Jackson Township (part 1 of 7)

Jackson Township

JACKSON presents a variety of soil, from light sand and gravel to heavy clay. The township is marked by the number of streams which course through it, all little tributaries of the Upper Ottawa or Hog Creek. The village of Lafayette, on Section 28, is the principal market town. The location of this village is on the P., Ft W. & C. R. B., in the center of a rich agricultural district, with churches and schools within its boundaries, rendering it at once an agreeable place of residence and a prosperous business town. The north part of Maysville village, (referred to in the history of Auglaize), occupies the extreme southeastern comer of Section 36. Beaver Dam, in Richland Township, on the L. E. & W. R. R. offers a convenient market village to the residents of the northern sections of Jackson. The stone quarries, referred to in speaking of the geology of the county, offer a good quality of waterlime rock. The quarries, three miles west of Lafayette, worked by Jacob

Caster, produoe a rock about eight inches thick. The excavation is abont twenty feet The Cloore quarries, near the village of Lafayette, produce a stone of equally good quality, but not so heavy.

The population of Jackson is 1,803, including 833 in Lafayette village, showing fifty inhabitants to the square mile. During the four years ending in March, 1885, the population has increased about 200.

A petition of the establishment of Jackson was presented to the Commissioners' Board June 6, 1831, which resulted in setting off all of Township 3 south, Range 8 east, the eastern half of Town* ship 3 south, Bange 7 east, and northern tier of sections of Township 4 south, Bange 8 east, and continuation of that line in Bange 7. In December, 1833, Auglaize and Perry claimed their sections, and in December, 1834, Bath claimed her eastern sections from Jackson, and the township was organized as a congressional township, under its original name. William Watt, William Beeee and Thomas Nash were the first trustees, John Jamieson the first Justice of the Peace and Joseph Hall the first Clerk.

The settlement of Jackson may be said to date back to 1827, when Jacob Hawk purchased the first parcel of public lands in Township 3 south, Bange 8 east The actual settlement began a few years later, and six years after 1830, every section of the township claimed an occupying proprietary. A reference to the Assessment Boll of 1834, given in the chapter on Settlement and Occupation, will give a clear idea of the names of those who are entitled to the honor of opening up the wilderness. In the same chapter a brief mention is made of the pioneers, while in the biographical history of the county the true history of its settlement and progress is very fully treated. The value of the subjoined list of original purchasers of United States lands in this township cannot be under-estimated - it forms the basis of the township's history.

In 1833, a sohoolboase was erected on Section 24, where Thomas Hall taught school. Opposed to this is the statement of Mrs. Nancy Ann (Vincent) Cunningham, that she presided o^er the first school, District No. 6, in 1838, and in 1839 taught school in a deserted cabin east of the site of the present village of Lafayette. She further states that her father's (William Vincent) house was generally used for religious meetings, there being neither school nor church buildings in the town in 1837, nor even for some years later. The school statistics give the following facts regarding the township schools : The receipts in 1884 were $7,616.48, against $5,488.54 expended. There are eleven school buildings, two of which were erected in 1884. The enrollment is 444 - 240 boys and 204 girls. The statistics of the Lafayette Special District are as follows : The receipts for 1884 were $996.42 ; expenditures, $706.33. The number of pupils enrolled is 93 - 48 boys and 45 girls. Two male teachers presided in 1884.

Lafayette Village

Lafayette, in Section 28, Jackson Township, is a village laid out in regular blocks. It was platted by William B. Weyer. The original town comprises the tract north of Sugar street, extending from a point just west of Church street to the eastern boundary, all north of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R Weyer's Western and Southern Additions and Craig's Eastern Additions all bounded south by Jefiferson street, together with the First Addition to original town, comer of Sugar and High streets, comprise the village of the present time. The very name is an index to the character of the people. It was selected to perpetuate a great and useful name in the midst of the wilderness, and to be a lesson in itself to the youth who would grow up here.

The location of the village, eight miles east of Lima, on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is pleasant, healthy and convenient. The altitude above Lake Erie is about 255 feet, the situation is in the midst of a rich agricultural district, dotted with substantial buildings, orchards, and all the pleasing characteristics of a prosperous farming community.

On September 3, 1807, the Commissioners fipranted authority to organize the village of Lafayette. M. G. Mnmagh was agent for petitioners. The first election was held March 13, 1868. William Smith, William Maginnis and T. W. Corbett were appointed Judges, James Fookes and S. Knoble, Clerks of Election. M. C. Mumagh was elected Mayor, Samuel Knoble, Recorder, Lafayette Boeencrans, J. W. Umbaugh, Sam. Brantner, Sam. Lyebrand and Elijah Ferguson, Councilmen ; Harvey Smith, J. B. Cornell and David Howard, Road Trustees.

The Postmasters of the village since 1853 were George E. Strayer, 1853; Robert Mehaffey, 1857; Samuel Lyebrand, 1861; D. Einzie,1865, and Jeremiah Bechtel, 1878-85.

The physicians of the village previous to 1844 were Samuel Jones, Dr. Littlefield and David Watson. In 1844 Dr. Newton Sager (one of the quartet of medical practitioners who remained in the county since pioneer times), arrived; Dr. Howe in 1849; William Kyle, Jones, Broughton and Hollaway, came in between 1854 and 1864; Dr. Hill in 1869; Dr. Remage in 1871, Dr. Sager, Jr., in 1871, and Dr. A. S. Rudy in April, 1884.

Christian Church, - Among the original members of this society were Daniel Cloore and wife, William Akerman and wife, Nathan Hawk and wife, S. G. Heath and wife, John Akerman and wife, J. L. B. Leatherman and wife, Solomon Binkley and wife, John Staley and wife, Joseph Hall and wife, William Sudduth, James Evick and wife. The pastors of this church were Michael Martz, the first preacher and organizer, Samael Hardesty followed him, then William Gander, G. B. Gamer, M. W. C. Bimer, H. H. Holverstott, 1880-83, and the present pastor Mr. Bimer. In 1860 the society erected their hoose of worship, t This building and lot are valued now at $2,000. The membership is seventj-five.

In 1851 the first quarterly meeting ivaslield. Lafayette Circuit was established in 1858. W. A. Baker, Chaplain Forty-sixth Ohio Lif antry appointed in 1861, died August 25, 1862. During this year also the war and anti-war parties credited much trouble within the church. Li 1867 Liberty Chapel was made a regular appointment. The brick house of worship was erected during Mr. Miller's first term. In 1876 the brick house of worship at Salem was erected and dedicated June 4, that year.

The Lafayette Circuit comprises Liberty Chapel, Zion, Perry Chapel, Salem and Lafayette. The membership of the church at Lafayette is 42; of that at Liberty, 40; at Zion, 16; at Perry, 87, and at Salem, 60, or a total membership of 245.

Sugar Lodge 513, A. F. d A. 3f., Lafayette, was chartered October 18, 1876, with the following charter members: Samuel Enoble, M. 0. Mnmaugh, J. L. Mans, P. M. Hall, Newton Sager, J. W. Umbangh^ James Fookee, N. Sager, Jr., B. Mehaffey, W. H. MoGinnees, 0. F. Neff, William Akerman.

Dexter QiJbert Post, No, 417, Lafayette, was chartered March 10, 1884, with W. £. Gmbb, Commander; Harvey D. Parmenter, Adjutant; B. Bechtel, P. Y. ; William Hall, Senior Vice; F. Beohtel, D. Howe- Tille, Asa Bansbottom, S. Flemming, W. B. Weyer, B. F. Annspaogh^ W. Sndith, G. Fisher, J. Tnllis, E. Bowers, John Hall, W. A. Flemming, Thomas Shrider, and Thomas Tnllis. The Post now numbers about forty members. The Post room is located in Mr. Mumaugh's house. The Post was named after Dexter Gilbert, one of the first soldiers of Allen County who fell in the War of 1861-65.

The Pittsburgh, Ft Wayne & Chicago Bailroad runs through Jackson Township and Lafayette Village ^rom east to west, and the postoffices are Herring and Maysville.

JOHN AKERMAN, farmer, P. O. Herring. The father of our subject, William Akerman, was bom Id Onmberland County, Penn., April 17, 1810, and came to Perry County, Ohio, with his parents when but five years of aga On arriving at maturity he removed to Morgan County, Ohio, where he lived till 1834 when he came to this county and entered 120 acres of wild land, placing the same under cultivation ; he also added other land, and at the time of his death owned 254 acres. He held several offices of trust in the township and filled the office of county commissioner four full terms. He was a son of John and Nancy (Baird) Akerman of Pennsylvania. He was married May 9, 1838, to Miss Eezia Carroll, who was bom in Morgan County, Ohio, May 17, 1814, daughter of Andrew and Letitia (Beech) Carroll, of Pennsylvania. They were parents of thirteen children : Samuel B., Nancy (deceased), John, William H. (deceased), Maria J., Andrew J. (deceased), James M. Mary S., David C. (deceased), Albert J., Newton, Letitia (deceased), and Eezia. Mr. Akerman had one brother, John, and two sisters, Maria and Jane. He died October 9, 1878. Mrs. Akerman had three sisters - Margaret, Sabina and Ruth. John Akerman, the subject of this sketch, was bom May 12, 1838, in Allen County, Ohio, and has always been a farmer. He enlisted in Company I, Forty -sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was under command of Gen. Sherman nearly four years taking part in all general engagements from Pittsburg Landing to the close of the war; was promoted to sergeant in May 18, 1863; first lieutenant in September, 1864, and had command of a company till mustered out He was a charter member of Dexter Gilbert Post, No. 206 G. A. B. ; is a member of Sager Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the P. of H. ; he a member of the Christian Church, and president of Northwestern Ohio Christian Conf erenca For four years Mr. Akerman was township trustee in Hardin County, where he lived from 1865 till 1872, and the following nine years he lived in Paulding County, Ohio, where he improved a farm of forty acres; was trustee five years and justice of the peace three years, and land appraiser one year. Mr. Akerman married October 81, 1858, Sarah A., daughter of Christian and Eve (Stumbaugh) Fisher, bi>rn in Perry County, Ohio, September 15, 1840. To this union were bom ten children : Norton, William N,. ^Emma M., Eugene, Charles H. (deceased), Loren E., John J. (deceased), Junetta, Newton and Cora. Our subject in politics is a Democrat

SOLOMON H. ARNOLD, farmer and county infirmary director, P. O. Herring, was bom in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, August 10, 1843; sod of Hickman and Martha (Garree) Arnold; former, a son of Solomon and Barbara (Stonebrook) Arnold, early settlers of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, was born in 1820. died in 1848 (he was a captain in the Ohio National Guards in an early day); latter was born near Bridgeport, Ohio, and is still living. To them were bom two children - Solomon H. and Joseph. Our subject's mother's second husband is Samuel Fackler, by whom she has eight children: Philip H., Catharine, Isaac, Simon, Eva, Henderson, Samuel and Maggie. Our subject was reared on a farm and his educational advantages were limited to the common schools. He was but four years old when his father died and but ten when his mother again married. He remained at home until he attained his twentieth year, then commenced working at odd jobs. In 1853 his mother and step- father moved to this county, locating near Beaver DauL The first real estate Mr. Arnold owned was 100 acres of wild land in Paulding County, Ohio, and he paid for the same by day-labor. In 1864 he went to Bureau County, III, to work in a mill, but soon after enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry with Capi E. B. Virden, going into camp at Peoria. He was mustered into service June 6, and eventually his regiment relieved the One Hundred and Twenty-Second at Cairo. He took no part in active engagements, but was busily employed as clerk in the commissariat department and in transporting prisoners up and down the river. He received an honorable discharge in October 1864, and for a time worked at the carpenter's trade. January 25, 1866, Mr. Arnold married Miss Sarah Mi lliken, who was bom in Bichland County, Ohio, August 27, 1843, and to them were born six sons: Thomas, Ernest B., William, Joseph F., Carrie C. and Elsworth. Since his marriage our subject has followed the occupation of a farmer, and located in Jackson Township, in this county. In 1871 he sold out and purchased a farm of J. Wood, paying him the sum of $6,000. He erected in 1882 the first brick residence in this vicinity. He has dealt more or less extensively in stock in addition to his other farm interests. Mr. Arnold was a charter member of a grange which has since been removed and is now called Battlesnake Grange. He is class-leader of the West Point Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is an active Democrat. Having received the nomination, Mr. Arnold was elected county infirmary director at the fall election of 1883, and has since performed the duties of the office with honor to himself and to the full satisfaction of the people.

T. W. CORBET, Evangelical Lutheran minister, P. O. Herring, was bom in Guernsey County, Ohio, January 12, 1819, eldest child of Peter and Elizabeth (Barber) Corbet, natives of England. Peter Corbet came to America about 1806, when eighteen years of age. His death occurred August 4, 1855; his wife died in the fall of 1839. Two of their ten children died young, and those who grew to maturity are Thomas W. , Sarah A., Rachel R., Peter (an M. D.), Adam, Joseph, Elizabeth and Rev. John B. At the age of twenty years our subject entered the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, where he finished a curriculum, grackiating in 1844. He also took a course in theology at Gettysburg Seminary, and soon after entered u pon the duties of his chosen profession in his native county as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has labored as such in Perry, Van Wert, Hardin and Allen Counties, coming to the latter county in 1860 and locating in Lafayette, Jackson Township, where he has since resided, and where for twenty years he has filled the office of school director. His health having failed to such an extent as to cause his partial retirement from aotive life, he accepted the office of jostlce of the peace, to which he was elected in 1882, and the duties thereof he has filled with honor to himself and to the full satisfaction of the people. His firat marriage occurred November 1, 1840, with Elizabeth G. Robins, who was bom July 9, 1832, daughter of John and Mary Robins, natives of England, and early settlers of Guernsey County, Ohio, where Mrs. Corbet was bom. To this union were born six children: Emma C. (wife of M. Contris), William H. (treasurer of Van Wert County, Ohio), Mary E., Charles M., ElJa A. and Edward H. Politically our subject is a Democrat

WILLIAM CRAIG, farmer, P. O. Herring, was bom in Fayette County, Penn., January 19, 1804; sou of Joseph and Elenor (Sargent) Craig. Joseph Craig was a son of William and Martha (Lytle) C^ig, born in New Jersey in July, 1776, killed by a falling tree in 1824. Elenor Craig died in 1812, leaving four children: Andrew, William, Joseph and Richard, of whom William is the only survivor. Joseph Craig married, for his second wife, Susan (Coughenour) Bright, who died in about 1820, leading two daughters: Sarah and Elenor. (Elenor is the wife of John Lilly, of Brownsville, Penn., and mother of five children: William, Robert, Ira, John and Joseph). Sarah now lives with her brother William. Our subject received a limited education, and early in life served an apprenticeship to learn the chair making and painting trades, which occupations he followed several years. He came to Adams County, Ohio, in 1822, from there removing to Highland County, and while here he entered land in 1835 in Alien County, and four years after removed to the same. He cleared about 100 acres of this land, and in 1868 came to the farm, which is still his home. Mr. Craig has retired in a measure from active life, although the management of his farm has been under his directions He has also been quite an extensive stock grower. Mr. Craig was married in 1825 to Sarah Taylor, who died in 1840. She bore him ond son who grew to maturity - Richard, a farmer in Iowa. (He married Mary McDougal, of Davenport, and by her has three children: William, Mary and Sarah.) In politics our subject has been a lifelong Democrat

THOMAS DOTSON, farmer, P. O. Herring, was bom in Ross County, Ohio, March 20, 1836, son of Charles and Mary M. (Debenbaugh) Dotson, former a native of Pennsylvania, who in his younger days was a teamster, making nine trips over the Rocky Mountains, once widi a drove of hogs. Although of a quiet nature he was a public-spirited man and took an active part in public improvements. He died July 4, 1862, aged fifty-eight years, seven months, eight days. His wife was bom in Pennsylvania, reared in Fairfield County, Ohio, died January 28, 1847, aged thirty -seven years, eleven months. They had twelve children: Rufos, Catherine, Samuel, Daniel, Thomas, Hannah, Caroline, Stephen, Charles, - Mary, Isaac and Sarah. Mary and Thomas are the only residents of Allen County at present Our subject was but six years of age when his parents removed to this county, locating in Shawnee Township, where he grew to maturity. He obtained a common school education, and at the age of eighteen years entered upon his career in life as a farmer, which he has made the occupation of his life. From the date of his marriage till

1871, be rented a farm, bat in that year porohased the property where he now lives. He has been a hard-working, energetic man. and as a resalt of hardships and exposure soffers more or less from inflammatory rheumatism, but his farm is carried on under his management by the assistance of his children. Having been early in life thrown upon his own resources, his property is the accumulation of years of labor, and the appearance of his farm denotes him to be a practical farmer. September 28, 1854, Mr. Dotson married Susanna Betz, who was bom in Boss County in 1833, and came to this county in 1842. She was reared by Isaac Hefifner, her mother having died while she was an infant. To our subject and wife were bom eleven children: Caroline (deceased), Clara (wife of J. W. McClure), Isaac, Eliza, Stephen, Thomas, Mary, Albert, Eatie, Jacob and Milly.

ISAAC DOTSON, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Shawnee Township, this county, July 81, 1859, son of Thomas and Susanna (Betz) Dotson. He received a common school education and entered upon his career in life as a farmer. He has resided on his present farm six years, and boars the reputation of being an enterprising young man, and is regarded as one of the rising young farmers of Jackson Township. He makes no specialty other than the usual crops and stock. Mr. Dotson married, Febraary 20, 1879, Miss Meliie May Shipley, who was bom May 80, 1862. They have one child, Pearly Lewis Delino, born August 20, 1880. Mrs. Dotson is the only survivor of the five children of Benedict and Samantha (Durbin) Shipley, natives of *Enox County, Ohio, and who came to this county in lo68. Mr. Shipley died August 19, 1880; his vndow survives. Our subject is a consistent member of the German Beformed Church. In politics he is an active Democrat.

E. LINCOLN DUBBIN, hardware merchant. Lafayette, was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 3, 1860, third in the family of ten children of Samuel and Bachel (Shipley) Durbin, natives of Knox County, Ohio, and now living in Auglaize Township, this county. Mr. Durbin was married September 21, 1882, to Miss Mary F. Cook, daughter of William H. Cook, and bom in Putnam County, Ohio. November 27, 1861. Their only boy, Charles Elsworth, was bom August 1, 1883. Our subject's earliest recollections are of Allen County, his parents having located in Auglaize Township in 1866. He finished his education at the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, and embarked upon his business career at Lafayette in June, 1882, purchasing the hardware stock of S. W. Merchant. By close attention to business, and through his courteous manner in attending to the wants of his customers, his trade steadily increased, necessitating an increase of stock, which he has made in proportion to the demand, his sales amounting to nearly $4,000 per year. In connection with his other stock Mr. Durbin also handles a line of agricultural implements. He and his wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Durbin is a member of the Council; politically he is a Bepublican.

LEMUEL EVEBSOLE, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Herring, was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 30, 1829; son of Peter and Bebecca (Snyder) Eversole, natives of Perry C^ounty, Ohio. They were the parents of seven children who grew to maturity; Eliza, Catherine, Francis,

Nancy (deceased), Lemuel, Rebecca and Daniel. When our subject was but two years of age his parents removed to Blackswamp, in Sandusky County, Ohio, where they both died in 1835, within a month of each other. Our subject was thus early thrown on his own resources, and his educational advantages were necessarily limited to a few months each year in the common schools. At the death of his parents he returned to Perry County, and until he arrived at the age of seventeen years resided with his uncle, John Eversole. He then served as apprentice to the carpenter trade for three years, and received for his labors the sum of $30 and his clothes; three months after his time was out he went to California, and for about two years engaged in mining and constructing gold washers. Soon after his return East, in the spring of 1852, he purchase^ wild land in Allen County, Ohio, and during the winter of that yoiur^ worked for Mussey & Winn, of Lima, at cabinet-making. Iha4(^owing six years he worked at his trade in the eastern part of the county, and during this time sold his land and purchased the farm of 320 acres upon which he now resides, and on which he has made all the improvements, having placed it under a state of cultivation, making it second to none in this vicinity. He erected in 1872 a fine bank bam, and in 1875 a fine brick residence, among the first in the township. Li May, 1864, our subject enlisted, and was appointed second corporal of Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio National Guards in the 100 days' service with Capt. King, of Delphos. Mr. Eversole was married, July 8, 1855, to Miss Sarah Nash, born in Jackson Township, this county, July 11, 1837, daughter of Thomas and Bebecoa (Akins) Nash, who were among the early settlers of the county, former deceased, latter now living at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. To the union of our subject and wife were bom twelve children: George W., of Van Wert County, Ohio; Eliza J. (wife of L. B. Harrod), Frank J. (in California), John E., Charles' A., Elva C, Daniel B., Nettie B., Lemuel N., Aura D., Balph and an infant (deceased). While a resident of Perry County Mr. Eversole united with the I. O. O. F., and was one of the charter members of the Order at Lima. He has been a consistent member of the Christian Church about three years; is one of the present township trustees; is a school director. For several years he has been considered among the most extensive as well as successful stock-raisers of the neighborhood. In politics he has always been a stanch Bepublican.

JOSEPH FISHER, farmer, P. O. Herring, was bora in Perry County, Ohio, August 3, 1828, son of Christian Fisher, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, and died August 22, 1863, aged sixty-six years. Christian Fisher came to Allen County in 1854, and held several offices of trust in this and Perry Counties. His widow, nee Eve Stombaugh, was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 12, 1810, and is still living. They were parents of eleven children: Levi, Joseph, Margaret, Elizabeth, Eve, Charles, Sarah, Hannah, Catherine, Franklin and Frederick. Five of the above are still living, Charles, Sarah and Joseph being residents of this county. Our subject received a common school education, and remained with his parents until after arriving at maturity. In 1854 he came to Allen County, and located upon the farm which is still his home, and which is now under such a state of cultivation as to denote a thrifty owner. Mr. Fisher o^nis ninety-one acres. He owned the first separator in this vicinity, and for twenty seasons followed threshing. He was also among the first to adopt the new agricultural implements, such as mowers, reapers, etc. Under Gen. Sherman he serred his country nearly four years, having enlisted in Company I, Forty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. Our subject was married January 27, 1850, to Jemima Stockberger, of Perry County, born January 14, 1830, and to this union six children were bom: Mary A. (wife of J. H Umdaugh), Benjamin F., Almanary (wife of James W. King), Noah (deceased), Martha ElDora and Sarah. Mrs. Fisher is a daughter of George and Christine (Boyer) Stockberger, of Pennsylvania, who settled in Perry County, Ohio, in 1804; the father died in 1846, the mother in 1850. They were parents of thirteen children: Sarah, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Nancy, Susan, Catherine, Christine, Hannah, George, Solomon, Jemima and Joseph. Our subject is an active member of Dexter Gilbert Post, G. A. B., also of a grange; he has served as township trustee several terms; is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Politically he is a Democrat, and voted for Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. Hendricks.

HABBISON HEFFNEB, farmer, P. O. Herring, was bom in Bdsa County, Ohio, December 25, 1834 Isaac Heffner, the father of our subject, was prominent among the self-made men of this county. Commencing in life a poor man, with but a limited education, he eventually became one of the largest land owners of the county, and at the time of his death owned about f,500 acres of land, nearly all of which he had improved. He was bom in Pennsylvania, February 12, 1809, and when a child was taken by his parents tp Boss County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. In May, 1833, he married Mary May, bom in 1807, daughter of John and Mary (Strouse) May, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Boss County. In about 1842 Isaac Heffner came with his family to this county, and here erected the first brick house built in Jackson Township, where he died May 30, 1884. He was a very public-spirited man, and much credit is due him for the present state of development Jackson Township has obtained. He was the founder of the church deeded to the Christian denomination, although for years a member of the German Beformed Church. Our subject has resided upon his present farm since 1863. He is one of the most extensive stock dealers in this vicinity, his herd consisting of thoroughbred shorthorns. He was married April 30, 1863, to Miss Mahaley Ice, who was born in Auglaize Township, this * county, March 11, 1842, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Shelenberger) Ice, natives of Pennsylvania, and who are among the early settlers of Auglaize Township, this county. To this union were bom six children: Mary L., Charles E., Jennie A., Bison B., William G. and Harry H. Mr. Heffner has served the people of Jackson Township as trustee. He has for several years been identified with the German Beformed ChurclL In politics he is an active Democrat

ELIJAH HELSEB, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Perry County^ Ohio, October 20, 1815; son of John Helser, a farmer, bom in Virginia, and died in Perry County, where he was an early settler, and whose wife, Mary (Beisen), was also a native of Virginia. They were the parents of nine children: William (deceased), John, Daniel (deceased), Catherine

(deceased), Elijah, George, Peter, Levi and Mary. The Helser family are of German extraction, and their ancestors were among the colonists who settled in Virginia. Our subject was educated in the old subscription schools, and reared a farmer. Earlj in life he learned the trades of carpenter and cabinet-maker, which he followed in his native county about fourteen years, saving enough of his earnings during the time to buy 240 acres of wild land in this county, where he removed with his family in 1854. He has placed his land under a high state of cultivation, and in 1860 erected a large frame barn, which at that time was the best in the township. In 1875 he erected the second brick residence in the township. Mr. Helser has been an extensive stock grower, and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. He was married in 1841 to Eliza, daughter of Peter and Rebecca (Snyder) Eversole, and to this union were born nine children: John W. (married to Milly A. Sivitz), James G. (married to Sarah Long), Lemuel L. (married to Esther Ashum), Daniel O. (married to Ella Grant), Sarah A. (wife of F. R. Thompson, an M. D. in Nebraska), Mel vina, George E., Jennie F. and Peter F. (deceased). Our subject is a charter member of JacksonGranga Li politics he is a Democrat, voting first for Van Buren.

SOLOMON HUBER, farmer, P. O. Bluffbon, was bom in Richland Township, this county, October 24, 1851, eldest son of Jacob and Annie (Depler) Huber, former a native of Germany, latter of Swiss descent, early settlers of Richland Township (both now deceased). They were the parents of six children: Solomon, John (deceased), Matilda (deceased), William W., Jacob D., and John T. Our subject received a limited common school education, and commenced farming and stock- raising at the age of twenty-one, which he has since followed on the farm where he still resides. Mr Huber is a public 'spirited man and takes an active part in public enterprises and improvements, and deserves much credit for what he has done toward assisting in the development of this part of the county. As a farmer and stock-raiser, his aim is to excel, and a fine residence, substantial bam and cattle sheds bear testimony of his enterprise. He is an extensive breeder of and dealer in extra pure Poland- China hogs. Our subject was married September 12, 1875, to Mary M., daughter of Benjamin Franklin, born in Jackson Township, this county, January 26, 1856. Their only child now living, William Henry Perry, was bom June 7, 1876; those deceased are Annie E. and Matilda A. Mr. Huber since 1872 has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; p6litically he is a leader in the Democratic party. He has served two terms as road supervisor, and two years as school director, an office he still holds as clerk; is a member of township school board. In manner Mr. Huber is very quiet and peaceable, aiming to be the friend of alL He is highly respected by all who know him \ntimately, and stands among the best citizens of the township or county.

SAMUEL KNOBLE, dealer in stoves and tinware, Lafayette, was bom in Switzerland, July 27, 1830, son of Frederick and Anna (Zeiset) Knoble (both deceased). Of their nine children six are now living: Elizabeth, Ann, Susannah, Samuel, Mary and John. Those deceased are Frederick, Mary M. and an infant In 1834 our subject's parents immigrated to America, and in 1835 located in Wayne County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. In early life he serred an apprenticeship to the trade of tinsmith. In 1860 he removed to Allen Coanty, and for three years was engaged in business at Beaver Dam, and then removed his stock to Lafayette, this county, where he has since continued his business, and in 1876 took his eldest son, Henry, into partnership. In connection with the regular stock of stoves and tinware they handle agricnltaral implements, and make a specialty of roofing and spouting. In 1861, Mr. Enoble enlisted as musician in the Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry Band, serving one year. Mr. Knoble Was married, in 1854, to Jane E. Chitester, who was bom at Mount Eaton, Wayne County, Ohio, July 10, 1831, and their children are Henry, Sarah E. (wife of J. L Heath) and John G. telegraph operator. Henry was born March 27, 1855, married March 16, 1882 to Jennie Gansel, who bore him one child, Goldie, born March 16, 1883. Several years since our subject became a member of the Lodge, F. & A. M. at Massillon, Ohio, and at its organization became a charter member of Sager Lodge, 513, of Lafayette. He is identified with the Lutheran Church; politically he is a Democrat He has held the offices of township clerk and recorder of the corporation.

JOHN LONES, farmer, P. O. Herring, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 18, 1815, son of John and Mary Magdalene (Strickler) Lones. John Lones, the father of our subject, was bom in Shenandoah County, Va., and died about 1843, aged fifty- seven years. He was a farmer by occupation, an early settler of Faii*field County, Ohio. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, died about 1860, aged seventy-four years. They were parents of ten children, of whom eight grew to maturity: Catharine, Elizabeth, Leonard, Sarah, Lydia, Bebecoa, John and Bose Ann; only three of this family are now living. Our subject was reared on a farm and obtained his education in the old subscription schools. In 1838 he removed to this county, where he purchased eighty acres of land at $1.25 per acre, and he still resides upon the same to which he has added 160 acres. The old log hut which he erected within three weeks after his arrival in the county, is still standing, and is occupied by his son Levi. The one in which he now lives was built in 1850. Mr. Lones was one of the six founders of the Lutheran Church. He belonged to the old time militia both iji Franklin and Allen Counties in an early day. He was married, November 18, 1847, to Elizabeth Baker, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, January 9, 1814; she died January 4, 1Q84. She was the mother of twelve children: Samuel, Mary J., Mancy (deceased), William, Henry, Julia A. (deceased), Levi, Lucinda, Michael (deceased), Daniel (deceased), Susan and Aaron, all of whom except two grew to maturity. Our subject has been a life- long supporter of the Democratic party.

MOSES MoCLUER, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Allen County, Ohio, December 1, 1826; son of Samuel and Margaret (Watt) MoClner. Samuel McCluer was bom November 17, 1793, in Harrison County, Ky., where he lived till the war of 1812, in which he served as private. After the war he removed to Champaign County, Ohio, where he married Margaret Watt, who was bom July 6, 1800. Samuel McCluer was a very influential man, sober and upright, quick to decide right from wrong, choosing the former. He would willingly divide with those in need.

For many years previous to his death, which occurred December 20, 1876, he was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife bore him twelve children : Sarah A. , Nathaniel, Mary, Thomas, Moses, Elizabeth, Nancy, Cynthia, Margaret, Samuel, Robert and an infant. By his second wife - Elizabeth Patterson, born in 1824 - he had eleven children : John, Catherine, Isabel, James, Esther, Eliza, Joseph, Newton, Alexander, Benjamin and William. Eleven of his twenty-three children are still living, also his second wife. Our subject was the first white child born in this county, and at the time of his birth the nearest neighbor known to his parents was thirty miles distant. He remained with his parents until his twenty-third year, assisting in clearing a large tract of land, having always lived within three miles of his birth-place. His education was neglected, the object being at that time rather how to obtain food and raiment. Since arriving at manhood Mr. MoCluer has obtained a fair education, enabling him to transact all kinds of business ; he was administrator to his father's estate. His first real estate consisted of forty acres of wild land, which he has improved, as well as the additional 224 acres which he has made at intervals. He also owns 108 acres in Bath Township, which joins the old home farm. Our subject was married July 23, lo48, to Miss Elizabeth Murray, who was bom in Highland County, Ohio, Februarys, 1831, daughter of John Murray. She died March 7, 1855, having borne her husband four children, only two of whom were named : Martha (deceased) and Margaret T. Mr. McCluer was married October 18, 1855, on the second occasion, to Elizabeth K. Greer, of Montgomery County, Ohio, born January 18, 1836, daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (Pierson) Greer, of Kentucky and New Jersey respectively (they located in Bath Township, Allen County, in 1841). Mrs. McCluer is the mother of eight children : John M. (married to Clarissa Dotson), Isaac (married to Margaret Dotson), Rebecca (wife of J. Sweeter), Robert W. (married to Cora Bresler), Samuel L., Joshua G. , Moses A. and Cynthia A. Mr. McCluer owes no man. He is consulted upon and takes an active interest in all public improvements and enterprises, and has always been liberal in the support of public institutions. He was a Whig originally, but since its birth a member of the Republican party. He offered his services to his country during the war, but was not accepted on account of disability. For eight years he has been a consistent member of the Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church.

HARRISON MALTBIE, retired preacher, Lafayette, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 5, 1807 ; eon of Benjamin Maltbie. He was reared on a farm, and completed his education at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio. He joined the Presbyterian Church in 1828, and changed his membership to the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1842 ; was licensed to preach in 1844 ; ordained a deacon in 1851 ; entered the traveling connection in 1853 ; ordained an elder in 1857. He traveled as circuit preacher for twenty years in Allen, Hardin, Logan, Auglaize, Shelby, Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam and Hancock Counties, Ohio. In 1834 he purchased his first land in Shawnee Township, Allen County, and removed to the same with his family in 1847, they remaining there during his absence, while engaged in his professional duties.

He is now retired from active life, and become a supemamerary. Mr. Maltbie was married four times, first to Susannah Dowling, who bore him three children : Salas B., William F. and Margaret A. ; second to Nancj J. Wilkinson, who bore him one son - Thomas A.; third to Emily J. Wilkinson, who bore him one child (deceased in infancy); and fourth, April 4, 1882, to Mrs. Ann Moore (maiden name Ann Lochead), bom in Glasgow, Scotland, January 4, 1823 (she was thrice married, first to John Moore, second to Smith Moore, and by each of these had two children, all now deceased). Mr.. Maltbie has spent about fifteen years of his life in the schoolroom as teacher ; was county surveyor of Shelby County three years.

ROBERT MEHAFFET, real estate and stock dealer, Lafayette. Prominent among the self-made men of Allen County, is Robert Mehaffey, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, August 23, 1833. Until 1849 his life was spent upon a farm in his native land. In 1850 he arrived in America and took up his residence in Jackson Township, this county. His property at this time consisted of a sixpenny piece and a few articles in a valise. He attended school during the winter and labored during the summer, receiving as a compensation $6.00 per month. He came to Lafayette in 1852, and entered the employ of Dr. N. Sager, with whom he remained about seven years. He then purchased a stock of dry goods, and continued in business about eleven years, since when he has led a varied business career, dealing in real estate, farming, stock dealing, etc. Mr. MehaiFey was elected justice of the peace and served as such six years. In 1869 he was elected as clerk of the court and performed the duties of that office two terms with honor. In January, 1875, he was elected president of the First National Bank, of Lima. Three years later he severed his connection with the bank, and for several years remained out of that line of business, but eventually re-entered the organization and became president of the Merchant's Bank, of Lima, which office he still retains. His real estate business is very extensive, as well as his live stock interests, having for about thirteen years been one of the largest dealers in short-horn cattle in the county. He filled the quota for men during the war of the Rebellion, and was instrumental in clearing the township from draft; was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the state militia, under Gov. Tod. Mr. Mehaffey is a charter member of Sager Lodge, 513, F. & A. M., Lafayetta His brother, James, who accompanied him to America, died in St Louis, about 1867. August 19, 1856, Mr. Mehaffey was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Richardson, of Lima, who was bom January 5, 1834. This union has been blessed with three children, William R. (with Moore Bros., Lima, Ohio), Edith Alice (wife of Dr. Hill, of Toledo, Ohio) and George Edgar, at home.

MICHAEL MURRAY, farmer, P. O., Beaver Dam, eldest son of John W. and Dorcas (Widmire) Murray, was bom in Highland County, Ohio, November 24, 1826. After receiving a common school education he commenced farming, which has been the principal occupation of his life, and in which he has been very successful. Our subject was united in marriage November 6, 1851, with Miss Elizabeth Guthrie, who was bom in Licking County, Ohio, March 17, 1833. Her death occurred February

11, 1881. This union was blessed with eleven children, Mary J., Amerioa A. (deceased), Emma S. (deceased), James B. , Ellen, Sarah, John, Tabitha, Sydney, Lettie M. and an infant deceased. Daring the years 1863, 1864 oar subject served as assessor of the township, and in 1866 was elected justice of the peace, which latter office he filled with honor to himself two successive terms. He is an active member of Liberty Orange and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Democrat

JAMES W. MURRAY, farmer, P. O., Herring, was bom on the farm which is still his home, August 18, 1838. His father, John W. Murray, w&s bom in Pennsylvania in 1794, went to Highland County, Ohio, in 1807, came to this county in October, 1834, locating on Section 7, Jackson Township. He was a self-made man and very prominent in all public enterprises. He served as township trustee several times; although not in active service he was a volunteer in the war of 1812; his death occurred January 3, 1868. Sis wife, Dorcas {nee Widmire) Murray, was bom in Virginia, March 20, 1805, and is still living. They had a family of ten children, Michael, Sydna J., Elizabeth A. (deceased) John B., Robert R., James W., George W., William (deceased), and two infants deceased. Robert R. served three years in the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, during the civil war. Oar subject's education was limited to a few months each year in the common schools of the day, and farming has been the occupation of his life. He assisted in clearing the home farm, upon which he has made most of the modem improvements, in tihape of buildings, etc. January 23, 1862, Mr. Marray married Miss Bridget C. Boyd, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 6, 1844, daughter of Robert and Catherine (Crager) Boyd, who came to this county in 1844, and are still living. By this union were bom four children, James J., Leonia F., Charles E. and Wilbur B. (latter deceased). Our subject served the township as assessor in 1874-75 ; he is an active member of Liberty Grange 686; for fifteen years he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics he is a Democrat.

SANFORD P. PHILLIPS, farmer, P. O. Blufflon, was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 17, 1847; son of James and Mary (Hughs) Phillips, natives of Enox County, Ohio, and Pennsylvania respectively, and residents of Richland Township, this county. They were parents of eight children: Levi, Allen, Nelson, Shannon, Sarah (wife of E. Huber), John, James and Sanford P. Our subject's education was limited to the common schools, and he has made farming the principal occupation of his life. He was brought to this county in 1852, and grew to maturity in Richland Township. He came to his present farm in 1871, cleared the same and placed it under a high state of cultivation. During the year 1882 he erected one of the finest dwellings in this part of the township. Mr. Phillips was married March 3, 1870, to Miss Mary Huber, daughter of William Huber, born in Richland Township, this county, January 20, 1850, and to this union have been born two children: William Arthur, bom June 2, 1873, and James Archie, born January 20, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips also reared Sally Huber^ a younger sister of Mrs. Phillips, who was bom October 10, 1870. Mr. Phillips has for several years been

A. S. RUDT, physician and surgeon, Lafayette, was bom in Auglaize Township, this county, December 5, 1855; son of Frederick and Mary (Staley) Rudy, natives of Miami County, Ohio, and who were among the early settlers of Allen County, former born December 4, 1809, still living in Auglaize Township; latter died in 1859, leaving seven children who grew to maturity: Jacob, Shepherd, Caroline (now deceased), Sylvester, Anna (now deceased), Albert and Alice. Our subject up to the age of nineteen years, was employed upon a farm aad in attending the conmion schools of the neighburliood. During the fall of 1874 he attended the normal school at Ada, and taught school during the winter, his time being thus employed for several years, and about 1877 he became superintendent of the public schools at Westminster, Ohio, which position he held for a period of nine successive terms. He completed the scientific course at Ada, graduating in May 1881. Our subject had previously given his attention to the reading of medicine, and continuing the same he attended his firstjcourse of lectures in the medical depart ment of the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio. He entered the medical college of Ohio at Cincinnati, in September, 1883, graduating March 7, 1884. Having passed a very creditable examination he immediately entered on the practice of his profession at Lafayette, Ohio, where, through his thorough knowledge of and close attention to business, he has secured a practice justly due to years of labor, showing that much confidence is placed in his skill as a physician and surgeon. During his practice the Doctor has not lost a patient, and has successfully treated severe cases of typhoid fever, congestion of the brain, etc. He became a member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M. in April 1880; was formerly member of an order of Sons of Temperance. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

WILLIAM RUMBAUGH, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Bath Township, this county, July 9, 1834; son of W^illiam and Anna (Aldridge) Rumbaugh, of German and Scotch descent, respectively. William Rumbaugh, Sr., was bom in Virginia, August 6, 1792, and moved to Greene County, Ohio, at an early date with his parents, and came to Allen County in 1828, moving his family three years later. During the war of 1812 he was in camp twelve days, but was not mustered in. He was an enterprising, kind-hearted, benevolent man. He lived to see his twelve children married, dying January 8, 1868. His widow, who was bom in Pennsylvania, December 11, 1799, is still living. Their children were Jacob (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Mary, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Uriah (deceased), Lucinda, George, William, John, Anna (deceased), and Irena. Our subject remained upon the home farm until he was twentythree years of age. Soon after his marriage he turned his attention to learning the cooper trade, which for twenty years was his chief occupation. Three years he engaged in mercantile business, and four years owned and operated a grist- mi 11 at Lafayette. Owing to ill-health he eventually returned to agricultural pursuits, and in March, 1878, moved on his present highly cultivated farm of 187 acres, where he makes buying and selling stock a specialty. February 22, 1857, Mr. Rumbaugh married Miss Anner O. Brjte, a natiye of Ashland, Ohio, bom October 22, 1836, daughter of David Brvte, who was bom in Fayette County, Penn., in December, 1806, and whose parents a year later moved to Jefferson County, Ohio. He, David Bryte, followed teaching several years, and was twice sheriff of Kichland County, Ohio. He was one of the first infirmary directors of Allen County, where he lived a few years. He was a zealous Christian and an ardent Democrat; at his death his loss was universally mourned. His first wife, nee Mary Van Ostrain, lived but a short time; his second wife, nee Wealthy Slocum, was a descendant of Anthony Slocum, one of the forty-six original purchasers of the territory of Cohasset, now in Massachusetts. Mrs. Bryte was born in New York, January 16, 1816, and is still living, the mother of seven children: Anna O., Eliza (deceased), Harriet, Hannah (deceased), Amanda, John (deceased), and Alice A. To the union of our subject and wife were bom two children: Charles V. (a reporter for the Daily Republican of Lima), and Tully A. Mrs. Bumbaugh taught twenty-five terms in the common school and seven terms in the high school after her marriage. While in town our subject was for several years a member of the council and school board, and held other offices of trust. He enlisted in the 100 days' service in Company Q. Fifty- first Ohio National Guards, and served for the term of his enlistment; he was at Fort Beno in defense of Washington. For many years he has been a zealous Christian and Sabbathschool worker. In politics he is a Bepublican.

NEWTON SAGEB, physician, Lafayette, Ohio, bom in Union County, Ohio, October 31, 1817, is a son of Henry and Lovina (Haines) Sager, natives of Virginia, who became early settlers of Union County, Ohio. Henry was a farmer and blacksmith, he died about 1838, aged forty-seven years. His widow's death occurred in 1879. Four of their eight children are now living. Newton Sager's early life was spent on a farm, he receiving the foundation of his subsequent education in the common schools, and when nineteen years of age, entered Oxford University where he received a literary education. He afterward read medicine in Pleasant Valley, Madison Co., Ohio, and graduated from the old Jefferson Medical University in 1843. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Lafayette, Jackson Township, this county, where he has since resided. At that early date his ride ^tended many mi]es,the first settlements being scarce and practitioners correspondingly so. With the increase of population the call for his services also advanced and for months at a time he prescribed for as many as forty or fifty patients in a day, and could not possibly visit them oftener than once in two days. At times it was quite difficult to obtain supplies. This being a malarious district, quinine was'in great demand, and the supply at one time both in Lima and Kenton having been exhausted, the doctor was obliged to go to Piqua to purchase. As the demand for new remedies and drugs increascKi his stock eventually developed into a drug store, which he has managed for several years in connection with his professional duties. He has several times served the people as treasurer, and politically has for years been considered a leader of the Democratic party in this vicinity; he has always taken an active part in all public enterprises, especially those for the advancement of educational privi- leges; has been liberal also in the sapport of religious institutions, though not identified with any denomination. He joined the order of F. & A. M. at Lima, soon after the organization of the lodge at that place, and is a charter member of Sager Lodge at Lafayette, Ohio, which lodge he was instrumental in having established and which was named in his honor. The doctor came to this county a widower, having been previously manried to Miss Hannah, daughter of Daniel Custard, of Lima, she died in 1840, leaving a daughter - Areneta, since deceased. The doctor was married, on the second occasion, to Miss Bethiah Gilbert, of Vermont, bom in 1824. This union has been blessed with six children who grew to maturity : Newton Jr., Norvel (deceased), a graduate of Wesleyan University of Deleware, Annetta (wife of Wesley Biteman), Lovina (wife of D. Kinsley), Norton, a f arkner, Mary Bell (wife of Geo. B. Muir). Perkaps no man has done more for the development of this , part of Allen County than Dr. Sager, and to his efforts is due the locating, in a direct line, the Pittsburg, Ft Wayne & Chicago Bailroad from upper Sandusky to Lima.

NEWTON SAGEB, Jb., physician, Lafayette, was born in Jackson Township, this county, December 18, 1847, son of N. Sager. From the high school of the county our subject passed a year of study in Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio, and having previously read medicine with his father he took several courses of lectures at Ann Abbor, Mich., graduating in the medical department of Wooeter- University, at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1871. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in his native place, where he has gained a leading practice by a thorough knowledge of, and close attention to, business, and much confidence is placed in his skill as a physician and surgeon. He is an enthusiastic entomologist, and having given a great deal of time to the study of this branch of natural history, has perhaps the choicest collection of specimens in northwestern Ohio. Dr. Sager was married, April 4, 1871, to Sarah M Hughs, born December, 1, 1847, daughter of Hiram and Emily Hughs, of Knox County, Ohio, and to this union were bom two children: Grace, bom June 29, 1873, and Georgie, born, August 80, 1876. Our subject became a F. & A. M. in Ada, and was a charter member of Sager Lodge, 513, Lafayetta He has been treasurer of the township two years; is an active member of the Democratic party.

JACOB STEMPLE, farmer, P. O. Ada, Hardin County, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, July 28, 1826. Jacob Stemple, father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, born in 1702. He served in the war of 1812, under Gen. Harrison, and was captain of early militia companies of Carroll and Columbiana Counties, where he removed from Virginia in 1816; was also a justice of the peace several years. He died in 1859. Eve Easterday, his wife, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1797; died in 1850. They were parents of eleven children: Catherine, Susan (deceased), Martin, David, Jacob, Louisa (deceased), Eve, Melancton (deceased), Levi, Barbara and Milton (the latter served three years in the war of the Rebellion in the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry), and David, who is now a resident of Carroll County, Ohio, was in the 100 days' service Ohio National Guards, with our subject. Jacob Stemple, Jr., remained with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, at which time he entered on his career in life as a farmer. He came to this county in 1849, and located on land he had purchased from his father, to whom the land grant was made in 1835. He has improved a farm of 120 acres, having placed the same under a high state of cultivation. During the Rebellion, Mr. Stemple enlisted in Company O, and was soon transferred to Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio National Guards, in 100 days' service, under command of CoL Marble, of Delphos, Ohio, with Gapt King, and was stationed at Fort Beno, in defence of Washington. Our subject was married, March 5, 1855, to Miss Mary Earnst, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, May 21, 1835. She has borne him ten children: Elizabeth A. (wife of J. H^ Smith), Luther M. (deceased), Milton A. (married to Jennie ShAw), John L., Margaret L. (wife of S. Snyder), Emma S., Clara A. (wife of F. Jennings), Sarah J., Mary L. and Jacob O. Mrs. Stemple is a daughter of Lazarus and Margaret (Harsh) Earnst, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, early settlers of Carroll County, Ohio, parents of nine children: Hannah (deceased), Nancy, Daniel (deceased), Susan, Abraham, John (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Mlary and Sarah (latter deceased). Mr. Stemple has been a consistent member of the Lutheran Church since 1843. In politics he was originally a Whig, but has been an adherent of the Republican party since its organization.

FBANKLIN UEICH, merchant, Lafayette, was lx>m in Mahoning County, Ohio, l^farch 7, 1841, son of David and Ann (Eckenrode) Urich (former deceased), natives of Pennsylvania, and who were among the very early settlers of Mahoning County, Ohio. They had a family of ten children, of whom Franklin is the fifth. Until our subject was twelve years of age, his life was spent on a farm and in attending school. He then worked at the tailor's trade two years, then^ for three years was engaged in printing, and from that time imtil he arrived at maturity he followed farming. He then removed to Hardin County, and for two years was again engaged in tailoring. He, next formed a partnership with Mr. Reese, of Ada, that county, to whom he sold his interest about eleven years later, and for three years was in the clothing business at the same place. He also spent two or three years in the grocery trade, after which he purchased a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Tiring of this, he re-entered the dry goods business; came to Lafayette, this county, in 1875, and there gained a leading place in mercantile business. Our subject was married, July 11, lod9, to Miss Mary E. Maguire, who was born near Maysville, Ky., December 11, 1847. They have two children: Bert and Clifford. Mrs. TJrich is a daughter of Viers and Sarah (Cochrun) Maguire, early settlers of Allen County, Ohio, the former killed in the army, the latter still living. Mr. Urich was township clerk two years and mayor of the town one year and a half, and has been a member of the council. He has been a F. & A. M. several years. In politics he is a Democrat He is ,a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal ChurcL

CHAELES WAMSLEY, proprietor of restaurant and confectionery, Lafayette, was born in Ottawa Township, this county, December 7, 1857, son of J. B. Wamsley, of Lima. He finished his education in a commercial course at Duff's Commercial College in Allegheny City, Penn. Having served an apprenticeship to the jewelry trade, he embarked in business at Ada, Ohio, in 1877. Two years later he sold out, and for three years following was engaged in the boot and shoe business at the same place. He then removed to Lafayette, this county, where he has since been engaged in the restaurant and confectionery line. At the spring election of town officers he was elected mayor. Mr. Wamsley was married, May 28, 1882, to Miss Lulu, daughter of William Watt, bom November 21, 1864, and to this union was bom Febraary 19, 1884, one daughter - Madge. Our subject has been a member of K. oif H. about three years. In politics he is a Republican.

ROBERT WATT, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in ChampaigQ County, Ohio, November 16, 1827, and was brought to this county by his parents in 1829. Samuel Watt, the father of our subject, was a native of Kentucky, aod in 1812 became a resident of Champaign County, Ohio. While employed in digging a well he took cold, and became a cripple for the balance of his Hfe, but although so conditioned he took an active part in military affairs during the Mexican war, and for years was captain of the Light Horse Guards in company with Capt. Stots, under command of Gen. Blackburn; he died in July, 1881, in Iowa, where for thirty years he had resided. His first wife Olive Walton, died about 1841;' she was a native of Canada. They had eight children: Deborah, Harriet, Christina, Nancy, Thomas, James (deceased), Samuel (deceased) and Robert. By his second wife, nee Mary Greer, Mr. Watt had the following children: John, Samuel, Olive, Lydia, Sydney, Sarah Francis, all living. The earliest recollections of our subject are of Allen County, and he has been active in keeping pace with the improvements which have taken place. His early life was employed in hard labor, and his education was necessarily limited. While a barefooted boy he drove a team of oxen, employed in hauling stone for the old court house. He is an energetic, enterprising farmer, and has placed his farm under thp best of cultivation; the buildings are of the best, and all the surroundings denote thrift. He has reared a good many horses for market, in addition to raising crops, and for fifteen years he has been an extensive contractor, building pikes. Mr. Watt was married, March 29, 1848, to Miss Eve Staley, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 13, 1827, daughter of Jacob and Eunice Staley, of Virginia (former deceased), and who were parents of seven children: Elizabeth, Eve, Jemima, John, Eunice, Jacob and Hannah. To Mr. and Mrs. Watt have been born seven children: Olive (deceased), Samuel, James, Marion, William, Jacob, and an infant deceased. In politics our subject is a leading light in the Democratic party.

WILLIAM WATT, merchant, Lafayette, was born in Jackson Township, this county, April 4, 1839, son of William and Elizabeth (Hawk) Watt, early settlers of Allen County, Ohio; the former a native of Brown County, Ohio, and at one time judge of the court, Lima, died in October, 1838, aged forty years; the latter, born in- Maysville, Ky., died November 14, 1883, aged eighty-nine years. They were the parents of ten children: John, Susannah, Mary, Sarah* Willis, Elspy, Margaret, Samuel, Eliza J. and William. Our subject remained upon the farm until sixteen years of age, when he entered the employ of Dr. N. Sager, with whom he remained nine years. He was then employed by a Mr. Fisher till 1872, when he formed a partnership with J. W. TJmbaugh, and the iu*m selling out in 1875, Mr. Watt has since conducted the business for his own account, his stock consisting of nearJy everthing needed by the farming community. The better to accommodate his trade he erected in 1879, a large two-story frame building, with three store-rooms. He also erected, the year previous, a fine brick residence. During the Bebellion he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in February, 1864, and remained in the service till the close of the war. Our subject was married, June 17, 1860, to Miss Sarah Cloore, bom in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 7, 1838, daughter of Daniel and Thursa (Ewing) Cloore, both deceased. By this union were born five children: Walter, Lulu (wife of Charles Wamsley), Arthur, Pert and Harry. Mr. Watt has been a member of the Christian Church for several years. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He has served the township as clerk, and is the present treasurer. He has also held the position of freight, ticket and express agent of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad fourteen years.

JOHN C. WINGATE, farmer, P. O. Herring, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, March 28, 1819. Isaac B. Wingate, his father, was bom in Delaware, and was an early settler of Carroll County, Ohio, coming to this county in 1848. He was a carriage-maker by trade, but in later days a farmer. He served in the war of 1812 as a private; died in 1870, aged seventy-seven years. His wife, nee Ursela Crist, died August 28, 1849, aged fifty years. Their children were John C, Nicholas, Eliza, Susannah, Delila, Martha, Cyrus, Aaron, Samuel, Isaac B., and an infant deceased. Our subject obtained a limited education, and when nineteen years of age commenced working as a hired hand. In 1855 he purchased his first real estate in Allen County, consisting of seventy-five acres of wild land, which, by much labor and diligence, he has converted into a fifne farm. He was a private in the Ohio National Guards, during the war of the Bebellion, but was not called into active service. February 20, 1840, Mr. Wingate married Miss Lucinda Alford, who was bom in Jefferson County, Ohio, December 6, 1823, daughter of George and Mary (Tope) Alford, early settlers of Jefferson County, Ohio, natives of Maryland. To this union have been bom seven children: Lemuel, bom December 18, 1840, died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., Febraary 10, 1863; Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Bowers, bom January 11, 1843; Melissa, wife of J. Beach, born April 21, 1845; Isaac, bom July 22, 1847; Susan, wife of William Clark, bom September 17, 1849; Mary E., widow of J. Larue, bom December 15, 1853, and Joseph S., bom April 23, 1858. For a period of over forty years our subject has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active sabbath-school worker. Politically he was once a Democrat, but joined the Enow-Nothing party, and since its day has been a stanch Bepublican.

FREDERICK AMMAN, bake^ and general groceries, Delphos, waa ' born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1838, his father, George Amman, being a native of Baden, Germany. Our subject learned the baker's trade in Xenia, where he carried on the business nine years. In the spring of 1868 he came here and established his business, and has been successfully connected with it since. He was married in 1860 at Kenton, Ohio, to Margaret Kautz, of that place, her father being a native of Saxony, Oermany, and to this union have been bom two sons and two daughtersliving: Alwinnie (widow of Adolf Eberantz, who has a little girl - Minnie), Frank Henry (a baker), Maggie and William.

JAMES BAXTER, farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born September 9, 1817, in Ross County, Ohio, son of Samuel and Keziah (Cremean) Baxter, former bom in Knox County, Ohio, son of John and Sarah Baxter, both foreigners. Samuel Baxter had eleven children, those living are^ James; Curtis, in Marion Township, this county; Smith, in German Township, this county; David, in Marion Township, this county; Eliza,^ wife of William Cochran, of Marion Township, this county. The family came to Amanda Township, this county, in 1827, where they endured all the trials and hardships of pioneer life. The father died about four years after his removal to this county. Our subject being the eldest, manfully assumed the responsibility left by his father in providing for the family and clearing the farm, and for this reason he received but little education. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself, engaging in daily labor. He was married, April 20, 1887, to Melissa John, who was bom January 10, 1820, in Ross County, Ohio, daughter of Griffith and Rachel (Miller) John, former a son of Abia and Martha John, born September 6, 1795, died February 20, 1856; latter a daughter of George and Sarah Miller, bom September 13, 1802, died June 23, 1862. They were married February 20, 1817. To our subject and wife were born eleven children, four of whom died without issua Samuel, the second child, was bom April 16, 1839 (he was a corporal in Company I, Thirty-fourth Regiment, killed at Winchester, Va., in the battle between Gens. Sheridan and Early; he was married to Rachel Cremean, by whom he had three children). Those living are Griffith J., in Coffey County, Kans.; Keziah, wife of William D. Poling, county auditor ^ David R, in Amanda Township, this county; Levi, in Amanda Township, this county; Eliza (wife of Otis Fraunfelter), of Bath Township, this county, and Rachel, at home, unmarried. Mr. Baxter has held the office of township trustee for sixteen years and was for six years county infirm- 'ary director, arriving to these positions of honor by energy and close application to busihess. The family are members of tSe Christian Church, in which our subject was elder. He takes an active interest in the improvement of stock and farm products, and in the advancement of education and religion. He has lived to see a beantifnl and prodaotive oonntry developed from the onoe dense forest, and to see thirty^two grandchildren and fonr great-grandchildren around him.

FBEDERICE BEYER, merchant tailor, Delphos, represents the business established here in 1857 by his father, Frank Beyer, who was bom in Kockenberg, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, January 21, 1816, where be learned his trade. In 1852 the latter came to America, and settled in Delphos, where he carried on an active business in his line till turning it over to his son. He married, in 1854 in Delphos, Mary Geiser, who was bom in Mehlstadt, Germany, in 1818. Their only child, Frederick, was born here July 9, 1855, and after receiving a good school education, embarked in merchant tailoring business, wluch he successfully carries on in an artistic style. He was married May 20, 1880, to Louisa, daughter of the late Edward Eoenig, of Delphos, a native of Saalfeld, Saxony, and educated in pottery work there, but identified with hotel business here. Mr. and Mrs. Beyer have a son and daughter, William and an infant not named. Our subject and wife are among the leaders in musical circles of Delphos, and he is director of the musical society. Our subject has been a cordial supporter of public and social matters, attending to the city's growth, and has served with ability in its councils.

* COL. LESTER BLISS, breeder of fine cattle and hogs, P. O. Delphos, was bom in Cooperstown, N. Y., August 17, 1817. His father, Dr. David Bliss, a native of Vermont, removed from Cooperstown in 1818, and settled in what is now Morrow County, Ohio, where he was well and favorably known as a pioneer and a physician of repute. Col. Bliss obtained a liberal education at Fredericktown high school, and completed a good classical and literary education at Granville College. At twenty-one years of age he engaged in the study of law at Mt Yernon, Ohio, under the tuition of Henry B. Curtis, Esq., and was admitted to the bar of Ohio at Marion in June, 1841. In August of the following year he located in Lima, where he carried on an active practice of law for several years. He served as prosecuting attorney for the county one term during this time, and subsequently declined a nomination for that office. Our subject married in Lima, in 1844, Miss Belinda Ann, daughter of the late Manuel Hover of Shawnee Township, this county, who departed this life in 1847, leaving two sons, David M., now a farmer and stock raiser of Marion Township, this county, and Lester Le Grand, who, after completing a fine commercial education, died at the age of twentyone years in Fort Scott, Kan. Our subject, on second occasion, married Mrs. Aldulia Kennedy, daughter of the late William Curtis, of Mi Vernon, Ohio, by whom he had one son - Charles C. , now a merchant druggist of Delphos. Again Col. Bliss was compelled to lay to rest his companion in life, and he subsequently married Harriet N., (sister of his first wife), with whom we find him happily associated. He removed to Delphos in 1850, and engaged extensively in manufacturing. While residing on the Van Wert side of the Miami & Erie Canal, which divides Delphos in halves, he was elected and served one term as county commissioner, of Van Wert County, and served as township trustee for a long series of years. In 1852 he was elected to represent ^llen County in the Legislature, it being the first representation of the county under the new constitution. He has engaged actiyely in railway building, and during this time declined the nomination for lieut. governor of Ohio, but had the satisfaction of seeing his party coming through by an immense majority. In August, 1862, he volunteered his services in defense of the Union, and was commissioned first lieutenant and assigned to quartermaster's duty with the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In the early part of the following year he received honorable promotion as a field officer with the rank of major. In the spring of 1864 he was commissioned a lieutenantcolonel, and did active and honorable service until his resignation. After retiring from war service he engaged at farming and stock breeding, and has given his exclusive attention to it since. During his residence in Delphos he was active in the promotion and development of its interests, with which he still continues prominent The Colonel is a stockholder and director of the Commercial Bank, and is interested in other industries. He served as the first mayor of the city and filled many other local official positions. Col. Bliss still retains the vigor and ambition of his youthful days, and will long be remembered in the history of this locality as one of its most reputable and persevering pioneers.

DAVID M. BLISS, farmer, P. O. Delphoe, was bom at Lima, Ohio, July 17, 1845; son of Ool. Lester and Belinda (Hover) Bliss. From the high schools of the county, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, studying there two years. He spent some time reading law, with the intention of following the legal profession, but eventually engaged in mercantile business at Delphos, for a year and a half, then went to Sidney, Ohio, and edited the Sidney Journal for over a year, after which time he returned to this county, and turned his attention to farming and breeding shorthorn thorough- bred cattle, of the Lady Elizabeth stock. Mr. Bliss served the people as justice of the peace and township treasurer etc. He was married January 5, 1867, to Mary A. Lytle, who died nine months later without issue. She was a daughter of R. E. Lytle, of Delphos. Our subject's second marriage occurred September 20, 1869, with Alice J. Neel, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 10, 1845, and by this union were bom five children: Lester L., bom August 10, 1870; Neel V., born March 28, 1872; Charles M. and Morgan C. (twins), born September 11, 1876, died in infancy; and Mary Aldulia, bom November 15, 1878. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Charles Bliss, half-brother of our subject, was born in this county, son of Col. Lester and Aldulia (Kennedy) Bliss. He read medicine wi& Dr. Wagner, of Delphos, three years, attending lectures in Bellevue Hospital College, N. Y., and graduating in Michigan, in 1874. He returned to Delphos, and, disliking the profession after a practice of four years, engaged in farming, and in February, 1883, entered into the drug business with J. W. Evans. He was married February 8, 1877, to Sophronia A. Herrick, a native of Mount Gilead, Ohio, daughter of Simeon Herrick. Charles Bliss is P. S. W., of F. & A. M., at Delphoa

(Bollands) Breese, former of whom died November 20, 1875, aged seventythree; latter September 28, 1852, aged forty-eight years. They came to America, landing at Philadelphia, and settled the same year on the farm, where the subject of this sketch now lives, there being only four acres, cleared oat of the 160, and for which Richard Breese paid $100 cash. Here, before the father's death, they cleared about seventy acres, and endured the trials and hardships of pioneer life. Richard Breeae was a man of prominence in his township, a deacon in the Congregational Church many years. He and his wife, were parents of seven children: Mary (wife of Joseph Watkins, in Sugar Creek Township, this county), Thomas, Ann (wife of John Morris, of Lima), Jane (wife of Evan Morgan, in Benton County, Ark), Alice (single), Richard (deceased, leaving a family of three children in Delphos), Samuel R. (who enlisted in May, 1861, in Company H, Thirty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, going out as the first lieutenant, he was killed in the Battle of Harper's Ferry, in August, 1862, and had his death not occurred, he would have been promoted to lieutenant colonel in a few days). Thomas Breese, n the subject of this sketch, received a meager education; being the eldest son, his services were required in clearing up the farm. He was married September 6, 1861, to Martha Davis,'a native of Montgomeryshire, Wales, bom September 10, 1842, daughter of Rev. James and Mary (Davis) Davis, who came to America in August, 1849, and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the former preached for three years, in the Lawrence Street Congregational Church. They then came to Gomer, this county, in 1853, where Mr. Davis preached eight years, thence moved to New York State, remaining two years, thence to Radnor, Ohio, where he preached eight years. Rev. James Davis, was a son of Isaac and Sarah Davis; he died in April, 1873. His widow who is still living with Mr. Breese, is a daughter of Richard and Margaret (Davis) Davis. Rev. James Davis was the father of seven children, of whom three died without issue. Those who had families were Sarah (deceased wife of John Thomas, leaving family in Van Wert County, Ohio), Benjamin (deceased, leaving family in Crawford County, Eans.), James (a business man in Sandusky City, has a family of three children), William (a merchant in Keokuk, Iowa, has a family of three children), and Martha (Mrs. Breese). To our subject and wife, have been born six children: Emma, born July 10, 1862; Samuel, born July 23, 1864; Mary (deceased at five years of age); James D., born January 31, 1874; Richard, born May 1, 1878, and Mary, bom May 20, 1881. The life of Mr. Breese has been spent chiefly on the farm which he now occupies. He takes an active interest in all educational and religious matters. The family are members of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republican.

DAVID BRENNEMAN, farmer and stock-breeder, P. O. Elida, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 28, 1840, son of Jacob and Caroline (Ogden) Brenneman, latter of whom was born in Hardy County, Va., July 12, 1819. Jacob Brenneman was a native of Rockingham County, Va., son of Abraham and Magdalena (Shank) Brenneman, natives of Pennsylvania, former bom 1745, and died aged seventy years. ^Was twice married, and had in all sixteen children, the youngest of whom is the only survivor. Jacob was also twice married, first to Mary Beery,

-who was bom November 20, 1802, and moved with her hnsbaud from Virginia to Fairfield Coantj, Ohio, in 1828, where she died four years later. Her children were John L., born October 24, 1821, in Marion Township, this county ; Abraham, bom Jmie 21, 1823, in Lancaster Comity, Ohio ; Barbara, bom Jane 7, 1824, wife of John Keller, in Branch County, Mich. ; Isaac, bom September 25, 1825, in Adair County^ Mo. ; Elizabeth, and Joseph. Annie and Mary died yonng. Jacob Brenneman, by his second wife, Caroline (Ogden) Brenneman, had the following named children : Catharine, bom March 8, 1888, widow of Abraham Friesuer (deceased), now wife of George Keckler, in Branch County, Mich. ; David, bom November 28, 1840, in Fairfield County, Ohio ; Jacob R., bom May 18, 1848, a draggist in Elida ; Rebecca, bom January 2, 1847, wife of Daniel F. Berry, in Branch Mich.; Sarah A., bom November 10, 1849, wife of Thomas Wisher, in Van Wert County ; William F., bom April 80, 1852, in Elida ; Noah E., bom November 8, 1855, in Marion Township ; Charles B., bom July 12, 1862, in Blanchard, Isabelle Co., Mich. Jacob Brenneman died January 1, 1865, aged sixty-eight years, two months and twenty-five days. David Brenneman received very limited educational advantages, remaining with his father upon the farm until August 10, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he did valiant duty, participating in the siege of Knoxville, the battle of Resaca and Buzzard's Boost ; under fire from Dalton to Atlanta, Oa.; at Salisbury, N. C, and in Sherman's march to the sea. He was discharged June 20, 1865, never having been ofif duty a single day, was neither sick nor wounded during the ymole time, but always in tiie front rank. He was married, September 27, 1866, to Phebe A. Lutz, who was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, December 15, 1846, daughter of John and Sarah (Griffith) Lutz, former a native of Maryland, latter of Fairfield County. By her he had four children : Laura A. , bom October 10, 1867 ; Lrwin K, bom August 28, 1869; Sarah K, born July 10, 1871; Stephen A., bom November 8, 1878. David Brenneman has a valuable farm of 165 acres, secured principally by his own efibrt& He takes an active interest in the improvement of farm products, the advancement of education and religion. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post 202, G. A. R., at Lima. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

B. J. BROTHERTON, mayor of Delphos, was bom in Piqua, Miami Co., Ohio, June 24, 1850, son of Jasper Brotherton (camenter), a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, his father, Abel Brotherton (farmer), having settled there from Pennsylvania at an early date, prior to the history of the State. The subject of our sketch, after receiving a good literary education in the Piqua High School, from which he graduated when nineteen years of age, entered the Denison University, uf Granville, Ohio, pursuing a classical course of study, subsequently taking up law under the able tuition of the Hon. J. F. McEinney, of McEinney Bros., attorneys, of Piqua. He was admitted to the bar of the State, August 20, 1872, and soon after came to Marion Township and engaged in the practice of his profession, with which he has been creditably connected since. He has taken an active interest in the development of the many indnstries of Delphos ; is present member of the board of directors of Delpbos Gas Company ; a stockholder of the Delphos National Bank, as -well as an active member of other interests. Dnring the war he did honorable service as bugler of Company I, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He married, in Warsaw, Ind., October 17, 1877, Miss Hattie L., daughter of James M. Laemon, a prominent pioneer merchant of that city, originally from Virginia. They have two daughters : Jennie W. and Mary Margaret ]^. Brotherton is a member of the Baptist Church, Mrs. Bro&erton of the Christian denomination.

JOHN C. CAMPBELL, physician and farmer, Landeck, was bom in Belmont County, Ohio, May 14, 1827 ; son of Charles and Jane (Clung) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania, former deceased, latter still living. They were parents of three children : Charles, Ann and John C. Onr subject received a common school education, and after completing a medical course at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, graduated in 1851, and entered on the practice of his profession in Perry County, Ohio, landing there September 10, same year, the memorial day of Perry's victory. Soon after, he removed to Spencerville, Ohio, where he practiced tweniy-eight years, and then returned to Landeck in the fall of 1888. In addition to his professional duties the doctor owns and works a farm. Dr. Campbell was married in May, 1856, to Sarah J. Wells, who was bom in Licking County, Ohio, in 1830, and by her has three children : Oral, Mary J. (wife of F. Fackler), and an infant, deceased. The doctor's success in life is due entirely to his own efforts. His practice has been successful, and he has experienced the hardships incident to the lives of all medical men in pioneer days. He was the first mayor of Spencerville, also served the people as justice of the peace. He was formerly a member of the order of L O. O. F. at Clear Cut In politics he is an active member of the Democratic party.

SAMUEL D. CHAMBERS, ex-auditor of Allen County, Delphos, was bom in Bolivar, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, November 2, 1835; son of Thomas Chambers of Pennsylvania, and grandson of James Chambers who came from Lreland and settled in Pennsylvania. Samuel D. Chambers began life as a molder when fifteen years old, but after a few years abandoned that trade and took up merchandising here as clerk, and at the expiration of six years' close application engaged as principal in the business. He has since enjoyed a prominent position in the mercantile interests of this city. Upon the organization of the Ohio Wheel Company's works here, he took an active part in that industry, and has since remained an able supporter of it. For many years he has been one of the directors of the Delphos National Bank; was also a member of the Conm^ercial Bank, with which he but recently severed his connection, and has assisted in many other enterprises of the city and locality. Upon the organization of the Toledo, Delphos & St Louis Railroad, he assisted materially, and continued for many years an active member of its board of directors. Mr. Chambers married in Columbia City, Lad., in 1862, Miss Sarah J., daughter of W. W. Kepner, a pioneer merchant of that city. Their family consists of one son, William T., a student of the Pennsylvania Dental Institute of Philadelphia, Penn., and one daughter, Anna, a lady of fine literary and musical attainments, a graduate of Oxford Female Col- lege. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Daring the late war of the Rebellion our subject did active service as quartermaster of the One Hundred and Fifty-first Kegiment, Ohio l^ational Guards, from which he was honorably discharged. He has been an active F. & A. M. for many years, and is a member of the Shawnee Commandery at Lima. He has been a member of the city council for many years, and has filled its clerkship with ability. Mr. Chambers is an honest and conscientious Republican in politics, and has always served his party with great interest and zeal.

JOHN F. CLAPPER, farmer, P. O. Delphos, was bom on the Roberts' farm in Sugar Creek Township, this county, near his present home, March 31, 1840; son of Andrew and Stasha (Schlegel) Clapper, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, foimer a son of Henry and Eleanor (Bussert) Clapper, latter a daughter of John Schlegel, a native of Maryland. Henry Clapper, who was a native of Pennsylvania, bom near Hagerstown, Md., died July 24, 1860, aged eighty-four years; he was a millwright by .trade, served in the war of 1812, moved to Fairfield County, Ohio; cleared up a farm and plied his trade until 1832, when he came to this county with his wife, three sous and three daughters, a part of the family remaining in Fairfield County. The father of our subject, who was one of the number who came to this countv, died April 25, 1881, aged seventy years; his wife died in November, lo51. They had thirteen children: Jacob, in Marion Township, this county; Mary A. (died, aged seventeen years), an infant (deceased), Hannah (deceased, aged twenty years), Margaret J. (wife of Curtis Leist, in Marion Township, this county; Nancy A. (deceased wife of John Conrad, leaving a son, Stephen T., in this county), John F., Joseph H., in Van Wert County, Ohio; William D. (deceased October 20, 1863, at Chattanooga, Tenn., of disease contracted in the United States service, while a member of Company E, Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry), Elizabeth, (wife of Lewis Allen of Marion Township, this county), Rachel (wife of Isaac Conrad), Susan and Jemima, single. Andrew Clapper for his second wife, married Lovina Bechtel, a native of Pennsylvania, but an early settler in this county. By her he had eight children: Mary M., Vasta (wife of Benjamin Runyan, of Ft. Jennings), Sarah, Charles, Amos, Salena, William A. and Albert M. (last two twins). The subject of this sketch remained upon the farm with his father, and attended winter school until his marriage, May 29, 1861, with Sarah Stuckey, who was born on the farm where she now lives, June 2, 1843, daughter of Samuel H. and Mary (Peters) Stuckey, former one of the first settlers in Marion Township, this county, and a prominent man in official circles in the township, being one of its first officers. He entered the land upon which Mr. Clapper now lives, receiving his patent for eighty acres November 27, 1833, signed Andrew Jackson. Samuel H. Stuckey, who was a son of Christian and Mary M. (Harsh) Stuckey, natives of Maryland, but early settlers in Fairfield County, Ohio, was born September 27, 1806; he died April 25, 1876. His wife, Mary (Peters) Stuckey, was a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born March 8, 1811, died October 1, 1876. She was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Nye) Peters, natives of Maryland, but early settlers of

Ohio. Samuel H. Staokey and his wife were parents of the following children: Levi, in Van Wert County, Ohio; Enos (deceased), Ezra, married (deceased): Elizabeth (deceased wife of Isaac Sthralem; she left one child, William L., in Lawrenceburg, Ind.), Mary M. (deceased wife of Henry Sherriek, of Marion Township; she left six children), Maria (wife of Henry Friesuner, of Marion Township, this county); Surah (wife of John F. Clapper); Daniel P. (deceased February 14, 1865, in South Carolina, while a member of Company D, Fifty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Seventeenth Army Corps), Christian, in Marion Township, this county; Lydia A. (deceased). To our subject and wife were bom eight children: Minnie F. (died, aged three years, four months), William D., bom May 27, 1866; Mary A., born September 14, 1868; Joseph C, bom September 6, 1870; Lula A., born July 11, 1873; Elliott E., bom September 19, 1875; Clara C, born November 6, 1877; Margaret J., born December 27, 1881. Mr. Clapper enlisted August 8, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in twenty-eight battles with that repriment before its consolidation with the Fiftieth Regiment. He was a faithful soldier, good and true; was never sick nor wounded, and never oflf duty. He was discharged June 26, 1865. His brothers, Henry and Daniel, and brother-in-law, Lewis Allen, served with him in the same regiment. He is a member of the Unit'ed Brethren Church, superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and generally takes an active interest in educational matters.

JAMES COCHRUN, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Delphos, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 25, 1804, descended from a line of Scotch pioneers of that name in Virginia. He has a brother and two sisters living: John M., Catharine and Nancy. Mr. Cochrun came to this county in 1817. He married, in 1829, Miss Julia Ann, daughter of Andy Russell of Amanda Township, this county, who settled there in 1817. He has one son, William M., living, by this marriaga His second marriage was in 1834 witJi Isabel, daughter of William Sunderland, who settled in Amanda Township in 1817. He has two sons and six daughters living by this marriage: Elizabeth, Julia Ann, Mary, James M., Ellen, Hattie, Nancy and Orlando, and lost a daughter and three sons, one of whom George W., died in Mellon Prison, Ga., after an honorable service in the Union Army. James M., the second son living, was married in 1870 to Ellen, daughter of Jacob Roush of Amanda Township, who bore him a daughter, Minnie Almerta, now living, and two sons, William S. and Edward, who are buried with their mother in the King cemetery here ; and in 1878 he married Catharine, daughter of Samuel Baxter, and by her he has one son and two daughters: Dora, Orlando Bertrue, and Viola. He did active and honorable service in Company B, McLaughlin's Squadron, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, during the last two years of the war; is a member of Reul Post G. A. R. James Cochrun Sr., has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for thirty-five years, and an elder in it for many years. He is well and favorably known as one of the public- spirited pioneers of Allen County.