Findlay City (part 13 of 28)

Mr. Miller enlisted in Company E, Thirty-firfst Kegiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in forty of the most -severe engagements of the war. He was discharged in 1805, at the close of the war, and on his return home resumed farming. Mr. Miller was married, in 18(38, to Minerva Hummon, daughter of John Hummon, and their childi-en are, Vida, Ada Delia, Edmon F., Harley J., Metta, Cloyd, Cosy, Cruden D. and Jesse Blaine. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Evangelical Association, in which he has served as superintendent of Sabbath-school. He holds the office of school director. In politics he is a Republican.

D. W. MOORE, merchant, Rawson, was born in Union Townshii), Hancock Co., Ohio, October 11, 1857; son of George and Maryaua (Fox) Moore, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, and of German descent. The father of our subject, who was a farmer, came to Hancock County, Ohio, and settled in the wild woods; his family consisted of thirteen children, nine now living. Our subject, who is the eldest, received his education in the common school in Union Township, where he was born, also attending Findlay High School. He was reared on the farm and followed agriculture until 1884 when he embarked in the grocery business in Rawson. February 23, 1882, he was united in marriage with Jennie Foltz, a lady of German descent. Her father was a farmer by occupation. This imion has been blessed with three children: Nellie Grace, Carrie Agnes and Harry DeWitt. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Christiah Union Church, in which he has been class leader and also superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , and has filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and is now permanent secretary. He is treasurer of the village of Rawson. In politics he is a Democrat.

GEORGE MOORE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O., Rawson, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 30, 1828, son of Edward and Sarah (Andrick) Moore, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively, and of German descent, former a farmer. Their family consisted of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, George being the third. Our subject, who was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, chose agricultural pursuits for his occupation and came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1849. His father died in 1863. Our subject went to California in 1864, returning in 1865. He married, in 1855, Mary Ann Fox, a sister of Daniel Fox, and their children are Daniel W. ; Florence, wife of George Knepper; Elizabeth, wife of Simon Stager; George M. ; David E. ; Charley; Ida; Ada and Cora. Mrs. Moore is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Moore is the owner of a well improved farm in Union Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , and has taken all the degrees in the Encampment. He is a Democrat in politics; has been trustee of Union Township, this county.

W. S. PETERSON, farmer, P. O. , Gilboa, Putnam County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1830, son of Samuel and PolJy (Shepard) Peterson, natives of New York, of Gei man and English descent. Samuel Peterson, who was a carpenter, came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1844, and settled on a farm in Union Township. His family consisted of four children, our subject being the youngest; one daughter is living, now sixty-seven years of age, wife of Amos Showalter, and residing in Paulding County, Ohio. W. S. Peterson was reared on a farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He married, in 1850, Margaret Clabaugh, born in

Ohio, January 11, 1828, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Clabaugh, and to this union have been born the following named children: Isaac M., a farmer in Putnam County. Ohio, married; Hamuel H., a farmer in Union Township Hancock Co., Ohio, married; Polly Jane, wife of Calvin Harkness (Mr. Harkness was born in this county, February 24, 1854, son of Garrett and Mary (Johnson) Harkness; his father was of Irish and German origin- Mr. and Mrs. Harkness have three children: William B., Arrey A and Mary Myrtle.) Mr. Peterson is a member of the Church of God. He enlisted m 1861 in Company K, Sixty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry serving three years; he was in several hard fought battles and in all the engagements the regiment took part in, and he was discharged at Nashville Tenn. In politics he is a Democrat.

DANIEL POWELL, retired farmer, P. O. Benton Ridge, Ohio was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 19, 1815; son of Johii Phillip and Elizabeth (Raudebaugh) Powell, of German origin and natives of Pennsylvania, former a farmer and carpenter; their family consisted of fourteen childi-en, twelve of whom grew to maturity, Daniel being the sixth. Our subject was reared on the farm and attended the common school in Fairfield County, Ohio, and has made agriculture the business of his life. He came to Hancock County in 1844, and settled in Union Township, on the farm where he now resides. As a farmer he has been successful, ownincr now 240 acres of land. Most of Mr. Powell's life has been devoted to hard laborhe has worked all day and all night, when business was crowdino-, in the saw-mill in Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1840 he was united in marria^re with Elizabeth Ranch, daughter of John Ranch, and fourteen children were born of this union: Emanuel, a farmer; Mary Ann, wife of A. Foltz; John H a telegraph operator; George W., a physician in New York State; Jonas, a farmer; Sarah J., wife of Joseph Bender; Ellen, wife of George Whisler- Hattie, wife of F. Andre; Louisa, at home; Catharine A., wife of D. Craft; \\ . C. V. ; Levina (deceased wife of Aaron Double); Elizabeth, and an infant (deceased). Mrs. Powell died in 1879. She was a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Powell is a member of same church. He has been trustee and school director. In politics he is a Democrat

WILLIAM REESE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Rawson born in Pennsylvania, February 26, 1829, is a son of Charles and Frances (beigler) Reese, former a native of Switzerland, latter, born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. Charles Reese, father of our subject, came to America when he was eighteen years of age. He followed farming in Pennsylvania and came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1839, settling on a farm in Liberty Township. He died in this county in 1854. His family consisted of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. William, our subject, who is the eighth child, was reared on the farm, received a common school ^?^?ilJ on ^""'^ became a farmer. He has met with success and is the owner ot 108. J J acres of well improved land, where he resides. Mr. Reese was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Bergman, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Polk) Bergman, of German origin, former of whom, a farmer, died in Liberty Township, this county, in 1874, latter died in 1865; they reared a family of twelve children, and four of the sons now reside in this county Mr. Bergman took an active interest in public schools and helped build the first schoolhouse in the district where he lived, in Liberty Township, this county. Mr. Reese has tilled the office of trustee of Union Township, this county. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Master Mason.

JONATHAN SAGER, retired farmer, Mt. Cory, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 2, 1828, son of Shem and Maria Barbara (Nunermaker) Sager. The ])arents of Mrs. Maria Barbara Sager were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. Shem Sager. a native of Virginia, of German descent, and a farmer by occupation, came from Virginia to Ohio and settled in Fail-field County in 1806; he was twice married. By his first wife he had six childi'en, and l)y the second he had eight, Jonathan being the eldest child by the second marriage. Our subject was reared on the farm, and educated in Fairfield County School. He chose farming as a business and came to this county in 1853, settling in the woods in Eagle Township, where his father entered land. He has been successful in life and at present owns two farms in Union Township, this county. Retiring from farm life he removed to Mt. Cory in 1884. Mr. Sager married, in 1851, Mary Ellenberger, a lady of German descent, and their children are Sarah B. , wife of Jam(!s Cantner; Lucinda, wife of John R. George, and Rebecca, wife of Henry Williams. Our subject's second wife was Nancy Spangler, and by her he had the following named children: Clarinda, wife of W. H. Whitenmyer; George; Esther A., wife of Jacob Nepper; Augusta and Nancy L. Mr. Sager' s third wife was Elizabeth Sampson. Our subject and wife are members of the Evangelical Association, and Mr. Sager has been a local minister for twenty years. He has been school director, assessor and trustee. He is a member of the Grange at Benton Ridge and is lecturer of that order. In politics he is a Democrat.

M. M. SAYLOR, M. D. , Cannonsburg, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 24, 1846, son of Daniel and Ardilla (Whiteley) Saylor, the latter of whom, born in Dorchester County, Md. , of Welsh descent, was the daughter of Willis Whiteley and sister of Judge M. C. Whiteley, of Findlay, Ohio. Daniel Saylor, father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn. , of Irish descent. He was a wagon and carriage-maker by trade, came from Pennsylvania to Ohio and settled in Fairfield County. Of his six children Dr. Saylor is the sole survivor, all the rest having died young. Dr. M. M. Saylor was reared on a farm, and received his education in the Findlay High School. Since thirteen years of age he has made his own way in the world. At the age of twenty -two he embarked in mercantile bvisiness in Fostoria, Ohio. He commenced the study of medicine in 1876, and attended the Ohio Medical College. He then moved to Ft. Wayne, Ind. , where he graduated in medicine in 1881; then commenced the practice of his profession (to which he is wonderfully attached) in Cannonsburg, this county. In 1871 the Doctor was united in marriage with Lydia, daughter of Martin and Sophia (Frederickson) Royce, natives of New York, of English descent. Of the four children born to this union, only one, Minnie, is now living. Dr. Saylor is a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served the full term of his enlistment. In politics he is a Republican. LEVI SHOW ALTER, retired farmer. Mount Cory, was born in Adams County, Penn., January 8, 1814, son of Daniel and Susannah (Rode) Showalter, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. ; his father and grandfather wei'B farmers. Daniel Showalter had a family of thirteen children, Levi being the third. Our subject was reared on the farm, received his education in Adr.ms Coimty, Penn., and came to this county in 1887. He worked out by the month to earn money to enter eighty acres of laud. He married, in

1837, Mahala Wade, a native of Virginia, of English descent, and by her had nine children, of whom there are now living four boys and two girls. Mrs. Showalter dying, Mr. Showalter married his second wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Watkins, with whom he enjoyed twenty-three years of wedded life, and she dying, Mr. Showalter married his present wife, whose name was Mary A. Clymer, nee Sickafoose. Mr. and Mrs. Showalter are members of the Methodist Church, in which he has been steward and trustee. Mr. Showalter has been successful in business, at one time owning 500 acres of well-improved land. He has been liberal with his children, and has given each of them a good start in the world, and those yet living are all doing well. In politics Mr. Showalter is a Republican. He has filled the office of school director.

RICHARD SHOWALTER, farmer, P. O. Mount Cory, was born in Lancaster County. Penn., March 10. 1827, son of Daniel and Susan (Red) Showalter, natives of Pennsylvania and of Dutch and German descent. Daniel Showalter, who was a farmer, reared a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, Richard being tenth. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving his education in an old log schoolhouse in Hancock County, and has resided in this county since 1836. He has been a farmer all his life and has met with moderate success. He is the owner of eio-hty acres of well-im])roved land near Mount Cory. In 1852 Mr. Showalter was united in marriage with Susannah, daughter of Thomas Watkins; her parents were of Oerman and Irish descent and among the pioneer farmers of Union Township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Showalter have been born seven children, of whom four are dead: Robison S., Seward S. and two infants; three daughters are living: E. C, Alice and Zella. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Chiu'ch in which he is class leader and has been Sabbath-school superintendent, being now teacher of the Bible class. He has held the office of school director. In politics he is a Repiiblican.

J. H. STRAUCH, farmer, P. O. Mount Cory, was born in Pennsylvania, May 14, 1834, son of Daniel and Susan (Reed) Strauch, of German descent, former of whom was a boat-builder, working at the carpenter trade in later life. J. H. Strauch obtained his schooling in Pottsville, Penn. He has lived in this county since he was a child; was reared on a farm, and chose agriculture for his occupation in life; he also deals^in stock. Mr. Strauch^is owner of 140 acres of well improved land. In 1857 he was united in marriage with Sarah J., daughter of Henry James, and of German descent, whtch union has been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are now living: Savilla, Samantha, Aaron, Sherman, Eve, Adam and Joseph. Mrs. Strauch is a member of the Evangelical Association. Mr. Strauch is a Republican in politics. He has been school director. He has one sister, Elizabeth Diefiendiefer, now aged about sixty -four years, and one brother, T. , now aged about fifty-four years.

WILLIAM D. TURNER, merchant, Mount Cory, was born in Northampton Coiinty, Penn., September 15, 1833, son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Bebelhim) Turner, latter a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. His father, a native of Connecticut, and of English extraction, died in 183(3. The subject of this sketch was reared by his gi-andfather, on a farm, and when he was five years of age his grandfather moved to Ohio, settling on a farm. Here our subject received his education in the common schools. Durinpr the o-okl excitement of 185'2 he went to California, where he enga(:jed in raining for seven years. He then went to Adams County, Ind., and bought a farm and saw-mill, which latter he continued to operate until 187;], when he removed the mill machinery to Mount Cory, this county, and ran the mill in this place for four years. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Turner embarked in his present business, keeping a general store. In 1808 he was appointed United States Marshal for Adams County, Ind., and while acting in that capacity he had several narrow escapes from death, and was shot at though not hit. He continued to act as marshal until the close of the war. Mr. Turner is an agreeable gentleman, and a good business man. He has been three times married; the lirst time, in 1802, 'to Jane, daughter of George Hackett, and of Eftglish and German descent. They had one child. Nolin V. , at present a partner with his father, and who was married in 1885 to Huldah Miller, a lady of Dutch descent. Our subject's first wife died in 1870, and in 1871 he again married, this union being blessed with one child, Jennie, now at home. Mr. Turner's third wife is a twin sister to his first wife. One child has been born to this last union, Antoinette. Mr. and Mrs. Turner ai-e members of the Methodist Protestant Church. In politics he is a Eepublican.

I. M. WATKINS, farmer anfl stock raiser, P. O. Mount Cory, was born in Union Township, Hancock Co., Ohio, January 4, 1844, son of James and Elizabeth A. (Nowland) Watkins, the latter born in New Brunswick, of English descent, yet living at the advanced age of sixty-five years; James Watkins, born in Ohio, of English descent, a farmer by occupation, came to this county in 1839, and settled in Union Township, where he passed the remaining portion of his life, dying in 1874. Of the seven children in their family, four grew to maturity, three of whom survive. I. M. Watkins was reared on a farm, attended the home schools, and chose farming for his occupation; has also dealt extensively in stock; he owns 181 acres of well improved land, on which he resides. February 12, 1805, Mr. Watkins was united in marriage with Mary D. Feller, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Donnelson) Feller, natives of Ohio and of German descent. The children of this union are Teressa A., Daniel Webster, James Mellvil, Mary Elizabeth, Isaac Scott, Lottie Emaline and Jennie Alice. Mr. and Mrs. W^atkins are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. He has been trustee and secretary of the financial board, and has been school director seven years; is trustee of Union Township. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Watkins' eldest daughter has seen her four great-grandmothers.

JOHN WEISEL, farmer, P. O. Mount Cory, was born in Allen Townshiji, this county, September 0, 1845, son of Isaac and Jane (Dorsey) Weisel, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent. They moved from Pennsylvania to this county about 1835. and settled in Allen Township, on a farm where they spent the remaining j^ortion of their lives, their deaths occurring in 1878, within one week of each other. John Weisel, the subject of this sketch, is the eighth in a family of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity. He was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and has been a farmer all his life. He is the owner of 118 acres of land in Union Township, this county, where he resides. In 1870 he married Barbara Jane Swab, daughter of Solomon Swab, and of German descent, and their children are William R., Charley Otto, Parlee E., Oliver Earl and Nolin S. Mr. and Mrs. Weisel are members of the Evangelical Association. In politics he is a Democrat.

who married in York County, Ponn. They lived for several years in Washington County, Penn. , and moved, in an early day, to Ohio, settling first near Steubenville; from there went to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and later to Greene County, Ohio, where they died. They were the parents of ten children: William, Ann, Duncan, John S., David, Sampson S., Margaret, Jonathan, Essemiah and Robert. Margaret and Anna are deceased. Our subject's father was a sailor, but followed farming after coming to Ohio. He was a Whig and Repiiblican in politics. William Williamson came to this county in 1850, purchased land and cleared up a large farm. He married, first, Jane McCroskey, of Greene County, Ohio. She bore him nine children: Granvil L., Madison H., Joseph H., Catharine E., David R., Martha F., Mary I., William A. and Amanda J. The eldest two and Martha F. and Mary I. are deceased; the mother is also deceased. Mr. Williamson's second marriage was with Hannah H. Carson, with whom he resides at Mount Cory, this county. Mr. W^illiamson and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.

G. F. WONDER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Mount Cory, was born December 29, 1844, son of Mathias and Sarah Catharine (Fowl) Wonder; former a Pennsylvania- German and a farmer, now residing in Wyandot County, Ohio, latter born in Germany. They reared a family of ten children, all now living and doing well, G. F. being the second. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a good English education. The occupation of his life has been agriculture, in which he has met with marked success, being now the owner of a well improved farm of 175 acres, on which he resides. He came to this county in 1870. In politics he is a Republican. He has been school director for nine years. In 1864 Mr. Wonder enlisted in the United States Signal Corps; was in eighteen well fought battles, and was present when Gen. Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant. He was discharged from the service at the close of the war. He is a member of the G. A. R. In 1869 Mr. Wonder was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Gideon and Hannah (Kremerer) Falk, Pennsylvania-Dutch, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Wonder have been born five children: Olive A. , Rosa J. (deceased), Levi Elroy, Irvin Hayes and Eva Pearl. Our subject and wife are members of the Evangelical Association at Mount Cory. He is class leader, trustee and secretary of the board, and teacher in the Sabbath -school.

THOMAS E. WOOD, physician, Rawson, was born in Hancock County September 20, 1840, son of James and Hannah (Hatcher) Wood, natives of Ohio and of German and English descent. James Wood, who was a farmer, came to Hancock County in 1837, and settled on a farm; his family consisted of eight children, Thomas E. being fourth. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, attended the common school and worked on the farm with his father until 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company G, serving three months. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Harper's Ferry, and' after his exchange and discharge he re- enlisted in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery and served until the close of the war. He participated in several battles and skirmishes. Mr. Wood commenced the study of medicine in 1867, in the oflfice of Dr. J. Miller, and continued his medical education at the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated in 1870. He commenced the practice of his profession in Rawson, this county, where he still continues with marked success. The Doctor is a member of the G, A. R., and was commander of a post in 1SS3 and 18S4. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. and has filled all the offices in the subordinate lodge, and is a member of the Encampment. He is also a F. & A. M. In politics he is a Rejinblican. From 1872 to 1880 our subject was engaged in the grocery and drug business in Rawson. Dr. Wood is one of Rawson's best citizens, and has done his part toward the improvement of the town.

AMOS B. JENNER, physician and merchant, Jenera, was born near Sulphur Springs, Crawford Co., Ohio, April 5, 1848, son of AMlliam and Catherine (Ebel) Jenner, natives of Holland, who came to America in 1830, and, the same year, were united in marriage in Portage County, Ohio, settling in Crawford County, Ohio, where the Doctor's father is still living, a farmer and weaver by occvipation. William Jenner, althoxigh an exacting man, is conscientious and is highly esteemed by his neighbors. He is the father of thirteen children : George; Augustus; Christena, wife of Joseph Bell ; John, deceased; Andrew, who died in the service of his country; William, killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing; Daniel; Jacob; Amos B. ; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Beaver; Mary; Henry and Benjamin, deceased at the age of seventeen years. The subject of this sketch remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, when he purchased his liberty by agreeing to pay his father a stipulated sum of money annually until his maturity ; he worked at daily labor, attended Oberlin College and taught school, thereby laying the foundation for his prosperity in after life. In 1873 he purchased a drug and provision store in Sycamore, Wyandot Co. , Ohio, and there began the study of medicine with Dr. Bland, of Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, as his preceptor. In 1875 he attended a course of lectui-es at Columbus Medical College, and in June, 1877, graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and began the practice of his profession at Cannonsburgh, this county, and there continued until the fall of 1883, when he located at Jenera, this county, which village is named in honor of our subject, who has been very active in all the enterprises for its advancement and improvement. The Doctor has been very successful in his profession, and is also doing a large business in the drug and dry goods line. In the fall of 1883, at a special election, he was elected justice of the peace. He was strongly urged to accept the nomination for the Legislature, but declined. Dr. Jenner is a man of great popularity, natural ability and energy. He is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association; an elder in the United Presbyterian Church. He was united in marriage, December 9, 1873, with Lettie Andrews, who was born May 10, 1840, in Crawford County, Ohio, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Foster) Andrews, the former of whom, a native of Cumberland County, Penn. , died in 1883, aged seventy-five years. His widow, a native of Crawford County, Ohio, is still living, in her sixty-third year. Of her <'ight children five died young; the survivors are Lettie (wife of the subject of this sketch), Robert and Ida. To Dr. Jenner and wife have been born three children: Lacua G. (deceased), Trola D. and Lavesta V.

LOUIS LUNEAOK, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Jenera, was born in Marion County, Ohio, October 12, 1880, son of John and Margaret (Karck) Luneack, natives of Germany, born near Darmstadt, and who immigrated to America in 1831, soon after locating in Marion County, Ohio, and about 1840 removing to Section 9, Van Buren Township, this county, where they purchased a small tract of land. John Luneack died in 1851, aged fifty - three years. His widow, who is still living, was born May 3, 1799, and is the mother of nine children, live of whom are now living: Barbara, wife of Providence Harriman; Christine, wife of Adam Reddick; Philip; Louis (the subject of this sketch); Catherine, wife of Gotleib Crates; Margaret (deceased wife of Philip Heldman. (She left, a family in Van Buren Township, this county). The other three children died without issue. Louis Luneack received only a limited education, his early life being spent in the woods. At the age of sixteen years he started oxxt in life without a dollar, but perseverance and energy have placed him among the foremost men of the county. Having natural ability and genius, Mr. Luneack became a tradesman, and carried on blacksmithing and gunsmithing for twelve years. He purchased land, and, in company with P. Heldman, built a planing and saw-mill in Van Buren Township, this county. Our subject became the sole proprietor in 1881, and is doing an extensive Inisiness in the manufacture of shingles, lath, etc., besides managing a highly improved farm of 100 acres of land. Louis Luneack served fourteen consecutive years as township trustee, resigning in 1878 to accept the office of county commissioner, to which he was elected by an overwhelming majority, and served faithfully during his term of office, but refused a renomination. He was subsequently returned to the office of trustee, which he still holds. Mr. Luneack was united in marriage. May 27, 1859, with Elizabeth Heldman, who was born in Van Buren Township, this county, October 25, 1839, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Kirshbaum) Heldman. Our subject and wife are the parents of six children: Eva, wife of George von Stein, of Jenera; Margaret, wife of Adam Pifer, of Jenera; Adam; Andy; Philip and Lindy. They are membei'sof the Lutheran Church, of whicla Mr. Luneack is one of the pillars.

JOSEPH KOTHTROCK, farmer, P.O. Dunkirk, Hardin County, is a na tive of Lehigh County, Penn., born August 30, 1824, son of Samuel and Margaret (Eshbaugh) Rothtrock, natives of Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was a saddler by trade, but his later years were passed in farming and saw-milling. He was a son of Samuel Rothtrock, of Pennsylvania, whose parents came from Germany. The parents of our subject had fifteen children, only three of whom are now living, Joseph, Amos and Levi. The two latter served in the war of the Rebellion. Joseph Rothtrock came to this county in 1 860, after having resided for several years in the eastern part of Ohio, and has since resided here, engaged principally in farming and butchering. He has a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Rothtrock has been twice married, first to Mary Stonehill, a daughter of David Stonehill, of Stark County, Ohio, and there were nine children born of this union : Isaac, Eliza, William, Henry, John (deceased), David, Hattie, George and Annie. Mr. Rothtrock' s present wife was Mrs. Mary (Bosserman) Bowers, widow of Franklin Bowers, by whom she had four children: William, Alonzo, Samuel and Ellie. By his present wife Mr. Rothtrock has four children: Isabell, Lydia, Amos and Clarence. Our subject and wife are members o-f the German Baptist Church.

CHRISTIAN SCHALLER, farmer, P. O. Jenera, was born in Lauden Hessen-Darmstadt April 9, 1812, son of Christian and Clmstine (Heldman) bchaller. both of whom died in Germany, the former in 1818, aged fiftv-two years, and the latter in 1840, aged sixty-six years. They were the parents of eight children: Margaret, deceased wife of Philip Dillman- Maria deceased wife of Peter Borger-she left a family in Germany; Barbara maiTied to Peter Horn, came to America and here died; Catharine wife of Phihp TraucLt, in Madison Township, this county; George, a mill owner in Houston County, Mmn. ; Eliza B., deceased wife of Nicholas Boro-er who is m Germany; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Wilch, of Van Buren Township ^ooV^"''^,' a^f^^l^ristian. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1 ^'^'^' ^^^^J^^^ted near Hagerstown, Md. Two years later he went to Steubenville Ohio, and in 18,38 he came to this county and located 124 acres of and in Van Buren Township, where he now resides. Our subject be^an hfe in America with but |8. He has lived a quiet, industrious life, enduring the trials and hardships incident to a settler in a new country, and by frugal and industrious habits has become one of the most substantial and prominent men m his township. He has served three years as justice of the peace. In 1838 Mr. Schaller was united in marriage, in Van Buren Township, this county, with Mina Bowers, daughter of William Bowers of German descent; she died March 15, 1863, aged forty-four years. Of 'her nine children four are now living: Philip; Mariah, now the widow of Philip St TpIv ^Tn Y^'TJ The deceased are Elizabeth (she was the wife of Philip 8challer) and four others who died youncr

GEORGE STEINMAN, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Jenera was born in Germany March 22, 1825, and came to America with an 'elder brother, Michael (now deceased) and his younger sister, who is now the widow of Jacob Steinman, and resides in Van Buren Township, this county Maria, a widowed sister of om- subject, came to America with her family in Inrn w'> ""l \^^ ?'-""'' Towuship, this couuty. George Steinman learned the carpenter trade in Columbus, Ohio. On the breakino- out of the WnT'or' V r;'*'^ ;^ Columbus, Ohio, in Company B, Fomth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served under c4ns. Taylor and wlfrnf r -?^^^''' J^^f H.; Alice, wife of James Brooks; Caroline wite of Daniel Thomas; John, married to Zenobia Pugh; William F. Charles; Joseph; Sarah and Alpha. Mr. and Mrs. Steinman are members of the German Baptist Church, and are consistent Christians, much esteemed by their neighbors and fi-iends.

DR. WILLIAM G. BRAYTON, physician and surgeon, Arcadia, is a native of Wyandot County, Ohio, born April 23, 1849, one of eleven children born to William and Margaret (Carr) Bray ton, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively, former a miller by trade. Our subject's grandfather built the first tiouring-mill in this section at a very early date. Dr. Brayton remained in his native county until tvy^enty-four years of age. He studied medicine under the instruction of his uncle, Dr. A. Brayton, and afterward attended the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and later took several courses of lectures at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated at the Medical College of Ohio in March, 1873, and subsequently attended the Bellevue Medical College, New York. The Doctor came to Arcadia in 1873, and has since been engaged in extensive pi'actice at this place. He married Miss Susan Zuck, a daughter of Charles Zuck, of Carey, Ohio, and by this union has two children: Charles W. and Genevieve.

JOSEPH DILLERY, farmer, Arcadia, born January 13, 1823, in Darmstadt, Germany, is a son of Francis- and Catharine (Stires) Dillery. Francis Dillery, who was a gardener, directing his attention to general horticultural and agricultural pursuits, came to America with his family in 1831, and in 1840 his son, Joseph, came to Hancock County, Ohio, where he has since resided. Joseph Dillery has been largely identified with the saw-mill and lumbering business of this county, but of late years has given his attention more to his farm interests. In 1864c he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Wilcox commanding, and served ten months. On his way home he suffered from an attack of sunstroke, from the efPects of which he has never fully recovered Mr. Dillery was first married, October 23, 1845, to Catharine Peters, daughter of Ambrose Peters, and of the seven children born to this union five are now living: Mary J., William H., George W., Susan and Pruda B. William H. married Miss Lucy Bowman, daughter of J. W. Bowman (they have two children living: Zetta and Stella); George W. married Miss Ella Mounts (they have one child, Mary C). Our subject's second marriage was April 13, 1873, with Lovenia, daughter of John and Hannah (Wolf) Bowman, and by this union there are three children: Dora E., John F. and Rolland J. Mr. Dillery has filled many offices of importance during his residence in this county, served several years as mayor of Arcadia, and as deputy provost-marshal for Washington Township, this county. He at present fills the position of justice of the peace, having served as such for six years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , Arcadia Lodge, No. 595. In faith he is a Spiritualist; in politics a Republican. His family, by his last marriage, belong to the Lutheran Church.

JOHN FISHER, physician and surgeon, Arcadia, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 28, 1811, the second of eleven childi-en born to Peter and Catharine (Shepler) Fisher, natives of Lancaster County, Penn., former of whom was a soldier in the war of 1812. Peter Fisher's father,

Adam Fisher, lived to be one hundred and sixteen years old, as did also his wife; the old people were remarkably agile and youthful in their movements in their advanced age, the old gentleman readily walking several miles with no uncomfortable results. Our subject left his native county at the age of fourteen years, coming to Carroll County, Ohio, and in the year 1833 to this county. Dr. Fisher's early life was spent at the blacksmith trade, learning in connection therewith the edge tool and general gunsmithiug business. With John Miller he established the first foundry in Fostoria, Ohio, and built the first engine in this section of the State, and during the years engaged in this direction, he studied medicine, more, at that time, for his own gratification; but he gradually drifted into a more vigorous study and subsequent practice. He read mainly with Dr. Elias Brien, of this county, a physician of the Thompsonian school, and began an extensive practice under this teaching, but soon afterward took up the eclectic system, under which he has since practiced with increased success. Dr. Fisher married Miss Rachel Heckerthorn, daughter of Christian Heckerthorn, of Carroll County, Ohio, and by this union he has four children, three of whom are living: Eliza, Peter and Joseph; the two latter served in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the late civil war.

NICHOLAS FOX, farmer, P. O. Arcadia, was born in this county July 10, 1847, son of William and Catharine (Males) Fox, the former a native of Pennsylvania. William Fox enlisted in the war of 1812, but did no active service; he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and afterward to Seneca County, and finally to Hancock County about 1827, and here lived until his death, engaged in farming. Nicholas Fox has always resided in this county, and has at present a farm of 160 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. He married, December 31, 1808, Miss Mary Gilmer, daughter of John Gilmer, an old resident of this county; four of their eight childi-en are now living: Edward, John E., Mollie and William; those deceased are Myiiie, Eosa, Nettie and Minnie. Mr. Fox is a member of the I. O. O. F. , Arcadia Lodge, No. 595. He is one of the substantial and progressive' farmers of "V^ashington Township, this county. In politics he is a Democrat.

TIPTON H. HALE, farmer, P. O. Arcadia, was born in this county, July 25, 1845, son of Charles and Eliza (Swindler) Hale, natives of JefPerson County, Ohio, who were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Grafton B., Thomas J., Ann E., James S., Tipton H., Eandle P. , Sarah M. and Charles W. Handle Hales (the original spelling of the family name was Hales, the "s" being dropped by the present generation), the grandfather of our subject, came fi'om Ohio to Maryland, and was one of the early hotel keepers in the town of Fostoria. Both he and his family were hard-working people, much respected in the community. Tipton H. Hale has always resided in this county with the exception of four years, during which he was engaged in the drug business in Stark County, Ohio. He has a farm of 100 acres, and gives considerable attention to the raising of fine horses. Mr. Hale married October 15, 1873, Miss Mary -R. Post, daughter of Charles Post, of Trumlmll County, Ohio. This union has been blessed with four childi-en: Franklin B., Mary A., Amelia E. and Harley G. Mr. Hale is a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican.

HANDLE P. HALE, farmer, P. O. Ai-cadia, was born in this county, son of Charles and Eliza (Swindler) Hale, natives of JefPerson County, Ohio, a 'sketch of whose family will be found in that of Tipton H. Hale, above. Mr. Hale has a farm of lifty acres, and gives his attention to farming and the raising of line horses. He married Miss Arminda Moore, daughter of Joseph Moore, a former resident of Hancock County, Ohio.

HENKY HEISTAND (deceased) was one of the pioneer settlers of Hancock County, and his vote was one of the first seven cast in Washington Township. He was a son of Jacob Heistand, and came fi-om Pennsylvania. He resided in this county, engaged in farming, until his death, which occurred in February, 1881, at which time he had farm property to the extent of 400 acres. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and a stanch Democrat in politics, and filled many offices in the township with great acceptance to the people. He married Susan Welsh, and eight of their large family of children are now living: Mary E., Sarah A., Harriet, John, Jeremiah, William, Morris O. and Charles. John, the eldest son, married Miss Sarah Zimmerman, daughter of Andrew Zimmerman, formerly of this county; William married Miss Julia B. Clarke, daughter of Matthias Clark, of this county (they have two children. Pearl and Alda) ; Morris O. married Miss Lucy Brayton, sister of Dr. W. G. Brayton, of Arcadia, Ohio (they have one child, Clair). These three sons (John, William and Morris O.) reside on divided portions of the old homestead.

WILLIAM MANECKE, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, was born near Philadelphia, Penn. , November 4, 1830, son of Henry and Christina (Markley) Manecke, natives of Germany. The father was engaged for many years in the sugar refining business in Philadelphia, and later gave his attention to farming; he died in this county December 23, 1861, his widow following him January 9, 1866. They were parents of eight children, of whom seven are living, William being the eldest of the family. Our subject came to Hancock County with his parents, and has since been one of the most extensive and successful farmers of Washington Township, owning, with his brother Peter, 640 acres of improved land. In September, 1862, Mr. Manecke enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he received a severe wound in his right hip December 29, 1863, at Mossy Creek, east Tennessee, which incapacitated him for further service, and he was mustered out in the spring of 1865. He was first married to Miss Susan Ernest, daughter of Jacob Ernest, an old settler of Hancock County, and to that union was born one child, Delia. Mr. Manecke' s second marriage was with Miss Caroline Stout, daughter of Christian Stout, of Henry County, Ohio. There are seven children living of this union: Romain, Gilbert, Thomas J. , Ross, Maude, James and Emma.

HENRY SHEETS, farmer, P. O. Arcadia, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., July 26, 1824, the eldest child of Jacob and Christiana (Boher) Sheets, both of whom were of Pennsylvania birth and of German descent. They were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living. Jacob Sheets, a farmer by occupation, was a son of Matthias Sheets, w^ho was a blacksmith and laborer, and was brought to America in 1776 with the Germ&n allies of the British Army, but deserted them in New Jersey, safely escaping into the American lines. Henry's maternal grandfather, Nicholas Boher, was a private soldier in the Revolution. When nine months old our subject was taken by his parents to Center County, Penn. , where he was brought up on a farm, and in the winter seasons sent to the common district school. At the age of seventeen, by permission of his parents, he came to Ohio, locating near Arcadia. Here he worked on a farm and at carpentering, and also taught fourteen terms of school. In 1860 he was elected county auditor, and in the spring of 1861 took up his residence in Findlay, where he filled the offices of county auditor and school examiner. In 1866 he moved back to his farm at Arcadia, where he still resides. In 1870 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the county treasurer, and in 1876 was elected to fill the unexpired term of representative in the State Legislature, to which latter position he was re-elected for a full term in 1877. In politics he is, and always has been, a Democrat. December 18, 1851, Mr. Sheets married Miss Martha Campbell, daughter of James Campbell, a once prominent farmer of Cass Township, this county, and there are six children living of this union: Rufus W.. James H., Matthew, Mary E. . Elizabeth and Homer. Mr. Sheets has a farm of 1 55 acres of land, which was mostly cleared by himself, and upon which he has resided most of the time since 1848. Since 1849 he has been a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, with which most of his family is connected. In his own affairs he has been successful diu'ing life, having only $4 left when he came to Ohio; and while serving the people, in various capacities, has shown that integrity of purpose and fairness of action in all things that have won him the esteem and confidence of the entire community. ,

DAVID SICKLES, farmer. 'P. O. Fostoria. was born in Harrison County, Ohio, November 18, 1814, son of Elias and Margaret (Hendrix) Sickles, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Elias Sickles was a son of David Sickles, and during life gave his attention to farming. He had lived in Hancock County, but at the time of his death was a resident of Williams County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch lived in his native county until he was seventeen years of age, then came to Hancock County, and has since resided here, engaged wholly in farming, having at present a farm of 180 acres of land. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, Mr. Sickles married Miss Elizabeth Oler, daughter of Peter Oler, of Carroll County, Ohio. She died in August. 1881, leaving two children: Margaret, wife of John Morganthaler, and John, who is married to Malissa Naw, daughter of Jacob Naw, a retired farmer of this county.-

A. O. and M. C. STONEK, farmers, P. O. Fostoria, were born July 1, 1843, and February 22, 1858, respectively, the former in Westmoreland County, Penn. , and the latter in this county. They are the sons of John H. and Elizabeth (Overholt) Stoner, natives of Westmoreland County, Penn. , who came to Hancock County in the spring of 1845, locating in Cass Township, and here lived for nineteen years, when the farm was traded for the one vipon which the widow and childi'en now reside. John H. Stoner was a farmer and cooper, as was also his father, John Stoner, who kept a still -house as well in an early day. John H. Stoner filled several offices in the county; he was a hard working man, held in great esteem by the entire community. A. O. Stoner married Miss Lydia A. Hollingshead, and their union has been blessed with three children, two of whom survive: Emma I. and John C. (Clara L. , a twin sister of the latter, died when young). M. C. Stoner married Miss Minerva Zimmerman, daughter of Andi-ew Zimmerman, a farmer of this county, and by her has two children: Cora B. and Ollie D.

ROBERT W. TAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Arcadia, was born in this county April 2, 1839, son of William and Casander (Bell) Taylor, former a native of Ireland, latter of Maryland. William Taylor, who was a farmer, came to Hancock County about 1835 and died in 1840. His father, William Taylor, never came to America. To the parents of our subject were born eight children, of whom five are living: Eliza, Mark, Mary A., George, and Robert W. Our subject has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has at present a farm of '270 acres of land. He married, December 5, 1805, Miss Mary Moore, daughter of John Moore, a farmer of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have four children: Hillery, Agnes, Howard and Rush.

ANDREW WISEMAN, farmer, P. O. Fostoria, is one of the family of thirteen children born to James G. and Elizabeth (Summers) Wiseman, both of whom were born in Virginia. Oui- subject was born September 28, 1817, in Madison County, Ohio, his parents having removed to this State but three days previous to his birth. His father, a blacksmith and farmer, had served in the war of 1812, in a cavalry regiment under a Col. Lewis. He resided in Madison County, Ohio, nearly two years, then moved to Peny County, Ohio, and there lived until 1831, at which date the family came to Hancock County, where our subject has since resided. James G. Wiseman died in his eightieth year, chiefly from the effects of injuries received fi'om a runaway horse ; the mother died three years later. The thirteen children of the old family are John, Andrew, James G., Samuel, George W., Joseph, Simon O. , Margaret, Eliza, Sarah (who died in her infancy), Emily, Rebecca J. and Angeline. Andrew (a son of John), James G. , Samuel, George W. , and Simon O. served in various regiments in the war of the Rebellion, and all were either killed or died from disabilities received during service. The grandfather of our subject, John Wiseman, was a* Revolutionary soldier; his occupation was that of a farmer; he was also a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Andi'ew Wiseman, the subject of this sketch, served a year in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged for disability. (James Hale, brother-in-law of our subject, was a member of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served his full time, part of which was spent in Andersonville Prison.) Mr. Wiseman bought his present farm of 160 acres in 1848, and has resided here since 1850. Here he has a park of eight acres, containing at present thirteen beautiful specimens of the red deer. Mr. Wiseman was first married to Miss Louisa Smith, daughter of James Smith, of Perry County, Ohio. His second marriage was with Miss Ellen Lindsey, daughter of William and Margaret (Buck) Lindsey, of Pennsylvania, and has one child by this union, Minnie D. Mr. Wiseman has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. since 1847, belonging at present to the Blue Lodge at Fosteria, and to the Chapter at Findlay. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County Ohio, by Various, published 1886; 199,198 words in this source stream.

Findlay Township

HE history of Findlay Township extends back to the 28th of May, 1823, on which date the commissioners of Wood County, to which Hancock was then attached, ordered, ''That so much of the township of Waynesfield as is included in the unorganized county of Hancock, be set off and organized, and the same is hereby organized into a township by the name of of the county, in the spring of 1828, Amanda and Welfare (now Delaware) Townships were formed from the southeast portion of Findlay, and then included the present townships of Amanda, Delaware, Jackson and Big Lick, the east half of Madison, and a part of Marion; also the townships of Ridge and Richland taken from Hancock, in 1845, in the erection of Wyandot County. September 17, 1829, Old Town Township was erected from the western portion of Findlay, comprising all of the county west of the section line one mile west of the Bellefontaine & Perrysburg

Findlay Township then comprised the lands lying within the following boundaries: ''Commencing at the southeast corner of Section 32, Township il north, Range 11; thence north to the northeast corner of Section d, Township 2 north, Range 11; thence west to the northwest corner of Section 2; Range 10; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 2 south; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 36, Range 10; thence north to the southeast corner of Section 36, Township 1 north; thence east to the place of beginning, which. shall be a body corporate and politic, retaining the name of Findlay.'' These bounds embrace the present townships of Findlay and Allen, also a strip two miles wide, west of the Bellefontaine & Perrysburg Road, extending from the south line of Findlay Township to the north line of Hardin County. This strip is now the two eastern tiers of sections of Eagle Township and the two western tiers of Madison Township. March 7, 1831, Townships 1 and 2 south, Range 10, were cut off of Liberty and Findlay and erected as Van Buren, the narrow strip previously spoken of being taken from Findlay Township. What is now Allen Township was taken from Findlay March 4, 1833, in the erection of Cass and Portage, leaving this township with its present area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres, including the village of Findlay.

Though being north of the center, Findlay is generally recognized as the central subdivision of the county, and as it was the first one settled and also contains the seat of justice, it is certainly the township around which centers the deepest historic interest. It is bounded on the north by Allen Township, on the east by Marion, on the south by Jackson and Eagle, and on the west by Liberty. The township was originally covered with a heavy growth of fine timber, though a considerable strip of prairie or bottom land extended along the river in the vicinity of Findlay. The Blanchard River passes through the center of the township from east to west, taking a general northwestward course. Its largest tributaries in this township are Eagle and Lye Creeks, which flow in from the south and discharge their waters into the Blanchard within the corporate limits of Findlay. Several small streams feed the river from the north, Strother's and Hedges' Runs, named in honor of Robert L. Strother and Joshua Hedges, two deceased pioneers, being the largest. Whitney's Run, named after Jesse Whitney, a peculiar character who once lived upon it, was a small tributary located west of town between the two brickyards, and drained northward into the river. It was an old-time fishing place for the youngsters of the village, but has since been converted into an open ditch, and the land that was in early days covered with water is now under tillage. Water for stock is abundant in every part of the township, and the several streams and runs furnish ample natural drainage facilities. Very good drinking water is found at a reasonable depth in the limestone formation underlying the upper soils, but many of the wells, especially in Findiay, do not go sufficiently deep to escape the filterings from the surface, and the water in such wells is very apt to breed disease.

. The topography of Findlay is little different from the adjoining townships. The Blanchard forms a bed toward which the surface tips from both the north and south, as evidenced by the course of the streams flowing into the river. South of the Blanchard the comparative level is broken by the limestone ridge, locally known as ''Chamberlin's Hill."' This elevation lies about a mile south of the city, and stretches westward from Eagle

Creek bottom. North of the river the surface is quite rolling. but not broken, the lands being easily tillable, and well adapted for grazing purposes. Much of the township was originally quite wet, especially along Eagle Creek, but judicious drainage has brought these lands under cultivation. The soil on the bottoms along the water courses is generally a silt or sandy loam. Away from the streams a vegetable soil, with sand or clay mixture, according to locality, predominates in the more level portions, while the higher lands are principally clay. Limestone underlies the whole township, and crops out so close to the surface south of the river that stone for foundations, roads, lime, etc., is easily quarried, and therefore abundant.

Pioneers. - In the general history of the county is mentioned briefly the coming of the first settlers to Findlay, and are given the names of those pioneers who located here prior to 1830. The first permanent settler, or rather ''squatter,'' in what is now Findlay Township, as well as in the county, was Benjamin J. Cox. He was a native of Virginia, where he grew to manhood and married Mary Hughes. LEarly in the present century, with his wife and four children - two sons and two daughters - he removed to Ohio, locating near Yellow Springs, in Greene County, where Elizabeth, now the wife of Jacob Eberly, of Portage, Wood County, was born September 20, 1806. From Greene the Cox family removed to the south part of Logan County, where they lived during the war of 1812, four children having been born there, one of whom died. Mr. Cox, who was a oneeyed man, served as a scout in the armies of Hull and Harrison. Upon the close of the war and the evacuation of Fort Findlay, in 1815, Mr. Cox, who had often been to the fort, brought his family to this point and took possession of a story and a half hewed-log house, erected and previously occupied by Thorp, the sutler of the garrison, while the war lasted. Here in 1816 another daughter, Lydia, was born, she being the first white child born in the township, as well as in what is now Hancock County. She is at present a resident of Michigan, herself and Mrs. Eberly being the only survivors of the family. Mr. Cox was a typical backwoodsman - a man who never thought of the morrow, and was only happy when following the chase. He cleared and cultivated some land near the fort, and also kept a sort of a frontier tavern, but most of his time was passed in hunting. He lived in harmony with the Indians, who then dwelt at several points along the Blanchard, and in 1818 when they removed to their reservation around Big Springs, the chief, Kuqua, offered Mr. Cox a farm if he would go and live with them, but he refused the offer. The land upon which Mr. Cox lived was entered by Hon. Joseph Vance, William Neill and Elnathan Cory, in July, 1821, and in the fall of 1821 he had to give up his house to Wilson Vance and remove to a smaller cabin, which stood a little southwest of it. In 1823 Mr. Cox left Findlay and went to the Maumee, subsequently locating near Portage, Wood County, whence he and his wife removed to Indiana and there died.

Among the first settlers of Defiance County was the family of Robert Shirley, and his daughter, Mrs. Ruth Austin, widow of Rev. James B. Austin, in her " Recollections of Pioneer Life in the Maumee Valley," alludes as follows to their previous attempted settlement in Hancock County:

"My father, Robert Shirley, and two other farmers of Ross County, Messrs. Moreland and Beaver, when viewing the country in 1820, had selected Fort Findlay as the place of their settlement, and in the spring of

1821 they each sent out a four-horse wagon, with plows, etc., seed-corn and potatoes, also a stock of provisions and a few hogs. Two men were sent with each wagon, making a party of six. My brothers, James and Elias, took father's team. They cleared and fenced land, and put in corn and potatoes. When the summer's work was done, one man returned with each wagon to Ross County, leaving a horse apiece for the three mer remaining. Brother James remained and Elias returned. To fatten the hogs, slaughter and pack them down, and to gather and store the corn and potatoes for the winter was the work of those remaining; then they left all in the care of Mr. Cox's family - the only residents there - and returned to their homes. The horse lefé for, brother James had previously got away and went back to Ross County. The alarm at home was very great when the horse arrived without its rider; all were sure he had been killed until a letter was received from him explaining the circumstance. Having heard much of the Fort Defiance region, brother James went there before coming home, and was so captivated with it that, on his return, he persuaded father to change the location of his future home from Fort Findlay to Fort Defiance."

In the spring of 1822 the Shirley family removed from Ross County to the vicinity of Fort Defiance, and in her account of the trip Mrs. Austin, then a girl of eleven years of age, says: '' After accompanying us to our destination, brother James returned to Fort Findlay for the purpose of conveying the provisions stored there, for the subsistence of the family, to Fort Defiance. He made the journey through the unbroken wilderness alone, on foot, provided with his compass, gun, ammunition, flints, punk and blanket. Our parents had great fears that James would fall a prey to wild animals or Indians, but he got safely through, and purchasing a pirogue at Fort Findlay, took the provisions down Blanchard's Fork to the Auglaize, and thence down that stream to Fort Defiance. These provisions had been raised the previous year in Hancock County, with the expectation that the future home of the family would be at Fort Findlay.''

The Morelands were the next family to settle in Findlay Township, the two sons, William and Jacob, having come out with the Shirleys from Ross County in the spring of 1821. They cleared a small patch of ground, put in a crop, and erected a cabin on the southwest quarter of Section 17. In the fall the whole family, consisting of the parents and two sons and four daughters, removed to thiscounty. The father, William, Sr., built a cabin on the north bank of the river, alittle northeast of the dam which crosses the stream at Findlay, and all of the children lived with him except Jacob, who kept ''bachelor's hall'' in the cabin up the river, on what is now the Aaron Baker farm. This tract.was soon afterward entered by John P. Hamilton, and when the latter came out in the spring of 1822, Moreland was compelled to remove from the land which he had improved with the intention of entering it when able to doso. William Moreland, Sr., was one of the judges at the elections held in Findlay Township in 1823 and 1824, being elected overseer of the poor in the latter year. In 1824 he was assessed for one horse and three head of cattle, but he never owned any land, and after residing in the county about eight years he removed to Michigan. In October, 1823, Jacob Moreland entered the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 7, Township 1 north, Range 11, and settled upon it. He is found assessed in 1824 with four head of cattle. On May 4, 1826, he was married to Sarah Poe (a niece of Jacob Poe) by Robert McKinnis, justice of the peace, this being the second: marriage in Hancock County. He was elected township treasurer in April, 1828, and removed to Michigan about the same time as his father. William Moreland, Jr., entered the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township 1 north, Range 11, December 21, 1826, and on March 12, 1827, he was married to Julia, daughter of Job Chamberlin, Sr., by Joshua Hedges, justice of the peace of Findlay Township. He afterward sold his land to William Taylor and removed to a small farm on the west bank of Eagle Creek, in what is now Madison Township. In the spring of 1831, the territory now embraced in Eagle, Van Buren, and the west half of Madison Township was cut off Liberty and Findlay and erected as Van Buren; and at the first election held in the new subdivision in June, 1831, William Moreland, Jr., was chosen as justice of the peace. In May, 1833, he purchased the improvement of John Diller, but soon afterward sold out and settled on Section 36, Findlay Township. His wife died in March, 1836, and he subsequently followed his father and brother to Michigan. Two of his sisters, Susan and Elizabeth, were married, respectively, to John and Joseph Gardner, pioneers of Hancock County, who also moved away at an early day. Another sister married John Simpson, Jr., and removed to Michigan, while the remaining one married a Mr. Locke, who lived on the Tymochtee.

John Simpson, of Ross County, Ohio, entered the east half of the northeast quarter, and the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 25, Township 1 north, Range 10, October 25, 1821, and with his son John settled upon it the same fall. About two years afterward the father was killed by a falling limb. While hoeing corn in a field which they had partly cleared up, a storm came on, and in running to the house for shelter he was struck on the head by the falling limb and killed instantly. A few years after the father's death another son, Thomas, came out from Ross County, and they subsequently sold their land to Job Chamberlin, Sr., and John Boyd. John Simpson, Jr., married a daughter of William Moreland, Sr. After selling the old homestead the Simpsons purchased of John Gardner, Sr., the west part of the southeast quarter of Section 13, whereon a portion of Findlay now stands. On the 14th of March, 1828, they sold this tract to Wilson Vance, who subsequently laid it out in town lots. George W. Simpson is also found among the electors of 1828, and it is presumed he was a member of this family. Soon after selling out to Vance they went to Michigan, toward which a considerable immigration was moving about that period. uring their residence in this county the Simpsons did very little farming, but kept a pack of hounds and followed the chase like true backwoods Nimrods. It is said that one of their principal inducements in going to Michigan was a report brought back by a visiting wag that all sorts of crops produced abundantly in that region without cultivation, and wild game was very plentiful. Such a land of paradise for the hunter was what the Simpsons were looking for, and they went only to find it similar to the country they had deserted. '

Job Chamberlin, Sr., comes next in the order of settlement outside the town of Findlay, having located with his family on the hill which bears his name, February 15, 1822. Mr. Chamberlin and his wife, Deborah, were born, reared and married in Colchester, Connecticut. Soon after marriage they removed to Cayuga County, N. Y., where eight children were born to them, viz.: Deborah, Sally, Nancy, Lucy, Vesta, Julia, Norman and Job. The eldest there married Benjamin O. Whitman, who afterward removed to this county. In 1819 the parents, with the seven remaining children, boated down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and settled at Georgetown, a village about six miles from Lawrenceburg. Here Nancy died, and in the spring of 1821 Mr. Chamberlin removed to Urbana, Ohio. On the 4th of October, 1821, he entered the southwest quarter of Section 30, Township 1 north, Range 11, and the following February arrived with his family at the site of his future home, leaving two daughters, Sally and Lucy, in Urbana, where they were soon afterward married, respectively, to Levi and Thomas Taylor, pioneers of Champaign County. Messrs. Vance, Cox, Moreland, Smith and Simpson, the only families then living in the township, assisted Mr. Chamberlin to build a log cabin, into which he moved with his family the third day after their arrival. He soon made a clearing which he planted in corn, and from this crop raised sufficient to winftr his stock through the winter of 1822-23. Mr. Chamberlin took an active interest in all the early elections. In those held in 1823 and 1824 he was one of the judges of election, and in the latter year was chosen treasurer, and also one of the trustees of Findlay Township, which then embraced the whole county. He was a candidate for commissioner at the first county election in April, 1828, and was defeated, but he was elected township trustee at that election. In the first tax levy, made in 1824, Mr. Chamberlin is assessed for five head of cattle, viz.: three cows and a yoke of oxen. But in a few years he was able to furnish the pioneers, who came into the county, with hogs, cattle, sheep, wheat, corn, wool and other necessaries then very scarce in this part of the State. In 1827 he bought out John Simpson, paying for the eighty acres in hogs, and thus became the owner of 240 acres, covering a large portion of "'Chamberlin's Hill.'' His wife died January 8, 1829, and the next year he married Miss Sarah Criner. In 1831 he divided the old homestead on the hill equally between his two sons, Norman and Job, and removed to a farm on Section 7, Liberty Township, where he died September 4, 1847, his widow surviving him till December 28, 1854. In early life Mr. Chamberlin was a Baptist, but his second wife being a Presbyterian he united with that church after his marriage to Miss Criner. Of the four children who came with him to this county in 1822, all are dead except Job. Vesta married Joseph C. Shannon, who then lived on the Tymochtee, and died in about a year afterward. Julia became the wife of William Moreland, Ab es in 1827, and died in 1836. Norman married Elizabeth Baker in 1832. She died the following year, and in 1834 he was married to Eliza Watson, sister of Richard Watson, Sr., and died at his home on the hill in 1845, while serving as coroner of the county, leaving one son, John, who, in after years, removed to Hlinois. Job, with his wife and family, lived on the hill till 1874, when he moved into the village, where he is now residing - the iving pioneer of Hancock County. are Da Hadslton entered the west part of the southwest quarter of Section 17, Township 1 North, Range 11, October 8, 1821; and the east part of the southwest quarter of the same section, June 10, 1822. In the spring of the latter year Mr. Hamilton brought out Matthew Reighly and wife, and settled on his land, taking possession of a cabin previously erected by Jacob Moreland, who intended entering the track but put it off until too late, and thus lost the land and improvements thereon. With the assistance of Mr.

ighly a crop was put in, and in the fall Mr. Hamilton brought his family Re new ee i the Blanchard. He and wife, Martha, were natives of Virginia, who had settled in Gallia County, Ohio, whence with three children, Eliza, Robert and Mary B., they came to Hancock, where Lucinda, Julia, Emily, Parmelia and John were born. Of these Mrs. Job Chamberlin and Mrs. Emily Vandenburg, of Findlay, and John and Parmelia, of Kansas, are the only survivors. In 1824 Mr. Hamilton was assessed for two horses and two head of cattle. At the first county election in April, 1828, he was elected one of the three commissioners of Hancock County, and re-elected the following October, serving until December, 1831. Mr. Hamilton was one of the progressive men of that day and took an active interest in all the early public business of the county. He died in Findlay, November 8, 1857.

Bleuford Hamilton came out with his brother, John P., in 1822, and resided with the latter till his marriage with Zibella Beard, about 1829. He was one of the voters at the first county election; but as he died in the spring of 1833, he is not very well remembered. _

Thomas Slight settled in Findlay Township early in the summer of 1822. He entered the south part of the southeast quarter of Section 17, Township 1 north, Range 11, October 29, 1821, his land adjoining John P. Hamilton's on the east. Mr. Slight was assessed in 1824 with one horse and four head of cattle. In April, 1828, he was elected coroner of Hancock County, and re-elected in October following, serving till November, 1830. He was again elected to the same office in October, 1832, and once more in 1835. Mr. Slight was a native of Maryland. He reared quite a large family and some of his descendants still reside in the county. He had a brother named Joseph, who came with him to Hancock, whence most of the family removed to Indiana.

John and Elizabeth Gardner and family settled on the site of Maple Grove Cemetery late in the fall of 1822. The parents were Pennsylvania- Irish and had a family of four sons and three daughters when they came to this county. The Gardner boys, Jonathan, John, William and Joseph, are remembered as well-developed specimens of physical manhood, who had few superiors in the backwoods sports of pioneer days. The father entered over 20 acres of land in Findlay and Liberty Townships in 1821 and 1822. John and Joseph Gardner married, respectively, Susan and Elizabeth Moreland. In 1828 John Gardner, Sr., sold his land near Findlay and soon after removed to Lagrange County, Ind. The whole Gardner family left the county soon after this time, some of them settling in Indiana and others in Michigan. At the second election, held in Findlay Township in April, 1824, John Gardner was elected one of the two fence viewers; and the same spring was assessed for two horses and four head of cattle. He was also a voter at the first county election in April, 1828, and the family were residents of the county about seven years.

Joshua Hedges came from Fairfield County, Ohio, to this township in September, 1824, and settled north of the river on Section 11, where he had entered about 160 acres of land March 28, 1822. Mr. Hedges was born in Virginia May 24, 1793, and removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, with his parents when quite small, where he grew to manhood and, April 18, 1815, was married to Miss Hannah Reese, also a native of Virginia, born in September, 1796. They had a family of one son and five daughters when they came to Hancock County, and three children were born here. Of the nine only one survives, though several of their grandchildren reside in the county. In April, 1826, Mr. Hedges was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected to the same office. He was the first treasurer of Hancock County, serving from April to October, 1828. In 1840 he was elected coroner and served one term. Mr. Hedges died on the old homestead northwest of Findlay, in 1845, his widow surviving him ten years, dying in 1855. He was a tall, muscular, energetic man, véry hospitable and strictly honest, a stanch Democrat and for many years a member of the Methodist Church.

David Gitchel, of Logan County, Ohio, settled on the southeast corner of John Simpson's land, on ''Chamberlin's Hill,'' about 1825. He built a cabin and cleared a few acres of ground, but when Simpson sold out to Job Chamberlin, Sr., in 1827, Gitchel moved to a piece of land about a mile south of the Simpson place, and finally went back to Logan County.

In the spring of 1827 Isaac Johnson and wife, and sons, Joseph, Isaac, Miller and Eli, and daughters, Betsy and Lydia (the former of whom subsequently married Matthew Reighly, and the latter Peter Deamer), came to this township. The Johnsons removed from Virginia to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1811, and thence to this county sixteen years afterward. The father leased a piece of land of Joshua Hedges, in Section 11; was elected overseer of the poor in April,1828, and after several years' residence in the county he removed to Indiana. His son, Joseph, though bending under the weight of old age, is yet a resident of the county. A sketch of him will be found in the history of Marion Township.

John Boyd purchased the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 25, now the property of Ross Bennett, of Thomas Simpson, in 1827, and at once settled upon it. He built a comfortable cabin, cleared up a good-sized farm for those days, and put out an orchard. We find his name among the voters at the first county election. Boyd was an ardent Methodist, and conducted prayer and class-meetings at his house. He could play the violin fairly well, and some of the lively, ''catching'' tunes he had learned on that instrument he adapted to a few of the hymns, which he sang at these meetings. It is said that one of his friends, who did not admire such music in worship, asked Boyd why he introduced these fast tunes, when the latter replied, ''I do not believe the Devil should have all the good music.'' His wife was a very good woman, and upon her death, about 1831, Boyd fell away from the church, became rather dissipated, soon had to sell his farm to John Bishop, and finally left the county.

John Jones located northwest of Findlay in the fall of 1827, whence he removed to a piece of land on Eagle Creek, south of the town. He was elected constable of Findlay Township in April, 1828. After a few years' residence in this county he went West, and is little remembered even by the oldest lers. ne acob Foster was a native of Virginia who settled in Ohio, and in the fall of 1828, with his wife, Mary, and six children, located a short distance north of Findlay, where he resided till his death. His eldest son, Jacob, is a resident of Findlay Township, and one of the oldest living pioneers of nship. os j idee Robert L. Strother was born in Virginia in 1801, and about 1819 removed with his parents to Licking County, Ohio. In the summer of 1828 he visited Hancock County, and, August 18, entered the northeast quarter of Section 21, Township 1 north, Range 10, which he afterward sold to Isaac Comer. In May, 1829, he again came to the county, and, June Ist, entered the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 12, in the same township and range, upon which he at once built a cabin and began an improvement. He soon afterward brought out his mother and sister, Malinda V., the latter subsequently the wife of Joseph C. Shannon. His mother resided in the county till her death in 1851. In October, 1831, Mr. Strother was elected county commissioner; and in March, 1835, the General Assembly elected him an associate judge of Hancock County. He served one term in each office. In 1847 Judge Strother was married to Miss Elizabeth Todd, who bore him one daughter, ere her death, now a resident of Columbus, Ohio. In 1851 he married Mrs. Sarah A. Merriam, nee Baldwin, to whom were born three children by this union, two of whom, with their mother, survive. Early in the fall of 1875 Judge Strother removed from his farm into Findlay, where he died October 8, of that year.

William Dulin located immediately east of the old cemetery in January, 1830, and died in 1832. He was an Englishman who had immigrated to Maryland, there married, and subsequently removed to Virginia. In 1816 he settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, whence the family came to this township. His widow survived him until 1866, and died at the home of her son, Sanfred F., in Portage Township. The latter is the only survivor of a family of ten children, and is one of the most intelligent pioneers now living in the county.

Leonard Tritch, of Crawford County, Ohio, entered 160 acres of land east of Findlay, and now partly within the corporate limits, in October, 1829, upon which he settled the following spring. He was born and reared in Maryland, whence he removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he martied Miss Mary Hofheins, also a native of Maryland, subsequently settling in Crawford County. In the spring of 1830 he came to Hancock, accompanied by his wife and three children. He was a carpenter, and followed that trade after locating here. His wife died in 1838, he surviving her till 1842. They reared a family of six children, five of whom survive, and all residents of the township. The wife of Dr. Charles Osterlen, of Findlay, is one of the daughters, and it was at her home that Mr. Tritch died.

Abraham and Margaret Schoonover, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia, located on the southeast quarter of Section 1, directly north of Findlay, in the spring of 1830. Mr. Schoonover entered the land in November, 1829, and January, 1830, coming here from Franklin County Ohio, where they had previously been livjng. They reared a family of four children, three of whom are now living, viz.: John, Alfred and Mrs. Samuel Bergeman, all residents of Liberty Township. Mr. Schoonover died on the old homestead, in Liberty Township, February 11, 1863; his widow surviving him till March 13, 1878.

; John Baker, Richard Wade and Henry Folk all came into the township in 1830. Mr. Baker and his wife, Mary, were natives of Virginia, and located in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1812, removing to Franklin County in 1814. Karly in 1830 he visited Hancock and entered land in Sections 6 and 7

Findlay Township, settling with his family on the southwest quarter of the former section in June of that year. His sons, Isaac and Jacob, were married before coming to this county, the latter locating in Marion Township, and the former on a part of his father's land in Section 6, Findlay Township. -The parents reared a family of nine children, of whom only two, Aaron and Reuben, survive. Mr. Baker died on the home farm in 1841, and his widow ten years afterward. Their son, Aaron, resides upon the old John P. Hamilton farm, immediately east of Findlay, and is one of the few living pioneers of the township. Richard Wade was a brother of William and Wenman Wade, two pioneers of Liberty and Union Townships, respectively. He came in the spring of 1830, and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 26. In a few years Wade removed to a farm east of Eagle Creek, Section 6, Jackson Township, where he struck gas while digging a well in October, 1836, the first gas discovered in Hancock County. He subsequently sold out and went to Wood County, Ohio. Henry Folk came here from Pickaway County, Ohio, in the fall of 1830, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 26, not far from Wade. He had entered eighty acres in that section September 16, 1829. Mr. Folk was a cooper and continued to work at his trade for a few years after settling in this township. He was a large, muscular man, good-natured and affable, and resided in the county until his death, which occurred in East Findlay. Some of his children are yet residents of the county.

Robert Bonham, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, April 5, 1793, and when two years old his parents removed to Hampshire County, Va., where Robert spent his early years. In 1817 the family removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, and Mr. Bonham there married a Miss Fleming, who after a few years died, leaving two children, viz.: John, a resident of Findlay Township, and Sophia, who is living in Minnesota. In 1829 Mr. Bonham visited Hancock County, and on the 5th of September entered the northeast quarter of Section 11, Findlay Township, upon which he settled in the summer of 1831. He built a cabin and lived alone about four years, doing his own household work and opening up his farm. He then married a Mrs. Douglas, who bore him three children: Robert, Johnson and Ellen; of whom Johnson, a resident of Kansas, survives. Ellen married Dr. J. A. Kimmell, of Findlay, and died a few years ago. Several years after the death of his second wife Mr. Bonham was married to Miss Anna McCormick (the marriage occurring December 1, 1853), who still survives him. Mr. Bonham was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Findlay, for over forty years. He was a consistent Christian - a man who attended strictly to his own business - and died on May 1i, 1875, in the eighty-third year of his age. :

Daniel Andreck, John Bishop, John Harritt, Benoni Culp and Jacob Feller all settled in the township in the summer and fall of 1831. Andreck located in the north part of the township, in the summer of that year, and resided here several years, finally removing to Indiana. John Bishop bought John Boyd's farm on Section 25, in the summer of 1831, but did not remain long in the county, selling out to Thomas G, Whitlock the following year. John Harritt settled on the southeast quarter of Section 23 in October, 1831, where he resided till his death, in the spring of 1875. The parents came here from Pickaway County, Ohio, and of their six children born in this township, John, who lives in Findlay, is the only survivor. The aged mother lives with her son in Findlay. Benoni Culp and family came from Fairfield County, Ohio, in September, 1831, and settled in the northwest part of the township. About five years afterward he removed into

Portage Township and died in 1841, leaving a widow and nine children. One of his sons, Samuel, is a resident of Findlay. Jacob Feller and wife are yet residing on the farm where they settled in October, 1831. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1806, and the next year his parents removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where Jacob grew to maturity. In November, 1829, he entered the northwest quarter of Section 26, Findlay Township. In 1830 he was married to Miss Mary Powell, of Fairtield County, and the following year settled on his land. Seven sons and five daughters were born of this union, nine of whom are living and three sons residents of the county. Mr. Feller and wife are one of the oldest pioneer couples in the county, where they have resided a coutinnous period of fifty-five years.

John Byal was perhaps one of the best known pioneers of the county. He was born in Baltimore County, Md., July 25, 1711, and was the second son of William Byal,a subsequent pioneer of the township. The family removed from Maryland to Pennsylvania, and in 1809 to Stark County, Ohio. Here, in 1816, John was married to Miss Elizabeth Newstutter, and resided in that county till March, 1832, when he located in Section 11, Findlay Township, on the south bank of the Blanchard, about two miles northwest of Findlay, where some of his descendants still reside. Soon after coming he built a saw-mill, close to his home, which he moved a short distance westward in 1833, In 1834 he erected the frame grist-mill yet standing and in operation near the old homestead. This mill was a great convenience to the early settlers, and Mr. Byal's enterprise deserves the highest praise. He was the father of nine children, five of whom are living, viz.: Henry, in Findlay; William, in Iowa; Catherine, in Kalida, Ohio; Nancy and Rachel, in Kansas. Mr. Byal was elected justice of the peace in April, 1833. In October, 1833, he was elected county commissioner, and re-elected in 1836, and tilled the office to the entire satisfaction of the people. He died July 13, 1859, and his widow January 22,1859. Both-are still well remembered by a large circle of the younger pioneer generation.

Other settlers of 1832 were Thomas G. Whitlock, Alvin Schoonover, Peter Deamer, and Samuel Spangler. Whitlock bought John Bishop's farm on Section 25, and subsequently opened the "Green Tree'' tavern, which became a resort of the '' fast" youth of the surrounding country. A Canadian herb doctor named Wolverton lived at Whitlock's back in the "thirties, " and practiced medicine a year or two, when he suddenly disappeared and was never again heard of. Considerable suspicion was aroused against the Whitlocks, who appropriated his horse and buggy and collected some of his back accounts. They claimed he went to Wood County to gather herbs; which was the last they ever saw of him. This story was not credited by the neighbors, to some of whom Wolverton had expressed a suspicious fear of the Whitlocks; but the officers of the law took no cognizance of the doctor's disappearance, and the matter soon blew over. After a few years the Whitlock family sold out and left for parts unknown. Alvin Schoonover was a brother of Abraham, and with his wife and mother came from' Franklin County in 1832, and settled north of Findlay on Section 12, whence, in 1851, he removed to Iowa. Peter Deamer and Samuel Spangler settled northeast of Findlay. The latter is now living on the bounty of the people at the Infirmary.

Tn the spring of 1833 Anthony Strother, of Muskingum County, Ohio, settled northeast of Findlay, where he was joined by his father, Benjamin, the next year. Some eight years afterward the latter removed to Van Wert County. In 1840 Anthony married Mary J. McRill, who reared a family of six children, all of whom are residents of this county. Mr. Strother died in 1868 and his widow in 1884.

Frederick Duduit was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1807, and came to Findlay Township in the fall of 1833. His parents were natives of Paris, France, who came to the United States in 1790 with the colony of French Catholic emigrants who located on the '' French Grant," one of the most stupendous swindles ever perpetrated on a confiding people. Mr. Duduit married Miss _Helen H. Gilruth, a daughter of Rev. James Gilruth, a pioneer preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of this union were born ten children, four of whom are dead. Mr. Duduit came here after marriage and settled on a tract entered by his father-in-law immediately west of Findlay, his late residence being now within the corporation. Here his wife died January 12, 1886, and he on the 28th of March following, both dying on a part of the farm where they had spent more than half a century.

In September, 1833, William Byal, with his wife and four youngest children, came from Stark County, Ohio, and finally settled within the present limits of Findlay, though at that time outside the village. One son was born after coming here, and two older sons by a former marriage, John and Peter, settled in the township in 1832 and 1833, respectively. The latter is still a resident of the village of Findlay where further menti n of him will be found. The father died on his farm in April, 1840, and his eldest son by second marriage, Absalom P., is the present representative in the General Assembly from Hancock County.

Samuel K. Radebaugh, of Fairfield County, settled southwest of town, where he yet resides, in the spring of 1834. Emanuel Phifer, also of Fairfield County, located on his present homestead southwest of Findlay the same year; and about that time Eli Thompson settled in the Radebaugh neighborhood but did not remain long. Henry Baker and Samuel Snyder, both from Fairfield County, came about 1834, both locating north of the river. The latter settled on Section 8, and several of his children reside in the county. George Hollenbeck, Samuel Switzer, Henry Bear and Aaron Alban came in along about 1835-36, and many others soon afterward settling in different parts of the township. By this time the country around Findlay was quite thickly settled, and though later comers also suffered many of the hardships and trials inseparable from pioneer life, yet they had not to undergo that feeling of loneliness and isolation which the earlier pioneers felt and suffered.

First Elections and Township Officers, and List of Justices. - In the erection of Findlay Township the commissioners of Wood County ordered an election of township officers to be held on the Ist of July, 1823. We also find in the journal of the court of common pleas of Wood County, under the date of May 28, 1823, the following minute: "Ordered that there be allowed to the township of Findlay two justices of the peace, and that the election for said justices take place in said township on the Ist day of July, next, at the house of Wilson Vance.'' This was the first election held in Findlay Township, which then embraced the whole county. The original poll book reads as follows: ''No. 1, Township of Findlay, County of Wood, July 1, 1823, Job Chamberlin, Sr., William Moreland and Benjamin Chan- dler, judges; Wilson Vance and, Matthew Reighly, clerks. Judges and clerks being duly sworn, entered upon their respective offices. Number of electors, thirteen. It is certified that Robert McKinnis has thirteen votes for justice of the peace, and Wilson Vance has twelve votes for justice of the peace." There is nothing on record in Wood County showing who were elected to the other township offices, though it is certain they were all filled at that time. The second election took place April 5, 1824, with Job Chamberlin, Sr , William Moreland and Jacob Poe, judges; Wilson Vance and Matthew Reighly, clerks. Eighteen votes were cast, and Job Chamberlin, Sr., Wilson Vance and Jacob Poe elected trustees; Job Chamberlin, Sr., treasurer; Matthew Reighly, clerk; Wilson Vance, lister; Philip McKinnis, constable; John Gardner and John Hunter, fence viewers; and William Moreland and Robert McKinnis, overseers of the poor. At the election held in April, 1826, Joshua Hedges and William Hackney were chosen justices of the peace to succeed Wilson Vance and Robert McKinnis. At the first county election, April 7, 1828, Findlay Township also elected officers, viz.: Job Chamberlin, Sr., Wilson Vance and Edwin 8. Jones, trustees; John C. Wickham, clerk; Jacob Moreland, treasurer; Isaac Johnson and William Wade, overseers of the poor; Robert McKinnis, Asa Lake, Sampson Dildine and Joseph DeWitt, supervisors; John P. Hamilton and Asher Wickham, fence viewers; and John Jones and Jesse Hewitt, constables. All of the foregoing are well remembered pioneers who then lived in different parts of the county.

Churches and Schools. - There are only two churches in the township outside of Findlay, viz.: the Methodist Episcopal or '' Heck Church,'"' on Section 11, and Zion Evangelical or '' Feller Church,'' on the Lima road, in Section 26. The history of the former society is given in the chapter on Liberty Township, where it had its inception, the present building having been erected in 1801, twenty years after the society was organized. The first members of the Evangelical society worshiped at the Powell Church, in Kagle Creek Township, but in 1857, Samuel, Henry and Peter Powell, Jacob Feller, Jacob Wagner, Rev. C. M. Rinehart and a few other families, organized a separate society and built the present brick church, southwest of Findlay. The building cost about $1,000, and was dedicated in 1858.

It was many years after the organization of the township in 1823, before there were any schoolhouses outside of the town, where the first school was opened in the winter of 1826-27. Most of the pupils attended school in patronized the first schools opened in that subdivision. It is therefore impossible to tell at what date the first school was taught outside the village, but it was prior to 1840; and with the steady growth in population schoolhouses made their appearance in every part of the township, which now contains seven buildings with a large attendance.