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

John E. Jones

Agriculture has always been an honorable vocation and at the present time the agricultural output of the United States is more than equivalent to the total output of all the factories of the country put togeher. There is one thing in the life of a farmer which distinguishes it from any other occupation. It is the farmer's ability to exist independent of other vocations. The merchant, the banker and the manufacturer are all dependent absolutely upon the farmer's crop. A famine throughout this country would bankrupt the strongest merchant, wreck the largest bank and close the most extensive factories. Business men can see their business collapse within a week, but nothing short of an earthquake can ruin the farmer. Land is and always has been, the most favorable financial investment. Panic may sweep the manufacturer out of his business over night, but the farmer can survive when every other business fails. Putnam county farmers are equal to those to be found anywhere in the world. Their history is largely the history of the material advancement of the county. Among these splendid farmers there is none more deserving of recognition than John E. Jones, of Pleasant township.

John E. Jones was born on December 24, 1870, in Richland township, Allen county, Ohio. He is a son of Philip and Area (Buckingham) Jones, whose history is to be found elsewhere in this volume in the life sketch of Charles Jones, of Pleasant township.

Mr. Jones left Allen county with his parents when one year old and came to Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio. After his marriage he left home and farmed for one year in Pleasant township and three years in

Riley township, Putnam county. In the latter township he owned forty acres of land, which he afterward sold and purchased eighty acres in Union township, in this county, and farmed on this place for three years, at the end of which time he sold and purchased the John Light farm, consisting of one hundred acres in section 22. He farmed this place for nine years, and again sold out, when he removed to his present farm of one hundred and three acres, in Pleasant township, on March i, 19 12. During that year Mr. Jones built a splendid new barn, thirty-six by sixty-two feet with slate roof, concrete floors and thoroughly modern in every respect. He has remodeled his house and lives in a splendid and comfortable home, thoroughly modern and up-to-date.

John E. Jones was married on December 24, 1893, to Laura Henderson, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hartman) Henderson. Thomas Henderson is a native of Shelby county, Ohio, who came to Putnam county in 1872. He moved to Allen county after his marriage and remained there for a period of four years, where he was a farmer. He then came to Putnam county and settled on a farm in Pleasant township. Here he rented land for a couple of years and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Pleasant township, about two and one-half miles northwest of Columbus Grove, where he farmed for four years, when he traded his farm for another tract of land about one-half mile north of Columbus Grove, which farm he operated for thirty-five years. Mr. Henderson now lives at Elmore, Ohio, and is near eighty years of age. Pie was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Columbus Grove and a school director and township supervisor, as well as township trustee for two terms. Incidentally, he was a stanch Republican, and a member of the United Brethren church. His wife was also a native of Shelby county, Ohio, her death occurring in 1894 on the homestead farm in Pleasant township, at the age of fifty-six years. She was a daughter of Jonathan Hartman. Thomas Henderson and wife were the parents of eight children, William, James and John are deceased; Laura is the wife of a Mr. Jones; Mary is deceased, and Edward is still living in Pleasant township. The seventh and eighth of these children died in infancy.

John E. and Laura (Henderson) Jones have had seven children, Stella died at the age of five years; the fourth child died in infancy; Anna, the youngest child, died at the age of ten months; Ruth, Clarence, Ralph and Lawrence are still living.

Mr. Jones is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in local public affairs. He was township trustee of his home township for two years, 191 1 and 1912, and has been a member of the school board for some years, but is not active, however, at this time. He is a stanch member of the United Brethren church at Columbus Grove, in which denomination he is a trustee. The family are also members of the church and take an active interest in its welfare. Mr. Jones is congenial in his manner, possessed of a sterling character and is a good farmer, believing strongly in modern methods of agriculture and good roads. John E. Jones regards, farming as a science and his success is largely due to the fact that he has farmed along scientific lines.

Joseph H. Edwards

Civilization is a matter of organization of men and materials and lay& out roadways, builds factories, equips them with machinery, educates men to the use of this machinery, all for the purpose of converting raw materials into useful commodities, men and materials being organized so as to build, manufacture, distribute and transport the necessities of life. The first necessity in organization is initiative. An initiative is imagination in action. Initiative does not imply merely the suggestion of the right things; men of initiative are men who carry their plans to a successful issue. Intelligent supervision of the labor of other men is a rare gift. Nine out of ten men do not possess it at all. Hardly one in ten thousand can do it well. That there are enormous differences in the casual power exerted by different minds,, depending on their place of vantage in the social system, is, of course, true. Most men merely echo the prevailing opinion or swell the general tide of thought. The contribution of a single member of the mass is not comparable with that of an individual who occupies a place of prominence or authority. Such a mind operates at a source, coloring all that springs from it, or at a crucial point where every slight deflection is enormously magnified in the consequence. From such minds come the models of opinion; it is such minds that actuate the men of light and leading, the directors in the greateraffairs of mankind. Happy is the community in which there are men possessed of such minds, men of initiative, the born leaders of society; men who instinctively and by inherent right, though modestly and with a reserve born of their intuitive sense of right proportion, take the direction of affairs in whatever course of action they decide upon. In Putnam county there arenumerous examples of this sort, men who are acknowledged to be the natural leaders n ther several fields of acton; leaders in the political, social and religious life of the county, directors in the financial afifairs of the community and managers of great industrial concerns, and all are glad to do these menhonor, for to their initiative and sense of direction much of the prosperity of the commonwealth is due. Among the men thus included none is better known or more highly regarded in the community in which his natural leadership so long has proved its value than Joseph H. Edwards, banker, manufacturer and capitalist, of Leipsic, this county, a brief and modest review of whose career is here presented, not only for the information of the present reader of this valuable historical work, but for the guidance of the future: historian who may seek in these pages a proper reflection of the life of the present generation in this county.

Joseph H. Edwards was born in Licking county, Ohio, in the year 1852,, the son of Thomas VV. and Isabel (Huston) Edwards, the former of whom was the son of Walter Edwards, a nati^'e of Wales, who came to America. with his parents when he was twelve years of age and was reared on a farm on which his parents located in Muskingum county, Ohio.

Walter Edwards grew to manhood on the paternal farm in A/Juskingum county and there married and reared his family, achieving by right of worth and industry, an honorable place in the community. There, in the year 1823, was born his son, Thomas W., who grew to manhood on his fathers farm, receiving such education as the schools of that district were able to supply at that time. Thomas W. Edwards married Isabel Huston, a member of one of the pioneer families of Licking county, Ohio, and about the year 1 86 1 came to Putnam county, locating his family on a farm three miles east of the town of Leipsic, where he remained until advancing years warned him to retire from the active life of the farm, whereupon he moved intothe town of Leipsic and spent the rest of his life, his death occurring on December 3, 1905, his wife having predeceased him several years, her death having occurred in 1892. Thomas W. Edwards was a man of excellent parts, a fine farmer and a good citizen in all that much-abused term implies. His influence ever was exerted in behalf of good things and the people in that part of the county hold his memory and that of his gentle wife in the highest respect to this day.

To Thomas W. and Isabel (Huston) Edwards were born seven children, all of whom are now deceased save Joseph H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of A. J. Hoffman, and Sarah, the wife of E. S. Perry. James and David Edwards died in infancy; W. W. Edwards, for many years a partner with his brothers in a business way, died in 1913, and

Joseph H. Edwards was reared on the paternal farm east of Leipsic and, besides attendance on the district school in that neighborhood, received a course of several years of instruction in special schools conducted in Leipsic at that period. Upon reaching manhood's estate he, for three years, followed farming, but finding that this manner of living did not agree with his health, he sold his farm and for about awelve years was engaged in the hardware business in the town of Leipsic. At the end of this time he formed a partnership with his brothers, W. W. and John, and in connection with I. N. Bushing, engaged in the cooperage business, under the firm style of the Buckeye Stave Company. This company was incorporated in the year 1893 and prospered from the very start. Factories were established in Leipsic, Columbus Grove, Continental, Pleasant Bend, Ohio, and Elm Center, in this county, and as the demand for the company's product grew, other factories were established at various points in Ohio and southern Michigan, operating twenty cooperage plants for several years, being the largest manufacturers of stock barrel cooperage in the world at the time, the firm continuing the business so long as the accessability of timber made profitable this form of industry. As fast as the timber was cleared from the large land holdings taken up by this company in this county, the land was drained and otherwise improved and brought under cultivation, much of this land proving so valuable that it still is held by the company, which owns about two thousand acres in Putnam county alone.

While thus engaged so extensively in the cooperage business, the Buckeye Stave Company established a bank at Leipsic and later a bank at Continental, this county, both of which are operated as private banks, the interests being held by the stockholders of the Buckeye Stave Company. These banks are classed as among the- soundest and most prosperous financial institutions in this part of the state, the personal responsibility back of the two banks being more than two million dollars. The Edwardses also are stockholders in the National Bank of Commerce of Toledo, Ohio, and in the National Lime and Stone Company, of Carey, Ohio, while some of the stockholders in the Buckeye Stave Company also are interested in the Buckeye National Bank of Findlay, Ohio ; the Toledo Machine and Tool Company, of Toledo, Ohio ; the National Quarries Company, of Lima, Ohio, and many other enterprises. John Edwards died in 1901 and W. W. Edwards died in 1913, but their respective estates retained their interests in the stave company's extensive enterprises, having able representatives in the several departments of that company's multiplying activities.

In 1875 Joseph H. Edwards was united in marriage to Mary Folk, who -was born in Licking county, Ohio, the daughter of Lorenzo and CaHsta (Adams) Folk, an old family of that section, and to this union five children were born, as follow: Flossie, who married C. D. Closson, of Circleville, Ohio, and has three children, Helen, Dorothy and Catherine; Mae, who married C. P. Palmer, cashier of the Continental Bank, at Continental, Ohio, and has one son, Paul; Serge F., born on May 25, 1884, who is in the bank at Leipsic with his father, married Myrtle Burke and has two children, Mary and Joseph; Helen, who died in 1912, at the age of nineteen years, and an infant daughter who died in 1896.

Mr. Edwards and his family are members of the Methodist church and are earnest participants in the various activities of that organization, their influence ever being exerted in behalf of all movements designed to advance the common interest. Though not what may be called a "party man" in the stricter sense of the term, Mr. Edwards gives his thoughtful consideration to the political affairs of the county, his voice and his vote ever being enlisted in behalf of good government. Naturally, in view of his wide business interests in this and neighboring counties, Mr. Edwards unconsciously wields a large influence on men and affairs in this part of the state and it is but proper to state that this influence only is exerted on the side of those things that are true and of good report. Without thought of creating invidious distinctions among individuals in such personal mention of the prominent citizens of Putnam county as is made in this volume, the biographer feels properly warranted in making the statement here that Mr. Edwards is a man of whom his community and this entire county may well be proud, a man whom all his friends honor and take delight in so doing. Both in his business and in his private life he is an exemplary citizen, modest and quiet in his demeanor and courteous to all. Modestly sensible of the high position which his extensive activities give him, he would be the last to abuse the power such a position entails and, therefore, enjoys the respect and esteem of all within his very large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Edwards is an enthusiastic supporter 'of all legitimate public improvements and there are few men in Putnam county who are more actively concerned in promoting the larger interests of the community. It hardly is fitting in a review of this character to refer to an individual's private benefactions, but it properly enough may be stated that it is an open secret that there are many persons in the neighborhood of his home who, in times of need, have had cause for gratitude that Mr. Edwards not only has a tender for the cry of distress, but an open hand to supplement the appeal.

Henry J. Lammers

In making up the list of the progressive and successful farmers of Putnam county for presentation in the biographical section of a work as comprehensive as the one in hand, the name of the well-known Liberty township farmer, whose name heads this sketch, comes easily to mind, for he is one who has succeeded by force of inherent qualities which make him one of the leaders in the community in which his entire life has been spent and where his parents had lived before him, and it is but fitting that this sketch of his life should here be preserved for the consideration of the future historian who may take up the important work of reviewing the history of this section. The history of a commonwealth is but the aggregate of the individual histories of the various units which compose the commonwealth and of the manifold factors which operate in creating the distinctive community. Of these factors none is more important than the farmer and the biographies of the farmers, who have done so much toward creating the wealth and distinction of Putnam county, will be regarded as very valuable contributions to the history of this time when this history is reviewed in after years. The name of Henry J. Lammers of Liberty township is, therefore, gladly added to this important list by the present biographer.

Henry J. Lammers was born on January 8, 1868, on the farm on which he still lives on the south edge of Liberty township, Putnam county, the son of Barney, Sr., and Theresia (Recker) Lammers, well-known residents of that section of the county, a sketch of whose careers is given on another page of this volume.

Henry J. Lammers was but five years of age when death bereft him of his mother. The father, however, kept the home together and young Henry grew up under careful direction, receiving his education in the schools of his home township and learning the ways of a farmer's life. Upon coming to young manhood he accepted the management of a second farm which his father owned on the north edge of Ottawa township, where he remained until the time of his marriage, at which time he moved back to the home farm in Liberty township, which he ever since has made his home.

On November 27, 1889, Henry J. I_^ammers was united in marriage to Eva Mary Bock, who was born near New Cleveland, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, a daughter of Nicholas and Catherine (Otto) Bock, who for years were among the best-known German residents of that part of the countv.

Nicholas Bock was born near Coblentz, in the Rhine province of Germany, and about the year 1852 came to America with his mother and sisters, among others in the party, which at that time joined the German colony in this county, being the family of Nicholas Otto, of whom the latter's daughter Catherine was one. In Cleveland, upon their arrival in this state, Nicholas Bock and Catherine Otto were married and the young bridegroom and his father-in-law bought in Ottawa township, Putnam county, a farm of eighty acres, the place on which Val Mack now lives, south of New Cleveland. Nicholas Otto was a maker of shoes in the old country and upon coming to this county followed this trade in connection with his farm work, his handicraftsmanship being much appreciated by his new neighbors. After many years of residence in this county, he moved to Deschler, later returning to Putnam county, taking up his residence in Ottawa, where he spent the remainder of his life.

When Nicholas Bock took up his residence in this county about 1852, the section where he settled was virgin forest. Until he and his fatherin-law could build a cabin, the family was given the occupancy of the neighborhood school house. The cabin which was c[uickly thrown up, later gave way to a much better house, which is still standing. Nicholas Bock was a good farmer and also a good shoemaker. Until later in life he remained on the farm in Ottawa township and then he and his wife moved to Leipsic, in this county, where Mrs. Bock, some years later, died. The of Mr. Bock occurred some years after the death of his wife, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Laubenthal, south of New Cleveland.

Nicholas and Catherine (Otto) Bock had twelve children, of whom the only present survivors are Mrs. Lammers, Mrs. John Nadler and Mrs. John Laubenthal; those who have gone before being Susan, who married Henry Beckers ; Rosa, who married Henry Kolhofif ; Dena, who married Albert Busching; Jacob; Andrew; Nicholas; Valentine, and three who died in infancy. Nicholas Bock had a sister who was reared in a convent at Minster and who eventually became the Sister Superior of the convent.

After his marriage, Henry J. Lammers moved to the old home place in Liberty township, where he was born, and ever since he made his home and where he has reared his family. To his union with Eva Mary Bock seven children were born, Edward H., who married Theresia Klausing and lives in Liberty township; Anna Theresia, who married Theodore Jerivers .and died August 29, 1914, leaving two children, Clara Henrietta and Esther Emma; Albert Barney, at home; Reginia Catherine, died at the age of eleven years and five months; Veronica Catherine, at home; Frances Theresia, at; home, and Rosa Elnore, who died at the age of four years and seven months.

Mr. Lammers is a man of prominence in his neighborhood and takes an. active part in the affairs of the community. He is an earnest follower of the principles of Thomas Jefferson and his counsels are regarded as valuable by the local managers of the Democratic party, his services during the past eight years as precinct committeeman, for that party having gained for him general political recognition over the county. In January, 1908, he was appointed to the important and responsible position of director of the county infirmary and for four years held that position, his administration; of the affairs of that trying office giving general satisfaction. Since retiring from that position he has added to his general farm work the business of buying and selling live stock, shipping in carload lots, in which business he has been quite successful.

The members of the Lammers family are devoted adherents of the Catholic church at New Cleveland and are active in the various beneficences of their parish, being regarded as among the leaders in the movements which seek to advance the general welfare of the neighborhood, and very properly are held in the highest esteem by all who know them. Mr. Lammers is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America, in the local doings of which fraternal organization he takes much interest.

Isaac H. Barnes

No more substantial and moral citizen has ever -come to Putnam county,. Ohio, than Isaac H. Barnes, a well-known farmer of Jennings township.. As a man, Mr. Barnes has been characterized by industry and a patience which overcomes all obstacles, and thus insures success in whatever undertaking one may choose to follow. Putnam county has been honored by many successful and enterprising farmers, but none of them is more honored or more highly respected than Mr. Barnes, who served his country faithfully during the dark days of the Civil War, and afterward won a comfortable competence for his old age by dint of hard work and persistent labor, and whois now hving retired.

Isaac M. Barnes was born on October 7, 1840, in Jackson township, Guernsey county, Ohio, the son of Levi and Susanna (Rogers) Barnes. Levi Barnes was born in Knox county, Ohio, and his wife was born in Maryland"

The former was a carpenter and also a shoemaker by trade. He died ia April, 1846, while yet a young man, while his widow survived him many years, her death occurring in Union county, Ohio, in 1867.

Isaac H. Barnes was one of eight children born to his parents, but he is the only one now hving. He moved from Guernsey county to Union county, Ohio, in 1855, working in the latter county by the day at farm labor.

On March 19, 1861, Mr. Barnes was married to Almeta Dunlap, the daughter of Robert Dunlap, of Union township, in this county. Eleven children were born to Isaac and Almeta (Dunlap) Barnes, nine of whom are still living, Rachel, the wife of E. Chamberland, of Raimer, Ohio; Robert Lester, who died at the age of thirty years, in April, 1895; Lola, who became the wife of Samuel Swihart, died on May 13, 1895; William E., of Jennings township; Hattie, the wife of A. Wessenbarger, and lives in Jennings township; Cora, the wife of Samuel Swihart; John W., a resident of Jackson township; Enoch, of Jennings township; Otto, also of Jennings township; Aaron, at home, has charge of the farm, and Rella is the wife of Jesse Jenkins, of Jennings township.

Isaac H. Barnes came to Putnam county on December 21, 1869, '^"d settled on the farm where he now lives. Clearing away the timber, he built a small cabin and set to work at clearing and developing his land. He now has good buildings and a finely improved farm. Mr. Barnes has retired from hard labor, but still lives on the farm and retains his personal supervision of the farm labor.

During the early days of the Civil War, when the country was demanding the services of its brave and valiant sons, he enlisted in the Union army, and was a member of Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohia Volunteer Infantry, remaining with this regiment until the close of the war, and was mustered out of service in Mobile, Alabama, June 7, 1865. He was paid off at Columbus, Ohio, July 29, of the same year. Mr. Barnes"- participated in several of the hard-fought battles of that great conflict, taking part in the battle of Arkansas Post, Chickasaw Bluffs, Port Gibson, and at Raymond, near Vicksburg, as well as Champion Hills, Black River Ford, Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Fort James, Fort Morgan and Mobile, Fort Blakely and Fort Spanish, the last a little skirmish near Shistler, Alabama. Mr. Barnes was detailed in the Seventeenth Ohio Battery, Light Artillery, in the rear of Vicksburg and served with this organization for about sixteen months.

Isaac H. Barnes is a man well known in this section of Putnam county. He is remembered today and honored for his valiant services in behalf of the

of the Union, when there was serious doubt as to whether the Union would endure. Mr. Barnes has been a useful citizen in times of peace and it is fortunate that in his declining years he has been blessed with a competence which no longer makes his toil and labor necessary.

Herman H. Borgelt

When a notable success is gained by sheer effort, determination and ability, immensely greater credit is due than if the man who succeeded had started with plenty of means and a good education. Herman M. Borgelt secured only the meager rudiments of an education, as it was necessary that -he go to work at an early age. By thrift and industry he was enabled to buy his present farm of eighty acres in Liberty township, in the spring of 1906. At the time of purchase the land was wooded, but Mr. Borgelt cleared the land, dug drainage ditches, and built fences, as well as buying an additional forty acres. The property is well improved, has fine, modern buildings, and IS devoted to general farming with notable results. This story should be a powerful incentive to the young farmer of today, with all his wonderful advantages.

The birth of Mr. Borgelt occurred in Glandorf, Ottawa township, Putnam county, and he is the son of William and Tracy (Slater) Borgelt. Mr. Borgelt had the following nine sisters and brothers : Ignat.z, Frank and Henry, all deceased; Joseph; William; Mrs. Theresa Ellerbrock; Mary, deceased; Mrs. Katherine Remp, and Mrs. Philomena Karl.

William Borgelt was a native of Glandorf, Germany, where he was married before coming to America. He was born on December 15, 18 t8, and died on the Ottawa township homestead on February 22, 1905. When he first came to America he bought forty acres and later added three tracts, two of forty acres and one of fifty acres. He had two farms in Ottawa township, one of ninety acres and one of eighty acres. He later bought three eighty-acre tracts, located in Ottawa, Pleasant and Union townships, which he divided among his daughters. Although he was a public-spirited man, he was a home lover who took keen interest in his farm ventures, which were usually successful. He was greatly aided by his wife, who was a devoted helpmeet and mother. She was a native of Glandorf, Germany, wdiere she was born on November 30, 1840, and she died on the homestead, April 14, 191 1.

The boyhood of Herman Borgeh was passed on the home farm and he received a sHght education in the township schools. He worked on the homestead farm mitil he was twenty-nine years of age, when he rented a farm on which he Hved for three years, Imally buying as related in the first paragraph of this article.

On November 7, 1889, Air. Borgelt married Anna Nartlcer, the daughter -of Ferdinand and Mary (Feltman) Nortker, the former being a native of Glandorf, Gei-many, and the latter a native of Glandorf, Putnam cotmty, Ohio. Herman H. and Anna (Kartker) Borgelt are the parents of thirteen children, namely: Margaret, who died at the age of three; Matthew, who died at the age of two ; the remainder of the children, who all live at home, are, Tracy, Monica, Lewis, Ferdinand, Edward, Sylvester, Alphonse, Hubert, Bernard, Harry, and Lucile.

Mr. Borgelt is an active Democrat and a member of the school board. He and his family are members of the New Cleveland Catholic church. He is an advocate of good roads and is at present foreman of construction of a road which is being built past his farm. Congenial, progressive, and a hard worker, Mr. Borgelt is a good neighbor and has a high standing in his -community.

John W. Miller

Among the progressive farmers of Putnam county who are respected and admired for the part they have had in promoting the general progress -and prosperity of this county is John W. Miller, a well-known farmer of Blanchard township. It has been a comparatively short time since this county was covered with heavy trees, dreary swamps and was overrun by the Indians. Sturdy men have had a part in the transformation of this wilderness and vast sea of water, where now are to be found fertile farms and comfortable and commodious farm buildings. In every community m Putnam county there are leaders in agriculture and business, men who have been fortunate in their struggle for success, and who are the pride of their -community. Among these men is John W. Miller.

Mr. Miller was born on April 16, 1866, in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Joseph Henry and Sarah (Clark) Miller. His boyhood days were spent on the old homestead farm, and here he lived until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when, on October

After his marriage, Mr. Miller operated his father's farm for ten years and then purchased Hillcrest farm, better known as the old Hardin farm, three and one-half miles east of Ottawa on the River road. Mr. Miller is interested in the breeding of thoroughbred live stock, which he raises for his own private purposes. Nothing appeals to his nature more than fine horses, and Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep are his favorite breeds. He is a live-wire farmer in his own community; a general promoter of all public improvements, and has done much toward the extension of the good roads system in his own township. He lays much of his success to the fact that he is thoroughly in love with his chosen occupation.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of three children: Pansy L. was born on February 15, 1891, and was married to Ray W. Sheilder on April 9, 19 14, and resides four miles east of Leipsic on the Ridge road. To. them was born, on March 11, 191 5, Esther Estella Sheilder. This little granddaughter has already completely won the affections of her devoted grandparents. Cort C. was born on June 11, 1893, and Merl E. was born on October 3, 1895. Both sons live at home with their parents.

Politically, Mr. Miller is a Democrat, but his politics are governed by principle, not party. He is well known in his community as a substantial farmer and good citizen, and well worthy of representation in the annalsof his county.

The paternal grandparents of John W. Miller were John Henry and Sophia C. (Egler) Cook -Miller. John Henry Miller was born near Stuttgart, Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1795, and was a gardener. He first located at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, after coming to this country, and in 1836 came to Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. John H. Miller was born one Joseph H. Miller, March 11, 1838. They settled in Putnam county in 1837,, entering one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 19 of Blanchard. township. John H. Miller died in 1850 and his wife in 1865.

Joseph H. Miller was married, June 20, 1861, to Sarah Clark, the daughter of James and Jane Clark. James D. Clark was one of the earlysettlers of- Ottawa township, this county. An interesting incident of this- - pioneer's struggles can be recalled. Mr. Clark had dug a well nineteen feet deep and had walled it in with boulders; but, the water failing, he went into the well to clean it, when the wall caved in. His wife raised an alarm, but the nearest help was one mile away. The few citizens of Ottawa

After the marriage of Joseph H. Miller and Sarah Clark they settled on the old Miller homestead, just west of what is now the county infirmary. Here Mr. Miller engaged in general farming. He was especially proficient in horticulture, raising all varieties of fruit. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, three of whom, including a pair of twins, died in infancy, and another daughter, Eva, died at the age of two and one-half years. The eight children who lived to maturity are: Mary (Kersh), born on May lo, 1862; Elizabeth J. (Maidlow), born on April i, 1864, who died on December 29, 1900; John W., born on April 16, 1866; Margery A. (Harris), born on August 28, 1868; Lucy E. (Heififelmire), born on April 2, 1871 ; James E. and Clara E. (Hummons), twins, born on April 4, 1874, and Alonzo, born on October 7, 1888. Eva Ann, born on November 9, 1878; Cortie and Cora, twins, and a son died in infancy.

Mrs. Sarah M. (Clark) Miller died on January 12, 1890. Seven years later, on October 20, 1897, Mr. Miller was married to Catherine Mack. She was the daughter of John Philip and Barbara (Glowner) Mack, and was born on July 13, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Miller lived on the home place until within a year of Mr. Miller's death, when they retired from the farm to Ottawa, Ohio. Here Mr. Miller died on November 12, 1913.

The wife of the immediate subject of this sketch, Mrs. Stella J. Miller, was the daughter of James B. and Susan Bemont Agner. James Agner and wife were early pioneers in Putnam county, and his wife, who before her marriage was Susan Bemont, was the daughter of Jesse and Catherine (Gross) Bemont. She was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1837. At the age of eight years she, with her parents, emigrated to this county, which was then a dense forest. They traveled in a covered wagon and settled on a claim of eighty acres which now lies four miles east of Ottawa on the Ottawa and Gilboa pike. Susan Bemont was married in Putnam county on August 21, 1856. James Agner was the son of George and Rachel (Mocherman) Agner, and was born oh June 12, 1825, in Fairfield county, Ohio. He settled in Putnam county in 1833. Mr. Agner was interested in educational pursuits and was one of the early teachers in this part of the state. Later he followed the occupation of a farmer, at which he was very successful. James Agner and his wife were the parents of seven children: James B., born on May 15, 1857; Mary C. (Crow), born on August 2, 1859; Luella L., born on May 21, 1861; Belle A. (Miller), born on May 13, 1863; John C, born on January 4, 1865; Avis N., born on October 28, 1866, who died on February 27, 1867, and Stella J., born on March i, 1868. Three children were born to Mr. Agner by a former wife: DeHlah, born on August 5, 1850, who died on September 30, 1851; Myra (Ridge), born on August 15, 1852, and Jemima A. (Cherry), born on May 21, 1854, who died on March 21, 1895. The father, James B. Agner, died on October i, 1872. Mrs. Agner's two brothers, David and Joel Bemont, died in the Union army in 1865. Mrs. Agner always resided on the farm which her parents settled, until her death, which occurred on March i, 1910.

Albert Burkhart

The record of Albert Burkhart is that of a man who has worked his way from a modest beginning up to a position of considerable prominence by his efforts, practically unaided, which fact renders him the more worthy of the praise that is freely accorded him by his fellow men. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the notably systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his acquaintance and, in looking over the list of Putnam county's successful farmers, particularly those whose place of residence is in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, none are deemed more worthy of representation in a work of this nature than the gentleman whose name appears above.

Albert Burkhart was born on March 27, 1871, on the farm in Uniontownship, where he novs/ lives, and is the son of John and Sarah (Clevenger) Burkhart, the former came from Reading, Pennsylvania, and the latter was a resident of Union township. John Burkhart, with his sister and her husband, Amos Beam, came to Putnam county, Ohio, about the time he arrived at mature age. John Burkhart was a shoemaker by trade and acquired a knowledge of that business during his youth in Pennsylvania. After his arrival in that county, he met and married Sarah Clevenger, then rented the old Isaac McCracken farm. Three years later he bought himself a farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty-four acres, and lived on it until his death. Mr. Burkhart was a supporter of the Democratic party, a devout member of the Methodist church, and at one time served the community in the office of township trustee. After his death, his wife again married, this time to William Rambo, and they reside in Kalida. By the first marriage, Mrs. Burkhart gave birth to the following children:

William, Albert, Milton, Hattie, Paul, Rosa, deceased, and August. Of these children, August married Tizbie Smith and now lives in Union township; Hattie is the wife of Albert Stump f and lives in Union township; Milton married Nora McDonald, and William married Myrtle Sarber and now resides in Lucas county.

Albert Burkhart was educated in the county schools and in his youth lived on the farm with his parents. After attaining his majority, he rented a farm with his brother, upon which he resided for about ten years, then acquired the old homestead farm by purchasing the interests of the other heirs to it. On April 29, 1904, he was married to Nora Johnson, daughter of Joseph and Susan Johnson. To her parents were born, Margaret, Chloie, Belle, Albert, Frances, David, and the wife of our subject, Nora. Albert and Nora (Johnson) Burkhart have two children, Emerson, born on January 30, 1905, and Paul, on July 24, 1908.

Mr. Burkhart is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Christian church, to the support of which he contributes of his means. Besides carrying on a general farming business, special attention is given to dairy cattle, and being the absolute owner of two hundred and thirteen acres of fine land, equipped with well-arranged and commodious buildings, Mr. Burkhart enjoys, to a marked degree, the esteem of his neighbors and friends and is a true type of the enterprising, representative citizen, and intelligent, high-minded, courteous gentleman whom to know is to esteem and honor.

Edgar Deck

The Deck family have been living in Putnam county, Ohio, since 1870, and for the past forty-five years have been identified with the history of Blanchard township.

Edgar Deck, the eldest son of John Michael and Elvira (Davis) Deck, was born on June 3, 1867, in Crawford county, Ohio. His father was born on December 3, 1836, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. At the age of twentytwo years he immigrated to Richland county, Ohio. Our country was then in the throes of the Civil War and he heard his country's call and enlisted in a volunteer battery under Capt. George Kirkland. After the expiration of his first enlistment, he re-enlisted and served till the end of the war, receiving an honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, on June 26, 1865.

On November 11, 1866, John M. Deck was united in marriage with Elvira Davis and to this union eight children were born, Edgar, Cloyd, Charles, Harry, Chester and two daughters and a son who died in 'infancy.' Harry passed away on March 15, 191 5, at the age of forty-one years.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Deck lived at Bucyrus, Ohio, movmg, in 1870, to Putnam county, where he conducted a saw-mill and also agriculture. He invested his money in land, accumulating four hundred acres, located in Van Buren and Blanchard townships. This farm he divided among his five sons, Mr. and Mrs. Deck moving to Leipsic about seven years ago. John M. Deck passed away on June i, 1915, at the age of seventy-eight years, five months and twenty-eight days.

Edgar Deck was three years of age when his parents located in Putnam county. On November 24, 1888, he was united in marriage with Agnes Buckland and to this union were born seven children : Bertha, who died in infancy; Sanford, who was killed on April 16, 1915, at the age of twentyfour years, by an explosion of dynamite; Mabel; Earl; Zelma; Max, who died at the age of fifteen months, and Imo, who died at the age of three months. After his marriage, Edgar Deck remained on his father's farm until 1 90 1, when he moved to Leipsic, where he conducted a pool room, threshing during the summer seasons. In 1908 he moved onto his father's farm, which the latter afterward gave to him. While he raises good crops, he still conducts his threshing machine and gives particular attention to 'the feeding of live stock, having found that the major portion of his income is derived from that source.

John Kehres

That life is the most useful which results in the greatest good to the greatest number. Though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can reach success, and make life a blessing to his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public position to do so, for in the other walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talent and influence that will in some way touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better and brighter. In the list of Putnam county's successful citizens, John Kehres, a prosperous farmer of Jackson township, has long occupied a prominent place. In his career there is much that is commendable. His life forcibly illustrates what a man of energy can accomplish when plans

John Kehres, a well-known farmer of Jackson township, Putnam Ohio, who now lives on the old homestead farm which he inherited from his father and where he was born on February 27, 1862, is the son of Sebastian and Barbara ( Hintzman) Kehres.

Sebastian Kehres was born in Reunzenheim, Alsace, France, on January 22, 1816. He was educated in his native land and there learned the carpenter trade. Sebastian Kehres was the sixth in a family of nine children. The other eight were Valentine, Magdalena, Michael, Catherine, Anna, Joseph, John and George. Sebastian Kehres served faithfully for six years in the army of his Fatherland and in 1845 was married to Barbara Hintzman, the daughter of Joe and Margaretha (Lang) Hintzman. She was born on December 21, 1826. They w^ere married in France and lived there until March 25, 1857, when they took passage for America. They located in New Riegel, Seneca county, Ohio, where Sebastian Kehres followed the occupation of farming. He purchased a tract of land of forty acres in 1861 and moved to Putnam county a little later, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in this county. This land was improved to an excellent state of cultivation. Adversities came, however, in 1885, when his home was destroyed on May 15, of that year. He then built a fine residence, in which he lived until his death, on April 2, 1892. His widow survived him and died on January 9, 1896, at the age of seventy years. She was a faithful member of the Catholic church.

Sebastian Kehres was a Democrat in politics, and held several minor offices, among which was that of township supervisor and school director, for several years. Sebastian and Barbara Kehres had ten children.

John Kehres, the subject of this sketch, lived on his father's farm and received his education in the common schools of the township. He was a faithful and industrious lad in all of his work and an invaluable aid to his father and mother.

Mr. Kehres was married on June 6, 1895, to Anna Helmkamp, the of Barney and Clara (Grewe) Helmkamp. She was born in Ottoville on September 24, 1867, and there was educated. Her father was a native of Ohio and died on December 2-(i, 1875. Her mother was born in Hanover, Germany, July 24, 1846. She married again, the second time, after the death of her husband, to Bernard Schlagbaum.

John Kehres owns one hundred and twenty acres of well-improved land m Jackson township. He has the very best buildings and has put up almost all of them smce he came into possession of this land. He makes a specialty of raismg thoroughbred Percheron horses and has a good grade of stock of all kinds.

Mr. Kehres is a Democrat and has been township trustee for several years. He is also a member of the Jackson township school board All of the members of the Kehres family are affiliated with the Catholic church at Ottoville, and Mr. Kehres is a liberal contributor to the support of this church He IS an mfluential citizen and highly respected by all the people of Jackson township.

George A. Burkholder

The whole career of George A. Burkholder has been spent in Putnam county, Ohio, where he was brought by his parents a few months after his birth m Pennsylvania. His father was a carpenter and he followed the same trade himself until a few years ago, since which time he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising in Van Buren township. He now has a well-improved farm, on which he raises all the crops peculiar to this section of the state.

George A. Burkholder, the son of Alfred and Mary Ann (Wolf) Burkholder, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1861. Alfred Burkholder was born in the same county in 183 1, a son of Joseph and Caroline Burkholder. He grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and married Mary Ann Wolf, the daughter of George and Mary Ann Wolf, natives of Pennsylvania and Scotland, respectively. Mary Ann Wolf, the maternal grandmother of George A. Burkholder, was a native of Scotland, coming to this country,, when she was very young, with her parents.

Alfred Burkholder was a carpenter by trade and in 1861 removed from Pennsylvania to Putnam county, Ohio, where he located in Liberty township. Within a short time after settling in Putnam county, he enlisted in the Eightyeighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the^'war. He was assigned to guard duty at the Federal prison in Franklin, and did not see active service at the front. After the war he returned to Putnam county, and continued his trade as a carpenter until his death. Seven children were born to Alfred Burkholder and wife, George A., of Putnam county; Florence, who married Emery Warden, and has two children; Joseph, wh6 married Effie Dick, and has four children; Delia, who married Sherman Hamon, and has three children ; Jasper, unmarried ; Lula, who is the wife of Edward Emmons, and has two children; Ardella, the wife of Terry Connor.

George A. Burkholder was educated in the common schools of Liberty township, and remained at home until his marriage. As a young man he had learned the carpenter trade with his father, and after his marriage he continued to follow the carpenter and contracting business in this county. A few years ago he was injured in such a way that he was unable to continue his work as a carpenter, and since that time has devoted himself to general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Burkholder was married on November 25, 1890, to Lydia Toman, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Toman, natives of western Pennsylvania. Mrs. Burkholder was born in Putnam county, Ohio. To their union have been born four children, Elizabeth, Howard, Bon Ware and Harry, all of whom are single and still living with their parents.

Mr. Burkholder is a member of the Church of God, while his wife holds her membership in the Church of Christ. Mr. Burkholder and his familyare highly esteemed in the community where they have lived for the past quarter of a century, and they have many warm friends who admire them for their many good qualities of head and heart.