Defiance Township (part 11 of 11)

Ludger Blanchard was born in Canada, November 12, 1842. His father, James, and his mother, Harriet, were Canadians by birth. The latter died in Canada in 1851, and the former in Paulding County, Ohic, May 26, 1876. They had ten children, nine are as follows: James, Joseph, Ludger. Gideon, Simon, Malina, Philip, Philleus, Patrick and Edmund. Simon, Malina and Philipare dead. Joseph, Gideon and Ludger are living in Defiance, Philleus being in Paulding County, Patrick in Wyoming Territory, James and Edmund in Canada. The mother died when Ludger was eight years old, and the family were scattered. Atthe age of seventeen years, Ludger wen: to Montreal to learn the cabinet-making. After serving three years, he went to Plattsburg, N. Y., and worked there eighteen months. From Plattsburg he went to Defiance, in the fall of 1863, and worked for the firm of Hoffman & Geiger In 1872, he commenced the nndertaking December 25,

Cowen, and on the 19th of March, 1871, just nine days after he became of age, he passed the examinaance, who was born in 'oledo, Mareh 22, 18438. Kight children have blessed this union- - Joseph J.

of the district at Defiance, Ohio, and the next day, March 20, was duly sworn in attorney and counselor at law; on the 10th day of April, the same year, he formed a law partnership with the Hon.

tered upon the active duties of his profession. He was successful from the beginning, and in a short time had a Incrative practice. In March, 1873, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and on the 5th day of June, 1873, he was nominated for Prosecuting Attorney of the county of Defiance, by the Democratic party, and was elected. successful and faithful in the discharge of the duties office for three successive terms of two years each. At the close of his third term, January, 1880, he rethe second floor, directly opposite the court house, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law, and a general loan and real estate business.

five children - Frank, Nettie, Josie, James and Mary M. James and Josie are deceased. ; Gideon Blanchard isa resident of Defiance, where he has been engayed in the timber business for the past twenty years. His wife was Margaret Mum- Jounty, to whom he was married June 6, 1865, and they have six children living - Gideon, Harriet, John, Eddie, Zelia and Israel. Charles Carroll Strong was born at Thetford, Vt., June 80, 1829, and is a descendant of the Elder John Strony, of Taunton, Somersetshire, England, who came to America in 1629. The father of Charles Jarroll, Horace Strong, was born in Lebanon, Conn.,

October 22, 1818, to. Laura Allen, who is a sister to Dr. Jerome and Bella Allen, with whom so many of the pioneers of Defiance are acquainted. Horace Strong died September 24, 1836, leaving a wife and moved from Philadelphia, Penn., to Detiance, March, 1858. He, with his brother Sariuel and Marcus Orcutt, bought the foundry then owned by P. Kettenring, they adding a machine shop.

miles off, his father provided a boarding place about half-way to school, and John and his brother Noah, and his sisters, Polly and Anna, went to school, in 1850 and in 1851, +o David Price. In September following, his sister Nancy died, and then his mother and sister Anna, all in three weeks, su his fourteenyear-old sister Polly was left to keep house. this time, our subject had an exciting and dangerous five balls into him. On another occasion, he was obliged to enlarge a hole in a hollow tree, in which his little nine year brother was stuck. 1855, his father died, aged fifty-five. He native of Shenandoah County, Va., and his mother of Tennessee, her maiden name being Sarah Taylor. He then lived with his uncle, John Taylor, of Defiance, school to Angeline Meredith, a daughter of Thomas Warren, then to Eldridge Willie, and next to W. Wells, and finally, in 1850, to Oscar Myers. On December 25, 1860, he married Esther Brown, by whom he has had nine sons and three daughters; of the boys, only Charles Strong, David Locke, Lafayette Burchard and an infant not named, now survive. The girls are Clara Covila, Emma Dell and Fannie Augusta. [n 1862, Mr. McCollister enlisted in Company A, Sixty-ninth Battalion Ohio National Guards, and in April, 1862, they were ordered to Cleveland, there mustered into the United States service and ordered to Washington. They were stationed at Fort Ethan Allen, seven miles from Washington. He was transferred, at Cleveland, into the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infautry, in Company K, Capt. Bowlus, Lieut. Lovewas a

Enos Blair was born in 1839 in Greenwood, Steuben Co., N. Y. His father, William M. Blair, was born in Massachusetts in 1799, and died at Litchfield, Mich.,in 1846. His mother, Selinda Wheeler, was born in New Hampshire in 1799, and is still living at Litchfield, Mich. They were married, in 1820, at Dryden, N. Y., and a few years after moved to Greenwood, N. Y., and then, in 1845, to Litchfield, taking with them their six-year-old son, Enos, and from that time until he was thirteen he lived on his brother's farm. In 1852 and 18538, he attended school at Defiance; returned to Michigan, remaining until 1857, going then to Illinois, working on a farm in summer and teach. ing in the winter for two years. He then entered into the stove trade in Defiance for two years, when he went into the dry goods business, in the fall of 1863, in partnership with C. A. Flickinger, and they still continue to do a thriving and prosperous business. He married, September 2, 1868, Amanda M., daughter of J. J. and Susan M. Myers, of Detiance, who was born at Mogadore, in Summit County, November 15, 1848. They have three children - Eva M., born June 138, 1869; Hattie A., November 10, 18738; Elmer Enos, July 26, 1876.

John M. Preisendorfer was born in Oberstine, Bayern, Germany, October 22, 1838, and is son of Adam and Agnes Preisendorfer, who had a family of five sons and one daughter, of whom three survive - John M., Joseph and John. His father died in 1846, John M. came to this country when he went into business with his brother Joseph, but after five years bought out the latter. he built, at a cost of $4,200, his present place of business, 49 Clinton street. He married, November whom he had nine children - Mary A., John J., Adam (died in infaney), Agnes E., Alphonso R., Anthony F., Frank S., Adam and Louis Charles. Mr. P. is an active and faithful Democratic worker, and has held office as Corporation Treasurer from 1870 to 1878, and now, in connection with his boot and shoe bnsiness, in which he carries a large and carefully selected stock, he is prepared to suit all. He has kept abreast of the times, and has never allowed any competitor to surpass him in the completeness and variety of his stock, the fairness of his prices and liberality of his dealings.

He also represents a large number of first-class American and European fire and life insurance companies, and takes risks on all commercial and farm property. Defiance has u good representative in Mr. Preisendorfer, who is an honorable and citizen, and a merchant of reliability and established reputation.

William Higgins, son of Schuyler and Sophia (Carter) Higgins, was born on the Western Reserve, in South Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, June 9, 1828. Left fatherless at the age of ten years, he and his

Grande. <A few weeks' stay here, and they were ordered to Lobos Island, in the Gulf of Mexico. 'Two weeks later, the fleet was organized, and sailed for city. Mr. Higgins, with others, was transferred from the ship " Diadem," to the sloop-of-war " Albany." From the " Albany" he was one of the first to enter the surf-boats and effect a landing under cover of the fire from the fleet. After a siege and bombardment of four days, the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa surrendered. From here the army marched to Plandel Lio, where they stopped for rest and to prepare to storm the heights of Cerro Gordo. He was now with Gen. Twiggs, in the storming party that flanked the enemy on the right and rear; which movement, Manuel M. Jimen, in the Mexican official journal, El Diario, afterward likens manfully resolved to win for himself "a name and a fame." At the age of fifteen, with his school books and personal effects tied up in a cotton handkerchief, he left home for Sandusky, en route for the then far West. Arriving at his brother Franklin's, who lived months at $8 per month. With the money thus earned, he furnished himself with suitable clothing, and came back to Valparaiso, Ind., whore he attended school. War having been declared between Mexico and the United States, August 3, 1846, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the mounted rifle regiment at Michigan City, Ind., and was immediately ordered to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where the regiment was organized, drilled and equipped. Here he was assigned to Company G, commanded by Capt. John L. Simonson. son Barracks, he was ordered to Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, where the regiment continued cavalry drill till the February following, when orders were received to proceed at once to the mouth of the Rio he was discharged, and went immediately home, where he was an invalid for eighteen months, from the effects of his wound and disease contracted in the army. With the partial return of health, his old energy and force of character began again to assert itself, and in the fall of 1848, at the age of twenty years, he engaged in his first speculation, which consisted in the purchase and shipment to Chicago of one hundred barrels of green apples; the sale of personally superintended. January 19, 1849, he located his land warrant, and became the possessor of a farm of 160 acres of rich prairie land in Grundy County, Ill, which he still owns. In March following, he returned to Birmingham, Ohio, and made all necessary arrangements for a journey across the plains to California during the coming summer, At the appointed time, his expected part. ner concluded not to go, and thereby caused him to defer till a later day his trip to the land of gold. September 1, he again enrolled himself, not as a soldier but as a student at Baldwin University, Berea. On the 8th day of April, 1850, he started from Birmingham for California across the plains, and reached Ringgold September 22 following. Here he followed the oceupation of a miner till March, 1852, when he engaged in mercantile business at Placerville, in which he continued till January, 1854, during which time he built the pioneer or first brick business block in Placer. ville, situated on the corner of Main and Sacra- pied as a post office building. In February, 1854, he returned to Ohio by the Nicaragua route, passing most of the time till September in traveling through the Western and Southern States, when he again started for California, by the Panama route, and reached San Francisco in October. He again followed the occupation of a aniner, spending the greater part of his time at Monte Christo, on the celebrated Blue Lead, until January, 1858, when, the home attractions becoming stronger than all else, he again returned tu Ohio. On the 8th day of May, 1858, he came to Defiance, where he has since resided, spending the first four years of his stay in the law office of Hon. William Carter, since deceased. August 19, 1862, he consummated a very important event of his life, viz., his marriage with Miss Delia Stone, of Adrian, Mich., a teacher in the public schools and an accomplished and highly esteemed lady. Four years later, bis wife died, leaving him a childless widower. In October, 1867, he married Miss Amelia Tinney, of Irving, Erie Co., N. Y. The fruits of this union were Bertha H., Lora D-, William E., Schuyler R. and Minnie E. In 1873, he, with three others, built the fine edifice on the corner of Clinton and Third streets, known as the Keystone Block. In November, 1875, his wife, Amelia, died, leaving him again a widower. January 1, 1877, the dread angel Death ugain visited his family, and Schuyler, his second son, was taken. . June 24, 1880, he again embarked on the sea of matrimony, and married another teacher, Miss Clara E. Peck, of Erie County, Ohio, whose home was near his own bir thplace. One beautiful little cirl, Mary Augusta, has come to bless their union. Financially, he has than could have been expected from one whose business hus been so varied and changeful as his. By his strict integrity and uprightness of character, he has won many friends and been honored with offices of which trust by his fellow-townsmen, anong was the Mayoralty of the city. He also held a eommission under Gov. Tod during the late civil war, as Colonel of militia. He is positive in temperament and outspoken in manner, showing the world his strict ideas of right and wrong regardless of consequences. Politically, he is a life-lorpg Democrat, of the true Bourbon stripe. Religiously, a supporter of the Church, a friend of the poor and needy, and an adherent of the doctrine that a quiet, conscientious, consistent life is a better example of true Christianity than loud spoken words and acts "to be seen of men."

Hugh O'Neill, the Karl of Tyee (ihe arene Irish patriot who battled so long against the armies of the British crown), is a son of Lewis and Corbina E. Neil (both deceased), of Jefferson County, now West Virginia. His forefathers came to colonial America*whilst Lord Fairfax held and lived upon his "grant" of the " Northern Neck of Virginia," and Lewis Neill, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, at one time owned 12,000 acres of that Fairfax land. Lewis Neill bas two surviving brothers, George W. Neill (unmarried), and Samuel B.

Lewis Neill, our subject, married lllen M. Greer, only daughter of Judge James 8. Greer and Louisa Greer, both of Detiance, Ohio, the former a native of his (now deceased) wife, was born in the village of Defiance May 2, 1844, and Mr. Neill was born in Jefferson County (now West Virginia) March 16,

William C. Holgate, banker, lawyer and capitalist, was born November 23, 1814, at Burlington, Vt., of English and Scotch descent. He has in his possession an ancient English coat of arms, without date, of which he has no knowledge save that it has been handed down from his ancestors. He was the son of Curtis and Alvira (Prentice) Holgate. A sketch of his father will be fuund on another page. C. Holgate attended the academy and select school at Utica, N. Y., and was admitted to Hamilton College in the year 1832, graduating in 1835. In 1841, the college bestowed on him the degree of A. M. Ho studied law with Willard Crafts, of Utica, and then with Horace Sessions, of Defiance, Ohio, was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio in the year 1838. pointed Clerk of the C in 1839, then receiving the appointment of Prosecuting Attorney of Williams County, in which position he had his first experience in the practice of law. His first case in a court of record was where Morrison R. Waite, delivered his maiden speech as opposing counsel. In the winter of 1844- 45, he went to Columbus with a petition for the erection of Defiance County, and succeeded in securing the passage of a legislative enactment establishing the county. The bill was drafted by him, and by his untiring efforts carried through the Legislature, amid of the law, le met such a reception from his fellow citizens as Was never yviven to auy other man in the county. Well they might, as of some twenty-tive projects of a similar kind, his was the only one that succeeded. About 1851, a Mr, Allen, with his agents, was found listing and taking possession of nearly all the vacant land surrounding the town of Defiance, under a contract with the Governor of the State, by virtue of an adroitly framed resolution of the Legislature, reading in such a way as to mislead the members passing it, and also the Governor and Auditor of State. Ascertaining that this contract would put Mr. Allen in possession of nearly 40,000 acres of land in close proximity to Defiance, and so smother the growth and prosperity of the village and surrounding country, and believing there must be a great fraud and wrong underlying the matter, Mr. Holgate called upon the leading men of Defiance to see if they would join with him in an 'attempt to thwart the proceeding. He found that nearly all of them had already been interviewed by Allen, and been led by him to conenr in the legality of his claim. "But," said they, "if it is wrong, what can we do about it, with all the leading officials of the State against us?" Mr. Holgate replied that he would show them what "we could do about it," and immediately called a public meeting of the town, in which, as Chairman of a committee appointed by the meeting, he made an elaborate report of the Jaw and facts relating to the matter, which was received and adopted, and, with appropriate resolutions, was published in the papers of the town and republished throughout the State. A great consternation was aroused among the people on the subject. The officials of the State were led to review and reconsider their action in the matter, and to hedge Mr. Allen's procedure with difficuities. The Auditor soon brought the lands to sale, and the most of them were bought by actual settlers, Mr. Allen, having failed in getting action of the Supreme Court in his favor, finally abandoned his claims to the lands, and thus were the great interests of the State as well as the people of Defiance, saved by the action of Mr. Holgate. When the Michigan Southern Railroad and the Pittsburgi & Fort Wayne Rail. road went through the State, cutting off most of the territory tributary to the business interests of Defiance, business men talked about removing to other places, and everything looked as if the doom of the town was sealed, and no one to lift a helping hand, only to say there was no hope. I+ was then that William C, Holgate came to the front once more and secured to the town the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. None can now appreciate the really hard

Mr. Holgate worked and worked on, He corresponded with nearly every railroad man and interest- - east as far as Buffalo, and south as far as Cincinnati, and west as far as La Fayette - and the correspondence would now fill a volume. Nearly every railroad meeting within those limits was attended by him, and he depicted in vivid colors in the newspapers of the town the advantages of railroad routes through Defiance. The strain upon bim in doing this work, in connection with his law office and large real estate interests and infirmities produced by a bilions and debilitating climate, caused his health to give away in 1853, to such an extent as to render him unfit for active business for the succeeding twelve to fifteen years. He could not read or write for much of this time, and was compelled to give up his law practice, and now rarely attends to any but that in which he is personally interested. Though tolerably comfort- - uble, Mr. Holgate has never entirely recovered from the prostration that came upon him in 1853. In 1864, when the land contracted to the town fourteen years previously for the Defiance Female Seminary had been forfeited to the State for the non-payment of purchase money, and a bill was about being passed by the Legislature requiring the State Auditor to sell the same, he went to Columbus and secured the passage of an act authorizing a deed of the land upon payment of the money due. Mr. Holgate and Horace Sessions advanced the money from their private funds and secured the deed, thereby saving to Defiance the 1,280 acres. It was about the year 1869 the citizens felt the want of increased railroad facilities to accommodate the manufacturing interests of the place, and this again brought him to the front in the interests of the people. Several lines for a railroad were proposed and urged by the leading citizens of the town. Feeling that the most important route for the next railroad through the place would be could be most directly connected through it with the cities of the Atlantic seaboard, Mr. Holgate organized a company in Ohio and Indiana, its line surveyed two years later being accepted and built upon by the Balti- The bencticial effects of this railroad upon the business prosperity of the town are He was appointed Director in this new The city and county of Defiance are almost wholly indebted to Mr. William C. Holgate for securing to them that great improvement in their interest known as the "Second Street Bridge." A Board of Commissioners in 1873, had advertised the letting of a contract for the construction of a $40,000 stone and iron

Second street. hostility of the Commissioners, no direct relief to prevent the letting of the Hopkins street contract could be obtained by injunction from either Judge residing in the county, and the case seemed hopeless. begun to crowd the hotels, when as a desperate alternative, Mr. Holgate entered the Auditor's office |

Commissioners' proceedings about the Hopkins street . bridge, by appeal, to the Clerk's office of the Court | When the hour for letting came, | the Commissioners found they had no papers on | interests, together with the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad, which adds greatly to the prosperity of the town. Holgate avenue was originally a road graded the dangerous emergency, he waited until a good case could be made up for an injunction before Judges outside of the county, in the absence of those resident within. He took the appeal as his only chance.

leading attorneys of the town, supported by Morrison R. Waite as their adviser. All the County Commissioners and the other prominent officials of the county proceed with the letting, while Mr. Holgate tried to keep it in, in order that the people of the county might have an opportunity to rally and elect a Board of Commissioners that should take care of their own and the great public interests affecting the matter.

court in which Mr. Waite was the opposing counsel to Mr. Holgate, the latter's success was complete. The case was ended late in the year 1874 by a decision of the Supreme Court of the State against the

Jommiissioners. new Commissioners were elected in the interest of constructing the bridge over the Auglaize River at Second street, and they caused its erection in the summer of 1875. While the proposed Hopkins street bridge was on the outskirts of the city, with its approaches narrow and crooked, Second street is a broad avenue running by the court house through the center of the business part of the town in a straight line across the Auglaize River tu a point half a mile east. This had a direct outlet given to it by an old county road to the east and by another one running south. The town of Holgate, twelve and one-half miles eastof Detiance, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, laid out by the citizens of Detiance, was named as a compliment to Mr. Holgate for his efforts in securing that road to their place owned by him, adjacent to the city of Detiance on the west, on which, in 1858, he built a house for his residence. After lining the street with shade trees and making it inviting to those seeking homes, he opened it to the public, and the village soon spread over his land and extended its limits a mile westerly. Holgate pike reaches from the north end of the Mau-

Williams County. About the year 1850, Mr. Holgate secured the passage of a special act for the locating of the Williamstown & Ridgeville Free Turnpike road Its name, by another special act of which he secured the passage, about the year 1856, was changed to that of the Defiance & Michigan Free Turnpike road, but the people called it the '' Holgate Pike,'' by wbich name only it is known. After the Defiance County Agricultural Society located its fair grounds on this road in 1875, Mr. Holgate added to it a strip of land forty feet wide, for a mile and a half north of the river, making it one hundred feet He then planted three rows of maple trees along this pike, which are already giving it a pleasant and beautiful appearance. Assisted by his son Curtis, he is now engaged in opening in this vicinity one of the best stock farms in the State. It consists of about 900 acres north of the Maumee, embracing what is known as " Sulphm Hollow," and 200 acres south of that river. In 'Sulphur Hollow," Mr.

on most of the subdivision lines of sections through this tract, making of his farm a beantiful park. He keeps about one hundred head of cattle, about twentyfive of which are thoroughbred short-horns of the finest pediyrees, the increase of which will soon make his whole herd full bloods. He has other farming lands not adjacent to the city, amounting to 5,000 acres, besides a large amount of city property, which he is improving every year. wish and desire seems to be to hold only such lots and lands as he can properly improve, all the re mainder being for sale. He was the prime mover in organizing the Defiance County Agricultural Society, drafted its by-laws, performed the duties of Secretary, and tvok upon himself nearly all the business management for five years, when he was compelled formerly a Whig, but since a Republican. Mr. Holgate has always been too much engrossed with important matters affecting his own interests as well as business of politics. nation, he has always been eminently successful in all his undertakings, whether of a private or public nature, and especially has this been the case in matters of public interest, which he has always pushed to success regardless of personal inconvenience, and yet he has never held or sought any public office. Strictly honorable in all his dealings and prudent in all his business matters, he has acquired a handsome fortune, without sacrificing the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, by whom he is regarded in the highest manner- - and especially is this the case among those who have known kim from pioneer days down to the present time. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. National Bank of Defiance, and also of the Defiance Manufacturing Company, a strong organization, manufacturing hubs, spokes and bent work. Mr. Holgate was married in 1850 to Miss Mary Hoeirich, who died June 6, 1865. They had two children - W. Curtis Holgate, born November 29, 1854, who was married September 14, 1876, to Miss Florence Gleason, who have also had two children- - William Curtis Holgate, born July 19, 1877, and Robert Gleason Holgate, born October 1, 1880; Fannie Maud Holgate, born October 2, 1856, was married to fax. Dr. Holgate left one son, Asa, who at seventeen years of age, being without a home, enlisted as a'private in the British Army, and was engaged in the old French and Indian war. At the close of this war, he married a daughter of Capt. Katban, a Scotchman, who had settled on the Connecticut River, near Brattleboro, Vt-, and owned fine lands for nine miles along the river. - was one of the younger children of a large family.

plain. The young man toiled vigorously at whatever he found to do, and at the age of thirty-six had accumulated a capital of about $1,500, the savings of his own labors. He received nothing from his father, as the fine landed estates on the Connecticut River had been lost to the family. His first wife shortly after, gathering together all of his worldly possessions, he moved to Burlington, Vt. It had considerable commercial importance, but was without a wharf, though situated upon the broadest and most exposed part of the lake, and where one would be of the greatest value. Many had been built, but none of them permanently enough to stand, on account of the exposure of the coast to heavy storms and ice-drifts. Mr. Holgate felt confident that he could build a dock that would withstand the storms, and applied to the Legislature for a sole right to wharf privileges, which was granted to him for the term of fourteen years. He had nearly completed his first structure when it was all swept away in one night by ice and a heavy storm. Arriving at the scene the next morn ing he saw where the weak points were, and decided to try again. 'lo give up was uot in his character. He was called the Napoleon of Burlington, on account of his energy and perseverance. Having no money, but the full contidence'of all who knew him, he went to a leading capitalist and laid the case before him, telling him if he would lend him the amount he needed to build another wharf, he would give him one hundred per cent interest. His application was successful. The required aid was granted, and in a short time the second dock was built. It answered his expectations and stood for a long time against all storms, thereby giving to the city of Bur lington an accommodation indispensable to its com. mercial interests and prosperity. The wharf is still in existence, and has made it the chief city of the State. It was completed. together with the necessary warehouses, just before the war of 1812. The commencement of the war found him with all the debts for the construction or the wharf paid up in full, according to contract, and a very prosperous business on his hands. Commodore McDonough found the dock of great use during the war of 1812, for here he titted great victory over the British. Previous to this battle, the British considered themselves masters of the lake. 'Their ships of war went sailing up and down its broad expanse, firing into the villages and towns. One of their largest vessels anchored opposite to Burlington, but three miles distant, and sent a gunboat within about a mile of the place, which commenced cannonading the town. A prominent object was the house of Mr. Holgate, which stood on the wharf. One ball entered the roof of the house, passed into the dining-room, struck a corner post, bounded back and rolled under the dining table, from which the family had just been hastened to the back country. Other balls struck his yard and garden fences, leveling them to the ground. Going to Commodore McDonough, Mr. Holgate asked him to fit out a gunboat to drive off the British marauders, and agreeing to furnish the men necessary for the purpose. The Commodore granted his request and furnished the boat with cannon. Mr. Holgate and his fellow-citizens set forth, and in a very short time silenced the British gunboat, driving it back to the ship. At the close of the war, Mr. Holgate sold the dock to Messrs. Mayo & Follet for $22,000, and moved on a farm two miles south of Burlington, also buying 800 acres of land aeross the lake opposite Burlington. Having some money left, he purchased six or eight vessels, and put them on the lake. On the tract of land opposite Burlington, he laid out a town, calling it Port Douglas, and building a wharf, warehouse, hotel, store and saw mill. About this time, the " Steamboat Company of Lake Champlain," which was very wealthy, laid out a town in opposition to his, about three miles to the north, and called it Port Kent. Mr. Holgate feeling that his investment would prove a loss if Por} Kent should sueceed, offered to sell out to the steamboat company if they would give him first cost and interest, which they declined to do. He therefore sold his farm, moved to his hotel at Port Douglas' stocked his store with goods, built a turnpike three miles through the mountains to Keeseville, a great center of the iron business, and now a noted pleasure resort in the Adirondacks, and started a line of stages to connect with the line of packets from Burlington, thereby causing their boats to stop at Port Douglas instead of Port Kent. Mr. Holgate secured the business of the Peru Iron Company at his dock and also a large lumber trade. These enterprises he carried on for one year in competition with the steamboat company without charge, when that corporation offered to accept the terms of sale made to them a year previous, on the basis of which Port Douglas was closed ont to them, he receiving ail his expenditures together with six per cent interest. About 1823, he had made a trip West with his own team to see the country, pursuing the line afterward followed by the Erie Canal, passing through and spending some time at Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus and Newark. This trip occupied the whole summer. He formed a very high opinion of the prospects of the towns and country which he visited, and, after disposing of Port Douglas, arranged to remove to the West. He went by the way of Whitehall and the Northern Canal, in his own boat, and, stopping at Troy, he bought a stock of general dry goods in New York, taking it to Syracuse, and opening a store at Salina, now a part of Syracuse. In that place he bought two salt works, which he carried on about one he lost three children with the measles, who died and were buried within the space of three weeks. This so disheartened him that he sold out all of his property and moved to the city of Utica, where he lived until he had educated his children, engaging in no business. But while here the part of the New York Central Railroad from Schenectady te Utica was located, and he became one of the original subscribers to the stock, taking about $28,000 worth. Shortly after and before the road was completed, he sold his stock at a premium of twenty-eight and a half per cent, and then made 'a trip to the West, purchasing property in Buffalo and in and near Fort Wayne, Ind. About 1835, he visited Toledo, and bought an interest. in Manhattan property; then going to Defiance and purchasing the interest of Benjamin Leavell, one-half of the town of Defiance and one-third of the town of Napoleon, together with some adjacent land. In 1836, he removed to Buffalo, N. Y., and thence to Defiance, Ohio, in the fall of 1837. He and his family were very much prostrated by sickness up to his death, which occurred J anuary 15, 1840, at the age of sixtysix years. When about sixty years old, he united with the Presbyterian Church. He took very radical grounds on the side of temperance, as will be shown in the following instance: In the summer of 1839, when help was very scarce, he applied to the canal contractors for men to help harvest his wheat. The contractors were willing, but the men refused to go unless they were permitted to have liquor on the ground. Mr. Holgate told them he would not allow that, but would give them $2 per day, the regular wages beiug $1.25. They agreed to this offer, and the wheat was harvested. Though Mr. Holgate resided at Defiance with his family but a few years, death calling him away, his memory is fresh in the minds of the people, who fee! that they owe a great deal to his help in the infancy of their town. He was almost the first citizen that brought any capital with him into the place. Strict moral principles governed him in every walk of life.

Hon. Elmer White, second son of Lyman and Louisa White, the former of New York State, the latter of New Hampshire, was born at West Lodi, Seneca Co., Ohio, April 16, 1847. His parents came to Ohio in 1836 and located at Tiffin, Seneca County, where Elmer passed most of his early life. He received his education in the public schools of that place, graduating June 4, 1864, with the highest honors of his class. Choosing the printer's trade, he learned the business in the Tiffin Advertiser office, under the preceptorship of Hon. W. W. Armstrong, afterward Secretary of State, and now proprietor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Celia

1868. The fruits of this union were three children, two of whom are living - Irving E., born July 26, 1870, at Tiffin, Ohio; Lyman, Jr., born October 30, 1875, at Defiance. A little daughter, Mary, was born February 26 1874, and died September 29, 1875. In 1869, Mr. White established the Tiffin Star, and continued its publication until the fall of 1873, when he removed to Defiance and became editor and part owner of the Defiance Democrat, succeeding Hon. J. J. Greene, who had published the paper twenty-four years. Is. still connected with the Democrut and is also, in connection with Frank J. Mains, proprietor of the Weekly Herald, a German paper of influence. Mr. White was clected City Clerk of Defiance in 1873, and held the office for two terms. In 1881, he was elected a State Senator, representing the Thirty-second District, comprising the counties of Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize and Mercer. Mr. White has the reputation of being a zealous and active worker in the Democratic party of Northwestern Ohio. He comes of gvod Democratic stock, his father before him (who is legislation, and well merited the words of praise frequently bestowed upon him by the press and public. In the Legislature, he was one of the champions of the canal interests of Ohio, and through his work and the Wabash & Erie Canal west of Junction Paulding County. Local interests were well cared for by him, and in public matters he was a defender of the people against jobs and schemes of all kinds. Mr. White is a fine speaker and able writer. His eulogy of the late Senator O. Hogan, from the Thirtieth District, delivered in the Senate Chamber January 9, 1883, received the highest encomiums of the press and his honor of calling upon him at his desk, to personally tender his congratulations, and afterward, many distinguished citizens of the State publicly expressed their admiration of this masterly and eloquent tribute to the memory of their departed friend and colleague. Mr. White is now in the prime of health and vigor, and has still an eminent and useful A brother of Mr. White, now Edwin White, United States Navy, is Executive Ofticer stationed at the Society Islands. He entered the naval service of the United States in 1861 and graduated at the Naval Academy in June, 1864. His home is in Princeton, N. J., his wife being a daughter of Rear Admiral Emmons, of the United States Navy, and aniece of Rear Admirals Thornton and Jenkins.

the trade of a printer in the Observer oftice. He served faithfully as an apprentice for three years, after which he took charge of the mechanical part of the office, which position he held until the office was closed, on the approach of Gen, Lyons' army, in June, 1861. From that time until 1864, he spent his time between his old Ohio home and Missouri. In 1864, he established the Booneville Monitor, a weekly paper devoted to the cause of the Union. It was the first Union paper published in Central Missouri, aud, iudeed, we might say the many bushwhackers in that part of the State, and the great danger in publishing a Union paper, he was forced to give it up after issuing twenty-six numbers. After the Monitor was discontinued, he came to Mansfield, Ohio, and was married, December 17, 1864, to Miss Susan A., daughter of George and Sarah Sheets. They have two children - Olive §., born April 4, 1868, and George 8., born February 28, 1880

In 1865, Mr. Blymyer purchased the Fostoria News, which paper be published for about one year, when he 'pulled up stakes" and became one of the publishers of the Kansas City, Mo., Daily Advertiser. Not liking the place, he again returned to Ohio, and became interested in the Findlay Jeffersonian, with the Locke Bros. In 1868, they sold the Jeffersonian, and purribune, which they continued to publish until 1873, when Mr. B. sold his interest to his partners and moved to Defiance, and purchased a halfinterest in the Democrat, with which he remained connected till June, 1881, when he sold his interest to his partner, Hon. Elmer White. In October of the same year, he founded the Democratic Trmes, which paper was a success from the start, supplying what seemed to be a want in the political papers of the city and county. The Times isin a prosperous condition, having a large circulation in both city and country, and does an exten-

Frank C. Culley, editor and publisher of the Defiance County Express, son of Matthew D. and Emily Culley, was born at Fremont, Ohio, July 2, 1838. At the age of fifteen, he began to learn the printer's trade, and has been connected with the newspaper business ever since. In April, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company F, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till February, 1863. Soon after his discharge, to wit, February 16, 1863, he was united in marriage at Perrysburg, Ohio, with Miss Emma R., daughter of J. R. and Mary A. Rudulph, who was born at New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1842. They have four children - Ollie M., born at Haskins, Ohio; IL. Belle, born at Bowling Green, Ohio ; Fritzie Allen, born at Katon Rapids, Mich. ; and J. Ray, born at Defiance, Ohio.

In 1867, Mr. Culley founded the Wood County Sentinel, and published it for two years, when he sold out and moved to Katon Rapids, Mich., and published the

Journal at that place for eight years ; after which, in 1879, he came to Defiance and bought the Express, the the history of which paper appears in another part of this work. Mr, Culley comes of a patriotic family, his ancestors being in the Revolutionary war. He is a stanch Republican, advocating earnestly the principles of the party, though he has never held office.

Dr. I. N. Thacker, born January 27, 18J1, in the town of Essex and county of Essex, State of New York. He came with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall of 1815. In the spring of 1813, his parents moved on a farm in Clermont County, Ohio, where the Doctor grew up, attended district school in the winter season and helped his father on the farm in summer, till nineteen years of age. In 1831, he studied medicine under Dr. John Thacker, a cousin of his, in Goshen, in the same county. In 1835, he attended a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and in 1840 he graduated at the same college, and commenced practice at what was then Rochester, now Morrowtown, Warren County, Ohio, and remained there about fifteen years. He was married to Miss Lydia Haywood, of Goshen, Clermont County, Ohio, November 21, 1833. Six children were born to them, four boys and two girls, Niza N. and Mary A. Mr. Thacker came to Defiance October 27, 1853, where he has continued the prac tice of medicine for nearly thirty years. Three of his sons were physicians: William H., was a graduate of Ann Arbor Medical University, Michigan; I. N., of Starling Medical College, Columbus, Onto. ta On, graduated at Bellevue Medical College of New York City, and commenced practice at Defiance, March, 1866. He has an extensive practice, and was married to Miss Lillie Noble, January 27, 1869. They have two children, Engenie and Myrtle, aged respectively thirteen and five years. The surviving brother, ico. Joseph O. also studied medicine, but died at the age of twenty years, before completion of studies. He died May 3, 1858. William H. died in Denver, Colo., July 30, 1876.

Dr. Anthony Berchtold was born December 19, 1852, in Sarnen, Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, and was the second son of Anthony and Rosa (Stockton) Berchtold, who had eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Of this number, five only are living, viz: Fridolin, Anthony, Gerold, Rosalie and Mary. Anthony, the subject of this sketch, attended the primary and secondary schools from his sixth to bis thirteenth year, then entered the Latin school in his native land, and passed through the different branches, course at Schoyz, to complete the Latin studies and his education. In 1872, he entered Medical College of Freiburg, Germany, and remained one year. He then went to Berne, Switzerland, and attended the Medical College there two years, and came back to Freiburg in October, 1875, where he completed his medical studies in the summer of 1876, and passed an examination the same year for physician, before the Board of Examiners of Canton Unterwalden, after which he commenced the practice of medicine with his uncle, Dr. M. Stockman, at Larnen, remaining with him one year, and then came to this country, landing at New York October 3, 1877. He went to Newark, N. J., and remained there five months; came from there to Monroeville, in Hurop County, Ohio, where he remained ten months and then came to Defiance, arriving here on the 9th of January, 1879, and commenced his _practice here. He was married, October 7, 1879, to Josephine, eldest daughter: of Joseph and Anna Maria (Durrer) Bucher. Two children have been born to them - Rosa E., born March 4, 1881, and Josephine Theresa, born September 12, 1882.

adelphia, in March, 1874, returning then to his native place, where he practiced medicine for two years, when he located at Defiance, in July, 1876. The Doctor was united in matrimony, December 24, 1878, with Miss Libbie Jarvis, of Piqua, Ohio.

Daniel Widmer was born in Switzerland April 9, 1838; immigrated to this country with his parents, Jacob Widmer and Anna (Frecker) Widmer, when about sixteen years old, arriving at Defiance June 5, 1854. The family consisted of tive children - Anna, Daniel, John, Jacob and Mary. My. Widmer was at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1864; Ellen, born August 10, 1865; Huldah, born February 5, 1870; Eugene, born March 11, 1874; the three latter were born in Defiance. Mr. Widmer and brother, John, are doing avery extensive business in this town at beer bottling, putting up in bottles and small kegs about one hundred barrels per week. Mr. W. was a membec of the Council at Defiance from 1876 to 1878. Mrs. Widmer's parents, Christian and Rosa Winkler, came to this country, to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1853, and to Defiance in 1857.

John Widmer, son of Jacob and Anna, was born in Switzerland, 1845; immigrated to America with his parents in 1854, landing at New York May 27, and proceeded immediately for the West, arriving at Defiance June 5. 1854, coming from Toledo by packet on canal. His parents both died here at Defiance. Mr. Widmer was in the late war, 1861-65, in Company G, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infaniry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, July 24, 1865. March 28, 1869, he was married to Miss Caroline Hauck, of Defiance, who was born in

Entertaining these views, he bade good-bye to the fatherland, und started for the United States with his wife and two children,-traveling in an emigrant wagon to Havre de Grace, and thence by a new threemasted ship, named Emerald, to New York, arriving in the spring of 1844. He immediately started for parents. The fruits of this marriage are three children - John E., born February 6, 1870; William H., - born October 12, 1871; and George C., born Decem- , ber 15, 1880. Mr. Widmer and brother Dan are doing a very extensive wholesale trade at this town, bottling and shipping lager beer, receiving about one hundred barrels per week from Toledo Brewing Company, and C. Windisch Muhlhauser & Bro., Cincin nati, Ohio.

line Geiger, of Defiance. They have une child, William Carl, born December 4, 1881. election of officers, held April 3, 1882, after Defiance became a city, Mr. Kahlo was elected a member of the Council for two years. January 26, 1851, the parents of Mr. Kahlo set sail for America, on board home in Delaware Township, where they lived six years and then returned to the Kahlo homestead in East Defiance, where they now live, and where the daughter Mota was married to John Stetler, Jr.

Bavaria, Germany, August 28, 1836. John Jacob and Caroline (Glasser) Flickinger, natives of Bavaria, and were married in October, 1835, having two children born to them, the subject of our sketch and Elizabeth, who was born October 5, 1841, and is now the wife of Adum Minsel. Mr. Flickinger had a strong love for the land of his birth, rail, to Toledo by steamer and from thence to Defiance, Ohio, by canal-boat, arriving June 1, 1844. He bought a farm in Richland, where he lived seven years, and then moved to Defiance, where he remained until his death, March 9, 1861. His widow married John Grass, and survives her second husband, who died in the spring of 1874. Charles A. Flickinger attended the district school while living in Richland, and afterward the school in Defiance wheu his father moved to the latter place. He spent three years at this school, working during vacation for $1.50 to $2 per week to get money to buy books and clothing. On leaving school,' he entered his father's grocery, and conducted the business until he became of age, when his father deeded to him all of his property, both real and personal. In the following year, 1858, and caps, groceries and queensware. In the fall of 1863, he associated with him in business Enos Blair, his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Flickinger & Blair. In 1874, he erected what is called the Stone Front Building, the handsomest block in the city. His firm occupies a part of it with a general line of dry goods, and also another store with cloth. ing, gentlemen's furnishing goods, hats and caps and boots and shoes. He started with the smallest stock in the city, and is now at the head of the largest houses there. He attained the position, not by sheer luck or by some happy chance, but by hard, honest work. In 1863, when the National Guards, of which he was a member, were called out by Gov. Tod, for one hundred days, he furnished aman at $50 per month until discharged. Although not a professor of religion, he is a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church with his wife, who isa member. The churches find in hima ready helper in pecuniary matters. He is also one of the foremost men in Defiance to further the interest of manufacturing and railroad enterprises, helping and donating literally. Karly in life he became a champion of the abolition He was the first young German of Defi- although he received taunts and jeers from every side, yet he stood firm on the position he had taken. He has voted for every Republican President. His advancement of moral principles, led him to make choice of this party. He could not be prompted by selfish motives, with the hope of gain, or being honored with office, as his county always gives a large inajority for the opposition. He takes an active part in campaign work each fall. In 1880, he took the stump for Gen. James A. Garfield, and delivered from two to three speeches each week. He is a great thorn in the sides of the Democracy. He was married, March 28, 1861, to Eliza, daughter of William M. and Selinda Blair. They have had born to them two children - Alva C., January 4, 1862, and Karl A., November 7, 1863. Both sons are now students at the university of Wooster, Ohio. Mr. Flickinger is a man of high character, of gracious manners and sterling disposition. His name stands high. He has read and observed much, and, as an aid to his studies. has gathered a fine library of books. At the Republican State Convention, July 7, 1882, he received the nomination for member of the Board of Public Works.

September 29, 1804, in Alsace, Germany, the latter born in 1812, in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. B. immigrated to America October 3, 1830, arriving in New York November 3, 1830; arrived in Canton, Ohio, November 27, Mrs. B. coming a year later. They were married December 8, 1834, at Canton, Stark Co., Ohio. To them were born three children, one davighter and two sons. Caroline, the eldest, and now the wife of Dr. O. E. Brownell, of Akron, Ohio, was born in 1835, at Canton, Ohio. born in Canton February 28, 1841; married. Lucy birth. Company as Auditor. sketch, was also born in Canton, June 18, 18388. When about eight years of age his father died, September 27, 1864. he was soon thrown upon his own resources for a liv- attending the district school in winter, until sixteen | , raged badly at that time, and there were several ~ deaths on the boat. When they arrived at Rochester, years of age, when he entered the shop of his brother in-law, in the village of Manchester, Summit Co., Ohio, to learn the harness-making trade, working there three years anda half. He then went to the town of Kent, Portage County, then known as Frank-

(Krum) Smith, September 3, 1861, residents of Ionia County, Mich. Of this union eight children have been born - William M., born November 11, 1862; S. Lizzie, born May 28, 1864; Frank and Freddie (twins), born August 30, 1966 (Freddie died in infancy, Frank died March 29, 1881, aged fourteen years nine months); Della K., born June 1, 1869; John A., born September 14, 1871; Lucy, born April 13, 1874, and George W., Jr., born October 31, 1877. In 1868, Mr. Bechel bought out his employer, Dr. Ruhl, and continued the drug business in the same building, which is still standing at the foot of Clinton street, on the bank of the Maumee, where the bridge crosses the river, and is used as an agricultural warehouse. This building was built by Dr. O. H. Allen for a'drug store, and occupied by him as such for a number of years; then followed Taylor & Landis; next, Dr. John Paul; then Dr. J. Ruhl, and lastly Mr. Bechel, who continued the drug busi- of business, No. 27 Clinton street. The post office was kept fora time in this building, with Joseph Ralston as Postmaster. The upper room of this building was used by the Presbyterian congregation at an early day asa place of worship. Afterward it was In 1869, Mr. Bechel was chosen Secretary of the Defiance Agricultural Society, and served as such for two or three years, being

John D. Graper was born in Hanover, Germany, near the little town of Uchte, January 22, 1817, and immigrated to this country with his parents, K. H. Graper and Catharine (Hasfield) Graper, arriving at Defiance, Ohio, September 18, 1834. Their family consisted of five children - - John D., Sophia, Henry F., Christian ©. (who died in August, 1862) and Frederick W. (died February 7, 1872). Mr. Graper took passage on the steamboat Atlas from New York to Albany, from there to Schenectady by rail, and from there to Buffalo by canal-boat. The cholera families on board besides the Graper family. There two more afterward, and two more when they got to Buffalo. physicians came to their assistance, and they were Of these five mother and two daughters by the name of Doepke. These families all came on to Detiance, and after resting here for a few days took their departure for residents of this place. Mr. Graper died here April 4, 1843, aged about fifty-one years. Mrs. Graper lived on to a good old age and died August 8, 1871, aged fourscore years. John D, Graper was married October 12, 1848, to Nancy Wells, of Defiance. They had ten children- - William H., Ada, Ida, Frank O., went into the dry goods business, on his own account, for about four years; then into the lumbering, which ubout used him up, financially; then opened up a photograph gallery for a time. He has had charge of the Defiance Rural Cemetery for the past eight or nine years. Mr. Graper has one brother living in

Inez, Edwin F., Emory, Fannie, Walter and Edgar | Utica, N. ¥., and at the age of eight years com- ' menced to learn the cigar-making business at Buffalo,

P. Of these five are dead, viz.: William H., Ida, Inez. Edwin F. and Walter - all died young, except Inez, who was about twenty-two years of age. Mrs. Graper's parents, John Wells and Mary (Mason) Wells, came from Muskingum County, Ohio, to Defiance in the fall of 1884, and settled about a mile from town up the river, on the banks of the Auglaize. They had nine children, three boys and six girls. Four of the girls are married, and live in Defiance; viz.: Mrs. Sarah Kniss, Mrs. Jane Myers, Mrs. Eliza Fritz, and Mrs. Nancy Graper, and Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, who is living at Toledo, Ohio. Reason is also a resident of Defiance, and married Alice Preston, of Goshen, Ind. John is living at Saginaw, Mich.; Henry is dead, also Sybil Ann. Mr. Graper says, when he came to Defiance in 1834, he found about fifteen cabin residences and five or six small trading places. P. C. Parker kept a general store on Water street, between Clinton and Wayne; also the hotel, calied the Exchange, stood on the corner of Clinton and Water streets, where Hoffman & Geiger's furniture store now stands. E. C. Case was doing business on the corner of Water and Wayne streets. John and Albert Evans were on Jefferson street, south of the Pavilion Hotel, which was kept by C. C. Waterhouse; connected with the hotel was a barn, sufficiently large to accommodate fifteen or sixteen horses over night (travel being altogether on horse- . back at that time), in the construction of which there was not a scrap of iron used. It was pinned togother, had wood latches and hinges, and the clapboards were weighted down by poles. One door

Joseph I. Levi was born in Europe on the Sth day of January, 1852. In 1856, at the age of four years, he came to America with his parents, landing at

Detroit also. At the age of fifteen, he bought a halfinterest in a small cigar factory at Fentonville, Mich., owned by one Daniel Cohen, paying therefor $70. This investment young Levi soon found was not a paying one, and after six months' hard labor and economy sold out his interest to Cohen for the amount invested, $70, taking his pay in cigars, and with his cigar stock in hand instead of his cash returned again to Detroit, where he converted the same south of the Pavilion, Foreman Evans had a store, © and across the street, opposite Evans, Isaac Hull kept | | Detroit (having sold out in Wisconsin), and on April astore. The first frame building was built by Dr. John Evans, and stood near the old fort grounds. The first store (log) was also built by the Doctor, in ~ 1828 or 1829. A little frame, 7x, stood on the fort grounds for a store or post office. Mr. Graper first

Evans & Sons; remained with them ten or twelve years. Then he went into the grist mill with Will. iam A. Brown, keeping the books and doing the buy.

and a half years, at which time his cash capital amounted to $125, with which he commenced business for himself at No. 92 Michigan avenue, and at capital of $450. He then went to Chicago, where he remained about one year, working "jour" work; then returned to Detroit' again, and for the benefit of the younger brother, started a small shop in the house of day times for other parties; but soon (as seems to be characteristic with your cigar-makers) became uneasy, and next located at Beloit, Wis., remaining there two and a half years, where success favored him, and he again returned to Detroit to choose another partner married to Miss Rachel Ginsburg, and returned again to his business, with his young bride, to Northwestern Wisconsin, and remained there one and a half years longer and then returned and visited friends at

10, 1877, settled down in Defiance, starting shop with six men, and at this writing (1882) employs fifteen to twenty hands. He has now ceased his wanderings, and made a permanent settlement in Detiance.

Burr B. Southworth, born-in Vermont March 30, 1806, was a descendant of Constance Southworth, who came from England in the Mayflower. He was September 15, 1829. Mrs. Southworth was from Worcester County, Mass., born September 27, 1801. Her grandfather was a Surgeon in the Revolutionary war, Dr. Samuel Crosby, who was attached to Gen. Washington's -staff. |

Her ancestors carae from England. Mr. Southworth and family moved from Rutland County, Vt., to Ohio, in 1838. Before coming to Defiance in November, 1842, they had taught school in Stark County, Ohio. The winter of 1842, Mr. Southworth taught school in Richland Township; afterward he taught one term in Defiance, and others in the county. He gave special attention to spelling, history and penmanship in his school, and was also a singer. For seven or eight years, in the summers, he worked at the trade of house and sign painter. Being fond of hunting, he killed numbers of deer and other game that was abundant. On public occasions, he served as Marshal of the Day, several years. The inhabitants of Detiance County suffered much with sickness; when not sick themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Southworth were ever ready to wait upon the sick, or sympathize with those who mourned. The seasons the cholera prevailed, Mr. Southworth never failed to do all possible to help the sick. It was often said, Mr. Southworth was sent for before they had sent for the doctor. The last three years of, his life, he kept the American House, Clinton street, where he died of apoplexy December 6, 1853. Mrs. Southworth continued to reside | telligence and fortitude in affliction. October 18, 1873, she moved to Kvansport, where she now lives. She joined the Presbyterian Church by letter when

Bible, which she reads daily, also newspapers and books of the day; makes and takes care of all her clothing; pieces patchwork quilts, and does her own housework, which is neatly done. She is nearly deaf, The children of Mr. and Mrs. Southworth were Lucy C. Southworth, born August 24, 1830, married to Thomas Rethmell November 3, 1853; they lived on a farm near Evansport ever since their marriage, where they now live; Charles §. Southworth, born July 24, 1832, died by the hands of the Mexicans in Arizona, with Co]. Crabbe's whule expedition from California, April, 1857; Susan E. Southworth, born January 19, 1836, married to William F. Ferris December 19, 1853, died at Detiance October 6, 1870. They had one son, Henry C. Ferris, who was born November 2, 1855, at Detiance, inarried to Ellen N. Cameron, at Evansport, June 30), 1878; their children are Charles W. and b'loyd Ferris.

October, 1814. His parents came to this State when he was a lad about two years old. They had six children - Elizabeth, Jacob, Peter, Polly, John and Andrew. Two of these are dead - Jacob and Andrew. John Kniss came to Defiance in 1827, and was married in 1839, March 10, to Miss Sarah Wells. They have six children - Eliza, Benjamin F., Henry W., Jacob W., Charles W. and Ida M. All are living near by. His wife's parents, John Wells and Elizabeth (Mason) Wells, came from Muskingum County to Defiance in the fall of 1834. Mrs. Kniss has but one brother living - Reason Wells- - and he is a resident of Defiance. Mr. Kniss says he has worked at the boot and shoe business in this town about fifty years, and that his father was the first shoe-maker here, and thinks Benjamin Leavell kept the first store, "was here but a short time," and that James Craig was the first to do any tanning here, and the first blacksmith was Arthur Burras, who worked on the

John Rowe, dealer in railroad timber and ties, hoops, hoop poles, etc., was born May 19, 183-, at Steubenville, Ohio, and was son of Adam and Catharine Rowe, now residents of Adams Township, in this county, and who came to Steubenville in 1837, and John Rowe resided with his parents until 1857, when he came to Defiance and clerked for Adam Wilhelm, in his grocery and provision store, for four years, when he entered into partnership with his employer for five years. He then went into the same kind of business on his own account on Clinton street until 1880, since which he has been in his present business of railroad timber, etc. In 1862, he married Matilda Reusch, of Henry County, Ohio, and they have been the parents of twelve children, of whom four sons and The parents of Mr. Rowe were natives of Bavaria, those of Mrs. Rowe came from Greifswolde, in Prussia.

Christian L. Geiger, born February 15. 1836, in Geislingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, was one of a fainily of ten children of Coonrad and Catharine (Feigel) Geiger. The former died in his native land, the latter came to America, and died in Defiance. There are but three of the children living, viz., Coonrad Jr., At bound ont as an apprentice for three years to learn turning, and took his place at the lathe, where he soon fouud he had to learn to live on porridge made from the chips, or, in other words, his food consisted which formed a very thin dish of soup, with a cup of coffee occasionally added for breakfast. This, says Mr. Geiger, was the fate of many a poor apprentice of the old country. Young Geiger was serving his time, distant about twelve miles from the parental roof, which he was permitted to visit oceasionally. on the day morning, performing his journey on foot. His parents used to slip an odd shilling into his pocket. with which to get an extra lunch. Thus Geiger struggled on, in a half-starving condition, for he sailed for America, arriving in New York February 15, 1854; from there came to Defiance, where he landed February 25, and worked on the Wabash Railroad, which was being built at that time. In

William G. Hoffman was born February 1d, 1830, at Ditzingen, Wurtemberg, Germany. he boing tho youngest of a fumily of four children' of Carl and Anna Mary (Epple) Hoffmann - Carl, Fredericka, Andrew, William. His father died in his His mother, accompanied by the his trade for William Campbell for $6 per month and board for two months, after which he worked by the piece, remaining there about three years, until the panic of 1857, when he was thrown out of business in Henry County, where his brother Coonrad had settled. Here he put up a foot lathe, turning out bedstead and chair stuff, until the fall of 1858, when he returned to Michigan and secured a job in the town of Hudson, where he remained until the spring of 1859, when, in company (whose acquaintance he made at Hudson), he returned once more to Defiance, secured water-power from the and settled at Ann Arbor, Mich., where she «ied April 8, 1879, at the advanced age of ninety years seven months twenty-five days. Mr. Hoffmann soon after took his departure for Columbia, Penn., where he remained eleven months, working at his trade, and then took up his journey across the country on foot for Adrian, Mich.. being four weeks on the road, accomplishing 900 miles in this time. He soon fonnd work after reaching Adrian, with a Mr. Fisher, remaining three months. He then worked in the Michigan Railroad shops, where he continued two years.

Hoffman, being a cabinet-maker, put the material together and finished it up ready for market. About two years thereafter, they purchased from Dr" N. Thacker, at a cost of $275, the lot upon which trading his gold watch for 9,000 feet of oak lumber with which to build, putting in an eight-horse-power at. $400, purchased from Capt. William H. Thornton on credit for four years. War times coming on, business became brisk and money plenty, and they soon got out of debt. In 1865, they added largely to their factory, and put in an engine of twelve horse-power, In 1871, purchased fifty feet front on the corner of Clinton and Front streets, and in 1873 built thereon Mr. LS5Y, to Miss Caroline Kerner, an orphan girl, who was born in Germany May 21, 1842. Nine children have been born to them - Catharine, born September 10, 1860; William, born January 29, 1863; Emma, born September 10, 1865; Reinhold, born November 9, 1867, died

Catherine Koerner, to whom he was married December 1, 1856, at Edgerton, Ohio. Mrs. Hoffmann was born October 4, 1836, at Affalterbach, Wurtemberg, Germany, she being the fourth child of a family of eight children of Michael and Catherine (Henzler) Koerner. Mr. Hoffmann has had a family of six children - Caroline M., Catherine J. (dead), Bertha J., Charles C., Edward W., Gertrude M. F. Mr. Hoffmann came to Defiance May 1, 1859, and, with Mr.

firm name of Hoffmann & Geiger, commencing on a small seale, Mr. Hoffmann doing cabinet-work and Mr. Geiger turning. Before going into business, Mr. Hoffmann had been working at his trade fifteen years, ton years of this time being spent at Stuttgart, Germany, where his trade was learned. About two years after they went into business, they purchased the property on which their factory now stands, on Perry street, and in 1871 purchased the lot on corner Clinton and Front streets, and in 1878 built thereon their fine three-story brick block for salesrcoms, at that time being the finest in the city. They still continue business, doing an extensive wholesale and retail trade. ;

Henry B. Hall was born in Newton, Sussex Co., N. J., 1814; was married, June 4, 1836, to Miss Maria Dean, of Stanhope, Sussex Co., N. J., im- migrating to Ohio the same year, locating in Huron County, and, beiny a millwright by trade, put up a flouring mill on the Mohickin River, in that county, for one Mr. Smith. In 1840, moved into Erie County, Ohio, to the town of Venice, three miles west of Sandusky City, and assisted George Lawton in putting up a large mill, 108 feet in length by 80 feet in width, with eight run of stone. This mill was built by Mr. R. H. Haywood, of Buffalo, N. Y., and was located one and a quarter miles northeast of Venice, on astream called Cold Creek, proceeding from several large springs, and of great depth and clear as crystal. In 1842, he left Venice and located at the small town of Delaware, in Upper Canada, and there built a small mill for one Acres. In 1844, he moved to Defiance County, and took up eighty acres of wild land in Tiffin Township, on Tiffin River, and cleared up forty-five acres and set out a fine orchard, numbering seventy-fivetrees. Mr. Hall was not caleulated for a farmer, and in 1849 built and put in running order a grain elevator in John Tuttle's warehouse at Defiance, and the next year put the maéhinery in a mill for William A. Brown (late of Defiance) for the same purpose. In 1851, he sold his farm to John Grass, and moved to North Defiance and built on Lot No. 16 (then Williamstown), where he has continued to reside ever since. In October, 1857, he entered into a contract with KR. H. Gilson (who had been appointed Receiver) to finish up the hotel - " Russell House" - which had been commenced by S. S. Sprague. In 1849 or 1850, Mr. H. built the two-story hotel building which is still standing opposite Jobn Tuttle's warehouse, north side of the Maumee, for Reuben Straight, who ran it for a number of years, and it was called the Exchange.

Kintigh, Lorenzo Thomas, George Thompson and Gideon Yarlot (who now owns and occupies the same, but not as a hotel). Mrs. Hall died February 8, 1876. They had a family of seven children, viz.:

Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah C., Theodosia M. and Stephen E. Of this number three are living - Isabel, Theodosia and Stephen I. Mr. H. married, for his second the residence of Alfred A. Ayers. He built the former woolen mills for Gibson & Brown and machine shops for Kettenring & Strong, alldestroyed by fire in 1864. [In 1869, he built the Baptist Church, northeast corner of Wayne and Third streets, besides many fine brick residences of the town, such as Peter Kettenring's, EH. P. Hooker's and others. Mr. H. has followed the undertaking business in this town for the past twenty-eight years, and is now devoting his whole time to that business.

Mrs. Elizabeth Oliver, daughter of Capt. Lawrence Teuts, was born at Adelphia, Ross County, March 23, 1825. Her grandfather, Christopher Teats, was in the war of the Revolution. Her maternal grandfather (Maj. Engle) also in the Revolutionary war, was a native of Virginia, and came to this State in 1806. Capt. Teats was in the war of 1812. He was born in New Jersey in 1791, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Engle, of Ross County, Ohio, in 1816, by whom he had six children, five sons and one daughter, Elizabeth, the subject of this sketch. He died at Adelphia, Ross County, in 1834, Mrs. Teats removed from there with her little family to Defiance, in 1840, and died in Williams County, September 29, 1876. Our subiect married David L. Oliver, of Defiance, December 27, 1840, whose father, John Oliver, was one of the early settlers of this county, coming from Piqua, Miami County, in 1822, and entering the farm on which Job English now lives, in Defiance Township, which he cleared up, and set out a fine orchard. He moved from there on the farm now occupied by C. Biede, which he mostly cleared up, and set out another fine orchard. From there he moved into the town (Defiance), on the lot now occupied by 8S. T. Sutphen. Surrounding the fine brick residence of Mr. Sutphen we find quite a number of fine apple trees which were set out and days, Mrs. Oliver visited a large pole wolf-trap - erected by her husband and upon her near approach was soon made aware of a captive by the snarl- wolf. Mrs. Oliver, like many others of our pioneer women, was too much accustomed to the nightly visits of the wolves, which came in droves howling around their log-cabin homes ,to be easily frightened at the sight of one of their number, and especially Mrs. to her house and provided herself with a good, sharp and substantial pitchfork and returned to the trap, and by inserting the fork between the logs soon sucwhen in so secure a prison. Oliver returned

L. and Elizabeth were born seven children, two sons who died in infancy, and five daughters, viz.: 'Katie E., who married Frank G. Brown, a resident of Defiance; Carrie, married James Thiebaud, of Vevay, Ind., where they now reside; Eliza J., mar.

Cincinnati; Ella A., married Isaac T. Waterhouse, of St. Paul, Minn.; Jessie J., the youngest, who remains at home with her mother. Mr. Oliver was a carpenter by trade and put up many of the early frame buildings of Defiance, among them the Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian Churches. He was among the first to do cabinet work for his neighbors, and also made coffius which were sent to different parts of the country as per order (there being no undertakers here in those days), and the friends woald call and settle at a convenient season as they came to town. Mrs. Oliver relates an instance which occurred in her girlhood days, as related to her by Mr. Oliver at her father's house, on one of his visits while a young man. He said he had met on his way an old acquaintance whose coffin he bad made for his burial several] weeks before, the Teats family until Mr. Oliver explained by saying the man had informed him that he was alive and well and had no immediate need of the coffin; a fact not known to Mr. Oliver until informed by the gentleman himself, whom he supposed was dead and buried. Mrs. Oliver recollects when the pickets of Fort Winchester were standing on the grounds where Also relates a circumstance in connection with the big apple tree now standing on the north bank of the Maumee as related to her by Pierce Taylor (deceased), one of the early settlers of Defi. ance, who stated that he was acquainted with ana old Indian chief "who said he was born under said apple tree," and as near as Mrs. Oliver can recollect dates, thinks the tree is at least 155 years old, but by whom planted, or how it came there is mere conjecture. Mrs. Oliver and brother Jacob kept house five weeks for one Mr. Fox, who lived in the woods near where Charloe now is in Paulding County, while were friendly. Her husband, Dayid lL. Oliver, was born in Marietta,Ohio, June 7, 1818, and died at Defiance, Ohio, May 13, 1856, aged abont forty-three years. Mrs. Oliver married for her second tiusband, Simon P. Moon, who was born October 28,1815 near Winchester, Va., who for about twenty-five years preceding his coming to Defiance was a resident of New Orleans, and was

John W. Garman, son of George P. Garman, was born in Union County, Penn., February 16, 1818; came to Detiance County with his father in the fall of 1846 and settled on Section 38, Detiance Township, at which place his father died the next year after his arrival. He is still living on the homestead and remembers the following families who were living in the township outside of the town when he came, viz. : Elias Shirley. Nathan Shirley, Adam Hall, Jeremiah Andrews. Harris, John Shirley, William Schooley, James Hudson, Abram Hudson, - - - - Wells, - --- Elkins. - - - Donnelly and Joseph Greer. Mr. Garman thinks James and Abram Hudson were about the first settlers in the township outside of the town of Defiance.

Jesse Hilton, a cousin of Mrs. Joshua Hilton, was born and raised in Somerset County, Me., and moved with his family to Highland County, Ohio, in 1815. He sold his property here in 1822, and with Joshua Hilton removed to Defiance Township, purchasing the farm immediately west of the Baltimore & Ohio depot. He cleared this land and remained in possession until 1834. when he sold it, removing to Brnnersburg and kept tavern for two years. He then immigrated to Mich*gan, but returned to Fulton County, Ohio, where he died a few years ago. Mr. Hilton was a Whig in polities and in religions belief a member of the United Brethren.

Maurice S. Holsto , son of D. F. and Sarah (Russell) Holston, was born May 17, 1852, in Philadelphia, Penn. His parents were born, the former in the State of New Jersey, the latter in the State of Delaware. They had six children, five now living - Maurice 8., Ella J., Lewetta, Lottie M. and Mary R. Maurice S., the subject of this sketch, received his edneation in Wilmington, Del , and attended college there. At the age of sixteen, he returned to Philadelphia, and entered the Boston Book Publish ing Company's honse as clerk, remaining there three In 1874, he came with his parents to Van Wert County, Ohio, and was engaged in the hoop In 1876, the company started a branch business at Holgate, in Henry County, Ohio, to which place he came the On January 6,1877,he was married to Miss Clara H. Sapp, of the same county, daughter of Lemuel and Catharine (Rettig) Sapp. The fruit of this marriage is one daughter, Rachel J. Holston, born November 28, 1877. Mr. Holston came to Defiance County in the spring of 1879, and commenced the hoop manufacturing on a very extensive scale at Deyeurs.

was educated at Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio, and is a member of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Crawmer, whose parents moved from Livingston County, N. Y., to Summit County, Ohio, in 1814. Our subject accompanied his his*vouthful days were passed, and his early education acquired in the public schools of that city. In July, 1860, he went to Maumee City, Ohio, and recial College. In the spring of 1861, upon the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he shouldered his musket and enlisted in Company C, Tweuty-first Regiment Obio Volunteer Infantry, in their three months' organization, and, upon the expiration of that term of servicé, re-enlisted for three years in Com. pany A, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Toledo, Ohio, September, 1861, and again re-enlisted as a veteran at Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1863, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865. He entered the service asa private, but was soon promoted to the office of Corporal, then to Sergeant, and subsequently to that of Sergeant Major of the regiment, which position he leld until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and about thirty other smaller battles and skirmishes, and was with Gen, Sherman in his memorable march to the sea. At the close of the war, he came to Defiance and engaged in the business of photography with his old acquaintance and friend, W. D. Blackman, who retired from the business in the fall of 1868. September 28, 1865, Miss Martha A., daughter of Joseph G. Cass, Ess., of Lucas County, Ohio, and one of the pioneers of the Maumee Valley. His success in the practice of his chosen profession has been, flattering in the extreme, and in artistic photography he has nota rival in Northwestern Ohio. His work in all its details shows a perception of true artistic effects. management of light and shadow is excellent and the whole furnishes a composition most pleasing. While many photographers seem to possess a good mastery of the methods of manipulating. yet often there is lacling what may he termed " finish;" again while the workmanship may be pronounced perfect, grace in position is often lacking, and an ungainly pose will often spoil the effect of an otherwise good work. Such faults ure never to be found in the work of this establishment. The most trifling detail is not omitted, and the result is a picture of artistic excellence; or in other words, a work showing harmony in its composition, beauty in its finish and truth in its outlines. His apartments are well fitted up and possess every facility for the convenience of patrons, and in calling the attention of our readers to the high excellence of his work we are only paying a just tribute to his efforts, deserves. In short this establishment deserves the consideration of the public whom it endeavors to please. Christian Harley, retired merchant, Defiance, was removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where they died. They were parents of four children, viz.: John, Alexander, Jacob, and our subject. By his first wife he had one child, viz., Christopher. After arriving in this county, our subject was apprenticed to a shoemaker in Pennsylvania, with whom he served the reg. ular In 1842, he settled in Florence, Erie County, Ohio, and began business for himself. In December of the same year, he was married to Regina Stilzer, a German lady. Here he followed his business until 1846, when he engaged in the mercantile business in the same place, which he followed until 1861, at which time he sold out and came to Defiance, and entered the employ of Cobb, Pearson & Squires, as salesman, and soon after he and Mr. Cobb bought out the interest of the other two and the firm became known as Cobb & Harley until the following April, when he bought Mr. Cobb's interest and conducted the business alone several years, when he took in his son, Charles A, as a partner, and afterward his son Alonzo. In April, 1877, he sold his interest to his two sons, since whon he has lived a retired life. To Mr. and Mrs. Harley were born nine sons and four daughters, all living, viz.: Helena A., Caroline Q., Charles A., Alonzo F., Henry A., Clinton C., Perry C., Matilda N., Edward, Willie M., John A. Q., Nellie and Jay D. E. Forrest.

Mr. Harley is a member of the Methodist Episeopal Church, with which he has been connected since 1841. In religious matters, he has always been deeply interested, and accredits his great success to the influences of Christianity. In the church he has held the responsible positions of Trustee, Class Leader and Steward.