Canton Township (part 29 of 62)

Adam Nimon was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the pioneer schools of the period and the locality. The educational facilities at that time were necessarily limited, but ATr. Nimon was ambitious to obtain an education and made faithful use of such means as were at his command, at length acquiring a fair knowledge of the common English branches. This he has since liberally supplemented by a wide course of reading and a close observation of men and events. At the age of twenty years he removed to the farm on which he now resides and, his father not having a practical knowledg'e of farming, the subject took active charge of the place, running it for his father's benefit until the latter's death, since which time he has remained in possession, it ha\'ing reverted to him at that time. He has made a decided success of his vocation and has achieved an enviable reputation as one of the intelligent and progressiA'e agriculturists of his township. His time is almost entirely given to his farming interests and the excellent condition of his fields and farm Imildings indicates his care and supervision. He is both practical ~and progressive in his methods and to his energy and perseverance is attributed the gratifying success which has attended his efforts.

In 1868 the subject was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Elizabeth Scheff'er, a nati\'e of Osnaburg township and a daug'hter of John Scheft'er, also a native of the same township. The latter's father, Henry Scheft'er, was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio in the early pioneer days, at a time when Indians and wild game were plenti- fill. To tlie subject and his wife ha\e been born seven children, of whom six survive, as follows: Harvey, of Canton, Ohio; George, also of Canton : Frances, Levi, Anna and Clara, all at home. In politics the subject is nominally a Democrat, Aoting in harmony with that party on all national questions, but in local matters he deems the fitness of the candidate for the office sought the most important consideration. He was at one time nominated against his wishes for the office of township trustee, liut refused to make a canvass and at the election was defeated by three or four votes. Religiously he is identified with the Reformed church and gives his earnest support to all measures ha\ing for their object the advancement of the moral or material interests of the community. All in all, he is a citizen of whom any community might be proud.

JACOL) K.-\(iE\' was born in Columbiana county. Ohio, on the 13th of October, 1842, being a son of Abraham and Hannah (Snyder) Kagey and now the only survivor of theii' five child.re:i. ,\liraham Kagey was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in January, 1818, a son - of John and Catherine (Coughnour) Kagey. The name has long been identified with the annals of American history and has stood for the higliest type of citizenship ani:l the most exalted patriotism. The original American ancestor was John Kagey. who emigrated hither from Switzerland, prior to the middle of the sexcnteenth century, taking up his abode in ^'irginia, and a numlier of the family were patriot soldiers in the Continental line during- the war of the Revolution, while many of the name ha\e l)een jirominent in the public life of the natic^n, representatives being now found in the most diverse sections of the Union, though the Old Dominion still claims a munber of the family as residents. When the father of the sul)ject was a child his parents removed from \'irginia to Trumbull county, Ohio, being numbered among' the pioneers of that section of the Buckeye state. There his father died when Abraham was but se\en years of age, and he then became an inmate iif the home of his uncle. Henry Kagey, whii soon afterward removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, where the father of the subject was reared to manhood on a farm, recei\-ing such educational advantages as the pioneer locality affiirded. As a young man he came to Stark county for a \isit. and while here he met Miss Hannah Snyder, with whom he successfully pressed his suit, as is shown in the fact that they were shortly afterward married. They passed the first two years of their married life in Columbiana county, and then came to Stark county, in 1843. 1^1''^ y^-^i' 'liter the birth of the subject, their eldest child, and here the father purchased a farm of eighty acres in Osnaburg township, w here he continued to make his home until 1854. when he sold the property and purchased the farm now owned 1)y the subject, on section 3;. Ximishillen tnwuship. the same comprising one hundred and eighteen acres of as fine land as can Ije found in the county. Here he resided until the time of his death, which occurred on the 21st of June. 1873. his demise being the direct result of injuries recei\'ed by being thrown from a horse about a score of years previously, his health lia\ ing been nuich impaired ever after this accident. In his earlier life he was a Democrat in politics, but upon the organization of the Republican party be espoused its cause and e\'er afterward continued its stalwart adherent. He was a prominent member of the German Baptist church, in which he held the office of deacon for a number of years. In 1879 his widow consummated a second marriage, becoming the wife of Christian Sollenberger, and she died about five years later, in 18S4, ha\ing likewise been a devoted member of the (lerman Baptist church.

farm, in this count)', being about twelve years of age at the time when liis parents removed from Osnabm'g township to his present farm. Being the eldest child he was early called upon to assume much of the practical work of the farm, his father's accident having disqualified him for actixe labor, and thus the subject's educational advantages were very limited in scope, being confined to a somewhat desultory attendance in the district schools. In 1864 Mr. Kagey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Berlin, who was born in Nimishillen township, being a daughter of the late Isaac Berlin, one of the honored pioneers of the county, whither he came from Pennsylvania, a state which has contributed largely to the personnel of Stark county's citizenship. The maiden name of his wn'fe was Margaret Trump, and both died in this county. After his marriage the subject left the home farm and for about nine years following he was engaged in farming on his own res])onsibility and also operated a threshing machine. In 1873 he effected the purchase of the homestead farm and here continued to reside until the spring of 1902, when he purchased the John Warstler farm, near the of Louis\"iIle, where he is now residing, the place being under a high state of cultivation and e(|uip])ed with the best of permanent improvements, including a commodious residence, of attractive design. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kagey. three survive, namely : William H., who is engaged in the grocery business in Louisville, this county : John B., who is a prominent merchant and manufacturer of that village and also incumbent of the nihce of postmaster, and Ira E., who is associated with his father in the management of the Jiome farm.

Mr. Kagey is a man of unswerving integrity and honor and has been a prominent and influential citizen of Nimishillen township for many years. lia\-ing the unequi\-ocal confidence and regard of all who know him. After his father's death he effected the settlement o£ the estate without recourse to court pnceedings, and so marked was his skill and probity in tlie handling of the same that he was afterward called upon to act as administrator of several important estates, having had four oni his hands at one time, while the utmost confidence has invariably been shown in his judgment and fairness. Mr. Kagey was for two years a member of the directorate of the Stark Comity Fair Association and for tweh'e successive years he was treasurer of the Home Insurance Company of Nimishillen and Osnabnrg townships, retiring' from the office onlyupon his positive declination to remain longer its incumbent, though he served three years as a director of the company. He is now secretary of the Union Cemetery Association, irt which office he is serving his second term, while for man\- years he was a member of the school bt>ard of his district and has been one of the most valued citizens of this section of the count}-. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and thijugh not formally identified with any church organization he is a liberal contributor to religiou.s; work, regardless of denomination.

RUFUS VV. GEHMAN was born on a farm in Osnaburg township. Stark county, Ohio, on the roth of September, 1867, being a son of David and Nancy (Wright) Gehman, of whose three children he is the younger of the two survi\'ing, his sister Ida being' the wife of John Ranch, who is likewise a successful farmer of Osnaburg township. The subject was reared under the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm and is indebted to the ]iublic schools of the localit}' for his early educationaf privileges, of which he duly availed himself^ On the igth of .\ugust, 1888, Mr. Gehmare was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Slieple}", who was likewise born in this township. Ijeing' a daughter of Jacob Shepley, who was born in Germany, whence he emigrated to America as a j'oung man, taking up his residence in Stark county, where he married Miss Rachel Kimniel, and where he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, being one of the sterling citizens of this township. He passed away at the age of seventy-six 3'ears and his wife still survives him, being aged seventyfive years. A.fter his marriage Mr. Gehman located on a small farm, of forty-five acres, just north of the village of Osnaburg, having purchased the property in the preceding spring, and to the improvement and cultivation of this farm he continued to give his attention for the ensuing ii\-e years, after which he applied the same in jaart payment for the old home farm of one hundred acres, which is most eligibly located just to the east of the village of Osnaburg, this being the old homestead on whicli he was born, and at the time the exchange was effected his father removed to the smaller farm which the sul^ject had previously owned. l\Ir. Gehman here continued his acti\e and effective labors for a period of four years, when his father and step-mother manifested a desire to return to the homestead, and he thus sold the place to his father, after which he purchased a farm of seventy-eight acres near Maximo, in Nimishillen township, where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Osnaburg township and purchased his present home farm, which comprises eightyone and one-half acres of excellent land, in section 5. The productivitv of the farm has l.ieen maintained at the highest standard and the permanent improvements are of substantial and attractive character. In the various localities where he has thus lived Mr. Gehman has held a high reputation as a model farmer, knowing thoroughly well the best methofls to be emplo3'ed in securing tJie maximum returns from the lands of this locality, from the fact that he has here been closelv identified witli the great fundamental industry of agriculture from his boyhood up and has also been a close student of these methods and has shown marked resourcefulness and discrimination in tlie application of his energies. In connection with his general farming he makes a specialty of raising a high grade of live stock, and in this line utilizes the products of his farm, with the exception of his wheat crop.

In his political proclivities Mr. Gehman is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party and takes a lively interest in all that concerns the progress and material prosperity of his home county. He and his wife are both consistent members of the Reformed church, and have the unqualified esteem of all who know them. They became the parents of two children, Clarence; who died in infancy, and Charles C, who was born on the 25th of April, iSqi.

JACOB SHUMAKER. - In tlie attractive village of Minerva, Paris township, is located the fine home of Mr. Shumaker, one of the progressive and influential business men of this section of the state and an honored and representative citizen of St^rk county, where he is identified with industrial and financial interests of broad scope and importance. Mr. Shumaker comes of stanch German lineage and is himself a native of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born on a farm in Mercer _county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of April, 1850. He is one of the nine children born to John and Polly (Bortz) Shumaker, and aside from himself only one other, of the children survives, his brother Alexander, who is a resident of the city of Akron, Ohio. John Shumaker, father of the subject, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and was tliere reared to manhood. As a young man he removed to Mercer county, that state, where he married and where he passed the residue of his life in agricultural pursuits, having accumulated a good property and having ever been known as a man of industrious habits and sterling integrity of character. He died on his farm, at the age of seventy-six years, honored by all who knew him. His wife survived him a number of years, retaining her home on the okl farm, so hallowed to her by the memories and associations of the past, until her death, at the venerable age of eighty-three years, l)oth having been active and devoted members of tlie Lutheran church, while the father was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, though never an aspirant for political preferment.

Jacob Shumaker, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared in a home of beneficent influences, and continued to be associated in the work of the old farmstead until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, his services having thus been in such requisition during his youthful days that his early educational privileges were somewhat limited in scope, being confined to a somewhat irregular attendance in the district schools. On the 25th of November, 1875, Mr. Siuimaker was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Smith, who likewise was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Henry Smith, a prominent farmer of that section. After his marriage Mr. Shumaker rented land and gave his attention to its cuUivation for one year, after which he purchased a farm of forty acres, in Mercer county, where he continued in agricultural pursuits aljout six years-. Directlv after his marriage lie began buying timber, and in this line of enterprise he continued operations on a modest scale in connection with his farming, showing marked tact and ability in the handling of this department of liis inisiness, wliich e\-entually began to render him excellent returns. Upon leaving his farm, in i88r, he took up liis residence in Sheakleyville, Mercer countv, and turned liis entire attention to his lumbering business, which by this time had grown to no inconsiderable magnitude. About one year later he came to Carroll county, Ohio, and located at Watheys, where he continued in the same line of enterprise for a year and then removed to Amsterdam, Jefferson county, where h? likewise lived for one year, at the expiration of which he came to his present place of residence, in Minerva, Stark county, which has since been his home and business headquarters. His lumbering operations have grown to extensive proportions and for a number of years he operated several S3.\v mills, but in recent years he has had his work done by contract, finding a market for his lumber to a large extent with certain railroad companies. In 1899 he erected his present commodious modern residence in Minerva, the same being the finest in the town and of most attractive architectural design. He is a stockholder and director, as well as a member of the financial committee, of the Bank of Minerva ; is a stockholder of the American Consolidated Mining Compau}', which owns valuable mining interests in New Mexico; and lie also has vahiable mining interests in Pennsylvania. Thus it may l^e seen that Mr. Siuimaker is distinctively a man of affairs, and his success is the more gratifying to note, from the fact that it lias been attained througli his own efforts, so tliat lie is well deserving of the proud .American title of self-made man. He is the owner of two liundred and thirteen acres of fine fanning land in Carroll county, Ohio, and is one of the leading business men and influential citizens of tliis section of the Buckeye state. In politics Mr. .Shumaker accords a stanch allegiance to the Repulilican party, and while free from all personal ambition in the matter of public office, he was called upon to serve as a member of the village council of Minerva, of which oflice he was incumbent for four years. Fraternally Mr. Shumaker is an appreciative member of the Masonic order, bein<>- identified with Tubal

Lodge No. 551, Free ami Accepted Masons, of ]\Iiner;va ; Cliapter No, IJ3, Royal Arch Masons, at Canton, and Canton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, while he is also identified with the popular social auxiliary, the Ancient Aral)ic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, having been conducted across the l)urning sands of the desert under the auspices of Al Koran Temple, in the city of Cleveland. He also holds membership in Custer Lodge No. i.\6g. Knights of Pythias, at Greenville, Pennsylvania. His wife is a member of the Disciple church. The)^ have one daughter, Letha, who remains beneath the parental roof and who is one of the popular young ladies in the social life of the communitv.

SAMUEL SEFONG, SR., is a native of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born in Cumberland county. Pennsyl- \;mia. on the 3d of August, 1825, and being a son of George O. and Elizabeth (Biddinger) Sefong, of whose nine children he is one of the two survi\-ing at the present time, his \'ounger brother, Jacob, being a well-known resident of Nimishillen township, this county. The father of the subject was born in the province of Wurtemburg. Germany, whence he came to America wiien fifteen years of age, in order to escape service in the German army, and he ioined his brother in the state of Pennsylvania, where he was reared to maturity and where his marriage was solemnized. About the year 1834 he came to Stark county, Ohio, and first located in the \illage of Osnaburg, whence, sh.orlly afterward, he removed to a tract of fifteen acres wliich he had purchased in Nimishillen township. There he continued to reside until he was well advanced in years, when he removed to Frieburg, ^^'ashington townshi]), where he continued to make his home until the death of his second wife, wlien, being in his ninetieth year, his children brought him to the home of his son Jacob, where he died three weeks later. His first wife, the mother of tlie subject, died in 1834, as a result of an attack of cholera, this being only a short time after the removal of the family to Stark county. She was liorn in Germany and as a girl was in indigent circumstances, being bnund out to ])ay her passage on coming to America. After her marriage to Mr. Sefong they located in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where the)- maintained their home for a number of years and whence they came to Stark county, Ohio. The father married as his second wife }tliss Elizabeth Moon and they became the parents of two children, both of whom are now deceased. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities, and his religious faith was that of tiie Reformed church, of which he was a worthy and consistent member, exemplifying his faith in his daily walk and conversation. In his youth he learned the tailor's trade, in the city of Philadelphia, and to this vocation he devoted his attention until he was no longer able to do acti\-e work, by reason of advanced age, and thereafter he was cared for with true filial solicitude I:)y his sons.

Samuel Sefong, the immediate subject of this review, grew up in the paternal home, and received limited educational advantages, since at the age of tweh'e vears he secured employment in Wertz Brothers' woolen and saw-mill, at Belford, where he remained nine years, his wages being turned over to his father. Having then attained his legal majoritv, hc' practically began his indejiendent career, continuing in the employ of the same concern, and after a short time he and John Wertz assumed charge <)f the carding and fulling in the woolen-mill and he received a share of the profits from his lalio'rs. There Mr. Sefong remained until the year 185T, when he remoxed to his present fine farm, in section 3, Osnaburg township, the land being covered with the native timber at the time when lie came into possession of the same.

He clearefl and improved the farm, wliich comprises eighty-five acres, and in view of its present thrifty and highly culti\-ated ciindition it is in.teresting to re\-ert to the fact th.at Mr. Sefong personally reclaimed the entire tract with the exception of fifteen acres, while he directed his efforts with that energy and discrimination which enaljled him to attain a high degree of prosperity. He continueil to make his home on the farm until 1891. when he placed the same in charge of his son Joseph and removed ti:) the village of Belfort, lint his wife died one year later and he then disposed of his village property and returned to the farm, where he has since made his home with his son Joseph, who still retains the active management of the place. In politics Mr. Sefong is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic ]iart\'. and he has long heen a devoted member of the Reformed church, as was also his loved wife.

On the loth of March, 1S49, Mr. Sefong was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Moul, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Moul, who came to Stark county when she was a child of two years, and here she was reared and educated and here passed the remainder of her life, being a woman of noble character and retaining the affectionate regard of all who came within the sphere of her gracious infiuence. She was a true companion and helpmeet to her husl:>and and their ha])py wedded life continued during the long period of more than two score of years, when the veil of eternal life was lifted and .she passed forward to the "land of the leal" on the 24th of January, 1892, at tife age of sixty-six years and tv,ent}'-nine days. Of this union were born six sons and three daughters, and of the number four of the sons and one of the daughters are yet living, namely : F.dnard, who is a successful farmer of Nimi.shillen township; Henry H., who is a resident of the city of Canton: Joseph H.. who has charg'e of the homestead farm: Samuel, Jr.. who resides in the city of Canton, and Ellen, who is the wife of William Clapper, of Osnaburg township, where he is a prosperous farmer. The familv is held in the highest esteem in the county and represents the best element of the sturdy pioneer stock which brought about the initial d.evelbpment of this favored section of tlie Old Buckeve state.

MICHAEL GEHMAN. - To the personnel of Stark's comity population in the epccli of its earlier settlement it is clear beyond perach-enture that no state in the Union contributed a more numerous or more valuable element than did Pennsylvania, and Mr. Gehman is a member of one of the families who came then to the county in the first half of the nineteenth centiny and assisted in the development and opident progress of this section. He is' himself a native of the Keystone state, having been born in Lancaster C(_)unty, I^ennsyh-ania, on the Tst of April. 1839, a son of Benjamin and Tannie fSechrist) Gehman, of whose eight children four are living at the present time, namely: Michael, who is the indixidual subject of this sketch: Da\'id, who is a resident of Osnaburg township, this county : Cyrus, who resides in Eaton county, Michigan : and Lydia, who is the widow of Jacob Gibe and resides in the A'illage of Louisville, Stark count}'. Benjamin Gehman was reared in Lancaster cotmty, Pennsvlvania, receiving a common-schoi^l education and having the discipline in\olved in the growing up on a farm, while to agriculture he continued to devote his attention in his native count}' until 1848, when he remo\e(l with his wife and children to Stark county. Ohio, locating first in the village of Green\-ille, where he remained for a short interval and then purchased a f|uarter section of land in Osnalmrg township, where he ccintinued in agricultural ptu'suits until the close of his useful and ^vor- thy life, passing away at the comparatively early age of forty-two years, in the year 1856, his death resulting from an attack of typhoid fever. His wife, who was likewise born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, survived him a number of years, her death occurring in 1877. The father of the subject was a stalwart Whig of the old line, and took an active interest in the questions and issues of the hour, being a man of strong intellect and excellent judgment. Both he and his wife were zealous and consistent members of the Mennonite church.

Michael Gehman, . subject of this sketch, was seventeen years of age at the time of his father's death, and his educational opportunities were such as had been afforded by the district schools. After the death of his father he -worked by the month on neighboring farms for rdjout five years, and on the 13th of January, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Young, who was born in this county, being a daughter of Jacob and Miss (Graybill) Young, and of this happy union four children were born, namely : Celestia, who is the wife of Reuben Eby and resides near Greentown, this county; Alice, who is the wife of Simon Ringer, of Plain township; Fietta, who is the wife of George Carper, of Nimishillen township; and Sarah, who is residing in Gallipolis, Ohio, being' unmarried.

After his marriage Mr. Gehman rented land in Osnaburg township and under these conditions continued operations as a farmer for the ensuing fiv-e years, at the expiration of which he purchased thirty-three and one-half acres, two miles east of Louis\'ille, in Nimishillen township, to which he later added, making a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres. There he continued to reside for sixteen years, Avithin which period his wife died, February 27, 1880. and on the 1st of January, 1882. he consummated a second marriage, being united to Mrs. Sarah fKeiser) Markkn-, widow of

Andrew Markley, and the following spring he removed to a farm owned by his wife, there remaining two years, at the expiration of which he purchased one hundred and seventeen and eleven-hundredths acres on section 7, Nimishillen township, known as the Kittering farm, and during the following seventeen years he continued to devote his attention to its cultivation, also making valuable improvements on the place. Prosperity attended his zealous and indefatigable efforts and he finally felt justified in retiring from the active and arduous labors which had so long engrossed his time and thought, and in 1900 he rented his farm and purchased of Mrs. Eliza Linerode his present fine home, in Nimishillen township, where he has twenty acres of land and one of the most spacious and attractive modern residences to be found in any of the rural districts of the county, while the various other buildings on the place are in harmony with the pretentious dwelling, and the grounds made attractive through effective shade trees, shrubbery, etc., the whole making an ideal home, and here he is enjoying the just reward of his years of earnest toil and endea\'or. No children have been born of the second marriage. In his political views Mr. Gehman is a stanch and uncompromising Republican, and both he and his wife are prominent and honored members of the German Baptist church, in which he is a deacon, taking an active interest in all portions of the church work, while he and bis wife enjoy the high regard of all who know them.

HENRY D. KETM comes of stanch German extraction and was himself born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 13th of October, 1856, being a son of Adam and Maria (Schrock) Iveim, of whose ten children the following six are still living: Sarah, who is the wife of George Hand, of Canton township;

Elizabeth, who is the wife of John H. Miller, of Nimishillen township; Nancy, who is the wife of Henry Sell, also of that township ; Albert, who is engaged in farming in Nimishillen township; Jacob, who is a farmer of Marlboro township, and Henry D., the immediate subject of this sketch. The father of these children was born in the state of Maryland, in the year 1832, being a son of Solomon and Elizabeth Keim, with whom he came to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, when he was a boy, and being there reared to maturity on a farm. After his marriage he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits in that county until 1866, all of his children having been born there, and in the year mentioned he removed with his family to Stark county and here purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Nimishillen township, the place now being owned by Adam Rennier. Here he continued to actively follow farming until about 1884, when he disposed of the property and forthwith purchased a small home place near Center Church, that township, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in the year 1888. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and his religious faith was that of the German Baptist church, of which his wife also was a devoted adherent. He was a half-brother of the father of John Keim, of whom individual mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The mother of the subject was born in Tuscarawas county, in 1831, and she died in 1863, at the early age of tiiirty-two years, and later Mr. Keim consummated a second marriage, being united to Mrs. Rebecca Snyder, who was the widow of David Snyder and whose maiden name was Reisley, there being no children born of this marriage.

Henry D. Keim, the immediate subject of this review, ,was reared under the sturdy discipline of the home farm and in the public schools of the period received his early educational training. He remained at home until he had attained his legal majority, when he returned to Tuscarawas county, where he wasi born, and there worked as a farm hand for one year, after which he came back to Stark county and for the following sixteen months was employed as a clerk in the hardware establishment of Keim & Sons, in the village of Louisville. While thus engaged, on Christmas day of the year 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Huffman, who was born in Plain township, this county, being a daughter of John Huffman, who was a prominent and influential farmer of that township, where he died in 1888. The spring following his marriage Mr. Keim gave up his position in the hardware store and took charge of his father-in-law's farm, which he continued to operate for the ensuing two years, after which, in 1882, he remo\'ed to the farm now owned by William Warstler, the same having been at the time likewise a portion of Mr. Huffman's estate. Here he remained successfully engaged in farming until 1888, when he purchased and removed to his present home farm of sixty acres, in section 6, Osnaburg township, and this he has developed into one of the best farms in this section of the county. He has been a scientific agriculturist and that he has had the ability to apply his knowledge in a practical way is evident when the fact is noted that when he took possession of his present place it was badly run down and the fertility of the original soil much impaired from lack of proper attention. Though a comparatively small place it is now one of unexcelled fertility and productiveness and from it the subject secures as large returns as do many others from farms of much greater area. He has one of the finest herds of Jersey cows in the county, and in the year 1891 he produced from this source nearly a ton and a half of butter, which commanded topnotch prices in the market. For the past four years he has been agent for the DeLaval cream separator, ami in njoi lie made the second highest record of sales in the line in the state, while with the close of the present year his record of business stands douljle that of previous years. He is progressive and public-spirited to a degree and is not onl}- known as one of the model farmers and dairyman of the county, hut is also fortunate in having so ordered his course as to retain the unequivocal confidence and esteem of all \vho know him. In politics :\Ir. Keim maintains an independent attitude, and he is at the present time a member of the school lioard of his district. He and his wife hold membership in the River Brethren church. The home circle is l>rightened by the presence of their two daughters, I.ettie and Bessie, and the family is prominent in the social life of the community.

JACOB KLOTZ is a native of the pro\-- ince of Alsace, Germany, which was still a portion of the French empire at the time of his birth, which occurred on the 5th of Januar}-, 1831. He is a son of Jacob and Christina (Gutbul)) Klotz, of whose ten children the following named seven are yet living : Christina, who is the widow of Charles Newmaster, of Aetna, Pennsylvania; Mary, who is the wife of Jacob Real, of Carroll county, Ohio; Clara, who is the widow of Daniel Griner, of Fairhaven, Pennsylvania; Louis, who resides in the city of Cleveland, Ohio ; John, who is a resident of Carroll county ; George, \\ho resides in ^lalvern, that county, and Jacol), the immediate subject of this sketch. The father was 1)orn in Alsace, France. .\])ril 17. 1804. and Avas there reared and educated and there learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1836 he emigrated with his family to America, the subject of this review being at the time a lad of aljout five \-ears. Tlie fan-iily took up their re-;idencc in what is nnw the \illage uf Magnolia, on the line between Stark antl Carroll counties. Ohio, and in 1850 the father bought the farm of one hiuidred and thirtv-three acres, in Brown townshi]), Carroll cmin.ty, which is now jointly owned l)y his son and daughter, John and Mary. He continued to reside on the farm for a number of years antl then remoxed to Mah'ern. where he continued to reside until his death, at the age of more than four score years, while he continued to devote considerable attention to his trade, in connection with his farming operations, during the major portion of his active career. His wife passed away at the age of about sixty-two years, both having been unassuming, industriovis persons whose lives were marked by the utmost integrity and honor, so that the)' held as their own the respect and good will of all who knew them.

Jacob Klotz, the immediate subject of this .sketch, grew io maturity at the parental home, and learneil the shoemaker's trade under the direction of his h.onored father, who was a skilled workman, and he continued to work at the bench from the age of ten years until he had attained the age of nineteen, but he found the business uncongenial and after his father purchased the farm he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, while he assisted in the reclamation of the home farm, one-half of which was covered with the native timber at the time when his father ])urcliased the property. On the 19th of Feliruary, 1857, ^Ir. Klotz was united in marriage to Miss Eva Mutschler. who was liorn in Jackson township. Stark county, being a daughter of (lottfried Mutschler, who was born in Alsace, France, and who was mimbered among the pioneer settlers in Stark county, where he ]);issed the remainder of liis life, .\fter his marriage the subject assumed charge of the farm of his father-in-law and continued to de\ote his attention to its cultivation for a jjcriod of about ten years, when !\[r. Mutschler died and the sub- ject then rented ;in adioinins^' farm, where he remained for tlie ensning- three years, after wliich lie passed one year on a rented farm in Canton township and six months in Perry iM\\nshi]i, and then effected the purcliase of a farm of one lumdred acres in Nimisliillen townsliip, where he made liis home for tiiree Aears. at the expiration of which lie sold tlie property and purchased his present valiiahle and highly improved farm of one htinch'ed and forty-one acres, in section 6, Osnaljtu'g township. On this estate Air. Klotz lias erected some of tlie finest farm buildings to be fountl in this section, including a commodious and attractive residence. In connection with his regular farming he has conducted a dairv business for more than a quarter of a century, ha\'- ing shown marked discrimination and carefulness in this department of his enterprise and h.'i\ ing realized excellent profits from the same, so That todav he is known as one of the most prosi)erous and influential farmers of the township, while he has always maintained a public- -i^irited attitude and has been ready to encourage and foster all legitimate enterprises and projects tending to conserve the general welfare. In ])()litics he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic jjarty, but he has nex'er sought the honors or emoluments of public office. He and his wife are worthy members of the Lutheran church, in w hi_)se work the\- take a deep interest, (jf their tweK'e children eight are li\-ing at the present time, namely : Louis Melancthon. w ho resides in the city of Canton ; Sarah Christina, who is the wife of James Rhodes, of that city: Ceorge Albert, who remains at tlie parental home: John Edward, wdio is engaged in farming in Osnaburg township: Clara Magdalena. who is the wife of Alfred Frv, of Canton townshij): William Emanuel, who is engaged in the lumlier business in that township: Bertha E\-e, who remains with her ]);irents, and Samuel Jacob, who resides in the \illage of Osnaburg.

REASON A. SCHMUCK was born on a farm in l'>anklin township. Wayne countv, Ohio, on the 5th of January, 1844, being a son of Jacob and Catherine ( Reiner) Schmuck, of whose six children he is the eldest of the four surviving, the others being as follows: Solomon H,, wdio is engaged in the insurance business in the city of Cleveland, this state: Linnie, who is the widow of Daviil V. Landis, and resides in Wooster, Ohio: and Jacob F., who is also a resident of that city, where he is associated with his sistei', Mrs. Landis, in the furniture and undertaking business. The father of the subject was born in Manheim, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in the year 181 8, being a son of Henry and I'Ji/.abeth ( Havmiller) Schmuck, both of whom were likewise natives of Pennsylvania and of stanch German lineage, the respective families having been earlv established in the old Keystone state of the I'nion. In the year 1833 the grandfather of the subject, accompanieil by his son Jacob, who was then a lad of fifteen years, came to Ohio, passing through Osnaburg township and other portions of Stark county on horseback, their trip being made for the purpose of selecting land for a home. They passed a night en route in the old-time brick tavern in the village of Osnaburg, the landlord assuming charge of the saddle bags, in which the mone_\' of the two travelers was placed. Crandfather Schmuck feared that the funds might not be in safe keeping, and he made an excuse that he wished to secure from the saddle bags some necessary articles for the night, and in this way secured and took the i)ags to l)ed with him. Tliey' passed on to Wayne county and in Wooster made enquiries of John Horn, w ho was formerly from Pennsyh-ania, and through him learned of an eighty-acre farm near the hamlet of Millbrook, that county, and upon due in\-estigation thev ])urchased the property, for which thev paid in cash which they had brought with them. Thev forthwith took up their abode on the new farm and soon afterward sent back to Pennsylvania for the remainder of the family, in which there were seven other children, and it is interesting to re\ert to the fact that each of the eight children became' a well-to-do and prominent resident of Wayne county. Samuel Schmuck, one of the sons, became one of the most successful and influential farmers of that section and also -a prominent breeder of and dealer in live stock, his fine farm property adjoining what is known as the state experiment farm, while others of the family also became known as model farmers of the county.

The father of the subject was thus reared to manhood under the influences of the pioneer clays, aiding- in the work of the new farm and having such educational advantages as fell to the lot of the average farmer boy of the locality and period. After his marriage he located on the farm of his father-in-law, George Reiner, the same comprising two hundred and ten acres, while this tract likewise lies contiguous to what is now the state experiment farm. Some years later he purchased the properity. which he developed into one of the finest rural estates in ^Vayne county. In 1868 he took up his residence in the city of Wooster, where he built one of the finest residences in the city and thereafter lived a retired life up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1899, at which time he was eighty-one years of age. He was a man of excellent business ability and lived a life of signal integrity and honor. He was very successful in temporal affairs and in addition to his valuable farm was also owner of a considerable amount of excellent property in Wooster. His fi:rst wife, the mother of the subject, died in August, 1856, and he subsequently consummated a second marriage, being united to Miss Rebecca Moon, who died in 1896, and who bore him two children, Wallace and Millie, both of whom still reside in Wooster. Jacob Schmuck was an uncompromising Republican in his political adherency, and in his religion he was originally a member of the Evangelical Association, but later became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he he was a prominent figure for many years, zealous in support of its cause, while he was one of the leading spirits in brmging about the erection of a church edifice on his farm.

The mother of the subject was bom on the farm which later became the property of her husband, the date of her nativity having been in August, 1820. Her father, George Reiner, was numbered among the early settlers of AVayne county, whither he remo\-ed from Pennsylvania, and he was originally a devoted m.ember of the Lutheran church, but when a division in the same was effected he was one of three persons who established the English Lutheran church in the city of Wooster and assisted materially in the erection of the church edifice, which continued in use for many years. He was veritably one of the pillars of the church and one of its most liberal supporters and earnest workers. He lived for many years on the site of the present city hall in Wooster, and there his death occurred when he was well advanced in years. The mother of the subject entered into eternal life in 1856, at the comparatix'cly early age of thirty-six years.

Reason A. Schmuck, whose name initiates this review, was reared on the old homestead farm, contributing a due quota to its work from his boyhood up, while he secured a common-school education. In 1868, when his father remo\-ed to \Vooster, he assumed charge of the farm and his sisters remained to preside over the domestic economies of the household. In 1872 he was married and thereafter he continued to remain on the homestead farm until 1883, when he came to Stark county, where his wife was born and reared, and located on his present farm of one hundred and seventytwo acres, in Osnaburg township, having pur- chased the same from his fatlier-in-la\v in the preceding year, and having operated the farm in connection with his fatlier's homestead during the summer prior to his removal. For a niun1)er of years ]\Ir. Schmuck was quite extensively engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, principally hogs, and was very successful in this department of his business enterprise, and at the present time he gives special attention to the growing of a high grade of live stock and thus utilizes the major portion of the Iiroducts of his farm. At the time when he took up his abode on his present farm it was equipped with very inferior buildings, and he has since replaced the same with some of the most sul)stantial and admirably designeil farm buildings to be found in the county, including a modern residence of attractive architectural design, while it is safe to say that tliere are few rural estates in this section that can show bettel' improvements or more distinctive evidences of thrift and prosperity.

In his attitude Mr. Schmuck is essentially progressive antl public-spirited, and his co-operation in all legitimate movements for the furtherance of the general welfare is invariably assured. In politics his convictions have led him to depart from the faith of his father, and he is a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the DeuKicratic party, in whose cause he has been an active worker in a local way. In 1870 he was elected township trustee of Franklin township, Wayne county, of which he remained incumbent for a period of six years, wdiile in 1876 he was elected justice of the peace and continued in tenure of this position until his removal to Stark county. In 1896 Mr. Schmuck was chosen a member of the directorate of the Home Insurance Company, of Osnaburg and Nimishillen townships, and four years later was elected treasurer of the company. This important office he has since retained and he has given a most capable fairs. In 1S90 he was appointed administrator of the estate of the late John G. Shefifer, while alxmt three years ago he was made executor of his fatiier's estate. Previously, while residing in Wayne county, he had charge of the settling of three or more other estates, all of these preferments showing in no unmistakable way the hold he has ever retained on public confidence and esteem. For the past sixteen years he has Ijeen trustee, treasurer and superintendent of the Ohio State Camp Meeting Association, disbursing from three to four thousand dollars annually. He is a zealous and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose work he has for many years taken a prominent part, ha^-ing been for twenty }-ears superintendent of the Sunday school.

On the 20th of June, 1872, Mr. Schmuck was united in marriage to Miss Frances Frey, who was born in Osnaburg township, this comity, being a daughter of John and Caroline (Sluss) Frey, both of whom were likewise born in the same township, where both families were established in the early pioneer days, having come hither from the state of Pennsylvania. Airs. Sclinnick, like her husband, is a devoted member of the Methodist church. They have two children, namely: E. Pearl, who remains beneatli the parental roof and who has been a successful and popular teacher in the public schools since attaining her sixteenth year, while she also teaches music, in which art she has much talent, and J. Ouinn, who married Miss Eva Coy and assists in the management of his father's farming enterprise. The family is erne of prominenece in the best social life of the community and the attractive home is one in which the refined amenities and a cordial hospitality are ever in distinct evidence.

was born in tbe city of Berlin, Germany, in the year 1828, and at the age of twelve was brought to the United States by -his parents, who settled on a farm in Stark connty, a short distance south of Canton. Peter Sharer, father of Christian, was an honest, industrious tiller of the soil and early impressed upon the mind of his son the lessons of frugality and thrift for which the latter afterwards became noted. Christian grew to young manhood on the farm his father originally purchased and after his marriage he removed to Hardin county, Avhere he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in that part of the state until 1870, when he returned to the connty of Stark and bought a hundred acres of land about four miles south of Canton, where he made his home until retiring from active life in 1893. In that year he took up his residence in Canton, where he still ri\es, and is now passing his declining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his many years of toil. His good wife, who bore him four children, was called to her eternal rest in the year 1864. The following are the names of the children of Christian and Angeline Sherer now living : Sylvanus S., a resident of Canton; Sarah E., who married James M. Mowls, and Marion O., of this review. Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Sherer entered the marriag'e relation with her younger sister. Miss Mary Bm^gett, a union without issue.

The youthful life of Marion O. Sherer was spent on the home farm and while still young he became accustomed to the various phases of agricultural labor. The common schools afforded him the means of a fair educational discipline, luit Ijy far the greater part of his eduction consists of that intensely practical kind obtained by contact with the Avorld in the stern 1)ut effective school of experience. After completing a business course in the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, Mr. Sherer, in 1888, opened a grocery and provision store in Canton, but one year later disposed of his stock and engaged in the livery business. With the object in \iew of ultimately embarking in the dry goods trade he entered the Boston dry goods store in Canton, for the purpose of familiarizing himself with the business. By close study and careful attention he soon mastered the details of trade, but after several months in doors he found, much to his regret, that confinement was not agreeing with his health. Acting upon the advice of his physician, he resigned his position and decided to turn his attention to a pursuit requiring more outdoor exercise; accordingly, in 1891, he estal)Iished, in partnership with A. L. Bair, his present luml)er Inisiness at Louisville. The firm of Sherer & Bair began operations under most favorable auspices and it was not long until their business assumed large proportions, the names of the two partners l:iecoming widely and favorably known among the leading lumlier dealers of eastern Ohio. After remaining together until 1893, Mr. Sherer purchased the entire interest in the enterprise and from that time to the jiresent has been sole proprietor. Under his able management the business has greatly increased in volume until his patronage is now much larger than that of an}' other man in the county similarly engaged, while his high standing in commercial circles has given him an honorable and wide-spread reputation throughout the northern and eastern counties of the state. In connection with buying and selling lumber Mr. Sherer operates a large planing-mill in which the rough product is con- A'erted into all kinds of building material, in addition to which he also handles n])()n an extensive scale every description of lumber demanded by the local and general trade. As a business man Mr. Sherer carefully considers the end from the beginning and when be once addresses himself to an undertaking seldmn if ever fails to carry it to successful conclusion. His sound judgment, practical experience and keen discrimination enable him to engage in i large enterprises with no doubt as to the final issue, while his superior executive ability leads him to venture with the greatest of assurance where men of less energy and foresight would hesitate or fail. The credit of building up the mammoth business which he now owns and controls is due entirely to his own wisdom, energy and well-directed efforts and he is in the true sense of the term a self-made man. He began life with little financial encouragement, but by industry, indomitable will and honorable dealing has steadily advanced step by step until he now occupies a commanding position among the most enterprising and financially successful men of the county in which he lives. On the 25th day of December, 1888. Mr. Sherer and IMiss Laura Starkey, daughter of John Starkey, late a prominent farmer of Stark county, were united in the bonds of wedlock, the union resulting in the birth of five children, whose names are Burdette B., Mildred M., Ruth E., Ray L. and Lowell E. In politics Mr. Sherer is pronounced in his allegiance to the Democratic party, but he has never been a partisan or office seeker. He has, however, been honored with several official positions, one of which was that of councilman. As member of the municipal legislative body of Louisville, he was instrumental in passing a numljer of valuable ordinances and during his two years' incumbency proved a safe and reliable public servant, standing for progress and improvement, but being conservative in the matter of expenditures. In 1893 he was elected a member of the local school board and as such has been untiring in his efforts to build up the educational system of Louisville. He has held this important but onerous position since the above year and for eight years was its president. At the earnest solicitation of his many friends of both political parties, Mr. Sherer, in 1896, permitted himself to be nominated for mayor of Louisville. At the en- , suing election he entered the office by the largest vote ever given a candidate for the position in the history of the town, a fact which spoke louder than words of his popularity with the people irrespective of party ties. His election was for a term of two years. He proved a model executive, as is attested by his straightforward business administration, which met the hearty approval of all parties concerned. At the end of this term he was again elected, without opposition, and retained by both parties in this official position until 1900.

Mr. .Sherer is identified with a number of benevolent and fraternal org-anizations, in all of which he is a zealous worker and in some a leader. He is a IMason of high standing, belonging to Julliard Lodge No. 460 at Louisville and Commandery No. 38 at Canton, also Emmith Lodge of Perfection at Canton. His name adorns the records of Council No. 12, Junior Order United American Mechanics, at Canton, and for some years past he has been an active member of Tent No. 182, Knights of the Maccabees, in his luMue ti)\vn. In addition to the above, he is also connected with the Reform Club of Louisville and for recreation and genuine amusements he attends the session of the ''Hoo Hoos," a societ}- whose objects are to foster a fraternal spirit, with whole-souled innocent pleasure as a basis. In the social affairs of life Mr. Sherer has long maintained a lively interest, being the embodiment of genuine hospitality and open-hearted companionship. He is liberal in the expenditure of his means for the encouragement of laudaljle enterprises, and no friend in need ever appeals to him in vain. It is not too much to say that he is one of the most popular men in the town of his residence.

WILLIAM OVERHOLT BAKER, M. D. - Like many of Ohio's successful men. Dr. Baker hails from the grand old commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having been born in North- ampton county on the I2th of December, 1827. His father was Jacob H. Baker, also a native of that state, who was born in the county of l\Jontgoniery alxnit the \ear 1793, the son of George Baker, whose grandparents came to /America from (Germany prior to the war for independence. The Bakers are a ^ery old and highly respected family and the branch from which the subject is descended figured quite actively in the affairs of the above anil several other Penns\l\ania counties, the name sulise- ((uently appearing in connection with the early settlement of various parts of Ohio.

Jacob H. Baker, the Doctor's father, was reared in his native count\" and state and when a youth learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed continuously for over fifty years. \\"hen a young man he changed his abode tp Nori]iani]:)ton county, where he met and married Miss Anna Overholt (originally Overholtzer), who was born in Bucks county. He continued to reside in Xorthampton county until his removal, in 1836, to Medina county and there spent the remainder of his life, dying at his home in the township of Wadsworth about the year 1889 at the remarkable age of ninetysix }"ears, five months and fifteen days. His wife, whose liirth occurred on the 12th of June, 1792, was the daughter of \\'illiam Overholtzer, a native of PennsyKania and for many years a prominent minister of the Mennonite chiu'ch. She bore her husband three children and departed this life when about seventy-two years old.

Dr. \\'illi;un O. Baker was a lad of nine years when his ])arents mo\-ed to Ohio, lie spent his youthful years in the county of Medina, received his preliminary education in such schools as were common at that time, and later piu'- sued his studies under private tutors and in t!ie \\'a(lswortli Academy. That he made commendable progress as a student is evident from the fact that in his nineteenth year he took charge of a school and earned the repufition of a capable and popular teacher. He c<intintied educational work for several years, spending the summer seasons at farm labor and with money earned from these sources was subsequently enabled to take up the study of medicine, which he had long contemplated making his life work. The Doctor began a coiu'se of reading under the direction of his uncle. Dr. John Overholt, a well-known physician and surgeon of W'ooster, Ohio, and in 1852 entered Jefferson Medical College, at T^hiladelphia, where he prosecuted his researches and investigations during the year following. At the expiration of the term he came to Stark C';'untv and began the practice of his profession in Nimishillen township, but after remaining" there until 1838 changed his location to Louis- \iHe, where he has resided ever since. The beginning of Dr. Baker's professional career was by no means assuring and it required considerable time and a corresponding amount of energy and j^erseverance to establish a paying business. His country practice proved anything but lucrative and. like the majority of young phvsicians, he was oljliged to encounter opposition not onlv on the part of professional brethren but by reason of the unreasoning prejudice which many people have against youth and experience. WHien he opened an office in the town, howexer, his prospects gra<lually began to brigliten anil as his al)ilities became recognized his services were in greater demand. In due time his practice took a wiiler range and in the course of a few years his name and fame went al)road throughout the country as one of the rising physicians and surgeons in this part of the countv. Patients began flocking to his office and the continued success which attended his efforts won him not only a large measure of professional renown ])ut also financial prosperity, which in the course of time placi'd liim iri inde])endent circumstances. Determined to leave nothing undone in the way of increasing bis knowledge and improxing liis practice, the

Doctor, in 187.3, entered the medical department of Wooster University, from which institution he afterwards received his degree, his pre\-ions practical experience enabling him to finish the course with high honors. He has always lieen a close, painstaking student and although past the age when the majority of physicians cease reading and in\cstigating", he still keeps up with the increasing demands of tlie age, ])rosecutes his researches in the domain of medical science with the ardor of his }Ounger da_\-s and pursues eagerly the standard literature ])ertaining to the healing art. During a practice in Louisville covering a period of forty-five years, he has won a deep and abifling jjlace in the hearts of the peo])le and his name is a familiar household word in every home in the town and throughout a large area of surrounding territory.

Dr. Baker's wife, who has been a help and inspiration to him for so many years, was formerly Miss Rebecca Utt, of Northampton county. Pennsylvania. She was l)orn about a half mile from his own l)irth place and the two were playmates and warm friends in youth as tliey have been mutually helpfvd to each other as husband and wife in their riper vears. Their union has been blessed with four children, in the rearing and education of whom the Doctor has spared neither pains nor expense. .\n ardent friend of higher intellectual training, he procured for each of them the best advantages obtaina]>le and that they have profited by this interest in their behalf is attested-by the correct lixes they ha\e led and the hunnrable positions they now Imld in the world. Anna, the oldest of the children, is a highl)- educated and accomplished lady li\ing in the city of Boston, ]\Iassacliusetts; she was graduated from Ashland College and later married Prof. Hiram Hixson, who for a number of years was president of that institution. l\lrs. Plixson is now a widow, her husliand having died some A'cars ago. Amanda, the second in order of liirth, was also educated at Ashland, and at the present time lives with her parents ; she is an unmarried lady, moves in the best social circles of her town and is active in all good w(_)rk tending to elevate the moral condition of the community. Mary E. is a graduate of Shepardson College, Granville, Ohio, and at this time he holds the position of assistant teacher in the high school at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Charles W., the fourth of the family, is also well educated and is now a prosperous business man of Elyria, this state. TJie Doctor's children are certainly a credit to him and he is held in the hig'hest esteem and \eneration by them. The family reunions are most joyful occasions and when all together a more ideal circle would be difficult to find.

Dr. Baker is a ])rofound belie\er in revealed religion and for o\-cr twenty _\-ears has l:)een an aisle minister of the clnn"ch known as the Brethren in Christ, having ser\-ed as pastor of the Louisville congregation since about 1894. His is a deeply spiritual nature and his daily life and conversation are in perfect harmony with the deep and abiding faith from which his actions emanate. He is a clear, logical speaker, an alilc expounder of the word of God and an eloquent advocate -when presenting the claims of the Gospel to a sinful world. Dr. Baker believes that politics and religion, if of the proper stamp, will easily assimulate. hence he supports the party which in his opinion most nearly represents man's highest duty to society and the state. A most determined and uncompromising foe of tlic liquor trafiic, which he considers the crying e\'il of the day, and only to be efl^ectually suppressed by legislation, he is a pronounced champion of prohibition, being one of the leaders of the party in this section of the state. All in all. Dr. Baker is a man of broad, comprehensive views, possesses high intellectualitv and as phvsician, minister and citizen, his life has been fraught with great and lasting e'ood to humanitv.

JOHN KEni. - The subject of this sketch lias been conspicuously identified with the industrial, business and civic life of the village of Louisville, Stark county, from his youth to the present time. - representing a period of more than three decades, - while his genealogy betokens that he is a scion of a family whose association with the annals of American history has been intimate and honorable from the middle period of the eighteenth century. In this connection it seems proper to make copious excerpts from an appreciati\-e article recentlv published concerning this well-known and honored family of Stark county, making such metaphrase as may seem expedient.

In its chief heme activities Louisville has the Louisville Deposit Bank, John Keim, president, and proprietor of the Keim block, the Louisville Brick and Tile Company, of which he is secretar}- and treasurer, and of the Keim hardware store, which virtually controls the business in this line throughout this section. In fact, "Keim" is a trademark of energy, enterprise, progress and integrity, not only in Louisville but also in Stark county and all the region round about. The record involved has very much the appearance of history in the east repeating itself in the west. In the town of Reading. Pennsylvania, contemporaneously with its birtli and since that time, the name of Keim has been associated conspicuously with the foundation of business, industrial, financial, railroad, charitable, church, borough, municipal and other interests. Tt bes;ui \vhcn the frontier settlement, nearly a century and a half ago. had but two hundred and thirty-eight purchasers of lots, Nicholas Keim, of Oley, Berks county, son of the founder, being on the list. John Keim, of Louisville, banker, hardware merchant, manufacturer and leading citizen, stands in the same position as his name cousins from the same ancestral founder in Reading, Pennsylvania, for more than one hundred years. Moses Keim, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Somerset county. Pennsylvania, on the loth day of May, 1810, being a son of Nicholas and Fanny (Hostetter) Keim. At the age of twelve years he went to live with an uncle, named Deahl, in ^Maryland, and there he resided until l8:i3, when he came to Holmes county, Ohio, where, one year later, he married Lydia Domer. In 1845 Moses Keim moved to a farm near Bolivar,- Tuscarawas county, where he resided until 1S53, when he came to Osnaburg township. Stark county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for nearly seventeen years. In the spring of 1869 he came to Louisville, where he established himself in the hardware business, more for the purpose of affording his sons John and Jonas an opportunity to secure a start in independent business careers than from a desire to personally devote his attention to merchandising. In 1873 his two sons were admitted to partnership under the firm name of Keim & Sons, and the present Keim block was erected for the accommodation of the rapidly growing enterprise. In 18S1 the Louisville Deposit Bank was established by the firm, the auxiliary business being conducted in the store of the firm until it had increased so materially in extent and importance as to justify a removal to more spacious and individual quarters, and in 1884 the present eligible and well equipped counting rooms were first utilized by the bank. On the 24th of November of that year the honored father passed to his reward, after a happy married life of a half century, leaving to his descendants the priceless heritage of a good name, and after that time his sons, Jonas and John, continued to be associated in the conducting of both the bank and the hardware business until the spring of 1892, when Jonas ]NL retired and John secured his interests in both enterprises, which he has since «3ntinued individually. Moses Keim was a member of the Progressive Brethren church and was honored for his high integrity, business enterprise and Christian manhood. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Domer, was born in Holmes county. Ohio, on the 26th day of May. 1810. and her death occurred on the 28th of May, 1898. about fourteen years after the demise of her honored husband. She was the eldest daughter of Geor.ge Domer. who was one of the pioneer settlers of Holmes county, Ohio, and she was one of the first white children born within its borders. She remembered many Indian neighbors and never knew them to disturb the peace of the family, by reason of the kindness shown them by her father, and the first fruit she remembered eating was grown by the Indians. Her mother was of German descent and was said to be of royal blood. Of the children of Moses and Lydia (Domer) Keim the following is a brief record: Josiah is a clergyman of the Progressive Brethren church and for a number of years was a member of the board of trustees of Ashland University, at Ashland, Ohio, while he is now living retired in the village of Louisville ; George died at the age of six years ; Catherine is the W'ife of Jacob A. Lutz, of Louisville ; Jonas M., who was a loyal soldier in the war of the Rebellion and who was long associated with his brother John in business in Louisville, is now living retired in this place ; Jacob is a resident of AVyandotte, near the city of Detroit, Michigan, and John is the immediate subject of this review, John Keim was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 28th of September, 1851. and in April of the following year his parents removed to Osnaburg township. Stark county, where he was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm. During the war of the Rebellion, in the absence of his older brothers and when farm laborers were difficult to secure, he was pressed into an unusual amount of hard work to assume the more onerous cares of agricultural life. In 1869, as before noted, he came to Louisville with his parents, and, having received only such educational advantages as were afforded in the district schools, he deemed it expedient to secure farther and more definite training for the business life which he was to be inducted through the generous action of his father. He accordingly proceeded to the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he took a thorough commercial course in the Iron City Commercial College. On his return to Louisville he was for a few years employed in his father's hardware store and was then admitted to partnership, due mention having already been made of the later progress of this enterprise.

From this point only incidental recourse will be had to the article from which the foregoing paragraphs ha^'e to a large extent been drawn. It may be said that from the inauguration of his business career Mr.. Keim manifested marked acumen and discrimination in all matters appertaining thereto, and he has gained high prestige as one of the able and influential Inisiness men of Stark county, having brought to bear in all his operations a far-sighted and progressive policy, while his methods ha\-e been such as t() bear the closest scrutiny, so that he has gained and retained a firm liold on public confidence and esteem, - elements absolutely essential to definite success in any line of industrial or commercial enterprise. In 1875 the present Keim block was erected by the original firm, and in the same both the hardware store and the liank are located. The business controlled by the former is exceptionally large and extends far be3'ond the confines naturally determined as tributary to the town, while the banking institution is known as one of the solid and well-conducted monetary concerns of the county, transacting a general banking business and retaining a representative support. Mr. Keim has through his individual enterprises done much to further the general welfare, and he is essentially public-spirited, ever read\' to encourage wortln- industrial undertakings and to aid in furthering all projects tending to conserve the advancement and the material prosperity and moral welfare of the community. In 1893 lie became identified with the manufacturing of hollow brick and tile, for building purposes, the business being conducted under the title of the Louisville Brick and Tile Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. The company controls valuable deposits of fire clay in this vicinity and their plant is one of the largest and best equipped in this section of the state, so that the indnstr}- has already become one of the important enterprises in the county. In 1899 Mr. Keim erected his present beautiful residence in Louisville, the same being one of the fin.est homes in the county, of attractive modern architecture and best of accessories and conveniences, spacious and substantial - in short such a mansion as is rarely seen in a town of Louis\ille"s population. It is also most gratifying to note that his home is a veritable center of the social life of the community, and that a gracious hospitality is there dispensed to the hosts of friends which the family retain in their pleasant home city.

In ])oIitics Mr. Keim has ever given an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party, and his v\-as the distinction of having been the first Republican ever elected treasurer of Nimishillen township, an oflice in which he served for several terms. He is one of the prominent and \alued members of the Progressive Brethren church, in \vhose afifairs he has manifested a deep an(,l exceptionally helpful interest, being at the present time a member of the board of trustees of the local church of this denomination, while he is also a member of the board of trustees of Ashland University, a church institution, at Ashland, Ohio, and secretary' of its finance committee. About a decade since the work of the institution was badly crippled b}' an indebtedness of aboitt twenty thousand dollars, , and largely through his instrumentality and in-

On tlie 3d of April. 1873. ^Ir. Keini was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Klingaman. who was born in Nimishillen township, this county, being a daughter of \\'illiam and. Maria (Gloss) Klingaman. who now reside in the village of Magnolia, this county, ]Mr. Klingaman having been one of the influential farmers of this section for many years and having now retired frijm active business. To Mr. and Mrs. Keim have been born two children, Mahlon J. and .Vrthur L. The former was born in Louisville, nn the 29th (if June, 1874, and for the past ten years he has been the efficient cashier of the Louisville Deposit Bank, of which he and. his father are proprietors. In 1896 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Alanze. daughter of Godfrid .Manze. of Massillon, this county. Arthur L. was bcn'u December 28. 1883. and is now teller in the bank. Both sons are aljle and courteous young business men, enjoying marked popularity in their native town, autl they are well fitted to uphold the prestige of the honored name which bear.

CL.VRKSON W. METZGER was born on the paternal homestead, in Perrv township. November 5, 186S, and is the son of Adam and Artie T Martin) Metzger, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The American branch of the Metzger family appears to ha\e had its origin in Pennsyh-ania, in which state the subject's grandfather, Henry Metzger, was born and reared, his ancestors having- been among the early settlers of the old historic county of Lancaster. Henry Metzg'er married, in his native county. Miss Mary Geil), and about the }-ear 1856 mo\ed his family to Stark county, Ohio, and in about 1872 settled in Lake township, where he is still li\-ing at an advanced age, his wife having died in 1875. Adam

]\[etzger, the subject's father, was a young man \\hen his family moved to Ohio, and early in 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Artie ^Martin.. Mliose parents. John and Elizabeth (Hoch) ]^Iartin, were pioneers of Perry township. Pie served three years in the late Civil war as a member of the Seventh Independent Company of Ohio Sharpshooters, and at the expiration of his period of enlistment he engaged in carpentery work which he followed until 1883, since which time he has been in the mercantile btisiness in Richville, this county. Adam and Artie Metzger are the parents of six children, the oldest of whom is C. W.. of this review : after him in order of birth are ]\lrs. L. H. "N'anHorn, of Canton ; Charles, deceased ; Stanley, who is in the postal service at Canton; Homer and Clyde, the last two under the ]iarental roof.

C. ^^'. ]\Ietzger spent the years of his chiklhootl and early youth in the village of Richville, and acquired his preliminary educational training in the public schools of that ])lace. .\n apt student, with a thirst for knowledge, he was not content witli such mental discipline as the supplied, consequently he decided to pursue his studies in an institution of a higher grade. Animated by this laudal)le desire, he entered the North American Normal at Fostorin, and later took a course in the CMiio I'niversity, at Ada, where he prosecuted his studies with the object in view of devoting his life to teaching. Mr. Metzger liegan his career as an educator in the A'car 1887. and dining the twelve vears following gave his time and energies to school work, meanwhile earning an honorable reputation as a capa1)le teacher and successful disciplinarian. \\'hile other matters ha\-e engaged his attention, he is still interested in the cause of education and his acti\-ity and success in this field of endeavor have done nuich to bring him to the favorable notice of the public as an inllnential factor in the domain of party politics. I'rom an early age Mr. Metz- ger has been a close student of political questions, and since old enough to exercise the rights of citizenship he has given an earnest and loyal support to the Republican party. His efforts to promote the interests of the cause he had so nnich at heart attracted the attention of party leaders and it was not long until his services as a campaigner were recognized. In due time he was made a member of the county central committee, where his judicious counsel and tact as a planner made him especially val-- uable. and he served four years in that capacity to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1899 !Mr. Metzger was the choice of his party for representative, and at the ensuing election defeated his competitor by a handsome majority. His career as a law-maker fully justified his constituents in his nomination, as he has represented the county with ability and dignity, winning honors in tlie committee room and upon tiie floor and being recognized as one of the leading Republican members of the house. He was re-elected his own successor in 1S91, and is now serving his second term. He has been an active participant in all the deliberations of the assembly, besides introducing a number of l)ills which have become laws, and his name appears in connection with the most important legislation effected during" his incumbency. His course has met the unqualified approval of his constituency and the distinction he has already achieved as a public servant is indication of still greater honors that the future has in store, ^h. Metzger is a man of strong mentality, largely endowed with inclinations for doing good, in whatever sphere he may be called to act. full of the vigor of manly purpose and characterized by the most courageous and conscientious convictions of right. He has performed his whole duty regardless of fear or favor, and while not coveting the glare of preferment or conspicuous situation, yet when promoted to stations of honor his trustworthiness has been exemplary in all the term implies. He has been a student and thinker all his life, from the first experience in living until to the present time. Accepting labor as the motive, duty and destiny of man, he has not shrunk from its mandate or refused to respect its sacred injunction.

Mr. Metzger has been twice married, the first time in 1892, to ^liss Ora Mai'tin, of Massillon. who died the )'ear following, leaving one child. Earl. His second marriage was solemnized December 14, 1899, with Miss Hattie E. Yost, daughter of Oliver and Clara (Chapman") Yost, the mother a daughter of Thomas W. Chapman, of JMassillon, the distinguished member of the state senate, who is now in his eighty-eighth year. To this union have been born two children, Thomas Henry, born September 14. 1900. and Xellie Yost, born April 6. 1903.

JOHN S. HO\\'ENSTINE was born on the old homestead farm, in Pike township, this county, on the 8tb of March, 1829, and in the Greenridge school h<iuse he received his early educational discipline, attending the same durin.g the winter terms, w bile during the summer months he contrilnued his quota to the work of clearing and cultivating the home farm. He continued to work on the farm until he had attained the age of twenty-one years, and at the expiration of this period he came to Cant(in. where he served an apprenticeship of two years at the carpenter trade, under the direction of .Samuel Bard. He and his brother \\'illiam then engaged in contracting and building on their own responsibility, being thus associated for two years and erecting a number of the pioneer buildings in Canton and other .sections (^f the including the original building of the county infirmary. About 1845 the two brothers rennn-ed to Lagro, Indiana, a town on the Wabash river, aliout twenty miles west of Huntington, and there became concerned in the erection of nacking houses and also of a saw- mill. In 1S48 ]\Ir. Howenstine returned to Canton, and here he continued in the work of his trade, as a contractor, until i860, when he took a position in the employ of the Aultman Company, manufacturer of threshing macliines and other agricultural machinery here. Finally, when the cloud of civil war threw its gruesome pall over the country he responded to the call to higher duty, enlisting, on the 13th of August, 1862, as a memher of Company B, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantr)-. ffe continued in the service of the Union until the cl( ise of the war. For the first year lie was stationed in Cincinnati, as a member, of the provost guard, and thereafter was assigned to similar duty at Covington, Kentucky, for one winter, and Avithin that same Avinter was ordered to Maysville, that state, on skirmish duty. After quiet was restored in that locality he returned to Covington, from which place he was later sent with his regiment to MurfrccshonT, Tennessee, where he assisted in the linilding of block houses and in the guarding" of the city. While thus engaged, when at a ])oint about eight miles west of the city, he and the posse with which he was on duty were all captured liy Confederate forces under command of General Joseph Wheeler, and were taken to Nashville, Tennessee, but he was released one month later and ordered to report at Murfreesboro, where he remained until he was ordered home ti.) recei\'e his houurable discharge, at the close of the war, said discharge lieing granted him in the city of Cle\eland, in the fall of 1865. On the 27th of April, 1864, for meritorious service. ]\Ir. Howenstine was promoted to the office of corporal of his company.

Retiuming to Canton after the close of his loyal service as a Union soldier, Mr. Howenstine re-entered the emjiloy of the Aultman Company, his duties in and about the factory being of varied order, while tinallv he Ijecaiue a traveling reiiresentalixe of the company, in which capacity he made extensive tours and became one of the most trusted and valued attaches of the concern. For a number of years. \\hile traveling in the United States, he had charge of various agencies throughout the country, while he has also traveled widely in foreign lands as the representative of this great manufacturing concern. He thus represented the company in Ireland, Scotland, England. France, Germany, Austria-Hungary. Roumania, Russia, Italy, northern Africa, Algeria, etc., having thus traveled a1)roa(l for three years and returning to America about two years prior to the death of Jacob Miller, an honored member of the company in whose employ he had so long remained. After his return ]\Ir. Howenstine went to the city of New Orleans, where he remained as representative of the same compaii)- about five years, at the expiration of which he returned to Canton, remaining in the employ of the Aultman Company until 1898, when he felt that the weight of increasing years entitled him to retire from active business and he has since maintained his residence here, having an attractive home at 1238 Market street, and being surrounded by hosts of warm friends. In politics Mr. Howenstine is an independent Republican, and he has ever taken a deep interes'' in the questions and issues of the hour and has been at all times able to give a reason for the faith that is his in a political way. He has been identified with the Masonic fraternity for the past tiftv-eight vears, and has completed the circle of the York rite, l)eing a mcmlier of the l)lue lodge, chapter, council and commaiulery. He was formerly identified with the Grand Army of the Reijublic. but allowed his actix'e membership to lapse, on account of his traveling so constantly as to make it impossible for him to attend the various meetings of his old comrades. He and his family hold memliersliip in the First Methodist Episcopal church, in whose work they take an active part.

On the 7th of September, 1854, at New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Mr. tJouenstine was united in marriage to Miss Juha Sanford, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, being a daughter of Wheeler and Sarah (Ferris) Sanford, both representatives of old Connecticut families. To Mr. and Mrs. Howenstine have been born five children : Mary C, who was born on the 25th of June, died on the 19th of November, 1873; Sarah Elizabeth was born August 9, 1858; James Keeler, ]\Iay 4, i860; Elmer, February 15, iS6j ; and George W., June 26, 1874. Mrs. Howenstine is of Plymouth, England, extraction, and her ancestors were numbered among the colonists of New England.

.\d\erting to the genealogy of the subject, we may say that the original representative in the United States was his great-great-grandfather Howenstine, who emigrated hither in the colonial epoch, coming from Germany and taking up his residence in Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his life. George Howenstine. fatlier of the subject, was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and his death occurred on the 29th of November, 1895. He was united in marriage to Miss Christina Sickafoose, whose parents were numbered among the early settlers of Pike township, this county, whither they came from Pennsylvania, and in said township was solemnized her marriage to Mr. Howenstine. who came to the county as a young man, becoming one of the representative farmers and most honored citizens of Pike township, where Howenstine Station was named in his honor. He was justice of the peace for twenty years and for a number of years filled the office of county commissioner, being a man of influence in the community and one who commanded uniform confidence and esteem. The timber from which the original county infirmary was constructed was secured from his farm. His de\-oted wife preceded him into eternal rest, her deatli ha\'ing occurred in 1887. Of their children we incorporate the following brief record : William, who was born in 1818, died in 1895; John S. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Margaret, who was born in 182 1, l^ecame the wife of Christian Henry, and she died in 1887; Catherine, who became the wife of Jess Hissem, was born in 1822, and they now reside at South Whitley, Indiana; George Lyman, who was born in 1823, is a resident of Canton ; Samuel, who was born in 1824, is a leading farmer of Pike township ; and Marion, who was born in 1825, resides on the old homestead farm, in Pike township.

born at Waiblingen. near the city of Stuttgart, kingdom of Wurtenibnrg, Germany, on the 31st of May, 1835, being a son of George Volzer, who passed his entire life in the fatherland, having died when the subject of this tribute was about thirteen years of age. The family was a large one and it became necessary for Emanuel G. to leave his school work at an early age and to begin to assume the practical responsibilities of life. At the age of twelve years he secured employment in a mill at ^[emniingen, and he was away from home at the time of his father's death and unable to reach the bedside of his honored father. Pie was the eldest of the children and thus it may be seen that a heavy burden of responsibility was laid upon the widow for he himself \\as but thirteen years of age at the time when this bereavement and loss came. After leaving the mill lie was for some time engaged in railroad work in. Germany, and there he continued to reside until 1867. when he determined to seek a new field of endeavor in the United States, where he belicA-ed better opportunities were afforded for the attaining of success through personal effort. He landed in New York cit}' with but little money, but fortified with energy and determination. He came to Cnnton shortly after his arrival in America and here joined his larother Christian, who had preceded him. Here he first secured employment in the shops of the Aultman Company and later in the works of the Ball Company. He Avas married here in 1869. and after he left the employ of the Ball Company he and his wife removed to Petershurg, now a part of Canton, and in that locality he was engaged in farm work for some time. In 1884 he traded two properties which he had acquired on House! street to liis brother William, securing in exchange a piece of property on Charles street. Here he opened a grocery and built up a satisfactory and prosperous business, continuing" to conduct tliis enterprise until his death, which occurred on the 21st of October, 1897. He was the soul of integrity and honor and ever commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a stanch ad\'ocate of the principles of the Democratic party and was a consistent communicant of St. Peter's church, Roman Catholic, of which his wife likewise is a communicant. Since his death she has successfully continued the business which he estabhshed. showing marked discrimination in the handling of business affairs and having the high regard of all who know her. She sold the business in July, 1903. to her son F. X.

On the 2 1 St of September, 1869, in the city of Canton, Mr. \ olzer was unitetl in marriage to Miss Balbena Schmidt, who was born in Germany, on the 2d of October, 1848. being a daughter of Dominick and Mary ( Anefor) Schmidt, both of \\h(im were born in that section of Germany, where they passed their entire lives. The father was by trade a maker of horse-shoe nails and also owned a small farm, which was carried on by his children. Mrs. Volzer having assisted in the work prior to her immigration to America, whither she courageously came alone when l)ut eighteen years of age, sailing from Bremen on the ship "^^"illiam Penn" and arriving in Xew York on the 3d of June, 1868. She came directly to Cleveland, Ohio, where she was employed four weeks, at the expiration of which she came to Canton, having but twenty-five cents in her possession at the time of her arrival here. Here she found employment at housework in the home of Adam Shorb. and among her duties was that of milking the cows and other lines of work which the average girl of the present day would consider beneath her dignity. Mrs. Yolzer had, however, been taught that honest toil and endeavor is ever dignified and she was ready to put forth her best eft'orts. She was still in the employ of Mr. Shorb at the time of h.er marriage, the ceremony being performed in his home. ]Mr. and !Mrs. \'olzer became the parents of eleven children, namely : Joseph A., who is individually considered on other pages of this work: August, who died in infancy; AugustaA'e, who is a resident of the city of Cb.icago ; Peter and I'rank, who were twins, the latter dying in infancy, while the former still resides in Canton : Annie Frances, who is the wife of F.n.gene Hinder, of Massillon, this county; Frank X,, who resides in Canton and who married Miss Augusta Andes: and Grace, Otto, Leo and Cletus, who remain at the maternal home.