Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 20 of 33)

To John G. and Wilhelmina (Wagner) Conrad no children have been bom. Mr. Conrad left Avon, Ohio, in April, 1887, and purchased property m Continental in May of that year. After coming to Continental he built a hardware store, and ran the same until 1894, when it was destroyed by fire Two years later he went into the butcher business, and has been in this busmess since that time. In the beginning he leased the market for three years. Mr. Conrad built a livery barn in 1910 where Continental garage is now located. He operated the livery business for three years, and then traded the livery barn for a farm in Paulding countv, Ohio, consisting of eighty-four acres. He still owns this farm. Six months later, however he began to give his attention to the butcher business again, leasing his market The buildmg burned, and Mr. Conrad re-entered the business in 1914 and IS active at the present time. He has shipped stock for sixteen years and is more or less active at this time.

John G. Conrad is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Defiance, Ohio. He was the second mayor of Continental and served for six years, from 1892 to 1898. He was a member of the town council for six years and corporation treasurer for four years. Mr Conrad IS a Democrat. He was a candidate for sherifif of Putnam county at the last election, but was defeated by a small margin. He is a member of the Catholic church at Continental. His wife is also a member of this church. Mr. Conrad is a trustee of the church. He is a highly-respected citizen in the ^community where he lives, and admired for his many good works.

Levi P. Henry

For more than forty years Levi P. Henry has been farming in Liberty .township, Putnam county, Ohio. Born and reared in Fairfield county, Ohio, Mr. Henry taught school in his young manhood, but since coming to this county, in 1873, he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising -on his well-improved farm two miles northwest of Leipsic.

Levi P. Henry, the son of Thomas and Margaret S. (Brown) Henry, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on September 9, 1841. Thomas- Henry was the son of Levi Henry and wife, natives of eastern Pennsylvania. Thomas Henry was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and when six years of age came with his parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he spent -the remainder of his life. Early in life, Thomas Henry learned the caipenter trade, and by dmt of industry and perseverance earned enough money to buy a farm, and, in 1840, felt that he was able to marry. He married Margaret b. Brown. His wife was the daughter of David Brown, who came from Juniata county, Pennsylvania, to Fairfield county, Ohio, in its early history. David Brown was a soldier in the War of 1812. and thereby earned the right to a soldier's claim. To David Brown and wife were born thirteen twelve girls and one boy. Thomas and Margaret Henry were the parents of the following children: Levi P., Martha Ann, James K, Mar- -garet E. William B., Thomas H., David C, Robert P. and John K. Of these children, Thomas H. and David C. were twins.

Levi P. Henry was reared and educated in Fairfield county, Ohio and -after completing his common school education, taught school, beginning before he reached his majority. He continued teaching in the winter and farming during the summer season for several years. After his marriage m 1867, he began to farm in Fairfield county, but, in 1873, decided to move o Putnam county to make his permanent home. He purchased a farm in Liberty township, and has lived on this same farm since that year Mr Henry owns nmety-two acres which his son, Charles T farms ' lish, a daughter of Peter S. and Martha R. (Nagmey) McCandhsh. Her father was a native of Scotland and came to Virginia when very young. His wife, Martha Nagmey, was a descendant of Irish parents and born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Henry and wife are the parents of four children, David C, Charles T., Anna M. and James Harvey. David C. married Zella Ramsey, and after her death, married Minnie Kroeger. To his first marriage there were three children born, one of whom is still living. There are no children to the second marriage. Charles T. married Mahala Neeland, has three children, Anna M. became the wife of Harry Polsdorfer, and has six children, five of whom are living; James Harvey, the youngest 'child Mr. Henry, died in 1895, at the age of fifteen years and nine months.

Levi P. Henry and his wife were formerly members of the United Presbyterian church at West Leipsic, and Mr. Henry was a ruling elder and -supermtendent of the Sabbath school of this denomination. A few years .ago he and his wife transferred their membership to the Presbyterian church at Leipsic, and to this they now give their hearty support. Mr. Henry is a man of high character, hospitable and courteous and well liked throughout the community where he has spent so many years.

David F. Owens

Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of this character is the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, who has lived m Putnam county for many years and whose name will continue to adorn its annals long after he has passed to his reward. David F. Owens has per formed well his part in the drama of civilization and has led a life that is exemplary m every respect. He has set an excellent example for the younger generation, for he has been a leader in his locality in all matters pertainfng to Its improvement and progress. In a conservative manner, he has done wha he could to promote, not only the interests of himself and his family but the mterests of the community as well.

to Guernsey county. He was reared as a farmer, but taught school for many 3'ears in Trumbull, Guernsey and Putnam counties. He was a man of unusual intelligence, for his day and generation, and was widely read. John B. Owens was. married on March 21, 1847, to Rachel Spencer, who^ was born in Guernsey county on February 16, 1832, and who was the daughter of John and Eliza (Sevin) Spencer, pioneers of Guernsey county. To this union were born five children, Elizabeth A., who married William T. Fickle, of Monroe township, Putnam county; Emma J., who married William Gillespie; David F., the subject of this sketch; Amanda, who married David Grant, of Continental, Ohio; Ida C., who married Judson Jones, of Palmer township. John B. and Rachel Owens lived in Guernsey county until 1873, when they moved to Putnam county and settled in Monroe township. They owned a splendid eighty-acre farm and were industrious farmers, prominent in church and Sunday school work. John B. Owens died on January 17, 1890, at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife died on March 26, 1895.

The father of John B. Owens was John B. Owens, Sr., a native of Wales, who came to the United States when twenty-eight years of age. He married Elizabeth Strame. After their marriage, they settled in Trumbull county, Ohio. Subsecjuently, he sold his property in Trumbull county and removed to Guernsey county, and here they lived until their death. John B. Owens, Sr., was a Jacksonian Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church. John B. Owens, Jr., was active in local politics during his life and served as township clerk and township trustee for several terms. He was a Democrat and prominent in the work of the Methodist church, as well as in the Sunday school.

David F. Owens was nine years old when his parents moved to Putnam county, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of this township and on February 16, 1879, he was married to Ida M. Gilbert, who was born in Monroe township on September 15, 1863. She is the daughter of Jacob and Martha A. (Butler) Gilbert, well-known pioneers and prominent farmers of Putnam county, referred to elsewhere in this volume.

David F. Owens has one hundred and forty acres of excellent land in Putnam county, which he farmed until 1892, when he moved to Ottawa, Ohio. At this time he was elected county commissioner. He remained in Ottawa for six years, having served as county commissioner during that time. He then moved back to Continental, Ohio, where he now resides. His farming property is rented. Before his election as county commissioner, Mr. Owens had served four terms as assessor, two terms as township trustee and on the town council. He is not active in politics now although still a stanch Democrat. He is a director in the Farmers Bank at Continental and, aside from his banking interests, takes an active interest in civic improvement. Mr. Owens is not a member of any church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias at Continental, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Defiance He is a man held in high esteem by all who know him, of exceptional ability mentally, an excellent farmer, progressive in spirit and capable in all things to which he has ever applied himself.

George Hugfi Seall

In a brief sketch of any living citizen, it is difficult to^ do him exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, for lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history as for the want of perfect and rounded conception of his whole life which grows develops and ripens like fruit and discloses its best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with a man so familiarizes us with his virtues that we ordinarily overlook them and commonly underestimate their possessor It IS not often that true honor, public or private-that honor which is a tribute of cordial respect and esteem-comes to a man without basis of character or deeds. The world may be deceived by fortune and by ornamental or showy qualities without substantial merit and give to the undeserving a shortlived admiration, but the honor that wise and good men value and that lives beyond the grave, must have its foundation in real worth, for "worth maketh the man Not a few men live unheralded and almost unknown beyond the narrow limits of the city or community where their lots are cast, who vet have m them, if fortune had opened to them a wider sphere of life the ele ments of character to make statesmen or public benefactors of world-wide fame. Compared with the blazonry of fame, which some regard as the real stamp of greatness, there is a lowlier and simpler, yet truer, standard whereby to judge of them and fix their place in the regard of their fellow men During a long life m this section of Ohio, George Hugh Seall has given the people of this community an opportunity to know what manner of man he is The testimony is ample that he is a good citizen in the full sense of the term and worthy of the esteem which has been bestowed upon him - ^^^'""'S'^'S^' Seall was born in 1850, in Monroe county, Indiana. He IS the son of Henry and Margaret (Butler) Seall. Henry Seall was a native of Monroe county and the son of Steven B. Seall, who came from Pennsylvania to Circleville, Ohio, and thence to Bloomington, Indiana, where he became the first postmaster of that city. Margaret Butler, the mother of George H. Seal!, was born in Wythe county, Virginia. She was the daughter of Frederick Trank and Ehzabeth (Johnson) Butler, who moved to Bloomington, Indiana, in a wagon, when she was eighteen months old.

Elizabeth Johnson was a sister of Gen. Joseph E. Johnson, of Southern fame. He and his sister were accustomed to differ hotly about the Civil War. It is a bit of family history that Frederick Butler, an uncle of George H. Seall, was a colonel in the Union army and an officer of the day before the battle of Vicksburg. General Johnson was an uncle of Col. Fred Butler and met him before the battle. Saluting him, he said, "Colonel Butler, how is my sister, Betsey, your mother?" Colonel Butler is said to have replied, shortly, "General Johnson, , it is a damned poor time to discuss relationship on the eve of battle."

Henry Seall grew up at Bloomington and was in the mercantile business for many years. Later, he moved to EUettsville, Monroe county, Indiana, and here George H. Seall grew up.

George H. Seall married Laura B. Sleeper, in 1874, who was born at New Albany, Indiana, and was the daughter of William A. and Melvina (Simonton) Sleeper. William A. Sleeper was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and his wife near Ironton, Ohio. They were married at New Albany, in December, 1851. Mr. Sleeper was a patternmaker, a mechanical draughtsman and a millwright. They moved to Arkansas about 1853 and remained there until the close of the Civil War. They then returned to New Albany, where both parents spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Melvina Sleeper was the daughter of John Simonton, a son of William Simonton, who was the son of Alexander Simonton. Alexander Simonton was a soldier in the American Revolution under Gen. George Washington. He was with a Pennsylvania troop and wounded at the battle of Brandywine. Afterwards, he settled at Sharon, Pennsylvania. William Sleeper was the son of Uriah and Elizabeth (Turner) Sleeper, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. They moved from Pittsburgh to near Bloomington, Indiana, in an early day . and lived there the remainder of their lives.

Mrs. George H. Seall attended the Asbury Female College, afterward DePauw University, where she was graduated in 1871. After leaving college, she engaged in teaching, part of the time in the public schools but most of the time she was an instructor of instrumental music. She made her home at New Albany most of the time until her marriage.

After their marriage, George H. Seall and wife spent about three years in Kentucky, where he was engaged in contracting and building railroad grades for the Queen & Crescent railroad. He then made his home in Cincinnati for nearly two years and then came to Wood county, Ohio, and soon after to Sandusky. They moved to Putnam county in 1879, and located at North creek, in Palmer township, where he conducted a store for about eight years. At this time the land was not cleared, but saw-mills were numerous. The Black swamp was not yet drained. After eight years there, they moved to Continental and built a hotel, the Maple House, which Mr. Seall conducted for twelve years, renting it for some years when, in 19 14, he sold it. After leaving the hotel, Mr. Seall purchased a farm which he worked for about three years. He then moved back to Continental and since has lived most of the time there. Mr. Seall and wife frequently go south or take long journeys. He owns considerable property in Continental.

George H. Seall is a thirty-second degree Mason and belongs to the chapter and council at Ottawa, the Knights Templar at Defiance and the consistory at Toledo. Mrs. Seall is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Seall is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Probably less than half a dozen people have lived in Continental as long as Mr. Seall and his wife. When they came to Continental, it was a sort of overgrown backwoods village. Stumps still stuck up in Main street, the sidewalks were made of bark and there were deep ditches. There was hardly a respectable frame house in the town and most of the buildings were just shanties of the men who worked in the stave factory. Standing where the Continental Bank now is, the underbrush hid the view of the old school house which stood where the present brick house stands. While Mr. Seall lived at North creek, he was offered land at eight dollars an acre. The tie timber was taken off, but elm and maple were still abundant. However, the ' land was considered valueless and Mr. Seall refused the offer. At the edge of Continental, he could have bought land for fifteen dollars an acre when he moved to this town. This land is now almost invaluable.

Descended from substantial American stock, George H. Seall's rather large success is accounted for by his own prodigious industry and foresight as well as by his natural and inherited ability. It is to be remembered that his mother's father, Frederick T. Butler, was a well-known lawyer in his day and generation, a good speaker and a man who was active in getting volunteers for the Civil War. It is also to be remembered that George H. Seall's father, Henry Seall, was a veteran of the Mexican War. Coming from such stock as this, it is not surprising that George H. Seall has made good in the world. Neither is it surprising that he is one of the leading citizens of Putnam county where he has lived so long. In one sense, men of his type are accidents, the result of a complex sway of forces which happen to focus in their own person, but, after all, to be the focus, the apex, the culmination, the cynosure is a notable distinction and this distinction belongs to George H Seall.

Clinton W. Fawcett

The Fawcett family, who are old pioneers of Putnam county, Ohio, are of Irish-Quaker ancestry and Clinton W. Fawcett is the seventh in direct line from the first member who came to this country from Ireland, about the year 1740. Thomas Fawcett, the first one of the family concerning whom definite record has been preserved, emigrated from Lisburn, Ireland, about the year 1740, and settled in Frederick county, Virginia. The line of descent from Thomas Fawcett to Clinton W. Fawcett is as follows : Thomas, John, John, Jr., Jesse, Robert B,, James L. and Clinton W.

Robert B. Fawcett, the grandfather of Clinton W., was born in Frederick county, Virginia, on December 10, 1819. Before his marriage, his parents moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and later to Logan county, this state, where, in 1841, he married Catharine Monroe, who was a native of Culpeper county, Virginia. She was born on February 15, 1821, and was a daughter of Nathaniel Monroe, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, April II, 1 79 1. Nathaniel Monroe was a millwright, a soldier in the War of 181 2, and, prior to his emigration to Ohio, in 1834, was a slaveholder, having obtained his slaves from the estate of John Brannin, his father-in-law. His father, John Monroe, who was of Scottish descent, was a soldier in the American Revolution, in a Virginia regiment. John Monroe's wife was Jane Shackelford. The mother of Catharine Monroe was Catharine Brannin, a daughter of John Brannin, who, in turn, was a son of Richard Brannin, an Irish refugee, who settled in Culpeper county, Virginia, early in the eighteenth century and resided on the Rapidan river until he reached the remarkable age of one hundred and sixteen years. Richard Brannin was an Irish baron and, before he came to Virginia, was implicated in one of the many unsuccessful insurrections to free Ireland from English rule, forfeiting all of his estate, when he was compelled to flee to Virginia. After his arrival in that state Governor Spottswood made him steward of his estate. Catharine Monroe died on March 15, 1904.

James L. Fawcett is a son of Robert B. and Catharine (Monroe) Fawcett, and was born on March 21, 1847, i" Logan county, Ohio. When a small child, James L. Fawcett came to Putnam county, Ohio, with his parents, who located at Vaughnsville, in Sugar Creek township. His father afterward bought a farm in section 36, where he resided until his death, on May 17, 1867. In this county James L. Fawcett grew to manhood, and on September 18, 1872, married Elizabeth C. Allgire (nee Hershey), who was born in Richland county, Ohio, May 29, 1840, a daughter of Benjamin Hershey and Fannie (Stiner) Hershey.

Benjamin Hershey was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and his wife, Fannie Stiner, was born near Frankfort, Germany, in 1807. Benjamin Hershey, his parents and his brothers and sisters moved to Richlan'd county, Ohio, in 1835. He was a member of the Hershey family, whose ancestors came from Switzerland and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1709. This family traces its ancestiy back to the year 1535- Later, Benjamin Hershey and family removed to Franklin county, this state, where they resided until about the year 1857, when they came to Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio. Elizabeth C. Allgire and her husband, Alpheus A. Allgire, came to Putnam county with her parents. Her father died in Jackson township on April 12, 1863. After his death, her mother remarried and removed to Riley township. Her husband, Alpheus A. Allgire, in 1862, enlisted in Company A, Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was captured near Dalton, Georgia, in 1864, confined in Andersonville prison until the close of the war, and died at Annapolis, Maryland, in the spring of 1865.

James L. Fawcett, the father of Clinton W., was reared on the farm in Sugar Creek township and taught school for a short time after reaching his maturity. For a number of years he was engaged in the manufacture of drain tile at Dupont, Ohio, and after retiring from this business was appointed postmaster at Dupont in 1893, and served during Cleveland's second administration. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After leaving the postofifice he held several offices in Perry township and is now making his home with his sons, Clinton W., of Ottawa, Ohio, and Ralph D., of St. Paul, Minnesota, dividing his time between them. His wife died on March 30, 1913.

Clinton W. Fawcett, the subject of this sketch, was born at Kalida, in this county, on February 21, 1875. He received a common school education in the schools of Putnam county, and before he reached his majority began to teach school and followed this line of endeavor for several yearsin the schools of this county. In the meantime he became a student at the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio, specializing in science and inlaw. He completed the scientific course in 1896, and in 1904 completed the law course of that university, and in December, 1904, at Columbus, Ohio,, was admitted to practice law.

Clinton W. Fawcett began the practice of laW at Continental, Ohio, in 1905, and on January i, 1908, he came to Ottawa, where he has since been located. He is a man of broad education and is recognized as one of the leading members of the bar of his county. He is active in Democratic politics and has served as clerk of the board of deputy state supervisors of elections of Putnam county. While teaching school in Perry township, he served as township clerk for four years.

Clinton W. Fawcett was married, in 1908, to Martha E. Weible. She was bom at Dupont, this county, on November 3, 1885, where she received her education in the common schools of the county and where she taught in the schools of Continental for five years before her marriage. She is a daughter of George C. Weible and Nancy A. Snell. Her father is a son of Henry Weible, Sr., and Mary Will, of Delphos, Ohio, and her mother was a daughter of Albert and Martha Snell. To this union have been born three children, Mary E., Loretta C. and Ralph M.

Henry D. Ream

Henry D. Ream was born on January i, 1850, in Canton, Stark county, Ohio. He is the son of Abraham and Anna (Miller) Ream, the former of whom was born on December 10, 1821, near Canton, Ohio, of German parentage. He spent his boyhood days in Stark county, Ohio, where he was reared. Abraham Ream also taught school and was one of the early settlers of Ada, Ohio. He was closely identified with its growth and history. In his days of activity, he was a leader in reform movements and, in the days of slavery, especially, he was a pronounced abolitionist. He was always a stanch -Prohibitionist. Abraham Ream belonged to a class of men to whom the world owes the civilization which it now enjoys. He was the son of Philip and Mary (Altman) Ream, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. His grandfather was George Ream and history chronicles the fact that he served in the Revolutionary War under General Washington. He was also one of the men sent out to quell Sharp's whiskey rebellion. Philip. Ream came to Ohio at the time it was a territory and settled on Bull creek, in Columbiana county. He moved with his family to Stark county, Ohio, in- 1806. He died in 1852, at which time he owned three hundred and fifty acres of land. Abraham Ream received his education in the common schools and lived on the farm until the age of twenty-five years, spending the lasttwo or three winters in teaching school.

Abraham Ream engaged in the mercantile business in Canton about- 1850, in partnership with Kaufman & Reynolds, and continued until 1856, when he came to Hancock county. Here he engaged in the dry goods business, at the little town of Newstark, having been proprietor of the place. In i860 he started a branch store at Ada and in 1863 combined his stock from Newstark with that at Ada and from 1864 until 1873, he was prominently identified with the mercantile interests at Ada, Ohio. He started in partnership with his son, P. W., in 1873, operating a general store, a planing milf and a saw-mill in different sections of the town. Later he came to Ottawa, in 1874, and retired from active life in 1876.

Abraham Ream was married in 1846 to Anna Miller, who was also of German descent. Seven children were born to this union, Philip W., Henry D., Mary C, Isaac Newton, Jacob B., Levi O. and Anderson W. Philip W, was a telegraph operator and instructor of telegraphy at Ada College, died in 1901; Henry D. is the subject of this sketch; Mary C. married R. SShanks and died on April 13, 1914; Isaac Newton was killed in a railroad strike in 1888 on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad; Jacob B. is a merchant in Ada, Ohio; Levi O. is a funeral director and undertaker at Ada; Anderson W. is a plumber at Ada and also an instructor of telegraphy at Findlay College.

Abraham Ream was not a member of any church, but was inclined toward that of the Presbyterian faith. He was active in church work, contributing liberally of money and services. He died on April 25, 1895, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife died in 1884, at the age of fifty-nine. Abraham Ream was a man of strong convictions and for many years took a decided stand as opposed to the institution of slavery. He was a leader in many reform movements. He did much for the moral, civic and political advancement of Hancock county.

Henry D. Ream grew to manhood in Hardin county, Ohio, and received his education in the Normal College at Ada. He remained at home until the age of fifteen years, when he began to learn the trade of a mason. In his sixteenth year he entered into a contract to build a brick building. He molded and burned the brick for the house and superintended the construction, turning it over to the owner who was entirely satisfied with the work. Since this time, Mr. Ream has been engaged in contracting and has done a great deal of building in various parts of Ohio, some of his contracts running over forty thousand dollars in cost. Mr. Ream moved to Ottawa, Ohio, in 1877 ^iid purchased the Ottawa Manufacturing Company plant and assumed the management of the concern. This company manufactures sash doors of every description. When Mr. Ream took charge of it, only sash and doors were manufactured and general planing done. Later on turned work was added. Mr. Ream continued in this business for eighteen years and then sold it to Ault & Lee in 1885. Moreover, Mr. Ream had a farm of forty .acres in Ottawa township and in selling the plant, took two farms in Monroe township of two hundred and ten acres.

Henry D. Ream took a mortgage on the plant and, in 1887, received the plant back, after which he with his two younger brothers conducted it for about three years. He then bought out the interest of the brothers and erected a brick building on the site of the old plant. Later it was used as an armory. He later sold the building and machinery to different parties in the spring of 1 90 1, having moved to the Monroe township farm in the fall of 1900. Here he followed general farming for about five years and also shipped hay and straw. His farm is a model in many respects, being highly cultivated and fenced with Paige wire fencing. It contains about twenty miles of tile drainage. The greater part of the land is cleared and the buildings are about the best that are to be found in Putnam county. Mr. Ream sold a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, in December, 1910, to the Strauss brothers and, on January 26, 1915, sold seventy-seven acres more. He moved to Continental, in February, 191 1, and built his present home, in July, 1912.

Henry D. Ream was married on May 16, 1871, to Miranda Gilbert, a native of Hardin county, Ohio, born on January 14, 185 1. To this union four children have been born, Harry C, Alfred A., Lillian L. and Ruth A. Harry C, born on April 6, 1872, married Alpharetta Cunningham, and has four children, Royal G., Robert D., Guy C. and Paul M. They live in Detroit, Michigan, where he is a foreman in the L-on-Clad Door factory; Alfred A., July 26, 1874, married Osa Roberts, and is a farmer of seventyseven acres of land in Monroe township; they have one child, Mary Mildred; Lillian L., May 16, 1878, and Ruth A., March 6, 1895, live at home.

Mrs. Henry D. Ream's father, Horace Gilbert, was born on April 10, 1805, in Vermont. Lie was the son of Josiah and Chloe (Barnard) Gilbert, both of English descent and natives of Verm.ont. Josiah Gilbert was a car- penter and joiner. Horace Gilbert was educated in the public schools of Canada and Vermont. He settled in Ohio in 1840 and some time in the eighties was married to Sarah Wood, the daughter of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Savage) Wood. To this union ten children were born, Berthina, the wife of John Shuster, deceased; Horace, deceased: Mrs. Mary A. Walters, deceased; Alvin, deceased; Milanda, deceased; Mrs. Melissa Arbuthnot;' Arinda, deceased; Mrs. Laura Ream, deceased; Mrs. Marantha Cross, deceased; and Myranda, a twin sister of Marantha, who is the wife of' Mr. Ream.

Josiah Gilbert and wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Horace Gilbert owned the first store in Ada, purchasing the same from the railroad company. He was a farmer and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He died on January i, 1891, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died on December 25, 1890, at the age of eighty-two. Horace Gilbert was a Republican in politics.

Henry D. Ream is a stanch Prohibitionist. He is not a member of any lodge and, with the exception of the presidency of the school board, has not held any office. Mrs. Ream is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Continental, and has been a member of this church since early girlhood

George F. Gilliotte

Few residents of Continental, Putnam county, Ohio, are as well and favorably known as the enterprising business man and representative citizen, whose life story is briefly told in the following lines. None stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence of the community in which he resides, or for the material advancement of which he has devoted so much of his time and influence. George F. Gilliotte, for several years, has been a prosperous, enterprising and successful merchant of Continental. He has a large grocery store, and his patronage has been growing from the time that Mr. Gilliotte went into the store as a clerk, many years ago.

George F. Gilliotte was born on July 17, 1885, in Pandora, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of George F. and Louise (Gessard) Gilliotte.

George F. Gilliotte, Sr., was born on April 7, 1839, at Vandam Court France. He left there in 1885, on the ist of April, and came first to Gilboa, Putnam county, and located on a farm in Riley township. He had been reared as a farmer and worked here for four years, when he moved to Monroe township, where he bought a farm of forty acres. Subsequently, he soldl this farm and moved to Hector, Ohio, about 1891. Here he Hved on a farm-, of twenty acres until his death, March 8, 1901, at the age of sixty-two years. George F Gilliotte, Sr., had grown to maturity in France, and married therein 1869. There was a family of ten children born in France, four of whomdjed in infancy. Four children were born after the arrival in America. Mr. Gilliotte learned the watchmaker trade, at the age of sixteen, in France, and' followed that trade in his native country, but did not follow it after coming, to America. He was not a member of any lodge and held no offices in this country, while in politics he was a Democrat. He was a prominent and influential member in the Lutheran church at Continental, and was a man; highly respected in the community at the time of his death. His wife, who, before her marriage, was Louise Gessard, was also born at Vandam Court,. France, in 1849. She is still living, one and one-half miles east of Continental, Ohio.

George F., Sr., and Louise (Gessard) Gilliotte had fourteen children,, including the four who died in infancy. Ten of the children still survive. They are Mrs. W. J. Keller, of South Bend, Indiana; Mrs. W. A. Millsbaugh, of Continental; Lucian F., of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Mrs. E. F. Dellinger, of Continental; Mrs. Charles Conkwright, of Monroe township, Ohio;: Mrs. Wilson Burley, of Crooksville, Ohio; George F., Jr.; Benjamin A.,, who lives at home; Marie, who is a teacher in the sixth grade Continental schools, and Alfred, who also lives at home.

George F. Gilliotte, Sr., was the son of Pierre and Suzan (Marchand) Gilliotte. Mrs. George F. Gilliotte, Sr., who, before her marriage, was- Louise Gessard, is the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Giraud) Gessard. Pierre and Suzan (Marchand) Gillotte were natives of Vandam Court, France. Charles Gessard was also a native of Vandam Court, France, while his wife, Catherine Giraud, was a native of Abbevillier,. France.

George F. Gilliotte, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was reared and grew" up in Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio. He was educated, principally, in the township schools at Hector, Ohio, lived at home until twenty years of age. He then began clerking for E. F. Bellinger in the grocery store at Continental, where he worked for four years, when he finally purchased the store of Mr. Bellinger. He was in business alone for threeyears, when the store burned, but he re-established it the next year on the: present site, and is still active, doing business under his separate name. Mr. -Gilliotte has a large and well-stocked grocery, and enjoys a liberal patronage from the people of Continental.

George F. Gilliotte, Jr., was married on June 14, 1914, to Mable Donaldson, who was born on April i, 1890, in Monroe township, and who is the -daughter of Asa and Mary (Taylor) Donaldson. One son was born ito this union, on April 7, 1915.

George F. Gilliotte is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 570, Free and Accepted Masons, at Continental, and of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 339, at the same place. Likewise he is a member of the Pythian Sisters and the Order of Eastern Star. Mr. Gilliotte is a stanch Democrat, but he has held no offices, with the exception of a membership on the town election board. He is not a member of any church. Mrs. Gilliotte, however, is a member of the United Brethren church. After Mr. Gillotte's fire, in June, 1912, he took a three-months' trip to Europe, visiting the old home place in France, Rome, and sojourning in different parts of Europe, returning to Continental and establishing his present business. George F. Gilliotte, Jr., is a well-informed man, popular in the community where he lives and admired and respected by all his neighbors and friends.

A review of the life of Orville McDowell must, of necessity, be brief general in character, since to enter fully into the interesting details touching the earnest and persistent efforts of his earlier years and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. He has filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his and has been an important factor in the growth and development of Continental's industrial and commercial interests. He is a representative -of that sterling type of world-workers who have furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and added to its stability and its institutions. And yet, in spite of the multitudinous activities of his life, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but has preserved this faculty and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influence of human life, being a kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.

Orville McDowell was born on September 23, 1865, in the north part of Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Hugh L. and Mary (Ridge) McDowell, the former of whom was born in Licking county, Ohio, on August 12, 1841, and who, himself, was the son of James and Agnes (Bacon) McDowell. James McDowell was a native of Licking county, Ohio, who moved to Putnam county, in 1845, ^iid there died, two years later. At his death, James McDowell was survived by a widow and four children. The children were : Isaac, Hugh L., Jane and Sarah, the last of whom married Joseph Bartoon. Mrs. Agnes (Bacon) McDowell, subsequently, married William Sackett and died at Gilboa, Putnam county, at the age of seventy- four. Mrs. Mary (Ridge) McDowell, the wife of Hugh L. McDowell, was the daughter of William Ridge. She and her husband had eight children, Orville, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest; James W. held various public positions in Putnam county ; Harvey H. at one time served as deputy postmaster; David; Isaac Newton; Earnest; Nelson H., and Cortis E., were other children. Hugh L. McDowell was a soldier in the Civil War, having served in Company D, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and having participated in a number of.battles. He was discharged at Decard Station, Tennessee, August 7, 1863. At one time, Hugh L. Mc- Dowell was treasurer of Putnam county and, later, served as postmaster at Ottawa.

After Hugh L. McDowell retired from the office of county treasurer, in the fall of 1883, he moved to a farm, just south of the base line, in Riley township. He lived upon this farm until 1891, and then moved back to Ottawa where, for a time, he was a dealer in live stock. He was appointed postmaster, under President Cleveland, and served for four years. He resumed his trade in live stock, after his retirement from this office, and spent the rest of his life in Ottawa and is now deceased. Mrs. Hugh L. Mc- Dowell still lives in Ottawa.

Orville McDowell was about fourteen years old when his father was elected county treasurer and the family moved to Ottawa where they remained four years. Subsequently, his father purchased the farm in the southeastern part of Pleasant . township. Orville McDowell attended college at Ada, where he took a course in pharmacy, in 1886 and 1887, and where he was graduated. He was employed as a drug clerk, for two years, and then engaged in business at North Baltimore, Ohio, in partnership with H. M. Nelson. Mr. Nelson was .succeeded by Doctor Henry, but after Mr. McDowell had been there four years, in 1894, he sold out and removed to Ottawa, where he was engaged in the handling of fire insurance for about two years, in the W. F. Zeller agency. Mr. McDowell removed to Continental in 1896 and clerked for a year in the H. A. Neffs store. In April 12, 1897, he started in the drug business for himself. He began by purchasing a small stock at Kalida, which he moved to Continental. He has continued in the business ever since with success and has a good store. During the session of the Ohio State Senate in 1884-85, Mr. McDowell was a page.

In April, 1913, Orville McDowell and his brother Isaac Newton Mc- Dowell started a clothing and gentlemens' furnishings store, next to the drug store, at Continental, under the firm name of McDowell Brothers. Since this time, Mr. McDowell has been engaged both in the drug and the clothingbusiness.

For seven or eight years, Mr. McDowell was township clerk of Monroe township. He also served on the council at Continental and is now a member of the board of public affairs. Mr. McDowell is a Democrat, but he isnot a hide-bound partisan in any sense of the word.

On August 25, 1889, Orville McDowell was married to Gertrude C. Young, who was born at Nevada, in Wyandot county, Ohio, in 1867, and" who is the daughter of Charles and Mary M. (Kennedy) Young. Both of Mrs. McDowell's parents were born and reared and married in Marion county and moved to the town of Nevada, in 1867. Her father was there engaged in the poultry business. Her parents spent the remainder of their lives at Nevada, where Mrs. McDowell had lived until her marriage and at which place she graduated from the high school and, for five years afterward, was engaged in teaching. Orville and Gertrude (Young) McDowell have two children, Majorie and Glenn.

Charles Young, the father of Mrs. McDowell, was the son of John and Mary (Meisner) Young, who came from Maryland. Charles Young's wife, Mary Kennedy, and the mother of Mrs. McDowell, was a daughter of John and Maria (Lorimer) Kennedy. The Kennedys came from Irish ancestry and the Lorimer family from Scottish ancestry.

Orville McDowell and wife are members of the Pythian Sisters and the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. McDowell belongs to the Knights of Pythias is a Mason and a member of the Knights Templar. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.

Orville McDowell has been in business, continuously, in Continental, longer than any other person who lives there. He is well and favorably known throughout this section of Putnam county and enjoys the confidence, not only in a business way, but in a social way, of all the people in this section of the county.

Henry Burill

Henry Burill is a well-known farmer, of Palmer township, Putnam -county, who, for many years, was one of the best known and most skillful .and most successful carpenters in this section of Putnam county. Mr. Burill is known far and wide for the excellence of his- work, for his honorable, upright dealings with the public generally, and today he is one of the successful farmers of Palmer township. He has been honored many times by the people of Palmer township with positions of responsibility and Mr. Burill .has well discharged the duties of all of these offices.

Henry Burill was born in the Dominion of Canada, January 23, 1859. He is the son of Silas and Louise (Hoffman) Burill. Mr. Burill's maternal grandparents were Philip Hoffman and wife, natives of Germany, who came to Henry county, Ohio, settling near Pleasant Bend on a farm which they cleared and improved. They lived there until their deaths. Their children were as follow : Jacob, Caroline, Louise, Peter, Philip, deceased, and Jacob, deceased. Henry Burill's father was a resident of Palmer township, in this county. He served as a soldier in the Mexican War and, after the close of the war, settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of government land. Later, he acquired eighty acres more and here he made many improvements, erecting buildings and clearing the land. Mr. Burill's mother was born in Henry county, Ohio. After the marriage of Mr. Burill's parents, they moved to their farm, in section 4, where they lived for many years. "Their children are Philip, who married Eve Dirr and lives near Pleasant Bend, Henry county ; Louise, who married Jonas Rigg and lives near Butler, Indiana; and Henry, the subject of this sketch. Silas Burill died about 1858 and his wife in 1862. They were members of the Reformed church.

Henry Burill was educated in Henry county and in early boyhood made his home with his maternal grandmother, in Pleasant township. He, later, went to AVisconsin and Minnesota, where he remained for about two years. After that he returned to Henry county and at the demise of his grandmother Hoffman, made his home with his uncle, Peter Hoffman. He was married in 1883, to Kate Morris, the daughter of John Morris and wife.

John Morris and wife were born in Germany and came to Henry county where they located on a farm. Later, they settled in Defiance county, Ohio, also on a farm, and here they remained until their deaths. Their children were George; John and Henry, twins; Peter; Conrad; Mary; Catherine and Margaret, deceased. John Morris died about 1878, and his wife about 1881.

After his marriage, Mr. Burill moved to Pleasant Bend, Ohio, and engaged in carpenter work, which trade he had learned in his youth. He was in Pleasant Bend for three or four years and, during that time, his sei-vices were in great demand. His workmanship was generally admired for its excellence. He purchased forty acres of land in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, and on this, he erected buildings. He cleared and drained the land. Later, he acquired eighty acres in the same section.

To Henry and Kate (Morris) Burill were born five children, William; Alvin, who died in infancy; Ernest, Laura and Clarence. William, who is a farmer in Palmer township, married Elsie Wolf and has two children; Ernest, also a fanner of Palmer township, married Ruth Baker; Laura, who married George Dickson, lives near Lansing, Michigan, and has two children; Clarence lives at home. The mother of these children died in December,' 1899, and was buried in the cemetery at New Batavia.

Henry Burill was again married, in 1900, to Kate Young, the daughter of John and Margaret Young, who lived at North Creek. John Young died in 1900, while Margaret Young died in 1907.

John Young was a machinist by trade and at one time owned the stave factory at North Creek and also owned saw-mills in various parts of Ohio. John Young died at North Creek, Ohio, and Margaret Young, his wife, died in Wood county at the home her son, Andrew. The children of John and Margaret Young were: Kate, Margaret, Delia, Anna, Henry, Jacob, Fred, Andrew, living, and Christine, Jennie, George, Susan, Louis, Christopher and Elizabeth, dead.

John Young and wife were born in Germany and came to this countiy, separately, before marriage. He was an architect in Germany, but did not follow this in this country. Henry Burill and wife were married in Amherst, Ohio, and lived there for a number of years. Later, they moved to a farm near Genoa, Ottawa county, Ohio, after which they moved to Wood county, where he operated a saw-mill. He then engaged in a general store business in Wood county, later moved to North Creek, where he lived the rest of his life.

which Mr. Burill acquired, just west of his farm in Palmer township. Each son farms forty acres. Mr. Burill has served as constable of Pleasant township, Henry county, for three years and is now serving as school director in Palmer township, Putnam county. He was township trustee for two terms and is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Pleasant Bend. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed church. Henry Burill is an affable, agreeable man, a substantial farmer, well liked by his neighbors and intelligent in all of the relations of life.

Ernest L. Hartman

Putnam county, Ohio, has been especially favored in the personnel of its newspaper men and among the representatives of this profession in this county is Ernest L. Hartman, the publisher and editor of the Continental Union Nnus. During late years, he has not only gained distinct success in this business, but he has, through his personal influence, by voice and pen, stood for the highest and best things in the community's life. He has not only gained prestige as an active, progressive and successful business man, but, in a professional way, deserves to be considered one of the best citizens of the community, in the largest sense of the word. The Continental Union News, under the management of Mr. Hartman, has always been a booster for local enterprises and has always represented the best spirit of the community wherein it circulates.

Ernest L. Hartman was born on July 14, 1858, in Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio. He is the son of Charles C. and Sarah (Funk) Hartm'an. Charles C. Hartman was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents, Samuel and Lucy (Holcomb) Hartman, to Wayne county, where Charles C. was educated and where he spent seven years. After this, they moved to Henry county, Ohio, where he taught school. He also taught in New York state. Charles C. Hartman died at Napoleon, Ohio, in 1859. Samuel Hartman, the father of Charles C, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, and his wife, Lucy Holcomb, was born at Elmira, New York. Lucy Hartman died in Henry county, Ohio. Samuel Hartman died in Salona, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Sarah Hartman, the mother of Ernest L., was born in Pennsylvania and died in Napoleon, Ohio, the same year as her husband. Ernest L. Hartman was the only child born to his parents.

_ Ernest L. Hartman grew up in Henry county and especially at Napoleon, Ohio. He received his early education in the country schools of Henry county and graduated from the Napoleon high school with the class of 1877. Subsequently, he read law under Hon. W. A. Stephenson at Napoleon, and was admitted to the bar. May 20, 1882, at Columbus, Ohio. He also spent one year as a student of the scientific course at Valparaiso College, at Valparaiso, Indiana, but did not graduate. From Henry county, Ohio, Mr. Hartman moved to WiUshire, Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1892, aiid here he operated a stave and hoop mill. He also engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Hartman moved to Ohio City in Van Wert county, in 1899, and here engaged in the practice of law. He was also identified with the timber business during the oil boom. From Ohio City, Mr. Hartman moved to Continental, where he had purchased the Union News plant, August 24, 1907. Several months later he moved his family to Continental where he is actively engaged in the newspaper work and printing business. He has a large circulation in the township and county and a large and lucrative business in job printing. Mr Hartman is also active in the practice of law in addition to his newspaper work. He taught school in Henry county, Ohio, many terms and also one year in Elkhart county. Mr. Hartman's father and his grandfather and uncle taught at the old Cole school in Henry county, where Charles L., himself, also taught for many years.

Ernest L. Hartman was married on June 7, 1887, at Napoleon Ohio to Mary A. Sheffield, who was born at Napoleon, Ohio, on October 13 18^7' She is the daughter of Edward and Phebe (Brownell) Sheffield Edward Sheffield was born in Paynesville, Ohio, and educated in the practice of law He was a prominent lawyer, at Napoleon, at the time of his death and had held several high offices, having been a member of the Ohio General Assembly county auditor and prosecuting attorney. He died in Napoleon Henrv county, Ohio, in 1865, at the age of thirty-nine years. His wife, who was Phebe Brownell before her marriage, was borri in New York state and was the daughter of William and Lydia (Chase) Brownell, both of whom were devout members of the Quaker church, both natives of New York having been born near Palmyra, where they grew up. After their marriage thev moved to Henry county, Ohio, where William Brownell assisted in the sur vey of the county. They were among its pioneers and witnessed its develonment from the beginning. William Brownell was a millwright and a sur veyor, both trades having been learned in New York state. Both he and his wife died m Henry county. Mrs. Phebe Sheffield, the mother of Mrs Hart man, died at Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio, March 12, 191 1, at the age of eighty-five. She and her husband had four children, Mrs. Ella E. Cowdrick, of Topeka, Kansas; William C, deceased; Mary A., the wife of Mr. Hartman; and Phebe D., of Napoleon, Ohio, who is the librarian of the Carnegie library there. Mrs. Hartman grew up at Napoleon, Ohio, and was educated there, being a graduate in the first class of the Napoleon high school in 1875. She was a school teacher and taught school for fourteen years, ten years in the public schools at Napoleon, two years as superintendent of the Penacook schools at Penacook, New Hampshire, and also at Willshire, Van Wert county, Ohio. At Willshire she was the first lady member of the board of education and was selected as clerk. To Ernest L. and Mary A. (Sheffield) Hartman, two children have been born, Eugene B., on February 17, 1888; and Edward S., April 29, 1890. Eugene B. lives at Toledo, Ohio, where he is engaged in the printing business ; Edward S. lives at Napoleon, where he is a city mail carrier.

Ernest L. Hartman is not a member of any lodge. He is a Republican in politics and served as mayor of Willshire, Ohio, one term while he was living there. He is a justice of the peace at Continental and completes a term of four years on January i, 1916. He is not a member of any church. Mrs. Hartman is a member of the Presbyterian church at Napoleon, Ohio. She is clerk of the board of public affairs at Continental and secretary of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, since 191 1, and trustee since its reorganization in 1915.

John William Hixon

One of the conspicuous men from the list of Putnam county's farmers is John William Hixon, a substantial farmer of Blanchard township, and a gentleman of high standing to whom has not been denied a full measure of success. Long recognized as a factor of importance in connection with farming and stock raising, he has been prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part of the state of Ohio. His life is closely interwoven with the history of Putnam county, where he has been content to live and follow his chosen vocation for many years. John William Hixon is an excellent farmer and has kept abreast of twentieth century methods in farming.

Hixon. George Hixon was born on August lo, 1830, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cotner) Hixon, natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel Hixon's father served in the Revolutionary War under General Washington. Samuel Hixon died when his son, George was a small boy. The family then moved to Carroll county about 1842. Samuel and Elizabeth (Cotner) Hixon had ten children, eigM sons and two daughters, Jacob, John, Samuel, Jr., James, Thomas, George, Josiah, Wilham, Mary and Susanne. George Hixon was reared by Joseph Sellers, of Carroll county, after he was twelve or thirteen years of age and remained with Mr. Sellers until he was a young man. George Hixon's mo her and the family then moved to Blanchard township, Putnam county and settled about a mile northwest of Gilboa. Here they remained a few years and it was here that George was married, when twenty-three or wenty-four years of age, to Mary Ellen Vaughn. All the family then moved to Owen county, Indiana. Here George and his wife remained for two years and returned to Blanchard township, Putnam county, settling three miles north of Gilboa near the Pleasant Grove church. They lived at this place at the time of their death. The land was covered with timber in those days and they were compelled to cut a road through the wilderness to reach their .llTh ,^7,^^°':^^ Hixon cleared a place for their cabin. They suffered all the hardships incident to pioneer life. For a few years the wheat crop was a failure, due to the ravages of the weevil, and the family was com pel ed to lire on corn bread that time. Wild game, however, was plentiful and included fox,, wild turkey, coon, mink and squirrel

Ohio, and came with her parents to Putnam county when one year old John W. Vaughn was born in 1812, in Culpepper county, Virginia and came to Marion county in the early days.

George and Mary Ellen (Vaughn) Hixon had four children John W the subject of this sketch; Thomas Emmett and Lillie May, twins' and Sam" uel Marion. George Hixon died in the summer of .,05!^,, 2 ^ fe dTd in August, 1907. ^ "'^°

_ John W. Vaughn, who was Mr. Hixon's maternal grandfather entered his land from the government. When he built his first log cabin there was no chimney, but a hole in the center of the roof from which the smok Ivh emerge. At that time the country was full of Indians. Jolm 7 VauS.'

depended on his skill as a hunter to supply his family with meat and to get money with which to pay his taxes. Mr. Hixon's mother often related how the dogs would chase the wolves until outnumbered, when they were forced back to the house and compelled to seek the shelter of the log cabin. She was fond of telling stories about the early Indian visitors, who strapped their papooses on their backs, tied to a board.

John William Hixon, the subject of this sketch, grew up on the old homestead and attended the common schools. He also attended the normal school at Ottawa for one term.

John William Hixon was married on October 16, i88i, to Emma Caroline Rager, who was born on June 6, 1859, in Franklin county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Adam and Julia Rager, the former a native of Franklin and the latter of Licking county, Ohio. To this union was born one child, Charles Oscar, who married Mary Alice Schafer, the daughter of Ella Schafer. They have two children. Vera Caroline and John Harold. Charles Oscar is farming forty acres of his own and also his father's old home place.

After his marriage, Mr. Hixon farmed his grandfather Vaughan's place for four years, or until the latter's death, and then moved to the Dell Foulk farm, in Blanchard township. Here he lived for two years and then purchased eighty acres north and east of the old homestead. Some years later he also purchased his father's old home place. This he later sold and bought another farm just north of his original eighty. He has continued to live here from that time. Mr, Hixon has always raised a good grade of stock and has been very successful with it.

John William Hixon is a Democrat, but he has never been especially active in political affairs and has never been an aspirant for office. He and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Hixon joined this church at the age of thirteen and has been active in its work all his life. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty years and chairman of the building committee, as well as the board of trustees, for several years. The Methodist Protestant church, of which Mr. Hixon is a member and in which he is prominent, is one of the most magnificent country churches to be found anywhere. It is a monument to the citizenship of the community.

John William Hixon is a man of genial disposition, affable and agreeable, although earnest and sincere in all his relations with his fellows. He is popular in the .community where he lives.

Elah Harry Buckland

There is no calling, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, with a well-directed purpose, will not produce some measure of success. In the pursuit of agriculture, the qualities mentioned are quite -essential. Among the well-known and highly-respected farmers of Putnam county, Ohio, who have attained a definite degree of success in their life work and who, at the same time, have greatly benefited the community in which they live, is Elah Harry Buckland, of Blanchard township.

Elah Harry Buckland was born on February 13, 1844, in Licking county, Ohio, the son of John L. and Caroline (Beach) Buckland. John L. Buckland was a farmer of Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, and was born in Rutland county, Vermont, on June 17, 1817, and died on March 19, 1887. He came from Vermont direct to Ohio in 1852. John L. Buckland was the son of William and Anna (Lewis) Buckland. He was married in Licking county, Ohio, December 16, 1841, to Caroline Beach, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Hayes) Beach. Mrs. John L. Buckland was born in Essex county. New York, August 13, 1821, and died on November 17, 1910. Subsequently, her parents came to Putnam county and, in 1863, Joseph Beach's first wife, Rebecca Hayes, died in Licking county. After this he removed to Putnam county and three years later was married.

To John L. and Caroline (Beach) Buckland eight children were born, Mary Ann, on November 4, 1842, who is the wife of James Maidlow, of Blanchard township; Elah Harry, the subject of this sketch; Ahce Lucinda, October 25, 1845, who is the wife of Charles Gifford Conine, of Blanchard township; Reuben Sanford, September 3, 1848, died on April 21, 1867; Lewis Thare, November 21, 1850, died on March 19, -1912; Sarah Helen, September 10, 1851, who is the wife of George Agner, of Ottawa; John, October i, 1861, died on April 14, 1863; and Jerusha Caroline, September 16, 1864, who is the widow of Basset Sherrard.

Elah Harry Buckland came to Putnam county, October 23, 1852, with his parents when he was eight years old. Here he attended the common schools. His father had borrowed money to buy his first farm of eighty acres, which cost three hundred and fifty dollars. After completing his purchase, he had just ten dollars left. Samuel Wells, a resident of Licking county, insisted that this was not enough upon which to start farming in a new country and support a family of five children through the winter, so he insisted that Mr. Buckland's father accept a further loan of fifty dollars. His generosity enabled the family to pull through the winter. They lived on S. P. Weaver's farm until they could build their first log house into which they moved, about the first of the year 1853. It was amid these primitive surroundings that Elah H. Buckland grew to manhood. He remained on. the old homestead until he was twenty-three years of age.

Elah Harry Buckland was married on March 28, 1867, to Jane Rebecca Maidlow, the daughter of John and Lucinda (Dowds) Maidlow, who was born on July 10, 1846. Her father was a native of England, who came to Baltimore, Maryland, and finally to Knox county, Ohio, at the age of fourteen. Here he met Lucinda Dowds, who was born in Knox county. Shortly after their marriage, they came to Putnam county in 1835, where Mr. Buckland has lived for sixty-two years. His wife died on January 15, 1901.

After his marriage, Elah H. Buckland started out for himself. He rented a farm of Henry Watts in Ottawa township, but the next year moved back to Blanchard township, on the John Maidlow farm, where he remained for fourteen years. In the spring of 1882, he moved to the John McDougle farm, which he purchased two years later. Mr. Buckland has always raised a high grade of stock and has been a very successful farmer.

Elah Harry and Jane Rebecca (Maidlow) Buckland have been the parents of seven children, Harry L., born on February 28, 1868, who married Dellar Burgett, and has seven children, Everett, Lewis, Lena, Herman, Minerva, DeLawrence and Clitus; Agnes M., March 30, 1870, who married Edgar Deck, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this volume : Mary E., March 29, 1872, who is the wife of John Payne and has five children, Eva, Ethel, Jerusha, Zella and Serge; Samuel, November 25, 1874, died on February 9, 1877; Annetta, March 12, 1877, who is the wife of Harry Deck, and has five children, Garrett, Percy, Elah, Delbert and Raymond; Elah M., April 7, 1879; Martha, November 28, 1882, who is the wife of Thomas Radabaugh, of Blanchard township, and has five children, Alvin, Esther, Hazel Edna, Le Vaughn, deceased, and one who died in infancy.

Elah M. Buckland, the youngest son of Elah H., was married to Margaret Pitney, the daughter of Joseph and Ella Pitney. She was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, but her parents were natives of Lickingcounty, Ohio. They came to Putnam county in 1880 and settled in Blanchard township. They had eleven children, Louis, Levi, Alonzo, Effie, Margaret, Mary, Russell, Olive, Josephine, Bessie and Admiral, all of whom are living except Olive and Josephine. Elah M. and Margaret (Pitney) Buckland have had three children, Lela, born on September 9, 1901, died on October 10, 1901 ; Frederick, September 27, 1902; and Reuben, December 12, 1903.

Elah H. Buckland has reared a large family to lives of usefulness in their respective communities and he is a man who merits the honor and respect of his fellow citizens, for his splendid services as a father, and his upright life as a man. Mr. Buckland has been a life-long Republican. He has served both as school director and supervisor. Throughout his life he has been a member of the Methodist Protestant church and from his youngmanhood to the present time has been active in the affairs of this church

Francis Marion Warren

Among the citizens of Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, whohave built up comfortable homes and surrounded themselves vidth valuable landed estates and personal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than has Francis Marion Warren. With few opportunities, except what his own efiforts were capable of providing, and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made a success, and has the gratification of knowing that the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence and his counsel.

Francis Marion Warren was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on September 25, 1854, a son of William and Rachel (McConnell) Warren. William Warren was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1820. His father was a Scotchman and his mother was a native of Pannsylvania, having come to- Ohio with her parents duringher girlhood, where they settled in Jefferson county.

William Warren lived with his parents in Jefferson county until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he married Rachel McConnell and moved to Hancock county, where he entered government land about six miles east of Findlay. He found his new land in a virgin state and the experiences of himself and his wife were practically the same as those of all other early pioneers. They followed the usual custom of first clearing a little space and building a log cabin. Later, after much perseverance, they cleared the remainder of the farm and placed it in a state of cultivation. Later, Mr. Warren added to his farm holdings by the purchase of a tract of land in the northwest part of- Blanchard township, Putnam county.

Six children were born to William and Rachel (McConnell) Warren,, as follow: Harriett, the wife of George Anderson, of Endicott, Nebraska, to whom four children have been born, two of which are now deceased-

I002 Putkam County, Ohio

Emma, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Bowman, of Findlay, Ohio, and the mother of nine children, two of which died in infancy; Francis M., the subject of this sketch; Amilous, who married Eva Jeffrey and who lives on the old homestead east of Findlay; Eva, the wife of Lineous Ewing, who lives east of Findlay; Harvey, who married Edna Glothart, to which union were born three children, and for his second wife, Emma Wyant, by whom he has one child. William Warren died on October 7, 1881, and his wife, Rachel, died on December i, 1897.

Francis M. Warren lived on the old home place in Hancock county, where he attended the public schools and worked on the farm until, when about twenty years of age, in 1875, he married Ella Albertson, a daughter of William and Justine Albertson. To that union four children were born, all of whom died in infancy. Ella Warren did not long survive her children, and died in February, i88'i.

On August 29, 1882, Francis M. Warren married a second time, his second wife being Sarah J. Warren, who was born on October 9, 1856, in Wyandotte county, near Carey, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew J. and Gathering (Spade) Warren. Andrew J. Warren was born in Delaware, Ohio, on August 8, 1831, and died in June, 1892. His father, who died when Andrew J. was a child, came from New York state. Catherine Spade was a daughter Daniel and Nancy (Breiner) Spade, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and who settled in Wyandot county, Ohio, about 1830. Sarah J. Warren, when four years of age, moved with her parents to Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, about three miles northwest of Leipsic, where she attended school and lived with' her parents until the time of her marriage to Francis M. Warren. To that union were born four children, as follow : Clyde, who married Rachel Compton and lives in Hancock county, Ohio ; Monroe, who married Gale Hermon, and to whom has been born one son, Francis Lewis; Efhe, the wife of Lester Heifer, to whom has been born one daughter, Mildred Lucile, and Miley Ford, who is unmarried and lives at home.

Francis Marion Warren has been a resident of Putnam county about forty years. He is a successful farmer and specializes in the breeding and raising of high grade stock. He is a supporter of the Democratic party and has always been actively interested in political matters. He has served as a member of the school board, in which office he gave such great satisfaction that the citizens of his community desired to elect him township trustee, an honor which he refused.

Protestant church, of which Mr. Warren is a trustee. Mr. Warren is a man of high integrity and is universally respected and esteemed by all his neighbors. His success has been entirely the result of his own energy and perseverance and the readiness with which he grasped and developed every

William Henry Fairchild

The man whose name forms the caption of this sketch, is one of the representative farmers of Blanchard township, Putnam county, and is entitled to a place in the history of his county.

William Henry Fairchild was born in Blanchard township, Hancock county, Ohio, on October 23, 1868, a son of Jesse and Louisa (Blakely) Fairchild. Jesse Fairchild was born in Putnam county, August 5, 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth Fairchild, both of whom came from Franklin county, Ohio, in 1832.

John Fairchild was a native of Ireland and came to America with his parents when he was seven years of age, settling in Franklin county, near Columbus, Ohio. A number of years later, after his marriage, and while he was still a young man, he moved to Putnam county, where he brought up -his family. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, which lay partly in Blanchard township, Putnam county, and partly in Blanchard township, Hancock county, Ohio. He followed the usual pioneer system of development, cleared his land and built a double log cabin, half of which lay in each county.

In addition to his activities as a farmer, he constructed a water-power saw-mill on Buck run, where he conducted a very profitable business. When his son, Jesse, was about twenty years of age, he took charge of the mill and, at the outbreak of the Civil War manufactured gun stocks for the United States government, for which work he used only black walnut. Jesse Fairchild conducted the mill until about 1878, after which he devoted all his time to farming. He retired about 1895, but still owns the old home place. He was a successful farmer and a man highly respected by all his neighbors. In politics, he was a Democrat. He is a member of the Church of God, in which he has always been an active worker. He is still living at the ripe -old age of seventy-five.

twenty-four }^ears of age, at which time he was married and moved to Leipsic, in 1892, to engage in farming, his farm lying just outside the corporation hmits. He sold that place and moved to Blanchard township, Putnam county, .in 1894, where he bought the-McArthur and Grafton farm, where he now makes his home.

On November 26, 1892. he married Uzela Ramsey, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (LefiRer) Ramsey. Samuel Ramsey was born on November 7, 181 1, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and died on November 18, 1889. He was a son of John and Nancy Ramsey. After his marriage, he came to Hancock county and entered three claims of eighty acres each. This farm was later divided among his children. He then moved to two and one-half miles west of Leipsic, where he bought the Bill Edwards place, on which he lived for about seven years. This place he sold and afterward bought the old Swinehart farm, seven and one-half miles west of Leipsic. After operating that farm for four or five years, he retired and bought forty acres near Leipsic, where he lived until the time of his death, November 18, 1889. He died at the age of seventy-eight.

Mary Leffler, his wife, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on May 25, 1833, and died on December 17, 1913, at the age of eighty years, six months and twenty-two days. She was a daughter of John and Nancy (Meirs) LefHer, both of whom were pioneers of Fairfield county.' Mary Leffler came to Putnam county with her parents at the age of eighteen. They entered government land just north of Leipsic and developed the farm which they had homesteaded.

Samuel Ramsey was married to Mary Leffler on July 4, 1869, that being his second marriage. His first wife was Nancy Coulter, and to that union were born ten children, one of which died in infancy and another at the age of fifteen. To the second marriage were born Mary Roselle, who died at the age of two years; Uzela, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Uzena, who died at the age of four years, and Uzelus, who died at the age of one year.

William Henry Fairchild and wife now own two hundred .and fifty acres of land in Putnam county, all in a thorough state of improvement. On his -farm he. specializes in the Jsreeding and raising of thoroughbred Duroc- Jersey hogs, a branch of endeavor in which he has been very successful.

To William Henry and Uzela (Ramsey) Fairchild have been born ten children as follow : Corbett Burdell, who married Etta Hazelton and lives adjoining the home, place; Harvey Burdette, who died at the age of five years, seven months and ten days; George Odell, who died at the age of two years, eleven months and twenty-six days; Eva Mary, who died at the age of two

William Henry Fairchild is a supporter of the Democratic party and has taken an active and intelligent interest in the political affairs of his community. He has served the citizens for four years as a member of the school board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is active in church work, being a member of the financial board of that church. He is a man of excellent character, a prosperous and progressive citizen and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all who claim his acquaintance.

Joseph Corfman

It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile on the idler or dreamer, and only the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings. In tracing the history of the influential of Putnam county, Ohio, the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch occupies a prominent place. 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.

Joseph Corf man was born on November 2, 1848, in Wyandot, Ohio, a son of Conrad and Mary (Riegle) Corf man. Conrad Corf man was born July 24, 1809, in Fairfield county, Ohio, the son of parents who had come from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, having later moved to Ohio, previous to his birth.

When he was eighteen years of age, Conrad Corf man moved to Wyan- county, Ohio, and settled near McCutcheonsville, where he remained until i860. He then moved to Hancock county and settled in Mt. Cory, where he remained for twelve years. He later moved to five miles northwest of Mt. Cory, which was his final place of residence.

Conrad Corfman's wife, Mary Riegle, was born in 181 1, in Cumberland -county, Pennsylvania, near Carlisle, a daughter of George and Catherine Riegle, who were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Wyandot county, Ohio, when Mary Riegle was ten years of age. Conrad and Mary Corfman were the parents of twelve children, who were, Phillip; Barbara; Mary; Jacob ; George ; Catherine ; Elias, who died at the age of four years ; Magdalene; Joseph; Lydia; Sophia and Nathan.

Joseph Corf man spent his childhood four miles northwest of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He moved to Hancock county, Ohio, in i860, where heattended the public schools and helped his father on the farm, until he was twenty-two or twenty-three years of age. Then, for about ten years, he farmed independently and dealt in live stock on a small scale. During that time, in August, 1876, his father died, and Joseph Corf man farmed the home place for his mother for a number of years, or until the time of his marriage, in 1883.

On April 3, 1883, he married Irena Spahr, a daughter of Jesse and Margaret (Fisher) Spahr. Jesse Spahr was born in Cumberland county,. Pennsylvania, on June 21, 1825, and came to Crawford county, Ohio, with his parents when a boy. In that county he grew to manhood and married. During the later years of the Civil War he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for about a year and a half, or until the end of the war. He moved to three miles north of Gilboa, Ohio, in 1852, where he entered a government farm on which he remained until his death.

Margaret (Fisher) Spahr, his wife, was born in Cumberland county,. Pennsylvania, March 30, 1827. Her father was a native of Germany and came to Pennsylvania when a young man. There he taught in the Germanschools until he moved from Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, during the early days of that county. It was there that his daughter married Jesse E. Spahr. To Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Spahr were born eight children, as follow : Eliza, the wife of William Lindsey, of Perth, Kansas, to whom hasbeen born six children, four daughters living and two sons, deceased ; George W., deceased, who married Eliza Blodgett, and to whom six children, onedaughter and five sons were born; Oliver F., deceased, who married Loretta Huntsman, and to whom five sons and one daughter were born; Irene S., the wife of the subject of this sketch; Lenora, unmarried, who lives in Liepsic, Ohio; Benjamin, who died at the age of eight years; Effie May, who died when fourteen months of age, and Orvel, who died at the age of ten.

Irene S. Spahr, the wife of Joseph Corfman, was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, on April 19, 1853. In that place she spent her girlhood and attended the common schools, after which she took special normal work at Leipsic, Ohio, and at Ottawa, Ohio. At the age of fourteen she began teaching school, and continued to teach for fifteen terms, or until she was twenty-eight years of age, when she married Joseph Corfman. During her years of teaching, she continued to live on the old home place whereshe was born, and where she was later married.

On April 4, 1883, after their marriage, Joseph Corfman and wife moved to Henry county, Ohio, where they settled six miles northwest of Bellmore. The following stimmer, Mr. Corfman sold his farm and moved to Leipsic, Putnam county, where, for four years, he operated a meat market. He then sold his market in Leipsic and moved to Mt. Cory, Hancock county, where he again engaged in the meat market business and followed it for two years. He then went into partnership with H. J. Rutledge and opened two more markets in Findlay, Ohio. He then sold his interests to his partner, and for two years engaged in the wholesale meat business until 1895, when he returned to Blanchard township, Putnam county, where he occupied the Spahr farm, at first buying forty acres, and later, eighty acres of that farm.

In January of 1910, Mr. Corfman moved to the northeast part of Blanchard township, on the old Ridge road, where the family now live. Mr. Corfman has improved and developed the farm until it ranks well up among the best farms of his section. He operates it as a general farm. Mr. Corfman has always been known as a man of high ideals and sound business integrity. He is held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and has always held the respect of all who have had dealings with him.

Robert W. Kissell

Representing one of the oldest and best known families of Continental, Ohio, Putnam county, and a man of enterprising and sterling worth of character, Robert W. Kissell, a well-known produce dealer, of Continental, Ohio, is entitled to notice among the substantial business men of this section of the state, and it is with much satisfaction that the brief sketch of his life career is herewith given.

Robert W. Kissell was born on November 30, 1 871, at Columbus Grove,. Ohio, He is the son of John H. and Elizabeth (Sterling) Kissell. Mr! Kissell grew up in Columbus Grove, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools and in the high school. He was graduated from the Columbus Grove high school in 1889 and attended Wooster University for two years, during 1890 and 1 89 1. After taking the course at Wooster University, he came back to Columbus Grove, Ohio, and worked for several years with his father in the poultry business. He moved to Continental, Ohio, in 1899, where he immediately entered the poultry and produce business. Mr. Kissell is still actively engaged in this business. He enjoys a lucrative patronage and is a very popular man and a good "mixer" with the people of this community.

Io08 Putnam County, Ohio

He is congenial in his manners and frank in his dealings with his fellow men. He is extremely interested in public improvements and a progressive citizen in every way. Mr. Kissell has a fine home in Continental and is favorably known as a shrewd, able business man and, nevertheless, one who is upright and straightforward in all of his dealings.

Robert W. Kissell was married on March 26, 1902, to Florence Crawford who was born in Columbus Grove, January 12, 1873, and who is the daughter of Alonzo and Mary (Scott) Crawford. Mrs. Kissell grew to womanhood at Columbus Grove and was graduated from the Columbus Grove high school with the class of 1890. After leaving high school, she .attended the Lima Business College and worked for her father m the gristmill at Columbus Grove. She is now a most valuable aid to her husband in his business. She is an expert bookkeeper and a splendid business woman.

Alonzo Crawford was a native of Union township, having been born near Kalida, Ohio. He died on September 24, 1914, at the age of seventysix years. Mrs. Crawford is still living at Columbus Grove. Mr. Kissell's father died on November 23, 1912, and his mother died on May 16, 1902. They were well-known and highly-respected citizens of this community.

Robert W. Kissell is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 570. He is a member of the council and chapter at Ottawa, -Ohio. Mr. Kissell is a stanch Democrat. He served as town clerk of Continental for nine years and also as township treasurer for two terms, which office he still holds. Mr. Kissell also served as councilman for one term. Mrs. Kissell is a member of the Methodist church at Continental, but Mr. Kissell is not identified with any church.

Charles C. Schafer

The Schafer family is one of the very oldest in Putnam county. The family was established by William Schafer, a native of Koenig Hesse-Darmrstadt, Germany, who came to America with his parents, in 1854, and settled in Sugar Creek township. This was more than sixty years ago, and ever .since that time, members of the Schafer family have been conspicuous in the civic, political and religious life of Putnam county. Many of the Schafers have been farmers, but not all of them. Charles C. Schafer, a representative -of the third generation, is a prominent grain and coal dealer at North Creek, Ohio. Mr. Schafer, however, was reared on the farm, but he has been

Mr. And .Mrs. Charles C. Schafer

William Schafer married Mary Morris, the daughter of Judge Morris, August 6, 1863, and with his young wife moved to Palmer township, Putnam county, in March, 1864. Here he settled on a fanti and here he and his wife resided until their deaths. At the time William Schafer and his wife moved to Palmer township, it was an unbroken forest, and all kinds of wild game were to be seen everywhere. William Schafer cleared the timber from most of the farm with his own hands. He was active in politics and held many offices of trust, most of which came as a consequence of his nominations received by the Democratic party, with which he was identified throughout his life. In April, 1867, he was elected justice of the peace of Palmer township and held this office for twelve consecutive years, or until his death. He also served two terms as township treasurer and one term as township trustee. He was elected county commissioner in 1875, and held this office for two ternis of three years each. He served as postmaster of North Creek, Ohio, beginning in March, 1879, and holding the office until McKinley was elected president.

Charles C. Schafer was one of twelve children bom to his parents These children were as follow: Henry P., on September 11, 1864; John S. February 18,, 1866; Margaret Catherine, September 19, 1867; William W. December 17, 1869; George Lewis, December 12, 1871 ; Charles C. September 26, 1874; Sarah K, August 22, 1876; Mary Emaline, June 17, '1878, Ida Lavina, August 19, 1880; Benjamin R, August it, 1882; Surilda Laura May, July 13, 1884, died on September i, 1903; and Joseph J., May 19, 1887. Five of the sons and one daughter reside in Putnam county and thJ other children are scattered throughout different states. William Schafer died on January i, 1903, and his wife, the mother of these children, died on October 10, 1902.

Charles C. Schafer was educated in the township public schools of Palmer township. He farmed on his father's farm until he was twenty-fi^ e years old. He was married on August 14, 1899, to Nettie Ury She was born m Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, and is the dauo-hter of Christian and Harriet Ury. Charles C. and Nettie (Uty) Schafer have had two children, Estella H., born on July 5, 1900, and the other died in infancy lEstella H. attends the Continental high school

About one year after his marriage, Mr. Schafer engaged in the milHng;^ business at North Creek. Here he operates a grain elevator. He has built up a splendid patronage and not only enjoys a good trade in this business, but also has a good business in the retail sale of coal. Mr. Schafer is not only popular in a business way, but he is popular socially, in Palmer township.. He is now serving as township treasurer and has served as a member of the school board. Mr. Schafer is a Democrat. Mrs. Schafer and her daughter,, Estella, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

A prominent farmer of Putnam county, Ohio, who is now living a retired life in Ottawa, is Herman McDougle, who was born in this county more than half a century ago. His parents were early settlers in this county, in Blanchard township, where he taught school for nearly a quarter of a. century and where he has served as treasurer of Putnam county, making hishome in Ottawa since taking this office ten years ago.

Herman McDougle, the son of John and Eliza (Beach) McDougle, was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, on February 14, 1859. His father was born in West Virginia, where he grew to manhood and then moved to Licking county, Ohio, where he married Eliza Beach. She wasborn in Essex county. New York, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Hays) Beach, and came with her parents to Licking county, Ohio, and later to Putnam county, where the Beach family located, in 1863.

John McDougle and wife came to Putnam county and settled in the black swamp, in Blanchard township about two miles from Leipsic. They started in with forty acres ; a dense forest surrounding his cabin on all sides. He and his wife bore the hardships of pioneer life nobly, and reared six children in the log cabin which was their first home. John McDougle died in early manhood and left his widow with six young children, Joseph, Melinda^ Harvey, Herman, Meredith and George. The widow bravely undertook the rearing of these children and continued to reside on the farm where, she and her husband had settled the remainder of her life.

When he was fourteen years of age, Herman McDougle started out West with a pistol to shoot Indians. He got as far as Illinois and there found an uncle, William McDougle, a brother of his father. His uncle was a fine man and an influential citizen of the community where he resided.-

He took young Herman in and gave him a good home, where the lad attended school, and where his uncle and aunt gave him the same care and attention which they accorded their own family of children. His uncle even paid him for his work, so that, after three years, he not only had the rudiments of a good, common school education, but had been taught to work and save his money. When he was seventeen, Herman McDougle returned to Putnam . county, Ohio, and lived with another uncle, John L. Buckland, in Blanchard township, whose wife was a sister of Mr. McDougle's mother. John L. Buckland was born in Rutland county, Vermont, and came to Putnam county Ohio, in 1852, from Licking county, this state. He became a well-known and successful farmer in Blanchard township. He and his wife reared a family of seven children, and in the home of his uncle Herman McDougle lived until he reached manhood. He attended the country schools and applied himself so diligently that when he was through the common schools of Blanchard township, he was able to secure a teacher's license, and for the next twenty-four years he taught school in one neighborhood in Palmer township, and during this time saved his monev and invested it in land

Herman McDougle has been a life-long Democrat, although not a partisan. \\ hile hvmg in Palmer township, he served as treasurer of the township for eighteen consecutive years. He was elected treasurer of Putnam

'T?^ Zn^^"^' '""^ "' *"' ''"^^ "^°^'^ ^° 0«^^^^' ^here he has since resided While m this office, he handled about one million dollars a year and so ably and conscientiously did he administer this trust that he won the'hieh comniendation of his fellow citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations Herman McDougle was married on January 15, 1882, to Martha Maidow, who was born m Blanchard township, and is the daughter of John and Lucinda (Docds) Maidlow. Having no children, they adopted Bertha Havehland and Paul Maidlow, whom they raised and educated. Paul who married Blanch Bailey, now lives in Oklahoma