Wayne County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Towns of the County, 1910 (part 10 of 11)

It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and his influence as a potential factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing the interests of their fellow men and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make so much for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is Judge Samuel Brown Eason, of Wooster, Ohio, and as such it is proper that a review of his career be accorded a place among the representative citizens of the city and county in which he resides.

Judge Eason represents one of the best known and most highly honored pioneer families of Wayne county, having been born at the old Eason homeand Susan (Brandsteter) Eason, the father born in Wooster and the mother near Hagerstown, Maryland. The Judge's paternal grandfather was Robert Eason, who was among the earlier pioneers of Wayne county. He was of English and Irish descent, his father, Samuel Eason, having emigrated from Ireland, and his mother, Anna Marshall, from England, several years before their marriage on Pine creek, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where Robert was born, December 10, 1795. When the latter was nine years old his father died, and two years thereafter his mother married Edward Taylor. Soon after this second marriage the Eason-Taylor family removed from Lycoming to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and during their residence there the war of 1812 was fought. In this struggle Robert Eason took part, being in active service during a regular term of enlistment in a Pennsylvania regiment then stationed with other troops at Port Erie. Pie was also detained to work as a carpenter on ships then building near the fort for service in Commodore Perry's fleet. Eor this service, in addition to the regular pay as a soldier, he lived to receive from the United States government a warrant for one hundred and sixty acres of land, but his death occurred before the passage of the act of Congress granting pensions to all who had served in the second struggle with England for American independence.

After the war closed the family moved to Chester township, AAyne county, Ohio, on April 14, 1816. The mother and step-mother Taylor brought all the children with them, viz : Robert, Alexander, Mary and Anne. The family first settled on a tract of land in the northeast cjuarter of section 31, where they built a cabin and cleared land. A year after this Robert married Beulah Sooy, daughter of Noah Sooy, who had settled two years previously in Chester township, having emigrated from Lafayette county, Pennsylvania. Robert and his young wife then commenced housekeeping in -eal backwoods style, near Wooster, at the Stibbs mill. Here i\Ir. Eason lived for six years, when, by the aid of his good friend, Joseph Stibbs. he purchased a small farm in the wilds of the IMuddy Pork of the IMohican, to which he moved with his wife and three children, Samuel, Joseph and Benjamin, taking up their residence in a cabin in the woods on a (juarter section of land in Perry township, then Wayne, now Ashland county. Robert Eason was a natural mechanic. Besides clearing land and farming, he worked at almost every branch of various trades required by the primitive settlements - was wagonmaker, plowmaker, weaver, blacksmith, cabinetmaker, gunsmith, millwright, shoemaker and general utility man in the line of mechanics for his neighhors.

During the eight years that Robert Eason lived in Perry township he and his neighbors joined in building the lirst log school house. 'Fhe site of this early "college," the structure it.self ha\ing long since disappeared, is in Chester township, near the county line. Here Sarah Iflwood, niece of iVIr. Eason, opened the fir.st country school. In the summer of 1820 Kohert Eason built the first frame bank-harn of any magnitude in Perry township. On January 19. 1832. he moved his family to and settled on tlie farm in Plain townshi]), later owned by his son, lion. Benjamin ifason. Mere he succeeded

Dennis Driscoll in the business of milling, and commenced improving a new farm, and there he lived and continued the milling business until his death, April 14, 1854. At this place, on March 12, 1850, to this family a most sad and terrible accident occurred, the wife of Robert Eason being crushed to death by the machinery of the mill. The remains of husband and wife rest side l)y side in the old graveyard near Millbrook.

In his boyhood days, Benjamin Eason for several years pursued the vocation of teacher, varying his employment, at times, in surveying and managing and cultivating a farm. He was not exactly a child of the wilderness, but wilderness conditions surrounded the rude cradle in which he was rocked, his liirth having occurred on May 5, 1822. He spent his life in \Vayne county and became one of the eminent men of his day and generation, having devoted the latter part of his life to the law. He taught his first school when nineteen years old and when twenty-six was elected justice of the peace and served until 1850, when he and his brother, Alexander, who died at Placerville, California, made the long, hazardous trip over the plains to California in search of gold, being members of the "Dennison Company,'' composed of about forty \\'ayne county men. He returned home the following wdnter from the Eldorado of the far West. In 1851 he was elected clerk of the common pleas court, and was re-elected in 1854. He was elected to the state Senate in 1859 Democratic ticket, and also served in the Senate in 1882 and

1883. He was, by appointment, treasurer of Wayne county nine months. In 1862 he was commissioned captain of Company E, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for some time he served at the front in the South. In 1864 he purchased the Wayne County Democrat and edited the same for some time. April i, 1870, he opened an office in Wooster with his son, Samuel B., of this review, as partner, and devoted his time to the practice of law and continued successfully during the remaining active years of his life.

Samuel B. Eason, the immediate subject of this biographical record, had the privileges of the common country schools, which he attended during the Avinter months and worked on the home farm the remainder of the year, Caroline Culbertson being his first teacher in the little school house at Springville, and at an early age he evinced an inclination to study and a passion for hooks. Wffien eighteen years of age he tendered his services to the government, and on May 27, 1862, was mustered into service, joining Company D, Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Andrew H. Byers and Col. Barnabas Burns. In this regiment he served four months.

Upon his return from the army. Mr. Eason registered, in the fall of 1863, at Mt. Union, Stark county, and remained in the college there one year altogether, having attended school at home in the winter of 1863 and 1864, returning to Mt. Union later. For one year he had charge of the college tele.scope of six and three-eighths aperture. He then entered Vermillion Institute, Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio, remaining in that institution, with the exception of one term of teaching, until September, 1867, then, accompanied by Hon. John K. Cowen, late president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, as roommate, he entered the University of [Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1869, having completed the course in law. Hon. John W. Kern, of Indianapolis, was his class-mate at Ann Arbor. In the winter of 1867-8 he was elected one of five to take part in the public exercises of tbe MAbster, tbe most prominent literary society of the law department, and the next day after the exercises they were entertained at dinner by Judge and [Mrs. Thomas Mb Cooley, and he carries the incident in memory as one of the most pleasant of school days. The next winter he was president of the Webster.

Mr. Eason located at Columbia City, Indiana, but 'in 1870 he returned to Wooster, Ohio, and formed a partnership with his father, practicing thus for two years. Later his brother, Benjamin, joined the firm of B., S. B. & B. F. Eason, which continued until 1885. when Samuel B. began practicing alone, having by this time won an enviable reputation at the local bar.

In 1897 Samuel B. Eason was elected judge of the common pleas court, in which he made a splendid record and was re-elected to the same responsible position in 1902, and by legislative enactment the term was lengthened to six years, and he served until January i, 1909, then resumed the practice of law. The Taggart divorce case and the Dickinson murder trial were among the noted cases that came liefore him as judge.

Judge Eason was married on May 7, 1885, to *\nna Hindman, a lady ot education and refinement, the daughter of John and Xancy ( Phillips) Hindman. She was born at Apple Creek, this county, and at the time of her marriage lived at Wooster, d'his union has been without issue.

The Judge's home, at Xo. i 17 b\'est Liberty street, is one of hospitably and good cheer, cozy and a fa\orite mecca for the many friends of himselt and wife. The business of tbe Judge is exclusively the practice of law. and he is also the ownei of a \aluablc and attractive farm of two hundred and forty-five acres in Franklin township, which he operates. He has placed many valuable improvements on it, including forty-six thousand feet of drain tile, erected substantial buildings, etc.

Politically, Judge Eason is a Democrat and as a speaker and advisor during campaigns his services are most valuable, the success of the ticket in a number of campaigns being largely attributable to his wise counsel and judicious leadership.

As a lawyer Judge Eason busies himself with those things in which success depends upon the symmetrical judgment and practical grasp that come from reading and reflection. These characteristics were observed while on the bench, his fidelity to duty there and his faithful discharge of the same winning the admiration of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. He is a man of intense energy and application. He goes into court with his case completely in hand. The labor of preparation is not considered. He has a keen perception of the varying phases of human nature which characterize his professional career. In counsel he is inquisitive, exacting and exhaustive, wanting to know the truth and the facts. As an advocate he is earnest, resolute and persuasive, and is, withal, one of Wayne county's energetic, public spirited citizens, richly deserving the high esteem in which he is held by all classes.

Judge Eason is the owner of a fine refracting telescope of nine inches clear aperture, made for him in 1882 by the celebrated firm of Alvan Clark & Sons, and of which Alvan Clark, Sr., the founder of the house, in an autograph letter to him, states that the object glass was made with his own hands and that it is one of his best. This he uses for occasional recreation, and with it in 1882 he obtained a view of the atmosphere of Venus, which would not be visible again for one hundred and twenty years, or until the next transit, and many other interesting and beautiful views of the planets and stars have been gained by him through this splendid instrument.

Cyrus A. Rieder

As long as history endures will the American nation acknowledge its indebtedness to the heroes who. between 1861 and 1865, fought for the preservation of the Union and the honor of the starry banner which has never been trailed in the dust of defeat in a single polemic conflict in which the country has been engaged. Among those whose military records, as valiant solcliers of the war of the Rebellion, reflect lasting honor upon them is the subject of this sketch, who is now living a retired life in the pleasant little town of Apple Cieek and wdio is known as one of the sterling citizens of Wayne county, wdiere for a number of }-ears he w'as successfully engaged in profess'onal pursuits.

Cyrus A. Rieder w'as born at Maysville, Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 30th day of January, 1844, and is a son of Daniel. Jr., and Sarah A. ( Mowu'ey ) Rieder. Daniel Rieder was brought to W'avne county by his parents in 1813, wdien he was but a boy, and here he adopted the pursuit of farming, wdiich he followed during the remainder of his active h'fe. He w'as prospered, and eventually became the owner of two hundred acres of good land. Unfortunately, how-ever, he became surety on a bond, wdiich, becoming forfeited, ruined him financially. He married Sarah A. Mowwey and they became the parents of sixteen children, ten of wdiom grew to mature years.

The subject was reared on the parental farmstead, on wdiich he worked until he w'as seventeen years old. At that time the war had broken out in the Southland and, feeling the patriotic impulse, he I'olunteered for service in the defense of h's country and joined Company C, Forty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the date of his enlistment having been August 8, 1862. He remained wdth this command, participating in a number of the bloodiest battles of that great conflict, including those of Stone River, Chickaniauga and Missionary Ridge.. In the last named engagement klr. Rieder received a terrible w-ound in the right leg, from the results of wdiich he has had to undergo two amputations. He was discharged in 1864, and, returning to his Wayne county home, he at once took the first steps towards securing a good education. He attended first the .school at Fredericksburg, and then went to Professor Eherley's school at Smithville. He then engaged in teaching school, in wdixli he w^as successful and wdiich he continued for nine }'ears. He had determined to take up the jirofession of the law and to this end during the past several years he had put in all his sjiare time in the study of P.lackstone, Kent and the other great legal authorities. Eventually he took the examinations at Wooster and was properly admitted to the bar of Wayne county. He located at Wooster and entered actively into the practice of his ]mifession and W'as soon numbered among the leading memliers ol the bar. lie w.as elected citv attorney of Wooster, in wdiich jiosition he seiwed tour years, taiid also served two terms as county attorney and prosecuting attorney. In all these positions he acijuitted himself in a manner wdiich wmi for him an enviable reputat'on among his |)rofessional brethren, lie went to Kansas and located at Anthony, where he remained for eight years, during which time he engaged in the practice of the law. While there he served four years as postmaster, receiving his appointment under President Cleveland's first administration. At the end of the period noted Mr. Rieder returned to his old home in Wooster and resumed the practice of his profession, in which he continued until 1900, then went to St. Regis Falls, New York, and stayed eight years, and came back and retired at Apple Creek, where he is now living. In recognition of his faithful service during the Civil war, and as a partial recompense for the physical injury from which he suffered, the subject now receives a liberal pension from the government which he helped to preserve and perpetuate. In his professional life Mr. Rieder was recognized as a man of unusual attainments and occupied a high position in the estimation of those who knew of him and his work. He is a good speaker, a close student and an indefatigable worker, - elements which contribute to a large measure to the success of any lawyer. In private life he is a man whom it is a pleasure to know. Genial in manner, a splendid conversationalist, faithful in his friendships and of unimpeachable personal character, he is eminently deserving of the unstinted confidence and respect which are accorded him throughout the community, and he is particularly deserving of representation in a work of this character.

Peter Welty

A representative of one of the old and honored families of Wayne county, which since pioneer days has been prominently connected with the development and substantial progress of this section of the state, Mr. Welty is worthily sustaining the high reputation of the family, through his active and useful life, prominence in connection with the agricultural industries of this favored section of the Buckeye state and his influential position as one of the county's extensive landholders. There is utmost compatibility in here entering a brief review of his career, and aside from being a valuable and perpetual record, the article will be read with interest by the many friends of himself and family.

Peter Welty was born on the farm on which he now resides in section 5, Paint township, Wayne county, Ohio, on February 17, 1839. He is a son of John and Barbara (Lukenbill) Welty. John Welty was a native of canton Berne, Switzerland, and came to the United States in his young manhood un- accompanied. He went first to Virginia, where he remained for a time, and then came to Ohio, settling in Wayne county. He is supposed to have been married 'n Holmes county, for he farmed for a while near Minesburg, that county. Subsequently he came to Wayne county and bought the land where the subject now lives. He was in politics a strong Democrat, but declined to accept any public office. Besides being a successful farmer, he- was also a good mechanic, being proficient in blacksmithing and carpenter work. He was also the owner of land in Putnam county, this state, and was in all his afifah's a prosperous man. He was a member of the Mennonite church and lived a life consistent with his professions. After coming to America, kir. Wlty was married to Barbara Lukenbill, who settled in Holmes county with her parents when she was quite young. To Peter and Barljara Welty were born nine children, as follows : Chris C., Catherine, Barbara, IMary, Anna. Peter,

Peter Welty remained under the parental roof during his youth and received a fair education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He early applied himself to the labors of the farm and gave his undivided attention to the work, in which he has continued during all his active days. He has followed general farming and has been progressive in his methods, keeping in close touch with the most advanced ideas relatuig to the science of agriculture. He has never been tempted to forsake the great basic art, which is the foundation and strength of the commercial life of the nation, realizing that the successful husbandman is the most independent and carefree man in the country. Mr. Welty owns a fine farm and has given intelligent direction to every detail of the work thereon. His buildings are commodious and well arranged, his machinery is thoroughly up-to-date, the fences well kept and everything about the place shows the owner to be a man thoroughly practical in his ideas and methods. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also gives some attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, in which also he has been prospered. Now in the golden sun.set years of his life he has laid aside much of the actual manual labor of the farm, but bis interest in the work is unflagging and he is as alert and keen in his interest in ])assing events as in his prime.

Politicallv, Mr. Welty has always voted tb.e Democratic ticket, but has never sought nor held puhkc office of any nature, being content to occujw tbe rank of a private citizen, though at all times he has been found an earnest supporter of all worthy movements for the general good, lie and his wife are members of tbe Mennonite church, to which they give an earnest support.

born in May, 1839, in Sugar Creek township, this county, the daughter of \A"oolerick Gerber. To the subject and his wife have been born eight children, namely: Benjamin, Barbara (deceased), John, William, Rosa, Daniel.

Mr. Welty has through a long course of years retained the unqualified esteem of the community. He has consistently devoted his time and attention to his business interests, through which he has gained a gratifying and wellmerited success. Industry, energy and progressive spirit have ever been dominating characteristics in his makeup and through these forces he has attained a distincfii^e degree of prosperity and is numbered among the representative agriculturists of the county.

'fhe ancestors of Dr. Joe H. Todd on his paternal side were Scotch- Irish and Welsh; on the maternal, they were Holland Dutch and Welsh, with a mingling of what Emerson calls "'compact old English blood." His mother was a direct descendant of Peter Yokom, who immigrated to America from Holland in 1693 and settled at Sweedsford, near Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. His oldest son, John, married Elizabeth DeHaven, a Welsh Quakeress, and died or was killed in the Revolution February 10, 1777. About this time, at a family reunion, the name Yokom was changed to Yocum. His son, also named John, was born at Sweedsford February 14, 1757, and married Mary Evans, of Welsh-English blood, at Chester, Pennsylvania. He migrated to York county, Pennsylvania, where he established Yocumtown, on the Susquehanna, and removed to Y'ayne county, Ohio, in 1828. He was a Revolutionary soldier and Doctor Todd's great-grandfather. His son, Elijah, was the Doctor's grandfather and was a local. Methodist preacher and a Imilder of carding machines and mills. He was married to Catherine W'agoner, a "Pennsylvania-Dutch" girl, at Yocumtown, and here was born the Doctor's mother, Caroline Matilda Yocum, in 1813. Doctor Todd's paternal great-grandfather. Capt. James Todd, was born in county Antrim, north Ireland, of Protestant parents, in 1690, and came to America with a \\Tlsh wife about 1740 and located at Baltimore. Maryland. He had the mariner's thirst for the sea, the skill and education of the mechanic and sailor in building and sailing his craft. He was a sea captain and became the owner of vessels plying between his home city and the Bermudas, Ba- hamas and Cuba, as well as an importer of Arabian horses. But, like many who go out on the sea in ships, he met with disaster, and the requiem of his hopes was chanted in tempest and storm. His two ships went down off Hatteras. The losses were heavy, his spirit broken, and he retired to a small farm in York county, Pennsylvania, where his family had a summer home in his absence. Here the Doctor's grandfather, James Todd, was born in 1750, who as a boy frequently went on voyages with his father, for he, too, loved the sea; but when disaster destroyed their wealth, he was apprenticed to a saddler in York. He learned the trade, but later was a teacher in a Quaker school, where he married a Quaker maiden and returned to the old farm. He was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Trimble and made captain of militia. The Doctor's father, James Todd, was born on this farm in 1796 (the name James had been given to the eldest son for many generations). After the death of his father, in 1828, he came to Ohio and located in Wayne county, dealing in land and horses. He was married in 1836 to Caroline Matilda Munhall, a widow, whose maiden name was Yocum. To them two children were born, Joe H. and Lunette Yocum, the former of which is the subject of this sketch.

A number of Doctor Todd's earlier years were spent upon his father's farm near Millbrook, where he attended the old conventional, but now traditional, country school, subsequently registering as a student at \"ermilion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, under the presidency of Rev. Sanders Diefendorf, then one of the foremost academic educators of Ohio. From here he went to Fredericksburg Academy. On the completion of his disciplinary course of institutional drill and methods in 1861, he commenced the study of medicine. After the battle of Gettysburg, in response to the national government call for medical aid, although yet a student, he hastened to the scene of that desperate struggle, which supplied him e.xtraordinary opportunities in the practical part of surgery, lioth as an operator and assistant in those crucial tests to the unfortunate which resnlted from the iron game of war. Here and at Chambersl)urgh and Harrisburg he remained during the summer, when he proceeded to Bellevue Hosi)ital, New \ ork, remaining there during the winter of 1863-64. Here were afforded him special lessons in surgery l)y I'rofessor Smith of Bellcx'ue. and priwite instruction trom Austin Mint, Sr., directly in the branches of percussion and anscnltation of the lungs, from whom came a strong and merited endorsement ol his skill and accomplishments. In 1864 he was a pri\ate student of hrank Hamilton. In 1865 he received his di])loma and commenced practice with a clientage from the beginning that prognosticated his tntnre success. In i86c) he was a delegate to the National Medical Society at New Orleans, being commissioned by the Medical Society of Wayne County. To further gratify his aspiration to attain the highest possible skill and excellence in the various departments of his profession, he returned to New York, placing himself under the special care of Austin Flint, Jr., as second assistant in the department of physiology, receiving private instruction in surgery from Professor Hamilton and also from Delafield, in microscopy. In 1870 he again visited New York, where he was for a period assistant to Austin Flint, Jr., in physiology laboratory.

In 1876 Doctor Tood purchased a home in Wooster and permanently located there. He is a member of the American Public Health Association, and has been since 1892. He was a delegate to the International Medical Congress at Washington, D. C., in 1885, and again to Berlin, Germany, in 1890, visiting the hospitals of Europe in the interests of his profession. He assisted in founding the Ohio Archaeology and Historical Society at Columbus, Ohio, in 1881, and was one of its earliest members. He is a member of the /\merican Association for the Advancement of Science, chosen in 1892. He was present at the second meeting of the Ohio Academy of Science after its organization, was elected a member and is uniform in his attendance of its meetings, at Columbus, Ohio, where it was established in 1892. Its first president was Edward W. Claypool. It is composed of about two hundred members. He has read three papers before the academy on the preglacial drainage of Wayne and associated counties.

The investigations and researches that Doctor Todd has made in his various fields of scientific thought have been most valuable contributions and have served a distinctive purpose with other scientists and specialists of the institutions of which he is a member, in establishing and sustaining organized societies and institutes for original research.

In the processes along these lines of scientific and anticjuarian research there seem to be three stages of development. In the first there comes a period of discovery, during which the region is traversed by traveling specialists, either as independent investigators with a laudable and instinctive love for their work, anticipating no special reward for their labors, only so far as thev can enlighten mankind, stimulate inc^uiry into the mysteries of the arcanum of nature and add some new' chapters to the folios of science, or by such persons attached to expeditions sent out by government or by scientific institutions. In this way the general nature of the anthropologic, ethnologic, archaelogic and biologic conditions are made knowm to science, and in most cases much data and many hitherto unknown facts, truths and results are attained and described. In the second stage the field is occupied by local residents, collectors, persons who are able to devote a portion of their time to observation and research and to the preservation of the specimens that they find, without the opportunities and accessories of libraries and other facilities for original reseaixh. Such persons seldom publish the results of their labors and accumulations, but send their treasure to specialists, more favorably situated, who know the discoveries of their correspondents. In the third stage comes the development of local research, by resident antiquarians and scientists, who spend years of patient toil, extracted from business or professional life, in studying the conditions that surround them, traversing home and adjacent districts, and by publishing the results of their exploitations gradually introduce to the light a rich profusion of scientific data. As the resident specialists increase in numlier they specialize by degrees, so that in time all phases of the subject receive proper attention. The culmination of these conditions is the founding of great establishments for original research.

The labors of Doctor Todd have proven to be substantial auxiliaries in these directions, and his observations and researches from a local standpoint have found expression in valuable publications and aided in accomplishing the organization, permanence and security of the Academy of Science, at Columbus, Ohio. Independent of his studies and investigations and writings in testimony of his persistence, energy and enterprise, he has accumulated a cabinet of thirty thousand specimens, the largest private collection in Ohio, twenty thousand of which are historic and absolutely perfect, the remaining ten thousand being equally historic but partly incomplete. He lately presented five thousand to the Wooster City Library.

Doctor Todd is advanced in years to beyond middle life, is of medium height, with strong, wiry nerves, has black hair, faintly touched by the silvery spray of years, with darting, dark, perceiving eyes, a clean, classic face, in which are mirrored his thoughts, feelings and emotions, the silent languages of the soul and heart as they are radiated from intellectual centers of acute and deep intensity. Llis faculties are in their zenith and in the highest degree capable of action, work and achievement, his ])hysical forces e\er ready to sustain his best promotive mental enter])rise. lie possesses the genius of adaptation to the subject in hand, and ])ractices surgery on 1 ime by eutting it into divisions and sub-divisions for the better and more systematic accomplishment of his professional, historic and scientilic designs. C ircumstances. however iron-clad, are seldom permitted to interfere with his distribution of work, for which he is in a state of constant preparation and adiiistmenl to it. All his bases and foundations are well and strongly laid, ddiis has been emphasized from the beginning of his professional career. In the battle with disease he mnst first reconnoiter the field and locate the enemy, bringing tact, judgment, reason and strategy to his assistance before assanlting the citadel. Nor does he rely on tactics of the books or the speculations of the old teachers, writers and theorists or depend upon a set of stereotyped methods to attain conclusions or achieve results. The entire human cosmos must be studied, its springs and action, temperament and constitutional peculiarities, the vibrations and relations of every chord of the poetic thousand on the human harp. He must seek and know, "For knowledge is of things we see." Nothing is taken for granted, nothing suspended in uncertainty, refusing to doubt when there is a rational possibility of being sure. He has, therefore, found it necessary to implicitly trust himself, others only so far as he may not be damaged in their disappointment.

In his divisions of study, experiments, and investigations and travel. Doctor Todd finds an inspiriting life; he finds it in the forests and fields, among the pebbles and stones, the grasses and grains, the vines and orchards of his farm, in his beautiful home, with its stabilities of brick and stone, and its multiform tenantry of flowers and trees, overlooking the beautiful valley, whose preglacial history he has revealed to geologic science, and the irregular, undulating and hilly landscapes lieyond with unraveled signs and legends, costumed in summer in delightful colors, lifting a robe of purity to the dawn and bursting into primal lieauty at the touch of the sinking sun. In the enjoyment of this selected life an unusual importance is attached to the interest witli which he invests it by word or conversation. He talks fluently on the subject-matter under consideration, with a familiarity with it that indicate how clearly he comprehends it; talks readily and quick and to the point, with singular accuracy and conciseness and invariably with an objective. In his written productions is found remarkable perspicacity, strength and compactness of statements, an orderly and logical marshalling of ideals, in which is employed vigorous, but plain, pure English words, having but little use for superlatives, yet recognizing the fact that they are frequently decorations, bnt neither strengthen nor vitalize expression. There is a strict form and technical directness and transparency of thought and elucidation in all emanations from his pen. His habit is to think intently and well of his subject, hold it with a firm mental sub-maxillary grip, and when the time comes he rapidly unreels the finished fabric from his mind.

As a man Doctor Todd is substantial and intrinsic in his personality, a self-adjusting, independent, veritable entity, without a proxy, always stand- ing and answering for himself, maintains the essentials of proper equipoise and a lofty spirit, is benevolent, sympathetic, and humorous, all of which qualities pre-eminently characterize him. If the impulsiveness of some of the Celtic grit that is him crosses his orbit, the steadier and safer equilibriums of his Dutch maternal blood act as a repellant and counter-force, when the shadow on the disc suddenly disappears. His student hours are tense and dense amid the silences of inquisitive and contemplative thought. To such minds relief to reflection is best assured by further reflection. AMiat he reads, sees, hears and thinks, serves his premises; with these he cares, first, to improve himself. He deeply enjoys both ancient and modern literature, the old poets and masters, the classic authors, the heralds and voices of antiquity, kneels at the shrines of the great artists and the fame-winners in sculpture and painting and architecture, participates in the acclamations of the triumphs of art and "the blaze of every science." For all of these and for maps and charts and models "and dusty tomes crowded with heavy but profound philosophies and researches," he possesses an exalted if not spiritualized a])preciation. He enjoys, not alone, the distinguished merit and scholasticism of the literature of his profession, but the learning of men of learning, the best literary productions, whether those of Tacitus or iMacaulay, and Chaucer or Tennyson - those composing and embodying the highest results of knowledge and fancy, preserved and transmitted by the old or later authors. He does not incline to a literature which exclusively regards the personal, the romantic and beautiful, as the cardinal objects of thought and expression, but rather one that combines those characteristics with definite and accurate description, exact analysis, and the bringing together of true cause and effect as the chief end.

scholar himself, with the training of the schools and familiar with college curriculums and the courses of study, the Doctor cherished the assumptions of his own line -of study, and with due regard to preordained thinkers he has chiseled lines which are modest historical testimonies. .\nd here he rests, as is his right. Among the possibilities of those existing are his incredulity in methods of education in this or any period of spasmic culture. His convictions of conscience are not absolutely in colleges and universitie.s - men factories, in which you can make a man a real. li\e illuminating genius out of the raw masticated material of creation. I here must he a touch of the Master in it ; the spirit of the Designer behind it. In a (Ireek (piarry, like ancient Oxford, there is a major portion who would make better operators as carpet-weavers in the mills of Wilton or steel grinders in Sheffield.

Significall}' characteristic of the Doctor is his diligence in circumscribing himself to the circle of his own affairs, whether in the administrations of his profession, the fascinating seclusion of his reliquaries or in perigrinations through the forests and fields or the slenderly wooded acres of the streams, challenging the outposts of landscapes for their buried or unburied, or even their semi-articulate tones of time, their resonant, choiceful anticiuarian legends and secrets.

If Dr. Todd were objectless he would be a brilliant, if apparently fading, taper, but never invisible in the toneless halls of sleep. Not true is this. There is constantly an object impelling him, and such is his self-balance that he floats steadily 'on, whether on smooth or troubled currents, where and when he can afford to wait, accounting expectations as no punishment and willing to abide, if necessary, the adjournment of his hopes until the next day. If he has formality, it is that of his style and greeting, and upon meeting him his social and mental circumferences are at once visible. If there be a stateliness and a degree of selfhood, they are appurtenances belonging to him, but this is not sutre, or unbending, but native qualities which adhere and dwell in so metropolitan and composite a nature.

There are times when solitude, the compressed silences of the ages, break the limit and the eternal mandate of the world, when the thinker must retire and in the sweet martyrdom of seclusion speak to himself and address himself in the untold, unwritten language of the human soul, and in this sense, with what the eye can see in sight, or the mind can compass, more specially in looking back, he seeks his days and periods of tranquil cjuietness in seclusion, in his quaint libraries, his museum, among his geologic fossils, his Indian quarries and prehistoric repositories, his aggregated things of antiquity and old atmosphere. Here he can conceal himself to be guessed at by those who do not know, to be understood by those who understand, to see and w-ork unseen and when he emerges to the light again to be known by his vitalizations and actions that his retirement was not affection. From the effect of his exact professional habits he is discriminate and technical in place, time and order and is self-regulated to a degree which sometimes excites a suggestion, but this is essentially associated with the conscientiousness which forms a conspicuous future of his character. He w'ould be regarded as a man well born, well derived, well disciplined and well finished, the strongest representative of his own personality, the sentinel of each of his own particular wards, a rampart to himself, testifying to the relations which he finds in life. He aims, first, to do justice to himself ; this done, he can dismiss all menace of opposition or lack of appreciation or superstition.

He who keeps the door of a mine, whether of galena, mercury, plumbago, or aluminum, will soon know that the people want to see him, as real men always prefer to see and know real men.

The possession of the instinct of a man of historic and scientific ventures implies the boldness to do and accomplish ; it carries in it the symptoms of determination and courage, for the culminations of all battles, whether fought in the interest of science or themselves, are pivoted on courage. The fibers and sinews of the scholar and thinker then reaches the stage and fills the proscenium. It is superbly gallant to be brave at cannon points, but better to be brave when better issues are joined. With Doctor Todd, he would sooner be the defendant than the challenger, but he in his inmost heart detests cowardice. If, however, he resolves to do or act, he would, with the mariner's instinct of his ancestry, plunge into the ships that go down into the sea, and in the delicious peril of death hammer at the doors that had never been opened. Even then, he would violate his attachments to his curios, and experience an ambiguous sound in the tender, holy and potential celestialities of a divinely Miltonic scene.

Of his curios! But he is not English enough to swing in hammocks, from the boughs of the Upas tree, or put the blood of a martyr in an elembic, or to saw a hole in the head of the"Winking Virgin" to know why she winks, but, if he won a Croesus or was the successor to the earldom of Arundel, he would beg the secrets of nature and, like Sir George, enrich the universities of the world with his gifts.

Joseph Perilstein

The record of Joseph Perilstein is that of a man who, by his own unaided efforts, has worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of influence and prosperity. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable methods he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens. Joseph Perilstein. a well-known merchant of Orrville, is an American by adoption only, but he has always been loyal to our institutions since his coming here. He was born in Austria-Hungary in 1873, the sou of /Vbraham and Molly Perilstein. both of whom are still living in the old country.

Young Joseph in his boyhood assisted his father about ibe home place and dreamed of the great republic across the Atlantic of which be had been told SO much, and, when eighteen years of age, he got enough money together to come to America. He landed in New York, but later came on to Cleveland. He was penniless, but, being ambitious and possessing many of the qualities that always make for success, he soon found employment in selling goods to individual families. He could not speak English, but study and observation soon acquired our language. He was on the road for four and one-half years. Then in 1896 he came to Orrville, Ohio, and engaged in the dry goods business and, being successful from the first, he has been here ever since, having built up an excellent trade with the town and surrounding country. He had but little capital when he came here, hut he has been very successful and is now carrying a large stock of merchandise, carefully selected and up to date, and his prices are always right, according to many of his customers, who come from all parts of the county to deal. At first his store was very small, but now it requires three large rooms to accommodate his large stocks, occupying the first, second and third floors of a substantial building in the best business part of the city. He carries a full line of dry goods, cloaks, carpets, rugs and lace curtains, and his store is always a busy place. He requires a number of clerks and other employes to assist in carrying on his rapidly growing business. Here customers always get courteous consideration and a scjuare deal. In other words, he conducts "The Growing Store of Wayne County.''

Mr. Perilstein was married in 1889 to Edith Warner, a native of Austria, but she came to America when young, having spent her early girlhood in Vienna. Their marriage occurred in New York. They have no children.

Mr. Perilstein is a stockholder in the Orrville Nat'onal Bank and he also has valuable real estate holdings. He has a beautiful home and is one of the leading citizens of Orrville. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an obliging, genteel, progressive business man, who has won a reputation for both industry and fair dealing.

James M. Ward

One of the well known and influential citizens of Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, is James M. Ward, who for a number of years has resided here and successfully conducted one of the best farms in the township. He has always been actively interested in everything which tended to promote the development of this region, and has been confidently counted upon at all times to endorse progressive measures and to uphold the law, right and justice. Mr. Ward was born in the township of Canaan, this county, his natal day having been the 25th of December, 1852. His father was John W. Ward, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1821, and who married Mary Magdeline Ritter, who was born in Chester township, this county, in 1829. John W. Ward w-as a prominent and successful farmer near Burbank, this county, and died in 1898. In politics he was a Democrat and took a live interest in public affairs. He and his family were active members of the United Brethren church. To him and his wife were horn six children, a remarkable feature in connection therewith being the fact that they included three pairs of twins. They are mentioned as follows : John and James, the former being deceased, and the latter being the subject of this sketch ; Christina and Lucy, the former the wife of Frank Myers, of Burbank, and the latter the wdfe of Daniel Hartman, of Greene county, Ohio; John Leander and Mary Esther, the former living in this state, and the latter being a nurse in California. A further notable fact regarding the five surviving children is that their aggregate weight is over half a ton. The subject's paternal grandfather, Robert Ward, rvas a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was a stone-mason by trade. He came from ^Maryland to Ohio in 1836, locating in Canaan township. The maternal grandfather was Jacob Ritter, a native of Pennsylvania who came to Ohio sometime before the twenties and settled in Chester township, Wayne county, where he operated the large farm now owned by John Raudehaugh.

James M. Ward secured his preliminary education in the common school near his home, after which he took the literary course at Lodi Academv, He was then engaged for eight winters in teaching school, in which he was eminently successful. Lie had decided to make the ]>ractice of medicine his life work and to this end his leisure hours during this period were sjient in the study of medicine and under the direction of Dr. C. J. Warner, of Congress. By dint of rigid economy, the sulpject managed to sa\'e li\'e hundred dollars and with this he matriculated in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He completed his technical studies in the medical department of Wooster University, graduating in 1878 \vith the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During the following two years he was engaged in the practice with Dr. Warner, his former tutor, and at the end of tli.at period he oj)ened an office alone in that town, lie also owned and o])erated a drug ,st(n'e, and was highly successful in both professional and commercial lines. During the following five years he was very husil\- engaged .and was highly gratified with his success. In 1885 his father-in-law died, and it became necessary for him to supervise the large Van Sweringen farm in Congress township. In order to properly do this, the Doctor found it necessary to give up his practice, which he did and moved onto the farm. He has since continued to manage this property and has been eciually as successful in this line as he formerly was in his profession. He and his wife together own about two hundred and fifty acres of land in Wayne county and they have been greatly prospered in the operation of this land. The Doctor is progressive in his methods and keeps in close touch with the most advanced methods of agriculture. He keeps the place up to the highest standard of excellence and the appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of good taste and sound judgment.

In politics the subject gives an enthusiastic support to the Republican party, but is not in any sense a seeker for public office. He gives his unreserved support to every measure that promises to benefit the community in any way.

On the 31st of October, 1878, Mr. Ward wedded Martha H. Van Sweringen, who was born in Congress township, this county, October 31, i860. Her father was Thomas Van Sweringen, a prominent farmer of that township. Her mother was a member of the Miller family, being IMary A. Miller. To this union have been born two children, namely: Roy M., born April 30, 1890, and Georgia May, born September 15, 1880, and who is now the wife of Hugh Johnson, a prominent farmer of this county. Socially, Mr. Ward is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Mr. Ward is one of the leading citizens of his township and is well worthy of the regard in which he is universally held. Mrs. Ward is a member of the Presbyterian church at Congress.

John Cramer

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise, yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life - a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

John Cramer, who is numbered among the enterprising' and successful agriculturists of Wayne county, was born at West Lebanon, this county, on the 26th of June, 1851, and is the son of INIichael and Nancy fGramling) Cramer. The Cramer family is traced to a German origin, though the subject's maternal grandmother was a native of England. Michael Cramer was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, and in his youth he accompanied his parents to Ohio, they locating at Fredericksburg. The father was a tanner by trade and established a tannery at that place, which soon grew to an important industry. He was an expert in his line and commanded a large patronage, the farmers from all the surrounding country bringing their hides to his tannery. Michael Cramer followed in his father's footsteps and learned the trade of a tanner, establishing himself in business at West Lebanon, where he continued in business until his death, which occurred at the comparatively early age of forty-one years. He was one of the best known men in this part of the country and he too commanded the patronage of all the farmers in his community. He was industrious and a good manager and was considered a very successful man for his day. He built one of the first brick houses in AVest Lebanon, and in its construction he paid the masons seventy-five cents a day. a wage that at the present day would hardly be an inducement for a man to lay brick. He was a man of decided domestx tastes and did not care to take an active part in the public affairs of his day. At that time Massillon was the only town of any importance in this section of the state, being the main trading point, and West Lebanon was a common stopping place for farmers on their way to Massillon. Mr. Cramer and his wife were faithful members of the Church of God, and he was generous in support of the society. Pie married Nancy Gramling. who was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at the age of nine years, the family making the trip in a covered rvagon. Her father had previously been in Ohio inspecting the land and had walked the entire distance from his home both ways. The ancestors of the Gramling family are .su]iposed to ha\e come from Holland. Mrs. Cramer's father was a cabinet-maker Iw trade, mi which he was employed all his life. He was of an inventive turn of mind and constructed the first fanning mill ever in use in this part of the country. Michael and Nancy Cramer were married at West Txbanon, and their union was blessed in the birth of five children, namely: Henry, who died at the age of nineteen years, the result of wounds received during the Civil war, while engaged in the battle at Floyd Mountain. He was a member of tbe Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and had served all but twelve days of his three-year period of enlistment. Sarah married a Mr. Frantz and lives in Sugarcreek township, this county. Two children died in infancy unnamed. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the children.

John Cramer was reared under the parental rooftree and was given excellent educational advantages. He received his elementary training in the common schools at West Lebanon, and supplemented this by attendance at the Smithville Academy and Mount Lmion College. He then entered the Lebanon Normal School in Warren county, taking the course in surveying and civil engineering, but left school before graduating. After completing his studies he was for several years engaged in teaching school in Wayne and Stark counties, but at length he turned his attention to agricultural iiursuits, in whxh he has been engaged continuously since. Mr. Cramer has resided on his present place practically since he was three years old. His father dying at that time, he was placed in the home of his Grandfather Gramling, and the farm then owned by tbe latter is that now owned and operated by tbe subject. It is a fine and fertile tract of land, considered one of the best pieces of land in this part of the county, and it is splendidly improved and is constantly maintained at the highest standard of excellence. Mr. Cramer is practical and progressive in his ideas and he has left no stone unturned to bring tbe science of agriculture up to the highest possible plane. In tin's laudable effort he has succeeded to a gratifying degree. Mr. Cramer lives in a conveniently arranged and attractive residence, which is fitted with many modern and up-to-date conveniences, including a complete acetylene lighting plant and running water in all parts of the house where desired. The other buildings on the place are in keeping with the residence and the general appearance of the whole property indicates the owner to be a man of exceptional taste and sound judgment. He raises all the crops common to this latitude, also giving considerable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, and is practical and progressive in his methods. Mr. Cramer's property is of additional value from the fact that underlying it is a magnificent bed of coal. Mr. Cramer has leased the coal rights to a Cleveland company which has sunk a shaft and is engaged in mining it. Large quantities of the fuel are shipped constantly and from this source Mr. Cramer derives a handsome royalty.

was born February 12, 1862, near Mount Eaton, Paint township, this county, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eliram Fisher. Fler paternal grandfather, Solomon Fisher, was a native of the Old Dominion and was one of the earliest settlers in this part of Ohio. Fliram Fisher was well known and for a number of years he served as court constable at Wooster. To Mr. and i\Irs. Cramer have been born six children, namely : Bryant, of Alliance, Ohio, where he is employed by a railroad; Mary, at home; George, who is a student at Wooster University, where he is fitting himself for the profession of civil engineering; Leroy, who is at home; the fourth and fifth in order of birth died in infancy.

Mr. Cramer has not been an office-seeker in the popular acceptation of the term, but he has served his fellow citizens as a member of the township school board, having always taken a deep and commendable intere.st in educational matters. Mrs. Cramer is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church at Mount Eaton. Mr. Cramer is not a member of the church, but gi\'es to it a liberal financial support. His political affiliation is with the Republican party.

The subject is one of the strong and sturdy men of his community and has justly merited the high position which he now occupies in the estimation of his fellow citizens. He is ever found on the right side of every moral issue, and his support is freely given to eveiy movement looking to the advancement of the community in any way. Because of his sterling cpialities of character he is eminently deserving of representation in a work of this character.

Daniel Beals

Few men of Wayne county are as widely and favorably known as Daniel Beals, of Paint township, where he was born on the 7th of February. 1833. He is one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and ioi \Ctiis his name has been synonymous for all that constitutes honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of jHirpose, combined with every-day common sense, were among his chief characteristics, and while advancing individual success he also largely imnnotcd the moral and material welfare of his community.

The suliject's jiarents were Jacob and Bcsanba (Bowers) Beals, and the former was the son of Abraham Beals, who came to Ohio in 1812 and en- tered large tracts of land in this part of Wayne county, of which he gave each of his children a cjuarter section. He was a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and he rode all the way to his new western home on horseback. He was one of the very first settlers here. At that time there was an Indian reservation at Canal Dover, from which point there was a foot trail to New Sandusky, to which place the early settlers had to go to secure salt. Abraham Beals and his wife both lived to the age of eighty-six years.

Jacob Beals was born in Pennsylvania and was married in that state, though all his children were born after his removal to Ohio. These children were Philip, Sarah, Rebecca, Solomon, Sabie, Elizabeth, Rachael and Daniel, all of whom are now dead excepting the subject. The mother of these children died at the age of seventy-six years. She was born in Pennsylvania and two brothers and a sister also came to Ohio. When she and her husband came to Ohio and took up land, not a stick of it had been disturbed by white hands, and to create a farm out of this dense wilderness was a task of herculean proportions. But the sturdy pioneer had reckoned the cost and courageously went to work cutting and burning the timber, building a log house and cultivating the land. In due time what had formerly been the primeval forest began to present a changed appearance, and soon fields of ripening grain characterized what had been almost impenetrable forests. First operations were primitive in the extreme and, as the nearest grist mill was at Massillon, the pioneers grated the corn from which they made their first bread or pone. Jacob Beals was considered a very successful man for his day and was active in many lines of endeavor. In the work of the Methodist church he took a very leading and prominent part, in this respect following in the wake of his father, who had been instrumental in building the first church in this part of the state, it being located in Stark county. Jacob Beals was a justice of the peace in his community for eighteen years and also at different times held all the other township offices, being also a notary public. He was a man of unusual strength of character and possessed in a large degree that quality commonly called ''horse sense," his counsel and advice being often sought by those in need of counsel. In politics he was originally a Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party he allied himself with it and remained an ardent supporter of that party ever after. No man was more prominent or better known throughout this section of the state than was Jacob Beals, and his memory remains sacred to those who knew him.

The subject of this sketch secured his early education in the primitive log school house of the early days, the school being in the beginning supported by subscription. Later the free schools were inaugurated and the subject aided in the building of the first free school house in this section and was himself made a member of the first school board, though then but a youth. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age, and then, acquiring the ownership of the farm, his parents remained with hun, he taking the most painstaking and careful regard for their comfort. About twenty-eight years ago Mr. Beals relinquished active farm work and moved to Orrville, for the purpose of giving his children better opportunities for education, and remained there eighteen years. While residing in that city he engaged in the buggy business, in which he was eminently successful, having made the record of selling two hundred and eighty-three buggies in twelve months. He also engaged in handling livestock, buying and shipping large numbers annually to the eastern markets. About 1899 Mr. Beals and his family returned to the old home in Paint township, where he is now living practically a retired life, in the enjoyment of a rest which he has richly earned. He has been a very successful man and, despite much trouble and many material losses, he is considered today one of the most enterprising and successful men in his part of the county. He has ever evinced a spirit of progress and has always given an enthusiastic support to every object or movement having for its ult'mate end the advancement of the liest interests of the community. A man of sterling qualities of character, he has ever enjoyed the friendship of the best people in the community, and he now enjoys the unbounded confidence and respect of all.

Mr. Beals has been twice married, the first time to i\Iary Scott, a daughter of Robert Scott, and to them were born four children, namely: Ottie became the wife of Isaac Blackstone, of Orrville, and they have four children; John married Adele Taggart and res'des near Orrville; Emma is the wife of Solon Byall, of Onwille, and they have two children ; W'illiam, of Orrville, married a Miss Gardner and they have one child. i\lrs. IMary (Scott) Beals died October 20, 1885, and was buried in Crow Hill cemetery in Orrville. She was a good woman and her friends mourned her loss. On October 20, 1899, Mr. Beals married Elizabeth Bookwalter. the daughter of .Mr. and Mrs. Martui Bookwalter. She died October 7, 1909, and was buried at Mount Eaton. She was a lady of splendid personal (pialities and was well liked by all who knew her. Her parents were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in about 1831.

In politics Mr. Beals has always been actively interested in the success iif the Democratic party, but has never been a seeker after office. Regardless of this fact, he has been .selected by his fellow citizens to .serve in a number of township offices and is now the incumbent of the office of township trustee, in which he is rendering the most satisfactory service. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, belonging to the church of that denomination at Orrville. Mrs. Beals is a member of the Universalist church at Akron, Ohio.

William Addleman

There is no positive rule for achieving success and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunity that came in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ but slightly; and when one man passes another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among the prominent citizens and successful business men of Burbank, Wayne county, Ohio, stands William Addleman. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his make-up and have lieen contributing elements to the material success which has come to him.

William Addleman was born Lebruary 9, 1838, in Berlin township. Holmes county. Ohio, and is a son of Adam and Susan (Shidler) Addleman. The su1)ject's paternal grandfather, John Addleman. was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in a very early day, settling in Holmes county, where he spent his remaining years, and died. The maternal grandparents, John and Katherine Shidler. were also natives of Pennsylvania and likewise early settlers of Holmes county. The subject's parents were both born in Pennsylvania, tbe father in Greene county and the mother in Washington county. They were married in their native state and in the early thirties came to Ohio. There the father died in 1840 and in 1846 the mother remarried and came to Wayne county, where she lived until her death, which occurred on June 3, 1891. Adam Addleman was a farmer by vocation and was of a quiet and retiring disposition. He was, nevertheless, a man of sterling qualities of character and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.

Wulliam Addleman was born and reared in a typical log cabin of the pioneer period and was reared to the life of a farmer, being at an early age inured to the strenuous labor incident to farm life of that early day. He secured a fair education in the common schools, and until he attained his majority he was occupied in assisting his father in the tilling of the soil. In i860 he went to Iowa and in October of the following year, responding to his country's call for aid in the suppression of the southern insurrection, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Fifteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, He rendered faithful service for one year, at the end of which time he was discharged because of sickness. He took part in a number of sanguinary conflicts, including the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and luka, besides a number of minor engagements and skirmishes. He was employed on guard duty a large part of the time. Enlisting as a private, he was successively promoted, being a second lieutenant at the time of his discharge. After leaving the army, Mr. Addleman remained in Iowa until the spring of 1863, when he returned to Wayne county, Ohio, and began working by the month on farms. In 1864 he married and located on an eighty-acre farm in Congress township, on which he remained during the following twenty years. In 1884 he moved to Burbank and, forming a business partnership with A. H. Overs, went into the hardware business, which he continued until 1887, when he turned his interest over to his son and has since that time lived a retired life. During President Cleveland's first administration he served one year as postmaster of Burbank, giving a satisfactory administration. A man of strong mentality and naturally a keen business sense, i\Ir. Addleman made a success of whatever he undertook and is now able to enjoy that rest which he so richly earned during his active years.

In politics a Democrat, Mr. Addleman has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, and in 1890 served as land appraiser. During the period that he resided on his farm he served two terms as township trustee, school director nine consecutive years and other minor local offices, the duties of which he discharged with an eye single to the benefit of the community alone. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, while his religious affiliation is with the Evangelical Association, to which he gi\'es an earnest support.

On the 25th of March, 1.864, Mr. y\ddleman was united in marriage to Susan Byers, a native of Congress township, this county, and a daughter of David and Hettie Byers, nati\'es of Pennsyl\-ania and early settlers of \\ ayne county. To Mr. and Mrs. Addleman have liecn born two children, namely : John E., who, after completing his common school education, attended .\shland College and the Ohio Wesleyan Uni\'ersity. entered the drug business at Burljank, and served as postmaster during Cleveland's second administration; Bertha R. is at home with her parents.

In the foregoing lines have been briefly set forth the salient facts and some of the leading characteristics in the life of one of Wayne county's most highly respected citizens. Commencing with a limited capital, but with an inborn determination to succeed, and paving the way to prosperity only with the solid rocks of honest industry, true stability of character and correct conduct, he has achieved success in the face of every obstacle and won a name which when transmitted to posterity will ever shine with a radiance emanating from a life of honor and integrity.

John Messner

In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above their fellows and win for themselves conspicuous places in public esteem. Such a one is the well-known gentleman whose name appears above, a man who has been identified with the history of Wayne county for over sixty-seven years, during which period his life has been closely interwoven with the material growth and development of his county, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship.

John Messner was born on the farm which is now his home, his natal day having been January 5. 1842. He is the son of John M., Sr., and Hannah ( Schweigert) Messner, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and of sturdy German antecedents. They were married in their native state and came to Ohio with their two children, locating about two miles from Massillon. There they remained about two years and then came to Wayne county and bought the land which is now owned by the subject and rvhich at that time was in its original wild state, densely covered with the primeval forest growth and inhabited by many varieties of wild animals. To the arduous task of clearing this land and putting it in cultivation the father applied himself, and in due time saw the reward for his toil. John Messner, Sr., was a good farmer and did well everything he undertook. In connection with farming he also raised large numbers of stock, and was considered a very successful man for his day. He was a Democrat in political proclivities and took a prominent part in local public affairs. He was widely and favorably known throughout this section of the county. His religious belief was that of the German Reformed church and he belonged to the church at Mount Eaton. He was ninety years old at the time of his death, and his wife was eighty-five. They were the parents of eight children, namely ; Amos, deceased; Sarah is the w:fe of a Mr. Jarvis and lives in the West; Josiah is deceased; William lives in Oklahoma; Savilla is deceased; Fyan married Mr. Adams, an inspector of cattle for the government; the subject of this sketch is the next in order of birth ; Rebecca ; Matilda, who is the wife of a Mr. Ruch and lives at Mount Eaton.

John Messner received his education in the district school of his home neighborhood, the schools of that early day being somewhat primitive in methods and eciuipment. The pupils were recjuired to chop wood for the big fireplace and the building was furnished with rough puncheon seats and floors, oftentimes greased paper serving as a substitute for glass in the windows. The subject remained on the homestead during his young manhood with the exception of six years spent on another farm in the county, and he has always followed the vocation of farming, in whicli he has iDeen uniformly successful. He is now managing the home farm and is accounted one of the most progressive and enterprising farmers in this section of the county. He keeps in close touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture and is not slow to adopt new methods when their practicability has been demonstrated. The place is adorned with a full set of commodious and well-arranged farm buildings and the general appearance of the place indicates the owner to be a man of sound judgment and excellent taste. He carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the state, and in connection with his tilling of the soil he also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he is successful.

On the 14th of June, 1864, Mr. Messner was united in marriage to Mary Graber, who was born in Wayne county August 8, 1843, the daughter of Samuel and Susan (Stauffer) Graber. Her parents were both born in Germanv, her father being ten years old and her mother seven years old when they accompanied their respective families to the United States. 1 hey came over in the old-time sailing vessels and were among the earliest foreign-born families to settle in Wayne county. To Mr. and Mrs. Messner have been born seven children, namely: Lee, who married Ida Ileal, was formerly a school teacher, but now owns a farm west of Apple Creek, where he res'des; Emma is the wife of Erank Senff, a miller at Canton. Ohio, and they have two children; Minnie is the wife of Dr. Edward R. Schaffter. formerly a veterinarian of Mount Eaton, and then became meat inspector for the g-overnment. first at Kansas City and then at Cleveland and from there was sent by the government to Liverpool, England, as ins])cetor of cattle, where he now resides with his wife and three children; Edwin, who married Eanra

Blosser, owns a farm east of Mount Eaton; Ella is the wife of Prof. Alton Etling, superintendent of the Orrville public schools, and they have two children; Wilson, who is a school teacher, living at Mount Eaton, married Esta Schaffter, and they have one child ; Nora is the wife of Harvey Blosser, a school teacher, living at Mount Eaton, and they have two children, twins. Of these children, all have been engaged in teaching school at some period of their lives excepting Emma, Minnie and Edwin.

A stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Messner has been actively interested in the success of his party and has himself held a number of local offices. Religiously, he and his wife are consistent members of the Reformed church at Mount Eaton and are interested in all the activities of the society. Their comfortable and attractive home is known far and wide because of the hospitality ever in evidence there, and the members of this family are numbered among the most popular residents of this section of the county. Mr. Messner is a man of fine personal qualities and makes a friend of every one he meets.

Wooster Nursery Company

No history of Wayne county would be complete without giving an account of the famous Wooster Nursery Company, an institution of which any community might be justly proud. This flourishing company was incorporated four years ago under the laws of Ohio, which means that the stockholder is secure in every way. Starting from a small beginning, it has rapidly grown through the judicious and honest management of its officials until its products are eagerly sought after throughout northern Ohio and other sections of the Middle West. This is the result of the ambition and splendid management of Thomas E. Ewing, the founder, who came to Wayne county from Ashland, Ohio, in 1902, in which year, by his personal efforts, the company, then in its infancy, received a great impetus, which it so much needed. In 1903 he planted fruit and ornamental trees. There was a large increase in the business in 1904 and at that time an increased acreage was planted. They began growing garden and farm seeds in addition to their trees in 1905. After the incorporation the company purchased twenty-six and one-half acres adjoining the Experiment Station and this has proved to be another one of the wise moves engineered by Mr. Ewing, as it could not be excelled anywhere in Ohio for the nursery business. Their trees have given the utmost satisfaction in every respect, one of their best points being a great fibrous root system and the trees can be dug without injury. Trees grown on sand or low muck land are not so hardy or vigorous. In 1907 the business increased to such proportions that more than twice the usual assistance was required to properly handle the output. It also declared at that time a ten per cent, dividend. This has been kept up ever since and it is possible that the present year will see a much larger dividen'd declared, since large increases in sales and orders have already been reported. The capital stock of the company has been increased and is being offered in a limherl wav to the pulilic. According to those in position to judge such matters, the company's offer is certainly a safe and sane investment and will, no doubt, be subscribed faster than the officials anticipate.

The local trade increased so rapklly that in 1908 it became necessarv to establish a down-town office, which was located on South Walnut street. The well-known firm of seed men, E. C. Green & Son, of Medina, Ohio, was consolidated with that of the local company and the combination is proving to be a very strong one and a very satisfactory business is the result. iSIr. Green was brought up in the nursery business, his father being one of the foremost nurserymen in OliT, and for a number of years Mr. Green was connected with the Experiment Station. The location of these combined interests seems to have been a most fortunate one in every way.

The local trade grew to such proportions in 1909 that the company was compelled to seek larger quarters and No. 40 South iMarket street was selected. This soon proved too small and in the fall of the .same year the offices were moved across the street to the Foss building. No. 35 South Market street, wdiere they now occupy the entire first floor and basement with their stocks and seeds for farm and garden, nursery stock in season, poultry and bee supplies. They carry the Canton fertbizer exclusively and their trade on this one article alone is over ten car loads per year. They also handle spray materials and spray pumps. All the latest and best devices for the care of orchards and gardens are to be found here in their neat and wellarranged (juarters where they have a floor space of nineteen by one hnndred and eighty feet and nineteen by one hundred and forty feet. Last year the grounds of the nursery were planted heavier than e\ er, the trees, shrubs, etc., then on the place being valued at over ten thousand dollars.

This company has a number of interesting ])hases that commend themselves: It is a home concern and can be seen any time; the stockholders pay no taxes on their holdings; the management is thoroughly experienced and capable; they have been in business for a number of years and have proven to be entirely safe, sane and consei'Yative, good organizers and promoters along legitimate lines. There is no reason why, in the language of Mr. Ewing, they should not grow - they have the land, the men and the business.

Some insight into the life history of Thomas Edwin Ewing, the prime mover in this noted enterprise and one of Wayne county's most progressive and highly-esteemed citizens, would doubtless be appreciated by the readers of this work, and in closing this sketch of the Wooster Nursery Company we are glad to give the following facts in his life record. He was born near Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio, June 21, 1866, the oldest child of Samuel J. and Elizabeth D. ( Dobbs) Ewing, a h'ghly respected and influential family of that place. His early education was gained in the common schools, and he took a preparatory course in the academy at Hayesville, later attending Muskingum College at New Concord. He made a splendid record and began teaching soon after finishing his school work, being well ec[uipped for this line of work, which he followed with marked success for a period of three years, from 1884 to 1886 inclusive. But not taking kindly to the school room and believing that his true forte lay in the business world, he went to Mansfield, Ohio, in November, 1887, ^vhen twenty-one years of age, and entered the implement business, in which he was very successful and in which he remained untd 1908. After engaging in business for himself for a period of four years, he came to Wooster in 1902, as before stated, and organized the Wooster Nursery Company.

Mr. Ewing is a member of the United Presbyterian church, of which he is a liberal supporter and interested worker, having held many of the honorary offices in the same, and he is at this writing superintendent of the Sunday school, in which he is doing a very commendable work. He belongs to the United Commercial Travelers, Wooster Council No. 196, and at present is senior counselor. He has the interests of Wayne county at heart, being public-spirhed, always ready to assist in the furtherance of any cause for the general good, and personally he is a man of unswendng integrity, kindness, charitable, genteel and trustworthy, according to those who know him best, and he has hosts of friends wherever he is known.

Williaai M. Mellinger

In examining- the life record of William M. Mellinger, one of the progressive and well-known citizens of Plain township, Wayne conntv, we find that he is the possessor of those elements which always make for success. Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good management and a laudable ambition - these are the elements that have brought him a comfortable competency and the good will of his fellow men. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever transacted all business on the strictest principles of honor and integritv. His devotion to the public good is uncpiestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow men.

William M. Mellinger was horn September 7, 1843, on the old home farm in Plain township. A history of his parents and the other members of the family will be found complete on another page of this work, entitled, "A Brief History of the Mellinger Eamily," consecpiently only those items bearing directly on the subject of this review himself will he brought out here.

Mr. Mellinger began working on the old home farm when he reached proper age, attending the district schools during the winter months in Plain township. He later attended the Eredericksburg Academy under V. C. Smith, obtaining a very good education. He first turned his attention to teaching, alternating the same with sawmilling for a period of seventeen years, and for seven years additional continued teaching, winning a wide reputation throughout this locality as an educator second to none in Wayne county, his services having been in great demand : however, only ten years of that time were spent in Wayne county, three years having been devoted to this work in Lake county and twelve years in Preble county, winning, in each of the latter, a reputation for thoroughness and ability in his work as he had done in Wayne county. After he abandoned sawmilling he took np tanning in Summit county; hut in 1897 he returned to Wayne county and he and his sister bought two hundred and twenty-four acres of the fine farm his grandfather had taken up from the government. It is located in Plain township, the original farm consisting of five hundred and eighty-four acres, and Mr. Mellinger has since devoted his attention to general farming with his usu.'il success. Politically he is a Democrat and while living in Preble county he held the office of justice of the ])eace, also held the same office in Wayne county, in all twenty-one years, giving entire .satisfaction in t*lie same. The early members of the Mellinger family belonged to the Mennonite church, but William M. belongs to the Reformed church.

Franklin Holmes

The history of the loyal sons and representative citizens of Wayne county vould not lie complete should the name that heads this review be omitted. When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, threatening to destroy the LTnion, he responded with patriotic fervor to the call for volunteers, and in some of the bloodiest battles for which that great war was noted proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well. During a useful life in the locality where he lives he has labored diligently to promote the interests of the people ; at the same time he has lived up to a standard of citizenship that has brought to him the friendship and regard of all who know him.

Franklin Holmes is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, having first seen the light of day near Pleasant Home on the 4th of February, 1844. He is descended from German ancestry and his paternal grandparents, Daniel and Charlotte Holmes, were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1812. Here they took up one hundred acres of land and the father devoted his active years to that vocation. They are both now deceased. The subject's maternal grandparents, David and Eve Weaver, were also natives of the Keystone state, who came here in 1812 and took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, on which they spent their remaining days. Children of these grandparents, Jacob Holmes and Christena Weaver, married and settled near Pleasant Home, where the father successfully prosecuted agriculture, having owned one hundred and twenty-two acres of land at the time of his death. He was a quiet and unassuming man, inclined to be retiring in disposition, but was possessed of sterling qualities of character which gained for him the sincere respect of the entire communit}'. They were members of the German Reformed church, to which they were generous contributors. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living. Jacob Holmes was born April 2, 1814, and died August 16, 1901. His wife, who was born in 1829, died March 27, 1891.

The subject of this sketch secured his early education in the common schools of the home neighborhood and remained with his parents until the outbreak of the Civil war. He gave unmistakable evidence of his patriotism by enlisting, on August 15, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully with this command until the close of the war. He took part in some of the most sanguinary conflicts of that great struggle, including, among others, Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post. Thompson Hill, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., twice, siege of Vicksburg, Champion Hill, besides many minor engagements and skirmishes. He saw much arduous duty and was sick four weeks at Young's Point, lying under an ordinary tent. At Snaggy Point i\Ir. Holmes, together with about half the members of the regiment, was captured by the enemy and they spent thirteen months in the Confederate prison at Camp Ford, Texas.

At the close of hostilities, i\Ir. Holmes and his fellow-prisoners were released and he at once returned home and took up again the vocation of farming, to which he had been reared. Buying a comfortable place at Pleasant Home, he has here made his home ever since. He has done a good deal of well drilling in this county, being considered an expert in this line, and he has also farmed much rented land. He is a wide-awake man of affairs and has lieen active in prosecuting his affairs.

In 1868 Mr. Holmes was married to Clara J. Harbaugh, the daughter of Daniel and Mary Harbaugh, early settlers in Wayne county. Her father diefl in 1862. To Mr. and iMrs. Holmes have been born three children, luinely : Nettie is the wife of J. E. Matthews, of Ashland; Jennie Goldie

In politics Mr. Holmes gives a warm support to the Democratic party, though he has neve" been an aspirant for office of any nature. His fraternal relations are with, the Grand Army of the Republic, where he and his old comrades-in-arms review the days of the early sixties and rejoice together in a reunited country. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Evangelical church, to which they give an earnest support. Mr. Holmes is a man of even temperament, calm and self-poised, of refined character, and is an honored and interesting gentleman. Fie has earned for him- .self an enviable reputation as a careful man of l)usiness, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded conhdence of his fellow-men.

John David Berger

Of the sturdy German element that lias done .so much for the development of Wayne county from the earliest pioneer times to the present day, the name Berger is ind'ssolnbly assi'ciated. for the stxeral iiuinbers of this hardy and industrious family have shown that they are desen ing to rank w ith the county's best citizens in all phases of life, business, political and social. One of the liest-kuown representatives of the present generation is John David Berger, the popular proprietor of the \\"est End Restaurant, Wooster. He was born at Mount Eaton, Paint township, Wayne county, Ohio, June 4, 1856, the son of Gottlieb and Louisa (Grosjean) Berger, a highly respected family and well known in Paint township. The father was a stone-mason and was considered an excellent mechanic and in many places in the county may be seen the monuments of his handicraft, for his services were in great demand for many years. Gottlieb Berger was one of Wayne county's patriotic citizens who gave their services to the government during the troublous days of the sixties, enlisting in Company C, One Hundred and Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and right gallantly he participated in the trying campaigns and bloody engagements of the same. Owing to the fact that his war record formed one of the principal chapters in his life, the history of this regiment is herewith appended.

Capt. Gustave Bueckling's company of the One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Infantry was raised chiefly in Wooster, from the patriotic Germans of that city. Recruiting for it commenced the latter part of July, 1862, and the company was soon filled to its maximum. In August it was ordered to Cleveland, where it was incorporated with the rest of the regiment whose field officers 'were : Seraphim Meyer, colonel ; Charles Mueller, lieutenant-colonel ; George Arnold, major. Soon after organization the regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac. Its first important battle was Chancellorsville, where, as a part of Gen. O. O. Howard's Eleventh Corps, it was terribly handled by Stonen-all Jackson, this regiment losing two hundred and twenty men killed, wounded and captured in this battle. Its next general engagement was at Gettysburg, wdiere the regiment was almost annihilated, losingover four hundred men in killed, wounded and prisoners, out of five hundred and fifty that entered the battle. August i, 1863, this regiment sailed ui transports to Folly Island, South Carolina, and performed picket duty there until lanuary, 1864. From there the regiment was taken to Jacksonville, Florida, where it had several skirmishes with the Confederates. It returned to South Carolina on March 23, 1865, and met a detachment of the enemy, defeating him, capturing three pieces of artiller}-, six horses and fifteen prisoners. The regiment did provost duty in Charleston, South Carolina, during the balance of the service until July 10, 1865, when it was mustered out and sent home to Cleveland, where it was discharged. The regiment was made up of Gennans, and was considered a very fine one, its members displaying their earnest patriotism and heroic valor on many occasions.

Gottlieb Berger died of typhoid fever at Brooks Station, Virginia, leaving a widow and four small children. The mother, a woman of strong mind and willing hands, reared her children in comfort and respectability, educating them and starting them out on life's highway prepared for its various vicissitudes, and she is still living at Mount Eaton; however, the near relatives of the children assisted in their bringing up, John David, of this review, having lived with an aunt near Mt. Eaton until he was sixteen years of age, and in that district he attended the common schools. He then worked as a farm hand until he was twenty-two years of age. In iVIarch, 1878, he married Johanna L. Tracy, daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Tracy, a highly-respected family living near Apple Creek, and to this union one child was born, Mrs. Carrie Olive, who lives in Akron, Ohio.

Soon after his marriage. Air. Berger budt the Alaysville Drain Tile Works at Maysville, this county, and for five years operated the same very successfully, then sold out to the Sauvine Brothers, who now manage it. Mr. Berger then traveled for the Underwood Whip Company for a period of five years, the factory being located in Wooster. He succeeded in building up an excellent patronage for this firm. Then for several years Mr. Berger engaged in the laundry business on East South street, his business increasing gradually; but he desired to launch into the restaurant business and is now and for the past four years has been proprietor of a well-conducted, attractive and exceptionally well managed restaurant at No. 26 West Liberty street, enjoying a very substantial trade which is rapidly increasing, owing to his quick and courteous treatment of patrons, his desire to please and his conscientious business methods, which have characterized his entire career. He serves meals, hot and cold lunches at all hours and handles fine cigars and tobaccos. This is a meeting place for farmers. He is politically a Democrat.