Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 17 of 33)

William Wilson Frantz was married at the age of twenty-three on April 16, 1873, to Mary E. Hoskinson, the daughter of Alpha Robert and Elizabeth (Acord) Hoskinson. Mrs. Frantz was born in this township on March 6, 1851. Her parents settled in Putnam county in 1839. Her father was a native of Virginia, and came to Muskingum county, Ohio, in an early day. His wife was a native of Muskingum county.

To Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson Frantz ten children were born - William P., Robert Ross, Lilly Jane, Zella May, Zoa, Eva, Tony, Clyde Nettie and Grover W. William P., born August 20, 1874, married Stella A Maidlow and has had eight children, two of whom died in infancy. He is now the superintendent of the Putnam county infirmary, and is a well-known and popular citizen. Robert Jioss, born on November 18, 1875, married Frieda Brown and has three children. He is a farmer and lives in Hillsdale county Michigan. Lilly Jane, born on November 30, 1877, married John Maidlow and has had three children, of whom one is deceased. Her husband is superintendent of the state serum farm at Columbus, Ohio; Zella May born on August 4, 1879, married Reno Krohn and has one child. Her husband is a prosperous stock buyer of Pandora; Zoa, born on January 29, 1881 is unmarried and lives at home. She is a teacher in the schools of Columbus Grove, where she has been very successful in her chosen profession- Eva bom on October 15, 1883, married Julian Kempf and has one child. Mr. Kempf is interested in the Pandora Milling Company, and is a self-made and successful business man; Tony, born on April 8, 1884, married Zella Steele and has one child. He is in business at Pandora; Clyde, born on July 10, 1885, is unmarried; Nettie, born on January 14, 1887, is stenographer for the Ohio state agricultural commission; Grover W., born on September 7, 1889, is also unmarried. Clyde and Grover W. are two of Gilboa's most progressive and popular merchants. Their store reflects the character and enterprse of the men back of it. It is one of the most up-to-date stores in Putnam county, and one of which the community has reason to be jusdy proud. Clyde is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 'Fellows at Gilboa. He and his brother, Grover W., are both members of the Free arid Accepted Masons at Ottawa.

Thus it appears that William Wilson Frantz, who reared a large family, now successful citizens in many different vocations, has done more for his state and for the county where he lives than he could possibly have done in any other way. No work is greater and no success more admirable than that of leaving sons and daughters, who are guided by industrious habits, worthy ambitions and high ideals. Of such success William Wilson Frantz and his wife have had a large measure.

Henry B. Nartker

To obtain a worthy citizenship and achieve a career that is always honored and respected even from childhood, deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy and even abide in the hearts of his friends and neighbors, but gradually to rise to the same position, winning through sterling worth and faithfulness to trust, rather than by craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy the highest praise and commendation. Such a man is Henry B. Nartker, one of the most prominent and influential farmers of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio.

Henry B. Nartker was born on February 7, 1864, at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. He is a son of Henry and Theresa (Vorterlandwer) Nartker, the former of whom was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, on December I, 1836, and who died on March 21, 1909, at the age of seventy-two years.

Henry Nartker, Sr., was ten years old when he came to America with his parents, Theodore Nartker and wife, who settled about two miles west of where St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf, is now situated. The county was new in those times, and only a small part of the land was cleared. There, Henry Nartker, Sr., grew to maturity and married Theresa Vorterlandwer, who was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, and who was a daughter of Herman Vorterlandwer. Herman Vorterlandwer came from Germany and was an early settler near Ottawa.

After his marriage, Henry Nartker, Sr., moved to the northwest edge of Glandorf. He worked at all kinds of work and did anything which was honorable to earn money. By extraordinary diligence he secured a good start in life, although he started in an humble way. In time he owned more than two hundred acres of land. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Of these ten, two died later, Mrs. Minnie Horstman and William. The eight living children are Henry B.', Mrs. Bernadina Winkleman, Mrs. Mary Wischmeyer, Mrs. Annie Schroeder, Frank, August, Mrs. Emma Maas and Mrs. Lena Fortman. The mother of these children is still living west of Glandorf.

Henry B. Nartker grew up on the home farm and was his father's main assistance in clearing the land. He learned to use an ax and a crosscut saw very effectively. He took up his abode on the farm where he now lives in section i, Greensburg township, about 1892, and here he lived alone for about two years, while he cleared the land and operated the farm. At the end of that time he was married and has since made this farm his home. Mr. Nartker was married in 1894 to Bertha Roepke, who was born in Steinfeldt, Oldenburg, Germany, in 1872. She grew to womanhood in her native country and, in 1891, came to the United States. She first went to Covington, Kentucky, and after about a year's residence in that city, was joined by her parents, Henry and Mary (Honkomp) Roepke. The family moved to near Kalida, Putnam county, Ohio, about 1893, and were farmers there. They now live on a farm between Glandorf and Columbus Grove.

Henry Nartker and wife are the parents of eight children, Alfred, Harry, George, Rudolph, Emma, Ralph, Hildegarde and Gilbert. The Nartker family are all devout members of the Catholic church at Miller City and take an active interest in the affairs of this parish.

Henry B. Nartker is now the owner of about one hundred and eighteen acres of fine farming land, on which he has good barns and other outbuildings, as well as a comfortable house, and, in fact, his farm is well kept and cultivated, and he is among the representative and substantial farmers of his neighborhood.

Henry Nartker well remembers his childhood when his grandparents told him the story of their lives in a log cabin with no floor, a chimney made of sticks and plastered with mud, a grease lamp for light, and when they all stayed at home and worked and saved until they secured a good start in life. When H. B. Nartker was a young man he started life in a log cabin, and he and his young wife were happy with the tasks and ambitions ahead of them. His land was purchased for about one-fourth of what it is now worth. He has achieved some of his ambitions and few men are more widely acquainted and more favorably known than Mr. Nartker. He was township trustee for five years, his term of four years having been extended one year by the Legislature. He is a good citizen, a kind father, and a loving husband, and more than that, he is a substantial, enterprising citizen in Greensburg township, where he has made his home for so many years.

John Gerber

The hardy and rugged little country of Switzerland has produced many of the- men who later became numbered with Putnam county's most progressive and valued citizens. They came here filled with the energy and strength engendered by the life in their mountainous fatherland and ready to cope with whatever difficulties might rise before them in the new land of their adoption. As a class, they were intelligent, thrifty and industrious, a combination of characteristics well suited to aid them in procuring success in their efforts to establish themselves in the new country and to procure homes in which they and their children might live and achieve prosperity. Of these people, John Gerber, the subject of this sketch, is a striking example, having achieved marked success and risen to prosperity through his own efforts.

John Gerber was born in Berne, Switzerland, on December 31, 1871, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Scheideger) Gerber. His father was born in Berne on November 4, 1849, a son of Christian and Anna (Geiser) Gerber, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. Christian Gerber was a farmer who raised large herds of cattle and made cheese for the market, a business in which he attained great prosperity. To him and his wife were born eleven children. He died in 1887, and his wife died a year later.

Daniel Gerber, with John and Samuel, two of his younger brothers, came to America in March, 1891. About 1873, Anna Gerber, the eldest daughter of the family, who married Abraham Somers, came to America

.and settled first in Indiana and later in Pandora. When Daniel Gerber his two brothers, his wife and eight children came to America in i8gi ' his youngest sister, Mary, followed later in the year. She was the wife of Rudolph Peters and came to America just after her marriage. She went to Indian Territory as a missionary, and died about 1905. John Gerber the lancle of the subject, settled at Madison, Ohio, where he is farming. Samuel settled m Oklahoma. Both are married.

Daniel Gerber settled in Pandora, Ohio, where he now lives. He is a wagonmaker by trade and has lived in Pandora most of the time since commg to America. He and Mrs. Gerber are the parents of eight children who are: John, Arnold, Carl, Marion, Rosie, Leah, Lena and Adolph. Marion .and Leah are residents of Fulton county, Ohio; Adolph lives in Fort Wayne Indiana; Lena is a missionary in China, and the others make their homes in Putnam county.

John Gerber was nineteen years of age when he came to America He worked on a farm for six years and then took a position in the planing mill at Pandora, where he worked four years. After he had worked in the mill two years, he married on December 25, 1898, Levina Amstutz, who was born in Riley township Putnam county, on September 14, 1875, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Hilty) Amstutz. Mr. Amstutz's family historv is :given_in the sketch of his brother, P. A. Amstutz. and the family history of Ins wife IS given in the sketch of Isaac Hilty, both, of which appear elsewhere m this volume. ^^

F-bvit" ?t'' ^V^^^ '"^'"'^ °" ^P"' ^' ^906, his second wife being El zabeth Gerber, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Moser) Gerber Michael Crber was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and Catherine Mose; was born m Berne, Switzerland. To John and Elizabeth Gerbe h ee ch 1 dren. Prudence Elnora, Lillian Odula and Elda Elvina, have been boT:

After leaving the planing mill, in the spring of 1901, John Gerber was engaged in the manufacturing of overalls, and was one of the orga^ers o he Pandora Overall Company. He retained his connection with tha firm forthree years^or until the spring of 1904, when he entered the weH^ ilHne business with Peter Somers. That partnership endured for five ^e s when Peter Somers sold his interest to John Gerber's brother, Carl The two l^rothers remained in partnership for four years, and then Car solIhisTn

John Gerber has been very successful in his business and owns a beautiful brick residence in Pandora, where he now lives. He owns two up-todate drilling machines and has all the business he can take care of. He averages from fifty to sixty wells each year, and, in all, has drilled about six hundred wells since he first established the business.

John Gerber is a supporter of the Republican party and has always taken an active and intelligent interest in local political matters. For six years he has been a member of the town council.

John Gerber and wife are both members of the Mennonite (Grace) church, and are active workers in all church affairs. Mr. Gerber is an excellent citizen and is highly respected and esteemed by his neighbors.

Earl Joshua Shaffer

Undoubtedly no other single influence has so much to do with the shaping of the character of the American people as has the public school system, and those associated with this work are indeed doing a noble duty and doubly justifying their existence. A prominent man in the school system of Putnam county is Earl J. Shaffer, of the West Leipsic public schools.

Earl J. Shafi^er was born on July 2, 1889, in Putnam county, the son of Joshua and Susan (Campbell) Shaffer, who were the parents of nine children, namely: Homer Newton, a farmer of Paulding county, Ohio; Milton Festus, also a farmer in Paulding county; Americus Vincent lives in West Leipsic; Martha Belle and Lydia Alice both live in Van Buren township; Putnam county; Joshua Smith died young; Myrtle May resides in Paulding county, Ohio; Earl J. is the subject of this sketch; Oscar Turner is. chief engineer of a large Lexington, Kentucky, tobacco-drying house.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Shaffer were Samuel and Elizabeth (Runyon) Shaffer, the former of whom was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1814, and died in 1898, and the latter of whom was born in Virginia, and died in 1881, aged fifty-nine. Samuel Shaffer was a farmer and stock raiser who never lived outside of Highland county. He was road supervisor for several terms. He was a member of the Lutheran church, a hard-working man, and, like Lincoln, was a famous rail splitter. He was broad-minded and liberal in his views. He and his wife were the parents; of eight children, namely: Lucinda, who died in infancy; Martin Luther and Perry are Highland county (Ohio) farmers; Joshua, whose son is the subject of this sketch; Moses died at the age of four; Sarah Elizabeth died in infancy; Elijah lives in Middletown, Ohio; Mary Susan also lives in Middletown.

Joshua Shaffer was reared and married in Highland county and came to Putnam county in 1884, engaging in farming in 1885, from which year he worked as a farm laborer until 1890, when he bought forty acres of good land in Van Buren township, Putnam county. The land was uncultivated and was made productive by much hard labor. This land was tilled until 1894, when he rented a farm in the same township on which he lived for three years, and then moved to Paulding county, Ohio, where he bought twenty acres of land and lived for five years. Then, returning to West Leipsic, he established a general merchandise, store, bringing the most of his stock with him from Paulding county. One year after locating in West Leipsic, the Paulding county farm was disposed of. The store which he established is still in operation and does a thriving business. On November 27, 1867, Joshua married Susan Campbell.

A valued member of Lodge No. 536, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is Joshua Shaffer. He is a Democrat in his political views, and was a member of the school board of Paulding county for several years and also of Putnam county, and he has served on the election board for several years and is active on the board at present. He is a member of the German Reformed church, of Highland county, Ohio.

The education of Earl J. Shaffer was received in the common schools of Putnam county, and the high school of Grover Hill, from which he grraduated on May 12, 1905, and some time afterward took the teacher's examination in Putnam county at Ottawa, Ohio, passing with an average grade of eighty-seven and one-half. For five years,- he taught school in Liberty township and for one year in Van Buren township, after which he accepted his present position in the West Leipsic grammar school, in the year 1913. Mr. Shaffer holds the following teacher's certificates; three oneyear certificates, two two-year certificates, one three-year and one five-year certificate, the last two being in effect now. Mr. Shaffer is a teacher of great ability, as his winning personality is felt. On October 9, 1912, Mr. Shaffer married Ruby Violet Folk, the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Mclntyre) Folk, and Earl Joshua and Violet (Folk) have one child, Mildred Claire.

Earl Joshua Shaffer belongs to Leipsic Lodge No. 548, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and to Lodge No. 536, of the Independent Order of Odd

Fellows, taking an active part in lodge work and being junior deacon in his chapter of the Masonic order. An active Democrat, firmly advancing the best principles of his party, he was elected in 191 1, and still serves as corporation clerk of West Leipsic. He and his family are devout members of the West Leipsic church of the United Brethren. He is financial secretary of the church, superintendent of the Sunday school, and he, with his virife, takes an active part in church duties and functions. Unassuming, yet pleasing with his quiet courtesy, Mr. Shaffer is a good conversationalist' and uses his gift to advance educational interests and the general welfare of the community. He is of an uncompromising honesty, and is open and frank in all his dealings, and is accordingly liked by his wide circle of friends and acquaintances, both in Putnam county and elsewhere. He is splendidly well informed and can talk very intelligently on a wide range of topics. He IS the type of man who holds our nation in her premier position on the earth.

John C. Madden

American politicians are becoming actively aware of the rapid growth of the Socialist vote in this country, and are being compelled to recognize in this modem development of the political life of the nation a deep-seated protest against the enormous growth of entrenched privilege which has become such a serious menace to the proudest institutions of the government and the basic liberties of the people. There has grown up in this country, along with this protest, in recent years, a very determined demand on the part of the more thoughtful elements of society, that not only the public utilities of the country, but that all lands, mines, minerals and railways, together with all the instruments of production and exchange, should be in the hands of the people, the natural conservators of the public domain. The enormous problem of the unemployed, which so long has been facing our present governmental agencies, is one of the factors that is bringing to the attention of thoughtful persons the claims of the Socialists for a reorganization of the present industrial and economic system and many of these claims, that a few years ago might have been looked upon as chimerical, are now accepted as proper doctrines of government, the approach to paternalism on the part of the federal government being accepted as a most notable concession in this direction. Though there may be a very proper disagreement as to the near approach of the promised millennium of righteousness when all social wrongs shall be righted, there can be no disagreement on the proposition that there are many very grave social wrongs that stand in need of righting and the pettifogging economists whose grasp upon the stern necessities of the times, is not sufficiently acute to detect the finer shades of meaning in the unceasing clamor that is going up for a correction of much of this modern injustice to propose a proper remedy for the evils thus hinted at, may yet find that the remedies now proposed by the Socialists shall become the universal panacea so long sought. The Socialistic propaganda has many ardent spokesmen in this country and in Putnam county there are not a few whose voices have been lifted for years in this behalf. Among these latter, however, there is none better known than the gentleman whose name the biographer has found pleasure in presenting at the introduction to this brief and modest biographical sketch, Mr. Madden being one of the best known and most active Socialists in this section of the state, his reputation in this indeed being state wide, his name having twice been submitted to the suffrages of the people of Ohio for consideration as a candidate for a justiceship in the state supreme court.

John C. Madden was born in Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, July s, 1869, the son of Hiram and Catherine (Davis) Madden, the former of whom was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 9, 1827, the son of John B. and Ruth (Hall) Madden, and the latter of whom was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1827, but who moved to Perry county, Ohio, with her parents at an early age and there grew to womanhood and was' married, later moving with her husband to Putnam county. John B. Madden grandfather of John C, was a native of Virginia, and his wife Ruth Hall' was a native of Maryland, they having migrated to Periy county after their marriage and there reared their family.

Hiram Madden was educated in the district schools of Perry county up on a farm, early becoming inducted into the principles of agriculture. He was united in marriage in 1851, to Catherine Davis, a member of one of the old families of that county, and, in 1853, moved to this county

^T\°lu i".°' °"' ^""^"""^ ""'^ '''''y '''''' i" Monroe township, where both he and his wife spent the rest of their lives, he dying on February .27, 1902 at the age of seventy-five years, she surviving but little more than a year, her death occurring in July, 1903. Hiram Madden was one of the best known and most influential men in his section of the county and had s ved the public most acceptably in the important office of townsh'p trustee besides having held minor township offices, in the administration of all of which he acted with an eye single to the public good. He was a stanch

Democrat and was well known in the councils of his party. Though not an active member of any church, he was a professed Christian and ever was found in the forefront of those seeking to advance the best interests of the people, he and his good wife, who was a timely helpmate, being ready to help those in distress or misfortune.

To Hiram and Catherine (Davis) Madden were born four children: Hugh B., who lives at Lima, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Jane Whitman, of Monroe township, this county; Mary, who died in infancy, and John C, with whom this article particularly treats.

John C. Madden was reared on the paternal farm in Monroe township, ship, receiving his primary education in the township schools. This he supplemented with a course at the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana, which institution he entered when he was nineteen years of age. Upon completing the course at this college, he returned home and began the study of law in private readings, after which he took a two-term course at the college at Ada, Ohio, upon the completion of which he returned home and began preparations for the practice of his profession. For one year he was located at Antwerp, Ohio, where he made a good start in the practice of his chosen profession, but at the end of this time returned to Putnam county and opened an office at Continental, where he since has made his home. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Madden is engaged in the real estate, farm loans and insurance business, in which he has been quite successful. He also has the Rawlings Company's agency, medicines and druggists' sundries and supplies, for the county of Paulding, which agency he operates successfully in connection with the extensive business he has established at Continental.

On Februai-y 12, 1899, John C. Madden was united in marriage to Miss Ruth French, who was born near Youngstown, Ohio, and to this union two children have been born, Henry and Gwennie, lively young people who are the delight of their parents' lives and the light of their home. John C. Madden takes a prominent part in the social activities of his home town and is exceedingly popular in his rather extensive social circle, at the same time being among the leaders in the good work of the community, ever being ready to lend a hand in all movements having as their object the advancement of the welfare of the people.

John C. Madden is a member of the Masonic and the Pythian fraternities, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest, and though a member of no church, has a helping hand for all deserving charities. For years Mr. Madden has been an ardent Socialist and has taken a very prominent part m the campaigns of that party in this state. In 1912 and in 1914, he was the candidate of his party for a place on the Ohio supreme bench, and,. in both campaigns, made a strong showing, despite the present minority standing of his party. The Sociahst party is made up, however, of men who seem to thrive on defeat, and Mr. Madden and many who entertain the same political belief, far from being discouraged at the showing their party has made in former campaigns, are pressing on, urging their cause in the presence of thoughtful people, in season and out of season, believing that ultimately their cause shall prevail. Among the workers in this party in Ohio, none has been more earnest or energetic than Mr. Madden. A wide reader, a clear thinker and a forceful propagandist, his campaigns have been marked by a sanity and lucidity of expression which have commended him to the serious consideration of thinking people, generally, within the rangeof his utterances and there are many in this section of Ohio who earnestly believe that he has a brilliant political future before him.

While deeply interested in political measures from the viewpoint of the modern Socialist, Mr. Madden does not permit his campaign work to interfere with his duty to the public and there is no more ardent "booster" for civic improvements, better roads and the like, than he. He is a success Er,l' man, because he has been diligent in business, it having been one of the rules of his life to give as careful attention to the lesser details of a transaction as to the greater details, and as a consequence he has inspired theconfidence and esteem of his business associates and his friends, generally, throughout this section of the state.

Joseph Kersting

In the year 1874, there arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, a young German lad by the name of Joseph Kersting. He was only eighteen years of age at the time, and had just enough money to make the long trip from his nativeland, Germany, to this country. Today this same penniless youth of forty years ago, is one of the well-known men of Ottavi^a, Putnam county, Ohio, He has been a resident of this county since 1886, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits in- Glandorf until he took the office of county auditor in the fall of 1905. Since that year he has resided in the county, and since coming out of the office of county auditor, he has been engaged in the fire insurance business. He was the founder of the Glandorf Building and Loan Association, and served as its secretary for many years, and in every way he has shown his pubhc spirit and desire to do everything possible for the general welfare of his community. He has been very helpful in the cause of education, and has always maintained a decided stand in favor of the public schools. As a business man, his integrity is beyond question and his genial manners and ever-ready willingness to do something for others, has won for him many friends throughout Putnam county.

Joseph Kersting, the present district assessor of Putnam county, Ohio was born on April 14, 1856, in Westphalia, Prussia. He is a son of Anthony and Katherine (Dorren) Kersting, both of whom spent all of their days in their native land.

Joseph Kersting came to America when he was eighteen years of age his two brothers, Anthony and Felix, having preceded him to this country and located m Cincinnati. He joined his two brothers in that city and at once became a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Cincinnati. One of his Anthony, entered the priesthood, and belongs to the Franciscan Fathers, and is now known as Father David. Felix, his other brother became a merchant tailor and spent most of his life in this country at Miamisburg, Ohio, where he died.

_ Joseph Kersting became a bookkeeper, after a short time, and while living m Cincinnati, was married. Before his marriage, he had become a traveling salesman for a Cincinnati house, dealing in tailor's trimmings Still, later, he traveled for a Philadelphia house in Ohio, Michigan Indiana and Illinois, which also dealt in tailors' goods. Mr. Kersting moved to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1886, although he remained on the road as a salesman for two more years. He became a partner with I. H Kahle m the general merchandise business at Glandorf, in 1888, and this partnership contmued until 1892, when he purchased Mr. Kahle's interests and continued the business alone until 1904. In that year he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for auditor of Putnam county, and was elected m November of the same year. He took his office in October, igos for a three-year term, but before the expiration of his first term, the Legislature changed the length of his term to two years, so that his first term was extended a year by the Governor. He was re-elected for another term in addition, so that he held the office for six years, going out of the office in October,_ 191 1. Since retiring from the auditor's office, he has engaged in the fire insurance business at Ottawa, and in 1913, purchased the insurance business of two other firms in Ottawa, that of Zeller & Company, and Glen Claypool. He combined the business of the three firms and turned it ove^ to his two sons, Albert V. and Alphonse A., retaining a silent partnership ^ith them under the firm name of A. V. Kersting & Company. "^Howete "^ since his election as district assessor for Putnam county, he has retired from active participation in the fire insurance business in order to devote all of his^ time and attention to the duties of this office.

Joseph Kersting was married on June 3, 1879, to Anna Gieringer, who was born near Cincinnati, on a farm and was a daughter of Anthony and Thirsa (Blase) Gieringer. Her parents came from Wurttemberg, Germany, and located on a farm near Cincinnati, where they spent the remainder of their days. To this union have been born eight children, all of whom are living.

Joseph Kersting and his family are all loyal members of the Catholicchurch. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Findlay, Ohio. Mr. Kersting and his wife are justly proud of their eight children, all of whom have been given excellent educations and are now honored members of the various communities where they are living. Such, in brief, is the life history of the poor German youth, who came to the United States in 1874 to seek his fortune.

George D. Hamden

A business man of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, who has been located here since January, 1877, is George D. Hamden, who has been in the grocery business here for more than thirty-eight years. He has taken a very active part m the building up of the village and is recognized as one of the most promment citizens of Ottawa. He was left an orphan at an early age and started out to make his own way in the world when a mere lad. Learning the woolen trade, he followed that for several years in various parts of Virginia, Tennessee and Ohio.

George D. Hamden, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (House) Hamden, was born m Loudoun county, Virginia, March 10, 1841. His father was born m the highlands of Scotland, and, in 1821, came to Virginia He was a machmist by trade, and, after coming to this country, married Elizabeth House, who was born and reared at Hagerstown, Maryland. For ten years after his marriage, Henry Hamden operated a canal boat on the Baltimore & Ohio canal, and in 1850 moved to Logan county, Ohio, where his death occurred about six months later. For the first seven or eight years after his marriage, in 1830, Henry Hamden worked as a machinist in the government arsenal at Harper's Ferry. His wife died in 185 1

S78 Putnam County, Ohio

When his mother died, in 185 1, George D. Hamden was ten years of age. His parents had nine children, but only seven survived the mother, and at the present time only two are living, George B. and Mahala Rice, of Hillsdale, Michigan.

The death of both of the parents of Mr. Hamden left him an orphan, and his uncle, John House, took him to rear. He worked in the woolen mills in Virginia, and learned the woolen trade thoroughly and engaged in that of business until 1877. He worked in Dayton, Springfield, Marysville, Ohio, and spent two years, 1867-68, in the state of Tennessee. After he had been in this business about seven years, he became the superintendent of woolen mill and continued as superintendent of woolen mills at various places until 1877. In that year, Mr. Hamden moved to Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. At the same time he also -started a livery stable and operated both establishments for a number of years. In addition, he sold lime, cement and sewer pipes. For the last few years, Mr. Hamden has given all of his attention to his large grocery business.

George D. Hamden was living at Marysville, Ohio, when he was twentyone years of age, and despite his youth, was elected as a member of the school board of that village, and held this office for two terms. He has been a life-long Democrat, and wherever he has lived he has taken an active part in political affairs. While living in Marysville, he was not only a member of the school board, but served as marshal of the village for four years. Two years after he came to Ottawa, he was appointed as a member of the school board and later elected and served for a total of seven years. Following this, he served for six years on the council at Ottawa, and then was elected as a member of the waterworks board and had a leading part in the building and management of the waterworks. He has served, continuously, upon the waterworks board since its establishment. He was one of the organizers of the Ottawa Building and Loan Association, and has been an officer of this association ever since it was organized, twenty-seven years ago.

George D. Hamden was married on January 7, 1868, at West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, to Frances E. Welch, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Rawsen and Elmira (Thrall) Welch. Her father was a woolen manufacturer and Mr. Hamden had worked for him in his boyhood. Mr. Hamden and his wife are the parents of two children, Iva and Iscah. Iva was the wife of Vernon Cummer, who was killed by a boiler explosion at Williamstown, Pennsylvania, in 1900. He left his widow with a son and daughter, George Edwin and Lyle Vernon. George E. died about two years after his father's death. Mrs. Cummer -and her other son, Lyle V., Hve in Ottawa. Iscah makes his home with his parents.

Mr. Hamden is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Royal Arcanum. He is a man who has always been intensely interested in advancing the interests of his home village, and it can be said that Ottawa never had a more public-spirited citizen, or one who took a greater interest in its welfare.

Hubert C. Gerding

^ The Gerding family is one of the pioneer families of Putnam county, Ohio. Hubert C. Gerding was born in this county, as were his parents, while his grandparents, on both sides, were natives of Germany. Mr. Gerding has been connected with a drug store in Ottawa, since 1894, and has been proprietor of his own store since 1904.

Hubert C. Gerding, the proprietor of the "Rexall" drug store, of Ottawa, Ohio, was born in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, August 23, 1870. His parents, Ferdinand and Veronica (Bockhold) Gerding, were both natives of Glandorf. His grandparents on his father's side came from Germany to America and were pioneer settlers at Glandorf, in this county. Veronica Bockhold was a granddaughter of John G. Bockhold and wife, natives of Osnabruck, Germany, and also early settlers of Glandorf, in this <:ounty. Mr. Bockhold was a pioneer tavern keeper at Glandorf. Ferdinand Gerding, the father of Hubert C., was reared on his father's farm in this and became a saddle and harnessmaker, following that business at Glandorf until his death. He was a soldier in the Civil War. There were five children born to Ferdinand Gerding and wife; two of whom are living, Hubert C. and Harry J., who is living in Lima.

Hubert C. Gerding was reared on his father's farm in this county and after completing the schooling which was offered in his home county, entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, leaving the department of pharmacy in the spring of 1894. He at once returned to his home county and accepted a position in his uncle's drug store at Ottawa, remaining in this store for about ten years. He then worked in W. W. Kelly's drug store for a time, and later in the drug store of Anglemyre & Buckley, buving the store -of the latter firm in 1904. Since that year, he has been in business for him- self and his store, known as the "Rexall" drug store, is one of the most attractive stores in this section of the state. He has the exclusive agency for all of the "Rexall" remedies and is a stockholder in the Rexall Company. The store is well stocked with druggist's sundries and by his courteous treatment of customers and his energetic and wide-awake methods of business,, he has built up a large and "lucrative trade in Ottawa and the surrounding community.

Hubert C. Gerding was married in October, 1897, to Emma B. Kahle,. the daughter of Hon. Ignatius H. Kahle and wife, whose history is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Gerding and his wife have two daughters,. Mary and Eleanor.

Hubert C. Gerding is a Democrat and has always been interested in local politics. He is now serving his second term as village clerk of Ottawa and administering the duties of this office in a very satisfactory manner. Mr.. Gerding and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church.

Joseph Liebrecht

Joseph Liebrecht is a well-known farmer of Jackson township, Putnam' county, Ohio. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in this township, which comprises some of the best farming land in the county. His farm is level, well drained and well fenced, and from any point of view shows the progressive and careful proprietorship of its owner. Mr. Liebrecht began, after his marriage, with forty acres in section 6, of Jackson township, which he first cleared, ditched, fenced and otherwise improved. He built a splendid brick residence in 1907, a large barn having already been built, eight years previously, in 1899. All of the buildings which Mr. Leibrecht has erected are of the most substantial material. The Leibrecht farm has grown in acreage from time to time, until he now has one of the finest farms in Putnam county.

Joseph Liebrecht is a native of Putnam county, Ohio. He was born near Delphos, Jennings township, July 10, 1852. His parents were Frank and Clara (Nierman) Liebrecht. Frank Liebrecht was a native of Germany. He came alone to America, when a young man, and settled on a farm near Delphos. He was reared as a farmer. Frank Liebrecht's father and mother who were also farmers, were both born, lived and died in Germany. Frank Liebrecht married Clara Nierman, at Delphos, and after his marriage pur-

-chased a farm of forty acres in Jennings township. He made many improvements on the land, having cleared it first of its heavy growth of timber and having built many rods of fence. After operating this forty acres for a time, he sold it and purchased eighty acres in Monterey township, near Ottoville. He cleared most of this farm, erected buildings upon it and otherwise improved it in many ways. Here he farmed until his death in 1854. 'Frank -Liebrecht was not a member of any lodge, and held no public office. He was a Democrat, but never active. He and his family were devoted members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville.

Joseph Liebrecht's mother was born in Germany, coming to America with her father and three sisters, her mother having died in the Fatherland. She located, with her father and sisters, in Monterey township, Putnam where they were among the early settlers of this community. She was about twenty years of age when she came from Germany, and after settling permanently in Monterey township, made this her home until her to Frank Liebrecht. Her father died on the farm in Monterey township, it being the same place where he first located after coming to Ohio, shortly after his arrival in America. After his death, his wife lived on the farm for a time, but afterward sold it, and she is now deceased. Joseph Liebrecht is one of three children born to his parents, the others being William, who lives at Upper Sandusky, Ohio; Mrs. M'ary Kiefer, -deceased.

Joseph Liebrecht grew to maturity on the old home place in Monterey township. He received practically all of his education in the Ottoville district schools. He remained at home, assisting on the farm, until his marriage, which event took place at St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville Ohio, in October, 1875, at which time Mr. Liebrecht was united in marriage to Mary Bedeker, herself a native of Germany. She died in 1885. Joseph Liebrecht was married on September 4, 1888, to Margaret Gergen who was a daughter of Mathias and Catherine (Niese) Gergen, who were born m Germany and were married there. About four years after his marriage Mathias Gergen and wife and children came and settled in Jackson township on a farm. They had two children bom in Germany, Nicholas and Margaret, who married Joseph Liebrecht, and Peter, Mary, Susan, Anna, Clara deceased, born in Putnam county, Ohio. Mathias Gergen died in Jackson township on his farm, May 2y, 1910, his wife died on May 20, 1912 Thev belonged to the St. Mary's Cathohc church at Ottoville, Putnam county

Emma, born on December i6, 1876; John, born on March 30, 1878; Barney, born on May 17, 1880; William, born on October 28, 1881 ; Tille, born on January 31, 1885. By his second marriage there were six children, as follow: Catherine, born on October 12, 1889; Elizabeth, born on March 2, 1892; Frank, born on March 30, 1894; Arnold, born on April 22, 1897; I awrence, born on May 15, 1900; Veronica, born on July 7, 1905. Of these children, John, the second child, married Elizabeth Kleman, and is engaged in farming in Union township, in this county. He and his wife are the parents of four children, Ascella, Gilbert, Elmer and Lucina. Barney married Flora Heidnischer, and they live in Greensburg township. They are the parents of two children, Sylvester and Rose Marie. Tillie, the fourth child in order of birth, is the wife of Fred Kreinbrink, a farmer living in Greensburg township, and they have two children, Leona and Henrietta. The rest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Liebrecht are unmarried and living at home.

Joseph Liebrecht is a congenial, progressive and public-spirited farmer and citizen. He is known in the neighborhood where he lives as a good father and husband, and the Liebrechts have a happy home.

Mr. Liebrecht is identified with the Democratic party, but has never been active in politics. Mrs. Liebrecht is a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic church at Ottoville, and her husband and all the children are members of the same church. He has one of the most attractive and well-kept farms in this community.

William J. Varner

A pioneer settler of Putnam county, Ohio, is William J. Varner, who was born, reared and has spent all of his life within its limits. As a boy, he remembers distinctly of the wolves howling around their cabin door, and of seeing the deer roaming through the woods near their house. In fact, all kinds of wiW game were abundant in his father's woods in his boyhood days. The Indians were still here when he was a lad and his father often traded them salt in exchange for venison. Consequently, Mr. Varner has been identified with the history of this county from its very beginning, and well deserves the title of pioneer.

William J. Varner, the son of Jacob and Eliza (Guy ton) Varner, was bom in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, December 6, 1848. His father was Jporn in Luray valley, Page county, Virginia, of German parentage. Jacob grew to manhood in Virginia and, when twenty-one years of age, made the long overland trip from Virginia to Putnam county, Ohio, and entered government land in Greensburg township. He cleared a farm and lived here until he was past ninety years of age. His wife, Eliza Guyton, was born in Maryland near Hagerstown, her father being a native of Ireland. Eliza Guyton came to Putnam county with her parents, after she was grown, and her father entered government land in Ottawa township. Jacob Varner and wife were the parents of eight children: Mrs. Mary Ayres; Mrs. Ellen Benedict; Isaiah; Mrs. Ruth Shafer; Mrs. Ehzabeth Cushman; William J., of Ottawa; Mrs. Rebecca Bibler and one who died in childhood.

William J. Varner was reared on his father's farm in Greensburg township, and received such education as was afforded by the rude subscription schools of his boyhood days. He remained at home until his marriage and then began farming for himself on rented land. He rented for several years, and then bought a small farm, upon -which he began his independent career as a farmer. As he prospered, from year to year, he added to his farm, until he now owns three hundred and fifteen acres, in Greensburg township, and sixty-seven aces, in Ottawa township, part of his farm being within the corporate limits of Ottawa. While he spent most of his time in agricultural pursuits, he has been actively interested in the buying and shipping of live stock for about ten years. He retired from active farm life in 1908 and moved to Ottawa, where he is now residing, after a long and arduous career on the farm.

William J. Varner was married on November 21, 1869, to Anna Simon, who was born in Greensburg township, in this county, a daughter of John P. Simon and wife. Her parents were born near Amsterdam, Holland, and were married in the land of their birth, one of their children being born in Holland. They then came to America, and soon after coming to this country located in Putnam county, Ohio, where Mr. Simon engaged in farming. Later, he embarked in the grocery business at Ottawa and dealt in farm produce of all kinds, in connection with his regular grocery business. Mr. Simon was a man of prominence in his community and became one of the substantial citizens of Ottawa.

William J. and Anna (Simon) Varner are the parents of five children- Nettie, Gertrude, Carl C., Zoe and Laura. Nettie is the wife of John T. Matheny and lives in Greensburg township and has three sons, Nelson, Howard and John Nelson; Gertrude is the wife of William Fridley and lives' near Pandora on a farm and has three children, Ethel, Clarence and Charles; Carl C. married Lene Wagner and lives in Ashtabula county, Ohio, on a farm, where he gives much attention to the dairy business, and has- four children, Irene, Jay, Wilham Lowell and Carl Gordon; Zoe is the wife of Eugene R. Hunt, of Ottawa, and has three sons, Lucius, Theodore and William; Laura, the youngest child, died at the age of sixteen.

William J. Varner has always identified himself with the Republican party, and, although he did not seek the office, he was elected treasurer of his township. For about ten years he served on the Putnam county board of agriculture. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also belongs to the chapter and council. He is a public-spirited and broad-minded citizen and deeply interested in the welfare of those around him, and such a man as lends stability to our commonwealth.

Daniel M. Leffler

It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as a result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action which one has decided upon. Success was never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer. Only the men who have- diligently sought her favors are crowned with her blessing. In tracing the history of Daniel M. Leffler, a grocer and influential citizen of Leipsic, Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, it is plainly seen that the success which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities, and it is also his personal worth that has gained for" him the high esteem of those who know him and those who have had business relations with him.

Daniel M. Leffler, a well-known grocer of Leipsic, was born on December 21, 1869, in Leipsic, Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Daniel G. and Lavina (Hyde) Leffler. The late Daniel G. Leffler, who, during his life, was a commissioner of Putnam county, was born on August 13, 1837, in Fairfield county, Ohio, the son of Solomon and Christina (Weidner) Leffler. Solomon Leffler was born in Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, February 8, 1808, and died on February 25, 1898. His wife, whom he married on October 10, 1833, was born on May 19, 1815, in Wittenburg, Germany, and died on August 27, 1895. .When a young man, Daniel G. Leffler came to Putnam county with his parents, who located two and onehalf miles north of Leipsic. After living here for twenty-five years, they moved mto Leipsic and lived here until their death. Daniel G. Leffler answered Lincoln's first call for volunteers, and in April, 1861, enlisted for three months in the Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He re-enlisted at the expiration of this period and served for three years, or until Lee had surrendered in Company I, Forty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Leffller was wounded three times at Chickamauga. After the war, he married Lavina Hyde in June, 1866. She was born three miles north of Leipsic and was the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Hyde, who came from Germany.

Mr. Leffler went into the merchandise business in Leipsic about 1866, and continued until 1883, when the store was changed into a grocery. He conducted this store until 1890, when he was succeeded by his sons, Daniel M. and Charles H. He devoted his time, after this period, to looking after his farm and attending to his interests in public affairs. He was a Democrat and a member of the first city council of Leipsic, and served, in all, twelve years as a councilman. At the same time, he was a member of the board of education, treasurer of the school board, and also treasurer of Leipsic. He was appointed county commissioner in 1894 to serve out an unexpired term, and was elected and re-elected, in all seven years. He died on January 4, 1912, while his widow still lives in Leipsic. They were both members of the Lutheran church. Donald G. and Lavina (Hyde) Leffler were the parents of five children, of whom four are living : Charles H. ; Daniel M.; Ella A., the wife of T. H. Whisler; and Arietta J., the wife of R. C. Firestine. Edward V. died on July 13, 1901. Mr. Leffler built a hotel at the corner of Defiance and Commercial streets in 1895.

Daniel M. Leffler grew to manhood in Leipsic and from his boyhood helped his father in the grocery store. He grew up as a grocer, and, in 1890, he and his brother, Charles H., became partners in the grocery business, succeeding their father, who had been in the business, and so diligently built up the grocery trade and who had conducted it for so many years. The two brothers have carried on the business as partners since that time.

Daniel M. Leffler was married in the spring of 1891, to Emma M. Pfister, who was born about three and one-half miles west of Leipsic, and is the daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Long) Pfister. Her parents were born in Switzerland and her father was a farmer near Leipsic. Mr. Pister was an old resident of Leipsic and died in 1890. His widow now lives with Mr. and Mrs. Leffler. Daniel M. and Emma M. (Pfister) Leffler have three children living and one dead: Ray V., born on February 28, 1892; Gladys, March 3, 1894, and died on January 12, 1899; Serge H., April 28, 1896, and Maxine H., August 7, 1905.

Daniel M. Leffler takes an active interest in local public affairs and has served in various capacities, as a member of the board of education, the city council, and also as city treasurer. In all of these positions, he has acquitted himself as becomes one devoted to the cause of good American government. Mr. Leffler and family are members of the Lutheran church.

Charles H. Leffler, the brother of Daniel M., and his partner in the grocery business, was born on April lo, 1868, in Leipsic. He grew up in Leipsic and also helped his father in the store from his boyhood. In 1890 as heretofore mentioned, he and his brother, Daniel M., purchased his father's interest in the grocery store and succeeded him in this business.

Charles H. Leffler was married on September 22, 1909, to Rebecca Wentz, who was born in Findlay, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob A and Ehzabeth S. (Kanable) Wentz. Jacob A. Wentz was born and reared in Hartford City, Indiana, and was married at Bucyms, Ohio, to Elizabeth S Kanable. She was a native of Springfield, but was reared in Bucyrus After their marriage, they resided in Hartford City, Indiana, for about ten years on a farm, when they moved to Cass township, north of Findlay, where Mrs. Leffler was born. Her parents still reside there. On the fifth anni versary of the marriage of Charles H. Leffler and wife, Mr. and Mrs Wentz celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Charles H. Leffler and wife have one daughter, Elizabeth Lavina. Mr. Leffler and family also belon^. to the Lutheran church and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias

Elliott Clark

The late Elliott Clark spent his whole life in Putnam county, Ohio Born and reared in this county, he lived here more than seventv-four years' during which long period he was actively identified with the various phases of his county s development. He was a man of integrity and honor, highly esteemed by those who knew him, and a man whose word was as good as his bond. He was a lifelong farmer and, although primarilv interested in his own advancement and the care of his family, he never neglected the duties he owed to the community as a public-spirited citizen. his passing the county -lost one of its sterling pioneers and a man whose span of life practically covered the history of the county from its earliest beginnino- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, and died at his home in Leipsic, October 21, 191 3. He was a son of William and Harriett (Woods) Clark. His father was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was born on September I, 1812, a son of Samuel and Margaret Clark, also natives of Penn- S3dvania.

Samuel Clark was a blacksmith by trade and was employed to construct the ironwork on Perry's flagship, the "Lawrence," which won the memorable battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. It was this famous victory which caused the captain to send the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours," to the President. Before Samuel Clark's work on the flagship was completed, the contract for services had expired, but so anxious was Captain Perry to have the work finished that he gave Mr. Clark double pay until the flagship was ready to launch. Samuel Clark came from Pennsylvania to Wayne county, Ohio, and later removed to Putnam county, locating in this county about 183 1. He entered land in Ottawa township, about three miles southwest of the present city of Leipsic. About two years later, William Clark, the son of Samuel, came with his wife, Harriett, and two small children, to Putnam county, where, like his father, he entered government land. Thus it is seen that the Clark family has been identified with the history of Putnam county from its earliest beginning. They started in to make homes for themselves in the wilderness and endured all of the struggles and privations incident to pioneer life in a new country. William Clark prospered and at one time was rated as one of the largest landholders of the county.

William Clark was twice married. First to Harriet Woods, and to this union nine children were born, one of whom died in infancy. His first wife died in 1855, and he later married Lois Edgecomb, whose parents came from Maine to Putnam county, and to this second marriage three children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The second wife of Wihiam Clark died in 1896, Mr. Clark himself passing away in 1877.

Elliott Clark was born in Ottawa township, and when a small child moved with his parents to Blanchard township on the present site of Pleasant Grove. It was here that young Elliott grew to manhood and attended the neighboring log cabin school houses. When about twenty years of age, he made a trip to Illinois, which was then considered the far West. He worked in that state for a man who owned a large tract of land on the shore of Lake Michigan, part of which is now covered by the city of Chicago. When young Elliott grew homesick and wanted to return home, his employer who had grown to like him, ofifered as a reward for staying with him, a tract of land

After his return home from Illinois, Elliott Clark was married at the age of twenty-one, June 6, i860, to Julia Ann Payne, a daughter of George Payne and wife, who were pioneers of Putnam county, and to this union were born two children, Laroma and William Cortez. Laroma married Abraham Zimmerman, now deceased, and has one daughter, Mabelle. William C, who is deceased, married Susie Little, and the four children born ta this union all died in infancy.

Elliott Clark was married the second time on January 24, 1878, to Susan A. Leffler, a daughter of Solomon and Christina fWeidner) Leffler and to. this second union were born two children, Alura and Charles, who' died in mfancy. Alura was married to John Welburn Guisbert, who died on April 6, 1905, leaving his widow with one daughter, Florence Clark. Mr Guisbert was a son of Samuel and Emma D. (Meyers) Guisbert. pioneer settlers of Seneca county, Ohio. John W. Guisbert came to Leipsic and established the leading store and while here he met and married Alura Clark. After his death, the business was sold to Albert Wise.

Solomon LefHer. the father of Mr. Clark's second wife, was born on February 8, 1808. in Shelby county, Ohio, and died on Februarv -^5 1897 His wife, Christina Weidner, was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, on May 19. 181S, and came with her parents to America, at the age of sixteen to avoid being forced into a marriage with her cousin. Mr. Leffler and 'his wife were the parents of sixteen children, two of whom died in infancy

Mrs. Jean P. Vale

A woman of unusual accomplishments is Mrs. Jean P. Vale the editor and manager of the Ottawa Gazette. Born and reared in Ottawa of excellent parentage, she graduated from the local high school and then began the teaching of school and music. She began when a young girl to take music and has been interested in music all of her life. After her marriage to a newspaper man, she lived in various parts of the United States for seven years, going with her husband in search of his health. He was a newspaper n^an and his work took him to the daily papers in large cities, and in this way Mrs. Vale became interested in newspaper work. After her hus band's death, in 1902, she became interested in the estabHshment of hbraries for one of the large book companies of Toledo, Ohio, and here demonstrated wonderful capacity for work. She was determined to give her daughter a dramatic education, and with this end in view, made almost superhuman efforts to maintain her daughter in a school in New York City. She has the satisfaction of knowing that her daughter graduated with distinction^ and has filled an important place in the theatrical world. For the past few years Mrs. Vale has been the editor and general manager of the Ottawa Gazette, and in addition to the general editorial management of this paper,, she does an immense amount of work on the outside. In fact, she is a woman whose versatility is indeed remarkable, and this brief review can but memorize her achievements.

Mrs. Jean P. Vale was bom in Ottawa, Ohio, in the hotel which wasthen owned by her parents. She is a daughter of Day and Elizabeth (Davis) Pugh. Her father was a native of West Virginia, and of Welsh and Scottish ancestry on both his father's and mother's side. He was a lawyer and' practiced his profession at Ottawa for nearly twenty years. Elizabeth Daviswas a native of Pennsylvania and survived her husband several vears in Ottawa.

Mrs. Jean P. Vale was reared in Ottawa and graduated from the local' high school in 1880, when Professor DeFord was superintendent. Early in her childhood days, her parents began to give her music lessons, and after shegraduated from the high school, she began to teach music at Leipsic and at Belmore, and also taught in the public schools of West Leipsic for twoyears.

Jean P. Pugh was married on July 6, 1884, to Edmond L. Vale, and for seven years after their marriage, lived in various parts of the United States. Her husband was in poor health, and in addition to seeking newspaper work in large cities, was also looking for a more salubrious climate in which to live. It was while working with her husband that Mrs Vale first became interested in newspaper work. After seven years of traveling over the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Vale located at Columbus Grove in Putnam county, Ohio, where Mr. Vale bought the Putnam County Vidette and operated that paper for about nine years. He was appointed postmaster of Columbus Grove in 1897, and held that position until his death in November, 1902. He died very suddenly, being sick only about six hours beforehis death. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen and several other fraternal orders After

Mrs. Jean P. Vale was left with one daughter, Helene, and it was her dearest ambition to give her daughter a good education. With this end in view she leased the newspaper, which her husband had been managing, and went to New York City with her daughter to give her a dramatic education. She placed her daughter in the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York and expected to get work of some kind in the city in order to support herself and daughter while the latter was finishing her education. She had to get employment in a music or art store, but could not find just what she wanted. However, she was determined to succeed, and it was not until after the holidays that she found a place to work. It was not even office work, but it offered her steady employment at a fair wage. She found a place where she could make patterns in a pattern factory and in this way secured enough money to maintain herself and daughter until the latter completed her course.

After her daughter graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York City, Mrs. Vale returned to Columbus Grove and managed the J^idctte for about a year and a half, at which time she sold the paper to Frank Ward, and went to Toledo, and took a position with Brown, Eager & Hall, the largest book concern of that city. At the time she took this position her daughter was in a hospital and required the attendance of nurses day and night, and it was the direst necessity which spurred the mother to find something to do in order to take care of her daughter. The position which she accepted with the book company had been considered exclusively a man's field, and she was the first woman the company had ever placed on the road. She secured the position by answering an advertisement for a man, and, in fact, before she secured this position, she answered at least a hundred advertisements asking for men. This position necessitated her traveling throughout the country, establishing libraries, and when on the road she frequently walked as far as four miles into the country to see members of committees with whom she had to deal. After spending three and one-half months on the road for this company, they ofifered her a position in the store at Toledo, where she was given charge of one of the book departments. She remained six months longer with this company and then returned to Putnam county, and entered the office of the Ottaim Gazette, and has been connected with this newspaper ever since. A few years ago, the paper was sold to a stock company, and the directors placed Mrs. Vale in complete

In addition to editorial duties on this paper, she is correspondent for ten newspapers and writes club papers for a clientage extending throughout Ohio and into many neighboring states. She writes addresses of welcome, formal addresses and papers on all sorts of topics requiring research work. In addition to her manifold duties as a newspaper writer, she has also taught mstrumental, as well as vocal music. She is an accomplished vocalist and has a contralto voice with a range of more than two octaves, ranging from E-flat below middle C to F above. She has sung for several years in choirs and quartettes from Iowa to Ohio. She has written much verse which has been put to music, and among other songs has written a love song, entitled, "Surrender Your Heart to Me," a song which she composed so unconsciously that she at first thought she had probably heard it elsewhere. Versification comes very easily to her and much of her poetry has real literary merit. Limericks, songs, sonnets and beautiful sentiments for postcards flow from her fluent pen with little effort. She has a facility of expression which gives a poetic charm to that which others would pass by as commonplace.

Mrs. Jean P. Vale is an incessant worker, and has little use for the idler m life. When she was teaching music, she taught all day steadily and allowed herself eighteen minutes for dinner, and after spending a similar length of time at the supper table, she continued teaching in the evening She has accomplished so much because she has worked for it. Much of her hard work in her earlier years was inspired by the promptings of necessity and by the desire on her part to give her daughter a good education Although Mrs. Vale has shown the ability to do a man's work yet she is neither masculine in looks nor manner, but maintains her distinctive womanly charm.

This brief resume of Mrs. Vale's life cannot be dismissed without sav mg something concerning her accomplished daughter. Helene is a beautiful girl of marked theatrical ability. She has spent several years on the sta^-e although she IS at the present time engaged in giving readings. She started out as a member of the Military Octette, in the Laskey-Rolfe production and was with this company for several years. Later, she played with a stock company m Toledo and Brooklyn. For some time she was on the Keith vaudeville circuit and made the larger cities of the East and Middle West

Frank Giesken

The student interested in the history of Putnam county does not have to carry his investigations far into its annals before learning that Frank Giesken has long been one of its leading citizens in agriculture, stock raising and business, and that his labors have been a potent force in making this a rich, agricultural region. For several decades he has carried on general farming, gradually improving much valuable land which he Owns, and, while Mr. Giesken has prospered, he has also found the time, opportunity and inclination to assist in the material and civic development of Putnam county..

Frank Giesken was born on December 26, i860, in the southeastern part of Greensburg township, where he now lives. He is the son of John and Clementine (Rieman) Giesken, the former born in Hanover, Germany,, in 1805. John Giesken came to America in 1835 and worked two months in Buffalo, after which he came to Toledo and there cut cord wood on the site of what is now Summer street. It was then covered with timber. Mr. Giesken could have purchased the land for two dollars and fifty cents an acre at that time, but decided to come on to Glandorf, Putnam county, which was as good a town or better than Toledo. After one winter in Toledo, he came on to Glandorf in the spring of 1836, walking from Toledo. In Putnam county he purchased eighty acres in the southeast part of Greensburg township. All of this land was covered with timber and Mr. Giesken passed through the toil and hardships necessary to the pioneer life of this community. Here he made his permanent home and in time purchased eighty acres more. He was a life-long farmer. He married Clementine Rieman, who was born in Oldenburg, Gei-many in 18 19, and came to America in 1830 with her parents. They landed in Baltimore and traveled from Baltimore to Pittsburgh with a four-mule team to haul their baggage. Clementine Rieman walked all the way from Baltimore to Pittsburgh with her parents. From Pittsburgh they came by boat to Cincinnati, where she lived until seventeen years old, attending school there. From Cincinnati the fainily moved to Putnam county on foot, from which place it required a week to walk to Glandorf, and after arriving in Putnam county, the family located along the west line of Ottawa township, where her parents made their permanent home.

Frank Giesken is one of five sons and five daughters born to his parents, John, deceased, who made his home in Missouri ; Elizabeth, the widow of Joseph Lemkuhle, of Kalida; Clara, deceased, who was the wife of Henrjr Frede and lived in Missouri; Henry, of Monterey township; Maiy, who-

at the age of two and one-half years ; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Frede and hved in Missouri ; Clementine, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Eickhoh and lived in Alissouri; Joseph, deceased, who lived in Monterey township; Frank, of Greensburg township; and Barney, of Shepherd, Michigan.

The father of these children died on June 29, 1892, and the mother followed him on December 17, 1905. The father was eighty-seven years old and the mother about the same age at the time of their deaths. She was well preserved and had her second eyesight at the time of her death. She was also able to use a needle. Both the father and mother were unusually well educated and especially well versed in the Bible. Both had wonderful memories.

Frank Giesken grew up on the home farm, and, in 1900, was married to Elizabeth Halker,-who was born two miles south of Glandorf on a farm. She is the daughter of William and Louisa (Vogeding) Halker, whose family history is given in connection with that of Mrs. Giesken's brother, -George Halker. To Mr. and Mrs. Giesken, eight children have been born, Anna, who died at the age of sixteen months, Mary, Veronica, Frances, Harry, Lawrence, Clara and Leo.

Since his marriage, Mr. Giesken has farmed the home fai-m where he was born. He has purchased more land and now has three hundred and fifty-six acres and has lately bought fifty-eight acres in addition, making a total of four hundred and fourteen acres. He has remodeled his house and barn and has one of the finest farms in Putnam county. The house is heated with hot water and is modern throughout. Mr. Giesken has also built fine large barns and has a splendid farm in every respect. He has made a specialty of registered Percheron horses and makes a business of raising thenJ for the market. He also raises pedigreed Shorthorn dairy cattle. Mr. Giesken has been raising thoroughbred horses for about eight years, but has just began to specialize in thoroughbred cattle. He has about fifteen head at the present time. He has had wonderful success with his horses, having sold several two and three-year-old colts for five and six hundred

For the past eight years, Mr. Giesken has been interested in the hardware business and is a member of the firm of Fisher & Giesken at Glandorf,

Frank Giesken has taken an active interest in public affairs throughout his life. He has served as township trustee, as township assessor and was a member of the school board for seventeen years. He is now a member of the county school board and has held other appointive county offices. The Giesken family belong to the Catholic church at Glandorf and Mr. Giesken is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is well known as one of the leading and progressive farmers in Putnam county and stands high in the estimation of the people of this county, a standing which he richly deserves for his many good works and high-minded ideals of American citizenship.

Julian Kempf

The stability and prosperity of any community is determined largely by the character of the business men in whose hands the life of the community, to a great extent, lies. This responsibility rests even more heavily on the younger business men, for on them depends the future prosperity of the community, and it is their integrity and energy which will determine the standard of citizenship which the community is to maintain. In this respect, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, is indeed fortunate in numbering among its younger and rising business men many whose integrity cannot be questioned and whose energy and business enterprise is being daily demonstrated. Of these the subject of this sketch, Julian Kempf, is an excellent example.

Julian Kempf was born on March 20, 1883, in Pandora, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, a son of Rudolph and Anna (Wehrley) Kempf. Rudolph Kempf was born in Berne, Switzerland, April 9, 1852, and died in Pandora, Putnam county, August 21, 1914. He was a son of Christian and Mary Kempf.

Christian Kempf, about whom little is known, operated a tile mill in Switzerland. He and his wife were the parents of sixteen children, nine of whom were boys and seven girls.

Rudolph Kempf came to America in 1868, when he was twenty-one years Of age. He came direct to Ripley township, Putnam county, where He remained for about three yeats. -During that time he was employed on the farms of Daniel King and Isaac Hilty. He was then recalled to Switzerland on account of his mother's death. Shortly afterward he returned to this country and again resumed farm work, in which he continued until the time of his marriage, October 2, 1881. He married Anna Wehrley, who was bom in Riley township, Putnam comity, in March, 1855, a daughter of Anthony and Catherine (Suter) Wehrley. Her, ffither was a native of Switzerland and her mother was born in Riley township.

After his marriage, Rudolph Kempf entered the quarry business and conducted a stone quarry, which had formerly been known as the Hart stone quarry. He remained in that business for several years and then entered the mercantile business, at Pandora, in which business he remained for several years. When Julian Kempf was six or seven years of age, Rudolph Kempf engaged in the restaurant and meat business for about three years. For the next ten or twelve years he operated a dray line, and was. then appointed township road supervisor, which position he held until his death, about five years later.

Rudolph and Anna (Wehrley) Kempf were the parents of two children, Mary and Julian. Mary is now the wife of Noah Schumacher, and lives at Pandora. They are the parents of three children.

Julian Kempf spent his childhood and youth in Pandora, where he attended the common schools and the high school. After he had completed his studies, he began his business career by assuming charge of his father'sdray line, in which business he remained four years, or until August, 1904,, when he entered the employment of the Pandora Milling Company.

His first duties with the milling company were of a minor character,, but, as he proved his efficiency, he was given more responsible duties, and at the end of two years was put in charge of the company's accounts. At that time he was also made secretary of the company, a position which he stilf holds.

On January 4, 1904, he married Eva Frantz, of Gilboa, a daughter of William W. and Elizabeth (Hoskinson) Frantz. She was born at Gilboa,. Ohio, October 15, 1882. She attended the public schools of Gilboa and remained with her parents until the time of her marriage. The details of her family history are given in the sketches of her brother, William Pratt Frantz, and Frantz Brothers, which appear elsewhere in this volume.

To Julian and Eva (Frantz) Kempf have been lx>rn two children, Francis, who was born on November 26, I9ir,raiqd Elizabeth, who was born on January 31, 191 5. Mr. Kempf is a supporter of the Democratic party and has taken an active interest in the political affairs of his community. He has been twice elected town councilman,, and was appointed clerk of the corporation to fill out an unexpired term, discharging the duties of the office so satisfactorily that he was later elected to the office.

Julian Kempf is a clean-cut and progressive young ^business man of unquestioned integrity. He is junior member of the firm of Steiner, Hilty & Kempf, who operate the Pandora Milling Company, a position into which he gradually worked himself by keen and efficient business ability. He is popular with all who know him and is a prominent member of his community.

Fred A. Hermiller

Among the representative fanners of Greensburg township, Putnam Ohio, there is none who occupies a more highly respected position than Fred A. Hermiller, a young farmer of this township. As a self-made man, he stands as a shining example of what may be accomplished by hard, conscientious work and strict attention to business. The farmers of this country have always been the bone and sinew of the land and they will continue to be so for many generations to come. Mr. Hermiller is one of those young men who has appreciated the present-day opportunities of the farmer and he is devoting his life assiduously to his chosen profession and business. He is a young man who believes strongly in public improvements, also believes in maintaining his farm in a good state of cultivation, and has made an unusual success for the comparatively short time he has been engaged in farming.

Fred A. Hermiller was born in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, January 16, 1892. He is the son of William and Philomena (Recker) Hermiller. William Hermiller was born in January, 1858, in Ottawa township, and died on November 24, 1910. He was reared as a farmer and educated in the Ottawa township schools. He remained on his father's farm until his marriage to Philomena Recker. After his marriage, he moved to Union township, where he had purchased eighty acres of land. Subsequently, he added to this farm until he had over four hundred acres, or about four hundred and twenty-five acres, at the time of his death. Throughout his life, he was a hard worker. He cleared a good portion of his land and farm until his death. His wife, who, before her marriage, was Philomena Recker, was also a native of Ottawa township. Her parents were Henry Recker and wife, natives of Germany, who settled in Ottawa township, Putnam county, in pioneer times. They undei-went the privations of pioneer life and of home-building in the wilderness. They were accustomed to the howl of and the yells of the Indians. Mrs. Philomena Hermiller survived her husband and lives on the homestead in Union township. She had been an excellent mother and a hard worker all of her life. She has played her part in building up the family fortune and in rearing her children. Having assisted nobly in this work, she now enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that her children are well provided for.

William and Philomena Recker had eight children, Benjamin, Louis, Pred, the subject of this sketch, William, Herman, Maiy, John and Denia. The last Eve named live on the home farm in Union township. Benjamin, who is a farmer in Union township, married Elizabeth Verhoff and has one daughter, Marcella; Louis, who is a farmer in Palmer township, married Mary Hannaman, and has one daughter, Marcella. William Hermiller was a Democrat but never held office. He was a member of the Catholic church at Glandorf, where all the members of the Hermiller family are identified.

Fred A. Hermiller was educated in the Union township public schools. He remained on his father's farm until his marriage, after which time he moved to his present farm in Greensburg township. He purchased seventyeight acres from his father's estate and most of the buildings were erected on the farm when he came to it. He has made many additional improvements, and keeps the farm under a fair state of cultivation. Mr. Hermiller purchased the farm in August, 1914, and was married in the spring of the same year.

Fred A. Hermiller was married on June 2, 1914, to Amalia Hannaman, who was born in Union township, Putnam county, September 12, 1893. She is the daughter of Barney and Anna (Rolfes) Hannaman. Barney Hannaman was born in Glandorf, Germany, and came to America, with a colony, at the age of eighteen years, to escape the army services in Germany. He settled in Ottawa township, Putnam county, which at that time was heavily timbered. He played his part in building up the settlement m this township. He worked on a farm until his marriage and afterward bought a farm in Union township, consisting of forty acres. He farmed this and added to It until he had accumulated one hundred and ninetv-five acres. He still lives on this farm. Mrs. Anna Hannaman was born 'in Germany and came to America alone when about twenty-two years old. She was educated in Germany. She settled in Ottawa township, Putnam county, near Glandorf where she was married. She is still living on the homestead faim in Union township. Barney and Anna Hannaman reared a family of six children Mrs. Henry Jerwers, of Union township; Frank, who lives on the home farm; Milea, the wife of Mr. Hermiller; Mrs. Louis Hermiller, of Palmer township; Clementine and Joseph, who Hve at home. The Hannaman family are all members of the Catholic church at Glandorf. Mr. Hannaman is a Democrat.

Fred A. Hermiller is not a member of any lodge and has held no offices. He is identified with the Democratic party, and together with his wife, are members of the St. Nicholas Catholic church at Miller City. They have no children. Mrs. Hermiller was educated in the township schools of Union township and lived on her father's farm until she was married. Fred A. Hermiller is a congenial, industrious farmer, well-liked and possessed of a sterling character. He is favorably known in this community and comes of old pioneer stock.

William F. Verhoff

The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article, contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well-defined purposes, which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a farming estate of fair proportions.

William F. Verhoff is the son of Theodore and Elizabeth (Egbers) Verhoff and was born on August 22, 1866, in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio. The father was born on June 17, 1838, and is the son of Francis and Mary (Kramer) Verhoff, early settlers in Putnam county, Ohio, a complete sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this biographical work.

The subject of this review was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the schools of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio. Upon attaining mature years he decided to continue farming, and, on April 22, 1 89 1, was married to Agnes Lemper, born on November 19, 1866, daughter of William J. Lemper and wife. Mrs. Verhoff 's parents were natives of Germany, leaving there in 1867, emigrating to this country* and settling on a farm four miles west of the town of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. To them were born five children, Theresia, Clara, William, Agnes and Mary. Clara was married to William H. Edelbrook and now resides on a farm one and one-half miles south of the town of Kalida, Ohio; William was married to Helena Wortman, who is now living in Saginaw,

After the marriage of Agnes Lemper to WilHam F. Verhoff, they removed to the farm which formerly belonged to her father, William Lemper, and to them were born seven children, names and birth dates as follow : Ben, on March 9, 1892; Joseph, on December 29, 1893; Adela, on October 18, 1895; Martha, on April 12, 1899; George, on June 23, 1903; Amanda, on July 7, 1907; Agnes, on September 27, 1914. Of these children, Ben was married on October 29, 1913, to Theresa Rahrig, daughter of Frank Rahrig and wife, who reside six miles south of the town of Grafton, Lorain county Ohio.

William F. Verhoff is the owner of one hundred sixty acres of good farm land, in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and, with his wife, has made this place their home for the past eight years. Desiring to gain a little more farming land for special purposes he recently acquired a tract consisting of eighty acres near the town of Owosso, Michigan. The son, Ben, and wife make their home on a farm near Owosso, and are following out the example of thrift and industry set for them. Thus far, the life of Ben Verhoff has been one of strenuous activity and by reason of his ambition it is predicted by his many friends that he will occupy a place of great usefulness and distinction at no late date in the future. The entire family are devout and practical members of St. John's Catholic church in Glandorf, Ohio, and socially move in the very best circles of this region.

Henry Hilty

The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those of Its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to those whose words and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Putnam county Ohio, who are well known because of the part they have taken in the community hfe, as well as the fact that they come from an old and honored family, is Henry Hilty, a prominent farmer and stockman of Riley township.

county, Ohio. He is a son of Isaac and Annie (Blosser) Hilty, whose family history may be found in the life story of Isaac Hilty, contained elsewhere in this volume.

Heni-y Hilty was born, on the old Hilty homestead northwest of Pandora, and here he spent his childhood, attending the common schools of Pandora. After finishing school he continued to assist his father on the farm and in the saw-mill until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he was married. After his marriage he started farming for himself, one and one-half miles north of Pandora, where he rented the Abraham Lichty farm. Here he remained for two years and then removed to a farm two miles southeast of Columbus Grove. This farm was owned by Theodore Kuneke, and here Mr. Hilty remained three years. He then moved to the old homestead farm and operated his father's stone quarry for four years. Subsequently, Mr. Hilty purchased a farm of his own, comprising one hundred acres, located two miles northwest of Pandora. This farm is well improved, has a modern, ten-room residence, large and commodious, and other outbuildings in keeping with the large and imposing house. Mr. Hilty has always been a general farmer, but he has made a specialty of the raising and breeding of Percheron horses and Shorthorn cattle. He received the first prize for a yearling Percheron stallion at the county fair in 1913.

Henry Hilty was married on November 17, 1891, to Sarah Ann Zimmerman, who was born one and one-half miles east of Pandora, January I, 1868. She is a daughter of Jacob and Fannie (Amstutz) Zimmerman. Mrs. Hilty spent her childhood and youth with her parents, with whom she remained until the time of her marriage. /

Mrs. Hilty's father, Jacob Zimmemian, was born in Fulton county, Ohio, January 8, 1844, and died at Pandora, July 17, 1912. He was a son of John and Fannie Zimmerman, both natives of Switzerland. They had four children before coming to America, a fifth child dying on the voj^age across the Atlantic. They came direct to Fulton county, Ohio, where John Zimmerman probably entered government land, and after the children grew to maturity they removed to Henry county, Ohio, where Mrs. Zimmerman died, and Mr. Zimmerman was married a second time, to a Miss Schwartz, and to this union there were five daughters and five sons bora, one of whom was Jacob Zimmerman, the father of Mrs. Hilty. Jacob Zimmerman was reared in Fulton county and came to Putnam county as a young man, where he was married to Barbara Amstutz, a daughter of Christian Amstutz and wife, and to this union one child was born. Christian. After the birth of this child Mrs. Zimmerman died, and Jacob Zimmerman then returned to

Fulton county, where he remained for about one year. Subsequently he returned to Putnam county and married Fannie Amstutz, a niece of his first wife, and a daughter of John and Annie Amstutz, and to this union eleven children were born, five sons and six daughters. Sarah Ann, the eldest child, is now the wife of Henry Hilty. Among the other children were Menno, Emil, Noah, Ella, Edwin, Jacob, Levina, Fannie and Ezra.

Jacob Zimmerman was a farmer by occupation, and after his second marriage remained in Putnam county until his fourth child was born, when he removed to Henry county, where he operated a farm for ten years He then returned to Riley township, Putnam county, and for six years lived on a farm one mile west of Pandora, after which he removed to a farm one and one-half miles southeast of Pandora, where he lived for four years After this he moved to Pandora, where he engaged in the livery business and m teaming. He died suddenly on July 17, 1912.

To Henry and Sarah Ann (Zimmerman) Hilty three children have been born: Melvin, on January 30, 1893; Lester, November 13 1807 died on March 21, 1908; Gladys Elizabeth, August 3, 1905.

Henry Hilty is independent in politics, and believes in supporting measures and men rather than parties. He, with his wife, is a member of the Missionary church, in which they are both active. Mr. Hilty is a clean-cut and progressive farmer. He is a man who is well known in Riley township a man of splendid character, of untiring energy and of broad-minded liberal views m all respects.

Isaac Hilty

The biographies of representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community. It is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men m the ranks of whom may be found farmers, mechanics, teachers, lawyers physicians, bankers and men of other professions and vocations. Isaac Hiltv IS distinctly one of the leading citizens of Putnam county, and as such has made his influence felt among his fellow men. He has earned a reputation for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.

Peter Hihy, Sr., came to America in 1826, with his wife and five children. These children were John, Barbara, Peter, Catherine and Christian. On the voyage to America his wife died. Peter Hilty, Sr., came direct to Ohio and settled near Dalton, in Wayne county. Peter, Jr., was taken by the Lugibihl family to be cared for. They lived in Holmes county, near Winesburgh, and it was with this family that he lived until he reached manhood. Peter Hilty, Jr., came with the Lugibihl family to Putnam county in 1837. He was sixteen years old at this time, and continued to live with the Lugibihl family until he was married.