Williams County, Ohio - The whole text, 1920 (part 6 of 12)

Harry W. Hole. - A wide-awake, enterprising and progressive young business man of Bryan, Williams County, Harry W. Hole, manager of the H. B. Hole Poultry House, is prominently identified with one of the leading industries of the place, buying, picking, and shipping poultry on an extensive scale, his business extending far and wide. A son of Isaiah Hole, he was born in 1882 in Darke County, Ohio, where his early life was spent.

Coming from pioneer stock, Isaiah Hole was born in Versailles, Ohio, where he was for many years in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. An uncompromising republican in politics, he was active in the party, and as a member, and past grand, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was well known in fraternal circles. He married Sarah Murphy, a native of Newburgh, New York, and they became the parents of nine children, as follows : Harry W., the special subject of this brief sketch ; Charles, of Vernon, British Columbia : Caroden, manager of a poultry house at Covington, Ohio; George, with his brother Harry, in Bryan; Mary, wife of George E. Pessinger;

Irma. a stenographer, with her brother Charles in British Columbia ; James, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Grace and Margaret, both stenographers in Dayton, Ohio.

Acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools of Versailles, Harry W. Hole was graduated from its high school, after which he was variously employed for a time. Having obtained some knowledge of the poultry business, he became manager of a poultry house at Arcanum, Darke County, and there continued in the employ of the same firm until 1916. Coming in that year to Bryan, he has since had control of the H. B. Hole Poultry House, and in its management has met with characteristic success, having built up a large and lucrative business, highly gratifying to his employers.

Mr. Hole married, in 1908, Bertha R. Minnich, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, and was graduated from the Arcanum High School. Mr. and Mrs. Hole have no children. True to the political faith in which he was reared, Mr. Hole is identified with the republican party, and while a resident of Arcanum served as a member of the common council. Fraternally he is a member of Arcanum Lodge No. 295, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; of Arcanum Chapter No. 77, Royal Arch Masons, and of Greenville Council, Royal and Select Masters. His brother George, who is associated with him in business, is a Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree Mason.

Leroy M. Gordon, D. C. - Each calling or profession, if honorable, has its place in human existence, constituting a part of the plan whereby life's methods are pursued and man reaches his ultimate destiny. Emerson said that "All are needed by each one." And that is as true in one avenue of life's activities as in another. However, the importance of a business or profession is in a very large measure determined by its beneficence or usefulness. So dependent is man upon his fellow man that the worth of each individual is largely reckoned by what he has done for humanity. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due than to those sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work has been the alleviation of suffering that rests upon humanity, thus lengthening the span of human existence. There is no no known standard by which their beneficent influence can be measured ; their helpfulness is as broad as the universe and their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that come from the very source of life itself.

Leroy M. Gordon, of Montpelier, one of the best known and most successful chiropractors in northwestern Ohio, is a native of Williams County, having been born at Pioneer on October 1, 1884, and is the son of Augustine N. and Eva (Siddall) Gordon, both of whom were natives of the state of Michigan. These parents, after their marriage came to Williams County and located first in Pioneer, where the father followed the vocation of teaching, being successful and popular in that profession. He and his wife now reside at Bristol, Indiana. Mrs. Gordon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of three children, two of whom are now living the subject of this sketch, and Gale A, a railroad man living at Elkhart, Indiana.

Leroy M. Gordon was about six years of age when the family moved to Indiana and he received his education in the public schools of Elkhart, graduating from the high school. His first employment was as a drug clerk at Elkhart and he later engaged in the furniture business there. Then for about two years he was employed as a locomotive fireman on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and at the end of that period he took up the life work for which he had planned. He entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic, at Davenport, Iowa, known as "the fountain head of chiropractic," where he . completed the full course, graduating in 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. He first located for the practice of his profession in Oregon, where he remained about four years, at the end of which time he returned to Williams County and located at Montpelier, where he has remained until the present time. He has met with most pronounced success and has built up a representative and lucrative patronage, covering a wide range of surrounding country.

Doctor Gordon was married to Ella J. Sage and they are the parents of two children, Beatrice and Edwin L. Politically, the doctor is an earnest supporter of the democratic partv. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Maccabees and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Personally, Doctor Gordon is genial and approachable, has a host of warm and loyal personal friends, and is held in the highest esteem throughout the community.

W. D. Campbell. - Manufacturing enterprise contributes to the commercial prosperity of Bryan and those connected with lumber interests are of exceeding importance. A great amount of capital has been invested here and lumber mill enterprises are numbered with the city's most productive assets. One of the large lumber concerns that is foremost here in its volume of business is the Campbell Lumber Company, in which W. D. Campbell is interested and of which he is the able and energetic manager.

W. D. Campbell was born January 23, 1885, at Marion, Grant County, Indiana, and is a son of George B. and Ida M. (Woolsey) Campbell. He attended the public schools at Marion and after being graduated from the high school, entered Purdue University at La Fayette, where he remained until 1906, when he was graduated with the degrees of B. S. and E. E. His first professional work was done in the construction department of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and gave attention to civil engineering problems for some time before becoming interested in the lumber business at Stryker, Ohio. The widened field of choice of vocation is one of the many advantages afforded by thorough educational training, and in the lumber industry Mr. Campbell found a congenial field of effort. From Stryker he came to Bryan, where he has become a vigorous and successful business man and earnest citizen.

On April 25, 1912, W. D. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Leas, who was born at Marion, Indiana, and is a graduate, of the high school of that city. Mrs. Campbell is highly gifted musically and is the organist of the Presbyterian Church at Bryan, and is much sought after in musical circles.

There are few thoughtful, intelligent business men of the day who do not take some measure of interest in political questions and Mr. Campbell, from his standpoint of good citizenship, has always felt his duty to lie in supporting the principles of the republican party. He is a member of Evansport Lodge No. 215, Free and Accepted Masons and Bryan Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the United Commercial Travelers' organization.

George P. Elliott. - In looking around for men of vigorous and forcible character who have taken important and prominent part in the affairs of men, the biographer is not expected to deal only with national figures, for in the smaller communities are found men of action, capable and earnest, whose talents, enterprise and energy command the respect of their fellowmen. That the lives of such persons should have their public record is peculiarly proper, because a knowledge of men whose substantial fame rests upon their attainments, character and success must necessarily exert a wholesome influence on the rising generation in their community. In this connection it is appropriate to review the career of George P. Elliott, ex-treasurer of Williams County, Ohio, and a substantial and highly esteemed business citizen of West Unity.

Mr. Elliott was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 1, 1849, a son of Thomas G. and Narcissa (Pierce) Elliott, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They were married in Stark County, where, at Fulton, Thomas G. Elliott began his career as a clerk, later going to Cleveland in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1860 he came to West Unity and established himself in business as a general merchant, and for many years held not only the patronage but the respect and confidence of the people of his community. He was active in politics as a republican and was elected treasurer of Brady Township, a position which he filled with efficiency and conscientious attention to duty. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, lived his faith every day, and died therein at a ripe old age in 1897. He and his worthy and faithful wife were the parents of three children: Garretson, who met an accidental death by drowning; George P., and William G., deceased.

George P. Elliott acquired his education by attendance at the local schools of West Unity, having been brought here as a boy of about eleven years of age. When he put aside his school books he began to secure an introduction to business methods in the general store of his father and gradually acquired the qualifications so necessary to the success of a merchant. At the time of the elder man's death he assumed the management of the enterprise, which he has continued to conduct in a highly honorable manner and which is justly accounted one of the substantial business ventures of the city. Mr. Elliott has various business connections, is the owner of his comfortable home and modern business room at West Unity, and is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Commercial Savings Bank. He and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has retained his membership since her death in 1916. She was a past matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, to which her daughter still belongs, while Mr. Elliott is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics a republican, Mr. Elliott has served as a member of the West Unity Council, and in 1891 was elected treasurer of Williams County, taking office in September, 1892, and serving with splendid efficiency for four years, during which time he won the full approval and confidence of the people of his community.

In May, 1894, Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Anna Britton Werts, who was born in Center Township, Williams County, and to this union there was born one daughter, Georgiana, a graduate of West Unity High School, who is now in her third year in the Ohio State University.

C. C. Cook. - "Talent alone cannot make a book; there must be a man behind the book," writes Emerson, and, had the American philosopher been discussing agricultural matters as well as those pertaining to literature, he might have added : "Plowing alone cannot make a farm ; there must be a man behind the plow," a man, too, possessed of the necessary qualifications ; a man of brain and brawn and industrious habits that are bound to lead to success and comfortable competence, as in the case of C. C. Cook, one of the substantial agriculturists of Pulaski Township, Williams County.

Mr. Cook was born at Shelbyville, Missouri, July 19, 1866, a son of Daniel and Caroline (Keller) Cook, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Knox County, Ohio, where they were married. From Knox County, Ohio, they came to Williams County, this state, and settled in Jefferson Township, and while living here Daniel Cook entered the Union army during the war between the states and continued to serve until the close of the great struggle. When his military career was finished, he disposed of his interests and moved to Missouri, where he lived for eighteen months, then returning to Williams County and again settling in Jefferson Township. After living on that farm for a period of ten years, he moved to a property located one mile east of Pulaski and there both he and his wife died, both in the faith of the Reformed Church. He was a democrat in politics, but took only a good citizen's part in public affairs. He and his wife were the parents of seven daughters and three sons, of whom six daughters and two sons are living: Ella, who is the wife of Enoch Stall; Jennie, who is the wife of Michael Shaffer, of Westminster, Ohio; Lillie, who is the wife of George W. Morey, of Michigan; Alma, who is the wife of S. P. Alttifer, of California; C. C, of this notice; Sherman, who is engaged in farming near Alverton, Williams County; Orpha, who is the wife of James W. Christy, and Josie, the wife of Albert Bauer, living near Kunkle, Ohio.

C. C. Cook was a child of eighteen months when brought by his parents from his Missouri birthplace to his new home in Williams County, and here his education was acquired in the public schools. He remained at home with his parents, as the associate of his father on the home acres, until he was twenty-three years of age, and at that time, in December, 1888, was united in marriage with Dinsy Glenn, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1865, and there educated in the public schools. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cook moved to a farm two miles southeast of West Unity, then located on a farm in Jefferson Township, and finally came to their present home of fifteen acres which is located in Pulaski Township, and he has a 132-acre farm in Center Township. Mr. Cook has a well-cultivated property upon which he raises the standard crops of the locality and also carries on stock raising to some extent. He uses modern methods and has progressive ideas and his work has prospered accordingly. In his political preferences he is a democrat, but has not sought public office, although as a good citizen he has supported all measures which have promised to benefit the community and enhance the welfare of the people. Mr. Cook is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Bryan.

Ulysses P. Brognard. - A prominent, progressive and prosperous agriculturist of Springfield Township, Ulysses P. Brognard, owner of Fountain Ridge Farm, which is situated six and a half miles east of Bryan, has been an important factor in developing and promoting the agricultural prosperity of this section of Williams County, and as a general farmer has met with good success. He is of French ancestry on both sides of the house, and was born December 22, 1884, in Springfield Township.

Emil Brognard, his father, was born in France, and as a small boy came with his parents to Ohio, and was brought up and educated in Stryker, Williams County. He there met, wooed and won Louise Peugeot, a native of France, who was brought by her parents to Stryker when a child. After his marriage, he lived first on a farm lying east of Stryker, and the following year bought land in Pulaski Township, where he carried on farming for awhile. He subsequently removed to Stryker, where he spent the closing years of his life, dying in June, 1917. His wife, who was born in France on April 3, 1853, survived him, and died on the farm of her son Ulysses in June, 1918. The father was a democrat in politics, and a member of Elm Grove Grange. Both he and his wife, true to the religious faith in which they were reared, were members of the Lutheran Church.

The only child of his parents, Ulysses P. Brognard spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Pulaski Township, and was educated in the Elm Grove schools, where he completed the studies of the eighth grade. Becoming well versed in agricultural lore while assisting his father, he selected the free and independent life of a farmer, and soon after his marriage bought the Fountain Ridge Farm of eighty acres, and has since devoted his efforts to its improvement, each year adding to its attractiveness and value. Mr. Brognard has one of the finest appointed farms in the locality, it being under a good state of culture, with substantial buildings, which are models of comfort and convenience. A man of good business tact and ability, Mr. Brognard is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Grain Elevator at Bryan, and owns valuable residential property in Stryker.

On December 25, 1906, Mr. Brognard was united in marriage with Loretta Gurwell, a daughter of Wallace Gurwell, who was born in Springfield Township in 1860, and granddaughter of John B. Gurwell, a pioneer farmer of Williams County, who came to this part of the state from Crawford County, Ohio, when much of the country round about was in its original wilderness. Mr. Brognard is an ardent supporter of the principles of the republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Evansport Lodge No. 489, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; to the Evansport Encampment, and both he and Mrs. Brognard are members of Magdalena Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, and of the Elm Grove Grange.

Charles E. Shaull, of Superior Township, four and one-half miles southwest of Montpelier, was born there July 25, 1866, and has always lived in the community. He is a son of George and Rachel (Colbert) Shaull, the father having been born there in 1846, and died March 2, 1919, at the old family homestead. The mother came into the community as a young woman. While six children were born to them only Lewis Shaull, of Montpelier, and Charles E. Shaull are living today. Mr. Shaull, who relates the family history, was educated in the district school of Superior Township, and worked at the home of his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he began doing for himself.

As a young man C. E. Shaull learned the stone mason's trade and worked at it continuously for seven years. Although he is a farmer today he has frequent calls from people in the community and he still does something as a stone mason. Mr. Shaull married for his first wife Adaline Tarr, and there is one daughter. Hazel, by that marriage, who is the wife of Loren Brim, of Superior Township. For his second wife Mr. Shaull married Flora Corbett, and by that marriage the children are Marie and Robert. Mr. Shaull is a member of Florence Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and Mrs. Shaull belongs to the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Shaull owns 120 acres of land and he earned all he has by his own effort, except twenty acres from his father's estate. As a stone mason, he has often had work when other farmers were not engaged in active farming, and the trade combines well with agriculture.

David W. Isenhart, of Superior Township, seven miles southwest of Montpelier, is one of the most highly respected citizens of Williams County. When he was six years old he came into the community and he has always lived there. Mr. Isenhart was born September 27, 1846, southwest of Tiffin in Seneca County. He is a son of Nathaniel B. and Mary A. (Housman) Isenhart, the father born June 27, 1817, and the mother January 21, 1821, in Seneca County. They came to Williams County in 1852, and settled on the St. Joe River five miles southwest of Montpelier.

In 1862 N. B. Isenhart enlisted in Company H, the Sixty-Eighth Ohio Regiment, and he never came home again. He died of typhoid fever contracted while in the service and lies buried at Cave Hill, Kentucky. There were eight children in his family. Jacob B. Isenhart was killed at the battle of Jonesboro, and Eli, who served three years in the Civil war, died in Columbus where he was serving as a guard at the Ohio State Penitentiary. The father and two of his sons were soldiers in the Union army. David W. Isenhart, who enrolls the family, was the third son, and he was a child when they located in Williams County. S. B. Isenhart, who graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, is a prominent attorney in Topeka, Kansas. Rebecca E. is the wife of Marion Wolfe, of Superior Township. Rufus M. is a retired farmer living in Edon. Florence E. is the widow of Alvin Douglas, of Chicago. Theodosia, the widow of William Davis, lives in Indiana.

David W. Isenhart grew up at the family homestead on the St. Joe River, and when he began doing for himself he worked at the carpenter trade and looked after the farmstead for his mother. On March 9, 1875, he married Anna C. Strawser, a daughter of David and Rachel Strawser, early settlers in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Strawser lived on the farm until his death in 1884. and she died in 1898, both having attained to advanced age.

Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Isenhart have two sons and a daughter. David A. Isenhart, born January 8, 1876, lives on a farm in Superior Township; Mary D., born November 26. 1877. is the wife of Fred Rothenbarger, of Napoleon; and Sylvester, born October 14, 1880. is a contractor and lives in Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Isenhart are Free Thought advocates and do not affiliate with churches in the community. He is a charter member of Edon Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having first been a Mason at Edgerton. He is a member of Florence Lodge, Knights of Pythias and past chancellor and member of the grand lodge.

Mr. Isenhart is active in democratic party councils, and he ranks among the good farmers of Williams County. He owns 170 acres in Superior Township and he is active among farmers in their organizations. He is past master of Sodom Grange and has been an organizer of granges.

Joseph Deisler, of Superior Township, about six miles southwest of Montpelier, was born January 18, 1859, in Crawford County, Ohio. Since 1883, with the exception of two years, he has been a citizen of Williams County. His father, George Deisler, was born February 15, 1825, in the Province of Bavaria, Germany. In 1832 he came with his parents to the United States when he was a boy of seven years. They located in Wayne County, Ohio, but one year later they removed to Seneca County. George Deisler grew up and married Catharine Shade in Seneca County. They settled on a farm in Crawford County. They were there five years when they returned to Seneca County. They were active members of the German Reformed Church and they died and lie buried in Seneca County.

The Deisler family have been democrats. George Deisler was a carpenter and cabinet maker as well as a farmer in his time. Eleven children were born: B. F. Deisler lives at Defiance; Lucinda is the wife of Gottleib Hasch, of Paulding County; Joseph relates the family story ; George W. lives in Tiffin ; Sarah is the widow of D. F. Smith, of Seneca County ; James S. lives in Attica, Ohio ; Harvey is a farmer in Paulding County; Simon is. a farmer in Paulding County; Reuben lives in Plymouth; John H. lives in Detroit; and Katy O. is the wife of J. M. Sponseller, of Geneva.

Joseph Deisler was three months old when his parents moved from Crawford to Seneca County. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, working sometimes by the day or month for others. In 1883 he came to Williams County, and February 11, 1886, he married Agnes C. Kent, who was born in the vicinity of Montpelier. She was born March 15, 1864. She went to school in Montpelier. They lived a year in Williams County and then removed to Paulding County in 1887, remaining there until 1912 when they returned to Williams County. They bought forty acres and added to it until they had doubled it and then they sold it and bought 160 acres where they lived twenty-five years, and then sold out and returned to Williams County. They now own a quarter section of land in Superior Township.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Deisler are: Carmie A., wife of C. W. Carrick: Cady, wife of R. E. Scott, of Ladysmith, Wisconsin; Mame A., wife of W. S. Barnhart, of Shoals, Indiana; Myrtle, at home ; A. A. Deisler, of Superior Township ; Harley J. Deisler spent six months in military training for overseas service ; C. C. Deisler, Elma O. and Altha are at home with the parents. Mr. Deisler is a democrat. He has good grade live stock and is a member of the Montpelier Farmers' Co-operative Association. They are church members and members of the Grange.

Emory O. Johnson. - Because they are brothers Emory O. Johnson, of Montpelier, has the same lineal descent as Charles W. Johnson, their parents being Simeon and Dianna. (Steltz) Johnson. Mr. Johnson was born April 12, 1864, in Florence Township where the parents had located when they came to Williams County. The father was born in 1835, and the mother in 1839, in Columbiana County, Ohio. They were married there and in 1865 they came to Williams County. They spent the rest of their lives on the farm in Florence Township, their two sons being born and educated there. E. O. Johnson began life as a farmer there.

On February 26, 1890, Mr. Johnson married Maggie Maier, who was born February 16, 1868, in Center Township. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Webber) Maier, the father born January 5, 1833, in Germany, and the mother, a native of Tuscarawas County. Mr. Maier came to the United States when he was seventeen years old, finally locating in Williams County. He married in Williams County and settled on a farm in Center Township where he reared his family. He now lives in Bryan. Mr. Maier was a soldier in Company K, Thirty-Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. While he came from a country where militarism prevailed, he did not shrink from taking up arms in defense of his adopted country. Mr. Maier is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post in Bryan today. He is a Granger, and a member of the Methodist Church there.

When E. O. Johnson married he located on a farm in Florence Township, and his only son and child, Clarence S. Johnson, lives there today. C. S. Johnson was born October 12, 1892, and he married Beulah Kess. He is a member of Superior Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias, and Mrs. Johnson belongs to the Pythian Sisters. The Johnson family vote is cast with the democratic party. The farmland

Gottlob C. Mauerhan, Jr. - As long as business affairs seem to run in accustomed channels, the people of a community apparently give little attention to thoughts of what might happen if their dependable purveyors of food supplies should suddenly be entirely prevented from performing their ordinary labors. It is more than likely, under such circumstances, that the first business men to be missed would be handlers of meat, and certainly this would be the case at Edon, Ohio, where the majority of the people have come to look on the Mauerhan meat market as a fixed, standard business house that cannot be dispensed with. For almost a half century the Mauerhans have been in the meat business here, and through faithful service and honest and straightforward methods have built up this enviable reputation.

Gottlob C. Mauerhan, Jr., who is at the head of the firm of G. C. Mauerhan. Jr., & Son, was born in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Ohio, February 20, 1868. His parents were Gottlob and Louise (Kewth) Mauerhan, the former of whom was born in Germany March 21, 1845, and the latter in 1843. Both came when young to the United States and were married in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, and came to Edon in 1873 and she died here in November, 1893. Gottlob Mauerhan, Sr., established the meat business after he came to Edon and continued until 1896, during a part of this time having his son, Gottlob, Jr., as a partner. When the founder of the business retired the latter succeeded to it, enlarged its scope and made modern improvements, and in the course of time admitted his son, Edwin A. Mauerhan, to partnership, at that time adopting the present firm name. Mr. Mauerhan is one of the best experienced men in the meat business at Edon and carries the largest and best selected stock. He has always been a hardworking, frugal man, and has pushed ahead because of this and is now one of the substantial business men of the city. He owns fifty acres of excellent land situated a half mile north of Edon, and has some valuable city property.

On April 21, 1895, Mr. Mauerhan was married to Miss Louise Kaltenbach, who was born at Edon, Ohio, January 27, 1870, and they have two sons, namely : Arthur C. and Edwin A. Arthur C. Mauerhan is a graduate of the Edon High School and of a business college at Detroit, and is cashier of the Edon State Bank. During the great war he was in training as a soldier at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and Camp Gordon, Georgia, being mustered out in December, 1918. He married

Louise Starr. Edwin A. Mauerhan was born July 7, 1897, and during the great war, as an enlisted man, served three months at Camp Gordon, Georgia, and was mustered out there in December, 1918. Before becoming his father's partner in business he was graduated from the Edon High School and took a business course at Oberlin College.

Mr. Mauerhan has always been democratic in politics but has never accepted any public office except in relation to the public schools. He was serving on the school board when the new and imposing school building was erected and took a deep interest in its construction. He is a stockholder and a director of the Edon State Bank, a thriving financial institution of the county, the officers being as follows: Charles A. Bowersox, president ; Zeph Lees, vice president ; Arthur C. Mauerhan, cashier. The following make up the board of directors: Charles A, Bowersox, Dr. E. F. Brandon, Charles Allomong, Gottlob C. Mauerhan, Jr., Charles Estrich and N. J. Hauser. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church and is known to be a generous and charitable man.

Albert Hathaway, M. D. - Prominent in the medical profession and highly esteemed personally and as a citizen, Dr. Albert Hathaway has been a valued resident of Edon, Ohio, for nineteen busy years. He is one of the older medical practitioners here and one whose cheerful presence has brought comfort and relief into many homes. He has devoted himself closely to his profession and has given to the people of Edon the richest years of his life.

Doctor Hathaway was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 19, 1849. His parents were Richard and Lorinda (Bates) Hathaway, both natives of Ohio, the mother born in Knox County, and they were married in Morrow County in 1837. The father was a carpenter and contractor. He was a grandson of Richard Hathaway who served with General Washington in the Revolutionary war and was present at the surrender of the army of General Cornwallis. After the war the Revolutionary veteran settled with many of his comrades in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

In September, 1853, Richard Hathaway, father of Doctor Hathaway, came to Williams County and settled on a farm in Northwest Township, which he developed from its wild state and continued to live on that farm until 1863, when he bought a farm near by upon which he lived until his death on August 8, 1886. His widow survived until in January,' 1901. They were among the founders of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church in their neighborhood. Of their children, Albert was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follows : Jane, who is the widow of P. B. Wycoff ; Sarah, who is the widow of Berton Donovan ; Horace, who is a retired farmer of Fremont, Indiana; Calvin, who was an army surgeon during the Civil war, died at Edgerton, Ohio ; Charles, who was killed during the uprising in Mexico ; Caroline, who died unmarried ; and Judson, who died when twenty-one years old.

Albert Hathaway enjoyed better educational advantages in boyhood than many country youths at that time and made the best of his opportunities as he was very ambitious and had determined on a medical career at an early date. . He attended the Columbia High School in Northwest Township, in the meanwhile devoting as much time as possible to reading medicine, in this way completing two medical courses prior to entering Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he was graduated on February 22, 1881, with his degree. He then entered into partnership with his brother, Dr. Calvin Hathaway, at Edgerton, Ohio, and in 1884 moved to Columbia, Ohio, and from there came to Edon in 1901. Here Doctor Hathaway built up a large and lucrative practice. Unlike a number of his professional brethren, he has pursued no divided interests but has devoted himself entirely to medical science. In this line has has always been a student and with professional delight has welcomed the many wonderful advances made in his beloved science within the last decade. He is a member of the Williams County, the Ohio State and the American Medical societies.

On December 18, 1887, Doctor Hathaway was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Richards, who was born in Florence Township, Williams County, Ohio, February 19, 1857, and they have two children, namely : Paul R., who is a graduate of the Chicago University, with the degree of Ph. B., and is now associated with the well-known firm of Kelly Brothers at Bryan, Ohio; and Helen L., a graduate of the Edon High School, who is the wife of William H. Knepper, of Bryan, Ohio. Mrs. Hathaway, son and daughter, are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Doctor Hathaway belongs to Edon Lodge No. 474, Free and Accepted Masons; Coony Lodge, Odd Fellows, and Edon Lodge No. 644, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. Sound old democratic doctrine was taught him early by a Jeffersonian father and he has never seen reason to change his political faith.

Elsworth F. Brandon, M. D. - When the grandparents of Dr. Elsworth F. Brandon, a prominent physician and surgeon of Edon, Ohio, came to Williams County more than sixty years ago, they found themselves pioneers with the necessity of making a home in the dense forest. Their humble log cabin was one of the first to rise in Northwest Township and proved a happy home and a hospitable and cheery place to many a weary traveler no doubt, for they were warm-hearted Irish people with the virtues of their race. The Brandons have grown and prospered here and an every-way worthy member of this family is Doctor Brandon, of Edon.

Elsworth F. Brandon was born in Williams County, Ohio, December 20, 1874, and is a son of Hugh and Adelaide (Culbertson) Brandon. Hugh Brandon was born June 12, 1846, in Ireland, a son of Francis and Ann (Cunningham) Brandon. He accompanied' his parents to America about 1850, and after a short time spent in Carroll County. Ohio, they all came to Williams County and this section of the state has been the family home ever since. Hugh Brandon was a farmer in Northwest Township and for a number of years was influential in republican politics, serving for a long period as a justice of the peace. He married Adelaide Culbertson, who was born in 1856, in Wisconsin, and died in February. 1906. The following children were born to them : Etta, who is the wife of Dr. E. A. Bechtol ; Elsworth F. ; Bridget, who lives at Morenci, Michigan; Van who is in business in Seattle, Washington; Arthur W., who lives at Quincy, Michigan; Charles, who resides at Zenith, Kansas; Ollie, who is the wife of George Long, of Florence Township, Williams County; and Scott, who is a farmer in Northwest Township, Williams County. The parents were members of the United Brethren Church.

Elsworth F. Brandon grew up on the home farm, attended first the country school in the neighborhood and later the grade and the high school at Montpelier, following which he taught school two years in Northwest Township, then entered Detroit Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1900 with the degree of M. D. Before the year was out he had become well established at Edon, where he has met with much professional success and now has additional important interests. He owns a beautiful farm of 160 acres situated one and a half miles east of Edon, the management of which is a source of relaxation and additionally is profitable. He is well known also in banking circles and is vice president of the Edon State Bank.

and they have two daughters : Wilma I., who was born March 29, 1912 ; and Esther F., who was born November 3, 1913. Doctor Brandon and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Doctor Brandon is a member of Edon Lodge No. 474, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Montpelier Chapter No. 184, Royal Arch Masons, and Montpelier Council, Royal and Select Masters, while both he and Mrs. Brandon belong to the Eastern Star, in which she is a past worthy matron and he is a past master. While his professional duties have more or less debarred him from great activity in the political field, as a zealous republican he has sought opportunities to be useful, and at present is vice president of the school board. During the great war he was a member of the medical army corps at Camp Custer, Michigan, from October 3, 1918, until March 14, 1919, during the entire progress of the war having demonstrated patriotic interest. As a physician he is known to be faithful in performance of his professional obligations, and he belongs to a number of representative medical bodies.

Thomas Brandon. - Not only has Thomas Brandon developed a fine farming property in Bridgewater Township, but he has reared a nice family of children and given all of them a start in life. He has so lived as to set an example to them and to render a service to his community and is rightly regarded as one of the leading men of Williams County.

The birth of Thomas Brandon took place in Ireland on March 21, 1848, and he is a son of Francis and Ann Brandon, of Scotch-Irish descent, but born in Ireland, from whence they came to the United States in 1848 and 1850, he making the trip alone and then as soon as well settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, sending for his family to join him. For a time Francis Brandon worked on the railroad and then as soon as he had saved enough money to buy 100 acres of land at $3 per acre, he secured a farm. Unfortunately, however, he had worked too hard, and so lost his health, and his wife and his children had to care for the land. After his death Alexander Brandon bought the homestead from the other heirs. There were seven children in the family, four of whom are now living, namely : Thomas, who was the eldest; George, who lives at Hillsdale, Michigan; Mary A., who is the wife of Robert Hoy; and Alexander, who lives at Montpelier, Ohio.

Only three years old when brought to the United States Thomas Brandon has spent practically all of his life in this country. He was reared on the farm his father bought and attended the district schools, and later the Bryan High School, and then, having secured a license taught school for five seasons, and saved $350. With it and $150 he borrowed, he bought his eighty-acre farm, to which he added more land until he now has 220 acres, and he has bought other land, giving each of his sons eighty acres. All but twenty-five acres of his farm is cleared, and is finely improved.

In 1872 Mr. Brandon was married to Eunice M. Parker, born on January 10, 1848, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, but who came to Williams County, Ohio, when she was twenty-one years old. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon became the parents of the following children: E. C, who lives at Montpelier, Ohio; L. G., who lives on section 1, Bridgewater Township; and Sylvia, who is the wife of Paul Hugg, and F. E. Brandon, a farmer of Bridgewater Township. In politics Mr. Brandon is a democrat, but he has never participated in public affairs save as a voter of his party ticket. An industrious and thrifty man he has worked very hard all of his life and deserves the rewards which have come to him not only in material things, but the respect and confidence of his associates, which mean a good deal to the right kind of a man.

Charles E. Boyer. - In no part of Williams County will be found more intelligent or enterprising people than in Bridgewater Township where for years a deep interest has been maintained in agricultural progress. This interest covers not only the developing of the usual farm industries but goes farther, having in view the amelioration of many undesirable features of farm life and the introduction of social conditions and privileges that will serve to make life on a farm not only the healthiest but the happiest and most independent in the world. In carrying on such important work assistance must be given by competent, earnest, farseeing men, and one such who has long been identified here with the Grange and other movements is Charles E. Boyer, who is a substantial farmer of Bridgewater Township.

Charles E. Boyer was born at Tiffin, Ohio, February 15, 1858, and is a son of Josiah and Lydia M. (Rainey) Boyer, the former of whom was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 25, 1831, and the latter in Brownwell Township, Lorain County November 30, 1834. Josiah Boyer was left motherless in childhood. When thirteen years old he was bound out to John Schlusser, who treated him well, sending him to school at Tiffin and later to Heidelberg College, and also taught him his own trade, that of a plasterer. He- worked at the trade and also taught school and in the course of time was able to buy five acres of land in Williams County. It was situated in the deep woods in Northwest Township. Then the Civil war came on and he enlisted in an Ohio regiment. Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served bravely through two years and ten months of that great struggle. When he returned to Williams County he completed clearing his land, on which he previously erected a cabin, worked at his trade for some years, and gradually acquired additional land and followed farming during the rest of his life. He lived a busy, useful and honorable life and performed every known duty to the best of his ability. He united early with the republican party and for many years was active in its ranks in Bridgewater Township, frequently serving in such public capacities as school director and township trustee.

In Seneca County, on March 15, 1855, Josiah Boyer was married to Lydia M. Rainey, who, like himself, was a member of the United Brethren Church. They had the following children : Emma J., who is the wife of William Holloway ; Charles E. ; Josiah N.. who is a farmer near Ouincy, Michigan : William E., who followed the trade of a barber at Toledo; and John G.. who is a farmer in Bridgewater Township.

Charles E. Boyer attended the district schools in boyhood and assisted his father until he was twenty-one years old. He has always been a resident of Williams County since coming here with his parents and farming has been his chosen vocation. He resides on his valuable farm of forty acres which is situated two and a quarter miles west of Bridgewater Center, where twenty-five years ago he began bee culture and at the Columbia Exposition he received a medal and diploma for fine quality ; he also grows grain, fruit and stock. For many years Mr. Boyer has been interested in farm organizations founded on worthy principles. He has been active in the Ancient Order of Gleaners and also in the Patrons of Husbandry, and was a charter member and the first master of Bridgewater Grange.

On December 21, 1882, Mr. Boyer was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Waterston, a daughter of Thomas Waterston, and they have two children, Earl F. and Edwin W. Earl F. Boyer is a fanner in Bridgewater Township and has has three sons : Harold, Robert and Lyle. Edwin W. Boyer married Helen Ayers and they live on a farm in Bridgewater Township and have one son, Ronald. The entire family belongs to the United Brethren Church, in which Mr. Boyer is very active as he also is in local politics, from early voting days having been identified with the republican party.

Lewis E. Haines. - The Haines family is one which has long been connected in its different branches with the agricultural life of Bridgewater Township, and its various members are sustaining the prestige of the name in the several communities in which they have seen fit to locate. One of them is Lewis E. Haines who is on the Haines' homestead in this township.

The birth of Lewis E. Haines took place on the farm he now occupies, December 8, 1887, and he is a son of J. M. and Mary A. (Waterson) Haines, natives of Stark and Richland counties, Ohio. The grandparents on both sides of the house came to Williams County in the early '50s and located in Bridgewater Township, and here J. M. Haines and Mary A. Waterson were reared, and here they were married. They located on a farm in Bridgewater Township, and there their eight children were born, namely : Alexander C, who is engaged in farming three miles west of Montpelier; Walter L.. who is engaged in farming in Bridgewater Township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work ; Hattie, who is the wife of J. E. Briner ; Emerson E., who is a farmer of Northwest Township, Williams County; and three, who died in infancy.

Lewis E. Haines was reared on his present farm and was sent to the schools of the neighborhood. It was his father's desire to have his sons adopt farming as their life work, and he encouraged and helped them all that he could, and stimulated in this way, Lewis E. Haines acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of agriculture which has been of great use to him. At present he owns his farm of 100 acres of land, and is engaged in handling a high grade of stock, his product having already gained more than local prestige on account of its excellence.

On August 2, 1911, Mr. Haines was united in marriage with Ida J. Bauer, who was born in Superior Township, Williams County, on December 23, 1890, a daughter of Gabriel and Laura (Bauer) Bauer, the former of whom is still a resident of Superior Township, but the latter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer had two children, Mrs. Haines and Henry F., who is living with his father. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Haines are as follows : Merrill W., who was born on September 25, 1912; Gladys, who was born August 7, 1914; Walter L., who was born October 16, 1916; and Lauretta, who was born October 3, 1918. Mrs. Haines belongs to the Lutheran Church, and she and Mr. Haines are members of the American Gleaners. In politics he is a republican, but his inclinations have never led him into public notice for he has been too much occupied with his private affairs. Both he and his wife are popular in the social life of their neighborhood, and both have many friends here and in other parts of the county where their lives have been spent. They are in favor of local improvements for all of their interests are centered here, and may be depended upon to give them a support if they are convinced that they are practical and will not impose undue hardships upon the people to carry them through.

Joseph A. Weitz, M. D. - The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and colleges he may have attended. The career of the successful practitioner shows that a broad minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest desire to aid in affliction have gone hand in hand with skill and able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given embodies these necessary qualifications to a marked degree and by energy and application to his professional duties through many years of practice built up an enviable reputation and drew to himself a large and remunerative patronage.

Doctor Weitz, for many years engaged in his professional labors at Montpelier, but widely known outside of his home locality for his scientific achievements and official honors conferred upon him by medical organizations, is a native of Williams County, having been born on his father's farm in St. Joseph Township on November 30, 1849, and is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Yeager) Weitz. Adam Weitz was born in Wattenheim, Germany, in 1810, and was there reared and educated. In 1837 he came to the United States, locating first in Portage County, Ohio, where his marriage occurred. In 1846 he came to Williams County, locating in St. Joseph Township, where he lived until late in life when he moved to the Village of Edgerton, this county, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. He was an enterprising citizen, being deeply interested in the development of St. Joseph Township, of which he was one of the early settlers. In his native land he had learned the trade of a weaver, but after coming to the United States he applied himself to the trade of a stone cutter, in which he became an expert workman. He laid the stone for the old courthouse in Williams County and also constructed the locks on the canal. He was born a Catholic, but became an active and earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also altered his political faith, having first supported the democratic party, but later identifying himself with the republican party. He was active in public affairs and served as trustee of St. Joseph Township. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of which number two lost their lives by accident, the others being as follows : Frances, of West Unity, the widow of Charles F. Grisier ; Harriet, the widow of John Casebere, of Edgerton, Ohio: Lucina, the widow of T. J. Stoops; Lavina, the wife of I. M. White, of Montpelier ; Daniel of Butler, DeKalb County. Indiana; Charles W. and Thomas T., of Oklahoma; George H., of Fresno, California, and Joseph A.

Joseph A. Weitz spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in St. Joseph Township, and received his elemental education in the district schools and the high school at Butler. He then entered Hillsdale College, at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1876, and given the degree of A. M. in 1879. He then engaged in teaching school, following that profession for eight years, during which time he was superintendent of schools at Edgerton and Sylvania, Ohio. Having determined to devote his life to the medical profession he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Michigan where he was graduated in 1886 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He first located for the practice of his profession in Montpelier, remaining here until October, 1897, when he accepted the chair of neurology in the Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery at Detroit, having served as professor of pathology from 1894 to 1897. In 1899 Doctor Weitz returned to Montpelier and re-engaged in the active practice of his profession, which he has continued to the present time. In 1913 Doctor Weitz went to Europe and took a post-graduate course in the medical department of Berlin University. He has been successful in practice to a remarkable degree and is held in the highest esteem not only by the public but also by his professional colleagues. Doctor Weitz in 1887-88 ran a drug store at Montpelier and is a registered pharmacist. For a number of years he was local surgeon for the Wabash Railroad Company.

In 1880 Doctor Weitz married Helen Fay, who is a graduate of Hillsdale College, and who, prior to her marriage was a successful teacher, having taught in Michigan and in Plattsburg, New York. To Dr. and Mrs. Weitz has been born a daughter, Florence, who after graduating from the Montpelier High School was a student in Oberlin College, where she was graduated in 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She was a teacher of German in the Montpelier High School for two years, and subsequently took a post-graduate course in the

University of Berlin, Germany. She became the wife of Charles A. Changnon, and they have three children, Richard E., Helen Fay and Robert A.

Politically Doctor Weitz has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order and Knights of Pythias, and is an active member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian Church of his home town. It is safe to say that no man in Williams County enjoys to a greater extent the affection and confidence of the people than does Doctor Weitz, and this feeling has been demonstrated for him on more than one occasion. His career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life and energies have been devoted.

Doctor Weitz is a former president and for several years past has been treasurer of the Northern Tri-State Medical Association. He is a member of the Williams County Medical Society, Ohio State Medical Association and is a Fellow of the American Medical Association, and also of the American Academy of Medicine. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Association for Clinical Research, and with all his other duties is now carrying the responsibilities of Health Commissioner of Williams County. He is the author of scientific articles that have attracted national attention and are published in various medical journals and in the Reference Hand Book of Medical Sciences. As a writer he is known for his accuracy and conciseness.

William T. Orton. - A man of forceful and distinctive individuality, William T. Orton occupies a position of note among the esteemed and valued citizens of West Unity, where he served as postmaster for upwards of fourteen years, his long continuance in the position bearing proof of his ability, fidelity and popularity as a public official. He was born December 12, 1862, in Richland County, Ohio, near Shelby, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, the late E. C. Orton.

Born in 1834, E. C. Orton acquired an excellent education in his native county, and having fitted himself for a professional career taught school forty-four terms, teaching several years after his marriage. Coming with his family to Williams County in October, 1865, he bought a farm lying one mile north, and a half mile east, of West Unity, but did not immediately assume its possession, as he accepted a position as a teacher in West Unity, where he taught school the following six years. Locating on his farm in 1871, he continued as a farmer until his death, in 1911. Talented and cultured, he was active in the republican ranks, and served as an attorney, and as a justice of the peace for many years. He married Anna Y. Orr, who was born in 1840 in Rob Roy, Fountain County. Indiana, and prior to her marriage taught school in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he met her. She died on the home farm, near West Unity, in 1886, leaving four children, as follows: Minnie, who was graduated from the West Unity High School, and subsequently taught school a few terms, is the wife of J. B. Johnson, of Lawrence, Kansas; William T., with whom this sketch is particularly concerned; Leonard E., and Adaline, wife of A. J. Young, of Winfield, Kansas. Both parents were esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Reared in West Unity, his home having been on North Liberty street, on the lot where his present residence is located, William T. Orton was educated in the public schools, and since attaining his majority has been an important factor in promoting the highest and best interests of the community. He served, as stated above, as postmaster for fourteen years and four months, a position of trust and responsibility, and performed the duties connected with the office promptly and efficiently. Since leaving the post office, in 1913, Mr. Orton has built up an excellent business as special agent of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York. He has acquired considerable property through wise management and investment, and owns a part of the old Orton homestead.

Mr. Orton married, December 12, 1882, Alice A. Boston, who was born in Fulton County, Ohio, and educated in the West Unity High School. Their only child, Edith, wife of R. L. Lorton, of Akron, Ohio, is a graduate of the West Unity High School, and of Oberlin University. Her husband was also graduated from both of those institutions of learning, while during the World war Mr. Lorton served as a corporal, being stationed at Camp Sherman.

Politically Mr. Orton is prominent in the republican party, and genuinely interested in public matters. Fraternally he is a member of Superior Lodge No. 179, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, having served in that capacity eight years ; of Northwest Chapter No. 45, Royal Arch Masons; of Montpelier Council No. 102, Royal and Select Masters ; of Defiance CommanderY . No. 30, Knights Templar. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, and for five years was district lecturer for the Fifth Masonic District. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Orton belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among its active and valued workers.

John W. Bowersox. - Although he has lived many years in Williams County, John W. Bowersox of Florence Township was born August 25, 1836, in Stark County. His father, John W. Bowersox, was born January 10, 1808, and his mother, Mary (Breckinridge) Bowersox. was born December 4, 1809, in Frederick County, Maryland. However, they were married in August, 1831, in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and they immediately came to North Industry, Stark County, Ohio, where he worked as a shoemaker for seven years.

In 1838, Mr. Bowersox and his wife and two children and two other children who came with them located in Williams County. He entered eighty acres of land and they settled in St. Joseph Township, and October 28, 1838, they moved into their own cabin on the land they had entered and he died there April 14, 1889, although she had died March 31, 1867, at this pioneer family homestead. While he was reared a Lutheran she was a Methodist, although they later belonged to the United Brethren Church in the community.

John W. Bowersox, Sr., was first a whig, then a free soiler and finally a republican, and he was always active in politics. The children born to him were : James G.. who died when he was a man fortysix years old. He was a United Brethren minister. John W. Bowersox, Jr., who enrolls the family in this history. Mary E., deceased, was the wife of Daniel Weitz. Nancy E., deceased, never married. Elizabeth L. died at sixteen and Francis A., the youngest, at thirteen. The next to the oldest son was the Hon. Charles A. Bowersox of Bryan, judge of the common pleas court of Williams County. Judge Bowersox is supervising editor of the recent Williams County History.

John W. Bowersox was only two years old when his father and mother came to Williams County. On September 26, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, the Sixty-Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and remained at the front until the close of the war. On June 9, 1860, he married Amelia Yeager. Her parents came to Williams County in 1846 and settled in St. Joseph Township. Mrs. Bowersox was born September 27, 1837, in Portage County. As children together she and her husband attended the same school, the same Sunday school and church and they settled January 4, 1861, on the farmstead where he now lives, although she died there April 8, 1906, bo{h having been active in affairs of the community.

J. W. Bowersox is a member of Evans Post Grand Army of the Republic, and was commander of Edon Post. He is a republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was the cen- sus enumerator that year. Mr. Bowersox was president or member of the Board of Education in Williams County for twenty-seven years. His children are : J. E. Bowersox, Mrs. Mary E. Kline.

John E. Bowersox was born March 19, 1861, and married Sarah E. Kurtz, April 5, 1892. She was born May 9, 1873, and has always lived in Williams County. Their son, Harvey W. Bowersox, is a graduate of the Edon High School and attended Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. He is a mail clerk on the railroad, but is temporarily a school teacher. The Bowersox family are members of the United Brethren Church and Mr. Bowersox is republican in his political views, and will die a republican. John E. has served as a school director for twenty-seven years. He is ditch commissioner in Florence Township, and for many years he has served as a member of the Williams County republican central committee.

Eli Doty of Florence Township was born there August 20, 1851, and he has always lived there. He is a son of Lucius W. and Mary (Bash) Doty. The parents were born, raised and married in Crawford County. They settled in Williams County and died on the farm where Eli Doty lives today. Mr. Doty has two brothers: David and George Doty. They all live in Florence Township.

On August 22. 1877, Eli Doty married Ida Hammond. She was born August 20, 1857, being just six years younger than Mr. Doty and they were married two days after her twentieth birthday. She was born in Stark County. Ohio. The family removed to DeKalb County, Indiana, and then returned to Williams County, Ohio. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doty. Those living are: Mabel, wife of Logan Mizner, of Toledo, and Roy, who married Elizabeth Kirby. Myrtle died in January, 1920, wife of Nathan McCurdy. Carrie, also deceased, was the wife of George Allen.

Roy Doty volunteered as a soldier in the World war and was in service from March 6, 1918, to January 9, 1919. He was stationed at Oglethorpe, Georgia, Hammond, Virginia, and Cook Field, Dayton. The six grandchildren are : Lenore, Clettus and Hazel McCurdy, Merle and Elvie Mizner and Mabel Doty.

Mr. Doty is a republican. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Butler, Indiana. He owns ninety-four acres of land in Florence Township and is engaged in farming and raising livestock for the market.

David Doty. - There are three Doty brothers living in Florence Township on land their parents had owned, and while Eli Doty has given the story, two historians always describe a battle differently, and David has told something different of the family history. He was born May 24, 1853, a son of Lucius F. and Mary (Bash) Doty. They were Crawford County people who came to Williams County in 1846, when Northwestern Ohio was pretty wild country. They entered land and built a cabin on it, and as the country developed they developed with it. There are men and women of the present generation who would enjoy such an opportunity. The stories of the hardships of the pioneers are not recounted so often now as they were a generation ago.

L. F. Doty died at forty-two years of age while his wife lived forty years longer, and while they were the parents of eight children only David, Eli and George are living today. While all had about the same educational advantages, David Doty was a pupil in the first district school taught in the Doty schoolhouse. The fact that the schoolhouse w-as built on one corner of the land makes it a story to be remembered by him. The conditions surrounding the rural school have changed since that happy day in the long ago.

On December 5, 1878, Mr. Doty married Samantha Alwood. She was born September 5, 1855. in DeKalb County, Indiana. Their daughter, Lola, born October 2, 1879, is the wife of Thomas Fiser and lives in DeKalb County. Their children are Fern and LaRue. Bertha Doty is the wife of Alva Kline of Edon. Their children are Maynard and Mera. The Dotys attend the United Brethren Church and he votes with the republican party. He owns farm land both in Williams County and in DeKalb County, Indiana.

Samson Dixon. - The Dixon family represented by Samson Dixon of Florence Township, has always lived in Jackson County. Mr. Dixon was born there March 29, 1858, and his parents were both natives of Jackson County. He is a son of Giffee and Eliza (Coles) Dixon. The Dixon family contributed three sons to the Civil war, Giffee Dixon being one year in the service.

He votes with the republican party, and of the six children born to them four are living today. Only Samson Dixon lives in Williams County. Ida is the wife of E. S. Plummer, of Dayton. Dr. E. M. Dixon lives at Stockdale. He is a graduate of the Louisville Medical College. Alva Dixon lives on the old family homestead in Jackson County.

Samson Dixon remained in Jackson County until he was thirty years old, running the old farm there ; on January 22, 1888, he married Nrana V. Bennett. She was born July 24, 1864, in Pike County. When they married they settled on a farm in Jackson County, living there until 1906, when they removed to Williams County. Their son, Roscoe Dixon, born October 20, 1888, was in a training camp four months but he is now with the family in Williams County. Hazel, born June 5, 1892, is the wife of Frank Oberlin of Florence Township. Gwendolyn, born October 21, 1897, graduated with the 1915 class from the Edon High School and she is at home with her parents. While they have not always lived in Williams County, they are interested in its history.

William E. Van Wye. - A man of broad intelligence and excellent business capacity, William E. Van Wye, of Edgerton, is intimately associated with the advancement of the manufacturing interests of Williams County, and as proprietor of the Edgerton Glove Factory, is identified with a well-paying industry. He was born, July 20, 1868, in Florence Township, Williams County, where his father, Cameron Van Wye, settled in early manhood.

A native of Mahoning County, Ohio, Cameron Van Wye was born and educated in Youngstown. Becoming familiar with the various branches of agriculture in his early life, he located in Florence Township, near Blakeslee, soon after his marriage, and was there industriously employed in tilling the soil until his death. He married Mary J. Laub, who was born in Sylvania, Ohio, and brought up in Williams County. Four children were born of their marriage, as follows: Amy, wife of William Custer; William the subject of this brief personal record ; Ora, living in Bridgewater Township ; and John, a resident of Angola, Indiana. The father was a stanch republican in politics. He served as a soldier in the Civil war for three years, and was a member of the Hiram Louden Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his wife were affiliated by membership with the United Brethren Church.

Growing to manhood on the home farm, William E. Van Wye was educated in the rural schools of Florence Township, and subsequently served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in Williams County for ten years. Going then to Michigan, he continued at his trade a brief time, after which he decided to make a change of both residence and occupation. Migrating to Alberta, Canada, Mr. Van Wye homesteaded and pre-empted 320 acres of land, on which he lived and labored for nine years. Returning to the States, he established a glove factory in La Grange, Indiana, and operated it successfully five years. Coming from there to Williams County, Ohio, in October, 1919, he has since been actively and prosperously engaged in the manufacture of gloves, as owner of the Edgerton Glove Factory having built up a substantial and remunerative business. He still owns his farm in Alberta, Canada, and finds it a paying investment.

Mr. Van Wye married, at Montpelier, Ohio, in 1893, Ella Hughes, and they have five children, namely: Florence, Marie, Ida, Oren and Raymond. Mr. Van Wye is a republican in politics, and a member of the Independent order of Odd Fellows.

Lewis E. Groff. - A useful, eminently worthy and valued citizen of Edgerton, Williams County, Lewis E. Groff, a well-patronized and prosperous tailor, has been in truth the architect of his own fortune. Coming to this city with but $30 to his name, he began life on a low rung of the ladder of attainments, and by close attention to his work, and a diligent use of his faculties and opportunities, has met with signal success in business, and gained a position of note in financial and political circles. A son of Stanlus Groff, he was born, February 28, 1871, in Fulton County, Ohio, of German and Swiss ancestry.

A native of Germany, Stanlus Groff emigrated to this country in early manhood, locating in a small town in Fulton County, Ohio, where he followed the shoemaker's trade for awhile. He subsequently lived for a time in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio, from there moving to Butler, Indiana, where he remained until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Walter, was born in Switzerland and reared and married in Fulton County, Ohio, where she came as a girl. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church. Of the eight children born of their union, seven are living, as follows : Lewis E., the special subject of this brief sketch; Frank, engaged in farming; Edward, engaged in the livery business at Butler, Indiana; Mrs. Mary Denenburg, of Marion, Ohio ; Otto, of Detroit, Michigan ; Mrs. Emma Roberts, of Butler, Indiana, and Carl, a machinist in Butler, Indiana.

Acquiring his preliminary education in Fulton County, Ohio, Lewis E. Groff completed his studies in Butler, Indiana, and there learned the tailor's trade. Coming to Edgerton, Ohio, in 1894, Mr. Groff, who had but a limited capital to start on, opened a shop, and as a tailor has since met with very satisfactory success, his skilful workmanship having won him a substantial patronage in Edgerton and vicinity. He is a man of good business ability and integrity, and is now one of the directors of both the Farmers Commercial Bank and the Oak Manufacturing Company.

Mr. Groff married Anna Packer, of Butler, Indiana, and their only child, Velma M., born in June, 1901, was graduated from the Edgerton High School and is now at home. A democrat in politics, Mr. Groff has been active and influential in public affairs, having served two years as city treasurer of Edgerton, and is now a member of the school board. Fraternally he is a member of Edgerton Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and a member, and past councillor, of the Knights of Pythias, while Mrs. Groff belongs to the Pythian Sisters.

{ James A.. Neil. - Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which produced him, and in his works we expect to find the true index to his character. A worthy representative of that type of American business man who may properly be termed "progressive," that character which promotes public good in advancing individual prosperity and conserving popular interests, is James A. Neil, well-known business man of Montpelier, and president of the Municipal Contract and Supply Company, of Gary, Indiana. He has been prominently identified with the building interests of this locality for many years, and while his efforts have brought him success, they have also advanced the general welfare.

James A. Neil was born in Madison Township, Williams County, Ohio, about three and a half miles south of the town of Pioneer, on February 21, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Bowen) Neil. Joseph Neil was born in Wayne County, Ohio, on September 8, 1827, was reared in his native county, and in 1849 came to Williams County, locating in Bridgewater Township, where he remained until 1887, when he came to Montpelier, where his death occurred on February 6, 1907. He was an active member of the Church of God and highly respected in the communities where he had lived. His wife was born in Richland County, Ohio, on November 15, 1827, and died on April 8, 1904. They became the parents of ten children, of which number three are now living, namely : James A., the immediate subject of this sketch; S. G., who is engaged in the contracting business at Detroit, Michigan, and Jane, the widow of Eli S. Ault and living in Hardin County, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his mental training in the public schools of Bridgewater Township. He remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority, though from the age of ten years he had worked at anything that offered itself, being practically self-sustaining from that age on. He began in a modest way to do contract work, in which he was successful, but after his marriage, in 1882, he engaged in farming for two years. In 1884 he went to Kansas and entered 160 acres of government land, to which he later added another entry of the same size, thus becoming the owner of 320 acres of farm land there. After living on this land about five years, Mr. Neil returned to Williams County and entered into the contracting business. He met with pronounced success and erected many of the best residences and business blocks in this section of the country, among his last contracts being the Farmers and Merchants Bank building and the Odd Fellows Temple. He became a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank and was the second president of that institution, holding that position about two years. He is still a member of the board of directors of that bank. As president of the Municipal Contract and Supply Company, of Gary, Indiana, he is connected with a company of large size and prosperous business, the success of which has been mainly due to the energetic policy and sound business judgment of Mr. Neil. This company are road contractors and street contractors. He is recognized as a man of mature judgment and excellent business capacity, who has been eminently successful in his efforts, and he occupies a high standing among his business associates.

On March 12, 1882, Mr. Neil was married to Viola Reader, who was born in Williams County on September 16, 1861, the daughter of George and Sarah (Metzler) Reader, who were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Neil has been born a son, Leslie R., born on May 30, 1883, who was married on November 24, 1907, to Almeda Bechtol and now lives in Montpelier.

Politically, Air. Neil is an earnest supporter of the republican party, though he has never taken a very active part in political affairs. Fraternally, Mr. Neil is a member and past noble grand of Montpelier Lodge No. 745, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Superior Lodge No, 269, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Neil is a member of the Pythian Sisters. Mr. Neil has been successful in business, respected in social life and as a neighbor he has discharged his duties in a manner becoming a liberal-minded, intelligent citizen of the state where the essential qualities of manhood have ever been duly recognized and prized at their true value.

Fay E. Lees, of Florence Township, is among the younger farmers here and was born October 10, 1893, and has always lived in Florence Township. His father, M. A. Lees, was born August 22, 1842, at the same farmstead, but the mother, Hannah (Fettes) Lees, was born May 5, 1840, in Wayne County. They were married in Williams County and live in Edon today. Their daughter, Beulah, is the wife of Samuel J. Burkhart ; Florence is the wife of Orvie Eyster. Howard, who graduated from the Fort Wayne Business College, is cashier of the First National Bank of Fremont, Indiana. All had Edon High School training, and Fay, who graduated in the class of 1913, had planned to become a farmer, and that fall he entered the Department of Agriculture in the University of Wisconsin. He was there two years and on June 2, 1917, he married Juanita Skelton. They have a daughter, Samantha J. Lees, born June 19, 1918, and the baby, Max Skelton, was born July 13, 1920. The family lives at the Lees homestead in Florence Township.

Fay E. Lees is a breeder of Holstein cattle, and the head of his herd is Hark Dekol. He also specializes in Duroc Jersey hogs. He has grades in other livestock. Mr. Lees is chairman of the Florence Township branch of the Williams County Farm Bureau. He votes with the democratic party, and the family are communicants in the Christian Church in Edon.

Walter L. Haines. - The future looms large with economic problems and of them all none is fundamentally more important than that of the production of food. Owing to the devastation of so much of the former fertile land of the Old World, food is going to be the great necessity of the next few years, so that the men who are devoting their talents and lives to agricultural pursuits are more important than ever, and deserving of special credit. It has taken a broad vision and high conception of duty to keep men from yielding to the lure of the more congested regions, but those who have remained on their farms are now reaping well-merited rewards, both in money and esteem. One of these really public-spirited men of Williams County who has attained considerable prestige locally on account of his farming methods is Walter L. Haines, proprietor of the fine rural property known as the "Elm Flats," 160 acres located four miles north and one and one-half miles west of Montpelier, in Bridgewater Township.

Walter L. Haines was born in Bridgewater Township on February 5, 1873, a son of J. M. and Mary A. (Waterson) Haines, the former of whom was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 15. 1838, and the latter in Richland County, Ohio, May 13, 1847. She came with her parents to Williams County, Ohio, on September 3, 1853, and he

-came to this county with his parents in the fall of 1854, both families locating in Bridgewater Township, and here the young people were reared to maturity and were married on December 29, 1870. She was a daughter of Alexander and Jeanette (Forrest) Waterson, natives of the same county in Scotland, who came to the United States in 1831, following their marriage, and located on Scotch Ridge in Belmont County, Ohio, from whence they first moved to Richland County, Ohio, and then to Williams County, as before stated, and there they later died, firm in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. For years they were very active in the work of that denomination at Eagle Creek, Ohio. Of their eleven children one is now living, Mrs. Haines. She was only eight years old when she came to Williams County, and after she had been educated, she became a school teacher and taught for six terms. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Haines became the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, namely: Alexander C, who lives three and one-half miles west of Montpelier ; Walter L., whose name heads this review ; Hattie, who is the wife of J. E. Briner ; Emerson E.. who is a farmer of Northwest Township; and Lewis E., who is on the old homestead. The other three died in infancy.

J. M. Haines served three years in the Civil war, Company B, One Hundredth Indiana Regiment. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Louden Post.

Walter L. Haines was reared in his native township and attended its schools. He learned to be a farmer under his father's instruction and after acquiring his own farm put to practical use the knowledge and experience he had thus gained, and devotes his farm to general crops.

On March 31, 1897, Mr. Haines was married to Ellen Ingram, horn, reared and educated in Williams County. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have five children, namely: Hildreth, who is the wife of Harold Bauer; Helen M., who is a graduate of the Montpelier High School; and Dorothy, John M. and Jeanette, all of whom are attending the local schools. The Bridgewater Grange has Mr. and Mrs. Haines as members, and they also belong to the Farm Bureau. Very active in local politics, Mr. Haines has become a leader of the republican forces in this section. There is one grandchild in the family, Elwin Bauer, who was born in 1919.

A. O. Williams. - There is a common history in the life of A. O. Williams of Superior Township with that of his brother. Byron S. Williams, already written and yet he remembers some of the omitted points in family story. He was born December 1, 1867, in Williams

County, a son of William and Mary (Simpson) Williams, and he is authority for the statement that the grandfather, Charles Williams, came from Ireland. He located in Tuscarawas County and here William Williams was born and lived until he came to Superior Township, Williams County. Charles Williams died in Tuscarawas County.

It was in 1848 that William Williams came to Williams County, and the Simpson family into which he married came two years later.. They all lived in Superior Township, and when William Williams married he settled in the same community. Six brothers in the Williams family were soldiers in the Civil war. For sixty years the family has been identified with the Methodist Church in Williams County. A. O. Williams is the oldest son of William Williams. The sister, Harriet, wife of H. K. Brundage, lives near Tallahassee, Florida, and Byron S. Williams lives on the homestead.

As a young man, A. O. Williams worked on his father's farm until he was twenty, and then he sometimes worked by the month for others. On December 31, 1903, he married Demma Hoadley. She is a daughter of Erastus and Sophia (Morris) Hoadley, and was born July 30, 1871, in Florence Township. The father was born in Columbiana and the mother in Mahoning County. They were married in 1855 and! located on a farm in Florence Township. Williams County. Mrs. Williams was reared in Florence Township, and went to school in the same township. When Mr. and Mrs. Williams were married they lived two years in Bridgewater, then came to the farmstead in Superior Township. They have one son, Lindon Roe.

Mrs. Williams is a member of the Christian Church and he is a member of Superior Lodge No. 269, Knights of Pythias. The familyare members of Montpelier Grange No. 2087, and Mr. Williams is its. treasurer. He is also a member of the Montpelier Co-operative Association. In politics he is a republican, and he served as deputy sheriff of Williams County under Albert Youse. He owns a farm of eighty acres in Superior Township, and has put many substantial improvements on it.

Erastus Hoadley, the father of Mrs. A. O. Williams, first came to> Williams County in 1853, two years before he married and settled down two miles east of Edon. He was a soldier in the Civil war from Williams County. When the Lake Shore, now known as the New York Central, Railroad was built, Mr. Hoadley was employed in its construction. Mrs. Hoadley died in 1888 at Edon and he died in 1905, at the family homestead there. The Williams-Hoadley families both belong to pioneer days in Williams County.

George W. Farlee. - The name of George W. Farlee is certainly entitled to special mention in a work of the nature of the one in hand, for he has long been one of the influential citizens and successful farmers of Superior Township, Williams County. A man of forceful individuality and marked initiative power, he has been well equipped for the duties of citizenship, while his probity of character and his genial personality have gained for him universal esteem and friendship in the locality where he has spent the major portion of his active and useful life.

George W. Farlee, whose excellent farm is located in Superior Township, about two miles west of Montpelier, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, on November 22, 1858, and he is the son of Henry and Annie E. (Mathias) Farlee. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, where the father was born on April 26, 1824, and in that state they were reared to maturity and received their educational training. Henry Farlee was the son of Caleb and Annie Farlee. From Pennylvania he and his future wife came to Morrow County, Ohio, with their respective parents and there he completed his education in the common schools. His family were pioneers of that locality. His marriage to Annie E. Mathias occurred in 1857, and in 1864 thej came to Williams County, settling in Northwest Township, where he bought and cleared a farm. Subsequently he sold that place and purchased another farm in the same township. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war. He and his wife were originally members of the Christian Church, but subsequently transferred their membership to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Farlee died on July 7, 1891, and he was survived many years by his widow, whose death occurred on December 29, 1919. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are living, namely: George W., the subject of this sketch; Catherine A., the wife of O. L. Brown, of Conneaut, Ohio ; Sarah J., the wife of Frank Allman, of Superior Township, this county ; Caleb, of Montpelier, and Samuel, of Superior Township.

George W. Farlee was six years old when brought to Williams County by his parents, and his education was received in the district schools of this county. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age and during the latter years of that period he worked by the month on neighboring farms. He has never forsaken the vocation to which he was reared and has demonstrated his ability and knowledge of the best farming methods. After his marriage, which occurred in

1896, Mr. Farlee located on the farm where he now lives and through the subsequent years he has given his undivided attention to its cultivation, keeping up the improvements and maintaining the place at the highest standard of excellence.

On August 6, 1896, Mr. Farlee was married to Alice R. White, who was born on the farm where she still lives, the daughter of Isaiah M. and Lavina E. (Weitz) White. Isaiah M. White was born in Superior Township on May 5, 1842, on that farm, the son of Joseph H. White. The latter was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on October 14. 1806. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and when he was twenty-four years of age, he came to Newhope, Ohio, and there followed his trade. On May 8. 1830, he was married to Rebecca T. Leach, and in 1835 came to Crawford County, Ohio, where he purchased eighty acres of land. In 1839 he sold that land and came to Williams County, entering 160 acres of land, on which he made his home. He was a man of considerable prominence in his community, holding the office of justice of the peace. To him and his wife were born ten children, of which number two are now living, John B. and Isaiah M. White. To each of his sons, Joseph White gave forty acres of his land, the original farm thus having never left the family. On February 7, 1920, Isaiah M. and Lavina White celebrated the fiftyfirst anniversary of their marriage. They are the parents of three children, namely: Alice R., wife of the subject of this sketch; Mertie E., the wife of Alva Shankster, and Cassius O., of Winona, Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Farlee are the parents of one daughter, Anna L., born on October 4, 1903, who is now a student in the Montpelier High School.

Politically, Mr. Farlee has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party and he has taken a deep interest in local public affairs, giving his support to every movement for the advancement of the public welfare. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Montpelier. A man of high moral character, persistent industry and good business ability, Mr. Farlee has stood "four square to every wind that blows," and he occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens.

Homer Peck, proprietor of Corner View Farm in Florence, consisting of 114 acres of well improved land six miles northwest of Montpelier, was born April 30, 1876, in Northwest Township. He is a son of Sanford and Emma (Lamb) Peck, the father a native of Northwest and the mother of Bridgewater townships. They had similar homes and school advantages, and after their marriage they always lived in Northwest Township where they reared their family. Their children are : Homer, who enrolls the family in this history ; Clara, the wife of Oscar Bordner, and Blanche and Goldie.

Homer Peck married Sylvia Rickets. They are members of Christian Union Church, and he is a member of Edon Lodge Knights of Pythias, having filled several of the chairs. His father, Sanford Peck, was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are members of Spring Lake Grange No. 1963, and for four years he served as master of the Grange. He is a member of the Edon Farmers' Co-operative Association, and believes in the upbuilding of the rural community. Mr. Peck is a democrat and for four years he served as trustee of Florence Township.

Mr. Peck is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants State Savings Bank, and he is a director in the Farmers Banking Company of Columbiana. He owns and operates a threshing outfit and is a breeder of Holstein cattle. Mr. Peck is in close touch with the business interests of Williams County.

Frank Burkhart.- - A prominent and enterprising citizen of Edgerton, Frank Burkhart is not only vice president of the Farmers Commercial Bank, but is one of the leading farmers of Williams County, and carries on an extensive business as feeder and shipper of livestock. A son of George Burkhart, he was born, January 12, 1864, in Crawford County, Ohio, of German ancestry.

Tobias Burkhart, his paternal grandfather, was born in Germany, and as a child came with his widowed mother, Dorothea (Beal) Burkhart, to the United States in 1804, settling in Lycemburg, Heppin Township, Pennsylvania. Choosing the free and independent life of a farmer, he came with his family to Ohio a few years after his marriage to Christena Keiss, locating first in Crawford County, but later moving to Williams County, where both he and his wife spent their declining years, his death having occurred in 1876, and hers in 1885.

Born in Pennsylvania, March 22, 1829, George Burkhart came to Crawford County, Ohio, with his parents in 1847, and assisted in the pioneer labor of improving a farm in that locality. In 1870 he settled in St. Joseph Township, Williams County, Ohio, and from that time until his death was identified with the agricultural interests of the community in which he resided. He married Rosanna Songer, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of George Songer, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1815, locating first in Pennsylvania, where he married Catherine Ence, who was born in the Keystone State in 1807, and later moving to Crawford County, Ohio, where both spent the later years of their lives.

Of the union of George and Rossana (Songer) Burkhart several children were born, as follows: Sophia, born July 23, 1854, is the wife of Daniel Mowry ; Joseph, born May 25, 1858, married Lettie Casebeer; Sarah, born January 21, 1861, married Solomon Suffel ; Samuel F., born June 6, 1862, now a farmer in St. Joseph Township, married Lena Landel ; Frank, the special subject of this sketch; Ida, born December 25, 1866, is the wife of Chester Isenhood ; and Anna, born April 4, 1872, is the wife of John Richmond.