Ashland City (part 49 of 57)

Reuben Landis

In that picturesque and attractive district of Ashland county through which the Black Fork meanders, is the home of Reuben Landis, who owns and cultivates one hundred and forty acres on sections 10 and 11, Mifflin township, bordering the Richland county line. His place is a splendidly improved property, on which are two sets of good farm buildings and the place presents a most attractive appearance, while an air of neatness and thrift pervades the entire farm. It was near this place that Reuben Landis was born, November 8, 1843, his parents being John B. and Mary (Kagey) Landis. The father's birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and when eight years of age he was brought to Ashland county, then a part of Richland county, by his parents, John and Nancy (Brubaker) Landis, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county about 1824, locating near the farm upon which the subject of this review now resides. John Landis, Sr., was a son of another John Landis, who was a native of Germany and became the founder of the family in the new world, settling in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. Having removed westward from the Keystone state, John Landis, grandfather of our subject, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 2, Mifflin township, built a little cabin home in the midst of the forest and at once began to clear away the trees and prepare the fields for cultivation. As he had no door to his cabin at first, a curtain was hung up to close the entrance. The little building was heated by a fire place and the furnishings were primitive but as the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings, he was enabled to provide a much more substantial and commodious home and to enjoy many of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. His remaining days were spent here, his death occurring when he had reached the age of fifty years. His family numbered four sons and four daughters, namely: John, Benjamin, Henry, Tobias, Mrs. Mary Burk, Mrs. Susan Roland, Mrs. Elizabeth Kagey and Mrs. Naney Roland.

attaining his majority he continued in the occupation with which he had become familiar in his boyhood days. As the years passed he was recognized as one of the substantial and representative farmers of the community. He suffereu from blindness during the last years of his life and at the age of eighty years and twenty-seven days he passed away. His wife, who was a daughter of Martin and Nancy (Charles) Kagey, died in 1894, at the age of sixty-three years. Of their children John and Mary both died in childhood, leaving Reuben Landis as the only survivor of the family.

Reuben Landis has always been a resident of Mifflin township and for about a half a century has resided upon his present farm. Here he now owns one hundred and forty acres of land situated on sections 10 and 11, lying along the Black Fork, which is the Richland county line. There are two sets of good buildings upon this place, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. The fields are carefully tilled and the farm constitutes an attractive feature in the landscape. He devotes his time and energies to the raising of both grain and stock and has good success in cultivating his crops.

In 1865, Mr. Landis was married to Miss Katharine Young, who was born in Mifflin township, in 1841, and is a daughter of David and Katharine (Horner) Young, who were natives of Pennsylvania but spent their last days in Ashland county. Their family numbered three children: Nettie, the wife of Joseph Bauhm, of Mifflin township; Martin, who is living on his father's home farm, is married and has a family of four sons and three daughters; and John, who is a resident of the same neighborhood, is married and has one son and two daughters. In his political views, Reuben Landis is a stalwart democrat, interested in the growth and success of his party and for three years he has served ag trustee of his township. He has never been a politician, however, in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which, capably directed, have brought him well earned success,

W. V. B. Topping

Among the native sons of Ashland who have attained success and prominence in business circles is numbered W. V. B. Topping, now conducting a profitable and extensive business under the name of the Safety Door Hanger Company. He was born July 15, 1852, of the marriage of George H. and Amelia F. (Graham) Topping. The father was born in Worthington, Ohio, in 1813 and when sixteen years of age went to Columbus, where he secured a clerical position in a mercantile establishment. There he remained for several years, after which he removed to Cleveland, where he was similarly employed for several years. Later he came to Ashland county and, as it was then thought that Nankin would be the county seat, he took up his abode in that town where he embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. The county seat, however, was located at Ashland and he removed hither. In company with Luther Crall & Company he engaged in the operation of a flour mill and later they organized the Bank of Ashland, the first banking institution in this city.' "Folk lowing his military service he was appointed the first agent for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company, now the Erie line, remaining in charge of their business in Ashland until 1871. For years Mr. Topping figured as one of the most prominent and influential factors in the business development of Ashland, his commercial and industrial interests being at all times of such character as contributed to public progress as well as to individual success. He reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years, retaining his faculties unimpaired up to the time of his death. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving as major of the One Hundred and Second Regiment and later he maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Lorin H. Andrews Post, G. A. R. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and in later life was an active and helpful member of the Congregational church. His wife, a most estimable lady, was the daughter of Francis Graham, the first postmaster of Ashland.

Spending his boyhood days in his father's home, W. V. B. Topping acquired his education in the public and high schools and afterward entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He had attended that institution for two years when he became ill with typhoid fever and returned home on a six weeks' furlough. When he had somewhat recovered his health he again went to Annapolis and found that he had overtaxed his strength, for he was taken with a relapse and once more returned home, remaining on the sick list for almost a year. Because of the condition of his health he resigned from the service and when it was possible for him to become a factor in business life he entered the hardware store of Bird & Topping in Mansfield, Ohio, his father being the junior partner in that enterprise. A year later the father disposed of his interests in Mansfield and purchased the drug store of Nelson & Gates in Ashland, after which W. V. B. Topping was employed in the store until his father sold out about a year later. At that time the father purchased an interest in the hardware business of Charles Woodhouse and Mr. Topping of this review became a clerk in the hardware store. Two years later Mr. Woodhouse retired and the father succeeded to the business, while in 1878, W. V. B. Topping acquired an interest in the store which was then conducted under the firm style of G. H. Topping & Son. He remained an active factor in the ownership and conduct of that business until 1882 when they sold out. In the previous year Mr. Topping had aecepted a position with the Reading Hardware Company, of Reading, Pennsylvania, as commercial salesman, but soon afterward they withdrew their traveling salesmen from the road and he then accepted a similar position with the Simmons Hardware Company of St. Louis, being thus identified with that extensive enterprise until 1885, when he accepted a position with the hardware firm of McIntosh, Good & Company. Mr. Topping was associated with that house for sixteen years as one of its most faithful and capable representatives.

In 1901 he established his present manufacturing business, manufacturing a patent door hanger and track, invented by J. H. Burkholder of this city. The firm was organized as a partnership concern, the members thereof being Mr. Topping, Mr. Burkholder and G. C. Bowman. Two years later Mr. Burkholder retired from the firm, after which Mr. Topping and Mr. Bowman conducted the business until January 20, 1906, when Mr. Topping became sole owner. From a small beginning the enterprise has grown in seven years to one of the leading business concerns of the city, its annual trade amounting to one hundred thousand dollars. It has been conducted along well defined lines of labor and the mature judgment and business discernment of Mr. Topping have been notable factors in its success.

In 1879 Mr. Topping was united in marriage to Miss Nellie E. Roller, of Ashland, a daughter of W. A. Roller, now deceased. They have become parents of five children: Edward W., Ruth A., Maurice T., Roger W, and Frances S., the three sons being now associated with their father in business. Mr. Topping attends and supports the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member. They are both widely known and esteemed in the community, the hospitality of the best homes being freely and continuously accorded them. Mr. Topping has at all times enjoyed the respect and trust of his fellowmen in a business way and those who have known him from his youth rejoice in his advancement and prosperity.

Benjamin F. Zercher

Benjamin F. Zercher, an influential, public-spirited and prosperous citizen of Orange township, was born in Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 10th of January, 1863, his parents being Benjamin F. and Mary (Hershey) Zercher. In the year 1850 the father came to Ohio with his parents from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, while about the same time the mother also accompanied her parents on their removal from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to this state. Benjamin F. Zercher, the father of our subject, spent the remainder of his life in Wayne county, where he became an extensive landowner and a teacher of prominence. He likewise served as justice of the peace for many years and was frequently called to settle and administer large estates, his unquestioned integrity and ability causing his services to be in great demand. His demise occurred when he had attained the venerable age of eighty years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-six years.

Benjamin F. Zercher of this review spent his youthful days on his father's farm in Wayne county and in the acquirement of an education attended the district schools and Smithville Academy. Subsequently he taught for a number of years in the schools of his native county, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. When twenty-five years of age he was married and then became identified with agricultural pursuits in Chester township, Wayne county, where he was thus engaged until 1893, when he took up his abode on his present farm in Orange township, Ashland eounty. He has two adjoining farms in this township, aggregating two hundred and forty-five acres of rich, productive and well watered land. which is splendidly improved and especially well adapted for general farming and stock-raising purposes. Mis hoidings likewise include a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Montgomery township. In recent vears. however, he has put aside the active work of the fields, now giving his supervision to his extensive landed and other which has attended his efforts is but the merited reward of his untiring industry and capable business management and he is widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizen.

On the 6th of September, 1888, Mr. Zercher was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Shidler, a daughter of Hartman H. and Susanna (Shutt) Shidler, her father being a prominent agriculturist of Perry township and a man of affairs in the county. By this union there have been born three children, namely: Rhea G., Benjamin F. Jr., and Donald S.

In his political views Mr. Zercher is a stalwart republican and though extensive business interests demand his careful and constant attention, he still finds time to devote to matters pertaining to the public good. While a resident of Wayne county he acted as township clerk for five years and since coming to Ashland county has served his fellow townsmen in the position of assessor and also as a member of the board of education. He is an active worker in the ranks of his party, having for a number of years been a member of the county republican central committee from Orange township, with which he is also at present identified, and has been a frequent delegate to county, district and state republican conventions. The fact that a certain movement or measure has his endorsement and cooperation is sufficient guarantee to many of his fellow citizens that it is worthy of their support and thus his influence has been a potent factor in the upbuilding and development of the county. He is an enthusiastic supporter of all public improvements, such as good roads and liberal educational advantages, and no project instituted to advance the general welfare seeks his aid in vain. He and his family belong to the Progressive Brethren church and are active in the work of both church and Sunday school. His home, which is one of the attractive residences of Orange township, is pervaded by an air of culture and refinement and there Mr. and Mrs. Zercher dispense a liberal and genuine hospitality that is greatly appreciated by their many friends.

Captain Joseph Ross Remley

Captain Joseph Ross Remley, one of the worthy, respected and well known citizens of Ashland county, is now residing on his farm of sixty-two and a half acres in Perry township. He was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, February 11, 1842, a son of William and Harriet (Britton) Remley and a grandson of George Remley, who served as a private in the war of 1812.

The birth of William Remley, the father of our subject, occurred in Middletown, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of January, 1814. He was a blacksmith by"trade and after his marriage to Miss Harriet Britton, who wa» born October 11, 1820, he established his home in Indiana, At the end of abou four years he came to Ashland county, Ohio, and engaged in the operation of his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he rented. After a few years George Remley divided his land between his two children, giving eighty acres to his son William and eighty acres to his daughter. William Remley subsequently added to his acreage by additional purchase and rented a portion of his land. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and though frequently solicited to hold office, he always declined. He was, however, a most loyal and public-spirited citizen whose aid and influence could ever be counted upon in any movement or measure calculated to advance the best interests of the community. He was one of those who attempted to have the county seat located at Jeromeville and always took an active and helpful part in matters of public concern. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Church of God, of which he was a most devoted and faithful communicant, while his wife was a Methodist in belief. The record of their children is as follows: Joseph Ross, of this review; John G.; Mrs. Rachel A. Funk; Mrs. Maria Elizabeth Cannon; William Wesley; Mrs. Laura S. Hosley; and Charles Winfield, a resident of Youngstown, Ohio.

On the 21st of October, 1861, Joseph Ross Remley enlisted at Camp Wood, Cleveland, as a member of Company F, Forty-first Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel William W. Hazen, who was afterward promoted to brigadier general and became the first chief of the signal service on its establishment after the close of the war. Mr. Remley participated in the engagement at Shiloh on the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, in which conflict there were twentytwo thousand killed and wounded on both sides. Shortly afterward he was taken iJ] and sent to the hospital, where he remained for one month and was then sent home on a month's furlough. On his return to the front he was again placed in the hospital and in October, 1862, was discharged on account of disability. In 1863 a company of volunteer militia was organized at Jeromeville, the state furnishing the arms. Of this company Mr. Remley was made captain, Carpus Funk first lientenant and Isaiah Mowry second lieutenant. They received word from Governor Bruff to prepare for marching orders and on the 2d of May, 1864, went to Ashland and on the same evening to Mansfield. They reported to Colonel Miller, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, left for Camp Chase to be mustered in and in a few days were ordered to the front as Company I. They were mustered out September 10, 1864, and Captain Remley returned home with a most creditable military record, having done valuable and commendable service as a loyal defender of the Union cause.

On once more taking up the pursuits of civil life, Captain Remley continued to operate his father's farm until the latter sold his property in 1884, and then engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm for two vears. On the expiration of that period he purchased the place where he now resides in Perry township the property comprising sixty-two and a half acres of rich and productive fait, in the development and improvement of which he has been continuously Tete to the present time. Through his well directed industry and capable management he has won a gratifying and richly merited measure of success in his undertakings and is widely recognized as a prosperous and representative citizen.

On the Ist of May, 1864, Captain Remley was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret R. Goodman and their children are four in number, namely: Clara Bell and Carrie Ida, twins, the former being now the wife of H. C. Brandt and the latter of George Gill; Mrs. Gertrude Goodman Helbert; and Mrs. Edith

Beatrice Stacker. Each of the daughters attended the common schools and the Jeromeville high school, Gertrude being a graduate of the latter institution. Politically Captain Remley is an unfaltering republican and, like his father before him, is interested in the welfare and advancement of Ashland county, which numbers him among its most valued and honored residents. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he ig serving as treasurer and is also one of the trustees. Throughout the county in which he has so long resided he is held in the highest respect and esteem, having ever manifested those sterling traits of character which endear man to his fellowmen.

Prominent among the members of the medical fraternity of Sullivan is Dr. Willis F. Persons, who for a number of years has been employing his knowledge of materia medica and skill in surgery to relieve the sufferings of humanity. His excellent reputation has won him a liberal patronage throughout the township. His birth occurred here Jaunary 9, 1857. He is a son of Anson and Martha Jane (Bowker) Persons, his father a native of Montpelier, Vermont, where his birth occurred November 13, 1806, and his mother having been born in Lunenburg, that state, March 21, 1819. Both came to this state with their parents in the early '30s, when the entire region was an undeveloped state, making the journey to their new western home in wagons and on horseback. In the fall of 1838 they came to Sullivan township, where the father followed cabinet making and also carriage and wagon making, in connection with gunsmithing, painting and farming in a small way, until he departed this life January 3, 1875, surviving his wife by six years, her death having occurred April 1, 1869. He was a man of extraordinary mechanical skill and was recog, nized throughout the county as an inventive genius. In their family were six children, two of whom survive, namely: Herbert, of Homerville; and Dr. Willis F.

When a boy Dr. Persons worked upon his father's farm, engaging in the daily routine of the fields through the summer months and during the winter acquired his preliminary education at the district schools. Subsequently for a period of two years he operated a cheese factory in Indiana, the first of the kind ever established in that state. Previous to going to Indiana, however, he acquired his experience in that business by working three years in a cheese factory in the village of Sullivan, where he became thoroughly familiar with the business. After spending two years in Indiana he returned to Sullivan in 1879 and for three years engaged in the mercantile business from which he retired and took up the study of medicine, as it had all the while been his ambition to become a member of the medical fraternity. For a time he attended the schools here, spent two years at Lodi Academy and the same period of time at Oberlin University and was then matriculated as a student of medicine in the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the 'class of 1884, standing fifth from the first honor man, the class including eighty- five members. Immediately upon his graduation he began the practice of his profession at Gates Mills, Cuyahoga county, where he remained for seventeen years, at the expiration of which time he practiced for one year in Cleveland, Ohio, returning in 1901 to Sullivan where he has since remained. He is a deep student of all branches pertaining to his profession and makes it a point to keep abreast of the times along all lines of scientific investigation which touch upon materia medica and surgery and makes a specialty of treating appendicitis and gall stones, in both of which ailments he has been eminently successful and is considered an authority.

Dr. Persons has been married twice, first on November 27, 1878, to Miss Ella L. Cooper, daughter of George and Martha Cooper, of Friendswood, Indiana, by whom he had four children, namely: Jessie H., who became the wife of George Worts, of Mayfield, Ohio; Wallace R.; Paul F.; and Arthur W. Their mother departed this life September 26, 1896. Dr. Persons then wedded Elva H. Chandler, daughter of John and Luzena Chandler, of Indiana, by whom he has had three children: Raymond C., Mary L. and John R.

Dr. Persons is independent in politics, not allying himself with any particular political party and, deeming the man worthy of more consideration than the party to which he belongs, he votes for such candidates as measure up to his standard of qualifications for puble office. Although he is busy meeting the demands of his profession he yet finds time to render service to the township and for three years has officiated as Justice of the peace and was active in the organization of the Sullivan Telephone Company, of which he was the first manager and of which he also was secretary for a period of one year. He is a member of Sullivan Lodge, No. 313, A. F. & A. M., in which for three years he has been junior warden, and Lodge No. 579, I. O. O. F. Amid the pressure of his professional and business affairs the Doctor always finds time for the performance of his religious obligations and regularly attends divine services at the Congregational church, in which he is a leading worker. Being a man who is in every particular interested in the welfare of the community, striving also to gain such improvements as good roads, schools and public buildings and at the same time striving to be eminently useful in his profession, he is one of the most highly esteemed men in the county, popular within a wide radius of his home, and his upright life is an influence for good among all those with whom he comes in contact.

Rev. Milton T. Scarborough

Devoting his life to the moral-and spiritual welfare of his fellowmen., Rev. Milton T. Scarborough is now pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of oe He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, January 18, 1856, a son of John T. and Pauline M. (Durkee) Scarborough. His father was a harness-maker of that city, in which he was quite prominent as a business man.

The public schools of his native city afforded Rev. Scarborough his preliminary education and in the year 1870 he came to this state, making his home with relatives in Millersburg, Holmes county, where he attended school for a time and subsequently became a student at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. After completing a two years' course in that institution, he taught in the district schools of Holmes county for several years and upon giving up that profession he took up the study of law in the offices of Critchfield & Huston, of Millersburg. While there he finally changed his purpose and decided to prepare himself for the ministry. He successfully pursued the conference course of study and was ordained as a clergyman in 1889 by the North Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. During the period he followed school teaching and also while he was studying law he was a member of the Ohio National Guard, being second lieutenant of Company H, Seventeenth Regiment, which was on duty in Cincinnati during the riots of 1884 on which occasion the courthouse was burned. He was also on duty in the Hocking Valley mining district during the strike of 1884 and 1885.

Upon being admitted to the ministry his first charge was at Lockport, in Tuscarawas county, now a part of New Philadelphia, and there he remained for two years when he was appointed to the charge at Wilmot, Stark county, where he conducted a successful and useful ministry for five years, at the expiration of which time he was assigned to the congregation at Apple Creek, Wayne county, where he performed the duties of his office for two years. His next appointment was to Kilbuck, Holmes county, where he remained for three years, when he was assigned to Fredericksburg, Wayne county, and after a four years' ministry there was appointed, in 1904, to the Methodist Episcopal church of Nova where he is now in his fifth year as pastor. In addition to the congregation here he also has charge of the church in Ruggles township. He is one of the most suecessful pastors of this part of the country and, being a man of noble Christian character with his heart filled with zeal for the cause he represents, he has been instrumental in building up many a congregation and in greatly advancing the work of the several churches over which he has presided.

On October 18, 1877, Rev. Scarborough was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Cline, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Spencer) Cline, of Holmes county, where her father was engaged in farming and stock raising. In polities he ig a republican but does not bind himself so rigidly to that party as to feel under obligation to vote for every candidate whose name it may place upon the ballot but reserves the right to cross out the names of those who do not come up to his standard of morals and whom he deems unfit to serve in public offices. In several of the localities where he has resided he has taken an interest in community affairs and has served as township clerk, assessor and school director and has always been an advocate of public improvements along all lines wherein the community might be benefited. He has been a particularly strong advocate of the best educational system and as well has always been ready to further measures which have for their object good roads and the general betterment of the community. Wherever he goes it is his object to inspire the people with a desire for the best in life morally, spiritually and physically and among other improvements he likes to see modern churches and business buildings. | He is prominent in fraternal organizations and is a member of Sullivan Lodge, No.

Rev. Scarborough is a man of strong personality and his noble and zealous Christian character has not only endeared him to the members of his congregation but also to the citizens of the entire community in which he is an evidence of the power of the faith he teaches and for the moral and spiritual uplift for which he daily labors.

Thomas W. Miller

Thomas W. Miller is a prominent representative of Ashland's industrial interests, being president of the Faultless Rubber Company. Since starting in life on his own account he has made steady progress, working his way upward through determined energy, unfaltering loyalty and undaunted perseverance. He is now at the head of a successful and growing enterprise which is a feature in the city's business development as well as his own prosperity. Born in Summit county, Ohio, on the 12th of February, 1874, he is a son of Freeman and Rebecca (Fisher) Miller. The parents were both natives of Summit county, Ohio, where they spent their entire lives and were highly respected and worthy citizens. The father was a blacksmith and carriage builder by trade and was engaged in business along that line in the village of Manchester during his active life.

Thomas W. Miller spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, was a pupil in the public schools of Manchester and also attended a boarding school at Uniontown. As early as his sixteenth year he became a teacher in the district schools and after following that profession for a year went to Akron, Ohio, where he pursued a business course. Later he secured a position in the factory of the Akron Silver Plate Company, and after serving his apprenticeship he was sent out on the road as a commercial traveler, acting in that capacity for the firm until 1896, during which time he secured for the house an extensive patronage. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, when his labors had brought him sufficient capital he established a rubber manufacturing industry, forming a copartnership with some business men of Rochester, New York. They organized the Faultless Manufacturing Company which was succeeded in 1900 by the Faultless Rubber Company, a West Virginia corporation. About 1903 Mr. Miller and H. B. Camp organized the Camp Rubber Company and established a plant at Ashland, Ohio. The following year the Camp Rubber Company and the Faultless Rubber Company merged their interests with a capital stock of three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, conducting the business under the name of the Faultless Rubber Company with a large and well equipped plant at Ashland. Mr. Miller became treasurer and general manager of the Faultless Rubber Company and acted in the same capacity for the Camp Rubber Company after the merging of the two industries. He continued to act as treasurer and general manager until the illness of Mr. Camp in July, 1907, when he was chosen president and is now the chief executive officer, bending his efforts to adminis- trative direction. This company manufactures druggists' sundries, specialties, novelties and sponge rubber products, having practically a monopoly on the manufacture of the last named article in this country. The business has now gained extensive proportions under the capable management and direction of Mr. Miller, whose enterprise has made him one of the foremost business men of this city.

In his political views Mr. Miller is a stalwart republican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day but never seeking nor desiring office for himself. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Dutch Reform church. He has made for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, evincing the utmost concern in the conduct of the enterprise that its product may be all that is represented and that the business shall be carried on with the strictest regard to commercial integrity.

Samuel Walter

Samuel Walter, who is numbered among the successful, enterprising and representative agriculturists of Ashland county, is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred acres on section 20, Green township. His birth occurred five miles west of Lockport, New York, on the 26th of August, 1833, his parents being Benjamin and Katharine (Shambaugh) Walter, who were natives of Pennsylvania but of German parentage. The paternal grandfather, Christian Walter, was born in Germany, as was also George Shambaugh, the maternal grandfather. Benjamin Walter, the father of our subject, brought his wife and six children to New York, in which state he carried on agricultural pursuits until the time of his demise, owning a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres. His death occurred when his son Samuel was but nineteen months old. His family numbered nine children, of whom eight reached years of maturity and were married, but Samuel Walter, of this review, is the only one who still survives. The mother was called to her final rest while a resident of Ashland county.

In October, 1838, Samuel Walter was brought by his mother to Green township, Ashland county, and with the exception of the period of three and a half years following his marriage, which he spent in Knox county, he has lived here continuously since. In 1873 he took up his abode on the farm on which he has since resided, the place comprising one hundred acres on section 20, Green township, situated on the Perrysville and Wooster road, a mile and a half northeast of Perrysville. He cleared a part of this farm and made many improvements thereon, erected good buildings and equipped the place with all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farming property of the twentieth century. Throughout his active business career he has been engaged in farming and the success which has attended his efforts is but the well merited reward of earnest, persistent labor and indefatigable energy.

In 1855, Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Judy Oaks, whose birth - oecurred in Pennsylvania, April 16, 1834, and who was brought to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, by her parents when only two years of age, there residing until the fine of her marriage. Her parents, George and Mary Ann (Davis) Oaks, subsequently came to Ashland county and became neighbors of our subject, residing here until called to the home beyond. They were both natives of Pennsylvania and had a family of thirteen children, nine of whom grew to maturity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walter have been born seven children, namely : Amanda Ellen, the wife of Joseph Weirick, of Green township; Thomas Allen, who passed away at the age of four years; George, a resident of Loudonville, who formerly served as county commissioner ; Thomas Curtis, of Green township ; Nathaniel, who is likewise living in Green township; Sarah, the wife of Martin Oswalt, of Mansfield; Adaline, who died when sixteen years of age. Mr. Walter also has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Politically Mr. Walter is a stanch democrat and has served as road supervisor, while for twenty-one years he has acted as school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, exemplifying the teachings of the church in his daily hfe. Although he has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, he is still numbered among the active and progressive citizens of the community and throughout the long period of his residence in this county, covering almost the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he has gained the respect and esteem of an extensive circle of friends.

William Henry Gates

William Henry Gates, of the Ashland Press, was born at Petersburg, now Mifflin, in Ashland county, Ohio, March 10, 1846. He is a grandson of Peter Gates, who was born in 1778. His father, Isaac Gates, was the second sheriff of Ashland county, to which position he was elected in 1848 and again in 1850. Two years afterward he was chosen county auditor, was reelected in 1856 and again served from 1862 until 1866. During his second term as sheriff his official duty required that he hang Charles Steingraver on the 30th of January, 1852, and on the 16th of May, 1885, he hung Horn and Gribben, so that the only men who suffered capital punishment in the county were hung by him although thirty-three years elapsed between the events. Isaac Gates was married to Miss Susan Newcomer, a daughter of Christian Newcomer, who served as county commissioner from 1849 until 1852. He also conducted a hotel in Petersburg during the stage-coach days.

W. H. Gates was a pupil in the Ashland schools between the years 1852 and 1857. The family then removed to the country and he attended the district schools in the winter months from 1857 until 1862, while in the summer seasons during that period he worked on the farm. He had no other educational opportunities but learned many lessons of value through actual business experiences on the farm and elsewhere. In the spring of 1863 he entered the auditor's office as clerk, his father having been elected county auditor in the fall of 1862. He was employed in the auditor's office and in other positions in the courthouse for sixteen years and throughout that entire period utilized his opportunities to promote his learning and to make his services of value. In 1869 he joined his brother-in-law, B. F. Nelson, in a drug business, which they conducted until 1872, and in August of the latter year Mr. Gates joined Mr. Nelson in a newspaper enterprise, with which they continued until 1879, Mr. Gates thus becoming one of the publishers and editors of the Ashland Press. In the latter year, however, he sold out to W. T. Alberson and W. G. Heltman and in 1882 went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he occupied a clerical position in the office of the supreme lodge of the Knights of Honor, a beneficial insurance organization. He resided in Louisville until 1884, when the offices of the order were removed to St. Louis and Mr. Gates went to that city and continued as ''auditor of assessment accounts'' until September, 1891, when he returned to Ashland. In January, 1892, he bought a third interest in the Ashland Press, becoming a partner of W. T. Alberson, who owned the remaining two-thirds. On the Ist of January, 1895, he purchased Mr. Alberson's interest and became sole owner of the property and of the paper which is conducted under the name of the Ashland Press Company, all of the stock being now owned by members of his family. Mr. Gates still continues in this business and keeps abreast with modern journalism in the conduct of the paper.

In Ashland on the 13th of October, 1875, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gates and Miss Anna M. Baird, of this city. They became parents of three children: Howard Baird and Ralph Wick, twins, who were born August 8, 1878; and James Edgar, who was born December 2, 1879. Ralph W. died when only six weeks old. Howard Baird was married in October, 1903, to Miss Eva Shinn of Ashland, and they have two children, Dorthea and William Shinn, who are with their parents in Joplin, Missouri. James Edgar Gates is still at home and is active in connection with the publication of the Ashland Press.

In politics Mr. Gates is a democrat and hag been in all of the political contests since 1865 as party worker but not as a seeker for office for himself. He was elected township clerk of Montgomery township in April, 1871, and served for one year, which ended his political career as far as office holding is concerned. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry and is likewise identified with the Mystic Shrine. He joined the Masons in 1867 when twenty-one years of age. Reared in the Lutheran faith he has attended the Presbyterian church since his marriage, his wife being identified therewith.

William S. Fisher

William S. Fisher, who throughout his entire life has manifested an aptitude for successful management of important business affairs, is now the president of the First National Bank of Loudonville and also one of the prosperous merchants of the city. _ His life reconud began in Reading, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of July, 1835, his parents being Abraham and Susanna (Schumacher) Fisher, both of whom were natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives as farming people. The ancestors of the Fisher family came from Holland and resided in the state of New York for some time but eventually a removal was made to Berks county, Pennsylvania, by William and Sophia Fisher, the parents of Abraham Fisher. They continued residents of that district throughout their remaining days.

The Schumacher family came from Switzerland and is one of the oldest in the state of Pennsylvania, having been established there prior to the Revolutionary war. J acob Schumacher, with several companions of German birth, arrived from Cresheim, Germany, on the ship America, August 16, 1682, and were of the party that colonized Germantown, Pennsylvania. Jacob Schumacher was made sheriff of Germantown in 1690. He was identified with the Society of Friends or Quakers and in 1715 the Changton Monthly Meeting issued a certificate recommending Jacob Schumacher, a merchant, and' his family to the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. It was about this time that he removed to Philadelphia and his death oceurred in 1722. Unto him and his wife Margaret were born four children: George, Thomas, Susanna and Jacob. From 1682 to the present time the Shoemaker family has been represented in Pennsylvania, many of the name being prominent in the official hfe of their various communities and in business affairs. The old stone mansion which was erected in 1768 is still standing. It was built by Henry and Carl Shoemaker, sons of Jacob Shoemaker, Jr., who removed from Germantown to Shoemakersville about 1765. It was in that home that the birth of our subject occurred. Unto the marriage of Abraham Fisher and Susanna Schumacher there were born five children: William 8.; Charles, now deceased ; Tamson, deceased ; and Emma and Margaret, who are residents of Berks county, Pennsylvania.

William S. Fisher continued to make his home at the place of his nativity until 1860, when he came to Loudonville, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and assisted in its cultivation and improvement until 1855, when at the age of twenty years he decided to try his fortunes elsewhere and secured a clerkship in a dry goods store in Berks county. He continued to thus serve until 1860, when he removed to Loudonville and was again employed as a salesman until the spring of 1865, when he purchased a half interest in the store of J. C. Larwill. The relation between them was maintained until the spring of 1880, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Fisher began business alone, conducting his store with gratifying success for six years. At the end of that time he admitted his son, W. H. Fisher, to a partnership and in 1909 the business was further reorganized on the admission of his son, C. M. Fisher, to the firm. The three are now partners in the enterprise, which is conducted under the style of W. S. Fisher & Sons. They carry a large line of dry goods, carpets, cloaks and wall paper and enjoy a growing and profitable trade. Mr. Fisher owns a good business block, two stories in height and thirty-nine and a half by one hundred and eighty feet. It is built of brick and is one of the substantial business blocks of the city. One-half of the building is now occupied by a hardware store. For forty-four years Mr. Fisher has figured as one of the leading merchants of Loudonville and no other statement need be made concerning his business integrity and his spirit of enterprise, for the fact that he has so long occupied a place in mercantile circles here indicates that his course has been a most com- mendable one and that he has kept abreast with modern business methods in all things. Moreover he is equally prominent and honored in financial circles, having since 1903 been the president of the First National Bank of Loudonville, which was organized in that year. He had previously been identified for a number of years with a private bank of this place and at different times has been a stockholder in many enterprises which have not only proven a source of individual profit but have been factors in the commercial growth and business development of the community. In 1860 he was interested in the first attempt to develop the oil fields and he was also connected with the Queen Manufacturing Company. He possesses firm determination and undaunted enterprise and these qualities have enabled him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and make steady progress toward the goal of success.

-was born in Loudonville and is a daughter of Adam Ullman, represented elsewhere in this work. They have become the parents of five children: William Howard, who is in partnership with his father; Emma, the wife of D. H. Graven, eashier of the First National Bank of Loudonville; Susan, the widow of S. D. Yates, a resident of Loudonville; Mary, at home; and Charles Montgomery, who is also associated with his father in business.

In his political views Mr. Fisher has ever been an earnest democrat, supporting the party since casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He has served as a member of the city council, was a member of the board of education for fifteen years and at one time president of the board. He is a member of Zion's Lutheran church and in his religious belief is found the motive power of his honorable, upright life, making him a man whom to know is to respect and esteem.

John Heichel

John Heichel, now living retired in Jeromeville, was for many years closely associated with agricultural interests in this part of the county. He was born April 13, 1836, on a farm in Mohican township about one and one-half miles out of Jeromeville, a son of Michael and Katharine (Albert) Heichel. The father was born either in Germany or Pennsylvania and it is definitely known that his parents were natives of Germany. The mother was born in the Keystone state and they were married in Pennsylvania. In 1833 they removed westward with their four children and settled upon a farm now owned by John Heichel, both spending their remaining days upon that place. Michael Heichel at one time owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, which came into the possession of the subject of this review by purchasing the interest of the other heirs in the property. In the family were eleven children, of whom two, Luther and Philip, died in infancy. The others are Joseph and Susan, both deceased ; Michael, who served for three years in McLaughlin's battalion of cavalry ; Jacob, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mrs. Katharine Austin, deceased; John, 'of this review; Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mrs. Josephine

John Heichel spent his entire life until within a year ago upon the farm where his birth occurred, It comprises one hundred and thirty-eight acres of land on section 15, Mohican township, on the Wooster road, and is a well improved farm property, having upon it fine buildings and all modern equipments. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits save for a period which he spent as a soldier in the Civil war. After the outbreak of hostilities he enlisted at the first call for troops, becoming a member of Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for ninety days. He was offered a first lieutenancy but when he arrived at the meeting place he found that his brother had enlisted so that he felt that his duty was to remain at home and care for his aged mother. At one time he was a member of the Grand Army Post, but it disbanded on account of lack of members.

In the year 1864 Mr. Heichel was united in marriage to Miss Maria Hamlet and unto them were born six children: William E., living in Creston, Ohio; Thomas J., a resident of Ashland; Jennie Bell, the wife of G. D. Myers, of Ashland; James Ray, residing in Ashland; Anna May, the twin sister of James and now the wife of H. D. Schroll, living on her father's farm; and Maggie, the wife of C. L. Landis, of Wooster. Two brothers, Thomas and Ray, are in the hardware business in Ashland, while W. E. is in the same business at North Baltimore, Ohio.

Mr. Teichel belongs to the Christian church, with which he has long been identified, and for many years he has served as one of its elders. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to office. He has served as township treasurer, was one of the township trustees for six years and was appointed on the jury commission for five vears. He is now one of the trustees of the Childrens Home in Ashland, having been thus connected therewith since its organization. His life has at all times been an upright, honorable one, his interests centering in the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the community. His influence is always found on the side of justice and right and his life record is one which has gained for him the unqualified regard of his fellowmen.

Leonard B. Richards

Leonard B. Richards, a veterinary surgeon, who is known far and wide throughout the state as an expert dehorner of cattle and who for many years has been a resident of Nova, is a native of Orange township, where his birth occurred September 9, 1844.._His parents, Wesley and Mary Jane (Ogden) Richards, came from the Keystone state with their parents in the early '30s and settled in Wayne county, where they were united in marriage, shortly after which they went to Orange township, where they remained until 1845, when they removed to Nova. Wesley Richards was a progressive farmer who, when he took up his claims in this section, had to clear away the forests before he could get sufficient land upon which to plant his crops. Inspired with the aggressiveness and industry of the pioneers, he overcame all discouragements, let nothing interfere with his progress and finally developed one of the finest and most productive farms in this section of the country. He died January 14, 1875, at the age of fifty-eight years and his wife died November 3, 1893, at the age of seventy-six.

On his father's farm Leonard B. Richards was reared, engaging in the daily routine of agricultural life during the summer months and in the winter attending the district schools, where he acquired his education. After completing his studies, he remained on the farm for a time and then became apprenticed to a carriage-maker with whom he learned the trade, which occupation he followed as a journeyman in Nova. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade and has ever since been engaged in this business in connection with that of carriagemaking. Moreover he is a veterinary surgeon, has a very extensive and successful practice and is regarded as one of the highest authorities upon diseases of animals, being particularly well versed upon the ailments of horses. When the question of dehorning cattle was first discussed a veterinary surgeon came from a western city and dehorned a savage animal, the operation proving successful in completely taming the beast and, this incident appearing almost miraculous in the eyes of Mr. Richards, he became deeply interested and subsequently took up the business, which he has since followed. In course of time the dehorning of cattle was called to the attention of the humane society, the members of which decided the practice to be cruel and Mr. Richards was warned by the officers of that organization to discontinue his operations. However, disregarding the warning, it was necessary to again notify him but he still persisted in his practice, whereupon the society decided to prosecute him at which he was placed under arrest by officer Albert Sheets and after a series of delays the case was finally brought up to trial in the common pleas court at Ashland, where able legal talent was employed on both sides. When the case was first brought forward the defendant was the object of intense and bitter feeling but as the case progressed and it had been shown that the dehorning process was of benefit to the animals the feeling began to change toward Mr. Richards and after five days had been spent in arguing the question, while seventy-five witnesses, among whom were experts from all over the country, were examined and more than forty witnesses for the prosecution, including scientific and medical experts, the defendant was finally discharged and it fell to the county to pay the costs of the suit which amounted to seven hundred dollars. From that time dehorning cattle became common and Mr. Richards estimates that he himself has performed that operation in the case of more than twenty thousand animals and in this line of business he is acknowledged throughout the state as an expert. A horned animal in the section in which Mr. Richards resides is now very seldom seen. He is a man who has always been fond of horses and, being a special admirer of the animal he always has on hand one of good points for his own use and has done much toward improying the grade of horses and also of cattle throughout the township. He is known everywhere particularly on account of his veterinary experience and ' skill and is numbered among the township's most substantial citizens.

In November, 1866, Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Melissa Bell, daughter of John and Marilda (Mead) Bell, of Ripley, Huron county. Her father was a minister of the gospel, a tanner and also an agriculturist, and a man whose influence for good was highly spoken of throughout the county. To this union have been born nine children: Rena Bell, Leonard E. and Josephine, all deceased; Colonel D.; Daisy, now the wife of Samuel Lane, of Chicago, Illinois; Clayton, of Rome, Ohio; Edith; John B., of the village of Ashland ; and Loa U., the wife of Edward Damm, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

In politics Mr. Richards gives his allegiance to the republican party, has always been a prominent factor in the affairs of the community and although he has never held public office he has upon many occasions been urged to become a candidate for political honors. He is always in line with any movement purposed to better local conditions and, being a man of extraordinary ability he has done much toward developing public interests.

John Lutz

John Lutz, who for forty-five years has resided continuously upon his present farm on section 3, Mifflin township, is a representative of that valued class of citizens that Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, has furnished to this district. It was in that county that his birth occurred January 18, 1836, and after spending the first fourteen years of his life there, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. He is a son of John and Sarah (Beemer) Lutz, both natives of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster and Bucks counties respectively. On coming to Ohio they settled in Milton township, Ashland county, where their remaining days were passed, Mr. Lutz giving his time and energies to general farming and thus providing a comfortable living for his wife and children. His death occurred July 7, 1873, at the age of seventy-one years, six months and nine days, while his wife died May 11, 1875, at the age of seventyfive years and eleven days.

Their children were as follows: Samuel, deceased; Elias, who has also passed away; John, of this review; Emanuel, who died while serving in the Union army in the Civil war; Katharine, who is the widow of James Cehner and resides in Butler township. Richland county, Ohio; Sarah, who became the wife of H. L. Hiffner but both are now deceased; Anna Marie, who died in childhood ; Ilenry, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Andrew, who passed away in this state when twenty-one years of age.

Coming to Ohio with his parents, Mr. Lutz lived for some time on the old home farm, which was established a mile north of his present home in Milton township. When twenty-four years of age he wags married and for a year thereafter lived with his father. after which he spent three years in Weller township, Richland county. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Mifflin township, where he has since resided, making his home on his present farm on section 3 since 1864. Year after year he has tilled the soil, cultivated his crops in a most careful manner and the farm today is a valuable tract of land of one hundred and forty-seven acres under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Lutz sold one-half of his farm to his son and both are numbered among the representative agriculturists of the community. The home place is improved with good buildings, the latest machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place indicates the thrift and industry which characterizes the owner.

In was in 1859 that Mr. Lutz was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Keever, who was born in Milton township, on the 27th of June, 1839, and died on the 21st of September, 1905, at the age of sixty-six years. She was a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Baum) Keever, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, although they were married and spent their remaining days in Ashland county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lutz were born three children: Henry, whose place adjoins his father's farm; Amanda, the wife of Henry McQuete, of Blooming Grove township, Richland county; and Alice, who is the wife of Ed Sheller and lives with her father, Mr. Sheller operating the farm.

In his political views Mr. Lutz is a republican but. while he believes in the principles of the party the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Lutheran church at Mifflin. He has now reached the age of seventy-three years and his life has ever been an honorable and upright one, gaining for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated, He has lived quietly, never seeking notoriety of any kind, but his genuine worth has given him a firm hold upon the affections of those with whom he has come in contact.

I. Leroy Miller

I. Leroy Miller, secretary of the Faultless Rubber Company, is a young man of business enterprise whose well directed labors are carrying him into important relations with the commercial interests and development of his adopted city. He was born in Manchester, Summit county, Ohio, March 19, 1875, and is a son of Henry H. and Mary J. (Baxter) Miller. The father was a native of Summit county, Ohio, while the mother came to this state with her parents from the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the family home being established, following their arrival in Ohio, at Marshallville, Wayne county. They afterward removed to Canal Fulton, Stark county, where Mary Baxter was living at the time of her marriage to Henry H. Miller. The father was a painter by trade, carrying on business along that line throughout his entire life save for the period of his service in the Civil war when, in response to the country's call for troops, he offered his services to the government. He joined the army for three years, participated in a number of important engagements and was wounded in the battle near Stone Run, carrying the bullet in his leg to his grave. He died in 1894 when fifty-eight years of age. His wife still survives and now makes her home in Manchester, Ohio.

No event of especial importance occurred to vary the routine of life for I. Leroy Miller in his boyhood and youth which was largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in the public schools until he was sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the jeweler 's trade with the firm of Frank & Laubach at Akron. A year later the firm made an assignment and Mr. Miller returned home. He then continued his studies, attending school for two years more when he took up the profession of teaching and for six years was identified with educational work. In 1900, however, he reentered the commercial field, becoming associated with T. W. Miller in the undertaker's supply business, while later he continued his associations with T. W. Miller in the Faultless Manufacturing Company. In March, 1907, the general offices of the company were removed to Ashland and on the 1st of April, following, I. Leroy Miller came to this city and on July 1, 1907, was elected secretary of the company, in which capacity he is now serving, proving a capable officer in the control of the important and growing interests of the house.

In March, 1899, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Nellie E. Grove of Summit county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel and Alvira (Grubb) Grove. The father was one of the well known farmers of Summit county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born two children, Vernon Leroy and Richard Grove. Mr. Miller is liberal in his political views but is in sympathy with the independent movement of the times toward clean politics and honor in office. He is a member of the Dutch Reform church and occupies a position as one of the representative business men in Ashland, enjoying the respect and good will of the public throughout the years of his residence in this city.

A history of Lake township would be incomplete without extended mention of W. E. Paullin, a large farm owner and influential citizen of the community in which he resides. Although devoting his time and energies principally to agricultural pursuits, he has yet found time to participate in other lines of activity and has become a prominent figure in the business and political circles of this township. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred March 22, 1853, at Lake Fork, Mohican township, Ashland county. The Paullin family was founded in this country by the great-grandfather of our subject who, on leaving Holland, established his home in Pennsylvania, where Isaac Paullin, his son, was born and reared. The latter married Elizabeth Hepler, also a native of Pennsylvania, and about the year 1823 removed with his family to Ohio, settling near Hayesville, Ashland county, where he engaged in business as a shoemaker ae gunsmith. Prior to his removal westward he gave valnable aid to his country as a soldier in the war of 1812. His remaining days were passed in this county, his death occurring when he had reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years while his wife passed away when seventy years of age. Their family sSiaea of the following children: William; Samuel; John; Daniel; Yedekiah : Tsaac ; Peter; and Mrs. Elmyra Fry. Zedekiah, the father of W. E. Paullin, am bats near Greenburg, Pennsylvania, in 1821 and was therefore but two years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ashland county, Ohio. Here he was reared and under the direction of his father learned the shoemaker's trade, which line of activity he continued to make his life work. In 1854 he removed to Mohicanville, where he established a shoe shop and grocery store, and there his remaining days were spent. He married Hannah Hayes, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. She was a daughter of Joseph and Polly Hayes, and in her childhood accompanied her parents to Ohio, where the family home was established near New Philadelphia. In their family were seven children: John, who died at the age of one year; Benjamin Franklin, of Ashland; Malissa A., the wife of William Fry, of Loudonville; Alonzo E., who, when thirty years of age, was accidentally shot while hunting; W. E., of this review; Zebina Luther, of Loudonville; and Alice A., who passed away in her seventh year. The parents of this family both passed away in Mohicanville, the father's death occurring February 1, 1900, while his wife died in 1890. :

When but a year old W. E. Paullin removed with his parents to Mohicanville and there he was reared to manhood. His early life was spent in the usual manner of the village lad, and he remained under the parental roof until his marriage. Deciding to make agriculture his life work, he went to live on his father-in-law's farm in Lake township, by whom he was employed for four years. At the expiration of that period the father-in-law divided his holdings among his children and Mr. Paullin and his wife have since resided upon her share of the property, a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on the northeast quarter of section 5 of Lake township, adjoining the village of Mohicanville on the south. The farm is a well improved one, the soil being rich and productive, while the buildings, which were erected in 1882 for their especial use by the father-in-law, are substantial and commodious. Here Mr. Paullin carries on general farming and stock raising, and as he has prospered he has extended his holdings until he now owns one hundred and seventy-four acres in section 17 and forty acres in section 20, his property aggregating three hundred and seventy-four acres. In addition to his own farming interests he manages the Sabina Wicoff estate of one hundred and fifty acres in this township, while he is also acting in the capacity of guardian for the heirs - the two grandchildren - of James Swain. In business circles he is well known, being one of the original stockholders of the Ohio Greece Lubricant Company of Loudonville, while the success which has attended his labors entitles him to a foremost place among the influential citizens of Lake township.

In the year 1877 Mr. Paullin was united in marriage to Elizabeth M. Garst, a native of this county, born May 14, 1856, near Mohicanville, Mohican township. She is a daughter of John A. and Rebecca A. (Helbert) Garst, natives of Alsace, France,.and Pennsylvania respectively. The former, who was born in 1820, came to New York when ten years of age in company with his parents, and the family home was established in Westmoreland county, that state. He removed to Ohio when about sixteen years old and was bound out to his uncle in order to learn the blacksmith's trade. He was married in Mohicanville, where he plied his trade for a few years, and then bought a small farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He became very successful, acquiring considerable wealth, while at one time he owned several farms. His death occurred in Mohicanville in 1904, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. lis wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca A. Helbert, was born in Pennsylvania in 1825,'a daughter of Jacob Helbert, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Henry Helbert on another page of this volume. Her 'death occurred in 1861, and Mr. Garst was again married, his second union being with Margaret Wallace. Mr. Garst and his first wife became the parents of seyen children, while unto thé second union were born three children.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Paullin was blessed with eleven children, namely: Arthur-Earl, of Lake township, operating one of his father's farms, who has been twice married and has one child; Victor Leo, who died in infancy ; Oliver Perry, a resident of Loudonville, who is married and has one child; Zedekiah T., of Loudonville, who is single and makes his home with his brother ; John A., engaged in teaching school, makes his home with his parents; Guy H.; Mabel; Ralph T.; Benjamin Frank; and Ray and Fay, twins, who are in their seventh year.

Mr. Paullin and his family are identified with the German Reformed church while in his fraternal relations he is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Ashland. In politics he gives stalwart support to the democracy, being actively connected with local political questions, and lends his influence to the furtherance of the interests of his party. He has served for the past thirteen years as justice of the peace and his present term will expire January 1, 1912. He was township clerk for four years and is at present a member of the democratic central committee. He ranks today among the influential citizens of this eommunity, perseverance, industry and progress being salient qualities in his success. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust of his fellowmen, for he has conducted all business transactions by the strictest principles of honor and integrity. In this county where his entire life has been spent he has gained many warm friends who hold him in the highest respect and esteem.

Jacob M. Snyder

Jacob M. Snyder, who is successfully carrying on general farming and stock-raising interests on his farm of one hundred and twenty-one acres in Perry township, was born July 25, 1853, on the old family homestead in this township, his parents being Henry K. and Mary Ann (Meng) Snyder. Both the father and mother accompanied their respective parents on the removal from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Perry township, Ashland county, Ohio, and the deed from the government for the original entry of one hundred and sixty acres is now in possession of our subject. The journey to this section of the state was made in wagons and both the Snyder and Meng families took up their abode in the midst of the forest, built cabin homes and began clearing the land for purposes of cultivation. Both the grandfather and father of Jacob M. Snyder engaged in general agricultural pursuits as a life work and, being energetic and industrious, met with a creditable measure of prosperity in their undertakings. In the family of Henry K. Snyder there were five children, namely: Philip, John, Samuel, Mary, and Jacob M., the last named being now the only survivor.

Jacob M. Snyder was reared to manhood on his father's farm and pursued his education in the district schools. Since attaining man's estate he has devoted his time and energies to the pursuits of general farming and stock raising and has continued to reside on the old homestead place in Perry township to the present time. His property comprises one hundred and twenty-one acres of valuable and well improved land, in the cultivation of which he utilizes the most practical and progressive methods of modern agriculture. For the past three years he has been buying and shipping potatoes from Jeromeville, and in the fall of 1908 shipped twenty-eight cars, averaging six hundred bushels to the ear, at a price of sixty cents per bushel.

On the 16th of April, 1876, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ewing, a daughter of Philip and Sophia (Swartz) .Ewing. Her father was formerly successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm adjoining that of Mr. Snyder but is now a resident of Hancock county, Ohio. |The mother of Mrs. Snyder passed away a number of years ago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were born nine children, as follows: Harvey, who is deceased; Hiram; Olive A.; David; Alice; Addie; Emma; Elza and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have five children: Edgar, who is married and resides in Cleveland; Dora, the wife of Alvin Ewing, a farmer of Perry township; Bertha, the wife of Carson Faber, who likewise carries on farming in Perry township; Grover C.; and Opal.

In his political views Mr. Snyder is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and has been an active worker in the local ranks of his party. He has capably served as road supervisor and is now a member of the school board, having held the latter position for five years. He has always stood for that which is progressive in citizenship and which tends to promote the material, intellectual and moral development of the community. Fraternally he is connected with Mohiean Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., and Washington Grange of Jeromeville, in which he has filled all of the offices. His entire life has been passed in this locality and his fellow townsmen know that his career has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by honor in all his relations with his fellowmen.

H. F. Dalton

H. F. Dalton, engaged in farming and stock raising on section 3, Green township, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on the 30th of April, 1854, his parents being George A. and Mary Jane (Walser) Dalton, the father being a native of this county, while the mother's birth occurred near Mount Union, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Edward Dalton, and his wife both came to the United States from England. | By his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Walser and whom he wedded in 1850, George A. Dalton had six children, namely: H. F. of this review; Elizabeth, the deceased wife of George Swassick ;

Hattie, the wife of H. S. Humphrey, of Green township ; Edward, a resident of Hayesville; Grant, living in Mansfield; and Della, the deceased wife of Joseph Casner. The mother of these children passed away in Green township on the 1st of May, 1869, and in 1870 Mr. Dalton was again married, his second union being with Lucretia Spafford, who died in 1897 and by whom he had two children, Cora and Charles, twins, who now reside in Vermillion township. George A. Dalton, who was a consistent member of the German Baptist church during the last twenty-eight years of his life, passed away in that faith on the 10th of May, 1907, at the age of seventy-eight years, three months and ten days, his demise occurring in Green township, and his death was mourned by an extensive circle of friends.

H. F. Dalton has spent his entire life in Ashland county and has always resided in the vicinity of his birthplace, while throughout his active business career he has been engaged in general farming and stock raising, meeting with a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity in both undertakings. His landed holdings comprise eighty acres on section 3, and also another tract of forty-four acres, all in Green township, and he is well known and _ highly esteemed as one of the substantial, progressive and enterprising citizens of the community.

In 1877 Mr. Dalton was united in marriage to Miss Anna Huston, who was born on the farm on which she now resides in Green township, October 26, 1860, her parents being William and Matilda (Jones) Huston, the former a native of New York and the latter of Wayne county, Ohio. William Huston died about forty-six years ago but his widow still survives and is a neighbor of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Dalton. The latter was one of a family of three daughters, her sisters being as follows: Josephine, the wife of L. Z. McClure, of Vermillion township; and Flora, now deceased, who first became the wife of David Baker and subsequent to his demise wedded Henry Cornwell. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dalton have been born the following children: Lottie Pearl, the wife of David C. Beck, of Green township, by whom she has one child, Perry; and Caul Clayton, who passed away at the age of two years.

Politically Mr. Dalton is a stanch republican, believing that the principles of the party are most conducive to good government. He is likewise a faithful and consistent member of the Evangelical church of Green township, in which he has held various official positions. Both he and his wife are representatives of prominent old families of Ashland county and are widely and favorably known within its borders, having here spent their entire lives.

William Thomas Huston

William Thomas Huston, deceased, was born in the state of New York April 15, 1837, his father being Samuel Huston, a native of Ireland. The hii was twice married and by his first wife had the following children: John, Samuel, William T., Eliza, Margaret, Mary Ann, Nancy, Jane and Sarah. By his second wife, a i bore the maiden name of Jane Ginn and was born in Treland, he had two children, Charles and Cora. In 1847 he took up his abode on a farm in Green township, Ashland county, Ohio, being here successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest. He owned two well improved and valuable farms, which were inherited by his children when he passed away.

William Thomas Huston was ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ashland county, the family home being established on a farm in Green township, on which he spent the remainder of his life and where his widow still resides. Throughout his active business career he was connected with farming interests and when he was called to the home beyond in August, 1863, the community mourned the loss of one of its most prosperous and progressive citizens.

On the 7th of January, 1858, Mr. Huston was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Jones, whose birth occurred in Wayne county, Ohio, September 5, 1837, her parents being William and Susannah (Spanger) Jones, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were married in Wayne county, to which place they had removed in childhood days, the latter being a little maiden of ten summers when she went to that section of the state, finding the district largely a wilderness. Mrs. Huston was one of a family of four daughters and a son, namely: John, Matilda, Sophia, Margaret and Barbara. When four years of age she was brought by her parents to Green township, Ashland county, Ohio, where she has since made her home, and since the time of her marriage, covering a period of fifty-one years, she has resided on a farm of eighty acres on section 3. By her marriage she became the mother of three children. Josephine is the wife of Louis McClure, of Vermillion township, and has three children. Anna is the wife of H. F. Dalton, whose sketch appears in this volume. Flora, who is now deceased, first became the wife of David Baker, by whom she had three children, as follows: Tilden, who died at the age of eight years; Franklin, who was reared by his grandmother, Mrs. Huston, and is now engaged in teaching school; and David, who was also reared by Mrs. ITuston and still makes his home with her. Subsequent to the death of her first husband Mrs. Baker wedded Henry Cornwell, by whom she had three children, Pearl, Foy and Fay. Though left a widow at the comparatively early age of twenty-six years, Mrs. Huston not only reared her three children but also two grandchildren, carefully training them for lives of usefulness and activity. Practically her entire life has been passed in this county and her many good traits of heart and mind have endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.

John B. Long

Although John B. Long has passed the Psalmist's allotted age of three score years and ten, he yet remains an active factor in the business life of Loudonville where he has now been located for a half century. During forty-eight years of this time he has been known as a shoe merchant and in the previous brief period of two years he engaged in making shoes. His thorough reliability has been one of the potent elements in the prosperity he has gained and has won for him the trust and good will as well as the patronage of his fellowmen. .

He was born at Canal Fulton in Stark county, Ohio, December 3, 1837, a son of George J. and Katherine (Barnhart) Long, who were natives of the town of Ullwiler in the province of Alsace, France. The father's birth occurred March 25, 1798, while the mother was born October 8, 1797. They were reared and married there and had two children, their eldest being about six years of age and the younger two years old when they came to America in 1828. They did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made their way at once into the interior of the country, settling first at Canton, Ohio. After five years they removed to Canal Fulton where they resided for five years and then came to Ashland county before the county was organized, spending their remaining days in Lake township. The father devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits and owned and cultivated eighty acres of land. When the tract came into his possession it was covered with timber but he cleared away the trees and made the fields ready for cultivation. The work of improvement and development was carried on year by year and his property in due time became one of the well improved and valuable farms in the county. He died October 22, 1868, while his wife survived until June 4, 1875. They were the parents of four children. George, who followed farming throughout his entire life in Lake township, died January 16, 1902, at the age of seventy-nine years, ten months and twenty-eight days. Peter B. passed away on the home farm in Lake township, October 26, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years. John B. is the next of the family. Adam, the youngest, died August 25, 1885, at the age of forty-five years and two months.

John B. Long is the only surviving member of his father's household. He was only four months old when his parents removed from Stark county and established their home on a farm in Lake township, Ashland county, where he remained until sixteen years of age, during which time he worked in the fields and acquired his education in the public schools. He then left home, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable than farm work. Going to Nashville, Holmes county, Ohio, he there learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed that pursuit there from 1854 until 1859. In the latter year he came to Loudonville where he established a shoe shop and engaged in the manufacture of shoes for two years. At the end of that time he began dealing in readymade shoes and has conducted a store to the present time, being thus numbered among the merchants of Loudonville for forty-eight years. He started in a store adjoining the one which he now occupies and has continuously been located rerncture, twenty hy oho haved fase a Ae ee oe line of Beads and his store is atirneeiy 1 aie t bias : a a eee his prices are reasonable and in his d i . 'i : _ Senate ee pian Sant ea ings e 18 thoroughly reliable, so that he agvenjoye patronage, making his one of the profitable business enterprises of the town. se - ret tee Stee eaten residence on Main aa: where he Maria Siglinger 6 i tau a otihtic aati 5 Oi aU aeaar on ae s ; ' x county, Ohio, near Canal Fulton, August

21, 1836, and is the only child of George and Katherine (Simmons) Siglinger, the former a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and the latter of Alsace, France. Both came to America in childhood days. Mrs. Long lost her mother when but two years of age, and later Mr. Siglinger started to return to Germany, after which he was never heard from again. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long have been born eight children: Charles S., who is now in partnership with his father under the firm style of J. B. Long & Son; Thomas E., who is sole owner and manager of the business conducted under the name of the Pittsburg Pump Company of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is also vice president of.the Savings & Trust Company there; Clara, the wife of Augustus Artz, of Plymouth, Ohio; Ida, the wife of Sherman Hissem, of Loudonville; George Franklin, also of Loudonville; Walter M., who is with his brother in Pittsburg; Harvey W., a clerk in his father's store; and Grace, at home.

{m public affairs Mr. Long has been active and influential. He has served as a member of the city council of Loudonville and for nine years filled the office of mayor, his-administration being thoroughly businesslike and progressive and characterized also by the enactment of restrictive and regulative legislation. He has always given his political support to the democracy and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the German Lutheran church. He-is a man of genuine personal worth, who throughout his life has sought the greatest good of the greatest number and is widely known as a progressive citizen, a loyal friend and a devoted husband and father. Moreover his life record indicates the value and force of persistent labor for his energy and diligence have constituted the basis of the suecess which he has long enjoyed.

S. Wadsworth Riggs

S. Wadsworth Riggs, who is largely identified with the agricultural and business interests of Sullivan township, and who descended from a well known pioneer family of the county, was born December 9, 1846, in Sullivan where he has resided since, a son of Horace and Susan (Pierce) Riggs, both of whom were natives of New York state, their families having come to Ohio about the year 1832, his father's people having settled in Holmes county and his mother's in Wayne county. They were among the early settlers of this region, active in the early development of the country, and during the pioneer days they endured many hardships and privations in order to put the land in condition for cultivation for the benefit of following generations. Mrs. Riggs descended from Revolutionary stock, a number of her ancestors having served with distinction in the war for independence. Mr. Riggs came to this township in 1834, his wife's people coming about the same time and here they were united in marriage. He was a cooper by trade and followed this occupation, in connection with general farming and stock raising, until he departed this life in March, 1905, having survived his wife nineteen years. He was a man of marked intelligence and strong personality and wielded a great influence for good throughout the

In the district schools 8S. Wadsworth Riggs acquired his education and after completing his studies he learned the cooper trade with his father, which he followed for some time but subsequently turned his attention to farming and the dairy business. In these enterprises he was very successful for a number of years but in 1886 he gave them up and became connected with the sawmill and iumber enterprise, with which he is still associated. He owns six hundred and seventy acres of fine farm and timber lands in addition to his sawmill property and also possesses business and residence holdings in the village of Sullivan. He has been very successful in his business and his prosperity in the several enterprises in which he is engaged has been such as to rank him among the foremost in the business circles of the county.

On December 19, 1867, Mr. Riggs wedded Mrs. Caroline Holbrook, widow of Clinton Holbrook and daughter of Roswell and Polly (Petticord) Odell, of Lorain county, her father a native of Vermont and her mother of North Carolina. His wife passed away in February, 1900. Mr. Riggs is not affiliated with any societies or fraternal organizations nor is he a member of any church body but, is a man of high moral purpose whose charities are well known throughout the county and many persons, who are now successfully pursuing business and other callings in life, may gratefully attribute their advantages and prosperity to his generosity.

In politics Mr. Riggs. is not bound to any particular political party but believes that greater consideration should be given to the candidate than to the party to which he belongs and he therefore reserves the right to judge of the qualifications of office seekers for himself and to cast his vote for those whom he deems best qualified to conserve the interests of the commonwealth. Although he has never held any public office he takes a deep interest in local affairs and is always ready to further any movement which has for its object the general improvement of the community. Mr. Riggs is a man of means, all of which he owes to his own exertions since he had neither money nor influence and but little education when he started out in hfe. Straightforward in his transactions and always living an upright life, he is honored by all who know him and is numbered among the township's most highly respected citizens.

Levi Oswalt

Levi Oswalt has passed the eighty-first milestone on the journey of life and his record is a most enviable one for he has ever been recognized as a good citizen and a man of genuine personal worth. He has lived for more than seventy years upon the farm which is now his home, having been brought to this place by his parents in the spring of 1838. He was born near Bedford Pennsylvania, on the 14th of April, 1828, and is a son of John and Mats, (Teichman) Oswalt and a grandson of John Oswalt. The great-grandfather in the paternal line was a native of Germany and the Teichman family also comes of German lineage. The parents of our subject were both natives of Pennsylvania the father born January 29, 1800, and the mother on the 26th of August, 1801. They remained residents of the Keystone state until 1836, when they removed westward to Ohio and in 1838, took up their abode upon a farm where Levi Oswalt now resides. Here the father died in 1846 while the mother passed away in 1859. They were the parents of nine children: Mrs. Drusilla Mains and Mrs. Julia Ann Van Zile, both now deceased; Levi; Mrs. Lucinda McCumber, who has also passed away; Benjamin, who lives in Monroe township, Richland county, about a mile from his brother's farm; Mrs. Maria Lash, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Shane and John Wesley, who have also passed away; and David Martin, who was killed while serving as a Union soldier in the Civil war in 1863. He had enlisted from this county and on the expiration of his first term had reenlisted.

In his youthful days Levi Oswalt became familiar with all the experiences of frontier life. He assisted in the arduous task of developing new lands and worked in the fields through the summer months while in the winter seasons he attended school as opportunity afforded. He has resided continuously upon the farm which is now his home since 1838 and now has one hundred and eight acres of land on section 18, save for about an acre which was taken by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the building of the line through this locality. There are many white oak, sugar maple and walnut trees upon this place, the farm having been covered with heavy timber when Mr. Oswalt took up his abode thereon, but five acres having been cleared at that time. Most of the farm is today under cultivation save ten acres of woodland. The fields are earefully tilled and bring forth rich harvests, the buildings are good and are kept in a state of neat repair. In connection with general farming Mr. Oswalt has carried on minor business enterprises including butchering, sheep-shearing and the operation of a threshing machine. His life has always been a very busy and useful one in which have been few leisure hours. He has worked diligently and energetically as the years have passed and the success which is now his has come as the result of his own well directed labors. Although Mr. Oswalt has long since passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he yet engages in the supervision of his farm which is operated under his direction.

On the 23 of October, 1856, occurred the marriage of Mr. Oswalt and Miss Pamelia Macomber, who was born in Green township, October 21, 1837, and died November 21, 1905. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary (Leply) Macomber, natives of Pennsylvania, who became pioneer residents of this county. Their family numbered eight children, Pamelia, Henry, Clinton, Phoebe, Gideon, Lydia, Nettie and Libby. | The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Oswalt has been blessed with four children. Alice Irene became the wife of Fred Allis, and died leaving two daughters, Vera Irene and Emma Retta, also deceased. Effie Eugenia is the widow of Leander Simms, of Perrysville, and has a daughter, Lottie Birdell. Ida Josephine is the widow of David McCready and has three children, Edna Fay, Robert Byron and Cloyd Elsworth. Martin Elsworth, of Mansfield, is married and has two sons, Walter Levi and Charles Elsworth.