Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 15 of 33)

Josiah Edwards, Jr., and wife had born to them one child before they arrived in America. This child, John, arrived at Gomer, in Allen county. Josiah and Susan (Breese) Edwards came from Utica, New York, to Buffalo by canal boat, and from Buffalo to Cleveland by steamer, from Cleveland to Toledo on Lake Erie by steamer, and from Toledo to Delphos, Ohio, by the way of the Miami and Erie canal. They walked to Gomer from Delphos. Josiah and Susan (Breese) Edwards had five children, John, born in Wales on January 21, 1851, died at Gomer, November 8, 1855; Margaret, the second child was the deceased wife of B. F. Thomas ; Joseph B., the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of Thomas S. Williams; John W was the fifth child. Josiah Edwards died on August 17, 1897, at the ripe old age of seventy-one years. He was a member of the Gomer Congregational church and was a deacon in this church for many years. His wife was likewise a member. Josiah Edwards, Jr., was a Republican. He was a devout Christian and a man of high ideals and sterling integrity. He enjoyed the respect of his fellow citizens. Susan (Breese) Edwards was the daughter of John and Mary (Edwards) Breese. She was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, May 13, 1827. She had one brother and five sisters, all of whom came to America and all of whom settled in Iowa, except Mrs. Sarah Morris, who settled at Vaughnsville where she died. Mrs. Susan (Breese) Edwards lived on the old home place until her death on November 5, 1909,

Joseph B. Edwards was born on "Calico ridge" in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, and when about two years old his parents removed to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county. It was on this old homestead of his father that he spent his childhood and youth. He attended the old Bryn Tawa district school. After finishing the common school, he attended the Ohio Northwestern University at Ada, where he took a commercial course in 1 88 1, after which he returned home and helped his father on the home farm. He remained on the farm until twenty-six years of age when he was married on December 15, 1886, to Mary A. Lewis, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 10, 1865, and who was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Lewis. The ancestral history of the Lewis family is to be found in the sketch of John A. Lewis, contained elsewhere in this volume, the subject of which sketch is a brother of Mrs. Joseph B. Edwards.

west of Vaughnsville, where he remained until the present time. 'He purchased forty acres of land and at different times twenty acres, fifteen acres and forty acres, making one hundred and fifteen acres in all. Mr. Edwards has rebuilt his residence and now has a commodious eleven-room residence, and a large barn and other buildings in keeping with the surroundings. His farm is well improved and consists of splendid land.

Joseph B. and Mary A. (Lewis) Edwards have seven children, four sons and three daughters, John Robert, William Josiah, Bessie, Grace, Spencer, Edith and Joseph B., Jr. Of these children, John Robert was born on October 29, 1887, married Mabel Clevenger, and they have one child, Maxine. They live in Sugar Creek township; William Josiah, May 28,' 1889, married May Surdival, and they reside in Lima; Bessie, March 21,' 1891, is unmarried and lives at home; Grace, June 5, 1894, is a student at the Ottawa Normal School; Spencer, November 21, 1896; Edith, May 4, 1902, and Joseph B., Jr., November 27, 1910.

Joseph B. Edwards and his wife are members of the Congressional church at Gomer. Mr. Edwards is a trustee in this church. He is a Republican, having served as trustee in Sugar Creek township from 1891 to 1900. He also served several years as a member of the township school board.

Improvement and progress may well be said to form the key note of the character of Henry R. Williams, a well-known and influential farmer and stock raiser of Sugar Creek township, for he has been a nindustrious man all his life, keeping abreast of the times in every respect. A leading citizen of the township, he has made his influence felt among his fellow men, and has earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.

Henry R. Williams was born in Sugar Creek township on November 5, 1871, the son of David L. and Mary (Griffith) Williams, who are mentioned, specifically, in the sketch of the subject's brother, John D. Williams elsewhere in this work. Henry R. Williams was reared on the paternal farmstead, and attended the old Michael district school in the neighborhood where he secured a good practical education. He then took a term of normal work in the Tri-State College, at Angola, Indiana, after which he remained at home and assisted his father in the operation of the old homestead until attaining his majority. He was then employed in Lima, Ohio, two years, working in the Lima steel works and then for a year was in the West. The next two years he spent in the Lima oil fields where he gained valuable experience, and in March, 1908, decided to apply himself to the pursuit of agriculture. To this end he located on a part of his father's farm, one and onecjuarter miles south of Vaughnsville, where he has continued to reside ever since. He first purchased eighty-five acres, to which he later added fortyone acres, and still later another tract of twenty-five acres, thus giving him an estate of one hundred and fifty acres, comprising some of the best farming land in this section of Ohio. To the cultivation of this farm he has applied himself unremittingly, and by the most indefatigable effort, combined with sound discretion and good management, he has achieved a splendid success as a farmer.

Henry R. Williams was married on ;\Tay 20, 1896, to Emma Gander, who was born in Sugar Creek township on December 11, 1869, being the daughter of John and Susan (Garner) Gander. John Gander was born in Franklin county on October 6, 1822. the son of John and Elizabeth (ICendall) Gander. John Gander, Jr., came to Putnam county in 1838, and on June 24,

1847, was married to Susan M. Garner, who was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, on June 17, 1827. The senior Mr. Gander and his wife are both deceased, he dying on September 2, 1858, and she on November 21, 1865. Mrs. Gander's father, William W Garner, died on June 6, 1867, and her mother, Elizabeth (Storer) Garner, died on March 5, 1853. They came to Putnam on January i, 1S37. John Gander was a justice of the peace for eighteen years, an assessor for seven years and he also held the offices of township clerk and treasurer for a number of years. John Gander died on January 3, 1894, and his wife, Susan Gander, on October 3, 1909. They were the parents of nine children, namely: John William, born on April 15,

Mrs. Emma Williams was born on the old Gander homestead, just east of Vaughnsville, and there grew to womanhood. To Henry R. and Emma (Gander) Williams have been born seven children, as follow: Clyde, on March 3, 1897; Harold, July 13, 1899, died on October 22, 19 14; Allen and Aileen, twins, August 2t, 1901 ; George, August 21, 1903: Ivan, October 25, 1905 ; Willard, January 20, 1908.

the Christian church, of which he is a trustee. He is a member of Lodge No. 711, Knights of Pythias, at Vaughnsville, while poHtically, he gives his support to the Repubhcan party. During the years 1902 to 1906 he served efficiently as trustee of Sugar Creek township, winning the commendation of his fellow-citizens by his conduct of the office. His well-directed energy in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment, have demonstrated what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who proved that he is the possessor of those innate qualities, which never fail to bring success if properly directed. Because of his high character and clean life, Mr. Williams enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout the community where his life has been spent.

John Henry Hoffman

The earliest representatives of the Hoffman family in America came from the village of Glandorf, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, and settled near Glandorf, Putnam county, about one year after the arrival of Father Horstman and his colony, who founded Glandorf, Putnam county. They were the paternal grandparents of John Henry Hoffman, the immediate subject of this biographical review, who is a farmer in Jackson township and owns eighty acres of land in section 12. Mr. Hoffman has not lived upon this farm continuously during his marriage, but a part of the time occupied the old Hoffman homestead. For many years Mr. Hoffman was a vocalist in the St. John's Catholic church choir at Glandorf. He now sings in the choir of St. Michael's church at Kalida. The paternal grandparents of John Henry Floffman were the first Hoffmans to settle in this county. They had only two children, Ferdinand, deceased, and William F., the father of John Henry.

John Henry Hoffman was born in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, on December 8, 1867. His parents were William Frederick and Clara (Sch'roeder) Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman's maternal grandparents came from Germany and settled near Glandorf, in Greensburg township. Among their children were Henry, Carl and Clara. William Frederick Hoffman attended school at Glandorf in his early youth and lived on his father's farm. He learned the carpenter trade and worked at it at Glandorf. Later he became a school teacher and was an accomplished musician and was organist at St. John's church at Glandorf for many years. Fie was also organist at St. Paul. Ot- tawa and at St. Mary's church at Leipsic. He established a dry goods store and general mercantile business at Glandorf and divided his attention between business and farming. He owned abput eighty acres of land. His teaching experience covered a period of about twenty-five years. William Frederick and Clara Hoffman had the following children : John, deceased ; Mary, William, Theresa, Amelia, who died when two years old; Frank, John Henry, Anna, who died in 1908, and Charles. William Frederick Hoffman died on April 29, 1 91 5, on the old home place with his son Charles. Mrs. William F. Hoffman died on February 6, 1898. Her remains were interred at Glandorf, as was also those of her husband. William F Hoffman was a member of the Ohio General Assembly for two terms, having been nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket. He served for many years as justice of the peace at Glandorf.

John I-Ienry Hoffman was educated in Glandorf, and in early youth worked on his father's farm, where he also worked at the carpenter trade. Mr. Hoffman was married on June 12, 1895, to Elizabeth Hertzog, the daughter of Barney and Mary f Wilkins) Hertzog. After his marriage Mr. Hoffman remained one year on the home farm and then removed to his present eighty acres in section 12 of Jackson township, land that he had bought previous to his marriage. He lived on the eighty-acre farm for two years and then returned to the home farm, where he lived for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Hoffman again returned to his farm in Jackson township. He erected the buildings which are now standing on the farm and improved the place generally. He cleared forty acres of the land and has thoroughly drained it. John H. and Elizabeth (Hertzog) Hoffman have had five children, Hugo, born on March 29, 1897; Clara, January 30, 1899; Louisa, September 4, 1901 ; Alma, September 13, 1904, and Alwin, September 9, 1908. All of these children are attending St. Michael's parochial school at Kalida.

Bernard Hertzog father of Mrs. Hoffman, was born in Germany,, and his wife was born in Dayton, Ohio. He came to this country and settled in Dayton and was there married to Mary Wilkins, the daughter of Henry and Agnes (Siefker) Wilkins, who lived near Dayton. Four children were born to this marriage, two of whom, John and Clemens, are deceased. The other two are Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Hoffman, and Frank. Mrs. Hertzog died on April 19, 1879, and after her death Mr. Hertzog was remarried to Mary Smith and had two children by this marriage, Herman and Anna. Mr. Hertzog died on October 23, 1914. Of the Hertzog children by the second marriage Frank married and lives in. Sycamore, Illinois. Herman married Mary Timmer and lives in Dayton, Ohio. Anna married Carl Zink and lives in Dayton also.

John Henry Hoffman and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, wliere Mr. Hoffman is a prominent member of the church choir. Mr. Hoffman is a ]:)emocrat in politics and served on the school board of Jackson township. He is well known and highly respected in this community. His wife and family are greatly admired and this family may well be counted among the best families of Putnam county.

Ignatius Kahle

Prominent among the younger generation of progressive and successful farmers of Putnam county, Ohio, is Ignatius Kahle, the well-known citizen of Greensburg township. Mr. Kahle is a descendant of some of the earliest pioneers of this section, men and women who have left the impress of their personalities upon the life of the community, and in his own day and generation Mr. Kahle is so ordering his life as to also make of himself an example of exemplary manhood. He is ambitious to make for himself a success of life not only in material matters, but in the things that count for most and are of lasting value, and, judging of the esteem in which he is held, he is already succeeding in the undertaking he has in mind.

Ignatius Kahle was born on the family homestead in Greensburg township, Putnam county, in February, 1876, a son of Frank and Bernadina (Brmkman) Kahle. Frank Kahle, Sr., father of Ignatius Kahle, was born on December 21, 1839, on the family homestead in Greensburg township, and passed his entire life in the one spot, his death occurring on February 23,' 1898. He was a son of John F. and Bernadina (Wilberding) Kahle and in early manhood was united in marriage with Bernadina Brinkman, born in 1846, in this county, who was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Rieman) Brinkman. The Brmkmans were natives of Germany, who had emigrated to this country early in their married life and, after locating in one or two different places, finally settled permanently in this county.

Ignatius Kahle is one of a family of twelve children, for particulars of which the reader is respectfully referred to sketch of the career of Frank Kahle, Sr., elsewhere in this volume, and when a youth received his education in the common schools of his home township. From earliest boyhood he was carefully trained in the art of successful husbandry by his painstaking father, and by the time he had reached manhood he was well versed in the practical side of agriculture.

Mr. Kahle was united in marriage on April i6, 1902, to Catherine Duhng, a daughter of WilHam and Anna (Schroeder) Duling and a native of this county. WilHam Duling, father of Mrs. Ignatius Kahle, was born m this county and educated in its public schools. His parents were both natives of Germany, who lived for many years in Ottawa township, this county, where they were known as successful farmers. Anna Schroeder, wife of William Duling, was a daughter of Henry and Catherine Schroeder,' who came from Germany directly to this county, where they located in Greensburg township and were actively engaged in farming for many years. She was one of a family of thirteen children; the others living are: John, William, Charles, Matthew, Frank, Katie and Theresa. After William Duling and Anna Schroeder were married they moved to a farm of eighty acres in Greensburg township, on which spot their family was reared. At the time they obtained possession of it there was not much done to it in the way of improvements, but they bravely set to work, cleared the greater part of the land, put it all into an excellent state of cultivation and built many buildings, so that it came to be one of the comfortable homes of the community. They were the parents of four children, namely : Henry, Catherine, wife of our immediate subject; Anna and Frank. Henry married Adeline Recker and resides in Ottawa township, this county; they are the parents of five children. Anna became the wife of Barney I^ottenbruck, a farmer of Ottawa township, and is the mother of nine children, three of whom are dead. Frank chose Rosa Barlager as his helpmeet, and they make their home with his widowed mother on the old Duling homestead, where he carries on farming.

After marriage Ignatius Kahle and wife took up their residence on his present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which land was at one time a portion of his father's estate. He has made all the improvements on this land in the way of buildings, having erected fifteen structures in all which are accounted among the best farm buildings in the county. This is saying considerable when the excellent conditions prevailing in this county are considered. Mr. Kahle carries on general farming, conducting his business along lines most approved by modern scientific experiment and is, therefore, meeting with well deserved success. He also pays particular attention to the rearing of Shorthorn cattle, finding this a most remunerative side line to his regular business as agriculturist. In all, Mr. Kahle owns three hundred and thirteen acres of some of the best farm land in this section, and every acre of it bears silent witness to the excellent care given it by the owner. ' To Ignatius and Catherine (Duling) Kahle have been born an inter- estmg family of six children, namely: Frances Mary Bernadina on March 22, 1903; Amos Frank John, July 7, 1905; Clara Mary Ann, June 26, 1907; Henry Frank William, November 2, 1909; Herbert Barney Ignatius, March 15, 1912, and Anna Mary Katherine, May 21, 1914. Mrs. Kahle is a woman of charming manners, who is much admired among her circle of friends and whose true mother heart is anxious that the little ones in her care shall be so trained as to be able to fill places of usefulness in the world when they come to years of manhood and womanhood.

Ignatius Kahle and family are devout members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, while the others mentioned within this sketch were of St. John's at Glandorf . Mr. Kahle votes the Democratic ticket, although he has no aspirations for the doubtful honors of a political career. He is an excellent specimen of sturdy young manhood and such as he form the foundation upon which the structure of our national wholesomeness is built.

Orren Bryant Gurney

A distinguished veteran of the Civil War and a resident of Putnam county, Ohio, since 1883, Orren Bryant Gurney is one of the highly respected citizens of Van Buren township, where he has long made his home. As a youth he was very anxious to serve his country during the war, and made two attempts to enter the service before he finally succeeded, his father spoiling the first two attempts he made to get into service. He has been a life-long farmer, and has met with excellent success in all of his agricultural operations.

Orren B. Gurney, the son of John and Ruth (Pearson) Gurney was born on February 4, 1844, at Alexandria, Licking county, Ohio. His father was born on January 31, 1815, at Cummington, Massachusetts, a son of Asa J. and Lucy (Bryant) Gurney, natives of the same place. Asa Gurney was a son of Asa Gurney, Sr., a Revolutionary soldier, who enlisted no less than seven different times during the struggle for independence.

The family record of the Gurney family has been distinctly traced back through generations to Mollie Reed, who was one of the Mayflower party now famous in American history. It is stated on reliable authority that Orren B. Gurney can trace his ancestry without a break in the lineage to 1603, and with one or two breaks in lineage to 950. Asa Gurney, Jr., was a woolen manufacturer in Massachusetts, and made annual trips to Ohio in the early part of the nineteenth century to buy wool. In these trips it was his custom to purchase a horse and saddle, which he used to ride over the country in buying wool for his factory. After finishing his trip he would trade his horse and saddle for a piece of land, and in this way accumulated two hundred and fifty acres of farming land in Licking county. He bouo-ht the best quahty of Merino wool, which he shipped through the old Ohio canal to Cleveland, from which point it was sent by lake and the Erie canal to its destination in Massachusetts. Asa Gurney, Jr., sold out his woolen mill interests in Massachusetts along about 183 1 and moved to Alexandria, Licking county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, with the exception of about fifteen years, when he lived in Granville, Ohio.

John Gurney came to Alexandria with his parents at the age of sixteen, after which time he helped his father on the farm until he was married on May 27, 1840, to Ruth Pearson, of Auburn, New York. To this union seven children were bom - Paul Pearson, born on May 27, 1842 ; Orren B., born on February 4, 1844; Heber, born on April i, 1846; David, born on May 16, 1848; Wilhs, born on August 2, 1850; Lucy, born on January 27, 1852; Winona B., born on December 8, 1853. John Gurney continued to live on the old Gurney homestea'd, in Licking county, until within a year of his death, in April, 1888. His wife was of Revolutionary stock, a member of the Episcopal church and died in 1873.

Orren B. Gurney attended the common schools of Licking county, and remained at home until the opening of the Civil War. After two ineffectual attempts to enlist he succeeded in being mustered into the service, May 2, 1864, and became a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged at the end of his enlistment, on September i, 1864. During his service he participated in the battle of John Brown's school house, near Harper's Ferry, and during this fight his company lost fifteen killed and two companies were taken prisoners just prior to the opening of the battle.

After he returned from the war he went to Lyons, New York, where he attended the high school for a time. He then returned to Ohio and took a commercial course at Oberlin College, and on leaving college took a trip to Missouri, where he remained a year. Upon his return, in 1869, he married and continued residing in Licking county until 1883. In that year he came to Putnam county and bought twenty acres of land at that time in Van Buren township, which he cleared and still retains. Subsequently, he added about one hundred acres more to his farm, and now has one of the best improved and most highly productive farms of the township. SI

Mr. Gurney was ixiarried on April i, 1869, to Martha J. Holler, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Holler, of Newark, Ohio, and to this union three children were born - Roberta Blanch, R. H. and Ruth. Roberta Blanch became the wife of William Riches, of Townwood, Ohio, and has four children, Adeline, Bryant, Robert and Tracy; R. H. Gurney married Christina Sechrist, and they are the parents of four children, two of whom are deceased; Ruth is the wife of James W. Jennings, who lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and has eight children.

The first wife of Mr. Gurney died on January 14, 1910, and on November 6, 191 3, Mr. Gurney was married to Mrs. Mary A. (Niebel) Dunn, a daughter of Obed and Hannah (Nease) Neibel. She was born near Mc- Cutchenville, Wyandot county, Ohio.

Mr. Gurney is a charter member of the North Ridge Grange, No. 1421, of which he has been the master for about six years. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Leipsic, and has served as its commander. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Leipsic. He was formerly a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but now he is a member of the Evangelical church, to which denomination his wife also belongs.

Louis Konst

Not a few of the enterprising citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, were either born in the little Kingdom of Holland or are descended from people who were born in that thriving domain. The people who have come from Holland and their immediate descendants are among the best citizens not only of Putnam county, but of any county where they have settled. The Konst family has long been known in this section of the state, and one of the enterprising and progressive members of that family is Louis Konst, of Miller City, who is now engaged in the retail liquor trade in Miller City.

Louis Konst was born on February 19, 1872, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm, the son of Lucas and Caroline (Burkhart) Konst, the former of whom was a native of Holland and the latter a native of Ottawa township, this county.

Lucas Konst was born in Holland, and when six years of age came to America with his parents, who brought with them their entire family, as follow: John, deceased; Katherine and Lucas. The family first settled in Cincinnati, where Lucas attended school, and in that city he learned the car- penter trade. When a young man he came with his father and the rest of ' the family, to New Cleveland, Ohio, where they settled on a farm of eighty acres. Lucas Konst's sister, Katherine, married Mathias Otto, and lives at New Cleveland. After coming to New Cleveland Lucas Konst worked at his trade as a carpenter, and here married Caroline Burkhart, the daughter of Adam Burkhart and wife, and after his marriage he engaged in farming on what is known as the John Beck farm. For some time Mr. Konst farmed on shares. Later he moved to the Kinnecke farm, near Columbus Grove, where he remained for three years, when he bought a farm at Elm Center, consisting of forty-seven acres, where he lived until 1910, and then removed to Ottawa, where he lived until his death on January 8, 191 3. He was survived by his widow and the following children : Frank, Charles, John, Joseph, Louis, Thomas, Martha, Rudolph, William and Mathias. Of these children Frank married Anna Yenner, and lives in Continental, Ohio; Charles first married Mary Barlager, and after her death he married Caroline Yenner, who died at Continental, Ohio, after which he married Clara Vanvlera, and now lives near Hicksville, Ohio; John married Catherine Krouse and lives at Leipsic, Ohio; Joseph married Zine Riggs and lives in Ottawa; Louis is the subject of this sketch; Thomas married Emma Laird and lives in Toledo, Ohio ; Martha became the wife of William Hammond, and they live at Sherwood, Ohio; Rudolph married Gertrude Alt, and lives in Ottawa; William lives in San Diego, California; Mathias married Jennie Klass, and lives in Miller City.

Louis Konst received his education in the schools of Elm Center, Ohio. During the early years of his life he lived on a farm, where he worked for some time. Later he was employed in a stave factory.

Louis Konst was married on April 5, 1898, to Imus L Kiefer, the daughter of Marion and Mary (Gingrich) Kiefer, who were residents of Continental, and were the parents of the following children : Benjamin, Amanda, Imus and Ovel. Mrs. Kiefer is now deceased, and her husband is still living at Continental. After his marriage Mr. Konst lived in Ottawa and was engaged in the restaurant business. He also worked for a time in Continental and then engaged in business with Joseph Gingrich. Subsequently he engaged, on September i, 1900, in business for himself at Continental and later moved to a farm of one hundred and forty-nine acres in Defiance county, Ohio, which he purchased. He lived there for two years, and improved the farm in many ways, erecting a house, barn and other outbuildings. He then bought one hundred acres additional on January i, 19 15. Subsequently he moved to Defiance and later engaged in the meat business on June i, 19 10, in Continental, after which he purchased the business of his brother, Rudolph, on November 28, 1910, and formed a partnership with his brother, Mathias. on March i, 1914, which has continued ever since.

To Louis and Inius I. (Kiefer) Konst have been born two children, Beulah, on Januarj^ i, 1899, and Curtis, August 28, 1901.. Beulah is a student in the Miller City high school and Curtis is also attending school at Miller City.

Mr. Konst owns his property in Miller City, and also owns two hundred and forty-nine acres of land in Defiance county, Ohio. In every respect he is a self-made man, and deserves the confidence and respect of the people of the county for his industry, frugality and good business management.

Mr. Konst is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and in politics is a Democrat, but has not been active in political matters. He has devoted his attention to his own personal and private business affairs, which accounts in a large measure for his success in life.

Charles W. Beard

One of the well-known farmers of Putnam county, Ohio, is Charles W. Beard, who owns a fertile and productive farm and one which is well improved in every respect. He is a man who has encountered many obstacles in life, but he has never been discouraged and has always succeeded in surmounting whatever obstacles that might arise. Mr. Beard's predominant trait, perhaps, is his optimism, and on this account he is popular among his neighbors, highly respected and admired by them. Charles W. Beard comes from one of the oldest families in Putnam county ; one which has been intimately connected with the history of this county almost from its beginning. He is, therefore, in every respect a representative citizen and one entitled to representation in this volume.

Charles W. Beard was born in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, on December 6, i860, the son of John and Mary Beard. John Beard was born in 1830 in Fairfield county, Ohio. He is the son of John, Sr., and Mary (Carey) Beard. The paternal grandfather of John Beard was a native of Ireland, who settled in the state of Maryland, where he was a teacher. He lived to be one hundred years old. John Beard, Sr., was born in North Carolina and came to Fairfield county, Ohio, when a young man. His wife, who before her marriage was Mary Carey, was born in Maryland on July 4, 1802, the daughter of John and Mary Carey. To John, Sr., and Mary Beard were born six children, Mrs. Margaret Pickering, George, Jacob,

Samuel, John and Cornelius. John Beard, Sr., was a miller by trade, and died of cholera in 1832. His widow was later married to J. M. Allen and, after bearing him six children, died on January 13, 1889.

John Beard, Jr., the father of Charles W., was reared as a farmer and educated in the common schools. He began on his account at the age. of fourteen. In the fall of 1855 he taught his first school at Cuba, in Putnam county, and taught four winter terms after that, continuing his professional work, however, until 1866, in Greensburg and Jackson townships and in the town of Ft. Jennings. After living for a time in Putnam county Mr. Beard moved to Franklin county, but subsequently returned to Putnam county and purchased a farm near Ft. Jennings in 1866. He purchased a farm in Greensburg township in 1872 and moved to this farm in that year. John Beard was married on November 2, 185.4, at Columbus, Ohio, to Mary Jane Case, a native of New York and the daughter of Jacob and Anna Case. There were two children born to this union, William H., who died in infancy, and Charles W., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Beard died in 1866 and on September 22, 1867, Mr. Beard was married to Mrs. Sophia (Shank) Guyton, who was born in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Henry and Barbara (Meyers) Shank, natives of Maryland. Henry Shank was born near Hagerstown, and was the son of Christian Shank, Sr. Barbara Meyers, his wife was born in Maryland and was the daughter of John and Mary Meyers. She married Henry Shank in Maryland, soon after which they moved to Putnam county. To this second marriage of John Beard six children were born, Christian, a farmer near Auburn, Indiana, who married Maude Bibler, and has four children, Joyce, Elsie, Samuel and Charles; Lucy A., who married John Bibler, of Greensburg township, and has had ten children, eight of whom are li^'ing, Flossie, Fay, Velma, Coral, Ella, Delia, Raymond, Dale, Pauline and Woodrow Wilson; John F., of near Edgerton, who married Mary Wynkoop, and has four children, John Milton, Icy, Preston and Zola; Margaret, who died in infancy; Ella E., who lives on her father's farm, married Clyde M. Fletcher and has one son, Paul Clarence, and Samuel S., who lives south of Kalida, married Minnie Kirkendall and has three children, Doyle, Helen and Annabel.

Charles W. Beard, a son by the first marriage, was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of Putnam county. He remained on this farm until he was twenty years of age.

Charles W. Beard was married on March 4, 1886, to Lydia Ridenour, the daughter of John and Barbara (Nemire) Ridenour. John Ridenour was a native of Putnam county, and was the first white child born in Ottawa township. He was born on April 3, 1834, in Putnam county, and was reared on his father's farm. In 1852 he was married to Barbara Nemire, who was born in Maryland and came to Putnam county, Ohio, when quite young. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Beard were Henry and Margaret (Bonthaver) Ridenour, who were early settlers in Putnam county, where they entered land in Ottawa township. Barbara Nemire was one of eight children born to John Nemire and wife. The others were : Hiram, Edward, Samantha, deceased ; Mary, Lydia, Henry and John. The father of these children, John Nemire, followed farming in Ottawa township, and died at his home on January 16, 1892. John and Barbara Ridenour had five children, Barbara A., Mary, Lydia J., Henry and John. Barbara A., born on January 21, 1859, married Jonas Shank and has six children. They live near Kalida in Putnam county; Mary, March 18, 1861, married Alfred Shank and has one son. They live in Ashtabula, Ohio; Lydia J., September 12, 1863, is the wife of Mr. Beard; Henry, September 18, 1864, married Carrie Wright and lives near Ottawa, Putnam county; John, March 14, 1867, married Catherine Farley and has six children. They live near Miller City, Putnam county.

Charles W. Beard and wife moved to a farm owned by his father in Greensburg township, Putnam county. They continued to live there until he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, consisting of eighty acres. Mr. Beard rebuilt the house and erected a new barn and other buildings. During the flood which swept this part of the state he lost a large number of live stock. The water covered almost the entire first floor of his house. Despite this loss Mr. Beard took a new start and has regained it. He is a man of affluence and also of influence. He devotes his farm to general lines and has a well-kept place. Mr. Beard is industrious and a man of strict integrity.

To Charles VV. and Lydia (Ridenour) Beard two children have been born, Margaret Ann on January 7, 1887, died in infancy, and Mary, June 11, 1884, who is unmarried and lives at home.

Mrs. Charles W. Beard has every reason to be proud of her illustrious ancestors. The Ridenour family dates back to colonial days. They held a family reunion and have printed a volume showing the genealogy of the family. It presents an unbroken line of more than one hundred years.

Charles W. Beard is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Charles W. Beard, wife and family are members of the Christian church and are active in both the work of the church and Sunday school. Mr. Beard was a member of the school board for eight years, in which office he is still serving. He is now serving on the board of trustees.

It is with marked satisfaction that the biographer refers to the hfe of Wilham Tudor, a prominent young farmer of Sugar Creek township, who has attained success in a vocation which requires definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a Hfe, whether it be one of calm consecutive endeavor or of sudden meteoric accompHshment, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes and destinies are still matters for the future to determine. William Tudor is distinctively one of the representative farmers of Putnam county. By patient and persistent endeavor he has succeeded in overcoming many obstacles with which his pathway was beset, and is today considered one of the foremost farmers of this county.

William Tudor was born on July 12, 1877, in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Humphrey and Sophia (Davis) Tudor. Humphrey Tudor was born in 1838 at Drefoldwyn, North Wales. He came to America with his mother in 1857 at the age of eighteen. They shipped from Liverpool, England, and on account of the smallpox on board the ship they changed their course and went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they remained in quarantine for about two months. After this they resumed their journey and landed in New York. He then came to Ohio, and settled near Venedocia, Van Wert county. There he remained for a short time and then removed to Allen county, where he obtained employment with Richard Evans, a farmer, for whom he worked about three years.

During this Humphrey- Tudor purchased forty acres of land three miles west of Gomer, in Allen county. He then rented a farm two miles from Gomer. on which he lived for about four years. Just before moving to this farm, and when he was twenty-five years of age, he was married on November 7, 1862, to Sophia Davis, who was born near Gomer. To this union were born nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Those that survived were as follow: Mary, the wife of Owen B. Owens, who died in March, 1894; Margaret, who died at the age of twenty- four, July 22, 1891 ; John, who married Kate Griffith; Jennie, who married Elmer Reese, and who died in June, 1894; Elizabeth, who died at the age of sixteen, on June 7, 1891, and William, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Sophia (Davis) Tudor died on April 12, 1883, when William Tudor was not quite six years old.

Humphrey Tudor next moved to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, where he purchased one hundred acres of land, known as the Sol. Slusser farm. It was located one and one-half miles south of Vaughnsville. During the first summer the family Hved in the house on the farm of D. L. WiUiams while Humphrey Tudor was building a residence on his own farm, and into which the family moved in the fall. On March 27, 1895, Humphrey Tudor was again married to Catherine Jones, of Corner, Allen county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Cadwalader Jones and wife. To this last union no children were born. Three years after settling here Humphrey Tudor and wife moved to Comer, where he lived in retirement for seven years, or until his death, March 27, 1895. He was sixty-eight years old at the time of his death.

Wihiam Tudor spent his early childhood on .the home place, and the remamder of his youth until he was seventeen was spent on a farm just south of the old home place in the edge of Allen county. He received his early education at the old district No. 1, or the old Martz, school. After finishing the common schools he took a normal course at the Lutheran College at Lima, Ohio. The year following, at the age of nineteen, he taught school in Sugar Creek township, Allen county. For the ensuing six years he farmed with his brother John in partnership. They had charge of the two hundred and four acres belonging to their father.

On October 8, 1902, at the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Tudor was married to Anna Leah Griffiths, who was born in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, on January 18, 1879. She is the daughter of John D. and Jane A. (Jones) Griffiths. John D. was born in Delaware county, Ohio, near Radner, in 1848, and died in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, in 1881, at the age of thirty-three years He was the son of Thomas D. and Sarah A. (Jones) Griffiths. The former was probably a native of Wales and the latter was of Welsh parentage. Jane A. (Jones) Griffiths was born near Comer, Allen county, in 1858, and died in Allen county in March, 1879. She was the daughter of Evan W. and Leah (Jones) Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales and who settled near Comer, where they spent the remainder of their lives. John D. and Jane A. (Jones) Griffiths had but one child, Anna Leah, who is the wife of Mr. Tudor. After the death of his first wife John D. Griffiths was again married to Nancy Brenneman, of xMlen county, and the daughter of Martin and Anna Brenneman. One child, Thomas! was born to this union, and he resides at Decatur, Indiana. After the marriage of William Tudor he took charge of the old home place, and has resided here ever since. He rented this place of his father while the latter was living, and at his death inherited the farm. William Tudor has always followe*d general farming and has been quite successful. His home place is well improved, having a seven-r<x)m, commodious residence, nicely situated, a large barn and other biiijdings in keeping with the surroundings. Mr. Tudor is

After the death of Mrs. Anna Brenneman the daughter was taken by ]\Iartin Brenneman and family to be reared. She lived with them for about two years, when her father married a daughter of Mr. Brenneman. She lived with her father until his death, which occurred about a year later. The balance of her childhood was spent with her grandfather, Thomas D. Griffiths, of Gomer.

William and Anna L. (Griffiths) Tudor have two children, John Homer was born on October 31, 1903; Robert on March 13, 1908. Wilham Tudor is a member of the Congregational church. Mrs. Tudor is also a member of this church. Mr. Tudor is a deacon in the church. He is a Republican in politics.

William Tudor is counted not only as a good farmer, but as a substantial citizen and as a man who has added prestige to the agricultural life of Sugar Creek township, where he is so well and favorably known.

Augustus Bachtall

It is always a pleasure to record the life of one who has lived wisely and well, but especially gratifying is it to commemorate those who embody in their character the sturdy qualities of famous ancestry. To endure the hardships of pioneer life required men and women of strong character and resolute purpose, and fortunate indeed is he who comes of such worthy stock. Such is Augustus Bachtall, whose grandfather and uncle fought under Napoleon, and whose father served for seven years in the French army.

Augustus Bachtall, who is now living on a farm near Ottawa, Ohio, was born in Stark county, this state, on February 13, 1849. He is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Kessler) Bachtall, natives of Alsace-Lorraine, which was at the time of their residence there a part of France. ''

Both of Mr. Bachtall's grandparents on the father's side were born and died in France. Their children were Mathias, Fred, Catherine, Elaine, John and Nicholas. The grandfather was a soldier under Napoleon, as was also John, who risked his life in the siege of Moscow, and who witnessed the burning of that historic city. While many of his compatriots lost their lives, he returned to France and lived to be honored and aged. The grandparents of Mr. Bachtall on the maternal side, Joseph and Elizabeth Kessler, came to America from Alsace-Lorraine and settled on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Carroll county, Ohio, where, after living good and useful lives, they passed away. Their family of eight children, while born in the old country, came to America and took up their residence in Carroll county, Ohio. These were John, Philip, Michael, Charles, Louis, Mary, Jacob and Elizabeth.

Nicholas Bachtall, father of the one in whom our interest centers, was born on September 5, 1812, in Alsace-Lorraine, and died on August 20, 1895. He received his early education in the old country, and, true to his military ancestry honored his country by army service for a period of seven years. Coming to this country with his brothers and sisters, who settled in Massillon county, Ohio, he first worked at his trade of wagon making. In 1846 he was married to Elizabeth Kessler, the ceremony taking place in Carroll county. The pioneer instinct was too strong to permit him to be content with a rented home, so nine years later, on April 25, 1855, he and his family moved to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres two miles north of Ottawa. After clearing the land he built a splendid home, and engaged in successful farming until his death in 1895. He was prominent in local politics, being a Democrat, and during all of his life attended the Catholic church.

Nicholas Bachtall was survived by seven children, Augustus, Elizabeth, Caroline, Mary, Leo, Addie and Josephine. Augustus, in whom we are especially interested, was six years old when, with his parents, he left Stark county, Ohio, and migrated to Putnam county. Anxious to succeed as a farmer, the young man learned from his father the secrets of successful agriculture. He married Agnes Brendinghoff in 1886, continuing to make his home on the farm with his parents. Some years after the death of his first wife Mr. Bachtall was married to Ella Reardon. The second wife passed away in 1897. The children of this union were August, born on Deceml^er 29, 1891 ; Carence, October 29, 1896; and Mary E., May 29, 1893. The eldest son, August, married Viola Fry, widow of John Fry, and her maiden name was Viola Yager, the ceremony taking place in November. 1913. Only nineteen days after the birth of their son, Erwin Clarence, who was born on September 3, 19 14, the )^oung wife died.

Augustus Bachtall and his son, August, Jr., are now living on a farm of one hundred and twelve acres in Ottawa township.. While the active management of the farm is carried on by the younger of the two Bachtalls, yet the experience of the older man makes him a valuable assistant in matters pertaining to agricultural enterprises.

Augustus Bachtall, Jr., is a young man possessing just such sterling qualities as one coming from a fighting ancestry would be expected to pos- sess. He is alert, ambitious and energetic. His usual gaiety of spirits, however, has been marred by the death of his young wife. Since his six years of schooling in Ottawa, he, too, has been engaged in farming. Like his father, Augustus Bachtall, Jr., has always been a Democrat, and a life-long member of the St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf.

While limiting his business activities to farming, Mr. Bachtall did so in such a way as to become well-known in his community, and to merit the confidence and respect of those who knew him.

Carl Mathias Gerdemann

The twentieth century farmer knows very little of the disadvantages which surrounded the pioneer farmers of this state. No longer is the farmer compelled to rise early in the morning and continue his labors far into the night. The farmer of today can do as much work in half a day as his fathers, fifty years ago, could do in a whole day. The free mail delivery leaves the daily paper at his door each morning, his telephone, puts him in communication with his neighbors, while the interurban car and automobile enable him to participate in all the features of city life. The present generation of farmers have no forest to clear, few swamps to drain, while hundreds of inventions designed to lighten the labors of the farmers have been put into their hands. One of the farmers of Putnam county who has taken advantage of the modern inventions and improvements is Carl Mathias Gerdemann, of Union township.

Carl Mathias Gerdemann was born near Glandorf, in Putnam county, Ohio, on May 9, 1869. He is the son of Henry and Bernadina (Eickholt) Gerdemann, both natives of Putnam county, the former of whom was born on February 19, 1842, and who himself was the son of Casper and Anna Gerdemann, natives of Germany, and the latter of whom was born on May 15, 1846, the daughter of Barney and Elizabeth (Nieman) Eickholt, also natives of Germany.

Casper Gerdemann and his wife, Anha, came to America from Germany and located in Putnam county. They were the parents of seven children, Casper, Joseph, Henry, Mathias, Theodore, Mary and Eliabeth. Theodore was a soldier in the Civil War, having served in an Ohio regiment. He was captured by the eilemy and died in a military prison. Casper and Anna Gerdemann were prominent and influential members of the community in which they lived and actixt in all the good works of the neighborhood. They were buried m Grandview cemetery. Barney Eickholt and his wife, Elizabeth, who was a Nieman, also came from Germany to Putnam county, at an early date and settled near Glandorf. They were the parents of six children, Joseph' Martha, Henry, William, Charles and Bernadina, the last of whom was the mother of the immediate subject of this sketch.

Henry Gerdemann, Sr., grew to manhood on the paternal farm near Glandorf. He was married, on May 5, 1868, to Bernadina Eickholt, and immediately moved to a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Union township. Henry Gerdemann has lived retired during recent years, with his son, Henry Jr. His wife died in March. 1915. Henry, Sr., and Bernadina (Eickholt) Gerdemann had thirteen children, Charles married Anna Sandeer; Andrew married Ida Darling; Katherine married Henry Hamburg; Barney married Anna Brinkman; John married Mary Long; William married Marv Schroeder; Elizabeth married Henry Verhoff; Amelia married William Marman- Josephine is unmarried; Bernadina married Joseph Marmon; Henry married Emma Merschman; Carl Mathias is the subject of this sketch, and Mathias married Elizabeth Schumacher.

Carl Mathias Gerdemann attended school in Union township at the Barney Fortman school and lived on his father's farm until his marriage He worked out for two years on other farms in Greensburg township. He helped to clear and develop his father's farm.

Carl Mathias Gerdemann was married, on May i, 1901, to Anna Sander daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Vorst) Sander, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. Mrs. Gerdemann's maternal grandparents were Theodore and Elizabeth A^orst, who were farmers in Germany Their children were Henry, Herman, Theodore, Mathias, Frank, Philomena, Elizabeth Catherine, Christina and Carolina. Of these, Elizabeth, Catherine, Christina, Carolina and Bernard came to this countr3^ Mrs. Gerdemann's paternal grandparents were also natives of Hanover, Germany, and lived and died in that country. Mrs. Gerdemann's parents were married in Germany where father died. Her mother married Joseph Busch a number of years after her first husband's death and came to America with her family, settling on a farm near Kalida. The children of the first marriage were Anna, Josephine and Henry. Anna is the wife of Carl Mathias Gerdemann. Henry married Emma Grover, and lives m Kalida. Josephine married Andrew Wehrie and lives near Kalida. The mother of these children died in 1913. She was survived by her husband and children. The husband lives on the old farm of sixty acres in section i8, in Union township. Mr. Gerdemann had bought this farm five years before his marriage. He has erected all the buildings on the place and has a splendid farm. His barn is covered with a tile roof.

To Carl Mathias and Anna (Sanders) Gerdemann five children have been born, Aloysius, on May 31, 1903; Lawrence, October 2, 1906; Otto, July 18, 191 1 ; Ludwina, February 24, 1913; Mary, October 17, 1914, died on January 17, 191 5. Carl Mathias Gerdemann is engaged in general farming. He raises a great many cattle of all kinds, and hogs.

Carl Mathias Gerdemann, wife and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida. Mr. Gerdemann belongs to St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. He is a Democrat. A step-brother of Mrs. Gerdemann's, Henry Busch, is studying for the priesthood at the present time at Spokane, Washington. The Gerdemann family is among the oldest in this section of the country and among the most highly respected in Putnam county. Carl Mathias Gerdemann is a splendid farmer and a representative citizen of this vicinity.

Clarence Augustus Burkhart

While success cannot be achieved without unflagging industry, the futility of effort is often noticeable in the business world and results from Ihe ract that it is not combined with sound judgment. Many a man who gives his entire life to toil, earnest and unremitting, never acquires a competence, but when his labor is well-directed, prosperity always follows. Clarence Augustus Burkhart is one whose work ha^ been supplemented by careful management, and today he is numbered among the successful farmers of the locality in which he lives.

Clarence Augustus Burkhart was born on his father's farm in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, January 9, 1873. He is a son of John and Sarah (Cleveneger) Burkhart, the father having come to Putnam county from Reading, Pennsylvania, and the mother was a native of Union township, Putnam county. John Burkhart was a shoemaker by trade, having acquired a knowledge of that business during his youth in Pennsylvania, but did not follow it. Upon his arrival from Pennsylvania, he was married to Sarah Clevenger, and they went to live on the old Isaac McCracken farm, as renters of the place. Three years later, however, he purchased a tract of one rundred and sixty-four acres in Union township and continued farming until his death. He was a faithful supporter of the Democratic party and an ardent member of the Methodist church. While not being an aspirant to high polit- ical office, yet he was elected to the office of township trustee, which office he served with credit and honor. To John Burkhart and wife there were born, AVilham, Albert, Milton, Hattie, Paul, Rosa (deceased), and August. The mother was married a second time to William Rambo, and they reside in Kalida, Ohio. Of her children, Hattie is the wife of Albert Stump and lives in Union township, this county; Milton married Nora McDowell; William married Myrtle Sarber, they reside in Lucas county; August, the subject of this review, and Albert married Nora Johnson.

Clarence Augustus Burkhart, ha^-ing lost his father by death when he was but five years old, went to live with an uncle, Amos Beam, who lives in Union township. In this locality he received his early education and remained on his uncle's farm until he arrived at mature age. He was married, on June II, 1907, to Tizbie Smith, daughter of Madison and Caroline (Eckley) Smith, the former being a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and the latter of Putnam county, Ohio. Mr. Smith has been a traveling salesman for the wholesale grocery firm of Overmeyer & Co., of Toledo, Ohio, since 1891, and covers a large territory in the interests of that firm. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Monroe township, Putnam county, the home being sixteen miles from Ottawa, the county seat. Many times he has related to his children of walking to and from Ottawa for provisions in the early days. To him and his wife were born Tizbie, Savilla, Seldon, Harley and Felicia, all of whom enjoy the continued devotion of their parents, who are still living^ and are active members of the Methodist church. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Burkhart were Adam and Margaret (Shovis) Smith, natives of the state of Ohio, to whom were born Sylvester, William, Salathiel, Arthur, Letitia Jane, Lorenzo, Sanford, Madison, Edson, and an infant who died very soon after birth. Sylvester was a soldier during the Civil War, serving with the Federal forces, and later on studied for and became a Methodist clergyman. The maternal grandparents were John and Eliabeth Eckley of Putntm county, whose children were Mary, Jane, Caroline, Ancil and Doretta. John Eckley was also a soldier in the Civil War with the Federal forces.

Immediately after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart they lived on the farm occupied by Albert M. Burkhart, part of which C. A. owned for five years. He had purchased a farm consisting of one hundred and sixteen acres in Union township before marriage and now makes this place their home. The house was thoroughly remodeled, new barns and outhouses constructed, and everything indicating a certain degree of prosperity. To this couple were born Ivan, on August 7, 1909, and Doris, October 23, 191 1. All of the family are members of the Methodist church and to this Mr. Burkhart is a liberal giver, according to his means. The wife is a woman of genial disposition and has always done her share toward the encouragement of her husband's undertakings.

Before her marriage Mrs. Burkhart taught school. She graduated at the high school of Dupont, Ohio, and also the normal school. She taught school for five years, two years of which were taught in the Kalida schools.

Mr. Burkhart is a supporter of the Democratic party, and has served the community as township trustee. He was also a member of the town council, is not an aspirant for public office in any sense, but as an ofificial has rendered most valuable service to the community. Personally, he is a good business, farmer, highly intelligent, genial, well-informed on current topics, and a man in whom the utmost confidence is reposed by those who know him best. He is now serving as a member of the township school board.

Rev. Henry Gerwert

Putnam county, Ohio, has been the home and the scene of the labors of many men who have not only led lives which serve as a lesson to those who follow them on the stages of life's activities, but who have also been of importance in the service of the moral and civic life of the community. The honored and highly-esteemed Rev. Henry Gerwert is a man of well-rounded character, sincere, devoted and loyal. Standing, as he does today, at the head of one of the most important churches in Putnam county, his labors have long been directed for the amelioration of the people of his community. He is not an old man, but in fact, is comparatively young, and has made rapid progress in ecclesiastical affairs.

Rev. Henry Gerwert was born on October 29, 1881, in Rheinland, Germany, the son of Henry and Katherine (Koehne) Gerwert, where he received his elementary education in the schools of his native land, and then became a student in the University of Bonn, Germany. Later he entered Mt. St. Mary's Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he studied for one year, completing a course in English. He was ordained to the priesthood in Toledo, August 28, 1908, by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Koudelka, auxiliary bishop of Cleveland, now bishop of the diocese of Superior, Wisconsin. After his ordination, Rev. Henry Gerwert was assigned to the church at Ottoville, Putnam county, where he remained until January 17, 191 4. He was then assigned to St. Nicholas's church, at Miller City, Putnam county, with the mission at Continental, Ohio. A. new school building has been built in connection with the church at Miller City, and is a substantial, one-story brick building and will have been erected largely through the efforts of Father Gerwert. The parish of St. Nicholas comprises about one hundred and thirty families. Father Gerwert is well versed in modern and ancient languages and while in college mastered Italian and French and is the author of many poems. His poetry is characterized by simple beauty and rythmical construction.

Henry Gerwert's brother, John, completed college course in 1914 in Rensselaer, Indiana, and is planning to study medicine in the near future. Henry Gerwert's sister, Catherine, who was also born in Germany, came to America in 1914 and at the present time keeps house for her brother. She is a charming young lady, with many accomplishments.

In his ministrations to the people of Putnam county as pastor and priest, the Rev. Father Gerwert has won for himself a distinct place in the hearts of his parishioners. He is a man who is truly loved and widely admired, both for his devotion and for his learning.

Jacob G. Knepper

The final causes which shape the fortunes of individual men and the destinies of states are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure, their influence wholly unexpected until declared by results. When they inspire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial, enterprise, industry and call into play the higher moral elements ; when they lead men to risk all upon conviction, faith - such causes lead to the planning of great states, great nations, great people. That country is the greatest which produces the most manly man. The intrinsic safety depends not so much upon methods and measures as upon that true manhood from whose deep sources all that is precious and permanent in life must at last proceed. Such a result may not be consciously contemplated by. the individuals instrumental in producing the civilization of a counti-y, pursuing each his personal good by exalted means, they work out this by a logical result. They have wrought on the lines of the greatest good. In reviewing the life of such a person we look back over the pathway he has trod and note its high-water mark of usefulness, its points worthy of emulation and perpetuation. What Jacob G. Knepper, of Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, has done for his fellow-men and the com-

PUTNAM COUNTY, OHIO. gjmunity in general, might in a manner be told in words, but in its far-reaching mfluences cannot be measured. For two generations Jacob G. Knepper has been a power and influence in Gilboa and surrounding country.

Jacob G. Knepper was born on June 14, 1839, in Hancock county, Ohio, seven miles west of Findlay. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Foglesong) Knepper. John Knepper was bom in 1802 in Fairfield county, Ohio; was a son of Jacob Knepper and wife, who were both natives of Germany,' and who emigrated to this country in the early days and settled in Fairfield county. He was a miller by trade, which vocation he followed after coming to America. He owned and operated a grist-mill for a great many years which was located on Walnut Creek, seven miles west of Lancaster. John Knepper was one of twelve children. He remained with his father and assisted m operating the mill until he was thirty-two years of age, when he moved to Hancock county, Ohio, where he entered land from the government m Blanchard township, one mile east of Benton Ridge He moved mto the woods, cleared his land and built a log cabin. Later he entered land m several sections, in all, about six hundred acres. He "was more fortunate than most of the pioneers of those days, as he had some money

When about twenty-one years of age John Knepper married Elizabeth Foglesong m Fairfield county. She was born in October, 1802, and was a daughter of Christian and Susan (Arnold) Foglesong. Her parents came from Maryland m an early day and settled in Fairfield county, Ohio To this union were born nine children, of whom Jacob G. Knepper was the youngest. John Knepper died on June i, 1840, in Hancock county Ohio and m 1845 Mrs. John Knepper married Peter Wise, but there were no children born to this union.

.Jacob G. Knepper received his education in the district schools of Hancock county, Ohio, and was a student for one year at Otterbein Universitv at Westerville, Ohio, and subsequently attended school one year at Findlav

L 'T'"t^ ^' ^°'"' ""''^ '''' °'''^'^^^ °^ *^ Civil War, and in August' 1862 Mr. Knepper enlisted for service in the Union army in Company d' Ninety-nmth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until July 17'

Schofield in the Army of the Cumberland until Januarv i, 1865, when he was trans erred to the army of the east. He took the boat at Alexandria and landed m North Carolina, where his corps met the army of General Shei-man at the end of its march from Atlanta to the sea. He was finallv mustered out of the service at Salisbury, North Carolina, on June ^6 186. 52 ' ^' and was discharged on July 17, 1865, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He wastaken prisoner at Stone River, Tennessee, in the fall of 1862, but was held only two hovxrs, when he made his escape to the Union lines. ' He participated in the battles of Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge^ Chickamauga, Resaca, Jonesboro and Kenesaw Mountain, and finally at the battle of Nashville.

After the close of the war Mr. Knepper returned home and worked on his mother's farm, and in March, 1866, was married to Mary E. Foltz, the daughter of Noah and Mary Foltz, who were residents of Eagle township,. Hancock county, Ohio.

After his marriage Mr. Knepper continued to farm the old homestead until August, 1873, when he moved to a farm in the extreme western part of Blanchard township, Hancock county. Here he remained until May, 1897, and during all of this time he was engaged in general farming, and was unusually successful.

He retired from active farm life in May, 1897, ^"d moved to Gilboa,. Putnam county. He became interested in the Gilboa Stone Company in 1900, which connection he retained until 1904. He retained his interests, however, in this company until 1907, in which year Mr. Knepper became a. stockholder in the Gilboa Banking Company and a director of this bank. He was elected president of this bank in January, 1913. He holds this office at the present time.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob G. Knepper are the parents of nine children, namely: Noah W., married Jennie Laub, and they have four children, one of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Noah Knepper died about five or six years after her marriage, and Noah Knepper later married a widow of Marine- City, Michigan, and to this union one daughter has been born. They reside at Marine City. Jennie, the second child of Jacob Knepper, is the wife of Kelly Laub, and they have three children, two daughters and one son, and reside in Findlay; Mary Elizabeth and Ada C. both died in early childhood r Viola is the wife of J. B. Thomas, and they have one daughter and live near- West Cairo, Allen county, Ohio ; Adam M. married Lilly Haddox, and they have four children, one dying in infancy, and reside at Delphos, Ohio; Charles Albert mairied Sylvia Tullis, and are residents of Leipsic, Ohio: Nellie died at the age of eighteen, December 31, 1903; Laura L. is the wife of L. A. Kemerly, and lives at Carey, Ohio; N. Harrison married Stella Buchland, and they have three children, two sons and one daughter.

Mr. Knepper is an ardent Republican, and has always taken an active interest in local political matters. He served as land appraiser in 1890 in

Hancock county, and was also trustee of Blanchard township, that county, for one term, his term of office beginning in 1876. He was appointed postmaster of Gilboa and took this office on April i, 1904, and lield it until July 31, 191 2, a period of eight years. He also served on the town council several terms. Mr. Knepper is a member of Lindsay Post, No. 75, Grand Army of the Republic, and also belongs to Gilboa Lodge, No. 459, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

That Jacob Knepper is a highly respected and influential citizen, is evidenced by the many positions of honor and trust which he has held. He is a man of sterling integrity and a progressive citizen.

Prof. Harry Miles Jay

It is not always easy to define the hidden forces that move a young man to large professional success. Little more can be done than to note the forces and call attention to them. The career of Prof. Harry Miles Jay, the present superintendent of the Kalida public schools, is a striking example of the power of well-defined purpose. Professor Jay has been able to make his ability count in the attainment, not only of his own ambitions, but for the good of his fellow men as well. For several years he has held distinctive prestige m the educational field, which requires for its success particularly strong mentality, rigid discipline of a high order and wide professional training. Although a comparatively young man, Professor Jay has attained a high degree of success and has an excellent standing among the educators of Putnam county, Ohio.

Harry Miles Jay was born in Newton township, Miami county, Ohio, three and one-half miles west of Pleasant Hill, November 4, 1888. He is the son of James and Susana (Miles) Jay, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The Jay family were of English origin and were among the very earliest settlers in Miami county. The paternal grandfather of Professor Jay, who settled on two hundred acres of land in Miami county, which he cleared of the primitive timber. He drained the land and made out of it a productive and fertile farm. His children were Joseph, Jonathan, William, Moses, Martha, and James, the father of Professor Jay. Jonathan became a minister in the Friends church and preached for many years.

The maternal grandparents of Professor Jay were Henry Miles and wife, who were early settlers in Miami county, where they lived on a farm. Their

James Jay, the father of Professor Jay, was educated in the common schools of Miami county, Ohio. He also took a course in the Northern Indiana University at Valparaiso, and, after returning from college, worked on his father's farm. He purchased and cleared forty acres of land in Newton township, in Miami county, before his marriage. After his marriage to Susana Miles he moved to his farm, where he had previously erected a dwelling. He contirfued farming on this place until 1S92, when he died, and was buried in Union cemetery in Miami county. His wife now resides with her son. Professor Jay, at Kalida. James and Susana (Miles) Jay were the parents of six children, Delia, Matilda, Alice, Wade, Russell and Henry. Of these children, Delia married Henry Klopfer, who live on the Red Top farm near Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and have five children; Matilda maiTied Moses Tucker, of Nebraska, and they live in Idaho, where they moved in 191 3, from Nebraska, and they have six children; Wade married Clara Agnes, and they live near Covington, in Miami county, and have two children ;, Russell married Rosa Good and is the pastor of the First Christian church at Elkhart, Indiana. He was educated at Defiance College and took the four years' academic course. Fle also took a four years' theological course at Defiance. Harry Miles Jay was educated first in rlistrict No. 7, Newton township, Miami county, Ohio, and was graduated from the county schools in 1904. He then attended the Pleasant Hill high school for four years and was graduated in T907. After that he took a collegiate course in Defiance College and was graduated in 191 1, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After this, he took a post-graduate course of one year, taking the degree of Master of Arts.

Professor Jay was married on January i, 1914, to Mabel Adams, of Defiance, Ohio, the daugher of John and Phoebe (Rettig) Adams, who were the parents of the following children; Irving, Lester, Mabel, Grace and Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. John Adams are still living in Defiance. Mr. Adams is a machinist.

After their marriage. Professor and Mrs. Jay moved to Kalida, Ohio. He had accepted a position as principal of the Kalida high school and served for two years, from 191 1 to 191 3. During 191 3 and 19 14 he was superintendent of the Kalida schools, and from 1914 to the present time he has served as district superintendent of supervision No. 8, Putnam county, Ohio. To Henry Miles and Mabel (Adams) Jay have been born one child, John Adams, tie was born on October 26, 1914.

at Ottawa. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Professor Jay is a master of the Masonic lodge No. 280 at Kalida. He is generally regarded as a man of high professional attainments, is a man of pleasing disposition and of splendid executive ability. He has advanced steadily in the educational sphere of this county and has filled several positions with great credit.

J. August Smith

The object of a work of this character is not so much to portray the virtues of the present generation as to preserve for posterity the family records upon which, in succeeding generations, a proper degree of family unity may be based and maintained. The compilation of the records herein presented, and in which the leading familes of Putnam county have taken so large and so commendable a degree of interest, is not only valuable as a source of information to the present generation in this county, but will be the object of deepest gratitude on the part of generations yet unborn, for here are arrayed facts of family history, which, without being thus assembled and preserved, inevitably would have been lost, at least in a large part, to the very great deprivation of that sense of family unity, so properly prideful a quality in human kind. Among the old families in Putnam county which have been properly aroused to the value of this form of preservation of family records, the family of L. Jacob Smith is entitled to special mention, for in this volume of biography five of Mr. Smith's sons have modestly sought to preserve the data upon which their families are founded, for the benefit of posterity, a most commendable ambition and one worthy of the widest emulation. In the biographical sketch relating to the eldest brother of this family, Frank Smith, presented elsewhere in this volume, the genealogy of the family is set out at length, and it will be sufficient, in this connection, to deal in a merely introductory fashion with that feature of the biography of the gentleman whose name is noted above.

J. August Smith was born on a farm near the town of Kalida, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, May 13, 1882, the son of L. Tacob and Florentine (Verhofif) Smith, both of whom were members of old and prominent families in this county. J. August Smith was reared on the paternal farm and received his early education in the excellent schools of Union township He remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began working the farm of his brother-in-law, Joseph Kahle, where he re- mained four years, at the end of which time he bought ninety-three acres of land in sections 20 and 21, in Union township, a portion of the Frank Kahle estate, and moved upon this farm after his marriage, in 1908, and has lived there ever, since, firmly establishing himself as one of the leading young farmers of that part of the county, his progressive and up-to-date methods of farming having insured his success in his chosen calling.

On May 6, 1908, J. August Smith was united in marriage to Leonora Annesser, daughter of William and Theresa (Myers) Annesser, who lived at that time in Union township, but who later moved to a farm in the province of Ontario, Canada, where they now reside. Mrs. Smith is the eldest of the six surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Annesser, the others being John, Wilhelmina, Anna, Helena and Alice.

To J. August and Leonora (Annesser) Smith have been born three children, as follow: Harry, on January 10, 191 1; George, May 28, 1913, now deceased, and Gerald, February 25, 1915.

J. August Smith and wife are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, and are warmly interested in the good works of that parish, Mr. Smith being one of the trustees of the local branch of the Catholic Knights of Ohio. He likewise is interested in all other good works in the community, and is, as well, interested in the general public welfare, being an earnest promoter of public improvements of a general character. He is one of the directors of construction of the Mutual Telephone Company, at Kalida.

J. August Smith is a substantial young farmer and he and his wife are deservedly popular in their large circle of acquaintances, their unvarying courtesy and gentle qualities making them favorites with all

William Smith

Elsewhere in this volume of biography of the important citizens of Putnam county, there is presented at some length the genealogy of the Smith family, so long and so' well known in the Kalida neighborhood in Union township, this county, the fourth generation of which in this section of the state is now doing well its part in the development of the best interests of that excellent community, following nobly the admirable example of social and civic worth set by the forbears of that family in this county. So admirable has been the spirit uniformly displayed by the members of this family in its attitude toward the communal interests, that it is a pleasure to present here another sketch relating to one of the present-day active members of the family, and to this end the biogra:pher asks the reader's attention to the following brief review of the life of the gentleman whose name appears above.

William Smith, one of the sons of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff) Smith, was born on the paternal homestead near Kalida, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, October 28, 1879, ^I'^d has lived all his life in that neighborhood, occupying today the position of one of the leading men in that community, as were his father and his grand fa,ther before him. Though the local readers of this biography need no introduction to the Smith family in Union township, it may be said, in passing here, that further details of the genealogy of William Smith may be found in the sketch pertaining to bis elder brother, Frank Smith, presented elsewhere in this volume, which traces the family descent from the first of that line to locate in this section. The genealogy of the Verhoff family, the family of Mr. Smith's mother, may be found in the sketch relating to Theodore Verhoff, of Greensburg township, her brother, elsewhere in this volume.

William Smith was reared on the paternal farm in Union township, the same on which his brother, Frank, now resides, and received his early education in the schools of that neighborhood, the period of his young manhood being spent on the home farm. For six years previous to his marriage, he worked on the farms of others in the neighborhood, the labors of the home farm not requiring the services of all the stalwart sons of the proprietor, but after his marriage, in 1909, he moved to the farm of eighty acres on which he now lives in Union township, he having previously bought this place in anticipation of marriage and the establishment of a new home. He moved the house in which he now lives to its present location, it having stood a short distance to the north at the time he bought the place. In many ways he has improved this place and has brought it up to a high standard of cultivation, making it a productive and attractive farm. Mr. Smith is an intelligent and industrious young farmer and is contemplating numerous other improvements to his already well-ordered place In addition to his own farm of eighty acres, Mr. Smith works a tract of twenty-three acres adjoining, which belongs to his father, the venerable L. Jacob Smith, who is living a life of pleasant retirement in Kalida, where he established a comfortable home some years ago upon coming to the decision to retire and enjoy the fruits of a long life of honorable activity.

On October 20, 1909, William Smith was united in marriage to Clara Rampe, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Doepker) Rampe, members of one of the olde.st and best-known families in Putnam county, frequent refer- ence to which family is made in this volume, both of whom were born in the Glandorf neighborhood, where Mr. Smith's bride grew to womanhood. Mr. and Mrs. Rampe some years ago retired from the farm on which they had so long resided and are now living in retirement in the town of Kalida, this county, where they have the esteem of all who know them. They are the parents of five children, three sons and three daughters, the others being Frank, Hubert, Anna, Ella and Clark.

To William and Clara (Rampe) Smith four children have been born, as follow: Louise, August 30, 1910; Rudolph, April 14, 1912; Edwin, December 15, 1913, and Stephen, March 10, 1915, a most interesting little family which makes the Smith home a continuous scene of merriment and joy.

William Smith and wife are members of the St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida, in the various beneficences of which they are earnestly interested, and xMr. Smith is a member of the St. Joseph's Benevolent Society, m the affairs of which he takes a warm interest, being one of the most generous contributors to the general work of the parish. The Smith famili^ in that section of the county, are all interested in the good works of the community in which they live. ' With an honorable ancestry back of them it is not unnatural that they should possess a pardonable degree of family pride and It is gratifying to note that this commendable regard for family and a proper desire to perpetuate the family records has prompted five of the sons of L. Jacob Smith to furnish data to the present biographer upon which to construct biographical sketches for this valuable history of the prominent citizens of Putnam county, an instance of family consideration which their descendants will appreciate greatly in the years to come and for which generations yet unborn will thank them.

Anthony Smith

Pride of family is one of the most commendable of human virtues. "Rely upon it that the man who does not worthily estimate his own dead forefathers will himself do very little to add credit or do honor to his country " This quotation, from William E. Gladstone, touches at the very heart of the matter. The desire, therefore, on the part of so many of the prominent citizens of Putnam county to preserve family records in this volume bespeaks a very high degree of patriotism as well as the most justifiable pride of family and the community at large cannot but be bettered and strengthened by this display of patriotism, this interesting manifestation of a general desire on the part of well-thinking people to create a closer degree of family unity and to preserve for the coming generations invaluable family data that inevitably would be lost without this or some similar form of preservation. The readers of this volume will notice with interest that the five sons of L. Jacob Smith have very properly availed themselves of this general medium as a means of handing down to their posterity in orderly array the data upon which to base a family unity that will be a source of pride of the most commendable sort to generations yet to come. Frank, William, Hubert, August and Anthony Smith have furnished to the biographer data relating to their immediate families and it is a pleasure here to present the biography of the last named, the others being found on other pages in this volume. In the biography of Frank Smith, the eldest son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff) Smith, there is presented at length the genealogy of the paternal branch of this family in Putnam county, while elsewhere the Verhoff side finds equally interesting presentation under the head of Theodore Verhofif, of Greensburg township, brother of the mother of the Smith brothers.

Anthony Smith, son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhofif) Smith, was born on a farm near the town of Kjalida, Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, on April 17, 1885, and grew to manhood on the parental farm, receiving his education in the excellent schools of that township. He remained on his father's home place until his marriage, in 191 1, after which he bought fifty acres of his father's farm and established a home for himself. He erected the buildings now standing upon this place and has otherwise improved the same, bringing the farm to a high state of cultivation. He has but recently built a substantial addition to his house and now has one of the most comfortable and delightful homes in that part of the county. He is a young farmer of the progressive type to which Putnam county is beginning to owe so much and in his methods follows up-to-date principles of farming, assuring for himself a degree of success which is most gratifying to his friends.

On May 3, 191 1, Anthony Smith was united in marriage to Magdalena Schroeder, daughter of William and Anna (Rieman) Schroeder, both of whom were born in Greensburg township, this county, and who were the parents of ten children, Katherine, Henry, Clara, May, Nora, Magdalena Francis, Caroline, Elizabeth and Laura. Of these Katherine married w' Schierloh and lives in Greensburg township, this county; Henry married Theresa Verhoff and also lives in Greensburg township; Clara married William Verhoff and lives in Union township; Mary married Ignatius Verhoff and is now a widow, and Flora married Frank Verhoff and lives in Greensburg township. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder are still living on their farm in -Greensburg township and enjoy the highest esteem of all who know them.

The paternal grandparents of ancestry of subject's wife, Magdalena .Schroeder, wife of Anthony Smith, Henry and Catherine (Hohenbrink) Schroeder, who were natives of Germany and came to this country and located near Glandorf, Putnam county. They were the parents of the following children: John, Mary, William, Charles, Anna, Theresa, Mathias, Clara, Doratha, Ignatius, Catherine, Philomena and Frank. Her maternal grandparents were John and Clara (Mahinne) Rieman. who also were natives of Germany, and came to this country, where they settled near Glandorf, in Putnam county. They had the following children: Frank, Mary, John, Bernadina, Henry, Bernard, Anna, Charles and Ignatius.

To Anthony and Magdalena (Schroeder) Smith two children have been .born: Gilber, on July lo, 1912, and Edward, May 16, 1914. Anthony Smith and wife are devoted members of St. Michael's Catholic church and have submitted their children to the ordinances of that historic communion. Mr. Smith is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio and of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society and is otherwise active in the work of the parish, being regarded as an energetic exponent of all measures which have to do with the _good of the community at large, one of the leading citizens of that part of -the county.

William Washington Schafer

Among the many able, intelligent, substantial and successful farmers of <ierman birth or descent, who have added so much to the material wealth of Putnam county, none is more worthily entitled to mention in this volume -of biography, than William Washington Schafer, who was born in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, on December 17, 1869, the son of. William -and Mary (Morris) Schafer, the former of whom was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, the son of Philip Jacob and Elizabeth Schafer, and the latter whom was born in Allen county, Ohio, the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Weaver) Morris, pioneers of that section of the state.

William Schafer, the elder, was bereft of his father when he was a child and his mother married, secondly, Jacob Huffman, in company with whom she and her two sons, William and Michael, came to America, proceedin<^ to Putnam county, Ohio, where they settled on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Sugar Creek township, where Wilham grew to manhood. He helped clear this land and rapidly adjusted himself to the conditions which him in his adopted country. At the age of twenty-five he married and for a short time thereafter lived in Allen county, later returning to Putnam county, where he bought a tract of eighty acres in Palmer township, to which was added an equal tract his wife had received from her father. This farm of one hundred and sixty acres, he cleared and improved by the erection of a good type of buildings and soon brought to a high state of cultivation, iipon which he made many improvements, chief among which was the erection of many buildings of modern type. He later sold a portion of this land, which became the town site for the village of North Creek and later became one of the most substantial and influential residents of that part of the county. For a period of thirty-six years, continuously, William Schafer served his township in the capacity of justice of the peace, his magisterial rulings very rarely being appealed, and in that time did very much toward bringing to a proper state of social and economic development the community to which he became so devotedly attached and in which he was held in the very highest regard by all his neighbors. He had also given good service to the public in other local ofTices. William Schafer was a member of the German Lutheran while his wife was aij adherent of the Primitive Baptist faith.

William W. Schafer married Mary Morris, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Weaver) Morris, early settlers in Allen county, this state, Henry Morris having been one of the first judges of the circuit comprised in the counties of Allen and Putnam, the court in this county at that time being held in the town of Kalida. Judge Morris was a Democrat and was a man of large influence in the counsels of his- party in this section of the state. As a judge, he attained a reputation for fairness and justice which is not forgotten to this and in all things was a high, honorable and upright gentleman who did well his part in the upbuilding of the community in which his good influence was so widely exerted. Not only was he, widely known for his judicial qualities, but he was equally well known throughout this section as a minister of the gospel, holding to the Baptist faith and for many years occupied the pulpit the Baptist church at Vaughnsville, his sermons being noted for their great earnestness and power. The home of the Morrises was in Allen county. To Henry and Margaret (Weaver) Morris were born nine children, George, Elizabeth, Joseph, Henry, John, Sarah, Lavina, Mary Ellen and Katherine.

To William and Mary (Morris) Schafer were born twelve children, all of whom are living save the 'last born, Surilda May, the others being Henry Philip, John Sylvester, Mary Catherine, William Washington, George Lewis,

Charles Clifford, Sarah Elizabeth. Mary Emmaline, Ida Lavina, Benjamin Frankhn and Joseph Jefferson. The parents of these children are both dead, the death of the mother having occurred in October, 1902, and that of the father on January i, 1904. Michael Schafer, brother of William, served his adopted country faithfully and well during the Civil War, as a member of an Ohio regiment and at the close of the war he engaged in farming in Putnam county and later located at Delphos, this state, where he spent the rest of his life.

William Washington Schafer was reared on his father's farm, in Palmer township and received his early education in the North Creek school. During his young manhood he worked on his father's farm, but following his marriage, at the age of twenty-f^ve years, he moved to Defiance county, Ohio where he bought a farm of forty acres in Highland township and later twenty-eight more acres adjoining in Putnam county, and there he lived for thirteen years, at the end of which time he returned to Putnam county and bought the farm on which he is now living in Greensburg township. This place originally consisted of eighty acres, which now gives him one of the most compact and highly developed farms in his part of the countv. On this farm he has erected splendid buildings, a beautiful dwelling house and a large and admirably-appointed barn, with outbuildings of all kinds to match, making his farm one of the best appearing places in the county. His house is one of the best equipped, in point of domestic convenience, in the neighborhood and his barn is supplied with all the modern devices for the efficient management of a successful farm.

On October 4, 1894, Mr. Schafer was united in marriage to Luta Gertrude Pilcher, the daughter of William and Mary (Wingate) Pilcher, well known residents of Monroe township, this county. William Pilcher and wife were both natives of England, who came to America, proceeding to Ohio, in which state they were married. After their marriage they lived for a time at Findlay and at Belmore, Ohio, and then came to Putnam county, locating in Monroe township, where they are still living. They are the parents of nine children, Reuben; Milton; Clara; Stephen; Nellie; Frank, deceased; Edward- Luta and Etta. '