Mercer County, Ohio - Chapter 12: Military Record of Mercer Covnty in the Civil War, 1907 (part 9 of 12)

On February 6, 1866, Mr. Kuhn was married (first) to Barbara Nuss, who died November 27, 1871, leaving three children, viz: William FI., of Elyria, Ohio; Emma L., wife of Lasius Walters, of Coldwater; and Edward. On October 28, 1873, Mr. Kuhn was married (second) to Anna Mary Straubinger, and they had seven children, namely : Frederick, of the State of Washington; Jacob, who died aged two weeks; Frank T., of Dayton; Anthony, of Middletown, Ohio; Michael, of Covington, Ohio; and Julia and Mary, living at home. Frederick and Anthony served in the Spanish- American War; after its conclusion, Frederick then entered the United States regular army and served in the artillery in the Philippines, receiving his discharge in 1902.

Mr. Kuhn has served the township in many responsible positions and has always been an official in whom his fellow-citizens placed every confidence. For 20 years he was a justice of the peace in Butler township, finally resigning the office; for 12 years and five months he was township clerk of Butler township and served also as trustee of Liberty township, Mercer County. Mr. Kuhn is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic organization. He is a member of the Catholic Church. With the exception of performing the duties of a notary public, Mr. Kuhn takes upon himself no business cares. He has a wide circle of friends by whom he is highly considered.

Frederick Kuhn

Frederick Kuhn, a highly esteemed resident of Celina, occupying a comfortable home on West Livingston near Mill street, has been a resident of Mercer County since 1847 ar>d for over a half century was identified with the agricultural interests of Liberty township. Mr. Kuhn is also an honored survivor of the great Civil War. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 28, 1829, and is a son of Henry and Margaret ( Bollenbacher ) Kuhn.

In 1847 the Kuhn family left Germany and came directly to Mercer County, Ohio, settling in section 7, Liberty township. At that time pioneer conditions prevailed all through this locality, the native forest growth still stood where now are cultivated fields and thriving towns, and the family was obliged to endure many hardships and privations to which it had not been accustomed in the old country. The parents of our subject died on the home farm in Liberty township, the mother not many weeks after the settlement was made. They were quiet, industrious, home-building, worthy German people and were respected by all who knew them.

Frederick Kuhn was a hardy youth of 18 years when his parents settled on the pioneer farm in Liberty township and upon him fell a great deal of the hard work which was necessary in the clearing and cultivation of the land. His education was more liberal than was afforded many of his companions, as he had been thoroughly trained in the schools of his native land. From the peaceful pursuits of the farm, Mr. Kuhn went into the army in the second year of the Civil War, enlisting on August 12, 1862, in Company F, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the Cumberland. He was honorably discharged from the service, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, July 1, 1865. During nine months of army life, he served as a provost guard, under Colonel Mathews. He participated in many of the great battles of the war, which included Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, and in innumerable skirmishes in which many of his comrades were either wounded or captured by the enemy. Mr. Kuhn was fortunate enough to escape all dangers, although always at the post of duty, and returned to Mercer County, practically unharmed.

Upon his return home he resumed farming in Liberty township, where he continued to reside until August, 1906, when he turned over the active work on the farm to younger hands and, with his estimable wife, retired tid the quiet and comfort of a home he had purchased in Celina. Mr. Kuhn still retains his well-improved farm of 140 acres in Liberty township and also owns an excellent farm of 80 acres in Jefferson township, Adams County, Indiana.

On February 8, 1866, Mr. Kuhn was married to Wilhelmina Wellemeyer, who was born February 25, 1842, in Prussia, Germany. In 1852 she accompanied her parents, Frederick and Mary (Brune) Wellemeyer, to America, and was reared in Auglaize County, Ohio, where they were early settlers. To our subject and wife were born seven children, the five survivors being: Mary W., who is the wife of G. P. Hoeper, of Hopewell township; Frederick T., living on the home place in Liberty township, who married Mary D. Linn and has three children - Clarence R., Bertha C. and Hugo W. ; Philip W., living on his father's farm in Adams County, Indiana, who married Fanny B. Sielschott and has one child, Florence S. W. ; and Elizabeth M. and Rebecca, both living in Celina. Mr. Kuhn and his family belong to the Lutheran Church at Chattanooga, in which at various times he has held office. Politically he is a Democrat. During his long residence in Liberty township he

Henry Brackman

Henry Brackman, whose fine farm of no acres is situated in sectiotv 15, Recovery township, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, April 18, 1837, and is a son of John and Agnes (Dorgeloh) Brackman.

- The parents of Mr. Brackman were both natives of Germany. At the age of 15 years, John Brackman became an ocean sailor and followed the sea until he was 22 years of age. In order to escape service in the German Army, he came to America and settled at Baltimore, where he worked on the railroad then being constructed between Baltimore and Washington. From there he came to Cincinnati, Ohio, later going to Alabama where he worked through the winter, returning in the spring to Cincinnati, making the trip on a steamboat running between New Orleans and Cincinnati. In the latter city he married and there he continued to make his home. In the summer time he worked on the steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, while in the winter time he was employed in railroad and canal construction work. In the spring of 1836 he came to Marion township, Mercer County, where he entered 80 acres of wild land for himself and 80 acres for his friend, Frank Evers, paying $100 for his 80 acres. The land had been entered two years before, in 1834.

Mr. Brackman built a round-log cabin on his land, which, as prosperity came to him through hard work, was replaced by a hewed-log house. On this farm his children, six in number, were reared. He died in 1873.

John Brackman was married (first) to Agnes Dorgeloh, who died in 1838, leaving one child, Henry, the subject of this sketch, who was then one year and seven months old. A cousin, Catherine Dorgeloh, came to take care of the infant and she subsequently became Mr. Brackman's second wife. Five children were born to this union, of whom the survivors are : Theodore and Catherine, who live on the old farm in Marion township.

Henry Brackman attended school in Marion township and remained at home until his marriage. His first farm was one of 45 acres, located in Marion township, to which he added until he owned 125 acres, which he sold in 1882, when he bought his farm in Recovery township, which then consisted of 160 acres. Later he sold 50 acres of the farm to his son. He has always carried on general farming and is considered one of the successful agriculturists of his neighborhood.

daughter of Bernard Dahlinghaus, and they have had nine children, as follows : John, residing' on a farm of 50 acres which he purchased from his father, who has six children; Frank, deceased at the age of 25 years and 6 months, at Belleville, Illinois, who was one of the professors at St. Peter's Institute and also organist in the Catholic Church ; Mary, who married Aloys Guggenviller, resides at Wendelin and has five children; Annie, who is the wife of August C. Eifert, a county school examiner, and the mother of four children; Joseph, who married Rosa Bruns, has one son, Raymond, and resides with his father; Minnie, who lives in Fort Recovery; and Henry, also single, who is a teacher in the school of St. Joseph's Church and is also church organist. The whole family belong to St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

For many years Mr. Brackman served on the Board of Education. He has also been supervisor and trustee of the township, and is a very highly valued citizen.

Bernard Johnsman

Bernard Johnsman, a representative agriculturist of Jefferson township, who owns a fine farm of 80 acres, situated in section 34, township 5 south, range 2 east, was born April 14, 1834, in Prussia, and is a son of Christopher and Christina (Borgman) Johnsman.

Bernard Johnsman was 26 years of age when he came to America. He had obtained a fair education in the public schools of his own land and had performed his military duty by serving three years in the Prussian Army. As his parents were dead, nothing prevented his seeking a home and friends in another country. The first place in which he settled after reaching the United States was Lockland, near Cincinnati, where he remained three years, but after marriage he removed to Minster, Auglaize County. There he worked three years on a farm, and then came to his present place, buying these 80 acres in 1867. Here Mr. Johnsman has developed a valuable farm and carries on general farming and stock-raising.

At Lockland, Ohio, in 1863, Mr. Johnsman was married (first) to Clara Lutz, who died in 1868, leaving two children, Clara and Llenry, both now deceased. The latter lived to be 22 years old and the former reached her 29th year. Mr. Johnsman was married (second) to Katie Huelsman, and they have had 10 children, namely: John, a farmer in Jefferson township, who married Della McKinsey and has two children, both deceased, Bernard and Walter Bernard; Clemmens, a cavalryman in the United States Army, now stationed in Oregon; Andrew, Frank and George, who assist on the home farm ; Mrs. Caroline Hill, residing at Fairmont, Indiana, who has one daughter, Thelma; Mary, who married William Harlet and lives in Celina;

In politics, Mr. Johnsman is a stanch Democrat. He belongs to German social organizations at Celina. He is a worthy member of the Catholic Church and devotes a part of his income to religious purposes and is a reliable and upright citizen.

Henry Kuhn

Henry Kuhn, a representative citizen of Liberty township, for 13 consecutive years its efficient treasurer, and for a long period a successful agriculturist in this part of Mercer County, resides on an excellent farm of 80 acres, which was a tract of woodland when he first came to it. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 3, 1831, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Bollenbacher) Kuhn.

The parents of Mr. Kuhn came to America with their children when Henry was between 15 and 16 years old. They wished to establish a home in Ohio and settled on an uncultivated, uncleared tract of land in Liberty township, Mercer County. Probably the long journey and unaccustomed hardship undermined the health of the mother, for she died six weeks after reaching the pioneer home in Liberty township. The father, assisted by his sons, cleared the land and developed an excellent farm, although it required years of industry to accomplish it. The father died also on the home farm in Liberty township. Of his children, four survive, as follows : Frederick, formerly of Liberty township, now a resident of Celina; Henry, of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of John Herzog, of Hartford City, Indiana; and Caroline, wife of John Duer, living near Decatur, Indiana.

Henry Kuhn grew to man's estate in Liberty township, attending the district schools and assisting his father on the farm. He married Maria Duer, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and they have had six children, as follows: William, of Black Creek township; Rebecca K., wife of

Ephraim Camp, of Kalamazoo County, Michigan; Emma J., wife of Frank Landfair, of Black Creek township; Adam, of Liberty township; and two deceased.

Mr. Kuhn is a representative member of the Democratic party and on account of hik sterling character and good citizenship has frequently been called upon to accept important and responsible township offices. He has served as trustee and was then elected treasurer and was reelected for 13 consecutive years, a very unusual occurence. He is one of the leading members of the German Reformed Church.

Jacob Leininger

Jacob Leininger, a most highly esteemed resident of Liberty township and one of the old settlers of this locality, resides on his valuable farm of 160 acres, on which he located more than 50 years ago. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 11, 1832, and is a son of John and Margaret Leininger.

The parents of our subject were born in Alsace, now a part of the German Empire, and came to America about 1826, locating in Stark County, Ohio, where they lived until 1833, when they removed to Mercer County. They were early settlers in Washington township and there they spent the rest of their lives.

Jacob Leininger was reared in Washington township and his school opportunities were only those afforded by the pioneer schools of the time. When he came to Liberty township the native timber still stood on his present farm and years of hard work ensued before the land was entirely cleared. It is now a fine property, valuable from every point of view.

Mr. Leininger was married in young manhood to Catherine Kettenring, who was born in Germany and is a daughter of Henry Kettenring, who brought his family to America when Mrs. Leininger was a child and settled in Holmes County, Ohio. At a later date the family moved to Washington township, Mercer County, where Mrs. Leininger was married. To this union 10 children were born and eight of these are still living, as follows : Margaret, widow of Frederick* Betzel, residing at Fort Wayne, Indiana; Theobald, of Black Creek township ; Christina, wife of Andrew Harb, of Black Creek township ; William H., also of Black Creek township ; Mary, wife of Frederick Schaadt, of Van Wert County; John, residing on his father's farm; Phebe, wife of Henry Brehm, of Liberty township; and George S., of Black Creek township.

Mr. Leininger is one of the substantial members of the Democratic party in Liberty township. The only office he has ever accepted has been that of township trustee. For many years he has been a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Church. He is one of the township's representative men.

William H. Bryan

William H. Bryan, a representative agriculturist of Washington township, residing on his well-improved farm of 124 acres situated in section 3, was born May 2, 1852, in Ridge township, Van Wert County, Ohio, and is a son of William Patterson and Rebecca (Leathers) Bryan.

William P. Bryan was born in Pennsylvania and removed to Van Wert County just after attaining- young- manhood. In December, 1866, he moved to Mercer County, and resided with his eldest son, Daniel Bryan, until his death in January, 1867. He was married in Allen County, Ohio, to Rebecca Leathers, who died in 1863, when our subject was 11 years old.

William H. Bryan was about 14 years of age when he accompanied his brother to Mercer County, with whom he remained for one year and then entered the employ of the Spriggs family, with whom he remained for six years and seven months continuously. During this time he was well trained in all kinds of farm work and was prepared to farm on his own account, which he did for two years on rented land. On February 27, 1873, he bought the old Hiram Shaw farm of 160 acres, which he still owns. Gradually he accumulated land until he owned 244 acres. In 1903 he advantageously sold 40 acres and has given 40 acres each to his two oldest sons. In association with his eldest son, Mr. Bryan also owns 80 acres of good land in Michigan. In addition to carrying on extensive operations in general farming and stockraising, Mr. Bryan spent 13 years in the contracting business, mainly in the line of building turnpike roads. He has constructed many miles of these excellent highways in Mercer and Auglaize counties. He has always been a man of enterprise, through sound sense and excellent business judgment has made his business ventures successful.

In April, 1877, Mr. Bryan was married to Mary E. Fennig, who is a daughter of John Fennig, and they have five children, as follows : John Garrel, who married Sadie Culp and lives on a farm of 40 acres given him by his father; Charles A., who resides at home, also owning a farm of 40 acres given him by his father; Daisy B., who married Earl Dumbauld, lives in Jefferson township and has had two children, Marie and Guy, the latter of whom died aged 6 months and 17 days; Ethel, who married Henry Bobenmoyer and resides with her father in Washington township; and James, who lives at home.

Although, as noted above, Mr. Bryan has always been a successful business man, he has met with some misfortunes. On May 14, 1886, a terribly destructive cyclone swept through Washington township, which leveled all his farm buildings, his fine orchard and destroyed 40 acres of timber.

John Roether

John Roether, whose death occurred in 1885, was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of Union township. He was born April 17, 1835, and was a son of William Roether.

William Roether, the father of our subject, came to Mercer County from Mansfield, Ohio, about 1852, locating on the farm which is now occupied by the widow of our subject. He was the father of nine children, namely : Isaac, deceased, who resided in Richland County, Ohio ; Abram, who lives near McComb in Hancock County; Levi, who was killed by a train; Daniel, deceased, who was a physician at Bluffton, Indiana ; Henry, a physician, who is a resident of Adrian, Michigan; Mrs. Hannah Zern, of Auburn, Indiana; Elizabeth, widow of Daniel Lemunyon, residing at Mendon; John, the subject of this sketch; and a daughter, deceased.

John Roether came with his parents to Mercer County when about 17 years old. He attended school and assisted his father in clearing and improving the farm until the time of his marriage. He was married in October, 1859, to Almira Hamilton, a daughter of Hon. Justin Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Roether became the parents of five children : Alice, who married W.

A. Bedell, resides near Mendon and has five children - Della, Ada, Norma, Buell and Emory; Orrilla, who married William Parrott and died in 1892, leaving two children - Lawrence and Lee, the latter deceased in 1900 ; Etta, who married George Ballinger, resides east of Montezuma, and has one child, Glenn; William, who married Cora Krugh, a daughter of John Ivrugh, of Union township, resides on the John Bedell farm in Union township, and has a daughter, unnamed ; and Floyd, who- is unmarried and lives with his mother. Lawrence Parrott, a grandson, has made his home' with Mrs. Roether for the past five years.

Lion. Justin Hamilton, the father of Mrs. Roether, was born September 11, 1796, and died February 19, 1863. He was a son of LIugh and Isabelle (Knox) Hamilton, the former born October 31, 1770, and the latter, December 25, 1772. Hugh Hamilton lived and died in New York State. He was the father of six children : Justin, father of Mrs. Roether, and Justus, his

Hon. Justin Hamilton came to Mercer County in 1822 and was among the county's very earliest settlers, the country still being in a very wild state, and was inhabited by friendly Indians, who were very often of great assistance to the pioneers. Lie was for many years a teacher and was one of the; best educated men of the day. He was a surveyor and laid out the town site of Mendon, part of which was on his land. Lie served as an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas and was twice elected to the Legislature (in 1831 and 1832) from the district composed of the counties of Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams. He was selected to read the bills in the Legislature, owing to his special ability as a reader. He was a very prominent man and his advice was often sought by others, being fre- quently called upon to aid and assist others in various ways. He was married in Kentucky and came to this country in a covered wagon drawn by a span1 of oxen. He built one of the first corn-mills in the county, which was about 1835, which mill is still standing. Mr. Hamilton was married May 14, 1820, to Eliza Rhodes, who was born February 28, 1798, and died November 24, 1887, in her 90th year. Justin and Eliza (Rhodes) Hamilton were the parents of eight children, namely: Isabelle, born October 19, 1821, who first married a Mr. Noble, and after his death married Lewis Brewer - both she and Mr. Brewer are now deceased; Justus, February 19, 1823, who married Mary Jane Panabaker - both now deceased; Lucius, born April 2, 1825, and died on a part of the old home place, who married Mary Miller, who now resides in Celina ; Charlotta, born August 16, 1829; Justin, deceased, who was born October 27, 1831, married Eliza Snavely, who resides in Mendon; Eliza Lucinda, who married Austin Barber and is now deceased, as is her husband also; Emily, born April 8, 1838, who is the widow of Andrew Snavely - she resides in Center township, aged 68 years; and Almira, born August 28, 1841, who is the widow of John Roether.

Sebastian Leistner

Sebastian Leistner, a representative citizen of Rockford, was born in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, March 1, 1844, and is a son of John Andrew and Barbara (Leistner) Leistner.

John A. Leistner and wife, who were natives of Bavaria, Germany, came to this country when young and settled in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio. They were married in 1836 at Trenton and in 1853 moved to Mercer County, locating in Black Creek township, where Mr. Leistner entered 240 acres of land north of Chattanooga and placed the same under cultivation, making this his place of residence until his death, which occurred in August, 1894. Three sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner : John, a resident of Chattanooga, who is engaged in farming; Barbara, who married William Adams and died October 22, 1892; Andrew, residing in Chattanooga where he owns a farm; and Sebastian, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Leistner died November 11, 1892.

Sebastian Leistner spent his early childhood days in Trenton, Butler County, Ohio, and when he was nine years old his parents moved to Mercer County, where he was reared and educated. Mr. Leistner offered his service to the government at the outbreak of the Civil War, but was rejected on account of his youth and his inability to pass the physical examination. Mr. Leistner owns two farms in Black Creek township.

Mr. Leistner was married January 13, 1867, to Mary Ann Knight, a daughter of Peter Knight. Her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, when she was quite small. Later they entered and settled upon land in Black Creek township, Mercer County, Ohio. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leistner : Augusta, wife of John L. Davidson, of Van Wert, who is engaged in railroading; Annie E., who married Harry Rutledge and resides on a farm in Black Creek township; and William Andrew, who married Bell Cook and resides in Rockford. Mrs. Leistner died August 21, 1897. In 1899 our subject retired from farm life, taking up his residence in Rockford, where he purchased the house in which he now resides. Recently he built a house on the lot adjoining. Mr. Leistner's second marriage was with Mrs. Mary Williams, a daughter of Joab and Sevilla Borton. She had two children by her first marriage : John Williams, who married Grace Stober and resides in Black Creek township ; Ada, who married Clarence Skinner and resides in Lima, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Leistner are both members of the United Brethren Church at Rockford. Politically, he is a Republican.

Clement Vallandigham Hood

Clement Vallandigham Hood, a prosperous farmer of Union township, was born June 29, 1863, near Spencerville, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Elmira (Rider) Hood.

George Hood was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 18, 1831, and is still living at the age of 75 years. His parents moved to Lima, Ohio, when there were only a few houses in the place and from there they moved to Spencerville and in 1867 became residents of Van Wert County. His father Robert Hood, grandfather of our subject, died soon after locating in Lima, and his wife died in Spencerville. Robert Hood was the father of seven children : Milton, deceased; Mary L., deceased, who was the wife of George Hutton; Minerva, who married George Lane; Emma, who married August Gilmore; Josephine, deceased, who' was the wife of Daniel Heaster ; Rose, wife of Isaac Fogel ; and George, the father of our subject. George Hood married Elmira Rider, who died in 1873. She was a daughter of Isaac Rider, a native of New York State, who was one of the very earliest settlers of Allen County, residing at Spencerville. George Hood is now residing at Middlepoint, Ohio.

Clement V. Hood received his education in the township schools of Van Wert County, attending school during the winter months and working on his father's farm in the summer. He remained on the farm until he was 21 years of age and then worked on the railroad as a machinist for about eight years. After his marriage, he located in Union township, Mercer County,

Mr. Hood was married November 28, 1891, to Ida Griffin, a daughter of Claudius Griffin, of Union township, a full sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hood is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Spencerville. Views of Mr. Hood's residence and farm buildings accompany this sketch.

James Pearson

James Pearson, one of Washington township's prosperous agriculturists, owns 56 acres of highly cultivated farm land, 22 acres being located in section 4, and 3 2j4 acres in section 9, Washington township. He was born in East Bradford township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1844, and is a son of James and Sarah ( Wagonseller) Pearson.

James Pearson, father of our subject, was of Welsh descent and was a blacksmith by trade, having learned the trade from his father, William Pearson, who was a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania. James Pearson, as well as his father, died in Chester County.

James Pearson, our subject, was reared in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 20 years of age, when he went to Philadelphia and worked at his trade, being a shoemaker. In 1865 he went to Illinois where he worked at his trade for about three years, after which he removed to Wabash County, Indiana, and followed his trade. During his residence in Wabash County, he made a trip to Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, leaving on September 21, 1869, and while in Washington township was married to Lavina Bastian, a daughter of George Bastian. He moved to Mercer County in 1876, locating in Washington township, where he has since lived, engaged in general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have had eight children, as follows: Minnie, who married Elmer Day and has three children; Maggie, wife of W. J. Boley; Homer, who married Daisy Edmiston; Lee C. ; Lizzie, who teaches school in Liberty township ; Luella ; Edith and Ivy.

Mr. Pearson is at present clerk of the School Board of Washington township. In 1894 he retired from the office of justice of the peace, after having served 15 years.

E. H. Davis, a representative agriculturist of Liberty township, where he owns a farm of 65 acres in section 7, on which he located in the fall of

Our subject was reared on his father's farm in Blackford County. His parents were old residents there and their remains rest in that county. His education was obtained in the schools of Jackson township, Blackford County, where he engaged in farming until 1900, when he came to his present farm in Liberty township, Mercer County. His farm consists of 95 acres, as he owns a 30-acre tract in Adams County, Indiana, adjoining his 65 acres in Liberty township.

Mr. Davis was married (first) to Clara Fuqua, who was born in Blackford County, Indiana. She was survived by three children, namely : Cecil and Esta, the latter of whom is the wife of Frederick Kessler of Blackford County; and Clarence M., who died aged two months. Mr. Davis was married (second), December 19, 1900, to Mrs. Laura Gothrup, also of Blackford County, Indiana.

In 1903 the Darby Oil Company began operating for oil and gas on the farm of our subject, and both oil and gas have been found and further development will probably bring Mr. Davis very satisfying returns. Politically Mr. Davis is a Democrat.

George A. Reuter

George A. Reuter, sole owner and manager of the George A. Reuter sawmill and dealer in hardwood lumber at Fort Recovery, was born in Barry County, Michigan, February 18, 1861, and is a son of John G. and Magdalene (Schmelcher) Reuter, both of whom are still living on a farm in Barry County, Michigan.

George Reuter was reared on his father's farm in Barry County and attended the district schools, later attending a select school for several winters. He took a practical business course in the Grand Rapids Business College, his studies including banking, bookkeeping, steamboating, railroading and general commercial business, graduating in October, 1883. He taught school in Michigan for six years, beginning at the age of 16. His last school was taught during the winter of 1883-84 at Bowne Center, near Grand Rapids, Michigan. In May, 1884, he went to White Cloud, Michigan, and engaged with the Frederick Ramsey Lumber Company, remaining there until the fall of 1885. The last six months of this time he was employed by the successors of Mr. Ramsey, who had died. He then went to Chase, Michigan, and was employed by Dunham, Peters & Company. The first six months with this company he was foreman; he then became bookkeeper and the last year and a half was chief bookkeeper and general superintendent.

In 1889 Mr. Reuter formed a partnership with William E. Wilson and engaged in the sawmill and pine lumber business at Fort Recovery, Ohio. This business was established on May 1st. but as Mr. Reuter was under obligations to his employers he stayed with the firm in Chase, Michigan, until they were able to secure a man to fill his posilion. In 1903 Messrs. Reuter and Wilson traded their circular sawmill, which stood where the Fort Recovery Lutheran Church now stands to Henry Wuerderman, for the band-mill which stood upon the site now occupied by Mr. Reuter's new mill. This band-mill burned down on June 12, 1906, and Mr. Reuter immediately erected a larger sawmill on the same site and installed new machinery, having been sole owner and manager of the business since 1904, when he and Mr. Wilson dissolved partnership. Mr. Reuter also has other business interests, being one of the largest stockholders and a director of the Fort Recovery Telephone Company, which is owned by local capital. He owns 120 acres of farm land in Recovery township, about four and a half miles east of Fort Recovery. He owns the home farm of 160 acres in Irving township, Barry County, Michigan, where his parents now reside.

Mr. Reuter was married in March, 1888, to Rose Wilson, a sister of his former business partner. They have had three children : Donnel, who is attending the Fort Recovery High School and will graduate in 1907 - he attended the summer term at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, in 1906 and thereby gained one year in the High School ; Mildred M. and Marguerite.

Mr. Reuter has been secretary of the Fort Recovery Building and Loan Company for the past 16 years. He is a member and for the past three years has been chief of the Board of Deputy State Supervisors of Elections. He is a member and a trustee of Pisgah Congregational Church, of Fort Recovery.

Mr. Reuter has been an active worker in the Masonic order. He is a member of Fort Recovery Lodge, No. 539, F. & A. M. ; Celina Chapter, No. 120, R. A. M.; Lima Council, No. 20, R. & S. M. ; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 30. K. T., of Van Wert; and has attained to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite, belonging to the Consistory at Toledo. From 1894 to 1905, inclusive (12 years), he served as the worshipful master of Fort Recovery Lodge, declining reelection at the conclusion of his 12th term.

George W. Krenning

George W. Krenning, senior member of the firm of Krenning & Son, dealers in dry goods, boots, shoes and general merchandise, at Fort Recovery, is a well known citizen of Mercer County, and one of the leading business

The father of our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America in young manhood, settling at Cincinnati. There he married Anna M. Kruse and they had six children, namely: B. H. W., of Wytheville, Virginia; Louise, wife of Henry Bosse, of Nomood, a suburb of Cincinnati; Henry R., of Cincinnati; George W., of this sketch; Amelia, w'dfe of Henry Sunderman, of Fort Recovery; and Frederick, who died in infancy.

In i860 the parents of our subject moved to a farm near Fort Recovery, but five years later returned to Cincinnati, coming back to Mercer County in 1869. For one year the family lived on a farm in Gibson township and then moved to Fort Recovery. There J. H. W. Krenning and his son, B. H. W. Krenning, started a store and woolen mill and this they continued to operate together until 1883, when the stock of store and mill was divided and the mill business was removed to Wytheville, Virginia. Our subject's father died in the fall of 1901.

George W. Krenning was six years old when the family moved first to Fort Recovery and was 15 when the permanent home was established here. His whole business life has been connected with this place.

In 1875 George W. Krenning was married to Harriet T. Campbell, a daughter of Isaac M. and Lydia A. (Hoar) Campbell, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Krenning have three children, viz. : Edna, Alice and George C. The older daughter, Edna, is a graduate of the Fort Recovery High School and Western Oxford College at Oxford, Ohio. For three years she has been a successful teacher at Elyria, Ohio, and is at present a student at Columbia University, New York City. Alice, the second daughter, is the wife of Rev. C. A. Mohr, pastor of the Congregational Church at Silverton, Colorado. George C. is in business with his father, but at present is a student at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.

Mr. Krenning has always performed the duties of a citizen, but has been too deeply immersed in business to take any very active part in politics. He has served efficiently, however, as a member of the School Board and has been town treasurer. Mr. Krenning and family are all members of the Pisgah Congregational Church at Fort Recovery.

William Justin Roether

William Justin Roether, a successful and well-known young agriculturist of Union township, was born in this township on the farm where his mother now lives, the old Roether farm, now known as the Be- dell farm. He is a son of John and Almira (Hamilton) Roether. A sketch of John Roether, who is now deceased, appears elsewhere in this book.

William Roether attended the township schools and also assisted with the farm work until he was 18 years old. He lived for several years in Center township and in the fall of 1899 moved upon the old Roether farm. Mr. Roether and his brother farmed this place in partnership until the fall of 1905. He now lives on the John Bedell farm in Union township. The farm consists of 80 acres and Mr. Roether has 32 acres of the same in corn, 15 acres in wheat, and 17 acres in oats. He has 93 head of hogs, and never sells his corn but keeps it for feed, considering it a better practice to use it for feed than to sell it. He also has three head of horses and is quite successful as a general farmer, having made what he has by his own energy and industry.

Mr. Roether married Cora Krugh, a daughter of John and Sallie Ann (Johnson) Krugh, of Union township. They have one daughter, who was born August 21, 1906. Politically, Mr. Roether is a Republican.

Andrew Buehler

Andrew Buehler, whose valuable farm of 120 acres is located in two counties, 80 acres in Darke and 40 acres, on which he makes his home, in Granville township, Mercer County, just across the road from the larger portion, was born in Marion township, Mercer County, Ohio, near Chickasaw, and is a son of Raymond and Veronica (Cook) Buehler.

Raymond Buehler was born in Germany and came to America when he was about 1 1 years of age, accompanying his parents, August and Catherine Buehler. The family settled first at Greenville, Ohio, but later moved to a farm purchased by our subject's father, in Marion township. Subsequently they sold this farm to their son Raymond, and moved to Carthagena, where they died. They had eight children, namely: Raymond, Bernard, John,

Joseph, Patrick, Agnes (wife of John Esser), Theresa (wife of John Blotur) and Sophia (wife of Christian Voesev). All have died except Joseph.

Raymond Buehler remained with his parents until his marriage, assisting his father. Then he settled with his wife on the old home place, where Deitrich Buehler, our subject's brother, now lives. At that time little clearing had been done in his neighborhood and game was very abundant in the woods. Deer were plentiful and wild turkeys were to be had for the shooting. Raymond Buehler remained on this farm, clearing it up and developing it, until his death, which occurred January 6, 1880. He was survived by his wife until September 19, 1901.

with her parents from Germany. To this marriage 13 children were born, as follows: Theresa, who died aged five years; Elizabeth, who also died aged five years; Wendel and Joseph, both deceased in infancy; Mary, who married Joseph Hess; Caroline; Henry, who married Victoria Miller; Andrew, of this sketch; August, who married Theresa Brunswick; John, who married Frances Rockner; Deitrich, who married Mary Ausman; Veronica, who married Henry Wiel; and Catherine, deceased in 1905, who was the wife of Herman Box.

Andrew Buehler attended the district schools and remained at home assisting his father on the home farm. When his father died, he inherited 80 acres of land in Darke County and when he married he started in to live on his property. He built a log house there, in which he lived for about 20 years. On January 1, 1901, he purchased from his brother-in-law, Frank Rammel, the 40 acres on whichis situated his home. As a house was on the place, the family moved into it immediately. Mr. Buehler has greatly improved the property and has remodeled and added to the house, which is a comfortable frame one of six rooms. He carries on general farming and has made a success of it.

On April 20, 1880, Mr. Buehler was married to Mary Rammel, a daughter of Joseph and Anna Mary (Ehrenbeck) Rammel, both of whom were born in Germany and became highly respected residents and substantial farming people of Mercer County. Mr. Rammel died on his farm in Granville township, May 2, 1892, but Mrs. Rammel survives and lives with her son George.

2, 1882; William, born October 27, 1883; and Elizabeth, born May 22, 1888. All reside at home and, with their parents, belong to St. Paul's Catholic Church at Sharpsburg.

Orville S. Ashcraft

Orville S. Ashcraft, a trustee of Washington township and one of the township's progressive citizens, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a well-developed farm situated in section 23, was born in Jay County, Indiana, December 25, 1870, and is a son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Adney) Ashcraft.

Joseph Ashcraft was born on a farm in Jay County, Indiana, and is a son of Daniel Ashcraft, who was born and reared in Coshocton County, Ohio, whence he removed to Jay County, Indiana, when a young man. Joseph Ashcraft, who is now living in retirement, is the father of seven children : William, who is married and resides at Eaton, Indiana ; John, who lives near Lansing, Michigan; Orville S., the subject of this sketch; Stella, who married Isaac Hassen and lives in North Dakota; Olive, wife of Henry Borrell, living in Chesterton, Indiana; Jennie, wife of Arthur Stout, living in Portland, Indiana; and Zelina, unmarried, who lives at home in Jay County, Indiana.

Orville S. Ashcraft was reared on his father's farm in Jay County, and has been engaged in farming all his life with the exception of four years, when he was a rig builder in the oil fields. The summer previous to his marriage, he worked in a large peach orchard on Catawba Island, Lake Erie. Since his marriage he has lived in Washington township, Mercer County, in 1900 moving upon his present farm, which is owned by his father-in-law, J. C. Snyder.

Mr. Ashcraft was married August 19, 1896, to Florence Snyder, a daughter of J. C. Snyder, a full sketch of whom will be found in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft are the parents of three children: Forrest Merle;

Tereva Eulali; and Elsia Winona. In politics Mr. Ashcraft is identified with the Democratic party and in the spring of 1902 was elected township trustee on the Democratic ticket. He is still serving in this office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Murphysburg, of which he is also a steward.

August Ontrop

August Ontrop, a prosperous farmer of Washington township residing on his well-improved and highly cultivated farm of 216 acres, located in section 34, was born May 25, 1849, 'n Walstedde, Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, and is a son of Matthias and Christina (Kappenberg) Ontrop, both of whom died in Germany.

August Ontrop was the youngest of a family of eight children, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Germany. At the age of 20 years he enlisted in the German Army and served two years and eight months in the Franco-Prussian War under General Werder, participating in the battles of Strasburg, Schledstadt and New Breisag, passing through all these engagements without receiving an injury. After the war he returned to his father's home, where he remained for about eight months, after which he emigrated to America, leaving his home April 16, 1873, and landed in New York City in the latter part of the same month. He immediately came to Mercer County, where he worked for two years on the farm which he now owns. His brother Anthony came to this country in 1874 and also came to Mercer County and located in Washington township with our subject. Anthony Ontrop married Theresia Tiggeman, who died in 1892; they had

In 1875 August Ontrop and his brother Anthony bought the farm where they had been working and engaged extensively in agricultural operations, carrying on mixed farming. Anthony Ontrop died September 17, 1905, and since his death our subject has been living on the farm with his niece and nephew. Mr. Ontrop has made the greater part of the improvements on the farm, erecting a large frame house and all the other buildings with the exception of the old barn, which was erected by the former owner and still stands.

John H. Laudahn

John H. Laudahn, general merchant and prominent citizen at Hinton, and the owner of a good farm of 40 acres in Liberty township, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, April 28, 1867, and is a son of John and Sophia (Bader) Laudahn.

Our subject was 15 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. They resided in Auglaize County from 1872 until 1882, when they came to Mercer County and settled in Liberty township. The father died in 1893, but the mother still survives and resides with her son.

Prior to entering into his mercantile business at Hinton, Mr. Laudahn followed farming. This industry he still carries on in addition to his other business. For some years he was postmaster at this point. He conducts a general store and carries a sufficient stock to fill the demands of local trade.

Joseph Wirtz

Joseph Wirtz, who is engaged in general farming on a fine farm of 1 19 acres located in section 30, Granville township, was born April 10, 1856, in a log cabin on his father's farm, which he now owns, and is a son of John P. Wirtz, a native of Germany.

located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later went to Covington, Kentucky, where he was engaged for io years as a teamster. From there he proceeded to Chickasaw, Mercer County, where he bought land and was later married. About two years later he moved to Granville township and bought 55 acres of farm land from Henry Franklin. He afterwards bought the old Walker place from Henry Romer. He was one of the pioneers of Granville township; at that time there were no sawmills near and wild game was plentiful. He built a log cabin with a split puncheon floor, and it was here that Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was born. John P. Wirtz became the father of three children, as follows: John, who died aged 14 years; Catherine, who

Joseph Wirtz was reared on his father's farm in Granville township, has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits and has always lived on the farm where he now lives and where he was born; he continued to live on the farm after his marriage and being the only living child fell heir to the farm on the death of his father. He has built a fine, seven-room, frame house on the farm as well as a large barn and other buildings.

Mr. Wirtz was married on June 11, 1880, to Magdalene Bower, a daughter of Jacob and Magdalene (Horning) Bower. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wirtz, namely: Clara, born in October, 1880, who died in childhood; Victoria, born January 27, 1882; Edward, born November 19, 1883; Catherine, born December 23, 1885; Elizabeth, born December 3, 1887; Anna, born March 31, 1890; Jacob, born June 23, 1892; Wilhelm, born May 11, 1895; Rose, born March 8, 1898; and Albert, born October 7, 1901, who died in infancy. Mr. Wirtz at one time had nine oilwells in operation on his place. He was road supervisor for one term, and served on the School Board for a number of years. He is a member of St. Wendelin's Catholic Church at Wendelin.

Jacob Bower, the father of Mrs. Wirtz, was born in Germany, where he was reared to manhood, after which he engaged in farming. He was married to Magdalene Horning and they had eight children, three of whom were born in Germany: Magdalene (Mrs. Wirtz), born February 22, 1859; Jacob, who married Elizabeth Hoening and lives at Chattanooga; Matilda, who died aged 18 years; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Fred, who died in childhood; Mrs. Louise Schwirking, who lives at Cranberry Prairie; Philip, who married Anna Schultz and resides at St. Marys, Ohio; and August, living at St. Marys, who married Blanch Fable. Mrs. Wirtz was eight years old when her parents came to this country and settled at Cranberry Prairie. She well remembers when her uncle was obliged to carry her about two miles through the swamp up to his boot-tops. They lived for five years at Cranberry Prairie, then moved to St. Henry, remaining there for three years. They also resided at Wendelin for eight years, after which they returned to Cranberry Prairie, where her father retired, and where he is still living. Mrs. Bowers died December 7, .1904.

William Addison Hamilton

William Addison Hamilton, a posperous citizen of Union township, was born November 23, 1857, half a mile east of his present well-improved farm of 78 acres, and is a son of Hugh and Angeline (Dobson) Hamilton.

The Hamilton family came originally from Ireland to New England, although the earliest records made it of Scotch extraction. The name is found among the early men of affairs in the colonies and was borne by both privates and officers in the Revolutionary and in the Civil War. The greatgrandfather of William A. Hamilton lived and died near Rochester, New York.

William Hamilton, the paternal grandfather, was one of the very early settlers of Union township, Mercer County, coming in 1826. He returned to New York and married Charlotta Elmira Abbey, who was born in 1804 in Canandaigua, New York, and in 1828 they came to Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, settling in section 26, on Eight-Mile Creek. Mr. Hamilton cleared up a farm on which he resided for some years and then moved to Mendon, embarking in the mercantile business. Subsequently he returned to the farm and there the remaining years of his life were spent. At one time he owned 400 acres of land ; he gave his children farms averaging from 40 to 80 acres when they married. The children of William and Charlotta Elmira Hamilton were: Polly Ann, who married James Shepherd, of

Union township ; Lois, who married Cyrus Hussey and resides in Auglaize County; Hugh, the father of our subject; Sallie, who married Warren Barber, an old resident of Union township, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Isabelle, who married John A. Murlin, of Mendon; Susan, who died aged 16 years, in 1864; William, who died in 1896 in Union township, being survived by his widow, who lives in this township ; and several children that died in infancy.

Hugh Hamilton, father of our subject, was born in Union township, Mercer County, Ohio, in 1832, half a mile north of where William A. Hamilton lives. There he died in 1900 at the age of 68 years. In January, 1857, he married Angeline Dobson, who was born in 1836 and still survives. She is a daughter of Joseph A. and Eliza (Ribkey) Dobson, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania. His father, William Dobson, came from England. He had one son and two daughters, the latter of whom were born in England. His son, Joseph A., married Eliza Ribkey, of Lancaster. Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Allegheny County, thence to Meigs County, Ohio, from there to Athens County, then to Auglaize County, and in 1882 to Mercer County, where both he and his wife died; the former, born in November, 1812, died in 1890, aged 78 years, and the latter, born in 1816, died in 1884.

The children born to Joseph A. and Eliza Dobson were : Mary Etta, who married Thomas Hays and moved to Wisconsin, where both died; Angeline, the mother of our subject; Joseph, who died aged 20 years; Louise, who married John Brewer, lived at Paulding, Ohio, and died in 1902; Catherine, who married Hamilton Noble and lives in Oklahoma; Annie, who married N. T. Griffin, resided in Mercer County and died in 1905; F. P., who is engaged in a real estate business at Denver, Colorado; William H., also a resident of Denver; Elias, who died aged 24 years; and a babe deceased in infancy.

The children of Hugh and Angeline (Dobson) Hamilton were: William Addison, of this sketch ; Mary Etta, who married Thomas E. Upton, and died in 1892, leaving four children; and Joseph, who, prior to his marriage was a boot and shoe dealer at Mendon. Joseph Hamilton now resides with his venerable mother. He married Elizabeth Bevan, a daughter of John Bevan, of Union township. They have three children, one of whom, Hugh, makes his home with his uncle, William Addison, the subject of this sketch.

William Addison Hamilton attended the township schools and also the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and then taught school for several years in Union township. He was reared a practical farmer and has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. He has resided on his present farm since 1888.

In 1888 he was married to Julia A. Nottingham, a daughter of William and Ann (Nickel) Nottingham, both residents of Center township. William Nottingham was born in the eastern part of West Virginia and is a son of George Nottingham, who came to Ohio when William was eight years of age and settled near St. Marys, in Auglaize County. The latter recently visited his old home in West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Nottingham had seven children, namely: William M., who is engaged in the marble business at Cleveland, Ohio; Julia A., wife of our subject; Nettie, wife of James Staeger, living near Celina; Louella, living at home; Frank, a driller and horseman, residing at Mendon ; Leroy, who lives on the farm in Center township; and George, unmarried, who farms for his father in Center township.

Louise, Julia Etta and Mary Letha, all at home. In his political preference he is a Republican, but occasions arise when he casts his vote for the man rather than for the party. He is a good citizen himself and desires to see men in office who will be sure to carry out the laws of the land without fear or favor.

Moses Silas Hamilton

Moses Silas Hamilton, a successful farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Center township, residing on his farm of 40 acres in section 4, was born October 21, 1859, and is a son of Justus and Mary Jane (Panabaker) Hamilton and a grandson of Justin and Eliza (Rhodes) Hamilton.

Justus Hamilton, the father of our subject, was born February 19, 1820, and was reared in Mercer County, where his father was one of the very earliest settlers. Pie married Mary Jane Panabaker, and they became the parents of eight children: Almira; Isabelle; Hugh L. ; William A.;

Moses S. Hamilton was born on the farm in Center township where he now resides and received most of his education in the schools of Celina, attending until 19 years of age. After leaving school, he moved back to the old home farm in Center township and engaged in farming. Mr. Hamilton has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits except for a period of 10 years when he lived in Mendon, where he purchased a home and was engaged in contracting and building, working throughout Mercer County. He erected buildings in St. Marys, Auglaize County, and in Celina, Mendon and other places in Mercer County. Mr. Hamilton began life almost wholly upon his own resources, having originally a small farm of 20 acres, which he spent in caring for himself and son after the death of his first wife. He was first married in 1879 to Frona Belle Dutton, a daughter of James and Sarah Dutton. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1892. One son was born to this union, Lee Ivan, in 1880. Lee Ivan resides in Celina and is employed as a mail carrier on Rural Route No. 3 ; he married Ada Hall, a daughter of Curtis Hall of Neptune, and has two children : Juanita and Mildred.

Mr. Hamilton was married in 1894 to Mary Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Elihu and Ellen Jane (Harner) Davis. Three children were born to the second union: Garret Trevor, Vera Ada and Anna Jane, all of whom are living. The parents of Mrs. Hamilton reside on a farm in section 16, Center township, the father being in his 76th year and the mother in her

78th year. Mrs. Davis and the father of our subject were children together and grew up in the same neighborhood. Michael Harner, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Hamilton, located in Union township, Mercer County, soon after Justin Hamilton, the grandfather of Mr. Hamilton, came here - both were among the pioneers of the county.

Mr. Hamilton now owns a fine farm and in 1903 built a very attractive home on the place. Politically he is a Republican. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit and is recognized as one of the county's best citizens.

William Henry Lowry

William Henry Lowry, a well-known business man of Fort Recovery, was born in Clark County, Ohio, near Springfield, April 1, 1856, and is a son of Aaron Morton and Elizabeth (Byrely) Lowry.

Aaron Morton Lowry, who was a native of New York State, came to Clark County, Ohio, with his father, Benjamin Lowry, when a boy. Benjamin Lowry moved to Mercer County with his family in i860 and settled on a farm in Gibson township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Morton Lowry became the parents of three children, namely : William

Henry, the subject of this sketch; Leslie, who lives in Gibson township, and Elmaretta, who married Charles Hastings and lives in Merritt, Washington.

William Henry Lowry came to Gibson township, Mercer County, Ohio, with his parents when five years old. Here he was reared, obtaining his education in the district schools. In 1884 Mi;. Lowry moved to Fort Recovery, where he has been engaged in the live-stock business, buying, selling and shipping stock. He is also a contractor, building gravel roads and is now engaged in building 24 miles of road in Wells County, Indiana. Mr. Lowry owns a great deal of land, having 330 acres of farm land in three different counties - Mercer and Darke counties, Ohio, and Jay County, Indiana. Mr. Lowry resides in a large brick house in Fort Recovery, which he erected in 1896, and where he has since made his home. He has been married twice; first, in 1880, to Anna Hunter, a daughter of Robert Hunter; they had one child, Harry. Mrs. Lowry died in 1883. His second marriage took place in November, 1890, to Katherine Flaherty, a daughter of Thomas Flaherty. They have had two children: Donna and Victor.

In 1893 Mr. Lowry was elected county commissioner on the Independent ticket. He was nominated against his wishes and made no fight to win the office, but was elected and served three years. He is a Mason and is a member of Portland (Indiana) Lodge, B. P. O. E.

Jacob J. Baker

Jacob J. Baker, deceased, was one of the leading citizens and honorable and respected men of Liberty township, where his death occurred on June 6, 1889. He was born in Shelby County, Ohio, April 17, 1840, and was a son of John and Barbara (Whiteman) Baker.

The parents of Mr. Baker, who were natives of Germany, came to - America and lived in Shelby County, Ohio, until 1850, when they removed to Mercer County, where they became settlers in Black Creek township.

In the latter, Jacob J. Baker completed his education in the district schools. He remained in the same vicinity until 1865, when he removed to Liberty township, where he engaged in farming, having an estate of 153 acres. In addition to farming he went into the sawmill business, in partnership with the late Adam Bollenbacher and the late William Gehm. For many years he was deeply interested in the lumber business and was a practical worker in his mill. It was while engaged in duties pertaining to this work that he met a tragic death, accidentally falling in the way of the circular saw, injuries being inflicted before he could be rescued that caused his death. It was a time of mourning all over the township, for Mr. Baker was a man who was honored and respected by everybody. The deepest sympathy was felt for his bereaved family to whom he had been a loving and beloved husband and father.

On June 13, 1863, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Caroline Bollenbacher, who was born June 1, 1842, and is a daughter of George and Henrietta (Alt) Bollenbacher. The father of Mrs. Baker was a man of family in Germany when he decided to emigrate to America, Mrs. Baker being then 10 years old. They were early settlers in Liberty township and Mrs. Baker recalls many interesting events of pioneer life. Both parents died in Liberty township, but three brothers and one sister of Mrs. Baker still survive, as follows: George, Jacob and Charles, all of Liberty township; and Catherine, wife of Ferdinand Kable, of Liberty township.

The children born to our subject and wife were as follows:, Charles W., of Black Creek township; Annie H., wife of William Rothhaar, of Dayton, Ohio; Lewis, of Black Creek township; Caroline C., wife of Christian Stuckey, of Adams County, Indiana; Mary C., wife of Frederick Stuckey, of Black Creek township ; Lydia P., wife of George Rothhaar, of Liberty township ; Jacob A., Henry C. and Theobald A., all of Liberty township; Hulda L., wife of Albert German, of Van Wert County; Thedona D., wife of William German, of Van Wert County; and Amelia M., wife of Michael Linn, of Liberty township. Mrs. Baker has 26 grandchildren.

Sebastian Lauber

Sebastian Lauber, a representative farmer and most worthy citizen of Granville township, owns a fine farm of 98 acres situated in section 19. Mr. Lauber was born April 20, 1839. in Germany, and is a son of John and Catherine Lauber.

The parents of Mr. Lauber emigrated from Germany in 1847, landing at New York City. Their objective point was Mercer County, Ohio, and they came here by way of Buffalo and Toledo, taking passage on the new canal to Minster. There they secured the assistance of Liebolt Stelzer, whose brother was one of the three first settlers at St. Johns. The Laubers reached their destination safely, in the farm wagon of Mr. Stelzer, and the father soon built a little log hut in the midst of the woods, three-fourths of a mile east of Cassella, which served as a shelter at night. While not clearing his land, John Lauber and sons secured game for the family larder, deer and squirrel being very plentiful. Our subject recalls catching a young deer and taming it so that it became a household pet.

At a later date the father built a larger and more comfortable log house. This is still standing and is the oldest log structure left in the county. For a long time pioneer conditions prevailed. There were no roads, no bridges and no mills within a reasonable distance. The corn which, with game, made up the principal food of the family, was ground in a mortar formed of a hollow stump. For a long time there was no variety in their fare and often the amount was scanty, but Mr. Lauber can look back to a happy childhood, which certainly was a healthy one. The father died on this farm in 1874, aged 66 years, and the mother in 1884, aged 73 years. They had eight children, four of whom were born in Germany and four in America, all surviving and being as follows : Liebolt, living in Missouri, who married Julia Keble; Sebastian; Sophronia, who married Killian Cushman and lives at Piqua, Ohio; Catherine, who married August Lechner and lives in Missouri; Sophia, widow of Nicholas Jacobs, living in Cincinnati; Jacob, unmarried ; Christina, unmarried ; and Valentine, who married Lettie Garver and lives at Celina.

Sebastian Lauber was eight years old when his parents came to America and he has lived in Mercer County ever since 1847. While agriculture has been his main business in life, Mr. Lauber has been engaged in various enterprises which have proven generally successful. In 1869 he decided to open a general store at Wendelin and, on credit, bought $3,000 worth of goods at Dayton, hauling them himself all the distance as there was no railroad. He settled up with his creditors according to contract, but on January 2, 1870, his store was set on fire by a rough gang of the locality and he lost his whole stock. His credit was so good that offers were made to back him with another stock. He once ran a blacksmith shop at Piqua and does all his own work in that line.

From 1873 until 1877, Mr. Lauber operated a sawmill at Wendelin and made his shingles and flooring. In 1877 traded a third interest in his saw-mill for a lot and building in Fort Recovery and another third for his present farm, then owned by Joseph Robbins. He was also in the oil business and now owns a string of tools and has two wells on his place. Mr. Lauber settled on this farm, which was the old Robbins place, in 1883. The large brick residence of eight rooms had been built in 1871 ; the house stands on the Lauber turnpike and is beautifully sheltered from the highway by an immense willow tree. In addition to farming, Mr. Lauber owns and runs athreshing machine.

in Indiana; Frank; Rose, who married Henry Gardner, the ceremony taking place at St. Wendelin's Catholic Church, on August 30, 1906; and Lena, John, Anna, Joseph and Pherona. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Lauber has always taken a good citizen's interest in township matters and has cast his vote for men who in his opinion have been qualified to carry out the laws. He has served as treasurer of the School Board and was turnpike commissioner when the Lauber turnpike was built in 1887.

Thomas J. Carmichael

Thomas J. Carmichael, whose well-improved, valuable farm of 120 acres is situated in section 12, Washington township, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, May 22, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and Barbara (Smith) Carmichael.

Thomas Carmichael, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio as a young man, settling first in Licking County, where he engaged in farming. Later he moved to Muskingum County, but subsequently returned to Licking County. He married Barbara Smith, who died in 1868.

Thomas j. Carmichael was reared on his father's farm in Licking County. In 1862, when 20 years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company F, 95th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served until Janu- ary, 1864. His regiment was with the army in Middle Tennessee, under Gen. U. S. Grant, and he participated in a number of serious battles and severe skirmishes. At the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, he was not only severely injured in the back, but was captured by Gen. Kirby Smith's soldiers and was imprisoned at Richmond, Kentucky. His wounds were such that he was soon paroled and he entered the hospital at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, where he was confined from September, 1862, until January 12, 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability received in the line of duty a most honorable distinction. He was the musician of the company, playing the drum.

Upon his return to Licking County, Mr. Carmichael engaged in farming, and after his marriage, in 1867, moved to Delaware County, Ohio, leasing a farm. In the spring of 1868 he bought his present farm but did not move on it until 1874. This land was covered with timber, which Mr. Carmichael has cleared off. His first residence was burned in 1895, the present comfortable one taking its place. In 1895 he bought 60 acres adjoining his place, but this property he sold to advantage in 1902.

In 1867 Mr. Carmichael was married to Sarah J. Drumm, a daughter of Peter Drumm, a prominent farmer who owned an adjoining farm to that of Thomas Carmichael, in Licking County. Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael have six children, namely: Araminta B., who married John D. Cheney, a grocer of Hartford City, Indiana, and has four children; Annie A., who married Frank F. Hone, conducting a transfer business at Hartford City, Indiana, and has three children; Rosa M., who married Charles Martin, a blacksmith of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has four children; John Judson, living at home, who married Nancy Smith; Bessie A., who married Claude Pichon, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has two children; and Virgil A., working in a glass factory at Hartford City, Indiana.

Mr. Carmichael is a member of the Christian Church. For 40 years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs also to the Grand Army of the Republic. A group picture of the Carmichael family accompanies this sketch.

David Schroyer

David Schroyer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington township, owns 135 acres of fine land situated as follows: 80 acres in section 4, Washington township, upon which he lives and 35 acres in section 3, while the 20-acre farm in section 9 is owned by his wife. He was

George Schroyer was born in Butler County, Ohio, and was between 19 and 20 years of age when he moved to Mercer County with his father, Nicholas Schroyer. He has since lived on the land which his father bought upon locating in the county. He married Mahala Harrod, a daughter of David Harrod, of Washington township, and they had eight children, of whom David was the third child.

David Schroyer was reared on his father's farm in Washington township and received his education in the district schools. He has always been engaged in farming, and with the exception of the first two years following his marriage has always resided in Washington township, having lived on this farm since 1879. His father gave him his first 40 acres, all timberland, and he later bought the land in section 3, and in the spring of 1905 bought 40 acres adjoining his land in section 4. In the spring of 1879 he erected a large frame house, and in 1888 built a substantial barn.

Mr. Schroyer was married in 1877 to Mary Powell, a daughter of Samuel Powell, and they have had five children : Myrtle Louella, who married Frank Stillbarger, resides three miles west of Celina in Jefferson township and has two children - William, and Carrie Evaline; Albert Clayton, who married Rhoda Halterman and lives on a part of his father's farm; Lucy Mahala, who married Mark C. Gray, of Washington township; Alice May and Cora Dell. Mr. Schroyer is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Daniel Evi Boley

Daniel Evi Boley, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on a farm of 120 acres located in section 14, Washington township, was born October 13, 1873, and is a son of John and Catherine (Ammon) Boley.

John Boley was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Boley, who moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, with his father, when about 17 years old. The latter bought a farm in Mahoning County on which he lived until his death. In 1837, John Boley, Jr., moved from Mahoning to Mercer County and located on a farm of 320 acres, which he had entered three years before. The land was entirely covered with timber and in 1835, before moving to the county, he hired men to clear 10 acres of the land and to erect a log cabin. In 1836 he was married (first) in Mahoning County. His wife died in Mercer County about 1857, leaving one son, Michael, who died three months after the death of his mother, aged 19 years. In 1866 Mr. Boley was married (second) to Catherine Ammon, who was a daughter of William

Ammon, one of the early settlers of Mercer County, who moved from Mahoning County in 1840. Mr. Boley had three children by his second marriage: William John, of Washington township; Catherine, wife of Thomas Scott, of Washington township; and Daniel Evi. At the time of his death in August, 1896, Mr. Boley was one of the wealthiest farmers of Washington township. Mrs. Boley died March 16, 1906, at the age of 68 years.

Daniel Evi Boley was reared and educated in Washington township and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. The farm on which he resides is part of the home farm, which was originally entered by his father. Since 1901 Mr. Boley has been interested in raising Poland-China hogs; he also raises a great many sheep.

Mr. Boley was married August 29, 1897, to Mazzie Portz, who is a daughter of Peter and Katie (Gibson) Portz. Peter Portz was born in Prussia, September 11, 1847, and located in Washington township, Mercer County, in the spring of 1875. During the War of the Rebellion he Was a! soldier in the Union Army, having run away from home at the age of 15 years, in order to enlist. His father brought him home again, but he ran away the second time and served until 1864, when he was honorably discharged. In May, 1876, he married (first) Catherine Gibson, of Fort Recovery, and they had three children: Ottie, a resident of Charleston, West Virgina; Mazzie; and James, of Charleston, West Virginia. Mrs. Portz died January 29, 1884, when Mrs. Boley was a small child. Mr. Portz was married (second) to Amanda Arbaugh, and they had five children. He formerly operated a general store at Macedon, Washington township, but lately sold out and is now a resident of Portland, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Boley have three children : Clyde, Carl and Alice.

John A. Hunter

John A. Hunter, attorney-at-law at Fort Recovery, is serving his second term as mayor of the village, of which he is one of the best known citizens. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 19, 1844, and is a son of Robert and Nancy (Alexander) Hunter.

Robert Hunter, father of Mayor Hunter, removed from Fairfield to Mercer County, Ohio, in 1846, settling on a farm in Gibson township, this) portion of the county then being included in Darke County.

John A. Hunter's boyhood and youth were spent in Gibson township, where he attended the public schools. Later he attended Liber College, in Jay County, Indiana, and subsequently taught school for three years in Gibson township, and two years in Jay County, Indiana. In 1870 Mr. Hunter moved to Bradford, Miami County, Ohio, where he embarked in a grocery business and later carried on a grain business. For four years he also conducted a boot and shoe store and became one of the leading men of the town serving for1 two years as its mayor. He studied law while living at Bradford, under Ahijah Jones, a well-known practitioner there, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1887. He served for 11 years as justice of the peace of Adams township, Darke County, Ohio. In 1889 he located at Fort Recovery and immediately became a man of prominence and usefulness here. In 1902 he was elected mayor and in 1905 he was again so honored by his fellow citizens.

Mr. Hunter has always been a loyal, public-spirited citizen. During the Civil War, in 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 152nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.* as a private and served until the close of the war. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post at Fort Recovery.

On May 19, 1869, Mr. Hunter was married to Martha, A. Bailey, a daughter of Hiram Bailey, and they have three children, namely : Ella, who is the wife of K. I. Perkey, of Boise City, Idaho; and they have one child, Esther L. ; Austin, who married Lula Coover, of Napoleon, Ohio, resides at Indianapolis, Indiana, and has one child, Frances; and Esther, who married Joseph E. Newcomer and has one child, Mary Lucile.

Mr. Hunter is a member of the Fort Recovery Presbyterian Church and is the church treasurer. He is a citizen who performs with credit to himself and with satisfaction to others, the duties and obligations imposed upon him and his administration of office has been entirely along the lines of temperance and morality.

Charles Justus Hamilton

Charles Justus Hamilton, a prominent farmer of Center township, who owns a well-improved farm of 80 acres located in section 4, was born December 21, 1857, in this township on the farm where he now resides, and is a son of Justus and Mary Jane (Panabaker) Hamilton.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Hon. Justin Hamilton, was born in New York State and located in Union township, Mercer County, in 1822. Previous to this he had lived for a time in Kentucky. When he came to Mercer County, the Indians camped on his land and many times aided him in various ways. Fie was one of the first surveyors in Mercer County. He owned a large body of land here, located on Twelve-Mile Creek, one mile and a half southwest of Mendon. He owned the greater part of the land around Mendon, and surveyed the site of that town and platted it. He was a member for two terms of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the counties of Mercer, Darke, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Paulding and Williams. Owing to his special ability as a reader, he was selected to read many bills before the

Legislature. He was one of the foremost citizens of the county in that early day and was a leader among men, his advice often being sought by his fellowcitizens. He married Eliza Rhodes, of Kentucky, and they had eight children: Isabelle, who married (first) a Mr. Noble and after his death. Lewis Brewer, of Auglaize County, in which county she died; Justus, father of our subject ; Lucius, who married Mary Miller and settled on part of the old home place, where he died ; Charlotta ; Justin, who married Eliza Suavely, and lived and died on that part of the home place where the father first settled; Emily, a resident of Center township, who is the widow of Andrew Snavely; Elizaj Lucinda, who married Austin Barber and resided in Auglaize County - both now deceased ; and Almira, a resident of Union township, who is the widow of the late John Roether.

The maternal grandfather of our subject was Adam Panabaker, a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Piqua, Miami County, Ohio, where he was engaged for several years in the milling business. From there he moved to Mercer County, locating in Union township, where he remained until the time of his death, which occurred during the progress of the Civil War at the age of 75 years. He was the father of two daughters and one son : William, who served through the Mexican War, after which he returned to Illinois, where he lived until his death ; Rebecca Panabaker, wife of Dr. Cyrenius Elliott, who located in Perry County and engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred at an advanced age; and Mary Jane, the; mother of our subject.

Justus Hamilton was born in Kentucky, February 19, 1820, and came to Mercer County with his parents in an ox-cart when nine months old. He served one year during the Civil War in the 46th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and participated in a number of severe engagements. He married Mary Jane Panabaker, who was a native of Virginia, and they became the parents of four sons and four daughters : Almira, died when about 23 years of age ; Isabelle, who married George Wells, a resident of Auglaize County, and died in April, 1905, at St. Marys, where they were then residing; Hugh L., one of the wealthiest farmers of Union township, who married Lydia Patterson, and after her death married Martha Brown - he was a soldier in the Civil War; William A., who married Almeda Rittenhouse, of Michigan, and is now a resident of Big Rapids, Michigan; Jennie, who married P. M. Harris and lives at Rockford; Hattie, who married Adolph Gilberg, editor of the Celina Observer; Charles Justus, the subject of this sketch; and Moses Silas, residing on his farm in Center township, who first married Frona Belle Dutton, a daughter of James Dutton, and after her death married Lizzie Davis.

Charles Justus Hamilton was reared on his father's farm in Center township, but later attended school in Celina whither his father removed in order to educate his children, and where he owned and operated a tannery for a time. He attended school with Stephen A. Armstrong, C. G. O. and Henry A. Miller, Charles M. LeBlond and others of Celina, prominent in the professional and business worlds. He has lived continuously in Center township since his marriage, with the exception of four years spent in Mendon and one year in Celina.

Mr. Hamilton was married, November 12, 1 876, to Laura Anderson, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Tarnell) Anderson and a native of Indiana, having been born near St. Joseph. The mother of Mrs. Hamilton has been dead for some years ; her father, who is a native of Pennsylvania, is still living at the age of 77 years, residing at Mendon - after the death of his first wife, Mrs. Hamilton's mother, Mr. Anderson married Nettie Blake, of Celina. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others are as follows : Ray, deceased at the age "of eight months ; Oral, who married John Severns, resides at Casey, Illinois, where Mr. Severns is engaged in the oil business, and has three children, two boys and one daughter - Beryl, Vaughn and Leo; Ethel, who married Oscar Carter, a farmer of Davidson, Canada, who raises as much as 6,000 bushels of wheat per year; Georgia, who married Perry Miller, resides at Westfield, Illinois, where Mr. Miller is in the oik business, and has one child, Orval; and Ford, who lives at home and assists in the work on the farm.

Edward Voke

Edward Voke, one of the representative and successful business men of Mendon, cashier of the Mendon Bank, was born October 31, 1869, at Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio, and is a son of Edward Lewis and Theresa (Farwell) Voke.

Edward Voke, the paternal great-grandfather, came to America soon after his son Edward, with whom he made his home until his death in 1873. This branch of the Voke family can be traced as far back as the year 1720.

Edward Voke, the paternal grandfather, was born in Portsmouth, England, in 1810, and came to the United States in 1831. He first located at Rochester, New York, where he clerked in a general store for a time and then moved to Niagara County, where he purchased a farm and engaged in general farming for 30 years. When he retired from farm life, he moved to Spencerport, New York, where he remained until the time of his death in 1900, at the advanced age of 90 years. He was the father of three children : Edward L. ;

Edward L. Voke was a native of Hartland, Genesee County, New York, and was born December 21, 1833, and died January 17, 1898. He moved to Mercer County, Ohio, in 1880 and located at Shane's Crossing (now Rockford), where he remained two years and later moved to a farm in Dublin township where he resided until his death. He married Theresa Farwell, who was born July 26, 1844, in Genesee County, New York, and is at present a resident of Columbus, Ohio. Four children were born to them, as follows: Lewis F., who is a practicing physician at Columbus; Edward; and Mabel and Cora, who reside with their mother. Mr. and Mrs. Voke were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edward Voke was reared in his native fownship and attended the Rockford High School, completing the course when 19 years old. He then taught school for three years, one year in Dublin township and two years at Rockford. Mr. Voke was then engaged in farming until 1902 when he moved to Mendon and organized the Mendon Bank, with a capital stock of $10,000, of which Lewis F. Voke is president and Edward Voke is cashier. The Mendon Bank is one of the successful financial institutions of Mercer County, has a -strong patronage, and handles practically all of the business of the northeastern section of the county. It opened for business February 4, 1902. The Bank is situated in a very attractive building which was erected in 1901. Mr. Voke has other business interests, owning with his brother a three-fourths interest in an elevator at Monticello, Ohio, under the firm name of Voke Brothers & Clay. The firm was organized in 1903 and the elevator was constructed the same year. Mr. Voke is recognized as one of the leading and successful business men of Mercer County.

Mr. Voke was married June 24, 1894, to Elta Sidenbender, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Sidenbender, of Rockford, Mercer County. She was born in Mercer County. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Voke: Myron Van, Albert F., Mary and Carl. Mr. Voke is a member of the Mendon Lodge, No. 586, F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges at Mendon. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Rev. Samuel Egger

Rev. Samuel Egger is the beloved pastor of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church, which is situated in Liberty township, near Chattanooga. He was born in Monroe County, Ohio, March 11, 1857, and is a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Christman) Egger.

The parents of Mr. Egger were early settlers in Monroe County, where they were well known. The father, who was a native of New Jersey, had enjoyed educational advantages in the East.

Samuel Egger secured his primary education in the public schools of Monroe County. After deciding to enter upon a life of religious work, he entered the Elmhurst Theological Seminary, which institution is located some 16 miles west of Chicago, Illinois, where he continued under theological instruction for the subsequent four years. He next attended Eden 'College of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, which is located in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was graduated in 1882, after a course of close study covering three years.

In the year of his graduation, Mr. Egger accepted the pastorate of St. Paul's German Evangelical Church, and remained in charge for six years, when he was transferred to St. Paul's Evangelical Church at Woodsfield, Monroe County. He remained there almost six years, but in 1894 he returned to Liberty township and resumed his old pleasant relations with the congregation of St. Paul's. To some extent, Mr. Egger is interested also in agriculture, as he owns a good farm of 80 acres in this vicinity.

Mr. Egger was married on October 26, 1882, to Mary Buckio, who was born in Monroe County, Ohio. Of their eight children, six survive, as follows: Leivis S., Freda B., Simeon S., Frank T., Lovina A. and Cornelius.

. Mr. Egger is one of the leading ministers of his church in Mercer County. He possesses the power to make the truth known and it is largely due to his influence that so many of the younger generation still cling to the church of their forefathers. In every walk of life he has friends and to all he is loyal in time of trouble, ministering as becomes a pious Christian leader.

Walter Nimrod Monroe

Walter Nimrod Monroe, justice of the peace of Franklin township, and a prominent resident of Montezuma, belongs to one of the early settled families of this town, in fact, he was born on the present site of Montezuma, which was then a part of his father's farm, on July 26, 1867. He is a son of James Henry and Elizabeth A. (Duffy) Monroe.

James Henry Monroe was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied his parents, who were Virginians, to Shelby County, Ohio, where the father bought a farm along the Miami and Erie Canal. The grandfather of our subject had 17 children, the survivors being: Jonathan; Lyde, widow of Samuel Hunt, residing in Shelby County; Tawny, who is a resident of Jefferson township, Mercer County; and Josephine, who married Coleman Baker, of Shelby County.

James Henry Monroe grew to manhood in Shelby County, where he married Elizabeth A. Duffy. They settled on a farm in that county where they lived until 1856, when Mr. Monroe moved to Franklin township, Mercer County. At that time a few scattered houses made up what is now the prosperous town of Montezuma and Mr. Monroe's farm included almost all of the present site. James H. Monroe engaged in farming until he retired from active life. His death occurred on November 20, 1892. His children were: David L. and James Francis, born in Shelby County, and Joseph Henry, Martha, Mary E. and Walter Nimrod, who were born in Mercer County. David L. married (first) Nancy Gray and after her death married (second) Bertha Swartz; he and his second wife are both deceased; James Francis married Sarah Cain and lives in Franklin township ; Joseph Henry, died unmarried, in 1903, Martha died in infancy, Mary E. is the wife of Elias Stafford, of Montezuma.

Walter N. Monroe spent his boyhood on the farm which now forms aj part of his village home. This property he purchased from his brother. He has been one of the leading citizens of Montezuma almost since he attained! manhood, having served the town as mayor for some five years, as councilman for four years, and in 1897 was appointed a justice of the peace. In the following spring he was elected to this office and has been retained in itf ever since, his service being most satisfactory to all concerned.

Mr. Monroe was married (first), in 1889, to Mary Ann Clayton, who died August 10, 1896, the mother of three chillren - Orville, Willard and Clarence (deceased). On March 7, 1897, Mr. Monroe was married to Emma Nolan, a daughter of Henry and Matilda (Younger) Nolan. The father of Mrs. Monroe was born in Mercer County and died in February, 1901. The mother was born in an old log cabin in this county where her father, Robert1 Younger, had settled as a pioneer. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Monroe are : Samuel, who married Mary Grace and lives in Center township, near Celina; Frank, Roy, Harry and Ben, all living in Center township; Ida, wife of James Delong; and Anna.

John Powell

John Powell, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Washington township, residing in section 10, owns m acres of fine land in sections 10 and

II, Washington township, and 80 acres in section 27, Liberty township. Mr. Powell was born in Butler County, Ohio, January 24, 1836, and is a son of John and Barbara (Shafer) Powell.

John Powell, our subject's father, was born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and did not come to Ohio until after his marriage. He settled then on a farm in Butler County, not far distant from Hamilton, where he resided until 1852, when he removed to Washington township, Mercer County, where he bought 320 acres. It was mainly wild land which he cleared with the assistance of his sons. Of his eight children, John, the sixth in order of birth, and Mrs. Amanda Sarber, of Butler County, the youngest daughter, are the sole survivors. The others were : Mrs. Lucy HilJergass, who died near Fort Wayne, Indiana; Mrs. Susan Bitner, who died in Wood County, Ohio; Samuel, who was a well-known farmer of Washington township; Mrs. Catherine Moore, who resided in Butler County; and Sarah and David, who died in Washington township.

John Powell's school days were passed in Butler County, as he was about 15 years old when he accompanied his father to Mercer County. He assisted on the home farm until he was 22 years of age and then engaged in farming in Illinois for about seven years. Since then he has resided in Washington township. A part of his present farm is a portion of the old home farm which his father bought in 1852. In addition to carrying on general agriculture, Mr. Powell has given especial attention to the raising of thoroughbred cattle and sheep and the best strain of horses. His Shropshire sheep and Polled Durham cattle have taken many prizes.

In 1868 Mr. Powell was married (first) to Fannie Jenkins, and (second), in 1871, to Maggie Wiles, both of whom are deceased. In 1875 Mr. Powell was married (third) to Emeline Kutsch, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Conrad) Kutsch. Mr. Kutsch came from Germany to America when a young man and was married to Catherine Conrad, in Liberty township, Mercer County. He died in 1867, but his widow survives and lives in Jay County, Indiana. Their children were: Jacob, deceased; Emeline; Katie and Sophia (twins), the former of whom is the wife of Caleb Wilson and the latter the! widow of Frank Oliver; and Angeline, who died in childhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Powell have had six children, the survivors being Katie, who married John Minchoffer, resides in Washington township and has two children - Beatrice and John Cletus ; Pearl, who married John Smith and has one child, Naomi ; Benjamin Franklin, who married Ivy Wright and has two children, Delilah and Mabel ; and Stephen Grover Cleveland and Leona, who are at home. One daughter, Maggie, died aged four years. Politically Mr. Powell is a Democrat.

Adam Schaadt

Adam Schaadt, deceased, was in life one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Liberty township, where he owned a farm of 160 acres on which he resided for over a decade. Mr. Schaadt was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, February 24, 1846, and died in Mercer County, March 21, 1895. He was a son of Adam and Phebe (Giesler) Schaadt.

The parents of our subject were natives of Germany and were among the early settlers of Van Wert County. Of their children, but one son survives - Philip, who resides in Van Wert County. Another son, Fred, died November 8, 1906, in Liberty township.

The late Adam Schaadt was reared in Van Wert County and from his youth was familiar with all kinds of agricultural work and devoted his attention through life to farming and stock-raising. In 1880 he removed from Van Wert County to Mercer and settled in Liberty township, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Schaadt was married on August 16, 1870, to Mary Koch, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 28, 1850, and is a daughter of John, and Mary Koch. Her parents, who were natives of Germany, settled first in Butler County upon coming to Ohio, but subsequently came to Mercer County. Twelve children were born to our subject and wife, of whom nine survive, as follows : Phebe, wife of Jacob Haas ; David J. and Henry W., both of Liberty township; Susanna C., wife of William Becher, of Liberty township; Annie O., wife of Louis Alt, of Liberty township; Rosa, wife of Otto Wendel, of Liberty township; John Adam, of Liberty township; and Emma and Freda E., both living at home. The widow of our subject resides on the home farm and continues to operate the same. She, with her children, is well known and most highly esteemed in this section.