, came to the United States and located at Dunkirk, N. Y., where he secured work as a machinist, having learned this trade in his native land. In 1853 the family moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where James Cairns entered the machine shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad and remained there until he was retired on the age limit, after a connection of 41 years. Later he came to Crestline and his death occurred here at the home of his son, Frank M., on March 27, 1909. He was a charter member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., at Fort Wayne and past master of the same and was one of the organizers of the Caledonian Society of that city. He assisted in the organization of the Congregational church there and in all matters pertaining to good citizenship and true manhood he was a leading factor. His wife passed away at Fort Wayne, in November, 1903. She was a woman of admirable qualities and through these won recognition and esteem wherever she lived. She was a charter member of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the Congregational church and was president of the Ladies' A^uxiliary of the Caledonian Society. Three sons were born to James and Mary Cairns : James, John S. and Frank M. James Cairns, who is a building contractor at ^^'ichita, Kans., was city marshal for nine years of Wichita; he married there and has two daughters, Edna and Nellie. John Cairns was a machinist with the Pennsylvania Railroad at Fort Wayne and died there when aged 27 years. His widow survived with two children - ^James, who was killed in a railroad accident at Butte, Mont.; and Mary, who became the wife of W. J. Hess of the Fort Wayne Post Office and has two children.

Frank M. Cairns has been connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company since August, 1877, first as an apprentice in the machine shops at Fort Wayne. He worked his way steadily upward until 1897, when he left that city for Chicago, 111., where he was foreman in the Pennsylvania shops until 1900, when he came to Crestline. Prior to leaving Fort Wayne much responsibility had been given him, as he had charge of the erecting department and more or less had charge of the machine department up to 1900, when he was appointed to take charge of the roundhouse at Crestline. This is a jjosition of great responsibility as may be understood even by those not well informed concerning railroad affairs, while all railroad people, from the bottom to the top, understand that a man must have a pretty clear record and be deemed sober, reliable, experienced and skillful in order to secure a position of this kind. Mr. . Cairns has every qualification for the place and has faithfully performed his duties here for the past twelve years.

Mr. Cairns was first married at Fort Wayne to Miss Sadie Kline, of that city, who died at Crestline, Nov. 1,-1904, The children born to that marriage were: Frank, who married Blanche Foltz, who is a machinist at Crestline and has four children - Nellie, William, Lloyd and Geneva; and Wibert E., who is employed in the Pennsylvania Railway shops. Mr. Cairns was married, secondly, to Miss Mary Adams, who was born at Anderson, Ind., Sept. 8, 1876, a daughter of Ephraim and Nancy (Rector) Adams, of Anderson, where Mr. Adams still lives. The mother of Mrs. Cairns died July 29, 19 12, at the age of 61 years and eleven months. Mr. Adams is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church as was his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Cairns have no living children. They attend the Presbyterian church. A Republican in politics in National issues, Mr. Cairns votes according to his judgment in local matters. He belongs'to the Crestline Lodge, F. & A. M.

ADAM NEFF, carpenter, builder and contractor at Crestline, O., has been in this line of business, including the operating of a planing mill, for more than 50 years. He was bom near the city of Darmstadt, Germany, March 22, 1844, and is a son of Peter and Barbara (Pfeifer) Nefif.

Peter Nefif was born about 1822, in Germany, was reared there and married and after the birth of several children, he and his wife decided to emigrate to America where better advantages could be secured for their family. Taking passage on a sailing vessel they were safely landed at New York after 49 days on the sea, a storm nearly wrecking their ship on the last day, carrying away the masts. By water and wagon they finally reached Crestline, O., and then secttred no acres of virgin land, situated in Hancock county, on which they built a log house and there spent the remainder of their lives, subsequently developing this wild land into one of the finest farms in Hancock county. This property remains a possession of the family. The mother died on that place in 1875, when aged 48 years, the father surviving until 1893, passing away when aged 71 years. They were members of the Lutheran church and were leaders in the same in those early days. By trade the father was a weaver but he was more than a skilled workman at that trade, having some knowledge of medicine and enough dental science to enable him to pull teeth without endangering life. He is recalled as a kind, generous, neighborly man, one who was unusually well qualified to be a member of a pioneer settlement. Of his sixteen children, ten grew to maturity and all married and became heads of families and five of these yet live.

Adam Nefif was the eldest born of his parents' children and was but three years old when they came to America. He assisted on the home farm in boyhood but preferred a trade rather than an agricultural life and learned that of a carpenter. In 1864 he came to Crestline and was engaged here for 12 years and then went to Hardin county, where he became owner of, and foreman in, a planing mill and remained 12 years, going then to Lima, Allen county, where he was engaged as foreman in a planing mill. After an absence of 15 years, Mr. Nefif returned to Crestline where he has become one of the leading men in his line of business and has been identified with a large part of the building operations which, in recent years, have enlarged and beautified Crestline.

On Dec. 20, 1866, at Crestline, Mr. Nefif was married to Miss Catherine Poth, who was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1847, and in the same year came to the United States with her parents, George and Maria (Mathias) Poth. The family landed at New Orleans, La., and came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati and then to Crestline, locating on a farm near this city. The father of Mrs. Nefif died in 1893, aged 71 years, and the mother passed away at the home of her dauhter, Mrs. Nefif, in 1901, at the age of 82 years. They were Lutheran church people, sturdy, honest, industrious and virtuous.

Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Nefif, three of whom survive: Henry W., who is connected with the general offices of the Buckeye Pipe Line Company at Lima, O., and who is married and has one daughter, Lelia W. ; John Adam, who is married and is manager of the shoe department of the J. L. Hudson Company at Cleveland, O. ; and Charles F., a dry goods merchant at Gallon, O., who is married and has three children - Lillian M., Bertha G. and Charles A. One son, Philip E., died in 1909, when aged 32 years.

Mr. Neff and family have always been more or less prominent in the Lutheran chtirch and he has been a church official for many years. In politics 'he has always been a Democrat; for six years he was a township trustee, for seven years was a member of the town council for five years has been on the board of Public Afifairs, and at the present time is serving as president of this civic body. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows, and belongs also to several insurance organizations.

GEORGE L. JENNER, whose r6o-acre farm, lying eleven miles northeast of Bucyrus, O., is a very valuable property and one of the best cultivated and productive farm in Sandusky township, Crawford county, belongs to a highly respected old German-American family of this section. He was born in 1852, in Liberty township, Crawford county, and is a son of John G. and Mary A. (Ackerman) Jenner.

John G. Jenner was born in Wittenberg, Germany, probably about 1832, and was 16 years of age when he came to the United States. After living for one year in Pennsylvania, he came to Ohio and lived in Liberty township, Crawford county, until after the birth of his children, when he bought the farm in Sandusky township which is owned by his son, George L. His other children were: Benjamin F., Mary, Elizabeth, Erne-