Jerome Township (part 6 of 19)

Mr. Jones gives his hearty support to the Democratic party but has never taken an active part in political matters. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plain City and give of their means to its support. The family home is in the edge of Plain City and was built by the father of Mr. Jones, although he has remodeled the house in recent years. The farm of Mr. Jones lies in Union and Madison counties and comprises one hundred and fifty acres of excellent land. Fraternally, Mr. Jones is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Plain City.

Jopin Henry Schoneberger

The German nation has furnished thousands of good citizens for the state of Ohio and Union county has been fortunate to count a number of them as a part of her body politic. While there are many Germans of native birth in the county, there is a still larger number of German descent, and this latter class is characterized by the same thrift and economy which made their forefathers leading farmers and business men of the various communities in which they settled in the United States. John Henry Schoneberger is a worthy descendant of German ancestors and has met with a success which stamps him as a man of more than ordinary business ability.

John Henry Schoneberger, the son of William and Maria (Weber) Schoneberger, was born in New Jersey, three miles from Morristown, May 18, 18^3. His parents were both natives of Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country in 1844 with five children. Three children were born to William and Maria Schoneberger after arriving in America. The children in the order of their birth are as follows: Frederick, deceased: Benjamin, deceased: Gertrude, the widow of Jacob Schreiner, of Parsons, Kansas; Philip, deceased; Mary, deceased, who died at Bridgeport, Ohio, and was the wife of Henry Maag; William, who lives in New Jersey near the old home place;

William Schoneberger fanned near! Morristown, N^ew Jersey, after coming to this country in 1844, and died there in 1866 at the age of sixtyfive. His wife lived until 1898 and was almost ninety years of age at the time of her death. Both were members of the Presbyterian church. The paternal grandfather was a blacksmith by trade and reared a large family of children, among them being William, Adolph and Frederick.

John Henry Schoneberger was reared in New Jersey until he was sixteen years of age, and in 1869 he went west and located near Pomeroy in Meigs county, Ohio. He attended the public schools and academy there for a short time and worked around Pomeroy among the salt works at that place. At the age of eighteen he started in the grocery business for himself in Miners\'ille, Ohio, and continued this line of activity imtil 1876. He then engaged in the manufacture of bromine in that vicinity, and for the next twenty years was actively engaged in the manufacture of this product. In 1884 he added to his other business the manufacture of calcium chloride and continued to manufacture bromine and calcium chloride in furnaces in Syracuse and Pomeroy, Ohio, and also Hartford, West Virginia, until about 1900. In that year he built the Pittsburg Calcium Chloride Works at Alleghenv and continued as general manager of that plant until 1907, when he sold his interests in Allegheny and came to Marysville, Ohio, where he has since made his home. He lived in Columbus, Ohio, from 1899 to 1905.

Mr. Schoneberger was married September 8, 1875, at Syracuse, Ohio, to Catherine Schreiner, the daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Bergman) Schreiner, and to this union five children have been born, Minnie, Bess, J. Harry, Charlotte and ]\Iarie. Minnie is the wife of John A. Schott, of Columbus, Ohio, and has one son, Harry Edwin. Bess is still at home with her parents. J. Harry is secretary and general manager of the Crawford Chair Compan}- at Grand I-edge, Michigan. He married Catherine Crawford. Charlotte was the wife of C. A. R. Catesmani, who died se\'eral years ago in California, leaving one daughter, Catherine. Charlotte afterward married Clark Morgan and now resides in Columbus, Ohio. Marie is the wife of Otis Hatton, the superintendent of schools at Co\'ington, Ohio.

^Irs. Schoneberger was born at Minersville, Ohio. Her parents came from Germany and were married in New York city, April 18, 1847. Her father was born January 20, 1820, and upon the opening of the Civil War in this countv, he enlisted for service in the Union armv and was killed acci- dentally by a comrade while cleaning their guns just after the battle of Culpeper. He was forty-two years of age at the time of his death. Mrs. Schoneberger's mother was born in Germany, December 7, 1827, and died in January, 1886. Three daughters were born to Frederick Schreiner and wife, Maria, Charlotte and Catherine, the wife of Mr. Schoneberger.

Mr. and Mrs. Schoneberger are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, Mr. Schoneberger is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Democrat, but owing to his extensive business interests has never taken an active part in political matters. He is a man of quiet and unassuming demeanor and in his short residence in Marysville has won the high regard of all with whom he has become acquainted.

Jeremiah Poling

The Poling famil}- might appropriately celebrate September 27, i860, for on that date Jeremiah Poling arrived in Union county, Ohio, from West Virginia. On that day the parents of Jeremiah Poling located in Allen township, and the various members of the family have been identified with the history of this county since that time. As a farmer, Jeremiah Poling ranks among the best in his township and his farm of three hundred and eight acres, five and one-half miles southwest of Marysville, is one of the most attractive as well as the most productive farms of Allen township.

Jeremiah Poling, the son of Joseph and Phoebe (McKiney) Poling, was bom in West Virginia, June 26, 1851. His father was born in Maryland and went with his parents t.o West Virginia when he was only si.x months of age, and in that state he grew to manhood and married Phoebe McKiney, who was born in West Virginia. In i860 Joseph Poling brought his family to Union county, Ohio, and farmed in Allen township until his death in 1893. There were four sons and four daughters born to Joseph Poling and wife, seven of whom are still living: Jane, the widow of G. A. McGill ; Jessie B., of Marysville: Siloan H., a fairner of Allen township; Sarah E., the wife of Charles Fowler, of Allen township; Savannah, the W'idow of C. R. Dunbar, of Allen township; Jeremiah, with whom this narrative deals; J. D., who is a resident of California, and Catherine, deceased.

Jeremiah Poling was about nine years of age when his parents came from West Virginia to Union county, Ohio, and consequently he received part of his education in his native state. He attended school in Allen township in this county after his parents moved here, and after leaving school worked on his father's farm until his marriage. He then started farming for himself and his success as an agriculturist is indicated by tlie fact tliat he now has three hundred and eight acres of land on which he carries on a diversified system of grain and stock raising. He keeps onW the best grades of live stock on his farm and has found, as have other farmers, that stock raising is the most remunerative part of general farming.

Air. Poling was married March 31, 1S80, to Calinda Turner, who was born in Union county on January 20, 1862, and educated in the common schools of this county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Poling: George E., who married Alaude Epps; Bertha G., single and now li\-ing in Tennessee; Victor G., single, and Joseph M., single. Both of the younger sons are still living with their parents.

Mr. Poling and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Baptist church and are interested in its various activities. Politically, he gives his stanch adherence to the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in political matters.

James P. Fleck

For more than a score of years, James P. Fleck has been engaged in the general merchandise business at Arnold, Jerome township. Union county, Ohio. He has built up a large business in Arnold and the surrounding community and by honest methods and good business judgment has accaimulated a verjf comfortable competence for himself and family. He is a man of sterling integrity and is highl)- esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

James P. Fleck, the son of David A. and ^Nlaria ( Buck) Fleck, was born in Jerome township. Union county, Ohio, Xox'emlier 25, 1854. His father was born November 28, 1824, and his mother was born in Fayette county, Ohio, February 20, 1819. David A. Fleck and wife were married May 15, 1849, and to them have been born three children: Martha J., born October 22, 1850, and died in Paris, Missouri, July 13, 1888; James P., who is now living at Arnold in this county; and Ney. who was born September 16, i860, and died July 23, 1883. David Fleck died July 2, 1872, and his widow passed away May 19, 1868.

James P. Fleck spent his bo\'hood days on his father's farm and received such education as was afforded by the public schools of his home township. In 1889 he engaged in the milling and saw mill business in partnership with J. T. Clevenger and about two years later Mr. Fleck sold out his interest and

Mr. Fleck was married May 7, 1894, to Carrie E. Woodburn, the daughter of James and Sarah J. (Robinson) Woodburn. James Woodburn was bom Febmar>' 12, 1824, and died November 2, 1897. Sarah J. (Robinson) Woodburn was born in 1826 and died July 22, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. James Woodburn reared a family of five children: Sarah H., deceased, who was the wife of Chester Farnum; Jane Elizabeth, the wife of Hiram Crottinger, of Marv'sville; James L., who died in Goldfield, Nevada; Harvey S., who died in Arkansas, and Carrie E., the wife of James P. Fleck. Mr. Fleck and wife have two children: Ney S., born April 21, 1895, and Freda, born April 11, 1901. Both of these children are still with their parents in Arnold, the son being a graduate of the New California high school and now employed in his father's store.

Politically, Mr. Fleck is a member of the Democratic party, but owing to his extensive business interests has never felt inclined to take an active part in political matters. Fie is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Plain City and has always taken a deep interest in this fraternal organization. Mr. Fleck is a man of wide acquaintance and is well esteemed by those who know him.

Aaron B. Robinson

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood, deserves more than passing notice. A man may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by the practice of an upright life is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. Aaron B. Robinson, a retired merchant and lawyer of Marysville, Ohio, is a man who has spent his whole life in Union county and the four score and two years which he has lived here ha^-e served to gain for him a place among the most representative citizens of the county. A man of high moral character, unimpeachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, he has stood for the best interests of Union county. Today there is no citizen of the county who is better entitled to representation in the annals of his county's history. He served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion and in peaceful pursuits since that memorable struggle he has been no less distinguished.

kinds. He continued in the mercantile business until a few years ago when he retired from active life and turned his business over to other hands.

Mr. Robinson was married to Keziah Wilkins, the daughter of Alfred and Harriet Wilkins, and to this union four children were born, Harriet E., Gertrude, Martha C. and Alfred J.

Mr. Robinson and his family are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, to whose support they have long been generous contributors. Politically, he has been a life-long Republican and has taken an active part in local and state politics. He served as a member of the Legislature for two terms and was an active and valuable member of various committees in that body. In all of the relations of life he has acted his part well and now he can look back over a long career which has been spent worthily in the service of his fellowmen. It is a pleasure to honor such men and this brief biography is but a feeble tribute to one of Union countv's grand old men.

Christie T. Rea-Mes

An enterprising business man of Alarysville, Ohio, is Christie J. Reames, who is in the real estate and loan business as a member of the firm of Reames & Webb. He has been a resident of Marysville for the past fifteen years, four years of which he served as assistant postmaster of Marysville. He is a man of energy and ability and his farm has been increasing its business from year to year until it now ranks among the leading firms of its kind in the county. Mr. Reames is a man of genial personality and has built up a large acquaintance in Marysville and throughout the county.

Christie J- Reames, the son of Josiah F. and Edith L. ( White) Reames, was born in Logan count}-, Ohio, July i8, 1875. His parents, both of whom were also natives of Logan county, reared a family of four children : Omer P.. of West Liberty, Ohio: Fred B.. of Marion, Ohio; Christie J., of IMarysville; Harry W., of Lima, Ohio.

Josiah E. Reames was reared in Marmon \'alley, Logan county. Ohio, near Zanesville. He was a farmer except for the last fifteen years of his life, when he followed the trade of a carpenter and contractor. He died in West Liberty in 1907 at the age of sixty-two, ha\ing been born in that county, January 22, 1845. His widow still survives him and was sixty-five years old .\pril 22, lOM- Josiah F. Reames was a member of the Quaker church while his wife gave her loyal support to the Christian denomination.

He ser\-ed as a soldier in the C'wW War and was a member of Company E, Se\-enteenth Regiment Ohio \'ohTnteer Infantry, and served two years. He was permanently injured as a result of the bursting of a shell at the battle of Antietam in the fall of 1S62. He participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the Civil War and also had three brothers in the Union army.

The paternal grandparents of Christie J. Reames were Hezekiah Jeremiah Reames and wife, nati\es of Cari.ilina, of Quaker stock and pioneers of Marmon A'alley, Logan county, Ohio, where the}- lived to an advanced age. I^'iNe children were born to Hezekiah Jeremiah Reames, Josiah F., Thomas, Ezra, Robert and a daughter, who died in the West. The maternal grandparents of Christie J. Reames were William W. White and wife, both of whom died at ^^'est Liberty, Ohio. William W. White was twice married, his second wife lieing the grandiuother of ^Ir. Reames. The children of his second marriage were Edith L., John and Thomas.

Christie J. Reames was reared in West Lilaert}-, Ohio. Before completing his education he began to learn the liaker's trade and followed it for nine year^. In 1900 he came to ]\Iarysville and worked for the Bell Brothers in the real estate business. He then served as assistant postmaster at Marysville for four years, after which he bought out the firm of Bell Brothers and in igii associated with him in the business, Charles D. Webb. The firm,' U'Hv known as Reames & Webb, does a large business in real estate and loans.

Air. Reames was married April 2t,. igoo, to Elizabeth Plank, the daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Carr) Plank. To this union three children have been born, Alary, Alarjorie and Xaomi.

Mrs. Reames was born on a farm near DeGraff, in Logan countv, Ohio, her parents Ijeing nati\es of Pennsyhania. Her mother died in 1903 and her father is still living at the achanced age of eightv-three. Air. and Airs. Plank were the parents of si.x children, Julia, John, Benjamin, Elorence, Alollie and Elizabeth.

Politically, Air. Reames is a loyal memlier of the Republican partv and has ahvavs been interested in local politics. Fraternallv, he is a member of the Eree and Accepted Alasons, the Royal .Arch Alasons and the Ro}'al and Select Alasters. Airs. Reames is a member of the Alethodist Episcopal church and while Air. Reames is not an active member of the church, yet he gives it his hearty support at all times. The career of Air. Reames in this, community has been such that his honesty and integrity have never been questioned, and consequently he is highly esteemed liy a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Alarysville and throughout the county.

Robert A. Linn

Robert A. Linn was born in Miami county, September 12, 1849, but most of his active life has been spent in Union county where he now resides. He holds a conspicuous place among the successful business men and publicspirited citizens of the community. He is a son of Aaron and Eliza (Clark) Linn, natives of Pickaway county. Aaron Hankinson Linn, who was born in New Jersey, December 4, 1815, was a son of Robert and Elizabeth Linn, the father being born in Jay county, Indiana, coming to Ohio with the early settlers of the county in which he located. His wife, Eliza, was born in New York state, December 12, 181 2. The father of our subject had a family of nine children. Nancy, Harriet, William and Sarah are deceased. Isabella, Robert A., Ellen, Madie and George are living. The subject's paternal grandfather Linn was born in New Jersey and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Blue, was a native of Indiana. The maternal grandparents, John C. and Elizabeth Clark, were born, respectively, on August 12, 1792, and February 20, 1794.

Robert A. Linn worked on the farm as a boy and for the greater pan of his life. His early education was obtained in the district schools of Staunton township. He learned the blacksmith trade and worked at that trade for several years after he was grown. He followed the trade for some time in Iowa and then went to Kansas where he was connected with the Sante Fe railroad. Later he gave up that position and came to Union county about twenty-three years ago and went back to the farm, the occupation of his early years. He bought a farm of seventy-two acres in this county and made his home there until about six years ago. In the meantime he bought a hardware store in Raymond, Ohio, which is operated by his son-in-law, Harold Evans.

Mr. Linn was married, September 28, 1882, to Sarali A. Danforth, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Smith) Danforth. Jeremiah Danforth was born in Licking county, Ohio, and was the son of David and Anna (Stephens) Danforth. The elder Danforth came from Vermont and was a soldier in the War of 1812. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth Danforth. Peter was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Jeremiah Danforth, the father of Mrs. Linn, had four children, all born in Union county, Ohio. Their names were Thomas C, Eliza J. (deceased). Sarah A. and David S.

Mr. And Mrs. Robkrt Linx

E\'aiis and has one child, Robert I.. AFr. Linn also has one son, Rolla, who is married and has two daughters and one son, Margaret, Frances and Ralph S,

Mr. and Mrs. Linn are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and actively interested in its affairs. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is an influential member of the order. In politics, Mr. Linn is a Republican and is an active worker for the success of that part}- in all the political campaigns. He is at present the superintendent and general manager of the Union countv infirmary, having been ajtpointed to this position by the county commissioners.

John Robixson T.Aylor

The Taylor family, which is worthily represented by John Robinson Taylor, of Marys\'ille, Ohio, have been residents of LTnion county since 1849, and during all of these years the family have been prominent in the \'arious phases of the county's development. Mr. Taylor was reared in this county and farmed until i8c)j, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business in Marysville. His son-in-law, L. J. Zwerner, became associated with him in the insurance business in igii and the iirm, known as Taylor & Zwerner, has a large business in fire insurance in Marysville and throughout the county. Mr. Taylor is fast approaching the age of three score and ten, and all of his life has been spent within this county with the exception of tw(j \-ears. He has seen it emerge from pioneer times until it now ranks among the most progressi\'e counties of the state.

John R. Taylor, the son of William H. and Eliza Ellen (Robinson) Taylor, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 15, 1847. His parents, who were natives of Ohio, reared a family of three children : Jane Ann, the wife of Samuel Carson, of Jerome township; John R., of Marysville, and David Madison, who died in early childhood.

William H. Taylor was reared in Champaign county, Ohio, at Kingston, a \-illage sometimes known as Taylorstown. In }'oung' manhood he was a wagoner and hauled goods for the railroads in this section of the state. Later he located in Jerome township, in this count)', where he bought two hundred and twenty acres of land. Here he and his good wife reared their children and on this farm he died in 1857 at the early age of forty. His widow survi\-ed him f(jrtv-two years and nexer married again, passing awa\' at the (40)

Evans and has one child, Rohert L. Mr. Linn also has one son, Rolla, who is married and has two daughters and one son, Afargaret, Frances and Ralph S.

Mr. and Mrs. Linn are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and actively interested in its affairs. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is an influential member of the order. In politics, Mr. Linn is a Republican and is an active worker for the success of that part}' in all the pi;)litical campaigns. He is at present the superintendent and general manager of the Union county infirniar}', having been appointed to this position by the county commissioners.

John Robixson Taylor

The Taylor family, which is worthily represented by John Robinson Taylor, of Marysville. Ohio, have been residents of Union county since 1849, and during all of these years the family have been prominent in the various phases of the county's development. Mr. Taylor was reared in this county and farmed until iSqj, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business in Marysville. His son-in-law, L. J. Zwerner, became associated with him in the insurance business in 191 1 and the firm, known as Tavlor & Zwerner, has a large business in fire insurance in Marysville and throughout the county. Mr. Taylor is fast approaching the age of three score and ten, and all of his life has been spent within this county with the exception of two years. He has seen it emerge from pioneer times until it now ranks among the most progressive counties of the state.

John R. Taylor, the son of William H. and Eliza Ellen (Robinson) Taylor, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, August 15, 1847. His parents, who were nati\-es of Ohio, reared a family of three children : Jane Ann, the wife of Samuel Carson, of Jerome townshii) ; John R.. of Marys- \ille, and David Madison, who died in early childhood.

William H. Taylor was reared in Champaign county, Ohio, at Kingston, a village sometimes known as Taylorstown. In young manhood he was a wagoner and hauled goods for the railroads in this section of the state. Later he Idcatetl in Jerome township, in this county, where he bought two hundred and twent}- acres of land. Here he and his good wife reared their children and on this farm he died in 1857 at the early age of forty. His widow survived him forty-two years and ne\er married again, passing awav at the (40)

Tiie paternal grandparents of Mr. Taylor were John and Ann (Hendricks) Taylor, who were Southerners and slave owners. They were earlypioneers in Champaign county, Ohio, and later came to Union county and died in Jerome township, Ann Taylor living to the advanced age of ninetytwo years. Both John Taylor and his wife were twice married. By his first marriage there were two children, Andrew and Washington. By her first marriage there were also two children, William H., the father of John R. Taylor, with whom this narrati\'e deals, and Susanna. The grandmother was married liuth times to men by the name of Taylor although they were no relation to each other. The second husband was John Taylor, and to this union were born two children, David and Daniel.

The maternal grandparents of John R. Taylor were John Robinson and wife, pioneers in Darby township. She died in this county and his death occurred in Champaign county, Ohio. Four children were born to John Robinson and wife, Mitchell, Eliza, Ellen, Sarah Jane and John.

John R. Taylor was reared in Jerome township on his father's farm and lived at home until he was twenty-five years of age. He attended the district schools until he \vas ten and then began working on the home farm. After his marriage he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Leesburg township and farmed it until 1892, when he rented his farm and moved to Marysville. On locating in the county seat he engaged in the insurance business and has followed this line of activity for the past twenty-three vears. He has three good homes in the city, having invested in city property after selling his farm in 1901. He continued alone in the insurance business from 1892 until 191 1, when he associated with him in the business his son-in-law, L. J. Zwerner.

yir. Taylor was married Decenil)er 19, 1872, to Emma Bowen. the daughter of Edward and Julia Ann ( Deisert) Bowen, and to this union six children have been born, .Ada, Effa, Wayne, Mabel, Opal and one who died in infancy, the second in order of birth. Ada is the wife of Dr. L. E. Baker, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, and has two children, Fontabelle and Robert. Efifa is the wife of Milton Snuthard, a farmer living in Paris township, and has four children, Mildred, .Monzo. John W. and .Anna. A\'avne married Anna Xewlove and has three children, Pauline, Nellie and John', \^'ayne is employed by the Jewell Tea Company, of Alarys\-ille. Afabel is the wife of L. J. Zwerner and has two children, John Lewis and Eleanor. Opal is the wife of Walter Scott, of Lancaster, Ohio. She has a national reputation as a

Mrs. Taylor was born in Do\'er township in this county, in October, 1852. Her parents were both natives of Ohio and early settlers in Union county, where her father died when a young man. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, Euphemia, Hiram, Martha, Frank, Emma, Charles, and three who died in childhood. Mrs. Taylor is now the only one of the family who is living.

Mr. Taylor and his wife are active workers in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a member of the ])oard of stewards at the present time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He gave his hearty support to the Republican party until 19 12, when he, with thousands of other voters, joined the new Progressive party. He has always been active in civic life and was justice of the peace for fifteen years and married no less than forty-five couples during his first term of office. He has been in the council of Marysville for six years and was chairman of the committee when the streets of Marysville were paved.

John Auer

The whole career of John Auer, with the exception of six years which he spent in Kansas, has been identified with the history of Union county and most of this time he has been engaged in business in Marysville. He was an employee of the Big Four railroad at Marysville for many years and conducted a grocery store here for nearly a score of years. Since the fall of 1913 he has been engaged in the laundry business and now has a well equipped laundry. He is doing excellent work and giving general satisfaction to a constantly increasing circle of patrons.

John Auer, the proprietor of the Marysville Steam Laundry, was born in Paris township. Union county, Ohio, one mile from Alarysville. May 6, 1863. He is the son of Peter and Mary (Geer) Auer, natives of Germany and Union county, Ohio, respectively. There were six children born to Peter Auer and wife: Fred J., of Marysville; Maggie, the wife of Frank Maahs, of Olympia, Washington ; Barbara Anna, who died in Topeka, Kansas, the wife of Frank Roher; John, of Marysville: William C.. of Marysville; and Carrie B.. the wife of J. L. ]Miller, of Marysville.

Peter Auer was reared in Germany and educated in his native land, where lie learned the trade of a dyer. He came to America when he was about twenty years of age and was one of the first settlers in Marysville, where he spent the remainder of his life with the exception of a few years in Kansas. He learned the butcher business in jNIarysville and worked at that for more than a score of years. He died in 1893 at the age of sixty-four. His wife passed away May 20, 19 14. at the age of seventy-three. Both were de\out members of the Trinity Lutheran church.

The paternal grandparents of John Auer spent all of their days in Germany, where they reared a large family, Peter, Fred, John and Margaret. Margaret married J. P. Bauer, who came to America and died in Topeka, Kansas, where he had moved from Marysville. The maternal grandparents of Mr. .\uer were Leonard Geer and wife, natives of Germany and pioneer settlers in Union county, Ohio, where they located on a farm in Paint township, four miles from Alarysville. They died in this county, he being more than seventy years of age and his wife being eighty-eight at the time of her death. Three sons and two daughters were born to Leonard Geer and wife, ^Margaret. Leonard, Barbara, Mary and John.

John Auer was reared in Marysville and has lived all of his life in this county, except the six years he spent with his parents in Kansas. He received his education in the public and parochial schools of Marysville and after leaving school began working on the farms in his immediate vicinity for eleven dollars a month. After working by day labor on the farm for five years, he returned to Marysville and became assistant agent and baggage master at the Big Four station, holding this position for twelve years. He then opened a grocery store in Marysville and conducted it for the next eighteen years with marked success. In September, 1913, he embarked in the laundry business, to which he has since added a drj- cleaning department. He has already built up a large trade and has one of the best equipped laundries in the state for a town of this size.

Mr. .\uer was married October 11, 1887, to Catherina M. Burns, the daughter of Fmanuel and Barbara Anna ( Bishop) Burns. To this union two children ha\e l)een born, Dana and Philip. Dana died at the age of five and Philip is n(iw in the employ of his father .in the laundry.

^Irs. Auer was born on a farm one-half mile south of Marysville and lived there until her marriage. Her parents were natives of Germany and early settlers in this county, where her father died in 1912 at the age of eighty-two. Her mother has been dead for several years. Twelve children

!Mr. Aiier and his family are devout members of the Trinitv Lutheran church and he belongs to the Lutheran Benevolent Society. In politics, he has always given his support to the Democratic party and has served on the council for several terms. The family residence is at Xo. 130 South ^^'alnut street, where he owns three houses on the same lot. Mr. Auer is a selfmade man in e\ery way, having started out to seek his own fortune when he was a lad of eleven years. He is a highly respected citizen and as a business man whose word has ne\er been questioned.

A prosper(5us druggist of Alar_\'s\'ille, Ohio, is Charles Asman, who has spent most of his career of forty years in the city of his nati\"ity. He is a man of excellent education and is recognized as a skilled pharmacist. He has had his own drug store in Marysville for the past ten years and has conducted it in such a way as to merit the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.

Charles Asman, the son of John C. and Barbara ( Enimert ) Asman. was born in Marysville, Ohio, March 6, 1875. The history of John C. Asman, elsewhere in this \'olume, gives further inf(jrmation concerning the family.

Charles .-\sman was reared in Marysville and attended the parochial school of the Lutheran church as well as the public school of ]\Iarys\ille. He then spent two years at Capital [Jni\-ersity in Columbus, Ohio, where he took the classical coiu^se. At the age of seventeen he began clerking in the drug store of X. E. Liggett in Marysville and two years later decided to take a complete course in pharmacy and with this intention he enrolled as a student in the Xorthwestern L'ni\-ersity Sclniol of Pharmacy at Chicago, Illinois, and graduated in the spring of 1895. ^^^ t^''^" took a position in a drug store at Cincinnati, Init a year later returned to his old position in AIarys\-ille and clerked for 'Sir. Liggett until 1005. In tliat year he bought the store of Mr. Liggett and has since been in business fijr himself.

Mr. Asman was married June 11, 1903, to Marie Linzinmiere, the daughter of Louis and Barbara (Gunderman) Linzinmiere. To this union two sons have been born, William and Edwin.

father came from Germany when a small boy. Mr. Linzinmiere and his wife are both living in ilarysville, where he conducts a restaurant on North Main street. Two children Ijeen born to Mr. and Mrs. Linzinmiere, Frank and ^Nlarie. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Asman were Frank and JNIarv (Horst) Linzinmiere and to them were born four children: Mary, who died in Germany ; Louisa, who died in Columbus, Ohio ; Frank, who was killed in the Civil War; and Louis, the father of Mrs. Asman. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Asman were John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gunderman. Mr. Asman and his wife are devout members of the Lutheran church and greatly interested in its welfare. Politically, he is a Democrat but has preferred to give all of his attention to his business interests rather than engage in political campaigns. He is a member of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association and is interested in everything which pertains to the progress of his profession. He stands in the front rank as a man who honors his calling and because of his industry, integrity and genuine worth, he stands high in public estimation. As a citizen he ranks with the most influential in his community and is ever looking for the betterment of those about him.

Pearl O. Robinson

The Robinson family has been identified with the history of Union county, Ohio, since the year 1800, when Samuel Robinson received a deed for six hundred acres in what is now Darby township, for the sum of seven hundred dollars. The patent for the land was signed by John Adams, then the President of the United States, and Timothy Pickering, the secretary of state. This large tract of land has been in the hands of the Robinson family since that time, and Pearl O. Robinson, whose history is here presented, owns, in partnership with his brother, Louis B., two hundred and forty-seven acres of the original homestead.

Samuel Robinson, the first member of the family to come to Union county, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1774, and came to Ohio as a surveyor with a man liy the name of Sullivan in the latter part of the eighteenth century. They surveyed all of the land through this section of Ohio and subsequently Mr. Sullivan deeded Samuel Robinson six hundred acres in Darby township, although it was many years after this before Union county was created. Samuel Robinson and wife reared a family of six children, Dicksfin. James, Hunter, Margaret, Martha and Joseph. ^Margaret married Samuel McCulIoiigh and Martha married Richard Beard. Martha is the only one of these six children now li\ing and she makes her home in Cleveland, Ohio, with her daughter.

James Robinson, one of the sons of the tirst member of this family to come to Union county, is the grandfather of Pearl O. Robinson. James Robinson, familiarly known to his friends as "Groundhog Jim," was born in 1816 in Darby township on the same farm now owned by Pearl O. and Louis B. Robinson. James Robinson and wife were the parents of two children, Bruce and Fredonia, who died at the age of eighteen. James Robinson died m 1872.

Bruce Robinson, the father of Pearl O., was born in Union county, November 9. 1845, ^"d died in July, 1909. His wife, Irene Baxter, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 18, 1845, ^^^^ died in February, 1909. Bruce Robinson and Irene Baxter were married December 4, 1S66, and to them were born four children, three of whom are living: Pearl O., of Darby township; Lacy M., a teacher in the Normal school at Plain Cit)', Ohio; and Louis Baxter, who makes his home in Plain City.

Pearl O. Robinson was born in Darby township, L'nion count}', Ohio, September 12, 1869, and has spent his whole life in L'nion county. He received a good common school education and later graduated from the Plain City high school. He then entered the University of Michigan and graduated from that university. For the next sixteen years he was in the schoolroom as a teacher. He taught in the Dwight L. Moody School of Massachusetts, the high school at .St. Louis and the High School of Commerce in New York City. He then resigned in order to take up the general agencv of the G. & C. Merriam & Company, puljlishers, for the state of Ohio, and he and his brother now represent this company, who are the publishers of the Wdister International Dictionars^ He ov.ns, in partnership with his brother, two hundred and forty-se\en acres of the old homestead, although he now makes his home one and one-third miles north of Plain City in Jerome township. He has a beautiful country home surrounded by eight acres of land well laid out. He and his brother give their careful supervision to their farm and rank among the most extensive stock raisers in the township. Thev raise full-blooded Percheron horses and red Duroc Jersey hogs.

Pearl O. Robinson was married June 26, 1901, to Elizabeth M. Lane, the daughter and only child of Doctor ]\Iilton and Sophronia (McCloud) Lane, both of whom are deceased. Doctor Lane was born in Indiana and his wife was born in Amity, Ohio. Doctor Lane was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and his wife was a graduate of the Women's

Medical College of Chicago. He died September 16, 1889. and his widow died September 10, 1904. ^Ir. Robinson and wife are the parents of four children, three of whom are living: James L., born September 30, 1903; ^lartha Ann, born September 2^. 1906; and Jane Osborne, born February 7. 1909. Elizabeth May, a twin sister of Martha Ann, died at the age of five months.

Fraternall}", Mr. Rol)inson is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, of Plain Cit}-. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church and he is serving as an elder in his denomination.

Hexry T. Brooks

The present treasurer of Union county, Ohio, is Henry J. Brooks, who has been a resident of this county since 1865. He has been one of the most influential citizens of the county for many years and for about twenty years was a teacher in the public schools of the county, serving as superintendent of the Claibourne township schools for nine years. During all of these years he has also devoted part of his time to farming as well as to various business interests in the county. He is a man of high ideals and strict integrity and is making one of the most capable officials ever elected to office in this county. He is a man of genial and pleasing personality and has a host of friends throughout all parts of the county.

Henry J. Brooks, the son of Joseph P. and Christina (Dull) Brooks, was born ]\Iay 7, 1854, in Licking county, Ohio. His parents, both of whom were natives of Ohio also, had two children, Henry J. and Ellis F., of Xorth Yakima, Washington.

Joseph P. Brooks was reared in Licking county. Ohio, and lived there until the breaking out of the Ci\il War. He then enlisted in Company B, Sevent}-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and ser\-ed until the close of the war. At the battle of Ringgold, Georgia, he was one of thirteen men who fell while trying to carry the flag l^efore his regiment. He and five others were wounded and seven others were killed outright. The flag was finally captured by the Confederates despite the heroic resistance put up by the courageous thirteen and was kept by the Southerners until 1914, when it was returned to Governor Co.x of Ohio.

Henry J, Brooks

The paternal grandparents of Henry J. Brooks were Joseph Perkins and PhoeI)e (Perkins) Brooks, natives of Maine. The Brooks came from Maine by ox-cart to Columbus, Ohio, and settled in Licking county. Subsecjuently, Joseph P. Brooks, Sr., engaged in pork trading and took numerous loads of pork on fiat boats to New Orleans. He died in Licking county, Ohio, in 1907 and lacked only seven days of being ninety-eight years of age. His wife died in the same house at the age of eighty. The father of Joseph P. Brooks, Sr., was in the War of 1S12. He was the first mayor of Columljus after its incorporation in 1S34. Four sons and two daughters were bom to Joseph and Phoebe (Perkins) Brooks, Joseph P., Edward, Solomon, Rufus, Mary and Phoebe. The maternal grandparents of Henry J. Brooks were Joseph and Elizabeth ( Duml)all ) Dull, natives of Pennsylvania, of Holland-Dutch descent. The Dulls were pioneers of Perry county, Ohio, and later moved to Licking county, where they died at an advanced age after rearing a large family of children, Phoebe, Christina, Joanna, Xancy, L'riah, John, Lottie, Elias and Lufinda.

Henry J. Brooks was reared in L'nion county froiu the time he was eleven years of age. He attended the district schools of his township and later was a student in the Richwood graded schools. Before reaching his majority he started to teach in the public schools of Union county and for twenty years taught nearly every winter, while he spent his summers on the farm or in the saw-mills. He accumulated a farm of ninety-six acres, but on account of declining health he sold his farm in igio.

Mr. Brooks was married October 11, 1877, to Harriett Shisler, the daughter of John and I^acy Ann (Darling) Shisler. To this union two children have been born, Chauncey E. and John P. Chauncey E. is a dentist in Marysville. He married Lillian \\^ood and has one daughter, Doris Adelaide. John P., also a dentist of Richwood, married Miklred Chene_\- and has one daughter, Harriett.

Mrs. Brooks was born in Marion county, Ohio, but was reared to womanhood in Union county. Her parents were nati\es of Ohio, her father dying in 1879 at the age of iifty-four and her mother in 1903 at the age of eighty-two. Her father's death was the result of a kick recei\ed from a horse. John Shisler and wife were the parents of a large famih- of children, Ella, Jane, Eva, Harriett. Laura, Xancy, Mary, John and one who died in infancy.

Mr. and ^Irs. Brooks are members of the ^Methodist Protestant church. Fraternallv, Mr. Brooks is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was reared as a Republican and voted the Republican ticket for man}' years, but for the past twenty years has been an independent voter, although generally casting his ballot for the candidates of the Democratic party. He was elected county treasurer in 1910 and in 1912 was re-elected by a greatly increased majority. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Richwood and has been president of that bank since its organization. He also owns stock in various other enterprises in the county and has made a reputation as one of the sterling business men of the county. He is a wide-awake and public spirited citizen who has long been regarded as one of the representative men of the county and it seems eminently fitting that his career should find a place in the annals of his countv's historv.

Most of the life of \A'ade G. ]\IcKitrick has been spent on the farm in Jerome township, I'nion county. Ohio, where he was born. He has been engaged in the buying and selling of horses for many years, and has been living on his present farm since March, 1914, having spent the previous year in Columbus, Ohio.

\\'ade G. ]\IcKitrick, the son and only child of William and Susanna (Robinson) ]\IcKitrick, was born in Jerome township, on the farm where he is now living. His father was bom in Licking county, Ohio, and his mother in Union county, although his father lived in this county from the age of six years. His parents were m.arried in this county about 1868, and his father farmed in Jerome township until his death, December 24. 1902. His mother is now living with him on the old homestead.

\\'ade G. McKitrick was educated in the schools of Jerome township and after his marriage began to buy horses for the market. He has owned as many as three thousand horses and until !March, 1914, gave practically all of his attention to the buying and selling of horses. From March, 1913, until March, 1914, Mr. McKitrick and his family lived in Columbus, but since that time he has retired from the horse market and is now devoting all of his attention to farming. He has a fine farm of eighty acres in Jerome township, which is well improved and in a high state of cultivation.

of Jonas and Melinda (Bowen) A'ininj^, natives of Union connty. Mr. Vining, who was an old soldier, is still living in Dover township, while Mrs. Vining died about 1890. Mr. McKitrick and his wife are the parents of six children: Waher, born May 2, 189S: Lillian, born May 30, 1901 ; Alice, born February i, 1904: Hazel, born Alay 8, 1905: William, born September 13, 1907; Beecher, born December 4, 1909.

Politically, Mr. McKitrick is a Democrat and has always been prominent in the councils of his part}- in I'nion county. He was appointed as a member of the school board of his township and was later elected for a four-year term, resigning his position when he moved to Columbus in 191 3. The family are regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church at Watkins and are interested in all church and .Sunday school work.

Louis Ltnzinmeire

A resident of Marysville, Ohio, since 1874, Louis Linzinmeire has been connected with the business interests of the city for more than forty years. He comes from sturdy German ancestors and has inherited those qualities of thrift and industry which have made the people of his nation such welcome additions to the cosmopolitan population of this country.

Louis Linzinmeire, the son of Frank and Mary (Horst) Linzinmeire, was born in Massachusetts, July 12, 1856. Both of his parents were born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to America after their marriage. They had four children : Alary, who died in Germany after her marriage ; Louisa, who died single in Columbus, Ohio : Frank, who was killed in the Civil War, and Louis, of ]\Iarysville.

Frank Linzenmeire was reared and educated in Germany and when a young man learned the saddler's trade. Upon coming to America in 1866 he settled in Massachusetts and died there in August of the same year when his son Louis was only three weeks of age. His widow survived him many years and later moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she married Leonard ]\Taegerlein. There were no children born to her second marriage and she and her second husband are both deceasetl, she dying in 1871.

Louis Linzinmeire lived in Columbus, Ohio, until he was thirteen years of age. He attended the parochial schools of the Lutheran church and was confirmed in that denomination \\hen thirteen years of age. He then came to Milford Center, in L'nion county, Ohio, where he learned the carriage painter's traiie and followed that until 1884. At eighteen years of age he came to Marvsx ille. where he continued to follow the carriage painter's trade until he opened a saloon in 1884, following this line of business until 1908. In that vear he opened his present pool room and tobacco store.

Mr. Linzinmeire was married January 24, 1878. to Barbara Gunderman, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gunderman. To this union ha\e been liorn two children, Frank and Marie. Frank, who is now clerking for his father, married Xettie Rausch and has three children, Louis, Charles and Elizabeth.

Mrs. Linzinmeire was born in Marysville and has spent her whole life here. Her parents were nati\es of Ba\aria, Germany, and early settlers in Marysville, where they both died well advanced in years. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gunderman, George, Barbara, Mary, Lena and John.

Politically, Mr. Linzinmeire gi\es his support to the Democratic party 1)ut has never been a candidate for office. He and his wife are members of the' Lutheran church.

Joseph M. Baixer

One of the many citizens of Union county, Ohio, who is a descendant from German ancestors, is Joseph M. Bainer, the secretary and treasurer of the Marysville Cabinet Company. Mr. Bainer followed the painter's trade for several years, then became interested in the cabinet-making business, and has been following this line of activity in Marysville for the past twentytwo years. He is a man of excellent business abilit\^ good judgment and foresight, and by careful attention to his business has become one of the most successful men of Mar}-s\ille.

Joseph M. Bainer, the son of John C. and Elizabeth ( Koettenmaier) Bainer, was Ijorn in Tiftin, Seneca county, Ohio, February 19, 1859. His father was born in (jerman\' and his mother in France. They came to America before their marriage, his father coming here when about fourteen years of age. They were married in Tiffin, Ohio, and there the seven children were born: John P., deceased: Catherine, w'ife of Peter F. Zink, of Los .\ngeles, California: Jacob H., of Chicago: Andrew, deceased: Joseph .M., of Marysville: Frank, of Los .\ngeles, California: Caroline, deceased, wife of Henry Mollenkopf.

Joseph M. Hainer

moulder's trade, and followed this until his health hecame impaired, after which he took up carpenter work. He died in Chicago in 1903 at the age of seventy-six and his wife died in the same city the following year at the same age. Both were loyal members of the Catholic church.

The paternal grandparents of Joseph M. Bainer were Christian and Eva (Bullinger) Bainer. natives of Germany and early settlers in Tiffin. Ohio. Christian Bainer first worked on the old Erie canal at Akron for one year. He then operated an ashery at Tiftin and made the old-fashioned l)lack lye which was so common in our grandfather's day. He was killed in the ashery accidentally when about fifty years of age. His widow lived to be eightysix years of age. Five children were born to Christian Bainer and wife, John C, Mary, Andrew, Martin and Stephen. The maternal grandparents of Joseph M. Bainer were Jacob and Elizabeth (Hirsch) Koettenmaier.. They \vere born in Luxemburg. France, and were early settlers in Tiffin, Ohio. He died at New Riegal. Ohio, at the home of his daughter and his wife died in Tiffin. Jacob Koettenmaier and wife had two sons and five daughters, John. Catherine. Charlotte. Elizabeth. Susan. Peter and one who died in early childhood.

Joseph M. Bainer was reared in Tiffin. Ohio, until he w'as about thirteen years of age. He attended the public and parochial schools in that place and when a mere lad began to learn tlie painter's trade. He worked in Cleveland for two years and for some time at Xapoleon. Ohio. In 1882 he came to Marysx'ille to assist on the painting contract of the court house. He fell from the court house and was so severely injured that he was laid up for over a year. He then went to Chicago and attended school for a vear. after which he went back to painting and followed it for several years. In 1890 he came to Marysville and went to work for the John Rausch Manufacturing Company, which later developed into the Marysville Cabinet Company. This company was incorporated with a capital stock of seventv-fi\-e thousand dollars and now has the following officers : Charles Brown, president; John M. Hamilton, of Bellefontaine. vice-president; Joseph Af. Bainer. secretary and treasurer, and X. \'. Elliott, of Bellefontaine. general manager. This company manufactures desks for ])anks and stores and all kinds of office fixtures.

Mr. Bainer was married July 8. 1886, to Mary Cundermann. daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gundermann. To this union two children have been born. John David and Elizabeth G. John D. is a state bank examiner at Cle\eland, Ohio. He married Otelia F"ox and has one daughter. INIary. and a son, Joseph. Elizabeth G. is a graduate of the Marysville high school and is now attending college at Oxford. Ohio.

2\Irs. Bainer was born in Alarys\ille, Ohio, January 6, 1861. Her parents were natives of Bavaria. Germany, and were very early settlers in ^Iar_\s\ille, Oiiio. Her father came here when sixteen and her mother when eight years of age, and located in the German settlement in this county. Her father died in Marysville in 1884, at the age of fifty- four, and her mother died in August, 1900, aged sixty-one. Five children were born to the parents of I\lrs. Bainer, Barbara, George, Mary, Lena (deceased) and John.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Bainer were George and Anna Barbara (Goese) Gundermann, natives of Germany and early settlers of Marj^sville, where they died at an old age. George Gundermann and wife were the parents of five children, Barbara, Margaret, Michael, John and George. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Bainer were Frederick and Katharina (Herscher) Schmidt. They were natives of Gennany and came to America in 1854 and first located in Canal Winchester and about 1856 came to Union county, Ohio, and located in the German settlement in this county. Frederick Schmidt died about four months after coming to this county and his wife died about 1878, at the age of seventy-seven. There were six children born to Frederick Schmidt and wife who lived to maturity, Lena, Laura, Elizabeth, ^Margaret, David and Franz. Four other children died in early childhood.

Politically, Mr. Bainer is a Democrat and at the present time is a member of the city council. He is a director in the Citizens Home and Savings Bank. The family are loyal members of the Trinity Lutheran church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested and to whose support thev are generous contributors.

Dr. Peter T. Engard

The practice of veterinary surgery has pushed to the front within the last quarter of a century and has reached a stage where it is recognized as a science. Many excellent schools of veterinary surger}' are now established in the United States and one of the best institutions of this kind is located at Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Peter T. Engard graduated from the Indiana X'eterinary College in the spring of 191 3 and has since been practicing his profession in Marysville, Ohio. He is rapidly Ijuilding up a wide acquaintance throughout the county and gaining an enviable reputation for his skill as a veterinary.

Dr. Peter T. Engard, the son of William and Irene (Freese) Engard, was born in Delaware, Ohio, January 22, 1886. His parents, who were both natives of Delaware county, Ohio, were the parents of four sons : Dr. Peter T., of Marysville; Marion, of London. Ohio: William, a soldier in the regular arm_v ; and Walter, a grocer in London. Ohio.

W'illiam Engard was reared in Delaware county, Ohio, and bought and sold horses for a number of years. For the past eight years he has been a resident of London, Ohio, where he and his wife are now' residing. He and his W'ife are both loyal members of the Presbyterian church.

The paternal grandparents of Doctor Engard were Peter T. and Julia (Cornell) Engard, natives of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, repectively. They were early settlers of Delaware county, Ohio, where he bought and sold horses. He died at Findlay, Ohio, at the age of ninety-one and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five. Eight children were born to the grandparents of Doctor Engard, Mary, Adeline, Emma, George, William, John. Harry and Frank. The maternal grandparents of Doctor Engard were ]\Iarion Freese and wife, natives of Ohio. ^Marion Freese was a groceryman in Delaware county all of his life. His wife died when a young woman and he is still living at Bell Point, Ohio. ^Marion Freese and wife reared a familj^ of five children, Vina, Martha, Susan, Irene and W'alter.

Dr. Peter T. Engard was reared in Delaware county, Ohio, and attended the countr\- schools of Lucas county. He graduated from the Findlay high school in 1903 and then went to work in his home county. In the fall of 1910 he entered the Indiana \'eterinary College at Indianapolis and graduated in 1913. He at once came t(> IMarysville, Ohio, where he has since practiced his profession and has met \\ ith unusual success from the beginning.

Mrs. Engard was born in Columbus, Ohio. Her parents were both natives of this state and are now living at London, Ohio, where her father is manager of the manufacturing plant of Thomas Armstrong. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, Marie and A'irginia. The paternal grandparents of ^slrs. Engard had four sons, ]\Iartin. Richard, Frank and Charles.

Dr. and ]\Irs. Engard are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics, he gives his support to the Democratic party, but thus far has not taken an active part in political matters. He is a young man of pleasing appearance and deeply interested in his profession and bids fair to become one of the representative citizens of Marysville.

William M. Goff. M. D.

In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident and material around which the l)iiigrapher may \vea\-e an interesting and instructive story. E\-en the minor incidents, and what may be considered the unimportant details of a life, are subjects worthy of consideration in giving a true index of the character in a life history. But in summing up the career of any man in the brief space allotted, the writer must needs touch only the more salient points giving the keynote of the character, eliminating many of the minor details that would contribute to the interest of a more extended story. \\'ithin the pages of this work will be found mention of many prominent and influential citizens, worthy representatives of sturdy pioneer families, who have contributed a full share of the arduous work incident to the development of the country. Among this class is Dr. William M. Goff, who occupies a prominent place in the ranks of the representati\'e men of the community.

Dr. William M. Gof¥ was born March 15, 1876. on a farm in Union township. L'nion county, Ohio. He is a son of William and Susan L (Mitchell) Goff. The father was Ijorn in Palestine, Kentucky, the family coming to that place from Xew York state. The original family came from F~rance as Huguenot exiles, escaping from the cruel persecutions during the reign of Louis XIV, whose blood-thirsty soldiers, led by fanatical monks, scoured the country in every direction, carried the direst destruction into every family who refused to renounce the so-called new religion. During this terrible persecution thousands were mercilessly butchered and other thousands escaped as exiles to America, Switzerland, England and Holland. Among these exiles was the Goff family who found a home in America.

The father of our subject came to L'nion county about 1838 and married in this county, where his wife was born. He was a farmer by occupation and followed this business until his death, August 22. 1907. His widow is still living. Dr. Goff was born on a farm and when he was about one year old the family came to Marysville where he grew to manhood. His education was received in the public schools of this place. After leaving the public schools he began the study of medicine and later entered the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, He graduated in 1897 and at once began the practice of his profession. During his practice he has taken post-graduate studies, attending lectures in various medical colleges. He first located for practice at Lafayette, Madison county, Ohio, remaining there for six months. He then removed to London, Ohio, where he practiced for eighteen months; then he went to Alansfield, Logan county, Ohio, where he remained for two years. His next move was to Unionville Center, in Union county, where he continued in the practice for twelve years. Then he came to Marysville, the home of his early years, in July, 1913, and here he has continued in the practice ever since.

Alay J5, 1897, Doctor Goff was married to Anna Bess Wood, a daughter of William J. and Caroline ( Siples ) Wood, of Richwood. Ohio. One daughter, Helen Luella, is the result of this union. Fraternally, Doctor Gof¥ is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Red ^len and the }iIodern Woodmen of America. Politically, he has always been a Republican and has taken an active interest in party affairs, serving as a member of the Republican county committee for several years. He and his family are members of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church.

William F. Marsh

The "]\laple Gro\e Farm," located three miles east of Plain City, m Jerome township, is the home of W'illiam F. Marsh, who has been a resident of this county for more than thirty years. He is essentially a self-made man. His present farm indicates that he has not labored in vain, and while working primarily for his own interests, yet he has not been neglectful of his duties as a good American citizen. He has taken an active part in the life of the locality in which he has resided, and for more than a score of years he lias served on the school board of his township.

William F. Alarsh, the son and only child of William ^1. and Mattie ( Felber ) ]\Iarsh. was born in Ashle}', Delaware county, Ohio, Jul\- 14, 1862. His parents were both born in Ohio and were married in Delaware count}-. His father died in 1864 and his mother later married I. H. Warner.

William F. }i[arsh was educated in the district schools of his home county and later attended the high school at Westerville, Ohir). Before reaching his majorit}" he started to work out for himself, and after reaching maturitv he married and came t(i L^nion count}' to make his permanent home. He has not tried to accumulate a large amount of land but rather to gi\e his careful attention to a comparatively small farm. He owns fifty-eight and (41) one-half acres, which is in a very high state of cultivation. He raises registered Jersey cattle and has been very successful in this particular line of activity.

^Ir. Marsh has been twice married, his first wife being ]^Iinnie E. Brown, to whom he was married in October, 1883. She was a daughter of Rev. Joseph F. and Susan (Nunnemaker) Brown. Her father was a minister of the United Brethren church and first lived in Hocking county, Ohio, and later removed to Franklin county. Rev. Joseph Brown and his wife both died in the latter county. To this first union two children were born, Harry A. and Carl M. Harry graduated from the agricultural department of the Ohio State University and married May Jones in 191 4, and is now living in Jerome township. Carl M. married Iva Harbage on February 21, 1912, and now makes his home in Marvsville. The first wife of Mr. INIarsh died March 6, 1889, and on August 26, 1894, he married Naomi Eckert, the daughter of Silas Eckert. The second wife of Mr. Marsh died July 8, 1904. In 1901, Ruth B. Holmes, of Columbus, Ohio, an orphan, who was born October 28, 1891, became a member of the Marsh family and ^Ir. and ]\Irs. Marsh gave her all of the care and attention v.hich they accorded their own children. She was educated in the Plain City schools and is now making her home with :Mr. Marsh.

Politically, Mr. Marsh is a Republican with progressive tendencies. He has been one of the leaders in his party for many years, and for over twenty years has been a member of the school board of Jerome township. During all of this time he has never failed to give his hearty support to every measure which he felt would be of benefit to the schools of his township in any way. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Plain City.

Robert Robotham

A retired merchant and manufacturer of Syracuse, New York, who is highly esteemed by those who know him is Robert Ro'botham, who has made this city his home for the past ten years. He served with distinction in a Xew York regiment in the Ci\il War and was in more than a score of the hardest fought battles of that terriljle struggle. For many years he was in the mercantile business in the state of New York and later engaged in the manufacturing of furniture, guns and fishing tackle. Mr. Robotham is a man of iiigh perscjnal character and during his career in this county has so

Robert Robotham. the son of Robert and Jane (Benson) Robotham, was born in Jersey Cit_v, New Jersey, Deceniljer 15, 1838. His parents, who were born in Yorkshire, England, reared a family of ten children : Mary Ann, the wife of Frederick Staat, of New^ Brunswick, New Jersey: John, who was a forty-niner and died in California: William, who died in 1909 in his seventy-ninth year: Eliza, who died young: George, who was killed in 1888 at a lire in New Brunswick, New Jersey; Robert, the first: Robert, the second ; Robert, the third ; Mooring, of Newark, New Jersey, and David H., of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Robert the first and Robert the second died, and the third son by the same name is the subject of this review.

Robert Robotham, the father of Rol)ert. with whom this narrative deals, was reared in Yorkshire, England, and educated in his native land. He was a gardener for Lord Ho\vard, and later served in the British army and was in the battle of New Orleans on January 3. 181 5. He also fought in other battles in the War of 1812 in English regiments. He returned to England at the close of the War of 1812 and lived there until 1828. In that year he came to America with his wife and three oldest children and located in Westernville, Oneida county, New York. He followed his trade of a stone mason in that place for a time and then moved to Jersey City, New Jersev, where he followed his trade until 1849. He then made the long overland trip to California in search of gold, and while there he contracted rheumatism and died. Before his death he sent home six hunilred dollars' worth of gold dust to his children. He died in 185 1, after having been in California a little over one year. His wife died in Jersey City, New Jersev, in 1847. at the age of fortythree years. Both were members of the Episcopal church.

The paternal grandparents of Robert Robotham were Robert and Jane (Mooring) Robotham. The grandfather, Robert Robotham, was born August 22, 1760, in England, and came to America and died in Oneida countv. New York, at the age of eighty-two years, his wife having previouslv died in England. Eight children were born to Roljert Robotham. Sr.. and wife. Elizabeth. ]\Iar}-. Robert, ]\Ioses, Jane. Sarah. Thomas and William. [Moses and Jane were twins. It is interesting to note that the famih- name was formerly spelled "Robottom" and later "Rowljotham,"" but for more than a generation it has been spelled as it is now "'Robotham." The maternal grandparents of Robert Robotham were natives of England, where the grandmother lived and died. The grandfather came to America and died at the age of eighty-one in Oneida countv. New York.

The present Robert Robothani, the third in direct descent bearing the same name, was reared in New Jersey and in Oneida county, New York. He was partly educated in Jerse\- City and from the age of twelve went to school in Oneida county, New York, where he completed his education. He clerked in a general store in the latter county until 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Union army in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, and served as a sergeant for two years and ten months. He was in more than twenty engagements, but escaped without being wounded, captured or having his health impaired. Both his brothers, David and Mooring, served in the Second Regiment of New Jersey Volunteer Infantry,

After the close of the Ci\il War, Mr. Robotham engaged in the hardware business at Camden. New York.' where he remained for nine years. He then mo\"ed to Svracuse, New York, and first engaged in the wholesale hardware business, and later became interested in the manufacture of furniture and still later, in the manufacture of guns, ammunition and fishing tackle. After the death of his wife in 1904, Mr. Robotham moved to Marysville, Ohio, where he has since made his home. He became assistant abstractor to A. S. ]\Iowry and works for Mr. Mowry during the summer seasons. Each winter ]Mr. Robotham goes to Florida where he remains imtil the following spring.

Mr. Robotham was married December 22, 1865, to ^lahala Doolittle. the daughter of Wolcott and Marium ( Cronkhite) Doolittle. She was a relative of Hiram Cronkhite, the last Revolutionaiy soldier who died in Westernville, New York, at the age of one hundred and six years.

2\lrs. Robotham was born February 5, 1845, ^"d died October 9, 1904. Her parents were natives of New York state. Mr. Robotham has a sister, ]\Irs. Frederick Staat, who celebrated her ninetieth birthday ]\Iav 16. 1914. This sister is the mother of twelve children and has sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren lixing.

;\Ir. Robotham has been a life-long attendant of the Presbyterian church, as was his wife until the time of her death. He has been a member of the Masonic order since i86_', l)elonging to. the Syracuse Lodge, No. 501. He is also a menilier of the Ransom Reed Post. Grand Army of the Republic, and is past commander of the local post. Politically, he has been a life-long Republican and cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in i860, and has continued tu supjjort the Republican ticket from that time forward. Mr. Rob'iiham i- a man whr) is keenly interested in the general welfare of his community and Marys\-ille delights to do him honor. He is one of the few veterans of the Civil War who are still living and he can look back over a long career during which he has served his country well and faithfully in times of peace as well as in time of war.

John M. Curry

The Curry family have been prominently identified with the history of Union county, Ohio, since 1817. The father of John 'SI. Curry was born in this county and the family have been connected in various ways with the history of this count}- for nearly one hundred years. During all of this time its various members have been prominent in every phase of the county's development. John M. Curry has devoted his career to farming and he and his two brothers own over five hundred acres of land and conduct a general farming and stock raising business under the name of C. L. Curry & Company.

John'AI. Curry, the son of John and Tabitha (Gill) Curry, was born in Union county, Ohio, AJay 21, 1871. His parents were both born in this countv, his father being born in 181 7. His parents were married in 1845 and of their eleven children nine are still living: Allen T., of Snyder, Oklahoma; Louis, a farmer of this county ; T. H. ; b>ank ; Olive, who married J. Delmore AlcCampbell, deceased; Jesse; Stevenson; Phoebe, the wife of Clark Richards, of Jerome township; Samantha, the wife of J. A. Cruikshank, deceased; J. E. : and John AI., a farmer of Jerome township.

James A., the grandfather of John M. Curry, was Ijorn in Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, Virginia, March 30, 1787. He came with his parents in 1798 from Virginia to Ross county, Ohio, where he lived until 181 1. On March 18, of that year, James Curry was married to Phoebe W'inget, who was liorn in Washington county, Pennsyhania. in 1799. James A. Curry died in Union county, March i. 1874, and his widow survived him until 1891. There were ten children born to James Curry and wife in this county. John, Harriett, Xancv, Alaria, James, Samantha, ^^'illiam, Phoebe, David, and Tames A., Jr. The reader is referred to the history of Louis Curry, found elsewhere in this volume, for further information concerning the Curry family.

Mr. Currv was married December 4, 1895, to Winifred Douglass, the daughter of Perrv and Lovisa (Ketch) Douglass. To this union two children have been born. Donna, born August 29, 1902, and Margaret, born December 22, 1904.

Mr. Currv is a stanch Democrat in politics and while taking a deep interest in the current issues of the day, has never been active in the political afl:'airs of his county.

William Kerxs

For more than thirty years \\'illiam Kerns has been a prosperous farmer of L'nion township, L^nion county, Ohio. He followed farming until 1907, since which time he has been engaged in the manufacture of cement blocks and has built up a ver}- profitable business in this particular line of activity.

\\'illiam Kerns, the son of Adam and Mary (Conn) Kerns, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, March 24, 1851. His father was a native of \'irginia and his mother of Indiana, and after their marriage they settled in Champaign county, Ohio, where they reared a family of six children. They had three other children who died in childhood. The six living children born to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Kerns are as follows: Israel, who lives near Cable, Ohio: Sarah ].. the wife of David Romine, who lives near Cable; William, of Union township; Perry, of Springfield, Ohio; John, of Mansfield, Ohio, and Orville, of East Liberty, Ohio. Adam Kerns died in 1891 and his widow is now living with her son, Israel.

William Kerns was educated in the schools of Champaign count)', Ohio, and lived at home until his marriage in 1873. He then came to LTnion county and located in L^nion township, where he has since resided. He followed general farming until about se\en years ago, when he became interested in the manufacture of cement blocks, and is now making a specialt}- of gray and white cement blocks to be used in the manufacture of fine porches and verandahs. He owns six and one-hall acres of land where his plant is located about one-half nu'le n(jrth of Irwin.

Mr. Kerns was married September i, 1873, to Mary J. Williams, a flaughter of John and Mary (Jackson) Williams, both of whom were natives of CJhio. To this union have Ijeen born six children, five of whom are living: Charles E., who died February 18, 1905; Delmer N., of Union township;

Edward, wlio is engaged in the manufacture of cement blocks at North Lewisburg, Ohio; Bessie, the widow of Cyrus Tarpening, who died in 1907; Edith R., the wife of Cahin Trapkey, a veterinary surgeon at Dunkirk, Ohio, and Merle V., who is now lixing at home. The mother of these children died June 25. 1900. Air. Kerns was married July 19, 1901, to Mary Catherine Butler, a native of Madison county, Ohio, and a daughter of George W. and Nancy (Lister) Butler, natives of Pennsylvania and Ross counties, Ohio, respectively.

Mr. Kerns is a Republican in politics and has been active in various ways in political matters for se\eral years. He has served as a member of the school board of his township and has also held the position of road supervisor, filling both positions with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red i\Ien and the Patrons of Husbandrv.

Thomas I. Hoy

Although a nati\e of the Keystone state. Thomas J. Hoy has been a resident of I'nion county for more than twenty years, during which time he has taken an active part in the life of his community. He is essentially a self-made man. ha\ing started in as a farm hand after locating in this county. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and eleven acres, a quarter of a mile from New California, in Jerome township.

Thomas J. Hoy, the son of Arthur and Rebecca (Grove) Hoy, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1871. His parents reared a family of eight children, all of whom are living and, with the exception of Thomas J., are still residing in Greene county, Pennsylvania, Thomas J., Dr. L., Otho. Frances M., Rosa A., William A., Cora J. and Simon S.

Thomas J. Hoy was educated in the schools of (ireene county, Pennsyl- \ania, and remained there on the home farm until the fall of 1893. In November of that year he came to Union county, Ohio, and began to work by the month on farms in different parts of tlie count}-. He then bought a farm in Jerome township north of New California, but a few years later sold this farm and bought his present farm of one hundred and eleven acres on which he has since resided. He has placed many improvements upon his farm and now has it in a high state of cultivation.

of James and Barbara (Baughman) Gray, natives of Union county and still living. Mr. Hoy and his wife are the parents of six children, all of whom are still living, James A., Daisy Blanche, Francis Marie, Florence Estella, Thomas Harold and Forest Marion.

Mr. Hoy and his wife are both members of the Patrons of Husbandry at Plain City. Politically, he is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in local affairs. He was assessor of his township for nine years and is now holding the position as the result of an appointment at the hands of the deputy assessor of Marysville. Mr. Hoy is a man who is highly respected throughout the township and county and is one of the substantial citizens who have helped to make Union county one of the leaders among its sister counties of the state.

Fielding A. Thompson

An enumeration of the representative citizens of Union county who ha\e \\on recognition and success for themseh-es and at the same time conferred honor upon the community dignified by their citizenship would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the gentleman whose name heads this review, a man who has long held worthy prestige in business and social circles and has been distinctively a man of affairs. A man of education and upright character, he wields a wide and beneficent influence in the community, e\er ha\'ing the best interests of his city and county at heart and ready to aid and encourage every cause for the welfare of the people among whom his lot has been cast.

Fielding A. Thompson, like many others of more or less distinction, began life in a log house. This house was located in Mill Creek township, Union county, where he made his advent March 5. 1862. He is a son of Andrew Jackson and Lovina L. (Farnum) Thompson, both parents having been born and reared in Mill Creek township. They were farmers and Mr. Thompson was trained in this line of industry in his early years. It was wliile living on the farm in Mill Creek township that the mother died in 1874. and in 1882 the family removed to Paris township and later to Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, where the father died in April, 1909.

Melding A. Thompson received his elementary education in the country schools while living on the farm in Mill Creek township. He afterward attended the high school in Marvsx^ille and later entered the Northern Normal

Fiklding A. Thompson

University at Ada, Ohio, completing the conrse and graduating from that institution in iS88. Then for seven years he was engaged in teaching in the district schools of Union county and established a reputation as a popular and progressi\e educator. While he was a marked success as a teacher and earnestly devoted to that vocation, his ambition was to make the legal profession his life work. With that jnirpose in view he gave up school teaching and began the study of law in the office of Judge John L. Porter, of Marysville. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1892, and at once engaged in the practice. May 15, 1893, he opened an office at the northwest corner of Fifth and Main streets and has been in this location ever since. He has been admitted to the practice in all state and federal courts. In these courts, as in the general practice in the lower courts. Mr. Thompson has won recognition as a man of marked prcjfessional ability and a most successful lawyer.

In politics, Mr. Thompson is an achocate of the principles of the Democratic party and has alwa}-s been acti\e in ihe promotion of the interests of his part}-. He has ser\'ed his party as county chairman and has been identified with the state organization. He has frequently been a delegate to district and state conventions, where his influence and counsel are given much consideration in the direction of party affairs. In 1896 Mr. Thompson was one of the two delegates from the eighth Ohio district to the Democratic national convention that met in Chicago and nominated William Jennings Bryan for President. That same year Mr. Thompson was elected mayor of the city of ^Nlarysville and was re-elected at the end of his term, serx'ing four vears. He was a candidate for prosecuting attorney of Union county in 1905, when the county was o\-erwhelmingly Republican, yet he failed of election by only a few votes, thus attesting his high standing and the popular esteem in which he is held by the people of his county regardless of political affiliation. In 1Q08 he \vas elected a member of the city council and served one term; he was again elected to that position in 1913 and is now a member of that body.

On March 28, 1901, ]\Ir. Thompson was united in marriage with Mary L. Ran-, daughter of James Raw, formerly of Medina c<iunty, Ohio. The ]iarents of Mrs. Thompson were natixes of England. They both died at their liome in Medina county and the daughter afterward came to Marysville. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two sons, Donald and Robert R., the former liorn July 2/, 1905. and the latter July 25, 1914. They have an elegant home at No. 140 ElwotJil avenue, and a happy family in that home with ever\thing to make life desiral)le. They are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute Hberally to its support. Air. Thompson is a member of the official board, has been a teacher for twenty years in the Sunday school and one of the most active workers in that department of religious endeavor. His only fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 87.

Mr. Thompson is the owner of a fine farm in Paris township and gives some attention to farming along with his other activities. This brief review falls far short of a complete sketch of the busy life of Mr. Thompson, but it will in some measure serve to give the reader an idea of the character the writer has attempted to portray.

One of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of Milford Center, Ohio, is George Lyons, who has been engaged in the drug business in Milford Center since the first day of April. 1871. and has spent his whole life, with the exception of the time he was in the Civil War, in Milford Center, or within a mile and a quarter of the village. He enlisted for sen'ice in the Civil War at the age of seventeen and participated in the Atlanta campaign with General Sherman. Mr. Lyons' long residence here has given him a large acquaintance throughout the county, and he is held in high esteem, not only as a business man. but as a neighbor, as a citizen, and as a friend who is always willing to share with those less fortunate than himself. His record as a business man is above reproach and he belongs to that high class true j\merican citizens who make our nation the greatest on earth.

George Lyons, the son of Benjamin and Mary (Morrow) Lyons, was born in L'nion township, about a mile and a quarter from ]\Iilford Center, on April 13, 1846. His father was born in V'ermont while his mother was a native of one of the Eastern states. They were the parents of two children, ]\Iartha, who died single, and George, of Milford Center.

Benjamin Lyons was married three times and had three sets of children. Mary (Morrow) Lyons, the mother of George, was his third wife. She had been formerly married, her first husband l)eing a Mr. ^^'helpley, who died in Adams county, Ohio. The parents of George Lyons were early settlers in L'nion county where his father fdllmved the occupation of a farmer. Benjamin Lyons owned a small farm in this county on Buck Run where he lived the most of his life. In his declining years he went to Iowa to make his home with his son, Levi, and there his death occurred at the age of eighty years. His wife, Mary Morrow, died in 1886. He was a UniversaHst in faith and his wife was a member of the Methodist church.

George Lyons was reared on his father's farm in Union township, this county, and received such education as was afforded by the district schools of his day. At the age of se\enteen he enhsted in Company F, Thirtysecond Regiment Oiiio Vnkinteer Infantry, and served for a year and a half, or until the close of the war. lie participated in all of those battles which Sherman fought on his march through Georgia to the sea. He then went with that general through the CaroHnas and was present at the surrender of General Johnson on April 26, 1865, and was present at the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., May 24 and 25 of that spring.

Immediately after the close of the Civil W^ar Mr. Lyons returned to peaceful pursuits in Union county and tor the first two years followed farming. He then went to Mar\sville and operated a huckster wagon for about a year, ^.fter which he came to Mil ford Center and established the drug store in which he has since continued. His store is well equipped with an up-todate stock of drugs and druggist's sundries, and is one of the oldest estal)- lished places of business in the \'illage. He has always so conducted his affairs as to win the confidence of the peo])le, and it is safe to say that no more highly respected business man li\-es in the county than Mr. Lyons.

Mr. Lyons was married on Christmas day, 1876, to Nancy Stewart. the daughter of Dr. Charles and F.Iizabeth ( AlcClenagen) Stewart, and to this union four children were born, Charles, Dessie, Zoe and one who died in infancv. Dessie died when she was about two years of age. Charles, who married Bertha Lincoln, is a telegraph operator at Milford Center and has two children, Frances and Zoe. Zoe, the second child of Mr. Lyons, is deceased. She was the wife of C. C. Fahl, and left one child, who is also nowdeceased.

The first wife of 'Sir. Lyons died at the birth of the fourth child on April 3, 1888. She was l)orn in Harrison county, Ohio, where her parents were earlv settlers. Her father was a practicing physician and had three children, Nancy, Ella and Douglas.

On January 19, i88q, Mr. Lyons married for his second wife. Ella, the twin sister of his first wife, and to this second union one son, Harold Stewart, has been born. Harold, who married Eva Gillespie, is working for his father in the drug store.

Air. Lyons has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than thirty years, and has also been a member of the Ransom Reed

Post. Grand Army of the Republic, of Marysville. since its organization. He has been a Hfe-long Repubhcan and has been frequently called upon by his party to serve it in various capacities. He has been a councilman of Milford Center for a number of terms and has also served as township and corporation treasurer for two terms. Mrs. Lyons is a member of the Presbyterian church, and although Mr. Lyons is not an active member of the church, yet he is an attendant and, with his wife, is a generous contributor to its maintenance.

]\Ir. Lyons is a fine example of the self-made man and during his long career in this county has so lived as to entitle him to inclusion among the representatixe men of his county.

Among those who have achieved success in the legal profession and who stand in the front rank of the members of the bar is John H. Willis. He was born September 19, 1S67. in Clinton county, Ohio, the son of William H. and Tobitha Jane (Bonecutter) Willis. His great-grandfather \\'illis came to America as a British soldier in 181 2 and when the war was o\er he decided to remain in America. He became a minister in the INIethodist Episcopal church and followed that calling' for many years. The greater part of his ministerial work was in Ohio, in which the Willis family were pioneers.

William H. Willis also had a military record of which he and his children may be justly proud. He was a member of the Forty-eighth Ohio \"olunteer Infantry, a regiment that made a record for valiant and consi)icuous ser\ice in the Civil \\'ar. ^Ir. Willis enlisted in 1861 and followed the fortunes of his regiment through(5ut the war, participating in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth and the many other great campaigns and battles in which the regiment was engaged. He married after the war and in 1873 mo\e(l with his family to Taylor township. Union county, where he engaged in farming and where he still resides.

John H. Willis was reared in the village of Broadway and vicinity, his father at that time being only a day laborer. He received his elementary cflucation in the public schools at Broadway. That he made good use of the educational opportunities afforded by these schools is evidenced by the fact that he was 'puilified to teach and engaged in this occupation for five years.

teaching in the district scliools of the county. In early hfe he decided to study law and with that end in view he applied himself to such reading and studies as would qualify him for taking a thorough course in a law university. He entered the law department of Nnrthern Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and graduated in that institution in 1893 at the head of his class. He was admitted to the bar in March, 1893, '" ^ ^l^ss of sixty-two, standing third in the list. His first practice was in Lima, Ohio, where he remained for one year and then went to North Lewisburg, in Champaign CDunty, where he remained for seven years in successful practice. In 1908 he came to ]\Iarys\-ille, opened a law office and soon established a reputation as a lawyer of abilit_\- and one among the leading men of his ])rofession. Bv strict attention to Inisiness and a con.scientii)US regard fur the interests of his clients, Mr. Willis has been unusually successful in cases in which he has appeared as counsel. He has been admitted to practice in all the state and federal courts.

Politically, ]Mr. \\'illis affiliates with the Democratic party and takes an acti\'e interest in party affairs. He is frecpiently a delegate to district and state conventions and is recognized as a man of influence and wise discretion in the selection of candidates and the formation of partv policies. In 1910 his party nominated him for prosecuting attorney of Union county and he was elected that year. He was re-elected to this office in igu. The same year he was nominated for Congress on the Democratic ticket and would have been elected had he accepted the nomination. l!ut he declined the congressional nomination, preferring to make the secontl race for prosecuting attorney.