Mercer County, Ohio - Chapter 12: Military Record of Mercer Covnty in the Civil War, 1907 (part 5 of 12)

On the same vessel in which he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, was a pleasant, attractive young woman, by the name of Anna Mary Erlbeck and during the long voyage they became well acqauinted and were married soon after they reached Wendelin. In her he found a hearty helpmate. They first built a log house and barn in the woods that covered the whole country out-- side of the village at that time. Later Joseph Rammel sold that farm and bought 80 acres in Granville township near our subject's present farm, and there he died on May 2, 1892. His widow still survives and resides in the home of her son George.

Joseph Rammel and wife had nine children, as follows: Joseph, deceased; Mary, who married Andrew Buehler; George; John, deceased; John (2), who married Catherine Borgerding; Frank, who married Catherine Sutter; Leonard, who married Mary Plas; Peter, who married Maggie Lieser; and Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of William Sutter.

George Rammel was reared in Granville township and has witnessed the wonderful development which has taken place in this part of Mercer County. In his boyhood there were no roads, just paths through the woods, and deer and wild turkeys were frequently seen and sometimes wild beasts were visitors to the farm. He first went to school in an old log structure and great were the rejoicings when a neat frame building took its place. He remained at home assisting his father on the farm until his marriage, in 1878, after which he bought 40 acres of land from his father, the portion of his farm on which he has resided ever since and on which, in the fall of 1900, he erected his comfortable frame house. Later, he bought 40 acres more from his father and subsequently he bought 80 acres from the W. Meinerding estate, all woodland, which he has cleared, -and 25 acres from Michael Slageler. He rents a part of his land, which has a house and barn on it. He carries on mixed farming and has been very successful.

On October 27, 1878, Mr. Rammel married Mary Tobe, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Glencamp) Tobe. Both parents of Mrs. Rammel were born in Germany and both died in Mercer County, the mother when Mrs. Rammel was 10 years old, and the father in old age. The latter came to

America when a youth of 18 years, settling first at Cincinnati, where he engaged in foundry work. Later he bought a farm near St. Henry, where the rest of his life was passed. Joseph and Mary Tobe had four children, namely: Joseph, who married Anna Siefering, first, and after her death, Caroline Collick; Benjamin, who married Bernadina Dahlinghouse ; Fred, who married Elizabeth Dahlinghouse; and Mary, wife of our subject, who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 21, 1855, and was about 18 months old when her parents brought her to Mercer County.

In politics Mr. Rammel is a Democrat. He served one term as township trustee and has been a member of the township School Board ever since 1878. With his wife and children, he belongs to St. Paul's Catholic Church, at Sharpsburg.

Frank Niekamp

Frank Niekamp, a representative farmer of Marion township, resides on his well-improved farm of 78 acres in section 9. Mr. Niekamp was born on his father's farm in Marion township, February 28, 1864, and is a son of Frederick and Catherina (Stammen) Niekamp.

worked first at Cincinnati and is said to have assisted later in hauling the logs for the first houses ever built at Tippecanoe, Ohio, where he lived for earliest settlers in Marion township. He was twice married, first at Dayton, Ohio, to Catherine Newhouse, who at her death left four children, namely: John, Clemmens, and Joseph, all deceased ; and Mary, who married Rudolf Klostermann. He married (second) Catherina Stammen, who was also born in Germany and had accompanied her parents to Ohio. Ten children were born to this second union, as follows : Henry, who married Catherine Koch ;

Elizabeth, deceased; Philomena, who married John Ronnebaum; Gerhard, who married Elizabeth Mestemaker; Peter, who married Frances Bertke; Catherina, who died young; Frank, the subject of this sketch; Julia and Theodore, both deceased, and a babe that died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1894.

Frank Niekamp attended the local schools and remained at home with his father, giving the latter assistance until he was about 32 years of age, when he was married to Elizabeth Klostermann, a daughter of Henry and Mary

The Klostermann family, of which Mrs. Niekamp is a member, is a very prominent one of Franklin township, Mercer County. Her grandfather, Henry Klostermann, was born in Germany, emigrated to America and after establishing himself in business returned to his native land, where he married Mary Hullman, whom he brought to America. His son Henry, the father of Mrs. Niekamp, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1852. He resides on a fine farm of 100 acres situated in sections 28 and 33, Franklin township. He married Mary Mestemaker and their children were: Elizabeth, who became the wife of our subject; Joseph; Frances, who married Frank Watercutter, of Shelby County, Ohio; Emma, who married Charles Dorston, of Mercer County; and Rudolph, who is in the employ of the "Big Four" Railroad Company, at Dayton. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Klostermann married (second) Catherine Backs, and they have these children: Harmen, Augustus, Gregor, Rose, Richard, Albert and Alvina.

In 1896 Mr. Niekamp purchased his present farm from Bernard Froning, but the frame residence he built himself and also made other important improvements. During a period of residence in Franklin township, he served one term as road supervisor and has served in the same office in Marion township. Mr. Niekamp and family are members of St. Sebastian's Catholic Church at Sebastian.

Joseph Schwietermann

Joseph Schwietermann, who has been a resident of Mercer County for 54 years and owns a fine farm of 250 acres in Franklin township, was born July 9, 1852, in Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Harman Arnold and Mary (Broanian) Schwietermann.

The parents of Mr. Schwietermann were both born in Germany, were married there and had one son, Gerhard, when they came to America and landed at the port of New York, in June, 1836. They came on to Ohio and the father settled on the farm which remained the old family homestead, on the New Bremen turnpike, east of Carthagena. On this farm these children were born : John Henry, Harman Henry, J. Bernard, Mary, Elizabeth, John and William (twins) and Joseph and Anna (twins). Both parents were about 58 years of age at death.

Joseph Schwietermann worked on the home farm until he was married in 1876 to Elizabeth Ronnebaum, who was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry Ronnebaum, who came from Germany to America at the age of 17 years and settled in Cincinnati, where he did house and sign painting. He married Clara Frilling and they had nine children, four of whom were born at Cincinnati, and the others in Mercer County. They were : Henry, who married Elizabeth Albers and resides in Franklin township; John, who married Philomena Niekamp and resides in Franklin township; Elizabeth, wife of our subject ; Clara, wife of Augustus Lennartz ; Anna, who married John Puthoff and lives at Minster, Ohio; Frederick, who married Anna Homan, and lived on the home place until his death, in 1903; Katie, who married Frank Puthoff and lives in Shelby County; and two children who died in infancy. The father of Mrs. Schwietermann died on New Year's Day, 1894.

After marriage, our subject and wife went to housekeeping on his present farm, which he purchased in 1876, from his brother William. He built a two-room, brick house on his property and in this snug, comfortable little home seven children were born, but later he made additions and now has a fine brick residence of 12 rooms. His farm is one of the most valuable in his locality and he devotes his attention to the growing of grain and the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. He is known as a first class farmer, as well as an honorable and upright citizen.

Mr. and Mrs. Schwietermann have had these children : Mary, who married Frank L. Dabbelt, has three children - Hubert, Alfred and Ferdinand - and lives in Franklin township; Agnes, who married Aloys Dabbelt, has one child, Edwin Joseph, and lives in Franklin township; Minnie and Fred, who died in infancy; and Ferdinand, Clara, Pauline, Joseph and Urban, all of whom are at home.

Mr. Schwietermann is one of the leading members of the Catholic Church. He takes the interest of a good citizen in public matters pertaining to his township, but has accepted official position only on the School Board.

Barney John Dabbelt

Barney John Dabbelt, a representative farmer of Franklin township, owning and operating 105 acres of, excellent land situated in section 31, was born February 18, 1869, in Franklin township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Hubert and Rosina (Lindhaus) Dabbelt.

The Dabbelt family was established in Franklin township, Mercer County, by Barney Dabbelt, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Germany and came to Ohio with his family many years ago, in the early history of this section. He lived only into middle life, hard work breaking down his constitution. The three children born to his first marriage were : Gerhardt,

Anna (wife of John Beauchamp) and Hubert, all of whom are deceased. To his second were born Mollie (wife of Henry Dorston), Ignatz and August.

The father of our subject was 15 years old when he accompanied his parents to America. He worked for his father until his marriage and continued to live on the home farm until the death of his parents. These children were born to him and his wife, who was Rosina Lindhaus, before marriage : Barney John, of this sketch ; Henry, who married Christina Heyne, and lives at Dayton; Catherine, who married Casper Clune and is now deceased; Frank Ludwig, who married Mary Schwietermann and lives on the home place in Franklin township; John, deceased at the age of 17 years; Aloys, who married Agnes Schwietermann ; and Caroline, who died aged two years. Our subject's father died January 5, 1906.

The mother of our subject still survives and resides with her son, Frank Ludwig Dabbelt, on the old home place. She was born in Marion township when the country was entirely unsettled and her reminiscences of the early days are very interesting, as she possesses a remarkable memory. She recalls being sent, as a child, to chase the deer out of her father's wheat field. Mrs. Dabbelt remembers a tame deer that the family had for a pet. It was necessary to travel many miles over hill and through hollow to reach the nearest mill, at Piqua, and a home contrivance for grinding the grain was fitted up which sometimes had to answer the purpose. Her father burned out a log and in the center put his wheat, and by pounding it with a maul reduced it to a coarse powder. He thus prepared the grain for his own and the neighboring families. His farming was done with steers and home made machines, as he had neither plow nor harrow. He assisted in the building of the banks of the canal, using a wheelbarrow, and during this time he camped on its banks.

On October 21, 1891, our subject was married to Mary Hanfelder, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wabler) Hanfelder, and they have had these children : Julius, Lawrence, Romie, Hilda, William and John

The parents of Mrs. Dabbelt came to America from Germany and settled at Cincinnati but later moved to Chickasaw, Mercer County, and soon thereafter established a home in Franklin township where one of the sons resides. Their children were: Elizabeth, who married Fred Tangeman and resides at Celina; Mary, born December 18, 1870, at Cincinnati, who is the wife of our subject; Barney, who lives at Chickasaw; and Joseph, who married Frances Stammen. Mary and Barney are twins.

Mr. Dabbelt purchased his present farm from Samuel Blakeley on March 11, 1891. It is a well-situated body of land, watered by a creek running through it and here Mr. Dabbelt carries on general farming and stock-raising. He is considered an excellent farmer and is known to his neighbors and those

Warren Barber Dwight Miller Mrs. Sallie H. Barber

Warren Barber, a prosperous and successful farmer of Union township, was born October 24, 1835, and is a son of Samuel C. and Hannah (Murlin) Barber,

Upon leaving his native State, New York, Samuel Barber moved first to Kentucky and then to Mercer County, Ohio, locating in Union township in 1828 and purchasing 120 acres of timberland one and a fourth miles southeast of Mendon. He cleared this land and placed it under cultivation. He was one of the very earliest settlers of the township and county. He was the father of five children : Relief, who married Isaiah Johns, a resident of Mendon, and died some years ago; Lucretia, deceased, who was the wife of John Bolton; Austin, deceased; Warren; and Abram, who was captain of Company C, 31st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. Samuel Barber died in 1851 at the age of 45, years and his wife died in 1844.

Warren Barber was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools. At that time all this section was a wilderness and there was only one house between the Barber home and Neptune on the road to St. Marys, which was the market for a large part of Mercer County. His father drove twice a year to Piqua to get his wheat ground. The canal was then being constructed. There was only one small store at Mendon, and the other leading industries of the place consisted of a grist-mill for grinding corn, a tannery and a blacksmith shop. In 1847, when a boy of 12 years, our subject accompanied his father on a trip to Wisconsin, while moving a family through in a wagon, the cattle being driven. They passed through Fort Wayne, Chicago and Milwaukee. Chicago', a very small place at that time, was scarcely considered a rival of Fort Wayne. It required seven weeks to make the trip there and back. Mr. Barber remembers two Indians who often came to his father's house when he was a boy, to practice shooting.

After reaching manhood, Mr. Barber began farming as a renter, although he owned a small farm of 40 acres. He continued to rent until i860, when he sold the 40-acre tract and purchased another farm, to which he has added until he now has an estate of 145 acres. He has cleared the greater part of his farm and has assisted in clearing several other farms.

In 1863 he enlisted in Company K, 88th Reg., Ohio* Vol. Inf., and served under Colonel Neff, Capt. Waldo F. Davis, 1st lieutenant Quick and 2nd lieutenant J. H. Patterson, the last named now a resident of Ada, Ohio. He

Mr. Barber was married March 11, 1857, to Sallie Hamilton, a daughter of William Hamilton, of Union township. Mrs. Barber was one of a family of children, as follows : Polly Ann, who married James Shepherd, and resides in Union township ; Lois Hamilton, who married Cynis Hussey, and resides in Salem township,. Auglaize County; Hugh, deceased, whose widow lives in Union township; Sallie, wife of our subject; Isabelle, who married John A. Murlin, and resides in Mendon ; and William, deceased, whose family resides in Union township. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have had six children, namely: Martha L., who married J. H. Wright, and at her death left three children - Arthur, Zue and Maude; A. Harry, a merchant at Mendon, who married Clara Murlin and has four children - Mae, Meryl, Robert and Warren ; Susan, who married Giles P. Murlin, resides in Union township and has one child, Josephine, who married Alpa Miller, and has one child - » Dwight, the great-grandson of our subject; Lulu May, who married Horatio Plooper, and at her death left two children - Ralph and Ruth ; Sophronia, deceased ; and W alter, who married Celia Brewer, a daughter of Alpheus Brewer, and has four children - Vaughn, Kenneth, Janice and Keeth. Walter Barber owns a farm in Union township, and also runs his' father's farm. In March, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Barber will celebrate their golden wedding, having lived happily together since March 11, 1857. Mr. Barber is a Republican in politics, but reserves the right to vote for the best man for office. He is now serving his third term as township trustee. A picture of a portion of the Barber family, showing four generations, accompanies this sketch.

Rudolf Klostermann

Rudolf Klostermann, one of the representative men and substantial farmers of Franklin township, owning and operating a valuable farm of 120 acres in section 28, was born September 28, 1848, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Hullman) Klostermann.

Henry Klostermann came to America from Germany in young manhood, but subsequently returned to Germany and there married Mary Hullman, and with her came back across the Atlantic. They located at Cincinnati, Ohio, and there eight children were born, namely : Mary, who died in childhood ;

John, who died at the age of 19 ; Joseph, who married Mary Ann Cramer and is now deceased; Rudolf, of this sketch; Henry, who married (first) Mary Mestemaker and (second) Catherine Backs, and lives in Franklin township;

Rudolf Klostermann was reared to the age of 17 years at Cincinnati, and then, in 1865, accompanied his parents to Mercer County. He had received a good, common-school education and after his father and mother settled here he took up farming and has continued this calling ever since. His mother bought 175 acres of land in Mercer County and later 160 acres and at the death of his parents he received 80 acres of the 160-acre tract, and his brother Henry the other 80 acres. The remainder of the 120 acres he owns he purchased from various parties. He carries on general farming and raises considerable live-stock, paying particular attention to his swine. He is considered a first-class agriculturist. His home is fitted up in a more modern way than are many rural residences, being lighted by gas piped from a gas well in the neighborhood, of which he is a one-fifth owner.

Mr. Klostermann was married to Mary Niekamp, a daughter of Frederick Niekamp, who was born in Germany and came to America in young manhood. At Dayton, Ohio, he married Catherine Newhouse, who left four children at death, viz. : John, Joseph, Clemmens and Mary, the wife of Mr. Klostermann. Later Mr. Niekamp married Catherine Stammen, and to that union were bora 10 children, of whom five are now living, namely: Henry,

Catherine, both of whom died young; Anna, who married John Kroeger and at her death left one daughter Minnie, who has since lived with her grandfather, our subject; Henry, living in Franklin township, who married Anna Welker, and has two children - Lawrence and Leonard; Edward, who went West, married and lives in Colorado ; and William, Lewis, Mary and Allen, who live at home.

Joseph Beach Newcomb

Joseph Beach Newcomb, who has been a resident of Center township for over 66 years, is a prosperous farmer of this locality. He was bora in Essex County, New York, January 29, 1829, and is a son of Miletus and Rhoda (Hayes) Newcomb.

there located in Essex County, subsequently removing to Licking County, Ohio, where he bought a farm in St. Albans township. He was married to Rhoda Hayes and they had the following children: Luther, who died in 1843; Alanson, who died in youth; Miletus Madison, who died July 9, 1903, at Celina; Samantha, who died in childhood; Joseph B. ; Mila Ann, who died at the age of 14 years; and Rosetta, deceased in infancy. Mr. Newcomb was captain of a local militia company. His death occurred September 14, 1837, in St. Albans township, Licking County, Ohio. His widow lived until September 30, 1848.

Joseph B. Newcomb was less than two years old when he accompanied his parents to Licking County, Ohio, where they first located in an unoccupied log cabin on a farm owned by a cousin of Mr. Newcomb's mother, who had located there some time before. Although less than two years old, Mr. Newcomb remembers some of the incidents of that trip, which were indelibly imprinted on his mind. His father died when Joseph B. Newcomb was young. When he was 1 1 years old, he accompanied his mother to Mercer County, where she located on a farm in section 20, Center township. There were no roads at that time and things had to be packed on horseback. The land was not cleared, and it was necessary to erect a cabin. After his marriage he moved into a cabin on the site of his present home. Some years later he built a hewed-log addition, which he lathed and plastered. About five years later it burned down and in 1870 he built his present comfortable home. He has followed farming and stock-raising all his life. The farm consists of one hundred acres.

Mr. Newcomb was married April 17, 1849, to Jane E. Piper, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah A. Piper. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, June 5, 1832, and died September 21, 1883. Nine children were born to this union, namely: James Madison, living on a part of the home place, who married

Anna Brookhart and has two children - Leota and Belle ; Mary America, who married Samuel Brookhart, and at her death left three children - Leroy, Lloyd and Bonnie; Joseph Luther, now deceased, who married Bessie Ridenour and had three children - Rollo E., Beulah and Floy; John Franklin, a Methodist minister residing at York, Ohio, who married Mamie Cater and has two children - Cecil and Ruth ; Sarah Jane, who died in infancy. Cynthia Ann, who lives at home; Nancy Ellen, deceased at the age of six years; Alice, who lives at home and teaches school ; and Rhoda Marvilla, also at home.

Mr. Newcomb is a Republican in politics and has served in many township offices. He belongs to the Celina lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Methodist Church and for many years was class leader and superintendent of the Sunday School.

Henry Klostermann

One of the prominent and substantial families of Franklin township, is that of Klostermann, a number of residents of this name and of the same ancestry being settled not far apart. A well-known member of this honorable old family is Henry Klostermann, who owns 100 acres of fine land situated in sections 28 and 33. Mr. Klostermann was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22, 1852, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Hullman) Klostermann.

Henry Klostermann, Sr., was born in Oldenburg, Germany, and has three brothers and one sister, namely: John, Joseph, Rudolph and Mary, the latter of whom married a Mr. Wegman, all of whom came to America - all are now deceased. In young manhood Henry Klostermann came to America and worked as a day laborer in Cincinnati. As soon as he found himself well enough established, he. returned to Germany, where he married Mary Hullman, also a native of Oldenburg, and then returned with her to America, settling at Cincinnati. For a time he drove an express wagon and later conducted a grocery business. He had induced his brothers and sister and his wife's brothers, Henry and Theodore Hullman, to come with him to America and they all lived for a time in Cincinnati.

The older members of both families remained in Oldenburg. Both grandfathers of our subject were men of note there, having been soldiers under Napoleon and were participants in the battle of Waterloo. In this connection the aged warriors would often tell of the military glory of the once great leader and repeat an ominous saying of his that preceded his downfall. On one occasion, elated by a famous victory, Napoleon uttered the boastful words : "God is ruler of Heaven, and I am ruler on earth." The old soldiers declared that from that time his power declined. They also told of suspicions entertained in their day, that on various occasions the great Napoleon traveled over the country concealed in a load of hay, acting as a spy.

The children born to Henry and Mary (Hullman) Klostermann were: Mary, who died in childhood; John, who died aged 19 years; Joseph, who married Mary Ann Cramer, and is now deceased ; Rudolf, who married Mary Niekamp, and lives in Franklin township; Henry; Frances, who died young; George, born on a farm 17 miles from Cincinnati, who married Mary A. Schwietermann and lives in Franklin township; and a babe that died in infancy.

After selling his store in Cincinnati, Mr. Klostermann cleared up a farm of 80 acres some 17 miles west of Cincinnati and it was while living on this farm that the father and sons made charcoal and sold it for 20 cents a bushel and also sold cord wood and even became expert in making staves. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Klostermann decided to make a new home for the family and to provide, so far as was possible, for his growing sons. He bought a farm of 172 acres in Franklin township, Mercer County, from Christopher Johnson, this being the Klostermann home farm, which is now occupied by his son George. In the fall of the year, after they had garnered the crops from the farm near Cincinnati, a start was made by the family for the new home, which was in an unsettled part of Mercer County. No railroads had been constructed through this locality and after the family had come as far as New Bremen, Auglaize County, by canal, they took wagons and thus made the rest of the journey. When Henry Klostermann, Sr., died April 3, 1875, it was found that he had willed all he owned to his wife, who died in February, 1889. The farm was bought by the son George.

Henry Klostermann, our subject was 12 years old when he came to Mercer County, and a part of his education was secured in the schools of Franklin township. He remained at home until his marriage, when 21 years of age, to Mary Mestemaker, who at death left these children : Elizabeth, who married Frank Niekamp, of Marion township, and has four children; Joseph, who resides with his father on the home farm; Frances, who married Frank Watercutter, of Shelby County, Ohio, and has five children ; Emma, who married Charles Dorston, of Mercer County ; and Rudolph, who works at Dayton for the "Big Four" Railroad Company.

Mr. Klostermann was married (second) to Catherine Backs, a daughter of Bennett and Mary Backs, a native of Germany. The children of this second marriage are: Harman, Augustus, Gregor, Rose, Richard, Albert and Alvina. All the children were born on this farm which Mr. Klostermann purchased when it was but indifferently improved, the residence, however, having been built. He has carried on general farming all these years and for 28 years he ran a threshing machine, a business now conducted by his sons. Mr. Klostermann has a fortune in the gas-wells on his farm, two being in operation and from these wells Celina received its first gas.

Mr. Klostermann is a worthy member of the Catholic Church. He is one of the board of directors of the Marion Mutual Insurance Company. In local politics he takes a good citizen's interest and he has served on the School Board and was assessor for three years.

John W. Myers

John W. Myers, a well-to-do agriculturist of Gibson township, whose 80-acre farm is located in section 23, was born November 21, 1847, an<^ 1S a son of Jacob and Rachel (Brown) Myers, and a grandson of John Myers, who was a native of Pennsylvania.

Jacob Myers was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was reared, educated and married. His father, who had seven sons, had entered seven quarter sections of land in the State of Ohio, one quarter being' for each son. There were three of these quarters in Darke County and four in Mercer County. In 1845 Jacob Myers and his wife moved to Mercer County and located on the section just across the road from the farm now owned by our subject. Jacob Myers had a family of nine children, of whom five are living, namely: Mrs. May Miller, of Darke County; John W. ; Mrs. Dorcas Conklin ; Robert ; and Adam, lives on the home place. The deceased are : Almaretta, Anna and two infants that died unnamed. Jacob Myers died December 17, 1904. His wife died in 1881.

John W. Myers was reared and educated in Gibson township. He bought his present farm in 1876 and has made all the improvements on the place,, having erected a fine large frame house and barn, and other necessary buildings. When 25 years of age, he married Rachel Ainsworth, who lived only six weeks after marriage. He was married in 1880 to Christina B. Rantzr a daughter of Abraham Rantz. They have had four children : James Earl,, deceased at the age of 17 years and 5 months, who would have graduated from/ High School the spring following his death had he lived ; Mary Eleanor, whois a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School ; Berle A., a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School, who has taught school for three years, one year at Chattanooga, and two years at the College Corner school in Gibson township - it is his intention to attend college this coming year, and Jacob Oral, also a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School, who is now teaching school. Mr. Myers has served as a school director in Gibson township for a number of years.

John E. Hamburger

John E. Hamburger, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Celina, is one of the prominent men of Mercer County, and served as county recorder for quite an extended period. Mr. Hamburger was born at Engen, Baden, Germany, September 5, 1854, and is a son of Conrad and Margaret Hamburger.

The mother of Mr. Hamburger came to America in 1864, accompanied by her sons. She soon purchased town property in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, where she resided until her death, which took place February 1, 1896. She was a woman of great business capacity and a faithful, devoted mother.

ship. When 19 years of age he went to Dayton, Ojiio, and spent one year at Nazareth College. After his return home, he taught school in Marion township and continued to assist on the farm until 1879, when he removed to Celina. Here he engaged in the manufacture of cigars for the next nine years, making a success of the business, and then went into general contracting. This line he carried on from 1888 until 1891, when he accepted the nomination for recorder of Mercer County. He was elected to this office, was re-elected in 1894 and served with the greatest efficiency for six years and eight months. Probably the county never had a more popular incumbent in the office of county recorder than was Mr. Hamburger. His faithfulness, his care and accuracy saved the county a large amount of needless litigation and brought satisfaction to those who had dealings with the office during his administration. Upon his retirement from public office, he engaged in the manufacture of brick for the new Catholic Church at Celina. In June, 1903, he engaged in his present business. His office is located on Main street.

On January 8, 1879, Mr. Hamburger was married to Catherine P. Kreusch, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio. To this union nine children were born, of whom the survivors are: Margaret, August, Mary and

Mr. Hamburger owns considerable property in Celina and the vicinity, including his comfortable home on the corner of Anthony and Walnut streets.

Claudius Griffin

Claudius Griffin, one of the most venerable as well as highly esteemed residents of Union township, was born 93 years ago, November 28, 1813, in a little, old log cabin, in Clermont County, Ohio. He is a son of Benjamin and Experience (Mitchell) Griffin.

Mr. Griffin comes of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather having served under General Washington in 1776 and also having participated in various campaigns against the Indians and French which made courageous soldiers out of peaceful farmers. Mr. Griffin's father was a soldier in the War of 1812. When the Civil War fell upon the land, our venerable subject, then too old to be accepted as a defender of his country, sent his son, who gave up his young life on the altar of patriotism.

Benjamin Griffin, father of our subject, was born near Utica, New York, later resided for a short period in Pennsylvania, but subsequently came to Ohio, erecting a mill in Clermont County. Three years later a freshet in the river carried his mill with its grain and flour off its foundations and through only a fortunate accident were his home and family saved from like destruction.- With his property thus destroyed, Mr. Griffin found it necessary to seek other means of subsistence and he decided to take up government land in Champaign County, where he finally located in a favorable spot. During' the 15 years of his residence there, he cleared 120 acres of land, in the meantime enduring many pioneer hardships. When his son Claudius was about 18 years of age, Mr. Griffin was offered $5 an acre for his cleared land, which he accepted, and then purchased another farm in Van Wert County. Our subject remembers very vividly the five months he spent alone on the new farm, clearing five acres of it by himself during the first winter. Indians frequently visited him in his rude cabin and the surrounding woods were full of wild animals. In the spring, after a long and wearying journey, the rest of the family came to Van Wert County, and here they lived united for the next eight years. Claudius Griffin's descriptions of the hardships that were necessarily faced and of the various expedients made use of both on the farm and in the household to ensure agricultural success and family comfort, impress the hearer with the conviction that our pioneer fathers and mothers were possessed of qualities of which we, of a younger generation, may well feel envious.

Benjamin Griffin married Experience Mitchell, who died in 1867, aged 82 years, surviving her husband for seven years, who was 76 years old when he passed away. They were the parents of 10 children, as follows : Nathaniel, Foster, Benjamin, Levi, Lucy, Amy, Eunice, Claudius, George and Chandler.

In 1839 Mr. Griffin was married and with his bride moved to Mercer County, locating on entered land in the vicinity of Mendon, where he again began the making of a home in the wilderness. Assisted and encouraged by his capable wife, he soon had enough land cleared to start his agricultural operations. Together he and his wife sowed the seed by hand ; the grain when grown was cut with a sickle and the threshing was done with a flail. Even then, in order to make use of the grain, it had to be hauled for from 20 td> 30 miles, through the woods and over bridgeless streams, to reach a mill. On numerous occasions Mr. Griffin met with adventures and accidents which would have discouraged any but a brave and resourceful man.

For five years after moving to Mercer County, Mr. Griffin was not called upon to pay tax on the land he had entered from the government, but at the end of this period he was assessed, and to obtain the $15 necessary he sold a bunch of 60 two-year old hogs for 25 cents apiece. He walked to St. Marys, to the asessment office, paid the tax with all the money he had, and, as he was not acquainted in the village, walked the whole distance home again, fasting. For 10 years after he settled in Mercer County, he received no mail, the facili- ties then not being an encouragement to correspondence. He recalls the first newspaper that ever came into his hand - a sheet of four pages about the size of an ordinary book.

As may be inferred, Mr. Griffin's educational opportunities were limited but this fact only made him the more anxious to secure better chances for his children. When sufficient families had settled in his neighborhood to make it possible to gather children together for a school, he made it his business to go from house to house and so represent matters that contributions were secured and a schoolbouse built. In the same way he was instrumental in the erection of the first church in his locality. Having united with a religious body at the age of 1 3 years, he realized the need of a place of worship where all might gather, although from the first his home had been the home also of the pioneer preachers who made their periodical visits through the country. In all his efforts he was most ably seconded by his estimable wife, who had become a professor of religion at the age of 16 years.

Mr. Griffin recalls when the site of Mendon was an Indian village and when the aborigines had only just left Van Wert, Lima, and many other points for the far West. All his relations with the Indians were in the main friendly, perhaps because he invariably treated them well, as he did all who were poor or unfortunate. His heart has ever responded to the call of distress, charity being quickly dispensed to those who required help.

In 1839 Mr. Griffin was married to Elizabeth Arnold, a daughter of John and Rachel Arnold, who were natives of Kentucky but were then residents of Venedocia, Van Wert County, Ohio. To our subject and wife were born 13 children, as follows: Eunice, deceased, who was the wife of Caleb

Kelley: Mrs. Hannah Fryer, of Union township ; John, deceased; Lucinda, deceased, who was the wife of William Lumunyon; Benjamin, who died young; Nathaniel, who married Ann Dobson, and resides at Celina; George F., who married Lydia Partner and is a farmer in Union township; Martha Jane, who is the wife of Joseph G. Severns, of Union township; Rachel, deceased, who was the wife of William Partner; William, who died young; Priscilla, who is the wife of Calvin Krugh, and lives in Union township ; Isabella. who is the wife of Elroy Hussey, a prominent merchant and the postmaster at Mendon; and Ida, who is the wife of Clement Vallandigham Hood, of Union township.

A great grief came into the life of Mr. Griffin when his son John died in the army, during the Civil War. He was a valued member of the i8thi Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. His death was caused from exposure after an attack of measles and his remains lie in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mrs. Griffin died July 26, 1906, aged 85 years, 6 months and 4 days. Her married life had extended over a period of nearly 67 years.

In political sentiment Mr. Griffin is in accord with the Republican party although, at the age of 21 years, he cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He visited the polls for the last time to cast his ballot for his great fellowcitizen, the late President William McKinley.

Since 1881 Mr. Griffin has resided on his present farm, which is about half a mile from the old homestead. He is surrounded by a large and interesting family of descendants numbering at present : Seven living children, 47 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. Every comfort that ample means can supply or loving thoughtfulness suggest is his. In a remarkable degree he retains the strength and clear faculties of years ago, having never used glasses to assist his vision and having at the age of 90 years performed the feat of reading the "Holy Scripture" through in the space of two weeks. This book is a very familiar one to him and its precepts he has faithfully followed through many, many years. He is a consistent member of the Church of God. His life has bridged a wonderful period of the world's history and in his locality he has ably performed his part in the mighty whole.

Harman Gerhard Schwietermann

Harman Gerhard Schwietermann, one of the prominent agriculturists of Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, who resides on his valuable farm of 120 acres, situated in section 17, was born near Sebastian, in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, on April 13, 1868, and is a son of Gerhard and Josephine (Munning) Schwietermann.

The Schwietermann family is a numerous one in Mercer County, where it is noted for its thrift and good citizenship. It was founded here by the grandparents of our subject, Harman Arnold and Maria (Broaman) Schwietermann, who were born in Germany and came to America, when their oldest son, Gerhard, was three months old. The family home in Mercer County was established in 1836 on the farm now occupied by Frank Schwietermann. There were nine others in the family to which Gerhard belonged, namely : John Henry, Harman Henry, J. Bernard, Mary, Elizabeth, John and William (twins), and Anna and Joseph (twins). The parents died on the farm on which they had settled when all this land was little less than a wilderness.

Gerhard Schwietermann was reared a farmer and when he arrived at manhood worked for Anton Munning, whose daughter, Josephine, he married at a later date. Subsequently he purchased his father-in-law's farm. Josephine Munning was born in France and was seven years of age when she accompanied her parents to America. They settled near Sebastian, in Mercer who married Catherine Grieshop ; Mary, who married George Klostermann; Anna, who married John Flick; Harman Gerhard, the subject of this sketch; Frank, who married Agnes Stammen ; Josephine, who married John Schmidt; Elizabeth, who died aged 18 years; and Philomena, Louis and George, who live at home. The mother of this family died March 19, 1895, and the death of the father followed five years later, June 5, 1900.

Harman Gerhard Schwietermann was reared and educated in Marion township and has been a farmer ever since he has been old enough to handle agricultural implements. He purchased his present farm from his father, in 1890, and has resided here ever since, continually improving his property and adding both to its value and to its attractiveness. When he settled here the residence was a six-room brick house, quite comfortable as it was, but in no way equaling the fine home into which Mr. Schwietermann transformed it in 1906. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and stands in the front rank of good farmers of Marion township.

On February 12, 1890, Mr. Schwietermann was married to Catherine Homan, who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, June 11, 1872, and is a daughter of Barney and Mary (Evers) Homan. Mr. Homan came from Germany in young manhood and in Mercer County was married to Mary Evers, a native of this county. He was born in 1828 and she in 1841. They had the following children: Frank, who married Mary Polman; Clemmens, who married Catherine Kellar; Catherine; Anna, who is the wife of Barney Bills; Joseph, who married Anna Kellar; and Barney, who married Margaret Kellar. Mr. and Mrs. Homan reside on their farm of 170 acres in Marion township.

Stephen, Constant and Clemmens. The family belong to St. Sebastian's Catholic Church at Sebastian. Mr. Schwietermann is a valued and active member of St. Joseph's Society.

John Henry Lange

John Henry Lange, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Granville township, who owns a fine farm of 350 acres of land in section 29, in twoi tracts, separated by the Lauber turnpike, 240 acres being in one and no in the other, was born on the Lange homestead, in Granville, township, Mercer

John Henry Lange, Sr., was born in Germany and at the age of 19 years came to America. His parents, Henry and Mary Lange, were willing that their son should try his fortune in the land across the ocean, but they were poor and it took a large amount of money to pay his passag-e. They went to every extreme in order to secure the amount, even to selling the family cow. Later he assisted them to join him in America. When he landed in the great American metropolis of New York, he had just 50 cents in his pocket! It did not take him long', however, to find employment, but the work was the carrying of iron and after laboring for three days his shoulder became so sore that, in spite of what he considered fabulous pay, he was obliged to give if up. In Germany he had received $19 a year for his work, while the great iron company paid him $2 a day. He then went to Cincinnati and became acquainted with a contractor, who employed him during the summer in excavating. During the winter he went into the woods and cut cord wood, with his two partners camping out and doing their own cooking. Later he went into the excavating business as a contractor and filled out a railroad contract between Minster and Cincinnati. After this he bought 80 acres of land in Granville township, Mercer County, on which he built a log house which provided shelter until he could erect a better one, which latter one is still standing. A man of his energy and perseverance could not help being successful. He acquired and sold large tracts of land, handling over 1,000 acres in his time. He died on his farm on April 23, 1879.

During his residence in Cincinnati, he married Elizabeth Overman, who was born in Germany and came to America with her parents when she was six years of age. She died in Granville township, February 12, 1894. They had eight children, namely : Bernardina, who married J. H. Hulsman and lives at St. Henry ; Anna, who married Anton Lammers, and lives at St. Henry; Mary, who married G. H. Moeller, and lives at St. Henry; Elizabeth, deceased in infancy; John Henry; John Herman, living on the home place, who married (first) Mary Morman, and (second) Elizabeth Dabbelt ; Elizabeth (2), deceased, who was the wife of Bernard Borger; and Frank, who married Mary Steinlage, and lives near our subject.

John Henry Lange bears his father's name. He continued to work on the home farm, after finishing his schooling in the district schools, until he was married and ready to establish his own home. He had already secured 80 acres from his father and this he cleared, living on it, and later bought 30 acres from Paul Henry Hemmelgarn, and, still later, 120 acres from the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, and subsequently 40 acres more from the same organization. Later he purchased 80 acres from Fred Beimel and

In 1881 Mr. Lange built his comfortable, nine-room, frame residence and continued to add improvements of various kinds to the homestead. In 1893 gas was found on his farm and later oil was also discovered.

Mr. Lange has often heard his father tell of the wild condition of the country when he first settled here. On many occasions he had to drive deer out of his wheat field. He raised flax and kept sheep for the wool, which the women of the household spun and then wove into fabrics, with which they made the clothing for the family. They were accustomed to go to church in wooden shoes. At first they went 40 miles with their grist to secure flour for bread.

On May 24, 1881, Mr. Lange was married to Frances Drahman, a daughter of Bernard and Mary (Hemmelgarn) Drahman, who were born in Germany and died at St. Henry. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Drahman were : Henry; Bernardina, deceased, who was the wife of William Grave; Anna, who was a nun in a convent at Brooklyn, New York, where she died in 1892; Theresa, wife of Joseph Macke; John; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Martin Schoeneberger ; Joseph; Frances; Bernard, who died aged 14 years; and Mary, who died aged seven years.

wife of Andrew Evers and a resident of Butler township; Joseph; Theresa; Amelia; Ludwig; Bernard; Henry; Albert; Ferdinand and Otilia, both deceased; and Ludvina. Mr. Lange and family belong to St. Henry's Catholic Church at St. Henry. In politics he is a Democrat.

Frank Ludwig Dabbelt

Frank Ludwig Dabbelt, a prosperous farmer and well-known citizen of Franklin township, who owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres, which has been in the family since the grandfather's time, was born here on April 18, 1867. He is a son of Hubert and Rosina (Lindhaus) Dabbelt.

The grandfather of Mr. Dabbelt, Barney Dabbelt, was born in Germany, where he was twice married. He settled in Franklin township, Mercer County, on the farm above mentioned, and upon it passed the rest of his life. The children of his first marriage were : Gerhard, Hubert and Anna, the latter of whom married John Beauchamp, and all are now deceased. The children of the second marriage were : Ignatz, August and Mollie, the latter of whom is Mrs. Henry Dorston.

father to Mercer County, and he remained all his life on the home farm, where he died January 5, 1906. At St. Sebastian's Catholic Church, at Sebastian, Mercer County, he was married to Rosina Lindhaus, who was born in Ohio, but is of German extraction. Of her three brothers, Henry, Barney and Joseph, the first named is dead. Of her sisters, Mary, Elizabeth, Caroline, Catherine and Lena, Catherine is deceased. Mrs. Dabbelt still survives and resides at the home of the subject of this sketch.

The children of Hubert Dabbelt and wife were: Barney John, who married Mary Hanfelder and resides on a farm near Montezuma ; Henry, who married Christina Heyne, and lives at Dayton; Catherine, who married Casper Clune and is now deceased; Frank Ludwig', of this sketch; John and Caroline, who died young-; and Aloys, who married Agnes Schwietermann and lives on a Franklin township farm.

Frank Ludwig- Dabbelt has always followed farming-. In 1898 he purchased his present farm, which included a comfortable, io-room frame house and good barn. Mr. Dabbelt has made many improvements here and has avery valuable property. In 1892 he had experiments made to determine whether gas existed and the conclusions were so favorable that he had a well drilled from which gas still issues, which is utilized for heating and lighting.

On October 20, 1898, Mr. Dabbelt was united in marriage with Mary Schwietermann, a daughter of Joseph Schwietermann, a prominent citizen of Franklin township, and they have three children, namely: Hubert, born July 26, 1901 ; Alfred, born August 30, 1903 ; and Ferdinand, born April 24, 1905. Both Mr. Dabbelt and wife are members of St. Sebastian's Catholic Church at Sebastian.

Leonard Gurley Brock

Leonard Gurley Brock, residing on his well-improved farm of 160 acres, which is situated in section 9, Jefferson township, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, July 30, 1837, and is a son of Rev. Wesley and Zerilda (Hopkins) Brock.

Rev. Wesley Brock was born in Jackson County, Indiana, and was a son of David Brock, who was born in England. Wesley Brock was married first in Indiana and one son, David, was born to that marriage, who died at the age of 25 years. After coming to Ohio, Mr. Brock was married to* Zerilda Hopkins, a daughter of Hazzard Hopkins, a substantial farmer of Logan County, Ohio, and they had eight children, seven of whom still survive. The record is as follows: Leonard G. ; Sylvester; John Wesley;

For many years Rev. Wesley Brock was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and our subject's boyhood was spent in many different parts of Ohio, just as his father would be moved from station to station. In later years Rev. Wesley Brock bought a large body of farming land, some 480 acres, in Jefferson township, Mercer County, and he entered 160 acres in his own name and 120 acres in our subject's name, when the latter was 14 years of age. He was a man of excellent business faculty as well as pious zeal and he is remembered in the old church annals as a faithful worker and effective preacher. He died on November 19, 1857 and is resting in what is called the Swamp Cemetery in Jefferson township. The mother of our subject survived him many years, dying on August 21, 1898, aged 82 years.

Leonard G. Brock was about 15 years old when he came first to Jefferson township and he assisted his father in clearing the land. On many occasions in those early days he killed deer on the very fields he has since cultivated.

On April 29, 1864, Mr. Brock was married to Elizabeth Langle, a daughter of Adam Langle, of Butler township, and they had seven children born to them, viz : Lawrence Emerson, an officer in the internal revenue service, living at Troy, Ohio, who married Jennie Steele and has one daughter; Otho, residing on the home farm, who married Effie Richeson and has two children - Lela and Meredith Leonard ; Carrie Irena, who married Rev. James Francis Olive, a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, who is in charge of a church at Carey, Wyandot County, Ohio - they have two children, Millie Marie and James Francis; and four children that died in infancy. Mrs. Brock died November 12, 1901.

Mr. Brock has lived to see many changes take place in this part of Mercer County and he has borne his part of the burden in the general progressive movement. He has a fine farm and carries on general farming and stockraising. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1880. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for President Lincoln in i860. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Brock accompany this sketch.

Barney Rohler

John Rohler was born in Germany, and spent the greater part of his life in his native land, coming to America with his wife and daughters in 1887. He was married in Germany and all of his children weie born in that country. He was the father of six children : Harman, who died in child- hood; Cecilia (Stacy), who lives in Chicago; Gertrude, who married Henry Albers and lives in Shelby County, Ohio; Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Gerhard Brunick ; Maggie, a resident of Shelby County, Ohio, who is the widow of A. Benanza; and Barney.

Barney Rohler was reared in Germany on a farm and at the age of 20 years came to this country, this being about two and a half years before the rest of the family came. He lived at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, for about three months. In 1885 he came to Mercer County and worked on a farm for Henry Luctifelt for about two years. He then rented a farm for his father near McCartyville, Shelby County, Ohio, where he remained assisting his father for three years, after which he rented a farm of 80 acres from Anthony Albers in Shelby County, Ohio, which he operated for the next three years. His next move was to Frank Hullman's farm of 80 acres on which he lived for four years. Subsequently he bought a farm of no acres in Franklin township, Mercer County, where he lived for six years. He sold this farm to Harlow W. Burdge and in 1905 opened up a general store in Montezuma, which he is still conducting.

Mr. Rohler was married in' the fall of 1892 to Elizabeth Watercutter and they have had six children, namely: John, Frank, Margaret, Heinrich,

Jesse W. Myers

Jesse W. Myers, a representative agriculturist and well-known citizeii of Butler township, who lives on his valuable, well-cultivated farm of 100 acres, 50 acres of which are in section 22 and 50 in section 27, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 18, 1847, and is a son of John and Orilla (Philipps) Myers.

James Myers, the grandfather of our subject, came from Pennsylvania as a pioneer to Shelby County, Ohio, and in the pioneer home there John Myers, father of our subject, was born. When Jesse W. Myers was eight years old the family removed to Miami County, remaining there three years and then returning to Shelby County, finally removing to Greenville, Ohio, where the father passed the rest of his life.

Jesse W. Myers came to Mercer County in 1866, when 21 years of age, having visited several of the Western States prior to this. He worked as a farmer and later purchased land which was then all covered with standing timber. This he cleared, and effected many other improvements here during the ensuing years. Finally he owned 164 acres of excellent land. Subsequently he gave his son 64 acres, retaining 100 acres, which he has placed under

In 1870 Mr. Myers was married in Mercer County to Mary C. Wyett, a daughter of John T. D. Wyett. Mrs. Myers died in January, 1893, leaving one son, John A., who resides on the home farm, unmarried. On January 1, 1894, Mr. Myers was married (second) to Mrs. Jane (Frick) Andrews, widow of James Andrews. She had three children by the first marriage, namely : Chloe, who married Earl Poor and has one child, James Lowell ;

For the past 33 years Mr. Myers has been a member of the United Brethren Church, for a long time has been class leader and is now one of the stewards. He does not belong to any fraternal organization, but his son is a popular member of the Eagles. Mr. Myers is very highly respected in his neighborhood, bearing the reputation of a man of integrity and uprightness, one whose influence is always cast in the direction of temperance and morality.

William Ellis Newcomb

William Ellis Newcomb, who has been a lifelong resident of Mercer County, is a well-known agriculturist of Center township, where he owns a valuable farm of 170 acres. He was born March 11, 1851, and is the son of Miletus Madison and Margaret Catherine (Ellis) Newcomb, and a grandson of Miletus Newcomb.

Miletus Newcomb, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Vermont. He moved to New York at an early age and located in Essex County, subsequently removing to Licking County, Ohio, where he bought a farm in St. Albans township, where he lived until his death, September 14, 1837. His widow, who was Rhoda Hayes, in maiden life, lived until September 30, 1848.

Miletus Madison Newcomb, father of our subject, came to Mercer County at an early age and assisted in supporting his mother after the death of his father. He inherited 40 acres of the home place, afterwards acquired more land and at one time had 275 acres. He owned 100 acres of what is now our subject's place, but which was not a part of the old homestead. For some years he was engaged in the hay business, in partnership with his son, William Ellis Newcomb, being among the first to engage in the hay business in Celina, where he lived for four or five years prior to his death, which occurred July 9, 1903. He married Margaret Catherine Ellis, a native of Shelby County, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Sarah Hannah (Fer- rell) Ellis, who later became residents of Celina. Mrs. Newcomb is still living, being now 78 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb were the parents of 10 children: Miletus, who resides in Celina; William Ellis, subject of this sketch; Isaac, deceased; Sarah Hannah, deceased; Mrs. Melissa Raudabaugh, who lives in Celina; John Francis, who died in early manhood; A. B., who lives in Celina; Mrs. Minnie Steman, who lives on the home place; Oran, who lives on the home place; and Margaret May (Mrs. D. M. Miesse), who lives on a corner of the home place. Mr. Newcomb enlisted in the 100-day service during the Civil War and took part in several early skirmishes. He was a Republican in politics and served in several township offices.

William Ellis Newcomb was reared on the home farm in Center township, where he remained until 33 years of age, when he moved to his present place, living for five years in an old log cabin. He cleared about 125 of his 170-acre property. In 1887, after selling his personal property, he moved to Celina and in partnership with his brother, A. B Newcomb, engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued for a period of 12 years. He sold out to his brother in 1899 and returned to his farm in Center township, where he has since resided, and where he is engaged in general farming and stockraising. During the period of his residence in Celina, he was also engaged in the implement and wind-pump business for about six or eight years, and was also a large dealer in hay, buying and selling in great quantities.

Mr. Newcomb was married in 1883 to Melinda Carpenter, who died in 1887, leaving two children, as follows: Melissa, wife of J. B. Collins; and

Ida Belle, who married W. S. Stanbery. His second marriage occurred in 1898 to Mary Harmon. Mr. Newcomb is a Republican in politics. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Frank Niekamp, Jr

Frank Niekamp, Jr., whose fine farm of 80 acres is located in section io. Marion township, was born August 6, 1875, in Franklin township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of Clemmens and Catherine (Lindhaus) Niekamp.

Frederick Niekamp and wife, the grandparents of our subject, emigrated to America from Germany and settled at Tippecanoe, Ohio, where they lived for seven years. Mr. Niekamp then removed to Mercer County, where he traded an old surrey for a tract of land in Marion township. He was a man of more than usual intelligence and at that time was about the only man in the township who could speak English. On this account he frequently represented the people in the courts of Celina. He was twice married. By his first wife, Catherine Newhouse, he had four children, nafnely : John, who married Anna Dabbelt for his first wife and Catherine Borget for his second - both now deceased; Clemmens, our subject's father; Joseph, who died unmarried at Cincinnati; and Mary, who married Rudolf Klostermann. By his second marriage, to Catherine Stammen, he had io children, viz: Henry, who married Catherine Koch; Elizabeth, deceased; Philomena, who married John Ronnebaum; Gerhard, who married Elizabeth Mestemaker; Peter, who married Frances Bertke ; Catherine, who died young; Frank, who married Elizabeth Klistermann; Julia and Theodore, both deceased; and a babe that died in infancy.

Clemmens Niekamp was born at Tippecanoe, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Mercer County. Here he married Catherine Lindhaus, who was born in Mercer County, and is a daughter of Bernard Lindhaus, a native of Germany. They had two children: Frank; and Anna, the latter of whom married George Grapperhaus, and lives in Marion township. The father of our subject bought a farm in Franklin township and on that farm both he and his wife died, within three days of each other, this double bereavement coming to their son when he was but four years old, and to his sister when still younger.' Their grandfather, Frederick Niekamp, took charge of the children and they were reared on his farm in Marion township.

Frank Niekamp, Jr., was reared and educated in Marion township and has devoted his whole life to farming. In 1898 he purchased his 80-acre farm from Anthony Weber, who was administrator for Henry Kaiser. It is a good property and is well managed by its present owner. Its improvements consist of the usual farm buildings, all of a substantial character, and a pleasant, roomy, frame residence, which is kept in fine order by Mr. Niekamp's estimable wife.

In the year he bought his farm, Mr. Niekamp was married to Catherine W abler, who was born on the Wabler home farm in Franklin township, Mercer County, December 11, 1876. She is a daughter of Henry and Theresa (Koch) Wabler, who now live retired at Dayton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wabler had 10 children, as follows: John, Catherine, Anthony, Rosa, Anna, Frances, Elizabeth, Plenry, Leo, deceased at the age of three months; and Regina. ;

Mr. and Mrs. Niekamp have had six children, namely: Leon and Hilda, both deceased; Amanda; John and Mary (twins), both deceased; and Rosa. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Niekamp is a member of St. Joseph's Society.

John Henry Schwietermann

John Henry Schwif.termann, a well-known citizen and representative farmer of Franklin township, owning and operating a farm of 185 acres situated in sections 33 and 32, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, October 29,

The parents of Mr. Schwietermann were born in Hanover, Germany. Harmon A. Schwietermann lived on his father's farm in the old country until he came to the United States; his brother-in-law being a large contractor and dyke builder, he frequently worked for him in Holland and other countries at dyke building. Harman A. Schwietermann had three brothers, Gerhard, Bernard and Henry, and one sister, but none came to America except himself. He married in Germany and with wife and one son, Gerhard, landed at New York, on SS. Peter and Paul's Day, in 1836, and immediately left for Buffalo, New York, where they remained for a short time and then pushed on into Ohio. The father bought a farm of 80 acres in Marion township, Mercer County, only about an acre of which was cleared, and later, as his children grew up, continued to add to his possessions until he owned, at the time of his death, some 300 acres. He carried on general farming and raised stock. His children born in America were: John Henry, Harman Henry, J. Bernard, Mary, Elizabeth, John and William (twins), and Anna and Joseph (twins).

John Henry Schwietermann, like his father and brothers, stands very high in public esteem in hie neighborhood. He is an honest, industrious farmer and stock-raiser and his well-cultivated farm and fine home give testimony to his capacity as a farmer and his pride in his surroundings. His house is heated and lighted by a system of gas piping from a gas-well, of which well he is part owner ; he also has telephone connection.

Mr. Schwietermann was married on June 12, 1866, to Mary Meinerding and they have four children, viz. : John, who married Martha Shell, and has five children - he was formerly a teacher in a high school in Missouri, but now conducts a general store; Charles, who married Caroline Will, lives on the old home place and has five children; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Folke and resides at Coldwater; and Frank, single, who lives at home.

Mr. Schwietermann has always been a good citizen and has taken some interest in local politics, assisting in electing good men to office and in working for public improvements. He has not often accepted office for himself, but did serve for a time as township trustee. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

Paul Henry Hemmelgarn

Paul Henry Hemmelgarn, whose well-developed and highly cultivated farm of 130 acres is located in section 29, Granville township, was born June 10, 1853, at Minster, Auglaize County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry Hemmelgarn, a native of Germany.

Henry Hemmelgarn came to this country with his parents when two and a half years of age. His parents first located at Springfield, Ohio, and in a few years moved to Mercer County, where his father bought a farm of 80 acres in Cranberry Prairie for a very small sum. The land was cleared and a round-log cabin was erected, and here his parents passed the remainder of their days. They had a family of six children, namely: Mary, deceased; Elizabeth; Catherine; Theodore, a resident of Granville township, who married Mary Hulsman, now deceased; Joseph, deceased; and Henry, father of our subject.

Henry Hemmelgarn learned the carpenter's trade when a boy at Minster, where he lived for a few years after his marriage. In 1855 he moved to Granville township, Mercer County, where he bought a farm of 40 acres on the township line near Cassella. He subsequently sold this farm and took an interest in a sawmill at Cassella, in which business lie remained for two years. He then bought 120 ifcres of land in Granville township and lived on this farm for about 22 years, when he sold it and bought 190 acres in Marion township, where he is still living with his son John, who has since bought the farm. He married Catherine Smith, who came from Germany with her parents when six years of age. They became the parents of these children : Paul Henry, subject of thVs sketch; Theodore, deceased in infancy; Catherine, who married Joe Hagerdorn, of St. Rosa; Bernard, who married Josephina Hesselfelt and lives at Cincinnati; John, who married Bernardina Albers and resides on the old home place in Marion township ; Charles, who married Philomena Gottemoller and lives in Marion township ; William, deceased in infancy : and Elizabeth, who married Herman Brandewie, of Auglaize County. Mrs. Hemmelgarn died at Cranberry Prairie in December, 1872.

Paul Henry Hemmelgarn has always lived in Mercer County and been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He purchased a farm in 1877 from Mr. Fraser. This land was the old Landon Bennett place, which was entered in 1835 in the United States Land Office at Lima, and Mr. Hemmelgarn has the deed which is signed by President Van Buren. The Wabash River at one time run through this land, but now nothing remains but the river bed, as the course of the river has changed. The house, which is a large, six-room, frame building, sets back about a quarter of a mile from the road, and was erected by our subject in 1894. A large barn and other improvements have been added by him. Mr. Hemmelgarn has a well-kept vineyard.

Mr. Hemmelgarn was married November 9, 1875, at Cranberry Prairie, to Elizabeth Lemm, a daughter of William H. Lemm. They have had 10 children, namely: Catherine, who married Fred Gottemoller, lives in Marion township and has three children - Mark, Urban and Mary Elizabeth ; Cecilia Anna, deceased in infancy; Elizabeth; Joseph; Mary; Charles; Henry; Leo;

Theresa; and Maggie, who is deceased. Mrs. Hemmelgarn died February 8, 1900. Mr. Hemmelgarn has served several terms on the School Board, and he and his family are members of St. Wendelin's Catholic Church at Wendelin.

Jacob Alexander Tingley

Jacob Alexander Tingley, a prosperous farmer and leading citizen of Mercer County, owns 241 acres of finely improved land, which is situated in one of the best sections of Union township. He belongs to good old Ohio stock, and was born May 4, 1861, in Dublin township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of John B. and Martha J. (Baltzell) Tingley.

Our subject is of English and Scotch extraction. The Tingley family originated in England. Two brothers of the name came together to America very many years ago, one being a sea captain and the other a merchant. The latter married a Scotch lady and became the progenitor of the Tingley family that is upder consideration.

William B. Tingley, grandfather of Jacob A., was born and reared in Clermont County, Ohio. His children were: John B., father of our subject; Jonathan, who lived and died in Cincinnati ; Benton, who resides in Madisonville, near Cincinnati ; Albert, who resides near Cincinnati ; Mrs. Elizabeth Black, who died in Ohio; and Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Akins.

John B. Tingley, the eldest son of William B., was born April 15, 1825, in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1859 he moved to Dublin township, Mercer County, settling on the farm on which he lived until his death, which is now owned and occupied by two of his sons, Nathan Andrew and Walter B. His death occurred January 7, 1903, in his 78th year. He married Martha J. Baltzell, who died in June, 1900, in her 64th year. She was a daughter of Jacob A. and Priscilla (Stewart) Baltzell, who moved from Hamilton County to Van Wert County, and settled in Liberty township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Baltzell were: Martha J. ; Philip, who died in

Hamilton County, Ohio; Nathan, who died in February, 1906, in Liberty township, Van Wert County; Samuel, who lives at Ohio City, Ohio; Harriet, who is the wife of A. T. Sutton, a prominent farmer of Dublin township; Alexander, who died in Van Wert County, some years since; and Lloyd, who died young.

The children of John B. Tingley and wife were : Jacob A., of this sketch ; Harriet Priscilla, who married S. A. Clay, a native of Union township, and resides at Rockford; William Benton, a large farmer of Dublin township, owning and operating 160 acres of fine land, now serving his second term as township trustee, who married Anna Wert, of Liberty township, Van Wert County; Nathan Andrew, who married Mary Foster, of Middlepoint, Ohio, and lives on his valuable farm of no acres, located on the line of Union and Dublin townships; Walter B., who married Bessie Bevington, of York township, Van Wert County, Ohio, who resides on the old homestead of 103 acres in Dublin township, that he owns; Mary Etta, who married Thomas Tester, of Dublin township, and resides two miles east of Rockford, where they own a farm of 50 acres; Arthur, who died in infancy in Hamilton County, Ohio; and Samuel and Alwilda, both of whom died as infants, in Mercer County.

Jacob A. Tingley attended what was known as the Frisinger school, in Dublin township, during his boyhood. From youth he has been practically associated with agricultural life and is a thorough farmer. When he started out for himself, he bought 30 acres of land in Dublin township, which he later sold and bought 116 acres, to which he added 80 acres and finally a little over 45 acres. This was formerly the old Archer homestead and he purchased 116 acres from the heirs, his next purchases being from a Mr. Boroff, and the Miller heirs. In 1900 he built his fine residence and substantial barn. His -premises are equipped with every appliance for the modern style of farming, which he carries on in a scientific manner and prospers accordingly. In addition to fertility, his farm is valuable on account of the discovery here of oil and there are several producing wells on his land. This portion he has owned but two years, when he bought the royalty. The five wells promise good returns.

On November 8, 1881, Mr. Tingley was married to Amanda J. Archer, who was born in Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, and is a daughter of J. M. and Mary (Tomlinson) Archer, who settled on the present farm of our subject prior to the Civil War; here Mr. Archer died in 1887 and Mrs. Archer in 1874.

William Shelley and resides in Union township; Amanda J., wife of Mr. Tingley; Scott, a resident of Michigan; Henry, a resident of North Baltimore, Ohio ; John, a resident of Berrien County, Michigan ; Alonzo, deceased ; Myrtle, who married Lewis Shindledecker and resides at Benton Harbor, Michigan ; and a child that died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Tingley have two children, Edith and Joseph. The former married C. L. Ross, and they live on Mr. Tingley's place in Union township. Joseph was born April 16, 1883, and is engaged with his father on the home farm.

Politically, Mr. Tingley is a Democrat. In the fall of 1894 he was elected a member of the township Board of Education. He is a member of the

John Peter Wright

John Peter Wright, a successful farmer of Washington township, residing on a farm of 80 acres situated in section il, was born July 2, i860, in Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Catherine (Sheets) Wright.

David Wright was born in Butler County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. After reaching manhood he moved to Miami County and located on a farm. He married Catherine Sheets and had two children: Janies Buchanan, who died at the age of seven years; and John Peter. About 1865 he moved to Mercer County and located on a farm about two miles south of the farm on which his son now lives. He was a tanner by trade, and always run a tannery in connection with his farming operations until his death, which occurred in 1872. Mrs. Wright died in 1886.

John P. Wright, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Washington township and was educated in the district schools of the township. He is now engaged in farming, but has also done some carpentering in connection with his farnywork. Mr. Wright bought his present farm in 1885 and has made most of the improvements which have been made on the place.

Mr. Wright was first married in 1885 to Maggie Kettering, and they had one child, Ida Mabel, who married B. F. Powell and has two children - Delila and Margaret Mabel. Mrs. Wright died October 13, 1891. Mr. Wright's second marriage occurred on February 11, 1896, to Mary Ellen Carmack, a daughter of Charles and Sarah Jane Carmack; Charles Carmack died in 1872 and his wife is still living in Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of two children : Ralph Eugene and Charles David. The large frame house which the family occupy was erected in 1894 and in 1905 the barn was built.

Mr. Wright served his township in various offices, having served two terms as assessor of Washington township, is one of the school directors and is also pike superintendent. He is a member and a deacon of the Wabash Christian Church. He is a member and is at present master of Wabash Grange, No. 236, P. of H.

Aloys Dabbelt

Aloys Dabbelt, whose fine 80-acre farm is located in section 34, Franklin township, was born on the Dabbelt home farm, near Sebastian, May 26, 1884, and is a son of Hubert and Rosina (Lindhaus) Dabbelt.

Hubert Dabbelt was born in Germany and was 15 years old when he accompanied his father, Barney Dabbelt, to America. Barney Dabbelt was twice married; the children of his first union were: Gerhard, Anna and

Hubert, and of the second marriage, Mollie, Ignatz and August. Hubert Dabbelt was reared on the farm on which his father settled and remained there until the death of the parents. He married Rosina Lindhaus, who was born in Ohio, but had German parents; her mother resides in this country aged about 85 years. The children born to Hubert Dabbelt and wife were: Barney John, who married Mary Hanfelder and lives on a farm near Montezuma ; Henry, who married Christina Heyne and lives at Dayton ; Catherine, who married Casper Clune and is now deceased; Frank Ludwig, who married Mary Schwietermann, lives on the home farm at Sebastian, Ohio; John and Caroline, who died young; and Aloys. The father died January 5, 1906, but the mother still survives and resides with her son Frank Ludwig on the home place. She is a lady of remarkable memory and can tell of the early days in this section in a very entertaining way.

Aloys Dabbelt remained "with his parents until he was married, attending the neighboring schools and assisting in the operating of the farm. Mr. Dabbelt enjoys the distinction of being one of the youngest farmers, to own his own farm, in Franklin township. This property he purchased in June, 1905, from his father, and he has demonstrated his capacity as a farmer in his excellent management of it since it came into his possession. When he took charge, a comfortable six-room frame house stood here and the commodious barn had also been built, but Mr. Dabbelt has continued to make improvements of various kinds.

On June 13, 1905, Mr. Dabbelt -was married to Agnes Schwietermann, a daughter of Joseph Schwietermann, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. They have an infant son, Edwdn Joseph, who was born May 30, 1906. Both Mr. Dabbelt and wife belong to the Catholic Church.

Milton O. Krugh

Milton O. Krugh, mayor of Mendon and principal of the Mendon High School, Avas born in York township, Van Wert County, Ohio, October 25, 1868, and is a son of William and Malissa (Hays) Krugh, and a grandson of John and Mary (Miller) Krugh.

Wijliam Krugh was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1840, and was reared on his father's farm, working through eight months of the year and attending school about three. He Avas 21 years old Avhen he

In August, 1862, William Krugh enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company A, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained in the service for three years. He was mustered in at Camp Lima, Lima, Ohio, and was mustered out in 1865 at Salisbury, North Carolina. Mr. Krugh took part in many of the great battles of that war and witnessed the death and disabling of many of his comrades. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Mission Ridge, Orchard Knob, Chickamauga, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Big Sandy, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, the siege and capture of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Nashville and then Franklin, where was fought one of the severest battles of the Rebellion. Mr. Krugh receives a service pension but he was fortunate enough to never experience wounds or serious sickness.

The brave 99th Ohio became decimated from severe fighting and hence was merged with the 50th Regiment, Ohio Vol.- Inf. The first officers of Mr. Krugh's company were: Capt. James Scott; 1st Lieutenant King, of Delphos, Ohio; and 2nd Lieut. William T. Exline of Liberty township, Van Wert County. The last named became captain at a later date, Captain Scott having been killed at Stone River. Captain Exline now resides on a farm in Liberty township, Van Wert County, near Ohio City

After his honorable discharge from the army, Mr. Krugh bought a farm in Van Wert County, Ohio, on which he lived for 10 years and then came to Mercer County, where he rented land for two years. Then Mr. Krugh bought the farm on which he has lived for the past 25 years, which contains a fraction over 113 acres and is situated in section 19, Union township.

On February 9, 1868, Mr. Krugh married Malissa J. Hays, a daughter of Jackson and Eliza B. Hays, and to this union were born the following named children: Milton O., the immediate subject of this sketch; Orum

H., a farmer in Union township, who married Winnie Snyder, daughter of George Snyder and has three children, Ernest, Mary and Bruce; Homer J., employed in a grocery store at Mendon, who married Stella Rhodes, daughter of Benjamin Rhodes, and has one child ; William E., operating the Yocum farm in Union township, who married Nellie Kinkley, daughter of Christopher Kinkley, and has two children, Chloe and Ellen; Mary E., born August 24, 1875, deceased December 4, 1878; and Ella F., born April 15, 1885, deceased April 10, 1890. The mother of the above family died August 12, 1894. Mr. Krugh was married (second) to Mrs. Lydia Shady, widow of Isaac Shady and daughter of Samuel and Mary (Swift) Brookhart, the latter of whom died August 25, 1894. Mr. Brookhart still survives and lives on a farm in Hopewell township.

Milton O. Krugh accompanied his parents when they located, in 1876, on the farm one mile southeast of Marion, where they lived for two years, then removing to the homestead three miles west of Mendon. On that farm he grew to maturity. His primary education was obtained in the district schools and then he attended school at Mendon for three years and later the normal school at Middlepoint, Van Wert County. He continued to study at home and rounded out a liberal education by a course at Oxford, Ohio, in 1906.

Mr. Krugh has been a teacher since 1892, when he began to teach district school, to which he devoted five years. In 1897 he was invited to Mendon and become principal of the Mendon High School, a position for which he is amply qualified. He enjoys the use of a fine, modern school building - there being six teachers in the school. There are 225 pupils in the school, 50 of these being in the High School, this being the joint High School of the village and township. As an educator he stands very high in Mercer County and is a member of a number of educational organizations.

Mr. Krugh was married to Minnie Johnson, a daughter of William H. and Margaret (Perdy) Johnson. They have five children, as follows: Hazel, Lucile, Lawrence, Josephine and an infant.

Mr. Krugh has been a resident of Mendon for the past 14 years and during this time he has been identified with its educational development to a large degree. In politics he is a Republican, and for the past six years has been justice of the peace of Union township. He was elected to the Village Council and as its leader is serving out the unexpired term of the late mayor, L. A. Barber. He is a prominent, useful and representative citizen.

Henry Hageman

Henry Hageman, one of the leading citizens and most prosperous farmers of Butler township, owning a magnificent farm of 494 acres situated in sections 27 and 34, and also operating a farm of 99 acres belonging to his wife, which is situated in Granville township, was born January 26, 1837, in Germany. His parents were Joseph and Anna Maria Elizabeth (Hamesauth) Hageman.

The Hageman family crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1837, making the long voyage of seven and a half weeks in a sailing vessel. They landed at Baltimore and then came on to Cincinnati, and from there by wagon, to Minster, Auglaize County, where they lived for two years. In 1840 they removed to Marion township and settled on a farm near St. Johns, the father

On the above farm Henry Hageman grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the district schools. He was trained to be a practical farmer and has devoted his life to farming and stock-raising, meeting with unusual success. In i860 Mr. Hageman was married (first) to Caroline Boeckman, who was a daughter of Henry Boeckman, an old pioneer of Marion township, who died in the fall of 1903, aged 92 years. To this marriage 12 children were born, namely : Joseph, who died when one month old ; Henry, living in Oklahoma, who has one son, William; John, also a resident of Oklahoma, who has six children; Mary, who married Bennett Froning and died one year later; Elizabeth, who married Bennett Geer, lives in Texas and has seven children; Joseph (2), residing at Dayton, who has three children ; Rosa, who died aged one month; Benjamin, who lives at Botkins, Shelby County, unmarried; Kate, who married George Moessinger, lives at Cincinnati and has one child; Frank, who died aged 19 years; Annie, who married Bennett Enneking, lives at Cincinnati and has one child; and Caroline, who died aged about one month. The mother of this family died February 15, 1881.

Mr. Hageman was married (second) in August, 1883, to Josephine Rose, and they have eight children, namely : Herman, residing at Dayton, who has one child, Geneva; and Louis, Urban, Etta, Dinah, Aloysius, Lena and Clara. All survive expect Clara, who died at the age of six years.

In 1871, Mr. Hageman removed from St. Johns to his present home farm, on which he first erected a frame house, but later replaced it with the handsome brick one which was completed in 1895. It is one of the finest as well as most comfortable homes in the township. He carries on general farming in a way that insures abundant crops and his methods are often adopted by his neighbors. Mr. Hageman is a worthy member of the Catholic Church.

George W. Brown

George W. Brown, a substantial citizen of Butler township, who resides upon his well-improved farm of 160 acres in section 14, and owns also 11 additional acres in Jefferson township, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, February 13, 1831, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Riggs) Brown.

William Brown was born in Clermont County, Ohio, where he was educated, married and passed a long life. His wife died when George W. was a child of two years. An older brother, William, who was killed in the front

George W. Brown was 21 years of age when he came to Mercer County, purchasing his present home farm at that time, which was then in its natural condition. He located on his property on March 8, 1862, finding it already inhabited by deer, wild hogs, pheasants, squirrels and snakes, neighbors he very soon disposed of as he began the rapid clearing of the land. This work was interrupted, for in 1863 he enlisted in Company I, 156th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for the 100-day service. After it was completed, he reenlisted, entering Company D, 193rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. Good fortune attended him and he passed harmlessly through the battles of Harper's Ferry and Cumberland City, Maryland; Cynthiana, Kentucky; and many skirmishes. After the Rebellion had been subdued he returned to his farm and resumed his agricultural operations. He has made many substantial improvements here and has adequate , and comfortable buildings of all kinds. In contrast to the new structures is the old barn still standing, which was built in 1866, probably the oldest in the township. Mr. Brown carries on general farming and raised at one time large numbers of hogs and cattle.

George W. Brown was married to Rachel Arthur, a daughter of James Arthur, and they have had eight children, namely: Roland, who lives at home although he owns a farm of 80 acres given by his father; George B., who lives at home, also owning a farm of 80 acres given by his father; Ella, who lives at home; Emma, who married Irvin Hole and has two daughters; Rosa, who married William Coate of Celina, and has one child, Elva; Minnie, who lives at home; Clemmie, who married Harlow Burdge; and one child died in infancy.,

Mr. Brown has always taken a prominent part in township affairs as becomes a good citizen, and he has frequently been elected to offices of responsibility. He has served on the School Board, has been township clerk, land appraiser, viewer and supervisor.

John Gieseke

John Gieseke, one of Franklin township's substantial citizens, who resides on a fine farm of 120 acres located in section 2, was born in Auglaize! County, Ohio, March 10, i860, and is a son of William and Margaret (Schierholt) Gieseke.

William Gieseke was born in Germany, came to America with his father, Henry Gieseke, when about 1 1 years old, and with his parents settled at New Bremen, Ohio. Henry Gieseke was the father of six children, namely : Flora,

Minnie, Frederick, Henry, William and Lenora. William Gieseke in young1 manhood drove a team for some time on a canal boat, before settling down to farming, but when 22 years old he purchased a farm of 40 acres east of New Bremen, which he subsequently sold, and in 1864 bought the farm of 120 acres now occupied by his son John.

At New Bremen he married Margaret Schierholt, and they had five children, namely : Christian, who married Amelia Backhaus and lives in Hopewell township; John; William, who lives with his brother John; Amelia, deceased at the age of three years; and Emma, who is the widow of William Hartwick. William Gieseke and his wife live with their daughter, Mrs. Hartwick, at New Bremen.

John Gieseke was four years old when his parents moved to Mercer County and located on the farm, on which he has since remained. He is now manager of this farm, which is one of the finest in its section of the county, and is improved with substantial buildings. A beautiful hedge bordering the driveway adds much to the attractiveness of the place.

Mr. Gieseke was married November 11, 1886, to Josephine Dicke, a daughter of William and Dora (Wrisenback) Dicke, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dicke came to America before their marriage, which was celebrated at New Bremen. They have had nine children, as follows : William, Henry, Julius, Anna, Josephine, Florentina, Alvinea, Emma and Louise, the last named deceased in infancy. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gieseke, namely : Seraphine, deceased at the age of two years ; Dora, Melinda, Lawrence, Arnold, Benjamin and Milton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gieseke are members of the Lutheran Church.

Andrew X. Walter

Andrew X. Walter, a well-known, substantial citizen of Coldwater, who has been engaged in the manufacture of brick at this place for some 14 years, was born December 21, 1858, in Germany, and is a son of Andrew and Catherine Walter.

The Walter family came to America when Andrew X. was seven years old and settled first in Seneca County, Ohio, the father renting a farm not far from Tiffin. On this the family lived from 1865 until 1873, when they came to Mercer County, at which time the father bought a farm of 80 acres in Butler township. The mother died in 1890, but the father still survives and resides at Coldwater. They had nine children and seven of these are still living.

Andrew X. Walter was educated in the district schools of Seneca County and was 15 years of age when his father settled in Butler township. He continued to carry on farming until 1892 when he engaged in manufacturing brick. His plant covers eight acres and is a large and important industry of the place, its capacity being 20,000 brick per day. In addition to his brick plant, Mr. Walter owns the handsome brick building on Main street, where he resides, and also the frame building which is occupied by the People's Bank.

In 1882 Mr. Walter was married to Mary Gast, a daughter of Ferdinand Gast, and they have had six children, namely : Catherine, a successful teacher in the Coldwater schools, who graduated from the Coldwater High School and has been a teacher for some years both in Seneca and Mercer counties, spending her vacations at Oxford College, Oxford, Ohio ; Edward and Julian, who died young; Albert, residing at home; Ferdinand, a student in the Coldwater High School ; and Alvena, who is attending the village schools.

Mr. Walter has never been a very active politician but he was elected township treasurer while living in the country and served in that office for four years. He is a member of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio.

F. A. Franks, mayor of Coldwater, who is the owner of a successful tailoring business, was born at Cairo, Illinois, October 8, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Vandelft) Franks.