Sandusky County, Ohio - Chapter 25: Miscellanea, 1909 (part 13 of 18)

A. H. Miller was educated in the schools at Bettsville, after which he learned telegraphing and becaine operator and agent for one of the railway lines at Gibsonburg, later embarking in his present business, which he has handled successfully. On April 21, 1888, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Edla Ferrenburg, a daughter of Edward and Catherine Ferrenburg, and they have three children: Alice L., who is her father's bookkeeper; Ralph C., who is deceased; and Bertha F. Mr. Miller and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.

FRANKLIN POCOCK, whose excellent farm of fifty acres is situated in one of the most desirable sections of Green Creek Township, was born on his father's farm in the same township, Sandusky County, Ohio, August 16, 1864, and is a son of Elias and Margaret (Fishel) Pocock.

Elias Pocock was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in April, 1836, and is a son of Daniel Pocock, who moved from there to Sandusky County, in 1845, settling among the pioneers in Green Creek Township. Elias Pocock helped to clear up the farm and still resides on it. He married Margaret Fishel, of Riley Township, who also survives. They had four children, Martha, Franklin, Dexter and Chauncy.

Franklin Pocock attended the country schools and as he was the oldest of the sons, had to begin farm work very early and he continued to help his father until his own marriage. He bought his farm from Calvin Steffey, in 1887, and here carries on general agriculture, growing crops and fruit and raising stock.

On December 2, 1889. Mr. Pocock was married to Miss Rose Ann Britenberg, a daughter of Joseph Britenberg. of Riley Township, and they have three children, Orrin, Lucille and Floyd. In politics Mr. Pocock is a Democrat, and he has served his township very acceptably as supervisor.

WILLIAM C, BRINGE;, general' farmer, who is successfully cultivating his forty acres of valuable land. situated in Section 13, Madison Township, Sandusky County, was born in one of the large provinces of Germany, June

Mr. Bringe was eighteen years of age when he came to America, Ohio being his objective point. He spent a few months at Toledo and Pemberville and then came to Sandusky County and engaged in farm work near Woodville. On February 15, 1890, he was married (first) to Miss Sophia Spade, a daughter of Garrett and Mary (Hartman) Spade. She died January 3, 1895, and was interred in the Gibsonburg Cemetery. She was survived by three children, Frank, George and Fred. Mr. Bringe was married (second) March 17, 1897, to Miss Elizabeth Witt, a daughter of August and Minnie Witt, and to this marriage six children have been born, namely: Anna, Ida, Amelia, Helen, Edward and Lydia. Of these, Ida and Helen are dleceased.

Following his first marriage, Mr. Bringe bought the farm on which he has resided ever since and almost all of the buildings on the place have been since put up. He has his land in fine condition, well drained and it returns him a satisfactory enough income without his making any tests for oil. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. In_ politics he has always been identified with the Democratic party and has served two years as road supervisor in Madison Township.

ORLING WHeHARRISON, oneof Chrde's leading citizens, identified for many years with its railroad and other business interests. is also a veteran of the Civil War. He was born October 4, 1844, in Chautauqua County, New York, and is a son of William Marks and Adaline (Wright) Harrison.

Mr. Harrison bears a distinguished name, one that has been honored through many generations of American history. John Harrison, his ancestor, landed on Plymouth Rock. William Marks Harrison lived in New Jersey and he was the great-grandfather of Orlin W. The grandparents of Mr. Harrison were James and Clarinda (Rose) Harrison, the former of New Jersey and the latter of Windsor, Vermont. They were residents of Galway. New York, when their son, Wilham Marks, father of Orin M:, wasborn,. March.9o, fase... De was seventeen years old when -his_ parents moved to Chautauqua County and there he subsequently purchased over one hundred acres of land and entered upon its improvement. From there, in 1845, he came to Sandusky County, purchasing a tract of eighty acres situated one-half mile east of Clyde, and resided here until 1865, when he left the farm and located in the town. He was a man of more than usual prominence in his community, a factor in politics, a very prominent Mason, a member of Erie Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar, at Sandusky, and a leader in movements of charity and reform. In his political attachment he was a Democrat and for more than thirty years he served as deputy sheriff of Sandusky County. His death took place Decemier 4, 1884.

William Marks Harrison was married July 4, 1836, to Adaline Wright. She was born at Avon, New York, April 2, 1816, and died at Clyde, Ohio, March 18, 1895. Her parents were Eli and Martha (Bullard) Wright, natives of Massachusetts and direct descendants of Revolutionary soldiers. Eli Wright served in the War of 1812, later settled in New York and from there came to Clyde, Ohio, in 1845. His seven children all spent their lives in Ohio. To William Marks Harrison and wife were born three children: Helen, Orlin W. and Viola.

Orlin \W. Harrison attended the Clyde schocls and assisted his father on the home farm until he enlisted for service in the Civil War. When but seventeen vears of age, October 12, 1861, he enrolled in Company A, 72nd Regt.. O. Vol. Inf. Following the battle of Shiloh, Mr. Harrison was prostrated with typhoid fever, which almost caused his death, a strong constitution only enabling him to suevive weeks of suffering first in a hospital tent, later on the steamboat which carried him up the river from Shiloh to Cincinnati. The seriousness of his illness made necessary a furlough of sixty days and when he deemed himself ready for the field again, the examining surgeons decided otherwise and he was discharged before being permitted to join his 'regiment. Although his military ardor was not

FUISTORY OF diminished nor his loyalty to the cause forgotten, he realized the wisdom of the medical decision and as soon as he had gained sufficient strength to undertake new duties, he turned his attention to the study of law, at the University of Michigan. After a course there he returned to Clyde and shortly afterward enlisted in the 50th O. N. G., and was made sergeant of Company B. This company in 1864 was incorporated with the 169th Regiment and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen during the summer, and on September 4, 1864, was honorably discharged. Mr. Harrison still further proved the sincerity of his patriotism by immediately beginning recruiting, which he continued until the following February, when the imminent close of the war made effort in this direction no longer a necessity.

From 1867 until 1876, Mr. Harrison's time was spent in the railroad service in connection with several express companies, and during this time he served the Merchants' Union Express Company and the United States Express Company and had charge of offices at Elyria, Monroeville and Tiffin. For several years thereafter he traveled for a wholesale house, but since 1883 he has, been and is at present connected with the Lake Shore and Big Four Railroads, in their offices at Clyde, - with the exception of three years when he filled a position in Judge Lemmon's office in connection with railway work - for the same companies. He has been so closely identified with the public for so many years that he is well known to his fellow citizens and his faithful and courteous services have gained him their respect and personal regard.

Mr. Harrison was married in 1870, to Miss Anna L. Brown, who was born at Tiffin, Ohio, and is a daughter of Abordas and Mary A. (Taylor) Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have one daughter, Clara, who married Otto Volz in April, 1908. He is at present preparing himself as a mechanical engineer and resides with Mr. Harrison.

Like his late father, Mr. Harrison has been closely connected with Masonic life for many years. When he had but reached his majority he was received into Monticello Lodge, F.

& A. M.; is a member of Morton Council, No. 38, at Clyde, and-of Erie Commandery, Knights Templar, at Sandusky. In politics, Mr. Harrison is a Republican.

GEORGE H. HARTMAN, oil producer, dairyman afid general farmer, residing in the old Hartman homestead, adjoining Woodville Village, in Woodville Township, is one of the substantial citizens and enterprising men of this section. He was born in Woodville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, July 3, 1874, and is a son of the late Rudolph Hartman, who, for many years was an extensive farmer and large land owner in this section. He came from Wood County, where he had been an early settler, to Sandusky County in 1869 and resided in Woodville Township until his death, which occurred when he was aged seventynine years.

George H. Hartman attended the Woodville schools and then worked for a time for his brother, in the tile mills. After his marriage he settled down to farming and started his dairy industry, one which has been developed until he now has the largest milk route at thirty of which are situated within the corporate limits of Woodville. His handsome brick residence is one of the most commodious and attractive in the place. He is associated with his brothers in the oil business and 1s a stockholder in various concerns.

Mr. Hartman married Miss Minnie Meinert, a native of Woodville and a daughter of Louis Meinert. They have had four children: Hulda, Vera, Richard and Leo. The eldest died when aged four months. Mr. Hartman and family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

LOUIS MICHAEL, .a ceneral farmersand representative citizen of Madison Township, residing on his valuable farm of 100 acres, situated in Section 34, was born one mile south of Gibsonburg, Ohio, March 22, 1864, a son of Frederick and Sophia (Haas) Michael.

The parents of Mr. Michael were farming people and for many years lived in Madisor Township and there both died, the father ir July, 1887, and the mother in February, 1889 Both were buried in the Gibsonburg Cemetery, a quiet spot where many of the old residents sleep their last sleep.

Louis Michael attended a school in his boyhood, that stood on the present site of Gibsonburg, and after his school days were over, he worked for his father until he was twenty-one years old and then engaged in farm work by the month. After his marriage he settled south of the old homestead and lived on that farm until the death of his mother, two years later and then moved onto the old place and remained there for seven years. He then bought sixty acres in Section 34 and later forty acres more. The farm buildings, which he has improved, were all here except the corn house, and Mr. Michael made that addition when it became a necessity. He has about fifteen acres of valuable timber, a sufficient number in pasturage and the remainder of his land he drained, putting in about twelve thousand tile, of different sizes, as the lay of the land demanded, thereby making its cultivation easy and profitable.

On March 20, 1890, Mr. Michael was married to Miss Etta Voelm, daughter of Jacob and Mary Voelm, and they have two bright boys, Charles W. and Floyd. Mr. Michae and family attend the Lutheran Church at Gib soriburg. In politics he is a Democrat and foi seven years he has been a member of.the town: ship school board.

WILLIAM WALTER DAVLIN, president of the School Board of Townsend Township, is one of the representative citizens and one of the largest land owners in this section of Sandusky County. He was born April 2. 1865 in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Walter and Ann J. (Whitmore) Davlin.

Mr. Davlin was reared in Townsend Township, secured his education here and has always been interested in agricultural pursuits, He is a very large farmer and owns three farms, aggregating 524 acres, all situated in Townsend

Mr. Davlin married Miss Effie Skilliter, who was born in Oxford Township, Erie County, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Waldock) Skilliter. They have a family of five children, namely: Grace, Nell, Margie, Walter, and Ruth. The family home, built by Mr. Davlin in 1899, is a beautiful modern frame residence, situated twelve miles east of Fremont, on the State Road. A part of his land was included in the old White farm and a part in the old Whitmore estate. Mr. Davlin has always taken an active interest in educational matters in the township and, although having much business care, has consented to serve year after year on the school board and is now its very efficient president. He is a member of the order of Knights of Maccabees.

DAVID HUMBERGER, general farmer, residing on his valuable place in Section 31, Madison Township, where he has about one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, lying on the Rollersville Road, was born January 6, 1867, in Washington Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. His parents were Solomon and Hettie N. (Burkett) Humberger.

Solomon Humberger also was born in Washington Township, Sandusky County, where he lives on a valuable farm of 165 acres. He is one of the township's representative men and has served three terms as trustee. In politics he is a Democrat and in religious faith a Lutheran.

David Humberger attended the Mosey School in Washington Township and then assisted his father on the home farm until about the time of his marriage. He then moved toa rented farm near Lindsey, which he operated for six years, when he moved to Madison Township, buying the eighty acres on which he now lives, at that time. Eight years later he added the other seventy-nine acres. Mr. Humberger has taken much interest in his property, and has done a large amount of improving, having put down 20,000 tile for drainage. In addition to the general crops of this section, Mr. Humberger raises hogs and cattle and grows a large amount of fruit, having exceptionally fine peaches. He is a representa-

Mr. Humberger married Miss Sophia Diels, a daughter of Henry and Anna Diels, and they have four children, Ethel, Corinne May, Hazel Leona, and Arthur S., all at home with the exception of the eldest daughter, who married L. C. Krotzer. Mr. Humberger and family belong to the Lutheran Church.

SAMUEL SMITH, a well known citizen and general farmer in York Township, where he owns sixty acres of valuable land, lying on the Gardner Street Road, about one mile west cf Bellevue, Ohio, was born at Bellevue, November 24, 1859, and is a son of David and Julia (Knauss) Smith.

David Smith and wife were both born in Pennsylvania. The former came to Ohio in boyhood, accompanying his father, John Smith, who settled on a farm in York Township. Julia Knauss was in her girlhood when her parents came to Sandusky County. After David Smith married he moved with his wife to Bellevue and later to the old Smith farm on the Maumee Turnpike Road, where his death occurred in 1899. In earlier years he had worked as a carpenter, but later gave his attention to farming and to acquiring property, at the time of his death owning four farms, one in Huron County and three in York Township. One of the latter he gave to his son, Samuel, by will. The widow of David Smith still survives and bears well her weight of eighty-four years. To David Smith and wife were born five children, namely: George, who is engaged in the lumber business at Bellevue; Charles, who is a carpenter residing at Coldwater, Michigan; Samuel, subject of this sketch; Sarah, who is the wife of David Barnhart, of Bellevue; and Lizzie, who is the wife of Jerry Barnhart and resides on the old homestead on the Maumee Turnpike Road.

Samuel Smith was fourteen years old when his parents settled on the farm and he completed his education in the country, having previously attended schoo] in Bellevue. His business has been farming: for a number of years he gave his father assistance and in 1907 came to his present place, known as the old Gardner farm. It is well improved, the fine brick residence being particularly attractive. Mr. Smith married Miss Jennie Heal. He has never been active in politics, preferring the quiet life of an agriculturist, and finds his best pleasures in his home and in the developing and improving of his heritage. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

MICHAEL P. DOLWECK, an extensive and successful farmer and representative and substantial citizen of Sandusky County, residing in Section 12, of Scott Township, owns 200 acres of cultivated land, wood land and oil property, situated in this section and in Section 7, Jackson Township. Mr. Dolweck was born April 27, 1870, in Jackson Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, where his parents were farming people.

He is a son of Alexander Dolweck, who was born in Germany and who was a boy of six or eight years when he came to this country, accompanying his father, Michael Dolweck, who purchased 160 acres in Scott and Jackson Townships, adjoining the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Alexander Dolweck married Elizabeth Gabel, by whom he had ten children,namely : Michael Peter, Mary, Rosa (deceased), Celia (Hoffman), Edith (Myers), Libbie (deceased), Alexander, Urban, Clara (deceased), and Theresa. The parents of this family still live in Jackson Township, on the farm on which Mrs. Dolweck was born.

Michael P. Dolweck went to the country schools in his boyhood and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Jackson Township, on which he continued after his marriage until he bought his present 200 acres. Of this land twenty acres is in valuable timber and he has three oil wells and one gas well on his farm, all of them promising profitable development. Mr. Dolweck raises large crops of potatoes, corn, oats, hay and the other products of this section, and he also has some excellent stock and first-class machinery. He raised about seventeen hundred bushels of potatoes in 1908, and put out increased acreage in 1909. He isa stockholder in the Indiana Mining Company, of Anderson, Indiana.

Mr. Dolweck was married (first) in May, 1896, to Miss Ida Gieble, a daughter of George and Mary Gieble. They had two children, George Alexander and Loretta, the latter being now deceased. Their mother died September 30, 1898, and was buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. On June 4, 1901, Mr. Dolweck was married (second) to Miss Mary Wilhelm, a daughter of Louis and Catherine (Toeppe) Wilhelm, and they have two children, Leona and Hilda.

The father of Mrs. Michael Dolweck lives at Fremont, having moved there about six years ago from Jackson Township. His wife died September 5, 1893. Nine children were born to them, as follows: One that died in infancy; Mary M., the wife of the subject of this sketch; Frank, deceased; Frances Catherine, who died July 21, 1893, at about twentyfive years of age; Clara M. (Omler); Joseph Louis; Alois Michael; Helen E. (Reineck) ; Lucy O. (Myer). Mr. Wilhelm was born in Germany and was eight years old when he came to this country with his father, Bartholomew Wilhelm, and located in Jackson Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Dolweck are members of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. In politics he is a Democrat, but is not a seeker for office.

OLIVER M. MALLERNEE, a leading citizen of Clyde and an honored veteran of the Civil War, who, for three years of that great struggle, saw hard and continuous service, was born March 14, 1836, in Harrison County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Lydia (Burton) Mallernee. The Mallernee family originated in France and it was the grandfather, Emanuel Mallernee, who crossed the Atlantic and founded the American branch in Maryland. ;

William Mallernee was born in Maryland in 1807 and accompanied his parents to Harrison County, Ohio, as one of a family of eight children. He was a cooper by trade and was engaged in the coopering business until about 1840, when he turned his attention to farming. In his political views he was a Democrat. He married Lydia Burton, a daughter of Thomas Burton, who was born in Scotland, but who at that time was a farmer in Nottingham Township, Harrison County, Ohio. There were eight children born to this union, namely: Ezra, of Columbus, Ohio; Hannah, of Harrison County; Thomas, of Oklahoma; Henry, of Harrison County; William, of Missouri; Rachel Ann, deceased; Lydia, of Nebraska; and Oliver M., of Clyde, Ohio.

Until he was eighteen years of age, Oliver M. Mallernee worked on his father's farm and attended the district school, aiterward learning the blacksmith's trade. He completed his apprenticeship at Hopedale, in Harrison County, and worked in several other counties for a time and also, as a side line, was agent for a horse book that was designed particularly for the use of farriers. In the course of his travels he visited Oquawka, Illinois, Rock Island, Chicago, and Logansport, Indiana. He reached Clyde for the first time in October, 1857, and then went to Fremont, where he worked for about eighteen months before going on to Fostoria, Ohio, where he was working as a blacksmith when the Civil War opened.

He decided at once to enter the Union Army, and on August 10, 1861, was registered as a private in the 3rd Regiment, O. Vol. Cav., and was mustered in in the following month. He was known to be an expert blacksmith and therefore was placed in charge of the blacksmith department of the regiment and the horse hospital at Monroeville, before the regiment went to Camp Dennison, thence to Cincinnati and down the Ohio River to Jeffersonville, Indiana. The next march took the regiment to Nashville, Tennessee, where Mr. Mallernee succumbed to an attack of measles. He participated in all the severe work of his regiment, which included the march to Shiloh, Corinth, Mississippi, and Tuscumbia, Alabama, from there to Woodville, and then to Perryville, Kentucky, his regiment being a part of the force under General Buell in the memorable campaign against General Bragg. After taking part in the battle of Stone River. the regiment remained at Murfreesboro until June, when General Rosecrans started out on the Chickamauga campaign. Mr. Mallernee assisted in the siege of Chattanooga and the fighting and marching in that section until! his regiment became a part of General Sherman's command and started on the Atlanta campaign. When at Jonesbcro, Georgia, Mr. Mallernee's term expired and he turned his back upon the scenes of war with which he had been so closely associated and made a short visit to his peaceful home in Ohio. A few weeks later, however, he re-enlisted and was appointed first lieutenant in the First Regiment, quartermaster's forces, and was assigned to Company F and was in command of that company at the battle of Nashville, Tennessee. He remained in that city unti! his honorable discharge from the army, in June, 1865. For many years Mr. Mallernee has been prominently identified with Eaton Post, G. A. R., No. 55, at Clyde, and equally so with the Union Veterans' Union, of which he has been commander and quartermaster.

In resuming peaceful pursuits, Mr. Mallernee decided to settle at his trade in the pleasant town of Clyde, of which he had retained agreeable memories from his first visit. He conducted a shop there for a time and later one at Milan, in Erie County, but returned to Clyde and in 1871 he opened up a marble business at this place and also bought a farm in the vicinity, in York Township. He continued his marble business until 1882, in the meanwhile having invested to a large extent in coal lands and for some years was interested in handling such property. He has had other business interests, one of them being the Clyde Produce Company, a very successful enterprise, but in late years he has given much of his attention to the management of his York Township farm, retaining his home, however, at Clyde.

He was one of the organizers and original promoters of the Farmers' Mutual Relief Association of Sandusky County, being elected its first and second president and afterwards treasurer.

Mr. Mallernee was married November 1, 1865, to Mrs. Mary (Blake) West, a war widow, who had two children, Frank and Fimma. Mr. and Mrs. Mallernee have one son, William S. He was born February 4,

1868, attended the Clyde schools and later a commercial college at Valparaiso, Indiana. He married Jessie Babcock. In his political views, Mr. Mailernee is a staunch Republican.

Mary Blake West Mallernee was born in England, July 17, 1834, and came to America with her parents in 1837 and settled at Milan, Ohio. In 1855 she came to Clyde and afterwards was married to Elijah West, who enlisted in the 169th O. V. Inf. in the Civil War. He died in 1864 of disease contracted in the service. She married O. M. Mallernee November 1, 1865, therefore, she has the honor of having had two husbands in the army. She also had two brothers in the service.

She was a charter member of both the Woman's Relief Corps and Woman's Relief Union, and always a worker in charity and very patriotic, and a staunch believer in the Republican party.

WILLIAM URSCHEL, a man of large and varied business interests, is president and superintendent of the Woodville Lime and Cement Company, which is located about onefourth of a mile north of Woodville, and has one of the largest plants in this part of Sandusky County. He was born in Waterville, Lucas County, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of John Mary (Csenkle) Urschel.

John Urschel was born and reared in the vicinity of Canton, Ohio, and for some years was engaged in farming in Stark County, Ohio. In 1904 he became identified with the lime and cement business, but is now living in retirement at Woodville. He is a stockholder and director of the company of which his son is president. He and his wife became the parents of three children, Daniel, who lives in Kansas; Jacob J., who is manager of the Woodville Lime and Cement Company, and William.

William Urschel was reared on a farm and attended the public schools near Canton, Ohio. He followed farming operations until 1904, when the Woodville Lime and Cement Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000 and the following officers: William Urschel. president; D. H. Bittinger, vice-president and secretary; and Jacob J. Urschel, man- ager and treasurer. The company owns about twenty acres of lime rock and has a daily capacity of 140 tons. It is the largest concern in Woodville, giving employment to a force of ninety men. The subject of this sketch is also a stockholder of the Urschel-Bates Bag Valve Company and a director and stockholder, plants being located at Toledo. He is a stockholder of the Woodville Savings Bank Company. :

Mr. Urschel was united in marriage with Miss Lizie Gerber of Canton, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Lucille, aged four years. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Order of Elks at Fremont. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

S. A. ZIMMERMAN, a representative citizen of Scott Township, of which he has been a trustee since 1904, resides on his farm of twenty-eight acres situated in Section 34, but devotes a large part of his time to working at his trade of mason and plasterer. He was born in Scott Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, June 5, 1863, and is a son of Adam and Maria (Mathias) Zimmerman.

in the schools of Scott Township. His first work was in a saw-mill and he lived at home the greater part of the time until he was twenty-four years old. For one year before his marriage he worked at Rising Sun and afterward moved to a farm of eight acres, which he purchased before he bought his present farm. This place formerly belonged to his father, who cleared it and put up all the buildings. Mr. Zimmerman cultivates his land, but he has a reputation as a fine worker at his trade and hence devotes the larger part of his time to filling contracts all over the country. He is a stockholder in the Rising Sun Bell Telephone Company.

On January 26, 1896, Mr. Zimmerman was married to Miss Zella Dalton, a daughter of John Dalton, and they have five children, Bernice, Cecil, Galland, Fern and Haven. Mr. Zimmerman and family are members of the Evangelical Church. In politics he is an active Republican and he enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens to a large degree. They have elected him to numerous township offices, the duties of which he has filled most satisfactorily. He served four vears as township assessor and for five years has been township trustee. He isa member of the lodge of Odd Fellows at Rising Sun, and of the Knights of Pythias at Kansas, Seneca County.

EMMET RIFE, who is engaged in general farming on his father's farm of eighty acres, which is located about three miles northeast of Clyde on the North Ridge Road, York Township, was born November 3, 1874, on his present farm and is a son of Robert and Maria (Dimick) Rife

Robert Rife, who was born on the farm opposite our subject's present home, is a son of Michael Rife, and was reared in York Township, where he later followed farming until the spring of 1899. He then moved to Clyde, Ohio, where he has since lived in retirement. He married Maria Dimick and they have reared the following children: Charles, who is engaged in the grocery business in Cleveland, Ohio; Fred, who lives in California; Emmet, the subject of this sketch; Gertrude, the wife of D. Heyden; and Homer, who lives in York Township.

Emmet Rife is one of the progressive young farmers of York Township and has always lived on his present farm, where he follows general agriculture. He was united in marriage with Anna Craig, who was born in Jowa, a daughter of Hiram Mahala (Babcock) Craig, with whom she came to Sandusky County when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Rife have two children, Gladys and Gertrude.

L. G. KELLER, whose excellent farm of fifty-two acres, on which there are nine producing oil wells, is situated in Section Eight, Scott Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, was born on a part of this farm, April 9, 1867, and is a son of John and Rowena (Plantz) Keller.

L. G. Keller attended the country schools and helped his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he engaged for a time in teaming in the oil fields. After he married he acquired nfty-two acres of the homestead and all the buildings now standing he subsequently erected. He has also underlaid his land with tile, where necessary, and has all productive with the exception of five acres in pasture and woodland.

On December 19, 1890, Mr. Keller was married to Miss Lettie Gregg, who is a daughter of William and Harriet (Henline) Gregg. They have one son, Milo. Mr. and Mrs. Keller are very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bradner, Mrs. Keller singing in the church choir. In politics he votes with the Republican party but is in no sense a politician. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, attending Lodge No. 429 at Bradner.

JOHN JACOB RIFE. Among the old and esteemed residents of York Township, where he has lived since childhood and to the development and improvement of which he has contributed through a long and busy life, John Jacob Rife occupies a prominent place. He resides on his valuable farm of 183 acres, which is situated on the North Ridge Road, about three miles northeast of Clyde. He was born in Maryland, March 4, 1829, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Zumbrun) Rife.

In 1832 the parents of Mr. Rife left their old home in Frederick County, Maryland, and by slow stages came to Sandusky County, Ohio, purchasing the present Rife farm from a Mr. Cookston, who had been one of the earliest settlers in York Township. Here Daniel Rife and his wife resided until their death, the father dying when John Jacob was fourteen vears of age. This farm has been his home ever since and he has expended considerable money in improving it and enriching the soil. The old buildings which served for some years have been replaced by substantial new ones, all of these being put up after Mr. Rife came mtv possession. For many vears he was considered one of the township's best farmers.

On December 3, 1863. Mr. Rife was married to Miss Fannie Jackson. a daughter of Robert and Mary (Cragg) Jackson. Mrs. Rife was born in England and accompanied her parents to America when she was eight vears old. The familv lived for one year in the State of New York and then came to Sandusky County and located in Townsend Township, where they were residing at the time of Mrs. Rife's marriage. Later they sold the Townsend Township farm and moved to York Township and both died here. They were quiet, worthy people, who are kindly remembered by all who knew them. Mr. and Mrs. Rife have two children, Alta and Belle, the latter of whom married Wallace J. Reed. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have one son, Frederick. They reside on the homestead, and Mr. Reed operates.the farm.

ERNEST W. WORMAN, an enterprising and successful business man, residing at Vickery Village, owns and operates a stationery mill at Whitmore, in Townsend Township, and also a portable mill, doing an extensive lumber business at all seasons of the year. He also operates a steam threshing machine during the harvest season. He was born December 7, 1874, in Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is the only son of David and Susan (Beebe) Worman.

David Worman was born and reared in Sandusky County and lived for many years in Rilev Township, but in 1879 he came to Townsend Township, where he began the manufacture of tile at Vickery. He followed that business for ten vears and then moved to near Amsden, where he purchased a farm, that he Jater sold. In 1904 he bought a part of the Kidman farm in Townsend Township, on which he vet resides. He was married first to Susan Beebe, who died in 1877. She was a daughter of Wilham Beebe, of Townsend Township. One child was born to this marriage, Ernest \V. He married, second, Nora Cosgrove, of Townsend Township, and they have two children.

Ernest \W. Worman attended the district schools in Riley Township and his first emplovmient was in the tile works at Vickery, where he labored for one year. He then turned his attention to lumbering and through enterprise and energy has developed a large business. He emplovs from six to twenty-five men in the woods and in operating his mills, andl utilized from two to six teams. He fills special orders, deals largely in hardwood lumber and turns out all kinds of bill stuff. His threshing interests also add largely to his responsibilities as well as income. In 1904 he purchased a part of the Kidman farm in Townsend Township and resided there for two years, when he sold and removed to Vickery, where he owns a comfortable home.

Mr. Worman married Miss Clara B. Smart, a daughter of Aaron W. Smart, and they have two sons, Eldon L. and Laurel C. Mr. and Mrs. Worman attend the Methodist Episcopal Church at Vickery. Fraternally he is identified with the Maccabees, belonging to Tent No. 222. In politics he is a Democrat and at the present time is serving as township trustee, elected on the Democratic ticket. He is a man of enlightened views and at times has given efficient service on the township board of education,

CHARLES E. KEEFER, an influential farmer of Washington Township, residing on a fine farm of 140 acres one and a half miles south of Lindsey, also owns a tract of fifty-five acres of good farm land five miles west of Fremont, in Washington Township. He was born May 19, 1862, in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and came to Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1867, with his parents, William H. and Catherine (Hahn) Keefer, both of whom were also born in Adams County, Pennsylvania,

William H. Keefer, a cabinetmaker by trade, now resides on a farm three miles west of Fremont. He was first united in marriage with Catherine Hahn, who died in 1871, after the family came to Sandusky County, Ohio. Of their union were born the following children: George F., who resides in Ballville Township, first married Rena Homel, who died, after which he formed a second union with Elizabeth Deemer; Ida L., who is now deceased, was the wife of Orville Bowlus, of Fremont: Charles E., the subject of this record: Laura, who died aged three years: John H., who married Hattie Shaw, resides in Jackson Township; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Bert Plants, lives at Clyde, Ohio; and Nellie May, who is now deceased. Mr. Keefer formed a second marital union in 1872 with

Rebecca Engelman, who died in 1873. He subsequently married Mrs. Cyrano Grant, who died about six years after their marriage, leaving three children; Blanche, who keeps house for her father; Ada, who is the wife of John Zollie, of Fremont; and Harry, who is deceased.

Charles E. Keefer. who has been a resident of Washington Township since a lad of five years, received his education in the local schools, and early in life learned the cabinetmaker's trade with his father, following that occupation for about four years, since which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married February 25, 1885, to. Melvina Waggoner, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Miller) Waggoner, of Fremont, Ohio, and of their union have been born the following children: Pearl, at home; Chester E., deceased; Claude S., attends the Fremont Business College; and Harold R., Sarah E., and Verna May, all attend the district schools of this township; and Mabel, Hazel Irene and Corinne, are at home.

Mr. Keefer takes an active interest in the affairs of the Republican party and has served three vears as a school director of Washington Township. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, Mt. Calvary Class, located four and a hali miles west of Fremont.

NORTON RUSSELL MUGG, whose fine farm containing 172 acres lies on the South Ridge Road, about three miles east of Clyde, Ohio, was born in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, March 31, 1861, and is a son of William A. and Phebe (Russell) Mugg, the former of whom is one of the leading men of Sandusky County.

NX. Russell Mugg is a member of an old and most honorable family of Sandusky County. He was reared on the family homestead in York Township and after gaining a sound early training in the district schools, entered the Clyde schools, attending two years, and completed his educational course at the Ohio Normal University at Ada. His interests have always been mainly centered in agricul-

On December 31, 1888, Mr. Mugg was married to Miss Maggie Matthews, a daughter of Eugene and Viola (Harrison) Matthews. The father of Mrs. Mugg was born at Seneca Falls, New York, and from there entered the Federal army at the time of the Civil War. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg and was also made a prisoner by the Confederates, but was subsequently paroled at Beaufort, South Carolina. He came then to Sandusky County to visit an uncle and here met and married Miss Viola Harrison. She was born at Westerfield, New York, a daughter of William M. Harrison, who brought his family to Clyde, Ohio. The present site of the McPherson Cemetery was the first piece of land owned by William M. Harrison, in Sandusky County and Mrs. Mugg's mother was nine months old at that time. Mr. Harrison was a prominent man and served many years as a notary public and as deputy sheriff. Mrs. Mugg was born at Clyde, where her parents still reside, having occupied the same residence for forty vears. Mr. and Mrs. Mugg have two children, Madolin and Maurice B. Mr. Mugg has never been active in politics, but he is a reliable, lawabiding, representative citizen.

FRANK O'FARRELL, a representative member of the Fremont bar and one of the firm of Kinney, O'Farrell & Rimelspach, a prominent law combination well me all over Sandusky County, was born May 24, 1856, at Sandusky City, Erie County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Bridget (Conway ) O'Farrell.

The parents of Mr. O'Farrell were both born in County Tyrone, Ireland, came in youth to America, and were married in 1851, at Philadelphia, coming almost immediately to Sandusky City, Ohio. In 1859 they settled in Scott Township, Sandusky County, and there lived the peaceful lives of gine, farming people. The father died in 1872, but the mother survived until 1881. They a six children, Frank being the third in order of birth. The others were: Mary A., who married Martin

CITIZENS 801 Murphy; John; Thomas, who prepared for one of the severe orders of the Catholic priesthood and died at Baltimore, Maryland; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Maurice Cummings; and Patrick Henry.

Frank O'Farrell passed an uneventful boyhood on the home farm, Leaving the district schools after he had completed the usual course of study, he entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Republic, and for some years alternated school attendance with school teaching, in the meanwhile making his preparatory studies in law, having as his preceptor, Hon. J. L. Greene, of Fremont. Mr. O'Farrell continued his law studies until he was admitted to the bar, in 1881, when he located permanently at Fremont and has been identified with the interests of this city ever since. For a few years he practiced alone, afterward entering into partnership with Hon. J. T. Garver and later, with Hon. Thomas Mc- Sheey, and in 1897 becoming a member of his present firm. About this time he served as a member of the board of county school examiners for seven years.

In addition to a gratifying amount of prominence in his profession, Mr. O'Farrell is a leading Democratic politician and for some years has been an important factor in his party in this section. He is a very loyal party man and has frequently served as a delegate to 1mportant conventions.

Mr. O'Farrell has a pleasant home at No. gt2 Haves .\venue, Fremont, and an agreeable family circle. He married Miss Catherine O'Connor, a daughter of a substantial farmer of Sandusky County, and they have children, James A., Bryan Francis, Henry Vincent, Edward and Thomas. With his family, Mr. O'Farrell belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. He takes an active interest in church organizations and in 1894 was appointed State delegate from Ohio to represent the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association at the Supreme Council, held at Philadelphia, Grand Rapids and Buffalo.

cation, resides on and operates what is known as the old Wilcox farm, in the old records, a valuable estate containing 100 acres, and which is the property of his wife. It is situated on the North Ridge Road, about four and onehalf miles northwest of Clyde, Ohio. Mr. Kidman was born in England, November 2, 1868, and is a son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Wright) Kidman.

When Mr. Kidman was only two years old, the death of his mother brought heavy trouble into the family. He remained with his father, however, until he was twelve years old, in the meanwhile attending school as occasion offered, and then made up his mind to cross the Atlantic and make his way to Ohio and join an older brother who was a farmer in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. The long journey was accomplished without companions or kindred and he safely reached his destination. He immediately started to school, making the most of his opportunities and when iar enough advanced in his studies, attended what is now the Ohio Northern University, at Ada,

--where he was a student for twelve terms. He then taught seven terms of school in Townsend and Riley Townships, his educational work being done in the winter time, his summers being given up to farming. In both occupations he proved his capacity. For some years prior to his marriage, in 1896, he had resided on the present farm, where he has lived ever since, although he also gives some attention to his own farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Townsend Township. He spent one year, 1884, farming in what now is South Dakota.

In 1896 Mr. Kidman was married to Mrs. Alice L. (Jarvis) Sparks, who was the widow Diy bur L. Sparks.. She had one child born of her first marriage, Mabel Sparks. To Mr. and Mrs. Kidman four children have been born: Ruth May, James Leland. Walter Neal and Sarah Olivan. Mr. Kidman and family are members of the North Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and a steward. MIr. Kidman's long connection with educational matters, both as student and teacher, made him particularly well qualified for membership on the schoo! board.

SAMUEL SPROUT, a highly respected citizen and retired farmer of Scott Township, who resides in comfort on his fine farm of 250 acres, situated in Sections 25 and 36, Scott Township, is also one of the honored survivors of the Civil War. Mr. Sprout was born October 1, 1840, in Scott Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Long) Sprout. John Sprout, grandfather of our subject, came from Guernsey County, Ohio, to Seneca County, in 1834. At the same time Samuel Sprout, father of our subject, located in Scott Township, on this place and lived here until his death. The paternal grandmother was Nancy Hildebrand, who was of German parentage. The maternal grandparents were Daniel and Mary (Prill) Long.

Mr. Sprout grew up on a farm in Scott Township and attended the district schools in his boyhood. \Vhen the call camt for soldiers of the Civil War, Mr. Sprout was one of the farmer boys who laid down his peaceful tools to take up arms and for three long years he showed on southern battle fields the kind of youth nurtured on the farms of Ohio. He was a member of Company K, torst O. Vol. Inf., and although frequently for days in dangerous positions, was never captured by the enemy and the two wounds he received were but slight ones. Thus practically unharmed he returned home and until he retired his main interests were of an agricultural nature. He has always lived in Scott Township and has led a busy life. His large farm is all under the plow, with the exception of thirty acres which are yet timbered. and he has nine oil wells. There are tliree sets of buildings on the place, excellent quarters thus being provided for both owner and tenant.

Mr. Sprout was married February 13, 1889, to Miss Miriam Kuhn, a daughter of John and Mary (Miller) Kuhn. They have no children. Mir. Sprout is a Republican voter, but he has never assumed the responsibilities of public office. He 1s a member of the G. A. R. Post at Nansas.

Frane In Crosby

Sandusky County, Ohio, who owns a beautiful country home and thirty-three acres of farm land on the Maumee Pike, about one and a half miles west of Bellevue, was born June 15, 1857, on a farm in Medina County, Ohio, and is a son of Edwin and Julia (Sawyer) Crosby. In 1859 his parents came to Sandusky County and located on a farm south of Clyde, where they followed farming until late in life. They then removed to Clyde, where they both died, Edwin Crosby on November 18, 1894, at the age of sixty-nine years, and Mrs. Julia Crosby, January 26, 1894, at that of sixty years.

Frank N. Crosby was reared on the farm south of Clyde and when eighteen years of age began learning the blacksmith trade from Joseph Vogt at Wales Corner. He opened his first shop in Green Creek Township, between Clyde and Green Springs, remaining there about eighteen months, and then went to Fireside, Seneca County, Ohio, where he operated a shop for two years. He then moved to Flatrock, Seneca County, where on December 23, 1883, he married Mary Ella Richards, who was born on the Richards farm in York Township, and is a daughter of J. K. Richards, who was one of the prominent farmers of that township, whose land was adjoining that of our subject. The mother of Mrs. Crosby was in maiden life Harriet Dresback. She died at the age of fortyeight years, and Mr. Richards in 1884, aged sixty-two years. The land owned by Mrs. Crosby was originally part of the Richards farm, his wife having been born and reared in the large brick house adjoining his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby have one son, Clarence. who married Marietta Kalb. Mr. Crosby conducted his shop in Flatrock for two or three years, then moved to his present home, where he erected a fine home, large barns and a blacksmith shop, which he ran for a number of vears.

Mr. Crosby is a Democrat in politics and in 1902 was elected by that party a member of the county board of infirmary directors, and was re-elected to serve a second term, during which time he was president and secretary of the board. He has been game warden for two years, his duties carrying him all over the state, and is fraternally a member of the B. P. O. E., No. 1013, at Bellevue.

HON. HAL C. DERAN, formerly a member of the Ohio State Legislature and a very prominent member of the Fremont bar, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, December 17, 1872. His parents were Dennis and Anna (Flumerfelt) DeRan.

Mr. DeRan was reared on his father's farm and in boyhood attended the country schools. He was an apt student and before he reached his majority had decided to make the law his choice of professions and with this in view, read law with a local firm and subsequently graduated from the University of Michigan. He located at Fremont and soon was in the enjoyment of an excellent practice and also became somewhat of a leader in Democratic politics. In 1897 he was elected to the Ohio Assembly and served with marked efficiency until he retired in 1901, since which time he has devoted himself to his profession. He has taken part in a large amount of the important litigation of this section for the past decade and has successfully conducted many important cases. He also manages his fine farm of 150 acres, which lies in Washington Township.

Mr. DeRan married Miss Mabel Hubbard, who is a daughter of John E. Hubbard, a well known citizen of Sandusky County. Mrs. DeRan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. DeRan is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Elks and with several social organizations. He is an active citizen, contributing of his means and lending his influence to all movements that promise to add to the reputation or general prosperity of Fremont.

ALTON HETER, general farmer, who owns thirty acres of valuable land in York Township, Sandusky County, situated on the Gardner Road, cornering on a_ cross-road, about two miles west of Bellevue, was born in Thompson Township, Seneca County, Ohio, June 25, 1864, and is a son of Levi and Mary (Schoch) Heter. The gtandfather, John Heter, came from Pennsylvania to Seneca County, Ohio, when his son Levi was a boy, settling for some vears in Thompson Township, but before his death, moved to Bellevue.

Levi Heter became an extensive farmer and the owner of much property, at one time having 200 acres of land. He still survives and is one of the venerable and esteemed residents of Bellevue. He married Mary Schoch, a daughter of George Schoch, and she was born and reared in Seneca County. Her death occurred in February, 1907. They had eight children born to them, as follows: William, who died in boyhood; Perry; Belle, who is the wife of Henry Newman; Bloom; Alton and Emma, twins, the latter of whom is the wife of Sanford Higgins; Grant; and Jessie, who is the widow of Chauncey Depew Buchanan.

Alton Heter was about six years old when his parents moved to the farm, a part of which he now owns and occupies, and he has resided here almost ever since, successfully carrying on -his farming operations. He married Miss Addie Wyant and they have had nine children, all of whom survive except Reuben, the youngest, who died when aged ten months. The others are as follows: Ethel, who is the wife of Irvin Kleckner; Susan, who is the wife of Warren Royer;- and Flossie, Thurlow, Josephine, Levi, Claude and Harold. Mr. Heter is a member of the German Aid Society of Bellevue.

WILLIAM A. MUGG. one of York Township's best known men and a worthy representative of an old pioneer family in Sandusky County, has spent almost all of a long and useful life in the section which remains his home. He was born at the village of Milo, in Yates County, New York, December 13, 1827, and is a son of John B. and Susan (Wheeler) Mugg. In 1822 the paternal grandfather, Elder John Mugg, came to Sandusky County with a view to locating here, but as a missionary of the Baptist Church, and for years he traveled back and forth through what was then a vast wilderness, with but here and there a brave pioneer's log cabin in the solitude of the forest, and administered both to the physical and to the moral ills of these isolated people. He was not even unmindtful of the welfare of the Indians, still numerous, and by his good offices gained their affection and passed unmolested. He had a family to sup- port and in their behalf he entered 400 acres of Government land, but scarcely waited for the erection of cabins for their homes before he set out again on his missionary labors. His name is yet held in reverence in this section, although many years have passed since he was laid to rest in the old cemetery at Wales Corners. His seven children grew to maturity and they were named respectively as follows: Thomas, who subsequently made a home for himself and family in Indiana; John B., who was the father of William A.; Marcus, who became a Baptist minister and died in Michigan; Jesse, who moved to Angola, Indiana, and died there; William, who barely survived manhood; and Mary and Harriet, the former of whom married a Mr. Bennett and died in Indiana, and the latter a Mr. Colvin, and died in York Township. |

John B. Mugg, father of William A., was born in Yates County, New York, in 1801, and died in York Township, Sandusky County, in his seventy-ninth year, December 31, 1880. He was twenty-one years of age and married, when he accompanied his father to York Township, Sandusky County. It is probable that the hardships of the pioneering life were too heavy for his young wife to bear at that time, for in the following year, with their infant son, they returned to Yates County, not, however, losing interest in the Sandusky County lands. He resumed his old farm occupations in Yates County and operated a saw-mill and continued to reside there until 1836, when, with his wife and family of children, he again set out for Ohio, a part of the long journey being made with an ox-team.

John B. Mugg found conditions somewhat improved, more settlements having been made and larger areas of land being cleared, although a goodly portion of this fertile country was just as Nature made it and William A. Mugg remembers that even in his advanced boyhood, one of his favorite winter sports was to skate all the way, on ponds, over marshy land, from Wales Corners to Sandusky Bay. Pioneer life is not easy, but it is doubtful whether our brave forefathers expected ease in life; rather they seemed to court hardship and in battling with Nature, built up vigorous bodies and strong minds. John B. Mugg retained the family acres and through his industry and good judgment perhaps added to them, and when he passed away his nine children, each survivor, had a little start in life. He married Susan Wheeler, who was born in Yates County, New York, in 1807, and died in York Township, Sandusky County, March 3, 1880. Their children were Charles, Wheeler, William A., John, Elizabeth, Marietta, George, Alice, and a babe that died unnamed.

One of the disadvantages that the early settlers in every section had to face was the lack of school opportunities for their children. The Mugg family had come from an old settled part of New York and were people of intelligence and education; hence this drawback was severely felt. William A. Mugg was surrounded by excellent influences in his home, but, on account of lack of schools, obtained but a meager knowledge of books. He was taught, however, the value of industry and thrift, his parents setting the example, the father toiling with his sons in the fields and the mother performing marvels of industry at her loom and with her needle. He assisted in all the work on the farm until he reached maturity and then entered into a contract to work for his father for $200 a year and was so engaged for five years. Possessing most excellent judgment and foresight, he kept adding to his first purchase of land, each investment proving a wise one, and at one time owned 1,300 acres of land in Sandusky County. Subsequently he divided his large estate among his children, but prior to that he was the largest, individual land owner in Sandusky County. Starting out with but moderate means, the accumulation of so large a property proved his possession of great business faculty. He continues to reside on the old homestead near Wales Corners, but his business interests are at various points. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank at Clyde and at present is a director and vice-president of the Clyde Savings Bank Company, of that place.

On February 7, 1854, William A. Mugg was married to Miss Phebe S. Russell, who still survives and is a member also of a prominent old pioneer family of Sandusky County. She was born April 2, 1833, in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, a daughter of Norton and Sybil (McMillen) Russell. Norton Russell was born at Hopewell, Ontario County, New York, June 15, 1801, of Massachusetts ancestry. In 1822, with three other young men, all of whom became more or less notable, Wil-. liam McPherson, James Birdseye and Lyman Babcock, he walked the whole distance, 400 miles, from New York to Sandusky County, where he entered the southeastern quarter of Section 7, York Township. In 1825 he was married to Miss Sybil McMillen, a daughter of Samuel and Polly McMillen, who had come to Ohio from New Hampshire and were pioneers in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County. Norton Russell lived to the unusual age of more than ninety-seven years, retaining to a rematkable degree his vigor and mental] poise. It is remembered by prominent people of the county that on one occasion, Mr. Russell, then an old-young man of eighty-five years, climbed the stand-pipe at Fremont, without assistance, in order to get a view of the beautiful city, so much of which had been built up within his recollection. It was a feat that men many years his junior might have hesitated to undertake. His death occurred February 16, 1899.

To William A. Mugg and wife were born nine children, as follows: Nina, born December 31, 1857, married James Ungerman. Clarence M., deceased, born January 14,. 1859, married Laura Carr. He was assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Clyde. He died December 27, 1893. N. Russel, born March 31, 1861, married Maggie Mathews. Mabel, born in 1863, died in 1883. Alice, born in 1865, married A. R. Pickett, of Clyde. Moina, born in 1868, married N. F. Greenslade, of Bellevue. Amy B., born February 10, 1870, is the wife of Court Minderman and lives two miles east on the old homestead of John B. Mugg. James G., deceased, born in 1872, married Anna Needham. He died May 23, 1897, and his son, Leland S., was reared by the subject of this sketch. Florence, born May 25, 1877, is the wife of W. J. Cunningham and they live in Northampton, Massachusetts. In his political views, Mr. Mugg has always been.

J. H. NAUGLE, general farmer, residing on a valuable estate of 120 acres, situated in Section 35, Scott Township, Sandusky County, owns forty acres of this tract and manages the other eighty for his children. He was born in Edin Township, Seneca County, Ohio, January 4, 1859, and is a son of David and Josephine (Nelling) Naugle.

Mr. Naugle had but few advantages in his youth and had to work hard from boyhood. He has always devoted himself to farming and has placed the large farm on which he lives in very fine condition, improving it by putting up all the substantial buildings now in evidence, draining it and keeping an orchard in good bearing. He has four producing oil wells. He raises good crops and devotes eighteen acres to wheat, thirty to corn, eight to oats and twenty to hay. His stock is fully up to the average in this section.

Clara A. Feasel, a daughter of John and Rebecca Feasel. She died in December, 1898, and was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Jackson Township, Seneca County, Ohio. She was the mother of six children, namely: ard, Zoa, Vere, Charles, Ida and Leon, the two eldest being deceased. Mr. Naugle was married (second) to Miss Nellie Whalen and they have one son, John. Mr. Naugle belongs to the German Reformed Church, and his wife is of the Methodist faith. In politics he is a Democrat.

IRVING J. JORDAN, an enterprising and successful business man of Clyde, Ohio, having a large trade in dealing and shipping poultry and produce, was born near Wales Corners, in York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, November 16, 1870, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Gamby) Jordan.

Mr. Jordan was about four months old when his parents moved to a farm of eighty acres, situated near Colby, also in York "Tow nship, and there he was reared. He subsequently bought fifty-five acres adjoining the old home place. He was educated in the country schools and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1907, when he came to Clyde and entered into business in partnership with A. I. Kelsey under the firm name of Kelsey & Jordan. This partnership was dissolved December 1, 1908, and since then Mr. Jordan has conducted his business alone. His facilities are such as to enable him to draw on a rich outlying territory and this gives him an advantage that his customers subsequently enjoy in having the freshest and best produce.

Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Gertrude Diment, a daughter of George and Matilda (Jones) Diment. She was born in Seneca County, Ohio, but was reared in Sandusky County. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan have one son, Glenn W. The comfortable family home is on South Main Street. Mr. Jordan is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

ETHAN A. BEEBE, Jr., who successfully conducts farming operations in Townsend Township, owns seventy acres of excellent land and is numbered with the representative men of this section. He was born March 18, 1855, in Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Susannah (Voak) Beebe.

James Beebe was born in Huron County, Ohio, August 28, 1816, and brought his family to Townsend Township in 1857, where he died May 19, 1893. He was married (first) to Mary Jane Green, who died leaving one son, George. His second marriage was to Susannah Voak, who died in June, 1904. There were seven children born to the second union, namely: Nathan, deceased; Frank, residing at Clyde; Frederick, deceased; Rebecca, wife of John Black of Clyde; Myra, wife of Roscoe Myers; and Ethan A.

Ethan A. Beebe was two vears old when his parents settled in Townsend Township and here he attended school and later engaged in agricultural pursuits, to which he has continued to give attention. He inherited forty acres of the homestead farm and to this he added by purchase until he now owns seventy acres. His land is favorably situated and his improvements have added to the original value.

In 1877 Mr. Beebe was married to Miss Mary Graves, a daughter of George Graves of Townsend Township, and they have one daughter, Maude, who is the wife of Bert West. Mr. and Mrs. West have two sons: Lawrence Beebe, who was born in May, 1905; and Lloyd, who was born April 2, 1908. Mr. West is a traveling salesman and Mrs. West resides with her parents, desiring to rear her children in the old home of her father and grandfather, with the advantages of rural surroundings.

ANDREW JACKSON WELLER, who owns eighty acres of valuable farming land in York Township, Sandusky County, which is situated about one-half mile west of Colby, was born on a farm in Seneca County, Ohio, November 26, 1867, and is a son of John and Christina (Orner) Weller.

John Weller was born and reared in Pennsylvania and came to Seneca County, Ohio, in early manhood. He married there a daughter of one of the substantial old farmers, and they spent their subsequent lives on their farm, being separated but a few years by death. The father survived and died in 1901. They reared eight children and all survive.

Andrew J. Weller grew to manhood on the home farm in Seneca County. His education was obtained in the country schools, at the Ohio Normal School at Ada, and at Heidelberg University at Tiffin, after which he alternated school teaching in winter with farming in summer for some years, teaching fifteen terms of school in Seneca County. In 1902 he purchased his present farm, on which he carries on general agriculture, raising excellent, crops, fruit and stock.. He has made many improvements here, including the building of a commodious frame residence and remodeling of the barn. Mr. Weller journeys through the country in a fine automobile.

On November 16, 1893, Mr. Weller was married to Miss Gertrude Metzgar, who was born and reared on a farm in Seneca County and is a daughter of John C. Metzgar. Mr. Weller is a member of the Royal Arcanum at Clyde.

MERRITT E. SANFORD, one of Townsend Township's representative men and prosperous farmers, owning eighty acres of valuable land which lies on the State Road, was born on his father's farm in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, April 7, 1853. His parents*were Henry A. and Mary (Rice) Sanford.

Henry A. Sanford was born March 4, 1824, in the State of New York, and was a son o6 Zachariah and Mary Sanford. He came to Sandusky County with his parents, in 1832, and in 1852 he married Mary Rice. She was a daughter of Daniel Rice, who was one of the earliest settlers in Sandusky County. He came to the Sandusky Valley about 1818 and settled first at Upper Sandusky, and in 1824 he came to Townsend Township. He was an early justice of the peace and it is said that he performed the ceremony uniting the first white couple that were married in the county, the record being 1820. After his marriage he lived on the farm which is now occupied by his brother, George Sanford, but later removed to the original homestead taken up by his father, and there he died in 1894, when aged seventy-four years. His wife died in 1883. They were parents of three children, one son and two daughters, namely: Merritt E.; Alma, wife of Eugene Winters, of Townsend Township; and Jennie, wife of J. W. Colvin, of York Station.

Merritt E. Sanford obtained his education in the township schools and has made farming his business in life, residing on the old Sanford homestead until 1900, when he purchased his present farm from Mrs. Glora. This place he has improved and the land shows many evidences of careful cultivation.

Mr. Sanford was married (first) in 1879, to Miss Mary Beebe, daughter of Enoch Beebe, of Townsend Township. She died in April, 1904, having been the mother of four children, as follows: Lavernia, born October 23, 1880, died April 13, 1894; Roy, born July 29, 1888; Henry R., born August 10, 1890; and George W., born June 24, 1893. Mr. Sanford's second marriage took place on May 1, 1906, to Mrs. Cora Ridley, widow of Charles Ridley, and a daughter of John Starke. Mrs. Sanford had frequently been called upon to hold township offices. In 1902 he was elected township clerk and served until 1909, and in 1900 he was appointed census enumerator.

SAMUEL D. SMITH, one of Sandusky County's representative men and _ substantial farmers, owns 256 acres of fine land which is divided into three separate farms, the one on which he: lives being located on the South Ridge road, six 'miles northeast of Clyde, Ohio. He was born in York Township on a

Mr. Smith comes of German ancestry, his grandparents, George Frederick and Dorothea (Maumann) Smith, coming from Germany to America in 1816. In 1836 the family, then a large one, left Lehigh County,. Pennsylvania, for 'Ohio. and on reaching Sandusky County settled in York Township and there spent the remaining years of their lives. They were among the pioneers and hence were forced to face many hardships now unknown to their descendants.

F rederick Smith, father of Samuel D., was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1818. He was the third of his parent's children and was then eighteen years of age and being the eldest son, was his father's chief helper. He possessed the same sturdy qualities as his parents, thrift, prudence and industry, and by the time he reached full manhood, had acquired a competence. He. purchased a farm adjoining the old homestead and to his first purchase added other tracts and at one time owned .640 acres. He was a man of progressive ideas and as he acquired land he improved it and'in 1866 erected the fine brick residence which continued to be his home until his death, on April 1, 1879. In politics he was a Democrat and took interest in the success of his party. For many years he was a pillar in the Reformed Church. Frederick Smith married Mary A. Box, who was born in what is now Carbon County, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1826, a daughter of Nicholas. and Eve Margaret (Mehrcome) Box. Her father served in the War of 1812 and returned to Pennsylvania with the intention of bringing his family back to the rich lands of Sandusky County, over which he had traveled, but years passed before he was prepared to make the journey and on its eve he died, December 2, 1835. -Following out his instructions, widow completed the arrangements and brought her children to Ohio, settling in Washington Township, Sandusky County, in 1836, where she died in 1857. To Frederick and Mary A. Smith were born seven children, namely: William F., who is deceased ; Amelia, who is the widow of George F. Wilt, of Toledo; Samuel D.; Henry F., who resides at Bellevue; Margaret E., who is the wife of Charles Edward Darling, of Toledo; Sarah C., who is the wife of Charles Emery, of Toledo; and Dora E., now deceased, who was the wife of W. O. Bailey. The mother of the above mentioned family survived her husband for many years, dying at Toledo, where some of her children have comfortable homes, in August, 1908, when aged eighty-two years.

Samuel D, Smith has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. In early manhood he taught four terms - one term in Ballville Township, one in Riley Township and two in York Township. March 26, 1874, he went to Placer County, California, and taught one term. July 3, 1875, he returned to York Township and taught three terms after his return. He has a good working knowledge of carpentering and blacksmithing, inheriting the handy use of tools from his father, and this skill often proves useful to him in the operation and managernent of his large estate' He has never married.. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought office. He served some twelve or fifteen years on the board of education.

JOHN SWINT, county commissioner of Sandusky County, Ohio, elected from Ballville Township, on the Democratic ticket, is serving in his second term, having proved one of the most efficient and careful members of this important public body. Mr. Swint was born

December 17, 1850, in Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Rosie (Reinich) Swint, who came from Baden, Germany. Henry Swint landed at Marblehead, and thence proceeded to Rice Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1888. He became prosperous and was the owner of a large amount of farming land. He saw military service in the Mexican War. He and his wife, Rosie, were the parents of fifteen children.

John Swint went to school with his brothers and sisters during his boyhood and grew to manhood well trained in farm work, and farming has continued to be his main business throygh life. He owns a valuable, well improved property of 200 acres, in Ballville Township, and is numbered with the substantial and worthy citizens of that section. He is a stanch Democrat and by that party was elected to his present office in 1906 and re-elected in 1908. With the family he belongs to the Catholic Church and they are consistent members of Father Rupert's congregation at Fremont.

E, J. GROVER, one of the substantial farmers of Green Creek Township, residing on a fine farm of eighty acres located on the Green Spring Road, was born October 23, 1841, in a log house on his present farm, and is a son of Truman and Catherine Grover, and a grandson of Silas Grover.

Silas Grover came to Ohio at a very early period from New York State and first located on a tract of timber land about half a mile west of Clyde. This he subsequently sold and purchased a farm in Green Creek Township, near our subject's present farm, where he resided until the time of his death. He was the father of seven children, all of whom, but one, lived to the advanced age of some hinety odd years. They were: Manassa, Truman, Johr Orson, Samuel, Harriet, (wife of Mr. Buel) and Eliza, who married a Mr. Cleveland.

parents came to Sandusky County, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He entered a tract of timberland from the government, walking to Bucyrus for the deed, and from this land furnished timber for the railroads as they came through this part of the county. He erected a log house and died here at the age of ninety-one years and is still survived by his widow, who is now ninety-one years of age. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Eunice, who married Taylor Perron; Milo, Frank and Enos J., our subject; Margaret, who married Daniel Clapp, both being now deceased; Melvina, who married J. M. Heart; Ella, the deceased wife of James Raymett; and Ransom, who died aged thirty years.

Enos J. Grover has always lived on his present farm and has always followed general agriculture, having also run a dairy wagon to Clyde for a period of seven years. The house which he occupies was erected in 1858 and Mr. Grover now has the assistance of his son Claude in operating the farm. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Grover married Angeline Adams, who died February 27, 1908. To them were born five children, as follows: Nora, who married LeRoy Lee, and died in 1909, was the mother of two children, Margaret and Doris; Ransom, married Alice Simmerson; Claude; Byron, married Pearl Wetsel, and has three children, Rudolph, Ruth and Reeva; and Truman.

JOHN A. JONES, a well known farmer and stockraiser of Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, where he was born August 26, 1861, owns a fine farm of ninety-eight acres, which he has put under an excellent state of cultivation. His parents were John W. and Rebecca (Pearson) Jones. The father of Mr. Jones was born in Wyandot County and the mother in Sandusky County, Ohio.

John W. Jones was a son of Rev. William Jones, who was one of the well known pioneer preachers of Sandusky County and a pioneer settler on Green Creek, in Riley Township. Jolin W. Jones was one of the township's ster- ling citizens. His death occurred October 23, 1899. His widow, now in her seventy-first year, survives and resides at Vickery, Ohio. They had three sons, Irving W., John A., and Clarence, all of whom are respected residents of Riley Township. During the Civil War, the late John W. Jones served 100 days when there was an emergency call for soldiers.

John A. Jones obtained his education in the public schools of his native township and he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. On October 4, 1883, he was married to Miss Bessie Lindsay, a daughter of Charles Lindsay, late of- Townsend Township, and they have two children, Leon L., who lives in Townsend Township; and Nellie, who resides with her parents in Riley Township. Following his marriage, Mr. Jones lived for a time in Townsend Township and during that period served two years as township trustee. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Vickery.. In his political views he is not in accord with either of the dominant parties and he usually casts his vote according to the dictates of his own judgment.

ISAAC AIGLER, who is engaged in farming and fruit growing on a tract of 108 acres, located four miles north of Bellevue on the South Ridge Road, was born in Union. County, now 'known as Snyder County, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1840, and is a son of Amos and Arminia (Bobb) Aigler.

He was but three years old when his mother died, and his father subsequently married Mrs. Eliza'(Smith) Aigler, widow of Joel Aigler, an uncle of Isaac Aigler, and in 1848, the family.came to Ohio and settled on land in Thompson Township, Seneca County, where they resided, one year. They then came to Sandusky County and settled on a farm south of our subject's present place in York Township, where his parents resided until late in life. They then removed to Bellevue, where they both died. Mr. Aigler was reared in York Township from

Mr. Aigler saw service in the Civil War, enlisting in Company D, 50th Regiment, O. N. G., for five years. On May 2, 1864, he volunteered and was mustered into the United States' service for 100 days, his regiment operating between Washington and Richmond, Va.

_Mr. Aigler has made all the improvements on his farm, it being a corn field at the time of his purchase, and it is now one of the best improved farms in York Township. He was married to Susanna Close, who was born in Pennsylvania and who, when about seven years old, 7 came with her parents, George and Mary (Moyer) Close, to Sandusky County, Qhio, they settling on the farm now owned by Mr. Isaac Aigler. Her father became one of the most prominent farmers of the county, and acquired a large amount of land in the northwest part of York Township. Mrs. Close died in 1869, on the old home farm and was survived by her husband until 1889, the last years of his life being spent in Bellevue. In the fall of 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Aigler will remove to Bellevue, where they will make their future residence. _ Mr. Aigler is a member of the C. B. Gambee Post, No. 33, G. A. R.; of Bellevue.

PHINEAS W.* PARKHURST, for many years one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Clyde, Ohio, was born in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and died at his home in Clyde, January 18, 1909, having just passed his seventy-seventh birthday. He was the second son of Zelotes and Lois Parkhurst, and a grandson of Phineas Stevens (for whom he was named), who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, enlisting in May, 1775, and serving throughout the war. . Phineas Stevens took part inthe famous battles Hill. Zelotes Parkhurst was 4 soldier in the War of 1812. His family included, besides Phineas W., .two other sons, Joseph and Thomas, both of whom have passed away' in recent years. *

On both paternal and maternal sides, Phineas W. Parkhurst was descended from sturdy New England stock. His parents, desiring to improve their condition, and seeking better op-

- portunities for their children, came to Sandusky County in 1831, and braved and sturdily endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Here their three sons already mentioned were born and reared, learning something of hardihood and self-dependence from the example of their parents, and from the circumstances and surroundings of their boyhood days. Phineas W. Parkhurst was fortunate in being able to obtain a good education, acquiring the elements of knowledge in the country schools, and pursuing more advanced studies in a seminary at Norwalk, Ohio, of which he was one of the first graduates. He subsequently graduated from the Spencerian Business College, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Some time prior to the Civil War he engaged in the profession of teaching, for which he was pre-eminently well qualified, and in which he scored a pronounced success. He served one year during the war as a private soldier in Company A, 72nd Regt., O. Vol. Inf., and when his military services were ended, resumed the occupation of teaching school. He later gave up teaching for a time in order to engage in other business at Venice and at Perrysburg, Ohio, and in 1870 he came to Clyde, where, with Archibald Richards and D. E. Harkness, prominent residents of this place, he organized the Clyde Banking Company and served as its cashier until 1883. After the failure of the bank he resumed teaching. As a teacher he is said to have had no superiors in this section and his services were always in demand. His opinions on educational matters were valuable, as based largely on practical experience. His work left an enduring impression on the minds of all who were privileged to receive his instructions, an impression that, enforced by his strong and noble personality, was always for good and has shown its best results in the lives of his pupils.

Mr. Parkhurst was married June 1, 1869, to Sarah Z, Richards, and six children were born to complete and bless their household, namely : Ralph R., a resident of Bellevue; Arthur D., of Phoenix, Arizona, who has died since the death of his father: Zeldon A., of Chicago; Pearl, a teacher at Toledo; Foster J., of Peru, Indiana, and Paul W., of Chicago.

In 1874 Mr. Parkhurst united with the Clyde Baptist Church, of which he was thereafter a faithful and consistent member. He served for a long time as superintendent of the Sabbath school, and as one of its teachers, and for the last fifteen years of his life was a deacon and a trustee of the church. For the purity of his life and the nobility of his character, Mr. Parkhurst will long be remembered by all who were privileged to know him. He was an indulgent but wise father, a loving husband and was kind and courteous to all with whom he came in contact.

JAMES P. VICKERY, a leading member of the Bellevue bar and a well known attorney both in Huron and Sandusky Counties, was born in Groton Township, Erie County, Ohio, March 24, 1864, and is a son of John and Jane Vickery. The father was born in England and settled in Erie County in 1854, subsequently moving to Mt. Carmel, Sandusky County.

James P. Vickery was educated in the district schools, at Green Springs Academy, and at the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, after which he spent some fifteen years in teaching school, becoming well and favorably known as an educator in several of the counties of his native State. He then prepared for the law in the office of Richards & Heffner, at Clyde, and was admitted to the bar in 1899, forming a partnership which still exists as Parkhurst & Vickery, with offices at Bellevue. This firm is considered one of legal strength and to it has been given many very important cases to adjust. In politics, Mr. Vickery is a Republican and he has served his city in the council a number of terms and has been president of that body. He is the treasurer of York Township and has held the office for several terms.

Mr. Vickery was married April 2, 1890, to Miss May King, a daughter of John A. and Mary A. King, of Clyde, Ohio. They have one son, James Allen. Mr. Vickery is identified with the Masons, the Elks and the Independent Order of Foresters. In 1907 he was elected State secretary of the latter organization and was re-elected to the same honorable office in 1909.

A. B. FRENCH, a resident of Clyde, Ohio, has been identified with the business, political, professional and literary interests of not only Sandusky County, for many years, but his name is familiar all over the country to intellectual people, who read scientific books and attend high class lectures. Perhaps no public speaker in Ohio, during the past thirty years has commanded the audiences that he has whenever he has appeared on the lecture platform. Mr. French was born on his father's farm in Trumbull County, Ohio, September 13, 1838, and is a son of Samuel and Amelia (Belden) French.

The parents of Mr. French were natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively, both families being of old Puritan stock. The grandfathers of Mr. French, Byron French and Asel Belden, were among the pioneers of Trumbull County, Ohio.

A. B. French was given as good educational advantages as were obtainabie in the neighborhood of his birth and his parents and friends were not disappointed in his appreciation of them, and at the age of sixteen years he was a promising student in the Western Reserve Seminary. It was just at this critical age that he became deeply interested in the phenomena which have been given many names and many differing scientific explanations, called at that time "spirit rappings." The remarkable demonstrations made by the Fox Sisters had aroused the whole country and in many a quiet farm house, mediums were discovered who had hitherto been entirely unaware of possessing any occult powers. The mother and other members of Mr. French's family had developed these powers and without doubt the quickened mind of the youth, active beyond his years, made him susceptible at that early age. Reluctantly at first he exercised his powers, led on by an inward force he could not control, and as his phvsical and mental strength still further increased, so did his manifestations of this mysterious power. For years he appeared in public as a medium and had he not ever been the man of honor that he is, he might have amassed a vast fortune from this remarkable gift. At the present time, when some of the greatest minds in the world are giving almost their entire attention to the study of this same phenomena that so impressed the boy at his plow, away back in 1854, and discovered to him his wonderful control of this mysterious power, the world stands breathless, eager to accept what, at that early day was generally looked on as a matter of reproach. To the present opening of the world's eyes, Mr. French has contributed through all these years, both by tongue and pen.

Mr. French took up his residence at Clyde in the summer of 1859 and in 1863 he started the nursery business, which he has developed into a large and prosperous industry. In 1872 he was admitted to the Ohio bar, at Tiffin, having prepared at the University of Michigan, and engaged in the practice of law for three years, in partnership with Judge John M. Lemmon. Failing health caused his retirement in 1875, although his professional prospects were very bright. From 1881 until 1888 he engaged almost exclusively in lecturing and from 1888 until 1890 was connected with the Lyceum Bureau at Chicago, under its management visiting almost every large center of the country. Although his leading subject has been spiritualism, he is a gifted speaker on other themes

For the past ten years he has devoted the larger part of his time to his business at Clyde and also done some literary work at his desk, his many experiences, his scientific studies and the broadness of view brought about by travel and mingling with all classes and conditions, making his written words almost as vital as his spoken utterances.

Through all the activities which have made him a man of busy life indeed, Mr. French has never forgotten his duties either as a private or public citizen. In politics a Repubiican, he has frequently had offices of trust and responsibility urged upon him and as far back as (876 he was unanimously nominated for representative to the General Assembly. He was defeated by an unusually small majority and in 1878 his Republican friends a second time unanimously nominated him, but he refused the proposed honor. He has frequently demonstrated his attachment for Clyde and has shown in a public spirited way his devotion to his home town, in which he is a valued and honored man.

Mr. French was married (first) in 1859, to Miss S. A. Dewey, who left two children, William B., now deceased; and Lula L., who married A. Byers. Mr. French married for his second wife in 1892, Mrs. Mary E. Thomas, a resident of Cardington, Ohio.

MICHAEL G. NORTON, the subject of this sketch, was born at Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1858, and is the youngest child of Michael and Bridget Norton. He moved with his parents to Emporium, Cameron County, Pennsylvania, in 1864, where he attended the public schools. In 1872 he started to work in a saw-mill, where he remained for about two years, when he accepted a position with the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad Company as switchman in the Emporium yards. He remained in this position until May, 1878, when he went to the Bradford McKean County oil field and entered the service of the United Pipe Lines on June 12th the same year, being located at Gillmor in the same county. He remained with this company filling the varicus positions of laborer, construction foreman, pump station engineer and gauger, throughout McKean, Elk, Warren and Forest Counties in Pennsylvania, also in Allegany County, New York State, until July, 1892, when he resigned to accept a position as superintendent of the Pipe Line Department with the Paragon Refining Company, of Toledo, Ohio, where he located until September, 1896. He then moved to Gibsonburg, Sandusky County, Ohio, where the company maintains a local office and field headquarters.

On April 26, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Sherry, daughter of William and Maria Sherry, of Portville. New York. To this union were born nine children, four of which are living, namely: William L, Harry M, Marie K, and Catherine L. Mr. Norton and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic Church, he is a member of the

Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Gibsonburg branch, he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fremont Council. The Norton home is located on South Main Street, Gibsonburg, Ohio.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAGNER, a prominent farmer of York Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, who, in association with his wife owns three valuable tracts of land, all adjoining the Portland Road and situated three miles west of Bellevue, was born at Flat Rock, Thompson Township, Seneca County, Ohio, September 30, 1855. His parents were William and Rebecca (Cook) Wagner.

The Wagner family came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Henry Wagner, brought his family to Seneca County in 1834 and established a home in Thompson Township. At that time William Wagner was a boy of thirteen years. He still survives, being now in his eighty-eighth year, and making his home with a daughter near Marion, Ohio. His wife died in 188g.

Benjamin F. Wagner, generally known to his friends as Frank Wagner, was reared to the age of eighteen years in Seneca County and then accompanied his parents to York Township, Sandusky County. On April 12, 1877, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Clara A. Dick, who was born and reared in Bellevue. Her parents were Enoch and Elizabeth (Fender) Dick. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have had five children, namely: Harley D., who died March 22, 1906, and left a widow, formerly Miss Alla Biddings, of Clyde; Grace May, who is the wife of Harry A. Dick, and has one son, John Franklin; and Ralph Ray, Harry A. and Dewey Hobson, all of whom live at home.

Mr. Wagner carries on general farming. For ten years previous to the purchase of his present farm, he rented one not far distant and later bought it, but he sold it before he bought his present property, which comprises fifty-two and eight-tenths acres. He cultivates this and also two farms belonging to his wife, thirtyseven acres in one piece and thirty-eight acres in the other. All this land is adapted to successful cultivation and Mr. Wagner is numbered with the township's excellent farmers.

He has made important improvements and ail the buildings now standing were erected by him. He is a quiet, industrious, home-loving man and takes no very active part in politics, but he always casts his vote with the Democratic party.

HENRY RODENHOUSEN, who is acceptably serving in the responsible office of treasurer of Rice Township, is one of the most highly respected German-American citizens of this section of Sandusky County. He was born December 4, 1857, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and is a son of Eberhard and Margaret (Doell) Rodenhausen, both of whom died in Germany.