Lorain City (part 66 of 77)

There, with his brother-in-law, George A. Hogue, he erected and installed a telephone exchange, known as the Home Telephone Company, with the idea of forcing its purchase, through competition, by the Bell Telephone Company. The older organization, however, did not come to terms, but Mr. Hogue, a practical man of business, organized a home company at Greenwood, to which the partners sold the line and equipment. Returning to Cleveland, Mr. Harrison again invaded the florist business, locating an establishment on Eucld Avenue, on the present site of the Hippodrome. There he conducted the M. F. Harrison Flower Shop, with a branch store in the lobby of the Holland Hotel, for two years, and sold out to the Ohio Floral Company, for which concern he became secretary and treasurer, positions in which he remained for one vear. At that time he engaged in another venture with his brotherin-law, going to Lincoln, Illinois, where they erected an electric line from that point to Springfield for the McKinley Syndicate. With the completion of that enterprise, Mr. Harrison went to Chicago and became manager of the north side store of the Fleischman Floral Company, with which he was identified for three years. He then returned to the old home at Dover, but shortly thereafter, in October, 1908, caine to Elyria, where he purchased a one-half interest in the business with which he is connected at this time, with Harry McKinley, the business being located on its present site. but under the name of the Auto Inn. About four months later Mr. Harrison bought his partner's interest and conducted the enterprise alone for two years, handling the Overland automobile, a car with which he has been associated since entering the business. In this connection it may be mentioned that Mr. Harrison sold the first Overland sold in Lorain County, being the first county agent, an agency which he has retained to the present time. In 1911 Mr. Harrison sold a half interest in the business to Mr. A. L. Jackson, a sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in this work. The partners were unable to decide whose name should appear first in the new firm style, so finally agreed to' flip a coin,' with the result that the name Jackson-Harrison Company was adopted, which existed until September 1, 1915, since which time Myr. Harrison has continued the business alone. He has taken over the ageney of the Ford and Mercer automobiles and commercial trucks. as well as the Hudson and a number of others as side lines. The large, up-to-date and finely-equipped offices and salesrooms are located at No. 625 Broad Street, and the business is now recognized as one of Elyvria's leading enterprises.

My. Harrison's only venture in politics was while a resident of Chehboygan, Michigan. He lved in a democratic ward and was put on the republican ticket to run against an old-time democrat for supervisor, his opponent never having been beaten in that ward. Mr. Harrison defeated him by three votes for the office, which he held for only one year, as he then left Cheboygan. Mr. Iarrison is a life member of Elyria Lodge No. 465, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commeree and Elyria Lodge No. 431, Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is not only a capable salesman, but an enthusiasti¢ motorist and expert driver, and belongs to the Elyria <Automobile Club, being a member of its board of directors. As evidence of Mr. Harrison's skill as a driver may be cited his trip to the San Francisco Exposition in 1915. Starting from Elyria, he went to Blue Cass Springs, Indiana, then via the Lincoln Highway to Salt Lake City. Utah, from there on the Overland Trail via Ogden and north of Great Salt Lake into Reno, Nevada, then over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Lake Tahoe, down to Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles and San Diego, on to Tijuana, Mexico, and back up the coast route to

Santa Barbara, and through Santa Cruz to San Francisco. This trip of 5,047 miles was accomplished without a puncture, the only mishap on the entire trip being a burned out magneto caused by fording a swollen creek. However thrilling experiences were not lacking, especially in the mountains, where on one occasion he avoided a serious accident only by driving his machine into a barrier of rocks on the edge of a deep gorge. He was accompanied on this trip by his wife and daughter.

Mr. Harrison was married December 24, 1896, to Miss Marion B. Weed, of Cleveland, who was born and reared there, and educated in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison were married Christmas Eve, at North Olmsted, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Westel J. and Mary Ann (Moore) Weed, the former an old ship-builder of Cleveland, where he resided during the active period of his career. He was well known by every captain on the great lakes, and was superintendent of the two shipyards of Quayle & Sons. Mr. Weed, at the time of his retirement, went to North Olmsted, Ohio, but when his health began to fail moved back to Cleveland, where his death occurred, and where Mrs. Weed still resides at the old home. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have had three children: two sons who died in infancy, and Miss Thelma Fay, who was born at Cheboygan, Michigan. The family home is in the exclusive Colonial Apartments.

JOEL VINTON SAMPSELL, M. D. From the point of continuous service as a physician and surgeon Doctor Sampsell is now one of the oldest in Elyria. He came to this city a young man fresh from medical college nearly forty years ago, and so far as strength has permitted has accepted the almost innumerable opportunities which are offered to the able and unselfish physician for service to humanity. Among other professional distinctions Doctor Sampsell, whose offices are at 331 Second Street, is local medical examiner of Lorain County with the Industrial Comiission of Ohio, and is also one of the pension examiners in this county.

It would have been contrary to an almost established family custom if Doctor Sampsell had chosen any other line of work than the medical profession. His father and a number of his uncles and many other relatives have at different times been engaged in this profession, and on his mother's side there were also an unusual number of doctors. Dr. J. V. Sampsell was born in Ashland, Ohio, May 19, 1850, a son of Dr. J. B. F. and Catherine (Luther) Sampsell. The Sampsell family in Ohio is descended from an old Maryland German family of that name. The Sampsells settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, in the very early days. Dr. J. B. F. Sampsell had four brothers and eight cousins, all of whom were physicians of repute, while his wife's father was also a pioneer physician, and the latter had four cousins who were identified with the same profession, while one of his female cousins married a doctor. Dr. J. B. F. Sampsell was born in Columbiana County, and his wife in Ashland, Ohio. Her father, Dr. Joel Luther, was the first physician and surgeon to locate in Ashland, having moved to that pioneer locality from Jefferson County, New York. He brought with him five thousand dollars in gold, and though he died at the age of thirty-five he accumulated a considerable fortune after locating in Ashland. Dr. J. B. F. Sampsell was engaged in the practice of medicine at Ashland for a number of years until the outbreak of the Civil war, and then engaged in the hardware business. For a year or so, from 1871 to 1873, he practiced medicine at Elyria, and moving to Delaware, Ohio, resumed practice and continued it there until his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife died in Ashland in 1868. He had also served as mayor of Ashland

Joel V. Sampsell received his early education in the public schools of Ashland, and for a time attended the noted old college founded by Alexander Campbell at Bethany, West Virginia. His medical studies were pursued in one of the oldest and best schools for medical training in America, the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated M. D. with the class of 1877. He also took post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic.

Doctor Sampsell located for practice at Elyria in 1877, and in all the years subsequent to that date has continued as a general physician. He practiced here when Elyria was a comparatively small city, and had his share of pioneer experience as a doctor, attending his country calls over the roads that existed before the beginning of the good roads movement and long before such facilities were introduced as the telephone and the automobile. Doctor Sampsell is a member of the staff of the Elyria Memorial Hospital.

In politics he is a democrat. His interest in keeping up the party organization has caused him a number of times to allow his name to go on the ticket as candidate for mayor, though without expectation of success, since no candidate on the democratic ticket in Elyria ever expects to be elected. Though Doctor Sampsell never did any campaign work in connection with such elections, he at one time came within nine votes of being made mayor, and a little campaigning on his part would doubtless have swung the tide in his favor. His opponent at that time was Doctor Reefy on the republican ticket. Doctor Sampsell is affiliated with King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons.

On May 17, 1879, he married Miss Nettie Nichols of Elyria, who died in August, 1895. His present wife, before her marriage, which occurred April 26, 1898 was Miss Mary Groscup of Ashland, Ohio.

ERNEsT PERRY CLEMENT, M.D. Among the men whose activities are devoted to the science of healing in Lorain County, none bring to bear upon their calling larger gifts of scholarship and resource than Dr. Ernest Perry Clement, of Elyria, a specialist in abdominal surgery, a field in which he has won more than local reputation. His entire professional career has been passed in Lorain County, at Grafton from 1898 until 1910 and since the latter year at Elyria, and his success in his vocation has been won in a locality not wanting in men of broad and thorough medical learning.

Doctor Clement was born at Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio, December 22. 1874. and is a son of Charles R. and Sophia W. (Benjamin) Clement. His paternal grandparents, Edward Clement and wife, came to America from Devonshire, England, about the year 1832 and settled at Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where they were pioneer settlers and early farmers. The maternal grandparents of Doctor Clement came from New York State to Ohio about 1845, settling at Brunswick, Medina County. Charles R. Clement was born at Strongsville, Ohio, and as a young man moved to Medina County, where he was married and for many years carried on agricultural pursuits, although he is now living retired at Medina. As a young man he enlisted for service in the Union Army during the Civil war, but the regiment of which he was a member was never asked to go to the front. He has always been known as a good and public-spirited citizen, taking a keen and helpful interest in the affairs of his community, and during his younger and more active vears was the incumbent of a number of minor offices, such as township trustee, etc. Mrs. Clement, who was born at Brunswick, Medina County. Ohio, died in 1907. There are three sons and three daughters in the family, namely: Mrs. Lampoh, of Cleveland, Ohio, the wife of Capt. J. H. Lampoh, a captain on the Great Lakes and at this time master of the Thomas A. Andrews; George B., who is engaged in dealing in real estate and allottment property at Cleveland; Frank A., a carpenter contractor of Medina, Ohio; Elma E., who is the wife of Charles Barry, of Medina, Ohio; Dr. Ernest Perry, twin of Elma E.; and Willis, who is a painter contractor of Cleveland. All were born at Brunswick and received their early education there.

After graduating from the Brunswick High School, Ernest Perry Clement spent three years at the Ohio Northern University, pursuing a literary department course, and then engaged in the study of medicine at Starling Medical College, which is now the medical department of the Ohio State University. He was graduated in that institution in 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and in the same year entered practice at Grafton, Lorain County, that continuing to be the scene of his professional labors until August 1, 1910, when he came to Elyria. Here he has offices in the Elyria Block, on Broad Street. Skillful in diagnosis and successful in treatment of long standing cases, he is probably best known as a specialist in abdominal surgery, and the demand for his services in that line has opened up a career of exceptional breadth and usefulness. He has continued to be a close and careful student, having taken post-graduate work at the Post-Graduate Medical School, New York City, and is a member of the surgical staff of the Elyria Memorial Hospital. He belongs to the Lorain County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Ohio State Clinical Association, an organization which includes in its membership the leading surgeons of the Buckeye State. Fraternally, the doctor is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Grafton, and he holds membership also in the State Automobile Association, the Cleveland Automobile Club and the Elyria Chamber of Commerce.

Doctor Clement was married to Miss Grace M. Humphrey, who was born, reared and educated at Elyria, daughter of J. O. and Elizabeth (Worthington) Humphrey, both of whom are now deceased, old settlers of Eaton Township, Lorain County. To Doctor and Mrs. Clement there has been born one daughter: Clara Mae, born at Grafton.

Heeert Day. Successful merchandising finds many advantages in long established relations with the trading public. One of the oldest hardware houses in Lorain County is that conducted under the present firm name of Hubert Day & Sons, with a large store at 421 Broad Street, Elvria. This house has a reputation gained by many years of handling goods of recognized quality and with the individual guarantee of the firm behind every article sold. In earlier years the business was conducted by A. G. Carpenter, and was bought about twenty years ago by Hubert Dav. Mr. Day is a man whose abilities have well fitted him for the service of a reliable merchant, and though his previous training had been that of a farmer he carried on the store without any interruption to its long established reputation, and in later years has taken into the firm his two sons, H. Kellogg and George M. Day. The firm now carries a large stock of general hardware, tools, factory supplies, paints, stoves, house furnishings. sporting goods, victrolas and records and other special stock. and many of the most widely advertised and best known goods of standard manufacture have a place in their store.

Hubert Day is a native of Ohio, and was born at Sheffield August 11, 1844. He 'is descended from Robert Day of Hartford, Connecticut, who came to America in 1634. A more definite account of the early history of the Day family will be found on other pages in connection with 8S. B. Day. Mr. Day's parents were John and Cornelia Ann (Sackett) Day. His father was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts. and his mother in New York State, and the former died in Sheffield of Lorain County in 1871 and the mother in 1881. They were substantial farming people, and Hubert Day grew up on the old homestead, with an education begun in the district schools and continued for several terms at Oberlin College. Until middle life his pursuits were those of agriculture and its related activities, but in 1896 he left the farm and came to Elyria, and in June of that year bought out the old established hardware house of A. G. Carpenter. For a number of years he conducted the business under his individual name, and when the two sons came in the title was changed to Hubert Day & Sons. In its endeavor to furnish the highest class of mercantile service the firm relies not only upon the best quality of goods but also upon those facilities which bring a store into prompt relation with its customers, and employ both automobiles and horses in their delivery service.

Mr. Day is a republican, a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and has long been actively identified with the Congregational Church. He has served as deacon for the past thirty-five years, having held that office in the church at Sheffield, and is now deacon in the First Congregational Church at Elyria.

On November 26, 1878, at Elyria Mr. Day married Annie Lou Chambers, daughter of Richard Chambers, who was born in Somersetshire, England, and came to this country in 1865. Mrs. Day was eleven vears old when she came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Day in 1914, before the outbreak of the present European war, spent two months abroad, visiting among other places the scenes of her early childhood, and also traveled through Belgium and France, stopping at Paris and spending some time in Brussels and Antwerp, and from the former city visiting the Waterloo battlefield. Myr. and Mrs. Dav's four children were all born in Sheffield, namely: Mildred Eleanor Day; Hubert Kellogg Day, an active member of the firm, who married Ethel Hancock ; George Myron Day who married Silver H. Geldmacher of Denmark, Towa; and Dorothy Anne Day. All the children graduated from the Elyria High School except Hubert, who left school in his junior year. The daughter Dorothy was graduated in June, 1913, from Oberlin College, where she specialized in kindergarten. work.

Henry A. Beck. In the course of many vears the business title 'HA. A. Beck, general contractor and builder and real estate'' has come to signify a substantial service in that community. Mr. Beck's primary work has been as general contractor, and probably no man in Elyria has a better reputation nor a longer list of achievements in construction work. He became a carpenter during his youth and for the past fifteen years has been engaged in constant service as a general contractor. He is naturally proud of his work and aims to perform the highest type of building service.

At the same time his service has taken on a broader scope, and he has done much to develop vacant real estate in and about Elyria, <A great many people are familiar with the Beck addition of the City of Elyria, located on High Street with interurban car service. This is Mr. Beck's individual allotment, and originally comprised more than four acres of ground, but it has been completely built up and practically all the lots and homes are now sold. Mr. Beck has developed a great deal of property and sold it on the installment plan, and has another allotment in the Second Ward out Lake Avenue.

a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Freidt) Beck. His father was born near Stuttgart, Germany, and came to the United States when seventeen years of age, first located near Philadelphia, and later moving to Stark County, Ohio, and from there to Wadsworth in Medina County. Fora number of years he was a blacksmith, but subsequently retired to a farm and became identified with political affairs in Medina County, serving as county recorder and in other positions. Fred Beck was married in Pennsylvania, his wife having been born near Allentown in that state.

It was on his father's farm in Guilford Township of Medina County that Henry A. Beck grew to manhood. He obtained his education in the common schools and at the age of eighteen started to learn the trade of carpenter. The trade came naturally to him, since from boyhood he was handy with tools, and with experience as a practical workman he has combined a good business judgment and the quality and reliability so essential to the performance of every contract in its uttermost detail. As a journeyman carpenter he worked in Cleveland, Akron and other cities, and in 1893 removed to Elyria. He did the general work of his trade for a number of years, but since 1901 has been in general contracting, and now maintains an office as general contractor in the Masonic Temple. Many of the substantial business houses and residences in Lorain County have been constructed by Mr. Beck, and a long list might be drawn up to indicate the local monument to his industry and skill. His work includes the construction of a number of school buildings in this county, and besides a large number of residences at Elyria Mr. Beck also put up one of the factory plants in that city.

In the Builders Exchange of Elyria Mr. Beck has served as trustee, and is a citizen who identifies himself actively with every public movement. He is also a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce and is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Knights of Pythias, is a republican in politics and alderman of the Second Ward, and is a member of the Second Congregational Church. In Masonry his affiliations are with King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Marshal Chapter No. 47, Royal Arch Masons. Mrs. Beck before her marriage was Pearl Kindy, daughter of Henry and Caroline Kindy. She was born in Medina County. The two children of their marriage are Nellie A. and Pauline A. Nellie is the wife of Walter C. Roe, who is an electrical contractor, with offices and display rooms for the handling of everything electrical in the Masonic Temple.

Rev. JAMes AvGuUSTINE McFAppEN. The most recently organized Catholic Church in Lorain County is the St. Agnes Church on Lake Avenue in Elyria. The laying of the cornerstone for the new edifice on July 25, 1915, was, to quote the words of a newspaper account, ''the occasion of one of the largest demonstrations of the kind ever held in this city. It is estimated that at least five thousand people stood for over two hours and witnessed the ceremony.'' A feature of the celebration was the large parade which marched from St. Mary's Church to the scene of the cornerstone laying. Composing this procession were 100 members of the Knights of St. John, the Knights of Columbus, delegations from Catholic congregations all over Northern Ohio, and a number of visiting priests, the mayor, city and county officials and other citizens. The principal chureh official was Monsignor O'Reilly, who extended the congratulations of the bishop, to which response was made by the pastor of St. Agnes, Father McFadden, who told of the work he had before him, expressed gratitude for the splendid Christian fellowship that he had found both among Catholics and Protestants in Elyria, and asked for the co-operation of the public in carrying out the plans for a new church. The principal address of the day was delivered by Father Jen-

''T have a word of praise, therefore, to give to your young pastor, who will come into this parish like a messenger of Israel, to cure the wounds of the afflicted and to bring God's message among men. I will say that the bishop has priests as good, but he has nobody better than your pastor. A word of commendation is due Father McFadden. He came to this city a stranger. By hard work and untiring zeal he has organized St. Agnes parish. He has shown remarkable executive ability, and has commanded the respect of all with whom he has come in contact. The future of St. Agnes church is in his hands, and there is no reason to believe that he will not make a good account of his stewardship.''

The young pastor of St. Agnes Church of Elyria, James Augustine McFadden. was born December 24, 1880, a son of Edward and Mary (Cavanaugh) McFadden. He obtained all his education in schools of Cleveland, attending the Holy Name Parochial School, St. Ignatius College, and St. Mary's Seminary. He was ordained a priest June 17, 1908, and his first appointment was as assistant to Rev. Gilbert P. Jennings, pastor of St. Agnes Church at Cleveland. The St. Agnes parish at Elyria was organized June 17, 1914, and in a year's time the young pastor had carried forward the responsibilities entrusted to him to the fortunate event chronicled above by which the beginning has been made on the building of a beautiful home for this parish. St. Agnes Church when completed will furnish a large audience room for worship and general church activities and with a school in connection.

RINALDO ROLLINS STETSON. Now living retired at Elyria, Mr. R. R. Stetson is one of the old time printers and newspaper men, having begun his apprenticeship in a printer's office before the Civil war. and for many vears managing the Oberlin News.

A son of Thomas and Mary Little (Leigh) Stetson, he was born March 22, 1844. at Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. His birthplace was the Pearson-Leigh house near Old Town Hill. Newbury, and he was a member of the seventh generation to be born in that house. It was built by Capt. John Pearson in 1728 and three generations of the Pearson family and three generations of the Leighs have been born in the same place. Mr. Stetson's father, Thomas Stetson, was born at Lisbon, New London County, Connecticut, July 22, 1814, while his wife was horn in Newbury. Essex County. November 24, 1814, and was in the sixth generation horn in the Pearson-Leigh house already mentioned.

Mr. Stetson has an interesting ancestry. and it is traced back through many generations to Cornet Robert Stetson, from whom, according to the best information obtainable, R. R. Stetson is a descendant in the eighth generation. Cornet Robert Stetson was born in 1613, though whether in England or Scotland is a matter still to be settled by his descendants. The accepted tradition in the family to account for his remoyal to America is that he was led to make this move by the presence of a girl for whom he had formed an ardent affection in the Colony of Massachusetts. Anyhow, he came to this country in 1634, settling at Scituate. now called Norwell, Massachusetts. His first wife was named Hannah. She was still living in 1681 and was mother of his children. Tlis second wife was Mary Bryant, who outlived him. The children of Cornet Rohert of whom there is record were Joseph, Benjamin, Thomas, Samuel. John. Eunice, Lois, Robert and Timothy. The line of descent to the Elvria family of Stetsons was carried by the son Robert, afterwards known as Robert of Pembroke. He was born January 29, 1653, at Scituate, Massachusetts, in the old family home, and was baptised February 26, 1653. By the will of his father, Cornet Stetson, this son received his father's old clothes, which were considered a sufficient inheritance in addition to what had already been given him. The date of the death of Cornet Robert Stetson was about February 1, 1703.

As a result of a movement started some ten years ago (1905) there is now an incorporated organization known as ''The Stetson Kindred of America,'' and some account of this organization may properly be introduced into this sketch. In the month of August, 1905, four members of the Stetson family met and agreed upon a plan to assemble as many as possible of the descendants of the original Cornet Robert Stetson, and the 'executive details were left in the hands of George W. Stetson of Medford, Massachusetts. On October 14th of that year there were gathered in the Town of Norwell eighty-four persons, all of them lineal descendants of the Cornet Robert. They stood about the spot where once was the house of their ancestor, went through the house then standing on the site. which had been in existence nearly 180 years, being built probably about 1725, and they quaffed water from the spring which had been used by Cornet Robert and which had never been known to fail from the year 1634 to the present time. The company also visited Stetson Hall, ate their basket lunch, and then decided to organize an association to be known as the Stetson Kindred of America. They elected temporary officers, who were instructed to incorporate under the laws of Massachusetts, and the officers chosen at that time.were: Hon. Francis Lynde Stetson of New York City. president; the late John B. Stetson, the famous hat maker of Philadelphia, vice president; and George W. Stetson of Medford, secretary and treasurer. The matter of incorporation was entrusted to Robert Stetson Gorham. who is now vice president of the organization. This organization bought the old homestead at Norwell where Cornet Robert Stetson settled in 1634.

Rinaldo Rollins Stetson gained his early education in the public schools of Massachusetts and New York. In choosing a career he followed his inclinations for the mysteries of the ''art preservative of all arts,'' and began a regular apprenticeship as a printer in the Rochester Evening Express office at Rochester, New York, in September, 1859. For a number of vears he followed his trade in Boston, Massachusetts, and Chicago. Illinois. but in 1876 came to Oberlin, Ohio, to take charge of the News in that city. Since 1906 Mr. Stetson has had his home in Elyria.

"In his political associations he has been always a republican since casting his first vote. In 1869 he was made a Mason in Valley Lodge No. 109 at Rochester. New York, and also took his degrees in Odd Fellowship in Rochester City Lodge No. 66. During 1892-95 he served as master of Oberlin Lodge No. 380, Free and Accepted Masons, and is now affiliated with King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Marshall Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Elyria. He also belongs to the Masonie Club and the Volunteer Veteran Fire Association of Lorain County. His church home is the Methodist.

At Rochester, New York. August 18. 1868, Mr. Stetson married Mary Elizabeth Read, daughter of E. H. and Lucinda Read. Her father was a native of Bennington, Vermont, and of old New England ancestry. Her mother. whose maiden name was Lucinda Felt, was born in Fabius, New York. the first Felt having lived at Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1n 1633. Mr. Stetson is the father of four children, three of whom are living, and has four grandsons and two granddaughters. The children sylvania; Rinaldo Rollins, Jr., who died at Oberlin Mareh 31, 1888; Frank Arthur, an Elyria lawyer, referred to in following paragraphs; and Florence Edith, of Elyria.

FRANK ARTHUR STETSON. In the Lorain County bar Frank A. Stetson has been one of the steadiest and most industrious workers during the past thirteen years, and his position is now one of assured success and prominence. Mr. Stetson has the distinction of being the first lawyer in the history of Lorain County to hold the office of. assistant prosecuting attorney, an office which was only recently created and which he has held since January 1, 1915.

A native of Lorain County, Frank Arthur Stetson was born at Oberlin, April 27, 1877, a son of Rinaldo Rollins and Mary Elizabeth (Read) Stetson, who are now living at Elyria. Mr. Stetson's interesting family record will be found in the sketch of his father. His early years were spent at Oberlin, where he attended the public schools and the academy, and in 1900 graduated A. B. from Oberlin College. As a means of furthering his higher education he taught school for some time, part of the time in the country and part of the time in eraded and high schools, having been an instructor in the Ingh school at Vermilion.

In 1901-02 Mr. Stetson was a student in the Western Reserve University Law School at Cleveland. and defrayed some of his expenses in that institution by teaching in the city night schools. Admitted to the bar in 1903, he soon afterward formed a partnership with TH]. W. Ingersoll, under the firm name of Ingersoll & Stetson. This firm was in existence until 1910. since which time Mr, Stetson has practiced alone, and now gives most of his attention to his duties as assistant prosecuting attorney.

For the past fourteen vears Mr. Stetson has been active in local politics as a republican. He has served at different times as secretary and treasurer of the county executive committee and was seeretary and had' charge of the local campaign during the fall of 1914 along with F. R. Fauver, who was chairman of the county central committee. Mr. Stetson is a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, of the Lorain County Bar Association, and has fraternal affiliations with King Solomon's Lodge, No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons. of which lodge he is worshipful master; with Marshall Chapter, No. 47. Roval Arch Masons; Elyria Council, No. 86, Roval and Select Masons, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of the Maccahees and the Modern Woodmen of America. His church home is the Methodist Episcopal.

On October 6, 1910, at Cleveland, he married Miss Ethel M. Bartlett, daughter of Willis P. and Nettie Bartlett. Her mother died May 19. 1915, in Cleveland, and her father is still living in that city. Mrs. Stetson's family ancestry is traced back to Colonial times. She is also a graduate of Oberlin College. To their marriage have heen horn three children: Neva Claire, Carol Elizabeth and Frank Arthur. Jr.

Joun Kaiser. It is not always easy to measure and appraise definitely the accomplishments of the individual in business or professional affairs. However, the case is comparatively simple in consideration of the building contractor, whose work stands out conspicuously and its value and importance are at once recognized. There is one company in Lorain County which during the past fifteen or twenty years has probably been identified with the construction and handling of more imporye tant contracts in the building field than any other concern. This is the John Kaiser Building Company of Elyria, of which John Kaiser is president, and his brother L. P. Kaiser, is secretary and treasurer. In the sketch of the secretary of the company, L. P. Kaiser, will be found an enumeration of the more important structures and contracts which this company has handled and that list will serve to indicate the prominence of the Kaiser Brothers as business men in this county.

The career of John Kaiser as a building contractor has been a product of long continued practical experience and efficient business management. He was born in Dover Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, April 2. 1862. His parents, both now deceased, were Antone and Catherine (Werch) Kaiser, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Germany. The family established their home in Dover Township of Cuyahoga County in 1872, and afterwards lived in Wood County, at the City of Dayton, and at Cleveland and Cincinnati. In 'these various localities John Kaiser spent that period of life usually assigned to boyhood and youth, though he had entered upon the practical stage of man's activities before his youth was spent.

At different places and under different contractors he learned thoroughly the trade of carpenter and builder, and is a man whose later business success is based upon the foundation of a thorough technical knowledge of the chief trade at the foundation of his business. For nearly ten years he was with John Reuser & Company of Dayton, three years of that time as foreman, and while there was a factor in the building of the Barney & Smith Car Works at Dayton, in the construction of several buildings of Springfield College, and of courthouses at Tiffin, Sidney and Columbus. For several years while living at Cincinnati Mr. Kaiser paid particular attention to the intricate and difficult art of stair building. He engaged in contracting on his own account in Cincinnati in 1889. During the next eight or nine years he completed a large addition to the University of Ohio, put up a large block on Walnut Hills in Cincinnati, and a large number of other houses in that city and vicinity.

Mr. Kaiser has been a resident of Elyria since April, 1898. The contracting business was first carried on under the name John Kaiser & Brother. but in 1905 the John Kaiser Company was organized and incorporated, and for the past ten years that company name has been one of familiar association in ¢onnection with most of the larger building contracts in the city and vicinity. At the present time the company is erecting the new St. Agnes Catholic Church at Elyria. The John Kaiser & Brother Co. has built two schoolhouses in Lorain, and these are buildings of which any firm of contractors might well be proud. They opened up what is known as Kaiser Court in Elyria, where they have built and improved by the most modern methods and where both the brothers own and reside in fine residences which they built. Mr. Kaiser is one of the most prominent members of the Elyria Builders Exchange and served as its president in 1908. He and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

On June 17, 1889, he was married to Miss Mary O'Connor of Sidney, Ohio. They have a happy family, for whom Mr. Kaiser has provided liberally, and the eight children are named as follows: Bessie, wife of Norman Terrill; Margaret, wife of Frank Rockwood; Charles; Andrew, now deceased; Mary; Harry; Ernestine; and George.

Lovis Purp Kuiser. Noman within the City of Elyria has contributed in greater degree to the making of his surroundings than has Louis Philip Kaiser, secretary and treasurer of The John Kaiser & Brother Company, general contractors and builders and real estate agents. Turn where you will, large buildings and small, beautiful residences and modern homes, banks and industrial structures, places of worship and educational institutions,. edifices for the housing of public utilities - these, and more which contribute to the architectural ensemble of a flourishing community, have been erected under the direction of Mr. Kaiser and the firm which he represents, and no greater tribute could be paid to his skill, business sagacity and reliability.

Mr. Kaiser was born at Custar, Wood County, Ohio, August 8, 1875, and is a son of Antone and Catherine (Wersch) Kaiser, the former a native of Canada and the latter in Germany. They came to the United States about 1856, settling at Dover, Ohio, where for a few vears the father was engaged in blacksmithing. They then noved to Wood County, Ohio, and settled at Custar, but soon moved back to Dover Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and subsequently lived for various periods in Wood County and at Cleveland, Ohio. When Louis P. Kaiser was about seven years of age the family returned to Dover, and there resided until about 1895 when the family came to Elyria, and here the parents both passed away. Antone Kaiser was a blacksmith by trade, a vocation which he followed during the greater part of his life, although he was also largely interested in farming. There were five sons and seven daughters in the family, of whom all lived to maturity except one child who died when about twelve years of age. The oldest child, Mrs. Mary Schuster, died in 1912 at her home at Custar, Wood County, Ohio, as the wife of Nick Schuster and the mother of twelve children; four of the Kaiser sons and three of the daughters reside at Elyria, these being John, who is president of The John Kaiser & Brother Company ; Louis Philip, of this review ; Antone; Frank J.; Mrs. C. R. Engles; Mrs. Clinton Wadsworth, and Mrs. Frank Squires.

Louis Philip Kaiser was given his literary training in the publie schools of Dover Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and in correspondence schools, but is largely self educated, having learned more in the schools of hard work and experience than in any other kind. Asa vouth he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed from his eighteenth year until he went into business on his own account in 1900, in company with his brother, John, in general contracting and real estate. The firm was known as John Kaiser & Brother until January 8, 1906, when the company was incorporated, and since then has heen known as The John Kaiser & Brother Company, with John Kaiser as president of the concern, and L. P., as secretary and treasurer. In addition to doing the major part of the best work accomplished at Elyria since the inception of the company, this concern has erected three large churches at Lorain and has handled. many other outside contracts. Notable among the structures erected at Elyria may be mentioned the Elyria Memorial Hospital, the Nurses' Home, the Elyria Savings and Banking Company, the Young Men's Christian Association Building, Washington Terrace. the American Lace Manufacturing Company's plant and Saint Agnes' Catholic Church. For the last named, the contract figure was approximately $30,000, and work was commenced in May, 1915, Bishop Farrelly, of Cleveland, having authorized Father McFadden, the local priest, to proceed with the work. This is a brick edifice on Lake Avenue, 56x114 ft., with a seating capacity of 500 persons. The floor of the edifice is constructed of reinforced concrete, and at some future date it is planned to erect an addition to the building, in which the altar and sanctuary will be located, thus increasing the seating capacity by 100.

The John Kaiser & Brother Company have evolved new methods for use in particular cases, and in the conduct of their business all the way through have demonstrated the possession of progressive ideas and energetic spirit. In their own particular magazine, ''Homes of Character,'' they state: ''The one big thought - the building - which must continue to satisfy, delight, rest and relax, is the construction of the home itself{ - herein we specialize. We are not satisfied merely to assist you in securing a home. We wish to render you a still larger service in aiding you in the selection of the style of home which your taste and your family position may require. To this end we are presenting you with a year 's subscription to our publication, Homes of Character Magazine. Each issue will contain a wide range of building designs, as in this number. They will be actual homes designed by the John Henry Newson Company, probably the best known firm of designers of home architecture in the country. If you have a special design construction in mind. we shall be glad to give you the benefit of our services, as the exclusive representatives of the John Henry Newson Company, having your home designed according to your own ideas or in combination with some of these plans, securing this work for you from 10% to 20% cheaper than if you were to secure the same high grade of service direct. It is to our advantage to have every home in which we are interested as well as yourselves, built of the very highest and most artistic style obtainable.*' In the foregoing there are incorporated ideas which distinctively evidence the progressive and energetic methods by which this concern is actuated and operated, as well as a conception of the dignity and importance of the business that has contributed so materially to its success. The concern, as a dealer in real estate, land and homes, sells its properties at popular prices and according to easy payments which make it possible for even the man most modestly situated financially to secure a home of his own, and at the office of the company are to be found approximately 200 different designs of homes, ranging from $2,500 to $15,000.

In the building up of this large enterprise, Louis P. Kaiser has borne no small part. He is a well informed and broad-minded man, lending to the business a progressive spirit and to his community an extent of practical usefulness the extent of which is difficult to adequately estimate. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Elks and Eagles lodges of Elyria, and also holds membership in the Elyria Automobile Club and the Elyria Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Kaiser was married in March, 1912, to Miss Elsie M. Hauhn, who was born and educated at Vermilion, Ohio, and also attended the Elyria Business College, daughter of Mrs. Mary Hauhn, who still resides at Vermilion. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser: Robert Louis, born at Elyria, Ohio, April 2, 1914.

CHarLEs C. Lorp. It is as a veteran newspaper man that Charles C. Lord is best known in Lorain County, though his other activities have also brought him those quiet distinctions associated with the popular and capable citizen.

At the present time Mr. Lord is city editor of the Elyria Daily Chronicle. He has been in the newspaper business for a number of years, and is a printer by trade, having learned that business under the late George G. Washburn. Mr. Lord was born in Darlington, Wisconsin, and came to Elyria when a boy in 1870. Thus for forty-five years he has known Elyria in its changes and growth. Four years ago he became editor of the Chronicle. For some time he was in the fire insurance business, and in the way of public service he held the office of justice of the peace in Elyria Township many years. y ;

On June 10, 1885, at Elyria, he married Miss Alta Penfield. Their children, all graduates of the Elyria High School, are: Ralph Lord, now clerk in the United States district clerk's office in Cleveland; Clara, who

HeENry MILLER is engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Elyria, Ohio. For many years he has been connected with the upbuilding of Lorain County and he has just reason to be proud of the fact that to his efforts can be traced many a substantial enterprise or advancement contributing greatly to the growth and prosperity of this section of the state. In every sense of the word he is a mee reveri at ng e citizen and a business man of marked capacity.

A native of Lorain County, Henry Miller was born at Brownhelm Station, Ohio, May 28, 1865, and he is a son of Adodate and Regina (Smith) Miller. both of whom are now deceased. The father was born in Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany, and his parents passed their entire lives in the Fatherland. He was a substitute for Henry Lutz when men were being drafted for service in the Civil war, but that struggle was terminated before he was called. During the greater part of his active career he was a stone quarryman but for a number of years he conducted a butcher and saloon business. Mrs. Miller was born at Brownhelm Station, Ohio. and her father, Henry Smith, was a native of Hessen, Germany. whence he immigrated to the United States in an early day. Henry Smith drove an ox team from Brownhelm Station to Cleveland to the first grist mill established in the latter city. En route he forded the Rocky River. and it took him three weeks to make the round trip. He built a log house in the vicinity of Brownhelm Station and subsequently crected a frame house, which is still standing and which is now used as a store house on the old Smith homestead. It is roofed with hand split and shaved shingles and has been in continuous use for over forty-six vears. This farm is owned by Mrs. Henry Brown. an aunt of the subject of this review. Ars. Miller was summoned to the life eternal October 8, 1912, and Mr. Miller died in 1889; both are interred in the Brownhelm Station Cemetery.

Concerning the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller the following brief data are here incorporated: Jacob lives at Amherst, Ohio; Henry is the subject of this sketch; Lizzie is the wife of C. W. Sales, of Huron. Ohio: Mary is the wife of Edward Wittmer. of Vermillion, Ohio: Charles A. lives on the old Miller homestead near Brownhelm Station and is unmarried; William is a resident of Amherst, Ohio; Freda is the wife of Fred Strehle. of Brownhelm Station: and Peter is deceased. Peter. the last mentioned, was killed in front of the old home, at the age of twenty-one years, by accidentally falling off a train and striking on an iron bridge girder. He lived only three days. The Miller children were educated in the little frame schoolhouse just east of Brownhelm Station and two miles distant from their home.

Henry Miller attended school until he had reached his eleventh year, at which tender age he began to work on a farm for Charles Cooley. Subsequently he worked for Joshua Phelps for several years and then he pownd-fished on the lake for a time. and November 29, 1886, he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company as a brakeman. continuing as such until 1894, when he was promoted to the position of conductor on a freight and construction train. He served in the latter capacity until April 26, 1907, on which date, while standing on the running hoard of the tender, he was brushed off by accident and both legs were ent off below the knee. This accident happened at West Park. a suburh of Cleveland, and of course put an end to his railroad career. Six months later Mr. Miller, plucky and energetic still, began to solicit fire. life and accident insurance on his stumps. He received no help whatsoever from the railroad company. He has continued in this business to the present time and in addition now handles real estate and is agent for the Winkley Artificial Limb Company, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the largest manufacturers of artificial limbs in the world. Needless to say Mr, Miller is equipped with a pair of the Winkley artificial limbs and is an ardent advocate of their patent adjustable double slip socket artificial leg, which is warranted not to chafe the stump. He has represented the above company for the past five years, during two of which he traveled for that concern. He has made a splendid success of business in recent years and owns a fine, big automobile which he drives as well as if he had never been crippled.

In politics Mr. Miller is an ardent republican. He was elected infirmary director of Lorain County in the fall of 1909 and took up the reins of office, with two other directors, January 1, 1910. He served in the above eapacity with the utmost satisfaction to his constituents for two vears. This office is now under the supervision of the county commissioners and is no longer elective. In the fall of 1912 Mr. Miller ran for the office of county recorder but owing to political exigencies met with defeat at the polls. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Elyria and is still affiliated with the Brotherhood of Railway Conductors.

March 18, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Miller to Miss Ella Buswell, a daughter of Otis and Thankful (Fisk) Buswell, old settlers in LaGrange, Ohio, where they lived on the same farm for nearly sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Buswell are now deceased. Mrs. Miller was reared and educated in Lorain County. She and her husband have one daughter, Dorothy E., born in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are popular with their fellow citizens at Elyria and command the high esteem of all with whom they come in contact. It is to the inherent force of character and commendable ambition and the unremitting diligence of Mr. Miller himself that he steadily advanced in the business world until he now occupies a leading place among the active and representative men of Elyria.

Joserpu Bixenower. For more than twenty-five years a resident of Wellington, Joseph Binehower though now in his seventy-fifth year is still active. looking after his business every day, and has had a most eventful aud unusual experience. He is one of the surviving veterans of that grand army that fought for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He has met every difficulty, has solved every problem, with the same unflinching courage and fidelity which characterized his service as a soldier.

Sone idea of his career is reflected in a short paragraph which was published in 1915 under the title Fifty Years in Business. It reads as follows: *'On July 10, 1865, Joseph Binehower took his first application for insurance, it being on the property of Jane S. Brown of Savannah, Ohio, and on Saturday, July 10, 1915, he celebrated his fiftieth anniversary in the business. He has had over 500 losses, all of which were settled without contesting a claim. This is certainly a great record, Ile is enjoying a good business at this time, and his many friends coneratulate him upon his long and successful career as an insurance agent and wish him many more years in the business. He is still a live wire at the age of seventy-four, and represents some twenty-five companies.''

Joseph Binehower was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 17, 1841, a son of John and Fannie (Ault) Binehower, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents were John and Susan (Stober) Binehower, who moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where they spent the rest of their days. John Binehower served as a teamster in the War of 1812. The maternal grandfather, Valentine Ault, who mar- ried a Miss Lauer, was also a native of Pennsylvania and was an early settler in Wayne County, Ohio. John Binehower, father of Joseph, was born May 12, 1810, and died December 20, 1893. His first wife, mother of Joseph, died April 29, 1844. They were married in Wayne County, Ohio, and the father followed the trade of plasterer for some years and afterwards became a farmer. He died in Ashland County. By his first wife there were two children: Susan, now deceased, was the wife of Richard Palmer, and Joseph. For his second wife John Binehower married Sarah Klotz, and of the two children of that marriage one is now living, Mrs. Maria C. Karth of Ashland, Ohio. Mr. Binehower's parents were members of the Lutheran Church, and his father was first a whig and later a republican. John Binehower by close application to business became quite well to do, but before his death lost nearly all his property.

Mr. Joseph Binehower received his early education in the district schools of Ashland County, and had four months of attendance at an academy. He had begun his career as a practical farmer when the war broke out, and on September 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company B of the First Ohio Light Artillery. He served three years seven days, and was honorabl: discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, September 12, 1864. He was always on duty, and the record of important engagements in which he participated includes Wild Cat, Kentucky; Perrysville, Kentucky ; Stone River, Tennessee; siege of Tullahoma; Chickamauga ; Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and he left the army while the Atlanta campaign was in progress. Following the war he returned to Ashland County, worked on a farm a time, also attended the academy already mentioned, and then in July, 1865, started the insurance business as already noted. He remained in Ashland County until 1866 and from there moved to West Salem, Ohio, where he remained two vears, was then in Nova, Ohio, six years, and three years at Polk, Ohio, where, in connection with insurance, he conducted a stove and tin business altogether eleven years.

On July 18, 1867, Mr. Binehower married Mary A. Marks. a daughter of George and Sophia (Hartman) Marks, her father a native of Richland County and her mother of Ashland County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Binehower became the parents of five children and four are now living: John M., who died April 9, 1905; Osea A., who married Morton A. Daugherty, is now a widow, employed as a clerk in a store at Wellington, has one child, Frances; Fannie M. married W. J. Slemmons, a dentist at Cleveland, and they have two children, Rhea Rutheda Fay and Joseph R.; Ada 8., who is secretary to the John J. Rhodes Insurance Ageney Company at Cleveland; and Azalia Blanche, wife of F. A. Davies, a shoe merchant at Wellington.

Mr. Binehower has always been prominent in Grand Army circles and filled the various offices in his post. He is also a Roval Arch Mason and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities he is a republican.

For the past seventeen years Mr. Binehower has filled the office of justice of the peace, and has an unusual record in this office. He has disposed of 633 cases, and in all that time has had only six jury trials. During his residence at Polk in Ashland County, Ohio, he also filled the office of constable, deputy sheriff and town marshal. He was elected town marshal for the express purpose of putting a man out of the saloon business in the community. and he succeeded. While filling one of these offices just mentioned he also had the distinction of arresting for murder the last two criminals in Ohio who were hanged outside of penitentiary walls.

time he established his office as an insurance man, and he has always enjoyed a large and profitable business in that line. His prosperity is the more creditable on account of the fact that he had nothing given to him at the outset of his career, and has accomplished a great deal by relying upon his own efforts and courageously facing every circumstance.

ARTHUR THOMAS GLEWw, D. D. 8S. Though a comparative newcomer to Elyria, Dr. Glew is an old resident of Ohio, spent many years in the successful practice of dentistry at Germantown, and is now fortunately located and enjoys many influential professional and social connections in his new home.

A native of Canada and of English parentage, Arthur Thomas Glew was born at Toronto May 8, 1871, a son of Thomas and Marguerite (McBride) Glew. His father was born in Yorkshire, England, and his mother in- Toronto, Canada. Thomas Glew, who was brought by his parents to Canada when five years of age, grew up in that country, and became a school teacher, a profession which he followed practically all his active life, and for more than twenty-five years was engaged in his work in and around Toronto. He died in that city in May, 1903, and his widow is still living there. There were three children: Albert Edward died in Chicago in 1892; the second in age is Dr. Glew of Elyria; and Horace Greeley, who was given that name on account of his father's ardent admiration for the famous editor of the New York Tribune, is now a dentist at Warren, Ohio.

Dr. A. T. Glew received his early education in the public schools of Toronto, prepared for his profession in the Philadelphia Dental College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with the degree D. D. S. in 1896. He at once moved to Germantown, Ohio, and was soon recognized as one of the leading dentists in that section, and remained in practice for eighteen years. Mrs. Glew's health suffered in the climate of the valley of Germantown, and on this acccunt Dr. Glew in June, 1914, removed to Elyria, and has since met with excellent success in this locality.

Fraternally Dr. Glew is affiliated with Germantown Lodge No. 157, Free and Accepted Masons; with the Royal Arch Chapter of Milesburg, Ohio; with the Modern Woodmen of America; and is a member of the Lorain County Dental Society and the Ohio State Dental Society. He also belongs to the Elyria Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elyria, and they have taken much interest in church affairs.

'On December 30, 1896, Dr. Glew married Miss Martha Elizabeth Lee of Toronto, Canada. She was born in England, but when five years of age came to Toronto with her parents and lived in that city until her marriage. Her parents were Ephraim and Jane (Roberts) Lee. Her father was a dry goods merchant in Toronto and died in 1903, the same vear of the death of Dr. Glew's father. Her mother is still living in Toronto. Dr. and Mrs. Glew have two children: Lillian Marguerite, who was born in Toronto, and Mildred Ione, born in Germantown, Ohio. Lillian is a member of the class of 1916 in the Elyria High School ; while Mildred is in the 1918 class. Dr. Glew's offices are at 114 Middle Avenue.

Avan R. Branson. The business manager of the Elyria Chronicle, Alan R. Branson, while still a young man as age 1s measured in years, has had a broad and varied experience in business life, and during his career has at times filled offices of public trust. He is one of the live, energetic and progressive men of his adopted city, whose enthusiasm and 'ndustry have contributed to the erowth and prestige of the paper with which he is connected. Mr. Branson was born at Wellington, Ohio, October 24, 1886, and is a son of Edwin C. and Carrie Louise Branson.

Edwin C. Branson was born at Altoona, Pennsylvania, and learned the carpenter's trade at Defiance, Ohio, where he was married. Subsequently going to Wellington, he formed a partnership with G. H. Palmer and founded the Wellington Bending Works. This existed until the plant was merged into what is known as the Pioneer Pole & Shaft Co. After retiring from the firm he was elected county treasurer of Lorain County two terms of two years each; later was appointed tax commissioner of Lorain County by Governor Cox, which expired January 1, 1916. Mr. Branson is president of the Chronicle Printing Company of Elyria, although he and Mrs. Branson make their home at Wellington.

Alan R. Branson attended the pubhe schools of his native place, and in 1904 was graduated from the Wellington High School, following which he took a course at Oberlin Business College, where he was graduated in 1905. He then went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to enter upon his first business venture, the conduct of a hardware establishment. For several years thereafter he was engaged in playing professional baseball, at York, Pennsylvania; Worcester, Massachusetts ; Ogden, Utah, and Tecumseh, Michigan. After this experience Mr. Branson returned to Wellington, where he became manager of the Wellington Cold Storage Company, a position which he held for four years and which he resigned to come to Elyria and take over the business management of the Elyria Chronicle. In his career he has shown the possession of versatile talents which have allowed him to succeed in several directions, his present position being no exception to the rule. Mr. Branson is a Master Mason. A republican in politics, he has taken a lively interest in party affairs, and has appeared in a favorable hght in public matters, having served as clerk of the board of public affairs at Wellington from 1911 to 1914 and as clerk of the Wellington Township School Board during 1913 and 1914.

Mr. Branson was married at Wellington, June 16, 1910. to Miss Alberta May Knowlton, who was left an orphan when not yet six vears of age. and after her thirteenth birthday made her home with Dr. and Mrs. R. G. Holland, of Wellington, until her marriage. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Branson: Edwin Alan, aged four vears; and Jack Holland, two vears old..

FREDERICK W. CoLson is one of the prominent members of that group of live and enterprising business men and industrial leaders who have built up and given prestige to Elyria as a manufacturing city.

Born at Kent, Ohio. a son of W. B. Colson of Cleveland, and educated in the Cleveland public schools, Frederick W. Colson began his active business career about twenty-five years ago. He has the distinction of having been the first traveling man for the Garford Saddle Company and for a number of years he was closely associated with Mr. A. L. Garford and had an important share in extending the sales of the original Garford saddles. It was in 1890 that he accepted the commission to go out on the road for this company, and he continued with the firm for about eight vears. After that he was in business in Chicago, Buffalo and Cleveland, and in 1907 returned to Elyria, and has since been actively identified with the Worthington Company and with the Machine Parts Company.

Mr. Colson is president of the Worthington Company, the other officers of which are: H. S. Follanshee, first vice president; F. Colson, second vice president, and Thomas N, Cook, secretary ; and is vice president and treasurer of the Machine Parts Company. of which J. P. Brophy is president and H. W. Ingersoll is secretary. The Worthington Company manufactures a large line of wheeled vehicles under the trademark Fairy. including velocipedes and similar vehicles for children, and invalid wheel chairs and other wheel equipment and furniture for hospitals and sanii en ee

Mr. Colson is an honorary member of the Ohio National Guard, is a republican in politics, is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Elyria, is a member of the Cleveland Athletic Club, the Elyria and Cleveland Automobile clubs, the Elyria Country Club and the Elyria Chamber of Commerce. His church is the Presbyterian. At Cleveland on December 18, 1894, he married Miss Ivy Edmondson, daughter of George W. Edmondson of Norwalk, Ohio.

SmitH W. Moore. The representative of the Ohio State Life Insurance Company, of Columbus, Ohio, at Elyria, Smith W. Moore has been identified with this line of business only since 1912, but in the short period of three years has become known as one of the leading insurance men of this part of the state. Mr. Moore was born at Deersville, Harrison County, Ohio, March 1, 1878, and is a son of Samuel 8. and Alice A. (Smith) Moore.

The parents of Mr. Moore were married at Deersville. The father is a native of Harrison County and the mother of Canal Dover, Ohio. Samuel S. Moore was the first school principal at Deersville, and subsequently gave up the vocation of education for that of the law, having been admitted to the bar about 1878, after some study at Hopedale, Ohio. He practiced at New Phildelphia, Ohio, for about eight years, and then entered journalism as editor and owner of the New Philadelphia Times, with which he was connected for eighteen years. Selling out at the end of that time he returned to his legal practice at New Philadelphia for two years, and in 1909 moved to Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio, where he continued to be engaged in practice until 1913. In that year he was appointed one of the state examiners, in the Bureau of Accounting, a position which he still holds, his residence being at Oberlin, where Mrs. Moore also resides. There are four children in the family, all living: Smith W., the eldest, and the only son; Evangeline, who is now the wife of Roy Gordon, of Mineral City, Ohio; Isabel, who is the wife of Franklin D. Whitwell, of Knowlesville, New York; and Josephine, who lives with her parents at Oberlin. Mrs. Gordon is a graduate of the New Philadelphia High School and Mrs. Whitwell of Oberlin Academy, while Josephine is attending Oberlin High School and will graduate with the class of 1916.

Smith W. Moore attended the public schools of New Philadelphia, following which he took a two-year course under Prof. John P. Kuhn, who was one of the most able professors in Ohio. At the normal school he specialized in mathematics, and subsequently went to the New Philadelphia Business College, where he took a course in stenography. He was next with James B. Clow & Company, at Newcomerstown, Ohio, for a short time, and then became associated with his father, on the latter's paper at New Philadelphia. After being thus engaged for two years, he went to Evanston, Wyoming, as assistant bookkeeper and stenographer with the Beeman & Cashin Mercantile Company, but two years later resigned that position to enter the service of the Union Pacific Railway Company, where he remained as night ticket agent and freight clerk for one year. Returning to New Philadelphia, he became connected with the Pennsylvania lines, at Canal Dover, Ohio, as bill clerk for one year, and then went to the Southwest, locating at Tyler, Texas, where he entered the service of the Saint Louis & Southwestern Railroad. There he was employed in connection with joint account settlements in the auditor's office for four and one-half years, when he again returned to New Philadelphia, and when his parents went to Oberlin he accompanied them to that place and remained there until accepting a position with the Lake

Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad at Elyria. After working there for two years as bill clerk, in 1912 he engaged in the life insurance business with the Ohio State Life Insurance Company, in which connection he has since specialized in health and accident insurance as general agent, his offices being located in the Elyria Block. Mr. Moore has made a decided success of his operations in this line, and has written some large business for his company. This is recognized as one of the strongest and safest institutions in the Middle West, having a cash capital (1915) of $661,902, and total assets of over $954,722.03. Its reputation for promptness and fidelity to agreements has given it high standing, a position which Mr. Moore shares among those with whom he has had transactions. Mr. Moore is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Oberlin.

On February 27, 1898, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Bertha Jones, of Stillwater, Ohio, who was born and educated there and an accomplished musician.

WILLIAM Forp Lorp. <A family that has been identified with Lorain County for fully seventy years is represented by William F. Lord, a well known and successful carpenter contractor at Elyria, who is himself a native of this county, and has done a good deal to extend the associations of the name with usefulness and honor in this section of the state.

Born at Ridgeville, Lorain county, September 11, 1847, William Ford Lord is a son of Thomas and Maria (Ford) Lord. Both his parents were natives of England, and after their marriage came to the United States in the early '40s, landing in New York City, and shortly afterwards settling at the old Village of Olmsted in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. About a year later they moved to Ridgeville in Lorain County. Thomas Lord ran away from his home in England when only nine years of age, and shipped on an ocean going vessel, and spent many years in seafaring life. He sailed hoth on ocean vessels and in the marine of the Great Lakes, and part of his early career was spent in the United States Navy, from which he received an honorable discharge. All this occurred many years before the Civil war, and before'he had married. Returning to England, he married there Miss Ford, and then crossed the ocean to establish his permanent home in the Middle West. Many years later when he was quite an old man, he returned to England on a visit. This was about 1875. Thomas Lord owned about fifty acres in Ridgeville and cleared it out from the wilderness, partly with the help of his son William F. Six years before his death Thomas Lord moved to another place two miles distant. in Ridgeville Township, and both farms were in his estate at the time of his death. He attended with his wife the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was an active member. There were four sons and two daughters in the family; all of them grew up, and three boys and one girl are still living. Sarah, the oldest, and the wife of Thomas Kelly of Olmsted, Cuyahoga County, is now deceased, as is also her husband. Minnie is the wife of Perey Saulsbury of Olmsted. The third in age is William F. of Elyria. Richard J. died at Olmsted. George lives at Olmsted. Bert H. is a resident of Elyria. All these children were born on the old farm in Ridgeville and received their early education in that township.

For many years William F. Lord was identified with the agricultural activities of Ridgeville Township. In 1895 he moved to Elyria and has since carried on a large business as a carpenter contractor, has constructed a number of houses in and about Elyria, and has some valuable holdings in local real estate. In politics he is an active republican. While a resident of Ridgeville he served as supervisor a number of times, Fraternally he is a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons.

September 11, 1879, he married Miss Marie Westley of Ridgeville township. Mrs. Lord was born in England, but was only nine years of age when her parents, George M. and Charlotte (Luck) Westley, came to this country. Her mother is now living at Butternut Ridge, in Lorain County, past ninety-one years of age, while her father died at Elyria in 1906. Three children comprise the household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Lord. Lottie M., Merwin H. and Frank G. were all born in Ridgeville, but finished their education in the Elyria public schools. Frank graduated from the high school with the class of 1908. The-son, Merwin H.., . married Miss Marietta Cox of Elyria, and thus there are two granddaughters in the family, Marion and Vivian. .

CHARLES W. SmaLLey, the proprietor of a flourishing grocery and bakery at No. 579 Broad Street, Elyria, is a business man and citizen of substantial standing who has won his position of honor by years of labor and intelligently directed industry. Mr. Smalley was born April 10,. 1871. at Petrolia, Pennsylvania, one of the noted centers of oil production of the Keystone State and the home of the famous ''Coal Oil Johnnie,'' who was a neighbor and close acquaintance of Mr. Smalley. He is a son of Lorenzo W. and Mary E. (Larkin) Smalley, the former a native of the vicinity of Elmira, New York, and the latter born near New York City. The parents were married in New York State and at an early day moved to Petrolia, Pennsylvania, where the father was engaged as an express owner and baggageman, but subsequently went to near Gilman, Illinois, in 1879. There Lorenzo W. Smalley followed farming for a period of twenty years, then moving to Onarga, Illinois, where he conducted a bakery and restaurant for one year, then retiring and living quietly until his death in April, 1900. He was buried at Onarga, following which Mrs, Smalley moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where her son was at that time located. She has since made her home with the subject of this sketch. During the Civil war Lorenzo W. Smalley made an effort to enlist in the Union Army, but was unable to pass the examination for physical soundness. He was a member of an old Yankee family, while Mrs. Smalley was of Scotch-Irish descent. There were four sons in their family, all of whom are living: William L., a bachelor, who was last heard from several years ago at Sioux City, Iowa; George W., of Cleveland, Ohio, engaged in the real estate and collecting business; F. E., who is representative for the Frank Leslie Publishing Company, of New York. publishers of Judge and other magazines, having charge of their business in Texas, Oklahoma and a part of Mexico, with headquarters at Dallas, Texas; and Charles W.

The two older boys were educated in the public schools of Petrolia, Pennsvlvania, while F. E. and Charles W. attended the district schools of Illinois, where the family resided at the time. Mr. Smalley 's parents were not financially able to give him the education that either they or he would have desired, but he was an assiduous student, making the most of his opportunities, and when he left the district school, at the age of thirteen years, had secured a good training. At that time, to quote his own words, he ''began to hustle."' His first business venture on his own account was as the successor of his father in the bakery and restaurant at Onarga, an enterprise which he owned and conducted for four years, then selling out and moving, in 1896, to Cleveland, Ohio, where he secured a position as traveling representative for the great packing firm of Swift & Company. For eight years he was engaged in traveling in Cleveland and to points within fifty miles of that city, and believes that during this period he gained more real education and secured more practical knowledge than his schooling and experience had ever given him. On leaving the employ of this concern, Mr, Smalley went to Ridgeville, Lorain County, Ohio, and there, in partnership with F. S. Bates, bought a general store and conducted it under the name of Bates & Smalley for three vears, at the end of which time Mr. Smalley disposed of his interests. At this time, in 1907, Mr. Smalley came to Elyria, where he bought the business of D. L. Curtis, grocer and baker at No. 579 Broad Street, where he has since carried on an excellent business in fancy groceries and bakery goods. Mr. Smalley is one of the wide-awake business men of Elyria. and is a member of the Ely ria Chamber of Commerce, the Elyria Grocers' and Butchers' Association, the United Commercial Travelers and the Elvria Automobile Club. Personally he is a large, jovial man, whose many sterling qualities attract friends to him wherever he goes, but, although he enjoys the companionship of his fellows, he is more of a home man, and belongs to no fraternal orders. While they are not members. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley attend the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

On December 15, 1903, at Cleveland, Mr. Smalley was married to Miss Grace <A. McGarrell of Westfield, New York, where she was born, reared and educated, daughter of the late Michael and Zilpha (Bristol) McGarrell. Mr. McGarrell died at Westfield, in 1913. and the mother still resides there, where the family is an old and honored one. After nine and one-half years of wedded life, Mr. and Mrs. Smalley became the parents of a daughter, Marion Zilpha, who was born at the Elyria Memorial Hospital, June 22, 1913. The saddest event in Mr. Smalley's life occurred April 26, 1915, when this little one was taken away, dving at the age of twenty -two months,

Lovis Hapaway. The junior member of the firm of Hadaway Brothers, one of the rapidly growing business enterprises of Elyria, Louis Hadaway has been connected with this establishment since its inception and has had an active part in building up its business to its present large proportions. He isa native son of Elyria and with the exception of two years has passed his entire life here, his career being typical of the rewards to be attained through industry and integrity and the following out of an idea along well directed lines.

Mr. Hadaway was born September 19, 1878, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Mayers) Hadaway, the former born near London, England, and the latter in Ireland. Charles Hadaway was about nineteen years of age when he emigrated to the United States and settled at Elyria, and here continued to maintain his home during a period of more than twenty-eight years, his death occurring when he was forty-eight vears of age. During seventeen vears of this time he was employed on the stock farm of the late T. W. Laundon, located near Elvria. Mrs. Hadaway, who survives her husband. makes her home here. There were eight children in the family, as follows: one who died in infancy ; Mrs. Kate Bath, deceased, who left two sons, now grown, Alfred and Charles, residents of Cleveland ; George H., who is the senior member of the firm of Hadaway Brothers. and whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this work: Eliza, who is the wife of Alfred Myers, of Cleveland; Charles, of Elyria: Louis; Fred, of Elyria ; and Susan, who is the wife of Walter Johns, of Cley eland. All the children were born at Elvria and here educated in the public schools.

After securing his educational training in the public schools, Louis Hadaway went to work with H. M. Andress, who was engaged in the livery business at Elyria. thus early gaining experience in a business in which he was later to win marked success. He remained with Mr. Andress for six years. and then turned his attention to the trade of machinist, in the plant of the National Tube Company, a concern with which he was connected for eight years. When he had thoroughly mastered his trade and demonstrated his ability and capacity, he was sent by that company to Cleveland, Ohio, as an inspector, but after two years returned to the mills at Elyria, where he was employed until engaging in business with his brother, George H. In 1902 they bought the livery business of George Bivins, who was located on the present site of the American Theatre, on Broad Street, and from the start the venture was a decidedly successful one. In 1905, finding larger and more up-to-date quarters necessary, they built what is the largest storage building and livery in Lorain County, located at No. 607 Broad Street. Here are kept seventy horses and ten automobiles and automobile trucks, used for hack and transfer service, heavy teaming, moving, etc., with a patronage that extends all over the county. The Hadaway Taxi Company maintains a line of taxicabs, and makes a specialty of furnishing these vehicles for weddings, funerals, touring parties, etc.

Like his brother, Mr. Hadaway is a republican, but also like him his activities in civic life have been confined to an effort to secure good legislation and efficient officials. He is an enthusiastic automobilist and a popular member of the Elyria Automobile Club, but finds his greatest recreation, perhaps, in trout fishing. Each summer he spends his vacation in the vicinity of Traverse City, Michigan, and rarely returns without some magnificent specimens to show for his skill in the piscatorial art.

Mr. Hadaway was married October 11, 1899, to Miss Margaret M. Hutchins, who was born and edueated at Elyria, where her family were old pioneers. Her parents were Almon and Phoebe (Madison) Hutchins, the former of whom is deceased, while the latter still makes her home at Elyria. Mr. and Mrs. Hadaway are the parents of two sons: Louis Sterling, born June 15, 1901; and Almon Russell, born September 9, 1907,

James A. Hewirr. <As a general contractor and builder Mr. Hewitt has filled an important niche in the business community of Elyria for more than ten vears. His record of practical achievement as a builder is a long one, and is unmistakable evidence of his thoroughness and reliability and his reputation is now such that people entrust to him a task with the complete confidence that it will be fulfilled in both the letter and spirit of the contract and the specifications. Mr. Hewitt was formerly associated with other firms and partners, but now is in business alone, and his offices are in the Masonic Temple.

A Canadian by birth and of English ancestry, James A. Hewitt was born in the Village of Blyth, Ontario, December 26, 1878, a son of James A. and Annie Elizabeth (Wismer) Hewitt, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of Jordan, Ontario. They were married in the Town of Oshawa, Ontario. James A. Hewitt, Sr., was about seventeen years of age when he came from England to Canada, and for many years has been a successful contractor and in addition to that business now conducts a planing mill and lumber yard at Beamsville, Ontario, where he and his wife have lived for the past ten years. He was formerly a resident of Grimsby, where he was honored with the offices of mayor and councilman several times. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. All their five children, two sons and three daughters, are living: Mrs. S. S. Russ of Beamsville, Ontario; James A., who is the only member of the family in the United States; Mrs. T. J. Noble, living near London, Canada; Ethel, at home; and Roy, who is with his father at Beamsville.

Grimsby, Ontario. His first work was one year in a printing office, the Grimsby Independent at Grimsby, but he left that to learn the carpenter's trade. He had been doing carpenter work for two years when he met an accident. His right hand was deeply cut by a saw, inflicting a painful if not dangerous wound, and for nearly a year totally incapacitated him for further work at his trade. By careful treatment the wound was healed. and only a scar now exists as a memento of the accident. Though unable to work at his trade, he found a situation as conductor and station agent on the H. G. & B. Railway at Grimsby. This position was given him on account of his acquaintance with C. H. Green, who was at that time superintendent of the road. Mr. Green is now superintendeit of motive power for all the radial lines and city lines running into Hamilton, Ontario. Being once more fit for work, Mr. Hewitt resumed his apprenticeship as a carpenter, and was one of his father's trusted and efficient workmen up to eleven years ago.

Mr. Hewitt came to Elyria from Grimsby, Ontario, in 1904, and for the following two vears was foreman with the general contracting firm ot Hinkson & Halpin. He was next with F. C. Wolf, general contractor at Elyria, for a little more than a year. In 1907 he started out for himself as a general contractor, but in November of the following year formed a partnership, The Halpin & Hewitt Company, general contractors. After a vear and a half Mr. Hewitt withdrew from the company, on April 1, 1909, and at that time opened his office as an individual contractor in the Masonic Temple. He has since looked after his business alone, and has been highly successful. His specialty in the building line is the construction of residences, and there are now more than a hundred houses in Elyria and vicinity which testify to his ability in this direction, and which represent investments of many thousands of dollars. Some of the notable private homes and other structures which have gone up under his superintendence and with the facilities which he supplies are the following: The A. B. Taylor residence on Washington Avenue; Mrs. Clayton Strauss' home on Washington Avenue; the residences on Columbus Street of A. L. Patrick and J. B. Thomas; F. A. Smyth's home on Washington Avenue, and he also built the Charles Flower Block and the Hecock Floral Company's building.

While a voung man living in Canada Mr. Hewitt took an active part in politics, but he has not been inclined or has found no time for such matters since locating in Elyria. Fraternally he is best known in Masonic circles, having affiliations with King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Free and Accepted Masons, with Marshall Chapter No. 47, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest, with Elyria Council No. 86, Royal and Select Masters, Elyria Commandery No. 60, Knights Templar, in which (1916) he is eminent commander, and with Al Koran Temple of the Mystie Shrine at Cleveland. He is also a director and second vice president of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Elyria Automobile Association. While not members he and his wife attend and give their support to the First Congregational Church.

On November 20, 1901, at Beamsville, Ontario, Mr. Hewitt married Miss Fannie T. Gibson. Her parents Joseph G. and Margaret (McGill) Gibson, were both born in Scotland, and on coming to this country settled in Grimshy, Ontario, from there moved to Olmsted Falls in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and died there. Mr. Gibson was foreman of railway bridge construction. It is interesting to note how the destiny of life brought Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt together. She was born in Grimsby, Ontario, in a house next door to where her future husband then lived, but so far as known neither one of them was conscious of the other's existence until vears later. When she was one year old her parents took her to Olmsted Falls. Ohio, and she did not return to Canada until an attrac- tive young lady of about eighteen, and while at Beamsville she and Mr. Hewitt first came to know each other. A few years after their marriage they came to live in Elyria, which is not far from her girlhood home in the adjoining county in Ohio. Mrs. Hewitt was educated chiefly in the public schools of Olmsted Falls. To their marriage have been born two children: Margaret Frances, whose birthplace was Beamsville, Ontario, and George Phelps, who was born in Elyria. Their home is at 315 Park Avenue. Mr. Hewitt takes his principal recreation in automobiling.

FRANK ALLEN SmitH. A resident of Lorain County most of his life, Mr. Smith's name is associated with various phases of Elyria's commercial activities. For nearly twenty years he has been in the real estate and insurance business as his chief line of enterprise, has assisted in the promotion and has financial interests in different business concerns, and has identified himself with the organized movements for the general improvement of the community. There is hardly any event of importance in the civic and commercial history of Elyria during the past twenty years with which he has not been connected in some public spirited manner. He is now secretary and treasurer of The F. A. Smith & Brother Company, probably the leading concern in Lorain County in the handling of real estate and insurance and surety bonds. The corporation, which has been only recently formed to succeed the former partnership of F. A. Smith & Brother, has offices in the Elyria Block.

He was born in Wellington, Lorain County, Ohio, April 25, 1868, a son of Milo R. and Abigail (Haskell) Smith. His father died at Elyria August 30, 1913, and the mother is still living, her home being in Oberlin. Milo R. Smith was born at Amherst in Lorain County, and his wife is a native of Augusta, Maine, born on the Penobscot River. She came to Lorain County with her mother, locating about 1856 in Oberlin, where she and Milo Smith married. The Smiths came to Ohio from Northern New York, their original seat having been near the head of the Hudson River. Milo Smith spent all his active years as a farmer in Huntington Township in Lorain County. There were six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom reached maturity and all but one are now living. In order of age the children are: Will M., now president of The F. A. Smith & Brother Company; Edward H., who died in 1884 at the age of twenty-one on the home place in Huntington Township; Margaret, Mrs. L. S. Hazel of Atlanta, Georgia; Frank A.; Mason D., a teacher in the public schools at Elyria; and Minerva, Mrs. Harry Crosier of Pittsfield, Ohio. All the children claim Lorain County as their birthplace, and as children attended the local public schools and all graduates of the Wellington High School. Will and Frank also attended business college in Terre Haute. Indiana, while Mason took his higher instruction in the Ohio Northern University at Ada.

Frank A. Smith graduated from the Wellington High School with the class of 1888, then entered business college at Terre Haute, and following his graduation became bookkeeper with J. R. Duncan & Company of that city. A year later he went to Williamsburg, Kentucky, and spent five years with the Kentucky Lumber Company as bookkeeper. Returning to his home county, he located in Elyria in 1895, and about a year later engaged in the insurance and real estate business. He shared an office with Clayton Chapman, but did business slone until 1912, when he was joined by his brother Will. Mr. Frank Smith moved from the Chapman office into the old Elyria Block, and was the first tenant in that structure, which subsequently was burned. With the construction of the new Elyria Block he was the first tenant to take possession, and that is still his business home. When his brother Will joined him in the busi- ness the firm became known as F. A. Smith & Brother, but in May, 1919, the business was incorporated under the name The F. A. Smith & Brother Company, with Will Smith as president and Frank A. Smith as secretary and treasurer. This company handles surety bonds, fire insurance and city real estate, and is the leader in these lines in Elyria. The firm platted and laid out the Dewey Avenue allotinent in Elyria in 1907, and all of that subdivision is practically sold out.

Mr. Frank Smith is a stockholder in the Lorain County Abstract Company. In politics he is a republican, and in many wavs has made his influence count for good in the improvement of the community. He served five years continuously as a member of the city council. and during the first two years represented the Third Ward and in the last three years was councilman at large. He was also city assessor in the Fourth Ward for three successive years.

Mr. Smith is much interested in fraternal affairs, and is aftiliated with King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Elyria; Oriental Commandery of the Knights Templar at Cleveland; Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cleveland; Lake Erie Censistory of the Thirty-second Degree at Cleveland: and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum. the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Order of the Eastern Star and the National Union in the local bodies at Elyria. Ile is a working member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce.