Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 20: Conclusion, 1912 (part 12 of 12)

He was elected \-ice mayor of Lancaster and president of the city council in 1909, when opposed by one of the strongest Republicans in the city, having a majority of 300 votes. He served two years and in January, 1912 was elected clerk of the city council, which office he is now filling, besides carrying on his newspaper work. The writer knows of several other good positions that have been offered him but which he declined, preferring to remain with The Eagle.

On September 19, 1894 he was married to Miss Clara Ellen Junkerman, a cultured and refined teacher in the Lancaster public schools and the very happy union has been blessed with two bright little daughters, Eloise and Dorice, now aged thirteen and nine years respectively. They own and reside in a very comfortable home at No. 327 East Fifth avenue, one of the best resident streets in the city.

[Mr. Tidd has greatly aided in the collection of accurate data for this volume, his wide acquaintance, and extended knowledge being of great service. Editor.]

WILLIAM MEREDITH WIKOFF was born in Richland township, Fairfield county, Ohio, March 20, 1855, a son of William and Margaret A. (Stockard) Wikoflf. His youth and early manhood were spent on a farm ad-

The father of William M. Wikofif was born in Adams county in 1S12; he was a Dutch descent. The Wikoffs came to Ohio from Kentucky ; the oldest generations came to Kentucky from New Jersey, where they had settled on their arrival from Holland in 1775.

Mr. Wikofif's mother, Margaret Ann Stockard, was born in Virginia, near Staunton, in' 1816. When five years old she emigrated with her parents and a brother to Ohio, and settled in Richland township, Fairfield county. Three weeks after their arrival the husband, Charles Stockard, fell dead in the yard of a relative, leaving the widow with two small children. A few years afterward she married Rev. James B. Gurley, a pioneer Methodist preacher, whose circuit extended from the Ohio river to Baltimore, Fairfield county.

The Wikoflfs were Methodists in church relationship and their homes were preaching places for that denomination in the earliest times ; they were firm believers in, and strong advocates of the earliest doctrines of the Methodist church. In politics they drifted from the Democratic party to the Whig party, and when the Republican party was organized they cast their lots with that party and have so affiliated, in general, to the present day.

William M. Wikofif attended the common schools at New Salem, Walnut township, and the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, in its most successful days. Rev. William Hastings, Prof. Abraham Freed, Prof. Brown, Prof. Wilkerson, Prof. John F. Alford, being his teachers. He was a tutor in the institute for a time under the management of John F. Alford. After completing the prescribed course at the Academy, he attended a normal term at the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, Ohio, lie completed a classical course in Adrian (Jollege at Adrian, Mich., in June, 1882. For five years before going to college he taught In the common schools, saving enough money to pay his expenses while at college. iVfter completing his college course he located in Homer, Champaign county, 111., where he had the superintendency of their schools for three years.

In 1884 he was married to Catharine Alwilda Geiger, daughter of Herbert and Sarah (Lamb) Geiger, of New Salem. After three years' residence in Homer, 111., he came back to Ohio and located in Thornville, Perry coutny, Ohio, where he was superintendent of the schools for seven years. In 1889 he was elected to the superintendency of the McConnelsville schools in Morgan county, Ohio, in which place he resided for four years, until the death of his sister, when he removed to Fairfield county, looking after his property. Here he resided for ten years, during which time he organized the schools and very largely was responsible for establishing the Walnut Township High School at Thurston, in which he taught for several years. During these years he was business manager of the "Lancaster Camp Meeting and Assembly."

In 1903 he removed to Columbus, Ohio for the education of his six children, two of whom are in the Ohio State University, one in the Columbus High School, and the others in the grades. For three years he taught in the Shepard High School and at present he is teaching in Gahanna High School, in Franklin county. He has traveled over the northern, eastern, western and middle parts of the United States, as well as into Canada. He, with his wife, has been a delegate to two International Sunday school conventions, one of which was held in Louisville, Ky., and the other in San Francisco, Calif., and one World Sunday school convention, which met in Washington, D. C, He was candidate twice for representative on the Republican ticket, in Fairfield county, but owing to the overwhelming Democratic majority of Fairfield county, he was an unsuccessful candidate.

The names of William M. Wikofif's children are respectively, Garnett Merrill, Berenice Floy, William Herbert, Charles Henry, Paul Geiger and Walter Meredith WikofT. The eldest son, Garnett Merrill, a student in the Ohio State University, has taken great interest in athletics; he holds the record of being the fastest two-mile runner in the state, making the two miles in 9 minutes and 45 seconds. He has also won honors in athletic meets in Cleveland, Pittsburg and Chicago. On April 6th, of the present year (1912), Garnett Wikoff won the two mile race at the Central A. A. U., Chicago, indoor track championship, establishing the new Central A. A. U. record of 9 14 1 2-5 and proving that he is one of the best long distance men in the country. His performance was most remarkable in the fact that, having no strong competition, he was not even forced to extend himself. He is to be sent to the International Marathon at Stockholm, Sweden. Berenice Floy will graduate from the Ohio State University in June, 1912.

FERDINAND W. GETZ, undertaker and funeral director, who has been engaged in business at Lancaster, O., for the past twelve years, was born here August 6, 1870, a son of William and Phoebe (Plout) Getz. He is a grandson of Ferdinand Getz, a native of Germany who came to Fairfield county, Ohio, in the thirties from Lancaster county. Pa., and who died in Lancaster, O., in 1890. He was twice married and two children of his first union grew to maturity - Henry and Anna. His second marriage was to Louise Schneider, who died in 1888, aged sixty-eight years. Her father, Frederick Schneider, was born in Germany and later resided in Lancaster County, Pa., removing from there to Lancaster, Ohio. The children born to the second marriage of Ferdinand Getz were William, Charles, John, Frank and George - all of Lancaster, O. - and Cleora, who died young.

William F. Getz, son of Ferdinand and father of Ferdinand W., was born in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, Sept. 2, 1843. He was an architect by profession and later a contractor and builder. He was married to Phoebe Plout, who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, and died in 1899, she being the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Slisher) Plout, both natives of Germany. To this union two children were born : Ferdinand W., whose name appears at the head of this sketch ; and Edith C, also a resident of Lancaster. After his marriage, William F. Getz went to Illinois, remaining there some years. He then came back and was in the employ of Orman Brothers for a while, after which he became a funeral director and undertaker with his brother, Charles F. Getz, they succeeding to the business in 1877 which had been established by his father, Ferdinand Getz. The latter owned several acres of land, in the northern part of the city, the tract extending from Broad to Columbus streets being included in the same. In 1891

Ferdinand W. Getz was reared in Lancaster and attended both the common and high schools here. For a year after leaving school he was a clerk in the furniture store of George L. Eckert. After his father and uncle had dissolved partnership he took charge of the business for his father, becoming the sole proprietor thereof after the latter's retirement in 1903. This business was first carried on by our subject's grandfather on what was known as Columbus Road and Lundy's Lane, now Fair Avenue. The present quarters, corner Columbus and Wheeling streets, were purchased by William F. Getz in 1879, although prior to that date removal had been made by Ferdinand Getz, the founder, to the Smith property between Wheeling and Main streets. Mr. Getz, the present proprietor, is well known in Lancaster and throughout the surrounding territory and is held in high regard as a business man of ability and integrity. He has made undertaking and embalming a life study and is the only one in town in that line exclusively. He has an excellent professional equipment, including the first auto-ambulance in Fairfield County.

In March, 1904, Mr. Getz was married to Miss Cora Pearl Kistler, of Bloom Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of Elijah and Jane Kistler. The Getz family belong to St. Peter's German Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Getz is a Democrat. Fraternally he is identified with the Red Men, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks.

(Dickinson) Brasee. He began his education in the public schools, took Latin and Creek under Rev. Mr. Colton and Rev. E. B. Cartmell, rectors of the Episcopal church. He also spent four years at Kenyon College, where he was graduated in 1882 with the degree of A. B. He then read law in the office of his father. Judge John S. Brasee and was admitted to the bar in 1885, entering into practice in partnership with his father, which professional association was continued until 1900 when he entered the State Department of Insurance of Ohio, and a short time afterwards became Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Ohio, for which position he was peculiarly fitted by reason of his superior legal attainments. Under his direction the insurance laws, in all their manifold workings, have been skillfully and justly applied without undue friction or delay, and his record in this office is one of the highest. He served the state in this capacity for an uninterrupted period of eleven years during the consecutive administrations of Governors Nash, Herrick, Pattison, Harris and Harmon.

On the subject of insurance and insurance law he is considered to be one of the best authorities in the state of Ohio. He is an able attorney and is forcible and eloquent as an orator. Governor Nash paid him a high compliment in saying that he was the "most brilliant man in the State House, the Supreme Court Judges not excepted." He has recently become president of the Cleveland National Fire Insurance Company. He is a man of broad knowledge on various literary, historical and other subjects and is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He is a Republican in politics and an Episcopalian in religious affiliation. Mr. Brasee is unmarried.

CHARLES DICKINSON BRASEE was born Sept. 24, 1863. He was educated in the comfon schools and at Pleasantsville Academy and Zanesville Business College. After leaving school he devoted himself for several years to the management of his father's extensive farming lands. He then entered the office of his father, Judge John S. Brasee, where he read law, being admitted to the bar in 1893. He is now a very able and popular attorney and counsellor at law. His friends are legion. He is a Republican in politics and in religion an Episcopalian. He is as yet unmarried.

CHARLES JULIAN, one of the representative citizens of Madison Township, Fairfield County, C, a member of the township board of trustees and the owner of a valuable farm of 150 acres, was born on this farm February 26, 1872, and is a son of Isaac and Ellen (Baughman) Julian.

The parents of Mr. Julian were respected residents of Madison Township for many years, farming people and members of the Reformed church. They died on this farm and their burial was at Clearp.ort, O. They had eight children : Charles, Edward, Sarah, Frank, Delia, Arietta, Hattie and Leaffie, the last named being the wife of Martin Valentine. All are deceased except Charles and Leaffie.

Charles Julian attended the public schools of Madison Township until he was fifteen years of age at which time he remained at home in order to assist his father and remained with the latter until his death, when by inheritance he received his present farm, which has substantial buildings and was well stocked. Mr. Julian has continued his farm activities and is numbered with the successful agriculturists of the township.

On September 14, 1891, Mr. Julian was married to Miss Elizabeth Tobin, of Amanda, O., who was left an orphan in infancy. She has three brothers and two sisters: Joseph, Lee, Leota, Ida and John Tobin. Mr. and Mrs. Julian have four children : Ray, Leland, Fred and Paul. In politics he is a Republican and in the November elections of 191 1 he was elected township trustee for a period of two years. He has always taken an interest in educational matters and has served as a school director. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is a member of Center Star Lodge No. 489, Knights of Pythias, at Amanda.

JOHN D. AMSPAUGH,* a substantial and respected citizen of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, O., residing on his valuable farm of 100 acres, which he devotes partly to stock raising, was born at Lancaster, O., April 13, 1857, and is a son of Jonas and Barbara (Daubmier) Amspaugh.

Jonas Amspaugh was born and reared in Hocking County, O., and was married there but moved to Fairfield County some fifty years ago and resided here for many years, finally removing to Darke County and lived there for thirty-five years. At the time of death, January 6, 191 1, he was in his eightieth year. He wa^ a man of upright life and a worthy member of the Lutheran church. In his political views he was a Democrat. He was the father of nine children and the following survive : Mary, who is the wife of John Wilson, of Darke County; John D. ; Eliza, who is the wife of Joseph Ritchie, of Darke County; Susan, who is the wife of Charles Livingston, of Darke County ; Sarah, who is the wife of George

Wise, of Darke County ; Jonas F. and George E., both of whom live in Darke County ; and EHzabeth, who is the wife of C. Morgan, of Darke County.

John D. Amspaugh attended the district schools in Greenfield Township and with the exception of twelve years spent in Darke County, he has been a continuous resident of Fairfield County. In 1880 he settled on his present farm, on which he has made many improvements. He is a practical, well informed man and excellent farmer and his crops and stock are usually far above the average in the township.

Mr. Amspaugh was married to Miss Mary J. Vought, a native of Greenfield Township and a daughter of John S. Vought, a former resident of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Amspaugh have had nine children: Ida M., who is the wife of Charles Huber and lives in Marion County, O. ; Effie G., who is the wife of Oscar Eswein, and lives in Ohio; Edward C, who lives in Licking County; and Harry H., Ada M., Emmett, James, Howard and Carl. Mr. Amspaugh and family attend the Lutheran church at Lancaster. In politics he is a Democrat.

GEORGE W. BOERSTLER, M. D., who occupies a very prominent position in medical circles at Lancaster and throughout Fairfield Co., O., has been in active practice here for over forty years and his name is identified with medical progress and scientific achievement. He was born at Lancaster, O., November 24, 1846, and is a son of Dr. George W. and Elizabeth (Schur) Boerstler.

The father of Dr. Boerstler was also the son of a physician and for three generations the profession has been ably represented in this family. The late Dr. George W.

Boerstler was born in 1792, of German parents, was reared in Maryland and graduated in medicine at Baltimore ; came to Lancaster, O., in 1833, where, after a life of usefulness in his profession, he died in 1871. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Sinks of Ohio, who died in 1838, and secondly to Elizabeth Schur, who survived until 1900.

George W. Boerstler attended the Lancaster schools and also had private instruction and vei-y early developed tastes which led to his entering upon the study of medicine, his preceptor being his father, and from under this teaching he entered the medical department of Wooster University, Cleveland, where he was graduated in the class of 1869, supplementing this by a post-graduate course in New York. He then established himself at Lancaster and for two decades has been in the enjoyment of a substantial practice brought about by his professional skill. Unlike many other medical men, he has never permitted outside interests to distract his attention from his profession, but has made it supreme. He is identified with the American Medical Association and with the state and county organizations and at various times has served on medical boards and in positions in which only a man of medical skill and experience could officiate. He served for some years as a member of the board of U. S. pension examiners and for four years was a member of the board of trustees of the Athens Asylum. On many subjects pertaining to both medicine and surgery he is considered an authority.

Dr. Boerstler was married in 1872 to Miss Sally Reber Camp, who was born at Sandusky, O., and died in 1886. She was a daughter of John G. Camp, of Sandusky, and a granddaughter of a Revolutionary hero.

To Dr. and Mrs. Boerstler one daughter was born to whom the name of her grandmother, Elizabeth, was given. She is the wife of an EngHsh gentleman, B. J. Swinnerton, and their home is in Staffordshire, Eng. Dr. Boerstler is a Democrat in his political views. Fraternally he is a Mason and is connected with the higher branches of the order.

JOHN E. BEATTY, a well known resident of Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, C, settled on his present place near Colfax, in 1883 and is engaged here in general farming. He was born at East Rushville, O., July 6, 185 1, and is a son of John A. and Orell K. (Davis) Beatty, and a grandson of Patton Beatty, a pioneer of this section, who for many years lived at East Rush- \ille, Fairfield County.

John A. Beatty, our subject's father, was born at East Rushville, C, and for many years was a prosperous business man - a dealer in and shipper of livestock. He died at Crook City, North Dakota, in 1890, after a short residence there. He was survived by his widow and children. The former, in maidenhood Orell K. Davis, was a native of Perry County, O. ; she died in 1900. Their surviving children are John E., Winfield S., of Rogers, Kans., Elmer B., of Denver, Colo., and Alza E., of Lancaster O. A twin sister of John E. was Orell Gertrude, who died when quite young.

John E. Beatty was well educated, attending the local schools and the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, in its days a noted educational institution. He married Miss Mary E. Huber, a daughter of David Huber, who, in his day, was t)ne of the prominent citizens of Pleasant Township. They had one son, Scottie E., who is now deceased.

By a previous marriage with Elmira Beery, of Berne Township, Mr. Beatty had a daughter, Elmira G., who is also deceased. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at West Rushville. In politics he is a Republican. All these old families have been identified with the development of Fairfield County, and among them may be found not only progressive and successful farmers, builders of schoolhouses, supporters of churches, but enterprising citizens in various other walks of life.

I. B. BROWN, who resides on his well improved and very valuable farm of eightyeight acres, which is situated in Section 22, Rush Creek Township, was born in Hocking County, August 29, 1854, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Beach) Brown.

Thomas Brown and wife were both born in Westmoreland County, Pa., where they were reared and married and when they removed to Hocking County brought with them four surviving sons - William, David, Joseph and Samuel, two infant sons being deceased. In Hocking County the following children were born : James, an infant son, Lewis, Noah, Mary Jane, I. B., Albert, LeRoy and Oliver Thomas. Of these, I. B. is the only one who lives in Fairfield county. Thomas Brown and wife lived on the farm of 120 acres in Hocking County for the remainder of their lives. They were people of excellent repute and faithful members of the Presbyterian church. His death, occurred at the age of eighty-four years and that of his widow when she was four years older. Four of their sons became ministers in the United Brethren church.

pearance of liis own residence proves, he having- erected it himself. He has made many other improvements, having put up the substantial farm buildings and arranged his grounds. He purchased this place of Isaac Rowles, who was a son-in-law of Mr. Lehman, the original owner. This land which once was bought for $60 per acre could not now be purchased for $150. There are three producing oil and gas wells on the place.

Mr. Brown married Miss Salome Stemen, who was born in Hocking County, O., a daughter of Abraham Steman, and they have had eight children namely: Freeman, who married Anna Piefie, resides at Bremen and has two children - Ruby and Paul ; Milton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, who lives in Belmont County, and married Bertha Witters ; Walter, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Etta, who is the wife of E. R. Smeck, and lives near Columbus, O. ; Carl, Roland and Orlando, all of whom reside at home ; and an infant daughter, who died unnamed. With one exception, all the above family have been teachers and very acceptable ones. General farming is carried on by the sons, all of whom take a hearty interest in agricultural pursuits. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is president of the Board of Education of the .Special Bremen District and for six years has been an efficient and careful member of this body. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

GEORGE H. ZINK, a representative young business man of Lancaster, was born in Lancaster, O., and is a son of John H. Zink and Margaret Theresa Powers Zink. His father, John H. Zink, was also born in Lancaster, his parents being among the proiuinent pioneer settlers. During the Civil War he served in Company I, 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being wounded at the battle of Chickamauga.

For twenty-five years after his return to Lancaster he was connected with a large grocery firm. Later purchasing the entire interest, he associated his son, George H., with him, in the same location in which his father, Sylvester Zink had founded the business in the early days. He was always identified with the Democratic party. A loyal citizen, he gave generously of his time and purse in all that pertained to the welfare of his native town. He was a devoted Catholic, intensely interested in the growth and development of his church. He married Margaret Theresa Powers, who with two children, George H. and Mary Blanche, survive. His death occurred July i, 1910, at the age of sixty-seven years.

George H. Zink received his education in the parochial school and from private tutors. For some years he was connected with the merchant tailoring firm of J. M. Rutherford & Co., but for the past sixteen years has been with his father. He is an enterprising, progressing man, owning a handsome, splendidly stocked store, and using an automobile delivery service. During the Spanish-American war he served in Battery G, Light Artillery, recruited at Newark, Ohio. His fraternal connections are with the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Like his father he has always been identified with the best in the social and business life of Lancaster. Mr. Zink and his family are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church.

ZEBULON STUART resides on the old Stuart homestead, situated one-half mile north of Bremen, and was born here in 1853, a son of Thompson Stuart.

Thompson Stuart was also born in Rush Creek Township and for many years was a general farmer here. He served as township treasurer for twenty years. He reared a family of seven children, as follows : Wesley, who married Maggie Boling; Sarah Ann, who married William McCandlish ; James W., who married Dorah Hatcher; Mary, who married William Henry ; Emma, who was the wife of Rev. N. W. Good and died in 1901 ; Jane who married Chas Perrin ; and Zebulon.

With his brothers and sisters Zebulon Stuart attended the district school in boyhood and assisted his father on the farm. He remained at home when the others married and established homes of their own and later purchased 62 acres from the other heirs. General farming is his main interest and he has made both crop and stock raising profitable.

Mr. Stuart married Miss Mary Hillon and they have had five children, Earl, Eva, Elmer, Mildred and Ellis, the three last mentioned being deceased. Earl resides at home and assists his father. Eva is the wife of R. E. Johnson, a farmer residing one and onehalf miles north of Bremen. Mr. Stuart and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he is at present serving as an efScient member of the board of trustees. Politically he is a Republican and an active party worker.

JOHN HENRY AXLINE, M. D.,* who has been engaged in the practice of medicine for thirty-seven years and during twenty-six of these has been a resident of Lancaster,

0., stands very high in his profession and is ranked among the leading surgeons of Fairfield County. He was born August 18, 1849, near Fultonham or Uniontown, Muskingum County, 0., and is a son of Noah and Lucinda (Gibson) Axline.

The Axline family is of German extraction and the family annals show that three brothers of the name, all being officers in the German Army, came to the American colonies when the city of Philadelphia was only a settlement of sixteen log houses. It is claimed that one of these officers manufactured the first gunpowder ever made in America, and on account of this enterprise, his estates were confiscated and he was obliged to find a new home in Virginia. The older members of this family lived long and retained their faculties and endurance into old age, the great-grandfather, who had served at Valley Forge, under General Washington, dying in his 105th year; his father had lived to be 115 years of age. The grandfather, who was anxious to participate in the War of 1812, was stricken with pneumonia at that time and died twenty-two days later, being then aged ninety-two years. His name was John Axline and he was the founder of the family in Muskingum County, O. He married Christina Baker and they had six children: Daniel, Cornelius, Jonathan, Mary, Noah and George.

Noah Axline, father of Dr. Axline, was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1822, and accompanied his parents to Muskingum County, and his death occurred at Somerset, Perry County, in 1902, when his age was seventy-nine years. He married Lucinda Gibson, a daughter of William Gibson, of Morgan County, C, and she survived until September 11, 191 1, passing away at the age of eighty-three years and seven months.

Five children were born to the above marriage, one of whom died in infancy, the survivors being: John Henry; Samuel, a farmer near Somerset, O., who married Maria Hicks; Clarence E., a practicing physician at Bryan, III., who married Clara Tompkins ; and Minerva, who resides at Somerset.

John Henry Axline was afforded educational advantages, attending Fultonham Academy and later Muskingum College and still later took a course in Mt. Union College. He then entered upon the study of medicine in the ofifice of Dr. Howard Culberson, a prominent physician at that time at Zanesville, O., after which he spent one year in the medical department of the University of Michigan, and the following year in the medical department of the University of Kentucky, where he was graduated in the class of 1875. Dr. Axline located first at Ruraldale, in his native county and practiced there for five years, moving then to Stoutsville, where he remained five years more. In 1886 coming to Lancaster where he has remained. Dr. Axline is one of the earnest, conscientious men of his profession and the fame, fortune and friendship that he has acquired have all been honorably earned through legitimate practice and his name is held in esteem wherever mentioned. He is a valued member of the county and state medical organizations and of the American Medical Association, his son being identified with the same.

In 1878, Dr. Axline was married to Miss Martha Melick, a daughter of Robert Melick, of Perry County, O., and two children were born to them, Clark Gibson, and a babe that died in infancy. Clark Gibson Axline was born September 21, 1879, and received his literary training in the public schools and at Wittenberg College. During the Spanish-American War he served in the light artillery, from Newark, O., and afterward was graduated from Starling Medical College, in the class of 1908. Since then he has been associated in medical practice with his father at Lancaster, their offices being maintained in the family residence at No. 140 East Main Street, Lancaster. Dr. C. G. Axline is a captain of surgery, in the Ohio National Guards, with the rank of captain, and he is also surgeon for the Hocking Valley and the Muskingum Valley railroads. He was married on September 30, 1909, to Miss Abbie Simon, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Jane Simon. Politically Dr. Axline and son are Republicans. The family attends the German Lutheran church.

FRANK S. HEDGES, a representative citizen of Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, township trustee and owner of 142 acres of valuable land, was bom in 1869, in Madison Township, Fairfield County, a son of Frank and Fannie (Cupp) Hedges.

Frank Hedges was born in Fairfield County and was a son of Mathias and Lucy (Strickler) Hedges. His business was farming. During the Civil War he was a strong supporter of the Union and served three months in the Federal Army. Being always a man of temperance, he identified himself with the Prohibition party. His death occurred August 16, 1907. From youth he had been a member of the U. B. church. He married Fannie Cupp, a daughter of Conrad Cupp. She still lives on the old homestead in Madison township. They had five children : Malinda, who is the wife of Jacob Koch; George, who is deceased; Frank S., Owen and Marion.

eighty-four acres of his present farm, later adding twenty-one acres and still later, thirtyseven acres, and this property has all been carefully improved. Mr. Hedges cleared a large part of it, has done considerable tiling, has erected a handsome residence and other substantial structures. He engages in general farming and raises stock sufficient for his own use.

On April 21, 1891, Mr. Hedges was married to Miss Elizabeth Kull, a daughter of Godfrey and Caroline (Schweikert) Kull, natives of Germany. Her paternal grandparents were Godfrey and Elizabeth (Hershberger) Kull, and her maternal grandparents were George and Caroline (Meyers) Schweikert. The parents of Mrs. Hedges were married in America. The mother died in February, 19 10, and the father now lives retired. He was in the saw mill business and later was a farmer. They always attended the Evangelical Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. Kull the following children were born: Charles, William, George, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Fred and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges have two children, Fannie and Lloyd, who attend school at Oakland. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Hedges is a Democrat. For a number of years he served in the office of township supervisor, was road superintendent for one year and has been school custodian since 1897, and in January, 19 12, entered upon the duties of his second term as township trustee.

JOHN STRUCKMAN,* a retired farmer residing at Carroll, Ohio, to which pleasant town he came in 1906, for many years carried on farming in Fairfield county and still retains two farms, one situated in Greenfield Township and the other in Liberty Township. He was born in Greenfield Township, July 13,

The parents of Mr. Struckman were born in Germany, came to America and the father engaged in farming in Greenfield Township. Fairfield County, Ohio, where he died in his fiftieth year. Of his children there are two sur\'ivors, Henry and John, the former of whom lives in Liberty Township. For some years the father lived with his family at Lancaster, Ohio, and then, during the early boyhood of his son, John Struckman, moved into Liberty Township, where his death occurred.

John Struckman was about eight years old when his father died and he remained with his mother and the rest of the family in Liberty Township, where he attended school and afterward learned the principles of farming. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Banking Company of Carroll, Ohio, and has served continuously on its board of directors.

Mr. Struckman was married first to Miss Margaret Carnes and five children were born to them, but Mr. Struckman was forced to part with them all. They were : Emma E., James, John G., and two who died in infancy. Mr. Struckman was married second to Miss Louisa Schmidt, of Berne Township, Fairfield County. They attend the Lutheran church. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Struckman belongs to the Farmers' Grange at Carroll.

ELNATHAN SCOFIELD was born in Litchfield county. Conn., in 1773. He was of English ancestry, in direct line of descent from James Scofield, of Scofield, who, as recorded in Flower's Visitation of Lancaster, 1567; Chetham Society, Vol. 81, p. 127; Dugdale's Visitation of Lancaster. 1665, and Chetham Society, Vol. 88, p. 256. married a daughter of Leigh of Highleigh, county of Chester, Eng- land. The father of the subject of this notice, also named Elnathan Scofield, was born October II, 1745, and was a Revolutionary soldier, serving in the company of his brother, Ebenezer Scofield, which formed a part of the regiment known as tlie Fourth Westchester Regiment, Col. Thaddeus Crane. After the war was over the elder Elnathan Scofield came west to Ohio, settling in Union township, Licking county, where he became a prominent citizen, serving as state senator, 1806 to 18 10.

Elnathan Scofield, the younger, with whom we are more directly concerned, accompanied his father to Ohio. He became a surveyor by profession and made a contract with Rufus Putnam, August 7, 1800 - in connection with Ebenezer Buckingham - to survey a large number of townships in Ranges 16 to 22 ininclusive, for which they were to be compensated at the rate of three dollars per mile. Congress having passed an act, March 17, 1801, regulating the grants of lands apportioned for the refugees from the British possessions of Canada and Nova Scotia.

On May 30, 1801, he made a contract with the Government (which is on file in the General Land Office at Washington, D. C.) to make a sub-division of townships in seven ranges of the said "Refugee" lands. The lands formed a narrow strip four and one half miles broad from north to south and extending eastward from the Sciota river, forty-eight miles, covering an area of 100,000 acres, this including what is now the western portion of the city of Columbus. In 1801 Elnathan Scofield made the original survey of the city of Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Scofield also worked at his profession in connection with the Zane brothers, aiding in surveying all this tract of land and most of the early surveying for the city of Lancaster. He was in Lancaster about the year 1800. On

February 5th of that year Ebenezer Zane contracted to straighten the public road from Wheeling, W. Va., to Limestone, Ky., since called Maysville, and the result of his efforts was called "Zane's Trace," a fuller account of w hich may be found elsewhere in this volume. This was the first attempt to open a highway in the Northwest Territory, and was a most successful one, as Zane's Trace became one of the famous highways of the country.

Soon after Mr. Scofield settled in Lancaster he erected on his lot No. 11, scjuare 3, now lot ^^, the first brick dwelling ever erected in Fairfield county, the bricks having been hauled from Zanesville, Ohio, in wagons. Here Mr. and Mrs. Scofield lived for a few years. Their two daughters were born here.

Besides following the profession of a surveyor, Mr. Scofield w-as a general merchant and for some time had as partner John Matthews, who. howex'er, withdrew from the business in 1818. John Creed was at this time a clerk in the store. Mr. Scofield was county surveyor in 1805, also from 1800 to 1804 was surveyor of Licking county, or rather what is now so called, it being then a part of Fairfield county. He was elected to the Ohio State Senate, serving in 1820-21-22, he was associate judge of the Common Pleas court in 1819-20, and was postmaster at Lancaster during the administration of John Quincy Adams, the office at that time being located in his large new brick residence which he had built just a short time before, directly on the northwest corner of Main and Columbus streets. This home continued to be his place of residence until his death and was one of the finest homes in the early history of Lancaster. It was the scene of many social gatherings, of distinguished men and women, Lancaster then being the center of culture and refinement above its fellows.

home which he at first built, that structure has been almost continually used by his relatives as a law office, among whom may be mentioned John Trafford Brasee, Theo W. Tallmadge, John Scofield Brasee, John Trafford Brasee, Jr., and Charles D. Brasee.

Judge Scofield was a portly man, five feet ten inches in height. He was of a jovial disposition, highly educated, cultured and refined, and was eminently practical in all the affairs of life. He was courteous and obliging and would often carry mail himself to the houses of the citizens, though under no obligation to do so. Among his personal friends he numbered Henry Clay, whom he occasionally entertained at his home.

Judge Scofield married Drusilla Reid, a daughter of John Reid of Maryland. She was a great granddaughter of Col. Thomas Cresap, a member of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, and who came of a distinguished family, which has produced some of the great men and women of this country. There were two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Scofield - Mary Jane, who became the wife of John Trafford Brasee, and Eliza, who married James Stanbery, of Newark, Ohio, son of William Stanbery. United States congressman.

Judge Scofield owned about i,ooo acres of land south of Lancaster. While returning from his farm on horseback, November 29, 1841, he died very suddenly. His wife Drusilla died just fifteen days previously, November 14, 1841, at the age of fifty-five years. His age was sixty-nine at the time of his death. Both Judge and Mrs. Scofield are buried in Elmwood cemetery, Lancaster, Ohio.

JOHN W. BLACK, whose farm lies two and a half miles east from Bremen, Ohio, and is valuable both for crop production and for its yield of oil, there being a number of wells

Robert J. Black, who is one of the most venerable residents of Rush Creek Township, was born in Ireland in 1822 and was brought to Fairfield County when fourteen years old. With the exception of several years passed in Perry County and ten years spent as clerk in a store, first in Rushville and afterwards in Circleville, the largest part of his life in America has been spent in Fairfield County, Ohio, and he still occupies his old home in Rush Creek Township, carrying on his nursery of fruit trees which he established in the year 1849. Three children were born to him: John W., Samuel W. and Mary, the last named being deceased. By his second wife. Miss Margaret M. Alexander ( from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania), there are five daughters: Alice, Margaret (Mrs. J. Frank Smith, of Violet township), Jennie, Elizabeth, and Edith (Mrs. W. T. Ulm, of Williamsport, Ohio) ; and two sons, Josiah and Albert.

John W. Black went to school in boyhood as opportunity offered, but as early as his strength permitted, he began to make himself useful to his father and ever since has been engaged in farming and stock raising. He spent three years in Perry County as a farmer and then settled on his present place, on which he put up new buildings and made many improvements. Mr. Black married Miss Sarah A. Lott, who was born in Perry County and died in Rush Creek Township in September, 1909. Of their three children, Gladys L., the second born, survives, Irene and an infant being deceased. Mr. Black is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republican in politics and takes considerable interest in public matters but has never sought any public office.

ELIJAH KISTLER,* one of Bloom Township's best known and most highly respected citizens, was born April i8, 1839, on the farm in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, on which he lives. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (King) Kistler.

Samuel Kistler was born in Berks County, Pa., and when young accompanied his father, Henry Kistler, to Fairfield County in 181 5, settling in what was then a wilderness, in Bloom Township. Henry Kistler died in 1841 being then a man of some consequence, the owner of much land and the father of a large family. Samuel Kistler was about eleven years of age when he came to Bloom Township and spent his subsequent life here, dying in 1879, in his seventy-fifth year. He was twice married and the surviving children of his first wife are: Hester A., residing in Van Wert County, Ohio, who is the widow of J. K. Cooper; Elijah; and John C, who lives at Clinton, Mo. Those deceased bore the following names : Caroline, Matilda, Aaron B., George, Samuel A., Oliver P. and Elizabeth. Samuel Kistler and wife were members of the Reformed church.

Elijah Kistler attended the subscription schools in his boyhood and made the most of his opportunities and later became a school teacher and taught for eight years in Ohio and Illinois. Afterward he returned to the homestead, where he owns 142 acres of valuable land which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. He has watched with interest the wonderful development of this section of Fairfield County, his memory going back to the days when forests covered many of the productive farms of Bloom Township, when neighbors lived far apart and when no rural mail carrier brought the letters and papers from all over the world to the door. He can tell also when farming methods changed and

Mr. Kistler was married first to Miss Loraina Chaney, of Bloom Township, who, at death, left one son, William E., who is now deceased. Mr. Kistler's second marriage was to Miss Jane Ogden, of Vermillion, 111., and eleven children of their family survive, three babies dying in infancy and Samuel Paul also being deceased. Those living are: Van T., of Bloom Township; Minnie D., wife of Edward Benson, of Bloom Township; Alpheus E., of Bloom Township; Alice, wife of Frank George, of Lancaster; Olive A., wife of William Bookman, of Carroll; Florence L., wife of Elmer Wildermuth, of Greenfield Township; Myrtle, wife of Rufus Chapius, of Lancaster; Cora P., wife of Ferdinand Getz, of Lancaster; Elizabeth L., wife of Frank Hunter, of Toledo, Ohio; Efifie M., wife of Ray King, of Violet Township ; and Charles D., residing in Bloom Township. Mr. Kistler and sons are Democrats. He is a member of the Reformed church.

JOHN KELLER, a prosperous farmer and respected citizen of Hocking Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, where he owns 203 acres of valuable land, eighty-three acres comprising the farm on which he has lived since 1905, was born in this township, September 23, 1869, and is a son of Felix F. and Lovina (Bender) Keller. The father, who was a weaver by trade, died August 23, 1902, and the mother still survives.

The parents of Mr. Keller were bom in Switzerland, the father in 1823. In 1843 he came to America and located first in the city of Pittsburg, where he lived for a time and was first married there, his first wife being Catherine Heide and to that marriage two children were born : Felix, who lives in Walnut Town- ship, Fairfield County; and Albert, who lives at Lancaster, Ohio. After marriagCj Felix F. Keller and wife, in 1845, came to the northern part of Fairfield County and his w^ife died there. Later he went to Hocking Township and there was married to Mrs. Lovina (Bender) Lamb, a widow, who was born in Schwartzwald, Switzerland, and to this union five children were born: Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Barnes, of Columbus, Ohio; Frank, who lives at Nelsonville, Ohio; Annie, who is the wife of James Spires, of Columbus; John, who lives in Hocking Township; and George, who is deceased. Felix F. Keller was an industrious, self-respecting man and a worthy member of the Lutheran church.

John Keller has spent almost all his life in Hocking Township, attending the district schools and learning practical farming with his father and has devoted himself to agriculture with much success. Like his late father he is a Democrat, but has never been a seeker for office, finding his time sufficiently taken up with looking after his personal business.

Mr. Keller was married December 27, 1896, to Miss Margaret K. Belhorn, who was born in Main Leus, the county seat of Beyreuth, Bavaria, Germany, and who came to America June 12, 1889. She is a daughter of John Eberhart and Margaret (Weith) Belhorn. John E. Belhorn, who was by trade a stone contf-actor, was born in Reuth, Bavaria, December 15, 1842, and died June 4, 1891. He was' a soldier in the German Army, serving in 1869, 1870 and 1871. His wife was born in Denddorf, Bavaria, November 23, 1842, and died May 15, 1909. After her husband's death Mrs. Belhorn came to the United States with six children - arriving here on December 17, 1893 - three children having come before. Mrs. Keller came to the United States in 1889 and has been a resident of Fairfield County ever since. Mrs. Keller's brothers and sisters are as follows: Mrs. Catherine Pokrob, of New Haven, Conn. ; Mrs. Lena Kellbasse, of Clintonville, Conn. ; Mrs. Dora McNeil, of Roxabell, Ross county, Ohio; John, of Lancaster; Mrs. Barbara Burns, of Lancaster; Laura, of Cleveland, Ohio; William, of Lancaster; and George, of Lancaster.

Mr. and Mrs. John Keller have had three children : George W. B., Clarence F. and Bernard J., the last named being now deceased. Mr. Keller and family are members of the Lutheran church. He is identified with Charity Lodge No. 7, Odd Fellows, at Lancaster, Ohio.

OWEN SMITH,* who is a very prominent man in the live-stock business in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is the only regular buyer and shipper of stock from Rushville, his dealings aggregating a large amount annually, is also the owner of many acres of valuable land in this county. He was born December 28, 1856, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Snider) Smith.

Benjamin Smith was born in Virginia but spent the larger part of his life in Ohio. By trade he was a plasterer and that was his business throughout his active life. His death occurred in Fairfield County at the age of eightyfour years. He married a sister of John S. Snider, a prominent resident of Lancaster, Ohio, and they had six children born to them : Elizabeth, Henrietta, Susan, Henry C, B. F. and Owen.

Owen Smith attended school in both Perry and Fairfield Counties and afterward engaged in farming in Richland township. Some thirty years have passed since he started into the stock business, which he has developed into a very large industry in this section. He also oversees the operation of his five farms, these containing respectively, 173, 142, 164, 100, 64 and 14 acres, the last named tract adjoining Rushville. His many interests make him a very busy man, but he finds time, nevertheless, for his political, social and church duties.

Mr. Smith was married in Perry County to Miss Sarah Foster and they have five children ; Harvey, a farmer, who married Kate Keller; Mary, who is the wife of William Culberson; Henry C, who married Ada Baker; and Dollie and Blanche, both of whom live with their parents. Mr. Smith gives his political support -to the Republican party. He is a member of the Christian Union church.

MICHAEL BURTON, chairman of the board of trustees of Hocking township, has "been a resident of this section for many years and belongs to a family that originally came 'to Ohio from Maryland. He was born in county, Ohio, November 7, 1837, a -'son of Van and Lydia (Rice) Burton. - Van Burton, the father of our subject, was born in ' Pleasant township, Fairfield county, Ohio, and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Sweargen) Burton, the former of whom was later known as Judge Burton, he having served as associate judge of the county. He was an early settler in Pleasant township but moved from there to Hocking township, where he died during the childhood of Michael Burton, his grandson.. Van Burton followed an agricultutal life in Hancock county for some years his marriage, but afterward located on the present home farm in Hocking township, where he died about 1898. He married Lydia Rice, who was born in Greenfield township, Fairfield county, Ohio, and was the daughter of Michael aiid Rachel Rice, her father serving in tht Revolutionary War and also in the War of 1812. Of their children the following are now living: Isaac, Michael, Shipman,

Shipman, who was born in Hancock county, married Ellen Simon and they have had three children - Harry, Oscar, who married Bertha AVilliamson, and Ethel. Van married Laura Montague and has six children - George, Pearl, Charles, Flossie, Mark and Mabel, of whom George married Miss Bertha Busin and has one son, Paul; Flossie married Bert Cruit and has a son, Clarence; and Mabel is deceased. Rachel (deceased) married Elijah Milligan and had one daughter, Bessie. Lydia (deceased) married Daniel Sifford and had six children - John (deceased), who married Sarah Lamott; Mary, Daniel, Effie, Thomas and William. Of the above mentioned, Isaac, Michael, Rachel and Shipman were bom in Hancock county; all the others were born on the present homestead farm.

Michael Burton was seven years of -age when he came to reside on the property on which he has passed the subsequent years of -his life and where he has been occupied in fanning and stock raising. In politics, like his father and grandfather, he has always been identified with the Democratic party. He has frequently been called upon to serve in^ public office and f6r si.x years was a director of the Fairfield County Infirmary, a jiart of the time being president of the board. Formerly he was active in the Odd Fellows' lodge' at Lancaster. He is recognized in his township as a reliable and useful citizen.'

GEORGE A. STAKER,* who is one of the representative citizens and enterprising business men of Bremen, Ohio, has been identified with merchancHsing throughout his entire business career. He conducts a fine store on

Mulberry street, carrying carpets, curtains, matting and house furnishings, jewelry and furniture, trunks, suit cases and queensware, and also does undertaking. He was born July 30, 1 86 1, near Mt. Pleasant, Hocking County, Ohio, a son of George and Mary (Poling) Staker.

George Staker, the father, was born in Bremen, Germany, and came to America in early manhood, settling in Hocking County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming until his death, in 1863. He married Mary Poling, a lifelong resident of Hocking County, who died in 1887. Eleven children were born to this marriage, five of whom survive.

George A. Staker was the youngest of the above family and was but eighteen months old at the time of his father's death and was five years old when brought to Bremen. There he went to school and in 1879 started his business career as a clerk at four dollars a month, in the store of Frank Speace. He spent three years in the drug and .jewelry business at Mc- Comb, Ohio, and spent four years as a jeweler at Roseville. In 1885 he returned to Bremen and in partnership with Reuben Welty embarked in a furniture and undertaking business under the firm name of Staker & Welty. The latter subsequently sold his interest to Mr. Rhinehart and the firm name became Staker & Co., which continued after Rhinehart sold his interest to Paul Pfaff. On February 11, 1903, the stock was destroyed by fire. In 1887 Mr. Staker had entered into a business partnership with J. J. Elder, under the firm name of Elder & Staker, in the same line as at present, and in 1888 he embarked in the jewelry business as an individual venture. He now has all these interests in his own name and does a large amount of business. He has an up-todate establishment and has his own electric light plant. He is a stockholder in the First

National Bank of Bremen, of which he was a charter member. In politics he calls himself an independent Republican but no matter what his political attitude may be he possesses the confidence of his fellow citizens who have frequently elected him to office. He has been treasurer of the Bremen Special District and a member of the school board since 1895, and formerly served two terms as township treasurer.

On September 10, 1885, Mr. Staker was married to Miss Jennie E. Sterner, who was born in Fairfield county, a daughter of Emanuel Sterner of Bremen, and three children have been born to them: Mabel Kate, who is the wife of Murray Anderson, a civil engineer residing in Ross County, Ohio; Louise Fern, who is the wife of Ralph Griffin, bookkeeper for a business house at Bremen; and Frances Willard, who is a student in the Bremen High School. The family home is on Marietta street. Mr. Staker is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Lancaster; Knights of Maccabees, at Bremen, and is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Staker is the only undertaker in this place, and averages about fifty-five funerals yearly. He has every modern equipment for this branch of his business, including funeral cars and all paraphernalia for dignified funeral directing.

THE GRAFFIS FAMILY. The origin of the Graffis family is not known but it is definitely certain that they were one time citizens of France, though it is not thought that they were French people. They left France on account of religious persecution and settled in Germany.

Their history in America dates back to that of Nicholas Graffis, who took the money that was intended to buy his exemption from service in the German Army and came to America previous to the Revolutionary War. He served two years in the American Army, being a sharpshooter under the command of Gen. Daniel Morgan. Nicholas Graffis and a brother who afterwards came to America, settled in Huntingdon County, Pa., from whom originate all the people of the name in America and helped to make the settlement, the descendants of whom are known in this vicinity as Pennsylvania Dutch.

Abraham Graffis, Sr., a pioneer of Rush Creek Township, was a son of Nicholas Graffis, and took French leave from his home in Pennsylvania, coming down the Ohio river in a flat boat to Maysville, Ky., from whence he made his way on foot to Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1804. He worked for the settlers, helping them clear their land and it is said he could make his 300 rails a day with no tools but an ax and "nigger" maul.

He returned to Pennsylvania, married Fanny Gray, April 27, 1809, and again emigrated to Ohio, arriving, probably, early in 181 1 and settled on the land now owned by Frank P. Kittle. He was unable to make complete payment for this land and sold his improvements for enough to enter and pay for another quarter section, which he did in 1812, obtaining the southeastern quarter in Section 11, Rush Creek township and just south of his first entry, all surrounding quarters having by this time been pre-empted. He afterwards rented his land and returned to Pennsylvania and in 1822 a third time turned his face toward Ohio, coming and bringing his family in an emigrant wagon. Original parts of this wagon with its tar hub wheels are still a relic on the farm.

that he could stand on the rim of a half bushel measure and shoulder a three-bushel sack of wheat or lift the same amount with his teeth. He was a successful man financially, having given each of his six living children a farm, all of which was in Hocking County, except the homestead. He died in 1864 and was eighty years of age, his wife having previously died in 1856.

Of his ten children four, Rebecca, Elizabeth, John and Josiah, died in youth and infancy. Margaret married John Poling. Their children are Abraham (deceased), William Alexander, Levi, Adam, Elizabeth Redd, Sarah Mohler, deceased, Frances Bone, Caroline Lecrone, deceased, and Miriam Delong. Mary married Joshua Standiford. Their children are: Joan (deceased), Elisha (who died in the Civil War), Abram, Vincent, Isaac, Fannie Martin and Sarah M. Jacobs. Rachel married Adam Look. Their children are: John C, Luther, Dalton Z., Halleck H., Rebecca Bunnell, Hattie Flattery and Louiza Geiger, deceased. Julianne married Jacob Angle. Their children are James, deceased, Tillman, Ira, Mary E. Tom, Fannie Mowry, Julia A. Mowry, and Apolonia Westenhaver. Miriam married Abram Blosser. Their living children are Martha Miller and Frances Thayer.

Abram Graffis Jr., popularly and well known in Rush Creek Township and vicinity, resided on the homestead and adjoining farm from the time of his birth, Aug. 7, 1825, until his death Mar. 7, 1907. He was well known as a leading musician of his time, being especially noted as a fifer, violinist and a teacher of vocal music. He held official positions in the township and was known as a prominent bee keeper in the county. He was married to Anna Welty in 1848. The children born to this family are: Alonzo,

John A., Clara Emma (Grove), Sarah E. Voris, Mary F. McVeigh, Ira, Cyrus and Clement. Abram Grafifis, Jr., was bereft of his wife in 1874 and was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart who also died in 1891.

The Graffis estate, now containing 340 acres, still remains undivided in possession of the family. Clement, the youngest son of Abram Grafifis, Jr., has resided on the estate with the exception of a few years since his birth in 1865. He is well known in the township, having performed official duty therein for a number of years.

He has in his possession scraps of letters and papers of the family, dating back to 1808. One letter dated, Huntingdon, Pa., April I, 1832, is written upon one side of a sheet of paper which is folded with the writing within and sealed with a wafer of wax no envelope being used. The address to Abraham Graffis, Rushville, Ohio, is written upon the back. The postage upon this letter appears to have been 37^ cents. This was before the days of the Bremen postoffice.

There is, also a gun nearly 5^ feet in length that is thougHt to have been used by Nicholas Graffis in the Indian Wars of Pennsylvania. A sale bill shows the purchase of this gun by Abraham Graffis, Sr., at the sale of his father's estate in Pennsylvania in 1822. There is, also, the first and only deed written upon parchment to the homestead farm. It is signed by Jas. Madison, President, and Edward Tiffin, Land Commissioner.

An incomplete list of the first settlers of this neighborhood, east central Rush Creek Township, is given as follows : The Youngs, Moyers, Wilsons, Rays, Ashbaughs, Hustons, Fasts, Stemens, Blossers, Karfmans, Starrits, and Clemons.

Abraham Graffis, Sr., had a brother, Jacob, who was among the very earliest settlers. He left descendants, a few only of whom are located in this vicinity, among them being David and Benjamin Poling and James H. Graffis.

G. H. DURBIN,* general superintendent of the Fairfield Paper Company, is an experienced man in this industry, having been connected with paper making since boyhood. He was born in 1877, at Indianapolis, Ind., and is a son of D. S. and Mary (Harkness) Durbin, an only child. D. S. Durbin was steward for the Indiana State Prison, at Michigan City, Indiana, for seventeen years.

G. H. Durbin attended school at Indianapolis and Michigan City, after which he entered the employ of the Sefton Manufacturing Company at Anderson, Ind., and later was with the American Strawboard Company and the Diamond News Mill. He afterward returned to the mills of the Sefton Company and February 7, 191 1, came to the Fairfield Paper Company at Baltimore, O., as general superintendent. Mr. Durbin served for two years in the army and took part in the Spanish-American War, and was a member of Co. L, i6oth Ind. Vol., and of Co. I, 45th U. S. A.

Mr. Durbin married Miss Alice Baker, of Anderson, Ind., and they have two children : Virginia and Mariana. They are members of the Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.

and prosperous men of Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., where he cultivates his farm of eighty acres and also operates a saw-mill on the place and for many years has engaged every season in threshing. He was born in Clear Creek Township, December 2, 1844, and is a son of Amos and Priscilla (Altenderfer) Crites.

Amos Crites was born in Pickaway Connty, O., and his wife in Pennsylvania. In his early years Amos Crites was a weaver but later followed farming. Both he and his wife are now deceased, their burial being in Dutch Hollow. They were parents of the following children : Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin Baldoser, also now deceased; Malinda, deceased, who was the wife of David Doner, also deceased; David; and Sarah, who is the wife of Joseph Stout, residing at Circleville, O.

David Crites went to school in boyhood, although he had few educational opportunities compared to those given children of the present day. As soon as he was old enough he took part in the work of the farm and also became a thresher, later having an outfit of his own and making a business of this branch of agriculture. He is widely known, his numerous industries bringing him into contact with other men of afifairs and he is numbered with the reliable and representative citizens of Fairfield County. He is an active Democrat and has servel as supervisor of Clear Creek Township.

In 1870 Mr. Crites was married to Miss Mary Myers, a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Warner) Myers, old residents of Amanda Township, where their lives were passed. Mrs. Crites' brothers and sisters were as follows : Ephraim, who is deceased ; Lydia, deceased, who was the wife of Eli Barr; Susan; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Stout; and Amanda and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Crites have had four children : Harley A., who married Melzina Stebleton, and has two children - Mildred and Frank; Elmer A., who was accidentally killed, November 11, 1910; Carrie Florence, who is the wife of Edward Smith, and has four children - Boyd, Ray, Merl and Mary ; and Mary Salina, who is the wife of Denver Griffiths, and has two children - Marceline and Leland. Mr. Crites and family attend the Lutheran church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, attending the subordinate lodge at Amanda and the Encampment at Circleville, O.

WILLIAM S. WARNER,* a farmer of Clear Creek township, who operates 132 acres which he rents from his father together with six acres which he owns adjoining this tract, was born in this township, November 16, 1873. He is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Shalenbarger) Warner, the former of whom lives retired at Amanda, Ohio; the mother died in the spring of 1891.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Warner were the parents of the following children: Altona, the wife of a Mr. Bostwick, who lives at Dayton, Ohio; Lilly Catherine, the wife of Harry Gofif, who lives at Cleveland, Ohio; William S., the subject of this article; and Salome, the wife of Edward Thomas. Richard Warner was married, secondly, to Charlotte Wiley.

William S. Warner received his education in the common schools and since then has made farming his life work. He has always worked on the same tract of land, until two years ago having assisted his father. He now rents the farm but is in partnership with his father.

ner married Maggie Walker, a daughter of Charles and Mary Jane (Conrad) Walker, both of whom are natives of this township but now live in Madison township. They were the parents of the following children: Myrtle, who married Harold Reimer; Maggie (Mrs. Warner); Ida, the wife of Kirby Christy; Florence, the wife of Clay Wilson; Nellie, the wife of Mont. Donnelly; and Arthur, Ola and Anna.

JOSEPH S. HOLLIDAY, who successfully carries on general farming and stock raising in Richland township, Fairfield County, Ohio, owns one of the finest farms of this section, 158 acres lying ten miles northeast of Lancaster and within two and one-half miles of West Rushville. The family is an old one in Fairfield County, his parents, John and Magdalene Holliday, both having been born here, the grandparents having been pioneers.

To John and Magdalene Holliday nine children were born: Jacob, Zebulon K., William C, Mary M., Rebecca E., Emily H., Arminda, Joseph and John P. Of these, Jacob married Julia Courtright. Z. K., who is a minister in the Old School Baptist church at Thurston, Ohio, married (first) Laura J. Peters, and after her death, Sadie Painter. Mary married Thomas Strong and during life they lived near Bremen. Rebecca, who is now deceased, was the wife of Thompson Rowles. William C.^ who married Jane Strong, lives near Bremen. Arminda died in infancy. Emily married Warren Bright and they live in Walnut township, Fairfield County. John P. married Lavina Stith and they reside near Thurston, Ohio.

Joseph S. Holliday was reared on the homestead and obtained his education in the district schools. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and his well cultivated fields and excellent stock proclaim that he has been very successful in his efiforts. He married Miss Elizabeth Friend and four children were born to them as follows : William Lester, who married Hattie Hartzel, has one daughter, Clara, and they reside at Lancaster. Charles E. married Sadie A. Thomas and four children were bom to them - Lawrence L., Lester H., Gladys M., Edna B. - and they reside near Thurston, Ohio, where he owns a farm. Earl Ray, who remains with his father on the home farm, married (first) Louie Larue, and one child was bom to them, Mary Anabel, who is now deceased. After his first wife's death he married secondly lena Perry by whom he has one son, Marven L. Emma Lou is the wife of Earl Griggs, residing east of Rushville, and they have two children, Ralph W. and Harold L. Mrs. Holliday's parents were William and Sarah Friend and she has two brothers and three sisters - Orrin, Banner, Jennie, Delia and Martha. Mr. Holiday and family belong to the old-school Baptist church.

GEORGE W. GIESY, a successful farmer and stock raiser of Liberty Township, is a representative of one of the first families that ventured into what was at that time the wilderness of Fairfield County - vast tracts of uncleared land and miles and miles of forest. It was from Switzerland that the first of the Giesy family came to Ohio and made one of the first settlements, their earliest neighbors being Indians. George W. Giesy was born in

Jacob Giesy was born also in Liberty Township, in 1813, and lived to the age of 97 years. He was one of the prominent men of the county, possessing public spirit, pioneer resourcefulness and an excellence of judgment that was often exercised in behalf of his neighbors. He became one of the most successful agriculturists of this section and at one time owned and operated 420 acres of land. To his marriage with Mary Foltz eleven children were born and of these there are three survivors, namely: Elizabeth, widow of Henry Shaffner, who resides at Basil; Mrs. Sarah A. Yeager, wife of John Yeager, also of Basil; and George W.

George W. Giesy obtained his education in the schools of Fairfield County and since then has been engaged in agricultural activities on his present farm. He has taken much interest in not only improving his property, erecting modern and substantial buildings of all kinds in which he has introduced the latest improvements, but has also adopted the best known methods of land cultivation and has eliminated all but the most desirable of his stock. His farm of no acres was purchased from the government in 1812 by his grandfather, Jacob Giesy, and the farm of 80 acres was purchased from the government (being school land) in 1854 by his father Jacob Giesy. Both farms have always been in possession of the Giesy family.

Mr. Giesy married Miss Mary Sriner, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Sriner, and ten children have been born to them, namely: Eugenia G., who resides at home; Hector E., who married Cora Swarner and has three children - Edith, Everett and Eveline; Nellie E., who married William Friedly and has three children - Viva, Deward and Forest;

Lulu M., who died when aged twenty-three years; Stella M., who is the wife of A. Roshon and has three children - Merle, Owen and Gloyd; \\'innie, who married Edward Blauser and has five children - Muriel, Arland, Roland, Audene and Fayne; Pearl, who lives at home; Ray, who married Erma Van Arsdalen and has two children - Pearl and Verrene; and Dottie and Hazel, both of whom live at Iiome. Mr. Giesy and family belong to the Reformed church. Politically he is a Democrat and is serving as a member of the township school board.

DAVID ADAMS, a well known and highly respected resident of Amanda Township, Fairfield County, O., was born near Ringgold, in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, O., and is a son of David and Susanna (Adams) Adams.

On the paternal side, Grandfather Jacob Adams, was a son of Henry Adams and the paternal ancestry can be traced generations back to Germany. It is probable that the first of the family to settle in Berks County, Pa., came from the Tyrol Mountains. The maternal ancestors came also from Germany but, as far as known, no relationship existed with the otlier Adams family. The maternal grandfatlier, George Adams, was a son of Peter Adams, whose wife was of Holland descent. Some member of the family has the old family Bible that was brought from Germany. George Adams was married to Elizabeth Gruber and they had twelve children, the names of eight of these being preserved, as (follows : Susanna, who was born Sunday, September 19, 1830, and died on Sunday, December 2/, 1908, and was buried in the Amanda Township Cemetery; William, who died at Dallas, Tex. ; George, deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil War; Amos, who

Of the children of Jacob Adams all remained in Berks County except his son David, who, in 1861 moved to Pickaway County, O. His father and grandfather had both been carpenters and he followed the same trade and erected many buildings in his section, the last one being a barn on the Griffith farm. He was born September 13, 1S23, and died May 25, 189 1, a victim of pneumonia, as was also his wife, and their burial was in Amanda Cemetery. Ten children were born to David and Susanna Adams, namely : ( i ) Catherine is the wife of Jeremiah Kern and resides in Amanda township. She has eight children - five sons and three daughters, of whom Charles H., the eldest, is a successful minister of the Gospel (of the Evangelical church), Chester, the youngest, is a successful school teacher, while the other sons - Arthur F., John W. and Kirby - are honest, industrious men. The eldest daughter, Cora is the wife of Walter Tilden Baer, of Columbus, O. ; Stella is the wife of Ira Yoimg, of Royalton, while Marie, the youngest daughter, is at home. (2) Amanda is the wife of David Reed, of Van Wert County, O. ; has three children - Florence Estella, May and Robert. The eldest, Florence Estella, a very intelligent lady, is the wife of Ellis Henry Doty; both are successful teachers of a high school ; they reside on their ranch of 160 acres near Florence, Arizona. The second daughter. May, is the wife of Richard Wyatt, a substantial farmer; they reside in Paulding County, Ohio. Robert E. resides on the well cultivated home farm of 80 acres, four miles from Grover Hill in Van Wert County, Ohio, while their parents live in town.

Susannah Adams, is the wife of Sylvester Waits of Walnut Township, Pickaway County. They have four children. The eldest, Grace, is the wife of Pearl Marshal. Etta the second, is the wife of Peter Huffman; both are successful farmers. The sons. Henton M. and Emanuel, are industrious young men.

(4) Henry, the fourth child of David and Susanna Adams, was born December 11, 1857- (5) Jeremiah, the next, who lives in Rice County, Kan., married Mary Keschner, of Fairfield County, O., a daughter of Joseph Keschner, and they have four children. (6) Susanna died in Pickaway County when twelve years old.

(7) David, the seventh child, of David and Susanna Adams, was born March 20, 1863. At the age of ten years he, like his other brothers ( save the two youngest ) , was apprenticed to a farmer until the age of eighteen for his board and clothes; was never in a city until after ten years of age, nor scarcely saw five dollars of his own before he was eighteen.

(8) George, David and Susanna's next child, lives at Estes Park, Colo., as does also the next younger brother, (9) John. (10) William the youngest, who was born February 15, 1871, is a resident of Partridge, Reno County, Kas. He married Lina Barton, of Kansas, and they have two sons. The four sons have more than 700 acres of land in the West. The father of the above mentioned family was a member of the Lutheran church. He was a Democrat in his political views and in early manhood was identified with the Odd Fellows.

David Adams, our direct subject, was educated in the public schools, at East Ringgold, and Nebraska, Pickaway county, and the Ridge, Fairfield county; at Pleasantville Academy, then the Ohio Central Normal

College, also at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio, where, as a cadet, he was a member of Co. A. While at college he gave some attention to literary studies, being a member of the Philo literary society of the college, and was considered one of the ablest debaters at the University, being often called "The Young Man Eloquent." He also gave some attention to the law and since then has occasionally appeared in cases before a justice of the peace and has served in the Common Pleas Court as a juror. A Democrat in politics, he has represented Royalton Precinct for five years on the County Committee. There are few better informed men in the county than Mr. Adams, and while directing his reading more particularly, in recent years, along religious lines and to those subjects calculated to be beneficial to his fellow men, he is broad-minded enough to appreciate and enjoy any superior literary work. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is often called on to fill the pulpit and to lecture. He has recently purchased a law library for home study; also other works on Government and higher literature. With his brother, Henry Adams, he resides on a well cultivated tract of 22 acres, and both brothers work more or less as carpenters. Neither have married.

ALEXANDER BROWN KIEFABER, a well known attorney of Lancaster, O., who is also president of Board of Sinking Fund Trustees of that city, was born in Oakland, Fairfield County, in 1857. His education, begun in the common schools, was subsequently advanced at the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. He read law- under John G. Reeves of Lancaster, Ohio, and was admitted to practice in the Ohio State courts on October

8th, 1 89 1, and in the Federal courts on December 5th, 1898, since which time he has made rapid progress in his profession and is now widely known and held in high esteem as a lawyer. He served as justice of the peace in Clear Creek and Amanda Townships for eleven years, was postmaster at Oakland seven years, county school examiner six years, and probate judge six years, in all of which positions he proved himself a competent man of affairs. He is recognized by all as one of the progressive and representative citizens of the county.

JACOB HARTRANFT, whose two farms - one of T,7i acres and the other of 1 13 acres - both lie in Clear Creek township, Fairfield County, O., is a native of Pickaway County, O., but has lived in Fairfield county since he was five years old. He was born in March, 1834, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Wannamaker) Hartranft.

William Hartranft was born in the state of New York and comes of Gennan ancestry. He followed farming after coming to Ohio, first in Pickaway and later in Fairfield county, where both he and his wife died. They were members of the Reformed church. They had ten children, namely: Rebecca, now deceased, who was the wife of Reuben Fusselman; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of Hugh Fellers; Sally and Eliza (twins,) both now deceased, the former of whom was the wife of George Mowery and the latter of Henry Brown; Jacob, John, William, David, deceased; Hettie, who married George Stebelton ; and Samuel.

Jacob Hartranft attended the district schools as he had opportunity in his boyhood. He has always lived on a farm and has devoted his time to farming in all its branches since attaining manhood. He has been active also as a citizen, looking out for the best interests of the community and serving on the school board and in other offices. He was elected a trustee of Clear Creek township on the Democratic ticket and attended carefully and honestly to his duties as such during the three years of his service.

Mr. Hartranft was first married in May, 1855, to Miss Catherine Leist, and they had two children - William Allen, now deceased, and Sarah Ellen, who is the wife of N. F. Shupe. He married secondly, Mrs. Nancy A. ( Kiger) Breisner. His third marriage was to Miss Martha Noble, a daughter of James M. and Susanna (Chamberlain) Noble. The family is well known and respected all through Clear Creek township.

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Hartranft - Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain - came from Pennsylvania to Ohio, the grandfather being of English parentage and belonging to the Quaker church. He followed the blacksmith's trade.

James M. Noble was born Sept. 13, 1814, in Lancaster county, Pa. He came to Perry county, Ohio, when he was 19 years of age. His trade was that of plasterer. He also taught vocal music for some years, having an excellent ear. He was known as one of the best teachers in the county and he was a great lover of this refined art. In his latter years he followed farming. He departed this life Oct. 6, 1 88 1, at the age of 67 years and 23 days.

Susanna Chamberlain was born March 16, 1824, in Chester county, Pa. She removed to Perry county, Ohio, with her parents when she was seven years of age. She was a good and useful woman. She had a fine intellect and was a good scholar. She died Oct. 27, 1893, having attained the age of 69 years, 7

They had eleven children, as follows : Margaret Ann Noble was born Feb. 17, in Richmond, Indiana. She died April 7, 1841, aged one month and 20 days. William Noble was born Sept. 28, 1842, in Perry county, Ohio, and moved to Fairfield county when he was seven years of age. He was principal of the South School in Lancaster when he died. He was married to Louisa Bing Nicely, and they had seven children. He did more in the few short years that the Lord granted him on earth than some would have done in 80 years. He departed this life Oct. 4, 1880, at the age of 38 years and six days. Sarah Elizabeth Noble was born Feb. 19, 1845, in Richmond, Indiana. Soon after, or in April, 1845, the family returned to Ohio taking up their residence in Perry county, and when Sarah E. was four years old they came to Fairfield county. She reside? at home with her brother. Mary Caroline Noble was born Sept. 26, 1847 in Perry county, Ohio. She departed this life Sept. 8, 1849, aged one year 11 months and 18 days. George Washington Noble was born Feb. 23, 1850 in Fairfield county, Ohio and died March 21, 1850, aged 28 days. Susanna J. Noble was born July 28, 1851. Says her sister, Sarah E., "She was the flower of our family - one of the greatest singers I ever heard." She was married to Julius Yost on June 22, 1869 and they had two children. She departed this life Feb. 21, 1874, aged 22 years, 6 months and 23 days. Martha Noble was born Feb. 20, 1854 in Fairfield county, Ohio. She was married to Jacob Hartranft June I, 1902. Ida Noble was born March 23, 1897 '" Fairfield county, Ohio. She was married to Charles W. Berehens, Oct. 16, 1879. They have two children. James M. Noble was born January 27, i860 in Fairfield county, Ohio. He married Mary R. Baumgardner, June 19, 1902 and they have one child. Charles Noble was born Oct. 3, 1862. He is unmarried and lives on the homestead in Amanda township. May Belle Noble was born May 13, 1865 in Fairfield County, Ohio. She died June i, 1865, aged 18 days.

ARCHIBALD BOAL, who devotes his excellent farm of 100 acres, which is situated in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O., to general farming, has lived here for many years, in fact almost ever since his honorable service in the Civil War was over. He was born in Morgan County, O., November 19, 1834, on his father's farm in Deerfield Township, and is a son of James and Jane (Mc- Carthy) Boal.

James Boal was born in County Down, Ireland, and was in his sixth year when he was brought to America by his parents, who settled first in Pennsylvania and came from there to Zanesville, O., reaching the place when but two houses represented the present busy city. It was in 1802 that they settled in Muskingum County, where James Boal grew to manhood and assisted his father, Archibald Boal, in clearing up the pioneer farm. He was married to Jane McCarthy, who was born in Loudoun County, Va., and they shortly afterward moved to Morgan County, where he died in the winter of 1866.

Archibald Boal. who bears his grandfather's name, grew up in Morgan County and went to school during the winter seasons and learned practical farming in the summers. In May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. I. i6ist O. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in at Camp Chase, in answer to the call for 100-day men. His real service covered more than that and he was honorably discharged and mustered out at Camp Chase in October, 1864. During a large part of this time he was with the 6th Army Corps which was commanded by the brave General Siegel, who met a soldier's death. Mr. Boal took part in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley and the battle of Mar>'land Heights.

In March, 1856, Mr. Boal was married to Miss Martha A. Strong, who was bom in Morgan County, O., a meml:)er of a well known family, and they have had four children : Jane E., who is the wife of R. L. Renshaw, of Berne Township; Cora, who is the wife of John Harbough, of Pleasant Township; and two who are deceased. Mr. Boal settled on his present farm in 1868 and has lived here ever since. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at West Rushville, and formerly served as one of the church trustees. He belongs to Philo Lodge No. 392, Odd Fellows at West Rushville.

FRANK M. KRANER,* deceased, who was a prominent citizen of Pickerington, O., and ex-sheriff of Fairfield County, for many years was engaged in the buying and shipping of cattle and was favorably known to stock men all over the country. He was born in Violet Township, Fairfield County, O., April 3, 1862, and was a son of William H. and Sophia (Crider) Kraner.

William H. Kraner, who is one of the substantial retired fanners of Pickerington, was born in Violet Township, a son of Michael Kraner, who came to Ohio from Maryland prior to August 6, 1832, the date of his son's birth. William H. Kraner resided in Violet Township for many years and served as township treasurer, being elected to numerous local offices on the Democratic ticket. He married Sophia Crider, who was bom in Walnut

Township, Fairfield County, and the following of their family of children are living: Lewis M., of Cloverdale, Ore. ; Jacob C, of Violet Township; Etta, wife of Samuel Kull, of Lancaster, O. ; Pearl A., of Violet Township; Laura, wife of J. A. Reiner, of Pickerington; and John H., of Violet Township.

Frank M. Kraner was reared and educated in Violet Township. His business was mainly along the lines above indicated, the handling of cattle and stock. From early manhood he was interested in politics and for a number of years was a leader in local Democratic circles, serving as a member of the township Democratic committee, for one year being secretary and one year president of the Fairfield County Democratic Committee. He sen'ed as personal property assessor and as land appraiser in Violet Township and subsequently was elected sheriflf of Fairfield County. His administration of this important office was so satisfactory to his fellow citizens who are law abiding, that he was reelected and served out two tenns.

Mr. Kraner married Miss Emma M, Hempy, who was born in Fairfield County, and two children were born to them : Harry P. and Gale Irene. Mrs. Kraner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

LYMAN HICKLE, a prosperous farmer and stock dealer of Bloom township, conducting business from Canal Winchester, was born in Fairfield County, May 31, 1848, a son of J. M. and Sarah (Dawson) Hickle. The father, J. M. Hickle, was born in Fairfield County, O., July 29, 1843, and was married to Sarah Dawson April 13, 1845. He was a farmer and stock dealer and also served as county treasurer from 1880 to 1884. He died June 30, 1895.

JAMES M. LANTZ, M. D., one of Lancaster's younger professional men, who has been established in this city for four years and commands a good practice, was born July 11, 1881, in Greene County, Pa., and is a son of George W. and Mary (Fanchill) Lantz.

Both parents of Dr. Lantz were natives of Green County, Pa. In earlier years the father was a farmer but later went into the oil and coal business and was so engaged at the time of death, December 9, 19 10, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother of Dr. Lantz passed away in August, 1888, survived by three children: Chandar R., who is a linotype operator, residing at Washington, Pa. ; Laura, who is the wife of William Longanecker, of Greene County, Pa. ; and James M.

James M. Lantz is a graduate of several colleges including the University of West Virginia, the Ohio Northern University at Ada, O., and Sterling Medical College, completing his course in the latter and receiving his degree with the class of 1908. He immediately located at Lancaster and has been successful along professional lines and has been welcomed as a citizen and member of society. He is identified with the county and state medical organizations and keeps thoroughly informed concerning every advance made in medicine or surgery.

Dr. Lantz was married July 10, 1909, to Miss Edna Axline, who is a daughter of Dr. J. H. and Martha Axline. They attend the Baptist church. He retains membership in the Alpha Kappa Kappa college fraternity. Although no active politician, he votes with the Democratic party.