Wood County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1897 (part 7 of 17)

Adelbert D. Tuller is one of the leading agriculturists of Center township. His farm, with its tasteful and substantial buildings, its neat fences and general air of thrift and comfort, forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of the township. As a citizen and business man, our subject stands high in the estimation of his neighbors. In the various enterprises inaugurated for the advancement of the community, he has been a cheerful and ready assistant, and takes a lively interest in the progress of the people around him.

Mr. Tuller was born in Liberty township, Delaware Co., Ohio, September 26, 1839, and is a son of Alvin and Elvira (Maynard) Tuller, and brother of Dr. W. M. Tuller, of Bowling Green. His early life was spent after the manner of most farmers' sons, his education being carried on in the district schools during the winter, while in the summer he aided in the work of the fields. He remained with his father until 1864, when he enlisted in Company D, 20th O. V. I., at Delaware. From there the troops proceeded to Camp Chase, then to the Mississippi and Black river. For a time they were stationed at Cairo, 111., and participated in the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Tuller was in all the engagements in which his company took part, and at the close of his service was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky.

On returning to Ohio, our subject worked on the old homestead in Delaware for a time, and then removed to Licking county with his parents, where he operated eighty acres of land. He next went to Franklin county, where he farmed 1 10 acres for fourteen years, at the expiration of which time he came to Wood county, locating in Center township. In connection with the cultivation of the eighty-acre farm belonging to his brother, the Doctor, he also owns eighty acres, which was entirely unimproved at the time of his purchase.

In Delaware county, Ohio, in October, 1867, Mr. Tuller was united in marriage with Martha E. Smith, who was there born on March 27, 1845. She was called to her final reward December 17, 1869, and Mr. Tuller was subsequently wedded to Elizabeth A. Shanholts, of Licking county, born in 1849. Five children graced tbe second union, namely: LeOda, born

April 26, 1872; LeElda, who was born November 12, 1874, and is the wife of Azro Perrin; Linden, born March 23, 1876; Olland, born February 12, 1878; and Worthy R., who died in infancy. The mother of these children died August 10, 1891, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. In politics Mr. Tuller is identified with the Republican party, being a strong believer in its principles. He is numbered among the honest, industrious and enterprising citizens of the township, and is respected throughout the community for his sterling worth and unbounded liberality.

Rufus B. Moore, attorney at law, formerly the junior member of the well-known firm of Parker & Moore, Bowling Green, was born March 30, i860, in Hancock county, Ohio, and is a son of Levi and Margaret (Line) Moore. His father was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1824, and his mother in the same county in 1826. They were married December 1, 1844, and celebrated their golden wedding in 1894, on their farm in Wood county. Mr. Moore, Sr., was reared upon a farm in the north part of Fairfield county, and received his education in the academy at Lythopolis, teaching for one year before his marriage, and for the same length of time afterward. He then entered the ministry of the United Brethren Church, becoming an itinerant, and was presiding elder of Sandusky Conference for a number of years. He was also for a time financial agent of Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio. In pursuit of his calling he made his home at various places, among them being Fostoria, Gabon, Green Springs, Westerville, Elmore, and Bowling Green, retiring from active work about two years ago.

and died at Gabon in 1880; Abda, who is at home with her parents; Flora E., who is a graduate of Otterbein University, married the Rev. P. B. Lee, and lives at White Cloud, Kans. ; Rufus B.; and Cara A., who after teaching in the high schools of Hicksville and Fostoria, is now a stenographer in her brother's law office.

The subject of this sketch was graduated from the high school at Gabon, Ohio, in 1878, with the highest honors of his class, and also with the same grade from Otterbein University, in 1883, where he took a full classical course. His father being in moderate circumstances, Mr. Moore paid nearly all his school expenses by teaching during the vacations, and during part of the school terms. After finishing his college course, he taught for one year in the grammar school at Bowling Green, then going to Cowley county, Kans., where he was superintendent of schools and high-school teacher at Burden for two years. During the summer vacation of 1885, he went out on the western prairies about fifty miles from any railroad, and into a new country, built himself a sod house, and took up a claim of 160 acres from the government, which he duly proved up, and for which he received a deed. In 1886 he returned to Bowling Green and studied law with R. S. Parker, being admitted to the bar in June, 1888, and immediately after formed a partnership with that gentleman under the firm name of Parker & Moore. This partnership was continued until January 1, 1895, when Mr. Moore opened an office, and has since been doing business for himself. In the spring of 1887 he was elected township clerk, and has been re-elected at the end of each term ever since. In the spring of 1892 he was elected city solicitor of Bowling Green, and is now serving his third term in that office, having been re-elected in 1894 and 1896. He is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence and business ability, and in the important positions he has held has gained the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He is popular with all classes of society, and has a brilliant future before him.

Mr. Moore was married January 1, 1889, to Miss May Rudolph, youngest daughter of J. R. and Mary Rudolph, who was born in Wood county, May 5, 1864, and died February 19, 1896. They have three children: Murton R.,

Donald R., and Harold B. In politics Mr. Moore is a Republican, and fraternally belongs to the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. He is a member of the United Brethren Church of Bowling Green, and does his share in supporting all public and philanthropic enterprises.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Levi Moore, was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1779, and came to Ohio in 1799. He married Miss Sarah Bright, and his sister Debbie became the wife of Major Bright, whose descendants are numerous in Hancock county. Levi Moore settled near the present site of the city of Columbus; removing from there to the northern part of Fairfield county, he took up land which is still in possession of the family. He died in 1858, and his wife in 1861. The Moore family is of English descent.

George Knauss. The history of this leading farmer and prominent citizen of Plain township, if written out in full would be an interesting story of the trials and hardships of pioneer life in the early days of this great State, and also an illustration of what may be accomplished by a string will and persistent energy in the face of all obstacles.

Mr. Knauss was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 21, 1830, and when a young man of eighteen years came with his parents to America. He had obtained a good education in the excellent schools of his native land, but could not speak a word of English. On November 23, 1852, he was married to Miss Catharine Hirsch, also a native of Germany, bom. May 23, 1829. They settled on a rented farm in Medina county, Ohio, and from there came, in 1854, to Wood county, where our subject worked for his father for two years, receiving for his services thirtythree and one-half acres of land. On this the young couple settled in a log house which Mr. Knauss built, and then the hard work of his life began. During the daytime he worked for neighboring farmers at fifty cents a day, and at night cleared his own land, and made such improvements as he was able. Many a time the sound of his axe was heard, while the blaze of his fire, burning the brush, was seen long after midnight, and daylight of the next morning found him up and ready to go to work again for the small pittance which supported himself and wife.

In 1856 Mr. Knauss rented a piece of prairie land, broke it up, and raised a good crop by which he cleared $600. This was his first real start in life, and this money was made under the greatest difficulties, for he was afflicted with that scourge of the early settlers, chills and fever, and worked straight on when really not able to be on his feet. Often when his wife brought his dinner to the field, so that he could eat while the ox-team was feeding, she would find him lying on the ground too sick to taste the food. Yet in spite of all this he persevered, and soon was on the high road to prosperity. A man with such pluck and endurance is bound to win in the end; and now Mr. Knauss, with his fine farm of 500 acres, his handsome home, one of the best in the county, and filled with all the comforts and lux- - uries one could wish - surrounded by affectionate children and grandchildren, and with the loving companionship of his faithful wife who with him has borne the burden of care - can look back upon the hardships of his early years with complacency, and spend the remainder of his days in peace and contentment.

Ten children have blessed this happy home, of whom the following record is given: (1) Katie W., bom September 5, 1853, is the wife of August Kaeding; they have seven children - George, Martin, Bertha, Edward, Adolph, Minnie, and Meta L. (2) George G., bom May 23, 1855, is unmarried, and lives with his parents. (3) Mary J., born October 13, 1857, is the wife of John Hilt, of Fremont, Ohio, and has two children - George and Theodore. (4) Matilda B. , born December 16, 1859, is the widow of William Friedrich. (5) Adolph C., born March 9, 1862, married Mary Knettle (they live in Wood county, and have one child, Katie). (6) Anna E. , born November 20, 1864. (7) Fred C., born May 13, 1867. (8) Helena C., born December r6, 1869, married James Brim, and they have three children - Walter, Ethel and Mabel. (9) Louise M., born February 2, 1873, died July 2 r , 1875. (10) Bertha O. L. , born February 9, 1876. These children are all members of the Lutheran Church, and were'educated in the district school.

Our subject's parents were George and Elizabeth (Barbera) Knauss, both born in Wurtemberg, Germany, the former on January 23, 1803, and the latter on February 12, 1809. They were married in Germany, and came to America in 1848, locating first in Medina county, Ohio, and in 1854 removing to Wood county, where the father died at Bowling Green April 10, 1879, and the mother on October 29, 1880. Fifteen children were bom to them, of whom five grew to> maturity, as follows: George, the subject of this sketch; John, a farmer in Wood county; Amelia, wife of C. Heiser, of Riga, Mich. ; Paulina, married to Levi Linegar, and living in Nebraska; Gilbert, a farmer in Wood county.

Mr. Knauss is known throughout the county as a progressive, public-spirited man, in favor of public enterprises, and always ready to assist in projects for the welfare of the people. He was the chief advocate of the stone road north of Bowling Green, and contributed time and money for building the same. He gives it as his opinion that the chief reason why the German born citizens, who located in this part of Ohio, have outstripped the native-born farmers in the accumulation of wealth, is because of the superior education of the Germans in agricultural matters, they having a better knowledge of the proper methods of tilling the soil, drainage, etc., and being able to make their land produce all it is capable of. Mr. Knauss is a well-informed man, a capable manager, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. In his political predilections he is a Democrat, but in voting he selects the man who, in his estimation, is best fitted for the place. He and his family are all members of the Lutheran Church.

Joseph E. Baird, clerk of the courts of Wood county, and one of the most courteous and popular officials at the county seat, was born November 12, 1865, at Perrysburg, where his parents still reside. Proud of being a "Wood county product," he has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of this locality, and in return the community has bestowed upon him a hearty indorsement at the very outset of his career.

C. C. Baird, his father, was born in 1830 in Stark county, Ohio, and came at an early age with his parents to Wood county, where he grew to manhood. He engaged in the hotel business at Perrysburg, and has also been prominent in the political work of the Republican party, holding various offices, from constable to sheriff of the county. He was elected to the latter position in 1872, and served for two terms, after which he returned to Perrysburg. In 1858 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Croft, who was born at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1838.

own exertions for an education, and was still further handicapped by the loss of a leg when he was ten years of age. But his worthy ambition was supported by fine mental gifts, and the resistless energy which a life of high moral ideals and correct habits develops, and he triumphed over every obstacle. After graduating from the high school at his native place, he taught for some years with marked success, was also assessor for two terms in his township, being elected on the Republican ticket in a strongly Democratic neighborhood. Entering the Law department of the University of Michigan, he was graduated therefrom in 1893. In August of that year he became the candidate of his party for his present position, and three months later was elected by 1,638 majority, being 319 more votes than were cast in his county for the head of the ticket, Governor McKinley. His native town usually gives a Democratic majority of 175, but he carried it by 275 votes. The universal esteem in which he is held is largely due to his excellent principles and good habits, as well as to his recognized talents. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P., and the I. O. O. F. lodges, both of Perrysburg.

Lewis C. Edgar, attorney at law, and the popular mayor of Prairie Depot, Montgomery township, was born iu Stark county, Ohio, December 18, 1846, and was a child of two years when his parents came to Wood county. Robert Edgar, the father of our subject, was born in Cork, Ireland, and came to America when eight years old. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Jeannette Perrine, a lady of Scotch extraction. He was a poor man, and made his living by his trade, which was that of a carpenter, when he settled in Section 13, Montgomery township; later he came to Prairie Depot, where he died at about the age of eighty; his wife passed away when over seventy-six years old. They were the parents of thirteen children, our subject being the youngest, all but one living to maturity. In politics Robert Edgar was first a Whig, later a Republican.

Our subject received a limited education. He lived at home until his enlistment in January, 1 864, when but a little over seventeen years old, at Freeport, in Company C, 72nd O. V. I., under Capt. Samuel J. Snyder. The first engagement was at Paducah, Ky., and the next with Sturgis' raid, in which our subject was taken prisoner near Ripley, Miss., and conveyed to Andersonville and other Southern prisons, where he remained nine months. He was then paroled and went to Camp Chase, where he was discharged in June, 1865. Returning to Prarie Depot, he attended a select school, later going to Lebanon, Ohio, where he taught for awhile, and then attended school for two terms at Oberlin. In all he taught for thirty-five terms, eighteen of which were at Prarie Depot, and all, with the exception of one, in Wood county. In 1873, Mr. Edgar began to read law with Lockwood & Everett, in Toledo, and later with Haines & Price. His study was interrupted by his teaching, but, in 1880, he resumed his reading with Brown & Guernsey, of Fostoria, and in the spring of 1882 was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Bowling Green, where he remained until 1887, when he returned to Prairie Depot, and has lived and practiced there ever since.

On January 2, 1876, Mr. Edgar was married, in Montgomery township, to Miss Ida Gould, who was born in Scott township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, August 29, 1855, a daughter of John and Harriet (Cook) Gould. Mr. Edgar is a Republican; in his younger days was clerk of Montgomery township, and also served as a member of the board of education. In 1889 he was appointed mayor to fill an unexpired term, and with the exception of one term, has served continuously since. He is a charter member of Petroleum Lodge No. 499, K. of P., at Prairie Depot, and he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, in which he is an elder, and she is superintendent of the Mission Band. She is also a member of the Y. P. S. C. E. , and the C. W. B. of M. Mr. Edgar gives his entire attention to his professional and official business.

W. J. White, secretary and treasurer of the Zihlmann Glass Company, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, May 28, 1864. His parents, William and Mary (Schindler) White, were both born in Ohio, the father dying in Monroe county when our subject was about five years old. Mrs. White resides at Switzer, in the same county. To this couple were born three children, namely: Our subject, W. J.; Charles E. , who lives at Switzer; Tillie C. , who married C. E. Smith, and lives in Cumberland, Maryland.

Mr. White remained in Monroe county until eleven years old, when, being obliged to make a living, he went to Powhatan, and clerked in a store during the summer and attended school in the winter. He learned the German language, which he reads and speaks as well as he does English. In 1886 he gave up his position in Powhatan and went to Cumberland, Md. , where he secured a situation as shipping clerk in the

Cumberland glass factory. He stayed with that company until the Zihlmann Glass Company was incorporated, in 1889, when he came to North Baltimore and accepted the position of shipping clerk. He soon proved himself to be a capable, energetic business man and was rapidly promoted to various offices until, in 1892, he was given the responsible position of secretary and treasurer, besides attending directly to the shipping, which is quite extensive, as they ship material all over the United States, to Canada and to Mexico. Mr, White is not married. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encampment, and the Canton Alpine, of Bowling Green. He is also captain of Co. K, 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guards, and the company's success and prosperity are largely due to his energies in its behalf. Mr. White is a thoroughly competent business man, and has the entire confidence of his employers. He is a director in the Zihlmann Glass Company, and also is one of the owners of the Columbia drug store, which is d»ing a flourishing business.

Mr. White's grandfather lived for awhile in Rome, Italy, where he spent his childhood. He was a butcher by trade, and died in Monroe county, Ohio. The maternal grandparents were from Switzerland, and the grandmother died at the extraordinary age of one hundred and four years. Mr. White is a leader in society, where his sincerity and genial nature have made him popular with all with whom he comes in contact.

James G. Hickox, the well-known and popular cashier of the Exchange Bank of Bowling Green, one of the oldest and most reliable financial institutions of northern Ohio, was born in Washington, Conn., August 9, 1861, son of C. L. and Mary R. (Grant) Hickox. Our subject's early education was obtained in the schools of his native town. Coming west in 1881, he found congenial employment in Toledo, Ohio, with the banking firm of Raymer, Seagrave & Co., and later with the First National Bank of Toledo, with which he was connected for some years. Seeing an opening in the real-estate and loan business with George Ketcham & Co., he invested his means with that firm, and, resigning his position in the bank, gave his attention to their interests.

On July 1, 1890, he became connected with the Exchange Bank at Bowling Green, as partner and cashier, and his energy, experience and ability have contributed largely to the growth and development of its already extensive business.

Genial, cultured, and possessed of admirable social traits, Mr. Hickox is popular with all classes. He is a ready and influential supporter of any progressive movement in his locality, taking special interest at present in the Wood County Fair Association, of which he is treasurer, and a leading stockholder.

William W. Dunipace, ex-commissioner of Wood county and a well-known pioneer of Webster township, residing near Scotch Ridge, is a native of Wood county, born in Webster township January 7, 1842. He is of Scotch descent; his grandfather, William Dunipace, was born in Scotland, and Robert Dunipace, our subject's father, was born in 1809, near Edinburgh, in Cregtnille castle.

In 1834 Robert Dunipace emigrated to the United States, and for four years resided at Perrysburg, building boats for Lake Erie and the Maumee river. He moved to Webster township about 1839, where he entered 160 acres of land, which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. He married Jane Muir, a native of Scotland, and had eleven children, of whom our subject is the eldest living. Of the others, the survivors are Margaret, Robert, Samuel, and Jane; Mary, Mary P. , James, John and George are deceased. John died April 20, 1871, from injuries received while in defense of the Union cause, having served in Company I, 144th O. V. I. Our subject's parents were faithful and consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church, to which our subject and his family also adhere. The father was for many years an elder in the Church. He was an influential Whig in early days, and took part in the great mass meeting at Fort Meigs. An honest, industrious, kindly man, his death in February, 1882, was deeply lamented by the entire community.

William W. Dunipace began his education in a log school house in his district wjth Miss Martha Gilbert for his first teacher. June 30, 1863, he enlisted in Company D, 86th O. V. I., Capt. John H. Reed commanding. His first service was in Morgan's raid, when he took part in the capture of John Morgan, and acted as guardsman on the way to Columbus. His regiment was later assigned to the force under Gen. Burnside, and was at the surrender of Cumberland Gap, September 9, 1863. Mr. Dunipace was discharged at the expiration of his term of service, being mustered out with his company February 10, 1864, returned home, and for some time attended the Normal School at Maumee. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and began the construction of bridges on contract in different parts of the county. He taught school in 1 868, and the same year he bought eighty acres of land in Webster township, to which he has since added until he owns 180 acres of choice land, chiefly devoted to stock raising.

On December 31, 1868, he married Miss Lizzie Adams, who was born in Montgomery township, Wood county, September 20, 1845. Her parents were Thomas and Mary (McGill) Adams, who came from Scotland in 1831 and settled upon a farm of 240 acres in Montgomery township, where Mr. Adams died in 1878, his wife surviving him until 1891. They had eleven children: James, John, Robert and Jennie (twins), Lizzie, Helen, Cornelius, Thomas, George, Frank and Minnie.

teacher in Montgomery township; Robert, February 16, 1872, is a student at Ada, Ohio; John, August 20, 1874, a graduate of the Fostoria Academy, is now engaged in teaching; Bertha, January 30, 1878, William, October 10, 1879, Hazel, December 19, 1886, Harley, April 8, 1888, are all at home; and George, who was born October 22, 1884, died at the age of three years. Mr. Dunipace possesses the honesty, energy and thrift so characteristic of his race, and stands high in the esteem of his neighbors. He has held various offices, having been township clerk, school director, member of the board of education, assessor, and in 1886 was elected county commissioner on the Greenback ticket. He is now a Populist in politics. He belongs to the G. A. R., Benedict Post, of Pemberville.

William Perrin, deceased. In a brief sketch of any living citizen it is difficult to do him exact and impartial justice, not so much, however, from lack of space or words to set forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for want of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, develops and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its true and best flavor only when it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with a man so familiarizes us with his many virtues that we ordinarily overlook them, and commonly underestimate their possessor. Nevertheless, while the man passes away his deeds of virtue live on, and will in due time bear fruit, and do him the justice which the pen fails to record.

most prominent farmers of Center township, was born in Madison township, Franklin Co., Ohio, January 1, 1816. His father, Joseph Perrin, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, where he wedded Mary Fletcher, and from there, in 1812, rode to Franklin county, Ohio, on horseback. They were the parents of the following children: Barbara, Jacob, Jonathan, John, Susan, Mary and William, all of whom have passed away, except Susan, and the father and mother both died in Franklin county; the former was drowned.

Our subject was but eight months old when his father died, and he was adopted by his uncle, William Perrin, who gave him good educational advantages. On his farm William grew to manhood, aiding in its cultivation, and caring for his uncle during his declining years. For several years after the latter's death he still continued the operation of that farm. On November 14, 1839, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Breckenridge, and to them were born five daughters: Margaret J., born October 28, 1840; Eliza

J., born May 16, 1847, now the wife of A, B. Ebright, of Columbus, Ohio; Susan, born July 29, 1850, now the wife of P. H. Stevenson; Theresa A., born July 31, 1853, now the widow of William Wade; and Mary A., born December 1, 1856. The mother of this family died May 29, 1858, and for his second wife Mr. Perrin chose Miss Rhoda M. Needels, who was born April 28, 1833, a daughter of James Needels, a farmer of Madison township, Franklin Co., Ohio. By this marriage there were six children, namely: William, born September 3, i860, and died in 1861; Sarah W., born October 13, 1863, now the wife of John Ralston, by whom she has a son, Le Roy, born in 1892; Frank F. , born February 8, 1865, a farmer of New Mexico; Azro S., born September 15, 1868, and married Le Elda Tuller, by whom he has one child, Ray T. ; Jonathan A., an oil operator, born February 13, 1871, and married to Mary English; and Minnie R., born April 21, 1874.

In 1 866, Mr. Perrin disposed of his property in Franklin county, and removed with his family to Center township, Wood county, where he purchased 320 acres of partially improved land, which he ditched, tiled and fenced, making it one of the most valuable tracts in the township. Besides his own fine residence he erected two other dwellings upon the place, and gave a large portion of his farm to his children, though his widow still retains forty acres, the cultivation of which she superintends. The cause of education ever found in Mr. Perrin a warm friend and supporter, he donating the land for a school house near his home, also furnishing the stone for the foundation, and superintending the construction of the building. For several years he held the office of supervisor, and was also trustee of his township. He was a man of progressive and enterprising ideas, which he endeavored to carry out, and gave his support to all objects calculated to benefit his township or county. He laid aside life's cares after a pure, honorable and useful career, actuated by unselfish motives, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice, passing away March 25, 1895, leaving a loving wife and children to mourn the departure of a kind and indulgent husband and father. His death was deeply regretted throughout the county, for he was widely and favorably known. His political support was given to the Republican party. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member for over fifty-one years.

F., a farmer of Franklin county, Ohio; Curtis L. , of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Perrin; Mrs. Rebecca E. Brown, of Franklin county; Mrs. Mary Ann Brown, of Franklin county; Mrs. Jennie L. Wilkins, of Wapakoneta, Ohio; and Mrs. Lizzie N. Kile, of Columbus. The parents, James and Sarah A. (Stevenson) Needles, were both born in Franklin county, Ohio, the former in 1808. They died in 1 860, and December 4, 1 874, respectively. Philemon Needels, his father, was born in Delaware, and when a young man settled in Franklin county, where he owned a large property. Mrs. Perrins' parents were noted for their purity and good deeds. Their industry and economy brought forth abundant fruit, hence there was a competency during their lives, and a heritage for their children.

Mrs. Perrin spent two years at Delaware (Ohio) Wesleyan Female College, thus laying the foundation for an intelligent, useful life. She has never ceased to be a student. What she learned last year did not satisfy her. She is up to the times, and takes an interest in the advancement and enterprise of the day. When she came to this vicinity there was no school, Sabbath-school or literary priviliges. Mr. Perrin's efforts were ably seconded by her to secure a school district, and the first election of officers was held in her best room. When the school house was completed, she did not cease her efforts until there was Sabbath school, and no assistance she could give was ever considered grievous. Through shade and shine she was in her place, doing anything assigned her, teaching infant or Bible class, or in the absence of the superintendent, filling his office creditably. Her work has not been a failure.

When her children and others were advanced far enough to be benefited by literary exercises, she urged the young people to organize for that purpose, and at their request wrote a constitution and by-laws for them, became a member, and made it a rule to be prepared for any duty assigned her. In her reading, if she saw anything either in poetry or prose suitable for any one to read or speak, it was carefully put by. The young lSdies and gentlemen soon learned where the supply might be found, and the smaller ones where to get good pieces. ' ' Little acts of kindness, little deeds of love," have been the factors which have bound old and young in loving cords to their friend and neighbor. She is an humble follower of Christ, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since she was eleven years of age. Her children rise up and call her blessed.

B. F. Davis, M'. D., a prominent physician and druggist, of Tontogany, was born at Painted Post, Steuben Co., N. Y., October 11, .1836, of old New England stock - his great-grandfather Davis, and grandfather, Arthur Davis, having both been born in Rhode Island.

J. P. Davis, father of our subject, was a native of Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., born in 1810. There he married Miss Mary Darby, who was born in December, 1809, near New Berlin, N. Y. , a daughter of Rufus Darby, a farmer who was of English and Scotch ancestry, although her family had long been residents of New England. * For some years after their marriage, our subject's parents lived on a farm at Painted Post, and in 1837 they came to Ohio, settling on an eighty-acre farm near South Bloomfield, Morrow county Here Mrs. Davis died in 1859, leaving seven children, namely: B. F., our subject; Harriet E., since deceased, who married N. H. Patton, of Bryan, Ohio; William R., living in retirement at Traer, Iowa; Arnold, who was a soldier during the Civil war in the 20th Regiment, O. V. I., was killed at Atlanta, and buried there in the National Cemetery; Albert L., deceased, who graduated in the Medical Department at Ann Arbor in 1871, and was in practice with our subject until his death, in January, 1877, when he was aged thirty years; Morgan, residing at Mount Liberty, Ohio; and Malon R., a traveling salesman and resident of Toledo. By Mr. Davis' second marriage with Miss Joanna Bishop, three children were born: Minnie, the wife of N. D. Huddleston; Cora Converse; and Ella. In 1864, J. P.

Davis moved to Mount Liberty, where he died three years later. Politically he was a Democrat until the Slavery question became a party issue, when he joined the Republican ranks.

Our subject attended the district schools until he was sixteen, and then a select school at Centerburg. At the age of nineteen he began to teach, and afterward studied one term in college at Iberia, Ohio, and one term in Delaware. In the spring of 1859 he entered the office of Drs. Russell & Thompson, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he studied medicine, and then in the winter of 1861-62 attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and the winter of 1862-63, at Starling Medical College, Columbus, graduating in February, 1863. In 1861 he enlisted in the threemonths' service, in Company B, 4th O. V. I., Capt. H. B. Banning (afterward a general) commanding, and in the fall of 1862, when Cincinnati was threatened by Kirby Smith, he was one of the -'Squirrel Hunters." On March 11, 1863, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 44th Regiment, O. V. I., which served in the 23d Army Corps, under Gen. Scofield, Gen. Burnside commanding the department. In February, 1864, the regiment veteranized, and was made the 8th O. V. C., after which it served in the Lynchburg raid under Gen. Averill, and took part in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, under Sheridan. The Doctor was at the battle of Winchester, and was an eye-witness of the historic ride which turned at Cedar Creek the fortunes of the day. Part of his regiment was captured at Beverly, W. Va., in January, 1865, taken to Richmond, and released on parole. On being mustered out in 1865 Dr. Davis located in Tontogany, and has since followed his profession with marked success. In 1872 he and his brother opened a drug store in Tontogany, conducting the same jointly until the death of the latter in 1877, after which our subject carried it on alone till the fall of that year when R. J. Collin became associated with him in business, under the firm name of Davis & Collin.

Dr. Davis has been twice married, first in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth White, who was born in Delaware county, in 1846. She died in 1878 leaving three children, the first born having died in infancy. The names and dates of birth of the younger three are: Hattie E. , born August 1 1,

1870; Frederick W. , March 7, 1873; and Bernard Francis, July 22, 1875. Dr. Davis married, second, Mrs. Sarah A. (Carpenter) Ross, who was born in Maumee in 1845. In politics the Doctor is a Republican, and he is an influential worker in all measures for local improvements. He is a

Le Roy Van Tassel. From Holland to America came the founders of the Van Tassel family in 1795, and settled in the beautiful valley of the Hudson, where their descendants lived for several generations. Luke Van Tassel, the father of our subject, was born on the banks of that river, and at the age of seventeen years became a fifer boy in the war of 1812. He subsequently removed to Lorain county, Ohio, afterward to Indiana, and was engaged in making castor oil, and later became a resident of Wood county. In 1836 he took up his residence in Plain township, near Bowling Green, whence he removed to Missionary Station farm. He afterward lived at Waterville, and later at Turkey Foot Creek for two years; also two years on the Hedges farm. In 1849, he purchased sixty acres, on which our subject now resides. He was married in 1818, at Chautauqua, N. Y. , to Sallie Richmond, and they became the parents of eleven children, namely: Amelia, first the wife of Francis T. Lane, deceased, then the wife, of A. H. Plant, deceased; Lyman; Ann, wife of Josiah Kuder; Silas, of McClure, Ohio; Isaac, and Olive, deceased; Harriet, wife of Hiram West; Sidney; Le Roy; Luman and Reuben. The father of the subject of this sketch died December 2, 1869, on the farm in Washington, township, and the mother on September 29, 1894.

Our subject was born in Lorain county, Ohio, May u, 1834, and was educated in the district schools. He became a mechanical engineer, and for fifteen years was employed as head sawyer in some of the principal sawmills of his and adjoining counties. The pursuits of civil life, however, were interrupted May 2, 1864, by his service as a member of Company B, 144th Regiment, O. V. I., in the Civil war. He was discharged on August 31, following, and on his return home engaged in farming.

1863, now the wife of James McWilliams, by whom she has three children ; Willard, bom October 10, 1864, is a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Helen, deceased; Effie J. , born October 4, 1867, now the wife of William Hariman; Laura E., born February 8, 1869; Florence, born September 27, 1870, wife of Herbin Gill; and Lulu, born December 24, 1889.

of education, and for six years served as school director. He is a member of the Grange, of which he served as master one year, and chaplain two years. In politics he is a Republican, and socially is connected with Neibling Post, No. 20, G. A. R. , of Weston. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are most highly esteemed people. They have a pleasant home in the midst of a highly improved farm, and their friends throughout the community are many.

William W. Hariman, who married their third daughter, was born in Plain township, July 25, 1854, and is the only son of Jonathan and Ann (Wickham) Hariman. In 1890 the marriage of the young couple was celebrated, and their union is now blessed with two children - John L., born January 22, 1891; and Homer L., born August 3, 1893. In 1891 Mr. Hariman purchased his present farm of forty acres, which has been tiled and drained, and is now a very valuable property. He is a member of Kenilworth Lodge, K. of P., of Weston, and a Democrat in politics. He and his wife attend the United Brethren Church.

Charles O. Ireland, a reliable and intelligent young agriculturist of Liberty township, residing in Section 25, was born in that township in 1 869. His parents, Thomas and Laura (Newberry) Ireland, were born, reared and married in Clermont county, Ohio, whence in 1864 they removed to Liberty township, Wood county, where the father purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, which he at once began to develop, making his home thereon until his death, in 1884. In politics he was a Democrat, and served his township as supervisor; in religious belief he was a faithful member of the Disciples Church. His widow still lives on the old homestead. Their family comprised six children: Mrs. Nancy Steel, of Liberty township; Edward, who died in Clermont county; George, who is married, and makes his home in Liberty township; Alex, who died in that township in 1866; Charles O. ; and Mrs. Mary Schrader, who resides on the old home farm.

The subject of this sketch has spent his entire life in Liberty township, and received the rudiments of his education in the district schools, which he has supplemented by considerable reading, and is well posted on the current topics of the day. He is the owner of a good farm of twenty acres of highly productive and fertile land, which by industry and good management he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

In 1888, in Liberty township, Mr. Ireland was married to Mrs. Sarah R. Robinson, widow of Joseph Robinson. She was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. M. Lang, of Liberty township. Mr. Ireland has never taken a very active part in politics, although keeping well informed upon matters of general interest, and uniformly voting the straight Democratic ticket. Socially he is a member of Wingston Lodge No. 553, K. of P., and he is classed among the most respected representative citizens of the community.

The Spencer family originated in England, and the ancestors of the American branch came to this country in Colonial times. William Spencer, our subject's great-great-grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war on the side of the colonies, and afterward settled in New Jersey where he passed the remaining years of his life. His son Nathan, and grandson John, the grandfather of our subject, were lifelong residents of New Jersey.

Nathan Spencer, the father of our subject, was born there in 1817, and in early manhood removed to New York State, where he married Miss Louise Barhite, a native of Schenectady, N. Y., born in 1822. He came with his family to Ohio, in 1848, locating in Huron county, and there his wife died in 1850. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and stanch Abolitionists. During the days of the " Underground Railroad" they fed and helped many an escaping slave on his way to Canada, and Mr. Spencer was an influential worker in the Republican party from its beginning. He died in Olena, Huron county, in February, 1888. Our subject was the second of a family of three children. Melissa, the eldest, married Lewis Toan, of Weston, and died in 1892. The youngest, Mary, is the wife of Randall West, of Little Sioux, Iowa.

George B. Spencer's boyhood was passed in Huron county, where he availed himself of the educational advantages offered by the district schools. In September, 1861, when but little over sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company F, 3rd O. V. C., and served three years and two months, receiving his discharge in November, 1864, before he was twenty. He served in the army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, and many minor engagements. He was captured three times and. twice escaped from the hands of the enemy. On January 15, 1863, he was captured by Morgan's men, and was paroled by Morgan. He still retains the parole he received from him, as a relic of those stormy days. In the Kilpatrick raid around Atlanta, in 1864, he received a slight wound while charging a bridge, and he had several close calls during the course of his service; at Stone River his cap was shot off, and on another occasion bullets pierced his clothing.

After his return from the war he entered Oberlin College, where he remained one year, and then began the study of medicine with Dr. Sykes, of Plymouth, Richland county. He finished his professional course, in Western Reserve Medical College, graduating in 1 8 67 with honors, being made valedictorian of his class. He at once engaged in practice, first in Tiffin, where he spent a year and a half, and later in Shiloh, Richland county. In 1870 he located permanently in Weston. Here he soon became popular, not only as a physician but as a citizen, and he has held different offices of public trust. He has taken great interest in local and educational affairs, having been a member of the Weston board of education, member of the council, a county school examiner for nine years, and for the past three years clerk of the school board. He has been a trustee of the cemetery at Weston for some time, and is now clerk of the board, and takes considerable pride in fitting it up and improving it; an ornamental fountain has recently been erected there through his exertions, and he is at this time working for the erection of a soldiers' monument, that will be not only an honor to all soldiers, but a splendid ornament to the cemetery. In the fall of 1 887 the Doctor was elected a member of the Legislature for Wood county, an office which he filled for two terms with fidelity and ability. He was chairman of the committee that built the Soldiers' Home at Sandusky, and was secretary of the committee on insane asylums during both terms.

In 1868, Dr. Spencer married Miss Sarah K. Strong, who was born in Plymouth, Ohio, June 1, 1849. They have three children: William H., the eldest, graduated in pharmacy from the State University at Columbus, was married in 1893 to Miss Rena La Dow, of Plymouth, Ohio, and now conducts a drug store at Oberlin; George, who was married in 1893 to Miss Grace Pugh; and Mary. Dr. Spencer is a broadminded man, taking an intelligent interest in all the questions and movements of the day. He is a member of the Wood County Medical Society, and, being a member and health officer of the board of health of his village, meets every year with the Ohio State board of health. Socially, he affiliates with Kenilworth Lodge No. 340, K. of P., with Weston Lodge No. 560, A. F. & A. M., and with Neibling Post No. 20, G. A. R., Weston, of which he was second commander, serving two years in that capacity. He has been taking considerable interest in horticulture for several years, and now has a fine fruit orchard of ten acres just north of town. He was for several years editor of the Weston Free Press , a weekly newspaper, and gained quite a reputation as a writer of comic sketches and locals.

Philip W. HEYMANN.a prominent retired agriculturist of Grand Rapids township, Wood county, was born June 22, 1822, in the village of Kaltenholtzhousen, Province of Nassau, Germany.

Mr. Heymann received his education in his native land, and, in 1847, came alone to America, the voyage, which occupied fifty-two days, being made in a sailing vessel. He landed at New York with but two dollars in cash, he having loaned a friend on board the vessel some forty dollars, which, by the way, was never returned. In New York, however, Mr. Heymann found a friend of whom he borrowed eight dollars, and with this small sum he was enabled to travel west to Sandusky City, Ohio, from there proceeding to Huron county, where, in Lyme township, he bought on credit a farm of 198 acres, which he improved. In the following year his parents, John G. and Mary (Opperman)- Heymann, emigrated to this country, bringing with them the rest of their family, and twenty-five hundred dollars in cash, with which the father bought a farm in Lyme township. Here the parents passed the rest of their pioneer lives, the mother dying in 1872, the father nine years later. They were leading members of the German Reformed Church. Their family numbered ten children, as follows: Jeannette, Anna, Philip W. (our subject), William, George, Henry, John P., Catherine, William F., and Margaret, all yet living except Jeannette, Anna, William and Margaret.

When the subject of these lines left the parental roof, in 1852, his father gave him a team and two hundred dollars, and bringing his wife and two children (for in the meantime he had married) Philip came to Wood county, settling on his present farm of 160 acres in Weston (now Grand Rapids) township, at that time all unim- proved woodland. Their first home in this wild spot was a little log cabin, with neither doors nor windows, and from this humble beginning Mr. Heymann has evolved a valuable estate, having ditched and tiled it thoroughly, planted thereon a fruitful orchard, and erected commodious and comfortable buildings. He and his worthy wife reared their family of children well, and helped each to secure nice homes, Mr. Heymann preferring to do so during his lifetime, and when his children really needed such aid, to allowing them to wait until his death, at which time the property would be divided up, though, it may be added, he has still a good residue to leave. He now enjoys a well-earned leisure, leaving to others the active work of his estate.

On October 9, 1849, Philip W. Heymann was married at Sandusky City to Miss Mary Morehead, who was born October 9, 1832, a daughter of George Morehead, one of the early settlers of Huron county, born in January, 1795, in Harrison county, W. Va. When a mere boy of seventeen Mr. Morehead enlisted under Gen. Harrison in the struggle of that day with the British and Indians along the Maumee river, but was taken ill and sent home. He married Miss Charity Patton, and by her had three children: Mary (Mrs. Heymann), Emily (wife of Joseph Morris, of Nebraska), and Andrew J. (a prominent resident of Huron county). Mr. and Mrs. Heymann have had five children: (1) Louisa, born August 18, 1850, married to Willian Ross, of Weston township. (2) G. Albert, born November 5, 1851, is a farmer of Grand Rapids township; he married Sarah Dull, who died December n, 1888, the mother of four children; G. Albert afterward married Kirs. Jennie Pratt, a widow, and by her has one son. (3) Lester W. , born August 17, 1857, is also a farmer in Grand Rapids township; he married Stella Roland, and has four children. (4) Anna L., born August 18, 1859, died at the age of eighteen; and (5) Flora May, born March 14, 1862, is the wife of J. F. McKee, a prominent resident of Grand Rapids township.

Mr. Heymann is one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens of his locality, and by his integrity, geniality and good judgment has won the friendship and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. He has been school director for a number of years, and is a ready and generous promoter of any worthy cause. In politics he was originally a Democrat, afterward becoming a Republican, but of late years has been a stanch Prohibitionist. In Germany he served in the German army four years. Ever liberal supporters of the United Brethren in Christ, he and his good wife are unceasing in their works of philanthrophy and charity, and none stand higher in the estimation of the community in which they live.

Henry C. Fearnside. One does not have to carry his investigations far in the Wood county history to find that the Fearnside family has been prominent in its development and upbuilding, and a worthy representative of this family is the present subject of our sketch. He was bom in the town of Washington Hollow, Dutchess Co., N. Y., October 20, 1833, and is a son of Thomas and Ellen (Robinson) Fearnside. His father was born near Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1792, was a self-educated man, and possessed superior business ability. He worked in a woolenmill, owned and operated by his father, until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Scotland and was employed by his uncle, Benjamin Fearnside. His wife was born in Fochabers, in 1795. In connection with his brother, Mr. Fearnside rented and operated a factory for the manufacture of woolen goods. About 1821 he went to Liverpool, and took passage on a sailing vessel bound for New York. When out only a few days they encountered a severe storm, and the ship lost most of its rigging; but after a long and perilous voyage of ninety days they reached their destination. The food supply, however, gave out, and the passengers for some time only had one biscuit per day. Mr. Fearnside rented a building on Manhattan Island, where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. He was there joined by his wife and family a year later, and carried on business for about six years, when he removed to Glenham, N. Y. , and later to Dutchess county. Subsequently he went to Clark county, Ohio, and prepared a home for his family, who came to the West a year later. After seven years he removed to Wood county, and purchased 105 acres of wild land in Liberty township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He passed away in January, 1871, and his wife died May 4, 1889.

died in California; Mrs. Martha J. Corey, of Urbana, Ohio; James, of Michigan; William, who died in southern Illinois; George, a merchant of Oregon; Hannah, who became the wife of Henry Haskins, and died in Kendallville, Ind.; John, of Toledo, Ohio; Henry C. ; and Benjamin, who died at the age of two years. Our subject was a youth of fifteen when his parents came to Wood county. No event of special importance occurred in his childhood, and he remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated in Liberty township, April 25, 1865, Miss Anna E. Sizer, of Huron county, Ohio, becoming his wife. She traces her ancestry back to Antonio de Sozier, who located in Massachusetts soon after the landing of the Pilgrims. The orthography of the name was changed to its present form by the Massachusetts Legislature.

Mrs. Fearnside was born in Woodstock, Ulster Co., N. Y. , May 31, 1843, and is a daughter of Franklin and Abigail (Bloomer) Sizer, the father born in Hampden county. Mass., in 1806, the mother in Greene county, N. Y. He was a carpenter by occupation, and on his marriage located in Greene county, N. Y. , whence he removed to Greenwich, Huron Co., Ohio. In 1858 he settled in Liberty township, Wood county, where the mother died in 1883, the father in 1888. Their children were Clarissa C. , wife of Anson B. Abbott, now of Weston, Wood county; Daniel W., who died in Waterville, Ohio, in 1876; Abraham F. , who served in the Civil war in Company A, 14th O. V. I., and was accidentally drowned July 29, 1862, at Pulaski, Tenn., while bathing in the river; and Mrs. Fearnside.

On their marriage our subject and his wife located on the old homestead, and he has since given his entire attention to farming. Their union has been blessed with four children: Martha, wife of William Haskins, of Waterville, Ohio; George W. , assistant cashier in the Commercial Bank of Bowling Green; William F. and Benjamin, at home. Mr. Fearnside is a stalwart Republican in politics, but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Methodist Church, and is an intelligent, well-read and popular man, highly esteemed by many friends.

Thomas N. Bierly. No citizen of Pemberville has contributed more to the development of its highest interests than has the subject of the following paragraphs, who is well known throughout northwestern Ohio as an able attorney and a man of superior business qualifications. With but limited means, when a young man, and with no influence to assist him, he nevertheless, by indefatigable energy and tireless determination, has gained a position of importance among the professional men of the locality, and occupies an influential place in the legal fraternity of Wood county.

Before presenting in detail the events that have given character to the life of Mr. Bierly, some mention of his ancestors may appropriately be made. The family has been identified with the history of America for a number of generations, and its members have invariably been patriotic and honest men. He traces his lineage to Prussia. His great-great-grandfather, who was born in that country, participated in the conflict usually known as the Thirty Years war, in which he was severely wounded. On coming to America, he settled in Pennsylvania, though it is not known whether his home was in Bucks or Lancaster county. For many years he led a secluded life, and his last days were spent on the top of Blue Mountain, where he died unattended by any friends.

Anthony Bierly, the great-grandfather of Thomas N., was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving through the entire period of the conflict. His house and all of his property were destroyed by the Indians; but, undaunted by the misfortune, he worked his way once more to prosperity and success. He was a man of some education, and was looked up to as a leader among the early settlers of Center county, Penn. His son Nicholas was born near Sunbury, Penn., in 1775, and married Miss Lucinda Buchtel, a native of Center county, and a descendant of German ancestors. Her father was obliged to work seven years in payment for his passage from his native country to America. Aside from this fact, but little is known of the early history of that branch of the family. The last days of Nicholas Bierly were spent in the home of his son, George, to whom he bequeathed the farm.

The father of our subject, George Bierly, was born in Center county, Penn., July 17, 1819. His character is in some respects unique. Possessing no educational advantages except four months in school during his boyhood 'days, he nevertheless became one of the best posted men in his locality. He has been a thoughtful reader of ancient and modern history, and is particularly posted concerning current historical topics. In early life he learned the trade of a wheelwright, and later adopted the occupation of an agriculturist. Possessing the brave and patriotic spirit of his ancestors, he enlisted in the army during the Mexican war, but saw no active service. For seven years he was connected with the Pennsylvania militia. In 1857 Mr. Bierly came to Ohio and settled on a farm near Bradner, where he still makes his home. A Republicanin his political belief, he has advocated the principles of that party since the time of President Lincoln's first election. Among the pioneers of Wood county he was a leader, and by his fellow citizens he was often selected to occupy positions of trust and honor. His wife, Sarah, born January 21,

T wo years before the family removed to Ohio, the subject of this notice was born in Center county, Penn., February 21, 1855. He grew to manhood in Wood county, and has known no other home than this. Even in boyhood he was prominent among his schoolmates on account of his superior talents and recognized ability. Being a diligent student, he availed himself of every opportunity to acquire knowledge, and early laid the foundation for the broad fund of information he possesses to-day. At the age of seventeen he took an examination for a West Point cadetship, and stood fourth in his class of twenty-three, with an average of over seventy-seven per cent. He attended the Normal School at Republic, Ohio, and taught several terms of school. When the time came for him to select a life occupation, Mr. Bierly chose the profession of law, and carried on his readings with the late Hon. James R. Tyler, of Perrysburg. Immediately after his admission to the bar, in 1 877, he opened an office in Pemberville, where he has since conducted an increasing and profitable practice. As a member of the Democratic party, he has been active in local politics, and is a leader in the councils of his party. He has served as mayor several terms, has been president of the school board, and was a candidate for prosecuting attorney, to which he would have undoubtedly been elected had it not been for the large Republican majority in the county.

The landed possessions of Mr. Bierly are extensive and valuable, including residences in Pemberville and three well-improved farms in Wood county, besides the "Crystal Hotel" at Bradner and other real-estate interests. His dwelling, one of the most attractive homes in Pemberville, is situated on the east side of the river, and is a substantial frame structure, a model of architectural beauty, and surrounded by a widespreading and well-kept lawn. Into their pleasant home Mr. and Mrs. Bierly welcome their hosts of personal friends, and extend a cordial greeting to the stranger within their doors. Mrs. Bierly was, in maidenhood, Miss Jennie Furbush, and is a native of Wood county, where her entire life has been spent. Four children bless the happy home, Clarence, Lulu, Everett and Neva.

Possessing a generous and philanthropic nature, Mr. Bierly has made a fortune, not for the purpose of hoarding it, but that he may do good, and render the lives of others happier. He contributes liberally to the support of his parents, whose declining years are made comfortable through his thoughtful attention; and he is also generous in aiding other members of the family who need assistance. His benefactions, however, are not limited to the circle of his relatives, but extend to all worthy enterprises. The public library of Pemberville is a standing monument to his generosity; most of the books and shelving were donated by him, and he has taken the liveliest interest in the success of the work. On Christmas of 1894 he presented each of the Sunday-schools of the city with one hundred books as a free gift. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Royal Arch Masons, and for some time served as master of the Masonic lodge at Pemberville. On April 1, 1895, Mr. Bierly moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he opened an office at No. 310 Valentine Building. He has recently purchased a fine residence at No. 1521 Twenty-second street, where the family now reside.

Captain A. W. Adams, postmaster of North Baltimore, and a veteran of the Civil war, is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, born November 28, 1838. He is the son of Martin and Martha (Dillon) Adams, both of whom were born in Jefferson county, Ohio, the former in 1800, and the latter in 1807. They were the parents of the following children: George W., who is in the insurance business in Chicago, 111. ; Thomas, a dentist in Springfield, Ohio; Henry Clay, a lieutenant in the 25th Kansas Regiment, who was killed during the Civil war; Pollie, deceased,

Andrew J., deceased; A. W., our subject; Francis Marion, who was killed in Colorado; Rhoda D. , who died in Nebraska; Eli R. , residing in Toledo; Peter C. , living in Springfield; Campbell, who died in Troy, and Jennie, living in Columbus.

Capt. Adams remained in Seneca county during his childhood, attending the district and graded schools. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company K, 49th O. V. I., and contributed his mite in the cause of preserving the Union. He was promoted through the various ranks to the position of captain, receiving his commission at Nashville, Tenn., and served in that capacity during the remainder of the war, being mustered out of service November 30, 1865. The Captain participated in all the battles with his company, among them being those of Chickamauga, Stone River, Nashville and Franklin. He took part in twenty-eight pitched battles and numerous skirmishes, and was fortunate enough to escape without receiving a wound. At the close of the war Capt. Adams returned to Tiffin, Ohio, and was engaged in the shoe business for one year. Selling out in 1868 he went to St. Paul, Minn., and after a short residence there to California, where he engaged in the lumber business. From California he went to Nevada, where he remained a year, afterward spending another year in Minnesota before he returned to Ohio, coming first to Toledo, in this State. He finally settled on a farm in Bloom township, Wood county. This place is situated in Section 28, and comprises 240 acres, on which there are three oil wells, which produce 180 barrels per day, he receiving a royalty of one-sixth. In 1886 the first gas well was drilled on this farm. In 1893 Capt. Adams was appointed postmaster at North Baltimore, and in this capacity has made himself one of the most popular citizens of the town. He adheres to the Democratic party, and is a stanch believer aud admirer of its principles.

Capt. Adams was married in Toledo, December 22, 1874, to Miss Minnie K. Maybee, who was born in Monroe county, Mich., March 14, 1849, and they have two children, Grace M. and Maude; the former graduated from the public schools of North Baltimore May 29, 1896; Maude is now in the class of 1898, same school. The Captain is of distinguished appearance, a most genial companion, his many and varied experiences making him an interesting conversationalist, and his travels have given him an excellent insight into human nature, with a power of self-restraint that makes him an admirable public official.

Solomon Fries, ex-commissioner of Wood county, and one of the substantial agriculturists of Bloom township, furnishes a demonstration of what right ambitions, hard work, wise management and an economical wife will enable one to accomplish. He was born November 24, 1824, in South Whitehall township, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania.

His family is of English origin, the first to come to America being John Fries, his grandfather, who settled near Philadelphia. He died there suddenly, of cholera, leaving five children penniless. They were sent to relatives in Lehigh county, and there Abraham Fries, our subject's father, was reared, attending school but little and learning the shoemaker's trade at an early age. He married Miss Mary Smith, a daughter of Henry Smith, a well-known resident of Lehigh county, and of their family seven grew to adult age: Gideon, of Lehigh county, Penn.; Mary, deceased wife of John Acker, of Lehigh county; Solomon, our subject; Amos now living in Lehigh county; Samuel, who died in Alabama about 1885; Violetta (now Mrs. Ezra Hildebeitel), of Allentown, Penn., and Elias, who resides in Bowling Green. Abraham Fries won creditable success in life, without the aids upon which so many others have based their progress. He and his wife were devout adherents of the Reformed Church; in politics he was a Democrat, but took no active part in public affairs. His death occurred in 1858, when he was seventysix years old, his wife having passed away some years before, aged fifty-six. Her parents came from Scotland, and settled near Philadelphia.

The subject of our sketch attended a German subscription school, the only one of any kind in his neighborhood, which itself was German. In May, 1841, he began to learn the trades of bricklayer, stonemason and plasterer. His mother had died three years before, when he was fourteen, and his father, being consumptive, had early impressed upon his children the necessity for their becoming self-supporting. Three years were spent by young Solomon Fries as an apprentice, during the first of which he received nothing; during the second he received his board, but no wages, and for the thirdhegothis board and twenty-five cents per day. His trade he followed continuously for ten years, and although Allentown, Penn., was burned about that time, and labor was in demand, he never received more than seventy-five cents per day, and sixty-five was considered good wages. In the fall of 1851 he came to Tiffin, Ohio, traveling by the Erie canal to Buffalo and a lake steamer to Sandusky. From that point he took the Mad River railroad (now the Big Four), arriving October 28, 1851, at his destination, where he was welcomed by some old friends named Strauss. Work was scarce and money scarcer, and, winter coming on before any regular employment was found, he offered to work for his board. Still unsuccessful, he determined to make the most of his time by attending an English school, although he was twenty-seven years old at the time, and this he attended only twenty-two days. After he paid his tuition, on April 1, 1852, he had only the small sum of $1.84 left. He would have returned to Pennsylvania had he been able to secure the means, but things soon took a turn for the better, and he found some work at carpentering, and, later, steady work at his trade. During the dull season in winter he would chop wood for twenty-five cents a day and board, the highest price he ever received being thirty-five cents per cord.

On February 21, 1856, Mr. Fries was married in Tiffin to Miss Louisa C. Steckel, a native of Lehigh county, Penn., born April 29, 1836. Her father, a blacksmith by trade, came to Ohio in 1840 with his wife Caroline (Leisenring) and their two children. They located first in Butler county, but later, in 1844, moved to Seneca county. On October 10, i860, Mr. Fries bought 160 acres of land in Bloom township, Wood county, partly cleared, with a small barn and a log cabin, to which he brought his family April 16, 1861. He had saved enough money to begin farming to good advantage, and it was not long before he had his farm in good condition. For some time he worked at his trade, but later he gave his entire attention to his estate, to which he has added until he now owns 743 acres, much of which is the best land in that vicinity. In 1876 he built a model barn, and in 1882 he erected the finest brick farm house in the township, and one of the best in the county. He has done the most of this work himself, and his fine orchard was planted by him, with the help of his wife, who has been an able assistant to him in all his efforts. Seven children were born to them : Zenobia is at home; William A. is a farmer' of Bloom township; Jennie died at four years of age; Selinda married Albert Ickes, of Webster township; Edward M. is a lawyer at Bowling Green; Anna married Frank Slotterbeck, of Bloom township, and Cora is at home.

In local affairs and in the work of the Republican party Mr. Fries is prominent, his sound common sense and well-known integrity having gained him the entire confidence of a wide circle of acquaintances. For twenty-two years he was a member of the school board of his district, and has also been trustee and supervisor of Bloom township. In -the fall of 1881 he was elected county commissioner, and held that office for six years following, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. He and his amiable wife stand high in the esteem of the community.

Marcus A. McKendree, M. D. Among the many excellent physicians residing in Bowling Green may be found the subject T>f this sketch who, with his estimable wife, also a member of the medical fraternity, holds a leading place in both professional and social circles.

Dr. McKendree is the son of James and Elizabeth (Baldwin) McKendree, the former of whom was born in 1801 in county Antrim, Ireland, and came to America when eighteen years of age. His parents were natives of Scotland, who removed to Ireland, and there died. The wife of James McKendree was born in 1818 in Pawlet, Vt., and their marriage took place in Erie county, Penn., where for some years they carried on farming. In 1856, when the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his father removed with his family to Ohio, and kept what was called the ' ' State Line House, " an old-time country inn, which stood on the State line between Ohio and Pennsylvania, between Ashtabula and Erie counties, Mr. McKendree owning land on both sides of the line. There they lived for twenty years, the father dying in 1874. The mother of our subject resides in Erie, Penn. Her parents came from Rutland county, Vt. , and settled in Erie county, Penn., where they both died, the mother surviving her husband for twenty years, and living to the good old age of eighty-four years.

Mr. McKendree, Sr. , was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and his son has many of the emblems which he wore in the high degrees of the former order. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a highly esteemed citizen. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Snow, by whom he had two children, James, a farmer in Rulo, Neb., and Nancy, who became the wife of George Nash and lived in Erie county, Penn., both now deceased. By his second marriage seven children were born, namely: William J., living in Lima, Ohio; Albert, in Erie, Penn. ; Irvin P. , in Conneaut, Ohio; Helen and Robert E., residing in Erie county, Penn. ; Josephine E., married to Frank Colman, and also living in Erie, Penn. ; and Marcus A.

The subject of this sketch was born in Erie county, Penn., July 19, 1853, and his boyhood days were spent in the old inn which his father kept on the State line. He remembers sundry amusing incidents which occurred during his residence there, the house being the scene of many romantic weddings. At that time no marriage license was required in Pennsylvania, and many couples would come to the "State Line House " to be married, as the parlor and sitting room were in that State. The literary education of our subject was obtained at the Conneaut High School, after which he commenced reading medicine at home, and later with Dr. Schooley, of Weston. After teaching school for a time he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in June, 1884, and for two years thereafter was associated with Dr. Schooley in the practice of medicine at Weston. He then took up his residence in Bowling Green, where he has since been successfully engaged in general practice. He has been connected with the Pension Board since September, 1893, and is at present its secretary. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society and of the Nortwestern Ohio Medical Association. Socially, he is a prominent member of the Encampment, Uniform Rank, I. O. O. F., and is the physician for the Order of the Maccabees in Bowling Green.

Dr. McKendree was married December 25, 1876, to Lydia Walford, who was born in New York City, December 8, 1858. Mrs. McKendree graduated from the Toledo Medical College in March, 1893, after having read medicine for some time with her husband, and has a large practice. She makes a specialty of the diseases of women, and is very successful in her treatment. She is the medical advisor of the L. O. T. M., in Bowling Green. Both she and her husband are popular members of society.

John D. Muir, a leading agriculturist of Webster township, Wood county, was born in that vicinity, January 15, 1841. His father, James Muir, was born in Scotland, and in 1832 came to Wood county and entered 160 acres of land in Webster township, where he died April 18, 1857. He was a Republican in politics, and one of the earliest supporters of the United Presbyterian Church at Scotch Ridge. He married Miss Marion Dunipace, a native of Scotland, and had twelve children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Margaret, Jane and James reside with their mother at the old homestead; Mary married John Hagamier; Susan married H. C. Swan; Jessie married Charles Greiner; William, Isabel, Frances, and Alice are deceased.

Mr. Muir went to school during boyhood in an old log house in District No. 4, Webster township, his first teacher being Miss Carruthers. He worked upon the farm until 1861. when he enlisted in Company K, 21st O. V. I., under Capt. S. S. Canfield. He participated in a number of hard-fought battles, and in January, 1863, received an honorable discharge. Soon after he re-enlisted for five years in Company G, 64th battalion, which consolidated with a battalion from Wyandot county, forming the 144 th O. V. I. (Col. Hunt commanding). After the consolidation, Lieut. Muir was transferred from Company G to E. He was ordered to Toledo September 16, 1863, where he was commissioned second lieutenant, and then sent home, September 19, to order his company to report at Camp Lucas, Toledo, Ohio. A collision occurred September 20, on the D. & M. R. R., while the new recruits were on their way to Toledo, and several were killed and injured. Among the latter was Lieut. Muir, who was unable to go to the front for some time, but finally, in May, 1864, rejoined his regiment at Wilmington, Del. He returned home at the close of the war, and in 1866 bought forty acres of land, and built a log cabin with only one window and one door, and to this primitive abode, on May 2, 1866, he brought his bride, formerly Miss Eliza Loomis, a daughter of Dudley and Mary (Wallace) Loomis. Five children were born of this union, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Philinda, December 30,

1866, was for ten years a successful teacher in the public schools, and now travels as saleslady for a Kansas firm; Dudley J., June 2, 1868; Minnie, September 20, 1870, married Charles Urban; Fannie, July 15, 1874, married July 18, 1896, to Byron H. Callin; Mabel, August 2, 1875, is at home. Mr. Muir is now living in Toledo, having retired from active business. He is a Republican in politics, and has held various offices of trust, having been school director for twelve years, and also trustee and supervisor. He is a member of the F. & A. M., No. 516, of Pemberville; of Manateau Club, and A. P. A., of Toledo, and of Benedict Post G. A. R. , No. 26, of Pemberville, of which he is commander. Dudley J. Muir, our subject's son, was born at the old homestead in Webster township, near Scotch Ridge. He was educated in the schools of that neighborhood, and for a time was employed as traveling salesman for a firm in Chicago. On October 7, 1890, he married Miss Kaddie Beard, daughter of Alex and Mary (Shoemaker) Beard. She was born March 25, 1870, in Perrysburg township. They are leading members of the U. B. Church. Mr. Dudley Muir is a Republican, and a member of Camp A. Jolly, Sons of Veterans, No. 301, of Pemberville.

Frank W. Rogers, M. D., specialist in diseases of the eye, ear and throat, although still a young man, stands at the head of his profession, and is one of the most successful practitioners in the State. He is a native of Ohio, born in Norwalk, April 3, 1863, and is the son of Samuel J. and* Fanny M. (Wilson) Rogers.

Dr. Rogers is the youngest of four children - three sons and one daughter - all of whom are living. During his boyhood he attended the schools of his native town, after completing the course in which he began reading medicine under Dr. Gill, of that city. For two years he was a student in the medical college at Ann Arbor, Mich., after which he entered the Chicago Homeopathic College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1888. He began the practice of his profession in Bowling Green, and after a time took a course in the New York Post-Graduate School. In the colleges both at Chicago and New York he made a special study of the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which line he has achieved a wonderful success. He is a fine scholar, devoted to his work, of which he is very fond, and is popular with his brother practitioners. He has recently established an elegant office in the Spitzer Building, Toledo, Ohio, thereby giving his patrons the advantage of better railroad facilities, and gaining a central location for all northwestern Ohio.

Dr. Rogers has been successful not only in his professional career, but also financially. Dependent on his own exertions and his ability and energy, he has acquired a nice competence, most of his interests being located in Bowling Green. He owns the block on West Wooster street, in which he has the finest suite of offices in the county, and is one of the four partners in the Swayzee Glass Company, located at Swayzee, Ind. This company does a large business in the manufacture of fruit jars, oil cans, bottles, etc. , aud employs about one hundred men; they own their own gas wells. Dr. Rogers is a Republican in politics, and is one of the most popular young men in the city. On February 4, 1895, he was married to Alzora M. Downer, daughter of Wellington and Mary (Marlatt) Downer, of Mitchell, S. Dak. She is a lovable woman, a friend to every one, domestic in her life and an invaluable companion.

Samuel J. Rogers, the father of our subject, was born in Watertown, N. Y., November 14, 1826, and was the third in a family of twelve children. When eight years of age he came with his father's family to Norwalk, Ohio, where he was married January 26, 1851, to Fannie M. Wilson, who was born in the latter city January 31, 1833. He was a cooper by trade, but after his marriage he took up farming and made a comfortable fortune. In his early days he exchanged half of a cravat for two oak trees, worked them up into barrels which he hauled to Huron to sell, thus making his first start in business. Politically he was a strong Abolitionist. He was a descendant of Gen. Harper, who was in command at the battles of Bunker Hill, Lexington, and other noted engagements in the Revolutionary war. Frank W. Rogers, a brother of Samuel J., enlisted in the Third Ohio Cavalry during the Civil war, and died at the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky.

Church. Her parents were Levi and Lucy (Kellogg) Wilson, the former of whom was born at Scranton, Penn., of Scotch and German ancestry, and settled in Norwalk in an early day, where he was married and lived until sixty-three years of age. In early life he was a cooper, but he afterward followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a large, powerful man, a giant in strength and endurance. Until the time of the Civil war he was a Democrat in politics, but he became an ardent Republican during that period. His wife was one of the twelve children of Martin Kellogg, one of the leading pioneers of Norwalk, who died in 1892 at the advanced age of one hundred and six years.

Edmund G. Baker. There are numerous fine farms in this county which will compare favorably with any others in the State as regards production, and, also, as to the improvements which have been made upon them. Many of these places are owned by men comparatively young in years, who started in the world with but little more than an unlimited amount of energy and perseverance, and who are succeeding to an eminent degree in building up a comfortable home in Wood county. As a representative of this class of agriculturists, great pleasure is taken in presenting the name of the subject of this notice, who is living on a good farm of ninety-nine acres in Troy township, which was first opened up by Henry Baker, of Pemberville, Ohio. Our subject bought the place in 1888, and the following year moved thereon. He now devotes his time to its cultivation, and also to stock dealing, making a specialty of handling sheep.

Mr. Baker made his advent into this world September 1, 1858, in Woodville township, Sandusky Co., Ohio, at the home of his parents, Sandford G. and Phoebe (Osborn) Baker. His father was born in 1817, in Vermont, and with his father, Elijah Baker, came to Wood county, in 1838, locating on a farm in Troy township, near Luckey. The latter's wife bore the maiden name of Lavina White, and was a native of Vermont. After residing on that farm for some years, the grandfather removed to Woodville township, Sandusky county, where he bought a farm of Sardis Burchard, on which the father now lives. His death occurred in that township in 1864, in his ninetieth year, and his wife died in September, 1862.

ter of Joseph Webster, one of the honored pioneers of Troy township, who died in Hillsdale, Mich. Mrs. Baker died in 1856, leaving three children who yet survive: Mrs. Helen Morse, of

Missouri; Mrs. Emily Osborn, of Iowa; and John W. , who resides at Burgoon, Sandusky county. In Woodville township, Sandusky county, the father again married, his second union being with Miss Phoebe Osborn, and their wedding was celebrated in 1857. The lady was born in Erie county, N. Y., and is a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (House) Osborn. Her father died in the Empire State, after which her mother moved to Sandusky county, Ohio, where she later became the wife of Mr. Benedict, but both are now deceased. In his younger days, Mr. Baker was a great hunter, and at that time had ample opportunity to indulge in that sport all over Wood county. For two years he kept a public house at Lemoyne, and then removed to his present farm in Woodville township, Sandusky county. By his second union he had eleven children, ten of whom are still living, namely: Edmund G., whose name introduces this review; Ida, who is taking a literary course at Ann Arbor, Mich. ; George, a teacher in the public schools in Kansas; Mrs. Belle Price, who previous to her marriage also engaged in teaching; Rose, at home; Sanford, an attorney at law of Seattle, Wash. ; William P., who is studying electrical engineering in the University of Michigan; Arthur, who is studying medicine in the same institution; and Kate and Charley, both at home.

After pursuing his studies for several years in the district schools of Woodville township, Edmund G. Baker entered the normal at Valparaiso, Ind., where after two years he was graduated with the class of 1882, and on returning to Sandusky county served as superintendent of the Woodville school for two years. His marriage was there celebrated December 3, 1884, Miss Linda Herman becoming his wife. She is a native of that county, born January 27, i860, educated in Woodville, and is a daughter of Henry and Clarinda (Webster) Herman, early pioneers of Sandusky county, who still make their home in Woodville township. By this union three sons have been born: Mark, born October 18, 1885;

F. H. Thompson, ex-county commissioner, farmer and fruit raiser, of Perrysburg township, was born in Rutland, Vt. , July 28, 1839, a son of Augustus M. and Ann Maria (Slawson) Thompson.

Augustus M. Thompson was born near Poughkeepsie in 1814, and first came to Perrysburg in 1832, settling there permanently in 1836. He afterward took up farming on the Stone road, and then returned to mercantile business in Perrysburg, where he died in 1875. Politically he was a Whig. Mrs. Thompson was born in Rutland in 1814, and died in Perrysburg in 1891. Six children blessed their union, namely: Helen, who died when five years old; F. H., our subject; Arrietta, now Mrs. Charles Dustin, of Toledo; Charles A., who lives in Massachusetts; Emma, the wife of W. S. Weed, of Toledo; and John P. , residing in Perrysburg.

Our subject was an infant when his parents came to Perrysburg, where he went to school for a short time, and then left to work in his father's store. Later he was employed on a railroad in the positions of brakeman and conductor, respectively, on a freight train. In 1863 he was agent for the C. H. &. D. R. R., at Perrysburg, in which position he remained for over a year, then resigning to take a situation in a dry-goods store. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 2 1 st O. V. I., and served nearly four months. On December 21, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Spafford, whose maiden name was Amanda Baird. For a year after his marriage he clerked, and then came to a farm in Perrysburg, where he has sixty-seven acres of land, forty-five of which are laid out in apple trees, to the cultivation of which he has devoted much of his time. From these apples he makes cider, and he has an extensive custom trade.

Mr. Thompson is a Republican, and was for two years trustee of the township. In the fall of 1 886 he was elected county commissioner and served two terms - six years - consecutively. He has made a wide reputation as a county officer; he is a clear thinker, a natural student of human nature, and has posted himself so thoroughly on the law pertaining to the duties and powers of county and township officials that he has become the recognized authority on all technical questions. He has a mind naturally adapted to research, and is too cautious to proceed blindly with a project, but prefers to stick to the old adage: "Know first that you are right, and

Grace Cooper, and has two children - Grace and May ; Elmer, a civil engineer in Bowling Green, who married Mildred Kramer, and has one child - James Francis; and Waldo, who died when two years old. Two sons were born of her marriage

March 15, 1868, at present in charge of the water supply on the Clover Leaf R. R. (he married Miss Carrie Pierce, and they have one child - Esther M.); and (2) Edward A., born March 21, 1870.

F. M. Young, cashier of the Commercial Banking Co., of Bowling Green, and a leading citizen of Wood county, was born September 12, 1845, in Mercer county, Ohio. Until sixteen years of age Mr. Young made his home at Wapakoneta. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, although only a boy, he decided to offer his services in defense of the old flag. He accordingly enlisted, August 7, 1862, for three years, in Company K, 99th O. V. I. , and served throughout the war, being mustered out with his regiment June 26, 1865, at Salisbury, N. C., with the rank of orderly sergeant. He was sent to Camp Dennison, Ohio, and received his discharge July 1 7, 1865. The regiment to which he belonged was assigned to the Western division of the army, and participated in every battle of the campaign, twenty-four in all, besides many skirmishes. After the fall of Fort Fisher the regiment was assigned to the Eastern division, and marched through the Southern States, taking part in all the engagements in that section. The 99th went into service with 1,021 men, but lost so heavily, in killed and wounded, that although several times recruited, it was so reduced in number that it was finally consolidated with the 50th O. V. I., and it was as sergeant in that regiment that our subject was serving at the time of his discharge.

After the close of the war Mr. Young settled in Plattsburg, Mo. Here he was employed in the office of the clerk and county recorder until 1871, when he returned to Ohio for the purpose of assisting his father, who was then in feeble health. He located in Weston, where, in 1872, he was married to Miss Hattie Baldwin, who was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, August 8, 1852. Three children have blessed this union: Mabel, Charles and Robert. After his marriage Mr. Young was engaged in the insurance business until 1877, when he was appointed to a position in the U. S. Revenue office at Toledo, and removed his family to Perrysburg. He was " civil serviced " out of position for participating in politics, and returned to Weston. Having been elected probate judge in 1884, he removed to Bowling Green, which has since been his home. In 1892 Mr. Young was made secretary of the American Foundry & Machine Co. On December 15, 1892, he was appointed cashier of the Commercial Banking Co. , which

Mr. Young is a strong Republican, and as may' be inferred from his war record, is an active member of the G. A. R., of which he founded the first post under the new rules in Wood county, at Weston. He is also a member of the Masonic Order, I. O. O. F. and Royal Arcanum. He is deeply interested in whatever pertains to the welfare of his community, and is one of its most highly respected citizens.

T. J. Young, the father of our subject, was born in 1820 in Shelby county, Ohio, where for many years he followed farming. He was subsequently made postmaster at Wapakoneta, which office he held from 1852 until 1863, removing in the latter year to Wood county. His death took place in 1888 at Celina, Ohio. He was a stanch Democrat. He married Lydia A. Shipman, who was born in 1 826 in Mercer county, Ohio, the daughter of Herman and Sarah Shipman, both of whom were of Dutch descent; the former was born in New Jersey, the latter in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Young died in 1872. Their family comprised three children, namely: Lenora, who married J. S. Bodkin, now of Spencerville, Allen Co. , Ohio; Sarah, who became the wife of H. H. Keil, of Weston, Ohio; and our subject.