Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 24 of 33)

John M. Carder was reared on the parental farm in Union township, his early schooling being obtained in the district schools of that township. He was about fourteen years of age when his parents moved to Perry township, and he remained at home until after the death of his mother in 1882, when he started out for. himself, working by the month until his marriage, in 1886, at which time he settled on a farm of forty acres and cleared off a space in the woods upon which to erect a house, and here he lived for more than ten years, moving to his present farm in Perry township in the year 1899, at which time he bought two hundred acres, only forty acres of which was cleared, the remainder being in timber. He had learned the secret of hard work while clearing his former and smaller farm, and he set to work with diligence to clear and improve his forest farm. In this he has been successful and his fine, well-ditched and well-fenced farm today carries but .eighteen acres of woodland, the remainder being in an excellent state of cultivation. He reduced the size of his farm by the sale of forty acres from his tract of two hundred acres, and now has one hundred and sixty acres, one of the best farms in that part of the county, containing a fine dwelling, a commodious barn, silo and other essential outbuildings. In addition to' general farming, Mr. Carder also engages extensively in stock raising and has something more than a local reputation as a breeder of fine thoroughbred Jersey cattle. He started this herd in 19 10, and since then has exhibited at the Ottawa fair and has made many sales of Jerseys in the neighboring counties of Defiance and Paulding, as well as in this county. Pie also has given much attention to the breeding of Duroc- Jersey hogs and his sales of full-blooded stock in this line have proved quite profitable.

union six children have been born, Clyde, Blanche, May, Alta, Henry and Ralph, all of whom are at home and who make merry around the fireside of their devoted parents.

John M. Carder and wife are members of the Zion's Chapel United Brethren church, in which faith they have reared their children, and they are active in all the good works of the community. Mr. Carder is a Democrat and is one of the influential men in his vicinity in that party. He gives the most earnest attention to all matters relating to local government, and for the past three terms has served as trustee of the township, in which capacity his work on behalf of the schools has done very much to raise the educational standards of that township. For five years previously he had served as a member of the township school board. He has been township committeeman for his party for some time and is recognized as among the political leaders in the county. He is a fine, congenial man, a good farmer and an excellent judge of stock. He is well liked and popular among all his acquaintances.

Hon. Alfred Putnam Sandles

Human life is like the waves of the sea. They flash a few brief moments in the sunlight, marvels of power and beauty and then are dashed upon the remorseless shores. Nevertheless, the lives of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish, of steadfast purpose and inflexible integrity, strongly illustrate what it is possible to accomplish in the world. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life. Apparently insurmountable obstacles have, in many instances, awakened and developed their faculties and served as a stimulant to carry them to ultimate success, and Hon. Alfred Putnam Sandles has lived to good purpose and has achieved a much greater degree of success than falls to the lot of the ordinary individual. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way upward to a position of unique prominence. By his own efforts he has won the esteem and hearty admiration of his fellow citizens, and has justly deserved the honors which the public has graciously bestowed upon him.

Hon. Alfred Putnam Sandles, president of the agricultural commission of Ohio, was born in a log house in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, on February 5, 1871. As the biographical annals of Ohio set forth, "He was born in a log house near the Putnam county poor house, in 1871, farm product, home-grown and hand-spanked." Mr. Sandles is a son of David Ep^arami and Ann (Maidlow) Sandles, the former of whom was born :n Fairfield county, Ohio, and moved to Licking county, where he grew to maturity. At the age of sixteen or seventeen, he enlisted in Company D i^irst Ohio Cavalry, and served until the close of the Civil War Before the age of twenty years, he voted for Lincoln. David E. Sandles was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. After the close of the war, he came to Blanchard township, Putnam county, and engaged in farming. Here he was niarned_ to Ann Maidlow, who was born in Blanchard township, near the county infirmary, and who was a daughter of John and Lucinda (Douds) Maidlow, who are referred to elsewhere in this volume. David E. Sandles and wife remained on the farm until well advanced in years, when they moved to Ottawa, where they now live.

Umversity, at Westerville, Ohio. He began teaching at ti.e age of twent" one years, and taught two years in Blanchard township, one year in Riley township, and six years in the schools of Ottawa. While in the latter position he served two years as president of the Putnam county teachers institute. During his first year, as president, he started the custom of devoting one day of institute week to parents' and directors' meetings. It proved a great success and spread over Ohio, and is continued to this day. During this period Mr. Sandles's services were often in demand as a lecturer of educational topics.

In the early nineties, Mr. Sandles evinced an active interest in politics He was an ardent Democrat and, in 1896, was made chairman of the Putnam county Democratic convention. In 1900 and 1903 he was elected clerk of the county courts of Putnam county, and in 1901 was elected chairman of he county executive committee. He was re-elected every campaign for twelve years. He was also elected a member of the Democratic state execuive committee in 1902, and became secretary and treasurer of the committee, and practically managed the campaign. In 1903 and 1904 he was a terson was nominated in 1905, Mr. Sandles was, at Governor Patterson's request, made a member of the committee on resolutions, and as a member of the sub-committee, helped draft the famous platform which contributed so much to the success of the ticket. The platform was virtually the same as his principal campaign speech of the previous year. In the following January he was elected clerk of the Ohio Senate, and served three years.

Mr. Sandles' interest in agriculture seems to have run in parallel channels with his interest in education and politics. In January, 1895, he was elected secretary of the Putnam County Agricultural Society, and has served, continuously, ever since. He organized what was known as the Ohio Fair Managers' Association in 1897, and this association now includes every county in Ohio. Through its influence, several important laws have been enacted. He also conceived the idea of closer co-operation between fair and schools, and of paying premiums on "brains" as well as on "bulls." To encourage educational and school exhibits at county fairs, premiums were offered, and the idea has grown more and more popular, and has been taken up by some forty other counties in the state, and also by the State Fair Association. The premiums consist chiefly of books, and today aggregate over twenty-six thousand volumes. Practically every school in Putnam county has at least a small library because of this feature of the county fair. This practice has had a good influence on the schools, for it presents each school on a competitive basis. For many years Putnam county had more Boxwell graduates than any other county because of the interest this competition has aroused.

Hon. Alfred P. Sandles has been president of the Ohio Race Circuit, embracing fifty-seven counties, and in 1908, was elected to the board of review of the National Trotting Association, which is the supreme court of the trotting world. He was elected a member of the state board of agriculture in 1892, and in 1906 was president of the board, and in 1907 was re-elected a member. In January, 1909, he resigned to become secretary of the board, holding this position until August 6, 191 3, when the new law created the agricultural commission of Ohio. He was appointed for a sixyear term as a member of the commission, consisting of four active members. When the commission met and organized, Mr. Sandles was elected its president, and still holds this position. His work in promoting the agricultural interests of Ohio has been truly wonderful, and has won for him a national reputation. Space is too hmited to give more than a meager outline of his work. His position on the Putnam county agricultural board gave him years of practical experience from his youth, so that from early life he has developed as an older man could not have done. Many of the plans instituted by him in Putnam county have been tried out, and after having proved successful, have been taken up in the larger field of the state. Under his leadership, orchard demonstrations, which eventually have led to the rejuvenation of thousands of acres of apple orchards and present enormous profit in fruit lands. The free pass nuisance and graft were eliminated in connection with the state fairs. The state board of agriculture has been taken out of politics and made bi-partisan. The people are employed because of merit and fitness. Agricultural trains and demonstration cars are run over railroads for the betterment of the people, and the railroad companies were induced to give service free. The frauds and scandals in regard to farm fertilizers were brought to a close by turning on them the calcium light of publicity, publishing in the monthly reports issued by the state board of agriculture the chemical analyses of fertilizers, and posting in a "Danger" column the analysis of those fertilizers which fell below the standard of their published guarantee. This feature grew in importance, and later, Mr. Sandles had a bill passed by the Legislature that eliminated all of the fraudulent features of the business and put it on an honest basis, so that farmers may now know what they are buying.

Against much opposition, Mr. Sandles got the bill passed while he was clerk of the senate, and his position helped him to steer the bill past all the reefs and rocks of the tortuous channel of legislation. His fight in this contest alone would make a story of rare interest. At his suggestion, night exhibitions were successfully inaugurated at the state fair. The live stock interests of the state and sanitary conditions have been given attention, and liberal appropriations have been made. The manufacture of hog cholera serum was virtually instituted by the state at his suggestion and a plant erected for this purpose.

Attendances at farmers' institutes have doubled, and the work is now made practical and helpful. Extension courses have been established and laws were enacted permitting county experiment farms to be established. Laws were also passed requiring agriculture to be taught in the public schools and over two hundred thousand pupils in Ohio are now studying scientific agriculture. Agricultural colleges attendance has more than doubled in Ohio during this period.

Alfred P. Sandles also conceived and put into operation the idea of giving boys from each county a free trip to the Ohio state fair. He has developed this idea to a marvelous degree. He promoted the corn-growing contest for the boys, the first contest being held in 1912. Free trips to

Washington were offered to boys growing the most corn on a single acre of ground. Five hundred and ten boys of an average age of sixteen years raised an average of eighty-five bushels of corn to the acre in 1912, while the state average for men was only thirty-five bushels. Hundreds of boys were taken on the trip to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Washington, D. C, and Mount Vernon.

The girls were also encouraged and had contests in baking, canning, apple growing and lawn gardening. Mr. Sandles was able to generate a wide and deep sentiment and enthusiasm for his work. The commercial clubs, the banks, the grain dealers' associations, have all contributed. One thousand and sixty-eight persons in 19 14 went on the trip east, with two boys' bands and a girls' band to furnish music. They made the trip on special trains to Washington, where they shook hands with President Wilson and wife, and later had a big time in Philadelphia and New York city, where their coming aroused tremendous enthusiasm and was featured by the newspapers far and near. Great banquets at the Waldorf-Astoria and other places, a ride up the Hudson and out past Ellis Island to the ocean as guests of New York city, and an address by the mayor and others, combined to make the affairs memorable. The boys' badges read, "The rainbow comes down in Ohio," the idea being that they would get the gold at the foot of the rainbow by working in the soil. The girls' badges read, "Buckeye Anti- Divorce League," meaning that good home-keepers make happy homes. All this was done at a cost of about one hundred thousand dollars, but was worth all it cost and more, not merely for the good time these people had, but because it gets the people to thinking, planning and striving to achieve and to excel in that noble calling that is at the foundation of all industry, producing direct from the soil.

Alfred P. Sandles has shown ability as an organizer. He knows how to touch the various chords of human interest, to bring out the enthusiasm and publicity, and withal to put it on a solid basis where the results are permanent and valuable. He is a man of tireless energy, working regularly until near midnight, as well as busy all day, yet he is not too busy to be courteous and friendly, and is every inch a man.

On May 27, 1894, Hon. Alfred Putnam Sandles was married to Laura Moffit, who was born on September 6, 1874, on a farm in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, a daughter of Joab and Amanda (Hopkins) Moffit, who were born' and reared in Hancock county, Ohio, and who lived many years in 'Blanchard township, in this county. They moved to Findlay, Ohio, in 1902, where Mr. Moffit died in July, 1914.

Alfred P. and Laura (Moffit) Sandles are the parents of one son and seven daughters, Bryan Putnam, Frances, Beatrice, Martha, Dorotha, Helen, Catharine and Eleanor.

Alfred P. Sandles is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and was master of the Ottawa lodge for four years. He is a member of the Knights Templar at Lima and also of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Toledo. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Findlay, Governor Dennison Camp, Sons of Veterans, and the Grange. Mr. Sandles has been a member the Ottawa school board for some time.

Alfred P. Sandles has a rare sense of humor. He helped to institute the famous Crow banquets, which are held at Ottawa following elections, and is attended by many of the most prominent men of Ohio. It is a humorous celebration, participated in by victors and vanquished at the expense of the losing party, certain persons in one party having been paired with certain persons in another party before the election.

With all his other occupations, Mr. Sandles prefers to call himself an editor. He is the editor of the Putnam County Sentinel, and has filled this position since 1908, although he was connected with the paper for several years previous to that time.

Alfred Putnam Sandles is a kind and indulgent father, devoted not less to his family than to his country, his state and the county he calls his home.

Henry Knueven

It has been a comparatively short time since Putnam county, Ohio, was a dense wilderness. Today there are fine farms where heavy timber once sheltered wild deer, and beautiful homes where a mass of thick underbrush covered fertile ground a few years ago. Among the brave men who struggled for their homes and living and have succeeded in a great measure, is Henry Knueven, who was born in this county and has made it his home all his life.

Henry Rnueven, the son of Barney and Mary (Hueve) Knueven, was born on March 5, 1856, at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio. Barney Knueven was a native of Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, and came to America when fifteen years of age. He located first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he -worked in a brick yard. He worked here until his marriage, after which he

Henry Knueven grew to manhood on his father's farm near Glandorf,. and received his education in the schools of his home neighborhood. On September 4, 1880, he was married to Catherine Ellerbrock, the daughter of Theodore and Anna (Ricker) Ellerbrock. She is a native of this county.

Theodore Ellerbrock was born in Germany on October 4, 1830, and came to America with his parents when about eight years old. The family located on a farm near Glandorf, where his parents developed a farm out of the wilderness, and here they spent the remainder of their lives. Anna Ricker was born near Glandorf about 1872. Theodore Ellerbrock and familymoved to Liberty township, near where the Nickel Plate railroad now runs,- about three miles west of Leipsic. They bought one hundred and sixty acresof land, of which only a very small part had ever been cultivated. Two of the boys saw deer in the woods feeding with their cattle, which ran in fear of the animals with the big horns. Mr. Ellerbrock gradually improved his. land, adding more acreage to his holdings, and later in life, gave each of his five sons a farm. Theodore Ellerbrock and wife were the parents of the following children: Barney, Kate, William, Ferdinand, Henry, Mary and Theodore J. The father died on September 3, 1908, and the mother died on September 13, 1909.

Henry Knueven's father presented him with eighty acres of land in the south part of Liberty township, about two years before his marriage. This land cost about ten dollars an acre, and when Mr. Knueven moved tothis farm, it had only a shanty on it and a round log barn, in the way of improvements. The land was covered with timber and the soil was very swampy, but with unceasing industry Mr. Knueven gradually improved the land, draining the soil, and clearing off the heavy timber until he now has a splendid farm where once there was a wilderness, and has added ninety acres, more to the place. He has built a splendid new house and a good barn and other outbuildings, necessary in the perfect equipment of an up-to-date farm.

To Henry and Catherine (Ellerbrock) Knueven five children have beenborn, of whom one daughter. Bertha, died when two years of age. The four living children are : Bernard, Emma, Minnie and Lawrence. Bernard makes his home with his father; Emma is the wife of Jacob Backies, and lives at Milan, Michigan; Minnie is the wife of John Schmenk, and lives three milesnorth of Mr. Knueven, and they have three children, Arthur, Jacob and Catherine : Lawrence married Maggie Rump, and lives on a farm five miles, north of Miller City. He has one daughter, Isabelle.

Henry Knueven is a member of the Democratic party, but has never taken a very active interest in poHtical matters, preferring rather to devote his entire time and attention to his farming interests. The family are all devout members of the Catholic church. Mr. Kttueven is interested in the common welfare of his community, and takes an active part in all questions, concerning the good of his fellow citizens.

Frank H. Morman

The pioneers of Putnam county, Ohio, suffered innumerable hardships. Some of the most prosperous farmers and some of the earliest pioneers are of German descent and their success is due to their untiring energy and perseverance. Wherever Germans locate, they prosper and become valuable citizens.

One of the prosperous citizens of Liberty township, Putnam county,, is- Frank H. Morman, who came from good German stock. He was born in 1852, in Glandorf, Putnam connty, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Osterfeld) Morman. His father was born in Osnabruck, Hanover, Germany, and at the age of twelve years came to America with his parents, Anthony and Dorothea (Treme) Morman.

They came very soon after Professor Horstman and his company settled in Glandorf. Henry Morman lived in Cincinnati until manhood and was living there when he married Elizabeth OsterfeW. His brothers came to- Putnam county, Ohio, and worked at digging on the old canal. Henry Morman was a cook in a Cincinnati hotel. His wife, Elizabeth Osterfeld, was born in Germany, the daughter of George Osterfeld and wife, who came from Oldenburg, Germany, and who lived on a farm at Minster, Ohio. Henry Morman moved to Glandorf, after his marriage, and engaged in the general mercantile business, two or three years, until his death. His wife died six months later and Frank H. Morman, left an orphan one year old, was reared by his father's parents in Greensburg township. When the boy was twelve years of age, his grandparents moved to Glandorf and Frank H.. worked out until about twenty-five years old.

He traded about seventeen acres, at Glandorf, for one hundred and sixty acres, in Liberty township, northeast of Elm Center, in 1875. He worked out four years more and then moved to his farm in 1879, which consisted of heavy timber with no improvements. The place was almost impassable on account of the heavy timber, the brush and the water. He cleared it, ditched it and has over one hundred and forty acres under cultivation and well improved, with good houses, barns and other buildings. Mr. Morman was one of the first settlers in his community. He started in an humble way and has made good.

He was married in 1882 to Catherine Borer. She was born at New Cleveland, in Ottawa township, and is the daughter of Joseph and Bridgetta (Hudinger) Borer. Joseph Borer was born in Switzerland and came to America at the age of twelve with his parents, who settled ne^r Glandorf, where Joseph Borer grew up and married. His first wife died while Mrs. Morman was a little girl and he married again. He was both a farmer and a carpenter.

Frank H. and Catherine (Borer) Morman have five children, four living and one dead, Joseph, Rosa, Gertrude, Caroline and Mary. Joseph married Gertrude Schmenk and lives on a farm two miles north of his father. He has three children, Edmond, Adolph and Mildred; Rosa died at the age of six; Gertrude is the wife of Valentine Schmenk and lives in the southern part of Liberty township; Caroline, the wife of Louis Lammers, lives about two miles north of Elm Center and has three children, Helen, Catherine and Alice. Mary is still single and is at home.

Frank H. Morman is a member of the Democratic party. He and his family are members of the Catholic church at Miller City. They are among the most highly respected citizens of the vicinity where they live and are interested in all questions concerning the common good of the community.

John W. Hohenbrink

When we behold the large fertile farms in Putnam county, Ohio, and the splendid homes there, it is hard to believe that these tracts of land were once mere marshes of stagnant water and underbrush and that the splendid homes have replaced log cabins and shacks. When we of the present generation complain of our labor and our struggles, it is well to remember the hardships of our pioneer fathers. Thus we are enabled to appreciate what they have accomplished and under what great hardships success has been attained. Many men have contributed to make Putnam county, Ohio, a garden spot, and one of these men is John William Hohenbrink, of Liberty township.

John W. Hohenbrink was born on March 31, i860, at Glandorf, Putnam county, the son of Matthias and Kate (Halker) Hohenbrink. Matthias Hohenbrink was born in Glandorf, Germany, and Hved there until he was twenty-two years of age, when he came to Putnam county. After working out for a year, he bought a farm of eighty acres of heavily timbered land, one and one-half miles northwest of Ottawa. There he established his home, made out of it a fertile farm and lived there all of his life. His first wife was Kate Halker, a daughter of William Halker, a native of Germany and an early settler of Putnam county. She died^when John W. was a week old. After her death, Matthias Hohenbrink married Theresia Huester, who still lives on the old home farm near Glandorf. Matthias Hohenbrink died on July 20, 1894.

John W. Hohenbrink lived at home until he was married, on September 15, 1885, to Mary Koenig. She was born in Liberty township, one-half mile north of the Nickel Plate railroad, the daughter of Charles and Theresia (Roderer) Koenig. Charles Koenig was born in Prussia and grew up there. He was a soldier in the Prussian army before he came to America, after which he married Theresia Roderer, a native of Rheinpfalz. After' living two years in Dayton, they moved to Putnam county, about 1850. He bought two eighty-acre tracts in Liberty township, all wild land, timber and swamps, -a part of the famous Black swamp. For many years after, they were troubled with frequent high water which ruined the crops. The taxes at first on eighty acres was only two dollars and the good wife paid that from selling butter and eggs. Timber was valueless and it was necessary to burn it to get it out of the way. Here Charles Koenig and wife lived and reared their six children, and here they died, the father on January 25, 1895, and the mother on March 17, 1903.

After Mr. Plohenbrink's marriage, he cultivated his father's farm for two years and then moved a mile north of his present home, in Liberty township, and bought forty acres. He lived there for about four years and then moved to the old Koenig farm, where he has lived ever since. When he moved to the Koenig farm, only two fields were drained, but since that time he has drained all the land, built a good brick house, a large barn, with tile roof, and now has a farm which produces remarkable crops.

John W. and Mary (Koenig) Hohenbrink have eight children, William John, Mary Theresa Theodora, Edward John, Louis John, Mary Emma Frances, Martha Anna Philomena, Hilda Regina Marghereta and Edna Rosa Marguerite. William married Anna Brown and lives on a farm in Henry They have two children, Edmund John and Mary Agnes ; Theodora

John AV. Hohenbrink is a member of the Democratic party. He and his family are members of the Catholic church at Miller City and are prominent in all affairs of the community.

Peter J. Mangus

For more than thirty years, Peter J. Mangus has been a resident of Liberty township, Putnam county, C)hio. Born and reared in Henry county,. Ohio, he came to this county immediately after his marriage and located in Liberty township on a farm where he has since made his home. Starting; in with a farm of seventy acres, he has added to it as he has prospered year after year until he now owns one hundred and fifty acres in Liberty and Palmer townships. He comes of German ancestry and his life has been characterized by that thrift which has made the people of Germany so successful in this country.

Peter J. Mangus, the son of Peter and Sarah (Jackman) Mangus, was born in New Bavaria, Henry county, Ohio, in 1856. His parents were both natives of Germany, his father being born in the fall of 1824. Peter Mangus. was five years of age when he came to America with his parents, Caspar and Mary Mangus, and located in Henry county, Ohio. At that time practically the whole county was covered with dense forests, and the family was compelled to thread their way along devious Indian trails in order to get to the farm which they had entered from the government. Caspar Mangus was a baker in Germany and made a good living in his native land. He came to this cotintry because land was so cheap, but he had the misfortune to locate in a county which was still unsettled and very swampy. Wild animals of all kinds were roaming the forest when the family located in Henry county. Caspar Mangus lived to see his farm greatly improved and in such a state of cultivation as to make a comfortable living for the family. Peter Mangus grew to manhood on this farm, and, before his marriage, was a canal driver on the old canal from Toledo to Defiance. He drove as many as six mules at a time, one behind the other, and in middle life still retained sufficient agility to mount a mule from the ground without any difficulty. After he drove the mules for some time, he was made captain of a crew of canal drivers, and after his marriage he still continued working on the towpath for two years.

Peter Mangus married Sarah Jackman, a native of France, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Jane Jackman, early settlers in Seneca county, New York, and still later, in Henry county, Ohio. After Peter Mangus stopped working on the canal, he became a stock-buyer and, for a quarter of a century, was engaged in this industry. He bought a farm at New Bavaria, in Henry county, which was operated by his sons, while he continued to give his time and attention to the buying and shipping of live stock. He spent his last years in Defiance, where his death occurred, and where his wife died later, in June, 1913. Peter J. Mangus, Sr., and wife were the parents of nine sons and two daughters, eight of whom are still living, Henry, Frank B., Peter, Jr., Albert, George, Joseph, Andrew and Fred. Theodore died at the age of twenty-one, and the two daughters, Cornelia and Ella, died in childhood.

Peter J. Mangus, Jr., was reared on his father's farm in Henry county, and remained at home until his marriage. He and his brother, Frank, married sisters, and at the time of their marriage, each brother owned a small tract of land at New Bavaria, and their wives also owned a small tract which lay in the northwestern part of Liberty township, in Putnam county. By exchanging with Frank, Peter and his wife became the owners of seventy acres of land in the northwestern part of Liberty township, in Putnam county, and on this farm they have since made their home. When they came to this vicinity they found the land practically covered with a heavy growth of timber and it was necessary to clear away a spot on which to build a little log cabin. Things must have looked very discouraging at first, but with a hearty will they started to work and soon had the satisfaction of seeing their farm yield a very comfortable living. Mr. Mangus erected a large barn in 1893 and two years later built a comfortable home. As the years have gone by, he has been able to add to his land holdings and now owns one hundred and ten acres of fine land in Liberty township and forty acres across the road in Palmer township. He always keeps a high grade of stock and has been particularly successful in the raising of Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs.

Peter J. Mangus was married, in 1882, to Mary Thiebaut, who was born at Findlay, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Jennie (Marschel) Thiebaut, and to this union have been born four children, Ella, Mary J., Laura and Emily. Ella is the wife of Joseph Swary, a farmer of this county, and has three children, Germaine, Julius and Evaline; Mary J. is the wife of Joseph Oakley, a farmer of this county, and has one son, Virgil ; Laura is the wife of Henry Shoemaker, a farmer of this county, and has one daughter, Elma; Emily, the youngest of the four daughters, is single and still living with her parents.

John Thiebaut, the father of Mrs. Mangus, was born in France, in July, 1 83 1, and at the age of twenty-one, came to America and located at Findlay, Ohio, where he secured employment in a grist-mill. Later, he moved on a farm two miles northeast of Leipsic, in Putnam county, Ohio, and in 1863 moved to the northwestern part of Liberty township, where he bought a farm and lived the remainder of his life. He started in with forty acres, but by good management increased it to one hundred and fifty acres before his death. The wife of John Thiebaut, Jennie Marschel, was also a native of France. Her husband died on the sea on their way to America, and her mother came on and located in Findlay, Ohio. John Thiebaut died in July, 1907, at the age of seventy-six, his wife having died seventeen, years previously. Two children were born to John Thiebaut and wife, Mary, the wife of Peter Mangus, and Jennie, the wife of Frank B. Mangus.

Peter Mangus and his family are loyal members of the Sacred Heart Catholic^ church at New Bavaria. He is a Republican, but has never had any inclination to take an active part in political matters. He is a man of essentially domestic taste and is never happier than when seated at his own fireside and surrounded by members of his family. He is a quiet and unostentatious citizen, who has taken his full share of the burdens of civic life, and in all things tried to do his duty as a good American citizen.

George Mullett

Men who clear the rough land, drain the soil and erect attractive and commodious barns and buildings are benefactors to any community. Farmmg has become a problem of brain as well as brawn, and men, to succeed, must be capable to mastering every phase of scientific agriculture. George Mullett is one of the successful farmers of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, and was born on August 7, 1848, in Licking county, Ohio, the son of John and Maria (Ratz) Mullett. John Mullett was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, near the town of Richte, in January, 1809. Maria Ratz was born in the same place in December, 1808. They were married on October 13, 1832, and had five sons and three daughters. They came to America in 1848, and were forty-eight days on the sea in a sailing vessel. They spent the winter in Rochester, New York, and the next spring came to Licking county, living there a year, when they moved to Columbus and Mr. Mullett worked in a brick yard. He then worked one year in building the National road from Washington, D. C, to the Mississippi river. In the fall of 1853 he moved to Putnam county and located on section 28 of Liberty township, where he entered eighty acres of government land, all in the woods. They were compelled to follow a blazed trail to Glandorf and Ottawa. Many wild animals and game were found in the vicinity. Mr. Mullett and some of his sons helped to make the grade of the Nickel Plate railroad in 1856, working for one dollar a day, and by this means earned much-needed money to pay on the farm. He was at one time road supervisor. It cost one dollar to get his commission and at the close of the year he received just one dollar for salary. John Mullett died on January 19, 1892, nine days before his eightythird birthday. At that time he had forty-eight grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

George Mullett is one of eight children, the others being John, Maria, David, Jacob, Barbara, all born in Switzerland, William and Elizabeth. All are now deceased, except George and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the wife of Charles Ellsworth and lives in Ithaca, Michigan.

George Mullett was married on April 15, 1875, to Matilda Wirth, who was born in Liberty township, the daughter of Samuel and Magdalena (Bauer) Wirth.

Samuel Wirth and wife were natives of Wurttemberg, Germany, but were married in America and lived near Elm Center, Liberty township, Putnam county. Mr. Wirth was a lifelong farmer after his marriage, though he did railroad construction work before his marriage.

After George Mullett married, he spent twelve years farming on hisfather's farm. He bought eighty acres in section 5, Liberty township, in 1887, where he has since lived. When he bought the farm, there was on old log house and about forty acres cleared. He has built a new house, cleared the land, drained it and now has a splendid farm. He bought twenty acres more at forty-five dollars an acre in 1899. Now it is worth several times that much.

To George and Matilda (Wirth) Mullett have been born four children, three of whom are living, Henry E., George R. and Albert Samuel. Edith B. died at the age of fifteen. Henry E., born on March 24, 1876, married' Ida May Leinsetter, and has three children, Alvin, Bertha and Clarence lives on a farm near his father; George R., July 30, 1878, and lives at home; Albert S., August 30, 1885, and also lives at home. Mrs. Mullett, the mother of these children, died on Eebruary 12, 1909. She was a quiet, unassuming woman, of a cheerful disposition and a faithful member of the Evano-elical

Henry Joseph Hermiller

Usually the finest words that can be collected to be said of a man are those epitomizing a life history after he has passed from this life. Among the progressive and industrious farmers of any community those citizens are always admired most who take an interest, not only in the welfare of the present, but also in the development of better conditions of future generations. The position of school trustee is an honorable one and a man trusted by the community with this responsible position is deserving of no little praise. He discharges 'his duties to the good of future generations and is honored long after his work is ended. All this may be said by way of preface to the sketch of Henry Joseph Hermiller, for six years the efficient school trustee of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio.

Henry Joseph Hermiller was born on February 14, 1862, in Ottawa township, the son of Bernard and Bernardina (Nadler) Hermiller and a brother of F. B. Hermiller, whose sketch, found elsewhere in this volume, gives further facts of the parental history.

Henry J. Hermiller lived at home until maturity and was then married, shortly before his twenty-fifth birthday, to Elizabeth Gerdeman. She was born south of Glandorf, Putnam county, the daughter of John D. and Anna (Recker) Gerdeman. She is a sister of Andrew Gerdeman, whose sketch, found elsewhere in the pages of this volume, gives the history of her parents.

After Mr. Hermiller's marriage he moved to the farm where he now lives. He owns eighty acres at home and one hundred and sixty-five and one-half acres in Pleasant township. He had a splendid house built the year before his marriage and remodeled in 1913, it now being thoroughly modern. He also built a large barn and raised a high grade of live stock.

To Henry Joseph and Elizabeth (Gerdeman) Hemiiller six children have been born : Minnie, who is the wife of John Kreinbrink, and lives onehalf mile south of her father's home, is the mother of two children, Helen and Paul; Harry, born on January 8, 1891 ; Laura, born on April 14, 1895; Vincent, bom on January 16, 1899; Pauline, born on December 11, 1902, and

When Henry J. Hermiller left his home to work among his machinery and in his saw-mill, no greater caution could have been given him than that in the beautiful quotation, "Watch, for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh." In perfect health, in high spirits, full of ambition and happy, he left his home with the caution of his faithful wife to be very careful, as she had a premonition of danger. While sawing wood on a saw that was being run by a gasoline engine, a belt slipped on the machinery, and when Mr. Hermiller attempted to adjust the belt his coat sleeve was caught in a fly-wheel, he was drawn into the machinery and met almost instant death. He met his death on April 3, 191 5, at the age of fifty-three years, and was buried in the Ottawa Catholic cemetery. He leaves behind him to mourn their loss a loving wife, two sons, four daughters and many sincere and loyal friends.

During his life Mr. Hermiller served six years as township trustee He was a member of the Democratic party. He and his family were members of the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church at Ottawa. He was also a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Aid Society. He was an enterpnsmg and successful farmer, a credit to the community where he lived and m which he was. extremely popular. He was known everywhere for his lionesty and genial disposition.

Chester L. Simon

Chester L. Simon stands out in the agricultural arena whose life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a rather unusual degree of success in his chosen vocation. By his straightforward, honorable course, Mr. Simon has prospered in the world. While he has prospered he has retained the respect and confidence of his neighbors and fellow citizens His life is a splendid example of what an American youth, endowed with common sense, energy and determination, can accomplish. Mr. Simon comes from a very old family of Putnam county, one that has always stood for honesty, frugality and industry, and one that has always been admired and respected for its many good works.

ship, on a farm. He is the son of Lewis and Jennie (Apger) Simon. Lewis. Simon has long been one of the leading farmers of Greensburg township, but is now living retired. He was born in Putnam county on April 24, 1838, and was the son of John P. and Savilla (Genshimer) Simon. John P. Simon was born in Germany, on the Rhine, and was there married to Savilla Genshimer, also a native of Germany, born in 1812. Thirteen children were born to this marriage, as follow: John, a farmer near Dupont, Ohio; Catherine and Philip, who died young; Lewis, the father of Chester L. ; Jacob, who died in childhood; Barbara, the wife of Michael Rinkle, of Dupont ,- Louisa, deceased; Sophia, who married Rev. Philip Kesler, of Dupont; Mrs. x\. L. Hauck, of Ottawa; Anna, the wife of W. J. Varner, of Greensburg township; Savilla, who married J. W. Purnell, of Greensburg township;. Elizabeth, deceased, and John Adam, who died at the age of ten years.

After coming to the United States, John P. and Savilla Simon located in Philadelphia, but subsequently removed to Richland county, Ohio, where they were pioneers and where they lived for some time. They located in Putnam county in 1836, where he purchased a tract of land in the woods and where he built a house of logs. They lived on the farm until 1863, when John P. Simon moved to Ottawa and there engaged in the mercantile business, in which he was very successful. Pie was a member of the Masonic fraternity and belonged to the lodge at Defiance, Ohio. Later, he became a charter member of the lodge at Kalida. For many years he was a commissioned officer in the state militia. Before the Civil War, he was a stanch. Democrat, but later became independent in politics. He died on April 29,. 1888. At this time, he was a member of the Presbyterian church. His firstwife, who was a member of the Lutheran church, died in 1856. He, subsequently, married Mrs. Margaret M. Landis, who bore him one son, Adam, in 1859. John P. Simon was married, a third time, to Mrs. Margaret Hedges,, who died on March 25, 1895.

Chester L. Simon's father, Lewis Simon, has been twice married. He was married the first time on April 13, 1861, to Barbara M. Dangler, the daughter of George and Fannie (Fender) Dangler. Four children were born to this union, Anna, who married H. J. Kirkendall; Veronica, who married George Ridenour; John A. and Barbara M., who died in infancy. Mrs. Barbara Simon died on May 11, 1868, and Mr. Simon was married a second time, on March 18, 1870, to Jennie Apger, the daughter of John R. and Elizabeth Apger, and a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born on February 10, 1847. To this marriage were born seven children, Mary L., who died on October 31, 1876; Charles E., Chester L., the subject of this sketch-

Ora A., Lewis W., Blanche, Ralph B. and an infant that died unnamed. Lewis Simon is still living on the farm, although his age has prevented active work for several years. He is a member of the Masonic lodge No. 325, at Ottawa.

Chester L. Simon's mother, the second wife of Lewis Simon, is descended from illustrious ancestors. Her father, John R. Apger, was born in New Jersey in 1816, the son of Isaac Apger, a native of New Jersey and of English descent. Isaac Apger was a pioneer farmer of Carroll county, Ohio, and moved to Wood county in 1847. He died in this county some time in the fifties. John R. Apger was educated in New Jersey and was reared as a farmer. He learned the shoemaker trade and worked at it off and on. He married Elizabeth Atchley in 1837, a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Van Horn) Atchley, natives of New Jersey, who later removed to New York. To this union were born seven children : Mary C. ; Mrs. Lewis Simon; Marion N. ; Isaac N., deceased; Anderson S., who was a soldier in the Civil War; Alletty A., deceased, and Elizabeth, also deceased. Mrs. Elizabeth Apger was born in New Jersey, in 1812, and moved with her parents to New York, where she was married. Mr. Apger settled in Carroll county in 1865, where he farmed for ten years and then moved to Wood county. Here he entered a tract of land, which he cleared and improved. In the meantime he taught school. Mrs. John R. Apger died March 25, 1865, and Mr; Apger was married a second time, in Wood county, in 1866, to Mrs. Matilda Wyckoff, and four children were born to this last marriage, Benton, Earl J., Cloise and Blanche. Mr. Apger was a Democrat in politics. He died on May 12, 1882, and at this time was an active and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Chester L. Simon was educated in the Greensburg township public schools and farmed on his father's farm until he was married. His marriage took place on January 30, 1898, when he was united to Maude Jenkins, the daughter of David and Nancy (Sackett) Jenkins, of Continental, Ohio. After their marriage, Mr. Simon remained on the homestead for a time and then moved to a farm of eighty acres in section 33 of Palmer township. Forty acres of this land was available for farming. This tract formerly belonged to Chester L. Simon's father. Mr. Simon had a house built before moving to the farm and a barn also, and then fenced the land, drained it and cleared twenty-seven acres.

191 1, Mr. Simon was married a second time, to Carrie Halbgwoks, the daughter of John Halbgwoks, of Monroe township, Putnam county. No children have been born to this second marriage.

Chester L. Simon is identified with the Democratic party, but is more or less independent in voting. Mrs. Simon is a member of the United Brethren church at Forest Grove.

Chester L. Simon has a well-kept farm. He is progressive in his ideas and is rated in the community as a very good farmer. He is highly respected and belongs to one of the oldest families in Putnam county.

Christ Steffen

The desire for home and comfort enables men to endure bravely almost any privation or misfortune. When success has come and the hardest struggle is over, men look back and remember between smiles and tears all the incidents, happy and sad, of the struggle. Christ Steffen, a farmer of Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, has made a brave fight to attain his present degree of success.

Christ Steffen was born in 1852, in Germany. At the age of six months he came to America with his parents, Jacob and Gertrude Steffen. They came to Tiffin, Ohio, and lived there until his parents died. The father died soon after coming to this country and, seven years later, the mother died.

Christ Steffen was cared for during his childhood by his relatives, who moved near to Bavaria, Ohio, two years later, and there he received his education, attending the public schools until he- was twelve years of age. After this he lived with a sister and her husband at Kalida until he grew to manhood.

Christ Steffen was married in 1877, at Glandorf, to Veronica Hueve, who was born at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, the daughter of Barney and Theresia (Winkelman) Hueve. Barney Hueve was born in Hanover, Germany, who came to the United States with his parents about the age of eighteen, and settled at Glandorf about the year 1840. Barney Hueve and wife lived at Glandorf all their lives. He was a farmer and also operated a brick yard at this place. About a year after Mr. Steffen's marriage, he and his wife moved to Liberty township, where they bought eighty acres of land, all in woods and very swampy. That was about thirty-eight years ago, and at that time deer were to be seen, and wild turkeys were as common as tame turkeys are now. Mr. Steffen cleared and drained his land, a tremendous undertaking, and developed, out of this eighty acres, a good farm. He now has the original acres, and has added two hundred acres more, all clear of encumbrance. Mr. Steffen has been reasonably free from misfortunes and has worked and managed carefully for his present success. He clearly remembers the early days and the work, hardships and privations of those times.

To Christ and Veronica (Hueve) Steffen seven children have been born, Amos, MoUie, Nora, P'rances, Alexander, Leo and Jerome. Amos married Nora Heinel and lives in Van Buren township, who have two children, Clement and Gladys; Mollie is the wife of Sebastian Schieber, a farmer of Palmer township, and they have three children, Rosa, Urban and Albert; Alex was married, first, to Adeline Schmenk, who died, leaving one daughter, Alfreda. Alex afterward married Bertha Noirot, and lives in Palmer township ; Nora is the wife of John Steffes, a farmer of Palmer township, and they have two children, Isabelle and Leonard, and Frances is the wife of Charles Burkhart and lives in Defiance.

Christ Steffen is a member of the Democratic party. He and his family are devoted and loyal members of the St. Nicholas's Catholic church at Miller City and contribute liberally to the support of this denomination. Christ Steffen and wife and their family are prominent in the community where they live, being interested in all good works and taking an active part in promoting them.

Martin Ball

Although Martin Ball represents the third generation of the Ball family in America, his father and his grandfather were born in Germany. Martin Ball himself, therefore, is the first generation of the Ball family born in this country. Martin Ball owns forty acres of land in Palmer township, which he received from his father. Here he has erected buildings and otherwise improved the land in many particulars. Aside from the forty acres which Mr. Ball owns, he also leases and farms eighty acres which belong to his brother, George, of North Creek. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Ball was engaged in farming land adjoining the farm upon which he now lives, and which he has since purchased.

John Ball now lives, on October 18, 1868. His parents were Ferdinand and Emeline (Gross) Ball, the former of whom was born on August 25, 1825, in Germany, and who came to America with his parents, Barney and Mary M. Ball, when very young. Barney and Mary M. Ball settled on a farm in Stark county, and later moved to Palmer township, Putnam county, and settled on forty acres which had been school land. Here they lived the remainder of their lives. Their children were Barney, George, Mathias, John and Ferdinand. All of these children are now deceased, with the exception of John. Ferdinand Ball married Eniehne Gross, May 13, 1845. She was a native of Luxemburg, Germany, born on January 10, 1831, and came to America with her parents when very young. They also settled in Stark county, Ohio. She was reared and educated there, and after her marriage moved with her husband to Putnam county. Ferdinand Ball had learned the blacksmith trade and established a shop on his farm. He devoted a part of his time to blacksmithing and a part to farming. By hard work, he increased his original farm of forty acres to about two hundred acres. He also acquired a farm of forty acres in Monroe township. In later years he retired from blacksmithing and devoted practically all of his time to farming. During the last year of the Civil War he enlisted in the Sixty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantiy, and rendered commendable service. At the close of the war he returned to Putnam county. He took -an active interest in the civic welfare of the county during his lifetime, but, nevertheless, was indifferent to politics. He devoted most of his time to his farm and the welfare of his family. Before his death, which occurred on January 16, 1910, he distributed his farms among his children. Mrs. Ferdinand Ball died on December 26, 1895. She was a loyal and faithful helpmate and did her part in behalf of the family fortune and future. Ferdinand Ball and his wife were highly esteemed people. Their children were Henry, John, Mary, George, William, Catherine (deceased), Susanna and Martin, the subject of this sketch. Henry and John live on the old homestead, in Palmer township ; George is a merchant at North Creek ; William is a farmer in Palmer township; Mary is now a Mrs. Engleman, of Palmer township; Susanna is unmarried and lives on the home, place. The late Ferdinand Ball and his wife for years attended the Sacred Heart Catholic church at New Bavaria, and later attended St. Joseph's church at North Creek. Mr. Ball gave the three acres of ground upon which St. Joseph's church is constructed. He had also contributed liberally to its support. Both he and his wife died on the farm where they had settled.

township. He lived on his father's farm until his marriage, which took place on January ii, 1898. Mr. Ball was married to Jennie Mollette, the daughter of Henry and Jane (Crago) Mollette, the former of whom was a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and the latter of Napoleon, Ohio. They were married at Napoleon and after their marriag-e lived at McClure. Subsequently; they moved to Palmer township, and in January, 1905, moved to Florida. They had six children: Philip, Mrs. Jennie Ball, Edward, Alma, AA'illiam and Grace. Philip, Alma and Edward live in Henry county; Grace lives in Nassau county, Florida, with her parents.

Martin and Jennie (Mollette) Ball have eight children, all of whom are living at home. They are as follow: Gertrude, born on September 3, 1899; Guy, August 16, 1901; Hildegarde, March i, 1904; Virgil, August 18, 1905; Ferdinand, April 3, 1908; Leo, February 5, 1910; Blanche, July 30, 191 1, and Magdalene, September 8, 1913.

Martin Ball is an able citizen in every respect. He is a substantial farmer, and a Democrat. The Ball family belongs to the St. Joseph's Catholic church at North Creek, and are prominent members of this church. Those of the children who go to school attend district school No. 3 in Palmer township.

Peter Williams

Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of this character is Peter Williams, a well-known farmer of Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio. Mr. Williams has performed well his part in the drama of civilization and has led a life that is exemplary in every respect. He has set an excellent example to the younger generation, and has been a leader in his county in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of the community. He lias done what good he could in all lines and has labored not only for the advancem.ent of his own interests, but for the welfare and advancement of his section of the county. Mr. Williams is well known in his township, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all his neighbors.

Peter Williams was bom on December 19, 1861, in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio, and is a son of Michael and Mary Ann (Frankhart) Williams, who were both natives of Germany. Mrs. Mary Ann (Frankhart) Williams came from Germany with her parents to America, and the family located on a farm in Seneca county, Ohio. The family consisted of the following children: Nicholas, Mary Ann, Jane, John, Catherine and John N.

Michael Williams came from Germany in an early day and also located in Seneca county, Ohio, and after his marriage to Mary Ann Frankhart, settled on a farm in that county, where he lived for a number of years, and later moved to Putnam county to a farm of eighty acres. To this farm he subsequently added more acreage from time to time until he owned one hundred and twenty acres of good farming land. Michael Williams and wife were the parents of the following children: Tillie, Margaret, John, Jacob,, Peter, Mary, Michael, Catherine Emma, Joseph, and two who died in infancy. Tillie and Joseph are also deceased. The mother of these children died in Landick, Ohio, while the father died in Palmer township, Putnam county. All the family were devout members of the Catholic church. Michael M. Wilhams was a Democrat and served as township treasurer for a number of years.

Peter Williams was educated in the schools of Palmer township and, before his marriage, worked on a farm. He also operated a saw-mill in partnership with his brother, John. This mill was located in Palmer township, and was operated for a number of years. Mr. Williams was married on September 12, 1893, to Alice L. King, the daughter of Solomon and Mary Katherine (Liese) King.

Solomon King was born in Fairfield county, Ohio; his wife was born in Sandusky, Ohio, and after their marriage they moved to Putnam county, Ohio, where they lived on a farm until Mr. King's death. His widow afterward moved to Wood county, Ohio, and from there to Lucas county, Ohio, and still later to Ontario, Canada, where she is still living, Solomon King and wife were the parents of the following children: Alice, Malinda, Ida Jane, Otho, Charles, Champ, Nora P. and Fred. Of this number Alice, Malinda, Charles and Nora are deceased. Those living make their home in Canada.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Williams moved to a farm consisting of thirty-five and one-half acres in section 9, of Palmer township. This farm Mr. Williams purchased before his marriage, and here he erected buildings and cleared and improved the land, bringing the farm to a high state of cultivation. Peter and Alice L. (King) Williams were the parents of two children, Howard P., born on August 16, 1895, and Glen W., on October 17, 1897. The mother of these children died March 5, 1914, and was buried in the North Creek cemetery. She was eminently respected in her neighborhood, a good mother and a faithful and devoted wife.

Mr. Williams stih lives on the farm where he settled soon after his marriage. His two sons assist their father on the farm. They are brio-ht and industrious boys, of whom their father is justly proud. Mr. Williams is engaged in general farming and has met with a very fair degree of success in his operations, being a man of sterling integrity, and known to be a stanch and honorable citizen, respected by all.

Air. Williams is a Democrat in politics, served his fellow citizens as township assessor for three years, and has also served on the school board of his township. His two sons were educated in the township schools, and Howard was a student in the high school at Miller City. The family are earnest and devout members of the Catholic church, in which denomination they are deeply interested.

Henry Burkhart

The Burkhart family is a very old one in Palmer township, Putnam, county, Ohio. Representatives of the family came to this county when it was a swamp and wilderness and developed good farms. Henry Burkhart's father farmed the same land and lived in the same house in which Henry Burkhart and his wife now live. Henry Burkhart himself owns a splendid farm of eighty acres in Palmer township, which was deeded to him by his father. It comprises a part of his father's estate. Henry Burkhart has always lived here, and has always occupied the old homestead. He applies himself industriously and intelligently as a farmer and is a hardworking, conscientious citizen. Henry Burkhart and wife had the misfortune to lose three children in 1913. It was a sad event and one which calledforth the sympathy of all their neighbors and friends. The Burkharts are not only good farmers, but they are highly respected citizens.

Henry Burkhart was educated in Palmer township, and grew up on his father's farm. He materially assisted in the development and improvement of this farm, and during his youth performed at least his share of the work on the farm. He applied himself industriously to tasks allotted to him.

Henry Burkhart was married on September 17, 1897, to Mary Klinshirn, daughter of John and Mary (Kramer) Klinshirn. Mary was one of eleven children born to her parents. Henry and Mary (Klinshirn) Burkhart have had nine children, three of whom are deceased: Herman, the eldest, deceased; Viola, deceased; Cletis, deceased; Herman was the first, Viola the fourth and Cletis the eighth child born to the parents. The living

Henry Burkhart's father, John Burkhart, was born in Germany and came to America at the age of twelve years, with his parents. They settled in Lorain county, Ohio, where he was educated and where he was married to Gertrude Pfeiffer. After their marriage, they followed farming for a time in that county, and later they removed to Palmer township, Putnam county, where he purchased eighty acres of land. This tract was increased by the addition of eighty acres in section 3, at a time when this part of Putnam county was a dense wilderness, heavily timbered and with scarcely any roads. It was necessary to overcome many obstacles to succeed in farming. John Burkhart cleared and drained the land and erected the buildings. At the time of his arrival in Putnam county the land was especially swampy. Later he purchased thirty acres more, in section 12, and at the time of his death he had a total of one hundred and ninety acres. He lived a life of great activity and unfailing industry. During the latter years of his life he lived retired, having divided most of his land among his children. He passed away on April 24, 1903. His wife, however, had died many years previously, October 5, 1889. They had twelve children : John, Elizabeth and Nicholas, the three eldest children, are deceased; Christ is now living in 'Florida; Mrs. Catherine Jackman lives at Fostoria, Ohio; Peter is deceased; Henry is the subject of this sketch; William lives in Heni-y county; Joseph is deceased; Mrs. Mary Little lives in Palmer township; Frank is deceased, and one child died in infancy.

Henry Burkhart's paternal grandparents were natives of Prussia. His grandfather was Nicholas Burkhart, who came to America with his family and settled in Lorain county, where they lived for many years, and where they died. They were sterling German citizens and pioneers in Lorain county, having been considered among the substantial citizens of their da}^ and generation. They had three sons and three daughters, all of whom are now deceased. The sons were Christian, Peter and John.

Henry Burkhart's maternal grandparents were also natives of Prussia. The maternal grandfather came to America with his family and settled in Lorain county. Their daughter, Gertrude Pfeiffer, was very young at the time. Mrs. Gertrude (Pfeiffer) Burkhart had been born in the same province as her father. Mrs. Burkhart's parents were both bom in Germany. Her maternal grandparents were Henry Kramer and wife, natives of Germany, who came to America when their daughter Mary, the mother of Mr. Burkhart's wife, was but twelve years old. They settled in Lorain county, and there died on a farm. Mrs. Burkhart's parents married in Lorain county, and after tlieir marriage moved to Henry county, where they settled on a farm. They first owned forty acres and later sold this farm and purchased one hundred acres in Pleasant township. Here John Klinshim lived until his death. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Sacred Heart church at New Bavaria, Henry county. His wife is still Hving on the old homestead in Henry county, and is a member of the same church. His death occurred in 1900, when he was sixty-three years old. Mrs. Klinshirn is now about seventy-five years of age. She was born on December 8, 1839. Six of their eleven children are deceased. The deceased children are: John, who died in infancy, and a second child named John; Michael and Margaret, the fifth and sixth born ; Peter, the eighth born, and Henry, the tenth born. George, the third child born, is living in Henry county, Ohio; Jacob, who was born after George, is living in Defiance county; Catherine, the seventh child, married a Mr. Westrick and lives in Henry county; Mary is the wife of Mr. Burkhart; Theresa, the youngest child, also married a Mr. Westrick, and lives in Henry county.

Henry Burkhart is a Democrat, but has never been especially active in politics, and is not active now. The family are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic church at New Bavaria. Mrs. Burkhart is a member of the Mothers' Society and prominent in its affairs. Henry Burkhart is a quiet and unassuming man, is a worthy citizen and is accorded this rank by his neighbors, with whom he is quite popular.

Lawrence Seimet

It must be interesting to note, in the series of personal sketches appearing in this volume, the varying conditions that have surrounded those whose careers are here given. An effort has been made to throw light upon the individuality of the individual and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities, deserves recognition whatever may be his field of endeavor. It is the function of a work of this nature to perpetuate, for future generations, an authentic record of those represented in these pages. No occupation is more important to our present scheme of society than that of farming and Lawrence Seimet is one of the leading farmers of Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio.

Lawrence Seimet was born on April 19, 1870, near New Riegel, Ohio- He is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Moreo) Seimet. Nicholas Seimet was born in the Duchy of Luxemburg, Germany, where his wife was alsoborn in Germany. Nicholas Seimet came to America at the age of eighteen years. He learned the tailor's trade in Germany and was educated there. He had relatives near Delphos, Ohio, and came there to the home of his brother-in-law, Adam Stark, where he engaged in farming and also spent two seasons in Illinois as a farmer. He was married on January 24, 1861, to Elizabeth Moreo after which they moved to a farm near Delphos, where they lived for two years. Mr. Seimet then worked as a boatman on the canal and later moved to Henry county, Ohio, and lived on a farm of forty acres. He sold this farm and purchased eighty acres in Henry county which he later sold. About 1903 he moved to Leipsic, Ohio, where he purchased a house and lot, and where he live.d for two years, and then moved to a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres in Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, which he had previously purchased. He remained on this farm until 1912, at which time he sold it and moved again to Leipsic, where he purchased city property, and where he now lives retired.

Elizabeth Moreo came to America with her parents at the age of four years and settled at New Riegel, Ohio, Seneca county. She was one of a family of six children, the others being Lawrence, Andrew, Anna, Barbara, and Julia. Nicholas Seimet was one of three children, John, who was born in Germany and died near Delphos, Ohio; Mrs. John Stark, who was born in Germany, came to America and settled near Delphos, Ohio, and Nicholas,- who was the youngest.

To Nicholas and Elizabeth (Moreo) Seimet wer? born eight children, John, Andrew, Mary, Helena, Lawrence, Joseph, George and William. Joseph and George are deceased ; Nicholas Seimet and wife are members of the St. Mary's Catholic church at Leipsic, Ohio. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on January 24, 191 1. This celebration was attended by thirty-six children and grandchildren and other relatives.

Lawrence Seimet was ediicated in Henry county, Ohio. He left Seneca county with his parents at the age 01 two years, when they moved to Henry county and settled near Holgate. He lived on his father's farm of eighty acres, in Henry county, and here he spent his boyhood days. He remained on this farm for about thirty years.

Lawrence Seimet was married on October 26, 1899, to Christina Diemer, the daughter of Peter and Isabella (ZoU) Diemer. Peter Diemer was born on April 23, 1844, on a farm near New Bavaria. At the age of twenty years.

in September, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged. He was honorably discharged on July II, 1865. He was married, in 1872, to Isabella ZoU and after his marriage, lived on a farm and also worked at the carpenter trade near New Bavaria, and while here erected a saw-mill and grist-mill and ran these for many years, or until the fall of 191 1, when he moved to Leipsic and occupied property which he had previously purchased. The property is located on Sugar street. Peter and Isabella Diemer have had four children, John, Mrs. Mary Zenz, Charles and Mrs. Christina Seimet.

Peter Diemer was a member of the Catholic church and was always a faithful attendant. He served as assessor of Marion township, Henry county, for seven years. Mr. Diemer contracted the fever in the swamps of the south during the Civil War, which afterward caused chronic rheumatism, from which he suiTered for many years and finally caused his death. He was -highly respected in the community where he lived.

After his marriage, Lawrence Seimet remained on his father's farm, in Henry county, for five years. During this time, he worked on shares. He purchased his first farm of forty acres in Palmer township and moved to it on December 15, 1904, which farm he rented for three years previous to moving upon it. In January, 1908, Mr. Seimet acquired forty additional acres in section 15, and about the same time also purchased thirty-three acres in section 26, making a total of one hundred and thirteen acres. He devotes his attention to general farming and raise? a good quality of stock. He has made many improvements upon this farm, such as fencing, draining and the erecting of commodious outbuildings, The residence has been remodeled and a new barn was built in 191 1.

Mr. and Mrs. Seimet have taken Loretta Sheeley, a second cousin of .Mr. Seimet, to rear. She became a member of the Seimet family when seven years of age and has been with Mr. and Mrs. Seimet since that time. She is attending school at the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Seimet have no children of their own.

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Seimet are members of St. Nicholas's Catholic church at Miller City. Fraternally, Mr. Seimet is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio. Mrs. Seimet is a member of the Mothers' Society of the St. Nicholas's church. Politically, Mr. Seimet is a Democrat. He served as township supervisor of Marion township, Henry county, for two years and has served four years as director of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. He also served and is now serving as township trustee, which office he has held for four years.

Daniel Hoffman

The thirty years which Daniel Hoffman has spent in Putnam county, Ohio, have been engaged in agricuUural pursuits, and with a success which speaks well for his efforts. Coming to this county in 1892, he has accumulated, as the result of his own efforts, a farm of three hundred and ninetythree acres of farm land in Liberty, Palmer and Ottawa townships, and the farmer who does this is certainly to be classed among the successful farmers of the county. Mr. Hoffman is one of the many German-American farmers of this county, and no doubt has inherited those sterling characteristics of his ancestors which are always conducive to thrift.

Daniel Hoffman, a son of Valentine and Wilhelmina (Schwartz) Hoffman, was born in Rheinpfalz, Germany, October 17, 1846. His parents came to America in the fall of 1851, and located in Pleasant township, Henry county, Ohio, and made that county their home the remainder of their lives.

Daniel Hoffman was five years of age when his parents came to America, where he was educated in Henry county, and where they located. After receiving such education as was given in his home schools, he worked on his father's farm until his marriage, and continued to live in Henry county for fourteen years after his marriage. He sold his farm in Henry county in 1892 and came to Putnam county, where he bought one hundred acres in the western part of the township, in sections 6 and 7. By good management and incessant industry, he has added to this until he is now the owner of three hundred and ninety-three acres, situated in three townships, two hundred and sixty of which is in Liberty township, all of which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He traded his farm in Allen county, Indiana, for eighty-three acres in Ottawa township, Putnam county, this state.

Daniel Hoffman was first married, in 1870, to Margaret Shall, who was born in Pleasant township, Henry county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Henry and Martha (Horning) Shall. Henry Shall was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, and his wife in Rheinpfalz. The first wife of Mr. Hoffman died in 1887, leaving five children, four sons and one daughter: Andrew, who died in 1889, at the age of seventeen; Henry, born on January 26, 1876, now living with his father; Charles, November i, 1877, married Louise Rose, and has five children, Viola, Howard, Robert, Virgil and Albert Edward ; George, February 13, 1880, who married Etta Violet Stall, and has four children, Harry, Walter, Olin and Vera; AVilhelmina, who first married Philip Desgranges, who died leaving her with three children, Cora, Ralph and Raymond. After the death of her first husband, Minnie married James Sugg, a farmer of Palmer township, and has one child by this marriage, Mary Elizabeth. The living children of Daniel Hoffman by his second wife are in Putnam county with the exception of Charles, who lives in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Daniel Hoffman was married the second time on October 9, 1894, tO' Rosina Fike, and to this second union two children have been born, Cora, on September 2, 1895, and Ora, August 23, 1897. Mr. Hoffman is an independent voter and prefers to cast his ballot for men rather than for platforms, feeling that in so doing he is best serving the interests of good government. He is a man of great energy, and during his life of more than twenty-three years in this county, has won the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Frank D. Balbaugh

The progress of Putnam county, Ohio, has been largely due to the untiring struggle and success of the German citizens who live in this county. Some residents have come with their fathers to wild homes in the great land of freedom; others have been born in Putnam county after the arrival of their parents, but all inhabitants born of German parents have proved splendid citizens, interested in the welfare of the community, loyal always to the country of their adoption. An enterprising citizen of Liberty township, of German descent, is Frank D. Balbaugh, who has been a resident of the county all his life.

Frank D. Balbaugh, the son of John P. and Christiana (Meyers) Balbaugh, was born on December 16, 1863, one-half mile north of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. John P. Balbaugh was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and at the age of eighteen years came to America, locating in Putnam county shortly after coming here. He became a farmer in Putnam county,, where he first bought land north of Ottawa, and later, in 1871, purchased land northeast of Elm Center. This land, in those early days, was all woods and water, with only a little dead timber on it. Here John P. Balbaugh built, a log house and started in to make a home for himself and family in the wilderness, and succeeded in developing a splendid farm of eighty acres. Christina Meyers came from France, at the age of two years, with her German parents, who settled north of Ottawa. John P. Ballaaugh and wife both died on the home farm near Elm Center; she in 1881, and he in 1892. They were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living.

his education in the schools of his neighborhood. On Thanksgiving Day, 1896, he was married to Minnie Heynes, the daughter of Frank and Anna M. (Schuler) Heynes. She was born at Leipsic and reared in that city. Her father was engaged in the saloon business in Leipsic until a year before his death. Frank Heynes was a native of Germany and Anna M. Schuler was born at Avon, Ohio, the daughter of Peter and Susan (Tisen) Schuler, who were natives of Germany and who lived near New Bavaria, Henry county, Ohio, until their death.

Frank Heynes moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1887, and there his death occurred in 1889, after which time his widow and Mrs. Balbaugh lived in Scott county, Indiana, later returning to Cincinnati, and still later moving to Defiance, Ohio. A^rs. Heynes now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. To Frank D. and Minnie (Heynes) Balbaugh six children have been born, Gertie, Alphonse, Harry, Emma, Frances and Robert.

Frank D. Balbaugh now owns a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty acres and is engaged in operating this land. Mr. Balbaugh is a member of the Democratic party, while he and his family are devout members of the Catholic church. They are held in high esteeem in the community where they have lived for so many years.

George Gores

Among the self-made, substantial and progressive citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, is George Gores, who has made his home in this county since 1886. Born and reared in Germany, he did not come to this country until he was thirty-one years of age, and in a remarkably short time has built up a business which demonstrated that he had exceptional ability. For many years he was extensively engaged in the well-drilling and wind-pump business, an industry which he conducted with excellent results. Since 1900 he has devoted all of his time to farming, and now has probably the finest country home in the county and one of the most improved and best cultivated farms.

George Gores was born on October 23, 1850, at Huscheid, Rhein Prov-" ince, Prussia. He attended the native schools of his Fatherland and worked on the home farm until 1881. In July of that year he came to America and first located at Fremont, Ohio. He remained here for two years and then -moved to Auburn, Indiana, where he engaged in the tubular well business, continuing in that line in the vicinity of Auburn for two years. He then moved to New Bavaria, Ohio, where he remained until April, 1886, at which time he moved to Leipsic, in Putnam county. He built up a business in well drilling, which continued for many years, and was mai'ked with unusual success. He was a pioneer in the business in this section of the state, his operations extending over Dekalb and Steuben counties, Indiana, as well as Futnam, Henry, Hancock, Defiance and Paulding counties, in Ohio. No man in his line conducted a larger business or was more successful in this section of the state.

After moviiig to Leipsic he became a partner in the Leipsic Machine Works, in 1892, and while connected with this firm for one year showed remarkable ability for management. He sold his interests in the machine works managing an extensive agency for the sale of agricultural implements and vehicles. While Hving in Leipsic he owned a handsome residence on South Easton street, and bought a farm of eighty acres a mile southwest of the town which was then in a dilapidated condition, but his energy was so untiring that he made it one of the best farms in Ohio. In 1889 he erected a good farm residence, and in 1895 he put up a large modern barn on the place. He put in a complete system of under-draining and spent a large amount of money in the improvement of the farm. In 1900 he moved from Leipsic to this farm and since then has devoted his entire attention to farming. He now has two hundred acres all in one tract and all under a high state of cultivation.

The beautiful country home of Mr. Gores has more modem improvements than most city residences. He has electric light wired from Leipsic, and his house is well lighted, jvith an eye both to convenience and beauty.' It is heated by furnace and he has both hot and cold rain water and cold well water piped over the house. A unique convenience is the fact that he has hot water piped to the bam, so that he can give his stock warm water during the winter. In the way Mr. Gores has improved his home and grounds he has set the pace, and his neighbors have emulated his example, and now for two miles the road on which his house fronts is called the "Main street," and it is said that nowhere in the state is there such another row of fine country homes.

Mr. Gores was a promoter of the Mutual Telephone Company of Leipsic, m 1901, of which he was president for several years. In 1908 he made a visit back to his old home country, and while there traveled over the route between Paris and Cologne, and saw Liege and all of the other places where the great war is now being fought. While living in Leipsic his progressive ideas won the notice and hearty approbation of his fellow townsmen, and he was twice elected to the city council, in 1897 and again in 1899.

Mr. Gores was married on November 19, 1885, to Mary Hoffman, of New Bavaria, Ohio, and his wife has proved an able assistant in the business undertakings of her husband. She was born in Nackshein, Rhein Province, Prussia, on December 21, i860, and came to America with her parents, John and Margaret (Kirst) Hoffman, in July, 1868, when she was seven years old. Her family located in Henry county, where they followed farming for the rest of their lives, and there she grew to womanhood, Mr. Gores and his wife are the parents of five children : John G. married Anna Wank and now hves on part of his father's farm; Anna S., the wife of Ferdinand Meyer, a farmer of this county; Katherine, Eva and George, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Gores have one grandchild, Elizabeth, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Meyer.

The family are all loyal members of the Catholic church, to which Mr. Gores is a liberal contributor. He is progressive, industrious, energetic and honorable, and has fought his own way to business success, and it can be truly said that he is one of the representative men of his county.

John Milton Jones

A native of the great Buckeye state and one of the successful young farmers of Putnam county, who owns a splendid farm in Palmer township, is John Milton Jones, who, early in life, became an expert saw filer and who, until some years ago, worked at this trade for a large lumber company in Alabama. Since engaging in farming, Mr. Jones has proved conclusively that persistent and well-directed effort is the surest guarantee of success. John Milton Jones has become, within a comparatively brief period, one of the most successful farmers of Palmer township and he is today one of the best-known and most highly respected.

John Milton Jones was born on August 28, 1875, in Guernsey county, Ohio. He is the son of Joseph and Malinda (Tanning) Jones. Joseph Jones was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and grew to young manhood on a farm in that county, where he was educated aftd married. From Guernsey county he moved to Illinois, after his marriage, and spent eight years on a farm. He then returned to Guernsey county, Ohio, and erected and conducted a saw-mill. This he operated for about two years and then came to Putnam county, locating on the present site of Continental. Here he built a saw-mill.

bringing the material with him from Guernsey county. He followed the sawmill business for some time in other parts of the county and state where timber abounded. In 191 1 he and part of his family moved to Nocatee, Florida, where he engaged as a saw filer for a large lumber and saw-mill company, being considered an expert at this business. He owns one large orange grove in Florida. His wife was born on September 10, 1856, in Guernsey county and was educated there.

John Milton Jones is the eldest of twelve children born to his parents. The others are Elizabeth, the wife of Celestian Noirot, of Palmer township; Airs. Emma Horning, of New Bavaria ; Charles, who lives in Alabama ; Jesse, who lives at Salesville, Mississippi ; Howard, who lives at Holmesville, Ohio ; Edna, who lives at Coshocton, Ohio; Mrs. Blanche McKelrey, who lives in Orrville, Ohio; Ida and Clyde, twins, the former of Palmer township and the latter of Nocatee, Florida; Hazel and Walter, both of Nocatee. The parents of these children also live in Florida.

John Milton Jones was educated in the public schools of Continental and lived with his parents until about 1900, assisting his father on the farm and in the management of the saw-mill. He went to Alabama in 1900 and took employment with the Horseshoe Lumber Company as a saw filer, having learned this trade under the direction of his father. Mr. Jones remained with this company steadily for two years and then returned to Putnam county, Ohio, where he was married on November 30, 1902, to Seluta Brinkman, who was born in Palmer township, Putnam county, and is the daughter of Frederick and Mary E. (Champion) Brinkman. Mrs. Jones was educated in Palmer township, Putnam county.

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Jones returned to Alabama with his wife and continued to follow saw filing as a trade. He also learned the millwright's trade and worked at this when he first returned south. In March, 1914, John M. Jones and wife returned to Putnam county. J/lrs. Jones had inherited one-half of a one-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm, and her brother, George, had inherited the other half. Mr. Jones purchased the interest of his brother-in-law and now owns and farms one hundred and sixty acres. He erected a splendid' new residence on this place in 19 14 and made many other improvements. He had erected a new barn in 1913. In fact, many substantial improvements have been made under the able direction and supervision of Mr. Jones. He has applied himself diligently to the development and improvement of the farm. One child, Ardath, was born to John Milton and Seluta (Brinkman) Jones on November 3, 1905.

John Milton Jones votes the Republican ticket in national affairs, but generally votes the Democratic ticket in local politics. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist church. John Milton Jones is an expert millwright and saw filer. He is also a splendid farmer, active, intelligent and much admired by the people of Palmer township.

Allen Huysman

Among the young men of Putnam county who have achieved a marked degree of success in commercial life, is the gentleman whose name forms the caption for this review. "Keep abreast of the times" is one of the heretofore unpublished mottoes which this young man has been following, and, by careful management, well-directed energy and unswerving loyalty to recognized fair-and-square business dealings, he has forged to the front and today carries the distinction of being one of the most successful business men throughout this region. Being a man of honorable methods and strictly progressive in his views, he holds the confidence of the people of his community and is well worthy of mention in a work of this nature.

Allen Huysman was born in Monterey township, this county, on January 17, 1889, and is the son of Cornelius and Lydia (Semer) Huysman. Cornelius Huysman's life record is given elsewhere in this work. His mother, Lydia (Semer) Huysman was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, and came to Putnam county, Ohio, with her parents when she was a little child but two years old. Allen's grandfather was born in Holland and later, coming to this country, was one of the early settlers in Monterey township, Putnam county, where he farmed his entire life and died in 1894. The grandmother died a few years previous to the death of her husband.

Allen Huysman received his early education in the Spangler school, in Van Wert county, and was under the guardianship of his Aunt Catherine Osenga, on account of the death of his mother on January 21, 1889, at which time he was but four days old. After finishing his schooling, Allen Huysman was married, on October 19, 191 1, to Irene Fierstos, a daughter of Joseph and Gertrude (Hermann) Fierstos, whose parents are now living in retirement in Ottoville, this county, and who were formerly engaged in farming. To Allen and Irene (Fierstos) Huysman have been born one child, a daughter, Marie.

implement business, under the name of George Wannemacher & Company and was financially interested in this concern. Having sold out his interests m this busmess, he purchased a site in Ottoville, this county, for the purpose of carrymg on busness as a dealer in automobiles. The building was not suitable and after enlarging and remodeling it for the purpose to which he intended using it, he secured the agency for the Ford automobiles and the Ford Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan, having found a hustling agent for their product in this part of Ohio, assigned him as exclusive agent for the townships of Monterey, Jennings and Jackson, in Putnam county, also Jackson township in Van Wert county. In addition to the selling of automobiles, Mr. Huysman conducts an automobile livery and garage, and does electrical work in connection with automobiles.

Allen Huysman is a stanch Republican, and though not active in politics, is aggressive in advocating those principles of the party which affect the public welfare. He does not claim affiliation to any particular church, but his wife IS an active and devout member of the Catholic church of Otto'ville Personally Mr. Huysman holds the respect of the entire community in which he lives and, being a man of genial disposition, makes friends easily and has the faculty of keeping them. His marked ability as a salesman, identifies him m this vicinity as a man possessing keen ability, and his success has been the result of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens who found him worthy in every respect.

John A. Simon

The late John Simon belongs to that class of men who win life's battles by sheer force of personality and determination, coupled with soundness of judgment and keen discrimination. In whatever the late John Simon undertook he showed himself to be a man of ability and honor. He was always ready to lend his aid in defending principles affecting public good and ably and conscientiously served the people of -his community.* Mr. Simon was prominent in the political and civic life of Palmer township^ where he lived for many years, and, having descended from one of the old pioneer families of this section of the state of Ohio, he was entitled to rank as a representative citizen. The late John A. Simon is remembered by a host of friends, who revere his memory and who yet do honor to the good name which he built up in Putnam county.