Ottawa Township (part 14 of 23)

Herman Holtkamp was united in marriage in 1890 to Mary Siefker the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Tenwalde) Siefker, a prominent fam^ ily m Union township. Mrs. Holtkamp is one of a family of seven children the others being Henry, John, Elizabeth, Anna, Joseph and Catherine of whom Henry, Elizabeth and Anna are now deceased

To the union of Herman and Mary (Siefker) Holtkamp nine children have been born, as follow: Henry (deceased), bom on August .8 89 Edward, born on December 7, 1892; Henry, born on FebrLry 7

Mr. and Mrs. Holtkamp are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida and are earnestly devoted to the sacred interests of that parish, in the various beneficences of which they are active participants. For twenty-seven years Mr. Holtkamp has served as organist and choir director in St. Michael's church, his service in this connection ever having proved acceptable to the parish, in which there is no more popular member than he.

In public affairs Mr. Holtkamp always has taken a deep interest and has given to the politics of the county a degree of intelligent attention which has lent much weight to his counsels in the deliberations of the party managers. He was appointed postmaster at Kalida in June, 19 14, by the President, entering upon the duties of this important office in the next month, and is g'iving the public most excellent service through that office. He has a splendid reputation throughout that part of the county and is very properly regarded as one of the leading men of affairs.

James H. Teegardin

The farmer's greatest economic interest is in increased profit. Involved in this interest, which is potent to the farmer's prosperity, is the problem of distribution. The problem of distribution is no other than that of market. If production on the farm is increased, improved market facilities to safeguard the farmers economic interest in greater profits must eliminate, to some extent, the present waste in distribution. The present and future efforts to avoid this waste must compensate the farmer for raising larger crops, which otherwise would mean only that he would receive the same number of dollars for a greater number of bushels. The two most important economic problems of agriculture are greater production and improved market facilities. Experience seems to prove that co-operation is the keynote to a better system of distribution between producer and consumer and, in brief, to the improvement of market facilities. James H. Teegardin, one of the successful and well-known farmers of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a man who has made a close study of every phase of modern farming. No man has done more than he to emphasize the needs of better

James H. Teegardin was born on March 19, 1866, in Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Mayberry) Teegardin. Joseph Teegardin was born in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, Ohio, on March 19, 1840, and died in Pleasant township, Putnam county, on March 10, 1892. He was the son of Henry and Rachel (Decker) Teegardin. Henry Teegardin was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, three miles from Groveport, and came to Sugar Creek township, Allen county, in 1830. He was- the son of William Teegardin, who was a native of Pennsylvania and who settled in Fairfield county, where he spent the remainder of his life on the original Teegardin homestead. He died at the age of about eighty-two years. It was William Teegardin who entered the land in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, from the government, which has been turned over to several successive generations of his descendants. As in the past, this property was given to his sons, though he himself had never moved to Allen county, always remaining in Fairfield county. He had ten children, four daughters and six sons, one of whom was Henry, the grandfather of James H. Henry Teegardin settled on one of the farms of one hundred and sixty acres which was entered by his father, where he lived and died. He passed through all of the pioneer experiences of the men of his generation, was a very industrious farmer and, for his time, was 'considered very prosperous. He died at about the age of fifty years of pneumonia. Henry and Rachel Teegardin had nine children, Mar_v, who was familiarly known as "Polly" ; Elizabeth, Joseph, the father of James H. ; Peter, John, William, Daniel and a son and a daughter, who died in childhood. Rachel Teegardin survived her husband many years and was married again to James Mayberry. She died at the advanced age of eighty-two years, in February, 1899. Joseph Teegardin, who was the eldest son, took charge of the old homestead in Allen county after his father's death._ It was on this old place that he spent his childhood and youth at the tim'e he attended the typical log cabin school At the age of twenty-three, on May 23, 1863, he was married to Sarah Elizabeth Mayberry, who was born in Pleasant township, Putnam county, on May 13 1843, and who was the daughter of James and Mary (Jamison) Mayberry' It was James Mayberry who, after his first wife's death, married Rachel Teegardin. Joseph and Sarah Teegardin, the parents of James H Teegardm, were, therefore, step brother and sjster, as well as husband and wife

After Joseph Teegardin's marriage he settled in the southeast corner of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, on eighty acres of land belonging to his father, which farm he purchased after the latter's death from the remainder of the heirs. In about nine years, or in 1870, he sold this farm and moved to Columbus Grove, where he lived for nine years. He then moved to a small farm two and one-half miles north of Columbus Grove, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying on March 10, 1892. Although not a member of any church, he died in the Christian faith. He was ill about seven years prior to his death. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a Democrat. Joseph and Sarah (Mayberry) Teegardin had five children, Emma, James H., the subject of this sketch ; William A., Thomas M. and Alice, who died in infancy. Mrs. Joseph Teegardin still lives and resides with her grandchild, Mrs. May Darbyshire, of Lima, Ohio.

James H. Teegardin spent his early childhood on his father's farm in Sugar Creek township. His boyhood was spent in Columbus Grove and later on the farm north of Columbus Grove. Here he attended the public schools and after finishing school helped his father on the farm. At the age of sixteen he started in life for himself and began working for neighboring farmers, which he continued to do until he became twenty years of age, when he married.

James H. Teegardin was married on April 14, 1886, to Etta Sherman, who was born in Putnam county in September, 1870, and who is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Utter) Sherman. To this union were born two children, Bessie, who died al; the age of six weeks, and Nellie, who died at the age of four. Mrs. Etta Teegardin died in March, 1897, and after her death Mr. Teegardin was married a second time, on April 14, 1898, to Mrs. Jane (Myers) Vandemark, the widow of James M. Vandemark. Mrs. Teegardin had five children by her first marriage, Clarence, Emmet, Clara, Vena, who died at the age of two years, and Alva J. All four of these children are living and are married. Mrs. Teegardin is the daughter of James and Deborah (McDale) Myers, the former of whom was born in Pleasant township, Putnam county, on September 4, 1830, and died in Union township in February, 1912, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, Deborah McDale, was born on June 29, 1835, in Pleasant township and is still living.

After Mr. Teegardin's first marriage he rented a farm in Pleasant township for two years. During the following ten years he was engaged in factory work at Columbus Grove and Carey, Ohio. Later and after his second marriage he took up his residence on the James Vandemark farm, where he has resided ever since.

VV., born on May 2, 1899, and Joseph C, May 30, 1903. After Mr. Teegardin's second marriage he negotiated with the heirs of the James Vandemark estate and purchased their interest in the farm, which he now owns. His farm consists of one hundred and forty-six acres and is located two and one-half miles northwest of Vaughnsville. His land is in a fine state of cultivation, is well improved and no better farm can be found anywhere. Mr. Teegardin had the misfortune, on November 23, 1914, to lose a fine barn that had just been erected and which was destroyed by fire. He has since duplicated this structure with a barn which is modern to the smallest detail. He has a comfortable residence and neatly and well-kept outbuildings. Mr. Teegardin has always done general farming and has paid considerable attention to the Ohio Improved Chester hogs and keeps only thoroughbreds. He also raises Shorthorn cattle for dairy and beef purposes.

James H. Teegardin and wife are members of the Ottawa River Christian church, while Mr. Teegardin is a member of Vaughnsville Lodge No 711, Knights of Pythias. He has passed all of the chairs in his local lodge except one. Mr. Teegardin is a Democrat, although he has never been particularly active. He is a progressive farmer of Sugar Creek township, cleancut and favorably known.

Charles R. Smith

The farmers' interest" in road-building is universally recognized Good roads furnish easy access to market and reduce the wear of his vehicles and machinery. They are civilizing agents that open up to him the outside world even more than railroads or trolley lines. Moreover, the farmer is interested' not so much m gigantic expenditures for road-building, which amount to six hundred million dollars each year, but in getting the worth of his monev invested m this enterprise. He has a right to know whether the forty-four mi hon dollars, expended in state aid of road-building in 1914, was economically used He ought to know enough about making roads to find the answer for himself. One of the prominent farmers of Sugar Creek township Putnam county Ohio, who is extremely interested in road-building and in markets, is Charies R. Smith. ^

He i^^Ilf '' °" J""' "^' ^^^3, in Allen county, Ohio. He IS the son ofBenjamm O. and Margaret A. (Hines) Smith. Benjamin Smith was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in October, 1832, and was the son of James and Mary (Stover) Smith. James Smith was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, in 1810, and died in 1893. He was a farmer in Virginia, where he grew to manhood and was married. He came to Ohio, overland, in a covered wagon, arriving in Vaughnsville on January i, 1837. He then entered land from the government in section 22, about two miles northeast of Vaughnsville. He remained in Vaughnsville until he had built a cabin and then moved to his new-found home. He proceeded to clear his land arid succeeded in getting about fifty acres in cultivation. He spent the remainder of his life on the old homestead, where his wife died in April, 1888, he surviving her by five years. They had eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom Charles R. Smith's father, Benjamin O. Smith, was next to the eldest. Benjamin O. Smith was only five years of age when his parents came to Putnam county, where he grew to manhood. He attended the district schools and helped his father to clear the land and farm the home place. At twenty-seven years of age he was married to Margaret A. Hines, who was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, in 1836, and who was the daughter of Peter and Fanny (Stover) Hines, who in turn were both natives of Virginia and immigrated to Randolph county, Missouri, when their daughter, Margaret, was a child. Here her parents settled on a farm and remained the balance of their lives. Margaret Hines was one of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Benjamin O. Smith went to Missouri, where he met and married Margaret Hines. After their marriage, they returned to Ohio and settled just northwest of his father's homestead, where they remained for a short time. Subsequently, they removed to a farm in the extreme northern part of Allen county, two miles west of Columbus Grove. It was here that Charles R. Smith was born. Benjamin O. Smith moved again, shoJ-tly afterward, to a farm northeast of Gomer in Allen county, where he remained for a few years. Later, he moved to a farm in Allen county, about one and one-half miles west of Charles R. Smith's birthplace. He bought this farm, but two years later, sold out on account of his wife's health, and moved to Missouri, in the fall of 1 87 1. Here she died, in January, 1872. They had four children, three sons and one daughter, Cornelius F., Charles R., the subject of this sketch; Paschal M. and Mary F., deceased, who married George W. Foltz, and has one child living, Donald. Benjamin O. Smith returned to Ohio, with his family, immediately after the death of his wife, to the old homestead, where Benjamin O. was again married, in 1876, to Mrs. Rebecca (Stover) Pearson. To this union were born three children, Clayton, who died in childhood ; Carl, who died in infancy, and Nellie, who died about the age of seventeen. Benjamin O. Smith died on the old home place on December 1 6, 1888. At one time he was a member of the Christian church. He was a Democrat in politics.

Charles R. Smith was eight years old when his father returned from Missouri and has continued to live on the home place of his father and grandfather since that time. He attended the Smith district school and, after finishing the common school, helped his father on the farm until he became of age, after which time he went to Randolph county, Missouri. There he for one and one-half years. At the end of this period, he returned to his home to take charge of the farm, after his father's death in 1888.

Charles R. Smith continued to farm here until 1890, when he again went to Missouri and was married to Susie W. Furnish, who was born in California, in January, 1861. She was the daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Riggs) Furnish. After his marriage, Mr. Smith again returned to Ohio, and has resided here ever since. Charles R. and Susie W. (Furnish) Smith have had three children. Earl F., who was born on December lo,' 1891 ; Erma C, June 12, 1893, and who is the wife of William J. Jones, and Pau'l Raymond, May 21, 1895. Both boys are students of Defiance College. Mrs. Smith died on June 19, 1899. About three years after the death of Mrs. Susie Smith, Mr. Smith was again married on January i, 1902, to Mrs. Lillie V. (Jenkins) Gordon, who was born in Union county, Ohio, September 2, 1867. She is the daughter of William and Lucinda (Holycross) Jenkins! The former was born in Muskingham county, Virginia, December 25, 1840 and died in Paulding county, Ohio, September 23, 1905. Lucinda Holycross was born on August 21, 1836, and died on July 31, 1900, at Grover Hill Pauldmg county, Ohio. William and Lucinda Jenkins had eleven children' six daughters and five sons, Abraham M., Lydia A., William Lawrence' Tabitha J., John A., Lillie B., the wife of Mr. Smith; Eli Clemens Earl P ' Mattie B., Nellie W. and Cassie Maude, all of whom are living, except Eli C. To Charles R. and Lillie V. (Jenkins) Smith have been bom two children, one daughter, who died at birth, and Russell Dale, on June 3, 1905

Charles R. Smith has always done general farming and has been successful. He, with his wife, are members of the Christian church. Mr Smith has been clerk treasurer and trustee of the church. Mr. Smith is a member of Vaughnsville Lodge No. 711, Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat and has served as a member of the school board. He was a member at the time the new school house was built at Vaughnsville. Charles R. Smith is well and favorably known in Sugar Creek township and well merits the esteem and confidence m which he is held by his neighbors and fellow citizens.

Frank J. Smith

For four generations the Smith family, one of the best known of the many famiHes of German origin in Putnam county, has been counted as a factor of the development of that section of the county in which their influence has been most largely felt. In all that time the influence for good exerted by this family, has been steadfast and sure, and there can be no doubt that it has been potent in aiding the advancement of the cause of good local government wherever it has been felt. In thus making its impress upon the life of the community this family is entitled to mention in any work that attempts to deal with the history of this county, and the attention of the reader is called to this brief biography of the gentleman, a prosperous representative of the family here referred to, one of the most progressive farmers of Union township.

Frank J. Smith was born on a farm in section 34, in Union township,. Putnam county, Ohio, on April 28, 1873, the son of L. Jacob and Florentine (Verhoff ) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Germany, the son of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Harb) Smith, and the latter of whom was a native, of Erie county, Ohio, the daughter of Francis and Anna Maria (Kramer) Verhoff. For further details regarding the genealogy of the Verhoff family the reader's attention is directed to the biographical sketch of Theodore Vernhoff, presented elsewhere in this volume.

Jacob Smith, who was born in Germany, was one of the issue of his father's second marriage. By his father's first marriage there were two children, Peter and John Jacob, both of whom are now deceased; and by the second marriage there were eight children, all of whom are deceased : Jacob,, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Joseph, Anthony, Frank, Mary, Christina, and two whose names have been lost to the present generation. All these children were born in Germany and came to America with their parents, the family settling on a farm in Erie county, Ohio, where the parents spent the remainder of their days. The Smith home was five miles south of the city of Sandusky, and the various members of the family became prominent members of that section. All were members of the Catholic church and were devoted to the affairs of the local parish ; also being diligent in the good works of the community in general. It was there that Jacob Smith grew to manhood, and there he married Wilhelmina Harb, the daughter of Hubert and Cecelia (Anselm) Harb, the latter of whom was born in Germany, and upon their marriage came to America, settling in Erie county, Ohio, where they made their home on a farm during the remainder of their

Jacob Smith remained in Erie county for three years after his marriage,, and then came to Putnam county, locating on a farm of forty acres in Union township, to which he later added sixty acres, and on this farm he and his wife reared their family and he spent the remainder of his life. To Jacob, and Wilhelmina (Harb) Smith there were born eight children: L. Jacob, Hubert, Cecelia, Wilhelmina, John, Mary, Theresa and Anthony. These children were brought up in the Catholic faith and were members of the church at Glandorf, as were their parents. Jacob Smith predeceased his wife, and upon his death she married, secondly, William Rampe, a shoe manufacturer at Glandorf, who, after this marriage, moved to Ottawa, and there the paternal grandmother of Frank J. Smith spent the remainder of her days. L. Jacob Smith, first-born of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Harb) Smith, was. reared on the paternal farm in Union township, this county, and received his education in the schools of Union and Greensburg townships. During the early years of his young manhood he worked on his father's farm, but after his marriage moved to a farm of one hundred acres in section 34, in Union township. He found this tract practically unimproved, and has brought it up to a state of cultivation second to none in that part of the county. As hisfarming operations extended, and their success became amply proved, he gradually added to his holdings, until at the time of his retirement from the active work of the farm he was the owner of slightly more than three hundred acres of choice farm land. Upon deciding to retire, he divided the greater portion of his lands among his children and bought five acres in the town of Kalida, on which he erected a splendid residence, and there he and his wife are now living in quiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of their early industry. In order that he might not "rust" in his old age, Mr. Smith, at the time of his retirement, bought twenty-three acres near his new home,' to the cultivation of which he gave considerable attention. Though practically retired, he is active enough to do a good day's work yet and would reject with scorn any implication that he is "on the shelf." Mr. Smith is an active, intelligent old gentleman, highly respected, as is his good wife, both of whom enjoy the esteem of all who know them. In his more active days, Mr. Smith gave much attention to the public affairs of his neighborhood and had served the community very acceptably in the capacity of township trustee. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church, in which faith they reared their children, and he is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society at Kalida. On June 10, 1872, L. Jacob Smith was united in marriage with Floren- tine Verhoff, a member of one of the county's old families, and to this union there were born seven children, as follow : Frank J., with whom this sketch particularly treats; Hubert, born on January 26, 1875; Wilhelmina, born on April 5, 1877; J- August, born on May 13, 1882; Anthony, born on April 17, 1885; Harry, born on June 19, 1888, and died on September i, 1892, and William.

Frank J. Smith, first born of the above union, received his early education at St. Michael's parochial school, assisting his father on the farm during the vacation periods. During the years of his young manhood he "worked out" for three years and on June 10, 1903, was united in marriage with Helena Kahle, the daughter of Frank and Bernardina (Brinkman) Kahle, members of an old family in this county, whose genealogy is given special mention in the biographical sketch which appears elsewhere in this volume under the name of Frank Kahle, the father of Mrs. Smith.

After his marriage, Frank J. Smith moved onto the farm on which he now resides and which he bought from his father a couple of months previous to his marriage. This farm originally consisted of one hundred acres, which Air. Smith enlarged in 191 1 by the purchase of forty acres in Greensburg township, which he uses for pasture. Since taking over this farm, he has greatly improved the same and now has one of the best and most completely appointed farms in that part of the county. In addition to general farming, Mr. Smith engages quite extensively in the raising of cattle, his herd of fullblooded Herefords providing him with considerable profit.

To Frank J. and Helena (Kahle) Smith there have been born six children, as follow: Ignatius Albert Jacob, born on May 8, 1904; Franz 0thmar Heironomous, born on December i , 1906; Hubert Norbert Oscar, born on May 15, 1908; Franz William Harold, born on January 10, 1910; Marie Francesca Clara, bom on November 13, 191 1, and Maria Anna Wilhelmina, born on July i, 1913.

Frank T. Smith and wife are devoted members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida and are earnest workers in all the beneficences of that parish. Mr. Smith is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society and is likewise interested in all the good works of his community, he and Mrs. Smith being active in the various local movements designed to elevate the common welfare. He is one of the trustees of the Kalida Mutual Telephone Company and finds time, in connection with the muhifarious duties of his iarm to give proper attention to the public affairs of the township, in the good government of which he is deeply interested. The Smith family are known far and near for their amiability and hospitality and are quite popular among all classes throughout that section of the county.

Moston Wood

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricuUural sections of our country is due to the honest industry, the steady persistence, the unswerving perseverance and the wise economy which commonly characterize the farming element of the Buckeye state. Among this class may he mentioned Moston Wood, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acc[uired a well-merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

Moston Wood was born near West Cairo, Allen county, Ohio, on September 21, 1869, and is descended from sterling English ancestry. His parents were Sanford B. and Susan (Trice) Wood. Sanford Wood was born in Allen county on December 31, 1846, the son of Albert G. Wood, a native of Logan county, Ohio. Albert G. came to Allen county in young manhood with his parents, who had entered land from the government, adjoining what is now the city of Lima. Albert Wood's father, Christopher Wood, the great-grandfather of Moston Wood, was one of the most prominent and active men of his community in pioneer days. He helped to lay out the city of Lima, in 1831, became the first judge of Allen county and was one of the commissioners appointed to locate the county seat. He was born in ICentucky in 1769, and was in many respects a remarkable man, serving" on the frontier as an Indian scout and engaging in many of the border campaigns, including those of the War of 1812. He settled on Sugar creek in Allen county about 1824, where he continued to reside for many years. Albert Wood, who had come to Allen county when about fifteen or sixteen years of age, was twice married and to his first union were born nine children, of whom Sanford B., the father of Moston, was the youngest. Sanford B. Wood was about six years of age when his mother died and his father afterward married Mrs. Mary (Snyder) Trice, to which union were born five children, three girls and two boys. Albert Wood bought a farm two miles south of West Cairo and on that place Sanford B. Wood was reared to manhood. He enlisted as a private in the Sixty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1863, and served throughout the remainder of that struggle, participating in eleven battles and taking part with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. Upon the conclusion of hostilities he returned home and was married to Susan Trice, a native of Hagerstown, Maryland. Her father dying in Maryland, Mrs. Wood was brought by her mother to West Cairo, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and remained until her marriage to Sanford Wood. After his marriage Mr. Wood operated the old home farm for a number of years, and when Moston Wood was eleven years old the family came to Putnam county, locating on eighty acres of land two miles northwest of Vaughnsville, in Sugar Creek township, which is Moston Wood's present residence. To these parents were born eight children, Mollie, the wife of J. E. Deffenbaugh; Moston, the immediate subject of this review; Charlie, who married Tillie Syfert; William T., who married Grace Weaner; Albert E., who married Bertha Griffith; Garfield, who married Bessie Rimer; Walter W., who married Ellie Syfert, and one who died in infancy.

Moston Wood spent his early childhood days on the home farm, in Allen county, but his later youth was spent on the farm to which the family moved in Putnam county, where he received his education. He remained with his father on the home farm until attaining his majority, when he was engaged in various employments, until about 1896, when he engaged in the threshing business at which he had been employed somewhat during the previous six years. About this time, he located at Rimer, where he resided the following five years, and then moved to a farm one-half mile east of Rimer, which was his home during the following decade. Upon leaving Rimer, he disposed of his threshing machine and business and gave his entire attention to his farm. On March 7, 1913, Mr. Wood purchased the farm one-half mile west of Rimer, where he now lives and where he is engaged in the operation of fifty acres of land, in addition to his home place. He has consistently followed general farming, raising all the crops common to this locality and, by giving attention to their rotation and the use of other successful methods of up-to-date farming, he has been prosperous to that degree in keeping with which his efforts were bestowed. He also raises a good grade of live stock and is an advocate of all advanced methods in agriculture.

Moston Wood was united in marriage, on February 26, 1896, to Ada Elnora Deffenbaugh, who was born on June 2, 1873, in Nemaha' county, Kansas, the daughter of Albert G. and Mary Elizabeth (Rohrer) Deffenbaugh. Albert G. Deffenbaugh was a native of Putnam county, Ohio, the son of John and Anna (Marshall) Deffenbaugh, who were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Putnam county in the early days, entering land from the government in Sugar Creek township. Mr. Deffenbaugh was promment in the early political life of the community and for several years efficiently filled the position of county auditor. Mary Elizabeth Rohrer was the daughter of Daniel Rohrer and was born in Champaign county, Ohio To Moston and Ada E. (Deffenbaugh) Wood have been born two children Lewis Raymond, on December 25, 1896, and Glenn Donald, October 8, 1908' Mrs. Wood is one of seven children, the others being: Asa.Eslie, who mar- ried Clara Harrison; John Ezra, who married Mollie Wood; Louis Samuel, who died at the age of twelve years; Roy C, who married Nettie Bochmer; Lizzie May, who died at the age of sixteen years, and William B., who married Agnes Laudick.

Mr. Wood is a Republican and has rendered efficient service as the trustee of Sugar Creek township, having been elected to that office in November, 1913. He attends the Christian church of which his wife is a member and to the support of which he liberally contributes. Mr. Wood is distinctively one of the leading citizens of the township in which he lives and, as such, has made his influence felt among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.

John D. Williams

^ The two most important economic problems of agriculture from the social point of view and from the point of view of those engaged in the mdustry, are greater production and improved market facilities. John D. Williams, one of the best-known and most prominent farmers of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, is a man who, throughout his active career as a farmer, has emphasized the need of greater protection and better facilities for market. Mr. Williams's remarkable success as a farmer and stockman has resulted from two or three principal conditions. In the first place, Mr. Williams has for a long period of years forcefully applied himself to the problems of the farm and especially to the problem of larger production. He is a man who has made a close study of marketing and always has been able to get the best prices for his farm products. Aside from his material success in his life's vocation, Mr. Williams is a man of genteel personality, intelligent, broad minded and liberal in his attitude.

John D. Williams was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 10, 1862 He is the son of David L. and Mary (Griffith) Williams. David L was born m North Wales, on June 16, 1832, and died on the old Williams homestead, south of Vaughnsvnie, Ohio, on February 6, 1908, at the ripe old age of seventy-six years and eight months. David L. Williams was the son of Hugh and Catherine (Lloyd) Williams, both natives of North Wales The former was a quarryman and was killed as a result of a blast in a stone quarry. His death occurred when David, the father of John D., was a small boy. His wife, Catherine, survived him only a few years. They had four children, two sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom was David, the father of John D.

David Williams spent his youth in Wales and while a boy he had the misfortune to receive an injury to one of his eyes, which nearly resulted in the loss of that member. He also suffered an injury to his knee that caused him to adopt the trade of a shoemaker. Fortunately, the injured knee became well, in later years, and he then gave up his work as a shoemaker. David received a limited education in his native country, but later was able to improve himself and became a well-read man. He was very fond of music, in which he was quite proficient. He was a leader of the choir in the Congregational church at Vaughnsville for some time. This church he helped to organize and he was a charter member. When about twenty-four years of age he came to America, and located first at Rome, New York, in 1856. Here he was employed for about a year on a farm, and then came to Licking county, Ohio, where he located at Newark, where he resumed farming. It was in Licking county that he was married, which marriage took place on February i, i860, when David Williams was twenty-eight years old. He was married to Mary Griffith, who was born in South Wales on September 17, 1835, and who was the daughter of William T. and Charlotte (Jones) Griffith. She came to America with her parents when a very small child, who settled in Licking county where they were farmers, and it was here they spent the remainder of their lives. They had nine children, seven girls and two boys. Mrs. Williams was the third child.

After his marriage, David Williams, who owned a small farm in Licking county, continued to farm for about six years, when he moved to Putnam county in the spring of 1866, where he settled in Sugar Creek township, one mile south of Vaughnsville. Here he bought eighty acres of land and, a little later, added forty acres to the original farm, which was well improved for that time. It had a large frame house and barn and had about sixty acres of land cleared. David Williams was a very successful farmer. He came to America a poor boy and, by dint of energy and perseverance, accumulated about five hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a Republican in politics, but in late years became a Democrat. He was one of Putnam county's most substantial citizens, a devout Christian, a man of high ideals and of unquestioned integrity. His wife, Mary (Griffith) Williams, was also a member of the Congregational church. She was a devoted wife and loving mother. She died about two years prior to her husband's death, May 19, 1907. They had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to maturity. These children are as follow: WilHam G., born on November 15, i860; John D., the subject of this sketch, March 10,' 1862; Catherine, October 14, 1863; Charlotte, August 7, 1865, died on July, 1888; Thomas F., January 16, 1867; David L., December 21, 1869; Henry R., November 5, 1871 ; Hugh, November 19, 1873; Mary, January 30, 1876, and Walter E., November 26, 1878. All of these children married except Charlotte, who died at the age of twenty- three.

John D. Williams was born in Licking county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county when about four years of age. Here he spent the remainder of his childhood and youth. He attended the old Michael district school and helped his father on the home place until twenty-five years of age, when he married on December 22, 1887, to Mary Jones, who was born on September 16, 1861, in Allen county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Evan W. and Leah (Jones) Jones, both of whom were natives of North Wales. They had four children who died in infancy, Jennie, Bessie and two others, who died at birth.

After his marriage, Mr. Williams located on forty acres, part of a one hundred and sixty-acre tract belonging to his father, two and one-half miles west of Vaughnsville. Later, he purchased this forty acres and forty additional acres from his father. Several years later, he added, at different times, thirty-eight and sixty-nine acres respectively, giving him a total of one hundred and eighty-six acres. Mr. Williams has improved his home place with a commodious, modern residence and a large barn and other buildings, in keeping with the surroundings. The result is that he has one of the finest and best-improved farms in Putnam county. Mr. Williams has always done general farming and has been very successful.

Mrs. Mary Williams died on October 16, 1896. Mr. Williams was again married on March 24, 1898, to Anna Jones, who was born in Franklin county on September 11, 1862, and who was the daughter of John D; and Mary (Davis) Jones. Both were natives of North Wales and both came to this country in 1858, five years after their marriage which took place on May 3, 1853. The former was a son of David and Catherine (Jones) Jones and was born on April 9, 1828. John D. Jones was a farmer by occupation and one of six children. The father died when he was but six years of age, and his mother when he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of nine,' he started out in life for himself, working for his uncle. His wife, Mary' was born on August 5, 1828, and was the daughter of Richard and Sarah Davis.. Mary was one of a family of nine children, seven of whom lived to maturity. John D. Jones died on January 12, 1876, in Putnam county.

His wife, Mary, died on October i, 1870, when her daughter Anna, the wife 'Of Mr. WilHams, was eight years of age. When two years of age, Mrs. Anna Williams came with her parents to Sugar Creek township, Putnam where they located two and one-half miles northeast of Vaughnsville. Here she spent her childhood and here she attended the old Smith school. She remained at home until her marriage to Mr. Williams, when she took up her present residence.

John D. Williams is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 711, of Vaughnsville. He is also a member of the Congregational church and a trustee of this church. John D. Williams is one of Sugar Creek township's and Putnam county's most substantial and progressive citizens. He is well and favorably known throughout Putnam county.

Elias Welty

It is a well-attested maxim that the greatness of a community or state lies, not in the machinery of government or even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars he whose name appears at the head of this review has conferred a dignity upon his locality. As an elemental part of the history, it is fitting to record a resume of his career, with the object of noting his connections -with the advancement of one of the most flourishing and progressive sections -of the commonwealth. No man in Putnam county stands higher in the of his fellow citizens than Elias Welty, and very few men are better known than he. Very few have contributed as much as he to the industrial prestige of this county. As treasurer and general manager of Putnam county's largest individual industry, Mr. Welty has been connected with ^very feature of Putnam county's growth and prosperity during the last two -decades.

Elias Welty was born on September 6, 1874, on the old Welty homestead, two and one-half miles east of Pandora, Riley township, Putnam -county, Ohio. He is the son of John U. and Catherine (Thut) Welty, whose family history is contained in the sketch of Mr. Welty's brother, Aldine J., recorded elsewhere in this volume.

Elias Welty attended the Old Mulberry district school when a boy, and -supplemented his education received there by a course in a school of correispondence, becoming an expert in drafting and outlining patterns. He re- niained on the old home place and helped his father until he had reached his majority. At this time he took up the carpenter trade and followed it for one year. He then took a position as an engineer in the planing mill of Peter P. Welty, at Pandora, and retained this position for two years In 1897, Mr. Welty joined with P. A. and John M. Amstutz in the organization and erection of a mill at Pandora. The concern was known as the Pandora Woolen WAX. Mr. Welty continued in this business for two years, and then sold out. A new concern, known as the Pandora Manufacturing Company, took over the assets of the old company and started an overall factory At this time, Mr. Welty took a minor position with the new company as well as a financial interest in it. He was an operator of a button machine and held this position for six months, when he took up folding, along with other work, in the meantime. At the expiration of six months, he was engaged in spraying goods and as a helper in the cutting department. Following this, he devoted all his time to cutting with an electric cutter. It was at this particular time that he took up his correspondence schools work in drafting patterns and in making new designs. He was in full charge of the cutting department for some time, - approximately five vears. By July 1909 he had become so proficient in every detail pertaining to the management and manufacturing department of this company that the board of directors unanimously elected him treasurer and manager of the company, which was a distinct compliment and a tribute to his untiring efforts and ability in behalf of the company's success.

From time to time, Mr. Welty has increased his financial holdings in the company, until he is now the largest stockholder. His efforts as treasurer and manager of the company have met with marked success, and to his ability IS due, very largely, the credit for the splendid standing of this firm The original business has grown to such an extent that, in igio the company took over the plant of the New Ideal Overall Company at Celina Ohio and m the spring of 1913, the company opened an exclusive shirt' factory at Zanesville, Ohio. Since which time, under the able management of Mr Welty, the three plants, operated as one, have more than doubled their busi

^xi?' !\ ^''''^'* '^"''^"^'' '^' ''^"^^^^^ °f Abraham and Catherine (Hilty) Amstutz. Mrs. Welty was born, August 26, 1873 Her family history ,s to be found in the sketch of P. A. Amstutz, and of Isaac Hiltv found elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, and attended the common schools. She resided with her parents on the Amstutz homestead until the time of her marriage. To Elias and Elizabeth (Amstutz) Welty six children have been born, all of whom are living and at home. They are as follow : Orrin Stanley, Catherine Leona, Dorothy Elizabeth, Elmer Elias, Ruth Marie and Ledihlia Opal.

Elias Welty is a Democrat, and while he has never. taken an active interest in political affairs, he is a man whose judgment is respected and whose counsel is sought. He is a member of the Grace Mennonite church and active in the affairs of this denomination. Mrs. Welty is also a member. In every respect, Elias Welty is a self-made, successful business man. In spite of obstacles, he has forged his way to the front, and has reached an enviable position as a head of Putnam county's largest industry. He is a business man of recognized ability and integrity, and a distinct asset to the community where he has spent practically all his life, and where he is so well known.

John E. Thomas

Success is achieved only by the exercise of certain and distinct cjualities of nature and it cannot be achieved without effort. Those to whom great epochal changes have been made in the political and industrial world, began early in life to prepare themselves for their peculiar duties and responsibilities. It was only by the most persevering and continuous endeavor that they succeeded in rising superior to the obstacles in their ways and reaching the goal of their ambition. Such lives are an inspiration to others who are less courageous and more prone to give up the fight before their ideal is reached or definite success attained. Tn the life history of John E. Thomas, there is positive evidence of those peculiar characteristics which make for achievement and persistency coupled with fortitude in cordial and genial temperament. As a consecjuence of exercising these qualities, Mr. Thomas is today one of the leading farmers and most respected citizens of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio.

John E. Thomas was born in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, Ohio, March 23, 1859. He is the son of Evan and Jane (Evans) Thomas. Evan Thomas was born in South Wales in 1827, and was the son of John Thomas and wife, who were natives of Wales.

a short time, subsequently, coming to Sugar Creek township, Allen county, where he settled two miles east of Gomer. Here he established a home in the virgin forest, building quite a pretentious hewed log house with two large rooms and a center hall on the ground floor. He then proceeded to clear his land, and it was here that he remained until his death. John Thomas and wife had fourteen children, all boys, all of whom grew to maturity, rearing large families themselves.

Evan Thomas, the father of John E., was one of the fourteen boys. He was twelve years of age when he came to America. He remained in Pittsburgh for a few years and here learned the carpenter trade in which he became very proficient. He was married in Pittsburgh to Jane Evans, who was a native of ^^'ales and who came as a girl with her parents to America. They settled on a farm in Cambria county and remained there for the balance of their lives. Jane Evans was one of six children, four sons and two daughters. After Evan Thomas's marriage, he moved to Allen county, locating in Sugar Creek township, three miles east of Gomer. Here he bought eighty acres which was heavily timbered. He first built a two-roomed log cabin with a shed lean-to and this served for a good many years. Later, he built a very substantial house of six or seven rooms, which a few years later was added to until it contained ten rooms, which house was built entirely of native timber. It had a center hall and a full basement. It is a noteworthy fact that John E. Thomas's father was a skilled carpenter and made all the material from the rough lumber. His house was built largely of black and white walnut, the doors, windows and other parts being worked out by hand. So well was it constructed that it is still in an excellent state of preservation and is still occupied as a residence.

Evan Thomas, the father of John E., was a very industrious man. He managed to clear practically all of his farm during his residence here and, in addition, followed his trade as, a carpenter in the nearby towns and counties. He finally retired and moved to Gomer, at which time he owned one hundred and twenty-five acres of well-improved land. He was an active member of the Congregational church at Gomer, of which he was a deacon. He was a Republican in politics. Evan Thomas was a man of strong will power and high ideals, and of unquestioned integrity. His wife, Jane Evans, who lived a most useful and consistent life, a member of the Congregational church, a devoted and loving mother, died in the spring of 191 1. Her husband had preceded her by two years, having died in April, 1909. They were the parents of ten children, seven daughters and three sons, two sons and two daughters dying in infancy. Those surviving were Elizabeth, the wife of David

Price, of Gomer, Allen county; Mary, the wife of Robert Jones, of Lima, Ohio; Anna, deceased, the wife of Thomas James, of Stella, Nebraska; John E., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, the wife of William Humphries, of Van Wert, Ohio; and Katie, who died unmarried at Gomer in 1892.

John E. Thomas was born on his father's old homestead farm, three miles east of Gomer, in Sugar Creek township, Allen county. Here he spent his childhood and youth. He attended the old Leipsic district school after which he attended school at the Ohio Northwestern University, at Ada, for two terms. After finishing school, Mr. Thomas continued to help his father on the old home farm. Here he remained until his marriage at the age of twenty-five.

John E. Thomas was married on February 24, 1887, to Lovetta M. Weaver, who was born in German township, Allen county, near Lima, October 13, 1862, and who was the daughter of John and Sallie (Bowers) Weaver. John Weaver was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in November, 1812, and was the son of Peter Weaver and wife, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former of Metz-on-the-Rhine. Peter Weaver came to America when a young man and settled first in Virginia, where he engaged in farming and where he remained until his declining years which, in company with his wife, he spent with his son, David, in Allen county. They had three sons, Peter, David and John, the latter the father of Mrs. Thomas.

John Weaver was born in Virginia and spent his early life there. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade and received a good practical education. He was married to Sallie Bowers, also a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, who was a daughter of John Bowers and wife, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania of German descent. John Bowers lived and died in the Shenandoah Valley. When Sallie Bowers was sixteen years of age, her father died and her mother spent the latter years of her life with her daughter, Lydia, at Petersburg, Illinois. Sallie was one of four daughters, Helena, Lydia, Sallie and Mary. Sallie spent her early life in Virginia and was married, at Lacey Springs, to Mr. Weaver. After their marriage, they resided at this place for several years and then moved to Allen county, Ohio, making the trip overland in a covered wagon. They settled in German township, three miles north of Lima, where John Weaver bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and to which he added thirty acres in later years. This farm he bought of a Mr. Custard, for forty dollars an acre, a record price in those days, the transaction causing considerable comment. It was here that John Weaver remained during the rest of his

Although not a practical farmer, John Weaver, nevertheless, was an active man. He was a notary public for many years and a justice of the peace for about forty years, the duties of these offices requiring all of his time. He was. a successful man, financially, and a man who enjoyed the universal respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. In politics, he was a Democrat. He was a charter member of the Christian church at Cairo and was a deacon in that church until his death.

John and Sallie (Bowers) Weaver had ten children, eight daughters . and two sons, Mary, who became the wife of Frank Cupp, of Ava, Illinois; Hannah, who married Doctor Crone}^ of Columbus, Ohio ; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Irvin, of Lima, Ohio; Samantha, who married Dr. G. H. Irvin, of Lancaster, California; Ollie, who married Nicholas Pf eifer, of Elida, Ohio ; Frank, who is a farmer at Beaver Dam, Ohio ; Ida, who became the wife of Eugene Ritenour, of Elida, Ohio ; Lydia, who married Edward Enslen, of Gomer, Ohio; Lovetta, who is the wife of Mr. Thomas; and William, of Lima, Ohio.

Prior to his marriage, Mr. Thomas spent four or five years as a clerk at Lima, Ohio. After his marriage, he settled on eighty acres of his father's land in the southwestern part of Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, only ten acres of which land was cleared. Mr. Thomas built a four-roomed frame house to which he moved later, where he and his wife have resided since. Mr. Thomas proceeded to clear and drain the land which has practically been completed. In addition to the original eighty, some years later, Mr. Thomas purchased eighty acres on the south, about twenty-five acres of which was cleared, the remainder having since been put under cultivation. In addition to other improvements, Mr. Thomas has added five rooms to his residence, built a large frame barn, a cattle shed and other buildings. Today he has one of the finest and best-improved farms in Putnam county.

John E. and Lovetta M. (Weaver) Thomas have had four children, Grace and Glenn, twins ; Juanita and Bernice. Grace and Glenn were born on April 7, 1890, and the latter died on September 7, 1890; Grace, who graduated from Defiance College, is now a member of the faculty of the Paulding high school; Juanita, January 25, 1892, is now the wife of J. C. Slusser, of Ada, Ohio, and has one child, Roger Weaver; Bernice, March 23, 1896, is a graduate of the Vaughn.sville high school.

of Vaughnsville. John E. Thomas and wife are members of the Ottawa Christian church where Mr. Thomas is treasurer of this congregation. John E. Thomas is one of Sugar Creek township's well-known and progressive farmers ; in fact, he is rated as one of the best farmers in this section of the state. His standing in the community is of the very highest and he is popular with all classes of people. Mr. Thomas has served as justice of the peace for one term and for several terms as a member of the township school board. In addition to his interests in farming, he had considerable success in buying and selling live stock.

William E. Reiger

Dependent, very largely, upon his own resources from his early youth, A\ ilham E. Reiger, of Sugar Creek township, has attained no insignificant success. And though he may have, like most men, encountered obstacles and met with reverses, he has pushed steadily forward, ever willing to work for the success he has achieved. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a large measure to the worthy traits inherited from his sterling father and ancestors. His high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in his relations of life.

William E. Reiger was bom on March 31, 1876, four miles north of Dayton, in Montgomery county, Ohio. He is the son of Ephraim and Christiana (Busche) Reiger. Ephraim Reiger was born in November, 1841, at Baden, Germany, and was the son of Leopold and Christine (Sipe) Reiger. Leopold Reiger was a farmer by occupation, who also conducted a vineyard. He came to America in 1847 and settled in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Dayton, where he purchased a farm and remained for the balance of his life. There were three children born to Leopold and Christine (Sipe) Reiger, Ephraim, the father of William E. ; Minnie, the wife of Valentine Henne, who resided in Dayton, and Barbara, deceased.

Ephraim Reiger came to America with his parents at the age of six years and spent his childhood in Montgomery county, where he attended the common schools and as a young man was employed as a farmer in Montgomery and adjoining counties. He also worked some time in Van AVert county. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to Christiana Busche, of Montgomery county, who was born there in September, 1851. She was a daughter of William and Christiana (Arrat) Busche, both of whom were natives of Germany. William Busche was a farmer by occupation and spent practically all his life after coming to America in Montgomery county. William and Christiana (Arrat) Busche had eight children, five daughters and three sons, William, Jacob, Charles, Callie, Rosie, Matilda, Annie and Christiana, the mother of Mr. Reiger. Christiana spent her childhood in Montgomery county and remained there until her marriage. After the marriage of Ephraim Reiger he remained in Montgomery county for sixteen years, where he was engaged in farming. Subsecjuently he moved to Putnam county, settling in Sugar Creek township, where, five years previously, he had purchased eightj'-six and one-half acres two miles east of Vaughnsville. It was known as the Nichols farm. This farm had a four-room log house and a log barn. The land at this time had been about half cleared, Ephraim Reiger clearing the remainder, excepting six acres. He improved the farm by the erection of a commodious nine-room residence, a large barn (forty by one hundred and eleven feet), and other buildings in keeping with home-like surroundings. To his original holdings Ephraim Reiger added forty acres on the north, making a total of one hundred and twenty-six and one-half acres. This farm comprises as fine land as is to be found anywhere in Putnam county. Ephraim Reiger continued to live on the farm until the spring of 1904, when he retired and moved to Columbus Grove, where he now resides. He and his wife have had six children : Lorena is unmarried and lives at home; William E. is the subject of this sketch; Lenora is unmarried and lives at home; Arthur resides at Dayton, Ohio; Myrtle is the wife of Benjamin Seitz, Jr., and they ha\'e three children, Emerson, Christine and Mildred; Edna is unmarried and lives at home.

William E. Reiger came with his parents to Putnam county, at the age of eleven years, and attended the district school, known as "Abe's College." After finishing the common schools he continued to help his father on the old home place, where he has resided ever since. At the age of twenty-seven, on March 2, 1904, Mr. Reiger was married to Ida Smith, who was born one and three-fourth miles east of Vaughnsville, in Sugar Creek township, March 23, 1878. She is the daughter of James F and Eliza (Slusser) Smith. James F. Smith was born on the old Smith homestead, two miles northeast of Vaughnsville, on April 10, 1842. He is the son of James and Mary fStoner) Smith. The complete history of the Smith family is to be found in a sketch appearing elsewhere in this volume, of C. R. Smith, whose father was James F. Smith's brother. Eliza Slusser was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 7, 1845, and died in Columbus Grove, December 16, 1907. James F. and Eliza Smith had eleven children, as follow : Ira : James and Joseph, twins; Ollie, the wife of Elias Williams; Benjamin, who lives at

Vaughnsville ; Emma, the wife of C. H. Huffman; Ida A., the wife of Mr. Reiger; Anna, who died at the age of sixteen; Leuella, the wife of Alfred Newton, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Jennie, the wife of Gomer Williams, of Cambridge, Ohio, and Jesse. Ida A., the wife of Mr. Reiger, spent her childhood on the old home place and remained there until her marriage.

William E. Reiger took charge of the home farm after his marriage, and has lived upon it since that time. He has always done general farming and is an extensive breeder of thoroughbred Polled-Durham cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs.

William E. Reiger is a member of the Christian church at Vaughnsville. Ele has been a trustee and chorister of this church for many years. His wife is also a member. Mr. Reiger is one of Sugar Creek townships most substantial farmers. He is well and favorably known and enjoys the confidence of all his neighbors. He is a Democrat and is a member of Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 711 at Vaughnsville.

Benjamin Kirkendall

Few residents of Putnam county, Ohio, are as well and favorably known as the enterprising farmer and representative citizen whose life story is here briefly told. None stands higher than he in the confidence and esteem of the community in which he resides, and for the material advancement of which he has devoted much of his time and influence.

Benjamin Kirkendall, a well-known farmer of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, is descended from patriotic stock, and was born on a farm in Greensburg township, January 4, 185 1, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Kirkendall, who moved from Columbiana county, Ohio, to Putnam county, where they lived only two years, returning to their former home, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Elizabeth Kirkendall was a daughter of John and Ruth Crawford, life-time residents of Columbiana county, Ohio. Their children were David, Perry, who was killed during the Civil War; Sarah, Elizabeth, the mother of Benjamin Kirkendall. The Crawford family figures prominently in the early history of Ohio. Colonel Crawford, one of the ancestors of Benjamin Kirkendall, was captured by the Indians and burned at the stake.

Benjamin Kirkendall was married on December 25, 1895, to Minnie Campbell, the daughter of John and Ellen (McKinley) Campbell' the former a native of Putnam county, and the latter of Columbiana county, Ohio. John Campbell was a son of Robert and Winifred (Guy) Campbell, the former a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Columbiana county, Ohio. They were married in Pennsylvania, and, shortly after their marriage, came to Putnam county, Ohio. They lived here for a short time and purchased forty acres of land. This land Mr. Campbell traded for a horse and sleigh and returned to Pennsylvania. Subsequently, he came back to Putnam county, and located on a farm here, where he also established a blacksmith shop. Their children were: Matthew, Sarah Jane, Jesse, Richard John, George, Henry, Elizabeth, Rachel, Almira and three who died young.' Ellen (McGinley) Campbell was a daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Mc- Gmley, the former a native of Ireland. They settled on a farm in Putnam county, and were the parents of the following children: Sarah Ann Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary and Ellen.

John Campbell, the father-in-law of Mr. Kirkendall, was a soldier in the Civil War, having served in Company C, One Hundred and Twentyninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After his marriage, he moved to a farm m Perry township, and one year later moved to Greensburg township, where he now lives. He is the owner of two hundred and five acres of fine farming land. Mrs. Campbell died in 1914. They had eight children Robert, Albert, deceased; Minnie, Ivy, Gertrude, deceased; Chester Leo' deceased, and Benjamin.

Before his marriage, Benjamin Kirkendall lived for a time in Michic^an with his parents, where the family lived for one year, at which time they returned to Putnam county. After his marriage, he moved to a farm which he had previously purchased in Greensburg township. This farm consists of fifty acres, and here Mr. Kirkendall and his wife have lived for nineteen

Eniscon^rf" ,^f ^"'^" ^"^' -if^ belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, but are now active members of the United Brethren church.

Mr. Kirkendall is a Democrat, and has served his party and the citizens of his township in several important pubhc positions, among which was the office of township trustee, member of the school board and road supervisor. Mr. Kirkendall is an industrious, honored, honest and hardworking farmer, and is a man possessed with a genial temperament and is popular where he lives.

George W. Miller

Putnam county is indebted, perhaps, to the Miller family as much as to any other, for its wondrous transformation to one of the treasures of the Buckeye state ; for members of this family have been leaders in agricultural, industrial and civic affairs since the early days. Each, with a fidelity to duty and a persistency of purpose peculiar to that class of men who take the lead in large affairs, has performed well his duty in all the relations of life, and while advancing his own interests, he has not been unmindful of the general welfare of his fellow citizens. Thus the members of this family rightfully an honored page in the history of this locality.

George \V. Miller was born in Sugar Creek township, on April 25, 1864, a son of Jacob W. and Catherine (Best) Miller. Jacob W. Miller was born near Piqua, Ohio, on September 19, 1831, a son of Jackson and Margaret (Teegarden) Miller. Jackson Miller and wife were both natives of Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio in a very early day, and locating near Piqua, where they were married. Shortly afterward, when George W.'s father, their son Jacob, was about one year old, they came to Putnam county, locating on what became a part of Sugar Creek township, Allen county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Margaret Teegarden's father, Peter Teegarden, came to Putnam county in the early days, and entered government land, buying twelve quarter sections in one body. This land he distributed among his children, one of whom, Margaret, was the subject's grandmother, who received one of these quarter sections. On this old homestead, Jacob Miller was reared to manhood, and received his education in the schools of the neighborhood. At about the age of twenty-seven years, he was married to Catherine Best. He was one of nine children born to his parents, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely: Jacob, Elizabeth, Nancy Ann, Margaret, Lucinda, Mary, who died in infancy, Jackson, Elisha and William. Each of these received from his parents eighty acres of land. That inherited by Jacob lies one and three-quarter miles east of Vaughnsville. After his mar- riage to Catherine Best, at the age of about twenty-seven years, he continued to operate the old home place, and there remained until his death, which occurred on January 17, 1906. His wife, Catherine, who was born in 1841, died on February 17, 1914. She was the daughter of George and Hannah (Sneary) Best, natives of Tuscarawas county, who settled in Union township when Catherine was about twelve years of age, and there George Best and wife spent the remainder of their lives. Jacob Miller was a hard-working man, and by good management and strict economy accumulated an estate of four hundred acres, from which, at his death, each of his children received forty acres. To him and his wife were born a large family, all of whom grew to maturity, namely: William, now deceased; George; Sarah, deceased ; James ; Jane ; Ann ; Margaret, deceased ; Mary, and Allen.

George W. Miller was reared under the parental roof, securing a good, practical, common school education, and on the death of his father, received the northwest forty-acre tract of the original one hundred and sixty acres of his father's estate. To this he later added fifty acres of the north and twenty acres on the east, thus giving him a splendid farm of one hundred and ten acres. He remained, continuously, on the old home place, until about 19 13, when he moved to his present residence and the farm which was formerly known as the James Garner place. Here he carried on general farming operations and also gave some attention to the breeding of thoroughbred Double Standard Polled Durham cattle. He is progressive and wide-awake in his methods of farming and has earned a high reputation in his community because of his success. The buildings are kept in the best of repair, and the general condition of the farm indicates the owner to be a man of good ideas and splendid taste.

George VV Miller was united in marriage on January 27, 191 1, to Ruhama Vandemark, who was born in Union township, on June 20, 1888 a daughter of Elmer and Dora (Osborn) Vandemark, the former a native 'of Union township, and the latter of Allen county. To this union has been born one child, Kennith Ewing, on August 28, 19 14.

George W. Miller is an earnest Democrat, while his religious views are those of the Christian church, of which his wife is also a member, and to which they give earnest support. Mr. Miller is well and favorably known throughout his section of Putnam county as a result of the industrious life he has lived here, being regarded by everybody as a man of sound business principles, thoroughly up-to-date in all phases of agriculture and stock raising, and as a man, who, while advancing his individual interests, does not neglect his duties as a citizen.

Frank Edelbrock

In most agricultural communities there are farmers who stand out among the citizens of the community, not so much for the volume of their wealth, or the amount of land they own, as for the skill, care and intelligence with which their farms are cultivated; for their native and acquired interest and information in the larger phases of the vocation of farming; for their breadth of sympathy and general information on public questions; for their innate personal ability, aside from any material success which they may have attained. One of the farmers of Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, who belongs in this class is Frank Edelbrock, whose home is a model of neatness, comfort and hospitality, and is graced with the womanly charm of a devoted and intelligent wife and mother.

Born near Glandorf, in Putnam county, Ohio, May 28, 1864, Frank Edelbrock is the grandson of Peter and Anna M. Edelbrock, who were natives of Prussia, and who, after their marriage in that country in 1823, farmed there until 1834, when they emigrated to the United States, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, and later coming to Glandorf, in Putnam county, Ohio, where they were pioneer farmers, and where they lived until their death. He died in 1844, and was survived by his wife, who lived until 1864. Of their nine children all are now deceased. William and Frank, both of whom were volunteer soldiers in the Civil War, and who served in the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, gave the best years of their life to the service of their country, and Frank died in the service. The other children were Henry, Louise, Mrs. Mary C. Bruskutter, Edward, Theodore, an infant buried at sea during the voyage to America, and Andrew, who was Mr. Edelbrock's father.

Andrew Edelbrock was a lad six years old when his parents emigrated to America. Born near Vilda, Prussia, on January 6, 1827, he lived on his father's farm near Glandorf, in Greensburg township, attended the public schools of his generation, and, when fifteen years of age, worked for a short time as clerk at Shiloh, Ohio, returning to Greensburg township in 1856. Four years later he was married to Catherine Herlage, and, after his marriage, lived on a farm of eighty acres in Greensburg township. He moved to a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Jackson township in 1870, and in 1907 removed to Kalida, where he lived retired until his death, July 6, 19 1 3. He and his wife were members of the St. Michael's Catholic church. Of their twelve children, six are living and six are deceased, as follow:

The parents of Mrs. Catherine (Herlage) Edelbrock came to this country before their marriage, settled on a farm in Greensburg township after their marriage, and reared a family of four children, all of whom are deceased, as follow : Catherine, Helena, Mary and Anna. They were members of St. John's Catholic church at Glandorf.

Educated in Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, and reared on his father's farm in that township, Frank Edelbrock, after having reached his majority, rented the I-Cimmerle farm, in Jackson township, and remained there until some time after his marriage, when he removed to the Pott farm, in section ii, of Jackson township, where he lived for about two years, having previously purchased eighty acres in section 12 in Jackson township. After leaving the Pott farm, he moved to" this farm, and here he has erected substantial buildings, including a splendid barn and residence. Mr. Edelbrock owns forty acres in Greensburg township, which he uses for pasture, and which he has cleared and drained. He does general farming and makes a specialty of raising Hereford and Durham cattle. His farm is very attractive, has a splendid driveway which appears to the very best advantage during any season of the year.

Frank Edelbrook was married on November 25, 1895, to Katherine Summers, a daughter of William P. and Mary Summers of Union township, the former of whom was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1823, and who was the son of Thomas and Katherine Summers. Thomas Summers was the son of a wealthy contractor whose property was confiscated as a consequence of the part he took in the Rebellion of 1798 in Ireland, and with his children he was forced to flee the country. At the age of ten years, William P- Summers became a clerk to a priest and, while acting in this capacity, ran away to sea and became an able seaman, visiting almost every country in the world. He sailed around Cape Horn to California, in 1849, became a gold miner of that country and later was a gold miner in Australia. Returning to Ireland, he was married, March 15, 1857, to Mary Martin, and coming to America with his bride shortly after. their marriage, they settled first in Seneca county, Ohio, and in 1861 came to Putnam county, living first in Kalida and later on a farm. During the last few years the venerable William P. Summers and his wife have lived in Kalida. He has served as postmaster of Kalida, as township clerk, as constable, and in other minor offices. He has always been a Democrat. He is well-versed in travel lore and, being possessed of a brilliant intellect, is able to tell many interesting tales of his

Mrs. Edelbrook has been the mother of three children: William, born on August I, 1896, and who died on September 28, 1898; Mary, April 18, 1898; and Edward, January 5, 1903. She was a school teacher before her marriage, and is a woman of splendid intellectual attainments. Possessed of remarkable literary ability, she has been a prodigious contributor to newspapers and magazines, especially the Ohio Farmer and Orange Judd weeklies. Her contributions to the various farm papers have been admired for their practical utility. Coming as they do from the practical wife of a practical farmer, and dealing with the commonest matters of farm life from a woman's point of view, they have been widely read. Mrs. Edelbrook has applied her scientific knowledge of the farm successfully to the management of her poultry farm and has been very successful in all of her undertakings. Her co-operation and sympathetic interest contributed largely to the success of her husband.

Frank Edelbrook and wife are members of St. Michael's Catholic church at Kalida. Mr. Edelbrook is a popular, industrious and enterprising farmer, a valuable citizen in his community and one who is widely admired by the people of Putnam county.

David S. Evans

The student interested in the history of Putnam county, Ohio, does not have to carry his investigation far in its annals before learning that David S. Evans has been an active and leading representative of the agricultural interests and that his labors have proven a potent force in making this a rich farming region. For a number of years, Mrs. Evans has carried on farming, gradually improving his farm and, while he has prospered in this, he has also found ample opportunity to assist in the material development of the county and his co-operation has been for the general good.

David S. Evans is descended from a sterling line of Welsh ancestry, being the son of David and Elizabeth (Davis) Evans and the grandson of William and Margaret Evans. David Evans, Sr., was born in North Wales in 1827 and, in his native land, was reared during his youth and received his early education. In young manhood, he came to America, settling first in Butler county, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming. Later he came to Allen and Putnam counties and, after his marriage in 1871, settled one mile south of Rimer in Sugar Creek township, where he bought eighty acres of land. This land had a two-roomed log cabin and a frame barn with about twelve acres of land cleared, the remainder of the tract being in a virginal state of wildness and most of it heavily covered with timber. He proceeded to clear this land and cut the timber from fifty-two acres, having sixty-four acres in all in comfortable condition at the time of his death. He tiled much of this land and, in other ways, improved it so that he was considered an intelligent and progressive agriculturist, being numbered among the leaders in his community. His death occurred on September 27, 1877, he being fifty-one years of age.

On January 30, 1871, David Evans, Sr., married Mrs. Ehzabeth (Davisj Davis, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Evans) Davis. She was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 31, 1833. She had previously been married to Richard Davis, who was born in North Wales in 1818, the son of Thomas and Sarah Davis, their marriage occurring in Allen county, August 17, 185 1. To this union were born three children, Henry R., on August 8, 1852, who resides in Illinois; Thomas A., June 25, 1853, who resides in Nebraska; and William L., June 5, 1855, who lives in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Davis died in 1855. Another child, Rhoda R., born November 17, 1863, is the wife of Richard Davis and lives in Allen county. To David and Elizabeth Evans were born four children, the first of whom died at birth, January 30, 1871 ; John B., born on June 26, 1873, and died August 21, 1877; David S., November 10, 1874; and Robert, November 5, 1876, and died February 20, 1877. The mother of these children died in Gomer, Allen county, May 24, 1899, at the age of sixty-six years. It is noteworthy that she had four brothers in the Civil War, Abner, Henry, Silas and Ebenezer, Henry being killed during that conflict.

David S. Evans, who is the only survivor of his family, was born, as above stated, on November 10, 1874, on the farm where he now resides. He received his education in the common schools of his township and then took a commercial course at the Lima Business College. He then took employment with a clothing concern at Lima, Ohio, with whom he remained for two years and at the end of which time he returned to the home farm, to the cultivation of which he has devoted himself, continuously, since. He is wide-awake and up-to-date in his farming methods and has met with good success, his efforts being rewarded with a due measure of success.

On January 18, 1899, Mr. Evans was married to Anna McBride, who was born in Amanda township, Allen county, August 24, 1874, the daughter of Levi and Druzilla (Cremean) McBride. Levi McBride, was was of Scotch-Irish descent was born at Adelphia, Ross county, Ohio, June 21, 1832, and died December 10, 1904. He was the son of Alexander McBride, who was probably born in Ireland. Druzilla Cremean was born in Allen county, Ohio, on May i8, 1835, the daughter of John Cremean and wife, who were pioneers of that locality. Levi McBride came with his parents to Allen county in 1838, and settled in German township, near Allentown, where he grew to manhood. After his marriage, he settled in Amanda township where he contmued to live the remainder of his life. To him and his wife were born ten children, John, who died at the age of fourteen years; Willis, who resides in Allen county; Clara, the wife of James Baxter, of Amanda township, Allen county; Theodore, who died in infancy; Harvey, of Los Angeles Cahfornia; Caddie, the wife of B. S. Brenneman, of Lima, Ohio; Anna, the wife of Mr. Evans,; James, who resides in Yuma, Arizona; Dora, who died at the age of twenty-two years, and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Evans is a Republican and has, for many years, taken an active part m public local affairs. He has been a director for three years of the Allen County Mutual Relief Association, of which he is now serving a second term as treasurer and is also a director of the Ohio Mutual Tornado and Windstorm Insurance Association. In his political party, he is held in high esteem and served as a member of the county central committee for about eight years and also four years as a member of the executive committee. He is a member of the Congregational church at Comer of which his wife is also a member. Because of his upright life and conspicuous success in his private affairs, he has achieved an enviable reputation in his community and is numbered among the substantial citizens of Sugar Creek township.' A man of broad experience and exemplary character with an intelligent conception of life, he exerts a marked influence in favor of the best interests of his community.

George C. DeVore is recognized as one of the energetic and well-known farmers of Putnam county, who, by his enterprise and improved methods, has contributed, in a material way, to the agricultural advancement of Riley township and the community where he lives. In the course of an honorable career he has been very successful, and enjoys the prestige of a successful man among the representative men of his community. It is eminently proper that attention be called to his achievements and due credit be accorded to his work as a pubKc-spirited citizen.

Putnam county, Ohio, the son of George W. and Mary Jane (Bracy) De- Vore. George W. DeVore was born in Carroll county, Ohio, July 4, 1840, the son of William and Fannie (Alfred) -DeVore. William DeVore, greatgrandfather of George C., was of French parentage, but a native of England, where he spent his youth. Here he was educated and graduated from England's best institutions of learning. He came to America in the early days and settled in Carroll county, Ohio, where he owned a farm. He and his wife were the parents of four children, all born in Carroll county. They were as follow: Mrs. Mary Ann Green, George W., James and Mrs. Elizabeth Richards.

Georg-e W. DeVore, the father of George C, lost his parents when he was a small child, probably not more than four or five years of age. After the death of the parents the children were taken to be reared by neighbors. George W. and Elizabeth were reared by Charles Robinson. The family which took the other children, later went West, and George W. did not see his brother and sister again until five years ago, in 19 10, after a lapse of sixty-five years. James finally located his brother, George W., when it developed that the former had gone to the Civil War and had been educated at Valparaiso University. Mary Ann had married a man by the name of Green, who was a minister in Iowa, and she had died, about 1904 in that state. George W. DeVore spent his youth and young manhood on the farm of Charles Robmson, in Carroll county, Ohio, and received his early education there. At the age of nineteen, or about 1859, he came to Putnam county, Ohio, and worked for George Kober, in Blanchard township

Two years after coming to Blanchard township Mr. DeVore was married to Mary Jane Bracy, who was born in Blanchard township June ^o 1840. She was the daughter of John Bracy, Sr., and wife, whose family history IS contained in the sketch of Isaac Bracy, her brother, found elsewhere m this volume. After his marriage George W. DeVore continued for a time, to work for George Kober, and then started to work for himself' locating north of Gilboa. Shortly after this, in 1863, he enlisted in the Civil War and served until its close, when he returned home and took up farming on forty acres which his wife had inherited from her father, John

George C. DeVore was born on a part of the John Bracy, Sr., farm, in the south central part of Blanchard township. This place is now owned by John Bracy, Jr. A year or two later his parents moved to Blanchard township, Hancock county, and here George C. spent his childhood and youth, attending the common schools of that township. After finishing school he continued to help his father on the old home place, until twentyone years of age, when he began farming for himself. He rented neighboring farms for about four years, and the next year he worked for John Moffat, Sr., by the year. Following this he rented a farm for one-third of the crops.

George C. DeVore was married on August 23, 1893, to Leah Alecta Engle, who was bom in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, December 28, 1869, and who is the daughter of Noah and Mary Catherine (Stover) Engle. Mrs. Engle taught school for five years in Putnam county. Her father, Daniel Stover, came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 183 1, and was one of the first pioneers of Putnam county. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Riley township, and it was on this farm that Mrs. DeVore was born, as was also her mother.

After his marriage, in 1893, Mr. DeVore rented a farm of eighty acres in the northern part of Riley township, belonging to his father, and the following year, in 1894, he purchased the same farm from his father. At this time the farm had a one-roomed log house and a frame barn. Fifty acres of the land was cleared, and Mr. DeVore has managed to clear the remainder, with the exception of six acres. In addition to other improvements, he has built a modern residence of ten rooms and a bath and other buildings, in keeping with the surroundings. Mr. DeVore has added one hundred and twenty acres to his original holdings, until he now owns one of the finest farms in Putnam county.

To Mr. and Mr§. George C. DeVore two children have been born, Howard Engle, born on August ii, 1894, who is now a junior in the State University, where he is taking the agricultural course. He served on the editorial staff of the agricultural department of the State University, having won his scholarship, a two-year free course, in oratory and examinations from Putnam county, and Mary Laoma, born on November 16, 1898, who is a student in the Pandora high school. She won a free trip to Columbus in domestic science.

for ten years and president of the board for seven years. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and his wife is also a member of this church. Mr. DeVore is a class leader and chairman of the board of trustees. George C. DeVore is one of Riley township's and Putnam county's most substantial citizens. He is a wide-awal<e and enterprising farmer and citizen; a man well and favorably known, whose reputation and integrity are above question.

John A. Lewis

One of Sugar Creek township's agriculturists and stock men, who is deserving of a place in this work, is John A. Lewis, a man of courage and self-reliance and of the utmost integrity of purpose, as a result of which he stands high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends whose interest he has sought to promote while endeavoring to advance his own.

John A. Lewis was born in Butler county, Ohio, on September 5, 1861, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Lewis. In his paternal line, he is descended from Welsh ancestry, his grandfather, Ellis Lewis, having been born in 1796, in North Wales, in the Parish of Llanbrynmair, and died in Butler county, Ohio, in the spring of 1879, at the age of eighty-three years. Mary Rowlands, his wife, was also born in North Wales in 1795, and died in 1878, at the age of eighty-three years. Ellis Lewis was reared on a farm in his native land, where his marriage occurred, and to this union was born one child, Evan, before the family came to America. Their immigration occurred in 1829, passage being taken on a sailing ship, which required about three months in making the journey across the Atlantic. Dense fogs interfered seriously with the navigation of the vessel and it is noteworthy that it was his grandmother who first discovered the much-sought land-mark which guided them safely to harbor. _ After landing in America, they came directly to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Ellis Lewis engaged in glass blowing, the family remaining in that city for a few years. There William, the father of John A., was born, and when he was about seven or eight years of age, the family moved to Butler county, Ohio, making the trip in a covered wagon, as was common in those days. Ellis Lewis bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Butler county, of which only a few acres had been cleared, and on it, he erected a two-story, four-roomed log cabin and a log barn where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, rearing their family of seven children, four boys and three girls, all of whom grew to maturity. These children were Evan, William, Mary Ann, Margaret, Martha, David and Richard, all now deceased, with the exception of Martha.

William Lewis, the father of John A., spent his boyhood days in Butler county and there, in 1858, at the age of twenty-nine years, he was married to Elizabeth Jones, who was also a native of North Wales, bom on March 14, 1832. She came to America, about 1856, with her brother, Israel, and sister, Leah, all of whom are now deceased. After AVilliam Lewis's marriage, he took charge of his father's farm for several years and then entered upon agricultural pursuits on his own account. His wife, Elizabeth, died on August 28, 1868, two of her sisters also dying within a few days of that time. To William and Elizabeth Lewis were born four children, John A., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of J. B. Edwards; David, who died at the age of two years, and one daughter who died when two weeks old. William Lewis continued his occupation of farming in Butler county until within about seven years of his death, when he came to Putnam county and made his home with his daughter, Mary, until his death, which occurred on April 10, 1900.

John A. Lewis spent his childhood years under the parental roof and received his education in the common schools. At the early age of fifteen years, he began to take up life's burdens on his own account, working on neighboring farms in the county, and in testimony of his faithfulness and efficiency, it is noteworthy that during all the years of his employment, he worked for but three men. About the time he attained his majority, Mr. Lewis came to Allen county, where he remained for three years, and then for two years was employed as clerk in a store in Vaughnsville. After his marriage, in 1889, he located on eighty acres of land, two miles west of Vaughnsville, a part of the Williams estate, and here he has since remained, giving his undivided attention to his farming operations, in which he has won well-deserved success. At the time he took possession of the land, about thirty-five acres were cleared and the improvements consisted of a six-room frame house. Mr. Lewis proceeded to clear the remainder of the land, except about fourteen acres, and has also done a large amount of tiling and drainage. He has added to his residence, making it a commodious and wellarranged house and, in the spring of 1894, built a large barn with modern conveniences, besides other buildings in keeping with the surroundings. Mr. Lewis bought forty acres adjoining his farm on the west in 1892, which gives him a total acreage of one hundred and twenty acres, comprising one of the choice farms of the township. Up-to-date in his ideas and progressive in his methods, Mr. Lewis has won an enviable reputation as an enterprising farmer and is numbered among the influential men of his community

John A. Lewis was married on January i6, 1889, to Kate Williams who was born m Licking county, Ohio, on October 14, 1863, the daughter of David L. and Mary Williams. When about three years of age, she was brought by her parents to Sugar Creek township, Putnam county, where she lived' until her marriage to Mr. Lewis. To John A. and Kate (Williams) Lewis have been born two children, Mary Elizabeth, on May 8 1800 and David William, July 20, 1892.

John A. Lewis is a stanch Republican and has taken an important part m local public affairs, having served as township assessor from 1905 to 1907 and m other ways evidencing an interest in the advancement of his community. He is a member of Vaughnsville Lodge No. 711, Knights of Pythias of which he has been master of finance for the past fourteen years Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Congregational church, to which they give their earnest support. Mr. Lewis is a close observer of modern agricultural methods and a student, at all times, of whatever pertains to his chosen life work and he has, therefore, met with encouraging success all along the line and taken his place among the leading agriculturists of the community, which is noted for its fine farms and progressive husbandmen