Shelby County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Miscellaneous, 1913 (part 4 of 14)

After his school days, which were spent in the district schools of Salem township, John H. Kemp started out to take care of himself. Possessing industry and good judgment, he easily' found employment as a farm hand and as he prudently saved his money he was soon enabled to buy land, his first investment being the forty acres on which he resides, this purchase being made in 1894. Here he has placed many improvements, including a commodious and comfortable residence and a substantial barn and other farm buildings. His second farm he purchased at a sheriff's sale, in 1908. Mr. Kemp no longer is an active farmer, having practically retired. The larger number of his brothers and sisters live in this county, he being the second born of his parents' children. The others were : Phoebe Jane, who married twice, first, Frank Armstrong, and second, Jonathan Henman; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of John Stiles; Louvina, who married (first) William Winsor, (second) William Beerline; and George C, Emmanuel E. and Samuel N. On August 9, 1881, Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Anna DeWeese, a daughter of J. D. and Lydia (Kiser) DeWeese, who were early settlers in Shelby county. To Mr. and Mrs. DeWeese the following children were born : D. K. ; Benjamin and Thomas, both of whom are deceased; Anna; Samantha, who is deceased, was the wife of Mack Van Demark; Therza, who is the wife of A. N. Stephenson; Jethro M. ; Cora, who is the wife of Isaac Green; and James. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp have an adopted son, Albert W., who was born September 8, 1907, to whom every educational advantage will be given and whose future is well assured if he develops, as now promises, into a youth of fine character and of more than ordinary intellect. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp attend the Baptist church at Pemberton, O. Politically Mr. Kemp is a republican and for fourteen years he served as a trustee of Perry township. For six years he filled the responsible position of superintendent of the Children's Home in Shelby county and during this time his wife was the matron, their administration being marked by efficiency. Mr. Kemp belongs to the Knights of Pythias and attends the lodge at De Graff, O.

BENJAMIN E. DILLON, whose excellent and well-cultivated farm containing eighty acres, lies six and one-half miles southeast of Sidney, is a well-known citizen of Orange township, in which he has spent the greater part of his life. He was born one and one-quarter miles southeast of Sidney and was brought to the present farm, a part of the old Hiram Bull homestead, when he was eighteen months old and with the exception of five years, has lived here ever since. John Dillon, father of Benjamin E., was born in Shelby county and still lives but the mother died when Benjamin E. was seven years old. John Dillon formerly was a farmer but now engages in carpenter work.

Benjamin E. Dillon obtained a common school education and afterward learned the carpenter trade and during the five years he spent at Dayton, O., assisted in building cars and also did house building. He returned then to his grandfather's old farm and lives in the house which his grandfather built so many years ago and owns the deed his grandfather secured, with the 'signature of James Madison, president of the United States, signed to this document. Mr. Dillon carries on the various farm industries which this climate favors and is very comfortably situated.

At Dayton, O., on June 7, 1903, by Rev. Hale, Mr. Dillon was married to Miss Delia Maude- Wickoff, who came from Adams county, and they have two children : Bernice and Omer D. In his political sentiments Mr. Dillon is a democrat and takes pleasure in his- party's political supremacy in 1912. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Masons.

FRANK DANZIG, one of the enterprising citizens and excellent farmers of McLean township, Shelby county, O., who resides in section 9, where is situated his productive farm of 120 acres, has spent his life in this section of the county, having been born on his present farm March 25, 1866. His parents were William and Elizabeth Danzig. Frank Danzig received his educational training mainly in the Sherman special school district, which was supplemented by one term in the Coldwater high school, and since then he has carried on his agricultural industries on the home farm. After marriage, when he came into full possession, he remodeled the farm residence which his father had erected and built a new barn and other structures, putting everything into good condition and ever since has kept up his repairs. In addition to his home farm he owns forty acres situated in Cynthian township. twenty of which he uses as a pasture land, while twenty acres of the other farm is still in valuable timber. Mr. Danzig is a careful and well-informed farmer and a good manager and hires helpers in carrying on his activities.

Mr. Danzig married Miss Caroline Brandewie, a daughter of Joseph Brandewie, of Auglaize county, O., and four children have been born to them, the youngest only surviving, a very engaging little daughter, Teckla Mary, who has passed her second year. The eldest, Clara E., died at the age of fourteen months ; Leo Joseph died when aged eighteen months ; and YVilhelmina also died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Danzig are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie. Politically he is a democrat as was his father before him.

SAMUEL PIPER, proprietor of Piper's Grocery and Bakery, a wellknown and popular business house of Sidney, has been identified with this line for many years, it having been founded by his father fifty-two years ago. Samuel Piper was born at Sidney, April 8, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine Piper.

Jacob Piper and wife were born in Germany, both came when young to the United States and were married in Ohio and both died at Sidney. They were held in universal esteem for their many admirable qualities. Before starting his grocery store, in i860, Jacob Piper operated a wagon shop at Sidney and did a good business as at that time transportation was largely wagoning, there being neither canal nor railroad facilities. When wagon making no longer was profitable he turned his attention to the handling of food stuffs and carried on a grocery business for a number of years, the bakery feature not being added until his sons became associated with him. He first admitted his son, William Piper and a son-in-law, Fred Yenney, after which the firm caption became Piper & Yenney, and this firm gave way to Piper Brothers, when Samuel and Jacob Piper, brothers, purchased the business, which continued until Samuel Piper became sole proprietor in 1897. In 1893 the firm of Piper Brothers erected the fine three-story brick block, with a frontage of 46 feet and a depth of 165 feet, on North Main avenue, facing the court house, the first floor being given up to business purposes and the second and third floors being divided into comfortable and attractive housekeeping flats.

While Mr. Piper employs as many as ten men in his store and bakery, he looks after every detail himself and takes justifiable pride in the high standing his business house has maintained for so many years.

Mr. Piper married Miss Carrie Eisner, who was born on her father's farm in Turtle Creek township, and they have three children : Harrison and Morton, twins, who are with their father in his business; and Elsie, who is well known in social circles. Mr. Piper and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the city's dependable men and frequently has been elected to public office, serving in the city council, as cemetery trustee, as water works trustee and on the school board. He is identified with the fraternal order of Odd Fellows.

S. T. BUIRLEY. whose fine, eighty-acre farm is situated five miles south of Sidney, is one of the prominent citizens of Orange township, Shelby county, 0., of which he is a trustee. He was born August 25, 1862, in Orange township, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Venice) Buirley.

Daniel Buirley was born in Shelby county, O., where his father had been a pioneer, probably coming from Germany. In the early subscription schools Daniel Buirley obtained his knowledge of text books and afterward devoted his life to farm pursuits, first in Orange and later in Clinton township, living into his seventy-first year. He married Mary Venice, who was born in Champaign couny, O., and died in Orange township, when aged seventy years. They had five children, namely: John A., who is a resident of Clinton township; Benjamin, who lives at Jackson Center; S. T., who attended school both in Clinton and Orange townships; Delilah, who is deceased; and Elizabeth, who is now deceased, was the wife of H. H. Wilson.

S. T. Buirley remained on the home farm in Clinton township until 1888, when he came to Orange township to live, and in 1909 bought the old Fergus place and started immediately to make the improvements which have converted it into one of the valuable and attractive properties of this section, his residence being built according to ideas of comfort and convenience. General farming is carried on here very successfully and good stock raised.

Mr. Buirley was married to Miss Mary Redinbo, who was born in Green township, Shelby county, and they have one daughter, Dema D., who resides with her parents. Politically a democrat, Mr. Burley takes a deep interest in public issues and is somewhat of a leader in local opinion. In 1910 he was elected a member of the board of trustees of Orange township and Has proved an able, honest and efficient public official. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and attends lodge meetings at Sidney.

WILLIAM E. WOOLLEY for many years was one of the prosperous, well-known and highly respected citizens of Perry township. He was born in Champaign count/, O., June 7, 1844, and died on his farm in Perry township, Shelby county, July 30, 1899. His parents were Charles and Barbara (Speice) Woolley, farming people in Champaign county. William E. was their eldest child, the others being: Anna, wife of David Dormire ; Ella,

William E. Woolley attended school near his father's farm and no doubt the sessions were held in a log structure, as was the usual custom when he was a boy and perhaps his opportunities were very meager. Nevertheless he became a well-informed man and during a busy and useful life performed all the duties and accepted the responsibilities which come to one as a good citizen, a peaceable neighbor, a kind husband and indulgent father. He learned the wagon-making trade in early manhood and followed the same until he became a farmer. On May 16, 1872, he was married to Miss Nancy Jane Johnson. She was born in Perry township, a daughter of James and Lafey (Newman) Johnson, both now deceased. The father of Mrs. Woolley was a native of Shelby county, while her mother was born in Logan county. Mrs. Woolley has one brother, Charles William Johnson.

To Mr. and Mrs. Woolley the following children were born : Cora, who is the wife of C. M. McCashin, of Perry township; Charles, who married Mabel Ritter. she being now deceased ; Ora, who is the wife of John Lorton ; Daisy Belle, who is deceased, was the wife of Chester Staley; James C, who married Edna Ward; Frank; Harry; Grace, who is the wife of Wallace Lockard ; and William. Mrs. Woolley and children attend the Methodist Episcopal church. She continues to reside on the valuable home farm of 108 acres, which is her property.

A. G. WHEATON, who operates one of the fine farms of Orange township, containing 160 acres of well-improved land, is one of the enterprising young agriculturists of this section. He was born on his father's farm located on the Urbana turnpike road, in Miami county, O., in March, 1889, and is a son of Thomas and Ida (Garbry) Wheaton.

Thomas Wheaton was bom in Champaign county, O., and moved into Miami county after marriage and there followed farming until 1892, when he came to Shelby county and settled on the farm which his son now manages, and operated it until the fall of 1910, when he retired to Sidney, where he resides in great comfort, he and his wife being leading members of the Baptist church there. He married Ida Garbry and three children were born to them: Ora T., who lives at Dayton, married Neva Loy; Lucy, who is the wife of James Wiley, and they have one son, Darwin; and A. G.

After completing the common school course, A. G. Wheaton began to relieve his father of many of the farm responsibilities and when the latter retired and moved to Sidney, took entire charge. He had little improving to do as the homestead had received excellent attention from his father. Mr. Wheaton makes use of the best farm machinery obtainable and takes a very intelligent interest in his farm industries, raising the usual farm products and some excellent stock. In politics, like his father, he is a democrat, but is no seeker for public office, contented to have others make the laws, provided they are just ones.

Mr. Wheaton married Miss Iona Redinbo. They attend the Baptist church at Spring Creek, are well known all over the township and have a pleasant social circle.

JAMES W. WILEY, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising on his farm of eighty acres, which is situated in Orange township, Shelby county, O., is one of the enterprising and intelligent young agriculturists of this section, active alike in business and in public matters. He was born on his present farm September 7, 1880, and is a son of George W. and Lydia A. (Geer) Wiley.

George W. Wiley was born in Miami county, O., and was a young man when he came to Shelby county, after which he engaged in farming in Orange township during the rest of his active life, subsequently retiring to Sidney, where he still lives. He yet owns eighty acres of land here and made all the improvements and put up all the buildings on the whole estate. He married Lydia A. Geer, who was also born in Ohio and they had six children born to them, five of whom yet survive.

James W. Wiley obtained a good common school education and then turned his attention to an agricultural life and has been engaged ever since in farming and stock raising, not only operating his own farm but also a sixtyacre farm belonging to his uncle. Mr. Wiley is prominent in local politics, being one of the leading democrats of the township and at present is serving in the office of township clerk.

Mr. Wiley married Miss Lucy Wheaton, born in Miami county, O., a daughter of Thomas and Ida (Garbry) Wheaton. who live retired at Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have one son, Darwin W. They are members of the Presbyterian church at Sidney and Mr. Wiley is identified fraternally with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

JOHN B. BORCHERS, one of Shelby county's substantial and respected citizens, who has spent the larger part of a useful and busy life in Ohio, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 7, 1832, and is the oldest of the three sons and two daughters born to his parents, John H. and Catherine Borchers.

The parents of Mr. Borchers emigrated from Germany with their children in 1848 and after reaching the United States settled near Minster, in Auglaize county, O., where they lived for eighteen years. The father died there when aged sixty-three years and his burial was in the Minster cemetery. After his death the mother and children came to Shelby county and settled on the farm in McLean township on which John B. Borchers still resides and here the mother passed away in her eighty-sixth year. Both she and her husband were faithful Catholics and she was a member of St. Michael's church.

John B. Borchers was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents and brothers and sisters to the United States and is the only survivor of the family. The country was but sparsely settled when the family came to McLean township, and the farm of 160 acres on which they settled was about one-half cleared. Mr. Borchers continued to add other tracts as an advan- tageous opportunity offered and continued until at present he has 560 acres, 230 of which lie in Cynthian township. His land is separated into three farms, his sons having a partial interest in the same and each farm has a set of substantial buildings. All the land is utilized for general farming except about sixty acres, which is still in woodland.

In Auglaize county, O., Mr. Borchers was married to Miss Catherine Timmerman, a daughter of John H. Timmerman, who died in that county when his daughter was a babe. To Mr. and Mrs. Borchers the following children were born: Catherine, who is the wife of Barney Ernst, of McLean township; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Barney Krampe; Mary, who is the wife of Henry Ernst; Henry, who married Frances Hilgefort; Bernard, who married Eleanor Shank; Clement, who died when aged three years; John, who married Ann Schlater; William, who married Lena Seitters; and Frank, who married Emma Boerger. Mr. Borchers has the satisfaction of knowing that all his children are well settled in life and takes much interest in his grandchildren. He has been a democrat ever since reaching manhood but has never been anxious to serve in public office, consenting at one time, however, to accept a place on the board of education in his special school district. He and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.

SAMUEL HIGGINS, one of the well-known citizens of Shelby county, now living retired on his valuable farm of 130 acres, which is situated six and one-half miles southwest of Sidney, in Orange township, is also entitled to respect and esteem as a surviving veteran of the great Civil war. He was born January 18, 1841, on a farm in Shelby county, one mile south of his present home, and is a son of Francis and Mary (Doak) Higgins.

Francis Higgins was born in Hamilton county, O., and came to Shelby county in 1833, locating on the farm on which his son was born, from which he removed to the second farm when Samuel Higgins was one year old. Here he died at the age of sixty-seven years. He married Alary Doak, who came to Shelby county in 181 5 and lived beyond her eighty-first birthday. They had five children: John V., Elizabeth, Ella, Samuel and Mary C, the. two survivors being Elizabeth and Samuel.

Samuel Higgins attended the district schools in Orange township, during the winter seasons, until he was about nineteen years of age, giving his father help on the farm in the summer time. In 1862 as a patriotic young man, he enlisted for service in the Civil war then in progress, entering Company B, Fiftieth Ohio Vol. Inf., under the command of Captain Gellespie, and continued all through the war, receiving an honorable discharge, and never was seriously injured although he participated at Perryville, Knoxville. through the Atlanta campaign including the taking of the city, Franklin and Nashville, being ever at the post of duty. When the war was over he returned to peaceful life and took up farming on his present property, on which he has lived ever since. He practically made the place over, putting up all the buildings now standing and adding all the other improvements. Since his retirement from active farm work, the industries are carried on by his son.

Mr. Higgins was married to Miss Martha E. Bryan, whose father, James Bryan, died in Sidney when she was only one year old, leaving a widow, formerly Wilma Crumbaugh, and two little daughters : Sarah E. and Martha E. To. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins eleven children were born and nine of these survive. Mr. Higgins and sons are republicans and he belongs to Neil post, G. A. R., at Sidney. With his family he attends the United Brethren church at Kirkwood.

MOSES R. RUSSELL, who owns eighty-three acres of excellent land in Clinton township, and, in association with his two sisters, eighty acres in Turtle Creek township and 130 acres in Franklin township, is well known all over Shelby county, in which his life has been passed and belongs to a pioneer family that settled here in 1834. He was born in Turtle Creek township June 18, 1852, and is a son of Moses and Mary A. (Laughlin) Russell, and a grandson of Moses and Jane Russell.

Moses Russell, the grandfather, a soldier of the War of 1812, was born in Augusta county, Va., July 29, 1775. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker prior to becoming a farmer. He married Jane Ross, who was born in February, 1779, in Virginia, and they remained in their native state until the fall of 181 1, when they came to Ohio and located in Greene county and lived there for twenty-three years. In March, 1834, they came to Shelby county and settled on land later owned and occupied by their son, Moses Russell, and there passed the rest of their life, Moses Russell, Sr., dying March 13, 1851, and his wife February 13, 1845. They reared a family of seven children: Jane, William, Joshua, Elizabeth R., Moses, Margaret L. R., and Mary J.

Moses Russell, son of Moses and father of Moses R. Russell, was born in Greene county, O., May 25, 1812, where he passed his younger days and in 1834 accompanied his parents to Shelby county and they settled in section 16, Turtle Creek township, where his life was spent, his death occurring in 1889. He was a well-known and useful citizen and served as township trustee for four years. In 1843 he married Mary A. Laughlin, a daughter of John and Jane Laughlin. She was born in Jefferson county, O., August 25, 1819, and died March 17, 1897. She accompanied her parents to Shelby county in 1839, they settling in Turtle Creek township. Both she and husband were members of the First Presbyterian church at Sidney and when they passed away their burial was in beautiful Graceland cemetery in that city. They reared six children: John F., Margaret J., Martha E., Moses R., Elizabeth A. and Mary B.

Moses R. Russell obtained his education in the district schools of Turtle Creek township and has always resided here. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life and is numbered with the successful farmers and stock raisers of this section. In his political views he is a republican in national affairs but in local matters he uses his own good judgment when it comes to placing power in the hands of candidates. He has never been an office seeker although he served one term as township trustee and takes an interest in all that concerns the public welfare of his county. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church at Sidney, O.

D. FINLEY MILLS, junior member of the well-known law firm of Barnes & Mills, at Sidney, and serving in his second term as city solicitor, was born April 25, 1879, at the village of Newport, in Cynthian township, Shelby county, O., and is a son of N. W. and Mary Elizabeth (Spraley) Mills.

D. Finley Mills lost his mother when a child and his father when he was only nine years old and then went to live with an uncle, Marcus Mills, who was a farmer in Cynthian township. After securing a public school education he began to provide for himself by teaching school and taught for four years, then spent one summer in the study of law in the office of Mr. Barnes, his present partner, after which he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and in 1905 was graduated after completing the scientific course, and completed the law course in 1906, in December of the same year being admitted to the Ohio bar, resuming teaching and being so engaged in Logan county from January until May, 1907, when he came to Sidney. Here he entered first into partnership with the late Judge E. L. Hoskins, whose death occurred in 1909, in which year he became associated with his present partner under the firm style of Barnes & Mills. Mr. Mills has been somewhat active in politics and on the democratic ticket was elected city solicitor, in the fall of 1909, and was reelected in the fall of 191 1. A general law practice is carried on by the firm and they are local attorneys for the Western Ohio Electric Railway Company, and Mr. Mills is attorney for the Shelby County Building and Loan Association. He belongs to the junior order of American Mechanics, to the Masons, and to the Odd Fellows, and in the last named organization is past grand master of the subordinate branch Both in his profession and as a citizen, Mr. Mills occupies a leading position in Shelby county.

WILLIAM J. BORCHERS, a general merchant and representative business man of Fort Loramie, O., was born in McLean township, Shelby county, O., October 28, 1884, a son of Bernard and Catherine Borchers. He was reared and attended school in the same locality and at the age of twenty-two years left the farm to attend business college at Sidney, O. After taking a course in bookkeeping, he purchased the grocery business of E. J. Evans, on Pomeroy avenue, Sidney, which he conducted for two years. He then sold out and moved to the Wagner block, becoming proprietor of the Arcade Grocery. On June 30, 1910, Mr. Borchers sold that place and moved to Fort Loramie, O., where he established his present business, in which he has been quite successful. His property, which he purchased, is located on the west side of the canal, adjoining the bank. He has greatly improved the building and carries a first-class stock of goods. Besides attending to his personal business, Mr. Borchers is ticket and freight agent for the Western Ohio Railroad and is also agent for the Wells Fargo Express Company. Politically a stanch democrat, he has the confidence of his fellow citizens, and was elected January i, 1912, as a member of the town council. He is also an active and useful member of the Commercial Club and belongs to the volunteer fire department. Mr. Borchers was married November 11, 1908, to Miss Lena Seiter, a daughter of Joseph Seiter, of Sidney, O. They have one son, Joseph, who was born June n, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Borchers are members of St. Michael's Catholic church, and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John.

HENRY W. EHRHARDT, florist and gardener, located at No. 756 Spruce street, Sidney O., is a representative business man of this city and one of long experience in his particular line. He was born at Cincinnati, O., May 19, 1850, and is a son of Adam and Margaret (Vogel) Ehrhardt.

Adam Ehrhardt was born in Bavaria, Germany, and in his own land learned to be a gardener. At the age of twenty-two years he came to the United States and was naturalized, in 1845 casting his first vote as a citizen in the city of Cincinnati, O. He married Margaret Vogel, who was reared in Cincinnati from the age of two months, a daughter of Fred Vogel, who once conducted a tailoring establishment in that city. Adam Ehrhardt engaged in the gardening and florist business and so prospered that he was able to acquire property, purchasing land at Clifton, now a suburb of Cincinnati, where he continued in the same business until his death in 1870. The family owned that property for thirty-seven years and when they disposed of it, it had increased many times over in value and the price paid was over $70,000.

Henry W. Ehrhardt was reared and attended school in his native city and was trained in his father's business and continued to carry on the same at Clifton for some years after his father died. In 1888 he came to Sidney and here has seven acres of land and six fine greenhouses. Mr. Ehrhardt is not only a successful business man but is also an active and useful citizen and at times has served in the city council.

Mr. Ehrhardt married Miss Emma Hambrock, a daughter of John and Mary (Martin) Hambrock, of Cincinnati. John Hambrock served three and one-half years as a soldier in the Civil war and died shortly afterward. The mother of Mrs. Ehrhardt resides with her daughter. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt, namely: Theodore, who died May 28, 1910, is survived by a widow and four children; George, who is his father's assistant; Lydia, who is the wife of Edward Gretzinger; Rebecca, who is the wife of William Ralston; Emma, who is a student at Dayton, O. ; and Esther, who is a school girl at Sidney. Mr. Ehrhardt and family belong to St. Paul's Evangelical church. In politics he is a republican and he maintains fraternal relations with the Odd Fellows.

FRANK J. RATERMAN. M. D., who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Fort Loramie, Q-, where he has built up a large and substantial practice, was born in McLean township, Shelby county, O., Janu- ary 19, 1879, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Weheringer) Raterman. This is an old family in this part of Ohio being among the pioneer settlers at Fort Loramie. Mrs. Sophia Raterman was born in Germany.

In the public schools of McLean township, Frank J. Raterman received his early educational training and afterward he attended the Normal School at Lebanon, O., and Valparaiso, Ind., and then taught school for three years and subsequently was graduated from the Ohio Medical College, at Columbus, O., with the class of 1907. Dr. Raterman came then to Fort Loramie as successor of Dr. Lester Pepper, a former well known physician, and has made this pleasant town his permanent home, making investments in property and interesting himself as a fair-minded citizen in public matters but declining all political office. He devotes himself to his profession and is a valued member of the medical organizations of both county and state.

Dr. Raterman was united in marriage with Miss Anna Barhorst, who is a daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina Barhorst, old residents of McLean township. Dr. and Mrs. Raterman are members of St. Michael's Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He follows his father's example in politics, always casting his vote for candidates of the democratic party.

F. M. CARPENTER, a well known citizen of Orange township, whose excellent farm of eighty-two acres is situated six miles south of Sidney, O., has spent the greater part of his life in this county, but his birth took place in Miami county, O., in December, 1862, a son of J. C. and Rebecca (Darlington) Carpenter.

J. C. Carpenter was born in Pennsylvania and when he came first to Ohio settled at Dayton, in Montgomery county, removing from there to Miami county, and afterward settled on a farm west of Lockington, and from there went to Springfield, Mo., dying on his farm there when aged seventy-five years. He married Rebecca Darlington, who survives with nine of their twelve children.

F. M. Carpenter obtained his education in the public schools of Shelby county, afterward engaged in farming on the home place in Missouri, for eight years, and then returned to Shelby county and purchased his present farm in Orange township from John Young. He has erected all the farm buildings on the place and made many desirable improvements. In addition to carrying on general farming, he devotes attention to raising Percheron horses, having registered mares and a valuable stable, his fine Percheron stallions - Clay Center, Isba and Jaures, being among the most valuable animals in the county.

Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Dora Valentine, a daughter of Samuel Valentine, and they have four children : Irene, Earl, Caldwell and Howard. Politically Mr. Carpenter is a republican and is now serving in the office of township trustee. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, at Kirkwood; and he and wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Lockington.

LAUSON C. SHOWERS, who, since the spring of 1903, has been the efficient superintendent of the Shelby County Infirmary, is a well known citizen of the county and belongs to an old family. He was born October 26, 1857, in Champaign county, O., and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Slife) Showers. He had better educational opportunities than many, after completing the common school course attending the Urbana University for six years, and, with a view of adopting a profession, read both medicine and law for some months. He then decided that an agricultural life would best satisfy him and continued with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-eight years of age. Mr. Showers then came to Shelby county, where he rented land for a few years and for six years was an employe of the Sidney Wheel Works, at the end of that time entering upon his present duties. He is well qualified for this position and in him the tax payers have a man of good judgment and personal integrity, one who does justice to his charges while administering the affairs economically for the county.

On July 1, 1884, Mr. Showers was married to Miss Elizabeth Chappie, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Chappie. Mr. and Mrs. Showers are members of the Baptist church. In politics he is a democrat and fraternally is connected with the K. O. T. M. at Sidney.

THOMAS DUNCAN, one of Shelby county's well known citizens, now living retired, owns a valuable farm of sixty-four acres, which lies in Orange township, six miles southwest of Sidney. He was born in 1832, in Fairfield county, O., and is a son of James and Matilda (Wise) Duncan. The father of Mr. Duncan was born in Pennsylvania, there grew to manhood on a farm and farming was his business through life. He marriel Matilda Wise and they had nine children. From Fairfield county, O., James Duncan and family came to Shelby county in 1834 and his death occurred in Orange township, at the age of forty-seven years.

Thomas Duncan attended the district schools in boyhood, mainly during the winter seasons, devoting the summers to helping on the farm. Afterward he worked as a farmer in different sections prior to settling permanently in Orange township, where he carried on farming and stock raising until he retired from active labor.

Mr. Duncan married Miss Sarah Jane Doak, who died January 27, 191 2, after a happy married life of sixty years. She was an estimable woman in every relation in life and was beloved by a wide circle. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan the following children were born: Mrs. Mary Alice Randolph, Mrs. Clarinda Higgins, Sarah Jane, Samuel J., James and Mrs. Viola Randolph. Mr. Duncan has always been in sympathy with the principles of the democratic party. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Piqua, O.

CHARLES E. GIVEN, secretary and treasurer of The R. Given & Sons Company, tanners and manufacturers of saddlery goods, one of the large and prosperous business enterprises of Sidney, O., was born at Sidney, September 6, 1857, and is a son of Robert and Catherine Given.

Robert Given came from Pennsylvania to Shelby county about 185 1 and as he was a tanner by trade became interested at once in the leather manufacturing business at Sidney. For a number of years he worked in the tannery that later became his property, then became foreman and superintendent, and in 1869 entered into partnership with S. Alexander Leckey under the firm name of R. Given & Co., which operated as tanners until the death of Mr. Leckey in 1881. Mr. Given then admitted his son, Charles E., to partnership and continued his own association with the business until 1884, when John F. Given, another son, entered into the partnership and the firm style was R. Given & Sons until 1890, when Joseph C. Royon was admitted. The three partners continued together until 1902 when the business had so expanded that incorporation became desirable and a board of officers was elected, Mr. Royon becoming president; Charles E. Given, secretary and treasurer; and J. F. Given, vice-president and general manager. About 1885 they opened their saddlery branch, first putting out flynets and later manufacturing collars and other properties. Having been more or less connected with this business all his life, Mr. Given understands it in every detail and his name and that of the firm stand high in the hide and leather trade all over the country.

Mr. Given married Miss Catherine Yenney, a daughter of George F. Yenney, who formerly was in the pork packing business at Sidney but now lives retired. Mr. and Mrs. Given are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ERNEST L1NTNGER, one of Sidney's well known business men. being the junior member of the firm of Fretz & Lininger, funeral directors and furniture dealers, is experienced in this line and has been established since 1910 at Sidney. He was born on a farm in Marion township, Pickaway county, O., November 18, 1882, and is a son of Michael and Adeline Lininger, who are highly respected retired residents of New Holland, O.

Ernest Lininger was reared in his native section and attended the Marion township schools. He assisted his father on the home farm prior to entering into the undertaking business, for which he prepared by attending Clarke's School of Embalming, at Cincinnati, where he was graduated. He then entered the undertaking and furniture business at New Holland, and remained there until August, 1910, when he came to Sidney and bought a one-half interest in the undertaking business of W. E. Fretz and shortly after the partnership was formed the firm added the furniture department which has been gradually expanded until they have one of the largest furniture displays in Shelby county. They are well equipped as undertakers and funeral directors and their services are called for from different parts of the county.

Mr. Lininger married Miss Florence West, also of Pickaway county, and they have two children : Kenneth and Virginia Alice. Mr. Lininger is a quiet, law abiding citizen, not given to much display of his sentiments but has won the respect of all with whom he has had business relations. He belongs to the fraternal order of Knights of Pythias.

ADOLPH F. SHERMAN, clerk of the board of education of the Sherman Special School District and so well qualified for that position that he has been retained in office for twelve continuous years, was born on the farm he owns and occupies, 240 acres, situated in section 9, McLean township, Shelby county, O., February 12, 1855, and is a son of Henry B. and Catherine Shennan.

Henry B. Sherman was born in Germany and when nineteen years of age came to the United States with his parents in 1835, who settled in what is now McLean township, all this cultivated and improved locality being at that time a wilderness. The Shermans were progressive and intelligent men and the Sherman schoolhouse was built on Grandfather Sherman's farm, that property being owned at present by John Siegel. Henry B. Sherman was a somewhat unusual man for his day and opportunity, possessing great mental gifts and these were made valuable to those with whom he lived and associated. For twenty-two winters he taught school, attending to his farm industries in the summers, and served in many local offices, being township clerk and a justice of the peace for many years, always giving his political support to the democratic party. In his youth he frequently carried corn as far as Piqua to have it ground. He was an earnest Catholic and first attended church at Minster and later was one of the founders of St. Michael's church, and on account of his many activities this neighborhood was called the Sherman Settlement and when the turnpike road was completed his name was given it to honor his memory and to reflect credit on his sons. His long and useful life was extended to eighty-six years. He married a young woman who was also a native of Germany and she accompanied her parents to Shelby county when sixteen years of age and lived here into her eighty-first year. To them were born three children: John J., Louis and Adolph F.

Adolph F. Sherman attended the Sherman school and grew up on his father's farm and this has always been his home. In addition to the old homestead as noted above, Mr. Sherman owns a second farm, containing eighty acres, situated in section 11, McLean township and the substantial buildings now standing were erected by him. Mr. Shennan cleared some twenty acres of his land and still retains forty acres in timber growth that is valuable.

In 1879 Mr. Sherman was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Brandewie, a daughter of Joseph Brandewie. She was born in 1862 and died in 1891 and her burial was in St. Michael's cemetery. She was an estimable woman in every relation of life and was the devoted mother of the following children : Henry, Herman, Clara, Lucy, Caroline and two babes, deceased.

In politics Mr. Sherman has always been a zealous democrat and as a citizen he has so met the approval of his fellow citizens that they have honored him time and again by electing him to responsible township offices. In 1899 he was first elected clerk of the Sherman Special School District and has been continued in the office ever since. For nine years he served as township assessor, for two terms as land appraiser, and for six years acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace.

HARRY N. DICKENSHEETS, who conducts a first class grocery at No. 116 South Main avenue, Sidney, is numbered with the representative business men of this city, and was born at Sidney, O., January 21, 1868, a son of Jesse L. and Melissa (Williams) Dickensheets, and a grandson of David Dickensheets, who was a pioneer settler of Shelby county. Jesse L. Dickensheets was born after his parents came to Shelby county and spent his entire life here, dying when his son was but eighteen months old. After the death of her husband. Mrs. Dickensheets removed to Plattsville, Shelby county, where subsequently she was married to David Sibert, after which they settled on his farm in Orange township.

On his step-father's farm Harry N. Dickensheets grew to manhood, attending the country schools and assisting with the farm industries, and then went to Piqua where he learned painting and paper hanging and from there came to Sidney. Here he became a contracting painter and continued until an attack of typhoid fever interrupted work at his trade. On March 3, 1902, he embarked in the grocery business at his present location, buying out S. D. Voress, and has prospered in this undertaking.

Mr. Dickensheets was married to Miss Jenette Johnston, of Green township, and they have one son, Jesse Johnston, a youth of nineteen years. Mr. Dickensheets and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He has been identified with the Knights of Pythias for a long period, for ten years being master of finance in the Sidney lodge, and belongs also to the Odd Fellows, the Red Men, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Knights of Khorassen. He is by no means active in politics but belongs to that class known as the quiet, effective, dependable citizens.

JOSEPH ALTENBACH, contractor and builder at Sidney, O., the oldest man in his line in this city and well known all over Shelby county, was born October 31, 1839, a son of Joseph and Theresa (Foultz) Altenbach, then residents of Auglaize county, 0., but natives of Germany.

Joseph Altenbach remained on the home farm until old enough to learn the carpenter trade and afterward, for many years, was one of the busiest men of Shelby county, coming to Sidney in 1866, and continuing a leader in this line until within very recent years, when his responsibilities, in great measure, were taken over by his son, Frank J. Altenbach. During these years of activity he erected many of the leading business blocks, factory and public buildings, churches, school houses and residences, and has a greater number to his credit than any one else in the same line. Upon many occasions he has not only contracted for and erected buildings but has also drawn the plans, showing that his talents might have been so developed that he could have also been a leading architect. The following may be mentioned as examples of Mr. Altenbach's fine work: The Shelby County Children's Home, for which he had the entire contract; Holy Angel Catholic church at Sidney; Thediecks Department Store building; Peoples Savings and Loan Association building; Woodward building; Fred Salm's building; Wag- ner Manufacturing Company's buildings; Buckeye Churn Company buildings; Catholic church at Russia, Shelby county; Lutheran church at Sidney; Catholic church and school house at Piqua and the Lutheran church and school house attached, at Piqua. Many of the most elegant residences of Sidney are the results of his skill and taste. Mr. Altenbach was so closely interested and devoted to his work that he very unwillingly accepted membership on the Board of Review, repeatedly declining to accept other positions tendered him by both the republican and democratic parties, being a member of the latter organization.

In January, 1863, Mr. Altenbach was married in Auglaize county to Miss Susanna Linder, and eight children were born to them: Mary, who belongs to that noble order, the Sisters of Charity ; Catherine, who is the wife of Michael Smith; Frank J., who is a leading builder and contractor at Sidney, practically succeeding his father; Edward, who is the municipal architect of Toledo, O. ; Louise, who is deceased, was the wife of John Madigan; Roman; Harry; and Florence, who is the wife of John Gattes. Mr. Altenbach and family are members of the Roman Catholic church and for thirty years he has belonged to the order of Catholic Knights of America. He enjoys a comfortable home, his residence being located at No. 411 South Main street, Sidney.

J. W. ROTTINGHAUS, one of the well known men of Shelby county, was born April 20, 1863, and reared on the farm of 160 acres, situated in section 5, McLean township, on which he has always lived, his. people having been early settlers in this section. He is a son of J. B. and Elizabeth (Unterbrink) Rottinghaus.

J. B. Rottinghaus was born and reared in Germany and was a young man when he came to Putnam county, O., where he married Elizabeth Cnterbrink, also a native of Germany and a daughter of Henry Unterbrink. After marriage they came to McLean township, Shelby county and settled on the land which was later chosen as the site of the reservoir, and when they moved from there, J. B. Rottinghaus began the purchase of the present home farm. buying it at different times. It was all covered with heavy timber and it required years of hard work to clear and put the land under condition to cultivate advantageously. Here he continued to live during the remainder of his life, dying in his seventy-seventh year, his burial being in the cemetery attached to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie, of which he was a member. Politically he was a democrat and was one of the leaders of his party in McLean township, of which he was clerk for seven years and for twenty-one years served in the office of justice of the peace. He was the father of ten children, the four survivors being: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Herman Klecker; Matilda, who is the wife of John B. Holcher; Ann, who is the wife of Bernard Schlater ; and J. W. Those deceased were: Mary, wife of Joseph Sherman; Caroline, wife of Bernard Gerling; and Catherine, Henry, Carl and Frederick.

Sherman Special School District and afterward continued to assist his father on the home farm and when the latter died assumed entire charge. He has made many improvements here including the erecting of a substantial barn and other buildings,, but the farm house, which was so stanchly built forty-five years ago, still continues the family residence. When it was built it was considered a modern house, having many conveniences and comforts not included in other structures in the neighborhood. Mr. Rottinghaus successfully carries on farming and stock raising and is one of the substantial men of this section.

Mr. Rottinghaus married Miss Mary Holthaus, a daughter of Bernard Holthaus. She died at the age of thirty-three years and her burial was in St. Michael's cemetery. His second marriage was to Mrs. Clara (Fleckenstein) Sherman, widow of Joseph C. Sherman, and they have two children: Alma and Leona. To her first marriage three children had been born : Tracy, Joseph and Velma. Mr. Rottinghaus and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church. In politics he has been a stanch democrat all his life although he has never been willing to accept any political office.

BERNARD DANZIG, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Fort Loramie, was born in McLean township, Shelby county, February 15, 1864, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Goer) Danzig.

William Danzig was born in Germany and came to the United States in youth. He carried on farming for many years in McLean township, and his death occurred here at the age of seventy-three years. After coming to this township he was married to Elizabeth Goer, who died when aged but twentyseven years. They were devout members of St. Michael's Catholic church and their burial was in St. Michael's cemetery. They had three sons and one daughter.

Bernard Danzig attended school in boyhood and worked on the home farm for fifteen years and then came to Fort Loramie to engage in the furniture business, three months later adding undertaking and being in partnership with J. L. Applegate, the firm style being Danzig & Applegate, which continued for five years. Mr. Applegate then retired and since then the firm name has been Danzig & Ballenger. They do a large business and cover a distance of fifteen miles south, one mile north and ten miles east and west. Mr. Danzig owns an unimproved farm of eighty acres which is situated in Texas, which is capable of being developed into a valuable ranch.

Mr. Danzig married Miss Bernardine Brandewie, who was born in Auglaize county, O., and they have two children : William J. and Agnes Catherine, the former of whom is a student and after Christmas, 1912, will be the embalmer and funeral director of the firm above mentioned. In politics Mr. Danzig is a democrat. He and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church. He is a highly respected citizen and is known as an honorable business man all through this section.

JONAS KAUFFMAN, who is now pleasantly situated at Sidney, O., occupying his comfortable residence at No. 605 South Ohio avenue, is a retired farmer and still retains the ownership of his valuable farm of seventy-seven acres lying in Clinton township, not far from the location of the Shelby County Infirmary. He was born in Mifflin county, Pa., April 4, 1840, and is a son of Christian and Catherine Kauffman, both of whom died in Pennsylvania.

Jonas Kauffman had district school advantages in boyhood and remained on the home farm until 1865, starting out for himself at the age of twentyone years. For four years afterward he worked on the farms of agriculturists in Juniata county, Pa., and from there went to Wayne county, O. He worked there for a short time as a farm hand and then enlisted for a period of six months as a government employe, which he passed at Little Rock, Ark., and from there came to Shelby county. For several years afterward Mr. Kauffman worked at different things, during the summers mainly on farms and in the winter time finding teaming and other kinds of labor ready at hand for any one willing to exercise self denial and muscle. After marriage he and wife went to housekeeping at Sidney for a time, while he was employed in a brick yard, but Mr. Kauffman preferred farm life and they soon went into the country and there he acquired tracts of valuable land. For twenty-five years he and wife lived on their farm of 156 acres, situated in Cynthian township, west of Sidney, after which Mr. Kauffman traded that farm for his present one of seventy-seven acres, receiving also $4,500 additional in cash. In 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman came to their present home at Sidney, where they are well known and highly respected people.

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Kauffman was married to Miss Elizabeth King, who was born in Berks county, Pa., a daughter of Michael King. She was six years old when her parents settled in Clinton township, Shelby county, where they had a farm of 142 acres, which Mr. Kauffman subsequently owned and then sold to William Kingseed. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman have two children : Adam Francis, who is a farmer in Miami county, O. ; and Nora, who lives with her parents. The family belongs to the Christian church.

HUGH McDOWELL BEEBE, M.D. For forty years the name of Beebe has been associated with the medical profession in Shelby county, O., representing men of high scientific attainment and successful exponents of the Homeopathic School of Medicine. The pleasant and thriving town of Sidney, the county seat and the home of business, culture and refinement, has two physicians of the above name, father and son. Hugh McDowell Beebe was born at Sidney, July 24, 1883, and his parents are Dr. Henry E. and Ophelia (McDowell) Beebe.

Hugh McDowell Beebe was educated in the public schools of his native place and after completing the high school course, entered the Ohio State University and subsequently the medical department of the University of Michigan, and was graduated from the latter institution in the class of 1907. Shortly afterward he entered into practice at Sidney and has been associated with his father. He has won recognition, particularly as a surgeon, and is held in high regard by his professional brethren and by the general public.

Dr. Beebe was married in 1909 to Miss Ruth Pearson, who was born at Troy, Miami county, O., a daughter of Elmer E. Pearson, who formerly was auditor of Miami county. Dr. and Mrs. Beebe have one son, Henry Pearson. Dr. Beebe is identified with the Masonic fraternity and professionally is connected with a number of organizations including the Union Clinical Society, the Ohio State Homeopathic Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy.

JOHN B. HOLSCHER, one of the well known men of McLean township, whose fine farm of eighty-five acres, situated in section 11, lies on the south side of the east and west road, three miles southwest of Fort Loramie, O, was born in Cynthian township, Shelby county, March 19, 1849. His parents were Joseph and Clara (Eilerman) Holscher.

Joseph Holscher was born in Germany and spent his earlier years in his native land, being aged about twenty-one years when he came to Ohio, where his first work was helping to dig the canal. He married Clara Eilerman and they settled on'a forty-acre tract of land which is the present site of the reservoir, which land they were obliged to vacate when plans were completed for the building of that utility. Although Mr. Holscher received a certain amount as damages it was not as large as might reasonably have been expected. He moved then to the northern part of Cynthian township, where he secured eighty acres and afterward devoted his time until death to the improvement of that land, his decease taking place in his sixtieth year. His widow survived about ten years and their burial was in the cemetery attached to St. Michael's Catholic church. They had the following children : Henry, who resides on the old homestead; Mary, who is the wife of Henry Schalter, lives at Fort Loramie; John B. ; Joseph, who lives in Cynthian township; and a babe that died.

John B. Holscher, with his sister and brothers, attended the Sherman District school and grew up on the home farm as his father's helper and has carried on farming and stock raising on his present place ever since his marriage. He still has fifteen acres in timber but has cleared all the rest of the land and has, by careful cultivation, made it very productive. He has always been a hard working man and of so reliable a character that frequently his fellowcitizens have elected him to township offices, and has served many years as road supervisor and as a member of the board of education in the YValkup Special School District.

Mr. Holscher was married first to Miss Kate Gudenkauf, who became the mother of one daughter and both are deceased. The second marriage of Mr. Holscher was to Miss Matilda Rottinghaus, and the following children were born to them : Benjamin, Henry, William, Elizabeth, Matilda, Anton, Sophia and Frances, twins, Ludwig, Adam and Emma, all of whom survive except

William and Elizabeth. Mr. Holscher and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church. In his political views he has always been a democrat.

ROBERT B. EVANS, who is one of the substantial and well known men of Franklin township, where he owns seventy acres of very valuable land, was born in Auglaize county, O., February 15, i860, and is a son of John and Mary (Throckmorton) Evans.

John Evans probably came of Welsh ancestry but was born in Berkeley county, W. Va., as was his wife, and they married there and then came to Ohio, where the rest of their lives were passed. They were upright people, members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had the following children: Thomas; Margaret, who married Andrew Close; Robert B. ; David; Charles; Albertus; Mary Effie, who married John Murphey; and Silas.

Robert B. Evans had common .school advantages and afterward worked with his father on the home place until he was twenty-one years of age and then started out independently, working for three years by the month, for S. D. Young. In partnership with his brother he then rented land for one year and afterward, for twenty years by himself, at the end of which time he and brother together bought the home farm. Eighteen months later Robert B. Evans sold his interest and in 1907 bought what is the old Thomas Shaw farm in local conversation but it is a much better property since Mr. Evans has become proprietor. Here he carries on general farming and does considerable business in buying and selling stock.

On April 30, 1886, Mr. Evans was married to Miss Jennie Stewart, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Elliott) Stewart. The parents of Mrs. Evans were farming people who were well known and highly respected. They had the following children : William : Jennie; Emma and Anna, twins, the former of whom married Joseph Fogt, and the latter, Alonzo Boyer; and Cora, who married Stanley Chiles.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans have children as follows: Earl L., Harry F., Clyde H., Stanley, Floyd G. and Robert T. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church in which all are active, and Mr. Evans is a member of the board of trustees and a class leader as well as Sunday school superintendent. Politically a republican, Mr. Evans has frequently been urged for office by his party and has served in school positions and as road supervisor.

B. P. HIGGINS, who carries on general farming and stock raising in Orange township, owns no acres of well cultivated land that has been in the family since the time of his grandfather, who erected the residence that still stands. He was born in 1875, near Kirkwood, O., and is a son of J. V. and Sarah Elizabeth (Dunn) Higgins.

J. V. Higgins- was born, reared and educated in Shelby county, and for thirty-five years carried on farming north of Sidney and then came to the place his son now occupies, and here the rest of his life was passed, his death occurring at the age of seventy-five years. He married Sarah Elizabeth Dunn, who was born on this farm, seventy-eight years ago, and resides here with her son, B. P. Higgins, who. is the youngest of the family of six children, the others being: Mrs. Susie Hartshorn, of Miami county; Charles, of Piqua; Mrs. Minnie Hetzler, of Orange township; and W. H. and T. L.. both of this township.

B. P. Higgins obtained his education in the Kirkwood schools and afterward went to the west, where he spent eighteen months. When he returned to Shelby county he came to this farm, Grandfather Dunn's old place, and here has followed his agricultural industries ever since. In 1904 he was married to Miss Ida Baker, who is a daughter of Ephraim and Anzetta (Cain) Baker. They were well known residents of Shelby county, where the father died in 1908, when aged seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have one son, Kenneth. In his political views Mr. Higgins chooses to be independent and the only office he ever accepted was that of constable. He belongs to the Odd Fellows at Kirkwood, O.

EDWARD E. KAH, one of the representative and old established business men of Sidney, who for twenty-two years has been proprietor of Kah's Jewelry Store, and who, for thirty-four years has been in the jewelry and optical business, was born on his father's farm in Franklin township, Shelby county, O., December 23, 1857, and is a son of George and. Dorothy (Zimpher) Kah.

George Kah was born in Germany and both he and wife came to America prior to marriage, with their parents, settling in Shelby county. After marriage they lived for some time on their farm in Franklin township and then came to Sidney, where George Kah conducted a shoe store, being a practical shoemaker. He died at Sidney, December 10, 1904, where his widow, now aged eighty-two years, still resides.

Edward E. Kah attended school in this city and then gave his father assistance in the shoe store until he was twenty-one years old, when he felt at liberty to follow his own inclinations in regard to his choice of career. Consequently he went to work for C. W. McKee, who, at that time, conducted a jewelry store in the Wagner House block. He finally bought the business from Mr. McKee but in order to get a more desirable location, had to buy a book store, which he continued to conduct in conjunction with his other business until 191 1, when he closed out that feature but still continues to handle wall paper and picture moldings. He is considering the matter of erecting a new building and moving into it in the near future, although he already owns a fine block in which Young Brothers' clothing store is located. He is an expert watchmaker and a graduated optician, having .completed his course in the latter branch in a well known optical college at Chicago, in 1898.

Mr. Kah married Miss Carrie A. Bush, a daughter of George L. Bush, of Sidney. They enjoy the comforts of a handsome residence on North Walnut avenue. Mr. Kah is a man of quiet tastes and is identified fraternally with but one organization, the Knights of Pythias.

GEORGE EHRHARDT, a, member of the board of trustees of Clinton township, and a substantial business man of Sidney, was born at St. Louis, Mo., November 6, 1879, and is a son of Henry W. and Emma (Hambrock) Ehrhardt, the former of whom is one of the leading gardeners and florists in this section.

George Ehrhardt was two years old when his parents returned from St. Louis to Cincinnati, O., their former home, where both had been reared. In 1888 the family came to Sidney and here George Ehrhardt was educated and then served an apprenticeship to the baker's trade. In the meanwhile his father had taken his eldest son, the late Theodore Ehrhard, as his assistant in the gardening and florist business which he had established, and the younger son carried on a bakery for seven years at Sidney. When Theodore Ehrhardt died in 1910, George Ehrhardt sold his business to Edward Staley and became associated with his father. Seven acres of land are utilized for gardening purposes and six greenhouses supply plants and flowers to all this part of the county.

Mr. Ehrhardt was married in 1902 to Miss Anna Adlon, of Springfield, O. They have no children of their own but are parents to two of the four children left by Theodore Ehrhardt, Vendora and Walter A., whom they have adopted. Mr. Ehrhardt has always been identified with the republican party and on the republican ticket he was elected in the fall of 191 1 to his present office and Clinton township is profiting thereby. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

C. K. PRUDEN, one of the representative citizens and successful agriculturists of Orange township, whose well improved farm of eighty acres lies three and one-half miles south of Sidney, O., was born on the old home place, four miles south of Sidney, in 1870. He is a son of James K. Pruden and a grandson of Peter Pruden, who was bom in New Jersey and left there in early manhood and went to Paris, Ky., where he engaged in shoemaking until 1830, when he came to Shelby county, and settled on the farm now owned by his grandson, C. K. Pruden. He married Christiana Amos, and they spent the closing years of their lives in Orange township.

James K. Pruden was one of a family of eight children and was born in Bourbon county, Ky., in 1826. After he reached manhood he engaged in farming and stock raising, improving his property and building the stanch residence in which one of his sons resides, some forty-five years ago. He lived to the age of seventy-four years, a man well known and universally respected. He married Mary E. Cooper, who was born in Hamilton county, O., but was a child when she came to Shelby county, and now is a beloved member of the household of her son, J. Edward Pruden. They had five children: J. Edward; Mrs. Mary Fields, who is deceased; Mrs. Anna Beaman, who lives on a part of the homestead; Alfred, who is deceased ; and Clark K., of the present review.

Clark K. Pruden has been engaged in farming and stock raising ever since his school days, remaining on the home place until his marriage and then moving to his present farm. In 1893 he erected his comfortable residence and has placed all other buildings and improvements here and was actively engaged in his various industries until 19 10, when he retired to some extent, since then renting out the larger part of his land and devoting the rest to growing potatoes and some common stock for home use.

Mr. Pruden married Miss Josephine Voress, a daughter of Okey Voress, and they have two children : James Earl, who is a member of the graduating class of 1913, in Miami University, having taken a chemical course; and Alfred David, who is also a bright student, now in the Sidney schools, who is making plans to enter the Ohio State University. In politics Mr. Pruden is a republican and has been quite active in local affairs for many years. He served five years as township clerk and very acceptably served out also an unexpired term of the township treasurer. He is identified with the Odd Fellows, attending the meetings of the order at Kirkwood.

L. F. EVERLEY, whose fine farm of 114 acres, situated in Washington township, may be reached by traveling ten miles southwest of Sidney, O., belongs to one of the old families of Shelby county, which was established by his grandfather. He was born in Loramie township, Shelby county, O., July 3, 1866, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah J. (Feint) Everley.

Jacob Everley was a well known resident of Washington township where he was concerned in agricultural affairs and for many years followed the carpenter trade. He was a highly respected man, having been honest and upright in all his dealings, and left many friends behind when he passed out of life, April 25, 191 2, in his seventy-third year. He was a veteran of the Civil war and served afterward in township offices. His widow survives and is a member of the household of her son, L. F., who is one of the four survivors of a family of eight children.

L. F. Everley attended school at Lockington and afterward learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for fifteen years. When prepared to embark in farming as his main business, Mr. Everley purchased his present property, on which he erected new and substantial buildings and otherwise improved the place until it is one of the most attractive properties in the township. Mr. Everley and wife, who was formerly Miss Laura Booher, with Mr. Everley's mother, enjoy the comforts of this beautiful home alone, as they have no children. They are very hospitable, however, and have a wide circle of friends. They attend the United Brethren church at Lockington. Mr. Everley is a republican in his political views.

JAMES ANDERSON LAMB, formerly one of the foremost business men of Sidney and at the time of death, December 9, 1898, president of the Citizens National Bank, was closely identified with this section of country for more than a haif century. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 14, 1815, a son of Samuel and Jane (Anderson) Lamb.

James Anderson Lamb And Representative Citizens 525

to Ohio and with a partner went into the drug business first at Mansfield and later at Lancaster. He was a man of great business perception and his whole subsequent life showed the shrewd foresight that provides for emergencies while it also ventures into unknown fields. In January, 1840, he embarked in the mercantile business with Colonel Zinn and in the spring of 1842 came to Sidney, which was then a village but the business field seemed promising, and the partners started here a factory for the manufacture of pearlash, the product being conveyed overland to Sandusky. Mr. Lamb continued with Colonel Zinn until 1868 and then sold his interest and purchased a farm. This land he sold two years afterward in order to accept the presidency of the Citizens National Bank, one that he held until his death. For eight years Mr. Lamb was a member of the city council and introduced the ordinance providing for waterworks and was largely instrumental in carrying this and other public-spirited projects to a successful issue. He had much to do with the material growth of Sidney, building the warehouse later occupied by Moore & Marshall, his own fine residence, the handsome Presbyterian church and parsonage and many other structures. He was the second son born in his parents' family, all of whom came to Ohio; John, Hannah, James Anderson, Samuel, Margaret, Jane and Elenor, Hannah becoming the wife of Colonel Zinn, Jane becoming the wife of Silas Thompson, and Elenor the wife of Henry Wilkinson.

In 1843 Mr. Lamb was married to Miss Julia A. Taylor, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stipp) Taylor, farming people. The father of Mrs. Lamb was born in Maryland and the mother in Virginia. They were members of the Chritstian church. Mrs. Lamb was their youngest child, the others being: Jason, George and William; Susan, wife of Abner Girard; Margaret, wife of Mark Broderick; and Lewis and Shelby. Mr. Lamb was reared in the Presbyterian church and to that religious body he gave liberally. For many years he was identified with the Masonic fraternity.

ROBERT PATTERSON THOMPSON, who is one of the highly respected, widely known and substantial citizens of Washington township, was born on his father's farm in this township, in 1834, and is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families, the Thompsons having come to Shelby county in early days. His parents were Freeborn and Margaret (Patterson) Thompson, the former of whom died in 1837. The latter, a native of Ireland, was brought to America when four years old, and died at Piqua, O, in her eighty-sixth year. R. P. is the elder and the only survivor of his parents' two children, his sister, Elizabeth Ellen, having passed away October 23, 19 12. She was the widow of George J. Legg, who died in 1859.

R. P. Thompson had few of the present day school advantages. In his boyhood books were scarce and school sessions continued through but a few months in the year and the old log school houses were but poorly equipped, in fact were fitted only for the most sturdy of children. With the others he trudged for miles, many times through the snow, and then hauled wood for the heating of the log structure with its puncheon floor and slab benches. In those days farmers' sons just naturally became farmers and very much, too, to their credit and advantage. Prior to 1885 Mr. Thompson followed farming on a place somewhat west of the old homestead and then moved to his own home farm of 120 acres, making all the improvements here at that time. He also owns eighty acres in Loramie township and has a part interest in the old Patterson homestead. Until 1907 Mr. Thompson carried on all his various industries himself but since then lives somewhat retired, contenting himself with overseeing his several properties and their management.

Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Jane McKee, a daughter of John and Catherine McKee, who were born in Pennsylvania but later came to Shelby county. Mrs. Thompson is the only one living out of eight children. In politics Mr. Thompson has always been a democratic voter but, with one exception, has never accepted public office, having served through one term as township supervisor.

DARWIN H. WARNER, proprietor of the D. H. Warner Grocery Store, one of the leading business houses of Sidney, and one of the stable and representative men of this city, was born at London, Madison county, O., June 8, 1868, and is a son of Louis and Lida (Williams) Warner. The parents of Mr. Warner removed to South Charleston, in Clark county, in 1870, where the father engaged in work at his trade, being a carpenter, and from there moved to Port Jefferson, in Shelby county, in 1876.

Darwin H. Warner attended the public schools of Port Jefferson and afterward went to work as an employe of the Sidney Wheel Company, changing to the Philip Smith Company six months later, and remained with the latter concern for about nine years, being connected with the hollow-ware department. For eight years prior to first embarking in the grocery business he was connected with a Sidney manufacturing plant, and after conducting a grocery for two years, closed that interest for one year, during which he was with the Sidney Steel Scraper Company. About 1909 he reentered the grocery trade, conducting his business, at his excellent location at No. 414 North Main street. Mr. Warner has long been recognized as a citizen of sterling worth and has been and still continues an important factor in civic life. He served usefully in the city council for four years, for two years representing the Second ward, and for two more years being councilman-atlarge, resigning that office in order to accept his present office, that of director of public service, the duties of which he assumed on January 1, 1912.

Mr. Warner came to Sidney in 1890 and in the same year he was married to Miss Rosetta Snodgrass, and they have a family of four children : Blanche, who is the wife of Oscar Burns; and Clara, Doris and John. Mr. Warner is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to both the Encampment and the subordinate lodge, and belongs also to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, in which organization he has passed all the chairs and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge.

WILLIAM J. MEYER, residing three miles east of Fort Loramie, on his exceedingly valuable farm of 240 acres, situated in section 4, McLean township, is a well known and highly respected citizen of Shelby county, where his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Meyer, were early settlers. He was born at Fort Loramie, O., June 22, 1876, and was educated mainly in the Berlin Special School District.

Farming and stock raising have engaged the time and attention of William J. Meyer ever since he reached manhood, and he is numbered with the sensible, practical and successful agriculturists of this section. After some early experience he engaged in farming for two years in Cynthian township but has been on this farm for the past five years and has been six years a continuous resident of McLean township. He has impressed his fellow citizens as a man of reliability and character and in January, 1912, he was elected a member of the board of education of the Sherman Special School District, a mark of public confidence.

Mr. Meyer was married to Miss Carrie Struckamp, a daughter of Barney and Elizabeth (Burwinkel) Struckamp. The parents of Mrs. Meyer were born in Germany. The father came to the United States when a young man and was a bricklayer by trade and at the time of Mrs. Meyer's birth was a resident of Mercer county, O. His first marriage was to Catherine Vondrelle and two children were born to them : a child that died in infancy, and Mrs. Henry Barhorst of Shelby county. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Burwinkel and seven children were born to the second union : Carrie, who became Mrs. Meyer; Henry; Benjamin, who was accidentally drowned in childhood; John and Louis, and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have five children : Ralph, Julia and Aslea, twins, and Agnes and Leona. The family belongs to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.

LINK T. SNODGRASS. Probably one of the best known men in Shelby county^ is Link T. Snodgrass, of Sidney, who, for twenty years has followed the business of auctioneer, one who, with never failing wit, humor, seriousness or pathos, has sold commodities of all kinds, on all occasions and at all points where his services have been called for. He handles farm lands and chattels with remarkable success for their owners and the mere fact of his being the auctioneer for the occasion, is sure to bring a large concourse to hear him. It is a real gift that Mr. Snodgrass possesses and there are those who declare he was born with it, and that a story told of his childhood is that one of his first conscious acts, while still in his cradle, was an attempt to auction off his teething ring and baby rattle.

Link T. Snodgrass was born February 14, 1861. in Orange township, Shelby county, O., a low of Alexander and Climena (Boyer) Snodgrass. The father was born near Sidney and was a son of Thompson Snodgrass, one of the pioneer settlers of this section. Alexander Snodgrass married Climena Boyer, a daughter of Jacob Boyer, who was a man of large substance, having entered 284 acres of land from the government when he first settled here.

Mr. Snodgrass died at the age of sixty-two years on the farm on which he had spent his life, his widow surviving some years and dying at Sidney, in her seventy-third year.

Link T. Snodgrass continued to make his home on the farm until he was twenty-eight years of age, having been educated in the public schools. In 1885 he was married to Miss Jennie N. Proctor, of Green township, a daughter of George W. Proctor, who, for forty years was a school teacher.

In view of the success that Mr. Snodgrass has had as an auctioneer it is interesting to learn how he began. Putting aside the amusing story of his infantile attempts, he made a beginning by selling cakes and watermelons, auctioning them off at social festivals, when a mere boy. The first sale he cried in the rural regions was for Mrs. Sallie Metz, while still living on the farm, and he had associated with him George De Nise, a well known local character. His largest sale was in 1907 when he sold at auction almost a half-million dollars worth of real estate for J. D. Barnes, receiver for the German American Bank, the auction continuing for a number of days. He also does a general real estate business, mainly handling farm properties. He belongs to the order of Elks and to the Odd Fellows, both the lower and Encampment branches. Mr. Snodgrass is a man of wealth and has a reputation for a great deal of quiet charity. His business brings him into contact with many very distressing situations and his warm heart is often touched. For business as well as pleasure, Mr. Snodgrass travels over the country in his speedy automobile.

WILLIAM A. FERGUS, general farmer and stock raiser, residing on his well cultivated farm of forty-four and one-half acres, situated in Perry township, belongs to old county families, his grandfathers having settled here in early days. Mr. Fergus was born in Shelby county, May 12, 1857, and is a son of Joseph and Barbara (Uhlrey) Fergus.

Joseph Fergus was born in Shelby county and here learned and followed the carpenter trade and later was in the lumber business. He was a republican in his political views but was no politician, just a quiet, busy man, attending to his business and performing life's duties according to his best judgment. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. They had a family of children and almost all of them survived their parents. The record reads as follows : Caroline, who married George Faulder ; Richard ; Sarah, who is deceased, was the wife of William Valentine, also deceased; John S. ; William A. ; Mary, who is the wife of Thomas Mitchell ; Joseph ; Winfield S. ; Stella, who married P. O. Stockstill ; Laura, who married Samuel Knoop and Charles.

William A. Fergus obtained his education in the public schools and afterward, until he was twenty-two years old, worked for his father at logging for the latter's saw mill. He then rented a farm of 105 acres on which he resided for seventeen years, when he moved to the Norman Key farm and rented that for ten and one-half years, and in 1907 bought his present

In 1879 Mr. Fergus was married to Miss Belle Sheppard, who was born in New Jersey, a daughter of Charles and Mary Sheppard. Mrs. Fergus had three brothers, David, George and Martin, the first named being deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Fergus the following children have been born : Edward, who married Eva Simes; Bertha, who married Otto Steenrod; Clinton, who married Grace Stevenson ; Edith, who married Roy Fogt ; and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Steenrod have two children: Gladys and Harold; Clinton Fergus and wife have two children: Joseph and Frances; and Mr. and Mrs. Fogt have two daughters : Thelma and Roma. Mr. Fergus and family attend the United Brethren church. He takes an interest in all that promises to benefit his section, gives encouragement to local enterprises and is a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company.

BERNARD VONDRELE, whose valuable farm of 114 acres, situated in section 12, McLean township, is bordered on the south by the Loramie reservoir, is one of the best known residents of this section of Shelby county, where the greater part of his life has been passed. He was born in this township, three miles east of Minster, O., August 13, 1843, and is a son of Bernard and Margaret (Qoutte) Vondrele.

Bernard Vondrele was born in Germany and was a young man when he came to this section and he assisted in the construction of the Ohio Canal, working in Shelby, Auglaize and Mercer counties. In Shelby county he married Margaret Qoutte and then settled on the Harman Siesman farm in McLean township, where he died when his only child, his namesake, was a babe of one year, his burial being in the Minster cemetery. The farm of forty acres belonged to his widow and she remained on it and later bought forty acres more and here she resided until the time of her death, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a faithful member of the Catholic church at Minster, O.

After his school period was over, Bernard Vondrel applied himself to farming and stock raising and following his marriage settled on his present farm in section 12, which, at that time was partly cleared. Mr. Vondrele has carried on all his farm undertakings in a practical, common sense way, draining his land and putting down tile as he found desirable and raising grain and stock. He is one of the leading democrats of the township and served four years as township trustee and has always been interested in having good schools.

Mr. Vondrele married Miss Caroline Drehman, who was also of German extraction and was born in Germany, a daughter of Herman and Catherine Drehman. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Vondrele were all born on this farm, namely : William, Joseph, Herman, John and Frank, the two youngest sons assisting in carrying on the farm industries. Mr. Vondrele and family are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie and he was a liberal contributor to the building of the present church edifice.

HENRY A. ERNST, who, for eight years, has been a member of the board of education of the Sherman Special School District in McLean township, Shelby county, O., owns the old homestead farm in section 10, containing 185 acres of well improved land, situated three and one-half miles southeast of Fort Loramie. Mr. Ernst was born on this farm, March 10, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Barringhaus) Ernst, both of whom died on this place, fine people and faithful Catholics.

Henry A. Ernst has lived on his present farm all his life. He attended the Sherman school in boyhood and has always been interested in advancing the cause of education in this section and hence has consented to serve for so long a time on the educational board. It is to Mr. Ernst and his fellow members that the township looks for the increase and permanence of its school facilities and it is due to their wisdom and liberality that educational work is so far advanced in thj,s part of the county. Mr. Ernst is a busy and successful farmer, carrying on a general line, raising grain, hay and stock, and finds a market for his overplus at Fort Loramie. He has his place well drained but has not deemed it necessary to replace the buildings that were erected by his father, they being in good condition.

Mr. Ernst married Miss Mary Borchers, a daughter of Barney Borchers, of McLean township, and the family of ten children were born on this farm and all live in the vicinity except the fifth child, Urban, who died when aged two years. The others are : Clemens, Bernard, Louis, Anton, Henrietta, Wilhelmina, Carl, Henry and Mary. Mr. Ernst and family are members of the Catholic church. He has always cast his vote with the democratic party.

JOHNSON GINN, who is well known all over Shelby county, O., is a very large and successful dealer in livestock, devotes the greater part of his time to the buying and selling of cattle and resides on his farm of ninetytwo acres which is situated in section 10, W'alkup Special School District. McLean township, three miles west and one-fourth mile south of Port Loramie. Mr. Ginn was born on this farm in April, 1847, and is a son of William and Marian (Bodkin) Ginn.

William Ginn was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and there married his first wife, Jane Walkup. who died in Miami county, O. William Ginn and wife and their eight children settled three miles north of Troy, O., and remained there one year when the wife died and he moved to the farm in McLean township now owned by Johnson Ginn. He found work on the Miami Canal near Fort Loramie and in that way earned the money which he invested in this land. Later he married Marian Bodkin, who was born in Virginia and came with her people to Ohio. Six children were born to this marriage, the second wife dying when their son Johnson was two years old. William Ginn was married a third time, Mrs. Jennie (Mullen) Rutledge. a widow, becoming his wife. She was also born in Ireland and died when over sjxty years of age, having had three daughters born to her first marriage. William Ginn outlived all his wives, he being in his eightieth year at time of death. He was a man of many fine traits of character and continued to be active both in mind and body into advanced years. He served as a soldier in the Civil war but escaped all injury. When he settled on his land in McLean township it was heavily timbered, not a stick of wood ever having been cut, and it was through his untiring industry that the first building on the place was put up and preparations made to convert the wilderness then prevailing into a comfortable homestead. Gradually he acquired other tracts of land until at one time he owned about 500 acres situated in Darke and Shelby counties. After improving his McLean township land so that others could live on it with a large degree of comfort, in 185 1 he made himself a home on his Darke county land, just across the road, and there continued to live until his death. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his burial was in the Sidney cemetery.

Johnson Ginn attended school near his father's farms and then began his own career as a farmer, residing south of his present farm for some years and selling the same before coming back to the old home place. This property he has under a tenant's care as he devotes the most of his time to his stock activities. The land is well tiled and much of it is in pasturage and fifteen acres remain in valuable timber.

Mr. Ginn married Miss Minerva Houston, who was born in Darke county, O., a daughter of Eli and Melvina Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Ginn have had two daughters: Florence, who resides at home; and Abigail, who died when aged six months. In political connection Mr. Ginn has always been a republican as was his father.

WILLIAM H. BOWEN, one of the substantial citizens and excellent farmers of Turtle Creek township, where he owns 120 acres of fine land, was born in Washington township, Shelby county, July 24, 1869, and is a son of Joseph and Christina E. (Strate) Bowen.

Joseph Bowen, who is a leading business man at Hardin, O., where he has been a merchant for a quarter of a century, was born in Clermont county, O., in 1844, a son of Clark and Elizabeth (Godfrey) Bowen. Joseph Bowen served as a soldier in the Civil war from 1861 until 1865, afterward engaged in farming and then established himself at Hardin, and is one of the representative men of that section. In 1868 he married Christina E. Strate, who was born in Germany, and they have had seven children born to them.

William H. Bowen, the eldest of his parents' children, was afforded educational advantages and after completing the public school course spent two summer terms at the Ohio Normal School, at Ada, O., and for six years thereafter taught school in his native county. He then became associated with his father in business but three years later sold his interest and since then has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits exclusively. He is a progressive farmer, adopting new methods according to the latest scientific plans for agricultural advancement and is a valued member of the local Grange.

On September 14, 1893, Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Nancy M. Malcolm, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Shelby county, being six months old when her parents, James and Elizabeth (Davenport) Malcolm.

brought her to this section. The father was a farmer until his death. Mrs. Bowen has three sisters and. one brother: Lucy, wife of Wallace Gamble; Cora, the wife of G. T. Patton; Clara, wife of J. D. Price; and J. Harper, Mrs. Bowen being the youngest of the family.

Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have seven children : Helen, Elizabeth, Elsie, Hazel, Dorothy, Joseph and William Kenneth. Mr. Bowen and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is trustee of the parsonage. In politics a republican, Mr. Bowen has served on the township school board for the last twelve years.

SAMUEL M. DORSEY, who is very capably managing his mother's farm of 160 acres of valuable land, which lies in Green township, Shelby county, O., belongs to one of the old families of this section. He was born in Green township, October 26, 1868, and is a son of Snowden T. and Anna M. (Mathers) Dorsey. His father died in 1894, one-half mile east of the old Dorsey homestead where he was born in 1825.

In the public schools Samuel M. Dorsey secured his early educational training and later pursued higher branches at Lebanon, Ol For two years afterward he taught school and as an educator fulfilled every expectation but as a business, agriculture made closer appeals to him and for many years he devoted himself to fanning and stock raising. He is connected at Sidney with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and he belongs also to the Presbyterian church at Sidney. In politics he early identified himself with the republican party and has served in the office of township clerk.