Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 3 of 33)

Levi Hummon was born the year after his parents located in Putnam consequently he was reared amid pioneer conditions. He attended the typical log-cabin school house with its slab desks, pine benches and puncheon floors. He helped his father clear the farm and erect the buildings. The first house on the old place was the ordinary log cabin. This was replaced a few years later by a hewed-log house, which was more pretentious, and it was on this farm Levi Hummon remained until his marriage m 1859. After teaching in one of the schools in that township for a year, he and his young wife located on a farm of eighty acres in Van Buren township, which they finally purchased. This farm is situated about three miles of Leipsic, to which four years later, they added another eighty acres. The farm was gradually brought under cultivation by Mr. Hummon and his growing sons, and it is safe to say there is not a more attractive or better improved farm in the county.

Levi Hummon was married on November 24, 1859, to Amanda C. Bolton, of Hancock county, Ohio. She was a daughter of John and Mary Bolton and was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 29, 1840, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born eleven children, Francis, Mary Matilda, John A., Ella L., Cyrus, Byron D., Irvin F., Jenna, Nettie May, Charles E. and Oscar P. Francis, born on November 3, i860, was first married to Maggie Sutter, who died; later he married Delia Hopkins, who is also deceased. His third wife was Ella Cole, of Tacoma, Washington. Two children born to the first marriage, who died in infancy' and to the second marriage six children were born, Merrill, Roy, Carl, Fay,' Ethel and Orlo. Mary Matilda, born on July 16, 1862, married Marion Learn, now deceased, and has two children, Glenn and Maud. She makes her home in Detroit, Michigan. John A., born on September 13, 1864 married Elizabeth Phfeister, and now lives in Van Buren township To this union eight children have been bom, Floyd, Esta, Guy, Carrol, Dale, Ona, Ormond and one who died in infancy. Ella B., born on September 20, 1866, died at the age of two, Cyrus, born on January 27, 1869, married Ella Dimple, Vernon, Michigan, and has one daughter, Leota. Byron B., born on July 20, 1871, was first married to Mattie Altman, and after her to Bertha Mintie. To his first marriage were born three children

Derril, Vera and Ina. He is now living at Carmangay, Alberta, Canada. Irvin F., born on July 9, 1874, married Emma Simmons, and has one son,. Irvin F., Jr. Irvin F. now lives at Berwin, Illinois. Jenna, born on October 26, 1876, died on October 29, 1876. Nettie May, born on June 2y, 1878,. died at the age of nineteen. Charles E., of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, born oil June 25, 1 88 1, was married to Mamie William, and has two daughters, Beulah and Elizabeth. Oscar P., of Leipsic, born on April 18, 1884, married Ethel A. Bush, and has one son, Raymond.

Mr. Hummon has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He has also been treasurer of his township. He has alwaysgiven his support to the Democratic party and been active in its affairs. Although he has not joined any religious organization he attends the- Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. Hummoa is still hale and hearty, despite his advanced age, and is able to recall many pioneer experiences, through which he passed in his boyhood days.

Louis W. Kuntz

Success in the mercantile business is founded on strict integrity, good business management and courteous dealings with the public. Such a business is likewise an evidence of the possession of these qualities, because na man can succeed very well without them. The Kuntz store, at Leipsic, Ohio, founded by the late Louis W. Kuntz, is conducted on these principles.

Louis W. Kuntz was born, in 1859, at West Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of Christian and Mary (Dietz) Kuntz. Christian Kuntz and wife were born, reared and married in Germany, and came to the United States about 1850. They first lived at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later came to West Leipsic, where they engaged in the saw-mill business. Later, Mr. Kuntz came to Leipsic and took a half interest, with Mr. Foltz, in the gristmill, at "the south end of Leipsic. He sold out his interest there, in the early seventies, and bought a farm at the south edge of the town, living there until July, 19 1 4. He died on February 6, 19 15, Christian Kuntz was eightynine years old and his widow registers an even four score and ten. They had been married nearly sixty years.

Louis W. Kuntz grew up at Leipsic, and, while a young man, worked in a dry goods store until about twenty years old. He then went into business for himself. He and William Cole were in the grocery business together.

but three years later they dissolved the business, when Louis W. and his brother went into a partnership, which lasted for about fifteen years. After that, Louis W. Kuntz continued in business until his death. At the time he and Mr. Cole were together they also operated a warehouse.

Louis W. Kuntz was married, in 1882, to Emma Wineland. She was born at Van Buren, Hancock county, Ohio, the daughter of George and Isabel (Morehead) Wineland. George Wineland was a native of Pennsylvania. Isabel Morehead was born on a farm in Hancock county, near Findlay. George Wineland and his brother conducted a saw-mill until he went tO' war. He served in the Civil War, as a soldier, dying in the service, o,f typhoid fever. At the time of his death he was still a young man. He left a widow and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Louis W. Kuntz was only about a year old at the time of her father's death. The mother later married Joseph Mitchell and lived in Mocomb. She afterward moved to Ottawa. The mother died in 1908 and is buried in Leipsic.

Mr. Kuntz erected the business block in which the Kuntz store is located, about 1900. This is a substantial two-story brick building. Charles Edward Kuntz, his son, _ who now operates the store, was born July 25, 1883, in Leipsic, Putnam county. For ten years he was chief clerk in the office of the Nickel Plate railroad, at Leipsic Junction, and resigned that place to take charge of the store, at the time of his father's death. He was married, in August, 1905, to Bessie Sherrard. She was bom in Blanchard township, Putnam county, the daughter of Chester and Carrie (Maidlow) Sherrard. Chester Sherrard was born in Blanchard township and a sketch of his life is found elsewhere in this volume.

Louis W. Kuntz was a Republican. At various times he was nominated by his party for county treasurer and county clerk and served on the city council several terms, and also on the school board. He was a member of the school board at the time the new building was erected. Mr. Kuntz was a member of the Presbyterian church, a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. He was master of finance in the Knights of Pythias for twenty-five years, holding this office until his death, and was also secretary of the Masonic lodge. He died on June 25, 1912. Mrs. Kuntz owns the store, left by her husband.

Charles Edward Kuntz, the present manager of the store, is a Republican and is now serving as treasurer of Van Buren township. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Charles E. Kuntz is a highly educated woman, and very popular in her community. In fact, the whole Kuntz family are popular throughout the county, where they have occupied a prominent place for so many years.

William D. Starling

An enterprising druggist, of Leipsic, Ohio, is William. D. Starling, who has been located in this city since 1901. He started to work in a drug store while still a lad in school and has made this his life work. He not only has a practical knowledge gained from long experience behind the prescription counter, but also has a technical training, which comes from a good college course. As a result, he is a thoroughly competent and efficient pharmacist. He is now a partner in the drug firm of Starling & Buckley, at Leipsic, and has active charge of the store in this city.

William D. Starling, the son of Erastus B. and Alice (Hamilton) Starling, was born at Middle Point, Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1881. His father was born near Oil City, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and is a son of Jonathan and Sarah Starling. His mother was born in Middle Point, Van Wert, Ohio, and is the daughter of John Hamilton and wife. His father is now engaged in the dairy business at Payne, Ohio.

William D. Starling was reared to manhood in Payne, Ohio, and while still in school began to work in a drug store. After leaving school he continued as a drug clerk, but feeling the need of technical training along pharmaceutical lines, became a student in the Northern Normal University at Ada, Ohio, where he took the course in pharmacy. After leaving college, he returned to Payne and remained there until 1901. In that year he came to Leipsic and took a position in the drug store of C. S. Buckley, and, in 1908, became a partner with Mr. Buckley. Mr. Starling now has active charge of the store in Leipsic, Mr. Buckley maintaining his residence at Findlay, Ohio. Their store is well stocked with a complete line of drugs and a varied assortment of druggists' sundries. He enjoys a well-deserved patronage in Leipsic and the surrounding community, and has one of the best and most attractively-arranged drug stores in the county.

Mr. Starling was married in June, 1904, to Mary Archer, who was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Wilson and Margaret (Trott) Archer. Her parents moved to this county while she was still a child and took charge of the Central house, at Leipsic, and they

William D. Starling is an active Republican and takes an intelligent interest in political affairs. He is now serving his second term on the city council and always gives his support to such measures as he believes will be for the benefit of the city. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally, he is a Free and Accepted Mason and has attained to the Temple degree. He also holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias.

Howard C. Hummon

A successful business man of Leipsic, Ohio, is Howard C. Hummon, who has spent his whole career of forty-five years in this county. Born and reared on the farm in Liberty township, he has been engaged in the implement business in Leipsic since 1898, and has built up a large business. He has been active in the councils of the Democratic party in his county, and has served with credit as county recorder for two terms. He is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, deeply alive to the welfare of his community, and in all things stands as a high type of the good American citizen.

Howard C Hummon, the son of Adam and Nora (Guthrie) Hummon, was born on November 30, 1870, in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio. His father was born in Riley township, this county, in 1839, and was a son of John Hummon and wife, early settlers in Riley township. John Hummon was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent.

Adam Hummon was a life-long farmer and spent practically all his, days in Liberty township. His wife, Nora Guthrie, was born in Monroe township, in this county, and died about 1884. Adam Hummon was at one time the nominee of the Democratic party for county treasurer, having previously served as treasurer of Liberty township. He died in 1902. Three children were born to Adam Hummon and wife : Truman F., deceased; Howard C., of Leipsic, and John E., of Denver, Colorado.

Howard C. Hummon was reared on his father's farm and received his elementary education in the schools of Liberty township. He then became a student in Crawfis College, and later taught school one term in Liberty township. He then engaged in farming, and, after his marriage in 1893, continued in agricultural pursuits for five years. Mr. Hummon sold his farm of eighty acres in the spring of 1898 and engaged in the implement business at Leipsic, and now deals in all kinds of agricultural implements, buggies and automobiles. He has built up a wide acquaintance throughout the county. By treatnig all of his customers with uniform fairness and consideration, he has built up a large and lucrative trade. He tries to see that every one of' his customers is satisfied, and by his uniform courtesy and honesty in all transactions, has succeeded to an admirable degree in building up his trade.

_ Mr. Hummon was married in 1893 to Clara C. Miller, who was a native of Blanchard township, and is a daughter of Joseph H. Miller and wife. Her father was born and reared on a farm in Blanchard township where he spent all of his life. He was a director of the county infirmary for two terms, and died m November, 1913, his wife having passed away several years previously.

Mr. Hummon is a stanch Democrat and has always been active in the councils of his party. He was elected recorder of Putnam county in 1908 and took his office in September of the following year. His first term was so satis tactory that he was renominated and elected for a second term holding the office until September, 1913. Since that time he has devoted' all of his attention to his rapidly-increasing business in Leipsic. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias while he and his wife are both loyal members of the Lutheran church

Frank Edgar Critchet

The village of Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, has no more enterprising citizen than Frank Edgar Critchet, who has been engaged in business m that place for the past quarter of a century. His parents moved to this county in 1871, where he has lived since that time, having followed farming and public school teaching before engaging in a general mercantile business. Li addition to his general store, he is also a funeral director and has been engaged in the undertaking business at Belmore since 1900' He has been active in the life of the community and filled various official positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens.

Frank E. Critchet, the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann (Milburn) Critchet, was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 27, 1861 His father was a life-long farmer and also operated a threshing outfit during the summer seasons for a number of years. The family moved to Putnam county in 1871, and located in the southern part of Van Buren township, where Andrew J. Critchet bought a farm and lived most of the remainder of his life. He died at Belmore, March 7, 191 1, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife had died in 1898. Andrew J. Critchet was a member of Company C, Seventy-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, and served with distinction in that conflict.

Frank E. Critchet was ten years of age when his parents moved from Licking county, Ohio, to Putnam county, and consequently, received his elementary education in those counties. After finishing the common schools of Van Buren township, in Putnam county, he became a student at Crawfis College, and then engaged in public school teaching in Henry county, Ohio, for two years. Mr. Critchet started a grocery store in Belmore in 1890, and has been in business here since that time. He had only one hundred and fifty dollars when he started in the business, but by careful economy and good business judgment, has built up a large and lucrative trade in Belmore and the surrounding country. He now has a general mercantile establishment and handles a general line of goods, such as is found in stores of this kind. He graduated from the Champion College of Embalming at Springfield, Ohio, in 1900, and has been engaged in the embalming and undertaking business at Belmore since that year.

F. E. Critchet is the son of William H., and has charge of the switchboard and lines and is general manager of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company in Belmore.

Mr. Critchet was married on February 23, 1887, to Minnie Miley, a steamstress of Belmore, who was a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Leffler) Miley. Her parents moved to Putnam county in 1863, and located twO' miles south of Belmore, where the parents lived until late in life. They spent their declining years in Belmore. Mrs. Critchet's father was trustee for a number of years. He -died in March, 1908, and his wife died in October, 1902. Mr. Critchet and his wife have one son, William H.

Mr. Critchet has always supported the Democratic ticket, and for many years has been one of his party's leaders in this county. He served two terms as township assessor and was mayor of Belmore for one term. He helped to organize the annual reunion of former residents of Licking, and has been president of the society for the entire nine years it has existed. These reunions are held annually in Putnam county, and the 19 14 meeting was held on September 10, in a grove one and one-half miles south of Belmore. Mr. Critchet is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, where he and his wife both belong to the Daughters of Rebekah. He has a number of interesting old relics, including an ancient lantern, an. old flint-lock muzzle-loading pistol, and old-style grease lamp, and a Bible that was printed in Edinburgh in 1782. Mrs. Critchet has been a dressmaker at Belmore for the past twenty-five years. They are most estimable people and are highly esteemed in the community where they have lived sO' many y«ars.

William Martin Risser

Clearly-defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in obtaining a large measure of success. In tracing the career of one who has attained tangible results as the consequence of his own efforts, there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, that there is found an incentive to inspiration and, at the same time, there is inward a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made William Martin Risser one of the prominent and successful farmers of Putnam county, have also won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens; for his career has been one of well-directed energy,, strong determination, and honorable, straightforward business relations. William Martin Risser is the largest individual cattle feeder in Putnam county and is also a feeder of more hogs every year than any other farmer residing in this county, a distinction of no small consequence in a county that is reputed for its many splendid farms and extensive farmers.

Mr. Risser is well equipped for raising great numbers of cattle and hogs. His main barn is eighty by one hundred and thirty feet, and fifty feet high. His horse stables, feeding room, and cow stables are forty-four by eighty feet; and the cattle' feeding space covers an area of eighty-six by eighty feet. All of this is under one roof, to which has been added an adjoining shed, one hundred and thirty by eight feet. This barn was built in 1913, at a cost of approximately eight thousand dollars. Here is to be found room for twenty head of horses, and five milch cows, besides one hundred head of cattle. Mr. Risser also has about thirty-five head of hogs in this barn, and can accommodate a hundred and fifty more. The feed is stored in the upper story, from which it is dropped through five openings to feed boxes on the ground floor. Around each of these boxes twenty head of cattle can feed. The second barn is one hundred and six by seventyfour feet, and is used exclusively for cattle and hogs. In this barn Mr. Risser can accommodate a hundred head of cattle, and one hundred and fifty head of hogs. William Martin Risser also lives in a large and comfortable residence, consisting of eighteen rooms, and which is equipped with two baths. It has a laundry and a pipe-water plant moved by the pressure system; also a cistern, which holds three hundred and fifty barrels of water. The house is heated by hot water from basement to attic. Mr. Risser's successful operation as a farm manager, and his success during the past twenty years, has been little short of remarkable.

Mr. Risser was born on March 29, 1871, in Riley township, Putnamcounty, Ohio. He is a son of David and Margaret (Krohn) Risser. David Risser was born at Derkheim, Bavaria, Germany, April 5, 1840, and is the son of Abraham and Catherine (Vonvennig) Risser. Mr. Risser's mother, who was Margaret Krohn, before her marriage, is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Weaver) Krohn, and was born in Butler county, January 5, 1844. At the age of three months she was brought by her parents to Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio.

When a young man, William Martin Risser attended the Kiene district school until he was eighteen years old. He averaged about eight weeks in school each winter, and during the remainder of the time he worked on. the farm with his father. Subsequently, he attended the Pandora high school under the tutelage of his brother, George, who was principal of this^ school. The first year he was in school for seventy days, and the second year he was in school for seventy-two days. Following his work in the Pandora high school, he took a ten-weeks business course at the Ohio Northern University at Ada. On completing this course, he had arrived at the age of twenty-one. Prior to this time, with the exception of the short period he was in school, he had been the mainstay of his father in the management and work on the large farm.

After returning from Ada, he worked for his father for two years without compensation, and then went into partnership with him for the ensuing sixteen years. The first eight years his share of the net profits was ten per cent., and the balance of the sixteen years his share was twentyper cent.

ment made at that time. Mr. Risser attributes his success, as a farmer and stock raiser, to the instruction he has received in the school of hard work, under the expert guidance of his father.

William Martin Risser was married at the age of twenty-four, on November 27, 1895, to Elizabeth Lemley, the daughter of Jacob L. and Sarah Jane (Layton) Lemley. Mrs. Risser was born on August 31, 1875, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. Her father was a native of Morgantown. West Virginia, born on July 10, 1837, and a son of Asa and Elizabeth (Evans) Lemley, both of whom were natives of western Pennsylvania. Mrs. Risser's mother was born on July 10, 1838, close to Morgantown, West Virginia. She is the daughter of Peter A. and Catherine (Liming) Layton, who were natives of West Virginia. Mrs. Risser was one of six children born to her parents. The others were Alice M., Charles, Mary, Katie and Sarah S. Her father and mother came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1871. They had been married ten years previously, on Februarv 7, 1861.

Mrs. Risser received her education in the common schools of Pandora, and lived with her parents one-half mile north of the town, until she was married.

William Martin Risser is not only the largest individual cattle feeder in Putnam county, but he is, likewise, the largest feeder of hogs. He is considered one of the most progressive farmers in the county and his success has been little short of phenomenal.

Mr. and Mrs. Risser have been the parents of five children. Margaret Jane was born on December 2, 1896. Irene Beatrice was born September 5, 1897. Phyllis Francesca was born on August 24, 1899. David Lemley was born on January 4, 1901. Lillian Elizabeth was born on April -27, 1905.

Mr. Risser is a Democrat. He is now serving his second term as trustee and also his second term as a member of the school board. Both of these oifices were conferred upon him with solicitation on his part, which is no small tribute to his career as a citizen, and is evidence of the great esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. Mr. Risser is now the secretary and is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Banking Company, of Pandora, and gives to this business a share of his personal attention. William Martin Risser is a man who is highly respected by his fellow citizens and is honored for his industry, good business management and square dealing.

Henry Moening

Every nation on the earth has contributed its quota to the population of the United States, but no nation has furnished better citizens for our country than has Germany. Thousands of its best citizens have come to this country and become valuable members of the various communities in which they have settled. Putnam county, Ohio, has attracted many of these citizens and hundreds of their descendants are now living v\rithin its borders. Henry Moening, the son of John Henry and Mary (Recker) Moening, was born on January i, 1838, on a farm about one and one-half miles south of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, on section 33. His parents were both born in Germany, his father being born in Ausnabruk, and his mother in the same locality.

John Henry Moening was reared in Germany and came to America in the early thirties and located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he worked for a year on the Wabash and Erie Canal. His wife, Mary Recker, and her two brothers came across the ocean at the same time, when she cooked for the workmen on the canal. One of her brothers, Louis, lived near Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, and at her brother's home, she and Mr. Moening were married. After their marriage, they moved to the farm where Henry Moening was born, and there John H. Moening and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They started with a little farm of forty acres, principally covered with forest trees, and by hard work and good management, they have accumulated a farm of three hundred acres.

Henry Moening had a brother, Herman, and a sister, Mary, both of whom are deceased. He was reared on the farm where he was born and lived on this farm continuously for seventy-six years. Being the only child, he inherited his father's farm and made it his home until the fall of 1914, when he retired and moved into Glandorf, where he is now living. He has sold his farm in order that he might not have the burden of caring for it and having it on his hands during his declining years.

Henry Moening was married, in 1859, to Elizabeth Ellerbrock. She was born at Glandorf, in Hanover, Germany, and when six months of age, came with her parents, Theodore and Katherine (Kracht) Ellerbrock, to this county, the family arriving here in 1836. The Ellerbrock family are responsible for the name of the village, Glandorf, in this county, that being their native town in Germany.

who married Elizabeth Uphaus and has nine children; Herman, of Putnam county, who married Elizabeth Brockman and has four children living and one deceased; Barney, of Ottawa, who married Theresa Hueve and has five children; Henry, who died at the age of twenty-two; Theodore, who married Matilda Brockman and left five children at his death, April 6, 1914;. WiUiam, who died at the age of eighteen; Mary, who lives in Glandorf with her father. The mother of these children died on September 16, 1907, at the age of seventy-two.

Five of Mr. Moening's children are married and have families of their own. Here are presented the grandchildren of Mr. Moening: The children of John: Elizabeth, Caroline, Clara, Lucy, Gertrude, John, Frances, Lawrence and Agnes. The children of Herman: Herman, Romanus, Sylvester, Laura and Catherine, deceased. The children of Barney: Veronica, Harry, Joseph, Alfred, Leo and Philomina, who died in infancy. The children of Theodore: Lavina, Adeline, Amanda, Clarence and Hilarius.

Mr. Moening and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church and deeply interested in its welfare and generous contributors to its maintenance. He is a Democrat and, while interested in everything which pertains, to good government, has never taken an active part in political affairs. Mr. Moening is one of the grand old pioneers of the county and has always lived a clean and wholesome life, and richly merits the high esteem in which he is held by everyone who knows him.

Orren Eugene Townsend

The character of a community is determined, in a large measure, by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. H its moral and intellectual status is good; if, in a social way, it is a pleasant place to reside; if its reputation, as to the integrity of its citizens, has extended to another locality, it will be found that the standards set by the leading business men have been high, and their influence tends to mold the character and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the late Orren Eugene Townsend in the front ranks of such men, justice is rendered to a man, universally recognized throughout the locality, long honored by his citizenship as one who stood for all good things. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with noambition for public position or leadership, he contributed much to the civic and moral advancement of his community. The admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life, won for him the esteem and confidence of the circle in which he moved. Although he is now sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence still lives and his memory is revered, not alone by his widow and children, but by the circle of men and women who knew him and who loved him for his true worth.

Orren Eugene Townsend grew up at Bluffton, attending the public schools of that place and the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, where he a splendid education. After leaving college, Mr. Townsend engaged in the lumber business in Bluffton, and, with his brother and father, conducted a saw-mill until 1887. He then moved to Leipsic, Putnam county, in 1887, and operated a planing-mill at that place until two years before his death, first, with his father, and later, in partnership with John Zahrend a Mr. Kober. These men did business under the firm name of Leipsic Lumber Company. Mr. Townsend moved to Irvine, Kentucky, in the spring -of 1899, where his company had opened a saw-mill along the Kentucky river. Here they were able to get their lumber from the source of supply and to eliminate the middle man. Mr. Townsend died there on May 10, 1901.

Mr. Townsend was a public-spirited citizen and, throughout his life was one of the foremost citizens in the improvement of Leipsic. He was progressive in his work and built one of the handsomest homes in Leipsic. Through his efforts were due the erection of many excellent business buildings, among them the Townsend block, one of the best in the city. He was -a faithful husband, a kind father, an obliging neighbor, and a zealous Christian, in the practical sense of the word. Mr. Townsend was a devout member of the Methodist church and, throughout his life, was active in the church and Sunday school.

At his death he was survived by a widow and three children, Leila, Harry and Grace, all of whom live at home with Mrs. Townsend. Harry has a large garage and is in the automobile business.

Mrs. Townsend, before her marriage, was Jennie E. Hall. She married Mr. Townsend, December 16, 1879. She was born at Gilboa, in this county and is the daughter of John F. and Nancy J. (Hoagland) Hall.

John F. Hall was born, at Gilboa, and was the son of Samuel, who was a prominent pioneer citizen of Putnam county. He came to Blanchard township in 1832, from Jackson township, Muskingum county, and was the second settler in that township. The county was then a wilderness, but here he and the Hickerson family, who came with him, lived a week in one cabin till each could raise a small cabin for their respective families. Indians passed every day and night and sometimes came to the cabin in large crowds to trade. Ah had to be fed liberaUy when they came, and some of them would drink seven or eight cups of tea or coffee. This story is told, however, in the historical section of this volume. The first sermon preached in this county was preached in Samuel Hall's cabin, two years after the Halls moved here. Samuel Hall's wife was Martha Wamsley, the daughter of John and Mary (Robinson) Wamsley. Mary Robinson was the daughter of William Robinson, who, at the time of the Indian war, was taken prisoner by Chief Logan and his men and brought to Ohio, where he was kept a prisoner for four months. He moved his family in 1800, including his wife and ten children, all of whom were married and had children of their own, to a place where he had been imprisoned. The family moved at once from Clarksburg, Harrison county, A^irginia, upon pack horses, entered a large tract of land on the Muskingum river. Samuel Hall was born in Morgantown, Virginia, in 1803, and at the age of three years, he and his 'parents came to Licking county, where he was married on April 14, 1824. In the fall of 1831 he selected a farm site in the wilderness, in Blanchard township, comprising one hundred and seventy-five acres. He moved here in the spring of 1832, and in nearly every direction there were no neighbors for twenty miles.. His son, John F Hall, married Nancy Hoagland on May 15, 1857. He died on November 11, 1862, leaving three daughters, Mrs. H. L. Hunter, Mrs. O. E. Townsend and Mrs. John Zahrend. After Mr. Hall's death, his widow married H. J. Call and spent her last years in Bluffton. She was a faithful and conscientious member of the Methodist church and active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Reverting to Orren E. Townsend's history, it may be said that his father, Ira M. Townsend, was born on November 19, 1833, in Franklin county. New York and died at Bluffton, Ohio, in January 11, 191 1, at the age of seventy-seven. Ira M. Townsend came from an old colonial family of English Puritan stock. His father, Appleton Townsend, was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, who married Roxie Fields, of Franklin county, New York.

When Ira M. Townsend was eight years old he was brought by his parents to Ohio and learned the saddler's trade, in Knox and Hardin counties. He worked at his trade in Bluffton twelve years and located there, in 1852. He was married at Jamestown, New York, October 29, 1852, to Catherine Thompson, a native of New York. He engaged in the milling business in partnership with E. N. Woodford, in 1853, but for one year, however, Mr. Townsend was not actively engaged in business. During the years 1865 and 1866 he engaged in the milling business, in Michigan, and.

after his return to Bluffton, entered the saw-mill business again. This time his mill was blown up by a boiler explosion and after it was rebuilt, fire destroyed it in 1887. He rebuilt it a second time, in 1896, but again it was destroyed by fire. His determination was invincible, and he rebuilt again.. He conducted the mill until 1904 and then sold out to the Bluff^ton Turned Goods Company and continued with this firm, as president of the company,, until his death. At the time of his death, Mr. Townsend was the oldest member of his lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Methodist church from his youth and was always an upright, sincere, Christian man, liberal in his donations and ever willing to help hischurch and other denominations as well. He was very widely known and a man of sterling character and the qualities of heart which won for him the deep respect and friendship of all with whom he came in contact

Born of such a father, it is not to be wondered that the late Orren- Eugene Townsend was a man known and respected among men. Many of his good traits he inherited from his father, but in preserving these traits, he deserves credit for being the worthy son of a good father.

Walter S. Stevenson

One of the younger lawyers of Putnam county, Ohio, is Walter S. Stevenson, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in thiscounty at Leipsic since 1907. Graduating from the law school in 1904 he was admitted to the bar in the same year and practiced at North Baltimore until he came to Leipsic in April, 1907, to become a member of the law firm of I^ower & Stevenson. This firm also deals in insurance, real estate, loans and bonds.

^Walter S. Stevenson, the son of Isaiah B. and Mary (Epler) Stevenson, was born in Henry county, Ohio, May 2, 1882. His father was born in Henry county, Ohio, in 1854, and was a son of Enoch G. and Anna ( Racier) Stevenson. Enoch G. Stevenson was born in Franklin county, Ohio, south of Columbus, in 1820, and during his youth lived near Columbus Grove in Putnam county, but was married in Henry county. The grandfather of Enoch G. Stevenson came form England where he still remembers seeing his grandfather's uniform and sword. Family tradition says that this grandfather was a colonel in the British army, but was discharged from the service by Lord Howe, because he refused to fight the American colonists,

Henry county, Ohio on a farm. During twenty-two winters he taught school in that county and thousands of children came under his instructions during that long period. His wife, Mary Epler, was born in Shelby Ohio, and was a daughter of Peter and Rachel (Ward) Epler. Peter Epler was native of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and Rachel Ward was irom New Jersey. Her grandfather was in the American Revolution.

Walter S. Stevenson was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Henry county. After finishing the common and high school courses of his county, he became a student in Defiance College, remaining there for one year, when he went to Ada, Ohio, where he spent four years, completing the rscientific and law courses in that excellent institution. He received the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws degrees, completing his law course in the spring of 1904. In the same spring he was admitted to the practice of law, and hung out his shingle at North Baltimore, Ohio. Here he remained until 1907, when he came to Leipsic to make his permanent home.

Mr. Stevenson was married on April 4, 1905, to Hattie Jaqua, who was born and reared in Hancock county, Ohio, and is a daughter of W. Alfred and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Jaqua. Her parents have lived near Hamler, Henry county, for a number of years. Her father is a farmer, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Stevenson and his wife have three sons, H. Clinton, William A. and Walter K.

Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Royal Arch Masons. He is a young man of great energy and ability, and although he has been in this city but a comparatively short time, yet he has already forged to the front at the local bar, and the success which has attended his efforts thus far promises a bright future for him.

George Henry Bach

All of the German citizens, who have made Putnam county their home, have been unusually successful in whatever line of activity they have chosen to engage. George Henry Bach, one of the many farmers of this county who was born in Germany, has accumulated a farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres in Riley township through his own hard work and good management. While he has been accumulating a comfortable competence for himself and 'family, he has also taken an active part in the civic

George Henry Bach, the son of John George and Catherine (Becker) Bach, was born on January i, 1850, in Bavaria, Germany. His father, who was a son of John Thomas Bach and wife, was born in Bavaria on February 7, 182 1, and came to America in January, 185 1.

John George Bach was married in Germany and three of his children, including George Henry, were born in the Fatherland. He first settled in New Jersey, and two years later moved with his family to Hancock county, he located in Arcadia. There he leased a few acres of land, which he cleared for the rental. He later rented a couple of farms and, after about eight years, moved to Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio, where he arrived on April 10, 1861. He bought forty acres of farm land, which he cleared, and later added eighty acres more. John Thomas Bach .and wife only lived in Ohio about two or three years, and then returned to New Jersey, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Catherine Bach, the wife of John George, died on July 4, 1868, she and her husband having reared a family of eight children, Jacob, Mary, George Henry, Thomas, William, Edward, Eva and Daniel H. Jacob died at the age of ten and Edward died at the age of seven. John George Bach was married the second time to Fredericka Mollenhauer, in 1872, a daughter of Philip Mollenhauer, and to this second union was born one son, Ludwig Berhard.

George Henry Bach was only one year of age when his parents came from Germany to this country. He received his early education in Hancock and Putnam counties, and from his earliest boyhood worked on his father's farm. He remained at his home until he was twenty years of age and then worked for two years in his home neighborhood. He next went to Cleveland and worked for three years in a dairy. He followed this with -eight years' work in Iowa. In that state he worked out for four years, and then, with his brother, bought one hundred and thirty-four acres, which he farmed for four years. He then disposed of his interests in the Iowa farm and returned to Putnam county, Ohio, where he bought fifty-five acres near the old home farm. To this he later added thirty-eight acres adjoining, as well as forty-five acres near the village of Townwood. Mr. Bach has been a very successful farmer, has given particular attention to live stock raising, and has a fine herd of Shorthorn and Polled-Durham cattle. This farm is well improved, and under his skillful management, is yielding satisfactory returns, year after year.

Mr. Bach was married on October i6, 1883, to Sarah Catherine Smith, a daughter of Henry and Albertina (Tegler) Smith. She was born near Fostoria, Hancock county, Ohio, October 16, 1856. Her parents were born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and came to America, about 1854, locating immediately in Hancock county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Her father died there, October 4, 1897, at the age of seventy-four years, and her mother passed away, on January 15, 1896, at the age of sixty-seven years and four months. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of seven children, Sarah Catherine, William Frederick, George Henry, Sophia Louisa, John Wilson, Mary Cordelia, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Bach and his wife are the parents of four children, Cordelia Elvira, Tena Alberta, Viola and Katie L. Tena Alberta, who died on January 16, 1912, left her husband, John W. Miller, with one daughter, Florence Edna. The other three children are single and still living with their parents.

Mr. Bach and his family are loyal members of the Presbyterian church. He has served as trustee of his denomination and is now an elder in the church. He has given his support to the Democratic party and has served on the school board of his township. Mr. Bach is a man of excellent character and is highly esteemed throughout the community where he has made his home for so many years.

Joseph Nienberg

Since 1858, Joseph Nienberg has been a resident of Putnam county, Ohio, and has spent his whole career, in Glandorf, since locating in the county. He learned the tinner's trade when a young man and followed that vocation until he was about thirty-five years of age. Later he engaged m the hardware business, and as he prospered from year to year, added various other departments to his store, until he now has three separate stores in Glandorf. An interesting feature of the success of Mr. Nienberg is the fact that seven of his eight children are partners in the business.

Joseph Nienberg, the son of B. H. and Angela (Sprehe) Flerkinhoff- Nienberg, was born in Minster, Auglaize county, Ohio, in 1843. His father was born in Hanover, Germany, and was probably about twenty years of age when he came to America, and located at Minster, in Auglaize county, Ohio.

county, and, after his marriage, engaged in the mercantile business in connection with which he ran a bakery. He was in business in Minster, Ohio, until his death. The wife of B. H. Nienberg was born in Ausnabruk' Germany, and was married in her native land to H. Herkinoff, and came with him to America and located at Minster, where he died, leaving her with two sons, Herman and Frank. To her second marriage, to Mr. Nienberg, were born six children, Mary, Joseph, William, Annie, Agnes and Dine.

Joseph Nienberg was reared, until he was fifteen years of age, in A/[inster, and there received a good common school education. He came to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1858 and made his home with his aunt, Mrs. Henry Wedaking. After coming to Glandorf he learned the tinner's trade, and followed it for many years. He went into the tinner business for himself about 1861, to which he added a stock of stoves. He started a dry goods store about 1870,' and has operated it ever since. He and Joseph Thome, his brother-in-law, started a hardware store in 1894, which they continued in partnership until 1898, when Mr. Thome died. Mr. Nienberg then continued the business alone until 1909, when he took several of his children into partnership with him. He added a furniture store in 191 o, so that the family now have three separate stores in Glandorf, a hardware store, a dry goods and general merchandise establishment, and a furniture store. These stores do a big business in Glandorf, and the surrounding community, and it is safe to say that Mr. Nienberg does more business than any other man in the village. Joseph Nienberg has been twice married. He was first married, in 1866, to Annie C. Kemper, who was born in Glandorf, the daughter of B. H. Kemper and wife. Mr. Kemper was a native of Germany and located in Glandorf about a year after the village was established. He first took a contract to build a part of the old Ohio canal, and after that operated a store in Glandorf and farmed. The first wife of Mr Nienberg died about fifteen years after her marriage, leaving no children

Mr. Nienberg married Veronica Thome in 1881. She was a native of Glandorf and is a daughter of Nicholas and Agatha TBockhold) Thome early settlers in Glandorf. Her father was a wagonmaker and, in the early days, made cradles for cradling wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Thome spent the re mainder of their lives in Glandorf. To the second marriage of Mr Nienberg have been born seven sons and one daughter, Benjamin A., who married Juha Borman, and has four sons, Carl, Harold, Paul and John- Hany who first married Frances Smith, and after her death, Dalia Rampe' who is the mother of one son, Walter; Joseph F., who married Maggie Unverferth and has one daughter, Frances; Edward, who married Clara Geier, and has two sons, George and Raymond, and four children who are single, Oscar, Mary, Frank and William. The last two boys are twins. All of the children are now partners with their father in business, except Edward, who runs the home farm of eighty-three acres, near Glandorf.

The Nienberg family are all loyal members of the Catholic church at Glandorf, and are interested in its welfare and are generous contributors to its support.

August Nartker

For more than two score years, August Nartker has been identified with the history of Putnam county, Ohio, and since 1900, has been in the tile business in Glandorf. His father was a native of Germany and an early settler of Putnam county, Ohio, where he came with his parents in the early history of the county. Mr. Nartker spent his early manhood in a newspaper office, and also farmed a few years before engaging in his present business.

August Nartker, the son of Henry and Thresia (Vorderlandwehr) Nartker, was born in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, April 8, 1874. His parents reared a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters, Henry, Mrs. Bernardine Winkelman, Mrs. Mary Wishmeyer, of Michigan; Mrs. Anna Schroeder, Frank, August, William (deceased in 1912), Mrs. Minnie Horstman (deceased), Mrs. Emma Maas and Mrs. Lena Fortman.

Henry Nartker was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany in 1837 and came to America in his boyhood days with his parents, Theodore Nartker and wife, who located about one and one-half miles west of Glandorf, where he lived the remainder of his life. Thresia Vorderlandwehr, the mother of August Nartker, was born at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, June 14, 1844, a daughter of Herman and Thresia Vorderlandwehr, who were born, reared and married in Germany, and were early settlers in Putnam county, Ohio. Henry Nartker farmed just west of Glandorf, in this county, all of his life, his death occurring there on March 28, 1909. His widow is still living on the farm at Glandorf, where she has resided ever since her marriage.

August Nartker grew up on his father's farm and at the age of sixteen, began working in newspaper offices. He worked on Der Demokrat, at Ottawa, from 1890 to 1896. The next four years were spent on the home farm and in 1900, after his marriage, he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, W. F. Schroeder, and bought -the tile factory of Winkleman & Ellis, at Glandorf, where they have continued this business down to the present time, and have built up a large trade throughout the county. For about ten years they made brick as well as tile, but now are devoting all of their time and attention to the manufacture of tile.

Mr. Nartker was married on October 9, 1900, to A^erona Horstman, who was born at Glandorf, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Deeters) Horstman. To this union have been born two children, Mary and Alphonse.

Joseph Horstman, the father of Mrs. Nartker, was born in Glandorf, Germany, and when a young man came to America and located in Cincinnati. He came to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1872, and married Mary Deeters, who was born at Glandorf, in this county, her father being one of the earliest settlers. Mr. Horstman was a blacksmith at Glandorf, and operated his shop until about seven years ago, when he retired from active life and now lives with his son-in-law, Mr. Nartker.

Mr. Nartker is a Democrat, and has always taken an active interest m the life of his community in every way. He has been a councilman of Glandorf for the past eight years, and has always given his hearty support to every measure which he felt would be of benefit to his village. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church at Glandorf, and also hold membership in the St. Paul's and St. John's aid societies.

John E. Reinman

John E. Reinman is a plain, honest man of affairs who, by correct methods and a strict regard for square dealing, has made his influence felt in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio. He has won for himself a distinctive prestige in the business circles of this city. Mr. Reinman would be the last man to become the subject of fancy eulogy but, nevertheless, his life presents much that is interesting and valuable and may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation. Mr. Reinman is one of those, whose integrity and strength of character stand out as shining examples for young men at the beginning of their careers. He commands the respect of his contemporaries and people know him as one who can be thoroughly depended upon to do just what he promises.

John E. Reinman was born on July 17, 1862, at Tiffin, Ohio, and is the son of Lawrence and Caroline (Youngblood) Reinman. Lawrence Remman was bom in Bavaria and came to America when about twenty- one years old. He located at Tiffin, and there learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it until 1873 when he moved to New Cleveland, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio. He then bought a farm just east of New Cleveland and here he lived for about twenty years. At the end of this period he moved to the home of his son, John E., who was then living west of New Cleveland. There he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. He died on January 17, 19 10, at the age of eighty- two. Previous to his death his wife died about 1905. Caroline Youngblood was born in Prussia and came to America when eighteen or twenty years old, locating at Tiffin, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Reinman were the parents of seven children, Catherine, deceased; Lawrence, of Tiffin, Ohio; Joseph, of New Cleveland; John E., of Ottawa; Mary, the wife of Henry Koch, of New Cleveland; Rose, deceased, and Anna, the wife of John Wischmeyer, of Bryan, Ohio.

John E. Reinman lived at home until he grew up and married. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade with his father, but early in his life began farming. He purchased ^ farm of seventy acres just west of New Cleveland and lived there until October, 1913, when he purchased a lot and built a residence in Ottawa. Here he has resided since that time. He still owns his farm, however, but now engages in carpentry and building.

Mr. Reinman was married to Rose Kihm in 1888, who was bom in Blanchard township and who is the daughter of John and Rose (Lawrence) Kihm. Mrs. Reinman's father was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1838, and came to America at the age of eight years with his parents, John Peter and Mary Kihm. They settled at New Washington, Ohio, and came to Putnam county about 1856. They were pioneer settlers in Blanchard township and John Kihm was a farmer all of his life. He died on the farm in Blanchard township in 1898. Mr. Kihm's wife. Rose Lawrence, was born at Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, and was the daughter of John and Mary Lawrence. She lived in Huron county until her marriage and is now living at Leipsic, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Reinman are the parents of two children, Edward J. and Ida Rose. Edward J. married Ida Weot, of Tiffin, Ohio, and lives on his father's farm near New Cleveland and has one boy, Ralph John. Ida Rose is still at home.

For the past seven years, Mr. Reinman has been trustee of Ottawa township. He was a director on the school board for fifteen years. Mr. Reinman is an ardent Democrat and never misses an election. He is one of the best workers for the principles of the Democratic party and the sue-

of its candidates to be found in all Putnam county. Mr. Reinman is a natural-born reader of men, and his influence is keenly felt in Ottawa township where he now lives.

The Reinman family are all members of the Catholic church and devout in the faith. As a carpenter and builder, Mr. Reinman is well known and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has ever had any business dealings.

John W. Winkler

The whole career of John W. Winkler has been spent in Leipsic, where he was born a half century ago. His father dying when he was about twelve years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and early in life he be-' gan an independent career for himself. When he was twenty-six years of age he started in business in Leipsic and for nearly a quarter of a century has been engaged in the shoe business in that place.

John W. Winkler, the son of John and Mary (Stritt) Winkler, was -born in 1865, at West Leipsic, Ohio. John Winkler, Sr., was born in 1839, in Buerstadt, in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America when about fifteen years of age with his brothers and located at Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio. As a youth he had learned the shoemaker's trade in his native land and on reaching his maturity in this county he continued in that business, to which he added a general store. At the opening of the Civil War John Winkler, Sr., enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Stone River. He lived nearly twelve years after the war closed with a minnie ball in his left lung. The bullet lay next to his heart and affected it in such a way that his death ultimately resulted in 1876. It was found out after his death that the lung was rotted away from the effects of the ball and his son, John W., now has the minnie ball as a relic.

John Winkler, Sr., was married in this county to Mary Stritt, a daughter of Benjamin and Maria Stritt. The Stritt family came from Germany, probably before 1850, and settled on a farm south of Ottawa, where Oliver Weaver is now living. There the Stritt family spent the remainder of their days. The first wife of John Winkler, Sr., died when the son, John W., was about four years of age, leaving her husband with three children, John W., Mrs. Mary Pettit, and one who died in infancy, the mother dying at the time the third child was born. After the death of his first wife, John Winkler, Sr., married Louisa Stritt, a sister of his first wife, and to this second

John W. Winkler was about thirteen years of age when his father died, and the boy soon began to shift for himself. He started in the shoebusiness in Leipsic about 1891, and has gradually built up his store and increased his trade in the city and surrounding community. He now carries a large and well-selected stock of boots and shoes, and such sundries as are usually found in shoe stores. He is a man of excellent business judgment and is now numbered among the prosperous business men of Leipsic.

John W. Winkler was married on February 14, 1893, to Josephine B. Phipps, who was born near Monroeville, Allen county, Indiana, and is a daughter of William L. and Hannah (Leonard) Phipps. Her father wasborn in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and her mother in Ross county, Ohio. Her father was a stave factory man and came to Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, with a Mr. Williamson, about 1871, before the village of Belmore was in existence. Mr. Williamson started a stave factory in that place and Mr. Phipps became the foreman and lived at Belmore the remainder of his life. Mrs. Phipps is now living in Leipsic.

Mr. Winkler is a loyal member of the Catholic church, and a generouscontributor to its support. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He gives his support to the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in its councils. He is a man interested in everything pertaining to the advancement of his community, and his support for alL public welfare measures is always heartily given.

David C. Shank

The standing of any community depends, to a great extent, upon the character of the business men who are a part of it. If a community is so fortunate as to entertain keen and progressive business men, of high integrity, who are thoroughly alive to every opportunity for legitimate business, that community is, inevitably, one of prosperity. In this respect, Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, is fortunate in numbering among its citizens, many men of the most up-to-date type, among whom is the subject of this, sketch, David C. Shank, president of the D. C. Shank Company, which operates a saw-mill, planing-mill, lumber yard and electric light plant, and who occupies a high place among the foremost citizens of his community.

a son of John and Nancy (Gulp) Shank. John Shank was born in Mahoning county, formerly Columbiana county, Ohio, December 14, 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Bear) Shank. Henry Shank was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 17, 1808, a son of John Shank and wife, whose maiden name was Wenger. It is said that John Shank once stated that his great-grandfather came from Germany and that the family name was originally Schenk.

John Shank, the subject's great-grandfather, came from Virginia to Ohio, with his faniily, in 1835. His wife died about fourteen years previous to this time, or when Henry Shank was eleven years of age. John had married a second time, and it was his second wife who migrated to Ohio with him. At the same time there came the subject's grandfather, his brother, Michael, and two sisters, Barbara and Esther. One sister, Annie, had died in Virginia.

David C. Shank's great-grandfather, John, and his grandfather, Henry, were coopers, by trade, and they also owned and operated a farm while in Virginia. John Shank bought a farm in Mahoning county, where he lived until the time of his death, in about 1850.

In the spring of 1840, Henry Shank migrated from Mahoning county to Richland township, Putnam county, later Allen county, and entered one hundred and twenty acres of government land. The deed to the land was. signed by President Martin Van Buren, and is yet in the possession of the subject's father, John Shank. The land remained in the possession of Henry Shank and his son, John, until 1913, when it was sold to David W. Basinger and Edward Laibe, the only transfer that had been made since the time the original entry was made.

Henry Shank cleared this virgin land, and built upon it a log cabin. From year to year he succeeded gradually in clearing more of the land, with the help of his father, John Shank, who rendered considerable asssistance, as soon as he had reached the age when he could work in the woods. It is said that when a young man, John Shank could wield an axe to better advantage than any other man in the vicinity. Henry Shank lived on his homestead until October 21, 1905, when he died at the ripe old age of ninety-seven.

John Shank was three years old when he came with his parents to Putnam county. He grew to manhood on the home farm and had no chance to go to school until he was eleven years of age. At that time he managed to attend the district school, for a month or two each winter, for a few years. When he was thirty years of age, he married Nancy Gulp, Decemljer 19, 1867,.

Christian Gulp, maternal grandfather of David C. Shank, was born in Virginia on March 20, 1815, and settled in Ohio in 1850. He located first in Fairfield county, but later moved to Allen county. Elizabeth Good was born on June i, 181 3, a daughter of Joseph and Magdalene Good. They were both natives of Virginia and came to Ohio in the early days of this county and settled in Fairfield county. Joseph Good died in Fairfield -county on February 7, 1848; his wife then came to Allen . county, where she lived until the time of her death, at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth (Good) Gulp.

After his marriage, John Shank continued to operate his father's farm, and lived there until January 17, 191 3, when the farm was sold. To Mr. and Mrs. John Shank were born seven children as follow : David G, the subject; Lizzie A., born on July 20, 1871, the wife of Amos Augsberger; Sophia F., born on October 15, 1873, ^'^^ t^e wife of Rufus Basinger; Christian, born on May 14, 1875, who married Rachel Witmer; Emma J., born on August 24, 1877, the wife of Peter W. Amstutz, and who died on January 31, 1904; Mary E., born on June 30, 1879, who is unmarried; Nannie A., who was born on October 2, 1885, and who died May 6, 1893, at the age of seven years, two months and four days.

John Shank conducted the home farm, as a general farm, and also did an extensive business in cattle and hogs. He moved to Pandora, January 17, 19 1 3, after having retired from farming, where he now lives. He and Mrs. Shank are both members of the Mennonite Zion church.

David C. Shank was born on the old homestead, which had been settled by his grandfather, and there grew to manhood. As a boy, he attended the district school, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He married Fannie Basinger, April 14, 1892, a daughter of Abraham and Catherine (Gratz) Basinger. To this union were born three children, Cora, Eunice and Irma.

Mrs. Shank, wife of David C. Shank, died on February 28, 1901. She was a good Christian character, an affectionate wife, a loving mother, and was an active member of the Mennonite church.

Mr. Shank married again, November 15. 1903, his second wife being Mary Schumacher, who was born on July 24, 1880, a daughter of John and Barbara (Geiger) Schumacher, both of whom were of pioneer families and Swiss origin. To this union have been born two children, Olive and Alice.

When he was twenty-one years of age, Mr. Shank entered upon an independent business career. His first venture was a saw-mill, in the timber land, a business which he has continued, practically, ever since. He is now president of the D. C. Shank Company, which conducts a saw-mill, planingtnill, lumber yard and electric light plant, in Pandora, Riley township, Putnam county. He is doing an extensive business and is one of the prominent figures in the business life of his community.

Mr. Shank is nominally a rhember of the Democratic party, but he has always taken an intelligent interest in political matters and is an independent Toter, following the dictates of his own judgment, rather than party desires.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Shank are members of the Grace Mennonite church, and are active in church work. Mr. Shank is an energetic and progressive business man of unquestioned integrity, and is highly respected by all who have come in contact with him.

August Stechschulte

A native of this county and a resident here for more than half a century, August Stechschulte has been prominently identified with the history of Putnam county. Beginning the tailor's trade at the age of seventeen he has made it his life work, and for more than thirty years he has been engaged in the tailoring and clothing business in Leipsic. He has always taken a deep interest in the civic. life of his community and has held several township and city offices, with universal satisfaction. He has the unique record of being appointed sergeant-at-arms of the General Assembly of Ohio when he was only twenty-two years of age and it is probable that he is the youngest man who has ever held this position in the state.

August Stechschulte, the son of Henry and Bertha (Kahle) Stechschulte, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1862. His father was born in Glandorf, Germany, in 1825, and came to America in 1833 with his parents and located in Putnam county, in Ottawa township. He arrived in this county about two months after Professor Horstman had settled with his colony, of emigrants from Germany.

Henry Stechschulte was about eight years of age when his parents came from Germany to this county, and consequently received part of his education in his native land. After completing his schooling in this county he remained at home until he was grown. He then went to Cincinnati and learned the cooper's trade, and in 1854 was married to Bertha Kahle, who was born in Greensburg township, in this county, a daughter of I. H. Kahle, whose history elsewhere in this vohime gives the main facts concerning the Kahle family. Mr. Kahle was one of the pioneers who came to this county with Professor Horstman in 1833, and walked with the party of emigrants from Detroit to this county and helped to found the village of Glandorf. After his marriage Henry Stechschulte spent the remainder of his life on a farm on the line between Ottawa and Greensburg townships. He died about 1908, his wife having passed away two years earlier. Henry Stechschulte and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1904, at which there were forty-five grandchildren present. Six sons and two daughters were born to Henry Stechschulte and wife, Ignatius, who was a former commissioner of this county, and now a resident of Owosso, Michigan; Joseph, a farmer of Union township; Frank, also a farmer living in Union township; August, of Leipsic; Barney, a farmer of Liberty township; Henry A., who is living on the old home farm; Bertha, the widow of William Hoffman, who lives in Pleasant township, and Theresia Klausing, who died on April i, 1908.

August Stechschulte remained on the farm until he was seventeen years of age and then began to learn the tailor's trade. When he was only twenty-two years of age in 1882 he started in the tailoring and clothing business at Leipsic, and has been in the business continuously since that year. He was sergeant-at-arms of the sixt)'-sixth General Assembly of Ohio in 1884 and 1885, and filled the duties of this arduous position to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as township clerk, township treasurer, corporation treasurer and city councilman, and in all of these positions rendered his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service. He takes a genuine interest in the civic life of the community in which he has resided so many years and never fails to give his hearty support to all measures of general welfare.

Mr. Stechschulte was married in 1886 to Anna Rampe, the daughter of William and Thresia (Ellerbrock) Rampe, and to this union have been born four sons and three daughters, Amelia, Adolph, Victor, Clarence, Mary Agnes and Norbert. Adolph, who married Gertrude Graney, of Columbus' IS a partner with his father in the tailoring and clothing business All of the other children are still single and living at home. Mrs. Stechschulte's father was born m Glandorf, Germany, and was a pioneer shoemaker in Glandorf, m this county. He built up a large industry for a town of this size, at one time having from fifteen to twenty men working under him, making shoes.

Mr. Stechschulte and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and one of his sons, Victor, is a member of the Society of Jesus. Mr. Stechschulte is a wideawake, genial and courteous man and is one of the best known citizens of the community.

John E. Roose

The present auditor of Putnam county, Ohio, John E. Roose, was born, reared and has been a life-long resident of this county. His father was a pioneer resident and settled here in Jennings township when the land which he entered from the government was covered with a dense growth of timber. Mr. Roose is a man who has been prominently identified with the history of his county for many years. As a young man he taught schools for five years, and followed this with several years in the drug business. Ten more years were spent as cashier of the Peoples Bank at Kalida, while since 191 1 he has been the auditor of his county. As a public servant of his fellow citizens, he is now administering the duties of his office in a very and painstaking manner.

John E. Roose, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Diller) Roose, was born in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, September 4, 1869. His father was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, and came here from Allen this state, where he had married Elizabeth Diller. She was a native of Pennsylvania.

Henry Roose and his wife located in Jennings township when it was an unbroken forest. He entered land from the government and started in to make a home for himself and family. He cleared away a large enough space on which to build a rude log cabin and with the assistance of his wife and children as they grew up, he eventually had a farm which provided a -comfortable living for the family. Six children were born to Henry Roose and wife, two of whom died in infancy, Barbara, who died in 1912, was the wife of John Lawyer, a farmer of Jennings township; Peter, of Marion, Michigan; George W., a farmer of Jackson township, and John E., who is now living in the county seat.

John E. Roose received his elementary education in the schools of Jennings township, and later attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio, for four terms. He then taught school for five years in Sugar Creek and Jennings townships, and gave excellent satisfaction as an instructor of the youth. He then moved to Kalida, in this county, and engaged in the drug business in that place for several years. After disposing of his drug business he clerked for two years in the stores of Kalida, and then became the cashier of the Peoples Bank, of that place, holding this position for nearly ten years. His worth as a public citizen and the confidence which the people have in his ability is shown by the fact that he was nominated and elected in the fall of 1910 as auditor of Putnam county. He took his office in the spring of 191 1, and his services were so satisfactory that he was re-elected by his party in the fall of 191 2. He was again a candidate in the fall of 19 14 and was elected to serve another term.

Mr. Roose was married in 1892 to Estella C. Conaway. She was bom in Putnam county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Basis C. and Rebecca (Moore) Conaway. Her father was a farmer for many years in this county but is now living a retired life in Findlay, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Roose are the parents of seven children, Fred L., Russell, Grace, Ralph, Elbert, Zella and Lucile.

Mr. Roose has always been a Democrat, and has been one of the leaders of his party in township and county affairs. He belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and also to the council and chapter. He holds his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Home Guards. He and his family are all loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and generous contributors to its support. Mr. Roose is a self-made man and the prosperity which has come to him is the direct result of his own abilities directed along proper lines. He is a man of sterling integrity and no man m the county stands in higher esteem among his fellow citizens.

Bernard H. Heringhaus

The Heringhaus family are of German descent, the parents of Bernard H. Heringhaus coming to this country from Germany in 1867. Four years later his parents located in Putnam county, Ohio, and lived there the remainder of their lives. Mr. Heringhaus has had fifteen years of newspaper experience, but for the past few years, has been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Ottawa.

_ Bernard H. Heringhaus, the son of Rudolph and Christina (Richtermg) Hennghaus, was born on March 13, 1879, in Ottawa, Putnam county Ohio. His father was born at Oesede, Hanover, Germany, in 1843 and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Buddlemeyer) Heringhaus. Rudolph Heringhaus came to America in January, 1867, and located in Cincinnati, and on October 9, of the same year he was married in that city to Christina Richtering, who was born in what was Beesten, Hanover, now Kaiserreich, Prussia. She is a daughter of Bernard and Margarite Adelaide (Meerz) Richtering, and was reared in Germany, coming to Cincinnati, Ohio, from, her native land in 1866.

Rudolph Heringhaus and wife lived at Cincinnati until 1871, and in that year came to Putnam county, and for three and one-half years lived in Greensburg township, after which time they moved to Ottawa, where they have since resided. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Heringhaus, Anna, Henry, Catherine, Minnie, Bernard H. and Mary. Anna is the wife of Andrew Roof and has three children, Adelaide^ Edward and Mary. Henry, who is unmarried, makes his home in Ottawa. Catherine is the wife of George C. Laibe and lives in Akron, Ohio. Minnie is the wife of Frank Distel, of Toledo, Ohio, where she died on June 20,. 1912, leaving her husband with two children, Mary and Clara. Mary died at the age of six weeks. He and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church, while he is a member of the Catholic Knights of Ohio.

Bernard Heringhaus grew to manhood in Ottawa and before reaching his majority began to learn the printer's trade in the office of Der Demokrat. For fifteen years he worked at the newspaper business and became a thorough and practical printer. He then became a partner with Samuel Cartwright in the furniture and undertaking business in Ottawa, and hassince continued along this line of endeavor. He went to Cincinnati and learned the embalming business and was Hcensed as an embalmer on June 20, 1908. Mr. Cartwright remained as his partner less than a year in the business, and was succeeded by F. F. Pope, who, with Mr. Heringhaus,. still continues the business.

Mr. Heringhaus has taken a very active part in the civic life of Ottawa. He has served six years as clerk of Ottawa, and served during the time the waterworks was being built. He afterward served for five years as clerk of the waterworks board. He is now a member of the school board of Ottawa, and is also a member of the Putnam county school board. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Knights of Ohio.

Mr. Heringhaus was married on October 18, 1904, to Mary A. Laibe, and to this union have been born three sons, Francis, Cornelius and Robert.

a daughter of Edmund and Magdalene (Kroft) Laibe, both of her parents being natives of this county. Her mother died in 19 10, and her father, who was a life-long farmer, is now living a retired life in Ottawa. Edmund Laibe was born in Buffalo, New York, November 7, 1855, and was a son of Mark and Catherine' (Benziger) Laibe. His parents came from Belfort, Alsace, France, and lived in Brooklyn, New York, for a short time, before locating in Buffalo. Mark Laibe and his family moved to Putnam county, Ohio, about 1856, and located in Pandora, where he operated a blacksmith shop until 1868. In that year Mark Laibe and his family moved to a farm two and one-half miles south of Gilboa, where he lived until Octo- "ber, 1885, when he moved into Ottawa, where he retired and lived until his death April 8, 1899. His wife died on January 27, 1909. Edmund Laibe grew up on his father's farm and married Mary Magdalene Kroft, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Kroft, who came from Alsace and settled in Putnam county, Ohio. After Edmund Laibe married he began farming about a mile north of the old home place and lived there until 1889, in which year he moved to Ottawa, where he has since resided. He has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in the county. Five children were born to Edmund Laibe and wife, Mary Amelia, the wife of B. H. Heringhaus; William E., George E., Frank F., and Blanche V., the wife of Cornelius H. Ellis.

Henry Grismore

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and are incentives to others. The examples they furnish, of patient purpose and steadfast integrity, strongly illustrates what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life. Apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adversity almost justifies the conclusion that self-reliance, with half a chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman, whose life story is here set out, is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course, he has made his way to a respectable position in the world, winning the hearty admiration of the people in his community, and earning the reputation of being a progressive man of affairs, which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.

1839, in Wayne township, Butler county, Ohio. He is the son of John and Catherine (Weaver) Grismore. John Grismore was born in Burkes county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1812, and was the son of Abraham Grismore and Avife.

From all accounts, Abraham Grismore and wife were natives of Pennsylvania. At one time, Abraham was considered a well-to-do man, and was the owner of a linseed oil mill. Before his death, however, he was greatly reduced, financially, on account of having secured the debts of other men, and their failures to meet their obligations. John Grismore and Abraham Grismore, Jr., were the only sons. There were seven daughters. John was but twelve years, of age when his father died, leaving his mother with nine and thirty acres of stony land, which was their only means of support. When a boy, his mother bound him out to a tailor to learn the trade, and when he was twenty-two years old, he came to Ohio, down the Ohio river, to Cincinnati, by boat, landing there with twenty-five cents in his pocket. Being the master of a good trade he proceeded to Lebanon, Ohio, where he had a friend who was a tailor. From here he located at Jacksonboro, Butler county, where he established a tailor shop. It was here that he first met Catherine Weaver, the daughter of Henry Weaver and wife, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and a prosperous farmer of Wayne township, Butler county. A part of the town of Jacksonboro was located on Henry Weaver's land.

When John Grismore was twenty-four years old, he was married to Catherine Weaver. In addition to conducting his tailoring business, in the winter and spring, he devoted the summers to his little farm of thirty-seven acres, five miles from Jacksonboro. It was here that three of the children were born. Sarrah died in infancy; Henry is the subject of this sketch, -and Mary Ann was the third child. After a residence in Jacksonboro of about ten or eleven years, two years of which were spent on his little farm, he sold out and moved to Riley township, Putnam county, January 13, 1845. It was during the preceding spring that he and Mr. Weaver made a trip to Putnam county on horseback to purchase a farm. John bought sixty-eight acres, two miles south of Pendleton, now Pandora, and Mr. Weaver, a farm north of and adjoining the town of Pendleton. It was on January 13, 1845, after a trip covering five days over muddy roads, a hundred and twenty miles in all, that they arrived at the scene of their new home in three wagons. The last day of the trip they were only able to cover seven miles. There was a hewed log house and round log barn on the place, and probably about five -acres of the land cleared. John Grismore worked, clearing his place, during the summer months, while he followed his trade as a tailor during the winter. After several years, he managed to get his first farm, practically all cleared,, and then purchased' eighty acres next to his first farm. From time to time he added to his holdings until he had accumulated five hundred and fortyeight acres. After moving to Riley township, there were five children born,, making eight in all, six of whom lived to maturity. The last five were,. George, Elizabeth, who died at twelve years of age; Harriet, Phoebe and Martin. The last named was killed by a falling tree in the woods when he was thirty-five years old. John Grismore died on December 29, 1899, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His wife, who was born in Butler county,. in 1816, died in Richland township, Allen county, in 1880, at the age of sixty-four.

Henry Grismore came with his parents to Putnam county when he wassix years old. It was here that he spent his boyhood. His was the life that generally fell to the lot of a pioneer's son. He was thirteen years old before there were any schools in his neighborhood. However, he had learned ta read and spell from his mother. The balance of his education consisted of an average of twenty-two days a year, for eight years, in school. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years old. During the spring, following his twenty-second birthday, he went to Ontario and there remained for nearly three years.

It was near Hamburg, Ontario, that Mr. Grismore met and married on January 9, 1866, Francisca Ginther, who had been born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Immediately afterwards he returned to Ohio and settled on a part of his father's place, a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which farm he later bought from his father. Seven years later, in the fall of 1873, he moved to a place of eighty acres, one mile south of Pandora, which he had bought the previous June. He has lived on this place ever since. The place had a substantial frame house for those days, in which he lived for twelve years, or until 1885, when he built a large, handsome, brick residence, of twelve rooms.. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Grismore have had eleven children, seven of whom have lived to maturity. John W. married Magdalene Lehman and lives two. miles north of Pandora. They have seven children. Cora is the wife of E. J. Miller, who lives one mile north of Pandora. They have two children Oscar married Fiona Day. They live in Los Angeles, California, and have four children. Emma is the wife of Edward Morelock, of Creditorn, Ontario. They have three children. Levi married Levina Towsley, and' livesone mile southwest of Pandora. They have three children. Otto married Martha Wittich, Brilliant, Ohio. They have two daughters. Carl A. mar- ried Leah Tripplehorn, and lives on the home place. They have one child, Donald. Mary Ann is the wife of Guy R. Fromm, of Cincinnati. They have one child. Jessie Pearl died at the age of two years. Grover C. is unmarried. He is an instructor in the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Fred married Jennie Kisabeth. They live in Memphis, Tennessee, and have no children.

In addition to his farming, Mr. Grismore owned a mill and elevator, from 1892 to 1900. This mill was located at Pandora. He operated it durmg the period of his ownership. Henry Grismore has been a most successful farmer and, altogether, owned five hundred and fifty-six acres. At one time he was the largest single taxpayer in Putnam county, having been very successful with hogs and cattle. Lately, Mr. Grismore has disposed of a part of his holdings, but still retains three hundred and thirty-six acres of the finest land in Putnam county. He is a director and treasurer in the Farmers Bankmg Company, at Pandora, and is known as a successful banker. Mr. Grismore is a Democrat. He served as township trustee for six years, as a supervisor, and was member of the school board for eighteen years.' Religiously, he and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in this church Mr. Grismore has held various offices. Henry Grismore is a man of broad experiences and is counted as one of the best farmers in the county, a good citizen and a true friend. He is a fine type of Christian gentleman, and eminently deserves the esteem and confidence placed m him by his neighbors and fellow citizens.

John J. Rampe

The Rampe family came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1872, and for the past forty years have been connected with the advancement of this county along agricultural, commercial and educational lines. John J. Rampe was fourteen years of age when his parents moved to this county, and for the past thirty-five years he has been engaged in business for himself at Ottawa. Starting to learn the shoe trade, as a shoemaker, when he was twelve years of age, he opened a shoe shop of his own, at the age of twentyone, and sold shoes, which he himself made for a few years. He then put in stock of factory-made shoes, and gradually added other furnishing goods, until he now has the largest store in Ottawa.

born in Covington, Kentucky, September 12, 1859. His father was born in Glandorf, Germany, and his mother, in Haagen, Germany. His parents were married in Covington, Kentucky, and to them were born eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom four died in infancy. The other four, are as follows : Louis, who died at Edaville, Iowa, about ten years ago; Fred, who learned the shoemaking trade with his brother, John J., and followed it until his death, on March 9, 1896, at the age of thirty-three; Lizzie, the wife of Joseph Roof, living at Glandorf, and John J., of Ottawa. Fred, the brother of John J., married Mary Smith, of Glandorf, and was the father of five daughters and one son, who, with his widow, are still living.

Barney Rampe was a contractor and lived in Covington, Kentucky, until about 1875, and laid many of the sidewalks in that city. In that year he moved to Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, his son, John J., having preceded the family, coming to this county, when he was twelve years of age, to learn the shoemaker's trade with his uncle, William Rampe, Sr. William Rampe, Sr., had come here in the early history of the county, and was in the shoe business at Glandorf for about fifty years, or until his death, on November 28, 1893. Barney Rampe died in Putnam county, December 6, 1893, and his widow died on October 31, 1899. Barney Rampe and his wife lived in Glandorf, Putnam county, after moving here, and he continued making sidewalks.

John J. Rampe lived in Covington, Kentucky, until he was twelve years of age and obtained all of his schooling in that city. He then came to Putnam county, Ohio, and worked with his uncle, William Rampe, learning the shoemaker's trade. He remained with his uncle until September 17, 1880, when he started in business in Ottawa for himself. On that day his son, the first child, was born. He started a shoe shop at Ottawa and sold only shoes at first, which he made in his own shop. As his trade increased, he added a line of factory-made shoes and gradually increased his business. A few years later he added a stock of clothing, hats and men's furnishing goods of all kinds, and still later put in a line of ladies' clothing, millinery and dry goods. He now has a jewelry department, as well as a full line of groceries. In fact, he now sells everything to wear, from head to foot, for men, women and children. He has the two main floors and part of the upstairs in the McCracken block, to which he moved about ten years ago. He bought back the small building in which he first started on the south side of Main street on June 25, 1912, and in this building he has placed a large stock of carpets, rugs, and linoleums: In the main store he has a large number of departments, and among the conveniences for customers he has

The Rampe stores are easily the largest in Ottawa and it is safe to say that he does the largest retail business of any man in the village. He is the only practical shoe man in the business in Ottawa, his training at the trade making him an expert in judging stock. He has killed and skinned the steer, tanned the hide and made the shoes from the leather. Accordingly, he knows the business of shoemaking thoroughly, and this fact has undoubtedly had much to do with his success as a dealer in shoes.

Mr. Rampe was married at the age of twenty to Anna Leopold, the daughter of Barney and Elizabeth Leopold, pioneer settlers of Glandorf, in this county. Mr. Leopold came from Glandorf, Germany, in the early history of the county, and was a storekeeper and stockbuyer at Glandorf. Two= children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rampe, Harry B. and Emma L. Harry B. has charge of the men's department of his father's store, and Emma has charge of the ladies' department. Harry married Lucile Jennings, of Carrs, Kentucky. The first wife of Mr. Rampe died, February i6, 1910, and on January 17, 1914, he married Martha Kerner, who was born in Ottawa, and is the, daughter of Philip and Agnes (Maag) Kerner.