Fulton County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1905 (part 4 of 15)

DAVID T. DISBROW, a distinguished veteran of the Civil war and a highly esteemed citizen of Wauseon, was bom in LaGrange township, Lorain county, O., on July 17, 1844. He is the representative of a family which, together with that of his wife, furnishes an interesting history of individual effort from the far-away days of the American Revolution to the present time. The first ancestor of the Disbrows, of which the family has any record, was Thomas Disbrow,- whose will was probated on February 7, 1706. He married Mercy Jones and became the father of one child, also named Thomas. The second Thomas Disbrow married Abigail Goding, of which union there were bom seven children, among whom was Caleb, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Caleb Disbrow married Sarah Davis, and to these parents were bom nine children, among whom was Henry the great-grandfather of our subject. Henry Disbrow married Rebecca Bamum, and to these parents were born eight children, among whom was James Disbrow, our subject's grandfather. James Disbrow married Polly Knapp, and of this union five children were bom, among whom was the father of David J. Disbrow. The latter's parents, Orville and Fanny (Buck) Disbrow, settled with their parents in Lorain county in pioneer days. In 1859 they removed to Chesterfield township, Fulton county, where Orville Disbrow purchased the farm upon which he died in 1882, aged sixty-five years. His widow survives him and resides with her son Francis. Although she has passed the ninety-first milestone on life's journey, she still possesses her natural faculties to a remarkable degree. The maternal grandfather of David J. Disbrow, was a brave soldier of the Revolutionary war, entering the service with the New York State troops, and sharing with them the hardships of those who established our National Independence. David, who was fifteen years old when he accompanied his parents to this county, was educated in the public schools of his native county. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company I of the Sixty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry and entered upon active service in the Army of the James, under the command of General Gilmore. His military experiences were thrilling and his sufferings intense. At the siege of Fort Sumter and Charleston his command was under fire day and night for six months. At the battle of Chester Station he received three severe wounds, any one of which was sufficient to disqualify him for future active military service. Two of the wounds were in die right side and the third in the shoulder* shattering the arm. After a service of two years and three months he was discharged because of disability. Of this time he spent three months on detached service with the engineer corps, assisting in the laying of pontoons and the building of bridges across unfordabie streams. This service was fraught with the greatest exposure, since the enemy usually occupied the opposite bank of the stream, determined to prevent the laying of the bridge ; hence their energies were directed to picking off the workmen. Such a position tried men's souls, the nature of which cannot be fully comprehended by anyone who has never engaged in such a task. Upon his return from the war, David J. Disbrow nursed himself back to a comparative state of health and resumed his labors on the parental farm. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline, the daughter of Colonel Alanson and Lucinda (Rogers) Briggs. A passing notice of Colonel Briggs is essential to a correct history of Fulton county. He was a native of Vermont and commanded a regiment of "Green Mountain Boys" in the War of 1812. Coming to Ohio soon after the close of that war, he interested himself in organizing the State militia, holding the rank of colonel for many years. Until the encroachments of old age forced him to resign he served as justice of the peace of Chesterfield township. Here in

Chesterfield he was engaged in merchandising, fanning and hotel keeping, his store being a favorite trading place for the Indians. After a residence of nine years in Cook county, 111., he returned to Wauseon and died here at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Colonel Briggs was the son of George Briggs, a representative of the early New England colonists. He left two daughters, Mrs. Eliza Beatty, of Wauseon, and Mrs. David J. Disbrow. The grandfather of Mr. Disbrow was a native of New York State and served in the War of 1812. He removed to Lorain county, O., and was one of the pioneers of LaGrange township, where he died at an advanced age. The Disbrow family traces its genealogy to English antecedents, but like the Briggs and Buck families, it has long been established on American soil. Fanny Buck, who berime the wife of Orville Disbrow, was a native of New York State, where her parents were born and ended their days. Her grandfather Buck was a Revolutionary hero from the Knickerbocker State. The children of Orville Disbrow and wife now living are as follows : David J. ; Caleb E., a prosperous farmer of Royalton township; Francis, who resides at the old homestead in Chesterfield township; Betsy, the wife of Anthony Leonard, a retired farmer of Wauseon, and Adeline (deceased), the late wife of Andrew Gleason, of Van Wert county, O. Since the close of the war David J. Disbrow has allied himself with the Grand Army of the Republic, being Post Commander of Losure Post at Wauseon, and Mrs. Disbrow is a charter member of Losure. Post, No. 20, Woman's Relief Corps. *Mr. Disbrow has been true to this fire-tested organization, and regards the little "bronze button" as an insignia of honor par excellence. He realizes, as do all thinking people, that the circle of membership is constantly narrowing with the passing years, and that soon the last member of the grand old army of the sixties will be mustered out and respond to "taps" on the eternal camping ground. In religious affairs he is identified with the Congregational church. To David J. Disbrow and wife two children have been bom, a son and a daughter. They are: Charles K, a prosperous young merchant at Oak Shade, Fulton county, who married Miss Retta Todd, of Dover township, and Eva, the wife of George W. Corlett, of Wauseon, a traveling representative of the wholesale hardware firm of Lockwood & Taylor, of Cleveland.

CHRISTOPHER DOMITIO, a pioneer merchant of Wauseon, O., was bom in the city of Pfalzburg, Loraine, Germany, at that time belonging to France. His father's name was also Christopher Domitio, who died when the son was only three years old. His wife survived him only eight years. Thrown on his own resources at the early age of eleven years, the subject of this sketch deserves all the more credit for having made a successful business man of himself. He received an elementary education in the public schools of Pfalzburg. After quitting school he set to work to learn the tailor's trade in his native city. Standing little show of promotion in his native city, he emigrated to America, locating first at Cincinnati, O., where he worked for a time at his trade. In 1859 he came to Wauseon, where he embarked in the gent's furnishing and clothing business, which he has ever since so successfully conducted. Without meddling with the affairs of others, he applied himself closely to his own business, and by dint of hard work and reasonable economy has built up a trade second to no other of the same kind in that part of the State. He came to Wauseon as a skillful mechanic, and his claims were soon acknowledged by all who had occasion to utilize his services. There is today no more popular and highly respected citizen in Wauseon than Mr. Domitio. By dealing fairly with his patrons, charging only a reasonable profit, he has deservedly won the confidence of all who have had dealings with him. As long as the business is conducted along these lines it must continue to grow, a fact well known to the subject of this sketch. He married Miss Mary Scott, the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Graham) Scott, natives of Holmes county, O., who settled on a fine farm in Clinton township, Fulton county, in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Domitio have had two children, lx>th daughters. They are: Nellie, the wife of T. W. McKinley, of Denver, Colo., and Lora, now Mrs. Charles Shindler, a druggist of Toledo, O.

ORVILLE A. DONOVAN, one of the progressive farmers of the younger generation in Chesterfield township, was bom in the adjoining county of Lenawee, Michigan, in Seneca township, on the 6th of May, 1876. He is a son of George and Margaret Donovan, the former of whom was bom in Akron, Ohio, and removed from the Buckeye State to Lenawee county, Mich., where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in August, 1897, at which time he was fifty-three years of age. His wife was bom in Ashland, Ohio, January 5, 1850, and is now living with her son, Orville A., subject of this review. The latter passed his boyhood and youth in his native county, and after attending the district schools he was a student for two years in the high school at Morenci. His vocation in life has been that of farming and he has been thus engaged in Chesterfield township since his marriage. September 9, 1896, Mr. Donovan married Miss Bertha Onweller, who was born in Chesterfield township, October 31, 1873, being a daughter of William and Mary A. (Shadle) Onweller, the former of whom was born in Chesterfield township, this county, December 1, 1846, and the latter was likewise bom in Fulton county, in 1849. On the 1st of April, 1897, they took up their residence in Morenci, Mich., where they have since maintained their home, Mr. Onweller having retired from active business, and his fine farm is now operated by his son-in-law, Mr. Donovan. William Onweller was a son of William, Sr., who was one of the pioneers of Fulton county, as was also the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Donovan, Joseph Shadle, both families being of stanch German descent. Mr. Donovan is a Republican in politics, and he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being affiliated with the lodge at Morenci, Mich., and both he and his wife are members of the Chesterfield Grange, and they are popular in the social life of the community. They have no children.

ALBERT DOWELL stands as a worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Fulton county, being a son of William Dowell, who recently died on his old homestead, in Fulton township, and who is made the subject of a special tribute of honor on a succeeding page of this work, so that reference may be made to the article in question for data as to the family history. Albert Dowell is the owner of a fine farm and is also a skilled mechanic, with marked inventive genius, as will be noted further on in this context. He was bom on the old homestead farm, on a portion of which he now resides, on the 26th of September, 1853, and there passed his youthful days, being afforded the advantages of the local schools, while he early manifested distinctive mechanical talent, as had also his father before him. He is a skilled artisan in both wood and metals, and he erected his own house and bam, which are models of convenience and adaptability to the purposes for which they were built. His bam was erected in 1899, is thirty-four by forty-two feet in dimensions, and has a self-supporting roof. The attractive residence was built in the same year and has many conveniences and, accessories which show the ability of Mr. Dowell in a mechanical way, as well as his appreciation of the higher artistic values. He has always been an indefatigable worker, and has so overtaxed his physical powers in past years that his strength is grievously impaired, though he is in the very prime of life. He remained at the parental home until his marriage, in 1893, save f°r such intervals as he devoted to work as a machinist and general engineer, having been employed at railroad work for several years, and he also owned and operated a steam threshing outfit for some time. For the past twenty years Mr. Dowell has been working earnestly to perfect an invention which partially suggests perpetual motion and1 which is a greater conservator of power. After years of patient thought, study and experimentation he has finally perfected to his satisfaction an appliance radically different from all existing types of motors, the principle involved being brought to practical work in such a way as to require in the operation of the motor only one-thirtieth the power, while the other twenty-nine thirtieths are made available for the operation of machinery. It is his intention to bring his wonderful device into practical use as soon as possible. Mr. Dowell is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, in whose faith he was reared, and while he has never held or desired office he has never failed in public spirit and loyalty to all the duties of citizenship. He remained on the old homestead until the death of his loved mother, whom he considered a type of perfect womanhood and whose memory he reveres with all of filial appreciation. He was married in 1893 and has since given his attention to the improvement and cultivation of his faip, which comprises eighty acres. He and his wife lived in a nearby tenant-house until 1899, when he erected his house and bam, as has already been noted, and he has since beautified his house and grounds in every possible way, setting out a good orchard and making other excellent improvements of a permanent order on his farm. April 30, 1893, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Dowell to Miss Delilah Habel, who was bom in Fulton township, September 25, 1869, being a daughter of Peter and Anna Elizabeth (Shuck) Habel, both of whom were bom in Germany, and they passed the closing years of their lives in Fulton county, where they were pioneers. Of their children it may be recorded that Margaret, wife of Daniel Mohr, died in middle life ; Jacob died in Fulton township, aged fifty-four years; Lena is the wife of Christ Ottgen, of Amboy township ; Caroline is the wife of Sylvester Munson and they reside near Swanton ; Mary is the wife of Owen Dowell, of Lytton, this county, her husband being a brother of the subject of this sketch ; George is a farmer near the village of Ai ; John resides on the old homestead farm ; Peter is a gardener near Toledo; and Samuel is a farmer near Delta, this county, and Delilah, the youngest, is the wife of him whose name initiates this article. Mr. and Mrs. Dowell became the parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy, and those living are Lona, Naman and Lorena.

MARION DOWELL, one of the representative farmers of Fulton township, where he has lived from the time of his nativity, is a scion of one of the honored pioneer families of the county, being a son of William Dowell, concerning whom detailed mention is made in the review that follows this one, so that further reference to the family history is not required in the present connection. Marion Dowell was bom on the old pioneer homestead, in Fulton township, on the 24th of April, 1857, early began to assist in the work of the farm, and he secured his educational training in the public schools of the locality, fitting himself. for the proper handling of business affairs through good, practical discipline, both at home and in school. He continued to be associated in the operation of the home place until his marriage in 1886, when he took up his residence in the village of Ai, where he remained three years, still continuing to be engaged in agricultural pursuits. The ensuing three years he passed on a farm near his birthplace, and he then, in 1892, located upon his present farm, which embraces eighty acres of excellent land, of which all but ten acres is available for cultivation, being highly productive and devotedl to diversified farming, which Mr. Dowell makes profitable, having ample experience and being endowed with indomitable energy and good business acumen. He also gives special attention to the raising of sheep, breeding the full-blood Shropshire type and having a fine herd of the same. He sells many sheep for breeding purposes and is an adept in this department! of his farm enterprise. He also raises hogs for market, as well as horses, and in the breeding of cattle he keeps up a good herd of milch cows, whose product he sells principally at the cheese factory in Swanton. In his political proclivities Mr. Dowell is a stanch Democrat, and he takes a loyal interest in all local affairs of public import. He is a member of Swanton Lodge, No. 528, I. O. O. F., and Fulton Encampment, No. 197, of the same Order, at Delta, being past grand in the subordinate lodge and Past Chief Patriarch in the Encampment. Both he and his wife are valued members of Berry Grange, No. 11 11, at Ai, and Mrs. Dowell is the only woman who has ever been honored with the office of worthy master of a Grange in Fulton county. She is at the present time the head officer in Fern lodge, No. 543, Daughters of Rebekah, at Swanton. She is a devoted member of the Baptist church, taking an active part in religious work and being most popular in the best social life of the community. Mr. Dowell has marked natural talent as a musician, and his children all inherit this graceful gift. He was a member of the Ai comet band for a long period, and for twelve years was its leader, and he is also a good vocalist. The pleasant family home is one in which the refined amenities are ever in evidence and it is a center of a most gracious hospitality. October 13, 1886, Mr. Dowell was united in marriage to Miss Nina Odell, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Wickham) Odell, concerning whom detailed mention is made in the sketch dedicated to their son, Dr. Samuel Odell, on another page of this work. Mrs. Dowell was bom in Huron county, Ohio, on the 17th of January, 1865, and there her marriage was solemnized. She completed her educational discipline in the Western Reserve Normal School, at Miland, O., and was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of Huron county for three years, prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Dowell have been bom four children, all of whom are living except one. Mahlon Ellsworth was born August 28, 1887; Loyd R. was bom July 18, 1890; Gayton E. was bom July 27, 1893, and died on the 2 1st of October of the following year; and Herma H: was bom April 26, 1897.

WILLIAM DOWELL, deceased, was one of the well-known pioneer citizens of Fulton county, was a native son of the Buckeye State, and resided on the homestead, in Fulton township for more than sixty years, commanding at all times the esteem of the community and ever playing the part of a loyal and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Dowell was bom in Ripley township, Holmes county, Ohio, on . the 9th of February, 1821, and was a son of John W. and Sarah (Wells) Dowell, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Maryland. John W. Dowell was a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Kentucky, and was a valiant soldier in the War of 1812. He passed the closing years of his life in Indiana, and his wife was a resident of Fulton county, Ohio, at the time of her demise, both reaching advanced age. They became the parents of twelve children, only one of whom is living, James, who is a resident of Michigan. William Dowell was reared to manhood in Ohio and received such educational advantages as were afforded in the schools of the early pioneer epoch. As agent for a fur-trading company he had several times visited Fulton county prior to 1844, in which year he took up his permanent residence here, purchasing a portion of the old homestead, which was on the "disputed strip," claimed by both Ohio and Michigan, and the matter of a very bitter controversy between the two States, the contest even calling out an armed conflict along the border. In the earlier years his principal source of income was hunting and trapping, and from the sale of his furs and game he was enabled to pay for his eighty acres of wild land within the first year of his residence here. In following his hunting dogs through this section he often waded in water to the depth of his waist, and he was seldom less than knee-deep in water during his excursions of this sort, the entire locality being practically a swamp, with gigantic forest trees and tangled undergrowth. He was among the first in the county to engage in ditching for the purpose of making the land available for cultivation, and after a few years the settlera began to utilize lateral ditches and underground tiling for the same purpose. North of his present home, and partially surrounding it, was a lake of more than two hundred acres in area, and the same has now entirely disappeared through effective drainage, and the land, as well as much other land which seemed the most undesirable, is now among the most fertile sections of the county and State, yielding rich returns for the arduous and protracted labors put forth in its reclamation. Mr. Dowell was practically without any financial resources of a tangible sort at the time when he thus sought a home in the wilderness of Fulton county, and here he literally "worked out his own salvation/' and his contribution to the general development and progress in material and civic affairs was a generous and commendable one. For some time he was even unable to purchase a gun, and his hunting was done with the aid of his faithful dog, by the utilization of traps, dead-falls, and other primitive devices of the pioneer in woodcraft. Finally he traded a three-year-old steer and paid in addition ten dollars for a very ordinary gun,* which he used for some time, but he was not satisfied with the weapon, and this led to his bringing his natural ingenuity and mechanical genius into play in the personal construction of a gun according to his own ideas, the result being a fine double-barreled rifle carrying an ounce ball. With this fire-arm he did valiant execution in traversing the wilds in search of game, and the gun is still in the family. The making of this gun led Mr. Dowell to exercise his mechanical skill in other directions, and without serving an apprenticeship in any trade, he became an expert workman in both wood and iron. He has made many guns in his day, and for years did general repair work for others, in various mechanical lines. He also erected his own house and bams and his versatility with tools was practically unlimited. His shop was a veritable curiosity, being well-equiped with lathes, tools and other useful devices of his own manufacture. He was engaged in the general merchandise business at Ai for four years, and aside from this his life in Fulton county was passed on his old homestead farm, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres, and he also owned another farm, of eighty acres, near S wanton. On the home farm twentytwo acres are still covered with fine native timber. The burden of constructing gravel roads has been onerous, the cost being assessed against the farmers at an average of fully a dollar an acre, but the results justify the expenditure, and in this work, as in other public enterprises, Mr. Dowell lent a ready co-operation. He was always an uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and for fifteen years he served as constable in his township, and for more than forty years he was a valued school officeu March 28, 1847, Mr. Dowell was united in marriage to Miss Caroline A. Warner, who was bom February 20, 1827, and who died January 31, 1890, having been a faithful wife and helpmeet. Their children were : Oliver, who was bom February 2, 1848, and who died on the 26th of the following month; Emily, bora March 15, 1849; Owen, bom April 27, 1850; Olive, bom September 22, 1851 ; and Albert and Marion, who are individually mentioned on the preceding pages of this work. Olive became the wife of John Shepler, and her death occurred August 29, 1882. On October 3, 1905, Mr. Dowell passed away on the old homestead, beloved by all who knew him.

PETER DRUM, proprietor of the Broadway meat market of Swanton, was bom in Williams county, O., June 6, 1874. He is the son of John and Rachel (Dunlap) Drum, both natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Northwestern Ohio in 1865 and located on a farm in Williams county, where they now reside, engaged in general farming. They are the parents of the following children ; the eldest died in infancy ; Allen E., a retail liquor dealer of Montpelier ; Cassie, the wife of James Wilson of Jonesville, Mich. ; Ellen, who died in young womanhood on December 24, 1903 ; Peter ; Cora M., the wife of Ora Moore of West Unity, O. ; Stella May and Bertha, both still at home. Peter Drum grew to manhood on the home farm and received such an education as the public schools of his day afforded. At the age of twentytwo years be quit the farm and engaged in buying produce for the firm of Miller, Bond & Hilton, of West Union, remaining in their employ for three years. In 1898 he came to Swanton and for a year and a half operated a dray line. His next venture was in the livery business, which he conducted successfully for a year and then sold at a liberal profit on his investment. For the next four years he was engaged in the restaurant and retail liquor business. Early in 1905 he bought the meat market which he is now conducting with marked success. The fact that he owns one of the best equipped establishments in his line in the county is due to his close attention to business and his thorough knowledge of stock-raising. In this business he keeps two skilled workmen constantly employed. He is identified with the organizations of the Foresters and the Odd Fellows. In his political views he is quite liberal, usually supporting the national candidate of the Democratic party, but independent in local elections. On January 23, 1896, he chose as his helpmeet in life's journey Miss Nora Juillard, of Stryker, O., the daughter of Louis and Maigaret (Pruden) Juillard, both natives of France, the former deceased at the age of forty-five years. To Peter Drum and wife one son has been, born, named Harold J., who died August 13, 1901, aged four years and twenty-one days.

ALBERT EDGAR is another of the successful and popular farmers of Royalton township who is deserving of specific representation in this historical work. He was bom in Royalton township, September 28, 1869, and is a son of William S* and Susannah (Pontious) Edgar, the former of whom was bom in county Armagh, Ireland, and the latter in Pike county, Ohio. William S. Edgar is a son of Samuel and Mary (Parks) Edgar, who came from Ireland to America in 1857, settling in Henry county, Ohio, where the latter died. Her husband later removed to Ingham county, Michigan, where he passed the remainder of his life. Daniel and Elizabeth (Leist) Pontious, the maternal grand- parents of the subject of this sketch, were of stanch Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and were pioneers of both Henry and Fulton counties, Ohio, in which latter both were residents at the time of death, the former passing away at the age of eighty-three and his wife at the age of eightyone. William S. Edgar was born in county Armagh, Ireland, on the loth of July, 1833, and came to America in 1854, about three years earlier than did his parents. He took up Tiis residence in Henry county, Ohio, where he was employed in a saw-mill for the ensuing three years, after which he there engaged in farming, on the bottom-lands of the Maumee river. In 1864 he came to Fulton county and located in Qinton township, where he remained until 1868, when he purchased a farm in Royalton township, becoming one of the representative farmers of this section and continuing to reside on the homestead until the autumn of 1904, when he and his devoted wife removed to the village of Delta, where he is now living retired. His children are five in number, namely: William R., Alva, Elmer, Albert and George. Albert Edgar, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm, and has passed his entire life thus far in Royalton township, in whose public schools he secured his educational discipline. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, improved with good buildings and maintained under a high state of cultivation, while forty acres of his land is a part of the old homestead on which his father settled in 1868. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he is a loyal and public-spirited citizen, being at the present time a member of the board of education in his township. He and his wife hold membership in the Christian church at Lyons and they enjoy marked popularity in the social life of their home community. September 21, 1893, Mr. Edgar was united in marriage to Miss Mamie E. Mann, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hinkle) Mann, of Royalton township, and they have one daughter, Ila May, Mable Irene, the oldest child, being deceased.

ELMER EDGAR. - It is gratifying to note the large number of representative farmers of Fulton county who are of the second generation of their families in this section, many being native of the county, and who have found it expedient and satisfactory to follow the vocation to which they were reared, thus aiding in upholding the prestige of agriculture in this section, carrying forward the work inaugurated under so vastly different conditions by those who were the pioneers of the county. An able representative of this class of farmers is Elmer Edgar, whose well-improved landed estate is located in Royalton township. He was bom in Qinton township, this county, December 9, 1866, being a son of William S. and Susannah (Pontious) Edgar, file former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pike county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents, Samuel and Mary (Parks) Edgar, immigrated from county Armagh, Ireland, to America, in 1857, settling in Henry county, Ohio, where the latter died. Her husband, who had been there engaged in farming, soon afterward removed to Ingham county, Michigan* being a pioneer farmer of that section, where he passed the remainder of his life. They became the parents of ten children, name- ly: Susannah, Robert, Lucinda, Mary J., Joseph, William S., George, John, Hugh, and Margaret. The maternal grandparents of Elmer Edgar were Daniel and Elizabeth (Leist) Pontious, who were bom in Ohio, and of Pennsylvania German parentage, the families having been pioneers of Henry an $ Fulton counties, Ohio. Daniel Pontious died in Royalton township, Fulton county, at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife died in Clinton township, aged eighty-one years. William S. Edgar was bom in county Armagh, Ireland, July io, 1833, and was there reared and educated. In 1854 he came to America, settling in Henry county, Ohio, where he was employed in a saw-mill for the ensuing three years, after which he there engaged in farming in the bottom-lands of the Maumee river. In 1864 he came to Fulton county and located on a farm in Clinton township, and in 1868 he removed to Royalton township, where he became a prosperous farmer and influential citizen, accumulating nearly five hundred acres of land. He resided on his homestead farm until 1904, when he removed to the village of Delta, where he has since lived retired. He is a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. They have five sons: William R., Alva, Elmer, Albert and George, all of whom are well established in life and proving worthy of the honored name which they bear. Elmer Edgar has been a resident of Royalton township since he was two years of age, and has always been identified with agricultural purusits, and he received his early education in the public schools of his native county. He now owns and operates the old homestead farm, which comprises two hundred acres, and is one of the wide-awake, enterprising and successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He is a stalwart adherent of the Republican party and is serving as one of the trustees of Royalton township, and he has also served in other local offices of public trust. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. December 25, 1901, in fitting observance of the gladsome spirit of the Christmastide, Mr. Edgar was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Smellie, daughter of Gavin and Julia (Whittaker) Smellie, of Dover township, and they have a fine little son, Doyle S. The parents of Mrs. Elmer Edgar are of Scotch descent.

BERT C. ELDREDGE, a veterinary surgeon of Swanton, born in the village of Tedrow, Fulton county, O., on October 19, 1870, is a descendant of early New England pioneers, the maternal line being descended from Perigene White, the first white child bom in Plymouth colony. Dr. Eldredge's great grand-father, Thomas Eldredge, removed from the State of New York to Stark county, O., about the year 1809, and was drafted from that county to serve as a soldier in the War otf 1812. He died in Illinois and his wife in Stark county. Stephen Eldredge, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was bom in Stark county on December 19, 1824, and he still resides in Fulton county, at the ripe old age of eighty years, enoying good health and quite active in choring and attending to his home interests. Bert C. Eldredge is the son of William A. and Eva (Clark) Eldredge, the former a native of Wood county, O., and the latter of Kalamazoo, Mich. They were married in Fulton county on September 2, 1869, and the wife died July 21, 1875. Bert C. is the only child born to this union. The maiden name of William A. Eldredge's second wife was Hattie Evans. To these parents, both still living, there have been born four children. They are : Orville A., a machinist of Swanton ; George Otis, Lura B. and Lela. The family has resided on the homestead farm adjoining Tedrow for about thirty years. Bert C. Eldredge grew to manhood on the homestead and received his education by attending the Tedrow public schools and the Fayette, O., Normal, graduating from the commercial department of the latter institution. In the fall of 1900 he entered the Ontario Veterinary college at Toronto, Canada, and graduated on March 28, 1902. In May following he came to Swanton, where he has since practiced his profession with gratifying success, ranking high in his profession and enjoying the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, in politics he is a Republican, as were his ancestors since the birth of that party. On December 24, 1894, he was married to Miss Mildred M. Somers, a daughter of Martin and Ellen (Fitzsimmons) Somers of Dover township, Fulton county. Martin Somers served as a soldier during the Civil war and died of diseases resultant from army life on June 19, 1903. His widow survives him and still resides on the homestead. To these parents three children were bom. They are: Orrin E., a farmer; Mildred M., now Mrs. Eldredge, and Belva M., now Mrs. Porter, whose husband operates the homestead. To Dr. Eldredge and wife there was bom on September 19, 1904, a daughter, little Eva Ellen.

GEORGE A. EVERETT, attorney and counselor-at-law, Delta, was bom in Amboy township of Fulton county, November 21, 1868. His genealogy is traceable to English and German ancestors, English on the paternal side. The Everetts were among the pioneers of Massachusetts, removing from there to Pennsylvania in an early day. He is the son of George and Elizabeth (Sipe) Everett, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Holmes county, O., and in 1848 removed to Amboy township, Fulton county, being among the early pioneers, where the father died and where his widow still resides. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living. They are: Mrs. C. E. Haynes of Toledo;

Mrs. J. M. Curtis of Swanton; Mrs. Edward Luke of Lytton, O. ; Samuel, a merchant of Lytton ; George A. ; Isaac, who is engaged in raising poultry, and bees at Lytton; William, who died in childhood; Isaiah, who died in infancy; John and Mary, who both died in mature life. George A. Everett grew to manhood cm a farm and was educated at the Fayette (O.) Normal University, completing the teachers' course in 1890. He then took the scientific course, graduating in 1892 as the salutatorian of the class, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. While at college he did the preliminary work in the study of law. and graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, having acted as assistant law librarian during the entire collegiate course. In 1896 the law firm of Everett & Paxson opened up an office at Delta. After some time Mr. Paxson soW his interest to Mr. Everett, who since that time has been alone. He has a finely appointed suite of rooms above the post office and is doing an extensive and very lucrative practice. Since the beginning of his work he has been admitted to practice at the bar of the supreme courts of Ohio and Michigan and to the Federal courts. In politics he is a stanch Republican, always taking an active part during the campaigns. On April i, 1903, he was elected mayor of the city of Delta for a term of two and one-half years. Although a young man he is deeply interested in public school affairs and has served on the board of education for four years. He is a member of Delta lodge, 194, Knights of Pythias, being a past chancellor commander. He is also a member of Fulton lodge No. 248, Free and Accepted Masons, high priest of Octavius Waters Chapter, No. 154, Royal Arch Masons, and past patron of Aurora Chapter, No. 75, Order of Eastern Star. Chi May 8, 1901, he was married to Miss Marion V. Corbin of Delta, a daughter of D. E. Corbin, who for the past twenty years has been employed by the Oval Wood Dish company. Mrs. Everett is a graduate of the Delta high school, and has developed a remarkable aptitude for elocution, having spent some time in the study of that art and in perfecting herself in music. They have one child, Doris Elizabeth, bom February 2, 1905.

SAMUEL EVERETT. - To speak of the village of Lytton is equivalent to calling attention to its leading business man, and that man is Samuel Everett, whose initiative power and broad pragmatic discrimination have enabled him to build up in this distinctive rural community a business enterprise which would do credit to a metropolitan center, and which, in fact, encroaches heavily on the trade territory of larger and more pretentious towns in the county, the village of Lytton being located on the line between Fulton and Amboy townships and being in the center of as fine an agricultural section as is to be found in the State. Mr. Everett is a native of Fulton county and is a young man of distinctive ability and sterling attributes of character. He was bom in Amboy township, on the 20th of December,'1872, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Sipe) Everett, the former of whom was bom in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio. The Everett family of America traces its genealogy back to sterling English 6rigin, and there have been many distinguished representatives of the name both in England and America, in which latter country the family was founded in the colonial era, the original progenitors in the new world having settled in Massachusetts, and later on representatives were numbered among the pioneers of Pennsylvania. From this branch the subject of this review is descended. In Holmes county, O., was solemnized the marriage of George Everett to Miss Elizabeth Sipe, whose lineage is of German extraction, and in 1848 they came to Fulton county, settling in Amboy township and being numbered among the early pioneers of this part of the county, where the father developed and improved one of the valuable farms of the county, passing the remainder of his life on this homestead and being one of the most honored citizens of the community. He passed away in 1882, at which time his landed estate comprised two hundred acres. This has been distributed among the heirs, the mother retaining her dower interest and still residing on the old place. Of the ten children six are living. Samuel Everett was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm, contributing a due quota to its work from his boyhood days and being afforded the advantages of the excellent public schools of the county. He initiated his independent career as a fanner, having been but ten years of age at the time of his father's death, and having in due time come into possession of his share of the estate. He continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until 1894, when he founded the business at whose head he now stands and which is almost phenomenal in scope and importance, even as it is unique in location. His possessions comprise about all that is represented in the business affairs of the village of Lytton, and it is due almost entirely to his progressive ideas and well-ordered enterprise that he has centralized here so magnificent a trade. He designates, with characteristic vim, his headquarters as being located "twenty-four miles west of Toledo," which city he thus takes into consideration as representing his only formidable trade rival. Mr. Everett carries a large stock of farm implements and machinery, vehicles, dairy supplies, heavy and shelf hardware, tinware, paints and oils, pumps, stock remedies and patent medicines, groceries and provisions, and such other lines as he believes will supply the legitimate demands of his large and widely extended trade. His stock is selected with discrimination in each department; he buys in large quantities ; his relative expenses are light, and he is thus enabled to offer prices which have created indubitable consternation among his rivals in the larger towns, from which he has deflected and solidly retained a large and appreciative patronage. His main building is two stories in height and fifty-four bv sixty-two feet in dimensions, and it has two additions or wings, each twenty-five by fifty feet. All this space is fully demanded for the accommodation of his stock, and while its valuation is constantly fluctuating in a slight way, bv the exigencies of sale and purchase of new stock, its average valuation may conservatively be placed at eighteen thousand dollars, implying annual operations which would be noteworthy in a center of commercial industry. Inflexible integrity and fair-dealing characterize the course of this ambitious and successful young business man, and he may well view with pride the success which has attended his efforts. He is essentially and primarily a business man, but this fact does not narrow his interest in public affairs, and he is thoroughly loyal and helpful as a citizen and a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, though never an aspirant for office. He is affiliated with S wanton lodge, No. 555, Free and Accepted Masons, and is popular in both business and social circles in the county. On the 26th of April, 1898. Mr. Everett was united in marriage to Miss Ida Schug, who was born and reared in Fulton county, being a daughter of Peter and Catherine Schug, and they have two fine little sons, Harold and Howard. Mrs. Everett is a member of the Zion Reformed church at Lytton.

ROBERT W. FAUBLE is numbered among the progressive farmers and stock-growers of Fulton township, where he has passed his entire life, a scion of stanch pioneer stock. He was born in the same neighborhood in which he now resides, on the 9th of October, 1849, and is a son of Isaac and Rachel A. (Watkins) Fauble, both of whom were bom in Wayne county, Ohio, the former in 1815 and the latter in 1818. Isaac Fauble was a son of Michael Fauble, who was bom in Germany and who was the founder of the family in America, having been one of the pioneers of Wayne county, Ohio, where both he and his wife died. Isaac Fauble came with his wife to Fiflton county in an early day, securing wild land in Fulton township and developing a good farm, upon which he died when fifty-eight years of age, his wife attaining the age of sixty-eight years. He was an energetic, aggressive and industrious man, inflexible in his integrity and straightforward in all his dealings. Though he died in middle life he had so well directed his efforts that he left his family in comfortable circumstances. He and his wife continued resident of Fulton county until-' death, save for an interim of about two years, passed in Indiana. They became the parents of six children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Jane is the wife of Jacob Garman, a farmer of Clinton township; Robert W. was the next in order of birth; James E. is a farmer of Swan Creek township; Sarah L., widow of George W. Fraker, is individually mentioned elsewhere in this work ; and Rachel A. is the wife of Andrew J. Fraker, of whom specific mention is made on another page. Robert W. Fauble was reared to the sturdy work of the home farm and his educational advantages in youth were those afforded bv the local schools. His entire life . has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and upon the death of his parents he inherited a portion of the old homestead. He and his wife are now joint owners of a well-improved farm of fifty-eight acres, and the same is maintained under effective and profitable cultivation, and the land being specially productive, and he also devotes no little attention to the raising of live-stock of good grades. He met with some financial reverses during the period of general business depression in the early '90's, but the favorable conditions following the natural reaction in industrial affairs enabled Mr. Fauble to recoup his losses, thus restoring him to independent circumstances. In politics Mr. Fauble is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he has served in minor local offices of public trust, and fraternally he is identified with the lodge of Knights of Pythias at Delta. March 30, 1876, Mr. Fauble was married to Miss Clara J. Manley, who was born in Fulton township, this county, being a daughter of Whitfield Manley, an honored pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Fauble have seven children, all of whom are living. Nellie and Ella (twins) were bom January 11, 1877, the former being now the wife of William J. Fleming, and the latter being the wife of Archibald B. Putnam, both of this county; Roy, who was bom June 23, 1879, *s employed in the city of Toledo; Edward,

EUGENE FELTZ, one of the venerable pioneer citizens and retired farmers of Amboy township, has contributed his quota to the material and civic development and progress of Fulton county, and has ever stood as a man of loyalty and integrity in all the relations of life, so that in his declining years he is surrounded by those who accord him unqualified respect and esteem. He was bom in the department of Muerthe et Moselle, France, on the German border, April 3, 1817, and is a son of Nicholas E. and Mary (Pavaer) Feltz. His father was for many years in the employ of the French government, as warder over timber preserves, and he passed his entire life in France, as did also his wife. Eugene Feltz was reared and educated in his native land, where he served an apprenticeship of eighteen months at the carpenter trade, following the trade as his vocation in France until 1852, when he came to the United States. On May 15th of that year he located in Sandusky, Ohio, which was then a mere village, and he was there employed at his trade for the ensuing four years, at the expiration of which, in 1856, he came to Fulton county and located in the little town of Metamora, where he continued in the work of his trade five years, as a contractor and builder as well as general workman. He then purchased thirty acres of land in Section 17, Amboy township, reclaiming and improving the same, to which he later added by the purchase of a contiguous tract of twenty acres, and still later he purchased twenty acres in Section 8. The fifty acres in Section 17 constitute the farm now owned and operated by his son Joseph, one of the leading farmers of this township. In 1890 Eugene Feltz located on a farm of eighty-seven and one-half acres, in Section 16, having purchased this property a number of years previously, and a considerable portion of the same was cleared by him, with the assistance of his sons, and he erected the present substantial and attractive buildings. He is now living retired from active labor, enjoying the rewards of his former endeavors and surrounded by his family and a host Of loyal friends. May 15, 1854, Mr. Feltz was united in marriage to Miss Mary Valter, daughter of Walter and Catherine (Minlott) Valter, of Sandusky county, Ohio, whither they came from France, and the following is a brief record concerning the children of this union : Mary is the wife of Nicholas Dowling; Edward is deceased; Eugene, Jr., operates the home farm of his father; and Joseph owns and operates the old homestead previously mentioned. Mr. Feltz and his family are communicants of St. Mary's Catholic church, at St. Mary's Corners, Amboy township, and he has aided materially in the support of the parish work and in the upbuilding of the flourishing organization. He contributed liberally to the erection of the attractive church edifice, now utilized, as did he also for the original church, which was of primitive type. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he has always shown a helpful concern in local affairs, and he served one term as supervisor of his township.

CHARTERS H. FENTON, one of the well known and representative young farmers of Clinton township, was born in Ridgeville township, Henry county, Ohio, on the nth of September, 1881, and is a son of Henry K. and Emma C. (Worden) Fenton, the former of whom was born in Henry county, Ohio, and the latter in Coshocton county. The father died in 1889, having been one of the prominent and honored farmers of Henry county. His widow now resides in the city of Wauseon, Fulton county. Of their two children Charles H. is the elder. Howard N. is now a student in the Ohio Weslyan University and has his home with his widowed mother, who removed from Henry county to Fulton county in 1902, purchasing the old Hodges farm, one mile south of Wauseon, where Charles H. now resides. The place comprises one hundred and forty acres of excellent land, the major portion of the same is under effective cultivation, and the improvements include good buildings and other needed provisions. Charles H. Fenton passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead in Henry county, in whose public schools he secured his preliminary educational discipline, while in 1891-2 he was a student in the Ohio Northern University, a well equipped normal institution, at Ada, being there graduated as a member of the class of 1892. His vocation throughout life has been that of farming, his knowledge of the details of the industry being of the most intimate sort, so that he has been able to secure good returns from his efforts in this connection. Since the removal of the family to Fulton county he has had charge of the home farm. In politics Mr. Fenton is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 23rd of September, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Fenton to Miss Matilda Wmzeler, who was bom in Wauseon, this county, m 1881, the same year of her husband's birth. She is a daughter of Frank W; and Mary (Seiler) Wmzeler. Her father was bom in Switzerland, December 24, 1849, and came with his parents to America in 1854, in which year the family located in Franklin township, Fuhon county, Ohio. Her grandfather, Jacob \yinzeler, was born m Switzerland, in 1821, was a shoemaker by trade and vocation, and he served as a member of the country guards during the progress of the French revolution. After coming to America he followed his trade two years and then purchased a tract of wild land, in Franklin township, where he was killed by a falling tree, in 1862. Sarah (Kutzley) Wmzeler, mother of Frank W., was likewise bom in Switzerland, and she died. May 17, 1900, at a venerable age. In 1872 Frank W. Winzeler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Seiler, who was bom in Switzerland, and who came with her parents, Jacob and Mary (Meister) Seiler, to America in 1855. Jacob Seiler was a successful school teadier in his native land, and also taught seven years after coming to the United States, being a man of fine intellectuality. He now resides on his homestead, his devoted wife having passed away in March, 1904, at the age of eighty-one years. Frank W. Winzeler secured his educational training in the common schools and remained associated with his father until he had attained his legal majority, after which he followed the carpenter trade for seven years. After his marriage he located on a farm in Lenawee county, Mich., where he remained three years, at the expiration of which he returned to Fulton county and purchased a farm of forty acres, which he later sold, forthwith purchasing the fine farm upon which he now resides. He is a stanch Democrat in his political allegiance, and he served two terms as trustee of Franklin township. Both he and his wife are members of the religious organization known as the German Evangelical Association. They have nine children : Minnie, who is the wife of Adolph Steckle, of Wauseon ; Edward, of Idaho, married Miss Grace Lee of that place; Matilda, who is the wife of Charles H. Fenton, subject of this review; and Lillian, Alfred, Frances, Jacob, Sylva and Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton have no children.

WILLIAM H. FIELDS, a builder and house-mover of Wauseon, was born in Enniskillen, Ontario, Canada. He is the son of William and Mary Ann Sophrona (Shoaff) Fields, both natives of Canada. William Fields came to Wauseon in 1865, where he engaged in building and house-moving, in which business he was quite successful. For some years he was actively engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. During the thirty-eight years, that he conducted his business so successfully in Wauseon, he found some time to devote to society and social affairs. In Odd Fellowship he took a very active part, having passed all the chairs of that organization, and was quite prominent all over the State. He was equally active in the temperance cause, being identified with all the temperance societies. It is therefore not to be wondered at that he enjoyed the respect of all classes. He died in 1902 at the age of seventyfive years and is survived by his widow, who is still in remarkably good health, notwithstanding she is seventy-six years old. There were born to this marriage the following children: Almira (deceased), who was the wife of Miles Root of Clinton township; Sarah E., wife of Jason Dowell of Toledo, O. ; Sophrona (deceased), who was the wife of James Murphy of Wauseon; William H., the subject of this sketch; Madison, of Michigan; Cyrus, of Chicago; Anna M. (deceased), who was the wife of David M. Mikesell of Toledo; Cora B., wife of John Maxwell of Michigan; and Charles, of Wauseon. William H. Fields, the subject of this sketch was nine years old when he came to Wauseon with his parents. He was educated in the public schools of his home city. After leaving school he formed a partnership with his father in the contracting and house-moving business, in which he is still actively engaged. His success is largely due to the fact that he is thoroughly equipped for his work, understanding it in every detail. So carefully are buildings moved under his direction that comparatively little damage is done to them. As a matter of course he enjoys a very liberal patronage. He married Miss Adaline A. Dunbar, daughter of James Dunbar, bom in New London, Conn., in 1817, who located in Erie county, in 1831, and two years later in Clinton township, Fulton county, where he entered wild land. The maiden name of Mrs. Fields' mother was

Gleason. The children of Mr. and Mrs. James Dunbar are: William Wallace (deceased), who served in the Civil war; Gurden R. B., who was killed in the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia; Martha E., now the wife of Henry B. Scott, of Seattle, Washington; Mary (deceased) ; Adaline A., wife of William H. Fields; Grin R. (deceased) ; Anna M., wife of Madison Fields, and William Sherman of Wauseon. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fields has been blessed with one child, Arthur J.

ROBERT J. FINN is one of the energetic and enterprising young farmers of Chesterfield township, his well-improved homestead being located about two miles west of the village of Lyons, which is his postoffice address, though he enjoys the advantages of the rural free mail-delivery service. Mr. F'inn was born in Fulton township, this county, on the 26th of March, 1879, and is a son of James and Rachel J. (Watkins) Finn. James Finn was bom in Michigan in 1852, and he took up his residence in Fulton county, Ohio, about 1870, being employed in a saw-mill the first two years, and then securing employment on the farm of Robert Watkins, whose daughter, Rachel J., became his wife. He continued on the farm of his father-in-law about four years thereafter, and Mr. Watkins then presented to his daughter, Mrs. Finn, a portion of the homestead farm, where they lived until 1891, with the exception* of two years passed in Delta, this county. In the year mentioned James Finn purchased the farm where his son, Robert J., now resides, the same comprising one hundred and eight acres, of which he gave to the subject of this sketch forty acres at the time of the latter's marriage, and the son now has charge of the operation of the entire farm, his parents maintaining their residence in the village of Morenci, Mich., about six miles distant, and the father having retired from active labor. Robert J. Finn secured his rudimentary education in the school known as the Basswood school, in Fulton township, the district having gained its name from the fact that the first school-house there erected was constructed of basswood logs. He later attended school at Maple Grove, after which he continued his studies two years in the high school at Morenci, Mich., supplementing this training by attending the Fayette Normal University for one year. Thereafter he was employed in a clerical capacity for three years, in the village of Morenci, Mich., and after his marriage, in 1900, he located on the home farm, which he has since operated with much success. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he has held several local offices of public trust, being at the present time constable of his township. He is a charter member of the Morenci lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and is also identified with the Grange of Fulton county. On the 7th of March, 1900, Mr. Finn was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Geyser, who was bom in Swanton, this county, March 14, 1879, being a daughter of William and Catherine (Schrock) Geyser, who are now residents of Swanton. Mr. and Mrs. Finn have a fine little son, William Geyser Finn, born February 2, 1902.

JACOB H. FIRST, one of the successful farmers and well-known citizens of Clinton township, where he has maintained his home for more than thirty years, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on the 22nd of April, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Keister) First, the former of whom was bom in Pennsylvania and the latter in Wayne county, Ohio, in which latter county both remained residents until death, the father having been a farmer by vocation. Jacob H. First was reared and educated in his native county, where he continued identified with agricultural pursuits until August 22, 1862, when he went forth to do yeoman service in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he served two years, then becoming a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and one year later by re-enlistment he became a member of the Forty-eighth Ohio Regiment, Company E, with which he remained in active service until after the close of the war, having received his honorable discharge on the 15th of October, 1865. He thereafter continued engaged in farming in Wayne county until 1872, when he came to Fulton county, where he purchased his present well-improved farm, comprising fifty-three acres, all under cultivation. He is a man of distinctive energy and business ability and has made a success of the vocation which has represented his life-work, and he has ever commanded the esteem and confidence of his fellow-men. He is one of the loyal supporters of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and he served as constable for two years and as road supervisor for three years. He is a member of the Christian church. In 1868 Mr. First was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Lawrence, daughter of Henry and Barbara (Durr) Lawrence, the former of whom passed his entire life in Wayne county, Ohio, engaged in farming. The latter was born in Columbiana county, and her death occurred on the home farm, in Wayne county. Mrs. First was summoned into eternal rest on the 15th of January,. 1894, being survived by four children, namely: Margaret E., who is the wife of John Miller, of Chicago; Ethan, who married Miss Addie Eck and who resides in Wauseon; and Jessie A. and Cleon L., who remain with their father on the home farm.

FRANK L. FLEMING is another of the native sons of Fulton county who has found it expedient to here continue his residence and to follow the important line of industry to which he was reared, the wisdom of his course being signified in his status as one of the successful farmers and honored citizens of Pike township. Mr. Fleming was born in Fulton township, this county, on the 23d of May, 1847, and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Lasell) Fleming, both of whom were born in the State of New York, and their marriage was solemnized in Huron county, Ohio, the respective families having located in the Buckeye State in an early day. In 1845 the parents of the subject of this sketch came to Fulton county and located on a pioneer farm in Fulton township, where the mother died in Febru- ary, 1878, her husband passing away in 1889. Amos Fleming was one of the prominent farmers and well-known citizens of Fulton township, and was a man of unimpeachable integrity, commanding the esteem of all who knew him. Frank L. Fleming was reared on the home farm and his educational privileges were those afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. He has always made agriculture his vocation and in the connection has put forth much energy and good judgment in the management of his affairs, so that his success has been cumulative, and he has became the owner of one of the fine farm properties of the county, his estate comprising one hundred and forty-two acres of fertile land, well-drained and equipped with modern improvements, including a commodious residence, large bam and other farm buildings. Mr. Fleming takes a loyal interest in local affairs and lends his aid and influence in the support of measures tending to advance the general welfare. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, has served three terms as township trustee, and for five years he was a member of the school board. He is affiliated with Fulton Lodge, No. 48, Free and Accepted Masons, at Delta, and with Berry Grange, No. 1 1 11, at Ai. On the 21st of December, 1869, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage to Miss Clarinda A. Mercer, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, November 28, 1849, a daughter of Washington and Elizabeth (Harvot) Mercer. Her father was a farmer by vocation and his death occurred in Ashland county. About 1857 his widow came with her children to Fulton county, locating near Ai, in Fulton township, where she still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are the parents of seven sons: James B., Lewis W., Roy H., Frederick L., Sidney A., Floyd and Carl M. James and Sidney are carpenters by trade, and the former is foreman in the mill of the Demeresq Lumber company, at Delta, Ohio. The two youngest sons remain at the parental home.

JOSEPH P. FLORY, who is successfully established in the general merchandise business at Archbold, where he has a well-equipped establishment in which he handles dry-goods, boots and shoes, etc., was bom in German township, this county, on the 22d of December, 1858, and is a son of Peter and Josephine (Oarto) Flory, both of whom were bom in France, Havre having been the native place of the former. When Peter Flory was an infant his parents immigrated to America, in 1832, and ten years later they came to Fulton county, Ohio, becoming pioneers of German township, within whose borders the thriving little city of Archbold is situated. Joseph Flory, father of Peter, died soon after the family took up their abode in Fulton county, and of his four sons, Peter is the only one now living. The latter became one of the well-to-do farmers of German township, and he and his wife now reside in Archbold, enjoying the benefices of their former years of earnest toil and endeavor. They became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living: Joseph P. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Lewis E. is engaged in the dry-goods business in East Toledo;

Andrew is identified with the Toledo Malleable Iron Works; Edward J. is engaged in the clothing business in Toledo, Ohio; Stephen is associated with his brother, Lewis E., in East Toledo; Frederick is employed by the William Taylor Sons' Co., in Qeveland; and Amon is with the Winton Automobile company. Joseph P. Flory was reared on the home farm and secured his early education in the pul>- lic schools of German township, and he later took a thorough course in the Cleveland Commercial College, being graduated as a member of the class of 1880. Thereafter he was employed in the mercantile establishment of Hull Brothers, in Archbold, for one year, at the expiration of which he purchased their stock and business, in association with Joseph Moyne, whose interest he later acquired, having since been sole proprietor of the business, which he has made one of the most successful of the sort in the town, having a representative support and enjoying the confidence of the community. He is an enterprising and public spirited citizen, is a stanch Democrat in politics, has served two terms each as township treasurer and village treasurer, and he is at the present time a member of the village council of his home town. In 1883 Mr. Flory was married to Miss Catharine Wahl, of Cleveland, Ohio, she being a daughter of Ignatius Wahl. Four children have been bom of this union, the names and respective dates of birth being as follows: Celia, February 27, 1884; Lawrence, May 12, 1885: Coletta Olive (deceased), May 30, 1887, died November 6, 1892 ; and Ivo Joseph, bom March, 1889.

ANSEL L. FORD is the owner of one of the largest and best landed estates in Gorham township, where he was bom and reared, and he is well known as a progressive and successful farmer and as an extensive buyer and shipper of live-stock. He was horn on the 15th of August, 1851, and is a son of Cyrus and Fanny (Landis) Ford. Cyrus Ford was born in Cummington, Hampshire county, Mass., and was a son of Ansel Ford, who brought his family to Ohio in 1842 and settled in what is now Gorham township, Fulton county, securing a tract of land one mile east and one mile north of the present home of his grandson, whose name initiates this paragraph. In the East he had been a manufacturer of scythe snaths, grain cradles, etc., but after coming to Ohio he made farming his vocation, having cleared and improved his land and had been duly prosperous, and both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives in this county. The Ford family is of stanch Scotch extraction and was early founded in New England, as was also the Tower family, of which Deborah, wife of Ansel Ford, was a member. Ansel and Deborah Ford became the parents of ten children : Charles, Otis, Amos, Lucius, Hosea and Cyrus are deceased; Frank resides in Fayette, this county; Elmina is the deceased wife of Benjamin Russell, whose second wife was her next younger sister, Delia, who survives him and resides in Fayette; and Ann became the wife of Nathan Shaw, both being deceased. Cyrus Ford devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and was one of the honored pioneers of Gorham township. He was born May 18, 1822, and died August 29,

1868, having joined the Republican party at the time of its organization and having been one of its prominent representatives in Fulton county. His wife, Fanny (Landis) Ford, was born in Erie county, N. Y., whither her parents removed from Maryland, and finally they came to Ohio, remaining for some time in Toledo and then removing to Williams county, continuing to reside in this section of the State until the death of the former. The latter makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Cyrus and Fanny Ford became the parents of seven children: Otis resides in Fayette; Mary Alice is the wife of Frank Hicker; Ansel L. is the subject of this sketch; David resides in Morenci, Mich.; Ella is the widow of Dr. Harry Van Buskirk and resides in Fayette; John B. is a farmer of Gorham township; and Addie holds a clerical position in the general store of the Fulton County Co-operative company, in Fayette. Ansel L. Ford was educated in the public schools of his native township, and he has never severed his allegiance to the fundamental art of agriculture, under whose gracious influences he was reared. He is the owner of about three hundred and ninety acres of land, all in Gorham township, and the greater portion is maintained under effective cultivation, and his homestead is improved with good buildings and is one of the most attractive in this part of the county. He has been a stock-grower for many years and has also built up a large and prosperous business as a buyer and shipper of stock, being one of the leading dealers of the county and being known as a straightforward and able business man. In politics he is a stanch Republican, is the present assessor of his township and he served six years as township trustee, was real-estate appraiser and has served on the school board several terms, at varying intervals. He has been a member of the election board of the township on nineteen different occasions, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his native township. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and has filled all the official chairs in his lodge. Reverting to his operations as a dealer in live stock, it may be said that he has taken stock to Buffalo each year for the past thirty-one years, and no man in the county is a* better judge in that line than is he. September 20, 1874, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss Anna Humphrey, a daughter of the late Renselaer Humphrey, of Fayette, and they have five children: Alvah G, Bermah R., Elbert Clare, Denver A. and Demah A., all of whom are living, Alvah being one of the representative young farmers of Gorham township.

STEPHEN FOUTY, who is now living retired in the city of Wauseon, was for many years actively engaged in farming in York township, and is a citizen of sterling character. He was born in« Mahoning county, Ohio, on the 17th of February, 1837, and is a son of William Fouty, who removed to Fulton county in 1850, becoming one of the representative faimers of York township, where* he passed the remainder of his life, his death occuring in 1867. His wife died in Mahoning county. Stephen Fouty was reared to maturity in Mahoning county, where he received a common-school education, and he came with his father to Fulton county, where he has thus made his home for more than half a century, and he assisted in the reclaiming of a farm in the midst of the dense forest. He was among the first to tender his services in defense of the Union when the dark cloud of civil war shadowed the national horizon. On the 28th of October, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company E, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he remained in service for three years, receiving his honorable discharge on the 28th of October, 1864, in the city of Washington. He took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and other important engagements and was a leal and loyal soldier of the republic. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Fouty continued to reside on his farm until 1892, when he removed to Wauseon, where he has since lived retired, enjoying the rewards of his former toils and endeavors. On the nth of January, 1865, Mr. Fouty was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Haines, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, on the 23d of December, 1844, and who died in December, 1869, leaving two children: Norval, who is a successful farmer of Fulton county; and Theodore, of whom individual mention is made in the succeeding review. In 1871 Mr. Fouty married Mrs. Leda Eck, who died May n, 1893, leaving one child by a former husband. October 23, 1903, Mr. Fouty was united in marriage to Mrs. Amanda Gillett, who died on the 15th of April, *9°5-

THEODORE FOUTY, one of the representaive farmers of York township, was born and reared in Fulton county, where he has passed his entire life. He is a son of Stephen Fouty, of whom individual mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. Fouty was bom on the homestead farm, in York township, on the 12th of September, 1867, and his fundamental educational training was secured in the district school, after which he continued his studies in the Wauseon high school and in the normal school at Wauseon. He has made farming his vocation and is one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of his native county. His farm is equipped with excellent improvements and comprises one hundred acres of most fertile land. In politics Mr. Fouty is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and he takes a loyal interest in public affairs of a local nature. He has served several terms as a member of the board of education of his township. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is identified with the Wauseon camp of Sons of Veterans. In 1889, Mr. Fouty was united in marriage to Miss Martha D. Miller, who was bom in York township on the 15th of July, 1869, being a daughter of Warren T. and Henrietta (Dumeresque) Miller. Mrs. Fouty was summoned to the life eternal on the 23d of June, 1897, leaving two children : Viola M., who was bom January 20, 1890, and Willis D., who was bom November 21, 1896. May 11, 1898, Mr. Fouty was married to Miss C. Edith Tressler, who was born in Holgate, Henry county, Ohio, being a daughter of George W. and Celia (Van Fleet) Tress- ler. Her father was born in Liberty township, Henry county, December 22, 1854, and was a train dispatcher by vocation. He died at Rawlins, Wyoming, on the 10th of July, 1896, while en route home from California, his death occuring on the train. His wife was born in Liberty township, Henry county, Ohio, March 10, 1857, and she died March 1, 1889, at Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Fouty have three children, namely: Vera L., born November 8, 1900; Alda L., born October 23, 1903 ; and Celia C., born June 29, 1904.

WILLIAM E. FOWLER, secretary of the Delta Building, Loan and Savings company, and ex-mayor of Delta, was born in York township of Fulton county, January 4, 1852. His ancestors have long been established in America, the founders being of German extraction. He is the son of Thomas W. and Lucy L. (Eddy) Fowler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York State. Both accompanied their parents to what is now Fulton county and ended their days there. From 1833 to 1896 Thomas W. Fowler was a successful and prosperous farmer, dying in September of the latter year. He and wife were the parents of four children. Those living are: William E., the eldest; Robert, a retired farmer of Delta, and Mrs. Cornelia Meltin of Menton, Ind. His first wife having died July 15, i860, he married again and became the father of one son, Eli, a real-estate agent of Guide Rock, Neb. William E. Fowler was educated in the public schools of his native township and Wauseon, and began his business career as a clerk in the drygoods establishment of W. R. Huntington of Delta, remaining in the latter's employ five years. He then went into partnership with Ward. Barber, of Colorado Springs, Col., in the clothing and furnishing business. In 1888 Mr. Barber retired, Robert Fowler being his successor. The firm of Fowler Bros, conducted a large and lucrative business until 1892, when a destructive fire practically destroyed the town of Delta and caused the firm to lose heavily. Since that time Mr. Fowler has been engaged principally in the real-estate business, combining with it loans and insurance, in the management of which he has met with marked success. Being a notary public he transacts a very large business in conveyancing and in drawing legal papers. The Delta Building, Loon and Savings company was organized in 1889, the incorporators being Hon. Franklin Briggs, A. L. and M. S. Sargent, Henry G. Geiger, now of Wauseon, and William E. Fowler, A. L. Sargent being president from the organization until 1902, when he was succeeded by Franklin Briggs. The assets of the institution, which now amount to one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, are augmented every year. Mr.

Fowler has served as secretary from the date of organization. The company has fine offices and safety vaults which have been occupied for seven years. Since 1875, Mr. Fowler has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Fulton Lodge, No. 248. He also holds membership in Octavius Waters Chapter Royal Arch Masons and has held various offices in the above societies. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Delta, and being popular with many of the Republicans he was re-elected in 1902 for a term of two years, which was cut short one year by the operation of the new code. Mr. Fowler was first married in 1892 to Miss Cora Ackerman, who died February 7, 1900. August 12, 1902, he was wedded to Miss Nellie Oaks, a native of New York State, but since childhood her parental home has been in the extreme southern part of Michigan, near Lyons, Fulton county, Ohio.

ANDREW J. FRAKER, member of the Delta Stave company of Delta, is a native of Clinton township, Fulton county, having been bom near Wauseon, June 26, 1848. He is the son of George and Mary Ann (Gorsuch) Fraker, both natives of Ohio. George Fraker was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1819, and at the age of sixteen years came to Fulton county, at a time when the Indians still occupied that territory, and settled with his parents near Delta in 1835. Our subject's grandfather, Thomas Fraker, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a bound boy in that State, where he learned his trade. Thomas Fraker entered a farm adjoining the present corporation limits of Delta, and there spent the remainder of his life, leaving a valuable estate at his death. When his son George attained to his majority Thomas Fraker entered for him the land near Pettisville, Clinton township, on which all of his family were bom and reared. George Fraker was reared on a farm and chose farming and stockraising as his vocation in life, and that he made a wise choice is evidenced by the fact that he was at the time of his death' a prosperous and wealthy man. He was one of the organizers of Fulton county, and was prominently identified with its history for many years, having assisted in cutting the first road in the county, and having bom his full share in the establishment of schools, churches and county buildings. George Fraker and wife were the parents of eight children. They are: Andrew J., Thomas Jefferson, who died at the age of five years; George, who was forty years old at the time of his death ; Benjamin, who died of the mumps at the age of twenty-one years; Amanda Elizabeth, the wife of J. V. Robinson of Toledo, Ohio; William I., who resides on the old homestead; Edna J., the wife of Judge J. V. Cuff of Napoleon, Ohio; Isabel, the widow of Fred. Bennett, who lives with her relatives, and is the owner of considerable property in Pettisville. George Fraker died at the age of eighty-four years and his wife at the age of seventytwo years. Both were well known and highly esteemed in Fulton county. Andrew J. Fraker was educated principally at Pettisville and grew to manhood on his father's farm. At the age of twentyone years he left the parental roof without a dollar to help him make his way in the world. His first work was on a farm in Illinois, where he began, April 3, and by Christmas, when he returned home, he was the proud owner of a new suit of clothes and one hundred and sixty dollars in money. Then he farmed on his father's place for one season, receiving in payment a share of the crops. Then he bought a well-drilling outfit and for fifteen years he was engaged in putting down wells for the farmers of Fulton and

Henry counties, realizing quite a handsome profit. In 1878 he purchased a saw-mill, a planing-mill and a lumber business at the location of the present stave factory, and continued the business until it grew to such proportions that he could no longer care for it by himself, when he sold a half interest to Byron Yarnell. After running the establishment for five years, the planing-mill was destroyed by fire, when Mr. Yarnell sold his interest back to Mr. Fraker, who then sold the entire plant to the Dewey Stave company. After resting from active business for three years, he, in May, 1903, associated himself with Charles P. Grisier of Wauseon, and Gotshall Brothers of Archbold and re-purchased the plant, now known as the Delta Stave company. The plant gives employment to twenty men, and from five to ten additional men are employed in the timber with from ten to twelve teams. The . output, consisting wholly of staves and heading, is shipped in car-load lots to all parts of the country. Mr. Fraker is a stock-holder and vice-president of the Fanners' National bank of Delta, capitalized at twenty-five thousand dollars, of which institution he is one of the incorporators. He is the owner of four hundred acres of fine farming land, located in different parts of the county and wholly free of any incumbrance. This land in connection with a third interest in the Delta Stave company and his home property comprises the principal part of his possessions, excepting seven thousand dollars which he recently inherited. Mr. Fraker is a member of Fulton Lodge, No. 248, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party in national issues, but independent in local elections. Four years he has been township treasurer and for eight years treasurer of Delta special school district. January 14, 1878, he was wedded to Miss Rachel Fauble, a daughter of Isaac and Rachel (Watkins) Fauble, who were among the oldest and most prominent families of Fulton township. Mr. and Mrs. Fraker are the parents of three children, all graduates of Delta high school. They are : Charles I., employed in his father's business ; William H., assistant cashier of the Farmers' National bank, and Herma, at home.

JOHN GEE, one of the venerable pioneer citizens of York township, was born in Ulster county, New York, on the 27th of May, 1822, and when he was about twelve years of age his parents removed from the old Empire State to Ohio, settling in Seneca county, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. There he continued to make his home, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1865, when he came to Fulton county and settled in York township, where he has ever since resided, save for a period of about four years, which he passed in Clinton township. He improved a valuable farm, which he still owns, and he is a man who has ever commanded the unqualified confidence and regard of the community in which he has so long made his home. On the 25th of March, 1849, Mr. Gee was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Grove, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 23d of December, 1830, and who remained his devoted companion during more than half a century, her death occurring on the 17th of July, 1901. They became the parents of two sons, William H., of whom individual mention is made upon a succeedant page of this work, and John C., who resides in Eaton county, Michigan. Mr. Gee is a Republican in his political views and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his wife.

FRANCIS B. GEER, attorney and counsellor-at-law of S wanton, is a native of Ohio, having been bom at Norwalk, Huron county, May 7, 1851. He is the grandson of Amos C. and Dollie (Thompson) Geer, both natives of Vermont, where they were married and whence they removed to Ohio in 1832, locating in Lorain county. After a residence of eighteen years in that county they removed to Norwalk, Huron county. Five years later Amos Geer removed to Oberlin, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. He served in the War of 1812, enlisting as a volunteer from his native State. His first wife dying in 1849, he later was wedded to Harriet Chapin, who survived him until 1905, residing in Oberlin, where she died at the venerable age of ninety years. Of the children bom to the first marriage eight attained years of maturity, Sylvia A. and Anna dying in infancy. Their names follow: Heman, Ezra, Benoni T.,

Abner, Betsey A., David, Hannah Eliza and Wakeley W. All are deceased except Mrs. Betsey A. (Geer) Thompson and David. Francis B. Geer is the son of Benoni T. and Louisa ( Jones) Geer, both natives of Ohio. Benoni T. Geer came with his parents to Lorain county, O., in childhood and there assisted in clearing a new farm. At the age of seven years he took his ax and went to work felling trees, early in life becoming an adept in the use of that very necessary pioneer implement. Subsequently the family removed to Norwalk, Huron county, where from the time he was fifteen years old until his marriage he made his home in the family of Thomas B. Benedict and completed his education by graduating from the Norwalk academy. Then he studied law under the tutorship of uOc." Kellogg. Later he attended the Cincinnati Law school, and was admitted to the practice of law in 1853. When Francis B. was only two years old his father came to Lucas county and taught a special school, termed a "Geography school," for one term. He then, returned to Huron county and brought his wife and child back with him, becoming a permanent resident of this locality in 1853, at a time when the country was new and the Lake Shore railroad had not been constructed. Benoni T. Geer began the practice of law at East Swanton, Swanton township, and continued there until 1892. When not otherwise engaged, he devoted his attention to the management of a farm that he had purchased there. In 1892 he established the office in Swanton that is now occupied by his son, the original sign and safe occupying their wonted places. At the age of sixty-six years, seized by a severe attack of La Grippe, from the effects of which he never fully recovered, his health began ter decline, forcing him to wholly abandon his practice in 1896, and on June 4,. three years later, he died. He was a zealous and active worker ia politics and a recognized leader in the councils of the Republican party. The only public office that he ever held was that of deputy provost marshal during the period of the Civil war. Of a retiringdisposition and generous nature, he was always prompt to assist with his means in every worthy enterprise. Having been quite liberal in his religious views for forty years prior to his death, he was not a communicant in any church. He was thrice married, his first wife dying of consumption at Norwalk, O., in February, 1858, aged twenty-eight years. To this marriage one son, Francis B., was born. His second wife was Miss Velina Marsh, by whom he had five children. They are: Wakeley W., Ellsworth W., Ernest B. and

Edith L., all of S wanton, and Luella, the wife of Charles R. Trumbull of Toledo, O. By his third wife, Sarah Dixon, who is still living, he had three children. Grace, the wife of Vernon Black, a railroad engineer on the "Clover Leaf/' residing at Charleston, 111. ; Otis and Roy Pavson, a railway fireman of Charleston. Francis B. Geer is practically a self-educated man, his limited school education having been received at 'East Swanton. He began teaching when nineteen years old, and for the next thirteen years continued in that profession, at the same time preparing himself for the practice of law. In 1883 he received the appointment of postal clerk in the railway mail service, running from Detroit to Toledo. After the expiration of one year he was placed in charge of the "local case" between Cleveland and Chicago, serving in that capacity for three years. Then he accepted the position of first deputy sheriff of Lucas county under Dr. William Cullison, who died very suddenly while in office. Upon relinquishing this position he turned his attention more closely to the law, and on March 17, 1899, was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio, since which time he has been continuously in the legal work. Politically he is a stalwart Republican, having in earlier life devoted much of his time to conducting political campaigns. In the work of the Knights of Pythias he takes a deep interest. Liberal in his religious views, he believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, but he is not wholly in accord with the teaching of Orthodoxy. Mr. Geer has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Martha E. Dixon, a younger sister of his father's third wife. Four sons and one daughter were born to this union, the daughter, Louisa E., dying when three months old. The sons are: Nathan B., Claud F., Arthur F. and Alfred W. Of these Nathan B. has been a teacher for the past fourteen years arid the others are variously employed. Mrs. Geer died on December 23, 1891. He was married to his present companion on June 9, 1904, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Emma J. (Homer) Harris. She was a student under her husband's teaching and subsequently became a teacher herself.