Shelby County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Miscellaneous, 1913 (part 12 of 14)

Marion Roberts secured a common school education and until he was twenty-three years old continued to assist his father on the home farm. He then started out independently and for the next six years worked by the month for farmers in Shelby county and then returned to the home farm of which he has had charge since his father's death. A general farming line is carried on and stock for home use is raised, all the different industries being well looked after. Mr. Roberts is identified with the Masonic frater- nity at Port Jefferson and with his mother attends the Methodist Episcopal church there. He was reared to believe in and support the republican party.

LAFAYETTE MERRICK STUDEVAXT, who is vice-president of the First National Exchange Bank, at Sidney, O., has additional banking interests and is also a leading manufacturer of Shelby county and one of the foremost men of this section. He was born in Whitley county, Ind., June 21, 1858, and is a son of John F. and Mary Wood (Cochrun) Studevant.

John F. Studevant was born at Emporia, Va., and now resides, in his eighty-seventh year at Sidney, O. In 1847 he married Mary Wood Cochrun, who was born in Green county, O., in 1829, a daughter of Elisha and Sarah Cochrun, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Studevant died August 23, 1910, after sixty-three years of happy wedded life and left many to mourn her loss, she being an admirable woman in every relation of life. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Studevant lived in Ohio and then moved to Indiana and from there, in 1875, removed to Anna, Shelby county, O. Several years afterwards they settled permanently at Sidney, Mr. Studevant being a cabinetmaker by trade. Five children were born to them, Lafayette M. being the only one to survive the age of five years.

Until he was seventeen years of age, Lafayette M. Studevant devoted himself mainly to his school books. Afterward he was variously employed for a time, keeping continually occupied, and for several years he followed the painting trade. After his parents moved to Sidney, he learned the printing trade in the office of the Sidney Journal, having previously, however, taken a course in the Normal School, passed the teacher's examination satisfactorily and taught one winter term.

In 1879 ^r- Studevant went to Columbus Grove, where he purchased a newspaper, although then but twenty-one years old, and conducted it for one year but not with the success that encouraged him to devote his life to journalism. In 1880 he entered a commercial school at Lima, O., where he took a business course and then accepted a position as bookkeeper in a bank, this being' the beginning of his banking connection. The business proved congenial and he continued to advance until he became cashier of a bank at a village called Ridgeville. While the place was small and offered little field for endeavor, he there gained banking experience and it proved valuable. From there he came to Sidney again and accepted a position with Philip Smith, who conducted a machine shop and continued and at present is vice president of the Philip Smith Manufacturing Company. He soon developed business astuteness in other directions. In January, 1886 he started into the fire insurance business, and in October of the same year organized the Peoples Saving & Loan Association, being managing officer of the same, and on September 1, 1899, organized the First National Exchange Bank, of which he was cashier for seven years.

The Peoples Saving & Loan Association is the largest enterprise of that class in any town of the size of Sidney, in Ohio, and none in that state have been more successful. This enterprise is capitalized at $50,000, with a surplus of $110,000 and its present standing is shown by the January 1-1913 statement to be: capital, surplus and deposits, $1,463,088.97, which means that its resources are larger than both of the National banks at Sidney. Mr. Studevant continues to be secretary of this remarkably successful concern. He is president also of the Eclipse Folding Machine Company and is a director in the following prospering industries: the Sidney Tool Company, the Sidney Manufacturing Company, the Monarch Machine Company, the Royal Manufacturing Company, The Philip Smith Manufacturing Company and the Sidney Telephone Company.

On May 28, 1891, Mr. Studevant was married to Miss Abbie Benjamin, a daughter of C. R. Benjamin, and they have raised two children: Mary Helen and Thomas F. Both have been given exceptional educational advantages. Thomas F. graduated from the Howe Military School in the spring of 191 1 and at present is in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Mary Helen completed her education at Mrs. Stewart's School for Girls, an exclusive institution at Washington, D. C. Mr. Studevant and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a democrat and he served in the town council for one term, and was National Bank Examiner during Cleveland's last term. He is a charter member of the Commercial Club and is president of its board of managers. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the following orders : Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Elks, Red Men and all the Masonic bodies. As may be seen Mr. Studevant is one of Sidney's most valuable citizens, awake to every public duty and capable of meeting every business responsibility.

JAMES J. EPPERSON, an old and respected resident of Shelby county, O., and a veteran of the Civil war, resides on a well improved tract of three acres situated in Turtle Creek township and owns a farm of fifty acres located farther westward. He was born May 20, 1844, in Harrison county, Ky., and is a son of John and Maria (Elizer) Epperson.

John Epperson was born in Virginia and followed an agricultural life. He married Maria Elizer, who was born in Missouri, and they were parents of the following children: William, Sarah, wife of Mahlon Leggitt; Martha, Stephen, Mary, wife of Purnel Slade; Nancy J., wife of Purnel Hill; and James J. The parents of the above family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church (North).

James J. Epperson had but meagre educational opportunities in his boyhood compared to those of the present day. He was assisting his father on the home farm when civil war was declared and on October 21, 1861, enlisted in Company I, Twentieth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until honorably discharged, September 18, 1865. Ever since then until he retired, with the exception of four years, Mr. Epperson has been an active farmer. On July 22, 1869, he was married to Miss Melissa Humphrey, who was born in Kentucky, where her people were farmers and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father was Emanuel

Humphre), who married Louisa Toadvine, and the children born to them were the following: James, Melissa, Purnel, Ellen, Robert, William, Johanna, wife of Benjamin Brown; Belle, wife of Charles Stewart; Thomas; and Sallie, wife of George Patricks.

Five children were born tc Mr. and Mrs. Epperson, all of whom are married, namely: Nellie, who is the wife of Robert Criswell. and they have two children, Ernest and Lucinda ; Alva, who married Blanche Shelley, and they have two children, Melvin and Austin; Claude, who married Bertha Green and they have two children, Edith and John ; Samuel, who married Sadie Eaton; Efne M., who is the wife of Milton Lennox and they have one daughter, Mildred. The family belongs to the Presbyterian church and Mr. Epperson is much interested in the Sunday school and serves as assistant superintendent. He is a republican in his political views and served four years as trustee of the township. He and family are people of standing in their community and are more or less known all over the county.

WILLIAM J. SMITH, whose excellent farm is situated three-fourths of a mile west of Jackson Center, on the north side of the Arnett turnpike road, devotes much of his attention to raising Jersey thorough-bred cattle and also Plymouth Rock poultry. Mr. Smith was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, O., on a farm that adjoins his own on the south, November 24. 1861, and is a son of Hardin A. and Rhoda (Jenkins) Smith.

Hardin A. Smith was born in Virginia and lived there until thirteen years of age when he accompanied his father, John Smith, to Clark county, O. After leaving Clark county. Hardin A. Smith went to Champaign county and there married Rhoda Jenkins and they had twelve children, ten of whom survive: Elizabeth, who is, deceased, was the wife of W. V. Hughes, of Jackson Center; Martha, who died when three years old; Jane, who is the wife of Milton Meranda ; Mary, who is the widow of Wesley Pence; Christina, who is the widow of Martin A. Baker; Lydia, who is the wife of J. F. Davis; Minerva, who is the wife of R. W. Davis; William J.; Albert, who lives at Jackson Center; Laura, who is the wife of D. W. Ware; George, who lives two miles south of Jackson Center ; and Frank, who lives one mile east of Montra. Hardin A. Smith is one of the pioneers of Jackson township, having moved here in 1858. He was one of the early mail carriers between Urbana and Springfield, making the trip on horseback. Few men are better known in Jackson township.

William J. Smith grew to manhood and attended school in his native township and then learned tanning and harnessmaking with his father, the latter havng started a tannery in 1858. William J. Smith continued the tannery until 191 1, when he removed this old landmark in order to build a barn on the site for some of his valuable cows. For many years this tannery was one of the leading business enterprises of the township. This farm is probably one of the most carefully drained properties in this section and all the improvements were placed here by its present owner. Both as a cattle and poultry farm it

On September 2j, 1883, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Marie Cox, who was born at Port Jefferson, a daughter of Noah and Mary E. (Brown) Cox. The father of Mrs. Smith died at the age of seventy-two years and the mother when aged sixty-eight years and their burial was in the Pleasant Hill cemetery at Jackson Center. Mr. and Mrs. Cox had seven children : Joshua, residing at Lima, O. ; Rosanna, deceased; Marie and John, twins, the latter dying when five years old ; George living at Lima ; Triphena J., deceased ; and Daniel, of Lima. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had four children : Roy E., who died at the age of seven weeks; Warren L., who died when aged three years; Edward Franklin, who is a successful teacher in Jackson township; and Oliver L., who is a student in the Jackson Center high school. Mr. Smith and family are members of the Christian church. He is a democrat in political preference but is perfectly satisfied to have others than himself assume the worries as well as the emoluments of office.

WALLACE A. LOCHARD,* one of the industrious and successful young agriculturists of Salem township, Shelby county, O., who operates the Walnut Grove Farm belonging to his father, a valuable tract of 160 acres, was born in Salem township, February 1, 1886, and is a son of Isaac A. and Alma (Fox) Lochard.

The parents of Mr. Lochard are well known people of Shelby county and when they removed from the farm in Salem township they retired to Sidney, where they still reside. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sidney. Their family consisted of three children: Wallace A., Iva and Charles.

Wallace A. Lochard was educated in the public schools and the Western L'niversity at Delaware, O., in which institution he remained one year and then returned to his father whom he assisted until he was twenty-two years of age. Afterward, for three years, he rented and operated a farm in Perry township and then took charge of the Walnut Grove Farm, all but twelve acres of which lies in Salem township. Farming and stock raising are the industries carried on and Mr. Lochard is meeting with the success his energy and progressive methods justify him in expecting.

On October 22, 1908, Mr. Lochard was married to Miss Grace Wooley, a daughter of William and Jennie Wooley, of Perry township. Mr. and Mrs. Lochard have one daughter, Beulah. They attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lochard is a wide awake citizen and is interested in all that promises to make better conditions all over the country, but he feels that he has no time for office holding. Like his father he votes the democratic ticket.

LEWIS J. METZ, who is a well known and highly respected citizen of Jackson township, a member of the township board of education and a general farmer, resides on his 160 acres of well developed land that lie three and one-

794 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTYfourth miles northwest of Jackson Center, O. He was born one mile north of this farm, in Jackson township, March 28, 1878, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Gross) Metz.

Jacob Metz was born in Germany and was brought to America by his parents when an infant. They located in Stark county, O., but later moved to Shelby county and settled in Jackson township. In early manhood Jacob Metz married Catherine Gross, then a resident of Jackson township, and they had twelve children born to them, nine of whom are living. Mr. Metz has been a very successful business man and has given each of his children a farm and retains one of 39 acres jast north of the farm of his son, Lewis ]. Metz.

Lewis J. Metz attended the public schools in Jackson township and afterward assisted his father on the home farm. He has been on his present place ever since he has carried on farming for himself. On December 13, 1905, he was married to Miss Cora Lee Ambos, who was born at Montra, in Jackson township, Shelby county. July 12. 1887, and is a daughter of Jacob and Charlotta (Allenbach) Ambos. Jacob Ambos was born in Germany and was brought to the Lnited States when eight years old. In Auglaize county, O., he was married to Charlotta Allenbach. To them were born eight children, seven of whom are yet living. The family home was at Montra for many years as he was a skilled carpenter and builder and many of the substantial barns all over the county are of his construction. He was a veteran of the Civil war and was a valued member of the G. A. R. Both he and wife belonged to the Lutheran church and were people held in the highest respect. Mr. Ambos lived to the age of sixty-nine years.

Mr. Metz has a fine property, well drained and well improved and a general line of agriculture is successfully carried on, all of his land being under cultivation with the exception of forty acres still preserved in valuable timber. Two little daughters make up the family .Wihr.a Marie and Luetta Viola. Mr. and Mrs. Metz belong to the Lutheran church at Montra and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In politics a democrat, Mr. Metz takes pleasure in the success of his party but has never accepted any public office for himself except in school matters and since February. 191 1, he has been a member of the board of education of Jackson township.

ELMER D. KISER, who is serving Shelby county most efficiently in the office of county treasurer, is one of the representative citizens of Sidney. He was born on the home farm in Miami county, O.. not far from Fletcher, May 8, 1868, and is a son of B. L. and Mary Ann Kiser.

For many years B. L. Kiser was a farmer in Miami county and his death occurred just prior to his son's removal to Sidney, his decease being induced to some degree from the ravages of disease contracted while he was loyally serving as a soldier during the Civil war. He enlisted in 1861 in Company E, Seventy-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served out his first enlistment, then reenlisted and continued until the close of the war, in the meanwhile taking part in all the important battles in the western army. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter: Elmer D. ; F. D., who is a practicing physician at Casstown, O. ; I. C, fur a number of years a physician at Fletcher, in November, 19 12, was elected to the Ohio State Senate; and Minnie, who is a resident of Piqua.

Elmer D. Kiser had only common school advantages in his youth. For some years his father was in an invalided condition, and, as he was the eldest son, many responsibilities early fell on his shoulders. Later on the other two younger brothers were sent to college and both became physicians. Elmer D. Kiser, however, did not profit in this way. His inclinations were directed by a very practical mind and after coming to Sidney, in 1895. he sought a business opening and after working in one of the manufacturing plants for a short time, opened a butcher shop and continued a dealer in meats until his election to his present responsible office, in the fall of 1910, to which, in November, 191 2, he was reelected by the largest vote received by any candidate in Shelby county. Mr. Kiser is a prominent factor in the democratic party in this section of the state. He has long been recognized as an upright citizen and public approval has been given of his management of the county finances. To the management of public matters he has applied the sound business principles that he has found secures the best results in his own affairs.

Mr. Kiser was married in 1888, to Miss Lulu D. Bird, a daughter of S. R. and Celina J. Bird. Mrs. Kiser was born and reared on a farm in Green township, Shelby county, but her parents moved to Sidney in 1894 and here her father died in the following year. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kiser: Dale, who died at the age of sixteen years; John B.. who continues his father's meat market at Sidney; and Hilda L.. who live* pt home. Mr. Kiser is well known and valued in fraternal circles, having membership with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, lower branch and Encampment, the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men.

THOMAS H. WARD, who resides on his well cultivated farm of eightynine acres, which is situated in Perry township, Shelby county, O., was born on this place December 21, 1856, and is a son of Thompson and Lucinda (Cargill) Ward.

Thompson Ward was born in Ohio and during his active years was both blacksmith and farmer. He was an excellent citizen, interested in all that concerned the general welfare, voted with the republican party and liberally supported the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member. He married Lucinda Cargill, who was born in Zanesville, O., and a large family was born to them, the most of the children still living and the majority being well settled in life. The eldest, Mary, married Charles Gearhart; Ellen is the wife of James Monroe; Martha married Samuel Kiser; Addie married Joseph Kerns; John; Lucy is the wife of Samuel S. Crumbaugh; Charles is deceased; Thomas H. ; Alice is the wife of Elmer Maxwell; Belle is the wife of Jacob H. Baker; and David.

Thomas H. Ward has always lived on his present farm and has practically had charge of it since his school days, carrying on a general line of agriculture. He has made many improvements here in the way of tiling and fencing and

Mr. Ward was married November n, 1880, to Miss Ida Forsythe Smith. Her father, Pearson Forsythe, gave her when a babe of ten weeks, on the death of her mother, to her annt, Mrs. Maria Smith, whose name became practically hers although she was never adopted. She had four brothers and one sister : William, Ethan, George, Edward, and Maria, the last named being the wife of John Ogden. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have four children : Edna, who is the wife of James Woolley; and Cora, Lola and Donald. Mr. Ward has served several times as road supervisor, elected on the republican ticket, and is much interested in that subject, realizing that good roads are a necessity to an agricultural community. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with the local organization known as the Protective Association.

HENRY CARGILL.* who is one of the old and substantial business men of Port Jefferson, O., where he has conducted a general store for the past fifty years, and, in association with his son, owns five farms in Shelby county, was born at Zanesville, O., April 25, 1833, and is a son of David and Mary A. (Wyant) Cargill. They were natives of the state of New York. Their family consisted of three children that grew to maturity : Andrew, Henry and Mrs. Ward.

Henry Cargill attended the schools of Zanesville, afterward worked on a farm and at the cooper trade until he embarked in his store enterprise. In 1849 the family moved from Zanesville to Piqua and in the same year he came to Port Jefferson. In 1850 his parents moved on a farm north of this place and he made his home there until permanently established in his present business. He married Louisa Elliott, who was born in Shelby county and died here, her burial being at Port Jefferson. Four children were born to them, three of whom are deceased, the one survivor being David Judson, who is a representative citizen of this place.

David Judson Cargill, who, for a number of years was a veterinary surgeon in active practice but now professionally retired, was born in Shelby county, O., September 1, 1867. After completing the common school course at Port Jefferson he attended the Normal School at Lebanon, O., for two terms and subsequently the Ohio Veterinary College, at Cincinnati, from which he was creditably graduated. Since then his home has been at Port Jefferson and he resides in the old homestead with his father, in association with whom he owns five valuable farms in Shelby county. He is identified fraternally with the Masons at Port Jefferson and belongs to the Commandery at Sidney, O., and also is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle at Maplewood, and the Odd Fellows at Port Jefferson. Both father and son are republicans and the latter served as town treasurer for a number of years and for several years past has been treasurer of the cemetery at Port Jefferson. Henry Cargill is one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal church at Port Jefferson and the enviab'e reputation among those who know him best and with whom

THOMAS STOCKSTILL, a highly respected citizen and retired farmer, residing at No. 806 South Main avenue, Sidney, O., for many years carried on large farming operations in Orange township, two miles south of Sidney. He was born on a farm in Miami county, O., May 1 1, 1833, and is a son of Elias W. and Elizabeth (Schroyer) Stockstill.

Elias W. Stockstill moved with his family to Shelby county, and settled in Salem township in 1834, where he owned over 300 acres of woodland, which, with the help of his sons in after years, was cleared and a large part put under cultivation. He was the father of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, seven sons of the family still living, Thomas being the second in order of birth, a daughter being the first-born.

Thomas Stockstill was reared in Salem township from the age of one year and remembers going to school in the old log school house near his father's farm. The first work he ever was seriously engaged in was clearing off land and following the various industries carried on on the home place. Fanning continued his main business during his entire active life and he still owns no acres of his former farm of 160 acres. At one time he owned another farm of forty acres directly south of Sidney but he has disposed of it. In 1863 he moved into Orange township and at first rented land but later purchased the farm directly across the road, which he greatly improved, doing a large amount of clearing and ditching on the same. He made a specialty of raising fine hogs and in all his farm activities was counted a successful man. In 191 1 Mr. Stockstill retired and moved to Sidney August 8, 1912.

Mr. Stockstill was married in 1853 to Miss Martha Ellen Mitchell, who was born in Miami county, O., a daughter of Wilson and Lottie Mitchell, who moved to Shelby county when Mrs. Stockstill was a girl. Eleven children were born to this marriage, namely : Addie, who died over thirty years ago, was the wife of Peter Rodecker and she left one child, Edith, who is the wife of Dr. C. O. Young, and they have one child, Mamie, the only great-grandchild in the family; Elizabeth Belle, who keeps house for her father, is the widow of J. H. Keplinger, who was born in Shelby county in 1852 and owned eighty acres of fine land in Green township, and died February 16, 1912, and they reared Mrs. Dr. Young; Elias, who is a retired farmer of Jackson Center, 0>. ; Sarah Minerva, who is the wife of Louis Nauswander, who is one of the gardeners employed at the Toledo Asylum ; Celia May, who died at the age of twenty years; William, who is a resident of the state of Washington; Peter O., who lives in Orange township; Webster, who is a minister in the Methodist church, is stationed at Bryan, O. ; Etta, who is the wife of Charles Elliott, of Toledo, O. ; Winters, who is a veterinary surgeon, lives in Clinton township; and Herman, who is a resident of Toledo - a large and creditable family. Mr. Stockstill has been almost a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For many years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a Knight Templar. He and family are known all over Shelbv county.

WALLACE ROYAL HARBOUR, one of the excellent farmers of Perry township, Shelby county, 0.> where he owns 139 acres of well improved land, was born in this township, March 19, 1882, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Persinger) Harbour. The father, who was a veteran of the Civil war, died in 1906. He was born in Champaign county but carried on farming in Shelby county for many years and was widely known. He married Elizabeth Persinger, who was born in the latter county and still survives, and they had four children : Charles William Beatty, Elmer E., Harry P. and Wallace Royal.

After his school days were over Wallace Royal Harbour assisted his father until the latter's death, when he inherited sixty-eight acres, and on this land started out for himself. Subsequently he sold that property and then purchased his present farm of 139 acres and here has ever since carried on general farming and moderate stock raising, frequently inaugurating improvements in farm methods and taking the intelligent interest in all that pertains to his business that is the real factor in success in any line.

In June, 1902, Mr. Harbour was married to Miss Edith De Weese, a daughter of Frank and Lottie (Barnes) De Weese. The father of Mrs. Harbour was born in Shelby county and the mother in Logan county. They were substantial people of this county and Mrs. Harbour and her two brothers, both younger, Hamilton and Grover, were all born on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Harbour have two very attractive and intelligent daughters, Velma and Lucile. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Pemberton. Mr. Harbour belongs to the Quincy lodge of Knights of Pythias, and politically is a republican.

T. K. MINNIEAR, who is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Shelby county, now lives somewhat retired, having four acres of land surrounding his comfortable residence at Plattsville, still continues to oversee, however, the operating of his two farms, both- situated in Green township. He was born in Orange township, Shelby county, in 185 1, and is a son of Thomas and Lydia (Johns) Minniear.

Thomas Minniear was born in Miami county, O., and came very early in his life to Orange township, Shelby county, securing several heavily timbered, well watered tracts and at the time of death, when aged eighty-four years, owned about 100 acres of cultivated land. He married Lydia Johns, who died when aged eighty-one years. They had the following children : William, Mrs. Nisha Glasford, Mrs. Maggie Seibert, Mrs. Mary Francis, two babes that died in infancy, and T. K., the only survivors being the last named and his sister, Mrs. Glasford, who lives near Sidney, O.

T. K. Minniear attended school in his boyhood in a scliool house on one of his father's farms and afterward erected additions to the same and lived on that place for fifty-one years, his children attending the same school. For thirty-six years after marriage he lived in the old school house. He owns two farms, one of eighty acres and the other of forty-two acres and general farming, stock raising and fruit growing have been the industries which have mainly taken up his attention. While his heavier responsibilities have been shifted to younger shoulders, Mr. Minniear still continues to be interested and in caring for the small tract around his village home, finds pleasant recreation. Mr. Minniear married Miss Katie Atkinson and ten children have been born to them, namely : Mrs. Macy Miller ; Mrs. Grace Middleton ; Lee, a resident of Dayton ; Joseph, who lives in'Plattsville ; Mrs. Maggie White, of Green township; David, who lives at Sidney; Stanly, who is a resident of Plattsville; Charles, who lives in Green township ; Hannah, who remains with her parents, and Harry, who died at eleven months of age. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Minniear has always been a republican and is known as an earnest and reliable citizen. He has served in local offices and has been township trustee.

H. P. AILES,* one of the representative men of Shelby county, who has served in the office of justice of the peace in Jackson township since 1882, has been engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years. He was born on the old home farm in Franklin township, January 25, 1853, and is a son of Alfred and Melissa Jane (Young) Ailes, and a grandson of Moses H. Ailes, who was the pioneer of the Ailes family in this section.

Alfred Ailes was born at Parkersburg, W. Va., and from there accompanied his father, Moses H. Ailes, to Shelby county, the latter settling five miles southwest of Montra. For a number of years Alfred Ailes was a school teacher and afterward acquired a one-half interest in a saw mill, which he operated until 1868, when he retired to his farm, and then moved to Montra. where he lived during the remainder of his life. He was a man of importance in his section and on the democratic ticket was seven times elected assessor of Jackson township and was also a justice of the peace from 1870 until the time of his death in 1882. He was a lifelong democrat and his sons have followed in his footsteps. In his early years he united with the Seventh Day Baptist church. At the time of death he was aged fifty-seven years and his burial was in the Wesley Chapel cemetery. He married a daughter of Philip Young, a pioneer settler in Shelby county, and she survives and resides with her son.

H. P. Ailes attended school in Jackson township and later moved with his father to Montra and was associated with him in the saw mill business. From 1886 until 1907 he engaged in clerking in a general store, with the exception of two years, and then spent three years in other pursuits, after which he returned to the same store and continued his mercantile life.

Mr. Ailes married Miss Rebecca Jane Beech, who was born at St. John's, Auglaize county, a daughter of E. and Anna Beech, who still reside at St. John's after two years spent in Jackson township. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. Ailes survive and one is deceased. Mr. Ailes has served as a justice of the peace for thirty continuous years, succeeding his father in the office, and has also been road supervisor in Jackson township, but only for one year. He belongs to the order of Maccabees, attending the lodge at Anna, O

J. W. SHERER, whose three farms, all situated in Jackson township, aggregate 360 acres of land, is one of the well known and reliable men of Shelby county. He was born in Stark county, O., four miles east of Canton, October 18, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Barnhart) Sherer.

Jacob Sherer and wife were born in what is now Alsass, Germany, and were seven years old when they accompanied their parents to America and settled in Stark county, O. After reaching maturity they married there and lived for some time in Stark cojnty and then moved to Shelby county, settling in the Montra special school district. Later they disposed of their land and moved to Logan county and they died in Bloomfield township at the age of fifty-eight years, separated by but one year. They were members of the Lutheran church and their burial was in the Port Jefferson cemetery. In politics the father was a democrat but he never held any public office in Shelby county. Of their seven children four are yet living: J. W. ; Matilda, who is the wife of G. H. Clayton of Salem township; George, who married Carrie Bruner, and they live in Logan county; and Orlando, who lives in Logan county, married Flossie Cole.

J. W. Sherer attended school in Logan county and assisted his father on the Logan county farm and afterward engaged in farming for his fatherin-law, Thomas Wright, in Jackson township, Shelby county. Afterward, when his father gave him his present home farm, of 240 acres, he began to raise stock and makes a specialty of thoroughbred Percheron horses. Many improvements have been made on this farm and his other properties and he has nineteen buildings in use. He built the first farm elevator in Shelby county. For the past sixteen years he has occupied his present home farm and utilizes all of his land with the exception of twenty-five acres still in valuable timber. A part of his other land he rents to a tenant and another farm he rents by the field, all providing a satisfactory income on his investments. For about nine years Mr. Sherer was connected with the Maplewood Elevator Company, owning a one-half interest, and he is also interested in the Farmers Telephone Company.

On February 18, 1894, Mr. Sherer was married to Miss Ida M. Wright, who was born April 26, 1874, a daughter of Thomas and Delia (Littlejohn) , Wright. Thomas Wright was born in Franklin county, O., and was eleven years old when he accompanied his parents, John and Sarah (Schultz) Wright, to Delaware county. They were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1865 the Wrights moved to Logan county, where Mr. Wright lived on the home farm of 320 acres. His first marriage was to Delia Littlejohn, who was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, and died at the age of twenty-six years, her burial being in the Pleasant Hill cemetery near Jackson Center. She was a devoted mother to her two children, Ida May and Alice, the former of whom is Mrs. Sherer and the latter is the wife of Elwood Dunson, of Van Wert, O. Mr., Wright's second marriage took place December 31, 1881, to Elizabeth Geyer, a daughter of Philip and Amelia (Herpst) Geyer, natives of Germany. Mrs. Wright died without issue, in 1889, and her burial was at Port Jefferson cemetery. On October 14, 1892, Mr. Wright married

Barbara Johnston, of Franklin couiHy. Mr. and Mrs. Wright live in the eastern part of Jackson township. He owns two valuable farms, one of r6o and the other of 116 acres, both improved, and both rented to good tenants. Since the age of fourteen years Mr. Wright has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sherer the following children have been born : Ralph, Wright, Roy Thomas. Leo Harry, Ray William, Opal Mildred and John Franklin, all of whom survive except two. Ralph and Wright. Mr. Sherer and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he has always been identified with the democratic party but outside of agricultural positions, has accepted no office of a public nature. He is a member of the Grange, is a thirty-second degree Mason, ami from iqoj until 1912 was a member of the Shelby county fair board. He is one of the well balanced business men and reliable and useful citizens of the county.

ELMER SHROYER, whose excellent farm id" 104 acres is situated in Salem township, Shelby county. O., has spent his life here and is numbered with the representative men of Salem township. He was born in this township. May 15, 1876, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Strohlm) Shroyer.

Henry Shroyer was born in Miami county, O.. a son of Joseph Shroyer, who was also born in Ohio, of German parentage. For many years Henry Shroyer was one of the heaviest tax payers in Shelby county, owning over 500 acres of land, and after dividing his large estate with his children, still owns a farm of i(io acres in Salem township and a pleasant and comfortable residence in Maplewood. where he and wife now live retired. To Henry and Mary Shroyer the following children were born: Clara, wife of William Rubert; Ellen, wife of John C. Wones; Hattie. wife of George W. Rose; and Elmer. Nelson and Harry.

Elmer Shroyer obtained his education in the public schools and afterward remained at home assisting his father until his marriage. For fourteen years afterward he rented his present farm from his father and then bought it and ever since coming here has carried on general farming and stock raising, meeting with excellent success. In 1895 he married Miss Clementine C. Faulder, who was born in Shelby comity. ( >., and is a daughter of George and Caroline (Fergus) Faulder. Mr. and Mrs. Shroyer attend the German Reformed church. Mr. Shroyer is a democrat, all the male members of his family being identified also witli this political organization.

S. H. ROGERS,* 1). V. S., who is established at Jackson Center, O., is an experienced and thoroughly trained practitioner in his line of medicine and surgery, and is, probably, one of the best known professional men of Shelby county. He was born December jo. 1X76, in Logan county. O.. two miles southeast of Bloom Center.

After completing his public school education at Lewistown. Doctor Rogers became connected with the firm of Harper Bros., implement dealers at Pemberton. and afterward was with the L. G. Shunberg Company, following which he entered the Cincinnati Veterinary College, from which he was creditably graduated March 30, 1909, and secured his state license in the following July. Since January, 191 1, he has been a member of the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Association, and in February of that year he came to Jackson Center. Perhaps in no profession has science made such rapid strides as in the one to whic'.i Doctor Rogers has dedicated his life work. He has an extensive practice which extends over a radius of ten miles from the city.

Doctor Rogers was married to Miss Elzana Clayton, a daughter of Henry and Lucy Clayton. They enjoy a very attractive home, its location being on the corner of North Main and Jackson streets, Jackson Center. Doctor Rogers is identified politically with the republican party but has never had any taste for political office, and the only fraternal body with which he is connected, outside professional societies, is the Modern Woodmen of America.

LOUIS F. WAGNER, who has been identified with the John Wagner Sons Brewing Company at Sidney, O., all his business life, and is its collector and one of its directors, belongs to a very prominent family of Shelby county. He was born at Sidney, on the site of the present office of the company, August 13, 1866, and is a son of John and Mary A. Wagner.

Mr. Wagner was educated in the parochial school at Sidney and at St. Mary's Institute at Dayton, O., and afterward went into the meat trade, learning the business from the bottom up. He then entered into partnership with John Young in the meat business, but within one year his brother desired him to close out his meat interests in order to assist in the greatly increasing brewery business and he has been so connected ever since and has proven himself an able and effective business man.

Mr. Wagner was married first to Miss Nellie Dorsey, of Shelby county, and they had two sons : J. C. and C. O. Both sons are veterinary surgeons. the former being located at Fostoria, O., and the latter being now connected with McKillip's Veterinary College, at Chicago. The mother of these sons died in 1900. Mr. Wagner's present wife was formerly Miss Sarah Boydston. of Wooster, O. He is identified with the Elks, the Eagles and the United Commercial Travelers.

GEORGE HEMM, capitalist, and for many years identified with the nursery business in Shelby county, O., belongs to one of the old and substantial families of the county and is the only surviving son of the late George Hemm, who was one of the most highly respected and worthy men of this section for many years. George Hemm, the younger, was born at Sidney, O., March 31, 1865, a son of George and Bernadina (Dickas) Hemm.

The mother of Mr. Hemm were born in Bavaria, Germany, and still survives. The father was a native of Baden but was reared in Bavaria and from there entered the German army ami was attached to a cavalry regiment during his allotted term of service. He learned the butcher's trade but when he came to America, probably in 1852, he found himself more interested in other lines open to him in America, and after a year spenj at Buffalo, N. Y., he made his way to Toledo, O., where he engaged in the nursery business. and one year later came to Sidney. Here, in partnership with Mr. Moore and Mr. McCullough, he established the Sidney Nurseries, in 1885, in which he continued to be interested until his death, in 1893. He was a devoted Catholic and a worthy and well known man. He married Bernadina Dickas and three children were born to them: A babe that died in infancy; George; and Nettie E., who is the wife of Milton M. Wagner.

George Hemm was reared at Sidney and was educated in the parochial schools and afterward assisted his father in the nursery business, in which he is still interested. He and mother still own the old nursery farm of 135 acres, situated in Clinton township. They occupy the handsome residence on South Main avenue, which the older George Hemm erected in 1875, during a part of the year, but Mr. Hemm passes the winters in Florida and Houston county, Alabama, near Dothan, where he has property and banking interests. Mr. Hemm and his mother are members of the Catholic church. He is identified with the Elks and with several social organizations.

WILLIAM D. DAVIES, who, for twenty-seven years was a representative member of the bar at Sidney, O., was born at Iowa City, Iowa, January 20, 1848, came to Sidney in 1875, and died in March, 1902. He was a son of David and Mary Davies, and a grandson of Thomas Davies, both natives of Wales. David Davies and wife had three children: Thomas; Sarah, who married Thomas Davies; and William D.

William D. Davies passed his early youth on his father's prairie farm. Later he attended the Iowa State University, read law for three years and in 1870 was admitted to the bar in Iowa City. Afterward, until 1875, ne traveled for different railroads, then came to Sidney and purchased the office and business of Judge Thompson and continued in the active practice of the law in this city until his death. He made an honorable record and at different times was professionally identified with much important litigation.

Mr. Davies married Miss Isabelle Mathers, who was born at Mifflintown, Pa., a daughter of James and Amelia ( Evans) Mathers, and a granddaughter of Gen. Lewis Evans, who was prominent both in military and professional life in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Davies had one sister and two brothers, namely: Margaret, who is the wife of Dr. L. E. Atkinson, of Mifflintown; Lewis E., who died in 1873 was cashier of the Citizens Bank at Sidney; and Orlando Owen, now deceased, who was auditor of Shelby county for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Davies had one daughter, Amelia, whose young life closed in her twentieth year, having survived her father but two years. Mr. Davies was a consistent member of the Congregational church all his life. He was an openhearted, broad minded man and had a wide circle of attached and admiring friends. He was a Knight Templar Mason.

A. W. DAVIS, postmaster at Jackson Center, O., to which office he was appointed in 1907 and has served with the greatest efficiency, was born at

After completing the public school course at Jackson Center. A. \Y. Davis became a student at Alfred University, near Hornell, N. Y., but left college with the Third N. Y. Vol. Inf., to serve in the Spanish- American war and after his military service was over attended Bond Institute in New York City, graduating in 1904. He possesses a natural artistic taste and this led to his learning window trimming and he traveled over several states in professional work, but, owing to a fall received while so engaged, was obliged to give up that line of business. He then was in the employ of the Buckeye Clothing Company until he received his appointment as postmaster. He has always been a republican but has never accepted any other public position than the one he so acceptably fills. He has made many improvements both in the service and in his office equipments and Mrs. Davis is his very capable assistant.

Mr. Davis married Miss Florence Darnell, of Adrian, Mich., a daughter of William Darnell and a granddaughter of David Darnell, a pioneer of Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one daughter, Evelyn. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge at Littleton, N. H.. and the Royal Arch at Lisbon, N. H.. this being the first state he became a citizen of after becoming of age. He also belongs to the Sons of Veterans at Atlantic City, N. J.

EDD McVAY,* a leading citizen of Sidney, O., where he is engaged in the contracting business, has spent the larger part of his life in Shelby county and was born in Perry township, in the old log house in which his mother was also born, on his maternal grandfather's farm. March 14, 1864. and is a son of Lewis B. and Marian B. (Redinbough) McVay.

The McVay family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and from its earliest records has been a sturdy and long-lived one. At the time of death the ages of the paternal grandfather and his four brothers aggregated over 400 years. His name was James McVay and he came early to Shelby county and lived here into extreme old age, being within two years of the century mark at the time of decease. He probably was a native of Tickaway county, O., and his occupation was farming. The name of his wife was Hannah Lamasters and she was of Welsh extraction. They had the following children : Rachel, who was the wife of A. A. Dunson ; Jesse R., who has been a resident of Cass county, Neb., since the Civil war; Louis B. ; Martha, who is the widow of John Cargill, resides at Port Jefferson, O. ; James, who died in Salem township, was a farmer ; and Jane, who is the wife of Lewis Wills, a farmer in Salem township, Shelby county, near Maplewood.

Lewis B. McVay was born in Shelby county in 1839, on the old family homestead in Salem township. In hfs earlier years he was a butcher by trade but from 1868 until he retired he was engaged in building and has been a resident of Sidney for the past twenty-one years. He married Marian B. Redinbough, a daughter of David and Peggy (Lucas) Redinbough. Her father was of German parentage but was born in Pennsylvania. Three of his children died early and of those who grew to maturity, Mrs. McVay is the only survivor. One brother, Solomon D., died at Piqua, O. One sister, Mary Ann, who was the wife of Thomas Eltington, died at Port Jefferson. To Louis B. McVay and wife seven children were born, the eldest of the family being Edd McVay, of Sidney. The next in order of birth, Frank Miller, is a molder by trade and a resident of Sidney. He married Catherine Dunn, who died in the fall of 1910. Anna Mary, the eldest daughter, is Mrs. Stiles, of Evansville, Ind. The four children next born all died in infancy: Kilty, James, Burney and Burley, the two last named being twins.

Edd McVay attended the country schools in Perry township and also had school advantages at Port Jefferson up to the age of fifteen years, at which time his father considered him old enough to learn a self-supporting trade and he became a butcher and followed that trade for many years. Since 1890, however, he has been engaged in a general contracting business. In politics he is a republican and is influential in local matters, a wide-awake and intelligent citizen, interested in all movements that tend to improve general conditions in this section. In January, 1910, he entered upon his duties as a member of the board of public service, at Sidney, and continued until January, 19 1 2. Mr. McVay has some other business interests and represents Shelby county for the Indiana & Ohio Livestock Insurance Company.

On May 2, 1889, Mr. McVay was married to Miss Lillian L. Cargill, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Oliver and Rosanna Cargill, residents of Jackson Center, O. Mr. and Mrs. McVay have had four children, two of whom are now deceased: Jessie, who lived but one year, and Willis C, who died in infancy. The two survivors are: Bessie, who graduated from the Sidney high school bearing off the highest honors of the class of 191 1, and is now a student at the Miami University; and Louis O., who is a student in the Sidney high school. Mr. McVay is quite prominent in fraternal circles and belongs to a number of the leading organizations. He is a member of Summit Lodge No. 50, Knights of Pythias, at Sidney; Sidney Lodge No. 60, Odd Fellows; Osceola Encampment No. 63, Sidney; Sidney Lodge of Elks No. 786: Helsherf Temple, D. O'. K. K, No. 32, Sidney, and others.

JOHN F. AILES, who is one of the well known and representative men of Shelby county, owns and oversees his well improved farm of eighty acres situated in Jackson township, of which he has been a resident since he was three years of age. He was born in Franklin township, Shelby county, May 19, 1858, and is a son of Alfred and Melissa Jane (Young) Ailes, and a grandson of Moses H. Ailes. The father of Mr. Ailes is deceased and the mother resides with her son.

John F. Ailes was reared in Jackson township and received his education in the public schools and in the Southern Ohio University, Lebanon, O. For thirty-two years Mr. Ailes taught school, for thirty-one years in Jackson township and one year in Dinsmore township, devoting his energies entirely to his native county, but not confining himself exclusively to his educational work. Mr. Ailes has very often been called into public life and to every position .has devoted his best effort. For three years he served as deputy county auditor, for one year was deputy probate judge assisting Judge Hoskins, for eight years was clerk of Jackson township and for the same number of years has served as a member of the board of county school examiners, his last appointment being in Septerhber, 1912. In politics he is a democrat, of that school which prefers the doctrines of the fathers, based on the experience of the ages, to the untried theories of innovators. Mr. Ailes traces his family back to the founding of Philadelphia, through the following ancestry: Alfred Ailes, -Moses H. Ailes, William Underwood Ailes, Stephen Ailes, and Stephen Ailes who came from Wales.

Mr. Ailes was married to Miss Lovina Drumm, who was born in Hardin county, O., a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Drumm, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ailes have four children : Melville, who is a physician and surgeon practicing at Garrettsville, O. ; Arlington, who is a physican at Jackson Center: Sidney, who is a school teacher in Jackson township: and Helen, who lives at home. For twenty years Mr. Ailes has been identified with the order of Odd Fellows at Jackson Center and Sidney, for four years representing the thirty-seventh district of Ohio in the grand lodge.

JAMES W. CLANCEY, who is one of the well-known and highly respected retired residents of Shelby county, O., has long been one of the heavy tax payers of Franklin township, where he still resides and owns land in the county aggregating 344 acres. Mr. Clancey was born March 4, 1836, in Green county, O., and was brought to Shelby county when a babe of one year by his parents who were William and Rachel (Steele) Clancey.

William Clancey was born in Kentucky. He was a cooper by trade and a good workman but when the business was no longer profitable after factories began to make barrels and casks that formerly were entirely fashioned by hand, he turned his attention to farming and so spent the remainder of his life. He married Rachel Steele, who was born in Virginia and both died in Shelby county, James W. being their only child. They were members of the United Presbyterian church.

James W. Clancey attended the country schools and later the Union school at Sidney, and following his school days engaged in agricultural pursuits continuously until he retired from active labor, with the exception of two years during which period he was in the grocery business at Sidney. He inherited eighty acres of his land and with that as a nucleus added tract after tract until he became one of the largest land owners in Franklin township. The main industry of his farm has always been the raising of crops, largely grain, there always being, however, enough good stock every year to fully supply the home demand. Since he has retired, his son-in-law, S. W. Mead, operates the large farm and resides with Mr. Clancey.

In 1862, Mr. Clancey was married to Miss Malvina Shaw, who was born in Montgomery county, O. and died in 1905, her burial being in Graceland cemeterv, Sidney. Her parents were Thomas and Nancy (McDonald) Shaw, and they had children as follows : Malvina ; Margaret, who died young ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of George McVay; Eliza, who is the wife of David Hume; and John C. To Mr. and Mrs. Clancey three children were born, namely: Capitola, who is the wife of J. A. Parker and they have two children - Clancey and Metta Marie; Nannie, who is the wife of S. M. Wead; and William S., who married Glenna Wead. In politics Mr. Clancey is a Republican.

WILLIAM T. McLEAN of the Slusser-McLean Scraper Company, was born in Sidney, March 16, 1852, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth S. Taylor-McLean. His father was born in Shippensburg, Pa., March 9, 1821, and settled in Dayton, O, when it was a small village. His mother was born in Sidney. O., October 4, 1826, and was the daughter of Jason and Sarah J. Skillen-Taylor. The first business experience of our subject was with Taylor Brothers, hardware merchants, with whom he remained four years. From 1874 to 1880 he was a traveling salesman for Crawford & Zellers, cracker manufacturers of Mansfield, O. In the early part of 1880, he returned to Sidney and formed a partnership with Benjamin Slusser in the manufacture of wheeled and drag scrapers. From 1882 to 1884 he was manager and one-third owner of the Forest City Cracker Company, Cleveland, O., alternating his time between the two cities.

Since May, 1891, he has been secretary of the state board of public works, and was recently appointed for the tenth time. He married Mary A. Slusser, daughter of Benjamin and Anne (Korns) Slusser, on May 21, 1874. Benjamin Slusser was born in Franklin township on June 6, 1828, and was the son of Jacob and Mary Woodsing-Slusser. Jacob Slusser was born in Pennsylvania, and was the fifteenth pioneer family in Shelby county. Anne Korns was born in Sidney, and was the daughter of Silas and Mary Austin-Korns. Anne Korns-Slusser died in 1868. Benjamin Slusser married for his second wife, Martha L. Armstrong. Mr. and Mrs. McLean have four children: Ben F. C. ; Taylor T. ; Bertha J. and Frederick A.

Mr. McLean is high in the councils of Masonry, having received all the degrees to the thirty-second inclusive. He has been honored by promotion to the highest office in all the Masonic bodies of Sidney, and is at present the grand captain general of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio, and grand master of the Must Illustrious Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Ohio. Mr. Slusser was also a member of Temperance Lodge, No. -3. Benjamin Slusser was the original inventor and patentee and manufacturer of road scrapers made from sheet steel, the pattern now so universally used by all manufacturers. The first scraper was made in Cincinnati in 1876. The following year he moved to Sidney. These scrapers are household words with contractors, railroad graders, etc.

WILSON CAROTHERS. one of the proprietors of the Buckeye Churn Company is a native of Wyandot county, O.. where he was born, July 20. 1855. His father, William Carothers. was born in 18 14. and his mother,

Mary Jackson-Carothers, was born in 1818. His education was received in the schools of his native country, where he remained on the farm till the age of nineteen when he began clerking in a drug store at Carey, O. In November, 1874, and in September, 1876, he bought the store where he was clerking, and continued to conduct the drug business until 1891, when he sold out and moved to Sidney, O., and since that time has given his entire time to the business of the Buckeye Churn Company, of which he and James Anderson are the sole proprietors. This company was organized in 1887, at Carey, O., by Messrs. Anderson. Carothers and E. S. Denham, the latter selling out to the present proprietors. This company has been highly successful from the start, which is due to the present proprietors and their able management. On November 25, 1877, Mr. Carothers was married to Miss Emma J. Keller, who was born in Wyandot county, April 27, 1854. She received her education in the schools of that county. To this union have been born four boys, all of whom are living. Mr. Carothers is a supporter of the principles of the republican party, and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge. As a citizen and business man he ranks among the best in Sidney.

GEORGE M. BAKER,* who owns and operates the old Baker homestead of eighty-eight acres, situated in Washington township, Shelby county, O., was born on this farm in 1875 and is a son of Ephraim and Nancy (Cain) Baker.

Ephraim Baker was born also in Shelby county and spent forty-four years of his life on the above mentioned farm, doing the larger part of the clearing. In addition to farming and stock-raising, he also worked at the ice business for a time. His death occurred here in his seventy-fourth year. He married Nancy Cain, who came from West Virginia and they had the following children; Junie, Mrs. Flora Saunders, Albert, Leo, Franklin, George M., Mrs. Peter Higgins and M. L., the last named being a resident of North Dakota. The four survivors of the family include' George M., M. L., Mrs. Saunders and Mrs. Higgins.

After his school days were over Mr. Baker was engaged in a grocery business for some ten years. In 1908 he decided to turn his attention to farming and with this end in view bought the interests of the other heirs in the homestead and since then has been successfully carrying on general farming and stock-raising, cultivating his own land and an adjoining eighty acres.

Mr. Baker married Miss Adelle Filler and they have two children : William and Alfred. Mr. Baker and family are members of the United Brethren church at Lockington, O. Politically he is a republican and fraternally is identified with the Odd Fellows at Kirkwood and belongs to the encampment at Sidney.

JOSEPH KAISER, one of the representative men of Cynthian township Shelby county, O., resides two and a half miles south and one-half mile west of Fort Loramie, where he owns 136 acres of well improved, valuable land.

Theodore and Elizabeth Kaiser, parents of Joseph Kaiser, were natives of Germany, he having been born in Hersbruck, Prussia, March 25, 1805, and Mrs. Kaiser at Handorf, Westphalen, March 19, 1822. Several years after his father died, Theodore Kaiser came to the United States with his mother and his brother, and the latter's family. They arrived in Glandorf, Putnam county, O., August 14, 1836, where they stayed more than a year, then moved to Minster, Auglaize county, O. Theodore Kaiser then helped to dig the Miami and Erie canal. Elizabeth Kaiser came to the United States with her parents, her grandmother, three sisters and one brother, in 1836. They passed through Cincinnati, O., on their way to Minster, Auglaize county, and Elizabeth, with her next oldest sister remained in Cincinnati to work, as their parents were not financially able to take their whole family to Minster. They remained there a few years, then also moved to Minster where they gave their parents help on their rented farm. Theodore Kaiser was married at Minster to Elizabeth Stegemann, in 1840, and they made their home on a farm two and one-half miles northwest from Minster, O., now in possession of their son, John Kaiser. At the time of their marriage, they had but a part of the farm as it now is, later adding to it until it consisted of 100 acres. They became parents of the following children : Henry ; William ; Bernard ; Mary; Anna; Mary; John; Joseph; Frank; and Anton. Of these children: William and the two named Mary died in infancy and were buried in the St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard at Minster; and Henry, who died on his farm about one and one-half miles northwest of Chickasaw, Mercer county, O., January 29, 1892, aged forty-nine years, six months and twenty-seven days, and was buried in St. Sebastian's graveyard. Theodore Kaiser, father of the subject of this sketch, died on his farm, August 30, 1880, aged seventyfive years, four months and five days. His widow remained on the home farm a few years, then went to the home of her son, Frank Kaiser, about one and a half miles southeast from Sharpsburg, Darke county, O., where she died on July 12, 1908, aged eighty-six years, three months and twenty-three days. Theodore Kaiser and his wife were laid to rest in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard at Minster. They were good, wholesouled, kind-hearted people, and were devout members of the Catholic church at Minster. The mother of Theodore Kaiser, both parents of Elizabeth Kaiser and her grandmother also died in Minster, and were buried in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard at that place.

Joseph Kaiser attended school in boyhood at Minster, O., and afterward gave his father help on the farm. After the father's death, the mother, by will, gave the farm to her son Joseph, it hieing the farm he now owns in Cynthian township, his father having purchased the same before his death. It was partly improved at that time and its present owner has remodeled the farmhouse and repaired all the other farm buildings, making the place comfortable and attractive. All of his land is under cultivation except twenty- eight acres yet in timber and, with all of it well watered by the canal and Loramie creek, he finds it well adapted to both crop and stock-raising.

Joseph Kaiser was united in marriage with Miss Mary Housfeld, February, 16, 1887, in St. Peter and St. Paul's Catholic church at Newport, Shelby county, O., by Rev. Father Nicolous Poirey. Mary Housfeld was born July 7, 1865, near Minster, Auglaize county, O., and is a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Housfeld. Her parents were both natives of Auglaize county, O., he having been born in 1837 and his wife on January 28, 1846. He died on the farm on which he was born, the date of his death being March 11, 1881, when aged forty-four years, and he was buried in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard. He was always a devout member of the Catholic church at Minster. Mr. and Mrs. Housfeld had the following children : John, Mary, Caroline, Joseph, Henry, Elizabeth, Bernard, Clemens and Rosa. Of these children, all survive except: Clemens, who died in infancy; John, who died in Cincinnati on September 4, 1900, aged thirty-six years, seven months and ten days; and Henry, who died at St. Mary's, O., on November 25, 1912, aged forty-one years, eleven months and twenty-five days. The last named and Clemens were buried in St. Augustinus Catholic graveyard, and John was buried in a Catholic cemetery at Cincinnati, O.

Joseph and Mary Kaiser became parents of the following children : Cecelia, Elizabeth, Louis, Mary, Julia, Paulina, August, Amelia, Rosa and Emma. All were born on the home farm and all are living but August, who died June 11, 190 1, aged two years, five months and twenty-three days; and Amelia, who died December 30, 1900, aged fourteen days. They were both buried in St. Michael's Catholic graveyard at Fort Loramie. Mr. Kaiser and family belong to St. Michael's Catholic church at Ft. Loramie. Mr. Kaiser is a democrat.

P. F. VERDI ER,* who resides on a part of the old homestead farm, having eighty acres of the came, situated nine miles southeast of Sidney, O., in Green township, was born on this place in 1877, and is a son of P. F. and Sarah E. (Hand) Verdier.

P. F. Verdier came to Shelby county from Clark county, O., when a young man and entered this farm from the government, subsequently clearing a part of it. He engaged in farming and also taught school and music and became one of the best known men in this section. He lived to the age of eighty-one years his widow, who was formerly Sarah E. Hand, still surviving and making her home with her children, by whom she is much beloved. They were seven in number, namely : Mrs. Carrie Frazier, Mrs. Julia Worthington, Mrs. Martha H. Shaw, Mrs. Stella Watkins, P. F., Mrs. Laura M. White, and Cyrus O., who is deecased.

P. F. Verdier assisted his father on the home farm after his school days were over and has followed agricultural activities here ever since. The present substantial buildings replaced the ones erected in earlier days by his father, and in addition to making many other improvements, Mr. Verdier cleared twenty acres of the land and has made a fertile tract of it.

H. B. DIRKSEN, one of the well-known citizens of Shelby county, O., who carries on general farming on his valuable property containing 120 acres, situated in section 4, McLean township, one mile south and two and onehalf miles west of Mnister, O., was born in McLean township, December 31, 1 85 1, and is a son of Herman and Elizabeth Dirksen.

Herman Dirksen and wife were both born and reared in Germany. He came to Minster, O., when a young man, where he married and lived for a time and then bought forty acres of land in Auglaize county. At a later date he sold his first farm and bought the farm of 120 acres on which his son now lives and here he died at the age of sixty-five years and his burial was in the Catholic cemetery at Minster, O. His wife had died in Auglaize county.

H. B. Dirksen was educated in the school district that was named in honor of his uncle, the late Bernard Dirksen, once a prominent man at Minster. O. His mother died when he was only twelve years old and he still remembers her with filial affection. He learned how to be a successful farmer from his father and in 1870 relieved his father of the responsibility of the farm and operated it for him until his death. He has continued here, making many improvements including the erection of the present substantial farm structures, and the draining and tiling that have served to sweeten his land and make it productive in the highest degree. He carries on all kinds of farm work and gives considerable attention to raising grain and cattle and hogs.

Mr. Dirksen married Miss Mary Horstman, who was born at Minster. O., September 8, 1857, a daughter of John Albert and Mary Horstman, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dirksen have four children: John, Arnold, Celia and Katie. The family belongs to the Catholic church. In politics he has always been a democrat. He is an excellent citizen and has always taken a great interest in the public schools and served for eleven years as school director of the Dirksen special school district.

C. O. REDINBO,* whose excellent farm of sixty-four acres is situated six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, Shelby county, O., is a well-known citizen of Orange township, in which he has spent almost all his life. He was born in 1866, in Bond county, 111., and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Voorhees) Redinbo.

Aaron Redinbo was born in Shelby county, O., where he attended school, grew to manhood and married and afterward moved to Bond county. 111. From there he returned to Shelby county and located in Orange township, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Elizabeth Voorhees, who was also born in Shelby county. Her death occurred on the present home farm, in 1887, when in her forty-sixth year. They had four children: Anna B., who resides with her brother; C. O. ; Samuel R.. who died young and a babe that died unnamed.

education in Shelby county. Afterward he assumed the agricultural responsibilities of the home farm and has continued here ever since. An intelligent farmer like Mr. Redinbo finds that Shelby county land can be made very productive and some very fine stock has also been raised on his place and for twelve years he has also grown tobacco.

Mr. Redinbo married Miss Nora Riley, who was born in Madison county, Ind., and they have three children : Iona E., who is the wife of A. G. Wheaton ; Frank C, who assists his father; and Victorine, who is equally useful to her mother. Mr. Redinbo has been identified with the republican party during his entire political life, but takes no very active part in campaigns, although any local agitation concerning the proper administration of law in order to make this a peaceable neighborhood, finds him wide awake and ready for responsibility.

WILLIAM MARION SNOW, a well-known citizen of Shelby county, who has given much attention to dealing in stock for many years, resides on his valuable farm of ninety acres, situated in section 22, Cynthian township, ten miles distant from Sidney. He was born in Miami county, O., October 4, 1850, and was six years old when his parents, George and Nancy (Chrowel) Snow, brought him to Shelby county.

The parents of Mr. Snow were well-known people, living into old age in Shelby county, where the mother died in her seventy-fifth year and the father when aged eighty years. The father was born in Germany and came to America when aged seven years, and the mother was born in Virginia. They were members of the Dunkard or German Baptist church. Of their nine children, W. M. is the only survivor.

W. M. Snow obtained his educational training in the Hopewell special school district and then began work as a farmer o:i the farm he now owns. When thirty-two years old he began to buy stock, in associaiton with John Borger, and they continued together for nine years, Mr. Snow operating alone since then. His buying territory extends through Shelby, Darke, Auglaize and Miami counties and the volume of his business annually is very heavy.

Mr. Snow married Miss Henrietta Miller, who was born in Lancaster county. Pa., a daughter of C. K. Miller, later of Cynthian township. Mr. and Mrs. Snow have no living children. They attend the Christian church. In politics Mr. Snow has always been a democrat and in the fall election of 19 12 was elected to the office of county commissioner of Shelby county and will assume the duties of the same in September, 1913. Prior to this he has frequently been elected to public office, being a man of wide acquaintance and unquestioned popularity, and acceptably served two terms as a trustee of Cynthian township, in 1910 was land appraiser, and for two terms was treasurer of the Hopewell district school board.

ANTON RIETHMANN, who is one of the highly respected and well informed citizens of McLean township, Shelby county, Ohio, and for four successive years president of the Deiter Special School District, resides in section 19, on one of his two farms, which together aggregate eighty-two acres. He was born in Germany, November 28, 1848, and lived in his own land through his school period, after which he determined to seek his fortune in America.

It was in 1866 that Mr. Riethmann reached the United States and made his way to Auglaize county, Ohio, and for some years he made his home at or -near Minster. In 1872 he settled on the farm which he has occupied ever since, his first work being the clearing of thirty-eight acres and this was followed by ditching, draining and tiling, all of his property being under cultivation with the exception of about ten acres which is covered with valuable timber. He carries on a general farming line and is one of the township's solid and substantial men. Through his own efforts he has acquired property and through his sterling character has gained the respect and confidence of his neighbors. In these days every progressive community is very anxious to give school privileges to its children and is pretty careful in selecting those who have the management of this matter, and that Mr. Reithmann for so long a period kept his place at the head of the educational board, speaks well for the value placed on his services by his fellow citizens.

Mr. Reithmann was married to Miss Mary Sohmann, who was born in Auglaize county, a daughter of H. H. Sohmann, of McLean township, Shelby county. They have had the following children born to them : Anna, Mary, Henry, Frank, Elizabeth, Josephine, Joseph, Frances, Regina and an infant daughter, now deceased. Mr. Reithmann and family are members of St. Augustus Roman Catholic church at Minster. In politics he is a Democrat.

J. C. ELDREDGE, V. S.,* who, for thirty-five years has been engaged in the practice of his profession and is one of the best known citizens of Shelby county, Ohio, resides on his well improved farm of ten acres, which is situated six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, Ohio. He was born in Orange township, Shelby county, on his father's farm, two and three-fourths miles west of the one he owns, and is a son of John and Margaret (Line) Eldredge.

John Eldredge was born in Virginia and was nine years old when his parents came to Shelby county among the pioneers. John Eldredge was a farmer and also a veterinary surgeon while living on his farm in Shelby county, after which he spent three years at DeGraff, Ohio, and the last ten years of his life at Piqua, Ohio. He married Margaret Line, who died in middle age, the mother of seven children, namely: Henry, who died in infancy Jonathan and Elijah, both of whom are deceased; Mrs. Isenberger, who lives at Dayton, Ohio; J. C. ; Shelby E., who lives in Orange township, Shelby county; and Zelola, who is deceased.

Until he was seventeen years old, J. C. Eldredge attended the district schools during the winter seasons, assisting on the farm in the summers. His father's professional duties became so heavy at this time that the youth frequently was called on to help and in this way began to learn the science to which a large part of his subsequent life was devoted. When he was con- sidered competent, the father of Dr. Eldredge placed much confidence in him, giving him a part of his territory and for many years they worked together. Dr. Eldredge learned practical surgery from his father and has been a student of works written on all subjects pertaining to veterinary science and keeps thoroughly informed concerning his profession. He is considered one of the most skillful veterinary surgeons in all this section and his practice covers a wide territory. He has made all the improvements on his property and has a very comfortable home.

Dr. Eldredge was married to Miss Laura A. Linn, daughter of Adam Linn, a representative of one of the old county families, and six children have been born to them, as follows: Mrs. Flora Robbins, Clyde T., Walter Jeson. Mrs. Jennie Denise, Mrs. Hattie Harbaugh, and Forest. Since 1862 Dr. Eldredge has been a member of the Baptist church. Although not identified with any political party he is an interested and active citizen and when he casts his vote it is for a candidate thoroughly approved by his own judgment.

HENRY BAMBAUER, deceased, whose well improved farm of 120 acres is situated in Van Buren township, Shelby county, Ohio, four and onehalf miles northwest of Botkins, was a well known and respected citizen. His son, Henry A. Bambauer, was born on this farm in 1874 and has spent his life here. The latter is a son of Henry and Barbara (Paul) Bambauer.

Henry Bambauer was born in Germany and after coming to the United States located in Ohio and subsequently was married at New Bremen. A family of eleven children was born to this marriage, three of whom, John. Peter and Mary, are deceased. The record of the others is as follows : Henry A.; Edwin F., who lives three and one-half miles west of Botkins, married Matilda Kuck; Harvey H. married Bertha Langebrake, who died May 12, 1912; Callie, who is the wife of Henry Valentine and they live in Auglaize county; Rosina, who is the wife of Edward Geib, of Van Buren township; Ida, who is the wife of Julius Stine, of Sidney; Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Mauer, of Sidney; and Bertha, who is the wife of Lafayette Melter, of Lima, Ohio. The father of the above family died in 1906. The mother, who was born in 1845, stiU survives.

Henry A. Bambauer attended the public schools and from boyhood has been interested in agricultural pursuits. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has given considerable attention to the improving of this place. He married Miss Ida Tangeman, a daughter of Herman and Elizabeth Tangeman, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bambauer have had two children, Viola and Homer, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Bambauer had two brothers and one sister : Theodore, who married Maude Stone of New Bremen, and they reside at Wapakoneta, where he is prosecuting attorney; George, who lives at Junction City, Kansas, married Mae Dike; and Lida, who died when aged twenty-two years. Mr. Bambauer and family belong to the active membership of the Lutheran church and he formerly held the office of deacon in the same.

HARRY COTTERMAN,* one of the respected citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Dinsmore township, Shelby county, Ohio, whose well improved farm of eighty acres lies two miles northwest of Anna, Ohio, was born in Paulding county, Ohio, in 1888, and is a son of Henry and Almaretta (Beck) Cotterman. Harry Cotterman is one of a family of seven children, the other members being : Judson, who lives in Miami county, Ohio ; Rudolph, who lives in Dinsmore township, Shelby county; Effie, who lives at Bradford, Shelby county; Arthur, who is in business in Michigan; Jessie, who resides with her brother Harry; and Carl, who has always lived in Dinsmore township.

Harry Cotterman secured a common school education. With the exception of two years, during which he was employed at Anna, Ohio, Mr. Cotterman has devoted all his mature life to agricultural pursuits and these he carries on according to modern methods and has been signally successful. On December 23, 191 1, Mr. Cotterman was married.

MARTIN LACEY, who has been a resident of Sidney, Ohio, since 1866, now lives retired in his very comfortable residence at No. 431 South Ohio avenue, was born November 11, 1830, at Knockscamolin, County Wexford, Ireland, and is a son of James and Mary Lacey.

Martin Lacey was seven years old when brought to the United States and he attended the public schools at Cincinnati, Ohio. He afterward learned the machinist trade, his instructor being Morris Greenwood, an early manufacturer there of fire engines. Mr. Lacey continued to work at his trade in Cincinnati for fifteen years, when he came to Sidney, where he went to work in a sawmill and became a manufacturer of chairs, later established a small factory and conducted this business for about seven years. Mr. Lacey then began to do some building and erected about twelve houses at Sidney, they being on his own property and he still owns and rents them, they occupying the old site of his sawmill. He also was in the grocery trade for about twenty years, retiring from the same in 1900. Mr. Lacey is a well known and highly respected citizen and during his long business career was noted for his sterling honesty.

At Sidney, April 17, 1869, Mr. Lacey was married to Miss Annie Harrison, who was born in this city, a daughter of John Harrison, who left Ohio in her infancy and in 1849 started for California and died on the plains while on the way. Mrs. Lacey was adopted by a childless resident of Sidney and this city has always been her home. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lacey: Mayme; Bertha, who is the wife of John McNeff, of Lima, and they have one child, Mary Margaret; Dorothy, who died in 1898, when aged twenty-two years; and Jessie, who died in 1890, when aged eleven years. Mr. Lacey has never been very active in politics, although always a good and mindful citizen in a quiet way, and has usually cast his vote with the Republican party.

LOUIS KAH, Jr., who is second vice-president of the Shelby County Building: and Loan Association, at Sidney. Ohio, and a director of the same and practically its first promoter, belongs to one of the stable old families of the county, of German extraction. He was born on a farm in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, ten miles north of Sidney, Ohio, September 21, 1855, and is a son of George and Dorothy (Zimpfer) Kah.

George Kah and wife were born in Germany and the latter was only three years old when her parents came to the United States and located sixteen miles east of Columbus, Ohio. When she was eight years old they came to Shelby county and settled on land east of Anna, where her father, Jacob Zimpfer, secured land. Mrs. Kah still survives, but Mr. Kah died at Sidney, to which place they moved in 1864. and there he carried on a shoe business until the close of his life.

Louis Kah, Jr., attended the public schools of Sidney and afterward assisted his uncle, Louis Kah, Sr., for whom he was named, in conducting a general store at Anna. After returning to Sidney and finding no business opening that was satisfactory, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in a town in Georgia, where he remained for two years when he again returned to his home in Sidney. Here, in 1880, he embarked in the tin and hardware line in which he continued for nine years, in the meanwhile becoming interested in the electric lighting business. His enterprise and public spirit induced him to purchase a site across the river where he installed an electric light and water plant, in 1900, which was of the greatest utility and was known under his name. Mr. Kah subsequently sold the same to the Sidney Electric Light Company, since which time he has been somewhat retired. It was largely through. his efforts that the business men of Sidney became interested in the papers to secure subscribers. The company was organized in December, organization of the building and loan company which has developed into so important a business factor here, Mr. Kah personally presenting the first 1895, and began business in the Metcalf building, removing in 1901 to a fine modern structure of their own.

In 1876 Mr. Kah was married to Miss Alfaretta E. Anderson, who is a daughter of William H. Anderson, of Sidney, and they have six children, namely : Harland Edward, who is connected in a business way with the Sidney Building and Loan Association; Ralph C, who is assistant secretary of the above organization; Julia; Carrie, who is the wife of R. M. Moore, lives in Tennessee; William H., who is a watchmaker by trade; and D. C, whose business interests are connected with wall paper at Sidney. Mr. Kah is a leading member of the Sidney Commercial Club.

C. E. WATKINS,* a general farmer and representative citizen of Green township, Shelby county, Ohio, managing and operating the old Yerdier homestead of eighty acres, was born in Miami county, Ohio, near Piqua, and is a son of Asbury and Rebecca (Moon) Watkins.

Asbury Watkins was well known in several counties for he not only was a recognized preacher in the Christian church but was also a farmer and for many years practiced veterinary surgery. His death occurred on his homestead, May 10, 1882, at the age of sixty-three years. His marriage was with Rebecca (Moon) Chapman, widow of Nathan Chapman. His widow and three children survive, C. E. being the second in order of birth. An older brother, E. A., lives at Albany, Missouri, and a younger, E. H., resides in Ohio, a farmer in Champaign county.

C. E. Watkins obtained his educational training in Miami county, after which he followed farming on the homestead until after his marriage. Since then, with the exception of four years spent in Tennessee, he has resided in Green township, taking charge of his mother-in-law's farm in 1910. General farming is carried on here including crop and stock raising.

Mr. Watkins married Miss Mary Estella Verdier and they have four children: Veva, Dale, Clyde and Ethel. The family belongs to the Christian church. In his political affiliations Mr. Watkins is a Republican.

HERBERT R. McVAY, the efficient superintendent of the Sidney schools, was born in Athens county, Ohio, the day that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, April 14, 1865.

His parents were Wallace Webster McVay and Anna McCune McVay. His grandparents and great-grandparents on both sides came from Pennsylvania and settled in Athens county in the early part of the 19th century. Both branches of the family were of Scotch Irish descent of the Calvinistic faith and were ever among the social and religious leaders of their respective communities.

When fifteen years of age the subject of this sketch moved with his parents and four sisters from the farm which had been his birthplace and that of his father to Athens, the county seat as well as the seat of Ohio University. Here he and his sisters attended the public schools and in time all graduated from the university, Mr. McVay with two degrees, that of Bachelor of Philosophy and of Pedagogy. He afterward did post graduate work in the University of Chicago, and has just finished a course in pedagogy in Columbia University for he is in truth a progressive and is ambitious to keep abreast of the times.

Before taking up the supervision of schools he worked in the office of the county newspaper, read law, taught in the county schools and was a teacher in the Athens County Children's Home. His work as superintendent comprised one year at Frazeysburg, six years at Somerset and Reading townships, four years at Washington, C. H., whence he came to Sidney in 1902.

Mr. McVay has not stagnated in the vacation times for he taught in the summer schools at Miami University in 1907 and 1908; has been a lecturer in Teachers' Institutes, an active member of the National Educational Association whose meetings he always attends, President of the Ohio Teachers' Association and of- the Ohio Superintendents' Round Table. He is Past Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias, member of the lodge of Elks and belongs to the Beta Theta Pi College fraternity, a prominent member of the Sidney Commercial Club and a Presbyterian in faith.

Professor McVay is a teacher by native inclination and lias brought to his work an unusual amount of power. He is unceasing in his efforts to train and stimulate his teachers and his hobby is the teaching of pedagogy and the study of child nature. He has succeeded in making the Sidney schools a social center by interesting the parents in the work of the children and has been rewarded with the longest term of service of any survivor of the Sidney schools. He has seen the enrollment of the Sidney high school increase more than one hundred per cent since his coming and has largely contributed to its taking first rank among the schools of the state which means that the school holds membership in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and that such schools accept its graduates without examination. This rank is given by the State Commissioner of Schools for a generally accepted standard of excellence.

Mr. McVay was married at Somerset, Ohio. August 20. 1898, to Miss Dora J. Scott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Scott, and lives in a tasteful home on Walnut avenue. He has three children, Martin Scott, born June 2, 1900; Mary Elizabeth, May 3, 1905; and Dorothy Ann, July 18. 1907.

Mrs. McVay's grandparents came from Maryland and Pennsylvania and were among the founders of the village of Somerset and Perry county and donated four hundred acres of land on which was established the Dominican convent of St. Josephs. Her grandfather, Dettoe, erected in Somerset a building in 1 81 7 in which he established a dry-goods store. His son-in-law. Martin Scott, took up the business in 1843 and continued it in the same room until his death in 1895. When Mr. Howe, author of Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, made his second trips over the state revising his work in 1888, he stated that Mr. Scott's was the most remarkable business career in the entire commonwealth. No other resident of the state could be found who had for so long a time, fifty-two years, changed neither his business nor location. It was in this store that little Phil Sheridan clerked when a boy and it was through Mr. Scott's efforts in his behalf that he was recommended by the Congressman of that district. General Ritchie, to an appointment at West Point.

The magnificent high school building, now in course of erection, is largely due to the efforts of Mr. McVay who worked first to secure the splendid site and then to get through the $100,000 bond issue to build the school.

LOUIS H. SCHNELLE,* one of the representative citizens of Turtle Creek township, Shelby county, Ohio, who owns eighty acres of well cultivated land situated in this township, was born October 15. 1866. in Van Buren township, Shelby county, and is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Ruese) Schnelle.

Christopher Schnelle was born in Germany and came to America as a young man. The larger part of his subsequent life was spent in Ohio, where he married and reared his family and for many years carried on farming in Van Buren township, Shelby county, where he died. His widow still resides on the old homestead. They were early and liberal supporters of the

Lutheran church. Their family consisted of the following children : Henry, who is deceased; William; Minnie, who is the wife of Henry Soloman; Anna, who is deceased, was the wife of Henry Brandt; Louis H; Elvina, who is deceased, was the wife of William Soloman; and August.

Louis H. Schnelle attended the district schools in his boyhood and afterward remained at home working on the farm for his father until he was twenty-nine years of age and then bought the farm he now occupies. Here he made many changes, his improvements including the building of substantial barns and the erection of the handsome brick residence, which has many modern comforts and conveniences. He carries on a general farming line and raises stock for his own use. All his industries are in a prosperous condition and Mr. Schnelle is numbered with the thrifty and judicious farmers of this section.