Fulton County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1905 (part 15 of 15)

Williams county; William, of this sketch, was the next in order of birth; John T. is a resident of Ithaca, Gratiot county, Mich.; Martha Ann is the wife of Nathaniel Lyons, of West Unity ; Reuben is decased; Sarah C. is the wife of David Crozer, of West Unity; Job is deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of George Pancost, of West Unity; Rebecca is the wife of a Mr. IJutchinson, of West Unity; and Mary Lydia is the wife of John Mason, of that place. WiUiam Borton passed his boyhood days on the homestead place, in Brady township, Williams county, where his early educational advantages were those afforded in the pioneer schools. He assisted his father in his farming and lumbering operations until January I, 1863, when he initiated his independent career, a few months before attaining his legal majority. He rented a farm for a time and in 1867 he purchased his present homestead, upon which he has made the best of improvements, as the passing years have crowned his efforts with increasing prosperity, and he has made the place one of the model farms of Franklin township. He devotes his attention to diversified agriculture and to the propagating of peppermint, from which he derives a good return, the crop being one which has been cultivated by at least four generations of the family, as his grandfather made a specialty of selling this product in the markets of Philadelphia, raising the mint on his farm, in the neighboring state of New Jersey. Mr. Borton has never been a seeker of public office. He is affiliated with the Masonic order. On New Year's day of the year 1863 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Borton to Miss Regina Oliver, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, being a daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Carmichael) Oliver, who came to Futon county in 1846, when she was five years of age. The father died in Northwest township, Williams county, where he developed a good farm, and his wife, surviving him bv a number of years, died in Hillsdale county, Mich. She was born in Ohio and her husband was a native of Greenbrier county, Ya. They became the parents of five children, of whom three are living. Mr. and Mrs. Borton have five children : Ada is the wife of Sherman N. Ely. of Toledo; Charles L., a resident of Clear Lake, Ind., married Miss Bertha Baker, of Ransom, Hillsdale county, Mich., and they have three children. - Ruth, Allen and Dorothy ; Sarah Elizabeth the wife of Verne Humphrey, of Fayette, Fulton county; John Nathan, who is associated with his father in the operation of the home farm, married Miss Cora Hibbard, of Gorham township, and they have three children, - Vernon, Vera and Irene; Arthur William, the youngest of the children, is a member of the United States navy and is now serving on the new battleship, 4 'Maine."

FRANK VENIER, former postmaster of Fayette and long numbered among the most prominent and influential business men of the village, is a citizen who commands unequivocal confidence and regard, and after many years of successful mercantile life he is now living practically retired, having a pleasant home in Fayette and being surrounded by stanch and true friends. He has been dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood days, having come to America as a stranger in a strange land and having won success and independence through earnest and legitimate efforts. Such lives offer both lesson and incentive. Mr. Venier is of pure French lineage and was bom in France, on the 29th of July, 1836. He was but nine years of age at the time of his father's death, and six years later his mother also passed away. His educational advantages had been good up to this time, but he was left without financial resources, save of the most limited order. In 1852, the year after the death of his beloved mother, he came to America, alone and dependent upon his own resources. He first located in Utica, N. Y., where he served a four years' apprenticeship at the trade of wagon-making, becoming a skilled worker. He then removed to Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1856, and there was independently engaged in the work of his trade until i860, in which year he came to Ohio, locating in Wauseon, Fulton county, and there operating a wagon shop until 1868, when he cast his lot with that of the village of Fayette, where he has since made his home. Here he was engaged in wagon-making about two years, during the next two years he was employed as salesman in a general store, and within this time he also established a liven* business, being the first to engage in this line of enterprise in the town. The Canada Southern Railroad was then in process of construction through this section, and this fact had much to do with vitalizing local business in all lines, said railroad now being a portion of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern system. About 1873 he purchased the mercantile establishment and business of his employer, Charles L. Allen, his store having been located directly opposite from the present Opera House block. He continued actively engaged in the prosecution of this enterprise until he was appointed postmaster of Fayette, serving six years and then establishing himself again in the general merchandise trade, in which he continued successfully, as one of the leading merchants of this section of the county, until impaired health necessitated his retirement, his enfeebled condition resulting primarily from a severe fall which he had received. He disposed of his mercantile business in December, 1903, since which time he has been retired, save for the maintaining of a general supervision of his various capitalistic and real-estate interests. In politics Mr. Venier has always been a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and during his residence in Fulton county he has been actively and prominently aligned in the local ranks of that organization. He has served as a member of the village council of Fayette, was township treasurer of Gorham township for four terms, and was incumbent of the office of postmaster six years, being appointed by President Geveland. He is affiliated with Fayette Lodge. Xo. 431, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At Seneca Falls, X. Y., in the year i860, Mr. Venier was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Stout, who was born in Berks county, Pa., being a daughter of Samuel and Julia (Bawlily) Stout, who came to Fulton county, Ohio, in i860, here passing the remainder of their lives. The father was a mason by trade and also became the owner of a good farm, in Chesterfield township. He died at an advanced age, and his wife passed away in December, 1902, at the venerable age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Venier have two children. Fannie, born on the 7th of April, 1861, is the wife of Frederick Lewis, of Montpelier, Williams county. William L., born August 5, 1863, now has the active management of his father's business affairs, having been associated with the same from his youth and having been an able coadjutor of his father. He was educated in the Fayette Normal University and is one of the prominent and popular citizens of Fayette, which has been his home from the time of his birth. May 9, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Heist, who was born in Bethlehem, Pa.? being a daughter of Frank H. Heist, now a resident of West Unity, Williams county, Ohio. Of this union have been bom two children, Francis Bruce, and William L., Jr.

BENJAMIN F. CRONIXGER. - Five miles north of the city of Wauseon, in Dover township, is located the pleasant homestead farm of Mr. Croninger, who is one of the well-known and popular citizens of this section. He was bom January 16, 1868, and is a son of David and Lydia (Esteriine) Croninger, the former of whom was bom in Stark county, Ohio, and the latter in Pennsylvania. They came to Fulton county, Ohio, and here the mother died in 1882, and her widowed husband now maintains his home in Stryker, Williams county. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom are residents of Ohio, their names, in order of birth, being as follows : Amos, Margaret, Elzina, Francis, Mary E., Malinda, Elizabeth, Julia, Benjamin and James. Benjamin F. Croninger secured his early education in the public schools of Fulton county, and he has been identified with agricultural pursuits from his youth to the present. In 1902 he purchased his present farm, which comprises forty acres and which he is making one of the fine places of Dover township, being animated with a spirit of progress and having indomitable energy. He has won success through his own efforts, and his advancement is therefore the more pleasing to contemplate. He is a Republican in politics, and he has been incumbent of the office of road supervisor since 1902, while he served one year as a member of the school board. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. In 1888, Mr. Croninger was married to Miss Eliza First, who was bom and reared in Fulton county, being a daughter of Shuman and Ellen First, who were bom in Wayne county, and whose marriage was solemnized in Fulton county, in 1866. They now reside on their home farm, near Ottokee, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Croninger have these children, all of whom are at home: Alonzo, Hazel, Ada, Mildred and Wilma.

LEVI B. CAMP, who is serving as village marshal of Lyons and who is one of the successful stock-buyers and shippers of this section of the count}*, is also incumbent of the office of deputy-sheriff and is an able and discriminating official. He was bom in Fairfield township, Lenawee county, Michigan, on the 20th of September. 1868. being a son of Jerome and Adelia (Russell) Camp, both of whom were born in Lenawee county, Michigan, being representatives of pioneer families. Ambrose Camp, father of Jerome, was among the early settlers of Dover township, that county, where he reclaimed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, there passing the remainder of his life, as did also his wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Jane Reeves. Levi and Jane (Hall) Russell, the maternal grandparents of the subject of this review, were likewise early settlers of Lenawee county, whither they removed from Seneca county, New York. Mr. Russell became the owner of two hundred and ninety acres of land, in Fairfield township, developing a valuable farm from the virgin forest and there continuing to make his home until his death. Jerome Camp was reared in Lenawee county, and upon attaining his majority he engaged in farming and stock-dealing, in Fairfield township. He finally began to devote his attention more particularly to the stock business and finally took up his residence in the city of Toledo, where he was engaged in the wholesale meat business for a period of twenty-two years. He died November 14, 1904, at the age of fifty-nine vears, and his widow still survives. Of their two children, Levi B. is the elder. His brother, Homer A., is a prosperous farmer of Fairfield township, Lenawee county, Michigan. Levi B. Camp was reared in his native county, in whose public schools he secured his early educational training, which he supplemented by study in the Fayette Normal School, at Fayette, Ohio, and Evans Business College, Adrian, Michigan. He early began to assist his father in the stock-buying business, becoming familiar with all details and gaining a thorough knowledge of grades and values. While he has been identified with various other lines of enterprise, his principal vocation has been that of buying and shipping stock, and to this he has given his exclusive attention since 1899, shipping to the Toledo and Eastern markets. He has been a resident of Lyons, Fulton county, since 1902. In the spring of 1905 he was appointed illage marshal, at the same time accepted the office of deputy-sheriff, is making an excellent record in the two offices. He is a Republican in politics, and in a fraternal way is identified with Royalton Union Lodge, No. 434, Free and Accepted Masons, of Lyons, and with Lyons Chapter, No. 75, Royal Arch Masons. October 30, 1891, Mr. Camp was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Strong, daughter of David and Irene (Hughes) Strong, of Lyons, and they have one son, Jerome.

JOHN C. SCHAFER, a well-known and highly prosperous business man of Swanton, Fulton county, O., is a native of Lenawee count}*, Mich., where he was bom on February 10, 1879. His parents, George and Dora (Rynmiller) Schafer, are both natives of Germany. After their marriage in the Vaterland they emigrated to the United States thirty-five years ago and located near Metamora, O., on a farm half a mile north of the State line, where they have since resided and prospered in agricultural pursuits. To their marriage the following children have been bom, the first two natives of Germany; Libbie, now Mrs. Jacobs; Gust, a farmer of Ogden Center, NIich. ; George, a retail liquor-dealer of Blissfield, Mich.: Jacob: John C. : Fred, a meat-cutter of Swanton. O., and Ellis, a farmer living on the homestead. All are married and have families. John C. Schafer grew to manhood on the home farm and received a limited education in the district schools. After quitting school he learned the butchers' trade and served for seven consecutive years in one shop at Metamora. In 1900 he came to Swanton and for three years engaged in the same line of work. In 1903 he purchased a business house on Broadway and a residence on Garfield avenue in Swanton and embarked in the retail liquor business. He keeps a quiet, orderly place and is doing a very profitable business. Mr. Schafer is independent in politics, and has served on the election board of Swanton. In religious matters he was brought up in the faith of the German Lutheran church. On June 2, 1904, he was wedded to Miss Nellie Pfeiffer, a native of Swanton and the daughter of Henry Pfeiffer, deceased, who was a prosperous farmer of this county. To this marriage there was born, in February, 1905, a daughter; Dorothy by name.

FRANK A. WHEELER, one of the well-known and successful farmers and stock-dealers of Amboy township, was bom near the city of Three Rivers, St. Joseph. Mich., on the 1st of January, 1857, and is a son of John B. and Minerva (Clendenin) Wheeler. The former was born in Michigan, having been a son of Janies Wheeler, a native of Germany and one of the very early settlers in Calhoun county, Mich., and later of Cairo, 111., where he passed the closing years of his life. The mother of the subject of this review was bom in the State of New York, a daughter of John Clendenin, who was born in Livingston county, that state, and who came to Fulton county, Ohio, in an early day, reclaiming a farm in Section 12, Amboy township, where he died, having been the owner of eighty acres of excellent land. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Hackett, and she likewise was bom in Livingston county, N. Y., and died on the homestead in Amboy township. John B. Wheeler rendered valiant service in defense of the Union during the Civil war, and was mustered out of the service as captain of Company M, Second Illinois Battery of Light Artillery. His four children are: Frank A., Charles H., John C., and Leverett B. Frank A. Wheeler was -eared in Amboy township from the age of five years, while his educational advantages were somewhat limited, his attendance in the public schools having been somewhat irregular. When he was but nine years of age he was compelled to make his own livelihood. For two years he worked for his board and clothing and later was employed by the month, principally at farm work, thus continuing until he had attained the age of twenty-two years, when he invested his savings in a farm in Section 1, Amboy township, selling the property two years later. In 1882 he purchased sixty-five acres in Section 2, same township, a portion of the farm lying across the line in Lenawee county, Mich. He has made good improvements on this place, which constitutes his present home, and is known as one of the energetic and successful farmers of the county. He also raises and deals in live stock to a considerable extent. Mr. Wheeler is a stanch Republican and takes a loyal interest in local affairs of a public nature. He held the office of assessor of Amboy township five terms and was deputy-sheriff of the county six years, under three administrations. He is affiliated with Royalton Lodge, F. & A. M. ; Royalton Chapter, R. A. M. ; Wauseon Council, R. & S. M. ; Swanton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and with the Second regiment of the uniform rank of the same organization ; and with Metamora Lodge, I. O. O. F. February 16, 1882, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Annie Blanchard, daughter of Reuben and Lucinda (Shattuck) Blanchard, of Sylvania township, Lucas county. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have no children.

CALVIN V. PFAFMAN, B. Ph., was bom near Kendallville, InA, May 13, 1877. He is the son of Valentine and Mary (Striker) Pfafman, both natives of Rhinish, Bavaria, where they were reared, educated and married. They emigrated to the United States and with their two children located on the farm on which Calvin V. was bom. Here both still reside. To them have been bom eight children, of whom seven are still living: Lewis, who has charge of the mailwagons of the Philadelphia, Pa., post-office ; David, an employee in the office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway company at Chi- cago ; Henry, who works oro the home farm ; Calvin V. ; Pauline, the wife of Mr. Blenner, of Oklahoma Territory; Amelia and Mary. Frederick died at the age of twelve years. Calvin V. Pfafman graduated with the Glass of 1902 from the Tri-State Normal University at Angola, Ind., prior to which he taught for several years in the Indiana public schools. In 1903 he was elected principal of the high school department of the S want on schools and in 1904 he was re-elected. His work is to teach the different classes of this department. In November, 1904, the Swanton school building was destroyed by fire and since that time the east and west trancepts of the Methodist church have been used for school purposes. The course of study embraces geometry, algebra, botany, German, Latin, English, and collateral studies. Professor Pfafman is a good teacher and quite popular with his students, patrons and the school officials. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Christian church, although he was brought up in the Lutheran faith.

HON. JOHN C. RORICK, of Wauseon, was born near Elmira* N. Y.f February 13, 1834. His parents moved to Lenawee county, Michigan, in 1836, and commenced to help change the wilderness of that time to the splendid farming section of the present. His early education was mostly obtained by studying at home, but by a term and a half at the Medina Seminary, he was able to pass the required examination and commenced teaching at the age of eighteen. After graduating at the Gregory Commercial College at Detroit, in 185^ he went to the Lake Superior copper mines and took a position as ' boss of the kills" for the Ridge mine at Ontonogan, but not liking the position, in company with two other young men, he returned to the States, traveling 250 miles through an unbroken wilderness, on snow-shoes, guided by chart and compass, and he took up the occupation of teaching writing, drawing and book-keeping at Madison and other towns in Wisconsin. He chartered the first commercial college at Milwaukee, in 1855, but on account of failing health he sold out and located in Aurora, III., accumulating a fair margin, which was swept away by the financial disasters of i860, after which he returned to Michigan. In 1864 he bought the Shuman house at Wauseon, then, in 18 66, the Morenci Hotel, and in 1867 a spoke factory at Canandaigua, moving back to Wauseon in 1872. He was the patentee of the 1 Rorick System of Re-working Butter," which went into general use among the shippers in 1878, the Ohio Rug Machine, the Quadrant Bevel Square, an improved Air Pad Truss and several other devices. He was a member of the State Board of Equalization in 1881 from the Thirty-third Senatorial district and was nominated for State Senator in 1883, but was defeated, the district going largely democratic. He has held the office of justice of the peace, mayor, councilman, trustee and other minor offices, but never sought or desired a nomination until 1891, when he and Hon. T. H. McConick of Findlay were nominated for State Senators at the Toledo convention. They were both elected and renominated and again elected in 1893 by large majorities. In 1900 Mr. Rorick was nominated at the State Board of Equalization convention at Napoleon, Ohio, for the Thirty-third Senatorial district, comprising the counties Lucas, Wood, Hancock, Putnam, Henry and Fulton, and was elected with Hon. H. C. A. Ehlert, the district being entitled to two members. The session which followed was made notorious by the organization of the "Cincinnati Combination," which, having the majority of votes on the board, proceeded to deduct from the duplicates of its members and add to the duplicates of others in a high handed manner, 30 per cent, being added to Fulton county farm lands. Dr. E. H. Rorick came to Coltttttbus from Athens and a plan was formulated by the two and carried out by a conference at the Governor's office by which the combination was broken and a substitute report adopted and thereby the tax-payers of the northern part of the state were protected. Mr. Rorick is largely engaged in independent telephone construction in Texas and other states.

HON. ESTELL H. RORICK, Superintendent of the State Institution for the Feeble Minded at Columbus, Ohio, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, September I, 1842. His father moving from Horseheads, N. Y., in 1836, was one of the early pioneers of that part of Michigan and was a large land owner when the subject of this sketch « was a boy. Educational facilities were not good, but young Rorick, by close attention to his studies at the district school and at home prepared to enter the Medina Academy at the age of sixteen. He afterward attended college at Kalamazoo, Michigan, but lacking means to finish his course, he taught two terms of district school, intending later on to return to college. At the Medina school, he formed the acquaintance of Dr. Weeds, a physician of note, and thereby conceived the idea of studying medicine and turned his studies in that direction. Dr. Weeds, who became a surgeon in the United States service was located at Nashville. Tenn., where Mr. Rorick joined him, in 1864, and served as hospital assistant until the close of the war. He then returned to Michigan and in due time entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and graduated from the medical department in 1869 and located for practice at Tedrow, Ohio, and was rewarded with eminent success from the beginning. Three years later he sold out his practice to Dr.

G. P. Campbell and bought out Dr. J. O. Allen of Fayette. He did much toward building up Fayette and making it one of the most prosperous educational and business towns of its size in Ohio. He contributed largely toward the expense of establishing the Fayette Normal University and at his own expense furnished a room in the institution, fitting it up with manikins, models, charts and all other useful apparatus and delivered regular courses of lectures on the subjects of anatomy, physiology and hygiene free of charge. He took a postgraduate course at the Detroit Medical College and graduated March 2, 1875. In 1877 he went to Scotland and took a partial medical course in the University of Edinburgh and after visiting and studying the principal hospitals of London and Paris returned to his practice in 1878.

He again took a post graduate course at the Alabama Medical College at Mobile and graduated March 15, 1883. He was elected to the state legislature in 1887 and again in 1889, serving four years. His service as representative was satisfactory to his constituents and useful to the state. As a member of the Finance committee of the House he was required to visit frequently the State institutions, this giving him an opportunity to carefully study their conditions and to note their requirements. His education and professional experience as well as his interest in and familiarity with the state institutions became so well known that he was recognized throughout the state by those in authority as a man well adapted to assume the difficult management of a state hospital, for which his name was prominently mentioned in connection with the superintendency of several institutions, but at the close of his s^copd term in the legislature he returned to his practice in Fayette, alter taking a course of studies at the Polyclinic in New York, and graduating in 1892. Under the first administration of Gov. Asa S. Bushnell, he was elected by the board of directors to the superintendency of the State Hospital at Athens, Ohio, which institution he took charge of in June, 1896. His administration was a successful one and his business management a great saving to the state. The grounds and buildings were vastly improved, and at the same time the per capita cost of maintenance was reduced to the lowest figure in the history of the state for a similar institution. A vacancy occurring by the death of Mr. Doren, Dr. Rorick was requested to take charge of the Institution for Feeble Minded at Columbus by Gov. Myron T. Herrick, which he did in May, 1905. The same business methods used at Athens were employed at Columbus, resulting in a saving to the state of $13,222.58 for the months ending October 15, as compared with the same months for the year 1904. Dr. Rorick's father, who was of German descent, was born in New Jersey, March 30, 1805, and died at Morenci, Mich.r January 15, 1898. His mother, Phoebe Ann Breese, was of English parentage, born at Horseheads, N. Y., October 27, 1811, and died in Seneca, Michigan, September 1, 1858. He was united in marriage to Mary P. Acker, August 20, 1868. They have but one child living - Mabel, who is attending the university at Columbus. The eldest child, Clark, died at the age of eight and Georgie at the age of twenty. Dr. Rorick has been financially successful, being a large real estate owner as well as having controlling interest in the First National Bank at Morenci.

J. S. RYCHENER. a member of the firm of Rychener & Gigax, general hardware, of Elmira, Fulton county, Ohio, was bom in German township of that county on October 24. 1859. He is the son of Christian and Magdalena (Grieser) Rychener, the former born in Bern. Switzerland, on September 1. 1813. and the latter a native of Alsace Loraine, Germany. Christian Rychener, in 1833, emigrated to America, * and coming to the state of Ohio located in Wayne county and then followed blacksmithing, a trade he had learned in his native land. In about 1836 he removed to Fulton county, and on August 21, 1837, he purchased a farm aud at once began clearing the same. He was married in 1841, the first marriage ceremony pronounced in what is now known as German township, and he died on December 24, 1899, his wife having died on August 22, 1898. To them eleven children were born, as fol- lows: Christian, a resident of Swan Creek township; Saloma, deceased, the wife of David Nofzinger of German township; Mary, the widow of Jacob Nofzinger, of German township; Joseph of German township ; Daniel of Swan Creek township ; Magdalena the wife of Jefferson Schumaker of German township; Godeon of German township; Barbar, now Mrs. Joseph D. Nofzinger: Henry, of Clinton township; Fanny, of German township; and the subject of this sketch. J. S. Rychener grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the public schools of Fulton county and the Fayette, O., Normal. At the age of twenty-one years he began teaching in his native county and continued in that calling for nine years. In 1890 he removed to Enterprise, Dickinson county, Kas., where for the next seven years he clerked in a hardware store. Returning1 to Ohio, he entered in partnership with Frank B. Reynolds m the same line in Wauseon for five years. In 1902 he came to German township and with Mr. Gigax as a partner embarked in the hardware business in the new town of Elmira, their store building being the first in that town. Here this firm carries a full line of hardware, wagons, buggies and farm implements. In the same year he organized the Elmira Elevator company, with Eli Short and Joel Myse as partners, and began buying and shipping grain. Mr. Rychener also owns a third interest in the Pettiaville, O., Grain company. On September 25, 1890, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Seiler of Enterprise, Kas., a native of Franklin township, Fulton county, and the daughter of Michael and Margaret Seiler, the former at present a resident of Wauseon. One child, Frieda, has been born to J. S. Rychener sad wife.

CHARLES L. GINGERY, of Swan Creek township, is one of those progressive farmers and stock-growers who are upholding the high prestige of the industry of agriculture in Fulton county, and he is known as a citizen of sterling worth and utmost loyalty. He was born in Wood county, Ohio, on the 5th of December, 1868, and h a son of Emanuel and Margaret Ann (DeWitt) Gingery, the former of whom was born in Seneca county and the latter in Huron county, this state. In 1879 they came from Wood county to the present homestead of their son, Charles L., the place at that time being entirely unimproved, and a large portion of the tract was covered with water, being of a swampy character. The family lived on this place only one year, and the father then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of more elevated land, one-half mile east, where he maintained his home for nearly twenty years and where his first wife died, in middle life. He later consummated a second marriage and finally returned to Wood county, where his death occurred on the 28th of April, 1905. Of the six children of the first marriage five are living. Clinton DeWitt resides on a farm adjoining that of Charles L.; Louisa died at the age of twelve years; John A. resides with Clinton, both being bachelors; Hattie L. is the wife of Patrick Foley, a farmer of Swan Creek township; Charles L. was the next in order of birth; and Arthur W. is also a prosperous farmer of the same township. Charles L.

Gingery secured his early educational training in the public schools of Wood and Fulton counties, and his entire life has been identified with agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. In 1891 he purchased his present homestead of eighty acres, the place being now well improved, nearly the entire tract having been reclaimed and made available for cultivation, thus presenting a radically different appearance than it did when his father first took up his residence on the property. He has been associated with his father and brothers in the reclaiming and improving of more than three hundred acres of land in this county, principally swamp and brush land. They also have done many miles of ditching on their own lands and for others, and have assisted in the construction of most of the roads in this part of the county, to whose development and civic advancement they have materially contributed. About a score of years ago the three brothers became associated in the raising of high-grade live-stock, including horses, cattle and swine, operating in conjunction for seventeen years, since which time Charles L. has continued in the same line of enterprise in an independent way. He owns thoroughbred Belgian horses, polled shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and the fine stock of the Gingery brothers has taken many premiums at the county fair within the last several years. Charles L. is an active, energetic and able business man, his success in his chosen field of endeavor has been excellent, and he commands the high regard of the people of the community in which he has lived from his childhood days. He has been an active worker in the local ranks of the Republican party ever since attaining his legal majority and is a member of the county central committee of the same at the present time. He has served as ditch supervisor and constable of Swan Creek township and is now a valued member of the school board. It may be noted that his father also was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and its principles, having espoused its cause at the time of organization, when it stood as the exponent of the principle that the Union must be preserved, and he was one of the^Ohio men who served with utmost loyalty as a soldier in the Civil war, it being altogether probable that his death was hastened by wounds which he received in service. In 1891 Charles L. Gingery was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Soles, whose death occurred only three months later. In March, 1893, he wedded Miss Addie Sanders, who was born and reared in Swan Creek township, being a daughter of the late John Sanders', an honored pioneer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Gingery have three children: Don, Dora J. and Herman A.

STEPHEN E. HINKLE, one of the representative farmers and honored citizens of Rovalton township, was bom in this township, April 10, 1853, a son of Ephraim and Mary Susan (Haughton) Hinkle, the former of whom was born in Cuyahoga count}', N. Y., January 25, 1823, and the latter in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., January 6, 1829. The paternal grandfather, John Hinkle, stttled in Royalton township in 1833, having been among the early pioneers of Fulton county, and he became the owner of 240 acres of land, much of which he reclaimed, continuing his residence here until his death, in July,

1853. The maiden name of his first wife was Mercy Reed, and they had five children - Ephraim, Elmer, Sally (Mrs. Chauncev Gannon), and Harriet (Mrs. Alpheus Fenner). For his second wife John Hinkle chose Alvira Hartshorn, and they had four children - Jane (Mrs. Milo Warner), Richard, Martin, and Louisa (Mrs. Salem Hartshorn). Ephraim Hinkle was reared in Royalton township, under the influences of the pioneer epoch, and in early manhood, in company with his brother, Elmer, took up three hundred and twenty acres of land. Upon the death of his brother mentioned he purchased eighty acres of the latter's land, but later sold this and also another portion of the original tract, so that the homestead at the present time comprises 157 acres. He cleared this property from the primitive wilds, developing one of the valuable farms of the county, and in 1853 he erected on the place what was admitted to be at that time the finest residence in the county, the house being still in use and in a fine state of preservation, and few of the modern homes excel it in its air of gracious hospitality and general attractiveness. Ephraim Hinkle was twice married, his first wife having been Ruth, daughter of George and Polly (Richardson) Welsh, of Royalton township, and they became the parents of two children, Melvin and Mary, the latter being the wife of Charles Mann. His second wife, mother of the subject of this review, was Mary Susan, a daughter of Stephen and Huldah (Smith) Haughton, who came from Rensselaer county, N. Y., and settled in Lucas county, Ohio, in 1833, in what is now Amboy township, Fulton county. They passed the closing years of their lives in Wauseon, where the father died at the age of eighty-six and the mother at the age of seventy-three. Mr. Haughton served as commissioner of Lucas county, and when Fulton county was organized, in 1850, he was one of its first commissioners. Of the children of Ephraim and Mary Susan Hinkle two attained maturity, Stephen E., of this sketch, and Manley. Stephen E. Hinkle was reared on the old home farm, where, with the exception of seven years passed in Lucas county, he has made his home from the time of his birth. He secured his early education in the schools of Royalton township, and later attended the public schools of Toledo and Maumee. His vocation throughout life has been farming, and he has well upheld the prestige gained in this line by his father and grandfather. He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and has served three years as a member of the village council of Lyons, his farm lying contiguous to the town. He and his wife are members of the Universalist church, and he is affiliated with .Lyons Lodge, No. 622, I. O. O. F. April 10, 1872, on his nineteenth birthday, Mr. Hinkle was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Cass, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wilson) Cass, of Lucas county, and they became the parents of five children: Ephraim C. is deceased; Lena is the wife of Horton Ferguson; Herbert H., Stephen E. and Homer.

M. C. PALMER, an extensive stock-dealer of Archbold, was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 18, 1842. The first representative of the Palmer family to emigrate from England to the United States was John Palmer, who settled in Chester county, Pa., in 1714. M. C.

Palmer is the son of Morris and Mary Ann (Lukens) Palmer, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., and the latter of Winchester, Va. Morris Palmer in an early day removed to Knox county, O., where he resided until 1858, when he removed to Fulton county, settling on a farm in Franklin township. After retiring from farming he resided in the village of Fayette, O., and there died in 1901, aged seventy-one, his wife having died the year before, aged sixty-six years. Of the six children born to them M. C. in the eldest. The other five are: Sarah, the wife of Austin Jones; Athelrenda, now Mrs. John Russell, of West Unity; Abraham (deceased) ; Mary Olive, the wife of Frank Crookson; and William, of Saginaw, Mich. M. C. Palmer grew to manhood on a farm and received such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. On August 18, 1862, when still at home, he enlisted in Company A of the Sixty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry regiment and served until July 1, 1865, when he was mustered out at Columbus, O. His military service was a very strenuous one. He joined his regiment, a part of the army of the Potomac, at Suffolk, Va., where he was first under fire. After the battle of Black Water the regiment was sent to the Carolinas. During the month that the command was engaged in the siege of Petersburg, Ya., his company was one of nine to make a desperate charge which resulted in the killing and wounding of fully one-half of the men. He was also in the battle of Mare's Island and at Gen. R. E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court-house. After the war he returned to the home of his parents in Franklin township and engaged in farming. About thirty years ago he came to German township, where he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, three-fourths of a mile west of Elmira. He followed general farming until 1900, when he engaged in buying and selling live stock. Mr. Palmer has never been too busy to neglect public affairs, and for ten years served as township trustee. He is a Democrat in politics a member of the Defiance Commandery of Knights Templars, the Wauseon Chapter and Council, the Blue Lodge of West Unity, the Odd Fellow Lodge at Archbold, the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Wauseon, the Relief Association of Toledo, and the Horse Owners' Association. On August 16, 1866, he was wedded to Phidelia Dye of German township, who died in August, 1904. Seven children were born to these parents, as follows: Charles, of Williams county;

Annie, the wife of Frank Reeves, of Elmer; Etta, now Mrs. Harvey Smart, of Franklin township; Nellie, the wife of Charles Johnston; William, of Elmira; Lizzie, who married Fred Laurence of Elmira; and Myrtle, the wife of Charles Roop, of Montpelier, O.

AMOS JOHNSON is the owner of a valuable farm in Franklin township, his place being located one-half mile north of the village of Elmira, which is in the adjoining township of German, in which latter township he was bom, on the 22d of August, 1851, being a son of William and Margaret (Krantz) Johnson. His father was bom in England, where he was reared and educated. He came to America as a young man, in company with his brothers, George and Daniel, and their sister Mary, who was the wife of Benjamin Lee, who likewise came with the family. Daniel died shortly after they had established a home in the United States, and George did not long survive. William came to Fulton county and took up a large tract of land in German township, where he also erected and equipped a grist-mill, on the banks of Bean Creek, near the line between German and Franklin townships. The locality became known as "Johnson's Mills," and this was one of the early mills in this section, proving a boon to the settlers. William Johnson operated the mill a number of years, and he also built a waterpower saw-mill and later operated a steam-power mill in the same locality, and he developed much of this land and was a successful farmer, continuing resident of German township until his death. His wife was born in Pennsylvania and came to Fulton county with her parents when a child. After the death of her first husband she married Jackson Clingman, and her death occurred two years later, no children having been born of her second marriage, but of the first, six were bom: Eliza died in childhood; Maria is the wife of Isaac Smith and they reside near West Unity, Williams county; Amos was the next in order of nativity; William, Jr., died in infancy: George is a prosperous farmer of German township; and William (2d) resides in the city of Toledo. Amos Johnson passed his boyhood days on the home farm which was the place of his birth, and he was given the best educational advantages to be had in the schools of this section of the state, having been, a student in the public schools at Waterville, Lucas county, and Stryker, Williams county. He has made farming his life vocation, having instituted his independent operations in the line when twenty-two years of age, when he located on his present farm, in section 4, Franklin township, where he has ninety-three acres of excellent land* under effective cultivation and improved with good buildings and other accessories. He gives his attention to diversified farming, also raises excellent grades of live-stock, and he is known as a reliable and loyal citizen. He was but eleven years of age when he became doubly orphaned, and he has depended on his own resources ever since, having lived in Williams and Lucas counties during his minor years; having worked early and late, and he did not fail to insist on a due quota of time for study in the schools of the respective localities. In view of what he has accomplished through personal effort his success is the more pleasing to note.

He has served as school director several terms. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Elmira, of which he is a trustee. March 13, 1873, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Sheets, who was born and reared in Jefferson township, Williams county, daughter of the late Isaac Sheets, and of this union ten children have been born: Eva is the wife of Parker Greeley, of Franklin township; Charles resides in the city of Toledo; Bertha remains at the parental home; Rollin and Rose are twins, the former being now a resident of California, and the latter is the wife of Joel Zoar, of Fayette; Alva is a farmer of German township; George is associated in the work of the home farm; Augusta. is the wife of Arthur Gigax, of Elmira; and Harvey and Early are at the parental home.

DANIEL J. PRICKETT is one of those who went forth to honor Fulton county as a soldier in the Civil war, and he is now one of the representative members of the agricultural community of Franklin township. He is a representative of the pioneer stock in the old Buckeye state, and was born in Lumberton, Clinton county, Ohio, on the 15th of August, 1840, being a son of J. L. and Phoebe S. (Barden) Prickett. His father was born in Burlington county, N. J., about eighteen miles distant from the city of Camden, and in 1838 he came from his native commonwealth to Clinton county, Ohio. As a j'oung man he worked at the trade of cabinet-making, following this for some time in Clinton county, where he continued to reside until 1845, when he removed with his family to Lucas county, which then included a portion of the present county of Fulton, which was organized in 1850. He secured one hundred and sixty acres of unreclaimed land, one and one-half miles south of the present village of Fayette, Fulton county, and there he followed farming until 1850, when he located in West Unity, Williams county, where he engaged in the drug business and also operated a saw-mill. In 1866 he again engaged in farming, securing a place in Brady township, Williams county, where he remained until 1885, when he returned to West Unity, where he died on the 10th of April, 1893, at the age of seventy-seven years and eight months. He was originally a Whig and later a Republican, and served in various township offices. He was a son of Isaac and Dorothy (Joyce) Prickett, who made New Jersey their home throughout life, though Isaac Prickett was for a time engaged in the butchering business in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, having been an expert in this line of enterprise. His wife was a daughter of Daniel Joyce, in whose honor the subject of this review was named. Phoebe (Barden) Prickett was a daughter of Josiah and Margaret (Sharp) Barden, both of English descent, who became residents of Ohio in 1809, continuing to make their home near Lumberton, Clinton county, until death. Mrs. Prickett died on the 26th of January* 1901, aged eighty-five years and six months. J. L. and Phoebe S. Prickett became the parents of nine children, of whom the first born was Daniel J., subject of this sketch: Sarah J. is deceased; James H. is a resident of Pomona, California; Anna M. is deceased; John B, resides in Forest Grove, Oregon: Mary E. is the wife of Frank McWilliams, of Sunnyside, Wash.: Abigail E. is the wife of Isaac N. Drake, of Loretta, South Dak.; Josiah died in infancy; and J. C. F. resides in Sunnyside, Wash. Daniel J. Prickett was about five years of age at the time of his parents* removal to what is now Fulton county, and he was reared in this and Williams county, completing the curriculum of the district schools of the day and then attending the Reading Valley Seminary, where he was a schoolmate of Rev. John Henry Barrows, long a prominent clergyman of Chicago, and later president of Oberlin College. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Prickett's attention was given principally to teaching school and to assisting in the operation of his saw-mill. He operated the first portable saw-mill in Northwestern Ohio.and was successful in this field of enterprise. August 2, 1861, in company with his brother James, Mr. Prickett tendered his services in defense of the Union. Both enlisted in Company H, Third Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, being provided with accoutrements and receiving preliminary discipline in the city of Columbus, and being sent to Camp Dennison and finally to Nashville, Tenn., being constantly engaged in scouting, and much df the time on duty as guard in the rear of General Buell's army. At Bardstown, Ky., Mr. Prickett was captured, but was soon afterward paroled. He took part in a large number of important engagements, including the battles of Corinth, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Shelbyville, McMinnville and Munfordville, was in service throughout the memorable Atlanta campaign, and, by reenlistment, he remained as a soldier of the Union until the close of the war, having been with his command at Macon, Ga., when the welcome tidings of Lee's surrender came. He was mustered out, August 15, 1865, receiving his honorable discharge. He returned to Fulton county, and here he has ever since been actively identified with the agricultural industry, though he taught two terms of school after the close of his military career. His farm is wellimproved and has been in his possession since 1865. He is one of the well known and exceptionally popular citizens of Franklin township and has served as justice of the peace, township trustee and clerk, and on one occasion he was a candidate for county clerk, on the Prohibition ticket. He was a member of the county central committee of the Prohibition party for a period, and he now maintains an independent attitude in politics. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Rings Post, No. 637, Grand Army of the Republic, at West Unity, and he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for more than two score years and with the Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry for thirty years. During the Civil war he held membership in the Union League. October 4, 1865, Mr. Prickett was united in marriage to Miss Lydia G. Borton, who was born in Burlington county, N. J., being a daughter of Benjamin and Abigail W. (Barden) Borton, who came to Fulton county in 1839, when Mrs. Prickett was six months of age. The mother died m 1861, aged forty-five years; and the father in 1888, aged seventy-seven years. Their three children are still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Prickett were born eight children: Anna, the wife of William B. Persing, died in Wisconsin, in 1903; Jennie E. is the wife of Warner M. Steward, of Archbold, Fulton county; Benjamin is deceased; the next child died in infancy; Lydia Gertrude is the wife of Alonzo Mangus, of Franklin township; James D. is a resident of Phoenix, Arizona; Jessie Ellen is the wife of Daniel Myers, of Williams county; and Mary Eva remains at the parental home.