Sandusky County, Ohio - Chapter 25: Miscellanea, 1909 (part 3 of 18)

HON. SAMUEL BRINKERHOFF, for- -merly probate judge of Sandusky County, and for' years up to the time of his death one of the highly esteemed citizens in the county, was born at Phelps, Ontario County, New York, May 13, 1856, son of Abraham C. and Eliza (Swartwout) Brinkerhoff. Judge Brinkerhoff was educated in the schools of his native state and at Hillsdale, Michigan. Coming to Fremont in 1876, he was for some time a teacher in the district, schools of the county. He then entered the law office of Bartlett & Finefrock, of Fremont, and after adequate preparation, was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court on March 1, 1881. In the 'spring of 1880, while yet a law student, he was elected a justice of the peace for the city of Fremont, and held that office for a term of three years. In 1888 he became associated in the practice of his profession with the late Henry R. Finefrock, the partnership being continued until the death of Mr. Finefrock in 1894. In 1896 he was and being subsequently re-elected, served in that office until February 9, 1903. A man of large business capacity, he was interested in a number of important business enterprises, achieving in this direction a marked success, with appropriate financial reward. These triumphs were the result, not merely of his natural ability for commercial pursuits, but also, and in large measure, of his unremitting industry, a quality which was ever one of the of his foremost traits of character. ; impartiality on the bench were fully recognized; as were also his sacred regard for his plighted word and his uniform courtesy to all who came before him in his professional capacity. Hon. James Hunt summed up his leading characteristics when he said: "T have known Judge Brinkerhoff for twenty years and during that time I was in a position to realize his many good traits of character. He had a high sense of personal responsibility. His promises were fulfilled. He was one of the few who do more than they agree. He was frank and open in his dealings and insistent in pushing his own ideas, though always willing to change if in the wrong. He was a hard worker and had a wonderful capacity for business, and his mind had a wonderful grasp of details, which gave him the power to see through propositions more quickly than others. -He is dead, but he has left us the priceless treasure of a good and honest man." Others spoke in a similar strain, and the resolutions, in the form of a memorial of the Judge's life and character were . then adopted, addressed to the Court of Common Pleas of Sandusky County, and ordered to be spread upon the journal of the Court.

JOHN M. RHINEHART, owner of a valuable farm of 165 acres, which is situated in Jackson Township, is numbered with the prosperous agriculturists and representative men of this section: He was born November 8, 1868, in the house which is still his home, in Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Theodore and Keziah (Eversole) Rhinehart.

The Rhinehart family is one that has long been and favorably known in Jackson Township and it was established here by the grandparents, Jacob and Isabella Rhinehart, who came from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1834. Jacob Rhinehart bought 160 acres of land in Jackson Township, this being the farm on which their grandson, John M., resides, and later he bought 240 acges in Scott' Township

John Henricks

Theodore Rhinehart, the youngest child of the above family, was born on the present farm, June 24, 1841, and this was his home through life, one from which he was seldom absent. During the Civil War he served in Company K, 169th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for some months, and subsequently, on account of this honorable service, became identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also an Qdd Fellow. In 1863 he married Keziah Eversole, daughter of Jacob Eversol, and they had two children: Emma and John M. Emma was born September 1, 1864, and died March 12, 1895. She married Edward Wertz and they lived at Helena, Ohio, and had one son, Rosco. Mrs. Rhinehart, who was born April 30, 1843, still survives.

John M. Rhinehart obtained a public school education and was trained by his father to be a capable farmer. His well improved land and finely cultivated fields show the interest he has in his work and also prove that Sandusky County has productive land, fruitful orchards and first class stock, success depending on the farmer.

On October 23, 1889, Mr. Rhinehart was married to Miss Addie Maurer, a daughter of Conrad and Mary (Gurlack) Maurer, and they have three children: Izetta, born June 29, 1890; Clifford, born May 17, 1892, and Fena, born February 26, 1901. Mr. Rhinehart and family are members of the United Brethren Church at Helena.

JOHN HENRICKS, one of Washington Township's representative citizens, resides on his fine farm of 157 acres, 142 of which is fertile, well improved farming land and fifteen of which is in timber, was born on this farm in Sandusky County, Ohio, January 20, 1838. His parents were Noah and Catherine (Reed) Henricks. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Henricks, was the 'first member of the family to own this property and it has never changed hands since he bought it in 1830, from George Waggoner. ' known minister of the German Baptist Church in Washington Township. He was-born in Perry County, Ohio, November 13, 1818, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hufford) Henricks,. and accompanied his parents to Sandusky County and subsequently came into possession of the home farm, on which he lived until several years prior to his death, when he retired. He died at Lindsey, August I, 1896. In that year a cyclone swept througk Washington Township and completely wrecked the farm residence. Noah Henricks then bought a house from Solomon Shively, which was moved to the site of the old one, and it is now called the homestead. He married Catherine Reed, who was also born in Perry County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Susannah (Swinehart) Reed. She survived her husband for four year, dying in May, 1goo.

John Henricks received his education in the district schools of Washington Township, leaving his books when eighteen years of age in order to give his father assistance on the farm. Two years after the father died, John Henricks and his two sisters, Elizabeth and Emily, purchased the farm atid in 1903, he bought one sister's interest and in 1905 he bought the other sister's interest and now is the half owner, with his daughter, Clara J. owning the other half. His one sister, Sarah, married Josiah Hetrick and both she and husband are deceased. They had five children: Effie, deceased, Alfred, William, Noah and Elizabeth. The other sister of Mr. Henricks, Emily, married John P. Anspauch, and they have two children, William and Rollin. A third sister, Elizabeth, married Charles Buck, and they have three children: Noah, Ida and Jennie.

On November 3, 1861, Mr. Henricks was married to Miss Catherine Yeagle, a daughter of Michael and Catherine (Krilick) Yeagle. The Yeagles came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and settled in Rice Township, Sandusky County. To John Henricks and wife have been born the following children: Alice, now deceased, who married William W. Engler, has one son, Arthur; Ardella, who married Charles F. Baskey, has one son, Carl; Clara J., who married Clayton P. Long, has three sons, Earl H and Merle H., twins; and Howard Donald,

Mr. Henricks conducted his farm alone for some years and then sold a one-half interest to his daughter, Mrs. Clara J.: Long, whose husband and Mr. Henricks carry on the farm on shares. They raise wheat, oats, corn and hay, and stock for their own use. The land is also valuable as oil land, there being' eight good producing wells on the farm. Mr. Henricks takes no interest in politics beyond performing the duties of a good citizen. He is identified with the Democratic party.

HON. S. S. RICHARDS, who is serving his second term as judge of the Court of Common Pleas in this judicial district, has been a member of the Sandusky County bar for the past thirty years, having his home at Clyde. Judge Richards was born August 8, 1857, in Townsend Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Archibald and Mary (George) Richards.

The maternal grandfather of Judge Richards was Joseph George, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. He came to Sandusky County in early days, probably about the same time that the Richards family settled in this section, for both names are connected with the early development of the county. The father of Judge Richards, who was a substantial farmer in Townsend Township, died in 1884 at his home in Clyde. -

Judge Richards spent his early life on his father's farm and attended school at Clyde, graduating from the Clyde High School in 1875. He immediately started for California and remained in the far West until the fall of 1876, when he entered upon the study of law in the office of Attorney Basil Meek, a well known practitioner at Clyde. In the spring of 1879, after his admission to the bar, by the Supreme Court at Columbus, he opened an office in Clyde, and in the following June admitted D. A. Heffner to a partnership. For a long period this firm, under the name of Richards & Heffner, was a leading one at Clyde and took part in much of the important litigation in San- dusky County. In 1905 Judge Richards was elected to the bench and at the expiration of his term was renominated by acclamation. His subsequent re-election followed his able administration during his first term.

Judge Richards married Miss Jennie Harding, a member of an old and respected family of the county, her father, John Harding, being a retired farmer. To this marriage were born three children; Robert G., Rena, and William M. Judge and Mrs. Richards are regular attendants at the Presbyterian Church. They have a pleasant home at Clyde and are identified with the agreeable social life of the place.

EDWARD SCHWARTZ, senior member of the firm of E. Schwartz & Son, funeral directors at Fremont, Ohio, also conducting a livery, hacks and ambulance service, has been a representative business man of this city for a number of years. He was born January 26, 1851, at Williamsville,' Erie County, New York, and is a son of Joseph and Theresa (Batt) Schwartz.

The parents of Edward Schwartz were born in Alsace, France. In 1853 Joseph Schwartz settled on a farm in Ballville Township, San-+ dusky County, Ohio, where he died in 1859. He married Theresa Batt and they had the following children: John (deceased), Joseph, Magdalene M., John, Mary A. (deceased), Edward, Frank X., Louis, and Mary C. All grew to maturity with the exception of two.

Edward Schwartz remained at home until his father died, when he went to live at Williamsville, New York, in the home of his uncle, John Daul, and remained there three years, when he returned to his mother for about four years. In 1866 he came first to Fremont and began to learn the cabinet-making trade, completing his apprenticeship at Buffalo, New York. In 1873 he returned to Fremont, establishing his permanent home here, investing in property and embarking in business. Prior to 1878 he was engaged in the furniture line, but since then has given a large part of his attention to embalming and funeral directing, and, in partnership with his son, William H. Schwartz, who is county coroner, to carry- ing on a livery, hacks and ambulance. service business with commodious quarters at Nos. 815-817 Croghan. Street. In 1883 Mr. Schwartz was graduated from a School of Embalming at Cincinnati, and was one of the first undertakers in Ohio to so perfect himself. In 1893 he was elected third vice president of the Ohio State Undertaker's Association, and later became first vice president. He has been a very active and useful citizen. He has served four terms in the city council and for a number of years has filled the office of county coroner. He has set an example of public spirit and served as chairman of the committee on civic improvements while a member of the council. He has served officially in various fraternal organizations, including the Elks, the National Union, the Maccabees, and the Red Men.

In 1874 Mr. Schwartz was married to Miss Mary Eichel, who is a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Ejichel, former well known German residents of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz have four children, namely: Edward L., residing at Detroit, Michigan; Frances M. E.; Hilda, deceased; and William H. In his political views Mr. Schwartz is a staunch Democrat.

and is the junior member of the firm of E. Schwartz & Son, leading funeral directors and proprietors of a livery, hacks and ambulance service. The establishment of this firm at Nos. 815-817 Croghan Street, is kept open day and night, for the accommodation of the public, and is one of the best equipped business stands in the city.

William H. Schwartz was born October 7, 1882, at Fremont, Ohio, and is one of a family of four children born to his parents, Edward and Mary (Eichnel) Schwartz. From the parochial schools at Fremont he went to Fremont High School, then to a business college, then to Columbus, Ohio, where he took a collegiate course and also a course that gave him his diploma in anatomy, general embalming and funeral directing. Later he received a certificate of the first class from the Ohio State Board of Health. For some eight years he has, at various times, performed the duties of coroner, and his election to the office was regarded by the general public as a well merited mark of confidence in his efficiency. Since 1902 he has been in partnership with his father, Edward Schwartz, who has been in business here since 1873 and is one of the city's leading citizens.

Mr. Schwartz married Miss Honora Nolan, a daughter of Thomas Nolan, of Tiffin, Ohio. They reside at No. 119 South Wayne Street. Mr. Schwartz is a zealous member of the Democratic party. He belongs to the Home Guards, the Eagles, the Elks, and the Knights of Columbus, being past exalted ruler of the latter organization.

OBADIAH KERNS, an influential and progressive farmer of Washington Township, residing on a fine farm of 135 3-4 acres, situated about five and a half miles west of Fremont, was born July 3, 1859, in the same house in which he now resides and is a son of Daniel and Julia A. (Walters) Kerns.

Daniel Kerns was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and died in 1904, in his 87th year at Lindsey, Sandusky County, Ohio. He bought the farm which is now owned by his son, and subject of this record, in 1843, when it was practically all in timberland, which he cleared and placed in a state of cultivation. He married Julia A. Walters, who was born in Pennsylvania, and when a young girl came with her parents to Sandusky County, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. She still survives, residing at Lindsey, and will be 85 years old on her next birthday, December 31, 1909. Daniel and Julia Kerns were the parents of the following children: Caroline, is the wife of William Collar, of Toledo, Ohio; Rebecca, married William Smith, and they are making their home in Oklahoma; Lydia A., is the wife of T. I. Kerns, of Cleveland, Ohio; Obadiah, our subject; Emma S., married John Slates, of Cleveland, Ohio; Allen, married Annette Fought, and owns a farm adjoining our subject's farm; Dora V., married (first) Charles

Obadiah Kerns was reared on his present farm and received a liberal amount of schooling in the local schools of this township, afid he is today a man with a good practical education. He bought the homestead: farm from his father in 1893, has made many important improvements in the way of tiling and fencing and has always carried on farming in a general way, raising wheat, oats, corn, hay, and other products. His stock is all of a very high grade although not registered. He-has two oil wells in operation on the land, the output averaging two barrels per day.

On March 10, 1887, Mr, Kerns was united in marriage with Louisa K. Longanbach, a daughter of Martin and Rosina Longanbach, of Sandusky County, and to them have been born three childrén: Irvin Lester, who was born March 17, 1890, assists his father with the work.on the farm; Elvin Chester, who was born April 24, 1893, attends the local schools of Washington. Township; and Bernice Ora, who was born July 9, 1906. Mr. Kerns has served the township four years as a school director and is a Republican in politics, although an independent voter.

EDWIN J. FRANKS, a prominent agriculturist of Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, owner of a farm of 100 acres, residing on a farm of 200 acres, a part of which extends across the line into Sandusky Township, was born on the farm on which he lives, July 24, 1868, and is a son gf Abel M. and Eliza (McQuigg) Franks.

Abel M. Franks was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 3, 1833, and always engaged in farming. He was martied in that county April 3, 1862, to Eliza McQuigg, who was born in Ireland, September 12, 1832. She was about 5 years of age when brought by her parents to the United States, and was there reared to maturity. Her father died there at the age of 81 years, and her mother at 91. She was one of the following children: William and Eliza (Franks), twins; Martha, deceased; Mary; Samuel, deceased; John, Sarah, James, and Margaret. 'After their marriage Mr. and Mrs.

Franks moved to Huron County, Ohio, where they lived until 1865, then came to Sandusky County. He died here May 21, 1907, after an active and useful life, and is survived by Mrs. Franks, who resides in Fremont. They became parents of the following children: Franklin, John, Sadie, Edwin J., and Samuel. Franklin Franks, a graduate of Fremont High School and Cincinnati College of Law, married Harriet Barnes and resides at Findlay, Ohio, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. John Franks is a graduate of Fremont High School and read law under the preceptorship of several well known lawyers of Fremont, where he is now in practice; Sadie Franks, who attended Fremont High School and Oberlin College, is now a resident of Fremont; Samuel Franks married Tillie Siegenthaler, and has three children - Irene, John and Mary E.

Edwin J. Franks has always followed farming since his schooldays and has been more than ordinarily successful. He is the owner of a highly improved farm and has a splendid home, located about one-half mile from Fremont, on the Maumee and Perrysburg Turnpike Road. He was married October 10, 1891, at Norwalk, Ohio, to Miss Agnes Snyder, a daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Rafferty) Snyder, early residents of Sandusky County. They have ati adopted daughter, Gladys, to whom they are giving the same parental care and cateful training they would a natural daughter. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Franks is a member of the Order of Eagles at Fremont.

MICHAEL W. LATTIG, an honored surviving soldier of the great Civil War and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Fremont, resides on his valuable farm of seventy acres, which is situated in Section 7, Sandusky Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. He was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1841, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Maria (Messinger) Lattig.

County, coming from there to Sandusky County and settling on the farm now owned by their son, Michael W., in Sandusky Township. The place had. been improved with a log cabin and barn but otherwise was almost in its natural state. Here the parents of Mr. Lattig continued to live and in rgor the father died in his eighty-third year. Of his children, three 'survive, 'namely: John J., of Baliville Township, Sandusky County who owns onehalf of the old home farm in Sandusky Township; Daniel L., of Reynolds County, Missouri; and Michael W. Benjamin F. Lattig was one of the township's reliable men, and for many years his judgment was consulted in matters of importance in this neighborhood. He was a Democrat in his political opinions and served 'as township trustee.

Michael W. Lattig went to school as opportunity offered and grew to manhood on the home farm. He was 20 years old when, in December, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company C, 72d Ohio Vol. Inf., and at first was in the wing of the Federal army commanded by General Grant, and later, that commanded by General Sherman. Mr. Lattig saw hard service. He participated in the Battle of Shiloh and the Siege of Vicksburg, and later in numerous sharp skirmishes before he was captured by a band of Confederate soldiers in Mississippi. He was hastened to Andersonville and was confined in that notorious prison pen for ten long months and seventeen days, surviving only to be transferred to two other prisons and was still in confinement when President Lincoln was assassinated and he was not released until the war was over. His honorable discharge followed and Mr. Lattig returned to Sandusky County and, with the exception of two years spent in Alabama, he has resided here ever since, successfully carrying on farming and stockraising.

Mr. Lattig married Miss Matilda A. Anspach, born in Perry County, Ohio, a daughter of David Anspach, formerly of Rice Township. They have the following children: Edessa, wife of E. Overmyer, living near Columbus; Wearden, living in California; Rosa, wife of Charles Hensel, residing at Fremont;

JOHN HOUTZ, one of Sandusky County's substantial citizens, who now lives tetired in his handsome new residence at Helena, Ohio, owns' a large amount of land in the county, including three valuable farms, on one of which. he has eleven producing oil wells. Mr.

The elder John Houtz was born in Pennsylvania and was brought to Mahoning County, | Ohio, when 7 years of age, and later to Sandusky County, only to go back to Mahoning County for several years and finally to settle permanently in Sandusky County. He was married (first) to Catherine Houtz, of the same name but not known to be kindred, and they had one child, Mary Ellen, who is the widow of David Phister, and resides in Wood County. The second marriage of John Houtz, Sr., was to Elizabeth Boyer, and to this union now deceased, married (first) Mary Benton, and (second) Millie (Banks) Warner, who survives and lives in Scott Township; Zachariah, who married Jane Plantz, lives in Scott Township, Sandusky County; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married George Tyson; John, who was named for his father ; and Sarah, who marfied Levi Tyson. i . John Houtz, Jr., went to school in Scott Township until he was 12 years of age, and from that time until he retired from active | life, was engaged in farming, with one and has been a very industrious man and has acquired a large amount of property, his natural good judgment regulating his investments so ' that all of it has given good returns. He owns ninety acres in Washington Township, on which his eleven oil wells produce 200 barrels of oil monthly ; in Madison Township he owns half acres, also situated in Washington Township. In March, 1907, Mr. Houtz rented his home farm, containing six acres in timber, five in pasture and eighty-nine in cultivation, to his son-in-law, Ralph Bolen, and retired to Helena, where he had built his present residence.

On February 11, 1875, Mr. Houtz was married to Miss Mary A. Baird, a daughter of John Shelman and Chisiah (Locey) Baird, long residents in Wood County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Baird had the following children: Sarah Jane, who married George Zimmerman, of Scott Township; William S., who married Adda Pelton, lives in Michigan; Louisa, deceased; Mary A.; David and Clara, twins, the latter of whom married Charles Milburn; and Lorenzo, who married Irene Smith... Mr. and Mrs. Houtz have had the following children: Elsie Minerva, born in 1877, married John Gallagher, and they live at Vandergrift Heights, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; John Garie, born in 1882, is engaged in the oil business, and lives at home; Iva Estella, born in 1884, married Ralph Bolen; Mabel C., born in 1887, married Wilbur Swickard, of Washington Township; and Grace May, born in 1889, who lives at home. Mr. family are members of the United Brethren Church at Helena.

In politics Mr. Houtz is a Republican. He has always taken an active interest in public matters and while living on his farm served as school director and road supervisor and since coming to Helena has continued to serve as school director and also served one year as road commissioner. He is a representative man of this section.

HEZEKIAH EDWARDS, a veteran of the Civil War and a well known farmer of Sandusky County, Ohio, is located on a farm of 106 acres in Ballville Township. He was born in this township June 23, 1842, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Miller) Edwards.

Ohio. He operated a distillery at-Fremont a number of years for a Mr. Williams, and then bought a farm in Green Creek Township. In 1856 he purchased the farm on which the subject of this sketch lives, in Ballville Township, and there passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1870. He married Mary Miller, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 12, 1819, and was three years of age when her parents removed to Pleasant Township, Seneca County, Ohio. Her death occurred April 12, 1890. They were parents of the following children: Tobias, who was born June 9g, 1840, and was a member of Company A, 8th Ohio Vol. Inf., meeting his death at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, at the age of 21 years; Hezekiah; Theodore, who was born October 10, 1844, and lives in Sandusky Township; Franklin, who was born September 22, 1846, and died: February 1, 1895; George, who was born March 4, 1849, and lives in Jackson Township; and Mary (Nighswander), who was born October 23, 1851, and died in 1883.

Hezekiah Edwards has always been a resident of. Ballville Township except for the period in which he was in the army during the Civil War. He attended the district schools and then took up farming, which has been his life vocation. November 14, 1875, he was married at Green Springs, Ohio, to Miss Elmire Myers, who was born in Sandusky County. January 25, 1850, and is a daughter of Johr and Eunice (Walker) Myers.

John Myers was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1821, and died in Seneca County, Ohio, October 29, 1903. Mrs. Myers was born in Youngstown, Canada, March 15,.1821, and died December 27, 1900. They were parents of the following children: Amanda, wife of John Fitzgerald; Henry, who died young; Albert, who also died young; Lydia, deceased wife of Philip Shirer of Seneca County, Ohio; Elmira; Jane, who married Joseph Blue, and resides at Fort Seneca; Winfield, who died in 1901; Emma, wife of Lewis Shannon; and Florence, wife of Orson Jopp.

Mr. Edwards, on August 16, 1861, enlisted as a member of Company D, 3d Ohio Vol. Cav., and was in the service about twelve months, participating in the Battle of Shiloh and other engagements. He was mustered out at Camp Chase. He re-enlisted in the 100-day service as a member of the 139th Ohio Vol. inf. He was in the hospital at Pittsburg Landing about one month, and later was in the hospital at Cincinnati. He was mustered out at Camp Dennison.

JOHN KIRSCH, who owns the excellent farm of 100 acres in Washington Township, Sandusky County, on which he resides, situated two miles east of Gibsonburg, is one of the representative German-American citizens of this section. He was born in Germany June13, 1835, and came to America in 1853. His parents were Nicholas and Emma (Voegel) Kirsch.

The father and mother of Mr. Kirsch remained in Germany for two years after their son had crossed the Atlantic, but in 1855 they also came to Ohio. For three months, Nicholas Kirsch remained at Fremont, during this time looking over different sections with a view to investment, and finally purchased a timbered farm in Washington Township. He cleared five acres of his land and built a log house and lived on the place until 1865, when John Kirsch bought the place from his father and the latter and his wife then moved to Wisconsin, where they subsequently died. They had the following children: John; Philip, who married (first) Caroline Learman, and (second) Ann Reaper, lives in Mercer County, Ohio; Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of John Haubert, of Fremont; David, now deceased, left a widow who lives in Oregon; and Emma, who married John Leonard, lives in Wisconsin.

came to America, unaccompanied by any member of his family and with his own way to make in the world. Landing in New York City, he remained in the state five years, working at various things, mainly on farms, and then spent a year at railroad work in Indiana. He gradually accumulated capital through his thrift and industry, and when his parents wished to remove to Wisconsin, in 1865,.was able to purchase the home farm. He continued to live in the log house for seventeen years, and during this time completed the clearing of the farm and later erected the present comfortable frame dwelling and substantial barn. He has prospered in his undertakings and has found his land valuable both for agricultural purposes and also for oil development, at the present time having eleven wells which produce 150 barrels of oil a month. |

Mr. Kirsch was married (first) to Lena Haubert, who died after becoming the mother of six children, namely: John, Odella, Peter, Mary, Joseph and Clara. Mary-and Clara being deceased. To his second marriage with Mary Haas, no children were born. He was married (third) to Elizabeth Nick, and they have had the following children: .Mary, Catherine, Rosie, Frank, Nicholas, and Veronica, the last named being the only one' deceased. Mr. Kirsch and family are member: of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church at Gibsonburg. He has been a good and useful. citizen, taking an interest in the development and improvement of the township. He has served three years as school director and for five years as road supervisor. In politics he is a Democrat.

GEORGE W. SHREFFLER, one of Sandusky Township's busy and enterprising men, who operates a large stone quarry on his farm of seventy-one acres, which is situated at Four Mile House, Sandusky Township, Sandusks County, Ohio, has been continuously engaged in the stone business here for the past thirty years. He was born in Kankakee County, Illinois, September 15, 1847, and is a som of Aaron and Margaret (Waggoner) Shreffler.

Both parents of Mr. Shreffler were born: in Ohio, and early in the thirties Aaron Shreffler came to Sandusky County from Union County, and shortly afterward, with his wife, removed to Kankakee County, Illinois. He lived there for forty years and then moved to Marion Ceunty, in that state, and there he died in his 85fm year. He was twice married and the chiidkén who survive him are as follows: Melvina, wife of Dr. John F. Jolley, of Port Dover, Ontario, Canada; Regina, wife of William Druitt, of Fostoria, Ohio; George W.; Irving, Arthur and Milford, all living in Marion County, Illinois; and Ida, wife of Edward Howell, residing in Oklahoma.

fPapPOse attending the University of Michigan gt Ann Arbor. For a short time he was engaged in the drug business at Bay City, Michigan, but practically the whole of his business life has been associated with agricultural pursuits together. with his stone industry. His quarry is-one of value, the stone being available for building purposes, bridge construction and concrete road making. In 1905 he erected hig fine residence. _ Qn May 8, 1878, Mr. Shreffler was married to Miss Ruth Shepardson, a daughter of Dr. Noah Shepardson, of Kankakee, Illinois, and to this union has been born the following chilbh Samuel J., George, Benjamin H., John A* and Burdette, sons; and his daughters are: Mabel, wife of Harry Cooper, of Kankakee; Ruth, wife of Aquilla Woland, of Cleveland, Ohio; Lydia Lucy, a teacher in the High School of Kankakee, Illinois; and Carrie. Mr. Shreffler is a Democrat, and while living in Kankakee and Marion Counties, Illinois, was active in politics.

JAMES. JUSTICE AND~ FAMILY. Among the notable pioneers of Fremont few are more deserving a place in this history than the subject of this sketch and his family. James Justice was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on the 18th day of August, 1794. His father was William Justice and his mother was Eleanor Umsted. The father of Mr. Justice was of English and his mother of German ancestry. At about the age of-nine years he removed with his parents from Bedford County to Ross County, Ohio, about six miles from the old State Capital, Chillicothe. There he received a rudimentary education, such as that early date in the history of Ohio afforded, which was indeed limited compared with the grand system of education now to be found in every part of the state. About 1817 or 1818 he engaged in the flatboat trade with New Orleans. The early settlers along the Ohio River and navigable tributaries all looked to this trade.as a market for the bacon, flour and whisky so easily and abundantly produced in southern Ohio at that time, and from thence drew supplies by exchange, of sugars and all those goods which we now term groceries. Often however, the flatboat man would sell his cargo and boat at New Orleans for cash and work his way up the river to his home the best way he could. In. his trade young Justice displayed first class financial talents and accumulated considerable cash. He maintained regular correspondence with the merchants of New Orleans, and was at all times well informed of the prices of goods there, as well as the price of the products which were designed for sale or exchange in the South.

Before engaging in the New Orleans trade he had taken some interest in and understanding of the business of tanning at Chillicothe, but discontinued this to volunteer under General William H. Harrison in the War of 1812. He was with Harrison at Fort Seneca at the time of the Battle of Fort Stephenson, August 2, 1813. After the war he resided at Chillicothe, and for a time gave attention to the tanning business. On the 12th of October, 1820, he married Miss Eliza Moore, daughter of David Moore, and sister of John and James, deceased, two well known citizens of Ballville, both millers and manufacturers, and both wealthy and enterprising men.

In the month of September, 1822, Mr. Justice removed from Ross to Sandusky County, and first located in Ballville Township, and in what is now known as Ballville Village. The manner of his moving from Ross County is quite in contrast with the mode of travel at the present day. He placed his wife and child on horseback, while he started with them on foot. Fora time after his arrival at Ballville, Mr. Justice assisted his father-in-law, David Moore, in running his grist- and saw-mill at that place. After spending probably two years in this manner, he removed to Lower Sandusky and erected a tannery on the north side of State Street, at the foot of the hill, on the west side of the river. With the tannery he connected the business of harness and shoemaking. Here again, his financial talent was displayed, and he accumulated money in his business quite rapidly, and made large savings after supporting a family. In this business Mr. Justice simply managed the financial department, leaving the manual labor to expert workmen, whom he employed in the different shops. About 1847 he turned the business over to his son, Milton J. Justice, and gave his attention to investing and managing his capital. He made large gains by buying and selling lands, sometimes on his own account, and sometimes in partnership with Rodolphus Dickinson and Sardis Birchard. Mr. Justice was prominent in the part he took in constructing the Tiffin and Fostoria plank road which for a time contributed so much to the trade and prosperity of Fremont. When the Wyandot Reservation at Upper Sandusky was sold, and the Indians removed to the Far West. Mr. Justice was selected by the Government as appraiser of the land on account of his soundness of judgment in matters of value.

Shortly after coming to Lower Sandusky Mr. Justice was chosen by the 'Legislature of Ohio one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Sandusky County, which office he filled with singular promptness and fidelity for a number of years under the first Constitution of the State. His commission signed by James Morrow, governor, dated February 4, 1825, hangs in the library of the old homestead and in this library there also hangs his commission as a lieutenant in the State Militia by Governor Worthington dated January 20, 1816.

For a period of perhaps ten years Judge Justice discharged efficiently the duties of a member of the board. of education, acting most of the time as treasurer of the board, a position for which he was peculiarly arid some capital in the stock of that institution, and on account of his well known financial ability and integrity, was one of the first board of directors, and held this position by successive re-elections until the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th day of May, 1873, at the ripe age of seventy-eight years. He left a large estate for the support of his wife to descend to his four adult children.

Those who enter the First National Bank of Fremont may see an admirable portrait of Judge Justice on the south wall of the office, which was presented by his children, The picture is the work of his son, Milton J. Justice, a natural artist, who has set forth his father's features with wonderful accuracy.

His wife was not only one of the pioneers of this county, but possessed virtues in a remarkable degree. She was born in Huntingdon County,. State of Pennsylvania, on the 13th day of October, 1800, the daughter of David Moore and sister of Mrs, William Fields, and of the late worthy citizens James and John Moore of Ballville Township, so well remembered and esteemed by the people of the county as men of high merit and success in business and in usefulness to the community.

County, Ohio. Her father, David Moore, was of full Scotch blood, and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. In 1820 she was married to James Justice, near Chillicothe, and in 1822 emigrated thence to Sandusky County with her husband and only child and settled in Ballville Township. Her father had preceded her coming into the county. and was then engaged in the erection of a grist- and saw-mill on the Sandusky River, in what is now known as Ballville Village. But Mr. Moore had not then brought, his family into the county. The journey from Chillicothe to Ballville was made by Mrs. Justice on horseback. Her child, Nancy, she brought with her thus on horseback.

After arriving at Ballville Mrs. Justice passed a short time in a fisherman's shanty, until a log cabin was finished, in the performance of her domestic duties, with scanty means, and for nine months she never saw the face of.a white woman. In this shanty the only fireplace was a heap of stones in one corner to prevent the fire from burning the wall. Above the fireplace was ani opening in the roof for the escape of the smoke. If the rain put out the fire, Mrs. Justice would be compelled to go a mile and a quarter to the nearest neighbor's to obtain coals to rekindle it. Mrs. Justice survived her husband until the 17th day of October, 1876, when she died at the advanced age of seventy-six years and four days. Her remains now rest by the side of those of her husband marked by a granite monument, in that beautiful resting place, Oakwood Cemetery.

This venerable and respected pair reared a family whose standing in society testify to the merits of their parents. The family consisted of three daughters, Nancy, Minerva and Eliza, and two sons, Granville and Milton J. Justice.

was born a daughter, Miss Minnie L. Failing. Thesonly survivors of this family are Minerva, widow of Hon. Homer Everett; Eliza, widow of Dr. J. W. Failing, and Miss Minnie L., daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Failing. ,'

On-the 12th of October, 1870,.this, then, venerable husband and wife celebrated their golden wedding. The occasion was one ef great interest to a large assemblage of friends there present to witness. the ceremonies and festivities. Among the other pleasant events of that evening was one of but especially to Mrs. Justice. This was the presentation from the children by Rev. R. L. Chittenden of a beautiful gold ring, on the inside of'which neatly engraved was the sacred word, "Mother." .This was' surely a most fitting and significant expression of enduring love and filial affection of the children. Surely this pair of pioneers were honorable and honored by society for their virtues while living, and honored in and by their posterity, who live to revere their memories and imitate their virtues.

It is worthy of note, that Mrs. Justice had received from her father as part,of her outfit, a set of Windsor chairs, painted yellow, a bureau, a table, stand, and bedstead, all of solid black walnut and ornamented with brass knobs or handles, which she preserved ~ to the close of her life and which are still kept by her daughter, in the family, at the old homestead on State Street, now occupied by the daughters, Minerva and Eliza, and granddaughter, Miss Minnie L. Failing. The chairs were used by the aged couple at their golden wedding above spoken of, and illustrates that care and economy of Mrs. Justice which contributed so much to the accumulation of wealth and the comfort of her descendants. Judge Justice possessed the first piano ever brought to Lower Sandusky; it was known 'as the "Gilbert" piano.

JOHN C. SMITH, who owns and resides upon a farm of 100 acres located about forty rods south of the corporation line of Fremont, in Ballville Township, has been a resident of Sandusky County, Ohio, for a period of' more than sixty years. He was born in New Jersey, July 9, 1828, and is a son of William and Nancy (Trimmer) Smith, and a grandsdn of Peter Smith who was an officer in the Patriot Army during the Revolution.

William Smith moved from New Jersey with his family to Perry County, Ohio, in 1839, and lived there until 1847, the year in which he moved to Sandusky County. He settled in Ballville Township at the time of his arrival and continued to live there until his death. He was married to Nancy Trimmer in New Jersey, and who was born February 23, 1824, and died October 23, 1865; George, who was born March 23, '1826; John, subject of this record; and Anna M., who was born June 5, 1834, and died at the age of II years.

John C. Smith received a limited schooling in his native state and in Perry County, Ohio, after which he turned his attention to farming, an occupation he has always followed. He was Ig years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ballville Township, and here he has since resided. His first purchase of land was a tract adjoming the one on which he now lives; he cleared that place and lived there until 1865, when he erected a house on his present farm. He has roo acres of valuable land, all of which he cleared, and has a finely improved property. He is a man of pleasing personality and enjoys - the warm friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.

'On November 1, 1850, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Bowland, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 28, 1831, and is a daughter of Hugh and Susan (Becker) Bowland, who came to Sandusky County from Fairfield County. Four children were born to bless this union: Susan, Frank P., Amanda and George B. Susan Smith was married to Fudge Malcolm Kelley of Sandusky City and they have three children, Amy, Bessie and Donald. Frank P. Smith, who attended college at Ada, Ohio, is now superintendent of the Sandusky 'County Infirmary. He married

'Laura Spade and they have two sons, Homer and Clay. Amanda Smith, who attended college at Cleveland, married Frank Thomas of that city, and they have had four children: Addie, deceased; Jessie, who married Harry Lanabaugh ; Esther, who is the wife of Ralph Hunsinger of Fremont and has three children - Harry, Paul and Eleanor; and Eva, who is the wife of Harry.Clone. George B. Smith, D.-D. S:, who graduated from a dental college in Philadelphia, is engaged in the practice of his profession at Fremont. He married Miss Iva Fitch and they have two sons, Robert and John.

In religious attachment John C. Smith and his wife have long been devout and active members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is one of the directors.

EUGENE MAILLARD, farmer and oil producer, residing on his farm of eighty acres which is situated in Washington Township, Sandusky County, is one of the enterprising and prosperous citizens of this section. He was born in France, February 25, 1862, and is a son of Francis and Magdalena (Schular) Maillard.

The parents of Mr. Maillard came to America in 1867, landing at the port of New York, and coming immediately from there to Sandusky County. After a residence of six months at Hessville the father moved his family to a farm of fifteen acres, which he had purchased in Washington Township and to which he Jater added forty acres. Subsequently his only son, Eugene, assisted him in buying a second forty: acre tract, both farms having previously belonged to William Overmyer. On this farm. Francis Maillard died in 1890, his widow surviving until 1900 and dying at the home of a. daughter, in Ballville; Township. The family | consisted of three children: Mary and Eugene, both born in France, and Lena, who was born in Washington Township. The elder sister of Mr. Maillard married Charles Steiber and they live at Fremont. The younger married Joseph Babion, and they live in Ballville Township. These two sisters are Mr. Maillard's only kindred in America, although the family has yet many representatives in the old country beyond the Atlantic.

From the age of 5 years Eugene Maillard 'has. lived in Sandusky County and his educa+ tion was obtained in the Washington Township schools. After the death of his father he owns eighty acres of very good land,'a large part of which he cultivates and the rest is given to oil production, there being twelye wells from which he obtains 206 barrels of oil a month. Mr. Maillard is recognized as an excellent business man and a wide awake, practical citizen.

'In March, 1883, Mr. Maillard was married to Miss Caroline Swinehart,, of Sandusky -County, Ohio, a daughter of George and Susan | (Claybach) Swinehart, both of whom were born in Perry County, Ohio. The Swinehart . family was made up of the following children: Henry, Mary, William, Jacob and George

Washington, all, died young; Solomon, residing in Wood County, married Matilda Dobart; Sarah, now deceased, was the wife of Gilbert Wilson, of Wyandot County; Lavina, of the same county, who is the widow of Isaiah Williams; David, living in Washington Township, married Ellen Wolfe; Levi, living in Perry County, married Rosa Newman; Caroline, who became Mrs. Maillard; Elizabeth, who married Henry Bennett; and Noah, living at White Pigeon, Michigan, married Belle Harrison.

Mr. and Mrs. Maillard have ten children, and all of this large and happy family still live at home with the exception of the two older daughters, Celestaa, who married Calvin Sherk, who is in the oil business at Robinson, Illinois ; and Mery Cecelia, who married Calvin Myers, of Gibsonburg. The others are: Blanche, Francis, Lena, David, Ellen, Eugenia, Leona and William John Henry. Mr. Maillard and family belong to St. Michael's Catholic Church at Gibsonburg. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and of the St. Louis Society, at Toledo. The only township office he has ever consented to serve in was school director.

situated in Section 19, has also been largely interested in the horse business since 1877. He was born August 7, 1838, in Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of Jonathan and Susan (Overmyer) Kessler.

The Kesslers came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. For some years Jonathan Kessler lived in Rice Township, Sandusky County, and then settled in Sandusky Township, becoming in time one of the substantial and valued citizens. He was a strong Democrat in his political opinions and was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church. His death occurred at .Gibsonburg, Ohio. Of his children the following are yet living: Mrs. Sarah Lyberger, who resides in Indiana; Lavina, who is the wife of Christian Binkley, lives in Michigan, and Benjamin F.

trade. He has always been fond of horses and has made a large amount of money dealing in them, his operations covering more than thirty years. He followed his trade for a long time, in addition to cultivating his farm, but in late years has not been ds"active as formerly, permitting many of his responsibilties to rest on younger shoulders, having three capable sons.

In 1880 Mr. Kessler made a voyage to France and while there he purchased three Percheron stallions and two mares. He has done a great deal to raise the standard of horses in this section and is recognized as an authority in everything concerning this noblest of all animals.

Mr. Kessler was married in early manhood to Miss Caroline Reed, who died in May, 1902. She was a daughter of George Reed, who was a pioneer in this section. To this marriage nine children were born and five of these survive, namely: Henry E., James T. and Charles W., all of Sandusky Township; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Frank Heflinger, of Fremont, and Mary Catherine who is the wife of Frank E. Siegenthaler, of Sandusky Township.

the Oakwood Cemetery of Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and the owner of forty-eight acres in Green Creek Township, was born August 11, 1857, in Green Creek Township, Sandusky County, Qhio, and is a son of Saxon S. and Barbara E. (Huss) Rathbun. Saxon S. Rathbun was born in Seneca County, New York, and in 1834 accompanied his parents, Chaplin and Lucinda (Sutliffe) Rathbun, to Sandusky County. The father entered forty acres of land in Green Creek Township and Saxon S. entered eighty acres, and the old lease bears the name of Andrew Jackson as President of the United States. Saxon S. Rathbun was married in Sandusky County, April 20, 1834, 'to Barbara E. Huss, who was born'in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and died March 13; 1894. He survived until February 3, 1895. They had thirteen children, the youngest of the family being John E. and the others as follows: Clark, who died in childhood ; Edwin, who died at St. Louis, Missouri, of yellow fever, in 1878; Norton G., who resides in Green Creek Township; S. B., who also lives in that township; James H., who was killed in the Battle of Stone River, during the Civil War; C..L., who resides in Green Creek Township; Thaddeus,.who died in infancy; Mary Lucinda, who married C. W. Storer, of Green Creek Township; Norman H., who died in 1872; Jacob, who died. aged 8 years; B. M., who resides at Eaton Rapids, Michigan; and Orvilla, who married Horace Sackrider and resides at Fremont.

John E. Rathbun resided with his parents in Green Creek Township until the fall of 1880, when he married and moved to Ballville Township. While he assisted his father on the farm, he pursued his studies both in the district schools and the Normal School at Green Springs. On April 1, 1882, Mr. Rathbun was appointed superintendent of Oakwood Cemetery and immediately began the improvements which have made it a very beautiful City of the Dead. The enclosure was originally laid out by the venerable Mr. Hyde, now of Cleveland, who, in his eighty-ninth year, visited Mr. Rathbun and gave praise concerning the latter's artistic work. Beautiful drives wind through this sacred place and velvet lawns and properly grouped shade trees lend attractiveness to the view. Here lie some 3,500 bodies at rest, some cf whom once were distinguished personages, but now, through the great leveler, Death, all are alike. It was Mr. Rathbun's sad duty to have the last resting place of that dear and admirable lady, Mrs. Lucy B. Hayes, prepared for her remains, and the equally sad one, 'eight years later, in 1897, that for her husband, one of Ohio's most beloved sons and great men, Rutherford B. Hayes.

The trustees of Oakwood Cemetery meet on the first Monday of every May and the present board is made up of the following members: I. H. Burgoon, president; C. R. McCullough, treasurer ; Edward Loudensleger, secretary, and S. A. Wilson and J. W. Worst and John E. Rathbun, superintendent.

married to Miss Elva Andrews, who is a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary J. (Craig) Andrews.- Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were early settlers in Sandusky County, living first in York Township and then moving to Green Creek Township. Mr. Andrews was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, November 23, 1834, and died March 5, 1892. ° His wife was born in Trumbull County, ~Ohio, April 6, 1839, and died August 11, 1904. They had four children: Alma, who married C. R. Cleveland, lives in Green Creek Township; Grant, who lives in Michigan; Mertie M., who married John Gunyea, lives in North Dakota; and Mrs. Rathbun. Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun have one daughter, Ferra Fern, who was born December Io, 1884. She is an accomplished and highly educated young lady, who graduated from the Fremont schools and then attended the Actual Business College and also took a collegiate course at Oxford, Ohio, She is a successful teacher in the public schools at Fremont. Mr. Rathbun and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason and has also passed all the chairs in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Fremont.

of eighty acres, which is situated four miles west of Fremont, in Washington Township, Sandusky County. He was born May 11, 1843, in Seneca County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Long) Sprout.

The grandfather of Jacob R. Sprout was John Sprout, and he was born in Ireland and when he came first to Ohio he settled_in Guernsey County and moved later to Seneca County. The following children were born to Jacob and Margaret (Long) Sprout: Mary Catherine, who married Joseph Cookson; Margaret, who married Aaron Cox; David, who married Ellen Rosenberger; Jacob R.; Esther Ann, who is deceased ; Benjamin, who married Nancy Baer ; Esther E., who married (first) Amos Shuman, and (second) E. P. Dicken; Malinda, who is deceased; William, who married Angeline Dicken; Jesse, who married (first) Slyvia Dicken, and (second) Phemia Russell; Daniel,

Jacob R. Sprout attended the district schools in his boyhood and remained on the farm until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company F, 55th O. Vol. Inf., in which he served for thirteen months. Hg then re-enlisted, in Company K, gth O. Vol. Cav., during his first term participated in the second battle of Bull Run. He was with Sherman during the March to the Sea, but survived all the dangers of war and practically unharmed came back home and resumed peaceful pursuits. His farm was formerly the property of his wife's grandfather, Joseph Cookson, who settled on it when it was nothing more than a wilderness. : Mr. Sprout cultivates seventy acres of his land and has ten in pasture.

In 1865 Mr. Sprout was married to Miss Sarah Ellen Cookson, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Sellars) Cookson,, who came from Perry to Sandusky County in 1831 and spent the remainder of their lives on this farm. Mr. and Mrs. Sprout have had the following children: Della E., Franklin J. and Nora, all now deceased; Nanna Belle, who married Chester Moomey, resides at Millersville, and they have one infant daughter; and Hazel F., who married Orla Fausey, has one child, Mildred Irene. Mr. Fausey is the practical operator of the farm, working it for his father-in-law. Mr. Sprout and family are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. In his political views he is a Republican.

DANIEL MILLER, who resides on a farm of ninety-three acres located about two miles southeast of Fremont, in Ballville Township, has long been a resident of Sandusky County, Ohio, and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 3, 1832, and is a son of Andrew and Charlotte (Snyder) Miller. His father was a 'native of Hagerstown, Maryland, and his mother of Berkeley County, West Virginia.

Andrew Miller was an early resident of Seneca County, Ohio, where he lived until 1833, in which year he moved with his wife and children to Sandusky County, Ohio. He purchased eighty 'acres of Government land in Washington Township, cleared the place of its timber, and there followed farming until 1861. In that year he returned to Seneca County, purchasing a farm in Thompson Township on which he lived for eight years. At the end of that time he sold out and moved to Michigan, where -he lived until hts death at the age of eighty-five years. His wife also died in Michigan at the same age. They were parents of the following children: Abraham, deceased; George W.,

Daniel Miller was about one year old when his parents removed to Washington Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and there he was reared to maturity and educated in the district schools. He followed farming from early manhood until he entered the army during the Civil War. He enlisted in the 100-day service in 1864, being a member of Company K, 169th O. Vol. Inf. and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen. He was mustered out of service at Fremont in September, 1865. He returned to the farm in Sandusky Township, which he operated until 1891, when he purchased his present farm in Ballville Township from William Mowery. He has a well improved place, having made many of the improvements himself, and is engaged in general farming.

Mr. Miller was married January 27, 1854, to Miss Belinda Fisher, who was born January 13, 1834, in Sandusky County, and is a daughter of William and Mary (McCollough) Fisher. Eight children were born of this union, as follows: Rose (Robins), deceased; Addie (Smith); William T.; James C.; Maud (Sacks); Charles E., who died at the age of four years; and two who died in infancy. Rose Miller, who married C. B. Robins, died leaving two children: George W. and Maud M. Addie Miller married J. F. Smith, who is superintendent of schools at Findlay, Ohio, and they had one son,

Daniel Miller

Walter J., now deceased. William T. Miller, a man of high educational attainments, attended Oberlin College and Wooster University and is now superintendent of schools at Bell Center, Ohio. He married Bessie Thompson and has three children: Dale, Blake and Margaret. James C. Miller, who also attended Oberlin College, engaged in teaching for some years in the district schools and at Fremont, but is now located with his parents on the home place and engaged in farming. He married Martha Green and they have a daughter, Eva M. Maud Miller married Henry J. Sacks of Seneca County, Ohio, and they have three children: Laura, Eva and Adelaide. The subject of this record is a Republican in politics, and served some years as school director and two years as township trustee. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Fremont.

JOHN STEINBERGER is a_ well-to-do farmer of Ballville Township, where he has lived for a period of fifty-seven years. He has a good substantial home and forty acres of land where he lives, and is also the owner of another tract of forty acres in the same vicinity. He was born in Bohemia, October 24, 1851, and is a son of Peter and Mary Steinberger.

his birth, and Peter Steinberger, in 1852, moved with his family to the United States, taking up his residence in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. He was born in Bohemia in 1819, and is still living in the enjoyment of good health, making his home with his son, John. He and his wife were parents of the following children: Joseph, Albert, Mary, Katie, Lena, Lizzie and John; Mary and Lena being deceased.

John Steinberger received his education in the district school of his home community, and from his boyhood days has followed farming. He is a man of great energy and enterprise and through persevering efforts has won a place among: the substantial men of the community. He purchased his farm from John Snyder, made many important improvements, and has followed general farming.

On October 4, 1881, Mr. Steinberger was united in marriage with Miss May C. Schroff, a daughter of Coonrod and Mary (Toonhan): Schroff. Her father was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1812, and died in Sandusky County, Ohio, in February, 1883. Her mother was born in Austria in 1823, and died in 1892: The following are the offspring of this union: William H., Albert N., Ann Ella M.,; Joseph J.; Lavina A., deceased; Loretta C.; Carl A., 'deceased; Anna R., and Urban. Religiously, they are members of St. Joseph's Church at Fremont.

PROF. W. W. ROSS. In recalling her distinguished citizens, those who have passed off the scene of life after a career of preeminent usefulness to their fellow men, the name of W. W. Ross will be given the honor due to one of the foremost scholars and educators of this part of the state of Ohio. Fremont cannot claim his birth, that having taken place December 24, 1834, in Medina County, Ohio, but she can point to his many years of useful and exemplary living here. His parents were Joseph and: Mary (Harkness) Ross.

The Ross family was of Scotch extraction and of noble lineage. The clear family record reaches back to the days when the earls of Ross lived in state in their castles in Ross-shire, Seut-' land, and the great-grandfather of W..W. Ross. was a grandson of the Laird of Balnagown. The fifth Earl of Ross led the family clan: at: Bannockburn. It would. have been impossible for a man of the learning, scholarly acquirements and natural temperament of a man like the late Professor Ross, not to have taken a deep interest in all that pertained to those forefathers, from whom he undoubtedly. inherited many sterling traits: The: first of the-family to. come to North America was Capt. Alexander Ross, who, it appears, was with General Wolfe, at the Plains of Abraham. His gallant services were rewarded by a grant of land in Prince Edward County, Upper Canada, and there he established his home and lived for the rest of his days.

name of his wife has not been preserved, but she was probably of New York, for the one son, Joseph, was a posthumous child and was born in Saratoga County, that state, within a few months following his father's death.

In 1830 Joseph Ross came to Medina County, Ohio, and was one of the earliest settlers at the hamlet of Seville, which he lived to see develop into one of the prosperous towns of the county. For thirty years he served as a justice of the peace and was a man of importance in all that pertained to its life, peace and wellbeing. He died in 1876. In 1831 he married Mary Harkness, who was born at Salem, Washington County, New York, in 1806, and died in 1897. She had been a teacher for some years and always took an interest in the intellectual development of her children. Of these there were seven, the eldest being the late Professor Ross.

W. W. Ross was fortunate in having an intellectual mother and a wise and discerning father. After completing the school course at Seville, he enjoyed one term at the Twinsburg Institute, after which he studied under the direction and guidance of Charles Foster, at that time a leading educator in Medina County. Mr. Ross entered upon what proved his life-work, when only 16 years of age, and finding in it a congenial field, in 1853 he organized a Select and Normal School at Spencer, in Medina County. During the four years he conducted it, he made it the intellectual Mecca which drew students from miles and miles distant. In the fall of 1857 he took charge of the Seville Academy and in the fall of 1860 went from there to Spencer, thence to Wadsworth, in the fall of 1862 to Clyde, and then came to Fremont, in 1864, called to this city to become superintendent of her educational system. For forty-two years Professor Ross devoted himself to educational work in connection with Fremont, and his intellectual force was so great and his personal magnetism so potent, that no city in the country could point to any such educational progress, in the same length of time. He was deeply interested in educational matters all over the world but particularly in his own land and most closely in his own state, which frequently honored him. During many years he was a member and frequently was president of the Ohio School Board of Examiners; was president of the Ohio State Teachers' Association ; was president of the Tri-State Teachers' Association; was a member of the National Teachers' Association; and received the degree of M. A. conferred by the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio.

Although so eminently successful as an educator, Mr. Ross had early cherished ambitions for the bar and had prepared for the same and been admitted at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861. He was gifted with the qualities which would have undoubtedly won him distinction as a lawyer, including talents as a public speaker and. lecturer, but an indication of failing health prevented him at that time from leaving the educational field to take upon himself the heavy responsibilities of legal practice, and finally he was forced to lay aside what had been one of the dearest ambitions of his life. He was a ready writer, a forceful speaker, a convincing. debater and a deep thinker, and his numerous writings if collected would form volumes. Some of his published pamphlets were on educational matters, others on political economy, but whatever the subject he was master of it. In his political convictions he was an ardent Democrat and no influence could ever be brought about that would change his party allegiance. He sought no political honors, however, on the other hand declined them. He was a man who exerted a wide influence and public men of considerable fame sat under. his teaching and gained new inspiration. He had the highest ideals of personal honor and often expressed the thought that the same ideals should control the mass as well as the individual. The death of Professor

In 1863 W: W. Ross was married to Miss Julia Houghton, who was born at Wellington, Ohio. To this marriage were born three children: William DeWitt, Clara J. and Harry Houghton. William DeWitt formerly had charge of the Fremont High School. He is now engaged in the insurance business at Fremont, representing the Northwestern Mutual Life Company. He resides with his mother at No. 202 North Wood Street, Fremont.

sor Ross was identified with the Masonic fraternity. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was actively interested in all its agencies, for forty years was the superintendent of its large Sunday school, and a willing lecturer at its conventions. While he never posed as a philanthropist, there were few charities which came to his notice that he failed to further, and his private beneficences brought comfort to many who never knew to whom to attribute their good fortune. He has a monument in the affections of his fellow citizens and in the helpfulness he gave to so many which inspired them to further effort.

FREDERICK MARTIN, whose death occurred July 26, 1906, was one of the best known citizens of Riley Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, where his entire life had been spent. He was a progressive farmer and a man who took a keen and intelligent interest in the affairs of the community, and in his death the people mourned the passing of one of its foremost citizens. He was born on a farm in Riley Township, September 24, 1854, and was a son of Jacob and Mary Martin, who were natives of Baden, Germany.

Jacob Martin and his wife became early settlers in Riley Township, and for some years rented land prior to settling on the farm now owned by the heirs of Frederick Martin. They cleared the land and established a home there in the woods, on which they lived until their respective deaths. He died October 19, 1907, having survived his wife many vears, she having passed away in the early nineties.

Frederick Martin was reared in his native township and received a common school education. He engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his active career and was the owner of the old homestead of 120 acres, which is one -£ the best improved places of the township and is now operated by his widow and children. April 3, 1883, he was united in marriage with

-Miss Emma C. Krass, who was born -in Rice Township, Sandusky County, July 21, 1860, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Longenbach) Krass.

to the United States and located in Rice Township, Sandusky County, Ohio. Of their children the following' are living: Emma C. (Martin) ; Clara E., wife of George Beckman of Jackson Township; Mary E. of Fremont, and Ida R., wife of bisror: Kowalk of Fremont.

The following children were het to Mr. and Mrs. Martin: John J. of McKenzie County, North Dakota; Lillie A., wife of George Schmittuz of Fremont, and Mary C., George F., Laura E., Ella E., Ida'R:; Estella V. and Emma A. With the exception of the two oldest the children will reside with their mother on the home place. Frederick Martin was a Democrat in politics. Religiously, he was affiliated with the Grace Lutheran Church of, Fremont, of which his wife is also a member. He was a kind husband and father and an obliging neighbor, one whose personality gained him friends wherever known. His death occurred of apoplexy, while on a visit to his son at Schaffer, North Dakota, and his remains were brought back for burial, being interred in Oakwood Cemetery.

ALFRED A. STIERWALT, who owns eighty acres of excellent land within seven miles of the western limits of Fremont, cultivates seventy-four acres and has six acres in valuable timber, and has been a resident of Washington Township ever since his marriage. He was born in Rice Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, October 2, 1856, and is a son of Moses and Elizabeth (Lay) Stierwalt.

Moses Stierwalt was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1832, where his father, Henry Stierwalt, had settled when he came from Germany. About 1840 the parents of A. A. Stierwalt came to Sandusky County, Ohio, and settled in Rice Township. A. A. Stierwalt was the third born in his parent's family, the others being: Ellen, who is deceased ; John, who married Rebecca Siegenthaler, resides at Muscallonge; William L., who is a physician at Fremont, married Ida Hineline; and Emory E., who lives at Lindsey, Ohio, married Maggie Fenstermaker.

daughter of Michael and Margaret (Clemmens) Rafferty. The Raffertys came to Sandusky County from Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1865, and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Stierwalt. They had the following children: John, deceased, who married Anna Waggoner; Hannah, who married Theodore Hineline; Felix, who married Elizabeth Reed; Jacob, who married Louisa Brownfelter, lives at Easton, Pennsylvania; Margaret, who is the widow of John May, who died in the army during the Civil War; Ellen, who married S. B. Snyder; Michael, who married Mary Kiser, lives at Creighton, Nebraska® Peter, who married (first) Ellen Maria Hoagland, and (second) Ellen Yates; James, who married Emma Horne; and Mary A., who is the wife of Mr. Stierwalt. Mr. and Mrs. Stierwalt have one son, Oscar J., who was born October 25, 1882. He married Lotta M. Nickles, and they have two children, Mildred Ruth and Donald Mead, and reside in Washington Township.

Mr. Stierwalt is a member of the Lutheran Church and his wife of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church at Fremont. In politics he is a Democrat. He has been a useful citizen in his township and has served for twelve years as a member of the School Board and six years as constable. He belongs to the K. O. T. M.

widow, who resides in Rice Township, at the age of 76 years. She was born in Union County, Ohio. Of the chidren born to them, the following are living: Mary E., wife of Joseph Young of Rice Township; Addie F., wife of Frank Foster of Fremont; and James G.

James G. Forgerson was reared on the home place in Rice Township and received a common school education, and also attended High School at Fremont for three years. He has always followed farming, and lived in Rice Township until 1900, when he moved to Riley Township and located on his present farm. which at one time was owned by the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Forgerson. He actively participated in the affairs of his native township, and for nine consexutive years served as a member of the School Board there, and has served three years on the School Board in Riley Township.: He is a Republican in politics.

On February 9, 1881, Mr. Forgerson was joined in marriage with Miss Clara L. House, who was born in Sandusky County, and is a daughter of Henry H. and Lucy L. (Woodford) House, and a granddaughter of Selah House, who was a well known early resident of the county. Henry H. House was born in Sandusky County and for a period of thirty

JAMES G. FORGERSON is a representative farmer of Riley Township, residing on a farm of seventy-seven acres in Section 19. He was born in Rice Township, Sandusky County, October 29, 1856, and is a son of Grant and Nancy G. (Park) Forgerson. He belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county, his paternal grandfather having come to Rice Township from New York state at a very early period.

Grant Forgerson was born in Rice Township and there followed farming all his active days. He was a man of considerable prominence and for a time served as trustee of his native township. Politically, he was a Republican. He was affiliated with the Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor at Fremont, while in religious attachment he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred December 17, 1906, and he is survived by his was for a number of years trustee of the township and a member of the School Board. His death occurred August 13, 1896. He was married to Lucy L. Woodford, who was born in Riley Township, and was a daughter of Zerah Woodford, a pioneer of the township, who settled on the place now owned by the subject of this record when it was in the wilderness. The following children of Mr. and Mrs. House survive: Harriet M., widow of Elas Peterson of Henry County, Ohio; Laura A., wife of R. W. Wortman of Defiance, Ohio; Lottie D., wife of Oscar L. Nord of Bloomington, Illinois; Clara L. (Forgerson); William H. of Fremont, and Burton Z. of Henry County, Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Forgerson have the following children: Mabel L., wife of Homer Lambert of Rice Township; Hattie E., wife of W. E. Boyer of Ballville Township; Jessie L., wife of Roscoe Bowlus of Ballville Township; Addie F., Novelle C., Laura N., Scott G., Ward H. and Miles McKinley. Mrs. Forgerson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fremont, Ohio. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fremont.

REV. FREDERICK RUPERT, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Fremont, Ohio, who has had charge of this parish since June, 1907, has thirty years of satisfying priestly work behind him. He was born on November 21, 1848, at Massillon, Ohio, and is a son of George John Rupert.

The. ancestry of Father Rupert is German on the father's side. George John Rupert was born March 12, 1814, in Bavaria, a son of Peter Rupert, and he remained in his native land until 1836, when he came to America and located first at Cleveland, Ohio. In 1842 he removed to Massillon and there, during his earlier years, followed the trade of cooper, conducting a shop of his own, but, when the business was no longer a profitable one, about 1863, he moved to a farm which he purchased a short distance from Massillon. There his death occurred in 1895. He was twice married and Father Rupert i$ one of the four children born to his first wife, who died in 1850.

During his boyhood, Father Rupert attended the St. Mary's Parocial School at Massillon, for two years, and subsequently the public schools, and in 1867 he graduated from the Massillon High School, with honors. In October, 1867, he entered college at Louisville, Stark County, to make his preparatory studies with a view of entering the priesthood, where he remained until December, 1868, when severe trouble with his eyes made it necessary for him to abandon his books for at time. In January, 1871, he resigned a civic office to which his friends had elected him, at Massillon, and returned to college, and continued there until June, 1873, having been a teacher of German during this period, while pursuing his own higher studies. In September, 1873, he entered Assumption College, at Sandwich, Dominion of Canada, and there he was graduated in June, 1876, not only creditably com- pleting his course of study but also 'having officiated as a teacher. From there he entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary, at Cleyeland, Ohio, and on July 5, 1879, he was ordained ' to the priesthood, by Bishop Gilmour.

Father. Rupert's first appointment was as. pastor of St. Mary's Church at Antwerp, in Paulding County, but his pastoral supervision included a number of scattered. missions throughout both Paulding and Defiance Counties. When he was appointed pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart, at Shelby, in Richland- County, in 1881, he left the affairs of his former parish in excellent shape, having built three churches, acquired valuable church property and added numbers to each church and mission. Equally successful was his pastorate in his new field, which included a number of missions, and the prosperous condition he brought about reflected on him the highest degree of credit. On July .1, 1882, Bishop Gilmour appointed him pastor of St. Joseph's Church at Maumee, in Lucas County. With. renewed activity, Father Rupert entered upon his new field of labor and with his usual suc-. cess had brought about a decided change for the better in the parish, whenshe was suddenly stricken with malaria and for months was obliged to see the work he had started so well pass into other hands. Bishop Gilmour then appointed him to the Church of the Immaculate, Conception, at Bellevue, in Huron County, and during his nine years in that charge, he accomplished remarkable things. He paid off the church debts, purchased school property, placed sisters in charge, built them a residence, im- pipe organ and left a balance of several hundred dollars in the church treasury. On October 24, 1894, he assumed charge of St. Paul's Church at Norwalk, Ohio, where he was again confronted with debt and difficulties, which from his previous. experience, he had almost learned to consider inevitable. Needless to say that the good priest faced this condition, as others, bravely and cheerfully, and he left Norwalk and its churchly interests many hundred times better than when he arrived there. On June 20, 1901, he was appointed to organize the new parish of St. John, Evangelist, at Lima,

Ohio, and there again was repeated the labors, the duties and sacrifices as well as the successes which have attended almost the whole of his ecclesiastical career.

Thus has been but too briefly outlined the priestly work of the present pastor of St. Joseph's. He took charge on June 22, 1907. Two years have passed and during this short space of time he has completed a new school building, at a cost of $75,000. He has placed the 400 pupils under the charge of eight sisters of Notre Dame and the advantages here enjoyed equal those of many seminaries.

Slo wOoEPH » CHURCH, at Fremont, representing the religious home of 600 families of earnest Catholics, has an exceedingly interesting history. Its beginning dates away back to 1856. Until that year, St. Ann's was the only Catholic Church at Fremont, ministering to all Catholics for miles around, regardless ot nativity, but each year, as the country became more closely settled, the German element began to be important and the German Catholics began to hope for a church of their own. In 1856, a celebrated missionary of the Society of Jesus, Rev. F. X. Wensinger, gave a mission at St. Ann's, and it was in following his advice that the German contingent began preliminary measures to organize tor an exclusive German church.

When the matter was laid before Bishop Rappe, it met with his dissaproval, which caused great disappointment and subsequently led to the withdrawal of the Rev. John Roos, then pastor of St. Ann's, and from June to December, 1857, the church was without a spiritual director. The German people, however, were not entirely discouraged and they entertained the hope that when Bishop Rappe saw how deep was their desire and how willing they were to practically prove their zeal, that his interdict would be withdrawn,. and such proved the fact. They collected the funds, purchased land and on it erected a substantial brick edifice, 48 by 100 feet in dimensions, at a cost of $8,600. Other minor difficulties. arose, but, owing to the wisdom of the Bishop and to the energetic spirit of the people, these were all adjusted satisfactorily and the prop- erty was deeded to the Bishop and on December 8, 1857, St. Joseph's congregation was recognized as a parish and Rev. L. Molon was assigned to its pastorate as well as to St. Ann's. It is right, seemly and proper that the names of those earnest men who organized this flourishing church and whose descendants still worship at its altar, should be preserved in every record concerning it. They bore respectively the following names: Andres, Buchmann, Baumgartner, Binsack, Duerr, Gabel, Giebel, Gompert, Geschwind, Haberstroh, Heim, Haser, Ochs, Reinick, Rimmelspacher, Stuber, Schmidt, Schwartz, Toeppe and Wilhelm. Of this honorable list especial mention is due Joseph Stuber and Godfrey Buchmann, both of whom through influence and personal effort did much to bring St. Joseph's Church into being. The church, however, had yet some stormy days ahead, the recital of which need not be inserted here, but a better and quieter era came about when Rev. Nicholas Moes, succeeding Father Molon arid Rev. George Peter, came as pastor, in 1861. During his pastorate of a little more than one year, he had brought peace and tranquility to his parishioners and his name is still held in sweet memory.

On September 21, 1862, Rev. Seraphin Bauer was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's. He found the parish encumbered with debt and he set to work immediately to clear it off. He also bought property and in every way proved himself a wise and judicious priest. There was, however, still a measure of dissatisfaction and this resulted, in 1864, in the withdrawal of thirteen families from St. Joseph's. These families lived in or near what was then the village of Hessville, but which is now known as Lindsey. Although they had permission from neither the Bishop nor Father Bauer they determined to build a church for themselves, contributing the money and actually erected a brick structure, 40 by 70 feet in dimension. Before it was entirely completed it was destroyed by a cyclone on October 4, 1864. No effort was made to rebuild, but the dissatisfied members later became identified with what was then the parish of Greensburg, now Millersville. In spite of the loss of these families and of others whose business interests

In 1859 the church was provided with a bell and a very fine organ and in that year was built the first parish school. This school has continued its good work and kept pace with the growth of the parish in providing for the intellectual and moral needs of the young. The Notre Dame Sisters, of Cleveland, supplanted the lay sisters in 1876. For a number of years, however, a first-class school building was needed to take the place of several buildings which had been utilized for the purpose, and in June, 1903, three lots were purchased at a cost of $8,250. They adjoin the rectory lots and face the present fine church. The magnificent new school building was completed under the supervision of the present pastor, Rev. Frederick Rupert, in September, 1908, at a cost of $74,000.

In 1864 the present pastoral residence was 'built and the land for a parish cemetery purchased, a tract of six acres, which, in 1897, was increased by the purchase of two and one-half additional acres. In 1870 a beautiful Calvary was constructed in the cemetery, with an image of the Crucified on His cross surmounting it. Father Bauer blessed it on the Feast of All Souls of the same year, in the présence of a large concourse. .

The two lots on which the present church stands were bought in 1873 for $4,000. In 1878 a fine brick house was erected which was intended to be the pastoral residence, but was first used as a school building and will be used as a club room and library. Improvements and repairs were continually made on the old church, entailing large expenditure. In 1874 new windows had to be put in to take the place of the old ones which had been shattered by a storm; the old organ was practically rebuilt in 1876; in 1878 a new slate roof was put on and nany other improvements testified to the faith, earnestness and pious zeal of both priests arid people. However it became a burning question - the erection of a new church, one that would be a testimonial of the strength of St. Joseph's. On September 8, 1881, on the feast of Our Lady's Nativity, ground was broken for the imposing structure which now shelters. the congregation of St. Joseph's. On April 30, 1882, Bishop Gilmour blessed the corner-stone of the new edifice, and the late Rutherford B. Hayes, formerly President of the United States, set the stone in place. The church was put under roof that year, at a cost of $50,000. On July 9, 1893, Bishop Horstman dedicated this superb edifice and it is one of the most beautiful and complete church buildings im this section of Ohio. Its total cast could not have been less than $100,000. To briefly mention some of its interior - the three fine altars are of. oak and the pews of Canadian cherry birch. The sanctuary windows and the Stations of

Insbruck art. The beautiful sanctuary, the vases for the altar and the rich vestments were imported from Europe. In 1899 a new organ was installed at a cost of $6,000. ;

A grand ostensorium was imported from Paris in 1894. The dimensions, of the new church are 71 by 162 feet and the beautiful spire, 250 feet high, can be seen from any part of the city. In November, 1893, the old church was converted into a hall for the use of the church societies, and in 1898 a residence was built for the parish sexton. St. Joseph's has been particularly mindful of the néeds of all its members, establishing confraternities and societies for youth, middle life and age. In 1878 was established the Society of Holy Infancy, for the children; in 1881, the Court of Mary, for young girls; in 1871 a sodality for young ladies and in 1872 one for young men; in 1889 was established the St. Stanilas Union, for boys and young men; in 1873 the confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament for married women and widows. The first society was established in 1867, for men of mature years and has been one of the most helpful. organizations of the church. In the same year was founded the confraternity of the Living' Rosary, an organization which numbers more than a thousand members.

165 acres located in Section 34. He was born on that farm, February 16, 1851, and is a son of John and Catherine (Souers) Stokes, both natives of Pennsylvania.

John Stokes was but a boy when he moved with his parents to Morgan County, Ohio, and thence, in 1834, to Sandusky County, Ohio. His father had previously entered from the Government eighty acres of the farm in Riley Township, on which the subject of this record lives, and after his arrival erected a log cabin on the place, which was at that time heavily timbered. Life in those pioneer days meant a hard struggle for existence, as the land had to be cleared before crops could be raised. For some time hunting and fishing were the means by which the table was supplied and starvation driven from their door, but at the end of five years the farm was in such condition as to support the family. From that time on John Stokes made steady advancement in a business way and continued to reside on that place until his death, which occurred in December, 1894. He was early in life a Whig in politics, and upon the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. Of the children born to him and his wife five now are of Clyde, Ohio; Catherine, wife of Theodore Strickland, of Kokomo, Indiana; John A., and Ida L., wife of Robert L. Amey, of Fremont. Religiously, Mr. Stokes was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

John A. Stokes was reared to manhood on the farm on which he now lives and was educated in the public schools. He has followed farming from his youth, and for many years has made a specialty of fruit growing, being one of the best known men engaged in that of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, and also of the Fruit Ridge Horticultural Society. He has an attractive and commodious home, in fact one of the most desirable country residences in this part of the county.

On June 8, 1875, Mr. Stokes was married to Miss Mary Simon, who was born in Ballville Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John G. and Mary (Bowers) Simon, her father a native of Saxony, Ger- many, and her mother of Amsterdam. Her parents came to America more than sixty years ago and for many years lived in Ballville Township, where her father died in 1870. Her mother died at Fremont in 1903. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simon, of whom four survive: John George Simon, of Clyde; Mary (Stokes) ; Emma, wife of John Brugger, of Riley Township, and Herman H., of Toledo. To the subject of this sketch and his wife were born the following: Florence, wife of Isadore L. Horn,'a well known restaurateur of Fremont; Emma, who is the wife of H. Wensinger, a prominent surveyor of Fremont; Maud, wife of R. J. Fangboner, of Fremont; George L., of Riley Township; Clifford C.; Corinne; Howard, who is attending Fremont High School, and John L. Politically, Mr. Stokes is a Republican and takes a deep interest in public affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of Clyde Grange, No. 364,.Patrons of Husbandry.

ISAAC MARVIN KEELER was born September 8, 1823, in Richland County, Ohio, of old New England stock. His ancestors, Ralph Keeler and Matthew. Marvin, came from England to this country in the great tide of Puritan emigration prior to 1640. His grandfathers, Luke Keeler and Isaac Marvin, each with wife and ten children, emigrated from Norwalk, Conn., to Ohio in the summer of 1817. Each took up a quarter section of land and became prosperous farmers. Luke Keeler and his son, Eri, father of Isaac, were both among the incorporators of Norwalk, Ohio, in 1828. In this town I. M. Keeler passed his boy-~ hood, attending the public schools and the Norwalk Academy till 1840 when he came to Lower Sandusky (Frémont), and entered the office of Clark Waggoner, editor of the Lower Sandusky Whig. Three years later Mr. Keeler accompanied Mr.' Waggoner to Milan, where they established the Milan Tribune, and where he remained two years. The following year was spent in New York City and Albany where he worked in the offices of Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed. In 1850, under the admin- istration of Zachary Taylor he became postmaster of Fremont, resigning two and a half years later. In 1854 he purchased the Fremont Journal, continuing its ownership and editorship - the later years aided by his son, Samuel Pease Keeler - until IQOI ; and in this position largely influenced Fremont affairs.

In June, 1847, Mr. Keeler married Miss Anna Hulburd, daughter of Jacques Hulburd, one of the pioneers of this region, and the owner of the sites of both Fort Stephenson and Fort Seneca. She died in 1850, leaving one daughter, Miss Sarah S. Keeler. May 12, 1857, Mr. Keeler married Janette Elliott, daughter of Judge Samuel Elliott, of Brattleboro, Vermont, by whom he had two children, Samuel Pease and Lucy Eliot. Mrs. Keeler died September 6, 1899.