Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 32 of 33)

George Jacob Schram was born in Fort Jennings on February 5, 1869, and was the son of John and Eva Schram, both of whom were natives of Germany, and who were early settlers in Putnam county, Ohio, where they were farmers. Mrs. Eva Schram passed away early in life. The father, however, is still living.

The late George Jacob Schram received a common-school education, attending school during the winter months and assisting his father on the farm during the summer. In his youth, he was known as a young man of industrious habits and a clean mind and a wholesome heart. He grew to manhood as a young man of honorable and upright habits and was always highly respected.

The late George Jacob Schram was married on April 2, 1892, to Nellie W. Huysman, who was born on December 4, 1868, and who was the daughter of Aaron and Gretchen (Osenga) Huysman, the former of whom is a native of Holland, born on December 15, 1838, and the son of Henry Peter and Nelly Huysman. To this very happy union three children were born, all of whom are now living : Aaron was born in May, 1893 ; he lives at home and operates the home farm for his mother. Margaret was born on April 26, 1895, and is now attending school; William was born, on August 12, _ 1897, and he, likewise, is at home.

deeds aiid loving kindness, George Jacob Schram passed away September 22, 1908. He was a man who will long be remembered m Monterey township as one of :ts leading citizens and farmers. Although modest and unassummg m^ manner, he was possessed of a deeply religious nature, and throughout his ue was devoted to the work of the Lutheran church, in which he, as well as the members of the family who survive, have always been earnest and active si^porters. Mr. Schram did not toil in vain; his widow and children were left well provided for. Mrs. Schram owns ninety-five acres of splendid land m Monterey township. The farm has been improved from time to time and now has modern buildings, and imposing house and a commodious barn Much of this work was performed by the departed husband and father and his influence did not cease with his death, but will go on to bless the loving widow and the children, who will strive the harder to follow the upridit example which he left.

Barney Bruskotter

In the early days, the Middle West was often a tempting field for energetic, ambitious and strong-minded men. Ohio was filled with them during the time she was struggling for a respectable position in the sisterhood of states. During the twenty-five or more years subsequent to the admission of Ohio to the Union, there was a fascination in the broad fields of promise which this new region presented. The country attracted many men and induced them to brave the discomforts of early life, for the pleasure and gratification of building their own fortunes in their own way. Many European countries furnished pioneer citizens to the state of Ohio, but no country furnished a better class of citizens than Germany. A son of one of these early German settlers is Barney Bruskotter, the subject of this sketch. His father was among the pioneers of Putnam county, and since the coming of Barney Bruskotter, Sr., the family has been an important factor in the^life of Putnam county.

Barney Bruskotter, Jr., was born in Greensburg township on May 26, 1864. He is the son of Barney and Christine (Edelbrock) Bruskotter' Barney Bruskotter, Sr., was born in Germany, as was also his wife. He came to the United States and to Putnam county and his wife came with her parents when she was a small child. Barney Bruskotter, Sr., was married in Putnam county. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, six of whom are still living: Henry lives at Shepard, Michigan, on a farm-

I412 J'Utnam County, Ohio

William died about 1909; Frank lives at Lima, Ohio; Barney, Jr., is the subject of this sketch; Katherine is the wife of Al Luersman; they live at Landeck, Allen county, Ohio; Thresa is the wife of Henry Weaging; they live in Jennings township; Anna is the wife of John Bearhide; they live in Cloverdale.

Barney Bruskotter, Sr., was a farmer. He owned a farm in Greensburg township and also owned land in Jennings township. He died in 1874; his wife survived until February 4, 1900.

Barney Bruskotter, Jr., received his early education in the common schools of Putnam county. He lived on the farm and performed the usual labor which falls to the lot of the country boy, and remained with his parents until his marriage.

Mr. Bruskotter, Jr., was married on August 24, 1893, to Miss Katherine Bearhide, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Leopold) Bearhide, both natives of Germany, the former came to this country alone when a young man. His wife came with her parents. They were married in Putnam county and were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are still living : Mary died at the age of forty-two; Elizabeth is the wife of William Horstmann, and they live at Montana, Putnam county; Wilemine is the wife of William Bruskotter, who died in 1905; his widow lives at Ft. Jennings; Katherine is the wife of Barney Bruskotter, Jr., the subject of this sketch; she was born December 20, 1864. Henry lives in Jennings townships; John lives at Cloverdale; Frank lives in Jennings township, and Anna, is the wife of Benjamin Unverferth; they live at Ottawa. Mrs. Anna Bearhide was married first to Fred Kramer, and by this marriage was the mother of one son, Fred Kramer, who died in August, 1909. After the death Mr. Kramer, Mrs. Kramer married Mr. Bearhide. Henry Bearhide, who was a farmer, died on April 8, 1905 ; his wife surviveduntil May 5, 1915-

To Mr. and Mrs. Barney Bruskotter, Jr., five children have been born, all of whom are living : Elenore was born on April 9, 1894; she lives at home. Veronice was born on January 10, 1896; she is a teacher and also lives at home; Leander was born on September 10, 1897, and lives at home; Helen was born on October 29, 1902, and is at present attending school; Florence was born on November 20, 1904, and is attending school.

Barney Bruskotter owns ninety acres of land in section 9, in Jennings township. He has made extensive improvements and additions on this farm, including a barn and house. Mr. Bruskotter raises a high grade of live stock and has been very successful as a farmer in Putnam county.

ally, Mr. Bruskotter is a stanch Democrat. He is now serving his fourth year as trustee of Jennings township, and is president of the township board m which position he is serving his second year. Barney Bruskotter is a man well respected m his community; a man who is liberal in support of public enterprises, who is rearing an industrious family, and whose name is a credit to the community where he resides.

William V. Trask

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this review has . proved himself worthy of representation in a work of this nature by reason of his unfaltering duty to his fellow citizens and bv constantly advocating those things which make for the betterment of mankind. He is looked up to by his friends and acquaintances and all who know him on account of his firm convictions and because he earned a goodly share of this world's goods by having led a life of thrift and industry. He has always been ready to lend a helping hand to the advancement of good policy and his life has been one of unceasing activity. Having pursued his career and achieved success by honorable means he is regarded as one of Putnam county's leading and substantial citizens.

William Trask was born in Pleasant township on February lo, 1866 and is the son of John and Rachel (Kidd) Trask. The father was born on March 22, 1835, in Trumbull county, Ohio, and is the son of Isaac and Margaret (Jack) Trask, who came to Putnam county in 1837 and settled in Ottawa township near the town of Ottawa. John Trask was twice married, the first time to Elizabeth Casebolt and by this union two children were born, Isaac N. on June 21, 1857, who resides in the state of Nebraska, and Susan J., July 9, 1858, died on January 7, 1859. Soon after his first marriage, John Trask removed to a fifty-acre farm in Pleasant township, this county, to which he added one hundred and seventy-four acres at a later date and the total acreage of two hundred and twenty-four acres he retained and farmed until the time of his death. His second marriage occurred on August 12, 1862, to Rachel Kidd, daughter of Ezra and Julia A. (Hooper) Kidd and was born on January 7, 1843. Her parents settled in Putnam county in 1837 and to their union were born six children, the names and birth date as follow: Kemerer, on March 14, 1861, died on September 24, 1870; James W., May 25, 1863, who resides in Vinita, Oklahoma; William, the subject of this sketch; Guy, May 23, 1874, who resides in Detroit, Michigan; Zoe, April 15, 1876, died on August 9, 1877, and Harry, April 27, 1879, who is a practicing physician in Detroit, Michigan. On September 12, 1893, the father of these children died on the homestead farm. His wife's father, Ezra Kidd, was born on May 5, 181 7, in Washington county, Ohio, which place he left when a very young man, accompanied by his father and settled near the town of Rockport, Ohio. He left this homestead at a later date and came to Columbus Grove, Ohio, and farmed for several years in Pleasant township. At a later date he sold out the Pleasant township farm and rented property in Sugar Creek township, near the town of Vaughnsville, where he remained until September 12, 1893, which was the year of his death. His wife was a native of Franklin county, Ohio, near the city of Columbus, where she was born on May 13, 1821, and after living a peaceful <and most useful life, she died on August 16, 1886. To their union were born twelve children, Rachel, the subject's mother; Mary Jane (Postlewaite), who died in 1912; Washington, who died in infancy; Rhoda (Thompson); Philip; William; James, deceased; John; Sarah (Barnam) ; Vance; Cassius, and an unnamed infant. The father of these children was a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party while the family belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church.

It should not be omitted in this review that "Grandpa" James Jack served his country in the War of 1812 and that John Trask had four brothers who served in the Civil War. In this war Nathaniel was killed at the battle of Chickamauga; James lost his left arm; Robert was mustered into the service, but never left the city of Columbus, Ohio, for action, and William was killed at the battle of Stone's River.

William Trask spent the days of his youth on his father's farm, received his education in the township schools, and has continued to live on the place ever since. On June 24, 1884, he was married to Ella Buck, daughter of Henry and Susan (Wagner) Buck, who was born in Pleasant township. Her father was also born in Pleasant township on July 21, 1839, and was the son of Benjamin Denton and Almeda (Conant) Buck. Benjamin D. Buck was a native of Pennsylvania and the home place was near the Susquehana river. He was born on July 7, 1802, and came to Medina county, Ohio, when a boy, where he grew to manhood and was married. In 183 s he came to Putnam county and entered three hundred and twenty acres of land, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died on September 16, 1865, at the age of sixty-three years. Subject's wife's mother, Susan (Wagner) Buck, was a native of Athens county, Ohio, and left there at the age of eight years for Putnam county, and was accompanied by her parents. Here she grew to womanhood and died on January i, 1879, in the thirtyseventh year of her age. Henry Buck was twice married, the first time, in the year 1863, to Susan Wagner who was born on April 13, 1841. To their union were born four children, Ella (Trask), of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Laura (Webster), of San Gabriel, California; Henry E., of Pleasant township, this county, and Albert, who is residing in the state of Texas. The second marriage occurred in 1881, when he took Mary Jane Leonard to be his wife and to which union there were no children. She died on March 4, 191 1. Henry Buck spent all of his boyhood days on his present farm, consisting of sixty-six acres, in Pleasant township, and during his time has creditably held the office of township trustee for twelve years. He was also justice of the peace for about ten years; has always been a Republican in politics and religiously is not identified with any particular denomination, but formerly was a member of the United Brethern church. He was one of seven children, William, Seth, Benjamin, Lovina, Orson, Henry and Lewis Penton, who lives in the state of Kansas. The first five are deceased.

Soon after his marriage, William Trask removed from the old farm, which consisted of one hundred and four acres, to a forty-acre farm, which is situated across the public highway from the old place. On this place he made all the improvements necessary to put the farm in first-class condition and is very successful in raising a general line of crops. To him and his wife have been born eight children, Ethel, who married Charles Gettman, and has two children, Robert and Leora; Ralph, who died at the age of ten years; Pratt, who married Grace Lee, and lives in Columbus Grove, Ohio, where he conducts a barber shop. They have one child, Mildred; Guy, of Bellefontaine, Ohio; Lena; Clifford; Irene and Virgil, all of whom reside under the parental roof.

William Trask is a man widely known throughout Putnam county and is particularly noted for his sterling character, strict attention to his own affairs and for the consistent support that he gives to all meritorious enterprises that are iritended for the welfare and advancement of the community at large. He has creditably served as township trustee for one year of a two year's term, takes an active and aggressive interest in supporting the principles of the Democratic party and religiously, is not identified with any particular denomination. Personally, he is a man worthy of the respect of one and on account of his kindly disposition, genial manners, and affability, it is a pleasure to have him nrfmbered among one's friends and acquaintances.

I416 Putnam County, Ohio Louis Von Lehmden

Among the men who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of agriculture, and who by unceasing energy and well-directed efforts have attained a good share of this world's goods, is the man whose name appears as the caption for his review. Descended from good old German ancestry and having had instilled into him the habits of frugality, thrift and industry, it is not surprising that Louis Von Lehmden should have won for himself the merited praise and high esteem of his fellow man and achieved a degree of success that entitles him to special recognition in a work containing the annals of Putnam county.

Louis Von Lehmden was born in Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, on May 14, 1846 and is the son oj Francis and Elizabeth (Helmkamp) Von Lehmden. The father was a native of Germany and came to this country when quite a young man and settled in Putnam county during the year 1835. The mother was also a native of Germany and came to x^merica. with her parents when she was a very young girl and they settled in this county in an early day. Francis Von Lehmden and wife were married at a later date and to them were born three children, Francis, deceased ; Louis, the subject of this review, and Anna, who was married to Henry Baumgarte, now deceased, and she is living at present in Delphos, Ohio. The mother survived the father of these children and married a second time, her second husband being Henry Suever and to their union were born two children, William, deceased, and August. Mr. and Mrs. William Suever continued to reside in Jennings township until the time of their deaths. He died in the year 1900, having survived his wife five years.

Louis Von Lehmden received his early schooling in the township schools and remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, November 14, 1872, when Mary E. Gerker became his wife. She was a native of Putnam county and had lived there since her birth in 1849. To their union were born five children, all of whom are living, whose names are given in the order of their birth, Henry C. on July 8, 1874, who is engaged in the butcher business, in Ft. Jennings, this county; Amelia, November 11, 1876; William J., October 28, 1879; Francis G., June 13, 1883; Edward J., May 19, 1889. All of these children make their homes with the parents at this time.

Louis Von Lehmden inherited from his parents an eighty-acre tract of fairly good farming land, to which he has added one hundred and five acres. A number of new and substantial farm buildings have been constructed, including the comfortable and well-built home place and a fine new barn building. These improvements have been made at considerable sacrifice and expense, but have added so materially to the value of the farm that the end justified the means and has contributed largely to the comfort and satisfaction of the entire family. On this place the business of general farming is done and it is said that the production of grain and other products is well up with the average farm in this locality.

Mr. Von Lehmden is a persistent advocate of the principles of Democracy, takes quite an active interest in public affairs, and served the community for three terms as township trustee, which ofiice he filled with credit to himself and wholly satisfactory to everyone concerned and has also been a member of the board of school directors for many years. Mr. Von Lehmden is not a member of any social or fraternal organization, but, religiously,, the entire family are regular attendants and devout members of the Catholic church in Ft. Jennings. Personally, Mr. Von Lehmden enjoys the confidence and high regard of every one in his community and possesses attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the respect and consideration of his fellow men.

Herman Frank Meyer

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages, and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free, outdoor life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood. No truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's greatest warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm, and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Herman Frank Meyer, a prosperous and enterprising farmer of Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born two miles southwest of Ottawa, on October 3, 1873. He is a son of Gerhard B. and Anna M. (Moening) Meyer. Herman Frank Meyer has lived all his life on the farm where he now resides, and where he was born.

Frank H. and Agnes (Niese) Karhoff.' Frank Karhoff was born on June 26, 1850, on the farm where he now lives, one mile northwest of Glandorf. He is a son of Herman Henry and Adehne (Grote) Karhoff, the former a native of Holland, and the latter a native of Germany. Herman Henry Karhoff came to America at the age of twenty-three years. His future wife came to this country on the same ship. Eventually, he came to Putnam county, Ohio, and purchased two hundred and eighteen acres of land near Glandorf. Mrs. Meyer's father was only ten years of age when her grandfather died. The grandmother remained on this farm, reared her children, and spent her old age there with her son, her death occurring on August 9, 1895, '^t the age of eighty-seven years. Mrs. Meyer's father was reared on the farm near Glandorf, and was married, August 3, 1870, to Agnes Niese, who was born north of her present home, and who is the daughter of Barney and Catherine (Lafkon) Niese, the former a native of Prussia, and the latter of Hanover, Germany. Mrs. Meyer's father has been an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Durham cattle, but gave up this branch of farming some years ago. Mrs. Meyer is one of ten children born to her parents, Frank B. first married Katie Meyer. She died, leaving an infant son, Harry, and he afterward married Lucy Hulsman, to which union five children were born, Laura, Edwin, Philomina, Alma and Edna. Frank lives at the east edge of Greensburg township, north of the Ottawa & Kalida pike; Henry Karhoff married Lucy Ellerbrock, and lives north of Kalida on the Napoleon road. They have seven children, Delia, Lawrence, Amos, Francis, Cornelius, Emma and Raymond; Amelia is the wife of Mathias Robke, and lives in Cloverdale. They have two sons, Frank and Albert; Paulina is the wife of H. F. Meyer, and lives southwest of Ottawa, and they have six children, Albert, Lawrence, Felix, Luella, Mary and Agnes; Philomina is the wife of Ben Brinkman, and lives one and one-half miles from KaHda on the Columbus Grove pike, and they have three children, Edwin, Hilda and Norma; John married Lena Hulsman and lives in the northwest part of Pleasant township, -and they are the parents of three children, Ida, Urban and Leo ; Emma is the wife of Edwin Brinkman, and they live in the southwest part of Liberty township. They have two children, Alice and Mary ; Albert married Agnes StechschuUe and lives near the northwest corner of Ottawa township ; Lewis and Barney are unmarried and living at home. Albert and Lewis are twins, born on February 20, 189 1.

Herman Frank Meyer now owns one hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, on which he carries on a diversified system of farming and has met with a very commendable degree of success in his efforts.

Mr. Meyer and family are devout members of the Catholic church at In fact, both the Meyer and Karhoff famihes are and have been for many generations members of this church, and are actively interested in its welfare, contributing generously to its support. Mr. Meyer lives on the old home farm, where he has a splendid brick residence, good barns, wellkept fences and fields, and his farm presents a very attractive appearance. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer, and a man well entitled to recognition in a volume of this character.

Mathias Brinkman

Although Mathias Brinkman may not have been one of the pioneer settlers of Putnam county, yet, he has ben a life-long resident in this community and by his indomitable courage, persistent endeavor and successful career, has stamped his impress on those with whom he has come in contact and is worthy of the praise and admiration of his fellow men for his high personal character and attainment of a due measure of success by his own -efforts. The qualities which have made Mr. Brinkman one of the prominent and successful agriculturists of this county have been those of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.

Mathias Brinkman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 20, 1852, and is the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Winkelman) Brinkman, both of whom were born in Germany and came to this country with their respective parents at different times and when they were very young. Frank Brinkman settled in Cincinnati when he came to America and was employed there at various kinds of labor. This was in the year 1847, and after a few years in that city, he was married to Elizabeth Winkelman. Leaving Cincinnati, in the year 1856, he decided to move to Delphos, Ohio, where he remained a short time and during October of the following year he purchased eighty acres of land in Jennings township, Putnam county, on which land he made his home for the remainder of his life, his death occurring, September 19, 1891. Frank and Elizabeth (Winkelman) Brinkman were born seven children, Mathias, the subject of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of John Helmick who lives in Van Wert county; Gerhart, who resides in Jennings township, and who died on June 20, 1915; Anna, who married Henry Rrietemeyer, lived in Monterey township, this county, and who is now deceased since April 10, 1898; Frank, who lives on the homestead place in Jennings town- ship, and two children that died in infancy. The mother of these children lived until July 19, 1903, and both the father and mother were devout members of the Catholic church in Ottoville.

Mathias Brinkman received his early education in. the neighboring schools of Jennings township and remained under the parental roof until about the time of his marriage to Anna Wolke on February 14, 1882, born on September 24, 1862. She was a daughter of Henry and Angeline (Lampe) Wolke who were both natives of Germany and are now deceased,. Henry since March 16, 191 5, and Angeline since April 27, 1902. Soon after his marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brinkman went to live on a farm consisting of eighty acres which he owned and which is located in section 18, about one mile northeast of Ottoville. On this place Mr. Brinkman has made a great many improvements, consisting of a new barn and modern house, besides the building necessary for the care of farm machinery, etc. He devotes all of his time to general farming and stock raising and by economical management has been able to produce grain and stock at a fair margin of profit to himself. To their union were born eleven children, of whom seven are living, Mary, on November 22, 1882; Elizabeth, July 2, 1884, who was married to Edward Schwertner on June 25, 1913, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Emma, born January 16, 1886, who married Louis Ricker on August 30, 191 1, and who lives in Van Wert county, Ohio; Gerhard, born on September 26, 1887; Eleanora, born on March 25, 1894; Hildegard, born on April 30, 1897, and Sylvester, born on December 25, 1900; Mary and four children who died in infancy. The last four named making their residence with the father and they all mourn the loss of a devoted, loyal and true wife and mother who passed from this earth on May 13, 1904, and lies at rest in the cemetery in Ottoville where she was buried according to the rites of the Catholic church of which the family are members.

Mr. Brinkman is deeply interested in the progressive policies of the Democratic party and has always been identified with that party, though he does not take an active interest in politics. He is a man that stands for all that is right and is ever willing to lend his assistance to all worthy projects for the benefit of his fellow men. Personally, Mathias Brinkman is a man of kindly and genial temperament and has many friends throughout this section of the county. He is known to be particularly successful in raising graded stock on his farm, his business dealings in this fine affording him an opportunity for a large acquaintance. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all those who know him and is regarded by all as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of this community.

Robert Monroe Kratz

The purpose of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion of himself or his accompHshments, but rather to leave upon the record for posterity the verdict of his day and generation as to his character and the consensus of opinion as to his worth among his fellow citizens. In touching the life history of Robert Monroe Kratz, extravagant praise is avoided. There is sufficient in Mr. Kratz's life, - true, useful and honorable - that his example may be emulated by the young men of this generation. His life has been characterized by perseverance and energy, charity and well-defined purpose, and he is eminently entitled to representation in any historical work of the county in which he lives.

Robert Monroe Kratz was born on October lo, 1858, at Mt. Unioij, Stark county, Ohio, the son of John and Caroline (Guge) Kratz. John Kratz was born on October 18, 1830, in Stuttgart, Germany, the son of Thomas Kratz and Barbarabidler Kratz. John Kratz was married in Germany, shortly after which he came to America. He was preceded, however, by two younger brothers, fourteen and sixteen years of age, one of whom -died at Buffalo, New York, shortly after arriving in America. John Kratz came to America in October, 1856. He was a printer by trade, but never foUowed this vocation after coming to this country. He came direct to Stark county, where he rented a farm and, a little later, moved to Columbiana where he continued farming. About the close of the Civil War, he removed to Carroll county and purchased a farm near Malvern, Ohio. He lived on this farm until his death, on November 26, 1886. Tacob Kratz, a younger brother, came to America with John and Caroline Kratz, who afterward served four years in the Civil War. He was captured and held nine months in Andersonville prison and died recently at his home in Cleveland, Ohio. Just prior to coming to America, John Kratz married Caroline Guge, the daughter of Christopher and Catherine Guge. To this union four children were born, Catherine, who married Lewis Reed, of Ba3fard, Ohio, and has three children, Robert M., the subject of this sketch; John, who married Vinta Roach and lives at Youngstown, and they have one child, and Jacob, who married Hannah Duper. They have six children and live at home on the old homestead near Malvern, Carroll county.

Receiving his early education in Columbiana and Carroll counties, Robert Monroe Kratz, in addition to the common schools, attended high school and a special normal school at Malvern, Ohio. He remained on the farm until he was twenty years old, his father having died when he was seventeen.

He then learned the building trade and spent a year in South Bend, Indiana^ when he returned to Ohio, where he followed his trade for a couple of years. Subsequently, he spent two years in Iowa and then returned to Putnam county, where he was married, after which he returned again to Carroll county and there he remained two years. Finally, he returned to Putnam county again and bought a farm two and one-half miles east of Leipsic, where he has remained until the present time.

At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Kratz was married to Alice Weaver on- November 22, 1882. Mrs. Kratz is the daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Williams) Weaver, who lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. Kratz. Nicholas Weaver was born in New Harrisburg, Carroll county, Ohio, and isthe son of David Weaver and wife, who came from Pennsylvania to Carroll county, Ohio, in an early day. Nicholas Weaver was one of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. Three of the sons, Solomon, David and Jonathan, became famous and were all well known ministers; Solomon was the founder of a college in Kansas and was a competent official in the United Brethren church, and David also distinguished himself as a minister in the same church ; Jonathan was a bishop for forty years and at the beginning of his career, was president of Otterbein University of Ohio, and the author of many religious works. As bishop in his church, he had supervision of practically the entire country at difTerent times.

Mrs. Kratz, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on September 20, 1865, has one brother, Rev. E. S. Weaver, at present pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal church at Norwood, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her mother was also born in Tuscarawas county. Mrs. Weaver's parents were of Welsh descent.

To Robert M. and Alice (Weaver) Kratz five children have been born,. Edwin died in infancy; Ada, the wife of Simon Hummon, both of whom are engaged in educational work. They reside at Leipsic and have two children, A-Iaxine and Everett; Maude, who is the wife of William Davenport, lives at Park River, North Dakota, where Mr. Davenport is superintendent of schools. They have two children, Robert and Virginia; Everett, who is still single and is at present superintendent of schools at Dupont, Ohio, and Madge, who is unmarried and at home.

While a Democrat and interested generally in political affairs, Mr. Kratz has been too busy with personal and private matters to devote much attention to political questions. Fraternally, he is a member of Leipsic

Lodge No. 548, Free and Accepted Masons, and was master of this lodgefor three years. Airs. Kratz is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Robert M. Kratz is not only a successful man but he is what might be called a good man in every sense of the word and a man highly esteemed in the locality where he lives.

Squire J. Baker

A_ promment and distinguished citizen of Bellmore, Putnam county Ohio, IS Squire J. Baker, who has been a resident of this county since the sprmg of 1872. He has an unusual record as a soldier of the Civil War durmg which struggle he was captured by the Confederates and held a prisoner for one hundred and ten days. Since the latter part of the seventies he has been engaged in barbering in Bellmore, and for more than forty years has followed his trade in that place. Mr. Baker has been a curio and relic hunter for more than half a century, and now has one of the finest collections of relics m the state of Ohio. He has taken a very prominent part in the civic life of his community, and has held various official positions in a manner which indicates that he is a man of more than ordinary ability. He is one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of his community, and has never failed to give his hearty support to all worthy measures which werecalculated to improve the community in any way.

Squire J. Baker, the son of John and Elma (Shinn) Baker, was bom m Sydney, Ohio, on October 19, 1842. His father was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, on September 9, 1815, and died on September 13 1896 John Baker was a son of John C. Baker, a native of Germany, who came to- America at an early age and located in Virginia, where he married Mary Bush, a native of Virginia. John C. Baker and wife were the parents of several children, Henry, Christopher, John, Squire, Jacob, Elizabeth, Polly and Lydia Ann.

John Baker came to Ohio and located in Shelby county with his parents when he was a small boy, his father locating on government land. In that county John Baker attended the public schools and on October 4. 1837 was married to Elma Shinn, of Warren county, Ohio. After his marriage he entered a tract of government land, which he farmed until three or^four years before his death, September 13, 1896. In addition to farming, John Baker was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. He enlisted in the Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected'

-on account of his physical condition. Elma Shinn, the mother of Squire J. Baker, was born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, on, July 3, 1816, and -died on June 23, 1898. John Baker and wife were the parents of eleven <:hildren, Louis, who died at the age of two; Mary E., who died at the age of thirty, of Bellmore; Martha Ann, the wife of a Mr. Leonard, of Spencer, Indiana; Diantha, who died at the age of thirty; Mrs. Margaret Jane Stang; Anna, of Shelby county, Ohio; Mrs. Manorah Isabel Stutz, of SjDencer, Indiana; Delilah, who died at the age of fifteen; William Webster, of Kansas City, Missouri; Harvey Newton, of Toledo, Ohio, and Sherman Grant, Dayton, Ohio.

Squire J. Baker was educated in the rude subscriptioh schools of his home county, which were current in his day, although he only received about one year of schooling altogether, his father splitting rails in order to secure money to pay for this one year's education. However, his mother was a well-educated woman, and he gained much of his education at her knee. He spent his boyhood on the old home place and, at the age of eighteen -enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, with Generals Grant and Sherman. His regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Third Division Seventeenth Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, and among other battles he participated in the following : Hankinson's Ferry, Raymond, Mississippi, Champion's Hill, Vicksburg, Jackson, Baker's Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Savannah, Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia, Cheraw, Bentonville and Goldsborough. He was captured at Brandon, Mississippi, and held prisoner by the Confederates for one hundred and ten days before he was finally exchanged, when he rejoined his regiment and served until the close of the war, and was finally mustered out of service at Washington, D. C, May 30, 1865.

After the close of the war, Mr. Baker returned to his home in Sydney, 'Ohio, and helped his father on the old homestead. In the spring of 1867 he was married and began farming near Sydney, living on a farm there until April 2, 1872, on which date he moved to Bellmore, Putnam county, Ohio, where he worked in the timber for five years, after which he^ opened a barber shop in Bellmore and has been in this business since that time.

The interesting career of Mr. Baker would not be complete without mention were made of his fine collection of relics and curios. It is impossible in this brief sketch to give a complete list of the interesting articles which Mr. Baker has collected, but enough will be mentioned to show the wide variety of his collection. He has a tool made of stone, shaped something like a whetstone, which the Indians used as a hide dresser, which was excavated from the Indian mounds on the Ohio river above Cincinnati. He has a line specimen of an Indian granite ax, and a half dozen other stone hammers and axes which he has picked up at various places. Two other mterestmg relics are shuttles which were used by the Indians in weaving fishmg and trapping nets. These shuttles are flat stones with two holes in them, through which the deer thongs were passed. He also has a numerous and varied collection of arrow-heads of all sizes, many of them significant of certain tribes. He has a very rare and valuable scalping-hawk, commonly known as a tomahawk, which is fashioned like a hatchet, except that the hammer end of the hatchet is pointed in shape. This interesting relic was exhumed near Upper Sandusky, near the point where Colonel Crawford was burned at the stake by the Indians, and probably this weapon was used m severing the scalp from some unfortunate victim. An Indian pestle, fashioned from stone, similar to that now used by a druggist, is another interesting curio. It is about six inches tall and from two and one-half to three inches in diameter. This tool was used by the Indians in grinding corn in a hollow stone or the stump of a tree. A stone pipe which was once in possession of some Wyandot Indian, is in the collection of Mr. Baker, the pipe having been found near the remains of an Indian who had been buried in a sitting posture. A unique powder-horn obtained from a rebel soldier by -Mr. Baker himself, is artfully carved into a perfect horn, and the rebel soldier told Mr. Baker that it was the handiwork of his own grandfather. Mr. Baker has a splendid collection of Civil 'War relics, included in which -are bullets, revolvers, army muskets, tools for repairing muskets, an original package of cartridges which had never been untied, and many other interesting mementos of that terrible struggle. Not the least interesting of his Civil War relics, is a soldier's combination knife, fork and spoon, which closes up like a pocket knife.

Mr. Baker has been twice married, his first marriage occurring in the spring of 1867, when he was united to Susan Caroline Michael, and to this first union three children were born, Frank, Minnie and John, who died in infancy. In 1875 his first wife died, and a few years later he married Mrs. Delilah Vannator, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dye) Vannator, and to this second union four children were born, Kitty May, who died at the age of two; John C, who died when he was about two years old; Ethel, the wife of A. G. Yaunce, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Orville J., who is now living in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Baker has been «a life-long Republican, and has been the recipient of various honors at the hands of his party. He has served three terms as marshal of Bellmore, and seven years as mayor. For eighteen years he held the important position of notary public and during Benjamin Harrison's, administration he was postmaster of Bellmore. Mr. Baker joined the Methodist Episcopal church when he was fourteen years of age, and later in life became a member of the Church of God, serving as an elder in this denomination for some years. Later in life he became affiliated with the Evangelical church, to which he now gives his hearty support. Mr. Baker has always been prominent in the life of his community since he became a resident of the village, and has taken a conspicuous place as a leader and cotmselor in matters pertaining to the progress and betterment of the community.

William Chester Sherrard

Fealty to facts in presenting the character of William Chester Sherrard is all that is required to make a biographical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the community. Mr. Sherrard has an honorable reputation and this, more than anything else, gives character and stability to the body politic and makes the true glory of city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light which things of good repute ever invite, the name and character of William Chester Sherrard issecure and, though of modest demeanor and no ambition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career has been signally honorable and it may be studied with profit by the young men entering upon their life work.

William Chester Sherrard was born in Blanchard township, Putnam, county, Ohio, on September 9, 1858, the son of William and Mary Jane (Caddy) Sherrard. William Sherrard was born on February 2, 1825, in Muskingum county, Ohio, the son of Henry and Barbara (Radabaugh) Sherrard, the former of whom was a native of Scotland and the latter of Germany. They had four sons and three daughters, William, Calvin, John,, Mary, Elizabeth, Eliza and Henry.

Moving to Gilboa, when sixteen years of age, about 1840, William Sherrard remained with his parents until he was about twenty-four years of age. His father died when William was about seventeen years old and, being the eldest son, took his father's place on the farm. He was a man of better education than most men of his day and was self-made in every respect,.

f"^ *e age of twenty-four, William Sherrard married Mary Jane Caddy, the marriage taking place on August 19. 1850. She was the daughter of Charles C. and Mary Ann (Dyer) Caddy, the latter of whom was born near Alexandria, Virginia, on September 15, 1815. Mary Jane Caddy was born on June 16, 1830, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and died m March, 1907

Charles C. and Mary Ann Caddy had twelve children, Mary Jane, Dr A ilham, Robert, Ansel, Hester, Charles C, Elizabeth, Julian, Milton, Eva, Irene and James. Robert and Ansel were killed in the Civil War

Wilham Sherrard was a cabinetmaker and always followed this trade with the exception of ten years, when he was superintendent of the Putnam county mfirmary. He also served in numerous official positions. He spent all of his hfe after his marriage in Putnam county, except one year, 1874 when he went to Kansas. He was highly respected and upright citizen a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William Chester Sherrard's grandfather, Charles C. Caddy, was a Methodist minister and a circuit rider. His son, Charles C, Jr is an editor at Pendleton, Indiana. He is a Civil War veteran and during the war was tor a time, imprisoned at Andersonville.

William- and Mary Jane Sherrard had eight children, Almeda, the widow of Eh Harris of Leipsic; Eva, the wife of J. E. Peckenpaugh, of Leipsic; Prof. C. C, of Angola, Indiana; Dr. Ansel C, of Oakwood, Ohio; William Chester, the subject of this sketch; Mary Hester, the twin sister of William Chester and who died at the age of eleven years; Henrv Bassett, of Narden Oklahoma; Dr. Edward Everett, of Los Angeles, California

William Chester Sherrard attended the common schools of Blanchard remaining on the farm with his parents until twenty-three vears old, at which time he was married.

On March 16, 1882, William C, Sherrard was married to Carrie Maid low, who was born in Blanchard township, Putnam county, on August 20 1863, the daughter of James and Mary Ann (Buckland) Maidlow The former was the son of John and Lucinda (Dowd) Maidlow. John Maidlow was a native of England and came with his father to America landing at Baltimore m 1812, when he was thirteen years of age. He came on to Knox county, Ohio, married Lucinda Dowd in that county in 1834 and one year later came on to Putnam county. About the year 1836 he settled on the old Maidlow farm. In 1868 he was elected by the Democrats of the Tenth Ohio Congressional District as one of the two delegates to the national Democratic convention, held in New York city, which nominated Horatio Seymour for President. While always taking an active part in politics, he frequently refused to receive nominations for office, claiming that the post of honor is a private station. On February 18, 1864, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and died on December 6, 1889. The family history of Mary Ann Buckland is contained .in the life story of Elah Buckland, found elsewhere in this volume. Lucinda M. Dowd was born at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, on February 17, 1816, and married John Maidlow, February 18, 1834. They came to Putnam county, March 8, 1837. She was the grandmother of fifty-six children and the great-grandmother of forty. Her twelve children were James A., Elizabeth, Ann, Edward, William, Jane, Agnes, Alice, Laura, Martha, Spencer and Putman. James and Mary Ann Maidlow had a number of children, two of whom died in infancy, Viola, the wife of J. E. Nemire, of Tecumseh, Michigan; Alva R. ; Carrie, the wife of Mr. Sherrard; Huldah, deceased, the wife of J. C. Anderson; Lucinda, the wife of Nate Hickerson; Alice, the wife of B. J. Conley; Fannie, unmarried and at home, aad Mary, the wife of William McDonald, all of whom are residents of Putnam county except Viola.

To William C. and Carrie (Maidlow) Sherrard has been born one daughter, Bessie Dowd, the wife of E. C. Kuntz, of Leipsic. . Graduating from the Leipsic high school, she spent four years at Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, where she was a member of the class of 1905.

After his marriage, William C. Sherrard continued to farm his father's old place in Blanchard township. About ten years later, he bought this farm and has lived here ever since. Mr. Sherrard has always kept a good grade of stock and has been a very successful farmer. He owns one hundred arid fifty-one acres, which he has acquired by his own efforts, having started in life without any financial assistance.

Fraternally, Mr. Sherrard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 284, at Ottawa. He is a Democrat in politics and was a trustee for four years, his term ending in January, 1914. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Leipsic, Ohio, and takes an active interest in its affairs.

William C. Sherrard comes from one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Putnam county, a family of which he, in this late generation, has a good reason to be proud. Mr. Sherrard's honorable, upright life is a fitting tribute to the memories of his father, grandfather and other ancestors who set such splendid examples of worthy living.

Hon. Ignatius H. Kahle

The late Ignatius H. Kahle spent his entire hfe in Putnam county, Ohio and was one of its leading citizens, eminent and able, both in private business and m public life. Whether he was serving his fellow citizens in the capacity of a township official, or his legislative district in the capacity of a member of the state Legislature, he was faithful to every trust which was resposed m him. As a business man, he had those qualities of integrity and industry which made him successful, and at the same time earned for him the hearty commendation of his fellow citizens. In his domestic' relations, he was above reproach and was never happier than when seated by his own fireside with his faithful wife and his children about him. He left a name which is honored by those who knew him and cherished by his children and his children's children.

Ignatius H. Kahle, the son of John Francis Kahle, was born in Greensburg, township, Putnam county, Ohio, on August 22, 1850, and died at his home m Glandorf, Ohio, on February 7, 1899. His father was a pioneer citizen of this county and came from Germany in 1832 with Professor Horstman and settled at Glandorf, in this county, the following year.

Having received his education in the district schools of Greensburg township, Ignatius H. Kahle, when only fifteen years of age, became a public school teacher, which honored occupation he followed for three years When he reached his majority he was elected clerk of Greensburg township, and was re-elected term after term until 1882, when he was nominated and elected representative to the General Assembly of Ohio by a majority of twelve hundred and fifty-six. His service in the Legislature was so eminently satisfactory that he was renominated and elected a second time, by a majority of nineteen hundred and thirty-five, the largest ever given to a candidate in this county, up to that time.

Mr. Kahle made a notable record while a member of the state Legislature.^ During his second term the Cincinnati Enquirer paid a glowing tribute to him in the following words :

"Ignatius H. Kahle, the curly-headed boy of destiny from Putnam, is here pictured with one hand on the plow and the other on the helm of state. Those who know him best eulogize him in both positions. Returning from legislative duties he grapples with the plow or harrow and reaps a bountiful harvest of golden grain in the autumn. In mastering the intricacies of the law, he is no less successful, and is earnest, industrious, cautious, manly You can count on the member from Putnam as a good Democrat and as a good fellow. He is quiet and conservative in manner, but just the kind of a man you can sit down and talk to and be surprised at the information you have gained while talking."

At the close of his second term in the state Legislature Mr. Kahle continued to farm for a year, and in 1887 he engaged in the milling business at Glandorf. In the year following he engaged in the mercantile business at Glandorf with Mr. Kersting, and continued this dual kind of activity until 1893, in which year he went to Europe and visited Germany, France, Italy and Austria, taking with him his son, Frank G. Upon his return home he started in a small way the real estate and banking business at Glandorf, and in 1894 established the Bank of Ottawa, in partnership with Doctor Reed and W. H. Harper, Jr., and continued in charge of the bank until his death in 1899. As a legislator, business man, citizen and neighbor, he commanded the respect of all classes of people and was universally recognized as a man of honest convictions and sterling integrity in all things. He was genial and cheerful, and a man whose many ennobling qualities endeared him to everyone with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Kahle was married on November 4, 1875, to Mary A. Miehls. She was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Mary A. (Hegner) Miehls.

Mrs. Kahle's father was born in Rhenish Bavaria, and her mother was a native of Wurttemberg, Germany. When Mrs. Kahle was four years of age, in 1857, the family moved from Pittsburgh, to Carroll county, Ohio, and seven years later the family located in Greensburg township, Putnam county. Her parents resided on a farm here until old age, and then moved to a farm at Ottoville, where Mr. Miehls died on October 3, 1879, three days before his sixty-third birthday. His widow remained on the farm with the children about fifteen years and then married Peter Wannamaker, and moved to Ottoville, where she lived until her death, October 29, 191 1, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.

Nine children were born to Ignatius H. and Mary A. (Miehls) Kahle, Frank G., cashier of the Bank of Ottawa Company, who married Gertrude Vocke, and has one son, Robert; Emma B. is the wife of Hubbard C. Gerding, and has two daughters, Mary and. Eleanor ; Adelia B., the wife of Frank Laibe; Laura M., the wife of George Laibe, and has a daughter, Laura Mae; George W., the assistant cashier of the bank; Harry I., a real estate man, who married Emma Hermiller, and has a daughter, Rosemary; and has a son, Ignatius Henry; Bertha M. and Mary Pauline, who are now attending St. Joseph's Academy at Adrian, Michigan.

After the death of Doctor Reed, the president of the bank, in the spring of 1913, Mrs. Kahle succeeded him and has the distinction of being the only woman in the state of Ohio, who is a president of a bank. The entire family are loyal members of the Catholic church.

Jacob J. Fraker

Jacob J. Fraker is one of the oldest farmers now living in Palmer township, Putnam county, Ohio. Mr. Fraker has not always been engaged in farming. For eleven years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Pleasant Bend, Ohio, and recalls that he sold provisions to many of the early settlers of Continental, Ohio, and vicinity, while conducting his general store at Pleasant Bend. Mr. Fraker has had many material misfortunes by fire, but he has not only been able to survive all of them, but has, in each case, taken hold of things with a characteristic which bespeaks energy and new determination. Altogether he now owns two hundred and five acres, one hundred and fifteen acres of which is located in section 5, sixty acres in section 3 and thirty acres in section 8. During recent years and while Mr. Fraker has been engaged in farming, he has combined with the raising of grain, the raising of good breeds of live stock. He at present has about one hundred head of Duroc-Jersey hogs on his place and raises a great many Shorthorn cattle. He takes great pride in a splendid Shorthorn bull which he keeps and which is the head of his herd. Jacob J. Fraker is a Swiss by birth and his career is an example of the fortitude, energy and determination which so generally characterizes the people of that world-famed democracy.

Jacob Fraker was born on December 10, 1848, in Altenburg, County of Aargau, Switzerland. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Miller) Fraker. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Switzerland. The father of Jacob J. Fraker was one of six children. John Fraker had two sisters and three brothers and came to America in 1853 when Jacob J. was five years old. His wife was a native-born Swiss also. They settled in Defiance county, Ohio, on forty acres of wild and swampy land and lived there for twenty years. In 1862 John Fraker sold this farm and purchased eighty acres. He traded all of this land, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, for one hundred and sixty acres in Henry county and to this latter farm he moved, and where he lived until his death, in 1888. He had cleared the greater part of the farm and also other farms owned by him at the time

During his hfe, John Fraker was active in pubHc affairs, having served on the school board and as supervisor in Defiance county. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the German Reform church at Sherwood,, in Defiance county. His wife, who before her marriage was Elizabeth Miller, died in 1895, when nearly eighty years of age. She has ably assisted her husband in building up' the family fortune and had always been a loyal and faithful helpmeet. She was also a member of the German Reformed church.

As heretofore mentioned, Jacob J. Fraker was five years old when his. parents came to America. During his early life, he lived in Defiance county on his father's farm. In fact, he lived with his father and mother until his marriage. Jacob J. Fraker has been married three times.

Mr. Fraker's first marriage took place on December 23, 1869, when he was married to Elizabeth Long, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Long. She was bom in Crawford county, Ohio, where her parents had settled, and was married to Mr. Fraker in Defiance county. They had only one child, Mary, who married Charles Easton, of Continental, Ohio, and has five children, Orpha, George, William, Emma and Ralph.

Thomas and Mary Long were natives of different countries, he of Bavaria, Germany, and she of England. He was one of the first school teachers of Pennsylvania, having taught in Allegheny county, where he taught in- both the German and English schools.

After Jacob J. Fraker's first marriage, his father assisted him in purchasing eighty acres of land in Marks township, Defiance county, where he farmed for three years and, after the death of Mrs. Fraker, in 1873, purchased forty acres more, which he farmed for a short time. He then traded his one hundred and twenty acres in Marks township for one hundred and sixty acres in Palmer township, Putnam county. Mr. Fraker moved to this farm in the fall of 1878 and two years later, on September 30, 1880, he was again married, this time to Mary A. Gardener, the daughter of Charles Gardener and wife. By this second marriage there were three children, the first died in infancy; Harmon Andrew, who was born on November 20, 1888, died on February 10, 1893, and Emma, who married Howard Converse and lives at the present time with Mr. F"raker. They have one child, Jacob Andrew, who was bom on August 29, 1903. He is now attending district No. 2 school. Charles Gardener, the father of the second Mrs. Fraker, was a native of Bavaria, Germany, but his wife vi^as a native of Ohio. At the time of the birth of their daughter, Mary, they Hved at Delphos, Allen county. the Clover Leaf railroad was being built through Putnam county and after Mr. Fraker's second marriage, he entered the general mercantile business at Pleasant Bend in Henry county, where he was appointed postmaster at that place and combined his business with this office. It was the first business of any importance in Pleasant Bend, in which he continued for about eleven years and during this time he was not only postmaster, but express and railroad agent. His store burned and he rebuilt it in 1889. After that he sold the stock, but retained the building, which burned a second time. In the meantime he had moved to his present farm in Palmer township, about October, 1889, and here erected a residence. Mr. Fraker cleared the farm and built many substantial buildings, also drained and "fenced the land. When he purchased this farm there was no road in front of it. There were many trying ordeals to be, overcome and these required much hard work and patience. Mr. Fraker was visited with a second great misfortune when his wife died in 1890. Three years later, on January i, 1893, he was married to Mrs. Harriet Catherine (Elston) Clark, who was born in Grover Hill, Latta township, Paulding county, Ohio. She was the daughter of Levi and Cynthia Ann (Bennett) Elston. Mrs. Fraker was educated at Grover HiU and was married on December 18, 1881, to Harrison Clark, of Paulding^ county. They lived in Washington township on a farm. He died, June 29,. 1892, and was buried in Paulding county. Mr. Clark served as a school director and was a prominent and influential member of the Christian church at the time of his death.

Levi Elston, the father of Mrs. Fraker, was a native of Dark county, Ohio, being born near Hill Grove on November 17, 1837. He died on September 26, 1901. His father was James Elston, who was also a nativeof Dark county. The Elstons were of German descent. Levi Elston was. one of seven children, the others being Anna, Jane, Lydia, Mary, Louisa and John. Levi Elston and his brother both served in the Civil War. John lost an arm in the service and was wounded seven times. He took sick in camp> and during this period was bravely nursed by his wife until he was well enough to join his comrades. James Elston and wife died near Grover Hill, Ohio. Cynthia Ann Bennett, the mother of Mrs. Fraker, was born in Dark county, Ohio, and was the daughter of William Bennett, who came from New Jersey. His wife was a native of Ireland. They settled in Dark county, Ohio, on a farm and had seven children, Mary, Cynthia Ann, Martha.

E., Katherine, Edward, Jennie and William H. William H. served in the Civil War in an Ohio regiment and died of illness while in the service. About the close of the Civil War, William Bennett and wife, Mrs. Fraker's maternal grandparents, moved to Michigan and settled in Clinton county, where they lived until their death. Levi Elston and wife, the parents of Mrs. Fraker, were married near Grover Hill, Ohio, and settled in Latta township, Paulding county, on a farm at a time when it was a dense wilderness, where the wild animals roamed through the woods. They cleared the land and Hved there a short time, but later moved to Washington township, where he died. His widow then made her home with her son, George, until her death. They had nine children, Harriet Catherine, who is now Mrs. Fraker; Mary L. ; Samantha C. ; John W. ; Cora Isabelle; Josephine and George, all of whom live in Paulding county; Sylvia Ann and Amanda E., both of whom are deceased.

After the last marriage of Mr. Fraker, -he came to his farm in Palmer township and here he and his wife have lived since that time. Mrs. Fraker has been a loyal and faithful helpmeet and has contributed to the improvement of the farm and the family fortune by her thrift and wise co-operation. They have never had any children, but Mrs. Fraker took Joseph S. Cattell to rear immediately after her first marriage. She has educated him and he has remained with her ever since. She has also reared Mary Clark, whom she took when she was five years old. Mary Clark married Al Pinkhaus and they now live in Decatur, Illinois.

Mr. Fraker is engaged in general farming. He sold twenty acres 'of his land about thirty-years ago and about twenty-five years ago, traded twentyfive acres for sixty acres in section 3, of Palmer township. Some time ago Mr. Fraker's house partly burned, but he has since rebuilt it, in which Mr. Fraker displayed great heroism in putting out the flames. He tore off part of the metal roof with his bare hands and for this feat has been widely admired by his neighbors. Formerly, Mr. Fraker was a member of the Masonic fraternity of Marks township, Defiance county. He served as school director for some years and is identified with the Democratic party. He is a member of the German Reformed church at New Bavaria and has served as trustee of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Fraker are charitable and hospitable people and substantial farmers. They are God-fearing people of the good old type, a type which is not so frequently met with now as formerly. Jacob J. Fraker is an intelligent citizen and has contributed much to the advancement of the community where he has lived so long.

J. W. Smith

J. W. Smith, the son of Manley B. and Abigail (Pickerill) Smith, was born in Brown county, Ohio, on May 21, 1873., His father was a son of John G. and Keziah (Beveridge) Smith, and was born in Hoclcng county, Ohio, in 1845. John G. Smith was the son of Harrison Smith, a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Hocking county. Abigail Pickerill was born in Brown county, Ohio, the daughter of Josiah W. and Eleanor (West) Pickerill. Josiah W. Pickerill was born in Brown county, m 1818, a son of Samuel Pickerill, Jr., who was born in Kentucky in 1793, a son of Samuel Pickerill, Sr. Samuel Pickerill, Sr., was born in Charles county, Maryland, in 1757, and served for three years in the Revolutionary War in Captain Gallahue's company. This company was a part of Colonel Brent's regiment of Virginia troops. In 1792, Samuel Pickerill, Sr., came to Kentucky and in 1809 he moved to Brown county, Ohio, with his family, where he lived until 1850, dying at the age of ninety-three. Twelve children were born to Samuel Pickerill, Sr., and wife. Each one of these twelve children grew to maturity and reared families of their own, and by 1905 Samuel Pickerill, Sr., had over one thousand seven hundred descendants.

Eleanor West, the wife of Josiah AY Pickerill, was born in Brown Ohio, about 1820, and was the daughter of John and Lovina (Stewart) West. John West was born in 1797 and was the son of John and Eleanor West. John West, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary AVar, serving in a Virginia regiment.

Manley B. Smith was a teacher in the public schools of Brown county for many years, but is now farming. J. W. Smith grew to maturity in Brown county and after finishing the public school course of his own township, became a student at Lebanon, Ohio, in the National Normal University. Later he was a student at the Northern Ohio Normal at Ada, and graduated from the latter school in 1894. Before he finished his college course, he had taught school a few years and, in fact he paid his way through college by teaching. In 1899 Mr. Smith came to Putnam county as superintendent of schools at Ottawa, and remained in this capacity for three years. In the meantime he studied law and, in 1902, was admitted to the bar. In politics he is a strong Democrat and from 1909 to 1913 held the office of prosecuting attorney of Putnam county. He has served on the state central committee of his party for six years.

J. W. Smith was married, in 1893, to Winifred Beck, a native of Brown county, Ohio, and a datighter of Herman and Sarah Beck. Mrs. Smithdied in 1895, leaving two children, Winifred, who died a few months after her mother's death, and Lucile, who is now a student in college. In 1899 Mr. Smith married Mary Klein, a native of Brown county and a daughter of John and Catharine Klein, natives of Germany and now deceased. Tothis second union one son has been bom, Stewart S., who is now eleven years of age.

Mr. Smith is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, is a thirtysecond degree Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds his membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

A man of unusual attainments is H. F. Rauh, the editor of the Der Demokrat at Ottawa, Ohio. He spent several years, after leaving college,, as a teacher, and is one of the leaders in educational matters in Putnam, county for more than a quarter of a century. He is also an accomplishedmusician, and is one of the finest pipe-organists in the county. Since 1892 he has been associated with the Der Demokrat and has made this one of theablest German papers in the whole state. Mr. Rauh is the kind of a man whose influence is always in behalf of higher and better things. In educational affairs, in church and in business his ideals are always high, and it can be safely said that he is one of the ablest men of his county.

H. F Rauh, the son of Ignatius and Mary Anne (Weigelt) Rauh, was born on October 4, i860, on a farm in Washington township, Mercer county, Ohio. His father was a millwright and came to this country from Germany when a young man and located in Mercer county. Mary Anne Weigelt alsO' came to this country from Germany when young and located with her parents in Mercer county. Ignatius and Mary Anne (Weigelt) Rauh were the parents of six sons, the three eldest brothers becoming farmers, the fourth son a teacher, while the fifth son is H. F. Rauh, the subject of this sketch, and the sixth is a priest of the Catholic church. The father of these six sonsdied in May, 1869, and the mother was later deceased.

H. F. Rauh was educated in the district schools of Mercer county, Ohio, and later attended the high school one year at Ft. Recovery, and two.

jears in the schools at Cehna. At the age of seventeen he began teaching and taught three years in Mercer county, and two years in Auglaize county, Ohio. However, wishing to get a better education, he stopped teaching and entered the Northern Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and also spent a few terms m the National Normal University at Lebanon. Afterward he spent two years in Pio Nono College, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated with honors. It was in this college that he completed his German and musical education, specializing on the pipe-organ.

After graduating from Pio Nono College, in 1885, Mr. Rauh took charge of an academy in Denison, Texas, but after one year of successful work in that state he resigned in order to assume the superintendency of the Glandorf public schools. At the same time he became the organist of the -St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf, and retained both positions for a number of years. Under his skillful management, the Glandorf schools were put in excellent shape and, without disparagement to previous instructors, it may be said that he was the best teacher which the schools had up to that time. While living in Glandorf, he helped to organize the Glandorf German Building and Loan Company and served as its first secretary for two years. In 1889 he was appointed school examiner of Putnam county, and was re-appointed in 1895. He has always taken a very active part in educational meetings and was elected president of the Putnam county teachers' institute in 1893. Before this time, however, he had become identified with Der Demokrat, a German newspaper in Ottawa. His connection with this paper began in May, 1892, and since March, 1893, he has been the sole proprietor of the paper, since which time R/[r. Rauh has lived in Ottawa, where he has a beautiful home. He has been for a number years a member of the Ottawa board of public affairs, and is also a director and stockholder of the Ottawa Building and Savings Association.

Mr. Rauh was married on July 26, 1893, to Mamie Anne Priesendorfer, a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Wilhelm) Priesendorfer, of Defiance, Ohio, and to this union seven children have been born, John Clarence, on September 18, 1894, died two weeks later; Carl H., November 7, 1895, deceased; Walter Ignatiys, January 23, 1897; Agnes Lenore, December 17, 1898; Cornelius Anthony, September 21, 1900; Mary Bloise' February 5, 1905; James Emerson, died at the age of eleven months; Esther Irene, January 7, 19 10.

Mr. Rauh and his family are all loyal members of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights of Ohio, the Glandorf Aid Society and the Ottawa Aid Society. Mr. Rauh has always given his hearty support to the Democratic party, but has never been a seeker after poHtical preferment. Mr. Rauh is a man of genial disposition and a man whose breadth of view makes him an ideal newspaper man.

James Willis Lowry

In the year 1837 the first member of the Lowry family located in Putnam county, Ohio, and since that year the family have borne an honorable part in the history of the county. The remote ancestors of the Lowry family were French Huguenots, who settled in the valley of the Loire in France in the sixteenth century, and from the name of this river the family name is derived. Originally, the name was spelled "De Loire," but when the family removed to Scotland later the name was anglicized to "Lourie," while the members of the family who' located in Ireland gave it its present orthography, "Lowry."

Driven out of France on account of religious persecution, the family sought a home in England and later removed to Scotland, where they were gentlemen farmers and owned their own estate. Some of them were in Cromwell's army during the civil war, in England, in the middle of the seventeenth century. After the death of Cromwell and the end of the Commonwealth the family located in Ireland. When they first came to America the branch of the family which ultimately settled in Putnam county, Ohio, went from England to County Down, Ireland, and there Robert Lowry was born in 1749.

Robert Lowry was the first member of the family to come to America, and he located here in 1804 with his wife, Mary Johnston, and three sons, Robert, James and William. Another son, Johnston, came to the United States a year or so before that, and the whole family located on a farm of two hundred acres at Poland Center, Mahoning county, Ohio, for which they received a deed in 181 1. The family were of high character, sober, honest, industrious, and were useful members of the church, and of the community in which they lived. They helped form the Poland Center Seceder church in 1804, of which Robert Lowry was one of the first elders. Their eldest son, Robert Lowry, Jr., born in Ireland in 1776, married Rebecca Stewart, a native of Scottish ancestry and high lineage. She was born in York county, now Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1786, or the year following, and died in 1846, near Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio.

Robert and Rebecca (Stewart) Lowry moved to a farm near Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1837, having hved previous to their marriage in Mahoning county, where they were married in 18] 3. Rebecca Stewart was. a daughter of Robert Stewart, who was a son of Samuel, a son of Robert,, who in turn, was a son of John, a descendant from Walter, the first Stewart of Scotland. Walter Stewart was the second son of Alan, who was a Norman and came to Englaftd with William the Conqueror, and his descendants have sat on nearly every throne in Europe.

In May, 1837, Robert and Rebecca (Stewart) Lowry, began their life in Putnam county. He bought a farm on which he resided until his death, August 27, 1848. His wife died on June 9, 1846. Robert Lowry was, short in stature, a great reader and probably the best educated member of the family.

Robert Johnstone Lowry, the eldest of their four children, and the father of James Willis, with whom this narrative deals, was born on September 10, 181 6, at Poland Center, Mahoning county, Ohio. He came to Putnam county, with his parents, and here married Olive S. McConnell. She wasborn on January 24, at Windham, Portage county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Nicholas McConnell, who moved with his family to Leipsic in 1836, and bought a farm. The wife of Robert J. Lowry taught the first term of school in Liberty township, in Putnam county. She died on May 20, 1904,. and she and her husband are both buried in the McConnell cemetery at Leipsic. Robert J. Lowry was a farmer in early life, but after his health failed he moved to Leipsic and opened a general store in 1850. .In 1862 he moved to Urbana, Ohio, where he bought a store, and died on April 30, 1862. After his death, the family moved back to Leipsic, where his widow spent the remainder of her days. Robert J. Lowry was a Republican and served as justice of the peace for eight or ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry and all of the family were members of the United Presbyterian church; he and his wife being among the founders of the Presbyterian church in Leipsic.

James Willis Lowry is the youngest of six children born to his parents. He was born a few months after his father's death and grew to manhood in West Leipsic. After his marriage he began farming on his present farm and has continued to reside there since that time. He and his brother, A. J., have about two hundred acres of land, well improved, and one of the best and most productive farms of the county.

daughter of Henry S. and Adeline (Braught) Lenhart. Her parents came from Pennsylvania to Salem, in eastern Ohio. Henry Lenhart was the sixth son of Jacob and Lydia Lenhart, and was born on December 3, 1823. Jacob Lenhart was a minister in the River Brethren church, and a son of Philip Lenhart, who lived near Ephrata, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Henry Lenhart settled west of Leipsic and was a life-long farmer.

deceased: Chloe, May 23, 1888, and died August 9, 1888; Serge, born on December 4, 1889, who married Mary Anderson, of Monmouth, Illinois, and Henry Forest, June 17, 1901. Mr. Lowry and his family are members of the United Presbyterian church, of Toledo. He is active in the welfare

his community along every line. He has been master of the Grange ever since it was organized, with the exception of two years, and is always active in the fight for temperance. I-fe has served about fifteen years on the school board and has frequently acted as executor of estates, and has settled no less than ten estates, always giving uniform satisfaction in the administering of such duties. He has been a life-long Republican and has always taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of his party. Hospitality is a feature of the Lowry family, and the wayfarer is always sure to receive a warm and hearty welcome at their pleasant home.

William M. French

The whole career of more than sixty years of William M. French has been spent within the limits of Putnam county, Ohio. He was reared and educated in the county, and after his marriage located on a farm in Van Buren township, where he has since resided. Fie has engaged in general farming and stock raising and his farm bears ample witness to the thrift and enterprise of its owner.

William M. French, the son of James and Catherine (Stout) French, was born at Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, on November 23, 1854. His father was born in Virginia and camx to Putnam county, Ohio, when a small boy and made his home with Robert Steward. His parents had died when he was very yourtg and Mr. Steward and his wife took him into their family and gave him a good home until he was grown. He attended the public schools at Gilboa and when a young man started in for himself by l)uying a grist-mill at Gilboa. He also assisted his future father-in-law on the farm, who was one of the largest landowners in the township. In addition to operating the grist-mill, he learned the carpenter trade and worked at various times at this business. James French married Catherine Stout, a daughter of Elisha and Abigail Stout, natives of Licking county, Ohio, and to this union six children were born, Margaret, Elisha, Elizabeth, William TL, Mary and James C. Margaret and Elisha died in infancy, and Elizabeth died unmarried. Mary became the wife of H. Higgenbottom, of Phoenix, Arizona, and has two children, Leo and Bertha, both of whom are married. James C. married Elizabeth Carr.

AMlliam M. French spent his boyhood days in Blanchard township, and received such education as was afforded by the district schools of his boyhood days. He continued to reside on the home farm with his parents, northeast of Gilboa, until he was thirty years of age, when he married and moved onto his present farm, where he has since resided.

Mr. French was married to Clara Guear, a daughter of David and Catherine (Conine) Guear. Her father came with his parents from Virginia when he was eight j^ears of age and located in Licking county, Ohio, while her mother was a native of Licking county, and her grandmother a native of Connecticut.

John G. Yenner, Jr

A retired farmer of Putnam county, Ohio, who is now making his home in Ottawa, is John G. Yenner, Jr., who was born in this county more than sixty years ago. He comes from sturdy German parentage, and has inherited from his ancestors those characteristics of the German people which insure success in whatever occupation they choose to direct their energies. Air. Yenner has been a life-long farmer and when he retired from his farm in 191 1 to spend his declining years in the county-seat, he owned three hundred and forty acres of excellent land in the county.

John G. Yenner, Jr., the son of John G. and Christina (Bauer) Yenner, was born in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1852. His father was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1820, and grew to manhood in his native country. Christina Bauer was born in Erdmanhausen, District of Marboch, in the kingdom of Wurttemberg, Germany, near the city of Stuttgart, on July 14, 1827. She passed away at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Pitney, in Leipsic, August 10, 1913, at the age of eighty-six years and twenty-six days. She was united in marriage-to John G. Yenner in 1849. They were both born in the same place and grew up and married there. In the spring of 1852 they came to America and after a short stop at Columbus, Ohio, and in Findlay, they located in Liberty township, Putnam county, where John G. Yenner, Jr., now has a splendid farm. Christina (Bauer) Yenner was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church in her native land and continued faithful to the end. In her later years she lived as in the presence of God. Her chosen devotions were sweet and sacred to her. She loved to read sermons in the German language when she was no longer able to attend church. Her husband died eleven years before she did. After his death she lived with her daughters, Mrs. G. C. Mack and Mrs. George Pitney.

In his native land, John G. Yenner, Sr., was a cooper by trade, but after coming to America, devoted all of his time to farming. There were ten children born to John G. Yenner, Sr., and wife, Mrs. Mary M. Pitney, John G., Jr., George S., Mrs. Matilda Mack, Carl, William, Mrs. Pauline Schey, Mrs. Caroline Konst, Mrs. Annie Konst, and one who died in infancy.

John G. Yenner, Jr., received all of his education in the schools of Liberty township and lived on his father's farm until his marriage, at the age of twenty-two. He then operated his father-in-law's farm in Liberty township for two years, after which he built a house of his own. and began farming for himself. He continued in active life on the farm until 191 1, when he moved to Ottawa, where he now resides. During his long career on the farm he accumulated three hundred and forty acres of excellent land, nine acres of which is in Ottawa, and the remainder in Liberty township. He was an extensive stock raiser while on the farm and made it a rule to keep nothing but high grade stock. Altogether John G. Yenner, Jr., has four farms all in Liberty township and in a part of the county noted for its fine farms and fine country homes. Mr. Yenner's farm is counted one of the best and his buildings are among the most substantial.

Mr. Yenner was married in 1874 to Almira Clark, the daughter of Samuel and Malinda (Todd) Clark. Her parents came from Wayne county, Ohio, about 1845, ^"d located in Blanchard township, Putnam county, where her father owned a farm and ran a blacksmith shop. Her father lived at various places while he followed the trade of a blacksmith, and also operated a saw-mill and grist-mill at Medary for some time.

John G. and Almira (Clark) Yenner are the parents of seven children, the first dying in infancy. The six living are as follow: Effie M., the widow of John H. Mullett, who died in 1910, and the mother of five chil- dren, Floyd, Lola, Carl, Esta and Wava; Myrtle, who is at home; Harry, a farmer of- Liberty township, who married Lydia Harter, and has two children, Doris and Clarence, the mother of these children dying in 1913; Lillie, the wife of Harry Haughn, of Medary, Liberty township, and the mother of four children, Gladys, Geneva, Thelma and Wilma; Zoe, the wife of Fred Hauk, a farmer of Liberty township, and the mother of two children, Richard and Robert; and Alva, who is managing the old homestead, married Bertha King and has two children. Madonna and Dale.

Mr. Yenner and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Fraternally, he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and is a member of the Reindeer lodge. He is a Democrat and took an active part in the civic hfe of his township. He served as trustee of Liberty township for two terms and for a number of years was a member of the school board.

August H. Wehinger

The Ottawa Tile Company is one of the most important business concerns of Putnam county. In 1907 the four Wehinger brothers, August H., William A., Frank J. and Joseph C. bought the tile factory of C. B. Van Cleve, at Ottawa, which plant was located just south of the present factory of the Ottawa Tile Company. In 191 1, the brothers organized the Ottawa Tile Company, the present officers of which are as follow : President, William A. Wehinger; secretary and treasurer, August H. Wehinger i vicepresident, Frank J. Wehinger; general manager, Joseph C. Wehinger. In 1909 they built the present plant and have since enlarged it in order to take care of their constantly increasing business. They have four kilns and manufacture a great amount of drain tile, as well as hollow and solid brick.

August H. Wehinger, the son of Antone and Abby (Lenhart) Wehmger, was born on October 4, 1874, at Piqua, Ohio. His father was a native of Germany, coming to this country with his parents when a babe in arms. They located at Loramie, Shelby county, Ohio, and in that place Antone Wehmger grew to manhood and married Abby Lenhart, a native of Shelby county, Ohio, and a daughter of Adam and Mary Lenhart Antone Wehmger was a shoemaker until 1897, and then engaged in the manufacture of tile at Gutman, Auglaize county, Ohio. Six years later he bought a farm in that county, near Wapakoneta, where he is now living.

learned the tile-making business in his father's factory and assisted his father until 1907, when he came to Ottawa and engaged in the same business with his brothers.

On October 19, 1898, Augustus H. Wehinger was married to Mary Debbie Thrush, who was born near St. Johns, Auglaize county, Ohio, a daughter of B. R. and Margaret (Bailey) Thrush. Her father has been a life-long farmer and has lived all of his life on the farm where he was born. The Thrush family were pioneer settlers in Auglaize county. Mr. Wehinger and his wife are members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and other orders.

Joseph C. Wehinger was born in 1884 on his father's farm near Wapakoneta, Ohio. After receiving a good common-school education, he entered his father's tile factory, where he learned the business with his brothers. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and then came to Ottawa and became a partner with his brothers in the tile factory at that place. He was married in 1906 to Odessa Irwin, who was born in Hardin county, Ohio, twelve miles west of Kenton, near the village of Roundhead, and is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Keith) Irwin. Her father was formerly in the tile business at Kenton, but is now living a retired life at Geyer. Joseph C. Wehinger and wife have three children, Glenna Marie, Celia A. and Adelia Isabel. The family are all members of the Catholic church and Mr. Wehinger belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The wife of J. C. Wehinger is of Irish parentage on her father's side.

The Wehinger Brothers are excellent business men and their factory at Ottawa gives employment to several men. Their product is shipped all over this section of the state of Ohio, and their business is constantly increasing.

Theodore Haselman

Farming has been the basis of many large fortunes, but fortunes from the farm are built up out of self-denial, industry, economy and good foresight. The German people have been successful farmers because possessed of all these qualities. For many years the Haselman family have been among the most prominent, enterprising and successful farmers of Putnam county, Ohio.

township, was born in 1866, one mile west of where he is now living. He is a son of John and Catherine (Beihmer) Hasehnan. John Hasehnan was a native of Germany, his birth occurring at Munster, where he grew to manhood. While still a young man, he came to America, from Antwerp, the voyage occupying six weeks. He located first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as a box maker, afterward starting a box factory of his own. In 1863 he moved to Putnam county, Ohio, and purchased one hundred and twelve acres of land in the southern part of Liberty township, where he farmed the remainder of his life. His wife, Catherine Beihmer, was also a native of Munster, Germany, and came to this countiy when about twentythree years of age, the ocean journey, owing to storms and icebergs, covering a period of three months, after which she was married to Mr. Haselman. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three are living, William, Catherine and Theodore.

Theodore Haselman grew up on the home farm and lived there until his marriage, on April 27, 1887, in which year he married Anna Schumacker, who was born at Glandorf, in this county, the daughter of Joseph John and Mary (Wellman) Schumacker. Joseph John Schumacher was born at Glandorf, Ohio, a son of Anthony Schumacker and wife, who came from Germany and settled at Glandorf, in this county, with the early pioneers. In those days it was necessary to carry grain to Findlay, Ohio, a distance of twenty miles, to have it ground, which was an inconvenience because of the time consumed in going to and from the mill. Anthony Schumacker and wife spent their lives at Glandorf. Joseph Schumacker was a carpenter and farmer, having learned the former trade when sixteen years of age. His wife, Mary Wellman, was born at Delphos, Ohio, the daughter of Conrad Wellman and wife, natives of Germany, who came to America about 1840. Joseph Schumacker spent most of his life at Glandorf, but now lives on a farm south of Ottawa. His wife died on October 4, 1886.

When John Haselman, the father of Theodore, arrived in America, he had no money, and was in debt. He made his own way entirely, startin.owith nothing and gradually working his way to the front. He first purchased a little place at Ottoville, but disposed of it later after a high flood, when he bought land in Liberty township, adding to it as he was able until, at the time of his death, he was worth over forty thousand dollars.

As soon as Theodore Haselman married, he began farming on his present farm. He had one himdred acres with which to start, but now owns two hundred and eight acres of fine farming land. He has overcome many difficulties during his career in this township. Mr. Haselman had a large family of fifteen children, losing three of them in seven months, and has had eight deaths occur in his home. Theodore and Anna (Schumacker) Haselman have nine children Hving, Anna is the wife of Henry Wyant, and Hves on a farm west of Leipsic. They have three children, Gilbert and Hildegard, twins, and Carmeleta. The other eight children are, Joseph, Aloysious, Lucinda, Adeline, Marcelline, Colletta, Estella and Theodore.

Mr. Haselman is enterprising, progressive and possessed of a genial disposition, and is well known throughout Putnam county as one of its best farmers. The Haselman family are all active and devout members of the Catholic church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested, and to whose support they are liberal contributors.