Shelby County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Miscellaneous, 1913 (part 3 of 14)

On January 28, 1869, Mr. Hance was married to Miss Mary Jane Keplinger, a daughter of Mathias and Rebecca (Hecknian) Keplinger, both now deceased, their burial being at Sidney. Mrs. Hance had three brothers and one sister: Sylvester, John H., now deceased, Charles A., and Xaomi, who is the wife of Daniel Crumbaugh. To Mr. and Mrs. Hance the following children were born: Lilly, who is the wife of Grant Wirick, who is the mail carrier on the rural route out of Pemberton, O. ; Charles A., who has charge of his father's farm, married Carrie Cannon and they have four children ; Cleora M., Irma B., Rea Vivian and YVilda Margaret; Elsie Love, who is the wife of Charles Williamson, who is a member of the police force at Sidney, 0., and they have two children - Leonard and Lois; and Earl W., who married Mary Kuhlman and they reside at St. Mary's, where he is bookkeeper for a business firm. Mr. Hance and family are members of the United Brethren church. He has always advocated reforms when they have appealed to his judgment in both local and outside communities and in his political views is in accord with the principles of the prohibition party.

EDGAR ALONZO SCHENCK, one of the representative citizens and substantial men of Shelby county, O., who resides on one of his farms, a tract of sixty acres, located in Clinton township, owns a second farm, of forty acres, which lies east of Sidney, was born on the farm he occupies, July 13, 1853, and is a son of Schuyler and Deborah (Suthen) Schenck.

The parents of Mr. Schenck were born in New Jersey and came to Ohio in youth, subsequently marrying here and spending the rest of their lives in Clinton township, Shelby county. The father was a shoemaker by trade and also followed farming. They were good, Christian people, members of the Brethren church. Of their children, Edgar Alonzo was the youngest born and is the only one living. The others were : Garrett. John, Henry, Joseph. George. Maria, Daniel and William.

Edgar Alonzo Schenck has spent his life on his present farm and has had the management of it since his school days. All the usual farm industries are carried on on both farms owned by Mr. Schenck, grain growing and stock raising, although he seldom markets any stock, growing largely for his own use. He has some .other interests and is a stockholder in the Buckeye Churn Company.

people there, who had the following children : James, Mary Jane, Catherine, George, William, John, Minnie and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Schenck have two daughters, both now married, with children of their own. Grace is the wife of John McClure and they have two children, being Floyd and Gladys. Nora D. is the wife of Stanley Young, their children being Mildred' Margaret and Helen. Mr. Schenck and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican.

JOSEPH OSCAR KING, one of the busy and successful general farmers of Clinton township, Shelby county, O., who operates his mother's farm of ninety-four acres, was born in this township, January 4, 1875, and is a son of David M. and Leah (Kauffman) King.

David M. King was born in Mifflin county, Pa., and came to Ohio when a young man. Here he followed farming all his life dying September 21, 191 i, and was a well known and highly respected man, a leading member of the Brethren church. He married Leah Kauffman, who was born also in Mifflin county, Pa., and still resides on her farm in Clinton township. To David M. King and wife the following children were born: Alice K., who is the widow of Nicholas Kauffman; Rebecca, who is the wife of George Davis: Sadie, who is the wife of Walter Parcher; Joseph Oscar; Ida, who is the wife of Harry Tennery: and Amanda, who is the wife of Charles Miltenberger.

Joseph Oscar King obtained a common school education and since putting aside his books has devoted himself exclusively to farming and stock raising. The home farm is a valuable property and under his excellent management is very productive. He takes a good citizen's interest in public matters, votes, the republican ticket and at present is a school director.

In 1898 Mr. King was married to Miss Dora Theuer, a daughter of Martin and Anna Theurer. Mrs. Theurer was previously married but her three children, Henry, Charles and Dora, were born to her second union. Mr. and Mrs. King have two children : Helen and Melvin. The family, including the beloved mother, belong to the Brethren church.

WILLIAM F. VALENTINE, who operates the only tile mill in Green township, is an enterprising and prosperous business man of this section over which he is very well known. He was born in De Kalb county, Ind., August 25, 1864, and is a son of John and Nancy Jane (Bailey) Valentine.

John Valentine was born in Orange township, Shelby county, O., where he engaged in farming in early manhood and after marriage lived for one year in Indiana, moving from there to Illinois, eleven years later returning to Ohio. For twenty years Mr. Valentine continued to live in his native state after which he spent three years in Kansas but again returned to Ohio and his death occurred in Shelby county in his seventy-fourth year. For six years he was in the tile business but otherwise devoted himself entirely to farming. He married Nancy Jane Bailey, who was born in Clinton county, O., and still survives. They had the following children: Mrs. Alice Johnson; Jonas I., who lives in Kansas; William F. ; Levi E., who lives in Green township; Richard R., who is a resident of Colorado ; Thomas C. and Daisy C, both of whom

William, F. Valentine assisted his father and attended school until he was fourteen years of age and afterward followed farming until 1890, when he bought the tile mill which he has successfully operated ever since. The usual output of his plant is from eighteen to twenty-two kilns annually and as Mr. Valentine also carries on a business in contract ditching, he makes use of all his own factory product and uses additionally 200 car loads of tile in a year. He has some additional business interests and is one of the directors of the Farmers Telephone Company.

Mr. Valentine was married first to Miss Emma J. Rugh, of Wabash, Ind., who left two children : Mace E. and Grace F. His second marriage was to Miss Nellie J. Duffy, of Shelby county, and they have three children: Hazel, John and Newel. Mr. Valentine and family are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a republican and his party has elected him for his seventh continuous term as township trustee. He belongs to two of the popular fraternal organizations of this section, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

CLEMENS WOLKE, who is numbered with the representative and substantial citizens of McLean township, Shelby county, O., is treasurer of the Sherman Special School District and the owner of a large property situated in section 10, consisting of 160 acres of valuable land. He was born on this farm, April 8, 1856, and is a son of John C. and Mary Wolke.

John C. Wolke and wife were born, reared and married in Germany and a daughter was born to them there, Ida, who died before they came to America. They had but two children, Clemens being born after they had reached McLean township, Shelby county. They found five acres of their 160 already cleared and John C. Wolke put in a crop as soon as possible and afterward worked constantly to clear his land, being assisted by his son as the latter attained strength to be of material help. Twenty-five acres have been left as a wood lot, but all the rest is made productive through careful cultivation. All the buildings now standing were erected by the present owner and all the other improvements now in evidence were placed here by him. The father and mother both died on this farm, the father when aged seventy-two years. They were excellent people, devout Catholics and good neighbors. Their burial was in the St. Michael's church cemetery.

When aged twenty-three years, Clemens Wolke was united in marriage with Mary Raterman, a daughter of Ferdinand RatermaiT, a member of an old family of McLean township, and they have one daughter, Bernadina, who resides at home. Mr. Wolke and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church. He has always been a democrat in his political opinions and has taken an interest in township matters and has been particularly active in advancing the usefulness of the public schools. He has long been a member of the board of education and for eighteen years has been its treasurer. His property is well situated being on the south side of the Sherman turnpike road, and but four miles southwest of Fort Loramie.

FREDERICK H. SLEETER, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Sidney, O., to which city he retired from his farm many years ago, is a native of Ohio, born in Auglaize county, October 23, 1836. His parents were Henry and Catherine Sleeter.

Henry and Catherine Sleeter were born in Germany. After coming to Ohio and settling in Auglaize county, Henry Sleeter acquired a farm of forty acres but whenever opportunity offered worked at his trade of millwright and later left the farm and rented a mill on Greenville Creek, in Darke county, near New Harrison, and took charge of and operated it for one year before his family joined him there. Living conditions were not comfortable there, however, and parents and children returned to Auglaize county and during the cholera epidemic of 1847 tne father and the youngest son, Henry, both succumbed to the disease at the same time and their burial was in the same grave. The mother was later married to John F. Meyers, who operated a hotel at Bremen, and F. H. for several years assisted his step-father, serving behind the bar and taking care of the stabling of the horses. Mr. Meyers did a good business as there was much wagon travel at that time east and west through Bremen.

Frederick H. Sleeter had attended a German school in Auglaize county but it was not until he was about fifteen years of age and had entered the employ of Joseph Dowler, in Newberry township, Miami county, that he learned the elements of the English language, being first instructed in Sunday school. He was anxious to learn and made rapid progress, his employers, Joseph Dowler and Henry Wright, who were brothers-in-law, taking a great deal of interest in him, and he remained with them for four years. At that time many young men were going to Iowa to seek better opportunities, and Mi. Sleeter also visited that state but within nine months returned to Ohio and then came to Sidney. where a half-brother, George W. Metzger, was then living, the latter being a son of his mother's first marriage which had taken place in Germany. In the meanwhile, having learned the carpenter trade with Henry Wright, Mr. Sleeter followed the same and prior to i860, lived for some time in Shelby county with a family connection, Benjamin Wert. After marriage he bought a farm of 140 acres, situated in Green township, on which he lived from i860 until 1886, at which time he and his wife moved to Sidney, where they have a fine home, the handsome brick residence being on South Main avenue. Mr. Sleeter gave the first farm he owned to his daughter, Mrs. B. T. Bull, and had improved that as well as his present farm of 152 acres which is situated in Orange township.

In i860 Mr. Sleeter was married to Miss Mary Bucannan, a daughter of David Bucannan, who was one of the pioneers of Shelby county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sleeter: Lottie, who is the wife of B. T. Bull; Ella, who is the widow of Judd Miller; William and Olia, both of whom are deceased; Agnes, who is the wife of Jesse

L. Frazier; and Thomas B., who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Sleeter are active members of the Universalist church. Formerly he was a democrat in his political affiliation and on that ticket was elected treasurer of Green township, in which office he served with efficiency, but in later years has been identified with the prohibition party. For many years he has been an Odd Fellow.

J. CLEMENS BENDER, residing two and one-half miles southwest of Fori Loramie, O., where he rents an improved farm of 120 acres, lying in section 11, McLean township, is one of the representative citizens of this section and a member of an old Ohio family. He w^is born in this farm, and is a son of John and Mary (Heilers) Bender.

John Bender was born in Auglaize county, O., and grew to manhood there and engaged in farm pursuits. He married Mary Heilers, who was reared at Minster, O., and they then came to this farm in McLean township and here Mrs. Bender died when her son J. Clemens was only seven years of age. There were five children, namely: John, who is deceased; J. Clemens; and Mary and Katie, who live at home ; and Clara, who is deceased.

J. Clemens Bender obtained his education in the Walkup Special School District and then assisted his father and since the fall of 191 1 has had entire charge of the home place, carrying on geenral farming and raising stock for home use. He married Miss Emma Seger, who is a daughter of John Seger, of Fort Loramie, O. The whole family belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church. Mr. Bender votes with the democratic party.

J. F. APPLEGATE, who is one of the respected and useful men of Orange township, for the past ten years a member of the school board and interested in everything that promises to be beneficial to this section, resides on his well cultivated farm, which contains fifty-four and one-third acres. He was born February 25, 1849, >n Green township, Shelby county, within a half mile of Plattsville, and is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Kiser) Applegate.

Edward Applegate was born in New Jersey and it is possible that his ancestors came from Holland. He was twenty-five years of age when he came to Shelby county, and bought the land in Green township on which he spent the rest of his life, clearing and developing it through his own industry, dying there when aged sixty-five years. He married Elizabeth Kiser, who was born in Miami county, O., and died at Sidney, when aged eighty-two years. They had six children: Sarah Catherine, who married J. S. Loughlin; Mary E., who is the wife of Francis Bull; John I. C. who lives at Sidney; two who died in infancy; and J. F.

J. F. Applegate attended the district schools in Green township in boyhood, having the usual country boy advantages afforded at that time, and remained with his father until he was twenty-six years old, coming then to Orange township and for ten years afterward lived on his father-in-law's farm. From there he moved to the one he now occupies and successfully operates, for the past twenty years having carried on farming and stock raising here.

Mr. Applegate married Miss Mina T. Bull, a daughter of Hiram Bull, and five children were born to them : Rollo, who died when aged four years ; Fleetwood, who lives near Springfield, O. ; Forrest E., who is a resident of Sidney; Charles C, who is the practical home farmer; and Edward, who is now deceased, served as a soldier in the Philippine Islands. Mr. Applegate and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics a democrat, while living in Green township, Mr. Applegate served as a trustee and has also served two times as township clerk and has been a member of the school board since coming to Orange township. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, at Plattsville.

AUGUST B. GUDENKAUF, M. D., a well established physician and surgeon at Sidney, O., and secretary of the Shelby County Medical Society, is a native of Germany, where he was born September 14, 1870. His parents were Anton and Gertrude (Von Huesen) Gudenkauf.

Anton Gudenkauf followed the blacksmith trade in Germany but after coming to America in 1874 and settling in McLean township, near what is now Fort Loramie, Shelby county, O., he engaged in farming but his death in the following year prevented his acquiring any considerable interests in that direction. His widow survives.

August B. Gudenkauf was a child of four years when his parents brought him to America and he lived on a farm through his early school days, later becoming a student in the Sidney high school, where he was graduated in 1893. For seven years afterwards he taught school, following which came a year in the scientific department of the State University, at Columbus, O., which, in turn was followed by a course of four years in medicine, and he was graduated in the class of 1905 from the Ohio Medical University at Columbus. For one year he served as an interne at the Protestant Hospital in that city, in the fall of 1906 coming to Sidney, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession ever since.

Dr. Gudenkauf married Miss Agnes Albery, of Columbus, and they have one daughter, Catherine Gertrude. Dr. and Mrs. Gudenkauf are members of the Catholic church. He is identified fraternally with the Knights of Columbus, and professionally with county and state medical bodies and with the American Medical Association, and in 1909 served as president of the Shelby County Medical Society, of which he now is secretary. Dr. Gudenkauf has also served on the board of county school examiners.

HARRY J. TAYLOR, proprietor and manager of the Sidney Hardware Company, at Sidney, O., a leading business concern here, has been identified with the hardware trade since a boy. He was born at Sidney, March 27, 1855, and is a son of Oliver J. Taylor, who is also in this line of trade.

Harry J. Taylor was educated in the public schools and afterward worked in his father's hardware store until 1898, when he embarked in business for himself. Mr. Taylor began in a modest way and through close attention to business and a complete knowledge of all its details, has greatly prospered. To his first quarters he has added space and now has two large rooms and two warerooms and carries a very full stock, handling everything in light and heavy hardware, farm fencing, and factory and plumbers' supplies.

Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Belle Runyon, of Shelby county, and eight children have been born to them, namely : Oliver F., who is associated with his father in the store, is married and they have three children - Harold, James and Amelia Belle ; Harry, who is also in the hardware business with his father; Mabel, deceased, who was the wife of Frederick Heiser, of Sidney, and they had one child, Mary Louise; James T., who is also in his father's store; and Mary, Rosanna, Cora and Julia, all of whom reside at home. Mr. Taylor is active in his citizenship, assuming responsibilities when necessary and in every possible way working for the general welfare. He belongs to several fraternal bodies including the Royal Arcanum and the Order of Ben Hur.

FRANK J. EILERMAN, a well known resident of Shelby county, who is a retired farmer residing in section 9, McLean township, where he owns 120 acres of valuable land, situated two miles east of Fort Loramie, on the Sherman turnpike road, was born in this township, December 9, 1847, and is a son of George Henry Eilerman, an early settler and worthy citizen of this part of the county.

Frank J. Eilerman obtained his education in the Sherman Special School District. Farm industries occupied the entire period of his active life and these he continued until 1910, when he shifted his responsibilities from his own shoulders to the sturdy ones of hs son, being fully, assured that a capable hand still remained at the plow. Mr. Eilerman came to .the present farm following his marriage and with the exception of thirty acres of woodland, placed all the land in a tillable condition. He continued his improvements until he had an entire set of new buildings, those now standing, which are substantial in construction and adequate to farm needs. He found, at times, that parts of his land required draining and that also was attended to and a large amount of tile put down.

In 1873 Mr. Eilerman was married to Miss Catherine Holscher, who was born on this farm, the only daughter of B. H. Holscher, who was a victim of cholera during the epidemic of 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Eilerman four children were born, as follows: Henry, who lives in Cynthian township, married Mary Dresher; Clemens, who has charge of the home farm, married Lena Dresher; Mary, who is the wife of William Kloeker, of Cynthian township: and Katie, who is the wife of Henry Borger, of McLean township. Mr. Eilerman has always been interested in the public schools and the only office he ever accepted was that -of school director. With his family he belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie and when this church edifice was built he made a substantial contribution to the fund.

WILLIAM H. MAYER, merchant tailor at Sidney, O., is well known to his fellow citizens here, where he has spent his life and practically grew up in his present line of business. He was born at Sidney, July 8, 1872, and is a son of Andrew and Julia (Bretz) Mayer.

Andrew Mayer was born in Germany in 1829 and before coming to America, learned the tailoring trade. After reaching the United States he located at Lancaster, O., where he worked in tailor shops for a time and then went to Cincinnati and from there, in 1863, came to Sidney, immediately opening his own shop but later closed it and for a time worked as a cutter in other establishments. In 1881 he resumed business for himself and continued until March, 1906, when he retired on account of a slight stroke of paralysis which impaired his health to some extent. At Lancaster, O-., he married Julia Bretz, who died in 1896, the mother of the following children: Mary, who was the wife of W. O. Wagner, died in 1892; Charles, who is a tailor in business at Belief ontaine; Delia, who is the wife of P. E. Sherman of Sidney; and Louise, Anna, William H. and Amelia, the last named being the wife of Hon. Charles M. Wyman.

William H. Mayer attended the parochial schools in boyhood and as soon as old and deft enough was permitted to help his father and in July, 1887, entered upon his apprenticeship to the trade. In 1904 he received his diploma as a cutter from the Frederick Cromborg Cutting School, Chicago, 111., having previously, in 1892, attended the John J. Mitchell Cutting School, New York City. He continued with his father for nineteen years in all, in 1906 embarking in business for himself. He is recognized as one of the most expert cutters and fitters in the city, while his taste, carefulness and good judgment insure wide and continued patronage.

Mr. Mayer married Miss Helen Crusey, a daughter of Edward Crusey, and they have three children : Rosemary, Helen and William. Mr. Mayer and family are members of the Catholic church and he is identified fraternally with the Knights of Columbus and the Elks.

GEORGE KEIFER HIPPLE, whose valuable farm of eighty acres of finely cultivated land lies in Clinton township, was born in Miami county, not far from Troy, O., April 30, 1850, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Enyeart) Hippie.

David Hippie was born in Pennsylvania, of German parents, and came to Ohio when young, settling in Miami county and marrying there. He followed 'farming all his life and he and wife were among the earnest members and liberal supporters of the Christian church. They had four children: Taylor; George Keifer; Angeline, who is deceased, was the wife of Samuel Hersey; and Laura Belle, who died when young.

George Kiefer Hippie attended the district school nearest his father's farm and assisted there until he was nineteen years of age after which, for a time, he was in the employ of an express company at Sidney, O. Since then he has resided on his farm where he is extensively and profitably engaged in the

Mr. Whipple was married first to Miss Ella Wilson, of Miami county, who was survived by one daughter, Gertrude, who is the wife of Wade Shilling. In 1882 he was married (second) to Miss Mary Miller, of Miami county, and they have three children : Harry ; Walter, who married Ethel West ; and Taylor. Mr. Hippie and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is identified with the republican party but has never been a seeker for office.

OWEN DOORLEY. whose valuable farm of 155 acres lies in Orange township, one and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, now lives retired and is surrounded with the comforts that a long life of industry have provided. He was born July 16, 1825, in Ireland, and is a son of Daniel Doorley and wife, neither of whom ever came to the United States.

Owen Doorley helped his father on the home farm in Ireland and attended the parochial schools, and no doubt received instruction and advice from the parish priest when he announced his determination to leave home and seek his fortune in another land. "He reached America in safety and spent his first four months in the United States at Philadelphia, Pa., and stopped at other points before reaching Ohio, where he secured work on the C, H. & D. Railroad then in course of construction, which had reached as far as Anna Station. He continued to work as a laborer for some time and then became a farmer and followed agricultural pursuits in Green township, Shelby county, for twenty-five years, being prudent as to his money, and in 1883 was able to purchase this farm. He had sixteen additional acres, which he sold to the Children's Home. Mr. Doorley has shifted his responsibilities to the strong shoulders of his sons but still takes much interest in all farm operations and improvements.

On October 29, 1849, Mr. Doorley was married to Miss Bridget Corcoran, in Ireland, who accompanied him to America and for many years was his cheerful and helpful companion. Her death occurred March 2, 1910. She was the mother of ten children : Anna, who died in infancy; John, who is also deceased; Thomas; Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Madigan and has nine children ; Joseph, who married Catherine McGuff and has ten children ; James ; Mary Ann, deceased ; Michael and Catherine. Mr. Doorley and family are members of the Holy Angels Catholic church. He is a democrat in his political opinions and has always taken an interest in the party's success but has not sought office for himself. In his long life of eightyseven years he has witnessed many changes, including improvements in railroad building and in fanning, and many comforts of living that now seem necessities, in his early days in Ohio would have seemed the greatest luxuries. Mr. Doorley is widely known and has many warm friends and well wishers.

BERNARD ASELAGE, a successful farmer owning 160 acres of fine land, which is situated in section 6, McLean township, one quarter mile southeast of Fort Loramie, is one of the representative citizens of this township and is serving in the office of clerk of the Berlin Special School District. He was born in Germany, July 17, i860, and is a son of George and Helena Aselage, both of whom died in Germany.

Bernard Aselage obtained his education in a German school and remained in his native land until he was twenty-three years of age. Being the only child of his parents he was left alone at their death and came to America by himself, his objective point being Fort Loramie, O. By trade a carpenter he worked for ten years in this neighborhood as such and for one year in Cincinnati, and then turned his attention to farming. For eighteen months he rented land in Cynthian township, then moved to the Adolph Sherman farm-, which he rented for nine years, following which he purchased his present place from Bernard Pille. As the land had been improved and all cleared but eighteen acres of woodland, Mr. Aselage found his first expenditure was the main cost in securing a valuable property and a fine home, the residence being a commodious brick structure. Mr. Aselage took possession in the fall of 1902 and here carries on farming and stock raising under very favorable conditions.

Mr. Aselage married Miss Lena Bruns. who was born in Germany, January 1, 1855, a daughter of Henry and Lena Bruns, and they have the following children: B. H., who lives in McLean township, married Elizabeth Schlater and they have one son, August ; William and John, both of whom assist their father on the farm ; Albert, who is a student in the Minster high school ; and Joseph. Mr. Aselage and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church, and he belongs to the Catholic Knights of. America. In politics he is a democrat and has served McLean township with honest efficiency in the office of road superintendent, and early in 1912 was elected a member of the board of education as above .mentioned.

FRANK M. SAYRE, secretary and treasurer of The Farmers Grain and Milling Company, at Sidney, O., one of the large business enterprises of Shelby county, was born in Adams township. Champaign county, O., one mile east of the Shelby county line, September 13, 1868, and is a son of Thomas J. and Margaret ( Souder) Sayre.

Thomas J. Sayre was born also on the above farm in Adams township, which land had been entered from the government by his father, Ziba P. Sayre. He married Margaret Souder, who was born at Quincy, Logan county, O., a daughter of Daniel L. Souder, who had come to Ohio from Georgetown. Md., when a boy of sixteen years. Mrs. Sayre passed away in 1902 but Mr. Sayre survives.

Frank M. Sayre was reared to the age of sixteen years in his native county and there attended school and completed his education after coming to Shelby county, in 1883. He was just twenty-one years of age when he began to teach school, and, finding the work congenial, continued for fourteen years, becoming widely kno\vn and very highly esteemed all over the county. Later he became station agent at North Creek, O., for the Clover Leaf Railroad Company, resigning that position to become secretary and treasurer of the Fanners Grain and Milling Company at Sidney, in February, 1912.

Joseph Bowen And Representative Citizens 473

Mr. Sayre married Miss Daisy E. Russell, who is a daughter of the late Moses J. Russell, a very prominent citizen and extensive farmer in Clinton township. Mr. and Mrs. Sayre have three children: Florence M., Herman and Albert.

JOSEPH BOWEN, owner and proprietor of a general store at Hardin, O., where he has been established for twenty-five years, is a representative citizen of Shelby county and is a veteran of the greai Civil war. He was born in Clermont county, O., December 12, 1844, and is a son of Clark and Elishaba (Godfrey) Bowen.

Clark Bowen came from New England, being a native of Rhode Island, a farmer through life and a man of sterling character. His wife was born in Ohio to which state her people had come from New Jersey, where the name of Godfrey is still borne by well-known people. To Clark Bowen and his wife the following children were born: Eliza Ann, who married John Price ; Joseph ; and Ella, who was married first to G. M. Meyers and after his death to Samuel Lawyer.

Joseph Bowen attended the district schools in his neighborhood during the winter seasons, until he was fifteen years old, when he went to Sharonsville, in Hamilton county, where he was a clerk in a general store and was still there in 1862, when he decided to become a soldier. He enlisted for service on August 16, 1862, in Company E, Eightythird Ohio Vol. Inf., and remained until his honorable discharge in 1865. For about eight months after the close of the war, Mr. Bowen visited among his relatives, recuperating from his years of hardships, and in that way came to Shelby county, where he became interested in farming and continued until the fall of 1871, when he started into the store and grain business at Hardin Station, in partnership with Isaac Betts. They continued for two years when Mr. Bowen sold his interest and went into the grocery business at Lockington, O. In 1887 he purchased his present store at Hardin and the place thereby gained a valuable citizen who has been active in promoting its advancement and welfare ever since.

On September 8, 1868, Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Christina E. Strate, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Adolphus Strate, who was a brickmaker by trade. The Strate family consisted of four children : Carrie, wife of John Hick ; Christina E., Mrs. Bowen ; William ; and Louisa, Mrs. Tyson. To Mr. and Mrs. Bowen the following children were born: William H., who married Nancy Malcolm; James: Mabel. who is the wife of Frederick Cole; Bonnie, who married Dan Ellsner; Maude; Mary, who died in July, 191 1, and Clark. The family of Mr. Bowen belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is d. republican and he is identified with the G. A. R. at Sidney, O.

WILBUR J. EMMONS, a leading member of the bar of Shelby county, member of the well known law firm of Wicoff, Emmons & Needles, at Sidney, is well known also in other directions, particularly in fraternal circles.

Mr.. Emmons was born on a farm situated in Spring creek township, Miami county, O., May 18, 1864, and is a son of Job and Mary A. (Houser) Emmons.

Wilbur J. Emmon's early life was sent on the home farm and because he had more ambition than many of his school mates he was not contented with the educational training received in the country schools but prepared for and entered the National Normal University at Lebanon, O., where he was graduated with the class of 1885. He spent the next year on the farm and then came to Sidney and entered the law office of S. L. Wicoff, as a law student, and was admitted to the bar in 1899 and in the same year became Mr. WicofFs partner. In 1901 H. H. Needles was admitted to the bar and in the fall of 1904 the present firm was organized, one that stands very high in the county, both collectively and individually. Mr. Emmons is active as a citizen and the value put upon his judgment and integrity by his fellow citizens has frequently been shown by election to positions of responsibility. For three years he was a member of the Sidney board of education and for six years served as a member of the Shelby county board of school examiners.

In 1899, Mr. Emmons was married to Miss Marianna Corwin, of Warren county, who died July 10, 1909, survived by two sons: Corwin J. and Wilbur D. While not particularly active in politics, Mr. Emmons has found interest to no small degree in fraternal associations. He has passed through all the chairs of the local lodge of Odd Fellows and served eleven years on the floor of the Grand Encampment of Ohio, then became Grand Patriarch for the state of Ohio, and at present is one of the representatives of the state in the Sovereign Grand Lodge. He is equally prominent in Masonry and is past eminent commander and at present is captain-general of Sidney Commandery, No. 46, Knights Templar.

BENJAMIN F. FOSTER, whose fifty acres of fine land is situated one mile east of Sidney, bordering on the Tawawa turnpike road, in Clinton township, Shelby county, O., was born on a farm one-half mile south of where he lives, October 6, 1864, and is a son of John and Catherine (Peterhaus) Foster.

The parents of Benjamin F. Foster were born, reared and married in Germany, and one year after marriage came to the United States. They spent the first six months at Baltimore, Md., and then came to Ohio, pausing for a short time at Dayton, and then came on into Shelby county, where they remained for the rest of their lives. John Foster became a substantial farmer in Clinton township. They were members of the Lutheran church and at death were buried in Graceland cemetery at Sidney. They had a large family of children, as follows : Christiana, who is the widow of Jacob Dormire ; George and John, both of whom are deceased ; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of John Shaffer ; Christian ; Lewis, who is deceased ; William ; Callie, who is the wife of L. W. Kah ; Benjamin F. ; and Catherine, who is the wife of Henry McCracken.

Benjamin F. Foster had common school advantages and since then has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, carrying on general farming and raising stock, and all his efforts have been expended on the old homestead.

On November 22, 1894, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Jennie Gearhart, who -was born in Perry township, Shelby county, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Miller) Gearhart, both natives of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart had the following children born to them: Harry, Edward, Lucy, William, Augusta, Jennie and Earl. Augusta is the widow of Ora A. Dunson. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have one son, John F., who was born October 2, 1896, who is a most satisfactory student in the Sidney high school. Mr. Foster and family attend the Lutheran church. Politically he is a democrat but is no aspirant for office, and fraternally he has been connected with the Odd Fellows at Sidney for many years. Mr. Foster is one of the solid, reliable men of Clinton township.

J. W. BROWN, who is one of the intelligent men and successful farmers of Loramie township, Shelby county, O., owning 130 acres of well developed land, ninety of which lie in the Greenwood Special School District, of which he is a valued official, was bom near Gettysburg, Darke county, O., June 24, 1877, and is a son of Reuben and Anna Brown, who are highly respected retired residents of Versailles, O.

J. W. Brown was nine years old when his parents came to Loramie township, Shelby county, and he completed his education in the Greenwood Special School District. He entered into business as a farm hand, working by the month, and then for one year raised tobacco, and after this experiment embarked in agricultural activities for himself and has so continued. He devotes his land to general fanning and moderate stock raising and is numbered with the prosperous and contented farmers of this part of Shelby county.

On September 14, 1899, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Hulda J. Apple. who was born also in Loramie township and is a daughter of Henry A. Apple, one of the old and well known citizens and wealthy men of the township. On this farm the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born : Erma Eleanor, Goldie Irene and Mary Henrietta. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he has always been a democrat but has never accepted any public office except membership on the school board, his first experience being when he served for two years, filling out the unexpired term of John Boyd, after which he was elected for a period of four years, which ensures his services on this body until 19 16.

CHARLES F. SNYDER, one of the representative men of Cynthian township, resides in section 27, where he devotes his 130 acres of valuable land to general farming and cattle raising. This land is in two farms and they are situated one third mile north of the Sidney-Hardin turnpike road. Mr. Snyder was born April 19, 1863, in Miami county, O., and is a son of Henry and Lydia (Ward) Snyder.

Henry Snyder was born in Perry county, O., and was reared and educated there. He married" Lydia Ward, who was born in Hocking county, a daughter of Daniel and Deliliah Ward. Daniel Ward was a direct descendant of Nathaniel Ward, who was commander of the Patriot forces at Boston, Mass.,

476 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTYin the early days of the Revolutionary war, before General Washington took command. After marriage, Henry Snyder and wife moved to Miami county and settled in Washington township, and also, at one time lived in Allen county and also in Van Wert county. Grandfather Snyder gave each of his children a farm of 160 acres but Henry Snyder never lived on his tract, trading it for sixty acres of the farm which his son, Charles F., now owns. He died in Cynthian township in March, 1866, and his burial was at Sugar Grove, O., in the cemetery of the Brethren church. His widow continued to live in Cynthian township until 1900, when she moved to South Whitley, Ind., where she died in September, 1905, and her burial was also at Sugar Grove. They were well known and highly respected people and were parents of eight children, namely: Daniel W., who died in 1877, at Peoria, 111., was aged twentyfour years ; Mary A., who is the wife of John P. Golly, of Cynthian township; John W., who died in 1897, at the age of forty years; Isaac, who lives in Cynthian township ; Christiana, who lived but ten months ; Charles F. ; Jerd, who lived but six days ; and Henry, who is a resident of Dayton, O.

Charles F. Snyder received his early school instruction in the Forest Special School District but when fourteen years of age was transferred to the Hopewell district, where he attended for four years and then returned to the Forest district and later attended school at Sidney. In the fall of 1883 he took charge of a school in Van Buren township, where he taught for three years and then taught for one year in Dinsmore township. After his marriage he moved to Botkins, and from there, in the spring of 1891, to his present home farm of eighty acres having bought out the other heirs and his mother's dower in 1900; he added to this a fifty acre farm in 1905, and in 191 1 he and his son Virgil W. purchased 120 acres in Michigan, where he has done a large amount of improving in the way of draining and building.

In 1886 Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Adella Blakeley, who was born in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Blakely, the former of whom was born in Franklin and the latter in Licking county, O., and their parents, respectively, came to Shelby county in 1832 and 1835, being pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Snyder were born children as follows: Virgil W., who lives at Beaverton, Mich., married Bessie Ward; Melsenia, who lives in Turtle Creek township, married R. Schmidt ; Carl W., Israel Blakeley and Cora M., all of whom live at home; May, who died when aged twenty-three days; and an infant daughter who died at birth. Mr. Snyder is one of the enterprising and public spirited men of the township, was one of the incorporators and is secretary of the Farmers Telephone Company and lends his influence to further all movements which promise to be for the public welfare. He was reared in the republican party and has always given it support and has been one of its leaders in the county, formerly serving as a member of one of the important county organizations. At present he is serving in his third term as a notary public and since 1898 has been a member of the board of education of the Forest Special School District, of which he is clerk.

SIMON WEHNEMAN, one of the representative men of Loramie towneducation of the Beech Grove Special School District since 1902, carries on general farming on his place of 176 acres, in which he has a one-half interest. He was born here November 8, 1852, and is a son of John Henry and a grandson of John Andrew Wehneman.

John Henry Wehneman was born and educated in Prussia-Germany and was twenty-one years old when he accompanied his parents to America and all settled in Miami county, O., where the parents died and John Henry lived until his marriage, when he came to Loramie township. Here he secured eighty acres of the present farm, it being wild land covered with timber and to the clearing and subsequent cultivating of this land he devoted his best years. His birth took place March 16, 181 7, and his death, July 20, 1874. He was an honest, upright man, a hard worker and one who performed every duty of life to the best of his ability. He married Ann Elizabeth Ficken, who was born in Germany April 30, 1825, and died August 15, 1893, the burial of both being in the cemetery at Houston, O. They were members of the United Brethren church. They had the following children, all born on the farm of eighty acres : George, who resides on the homestead with his brothers, Simon and Frederick, who follow him in order of birth ; Hannah, who is the wife of Lloyd G. Hoon, residing at Bell Center, Logan county, Ohio ; John, who married Elizabeth Stein, who lives on the grandfather's old farm in Miami county; Anna Elizabeth, who married David Christian, residing in Darke county, O. ; and Barbara Elizabeth, who is the wife of L. D. Fessler of Loramie township.

Following the death of the father, Simon and Frederick Wehneman took charge of the farm and when the mother died in 1893 bought the place, the additional land having been purchased in 1883 from James Clark. General farming and moderate stock raising have been the successful industries and the land is all called very valuable. Simon Wehneman with his brothers and sisters obtained their education in the township schools and in these same schools, although under more favorable conditions, Mr. Wehneman's children have been educated. He married Miss Anna Christina Roeth, a daughter of Charles and Catherine Roeth, the former of whom is deceased but the latter survives and resides at Covington, O. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wehneman, namely: Charles Henry, Albert Frederick, Lawrence Edward and Bertha Catherine. The beloved mother of the above children was born April 24, 1868; and died June 26, 1903. In every relation of life she was an estimable woman and with her husband and children belonged to the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Wehneman has always been identified with the democratic party but has. never accepted any office except membership on the school board, being induced thereto by his desire to advance the educational interests of his community.

JOHN C. FEY, for many years a prosperous farmer of Franklin township, Shelby county, O., where he owrjs sixty-two acres of well-improved land, is at present (1912) interested in the building of a handsome brick residence at Swanders, O., proposing to retire to this pleasant town in the near future. Mr. Fey is a citizen whose removal will be a loss to Franklin township but Swanders will gain thereby. He was born in Dinsmore township, Shelby county, August i, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Dinehart) Fey.

The parents of John C. Fey were born, reared and married in Germany and from there, in 1845, tney came to the United States and then continued their journey until they reached Shelby county. Henry Fey was a tailor by trade but later in life became a farmer and subsequently moved with his wife to Maryland and there both died. They were members of the Lutheran church. Their children were named as follows : Anna, Catherine, Lizzie, Mary, John C, Christian, Edward, Caroline and Eva.

John C. Fey had but meager educational opportunities in his youth as public facilities were very different then from what they are now, and he remained assisting his father on the home farm until he was twenty years of age. Then he learned the wagonmaking trade and followed the same for ten years, but in 1883 turned his attention to general farming and bought his place in Franklin township from James Swanders. In politics he is a republican. At different times Jie has served as school director and also as road superintendent, and has been a reliable and public-spirited citizen.

In 1874 Mr. Fey was married to Miss Eva S. Hartman, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Peter and Savillia (Swanders) Hartman, and they have two daughters, Bertha and Emma. Bertha married J. W. Dickensheets and they have two children : Ethel and Ernest. Emma married Asa Fogt, and they have two children: Richard and Mary Eva. Mr. Fey and family belong to the Reformed church at Swanders, in which he is an elder. He is identified with the lodge of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, at Anna, O.

G. S. POLHAMUS for many years was a leading citizen of Washington township, Shelby county, O., where he was a substantial farmer and the owner of the old Polhamus homestead of 120 acres of well-improved land. He was born on that farm, December 31, 1855, and died there May 16, 191 1.

In the Washington township schools Mr. Polhamus secured his education, which was afterward supplemented by association with people in different sections and much reading and probably there were no better informed men in the community than he. His fellow citizens recognized his excellence of judgment as well as his personal integrity and elected him to public office and at the time of his death he was a trustee of the township. After leaving the home farm in early manhood he spent four years in Colorado and then returned to Shelby county and for nineteen years resided on and operated the William Booher farm. In February, 1907, he took up his residence on the old homestead and until the close of his life carried on fanning and stock raising with marked success.

Mr. Polhamus married Miss Sarah Lawrence, who is a daughter of John Lawrence, a farmer in Shelby county, and two children were born to them: Elsie, who married Glenn Knouff, who operates the farm above mentioned; and Margaret Grace, who resides with her mother. Mr. Polhamus was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a liberal contributor to its different lines of usefulness. His death was a distinct loss to his community and his memory is held in tender regard not only by his family but by many others to whom he had been a kind neighbor or sympathetic benef actor.

JOHN C. WARD, whose finely improved farm of eighty acres is situated in Perry township, is a well-known and representative man of this section. He was born in Muskingum county, O., May 12, 1850, and is a son of Thompson and Lucinda (Cargill) Ward. They also were natives of Muskingum county and came to Shelby county in 1853, where their subsequent lives were spent, the father being a farmer. His death occurred on the home place in Perry township, on March 29, 1869, on which his widow still resides.

John C. Ward attended the district schools. When his father died he was eighteen years of age and he assumed charge of the property and carried on the usual farm industries there until 1884, when he moved to his present farm, which he purchased from Joel Drake. Here he erected a commodious resi* dence, new barns and other farm structures and has been equally careful in enriching and cultivating his land. A general farming line is successfully carried on.

On September 30, 1876, Mr. Ward was married to Miss Susan D. Staley, who belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Shelby county. Both of her parents, Nicholas and Mary ( Baker) Staley, are now deceased, their burial being at Port Jefferson, O. They had the following children : Margaret, who is the wife of John Bruner; Henry; Mary, who is deceased; John T. ; Jennie, who is the wife of Port Blue; Susan D., who is the wife of John C. Ward; David C, who is deceased; and Squire Nicholas.

Mr. and Mrs. Ward have four children and one grandchild: Roland G., who married Clara Abbott; Edith, who married Samuel Rolfe; Verne, who married Chloe Apple and they have one son, Virgil ; and Pearl, who married Oscar Key. The Ward family belongs and gives generous support to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Ward is one of the trustees. In politics he is a republican.

JOHN CHARLES FREMONT KIGGINS, who is a retired farmer, since 1905 has been a resident of Sidney, O., .where he is well known and highly respected and was born in Shelby county, O., September 3,. 1855, on a farm of forty acres, the old home place, situated in Orange township, which he disposed of at the time of retirement from active life. He is a son of John Robert and Sallie Ann (McCloskey) Kiggins. John Robert Kiggins was born in Miami county, O., and was a son of Robert Kiggins, who was a native of Ireland. After marriage John Robert Kiggins came to Orange township, and settled on the above mentioned farm and continued to reside there until his death in 1898.

John C. F. Kiggins was reared on the home farm and spent forty-nine years there, all his life practically until 1905, with the exception of five years following his marriage, when he rented land. When he contracted to purchase the homestead he had no capital, but afterward he developed a large amount of business sagacity which not only enabled him to honestly clear off this indebtedness but also to make other wise investments. At one time he owned a farm of seventy-two acres, situated in Logan county, which property he sold one year later to great advantage. Another farm of eighty acres, located in Jackson township, near Jackson Center, he owned for three years and then sold at a much higher price than he had paid, the difference being between $85 and $117 per acre. Mr. Kiggins then went on a prospecting tour to Houston, Tex., and in that vicinity bought 320 acres, paying $38 per acre, which he held for an advance in price, and recently sold one-half of the tract for $45 per acre, still retaining the rest of the land. Still later he purchased twenty acres, for a town site, paying $250 an acre, and this valuable property he still holds. When he decided to retire and move to Sidney, he bought his fine residence on South Miami avenue and began to consider propositions for the sale of his homestead, on which he had made excellent improvements. -When he finally disposed of the forty acres he received what was regarded as a record price, $150 an acre. That the land is worth that and still more has been evidenced by a still later change of owners, ,the last purchaser paying $175 per acre, this giving a pretty fair idea of the general value of Shelby county farm land when it has been properly developed.

In the fall of 1884, Mr. Kiggins was married to Miss Laura Ella Cozier, who was born at Piqua, O., a daughter of Theodore Cozier. Mr. Cozier and family lived at Piqua until Mrs. Kiggins was sixteen years of- age, when he traded his city property for a farm in Green township, Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Kiggins are members of the First Baptist church at Sidney, in which he is a deacon. He has been identified with the order of Odd Fellowsfor many years.

JOHN F. MEIGHEN, one of the substantial citizens and experienced fanners of Orange township, residing on his well cultivated farm of eighty acres, which is situated six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, O., a part of the old Bull homestead, was born in Warren county, O., November 6, 1849, and is a son of Amos and Julia Ann (Long) Meighen.

Amos Meighen also was born in aWrren county and for some years was a farmer there but in 1867 moved to Shelby county, where the rest of his life was spent, his death occurring at the age of seventy-five years. He married Julia Ann Long, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Shelby county, in her sixty-third year. They had three children : Mrs. Mary Anderson, John F., and Mrs. Alice Hetzler.

John F. Meighen attended the public schools near his father's farm in boyhood and after assisting his father for some years rented land for himself and has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. In 1906 he came to his present farm and here carries on general farming and raises stock for his own use. Mr. Meighen married Miss Johanna Bull, who was born in Orange township, is a daughter of Hiram Bull, and they have three children : Minnie, who is the wife of Denton Simes; William, who is superintendent of the Children's Home, in Shelby county; and Edna May, who is a teacher of music in the township schools. Mr. Meighen and family belong to the Baptist church. In politics he is a democrat.

WILLIAM H. FRISTOE, one of the leading men of Shelby county, and one who is known in democratic politics all over Ohio, came to this county in 1864 and it has been his home ever since. He was born on a farm in Hocking county, O., March 22, 185 1, and is a son of Charles and Anna Maria (Beery) Fristoe.

Charles Fristoe was born and reared in Virginia and was twenty-one years of age when, in 1833, he came to Licking county, O. He was married near Bremen, in Fairfield county, to Miss Anna Maria Beery, who was reared there and was a member of one of the old, prolific and substantial families of that section, of Virginia ancestry. The Beery family still holds yearly reunions and William H. Fristoe is president of the organization. After marriage, Charles Fristoe bought a farm near Gore, in Falls township, Hocking county, and moved to Shelby county in 1864 when William H. was thirteen years of age, and here Charles Fristoe died in May, 1876. His widow survived many years, passing away at the home of her son in 1890.

William H. Fristoe was reared on the home farm and first attended school in Hocking county and afterward in Shelby county and when he started out for himself spent the first season working on a farm south of Sidney, in Orange township. Afterward he was employed in a brick yard in Turtle creek township, but in 1874 came to Sidney and learned the carpenter trade and for some years worked at bridge carpentering all over the state. In 1884 he was elected town marshal of Sidney and served for four years but in 1889 went into the implement business, as a member of the firm of Fristoe, Stewart & Co., five years later becoming an independent dealer and conducting his business alone for four years, when he was elected sheriff of Shelby county, in which office he served for two terms, from January 1, 1898, to January 1, 1902. Mr. Fristoe then bought the old Fielding farm in Clinton township, near Sidney, and carried on agricultural operations here for five years, during which time, through his efforts in securing the petition, he succeeded in having the fine turnpike road built which was named in his honor. After selling his farm he resumed the implement business at Sidney and continued until 1908, when he disposed of it to the firm of Arnet & Son. He has been active politically since early manhood and has served in many public offices and capacities as indicated above and for four years was a member of the city council of Sidney. In June, 1910, he was elected deputy state oil inspector of Ohio, ami in January, 191 1, was elected a member of the county board of infirmary directors and is clerk of this body.

In the fall of 1884 Mr. Fristoe was married to Miss Uretta Hall, a daughter of Marion Hall, then a well-known citizen and locally noted as an auctioneer, whose death occurred in February, 191 1. Mr. and Mrs. Fristoe had two children born to them: Charles Marion, who is a soldier in the United

States army; and William Robb. The mother of these sons died July 20, 1907. Since 1873 Mr. Fristoe has heen an Odd Fellow, in which organization he has advanced to encampment membership, and since 1892 has been identified with the Masonic bodies.

JACOB W. RICHARDS, an honored veteran of the Civil war, to which great struggle he dedicated three years of early manhood, is one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Turtle Creek township, where he owns 240 acres of valuable land. He was born in Miami county, O., November 23, 1836, and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Timmons) Richards.

Richard Richards was probably of Welsh ancestry but was born in Virginia and married after coming to Ohio. He followed farming throughout a long and industrious life and the family has always been held in respect in the communities in which it has been known. To Richard and Sarah Timmons the following children were born: Henry, Jacob and Jennie; Sarah, wife of Amos Fee; and Samuel and Martha.

Attending the district schools and helping on the home farm describes in general terms the life of Jacob W. Richards before the death of his father. At that time he was nineteen years of age, and as changes came about then in the home, he hired out to work by the month and so continued until he enlisted for service in the Civil war. On August 11, 1862, he became a member of Company H, Ninety-ninth Ohio Vol. Inf., and for three long years camped and marched and fought, a cheerful, obedient and courageous soldier, often facing almost certain death on the battle field but being mercifully preserved from all serious injury. After the end of his military service he returned to Shelby county and ever since has followed an agricultural life, in 1872 purchasing his present farm. For some years afterward he was obliged to labor very hard as little clearing had been done on this land, but it has well repaid his efforts and is now one of the most valuable properties in the township.

In 1871 Mr. Richards was married to Miss Martha McClure, who was born in Shelby county and is a daughter of Andrew and Jane (Hutchison) McClure, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. McClure the following children were born: John and Andrew; Margaret, who married Samuel Stevenson; Man- Ann, who married James Hutchison; James and William; Sarah, who is the wife of William Fee; Rachel, who is the wife of Thomas Spence; George ; and Martha, who is the wife of Mr. Richards.

To Mr. and Mrs. Richards four children were born, namely: Emma, who is the wife of Grant Ike and they have children - Cora. Carl, Erma, Catherine and Kenneth; Lorenzo, who married Bonnie Miller and they have children - Willa, Willis and Lowell; Charles, who married Sadie Enders, and they have children - Jennette and Frances : and Nora, who is the wife of Franklin Hill, and they have one son, Gerald. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a republican in politics but his ambitions have never been in the direction of office holding, his preference for a quiet life after years of war making him a contented as well as successful tiller of the soil. Mr. Richards is widely known and is held in high esteem.

W. O. AMANN. Among the old and reliable business houses of Sidney, is that of W. O. Amann, jeweler and optician, who has been established in this line and at his present location. No. 112 North Main avenue, for the past thirty-three years. He was born at Sidney, O., February 17, 1855, and is a son of Ferdinand and Catherine (Wagner) Amann.

Ferdinand Amann was of French extraction. By trade he was a tailor and in the forties established himself at Sidney and later went into the hotel business, owning what is now the Wagner hotel, which he conducted during and after the Civil war. He became prominent in county politics and served out two terms as county treasurer, one of his sons, Benjamin B. Amann, succeeding him in the office. He married Catherine Wagner, a member of a very widely known and substantial family of this section. Ferdinand Amann died at Sidney in 1874 but his widow survived into advanced age, her death occurring in 1904.

W. O. Amann was reared at Sidney, where he has always lived with the exception of two years, during which period his parents resided at Fort Wayne, and he was educated in the public and parochial schools. He learned the watchmaking trade with the late C. Schwerer and later purchased his instructor's business and has conducted it ever since, in point of business being the oldest man in this line in the city.

Mr. Amann married Miss Catherine Robertson, a daughter of Wallace W. Robertson, of Sidney, the latter being a brickmason, who died at Sidney in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Amann are members of the Catholic church. In politics he is a democrat and for the past twelve years he has been chairman of the democratic judicial district, which includes Shelby, Auglaize. Mercer and Allen counties.

ELVA N. MIDDLETON, one of the representative men and substantial general farmers of Green township, where he operates a tract of 100 acres, forty of which is his own and sixty belongs to his father, was born October 12, 1873, on a farni one and one-fourth miles north of this one, the latter being situated in Shelby county, O., seven and one-half miles southeast of Sidney. He is a son of James G. and Margaret (Nutt) Middleton.

James G. Middleton was born in Hamilton county. O.. a son of John and Lydia (Graham) Middleton, and a grandson of William anl Rachel Middleton. John H. Middleton was born in Hamilton count)-, January 20. [814, a blacksmith and farmer. On December 5, 1838, he married Lydia Graham, a daughter of James and Mary E. Graham. She was born in Lancaster county, Pa., August 14, 1818, and accompanied her parents to Hamilton county, O., in 1823, and after marriage she and her husband lived in Hamilton county until 1853, when they came to Shelby county and settled in Green township. They had the following children: Lucinda H., James G., Mary J., David, Elizabeth, Lewis N., Alice B., and William. When his parents came to Shelby county, James G. Aliddleton was eleven years old and he has continued his residence on the old homestead farm, now living in comfortable retirement, being aged seventy years. He married Margaret Nutt, who also survives, and they have three children: H. C, who lives one mile south of his brother's farm; John, who lives one and one-half miles north of this property; and Elva N.

After his school days were over, Elva N. Middleton followed farming on the old home place, and then settled on his own farm about fifteen years ago, and has devoted his attention to a general agricultural line. The excellent improvements seen on the place he made at different times and the appearance of comfort and thrift indicate Mr. Middleton's careful interest in his present activities. He married Miss Eva May Proctor, a daughter of George Proctor, one of the old settlers of Green township, and they have four children : Don, Catherine, Grace and Robert. In politics Mr. Middleton has been a stanch republican for many years. Fraternally he is identified with both the subordinate and encampment branches of Odd Fellowship and the auxiliary order of Rebeccas, and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen.

J. L. ATKINSON, who may be termed the leading business man of Plattsville, O., as he owns and conducts the only general store in the place, also owns a valuable farm of eighty-five acres, which lies in Green township, Shelby county, O. He was born in Green township, one mile east of this village, February 28, 1864, and is a son of Ralph and Martha (Johnson) Atkinson.

Ralph Atkinson and wife were born in Pennsylvania and after their marriage came to Shelby county and became farming people in Green township and there spent the rest of their lives, both dying near the age of sixty-eight years. They had eight children born to them: K. T., residing at Piqua ; Samuel, of Belief ontaine ; Mrs. Ella Zinks, of Darke county; Mrs. T. K. Minnear, of Plattsville; Mrs. Mary L. Simes, of St. Mary's; Harvey, living in Miami county; J. L. ; and Mrs. Hannah Rolfe, residing in Green township.

After his school days J. L. Atkinson worked on the home farm for some years and then went to Champaign county for a time but was later returned to Green township and operated his farm there until 1908, when he purchased his store at Plattsville from P. L. Frazier. He carries a large stock of assorted merchandise, including hardware, and enjoys a large trade, his customers coming from quite distant points on account of the excellent quality of his goods and his honest methods of dealing. Mr. Atkinson is just the kind of man a community needs to assist in its development, being energetic, progressive and far-sighted.

Mr. Atkinson was married first to Miss Retta Woolley, who died in Green township, leaving two children : Ralph and Mrs. Ona Hand. Mr. Atkinson's second marriage was to Miss Lizzie Scoby and they have one daughter, Anna. In politics Mr. Atkinson is a'democrat and he is serving in his first term as

JOHN W. HARP, general fanner residing in section 33, Cynthian township, where he owns eighty acres of valuable land, was born December 3, 1853, in Loramie township, Shelby county, and is a son of Albert and Catherine (Galley) Harp.

Albert Harp was born at Piqua, O., of Scotch and German parentage, and was reared to manhood at Lockport, O. He married Catherine Galley, who was born in Carroll county, Md., of German parents, and twelve children were born to them, four of whom now live in Ashland county, one in Kansas, one in North Dakota, and the following in Shelby county : Mrs. Elizabeth McLellan, of Cynthian township; Jacob, of Sidney; and John W. Albert Harp was a plasterer by trade and was accounted a good workman. In his youth he served as a soldier in the Mexican war and during the Civil war served as a member of the Fiftieth O. Vol. Inf., fortunately escaping all injury in both wars and living to return to Loramie township, Shelby county, where he had previously established his home. He died in Cynthian township on his seventy-first birthday, having outlived his wife for many years, she passing away when aged fifty-four years. They attended the Dunkard church and both were interred in the Dunkard cemetery in the eastern part of Cynthian township.

John W. Harp attended the district schools and under his father learned the plasterer's trade and worked more or less at that trade up to 1900, after marriage residing for nine years in Paulding county and then settling on his present farm in Cynthian township. Seventeen years ago he purchased this property from the Danferd heirs. It had been partially cleared but all the fencing was done by Mr. Harp and all the erecting of the present substantial buildings. The land is well situated, lying three-fourths mile south of the Sidney and Hardin turnpike road.

Mr. Harp married Miss Lydia Roads, a daughter of John S. Roads, a former resident of Loramie township, and ten children were born to them, although but three are now living: Clara, who is the wife of Alfred Ward, and they live in Michigan; Pearl May, who is the wife of A. A. Woods, of Cynthian township ; and Edward, who assists his father on the home farm. The mother of the above children died when aged fifty-four years, four months and twelve days, and her burial was at Houston, O. She was a woman of many virtues and was a consistent member of the Christian church at Oran. In his political sentiments Mr. Harp has been a republican since early manhood and has frequently been called on by his party to accept local responsibilities. He served as township trustee for seven years and was also school director for many years and for fourteen years has been treasurer of the school fund of the Oran special school district.

Logan counties, O., has practically been in the grain business all his life. He was born in Logan county, O., on his father's farm south of Quincy, in 1875, and is a son of Henry D. Persinger.

The parents of Mr. Persinger moved to Quincy when he was about one year old and thus the youth had both social and school advantages and became a graduate of the Quincy high school. Soon afterward he entered the office of J. E. Wells, a prominent grain merchant of Quincy, in the capacity of bookkeeper, and continued until 1898, when he became a member of the firm. His business enterprise and capacity have made him valuable in his present connection and his own interests, with those of the firm, have continuously expanded. He assisted in the organization of the Miami Valley Bank of Quincy, of which he is a director, Mr. Wells being president of the bank.

Mr. Persinger was married at Quincy, O., to Miss Maud E. Neal, of Champaign county, O., and they have resided at Sidney for the past seven years. The company has fine business headquarters in the Citizens Bank building at Sidney.

CHARLES F. BROERMAN, who is one of Shelby county's most respected citizens, is a large landowner in Ohio, having 291 acres in his home place in Cynthian township, and eighty-two acres in Wabash township, Darke county, about seventy-five acres of his land being in timber and pastures. He was born in Germany, January 29, 1864, and is a son of Frank and Elizabeth Broerman.

The parents of Mr. Broerman came from Germany to the United States in 1867 and settled on land in Shelby county, O., located one mile west of Fort Loramie. That place continued their home as long as they lived. They were members of St. Michael's Catholic church.

Charles F. Broerman was three years old when his parents brought him to Shelby county and he attended school in the Walkup special school district in Cynthian township and afterward engaged in farm work and after his marriage settled on his present place. He set about making improvements, erected the comfortable residence and remodeled or repaired all the other buildings, put down tilings where necessary and built substantial fences. He has carried on farming and stock raising with very satisfactory results and is numbered with the prosperous agriculturists of this section.

Mr. Broerman married Miss Catherine Kuether, who was born in Auglaize county, O., a daughter of Henry Kuether, and they have had seven children, namely : Emma, Clara, Frank, John, Robert, Leo and Adeline, the youngest dying at the age of one month. Mr. Broerman and family are members of St. Peter and Paul Catholic church at Newport, O., and for the past four years Mr. Broerman has been church warden. In politics he is a democrat and at present is serving as treasurer of the board of education of the Short special school district.

C. G. GINN, who operates his excellent farm of ninety-two acres according to modern methods of agriculture and meets with very satisfactory returns, resides in Green township, Shelby county, six miles southeast of Sidney, in a very beautiful section of country. He was born in 1864, in Shelby county, O., three miles north of Sidney, and is a son of George and Ella (Wells) Ginn.

George Ginn was born in Ireland and was brought to the United States by his parents when two years old. They settled on the west line of Shelby county, and there the son grew to manhood. When twenty-one years old he left home for the gold fields of California and for six years followed mining in that state but when he determined to locate permanently he returned to the East, settling first on land north of Sidney, O., where he remained until 1874, when he removed to White county. 111. For five years Mr. Ginn engaged in farming there but in 1879 came to Green township, Shelby county, settling on the above mentioned farm and here the remainder of his life was passed, his death occurring at the age of seventy-three years. He was a wellknown man, one widely informed, and had many friends in whatever section he chose to make his home. He married Ella Wells, a daughter of James Wells and she survives, being now in her seventy-fourth year. Five children were born to George Ginn and wife: Wilbur A., who lives at Sanford, Fla. ; C. G. ; Charles Earl and Grace E., both of whom live at Cincinnati ; and Sarah Frances, who lives with her mother and brother on the old homestead.

C. G. Ginn attended the country schools and afterward enjoyed one term at Lebanon, O. He then returned home to assume charge of the home farm and here has continued to carry on general farming and moderate stock raising to some extent. In politics he is a Republican and for seven years has served as assessor and as member of the school board. Since early manhood he has been identified with the Odd Fellows and belongs to the lower branch at Plattsville and the encampment at Sidney. With his mother and sister he attends the Methodist Episcopal church at Plattsville. Mr. Ginn is unmarried.

HEXRY WEXDELX. who owns a very valuable farm containing 178 acres, which lies in section n, McLean township, adjoining the town of Fort Loramie. on the north side, is one of the substantial and representative citizens of this section of the county. He was born February 26, 1855, in Auglaize county, O., and is a son of Henry Wendeln, and a grandson of William Wendeln.

Grandfather William Wendeln emigrated from Germany with his family of five sons and three daughters and settled in Auglaize county, O., securing 160 acres of government land situated in Jackson township. This was in 1833 and as yet no roads had been constructed in the township and it took a long time to go to and from Piqua, the nearest provision point. The grandfather survived for five years after coming to America, his death occurring on the above farm and his burial being at Minster, in the Catholic church cemetery, having been a lifelong member of that faith.

Henry Wendeln, son of William, was born in Oldenburg. Germany, and accompanied his parents to the United States. He worked for several months at Cincinnati, O., and then took charge of the farm in Jackson township and was married to Elizabeth Duttmann. She also was a native of Germany and had been in America but three months when she married and ten children were born to them, four of whom are yet living, Henry being the second youngest of the family. The father, Henry Wendeln, continued to carry on the farm until his death, at the age of fifty years and was survived by his wife for ten years, she then being aged fifty-nine years. The grandmother survived both her son and daughter-in-law, living to the age of eighty-nine years and her last days were made comfortable by the kind attentions of her grandson, Henry Wendeln.

About two years before his grandmother's death, Henry Wendeln came into possession of the home farm and continued to live there for five years following his marriage and then sold it to advantage and bought his present farm, in 1882, it being but partly improved. Mr. Wendeln remodeled the residence and made other improvements, has cleared about forty acres and still has twenty acres in valuable woodland. He carries on a general farming line, Fort Loramie giving him a ready market, and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of this section.

In 1877 Mr. Wendeln was married to Miss Mary Anna Liening, who was born at Minster, O., a daughter of Benjamin Liening. She died in May, 1890, and her burial was in St. Michael's cemetery, her age being thirty-five years. She was the mother of five children, namely: Louis, who is a farmer near Wheatfield, Ind., married Bertha Panchar; Katie, who lives at Cincinnati, O. ; Rosa, who is the wife of Benjamin Schulte, living at Maria Station; Edward, who assists his father; and Joseph, who died at the age of nine months. In 1892 Mr. Wendeln was married to his present, wife, Catherine Bohman, who then lived at Annexburg. Ind., and they have seven children: Carrie, Dena. Eleanor, Mary, Millie, John Henry and Andrew. Mr. Wendeln has given his children all possible advantages and they have done well at school. Since January, 1912, he has been a member of the board of education of the Berlin special school district. The family belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.

WILLIAM F. MEIGHEN,, superintendent of the Shelby County Children's Home, was born in Shelby county, O., September 4, 1876, and is a son of John F. and Johanna ( Bull) Meighen, and a grandson of Amos Meighen and of Hiram Bull, the former an early settler of Warren county and the latter of Shelby county.

John F. Meighen was born in Warren county, O., November 6, 1849, and now resides on his farm of eighty acres situated six and one-half miles southeast, of Sidney. He married Johanna Bull and they have three children : Minnie, wife of D. J. Simes; William F. and Edna May. Mr. Meighen is one of the highly respected citizens of Orange township and the family is well known in the neighborhood and is prominent in the Baptist church.

William F. Meighen obtained his education in the schools of Miami county and until he accepted his present responsible position, devoted himself to farming and stock raising, in the meanwhile becoming so well and favorably known in the county's various welfare movements that his appointment as superintendent of the Children's Home in March, 1912, brought general satisfaction and public approval. He has been twice married and to his first union one child was born that died when aged one year. His second marriage took place in 1908, to a daughter of John S. and Victoria Stapleton, formerly farmers in Champaign county but now living retired at Christianburg, O. Mrs. Meighen has one brother, Ulysses. She has been interested in this line of work almost all her life and possesses the temperament and personal attributes that admirably fit her for it. She has been connected with a number of public institutions, including the State Pythian Home at Springfield, O., the Masonic Home and the Children's Home of Miami county, O. Mr. and Mrs. Meighen are members of the Baptist church. In politics he is a democrat.

HENRY FORTMAN, clerk of the board of education of the Dirksen special school district, McLean township, is a prosperous agriculturist and resides on his farm of eighty acres situated in section 9, one mile west and one mile north of Fort Loramie, O. He \\ as born in Germany September 8, 1865, and was six years old when his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Fortman, came to America. Of their three children he is the only survivor.

Henry Fortman grew up on the home farm in McLean township and attended school until he was thirteen years of age pretty regularly hut since that time has devoted himself to tilling the soil and growing stock. With his father he cleared about sixty acres of this land and all but twenty acres of woodland is well drained and tiled. His farm products are grain, hay and potatoes largely, with cattle and hogs and an abundance of fruit.

Mr. Fortman was married first to Miss Agnes Berning, who was born in McLean township and died here July 25, 1893, survived by one son, Bernard. His second marriage was to Miss Mary Riethman, a native of McLean township and a daughter of Anton Riethman, and the following children have been born to them: Anton, Laurence, Louetta, Henry, Raymond, Alvena and Hilda. Mr. Fortman and family are members of the Catholic church at Minster, O. In politics he has always been identified with the democratic party.

SHELBY J. BRANDENBURG, who belongs to a family that has lived in Shelby county through several generations, ever esteemed and held in respect, owns an excellent farm of fifty-five acres, situated in Franklin township. He was born in Jackson township July 11, 1863, and is a son of Joel and Hannah (Le Master) Brandenburg.

Both parents of Mr. Brandenburg were born also in Jackson township, Shelby county and both are now deceased and their burial was in the Pearl cemetery. The father was a member of the Reformed church and the mother was a Methodist. They had three children: Linsley C, Amanda, wife of Scott Ewing, and Shelby J.

After completing the public school course, Shelby J. Brandenburg remained with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-seven years of age, after which, he rented land for himself in Salem township for four years, later land in Franklin township for eight years, in Turtle Creek township for three years and once more rented in Franklin township, but, after four more years of renting, in 1909 purchased his present farm from J. M. Forsythe. He has made all needed improvements on his property and carries on general farming, raises sufficient stock for home use, and is numbered with the solid, reliable agriculturists of this section.

In 1892 Mr. Brandenburg was married to Miss Mary E. West, who was born also in Shelby county, a daughter of William and Levina (Conover) West, the former of whom is deceased, but the mother of Mrs. Brandenburg survives and resides at Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. West had children as. follows : John, Lester, Edward, Mattie, wife of George W. Zedeker, Charles, and Mary E., the wife of Mr. Brandenburg, and they have three children: Cora, who is a teacher in Turtle Creek township; Clyde and Lenita. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Brandenburg is a democrat.

CHARLES M. DORSEY, who is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of Shelby county, is a well-known citizen of Sidney where he was engaged in newspaper work prior to July 1, 1898, since which date he has been assistant postmaster. He was born on his father's farm in Green township October 27, 1870, and is a son of Snowden Taylor and Anna (Mathers) Dorsey.

Snowden Taylor Dorsey was born in 1825, in Green township, a son of John Dorsey, who came from Maryland and settled in this section when it was yet a wilderness. Snowden T. Dorsey was reared on the pioneer farm and attended the first school ever organized in Green township. He learned the carpenter trade and also was a farmer. At the time of death, September 1 1 , 1894, he was the oldest man in Green township.

Charles M. Dorsey grew to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the public schools, with two years at the Lebanon National Normal School and one term at Valparaiso, Ind., for three years afterward teaching school at Palestine. He then came to Sidney and for some years was connected with the old Sidney Gazette which later merged with the Sidney Journal. He has been an active citizen and to some degree interested in politics.

Mr. Dorsey was first married to Miss Mamie Brelsford, who died September 14, 19 10, the mother of three children : Amelia Knox, Mary and Horace Taylor, the second born dying at the age of seven months. Mr. Dorsey was married (second) July 18, 1912, to Miss Stella Wilson, who was a successful teacher and an admired lady in Sidney social circles. Mr. Dorsey was reared in the Presbyterian church. He is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, including: the Odd Fellows, the Tribe of Ben Hur, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

Mh'Hakl Loy And Representative Citizens 495

MICHAEL LOY, one of the representative citizens of Shelby county, O., who resides on his valuable farm of seventy-four acres, which is situated in section 18, Cyhthian township, two and one-half miles south of Fort Loramie, has been more continuously connected with educational matters in the Basinburg special school district, of which he is the present clerk, than any other resident of the township for the past thirtysix years. Mr. Loy was born September i, 1853, in McLean township, Shelby county, and is a son of George and Catherine Loy.

George Loy was born in Germany and was a young man when he came to the United States and settled in McLean township, locating at first among the early settlers west of Fort Loramie, whom he assisted to clear their lands. Later he bought a tract of eighty acres located south of Fort Loramie, in partnership with a Mr. Smith, the latter taking the south one-half and Mr. Loy the north one-half and this land now belongs to Michael Loy. He lost his wife, Catherine Loy, when their only child, Michael, was three years old, and his own death occurred seven years later.

Thus, when but ten years old, Michael Loy was made an orphan. For three years afterward he lived with an uncle, when the latter's death left him again without legal protectors, and he then became a member of the family of a Mr. Wagler, a farmer in Cynthian township, with whom he lived for one year and eight months. From there he went to the home of an aunt and worked for her as a hired man, in the meanwhile attending school as regularly as he was able, in what is now the Basinburg special school district, being obliged, at that time, to go back and forth through the woods as there had been little clearing done in that locality. Mr. Loy's memory goes back to the building of the old United Brethren church edifice, which is now in ruins, and he can easily recall the introduction of many of the most useful farm implements and machinery, now in constant use on his own land, the same never having been even thought of when he was a boy. After his marriage, Mr. Loy rented farm land until 1882, when he purchased the property on which he has lived ever since and successfully carries on his different farm industries, assisted more or less by several of his sons.

In 1879 Mr. Loy was married to Miss Hattie Groh, who was born in Cynthian township, Shelby county, a daughter of Ludwig Groh and wife. They were natives of Germany who lived in Pennsylvania before coming to Dayton, O., and Jater to Shelby county. The father of Mrs. Loy died in Cynthian township and the mother in Auglaize county, O. To Mr. and Mrs. Loy the following children were born: Harvey W., who is president of a university in Union county, Ky. ; Rosa, who is the wife of Ross Hotchkiss and they live in Illinois ; Frances, who is a highly appreciated teacher in the Basinburg special school district; Albert, who resides east of Sidney, married Viola Mills; Frank, who teaches school in Perry township, married Elsie Geer and is a student of theology; George; Walter, who is a student at Ada, O. ; Elmer; and Emma and

Nettie who are in school. Mr. Loy is a republican in his political sentiments and has frequently been elected to township offices, serving at times on the election board and as judge of election, and in 1876 was first appointed a member of the special school board, on which he has served ever since with the exception of six years. He and wife belong to the United Brethren church, while the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

REINHART SIEGEL, who is one of the highly respected residents and substantial citizens of Cynthian township, whose excellent farm of 260 acres lies in section 15, may be called one of the pioneers here as very wild conditions prevailed when he first set step in Cynthian township. He was born March 1, 1838, in Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Gertrude Siegel.

Jacob Siegel brought his family to the United States when his son was sixteen years of age and they settled near Troy, Miami county, O., where they lived for a few years and then came to Cynthian township, Shelby county. The eighty-acre tract lay in the woods, four acres of which had been cleared and here the family lived in a little log cabin. After the mother died, Reinhart bought the father's land and set up a domestic hearth of his own, marrying Caroline Circher, who survived until 1907. She was the beloved mother of four sons and six daughters, namely: Clara, who is the wife of Benjamin Pauwells, of Minster, O. ; and John, Jacob, Joseph, Josephine, Rachel, Elizabeth, Frances, Peter and Mary.

Mr. Siegel has carried on the usual farm industries and has added iracis of land as he has deemed desirable, all of which he has cleared and has under cultivation with the exception of about forty acres in woodland. Among the many substantial improvements on his place may be mentioned the comfortable brick residence. Mr. Siegel is a democrat in his political opinions but has never desired to hold public office. With his children he belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie, O. He has an excellent memory and can tell much that is interesting concerning early days in Cynthian township.

JOHN H. KEMP, one of the substantial farmers of Perry township, who resides on his forty-acre tract and owns a second farm containing ninetyfive acres, both in Perry township, was born in Salem township, Shelby county, January 29, 1855. He is a son of Henry and Eliza J. (Gray) Kemp.