Sandusky County, Ohio - Chapter 25: Miscellanea, 1909 (part 1 of 18)

Chapter 25: Miscellanea

.of Batile of Ft. Stephenson - Floods - Col. Mills Stephenson - Slect Storm of 1909 - Fremont - Fostoria Electric Railway - River Distances - Gateway to Spiegel Grove Dedicated - Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society of Clyde - Pioneer Reunion - The River of Time.

In 1806 the first sermon was preached at Lower Sandusky ; 1808, land for Maumee road was ceded by Indians; 1811, Lower Sandusky region was attached to Radnor Township, Delaware County; 1813, Croghan's Victory; 1815, Lower Sandusky Region was attached to Huron County; 1815, Lower Sandusky Township was organized, and first village election held; 1816, first school house was built; Croghansville was platted; 1817, Lower Sandusky was platted; 1819, first sermon by a Methodist minister at Lower Sandusky; 1820, County was organized and first county election; population 852; first term of court held May 8, and the first marriage license was issued October 24, 1820; 1822, Rutherford B. Hayes was born in Delaware; 1823, Maumee pike surveyed; building of first court house begun; first will probated, October 23, 1844, building of Maumee and Western Reserve Pike; 1828, first bridge at Lower Sandusky; 1829, first newspaper established ; Lower Sandusky incorporated; 1830, population of county, 2,851; county Bible society formed; 1833, great flood, February 3rd; bridge carried away, frame court house completed; 1840, population of county, 10,182; taxable property in county, $843,000; tax, $14,772; 1844, brick court house completed; 1849, poor house erected; name changed from Lower Sandusky to Fremont; 1850, population of county, 14,305; 1852, Agricultural Society organized ; first railroad passenger train through the county, via. train through Fremont, over the T. N. & C:;

Pioneer Lawyers And Physicians

In connection with our report of the pioneer reunion, the following item may be of interest : In the County Treasurer's office are preserved the tax duplicates of Sandusky County since the year 1837. In looking over the duplicates of 1845 this week, we noticed that lawyers and physicians were charged with an income tax amounting to 42 cents on every $100 of their annual income. The lawyers' names on the duplicate were as follows: J. L. Greene, B. J. Bartlett, Cooper K. Watson, J. A. Johnson, R. P. Buckland, L. B. Otis, Homer Everett, R. B. Hayes and Wm. W. Culver. Their annual income as returned for taxation was from $50 up to $500 per year. .

The doctors were: J. W. Wilson, L.:Q. Rawson, Samuel Ryder, Louis Gessner, Franklin Williams, J. D. G. Stevenson, Edwin Lathan, A. R. Ferguson, Isaac S. Ross, Richard L. Seeley, P. Beaugrand, Stephen Finch, Wm. G. Harkness, Joseph Kelly, John M. Fletcher, John C. Thomson. The doctors' incomes ran from $50 up to $600 per year.

Agricultural Iron Bridges

The first iron bridge in the county was built over Mud Creek, near the Village of Millersville, in 1870, on the Greensburg Road. It cost $1,270. The county commissioners were Benjamin Inman, S. E. Walters and Henry Reiling.

The next was over Wolf Creek, near Bettsville, on the county line, in 1872, and was joint- -ly built by Seneca and Sandusky Counties. The cost (equally divided) was for the iron work $840.

The third was built in 1874 over Mud Creek in Washington Township, costing for the superstructure $790; and the same year another iron bridge was built over this same creek in Scott Township, the superstructure of which cost $775.

In the fall of the year 1876 an iron bridge was built over this creek where it is crossed by the Fremont and Oak Harbor Road. The superstructure cost $863.

In 1877 three more were built over Mud Creek, one near Frank Fought's; one near the Noah Snyder residence in Washington Township, and one near Luther Winchell's in Scott Township, at an average cost of $610 for iron superstructure.

The Portage river bridge on the pike in Woodville Township was finished in November, 1878, and was built jointly by the state and county. The county paid $2,009 of the cost.

The present bridge over the Sandusky River in Fremont at State Street; was erected in 1877, and formally opened for travel on Christmas day of that year. The total cost including engineering and all incidental expenses was $23,357.76, of which the county paid $10,457.76 and the state the balance. The bridge is 320 1-2 feet in length, resting on two abutments and three piers.

When the present Lake Shore Electric Railroad was established, to cross the river at this point the railroad company made improvements in the way of strengthening and preparing the structure for their tracks on the same, the tracks over the bridge being double, following the driveway. The bridge is fifty-seven feet wide, having a footway with railings on each side. The driveways are eighteen feet each in width.

- Since the building of the bridges mentioned, improvements in that line have been made, until over nearly all the streams at the principal road crossings in the county substantial bridges with stone foundations and iron superstructures have been placed.

Saloons Abolished

At the election held in Sandusky County, on Monday, November 23, 1908, under the socalled Rose local option law, to decide whether the saloons in the county should be abolished or retained, the majority in favor of their abolition was 515. The law took effect under this election and vote, December 23, 1908. The "Daily News" of December 24th says: :

"The saloons in Sandusky County ceased to exist at midnight Wednesday, suspending business under the operation of the Rose local option law. The closing of the saloons in Fremont and Sandusky County as far as the sale of intoxicating liquor is concerned, marks an epoch in local history and is the first time in the history of Sandusky County and Fremont that people could not get all the alcoholic drinks they desired, and the first time that wine, beer and whisky could not be legally sold here. In the memory of the oldest inhabitant this has never happened in Fremont before.

Fremont Wednesday night was not marked with any great demonstration. week or mofe the salodns have been doing a rushing business, disposing of their stocks of liquors and none of the dealers had much left early Wednesday night. * * * * * * "There was no particular excitement down town Wednesday night, the last night of the saloons. It had been expected that things would be lively, but such was not the case, and there were but few drunken individuals around who desired to celebrate and take advantage of the last night when they could line up to the bar and order what they wanted."

The Whitakers Again

Hon. Homer Everett relates in his History of Sandusky County an interview with Mrs. Rachel Scranton, the seventh child of James Whitaker, as follows:

"About the year 1780 two brothers, Quill and James Whitaker, in company with another yourg. man, left Fort 'Pitt one morning on a hunting expedition. They wandered a considerable distance from the fort, intent upon securing game with which to gratify their of rifle balls rattled among the trees. took mortal effect in the body of the young man, another. passed through the hat of Quill Whitaker, who saved himself by flight; a third ball shattered the arm of James, the younger brother, and in a few minutes he was the prisoner of a band of painted Wyandot warriors. After several days' hard traveling, the Indians with their captive reached a village within the present boundaries of Richland County, Ohio. Here the lines were formed and Whitaker's bravery and activity tested on the gauntlet course. The boy, wounded as he was, deported 'himself with true heroism. The first half of the course was passed without a single scratch, but as he was speeding on toward the painted goal an old squaw who cherished a feeling of deep revenge, mortified by the captive's successful progress, sprang forward and caught his arm near the shoulder, hoping to detain him long enough for the weapon of the next savage to take effect. The prisoner instantly halted and with a violent kick sent the vicious! squaw and the next Indian tumbling from the. line. His bold gallantry received wild shouts. of applause along the line. Attention- being

_thus diverted, he sprang forward with quickened speed and reached the post without material injury. Not satisfied that this favorite amusement should be so quickly ended, it was decided that the prisoner should run again.' The lines for the second trial were already formed, when an elderly and dignified squaw walked forward and took from her own shoulders a blanket which she cast over the panting young prisoner, saying, 'This is my son. He is one of, us. You must not kill him.' Thus adopted, hé was treated with all that kindness and affection which the savage heart is capable of cherishing.

"About two years after the capture of Whitaker, another party of warriors made an incursion into Pennsylvania and captured at Cross Roads, Elizabeth Foulks, a girl eleven years old, whom they. carried into captivity and adopted into a family of the tribe. Both captives lived contentedly and happily, having adopted the manners and customs of their hosts.

"A few years after - probably here on the Sandusky River, at a general council of their tribe, these two adopted childrén of the forest A marriage according to the customs of civilized life was at once arranged and the couple, ardent in their love and happy in their expectations, set off for

"The Indians seemed well pleased by this conduct of their pale-faced children. They gave them a choice tract of farming land in the river bottom. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker reared a large family for whose education they expended considerable sums of money.

"Mr. Whitaker entered into mercantile business, for which he was well fitted. He established a store at his residence, one at Tymochtee and one at Upper Sandusky. He accumulated wealth rapidly, having at the time of his death his goods all paid for and 2,000 pounds on deposit with the Canada house where he made his purchases. At Upper Sandusky he had a partner, Hugh Patterson with whom in the year 1804 he drank a glass of wine and died a short time afterwards, his death being attributed to poison in the wine. Mrs. Whitaker, to whom a reservation - was granted in the treaty of 1817, survived her husband many years."

Hildreth in his Pioneer History, gives an account of the capture of Daniel Convers in April, 1791, who on May g following was taken to "Lower Sandusky where there was a large Indian village, and his captors moved down the river and stopped a short time at Mr. Whitaker's, an Indian trader. He had a white wife who, like himself, was taken prisoner in childhood from western Virginia and adopted into the tribe (Wyandots). The trader made them a present of a loaf of maple sugar. Whitaker said but little to the prisoner lest he should excite the jealousy of the warriors."

British Account Of The Battle Of Fort

"The Military Occurrences of the War of 1812," by William James, an English publication of the time, contains the fellowing story of General Proctor's campaign against Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky:

"The American headquarters were at Seneca-town,.near to Sandusky Bay on Lake Erie. Fort Meigs, already so strong, had its works placed in a still more vigorous state of defence; and a fort had since been constructed on the west side of Sandusky River, about forty miles from its mouth, and ten from the general's headquarters. It stood on a rising ground, commanding the river to the east ; having a plain to the north and south, and a wood to the west. The body of the fort was about 100 yards in length and fifty in breadth, surrounded outside of all by a row of strong pickets, twelve feet over ground; each picket armed at top with a bayonet. Next to and against this formidable picket was an embankment, forming the side of a dry ditch, twelve feet wide by seven feet deep; then a second embankment of glacis. A strong bastion and two blockhouses completely enfiladed the ditch. Within the fort were the hospital, military and commissary store-houses, magazines, etc. As far as we can collect from the American accounts, the fort mounted but one six-pounder; and that in a masked battery at the northwestern angle. The number of troops composing the garrison cannot exactly be ascertained. One American account states that the 'effective' force did not amount to 160 men, or rank and file.

"Major General Proctor when he landed near the mouth of Sandusky River, on the first of August, had, it is admitted, no other white troops with him than the Forty-first regiment. An American editor says that the major-general, previous to his appearance on the Sandusky, had detached "Tecumseh with 2,000 warriors, and a few regulars, to make a diversion favorable to the attack upon Fort Stephenson; and yet the same editor states Major-General Proctor's force before the fort on the evening of the first, at 50 regulars and 700 Indians.' Of the latter there were but 200 and they, as was generally their custom when the object of the assault was a fortified place, withdrew to a ravine out of gun-shot, almost immediately that the action commenced. Of regulars there were two lieutenant-colonels, four captains, seven staff, twenty-two sergeants, seven drummers, and 241 rank and file, including twenty-three artillerymen; making a total of 391 officers, non-commissioned officers and privatés.

zers upon the fort, but without producing the slightest impression; and the different American accounts, as we are glad to see, concur in stating, that the fort 'was not at all injured' by the fire directed against it. Under an impression that the garrison did not exceed fifty or sixty men, the fort was ordered to be stormed. Lieut.-Col. Shortt at the head of 180 rank and file, immediately advanced toward the northwest angle; while about 160 rank and file, under Lieut.-Col. Warburton, passed around through the woods skirting the western side of the fort, to its south side. After sustaining a heavy fire of musketry from the American troops, Lieut.-Col. Shortt approached to the stockade; and with some difficulty succeeded in getting over the pickets. The instant this gallant officer reached the ditch he ordered his men to follow and assault the works with the utmost vigor. The masked six-pounder, which had been previously pointed to rake the ditch, and loaded with a double charge of 'leaden slugs', was now fired at the British column, 'the front of which was only thirty feet distant from the piece.' A volley of musketry was fired. at the same instant and repeated in quick succession. This dreadful and, as to the battery, unexpected discharge killed Lieut.-Col. Shortt, and several of his brave followers, and wounded a great many more. Still undaunted, the men of the Forty-first, headed by another officer, advanced again to carry the masked six-pounder, from which another discharge of 'leaden slugs' aided by other volleys of musketry, was directed against them, and cleared the 'fatal ditch' a second time. It was in vain to contend further; and the British retired, with as many of their wounded as they could carry away."

Cot. Mitts STEPHENSON was born in the state of Delaware in 1774, and located in Mason County, Kentucky, in 1792. In 1794 he crossed to the Ohio side, and here, for a time, engaged in the Indian wars.

In 1800 he was married to Miss Jane Kilpatrick, wha was a daughter of Frank Ki'patrick, a native of Ireland. After emigrating to America, Mr. Kilpatrick, in 1791 came down the Ohio River in a flat boat with his two daughters, Isabelle and Jane, aged ten and twelve years respectively. When just above Limehe) stone, now Maysville, Ky., the Indians endeavored to decoy them ashore but failed in their attempt. They fired two shots. Both took effect, one entering his head and the other his heart, killing him instantly. The boat drifted into Limestone, where he was buried. His daughters were taken by Richard Applegate, of Mason County, Kentucky, and reared to womanhood.

Mills Stephenson was the father of five children, three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Jane Kilpatrick Stephenson died June 30, 1815. He afterwards married Mary Kiles, to which union three children were born. He served through the War of 1812 as colonel under General Harrison. He built Fort Stephenson at Lower Sandusky, and it was given his name.

After the War of 1812 he bought a farm and engaged in farming and boat building, loading and floating boats from Ripley to New Orleans, each trip disposing of his boat and returning home on foot. He died of swamp fever, at Shreveport, Louisiana, June 16, 1822, and was buried there.

Flood of 1833. In February, 1833, occurred the greatest flood ever before known on the Sandusky River. The ground was frozen and covered with deep snow, when several successive days of heavy rain set in and melted the snow. The combined waters from the rain and snow, no part of which could be absorbed by the frozen earth, was suddenly precipitated into the ice-covered river. The large bodies of ice up stream, were soon thereby loosened and raised and brought against the still firm ice below the village of Lower Sandusky, thus forming an ice-gorge, damming back the waters, which being thus turned from their channel, flowed over the valley, and formed a strong current several feet in depth down Front Street, so that canoes and skiffs were used to go from one part of the town to another for a period of about ten days.

All the flats of the village were overflowed and the homes filled with water and ice, thereby causing great suffering among the people of those parts of the village.

place and carried intact, down the river to a oe about midway between there and the ead of Brady Island, where it lodged, and after the flood subsided it was used asa footbridge until the spring' freshets came and carried it further down stream and broke it to pieces.

Flood of 1883. The conditions which caused the disastrous: flood of February 3, 1883, were similar to those of 1833, a half century previous. The river flowed with a mighty current through Front Street. Probably 500 homes. on the flats were. all surrounded by the flood and at least 2,000 people were driven from their homes. Those homes near the river were half submerged, and many of the inmates were rescued in boats.. Brave men. waded in water up to their shoulders, carrying women and children to places of safety. A freight train was precipitated through the L. S. & M. S. Railroad bridge, which was lifted from its foundations by the flood, and fell just as the train entered upon it. Two of the cars were deposited near the residence of C. H. Bell on State Street. One of the floating cars passed through the house of George Barkeimer. All the houses in the First Ward south of the Lake Shore Railroad were flooded and the occupants taken out in boats, many of them half. dead with cold and _ fright. through the Lake Shore "dry bridge' down Front Street, with fearful velocity, and the people on. the east side of Front Street, near the railroad, were rescued with great difficulty and lost most of their clothing, furniture and family stores. The loss to business houses and factories, as well-as to homes, was great. The damage in money was not less than $100,000, and that was not the worst of the damage, when homes were considered. There were drowned two citizens, one on the east side, Mrs. Burgess, and one on the west side, Patty Gleason.

depth, surrounding the homes. The scars on shade trees along the streets caused by the ice are yet visible as marks of the height of the flood. There were dozens of hair-breadth'escapes from drowning. Many of the families on the flats were rescued with the greatest difficulty. Some did not even awaken from their sleep until the water was a foot deep in their houses. Some families were taken out at the greatest peril as the current almost prevented Others could not possibly be removed until the water abated somewhat and were forced to take refuge on the roofs or in the second stories of their houses. Boats frequently capsized in the current and the occupants had narrow escapes from drowning. One family escaped the water by climbing into.a tree top. A relief committee composed of Gen. R. B. Hayes, W. E. Haynes, J. A. Higbee, J. M. Osborn and I. M. Keeler was appointed to report a plan for organized action of relief. Subscriptions were started for money, clothing and provisions. In a short time, over 700 persons and firms responded liberally. Seventeen gave $100 each, and others in proportion to their ability. About $4,000 in cash, besides large quantities of clothing, fuel and provisions of all kinds were contributed.

The committee on supplies were E. H. Underhill, chairman; C. Stausmyer, Henry Coonrod, J. W. Moore, George Krebs and T. F. Heffner, with headquarters at city hall, ground floor.

Many ladies of the city worked daily in making clothes, bedding, etc., for the destitute. The committee on distribution was composed of George Engler, A. Moos, E. Loudenslager, George Baker, John Hockenadel and John Ryan. To more than one thousand people relief was dispensed for nearly a week in the shape of food, clothing and other necessities.

Friday afternoon, February 2, 1883, it commenced snowing, and toward evening it turned to rain. This froze as it fell, and in the morning ground, trees and everything outdoors was covered with an inch or more of solid ice. Shade trees, the pride of the city, were unable to sustain their burden of ice, and huge ground. In many places the streets were entirely obstructed. The magnificent trees near the court house were nearly ruined, as were the trees all over the city. They cannot regain their lost beauty by many years of growth, if ever.

Orchards suffered terribly, especially the peach trees. In the woods the noise of the falling branches could only be compared to heavy cannonading by many batteries. Huge limbs falling from the tops of trees carried everything before them, leaving the trunks almost denuded. Telegraph and telephone wires broke under the burden of ice. Nearly all the poles along the Lake Shore road, which carry the Western Union wires, between Fremont and Norwalk were snapped off.

Floods of January, February and March, 1904. January 22, 1904, a flood very similar to the former floods before described occurred, and quite as disastrous in the damage to property and homies, but no lives were lost. The water lacked but little of reaching as high a point as in the former great floods.

The sufferers had not more than become settled again in their homes, from which they had been driven, when on February 7, the flood was repeated, and about equal to that of January 22. The same scenes of disaster were witnessed, and suffering endured as before.

And incredible as it may appear to the future inhabitants of the Sandusky. Valley, there came within a month a third flood with like results, to homes and property, as in its predecessors. This third one occurred March 2. The water did not rise quite so high as before, but the lower parts of the city on both sides of the river were submerged above the lower floors of the homes; and traffic was impossible on Front, Tiffin and South Streets and Bidwell Avenue on the west side, and on East State Street, together with Howland and the cross streets within the flats' Boats were in requisition to rescue inmates from their homes in many parts of the flooded districts. The water on State Street on each side, within the flats, was about two feet deep.

of all the great ice or sleet storms that ever visited the place. On all sides, wires and poles were down and telegraph and telephone companies could get no connection with nearby towns. The scenes about the city Sunday and Monday were mingled with grandeur and ruin. The storm reached the city at an early hour Sunday morning and continued more or less all day, and it was not long before all trees, wires, walks, buildings and poles were covered with a coating of ice an inch or more: thick. Then the weight began to tell and the cracking of broken limbs, the snapping of wires and breaking of the poles could be heard in all sections of the city, making it very dangerous for pedestrians to be on the walks or streets of the city. There were many narrow escapes but no one was injured.

The heaviest losers were, The Fremont Home Telephone Company, The Bell Telephone Company, and the Western Union Telegraph and Postal Telegraph Companies, and The Fremont Yaryan Company. |

From all reports, it was evident that Fremont and Sandusky County were the worst hit by the storm. The severest part of the storm seemed to be between Fremont and Genoa and Fremont and Norwalk. The damage done to the telephones, telegraphs and the Yaryan Companies ran into the thousands of dollars. In the parks and in the streets great damage was doné to the beautiful shade trees, for whick Fremont is noted.

The weather turned colder after the storm and the ice remained on the limbs and branches of the trees for several days, presenting a granc sight, indeed, but destructive in its effects Many fruit trees were badly injured. It wa: weeks before the telephones could be put ir good working order.

The Projected Fremont-Fostoria Electric Railway

At Fostoria, Sepember 28, 1909, the incor: poration papers were prepared and sent to Col umbus for the charter and work is to be pushec on the engineering and construction work. Th: incorporators are F. D. Carpenter, J. D. Mc Donel, F. R. Havens, A. H. Jackson an Charles Ash. The original plan was to ru the line on the north side of the L. E. & W and the right of way was all secured for this route. It has been decided that the south side of the road will be better and the old route has been abandoned and enough of the right-ofway secured to insure the getting of the remainder.

It is the intention of the company to complete the grading of the road yet this fall and if it is found possible to secure material and the weather will permit, to push the other construction work. A decision will be arrived at within ten days as to whether the work of construction will be done by contract or by the company as was done by the T., F. & F. on the northern extension of their line.

The building of the proposed line will close the gap between Cleveland and Cincinnati, by connecting the Lake Shore Electric, T., F. & F., and Western Ohio. The offices of the company will be in Fostoria and the power with which the cars will be operated will be furnished by the Lake Shore Electric, arrangements to this effect having been already made.

The following figures concerning distances down the Sandusky River were measured along the center of the channel from a survey made by Col. T. J. Crane, colonel of U. S. engineers, in 1866. The measurements begin at a point where is now located the Lake Erie & Western bridge and the distances to well known and familiar points along the river are as follows:

Center of Whitaker bar stretch, two and six-tenths miles; Nigger Bend, five and twotenths miles; Muscalonge Creek, five and fivetenths miles; Hineline's residence, six miles; Sharinon's residence, seven and _ twentyseven hundredth miles; Nickle's residence, eight and two-tenths miles; Willow Point, nine and four-tenths miles; Tuckerman's residence, nine and nine-tenths miles; Cochran's residence, ten and two-tenths miles; Wightman's grove, ten and eight-tenths miles; Ottawa Shooting Club, eleven and six-tenths miles; Dutch Gap, twelve and seven-tenths miles; Green Creek, thirteen and five-tenths miles; Squaw Island, fourteen and six-tenths miles; Lower end of Eagle Island, sixteen and eighttenths miles; Can Buoy, mouth of river, Sandusky Bay, seventeen and eight-tenths miles.

Gateway To Spiegel Grove, Harrison Trail

Spiegel Grove may in time become a mecca for lovers of American history, like Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and the Hermitage, preserved as they were in the time of their glory, when the old-fashioned hospitality was dispensed within the great house, by a great leader of his time. The gift of Col. Hayes will preserve for future generations, the only abiding place of the long line of Ohio presidents.

As before stated in this volume, Col. Hayes has given to the Ohio Archaeological society that portion of the old homestead property lying along Buckland Avenue, the main approach from the city, and including more than onehalf mile of the Harrison military road. The ptoperty will remain permanently under control of the society.

American history of the section around Spiegel Grove begins when it was the neutral town of the Erie Indians. One portion of the town was on each side of the river. Warriors of the contending tribes from the east could find refuge in the eastern town, and those fror: the western tribes in the opposite town. Erie passed between the two sections but gave nc word of the refugees on one side to those in the other town. It was so used when the Huron confederacy was destroyed by the Iroquois in 1650.

It was the furthermost western point reached by Colonial troops from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut under Israel Putnam, later the hero of Bunker Hill, and British troops under Colonel Bradstreet in their expedition against Chief Pontiac and the French in 1764. It was the site of the British post during the Revolution.

The old French and Indian trail which ran through Spiegel Grove extended from Franklinton, now part of Columbus, along the Scioto and Sandusky rivers to Lake Erie. Later it became a military road, used by General William Henry Harrison, founder of the line of Ohio presidents, who, for a time, had his headquarters in the War of 1812 in Franklinton.

'purchased by the state and made into a model highway. From Coiuimbus it passes through Delaware and Marion to Upper Sandusky ; to Fort Ball, now Tiffin; to Fort Seneca, on the Sandusky, where General Harrison made his permanent headquarters in the northwestern campaign, which resulted at Detroit in the final overthrow of British rule in the great western country. General Harrison's troops and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's fleet were co-operating in the campaign. When Perry won the last naval engagement between the two great English-speaking peoples, it was to Harrison that he sent his immortal message: "We have met the enemy and they are ours." Perry's vessels were used to transport Harrison's troops to Detroit. .

The road continued north from Fort Seneca to Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky, as Fremont was known in the early days, to Port Clinton, near which are the ruins of the old Fort Sandusky of 1745. Across Sandusky Bay, or Lake Sandusky, was the French Fort Junundat, built in 1754.

Two large cannon erected by Col. Hayes mark the gateway of the trail and bear the following inscriptions: "Old French and Indian Trail, 1755;' '"Harrison's Military Trail, 1812." The Harrison Trail Gateway'is a memorial, copied after the principal gateway at the Arlington national cemetery, Washington. It consists of two ten-inch Rodman guns, weighing fifteen thousand pounds each, which have been placed on a cement foundation. They stand in an upright position with a fifteen-inch solid shot on top. The guns have been painted, black and the solid shot white. The guns were secured by Col. Hayes from'the United States, government, from Governor's Island, New York City, and the large expense in transportation and preparation of the foundation was borne by the Ohio Historical and Archaelogical society.

_ Col. Hayes presided and in a delightful and. informal manner introduced the speakers of. whom the first was Prof. George F. Wright, of, Oberlin, president of the Ohio State. Archaeological society. Admiral Clark succeeded Dr. Wright, and though his remarks were brief, he said some very important things: and pleased the old soldiers immensely in the short, address. Hon. E. O. Randall, of Columbus, a reporter of the Ohio supreme court and secretary of the State Historical and Archaelogical Society, was the principal speaker, relative to the dedication of the Gateway and history of the trail.

The reunion of Col. .R. B. Hayes' regiment, the 23d O. V. I., was held in connection with the ceremonies of the Trail Gateway dedication, rendering the occasion doubly interesting . and memorable. i

The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, Clyde, Ohio, was organized September 5, 1862, with Mrs. N. P. Birdseye, president; Mrs. Bement, vice-president; Mrs. Frances A. Tuttle, secretary, and Mrs. Amanda Birdseye, treasurer. The directors were Mesdames Owen, Stark, Weaver, McMillan and Mary Jackson. Amon others of the ladies active in the society's carey and noble work were Mesdames Eaton, Wales, Stilson, Hess, McPherson, Perin, Wottring, Sutton, Ramsey and Gates. The society still exists, but many of the early members have passed away. This society 'rendered efficient

Pioneer Reunion

At the annual picnic of the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Association, 'held at. Fremont, September 8, 1909, the following persons, 65 years of age and: over, were present and registered: :

The River Of Time

"How the winters are drifting, like flakes of snow, And the summers, like buds between; And the year in the sheaf - so they come and they go, On the river's breast flow. As it glides in the shadow and sheen.

"There's a magical isle up the river of Time, Where the softest of airs are playing; There's a cloudless sky and a tropical clime, And a song as sweet as a vesper chime, And the Junes with the roses are staying. See SE a "There are hands that are waved, when the fairy shore By the mirage is lifted in air; And we sometimes hear, through the turbulent roar, Sweet voices we heard in the days gone before When the wind down the river is fair."

Peter Beaugrand, M.D. Representative Citizens

PETER BEAUGRAND, M. D., for seventy years a medical practitioner and enjoying the distinction of being the oldest member of his profession in the State of Ohig, has spent eighty-six years of his life, with but few interruptions, in Fremont, having been brought to Lower Sandusky, by his parents, in 1823. Dr. Beaugrand was born August 26, 1814, at Detroit, Michigan, his mother's native city. His parents were John B. and Margaret (Chabert) Beaugrand.

In 1760, the Beaugrand family was founded in the Dominion of Canada, by the grandfather of Dr. Beaugrand, James Baptiste Beaugrand, an Indian trader and merchant, who came from _ Bordeaux, France. In 1768 he lived at Three Rivers, Canada, at which place and in that year occurred the birth of his son, John B. Beaugrand. The latter also became a merchant and Indian trader. Prior to the War of 1812 he located at Detroit, Michigan, later moved to Maumee and during the invasion of that city his place of business was destroyéd by fire. He continued his mercantile pursuits in Detroit until 1822, when he came to Ohio, and after one year he sent for his family. It requires but a few words to state that fact, but the journey, as recalled by Dr. Beaugrand, was one of danger and hardship. It was in the first week of January, 1823, and a sleigh was the conveyance selected, the proposed trip being on the ice on Lake Erie. Travel in this way was not 'unusual and for many months was entirely safe, but this was one of the exceptional occasions and, although the trip was taken along the shore, the ice gave way and the horses and sleigh broke through and the party was only saved from drowning by fortunately being near land at the mouth of the Tous-Sainte River. Dr. Beaugrand has frequently pointed ont, to those interested, the very spot on which the family landed and where they built a great fire and became dry and warm enough to enable them to complete the journey by land.

Dr. Beaugrand recalls also the courage and resourcefulness of his venerated mother, who, on this occasion, as on many others, was the leading spirit in all that concerned the safety and comfort of the party. This mother, Margaret Chabert, was born February 26, 1781, and died May 12, 1859. She was one of the finest types of the women of her day. The warmth and cordial hospitality of the home over which she presided, the dignity of her mien, the loving care which she gave her large family, together with the unselfish charity she displayed, up to the close of her beneficent life, are well known to all who are familiar with the early days of this city. Her memory is recalled and her beautiful life commemorated by the oil painting which is one of the notable adornments of the public library at Fremont.

Of the ten children born to John B. and Margaret Beaugrand, Dr. Peter Beaugrand is the only survivor. James A., the youngest, died in 1906. One sister was the wife of Hon. Rodolphus Dickinson, Member of Congress. All of the family who survived infancy, became more or less prominent.

hood, and when eighteen years of age enjoyed one term'in Wells academy in Detroit, Michigan. By 1833 he had decided upon his life work and entered the office of Dr. B. and Dr. L. Q. Rawson, at Findlay, and during the winter of 1835-6, he attended medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York, and later the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating at the latter institution in 1845. As early as 1834 he had commenced to practice, at Lower Sandusky, and the success that crowned his earnest efforts from the beginning, proved an encouragement as he continued. In 1864 he was appointed surgeon of the 169th O. V. I., which was sent to Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. Dr. Beaugrand served there in that regiment, for 100 days. With that exception, his absences from Fremont have not been of long duration, consisting mainly of attendance upon some medical gathering, or as a consulting physician in some desperate case. Not frequently is found a man of his years yet in active business, and still less frequently one whose profession has required such scientific training, such drafts made on strength and endurance, and such calls upon his sympathy. However, in his pleasant home and book-lined office, at No. 223 East State Street, this Nestor of his profession may be found daily, just as alert, just as discerning, and necessarily more skillful, than sixty years ago. He numbers among his patients members of the families with which he has been closely identified during almost the whole of his professional career, and the circle of his personal friends each year has widened. His long life has spanned the most important period of his country's history, and in all her progress, civilization and development, he has taken a deep interest.

HON. JOHN J. LEHMAN, whose public services as a member of the Ohio State Legislature, have given him deserved distinction, is a prominent patent attorney at Fremont, of which city he has been a resident for a num- ber of years. Mr. Lehman was born. on his father's farm in Sandusky County, Ohio, October 4, 1863, and is a son of Leodegar L. and Barbara (Staub) Lehman. °

The father of Mr. Lehman was born in Germany in 1821, and the mother was born on the Atlantic Ocean, in 1832. The father was brought to America in 1833, and to Sandusky County in 1834. His active years were passed in agricultural pursuits and he still survives, having reached his eighty-eighth year. His family numbered eleven children.

University, at Ada, Ohio, where he prepared for teaching and for some subsequent years spent his winters as a pedagogue and worked on the home farm during the summers. He was considered an excellent teacher and for two years served as principal of the schools at Rising Sun, Ohio. During this time he made his preparatory studies in law and was admitted to the bar on October 4, 1894. Following a short practice at Fostoria, he came to Fremont and for years has been a leading member of her bar, paying particular attention to pension and patent claims. Early taking an interest in public affairs, he identified himself with the - Democratic party and ever since has been an influential member of that organization in this section of Ohio. His loyalty and efficiency have been frequently recognized and he was elected to township offices when little more than a youth. In later years higher honors were accorded him and in 1go1 he was first brought forward by his party as its candidate for Representative. His defeat was by the small majority of thirty-one votes. In 1903 his party again brought him out and the result was his election over his former opponent, Hon. E..} Re: "Tyler; .-by.3a >plurality of tianee His course in the House of Representatives met with the approval of his constituents and he was reelected. The records show how ear-. nestly he sought to promote wise legislation and how high an estimate was placed upon his knowledge, judgment and experience. He

_ On October 16, 1894, Mr. Lehman was married to Miss Lillian B. Fry, who is a daughter of Jacob and Eliza Fry, and they have four children: Lester, Ruth E., William Elbert and John F. The family home is one of Fremont's beautiful residences. Mr. Lehman maintains his law office in the First National Bank Building. With his family he belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Lehman has been closely occupied for years in public matters but he has never forgotten his duties as a public-spirited citizen of Fremont and has ever been ready to lend a helpful influence to develop it in every desirable direction. He is identified with a number of fraternal bodies including: the Knights of Columbus, the Modern Woodmen, the Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association and the Home Guards.

WILLIAM O. DIPMAN, manager of the Zorn-Hornung elevator at Gibsonburg, Ohio, and clerk of the city council, is one of the representative citizens of this section. He was born January 6, 1855, at Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is a son of John F. and Sarah (Wegstein) Dipman.

John F. Dipman was born in Saxony, Germany, and he accompanied his parents to America in 1853. They settled at Fremont and near that city John F. Dipman has passed all his subsequent life, except three years when he worked as a carpenter, in Tennessee. In his day he was considered a: very skilled workman. For twenty-two years he has been sexton of

William O. Dipman was educated in the schools of Fremont and at Oberlin College and afterward he taught school in Harris Township, Ottawa County, for a time, subsequently purchasing a farm of forty acres in Washington Township, Sandusky County, settling on it after his marriage. Later he moved to near Helena and from there, in 1900, to Gibson- burg, where he went into the business of weaving carpets which he continued until he became manager and overseer of the Zorn-Hornung elevator. As a business man Mr. Dipman is held in very high regard and his practical qualities are shown in the efficient manner in which he discharges his present duties. He is a sound Democrat and his good citizenship has been recognized on many occasions when he has been called on to accept township offices. He served three years as a trustee of Washington Township and nine years as a member of the School Board and for six years has been town clerk of Gibsonburg.

On February 6, 1879, Mr. Dipman was married to Miss Margaret Smith, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Nachbar) Smith, and they have had the following children: Henry A., who is a teacher at Appleton, Wisconsin, married Emma Schoen and they have two children - Harold and Winnefred; Clara Emma, who married Emanuel Paul, of Gibsonburg, has one child, Margaret Lucile; Estella and Laura, both of whom are self-supporting ; Carl, who graduated from the Gibsonburg public schools, and is now engaged as a teacher in Woodville Township; Lucy and Bertha, who are at school; and Florence, still at home. Mr. Dipman and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

C. W. STIERWALT,, secretary of the Simple Account Sales Book Company, and also a member of the city council of Fremont, Ohio, is a thoroughly representative citizen and is valued as such. He was born July 15, 1871, at Fremont, and is a son of Jonathan and Mary Margaret (Wise) Stierwalt.

Jonathan. Stierwalt was of German extraction. He was born in Pennsylvania but spent the larger part of his life in Ohio, his parents moving to Fremont in his boyhood. For many years he was a contractor and builder in this city, and died here April 30, 1896.

C. W. Stierwalt was educated in the Fremont schools and took a commercial course in the Eastman College at Poughkeepsie, New York. After his return he worked as a bookkeeper with Fremont business houses, and prior to taking his commercial course had served in that capacity very acceptably for a year, forthe Fremont Savings Bank. For three years he was bookkeeper for the Lehr Agricultural Implement Works and for the last fourteen years has been identified with his present company. He went into this house first as shipping clerk, later was advanced to be bookkeeper and subsequently became a stockholder and secretary.

Mr. Stierwalt is serving in his first-term as a member of the city council, at large, elected to this office on the Democratic ticket. Careful, conservative and persevering in his own affairs, his presence on the council board gives promise of excellent public service. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

WILLIAM E. CRISMORE, M. D., physician and surgeon at Helena, Ohio, was born April 10, 1872, at Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. James Madison and Lucy (Carbaugh) Crismore.

father had been engaged in the practice of law in Boston, later moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and died there in 1846, He left two sons, James Madison and Wesley. The latter resides at Wooster and has four children: Aggie, who married Scott Rex, a lawyer at Grand Forks, North Dakota; Reddie, who lives at Willoughby, Ohio, has one daughter; Gertrude, who is the wife of the cashier of a bank at Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Arlow, who resides with his parents at Wooster. Dr. James M. Crismore was a prominent physician for many years. He was a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati and of the Western Reserve College at Cleveland. He came to Helena in 1876, from Wooster, Ohio, and continued in the active practice of his profession until his death. He was known for his medical skill all over Sahdusky County. In both branches of Odd Fellowship he was prominent, belonging also to the Maccabees, and was examiner for almost all the insurance. com- panies doing business in this section. In politics he was a staunch Republican. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Wooster and was ever a consistent member of that body. He was married at Marshallville, Ohio, in 1867, to Miss Lucy Carbaugh, who still survives, residing with her son, Dr. William E. Crismore, at Helena. She was born in December, 1850. There were six children born to Dr. James M. Crismore and wife, namely: Alice, William E., Permelia, Matthew, Reba and Elizabeth. Alice died when aged 15 years, Reba died in infancy and Matthew died from the effects of an accident. Permelia is the widow of Paul Snyder and has one daughter, Lucy. Elizabeth married Asa Smith and they reside at Prairie Depot, Wood County, Ohio, and have four children,

William E. Crismore was 7 years old when his parents came to Helena. After completing the common school course he entered Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, where he spent two years and then took a scientific course at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, later graduating in the classical course at the Ohio Normal School at Lebannon. He then spent four years in medical study at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and graduated with credit on June 5, 1895, one in a class of forty- eight years was associated in practice with his father. In 1903 he went to Genoa, where he practiced until 1906 and then' returned to Helena and has remained here until the present. He still owns property at Genoa but makes He is

JACOB. R. BILLOW, an enterprising citizen and a successful agriculturist of. Sandusky Township, residing on his valuable farm of eighty-five acres, situated in Section 26, was born in Rice Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, August 25, 1871, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth, (Odermot) Billow. Both parents of. Mr. Billow were born in Germany and were brought to America and San-

For many years Jacob Billow was a resident of Rice Township and then moved to Sandusky Township, settling on the farm which has been Jacob R. Billow's home for the past thirty years. Jacob Billow was a man of sterling qualities and from one end of the township to the other was affectionately called "Uncle Jake." He was both a Mason and Odd Fellow, identified with lodges at Fremont, and in politics he was a Democrat. He was popular and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens, but would accept no public office except that of township trustee. His death occurred in Sandusky Township in 1896. Of his children, the following survive: John, residing in Williams County, Ohio; Charles F., living in Riley Township; Henry and William, both residents of Fremont; Louis, Jacob R., Annie C., wife of August Johnson, of Sandusky Township; Caroline E., residing in Sandusky Township; Emma L., wife of Otto Smith, living in Sandusky Township; and Lucy R., wife of Lloyd Croft, residing at Fremont. | country schools and later he engaged in farming and dairying, for about eight years running milk wagons in Fremont, but at present he gives his whole attention to his land and the breeding of light harness horses. He is the owner of Glenwood B., 2:13%, and Ironwood, a speedy 4-year old colt, both sired by the well known Pinewood. In 1896 he was married to Miss Lillie Younkman, a daughter of John and Christina (Mathia) Younkman, residents of Fremont, and to this marriage have been born seven children, five of whom survive, namely: Pearl S., Gideon R., Philip L., Elmer R. and Marguerite Ruth. Stephen and James are deceased. Those living are in attendance at the Fremont public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Billow are members of the Reformed Church at Fremont. Formerly Mr. Billow was identified with the lodge of Modern Woodmen in that city, but is no longer so connected.

JOHN C. BOLINGER, cashier of the Croghan Bank and Savings Company, at Fremont, has been identified with this institution since September 1, 1901, having previously had an He was born at Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland, August 7, 1859, and is a son of John C. and Rachel (Crawford) Bolinger. :

John C. Bolinger, father of our subject, was born in Germany. and there learned the weaving trade in all its branches. He was a high grade workman and manufactured many kinds of goods on his looms. He died when his son was an infant. The widow moved with her family to Ohio, buying a small farm of three and one-half acres in Townsend Township. This capable and resourceful mother still lives and during a large part of her year resides at her son's home in Fremont, although her stated place of residence is Clyde.

John C. Bolinger, bearing his father's name, attended the public schools in Townsend Township and while almost a boy, taught his first term of school. Later he attended the Fremont and Clyde schools and also a Normal School at Milan, in Huron County. After he returned home he worked on the home place until the fall of 1878, when he entered into the employ of the Clyde Banking Company, first as a general utility. man, and continued with that corporation until August, 1883, when he resigned... He was instrumental in bringing about the organization of the Peoples Banking Company of Clyde and was elected its first cashier, which position he occupied from January I, 1884, until he accepted his present office in the fall of 1go1.. Mr. Bolinger entered this bank under the presidency of the late A. E. Rice, who served until his death, March 15, 1909, when he was succeeded by F. H.

children, Grace B., Alice and Metta; George C., who is a resident of Binghampton, New York; John C., Jr., who is an employe of the Croghan Bank; Howard F.; Thomas D., who died, when aged three years and James A. Mr.

Bolinger and family reside on Ewing Street, Fremont. He is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and belongs also to the Forresters and the Royal Arcanum. He is interested in all that concerns the general welfare and is numbered with the representative citizens of Fremont.

JOHN W. WELLS, who resides on his farm on ninety-one acres, all rich farming land, situated three and one-quarter miles southwest of Lindsay, was born in the State of New York, February 19, 1856, and he is a son of James and Sabria (Barnes) Wells, and a grandson of Isaiah Wells.

Mr. Wells resided in his native State until he had passed his 24th birthday, attending the public schools until he was 17, and after that followed farming. He then located at Gibsonburg, Ohio, where he engaged in teaming for five years and then rented a farm northeast of that town, on which he lived, for eight years. He then purchased his present farm from George Richard, settled on it and has continued its cultivation and improvement to the present time. Mr. Wells has two brothers and one sister, namely: Charles H., who married Minnie Murray; Frank D., who married Sarah Keller; and Hattie J., who married George Kinney.

On January 29, 1883, Mr. Wells was married (first) to Miss Julia Hoyt, who, at death, left one daughter, Nettie. The latter married Frank Holmbaugh, and they lived at Shelby, Ohio. Mr. Wells was married (second) to Miss Phoebe S. Daum, a daughter of John P. and Elizabeth (Boston) Daum, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Medina County, Ohio. The Daum family included the following children: John, who married Jane Conway; Nancy, who married Laben Bowser, of Elkhart, Indiana; George, who married Eliza Garn, resides at Angola, Indiana;

Gibsonburg, Ohio; James, who lives at Fostoria, Ohio, married Belle England; and Phoebe S., who is the wife of John W. Wells. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells were born one son, Frederick Arthur, who married Elnerah Parrish, and they reside at Gibsonburg, Sandusky

John W. Wells and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both he and his son, Frederick Arthur, are identified with the Knights of Maccabees. He is a Republican in his political views and takes a great deal of interest in all current events.

JOHN HILT, one of the infirmary doctors of Sandusky County, Ohio, is a well known farmer of Ballville Township, where he owns and resides upon a farm of seventy-five acres. He was born on this farm October 21, 1849, and is a son of George and Salomo (Livingstone) Hilt, both natives of Alsace-Loraine, Germany.

York, thence by boat to Sandusky City, and by wagon to Ballville Township, Sandusky County, where they purchased fifty acres of land. He improved that farm and lived upon it until his death in November, 1886. Mrs. Hilt, who was born January 1, 1812, also died on that farm in July, 1875. The following children were the issue of their union: George; Charles, now deceased; Peter, deceased; Fred; Jacob; Sarah, widow of Frank Meeker; John; Elizabeth, wife of Emandus Hollinger; and William F.

John Hilt has always lived on his present farm and has always followed farming. He received a good common school education, but in the main his training has come through the. greatest of teachers, Experience, and in contact with the world. He is a broad-minded and liberal man and has been actively identified with the affairs of the community. For twenty years he served as a member of the School Board, of which he was president six years. In the fall of 1908, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of infirmary director, the duties of which he is discharging in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner.

and is a daughter of George and Katherine (Harch) Knause, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. Her father was born March 21, 1830, and died in Wood County, Ohio, August 18, 1900. Mrs. Knause was born May 23, 1829, and died in Wood County on December 21, 1908. They were parerits of the following children: Katherine, George, Mary (Hilt), Tillie, Adolph, Annie, Christine, Lena and Bertha.

Mr. and Mrs. Hilt have two sons: George, who was born July 14, 1882, and lives at home with his parents; and Theodore, who was born January 1, 1884. The latter was married June 25, 1908, to Miss Lillie Wehrurg, and they live at Fremont, where he conducts the East Side Livery. Mr. and Mrs. Hilt are members of the Grace Lutheran Church.

PHILIP DORR, for many years one of Fremont's most respected citizens and successful business men, founder of the enterprise now known as the Dorr Bros. Shoe Store, a leading business concern of this city, was born in that part of Bavaria, Germany, termed the Rhine Palatinate, March 17, 1811, and died at his home in Fremont, Ohio, June 18, 1886.

A German youth is pretty sure of securing an education adequate to his needs and in addition to this, Philip Dorr, before leaving his native land, learned the trade of shoemaker, and with the shoe business he was identified throughout the entire course of his business life. He came to America in 1837, safely landing after a perilous voyage on a sailing ship, and from New York City went to Erie, Pennsylvania, and from there, soon afterward, to Sandusky, Ohio. In August, 1841, he became a resident of Fremont, it then being known as Lower Sandusky, and on State 'Street, east of the river, he founded the business which has reached its present large proportions. As he prospered he secured more desirable quarters, on the northeast corner of Front and Garrison Streets, but the move proved disastrous, as a fire swept over that portion of the town and reduced his stock and property to ashes. However, by this time, he had secured a large patronage and when he started into business again, on Front Street, old customers as well as new ones found him and he began to think of erecting a building for himself. This plan matured and in partnership with Edward Leppelman he purchased land and built frame structures. At that time Fremont suffered, like other similar towns, from inadequate fire protection, and Mr, Dorr, for.a second time, saw his possessions swept away. In 1856 Mr. Dorr completed the erection of the brick building now occupied by the Dorr Bros. Shoe Store, and then he continued in the boot and shoe business during the remainder of his active life and had the satisfaction of seeing his sons prepared to succeed him.

Philip Dorr was married in June, 1843, to Miss Anna Meyer, who was born March 18, 1815, in Canton Argau, Switzerland, and in 1829 accompanied her parents, Jacob and Fanny Meyer, to America. She lived at Philadelphia and Franklin, Pennsylvania, later at Sandusky City, prior to her marriage. Three sons survive their parents: F. H., H. S., and J. L. The brothers are associated in business as Dorr Bros., and F. H. is also president of the Croghan Bank and Savings Company. They all reside at No. 418 Birchard Avenue, Fremont.

MAJOR JEROME VOORHIES, whose splendid farm of 240 acres is situated in Jackson Township, near Burgoon, Sandusky County, was born March 19, 1854, in Liberty Township, Seneca County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Sarah J. (Winters) Voorhies.

John Voorhies, father of Major J. Voorhies, was born in New Jersey, February 1, 1832, and died in Jackson Township, October 2, 1907.. In boyhood he accompanied his father, Elias Voorhies, to Sandusky County, and in 1853 was married to Sarah J. Winters, in Jackson Township, and then moved to Seneca County and bought land in Liberty Township. The family lived about a year in Liberty Township and then returned to Jackson Township, where Mrs. Voorhies still resides. She was born January 21, 1835. They had two children, Amanda J., and Major Jerome. The former was born August 30, 1856, married John Michaels, and they live at Kansas, Ohio. They have one daughter, Gestiver, who married Earl

Major Jerome Voorhies has resided in Jackson Township since he was two years of age, and ever since he completed his school attendance, has been deeply interested in farming, making this his life work.. His operations are carmed on systematically and his abundant crops and sleek cattle testify to his wise management of his many broad acres. His surroundings are attractive and his home is a handsome country residence.

On February 15, 1872, by Rev. John French, Mr. Voorhies was married to Miss Anna R. Havens, the eldest daughter of W. J. and Anna (Paden) Havens. W. J. Havens was born December 13, 1833, and died March 31, 1906. His widow survives, having been born July 27, 1833. Mrs. Voorhies is one of a family of eight children, the others being: George, deceased; John Fremont, Charles, Frank, James L., deceased; Emma J, and Orval B. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhies have had three children: Estella, Lulu Belle and John W. Estella, born February 14, 1874, died April 18, 1878. Lulu B., born July 12, 1885, died March 29, 1808. John W., born November 23, 1898, is a sturdy school boy. Mr. Voorhies and wife are members of the United Brethren Church of Jackson Township and he has been a church trustee for many years. For seven years Mr. Voorhies served as township trustee and for a long time was a school director.

HON. JOHN B. RICE, M. D., who ably represented the Tenth Ohio Congressional District, in the Forty-seventh Congress, was equally prominent in the field of medicine as in that of statesmanship. The city of Fremont has proudly written his name on her roll of honor, for he was born here, in the days when the village was Lower Sandusky, on June 23, 1832. His parents were Robert S. and Eliza Ann (Caldwell) Rice.

In his youth John B. Rice learned the printing trade in the office of the Sandusky County Democrat, serving an apprenticeship of three years, but this was merely subsidiary, his desire being for a thorough knowledge of the science of medicine. The printing office is an excellent-school, but more thorough training is necessary before a learned profession like that of medicine can be satisfactorily pursued, and realizing this, Mr. Rice became a student at Oberlin College. Two years later he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1857. In 1859 he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and clinics, at Bellevue Hospital, New York.

When the Civil War was declared, Dr. -Rice had already won his way as a physician and surgeon in his native city, and when he presented himself for medical service, was assigned to the Tenth Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served as assistant surgeon, in West Virginia. In November, 1861, he was transferred to the Seventy-second 'Regiment, as surgeon, and continued in the army until the close of the war, frequently acting as surgeon-in-chief and being assigned to the most important and dangerous posts. When we realize the wonderful strides made in surgery since those days, then only can the present generation adequately value the services and remarkable success of those men of nerve and skill, who performed major operations (which now are done only with the finest scientific instruments, and with every antiseptic precaution) with the old-time saws and lancets and with no sanitary protections for either themselves or their unfortunate patients; yet, on every side may be seen the veteran who, for forty years has survived his injuries and led a useful life, thanks to those brave and skillful doctors. Dr. Rice successfully performed the (at that time) rare operation of resection of the elbow joint (excision of condyles and olecranon) on J. L. Jackson, private Company A, 72d O. V. I, who had been wounded. Mr. Jackson was after the war for many years night watchman in the treasury department at Washington, D. C.

When he was no longer needed on the battle field or in the army hospitals, Dr. Rice returned to Fremont and quietly resumed his private practice. His harrowing experiences had not rendered him callous, as it did many others of the profession, but rather enlarged his natural sympathies, thus enabling him to win the confidence of his patients, while his medical and surgical ability soon placed him far ahead of the ordinary practitioner. He became eminent in his profession, was welcomed into the folds of every reputable medical organization, was in demand as a lecturer and as a contributor to medical journals and found himself, while comparatively a man in middle age, a leader among his professional brethren. For several years he was a member of the faculty of the Charity Hospital Medical College at Cleveland, and was lecturer on military surgery and obstetrics, at the University of Wooster.

The late Dr. Rice was at all times too broad-minded a man to ignore the duties of good citizenship; rather they were ever apparent to him and in the furthering of public-spirited measures designed for the general welfare, the people of Fremont knew how dependable he was. He believed in the principles of the Republican party and gave that organization his hearty support and in 1880 was nominated for Congress. The Tenth District was then composed of Erie, Hancock, Huron, Sandusky and Seneca Counties, and he was elected with a fine majority. He served so acceptably that he was renominated, but declined to serve, returning then to look after his practice and his many business interests. During his Congressional service he had favored many measures of the greatest possible importance and one of these was the legislation providing for the granting of pensions to worthy veterans of the Civil War. The Grand Army of the Republic always claimed a large share of his affection, as did also the Loyal Legion, and his death, which occurred January 14, 1893, brought grief to hundreds who had known his kind ministrations and helpful encouragement. For many years he was active also in the Masonic fraternity.

daughter of the late Dr. James W. and Nancy E. (Justice) Wilson, of Fremont. Dr. and Mrs .Rice had two children - a daughter and a son: Lizzie and Wilson. Mrs. Rice survives and resides in one of Fremont's stately homes located at No. 500 Court Street. She is a member, as was her husband, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

PETER STEPNIAK, florist and landscape gardner, with greenhouses situated in Sandusky Township, near Fremont, is a leading citizen of this part of Sandusky County. He was born in the province of Posen, Germany, August 22, 1867, and is a son of Mathias and Mary Stepniak.

Peter Stepniak was 18 months old when his father died and he was reared on the home farm by his widowed mother. When he was 17 years old he started to learn the florist and gardening business, for which he seems to have had natural talent, and he has pursued the same up to the present time. In 1891 he came to America, and at Cleveland, Ohio, was engaged as superintendent by the well known florist of that city, John Miller. For two and one-half years he was landscape gardner for the Ursaline Convent in East Cleveland and laid out the beautiful grounds of that institution. Later he came to his present location and engaged in business for himself. Mr. Stepniak has been very successful although he is an entirely self-made man, coming to America unknown and dependent upon himself. He was able, however, to prove his ability in his special line of work and has been appreciated by the public. He has taken an active interest in public affairs in his section and is serving in his second term as one of the directors of the Sandusky County Infirmary. In politics he is a democrat and has served as a member of the Democratic Central Committe of Sandusky County.

Mr. Stepniak was married October 2, 1893, to Miss Mary E. Saner, who is a daughter of B. Saner, of Sandusky Township, and they have a family of seven children, namely: Peter J., Gertrude M., Agnes A., Amelia R., Irene U., Marie M- and Cecelia K. They have a

HENRY KLINE, who for a period of thirty-four years has been prominently identified with business interests in Fremont, Ohio, is owner and proprietor of a plumbing establishment located in the Kline Block, on East State Street. He was born in Union County,' Pennsylvania, February 20, 1849, and is a' son of Jacob and Catherine Kline.

Henry Kline was about 6 years old when his' parents, in 1855, moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, locating first on.a farm four miles north of Bellevue, and then bought a farm near Castalia. There he was reared to maturity, and his parents being in moderate circumstances, he was given the privilege of but a meagre education in the district schools. In October, 1875, he moved to Fremont where he soon became well established in -business. Notwithstanding his limited educational advantages; by hard work and devotion to business he has prospered beyond the-average and. is now ranked among Fremont's substantial men. He engaged with-success in the liquor business for a time, for thirteen years was concerned in pork packing; was in the sand business a:number of years; and conducted a grocery in the frame building which stood on the site of his present handsome business block. In 1893 he erected this building, a three-story brick, which has three large business rooms and eight residence apartments, and is also the owner of other valuable realty in the city. He has been in the plumbing business since June, 1908.

The subject of this record was married te Miss Kate Gearhart and they have two children: Hattie, who is the wife of M. D. Brown of Clyde, Ohio, and has two children, Bernice Delton and Catherine; and a son, Jesse H., who is unmarried and lives with his parents. Mr. Kline has been a member of the Knights of Honor for more than twenty-four years.

-a half mile west of Fremont, was born November 5, 1863, on his father's farm, which adjoins his own property and is owned by his brother, Obadiah Kerns. He is a son of Daniel and Julia Ann (Walters) Kerns, the former a native of Columbia County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania,

Daniel Kerns came to Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1843, and purchased:a tract of timber land in Washington Township, which he cleared and placed in a state of cultivation, and 'which is now owned by two of his sons, Allen and Obediah. Mr. Kerns died at Linsday, Ohio, in 1904, and is survived by his widow, who is in her 85th year. They reared a family of eight children; Caroline, who married William Collar, of Toledo, Ohio; Rebecca, who is the wife of William Smith, of Oklahoma; Lydia A., who is the wife of T. L Kerns, 'of Cleveland, Ohio; Obediah, who married Louisa Longenbach; Emma S., who married John Slates, of Cleveland, Ohio; Allen, subject of this record; and Dora V., who married A. A. French, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Allen Kerns was reared on his father's farm, adjoining his present place, attended school until 20 years old, then worked on his father's farm until his marriage, when he moved to his present farm, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of two years during the oil excitement, when he conducted a resttaurant at Gibsonburg. He purchased the land from his father, September 5, 1902, has made various improvements, building fences and laying tile, and has just completed a fine new barn, and stock shed, all equipped with concrete flooring, at a cost of about $2,700. The lumber for this was sawed on his own farm.

Mr. Kerns was married September 14, 1886, to Annettie Fought, a daughter of William and Harriet (Iams) Fought, of Havens Station, Sandusky County, Ohio. She is the second of four children born to her parents, the others being: Mary Jane, who is the wife of John Barman, of Washington Township; Cora Alice, who married Orville Havens, of Jackson Township; and Charles Edward, who married Maud Flinchbaugh, and resides at Robinson, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns have one son, Webb Zenas, who attends the Washington Township schools. Mr. Kerns and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is also a trustee. In politics he is a Republican.

HENRY F. BISCHOFF, who has been postmaster at .Burgoon, Ohio, continuously since July 23, 1885, is proprietor of a general store at this place and is a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in New York' City, February 29, 1848, and is a son of John J. and Mary Bischoff, who were the parents of three children, the other two being, Mary, who married and lives in New York City and Lewis, who is a resident of Fremont, Ohio.

Henry F. Bischoff was a lad of 8 years when his parents came to Sandusky County, Ohio, and located at Fremont, where he was reared and attended the local schools. He engaged as a clerk in a grocery store until 1864, when he enlisted in Company B, 72nd Ohio Vol. Inf., at Fremont, and served throughout the entire Civil War. He participated in numerous important battles and skirmishes, was taken prisoner at Guntown, Mississippi, and confined ten and a half months at Andersonville Prison, where he was atthe time of the assassination of President Lincoln. He was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865, after which he returned to Sandusky County and located on-a farm in Green Creek Township, where he resided for about three years. He then came to Burgoon and opened a general store, beginning on a small scale, and used a part of his house for his limited stock of goods. He soon had a growing and successful business established and at the end of three years, bought out J. N. Powell, who owned his present place of business, which he has successfully conducted for the past thirty years in connection with performing his duties as postmaster of Burgoon.

On April 8, 1877, Mr. Bischoff was united in the bonds of wedlock with Sarah S. Seaman, a daughter of John Seaman of Clyde, Ohio, and to them have been born the following children: Charles, Blanche and Floyd, all of whom live at home. Mr. Bischoff owns a very fine residence property in Burgoon. He is a member of the United Brethren Church of Burgoon of which he is also a trustee. He is affiliated with the I..O. O. F. No. 405, of Kansas, Ohio; He has served as a member of the School Board, and was appointed by the County Commissioners to see that all old soldiers of the township without funds were given a proper burial.

ELMER E. BOWLUS, proprietor of the Bowlus Ice and Cold Storage Company, has been in the ice business in Fremont, Ohio, since 1882, and has a large and well established business. He was born on a farm two and one-half miles west of Fremont, in Washington Township, Sandusky County, December 15, 1860, and is a son of Hanson R. and Rebecca (Black) Bowlus.

Hanson R. Bowlus followed farming many years and then engaged in the lumber business, in which he continued but a few years. He then purchased the Star Mill, now operated by the Cox's, and carried on a milling business in partnership with Mr. Beery, under the firm name of Bowlus and Beery. He disposed of his interests in this plant at the time he went into partnership with the subject of this sketch in 1882. He continued in the ice business until 1890, since which time he has lived in retirement at Fremont. He is 77 and his wife is 74 years of age at the present writing (1909. )

Elmer E. Bowlus was reared on the farm until he was 15 years old, and then came to Fremont with his parents. He worked in the lumber yard for his father, and later was engineer in the flour mills. He and his father in the fall of 1881 built the ice house in Fremont, and in the winter of 1882 put up their first natural ice. 'In 1905 Mr. Bowlus erected a large modern ice plant, equipped with the York Compressing System, it havine a daily capacity of twenty-five tons. They do an enormous business and in season run three wagons. Mr. Bowlus is a director of the Colonial Bank of Fremont.

Elmer E. Bowlus was united in marriage with Miss Vida Stewart, by whom he has a son, Ralph E., who now is manager of the Bowlus Ice and Cold Storage Company. The latter was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Gottron. In his earlier years' our subject served two years as a member of the city coun- cil. Fraternally, he is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, is a Thirty-second degree Mason, and also belongs to Lodge No. 169, Order of Elks, of Fremont; his son, Ralph E., being exalted ruler of this lodge.

M. G. VEH, funeral director and undertaker and proprietor of a first class furniture store, at Gibsonburg, Ohio, is one of the substantial and representative business men of this place. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 18, 1859, and is a son of Michael and Dorothea (Dornberger) Veh.

The parents of Mr. Veh came from Germany to America in 1865,and settled at Oak Harbor, Ottawa County, Ohio, where the father died on April 18, 1908. His widow resides at Gibsonburg.

M. G. Veh attended school at Oak Harbor and then learned the cabinet making trade and served as a clerk in the furniture store of Charles Urech for five continuous years. Going then to Grand Rapids, Michigan, he was employed in a furniture factory there for one summer, and then returned to his old employer for several months, after which he established a furniture and undertaking business at Woodville. remained at Woodville for ten years, when he sold out and came back to Gibsonburg, buying a half interest in the furniture and undertaking business of his old employer. Later he purchased the entire interest, and after the fire which destroyed many business houses on the opposite side of the street, he moved into his present building which he erected on the site of one of the buildings destroyed. He carries a line of high grade furniture, bought from the best manufacturers of the same, and he does a large business. He is fully prepared also for all calls relating to funeral directing, having excellent facilities and equipments for the same, all along modern lines.

Mr. Veh was married at Gibsonburg, Ohio, September 10, 1885 to Miss Ella E. Yeasting, a daughter of J. F. and Margaret (Friar) Yeasting, and they have three children: Fred, who is his father's chief assistant; Carrie, wife of Clarence S. Stilson; and Raymond. Mr. Veh and family are members of the Evangeli- has served in the town council and on the School Board. He is one of the stockholders of the Home Banking Company at Gibsonburg and of the Gibsonburg Banking Company. He is identified with several fraternal organizations.

W. V. B. AMES, M. D., for many years an eminent medical practitioner at Fremont of which city he has been a resident since 1859, was born in 1821, in Huron County, Ohio, and is a son of Jason C. and Sarah Ann (Moore) Ames.

The father of Dr. Ames.was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and his mother in Pennsylvania. They were married in Huron County, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming and also followed the trade of shoe- They had seven children born to them, the eldest being the subject of this sketch. The members of the family are now widely scattered through different states, Dr. Ames being the only one living in Ohio.

As soon as his school days were over, Dr. Ames began to read medicine with a well known physician of Huron County, and in 1845 he entered into practice at South Bend, Indiana, where he remained until 1851. About this time he decided to visit the far West, and journeying to California by the overland route, he engaged in mining in Yuba County and also practiced medicine there until 1855, when he returned to his native state. In 1859 he settled permanently at Fremont and he has since been identified with the interests of this city, successfully practicing his profession for many years and accumulating an ample fortune. Surrounded by all that makes the evening of life happy and comfortable, and enjoying the respect and affection of his family, together with the esteem of his fellow citizens, Dr. Ames finds that age brings many compensations. His handsome residence is situated at No. 116 High Street.

Dr. Ames was married (first) in Huron County, Ohio, to Miss Adaline Harrington, who died May 30, 1860, leaving children as follows: Elizabeth, who married Evandor

Dunning; Alice, who married Charles A. Norton; William V. B., and Rose. Dr. - Ames was married (second) to Miss Catherine Strohl, who is a daughter of the late Peter Strohl, a Sandusky County pioneer. The children of this marriage were: Frank, Nell and Jane, all of whom reside at home. Dr. Ames has been a leading factor in promoting the progress and development of Fremont and has never lost interest in noting its advancement.

DAVID WALTER, general farmer and representative citizen, owning a valuable farm in Woodville Township, mlies from the village of Woodville, Ohio, is a son of Lewis Walter, who entered eighty acres of land from the government.

' In the early days the entering of Government land was even a greater undertaking than it is at present, for, while there was no excess of population as at present, there was such a scarcity of money that suffering was frequently caused by the lack of a few dollars even when the land had been secured. This was the case when Lewis Walter came first to Woodville Township, the payment for his land leaving him with but a sixpence in his pocket. At Wheeling, Virginia, however, lived a man who owed him money and Mr. Walter traveled on foot the whole distance in order to collect it. This man, however, did not have the money at the time and Mr. Walter had to return without it. Six years later he made a second journey and received his money but lost it to a sharper, who induced him to take a watch for the sum, and the timepiece proved of no value. Mr. Walter was obliged to borrow from his former debtor to enable him to get back to Sandusky County. Being then but little better off than before, Mr. Walter went to work at Perrysburg for 25 cents a day, his wife, in the meantime remaining alone in the little cabin on the land, and this small wage was not even paid in cash. Finally Mr. Walter succeeded in getting enough of his land cleared to make a small crop and after that his circumstances improved and he subsequently became a man of ample means, and lived to be 84 years of

David Walter helped his father on the home farm and attended the district school in the winter time for some years. He left home at length and spent five working at various employments in Michigan and Indiana, but after marriage he came back to Woodville Township, where he rented a farm of H. Bruns, on which he lived for fifteen years. When the father died, Mr. Walter and a brother, George Walter, bought out the other heirs, and Mr. Walter has eighty acres of this very valuable land. This he devotes to general farming. He adopts modern methods of agriculture and works along scientific lines. All his land is tiled and his extensive operations are carried on, with the best modern machinery that can be procured. Mr. Walter has a fine residence, one of the most modern rural homes in the country, equipped with a hot water system and lighted and heated by gas, the improvements on his home alone costing $3,000. He handles a large amount of the best stock and has a reputation over the county for his fine cattle. Undoubtedly Mr. Walter and his brother, George Walter, are the best farmers in all this section and no better improved or more productive land can be found in the county.

Mr. Walter married Miss Mary Brunthaver, a daughter of John Brunthaver, and they have five children, namely: Arthur, who married Lillian Katzmyer; Gladys, who married Charles Myers, has two children - Walter and Myrth; John L., who married Mrs. Bessie (Walter) Reynolds, of Lansing, Michigan; Henry, who resides at home; and Dale, who is yet in school. Mr. Walter and family are members of the United Brethren Church, to which he gives liberal support. In politics he has always been a republican but has never been willing to accept any but a township office. He has been particularly interested in the condition of the public highways, his attention being directed to this important public matter while he was doing road contracting. He served in the office of road supervisor for a number of years and it was mainly through his efforts that the fine stone roads have been established all through this section, adding thousands of dol- lars of value to property with which they communicate. Mr. Walter is a member of the School Board. His fraternal connection is limited to the Independent Order of Foresters, with lodge at. Woodville.

W. L. STIERWALT, M. D., physician and surgeon at Fremont, maintaining his offices in the old Heim Block, on West State Street, has been in the active practice of his profession in Sandusky County, for some twenty-two years and is known from one of its borders to the other. He was born in Sandusky Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, April 30, 1859, and is a son of Moses and Elizabeth Stierwalt.

_Dr. Stierwalt remained on the home farm until he was 17 years of age and having, in the meanwhile, obtained a good common school education, embarked in school teaching and continued in educational work with success, for twelve years, and during this time perfected his knowledge in the necessary, preliminary medical studies, while saving his money with which to go to college. He was first graduated from the department of pharmacy in the scientific department of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and in 1888 from the Toledo Medical College. He entered into practice at Lindsey, Ohio, and continued there until 1900, when he sold out and came to Fremont. The early years of practice included the covering of a wide territory.

In 1883, Dr. Stierwalt was married to Miss Ida E. Hinline, a daughter of T. A. Hinline, and they have two children, namely: Howard L., who is a graduate of the Fremont High School, and is now a student in the department of Pharmacy, at Toledo; and Mercedes M., who is a High School pupil at Fremont. Dr. Stierwalt is identified with both the Masons and the Odd Fellows. He is a broad-minded citizen and has always been deeply interested in the public schools.

FRANCIS M. WINTER is a representative farmer of Jackson Township, Sandusky County, Ohio, and is the owner of the fortyacre tract on which 'he lives, and another farm of 108 acres on which his son lives. He was born in this township, April 18, 1845, and is

Jacob Winter was born in York Coynty, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and in 1830 moved with his wife to. Wayne County, Ohio, where they lived three years. They then moved to Sandusky County and purchased a farm of 160 acres in Jackson Township, on which he lived until his death in 1886. His wife, who also was born in York County, Pennsylvania, died on the same farm on March 23, 1864. They were parents of the following children: Harriet, widow of John Bauman; Sarah Jane, wife of John M. Vorhies; Jeremiah; William, who was,a member of the 21st New York Vol. Inf. during the Civil War, was killed in the second battle of Petersburg; Francis M., and Jerome, who is deceased.

Francis M. Winter has never lived outside of Sandusky County except the time he was in the service during the Civil War. He attended the district schools and followed farming from his early boyhood. On May 4, 1864, he enlisted at Fremont as a member of Company H, 169th Ohio Vol. Inf., and was stationed at Fort Ethan Allen. He was discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, September 4, 1864. In that year he purchased the farm of 108 acres on which his son now lives and made his home there for a period of thirty-four years. He made ail the improvements on that place as well as some on the place where he now lives, which he purchased of H. Dundore in Igoo. He has a gas well on each farm, operating them for private use, and has also the many conveniences and modern improvements so necessary for the successful prosecution of farm work. He is located one-half mile east of Burgoon.

On March 24, 1866, Mr. Winter was united in marriage with Miss Samantha Fry, who was born in Sandusky County, and is a daughter of George and Mary (Gust) Fry. Her father was born in Prussia in 1808, and died in Sandusky County, November 26, 1890. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania, March 14, 1821, and died in Sandusky County, August 23, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Fry were parents of the following children: Henry N., deceased; Samantha (Winter) ; Catherine, deceased wife

Francis M. and Samantha Winter have one son, William F., who was born in Jackson Township, March 6, 1869. He was married December 24, 1896, to Olive M. Corle, of Pennsylvania, and they have three children: George F., Helen E., and Eric N. In religious attachment the subject of this record and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. He is affiliated with Rossen Post, G. A. R., at Fremont.

HENRY H. OVERMYER, who has successfully 'solved the problems and discovered the secrets of fruit growing and bee culture, in Sandusky County, resides on his valuable farm of thirty-one acres, twenty-two of which are planted with choice fruit trees, which is situated in Washington Township, about seven miles west of Fremont. He is a native of Washington Township, born here December 2, 1842, and is a son of Peter and Mary P. (Shively) Overmyer.

Peter Overmyer was of German extraction and was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Shively, who was born at Weirickstown, Pennsylvania, and they came to Ohio about 1833. The parents died

Henry H. Overmyer was his father's only son and for that reason he was not able to attend school very regularly during his boyhood, his help being. needed on the farm. When 24 years of age he took a course of eight weeks and during that time perfected his knowledge in those branches that he had earlier been obliged to neglect. He served for some months in the Civil War, a member of Company K, 169th Ohio Inf., and was discharged.

September 4, 1864. In 1872 he moved on his present farm and while engaged in general agriculture he became much interested in the subject of fruit growing and also in the bee industry and in that year began to devote a large part of his time to developing the latter, in which he has been rematkably successful. Mr. Overmyer engaged in it intelligently and had carried it on scientifically, makes his own hive forms, does his own swarming, takes the place of Nature in the selection of his queens, and consequently is prospering where a less well informed man would have failed. He carries from 100 to 500 colonies over the winter which produce from twenty-five to sixtyfive barrels of honey every season. As a great assistance he subsequently set out his fruit orchards, the bees finding in the apple, pear, mulberry, cherry and plum blossoms the nectar which they chemically change into delicious honey. As early as 1876 he set out his first trees and now has twenty-two acres of productive orchards. He protects. his trees from insects, using a spraying wagon which is operated by a gasoline engine, the results of his care and science being shown in the perfect fruit which is produced in abundance. His crop of apples alone for 1908 amounted to 3180 bushels. These orchards in their May blossoming season are well worth miles of travel' to see. Mr. Overmyer has recently built two new barns and is contemplating other improvements, including the erection of a new residence, although, for all practical purposes, the old one is sufficient, but he is a man of progress and the new home doubtless will soon be built.

On June 2, 1869, Mr. Overmyer was married to Miss Margaret Angelica Walker, who was born in Sandusky County, March 16, 1843. Her parents were David and Nancy (Waggoner) Walker. Mr. and Mrs. Overmyer have five children: Waldo Emerson, born May 16, 1870; Nellie, born October 14, 1872; George, born December 2, 1877; Frederick, born July 24, 1881; and Wilfred Rollin, born November 15, 1882. Mr. Overmyer is independent in his political views. Hs has acceptably served his township in the offices of school director and road supervisor.

GEORGE B. SMITH, D. D. S., who, for the past twenty-one years has been engaged in the practice of dental surgery at Fremont, commands a large amount of the best practice of the city, as he is numbered with the most expert practitioners in this section. Dr. Smith was born in Ballville Township, Sandusky

Dr. Smith comes of Dutch ancestry and of Revolutionary stock. His great-grandfather, Peter Smith, was born in Holland and was a member of one of the colonies that came to New Jersey from Holland and have left traces of their thrift and homely virtues, in many parts of the Atlantic State. Peter Smith served in the Patriot Army under George Washington and then returned to his former settlement and there reared a lamily of sons and daughters.