Lorain City (part 67 of 77)

Mr. Smith was married to Miss Nell E. Short of Wellington, Nevember 4, 1891, and on the same day he also voted for Major Mclinley for governor of Ohio. Mrs. Smith was born in Devonshire, England. and when about two years of age was brought to the United States by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Short. About six years later she lost her father, and her mother had passed away when Mrs. Smith was about six years of age. She was reared and edueated principally in Berea. Ohio, and subsequently lived at Wellington until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a daughter, Esther La Rue, aged twelve, and now attending the grade schools at Elyria.

Witt M. Smiru. The active business career of Will M. Smith covers fully thirty years, and the first half of that period was spent in the lumber industry and for the past fifteen years he has been associated with his brother in the large real estate and insurance firm now known as The F. A. Smith & Brother Company, with offices in the Elvria Block in Elyria.

A native of Lorain County, born at Huntington October 9. 1860, Will M. Smith is a son of the late Milo R. and Abigail (Haskell; Smith. His mother is still living at Elyria. Further particulars concerning the family will be found in the sketch of Frank*A. Smith. Reared on a farm, Will M. Smith attended the country schools, also the Wellington High School, and prepared for business by a course in the Terre Haute Business College of Terre Haute, Indiana. He got into active business life as a sawmill operator. and spent fourteen years in that industry. two years in Huntington and twelve vears at Centerton, near Chicago Junction, in Huron County. Having sold out his interests at Centerton he moved to Elyria in September, 1901, and the following summer )uilt his attractive home in that city, performing a large share of the work hinself. In the fall of 1902 Mr. Smith entered inte business relations with his brother Frank A. under the firm name of F. A. Smith & Brother. In May, 1915, his business was incorporated as The F. A. Smith & Brother Company, with Will Smith president and his brother secretary- treasurer. This company handles surety bonds, fire insurance and city real estate and stands at the top as a reliable agency in these lines, The firm in 1907 platted and laid out the Dewey Avenue allotment in Elyria, and at this writing practically the entire subdivision is sold out.

Mr. Smith takes much interest in fraternal affairs. He is secretary of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and has held that office for the past ten years. For the past eight years he has been recording secretary of Elyria Lodge No. 103, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 56, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Elyria. He belongs to the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and in polities a republican, was quite active in local affairs while living at Centerton, in Huron County, serving as a trustee of Norwich Township, as justice of the peace and as school director during his twelve years of residence there. His church is the Methodist Episcopal, and he was treasurer of the Sunday School a number of years up to January, 1915.

His first wife was Miss Stella M. Rotson of Spencer, Medina County, Ohio. She died in Elyria in 1901, one month after the family removed to this city. Her only daughter is now Mrs. C. R. Summers of Oberlin. On August 24, 1904, Mr. Smith married Mrs. Nellie White of Chicago Junction. The two children of her former marriage, both now with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, are Dale and Ethel White. Dale White is a young man who has become widely known for his athletic accomplishments. He is fond of all outdoor sports, including basketball, football, and is an expert swimmer. In the spring of 1915 he assisted the local police as expert diver in recovering the body of a small boy who had been drowned, and also swam out and saved the life of a boy whose canoe had been overturned. He is a graduate of the Elyria High School with the class of 1913 and is a young man of great promise.

Harvey T. WINcKLEs. Two of Elyria's most successful business men are members of the Winckles family, which was originally established in North Ridgeville of Lorain County. The parents of these two men are Thomas and Lucy (Hurst) Winckles, who are now living retired at Elyria. On other pages will be found information concerning them, and also the brother, Carey T.

Harvey Winckles was born at the homestead in North Ridgeville June 3, 1871. When a boy he attended the district school, also the public schools of Elyria and made himself independently supporting before he was out of his teens.

For a time he and his brother were engaged in farming together. He took great interest in live stock and horses, and at different times owned and handled a number of fine animals.

In 1896 he became actively associated with the Farm Implement Company, of which he is now the head. This company originated as a joint enterprise of the Winckles brothers and four senior associates, These were in turn bought out, while Mr. Robbins retained his interest and remained with them until his death in 1811. Thus the Winckles brothers own most of the stock in the Farm Implement Company, but Harvey T. has all the responsibilities of its management,

The Farm Implement Company is the largest concern of its kind in Lorain County. Besides having a large supply of general hardware, it handles farm machinery, buggies, harnesses, stoves, paints, oils and varnish, and also has a large trade in field and garden seeds,

Harvey T. Winckles is a director of and largely interested in the Elyria Construction Company, of which his brother is president and manager. and is also one of the directors of the Savings Deposit Bank

On December 2, 1896, Mr. Winckles married Miss Lizzie Philpott, a sister of George Philpott, the well known shoe merchant of Elyria. Mrs. Winckles was born and educated in Elyria, is a graduate of the high school, and for about four years prior to her marriage was one of the popular teachers in the public schools of Elyria.

J. Harry Hurst. The proper measure of importance and prosperity for a city is not found in its buildings and other material facilities so much as in its men. In proportion as a community has a group of live and enterprising individuals, it is performing its share of the world's service and is making progress in the right direction. In the nucleus of live and energetic citizens who are the core of Elyria's prosperity, one of the first to deserve mention is J. Harry Hurst. Mr. Hurst was for many years in the employ of the National Tube Company, rising from an humble place in that industry to an executive office. A few vears ago he resigned and has since directed the full current of his energies to the business life of Elyria. He is president of its Chamber of Commerce, is identified with a number of local concerns, and is active head and senior member of the firm of The Wilkins-Hurst Company, the largest and oldest furniture and undertaking house in Lorain County.

At their location 382-386 Broad Street, three large floors are filled with an elaborate stock of furniture and rugs, while at 248 Broad Street are located the undertaking parlors, containing a chapel, a morgue, and a show and storage rooms for the largest line of caskets in Lorain County. The company also operates an auto invalid car and has every facility for perfect service.

J. Harry Hurst was born at Latrobe, Westmoreland County. Pennsylvania, October 9, 1859, a son of Joseph Lee and Nancy (Jack) Hurst. His father was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and is now living at McKeesport in that state at the age of seventy-eight. Since 1900 he has continuously held the office of county assessor of real estate. The mother is also still hving at the age of seventy-nine. Joseph L. Hurst made a notable record as a soldier in the Civil war, serving as a private in Captain Henry L. Donnelly's Company G of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Infautry. He enlisted August 8, 1862, for a term of nine months, and was discharged at the expiration of his term on May 24, 1863, at Harrisburg. He is now a popular member of Colonel Sam W. Black Post, No. 59, Grand Army of the Republic, at McKeesport. He and his wife are the parents of six sons and three daughters. but the daughters all died in infaney. The six sons are living, and in order of age are named J. Harry, Frank W., Charles F., James Edward. J. Lee Jr., and William B. All except J. Harry live in McKeesport, are connected with the National Tube Company interests in various capacities, as foremen, furnace men, ete., and their homes are so located that all can be with their parents if required in fifteen minutes time. The children were born at different localities in Pennsylvania, but within a radius of 100 miles around Pittsburg.

A short time after the war Joseph L. Hurst had engaged in the dry goods business at Latrobe, but reverses came and the financial stress fell heavily upon his family. J. Harry Hurst was at that time attending the public schools, but soon afterward found it necessary to get into some self-supporting activity. Most of his school attendance was at McKeesport, and it, has always been a matter of deep regret with him that he was unable to continue his education as far as he desired. An education he holds one of the greatest advantages man or woman can possess, and with this idea he has been very liberal in securing the best of schooling for his own children. When fifteen years of age Mr. Hurst entered the employ of the National Tube Company, and continued with that industry for twenty-seven years. From a position hardly more than that of office boy, he went through many grades of responsibility, had charge of a number of departments, and after the company entered the trust he was transferred from McKeesport to the treasurer's office in the Frick Building at Pittsburg, where he remained five years, and was then transferred to South Lorain, Lorain County, as chief clerk of tube and pipe department. This was in March, 1905, and after holding that position two years he resigned, and has since been actively identified with the business community of Elyria.

Mr. Hurst came to Elyria in November, 1907, and secured an interest in what is now the Wilkins-Hurst Company. At the location on Broad Street already named a furniture store has been in business continuously since 1837. Until Mr. Hurst came to Elyria the firm was Ensign & Wilkins. On the death of Mr. Ensign Mr. Hurst bought his interests. Mr. Ensign was at one time a sheriff of Lorain County. The business has since been incorporated as the Wilkins-Hurst Company. Mr. C. H. Wilkins still has an interest in the company, but since 1911 on account of ill health has been obliged to live in Redlands, California, where he looks after an insurance business. Mr. Hurst is now the senior partner and owns the bulk of the stock and is active head of this flourishing business.

Known as a successful businessman, Mr. Hurst has been drawn into many of the activities which are making for a greater or better Elyria. In politics he is a republican, and in 1913 was appointed a member of the board of education to fill out the term of W. W. Austin, who had resigned, and at the fall election held in Elyria on November 4, 1915, he was elected a member of the board for a term of three years and January 1, 1916, was elected first vice president of that body. He is chairman of the building committee of the board of education. He is also a director of the Elyria Savings and Banking Company, a director and trustee of the Elyria Y. M. C. A., and a director of the Y. W. C. A., is president and a director of the Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Merchants Association of Elyria, treasurer of the Men's Club of the Episcopal Church, treasurer of the Men's Federation Club of Elyria, and a member of the Elyria Country Club. When business permits, he enjoys a quiet game of golf with his friends at the Country Club. He has been elected a life member of the Memorial Hospital Association of Elyria and is a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In Masonry he has taken the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite, belongs to the Council and the Knight Templar Commandery at Elyria and to various other Masonic bodies in McKeesport, to Syria Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pittsburg and to the Eastern Star, a Ladies' Auxiliary of the Masonic order. He is also a member of Harlan P. Chapman Post, Sons of Veterans, at Elyria, to the Elyria Tent of the Knights of the Maccabees, while his firm has membership in the Automobile Club.

Mr. Hurst's first wife was Miss Hattie B. Powers of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. She died three years after their marriage at McKeesport. Her one daughter, Lulu LaRue, is now the wife of Howard B. Somers of Elyria, now special agent there for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, with offices in the Century Block. Mrs. Somers was born in McKeesport, was educated there in the high school, spent nearly two years in the Indiana State Normal at Indiana, Pennsylvania, but left school on account of ill health.

The present Mrs. Hurst before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth S. Robb, who was born and reared in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was educated at McKeesport, being a graduate of the high school of that city, and lhved there until her marriage. For a number of years she: taught school at Braddock, five miles from McKeesport, going back and forth to her duties every day. Her parents were T. J. and Ellen (Veasey) Robb of Beaver County, where her father died about 1900. Her mother now lives at Elyria with a son. Two daughters and one son have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. The daughters are Eleanor and Isabel, both of whom are graduates of the Elyria public schools, each has taught a year in Elyria Township, and both are now students in the Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, where Eleanor will graduate with the class of 1916. Both the daughters were born in McKeesport. The son is Orlando Hunter Hurst, who was born in McKeesport, April 28, 1903, and is now attending the grade schools at Elyria.

WILLIAM STOLZENBURG'S record as a building contractor and in public affairs is one that gives him a special place in the history of the City of Elyria during the past thirty years, and reflects high credit upon his ability and public spirit.

A brother of Henry Stolzenburg of Elyria and a son of Christian and Mary (Ebel) Stolzenburg, William Stolzenburg was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, September 11, 1862. He came to the United States in the early '80s, several years betore his parents emigrated to this country. and has been a resident of Elyria more than thirty years. His education came from the public schools of Germany, and after his confirmation in the Lutheran Church he attended night school four times a week for three years, taking second premium for scholarship the first year, first premium the second, and also received honors the third year. Before coming to this country he had served an apprenticeship of three years as a carpenter. worked as a journeyman one vear and came to this country soon after his marriage. In 1885 Mr. Stolzenburg began the business of general contracting. and in the past thirty years it is doubtful if any building contractor in Lorain County has done a more extensive business. To his credit may he assigned the construction of more than 400 buildings in Elyria. including business blocks and some of the finest residences in the city. ;

At the same time he has been closely identified with the civic development of the city during his residence. For eighteen years he was a member of the volunteer hook and ladder company of the fire department, and is now a member of the Lorain County Volunteer Firemen's Association. He was appointed assistant chief of the fire department. but resigned that post in 1907 when elected councilman at large. a position he has filled with judgment and ability for four successive terms, and is regarded as one of the strongest men in the city council. He is a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce and the Elyria Builders' Exchange, and for many years has been one of the most influential members and officers of St. John's Lutheran Church. having served eighteen years as trustee, and is still in the office of head cashier of the church.

On July 13, 1883, Mr. Stolzenburg married Miss Augusta Bobzien, who was also born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin. To their marriage were born six children, all but one of them still living. Albert M., who was horn before his parents left Germany, is in business at Elyria and married Tilla Stettin, and they have three children, Guy. Pearl and Ralph; Christian C., born in Elyria, as were the other children, is a machinist, and married Hattie Peters of Elyria. and has two children, Chester and Helen; Wiliam H., who was a soldier in the regular army of the United States for five years, married Lucey Pauley, and has one child, William: Rev. Otto F.. who is now a minister of the Lutheran Church at Pomeroy, Ohio. married Nettie Vortman; Anna is at home with her parents: and

Emma is deceased. All the children are married except Anna and all received their early education in the German Lutheran School at Elyria, while Rev. Otto attended the public schools, the college at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and prepared for the ministry at the Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

PACLW..SAMPSELL: AID: No history of the medical profession in Lorain County would be complete without reference to the personality and the conspicuous success of the late Dr. Paul W. Sampsell, who for many years was undoubtedly the strongest practitioner of the Eclectic School in Lorain County, and stood first and foremost among all representatives of the profession in this part of the state. He possessed all the qualifications for the successful physician, and in the end had hosts of admirers of the symmetry and wholesomenesg of his character,

Though spending the greater part of his long lifetime in Lorain County, Dr. Paul W. Sampsell was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 22, 1828. He died in Elyria May 8, 1888. He belonged to a fine old family and one that furnished a large number of physicians to the world. Edueated in the common schools, he attended the Eclectic Medical College and also the Homeopathic School of Medicine at Cincinnati, from both of which institutions he graduated. His first place of practice was in Ashland, Ohio, and from there he moved to South Bend, Indiana. He enjoyed a high degree of popularity and standing among the leading citizens of that young manufacturing city, and continued there until failing health obliged him to seek a change of occupation and climate. A few years before gold had been discovered on the Pacific Coast, and among young men of venturesome spirit no undertaking was more highly in favor than a trip to California. Believing that such a journey would be of great benefit to him, he crossed the plains about the year 1852, the party going by wagon. Among other members of this little expedition were several of the famous Studebakers of South Bend, then young men and close friends of Doctor Sampsell. These young men not only conducted their own tour but looked after a number of wagons and families on the road to California. At the end of one year in California Doctor Sampsell was greatly encouraged by his renewed health, and then decided to return to his native state.

In 1854 he made a permanent location in Elyria, and continued there in the Eclectie practice of medicine until his death more than thirty years later. After going to Elyria he was offered a chair in one of the colleges of Cincinnati, but declined a position where his ability and learning would have made him useful as an influence in the instruction of young men preparing for medicine. This was mainly due to his great preference to remain in active private practice. The opinion hag frequently been expressed that as a physician Doctor Sampsell had no superior and had few peers during his active career. He enjoyed not only a large office practice. but as long as health and age permitted he had demands upon his time and energies requiring almost constant riding about the City of Elyria. Doctor Sampsell served as mayor of Elyria, and it is to his administration that the nucleus of the present beautifully shaded streets of Elyria is indebted, as the first shade trees were planted at that time.

In 1855 Doctor Sampsell was married in Elyria to Miss Evaline Childs. To their marriage one son was born, Warren W., who died December 1, 1887, at the age of thirty-one. Mrs. Sampsell was a native of Elyria, and came of an early and highly respected family there, and she herself was a woman of high culture and popular esteem. She died at Elyria in 1904 at the age of sixty-seven. At the present time there

Warren W., and his wife are both deceased, but they left a son, Paul W., a grandson of Dr. Paul W., and now a successful lawyer practicing in Los Angeles, California. He has had his home in California since his grandmother's death in 1904.

GEORGE BENJAMIN RansHaw. Few men possess the talent for the exercise of such extended activities for usefulness in the world as George B. Ranshaw, who is prominently known in Elyria through his work as a religious and social leader, and more recently as district agent for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company. <A record of his life in detail makes interesting reading.

Born in Covington, Kentucky, January 27, 1864. George Benjamin Ranshaw is a son of Henry and Emma (Warwood) Ranshaw. Iis father was born in London and his mother in Birmingham, England, coming to America when young, and were married at Cincinnati. Ohio, whence they removed to Covington, Kentucky. The mother came to the United States when about fourteen years of age. Her parents settled first at Pittsburgh, and later moved to Cincinnati. The Warwoods made the trip from England to the United States in a sailing vessel, which required about five weeks for the voyage. Cholera broke out among the passengers, and three of her brothers fell as victims of the disease and were buried at sea, and scores of the other passengers died before the end of the voyage. Henry Ranshaw came to America with an older member of the family, George Stacey, a half-brother. He was about twerty-two years of age at the time, and they both settled in Cincinnati. They also made the trip from England in a sailing vessel. Henry Ranshaw had learned the trade of machinist and shipwright in London, and after coming to the United States he and his half-brother established an iron railing works in Cincinnati. They subsequently developed this into a plant for steel fabrication. Henry Ranshaw was on terms of intimacy with General Rosecrans and General McClellan, both of whom were distinguished leaders of the Union army during the Civil war, and through the influence of General Rosecrans a large amount of Government business was turned to the plant at Cincinnati. The 'business for which George Stacey furnished capital and which grew up largely under the supervision and as a result of the energy of Henry Ranshaw was known as the Stacey Manufacturing Company, and the firm is owned today by the children and grandchildren of Henry Ranshaw and George Stacey, both of whom are now deceased. While thev had not yet completed their naturalization as American citizens at the time of the Civil war, they organized a regiment for the defense of Cincinnati, in which Henry Ranshaw became first lieutenant. and his brother a captain. It was known as Col. Amos Shinkle's Regiment, and it may be noted in passing that Colonel Shinkle built the suspension bridge over the Ohio River at Cincinnati. Henry and Emma Ranshaw were the parents of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, all of whom grew up, and all are still living except two sons and one daughter.

The third son and the fifth child. George B. Ranshaw obtained his early education in the public schools of Covington, and also attended the famous old Chickering Institute of Cincinnati, a school which at different times enrolled many students who afterwards became famous. among them William H. Taft. Mr. Ranshaw entered the law department of the Cincinnati University. while Jacob D. Cox was its dean. and was graduated LL. B. with the class of 1885, and the same year. by special examinations, was admitted to the bar of Kentucky. and for about four years practiced in the office of George R. Sage and Thornton M. Hinkle at Cincinnati. Later he went out to the frontier in Dakota Territory, locating in Edmunds County, where he established himself in the town ealled Roscoe, that name having been given the new town in honor of the noted New York lawyer and politician, Roscoe Conkling. While in Dakota he purchased the newspaper Appeal, the official organ of the prohibition party, became sole proprietor, and through voice and pen did a notable work in educating the people of both North and South Dakota to establish prohibition as one of the cardinal principles of state policy. Mr. Ranshaw and Rev. James H. Kyle were co-workers jin Dakota, and they subsequently moved to Aberdeen in South Dakota. Kyle outlined the platform of the populist party in South Dakota. and was elected on that ticket for the United States Senate, and died while filling his second term as a senator at Washington. During the four years in Dakota Mr. Ranshaw was elected state president of the Christian Endeavor work of the State of South Dakota, and spent much of his time in presenting the principles of the Endeavor Society and in organizing it in various churches.

It was this work which finally brought him to answer the call to the active ministry. Having sold his newspaper in South Dakota, the Appeal of Aberdeen, to members of the populist party who employed its columns to advocate that brand of polities, he returned to Kentucky and entered the Transylvania University at Lexington, where he took the English theological course. As a minister of the gospel Mr. Ranshaw had charge of churches at Paris, Indiana, for one year, two and a half years at Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and in the third year entered upon his duties as pastor of the Walnut Hill Disciple Church in Cincinnati. He remained in that charge three years, and was then sent to Tavlor, Texas, for a year. He was a member of the boards of both the Home and Foreign Missionary societies of the Disciples Church, and on account of his knowledge of the work of these two organizations he was sent as missionary pastor of the First Christian Church of San Antonio, Texas, and while there organized the first congregation of the Disciples faith among the Mexican population, and continued to superintend the work in the Mexican field as long as he remained in Texas. Later returning to Cincinnati he became assistant secretary of Home Missions, and that was his principal work for ten years, though in the meantime he did much preaching, and also founded and was editor of the American Home Missionary at Cincinnati. This paper is still published. Mr. Ranshaw has occupied the pulpit as a preacher in nearly all parts of the United States.

In 1910 Rev. Mr. Ranshaw was called to Elyria to become pastor of the local Disciples Church. and remained its minister up to October 1, 1914. Since transferring his work to the field of Lorain County he has practically identified himself with many important movements in this locality. He has been called upon for numerous addresses of a memorial character and especially in the cause of prohibition, and at the same time has proved himself a thorough student and vigorous worker for civie improvement. He was one of the commission of fourteen local citizens who drew up a new charter for the City of Elyria, though that charter was defeated by the machine politicians from both the dominant parties. He is now serving on the Elyria City Board of Health.

On October 1, 1914. Mr. Ranshaw entered business as district agent for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This is one of the oldest life insurance companies in the eountry, having heen incorporated in 1851, and for sixty-three years it has measured up to the highest standards of an ideal insurance service. :has suecessfully met all the different tests applied by experience and changing conditions to insurance management, and offers practically all the most progressive forms of lite insurarice policies. Mr. Ranshaw's office as district agent is in the Masonic Temple, and he has already built up a large clientele over his district, which covers the counties of Lorain, Erie, Sandusky, Huron and Medina.

Mr. Ranshaw is a member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce. Politically he is identified with that progressive branch of the original republican party whose champion is Theodore Roosevelt, but in local politics he votes independently. At the present time he is leader of the large men's class.in the First Congregational Church Sunday School. He is also leading a large young men's bible class in the Elyria Young Men's Christian Association, known as the Automobile Bible Class, and the first to be instituted in America. In 1915 he was elected chairman of the religious work committee of the Young Men's Christian Association.

On October 25, 1894, at Covington, Kentucky, he married Miss Zue Lou O'Neal, daughter of Col. Weden O'Neal and Caroline (Fenley) O'Neal. On both sides Mrs. Ranshaw is descended from old Virginia stock. Her father was colonel of the Fifty-fifth Kentucky Regiment of the Union army during the Civil war, and for many years was one of the prominent lawyers and republicans in Northern Kentucky. A numher of vears ago he led a forlorn hope of the republicans against that eminent Kentuckian, John G. Carlisle. Mrs. Ranshaw's parents hoth died at Covington. She was born in Crittenden, Grant County. Kentueky. where her grandfather. John Fenley, a wealthy planter and slave owner. was one of the first settlers. Mrs. Ranshaw was educated in the publie schools of Covington, and for vears has heen a leader in church work. At Elvria she has given special attention to the Mothers' and Teachers' Organization. She is a forceful speaker, and possesses almost a genius as an organizer. She organized the first Teachers' and Parents' Association in Elyria. and has directed its work to a point productive to great good to all the publie schools and has brought about proper co-operation between the parents and the teachers. She is also president of the Political Study Club, the largest cluh in Elyria; is president of the Federation of Parents' and Teachers' organizations of Elvria: and is vice president of the exclusive social elub known as the Four O'Clock Club, which is one of the oldest woman's organizations in Elyria, and has a membership limited to twenty-four. With the resignation of Emma S. Olds from the board of education of Elyria, Mrs. Ranshaw was appointed in her stead in December. 1914. and later she refused reappointment to the same office. She is frequently called upon to give addresses throughout the country around Elyria, largely on the subject of mothers' and teachers' co-operation in school affairs.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ranshaw were born two children: Weden O'Neal, who was born in Texas while his parents resided in that state, is now concluding his fourth year in the Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. Emily Warwood, the daughter. graduated from the Elyria High Sehool in 1914. the leader of her class of eighty-four, and is now one of the most promising students in the large freshman class of 385 at Oherlin College. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio,

How. ANtHony NiepINnG. Lorain County has had many occasions to he grateful to its present representative in the Lower House of the State Legislature. Anthony Nieding. who was elected on the republican ticket in 1914. Représentative Nieding, who is a prominent lawyer of Elyria.

with offices in the Masonic Temple, is less of a politician than a public spirited citizen, and has shown excellent judgment in his work in the Legislature. The city council of Elyria recently passed resolutions thanking him for his effective work in defeating the Behne bill, which it was generally believed would have proved seriously detrimental to the cause of municipal ownership in Ohio. The bill was referred to a committee and Mr. Nieding, knowing of the bill and the action the committee was to take, was instrumental in sidetracking the bill for two weeks, when it was finally defeated. Another part of his legislative record was his bill, introduced at the request of the State Coroners Association, permitting coroners to deputize private citizens to serve writs and receive fees. This bill passed both houses of the Legislature in May and is now a law.

Descending from old German stock of Lorain County, Anthony Nieding was born on a farm in Elyria Township, August 2, 1875. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Neufer) Nieding. His father was born in Germany, was brought to America as a child, his parents settling in Black River Township, and his life has been spent as a farmer, largely in Ridgeville Township. Elizabeth Neufer was born in Michigan, and her father, George Neufer, was also a native of Germany, and after coming to America saw service as a Union soldier in the Civil war.

Edueated in the country district schools, Anthony Nieding later attended Baldwin College near Cleveland, and spent two years in the Cleveland Law School. He was admitted to the bar June 12, 1903, and for the past twelve years has been engaged in active practice at Elyria and has a large clientage and has been unusually successful in handling many important cases. His activities in behalf of the public welfare began with manhood, and he has proved an effective worker in many movements. He was formerly a member of the Republican County Central Committee, is active in the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and in 1901 was elected secretary of the Lorain County Agricultural Society, a post he held for a number of years. Fraternally he is identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, belonging to Elyria Aerie No. 431 of . Elyria; with the Modern Woodmen of America; the Knights of Pythias ; Elyria Lodge, No. 465, of. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; and with Harlan P. Chapman Camp of the Sons of Veterans at Elyria.

On October 14, 1903, Mr. Nieding married Miss Grace Babcock, daughter of George P. and Lois A. (Mathison) Babcock. Her father came from New London, Connecticut, and after living in Lorain County a number of years went to New Jersey, where he was a Federal employe, and where he died in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Nieding have one daughter, Lois E., born June 14, 1905.

Wituiim E. Ror. Among those who have quite recently entered the professional circles of Elyria, on the basis of attainments and talents at the age of twenty-five William E. Roe has the promise of a brilliant future in the law and as a leader in public affairs, Mr. Roe belongs to a highly respected family which has been identified with Lorain County a number of years, and is of English parentage.

He was born in Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio, May 6, 1890, a son of Samuel and Anna (Bancroft) Roe. His father was born at Kirchkar, England, in September, 1862, and died at Amherst in Lorain County July 29, 1901. His son has apparently inherited many of his substantial qualities of character and ability to win his own way. Samuel Roe came to the United States alone when about twelve years of age, and coming to Elyria in 1874 found employment which finally started him in the stone quarrying business. For a number of years prior to his death he had been connected with the Gray Canyon Quarry No. 6, at Amherst and had charge of the entire west end as assistant superintendent. At an earlier day he had opened the quarry in Elyria in Cascade Park, went from here to Amherst about 1886, and his home was in that town with the exception of about four years, during which time he was located in Cedar Valley, Iowa, as superintendent of the Buhler Stone Quarry there from 1892 until the year 1895. He returned from Iowa to Amherst and had his home there until his death. He is a very active church worker, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at South Amherst, and is also known in the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Foresters, belonging to Amherst Lodge of the former. His wife was born in Yorkshire, England, was brought to this country when less than a year old by her parents, who settled in Amherst, subsequently lived for a time in Canada, and then returned to Amherst. She was liberally educated, attending the public schools of Amherst and Elyria, where her parents lived for a time, and completed her education in the Oberlin High School at Oberlin. She died at Elyria, November 8, 1912. She was very devout as a Christian and a worker in the churches at Amherst and Elyria. Of the two sons, William is the older, and his brother, Elmer E., is now proprietor of the Amherst Bakery at Amherst.

Growing up in Amherst, William E. Roe attended the public schools there, the high school one year, and was graduated from the Elyria High School with the class of 1909. From there he entered the law department of Western Reserve University, and remained until graduating in June, 1913, with the degree Bachelor of Laws. In the same > vear he was admitted to the bar by examination and in October opened his office in the Century Building at Elyria. In two years he has made his mark in the profession, and has earned a reputation for solid ability and proficient handling of all business entrusted to him, which assures him a fine future.

He is a member of the Lorain County Bar Association and has recently entered actively into politics, having become a candidate for city solicitor of Elyria. He is a republican. a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Elyria, affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees at Elyria, and is one of the young men who comprise the active membership of the Olympic Club. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Elyria and to the Young Men's Christian Association.

EARL GARFIELD JENKINS. Every occupation of mankind demands certain special qualities which are applicable to no other in the same degree. That of funeral director in particular calls for a kind and sympathizing heart, refined manners and ready tact in embarrassing situations; for the undertaker touches humanity at its most sensitive point. when the personal feelings are least under contro] and the individual most in need of outside aid and guidance. One of the prominent representatives of this honorable profession in Lorain County is Earl Garfield Jenkins, of Elyria, whose funeral parlors are situated at No. 335 Second Street.

Mr. Jenkins was born at Morristown. St. Lawrence County. New York, June 30, 1881. three days before the assassination of President Garfield. an event which accounts for his middle name. His parents were Rev. Owen and Delora Tone (Doty) Jenkins, his father a native of South Wales and his mother of Troy. Ashland County, Ohio. Rev. Owen Jenkins came to the United States when twenty vears of age in company with a man name Evans, both settling in Oherlin, Ohio.

in 1865. At that time he wag unacquainted with the English language, except for a few words which he had picked up from his fellow Welsh. man on the boat during the passage. But it was not long after his arrival in America before Owen Jenkins had acquired a practical knowledge of the English tongue. He was entered and was graduated from Oberlin College and Seminary, and was ordained to the Congregational ministry "December 24, 1876. Previous to his ordination and while attending college he had preached at Grafton in Lorain County, and since that time he followed his calling chiefly in the State of Ohio, though about eight years were spent in other localities, including the State of New York. Reverend Jenkins passed away February 9, 1916, in Cleveland. At one time he lived at Collinwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, and while there served one term as mayor.

Rev. Owen Jenkins married Delora Ione Doty, who completed her education at Oberlin College. They became the parents of three children: Parry D., also a graduate of Oberlin and now employed by the National Casket Company in the Cleveland branch; Earl Garfield; and Royal J., deceased; the. last mentioned died March 2, 1911, in Cleveland. He was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, while his two brothers, 'Parry and Earl G., were both natives of the State of New York.

Earl Garfield Jenkins acquired his education in public schools at Dover, Collinwood, Chardon and other places where his father was a pastor. He began earning his own way in the paint factory of the Sherwin & Williams Company at Cleveland, in whose employ he remained one vear, and then became bookkeeper for J. H. Libby, a cement contractor of Cleveland, in whose service he was for a year. Having determined upon the undertaking business as his profession, he began an apprenticeship with the firm of J. P. Hogan & Company at Cleveland on January 2, 1901, remained with them about three months, spent a season working at Euclid Beach, and then entered another undertaking firm of Cleveland, Black & Wright, with whom he remained two years. After continuing his apprenticeship with Saxton & Son of Cleveland he entered the Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland and studied anatomy. On October 25. 1904, he took the examination before the Ohio State Board of Embalming Examiners and was granted a license to practice his profession. He then became embalmer for J. L. Cross of Warren, Ohio, with whom he remained for a year and a half, subsequently removing to Garretsville. Ohio, to take charge of the undertaking department of H. A. Wadsworth. A little later he moved to Akron, remained there nearly three vears in the employ of C. T. Parks as an embalmer. On August 1. 1909, Mr. Jenkins came to Elyria and in the following October became a stockholder in The Wilkins-Hurst Company, with whom he was associated until April 18, 1914. In the following month he engaged in business for himself at his present location, No. 335 Second Street, and has developed an establishment thoroughly modern in every respect, including tasteful and commodious parlors, a complete line of funeral supplies, and he has one of the handsomest auto funeral cars in Northern Ohio.

Mr. Jenkins is a member of the Masonic order, being affiliated with the lodge in Akron, Marshall Chapter of Elyria and Elyria Council; also Elvria Commandery, Knights Templars. Since 1905 he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias of Warren. In politics he is independent. voting for the man rather than for the party. A member of the First Congregational Church of Elyria, he has served one term as deacon. and belongs to the Men's Club of that church. He is a well known member of the Ohio Funeral Directors' Association.

of Warren, Ohio, daughter of Albert B. and Lottie (Herst) Cratsley. Her father is a retired farmer. Mrs. Jenkins was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, but was educated in Warren, being a graduate of the Warren High School. Her parents removed to Warren when she was a girl of twelve years, and are still residing there. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are the parents of one child, Albert Owen, who was born in Elyria September 22, 1911.

JouHn T, HeNpERSON. Modern business requires practical and thorough training in the same degree as the professions and sciences. In the entire State of Ohio there is no institution which affords a better curriculum and practical business education than the Oberlin Business College. This school, since its founding, has trained and graduated hundreds of young men and women, giving them a thorough preparation for entrance into business life. Throughout the United States can be found substantial business men who acknowledge the influence of the Oberlin Business College as an important factor in their early developing career.

The suecess of this important Lorain County institution can be attributed chiefly to John T. Henderson, now president of the college and an educator of long and varied experience. Mr. Henderson is also one of Oberlin's foremost citizen's and business men and is president of the People's Banking Company. He was born near McConnelsville in Morgan County, Ohio, May 18, 1862, a son of John and Cecelia ( Richardson) Henderson. His father was born in Virginia in 1822. a son of William Henderson, also a native of that state, whence he came to Ohio in the early days and located on a farm. Cecelia Richardson was born in Ohio in 1831, a daughter of Thomas Richardson, who was born in that portion of Virginia now West Virginia. John Henderson and wite were married at McConnellsville, Ohio, and they afterwards bought a farm near that town and spent the rest of their days there. He died in 1854, while his widow is still hyving. Of their nine children eight are living, and Professor Henderson was the fourth in order of age. The parents were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the father -was an Odd Fellow and in politics a republican. As a farmer he was successful beyond the average and at the time of his death left an estate of 240 acres.

The boyhood of John T. Henderson was spent on the old farm in Morgan County. He attended the district schools in the winter time. and when quite young his aspirations and ambitions went beyond the horizon of his immediate surroundings. One step in his career was attending Normal School for several summers, and he was also a student in the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. For four years he was a teacher in the common schools and then for one vear had charge of the commercial branches at Baldwin University. He was also a practical bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Berea.

It was as a student in the old Oberlin Business College that he first became identified with this community in 1884. After doing some special work in penmanship he was employed in September. 1584. as a teacher of general business subjects. Later he increased his associations with the college by buying a half interest. and in 1895 he incorporated the institution under the name of The Oberlin Business College. At that time about half the stock was distributed among other owners. but he has since hought back the greater part and is now practically sole proprietor.

The Oberlin Business College has an enrollment of about three hundred students each year, and on the whole they come to the school mature in years and early training, and for that reason the graduates go out with a superior fitness and equipment for the positions to which they aspire.

The college has two large buildings and in equipment stands in the front rank. One distinction of the school that should be noted is that it was the first business college in Ohio to be placed on the Accredited List by the State Department of Public Instruction for the training of commercial teachers. The normal department for training commercial teachers is now an important feature of the institution. All these improvements have been brought about during the progressive and enlightened administration of Mr. Henderson. Its growth has been such that in enrollment and in point of instruction and facilities the school is now four times as large as when he took charge. He has under him a staff of seven teachers and the curriculum includes, in addition to the normal department, all practical business courses, and special courses in penmanship. The officers and board of directors at the present time are: J. T. Henderson. president; J. D. Yocom, vice president; C. A. Barnett, J. E. Campbell, Dr. Lyman B. Sperry, G. L. Close, secretary, and Hon. A. R. Webber.

On June 1, 1885, Mr. Henderson married Ada V. Lawrence, who was also born near McConnelsville, Ohio. Of the five children born to them, four are still living: Elmer C., who was graduated from Oberlin College in 1912, spent one year as a teacher in the Chamberlain Military Academy, located at Randolph, New York, and is now employed as a teacher and athletic coach in the Broadway High School at Seattle, Washington. Harold, who was graduated from Oberlin College in 1914, having specialized in political science, and is now connected with the New York Bureau of Municipal Research: Alice E.. graduated from Oberlin College in 1915, and is now teaching commercial studies in the Oberlin Business College; Herbert R., who is a junior in the high school and a member of the high school football team.

Mr. Henderson and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is an independent republican. He has been active in local affairs for a number of years, having served on the school board. as a member of the Board of Health for more than twenty-five years and for a long time was president of the local board of charities.

Conrip A. Horn. For ten years Mr. Horn has been connected with the office of county auditor of Lorain County either as deputy or auditor. His qualifications for the important duties of that position are so definite and well known that he is everywhere recognized as the man for the handling of these responsibilities in the county government. Mr. Horn has a self-made career, and has done well not only for himself but for others, and is one of the most popular men in Lorain County.

Conrad A. Horn was born at Lorain, Lorain County, December 3, 1873, a son of Martin J. and Catherine (Krantz) Horn. His father was. born in Huron County, Ohio, and died at Lorain, February 22, 1895. In early life he was a farmer and subsequently was mill foreman for the Lorain Lumber and Manufacturing Company and also identified with the general lumber business. He was a practical mill man, and by trade a sash and door maker. His widow, still living at Lorain, was born in Schenectady, New York, and was brought to Lorain County in infancy. Her father, Conrad Krantz, who died in May, 1915, at the age of eightysix, was the last survivor of a group of ship builders who a generation ago laid the foundation of Lorain's ship building interests. He was one of the wealthy and prominent men of Lorain County. Martin J. Horn and wife had one son and two daughters: (1) Elnora, a widow living with her mother has two children, Norris and Katherine; (2) Conrad A,, subject of this article and (3) Cora, who died in infancy.

His tastes were early indicated for practical action, and he probably did not attend school up to the full measure of his opportunities. He has been working for his own support since early boyhood and has had a great variety of experiences. For a time he was a Great Lakes sailor, and for two years was a brass molder in the old Brass Works at Lorain. When his father died he became an employe of the lumber company in which the elder Horn had a position, and continued in the office of that firm for eight years. Having realized the need of a better education, he then gave up his business career temporarily in order to complete a course in the Oberlin Business College. Returning to Lorain, he was for a time employed by the Lorain City Waterworks Department, and while in that position was married August 5, 1905, to Miss Jessie E. Stuff of Fredericksburg, Ohio. Mrs. Horn is a daughter of John and Mary Stuff, both now deceased.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Horn entered the county auditor's office as a deputy on December 1, 1905. He rapidly familiarized himself with the details of the office, and continued deputy five years and seven months. He then became a candidate for the office of auditor, and was unopposed for the republican nomination. He was elected in 1912 and re-elected for his second term in 1914.

Mr. Horn and family reside in a beautiful residence at 651 Hamilton Avenue in Lorain, which he built in 1908. This home is on part of the original farm owned by his grandfather Krantz. Mr. and Mrs. Horn have one son, Robert L., who was born in the family residence at Lorain just mentioned.

Mr. Horn takes much interest in fraternal affairs. He is affiliated with the Masonic bodies at Lorain and with Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cleveland. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Lorain, the Knights of Pythias, and other fraternal bodies. Other connections are with the Lorain Chamber of Commerce and with Emanuel's Evangelical Church of Lorain. Mr. Horn is well known in musical circles in Lorain County, has much natural ability in that art, and for the past nineteen years until very recently has been identified with either the Elyria or Lorain bands and is (1916) a member of Al Koran Band of Cleveland, Ohio, in connection with the Mystic Shrine. He is also a lover of outdoor sports, and is usually to be found among the spectators at baseball, football, or basketball games.

Rey. James B. Mooney. Among the Catholic clergy in Lorain County, Rev. James B. Mooney has distinguished himself for the earnestness of his labors, for his effective pastorate of St. Mary's Church at Elyria, and for his active support of everything that is wholesome in the life of the community.

A native of Cleveland, Father Mooney was born July 22, 1870, a son of John and Catherine Mooney, both of whom were born in Ireland, came to this country as children, and were married in Cleveland where they are still residents.

As a boy Father Mooney began his education in the Holy Family School (now St. Edward's) at Cleveland, at the age of fourteen entered St. Vincent's College at Beatty, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and three years later became a student in St. Charles College at Ellicott City, Maryland. At the age of nineteen he entered St. 'Mary's Theological Seminary at Cleveland. and on October 18, 1894, was ordained to the priesthood by Right Reverend Bishop Horstmann at St. Mary's Seminary.

dusky, Ohio. Two years later he became assistant to the Rev. A. E. Manning, pastor of St. Rose Church at Lima, Ohio, and remained there six years. Then came his first regular pastorate at St. Patrick's Church in Kent, Portage County, Ohio, and two years later he became pastor of St. Mary's at Conneaut, Ohio. On September 20, 1911, the Rt. Rev. John P. Farrelly, Bishop of Cleveland, assigned to the pastorate of St. Mary's Church in Elyria, and he has now been-identified with this community as one of its leading churchmen for more than four years.

WiLuiam H. Kurnect. A native son of Lorain County, William H. Klinect at the beginning of his independent career had less than two hundred dollars in cash. He now has a fine farm of 110 acres all paid for, and besides has provided liberally for his growing family which numbers some seven or eight sturdy young men and women, He is the type of man who generally makes a success of anything he undertakes, and his capability in managing his private interests has brought him at different times prominently into the public life of his home township and of the county.

He operates a fine farm and dairy three and a half miles southeast of Grafton on rural route No. 3. William H. Klinect was born in the house where he now lives October 28, 1868, a son of Jacob and Frederica (Wise) Klinect. His father was born in Liverpool Township of Medina County about five miles southeast of the present Klinect farm in Lorain County, and was a son of Michael and Catherine Klinect, both of whom were natives of Germany. Reared on a farm in Medina County, the father afterwards bought considerable land in Grafton Township and in the spring of 1868 he bought the eighty acres included in the present estate of his son William. There he spent his last days and passed away July 5, 1900. He was twice married. By the first union there were two children: Mrs. Elizabeth Cousins, who lives in Eaton Township and is the mother of eight children; and John, who lives in Orange County, Florida, and is married and has eight children. On January 17, 1865, Jacob Klinect married Miss Frederica Wise, who was born in Southern Germany near the French border and when thirteen years of age came to America with her parents Peter and Louise (Mueller) Wise, who settled in Medina County. By this second marriage there were three children: William H., the oldest; Anna, wife of Charles Marsh, living in Elyria, and she has two sons named Orlo and Clarence; and Frederic, who lives in Grafton Township and is married to Bertha Marsh and has three children.

William H. Klinect spent his early youth on the old homestead, and profited by attendance at the local schools. He was well trained for his present vocation under the direction of his father and he not only worked in the fields but also bought stock and learned the butchering business.

On December 12, 1894, he married Miss Lottie Marsh. She was born and reared in Liverpool Township, of Medina County, a daughter of Irvin and Edith (Taylor) Marsh. Her father was also a native of Medina County while her mother was born in Lorain County. Irvin Marsh was a farmer. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Klinect were born ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are: Irvin, who was born September 19, 1895, and completed his education in the little white schoolhouse near the old home; Rosa, born November 21, 1896; Mabel, born August 2, 1898; Lewis, born January 29, 1900; Howard, born January 8. 1902; Lee, born June 7, 1903; Maurice, born December 8, 1907: and Hazel. born March 15, 1910.

try, thrift and economy, in which he was loyally aided by his: wife, and in 1900 he was able to buy the old homestead from his mother. Since then he has. created many improvements which have increased the value of his property. In 1907 he bought thirty aéres of adjoining land. He erected a fine new barn in 1913 and has also remodeled the old house. With all this fine property to his credit and with his happy family, he can well be said to have accomplished all that an ambitious man can desire. ,

In politics he is a democrat, and is now a member of the County Executive Committee. He served several terms as township 'assessor and in 1910 was both assessor and land appraiser. In 1914 Governor Cox appointed him member of the board of complaints and he served as president of the board. In 1910 Mr. Klinect was nominated for the office of county commissioner. His district is normally about 3.500 majority republican, but he lost the election by only 490 votes. He was reared inthe Lutheran Church, but his family attend the Methodist Episcopal and he helps to support that denomination.

Tuomas A. Conway. The active career of Thomas A. Conway has been spent in Henry and Lorain counties, and in both of these localities he has gained a gratifying number of official honors, and his ability as a lawyer and public leader are now generally recognized throughout this section of the state. He gained his education and every successive degree of advancement by hard work, and some twenty-five years ago was a country school teacher in Henry County, using that as a stepping stone to his position in the bar and has now been in active practice for twenty-two years.

Mr. Conway's parents, Patrick and Jane (Callahan) Conway. were horn in Ireland, came to this country when young, were married at Cleveland in 1862 and soon afterwards purchased a small farm near Olmsted Falls in Cuyahoga County. While living on that farm and in a humble home, Thomas A. Conway was born on June 19, 1864. In the following spring his parents removed to Wood County. and after living in that county until 1883 they moved to Henry County. where the father died in 1913, aged eighty-seven years, and where the mother now resides.

The healthy environment of the country was Mr. Conway's early source of strength, and he attended the district schools and the Grand Rapids High School in Wood County, and beginning in 1885 was for eight winter terms a teacher. The summer seasons for four of these years, 1886-87-88-89, were spent as a student in the Northern Ohio University at Ada, and thus he perfected his literary education. In the fall of 1890 he began reading law with Judge John V. Cuff of Napoleon, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1893. His preceptor having been elected probate judge of Henry County. Mr. Conway bought Mr. Cuff's practice and during the next ten vears was a lawyer of growing prestige and influence in that county. In 1903 he was elected prosecuting attorney, and held that office from 1904 to 1907.

His home has: been in Elyria since September, 1907. In the spring of 1898 he formed a partnership with Harry A. Pounds under the firm name of Conway & Pounds, which continued until Mr. Conway's appointment to the office of probate judge.

Judge Conway has been a prominent factor in democratic polities since coming to Lorain County, and in 1908 his vigorous campaign for election as prosecuting attorney of Lorain County attracted wide attention since he ran more than a thousand votes ahead of his ticket. This demonstration of popular esteem led to his name being placed on the democratic ticket as nominee for mayor of Elyria after the death of Thomas Folger, who had been the first democrat to be elected to that office since the Civil war, and who was again nominated for the office in 1909, but died several weeks before the election. About ten days before the election Mr. Conway entered the race, and to the happy surprise of his friends was elected by a margin of twenty votes, though at the same election the republican candidate for city treasurer was elected by 1,400 majority. Mr. Conway gave Elyria a very efécient administration as mayor, beginning January 1, 1910, and _ serving a term of two years. Since then still further official honors have been given him. Governor Harmon in 1912 appointed him judge of probate of Lorain County to fill the unexpired term caused by the death ot Judge E. H. Hinman, and he filled that office for eight months from June, 1912 to February, 1913. He was also a member of the charter commission of Elyria, which formulated a new charter for the city but this instrument was rejected by popular vote in 1913. On May 5, 1915, Mr. Conway was appointed referee in bankruptcy, an office he still fills.

Fraternally he has served as grand knight of the Elyria Knights of Columbus, and is now a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He also helongs to the Elyria Chamber of Commerce, and is always found supporting every movement for a better and greater city. His offices are in the Reddington Building. June 8, 1897, Mr. Conway was married at Ada. Ohio, to Miss Stella J. Owens. She was born at Bluffton, Ohio, daughter of Henry P. and Elizabeth (Alerding) Owens. Mr. and Mrs. Conway have five children, all of whom were born in Napoleon, Ohio, except the youngest, a native of Elyria. Their names are Owen Thomas, Charles Bernard, Esther Elizabeth, Dorothy Estella and Eugene H.

Hox. Wittiam G. SHarp. Lorain County has been well honored by the services of its public men in numerous high stations. The most recent distinction of the county in this respect was the appointment by President Wilson in June, 1914, of Hon. William G. Sharp as ambassador to France. Mr. Sharp has spent most of his life in Lorain County, though his activities as a lawyer and business man has led him far afield, so that he is a cosmopolitan in experience and has a wide and thorough knowledge of world politics. Mr. Sharp resigned his place in Congress. where for the third successive term he was representing the Fourteenth Ohio District, in order to accept his present post, which is one of the most important in the diplomatic circies of the world.

Without respect to party the appointment of Mr. Sharp was regarded not only as a high compliment to an Ohio man, but as one completely justified on every consideration because of Mr. Sharp's experience as a lawyer, business man and congressman. The Cleveland Plain Dealer said: ** William G. Sharp, nominated to succeed Mr. Herrick, will fill the office in a manner no less acceptable to both nations. Friends of the present member of Congress from the Elyria District will be pleased at the honor which has come to him. Three times in succession the republican fourteenth district has returned Mr. Sharp to the House. In republican as well as democratic weather, the voters have signified their confidence in his character and ability, ignoring party lines and increasing his plurality at each election. Under the last redistricting act Mr. Sharp's home county of Lorain was thrown into a new group and the representative had already announced his disinclination to seek another nomination.'' Likewise the Toledo Blade referred to the appointment in these words: ''It is unlikely that the president could have filled the place more acceptably, even though he had cared to look elsewhere than in the ranks of those made eligible by the party expediency. Mr. Sharp in addition to being a citizen of soundest character, is a gentleman of those social and financial] attainments which particularly fit him for the delicate and yet somewhat rigorous duties of representing the United States in Paris.''

At the time of his appointment Mr. Sharp was ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House, and had become a power in the movement for international peace through his zealous efforts to accomplish this much desired condition. It is noteworthy that the Foreign Relations Committee paid him a compliment by agreeing to a report for his confirmation without referring the appointment to a committee for investigation, as is usual. That was the first appointment to the diplomatic 'service which had thus been treated during the Wilson administration.

Few men in Ohio have displayed a greater versatility and thoroughness of attainment than the present ambassador to France. He has been known as a lawyer, writer, astronomer and also a power in the industrial world.

Born at Mount Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio, Mareh 14. 1859. he is a son of George and Mahala (Graves) Sharp. His mother is still living at Elyria. His paternal ancestors took a prominent part in puble affairs of Maryland in the early days, his grandfather, George Sharp, serving as state senator and afterwards holding for many vears a conspicuous position in politics and journalism. Ambassador Sharp's father was well educated, came to Ohio about 1830, and was a pioneer newspaper man. The ancestors of Mahala Graves were Connecticut people, some of whom served in the Revolutionary war, and there were men of distinction on both sides.

William Graves Sharp was reared in Elyria. graduated from the high school in 1877 and in 1881 took his degree in law from the University of Michigan. On leaving college he spent some months in the Northwest, in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and was principally employed in newspaper work. In 1882 he began active practice as a lawyer at Elyria, but while successful in the ordinary channels of legal work. he has given most of his attention to industrial development and organization. In 1887 he became the legal adviser to a southern manufacturing corporation, and this indirectly opened the field in which he attained his greatest business success. He effected the organization of a number of large companies manufacturing pig iron and chemicals in Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada. In 1907 he was chiefly instrumental in consolidating the various companies in which he was interested into the Lake Superior Iron & Chemical Company, which soon became the largest eoneern for the manufacturing of charcoal pig iron in the world, owning numerous furnaces, mines, timber lands and chemical plants in Michigan and Wisconsin. The headquarters of the corporation are now in Detroit. Mr. Sharp's interests also include valuable holdings in real estate in Elyria and Lorain.

In public life Mr. Sharp's advancement has always heen against the serious obstacles presented by a normal republican majority. In 1884 he accepted the democratic nomination for prosecuting attorney of Lorain County, and in his election overcame a normal republican majority of 2,500. He declined renomination at the end of three years. and in 1887 was nominated for state senator and though leading his ticket was defeated. In 1892 he was a democratic presidential elector when Mr. Cleveland was elected for his second term. He was also democratic nominee for Congress in 1900, and a delegate to the Demo- cratic National Convention in 1904. In his election to represent the Ohio Fourteenth District in Congress in 1908 Mr. Sharp, as has been well said, succeeded in making the impossible possible. It. was against his individual protest that he was nominated by the democrats in that year though in every respect he was one of the best qualified men in Ohio to represent the state in the halls of the national Legislature. He was elected by a large plurality, and this plurality was increased at each election, both in 1910 and 1912, and in the last year reached the impressive figures of 11,384. Almost from the first he occupied a position of unusual prestige and influence in the House of Representatives, and he was by no means unknown in diplomatic circles and over the. country at large when his appointment as French ambassador brought him so prominently into the public eye. -

Mr. Sharp was married at Elyria in 1895 to Miss Hallie M. Clough, daughter of Henry H. and Margaret (Barney) Clough. Their five children are Margaret, George, William, Effee Graves and Baxter Sharp. Mr. Sharp is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, Elk, Woodman, and has membership in many clubs both in Ohio and in the East. For several years he served as a member of the Elyria School Board. Among a more limited cirele Mr. Sharp is known for his scientific attainments, particularly in the field of astronomy. That science attracted him when a boy, and as means and success came to him he has never relaxed his enthusiasm and is an amateur whose knowledge is unusually thorough and exact. He enjoys the friendship and association of many of the best known astronomers in the world.

Avcust Straus. The commercial history of Oberlin could not be written without frequent reference to the Straus family. The first head of this family in Oberlin is August Straus, who is one of the oldest active merchants.

His cousin was the late Marks Straus, whose enterprise was one of the cornerstones of Oberlin's prosperity. Marks Straus was born in Germany and first came to Oberlin in 1848 as a traveling peddler. He possessed a splendid commercial genius, and when he died he was worth half a million dollars. His wealth and his influence went to the upbuilding of Oberlin in many ways. He founded a dry goods business which for years he conducted under his name and it was the chief trading center of a large surrounding territory. He also owned a large hotel, but subsequently willed the building to Oberlin College. He was generous, broad minded, and was never selfish in his success. He married Miss Bartholomew of Oberlin and had one son, Clayton Straus. Marks Straus died in 1912 and his wife passed away in 1904.

August Straus, who on first coming to Oberlin more than half a century ago, was associated with his cousin Marks in business for some years, was born in Germany in April, 1843, a son of Abraham and Rose (Summerfelt) Straus, who were natives of the same district in the old country. His father was born in 1798 and died in 1870, and the mother was born in 1811 and died about 1868. Abraham Straus was a dealer in horses and cattle in Germany and the parents spent their lives in that country. Of their eight children five are living. August and two of his brothers came to the United States, but August is now the only one living in this country.

He was about seventeen years of age when he came to America and in 1860 entered the employ of his cousin Marks Straus at Oberlin. He remained with him for eight or ten years, and then bought the clothing department, Marks Straus keeping the dry goods store. Since then for a period of more than forty- five years August Straus has conducted

In 1873 he married Sarah Wood of Birmingham, Hrie County, Ohio. Their two children are: Bertha E., who married E. M. Cook of Oberlin, who is associated with Mr. Straus in the clothing business, and they have a son named Elton Straus Cook. Claudia S. is the wife of W. P. Carruthers, and they have a son Arthur 8. Mrs. Straus died in Noveinber, 1912.

Fraternally Mr. Straus is a Royal Arch Mason, and in polities is a democrat. At one time he served as vice president of the Oberlin Bank and was a charter member of the Oberlin Banking Company.

W. P. Carruthers, who is now actively associated with his father-inlaw Mr. August Straus in the clothing business at Oberlin, was born in Elyria, Ohio, April 14, 1870. a son of George N. and Mary Elizabeth (Chapin) Carruthers. His father was born in Virginia in 1831 and died in 1911. I1is mother, also deceased, was born in Amherst, Lorain County, in 1832. Both parents were early students of Oberlin College, and soon after (teorge N. Carruthers graduated in 1858 he married, and then took up his active profession as an educator. Ile taught for a time in Oberlin College and also in the business college after the war. During the war he served as chaplain of the Fifty-first United States Infantry. Many hundreds of people have grateful memory of the late George N. Carruthers for his splendid work as an educator. He was superintendent of public schools for forty vears, part of the time at Elvria and also at Chillicothe and Salem, Ohio. When he retired from actual school management, he hought a farm east of Oberlin, and lived there until his death. The Carruthers farm under his direction became a place of beauty as weil as illustrating a profitable and progressive management. Ile introduced the first silo in this part of Ohio and took a very active part in farmers associations and in other progressive movements. He was an active member of the Second Congregational Chureh and in politics a republican.

George N. Carruthers and wife were the parents of seven children: Alice, deceased, was the wife of. Dr. W. C. Bunce. and at her death left three children. Wilda, Catherine and Marjorie: Mrs. Bunce was a very prominent woman and a leading spirit in the Sorosis Club, the first woman's club in Oberlin. Arthur, deceased, married Bertha Wilcox and left one daughter, Zilpha. Mrs. I. H. Taylor, widow of the former husiness nanager for the Frederick Stearns Company of Detroit. F. I. Carruthers who is a suceessful newspaper man, for ten years business manager of the Denver Republican and is now with the Denver Post. W. P. Carruthers was the fifth in order of birth. Carleton F. died at the age of eighteen vears. Harold G. is connected with the transmission department of the Willys-Overland Automobile Company.

W. P. Carruthers after getting his education was clerk in a jewelry store at Oberlin for eleven years and then for fourteen vears conducted a business in that line in Oberlin. Selling out in 1913, he has since heen active in Mr. A. Straus' clothing store. In 1900 he married Miss Claudia Straus. They have a son Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Caruthers are meimbers of the Second Congregational Church, and he is affiliate| with the Masonic Order and in politics is a republican.

HENRY STOLZENBURG. Aside from his responsibility and standing as a successful business man at Elyria, the chief characteristics of Henry Stolzenburg are his bigness of heart and breadth of sympathy which have brought him friends from every rank and station of life, and few local citizens have given a better and kindlier service to their fellow humans than this genial and popular resident.

A native of Germany, he was born' in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, October 13, 1867, a son of Christian and Mary (Ebel) Stolzenburg. His father, who was a carpenter all his active years, brought his family to the United States in 1887 and in the same year located in Elyria. Between him and his son Henry existed more than the usual ties of affection between a father and son, and the latter was especially devoted to his parents, and the father lived in his home until his death on May 8, 1915, having passed his eightieth birthday on June 22, 1914. The mother died at Elyria, April 15, 1893. There were four sons in the family: William, a brief sketch of whose career is found on following pages; Henry: Fred, a resident of Cleveland; and Herman, the youngest, who died in 1908.

Henry Stolzenburg received his early education in the public schools of Germany, and was about eighteen years of age when brought to the United States in company with his parents. After coming to Elyria he showed his readiness to accept every opportunity offered by fortune, and worked in various employments up to 1899, since which year he has been in business for himself. For about three years he was located at Lorain. was in Cleveland for a year, and since then has been in Elyria. Mr. Stolzenburg owns a large amount of valuable city real estate. In 1914 he put up the strictly fireproof three-story building on Broad Street at the corner of Chapel, the. first floor of which is occupied by the People's Theater, a moving picture house, while the second and third floors are the club and lodge headquarters of the Loyal Order of Moose. This building is one of the handsome and modern fireproof structures on the main business thoroughfare of Elyria and is distinctly a credit to the city. Mr. Stolzenburg owns other business property on Broad Street, and has constructed several residences which he rents.

Though long identified with the republican party he has never sought any official position for himself. He is a member of the Elyria Automobile Club, is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose, with Huron Tribe No. 200 of the Improved Order of Red Men, and with Elyria Aerie No. 431 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He also is a member of three local German societies, and was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran Church. |

On May 25, 1888, Mr. Stolzenburg married Miss Hulda Hyman of Lorain, daughter of Peter and Anna Hyman of that city. Mrs. Hyman is now living in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stolzenburg. Mr. Hyman died at New Philadelphia, Ohio, in 1900. Mrs. Stolzenburg is a native of Switzerland, was about two years of age when she came to the United States with her parents, and grew up and received her education at Lorain. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stolzenburg were born six children, and three sons and one daughter are living: Anna, now Mrs. R. P. Mevers of Elvria: Louis A.; Edward W. and Henry Jr. Herman died aged two and one-half years, and Minnie died at the age of four and one-half years. The daughter Anna was born in Lorain but the rest claim Elyria as their birthplace, and besides their education in the local schools they attended the Oberlin Business College. Mr. Stolzenburg amouig other business interests is a stockholder in the Lorain County Banking Company at Elyria. He finds his chief recreation in automobiling.

Grorce H. Hapaway. In the business history of Elyria, an enterprise that is notable in that it furnishes an example of the energy and progressiveness that have built up this thriving community is the firm of Hadaway Brothers. Founded in 1902 in a modest way, this venture has grown and developed steadily until today it is the largest livery and storage business in Lorain County, handling a volume of patronage that is not exceeded by a firm in any city in the state of the size of Elyria. George H. Hadaway, the senior member of this company, had _ his earliest experience as a business man in the livery business. When he returned to this line after ten years in a different field, he began the development of the large livery, feed and sale stable which the concern now owns, and soon added automobiles to his equipment, a department which is now a very important part of the business.

Mr. Hadaway was born at Elyria, December 12, 1869, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Mayers) Hadaway. His father, born near London, England, came to the United States when about nineteen vears of age, locating at Elyria, where he was married, his wife being a native of Ireland. Charles Hadaway was forty-eight years of age at the time of his death, having been a resident of Elyria for more than twenty-eight years, during seventeen years of which time he worked for the late T. W. London on that gentleman's stock farm near Elyria. Mrs. Iladaway still survives her husband. There were eight children in the family: one who died in infancy; Mrs. Kate Bath, deceased, who left two sons, now grown, - Alfred and Charles; George H.; Eliza, who is the wife of Alfred Myers, of Cleveland; Charles, of Elyria; Louis, who is engaged in business with his brother, George H., and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Fred, of Elyria; and a daughter who is the wife of Walter Johns, of Cleveland. All the children were born at Elyria and here educated in the public schools.

When still a lad, George H. Hadaway received his introduction to the livery business with H. M. Andress, who conducted an establishment here for some years, but later became identified with railroading as a conductor on the C. L. & W. Railway, now a branch of the Baltimore & Ohio. Mr. Hadaway continued to be thus engaged for ten years, In which time he accumulated some small capital. with which he engaged in business with his brother Louis, under the firm style of Hadaway Brothers. They bought out George Bivins, locating in the livery which was located on the present site of the American Theatre, on Broad Street, but after three years found their business grown to such proportions that larger quarters were needed, and accordingly, in 1905, erected the present large storage building and livery, at No. 607 West Broad Street, the largest structure of its kind in Lorain County. Here they keep seventy head of horses, operate a hack and transfer line, do all kinds of heavy teaming and maintain an up-to-date and efficient moving service. They have also ten automobiles and automobile trucks, while a taxicah service, operated under the name of the Hadaway Taxi Company, makes a specialty of weddings, touring parties, ete.

Mr. Hadaway is a republican and has taken some active part in politics, although not as a seeker for preferment at the hands of his party. He is a director in the Elyria Chamber of Commerce and has shown a keen interest in agricultural development, being at this time vice president of the Lorain County Agricultural Society. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Lodge No. 465, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Elyria Lodge No. 431, Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Mr. Hadaway was married April 13, 1900, at Beach City. Ohio. to Miss Beulah E. Raff, who was born at Beach City and is a graduate of the Beach City High School. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Raff are old settlers of that place, where Mr. Raff is engaged in the clothing business. Mr. and Mrs. Hadaway are the parents of two children: Vivian and Ruth, both born at Elyria.

ZavaLan R. Parsons. It is consistent with the eminent fitness of things that a member of the Parsons family should now be holding the office of county commissioner of Lorain County. Zavalah R. Parsons is one of the most esteemed citizens of this county, represents one of its older families, and has made his own career conform to the best ideals of citizenship and private character.

Born on his father's farm in LaGrange Township of this county May 19, 1853, Zavalah R. Parsons is a son of Ralzaman and Esther Biantha (Nobles) Parsons. His parents were among the early settlers of LaGrange Township. There were four children in the family, one son and three daughters, the son being the oldest: Justitia A. is now Mrs. A. E. MeCaskey of Chicago, Illinois; Velette is Mrs. H. C. Schultz of Des Moines, Iowa; and Nettie C., who married Benjamin E. Eston, died in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1907 and is buried in LaGrange Township. All the children were born in LaGrange Township, attended schools there and at Oberlin, and the oldest daughter graduated from Oberlin College, while the second attended the Conservatory of Music in Oberlin College and later taught music for several years. The daughter Nettie attended the Union School of Oberlin.

Zavalah R. Parsons grew up in a rural environment and belonged to a family which well appreciated the necessity for education as well as moral training. He attended the district schools in LaGrange Township, also a select school, and was a student in the preparatory department of Oberlin College when his scholastic career was unfortunately terminated. At the age of nineteen he suffered a severe attack of the measles, and the permanent effects of the disease weakened his eyesight so that he was unable to continue at his books and his eyesight has never since been normal. The measles was quite an epidemic at Oberlin about that time, and there were about 2,000 cases in the town.

His education thus having been interrupted Mr. Parsons returned to the old farm and took an important share in its management. On December 31, 1873, when in his twenty-first year he was married at Oberlin to Miss Mary E. Blanchard, daughter of Darwin E. and Lucinda L. (Obits) Blanchard. After his marriage Mr. Parsons continued running the old homestead, since his father had moved into Oberlin. The farm at that time contained 170 acres, and at one time Mr. Parsons and his father together owned 260 acres, but these possessions have since been reduced until his present homestead comprises 105 acres, an excellent farm, with fine improvements and is a valuable and productive property. The old homestead had been bought by his father eighty years ago when the family came to Lorain County.

has rented his farm and has lived part of his time at his home in Elyria and part of the time in the country. He has given much time to public affairs, served as trustee and township assessor a number of terms in LaGrange, and has long been a figure in the republican party in the county. Hight years ago he began his duties as county commissioner, having been elected to the office in the fall of 1905 and assuming its duties in the fall of 1906. He remained in office five years was then out two years, and in the fall of 1912 was again elected, his term beginning in the fall of 1913 and terminating in September, 1915. No member of the board has given a more conscientious and capable administration than Mr. Parsons.

Fraternally he is affiliated with the Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Grafton, with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Knights of Pythias at LaGrange, with Elyria Lodge No. 456, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and is an active member of the Elyria Chamber of Commerce. He is a working member of the Second Congregational Church of Elyria and helps supports two churches in La- Grange Township. He and his wife had only one daughter, Grace J., who was born on the old farm in LaGrange Township December 10, 1879, and died there September 11, 1880, at the age of nine months. Mrs. Parsons died suddenly of apoplexy. They were greatly devoted to each other, and her death was the most severe bereavement which he has been called upon to suffer, and with home ties broken and with his love of home and children unsatisfied, he has found the cares of public office a grateful diversion from his own personal bereavement and has exercised his big hearted nature in performing many kindly services for others.

Carey T. WinckLeEs. One of the flourishing business concerns of Elyria is the Elyria Construction Company, which is the outgrowth of the individual enterprise of Carey T. Winckles in general construction work. The construction company was incorporated March 16, 1912, with Mr. Winckles as president, treasurer and general manager. The offices of the company are in the Elyria Block. Mr. Winckles had for some years prior to that time been engaged in road building and paving construction, and has a notable record to his credit in the construction of many miles of high grade highways and city streets throughout Lorain County. The company has an organization and ample facilities for almost unlimited work in excavating, grading. paving. road building, sewer construction, and other contracts of that nature.

While this business has naturally brought Mr. Winckles into special notice among Lorain County business men he is primarily a farmer and dairvman. He now owns and resides upon a fine farm of 187 acres at North Ridgeville, the old homestead where he was born May 23. 1869. His parents are Thomas T. and Lucy (Hurst) Winckles. both of whom are now living in Elyria retired. His father for a number of years operated the old home farm in Ridgeville, but about 1884 moved to Elyria. He served as a trustee of the township and held various other offices there, and both he and his wife were especially active in the Coneregational Church at Ridgeville, and from their home in Elyria they still drive out almost every Sunday to attend worship in their old home ehurch. Thomas Winekles has been a deacon in the church for a great many years. This is one of the older families of Lorain County, and Thomas Winckles was born in Avon Township. His wife was born in Dover Township in Cuyahoga County. A brief record of their four children is: Lillian, now Mrs. William Barnes of Cleveland: Lena, who died at the age of eighteen; Carey T. and Harvey T. of Elyria. All the children were born on the old homestead in Ridgeville and attended public school there and in Elyria.

The old farm on which Mr. Winckles was horn is known as the Meadow View Dairy Farm. and he has made it one of the finest of the farms in Lorain County. He keeps a herd of high grade cows, about sixty in number, and sends his milk products daily to Cleveland by the electric lines. It was in 1908 that Mr. Winckles took up the business of road building and paving contracting, and now divides his attention between the business of the Elvria Construction Company and his dairy farm. Mr. Winckles is also president of the Farm Implement Company of Elyria.

He is actively identified with local organizations, being a member of the Elvria Chamber of Commerce and a member and director of the Elyria Automobile Club, and fraternally he is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees at North Ridgeville. He was married in Hudson, Michigan, to Miss Grace V, Hollister, who was born and educated there. Her father, John H. Hollister, is now living in Hillsdale, Michigan, and her mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Olds, died several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Winckles have a daughter, Ruth E., who is now attending the high school at Elyria.

'Frep E. Denn. An enterprising and progressive citizen of Elyria Township, this county, is Fred E. Denn, who lives at Stop 93, Oberlin Line, where he is engaged in truck gardening, in addition to which he is rural mail carrier for this section. He is a man of keen intelligence and he gives a loyal support to all matters tending to improve local conditions.