Findlay City (part 19 of 28)

W. S. SHAFER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 20, 1829, son of John and Mary (Putnam) Shafer, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The father of our subject, who was a farmer, came to Allen Township, this county, about 1834, and took up land from the Government; he died in 1849. Of his family of eleven children eight grew to maturity, the subject of this sketch being the ninth child. W.S. Shafer was reared on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, and worked three years at the tailor's trade. In 1854 he was united in marriage with Jane Shaw, daughter of George Shaw, who was of Scotch and English descent, and was among the first settlers of this county, coming here in 1827 or 1828. His family consisted of eight children, Mrs. Shafer being the only one now residing in this county. Our subject and wife are the parents of eight children: Linus S., married, a farmer; L. W., farmer; Homer W., ,at home; Mary J. wife of B. Vandoren; Charles O., at home; Bessie May, at home, and Frank I. and Dellia C. (twins). Mr. Shafer isa member of the United Brethren Church. He has never had a lawsuit in his life; he is the owner of 180 acres of land, and has served for many years as school director.

Mary (Bachtel) Wittenmyer, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, the former a shoe-maker by trade but in later life a farmer. Our subject, who is the fourth in a family of six children, was educated in the common schools. He came to Ohio with his family in 1853, and has resided in this county since 1871. He was proprietor of the hotel at Benton Ridge for several years, and was also engaged in farming. - Mr. Wittenmyer is now serving his second term as justice of the peace in Blanchard Township. In politics he is a Republican. He has been successful in life, having accumulated a fair share of this world's goods.

JOHN WORTMAN, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Lawrence County, Penn., September 10, 1825, son of Jacob and Rebecca (Smith) Wortman, natives of Pennsylvania, former a farmer -of German descent, and latter of Irish and Dutch descent. Our subject was the third in a family of eleven children (three being deceased). In early life he taught school. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Julia, daughter of Robert and Catherine (Davis) Dilworth, of English and Holland descent, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wortman was a school teacher in early life. In 1857 Mr. Wortman came to this county and settled on a farm of 160 acres of land where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Wortman are members of the Presbyterian Church in McComb, in which he is ruling elder, also at one time was assistant superintendent of the Sabbathschool. He served as township trustee for four years, has been justice of the peace- four terms and was land appraiser in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Wortman have been blessed with three children: Mary Ellen (deceased), Edwin C., a farmer and school teacher, and Florence, at home.

JOHN BAKER, farmer, P. O. Arcadia, was born in Cass Township, this county, in 1847; son of Alexander and Catharine (Eckert) Baker, natives of Ohio. The original Baker stock came to America from England in an early day and settled near Baltimore, Md. Grafton Baker, grandfather of our subject, moved from Virginia to Carroll County, Ohiv, and from there to this county about the year 1830. He had a family of five sons and one daughter. Mrs. Catharine (Eckert) Baker's people came to Cass Township, this county, from Fairfield County, Ohio, in an early day, and here settled. In 1844, after their marriage, our subject's parents came to Cass Township. The father died in 1849, leaving a family of three children - two daughters and one son, John. The eldest daughter died in 1866; the youngest married G. W. Norris (they have a family of two sons and one daughter). The subject of this sketch was married in 1868 to Sarah C. Binger, whose parents came to this county from Carroll County, Ohio, in an early day, and to this union have been born three children: Alexander, Lemuel and Amanda. Mr. Baker was elected to the office of justice of the peace for Cass Township in the fall of 1883, which he still holds. He resides on the old homestead, his mother, who is still living, being with him.

DAVID R. BEESON, farmer, P. O., Arcadia, was born in Fayette County, Penn., September 13, 1827. He married, July 5, 1849, Elizabeth Sangston, and in 1854 they moved to Cass Township, this county, and settled on land which his father had entered in 1832. Here they began, in the woods, to clear and improve the farm to which they have since added, until they now own 282 acres of well-improved land. To David R. Beeson and wife have been born Martha A:, now Mrs. Hosler; James E.; Eliza AS now Mrs. Frederick; John A.; Charles C.; Mary, now Mrs. Bish; David R. Jr.; Jacob E. Turley and Emma I. In addition to his general farming operations, Mr. Beeson has devoted considerable attention to buying and selling live-stock. During the war of the Rebellion he did an extensive business in- dealing in horses for the United States Army. He has led a very active life, and his operations here have been attended with uniform success. He is one of the representative farmers of Cass Township, and enjoys the respect of the entire community. In politics he is a Republican.

JACOB E. BEESON, farmer, P. O. Arcadia, was born in Fayette County, Penn., January 21,1819, son of James and Agnes Beeson, who resided in Fayette County until their death. Our subject married, in 1841, Eliza Dawson, who died in 1846, leaving two children, James and John (both now deceased). December 1, 1853, Mr. Beeson came to Cass Township, this county, and settled on a tract of land which had been entered by his father in 1832. Here he began improving his land, and June 20, 1869, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Bowring, a native of England and whose parents resided there until their death. She and her first husband, Benjamin W. Bowring, immigrated to Canada in 1857, and moved to the United States in 1859. Here Mr. Bowring lost his life in defense of the Union cause, in June, 1864, just one month before the expiration of his term of enlistment in the Union army. Of Mr. Bowring's five children only one is now living - Margaret Elizabeth, wife of Henry B. Edwards, of Putnam County, Ohio. Mr. Beeson has been an industrious man, and has acquired a farm of 224 acres of fine land. His youngest son, John, enlisted when but sixteen years of age and served three years and four months in the Army of the Cumberland; he died in November, 1865. Mr. Beeson is a Republican in poltics.

C. W. CANFIELD, farmer, P. O. Wineland, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, January 23, 1845; son of Elijah Cyrus and Sarah Canfield, natives of Portage County, Ohio, and Luzerne County, Penn., respectively. March 28, 1872, our subject married Maria Ames, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born October 15, 1851, and to this union were born four children: Sarah Amanda, born December 8, 1873; William Riley, born September 19, 1875; Earl M., born March 24, 1881, died April 14, 1881, and Gertie Ethel, born December 2, 1882. Mr. Canfield is one of the enterprising men of his township and an industrious farmer. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN FRANKS, farmer, P. O. North Baltimore, was born April 20, 1786, in Fayette County, Penn., son of John and Rachel (Huffman) Franks, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in a very early day, being among the pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio. Our subject is the only survivor of his father's family, and was himself a soldier in the war of 1812; he was in Hull's army at the time of that General's surrender, and made his escape from the British in company with some others of that command. He now owns a piece of land on which Hull's army encamped.

Our subject helped raise Gen. Bell's house at Wooster, and also assisted in building Fort Ball. He was a poor man when he married his first wife, Sarah Musgrove. They came to this county in 1832 and had to cut their way from Tiffin to the farm on which they settled. Mr. Franks did most of the hauling from Sandusky to this county in an early day with an ox team, wading through swampy lands to reach the mill. The children by his first wife are Elizabeth, Peter, Jasper, Nancy, Catherine, Rachel, Sarah and Henry; all married and living near their father. His second wife, nee Elizabeth Fast, had five children: George, Isabella, Andrew J., John F. and Mary P. Mr. Franks came to this county an uneducated and a poor man, but wonderful perseverance and endurance have given him success in life, and he now owns about 2,600 acres of land on which he has located his children.

A. J. FRANKS, farmer, P. O. Bairdstown, Wood County, was born October 3, 1851, in Cass Township, this county, son of John and Elizabeth (Fast) Franks. John Franks, the father of our subject, is one of the oldest pioneers in Cass Township, and one of the largest land owners in this county. Our subject was united in marriage, May 24, 1873, with Olive Enswinger, of Wayne County, Ohio, and their union has been blessed with four children: Sarah E., John H., Nellie M. and Lucy P. G.

WILLIAM REID, farmer, P. O. Wineland, was born in Perrysburgh, Wood Co., Ohio, son of Robert and Isabell (Forrester) Reid, natives of Scotland, and who came to America in 1835, settling in Perrysburgh, Wood Co., Ohio, where they died. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four are now living: Thomas, Robert, Isabell (wife of Dallas Anderson), and William. The subject of this sketch was married August 25, 1857, to Emily, second daughter of Jacob Shaffer. Her father came to this county in 1835 and settled in Cass Township, where he entered 240 acres of land. 'To our subject and wife have been born six children: Margaret (married to George B. Bowman), James, John, Ida, (deceased wife of Hosea Nelson), George (deceased), and Charles. Our subject was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in Company F, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and served until June 9, 1865, when he was discharged; he was in the Fourteenth Army Corps, under Gen. Roseerans. Mr. Reid lost his health in the army and has never fully recovered from the effects. He is the owner of a tine farm of seventy-five acres of land (a part of the Shaffer farm) in Cass Township, this county. In _politics he isa Republican.

ANDREW SHAFER, farmer, P. O. Wineland, was born in Cass Township, this county, in June, 1839, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Shafer; the latter, whose maiden name was Jack, was the Widow Kensinger prior to her marriage with our subject's father. Jaeob and Elizabeth Shafer were the parents of four children: Eliza J., wife of Thomas Ford; Emily, wife of William Reid; Sarah, wife of Owen Laney, and Andrew. The subject of this sketch resides on the farm where he was born, and which is a part of a 240-acre tract of land entered by his father on coming to this county in 1834-35. Mr. Shafer is a thorough farmer and has made many improvements on the place since his father's death. He was united in marriage in April, 1864, with Rebecca Crow, who died, leaving one child, Harriet Rebecca, now the wife or Jacob Hill. After the death of his first wife

JACOB STECKER, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, December 6, 1824, and came with his parents, Gottleib and Caroline Stecker, to America, and to Big Lick Township, this county, in 1841. Gottleib Stecker died in 1868; his widow still resides on the home farm, in Big Lick Township. Jacob Stecker married, May 1, 1853, Miss Rosanna Klink, of Crawford County, Ohio, and they then settled in the southern part of Cass Township, this county. To them were born four children, two of whom are now living: Catherine, wife of Alden H. Cobb, and Daniel, who is now a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University. After the death of his first wife, May 1, 1877, Jacob Stecker married, April 3, 1879, Miss Maria Jameson, daughter of Rev. Ira Jameson, of Big Lick Township, this county. Our subject has been industrious and successful in life, and has acquired a fine farm of 227 acres of fertile land. He has erected thereon a handsome brick residence, and made many other valuable improvements. In polities he is a Republican. He was elected justice of the peace in 1870, which position he held, by re-election, until 1882, and has discharged his duties faithfully and to the satisfaction of the people. Mr. and Mrs. Stecker are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was largely instrumental in erecting the handsome structure, Salem Church, in Cass Township, this county. He is strictly a self-made man, and has made excellent use of the limited advantages he has enjoyed here in his adopted country. He is a valuable citizen, highly respected by the entire community.

THOMAS WILSON ARNOLD, farmer, P. O. Forest, Hardin County, was born January 24, 1829, in Athens County, Ohio. His parents, Thomas and Rachel Arnold, moved to Delaware County, Ohio, about 1831 or 1832, where they resided until their death, an event that left our subject at the age of fifteen years to take care of himself, and he came the following year to Delaware Township, this county. Here he lived with William Moore, and afterward purchased a piece of land in Pleasant Township, this county, and in June, 1851, he married, in Pleasant Township, Miss Rachel Nicholson, who had been a resident of Wood County, Ohio, from girlhood. They sold their property in Pleasant Township, and located where they now reside, in Delaware Township, Hancock County, in 1853, where they have a farm of 160 acres of land, after having given eighty acres to their sons. The children of our subject and wife were Mrs. Amelia Reigle, Aaron (killed in 1864, at the age of twenty years, by falling from a tree), Francis M., Mrs. Eliza Malone, Stephen A., Rebecca, Thomas W., Mary and Rachel. Mrs. Arnold died in September, 1870, and in 1873 Mr. Arnold married, for his second wife, Mrs. Sarah A. Martin; they have one son, William Alton. Mr. Arnold, formerly a Whig, has been a Republican in politics ever since the organization of the party. He is an enterprising and successful farmer, and one of the leading citizens of Delaware Township. In August, 1862, in response to'the President's call for 600,000 troops, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and took part in many of the battles of the campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. He received an honorable discharge from the service in August, 1864, on account of disabilities. His record in the army is that of a brave and faithful soldier, who was always ready for the discharge of his duty.

AARON FENTON BURSON, retired physician, Mt. Blanchard, was born August 27, 1812, in Loudoun County, Va., son of George and Susanna (Kent) Burson, who settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1818. They reared a family of nine children, the Doctor being their seventh child. After receiving a literary education our subject entered upon the study of medicine, in 1829, under the celebrated Dr. George McCook, Professor of Surgery in the University at Baltimore, Md., and father of Gen. McCook. Dr. Burson completed his course in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and in 1832 began the practice of his chosen profession at Mt. Blanchard, this county, where he has since resided. He was the first physician in Delaware Township, and also the first physician in this part of the county. He was widely known for his skill and success in treating milk-sickness and the numerous malarial troubles which afflicted the pioneers of the early days. He built up a very large practice, which extended into parts of several of the adjoining counties, and, on retiring, in 1862, he found it very difficult to relinquish his connection. But, having acquired a competency, and finding that, after having practiced medicine for over thirty years, further active interest in the profession would be injurious to his health, he retired, and for years has devoted himself to experimental chemistry. Dr. Burson has discovered a process for producing engravings by light and electricity, a process by which a reproduction of photographs, drawings, engravings, etc., can be produced in the most minute detail, and either in relievo or intaglio, as desired. A brief outline of his process, which the Doctor has named " Helio-chemical Engraving," may be here given: A metal plate is first highly polished, then sensitized to light and placed under the drawing, photograph or other object desired to be reproduced. It is then exposed to the light for a short time, and after certain manipulations, the plate is placed in the decomposition cell of a galvanic battery, and left there long enough to receive a metallic deposit, which elevates the lights and leaves the shades sunken, so that the shades will hold ink, and impressions can be taken from the plate by means of a press; or, after silver or gold has been deposited on the lights, the plate itself may be framed and kept, the same as a photograph, engraving or other picture.

Drake, Sr., was born in Southampton County, Va., October 15, 1804, of English descent; married, January 5, 1830, Miss Priscilla Williams, a native of North Carolina. They lived in Sussex County, Va., from 1853 to 1860, then came to Madison Township, this county, and finally settled in Delaware Township, this county, in 1862. To them were born the following named children: Benjamin, residing in Marion County, Ohio; John W. and William Allen (they were soldiers in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment Ohio National Guards, and died at New Oreek, Va.), Henry (deceased), Eliza (Mrs. Priscilla Osborne), Mrs. Temperance Eldert and Jeremiah, Jr. Our subject came to this county with his parents when twelve years of age. June 8, 1871, he married Miss Tamsen R. Harris, and to them was born one son, who died in infancy. They have adopted and reared in their family Wilbert L., son of William Warner, of this county. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Drake have lived one year in Morrow County, and five years in Marion County, Ohio. They purchased their present farm in Delaware Townhsip, this county, in 1883. Mr, Drake devotes a great deal of attention to buying and shipping live-stock. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID M. DREISBACH, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Mount Blanchard, Ohio, was born September 28, 1845, in Pickaway County, Ohio. His father, Rev. Abraham E. Dreisbach, a native of Berks County, Penn., was a son of Rev. John Dreisbach, one of the first preachers of the Evangelical Association and the founder of their present extensive publishing interests. Rev. John Dreisbach will be remembered as having done a large pioneer work for the church in Ohio, at Cleveland, Circleville, Dayton and other points; he died August 20, 1871, in his eighty-third year. While living in Pennsylvania he was twice elected to the Legislature. Rev. Abraham E. Dreisbach married Miss Marianna Miesie, in 1840, and they moved to Seneca County, Ohio, near Tiffin, about 1852. He made that place the center of his work in the ministry nearly all the remainder of his life. He was well known as a popular preacher in many of the churches in this county, where he traveled for four years as a presiding elder. He died August 28, 1876. Of his ten children four are now living in this county: Cornelius M., Gabriel M., Marianna M. and David M. The mother died February 9, 1857. David M. Dreisbach, the subject of this sketch, gave ten months of his time (from February to December) in 1865 to the service of his country, after which he carried on a grocery business and a grist-mill at Benton Ridge, Ohio, for two years. He married, October 15, 1867, Miss Caroline Wagner, who was born May 6, 1846, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Wagner. Our subject and wife resided in Findlay Township, this county, for ten years, and settled on their present place in Delaware Township, this county, in 1881. Here they have a fine farm of 240 acres of well improved land. Mr. Dreisbach is a successful breeder of fine stock and has a fine flock of French merino sheep, a herd of thorough-bred short horn cattle and several Poland China hogs. The children born to our subject and wife are Lillie W., Silas W., Helena W., William H. W., Aaron W., David W. and Arthur W. Mr. and Mrs. Dreisbach are members of the Evangelical Association. He is an earnest Republican in politics and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He pays a great deal of attention to the education of his family, and has one of the finest private libraries in Delaware Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. and is a F. & A. M.

ISAIAH EAIRLEYWINE, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born October 25, 1836, in Knox County, Ohio,; son of George and Susan (Dyal) Eairleywine, early settlers of that county, the former a native of southern Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Fairfield County, Ohio. They came to Delaware Township, this county, in November, 1836, purchased a_ tract of land and began clearing up and developing afarm. They reared a family of nine children: Aaron, in Kosciusko County, Ind.; Mrs. Mary A. Wolfort; Mrs. Sophia Davis; Lewis; Uriah; Isaiah; Mrs. Celina Hook; Mrs. Lovina Aurand and Adam. George Hairleywine, now ninety years of age, resides in Mount Blanchard, this county. He is one of the oldest and most highly respected of the pioneers of Delaware Township, this county. His wife died March 4, 186. Isaiah Eairleywine responded to the President's first call for troops, and enlisted, in March, 1861, in defense of his country, serving faithfully as a soldier. October 22, 1863, he married Miss Margaret Weir, and they then settled in Delaware Township, this county, where they have a fine farm of eighty acres of land. Their children are Robert W., Mrs. Eleanor Gordon, Elizabeth and Thurman. In politics Mr. Eairleywine is a Democrat. He has filled the office of township trustee. He is a member of the Disciples Church, his wife being a Presbyterian.

ISAAC F. ELDER, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born in Delaware Township, this county, January 21, 1846, on the farm on which he now resides. Josiah Elder, his father, a famous pugilist in early times and a typical pioneer of the old school, married, September 27, 1832, Miss Sarah Ann Cessna, who was born in Bedford County, Penn., January 17, 1813 (her father, John Cessna, a soldier in the war of 1812, moved to Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1814, and to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1831). She. was very strong and active, and could handle an ax as skillfully asa man. She and her sister, Rebecca, cut all the logs for their cabin while their father was gone to Bellefontaine to mill. Josiah Elder and his wife cleared up a large farm on Blanchard River. Of their eleven children four are now living: Franklin, in Missouri; Jonathan, in Kansas; Mrs. Sarah Ann Pugh and Isaac F. Josiah Elder died May 1, 1868. His widow now resides in Mount Blanchard, this county. Isaac F. Elder married, January 1, 1874, Miss Charlotte Greer, daughter of John Greer. They have six children: Muzetta, Zoa, Zeller, Squire, Zana and Frank. August 7, 1879, Mr Elder and his two daughters were struck by an express train as they were attempting to drive across the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railway track near Forest, their wagon and team being literally torn to pieces. The girls escaped with slight injuries, but Mr. Elder received injuries from which he has never fully recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Elder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE SILAS FAHL, farmer, miller and manufacturer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born May 25, 1840, in Delaware Township, this county. He received his education in the schools of the home district, and his boyhood was spent at work on the farm and in the saw and grist-mill owned by his father. February 22, 1861, our subject was united ia marriage with Mary C. Hempy, born in Hancock County, O., January 14, 1844, daughter of Henry and Anna (Hall) Hempy. Since their marriage our subject and wife have resided on their present farm of 399} acres of well improved land on the Blanchard River, in Delaware Township, this county. Their chil- _ dren are Monroe, Emma E., Bertha Gay, Arizona J ay, Owen H., Theron its Marvin Tale Clarence S., Edson E. and Allie G. In 1862 our subject came into possession of the mill which was established by Godfrey Wolford, and now operates it as a grist and flouring-mill with a saw-mill addition. In 18 12 he established a steam planing-mill, shingle-mill, lath factory, ete., to which he added, in 1880, the cider-mill which took the premium at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Penn., and he makes over 75,000 gallons of cider per year. 'Mr. Fahl is an energetic business man, highly respected by the entire community.

ABDIEL GOBRECHT, farmer, P. O. Arlington, was born January 14, 1831, in York County, Penn., son of William and Elizabeth Gobrecht, who resided in Pennsylvania until their death. Our subject married, March 8, 1852, Miss Caroline M. Hinch, and they then came to Delaware Township, this county, in the fall of 1853, and bought a tract of eighty acres of land, where they now reside, and which they have improved and developed, making it one of the finest farms in this part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Gobrecht reared eight children: Mrs. Elizabeth Lackey (deceased), Mrs. Mary Treece, Mrs. Emma Bowman, William E., Oliver T., Etta May, Jacob W. and Carrie Myrtle. Mr. Abdiel Gobrecht is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

SAMUEL FORD GREER, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born in Delaware Township, this county, July 8, 1851, son of John Greer, who was born May 10, 1812, in Stark County, Md. His parents moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1816, finally settling in Delaware Township, this county, in the spring of 1825. Here John Greer married, in 1836, Miss Mary Brown, who was born in June, 1813, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to this county about 1832; they settled on a farm in Delaware Township, this county, near Mount Blanchard, which they afterward sold, and then entered another place of 168 acres, one mile east of Mount Blanchard; they reared twelve children: Joshua (who died in California) John (residing jn California), Mrs. Sarah Armstrong (in Missouri), Henry (in California), Eliza (in California), William, Nathan (in California), Mrs. Ellen Cole, Mrs. Charlotte Elder, Samuel Ford, Mrs. Harriet Messimore, and Jefferson (in California). The father died October 24, 1882; the mother now resides in Mount Blanchard, this county. The subject of this sketch married, February 16, 1871, Miss Catherine Corbin, and after residing for five years in Amanda Township, this county, they located in Delaware Township, where they now reside and own 112 acres of land. Their children are Darwin, Jefferson, Elmer, Virgie, Bertie and John. Mr. Greer is a Democrat in politics. He is a successful farmer and an enterprising man, enjoying the respect of the entire community.

MELANCTHON S. HAMLIN, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born July 29, 1818, on the present site of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. At the age of six years he came with his parents to Crawford County, Ohio. and in March following (1820) they started for this county, landing in- Delaware Township after a three days' trip with oxen and wagon, and here they endured the hardships and privations peculiar to pioneer life in those early days. The mother died in this county in 1837 and the father afterward moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, and there died in 1854. At the age of nineteen years our subject purchased, of Henry Green, a tract of eighty acres of land; this was his first venture in real estate. January 30, 1840, Mr. Hamlin was married to Miss Mary Marshall, and they settled down to their life work in Delaware Township, this county. Our subject engaged in farming and buying and selling stock, and adding to his farm until he now has, in and adjoining: the town-of Mount Blanchard, 720 acres of as good land as there is in the county. In 1854 he established a general merchandise store which he carried on until 1861. In 1882 he began the erection of a brick edifice on his place; this he has completed and it stands to-day one of the largest, best constructed and finely finished residences in northwestern Ohio. To Melancthon 8. Hamlin and wife

JACOB HARRIS, Es. (deceased), was born June 26, 1828, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and came to this county with his parents, William and Nancy (Sterling) Harris, about 1536. Both his parents lived to an advanced age and died in this county. Jacob Harris completed his education under the Rey. Emerson, in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio. He early engaged in teaching, a profession he followed for about twelve years. He married Miss Susan E. Chase April 22, 1852, and they moved at once to their farm ip Delaware Township, this county, where they went to work in the woods clearing up and developing a fine farm. They retired from this in November 1879, and moved to Mt. Blanchard, this county, where Mr. Harris died August 23, 1880. He was a life long Republican and was prominent in public affairs. He served as township clerk for seven years and justice of the peace for twelve years. being elected unanimously the last term. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were parents of four children: Mrs. Tamsen R. Drake. Chester M., Judah E. (deceased) and Luella A. Mrs. Harris now resides in Mt. Blanchard, this county; she and her entire family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

CHESTER M. HARRIS, farmer and stock dealer, P. O. Mt. Blanchard,. was born October 7, 1856, in Delaware Township, this county, on the farm on which he now resides. After completing a course in the home district school he attended three terms at Mt. Blanchard school and then engaged in teaching for two terms in Marion County, Ohio, in the intervals attending the Marion High School. September 9, 1879, Mr. Harris married Miss Lizzie A. Lee, daughter of Martin Lee, of Marion County, Ohio, and they then settled on the old homestead farm, where they still reside. They have two sons: Earl C. and Clark J. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an earnest Republican and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is an enterprising and energetic young farmer, enjoying the respect of the community in which he lives.

JOHN W. HUGHES, of the firm Hughes Bros., Mt. Blanchard, was born August 21, 1849, in Franklin County, Ohio, and married Miss Emma Coleman, in 1872. He spent two years in Monroeville, Ind., prosecuting his business as a harness maker, and several years in North Baltimore and Fostoria, Ohio, carrying on the butchering business. He finally, in 1883, formed a partnership with his brother, Barrett J., in the dry goods busi ness, which partnership still continues. Their store is located at Mt. Blanchard, this county, where they carry a large stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and are doing a thriving business. Mr. Hughes has two children: Charles and Bernice. The Hughes Bros. are among the solid and reliable business men of Mt. Blanchard, and their success speaks well for - their enterprise and energy.

BARRETT J. HUGHES, of the firm Hughes Bros., Mt. Blanchard, was born November 28, 1852, in Franklin County, Ohio. His parents, James B. and Miriam (Dougherty) Hughes, both natives of Ohio, came to Amanda Township, this county, in 1860, and remained there on a farm until 1867, when they removed to Vanlue, Ohio, and finally settled perma. nently in Mt. Blanchard, this county, in 1869. Here our subject began clerking for J. H. Biddle & Co. in 1871, remaining with them until March, 1888, with the exception of six months spent with E. & A. Thompson,

Mansfield, Ohio, in 1874. In March, 1883, Mr. Hughes, in partnership with his brother, J. W.. established a store in North Baltimore, Wood Co., Ohio, and in March, 1884, they moved to Mt. Blanchard, this county, and located in the building formerly occupied by Biddle & Co. Here Hughes Bros. have a complete stock of dry goods, groceries, hats and caps, boots and shoes, clothing, millinery and notions. Their thorough acquaintance with the people and their uniform courtesy have enabled them to build up a large and flourishing trade.

SAMUEL HUMPHREY, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born June ks 1811, in Columbiana County, Ohio. At the age of eighteen years he began running a boat from Cincinnati, Ohio, to New Orleans, La., which ovcupation he followed until 1834. He married "Miss Susannah Dorrow in 1841. He had previously walked out to Delaware Township, this county, in company with his father, and entered land, and after his marriage he and his wife at once located on this property, which is now the family homestead, and which he added to until he finally owned 400 acres. There is now only one other man living in Delaware Township who entered land from the Government. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey were parents of nine children: Mary A., Margaret C., Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Woods and Susan Louisa Scott are deceased; and William D., John J., Samuel E., Mrs. Mollie A. Ballard and Ida S. are yet living. Mrs. Humphrey died November 13, 1883; she had been a member of the Christian Church since 1841. Mr. Humphrey has also been a member of that church since same date. He now resides on the homestead, enjoying the peace and quiet of an honored old age.

WILLIAM D. HUMPHREY. teacher and farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born April 2, 1853, in Delaware Township, this county, son of Samuel and Susannah (Dorrow) Humphrey. William D. Humphrey was reared on his father's farm, and after completing a course in the schools of the home district, he attended a short term each in the high schools at Mt. Blanchard, Findlay and Dunkirk, Ohio. He then taught a term of four months near Forest, Ohio, and afterward entered upon a course of instruction in the Northwestern Ohio Normal! School, Ada, Ohio, in 1874. He continued this course, alternating with terms of teaching, until 1881. December 29, 1881, he married Mary Bell, of Logan County, Ohio. They purchased 160 acres of land, a part of the homestead farm, and located in Delaware Township, this county, where they now reside. They have one daughter, Bertha Bell, and an infant son. Mr. Humphrey has taught school, in all, thirty nine terms in Hancock, Hardin, Allen and Logan Counties, Ohio, including two years in the Union School of Mt. Blanchard, and the same length of time at Scott's Crossing, Allen Co., Ohio, and six years in home school. He has made thorough preparation for the profession of teacher, and -has a fine record as a faithful and efficient instructor. Our subject is a Republican in politics; he takes a deep interest in public affairs. and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of Delaware Township.

GEORGE KETCH. farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born April 16, 1824, in Columbiana County, Ohio, son of Thomas and Ann (Bilger) Ketch, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom died in 1832; the latter brought her family to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1836, and died in Delaware Township, this county, in 1868, while living with her son Thomas. George Ketch, the youngest in a family of six children, lived in Hardin County, Ohio, until his marriage with Miss Adeline Warner, March 16, 1848, when they at once moved to their farm:in Delaware Township, this county, which he had then owned for several years, and on which they still reside. Here they went to work in the woods, clearing up and improving their farm, and they now have 120 acres of fertile and well improved land, after having civen their children 160 acres. Mrs. Ketch died in October, 1859, leaving three children: Thomas E., Clark dnd Sarah, who afterward married W. F. Cook, son of Dwight Cook, a well known pioneer. After the death of his first wife Mr. Ketch married Miss Adeline Johnson, who died in February, 1871, leaving a daughter, Laura; and for his third wife our subject then married Mrs. Paulina Switzer; she has one daughter, Lula Clare. Mrs. Ketch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ketch cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, and has been a supporter of the Democratic party ever since. He is an enterprising and successful farmer, an upright and useful citizen, highly respected by the entire community.

CLARK KETCH, farmer, P. O. Wharton, Wyandot: County, was born May 1, 1852, in Delaware Township, this county, son of the well-known pioneer, George Ketch. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the schools of the home district. He was married, September 4, 1873, to Miss Ellen F. Chase, and to them were born two children: Ora, who died at the age of three years, and Merle, who died when three months old. Mr. Ketch has a fine farm of 224 acres of land, in Delaware Township, this county, where he devotes considerable attention to live-stock. He is an enterprising and successful young farmer, and enjoys the respect of the entire community. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. In polities he is a Democrat.

MILTON MAY, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born in Brooke County, Va. (now West Virginia), January 30,1829. In 1850 he went with the gold hunters to California and remained there six months; during this time he had a severe attack of mountain fever. He decided to return to his native county, and leaving San Franciso, with only one dime in his pocket, he worked before the mast for his passage to Panama, and arriving there, engaged at carpenting for two months, then crossed the Isthmus to Chagres, and shipped for New Orleans, being promoted on the voyage to second mate. Arriving in New Orleans, he made his way up the Mississippi River to Steubenville, Ohio, and in the spring of 1852, he came to Delaware Township, this county, where he had previously acquired a tract of land. This land he now began clearing up and improving, and September 15, 1853, he married Sarah Louisa Smith, daughter of the pioneer Abijah Smith, and they located in their present home in Delaware Township, this county, in the spring of 1857; here they have a fine farm of eighty-one acres of well improved land; they also own a tract of 137 acres in Delaware and Amanda Townships, this county. Mr. and Mrs. May have two children: Dr. A. S. May, in Donaldson, Marshall Co., Ind., and Lewis B., at home. Mr. May is a member of the Methodist Church, Mrs. May of the Presbyterian.

JOSEPH MOORK, farmer, P. O. Forest, Hardin County, was born June 6, 1815, in Beaver County, Penn., and when he was seventeen months old his parents, William and Amelia Moore, brought him to Athens County, Ohio, The parents afterward spent nine years in Delaware County, Ohio, und came in 1839 to Delaware Township, this county, where they entered 160 acres of land from the Government, and cleared up afarm. Of their thirteen children seven are now living: Mrs. Margaret Durfee (in Rockport, Mo.), John (in Hancock County), Mrs. Eleanor Gallant (in Delaware County, Ohio), Mrs. Charlotte Calvert (in Athens County, Ohio), Samuel (in Delaware County, Ohio), Joseph and Mrs. Emily Gallant. William Moore died December 12, 1852, aged seventy-seven years, and his widow May 18, 1858, aged seventy-seven years; they were upright pioneers, highly, respected by all who knew them. The subject of this sketch spent eleven years of his life in Delaware County, Ohio. He married, October 20, 1836, Miss Martha E. Thompson of Athens County, Ohio, and they moved at once to Delaware County, Ohio, and from there, in 1848, to their present home in Delaware Township, this county. Here they have a fine farm of 236 acres of well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been blessed with six children, three of whom are now living: Sidney F. (in Forest, Hardin Co., Ohio), Naaman T., and Mrs. Mary C. Gilbert, in Forest. Those deceased are Mrs. Paulina Miller, Rebecca and Eliza E. Sidney F. and Naaman T., gave their services, from September, 1862, to the close of the war, in defense of the Union. July 10, 1873, while cutting wheat with a reaper, our subject met with an accident which resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee. Mr. Moore, formerly a Whig, has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He has served his township for several terms as trustee, and is one of the successful farmers and reliable citizens of Delaware Township, highly respected by his fellow citizens.

THOMAS MUSGRAVE (deceased) was born March 5, 1827, in Coshocton County, Ohio,son of William and Margaret Musgrave, who came to Delaware Township, this county, in 1832, where they still reside. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and shared the lot of a pioneer's son. He married, July 1, 1849, Miss Margaret Ann Wineland, born May 15, 1830, in Richland County, Ohio, and who came to this county in 1847 with her parents, John and Mary Wineland, who resided here until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrave resided in Delaware Township, this county, from the date of their marriage. In 1863 they settled on their present homestead, where he had a fine farm of 2(() acres of well improved land. To oursubject and wife were born the following named children: John W. (married Miss Emma Moore and resides on the farm), Washington (in Jay County, Ind.), Franklin, Mary Jane, Mrs. Angeline Castor, Mrs. Laura Sink and Ulysses S. Mr. Musgrave died June 22, 1880. He was a Republican in politics and took a deep interest in public affairs, serving as township trustee. He was an upright citizen, a man of much influence in the community. His widow now resides on the family homestead.

SAMUEL R. PHILLIPS, farmer, P. O. Forest, Hardin County, born in Athens County, Ohio, July 30, 1815, is a son of Daniel and Abigail (Cady) Phillips, natives of Vermont and Connecticut, respectively, who resided for some years near Cooperstown, N. Y., and afterward moved to Pennsylvania; they came to Marietta, Ohio, in 1812, and finally settled in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, in 1814, and there Daniel Phillips died in 1831; his father was a soldier under Gen. Washington in the war of the Revolution for seven years, and died in 18356. The mother of Daniel Phillips was present at the massacre at Wyoming. Samuel R. Phillips, the subject of this sketch, came to Delaware Township, this county, with his mother and an elder brother, Job, in the fall of 1835; his mother resided here until her death, which occurred in 1849, in her seventy-sixth year. In

August, 1836, he entered eighty acres of land, which he still owns; there is but one other man in Delaware Township, this county, who is living on land originally entered by himself from the Government. Mr. Phillips has added eighty acres of land to his original entry and now owns 160 acres of fine farming land. In 1842 he taught the first school in his district, teaching in all four terms. July 8, 1849, he married Miss Matilda Roby, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 30, 1817, and came to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1833 with her parents, Josiah and Margaret (Elsey) Roby. To Samuel R. Phillips and wife were born three sons: David dsaac, Daniel Josiah (deceased) and Samuel Hanson. Our subject cast his first presiden. tial vote for Henry Clay, and has supported the Whig and Republican parties ever since. " He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco pal Church. Mr. Phillips is a man of upright principles ard strict integrity, greatly respected and esteemed by all who know him.

CHARLES RAMSEY, retired farmer, P. O. Dunkirk, Hardin County, was born in Montgomery County, Md., in 1804. He was declared free at the age of twenty-one by the will of his owner, but did not really obtain his freedom until he was thirty years old. Our subject ran a ferry boat twentyfive years on the Ohio River at Steubenville, and amassed a considerable sum of money. In 1853 he came to Delaware Township, this county, and began clearing up and farming 24() acres of land he had purchased in 1837; at one time he owned 520 acres of land. In 1868 his wife died. Of her ten children three are now living: Mrs. Christyann L. Hawkins, Martha Jane and Emily L. In August, 1871, Charles Ramsey married, for his second wife, Mrs. Louisa Watson, who died of heart disease May 16, 1885, while visiting her daughter at Forest, Ohio. Mr. Ramsey now owns a fine farm of 240 acres of land in this county, besides having given liberally to his children. He also owns a comfortable house in Dunkirk, Hardin Co.,Ohio, to which he moved in 1882 and where he is living a somewhat retired life, enjoying the peace and quiet of a prosperous old age. His daughters are members of the United Brethren Church. He has been a church member since he was eleven years of age, and is now a member of the Wesleyan Church. When he was a little boy, on being reproved by a gentleman for swearing, Charles made the remark: ''I throw it all in the fire,'' and he has never been known to swear since that time. He also formed his habit of saving while very young, by taking the timely advice of afriend. Charles Ramsey has been an industrious and energetic citizen and is very highly respected wherever known.

JAMES RAMSEY, retired farmer, P, O. Williamstown, was born June 1, 1805, in Montgomery County, Md. He left Maryland in 1835 and came to Steubenville, Ohio. He ferried and farmed for seven years. He pur. chased 100 acres of land in Delaware Township, this county, in 1839, which he paid for by working for 50 cents per day; he came out and took possession of his property in April, 1842. His sister, Eletha Ramsey, came here and resided with him until her death, which occurred April 18, 1884, in her eighty-third year. James Ramsey is an earnest member of the United Brethren Church. He has never taken upon himself the cares of the matrimonial relation, but his life has been devoted principally to the benefit of others. He is strictly a self-made man, and his record in this community is such that he is respected wherever he is known. In politics he is a life-long Republican.

AARON F. BURSON ROSE, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born August 13, 1841, in Delaware Township, this county. His parents, John and Margaret (Berry) Rose, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, and early settlers of Fairfield County, Ohio, located in Delaware Township, this county, in 1828, the former having previously entered a farm, in 1823, on Blanchard River, and this farm they then began to clear and improve. John Rose was a strong Whig, afterward a Republican; he was one of the early commissioners of this county, and for seventeen years he was treasurer of Delaware Township, this county; a man of wonderful energy and strength of character. he exerted a powerful influence over those with whom he associated; he was very firm in his temperance principles, which he exemplified by practice as well as precept. His wife died January 6, 1863, and he followed her March 21, 1883, in his ninetieth year. They were parents of the following named children: Joel B., deceased, at the age of twenty-three years; James G., in Michigan; Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, in Carroll County, Mo.; Elias Y., in Howard County, Wis.; John A., in Carroll County, Mo.; Mrs. Sarah Eairleywine, deceased, at age of thirty-three years; Amos H., in Carroll County, Mo.; Mrs. Amanda Elder, in Pike County, Mo. ; two who died in infancy,and 'Aaron F. Burson. The subject of this sketch enlisted September 1, 1862, in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry,serving in the Army of the Cumberland and taking part in many of the memorable engagements throughout Tennessee, Georgia and vicinity. He received his discharge August 8, 1865, leaving an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier, and on returning home he married, December 7, 1865, Miss Mary A. Roller. Our subject and wife now own and occupy the old homestead farm of 167 acres of well improved land; this farm has never been out of the Rose family's possession since it was first entered. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have eight children: John M., Elmer W., Hettie J., William R., Samuel E., Arthur K., Perry B. and Maggie E. Our subject is an enthusiastic Republican and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is at present trustee of Delaware Township, a position he has filled for three years.

SOLOMON SHAFER, farmer, P. O. Mount Blanchard, was born near Mount Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, March 23, 1836. His father, Michael Shafer, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Knox County, Ohio, in early boyhood, and there, in 1819, married Miss Nancy Ireland. Michael Shafer came to this county in 1835 with part of his family, and in 1836 returned to Knox County, Ohio, for the rest of them, bringing them back with him to this county. He cleared up two farms in Delaware Township, this county, and was one of the earliest settlers, as well as one of the foremost in the development and improvement of the town. He kept the Mount Blanchard Hotel from 1837 to 1850, and was one of the most highly respected and honored of our pioneer citizens. His death occurred in 1892; his widow died in 1869, while residing with her son, Solomon. The children of Michael Shafer and wife were Hezekiah, in Mexico, Mo.; Mrs. Rhoda Miller (deceased); Mrs. Christy Ann Taylor, in Decatur, Ill.; Michael Jackson, in Dubuque, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Fahl, in Mount Blanchard, Ohio; Isaiah, in Forest, Ohio; Solomon (deceased); Henry Witt, in Hebron, Ind.; Solomon, in Mount Blanchard, Ohio, Morgan D., in Findlay, Ohio; Aaron B. in Findlay, Ohio, and Mrs. Laura J. Smith, in Lacon, Tl. They are an intelligent and enterprising family, and are occupying high positions in business and society. The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Mount Blanchard. He married Miss Mary Elizabeth Hoge, of Amanda Township, this county, September 20, 1860, and they located in Delaware Township, this county, where they now reside, and where they have a fine farm of 100 acres of land, all in the corporation of Mount Blanchard. They also own about 500 acres of land in other farms in this and Van Wert Counties. To Mr. and Mrs. Shafer has been born one daughter - Anna Lorena. Mr. Shafer was elected auditor of this county in the fall of 1864, on the Democratic ticket. He took his position in March following, and was re-elected in 1866, serving in all four years; he was the youngest man who ever occupied that position. Mrs. Shafer is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.

JAMES G. TREECE, postmaster at Mount Blanchard, was born in Jackson Township, this county, March 1, 1851. His father, John, the son of Henry Treece, a native of New England, married, May 12, 1841, Sarah, daughter of Henry Treece, of Pennsylvania, and they reared a family of four sons and one daughter: William B., born November 24, 1843, married to Mary J. Marshall; Mary C., born February 6, 1845, married to William W. Anderson; James C.; Isaac N., born January 7, 1854, married to Mary E. Gobrecht; John T., born April 24, 1860, married to Minnie E. Fahl. They came to this county in 1832, and resided in Delaware Township until his death, which occurred March 7, 1861 His widow, the mother of our subject, afterward married Daniel Aurand, and after living in Michigan for fifteen years returned to Jackson Township, this county, where she now resides. James C. Treece carried on the harness-making business in Mount Blanchard, this county, for three years (in 1871-73). He then went to the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, Ohio, where he atténded in all five years, and on returning he engaged in teaching, a profession he has since followed in Delaware Township, this county, and in Wyandot County, Ohio. During this time he taught for eight years continuously in his home district, and made a fine record as a faithful and efficient educator. He was elected justice of the peace in 1884, and was appointed postmaster of Mount Blanchard, under President Cleveland, April 23, 1885. Mr. Treece is uniformly polite and courteous, and discharges his duties to the satisfacfaction of the public. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

JOHN G. WILSON, farmer, P. O. Forest, Hardin County, was born November 28, 1829, in Medina County, Ohio. His parents, Robert and Betsey E. Wilson, settled in Delaware Township, this county, in April, 1835, after having spent the winter in Hardin County, Ohio, and here they went into the woods and began clearing up and developing a farm. Robert Wilson died in February, 1850, and his widow in February, 1867. John G. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, and received his education in the schools of the home district. He married Miss Mary Ann Higgins, October 16, 1854, and then settled in Delaware Township, this county. They have acquired, by their own industry and good management, a fine farm of 400 acres of land, with excellent buildings and other improvements. Their children are Mrs. Amanda E. Spencer, Mrs. Harriet K. Porter, Mrs. Mary Ann McElrie, Alva M., Mrs. Maggie Cooper, Mrs. Martha Jane Smith, William H. and Effie B. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in polities; has served two terms as township trustee. He is a leading and representative citizen of Delaware Township, this county.

WILLIAM N. YOST, M. D., Mount Blanchard, was born April 14, 1836, in Thornville, Perry Co., Ohio, son of Peter and Elizabeth Yost,' natives of Virginia, and who were among the early settlers of Perry County, Ohio. .The father died in 1868; the mother is now residing in Jackson Township, this county. When our subject was a lad of ten years of age his parents moved across the county line into Licking County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. In 1860 he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. R. Black, in Hebron, Licking Co., Ohio, In 1862 Dr. Black entered the Federal Army as surgeon, and William N. Yost went as hospital steward, under Dr. Black's instruction. Our subject served in the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Sherman, throughout Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and on the famous "march to the sea.'' He received an honorable discharge July 15, 1865, and the following September he entered the Miami Medical College, from which he graduated March 3, 1867. After remaining as house physician at the Commercial Hospital one year, Dr. Yost established himself in Jacksontown, Licking Co., Ohio., and in 1872 located at Houcktown, this county, and in 1877 removed to Mount Blanchard, this county, and here, by strict attention to his profession, the Doctor has succeeded in building up a large practice. Dr. Yost was married, May 12, 1868, to Miss Rebecca A. Stewart, daughter of Capt. James Stewart, of Licking County, Ohio, and their children are Minnie Laura, Maggie May, Gertrude, Charles C. and Clarence. Dr. Yost is recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens of this county. In politics he isa Demotrat. He has been an active and useful member of the school board of Mount Blanchard ever since his location here. He is a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, and of the Ohio State Medical Society. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and helped to organize the lodge of Master Masons * at Mount Blanchard, and was its Master for the first three years. The Doctor has also filled all the chairs in Odd Fellowship, and is a leading member of the G. A. R. at Mount Blanchard.

JOHN ARRAS, Sz., farmer, P. O. Jenera, was born November 19, 1821, in Brandau, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America with his father, Peter Arras, in 1831, and to Eagle Township, this county, in 1839. He married, October 19, 1846, Miss Margaretha Hssinger, of Amanda Township, this county, and they located in Eagle Township, March 11, 1848. The place was new, and they at once began to make a home for themselves. Mr. Arras has here a fine and fertile farm of 201 acres of land, and has built - thereon a fine brick residence, besides making other valuable improvements. Mr. and Mrs. John Arras are parents of six children: Harriet, Peter, J ohn, Philip, Mrs. Margaret Glick and Nicholas. Mr. Arras and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the successful farmers of Eagle Township, a good citizen, highly respected by the community in which he

PETER ARRAS, farmer, R, O. Jenera, was born May 19, 1825, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. He came to America, and to Union County, Ohio, with his parents, Peter and Margaret Arras, in 1831, and to Eagle Township, this county, in 1839. They settled in the woods and young Peter worked for his father until twenty-seven years of age. Our subject married, October, 1849, Miss Barbara Essinger, and his father gave him a start in life with 120 acres of new land, on which the young couple settled in 1851. This land Mr. Arras has cleared up and converted into a fertile farm and a pleasant home, and has built thereon a fine brick residence, and has made other valuable improvements. He and his wife were parents of the following named children: Philip, Anna Barbara (deceased), John, Peter (deceased) and Eva Maria Redick. The mother of these children died November 22, 1858, and Mr. Arras afterward married, in March, 1859, Miss Maria Heldman, who died November 9, 1862, leaving one daughter- - Mrs. Eva Wilson. Mr. Arras was next united in marriage, August 15, 1865, with Miss Eva Elizabeth Reddick, who was born in Germany and came to Erie County, Ohio, with her parents. By this union there are three daughters living: Christena, Matilda and Maggie Katy, and one son deceased, named Benjamin. Mr. Arras has added to his farm until he now owns 300 acres of land, after having given each of his sons a good start in life. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Arras is a successful farmer and a good citizen, highly respected by all.

PHILIP ARRAS, farmer, P. O. Jenera, was born April 8, 1832, in Union County, Ohio. His parents,-Peter and Margaret Arras, of Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, came to America in 1831, and after living a few years in Union and Marion Counties, Ohio, finally settled, in 1839, in Eagle Township, this county, where they bought a new farm and began making a home for themselves. Philip, their youngest son, remained at home and undertook the care of his father and mother. Peter Arras died in 1860, his widow August 25, 1883. May 21, 1861, Philip Arras was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Heldman, daughter of Henry Heldman. Mr. Arras now owns the old homestead farm of 240 acres of land, whereon he has built a fine brick residence and made other valuable improvements. To Mr. and Mrs. Arras have been born five children: Henry, Carl, Mena, Lucy and Jacob (latter deceased); those living are all at home, a bright and interesting family, and Mr. Arras is giving them good educational advantages, both literary and musical. The entire family are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Arras is an enterprising and successful farmer, a good citizen, highly respected by all who know him. GODFREY CRATES, farmer, P. O. Arlington, was born July 20, 1831, in Weshington County, Penn. His parents, Christian and Magdalena (Miron) Crates, of Wurtemburg, Germany, came to America with three young children in 1829. They lived in Washington County, Penn., until 1842, when they came to this county and located in the wilderness, in Van Buren Township, settling on a tract of eighty acres of land, which Christian Crates had entered from the Government about ten years previous. Of the eight children of Christian and Magdalena Crates four ure now living: Mrs. Caroline Rhinehart, John, Godfrey and Mrs. Rosa Ann Harris. Christian Crates died May 13, 1870, in his seventy-sixth year; his widow, the mother of our subject, now resides with her son and is eighty-nine years of age. Godfrey Crates was reared as a pioneer's son in Van Buren Townree: ship, this county. He was united in marriage March 30, 1858, with Miss Lydia Wahl, who was born in Canton Basel, Switzerland, and came in 1844 to this county with her parents, Frederick and Anna Maria Wahl, who settled in Van Buren Township. Her parents now reside in Orange Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Crates resided in Van Buren Township, this county, until April, 1880, when they sold their farm and purchased the old J. C. Ricketts farm of 200 acres of land in Eagle Township, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Crates have been born ten children: Mrs. Louisa Jane Bame, Christian F., William E., John W., Marion E., Margaret E., Daniel G., Mary Magdalena, Henry A. and D. William, a twin, who was accidentally scalded in infancy. Our subject united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of seventeen years; subsequently, in 1859, he withdrew from that church, connected himself with the Methodist Protestant Church, and was licensed to preach by the Ohio Conference in 1877. Mrs. Crates and son, Christian, are also members of the church. Godfrey Crates is one of the leading farmers and representative citizens of Eagle Township.

WILLIAM CROSLEY, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 16, 1820, son of George and Maria Crosley, who were residents of this county from 1849 to the time of their death, dying at the age of seventy-four and eighty-one years, respectively. George Crosley was a soldier in the war of 1812, and passed through Fort Findlay long before a town was thought of there. William Crosley married, March 1, 1841, Miss Sarah Runkle, of Fairfield County, Ohio, and 'they came, in February, 1849, to Eagle Township, this county, where they bought a tract of land partly cleared; this they have improved and built upon until their farm now comprises 115 acres of well improved land. Mrs. Crosley died October 16, 1881, leaving six children: Mrs. Catherine Bish, Mrs. Polly Hoch, Mrs. Lydia Smith, Jacob, Mrs. Betsey Kramer and Joshua. June 4, 1882, William Crosley married, for his second wife, Mrs. Meena Brookman, a native of Magdeburg, Germany, and who came to Americain 1871. Her first husband, Frederick Brookman, died May 28, 1878, leaving three children: William, Theodore and Minna L. William Crosley is an.industrious and honest citizen, respected by all who know him.

DANIEL FELLER, farmer, P. O. Rawson, Hancock Co., Ohio, was born January 17, 1811, in Fairfield County,Ohio. His parents, Henry and Catherine (Robinult) Feller, natives of Lehigh County, Penn. ,spent their active lives in Fairfield County, Ohio, where the former died in about 1831, the latter afterward came to this county on a visit and died in Rawson in September, 1868, aged seventy-nine years. Daniel Feller, the subject of this sketch, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Donaldson, while in Fairfield County, Ohio, and they settled near the center of Hagle Township, this county, in April, 1834. Mrs. Feller dying in the spring of the following year, Mr. Feller then sold his farm and returned to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was again married (this time, September 4, 1836, to Miss Mary Donaldson), and came again to Eagle Township November 13, 1839, entering the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Feller at once began clearing up the farm and developing it, erecting thereon a fine brick residence in 1852, the third brick house built in the township, and has also made many other valuable improvements. He is now the owner of a fine and valuable farm of 160 acres of land. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Feller were born twelve children. They had the misfortune to lose five of them within two weeks, in November, 1869, from diphtheria; the eldest of these was seventeen years and the youngest four years of age. They also lost one child, two years of age October 24, 1842, and May 11, 1884, a daughter, Mrs. Catherine Sterling, of Wood County, Ohio, died in the thirty-ninth year of her age. Their children now living are Oliver H., of Wood County, Ohio; Mrs. Lucy Ann Fahl and Mrs. Mary Watkins, of Hancock County, Ohio; John D., of Wood County, Ohio, and Mrs. Melissa Emeline Cromley, of Wood County, Ohio. Mrs. Feller died February 13, 1886, in the sixty-ninth year of her age, after twelve weeks of lingering illness. She was a member of the Evangelical Association, as is also Mr. Feller, who ranks among the most honored pioneers of Eagle Township. ;

JOSEPH FOREMAN, farmer, P. O. Rawson, was born August 30, 1830, in Franklin County, Penn. His parents, William and Eleanor (Me- Neal) Foreman, came to Eagle Township, this county, with a family of eight children in 1845. The country being then new, they made the entire journey by wagon train, the older children, including Joseph, walking the whole distance. They settled on a farm in the northern part of Eagle Township, of which about twenty-five acres were cleared, and at once began improving and developing the place. They resided on this farm until their death; the mother died in 1850 and the father in 1863. Manifesting a spirit of patriotism, the boys, Joseph, John and George, gave their services to the Government during the war of the Rebellion. Joseph Foreman, the subject of this sketch, united in marriage, March 21, 1852, with Miss Christine Alspach, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 2, 1832, and came to this county in April, 1849. Her parents, Jacob and Polly (Miller) Alspach, lived in Fairfield County, Ohio, until the latter's death, after which Mr. Alspach moved to Indiana, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman settled in 1860 on an entirely new place, where they now reside. In May, 1864, Mr. Foreman enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and served in the campaign in Virginia. He left an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier, and on returning home he again devoted himself to the work of clearing up and developing his farm, upon which he has erected a handsome residence and made many other valuable improvements, owning 175 acres of good land. 'To Mr. and Mrs. Foreman have been born ten children: Ellen (deceased), John Milton, Jacob M., Charles Ellsworth, James Gideon, Frederick (deceased), Edmund, Ada Belle, Cora Dell and Tena. Mr. Foreman has given his children excellent educational advantages, both literary and musical. He is a man of firm principles, highly respected by all who know him. He was chosen, for nine years, trustee of Eagle Township.

PETER LINE, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born October 11, 1832, in | Kagle Township, this county. Coonrad Line, the father of our subject, a native of Pennsylvania, was united in marriage, in Fairfield County, Ohio, with Miss Catharine Case, a native of Maryland. Peter Line; the subject of this sketch, acquired his education partly in the primitive schools of the pioneer days, but mostly by private study by the light of the old-fashioned chip-fire. When twenty-one years of age he went to Missouri, where he remained seven years. He married, October 7, 1860, Miss Mary B. Jewett, and returned to Eagle Township, this county, in 1861, settling on the farm which he had purchased and where they now reside, consisting of 170 acres of well improved land. On this place Mr. Line has a tile factory, the first ever established in this county, which he has operated for fourteen years. He manufactures exclusively for the home market. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Line have been born ten children: Kate E., Fannie S., Amanda Jane, Coonrad D., Jacob, Edson, Henry D. (deceased), Mary E., Bessie and Edith. Mr. Line is a life-long Democrat. He has served his township in various official capacities, including clerk and trustee. He and his worthy wife are consistent members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church. Mr. Line is a man of strict integrity, respected by the entire community.

JOSEPH MARKEL, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Schuylkill Township, Berks Co., Penn., July 14, 1830. His parents, George and Catherine Markel, moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, the year after Joseph was born, and there resided until their death. Joseph Markel was reared in Pickaway County, Ohio, and there acquired his early education. He united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ann Everet, of Ross County, Ohio, July 6, 1857, and three weeks thereafter they moved to Eagle Township, this county, where Mr. Markel rented a farm on which he resided eight years. He then returned to Pickaway County, Ohio, and took care of his father until the death of the latter March 3, 1875, he dying at the age of eightythree years, one month and three days. After the death of his father our subject returned to Eagle Township, this county, and purchased the farm he had formerly rented. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land with good buildings thereon. Mr. Markel takes a lively interest in fine stock, and has owned some of the finest thorough-bred cattle in this county; he has also given considerable attention to fine horses. To Mr. and Mrs. Markel have been born three children: Mrs. Anna Walters, Mrs. Rachel Alspach and George S. Our subject and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a life-long Democrat; has been a delegate to the Democratic convention nearly every year since his residence in this County. He is an upright and worthy citizen, and is highly respected by the entire community.

WILLIAM F. NOWLAN, farmer, P. O. Rawson, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, March 2, 1825, son of Thomas D. and Margaret Nowlan, natives of England, who emigrated to Nova Scotia, and from there moved to Ohio. Thomas D. Nowlan settled in Union Township, this county, in 1840. He was a carpenter by trade, and worked on canal work in the eastern part of this State; also put up many buildings in this county. His wife died in Rawson in May, 1878, and he in December following, in his eighty-third year. William F. Nowlan, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until his marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Troxing, November 11, 1849. She died June 8, 1850, leaving one child, Sarah, now deceased. August 21, 1801, Mr. Nowlan was again united in marriage, this time with Mary Lanning, and to this union were born the following named children: David, La Fayette (deceased), Thomas, Malinda, Andrew and Mary. Mr. Nolan located where he now resides in 1864. He served fremm October, 1864, to July, 1865, as a soldier in the Sixty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in the Army of the James, and took part in the closing campaigns of the war in Virginia, earning a record as a brave and faithful soldier, always ready for the discharge of duty. Mr. Nowlanhasa fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land. He is one of the pioneers of this county, and a highly respected citizen of

JOHN OMAN, farmer, P. O! Findlay, was born in Columbia County, Penn., February 14, 1804. His parents, Henry and Ellen Oman, came to Eagle Township, this county, in 1840, and settled on a new farm, where they resided until their death. Of their twelve children, six are now living: John, Joseph, Mrs. Elizabeth Foreman, Mrs. Rachel Hosler, Hanna Jane and Mrs. Sarah Ann Keller. John Oman left Columbia County, Penn., when he was a young man, and came to Portage County, Ohio. He was united in marriage with Miss Faithful Ellet, and they located in Eagle Township, this county, in 1840, here settling on a new farm, which they cleared up and developed. The children born of their union were Josiah, Ephraim I., Mrs. Hannah Jane Crouse, Mrs. Rebecca Ellen Crouse (deceased), and Margaret (deceased). Ephraim I. was a soldier in the Twentyninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served from September, 1864, to June, 1865. He went through with Sherman to the sea, taking part in many of the historic engagements of the Georgia campaign, and left an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier. Returning home Ephraim I. Oman married Miss Minerva Newell, daughter of Joseph Newell, of Jackson Township, this county. The result of this marriage is one daughter, Emma Sedora. Mrs. Oman died May 28, 1875. John Oman, the subject of this sketch, was a famous and skillful hunter in the early days of this county. During the winter of 1843-44 he shot forty deer, most of them within one or two miles of his house. He was one of the best marksmen at long range ever known in this county, shooting accurately at a distance of from 150 to 200 yards. Mr. Oman is a life-long Whig and Republican. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church from early life. He is one of the honored pioneers of Eagle Township, highly respected by all who know him.

JOSEPH OMAN, farmer, P. O. Arlington, was born in Columbia County, Penn., October 17, 1807. He moved to Portage County, Ohio, in 1833, and came from there, in 1837, to Eagle Township, this county, where he had been and purchased land the year before, paying for it in Canton bank notes, which money became worthless a few days after he made the purchase, by the failure of the bank. Joseph Oman was united in marriage, February 6, 1837, with Miss Eliza Ann Frees, of Seneca County, Ohio, a native of Columbia County, Penn. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Oman moved to their new place, and began the pioneer work of clearing it up and making ahome. There being no mill near, they had to grate corn to make bread. He succeeded in developing a fine farm of 320 acres. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Oman are Jacob F., now living in Schuyler, Colfax County, Neb. (He was a soldier in Company B, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was taken prisoner at Chickamauga, and held in various prisons in the South until the close of the war. He earned an honorable record as a brave and faithful soldier.) The next son, Henry, now at home, was a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards; Wesley B. F. was also a soldier in the One dred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. (He united in marriage, March 15, 1883, with Miss Amy D. Mahon; they have one son, John Wesley.) John H. is at home; Rachel Ellen died at the age of ten months. The mother of these children died of paralysis, June 19, 1884. The entire family are earnest Republicans. Joseph Oman is very firm in his temperance principles, having signed the pledge during his pioneer days in Portage County, Ohio. He would never join in the general custom of treating, and his sons have followed in his footsteps in this regard. Mr. and Mrs. Oman were two of the first seven to form the Keller Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1879 they united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Oman is one the leading and honored pioneers of Eagle Township.

PETER H. POWELL, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Findlay, was born in Eagle Township, this county, July 17, 1838. His father, Phillip Powell, of Mifflin County, Penn., came to Fairfield County, Ohio, when nine years of age, and remained there until 1833, when he moved to this county and settled on a farm of 160 acres of land which his father had entered for him in Eagle Township. Here Phillip married, February 22, 1836, Miss Elizabeth Fellers, who died March 6, 1841, leaving three children: Joshua, of Liberty Township, this county; Peter H., the subject of this sketch, and Simon W., in California (he married, May 26, 1876, Miss Volarian Dolora Lovisa Cheenecoff, of St. Petersburg, Russia). Phillip Powell's second wife was Miss Susanna Tussing, to whom he was married April 15, 1842; she died October 25, 1857; she had one child - Moses - born February 19, 1851, and died March 2, 1851. Mr. Powell afterward married, in October, 1861, Mrs. Magdalene Meisel. Phillip Powell died August 29, 1866, leaving an honorable record as a faithful man aud worthy pioneer citizen. The subject of this sketch married, March 24, 1861, Miss Catherine KE. Cogley, daughter of Jacob Cogley, and they settled where they now reside, in August, 1867. Here they purchased the interest of the heirs, and now own the homestead place of 160 acres of well improved land. Their children are Jacob S., Alice Altona, Simon Joshua, Emma Virginia, Mary Elmina and Clemens Laurence. Mr. Powell is a life-long Democrat. He was called upon to serve his township as trustee, and soon after, in the fall of 1872, was elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected in 1875, 1878, 1881 and 1884. He also holds the position of treasurer of Eagle Township, this county. Judge Powell discharges all his duties faithfully and honestly, and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. 1 He is a man of strict integrity, progressive, public-spirited, a valuable citizen, highly respected by the entire community.

CONRAD SCHMIDT (deceased) was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born in 1791. He married Miss Magdalena Otterbach, and they came to America with a family of seven children, in 1834, landing in Baltimore, Md. They hired a team to take them to Pittsburgh, and there hired another team to bring them out to Holmes County, Ohio. After living in that county four years they settled permanently in Eagle Township, this county, September 16 (Sunday), 1838, on land which our subject had entered in 1834. Mr. Schmidt had to open out the Lima road about one mile, to extend it to his residence. After living a long and useful life, Mr. Schmidt died in 1864, aged seventy-three years. Mrs. Schmidt died in 1860, aged seventy-five years. Their children were Mrs. Louisa Bauer, who died in Philadelphia, Penn.; John; Mrs. Catharina Doll, of Stockton, Cal.; Mrs. Rosa Ann Cogley; Christian; Michael and Mrs. Magdalena Fellers.

HENRY SHANK, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Findlay, was born in Fayette County, Penn., September 11, 1807, son of Jacob and Nancy (Stauffer) Shank, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. In 1834 Henry Shank moved West, and after spending eighteen years in Allen and Putnam Counties, Ohio, he ¢ame to this county, where he has since been successfully connected with his present industry. Mr. Shank was united in marriage, October 10, 1828, with Emily Fleming, who died in Allen County, Ohio, leaving nine children. Mr. Shank's second marriage was February 1, 1849, with Maria Coughenour, who bore him eleven children, the result of both unions being nine sons and eleven daughters, of whom one son and two daughters died in infancy, and three daughters died after reaching maturity. Mr. Shank is a worthy member of the Disciples Church. In politics he is a Republican.

REV. LYMAN SHARP, minister of the United Brethren Church, P. O. Findlay, was born in Eagle Township, this county, February 7, 1836. His father, Jacob Sharp, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, of Welsh descent, came with John D. Bishop to this county, about 1832, and entered 160 acres of land in Section 23, Eagle Township; he was a blacksmith by trade, and carried on a shop in that line on his farm for many years; in 1835 he married Miss Julia Ann Whitman, a native of Orleans County, N. Y., an only child. When Mrs. Sharp was an infant her mother died, and, her father being killed by the explosion of a cannon at Albion, N. Y., she was reared by her uncle, Benjamin O. Whitman, with whom she came to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sharp lived on their farm in Eagle Township, this county, until her death from cholera, in 1854. Jacob Sharp afterward married again, and after living about seven years in Hardin County, Ohio, he moved to Whitley County, Ind., and in 1867 to Clinton County, Mich., where he died July 5, 1871, in his sixty-third year. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, in Eagle Township, this county, and attended the schools of the home district, also one term in the Findlay school. He joined the United Brethren Church May 20, 1855. During his youth he was engaged in teaching; he taught for three terms in Eagle Township, this county, and two termsin Allen County, Ind. Mr. Sharp was united in marriage, October 16, 1859, with Miss Polly A. Line, who was born June 6, 1837, in Eagle Township, this county, daughter of the pioneer, Coonrad Line. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sharp settled where they now reside, in Eagle Township, this county, where they have a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have been born five children: Mrs. Catharine E. Reider, of Bowling Green, Ohio; J. C. Fremont; Matilda Jane; William Milton and Florence Luella. Mr. Sharp has been a devoted member of the church of his choice (United Brethren), and in 1859 he was licensed as an exhorter. In 1870 the quarterly conference gave him a license to preach, and in 1875 he was licensed by the annual conference, since which time he has been regularly engaged in the work of the ministry. He has filled the following circuits: Bellmore, two years; Bluffton, two years; Vanlue, one year; Blanchard, one year; Eden two years, and is now completing his second year on the West Independence Circuit. Mr. Sharp is very earnest in the cause of the gospel, devoting to it the best energies of his life. His wife and all his children, except the youngest, are members of the church. Our subject is a life-long Republican; has held the office of clerk of Eagle Township for one term, and takes a deep interest in public affairs. From May 2 to September 2, 1864, he served as a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirtyfourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards.

ISAAC SMITH (deceased) was born February 14, 1813, in Franklin County, Ohio, son of William and Christine (Tussing) Smith, of Pennsylvania. He married, November 19, 1832, Miss Mary B. Bishop, who was born May 22, 1816, in Franklin County, Ohio; a daughter of George and Catherine Bishop, and a sister of John D. and Henry Bishop, of Eagle Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Smith moved to Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1833, where our subject carried on a tan-yard for thirteen years. They then located in March, 1848, in Eagle Township, this county, where Mr. Smith cleared up and developed a fine farm of 240 acres of land, through which Eagle Creek flows. This farm was originally entered by John Woodruff, in 1829. He built a saw-mill on this farm in 1852, which he continued to operate until 1876. The children born to the union of our subject and wife were Mrs. Catherine Himrod; Eve, who died in infancy; George, who died at the age of seventeen years; Mrs. Julia Ann Lanning; Jacob B.; John, who died June 6, 1888, in his forty-second year; Henry (see under); Mrs. Mary Fellars, now in Wood County, Ohio; Sydney Ann, who died in infancy, and Emma. Isaac Smith died August 10, 1869. He was a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church for about thirty years, with which denomination he and his wife united the same day. In politics Mr. Smith was a Democrat. He took an earnest interest in public affairs. His widow and her son, Henry, and daughter, Emma, now reside on the family homestead.

HENRY SMITH, farmer, P. O. Findlay, son of Isaac and Mary B., (Bishop) Smith, was born November 3, 1845. He married, October 11, 1874, Miss Eliza Adelia Bibler, daughter of John Bibler. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith have been born four children: Charles H., John C. Mary H. and Arnott L. Mr. Smith is an earnest Democrat. He is one of the enterprising and representative farmers of Eagle Township.

REV. JACOB B. SMITH, farmer, and minister of the Baptist Church, P. O. Findlay, was born October 21, 1841, in Adams Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. His father, Isaac Smith, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, married Miss Mary Bishop, and moved in a very early day to Seneca County, Ohio, where he carried on a tanning establishment, which he operated until 1848, when he moved to Eagle Township, this county. Here he purchased a new farm of 240 acres of land and began clearing and developing it. He and his worthy wife were members of the Predestinarian Baptist Church from early life. Isaac Smith was a consistent supporter of the Democratic party. He rendered valuable services in the settlement of this portion of Hancock County. He was prostrated by heat in 1863, which resulted in heart disease, causing his death in 1869. His widow still resides on the homestead farm. Rey. Jacob B. Smith, the subject of this sketch, spent his early life on his father's farm. Beginning in 1863 he taught school five winter terms, with uniform and undoubted success. August 10, 1864, he became united in marriage with Miss Eliza Helms, of Madison Township, this county, who died July 9, 1873, leaving three children: Edson K., Laura I. and Nellie I.; the latter died April 10, 1881, aged seven years and nine months. December 13, 1874, Mr. Smith was again married, this time to Miss Evalina Barnd, and they have two daughters living, Orpha and Elva, and have buried three infants. Mr. Smith united with the Predestinarian Baptist Church in 1869, and was ordained a minister thereof in 1874. He has devoted his services unselfishly to the cause of his church most of the time since his ordination. Mr. Smith is one of the leading aud most able ministers of the Sandusky Association. Being a life-long Democrat he has taken an active interest in public affairs. He has served his township five years as clerk, and six years as assessor. He was chosen justice of the peace in 1879 and has held the position ever since. He discharges his duties faithfully and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He carried on a mercantile establishment in Findlay, Ohio, with Charles Elms as partner, from 1871 to 1874, when he moved back to the farm, which he owns, comprising 140 acres of well improved land in Eagle Township. He is a man of extensive and varied abilities, having carried on, successfully, a blacksmith shop on his place since 1864, doing work for an extensive community. He has also been very successful in the carpenter business; he built his own very large and commodious house, also several residences and barn buildings in this township and in Findlay, also in Dunkirk, Hardin Co., Ohio. He is a man of wonderful energy and excellent judgment, and is called upon to transact business for his neighbors for miles around. He is bringing up a bright young family who are taking a high position in society and business.

DAVID ZOLL, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Bloom_Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, September 11, 1812. His parents, Jacob and Mary Ann (Alspach) Zoll, were natives of Schuylkill County, Penn., and among the earliest settlers of Fairfield County, Ohio. They started with teams for this county, April 15, 1834, and landed April 22, in Eagle Township, where they settled on a tract of 240 acres of land which Jacob Zoll had entered the year before, and at once began to clear up and improve their land. Jacob Zoll departed this life in July, 1861, and his widow in August, 1880, aged eighty-three years. They were parents of nine children: David, Mrs. Ellen Oman, Mrs. Elizabeth Alspach, John, William, Mrs. Mary Ann Fellers (deceased), Joshua, Josiah and Eli. Our subject came to this county with his parents, and married, March 14, 1839, Sarah Crist. He and his wife settled where they now reside, and here they have a fine farm of eighty acres of well improved land. Their union has been blessed with nine children, four of whom are now living: Mrs. Mary Jane Hartman, Rufus R. of Bluffton, Ohio; Jacob W. and William H. They lost three of their children in one week by diphtheria, in October, 1862. Mr. Zoll is a life-long Democrat; has served as township treasurer for ten years. He and his worthy wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the honored pioneers of Eagle Township, a valuable citizen, highly respected by the community.

JAMES T. ADAMS, manufacturer, Findlay, was born in Perry County, Penn., April 22, 1825; son of William and Elizabeth (Ball) Adams, who came here in 1860. William Adams was a worthy minister in the Church of God and died here in 1882, leaving four sons and three daughters: Mary Ann, deceased wife of Leyi Tarr, of Wood County, Ohio; James T.; Sarah J.; Elizabeth, wife of John Ferguson, of Liberty Township, this county; William B., hardware merchant, of Curunna, Ind.; John and Newton, prominent business men in Findlay. The subject of our sketch served an apprenticeship to the tinsmithing business in his native county, and, upon coming to Findlay, Ohio, in 1854, embarked in hardware, tin and stone business. In 1862 he engaged in linseed oil manufacturing, with which he remained successfully connected for twenty years, retiring from it to give his more especial attention to his already extensive foundry business, in which he had become interested some years previous. He married, in Richland County, Ohio, in 1849, Harriet L., daughter of Peter Bodine, by whom he has one son and one daughter: Frederick C., and Lizzie B., wife of John A. Weeks, Jr. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Adams has been an Odd Fellow for over forty years. He has always avoided holding public office, but has served in the council for sixteen years and is now a worthy member of the school board of Findlay. In politics he is a Republican.

JOHN ALTMAN, builder and contractor, Findlay, was born in Marion Township, this county, March 6, 1837; son of John and Delilah (Young) Altman, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and, who came of worthy pioneer ancestry in their respective States. They settled in this county in 1832. Of their nine children seven are residents of this county. One son resides in Allen County, Ohio, and one, Henry, lost his life in the army during the war of the Rebellion. John Altman, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, but at the age of twenty-four years he engaged in contracting and building, and has taken a leading part in that industry in this county, both in private building and public improvements. In 1857 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wingate, who died in 1864, in full communion with the United Brethren Church. Of her three daughters and one son, only one daughter survives: Eliza, wife of Henry Dillman, a saddler, in Findlay. The deceased are John Wilbur, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Ida May and Lillie, both of whom died young. For his second wife John Altman married, in 1870, Amanda, daughter of William and Harriet Burns, and by her he has four children: Orpha Caroline, Edward Orrin, Augusta Millard and an infant daughter. Our subject and wife aftend the services of the Evangelical Union Church. He has, in company with William Presnell, Esq., an extensive stone quarry in addition to his large building interests, and gives employment to a goodly number of skilled workmen. Mr. Altman is a public-spirited man and contributes liberally to all measures calculated to benefit his county.

Va., February 8, 1810;'son of John and Mary (Dane) Baker, natives Virginia, who snd to Ohio in 1812 and located in Madison Township, Franklin County, where they remained until 1830, when they removed to this county, settling in Findlay Township, and here passed the remainder of their days. They had nine children, of whom two are now living: Reuben, in Kosciusko County, Ohio, and Aaron. The subject of this sketch was married, January 29, 1833, to Mary Hartley, and by her he had ten children (seven of whom are now living): Tabitha, wife of Joseph Wagoner; Benjamin P.; Perry D.; Hester A., wife of Emory Rice; John W., who was a soldier in the One Hundred and Highteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Howard, and was killed in a skirmish in Tennessee; Diana, wife of George Sager; Elizabeth, wife of John Sager; Reuben Hes Isaiah M. and Lurie, wife of Mason Bibler. Mr. Baker began his business career one mile and a half northeast of Findlay, Ohio, where he remained for nineteen years. He then sold and afterward purchased the John P. Hamilton farm, which had been entered by Mr. Hamilton during President Monroe's administration. This farm, which is located on the bank of the Blanchard fork, Mr. Baker improved. Our subject is a well-to-do farmer; in politics a stanch Republican.