Putnam County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 4 of 33)

Mr. Rampe, with his wife and children, are loyal and devout members of the Catholic church, and are generous contributors to its support. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Lima, Ohio. Mr. Rampe is a thorough business man, and by industry and unexcelled business judgment has become one of the most substantial men of the county.

Charles A. Ferrall

It is a well-authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legitimate and well-applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in a course of action which one has decided upon. Success was never known to smile upon the idler or dreamer. She nfcver courts the loafer and only those men, who have diligently sought her favor, are crowned with her blessing. It is apparent that the success of Charles A. Ferrall, leading restaurant man of Putnam county, located at Ottawa, has been won by unfailing industry, determination and a fixed will. These qualities have also gained for him the high esteem of the people of Ottawa.

20, 1873, the son of John and Louise (Devinney) Ferrall. John Ferrall was born in 1838, and was reared in Blanchard township, Putnam county. He was the eldest son of James and Parthena (Hickerson) Ferrall, who came to this county soon after their marriage and located in Blanchard township. They came from Licking county, Ohio. James Ferrall was the son of John Ferrall, a soldier in the American Revolution.

John Ferrall grew up in Blanchard township. His father was a shoemaker at Gilboa and was an expert at this trade. John Ferrall married Louise Devinney in 1862, who was born in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Anna (Umwake) Devinney. John Devinney was the son of James Devinney, who was a native of France and a soldier in Lafayette's army in the American Revolution. Anna Umwake was one of four children, brought by their parents from Pennsylvania to Fairfield county, Ohio. Louise Devinney lived at Lancaster until ten years of age and then came to Ottawa with her sister, Mrs. Redd and her husband, who moved here in wagons, in 1848. They located about two miles east of Ottawa, south of the Blanchard river, where the old Pierman home is now located. Four years later, Louise Devinney went to live with her half-brother, Jacob Green, who conducted the Defiance Democrat, and was probate judge for many years and a man well known in the county. Louise Devinney went to Defiance in order to take advantage of the better schools at that place and. after three years, began teaching. She taught about five years south and southeast of Ottawa until her marriage. John Ferrall was a soldier in the Nmth Ohio Cavalry. He enlisted a short time before his marriage and later re-enlisted. Three of his brothers also served in the Union army. John Ferrall was in the service until the close of the war, Mrs. Ferrall meanwhile staying with her mother who then lived near Columbus Grove. After the war, John Ferrall spent the rest of his life at Gilboa, where he engaged m various lines of business. He died in October, 1885. He was widely known as a genial-tempered man and was marshal of Gilboa for many years He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs Ferrall were the parents of five children, Mary, the wife of George Rennells of Toledo; Anna, the widow of David Long, who was a lawyer of Ottawa- Charles A., the subject of this sketch; Eliza, the wife of Bert Shondell a railroader, of Fort Wayne; William, a conductor on the Cincinnati Hamilton & Dayton railroad, of Lima, Ohio. About two years after Mr Ferrall" died, Mrs. Ferrall moved to Ottawa, where she built a home and where she has resided since that time.

of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton tracks on the south side of Main street, about 1903. At that time it was an old frame building. He started in a small way and continued in business with increasing success.

Mr. Ferrall traveled to the Pacific coast to marry in the spring of 19 10. He was married at Los Angeles, Califorriia, May 5, 1910, to Laura Kraft, who was born on May 5, 1882, at Ottawa, Ohio. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Trame) Kraft.

John Kraft was born on March 25, 1855, a short distance north of Ottawa. He is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Gross) Kraft. Joseph Kraft and wife were natives of Alsace and married there. They came to this country nearly seventy years ago. Joseph Kraft was a farmer and the son of Andrew and Walbruck (Brockmeyer) Kraft, and was born June 3, 1812, settling in this country in 185 1. His wife, whom he married in Haucknew, France, April 17, 1842, was also born in Alsace, July 16, 1822. She was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Burger) Gross, who came to this country in 185 i.

Joseph Kraft and wife settled north of Ottawa and spent the rest of their lives on the farm. John Kraft, their son, married Elizabeth Trame in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft are the parents of three children living and one dead, Laura Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Ferrall; Catherine Johanna, the wife of Nicholas Miller, ex-sheriff of Putnam county; Mary Dorothy, who -died at the age of four years and three months; and Clarence Edwin, who is at home. Elizabeth Trame was born at Toledo, Ohio, February 25, 1853, the daughter of Christopher and Mary (Brinkman) Trame, both of whom were born and reared in Hanover, Germany, the former on October 30, 1819.

Mrs. Ferrall spent most of her younger life in Ottawa, where she attended the parochial schools and also the Ottawa high school, from which latter school she was graduated at the age of seventeen. She then spent several years in the Meffley dry goods store and two years in Toledo in mercantile business. She then went to Los Angeles to live with her married sister and it was not long after she went to live in Los Angeles that Mr. Ferrall joined her.

After their marriage, Mr. Ferrall came back to Ottawa and, the following October, sold out, expecting to locate in Los Angeles. In February he returned to Ottawa and opened a restaurant in the second room east of where the Ottawa Banking Company is located. In the December following he moved into his present location where a new building had been erected,

Mr. Ferrall is a member' of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For twenty-three years he has been a member of the Ottawa fire department. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrall have two children, Paul Aubrey and Catherine Louise. Mr. Ferrall is a big whole-souled man, fond of hunting, fishing and other clean sports. He is a shrewd and careful buyer and knows how to conduct a good restaurant. Mrs. Ferrall is a woman of charming appearance and socially is popular in Ottawa. Their children are bright, healthy youngsters, of whom their parents are very proud.

Anderson James Young

Ohio was not lacking in loyalty during the dark days of the Civil War when the Ship of State was almost stranded on the rocks of Disunion, but contributed her full quota of brave men to assist in preserving the integrity of the government, prominent among whom was Anderson James Young, now a well-known druggist of Leipsic, Ohio. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril and extremity, as was demonstrated on many bloody battlefields, he has ever been its stanch supporter in times of peace, and today there are few veterans in Putnam county who are more widely and favorably known, and none that can boast of a more honorable record. The ranks of the noble organization to which he belonged in the days of his youth are fast being diminished by the one invincible foe and it is fitting in every publication of this nature that special tribute be paid to those who served through the greatest civil war known to history.

Anderson James Young was born on December i, 1841, near Tiffin, Ohio. He is the son of Samuel and Isabella (Sutton) Young. Samuel Young was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Seneca county, Ohio, when a young man, settling on a farm. He was a life-long farmer, near Seneca and was married there to Isabella Sutton, who emigrated with her parents to Seneca county in pioneer days, who were farmers and natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel died on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres where he spent almost his entire life. When he first acquired possession of the farm It was a wilderness. Under his directing care and by the consequence of hii labors, he saw this farm transformed, by the spade and the plow, into a vast

Anderson James Young left Seneca county, Ohio, for Putnam county, in 1862, and settled in Van Buren township. He lived in that township for a time, when he left for Hancock county. His education was obtained mostly in the common schools of Seneca county and in the high school at Tifiin.- After leaving the high school, he entered the Cincinnati School of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated. He also attended the Springfield (Ohio) School of Pharmacy, for some time.

Mr. Young enlisted in Company E, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, for three years and three months, February 26, 1862, at the age of twenty-three. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, April 10, 1864, by order of the war department, and went to Washington, D. C. He was discharged, after serving three years and three months. He enlisted at Tiffin, Ohio, under Col. William H. Gibson and fought in the battles of the western campaign. He was wounded in the hand at Corinth, Mississippi, and again in the knee at Stone's River. He also fought in the battle of Shiloh.

Mr. Young was married on February 10, 1866, to Mary Foulk, a native of Putnam county, born on May 18, 1842, and the daughter of Peter and Sarah (Heck) Foulk. Peter Foulk was a native of Pennsylvania, born irt Starke county and after his marriage to Sarah Heck, came to Hancock county, Ohio, when this county was a vast wilderness. He farmed a short time in. Hancock county when he removed to Van Buren township, Putnam county, near Leipsic, where he died on November 21, 1878. He was born on February 27, 181 1, and was sixty-seven years old at the time of his death. He wasmarried, in 1834. Sarah Heck was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio,, and, shortly after her birth, was taken by her parents to Hancock county. Peter Foulk was a man of stalwart frame, of powerful muscular development. He was a man of indomitable courage, which qualities enabled himto brave the perils of pioneer life. Peter Foulk's wife died, about 1871. They had ten children, five of whom are now living, Mrs. Julia Young, of Leipsic; Mary, the wife of Mr. Young; Mrs. Lucinda Fike and Mrs. Emma Baughman, both of Leipsic; and Peter, of Chicago, Illinois.

To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson J. Young, three children ' have been born, Emma B., born on January 5, 1867, now deceased; Everett J., born on April 20, 1869, and Orville E., born on September 7, 1875, who married Delia Scott, and has three children, Harry E., who attends the Ohio State Univer-

Mr. Young has two sisters and one brother living, Mrs. Rachel Haynes, of Carey, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Jane Noel, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Washington, of North Baltimore, Ohio.

After his marriage, Mr. Young returned to Leipsic, Ohio, and entered the drug business. He has continued in this business practically all the time, and is still more or less active. He is a skilled pharmacist, and is widely known. Mr. Young holds the only diploma in the city of Leipsic. He is also a jeweler and learned this trade when a young man. At the present time, Mr. Young holds county and state certificates as a druggist.

Mr. Young is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, but is not active now. He is a member of Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Leipsic, Ohio, and belongs to the State Jewelers' Association. He has always been a stanch Republican. Mrs. Young is a member of the Presbyterian church, at Leipsic. Anderson J. Young is a man who is libera! in his views and who believes in free speech. He is a loyal neighbor, has been an excellent business man, and is honored by the people of his community in which he has so long been a factor for gen- -eral advancement and improvement.

The parents of William H. Begg, M. D., located in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1857 and lived there the remainder of their days. Doctor Begg was about four years old when his parents came to this county, and has since spent all of his career here with the exception of the time he spent in college. In his younger manhood he taught school for a time, but since graduating from the medical college in 1881, he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession in Columbus Grove. He has always taken a very prominent part in the life of his community and has served many years on the school board of Columbus Grove, and on the state board for the Toledo hospital for the insane. He and his wife have reared an interesting family of three children.

William H. Begg, M. D., the son of William and Jean (Dobbie) Begg, was born in 1853, in Franklin county, Ohio. His parents were both born and reared in Cumberlandshire, Scotland," and were married at Stirling in their native country. They came to America in 1834, and located at Canal Winchester, Ohio. They had started across the state to reach Cincinnati, but when they reached Canal Winchester, Mrs. Begg took sick with the malarial fever, and they had to stop on that account. They continued to reside in Canal Winchester until 1857, and then moved to Putnam county, where they lived the remainder of their days.

Doctor Begg was four years old on the day his parents finally settled in Putnam county. His father bought property in Columbus Grove and also a farm on the edge of Allen county adjoining Putnam. The family lived about three years in Columbus Grove and then moved to the farm, where Doctor Begg grew to manhood. Early in life he began to teach school and before reaching manhood became a student in the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, where he had for classmates several men who later achieved national fame. He taught school in the country, both before and after attending the university at Lebanon, and was teaching in the high school at Columbus Grove when he decided to pursue a medical course. He resigned his position as high school teacher and entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he began his medical studies. Later he became a student in the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati and graduated there in the class of 1881.

Immediately after graduating from college, Doctor Begg located in- Columbus Grove for the practice of his profession, and here he has been hving since that time. He has built up a very large practice and is not only one of the leading practitioners of his county, but also one of the leaders in his profession in the state. He was a member of the school board for eighteen years and refused to serve longer because of his wide range of medical practice. He served for twelve years as a member of the state boardwhich has charge of the hospital for the insane at Toledo, Ohio. He has' always taken an active interest in the life of his community and his Support' could always be relied upon for all public-spirited enterprises.

Doctor Begg was married on September 8, 1881, to Martha M. Kohli, a daughter of Peter and Louisa (Featheringill) KohH. Her parents were both born in this county where they have lived all of their lives. Mr. Kohli lived in Pandora, where his father kept a hotel.

Doctor Begg and his wife have three children living,' Ethel Jean, Russell Stuart and Harold Kohli. Ethel is a graduate of the Western College at Oxford, Ohio, and is now the wife of W. M. Crawford, of Columbus Grove, whose history kppears elsewhere in this volume. Russell graduated ' in 1908 from the engineering department of the University of Michigan, is a member of the Phi Deha Theta fraternity, and is now experimental engineer for the Jeffries Automobile Company, at Kenosha, Wisconsin. He married Lenora Sterling, of Columbus Grove, and has one daughter, Edith Martha. Harold, the youngest child of Doctor and Mrs. Begg, is now in the medical department of Northwestern University at Chicago, and is in his third year. He is taking the course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine, and intends to make the practice of medicine his life work. He belongs to Phi Delta Theta and the Phi Rho Sigma fraternities. Doctor Begg is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and has attained to the chapter degree. He is a man of genial personality and has those charming characteristics which always mark the genuine Scotchman. Personally, he is tall and commanding in appearance and it is safe to say that no man in his community is held in higher esteem.

Mathias J. Fuerst

The Fuerst family was one of the first to locate in Putnam county, Ohio, the father of Mathias Joseph Fuerst locating in this county several years before the Civil War. Mathias J. Fuerst started out to make his own way in the world when he was fifteen years of age, working for a time for fifty cents a day and paying three dollars and a half for board. He worked at the carriagemaker's trade, and for three years worked in the Brown dry goods store in Ottawa. For the past four years he has been engaged in the agricultural implement business, in partnership with Charles J. Kerner. The firm sells all kinds of agricultural implements, cream separators, gas engines, harness, buggies and various implements and tools used on the farm.

Mathias Joseph Fuerst, the son of Anthony and Otilia (Yerger) Fuerst, was born in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, January 23, 1864. Anthony Fuerst was born in Monheim, Germany, February 4, 1829, coming to America when a young man, about 1854. He lived for a short time in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and, after marrying in that state, moved to Columbus, Ohio, where, a few years later he located in Putnam county, on a farm, between Ottawa and Glandorf.

Anthony Fuerst, who is still living in this county, in his eighty-seventh year, has had a very interesting history. In Germany, he learned the mason's trade, and, after coming to America, he continued to follow it. He started in a very humble way, after coming to America, and for a time worked for fifty cents a day, and actually saved money. When he came to Putnam county, Ohio, with his wife, he bought a small farm, between Ottawa and Glandorf, where he erected a brick house, which is still standing in a good state of preservation. Afterward, he bought another farm, about three miles north of Ottawa, as well as a small tract, just west of the county seat. All of these farms were covered with timber, when he bought them. He continued to follow the trade of a mason, in connection with h(is farming and other work, and has built most of the large brick buildings in Ottawa, as well as in other towns throughout the county. He built the Catholic church, the old jail, and a large number of the buildings, in the business part of Ottawa. Anthony Fuerst married in Pennsylvania, shortly after coming to this county, Otilia Yerger, who died in 1876, at the age of forty-four, leaving nine children, all of whom are still living, John, born on April 20, 1856; Mary, born on December 28, 1858: Lizzie, born on January 9, i860; Louise, born on April 4, 1862; Matthew J., born on January 23, 1864; Henry, born on March 13, 1866; Anna, born on January 25, 1868; Regina, born on February 17, 1870, and Frank, born on March 8, 1872. After the death, of his first wife, in 1876, Anthony Fuerst married Mrs. Mary Kapel, the widow of Joseph Kapel, and to this second union three children were born, Toney, Theodore and Emma. Toney was killed by a bursting emery wheel; at Lima, Ohio, in 191 1. The mother of these three children died about 1909, and after the death of his second wife, Mr. Fuerst lived with his daughter, Elizabeth, until 19 13. He is now making his home at Lima, Ohio, with another daughter Mrs. Louise Day.

Mathias J. Fuerst has spent his whole life in Putnam county. He lived at home until he was fifteen years of age, and then started out to work for himself. With four dollars and a half in his pocket, he went to Van Wert, Ohio, to secure work. He did not know a single person in the town of Van Wert, and, after much trouble, finally secured a job in a spoke factory, at fifty cents a day. In view of the fact that his board cost him three dollars and a half a week, he did not hold this position long, and found employment in a hotel, where he worked as a porter for a short time. He was not satisfied with this, and one day started out to walk through the country in order to look for work on a farm. He finally secured a job as a helper to a brick mason, and shortly afterward found a job in the country on a farm, where he worked for two months. He then came to -Ottawa, learned the carriagemaker's trade and followed this for eight and a half years.- He entered the dry goods store of the Brown Dry Goods Com- paiiy in Ottawa, as a clerk, in 1891, and for twenty consecutive years was an efficient salesman in this store. He started in at one dollar a day and saved his money. After becoming an employee of the store, he resigned his position and spent one year in college. Mr. Fuerst and H. C. Humming opened an implement store in Ottawa in 191 1. A year later, Mr. Hummins disposed of his interests in the firm to Charles J. Kerner, and the firm is now known as Fuerst & Kerner. Although they have been in business but a comparati\'ely short time, they are already building up a large trade throughout the county and bid fair to become well established.

Mr. Fuerst was married in 1896 to Ella McGrevy, the daughter of John and Lizzie McGrevy. Mrs. Fuerst was an employe at Brown's dry goods store until her marriage. Two years after their marriage and five days after the birth of a son, Charles Joseph, Mrs. Fuerst died. This son is now attending school in Ottawa. Fifteen years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Fuerst married Cora Ringenbach, a native of Starke county, Ohio, and a resident of Canton, at the time of her marriage. Mr. Fuerst and his wife and son are members of the Catholic church.

Mr. Fuerst has always been identified with the Democratic party, and has served as clerk of Ottawa for four years. Mr. Fuerst is essentially a selfmade man and is well deserving of the success which has come to him. He is a quiet and unassuming man and has a host of friends and acquaintances in Ottawa and throughout the county.

Levi Basinger

Within the past twenty years, Levi Basinger, the subject of this sketch, who during all of this time has been assistant cashier of the People's Bank at Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio, has arisen to a position of great prominence and power in this section of Putnam county. During this period, Mr. Basinger has not only become well known as one of the important figures in the Peoples Bank, but he has also achieved a remarkable success as a merchant. Likewise, Mr. Basinger, during this period, has acquired a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres east of Columbus Grove. In all of this time, however, he has never lost sight of his large duties because of the added power which his wealth and property have given to him.. He has performed every civic and social duty and in

Levi Basinger was born on March 29, 1870, near Columbus Grove,, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Chtistian and Regina (Lugilbihll) Basinger, whose family history is to be found, in the sketch of William Basinger, also a son of Christian and Regina Basinger, and contained elsewhere in this volume.

Levi Basinger worked hard on the home farm of his father and mother until twenty-one years old, when he took a business course at the Ohio- Northern University at Ada. He has been connected with the Peoples Bank, of Columbus Grove, continuously since that time, a period of nearly twentyfive years. Mr. Basinger is a stockholder in the bank and has been assistant cashier from the time the bank was organized in 1891. The Peoples Bank is a flourishing institution and certainly not the least of the credit is due tothe sagacity and good business judgment and management of Levi Basinger. Mr. Basinger also owns a farm east of Columbus Grove, consisting of one hundred and twenty-five acres. It is a splendid farm and Mr. Basinger devotes considerable attention to the details of its operations. Since 1913, he has owned the controlling interest in the Home Industries store, at Columbus Grove. This store does a good business and Mr. Basinger ac^ tively controls its management. He purchased the five and ten-cent store at Columbus Grove in August, 1914. This store carries a complete stock of goods usually found in such stores, and also carries other things at a slightly higher cost than five or ten cents.

Mr. Basinger built his present residence in 1904, which is a large modern home erected on Main street, about one block from the business part of town. It is generally considered as one of the very finest residences in Columbus Grove. Here Mr. Basinger and his wife and family live.

Levi Basinger was married shortly after the beginning of his business career, February 22, 1892, to Elizabeth Amstutz, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Amstutz. Mrs. Basinger comes from an old and highly respected family of Putnam county and her marriage to Mr. Basinger has been a most happy one. They have had two children, Catherine and Roswell.

Mr. and Mrs. Levi Basinger are active meiTiIiers of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Columbus Grove. Levi Basinger is considered a li\-e wire among the younger business men of Columbus Grove. Notwithstanding his busy career, he is extremely courteous in his business and social relations and is popular throughout this section of Putnam county.

William E. Dibble

The venerable gentleman, whose career is here briefly given, is one of the older residents of Leipsic, Van Buren township, Putnam county, Ohio. His life has been such as to win the confidence and good will of the people of his community and to make him well and favorably known throughout Putnam county, of which he has been an honored citizen, for many years. In the highest sense of the term, he is a self-made man and, as such, has met with success. William E. Dibble has a record in life which may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation.

William E. Dibble was born twenty-six miles from Rochester, New York, March 5, 1836, and is the son of Orville and Mary Ann (DuBois) Dibble. Orville Dibble was a native of the same county, born on December 17, 1810, the son of Horace Milton Dibble, who, it is said, came from France, and served in the War of 1812.

William E. Dibble was two years old when his father moved to Huron county, Ohio. The family drove through in a wagon and settled in Greenfield township. The family consisted of the father and mother and two children, William E. and a sister, Susan Sayre, who was two years his senior. The family lived on this farm until William E. was thirteen years old and then moved to Norwalk, the county seat, where Mr. Dibble farmed, a mile east of Norwalk. When he first moved to Huron county, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, one and one-fourth miles, east of where Chicago Junction is now located. After three years, at Norwalk, the family moved between Milan and Monroeville, on the Huron river. Later, Mr. Dibble went to Weston, in Wood county. He farmed, about four years, in Wood county and then crossed into Lucas county,' opposite Otsego, on the Indian reserve, where he farmed on the old Tobo farm, which was owned by old Chief Tobo, for about four years. At the end of this period, he moved to Michigan, where he lived about five miles from Adrian. He later moved to Lenawee county, where he and his wife died.

William E. Dibble was married, while the family lived in Lucas county, Ohio, in i860. He married Martha Jane Taylor, who was born in Lucas county. To this union four children were born, Sidney C, of Leipsic, Ohio; William Wesley, of Leipsic; Grant, who died at the age of six weeks, and Cora, who died at the age of seventeen months.

William E. Dibble remained with his father until past the age of twentyfive years and worked out six months before his marriage. After he had been married two years, President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand volunteer soldiers and Mr. Dibble enlisted in Company F, One Hundredth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving under Burnside, Sherman and Schofield. He was with Sherman in the memorable Georgia campaign and was engaged in the siege of Atlanta. After the siege at Knoxville and Atlanta, the army marched to Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and later to Louisville, Cincinnati, Washington and Alexandria, Virginia ; thence, by ship to the North Carolina coast, up the Cape Fear river t^ the capture -of Wilmington, thence to Greensboro, where Mr. Dibble saw the last fighting of the war. He was mustered out at the close of the war. He was never away from his regiment during the entire war, was never captured, and was not wounded, although he had many narrow escapes.

After the war, Mr. Dibble worked for three years in the grist-mill, in Lucas county, where he began farming in the Maumee river, district above Waterville. He farmed about eight years and then removed to Ottawa county where he worked in a stave factory for about four years. He removed to the south edge of Henry county, one-half mile north of the Putnam county line, in Marion township, at the end of this period, and purchased a tract of timber land of sixty acres. Mr. Dibble cleared this land and made out of it a good farm. He remained there until August, 1912, when he moved to Leipsic, where he still resides. Here Mr. Dibble owns his own home.

Mr. Dibble's first wife died on February 6, 1897; he was married again on March 17, 1904, to Mrs. Martha Jane (Dunlap) Dove, who was born, near Warsaw, in Coshocton county, Ohio, and who is the daughter of David and Sovena (Meredith) Dunlap. Her parents were both natives of Coshocton county, Ohio, and when she was nine years old, they moved to Utica, Licking county, and lived there the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Dibble married Sylvester Milton Dove, in 1868, and lived at Utica. He died on February 20, 1899. He was a stone mason all his life.

Mr. Dove was a soldier in the Sixteenth Indiana Cavalry and was Grant's orderly for some time, carrying dispatches for him. He was born near Frederick, Maryland, and was the son of William and Annie (Baker) Dove. Mr. Dove was a member of the Christian church. At his death, he left three children living, Levi Elmer, George Alva and Edward Guy. One child, born to this union, died in infancy. Levi Elmer, who is a blacksmith, married Medda Shoefeldt, and lives at Argyle, Michigan. They have had seven children, Nellie, Harry, Martha, Frank, Leone, Melville and Lyle, who was a twin brother of Leone, and is now deceased. George Alva, who is a mason, married Nora Davis and lives at Auburn, Indiana. They have eight children, Bernice, Eunice, Mabel, Paul, Rolland, Morton, George and Arthur, Edward G., vi^ho is a painter and decorator, married Ada Davis, and lives at Utica, Ohio. They have three children, Blanche, Earle and Stanley. Edward G. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Maccabees.

William E. Dibble is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the American Flag House and the Betsy Ross Memorial Association. He hasalways taken an active interest in public affairs and has held several minor offices. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical church. Not only is Mr. Dibble a highly-respected citizen, but he is a man who truly deserves the esteem bestowed upon him by his neighbors and fellow citizens.

William P. S. Young

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Putnam county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality, and whose interests are identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides, and to the advancement of its moral and legitimate growth. Among this number is William P. S. Young, the well-known auto liveryman of Leipsic, Ohio.

William P. S. Young was born on July 7, 1858, at Jerry City, Wood county, Ohio. He is a son of William P. and Mary Josephine (Jackman) Young. Mr. Young left Jerry City at the age of one year with his parents, who came to Leipsic, Ohio, and located. He remained in the latter city with his parents until his marriage, in 1881, working with his father in a grist and stave-mill, as engineer, for about five years after his marriage. He then engaged in the grocery business at Ridgeland, Ohio, remaining here about six years, after which he removed to Lima, Ohio, and worked for his uncle, J. B. Jackman, driving a huckster wagon. He remained in Lima for about six years, after which he removed to Holgate, Ohio, where he became a barber. After one year he removed to Ottawa, Ohio, continuing in the same business in the latter city for a year, when he removed to Leipsic, Ohio, where he conducted a barber shop in the Hotel Leffler. He operated this shop for several years, then purchased a brick building, and in it conducted a barber shop for about twelve years. After the death of his wife.

Mr. Young was married on July 21, 1881, to Hattie Snyder, who was born at Carey, Wyandot county, Ohio, the daughter of Milligan and Catherine (Fritter) Snyder, the former a native of this country, and the latter, likewise a native of the United States, but her parents were natives of Germany. Mrs. Young died on May 22, 1914. She was a beloved wife and a charming woman, and a most excellent helpmate to her husband. Her loss has been keenly felt by all with whom she was associated.

Mr. Young is a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 1787, at Ottawa, Ohio. He is a Republican, but has never aspired to office and has never been active in the councils of his party. He is a member of the St. Mary's Catholic church at Leipsic, a free and independent thinker, and congenial among his fellows. William P. S. Young is a man widely known throughout Putnam county and bears a splendid reputation.

William P. Young, the father of William P. S. Young, was born on March 25, 1825, in Wayne county, Ohio, and died on October 19, 1899, at the age of seventy-four years, six months and twenty-four days. At the age of twenty-two years, William P Young was married to Josephine Jackman, in Seneca county, Ohio, on January 31, 1847, to which place he had migrated from Wayne county, his birthplace. Subsequently, he removed, to Wood county, Ohio, where he took up his residence, and where he engaged in the milling business. He built a grist-mill in Jerry City, and lived here for a time. He later moved to Leipsic, Ohio, where he erected the first dwelling house and the first grist-mill in that village, in 1859, and here he lived and engaged in this business for five years. He then moved to Ridgeland, Ohio, in Henry county, where he lived for some time. He also built a mill at Ridgeland, and was postmaster and township treasurer, discharging the duties of the former office for twelve years, and of the latter for eleven years.

William P Young was married first to Josephine Jackman, who died in 1886, and after her death he married Margaret Vaughn. Subsequently, he removed to a farm in Pleasant Grove, Putnam county, and here the second Mrs. Young died, in 1894. Mr. Young married Sarah Winters m 1895. He was engaged in the milling business for more than thirty-five years, 'and experienced both success and disappointment.

William P. Young was the father of the following children, born to his first marriage: George Washington, living in Henry county, Ohio; Mrs. A^ary Jane Enck, living at Custer, Ohio; John P., a resident of Henry county;

Mrs. Isabella Goodman, of Henry county; Mrs. Sarah Archer, of Holgate, Ohio; Wilham P. S., the immediate subject of this review; Abraham P., of Huber, Hancock county, Ohio; Dora P., of Holgate; Louis P., also a resident of Holgate, and Simon P., of Leipsic.

The late William P. Young abounded in goodness and honesty. He was noted for his charitableness toward the poor, and was very buoyant and kindly disposed toward his fellows. Mr. Young's first wife was a member of the Roman Catholic church, and he permitted her to have her own way in rearing the children, but he, himself, was brought up in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his earlier years was a member and maintained his sympathies and personal interest toward that church. He was buried at Ridgeland, Ohio, in Young's cemetery, the ground formerly owned and occupied by his saw and stave-mill.

William P. Young was one of a family of eleven children, five of whom are still living, three brothers and two sisters : Mrs. Rachel Haines, of Adrian, OhiO'; Washington, of North Baltimore, Ohio; Solomon, of Leipsic; Anderson, also a resident of Leipsic, and Mrs. Mary Jane Nole, of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Thus, for several generations the Young family have been well known in this section, of Ohio. They have been noted always for their honesty, their industry and earnest, sincere Christian lives. Such people are always respected in the commtmity where they live and each generation of the Youngs has been highly respected in Putnam county.

Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh

The two most strongly marked characteristics of both the east and west are combined in the citizens of Ohio. The enthusiastic enterprise which overcomes all obstacles and makes possible any undertaking in the comparatively new and vigorous western states, is here tempered by the stable and more careful policy that we have borrowed from our eastern neighbors. The combination is one of unusual force and power. It has been the means of placing this section of the state and country on a par with the older east, at the same time producing a reliability and certainty in business affairs which is frequently lacking in the west. This happy combination of characteristics is possessed to a notable degree by Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh, of Columbus

Grove. He is too well known to the readers of this work to need any formal introduction here. He comes of well-known parentage, and he, himself, has filled and is filling a large place in the affairs of the community. He is a man of strong and alert mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and is regarded as one of the progressive, enterprising citizens of Putnam county.

Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh was born on November lo, 1864, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Noah and Rosanna (Mericle) Heidlebaugh. Noah Heidlebaugh was born in Hocking county, Ohio, and was the son of John Heidlebaugii, whose father came from the old country. Rosanna Mericle was the daughter of Solomon Mericle and she was born in Hocking county, Ohio, living there until her marriage. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Noah Heidlebaugh was born, reared and married in Hocking county, Ohio. At the beginning of the Civil War, he went to Peoria, Illinois, where he enlisted in the Union army. His wife returned to Hocking county in the meantime and while in camp, Noah Heidlebaugh took the measles. After many years, this caused blindness and for the last ten years of his life he was blind. After returning from the army, he came back to Hocking county, Ohio, and in 1872, moved to Putnam county, locating near what is now Rushmore, in Jennings township. He continued farming in that locality and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1893. Noah Heidlebaugh was a man of considerable influence in his community. He served as township clerk and was justice of the peace of Hocking county, Ohio. His widow is still living in Rushmore.

Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh grew up on the farm near Rushmore. At the age of twenty, he began teaching school and after teaching one year, he attended college at Lebanon. After leaving college, he resumed teaching and taught for twenty years in Putnam county. He taught in Jennings, Sugar Creek and Union townships. While teaching, Judge Heidlebaugh purchased a farm in Sugar Creek township and in 1893 he began farming but continued to teach during the winter. He was elected justice of the peace in 1896 and on September i, 1897, was appointed a member of the county board of school examiners. He had served as justice of the peace six years and was school examiner until February, 1903, when he became probate judge, which compelled his resignation as school examiner. As probate judge, he had the novel experience of appointing his own successor to the board of school examiners. Judge Heidlebaugh served six years as probate judge and retired, in February, 1909. At the close of his services as judge, he remained in Ottawa about a year and then came to Columbus Grove and purchased an interest in the Exchange Bank of Columbus Grove. This bank was organized as a private bank in 1873 ^^'^ operated as such until 1 9 14, when it was incorporated as a state bank. The present officers are. Judge A. M. Heidlebaugh, president; W. M. Crawford, cashier, and B. F. Seitz, vice-president. This bank does a large business in the southern part of Putnam county. Since he entered the banking business. Judge Heidlebaugh has devoted his entire time to banking though he still holds his farm in Sugar Creek township.

Judge Heidlebaugh was married to Lydia Deffenbaugh in 1889, who was born in Sugar Creek township, and who is the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Derbyshire) Deffenbaugh. Jacob Deffenbaugh is of Pennsylvania German ancestry and was a native of that state. About 1832 he came with his parents to Putnam county. John Deffenbaugh was county auditor of Putnam county and a well-known and influential man. Jacob Deffenbaugh was a life-long farmer and during the last six or seven years of his life, lived retired in Columbus Grove. He was a justice of the peace and a member of the school board in Sugar Creek township. He died in 1912. His wife was born in Sugar Creek township and was the daughter of Jesse and Lydia (Pierce) Derbyshire. They were early settlers on the farm adjoining the Deffenbaughs. The Derbyshires were of English ancestry and Mrs. Derbyshire was a distant relative of President Franklin Pierce.

Judge and Mrs. Heidlebaugh are the parents of four children, Grace L., who is teaching in the schools of Columbus Grove, and attended college at Defiance, Ohio; Mary M., who attended Oxford and taught two years, now being a student at Oxford; Harold H., who is also at Oxford College; and Nolan Eugene, who is seven years of age and in the second school grade. The three elder children graduated from the high school, Grace at Ottawa, and the other two at Columbus Grove.

Judge Heidlebaugh and wife belong to the Christian church of Sugar Creek township, as do also the three elder children. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, also other orders. Judge Heidlebaugh took the degree work in the Patrons of Flusbandry. He is a friendly and obliging man, who, despite his personal success, does not forget his larger duty and responsibility to the public. He is naturally a leader in his community and a man whose council is sought in many enterprises, public and private. Judge Heidlebaugh is entitled to rank as one of the best-known and most successful citizens of Putnam county, Ohio.

Wilson Martin Crawford

The name of Crawford has long been connected with the development and progress of Putnam county, Ohio, and especially the southern half of the county. John M. Crawford, the father of Wilson Martin Crawford, was a man who reflected credit upon the community and county where he lived. The greatness of a community lies not in the machinery of government, nor -even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort, and his devotion to the public welfare. Wilson Martin Crawford, the scion of this well-known family of the same name, in Putnam county, is a clean-cut young business man who is following in the footsteps of a worthy father. Mr. Crawford is not only a master of his business, but he is a leader among men, distinguished for their grasp of business details, organization and management.

Wilson Martin Crawford grew up in Columbus Grove, and was graduated from the high school there. He was born on September 24, 1879, at Columbus Grove, and is a son of John M. and Sarah A. (Martin) Crawford.

After graduating from the Columbus Grove high school, Mr. Crawford attended Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, and was graduated from the academic department in 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Crawford had a splendid record at the university and was popular with the faculty and with the students. He was what might be called at that time a representative college student.

After his graduation from Northwestern University, he returned to Columbus Grove, Ohio, and until 1905 was employed in the Exchange Bank, at that city, of which his father, John M. Crawford, was president. Mr. Crawford went to Denver, Colorado, in 1905, with the W. E. Moses Land and Realty Company, and remained in that city until the spring of 1907. At that time he returned to Columbus Grove and became the assistant cashier of the Exchange Bank. His brother, W. L. Crawford, was cashier, whose death occurred in March, 1907, and from 1910, Wilson M. Crawford has been cashier of this bank.

Mr. Crawford was married on June 22, 1904, to Ethel Jean Begg, the daughter of Dr. William H. and Martha M. (Kohli) Begg. Mrs. Crawford was born and reared at Columbus Grove, and attended the Western College for Women, at Oxford, Ohio, from which institution' she was graduated in 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have one daughter, Jean, who was born on June 21, 1913.

member of the Columbus Grove city council. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Knights of Pythias. At college he was a member of the National Greek letter fraternity of Phi Delta Theta,. one of the oldest of the Greek letter societies in existence. He was also a member of the Deru fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford are members of -the Presbyterian church.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have a comfortable and beautiful home in Columbus Grove and are socially popular throughout the south half of Putnam county, where they are both well known. Mr. Crawford is regarded in his community as a young man with the inclination, training and equipment in every way to take the place which his father occupied for so many years in the life of this community, a position of prominence and wise leadership.

It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy ,- to honor those whose lives have contributed, in any way, to the good of their community and their associates. To bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed worth and virtue, and rehearse the noble deeds of the living,, has been the commendable custom of all ages and all nations. Prof. S. F. DeFord, the subject of this sketch, is one of nature's true noblemen. In contemplating his estimable qualities, integrity and industry appear as prominent characteristics ; an integrity that no personal consideration could swerve and an industry that has no rest while anything remains undone. When a given task was accomplished, he has been in the habit of throwing ofif all care, retiring to his home and devoting himself to the pursuit of domestic and social enjoyment, for which he has the keenest zest and relish. His. temper is calm and equable and his manners are emphatically those of a gentleman, plain and simple, despising sham and pretense of all kinds. His devotion to every duty is intense while his perception of truth and worth is. almost intuitive. Although his life has been a busy one, and the private affairs of his horne make heavy demands upon his time, he has never allowed it to interfere with his Christian obligations or the faithful' performance of his religious duties. Always calm and straightforward, never demonstrative, his life has been a steady effort for the worth of Christian doctrine, the grandeur of Christian principles and the beauty and elevation of Christian character. He has possessed great sympathy for his fellow men and has al- ways been ready to aid and encourage those who were struggHng to aid themselves. Yet, in this, as in everything, he has been entirely unassuming. When he believed he was in the right, nothing could swerve him from it. At the advanced age of seventy-nine years. Professor DeFord demands the respect of all classes of people.

Prof. Samuel F. DeFord is now the vice-president of the First National Bank, of Ottawa, a position he has held since its organization, in 1903, is still active in business affairs. He was born in Carroll county, Ohio, May 2, 1836. He is the son of John and Matilda (Littell) DeFord. The DeFord family is of French-Huguenot origin. Professor DeFord's great-grandfather was John DeFord, who fled under persecution of his sect and found refuge in the state of Maryland, where he lived, as a farmer. He had a son, John, who was born in Maryland, but who lived the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania. Coming to Ohio, in 1799, he entered one thousand acres of land, in Carroll county. At this time he was about forty years of age, but lived to be one hundred and three years old. His wife was Lydia Hopwood, a native of Pennsylvania. John DeFord, Jr., and his wife were the parents, of seven children, Harriet, the wife of John H. DeFord; Hannah, Elizabeth, the wife of John Stull, of Augusta, Ohio; John, the father of Prof. Samuel DeFord, who died at the age of eighty-seven; William, who was a prominent farmer and politician of Carroll county, Ohio; Daniel and Nathan B., the latter of Kansas.

John DeFord, the father of Prof. Samuel DeFord, passed his life as a farmer, in Carroll county, Ohio, and served as a justice of the peace thirtyone years. He married Matilda Littell, a French woman, who died, in 1894,, at the age of eighty-one. They were the parents of eleven children, Alonzo! a farmer, of Charlottesville, A^irginia; William, deceased; Lydia, the wife of William Mosier, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Louisa, the wife' of James- Daniel, of Carrollton, Ohio; Samuel F., the subject of this sketch; John W., 'of Celina, Ohio; Matilda C, the wife of a Mr. Sweet, of Baltimore county! Maryland; Harriet M., the wife of Rev. John W. Cummings, Doctor of Divinity, of the Presbyterian church at Nankin, Ashland county, Ohio; Mary L., the wife of John Moreland, a farmer of Newark, Indiana; Thomas B., of Carroll county, Ohio; and Hannah, the wife of John Jackman, of Missouri. Prof. Samuel F. DeFord was reared on the farm. He attended the district schools and, at the age of seventeen years, entered Mount Union College, at Alliance, from which institution he was graduated, in 1858. One year later, he was graduated from the classical course and, two years after that, received the degree of Master of Arts. Professor DeFord taught, dur- ing the summer months, to assist in paying his way through college. He had charge of the Monongahela schools, for seven months, during 1856. While he was erecting the large school building at Lordstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1858, he was superintendent of the public schools of Newton Falls, . that county. Mrs. James A. Garfield, then Lucretia Rudolph, was one of his ^assistant teachers. Professor DeFord conducted an academy at Lordstown, until 1861, when he took charge of the public schools, at St. Mary's, Ohio. He remained at St. Mary's until 1863, when he was made superintendent of the Celina (Ohio) schools, a position which he held until 1869. He then became superintendent of the Maumee (Ohio) Seminary, for one year, and -after that time came to Ottawa, and was superintendent of the public schools, for fifteen consecutive years, or until 1886.

On account of failing health. Professor DeFord became associated with Samuel Slawson, in 1886, in establishing the Exchange Bank, of Ottawa. Mr. DeFord withdrew, in the spring of 1888, and devoted his attention to farming, holding at this time over five hundred acres of land in different parts -of Putnam county. He erected a splendid brick building at the corner of Main and Hickory streets, Ottawa, in 1890, and built many dwellings in Ottawa and many Putnam county towns for rental purposes. For many years he was engaged in the real estate and loan business, and was very successful.

Professor DeFord was married on November 5, 1859, to Mary V. Duncan, who was born at Lordstown, Ohio, August 28, 1837, the daughter of Thomas and Susan (Leach) Duncan. Mrs. DeFord is a charter member of the second oldest club in Ohio, which was chartered in 1876. She had always been active in the religious and club life of her county. To this union five children have been born, Clara, who died at the age of three years and eight months; Matilda E., born November 17, 1867, mafried W. F. Stevens, who is now librarian of the Carnegie library, at Homestead, Pennsylvania, and who was formerly librarian of the Railroad Young Men's Christian Association Library, sustained by Cornelius Vanderbilt. Mrs. Stevens is an active member of the Daughters of the Revolution, and takes a lively interest in civic work, having been instrumental in organizing a number of clubs. The other children are Mary Ann, who married George W. Mefifley, a dry -goods merchant, of Ottawa, and who is interested in social and civic work, particularly in public libraries; John T., born June 30, 1874, who is a prominent attorney of Minerva, Ohio, and who graduated from Mount Union College and the Cleveland Law School; and Susie F., born in 1881, who married John A. Hunter, now resides in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Hunter is active

Samuel F. DeFord is a Democrat. He served three years as county (examiner of Mercer county and seventeen years as examiner for Putnam county. He also served as coroner of Putnam county, for two terms, and was president of the school board of Ottawa for many years. He was also a justice of the peace and a member of the Ottawa city council. Professor DeFord is a member of Lodge No. 325, Free and Accepted Masons, and -of Ottawa Chapter No. 115, and of Ottawa Council No. 69. He has also been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1857, having joined the order at Newton Falls, Ohio. Professor DeFord is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal and became a communicant of that church at the age of sixteen. In 1864 he was ordained a minister of the Methodist church.

Throughout his busy life. Professor DeFord has been prominent in the ^educational, religious and civic life of Ottawa and Putnam counties. He is one of the foremost citizens of Putnam county and his career was founded upon scrupulous honesty and conscientious relations with his fellow citizens. He is undoubtedly one of the representative citizens of Putnam county.

Barney Henry Maag

The man whose name appears above is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Putnam county. He has resided here all his life, being a member of one of the leading families in the community and prominently identified with the farming interests throughout this region of country. His well-directed efforts in the practical management of his affairs and his sound judgment, have brought to him a fair measure of prosperity, and in all the relations of his life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

Barney Henry Maag was born in Pleasant township, this county, March 28, 1881, and is the son of William and Bernardina (Kahli) Maag, whose life-record is given elsewhere in this work under the name of John C. Maag.

Barney Henry Maag spent his youth on his father's farm in this county, Pleasant township, and received his education in the township schools, but was not a regular attendant for the reason 'that he was obliged to work on the farm. After remaining with his parents until the age of maturity, he was married on November 27, 1907, to Helena Meyer, daughter of Theodore and Mary Ann (Drerup) Meyer, who was born in Ottawa township,, this county. Her father was a native of Germany and came to this county with his parents when he was seven years of age. They first settled in Ottawa township, near the town of Glandorf, this county, where Theodore spent his early days and grew to manhood. Soon after his marriage he bought forty acres of farming land in this neighborhood, to which he added more land, from time to time, until the homestead place contained a total of ninety-five acres. He later bought an additional one hundred acres, which is now occupied by his son, Antoon Meyer, who bought it from his father. Theodore Meyer followed the business of farming throughout his life, and was successful. His death occurred on October 24, 1897, at which time he was in the sixty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Maag's wife's mother was a native of the town of Glandorf, Ohio, where she was born on July 17, 1838, and after living a most devoted, useful and successful life as a helpmate to her husband, during his pioneer and later life, she lived until September 16, 1913, leaving behind her sweet memories of cheerfulness and love for the family that now mourn her loss. To their union were born thirteen children, as follow: Theodore, deceased; Anton, Frank, deceased; Barney, deceased; Joseph, who lives in the state of Michigan; Mrs. Joseph Deters, of Glandorf, Ohio; Mary, who lives in Glandorf, Ohio; August, who lives in Michigan; Mrs. Henry Hagerman, of Delphos, Ohio; Fronia, who fives with Anton; John, of Kalida, Ohio; Helena, subject's wife; and Edward, who lives on the homestead place, in Ottawa township, this county.

After Barney Henry Maag was married, he bought eighty acres, which IS a part of the present farm, and subsequently bought twenty acres form his father and another twenty acres which was known as the "Avenish Farm," and adjoined his previous purchases. These holdings give him a total of one hundred and twenty acres, on which he has entirely remodeled or built new buildings, so that today this farm takes on the appearance of a well-kept, thoroughly-productive farm, being the result of unceasing energy, perseverance, and well-directed management. This land required considerable ditching, draining and fencing, before it was entirely suitable for cultivation and stock-raising and today it is considered highly productive and enables the owner to realize a satisfactory profit from his crops and the live stock he feeds. In addition to general farming Mr. Maag takes considerable interest in live stock, particularly in full-blooded horses, and is

Mr. Maag does not take an active interest in any fraternal organizations, nor is he active in politics, but has always supported the Democratic party and firmly believes in the progressive principles set forth by that party. He and his family are members of the Catholic church in Glandorf, Ohio, where they are regular attendants and contribute to the support according to their means. Mr. Maag is a member of the Putnam County German Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and, personally, is a man honored and respected by every one in the community that knows him. His acquaintance and friendship is large and socially he is a man well met.

William Rampe

When Dean Swift gave utterance to that immortal passage in his Gulliver's Travels : "And he gave it for his opinion that whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow where only one grew .before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his -country than the whole race of politicians put together," he paid the highest possible compliment to that large class of intelligent tillers of the soil whose most earnest endeavors are directed toward the effective cultivation of the lands under their charge and care. Under the scientific direction of the government's department of agriculture and the state's equally well-directed efforts along the same line, the farmers of Putnam county, in the present generation, are literally performing wonders in the way of intelligent, effective agriculture and the public benefactor whom Swift foreshadowed in his imaginative way, has been outdone by many, the crop records of the past in this county not only having been doubled - two ears of corn growing where one grew before - but have been trebled, and more, l^y the careful tillage which the modern farmer has found so essential to the successful -cultivation of his acres. Among these signally successful farmers of this section of the state, none have secured better results than many of those of German birth or ancestry in this county, who not only have brought to their important task the best lessons of intensive farming so carefully followed in the old country, but have applied to all their doings those equally valuable traditions of thrift and prudence, so characteristic of the people the Fatherland. And among this latter class, few* in Putnam county are better known or more popular among his large circle of acquaintances than is William Rampe, a progressive and successful farmer of Ottawa township, to a brief sketch of whose career the biographer is glad to call attention at this point in this interesting review of the lives of the leading citizens of Putnam county.

William Rampe was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm close to the town of Ottawa, April 27, 1859, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Nottingbrock) Rampe, both of whom were natives of Germany.

Joseph Rampe was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, in 1825 and upon reaching manhood's estate immigrated to America, having become convinced that better opportunities awaited him on this side than he might hope to find presented in the old country. He landed in New York and at once entered upon the exercise of his trade, that of a tailor, in which he had become proficient before leaving Germany. In New York he worked at this trade until he had saved enough money to send back to Germany to secure the passage of his mother and three brothers to this country. Upon the arrival of these other members of his family, the Rampes contmued for a time to remain in New York, but presently pushed on further west, locating at Covington, Kentucky, across the river from Cincinnati, where Joseph Rampe continued his trade as a tailor. After a sometime residence there, he married Elizabeth Nottingbrock, wRo was born in Germany, August 27, 1827, daughter of Henry Nottingbrock, who came to America with her parents at the age of seven years and who died on March 12, 1915, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, six months and thirteen days. Shortly following this marriage in 1844 Joseph Rampe and his wife joined the German colony in this county, Mrs. Rampe's parents having long been residents of the Glandorf community, where she grew up, and Joseph put in his lot with his father-in-law, with whom he and his wife made their home, helping on the Nottingbrock farm until the death of Mr. Nottingbrock, after which Joseph took charge, gradually paying ofif the obligations which rested agamst the Nottingbrock farm, eventually buying the same, which at that tune consisted of fifty-three acres. To this he added, as his circumstances grew better, until at the time of his death, at the early age of thirtyseven, m March, 1862, he was the owner of ninety-three acres of wellcultivated land. Joseph Rampe was an industrious man whose ambition was centered in his family and in the hope that their condition in life might be easier than his had been and, at his death, he was sincerely mourned by many m the community in which he had so cheerfully put in his lot Joseph and Elizabeth (Nottingbrock) Rampe were the parents of five children, Frank, Henry, two who died in infancy, and William, the immediate subject of this biographical review.

William Rampe spent his boyhood days in Ottawa township, growing up on the homestead farm where he was born. Receiving such schooling as was provided at that period, at the age of sixteen, decided to try his fortunes further afield. With this object in view, he went to Missouri, where for four years he engaged in farming, "working out" to such advantage as might accrue to his labors. Not finding things in that state wholly to his liking, young Rampe returned home and helped on the farm until his. marriage, on March 3, 1886, to Anna Catherine Borgelt, daughter of William and Anna (Threasey) Borgelt, who was born on April 29, 1867, on the home place in Ottawa township. An interesting review of the career of the Borgelt family in this county is presented on another pag# of this volume in the biographical sketch relating to Herman Borgelt, a brother of Mrs. Rampe.

Following his marriage, William Rampe lived for four years in the home of his father-in-law in Ottawa township, assisting in the management of the farm, at the end of which time he bought his present home farm of eighty acres in Pleasant township. This land was all heavily timbered when he bought it at an appraised value of two thousand two hundred dollars. The farm at that time was undrained, there being no outlets for ditches and, in bringing his place to its present excellent state of cultivation, Mr. Rampe incurred an indebtedness of three thousand two hundred dollars, which he has regarded as a good investment. By hard work and close application he has ma'de a good farm of his timber tract, clearing, ditching and otherwise improving the same, and has a good house and all necessary outbuildings. He is now regarded as one of the most prosperous farmers in his neighborhood.

To William and Anna Catherine (Borgelt) Rampe were born two children, Joseph Edward, an ambitious young farmer of Sugar Creek township, who married Emma Buckradd and has three children, Raymond, Anna Louisa Francisco and Ruth, and William Sylvester, who died at the' age of ten months.

The Rampes are members of the Catholic church at Glandorf and are devoted to the best interests of that parish, being also active in such other good works as concern most intimately their immediate neighborhood and very properly held as among the leading people of that section of the county. Mr. Rampe is a Republican, having cast his first vote for President Garfield, and takes an intelligent interest in local politics, though he never has been included among the office-seeking class. He is a member of the Order of the Reindeer, belonging to Ottawa Lodge No. 516, and takes an active interest in the affairs of that fraternal organization. He is a jolly companion, a kind and loving husband and father, a lover of children, essentially a "home man," and bears a high reputation in his community because of his honesty, frankness and sincerity in all his relations with his fellow men.

John W. Halker

One of the best known citizens of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, is John W. Halker. His whole career of more than three score years has been spent within this county. His father came here in 1843 frota Glandorf, -Germany, located in Union township, and made this county his home the remainder of his life. Mr. Halker began business for himself in 1881, in Glandorf, and has since made this village his home. He has always taken a very active part in the upbuilding of his community.

John W. Halker, the treasurer of the Glandorf Building & Loan Association, was born in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, February 3, 1854. He is a son of H. W. and Catherine (Beucher) Halker. His father was a native of Glandorf, Germany, and came to this country when he was about thirty years of age, locating in Putnam county in 1843, on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He improved this farm and made it his home until i860, when he moved to Glandorf and engaged in the grocery and saloon business, until his death, August 18, 1890, at the age of seventy-seven. H. W. Halker was married in this county to Catherine Beucher, who was born not far from Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, and died at Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, in February, 1897. There were seven children born to H. W. Halker and wife, Mary, who died in January, 1891, the wife of Henry Nolte, of Delphos, Ohio; David, of Ottawa; John W., of Glandorf; Catherine, living in Glandorf, Ohio; Matthew; Aggie, the wife of Lawrence Bohn, of Toledo, Ohio ; Henry, who died in 1906, having survived his wife, who now lives in Glandorf.

John W. Halker was educated in the schools of Glandorf, and finished his education in Cincinnati. He began business for himself in 1881 by opening a grocery and saloon in Glandorf, and continued in this business, successfully, until 1903, when he disposed of it to his brother, Henry. Mr. Halker helped organize the Glandorf German Building & Loan Association in 1887, and since its organization has been an official, serving as appraiser, a member of the finance committee, treasurer and president. He is also secretary of the Glandorf German Mutual Insurance Association. In addition to this, he is interested in agriculture, and owns considerable land in the vicinity of -Glandorf, besides his beautiful home and other property in the village. He has long been one of the leaders in his county and is a man of unquestioned integrity. For four years he served as treasurer of his township, and for twenty-five years was treasurer of the St. John's Benevolent Society, severing his connection with this society in November, 1913. He has been active in the councils of the Democratic party of Putnam county, and has been one -of its leaders for many years. He is of a sociable disposition and is well known and universally liked throughout the county. He is a broad-minded and progressive man, and has always been foremost in promoting enterprises which were calculated to benefit his home town or the public at large.

Mr. Halker was married on October 10, 1894, to Lizzie Franke, who was born and reared in Glandorf, and is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Ellerbrock) Franke.

Frederick Franke, the father of Mrs. Halker, was born about three miles from Essen, Saxony, Germany, in 1843, and is a son of Ernest Franke. After Jiis mother's death he was brought to America by his father when he was five years of age. Ernest Franke was a blacksmith and operated a shop in Palmer township, on the edge of the prairie, at a time when wolves and other dangerous beasts were still roaming the forests. Ernest Franke was a fine workman and was an expert cutlerymaker. He died when Frederick was about nine years of age at which time the boy was bound out until he was eighteen. At the opening of the Civil War, Frederick Franke enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. After his return he finished learning the shoemaker's trade and became a fine workman. He went to Cincinnati and worked at his trade for three years, in the meantime attending night school. While in that city, he also learned to be a stationary engineer, and upon returning to Putnam county he became the engineer at the woolen mills in 'Glandorf for several years. However, this close confinement was undermining his health, when he became an agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company and worked for them for fifteen years, at the expiration of which time he resigned his position with this company and became the manager of the lumber yard in Glandorf, retaining this position for ten years. He bought a in a lumber and planing mill at Kalida in 1907 and two years later was injured by a machine in the mill and was compelled to retire from active work. He is now making his home at Kalida. Catherine Ellerbrock, the wife of Frederick Franke, was born at Glandorf, and is a daughter of Dietrich Ellerbrock and wife. Her people came from Hanover, Germany, in 1834, and located at Glandorf, in Putnam county, among the very first settlers.

Mr. and Mrs. Halker are consistent members of the St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf, and are deeply interested in its welfare, being generous, contributors to its support, always punctual in their fulfillment of churchi duties.

Mrs. Halker's many activities brought her in touch with kind and loving friends. In accord with her husband's interests, she was a devoted helpmeet,, a faithful wife and an inspiration to those who knew her. She died ia March, 1915.

Amos Wilbur Best

Amos Wilbur Best, one of the leading farmers of Union township,, was born in the same township, on the farm on which he still lives, October 26, 1869, the son of John Calvin and Sarah A. (Nichols) Best, the former of whom was born in Rose township, Carroll county, Ohio, December 16^ 1841, the son of George and Sarah (Wagner) Best, the latter of whom wasborn in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, March 22, 1841, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Erwin) Nichols.

George Best, grandfather of the immediate subject of this sketch, wasthe son of John Best and was a life-long farmer. He was reared on the farm in Rose township, Carroll county, Ohio, on which he was born and acquired such schooling as was provided in that period. He was a stone cutter, a brick mason and a carpenter, which trades he followed in the neighborhood in which he was reared. George Best was united in marriage to Sarah Wagner in 1840, who was born in Rose township, Carroll county, Ohio, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Durst) Wagner, both of whom were born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, the latter being of Irish-, parentage, her brother, James, having been a soldier in the Mexican War.

Four years after their marriage, or in the year 1844, George Best and his wife and their two small children came to Putnam county and settled in Sugar Creek township, buying a tract of land which then was an utterwilderness of unbroken forest. This farm, in due course of time, was. brought to a high state of cultivation and here George Best and his wife- reared their family and spent the rest of their Hves, his death occurring in Alay, 1874, at the age of fifty-four years, his wife surviving him many years, her death not occurring until in May, 1897. He was a stanch Democrat, took an active part in the political affairs of the county, and had served his township several times in various capacities in public office. He was a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife was a member of the Christian church, and both were ever active in the good works of the community.

To George and Sarah (Wagner) Best were born nine children, John Calvin, to whom reference is made below; Mary A., deceased, was the wife of David Hughes, of Macon county, Missouri; Sarah A., deceased, was the wife of George Holderman, of Newton, Kansas; Emeline, deceased, was the wife of Quincy Goodman, also now deceased, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Anne, the wife of Sherman Hubert, of Dupont, this county; Jane, the wife of Denial Sneary, living near Vaughnsville, in Sugar Creek township, this county; Ella, the wife of William E. Nichols, of Grove Hill, Paulding county, Ohio; Arie R., the wife of Hendon Catlett, of Detroit, Michigan, and one child who died in infancy.

John Calvin Best was born in Carroll county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county with his parents at the age of three years. In the schools of Sugar Creek township he received his education and was reared a farmer and carpenter. When little more than a boy, on August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He took part in the battles of Moss Creek, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Duck River, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Anderson and numerous others, and during the latter part of the war, having been injured, was detailed as clerk in the quartermaster's department, under General Schofield, where he received his discharge at White Hall, Pennsylvania, in 1865.

John Calvin Best was united in marriage on January 16, 1868, with Sarah A. Nichols, of Union township, this county, whose father was 'a native of Licking county, Ohio, and one of the earliest settlers in Putnam county. Further details of the genealogy of Mrs. Best may be found in the biographical sketch of her brother, Amos Nichols, of Union township presented elsewhere in this volume. After their marriage, Mr and Mrs' Best lived for four years on a farm in Sugar Creek township and in 1873 moved to their present farm in Union township. Here they originally had two hundred acres, which was reduced to its present extent of one hundred and twenty acres by the sale of forty acres and the gift to their son of another forty. The Ime between Sugar Creek and Union township divides this farm which is regarded as one of the best in that part of the county. John Calvin Best is a good farmer and is one of the substantial members of the community. Mr. Best is a stanch Democrat, as was his father before him, and for many years has been regarded as one of the leaders of that party in his section of the county. He has been township trustee and a member of the county board of agriculture, besides which he has held minor township offices. He and the members of his family are members of the Christian church. He is a member of Ogilvie. Post, No. 64, Grand Army of the Republic.

To John Calvin and Sarah A. (Nichols) Best were born four children, Amos W., the immediate subject of this sketch; Alfred, a farmer of Union township, now deceased; Mrs. Sarah A. Streetor, deceased, and John E., a farmer of Union township, who married Daisy Miller and has one child, Sarah Eveline.

Amos Wilber Best, eldest son of John Calvin and Sarah A. (Nichols) Best was educated in the schools of his native township and was reared a farmer, remaining on the paternal faiTn until his marriage, at the age of twenty-nine, when he moved to the farm on which he now lives and where he has engaged in general farming with success. Mr. Best is a Democrat and takes an interest in political affairs, but is not included in the officeseeking class.

Amos Wilber Best was united in marriage on April 21, 1898, to Mary E. McCrate, daughter of Joseph McCrate, a member of one of the old families of this county, additional details of whose genealogy may be found in the biographical sketch of Edward L. McCrate, a brother of Mrs. Best, which is presented elsewhere in this volume. To the union of Amos Wilber and Mary E. (McCrate) Best, three children have been bom, Gerald Pierce, Lawrence, and one who died in infancy. Gerald Pierce Best recently attained a notable bit of distinction by being one of the prize winners in the boys' corngrowing contest in this county, which not only secured to him the award of the prize offered by the William Kahle bank, at Ottawa, but secured for him a place in the delegation of Ohio boy corn growers which was sent to Washington under the state auspices and which received such signal attention at the hands of the President and the department of agriculture. He raised a fraction over one-half bushel more than one hundred and twentytwo bushels of corn on one acre of land on his father's farm, exercisine" in this fine agricultural exploit a degree of judgment and a knowledge of scientific farming which marked him as a youth of unusual parts. He is a very bright young man and was selected as one of the delegates representing

Mr. and Mrs. Best have a fine home on the main road to KaUda and take an active part in the social affairs of the neighborhood. They are both members of Ben Hut Lodge at Columbus Grove. Mrs. Best, before her marriage, was one of the leading school teachers in Putnam county, having taught for many years in the district schools. She is a member of the Catholic church at Columbus Grove and is a highly-educated woman. They have one of the good farms in the county, both in the matter of its soil as well as location, and are very pleasantly and comfortably situated.

Amos C. Diller

Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible clearly to determine. The study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of this uncertainty. So much in excess of those successes in life are the failures and semi-failures that one is compelled to examine and analyze to find proximate causes. In studying the life history of Amos C. Diller, former school teacher and now a successful tile manufacturer and farmer, as well as poultry fancier, we find many qualities in his make-up that win success. For many years, Mr. Diller was a successful teacher in the schools of Putnam county. Subsequently, he became an enterprising farmer, and, dtiring these years, he has looked after the details of several business enterprises, including a tile factory, and has finally devoted a considerable amount of time to fancy poultry, with which he has also been successful.

Amos C. Diller was born on June 21, 1871, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of John G. and Elizabeth (Schumacher) Diller. John G. Diller was also born in Riley township, February 21, 1841, the son of Peter and Barbara (Suter) Diller. Peter Diller was born about 18 13, in Alsace-Lorraine, and was the son of Christian Diller and wife, the former of whom was a farmer.

Peter Diller came to America at the age of fourteen with his mother and elder brother, John, the father having previously died. They arrived in America about 1827, and settled first in Holmes county, but some time later came to Putnam county. They settled in Riley township, where Peter Diller entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 26 This became the old Diller homestead. He later added other lands unil he owned three hundred and twenty acres.

When Peter Diller settled in Putnam county, he was unmarried. He hrst entered his land, built a log cabin, and, about a year later, was married ta Barbara Suter. He took up his residence on the new homestead when all of his worldly goods consisted of one horse and a wagon and a few supplies with which to begin his battle with the wilderness. His were the common experiences of the pioneers. He and his wife suffered all of the privations and hardships incident to such life. He was compelled to go either to Perrysburg or Tiffin to mill, such trips taking several days. Peter Diller and wife had eight children, six sons and two daughters all of whom lived to maturity, with the exception of one son, Christian, who died at the age of sixteen years. They were Christian, Adam, John, Magdalena Benjamin, Peter, Mary and David.

John G. Diller, the father of Amos C, grew up on the old homestead He attended the typical log cabin- school, and helped his father clear the land When he was ten years old, his father built the house which still stands. Two years later, in 1853, he built the bam which is also in a splendid state of preservation.

_ Wheh John G. Diller ^vas twenty-seven years old, he was married to lihzabeth Schumacher, the wedding taking place on March 14, 1868 She was born on March 15, 1848, in Richland township, Allen county, and who IS the daughter of John and Barbara (Steiner) Schumacher. John Schumacher was the brother of Peter Schumacher, who was the father of sixteen children, among whom was Christian P., the life-story of whom is told eJsewhere in this volume. After his marriage, John G. Diller remained on the old place. He took a trip to California for his health and died there on March 7, 1908. He led a very active life and was engaged as a general farmer, having been .quite successful in this vocation. He was a Democrat and served as school director for a number of years. He was a member of the Mennonite church. John G. Diller and wife had nine children, the eldest of whom died m infancy. The others were William, Amos, Bertha Levina, Noah, Lena, Elmer and Sarah, all of whom are now living and all marned except Bertha. Mrs. John G. Diller died on April i 1881

Amos C. Diller was born on the old homestead of his 'father and grandfather and here grew to manhood. He first attended the old district school. No. 6, and later district No. 10. After finishing the common schools ' he took three terms of work at the Tri-State Normal School, at Angola, Indiana, and then attended the Blliffton high school the next winter. The following winter he taught school and the summer following this had special Tiormal work in Findlay College. After this, for about ten years, he continued teaching, and then took a teacher's summer course at Bluffton College, after which he taught again. Altogether, Mr. Diller taught ten years.

When twenty-seven years old, he was married to Lena Schumacher, the marriage taking place on September 25, 1898. She was born on January 24, 1875, in Richland township, Allen county, and is the daughter of John and Barbara (Geiger) Schumacher. John Schumacher was a son of Christian Schumacher. He was one of the strongest men, physically, in this part of the state. He was bom on August 5, 1849, and died on November 7, 1907. His wife, who was Barbara Geiger before her marriage, was born on October i, 1855, and died May 3, 1897. They had thirteen children, Lena, Susan, Mary, Peter, Elias, Gideon, Lizzie, Jesse, Salome, Martha, John Adam and Minnis, the two latter being deceased.

Amos C. Diller continued to teach for four years after his marriage and then located on the farm, of David Diller, which was originally a part of Peter Diller's estate, and which Amos C. Diller purchased from Ferdinand Reichenbach. This farm he still owns and here he lives today.

In addition to farming, Mr. Diller has been engaged in the manufacture of tile for about twenty years, being associated with his uncle, Benjamin Diller, and his brother, William. This concern does a large and lucrative business, and for the past eight years Amos C. Diller has owned and operated this business alone.

In. addition to his' other activiies, Mr. Diller is an expert breeder of Rose Comb Rhode Island Red poultry. He has taken first prize on this breed at Bluffton, Lima, Findlay, Delphos, Pandora and at the Ohio State Poultry exhibit at Columbus. In addition to these prizes, many of Mr. Diller's birds have taken prizes for their owners at other places.

Amos C. Diller is a stockholder and president of the Jenera Merchandise Company, of Jenera, Ohio. He is also a stockholder and secretary of the D. C. Shank Company, of Pandora, Ohio, and is treasurer of the Mennonite Mutual Aid Society and Insurance Company.

ing and successful citizens, an aggressive and alert business man, a successful farmer and a well-informed and valuable citizen. He and his wife and family are members of the Mennonite church.

Putnam county has many residents who have prospered in business- One of her citizens, who has made a notable success in the lumber business,, is James MacDonald, who is thoroughly acquainted with his line of business,, from the ground up, which fact undoubtedly accounts for much of his success.

James MacDonald was born on February 23, 1873, in Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of William John and Margaret (McKeen) MacDonald. William J. MacDonald was born in the parish of Killyman, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1839. His father -in turn came from- Scotland and was a soldier in the British army, serving in South Africa. By reason of his services as a soldier, he became the possessor of a tract of land in Ireland, and made his home there. W. J. MacDonald was probably twenty-five years of age when he came to America and located at Cleveland, Ohio. He was married in Belfast, Ireland, to Margaret McKeen, a 'native of Carmoney, near Belfast, County Antrim, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Roberts) McKeen. She lived in Ireland until after her marriage, and before they came to America, one daughter was born, now the wife of I. Pressley Sherrard, living on the MacDonald farm at the north edge of Leipsic.

Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald lived in Cleveland from 1865 until 1871, where he followed his trade as a bricklayer and stonemason. He came to Putnam county in 1871, and purchased twenty acres of land at the north edge of Leipsic, where he has resided since. Here he continued at his trade and contracted for a number of years. He had a part in the erection of most of the larger brick buildings in Leipsic. While at work on the Methodist church in 1895 he met with an accident in which several bones were broken, which weakened him so that he was compelled to relinquish his life work.

Five children were born to William J. MacDonald and wife, Mrs. Minnie Sherrard, a resident of this county; William J., of Liberty township; George W., a contractor, who died at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 191 1; Alexander, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and James, of Leipsic. The mother of these children died on August 4, 19 14, at the age of eighty- three. She was an active supporter of the Presbyterian church, as was her husband. W. J. MacDonald was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Leipsic, and died December 11, 19 14, at his home in Leipsic.

James MacDonald grew up at Leipsic and learned bricklaying and stonecutting with his brother. He worked at the trade about fifteen years, during which time he engaged in contracting. He continued in that capacity until 1908. He also engaged in the retail builders' supply business at Leipsic about the year 1899. He opened up a lumber yard at Leipsic in 1905. With it he combined a line of builders' supplies, and has since continued in that business. Mr. MacDonald has been conspicuously successful and doesa very large business in his line.

He built one of the handsomest brick residences in 1912 in Leipsic, where he now resides. Mr. MacDonald was married on May 3, 1893, to- Capitola Isabelle Close. She was born between Gilboa and Benton Ridge, in, the west part of Hancock county, Ohio, the daughter of Solomon Markley and Sarah Elizabeth (Kindle) Close. Solomon Close was born in October, 1834, in Putnam county, not far from Bluff ton, and was a son of Michael, and Jane Close. Solomon Close was a farmer until he reached old age and lived part of the time between Gilboa and Benton Ridge. He later moved to Van Buren township, in this county, and now lives in West Leipsic. He was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three ani one-half years. He was never wounded nor in a hospital. He is now a member of the Post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Leipsic, in which; fraternal order he takes a great interest.

Mrs. MacDonald grew to womanhood in Putnam county. To James- MacDonald and wife eight children were born, three of whom died in infancy. The five living children are Florence Menetta, Lawrence James,. Serge R. C, Vivian Beatrice and Evelyn Rose.