Wayne County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Towns of the County, 1910 (part 9 of 11)

Albert Dix

Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the high standing of Albert Dix, publisher of the Wooster Republican, as a man of affairs and a citizen, as a public benefactor or an editor of unusual felicity of expression, whose facile pen delights hundreds of readers. United in his composition are so many elements of a solid and practical nature, which during a series of years have brought him into prominent notice and earned for him a conspicuous place among the enterprising men of the county of his residence, that it is but just recognition of his worth to speak of his life and achievements in a work of the province of the one at hand, although he is conservative and unpretentious, caring little for the admiring plaudits of men, satisfied if he is conscious of doing his duty well in the several relations of life.

Mr. Dix was born in Portage county, Ohio, October 8, 1845. His mother died when he was eighteen months of age. His father owned a small farm of fifty-two acres, and in addition he was a stone cutter and mason, and for years he was a stone contractor. He is remembered as a hard-working. honest and well-liked gentleman who took considerably more than a passing interest in the development of his community.

x\lbert Dix was taught the use of stone cutter's tools at an early age, and when fifteen years old he left home for the purpose of working as a stone cutter on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad, now the Erie. He worked at his trade in the summer and attended select schools in the wintertime for a period of four years. He taught school during the winter months for a short time. When twenty-one years of age he entered a general store in which he remained for twelve years. But not fancying the mercantile business as a vocation he turned his attention to the newspaper field and in 1879, with C. M. Campbell, he established the Hamilton (Ohio) Daily Aretes and continued as manager of the same up to 1897. In 1898 he and his son, Emmett C. Dbx, purchased the Wooster Republican, which they have developed into a fine property and which has the support of the people to a large degree. Under their management the publication took new life, the father taking charge of the business department and the son as editorial manager, with George Kettler in the news department. The circulation increased rapidly, the mechanical appearance of the paper was greatly improved, and the Republican became much more valuable as an advertising medium which is now liberally patronized. They ha\'e sought to keep abreast of modern methods and the}' have left nothing undone to give the people what thev want. New equipment has been added and this is one of the best, if not the best, newspaper properties in the Buckeye state of cities the size of Wooster. A Duplex printing press has been installed, printing the paper from the roll, thus being able to "run off" the rapidly-growing circulation within a few minutes. The composing room is ecjuipped with two up-to-date linotvpe machines.

Hugh M. Meier

The record of Mr. Meier is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts worked his way from a modest beginning to a position of comparative affluence in the business world. His life has been of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won for him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Apple Creek and East Union township.

Hugh M. Meier is a native son of the county in which he now resides, he having first seen the light of day at Fredericksburg, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 29th day of April, 1870. He is a son of James and Eliza (iMcCullough) Meier. The father died September 19, 1907. while his widow now lives on the home farm. James Meier was a native of Switzerland, having been born April 8, 1836. He was reared and educated in his native land and. desh'ing larger opportunities for advancement, he came, in i86o, to the United States. He came at once to Holmes county, Ohio, where he was married. He was a shoemaker by trade, and was considererl a proficient workman, but later in life he took up farming, of which he made a success. He was a ])oor man when he first came to this country, but at his death he was conservatively estimated to be worth twelve thousand dollars. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was highly respected throughout the community where he lived. James and Eliza Meier became the parents of fifteen children, named as follows; A. J., G. E., W. H., Lucinda, Hugh M.. E. B.. I. V.. John F. (deceased), Cornelius, J. M., Mainard, C. W., Etna, Joseph and Virgil. It is a remarkable fact that of this large family only one has died, and all of the survivors are ]n'os])erous and most of them beads of families.

LIugh M. Meier was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the district schools of the neighborhood, lie remained at home, assisting in the work of the farm until he was twenty-five years old. when, t'ring of an agricultural life, and belie\ ing he could do belter ahaig another line, he learned the trade of a harness-maker, at which he has worked continuously since. On March ii, 1898, he located at Apple Creek and since that time he has been numbered among the enterprising and successful merchants of this place. The Cjuality of his work and his courteous and accommodating treatment of his customers has resulted in attracting to his shop a full share of the trade in his luie and he is handling a nice business which is increasing steadily year after year. He carries in stock everything pertaining to harness supplies, such as robes, blankets, whips, etc., and is eminently deserving of the large patronage which is accorded him.

In Januai-y, 1897, Mr. Meier married Emma Keister, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and to them have been born three children, namely : Ralph M., born July 25, 1898; Stewart J., born July 27, 1901, and Pearl M., born April 14, 1904. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Meier are faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, to which they give an earnest and generous support. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of the Alaccabees, while his political affiliation is with the Democratic party. He has taken a deep and commendable interest in local public affairs and was elected mayor of Apple Creek, in which position he served from 1900 to 1905, giving a strong and business-like administration. He is now serving as chairman of the water works board, and is rendering efficient service. In the fall of 1909 he was elected treasurer of his township. A few years ago five public-spirited citizens of Apple Creek organized and incorporated the Franklin Union Telephone Company, the incorporators being J. E. Frank, John Tate, F. R. Beazell, Alvah Eyman and Hugh M. Meier. There are now fifty stockholders in this company and Mr. Meier is serving as treasurer.

In this necessarily brief review of the life of the subject enough has been said to indicate to even the casual reader the leading characteristics of the man. Wide awake to his best opportunities, with a candor and courage that has enabled him to take advantage of them, be has gone forward, step by step, until today no man in the community Vvhere he lives enjoys a larger measure of popular regard than does he. A man of acknowledged ability, absolute integrity in word and action, and of courteous manner, he has no trouble winning friends, which are in number as his acquaintances.

Harry Kountz

Back to stanch old German stock does Harry Kountz trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked the true type of the German nation, is manifest when we come to consider the more salient points in his life history, which has been marked by consecutive industry and invincible spirit, eventuating in his securing a high place in the confidence and respect of his fellow men.

Harry Kountz is a native son of Wayne county, having been born on West North street, Wooster, on the loth of August, 1862. He is a son of George Harry and Jane (Gregor) Kountz, the former of whom was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1842, the latter the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Hill) Gregor, of Franklin township, WHyne county, Ohio. Her parents, who are both deceased, were born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio and bought land when the locality was still inhabited by Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Kountz were married on March 19, i860. The subject's paternal grandfather was Michael Kountz, a native of Baden, Germany. He was a boilermaker by trade and came to the' United States with his wife in 1825, locating at Pittsburgh, where he was employed at his trade and where he and his wife spent their remaining years and died. Their son, Harry Kountz, father of the subject, was reared in Pittsburgh and secured a fair education in the public schools of that city. He learned the trade of a painter and in 1859 he came to Massillon, Ohio, where for aliout a year he was engaged at his trade. In i860 he came to Wooster and in 1863 he enlisted for service in defense of his country. He proved a brave and valiant soldier and received an honorable discharge at the end of his period of enlistment. After his return he was employed at his trade by the McDonalds until 1875, when he ceased that line of work and moved onto a farm which he owned in East Union township. The farm comprised about forty acres and he devoted himself with success to its operation. He is now deceased. but his widow is still living. They were the parents of two children. Harry, the subject of this sketch, and Alice, who remains unmarried.

Harry Kountz, Jr., was reared principally on his father's farm and he possesses a practical knowledge of agriculture, having been his father's assistant in that work. He received a good education in the common schools of the township, and has liberally sipiplemented this by much close reading of the world's best literature as w-ell as the current periodicals of the day. so that today he is considered an unusually well informed man. 1 le has heen ]m>spered in all his undertakings and is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in East Union township, besides residence property in Wooster. Fie is a heavy stockholder and general manager of the Wayne County t elephone Company, besides being a stockholder in three mining companies. Mr. Kountz is of an inventive turn of mind and has secured several patents on devices for leveling purposes, a number of which he has sold. His devices have been pronounced by good authorities as possessing considerable merit and indicate the patentee to he a man of practical ideas. Mr. Kountz is wide awake and progressive in his makeup and gives an unqualified support to every movement having for its object the upbuilding of the community, morally, educationally, socially or materially. His publicspirited attitude has given him prestige in the community and he occupies an enviable standing among his fellow citizens.

Tn matters political Mr. Kountz has always given an ardent support to the Republican party, and has rendered effective service to his party in the capacity of committeeman. He has not, however, been a seeker after office or public preferment of any nature. In every relation of life in which he has been placed, the subject has proven faithful to his duties and obligations and because of his business ability, personal qualities and unimpeached integrity he enjoys the unbounded confidence of all who know him.

Col. Curtis Volosco Hard

A citizen of the United States can wear no greater badge of honor than the distinction of having faithfully served the government in the war between the states. It is a sacred family inheritance of renown, to he prized like a jewel by all future descendants and kept bright and untarnished by other acts of valor, patriotism and loyalty in the interests of free government. But the ranks of the old phalanx are rapidly going down before the only foe that they could not meet, and ere long none will be left to recount the actual experiences of those stirring times that tried men's souls. In the meantime, while they are still with us, let us pay suitable honor to their sacrifices, patriotism and sufferings. Col. Curtis V. Hard, whose life record is briefly outlined in the following paragraphs, is one of the brave heroes of the great Northland who gave up the pleasures- of home, liusiness and society, and through many a trying campaign and bloody battle risked life to save tbe honor of the old flag. Not only in his military life has this gentleman distinguished himself, but since its close his private and public life have been such as to gain for him the distinction of being one of tbe most distinguished citizens of Wayne county, Ohio. He is a native of Wooster, having been born here August 3, 1845, the son of Moses Knapp Hard, a native of the adjoining county of Medina, to which vicinity the paternal grandparents of Colonel Hard came from Vermont in 1816 when this country was a wilderness and wild beasts roamed through its jungles, and the tracks of the red men had scarcely faded from the primitive soil. The ancestral lines on both sides of the house extend far back in the annals of American history. On the father's side several members of the family bore arms in the struggle of the colonists for independence, having been with the famous Ethan Allen at the storming and capture of Ticonderoga, New York. Originally the family stock was English, having come to America about the middle of the seventeenth century and ever since that time to the present day members of the same have distinguished themseh'es wherever they ha\-e dispersed, whether in public or private life. Moses K. Hard, father of the Colonel, grew to manhood in his native county, where he was educated, and he directed his attention for a time to the study of medicine, but later entered the ministry, in which vocation he spent twenty-five or thirty years, winning a wide repuation as a pulpit orator of rare force and earnestness, doing a great work for the establishment of the Gospel throughout this part of the state. He married kliranda Booth, a native of Medina county, and to them six children were born. They permanently located in Wooster in 1870 for the purpose of spending their declining years in retirement.

Curtis V. Hard received the advantages of the common schools of his native town, later entered Berea College, near Cleveland, then returned to Wooster, where his subsequent life bas been spent. In 1864, while yet a boy, he enlisted in the One Hnndred and Thirty-fifth Regiment Ohio \"olnnteer Infantry, which formed a part of Sheridan's army in the Shenandoah valley. After a very creditable record as a soldier he received an honorable discharge in 1865 and returned home. In 1866 he l^ecame identified with the banking house of Bonewitz, Emrich & Company, which in 1867 was reorganized into the Commercial Bank of Wooster, and at its re-organization into the National Bank of Wooster in 1871. with David Robison, Jr., as president, he l)ecame the cashier of the institution, remaining in that capacity until .April. i8()8, when he resigned to take his regiment into Cnba.

Colonel Hard did not allow his patriotism and love for military life to wane after the close of the Civil war, l)nt remained acti\'e and as a reward for his industry and fitness he liecame a lieutenant-colonel of the Ohio National Guard, and in i8g8 during the Spanish-.American war he l)ecame colonel of the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being the onl\ one from Ohio which had the distinction of seeing acti\e senice in t uba. During that brief but decisive war. Colonel Hard added fresh laurels to his military fame.

Colonel Hard is associated with the Cleveland & Wooster Electric Railway in the capacity of manager, whose exacting and responsible duties he discharges Y'ith rare l)nsiness foresight and judgment, having been very largely instrumental in making this enterprise very successful. He has won a high standing in both Imsiness and social circles in WHyne county which he has honored with his citizenship during nearly the entirety of his life. He promoted the Clex'eland, Ashland & Mansfield Traction Company, and was connected with it until its completion in April, 1909. Colonel Hard was instrumental in the organization of the A'ooster Electric Company which furnishes light, heat and power for A\'ooster, the first of the kind in northern Ohio outside of Cleveland, and of which he is the largest stockholder and its manager and treasurer. He is also president of the Cleveland Light and Power Company, the largest independent lighting company in that city. He played an active part in inducing the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to enter WMoster and was very largely instrumental in inducing the board of control of the Ohio agricultural experiment station to locate at AAMoster.

Colonel Hard was married in 1870 to Addie Jackson, daughter of Cyrus Jackson, a prominent citizen of WAyne county. Mrs. Hard received a liberal education and was a teacher in the Wooster public schools. To this union four children have been born, namely; Dudley J. Hard, of Cleveland; Emily L. Hard ; xTgatha G. Hard, now Mrs. Willard Ohliger, of Detroit, and Miriam B. Hard. Mrs. Hard died April 6, 1910,.

Politically the Colonel is a Republican and active in the ranks. He is a Knights Templar Mason and belongs to the Grand x\rmy of the Republic. He is a man of excejitional business qualifications, having the fine military bearing of the true soldier, and socially he is a polite, cultured gentleman.

The county of Wayne numbers among its citizens many skillful physicians, lawyers of state repute, well-known manufacturers and business men of much more than local reputat'on ; while proud of them, she is not lacking in others which have achieved distinction in callings requiring intellectual abilities of a high order. Among the latter, P. S. Blosser, of East Union township, occupies a deservedly conspicuous place. No one is more entitled to the thoughtful consideration of a free and enlightened people than he who shapes and directs the minds of the young, adds to the value of their intellectual treasures and moulds their characters. This is pre-eminenth' the mission of the faithful and conscientious teacher and to such noble work has the life of the subject of this sketch been largely devoted.

P. S. Blosser is a native of Paint township, AVayne county, Ohio, having been born on the 9th day of January, 1850, and is a son of Christian and Susan (Ruegsegger) Blosser. These parents were natives of canton Berne, Switzerland, though they were not married until after they had come to the United States. Christian Blosser accompanied his parents to this country and the family settled in Paint township, Wayne county, where they lived many years, the father and mother dying there. The father bought eighty acres of farming land and carried on agriculture during his active years. Christian was eighteen years old when brought to this country and he was reared on the Paint township farm, e^'entually becoming one of the prominent and well-known farmers of that section. He was seventy-five years old at the time of his death, which was caused by injuries received from a hay hook. He was a man of splendid qualities and his death was considered a distinct loss by the entire community. He and his wife were the parents of twelve children, namely: Susan, John. Mary, Elizaljeth, Christ C.. P. S.,

Louise, Caroline, Matilda and William. Of these, the two last named are deceased, and ten of the surviving members of the family are respected residents of Wayne county.

P. S. Blosser was reared to the life of a farmer and during the years of his youth he assisted his father in the farm work. In the meantime he attended the common schools during the winter months and proved such an apt scholar that, upon examination, he was granted a license to teach. In this profession he at once scored a distinct success and such was the prestige he gained as an instructor that for twenty-eight successive tenns he was engaged to teach in his immediate neighborhood, certainly a most emphatic testimonial to his professional efficiency and his worth as a man. In 1892 Mr. Blosser became the Democratic candidate for commissioner of Wayne county and at the ensuing election he was elected. He assumed his official duties on the ist of the following January, and so satisfactory were his services that he was re-elected to the position, his second official term expiring September 19, 1899. He proved a most able and efficient officer, ever holding the best interests of the people at heart, and he retired from this responsible position with the approval and good will of all the peo|)le. During his administration the recent county jail was erected and many other permanent and substantial improvements were made throughout the county, especially pertaining to public highways and bridges.

Mr. Blosser is the owner of one hundred and ninety-one acres of fine land in East Union and Saltcreek townships, to which he devotes his attention during the summer, teaching school during the winter months. He has ably and honestly performed his full duty in whatever position he has been placed and no man in Wayne county occupies a more exalted position in the minds of those who know him.

In politics Mr. Blosser is an ardent Democrat and has ever been actively interested in the success of his party. Besides the official preferment already referred to, Mr. Blosser has given efficient service as justice of the peace in both East Union and Saltcreek townships. His religious membership is with the Reformed church at Apple Creek, to which he gives an earnest and cordial support. Eraternally he is a member of Apple Creek Lodge No. 324, Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all the chairs, being now a member of the grand lodge.

On the 24th of January, 1876, Mr. Blosser was united in marriage to Emmeline T racy, who was born in East Union township, the daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Tracy. These parents bore the distinction of having been the first settlers in East Union township, they having come here in 1814. The land which they entered at that time is now the farm owned by Mr. Blosser and is considered one of the best estates in the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Blosser have been born the following children : Louella G., born October 25, 1876, is the possessor of a license to teach ; Harry C. ; Rev. M. E., who received a splendid secular and religious education and is now occupying some of the best pulpits of the Methodist Episcopal church in the West; Cleveland graduated from the civil engineering course at the Ohio Northern University at Ada and is now a successful teacher ; C. M. graduated in the public schools at Apple Creek in 1909 ; three children are deceased.

David D. Armstrong

At this point we are permitted to touch upon the life history of one who, if for no other reason, merits recognition in this connection by reason of his having been a lifelong resident of W ayne county and a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the state. But superadded to this circumstance are others which render the appearance of his biography within these pages all the more consistent, for he has here attained a position of prominence in connection with the agricultural activities of the county and is honored as one of the upright, genial and whole-souled citizens of his native county, having a fine farm home in East Union township, the same being the center of a most cordial hospitality.

David D. Armstrong was born in the township in which he now resides, on May 5, 1842, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Hunter) Armstrong. Both of these parents were natives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared. Them marriage occurred after they had removed to this county. Here the father bought a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, for which he paid the sum of eight hundred dollars, and in this connection it is interesting to note that the same land is today worth at least one hundred dollars an acre. At the time of purchase the land was densely covered with the primeval forest growth, and the first thing done by the pioneer was to clear a small place in the forest and erect a little log cabin, which, though rough in appearance and probably inadequately furnished, proved a sutficient shelter for the happy family wEich came to brighten the pioneer home. The land was all eventually cleared and w'as developed into a splendid and fertile farm, wEich approved the wisdom of the father in seeking the location. In this little home there were born ten children, of whom the three sons w'ere David D., of this review, Samuel, who now lives in the state of Washington, and Joseph, of Wooster township, this county.

David D. Armstrong was reared in the parental home and in the winter months secured a fair education in the district school, which at that early day w'as somewhat primitive in methods and equipment. MEen he was but eight years old his father died and there devolved on him much of the labor and responsibility of the farm. It was hard work and at times it seemed a? if it would be necessary for the children to separate, but by persistent energy and wise management the mother and the subject were enabled to weather the storm and eventually prosperity rewarded their efforts. David remained at home until he was thirty-four years old, at which time he was married. He was at that time the possessor of six hundred dollars, and during the first year after his marriage he rented a farm. Afterwards he came in possession, through his wife, of one hundred and thirty acres of what was known as the old Brown farm, which she inherited from her father, the tract being devoid of any improvements. He at once went to work and in due time developed the place into one of the choice farms of the township. He erected a full set of commodious and well-arranged tarm buildings, including an attractive residence situated about a half mile hack Iroin the highway and most beautifully sittiated. lie has here cari'ied on general farming operations and has been highly successful, lie raises all the crops common to this section of the country and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has been prospered. He is up-to-date and progressive in his ideas and keeps in close touch with the latest ideas relating to agriculture, not hesitating to adopt that which has been demonstrated to be superior to old ideas and methods.

In 1876 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Emma J. Brown, the daughter of Amos Brown, of East Union township, and to them have been born three children, namely : Willis married Della Schultz and lives at

Kent, Ohio; Nellie L. is unmarried and lives with her father: Mabel died at the age of three years. Mrs. Armstrong died in June, 1899, since which time the daughter Nellie has devoted herself to her father's care and comfort.

In religion Mr. Armstrong is a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, of which he has served as an elder for more than thirty years. He is a man of honest convictions and in harmony with his views on the temperance cjuestion he gives an ardent support to the Prohibition party, believing that the temperance cjuestion is the greatest and most important issue now before the American people. He is held in the highest esteem in his native county and is known as an able business man and as one whose probity is above question.

Levi F. Hostetler

The subject of this review is one who is to be individually considered as one of the representative citizens and successful farmers and stock growers of Wayne county, and, in a more abstract sense, as a member of a family whose history has been honorably linked with this section of the Buckeye state for many decades. The fine farm property of our subject is located in Greene township and with its admirable improvements and general air of thrift well deserves mention as one of the model homesteads of the county.

Levi F. Hostetler was born in Greene township, Wayne county, on November 14, 1872, and is the fourth in the order of birth of the eight children born to David and Barbara (Yoder) Hostetler. David Hostetler was born in Wayne township, Wayne county, Ohio, March 10, 1839, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Yoder) Hostetler. Christian Hostetler was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, as was his father, John, before him. David was reared under the parental roof and educated in the common schools. He followed farming operations throughout his life until 1906, when he gave up active farm work and moved to Weilersville, where he now resides.

Wayne county January 2, 1841, and to them the following children were born : Malinda, the wife of M. W. Hurst, of Baughman township ; Samuel, who died at the age of four years; Elizabeth, who died at the age of two years ; Levi F. married Amanda Steele and lives in Greene township, and is the immediate subject of this sketch; John married Anna Longenecker and lives in Greene township (see sketch elsewhere in this work) ; Amanda died at the age of twenty-two years ; David died at the age of ten years ; Minnie is unmarried and lives with her parents. Religiously the family are members of the Mennonite church, and of this society David Hostetler is an active member, having been ordained to this sacred office in 1872.

Levi F. Hostetler remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old and in the meantime he secured a good common-school education. After attaining his majority he took up the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for some time, and he was also in great demand during the autumn as a thresher, having a complete outfit for this purpose. After his marriage, which occurred in 1896, he operated rented land for two years, and then bought a small tract of land, which he cultivated a short time, afterward going into the grain business at Smithville, Ohio. In 1908 he purchased the John Funk farm in Greene township and is now giving his undivided attention to its cultivation. The place comprises one hundred and thirty acres and is considered one of the best pieces of land in the township. Mr. Hostetler has, since buying the place, erected a set of fine new buildings, commodious and well arranged, and now the property will compare favorably with any other in the vicinity. Besides the cultivation of the soil Mr. Hostetler also gives considerable attention to the feeding and selling of livestock, giving special attention to heavy draft horses and sheep, in which line he has l)een very successful.

In November, 1896, Mr. Hostetler married Amanda Steele, the daughter of Isaac Steele, and to this union have been horn four children, namel_\- ; An infant that died unnamed; Flarry, Ijorn Felnniary r, 1898; Edith, horn August 12, 1900; Glenn, born January 31, 1904.

In matters political, Mr. Llostetler renders allegiance to tlie Republican party, and he takes a commendable interest in the public affairs of his community, though he is not in any sense a seeker for public oflice. In religii'ii the family are members of the Mennonite church. 1 le is justly accorded a l)lace among the jn'ominent and progressive representatix e citizens ot W a\ nc county, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit. He is a man of cordial disiiosition and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact.

Edward M. Quinby

Edward M. Quinby was of distinguished parentage. His grandfather, Ephraim Qninliy, was an early settler of Trumbull county, Ohio. He laid out the town of AA'arren, the county seat, was judge of the court in that county and one of its prominent citizens. His grandfather, on his mother's side, David McConahay, represented Wayne county in the Legislature of Ohio in 1825, and was associate judge. He lived in the family residence in Wooster on South Market street, huilt by him, until his death. Ephraim Quinby, Jr., came to Wooster from Trumbull county and was married to Catharine Mc- Conahay, of which marriage Edward M. Quinby was the only child, and was born February 21, 1851, in the McConahay homestead.

Ephraim Quinb}', Jr., the father of the subject of this sketch, had all the strength of character of the Quinbys and, combined with the high standing and intelligence of the hlcConahays, invested their only son with as splendid an intellect as Wayne county has given birth to. This ancestry has a physical dignity, stature and beauty, that so greatly distinguished their son. The father, Ephraim Quinby, Jr., was a wise and prudent man, acquired a large fortune, mostly in real estate, located in many of the western cities, but largely in Wooster, which was improved by him and constituted very largely the first steps of progress of this beautiful city. The University of Wooster received its first impulse in 1868, when he gave twenty-one acres of land upon which the college is located: he contributed additionally to the endowment of the university: he established the Wayne County National Bank, which yet exists as one of the most prominent banks of the city. The subject of this sketch inherited the example, benevolent spirit and business talent of his father, as well .as his fortune, and the estate grew into its present mammoth proportions under the management of the great son of his father. As soon as his age would permit, his education commenced at the private school of Airs. Pope, was continued at Dennison College. Granville, Ohio, and then at Kenyon College, Gambler, Ohio. He soon commenced a business career, in which he was engaged when, on October 17, 1878. he w^as married to Amelia C. Schmertz, of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, who was the eldest daughter of Whiliam E. Schmertz, of that city, who was then a member of the Board of Commerce, president of the Second National Bank, and one of the largest boot and shoe manufacturers in the country. She was also the granddaughter of Rev. David Kimerer, one of the pioneer ministers of Wooster, a noted orator, highly respected, and he was such a grand old man that the people involuntarily raised their hats in his presence. He was a minister of the German Reformed church. The Quinbys were of the Presbyterian faith. The subject of this sketch was engaged in the dry goods lousiness a number of years, discontinuing in 1879. and engaged in the manufacture of window glass at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, with E. C. Schmertz as a partner, which was continued from 1879 i-intil 1884. His father having died on January 30, 1880, the large estate left the subject of the sketch called him to Wooster. He owned the Wayne County National Bank for a short time after his father's death and sold it to Jacob Frick. Commencing in 1884-5. he carried out a comprehensive plan of improvement of his real property. In the spring of 1885 he erected the Quinby block in Cleveland on the corner of Euclid and Wilson avenues, at a cost of seventy thousand dollars, which is occupied in part by one of tbe largest branches of the Cleveland Trust Company. In 1887 he erected a large four-story building on the southwest side of the public square in Wooster, Ohio, this building being occupied principally Iw the William Annat dry goods store. In 1889 he erected a building, seventy by fifty-five feet, in the rear of McClure's store fronting on Diamond alley. In 1890 he built a three-story building on the northeast corner of the public square and East Liberty street, with a modern basement running the entire length of the building; this building is occupied by the Alvin Rich hardware store. In 1894 he built the three-story building on tlie southwest corner of the public square occupied l)y tbe McClure stove and house furnishing store.

The truth is worthy of observation that the foregoing constitute but an imperfect schedule of the improvements that so greatly embellish his native town, and not only illustrate the wisdom of his management but the benevolence of his character. Of the many private acts of charity and benevolence necessarily connected with a large estate, the rehearsal would not be in harmony with the habits or wishes of Edward M. Oninl)y.

The peculiar mental hal)its and reticence of i\lr. (Juinby adorn his life: his Sjilendid manhood was pri\-ate; there was not the slightest ostentation in any situation in which lie was placed ; he inherited the calm, composeil. reflective demeanor of the Quiniws and McConahays; he was as pertect a gentleman as Wooster ever produced. ?^lrs. (Juinln- gives him the character ol a jnn'nce, so gentle, so noble, was he in all the relations of life. Intellectually, he was the e(|ual of the highest type of man. lie was eom|)rehensi\e. discriminating, strong, not to lie deceived, without ])assion, w ithout anger, generally meeting an inadmissible proposition with a smile and a reason. 1 le had pleasant associates, was companionable with them, belonged to clubs, lived mostly in sunshine ; was a modest man, but it was not affectation, it was a controlling sense of propriety: he had a wide, modern information, and surprised one with scientific analysis, with occult suggestions. His success in his great business affairs was phenomenal. His estate was largely increased in value; he contributed immensely to taxation in Wooster and in the state ; he was a ]Xiblic benefactor; he deserved the encomiums of every inhabitant of Wooster.

To Edward M. Quinby and wife nine children were born, as follows: Herbert, deceased : Catherine Louise married E. P. Sturges, now deceased, of Zanesville, Ohio: Edward M., Jr.: Eleanor married Roger W. Whinfield : iMargaret: Hblliam E. : Kenneth ; and Anita. To the accomplishments of Edward i\I. Quinby as a native of Wooster are to be added the refinements of travel and the broad elegance of the manners of the international life. W'ith his family he found a pleasant retreat in Germany, and his children, entering upon a system of education there, detained him longer, perhaps, than contemplated. To the writer he expressed the intention of returning to Wooster in a couple of years. Without having time to do so, he died on the 2nd of July, 1909. He was constantly engaged in traveling from Europe to AToster to see his large estates ; he improved the old ancestral home on South Market street, and in the spring of 1909, at the hotel in Wooster, he seemed buoyant, full of life and hope and pleased with the familiar scenes of his early life.'

Edward M. Grant

In East Union township, Wayne county, Ohio, is located the fine homestead farm of the subject of this review, who was one of the native sons of Ohio, having been born in Stark county, of which his father was an early settler. Mr. Grant was prominently interested in agriculture and the raising of livestock and his progressive methods and discriminating judgment placed him among the successful farmers and business men of his native county, while he so ordered his life as to gain and retain the confidence and high regard of those with whom he was thrown in contact. It is clearly incumbent that a sketch of his life be incorporated in a work having to do with the representative citizens of the county.

Edward M. Grant's life began on the 31st of May, 1834, and he is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Crawford) Grant. The paternal grandfather was George Grant, a native of New Jersey, who moved in a very early day to AVashington county, Pennsylvania, Joseph being then but two years old. George Grant was a practical and energetic farmer and accjuired considerable property, being considered quite well-to-do for his day. Joseph Grant was reared in his Pennsylvania home and received a fair education in the schools of that state. He married in that state and in 1834 he and his wife emigrated to Stark county, Ohio, locating on a tract of land four miles east of Mount Eaton. There he developed a fine farm and spent the remainder of his days, he and his wife being buried at Mount Eaton. They were the parents of fifteen children, of whom eleven reached years of maturity, their names being AAhlliam C., Rebecca, Keziah, Joseph, Cassie J., Edward INI., John A.. Jesse, Alonzo and Melissa, twins. Joseph Grant was an enterprising and progressive man and was public spirited in his attitude towards movements for the public good. He possessed personal ((ualities of a high order and enjoyed the unbounded confidence of all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch was reared by his parents and he secured his education in the common schools. He engaged in teaching school for a brief period, but returned to the farm and during practically his entire life devoted himself to the tilling of the soil, in which he was eminently successful. At the time of his marriage, in 1857, Mr. Grant moved onto an eightyacre tract of land belonging to his father, lint subse(iuently he moved to Wood county, this state, where he remained a year. In 1863 he moved onto the farm in section 21, East Union township, and which comprises one hundred and twenty-three acres. He went into debt for his original purchase, but through persistent industry, good management and wise economy he was enabled to get out of debt. The property is splendidly improved with a large, commodious and well-arranged residence, fine barns and other necessary outbuildings, while the place is characterized by well-kept fences and highly culti\'ated fields, the general appearance of the place indicating the splendid characteristics of the late owner. Here Mr. Grant carried on a general line of farming, in connection with which he gave some attention to the raising of livestock, so important an adjunct to successful farming. He was very successful as a raiser of [)otatoes, which aciiuired a g(')od rei>utation because of the superiority of the ([uality and he had no trouble finding -a ready market for his entire product.

The death of Mr. Grant occurred on April 21. 1910. at the age ol seventy-six years, and the funeral services, which were held in the Presbyterian church, were the most largely attended of any held in the community in many years. The floral tril)utes, which were numerous, were beautiful in character and the general sentiment was that the community had suffered an irreparable loss in the death of Mr. Grant. At that time the church of which he was a member caused the following words to be published : "We again arise for duty from the deep gloom that death has occasioned in our midst by taking from us our fellow laborer, Edward M. Grant, who united with the church June 30, 1863, was elected to the eldership of the church in 1884, which position he continued to fill with faithfulness until death. 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.' He leaves to mourn his loss an aged wife, now in her eighty-first year, who has been all her life a faithful member, most liberal supporter and co-worker of this same church. They are people who will be greatly missed when gone and a vacancy will be felt in both church and community which will be hard to fill."

On the 25th of November, 1857, Mr. Grant was united in marriage with Permelia Harrold, who was born in 1830. No children have been born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Grant, out of the kindness of their hearts, reared two children, Andrew Zeigler and Jennie Hayes, and to these children they gave the same care and attention they would have given to children of their own blood. These children are now both grown and are heads of families of their own.

In religion Mr. Grant was a Presbyterian, holding membership in the church of that denomhiation at Apple Creek, to which Mrs. Grant belongs. Mrs. Grant donated the ground on which the church now stands. Mr. Grant served for twenty-five years as an elder in the church and in many ways this worthy couple showed their sincere interest in the society. In politics Mr. Grant gave an enthusiastic support to the Republican party, in the success of which he was deeply interested. He was a man of recognized influence in the community and his support was always found on the side of every movement calculated to benefit the community, morally, educationally, religiously, socially or materially. His genial disposition, rugged honesty and blameless life won for him the unbounded confidence of all who knew him.

John B. Hostetler

The agricultural interests of Wayne county have no better representatives than its native born citizens, many of whom are classed among its most practical, enterprising and successful farmers. One of this number is

Mr. Hostetler, who is one of the prominent citizens of Greene township. Dependent largely on his own resources from his boyhood, he has so applied his energies and ability as to attain a success worthy the name, while his high standing in the community indicates the objective appreciation of his sterling character.

John B. Hostetler was born m Greene townsbip, W'ayne county, Ohio, on the 30th of April, 1874, and is a son of David and Barbara (Yoder) Hostetler. David Hostetler was born in Wayne township, Wayne county, Ohio, March 10, 1839, Barbara Yoder was born in Wayne county January 2, 1841. They became the parents of the following children: Malinda, the wife of M. W. Hurst, of Baughman township, this county; Samuel, who died at the age of four years; Elizabeth died at the age of two years; Levi F. married Amanda Steele and lives in Greene township, this county; John, the immediate subject of this sketch; Amanda, who died at the age of twentytwo years ; David, who died at ten years of age ; IMinnie, who remains single and is living at home.

John B. Hostetler was reared at home and grew in close acquaintance with the routine life of a farm. As soon as old enough he took upon himself his share of the labor during the summer seasons, while during the winters he attended the common schools. He had a marked talent for music, which he studied much at home and also took one term of musical instruction at Wooster University. During the greater part of five years he was engaged in teaching singing classes, and along this line was quite successful. After he had attained his majority he started out in life on his own account and has followed the pursuit of agriculture continuously since. He is now the owner of the old Longenecker farm, comprising one hundred and fortyfour acres of fine land situated in section 31, township 17 north, range 12 west. Here he carried on expensive operations in farming and stock raising, being tboroughly equipped for both lines of activity in the way of modern machinery and permanent and substantial improvements. His fields are under an excellent state of cultivation, good and substantial buildings adorn the place and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates to the passer-by the supervision of a progressive owner.

In matters of political importance Mr. Hostetler gives his support to the Republican party, and his religious preference is indicated by his membership in the Mennonite church.

On November 28, 1897, Mr. Hostetler married Anna Longenecker. who was born in 1877 in Greene township, on the farm on which she now resitles.

She is the daughter of S. B. Longenecker. Mr. Hostetler has ever taken an active interest in the enterprises and undertakings which have been projected for the general good of the community and his attitude has been that of a public-spirited and progressive citizen.

David Hostetler

Among the honored and venerable citizens of Wayne county is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for a period of nearly three-quarters of a century, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to which he devoted his attention during the long years of an active business life. He is now retired and is enjoying that repose and rest which are due to him now that the shadows of his life begin to lengthen in the golden west. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men, his three score and ten years resting lightly upon him and being crowned with honor.

David Hostetler was born in Wayne township, Wayne county, Ohio, March lo, 1839, and he is a son o.f Christian and Elizabeth (Yoder) Hostetler. Christian Hostetler was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and he was a son of John Hostetler, also a native of the Keystone state. Christian Hostetler came with his family by wagon from Pennsylvania to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1829, and settled in Wayne township, about four miles east of Wooster. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, nearly all of which was densely covered with the primeval forest. This he cleared and brought to an excellent state of cultivation, so that in the course of time it became one of the best farms in the locality. He also acquired the ownership of other farms and at the time of his death was considered a man of means. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite church. He was the father of the following children; An infant that died unnamed; Samuel, Lydia, John, Jeptha, Barbara, Christian, Nancy, David and Jonathan.

Of these, David was reared under the parental roof and secured his education in the district schools of his home township. He remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, and then he started out for himself, working on farms by the day and also as a member of a threshing machine crew. He was energetic and economical and when he was married, in 1864, he was the owner of a fine farm, which he continued to operate until the spring of 1906, when he gave up active farm work and moved to Weilersville, where he now resides. He is a quiet, unassuming man, and his life has been so ordered as to win for him the sincere respect and esteem of all who know him.

In 1864 Mr. Hostetler married Barbara Yoder, who was born in Wayne county January 2, 1841, and to them the following children were born: ]Malinda, the wife of M. W. Hurst, of Baughman township ; Samuel, -who died at the age of four years; Elizabeth, who died at the age of two years; Levi F. married Amanda Steele and lives in Greene township (see sketch elsewhere in this woi'k) ; Amanda died at the age of twenty-two years; David died at the age of ten years; AJinnie is unmarried and lives with her parents.

Religiously the family are members of the Mennonite church, and of this society the subject is an active minister, having been ordained to this sacred calling in 1872. He is a man of many splendid c|ualifications and has richly earned the high standing which he now enjoys in the community.

John C. Conrad

Through a long period the name of Conrad has been prominently connected with the history of Wayne county. It is an untarnished name and one that is familiar to the people of this county by reason of the honorable and useful lives of those who have borne it. John C. Conrad, of this rev'ew. is a gentleman whose history forms a connecting link between the pioneer past and the modern present. He saw the country in the days when it seemed in some respects almost on the borders of civilization, its present wonderful development being then ljut in the bud. In the work of progress and development that has since wrought such marvelous changes he has liornc his ]iart. and today he ranks among those substant'al and \-alued citizens of tlie community who laid broad and deep the foundation of the present prosperity of the county.

Conrad, who were own cousins. The subject's paternal grandfather, Jacob Conrad, was a native of France and the father of five children, Jacob. Catharine, Peter, Martin and Christ. Martin Conrad came to this country with his parents at the age of si.x years. He met with the misfortune of the loss of one leg at the age of eighteen years. He settled on section 7. Baughman township, this county, where they successfully followed farming pursuits, and there they reared their three children, who were Fannie, the wife of C. C. Graber, John and Lydia. iMartin Conrad, who became c|uite wealthy, died at the age of seventy-seven years.

John C. Conrad was reared under the parental roof and secured a practical education in the common schools of the locality. On reaching the proper age he took up the duties of the farm and has applied himself to agricultural pursuits continuously since. P'or a number of years he gave his attention to the cultivation of the home farm, meeting with fair success, but in 1882 he moved to his present farm, which is located in the northwest quarter of section 2, Greene township. On this place he has a number of good and substantial improvements and has maintained the place at a high standard of excellence. The soil is good and Mr. Conrad reaps abundant crops as the fruitage of his labors. He confines his efforts to no special line, but carries on a diversified system of agriculture, combined with which he also raises large numbers of livestock, finding this combination a profitable one. The appearance of the premises indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and progressive ideas.

On December 8, 1870, Mr. Conrad married Catharine Ramseyer, and the fruits of this union have been seven children, of whom five are living, namely: Peter R. ; Amos ; Martin ; Elizabeth, the wife of J. P. Leichly ; Amanda, the wife of E. D. Miller. The three sons were located on farms by their father's assistance and have proved to be successful farmers. The family, except one, are all members of the Amish Mennonite church and give every moral movement their unstinted support. In politics Mr. Conrad is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, though he is not in any sense a seeker after the honors or emoluments of public office. He is public-spirited and gives support to enterprises for the public good, being a stockholder in the Millersburg Telephone Company and the Orrville National Bank. A man of highest integrity and of unvarying courtesy and kindliness, he is honored by all who know him and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of Greene township.

Health and disease are physical conditions upon which pleasure and pain, success and failure depend. By the law of economics, the conservative and preservative code, every individual gain increases the public gain. Upon the health of the people as a mass is fulcrummed the prosperity of the nations ; by it every value is enhanced, every joy, every condition becomes intensive.

Life is incomplete without the possession and use of healthy organs and faculties, for these are productive of, or give rise to, the delightful and thrilling sensations of existence. Health - and we might assert it as a maxim - is essential to the accomplishment of every purpose and aim of human life. Sickness is the stern blockade to the best intentions and most worthy and exacted aspirations. The facts are, we are perpetually deciding upon those conditions which either induce emotions and sensations or occasion the reversionary exhibits of pleasure and pain. Prudence and our better common judgment require us to meet the foes and obviate the dangers which threaten us, by turning all of our philosophy, science and art into practical common sense.

The profession of medicine is no sinecure, "no benefice without a cure of souls" ; its labors are constant, its toils unremitting, its sacrifices legion, and its cares increasing. The physician is expected by many to confront the grim monster, "break the jaws of death, and pluck the spoil out of his teeth." His ear is ever attentive to entreaty, and within his faithful breast are concealed the disclosures and confidences of human suffering. Success should stimulate to a better service, as concpiest flushes and strengthens the victor. We lavish and pile up honors on the military chieftain who has slain his thousands; disease slays its tens of thousands; and is not the defeat of this adversary a more glorious and brilliant achievement?

With the three liberal professions presented to them, the young men, fresh from the college, the academy or the high schools have, if they desire to enter, the choice of the one upon which they prefer to enter : the legal, with its dry technicalities and classic literature ; the medical, with its dignities and elegancies of commanding authorship; the clerical, proclaiming the warnings of ])hophecy, its ])romises of ])ardon and happiness.

The subject of this biographical review saw proper at the termination of his rudimentary course of education, to make the choice, and determination to devote his life to the study and practice of the healing art.

Lincoln A. 'N'oeum was born in Warrenton. in the county of Warren, state of Missouri, May 8, 1867, and is a son ol James K. ^'ocnm, a former resident and citizen of Wayne county. His earlier labors and experiences were upon the farm with his father, where he remained till he was twent\' \ears of age, having availed himself, during the preceding years, of the op])ortnnities and advantages of an excellent public school .system, such as is fnrnisbed l.y the great commonwealth of Missouri. He then came to Wayne county, Ohio, making his home with, or rather becoming a member of the family of his uncle, Dr. Joseph H. Todd, of this city. He soon thereafter registered as a pupil of the high school, from which, after three years of close application, industrious effort and hard, faithful study, he graduated in 1891.

After this diligent and efficient course at the high school, characterized Ijy the most systematic disciplinary methods with James C., only son and child of Doctor Todd, now an eminent practicing physician and author of a- recent volume, now of Denver, Colorado, as his companion in study, vacation and in the fields, he spent two summer terms at the MToster University, devoting the time not absorbed in his college work to the study of the profession upon whose ancient and historical waters, sometimes serene, sometimes billowy, he had resolved to unfurl a sail. He had meantime completed a full course at Bixler's Business College, graduating therefrom with diploma.

Having equipped himself by energetic study in the office of Doctor Todd, aided by the counsel, tutelage and experience of this eminent gentleman and scholar, not only in his profession, hut along the lines of science, among the surface lights and central glooms of the old earth, crowding and crowning his shelves with the spoils of nature and art, he matriculated at the Marion-Sims Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri, wdiere, after the consummation of the outlined line of work, study, experimentation, drill, etc., he graduated with the class of 1895. He then returned to Wooster, re-entered the office of Doctor Todd as partner, remaining with him for three years, when he assumed for himself the responsibility of professional work, opening an office on West Liberty street, nearly opposite his present office and residence, to engage in "life's long battle with disease," dispense the healing balms and "lift unmoved the glittering knife." Not much leisure or suspensive waiting was accorded him, as he was prepared for the exigencies of the hour and the service that came to him. He was not like a stray joint in the boy's puzzle that fits into no place, but his adjustments fitted him to many and to any.

Doctor Yocum was married October 5, 1878, to Leodema A. Phillips, of this city, a refined and educated young lady, there having been born to this union three children, Emerson P., Miriam Louise, who died in infancy, and Katherine R., the former nine years old and the latter two years. And it must be noted with a feeling of pleasure, the kindliness, the loving and affectionate memory of Doctor Yocum, in christening his son by the name of Emerson - a tribute, indeed of a loyal heart, to an older brother of fine mental qualities, professional attainments and conceded force of character, who had studied with Doctor Todd, graduating from the same medical college as did his brother, on his return going into practice with his preceptor for three years. His health becoming somewhat impaired, he went to ThomasYille, Georgia, with the hope of its restoration, but his anticipations were crushed, death ensuing, as a result of pneumonia, following an attack of typhoid fever.

We can congratulate the Doctor in his years, that not one star has grown dim in the cluster of his first manhood, that not one shows portents of setting in the coming tomorrows. Fresh, ambitious, with an earnest heart, a clear brain, moulded to his duties, without unnecessary suspicion or doubt of himself, his right is indisputable to have faith in himself and make pledges to fate or fortune.

The Doctor is a quasi-Wayne county product, though born in "the State of the Compromise" and Tom Benton, having lived here since he was twenty years old, his father lieing born and raised near klillbrook in old W'ayne, for which today he entertains a most pleasant recollection, especially of Wooster, where at one time he was clerk for the old-time popular clothing store of John Crall & Henry. He was one of the Argonauts, the California "Fortyniners," veined into the prose of Claggett and Bret Harte. He was married to Adelaide Mendenhall, of Clinton township, a Methodist, and had a family of children.

Doctor Yocum is progressive and alert in his profession, seeking at all times to promote its interests, advance its claims to higher standards and ideals and widen comprehensibly its spheres of usefulness. He is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society and its president, actively participating in its sessions and deliberations with the other medical and literary gentlemen constituting its members, with the zeal of an enthusiast in medical science. He is also a member of the Ohio State and American Medical .Associations. He was one of the five practicing physicians of Y'ooster who ])urchascd the buildings and beautiful areas upon which are located the Wooster Hospital, on North Market street.

Doctor Yocum is advancing toward the full vigor and strength of middle life, earnest, energetic, buoyant, with blood and nerve thrilling for the accomplishment of what is best along the alignments of medical science and stimulate the dignity and ambition of his profession to the proud plane of constant and continual elevations. He is a gentleman eminently fitted for the complexity of his work, composite in his (|uahfications as his clientele is composite, a man of conscious sympathy, a liberal man with moral (lualities such as naturalh' S]>ring from an elevated and culti\-ated mind, and a heart ])enetrated wdth the love of wdiatsoever things are right and of good report. He realizes that there are committed to his profession important health trusts which it holds not simply in its own behalf but for the benefit of others, and he is possessed of the noble aim to prove worthy of this generous and exacted commission that he may enjoy present as well as retrospective satisfaction, the noblest fruitage of professional service - the good words: "Well done, good and faithful servant.''

Ephraim J. Steel

As a representative of one of the pioneer families of Wayne county and as one who has here passed his entire life, it is certainly consistent that there be entered in this work a review of the career of Ephraim J. Steel, who has long been identified with the agricultural and stock-growing interests of the county, having a fine estate in Greene township and being honored as one of its representative men. He is a native of the township in which he now maintains his home, having been born on the old pioneer homestead on the 23d of November, 1869. He is descended from a line of pioneers, his greatgrandfather, John Steel, having come to this county from Pennsylvania in 1814 and being one of the first settlers of Wayne county, in the early development of which he played an important part. He married Fannie Lantz and they became the parents of three children, Jacob and two daughters. Jacob married Sarah A. Weaver and to them were born sixteen children, named as follows: Mary became the wife of Solomon Smith; Martha was the wife of John Hoover; Isaac married Elizabeth Hoover; Jacob married Mary A. Martin; Joseph, who also married; Amos married Mella Swinehart ; William married a Miss Haines; Fannie became the wife of Jacob Like; five children died in infancy. Isaac Steel also was the father of eleven children, all of whom are living. He was twice married, his first wife, Elizabeth Hoover, bearing him seven children, namely ; E. J., who married Mary M. Brenneman ; Sarah A., unmarried; Isaac married Nola Frank; Amanda, who became the wife of L. F. Hostetler; Cyrus married Alva Kauffman; Noah married Olive Forrer; Clara, the wife of John H. Miller. Elizabeth Steel died March 15, 1881, and subsequently Mr. Steel married Mary Wiean, and to them were born the following children ; Melvin married Blanch Hall ; Mable, Grace and Mary, who remain unmarried. Mr. Steel died on the i8th of March, 1892.

Ephraim J. Steel was reared on the old homestead in Greene township and secured his education in the common schools. He worked on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to the Levi Troyer farm, where he remained a year, and during this time was employed by the clay at farm labor. He then moved to East E'nion township, where he rented a farm and operated it four years. In 1903 he moved onto the Tschantz farm in Greene township, where he now lives. He is a wide-awake and hustling farmer, and in the operation of his farm he exercises a soundness of judgment and a careful discrimination which insures him abundant returns for the labor bestowed. He carries on a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this latitude, and has achieved a distinctive success in his vocation.

On March 7, 1897, Mr. Steel was united in the bonds of matrimony with Mary M. Brenneman, who was born in East Union township, Wayne county, on the 3d of December, 1873, the daughter of John R. and Eliza (Walter) Brenneman. John R. Brenneman was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1825, and his wife. Eliza Walter, was born in Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1831. John R. Brenneman was the son of Henry H. Brenneman, who was born in 1814 in Pennsylvania, and he the son of Henry Brenneman, who was born in 1793. To IMr. and i\Irs. Steel have been born two children, namely; Carl W., born Eebruary 20, 1898, and Paul, born March 25, 1909.

In political matters Mr. Steel gives his support to the Democratic party, and has served one year as assessor of Greene township. He is a man of splendid qualities and is liked by all. His attention is given to general farming, and in all that he undertakes he meets with creditable success. All the splendid improvements on his place are monuments to his enterprise, industry and economy and he stands high as an enterprising and successful agriculturist.

Jacob S. Shibler

Among the citizens of Greene townshi]i, \\^ayne county, Ohio, who have built up a highly creditable reputat'on and have distinguished themselves by right and honorable living, is the subject of this brief sketch. His prominence in the affairs of the community is conceded and his deeds speak tor themselves. He is one of the strongest factors in this community, where there are many men of sound sense and ripe judgment. He has shown his eminent fitness for official honors after many years spent in the public .service, and he is willing' that his record shoidd speak for him.

vania on the 24th of February, 1823, and in the same year he was brought by his parents to Wayne county, Ohio, locating at Smithville. There he : and has rendered faithful and efficient service in the official capacity of township clerk. He was first elected to this responsible position in 1880 and served in all about fourteen years, being the present incumbent of the office ; also clerk of Smithville since it was incorporated in 1888, with the exception of about two and one-half years, and clerk of the school board about sixteen years. He has given to these offices the same careful and painstaking attention that he would give to his own private affairs, and his frequent re-election to the offices is a marked evidence of the appreciation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. His political affiliation is with the Republican party, of which he is a stanch supporter. Fraternally he is a charter member of Smithville Lodge No. 483, Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all the chairs. He was the first keeper of records and seal, having served several years in this capacity. Mrs. Shibler is a member of the Lutheran church at Smithville and is active in its work and generous in its support.

In 1898 Mr. Shibler was nnited in marriage to Sadie E. Currie, who was born August 13, 1870, and this union has been blessed in the birth of one child. Rule V., born November 5, 1900. Mr. Shibler is a man with broad views and of public spirit, and one who takes pride in the progress of his township and the enhancement of the public weal. He is widely known and is highly respected by all.

John W. Shisler

Wayne county, Ohio, has been the home of John W. Shisler since his boyhood, and he is a representative of one of the honored families of this section of the state. He has wrought out his own success through the persistent application of his energies and ab'lities in connection with the great basic art of agriculture, and is known as a representative farmer of Greene township, where he has long occupied a leading position among his fellows. He always stands for the best interests of tbe entire community and any movement that promises to be for the lienefit of his fellow citizens receives his endorsement and support.

John W. Shisler is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Stark county on the 8th of December, 1854. His parents were E. C. and Catharine (Harnley) Shisler. the former of whom was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio in an earlv dav, locating first in Stark county, near Greenville. In 1865 he came to Wayne county and here spent the remainder of his days. He was a sturdy citizen and enjoyed the unlimited confidence of all who knew him. He was the father of ten children.

The subject of this sketch was eleven years old when his family came to Wayne county, and in the schools of Wayne township he secured a practical education'. He has always been a close reader and a keen observer of men and things and is considered a very well-informed man on matters in general. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has followed this honorable occupation all the years of his active life. He is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Greene townslr'j) and also owns forty acres in Wayne township, this county. He has accpiired most of this land as the result of his own efforts, and has brought it all up to a high state ot cultivation. His buildings are modern in style and kejit in i)erfect repair, and h's farms are well supplied with modern machinery and all the accessories of a modern and up-to-date farm. He grows all the crnjis common to this section of the country and has met with a success commensurate with bis efforts. In addition to tbe cultivation of the soil, Mr. Shisler gi\es considerable attention to the raising of livestock, in wlrcb also he has been successful, gi\'ing special direction to Dnrliam cattle and general purpose horses.

In 1878 Mr. Shisler married Emma E. .Stntzinan, who was born in Smithville, and to this union have been born eight clrldren. namel\' ; b.lias; Effie, the wife of f.awrence K. Miller; I'rank S.. .Mabel, b.dwin. .\drain, Grace and Ada. In religion Mr. Shisler is a member of tbe radical br.ancb of the United Brethren church, of which he has served as a trustee. In politics he is a Democrat and is the present assessor of Greene township, in which office he has served several terms, rendering also efficient service as a member of the school board of the township.

Mr. Shisler is a man of keen foresight and sagacity, and has made investments which returned to him a good profit. He is energetic, enterprising and reliable, and therefore has won and retains the confidence of the residents of the locality in which practically his entire life has been passed.

Stephen M. Henry

Among the worthy and honored old pioneer families of Wayne county. Ohio, is that of Henry, members of which came here in the early days when this section of the state gave little promise of the wonderful progress and development which now characterizes it. They were a sturdy class, those early frontiersmen who, disregarding personal inconvenience and sacrifice of many kinds, bravely went to work and laid the foundations for a later and more advanced civilization. The members of the Henry family who came to Wayne county were counted among the leading and influential men of their day and in each succeeding generation they have occupied honorable positions among their fellow men. The history of the county would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of this family.

In the old family Bible in possession of members of the family now living is the following record: "Stephen Henry, born November 23, 1761, died August 24, 1850. His wife, Mary M.. born September 3, 1757. died September 25, 1836." Stephen Henry was born in Cecil county, Maryland, and was descended from ancestors who came from the North of Ireland and who were second cousins of Patrick Henry, the noted Virginian patriot and statesman. From Maryland, Stephen Henry and his family moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, making the trip in a two-wheel ox cart. After remaining some years in that location, they started for Ohio in the spring of 1815, locating in Wayne county near where the brewery is situated just east of the city of Wooster. In 1831 he sold this farm and moved two miles farther east to the location of the Plenry Mills, the locality prior to that time having been called Euclid. After some other changes in his residence, Stephen Henry died on the mill property August 24, 1850, his wife having died some years before. To this worthy couple were born the following children; John,

Of these children, John was the father of Stephen i\I., who was born September 8, 1825. He was reared on the home farm and received his education in the common schools. Because of the comparatively primitive type of the schools of that day his education was necessarily somewhat limited, but he was a close and discriminating reader and a keen observer of men and things, and in his mature years he was considered a wellinformed man, being a man of prominence and marked influence in the community. After attaining the proper age he went to work in the Henry mills and was also engaged in farming until April i, 1854. He was the owner of one hundred and seventy-four acres of land and was an enterprising and progressive man in his operations. He was a Democrat in politics and took an active part in local public affairs, having served six years as a member of the board of county commissioners and thirty-three years, or a third of a century, as justice of the peace, being elected in 1855 without any solicitation on his part. In 1865 he was elected to the office of commissioner of Wayne county, serving two terms, six years. During his incumhency in that office he inaugurated a system of l)i Idge building that has done more good for the public of Wayne county than any other pre- \'ious system. He was one of the board of commissioners when the present county offices were built, and their construction is largely due to his superior judgment and qualification as an officer. With unfaltering fidelity to duty he, regardless of sacrifice to himself, filled every position of trust and responsibility in which he had been placed l)y the inihlic. He was Inuiest. true, capable, broad-minded and generous. Fie was progressive in thought and pronounced in the expression of his opinions, being a Democrat of the old Jacksonian school. Flis death occurred on the 23d of Febrnary. 190b, and in his (passing away the community suffered a distinct loss. His was that sturdy, dignified and stalwart character which in any cominnnity commands at once unbounded confidence and res])ect.

Ste])hen M. Ilenry married Delilah Burnett, who was born ,\i)ril 27 1829, and died November 9, 1857. To them were horn the following children: Mary Jane, horn December 13, 1850, died .\ugust 2(). k)o8. was the of J. C. Patterson, of Franklin township, and the mother of five children, those living being Mary Delilah, Stephen John, Edith and Myrtle; Stephen John, born April 13, 1855. On March 31, 1858, Stephen M. Henry entered into a second matrimonial alliance, this time with Catherine Burnett, who was born November 23, 1832, on a farm adjoining her present residence. She is a daughter of John and Eliza (Kizer) Burnett. Her father was born April 28, 1804, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a son of Isaac Burnett. The family came to Wayne county in 1808 and settled in what is now Wooster township, where the father entered land, also entering land in Holmes county. John Burnett received a limited education, but was a man of energy and good judgment and attained a good repute among his fellow men. On attaining his majority he moved onto the Franklin township farm, which his father had entered, and there he successfully carried on agricultural operations until his death, which occurred May 4, 1854. His wife died October 22, 1871, and their remains lie in the cemetery at Moorland. They were affiliated actively with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Burnett was one of the earliest members here. He was a Republican in politics and was prominent and influential in the councils of his party. They were the parents of the following children: Jane, born July 22, 1831, now deceased, was the wife of Robert Scott, of Clinton township; Catherine (Mrs. Henry) ; Isaac, born July 27, 1834, residing in Eranklm township; Lucinda, born Eebruary i, 1836, became the wife of Marion Dodd, and both are now deceased: Peter, born November i, 1838; Hester, born February 15, 1841, became the wife of George Schaaf and both are deceased.

Among the honored professional men in Wayne county stands Dr. A. C. Saurer, who is located in the attractive and prosperous town of Apple Creek and who is known as one of the native sons of the county and a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the old Buckeye state. His ability and his profession has gained him marked prestige, while his personality is such as to have gained to him a host of warm friends in the communities where he has practiced his profession.

Arty C. Saurer was born in Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 28th day of August, 1885, and is a son of E. S. and Lena (Sauvain) Saurer. The father was for a number of years a well known teacher in the public schools and later a successful and prosperous farmer, but is now engaged as a manufacturer of tile brick at Maysville, Ohio. He is a man of marked ability in any line to which he applies himself and is a man of splendid reputation in the circles in which he moves. E. S. and Lena Saurer are the parents of four children, namely: Arty C., Lester, Zona and Lewis.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm in Saltcreek township and was early initiated into the secrets of successful agriculture. "He attended the common schools and also the school at Maysville, receiving a good practical education in the common branches. He had from boyhood evinced a fondness for animals and was also of a studious, technical turn of mind, these elements resulting in the eventual determination on his part to take up the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery. To this end he matriculated in the noted Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, in 1905, and took a full course, graduating at that institution in the spring of 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Surgery. He at once entered upon the active practice of his profession at Maysville, Ohio, but, desiring a larger field for his operations he moved, in the spring of 1909, to Apple Creek, where he is now established. In connection with his professional work, he is also running a livery and feed barn, in which he is meeting with gratifying success. Though young in years, Doctor Saurer has already demonstrated in an unmistakable manner ,lnt Ii? possesses a broad and comprehensive knowledge of his professio" and he has handled successfully a number of very difficult and apparently hopeless cases. He is enjoying a patronage that is increasing rapidly and he stands today one of the best known men in his profession in this part of the county.

In politics Doctor Saurer gives his support to the Democratic ticket, in the success of which he displays a healthy interest. Lraternally he is a member of Apple Creek Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Quiet and unassuming in his demeanor, Doctor Saurer has made many friends and all are united in their high regard for one who is living an honest, industrious and upright lile in their midst.

This venerable and highly honored citizen of Ifast I nion township. Wkiyne county, is deserving of special mention in a work of this character owing to his long, useful and upright lite <and the interest he has t.aken iti the development of this community. He was horn in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, January 8, 1825, the son of John and Sarah (Shepler) Beazell, also natives of the last named place. John came to Stark county, Ohio, settling near Navarre, where he owned a good farm and where he spent the remainder of his life. He lived quietly and cared nothing for public display. He was a firm believer in the Bible and the principles of the Presbyterian church, and he took a great interest in schooling his family. He was very successful financially, owning a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres ; he earned all his competence by his own efforts. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, namely : Matthew, Rachael, Michael F., Mary, iMatthew Beazell was reared on the home farm, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He attended the common schools and received a fairly good education for those early days. He turned his attention to teaching, which profession he followed very successfully for a period of ten years, teaching two village schools. He later studied at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was regarded as an excellent teacher and his services were in great demand. ,

Pennsyh'am^ 1797. He married there and they came to Ohio and located 'i'-rpaltcreek 'township, southern part of Wayne county, when that section was practically a wilderness. He was a stock raiser and farmer and in that neighborhood he spent his entire life. He was an elder m the Presbyterian church for many years. He and his wife were the parents of the following children; William, Nancy, Elizabeth, Jane, Violet, Rebecca, Eb. Robert and Hannah ; two children died at the age of two and one-half years. The others grew up on the farmjn Saltcreek township. Hannah Cunningham was reared on the farm and here she attended the district schools, receiving a good education. After their marriage they moved to a farm in East Union township where they lived for forty-five years, or until they moved to Apple Creek in April, 1904. They began life in a one-room log cabin in which they lived for six years, when it was replaced by a good frame dwelling. Being hard workers, they soon had a start and their farm of one hundred and sixty acres made them a comfortable living and a competency that renders thenold age free from want, giving them all the luxuries their needs require. They started with ninety-five acres in East Union township and they now own two hundred and forty acres of excellent land.

To Mr. and Mrs. Beazell six children were born : James Harvey, born Februai-y 12, i860; Albert, born June 26, 1861, died when twenty-one years of age; Clarissa J., born June 5, 1864, died in August, 1864: W'illiam S.. born August 7, 1867; Frank R., born February 22, 1869; Emma S., born November 16, 1876. James H. graduated from Ann Arbor University and is a teacher; Albert graduated from the primary department of the University of Wooster.

- Beazell being an elder in the same; they have long lieen active workers and liberal supporters of the church. In polit'cs Mr. Beazell is a Republican. He and his wife are very pleasant and they are highly esteemed by all who know them, being generous, affable, religious and hospitalile. They celebrated their fiftieth (golden) wedding anniversary on March 24, 1909, which was a notable event to the family and many relatives and friends.

William Caskey

This highly esteemed and popular citizen, who since 1906 has lieen the efficient sheriff of Wayne county, is of Ohio birth and a descendant of Oi.'e of the early settlers of Wayne township, the farm on which the family originally settled having been purchased from the government by his greatgrandfather and held in the Caskey name ever s'nce. John Caskey, the subject's grandfather, a native of Ireland, came to America with his parents when sixteen years old and grew to maturity on the farm in W'ayne township referred to above. In due time he succeeded to the ownershi]) of the place and there reared his family, among his children being a son, William Caskey, who was born and reared on the family homestead, and who afterwards became a well-to-do farmer and representative citizen of Wayne township. He married, in young manhood, Elizabeth Criets. who was born in the above township, and became the father of nine children, of whom the following survive: Mrs. Mary Mackey, of Smithville. Wayne county; Mrs. .\11- tena McCilenen, of Creston, Ohio; Mrs. Ida Conn and Elmer H, of Wayne township, and William M. Ca.skey, who.se name appears at the head of this review. The father of these children (h'ed about i88(}; the mother, an aged lady of eighty-three years, has been living for some time in the ti'wn of Madisonburg, this .state.

William M. Caskey, whose birth occurred in Canaan township, Wayne count}y Ohio, on the 9th of rVpril, 1862, was reared to agricultural pursuits, received a fa'.r education in the public schools and remained with his parents until attaining- his majority, when he became a tiller of the soil upon his own responsibility. Later he operated a mill in connection with his agricultural interests and for about twenty-s'x years ran a threshing outfit with- which he threshed much of the grain raised in his own and other parts of the county In 1898 he was elected trustee of Wayne township and so ably and judiciously were his official duties performed that three years later he was chosen his own successor, his majorities in both elections being much larger than those of any other candidate on the Democratic ticket.

Mr. Caskey's honorable record as trustee, together with his active interest in behalf of his party, led to his nomination in 1906 for the office of sherifif. In the ensuing election he defeated his Republican competitor by one thousand four hundred and seventy-seven votes, the largest majority ever given a cand'date in the history of Wayne county, and two hundi-ca and more than any other man on the ticket, a fact of which he has ever since felt deservedly proud, as demonstrating- dig popularity with the people regardless of political ties. Tdhing- charge of the office January i, 1907, he addressed hing^^jj to Ids duties, which he has since discharged in an able and bktisfactory manner, proving a capable and popular official and a terror to evil doers within his jurisdiction, many of whom he has arrested and brought to the bar of justice, while not a few, fearing his determined course to reduce crime to the minimum, have taken counsel of their better judgment by seeking safer quarters in other and distant parts. In 1908 Mr. Caskey was reelected and his second term will expire on January 2, 1911. He has been faithful to every trust and in his official capacity stands high in the esteem and confidence of the people of the county and in point of efficiency and faithfulness his administratffin compares favorably with that of any of his predecessors.

On November 17, 1892, Mr. Caskey entered the marriage relation with Blanche Geyer, of Wayne township, his friend and companion ever since they attended the same school in childhood and youth. Four children have been born to this union, viz. : Ruth, aged fifteen ; William Paul, deceased ; Florence and Raymond, aged twelve and five years, respectively. Mr. Caskey owns a highly improved and valuable farm in Wayne township and by industry and thrift and good management has accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods to place him in independent circumstances. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for eighteen years, also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a regular attendant of the Lutheran church, with which his wife holds membership, and is a liberal contributor to its support. Generous in all the term implies, with a large body and a heart in keeping therewith, he enjoys the confidence of his fellow men to a marked degree and it goes without saying that he is pre-eminently one of the most popular and highly respected citizens of the county with which h'is life has heen so closely identified.

It was once remarked by a celelirated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and fahhful narrative would not have been useful." Believl.: W truth of this opinion, expressed by one of the greatest and V, the writer of this review takes pleasure in presenting a few facts' in the . \reer of a gentleman who, bv industry, perseverance and close application ir-; | worked Iv'mself from an humble station to a successful business man and won an honoral)le position among the well-known and respected men of the city in which he resides.

Willey Sylvester Oldman was born at Homerville, kledina county, Ohio, June 22, 1872, where he spent his childhood. Prior to his ninth vear he attended school at Homerville, receiving the rudiments of an education which he has since supplemented by general reading and by coming in contact with the world at large. At that tender age it became necessary for him to go out and support himself, and, being a lirave-hearted lad, he was soon successfullv batth'ng his way in the world of men. Working at various occupations, earning an honest dollar any way he could until he was seventeen years of age, he went to Cleveland and, having long desired to enter the railroad world, he sought and secured employment on the Conneaut railroad, where he remained for a period as fireman and various occupations during a ])eriod of some six years. He was also employed by the \'an Cleve Glass Company, to which he gave very faithful service.

Mr. Oldman was married on June 12, 1901, to Bede Rice, daugliter of William and Marv R'ce, of S])encer, Ohio, where Mrs. Oldman was reared and educated, her birth ha\ing occurred at Sarinac, .Michigan, on June 187c;. She graduated from the high school at Spencer, and taught school in Spencer tweh'e years, d'o this union one child was horn, Kenneth Rice Oldman, November 15, 1908. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rice are athliated with the Methodist Episco])al church.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Oldman purchased a farm of ninety-six acres which he worked very satisfactorily until 1909. On August 15th of that year he came to Wooster and organized the Wooster Vacuum Cleaning and Rug Weaving Company and he is now enjoying a very satisfactory patronage. The vacuum cleaner which he operates is a large portable machine run by a gasoline engine, with a hose attached, fitted with sweepers. Only the hose is taken into the house where carpets are cleaned, first-class work being guaranteed at five cents per yard. Upholstered furniture, bedding and mattresses are also cleaned by suction of air without raising a speck of dust or removing the furniture from the room. It removes all dust and moths from carpets and from beneath carpets and rugs without taking them off the floor. It is a remarkable moderp inVeniion- Mr. Oldinan also weaves lugs from old ingrain and Brussel ^ carpets, making th's line of work a specialty and one of the princ'- ^departments of his business.