Ottawa Township (part 3 of 23)

When George Gmeiner and his wife died, in the fall of 1875, they left six children. Frank, with whom this narrative deals, was the eldest, he being about twenty-two years of age at the time. The next eldest child was six years younger than he, his eldest sister being fourteen years of age, at which time she became the housekeeper for the orphan children. The youngest child was only seven years of age. The six children were as follows: Frank, of Ottawa; Gebhard, of Washington; Mary, the wife of Charles Duvall, of Havana, Arkansas; Leonard, who is a farmer of this county, living between Kalida and Cloverdale; Kate, the wife of Joseph Leatherman, a farmer living near Vaughnsville, in this county; and George, a baker at St. Louis, Missouri. Upon the death of his parents, Frank became executor of his father's will and at his father's request before his death, took his place as head of the family and took charge of the farm and httle flock of fatherless children, who were obedient and were industrious and prospered. A few years later, the paternal estate was divided equally, each of the children going into the world to make a living. All of them have become useful members of society.

Frank Gmeiner moved to Ottoville, and he and J. J. Miller and Andrew Kehres started a tile factory at that place. He continued in that business for about six years and then disposed of it and went into partnership with Wilham Gasser in the planing mill in the same place. He remained in this for about seven years, after which he engaged in the general real estate, loan and insurance business, which he has since followed.

Mr. Gmeiner, very early in life, began to fill official positions in his township and county. At the age of twenty-two he was elected justice of the peace and was-re-elected for another term. He has also served as a notary public, taking out a commission more as a convenience to the public than for any remuneration which he might receive from the office. He has been frequently called upon to serve as an executor, administrator, guardian, etc. As a matter of fact, his time was so consumed in this way that in 1896, he disposed of his interest in the planing mill and lumber business and devoted all of his time to the real estate, loan and insurance business.

charge of the office in September of the same year and held it for threeyears. At the expiration of his first term, he was re-elected and served for another three years. During the second term incumbency, the law waschanged as to the term of recorder's office to two years, and he was commissioned to hold over one year more, so that he held the office continuously for seven years, the last term expiring in 1909. Since that time he has continued to reside in Ottawa, and is engaged in various lines of activity. He does a considerable amount of land abstracting, buying and selling real estate, making loans and acting as guardian and administrator for estates. He was appointed by the state board in September, 1913, as a member of the board of liquor license commissioners for Putnam county, and. is still serving in this capacity.

Mr. Gmeiner was married on June 7, 1893, to Mary Mallifskey. She was born at New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Martin and Mary (Gorise) Mallifskey. Her parents were natives of German Bohemia, in Austria, and came to Ottoville, Putnam county, in the fall of 1892. Her mother died in this county, October 17, 1893, when her father came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Gmeiner and remained with them until he dropped dead suddenly in the court house at Ottawa, June 21, 1911.

Mr. and Mrs. Gmeiner are loyal members of the Catholic 'church. Heis a member of the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Knights of Ohio and als® St. Peter's and Paul's Aid Society.

Nimrod Speaker

The oldest resident of Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, is Nimrod Speaker, who has been engaged in business in that place for twenty-nine years. When he first came to the pleasant village of Belmore, there was only a little board depot and two log cabins. During his long residence in the village he has seen it grow to its present prosperous condition, and has borne no inconsiderable part in making it what it is today. A leading business man for more than a quarter of a centui-y, he has been active in promoting the general prosperity of the town, and during a great part of. this period, he has held one official position or another. He is now retired from active work and is spending his declining years in retirement, highly honored and respected by everyone who knows him.

was born on March 21, 1841, in Licking county, Ohio. His parents were natives of western Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, and came to Licking county with their respective parents. Andrew Speaker was a son of Charles Speaker. Elizabeth Moreland was a daughter of David Moreland, and both the Speaker and Moreland families were early pioneers in Licking county. Andrew Speaker and family moved to Putnam county, in 1857, and located in Blanchard township, not far east of Leipsic, and there, on a farm, the parents both died within four weeks of each other, in 1866.

Soon after the family located in this county, Nimrod Speaker went to Put-in-Bay Island and worked there for some time. However, his health became impaired and, in 1861, he came to Belmore and worked in the timber, cutting out wood and timber, until 1868. In that year he and his brother, -George, bought a general store, at Belmore, and continued in partnership, until 1890. In that year, his brother withdrew from the business, and Mr. Speaker continued it alone, until 1897, when he retired from active work. Mr. Speaker has been a participant in the life of Belmore, since its inception. He is better informed on the history of the town than any other man.

Mr. Speaker was married in 1865 to Hattie Ward, who was a native of Ireland and was two years of age when her parents brought her to America, the youngest of several children. At New Yoi'k both parents died and the children were left orphans. Relatives came and got them and reared them, these relatives living on a farm next to Mr. Speaker's father's home. He and his wife were schoolmates together, in their childhood days. To this union were born three children, George, who died at the age of twenty; Edward, who died in childhood; Katherine, who died on January 2, 1913, leaving her husband, Alvin Hook, with three children, two sons and a daughter.

Mr. Speaker married Ellen Blue, in 1883, who was reared in Ashland county, Ohio, and came to Putnam county, with her brother, William, and now lives five miles east of Belmore. To this second union have been born three children, John Burgan, Harvey and William. John B. is a minister in the Methodist church, and is now stationed in Illinois. He married Lola Lonzway, and has three children. Harvey is a painter and decorator and makes his home in Belmore. William is a farmer at Belmore, who married Linkhart. The mother of these three children died, in 1904.

Mr. Speaker has been justice of the peace, for thirteen years, and still has three years more to serve of his present term. He has been clerk of Tiis township for two terms, treasurer for two terms, and has been on the school board for the past twenty-seven years. He holds his membership in the Masonic lodge, at Deshler, and in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Belmore. He is financially interested in the Belmore Banking Company, and is now the vice-president of that institution.

Harry F. Wendell

A substantial business man of Leipsic, Ohio, is Harry F. Wendell, who has been a resident of the city since 1894. He was in the newspaper business for the first few years after coming to this place and then engaged in the mail order business and has been engaged in selling by mail various things ever since that time. He started in by selling memorial cards by mail and still continues this business, although he has since added various other lines, such as mops, fire extinguishers and vacuum washers. Mr. Wendell has taken a very active part in the civic life of Leipsic since becoming a resident of the city, and has been one of the potent factors in advancing reforms of all kinds.

Harry F. Wendell, the son of Daniel and Hannah (Schaub) Wendell, was born in Noble county, Ohio, in 1867. His father was born in the same county, a son of Harrison Wendell. Harrison Wendell was a son of Frederick Wendell, who was high sheriff of Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, for fifty-two years. Harrison Wendell, the grandfather of H. F. Wendell,' was born in Shenandoah Valley, in 1816, and came to Batesville, Ohio, when he was about fourteen years of age and helijed to build a seven-room brick house in that place. He carried the brick which went into the building as his father, Frederick, erected it. It was in this building, Harrison Wendell died in 1906, which building was for many years the finest in the community.

Daniel Wendell was reared in Noble county and spent his whole life there. He enlisted in the Civil War in the Seventieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was severely wounded and died from the effects of the wound in 1870. His wife, Hannah Schaub, was born in Monroe county, Ohio.

H. F Wendell was reared at Batesville, Ohio, until he was sixteen years of age, and then moved to Cambridge, where he learned the printer's trade, and followed that until the spring of 1894. He came to Leipsic in that year and bought the Leipsic Tribune, a paper which had been started two years previously. He was a practical newspaper man and built up the paper and operated it successfully for five years. He sold the paper in 1899' and has since that year been engaged in mail order business, selling memorials, and he has made an immense success of, the venture. He still continues the business and now ships his cards all over the United States and Canada. This venture proving so successful he started the United States Mop Company, another mail order concern, with H. S. Huttinger as partner, and managed this business until the fall of 1910, selling mops all over the United States and foreign countries by mail. He and Mr. Huttinger established another mail order proposition in 1909 and sold chemical fire extinguishers under the name of the United Manufacturing Company. He disposed of this biisiness in 1910, at the same time when he relincjuished interest in the mop company. He established the Wendell Vacuum Washer Company in the fall of 1913, which he conducts himself. He has a factory at Leipsic for the manufacture of the washers and employs a large office force to attend to the mail orders. Within a very short time he has built up such a business that he now ships his washers all over the civilized world.

Mr. Wendell became one of the incorporators of the First National Bank, of Leipsic, in 1903, and was made vice-president of the institution. The bank went into voluntai'y liquidation, two years later, and completed its business by paying all depositors in full. He was secretary of the board of trade and for a time vice-president of the Leipsic Industrial Association. He was also president, for a time, of the Law and Order League, an organization which was promoted to improve the moral welfare of the city. This league was very active, after Leipsic went "dry," about ten years ago. Mr. Wendell was one of the most active men in the league and, while the fight was being made to vote the saloons out, he made a canvass of seventeen school districts with petitions signed by the farmers asking the city merchants to take the side of the "drys." These petitions taken together made a row of names fifteen feet long, and was a potent factor in subsequently ousting the saloons from Leipsic.

Mr. Wendell has served on the Leipsic council and is now a member of the school board. He has been asked, repeatedly, to run for mayor, but has steadfastly refused to make the race for the office. He has alsoserved on the board of health, of his city. Li fact, there is probably not a man in the city who has been more active in its general welfare than Mr. Wendell, and in all things he has tried to do that which would be the best for the city at large.

Mr. Wendell was married in 1892, to Laura Gallogly, who was a native of Licking county, Ohio, is a daughter of Jacob and Frances (Brown) Gallogly, and to this union has been born one son, Francis, who is now attending the public schools of Leipsic.

Mr. Wendell is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and has attained to the thirty-second degree. Fie also holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are active workers in the Presbyterian church, and he has performed the duties of treasurer of his church, and for many years, was a member of the board of trustees. At the present time he is an elder in the denomination. In all things, Mr. Wendell has tried to promote the moral welfare of his community, and it is safe to say that he is distinctively one of the representative men of Leipsic.

Llewellyn Geiger

One of the enterprising and rising yOung men, who are native born to Putnam county, Ohio, and who are making names and reputations for themseleves in the marts of trade is Llewellyn Geiger, whose father was also born in this county. Marked aptitude and diligence characterize the activities of this young man, who is highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities and for his quiet, gentlemanly methods of transacting his business afifairs in the community where he is carving out a career for himself.

Llewellyn Geiger was born in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, May 29, 1883, a son of David G. and Mary (Hilty) Geiger. David Geiger was born on November 7, 1852, in Riley township, a son of John G. and Mary (Lugibihl) Geiger. John G. Geiger was born in 1819, in Berne, Switzerland, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Geiger.

John G. Geiger came to America, with his parents, in 1838, when he was nineteen years of age, and settled in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, where he entered government land. He experienced the usual pioneer hardships, but cleared his land and built a log house of two rooms and a log stable. It was in that house that David G. Geiger was born, one of a family of three sons and five daughters.

David G. Geiger attended the public school and, during the periods when he was not in school, helped his father to clear the land on the farm and to operate the threshing machine which, in those days, was operated by horsepower. At the age of twenty-three, in 1875, he -married Mary Hilty, a

Mr. And Mrs. Llewellyn Geiger

After his marriage, he settled on a part of his father's farm, where he still lives. His wife died on April 22, 1885, when Llewellyn Geiger, the subject, was not quite two years of age. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Geiger. They are Matilda, the wife of David Bucher, who lives in Riley township; Helena, the wife of Amos Hilty, who lives in Allen county; Gideon, who married Elizabeth Steiner and lives in Lima, Ohio; Elizabeth, the wife of Ezra Steiner; Llewellyn, the principal of this sketch, and Tillman, who married Rosa Suter and lives in Riley township.

David Geiger was married a second time, in 1886 or 1887, his second wife being Rosine Gilliam, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gilliam. Six children were born to this union, also, who are, Mary, unmarried, who lives at home; Hulda, the wife of Oswin Gerber, of Pandora, Ohio; Hiram, who married Cecil Starkey, and lives at Pandora, Ohio; John, Melvina and Wil- Jiam, who live at home.

David Geiger has always done general farming and has been eminently successful. He is a loyal member of the Swiss Mennonite church and is active in its work.

He is a stanch member of the Democratic party and has always taken an active interest in political matters. For three years he has been a school director, an office which he has filled to the complete satisfaction of the

Llewellyn Geiger was born in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, May 29, 1883. He grew to manhood on the old homestead and attended district school, No. 7, until he was seventeen years of age. He continued to help his father in the operation of the farm until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he began to work as a carpenter, a trade which he followed for three years, spending a large portion of that time working in a saw-mill.

When he was twenty-four years of age, September 15, 1907, Llewellyn married Pauline Suter, who was born on November 30, 1882, a of David D. and Elizabeth (Neunschwander) Suter, 'of Riley township. David D. Suter was born in Riley township on April 14 1852 the son of Christian and Anna (Basinger) Suter. Christian Suter was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Suter, Sr., Elizabeth Neunschwander was the daughter of Isaac and Mary (Steiner) Neunschwander, both of pioneer stock and Swiss descent.

months in making a tour to the Pacific coast, spending several months in California and Oregon. On their return, Mr. Geiger engaged in the planing mill business, buying an interest in the firm of D. C. Shank & Company, of which concern he is now vice-president, assistant manager and a director.

Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are both members of the Grace Mennonite church and are active in the church work. He is a member of the Democratic party, has taken an active interest in the political afifairs of his community, and in his party affiliations has served as a precinct committeeman.

Llewellyn Geiger is a clean-cut and progressive young business man^ of good character and unquestioned integrity. He is well known and universally respected.

John William Ellerbrock

The Ellerbrock family have been residents of Putnam county, Ohio, since 1835, when the parents of John William Ellerbrock came from Hanover, Germany, and settled south of Glandorf. Mr. Ellerbrock grew to maturity in this county and was engaged, for the greater portion of his life, in the manufacture of woolen goods, at Glandorf. In fact, this was the main business of the village of Glandorf for many years. In addition to his woolen manufacturing, he was also engaged in farming, but devoted most of his time and attention to the woolen business. He was a pioneer in the county, and a man who was highly respected by everyone who knew him. He and his good wife reared a large family of children to Hves of usefulness, and they, in turn, married and are rearing families of their own.

The late John William Ellerbrock was born in Hanover, Germany, February 10, 1830, and died at his home in Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, May 25, 1 9 14. He was a son of William and Mary C. (Kracht) Ellerbrock, and came to America, in 1836, with his parents, being only six years of age at the time the family located in this county. He was reared amidst pioneer conditions and, from his earliest boyhood, knew what it was to swingan ax and handle the rifle. He received such education as was afforded by the schools of his home neighborhood and, immediately after his marriage, he and several of his friends started the Glandorf woolen mills, and for the most of his life, was engaged in this particular line of business. Later in life, he invested in farming lands and gave some of his attention to the tilling of the soil. He was an excellent business man and his integrity was such that it was never questioned.

John W. Ellerbrock was married on October 22, 1856, to Mary A. Utendorf, who was born on February g, 1838, south of Glandorf, in this county, and was a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. (Gerdeman) Utendorf. To this union fourteen children were born, ten of whom are still living, Andrew, deceased; a twin brother to Andrew, who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of Matthew Schroeder; Catherine, a nun; Theodore, of Ottawa; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry E. Schweickert, of Peru, Illinois ; Philomina, a nun in the same convent with her sister, Catherine; Frank, of Peru, Illinois; Theresa, who is living in Glandorf; Charles B., a business man of Glandorf; Emma, the wife of Peter A. Missler, of Glandorf; Frances, the wife of John Geier, of Gallon, Ohio; Joseph, who died in infancy, and Bennie, a twin brother of Emma, who died in infancy. The mother of these children died on July 23, 191 o, and the father, as before mentioned, died on May 25, 1914.

The Ellerbrock family are all loyal members of the Catholic church, at Glandorf. Theresa and Charles B. are now living in the old family residence, in Glandorf. John W. Ellerbrock was a man who was widely known throughout the county, and, during his career of nearly eighty years in the county, there was never a time when he was not ready and willing to help those less fortunate than himself. He was charitable to the faults of his neighbors, kind and indulgent to his own family, and a genial and wholesouled citizen, who always stood for the best interests of his community.

Frank K. Hammett

Almost any business will give a substantial return if it is properly managed. Proper management involves a careful consideration of the relation between revenue and operating expenses. Frank K. Hammett has prospered and has made a success of the drayage and transfer business at Leipsic, bectuse he has never failed to look after his business carefully. Mr. Hammett is one of the substantial citizens of Leipsic.

He was born in 1861 at Covington, Ohio, the son of James H and Elizabeth (Dunning) Hammett. His father came from Bedford county Pennsylvania, with his parents to London county, Ohio. He grew up iii northeastern Ohio and became the driver of a stagecoach along the shore of Lake Erie, between Cleveland and Buffalo. He was employed to drive a coach, hauling the man who had charge of building the Rock Island rail- road across Iowa. It was all new country. They stopped at Marengo, a little frontier tavern, and there he met and became much interested in the daughter of the landlord of the little hotel. She was Elizabeth Dunning, the daughter of Theodore Dunning who was a pioneer by nature and inclination, a genial old man who could play the fiddle.

James H. Hammett returned to Ohio and wrote to the girl occasionally. Again he drove across Iowa, along the line of the road in course of construction, to Council Bluffs. When they reached it after a long and tedious journey, they found the town consisted of a tent and a party of men who were there to help build the railroad. In later years Mr. Hammett saw it as a thriving city.

He came back to Ohio but finally returned to Iowa and married the girl. He came back to Covington, Ohio, and worked in an elevator for a time and later bought a farm here, about 1863, where he lived until about 1866. Mr. Dunning, his wife's father, moved here during the war and -Started the old Leipsic hotel in a two-story frame building, on the corner, where the Geltz store is now located. There were only a few houses then and not over forty inhabitants in the town aside from the railroad construction gang. The old man got the pioneer fever again about 1866, fixed up a pioneer wagon and he and his wife drove to Nebraska, where they entered land and spent the rest of their lives with their sons and daughters who also entered land and prospered in the same community.

Some time after his marriage James H. Hammett moved to Leipsic and took a place in a store. Later he moved to Leipsic and worked in an elevator for two years. Finally he and John Alt went into the general merchandise business and prospered. They extended the business and built an elevator and did a large business in grain. They met with reverses, however, and had to retire, Mr. Hammett turning his attention to the insurance business. He later moved to Toledo and took a place in a large agricultural implement business, living there until his death. Mr. Hammett was twice married.

By his first marriage were born three children, Luella, Frank K., the subject of this sketch, and William W. Frank K. was about three years old when his mother died. His father then married Mrs. Ann Elizabeth (Black) Waters, a widow, and to this second union five children were born, Lily, who died at the age of three; Eva Netta, Alva DeLoss, Lettie Arlina and Edward Early.

Frank K. Hammett grew up at Leipsic and after working in various lines, in July, 1878, began draying at Leipsic and has followed this business for thirty-seven years. Most of the time he has had from ten to twelve men employed and many teams. He has prospered exceedingly in this business. He w^as ag-ent for the American Express Company for over fifteen years, or until March, 191 3.

Mr. Hammett was married to Mary M. Hayes, in 1883. She was born in Warren county, Ohio. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hammett December 28, 1884, Harry H. He attended the Tri-State Business College at Toledo, Ohio, and has been a stenographer most of the time since. He has worked mostly in railroad services; has traveled over most of the United States and in fourteen foreign countries. He has been in Cuba, Mexico, Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, where he spent two years, China! Island of Guam and most of the principal European countries. In fact, his chief occupation has been traveling. He has a vast fund of information first hand. Altogether Harry H. Hammett has traveled not less than one hundred and fifteen thousand miles, undoubtedly, the most widely-traveled man m Putnam county, Ohio.

Frank K. Hammett is popular in Leipsic and an influential citizen in his community. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr Hammett remembers Leipsic in its early days. He has seen deer between Main street and Leipsic Junction and wild game in abundance where the town now stands

Theodore Deters

A prominent citizen of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, who was born m this village, before the Civil War, and has spent his entire life in the county, is Theodore Deters. Both of his parents were born in Germany and they settled in this county in 1841. Since that time, the Deters family have been residents of Glandorf. Mr. Deters has served as assessor of Ottawa township, for more than twenty years, and has filled various other official positions m an efficient and satisfactory manner.

Theodore Deters, the son of Frank William and Mary (Redecker) Deters was born on May 13, 1858, in Glandorf, near the present location of the tile factoiy. His father was a native of Oldenburg, Germany, his birth having occurred there on April 14, 1814, coming to America at the age of nine, having previously lost both of his parents. Upon coming to America he' became a sailor and, from the age of seventeen until he was twenty-six years of age, he traveled over much of the world in a sailing vessel. He then left the sea and, for seven years, worked in a pottery factory at Cincinnati. It was while living there he married Mary Redecker. His wife was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America in 1833, with her parents, Henry and Mary Redecker. The Redecker family located in Putnam county, Ohio, south of Ottawa, where the father bought a farm and lived the remainder of his days. Frank W. Deters and his wife moved to Glandorf, in Putnam county, in 1841, where he bought forty acres and settled down to the life of a farmer. Later he bought one hundred and twenty acres north of New Cleveland, but spent all of his life in the village of Glandorf, where he died, in 1887. He served as land appraiser on two dififerent occasions and for many years was assessor of Ottawa township, filling this office for more than eighteen years, from 1856 to 1874. He and his family were loyal members of the Catholic church. His widow died on August 26, 19 10. Ten children were born to Frank W. Deters and wife, only three of whom are now living, Theodore, of Glandorf ; Frank,, of Hamler, Henry county, Ohio, and William, a farmer living three miles north of Glandorf.

Theodore Deters received his education in the schools of Glandorf and worked on his father's farm during his boyhood days. He remained at home until his marriage and then began farming for himself, continuing to reside in Glandorf. He served as assessor of Ottawa township, from 1891 until the spring of 1914. He has also been the appraiser of the Glandorf German Building and Loan Association, for six years. He has taken an active part in the ci^'ic life of Glandorf, and has been a member of the council for three years.

Mr. Deters was married in 1882, to Magdalene Wischmeyer, who was a native of Hanover, Germany, and, in 1879, came to America with her father, Henry, and her sister, settling in Glandorf, where an elder brother, Herman, had previously located. Her father spent the rest of his life here with his children.

Mr. Deters and his wife are the parents of six children, Frank, a painter who married Magdalene Lehman, and has two children, LenOra and Edna: Mary, the wife of Edward Gerdig, of Ottawa; Magdalene, who is still living with her parents; Frances, who married Charles Ellerbrock, a farmer of Glandorf, and has three children, Carolos, Mildred and Bertha; Joseph, who is now teaching in the public schools at New Cleveland, Ohio ; Henry, who is still living at home with his parents.

Mr. Deters and his family are all members of the St. John's Catholic church, of Glandorf. He is also president of the St. John's Aid Society.

George Franklin Polk Smith

An enterprising newspaper man, of Leipsic, is George Franklin Polk Smith, who is the able editor of the Free Press, in that place. His father was thei editor of this same paper for many years, and Mr. Smith has worked in newspaper ofifices from his boyhood days. He has had a very interesting career, having spent many years in professional baseball, where lie made a record as a player. He received an injury, in 1910, which compelled him to leave the profession and since that time he has given all of his time to newspaper work. Since the death of his father, in 1912, has had sole charge of the Free Press.

George F. Smith, the son of William W. and Viola Ann (Baughman) Smith, was born at Leipsic, Ohio, June 14, 1888. His father was connected with the Free Press in Leipsic for many years, and was editor and owner up until the time of his death, February 16, 1912.

Mr. Smith spent his boyhood days in Leipsic, and after finishing two years in the high school in this place, entered Lima College, as a student, "but did not complete his college course. When he was sixteen years of age, he became a member of the Leipsic Baseball Club, and while with this club had a state-wide reputation. When he was about eighteen years of age, he branched out as a professional baseball player with the Zanesville team, in Ohio. This team was in the Ohio-Pennsylvania League, and he remained with Zanesville for two years, and then spent one season in Galveston, Texas, playing with the team of that city, after which he went to Peoria, Illinois, and joined the Three I League. After spending half a season with this team, he went to Kewanna, Illinois, where he finished the season. The next two seasons were spent in the Ohio State League, and he was in this league when he injured a ligament, in 1910, and had to retire from professional baseball. Since that time he has given all of his attention to newspaper work, and upon the death of his father assumed control of the paper which that parent had so ably edited for many years. During all of the time he was playing baseball, he spent the rest of the year in his father's newspaper office and, when he took over the paper in 1912, he was thoroughly conversant with every detail of newspaper management. Consequently, he was abundantly able to take charge of the paper and he has already demonstrated marked ability in its management. He conducts a first-class paper, all of which is printed in his own plant. He is constantly on the alert for up-to-date methods, and has added a number of

Mr. Smith was married on April 5, 1910, on his father's sixtieth birthday, to Mary Magdalene Orians, who was born near Kirby, Ohio, and reared at Upper Sandusky. She is the eldest of ten children born to Frank J. and Rachel (Cooper) Orians.

Mr. Smith and his wife are the parents of three children, George F., Jr., born on January 29, 191 1, who died hy0 days later; Robert James, born on June 19, 1912, and Mary Janet, born on April 21, 1914.

Mr. Smith is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party and advocates its principles in his paper. He belongs to the Findlay Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ottawa Council, Knights of Columbus, anJ the Wadras Caravan of the Alhambra, of Toledo. He also holds his membership in the Leipsic Club. He and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church.

Jacob A. Suter

The career of Jacob A. Suter contains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well-defined purpose, which, carried to successful issue, has won for him an influential place in business circles and high personal standing among his fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance. The systematic and honorable methods, which he has ever followed, have resulted, not only in winning the confidence of those with whom he has had business dealings, but also in building up a large and profitable business. The Pandora Overall Company, in which Mr. Suter is superintendent, vice-president and a member of the board of directors, is one of Putnam county's leading industrial enterprises,, and to Mr. Suter is due a large share of the credit for its successful career.

Jacob A. Suter was born on September 25, 1874, in Riley township,. Putnam county, Ohio. He is the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Lugibihl) Suter, the former of whom was born in 1824, in Wayne county, Ohio. Abraham Suter was the son of John and Elizabeth Suter. John Suter was a native of Switzerland.

Jacob A. Suter spent his boyhood days on the old homestead farm' where he attended the district schools and helped his father durino- the summer months.

ried to Barbara Amstutz, the daughter of Abraham M. and Catherine (Hihy) Amstutz. The family history of Abraham M. Amstutz will be found in the sketch of P. A. Amstutz, a brother of Mrs. Suter, and the history of Mrs. Abraham M. Amstutz will be found in the sketch of Isaac- Hilty, her brother. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Suter have been born threechildren, Elda Loretta, who is a student in the high school ; Orlo Edison, who is in school, and Royle Kenneth.

After his marriage, Mr. Suter took charge of the old home place. Helived here for about one year and a half and then removed to Pandora, where he became interested in the Pandora Manufacturing Company. Hewas one of the organizers of the enterprise, the other members of the firm being the Gerber brothers, John Amstutz and Albert Burry. Mr. Suter took the position of secretary and treasurer of the new company and looked after the mechanical end of the business. About four years later, the mill burned,, and the company was reorganized under the name of the Pandora Overall- Company. Since the organization of the new firm, which has an annual production of over two hundred thousand dollars, Mr. Suter has acted assuperintendent and has served in the capacity of vice-president and a member of the board of directors.

Reverting to Mr. Suter's family history, John Suter, his grandfather, came with his wife to America in the early days and settled in Wayne county, Ohio, near Orrville. It was here that his family of twelve children^ four sons- and eight daughters, was educated and reared.

Abraham Suter, one of the elder children, was bound out at the age of eight years to learn the shoemaker's trade. He remained at home until hewas a young man. He then came to Putnam county, where, for a time, he worked for different farmers in Riley township. Subsequently, he entered a tract of eighty acres of land from the government, one mile east of Pandora. This land was covered with virgin timber and a great deal of water. Abraham Suter first built a log cabin and barn and then proceeded to clear his farm. A few acres were prepared each year until, finally, the whole farm had been put under cultivation. Before entering his land from the government, Abraham Suter had been married to Elizabeth Lugibihl, the daughter of John Lugibihl and wife. It was shortly after his marriage, that he started in to find a new home in the wilderness. Abraham Suter and wife passed through the usual pioneer experiences in clearing their land, draining it and getting it ready for the plow. It was on this homestead, the family of twelve children lived. This family consisted of John, Mary, Peter A., Barbara, Catherine, Fannie, Susan, Magdalene, Elizabeth, Jacob

A., Sarah and one who died in infancy. Abraham Suter added to his original farm of eighty acres and greatly improved his additional farm holding. He died on the old home place, having been killed by a runaway team, in November, 1897. About one year later, in November, 1898, his wife passed away. She was a member of the Mennonite church and was -a splendid Christian woman, a devoted wife and a loving mother. Abraham Suter was also a member of the Mennonite church. He was an ardent Democrat and an industrious, hard-working citizen, a man of high ideals and unquestioned integrity.

Jacob A. Suter, like his father, is a man of unquestioned integrity in the community where he lives and where his active business work is carried on. He is a Democrat, but has never been especially active in the councils of his party. He is a member of the Grace Mennonite church, as is also his wife. Jacob A. Suter is a clean-cut, progressive young business man and one of the original organizers of one of Putnam county's largest industries. He is recognized as a good citizen and a man of splendid attainments.

Men who have obtained success in their professional work are always Jionored and respected by the community in which they have lived and labored. Dearly loved are those who always find time to work in the interest of the whole community, inspiring others to industry, public spirit and faithfulness. Such men never fail to raise the standard of life in their community and the biographer is always proud to record the incidents of their lives. A descendant of men who fought bravely for freedom in the Revolutionary War and who, himself, has been a loyal patriot in another way is William Henry Hickey, M. D., of Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio.

\\^illiam Henry Hickey, M. D., was born in 1847, in Licking county, Ohio, the son of Henry and Mary (Wilkins) Hickey. Henry Hickey was born on June 29, 1820, in Licking county, the son of William and Phoebe (Shambaugh) Hickey. William Hickey came from Winchester county, Virginia, not far from Baltimore, Maryland, coming to Ohio in 1813, and locating in Licking on a leased farm of forty acres, owned by Congressman Stansbury. William Hickey was the son of Edward Hickey. Edward Hickey was an Irish boy from County Clare, Ireland, who came over with -nineteen others under a contract to work for their* passage after they ar- rived in America. They were employed building docks, at Baltimore, and the entire twenty, with their employers, enlisted in the Revolutionary army under the command of Ewing, who was with Washington at the crossing of the Delaware. Ewing's force was kept on one side of the river, while Washington went across and won the victory.

William Hickey was a soldier in the War of 1812 and he and his father are buried side by side in Barnes' graveyard, near Wilkins Corner, in Licking county.

Mary Wilkins was born on a farm adjoining the Hickey farm, in Licking county, a daughter of Henry and Magdalena (Smootz) Wilkins. They were from the Shenandoah valley, in Virginia, and from here they came to Ohio. Her parents were of Huguenot ancestry. Her father built the second grist-mill in Licking county, a mill that ran until the close of the Civil War.

Henry Hickey and wife moved to Putnam county, October 6, 185 1, bringing with them their two sons, Dr. William H. and Reese F. Henry Hickey located on a farm one mile south of Gilboa and lived in that community the rest of his life. His wife died on October 17, 1865. She was the mother of William H., Reese, Magdalena, RoUa and Lyman David, the latter dying when two years old. Rolla died at Hammond, Indiana, in 19 1 2. Magdalena is the wife of Charles F. Stolzenbach, Jr., the well-known baker of Lima. Reese lives south of Gilboa, on a farm.

After the death of his first wife, Henry Hickey married Sarah Harris and to this union was born one son, Edward F., who has been in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, at Woodstock, Canada, for many years. Henry Hickey died on April 21, 1871.

Dr. William H. Hickey grew up on the farm south of Gilboa and attended college at Haysville in Ashland county. He studied medicine with T. E. Paul, M. D., of Ottawa. He attended the Medical College, in Cincinnati, and also the medical department of Western Reserve University, at Cleveland, where he was graduated on April i, 1870. He began the practice of medicine, in Leipsic, April 15, 1870, and here he has practiced medicine since that time. Dr. Hickey also has a farm at the north edge of Leipsic.

Dr. William H. Hickey was married on February 10, 1870, to Rachel Creighton. She was born in Kalida, and was a daughter of John E. and Mary Elizabeth (Stout) Creighton. Her father was left an orphan and brought to Putnam county by an uncle, William McClure, from Pennsylvania, who was county treasurer of Putnam county, during the seventies, and who died while in office. John E. Creighton grew up and served as county auditor, of Putnam county. Mary E. Stout was a daughter of Elisha and Abigail Stout. Elisha Stout came from Coshocton county, Ohio, during the late twenties and entered land where the town of "Gilboa is now located. In fact, he laid out the first plat of the town and also built the first grist-mills at Gilboa, one located two miles up the river, while another was built two miles down the river. His was the first water-power mill in the county and in order to run it he had to go to Columbus to get a permit from the legislature. Coming home, he started in the afternoon and reached Gilboa in the evening of the next day. He had a wonderful constitution. John E. Creighton entered land where Leipsic Junction is now located, and platted the first town lots at Leipsic. It was first called Cratontown. At Leipsic Station, lots were later plated.

William H. Hicke_\- and wife are the parents of four children living and two dead, as follows: Brandon D., Jennie C, Wiley D., and Floyd. Brandon \\'as born in 1871, and is now yardmaster on the Nickel Plate railroad at Continental. He graduated from the Tri-State Normal School, at Angola, and the Lima Business College. He was admitted to the practice of law, in Angola, and practiced there for three years. He married Maude M. Nease and has one son, Robert. Jennie C, who graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Oberlon Conservatory of Music, lives near Limon, Colorado. Wiley D. Hickey, M. D., was bom in 1874. He attended the Hiram College, where he graduated in 1895. Upon graduation, at Hiram, he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in the fall of 1896, graduating in 1900. He immediately began practicing, at Leipsic, Ohio, and has practiced with his father since that time. Wiley D. Hickey, M. D., was married on June 12, 1905, to Eleanor A. Rowland, of Columbus Grove, the daughter of David Rowland and wife. Mrs. W. D. Hickey attended the Oberlin conservatory of Music. Dr. and Mrs. W. D. Hickey have one daughter, Dorothy Ellen. FJoyd D. lives at Limon, Colorado, on a cattle ranch owned by him, his sister, Jennie, and their father. He was born in 1882, and graduated from the Ann Arbor high school, and at the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York.

Dr. William H. Hickey has served as township treasurer for two terms ; mayor of Leipsic two terms, and a member of the council and board of education. He was health officer of Van Buren township for twenty-five consecutive years and is the present health officer at Leipsic. Wiley D. Hickey, M. D., has been mayor two terms, health officer of Leipsic two terms, and is at present a member of the city council. Brandon was justice of the peace of Van Buren township for two terms. Brandon and Dr. W. D. were both in Company A., Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish-American War. Dr. Wiley D. was for five years assistant surgeon of the Second Regiment, Ohio National Guard, with the rank of first lieutenant, and, at the time of his resignation, was ranking first lieutenant in the medical -department. William H. Hickey, M. D., was a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Leipsic, and his sons are also members of the same local lodge. Brandon is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Dr. Wiley D. is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. William H. Hickey -was elected a member of the school board at the first election after the law was passed authorizing the election of women and was treasurer of the board all the time she was a member.

William H. Hickey, M. D., and Wiley D. Hickey, M. D., are both members of the Putnam County Medical Society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society. William H. Hickey, M. D., was pension examiner under Cleveland's administration. Wiley D. Hickey, M. D., is a member of the Egbert Spanish War Veterans' Association, at Toledo, Ohio.

There are only six or seven people in Leipsic who were here when W. H. Hickey, M. D., came. He is very well known in this part of the state, as an able physician and a public-spirited man. He has also given his children exceptional educational advantages, far beyond the average, at a great personal sacrifice to himself. He has lived and guided his children so that they feel a kind fellowship with him and honor him as dutiful and loving sons and

Benjamin F Seitz, Sr

The future of this country lies in the hands of the present generation. Those who contribute most to the welfare of future generations are those who are at this minute keenly interested in progressive movements affecting all lines of human endeavor - those who are ever active in their business, their trade or profession. These are the men who acquire splendid fortunes, accumulate vast and fertile farms and a lucrative and enviable professional practice. These are the men who serve their fellow men faithfully, whatever may be their chosen profession. One of the well-known citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, and a man who has been foremost in the business affairs of this

Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., was born on September i6, 1853, in Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, on a farm. He first saw the light of day in an old log cabin and has slept many a night under a slab board roof of a log cabin, through which the snow sifted in his face. His parents were pioneer settlers of Putnam county. He is the son of David and Lydia (Hufford) Seitz. David Seitz was bom in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1819. His parents were David and Catherine Seitz.

The father of Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., grew up in Fairfield county, Ohio, and while living there married Lydia Hufford, who was born and reared in Perry county, Ohio, the daughter of Daniel Hufford. David Seitz and wife moved to Putnam county in 1847, settling in Union township. They purchased land for one dollar and seventy-five cents an acre, all of which was wild wood. Until Mr. Seitz could build a log cabin, the family lived at the the home of Abram Funk, nearby. Before the family was brought to the cabin, David Seitz had partly furnished it. The first night after the arrival of the family, he finished enough floor upon which to place a bed, and the wife cooked the first meal beside a sugar stump. It was in this cabin that Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., was born and spent his boyhood days. He still remembers seeing a few wild deer and many turkeys during his youth. On this farm his parents lived and died. David Seitz had more than ordinary political influence in his community. He was a justice of the peace, land appraiser and township trustee. Benjamin F. Seitz lived on this farm until his' marriage.

He was married in 1877 to Sarah J. Funk, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Clevenger) Funk, a grand-daughter of Abraham Funk, who sheltered them when his father's family first came to Putnam county. Mrs. Seitz was born in Sugar Creek township. Her father and mother both grew up in Putnam county. Abraham Funk came from Fairfield county before the arrival of the Seitz family. Elizabeth Clevenger was the daughter of Samuel Clevenger, who was reared in Putnam county and the son of pioneer parents, coming from Franklin county. They settled where Vaughnsville is now located. Samuel Clevenger's father owned considerable land along Sugar creek.

After Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., were married they settled on a tract of wooden land in Sugar Creek township. The land was just as it had been left by the Indians, except for a small patch of deadened timber. Mr. Seitz still has the sheepskin deed that was signed by President James K.

Polk. He and his wife went to housekeeping in a log cabin until Mr. Seitz: could build a house. He owned eighty acres of land then and he improved this farm and added an adjoining eighty. Later he added one hundred and fourteen acres across the road in the same township, a total of two hundred and seventy-four acres. He continued farming there until 1905, when he moved to Columbus Grove, and has lived here since that time. He still owns this farm, except fifty-seven acres, which he sold.

About twelve years ago Mr. Seitz purchased an interest in the Exchange Bank, and upon the death of Mr. Crawford, who was then president, in 191 1, he became president of the bank and served in that capacity until it was reorganized as a state bank. He decided that the president should be at the bank regularly during business hours and that another should hold the place, so he gave up this office and the present incumbent has served as president, Mr. Seitz serving as vice-president.

To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., seven children have been born, one of whom, Bessie, died at the age of fourteen months. Those living are John D., Maude, Peter, Benjamin F., Jr., David and Marion. John D., wholives on part of his father's farm, married Nellie Reynolds, and has four children, May, Helen, Lucile and Margery. Maud, who married J. D. Guffy, lives in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and has four children, Roy, Russell, Fay and Vestina. Peter, who lives in Sugar Creek township, on the old homestead, married Dula Dresky and has four children, Charles, Clarence (deceased)^ Blanche and Myrtle. Benjamin F., Jr., who lives in Columbus Grove, married Myrtle Reiger and has three children, Emerson, Christine and Mildred. David, who lives in Columbus Grove, married Vida Sakemiller and has one daughter. Donna. Marion F. is now fifteen years old.

Mr. Seitz recalls the early roads of Putnam county, when it required a whole day to go six miles from the farm to Columbus Grove, and back again. At the time Mr. Seitz was rearing his family it required a day to. haul four or five, hogs to Columbus Grove.

Mr. Seitz and wife belong to the Christian church and Mr. Seitz is a trustee in this denomination, also being chorister for some time in the church at Columbus Grove. Formerly he was clerk of the Ottawa River church, in Sugar Creek township. Mr. Seitz is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Few men in Putnam county are better known than Benjamin F. Seitz, Sr., and a few men are more entitled to the confidence and esteem of the community which he enjoys to the fullest measure, than he. He is one of those men of whom it may be truly said when his last work is finished, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Levi Hummon

One of the oldest pioneer settlers of Putnam county, Ohio, is Levi Hummon, whose whole career, of more than seventy-seven years, has been spent within this county. He and his young bride started in with an eightyacre farm in 1859, where they lived until 1906. Mr. Hummon had one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved land when he moved to Leipsic, in the spring of 1906, which is the direct result of his own work, supplemented by that of his wife and children. He and his good wife have reared a large family of children to lives of usefulness and honor. A greater thing than this can no man do.

Levi Hummon, the son of John and Mary (Winninger) Hummon, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, December 31, 1837. His father, a son of Peter and Mary (Carn) Hummon, was born at Kittanning, Pennsylvania, in 1815. Peter Hummon was a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer in his early life and, later, a distiller of whiskey and applejack. Mary Carn was a native of Holland, who came to America alone, when a girl, and located in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, where she met and married Peter Hummon.

It is interesting to note how the Hummon family came to locate in Ohio. After Peter Hummon and his wife had been married several years, and she had reared six children, she came, alone on horseback, to Wyandot county, Ohio, where she entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land. After accomplishing this unique feat she returned to Pennsylvania and then, with her husband and six children, together with all of their household came back to Ohio and made their home in the wilderness. They made the overland trip with an ox team and located in Wyandot county, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Peter Hummon and wife were the parents of ten children, eight daughters and two sons, one of whom was John Hummon, the father of Levi.

John Hummon was reared on the farm in Wyandot county, and there all the hardships and thrills of pioneer life. When he was a small boy he was often frightened by the Indians, who, though harmless, enjoyed seeing the lad run. He remained on the homestead until he grew to manhood, and, about 1836, married Mary Winninger, a native of Germany, who came to Ohio with her parents and located in Wyandot county. Immediately after their marriage, John Hummon and his young bride moved from Wyandot county to Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio, in 1837, where they entered government land. This farm he cleared, developed and lived upon the remainder of his hfe. There were ten children born to John Hummon and wife, five of whom are still living, Levi, Adam, deceased- deceased; David, Peter, Minerva, Clara and Ada, deceased. One boy, William, died at the age of thirteen, and a daughter, Mary Ann, died at the age of two.

Levi Hummon was born the year after his parents located in Putnam consequently he was reared amid pioneer conditions. He attended the typical log-cabin school house with its slab desks, pine benches and puncheon floors. He helped his father clear the farm and erect the buildings. The first house on the old place was the ordinary log cabin. This was replaced a few years later by a hewed-log house, which was more pretentious, and it was on this farm Levi Hummon remained until his marriage m 1859. After teaching in one of the schools in that township for a year, he and his young wife located on a farm of eighty acres in Van Buren township, which they finally purchased. This farm is situated about three miles of Leipsic, to which four years later, they added another eighty acres. The farm was gradually brought under cultivation by Mr. Hummon and his growing sons, and it is safe to say there is not a more attractive or better improved farm in the county.

Levi Hummon was married on November 24, 1859, to Amanda C. Bolton, of Hancock county, Ohio. She was a daughter of John and Mary Bolton and was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 29, 1840, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. To this union have been born eleven children, Francis, Mary Matilda, John A., Ella L., Cyrus, Byron D., Irvin F., Jenna, Nettie May, Charles E. and Oscar P. Francis, born on November 3, i860, was first married to Maggie Sutter, who died; later he married Delia Hopkins, who is also deceased. His third wife was Ella Cole, of Tacoma, Washington. Two children born to the first marriage, who died in infancy' and to the second marriage six children were born, Merrill, Roy, Carl, Fay,' Ethel and Orlo. Mary Matilda, born on July 16, 1862, married Marion Learn, now deceased, and has two children, Glenn and Maud. She makes her home in Detroit, Michigan. John A., born on September 13, 1864 married Elizabeth Phfeister, and now lives in Van Buren township To this union eight children have been bom, Floyd, Esta, Guy, Carrol, Dale, Ona, Ormond and one who died in infancy. Ella B., born on September 20, 1866, died at the age of two, Cyrus, born on January 27, 1869, married Ella Dimple, Vernon, Michigan, and has one daughter, Leota. Byron B., born on July 20, 1871, was first married to Mattie Altman, and after her to Bertha Mintie. To his first marriage were born three children

Derril, Vera and Ina. He is now living at Carmangay, Alberta, Canada. Irvin F., born on July 9, 1874, married Emma Simmons, and has one son,. Irvin F., Jr. Irvin F. now lives at Berwin, Illinois. Jenna, born on October 26, 1876, died on October 29, 1876. Nettie May, born on June 2y, 1878,. died at the age of nineteen. Charles E., of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, born oil June 25, 1 88 1, was married to Mamie William, and has two daughters, Beulah and Elizabeth. Oscar P., of Leipsic, born on April 18, 1884, married Ethel A. Bush, and has one son, Raymond.

Mr. Hummon has served as township trustee and as a member of the school board. He has also been treasurer of his township. He has alwaysgiven his support to the Democratic party and been active in its affairs. Although he has not joined any religious organization he attends the- Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. Hummoa is still hale and hearty, despite his advanced age, and is able to recall many pioneer experiences, through which he passed in his boyhood days.

Louis W. Kuntz

Success in the mercantile business is founded on strict integrity, good business management and courteous dealings with the public. Such a business is likewise an evidence of the possession of these qualities, because na man can succeed very well without them. The Kuntz store, at Leipsic, Ohio, founded by the late Louis W. Kuntz, is conducted on these principles.

Louis W. Kuntz was born, in 1859, at West Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, the son of Christian and Mary (Dietz) Kuntz. Christian Kuntz and wife were born, reared and married in Germany, and came to the United States about 1850. They first lived at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and later came to West Leipsic, where they engaged in the saw-mill business. Later, Mr. Kuntz came to Leipsic and took a half interest, with Mr. Foltz, in the gristmill, at "the south end of Leipsic. He sold out his interest there, in the early seventies, and bought a farm at the south edge of the town, living there until July, 19 1 4. He died on February 6, 19 15, Christian Kuntz was eightynine years old and his widow registers an even four score and ten. They had been married nearly sixty years.

Louis W. Kuntz grew up at Leipsic, and, while a young man, worked in a dry goods store until about twenty years old. He then went into business for himself. He and William Cole were in the grocery business together.

but three years later they dissolved the business, when Louis W. and his brother went into a partnership, which lasted for about fifteen years. After that, Louis W. Kuntz continued in business until his death. At the time he and Mr. Cole were together they also operated a warehouse.

Louis W. Kuntz was married, in 1882, to Emma Wineland. She was born at Van Buren, Hancock county, Ohio, the daughter of George and Isabel (Morehead) Wineland. George Wineland was a native of Pennsylvania. Isabel Morehead was born on a farm in Hancock county, near Findlay. George Wineland and his brother conducted a saw-mill until he went tO' war. He served in the Civil War, as a soldier, dying in the service, o,f typhoid fever. At the time of his death he was still a young man. He left a widow and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Louis W. Kuntz was only about a year old at the time of her father's death. The mother later married Joseph Mitchell and lived in Mocomb. She afterward moved to Ottawa. The mother died in 1908 and is buried in Leipsic.

Mr. Kuntz erected the business block in which the Kuntz store is located, about 1900. This is a substantial two-story brick building. Charles Edward Kuntz, his son, _ who now operates the store, was born July 25, 1883, in Leipsic, Putnam county. For ten years he was chief clerk in the office of the Nickel Plate railroad, at Leipsic Junction, and resigned that place to take charge of the store, at the time of his father's death. He was married, in August, 1905, to Bessie Sherrard. She was bom in Blanchard township, Putnam county, the daughter of Chester and Carrie (Maidlow) Sherrard. Chester Sherrard was born in Blanchard township and a sketch of his life is found elsewhere in this volume.

Louis W. Kuntz was a Republican. At various times he was nominated by his party for county treasurer and county clerk and served on the city council several terms, and also on the school board. He was a member of the school board at the time the new building was erected. Mr. Kuntz was a member of the Presbyterian church, a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. He was master of finance in the Knights of Pythias for twenty-five years, holding this office until his death, and was also secretary of the Masonic lodge. He died on June 25, 1912. Mrs. Kuntz owns the store, left by her husband.

Charles Edward Kuntz, the present manager of the store, is a Republican and is now serving as treasurer of Van Buren township. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Charles E. Kuntz is a highly educated woman, and very popular in her community. In fact, the whole Kuntz family are popular throughout the county, where they have occupied a prominent place for so many years.

William D. Starling

An enterprising druggist, of Leipsic, Ohio, is William. D. Starling, who has been located in this city since 1901. He started to work in a drug store while still a lad in school and has made this his life work. He not only has a practical knowledge gained from long experience behind the prescription counter, but also has a technical training, which comes from a good college course. As a result, he is a thoroughly competent and efficient pharmacist. He is now a partner in the drug firm of Starling & Buckley, at Leipsic, and has active charge of the store in this city.

William D. Starling, the son of Erastus B. and Alice (Hamilton) Starling, was born at Middle Point, Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1881. His father was born near Oil City, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and is a son of Jonathan and Sarah Starling. His mother was born in Middle Point, Van Wert, Ohio, and is the daughter of John Hamilton and wife. His father is now engaged in the dairy business at Payne, Ohio.

William D. Starling was reared to manhood in Payne, Ohio, and while still in school began to work in a drug store. After leaving school he continued as a drug clerk, but feeling the need of technical training along pharmaceutical lines, became a student in the Northern Normal University at Ada, Ohio, where he took the course in pharmacy. After leaving college, he returned to Payne and remained there until 1901. In that year he came to Leipsic and took a position in the drug store of C. S. Buckley, and, in 1908, became a partner with Mr. Buckley. Mr. Starling now has active charge of the store in Leipsic, Mr. Buckley maintaining his residence at Findlay, Ohio. Their store is well stocked with a complete line of drugs and a varied assortment of druggists' sundries. He enjoys a well-deserved patronage in Leipsic and the surrounding community, and has one of the best and most attractively-arranged drug stores in the county.

Mr. Starling was married in June, 1904, to Mary Archer, who was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Wilson and Margaret (Trott) Archer. Her parents moved to this county while she was still a child and took charge of the Central house, at Leipsic, and they

William D. Starling is an active Republican and takes an intelligent interest in political affairs. He is now serving his second term on the city council and always gives his support to such measures as he believes will be for the benefit of the city. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally, he is a Free and Accepted Mason and has attained to the Temple degree. He also holds his membership in the Knights of Pythias.

Howard C. Hummon

A successful business man of Leipsic, Ohio, is Howard C. Hummon, who has spent his whole career of forty-five years in this county. Born and reared on the farm in Liberty township, he has been engaged in the implement business in Leipsic since 1898, and has built up a large business. He has been active in the councils of the Democratic party in his county, and has served with credit as county recorder for two terms. He is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, deeply alive to the welfare of his community, and in all things stands as a high type of the good American citizen.

Howard C Hummon, the son of Adam and Nora (Guthrie) Hummon, was born on November 30, 1870, in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio. His father was born in Riley township, this county, in 1839, and was a son of John Hummon and wife, early settlers in Riley township. John Hummon was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent.

Adam Hummon was a life-long farmer and spent practically all his, days in Liberty township. His wife, Nora Guthrie, was born in Monroe township, in this county, and died about 1884. Adam Hummon was at one time the nominee of the Democratic party for county treasurer, having previously served as treasurer of Liberty township. He died in 1902. Three children were born to Adam Hummon and wife : Truman F., deceased; Howard C., of Leipsic, and John E., of Denver, Colorado.

Howard C. Hummon was reared on his father's farm and received his elementary education in the schools of Liberty township. He then became a student in Crawfis College, and later taught school one term in Liberty township. He then engaged in farming, and, after his marriage in 1893, continued in agricultural pursuits for five years. Mr. Hummon sold his farm of eighty acres in the spring of 1898 and engaged in the implement business at Leipsic, and now deals in all kinds of agricultural implements, buggies and automobiles. He has built up a wide acquaintance throughout the county. By treatnig all of his customers with uniform fairness and consideration, he has built up a large and lucrative trade. He tries to see that every one of' his customers is satisfied, and by his uniform courtesy and honesty in all transactions, has succeeded to an admirable degree in building up his trade.

_ Mr. Hummon was married in 1893 to Clara C. Miller, who was a native of Blanchard township, and is a daughter of Joseph H. Miller and wife. Her father was born and reared on a farm in Blanchard township where he spent all of his life. He was a director of the county infirmary for two terms, and died m November, 1913, his wife having passed away several years previously.

Mr. Hummon is a stanch Democrat and has always been active in the councils of his party. He was elected recorder of Putnam county in 1908 and took his office in September of the following year. His first term was so satis tactory that he was renominated and elected for a second term holding the office until September, 1913. Since that time he has devoted' all of his attention to his rapidly-increasing business in Leipsic. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias while he and his wife are both loyal members of the Lutheran church

Frank Edgar Critchet

The village of Belmore, Putnam county, Ohio, has no more enterprising citizen than Frank Edgar Critchet, who has been engaged in business m that place for the past quarter of a century. His parents moved to this county in 1871, where he has lived since that time, having followed farming and public school teaching before engaging in a general mercantile business. Li addition to his general store, he is also a funeral director and has been engaged in the undertaking business at Belmore since 1900' He has been active in the life of the community and filled various official positions with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens.

Frank E. Critchet, the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary Ann (Milburn) Critchet, was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 27, 1861 His father was a life-long farmer and also operated a threshing outfit during the summer seasons for a number of years. The family moved to Putnam county in 1871, and located in the southern part of Van Buren township, where Andrew J. Critchet bought a farm and lived most of the remainder of his life. He died at Belmore, March 7, 191 1, at the age of eighty-seven. His wife had died in 1898. Andrew J. Critchet was a member of Company C, Seventy-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, and served with distinction in that conflict.

Frank E. Critchet was ten years of age when his parents moved from Licking county, Ohio, to Putnam county, and consequently, received his elementary education in those counties. After finishing the common schools of Van Buren township, in Putnam county, he became a student at Crawfis College, and then engaged in public school teaching in Henry county, Ohio, for two years. Mr. Critchet started a grocery store in Belmore in 1890, and has been in business here since that time. He had only one hundred and fifty dollars when he started in the business, but by careful economy and good business judgment, has built up a large and lucrative trade in Belmore and the surrounding country. He now has a general mercantile establishment and handles a general line of goods, such as is found in stores of this kind. He graduated from the Champion College of Embalming at Springfield, Ohio, in 1900, and has been engaged in the embalming and undertaking business at Belmore since that year.

F. E. Critchet is the son of William H., and has charge of the switchboard and lines and is general manager of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company in Belmore.

Mr. Critchet was married on February 23, 1887, to Minnie Miley, a steamstress of Belmore, who was a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Leffler) Miley. Her parents moved to Putnam county in 1863, and located twO' miles south of Belmore, where the parents lived until late in life. They spent their declining years in Belmore. Mrs. Critchet's father was trustee for a number of years. He -died in March, 1908, and his wife died in October, 1902. Mr. Critchet and his wife have one son, William H.

Mr. Critchet has always supported the Democratic ticket, and for many years has been one of his party's leaders in this county. He served two terms as township assessor and was mayor of Belmore for one term. He helped to organize the annual reunion of former residents of Licking, and has been president of the society for the entire nine years it has existed. These reunions are held annually in Putnam county, and the 19 14 meeting was held on September 10, in a grove one and one-half miles south of Belmore. Mr. Critchet is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, where he and his wife both belong to the Daughters of Rebekah. He has a number of interesting old relics, including an ancient lantern, an. old flint-lock muzzle-loading pistol, and old-style grease lamp, and a Bible that was printed in Edinburgh in 1782. Mrs. Critchet has been a dressmaker at Belmore for the past twenty-five years. They are most estimable people and are highly esteemed in the community where they have lived sO' many y«ars.

William Martin Risser

Clearly-defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will inevitably result in obtaining a large measure of success. In tracing the career of one who has attained tangible results as the consequence of his own efforts, there comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible, that there is found an incentive to inspiration and, at the same time, there is inward a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have made William Martin Risser one of the prominent and successful farmers of Putnam county, have also won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens; for his career has been one of well-directed energy,, strong determination, and honorable, straightforward business relations. William Martin Risser is the largest individual cattle feeder in Putnam county and is also a feeder of more hogs every year than any other farmer residing in this county, a distinction of no small consequence in a county that is reputed for its many splendid farms and extensive farmers.

Mr. Risser is well equipped for raising great numbers of cattle and hogs. His main barn is eighty by one hundred and thirty feet, and fifty feet high. His horse stables, feeding room, and cow stables are forty-four by eighty feet; and the cattle' feeding space covers an area of eighty-six by eighty feet. All of this is under one roof, to which has been added an adjoining shed, one hundred and thirty by eight feet. This barn was built in 1913, at a cost of approximately eight thousand dollars. Here is to be found room for twenty head of horses, and five milch cows, besides one hundred head of cattle. Mr. Risser also has about thirty-five head of hogs in this barn, and can accommodate a hundred and fifty more. The feed is stored in the upper story, from which it is dropped through five openings to feed boxes on the ground floor. Around each of these boxes twenty head of cattle can feed. The second barn is one hundred and six by seventyfour feet, and is used exclusively for cattle and hogs. In this barn Mr. Risser can accommodate a hundred head of cattle, and one hundred and fifty head of hogs. William Martin Risser also lives in a large and comfortable residence, consisting of eighteen rooms, and which is equipped with two baths. It has a laundry and a pipe-water plant moved by the pressure system; also a cistern, which holds three hundred and fifty barrels of water. The house is heated by hot water from basement to attic. Mr. Risser's successful operation as a farm manager, and his success during the past twenty years, has been little short of remarkable.

Mr. Risser was born on March 29, 1871, in Riley township, Putnamcounty, Ohio. He is a son of David and Margaret (Krohn) Risser. David Risser was born at Derkheim, Bavaria, Germany, April 5, 1840, and is the son of Abraham and Catherine (Vonvennig) Risser. Mr. Risser's mother, who was Margaret Krohn, before her marriage, is the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Weaver) Krohn, and was born in Butler county, January 5, 1844. At the age of three months she was brought by her parents to Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio.

When a young man, William Martin Risser attended the Kiene district school until he was eighteen years old. He averaged about eight weeks in school each winter, and during the remainder of the time he worked on. the farm with his father. Subsequently, he attended the Pandora high school under the tutelage of his brother, George, who was principal of this^ school. The first year he was in school for seventy days, and the second year he was in school for seventy-two days. Following his work in the Pandora high school, he took a ten-weeks business course at the Ohio Northern University at Ada. On completing this course, he had arrived at the age of twenty-one. Prior to this time, with the exception of the short period he was in school, he had been the mainstay of his father in the management and work on the large farm.

After returning from Ada, he worked for his father for two years without compensation, and then went into partnership with him for the ensuing sixteen years. The first eight years his share of the net profits was ten per cent., and the balance of the sixteen years his share was twentyper cent.

ment made at that time. Mr. Risser attributes his success, as a farmer and stock raiser, to the instruction he has received in the school of hard work, under the expert guidance of his father.

William Martin Risser was married at the age of twenty-four, on November 27, 1895, to Elizabeth Lemley, the daughter of Jacob L. and Sarah Jane (Layton) Lemley. Mrs. Risser was born on August 31, 1875, in Riley township, Putnam county, Ohio. Her father was a native of Morgantown. West Virginia, born on July 10, 1837, and a son of Asa and Elizabeth (Evans) Lemley, both of whom were natives of western Pennsylvania. Mrs. Risser's mother was born on July 10, 1838, close to Morgantown, West Virginia. She is the daughter of Peter A. and Catherine (Liming) Layton, who were natives of West Virginia. Mrs. Risser was one of six children born to her parents. The others were Alice M., Charles, Mary, Katie and Sarah S. Her father and mother came to Putnam county, Ohio, in 1871. They had been married ten years previously, on Februarv 7, 1861.

Mrs. Risser received her education in the common schools of Pandora, and lived with her parents one-half mile north of the town, until she was married.

William Martin Risser is not only the largest individual cattle feeder in Putnam county, but he is, likewise, the largest feeder of hogs. He is considered one of the most progressive farmers in the county and his success has been little short of phenomenal.

Mr. and Mrs. Risser have been the parents of five children. Margaret Jane was born on December 2, 1896. Irene Beatrice was born September 5, 1897. Phyllis Francesca was born on August 24, 1899. David Lemley was born on January 4, 1901. Lillian Elizabeth was born on April -27, 1905.

Mr. Risser is a Democrat. He is now serving his second term as trustee and also his second term as a member of the school board. Both of these oifices were conferred upon him with solicitation on his part, which is no small tribute to his career as a citizen, and is evidence of the great esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. Mr. Risser is now the secretary and is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Banking Company, of Pandora, and gives to this business a share of his personal attention. William Martin Risser is a man who is highly respected by his fellow citizens and is honored for his industry, good business management and square dealing.

Henry Moening

Every nation on the earth has contributed its quota to the population of the United States, but no nation has furnished better citizens for our country than has Germany. Thousands of its best citizens have come to this country and become valuable members of the various communities in which they have settled. Putnam county, Ohio, has attracted many of these citizens and hundreds of their descendants are now living v\rithin its borders. Henry Moening, the son of John Henry and Mary (Recker) Moening, was born on January i, 1838, on a farm about one and one-half miles south of Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, on section 33. His parents were both born in Germany, his father being born in Ausnabruk, and his mother in the same locality.

John Henry Moening was reared in Germany and came to America in the early thirties and located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he worked for a year on the Wabash and Erie Canal. His wife, Mary Recker, and her two brothers came across the ocean at the same time, when she cooked for the workmen on the canal. One of her brothers, Louis, lived near Glandorf, Putnam county, Ohio, and at her brother's home, she and Mr. Moening were married. After their marriage, they moved to the farm where Henry Moening was born, and there John H. Moening and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They started with a little farm of forty acres, principally covered with forest trees, and by hard work and good management, they have accumulated a farm of three hundred acres.

Henry Moening had a brother, Herman, and a sister, Mary, both of whom are deceased. He was reared on the farm where he was born and lived on this farm continuously for seventy-six years. Being the only child, he inherited his father's farm and made it his home until the fall of 1914, when he retired and moved into Glandorf, where he is now living. He has sold his farm in order that he might not have the burden of caring for it and having it on his hands during his declining years.

Henry Moening was married, in 1859, to Elizabeth Ellerbrock. She was born at Glandorf, in Hanover, Germany, and when six months of age, came with her parents, Theodore and Katherine (Kracht) Ellerbrock, to this county, the family arriving here in 1836. The Ellerbrock family are responsible for the name of the village, Glandorf, in this county, that being their native town in Germany.

who married Elizabeth Uphaus and has nine children; Herman, of Putnam county, who married Elizabeth Brockman and has four children living and one deceased; Barney, of Ottawa, who married Theresa Hueve and has five children; Henry, who died at the age of twenty-two; Theodore, who married Matilda Brockman and left five children at his death, April 6, 1914;. WiUiam, who died at the age of eighteen; Mary, who lives in Glandorf with her father. The mother of these children died on September 16, 1907, at the age of seventy-two.

Five of Mr. Moening's children are married and have families of their own. Here are presented the grandchildren of Mr. Moening: The children of John: Elizabeth, Caroline, Clara, Lucy, Gertrude, John, Frances, Lawrence and Agnes. The children of Herman: Herman, Romanus, Sylvester, Laura and Catherine, deceased. The children of Barney: Veronica, Harry, Joseph, Alfred, Leo and Philomina, who died in infancy. The children of Theodore: Lavina, Adeline, Amanda, Clarence and Hilarius.

Mr. Moening and his family are loyal members of the Catholic church and deeply interested in its welfare and generous contributors to its maintenance. He is a Democrat and, while interested in everything which pertains, to good government, has never taken an active part in political affairs. Mr. Moening is one of the grand old pioneers of the county and has always lived a clean and wholesome life, and richly merits the high esteem in which he is held by everyone who knows him.

Orren Eugene Townsend

The character of a community is determined, in a large measure, by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. H its moral and intellectual status is good; if, in a social way, it is a pleasant place to reside; if its reputation, as to the integrity of its citizens, has extended to another locality, it will be found that the standards set by the leading business men have been high, and their influence tends to mold the character and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing the late Orren Eugene Townsend in the front ranks of such men, justice is rendered to a man, universally recognized throughout the locality, long honored by his citizenship as one who stood for all good things. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with noambition for public position or leadership, he contributed much to the civic and moral advancement of his community. The admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life, won for him the esteem and confidence of the circle in which he moved. Although he is now sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence still lives and his memory is revered, not alone by his widow and children, but by the circle of men and women who knew him and who loved him for his true worth.

Orren Eugene Townsend grew up at Bluffton, attending the public schools of that place and the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, where he a splendid education. After leaving college, Mr. Townsend engaged in the lumber business in Bluffton, and, with his brother and father, conducted a saw-mill until 1887. He then moved to Leipsic, Putnam county, in 1887, and operated a planing-mill at that place until two years before his death, first, with his father, and later, in partnership with John Zahrend a Mr. Kober. These men did business under the firm name of Leipsic Lumber Company. Mr. Townsend moved to Irvine, Kentucky, in the spring -of 1899, where his company had opened a saw-mill along the Kentucky river. Here they were able to get their lumber from the source of supply and to eliminate the middle man. Mr. Townsend died there on May 10, 1901.

Mr. Townsend was a public-spirited citizen and, throughout his life was one of the foremost citizens in the improvement of Leipsic. He was progressive in his work and built one of the handsomest homes in Leipsic. Through his efforts were due the erection of many excellent business buildings, among them the Townsend block, one of the best in the city. He was -a faithful husband, a kind father, an obliging neighbor, and a zealous Christian, in the practical sense of the word. Mr. Townsend was a devout member of the Methodist church and, throughout his life, was active in the church and Sunday school.

At his death he was survived by a widow and three children, Leila, Harry and Grace, all of whom live at home with Mrs. Townsend. Harry has a large garage and is in the automobile business.

Mrs. Townsend, before her marriage, was Jennie E. Hall. She married Mr. Townsend, December 16, 1879. She was born at Gilboa, in this county and is the daughter of John F. and Nancy J. (Hoagland) Hall.

John F. Hall was born, at Gilboa, and was the son of Samuel, who was a prominent pioneer citizen of Putnam county. He came to Blanchard township in 1832, from Jackson township, Muskingum county, and was the second settler in that township. The county was then a wilderness, but here he and the Hickerson family, who came with him, lived a week in one cabin till each could raise a small cabin for their respective families. Indians passed every day and night and sometimes came to the cabin in large crowds to trade. Ah had to be fed liberaUy when they came, and some of them would drink seven or eight cups of tea or coffee. This story is told, however, in the historical section of this volume. The first sermon preached in this county was preached in Samuel Hall's cabin, two years after the Halls moved here. Samuel Hall's wife was Martha Wamsley, the daughter of John and Mary (Robinson) Wamsley. Mary Robinson was the daughter of William Robinson, who, at the time of the Indian war, was taken prisoner by Chief Logan and his men and brought to Ohio, where he was kept a prisoner for four months. He moved his family in 1800, including his wife and ten children, all of whom were married and had children of their own, to a place where he had been imprisoned. The family moved at once from Clarksburg, Harrison county, A^irginia, upon pack horses, entered a large tract of land on the Muskingum river. Samuel Hall was born in Morgantown, Virginia, in 1803, and at the age of three years, he and his 'parents came to Licking county, where he was married on April 14, 1824. In the fall of 1831 he selected a farm site in the wilderness, in Blanchard township, comprising one hundred and seventy-five acres. He moved here in the spring of 1832, and in nearly every direction there were no neighbors for twenty miles.. His son, John F Hall, married Nancy Hoagland on May 15, 1857. He died on November 11, 1862, leaving three daughters, Mrs. H. L. Hunter, Mrs. O. E. Townsend and Mrs. John Zahrend. After Mr. Hall's death, his widow married H. J. Call and spent her last years in Bluffton. She was a faithful and conscientious member of the Methodist church and active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Reverting to Orren E. Townsend's history, it may be said that his father, Ira M. Townsend, was born on November 19, 1833, in Franklin county. New York and died at Bluffton, Ohio, in January 11, 191 1, at the age of seventy-seven. Ira M. Townsend came from an old colonial family of English Puritan stock. His father, Appleton Townsend, was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, who married Roxie Fields, of Franklin county, New York.

When Ira M. Townsend was eight years old he was brought by his parents to Ohio and learned the saddler's trade, in Knox and Hardin counties. He worked at his trade in Bluffton twelve years and located there, in 1852. He was married at Jamestown, New York, October 29, 1852, to Catherine Thompson, a native of New York. He engaged in the milling business in partnership with E. N. Woodford, in 1853, but for one year, however, Mr. Townsend was not actively engaged in business. During the years 1865 and 1866 he engaged in the milling business, in Michigan, and.

after his return to Bluffton, entered the saw-mill business again. This time his mill was blown up by a boiler explosion and after it was rebuilt, fire destroyed it in 1887. He rebuilt it a second time, in 1896, but again it was destroyed by fire. His determination was invincible, and he rebuilt again.. He conducted the mill until 1904 and then sold out to the Bluff^ton Turned Goods Company and continued with this firm, as president of the company,, until his death. At the time of his death, Mr. Townsend was the oldest member of his lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Methodist church from his youth and was always an upright, sincere, Christian man, liberal in his donations and ever willing to help hischurch and other denominations as well. He was very widely known and a man of sterling character and the qualities of heart which won for him the deep respect and friendship of all with whom he came in contact

Born of such a father, it is not to be wondered that the late Orren- Eugene Townsend was a man known and respected among men. Many of his good traits he inherited from his father, but in preserving these traits, he deserves credit for being the worthy son of a good father.

Walter S. Stevenson

One of the younger lawyers of Putnam county, Ohio, is Walter S. Stevenson, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in thiscounty at Leipsic since 1907. Graduating from the law school in 1904 he was admitted to the bar in the same year and practiced at North Baltimore until he came to Leipsic in April, 1907, to become a member of the law firm of I^ower & Stevenson. This firm also deals in insurance, real estate, loans and bonds.