Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 20: Conclusion, 1912 (part 9 of 12)

Mr. Guyton married Miss Alice Leckron, a daughter of Christian Leckron, a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Fairfield County, and they have four children - Maude Viola, Ruth Inez, Howard Mervin and Russell Wayne. The family attend the United Brethren church. In politics Mr. Guyton is a Democrat and at present is serving in the office of township assessor and for a number of years has been quite active in public matters. He is secretary of the Farmers' Institute, serving in his fourth year, and formerly was president of this body. He is a man of progressive ideas and convincing personality and during his many years of educational work awakened interest and enthusiasm in his hundreds of pupils, many of whom preserve a sincere personal friendship for their former faithful and interested teacher.

CHARLES E. BLUE, who has spent almost his entire life on his finely improved farm of 200 acres, situated in Amanda Township, was born in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, O., December 12, 1867, and is a son

Richard and Donald Blue, twin brothers, came to America from Scotland in the i6th century. They were shipwrecked but both were saved in life-boats, these, however, landing at different points in South Carolina. They subsequently found each other and lived for a time near Charleston, S. C, when Donald went to the then far West and apparently was lost sight of. Richard traveled as far north as Richmond, Va., or to that site on the James River, where he died, survived by a son, John Michael Blue, who was the father of Michael Blue, Sr., who was the great-grandfather of Charles E. Blue of Amanda Township. Michael Blue and his wife Mary, moved from Virginia to Ohio in 181 2. when the country was yet largely inhabited by Indians. They located near what is now Bloomingsburg, Fayette County. For those days he accumulated a fortune, all in gold and silver and this, before he died, he distributed among his children.

Michael Blue, Jr., was born in Virginia, June 14, 1783, and came with his parents to Ohio, later moved from Fayette into Fairfield County and located first at Thornville, afterward moving one mile east of Cedar Hill, in Amanda Township. After hi^ children were grown and married, he moved in with his son, John O. A. Blue, where he died May 11, 1863. He married Deborah Peters, who was born June 23, 1786, a daughter of Tunis and Fannie Peters, who lived near Ringgold, in Pickaway County. Mrs. Blue died April 28, 1868. They had the following children: Tunis P., Francinah A., Jonathan W., Mary M., Louisa S., Harvey A., Michael, Abigail, Catherine, Absalom A., Deborah H., John Q. A. and William A.

was born on the Cedar Hill turnpike road, in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, O., March 6, 1829, and was reared here. After marriage he bought a place in Pickaway County, and later this one, which was well improved. For many years he engaged largely in buying and selling stock. In politics he is a Republican and in earlier years held many township offices and has settled many estates. He is a member of the old-school Baptist church at Turkey Run, of which he is a trustee and a deacon. He married Louisa Gallagher, who was born March 15, 1829, in Amanda Township, and died here December 25, 1898, and her burial was in the Amanda Cemetery. Her grandfather, Thomas Gallagher, secured a patent from the Government *for the farm which Charles E. Blue now owns, and the plat called for 400 acres, the document bearing the signature of James Madison, President of the United States. This land descended to John Gallagher, who sold it to John Q. A. Blue, who, in turn sold it to his sons, Arthur and Charles E. Blue. John Gallagher moved to Illinois, after selling his Ohio farm, and there both he and his wife died.

To John O. A. Blue and wife the following children were born : Matilda, who lives at home ; Mary, who died aged two years ; George W., who is a trustee of Amanda Township and a director in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Amanda; Alma, deceased, who was the wife of George Waddle; Jonathan W., who lives in Missouri ; Ida, who died when aged eighteen years ; Jennie, who married George Waddle and they live in Fayette County; Frank, who died when six years old; Charles E. ; Arthur U., who lives on the home place, married Flora Chester, of Ross County; Ottie, who died at the age of fourteen years ; and Atha, who died in infancy.

parents settled on the old Gallagher farm and he has resided here ever since. He attended the local schools but has devoted himself almost entirely to the development and improvement of his farm, which is one of the most productive and well kept in this part of the county.

Mr. Blue was married April 22,, 1896, to Miss Maggie M. Rowles, who was born in Rush Creek Township, near Bremen, Fairfield County, O., a daughter of Thompson and Rebecca (Holliday) Rowles. The mother of Airs. Blue died on Thanksgiving Day, 1908. Grandfather William RowFes came from Ireland when a young man. He married Maria Stewart and they settled in Rush Creek Township, where Thompson Rowles was born July 28, 1840, and now lives on a small farm in Hocking County, O. The parents of Mrs. Blue had five children: Edward J., a contractor living at "Lancaster, O., who married Anna Nixon ; Mrs. Blue ; Bertis A.^ living at Bremen who married Anna Seifert; Ernest W., living at Lancaster, who married Delia Shuman ; and Jennie A., who keeps house for her father. Mr. Blue has one son, Frank Corwin, who is a graduate of the Amanda High School and at present is a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus, in the class of scientific agriculture. Mr. Blue is a Republican in politics and for nine years has been a member of the school board of Amanda Township.

LEMUEL HITE, a well known farmer and stock raiser of Pleasant Township, residing on his well developed farm of 143 acres, was born on this farm, November 7, 1856, and is a son of Jacob and Jane (Dean) Hite.

Jacob Hite spent his entire life in Pleasant Township, where his death occurred February II, 1907. His father was Andrew Hite, who was a native of Virginia and came to the farm mentioned above not later than 1806, entering a one-half section of land, his patent being signed by President Thomas Jefferson. Andrew Hite died in 1818, his son Jacob being at that time in his second year. A long and useful life followed. Jacob Hite was a man respected in every relation of life. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian church and gave political support to the Republican party after its formation. He first married Catherine Dean, by whom he had a son, Allen. He married secondly Jane Dean, a sister of his first wife, who was also born in Fairfield County, and of their children the following survive : Emily C, wife of David E. Frank, of East Rushville, O. ; Frances J., wife of John W. Keller, of Knox County, O. ; Emanuel and Lemuel, both of Pleasant Township; Mary A. and Sarah A., both deceased.

Lemuel Hite was reared in Pleasant Township and obtained his education in the public schools and the Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasantville, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he has continued. On January i, 1895, he was married to Miss May F. Stover, who was born at Lancaster, O. She is a highly educated lady, completing a course at the Ohio Central Normal College, after which she taught school for a number of terms in Berne and Pleasant Townships. She is a daughter of Henry and Ella C. (Seifert) Stover, the former of whom was born at Lancaster, O., December 5, 1842, a son of John and Margaret Stover, who were natives of Germany. Henry Sto\'er owns a fann of over 100 acres located near Colfax, in Pleasant Township, on which he and his wife reside. The latter was born in Fairfield County and is a daughter of Hon. Abraham Siefert, who was probate judge in Fairfield County, a prominent man of his day. Mr. and Mrs. Stover had seven children, namely : Mary

F., wife of Lemuel Hite; Charles A., of Nelson\ille, O. ; George, of Columbus, O. ; Margaret, wife of Isaiah Shumaker, of Rush Creek Township; Birdie, wife of James Fisher, of Pleasant Township; William, of Pleasant Township, and one deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hite have had two children, Ralph and Florence M., the former of whom is deceased. They are members of the Reformed church at Colfax, in which Mr. Hite is an elder. He is not active in politics, but is identified with the Republican party. These families ha\e long been numbered with the solid, substantial ones of Fairfield County.

HENRY KING, for many years one of the leading agriculturists of Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., a man of sterling character, whose spoken word was as binding as another's bond, and whose entire life was one of family and neighborly kindness, w-as born in 1842 on the old homestead farm in Fairfield County, a son of John King, and died in Rush Creek Township, February 17, 1909.

Henry King attended the township schools in boyhood but began to assist on the home farm while he was still young and later made farming and stock raising his leading business interests. He continued to live at home until his marriage and then moved to the Rush Creek property on which he lived during the remainder of his life. He was careful and provident in his business planning and took much pride and interest in the development and improvement of his place. All the buildings now on the 140-acre farm he erected and all the improvements which mark it as a valuable farm, were placed here by him with much expense and years of steady toil. Outside his farm, family and church, Mr. King had few things that really interested him, for he cared little for public affairs and would never accept aii\' political office. He was ever ready, however, to contribute to charity and was liberal in his support of the German Reformed church. He is remembered as a man of the highest integrity in every relation of life.

On April 9, 1865, Mr. King was married to Miss ]Mary I. Poling, who was born in Hocking County, O., and five children were born to them, namely : Jolin, who operates his farm of fifty acres situated southwest of the homestead - married Vinnie Iman; William A., who died when aged twenty-two years; Birl, who is engaged in operating a farm to the east of the homestead - married Maggie Downhour and they have one child, Mary Ethel; Clinton, who operates the home farm for his mother, married Alice Klingler, who died in 1905, the mother of two children - Zema, deceased, and Noah Lloyd ; and Bessie, who resides at home. Mrs. King is a member of the Reformed church in which her family has been prominent for many years. Her father, who lived to the great age of ninety-four years, was one of the body of twelve which organized the first Methodist Episcopal church in Hocking County, in w hich he was a class leader for fifty years.

EUGENE M. CRITES, undertaker, embalmer and funeral director, doing business at Stoutsville, O.. is one of the representative men of this place and owns considerable ^-aluable real estate here. He was born in Fairfield County, May 24, 1867, and is a son of .\llen and Mary (Stebelton) Crites.

Allen Crites was born in Salt Creek Township, Pickaway County, O., a son of Levi and Anna (Reichelderfer) Crites. He was a prosperous fanner and followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. He died on his home farm some years ago and his burial was in the Reformed Lutheran churchyard. He married Mary Stebelton, who survives and lives at Stoutsville. Her parents Joseph and Anna Stebelton, were old settlers in Fairfield County, O. To .\llen Crites and wife four sons were born - Eugene M., William .\llen, Edson O. and Frank L. The parents were members of the Reformed church.

Eugene M. Crites after his school days were o\er learned the carpenter's trade and followed it in connection with painting, for some fifteen years, and he does not object to a little work in that line, as a change of employment, even now. In the meanwhile he had been connected for some eight years with his uncle, William Baker, who was an undertaker, and then decided to go into the business for himself, in preparation for the same attending the Clark Embalming School at Zanesville. He opened his establishment at Stoutsville on March 26, 1897, and is well equipped for any service that may be required of him. He owns two funeral cars, an ambulance and all appurtenances necessary to satisfactory and dignified funeral directing and is frequently called as far as Lancaster and Circleville, O.

In March, 1900, Mr. Crites was married to Miss Florence Harden, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Stone) Harden, old residents of Stoutsville. Mrs. Crites is the oldest of their children, the others being: Lilly and May, twins, the former of whom is the wife of \\\ A. Crites, and the latter, the widow of Dr. Homer Valentine ; and Iva, who is the wife of Clarence Barr. Mr. and Mrs. Crites I)elong to the Reformed church. In politics he is a Democrat.

village of Amanda, has been a lifelong resident of Amanda Township, Fairfield County, O. He was born November 20, 1874, and is a son of Felix and Alice (Kraft) Swope. His father was born in the same school district in Amanda Township, and at present resides in Lancaster, O.

Thomas Swope, grandfather of S. B. Swope, was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., February 19, 1800, and was the youngest son of David and Mary (Cole) Swope. David Swope was born March 4, 1771, and was the owner of a farm in Huntingdon County, Pa., three and one-half miles distant from that of his wife's father, Thomas Cole, a mountain lying between them. The records of Huntingdon County show the sale of the Cole farm on Ma}' 12, 1801, and that of David Swope on May 16, 1801. After disposing of their farms, they, with their respective families, moved, in May or June of that year, to Fairfield County, O. There, in the dense forest, they cleared land and built cabins, and, with their neighbors endured the privations and hardships of pioneer life. A convenient cabin was built by David Swope, with one window, a door hung on wooden hinges fastened with wooden latch on the inside and opened on the outside by means of a string that was tied to the latch and put through a gimlet hole in the door. The Indians regarded those who left the latchstring of their cabin doors outside as friendly, but those who took in the string were objects of suspicion. David Swope set out an apple orchard and other fruits and early built a twostory, hewed log house, which contained two rooms below and two above. Two porches graced the building, one on the south and one on the north side. He also built a hewed log house with a threshing-floor between two commodious mows, wheat in those days being threshed by the trampling of horses upon it.

David Swope, by thrift and industry, accumulated sufficient to give each of his children a property. The home farm at his death, August 9, 1826, went to his youngest son, David Swope, who, not inclining to farm life sold it later to his brother, Thomas Swope. The wife of David Swope, Sr., was born June 3, 1779, and survived her husband many years, dying February 20, 1857. Thomas Swope walled in a lot on the home place where his father, a brother and a sister, a niece and the oldest and the youngest of his own children were buried. In 1909 the last two named were removed to the family burying ground in Amanda Township Cemetery.

Soon after his marriage, Thomas Swope took possession of his farm which he cleared and on which he built a two-story, brick house, a large frame barn and other buildings needed in the successful operation of his farm. In the early days he carried on the business of freighting by means of a four or six-horse team and wagon, and hauled produce from the surrounding country to Baltimore, Md., and would there load for the return trip with supplies for the merchants of the towns near home. These trips were often attended with great difficulties and dangers, and sometimes were without financial rewards. Upon one occasion, having slaughtered some seventy-five hogs and cured the meat, he conveyed it to Baltimore, where it was disposed of to merchants, who failed before paying him. In 1 819, with a man named Hooker, he built a raft and loaded it with produce for New Orleans. The trip down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers w-as easy, but the return was most difficult, and many miles of it were walked along the river banks. He died August 13, 1884.

Jacob and Rebecca (Bechtel) Le Fever. Her father was born March 24, 1766, and died November 18, 1844, and her mother was born December 4, 1770, and died February 3, 1829. Thomas and Rebecca Swope were parents of the following children, of whom the oldest and youngest died during the lives of the parents. David, the eldest, in 1837, fell from a loaded wagon and was crushed beneath the wheels. Jacob died at Wellsville, Mo., in 1906. ]\Iargaret A. died in .Vpril, 191 1, on the home farm. Mary E. is the wife of Robert Sturgeon and lives in Kansas. Rebecca died in 1906. Thomas J. lives at Reynoldsburg, O. Tilitha Jane, now deceased, was the wife of James Ingman and lived at Barnes, Kan. Abner R. lives at Bloomingburg, Fayette County, O. Louisa is the wife of B. F. Ashbrook and lives at Milo, O. Samuel lives at Toledo, O. Felix is a resident of Lancaster, O. Emma J. was the wife of Robert Peters and died in 1872.

Felix Swope engaged in farming in Amanda Township until 1908, since which time he has been a resident of Lancaster. He has been a stock dealer all his life and still operates along that line. He was married July 30, 1872, to Alice Kraft, who was born in Circleville, O., February 3, 1853, and died July 19, 1906, being buried in Amanda Township Cemetery. She was a daughter of George H. and Caroline (Wilson) Kraft. Her father was two years old when he came to this part of Ohio, with his parents. He came later to Fairfield County, where for nine years he lived in Amanda Township. He then moved to Berne Township, in March, 1872. living there until 1888, when he moved to Ashville, O., where he died April 22, 1905.

Grace; Chester D., who is an osteopathic physician practicing in Washington, D. C; Ethel, who is a student in the New Haven Hospital, at New Haven, Conn.; Rebecca; Mary Alice, who is a student in the Ohio State University; Bertha, who died June 4, 1895, aged three years; and Maria, who attends the Lancaster High School.

Scott Boyd Swope attended the local schools and later pursued a commercial course in Columbus. He engaged in farming and also followed auctioneering until he came to Amanda, in 1909, and still continues in the latter vocation. On April i, 1909, he started in the ele\ator business, buying out A. E. Huston. On August 9, 1909, he formed a partnership with Mr. Huston, they, at that time, purchasing the elevator of F. W. Ruff, which they operate in connection with the one Mr. Swope already owned. They handle grain of all kinds and also coal and have a well established business.

On August 21, 1 90 1, Mr. Swope married M. Ivy Dunnick, who was born in Madison Township, Pickaway County, O., and is a daughter of Henton Monroe and Sarah (Brobst) Dunnick, of Walnut Township, Pickaway County. Six children have blessed this union : Kathleen ; Felix Dunnick ; Fred L. ; Alice Louise, born November 26, 1907, who died February 24, 1908; Elizabeth, born OctoI)er 8, 1909, who died March 14, 191 1; and Rebecca, born December 29, 19 10, who died March 28, 191 1. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons at Lithopolis, and of the Knights of Pythias at Ashville.

GEORGE HARTMAN, president of the Richland Natural Gas and Oil Company, with headquarters at Lancaster, O., has been a lifelong resident of Pleasant Township, Fairfield County and since 1905 has lived at the pleasant

William Hartman was born in Germany and in young manhood came to America and with his father, William Hartman, settled in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, O. Grandfather Hartman died at Fort Wayne, Ind. William Hartman was a prosperous farmer and raised much stock and was numbered with the reliable and representative men of Pleasant Township. He was one of the pillars of the Lutheran church and all his life was a stanch and conscientious Democrat. He married Margaret Mertz who was also born in Germany.

George Hartman was reared in Pleasant Township, where he attended the country schools in boyhood and later became a substantial farmer and still owns a valuable farm. On February i, 1899, he was married to Miss Anna M. Hoffman, who was born in Berne Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of Gottleib Hoffman. When the Richland Natural Gas and Oil Company was organized in January, 1908, Mr. Hartman was elected president and has served in this office ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman are members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Lancaster, in which he has been a deacon for many years. He is a Democrat in his political affiliation.

SAMUEL CALEB SMITH, whose _\vell improved farm of 250 acres, is situated two and one-half miles southeast of Lithopolis, O., was born in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., in March, 1851, and is a son of Henry Smith and a member of one of the old settled families of this county.

as a farmer and stock raiser. The large farm of Mr. Smith shows careful cultivation and intelligent management and all its industries are carried on by its owner with little assistance. His substantial buildings and all the other improvements which add to the appearance as well as the value of a property, have been placed here by Mr. Smith and he has reason to feel proud of his fine estate.

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Lydia A. Hoy, and they have one son, William Austin, who is associated with his father in farming and stock raising. He married Miss Jennie Stuckey, a daughter of Nicholas Stuckey, and they have two children, Leona and Carl, in whose welfare the grandfather is deeply interested. Both Mr. Smith and son are Democrats in their political sentiments.

ALEXANDER M. SMITH, superintendent of the Pickerington and Raynoldsburg Turnpike Road, in Fairfield County, O., and a prominent citizen of Violet Tow-nship, was born in Seneca County, O., July i, 1846, and is a son of William and Mary (Seymour) Smith.

The parents of Mr. Smith were natives of Franklin County, O. The father was a son of William Smith, who came to Ohio from the Shenandoah Valley, in Virginia, and married Mary Tussig, who was born at Basil, Switzerland. William Smith, Jr., was reared near Canal Winchester, O., but after marriage moved into Seneca County, where he secured a tract of uncleared land and partly deevloped it before he removed with his family to Fairfield County and settled in Violet Township. His death occurred at Reynoldsburg, O., May 24, 1889, when he was in his sixty-sixth year. His widow survived until December, 1891, and of their children there are three living, namely: Alexander M. ; Moses S., residing at Patas-

And Representatr'E Citizens

Alexander M. Smith accompanied his parents to Fairfield County in 1866, having previously attendetl the country schools in Seneca County, an academy at Republic, O., and later the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville. Subsequently Mr. Smith attended the Teachers' Institute held at Lancaster, O., for six weeks and still later entered Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg, Pa., where he completed the full course in eight weeks, making a record for speed and efficiency. Prior to settling down to an agricultural life, Mr. Smith devoted a large part of the summer seasons for four years to study and taught school during the winters. His finely cultivated farm of 204 acres is favorably situated in Violet Township, and formerly, for a number of years he devoted his attention, with much success, to the careful breeding of Shorthorn and hornless cattle. The activities on his farm are carried on along modern lines. Mr. Smith being one of the progressive agriculturists. At one time he was very active in the Grange movement.

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Rebecca M. Roads, who was born in Licking County, O., a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Moore) Roads, and seven children were born to them, as follows : Closson G., who lives in Franklin County; Audrea E., who is the wife of A. Tussing, a well known attorney of Brownsville, Ore. ; Wawklyn B.. who is a resident of Franklin County; Converse G.. who lives in Licking County; Vilura, who is the wife of Henry S. Taylor, of Violet Township; Carl W., who is a resident of Violet Township; and Alpha, who is the wife of George F. Ebner, of Franklin County, O.

attention by Mr. Smith and for twenty years he served on the Board of Education in Violet Township, during a large part of the time being its president. He has served also as township trustee and his advice and concurrence are sought in all matters of public moment in this part of the county. At one time, in the eighties, he was chosen as the candidate of the Peoples' party for Congress and the vote showed his great personal popularity in the district. Mr. Smith is a member of the Primiti\e Baptist church and belongs to its board of deacons.

GEORGE RUNKLE. an experienced and successful farmer, who has devoted all his mature life to agricultural pursuits, was born in 1850, in his present residence, on the old home farm, situated three miles southeast of Lithopolis, O., a son of George and Mary (Ware) Runkle.

The parents of Mr. Runkle spent their lives in Fairfield County and probably both grandfathers came to this section from Pennsylvania. The father, George Runkle, was a farmer and also a blacksmith and he owned the above mentioned farm in Bloom Township, on which he died when aged sixty-six years. He married Mary Ware and seven of their family of children grew to man and womanhood.

George Runkle, named for his father, attended the district schools in boyhcJbd. He afterward assisted his father on the farm and on the death of the latter came into possession. The property is a valuable one and the residence, which was built in 1846, is still comfortable. Mr. Runkle has made improvements, as he has considered it advisable, and his farm yield and annual output of stock are above the average.

father, R. H. Mason, in Fairfield County, and they have four children : A. H., Henry Austin, Samuel V. and Lavancha Alma. The eldest son operates a farm near the homestead. He was born in 1875, was educated in the common schools and is numbered with the enterprising and progressive farmers of this township. He was married first to Miss Anna Storts and secondly to Miss Carrie Cormany. Mr. Runkle and sons are Democrats in politics. He belongs to the Grange, with other wide awake farmers of this neighborhood, and his methods of agricultural work are along modern lines. With his family, Mr. Runkle belongs to the Reformed church.

L. ALONZO MILLER, a representative citizen of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, 0., where he was born, Janaury i, 1869, belongs to an old family of this county, both of his parents having been born here, his father, Emanuel Miller being a native of Pleasant Township, and his mother, Maria (Shaffer) Miller, of Greenfield Township.

John Miller, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania and when he came to Ohio in early manhood, established himself in Pleasant Township and spent the remaining years of his life there. Emanuel Miller followed an agricultural life, spending the larger part of it in Greenfield Township where he was a man greatly esteemed. He served as a trustee of his township and was a liberal supporter of schools and church and was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal body. His death occurred March 12, 1907. Of his children there are seven survivors, namely : Jefferson, residing at Lancaster; Ambrose, living in Greenfield Township ; L. Alonzo, who lives in Greenfield Township; Mrs. Lady J. Hone, of Fairmount, Ind. ; Clara, wife of Reuben Wagner, of Mercer County, O. ; Ida, wife of

L. Alonzo Miller attended the public schools of Greenfield Township and his business has always been along agricultural lines. He owns an excellent farm of 112 acres in Greenfield Township, which he devotes to general farming and stockraising.

Air. Miller was married March 12, 1890, to Miss Clara A. Reef, who was born in Greenfield Township, a daughter of John Reef, a former well known citizen and farmer of this section, and they have four children - Viola F., Calvin R., Florence and Wayne. Mr. Miller and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dumontville, O., of which he is a trustee and liberal supporter.

A. M. SMITH, who owns a fine fann of 124 acres, which is situated four miles southeast of Lithopolis, O., was born in October, 1854, in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, O., and is a son of John H. and Margaret (Barringer) Smith.

John H. Smith was a native of Fairfield County but died in Perry County, O., when aged seventy-one years. For some years he conducted a shoe store at Lithopolis, but after moving to Perry County, was a farmer. He was twice married, first to Margaret Barringer and secondly to a Miss Sayers. Six children were born to the first union, namely : A. M., Mary, Emma A., Mrs. Sarah Lane, George, and W. H., the last named being a resident of Columbus.

A. M. Smith attended school at Lithopolis in his boyhood and afterward became interested in farm pursuits and has followed farming and stock raising with success, for many years. Prior to settling on his present valuable farm in Bloom Township, he resided in Pickaway County. Here he has made all the im- provenients, erecting new buildings and adding to his general farm equipments. Mr. Smith was married first to Miss Melvina Hickle and they had one daughter, Gertrude, who is the wife of Da\id Swisher and they have two children, Percy and Dustin. Mr. Smith was again married. Miss Mattie E. Bixler, of Ross County, becoming his wife, and they have one son, William H., who married Edith Hancock, and has two children, Alfred and Robert.

Mr. Smitli has never taken any great interest in political campaigns but has never failed to perform all the duties of citizenship. He is a Republican in his political views. For a number of years he has been a member of the fraternal order of Knights of Pythias.

WALTER P.. TAYLOR, M. D.. who has been engaged in medical practice at Pickerington, O., since 1902, and is identified with the financial interests of the village as secretary of the Pickerington Banking Company, is a native of this place, born January i, 1877, and is a son of Dr. Frank G. and Mary E. (Tussing) Taylor.

Dr. Frank G. Taylor was born in Franklin County, O., and during two years of his early practice was located at Pickerington. Later he moved to Reynoldsburg, where he engaged in medical practice for over thirty years. He married Mary Tussing, who w-as born in Violet Township, Fairfield County, a daughter of Rev. George X. Tussing. who was at one time a much belo\ed and widely known preacher of the Primitive Baptist faith. He was one of the early ministers in Violet Township and later served a charge at Columbus, O.

Walter B. Taylor was an infant when his parents moved from Pickerington to Reynoldsburg and there he was reared and partly educated. After graduating from the Reynoldsburg High School he attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, taking his degree of B. S. He afterward taught the Reynoldsburg schools for four years, in the meanwhile doing his preliminary medical reading. In 1903 he was graduated from the Ohio Medical Uni- \ersity at Columbus, after which he was attached to the Protestant Hospital in that city for one year as an interne. With the exception of a short period of practice near Findlay, O., Dr. Taylor has been continuously engaged at Pickerington. where he has built up practice and reputation and has thoroughly identified himself with the interests and people of his native place.

Dr. Taylor married Miss X. Blanche Wolf, a daughter of J. S. Wolf, an influential citizen of Reynoldsburg, and they have two sons, Kenneth \^^ and X. Emerson. Xominally a Democrat, Dr. Taylor assumes the right to give political support as his own judgment dictates. He takes much interest in furthering the development of Pickerington as a commercial center and was one of the original l)romoters of the Pickerington Bank and is a director, stockholder and its secretary. His interest is awake also to the progress of the town along the lines of culture and education and is serving as a member of the board of trustees of tlie Public Library. Professionally he is identified with the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the Fairfield County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society, keeping well informed concerning all the progress made in the science of medicine. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the F & A. M. lodge at Reynoldsburg. He is also a member of the Primitive Baptist church at this place, being one of the board of deacons. Formerly he was a member of the village school board and largely through his work and interest the town secured its high school. At present he is serving as a member of the vil-

DAVID SNIDER, who is one of the well known agriculturists of Liberty Township. Fairfield County, 0., residing on his well improved farm of 205 acres, which is situated three and one-half miles north-west of Basil, O., was born here July i, 1848, and is a son of John and Lydia (Dumy) Snider.

John Snider was born in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County and from there came to Liberty Township when a boy and spent the remainder of his life here. He was a well known man in his day and was an extensive farmer, owning 400 acres of land. He married Lydia Dumy, who was born in Walnut To\\'nship, Fairfield County, and they had five childred born to them, three of whom survive : Martin, who resides on his farm one mile west of the old homestead ; David, who resides on old homestead; and John R., who lives at West Point, Miss. Benjamin and Mary are deceased.

David Snider attended the country schools until old enough to assume business responsibilities and since then has been engaged in farming and stock raising on the homestead. When this farm came into his possession he erected a more modern and convenient residence and made numerous other desirable improvements on the place. Mr. Snider married Miss Amanda Sutphen, who died in 1886, aged thirty-seven years, the mother of four children, namely: John Wesley, who died in infanc}'; Bertha J., who died when aged 16 months; Laura Elletta, who married Henry Detwiler; and Orla Warren, who married Blanche Neff. Mr. Snider is a member of the Linited Evangelical church. He belongs to the Grange and has frequently taken part in its discussions and enjoyed its social features. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party.

JACOB PICKERING, justice of the peace for Violet Township, and a prominent and successful farmer and stock raiser, owns 128 acres of well developed land in this section, there being 103 acres in his home farm. He was born on this farm, February 25, 1845, and is a son of David H. and Mary (Price) Pickering.

David H. Pickering was born in the village of Pickerington, O., and spent his entire life in Violet Township. He was a son of Jacob Pickering, who was a native of Rockingham County, Va., from which part of the country he came in the early days of the organization of Fairfield County. In what is now Violet Township he purchased land from the parties who had entered it from the Government, it being then covered with trees and shrubs. A part of the present prospering town of Pickerington. was named for a member of this family, it standing on what was then the farm of .\braham Pickering. Jacob Pickering survived until i860, dying in honored old age. He was succeeded in the management of the homestead by his son, David H. Pickering, who devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. The latter married Mary Price, who was born in Maryland, and of their children the following are living: Jacob, who bears his grandfather's name; Hannah C, who is the wife of George Stover, of Reynoldsburg ; Jane, who is the wife of James Kinney, of Reynoldsburg; and Julia, who is the wife of W^infield S. Harmon, of Violet Township.

Jacob Pickering grew up on the home farm and obtained his education in the local schools. He carries on the usual farm industries which he has found profitable in this section of Ohio, farming, stock raising, fruit growing and dairying to a certain extent, his finely cultivated land being exceedingly productive. Politically he is a Democrat and has frequently been tendered public office by his fellow citizens, has served two terms as assessor of Violet Township and is serving in his eighth term as a justice of the peace.

Mr. Pickering married Miss Lovinna A. Allen, a daughter of the late B. B. Allen, of Violet Township, and they had one son, Otha Allen. This son is now deceased and is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary (Maxwell) Pickering, and two children, Agnes and Jacob. Judge Pickering is identified with the Odd Fellows at Reynoldsburg and belongs to Ridgely Encampment, at Columbus.

JOHN L. ZOLLINGER, who, in partnership with his sons, owns 450 acres of some of the finest land in Walnut Township, is one of the representative citizens of this section and a man who stands \-ery high in township and county in the general regard. He was born June 18, 1845, on his grandfather's farm in Perry County, O., but was brought to Fairfield County when three years old and has lived here ever since. He is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Linville) Zollinger.

Jacob Zollinger was born near Somerset, Perry County, O.. a son of Lewis Zollinger, who came to Ohio from Strasburg, Pa., and was of German parentage. He reached Perry County while Indians still made their home there. He was a man of peace and had no trouble with the savages but later found land that he liked better along Buckeye Lake in Fairfield County, and traded his Perry County land for this, moved on it and spent the rest of his life there, tenderly cared for by his son Jacob, who was the youngest of his children. The one daughter, Polly, was the wife of John Allen. John, the second born, is long since deceased. Lewis Zollinger depended in his business affairs on the judgment of his youngest son, Jacob. The latter bought his brother's and sister's interest in the old farm before the death of the father, and accjuired other land, at one time owning 2,000 acres in Ohio and 1500 acres in Iowa. He carried on extensive farming and raised cattle, sheep and hogs. He was a man of natural shrewdness and was considered an unusually good business man. He died in 1884 at the age of sixty-six years. He married IMargaret Linville, who was born in Perry County and died in 1904, aged eightyfive years. Her father, Joseph Linville, was a shipper of stock and contracted fever while at New Orleans disposing of the same and died at Cleveland, O., when she was a child. To Jacob Zollinger and wife eight children were born: Rachel, who is the wife of F. C. King, of Newark. O. ; John Lewis; Henry H., who lives in Miami County, O. ; Missouri, who is a resident of Fairfield County; Arminda, who is deceased, was the wife of Albert Kneel, also deceased; Louisiana, who was the wife of S. \^^ Kenney; Elvira, who is the wife of T. B. Lewis, of Columbus, O. ; and William E., who lives in Fairfield County.

John L. Zollinger was so young when the family came to Walnut Township that he does not recall the long wagon journey but he remembers the appearance of the country that surrounded his new home and the little log schoolhouse in which he learned his first book lessons. Later he attended the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville and still later the Ohio Wesleyan Northern University at Delaware. His father owned a farm of 320 acres in Miami County, and for two years he operated it and was then called home to manage his father's affairs there. Later, after marriage, he settled on a farm he owned adjoining his present one and bought the latter and moved onto it in 1880. He still owns both farms - - which are contiguous - in partnership with his three sons. The north end of the first mentioned farm for 100 rods borders on the lake and this part is rented out as a summer resort. Mr. Zollinger has made all the fine improvements on the farm on which he lives, including the erection of his handsome 13-room brick residence, and substantial farm buildings. As above indicated, he has associated his sons with him in his enterprises and they all live near and have a community of interests. They deal in live stock and raise grain.

Mr. Zollinger was married on February 9, 1870, to Miss Rebecca H. Trovinger. She has practically spent her entire life in Walnut Township and is a daughter of Christopher Trovinger, who was a well known early settler in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Zollinger the following children have been born : Charles H., who was accidentally killed by a horse when aged eleven years; Elizabeth, who is the wife of George Stephens, of Thornville, O. ; Mary J., who is the wife of George Shelley of Thornville; Eugene T., who died at the age of ten years ; Jacob C, who married Grace Watson, and lives in Walnut Township ; William Milton, who married Mira Zartman; Grace, who is the wife of Stanley Hartman, of Thurston, O. ; Edith ; Teny, who married Minnie Bope ; and Leslie E., who married Dora Miller. The entire family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. There are many grandchildren and all together the family is a large, happy and united one. Mr. Zollinger and sons are Republicans. He is identified with the Masonic lodge at Millersport. When the Millersport Bank was founded he was one of the organizers and continues to be a stockholder.

0., has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising here for some years. He was born in Hocking County, 0., and his parents were Godfrey and Caroline (Schweikert) Kull, who were of German ancestry. Henry Kull was the fourth child born in the family of six children, namely: Charles, William, George, Henry, Caroline, Elizabeth, Frederick and Edward. William and Caroline are now deceased.

Henry Kull attended the district schools in his native county in boyhood and ever since has followed farming. The tract of ninetynine acres on which he lives, belongs to Lucy A. Schillinger, from whom he rents, but all farm stock and implements and machinery on the place belong to Mr. Kull. He is a practical, honest, hard-working man and is prospering.

On November 25, 1886, Mr. Kull was married to Miss Katie Hanaway, the eldest child of W. P. and Ellen (Morris) Hanaway. Mrs. Kull has one brother, William, and three sisters - Hannah, Rosa and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Kull ha\-e four children, namely Rosa, Iverine, Frank and Mildred. The family attends the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOSEPH HENRY GOLDCAMP, hardware merchant at Lancaster, O., proprietor of the Jos. H. Goldcamp & Company, was bom at Kelleys Mills, Lawrence County, O., August 12, 1870, and is a son of Ferdinand and Mary (Monnig) Goldcamp.

Ferdinand Goldcamp was born in Lawrence County in 1837, his people having located there after coming from Baden, Germany. He was engaged in farming in Elizabeth Township for a number of years and now lives retired at fronton, where he owns property. He married Mary Monnig, who was born in Lawrence County, November 24, 1839, a daughter of Frederick Monnig, who came from Germany to the United States about 1835 and located at Hanging Rock, O. In politics Ferdinand Goldcamp is a stanch Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic church. To them the following children were born: Frank F., who is a member of the firm of Jos. H. Goldcamp & Co., is a hardward merchant at Ironton, O. ; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-three years, was the wife of Frank McCauley, of Ironton ; Josephine, who is the wife of H. C. Rudmann, a manufacturer at Ironton; John F., who is in the hardware business at Ironton; Albert, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Joseph H. ; Henry L., who owns and operates the old home farm; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Dr. Cornelius Gallagher, of Ironton ; Frederick, who died at the age of four years ; and Flora, who is the wife of Fred Derford, of Ironton.

Joseph H. Goldcamp attended both the public and parochial schools and later Lebanon College, after which he returned to the home farm and assisted his father until he was twenty-five years of age. He then was in the employ at Ironton for over five years of Goldcamp Bros. & Co., on January 24, 1901, coming to Lancaster, where he purchased the stock of W. E. Shell on West Main Street. He moved the stock to Nos. 107-109 North Columbus Street, on April i, 1903, securing his present quarters. Since 1904 the business has been conducted under the firm name of Jos. H. Goldcamp & Company, composed of J. H., and Frank F. Goldcamp, and James .\. McCauley. The aim of this firm has been to establish confidence and thus only first class goods are handled, the stock being unusually complete, including edged tools, fann implements and all kinds of vehicles. The members of this firm are practical and experienced men in their line and personally are representative and reliable citizens.

On April 26, 1897, Mr. Goldcamp was married to Miss Alice A. Kramer, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hudson) Kramer, of Hanging Rock, Lawrence County, O., and they have two sons : Lawrence, who was born July 15, 1899, 2nd Cyril, who was born May 5, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Goldcamp are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. John and the Elks. The family resides at No. 235 South High Street, Lancaster.

HON. HENRY CLAY DRINKLE, postmaster at Lancaster, O., of which place he has long been a prominent citizen, was born at Lancaster, February 28, 1845, a son of Peter G. and Nancy (Miller) Drinkle and one of a family of three children born to his parents. His father, who was a merchant at Lancaster during his active years, died in 1851.

Henry Clay Drinkle was educated in the public schools of Lancaster, after which he learned the printer's trade, comjjleting his apprenticeship in the office of the Lancaster Gazette, which was a paper established in 1826, and of which he was twice part owner. After being employed in this office for six years, he turned his attention to the study of law, his preceptor being tlie Hon. John S. Brasee, and he was admitted to the bar in September, 1869. He continued in practice until he was appointed postmaster, in September, 1910, under the administration oi President Taft, during this period serving eight consecutive years as city solicitor and filling out an unexpired term as judge of the Probate Court. On many occasions he has been the recipient of testimonials indicating the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and after serving as mayor for one term in 1883, was urged to accept an- other term, but declined the honor. From January, 1866, to December, 1867, he served as one of the sergeant-at-arms of the Ohio State Senate. He has long been a very important factor in Republican politics in this section of the state, distinctively as a Foraker factional adherent.

Judge Drinkle was married to Miss Kate Vorys, a daughter of Isaiah Vorys, and they have three children - Charles H., Mary C. and Alice V. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their attractive residence is situated at No. 310 S. Broad Street, Lancaster. Judge Drinkle is a member of the Masonic Order; also an officer of the Supreme Ruling of the Fraternal Mystic Circle, an insurance company under the assessment plan, of which he was a charter member in December twenty-four years ago.

(Since the above was printed, Judge Drinkle passed away while undergoing an operation in Columbus Hospital. His burial took place at Lancaster, April 7, 1912).

MATHIAS J. DILGER, commander of Ben Butterfield Post, G. A. R., No. -j-j, at Lancaster, O., is an honored veteran of the Civil War who has been a continuous resident of Pleasant Township, where he owns 30 acres, since 1865 and for years has been one of the representative citizens. He was born in Richland Township, Fairfield County, November 26, 1840, and is a son of John M. and Zillah (Mills) Dilger.

John M. Dilger, born in Baden-Baden, Germany, came to America in 181 7 and located in Lancaster County, Pa., where he was married to Zillah Mills and after the birth of one child they came to Fairfield County, O., making the long journey with a one-horse wagon, and arriving in Richland Township with his household effects and ten cents in money. Pioneer experiences fell to the lot of this family as to that of their neighbors and while each year showed improvement in their affairs, it was a long time before they felt justified in taking life easy . In 1848 John M. Dilger and family moved to Pleasant Township, locating near Colfax, where he and his wife survived into extreme old age, his death occurring after his ninetieth birthday and that of his wife when almost ninety-five. During his active years he worked at the shoemaking trade. His wife was a member of the Society of Friends.

Mathias J. Dilger was eight years old when the family moved into Pleasant Township and there he grew to manhood, attending school at Colfax and enjoying one term in the Rushville High School. When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Dilger was one of the first patriots to respond to the call of the President of the United States for soldiers. He enlisted in April, 1861, in Co. A, ist O. Vol. Inf., for three months and within this period took part in the battle of Bull Run. On August 15, 1 861, Mr. Dilger reenlisted in the same regiment, which was attached to the Army of the Tennessee and later to the Army of the Cumberland, and he participated in many of the most serious battles of the whole war, including Shiloh, Corinth, Murphysboro, Chickamauga. Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Siege of Atlanta, exclusive of innumerable skirmishes. He was twice seriously wounded, once at Missionary Ridge and later at Atlanta ; in the latter case a bullet penetrated his lung. He was stationed not twenty feet at this time from the brave General Mc- Pherson, who there met his death. In August, 1864, he was a second time honorably discharged and in September following applied for a third enlistment and was transported to Nashville, Tenn, but was refused active service on account of previous injuries. He was given a position, however, in the quartermaster's department and remained until the close of the war, and when Nashville was attacked by the enemy he was given charge of a company on the fortifications and did yeoman service in defense. For the third time he was honorably discharged, in April, 1865, when he returned to Pleasant Township, where he has lived ever since. During nine years of this time he was a resident of Pleasantville and was postmaster there. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1900 he was census enumerator of Pleasant Township. He has followed blacksmithing as a business.

Mr. Dilger was married October 19, 1865, to Miss Anna M. Cuqua, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., a daughter of William and Annie (Dennis) Cuqua. The father of Mrs. Dilger was born in Germany and was a soldier in the Mexican War, as was also a brother of Mr. Dilger. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dilger, namelv : William S., of Pleasant Township; Ernest C, principal of the High School at Carroll, O.; Letha E. and Thomas H., both of Pleasant Township; Asa C, an expert acountant in the Ohio State Insurance Department at Columbus; Owen M., of Clarksburg, W. Va. ; and Lena M., Ionia B. and James A., all three being now deceased. The last named died February 15, 1898, while in camp at Anniston, Ala., from an attack of typhoid fever. Mr. Dilger and family are members of the Reformed church at Colfax, and he has been an elder for forty years. Since 1866 he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and still takes a very active interest in it.

HON. ELIJAH F. HOLLAND, probate judge of Fairfield county, Ohio, now serving in his second ofticial term, has been a member of the Ohio bar for almost forty years. He was born at Baltimore, Ohio, November 22,

1845, being one of the nine children of John N. and Lydia (Benadum) Holland. The father was a carpenter who followed his trade at a time when conditions were harder than at present, but who through his industry succeeded in providing well for his family. His death occurred in January, 1905.

Judge Holland obtained his early education in the district schools, making such good use of his opportunities that later, after his return from his service in the Civil war, he proved an acceptable and successful teacher at Baltimore and in other schools in this county. In February, 1864, he enlisted at Millersport, Ohio, in Company K, Seventeenth Regiment, O. V. I., and remained in the service until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, July 16, 1865. While engaged in teaching he began the study of law, which he continued under the preceptorship of Judge Brasee, and was admitted to the bar of Fairfield county in 1872, and was an active member of the same until his election as probate judge. For seventeen years he served as justice of the peace in his native township of Liberty.

In 1900 he came to Lancaster and in 1905 was elected to the bench, as a Democrat, first by a plurality of 1,265 votes over his opponent, and was re-elected in 1908 by a majority of 2.024 votes. Judge Holland has proved able, wise and dignified as judge of the Probate Court.

Judge Holland married Miss Mary A. Jones, a daugliter of James Jones, and they have one child, Cora, who is the wife of Van A. Snyder, a prominent attorney at Lancaster, Ohio. Judge Holland and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They occupy a handsome residence, situated on Fifth avenue, Lancaster. Judge Holland is identified fraternally with the Masonic order.

MILTON D. WILDERMUTH, a representative business citizen of Pleasantville and senior member of the firm of Wildermuth & Keller, has been a resident of Fairfield County for the past twenty years. He was born in Franklin County, O., near Columbus, June i6, i860, and is a son of William and Ruth (AUgire) Wildermuth.

The Wildermuths probably came from Germany to Pennsylvania and from that state, Daniel Wildermuth, grandfather of Milton D., came to Ohio among the pioneers, locating in the wilderness of Greenfield Township, Fairfield County, in 1804. His first house was constructed of logs, but before his death, when aged eighty-two years, he was residing in one of the finest residences in the township. His widow survived him and her death occurred in her eighty-first year, at the home of her eldest son, William Wildermuth. The latter was born in 1808, in the log house above mentioned, and grew to manhood a strong and vigorous youth, and his strength was maintained into old age. When twenty-one years old he moved to Franklin County, O.. where he acquired a large farm yet uncleared, which he developed. He was married twice, first to a Miss Feeman, who died after the birth of four children. Two of these died in infancy and the two surviving are John and Catherine, the latter being the widow of Isaac Fry. The second marriage was with Ruth AUgire, who died in 1902, having survived her husband since 1884. She w-as the mother of nineteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity. There w^re triplets at one birth and on two occasions twins were born. The family is represented in different parts of Ohio and all are substantial and worthy people.

Milton D. Wildermuth spent his boyhood on the home farm. He attended the local schools and later Capitol University and the college at Ada, O. After his marriage he purchased a farm in Franklin County, on the Big Walnut Creek, which he sold two years later and then came to Pleasantville, where he entered into the hardware business with his father-in-law, Jesse Brooke. Seven years later J. A. Keller bought Mr. Brooke's interest and since then the firm style has been Wildermuth & Keller. They do a large business at Pleasantville and deal in hardware, groceries, agricultural implements, fence wire and lime and cement. Additionally Mr. Wildermuth and partner are interested in oil and gas production at Bremen and Straightsville. He is president of three oil companies and was one of the organizers of the Crystal Glass Company at Pleasantville.

Mr. Wildermuth was married first to Miss Fannie C. Brooke, who died March 13, 1903, leaving five children - Ray, Ethel, Ross, William and Ruth. In October, 1907, Mr. Wildermuth was married to Mayme McLaughlin and to the second union two sons have been born - Edward and Frank. Politically he is a Democrat and is serving as a member of the town council. He is one of the elders in the Lutheran church at Pleasantville.

BENJAMIN F. ELDER, whose well cultivated farm of eighty-five acres is situated in Pleasant Township, Section No. i, Fairfield County, O., is a leading agriculturist of this locality. He was born in Pleasant Township, September 10, i860, and is a son of Hamilton and Elizabeth (Palmer) Elder.

Hamilton Elder was born in Perry County, O., a son of William Elder, who came to that county from Baltimore, Md., accompanied by two brothers, and settled in Reading Township at so early a day that they found many Indians still in the neighborhood. The family has always been an agricultural one and Hamilton Elder followed farm pursuits throughout all his active life. He now lives retired, being in his seventy-seventh year, and residing one mile west of New Salem, O. In youth he united with the Methodist Episcopal church and has ever since been a member in good standing. He married Elizabeth Palmer, who was born in Fairfield County, and of their family of children, the following survive : Benjamin F., of Pleasant Township; Margaret A., of Walnut Township; Sarah A., widow of James M. Smith, of Richland Township ; Charles E., of Mercer County, O. ; Edward C, a school teacher near Stuttgart, Ark. ; Tunis I., of Mercer County, O. ; Corinna E., wife of Robert Love, of Perry County, O. ; Homer S., of Walnut Township; Milton S., of Licking County, O. ; Mary J., wife of Lee Warner, of Perry County; and Roy P., a physician, at Columbus, O.

Benjamin F. Elder attended school in Pleasant and Richland Townships and the Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, afterward teaching eleven terms in the following six years, in the meanwhile and since, also engaigng in farming. He located on his present place in the fall of 1888. Mr. Elder has been a public spirited citizen of his township and has served on its school board.

In October, 1888, Mr. Elder was married to Miss Martha E. Friend, a former well known resident of Pleasant Township, and three children have been born to them : Carrie F., a graduate of Pleasantville High School, who was teacher one term, and who is the wife of Clyde M. Bright, of Walnut Township: Sarah E., wife of Arthur Berry of Licking County, wdio is a graduate of the Pleasantville High School; and William, who gives his father assistance on the farm. Mr. Elder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at New Salem, in which he is serving as steward and class leader. He belongs to Pleasant\'ille Grange, Patrons of Husbandry and formerly was chairman of the Farmers'

Institute, which had headquarters at Pleasantville. He is a man of strong temperance principles and is identified with the Prohibition party.

DAVID HEN RICKS, a retired farmer and higlily respected citizen of Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., still resides on his valuable farm of seventy-five acres, lying east of Bremen, O. He was born three miles southwest of that town, December 13, 1842. His father was Joseph Henricks, who was a son of George Henricks.

Grandfather George Henricks came to Ohio from Virginia and settled in Licking County and there, on Jonathan Creek, his son Joseph was born. He was probably reared there but married in Fairfield County and resided here until 1 850, when he moved to Hocking County later back to Fairfield and then to Illinois, - where he died in 1881, at the age of sixtytwo years. For a number of years he was an ' elder and minister in the Rush Creek Dunkard Church. He voted with the Democratic party but it was against his principles to hold any political office. He married Elizabeth Seitz, who was born in Fairfield County, a daughter of Daniel Seitz and a sister of Enoch Seitz, who was noted as a mathematician. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom survive. Her death occurred in 1864, when she was aged forty-six years.

David Henricks was eight years old when his parents moved to Hocking County and he went to school there and lived in that county until he married, when he returned to Fairfield County and for nine years afterward lived on a farm one mile south of Bremen. He then moved to his present farm - one that was entered from the Government by the same man who laid out Bremen. After Mr. Henricks came here he made many improvements, erect-

Mr. Henricks married Miss Sarah A. Mericle, who was born one mile south of Bremen, a daughter of John and Margaret (Harmond) Mericle. John Mericle spent his life on the farm near Bremen, in section 28, Rush Creek Township, which is now owned by his son Frederick. His death occurred in his ninetieth year, on April 21, 1909. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren. As above indicated, he married Margaret Harmond, a daughter of Frederick Harmond. To Mr. and Mrs. Henricks three children were born : Charles C, who died at the age of fifteen years ; Clara Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Mary Jane, who is the wife of Daniel Beery. Mr. and Mrs. Beery live on this farm and they have two children, Carl David and John Clay. Mr. and Mrs. Henricks are members of the Church of the Brethren in which he is a deacon.

WILLIAM W. ROWLES, a representative farmer and stock raiser of Pleasant Township, where he owns 245 acres of valuable land, is a native of Ohio, born February 18, 1865, in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Larmier) Rowles.

William Rowles was born in Fairfield County, a son of William Rowles, who was one of the early settlers of Rush Creek Township and lived and died at Bremen. The father of William W. Rowles resided in Rush Creek Township imtil 1871, when he moved to Pleasant Township and for many years carried on farming here, his death occuring February 2, 1904. He was a Republican in politics, and for many years was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Rebecca Larimer, who was born in Perry County, C, and now resides at Pleasantville, being in her seventy-second year. Of their ten children six survive : Jesse D., of Walnut Township; William W., Frank L. and Thomas Isaac, all of Pleasant Township; Mary E., wife of Roy T. McNaghten, who was in the government employ at St. Louis, Mo., but is now in the lumber business at Pleasantville, this county; and Fannie W., who is the wife of Harry I. Turner, of Pleasantville.

William W. Rowles was six years old when the family moved from Rush Creek to Pleasant Township, where he was reared to manhood, attending the public schools and Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville. His main business interests have always been of an agricultural nature and his farm is one of the most productive in Pleasant Township. Mr. Rowles was married first to Miss Lena E. Miller, who was born in Morgan County, O., a daughter of Henry and Mary Miller. Mrs. Miller survives and lives in Pleasant Township. At death Mrs. Rowles left one son, Eldridge M., who lives in this township. For his second wife, William W. Rowles married Miss Elizabeth M. Winter, who was born in Berne Township, a daughter of Ferdinand and Mary C. (Welker) Winter, the latter of whom is deceased. The father of Mrs. Rowles lives near Royalton, O. Mr. and Mrs. Rowles have four children - Anna F., Clarence W., Edith C. and Mabel. The family belong to the Presbyterian church at Rushville. In politics Mr. Rowles is a Republican. The venerable father of Mrs. Rowles was born in Germany but has lived in America since boyhood, in early manhood being a school teacher in Berne Township, Fairfield County. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

been in the family for four generations, carries on general farming and stock raising and is one of the substantial men of this section. He was born on this farm, October 20, 1863, a son of John and Margaret (Harman) Mericle.

John Mericle was also born on this farm which his grandfather had entered in 1801 and it has never left the family. He followed farming here during all his active life, his death occurring in his eighty-ninth year. He married Margaret Harman and they had five children : Sarah, who married David Hendricks, of Bremen, O. ; Lydia, who married Milton Frestow, and died in 1875 ; Hylas, who married Hattie Hilliard and died December 3, 191 1, in Nodaway County, Mo.; Frederick, subject of this sketch; and Charles, who is deceased.

Frederick Mericle obtained his education in the district schools. Farming and stock raising have been his occupations and he is numbered with the successful agriculturists of Rush Creek township. Mr. Mericle married Miss Clara Dotson, who died January i, 1909. Six children were born to them, and three are now living, namely: Walter, who married Grace Everett, and has two children - Margaret and Catherine; May, who married John Ruff, of Lancaster, O., and has two children - Frederick and Edna; and Carl, who assists his father on the farm. In politics Mr. Mericle is a Republican.

EDWARD W. KULL, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Greenfield Township, of which he is a trustee, has spent the larger part of his life in Fairfield County, O. He was born in Berne Township, January 22, 1863, a son of Lewis and Mary (Shull) Kull.

O.. but later moved to Fairfield County. Lewis Kull married Mary Shull, who was born in Hocking County. They reside in Berne Township, Mr. Kull being now in his seventy-eighth year. Of their children the following survive: Caroline, who is the wife of Frederick Krile, of Shelby County, 111. ; Louise, who is the wife of George Ruff; Minnie, who is the wife of John Reel, of Shelby County, 111. ; Edward W., subject of this sketch ; Sarah, who is the wife of Prof. William Walter, a well known educator of Fairfield County ; Sophia, who is the wife of Ferdinand Pfeiffer, of Shelby County, III; Charles F., who lives at Urichsville ; O. ; George, who resides in Berne Township; and Clara, who is the wife of Webster Deeds, of Berne Township, Fairfield County.

Edward W. Kull grew to man's estate in Berne Township and attended the public schools. From youth up he has been interested and engaged in agricultural pursuits and owns two valuable farms of 100 acres each, both being in Greenfield Township. In 1889 he moved to Shelby County, 111., where he lived for ten years and then returned to Fairfield County and ever since has been a resident of Greenfield Township. In politics he is a Democrat and while in Illinois, served for six years as treasurer of his township and also as township commissioner, having been recognized as a reliable and reputable citizen wherever he has lived.

On December 20, 1883, Mr. Kull was married to Miss Emma E. Weber, who was bom in Hocking County, O., a daughter of Andrew and Margaret Weber, who moved at a later date to Lancaster, O. Mr. and Mrs. Kull have two sons : Carl M. and Elmer F. Mr. and Mrs. Kull are members of the Lutheran church at Lancaster, of which he is a trustee. He is now serving his second term as trustee of Greenfield Township.

HENRY WINEGARDNER GEIGER, a native son of Fairfield County, was born near Rushville, Ohio, May 22, 1848. His greatgrandfather, Adam Geiger, came to this county from Woodstock, Va., in 1806, and purchased 640 acres of land in Pleasant Township and a part of this is now included in the corporation of the village of Pleasantville, Ohio. He was the father of sixteen children. His son, David Geiger, the grandfather of our subject, accompanied his parents in the removal to Fairfield County and resided with them until his marriage to Catherine Winegardner in 1808. They began their domestic life on a farm in the locality and to them were born two children, John and Herbert. John, the elder, moved to Indiana and resided on a farm until his death. A few days after the birth of Herbert, the younger son, the mother died and later David Geiger married Elizabeth Howdyshell. They became the parents of three children, David, Mary and Elizabeth. David Geiger, Sr., died near Pleasantville, Ohio, in 1826. Herbert Geiger, the second son of David Geiger, and the father of our subject, was born September 26, 1810 near Pleasantville, Ohio, and was reared by his grandmother, Catherine Winegardner, on a farm near Rushville, Ohio, and remained there until he entered business for himself in 1835 in partnership with Mr. Reed in conducting a general store in Rushville, Ohio. After a few years Mr. Reed sold his interest to George Crawford and the firms became Geiger and Crawford. Later tne senior partner purchased the interest of Mr. Crawford and conducted it until 1845 when he sold the store and with his uncle, Henry Winegardner, entered the tannery business and two years later, 1847, he purchased his uncle's interest. He married Sarah Lamb on the eighth of April, 1847. In 1856 he sold his tannery and purchased a farm of 264 acres south of Rushville, Ohio. He also owned a farm of 160 acres in Section 12, Walnut Township, which he inherited from his mother. To this farm he moved March 29, 1866. In 1873 ^^ took up his abode at New Salem, Ohio, and there practically lived a retired life, save for the attention which his property demanded. He was a member of the Masonic order at New Salem. In 1879 he and his wife united with the Reformed church under the pastorate of Rev. F. C. Yost. He departed this life in November, 1862.

As before stated, he married Sarah Lamb, who was born December 28, 1821, a daughter of William Lamb, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of this county. She received her education in the public school and academy at West Rushville, which was taught by the Rev. Mr. Anderson, a Presbyterian minister. She also attended the Female Seminary at Granville, Ohio. She departed this life March 19, 1908. To this union was born two children, Henry W. and Alwilda C. The latter was born near Rushville, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1859, and received her education in the public school of Walnut Township and Fairfield Union Academy at Pleasantville, Ohio. She also attended music school at Warren, Ohio. She was a member of her father's household until 1884 when she married Prof. W. M. Wikoff. To them were born six children - Garnet, Bernice, Herbert, Charles, Paul and Walter. Prof. Wikofif is a very prominent man both in school and Sunday-school work and is also interested in agricultural pursuits. He and his family reside in Columbus, Ohio, and the children are still pursuing their education.

Henry Winegardner Geiger was born May 22, 1848, near Rushville, Ohio. He received his education in the public school and the West Rushville Academy. He moved with his father to the farm near New Salem in Section 12,

Walnut Township, March 29, 1866, where he resided and was engaged in agriculture until Sept. 29, 1895, when he moved to his present home in Pleasant Township. On October 2, 1870, he married Elizabetli Clementine Berry, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Yontz Berry, she being the fifth daughter of a family of eight children. She was born May 7, 1850, on the Edward Berry farm. To them were born four children. Electa Florence, died in infancy. Emmett Carl, the elder son, was born on the home farm in Walnut Township, July 9, 1874. He married Elsie May Bugh, eldest daughter of M. C. Bugh, on April 18, 1896, and they moved to a farm near Pleasantville, Ohio, where they still reside. To them were born four children - Raymond, Lester, Ray and Ralph, the three eldest being now deceased. Edward Herbert, the second son, was born on the home farm near New Salem, Ohio, Oct. 19, 1878. He moved with his parents to Pleasantville, Ohio, Sept. 29, 1895, and there he resided until Nov. 12, 1 90 1, when he returned to the home farm in Walnut Township near New Salem. On Oct. 2, 1901 he married Gertrude May Friend, the eldest daughter of J. W. and Sophia (Furry) Friend. They have three children - Florence Meriam, born Sept. 10, 1902; Carol Friend, born June 9, 1907; and Herbert John, born May 31, 1909. Alwilda Hazel, the youngest child, was born April 3, 1884, in Walnut Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, and resided with her parents and pursued her education until February, 1909, when she married Ray Musser, second son of A. J. Musser, of Walnut Township. They lived for a while on the farm in Section 11, Walnut Township, then moved to Pleasantville, Ohio, where they now reside.

Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, O., has resided here for the past ten years and is numbered with the solid and representative men of this section. He was born in Madison Township. Fairfield County, and is a son of George and Margaret (Martin) Hutchins.

The parents of Mr. Hutchins were born in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, and they now live retired at Amanda village. During the last months of the Civil War the father entered the Federal Army but hostilities closed before his regiment left Columbus. He is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church. They have three children - Emanuel. John A. and Mary Etta, the last named being the wife of Ira M. Brundage, of Allen County, O. The grandfathers on both sides, John Hutchins and Adam P. Martin, were early settlers in Fairfield County.

After his school days were over, John A. Hutchins began to learn the principles of farming and continued at home three years after he reached maturity and then rented the homestead for two years. In 1901 he bought his farm from \\'esley Conrad and immediately started to improve it, erected a fine barn, remodeled the residence and other buildings and since then has carried on his farm operations with very satisfying results. He understands his business and is a practical, thorough-going man in everything he undertakes.

In 1899 Mr. Hutchins was married to Miss Olive Thomas, a daughter of Allen and Ellen (Hedges) Thomas, and they have four children: Jesse L., Clyde, Carl Joseph and Truman. Mr. Hutchins and family attend the Presbyterian church. He casts his vote with the Democratic party.

liable farm of seventy-two acres, every part of which he uses for growing crops, or fruit, or as pasturage for his stock, being a thoroughly practical man. He was born in Germany, June 3, 1849, and is a son of John W. and Eve Raab.

In 1853, when Casper Raab was four years old, his parents embarked for America and after reaching the United States, settled at Lancaster, O. The father, John W. Raab, was an excellent stone mason and soon found work at his trade and before he retired became known all over the county. In the strong, solid stone abutments of many of the bridges over different streams in the county, the worth of his work may be seen, it having outlived the expert builder. Later in life he engaged in farming in Rush Creek Township and there he died in 1890. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran and in politics a Republican. Of his children the following survive : Casper and John, both residents of Pleasant Township; Louisa, wife of Henry Martz, of Shelbyville, 111. ; Simeon, of Rush Creek Township ; Barbara, residing in Pleasant Township; and Annie, wife of Herman Hoffman, residing in Berne Township.

Casper Raab attended the district schools during boyhood and afterward assisted his father on the farm and farming has been his main business. In addition to his home farm he owns other land, 163 acres in all. the entire body being situated in Pleasant Township. He married Miss Susanna Bodamer, who was born near Logan, O., a daughter of Jacob Bodamer who once was a well known farmer in that locality. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Raab, the six survivors being: Margaret C, wife of William A. EUinger of Lancaster, O. ; Eva, who is the wife of Arthur Hufford, of Bremen, O. ; Otto C. ; and Christian M. ; Enno J. and Adolph. Simon and Walter are deceased. Mr. Raab and family are members of Emanuel Lutheran Church at Lancaster, of which he is a trustee. He is a Republican in politics but has never accepted any office except that of school director, and served as such in Pleasant Township for some years, under a former law. He is one of the township's most respected citizens.

JAMES A. IRICK, gas and oil contractor and a substantial citizen of Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., where he owns 112 acres of excellent land, bears an honorable name that has been known in Fairfield County for several generations. He was born at Pleasantville, O., November i, 1867, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Buchanan) Irick.

Thomas Irick was born in Fairfield County, O., February 18, 1837, and is a son of John F. Irick, who came to this county from Pennsylvania, probably just after the War of 1812. The latter settled on what is now the site of his grandson's residence in the village of Pleasant- and passed the rest of his life here. He had three children, one son and two daughters namely: Thomas, the father of our subject; Barbara, who is the widow of P. V. Mansberger and lives at Pleasantville; and Elizabeth, who lives on the old homestead. Thomas Irick has spent his life in the old home. For many years he was engaged in carpenter work and contracting and many of the substantial buildings in different parts of the county were erected by him. He married Catherine Buchanan, who was born near Thurston, Fairfield County, a daughter of William Buchanan. She died November 22, 1884, the beloved mother of five children, James Alexander being the fourth in order of birth. Ida is the wife of Martin Leonard and they live at Thurston. John W. resides in Pleasant Township. Jennie married H. E. Dilger and they live at Centerburg, Knox County, O. Harley T., the youngest, lives in New Mexico.

schools and the Fairfield Union Academy. For eighteen years after reaching manhood he worked at building oil derricks and then went into well drilling and contracting and subsequently became a producer of oil and gas. He carries on general farming on his 112 acres, which he purchased from the Spittler heirs. He has greatly improved his place and in the spring of 191 1 completed his present modern residence. He has also other business interests, being a stockholder in the Pleasantville Bank.

On December 24, 1891, Mr. Irick was married to Miss Frances H. Dollison, a daughter of Dr. Samuel S. and Cecelia Dollison, and they have one child, Jennie May. Mr. Irick and family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. Politically he is a Democrat but takes only a good citizen's interest in public matters, desiring no office for himself. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Blue Lodge F. & A. M. at Pleasantville, O. ; Lancaster Commandery No. 2 K. T., Lancaster, O. ; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, 32d degree, Columbus, O., and Aladdin Temple, A. A. O N. Mystic Shrine, Columbus, O.

M. L. BURGNER, owner and proprietor of a general store at Clearport, O., is one of the leading and substantial citizens of Madison Township, Fairfield County. He was born in this township, December 30, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Bailor) Burgner.

Joseph Burgner was born in Pennsylvania, a son of Conrad Burgner, who may have been born in Germany. Joseph Burgner was a farmer in Madison Township for many years and was a well known and respected resident and a member and liberal supporter of the Baptist church. He married Julia Ann Bailor, a daughter of Jacob Bailor, then of Ohio, and the following children were born to them:

Jacob, Eliza, Abraham, M. L., Mary, Eli, Aaron, .\llen and .-Xrdella, the survivors being: Jacob, Aaron, M. L., and Ardella, the last named being the wife of Leonard Davidson. The parents of the above family are both deceased.

M. L. Burgner obtained his education in the district school and afterward followed farming and stock raising in Madison Township until 1905, when he purchased his store interest and property from Frank Faust. He draws trade from a wide territory as his is the only store in this neighborhood and hence he carries a large stock of goods that supply the wants and needs of the village and the surrounding country. He is very particular in its selection and is satisfied with a small profit and has a large amount of patronage. He is a Democrat in politics and on several occasions has been elected a township trustee and also a member of the school board.

On September 18, 1884, Mr. Burgner was married to Miss Eliza Shaeffer, a daughter of Noah and Rebecca (Fast) Shaeffer, the former of whom lives in Fairfield County. The mother of Mrs. Burgner died November 30, 1910, survived by the following children: Eliza, wife of Mr. Burgner; Eva, wife of Robert Raymond; and Joseph, Frank, Ernest, Edward and Oliver. Mr. and Mrs. Burgner have three children : Ethel, Miller Ray and Maple. Ethel married Orrell Schaffer and they have two sons, Waldo and Raymond. Miller Ray is a member of Confidence Lodge, No. 265, K. of P., Washington C. H.. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Burgner are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to Scipio Lodge No. 255, Knights of Pythias at Stoutsville.

situated in Section 14, Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., has been a resident of Fairfield County since he was four years old but is a native of Perry County, born near Somerset, October 9, 1859. He is a son of Sylvester Church and a grandson of David Church. His father emigrated to New York during his childhood.

David Church was born at Marblehead, Mass., and he there learned the blacksmith's trade. He then started out for himself, in a short time reaching Somerset, where he opened one of the first blacksmith shops - this being about 1820. He acquired land and at the time of his death owned two farms. He married Mary Mohler, who survived until 1893, being then in her ninety-third year. Of their ten children, Sylvester was one of the younger, his birth taking place near Somerset, Perry County, in 1837. He married Sarah Jane Cooper, who was born also in Perry County, and they had two children, David R. and Carrie B., the latter being the wife of H. G. Belt, residing in Thorn Township, Perry County. During the Civil War, probably prior to 1863, Sylvester Church served as a soldier, being a member of Co. G, i6oth O. Vol. Inf., under command of Captain Griner. In the above year he moved with his family to Richland Township, Fairfield County, where he bought a farm and there his death occurred in 1900. His widow still survives and is a resident of New Salem.

David R. Church accompanied his parents to Richland Township in 1863 and remained with them until his marriage. He was given educational opportunities, after leaving the township schools being sent to the Fairdfield Union Academy, where he was creditably graduated in the class of 1881. Mr. Church taught school both before and after taking his academic course and so enjoyed educational work that he continued in it for five years, both in Perry and Fairfield County. He purchased his present farm in 1888, from the heirs of the late Isaac Hashbarger. It was considered an excellent property at that time but he has continued to improve it and has put up some very substantial buildings. He devotes his attention to general farming and fruit growing.

Mr. Church was married first on November I, 1883, to Miss Lavina Hashbarger, who died February 18, 1906. Her parents were Isaac and Catherine Hashbarger. Mr. Church married for his second wife Miss Lulu Cooper, who is a daughter of Owen and Florence (Kenny) Cooper, and they have two children, Sarah Florence and Donald Cooper. Mr. Church takes no very active interest in politics but is a valued member of the Grange at New Salem. He belongs also to the Maccabees at the same place.

PERRY A. MUCK, whose excellent farm of ninety acres of well cultivated land lies in Hocking Township, Fairfield County, O., is a representative citizen of this section and a member of one of the old settled families. He was born in this township, March 28, 1859, and is a son of Isaac and Grace (Coffman) Muck.

Isaac Muck spent his entire seventy-two years of life in Hocking Township, where his father, Daniel Muck, had settled at a very early day. Isaac Muck was a substantial farmer and a man of excellent judgment and was elected a trustee of Hocking Township on the Democratic ticket. He was one of the early supporters of the East Union U. B. church and at times held church positions. When he died in 1904, his township lost a worthy man. He married Grace Coffman, who was born in Fairfield County and now resides at Lancaster.

Perry A. Muck was reared in Hocking Township and in boyhood attended the public schools and later a private school at Lancaster and also a well conducted Normal School, at Worthington, O., which no longer exists. Mr. Muck then engaged in teaching school and is well remembered as an instructor in Hocking, Greenfield, Clear Creek and Amanda Townships, having spent fourteen years in educational work.

Mr. Muck married Miss Mary Peters, a daughter of Samuel Peters, formerly of Hocking Township, and five children were born to them: Clerel A., E. Francile, Leland I., Alberta M., and Gladden, who is deceased. Mr. Muck is a Democrat. He takes much interest in the U. B. church at East Union and is serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school and is one of the church trustees.

William Ellsworth Zollinger

WILLIAM ELLSWORTH ZOLLINGER, general farmer and stock raiser residing on the old Zollinger homestead - now his property - consisting of 262 acres of fine land, situated in Sections 23 and 24, Walnut Township, Fairfield County, O., was born on this place, November 7, 1862, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Linville) Zollinger.

William E. Zollinger has spent his life on his present farm, attending the district schools in boyhood and completing his education with one year of collegiate training at Ada, O. He is a man of progressive ideas, a valued member of the Grange at Thornville, and carries on his large agricultural operations with intelligent effort along modern lines. In addition to his farm he has other interests and is one of the directors of the Millersport Bank Company, of which he was one of the organizers.

1888, to Miss Charlotte Roessler, a daughter of Edward and Anna Roessler, of near Lancaster, O. They have three sons - Noel, John and Howard. Mr. Zollinger and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen, both at Thornville. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and in the fall of 191 1 was elected a trustee of Walnut Township, in which office he is giving effective service.

THOMAS E. ERICK, who is filling the office of constable of Berne Township, Fairfield County, O., has resided on his farm of 160 acres since 1888 and is not only a representative citizen of this section but is also a surviving soldier of the great Civil War. He was born in Berne Township, November 11, 1847, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Erick.

The Ericks settled in Berne Township among the pioneers of this region, the greatgrandfather Jacob Erick acquiring the quarter section of land that is now owned by Thomas E. Erick. His son, also Jacob Erick, lived in Berne Township, and here John Erick was l)orn, sj)ent his life and died in the nineties. Of his children the following survive: Mary E., who is the widow of John W. Miller, of Berne Township; Thomas E., and Earl, the last named being a half-brother. John Erick was a respected and useful citizen and at one lime served in the office of road superintendent in Berne Township. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Lutheran church.

Thomas E. Erick was five years old when his parents moved for two years to Allen County, Ind., from which they returned to Berne Township and here his home has been ever since, with the exception of four years when he lived in Hocking Township. In February, 1865, Mr. Erick enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. D, i88th O. Vol. Inf.. which became a part of the Army of the

Cumberland, and was honorably discharged in September, 1865. His military duty was in Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. Erick has been an active citizen, formerly serving on the township school board and always doing his part to promote the general welfare. Politically he is a Republican and is a member of Ben. Butterfield Post, No. -JT, G. A. R., at Lancaster, 0., of which he is quartermaster and for two years was commander.

Mr. Erick was married to Miss Julia A. Beck, who was born in Berne Township, a daughter of the late Lawrence Beck, a well known former resident, and they have one son, John A. The latter married Miss Bertha Shumaker and they also reside in Berne Township. The family is one that is held in very high esteem in Berne Township.

ENDS STRAWN MILLER was born March 21, 1818. He was the eldest son of Christian and Martha (Strawn) Miller. The father. Christian Miller, was a man of robust health and great vigor, who took life seriously. He was of English extraction, his family coming to Ohio from Virginia. The mother of the subject of this sketch drew her blood from the well known family of Strawns, whose Ohio home was in Perry County, near Somerset. Their old farm was located along "Zane's Trace," east of the one-time county seat of Perry. The name of Strawn appears among the tax payers as early as 1806. Her family was of Gentian origin and members of it came into Ohio from one of the Atlantic seaboard states. Christian Miller was a man of profound Christian character. Late in life he learned the German language in order that he might be able to read the German Bible, for he believed the Gospel was more clearly stated in that tongue. By occupation he was a wagonmaker and general carpenter. He was very practical in his views of life, insisting that his boys should remain at home, working upon the farm until they had reached the age of eighteen. Then each one was taught some useful trade, thus being doubly ecjuipped for the race of life.