Ottawa Township (part 10 of 23)

Israel Logan, father of Frank Logan, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 1, 1834, the son of Joseph Logan and wife, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Ohio.

Joseph Logan, father of Israel, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, his father, Joseph Logan, Sr., having been a native of Vannangoe county, same state, who settled in Allegheny county, where he became one of the county's most substantial farmers and useful citizens. Joseph, Jr., grew up in Allegheny county and married there, later moving to Tuscarawascounty, Ohio, where his son Israel was born, and still later, at the time Israel was two years of age, moving to Putnam county, locating in Sugar Creek, township, where he died in 1841, when Israel was seven years of age. At the death of his father, Israel was taken into the home of the Clevenger family in Sugar Grove township, where he was carefully reared and wherehe learned the essential principles of farming, a vocation which he followed all his life. He remained in the Clevenger home until he attained his majority, after which he obtained a position as driver of an overiand wagon, a "prairie schooner," on a wagon train bound for western Iowa. This was. m the year 1855 and he remained in the West for a time, but upon being seized with a severe attack of mountain fever, decided to return to his Ohio, home. As soon as he was able to travel he came back to Putnam county and on January 7. 1857, was united in marriage with Miss Maria Cowan, a native of Columbus, Ohio, who had come to Kalida, this county, from Columbus, with her mother, following the death of her father and who grew to womanhood m this county. After their marriage, Israel Logan and his wife lived for a time m Monroe township, Allen county, Ohio, but the next year, in April, 1858, returned to Putnam county and located on a farm of forty acres m Union township. This farm was mostly wild and wooded, only a portion of It having been cleared, and he presently brought it to a state of cultivation, after which he traded it for another farm, and in the next twenty years making several such trades, all of which proved advantageous to him. In 1878 he moved to Henry county, Ohio, where he bought a farm which he operated until about eight years ago, at which time he retired from the active management of the farm and has since lived a retired and corafortbael life, he and Mrs. Logan making their home with their son Finley on the home farm.

To Israel and Maria (Cowan) Logan were born seven children all of whom, save one, are still living, the sixth child, Kemerer, having died in infancy, the survivors being Frank, the immediate subject of this sketch- Howard, a farmer and stock buyer of Allen county, Ohio; Finley, wha manages the home place in Allen county, living with his parents; Americus v., of this county, and his twin sister, Mrs. Alice Rayle,^who lives in Henry county, Ohio, and John, who lives in Billings, Montana.

Frank Logan grew to manhood in Union township, this county was studious m his attention to his school duties in his youth and at the same time learned all there was to know about the life of a farmer, he having determined to follow the agricultural vocation as a life work. For twenty- three years in the period of his Hfetime he taught school in Union township, farming during the summer seasons, and on April 7, 1881, was united in marriage with Miss Maggie E. Boxwell, who was born in Perry township, this county, March 22, 1860, the daughter of Joseph N. and Adeline (Meyers) Boxwell, well-known residents of that township, the former of whom was a native of Maryland and the latter a native of Pennsylvania.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Logan located on a farm in Union township and remained on that place until the year 1888, in which year they bought their present home farm in the same township, and here they have lived ever since, having been quite successful in the management and operation of the same. In addition to this home place, Mr. Logan owns two other farms, having one hundred and ninety-six acres in all, one hundred and twenty-nine acres in Union township and sixty-six and one-half acres in Sugar Creek township.

To the union of Frank and Maggie E. (Boxwell) Logan, five children have been born: Eva A., born August ii, 1882, married Amos Jones, a farmer of Sugar Creek township, this county, and has one child, Genevieve; Joseph Franklin, born May 31, 1887, a Union township farmer, who married Naomi Fruchey and has two children, Margaret and Richard; Alice May, born May 11, 1889, married John T. Thomas, a Union township farmer, and has one child, Franklin David; William Lloyd Garrison, born November 26, 1892, and Lois Margauerite, born April 21, 1900, the latter two living at home with their parents, very popular young people, who help their father and mother in extending the generous hospitalities of the Logan home.

In addition to giving prudent attention to the personal considerations of his farm, Mr. Logan, as stated in the introduction to this biography, has found time for much public service, his interest in and devotion to the common weal having prompted him to accept several offices of trust and responsibility, in the administration of the affairs of which offices he always has had an eye single to the public good and has given much satisfaction to his local constituency. In his twenty years' service as justice of the peace, his wise counsels often have averted expensive and unnecessary litigation among neighbors and the judgments of his court rarely have been questioned to the point of taking an appeal to a higher court. In the office of land appraiser and as assessor of his township for five terms, he, likewise, has served the public faithfully and well, and in twenty years of service as president of the local school board he has brought the schools of Union township to a state of excellence second to none in the comity, a measure of service for which the people of that township are ever grateful and which has been appreciated there accordingly. In view of all this unselfish devotion to the public welfare, it was taken for granted when he received the nomination for county commissioner from his district at the last Democratic county convention, that he would be elected and this conclusion was amply \erified when the returns came in, his period of ottice beginning with the September term of the board, in 1915.

In church work, Mr. Logan has proved his ability for service, both he and Mrs. Logan being devoted and influential members of the Maple Grove Christian church, the congregation of which Mr. Logan long has served as trustee and clerk as well as having been closely identified with the work of the Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Logan and their family are very popular in their neighborhood, their activity in all local good works having endeared them to all in that part of the county, and they are very properly regarded as among the leaders in all movements having the general welfare in consideration. By keen executi\-e perception and careful attention to the details of his business, Mr. Logan has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods and has a fine farm and a pleasant home. Lie is deeply interested in progressive up-to-date methods of farming and ever is seeking to elevate the standard of farming in his locality, at the same time being a consistent "boo.ster' for all proper township improvements. He is a man of sterling character, a friend of all and "once a friend, always a friend," and has been an undoubted factor for great good in his community, his influence extending beyond the mere local confines of his township. A lover of the truth, he has no use for anyone who is not sincere and is a foe of all shams, in whatever guise they may appear.

Clyde M. Fletcher

Perseverance and sterling worth are almost always sure to win conspicuous recognition in any locality. Clyde M. Fletcher has been a resident of Putnam county, Ohio, for several years, and his career is a splendid example of the successful, self-made man, who not only deserves the confidence reposed in him by his neighbors, but who also possesses the necessary energy and integrity fitting him to discharge the duties of a private citizen.

Clyde M. Fletcher was born in 1881 in Hancock county, Ohio, and is a son of Victor and Annetta (Orrem) Fletcher. He was fifteen years of age when his parents moved to near Melrose, Paulding county, Ohio, and in 1889 moved to Continental, where they still reside.

In 1907 Mr. Fletcher married Ella S. Beard, the daughter of John Beard. In 1908 he and his wife removed to a farm belonging to Mrs. Fletcher's father, where they have since lived. Mr. Fletcher is engaged in general farming, and is also a handy man at several trades, including that of paper hanging, painting, etc.

Victor Fletcher, the father of Clyde M. Fletcher, was born. May 5,. 1852, in Hancock county, Ohio, the son of Charles and Catherine (Brown) Fletcher. Charles Fletcher was born in 18 10 in Adams county, Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg, while his wife, Catherine Brown, was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1828, and was first married to Philander Emerson. She came with him to Hancock county, Ohio, where he entered government land, and here his death occurred. Charles Fletcher was first married to Jane Boyd, and moved to Hancock county about 1833. He was a lifelong farmer, and after the death of his first wife, he married Mrs. Emerson, and they spent the remainder of their lives on the farm. Victor Fletcher grew upon the farm in Hancock county. He was married on October 4, 1878, to^ Annetta Orrem, who was born in 1855, in Hancock county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Henry Y. and Hester (Young) Orrem. ' Henry Y. Orrem was born in Knox county, Ohio, and was a son of Samuel and Rhoda Ann (Young) Orrem. It is believed that the Orrem family is of Spanish descent. When Annetta Orrem was a young woman, her parents moved to about three miles southeast of Leipsic, and later moved to Leipsic, where she lived when she married Mr. Fletcher.

In the spring following his marriage, Victor Fletcher moved to Hancock county, and lived there for about twelve years. He then moved to near Melrose, in Paulding county, and lived there until December, 1897, and finally moved to Continental, where he has since lived.

Victor Fletcher and wife are the parents of seven children : Izora, the wife of Lemuel S. Rice, lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Clyde M., the immediate subject of this review; Henrietta, the wife of A. S. Saegers, and died at the birth of her second' child; Jessie May, the wife of O. D. Zoll, lives in Cleyeland, Ohio; Clarence Edward, who died at the age of ten years; Florence Edith, the twin sister of Clarence E., is the widow of Lewis Brown^

Herman Schubert

The success of men in business, or in any vocation, depends upon -character as well as upon knowledge. In every community some men are known by their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth. Their neighbors respect them, the younger generation heed their example and when they wrap the drapery of their- couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams, posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a past generation in Ohio was Herman Schubert, not only a progressive man of affairs, but successful in material pursuits and a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, a fine type of the reliable, self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors and always active in support of laudable public enterprises. The late Herman Schubert was proud of his residence in Putnam county and the grand state of Ohio, and zealous for their progress and prosperity. He was a man who, in every respect, merited the high esteem in which he was universally held.

The late Herman Schubert was born on December 28, 1839, in Crawford county, Ohio, and died on December 31, 1914. He was the son of John Casper and Christiana (Corfmann) Schubert, the former a native of Saxony, who came to America in 1833, ^^^ settled in Crawford county, where Herman Schubert was born. Christiana Schubert was a native of Saxony, also. Most of their children were born in the old country. After coming to America, they lived in Crawford county for eight years, leaving there in 1841, and moving to Seneca county, Ohio. They lived here for a number of years. John Schubert was a farmer. He died in 1881, at the age of ninety years. His wife died about 1868. John Casper and Christiana Schubert had eight children, of whom Herman was next to the youngest. All of the children, with the exception of Mrs. Lucinda Meyers, who lives in Highland township. Defiance county, are deceased. They were Leander, Osmuth, Matilda, August, Malina, Herman and Sarah.

born in 1850, the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Putnam) Stahl, natives of Pennsylvania and Wayne county, Ohio, respectively. Samuel Stahl moved to Wyandot county, Ohio, when a lad. His wife moved to that county when about ten years of age. Both grew up in this county and lived there until 1857, when they moved to Seneca county, Ohio. Here they spent their remaining days. To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schubert, three were born, Bertie C, who lives at home; Louis Herman, who died in infancy; and Stella L., who lives at home.

Shortly after his marriage, Herman Schubert moved to MacMinn -county, Tennessee, near Athens, and lived here until 1901, coming to Putnam county at that time. He built a splendid residence in 1901, and owned one hundred and forty-four acres at the time- of his death. Twenty-four acres of this land was covered by natural timber. It was all located in Putnam county. Herman Schubert was a life-long farmer, and during the last few years of his life, he made a specialty of thoroughbred Jersey cattle.

Herman Schubert was not a member of any lodge, at the time of his At one time he belonged to the Grange and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Two years before his marriage, he served as trustee in Defiance county, Ohio. He was a member of the Christian church, but was reared a Lutheran. Since there was no church in Putnam county, he joined the Methodist, church at Sharon, Ohio, and was very active in Sunday school work. He was a trustee of this church for a long time while living in Putnam county, and was superintendent of the Sunday school while living in Tennessee. Herman Schubert was a splendid farmer, as his wellimproved and carefully-kept farm shows. His eldest son and daughter live at home.

Henry B. Ruhe

The Ruhe family has been represented in this county since the year 1833, in which year the progenitor of Henry B. came to America, joining the large colony of Germans which settled in the Glandorf neighborhood^ about that time.

Henry B. Ruhe was born near the town of Glandorf, in Ottawa township, Putnam county, Ohio, on June 8, 1881, the son of Henry W. and Barbara (Koenig) Ruhe, the former of whom was born in' the same town- ship in the year 1849, the son of Gerhardt Joseph and Mary Anna (Musing) Ruhe, both of whom were natives of Germany. Barbara Koenig was born in Liberty township, the daughter of Charles and Matilda (Kastel) Koenig,. both of whom were natives of Bavaria.

Gerhardt Joseph Ruhe, the first of the name in this section of Ohio,, was born in Saarbeck, Germany, on November 2, 1812, and died in this county on December 29, 1878, at the age of sixty-six years. Following his marriage to Mary Anna Musing in the old country, he came to America and located on a farm in Ottawa township, this county, entering the same from the government at a time when the land thereabout was an unbroken wilderness, through which Indians and the wild creatures of the forest still roamed at will. The original tract entered by Mr. Ruhe was eighty acres. Upon clearing this and bringing it to a state of cultivation, he bought another eighty acres adjoining and there he spent the rest of his life, being numbered among the most progressive and influential men of that neighborhood in his day.

To Gerhardt Joseph and Mary Anna (Musing) Ruhe were born twelvechildren, of whom six grew to maturity, as follow: Barney, Mrs. Theresla Hinken, Mrs. Josephine Knueve, deceased; Henry William, Mrs. Katherine Wortkoetter and Anthony B.

Henry William Ruhe grew to manhood on the paternal farm in Ottawa township, and on February 7, 1877, was united in marriage with Barbara Koenig, the daughter of a pioneer family of Liberty township, her parents having come here early in the establishment of the German colony in the Glandorf section. To this union there were born eight children, as follow: Joseph, living in Pleasant township, who married Veronica Ricker and has five children, Clara, George, William, Albert and Paul; Mary Anna, who married Henry Kleman and lives northeast of Ottawa; Henry B., of whom this narrative immediately treats; John, who is unmarried and lives in Missouri; Charles, living in Pleasant township, married Emma Ricker and has one child, a son, Rudolph; Josephine, who married Joseph Kleman, of Pleasant township, and has three children, Peter, v\lexander and Sylvester; Theresia, who married John Segar and lives in Pleasant township, and Rosa,, unmarried, who lives at home.

The mother of the above children died on June 4, 1897, and on June 20, 1898, Henry W. Ruhe married, secondly, Mrs. Mary Anna (Fredericks) Fortman, the widow of Henry Fortman, and to this union there were born two children, Maria Anna, who married Isaac McDowell and lives in the town of Continental, this county, and a son, who died in early infancy. Henry W. Ruhe is still living on the farm on which he was born in Ottawa township, the farm which his grandfather entered from the government.

Henry B. Ruhe was reared on his father's farm in Ottawa township, receiving such scholastic advantages as the schools of his neighborhood offered, and there he grew to manhood, being carefully trained in the ways of farming. On May 1, 1906, he was united in marriage with Johanna Bensman, who also was born in Ottawa township, and two days later moved onto the farm on which they are now living in Monroe township, this county, four and one-half miles northwest of the town of Continental.

Johanna Bensman is the daughter of George and Anna Mary (Heising) Bensman, both of whom were born in the Glandorf neighborhood in Ottawa township, members of pioneer families of that section. George Bensman was born in 1851 and died on May 6, 1892, and his wife was born on June 24, 1852, and died on November 28, 1891. Mr. Bensman was reared a farmer and remained on the home farm until he attained manhood, when he moved to Greensburg, where he bought a farm and spent the rest of his life there. Mrs. Ruhe grew to womanhood in Greensburg township and after the death of her parents made her home with the family of Andrew Gerdeman, where she remained until her marriage. Her parents had four children besides herself, as follow: Mrs. Mary Swigart, of Perry township, this county; Mrs. Veronica Barlarger, of Greensburg township; William, 'who also lives in Greensburg township, and one who died in infancy.

To Henry B. and Johanna (Bensman) Ruhe have been born three children, Alexander, Marcella and Lucinda, lively young people, who make merry the pleasant home of their devoted parents.

Upon acquiring his farm in 1906, Mr. Ruhe faced the considerable task of clearing the larger part of it ready for cultivation. This, however he has accompHshed and it all is cleared with the exception of about three acres of woodland which he has retained. He has drained and fenced the place m an excellent manner. He built his home in 1906 and built a new barn m 1914. He is a farmer of progressive ideas and these are reflected m the general appointments of his farm, which is one of the best-kept places in his neighborhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruhe and their family are members of the Catholic church at Continental and are devoted supporters of the best interests of the parish. Mr. Ruhe is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in politics, being a strong supporter of all measures designed to advance the cause of good government. He has never been included in the office-seeking class, however, being content to devote his best endeavors to his well-kept farm and to the comfort and happiness of his family. He is a man of pleasing reserve of manner, industrious and thrifty, a good farmer and a credit to the citizenship of Monroe township, an indulgent father, a kind husband and an excellent neighbor, well liked and popular throughout that whole section of the county.

Franklin Grant

A great French statesman once asked James Russell Lowell how long this republic could endure, and he replied, "So long as America is true to the principles of her founders." Nothing but high civic and political ideals heroically contended for, can hold our beloved republic on its upward way. "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." To preserve this vision fresh and untarnished is the mission of all good citizens, a noble volunteer band whose call transcends all narrow sectional boundaries and geographical divisions. The clock has struck the hour so earnestly longed for by Christopher Gadsen when there shall be "no East or West nor North or South, but all of us Americans."

America is in the making. The blending of her various peoples into one homogeneous whole, to work out the vast problems' of civilization both for herself and the entire world, is the immediate task before us. The descendants of the original settlers will be expected to stand foremost among the many, in projecting the activities of the future. There are many descendants of this country's original settlers who are counted among the leaders in the social and civic life of Putnam county, among whom is the gentleman whose name is noted above, and the biographer finds pleasure in asking the attention of the reader to a few points relating to his honorable ancestry and to his part in the affairs of this county and the township, in which his family so long have been leaders.

Franklin Grant, one of the best-known farmers and most reputable citizens of Monroe township, Putnam county, was born in that township on February 25, i860, the son of John and Rebecca (Sanford) Grant, the former of whom was a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, born July 11, 1822, and the latter of whom was a native of Sandusky county, Ohio.

John Grant, who at the time of his death was the oldest pioneer and farmer of Monroe township, was of Scottish descent. His grandfather, who also was named John, was a native of New Jersey, of old Colonial stock, who moved from New Jersey to Washington county, Pennsylvania, later coming to Ohio, where he settled in Starke county. There he underwent all the vicissitudes of frontier life, but eventually developed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres from the forest, on which he passed the remainder of his life. Before leaving Washington county, Pennsylvania, he had married a Miss Cosner, who, with him, died in the faith of the Presbyterian church. The elder John Grant was a man of splendid physique and, like most powerfully-buih men, possessed a kindly and admirable disposition. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat.

David Grant, son of the elder John Grant, was reared a farmer in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there married Rebecca Rape, to which union there were born eleven children, of whom only one now survives, the venerable Mrs. Narcissia Sherrard, who lives two miles west of Fremont, Ohio, at the age of eighty-three years. The other children of this union were: Mary A., John, father of the immediate subject of this sketch; Joseph, Harriet, David, Letitia, Eunice, Rebecca, Runie and Jeremiah.

David Grant moved from Pennsylvania with his family into Ohio and resided for four years on a farm in Jefferson county, then moving to Sandusky county, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Fremont, taking possession of it before an ax had been struck in the wilderness of woods which covered it. There he built a log cabin for the shelter of his family and entered upon the strenuous task of clearing the place for cultivation, eventually bringing forth a farm that was both productive and profitable. David Grant became one of the most prominent residents of Sandusky county, was a leader in the local politics of the Democratic party and a pillar in the Methodist church. He was one of the most prosperous men in his neighborhood and possessed a large influence in the direction of the affairs of the community.

Amid pioneer conditions such as above described, John Grant, son of David, grew to manhood. He was a sturdy, vigorous youth and, in addition to learning all the ways of the pioneer farmer's life, obtained an excellent rudimentary education in the schools that were started by subscription m that section. He early developed excellent business traits and in his young manhood made a good start dealing in live stock. On April 7, 1850, John Grant was united in marriage with Rebecca Sanford. who was born m Seneca county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Rebecca (Cassidy) Sanford, and in that year moved to Putnam county, locating on the farm on which he spent the rest of his hfe, in Monroe township. At the time he settled there, there were but two spots in the entire township that had been cleared, and bear, deer and other game abounded, as well as wolves and panthers. Eventually, amid all the privations of frontier life, he wrested from the forest a home that was one of the best in Putnam county in the later years of its owner's Hfe.

John Grant was a patriotic Unionist and, when the Civil War broke out, he volunteered in defense of the national flag, but his services were declined on account of disability. He was an ardent Republican and ever took a deep interest in the political affairs of Putnam county. He served his township faithfully and well in the capacity of township trustee and township supervisor and for nearly thirty years served as township treasurer. He and his wife were ardent members of the Methodist church and did very much toward the permanent establishment of that church in their neighborhood in the early days, being very generous contributors to all the causes which it represented. He donated the ground on which the Sharon church was built and contributed five hundred dollars toward the erection of that church building. He was a man of fine and noble traits and was widely known throughout the county for his sterling character, honesty and sincerity of life. Pie was a good farmer and not only made a competence for himself, but was able to assist his children when the time came for them to make a start in life, and was generous in all his dealings with his fellow men.

To John and Rebecca (Sanford) Grant were born ten children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follow: David, who died on December 13, 1910; John, who died on January 27, 1865; George, who died on March 8, 1861 ; Franklin, the immediate subject of this biographical sketch; Joseph, who lives at Armuchee, Georgia; Mrs. Electa Pool, who died in 1892; Mrs. Alice Pool, who died in 1894, and Lewis, who is living on the original home farm in Monroe township, Putnam county, and is known as one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of that neighborhood. The mother of the above children died on July 23, 1893, and John Grant married, secondly, on April 11, 1894, Elizabeth Jones, who died on January 2, 1913, without issue. John Grant died on February 15, 1915, at the age of ninetytwo years, seven months and four days, having for many years done well his part m the upbuilding of the community, of which he was so honored and respected a member. For three years or more before his death, he had been more or less retired from the active duties of the farm, his youngest son, Lewis, having taken over the management of the home place.

Franklin Grant was reared on the paternal farm and received a very good common school education near his early home, being thus fully qualified with the book learning necessary for the practical affairs of a business life, as far as it pertains to the successful prosecution of farming and the transactions connected therewith. Until his marriage in 1880, Mr. Grant remained on the home farm and after that happy event made his residence in Defiance county, Ohio, where he remained for four years, at the end of which time he returned to Putnam county and settled on his present farm in Monroe township. Here he erected a fine dwelling, built a good, substantial barn and suitable outbuildings, and otherwise improved it with thorough tihng and judicious cultivation, soon having one of the best moderate-sized farms in the township. This farm consists of a fraction over seventy-six acres, on which general farming is judiciously mixed with stock raising, Mr. Grant being an extensive breeder of hogs, the profit from which he finds one of the most remunerative phases of the farm life. He is a good farmer and keeps his place in admirable condition.

On December 26, 1880, Franklin Grant was united in marriage with Jannettie Thornton, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on May 22, 1862, a daughter of David and Sarah (Fifer) Thornton, who spent their last days in the city of Ottawa; the death of the former occurring on June 9, 1909, his wife having predeceased him in 1905.

To Franklin and Jannettie (Thornton) Grant have been born eight children, as follow: Orpha V., who married Franklin Shubert and lives in .Defiance county, Ohio; Lloyd Elmer, who lives in Michigan, married Vesta Reynolds and has four children, Homer, Ray, Theodore and Franklin; Inis Mabel, who married Leonard Kilpatrick, of Michigan, and has three children, Raymond, Marie and Irene; Edwin Harrison, a prosperous farmer in Paulding county, Ohio, who married Iva Gordon and has two children, -Gladys and Athal Leverine ; Otto Earl, who married Voe Ice and lives on the home farm with his parents; Chloe B., who married Lee Barringer, of Fostoria, Ohio, and had two children, Bernard, and Donald, deceased; Lester, at home, and one child who died in infancy.

Mr. Grant is a Republican and has always taken an active part in the campaigns of that party in Monroe township, his counsels being regarded as valuable by the party managers. He was appointed trustee of Monroe township in April, 1914, and served since that time. During the existence of the Patrons of Husbandry in this section of the state, he was an earnest worker in that association of farmers and for a long time was master of his local grange. Mr. Grant and his wife are earnestly concerned in all movements looking to the advancement of conditions in the social and civic life of the community and are regarded as among the leaders in that neighborhood, where they are both held in the highest esteem by all.

Nathan C. Shirley

Examples that impress force of character upon all who study them^ are worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some idea of the characteristics and worthy career of Nathan C. Shirley, who is now living in Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, having, through his industry and perseverance, accumulated a competency. He has pursued the even tenor of his way in a quiet and unostentatious manner, which never courts publicity, attending strictly to his own affairs, doing the right as he understands it', and keeping his conscience void of offense toward God and man. It is not a matter of wonderment that the elements of a substantial and practical nature, which unite in his composition, should win him a conspicuous place in his community, when we learn that he comes of a. sterling family, a family that believed, not only in keeping busy alonglegitimate lines of endeavor, but also in living up to the highest standardsof citizenship in every respect.

Nathan C. Shirley was born on December i, 1862, in Perry township,. Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Prowant) Shirley.

Philip Shirley was a native of Ross county, Ohio, born in February,. 1820, and a son of Nathan and Mary (Minear) Shirley. Nathan Shirley was born in Burks county, Pennsylvania, in t8oo, and left Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio during his boyhood days. His parents were Robert and Mary (Gilbert) Shirley, who were natives of Pennsylvania, also. They settled in Ross county, where they farmed, but later moved to Defiancecounty. He farmed in Ross county for a time and removed to Defiance with his family in 1825. After his marriage, he made a trip to New Orleans by flatboat down the Mississippi river with flour, pork and shoes, and sold the outfit and boat, returning to Portsmouth, Ohio, from here by horseback to his farm in Ross county. He was gone a long time, and waited for increases in the market prices of his commodities. The family made the tripwith several other families in covered wagons to Defiance county durinothe Indian scare, and made use of the blockhouse at Defiance, Ohio, for a while. Nathan was captain of a military company at that place and served as drill master. Robert Shirley died in 1840, in Defiance county, where he is buried, near the west terminal of the upper Auglaize bridge." His wife died there also. At the time they first came to Defiance county, Robert Shirley and his family spent some time in the blockhouse at Defiance. The

Indians were not thoroughly pacified, and there was continual fear of uprising. This caused much unrest among the settlers. Robert was among the early settlers, a brave and courageous man, who lent a willing hand in all the work of the little community. In his later years, Robert Shirley conducted a tavern at Defiance, Ohio. He was largely identified with the history of the town, having been in charge of the canal at that point. He was a hard worker, a man of sterling character, and suffered all the privations incident to the early pioneer life. He experienced many sorrows and also much happiness.

Nathan Shirley was reared a farmer, and this he followed to his death, in 1871, at Junction, Paulding county, Ohio. His wife died about 1850. After her death, Nathan was again married to a widow, Mrs. Hankins, who survived him a number of years, and died in 1885. Nathan also experience the hardships of pioneer life, and did his share for the uplift of the county. Philip Shirley, the father of the subject, grew up in Defiance county,, being only five years old when he was brought to the county with his, parents. He grew up on the homestead farm, and located at the Power dam, where his father, Nathan, owned two farms. He married Elizabeth Prowant, daughter of Christian and Catherine (Gable) Prowant, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and who came with her parents to Putnam county about 1834, where she grew to womanhood and married. She was born on June 5, 1829, and died on February 13, 1914, at the age of eighty-four years, eight months and eight days. Philip Shirley came to Putnam county,. Ohio, and settled in Perry township, about 1847, and was married in 1848.' He died in Dupont, Ohio, March 29, 1901, at the age of eighty-one years one month and twenty-four days. Originally, Philip Shirley owned a farm', upon which the town of Dupont is now situated.

The seven children born to Philip and Elizabeth f Prowant) Shirley were as follow: Mary C. ; Clara M., who is Mrs. Remus R. Brown of DeKalb county, Indiana; Anna E., later Mrs. Thomas Conkle, who died' m 1890; Nathan C, the subject of this sketch; Nancy R., now Mrs Oscar Lamont, of Belmore, Ohio, whose husband is the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad agent at that place; Alice D., now Mrs. George Lafferty of Edmore Michigan; Jennie C, who is now Mrs. George Cockrun, of Alluwee, Oklahoma.

Nathan C. Shirley grew up in Perry township, on the homestead farm and was educated in this township. He spent one year at Delphos, Ohio in .the high school, and one year at the Northern Indiana Normal College' at Valparaiso, Indiana, as a student in the scientific course. He taught school m Paulding county, Ohio, for two years prior to going to school at Valparaiso, Indiana, and subsequently taught school in Putnam and Paulding counties for thirty-three terms. After his marriage, he removed to a farm -of seventy acres, and farmed and taught school in the district near by. He removed to his present farm in Monroe township in the spring of 1898. This farm originally consisted of one hundred and sixty-six acres, but Mr. Shirley now farms one hundred and eighty-six acres.

Nathan C. Shirley was married, August 12, 1888, to Emma Ridenour, who was born in Perry township, Putnam county, January 16, 1863, and who is the daughter of Jacob and Fanny (Fretz) Ridenour. Jacob Ridenour was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county, Ohio, with his parents when nine years of age. He grew up in Perry township, where he was reared a farmer. He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife, Fanny Fretz, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Nathan C. Shirley six children have been born: Ashley R. was born on June 22, 1889, she married Preston H. Miles and lives at Syracuse, Indiana, having no children; Hazel I. was born on November 21, 1890; Ross R. was born on October 16, 1892; Mary E., who was born on October 19, 1894, married Floyd Groff, of Monroe township, who lives near the faiTn of Mr. Shirley; Lynn L. was born on November 18, 1898; Claude L. was born on August 13, 1905.

Nathan C. Shirley has made most of his present farm by his own efforts and has cleared most of the land, and built all of the improvements to the farm. He has a fine barn, with modern apphances and conveniences and a milking machine. He believes strongly in progressive farming. The dimensions of his barn are ninety-six by fifty-six feet on the south side and ninetv-six by eighty feet on the north side, and is laid out with six thousand feet of cement floor and twelve hundred feet of cement outside. A silo has been erected, equipped with trackage for cleaning out barn and carrying feed. A cement water tank, with a capacity of fifty barrels, has also been erected.

Mr. Shirley has been township trustee of Perry township for one term, and has also been a member of the board of school directors of Continental city schools three different times. He is not now active. He is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the United Brethren church at Continental, and has always taken a prominent part in church work. He has held most of the offices in the church, and is now secretary of the congregation, a circuit comprising five churches. He is also actively identified with the Sunday school, is a class leader and a teacher of the young men's and women's bible class. Nathan C. Shirley is a strong advocate of temperance, and, locally, has been closely identified with the farmers' institute. He was among the organizers of the Continental Farmers' Institute. His wife and family are members of the United Brethren church and take an active interest in the work of the church. Nathan C. Shirley is a man well liked. He bears a high standing for honesty of purpose and integrity in the community where he lives, is a man of strong and fixed convictions, and is frank and open in his dealings with his fellow men. In every way he is entitled to representation in this volume.

William J. Unterbrink

Putnam county has been fortunate in the number and character of its farmers, those advance agents of civilization and indispensable aids to social -and industrial development. The farmer is recognized as an institution and no other agency has done so much for the world in general. This is particularly true of Putnam county. Some men grow tired and others weary of the march, and fall out, but the enterprising, up-to-date farmer who works with a vision never ceases in his endeavor. Of the industrious and self- -sacrificing farmers of Putnam county, men who have succeeded in a large way, is William J. Unterbrink, a well-known farmer of Greensburg township. Mr. Unterbrink has contributed financially and otherwise in developing and upbuilding this great county. His work has been unselfish for the -most part, but he has managed to acquire a large farm and is one of the most progressive farmers of this section of the state.

William J. Unterbring was born on September 15, 1866, in the house where he now lives, in section 14, Greensburg township. He is the son of Ferdinand and Mary G. (Rotterman) Unterbrink.

Ferdinand Unterbrink was born in the German empire on November -29, 1824, and died in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, July 14, 1895. He was a son of John H. and Maria G. (Meilenbrink) Unterbrink, who settled in this county in 1841. The wife of John H. Unterbrink was Maria G., who was born in Germany on April 30, 1835, and who was the daughter of Herman H. and Maria G. (Kamper) Rotterman, who came to this country in 1838. She was married to Ferdinand Unterbrink in this -county, on September 7, 1852. Ferdinand Unterbrink was a farmer in township who served as a member of the board of county com- missioners in Putnam county, and who held several other important offices He had a family of eleven children: Anna M., the wife of Judge Joseph Mersman, of Ottawa; Bernard H., of Cloverdale, Putnam county; Joseph who hves north of Glandorf, in Ottawa township; Frank R, of Ottawa' Ignatius lives at Riviera, Texas; Maria C, deceased, was the wife of William Schmiedebusch, who resided at Cloverdale; William John of Greensburg township; John R., of Lima; Herman H., of Ottawa, where he is probation officer; Albert F., of Ottawa, and Amelia M., the wife of Anthony B Overman, of Ottawa. The mother of these children died on June 28, 1914 Ferdinand Unterbrink was county commissioner six years. Before that he was justice of the peace in Greensburg township for many years. He wasone of the most successful farmers in Greensburg township. He came here a very poor man and started in the woods. He worked at digging the canal in the west part of the county at thirty cents a day and boarded himself He was diligent and a good manager and owned about three hundred and forty acres of land at one time ; he owned a number of different farms His home farm was a beautiful place. He and the family all belong to the St John's Catholic church. He was a rock-ribbed Democrat in politics. In his youth he taught school in Greensburg township and was one of the first teachers there, making it a point to see that each child learned something every day. He was a very practical man, able to accomplish much where others, perhaps would have failed. He was a man to whom many came for advice regarding their own personal affairs, as he was regarded as being possessed of keen insight and sound judgment and took a kindly interest in assisting others.

Ferdinand Unterbrink came to America when about seventeen years old with his parents and sisters. Here he bought a farm m section 14, Greensburg township, which was all covered with timber, the country being still new. Here his parents lived and died and here he spent his life, engaged as a lifelong farmer. His wife, Mary G. (Rotterman) Unterbrink was born in Germany and came to this country in her infancy, with her parents.

William J. Unterbrink is one of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, as heretofore related. He grew up on the home farm. In 1892 he was married to Magdelina Kracht. She was born in Glandorf, Germany, on April 14, 1825, and is the daughter of William and Anna Catherine (Doepker) Kracht. William Kracht was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, February 28, 1818. He came to Cincinnati when a young man and was there married to Anna Catherine Doepker. She was born in Glandorf, Hanover, and came to America while a girl, after her parents died in Germany. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kracht lived in Cincinnati for several years

Subsequently, Mr. and Mrs. Kracht settled about a mile north of Glandorf, and there they lived many years. They spent their last years in Cloverdale.

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Unterbrink for many years have lived on the same farm where Mr. Unterbrink was born. He owns one hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land and has added excellent improvements to the farm, which was formerly owned by his father.

To Mr. and Mrs. William J. Unterbrink five children have been born, as follow: Alfred, on September 15, 1894; Lawrence, on November 9, 1898; Idella, on April 10, 1902; Marcella, on March 9, 1905, and William, on July 4, 1907. The family has a fine country home with beautiful surroundings. There is a private lighting plant in the house. The Unterbrinks are as fine people as are to be found anywhere in Putnam county and all of them are devout members of the Catholic church, at Glandorf.

Harry E. Brinkman

Harry E. Brinkman is a representative farmer and stock raiser of -Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and is known as one of the alert, progressive and successful agriculturists of this favored section of the Buckeye state. In his labors he has not permitted himself to follow in a rut in a blind, apathetic way, but has studied and experimented and thus -obtained the maximum returns from his enterprising efl^orts. At the same time, he has so directed his career at all times as to command the confidence and regard of the people of the community where he lives. He is a man of honorable business methods and advocates strenuously whatever tends to promote the public welfare.

Harry E. Brinkman was born November 11, 1887, on the farm where he now lives in the center of Greensburg township. He is the son of John H. and Philomina (Maag) Brinkman. John H. Brinkman was also born on the same farm in 1848 and is the son of Johann Henry and Mary Gertrude (Rieman) Brinkman. Johann Henry Brinkman was born in Oldenburg, November 8, 1802, and was the son of Johann Rudolph and Elizabeth Johann (Bergmann) Brinkman. He died in 1890 at the age of eighty-seven years and nine months. Johann Henry Brinkman lived in Germany until he was twenty-eight years old and then came to America. He was among the very early settlers in Greensburg township.

Johann Henry Brinkman purchased land in section 15 in an early day when the country was all new, not a road and not even a track havingbeen laid. A trail was blazed to Glandorf settlement and to other neighboring points and at night hickory bark torches were carried. He started with a most primitive cabin and did not have a fireplace. There was no floor and the fire was built in a hole in the middle of the cabin. There was no drainageand at times water flooded the cabin. It was not unusual on arising in the morning to find their wooden shoes floating and the fire drowned out Although It was necessary to endure many hardships, yet these early pioneers bore them cheerfully because their work meant a home for them and their children. In the old country, the earnings only went to enrich the landowners. Here, Johann Henry Brinkman spent his life, clearing the land and rearing his family. His wife was born, January 22, 1829, in Osnabruck, Germany. She came to America with her parents when she was three years old. She was the daughter of John H. and Mary Elizabeth (Fhone) Rieman, who came to America in 1832 and lived at Cincinnati a few years, when they came to Glandorf. They purchased a farm on thenorthwest edge of Ottawa township, west of Glandorf. There Mary Gertrude Rieman grew to womanhood and was married.

On the farm, in section 15, John Henry Brinkman grew up among the pioneers and here was married on October 28, 1872, to Philmonia May Mag. She was born one miles west of Glandorf church on May 14 18 si and was the daughter of Theodore and Catherine (Purs) Maag Theodore Maag was born in Glandorf, Hanover, Germany, in May, 1807, and grew up there. When a young man he came to Cincinnati and was there married to Catherine Purs, who was born in Glandorf, Hanover, December 8, 1813. She came to America at the age of twenty-two and went immediately to Cincinnati. At the age of twenty-three she was married to Theodore Maag. Two years later they moved to the west edge of Ottawa townshit> and m 18"^ _ - :i- . r ^ ^

Theodore Maag was away from home much of the time working on the canal. His wife and two babies were compelled to stay alone, while the Indians roamed nearby through the woods.

After John H. Brinkman and wife were married they lived on the Brinkman farm. He was a lifelong farmer and very successful. He managed to acquire a good farm and owned two hundred and forty acres. He was public spirited and held various township offices at different times. He be- gan life with eighty acres and after his father's death, bought his sisters interest in his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres. John H. Brinkman was an able farmer and could plow a long furrow as straight as a rule,, having a good eye for distance and levels. He raised thoroughbred cattle, hogs and sheep, and took great interest in his live stock. He was known by all as a good neighbor, a man of sound judgment and reliable. He was a man of much value to his community. His traits have been largely transmitted to his son, the subject of this sketch, who is like his father and one of the well-known citizens of this township. John H. Brinkman died on- January i6, 19 lo, leaving a widow and two sons. A daughter, Mary Frances, died at the age of sixteen. The two sons are Frank and Harry, both of whom hve on the home farm with their mother. Harry E. Brinkman manages the farm and since his father's death has added improvements to theplace.

Herry E. Brinkman was married on August 12, 1913, to Mary Elizabeth Rose. She was born at Fort Jennings, Putnam county, and is the daughter of Alton and Bernardine (Pavel) Rose. Anton Rose was born at Ottoville, Putnam county, December 25, 1861, the son of Adolph and Catherine (Mersman) Rose. Adolph Rose came from Germany and owned a farm on the canal not far from Ottoville. Later, he moved to Fort Jennings. Catherine Mersman was from Glandorf, Germany, and came to this country at the age of eight years. Anton Rose was an engineer at Fort- Jennings. Three years ago he moved to Delphos, where he now lives. His wife was born two and one-half miles south of Ottoville, along the canal, and was the daughter of Henry Pavel and wife.

Mary Elizabeth Rose grew up at Fort Jennings, where she lived until she was seventeen years old; since that time she has lived in Greensburg township. To Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Brinkman one son, Cornelius Anton. Johann, was born on February 2, 1914.

Harry E. Brinkman is secretary of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. The family all belong to the Catholic church at Glandorf and are faithful to their religion. The family are kind and hospitable and well liked by all who know them.

It is a pleasure to see the live stock which Mr. Brinkman raises. It is not only good stock but is well kept. He uses the very latest methods in his farm management and is in every respect a truly progressive farmer. He is one of the leading citizens of Putnam county and a man whom one does not soon forget.

Sanford Smith

The business of farming has been revolutionized within the last fifty years and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which surrounded pioneer fanners of Ohio. Scores of inventions have been put on the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared with the arduous labors which his father had to undergo. The result is that an ever-increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in preference to trying their fortunes in the citi»s. The farmer is certainly the most independent man of the country, and all other professions and occupations must bow to him. Ohio is known throughout the length and breadth of the country as one of the best agricultural states in the union, and Putnam county ranks with the best farming sections of the state. Putnam county farmers are not to be excelled by any other county, and among its many excellent farmers no one occupies a more prominent place than Sanford Smith, the subject of this review. The ancestral history of Sanford Smith has been intimately identified with the pioneer annals of Putnam county and the state of Ohio.

Sanford Smith is the son of Adam and Margaret (Shouse) Smith, and was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April i6, 1857. Adam Smith was the son of Robert Smith, a native of Scotland, who immigrated to America Avithhis brother, William. They settled in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and there were, tailors. Robert Smith married Elizabeth Little, a native of Somerset county, and the daughter of Adam and Mary Little. After three had been born, they removed to Harrison county, Ohio, in 1826, and subsequently, removed to Tuscarawas county, where they died. Robert Smith was an old-line Whig. He and his wife were stanch members of the Presbyterian church. They had eight children, Adam, Leonard, Mary A., Thomas, John, Robert B., Harvey and David.

Adam Smith, the father of Sanford, was born on June 20, 182 1, in Somerset county and came with his parents to Ohio. He also moved 4ith his parents to Carroll county, Ohio, and in this county was married to Margaret Shouse, m 1844. She was born on October 3, 1820, and was the daughter of Barnard and Rachel (Palmer) Shouse, the former a native of Pennsylvania, who migrated to Carroll county at the age of sixteen years and was a school teacher there. Barnard Shouse was an old-line Whioand he and his family were members of the Presbyterian church Subse"- quently, they moved to Decatur county, Indiana, where they died

Others were Sylvester, deceased; Mary E., deceased; William C; Salathiel L.; Arthur L.; Nettie J., the wife of J. C. M. Doenges; Lorenzo; Madison S. and Edson E., deceased. Lorenzo is the twin brother of Sanford. Adam and Margaret Smith resided in Carroll county two years and then removed to Tuscarawas county, where they lived until 1859, when they moved to Hancock county. They moved to Putnam county in i860.

Mrs. Margaret Smith died on July 23, 1907, at the age of eighty seven years. Her death occurred on the homestead farm, in Monroe township. The tract of land comprises two hundred and forty acres and, it was here also, that Adam Smith died on November 17, 1880. Adam and Margaret Smith were members of the Methodist church and influential citizens throughout their lives in the history of Putnam county.

Sanford Smith remained on the homestead farm with his mother after the death of his father, until December 14, 1909, when he was married to Mrs. Zella D. Hager, the daughter of Jacob and Nancy E. (Hutchinson) Dickey. The family history of Mrs. Smith will be found in the sketch of S. M. Dickey, which appears elsewhere in this volume.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Smith no children have been born. Throughout his life, Mr. Smith has been an ardent member of the Republican party and influential locally in the councils of his party. He now has a good farm of one hundred and forty-five acres, having begun with forty acres deeded to him by his mother., Sanford Smith is a quiet, unassuming man' congenial with his neighbors and favorably known in this locality.

Mrs. Smith has two daughters by her first marriage, Ethel C, now the wife of E. D. Harpster, who lives near Continental, Ohio Beatrice C wife of Charies W. Mansfield, of Defiance, Ohio, he being the only son of Lot W. and Lottie R. (Doenges) Mansfield.

Thomas C. Hipkins

One of the most highly esteemed citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, is Thomas C. Hipkms, who was born at Gilboa, Putnam county, Ohio, September 3, 1850. He IS a son of Thomas H. B. and Margaret (Fishel) Hipkins, and one of five children born to his parents. The other children are as follow: Christian Rudy, born on August 20, 1839, deceased; Luceria, born on

May 4, 1843, deceased; Winfield Scott, born on October 15, 1847, deceased,, and Harriett V., of Ottawa. All of the three sons served in the Civil War.

Thomas H. B. Hipkins was born at Prospect Hill, Harford county,. Maryland, on January 28, 1813, and located in Putnam county in 1841. His father, Charles G. Hipkins, died in 18 17, and his mother, Elizabeth, passed away in 1832. Thomas H. B. Hipkins was married in Hancock county, Ohio, on September 10, 1838, to Margaret, the daughter of John and Catherine Fishel. Mr. Fishel died in 1845 a-nd his wife passed away in 1821. Margaret Fishel was born in Frankhn county, Ohio, on June 17, 181 7, and died in 1890. He was engaged in the mercantile business in Gilboa, Putnam county, in 1845, and removed his store to Ottawa in 1856, where he continued in business until his death, in 1880.

After the death of Thomas H. B. Hipkins in 1880, his sons, Winfield S. and Thomas Corwin, continued the business in partnership, until Winfield S. died in 1907. For the next five years Thomas C. continued alone, after which he took his son, W. S., in with him as a partner, and they are now conducting the same line of business which was established in 1845, i" this county.

Thomas C. Hipkins enlisted in the Civil War in October, 1864, as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer liifantry. He was only one month past his fourteenth birthday at the time of his enlistment, which entitles him to the honor of being one of the youngest soldiers in the state to enlist in the war. He served until he was mustered out at Nashville in July, 1865. After he returned from the Civil War, he attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, for one year. He then obtained a position in the St. Louis branch of the A. T. Stewart Dry Goods Company. During the year he was in St. Louis, he received a very broad training in general mercantile affairs. He then returned to his home in Ottawa, Ohio, and he and his brother, Winfield S., took charge of their father's store. The brothers continued in partnership until the death of Winfield S.

Mr. Hipkins was married in 1884 to Mrs. Rhoda Belle (Pitney) Woodruff, the daughter of Abijah and Rachel (Wheeler) Pitney. Mrs. Hipkins. came to Putnam county with her parents, who located in Blanchard township, and spent the remainder of their lives there on a farm. She married James- Woodruff, who died within sixty days after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hipkins have five children : Eva, who is the wife of John Schafer, Jr., of Cleveland, Ohio, and has two children, Virginia and John Thomas ; Margaret is a teacher in the kindergarten schools of Spring City, Utah ; Winfield Scott, who is a partner with his father in the dry goods business in Ottawa ; Ruth, who is a nurse in the Lutheran hospital at Cleveland; Thomas C, Jr., who is still attending school, and is a wholesale dealer in eggs. One daughter, Mary, died at the age of eleven months.

Mr. and Mrs. Hipkins and all of the children belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and all are active workers in the church and Sunday school. Mr. Hipkins is a trustee of the church and also a member of the board of stewards. His fraternal connections are with the Free and Accepted Masons.

For more than seventy years the Hipkins store has stood in the front rank of the mercantile establishments of Putnam county, and with the young blood infused into it, in the young junior partner, the firm may reasonably expect to exist long after its first century birthday.

John Beard

To write the personal records of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in the community, is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success -by reason of their personal qualities, and left the impress of their individuality upon the business growth of their place of residence, affect for good such institutions as are embraced in the sphere of their usefulness. Unwittingly, perhaps, they build monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or granite shaft. One of the men, who is a well-known farmer of Greensburg township who falls in this class is John Beard.

John Beard's paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland, who settled m the state of Maryland, where he was well known as a teacher. He lived to the remarkable age of one hundred years. John Beard, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina, and came to Fairfield county, Ohio, when a young man. Mary Carey was born in Maryland July 4, 1802. She was the daughter of John and Mary Carey. To this union were born SIX children: Mrs. Margaret Pickering, George, Jacob, Samuel, John and Cornelius. John Beard, Sr., was a miller by trade, who died of the Cholera in 1832. His widow subsequently married J. M. Allen and after bearing him six children, died on January 13, 1889.

John Beard was reared as a farmer and educated in the common schools He left home at the age of fourteen, and for a time worked by the month as a farmer. In the meantime, he prepared himself for teaching, and in the fall of 1855, taught his first school at Cuba, in Putnam county. He taught during four winter terms at this place, continuing his professional work until 1866, in Greensburg and Jackson townships, and at the public schools at Fort Jennings.

In 1856, Mr. Beard purchased a farm of eighty acres, investing twenty dollars in the farm. He made some improvements upon this place, and in 1865, removed to Franklin county, Ohio. He purchased a farm southeast of Fort Jennings, in 1866, on his return to Putnam county, and lived here until he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres in Greensburg township, in 1872.

John Beard was married on November 2, 1854, at Columbus, Ohio, to Mary Jane Case, a native of New York state, and the daughter of Jacob and Anna Case. They moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, near Runnelsburg in the early days, and there Mrs. Beard lived until her marriage. Two children were born to this marriage : William H., who died in infancy, and Charles W., of Greensburg township. Mrs. Beard died in 1866, and on September 22, 1867, Mr. Beard was married to Mrs. Sophia (Shank) Guyton, who was born in Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Henry and Barbara (Meyers) Shank, natives of Maryland. Henry Shank was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, and was the son of Christian Shank, Sr. Barbara Meyers was born in Maryland, and was the daughter of John and Mary Meyers. She was married in Maryland to Henry Shank, and came here soon after her marriage. They settled north of the Blanchard river, and south of Defiance pike, in the northwestern part of Ottawa township, where they entered the land from the government. The Indians were still here and no roads but Indian paths led from their home to Ottawa. Here her father spent the rest of his life. After his death, the widow moved to a farm she owned neared Kalida, and spent the remainder of her life at that place.

To this second marriage of Mr. Beard, six children were born. Christian Beard is now farming six miles south of Auburn, Indiana. He married Maude Bibler, and they have four children : Joyce, Elsie, Samuel and Charles. Lucy A. became the wife of John Bibler; they live in the northwestern part of Greensburg township ; they have had ten children, of whom two died and eight are living: Flossie, Fay, Velma, Coral, Ella, Delia, Raymond, Dale, Pauline and Woodrow Wilson. John F. lives near Edgerton, Ohio. He married Mary Wynkoop, and they have four children, John Milton, Icy, Preston and Zola. Margaret died in infancy. Ella S. is the wife of Clyde M. Fletcher, and lives on her father's farm. They have one son, Paul Clarence Fletcher. Samuel S. lives south of Kalida, and married Minnie Kirkendall,

In 1874, Mr. Beard erected a substantial dwelling on his farm. In politics, Mr. Beard is a Prohibitionist. In 1857, he was elected justice of the peace, serving until 1864; he was re-elected in 1872, and severed a considerable time since that date. In 1880, Mr. Beard was appointed as land appraiser. He has served as school director, off and on, for a period of thirty-five years. He is naturally interested in education, because of his long experience as a public school teacher, in Jennings and Jackson townships. Mr. Beard has had affiliation with the Masonic order since 1861, being a member of the lodge at Delphos. He has been a prominent Sunday school worker and is a member of the Christian church.

Hiram A. Roberts

In Putnam county there are many enterprising and progressive farmers, who keep fully abreast of all the modern advances in the theory and practice of successful agricuhure; men who are constantly and carefully noting the wonderful experimental and research work of the government and state department of agriculture, and who quickly avail themselves of the profound results of such research, putting to the test on their own farms such official conclusions as seem best adapted to the variety or quality of the soil with which they have to work. These men, in the very nature of things, are making a success of their work. They are not included in that large number of grumblers which may be found in most any community, but are to be found among the even larger class of generous, open-minded, optimistic men, who are the real leaders in the advanced movements of mankind; men whom it is a pleasure to know; men who are the real makers of a community, the natural conservators of a neighborhood's best interests. In this latter class of farmers in this county, there are few who have a larger acquaintance or are better liked than the gentleman whose name is noted above, one of the most popular and successful farmers of Monroe township, whose quiet, unostentatious progress in the community in which he lives, certainly entitles him to be included in the large list of successful men of Putnam county, brief biographies of whom are contained in this interesting and valuable historical work.

David Roberts was a native of Wales, who, with his wife, came to America in the early part of the last century and settled in Allen county, Ohio, where he became a large landowner and a man of much influence in his community, his farm having been situated near the town of Gomar. Upon the death of his wife, in 1844, David Roberts sold his interests in Ohio and moved to Iowa, where he spent the rest of his life.

With the excepttion of two years which he spent in Iowa, Thomas Roberts, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, spent his entire life in Allen county, Ohio, where he died in 1861, at the age of thirty-two years, his son, Hiram A., being at that time but three years of age. Thomas Roberts was a good farmer, ^ highly respected citizen and a man of sterling character. He was married in Allen county to Mary Jane Bussart, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, and who moved to Allen county with her parents when she was but six months of age, and there grew to womanhood, making her home in that county for many years. She now makes her home with her son, Hiram A., in this county, being hale and hearty, at the ripe old age of eighty-two.

To Thomas and Mary Jane (Bussart) Roberts were born three children, as follow: John, a well-known resident of Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio; Hiram A., of whom more later, and Sarah E., the widow of Edward Tracy, who now makes her home with her brother in Monroe township. To Edward and Sarah E. (Roberts) Tracy were born four children, Frank, Clarence, John and one who died in infancy. Frank and John make their home with their mother on the farm of their uncle Hiram and Clarence married Carrie Reynolds and is farming in Monroe township, living near Hartsburg.

Hiram A. Roberts left Allen county in 1880, coming to Putnam county, where he bought his present fine farm of seventy-seven acres in Monroe township, on which he since has made his home. On this he erected a modern country home, one of the finest in the county, where, with his mother and sister and the sons of the latter, he is living very happily and comfortably. He is a man of progressive ideas and on his small, compact farm he gets better results than many men obtain from a much larger acreage. The spirit of progress which animates him is reflected in the well-kept appearance of his place, barns, outbuildings, fences and drainage, all bespeaking a farmer who takes a pride in his great calling.

The same spirit that keeps him alive to the needs of his farm, keeps Mr. Roberts fully alive to the needs of the community in which he lives, and he is regarded as among the foremost men of his neighborhood, being ever active in all movements designed to advance the common interest. He is a Republican and in the political campaigns in this county, ever is found promoting the cause of good government. He is a kind son and indulgent brother and his genial manners and high reputation for honesty and integrity make him a prime favorite in his community, wrhere he is regarded with esteem by all who know him, the number of his friends being limited only by the number of his acquaintances.

Dr. Ernest Plummer Lemley

Dr. Ernest Plummer Lemley, devoted to the noble work which his profession implies, has been faithful and indefatigable in his endeavors. He has not only earned the due rewards of his efforts in a temporal way, but has also proved himself eminently worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the science of medicine is regarded by those who know him, as broad and comprehensive. The profession and the public accord to him a distinguished place among the men of his class in the state of Ohio. He has been a life of sincere and persistent endeavor, such as always brings a true appreciation of the real value of human existence - a condition that ever must be prolific of good results in all the relations of life.

Dr. Ernest Plummer Lemley was born on May 31, 1874, at Cassville, Monongalia county, West Virginia. He is the son of Alexander and Lucy (Tucker) Lemley. Alexander Lemley was a native of West Virginia, born there on April 28, 1841. He died on September 26, 1906, at the age of sixty-five. He always lived in West Virginia, and was a life-long farmer and a stanch Republican in politics. He attended the Methodist during all his life, but was not a member'.- As a farmer he cultivated about two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, and was considered successful in all his farming operations. His wife, who was Lucy Tucker before her marriage, was a native of West Virginia, born there on April 11, 1854, and is still living in West Virginia at the age of sixty years. Alexander and Lucy (Tucker) Lemley were the parents of six children, of whom Dr. Ernest Plummer Lemley was the eldest; Mrs. Gertie Core lives in West Virginia; Clyde, Mrs. Elizabeth Core, Herbert and Lena, all live in West Virginia.

Dr. Lemley spent his boyhood days in West Virginia, on the homestead farm, and lived here until he was about twenty years old. He was educated in the common schools and spent two years in the West Virginia State University. Subsequently, he attended the Barnes Medical College at St. Louis,, graduating with the class of 1898. In the fall of that year he began the practice of his profession at Columbus Grove, and continued there for two years^ coming in 1900 to Vaughnsville, to take up the McKinley office and practice. He is a general physician, and is still actively engaged in the practice.

Dr. Lemley was married on August 30, 1900, to Claudia Layman, a native of Putnam county, born in Pleasant township, and a daughter of Josephus and Clarinda (Rorhr) Layman. Dr. and Mrs. Lemley have no children. They have, however, adopted a boy, Richard, and are rearing a girl, Leota Meridith, whom they have, however, not adopted.

Fraternally, Dr. Lemley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Maccabees at Vaughnsville, and is a Modern Woodman of America at Columbus Grove. Politically, he is a Republican, and has served as township treasurer of Sugar Creek township for two terms, filling this office with efficiency and credit to the people of this township and to himself. Dr. and Mrs. Lemley are members of the Congregational church at Vaughnsville, the Doctor being treasurer of the congregation. He is a member of the County, State and Northwestern Ohio Medical Societies. He is a booster for Vaughnsville and enjoys a large practice, standing, as he does, highly in his community as a man and as a physician.

David Homer Groff

Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in attaining a due measure of success. In following the career of one who has attained such unqualified success by his own efforts, there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such an accomplishment possible. But there is granted an objective inspiration and there is kindled at the same time a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made David Homer Groff one of the prominent and successful farmers of Putnam county, have also won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens. His career has been one of well directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods.

David Homer Groff was born on March 30, 1866, at Weston, Wood county, Ohio. He is the son of Martin Luther and Elizabeth (Campbell) Groff, the former of whom vvas born on February 22, 1830, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He left there at the age of twelve years, and came to Weso ton, Ohio, about 1852, where he settled south of the town on a farm, and where he remained until his retirement, when he moved to Weston, Ohio. He died on January 31, 19 14, at the age of eighty-four years. At the time of his death he owned one hundred and twenty acres of land, most of which was divided among his children.

The children born to Martin Luther and Elizabeth (Campbell) Groff are as follow: Electa (Conklin), who lives north of Weston, Ohio; George,, who lives south of Weston, Ohio; David Homer, the subject of this sketch; Charles, who lives at Deshler, Ohio; Ona, born on August 2, 1870, and who died on October 25, 1905 ; Mrs. Vinnie Walsh, who lives in Chicago,, and Mrs. Maude Long, at Cleveland, Ohio.

The mother of these children was born in Crawford county, Ohio, November 25, 1835, and died at the age of sixty-six years, December 23, 1901. She came to Milton township. Wood county, Ohio, from Crawford county,. with her parents about 1855, and was married on December 8, 1861. She was a faithful Christian woman throughout her life, and was beloved by all who knew her. Her brothers served in the War of the Rebellion, and two of them, Enoch and Nelson, returned alive.

David Homer Groff spent his boyhood days at Weston, Wood county,. Ohio. He was reared on the farm and remained on the home place until he was twenty-two years of age, when he went into the milling business. He ran a mill for a year when it burned, and he came to Continental, Ohio,, in the fall of 1890, where he was married. He returned to the old homestead farm, but before going back he ran a feed store for a short time, returning in the spring of 18.91. He farmed the homestead farm for about five years and then bought one hundred and sixty acres of brush land near North Creek, Putnam county, in Monroe township. This land was cleared and ditched and put into shape for farming. Mr. Goff sold this land in 1903 and moved on a farm which he had previously purchased, east of Continental. He was here one year and then came to his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in 1905. He has since added ninety acres, having about two hundred and fifty acres at the present time. Although this land was nearly all cleared when Mr. Goff purchased it, there were no fences or buildings. All of the improvements have been made by him. In the spring of 191 1 he commenced a modern country residence, which was finished in 191 2. This house has hot water heat, electric lights, etc., and is conceded to be the finest home in the county.

-of John Horace and Laura (Price) Andrews. To this happy union four -children have been born: Floyd, who married Mary Shirley, lives on the home place; Bernice, Beatrice and Ima are at home.

Mr. Groff is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at He is identified with the Republican party, but is more or less independent in his voting. Mrs. Groff is a member of the United Brethren -church, where the children are also communicants. Mr. Groff has not held -any offices, with the exception of that of member of the school board in Wood county, Ohio. He is well and favorably known throughout Putnam -county, and is popular with his neighbors, and, in fact, with all in Monroe township.

Mr. Groff was one of the leading factors in the organization of the Farmers State Bank of Continental, of which he is a director. He, with William H. Lowe and Charles E. Wight, were a committee who drew up plans and caused to be erected the Odd Fellow building at that place.

Rufus E. Gilbert

Ohio has been especially honored in the character and career of her farmers. In every section have been found men born to leadership in agriculture, men who have dominated their communities because of their superior intelligence, natural endowment and force of character. Rufus E. Gilbert is a man well known throughout Putnam county. Mr. Gilbert traces his ancestry back to substantial Irish stock, which has been prominently identified with the history of this country, since its earliest days.

Rufus E. Gilbert was born, February 21, 1844, in Summit county, near Falls, Ohio. He is the son of Jacob C. and Martha A. Butler Jacob C. Gilbert was born in October, 1807, 'North Hero Island, New York, and was reared as a farmer. He received a good practical education, and was married when twenty-five years old, or in 1832, to Mandana Stoughton. She died on July 3, 1832. Upwards of five years later, on January i, 1838, Jacob C. Gilbert married Martha A. Butler, in Atwater, Portage county, Ohio. She was born on November 16, 1820, in New Haven Connecticut, and was the daughter of David and Betsey (Foot) Butler, the former of whom was born in New Haven county, Connecticut, on 2, 1772, and the latter of whom was born in the same county, on August 9, 1 78 1. They remained in Connecticut until 1829, when they emi- grated to Portage county, Ohio, and stayed here until their death. David Butler died on March 29, 1856, and his wife on August 3, 1854. They were members of the Congressional church, and he was an old-line Whig. Mrs. Jacob C. Gilbert's grandfather was Matthew Butler, a native of England, who came to New Haven county, Connecticut, in colonial times. He served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War, for seven years. He married Ruth Lindley. They had a son, David, who also served in the Revolutionary War, especially as a minute man, at the battle of Long Island. Jacob C. and Martha A. Gilbert had several children : Lucian, Lucius, Ruf us E., the subject of this sketch; Martha, Mary E., who married Henry Wing; Adelaid, deceased; Ida M., who married David Owens, and Prosper L.'

Jacob C. and Martha A. (Butler) Gilbert settled first in Summit county, -Ohio, where both he and his wife taught school. In fact, they met while both were public school teachers. He then came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent three years and removed to Putnam county, Ohio, in December, 1858, settling -in Monroe township, on a farm of forty acres. He taught school in Putnam county, and in Defiance county, but most of the time in the former, until his death. On account of poor health he was not able to do farm work. Jacob C. Gilbert died on December 16, 1864, at the age of fifty-seven years and ten months. There were only forty voters in Monroe township when he settled here, and during his life he saw the population of the township grow ^exceedingly. His wife, Martha A. (Butler) Gilbert, died on the old home farm in June, 1903, at the age of eighty-two years and five months. Of the children, heretofore mentioned, who were born to Jacob C. and Martha A. (Butler) Gilbert, only four are now living. Lucius B., who was born on November 2, 1838, and died on August 5, 1839; Lucian De Loss, who was born on September 22, 1840, and died on July 2, 1847; Martha, who was .born on August 20, 1847, and died on April 7, 1857; Mrs. Mary E. Wing, who was born on August 9, 1849, and now living on a farm in Monroe township; Sarah Adelaide was born on July 30, 1854, and died on October 3, 1862; Ida M., who was born on September 15, 1859, and who married David Owens, lives at Continental, Ohio; Prosper L., who was born on July 6, 1863, lives near the Columbia river, in the state of Washington.

Rufus E. Gilbert remained in Cleveland, Ohio, with his parents for three years, after they removed to that city. He attended the public schools of the forest city. He came with his parents to Putnam county, Ohio, and assisted his father with the work of the farm.

tucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, and participating in all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. He was honorably discharged on May 25, 1865, and returned home to resume the peaceful pursuits, which his courage and the courage of his fellows had secured to this country.

Mr. Gilbert was married on July 19, 1866, to Mary A. Pope, a native of Putnam county, and a daughter of George and Fanny (Weaver) Pope. Mr. Gilbert settled on the farm where they now live. They cleared most of the farm and have added to it, till they now own a hundred and seventy-one acres. Although Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert live on the farm, they are retired and the farm is rented out. They have no children.

Politically, Mr. Gilbert is a Democrat. He was decennial appraiser of Continental and Monroe township in 1890, and was infirmary director for six years. He and his wife are members of the Mount Zion Chapel Christian church, of Monroe township. Mr. Gilbert is a pleasant man, intelligent and an interesting conversationalist. He is a man well liked and favorably known m this section of Putnam county, and bears a high reputation in the community for honesty.

Merrick Skiver

It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, removes one by one the obstacles in the pathway of success, and by master strokes of his own force and vitality, succeeds in forging his way to the front and winning for himself a competency. Such is the record of Merrick Skiver, a popular citizen of Monroe township, to whose life and character the following pages are devoted.

Merrick Skiver was born on June 25, 1849, m Highland township. Defiance county, Ohio. He is a son of Isaac and Mary (Wheeler) Skiver, the former of whom was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on March 12, 1826, and the latter of whom was born in Germany, on May 14, 1830.

The grandfather of Merrick Skiver was David Skiver, who was bom about 1786, in Pennsylvania, and who settled in Tuscarawas county, Ohio in pioneer days. He was married to Sarah Warner. David Skiver was one' of the first settlers in Defiance county, Ohio, and lived there at a time when the Indians and wild beasts roamed the woods. For six years the Indians main- tained a camp near the Skiver family home. David Skiver was a Jacksonian Democrat, and a man who was prominent locally in politics. Mrs. Skiver was a member of the Christian church and the grandmother lived to the advanced age of one hundred and fourteen years. David Skiver was eighty-four years at the time of his death.

Isaac Skiver, the father of Merrick, was reared on a farm in Tuscarawas Ohio, and was a great hunter in his early days. He and his wife were the parents of nine children: Merrick, the immediate subject of this sketch; Margaret, the wife of James Van Vlerah; Regina, the wife of John Alspaugh; George Henry, of Defiance, Ohio; Josephine, the wife of William Austin, of Benson, Alabama; Clara, the wife of William Davis, deceased; Calvin A, a resident of Highland towjiship. Defiance county, Ohio; Anna Jane, deceased; Emma, the wife of Adam Stork, of Flint, Michigan, and Hannah, the wife of John James. Isaac Skiver died at the age of eighty-four years at the old homestead farm, while his wife died at Defiance, Ohio, at the home of a relative.

Merrick Skiver received a good common' school education, and this he has supplemented by home study and by practical business experience, and today he is a well-informed man.

Mr. Skiver was married on August 19, 1873, to Rosella Donaldson, who was born on October 4, 1852, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio. She is a daughter of Aaron and Sarah A. Donaldson, the former of whom was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, and who, in turn, was a son of John Donaldson. John Donaldson was born in Maryland in 1784, and married Mary Grubb in 1809, and was a captain in the War of 1812. He died at the age of years. His wife, who was born in 1790, died at the age of eightytwo. Aaron Donaldson was born in 18 10, removed to Putnam county about 1850, settling on eighty acres of land in Union township. He lived on this farm until 1862, when he removed to a farm in Monroe township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. Aaron Donaldson married Sarah A. Swayzee, a native of Fairfield county, born on December 20, 1827.

Mr. and Mrs. Merrick Skiver are the parents of seven children : Olive, born on April 30, 1875, married Ora S. Hitchcock, June 15, 1902, lives in Toledo, Ohio; Elise, born on August 23, 1877, lives at home; Lavern! born on January 8, 1880, died May 14, 1884; Anna, born on November 7, 1881, died May I, 1884; Florence, born on January 12, 1886, is at home; Maude,' born on May 21, 1888, became the wife of Creede Porter, October 18, 1910, and lives at Defiance, Ohio, where Mr. Porter is employed in a steel mill; Violet, born on April 23, 1894, is at home.

When Mr. Merrick first settled on his present farm, the land was covered with swamps, and entirely unreclaimed. So ably has he directed its improvement and cultivation, that his place is now one of the finest and most productive farms in Putnam county, being equipped with a thorough system of dramage. Mr. Skiver has seen Putnam county transformed from a swampy wilderness into a favored and prosperous farming region. He is, in every respect, a successful farmer.

Mr. Skiver has never been active in political matters, but he served as school director for a number of years. He is not active now. He is a congenial man, a loving father and a kind husband, and has always been a good provider for the wants of his family. He has a fine farm and believes in progressive methods of farming, his farm proving this better than anything that can be said. He has been a hard worker, frugal in his habits and has acquired more than a substantial competence for his- old age.

John W. Ernst

The success of men in business or any vocation depends upon character as well as upon knowledge. Business demands confidence, and where that is lacking, business ends. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth, rather than for their wealth or political standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them the younger generation heed their example, and when they wrap the drapery of their couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams, posterity listens with reverence to the story of their useful lives. John W. Ernst, a wellknown farmer of Monroe township, Putnam county, Ohio, who, until a few years ago, was the proprietor of the leading livery barn at Continental and who is now a prosperous farmer, is a man who belongs to this class.

Mr. Ernst was born on October i, 1864, in Monroe, Allen county Ohio He IS the son of David and Mary Jane (Seibert) Ernst. David Ernst was born m 183 1, Carroll county, Ohio, and was the son of Henry Ernst, a native of Germany, and a pioneer in Carroll county, Ohio. David Ernst was reared as a farmer, and followed this vocation throughout his entire life His father also, was a farmer and a stanch member of the Methodist church Mrs. Mary Jane (Seibert) Ernst, the mother of David, was a native of Carroll county, Ohio, and the daughter of Samuel Seibert. She was born in 1836, and IS still living at Cairo, Ohio.

To David and Mary Jane (Seibert) Ernst, eleven children were born: Samuel B., Sarah, Oliver A., Saloma, John W., Daniel C, Simon A., Burton H., William, Mary B. and Dollie May.

David Ernst was a soldier in the Civil War. After serving his enlistment, he returned home and devoted the remainder of his life to his family and to his home, having, before his death in July, 1892, acquired a substantial competence.

John W. Ernst, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. He received a good common-school education and was well equipped for life. In 1887, Mr. Ernst engaged in the livery business in Continental, and continued in this^ occupation until April, 1906, when he sold out to Charles Kalt, and retired to his splendid farm of forty acres west of Continental. At the time Mr. Ernst sold his livery business, he also sold his property in Continental. Mr. Ernst now follows general farming and the raising of grain and live stock. He is a man well known for his sterling character and dependable habits. He is a good judge of horses and now owns a fine white Arabian stallion. He has been closely identified with the history of Continental and was one of the pioneers of this town. He has witnessed many improvements and changes and has seen the town grow from small beginnings to its present proportions. Mr. Ernst has added to his original forty acres, until he now owns a hundred and five acres, all of which is located in Monroe township, Putnam county.

John W. Ernst was married on September 11, 1892, to Mary E. Varner who was bom in Putnam county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Isaiah Varner. Mrs. Ernst was born on September 26, 1869, in Greensburg township, and died on April 12, 191 1, at the age of forty-one years, six months and fifteen days. She became a Christian early in life, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Continental. During her entire life she was a loving wife and a kind mother, and at the time of her death left a large circle of friends and relatives, including a father, mother, six brothers, twosisters and five children.